The post in which we witness Josh's descent into madness

MADNESS, I tell you!

I was stricken for a couple of days this week with a case of "feelin' utzy," as my mom and I used to call it. You know - just OFF. Dizzy, a bit shaky, kinda lightheaded. Just bordering on bad enough to stay home but still falling within the realm of "I guess I can work," so I went in to work.

When I got home, though, all I wanted to do was lie down. For about a year. So I informed Josh he was on his own for dinner. We had frozen things and leftovers, but what does he decide to eat?

An army surplus MRE, AKA Meal Ready to Eat.

That had been living in the trunk of his car for 3 years.

Yeah.

To his credit, he has not yet gotten ill.

Yet.

But I can only imagine the taste sensation that was his dinner of chicken mush over rice, plus crackers and jam. Yummy. Plus a refreshing grape-flavored beverage to drink. Oh, and lest we forget, he had pound cake and gum for dessert.

I have a newfound appreciation for our armed forces.

UST at BWI

Not all college alumni association events are lackluster affairs attended by uppity socialites like Thurston Howell III. Some, like the Baltimore Orioles vs. Minnesota Twins game that Annie and I attended today, are awesome.

We had a grand time during our first outing to Camden Yards, the fabled stadium in which baseball great Cal Ripkin, Jr. entered the record books several times over. Annie and I viewed the game from a sweet suite that was opposite the home plate. University of St. Thomas alumni officials coordinated an event that included unlimited food, access to a private deck and other goodies for a very reasonable price. They deserve huge props for an event that was both fun and memorable.

We arrived early, watched batting practice, then witnessed a great game in which the Twins trounced the Orioles, 11-3. I must confess that I enjoyed cheering devilishly each time the Twins scored, much to the embarrassment of Annie and the chagrin of the many Orioles fans around us.

More importantly, though, we met a wide range of young and old UST alumni and found them to be an enjoyable bunch. We're looking forward to attending future events with them, which might include a paintball game or Capital Steps viewing. We'll let you know if any such revelry comes to pass.

To see a larger picture of the stadium, click here, and a picture of batting practice, click here.

EAT this, Better Homes and Gardens

New recipe magazines are few and far between. For the past five years, I've contented myself with a subscription (courtesy of my mom and my friend Janet) to Taste of Home's "Simple and Delicious" magazine (formerly "Quick Cooking"), which lives up to both its previous and current names.

I was gleeful, however, to find a new magazine several months ago, a big, colorful, innovatively-paginated delight called, simply, "EAT." Produced by the folks who are responsible for "Better Homes and Gardens," the magazine boasted pictures of every recipe inside, and a bright, attractive format. My main quibble was an overemphasis on cooking for kids, but that's not a big deal.

My astute mother-in-law got me a subscription after seeing my excitement at finding the second issue on the newsstand, and I eagerly pawed through both issues I received. Two cooking magazine subscriptions = twice the joy!

Then a few months went by with no magazine. I was mystified until I got a note in the mail informing me that the magazine died, but in its place, I would get a whopping 3-year subscription to Better Homes and Gardens! So all is well, right?

In short, I miss EAT. It was just a good magazine. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy my subscription to "Simple and Delicious" very much, but it was just a nice bonus each month to get a second magazine targeted at cooking.

"Better Homes and Gardens" has but a small section of recipes, most of which so far have been either unappealing or wildly impractical.

But of course, they have other features - features for improving your Home and your Garden.

Ladies, and gentlemen, my Home is 650 square feet. I'm not allowed to paint the walls. I'm not allowed to drill holes in the walls. Sure, there are some ways I could make my Home better, and the cleaning advice in the magazine is somewhat helpful. But advice on how to create a family crafts room is, well, let's just call it completely irrelevant to my situation.

And as for the Gardens component, well, this is my Garden:


I'll grant you, it could be Better. Much Better. But it will never be the vast English-garden-inspired Mecca complete with water features, a gazebo, and multiple walking paths they profile in the August issue.

In short, the magazine is dramatically different from EAT, and I can't imagine why they would assume it would be an acceptable substitute. I mean, on the face of it, a 3-year subscription to make up for a lost 1-year subscription is pretty nice, but it's kind of like someone taking away my chocolate bar and handing me some black licorice, and saying "But we're giving you a whole king-sized PACK of black licorice, so it's a better deal." No, it's not. I'd much rather have my chocolate bar, and having LOTS of stuff I dislike doesn't make up for losing a smaller amount of something I like.

Next time, Better Homes and Gardens, at least offer the OPTION of a refund for lost issues, or perhaps send one of your cookbooks as a replacement offer instead.

Yo, Joe!

I rejoiced this week at the news that G.I. Joe is headed to the silver screen, with a director finally attached and a possible late 2008 or early 2009 release in the works.

The quintessential Real American Hero, G.I. Joe made its theatrical debut in 1987 as an animated film. That film sported an amazing opening sequence, but was otherwise an abhorrent misfire that disappointed fans by irrevocably corrupting the franchise. My hopes are high that the new version, while understandably subject to updated spin, will yield the fictional military-versus-terrorists epic I've longed for years to see.

Since no casting choices have yet been made, here's my helpful memo to director Stephen Sommers as he considers the field, appeals to international fans, and seeks to maintain a reasonable budget...

G.I. Joe

Jamie Bamber as Duke. Jamie's performance on "Battlestar Galactica" shows he'd excel as the team's field commander. He has a commanding presence, handles military roles well, and would bring "Battlestar" fans into the G.I. Joe fold.







Ray Park as Snake Eyes. Best known for his role as Darth Maul in "Star Wars," Ray has the skills and gravitas needed to bring this silent and masked martial artist to life.









Jennifer Garner as Scarlet. We know Jennifer can fight. We've seen her do so quite well in "Alias" and "Daredevil." But she also has heart. And as the team's emotional core, Scarlet demands an actress of Jennifer's caliber.







J. August Richards as Roadblock. August, who played the endearing Charles Gunn on "Angel," would be perfect for the team's heavy weapons expert and cook. He also could lighten the mood on what might otherwise be a heavy-handed film.







Adam Baldwin as Gung Ho. No other actor could better play Gung Ho, the team's Marine powerhouse. Known to geeks around the world as the rough and determined Jayne Cobb in the short lived television series "Firefly," Adam was born to play this role.






Cobra

Gary Oldman as Cobra Commander. This film absolutely needs Gary to portray the maniacal and unbalanced menace that is Cobra Commander. His stellar work in "The Fifth Element" and "Air Force One" shows no other actor could better fill this role.







Michael E. Rodgers as Destro. Michael is well poised to bring the Scottish arms dealer Destro to life. A true Scot himself, boasting versatile screen and voice work, I think Michael would excel in this role.








Tricia Helfer as the Baroness. Another pull from the "Battlestar" cast, Tricia knows well how to play a cold, calculating villain. Plus, who wouldn't pay $10 to see a fight between her and Jennifer Garner?







Jet Li as Storm Shadow. Jet, a premier martial artist and actor, would do an amazing job as the Cobra operative Storm Shadow. He's also a bankable name internationally, highly fluent in the language of "I kick butt on screen."







So those are my suggestions. What are yours?

More tragedy in Minnesota

There's terrible flooding this weekend in Minnesota, and it's affecting a region where many of our closest friends live.

Hardest hit is Stockton, a small city near Winona, which has reportedly evacuated its residents and seen several deaths. Our friends Mark and Susan, who you'll recall flew to Washington, D.C., earlier this year to join me for my 30th birthday celebration, live in Stockton. We have been unable to reach them, and are hoping they're alive and well. Their names are not on the survivor lists at two local refuge centers, but that absence could mean anything. The names of those who have died have not yet been released by authorities.

UPDATE: Mark and Susan have called to tell us that they are fine, and their home is safe. Whew.

More on Wieringo

Here's a postscript to my news earlier this week about artist Mike Wieringo, who is pictured below.

Vinnie Bartilucci, who you'll recall is compiling artwork by Wieringo for display at Baltimore Comic-Con, has been in touch with Matt Wieman of Mainstay Studios, who was working on an "Art of Mike Wieringo" book before the artist's death. Wieman is seeking Wieringo sketches for possible inclusion in the book, which is slated to be published by Image Comics. I gave Vinnie my permission to turn his copy of my sketch over to Matt. We'll have to wait and see if it's used.

Also, there is new information about a rememberance of Wieringo at Baltimore Comic-Con. Things are still coming together, but the organizer confirmed that something will be done.

Smart + Loyal

Annie is a Ravenclaw!

Josh is a Hufflepuff!

And what are you?
Post in the comments!

Gone too soon: Mike Wieringo

It is with a heavy heart that I pass along news that artist Mike Wieringo died over the weekend. He was 44.

Wieringo, who reportedly died of a heart attack, was best known to me and readers of this blog for his work on the "Fantastic Four" comic book. You can see at right a sketch he did for me less than one year ago of the villainous Dr. Doom.

The appeal and significance Wieringo held for me cannot be overstated. His artwork on "Fantastic Four," along with Mark Waid's writing, was responsible for bringing me back into comics after I gave up on the medium 10 years ago. I will sorely miss him and his incredible talent.

A fan-favorite artist known for his upbeat attitude and kindness, Wieringo was scheduled to appear next month at Baltimore Comic-Con. It's unclear what acknowledgement there will be of Wieringo's death at the convention. I've contacted the convention organizers and offered my assistance in helping them pull together any remembrance, but have yet to hear back.

In the meantime, Vinnie Bartilucci has begun an informal remembrance called the The 'Ringo Project. This effort seeks to compile copies of any sketches that Wieringo did over the years. The collection will be displayed on what might otherwise be an empty artist table at Baltimore's convention.

You can contact Vinnie via his website. I did, and he's thanked me for sharing a copy of my Dr. Doom sketch.

To read more about Wieringo, visit Newsarama. You can see how his fellow comic creators remember him here, you can listen to an old interview with him here, and you can read what few details exist regarding his death here.

Wow, it's even more depressing than I remembered

Found another cartoon from the classic Terrytoons Volume 1 Videodisc...and wow, it's even more depressing than I remembered. (E-mail subscribers, visit www.thinklynsen.com/blog to view.) They published some dark cartoons in the '50s, man.

Funky German music video

Speaks for itself. Enjoy. (E-mail subscribers, you'll need to visit www.thinklynsen.com/blog to view.)

Immediate families, close friends OK

In the aftermath of the bridge collapse in Minneapolis, Annie and I have verified that everyone in our immediate families are fine. All our parents and siblings are well, and were nowhere near the site.

We are still trying to reach some of our friends, however, as many phone lines are jammed. If anyone has any information regarding my longtime friend and groomsman Ben Ricker of Crystal, Minn., please post a response or call me. Thank you.

UPDATE 1: The Star Tribune has rudely decided to place its article regarding this tragedy behind a firewall. I suggest you instead visit the Pioneer Press, which is allowing anyone to freely view their report.

UPDATE 2: Ben and his wife are fine.

"Oh, yeah? Go soak your head."

I LOVE the Internet!

Check out what I just found! This is a cartoon my whole family used to watch in an obscure format (RCA Videodisc - no, not Laserdisc) when we visited my grandparents at their lake cabin. I thought I'd never see this again.

This is a classic Mighty Mouse Cartoon called "The Reformed Wolf."