[Et-Cetera] School Project

It's been awhile since my last update, as my Internet access has been sporadic at best. Right now, I just wanted to mention a project my wife is working on in order to procure an easel for her classroom.

I've been bugging everyone in my address book to see if anyone would be interested in throwing a few bucks in, or at least passing the link along to potential donors. I know the humble blog doesn't receive any real traffic, but I figured it couldn't hurt to post the request here as well.

Anyhoo, whether you can donate or not... thank you for reading!

__________________________________________________

Hello!

I'm currently teaching at Fowler Elementary in Phoenix and due to budget cuts my school is lacking funds. To help my students achieve great things this year, I've posted a request at DonorsChoose.org for the resources that would make the biggest difference in my classroom. Any donation towards my project will go directly towards helping my kids and it's tax deductible. This is how you can help. Visit http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=329214&sharebar=true and support my classroom project. Also, please forward this link and help me spread the word! Thanks in advance for your help in supporting both me AND the DonorsChoose.org teacher community! Best, Maribel

[Et-Cetera] Eulogy for a Laptop

It's been a little while... kind of a rough few months at the homestead, the very least of which was my lap top's monitor deciding to black-out. Was going okay for awhile... I'd be able to get about 10 minutes of computer usage at a time before my "monitor timer" would run out... sometimes I could finagle a few more moments to finish whatever project I was working on, or at the very least hit "Save" by toggling the little rubber peg that would be compressed when the lap top's lid is shut. It didn't take long for the screen to simply give out completely.

The laptop itself still runs, and on a good day I can get about 30 seconds worth of screen time out of the ol' girl (or boy... whatever).

Right now I'm working on a borrowed unit. It could be worse, so I really can't complain (too much).

It's funny how you don't realize how dependent you are on something until it's no longer available. I'd use my computer for EVERYTHING. From something silly like checking the TV listings to diligently sending out resumes in hope of finding myself some gainful employment to writing, editting and formatting my entire first novel.

That old laptop and I have been through a lot together.

That being said, I've found a "Wizard of Oz" moment in my time away from the Internet. Everything was suddenly in color. It's so refreshing... people in real life don't say things like "fail" or "epic" or "owned" (and these are people MY AGE online, pushing 30 with a bulldozer). Ya know, when you're "connected" for most of the day, you start to forget that there ARE normal people out there... and not just the nutty web-types.

Anyhoo... I was going to try and take whatever time I find myself "connected" to give my thoughts on the WWE's upcoming, and dreadfully named "Hell in the Cell" pay per view... however, with the state of the current pro-wrestling product, I'm finding myself lacking for enthusiasm. Didn't help matters much that I had to miss my first episode of Monday Night Raw in about 10 years this past week due to a sad choice of "guest host". If I can get it together in a somewhat informative, if not entertaining fashion, I'll do so.

Oh well, just playin' catch-up... thanks for reading y'all.

[Script] Ace of Spades Comics "Issue Number Seventeen" - Pages, 13-16

13.1

Taps picks up an odd shaped food.

1. Taps: “What… what is this stuff?”
2. Iggy: “Just eat it… it’s not as though there’s any taste.”
3. Iggy: “It just fills the void… you know?”

13.2

Both men are eating.

4. Taps: “Earlier you alluded to knowing who I am, or who I was… I’d appreciate it if you told me.”
5. Iggy: “No, earlier I told you the Rat would eat your face if YOU don’t tell me who you are. Earlier than that I told you I knew who you are-was.”
6. Taps: “So, which is it???”
7. Iggy: “Yes.”

13.3

Taps gets frustrated.

8. Taps: “No!”
9. Iggy: “Okay, no.”
10. Taps: “No… I mean, yes… I mean, tell me!”
11. Iggy: “Can’t.”

13.4

Taps slumps back into his seat. The food has vanished/expired.

12. Taps: “You can’t?”
13. Iggy: “Nope, can’t.”
14. Taps: “Why not?”
15. Iggy: “I’ll be shuffled.”
16. Taps: “Shuffled?”
17. Iggy: “Listen. I can’t say anymore than that. They’ll know.”

14.1

Taps looks confused.

1. Taps: “Who’ll know?
2. Iggy: “Listen. We NEED to change the subject, okay?”
3. Iggy: “It’s in BOTH of our best interests if we change the subject.”

14.2

Taps settles down.

4. Taps: “Fine… how long have you been here?”
5. Iggy: “I dunno.”
6. Taps: “You mean, you can’t tell me?”
7. Iggy: “No… really, I don’t know.”

14.3

Iggy pontificates.

8. Iggy: “You can’t expect a man to count sixty for every minute, three-thousand six-hundred for every hour, eighty-six thousand four-hundred for every day, six hundred four thousand eight-hundred for every week, and thirty-one million four-hundred forty-nine thousand six hundred for every year, now can you?”
9. Taps: “I suspect not. How are those numbers so quick for you to summon.”

14.4

Iggy has a look of utter defeat on his face.

10. Iggy: “Trust me. Those numbers are very familiar to me. Very familiar.”
11. Iggy: “When you reach three-billion one-hundred forty-four million nine-hundred sixty-thousand you sorta lose hope.”
12. Iggy: “Numbers, at once begin to mean everything in the world and nothing at all.”

14.5

Taps has a solemn look on his face, suddenly realizing the fate that’s in store for him.

13. Taps: “I, uh… guess not.”
14. Taps: “Have you, uh… ever tried to get out of here?”

14.6

Iggy nods the affirmative.

15. Iggy: “No… never.”
16. Taps: “I see.”

15.1

Taps stands up from the table.

1. Taps: “I don’t know about you, Iggy but they’re not keeping me here.”
2. Iggy: “I know what you’re getting at but there’s no way out.”

15.2

Taps opens the front door of the house.

3. Taps: “They didn’t even lock us in. Let’s go.”
4. Iggy: “Wow, you ARE new. Give leaving a try…”

15.3

Taps is suddenly in front yard. Walking towards fence.

5. Taps: “Look, Iggy. There’s nothin’ to it!”

15.4

Iggy is standing in the doorway. Taps in on the other side of the fence.

6. Taps: “C’mon Iggy, let’s get out of here together.”
7. Iggy: “Just go ahead and leave, if you can.”

15.5

Taps begins to walk.

15.6

Taps, still walking… but not getting anywhere. Looks as though he’s walking in place.

8. Taps: “Wha?”
9. Iggy: “Try running!”

16.1

Taps begins to run… however; he’s still not getting anywhere.

1. Iggy: “Faster!”

16.2

Taps is running at a furious speed… still not moving.

2. Iggy: “Faster still!”

16.3

Taps is running even faster, is sweating like mad.

3. Iggy: “Can you go faster?”

16.4

Taps collapses.

4. Iggy: “Toldja so.”
5. Iggy: “idiot.”

16.5

Iggy is dragging a nearly unconscious Taps back towards the house.

6. Iggy: “C’mon, I’ll fix you drink to eat.”
7. Taps: “What…to… drink?”
8. Iggy: “Nothing. Come on.”

[Wrestling] TNA Hard Justice 2009

Well, it's certainly been an interesting month for Total Non-Stop Action. Turmoil behind the scenes, as well as a rumored power-shift, could be the perfect recipe for exciting wrestling television. This month's offering is Hard Justice. Initially, it was announced/rumored that all of the matches will be contested under "No-DQ" ruling, much like WWE's Extreme Rules and WCW's Un-Censored... I'm not entirely sure if this stipulation remains. I would bag on TNA for taking this page out of the WWE playbook, however, it's a perfectly decent idea for a gimmick pay-per-view.

Now, onto the matches:

TNA World Heavyweight Title Match

Kurt Angle (C) v Sting v Matt Morgan

It's nice to see TNA elevating new talent to the Main Event level. I'm not much of a fan of Matt Morgan, but it's still very nice to see nonetheless. Other the past several weeks, The Blueprint was put in a "Best of 3" series with AJ Styles. With AJ, Morgan put on some great matches, potentially the best of his career thus far. Kurt Angle and Sting continue their rivalry that has been going on for the past few months. I don't see TNA taking the title off of Angle this close to Bound For Glory (October), as I feel that should be saved for the bigger show. I can see Morgan having a rather impressive showing for his first pay-per-view main event match.

TNA Legends Title Match

Kevin Nash v Mick Foley (C)

Kevin Nash further proves to be one of the most entertaining guys on the roster (probably any roster, right now). I gushed over his "Businessman" gimmick in my last TNA-PPV post, and those feelings remain. As far as Foley is concerned... I'm not sure why I should care. He's a heel, he's a babyface, he's a heel, he's a babyface. He's been in TNA less than a year, and has turned so often, I need to be reminded each week which entrance way he should be coming out of. I'm guessing at this point in time, he's playing face... possibly shifted into a conjoined Foley-Jarrett role, had Jarrett not taken a leave of absence a month or so back. Regardless of all that, this should be a fun match. Foley will still push his limits, and it will be fun watching businessman, Kevin Nash pick and choose what's "worth" doing for him and his paycheck. I'd like to see a Nash victory.

X-Division Title Match

Samoa Joe v Homicide (C)

I almost feel bad for Samoa Joe. I wouldn't go so far as to say the X-Division title is below him, however, it seemed as though they were building a head of steam for him to leave a lasting impression in the main event scene. Taz's arrival last month didn't really do much for either man. Homicide is always impressive, as is Joe. This should be a great match, possibly match of the night. I would like to see Homicide retain.

Steel Asylum Match

Suicide v Chris Sabin v The Amazing Red v Alex Shelley v Jay Lethal v Christopher Daniels v Consequences Creed

TNA announced that D'Angelo Dinero would be debuting at Hard Justice (who is heavily rumored to be former WWE/ECW Superstar, Elijah Burke). Not sure if his debut will be as an entrant in this match or not. It's also interesting just how quickly Christopher Daniels dropped out of the upper mid-card. He certainly deserves better. Both Suicide (as Kaz) and Jay Lethal have won Steel Asylum's in the past. I'd like to see Daniel's take this one, and hopefully gain a decent foothold in the upper mid-card once and for all. That is, of course, unless Dinero DOES debut for this match... in that case, I pick him.

$50,000 Bounty Match

Jethro Holliday v Abyss

Abyss's old "counselor" Dr. Stevie Richards has placed a $50,000 bounty on his head. This is a great old school set-up, leading to several interesting opportunities. I don't see Holliday (the former Trevor Murdoch) winning this one. It should be fun watching to see who else tries to cash-in and take Abyss out.

Rob Terry v Hernandez

Rob Terry is physically impressive. In the ring, however, is a different story. Hernandez has been on a tear since returning from injury (as well as before he was injured). This match is predicated on the Feast or Fired Briefcase that Hernandez won at Sacrifice earlier this year. The British Invasion took possession of it (as well as Homicide's case) before taking Hernandez out. They seem to be building Hernandez as the next big thing (and rightfully so). That said, he should take this one.

IWGP Tag Team Title Match

Beer Money, Inc. v The British Invasion (C)

Up until last week there was a bit of confusion over whether or not New Japan would let The British Invasion's title victory stand. Ultimately, the title switch stands, and honestly, that's for the best. The British Invasion, Magnus & Williams are a couple of great wrestlers. This match, if not for the X-Division Title match would be my pick for Match of the Night. I'd like to see The British Invasion retain here, and scoot Beer Money over to chasing the TNA Tag titles.

TNA Women's Knockout's Title Match

ODB v Angelina Love (C)

Another breath of fresh air. A title match without Tara or Awesome Kong in it. Opening up the field for a new challenger in ODB. Great decision in my humble opinion. ODB, with sidekick/love-interest, Cody Deaner have been incredibly entertaining both in and out of the ring. At this point, I don't see Love dropping the title, however, I wouldn't mind seeing an ODB run with the belt.

TNA Tag Team Title Match

Team 3D v Scott Steiner & Booker T (C)

Well, it's certainly nice to see Team 3D in a feud that doesn't have anything to do with "respect" or "beating respect into anybody". How they became the #1 contenders to the Titles, I don't know. Not that it matters, they're clearly TNA's marquee tag team (especially with Beer Money, Inc. otherwise engaged for the evening). This match is probably the hardest one to call... or even care about. Personally, I'm tired of all four men. I'd reckon The Main Event Mafia retains, and builds towards Bound For Glory with Beer Money, Inc. chasing for the belts.

Well, there ya have it. All in all, a decently stacked show. If I had the money, I'd consider making the purchase. TNA has really picked up their game over the past few months... and if some of the backstage rumors are true, they'll continue to raise the bar in the near future.

By the way, next week we've got WWE's SummerSlam... Enjoy the show!

[Script] Ace of Spades Comics "Issue Number Seventeen" - Pages, 9-12

9.1

The Iguana points to his crotch.

1. Iguana: “Not ‘Who’, but ‘What’.”
2. Taps: “I, uh, don't follow?”
3. Iguana: “Follow, hmm.”

9.2

The Iguana moves his face in really close to Taps. He has a sickly smile on his face.

4. Iguana: “If you don’t tell the Iguana who you are, the Rat will eat your face.”

9.3

Taps takes the Iguana by the collar. He is furious.

5. Taps: “Listen, Iggy… if your “Rat” tries to eat my face… I’ll eat it!”

9.4

Iggy begins to laugh, Taps clearly is unaware of what the “rat” which Iggy spoke was.

6. Iggy: “Hahaha… if the Rat needed a summer home, I could think of no better place than inside your warm, soft mouth”
7. Iggy: “I just didn’t figure you for… one’a them.”

9.5

Taps is boiling over with rage.

8. Taps: “One of who?”

9.6

Iggy looks a bit bewildered as though he’d maybe heard something wrong.

9. Iggy: “Well… you offered to, well… uh, you’re gay, right?”

10.1

Taps raises an eyebrow.

1. Taps: “No.”

10.2

Same as 10.1

10.3

Same as 10.1/2

10.4

Same as 10.1/2/3

2. Taps: “… you?”

10.5

Iggy looks like he was just insulted.

3. Iggy: “No… what’re you, crazy? I like boobies and girly-parts.”
4. Taps: “I, just might be…”
5. Taps: “Uh, crazy… that is. Not gay.”

10.6

Iggy and Taps stare across the table at each other uncomfortably.

11.1

Iggy shakes off his discomfort.

1. Iggy: “Uh, anyways… um, did you meet Steward?”
2. Taps: “I uh… don’t know. There was a man, I think.”
3. Taps: “Yeah… there was a man who, uh, brought me here… is HE Steward?”

11.2

Iggy nods.

4. Iggy: “Yeah, that’s him. He do the whole ‘Alice’ shtick?”
5. Taps: “Yeah… I think I remember that. It… feels like, that was years ago.”

11.3

Iggy moves closer to Taps.

6. Iggy: “It might have been, but at the same time it was not. There’s no time here. No measurement of distance… nothing like that.”
7. Taps: “So… wait. You’re admitting that there’s a here… and a there, correct?”
8. Iggy: “Sure. There certainly can’t only be this room… in this house… on this road… in this valley, can there?”

11.4

Taps has a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

9. Taps: “So… how do I get back there???”
10. Iggy: “Simple.”

11.5

Iggy points over to a full-length mirror that is hanging on the wall.

11. Taps: “The Mirror?”
12. Taps: “Ha! We’re on the other side of the mirror???”
13. Iggy: “No… they are.”

12.1

Taps gets up to go over to the mirror.

1. Taps: “Well… it’s been fun, Iggy. I’ll be going now.”
2. Iggy: “You better get a running start.”
3. Taps: “Okay, thanks.”

12.2

Taps SLAMS into the mirror cracking it.

12.3

Taps is sitting on the ground in front of the shattered mirror. He has a gash on his forehead.

4. Taps: “I thought you said…”
5. Iggy: “I lie… I’m… a… liar. That’s what I do.”
6. Iggy: “I do that, because that’s what I do… only not when I don’t.”
7. Iggy: “Do… that is.”

12.4

Taps sits back down in his seat. There’s suddenly food at the place settings.

8. Taps: “Where’d this food come from?”
9. Iggy: “It’s from the place that sent it.”
10. Iggy: “It’s our rations. They come around every once in awhile.”
11. Iggy: “That’s why I’m always in this room. Meals are only around until they expire. When they expire they go away. Ya know?”

[Script] Ace of Spades Comics "Issue Number Seventeen" - Pages, 5-8

5.1

The bench arrives at the Main Square of There. The streets are suddenly loaded with people, standing as though they are about to experience a parade. There are two military types standing at the first intersection.

1. Passenger: “Okay, boy… before I take my leave, I must pass on the importance of not panicking.”
2. Taps: “Huh?”
3. Passenger: “Do not Panic. No matter how dread the situation appears.”
4. Passenger: “Also, remember… you’re on hostile ground, however, I am a friend.”

5.2

Taps looks terribly flustered. The Passenger smiles broadly.

5. Passenger: “Remember everything I said…”

5.3

The Passenger vanishes all but his wide smile.

6. “Passenger: “Remember.”

5.4
Taps, still nervous and sickly frustrated cannot help but chuckle. The military types surround his mobile-bench.

7. Soldier A: “Halt!”
8. Soldier B: “It’s past curfew… you will halt!”

5.5

Taps regains his bearings and is angry. He begins to stand up off of the bench.

9. Taps: “Curfew? It’s the middle of the day, and the streets are flooded with…”

5.6

The main square is now empty, and there is a dark haze as if it were night.

10. Taps: “… Peop…le.”

6.1

Taps has a crazed look in his eyes.

1. Taps: “I know there were people… I just know it. They looked as though… they were… welcoming me.”
2. Soldier A: “Sure they were… now, let’s take you home before you get yourself into any more trouble.”

6.2

The military types each take Taps by an arm. Taps begins to struggle.

3. Soldier A: “Hey, buddy… it’ll be easier for all of us if you don’t resist.”
4. Soldier B: “Continued resistance will only result in pain.”
5. Both Soldiers: “Now we take you home!”

6.3

Taps and the Soldiers are suddenly on the porch steps of a brownstone home. There is high grass in the front yard and is surrounded by a fence.

6. Soldier A: “This is your home, yes?”
7. Taps: “Ye—I mean, I don’t know… I, uh… guess.”
8. Soldier B: “This is your home, yes?”

6.4

Taps slumps into his shoulders, now seemingly only being held up by the soldiers.

9. Taps: “…”
10. Taps: “yes.”

7.1

Taps is sitting at a small table in a small kitchen. It is set for two, yet he is alone. Taps is checking his pockets.

1. Taps: “Nothing in my pockets…”

7.2

Taps is suddenly in a shadow of a man.

2. Voice: “They do that, ya know…”
3. Voice: “Empty your pockets, I mean.”
4. Voice: “That’s what they do.”

7.3

The man seats himself across the table from Taps at the other table setting. He looks quite flea-bitten, with a long scraggly goatee and long wavy hair that looks as if it were partially burnt straw.

5. Man: “Welcome home, er…”
6. Taps: “I don’t know my name… I, uh… I don’t know who I am.”
7. Taps: “Do you?”

7.4

The man looks as though he knows something.

8. Man: “Who you are? Or who you were? Oh, they’re nearly the same, I suppose… you suppose not?”
9. Man: “What is stripped from one is given to another… when the puddles rise, new names will be given.”
10. Taps: “I don’t understand.”

7.5

Man is smiling.

11. Man: “No, I suppose you do not. It’s quite simple, actually… can I get you something to eat?”
12. Taps: “Uh… sure, what do you… er, we have?”
13. Man: “Nothing, actually.”

8.1

Taps, once again is frustrated.

1. Taps: “Then why do you offer? Who are you, anyways?”
2. Man: “Why am I to introduce myself, when you have not?”
3. Taps: “Because, I DO NOT KNOW WHO I AM!!!”

8.2

The Man raises an eyebrow.

4. Man: “Yes, well… I suppose that’s right.”
5. Man: “They gave me a number… but I traded it with my goldfish.”
6. Man: “I was number twenty, but my Goldfish was sixty-nine. So we traded.”
7. Taps: “So… we’re numbered?”

8.3

69 laughs.

8. 69: “No, no, no… not necessarily. Some of us are numbered, some of us are lettered, and some of us are given names by the ruling class.”
9. 69: “For example…”

8.4

69 now has his hands raised a la “The Karate Kid” and has his tongue sticking out.

10. 69: “I… am the Iguana”
11. Iguana: “I am the Iguana, but HE is the Rat!”
12. Taps: “Who’s he?”

[Script] Ace of Spades Comics "Issue Number Seventeen" - Pages, 1-4

Wow, that may be the longest title I'd ever posted. I'll be sure to shorten it for future installments. This is the story I'd written about in my last post.

A bit of backstory: This bit features a character named "Taps" who appears very briefly throughout the first couple of story arcs of Ace of Spades Comics... mostly in the background. As of this issue, his backstory is largely untold. It's just known that he'd been given an assignment to tail the "boys" and ensure they're doing what they're supposed to be doing.

Before this story begins, Taps was involved in a plane crash.

That's about it. Oh, this script uses the Page-dot-Panel layout.

Anyhoo... here are the first 4 pages (of 16) of "Issue Number Seventeen". Enjoy... or don't, heh.

------------------------------------------

Ace of Spades Comics

Issue #17 – “Issue Number Seventeen”

Chris Sheehan

1.1

Black Panel.

1. Voice: “Get up.”

1.2

Black Panel

2. Voice: “C’mon now, wake up.”

1.3

Blurry Vision, view from back seat of car looking into front seat. There is no Driver; the passenger is looking back at reader.

3. Passenger: “C’mon, chap… get with it.”

1.4

Mr. Taps is the person in the backseat. He is disoriented, and looks a bit nervous.

4. Taps: “Where… wha—what’s going on?”
5. Passenger: “Oh, come now. You can’t have forgotten so soon.”

1.5

The car appears to be on a road that extends forever into the horizon. There’s a sign that reads:

THERE

NOT TOO FAR AWAY

6. Caption/Passenger: “We’re almost home.”

2.1

Taps and the Passenger are suddenly out of the car and are walking towards the valley.

1. Taps: “Where did the car go?”
2. Passenger: “There never was a car.”
3. Taps: “We were just in a car… I know we were!”
4. Taps: “What’s the deal here?”

2.2

The Passenger extends his hand to Taps.

5. Passenger: “You’d better take my hand, you’ll never get anywhere if you don’t.”
6. Taps: “I asked you a question… now what is going on?”

2.3

The Passenger forcibly takes Taps by the hand.

7. Taps: “Where’s the car? Where’s the driver?”
8. Passenger: “Did you see a driver? I didn’t.”
9. Taps: “So there WAS a car???”

2.4

Taps and the Passenger continue on to the Valley.

10. Passenger: “Why certainly… I couldn’t have dragged you the whole way here, now could I?”
11. Taps: “I thought you said…”
12. Passenger: “If it makes you more comfortable, we can simply…”

2.5

Taps and Passenger are back in the car, now both are in the back seat.

13. Passenger: “… Return to the car.”

3.1

Taps and Passenger are again walking.

1. Passenger: “I’d rather we walk though. It gives us time to talk and… appreciate the scenery.”

3.2

The Mat-Hatter is sitting on a tree-stump with the March Hare and Dormouse.

2. Taps: “This isn’t… Wonderland, is it?”
3. Passenger: “No, no, no… of course it’s not. We’re here.”
4. Taps: “Where’s here? What’re those characters doing HERE?”

3.3

The Passenger sits at a bench that wasn’t there prior.

5. Passenger: “I’ll tell you a secret.”
6. Passenger: “Whenever a writer feels the need to interject any sort of surrealism into a story… they automatically fall back to the stories of Lewis Carroll.”

3.4

The Passenger shields his mouth towards Taps as if to tell a secret.

7. Passenger: “Which I feel are highly overrated, by the way…”
8. Taps: “Listen… this is too messed up for me. Let me just go home, please.”

3.5

The Passenger and Taps are both sitting on the bench. The Hatter and Co. falls over, as they are actually cardboard cutouts of the characters.

9. Passenger: “Let me ask you this. Where is home?”
10. Taps: “Uh…”
11. Passenger: “And while we’re at it… Who are you?”
12. Taps: “Wai- uh… I, uh… I knew just a second ago. What’s… uh…”

3.6

Close up on Tap’s face. He is sweating profusely, and is panicked.

13. Taps: “What did you do to me… what did you do to me????”

4.1

Passenger and Tap’s bench is now moving towards the Valley. Taps is exasperated.

1. Passenger: “You needn’t worry, chap. We’ll be home soon, and you can sleep this awful panic off.”

4.2

There is finally in sight. “There” is actually a small town, looks very old, but well kept. The streets are empty, yet at the same time… full of life. The town is but a blemish on the widespread green grass that surrounds it.