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Joe Foering

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FOOLS! I'll destroy you all! Ask me how! [Aug. 13th, 2008|12:41 am]
[Tags|]
[Current Music |Don't Stop Believing -- Journey]

Your result for The Supervillain Archetype Test...

The Megalomaniac

Ambitious, Intelligent, Calculating

The Megalomaniac is the most prestigious of super-villain classes. If anyone is ever going to rule the world, it will probably be you.



Your main goal in life is power and domination, you have the tools to do it, and you know it. Megalomaniacs are intelligent and forceful, and they tend not to let their emotions cloud their judgment. Most of the time. They are usually found, or not found, working at the top of a huge structured organization, though many prefer to work by themselves.


The Megalomaniac has but one flaw, but its an invariably fatal one; arrogance. He knows that he can take over the world, and he isn't afraid to let you know, often elaborately and in great detail. They often do not foresee the fly in their ointment, because they do not want to admit that such a fly could exist.


Sample Megalomaniacs: Dr. Doom, Lex Luthor, Ras al'Ghul, Kang the Conqueror, Emperor Palpatine, Brain

Take The Supervillain Archetype Test at HelloQuizzy

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Homeward wends the conquering hero... [Aug. 11th, 2008|11:35 pm]
[Tags|]
[Current Mood | tired]
[Current Music |Costa Del Sol -- Nobuo Uematsu]

I am back from Otakon 2008.

Soon enough I will have the lowdown on what went on... or at least, what went on in Room 336, where I spent most of my time while I was running the LARP along with [info]electroweak.

All I'll say right now before hitting the sack is that I had a lot of fun -- something I wasn't certain was going to happen going in -- and that I am dead tired. More on the LARP, and the rest of Otakon, coming soon.
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[Aug. 5th, 2008|04:49 pm]
[Tags|, ]
[Current Mood | anxious]
[Current Music |Mars, the Bringer of War -- Gustav Holst]

Last minute Ota-LARP stuff to do tonight:

1) Purchase: [REDACTED] (can't give that away)

2) Purchase: larger storage box (1) for character folders (we're running out of room in the old one as our character database grows)

3) Purchase: box (1) of 250+ small paper clips (wish I'd thought of this sooner)

4) Make copies: (5) of Total and Complete Character List

5) Make copies: (20) of [REDACTED] (can't give that away either)

6) Print and/or laminate damaged/misdated player badges

7) Stuff all Reserved Character folders (70) and Specialist folders (5), each with a character sheet, badge, and item cards.

8) Do laundry, pack clothes for the next week.

9) Sleep. (ha!)
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Otakon 2008: T-Minus Two Weeks... [Jul. 25th, 2008|12:22 pm]
[Tags|, ]
[Current Mood | nervous]
[Current Music |Rise -- Yoko Kanno]

As is usually the case, I am both excited and frightened at the prospect of the impending arrival of the fifteenth Otakon, which kicks off a mere two weeks from today. Excited, because it's still exciting being a part of one of the biggest anime cons in the world and knowing that you were a big part of seeing it take root and grow. Frightened, because we're still going through the final crunch of getting things ready for the LARP.

Why frightened, you ask? Because putting together the largest anime-themed LARP in the world (unless someone out there knows of one that serves more than 250 players) is a major undertaking, and there's always something that gets left until the last minute. Always we find some final detail(s) to iron out, always some issue waits until now to rear its ugly head. In this case it's the annual last-minute rush of printing, laminating, stuffing folders, and other easy-but-tedious logistical tasks like that. We still have two weeks (well, in reality it's more like 10-11 days) to get it all done, and we will, but it does wear on you just a little.

Now to be fair, I don't have the hardest job. No, that honor goes to my partner in crime [info]electroweak, who every year somehow manages to take the scraps of ideas he can wring out of our addled minds and cobble together a plot to keep those 250 people happy for the whole weekend. And all that on top of the other work he does for Otakon *and* running his own business. So I manage to keep things in perspective. :)

But enough grouchiness. I said that I was also excited, and so I am. I've gotten to know a fun group of people through this LARP, most of whom I only see *at* this LARP, and it'll be great to see them again. It'll be great to feel the heartbeat of Otakon as 20,000+ fans roam the Baltimore Convention Center and the Inner Harbor. And who knows, maybe I'll have a few minutes to actually see other parts of the con!

Naaah. :)
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Viral Marketing for The Dark Knight [Jul. 22nd, 2008|12:19 am]
[Tags|]
[Current Mood | impressed]

Check out this interesting article about the massive interactive marketing campaign that surrounded The Dark Knight. I had no idea most of this was going on, but it looks simply amazing -- especially since the vast majority of the "general public" probably had no idea that most of the viral net-based stuff was even happening.

It was all orchestrated and coordinated in advance (of course), and it never missed a step even after Ledger passed. Amazing.
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OMFG -- The Dark Knight (No Spoilers) [Jul. 19th, 2008|12:09 am]
[Current Mood | excited]

On impulse I actually managed to score an online ticket for one of the theaters local to me (the old Marple 10 for my local readers) and went to see "Tee-Dee-Kay."

For my money, this blew away Iron Man and even Spider-Man 2 as the best comic book movie yet. No, that's not entirely accurate, because this was not a "comic-book movie." This was a action-filled psychological thriller that just happened to contain comic book characters. The action scenes were good and loud without straying into over-blown Jerry Bruckheimer Land, the story was well written and quite compelling, and the acting was stellar from the top down.

Which leads me to Heath Ledger's Joker. Anyone not hiding under a rock for the last several months will know that the hype machine about his "Method" performance was in full swing leading up to this film... and the hype is deserved. As good as everyone else is, this picture is Ledger's, and to my admittedly untrained eye if his performance doesn't get an Oscar it'll be robbery. I really can't say much more without giving things away, so go see it already.

Oh, and as an added bonus, one of the trailers running was for next spring's Watchmen. It was just a teaser trailer, but it could be that for the first time, Alan Moore may not disown a film made from his work. It looks to me like they're going to do this one right. We'll see on 03/06/09...
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Live, from New York... [Jun. 30th, 2008|12:01 pm]
[Current Mood | amused]

This past Saturday, SNL paid tribute to the late great George Carlin by rebroadcasting its very first episode, in which he was the host.

It was a nice touch, but for me it was also a telling illustration of how different the original show was back then -- and how far it has fallen since. SNL's roots in the old National Lampoon Radio Hour were quite apparent, and it was much more of a variety show, as evidenced by the list of acts:

* Carlin, the host, who did three stand-up bits.
* Andy Kaufmann, doing his (in)famous "Mighty Mouse" lip-sync
* Jim Henson's Muppets
* A Short Film by Albert Brooks
* Stand-up by Valri Bromfield
* Two Musical guests (Billy Preston, Janis Ian), each performing twice

And all this was in addition to the various sketches and phony commercials by the Not Ready For Prime Time Players. Lots of cool stuff. Lots of things they never did on TV before then -- and don't do on TV now.
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BLITEOTW [Jun. 13th, 2008|09:27 am]
[Tags|]
[Current Mood | complacent]
[Current Music |Go DA DA -- Yoko Kanno]

Friday morning, and the end of another glorious week in the service of the Commonwealth is soon at hand. Looking forward to the weekend; Fathers Day and all coming up. Should be good; just have to get through the day unscathed.

The ride in was unusually smooth -- not too many cars on the road. And when I came into the office some of the clients in the waiting room seemed a bit more lethargic than usual.

Meh. I'm sure it's nothing important.
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The Democratic Nominating Process in Eight Minutes [Jun. 9th, 2008|04:38 pm]
[Tags|]
[Current Mood | hopeful]

Even if you're not a Democrat like me, this is an informative (and often amusing) look at how we arrived at our nominee:

( Everything You Always Wanted to Know About the 2008 Democratic Nomination in 8 Minutes... )

"Aragorn endorses Kucinich..."
"Fight with me, and regain your honor!"
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Yes. He. Did. [Jun. 4th, 2008|12:28 pm]
[Tags|]
[Current Mood | hopeful]
[Current Music |Fanfare For the Common Man -- Copeland]

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the next President of the United States. See if you can guess which is which:



One of these men is an inspiration to millions, has performed superhuman feats on behalf of his fellow citizens, and fights for Truth, Justice, and the American Way.

The other is Superman.

[Okay, I kid. So sue me. :)]
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...And That's The Word [Apr. 14th, 2008|08:51 pm]
[Current Mood | amused]
[Current Music |It's the End of the World As We Know It -- R.E.M.]

Just got back from the taping of The Colbert Report, which for the first time ever was recorded outside of its usual NYC studios. Tonight (and for the rest of this week) they'll be coming from the Annenberg Center on the campus of the University of PA right here in Philly. It's an extravaganza entitled the "Doritos Spicy Sweet Pennsylvania Primary Coverage Live From Chiladelphia, the City of Brotherly Crunch!" No, really. :)

I was pretty much online while Colbert was still making the original announcement about the show's tickets, and good thing too -- all four performances sold out in less than a day. Well, "sold out" isn't entirely accurate, as they were free. The catch, of course, being that they gave away more tickets than the auditorium holds (standard practice for talk shows in order to ensure a full house), and it's first-come, first-served to ensure a seat. So I took the afternoon off and headed into town for a good deal of "line up and wait." But it netted me a decent seat.

And the show was great! I won't give away everything (since as of this writing it hasn't been broadcast yet), but suffice to say that between singer John Legend, Ben Franklin, Philly Mayor Michael Nutter, and (oh-by-the-way) Hardball's Chris Matthews, there was a lot of funny packed into that half hour. Check it out on Comedy Central tonight (4/14) at 11:30, or tomorrow night (4/15) at 8:30. You likely won't see me in any of the crowd shots, but you will see a great show. As if you'd get anything else from the Greatest Living American.
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Yes. He. Did. [Mar. 19th, 2008|04:42 pm]
[Tags|]
[Current Mood | inspired]
[Current Music |Alive -- Meat Loaf]

Holy sh*t.

For those who were living under a rock for the last week, Barack Obama gave what I feel is one of the greatest statements on race, political or otherwise, of our generation. Regardless of what happens in November (full disclosure: Yes. We. Can.), I think that the text of this speech will be found in future Civics textbooks for generations to come. It likely saved his candidacy, but more importantly it could be the start of what saves the soul of America.

Even though at this point it can be found just about everywhere on the Intarwebs, I have the full text of the speech included behind the cut. Read it. Remember it.

( 'A More Perfect Union' )

Yes. We. Can.
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Three Irish Tenors? Hmmm... [Mar. 17th, 2008|11:43 pm]
[Current Mood | amused]

And now, in commemoration of the (at this point almost-over) St. Patrick's Day, we present this special performance by three of the finest singers in the world:



Ha!
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Why am I not surprised? [Mar. 6th, 2008|12:44 pm]
[Tags|]
[Current Mood | okay]
[Current Music |In the Beginning, Roars the Electric Genius -- ROD OST]

Hmmm...


You are The Fool


The Fool is the card of infinite possibilities. The bag on the staff indicates that he has all he need to do or be anything he wants, he has only to stop and unpack. He is on his way to a brand new beginning. But the card carries a little bark of warning as well. Stop daydreaming and fantasising and watch your step, lest you fall and end up looking the fool.


What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.




Took a test like this before, and I'm pretty sure I got the same result. You may insert your own jokes about me walking off a cliff...
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Movie Meme II: Electric Boogaloo [Feb. 21st, 2008|11:15 pm]
[Tags|]
[Current Mood | cold]
[Current Music |I Walk Alone -- Saliva]

I think I might have done this meme before. But since it's making the rounds again, I'm going to do it again. I'll try and use different ones this time. Here's the rules:

1. Pick 15 of your favorite movies.
2. Go to IMDb (or Wikiquote) and find a quote from each movie. (or in some cases, just remember them.)
3. Post them here for everyone to guess.
4. Strike it out when someone guesses correctly, and put who guessed it correctly and the name of the movie.
5. NO GOOGLING/using IMDb/Wikiquote search function


Ok, here are the quotes:

1) Pathetic earthlings. Hurling your bodies out into the void, without the slightest inkling of who or what is out here. If you had known anything about the true nature of the universe, anything at all, you would've hidden from it in terror. -- Ming the Merciless in Flash Gordon, of course. The kingdom of [info]jvowles will not be blasted to atoms.

2) And now in one hour's time, I will be out there again. I will raise my eyes and look down that corridor; 4 feet wide, with 10 lonely seconds to justify my whole existence. But will I? -- Harold Abrahams from Chariots of Fire. [info]sector_r snapped this one up.

3) Reality? Your "reality", sir, is lies and balderdash, and I'm delighted to say that I have no grasp of it whatsoever. -- This quote from The Adventures of Baron Munchausen was snapped up by [info]jvowles quickly. Although the Ship That's A Hat was in Time Bandits, I believe.

4) I'm really influenced by Mozart and Bach, and it's sort of in between those, really. It's like a Mach piece, really. -- Went for a more obscure quote from This Is Spinal Tap, but [info]sector_r got it anyway.

5) Mister, if you don't shut up I'm going to kick 100% of your ass! -- Judge Rheinhold goes off on an All-American Burger customer in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. [info]sector_r got this one too.

6) You are probably wondering why I keep appearing in your memories, John. It is because I have inserted myself into them. -- From the magical and eerie Dark City, of course. More points to [info]jvowles.

7) Oh, it's a big, pretty, white plane with red stripes, curtains in the window and wheels. It looks like a big Tylenol. -- Airplane it is, spotted by [info]jvowles again. It was hard to decide which quote to use from Johnny (not Jeffrey), as there are so many good ones.

8) I have reordered time, I have turned the world upside down, and I have done it all for you! I am exhausted from living up to your expectations of me. Isn't that generous? -- A couple of you knew this was the Goblin King from Labyrinth, but [info]shiranaihoshi got it first.

9) Breathe out... slowly... do not gulp. If you do not breathe correctly, you do not move correctly. Pitiful. I can see the deadly hamburger has done its evil work. We must sweat the poison from your body and rebuild. -- Chiun (as played by the incomparable Joel Grey), from Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins, as id'd by [info]sara_merry99. Chiun is hands-down my favorite movie martial arts instructor.

10) Gentlemen, congratulations. You're everything we've come to expect from years of government training. -- It was Zed, not K, who said this in Men In Black, but [info]shinotenshi02 was close enough. :)

11) Wait!! This is a decision that could effect my entire life! I shall have to think about it. [Pauses for one second] I'll do it. -- Crossdressing director Roger DeBris in The Producers, natch. Spotted by [info]jvowles. Natch. :)

12) Mother, just because I wear trackies and play sports DOES NOT MAKE ME A LESBIAN! -- A pre-pirate-flick Keira Knightley, from Bend It Like Beckham. [info]alycewilson got it fairly quickly.

13) This is the most uncomfortable coffin I've ever been in. Your selection is quite shoddy. You are wasting my time! -- Bela Lugosi goes shopping in Ed Wood. [info]jvowles points him out to the audience.

14) A lot of you are probably wondering why Jerry couldn't make it this evening. Well, he's tied up -- and I'm the one who tied him. -- Yes, it's Rupert Pupkin (aka Robert DeNiro) from The King of Comedy, guessed by an anonymous poster whom I suspect is my Mom. Hi Mom!

15) Spread the news... that he is back! To help the helpless! To befriend the friendless! And to defeat... the defeatless! -- Zorro, the Gay Blade proclaims his return, witnessed by [info]jvowles.

UPDATE: All done. Perhaps I gave away too much in my hints for the last three, but that's OK, as this is all for fun. Well done, everyone!
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Do You Smell... What Barack... is Cooking? [Feb. 13th, 2008|04:42 pm]
[Tags|, , ]
[Current Mood | amused]
[Current Music |Rise -- Yoko Kanno]

Okay, as both a political junkie and a wrestling fan, I just had to post this clip:



As a state worker I'm not allowed to "engage in political activity." So sue me. :)
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"It Sucks To Be Me" -- well, not really... [Feb. 4th, 2008|10:51 am]
[Current Mood | fuzzy]
[Current Music |Alive -- Meat Loaf]

So yesterday afternoon (that's Sunday the 3rd) a group of us went to see the national tour of Avenue Q at the Forrest Theater in downtown Philly. For those who haven't heard of it, Avenue Q is a musical that is best described as Sesame Street for grown-ups.

On the surface the similarities to Sesame Street are unmistakable. Real people interact with puppets and monsters, TV screens show animated vignettes to reinforce concepts, and cheery songs abound. But the lessons we learn here are geared to a more adult pallette, as illustrated by such songs as "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist," "The Internet is For Porn," "There Is Life Outside Your Apartment," and the delightful "Schadenfreude." Underneath all the fun and counting games are themes reflecting the twin fears that many of us have: fear of commitment and fear of being alone.

It's a great show, the performers were exceptional, and we all had a great time. For those in the Philly area, Avenue Q is still running at the Forrest Theater through February 10th. The show does contain some blue language, adult situations, and a "live" puppet sex act halfway thru Act One -- so you might want to leave the young ones at home. But that's okay, because anyone who grew up on Sesame Street will feel like a kid themselves... even if it's only "For Now."
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Veni, Vedi, Com-Con [Jan. 28th, 2008|01:54 am]
[Current Mood | optimistic]
[Current Music |Spiritual Spiral -- Cirque du Soleil]

This past weekend was Com-Con, the corporate retreat-slash-business meeting for Otakon/Otakorp. And it was a lot more fun and invigorating than I thought it would be.

( Would you like to know more? )
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Of course, we here knew it all along, but... [Jan. 17th, 2008|12:39 pm]
[Current Music |Won't Get Fooled Again -- The Who]

Not that it comes as a surprise to those of us who grew up with him here in the City of Brotherly Love, but Forbes Magazine recently named the Phillie Phanatic as the Number One Mascot in all of sports.

I grew up with the Phillies and the Phanatic, so he has a special place in this sports fan's heart. Two years ago I even got mugged in the stands by the big green guy, who laid a big smacker on me in front of the whole crowd. He makes it fun to come to the ballpark even in bad years (and believe me, the Fightin' Phils have brought us some major suckage over the years), and he makes lifelong fans out of kids of all ages. Just like this one.

And who knows; this year he might really have something to cheer about, as the defending National League East champions gear up for the 2008 season, which starts in only a couple of months. Go Phils!
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Some days you... just can't get rid of a bomb! [Jan. 14th, 2008|09:45 am]
[Current Music |Twilight in Beijing -- Masamichi Amano]

I am coming close to superhero media overload.

Late last week I cashed in my Xmas GCs at Best Buy and picked up Seasons 1 & 2 of Justice League Unlimited. I poured through most of Season 1 between Friday night and Sunday morning. Boy is that stuff good. I especially like how each episode usually has a focus on one or more of the "B" heroes while making sure that the "A" team (Spuerman, Batman, Wonder Woman, etc.) still get face time. The episode featuring Booster Gold was especially entertaining. :) If you're at all a fan of the DC universe, you *must* pick this up.

Now since I'm an equal-opportunity comic hero geek, I also shelled out some actual cash to pick up Marvel Ultimate Alliance for my PS2. Made in the same vein as the X-Men Legends games, this one is a bit more four-color in its storytelling. None of these ambiguous government villains here; the big baddie in this one is the classic Doctor Doom! And it's the "classic" Doom, too, not the whiny one from the ill-begotten Fantastic Four movies. I've been playing that on and off as well, and it's not bad. I'm sure it looks a lot cooler on the next-gen consoles, but it's more than passable with what I've got.

And when I'm not doing that, I'm doing work on LARP characters, many of which are as close to superheroes as makes no difference. Just as long as there's no bleed-over from one genre to another, I'll be fine.

I need to get out more. :)
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