437 thoughts on “Jack Mangans Deadpan #218: An Hour in the Asylum with Rich Catino”

  5. Hey Deadpan

    Hubby came home safe and sound last night. Many cuddles were had. Unfortunately, he has to work late tonight and I’ll be in bed before he comes home. Thank goodness it’s a long weekend coming up. We have lots of time to make up for.

  6. New Deadpan!

    Bunny, I think you’ll like those T.A. Pratt novels. I think they’re kinda Dresden Files-ish urban fantasy. I’m finishing up the prequel Bone Shop right now.

    I just ordered the final Acacia book from amazon.com since we don’t have a fucking bookstore anymore. That’s next on my list.

  8. As I’ve mentioned, I got my grandmother a Kindle. My grandmother is currently visiting my Mom in BC. Mom has sent me a couple of e-mails now asking how to convert other e-reader files to Kindle format so she can load up books on the Kindle (note, mom does not own an e-reader herself, she has friends who do own a Sony reader and a Kobo). I’ve told her a number of times, even if there was a way, I don’t want her to do it.

    On her e-mail today I told her if she so much as touches my grandmother’s Kindle I will no longer troubleshoot it or help in any way should my grandmother have issues (my Grandmother lives in Calgary). Hopefully that will get her to drop the subject but I have my doubts.

      • Yes it is. however, mom is not as computer savvy as she’d like to think. No matter how easy it is, she’ll inevitably screw it up. (She’s the only person I ever got a virus from). Also, she couldn’t do it anyway, I have the cord to hook the Kindle to the computer which you need for a transfer. I would just feel better if mom didn’t go anywhere near the thing.

  9. My Mum, went through a bit of a cleaning frenzy last week, luckily I checked the bin liner contents and found she had put her medical records in bin. When I mentioned she should have shredded them I got a puzzled look..sheeesh.

    • I get that from people my own age. For the convention I’m part of, some people pay by credit card. The information is filled out at the bottom of the form. I told the person in charge of registration, once the CC cleared, they had to cut the bottom portion off the registration form and shred it. I too got a quizzical look. The silly thing is, when she went to confirm it with our treasurer, the treasurer didn’t see the need for it either. To me it was a no brainer. *shrug* What can you do?

    • Nice one, Reaps.

      I’ve been reading a lot of quotes from Jobs. He said some great shit about corporate strategy and competition and working with other people. Wil Wheaton also wrote a pretty great blog post about his death.

  12. It’s still dark outside. The sun should be up by now but the cloud cover is making that tough. I want to go for a walk soon. While I don’t mind the rain, it would be nice if I’m not walking in the dark.

  16. Metallll!!!

    Great episode so far, couldn’t finish it in my morning commute. I know all the answers to the open Nevermore questions, but you knew that already.

  19. Back from my walk-a-bout, fellows!
    Hope to send Jack some audio.

    Greeted with the Steve Jobs news on my return to reality.
    Sad news for “big picture” tech, designed for the non-techno.

    iSad

    Now, LOTS of laundry and other various maintenance chores.

    • My, my . . .

      I’d love to be off volunteering at a substance abuse clinic for teens rather than toiling away for Evil, Inc. 50-60 hours a week, but I’ve got a family to support and real concrete shit to handle day-to-day. I appreciate the guy’s rant, but find it a bit unrealistic.

        • I wonder, if she would have held Thomas Edison to the same simple litmus test? If so then he would not have faired well with her.
          The rant reads like that of a socially jealous 12 year old. Simplistic and completely un-informed.

          • To dismiss Jobs as a “maker of toys” makes me suspect the author has an agenda. It’s true that the cold corporate hack and slash tactics need to be critized and Jobs’ hand weren’t unblemished in that regard. But, there are also politics being played in medicine, at NASA or any other company/group of people that the author wants to praise. The question then becomes, did the works of Steve Jobs enrich your life? I think the answer is yes.

          • While it isn’t necessarily wrong, she’s completely missed the point. These aren’t toys. Apple has been in the forefront of a movement that has revolutionized not only the way we deal with computers, but also with the way we deal with entertainment.

          • Too here assertion that it’s just about toys I would have to ask her, “Really?”
            Then you have to accept that absolutely no useful technological spin offs have come from gadgets Steve Jobs helped to turn into physical reality. No social benefits have occurred from the associated “piggy-backed” technology. Really? REALLY!?

            Further, does she even KNOW how much money Steve Jobs or many of Apple’s Management and employees donate to Cancer research (or thousands of other charitable organizations) because of the financial success stemming from being part of the designing and selling these “toys”?
            I seriously doubt it.

  23. So I watched 2 movies whilst traveling, “Bad Teachers” and the “Arther” re-boot.

    “Bad Teachers” was okay. Moderately predictable but mindless fun.

    The “Arther” re-tooling was an abomination. Perhaps if the original one had never existed it would be bearable … but the original DOES exist and could still be watched instead of this one. True, the original was not an epic film … but this … they opted to go for “changes” instead of “improvements”. Oh,the horror.

  26. Oh, and I also re-watched “Being There”.
    This is one of my top 15, maybe top 10 film choices. Partly for the story but mostly for the filmatic style and Peter Sellers’ BRILLIANT, deadpan performance. So much of that film has to be carried by his LACK of reaction and emotion. For me that film is chocked-full-o-win.

    • Being 13 when the film came out, I didn’t see the appeal of “Being There.” I wonder if my adult self would get all the satire my 13 year old self wouldn’t have?

      • Thing is I can remember enjoying Dr Strangelove and I’m Alright Jack as a kid even though a lot of the social commentary went way over my head.

        ‘Being There’ just seemed too silly to be enjoyable when it was first released.

  30. Did you hear the one about the TX congressman who said that Obama’s jobs bill was part of a complicated plan to allow gay marriage?

    No, really, a guy said that in freakin’ Congress.

    • Probably because he realized when people have jobs they can afford an education and realize that allowing gay marriage is the right thing to do, and the country won’t be consumed in purple flames.

  36. Morning Pan!

    Hubby promises he’ll be home for dinner tonight and for the entire long weekend.

    I might fall over from shock.

  37. I finished the book last night, Jack. As per your request:

    I can see why you liked it. It did reminded me a lot of High Fidelity. Quiet and understated (with music). I quite enjoyed it.

  40. I love Fridays (that aren’t month end). 7:30am and already done my work for the day. Hopefully nothing will come up and that will actually be true.

  43. Interesting responses to the Death of Steve Jobs.

    Microsoft is flying their company flag at half staff

    Google has announced they are postponing the introduction of their new Nexus phone running Android 4 out of respect.

    Apparently there are some human beings somewhere in these companies.

  52. Got one for ya, Van:

    A lady found that her dog (a Schnauzer) could hardly hear, so she took it to the veterinarian. The vet found the problem was hair in the dog’s ears. He cleaned both ears, and the dog could then hear fine. The vet proceeded to tell Andrea that, if she wanted to keep this from recurring, she should go to the store and get some “Nair” hair remover, and rub it in the dog’s ears once a month.

    Andrea went to the store and bought some “Nair” hair remover. At the register, the pharmacist told her, “If you’re going to use this under your arms, don’t use deodorant for a few days.”

    Andrea said, “I’m not using it under my arms.”

    The pharmacist said, “If you’re using it on your legs, don’t use body lotion for a couple of days.”

    Andrea replied, “I’m not using it on my legs either. If you must know, I’m using it on my Schnauzer.”

    The pharmacist says, “Well, don’t ride your bicycle for about a week.”

  60. CD: Avery IPA

    I love this beer. It is a very different IPA without the in-your-face hops taste that many brewers favor. In fact, it reminds me a lot of sparkling mineral water: It’s crisp and refreshing.

    • A brewery I recently fell in love with here is the SanTan brewery. A big thumbs up to their wheat hef and Epicenter Ale.

      I consider them to be the south west’s Boulevard.

  61. I’m still committed to listening to all of the Deadpan episodes from start to finish. It was mentioned on DP #8 that Jack made a guest appearance over at the Kick Ass Mystic Ninja’s site defending the book “Holy Fire.” So I took a slight detour and downloaded KAMN #13. Kind of cool hear Joe’s voice again and as a bonus, there’s a voice mail from Alvie. Next up, DP#10 with Mur.

  62. Well that’s a fine “how do you do”.
    went to bottle beer with my neighbor and got smashed.
    go figure.

    No I am off to a diner party. This can’t end well.
    Hey … how much fun would it be if I called in the contents of my neighbor’s sock drawer … hehehe

    Oh this can’t be good

  69. CW: Kill Bill Vol. 1

    CD: Old Gaffer’s Homebrew, my first attempt at an easy drinking barleywine bottled last December.

    It was a mixed success. It was supposed to be drinkable shortly after bottling, but it wasn’t really drinkable for six months. On the other hand I’m definitely going to try it again. Drinking it now I get carmelized sugars in the nose but the flavor is more roasty with a nice bitterness. ABV is low at 8%.

    • I’ve found that those REALLY improve with age (the beer’s, not mine).
      Whilst bottling yesterday, my buddy and I dug out a bottle of the 1st batch of beer we ever made. It was a “Big Dog” barley wine from back in 2009. Wow is that stuff smoooove now!

      If you have any bottles of your Barleywine left, hide them in the back of a closet and revisit them in a year.

      • Yeah, from what I’ve learned that is generally the goal with barleywines and belgian quads. And while I am holding several bottles back to try again over time, this was not intended as an aging beer. I intended it as a quickly drinkable, and accessible, beer, that’s why the abv is low. I plan to brew a couple of higher gravity barleywines in the 10%+ ABV range.

        On the other hand I have tried barleywines and other high gravity beers that have been aged for 3+ years, and they can be amazing. The way the malt flavors mature is astonishing and delicious. And once you add wood and even secondary fermenting bugs to the mix it can be even better.

      • The interesting bit is the roastiness. I used Cara-belgian malt in the recipe, and I was surprised with the roastiness it added. It has been a bit of a double edged sword, since I think it was the roast combined with the fresh hop taste that made it taste odd for the first six months. Now that they have both reduced with age it is tasty, and as I said I’m enjoying the roast note in the flavor.

  71. Well, after months of drought, most of southern Texas scored better than 3″ of rain over the weekend. It was somewhat surreal to see a steady rain all day, almost like seeing the once every five year snow event around here.

    We’re still way behind, but it was definitely a move in the right direction.

  80. BTW, the latest in Netflix antics, for those of you with the sense to walk away:

    Dear John,

    It is clear that for many of our members two websites would make things more difficult, so we are going to keep Netflix as one place to go for streaming and DVDs.

    This means no change: one website, one account, one password…in other words, no Qwikster.

    While the July price change was necessary, we are now done with price changes.

    We’re constantly improving our streaming selection. We’ve recently added hundreds of movies from Paramount, Sony, Universal, Fox, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, MGM and Miramax. Plus, in the last couple of weeks alone, we’ve added over 3,500 TV episodes from ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, USA, E!, Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, ABC Family, Discovery Channel, TLC, SyFy, A&E, History, and PBS.

    We value you as a member, and we are committed to making Netflix the best place to get your movies & TV shows.

    Respectfully,

    The Netflix Team

    • With Joss directing, I don’t think it can be too bad. There is that whole Asgard thing that seems out of place to the Ironman and Hulk movies, but this is the Marvel universe.

  97. Crap joke alert (too long for a Facebook status):

    Paul , Andy & Steve were sitting around a camp fire, discussing who was the hardest.
    Paul say’s “I killed a bear with my bare hand’s”
    Steve say’s
    “I wrestled 2 adult croc’s gouged both their eyes out & killed them both”
    Andy just sat there saying nothing,
    poking the fire…

    ..with his cock.

  103. For my birthday, I put in a preorder for the collector’s addition “Batman: Arkham City” game with statue. Usually I steer clear of collector editions, but considering the last time I came close to buying a Batman statue for $89 only to see it rise to $250 two years later, I think it’s a safe bet.

  104. OK, so… most of you know that I’m probably the least picky of movie-watchers on :pan: I mean, I’m just happy to be entertained most of the time. Therefore, it takes a really really SUPER horrid movie to make me say, “Wow… that wasn’t a very good movie.”

    Now that we have that cleared up.

    Hall Pass was awful, asinine, stupid, and a downright shame of a movie especially considering it had two of my favorite female actresses, Christina Applegate and Jenna Fischer. The only thing that kept me watching it through til the end is that I thought maybe I’d get my $1.10 worth that I paid the Redbox and the fact that LostRalph was on hand to be supportive. It was just bad bad bad bad bad.

    Stupid. Ugh. Hated it.

    • The scene where the guy pooped in the sandtrap on the golf course did make me LOL but not sure it was a $1.10 worth of LOL and the fact that there’s a scene where a guy poops in a sandtrap on a golf course should really magnify just how stupid this movie is…

      /vent

  105. When my friend Pat and I were extras in “Mars Attacks” we passed Christina Applegate at the food line. We smiled at her and she said “Hi”.

    ^Riviting true celeb story.

  109. Fox is being sent home from school for coughing/feeling generally crappy. Darcy had to go get him because I’ve had 5 hours of sleep since taking Ambien. Apparently she doen’t want Fox on a driving adventure as well as sick…

    • Sick kids 🙁 I hope he’s better soon!

      Sarah was carsick on the trip home yesterday.

      Note to self: Do not say, “Tell me if you’re going to throw up.” Because the child will not tell you until after. “Mommy, I threw up.”

      Just give the child the bag to hold in advance.

      /headdesk

      • He had bucket at the ready, didn’t need it of course. The light napping didn’t work, instead of AOTC, it was Empire, so of course I stayed awake through it and watched with him…

  111. Poor sick little ones. And big ones.

    Rhett, did I know you were an extra in Mars Attacks? I don’t think I did. Were you Tom Jones?
    Did I also remember that Christina Applegate was in that movie?

  113. I’m in the funeral for Billy Glenn Norris (Jack Black). Specifically, right after the family says there final goodbyes, there is an overhead shot of the crowd. I’m close to the tombstone. I had a goatee at the time. LOL

  117. You know if me not liking it is a criteria for a Palooza choice, you’re going to have to cut Buckaroo Banzai and Blade Runner from consideration.

    Though, I guess as I reflect on things, I haven’t been terribly kind to the movie choices that have come up so far. Zardoz wasn’t terrible in it’s weird way.

  118. I think all of the Paloozas have benefitted from both positive and negative reviews. Your contributions have always been great, Ed! I just feel a little bad that you’ve suffered through so many films you hated for our Paloozas.

    So maybe we won’t include “Mars Attacks” in the next vote, then.

  120. I’m afraid to re-watch Buckaroo Banzai.
    I know too many friends who have had their youthful adoration for that film ripped asunder by watching it as an adult. They wept for days at how a film they had so loved was now so unwatchable.

    You
    can’t
    go
    back. 🙁

    • I do have a bit of this fear, though I’m willing to risk it.

      I know I can never try to watch the animated GI Joe and Transformers movies from the 80’s again. The risk with those is just too great to bare.

      • It’s a mystery to me what I can still enjoying watching from my youth and what I can’t.

        No problem with children series like Bagpuss,The Clangers, and Captain Scarlet.

        Sometimes have a problem with the original Dr Who and Blakes 7 (although there are plots where the story shines through any dodgy SFX).

        Can’t bear to sit through suffice ‘The Tomorrow People’ now even though I thought it was great at the time.

  121. In other news … on the recommendation of some podcast, I went to the youtubes and watched/listened to Iron Maiden’s “Stranger in a Strange Land.”

    The Music –
    It was much better/different then I had in my head that Iron Maiden was. I thought “Wow. I didn’t know anyone was doing this kind of music anymore.” Then I noticed the date. “Oh. 1986. I guess no one is doing this sort of thing anymore.”

    The Stage Show –
    I kept waiting for the midgets to come out and start dancing around a tiny replica of Stonehenge.

    • The singleton article is pretty good summation.
      2 things I thing aren’t emphasized enough (for the 99%).

      1) The real problem with the “transfer of wealth” has nothing to do with “fairness”. We have a consumer based economy. When the 99% no longer have discretionary income and have borrowed all they can borrow, the consuming stops. In effect, the transfer of wealth is a circle of life thing and the circle is now broken. To much of the countries money gets moved from the 99% to the 1% and the circle stops. How much is too much? Well, it seems like we may be there. Forget “Fairness”! We are at the tipping point where the balance of our consummer based society topples over.

      2) Jobs are created by consumer demand and NOT by low corporate taxes. Taxes or not, employees are an added expense. You only assume that expense if the demand forces you to utilize additional labor. Lower taxes might make that choice more profitable for a company but they don’t drive the need for additional labor.

  128. Technically I’m on holidays all this week. I’m not doing anything different really, but my company said I had too much holiday time accumulated so I have to use some before the new year.

    Hubby’s working though so still up at five in the morning and doing our normal stuff.

  133. I’ve decided I’m, and Canadians in general, are fickle. The weather has been hovering around 10C the last few days. We are all going around commenting on what glorious autumn weather it is. However, if it was 10 degrees in July, we’d all be complaining how sucky the weather is. *shakes head in confusion*

  140. I cut the tip of my left middle finger yesterday and it sucks. Even though I’m right handed, I didn’t realize how much I used that finger. Typing on a keyboard hurts. I tried doing the two fingered typing thing and it doesn’t work for me. Dishes, it’s a good thing I mostly dry. Playing an instrument… Forget it. And the list goes on 🙁

  144. Today’s movie: Vanishing on 7th Street

    The DVR says: When a plague of shadows invades Detrout, movie theatre projectionist Paul, and three others, flee from the darkness that seems to have consumed all of society in this terrifying thriller.

    Remember… Terrifying thriller

  227. My thoughts. This wasn’t necessarily a bad movie, it just wasn’t a movie at all. There was no plot, no suspense, and I felt neither empathy or sympathy for the characters. Can you suffer ennui from a movie?

  234. *sigh*
    I said goodbye to some really great neighbors tonight.
    They moved in about a year ago … were PERFECT. Loved everyone here at the end of the road, we all loved them … but he suddenly got a better job offer about a month ago and *poof* that’s it.
    Glad for them but it’s like loosing family. Not like family that “needs a good kill’n” but family you really care about.

    Oh well. That’s life.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *