Baton accepted, good sir. Baton accepted.

I don't know if Josh actually told you this, but it was his secret goal to blog every weekday for an entire month.

Guess what? He did it. And it also got kind of tiresome (for him) after awhile.

I will be setting no such standards for myself, but I will promise to blog at least a couple times a week.

I do have stuff I want to tell you guys, though. Starting with this:

MY NEW JOB IS TEH AWESOMEZ!!111!!11!

Here are the things I love about working at KaBOOM! so far:

1. My coworkers are so great! My boss is laid back and cool, while still being motivating and challenging (a difficult balance!). My immediate coworkers are all my age and are into the same things I'm into (Joss Whedon, Homestar Runner, etc.).

2. The work environment is perfect for my personality. Bright colors and toys everywhere.

3. Free food! At any given time, I can choose from a wide array of cereal, oatmeal, or fruit, or I can make myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (they always keep all the fixins' on hand). There's cocoa, coffee, and tea. I've heard that once a month they provide lunchmeat, cheese, and other things to make more complicated sandwiches.

4. The projects I'm working on are very interesting, and I'm very quickly learning more and stretching myself in terms of web development.

5. Did I mention the tire swing and the foosball table we have in the office?

(And incidentally, they're hiring!)

Passing the baton

On this, the last day of January, I wanted to let you know that I'm passing the blogging baton to Annie.

She'll be writing the majority of our blog postings in February as I take a step back from the daily maintenance of Think Lynsen. I'm not sure if she's planning to make a posting every weekday, as I did in January, but if you'd like that to happen, you should post a comment encouraging her to do so. She, no doubt, will have far more interesting things to share than the latest news about the upcoming "G.I. Joe" movie or "Super Smash Bros. Brawl" video game.

If all goes according to plan, I'll restart my daily postings in March. Until then, take care and stay well!

Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down III

Even more random observations.

Thumbs Up to pleasant surprises: Nintendo amazed me this week when the full roster of "Super Smash Bros. Brawl" fighters became available. Among the highlights: My personal favorite, Mr. Game & Watch, is returning, and the obscure R.O.B. (Robotic Operating Buddy) is joining the fun. I can't wait to play this game.

Thumbs Down to unjustified costs: Metro raised its fares this month, but doesn't have much to show for it. Riders are seeing the same, less-than-perfect service we've seen for years. How about justifying your pocketbook raid, eh, Metro? Sigh.

Thumbs Up to Lego landmarks: The world's best building block turns 50 this week. For those who don't know, Lego is a fusion of the Danish words "LEg" and "GOdt," meaning "play well." We have played well, Lego, and we thank you for it.

Thumbs Down to wind chills: I saw this morning that my native Minnesota is currently experiencing wind chills as low as 40 below zero. Yikes! Stay warm, my Minnesota peeps.

G.I. Joe cast tracker: Cobra Commander, Zartan

Hasbro, did the Cobra-La fiasco teach you nothing?

A casting revelation for the upcoming "G.I. Joe" movie seems to confirm my worst fears for this film. Gone is the Cobra organization that's been the perfect foil to G.I. Joe since 1982. In its place comes an organization controlled by the villainous Destro. Among his associates is Rex, a former G.I. Joe agent who defected following a mission that went "horribly wrong." He works with Destro to lead an "army of super soldiers," and at one point adopts a new name.

That name? Cobra.

Yes, that's right, folks. Rex, whom IESB.net says will be played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, appears poised to become Cobra Commander in this film's all-too-prematurely-planned sequel. But the fun doesn't end there. Cobra Commander, whose origin story seems to change every fifth year, is being re-envisioned yet again here as not only a former Joe agent but also Duke's boyhood friend. If you dare, you can read all about it here.

Sigh. In related news, Arnold Vosloo is playing Zartan, and I'm giving up on this film.

G.I. Joe cast tracker: Duke, Hawk

The upcoming "G.I. Joe" film finally has its team leaders.

According to today's Variety, Channing Tatum will star as Duke, the team's field commander, while Dennis Quaid will play General Hawk, the venerable leader.

Coincidentally, this is Tatum's second turn at playing a character named Duke. He also went by that name in "She's the Man." If that film doesn't ring a bell, don't bother looking at Tatum's resume. Aside from a guest spot on "CSI: Miami," nothing on there is recognizable. Yes, that sound you just heard was me crossing my fingers.

Quaid, at least, is more established. I know him from such films as "The Day After Tomorrow" and "Dragonheart." He wouldn't have been my first choice to portray General Hawk -- or even my fifth choice -- but he should do fine. I hope.

Truth be told, I'm still reeling from the casting of Marlon Wayans as Ripcord. And the fact that Joseph Gordon-Levitt's role in the film has yet to be revealed is making me increasingly nervous. Rumor has it that he's playing Zartan, an evil agent, but I fear he may become the key villain, Cobra Commander. Such a casting would in no way reflect how I envisioned that role and would be a bitter pill to swallow.

I don't know. Maybe I should just give it up and stick with the cartoon and comics I so enjoyed in my youth...

Movin' on up, part 4

Behold! Pictures of my new workplace!

Washington Blade employees finally saw the offices we're moving into this weekend. I have some pictures to share and invite you now to take a tour...

The exterior of the National Press Building, as shown from the perspective of my daily commute. The large, recessed archway is what remains of the building's original architectural style. Much of the building was renovated years ago, though, leading to the more modern look you see to the right of the archway.

The building's interior features a welcoming design. The lowest levels include several shops and eateries, giving workers and visitors a galleria experience. I'm told the building is open to the public until 6 p.m., at which time a security system limits access to people with pass keys. Blade employees should get theirs soon.

My fellow Blade employee and good friend Rob does his happy dance upon seeing the new office space. He and I walked through the offices together and were very pleased by what we found. The space is quirky and fun, and it'll suit the Blade wonderfully. We can't wait to move into the new offices this weekend and report for work there on Feb. 4.

This cubicle farm is the domain of advertising and is tucked behind an initial row of offices that are reserved for Blade bigwigs, such as the publisher, editor and advertising executives. Notice the windows at back that overlook the building's courtyard, and the funky mid-level landing and staircases on the right that lead to editorial.

A reverse angle view from the mid-level landing, looking back toward the area where I took the above picture. This picture shows the relaxed, open-air architectural style that dominate the space. At the upper left corner, you can see a window that looks back into the building's interior. At the upper right corner, you can see a workspace in the area reserved for features writers. Below the stairs and track lighting are the advertising desks. The overall layout is somewhat difficult to describe, but easy to comprehend once seen. It's great, though, because each department has its own, codified area without being isolated from any other department.

Last but not least, a picture of the Blade's new newsroom. Lou, the senior reporter, takes a look at his desk while I snap a picture from my own workplace. The four desks in this area are virtually identical, but Lou wins for securing one near the window. I sit across from him, kiddy corner from Joey, the news editor, and behind Chris, our newest reporter.

And that concludes our tour. What do you think?

Free money?

In an effort to jump start an ailing economy, President Bush and Congress are making plans to issue $600 checks to most American taxpayers. The checks, tentatively slated to hit mailboxes in May, gives couples $1,200 and includes a $300 bonus for each child in their care.

This is an interesting plan. And by interesting, I mean pointless and irresponsible. Don't get me wrong. I'll enjoy getting a $600 check. But neither I nor many of the people I've talked to about this initiative will be using the check as it's intended. Annie and I are going to put ours into savings. Many of my coworkers are going to use their checks to pay down loans or credit card debts. Nobody has talked about splurging on a new television, taking a trip to Florida or investing in the market. So I'm not sure how these rebates will substantially benefit our ailing economy.

Also, that these rebates will cost Americans about $100 billion strikes me as wholly irresponsible. At a time when our national debt is astronomically high -- and many federal lawmakers have insisted we don't have the money to fully fund the State Children's Health Insurance Program -- this seems an incredible waste of money.

But I shouldn't be so surprised. It is an election year, after all. Giving people free money is the best way to win votes.

Cinematic oversights

I'm always slightly depressed when I read the annual list of Academy Award nominees. It's a stark reminder of just how many good movies I've missed.

The only films I saw among those listed in the top four categories -- picture, director, actor and actress -- were "Michael Clayton" and "Sweeny Todd." It takes a drop to such lowly categories as makeup and visual effects before I can check more films off the list. And I'm honestly not sure how much I want to tout having seen "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" and "Transformers."

But that's it. Seriously. I've only seen four of the films nominated this year for awards. How sad is that?

I'd like to make a special effort to see the four films nominated alongside "Michael Clayton" for best picture -- "Atonement," "Juno," "No Country for Old Men," and "There Will Be Blood" -- but none are available through Netflix. My nearby AFI Theater is showing "Blood," "Country" and "Juno," so that might be my best bet. I just hope I can see them before they rotate out.

Any suggestions as to which one I should see first?

*jaw drops*

This is for nerds only, but it is SO COOL (e-mail subscribers, you'll need to visit the blog to see this). This guy has essentially hacked the Wii and created software to make a 3-D VR experience.

Monopolizing my attention

Not all games are created equal. Monopoly, the real estate game that has gone through countless permutations since it debuted in 1935, has seen its share of ups and downs.

Plans for the next version, though, have me excited. Monopoly Here & Now: The World Edition marks the first time the properties represent cities from across the globe. Tokyo, New York, London and others all could appear on the same game board, each fetching updated Here & Now prices that reach into the millions of dollars.

Best of all, the city positions have not been set. Hasbro yesterday launched a web site where we can vote for the cities that should be included. And the most popular city will receive the most coveted spot: Boardwalk.

Go check it out and if you feel so inclined, help me raise Washington, D.C., from its current ranking at #22 to the top slot!

Fake Eggs Benedict

I recently attempted to make Eggs Benedict. It was something of a fiasco. Man do I have a new appreciation for hollandaise sauce. That stuff requires constant maintenance!

So last night I was craving Eggs Benedict but had no desire to go through the trouble. So I improvised and was really pleased what I came up with. Enjoy!

Fake Eggs Benedict

1 whole wheat English muffin, split
a few drops lemon juice
1 tsp. dijon mustard
2 slices cheddar cheese
2 eggs
1 roma tomato, thinly sliced
salt and pepper, to taste

Toast English muffin.

Meanwhile, cook eggs to your liking - I've tried both fried and scrambled and both work just fine.

When English muffin is toasted, remove from toaster and place on a microwave-safe plate. Drizzle a few drops of lemon juice on each half and spread 1/2 teaspoon of dijon on each half. Top with cheese slices.

When eggs are almost done, put English muffins in the microwave and cook on high for 30 seconds to melt cheese.

Top English muffins with egg, salt and pepper to taste, and sliced tomato. Serve immediately.

(It's amazing how much this actually tastes like there is hollandaise involved.)

Game over?

Back when I worked at the Rochester Post-Bulletin, I co-wrote a weekly column about video games. The humorous column, titled Game Station, was a collaborative effort among Annie, myself and a friend. It was great fun to write, but I haven't thought about it much since I left Rochester two years ago.

So I wasn't sure what to say this weekend when someone suggested that Annie and I restart the column. Gaming has changed substantially since I last spoke as Otacon and Annie chimed in as Vivi. We certainly would have no shortage of topics and trends to discuss.

There's a problem, though. I'd feel somewhat disingenuous restarting the column now because I lack the breadth of gaming knowledge I had two years ago. Back then, I could practically give impromptu PowerPoint presentations about the state of Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony. Now, I only track Nintendo news, and even that is done casually. If you asked me the sales of "Halo 3," I'd be helpless. If you asked me to describe the plot of "Mass Effect," I'd shrug. If you asked me the release date for "Metal Gear Solid 4," I'd tell you to go look online.

Gaming remains an enjoyable pastime for Annie and I, to be sure, but it has become a less frequent diversion. And what little we do is driven more by casual experiences such as "Wii Sports" or "Guitar Hero" than the "Final Fantasy" and "Metal Gear Solid" games we once endeavored to complete. Would we really be able to speak to gamers who focus on "Gears of War" or "Portal?" Not really.

I believe what I said two years ago still stands: It's game over for Game Station. The column was fun while it lasted, but Otacon, Vivi and the rest have taken their final bow.

Introducing the Gaming Squad

Don't tell anybody, but Annie and I play Dungeons & Dragons. The game is great fun to play with a group of wacky and imaginative friends. And our friends are the wackiest and imaginativist -- imaginativist? -- around.

Here's an introduction to our Gaming Squad, as photographed during a recent session. To see larger pictures of any player, simply click the image.

Emily. Our squad's expert spell caster, Emily is essential to giving us the edge against our stronger opponents. She also keeps spirits high with her lighthearted demeanor and wacky jokes. Quote: "Prove that you love me in spontaneous, modern dance."

Jon. Usually the game master, Jon took a turn as player to prove that he can wreak havoc in either role. He excels at playing characters that are aloof, leaving his fellow adventurers to question his motivations and methods. Quote: "I have the best idea ever. Let's send Twitchy through the orb!"

Matt. In a case of art imitating life, Matt deftly switches between his roles as kung fu student in real life and martial artist in Dungeons & Dragons. His character favors rapid attacks that inflict much pain -- when they work. Those plans are too often foiled by uncooperative dice. Quote: "Crap."

Ozzie. As the current game master, Ozzie is the architect of our doom. Every monster that appears, every trap that is laid, is his doing. But he's a benevolent game master, and we thank him for it. Quote: "Badgers are all shoulder. They can shrug like champions."

Quinn. Decisive and driven, Quinn plays a character fueled by vengeance. She mows down enemies like tall grass with her blades, seeking to slay the one responsible for her lover's death. Quote: "Fine. So I loose everything. I've got a dog and a Tokyo skyline, and I'm still kicking all your asses."

Ross. An ambassador who covers for our squad's bad reputation within the gaming world, Ross comprises the "speak softly" component of Teddy Roosevelt's famous line. But when things get tough, he'll readily join us in wielding the figurative "big stick." Quote: "I'm rooting for the pink thing in the bow."

Ladies and gentlemen, our Gaming Squad.

Oh, and for the record, Twitchy's trip did not end well, badgers are in fact not all shoulder, and the pink thing in the bow lost. Sad, but true.

Movin' on up, part 3

Two weeks and counting.

On Feb. 1, the Blade will open for business in its new home, the National Press Building. It's a move that I and the other employees can't wait to make. It'll be a great improvement, both in terms of location and prestige, and one that will serve the company well.

Despite my earlier hopes, a preview visit did not occur, but pictures will be taken as soon as possible and posted here for all to see. I might even grab some pictures of our current offices for comparison.

In the meantime, you can read more about the move in this article.

Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down II

More random observations.

Thumbs Up to Cheaper Taxi Rates: When the taxicabs in D.C. switch to a new fare system in April, rates will be more reasonable. The minimum fare will be $3 rather than $4, and there will be no surcharges for rush-hour travel or extra passengers. Huzzah!

Thumbs Down to Congressional Snafus: I could only shake my head in shame when the world's most powerful governing body was snarled Tuesday by its malfunctioning voting system. Tremble before our might! Tremble!

Thumbs Up to Perfect Scores: It's not going to hit stores until March 9, but "Super Smash Bros. Brawl" is already winning accolades. The stingy Famitsu magazine in Japan gave "Brawl" a perfect score, indicating this game really is worth the wait.

Thumbs Down to Pointless Promotions: Toshiba fumbled its attempt to promote HD-DVD players at the Consumer Electronics Show. One report describes a company spinster as being "on the verge of tears" after it hit her that Blu-ray has won. Ouch.

INFRINGEMENT = 18 points

I'm glad I don't work at Hasbro. Because that company is about to face the wrath of Facebook users everywhere.

Hasbro is moving to shut down Scrabulous, an immensely popular Facebook game, as it allegedly infringes on the company's copyrighted Scrabble game. According to Fortune Magazine, Hasbro's lawyers "sent a notice to Facebook" demanding that the online game be shut down. The game's creators are now "trying to work out some kind of deal," but the legal advantage in this situation undoubtedly goes to Hasbro. I fear that Scrabulous will soon be just a memory.

That's too bad. Fortune Magazine notes that Scrabulous, which debuted on Facebook seven months ago, has 2.3 million active users. Among them are my wife -- and therefore me by proxy -- plus many of my closest friends. It would therefore sadden several people I know if Scrabulous disappeared.

I hope a deal can be reached that allows Facebook users to keep playing the addictive word game, whether that solution involve Hasbro licensing the mechanics to Scrabulous or Hasbro bringing online an official version. I mean, there must be some way out of this snafu (8 points), this problem (13 points), this quagmire (20 points).

Sorry. I couldn't resist.

A winner is you!

It seems that the longstanding war between Blu-ray and HD DVD is finally -- and thankfully -- coming to an end.

Seventeen months after yours truly last opined on this topic, the endgame is approaching. A blog post at the New York Times titled "HD DVDs Fall Like Dominoes" notes that recent moves within the film industry show that Blu-ray has gained a distinct advantage. In short, the HD-DVD cult has lost its final major backers.

If that doesn't convince you that the format's days are numbered, then consider this: The manufacturer of HD-DVD players has slashed prices on the units, seeking to increase installation base before Blu-ray is declared the official winner. That might have made a difference 12 months ago, but now it just makes them look desperate.

So, huzzah! The format war is all but over. A champion will soon be crowned and consumers can again purchase media players confident that their upgrade will not be obsolete two years hence. As an old Nintendo game so awkwardly but aptly put it, "A winner is you!"

Big badda boom?

Apparently, there will be no "big badda boom" on Mars after all.

Scientists who once gave Asteroid 2007 WD5 an approximately 1-in-25 chance of colliding with the Red Planet have revised their estimates, saying it's now very unlikely that the two objects will meet. The updated odds stand at 1 in 10,000. To put that in perspective, those are the same chances of someone finding a four-leaf clover on their first try.

Oh well. Maybe next time. Just so long as that next time doesn't involve Earth.

G.I. Joe cast tracker: Ripcord defended

Lorenzo di Bonaventura, producer of the upcoming "G.I. Joe" film, is defending his most recent casting decision to an irate fan base.

In an interview published this week on IESB.net, he said choosing Marlon Wayans to play Ripcord was "the easiest casting decision we've made" for the film. He also noted that despite earlier reports, Wayans' character will not lead the team, but instead will partner with the actual leader, Duke.

"When we were trying to figure out who would be the right element to make this combination work of Duke as the leader and Ripcord as the best friend who sorta gets Duke in trouble all the time and Duke has to bail him out all the time and have fun with him, we needed a guy who's gonna be funny and we needed a guy who was going to be a good actor," he said. "And we went to Marlon and said, 'We'd love to talk to you.' And he's a gigantic G.I. Joe fan and immediately asked, 'Is Cobra in it, is Destro in it?' I mean before he even got to read the script he was so much fun to talk to because he understood what it was. So he got it immediately, and when we did the test, you know, we all looked at each other and the studio and there isn't one person who didn't think it was a no-brainer.

"So, from our point of view, he's playing a military character who's got some real good quips but he's got to be good, he's got to be physical, and I mean Marlon is a strapping guy, he's got good size to him. So, I think the fans will feel, when they see him, that he is playing the solider that they anticipate anyone from the G.I. Joe group to be."

In his interview, di Bonaventura also noted that Wayans was "damn good" in "Requiem for a Dream," which I haven't seen but am planning to add to my Netflix cue so I can judge for myself.

I'm still not sure what to make of all this, but I'm more willing now to give di Bonaventura the benefit of the doubt. Ripcord is, after all, a supporting role. My hopes for this film are keyed to Duke and Cobra Commander, two characters that have yet to be cast. I just hope they sign actors who can nail those roles.

Nintendo (again) causes fanboys to cry

Being a Nintendo fanboy isn't easy. Sometimes your dreams are dashed. Mercilessly.

I and many other gamers anxiously awaiting the arrival of "Super Smash Bros. Brawl" were raked over the coals twice this week. The first disappointment came when Nintendo revealed the game's final playable character: Captain Olimar. This unrecognizable character is taken from "Pikmin" and "Pikmin 2," a pair of unimpressive Nintendo GameCube titles.

For a game that drew accolades for including Sega's Sonic and Konami's Solid Snake, it baffles me that Nintendo would waste the game's final roster slot on Captain Olimar. So many better choices could have been made. I would have loved to pit Capcom's Mega Man against Samus Aran, or Konami's Simon Belmont against Link. But alas, such fun will not be had.

The second disappointment came from talk that the game's release will (again) be delayed. Although unconfirmed, there are increasing indicators that "Brawl" has been pushed back from its Feb. 10 release to ship sometime in March. This would mark the second time Nintendo has delayed "Brawl," a game that was originally set to hit stores before Christmas 2007.

Of course, I could yet be surprised. Nintendo could release the game Feb. 10. And they could even sneak in one last character to make me grin. But I'm not going to hold my breath.

What have we wrought?

Lacking any decent television programming, Annie and I watched the surprisingly popular "American Gladiators" earlier this week. We found it to be partly entertaining -- and partly horrifying.

There's no writing team on this program and it shows. We submit for your review the following quotes, lifted directly from the episode we watched:

"She fights through Helga! But Helga is BIG and STRONG!" (A commentator)

"This is the WALL. It's 40 feet high and a long way down." (A host)

"Looks like the medics are gonna need some duct tape to reattach Sienne's head after it got crushed!" (A commentator)

"He was a little bit slippery, but it was just like hog wrestling at the fair. I took care of him." (A contestant)

"I'm agile, like a mongoose, and it's OVER!" (A contestant)

The dialogue is so uninspired -- so insipid -- that I can't help but be embarrassed for those involved with the show. Granted, the combat is worthwhile and the program maintains a certain it's-so-bad-it's-good quality, but it makes me weep for the state of television.

Please let the writers strike end soon.

Primary Day

Living in Washington, it's impossible to avoid discussion of the Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary. In a city that eats, breathes and sleeps politics, conversations about the presidential prelims come as naturally as chats about the weather in Minnesota.

So when I say that I've been thinking a lot about the caucuses and primaries lately, believe me. I have. And my thoughts keep returning some fundamental questions that nobody has been able to answer to my satisfaction.

Why should Iowa and New Hampshire have all the fun? Why don't we rotate the early voting process among this nation's 50 states? What makes the residents of Oklahoma or Louisiana or Alaska any less representative of the U.S. than those in Iowa and New Hampshire?

It's interesting to note that the Iowa caucuses only became nationally prominent because the New York Times decided to write about them, and the New Hampshire primaries were widely noticed only after they yielded an interesting political twist some 50 years ago. While noteworthy, I'm not sure these developments are sufficient to make Iowa and New Hampshire the end-all, be-all battlegrounds of presidential politics.

I once saw a press release quoting a high-ranking political official who defended the role that Iowa and New Hampshire play by essentially stating, "It's important they stay important because they are important." I'm sorry, but I just don't accept that argument.

I believe it would behoove Republicans and Democrats, at their national conventions this year, to end the political stranglehold that Iowa and New Hampshire maintain. Let's see some variety. Let's see more Americans get in on the fun. Let's see a better system in 2012.

G.I. Joe cast tracker: Ripcord

I haven't lost all faith and interest in the upcoming "G.I. Joe" movie, but I don't have much left.

Variety revealed yesterday that Marlon Wayans, who's best known for his roles in such terrible movies as "White Chicks" and "Scary Movie," will play Ripcord. The article descrbies Wayans' character as the "leader of the military unit," and notes Wayans will "star" in the film.

Beyond the obvious blunder of incorporating a Wayans brother into this otherwise well-cast movie, there seem to be other errors in this announcement. Since when has Ripcord, whose relatively unimpressive E-4 grade, been positioned to lead the Joes? And what happened to Duke, the original and most popular field commander?

Perhaps that role will go to Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who the Variety piece says is "in negotiations to join" the cast. And why not? I mean, if I must endure watching Shorty Meeks parachutte, I might as well sit through Tommy Solomon saving the free world.

Sigh.

And now, a special announcement

Ladies and gentlemen...boys and girls...put your hands together for Annie Lynsen as she makes a special announcement.

"Ahem. Thank you all for being here today. I shan't impose on your time for long. I just wanted to let you all know...

I've got a new job!

My last day working for the ELCA will be Jan. 18. I'll be taking a week off and then, starting on Jan. 28, I will be the brand-new manager of online content and communities for KaBOOM!



What is KaBOOM!? I'll let their web site speak to that:

Celebrating eleven years of success in 2007, KaBOOM! is a national nonprofit organization that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. KaBOOM! was founded in 1996 by Darell Hammond and Dawn Hutchison in Washington, D.C. KaBOOM! has used our innovative community-build model to bring together business and community interests to construct nearly 1,000 new playgrounds, skateparks, sports fields and ice rinks across North America. KaBOOM! also offers a variety of resources, including a website and online community, regional and national trainings, grants and publications for communities that wish to plan a new playspace on their own. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., KaBOOM! also has offices in Chicago, Atlanta and San Mateo.

Needless to say, I'm excited for the opportunity to work for such a unique and cool organization (one that has a freaking TIRE SWING in their front office!), and I'm excited for the chance to do new types of writing and more web work. There are, of course, many things I will miss about working for the ELCA, the organization I've served for over six years. And it's always a bit scary to embark on a major life change, but I just keep in mind the words on a little plaque I keep on my desk at work: 'With courage greater than your fear, leap into the unknown and you will fly!'

Here's hoping my wings are up to it!"

Embarrassment of riches

I have what one might call an embarrassment of riches. I have an iTunes gift card, but no idea what to purchase. So I need your help.

I see this as an opportunity to expand my musical horizons, which currently extend only so far as Enigma, Nobuo Uematsu and the occasional guilty pleasure. I'm looking primarily for some wild and wacky suggestions, but I'm also open to considering any staples you think no iPod should be without.*

Please post in the comments any tracks you think I should consider. I'm anxious to go shopping this weekend, but I'm more anxious to see what you think I should buy.

* Note: The classic rock era is covered thanks to my friends Mark, Susan and Tony and their awesome efforts to help me better understand that genre.

Crossing the line

As previously noted, I support the Writers Guild of America in their strike. They seek only that which they have earned and deserve.

But not everyone shares my opinion. People like presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, famed chef Emeril Lagasse and mediocre rapper Chingy collectively bit their thumb at the guild last night when they crossed picket lines to appear on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." Shame on you, Mike, Emeril and, well, whatever your real name is, Chingy. Shame on you.

I find it irritating (but unsurprising) that NBC and other studios are forcing productions such as "The Tonight Show," "The Daily Show" and others onto the air again before the strike has ended. I also find it dispiriting (but understandable) that Jay Leno, John Stewart and other hosts are going back to work so as to keep their non-striking employees working.

But there is no excuse for the guests of these shows to cross picket lines, and I will hold their appearances against them. If these people absolutely must promote themselves, their culinary talents or their bad rap albums, they should do so on the "Late Show with David Letterman," which has gracefully resolved its differences with the striking writers.

Anything else is simply crossing the line.

Losing the Jackpot

I have to thank Marvel Comics. One of my New Year's resolutions was to severely cut back on my comic book purchases. Marvel just made that much easier.

In last week's issue of "Amazing Spider-Man," Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada finally made good on his pledge to undo the marriage of Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson. Neither character died or filed for divorce. Instead, the two characters essentially struck a deal with the devil to erase some recent tragedies in exchange for the erasing of their happy marriage. The repercussions of this deal have yet to be fully revealed, but it seems to have rewound Spider-Man continuity about 20 years.

The reaction from readers has been swift and clear: This isn't just a bad idea. This is the worst idea since the abhorrent Clone Saga.

Even the story's author, J. Michael Straczynski, had problems with what was published. He wrote on his own blog that "there's a lot that I don't agree with, and I made this very clear to everybody within shouting distance at Marvel, especially Joe Quesada."

To hear Joe Quesada explain things, you'd think he was boldly orchestrating the redemption of an ailing franchise. He's been adamant that the marriage was a burden to Marvel, artificially aged Peter Parker and made the character inaccessible to younger readers. For more about this, read his manifesto on the subject here.

But do sales figures show the need for such a dramatic change? No. In August, the last issue before the current storyline began, "Amazing Spider-Man" sold 106,485 copies. Compare that to May 2006, when the book sold 95,544 copies, or May 2005, when the book sold 76,143 copies. The book was doing just fine. There was no reason to so fundamentally change the status quo.

Marvel might see a momentary bump in sales, but at what cost? The company has angered and alienated many long-term readers, myself among them. So, again, thank you, Marvel. You just made one of my New Year's resolutions that much easier to keep.

Year of the Potato?

Welcome to 2008, the International Year of the Potato. Seriously. Check it out.

The distinction is one of many representing the 366 days before us, for this will be an eventful year. We've got the Phoenix landing on Mars in May, the Summer Olympics in August, plus a presidential election in November. And that's just for starters. Consider these other highlights:

January & February: There's a 1-in-25 chance that a large asteroid will strike Mars. Australia sees a partial solar eclipse. The Academy Awards take place, likely without the assistance of any Hollywood writers, who remain on strike.

March & April: General elections are held in Russia, Spain and China. (Although, I can't help but question the logic of holding elections in a communist country.) Washington's new baseball stadium, Nationals Park, opens and actually makes me consider attending a sports event.

May & June: The Large Hadron Collider begins operations, hopefully not creating a black hole and destroying the Earth. NASA's Phoenix spacecraft lands on Mars and begins its longshot mission of looking for signs of microbial life.

July & August: World Youth Day occurs in Australia. After a three decade reign, Bill Gates steps down from daily duties at Microsoft. The Summer Olympics are held in China, sadly lacking Mario and Sonic as competitors.

September & October: The presidential debates occur, probably pitting some bland Democratic candidate against an equally bland Republican candidate, resulting in three events that doubtless will recognized for their blandness.

November & December: The presidential election is held and America seals its fate for the next four years. Construction of the Burj Dubai ends, completing work on the tallest building in the world.

This is, of course, just a sampling of what the next 12 months hold. What would you add to this list?