HALF A MILLION? NAH...
So I recommend Google Alerts. You don't have to be online to search for stuff that interests you; set it up correctly and Google will email you any time your term pops up on the web.
Naturally, I have it set for my childhood address, especially as it has some small importance for Legion fandom.
Today, in my in box:
Google Web Alert for: "1354 Herschell St"
Bronx home values - compare homes for sale and recently sold homes ...
18, 1354 Herschell St, Bronx, NY 10461, 0.34mi, $540000, Jun 13, 2006, -, -, 1783 sqft, 3558 sqft, 1935, $303. 19, 1541 Overing St, Bronx, NY 10461, 0.23mi ...
Had I known I was growing up in a house that would be worth half a million dollars one day...
... of course, let's not discuss what King County thinks my current home is worth.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Saturday, December 02, 2006
YOU CAN TAKE THE BOY OUT OF NEW YORK...
YOU CAN TAKE THE BOY OUT OF NEW YORK...
Amazingly, I'd thought I'd lost most of my New York accent. A tip of the cap to Harry Broertjes, who forwarded this my way.
| What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Northeast Judging by how you talk you are probably from north Jersey, New York City, Connecticut or Rhode Island. Chances are, if you are from New York City (and not those other places) people would probably be able to tell if they actually heard you speak. | |
| Philadelphia | |
| The Inland North | |
| The Midland | |
| The South | |
| Boston | |
| The West | |
| North Central | |
| What American accent do you have? Take More Quizzes | |
Amazingly, I'd thought I'd lost most of my New York accent. A tip of the cap to Harry Broertjes, who forwarded this my way.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
SHANGHALLA AWAITS: DAVE COCKRUM DEAD AT 63
SHANGHALLA AWAITS: DAVE COCKRUM DEAD AT 63
Just got an email from Paul Kupperberg forwarded to me and Harry by Bob Greenberger to let us know that Dave Cockrum died today.
In my years away from comics fandom, I was not up on the minute-to-minute happenings as I had been in college. Ken Gale had been my chief contact about Dave's health, and I had never quite gotten all the details until I did some e-sleuthing just now, but apparently complications from diabetes had been what had put him in the hospital some time back, and what can be assigned as the cause of his death.
Of course, this is a sad and tragic loss for all of us as Legion fans, as comic fans, and, of course, as human beings. Dave was a fan just like the rest of us... he drew for FANTASTIC FANZINE, for Warren, worked as Murphy Anderson's assistant, all before telling Murray Boltinoff that "goddamn bet your ass" he was ready to be the regular artist for the LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES strip in the back of SUPERBOY. Some of us might like to think that we had something to do with the strip's eventual rebirth, but it took an energy and a talent like Dave's to help others see what we saw. And it can't have just been the LEGION, either... very few people who plunked down ten dollars a pop to see the X-MEN movies knew it, but he'd given vision to the new X-MEN (along with the Legionnaire who never was, NIGHTCRAWLER). At least an agreement had been reached between Dave and Marvel about that, and I hope that it will have come in time to help Dave's widow, Paty.
More to the point, Dave was just a friendly and likeable guy. He shared himself and his thoughts and feelings without the self-importance and self-editing that so many others have. We are all fortunate to have had Dave Cockrum for the time we had him.
Dave Cockrum's autobiography.
Obituaries:
New York Times.
Just got an email from Paul Kupperberg forwarded to me and Harry by Bob Greenberger to let us know that Dave Cockrum died today.
In my years away from comics fandom, I was not up on the minute-to-minute happenings as I had been in college. Ken Gale had been my chief contact about Dave's health, and I had never quite gotten all the details until I did some e-sleuthing just now, but apparently complications from diabetes had been what had put him in the hospital some time back, and what can be assigned as the cause of his death.
Of course, this is a sad and tragic loss for all of us as Legion fans, as comic fans, and, of course, as human beings. Dave was a fan just like the rest of us... he drew for FANTASTIC FANZINE, for Warren, worked as Murphy Anderson's assistant, all before telling Murray Boltinoff that "goddamn bet your ass" he was ready to be the regular artist for the LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES strip in the back of SUPERBOY. Some of us might like to think that we had something to do with the strip's eventual rebirth, but it took an energy and a talent like Dave's to help others see what we saw. And it can't have just been the LEGION, either... very few people who plunked down ten dollars a pop to see the X-MEN movies knew it, but he'd given vision to the new X-MEN (along with the Legionnaire who never was, NIGHTCRAWLER). At least an agreement had been reached between Dave and Marvel about that, and I hope that it will have come in time to help Dave's widow, Paty.
More to the point, Dave was just a friendly and likeable guy. He shared himself and his thoughts and feelings without the self-importance and self-editing that so many others have. We are all fortunate to have had Dave Cockrum for the time we had him.
Dave Cockrum's autobiography.
Obituaries:
New York Times.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
SHOULD THE YANKEES STAY THE COURSE?
SHOULD THE YANKEES STAY THE COURSE?
You see, I personally wish that Alex Rodriguez never plays in the World Series, but for the real debate on whether A-Rod should be traded by the Yankees, check out what Tom Peyer and Hart Seely said recently in the New York Times.
You see, I personally wish that Alex Rodriguez never plays in the World Series, but for the real debate on whether A-Rod should be traded by the Yankees, check out what Tom Peyer and Hart Seely said recently in the New York Times.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Saturday, September 09, 2006
WONDER IF IT'LL BE KRYPTONITE...?
WARNER BROS. CONSUMER PRODUCTS: is launching a new fashion jewelry collection inspired by the summer hit Superman Returns. The collections will include necklaces, pendants, bracelets, rings, belts, and key chains for men and women featuring the iconic S-Shield in silver and 18K gold. Warner Bros. Consumer Products is partnering with jewelry-maker Robert Lee Morris. The collection will sell for $55 to $350.
Source: PROMO Xtra: News of the Marketing Industry
August 14, 2006
A Prism Business Media Publication
Source: PROMO Xtra: News of the Marketing Industry
August 14, 2006
A Prism Business Media Publication
Friday, May 12, 2006
EVERYONE HATES THE BOSS
EVERYONE HATES THE BOSS
Seems that even over at Military.com -- yes, I read it now that the military is an important client of mine -- they're not very fond of Rummy.
Seems that even over at Military.com -- yes, I read it now that the military is an important client of mine -- they're not very fond of Rummy.
Friday, April 21, 2006
MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE METAL DETECTORS...
MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE METAL DETECTORS...
If you are among those who still hear the voiceover from the mid-1960s Batman television show in their ears when you think about comic books -- never mind that you've probably seen the film versions of V for Vendetta, Blade, and The Matrix -- then Hill & Wang, an imprint of Farrar, Straus & Giroux, has a sobering surprise from you.
Soon to be published in 144 serial art pages is The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation. Of course, it will be edited by Sid Jacobson, who created the Richie Rich comic series, and illustrated by Ernie Colon, who has worked on Spider-Man, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman -- and Richie Rich.
My first reaction to this is that it's good news. Several years ago I'd lost track of a lot of the folks I'd worked with at DC Comics, and somehow I'd heard that Ernie had died. (Of course, there are still those rumors about me.)
The idea of turning a dry report on the events of September 11, 2001 into a graphic novel is fascinating. Making it more accessible has some value... but what does it say about our nation, when the most important event of our lives has to be reduced to a picture book before folks pay attention to it. (Editor's note: I haven't read the report, either, so I'm just as guilty.)
Maybe it's a sign of a culture whose parents will browbeat employers into hiring their young (see my spouse's reference to this particular societal disaster here).
In any event, I don't envy Ernie the task of having to spend hours drawing all that real horror. That's different from Wonder Woman, different from Spider-Man... and way different from Richie Rich.
If you are among those who still hear the voiceover from the mid-1960s Batman television show in their ears when you think about comic books -- never mind that you've probably seen the film versions of V for Vendetta, Blade, and The Matrix -- then Hill & Wang, an imprint of Farrar, Straus & Giroux, has a sobering surprise from you.
Soon to be published in 144 serial art pages is The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation. Of course, it will be edited by Sid Jacobson, who created the Richie Rich comic series, and illustrated by Ernie Colon, who has worked on Spider-Man, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman -- and Richie Rich.
My first reaction to this is that it's good news. Several years ago I'd lost track of a lot of the folks I'd worked with at DC Comics, and somehow I'd heard that Ernie had died. (Of course, there are still those rumors about me.)
The idea of turning a dry report on the events of September 11, 2001 into a graphic novel is fascinating. Making it more accessible has some value... but what does it say about our nation, when the most important event of our lives has to be reduced to a picture book before folks pay attention to it. (Editor's note: I haven't read the report, either, so I'm just as guilty.)
Maybe it's a sign of a culture whose parents will browbeat employers into hiring their young (see my spouse's reference to this particular societal disaster here).
In any event, I don't envy Ernie the task of having to spend hours drawing all that real horror. That's different from Wonder Woman, different from Spider-Man... and way different from Richie Rich.
Saturday, April 15, 2006
CARL EVERETT CAN KISS MY GLOW-IN-THE-DARK IRISH BUTT
CARL EVERETT CAN KISS MY GLOW-IN-THE-DARK IRISH BUTT
Not two minutes ago I saw Carl Everett, the new Mariners designated hitter, interviewed prior to the upcoming game between the Mariners and the Red Sox. I am not Everett's biggest fan to begin with; he crowds the plate by illegally stepping over the line for the batter's box and complains when umpires call him out or pitchers throw inside. He riles people, too.
Today is an example.
He was asked about Jackie Robinson (today being the 59th anniversary of Robinson's major league debut; don't make me have to tell you why that's important, or it guts what I'm about to say). Everett said that he never learned about Jackie Robinson until he started playing baseball professionally, and then blamed racism for that. He alluded to Black History Month, restating the old complaint that the shortest month has been reserved to celebrate it, except missing the point and saying that somehow that the point of black history month was to ignore the contribution of African Americans the other eleven months. He then seemed to say that he doesn't even believe in Black History Month because the history of African Americans should be part of all history -- he's right, but the way he stated it made history sound like a conspiracy against African Americans.
More to the point, where was Carl Everett as a kid? Growing up, I knew who Jackie Robinson was. I knew his role in both baseball and society. And I grew up twenty years earlier than Carl Everett did, when society was just coming to grips with desegregation. Did he not read a book as a child? Did he not watch television? Did he at least read the sports pages? Did the adults around him not tell him about Jackie Robinson, or did they not read or engage in popular culture, either?
Sorry, Carl, your complaint lacks a grounding in reality, and you lack substance. You are also hitting .103. You are the weakest link. Good-bye.
Not two minutes ago I saw Carl Everett, the new Mariners designated hitter, interviewed prior to the upcoming game between the Mariners and the Red Sox. I am not Everett's biggest fan to begin with; he crowds the plate by illegally stepping over the line for the batter's box and complains when umpires call him out or pitchers throw inside. He riles people, too.
Today is an example.
He was asked about Jackie Robinson (today being the 59th anniversary of Robinson's major league debut; don't make me have to tell you why that's important, or it guts what I'm about to say). Everett said that he never learned about Jackie Robinson until he started playing baseball professionally, and then blamed racism for that. He alluded to Black History Month, restating the old complaint that the shortest month has been reserved to celebrate it, except missing the point and saying that somehow that the point of black history month was to ignore the contribution of African Americans the other eleven months. He then seemed to say that he doesn't even believe in Black History Month because the history of African Americans should be part of all history -- he's right, but the way he stated it made history sound like a conspiracy against African Americans.
More to the point, where was Carl Everett as a kid? Growing up, I knew who Jackie Robinson was. I knew his role in both baseball and society. And I grew up twenty years earlier than Carl Everett did, when society was just coming to grips with desegregation. Did he not read a book as a child? Did he not watch television? Did he at least read the sports pages? Did the adults around him not tell him about Jackie Robinson, or did they not read or engage in popular culture, either?
Sorry, Carl, your complaint lacks a grounding in reality, and you lack substance. You are also hitting .103. You are the weakest link. Good-bye.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
I'LL TRY A SCOOP OF THE PEANUT BUTTER OLIVE GOAT CHEESE RIPPLE, PLEASE
I'LL TRY A SCOOP OF THE PEANUT BUTTER OLIVE GOAT CHEESE RIPPLE, PLEASE
Ben & Jerry's makes good ice cream. Two ways, actually: Ben & Jerry's ice cream isn't merely delicious, but its revenues are used to support all sorts of great causes (often the kind that will make Rush Limbaugh or Bill O'Reilly quiver with disgust).
But now, if you're a fan, you can create a new flavor for Ben & Jerry. Go to the website and you'll even find a flavor generator, kind of an idea starter for people who've never really tasted flavors other than vanilla and chocolate.
If you win, you get to visit Vermont in October. (Pretty leaves! Cold weather!) But here's one concern I have... for a company with a liberal point of view, its flavor guru team has an awful lot of white guys. All six of 'em! Maybe it's different when the white guys have hippie beards.
Meanwhile, here in woozy West Seattle, our downtown area -- The Junction -- saw its Ben & Jerry's retail operation fail. Surprising, perhaps, but The Junction boasts the Husky Deli, which offers amazing homemade ice cream, and a loyal audience that would just walk across the street to get the local product. And maybe they didn't like Ben & Jerry's politics, either. Our gay bar also closed.
Ben & Jerry's makes good ice cream. Two ways, actually: Ben & Jerry's ice cream isn't merely delicious, but its revenues are used to support all sorts of great causes (often the kind that will make Rush Limbaugh or Bill O'Reilly quiver with disgust).
But now, if you're a fan, you can create a new flavor for Ben & Jerry. Go to the website and you'll even find a flavor generator, kind of an idea starter for people who've never really tasted flavors other than vanilla and chocolate.
If you win, you get to visit Vermont in October. (Pretty leaves! Cold weather!) But here's one concern I have... for a company with a liberal point of view, its flavor guru team has an awful lot of white guys. All six of 'em! Maybe it's different when the white guys have hippie beards.
Meanwhile, here in woozy West Seattle, our downtown area -- The Junction -- saw its Ben & Jerry's retail operation fail. Surprising, perhaps, but The Junction boasts the Husky Deli, which offers amazing homemade ice cream, and a loyal audience that would just walk across the street to get the local product. And maybe they didn't like Ben & Jerry's politics, either. Our gay bar also closed.
Sunday, April 02, 2006
NEVER AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER!
NEVER AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER!
I forward stuff I get, and I get stuff forwarded to me. Why else would the Internet exist?
So, recently, one forwarder claimed that this won't ever happen again...
... but of course it will, in the year 3006. Unless someone's been reading Biblical prophecies, or buys into how the Olmecs, Aztecs, and Mayans said the world would end in 2012.
Not to mention that something similar will happen in 2007 (02:03:04 05/06/07), 2008 (03:04:05 06/07/08), 2009 (04:05:06 07/08/09), 2010 (05:06:07 08/09/10), 2011 (06:07:08 09/10/11), 2012 (07:08:09 10/11/12), 2013 (08:09:10 11/12/13), 2014 (09:10:11 12/13/14), and 2015 (10:11:12 13/14/15). Oops, maybe not 2015. I got carried away.
Of course, in two months, we also have: 06:06:06 on 06/06/06. If you want to be scared about something...
I forward stuff I get, and I get stuff forwarded to me. Why else would the Internet exist?
So, recently, one forwarder claimed that this won't ever happen again...
On Wednesday of next week, at two minutes and three seconds after 1:00
in the morning, the time and date will be 01:02:03 04/05/06.
... but of course it will, in the year 3006. Unless someone's been reading Biblical prophecies, or buys into how the Olmecs, Aztecs, and Mayans said the world would end in 2012.
Not to mention that something similar will happen in 2007 (02:03:04 05/06/07), 2008 (03:04:05 06/07/08), 2009 (04:05:06 07/08/09), 2010 (05:06:07 08/09/10), 2011 (06:07:08 09/10/11), 2012 (07:08:09 10/11/12), 2013 (08:09:10 11/12/13), 2014 (09:10:11 12/13/14), and 2015 (10:11:12 13/14/15). Oops, maybe not 2015. I got carried away.
Of course, in two months, we also have: 06:06:06 on 06/06/06. If you want to be scared about something...
Thursday, March 30, 2006
WHAT, AGAIN?
WHAT, AGAIN?
I'd swear this is the third time this spot has opened in the past year. Are they just canning everyone up there?
Marketing Director posted: 30 Mar 2006
Offered by: DC Comics
Benefits: Health, Dental, 401K
Duration: Full Time
Location: New York, NY
Requirements: DC Comics seeks a Marketing Director for the DC Marketing department. Develop, manage and implement marketing plans for DC Comic's publishing and DC Direct businesses. Work closely with VP Marketing to develop annual consumer and trade marketing plans. Break plan down into prioritized initiatives and further into objectives, programs and tactics. Collaborate with business and Editorial teams (leveraging customer information and research) to proactively identify opportunities and build against plans that are differentiated by imprint/business and target customer profile. Assign work and responsibilities; manage and motivate marketing team; build marketing expertise and program management skills among the group. Work with VP Marketing to create a marketing reporting function that can track, measure and analyze marketing performance. Create feedback loop using results to make future recommendations and help create culture of constant improvement. Work with Direct and Book Trade Sales teams to identify and execute against marketing opportunities in the sales channels. Fulfill Sales' monthly/seasonal request for display, merchandising, promotional materials, etc. At the same time, proactively recommend new marketing initiatives to drive sales (i.e. reactive and proactive). Coordinate with Mainstream and Genre Publicity teams to ensure that DC's marketing and PR efforts sync for greatest effect in the market. Work with VP Marketing to develop overall marketing budget and timing. Create, manage and monitor program spending within timeline and budget restrictions. Spend time with Editorial, Design, Creative Services and other groups across company to help build understanding of, expertise in and responsiveness to book (v. periodical) publishing/trade needs.
Requirements: BA or equivalent experience required. Minimum 5 years experience in marketing capacity at a publishing company. Minimum 1 year management experience. Comics familiarity preferred. Strong communications skills, both oral and written. Candidate must have strong interpersonal skills, maturity and excellent judgment. Able to work effectively with individuals at all levels of an organization. Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task. A team orientation is imperative, and the ability to work as a member of cross-functional teams is required. Ability to travel (domestically) approximately 5%.
About Our Company: DC Comics is one of the largest and most diverse publishers of comics and comics-related products today. Collectively, with our mature readers line, Vertigo, and cutting-edge action line, WildStorm, DC is the only publisher that offers a complete line of comics for every age group and literary taste. DC is also one of the industry's most prolific publishers, producing more than eighty comics titles every month and close to one thousand titles per year. DC is also one of the oldest comics companies, with a continuous publishing history that spans over sixty years.
E-mail: wbjobs@trm.brassring.com
Special Instructions: If you are interested in this position, please email your resume to wbjobs@trm.brassring.com and be sure to ONLY INCLUDE "51708BR/NPMK" in your subject line.
Job # 2268
I'd swear this is the third time this spot has opened in the past year. Are they just canning everyone up there?
Marketing Director posted: 30 Mar 2006
Offered by: DC Comics
Benefits: Health, Dental, 401K
Duration: Full Time
Location: New York, NY
Requirements: DC Comics seeks a Marketing Director for the DC Marketing department. Develop, manage and implement marketing plans for DC Comic's publishing and DC Direct businesses. Work closely with VP Marketing to develop annual consumer and trade marketing plans. Break plan down into prioritized initiatives and further into objectives, programs and tactics. Collaborate with business and Editorial teams (leveraging customer information and research) to proactively identify opportunities and build against plans that are differentiated by imprint/business and target customer profile. Assign work and responsibilities; manage and motivate marketing team; build marketing expertise and program management skills among the group. Work with VP Marketing to create a marketing reporting function that can track, measure and analyze marketing performance. Create feedback loop using results to make future recommendations and help create culture of constant improvement. Work with Direct and Book Trade Sales teams to identify and execute against marketing opportunities in the sales channels. Fulfill Sales' monthly/seasonal request for display, merchandising, promotional materials, etc. At the same time, proactively recommend new marketing initiatives to drive sales (i.e. reactive and proactive). Coordinate with Mainstream and Genre Publicity teams to ensure that DC's marketing and PR efforts sync for greatest effect in the market. Work with VP Marketing to develop overall marketing budget and timing. Create, manage and monitor program spending within timeline and budget restrictions. Spend time with Editorial, Design, Creative Services and other groups across company to help build understanding of, expertise in and responsiveness to book (v. periodical) publishing/trade needs.
Requirements: BA or equivalent experience required. Minimum 5 years experience in marketing capacity at a publishing company. Minimum 1 year management experience. Comics familiarity preferred. Strong communications skills, both oral and written. Candidate must have strong interpersonal skills, maturity and excellent judgment. Able to work effectively with individuals at all levels of an organization. Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task. A team orientation is imperative, and the ability to work as a member of cross-functional teams is required. Ability to travel (domestically) approximately 5%.
About Our Company: DC Comics is one of the largest and most diverse publishers of comics and comics-related products today. Collectively, with our mature readers line, Vertigo, and cutting-edge action line, WildStorm, DC is the only publisher that offers a complete line of comics for every age group and literary taste. DC is also one of the industry's most prolific publishers, producing more than eighty comics titles every month and close to one thousand titles per year. DC is also one of the oldest comics companies, with a continuous publishing history that spans over sixty years.
E-mail: wbjobs@trm.brassring.com
Special Instructions: If you are interested in this position, please email your resume to wbjobs@trm.brassring.com and be sure to ONLY INCLUDE "51708BR/NPMK" in your subject line.
Job # 2268
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