Salute Your Shorts: Revisited

On November 10, 2013November 9, 2013 By R. PettyIn TV ShowsLeave a comment

Do you know the words?

We run, we jump, we swim, and play.

We row and go on trips.

But the things that last forever

are our dear friendships…

If you kept singing or know the song, you must have grown up in the 90s. That’s the opening verse to Salute Your Shorts, the show about a group of kids at summer camp.

When I was younger, I liked the show a lot, but I liked Are You Afraid of the Dark and Clarissa Explains It All more. I couldn’t really relate to any of the characters on SYS, and I hated the one time I went to summer camp. I still think summer camp is overrated.

As an adult, I realize I miss 90s TV shows. I miss the simplicity, the minor drama, the awkwardness. Today, shows try to do too much or get way too serious. At 12, I didn’t want to hear about 15-year-olds agonizing about sex, and I still don’t.

Salute Your Shorts was simple. Each episode had a situation or conflict, and it was resolved by the end. In 24 minutes or less. So, here are some of my observations (old and new) after watching two volumes:

1. Bobby Budnick still reminds me of Axl Rose. Every time I see Budnick, I think I bet that’s what Axl Rose was like when he was 13 – smart, cunning, mean, and a natural leader.

2. I really dislike Dina Alexander. I never even thought she was cute. She was a terrible, terrible person, and I did not understand how anyone would want to even be in the same room with her. Had I been in her bunk, I would have hung her on the flagpole.

3. Most of the characters still irritate me. The only character I relate to now is Z.Z, the nerdy tree-hugger type, so I’m not sure what that says about me as an adult.

4. The show holds up, but it’s nostalgia that keeps it going. Would it survive if it aired now? No. There’s not enough drama and fighting; there were no tears. It was just kids doing kids things and solving their own problems without it being Earth shattering.

5. I can still sing the opening song word for word. And I’ll admit something to all our great readers out there: Until two weeks ago, I thought the song said “… are our dear friend Chips.” Yes, chips. It didn’t make any sense at the time, but I never tried to figure it out. Two weeks ago, when I heard it again, I said … “OH….” and laughed and laughed. And felt really dumb.

I encourage anyone who enjoyed Nick’s 90s era to revisit Salute Your Shorts. Amazon has two volumes for $6 each, and it’s worth it just to relive a time where things weren’t so dependent on technology and dramatic. If you want to learn what made us late 20-somethings and 30-somethings who we are today, watch the old Nick shows.

For extra fun, here’s a video from a “scary” episode. It still creeps me out a little…

Off the Top of My Head: Painting 40k Stormboy

On November 6, 2013November 5, 2013 By James CastroIn Art, Games, Random Fun4 Comments

Before the glory that was Halloween (It’s still going on as far as I’m concerned. I’m extending Halloween the way the rest of the world does Christmas…) I began posting some of the Orks I’ve been painting. Though I have two chapters of space marines (the two more “angelic” chapters…First Founding!) and now some Sisters of Battle, the Orks are still my chance to be the most creative.

This model is an old metal Stormboy Nob I got in an incredible deal on eBay along with a lot of other older metal models. I love the look of the older models mixed in with my newer plastic kits, but they are a bit static and don’t look very “Storm-y.” Luckily eBay also introduced me to these great flying bases for them. I have a full compliment of ten to do, but I started with the great Stormboy Nob to test how it works:

It was fun to customize and pose him on this base. I over tilted so I have a nickel underneath the base to keep him down.

That's a newer choppa he has. I liked the look of it better. — That’s a newer choppa he has. I liked the look of it better.

The site to buy the bases has a great tutorial on how to paint them to give that layered/glowing effect.

The Rokkit is a little plain, but the rest of the model is so bright I was ok with it.

I used a piece of the Chaos Defiler model to accessorize his helmet.

How to paint the flying base here.

And my previous ork posts:

Black Reach

Dreadtrukk

Warboss with Attack Squig

Boss Zagstruk

Off the Top of My Head: Boss Zagstruk!

On September 25, 2013September 24, 2013 By James CastroIn Art, Games, Random Fun4 Comments

This week i present more Orks!

I love the rules and fluff behind Stormboyz. I’m hoping the rumors are true that they can be used a anti-air units in 6th edition.

Boss Zagstruk is a terrific addition to a Stormboyz unit. His high-initiative powerklaw, deep striking, and commissar abilities make him worth the points to me. An extra bonus is he has a great mini, and is fun to paint!

I give you my Boss Zagstruk. Again one of my earliest painting attempts but still loads of fun!

SONY DSC — I like dry-brushing fur details. This was my first attempt at that.

If you’ve missed my other orks:

Black Reach

Dreadtrukk

Warboss with Attack Squig

Why You Should Watch Shark Tank

On September 22, 2013September 21, 2013 By R. PettyIn TV ShowsLeave a comment

Season five of Shark Tank premiered this week, and to say I was excited would be an understatement.

The cast of Shark Tank — Photo by: boss.blogs.nytimes.com

After months of waiting for the new season, I snuggled into my spot on the couch and tuned in. I’m not a fan of reality TV, but something about Shark Tank resonated with me a few years ago. I remember my husband watching one day, and after watching for a few, I was hooked. But why?

Shark Tank is about the American dream of owning your own business and building its success. It’s about everyday people who dream big, create a product or service, and try to get it out to the masses. And of course, it’s about making money.

I think we’ve all fantasized about being our own boss and working our own schedule. Some of us are bored with our jobs, some of us have great ideas, and some know there’s more to life than working 8-5 Monday through Friday for the rest of our lives. Shark Tank gives us hope.

The Show

I won’t bore you with a full review, so here’s a quick summary: Entrepreneurs deliver a quick presentation and try to convince the five investors to join in their venture. Sound boring? I thought so too. I was wrong.

The show’s perfect mix of drama and reality make it a must-see. The Sharks can be ruthless but fair. They sometimes do fight over a business or product, but it’s usually when something is a really great idea or really successful. Other times, there are some really bad ones, and it’s pretty entertaining to watch the presenter get eaten alive.

Life Lessons

Shark Tank is on our list of Inspiration and Resources because it’s a reminder that with hard work, long hours, and dedication you can achieve your goals. Some of my favorite success stories are those business that received an investment, allowing them to expand and create new jobs in our country.

The Sharks are funny, sympathetic, and real investors who give good advice to small business owners – whether they receive an investment or not. Sometimes they’re wrong, but that’s the beauty of the show. At the very least, the entrepreneurs benefit from appearing on the show by also presenting in front of millions of people.

I face palm at least once during the show from either a horrible idea or from asking myself, “Why didn’t I think of that?!” Watching the show inspires me to figure out what I want to do with my life. I keep a list of ideas and products. I don’t talk myself out of anything, and I know the only person holding me back is me.

If you haven’t seen the show, you should give it a shot to at least see some products and ideas people like you have developed into a business plan. You never know what you’ll achieve if you set your mind to it.

Enjoy a sample of the show!

Off the Top of My Head: Painting My Waaagh!

On September 19, 2013September 19, 2013 By James CastroIn Art, Games, Random Fun5 Comments

I mentioned in one of my very first painting posts how much I love orks. Though I still consider myself an imperialist at heart, orks are so much fun to paint and play that I knew when I got the Black Reach starter set I’d be able to make use of both sides.

I’ve gotten a bit better than I was when I first painted that Black Reach warboss. I’ve been able to do some layering, and I’ve gotten into basing (I really enjoy basing) and making some custom additions to each model.

This was my first warboss after the Black Reach guy. His attack squig and armor left plenty of room for customization. I gave him a spike with some space marine helmets on it, but it was metal and it ended up breaking the resin pole. I just glued the hell out of it to make it stick in the end.

I gave him a couple of helper grots (both metal) and ammo crates. The Ultramarines bomb is actually from a Trumpeter 39(H) French military tank set I had. The rocky base is terra cotta (which I highly recommend, it’s light, breakable for customization, and can be painted and textured to provide any look!) with some extra bits around to give it character.

He got a little dusty and he was hard to clean without snapping resin pieces off. It adds a bit of character 😉

My favorite part of painting this guy were the human heads hanging from his belt. I gave each one a different wound. Obviously, basic rudimentary stuff (I’m not ‘Eavy Metal!) but they were a lot of fun!

Fun at the Nashville Comic Con and Expo

On September 17, 2013September 17, 2013 By R. PettyIn Random Fun, ReviewsLeave a comment

Some things can’t wait. This post is one of those things.

Instead of a traditional story of the month, we decided to talk about the Nashville Comic Con and Expo we attended this past Saturday, Sept. 14. It was actually our first take pics, spend-lots-of-money con!

Highlights

Robert Englund: I can’t speak for our whole group, but hearing Englund tell stories about shooting the Nightmare on Elm Street movies or share his feelings on the reboot was a real treat. Englund is a cool dude, and he loves the entertainment industry. You can see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice. I was blown away by the number of kids ages 10 and under who stood at the mic and asked him questions about his movies — it just shows that the slasher movie is alive and well. Englund treated every fan with the same respect and gratitude his fans showed him.

Costumes: I admit I was impressed by the costumes people walked around in all day. Sure, there were some standard ones you’d find at a party store, and then there were the costumes. The ones that made you stop and ask for a pic because they were so freaking cool. We all were so inspired by the ones who dressed up, we all decided to dress up for the upcoming Wizard World Comic Con in October!

Ghostbuster — This guy’s costume came complete with lights and sound effects!

The Crowd: Everyone was so unbelievably nice. There was no pushing, no fighting, and no attitude. It was a large group of people who were there to have fun. I did not see one person decline a photo op; it didn’t matter what they were doing at the time. The artists talked to you without pressuring you to buy, and you could walk away with almost anything signed.

Merchandise: One tip: bring cash and lots of it. It was no surprise there were dozens of vendors, but the amount of items they brought with them surprised me. There was SO much cool stuff – and it wasn’t just comic books. We found clothes, figures, games, accessories, artwork, hair bows, posters, weapons, stuffed animals, and almost anything else you can imagine.

My son bought a replica of the Master Sword. It’s almost as big as me.

Raven: Teen Titans print — Awesome Raven from *Teen Titans* print that I framed the next day.

We did miss Maggie and Glen from The Walking Dead, and I would have liked to have stayed for the costume contest, but I can see how the first time can be a little overwhelming. Thousands of people wandered all over the area, and you could easily spend 20-plus minutes at every table browsing through stuff or talking to artists. If you have never been to one, plan to spend at least a few hours there.

If you attended the event, we’d love to hear about your experience, and don’t forget your tickets for Wizard World. Who knows … maybe next year RevPub will have a booth!

Revenant Publications

Category: Reviews