Tuesday, August 30, 2005
We all make a difference
Red Cross
United Way
The Mrs Chronicle
1) She won't tell me where it is, I assume she says bad things about me. I don't know why that would stop her since she says those in real life too
2) She only has one reader, a friend of hers from work, and that's the way she wants it. I pointed out that's really just a diary and she may as well jsut tell her but that's what she wnats to do.
3) She did this after she read my journal here, but before she found eb, so in retailation, I'm not telling here where eb is. WHich is funny, because it's really easy to find.
4) In retaliation I'm also not going to look for it. She likeks little secret compartments in her life.
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Shaken, not stirred
You Are a Martini |
There's no other way to say it: you're a total lush. You hold your liquor well, and you hold a lot of it! |
Baby Bot
In other news we got our first, and very generous, donation to the adoption fund. A hearty thank you and tail wag goes out. I'm going to leave it anonymous for now until I find out from the person who gave if they'd like to keep it private or not.
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Saturday, August 20, 2005
A Picture Share!
So far the scenery hasn't changed from the flat of ok there's just more green. The trip has been calm, I'm just waiting for the storm.
Friday, August 19, 2005
A Picture Share!
It isn't possible to go on any trip longer than 15 minutes with my wife or her family without stopping for ice cream. This has always struck me as cruel since I can't eat it but they always ask me if I want some .
A Picture Share!
Mrs. Bot hides from the camera on the start of the trip. I won't have computer access for a few days but if you want to send me HAPPY thoughts you can get my number from fuzzy and text me. Check six, beagle out.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
TV offers 'instant' reruns - on DVD | csmonitor.com
During the summer hiatus on new network TV comedies or dramas, it's easier than ever to choose your own reruns. That's because TV shows are booming on the DVD market.
Every week, new and old shows roll out on shiny discs as studios open their vaults and production houses put the finishing touches on recent series. Shelves at DVD outlets now include everything from Lucille Ball sitcoms and "The Cosby Show" to "Roseanne" and "Law & Order."
But the market isn't just catering to viewers feeling nostalgic about "Hogan's Heroes" or "Knight Rider." Television studios are also rushing current TV series onto DVD in a bid to snag new viewers. NBC's "The Office," which arrives on DVD on Aug. 16, was a modest critical hit but the quirky comedy only ran six episodes and failed to find a sizeable audience. The network is hoping the DVD release will help the show as it heads into its sophomore season this fall.
TV executives have good reason for believing such strategies can pay off. In contrast to the feature-film market for DVDs, which has slowed to a 1 percent growth rate, the public appetite for TV programming in a box has exploded. According to industry trade magazine Variety, sales of TV titles on DVD hit nearly $3 billion in 2004 - a massive increase from the $160 million sales in 2000.
"The DVD market is critical for TV shows now," says Marc Berman, the Programming Insider columnist at Mediaweek.com. "Everybody's releasing them as soon as they can and consumers are buying them for all the obvious reasons - they don't have to sit through the commercials, the quality is digital so it's great, and they can watch their favorite shows all the way through to the end of the season. They don't have to wait."
These DVDs have all the elements of the feature-film DVD and then some, says Ben Silverman, an executive producer of "The Office." "Fans of the show know that they have more [bonuses] to look forward to, and newcomers to the show know that their time isn't wasted if they watch the show and like it, because hopefully the show will still be on the air."
As scripted shows lose more time to ads, the extra space on a DVD becomes even more valuable, says fellow executive producer Greg Daniels. "The Office" is a comedy that relies heavily on the improvisation of the stars, says Mr. Daniels. Much of the actors' additional material had to be cut from the broadcast shows, but will be included on the DVD. "The great thing is to be able to have the audience quickly see all the fun, extra stuff that they did," says Daniels.
In the case of NBC's "Las Vegas," a drama set in a casino, the DVD-release extras include racy, unrated material not suitable for network broadcast.
Releasing a show on DVD is now a key programming strategy for TV executives. "They're an incredibly profitable business for us," says David Janollari, president of entertainment at the WB network. "They actually help to perpetuate awareness and publicity for a series as it's on our air."
DVD sales benefit the programs beyond helping to build new audiences, says Garth Ancier, WB chairman. "This is helping the shows become more profitable and allowing producers to put more money on the screen."
Few consumers have bought digital or high-definition televisions, so the pristine quality of DVD is a clear draw. But that doesn't fully account for the popularity of TV series on the format. Some observers believe that sales of TV titles are outpacing those of movies because the highest-quality storytelling in Hollywood has gravitated to television.
"The writing that's happening is vastly superior to what you're seeing in the theaters," says an industry insider who calls himself simply McG.
He sees "a real renaissance" taking place in TV. "Television is in a fantastically healthy place," says McG, who directed the movie "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle." "There's always going to be ridiculous shows and shows that are going to be weeded out, but there are a great many shows that are rising to the top."
Since both new and old shows are fueling DVD sales, industry observers say the trend has the poignant benefit of reviving the "careers" of television pioneers, many of whom are no longer around.
"We're seeing the younger generation suddenly developing appreciation for all kinds of old-timers, from Milton Berle to Lucille Ball and Sid Caesar," says Richard Askin, chairman of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
"It started with TV Land and all these rerun networks, but now that kids can watch these shows on their own time and as often as they want, suddenly these people like Lucy are getting a whole new appreciation and new fans."
Monday, August 15, 2005
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Friday, August 12, 2005
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
On trying to explain film festivals to Mrs Bot
Beagle: You know sundance is artsy and they do artsy fartsy things there right?
Mrs Bot; which means threesomes right?
Beagle: No
Mrs Bot *stops dvd player*
Mrs Bot: Hold on. That is not what I was picturing. I wanted hot threesomes and I figured it happened at Sundance
Later:
Mrs Bot: So what is artsy stuff if it's not threesomes?
Micro Film
So here is what I nee from you dear reader: One minute movies. Write something that ideally is only one character and requires no special set and I'll film it.
I have no ideas right now and am losing m passion for doing anything out of frustration. Throw a dog a bone.
Overheard in the Bot House
Me: Yes, get some young girl pregnant
Her: Right, just make sure you get her to sign something first
Me: OK
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Tuesday Ten
Conquest Of The Planet Of The Apes 1:40 They Might Be Giants Severe Tire Damage
Starstruck (stereo mix) 2:18 The Kinks Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society
Stay 6:03 Bowie, David Station to Station
Man In A Shed 3:55 Nick Drake Five Leaves Left
The Hero Dies In This One 4:06 The Ataris So Long, Astoria
Black Hole Sun 4:45 Alanis Morissette Unreleased and Unleashed
That Was Your Mother 2:52 Paul Simon Graceland
Watch Your Step 3:00 Elvis Costello & the Attractions The Best of Elvis Costello & the Attractions
Dirty Life & Times 3:15 Warren Zevon The Wind
twaindl 2:02 pino the frog rndm.i(d)nit
Monday, August 08, 2005
Friday, August 05, 2005
Home Study Part 2: Electric Boogaloo
I'll be happy when it is over
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Thursday Three
This week:
Silent Movie Starlets
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Road Trip!
Check back today to find out the answers to both of those.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Tuesday Ten: The look pretty young but I'm just backdated edition
It's asimple game. Load up your mp3 player, set it on random and then post the first ten songs that play. It doesn't matter how boring they look, I like seeing what it is that you have loaded up
Particle Man - They Might Be Giants
In The Ditch - Gang of Four
Hooplas Involving Circus tricks - Say Hi t o Your Mom
Sapnish Main - The Coral
Erase Today - Husker Du
Futurism vs Passeism - Blonde Redhead
More than a Feeling - Moog Cookbook
String Bean Jean - Belle and Sebastian
Working Class Hero - John Lennon
Only Your Love - Bananrama
Attitude - The Kinks