Howdy gang!

Not too much to report on this week, but there are a few tidbits.

The Oscar nominations are out and there are a few surprises, but i have a feeling that this is the year that Hollywood finally lavishes a little recognition on Lord Of the Rings and Peter Jackson. An incredible achievement in filmaking all the way around! "I can't carry the ring, but I can carry you!" had me in tears. What can I say...? I am a sentimentalist at heart. Look for LOTR to take Best Picture and Best Director (Though Mystic River has been getting a lot of hype, too.) I hope to have a more in depth assesment of the Oscars within the next week or so, so check back and see how I really feel.

Had a great time on Sunday watching the Super Bowl with my family and friends. A great game I was kinda pulling for the Panthers because I always seem to go for the underdog and the Patriots had just won 2 years ago. I like to spread the wealth. Both of my brothers were there and 1 of my 4 sisters. Joe brought along his family including my niece and nephew Maia and Sam and his wife Manju (who reportedly reads this blog...I'll have to quiz her later!)

Prior to the Football, I busted out a very rough copy of a game I have been developing based on the 2000 presidential elections here in the US. This was the first time i had play tested it and it seemed to go well. There were some great comments from those that played and I will be trying to implement some of their suggestions into a future revision of the game. If it goes well, I may try to shop it around to some game companies and see if anyone bites on it. I'll keep you posted as it develops.

Speaking of The Superbowl, was it just me or were the commercials pretty lame this year? The best one was the flatulant horse, and I hated that one. It certainly didn't make me want to go out and buy Bud Light. (If I buy Bud Light I might just get farted on by a horse? Somebody was asleep at the wheel on this one.) And what is the deal with Janet Jackson? I was in a room with 10 people and not 1 of us noticed what had happened. Why? Because the halftime show sucked and we weren't paying attention! Just what we need, Kid Rock, Nelly, Justin Timberlake, and janet Jackson gyrating through a medley of hits. This was more like a circus freak show that actual entertainment. Who cares if she popped out of her skin suit anyway? I've seen Dennis Franz's butt cheeks on NYPD BLUE so what is there to outrage against? Everything happened so fast I doubt very much that anyone got a good view of it. BAH. Screw the SuperBowl and all the hype. Just play the game!

Work is slow on the latest comic strip, but I will finish it by the end of the month! I might even scan some of the new ones in and share them with you! keep your eyes peeled!

My mind is turning over some ideas for a re-designed website. My goal is by the end of May or June to have the site completely overhauled. If anyone has any good suggestions, please pass them along!

talk to you all soon!

---Doug