Just Another Super-Hero Sequel

I chose Compass Rose 65 as the fractal cookie for this post for one reason only--the red and gold color scheme harkens back to the colors of Iron Man's armor.  (I couldn't think of anything better so I went with it.)  I know the connection is slim but it's the best I had to work with.  That being said--on with the review!
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There's a slogan about New York City that goes something like "a place so nice they named it twice."  The Producers of Iron Man 2 took this seriously to heart--so much so that they basically remade the first movie again.  I was tempted to call this review "Same Song Second Verse--A Little Bit Louder, A Little Bit Worse"--and that pretty much describes the movie.  Iron Man 2 pretty much follows the same path as the first movie--right down to the long, draggy middle section.  The special effects and battle scenes look great but you won't see anything new here.  Everything about this movie is bigger, louder and more bloated--pretty much like any sequel. 
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Yes, there is a lot of cute dialog and the chemistry between Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and Pepper Potts (Gweneth Paltrow) is undeniable.  Mickey Rourke as Russian villain Ivan Vanko/Rampage is perfectly cast as is Sam Rockwell as Star Industries competitor Justin Hammer.  (He literally steals every scene he's in with his "loveable schlubb" act.)  In fact pretty much all the performances are spot-on--even if the movie is stuffed with too many background characters.  Comic book fan Samuel L Jackson gives an interesting twist to Nick Fury but Scarlett Johansen gets very short shrift (and no back story) as Agent  Natasha Romanoff.  I loved her on screen but was deeply saddened that she didn't get more screen time.  (Hopefully. she'll get more screen time in other movies.)  The character of James "Rhodey" Rhodes gets a major upgrade as he becomes War Machine and a new actor in the person of Don Cheadle.  (You have to wonder how Terrance Howard feels about that...)  Movie Director Jon Favreau gives himself a cameo as "Happy" Harrigan.  (I knew this character's story from reading comics long ago but Robyn was left completely confused.  "Shouldn't I know him from somewhere?" she asked.)
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Iron Man 2 does exactly what a summer blockbuster is supposed to do--provide mindless, escapist fun.  If you loved the first movie you'll probably like this one.  It made 130 Million domestic in its first weekend so people were coming out to see it in dorve--but I didn't hear a lot of people raving as they walked out of the theater.  If you ddin't care for the first Iron Man you have no reason to see the sequel.
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FINAL GRADE: B+

The Disagreement Song

I woke up this morning with this stupid little song running through my head--I don't know why.  Still, it's been bugging me to get out so I decided to write it down so I could get the thing out of my system.  The fractal cookie is called Opposites Flower--chosen for obvious reasons.
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I say yes but you say no.

I say stop and you say go.

I ask why but you don't know.

And round and round and round we go.

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I say lemon: you say lime

I say rosemary: you say it's thyme.

I say it's rhythm: you say it's rhyme.

At least we agree that's it's a crime.

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I think it's red: you swear it's blue

I say it's old: you say it's new.

We both agree it smells pee-yew!

But can't agree on what to do.

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I say he's "Cheech": you say he's "Chong".

I know I'm right: you say I'm wrong.

This fight has gone on far too long.

So now i's time to end this song.

CROSS...

A lot of my poetry is free-association b#llsh#t. This one started out with Robyn and I were talking about about the possibility of her Dad's estate FINALLY settling (after eight months--and that not with any particular complications...) She said "cross your fingers." To which I replied "cross your toes." Then I added "cross your nipples and your nose"--and a new poem was born. I've edited it slightly but I still hope your enjoy my latest foray into nonsense.
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Cross your fingers, cross your toes

Cross your eyes and cross your nose.

Cross each of these with all of those.

That should be enough I s'pose.

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Cross your arms and cross the street

Make it sloppy but keep it neat

Cross the sour with the sweet

Cross the music with the beat.

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Cross the state and cross the line

Cross it BOLD or cross it fine.

Make the long division sign

And be certain that you look divine.

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Cross it little, Cross it big.

Cross a hairnet with a wig

Though some may call it infra dig

And others will not give a fig.

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Cross Uranus. Cross Neptune.

Cross December 10th with the 3rd of June

Cross a tiny fork with a big, fat spoon

Cross it now or cross it soon.

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Cross the ocean, cross the sky

Cross a lady with a guy

Cross your legs but don't say why

You can do it if you try

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Cross a squirrel with an old Oak Tree

Cross what is with what might be

Cross Beyonce with Jay-Z

But if you're wise you WON'T cross me!

The Santa Ana Wind Chimes Massacre

Those of you who are not blessed to live in ScCal have never had to deal with the Santa Ana Winds--a weather event that sends hot, dry gales throughout the region. While they can blow at any time of year the “Santa Anas” most often come in the fall--and when they do it’s always trouble. (Our new home is right at the mouth of Trabuco Canyon so we get to experience them a lot more than we ever have before.) This past Thursday (November 13) we had a particularly bad event--which woke up Robyn and I a lot earlier than we would have liked. (We have three sets of wind chimes on our patio.) I wrote this little bit of doggerel (with Robyn‘s help) to commemorate the event. It is meant to be sung to the tune of Folsom Prison Blues. I blatantly ripped off the title from The Oklahoma Weed Whacker Massacre by Mercedes Lackey so I dedicate this to her.
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The accompanying fractal is Desert Storm--which I picked for obvious reasons (at least if you know about Santa Ana Winds…)
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I hear them chimes a-ringin’
I’m awake at just past Four
They’re bangin’ and a-clangin’
Outside the slidin’ door
I see the Santa Anas just came back to town
An’ if them chimes don’t stop their racket
We’ll have to take ‘em down!
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They jingle and they rattle
They’re makin’ lots of noise
The whole neighborhoods awake an’
Everyone’s annoyed
The Santa Ana Winds
Sure brought some sorry times
And all the neighbors hate us
‘Cause of our damn wind chimes
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But still we’re feelin’ lucky
In spite of all the grief
The Santa Ana’s diein’ down
We’ll soon get some relief
At least there weren’t no fire
Threatenin’ our town
Unlike poor Montecito
Which just burned to the ground

A Random Act of Free Verse

Today's post begins with a fractal called Autumn Flower. It seemed appropriate for a poem about October: the poem has no title, but I suppose you could call it "October Turns" if you must give it a name.
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October Turns
Outward.
October Turns
To festivals and family as the days grow short.
October Turns
To hearth-fires as the nights grow long and chill.
October Turns
To hearth-fires as the nights grow long and chill.
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October Turns
To misty, cool-shouldered mornings.
October Turns
To buttery golden afternoons.
October Turns
To velvet nights alive with stars.
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October Turns
To sudden heat infused with summer airs.
October Turns
To shades of red and gold.
October Turns
To fields heavy with harvest and gardens ready to sleep
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October Turns
To wool and flannel, to hats and gloves.
October Turns
To a word waiting for winter
October Turns
Inward.

Remember: a poem for Memorial Day

Every now and then I'm struck by a random act of poetry. Saturday May 24 was such a day. The whole poem more-or-less entered my mind in one piece. I jiggered it a bit and present the final result for your entratainment. The accompanying fractal is called Rose Window.

REMEMBER
Remember our Nation’s DeadT

he soldiers who fought and diedThose who took up arms to serve as need.

They died doing what they could.

Honor them.

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Remember the Unknown Dead.

The ones with nobody to mourn their passing.

Those who are lost. Those who are alone.

The world is a sadder place for their loss.

Weep for them.

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Remember your Family Dead.

The Mothers and Fathers who shaped you.

Those good people who cared for you.

Those who were always there no matter what.

Love them.

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Remember the Living.

The children, good friends and strangers all.

Those who walk the road of life with you.

They are your fellow travelers.

Help them.

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Remember Yourself.

The only constant you have though your whole life.

That which is uniquely and especially you.

For you are special.

Celebrate.

"Wreck the Malls" (an "Urban Assault" carol)

I don’t have an unlimited supply of Christmas-themed fractals so I decided to go with one called Winter Wreath. (Dunno how many more “urban assault” carols I’ll be posting but I thought you’d get tired of an endless series of Holiday-themed images.) As for the song-- you can probably figure out that this is my own parody of “Deck the Halls”: as far as I know it sprang from my own fevered imagination. After the fact I learned of a song of the same title by the Bob Rivers Comedy Corps (with the same theme and similar lyrics) but I promise you I’ve never heard it. Maybe this is a case of great minds thinking alike…

Wreck the Malls this Christmas Season
Nyan-nyan-nyan-nan-nyan-nyan-nyan-nyan-nya!
Punch a sales clerk for no reason.
Nyan-nyan-nyan-nan-nyan-nyan-nyan-nyan-nya!
Steal some gifts then trash a dsplay
Nyan-nyan-nyan-nan-nyan-nyan-nyan-nyan-nya!
Celebrate the season this way!
Nyan-nyan-nyan-nan-nyan-nyan-nyan-nyan-nya!
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Taunt and moon the Christmas Singers
Nyan-nyan-nyan-nan-nyan-nyan-nyan-nyan-nya!
Steal the cash from those bell ringers.
Nyan-nyan-nyan-nan-nyan-nyan-nyan-nyan-nya!
Key some cars then slash their tires.
Nyan-nyan-nyan-nan-nyan-nyan-nyan-nyan-nya!
Light some lovely Yuletide fires.
Nyan-nyan-nyan-nan-nyan-nyan-nyan-nyan-nya!
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All attack the fat old Mall Cop
Nyan-nyan-nyan-nan-nyan-nyan-nyan-nyan-nya!
Punch his face, kick his butt! Don’t stop!
Nyan-nyan-nyan-nan-nyan-nyan-nyan-nyan-nya!
Insult the shoppers on your rambles.
Nyan-nyan-nyan-nan-nyan-nyan-nyan-nyan-nya!
Leave the Mall in total shambles.
Nyan-nyan-nyan-nan-nyan-nyan-nyan-nyan-nya!