"Tussle Nerdy To Me": The Only Bragging WWE will do, is about the suckers who bought this!

So, tomorrow night is another in the long line of seemingly endless WWE Pay-per-view events. WWE is presenting the newest "Concept" PPV, called Bragging Rights.



Bragging Rights is supposed to determine once and for all (Or at least until Monday night) Which of WWE's brands are the superior one, Smackdown! or Raw. (Wait, isn't there three brands? I'm sure that ECW should count, but it never does) There are a series of matches within the card that have been made which feature Monday Night Raw Superstars vs. the Superstars of Friday Night Smackdown.

Now, I don't normally order Pay Per Views. I find that their $40 price tag is far too steep for usually the one match that I show any interest in.

Now the Smackdown Vs. Raw matches are not the only ones on the card, the "Main Events" (If you can call them that) feature Title Matches, to which the world has never seen! (Sarcasm Detector at MAX!)

The question before you is this. Is this newest concept PPV one that the fans are going to care about?

The WWE tried something like this in 2001. It was called "InVasion" which featured the then "WWF" versus the WCW/ECW alliance. The PPV was one that I was interested in, but of course like the wrestling biz of the last 8-9 years, it's was an event I found sorely lacking.

Flash forward 8 years, and of course, we see the same sort of scenario, downplayed a great deal, but it's the age-old question since the Roster Split of 2002. Who's the better brand? Raw? Or Smackdown?

The Answer? Who really cares?

It's one of like 20 Pay-Per-Views that the WWE puts on each year.

And the worst part is, is that Vince McMahon and the rest of the WWE elite don't care about anything but the money generated from the WWE-lemmings who are dumb enough to pay for the PPV's, Buy the Shirts, Purchase the DVD's and buy the tickets for the live events for the same main event that you saw last week, and the week before that, and of course, the PPV before that!

The wrestling business hasn't been fresh and inspiring since the Monday Night Wars, and I don't see another renaissance like that in the near future.

So let's look at the card for this "MEGA-EVENT" and see if it inspires me to purchase the PPV, and then get chewed out by my parents for putting $40 on their cable bill without asking....

There are 5 Matches announced for the 3-hr card. We'll start with those of the least importance.

The first match: Raw Divas: Melina, Kelly Kelly and Gail Kim Vs. Smackdown Divas: Michelle McCool, Beth Phoenix and Natalya.

Ok, now the Divas matches are never interesting to watch for me. I love watching scantily-clad women. Especially large-chested scantily-clad women. But these matches are generally less-than-stellar, and never really have a clear-cut finish. It's just an excuse to get the Divas on-screen. Although, I love Natalya, I will never really care enough about this match to bother giving it my full attention.

Match 2: Intercontinental Champion: John Morrison (Smackdown) vs. United States Champion: The Miz (Raw).

I like these two. I really do. As a team, they had great chemistry. But like the wrestling world usually does, they break up some of the greatest teams for the sake of having them fight each other, thinking that the fans will get off on it. (See: The Rockers, The Hollywood Blondes, The New Age Outlaws, DX, Harlem Heat, the list is endless)

Both wrestlers are pretty good in the ring, Morrison being the better one. And both are good on the Stick (The Mic, for you non-wrestling fans). And the "Dirt Sheet" episode they did on Smackdown 2 weeks ago, calling each other the "Marty Jannetty" of the team was classic, as any Forch Foreign Legion Member knows, I always call the weak link of the team a "Marty Jannetty". This match will be good, but I don't think that enough focus will be placed on it. Look for this one to be the best match on the card.

Match 3: WWE Champion: Randy Orton Vs. John Cena. (Raw Championship Match) To be contested as a 1-hour "Ironman" match contested under "Anything goes" rules.

How many times do I have to see this match?

I hate Orton. He's far too overrated, and irritating. I can't stand him about as much as I can't stand Triple-H. John Cena? He needs to update his gimmick. Both are main-eventers, but to me, not the draw of a Stone Cold, or The Rock or Mick Foley or anyone else who I could believe in. Both of these two are overrated, and need to take a step back for the sake of the business. More Orton than Cena, but still.

The match? It's going to be boring. Most Ironman matches are. Of course, they're going to overbook the match, so that there's a run-in with "Legacy". I am sure that it's going to have Orton dropping the title to Cena, so that he remains on RAW (If he loses, he leaves RAW) and it'll probably be because of some mistake made by a run-in by Ted DiBiase. Teddy, Jr. will get his ass beat on RAW the next night, and it will start his face-run, which seems to be needed to promote his "Blockbuster" direct-to-video movie: The Marine 2. (Did this movie really need a non-related to the original sequel???)

Match 4: World Heavyweight Champion: The Undertaker Vs. C.M. Punk vs. Batista Vs. Rey Mysterio in a Fatal Four Way match for the title.

I always hate these sort of matches, because they always end up the same way, the champ loses the belt, but not getting pinned, then the ex-champ gets mad, and demands a rematch because of it, and it usually ends up with a Triple-Threat match to follow, and then of course some gimmick match to finally settle the score, and nothing ever, ever gets settled.

I am a fan of all four of the combatants, me being the C.M. Punk fan more, I would love to see him with the belt, especially with his heel run in full-stride, he makes a great champion in my opinion, because he's not really a bad guy, but because he preaches his "Straightedge Lifestyle" in the manner that he does, he comes off really dickish, and of course the fans hate him! He's a great heel.

'Taker and Batista are really past their prime, and both injury prone, so keeping the belt around them is a mistake. I feel that Mysterio deserves another shot with the strap, but you know McMahon, he's not going to put it around him long, if at all, because McMahon always favors the big guys.

I see Punk walking out with the belt. But don't hold me to it.

Match 5: The Smackdown Vs. Raw 14-Man tag team match.

Team Raw: Co-Captains: DX (Shawn Michaels and Triple H), The Big Show, Mark Henry, Cody Rhodes, Jack Swagger and Kofi Kingston

Team Smackdown: Co-Captains: Chris Jericho and Kane, plus: R-Truth, Finlay, The Hart Dynasty (David Hart Smith and Tyson Kidd) and Matt Hardy.

Of course with that much humanity in the ring, you know that there's not going to be a clean-cut finish. It's one pinfall to a finish, which means that the finish itself will either be a screwjob (Where one of the team members betray their team) or you'll see the ring clear out with a brawl outside, leaving two members in the ring and the ref'll get distracted, and a weapon will be used to score the pin.

You know if there's a clear victory, that it will involve a pinfall by either Michaels or Triple H.

It's going to be an interesting match to say the least. Why do I say that? Because it'll be interesting to see how the WWE actually makes this match look original and fresh.

The match itself should really be saved for the next PPV, which is Survivor Series, that would make more sense, and then make the match contested under traditional Survivor Series rules. But you know that the screwjob that occurs, is only what is going to lead the series of events to the next PPV.

My prediction? Since the current Tag Team champs are on opposing teams, I see one of them (Most likely Big Show) betraying their respective team, and causing the win for the opposite team.

So I see Smackdown winning, because they're the lesser brand, however, the WWE needs to make them seem like a viable option, and not bury the superstars on the Smackdown Roster, so they'll win, even though the fans know that Raw had the better team, and the rivalry will continue...

So the event will end, and absolutely nothing will get settled, and you'll be out $40, that you could have used to put gas in your car. You'll kick yourself in the morning, because quite frankly, when was the last time the WWE put on a PPV worth buying?

I certainly can't remember...

"TARDIS Nerdy To Me" Stairs??? In the Console Room???

I guess that you can call this one "TARDIS Nerdy To Me"...

The boys at denofgeek.com have done it again! Today, they posted photos of the new TARDIS interior, or at least a small tease of the TARDIS interior.

Looks like we're going to see some stairs in the console room!

I'm starting to get a little fearful of the changes in store for Steven Moffat's new Doctor.

I've been dreading the end of the David Tennant Era, and I have tried to remain optimistic for the Matt Smith era, but I keep seeing some of the changes that are happening, and I am afraid.

The new outfit looks too emo-preppy. Matt Smith seems a little too young to play the Doctor, and the saving grace is that my favorite writer of the series is taking the helm.

Am I being a little too worried about the show? Or do I have a right to dread the unknown that is going to be upon us???

I have no idea, but I sure hope that my fears are not realized.

"Tussle Nerdy To Me" Evoking Emotions Through Video Packages

Well continuing on with the TNTM 2.0 festivities, I am going to comment on the WWE's ability to evoke emotion with their video packages.

Let's call this one "Tussle Nerdy To Me"

I'm currently watching WWE Superstars on WGN America (Thank you, Digital Cable) and the beginning of the show, aired a video tribute to Captain Lou Albano, who undoubtedly was the greatest manager of Tag Teams of all time.

And like all of the video tributes, I managed to get a little choked up.

The people who produce their video are such top-notch editors, because they always seem to bring the best out of their footage to convey the right emotions.

You can laugh at me all you want, but as fans, we do develop an emotional link to the people that we cheer and jeer for.

I remember when Ray Traylor died. (The Big Boss Man) and I had heard about it. I remember getting very emotional about it. I never met the man. I never knew him on a personal level, but I knew how good of a man that he was. Even when he was "The Heel", he was one of those guys I just liked.

I remember reading in WWE/WWF magazine (I am sure it was WWF still) about all of the charitable work that he did in his home of Cobb County, GA. I always liked reading about stuff like that, because you saw that the people who busted their asses on TV, and on the road 300+ days a year had a human side to them.

Getting back the Captian Lou. I have to admit that I was a fan of his as a kid. Who wasn't? He was one of the most charismatic individuals that the company had. You always hear the terms "One of a Kind" or "Never will be another like them" well that sums up Captain Lou to a "T".

I remember Mick Foley saying something about wrestling fans being fickle, and that to be remembered at all by the fans is a lot. Well I don't know any wrestling fan that can ever forget the Captain.

He lived a great life, and I'm sure he's managing tag teams for the Big Promoter in the sky.

I wish that Youtube had a link to the video package for me to embed/link on here, but the WWE can never allow stuff like that online.

Slam ya later,
F.M.

"Type Nerdy To Me" - A Trailer on Elm St? There goes the Neighborhood!!!

So first off, before I get under way, I would like to welcome everyone who takes the opportunity to read this, and thank you for taking part in the first part of the new TNTM.

TNTM 2.0 as it were.

The new TNTM, isn't going to be just TALK nerdy to me, but it's going to be TOTALLY NERDY TO ME! Because We're I'm not just going to talk, I am going to Type, Text, Terrify, Tittilate and Translate, as well as TRANSFORM! Well not into a car or anything, but I am going to transform the geek world! Or at least 1-12 people who actually read this.

This is going to be a "Type Nerdy To Me" situation. Basically, I am going to take topics from the geek-world and riff on them as it were. Not necessarily an installment of "Forch'N Telling", as it were, because it's not going to be based solely on opinion, but looking as something from multiple angles to examine the value of it.

This Installment of "Type Nerdy To Me" is going to focus on the 2010 Horror "Blockbuster" remake of "A Nightmare on Elm St." produced by Action aficionado, Michael Bay.



Now for those of you who listened to the previous episodes of TNTM that were aired, you'll know of my dislike of Michael Bay. I feel that as a director, he cares more about big budget effects, rather than story, which is good for action films, I suppose, but not enough to make most movies entertaining.

Case in point: Pearl Harbor.

Bay is responsible for many a 200 Million+ grossing films, so it's no surprise that at this stage in his career, he's been afforded the luxury to produce films as well. So he gets to attach his name to the credits, but not really do any work.

Now I was never one for horror films. I have seen the previous Nightmare Films mainly with my former Tag Team Partner, Ryan Blanchard. The Earlier ones were obviously scarier, and the latter ones consisted more of camp and silliness, rather than blood curdling terror.

Directing the film is Samuel "Freckles Flynn" Bayer, who appears to mainly be a Music Video director, judging by his credits, I am interested to see if the cinematography will reflect that in the movie.

Judging by the trailer for the film, it looks like it's going to have a good amount of expensive effects (A benchmark of every Bay film) as well as a pretty well-rounded cast.

Leading the Charge is Jackie Earle Haley, who most recently gained critical acclaim in the Geek Community for his portrayal of Rorschach in the Critically-panned, Fanboy-approved Watchmen movie. I think that this is an awesome choice, as Haley isn't exactly a big man, and neither was Robert Englund, the man behind the mask in all-previous Nightmare Films. He brings the stature, as well as the acting chops necessary to bring Krueger to life.

I am a huge fan of Haley's and I am glad to see the string of successes that he's been having, he certainly deserves them.

Rounding out the Cast, we have Clancy "Mr Krabs" Brown, Kyle "Impulse" Gallner and Thomas "John Connor" Dekker, as well as a bunch of people who become horror-fodder for us to enjoy.

Now judging by the trailer, you can see that the cinematography is certainly first rate, as well as the set design, and even the story seems to fit that of a Nightmare On Elm St. movie, however, it gives off the impression that Freddy was wrongfully murdered, or at least that's what Haley's performance in the trailer gives off. This might be a major turnaround from the previous backstory of Freddy Krueger, and I don't know if that will make for a better story, of course, only time will tell, right?

The only real complaint that I have, is at the end of the trailer, when Freddy's burned face is finally shown, it certainly lacks the panache that Englund's Freddy had. He looks more like a real burn victim, rather than a devilish, disfigured man. Does this add an air of realism to the movie? I suppose so. Does realism belong in a Freddy movie? Not quite.

Now personally, I can usually tell whether or not I will want to see the movie, based on the trailer alone, so does this trailer do it for me? Yes, it does. I will go see the movie. Not by myself. Perhaps Capt. Campbell and I might go see it, or even a "Road Rage Outlaws" reunion might need to be worked out to go see it. Who knows? I might even have a date? Only time will tell. I do have until April 30th 2010 to make plans...

So until Next time, This is Forch saying... Speak Geek, and I'll see you later in the week!

I love my little one...

I've always said that the greatest achievement that I could ever have is becoming a father.

There are moments in my life, as a father where I feel like the greatest person on earth, and this morning was one of those moments.

The time was about 6:30, and I was fast asleep in my bed. I heard the pitter-patter of little feet on the hardwood floors of the Vanderhuge Estate, and I thought to myself. "Oh Crap" Chloe's up already??? Well normally, she'll hop into the left side of my bed, and wake me up with a cute smile, and we start our day.

Today, things were a little different.

I closed my eyes as she hopped into the bed, and drifted back to sleep. An hour later, I got up, and she was still laying there, fast asleep on my WWE pillow. In fact, she stayed asleep for another hour, before I had to rush her out of bed, get her dressed and off to Day Care for another Friday with Madamme.

As Chloe gets older, I realize more and more each day how true it is, when I tell everyone that Chloe is my best friend, because truer words have never been spoken. The times where I do not have her kill me on the inside. It's true when they say that a bond between a child and a parent is incalculable.

Starting this morning, I have to go through a 5-day gap without seeing my little girl, and every time, it hurts. I love waking up every day with her, making her breakfast, combing her hair, brushing her teeth, going for walks, bathing her. Everything.

For all of my friends who have had the pleasure of getting to know her, know how much of a special kid Chloe is. She has a bubbly personality. She is well-spoken, and funny. She introduces herself to everybody, and is a joy to be around. I almost never have a problem putting her to bed.

The only complaint that I will ever have, is that I don't get to see her every day.

If I had one wish, that would be the wish. Nothing else. Just the chance to see my little girl every day, because when she is not around, I feel empty inside.

But that's just my opinion, what do I know???

F.M.

Repress! Redunant! Retarded!

BAGS! BAGS! BAGS! BAGS! BAGS!

Where, oh where, am I going to put all of these bags?

In the Bag Hutch!!!

Sorry. I was just having Mr. Show flashbacks! God, I miss that show.

But this installment of Forch’N Telling is not about another TV show that I miss. This installment is about a much more serious threat to our society’s well-being. It is Bag-related, so I am sticking with a theme here.

Last week, I went to a grocery store in my town, which if you’re not from Southern/Central Ontario, you’ll probably never have heard of it. The store, is called “Zehr’s”. Zehr’s is the high-end grocery store in Welland, next to Sobeys. They’re that President’s Choice store that has all of the high-end items, at high-end prices.

You know, where you can get Star Fruit, or Konnyaku or Fresh Lobster, Shark Steaks as well as top-quality everything, at the highest prices known to man. I occasionally will stop in, to pick up odds and ends there, but normally, only when I am in the general area. I normally steer clear of that place, and head to Price Chopper, Food Basics or No Frills, where the prices for the exact same items are a little easier to swallow.

Now when I shop where I normally shop, I normally pay about a nickel per bag. I am not one of those environmental types, who obsess over Mother Earth, and have to reuse bags. I do, first of all. But most of my bags end up going with my recycled plastics. I feel that it’s still getting recycled, so what’s the big deal?

Now a place like Zehr’s, which is where you pay A LOT more for food, as of May 1st, is going to start charging for Bags. The Hippees have won another battle in the War to make every God-damned thing Green!!!

Now, I say this to Zehr’s… If you’re going to charge for Bags, then why don’t you (for the love of God) make your groceries more affordable? Hey, that’s a novel idea. Instead of pushing for more money and masking it under the Auspices of being all environmental and such.

I own reusable bags, I have a bunch of them, but you know what? I don’t think to take them with me wherever I go. Sometimes, I go shopping on the spur of the moment, so I guess it’s up to me to think ahead, right?

All to save the world? Or at least keep the pockets of the corporations a little lighter.

But that’s just my opinion… What do I know???

F.M.

Two All-Beef Patties? Sure! Tomatoes? Not at this price!!!

Since when did a “Tomato” count as an extra topping on a cheeseburger, and warrant extra charges???

Now that you’re totally baffled and flabbergasted, I’m going to tell you this. Right now, I am not impressed with the service or the policies of A&W. A fast-food chain that I have frequented in the past, has probably lost a customer, and possibly permanently.

All over Tomatoes….

Well…. Not just tomatoes. Crappy service had a lot to do with it as well…

Here’s what happened.

I recorded some vocals for Matt & Rob over at ”The Oh Team” and I had some time to kill before I had to work at 4, so I decided to visit the Pen Centre and see what’s going down there. I walk by the food court, and see A&W, with a Banner that says: “Mama Burger: $1.50”. I had a $5 bill in my pocket, so I decided to treat myself, and get 2 of them as a snack for my voyage to work.

Behind the counter, so undelightful, and sarcastic assclown took my order. He proceeded to ask me if I wanted Cheese, which I said sure, and made sure to tell him that I wanted only Mustard and Tomato as condiments.

“That’ll be $5.40.”

“What?? How much extra do you charge for cheese???”

“We also charge extra for Tomatoes.”

“Seriously??? Aren’t they standard condiments on a burger?”

“No. We charge extra for them.”

“OK. Fine. Hold the Tomatoes.”

That brilliant exchange of dialogue aside, the person in back prepares my burgers, and then the dude puts them on a tray, and says: “Here you go, dude.”

So I proceeded to ask, if I could have it to go.

He shook his head, and proceeded to gripe saying: “You people really need to make it clear that you want your order ‘To Go’…”

I replied: “You never asked me.”

So, just to be an ass, he asks the people who were behind me and just ordered: “What about you guys? Here? Or to go?” And proceeds to snicker at me as he stuffs (And missed) putting my $4.26 cheeseburgers (Which were originally $1.50 each, do the math…) in the bag itself.

Then he proceeds to say, as I was leaving… “There you go, your majesty…”

So I started to walk away, grabbed a comment card and replied… “Hey Court Jester!!! Regale me with your comedic performance, for I crave entertainment with my meal!”

That put the starch out of his shirt in a heartbeat.

So right now? I am filling out the comment card.

I don’t think that he realized that I went to high school with the Owner.

But that’s just my opinion… What do I know???

F.M.

2 Weeks in.... How are we doing???

Well it’s two weeks into the Baseball season, and my Orioles are already playing .500 baseball. Whether or not that is a good sign, I am uncertain, but I am going to take it as a positive.

First off, I think that we have to examine the season to date. With the exception of the 4-game set at Fenway, the O’s have been playing excellent baseball. Basically, they’ve been winning two, losing one, and that, my friends is .666 baseball.

Now I never expected the Birds to do as bad as they did in Boston, but I can not say that I am at all surprised with the outcome, because let’s face facts, when it comes to the AL east, the Yanks and the Sox have a monopoly on the division. Why? Because they’re the two biggest markets in Major League Baseball, and they can afford to woo away talent, basically, making salaries so large, that smaller-market teams can’t afford to match the salaries.

I do remain optimistic that the Orioles can remain in a good spot for the first few months, and develop a game-style similar to the one implemented by Tampa Bay last year. Dave Trembley is a good manager, and has a good mind for the game. The O’s are filled with some good all-around talent, and yes, there are gaps, especially in pitching, but once they can get their stuff together, I feel that there may be a .500 season afterall.

I don’t ask for much, but that would certainly be nice.

But that’s just my opinion… What do I know???

F.M.

Our souls, sold fresh on a Kaiser Roll!

In a world where we can get information at the push of a button, how come it takes forever just to get a prescription filled? We like to think that this is an age of progress, but the fact of the matter is, that progress is something that I don't think that we're reaching.

Look at the world. Every single one of us is enveloped in a debt load that most of us will never recover from. The world itself is deteriorating around us at an alarming rate. People are becoming more and more socially awkward, because we're doing nothing but communicating via machines more than we're doing in person. Everyone hates everyone, yet we're not allowed to express our feelings of hate to anyone, out of fear of being ostracized by the general populace, and what are we doing to fix this world of problems??

The solution??? There is no solution. Well at least I can't think of one. I honestly believe that in the age that we're living in, we're slowly destroying ourselves. Political Correctness, Corporate Greed, Moving Jobs to other Countries, Unions, and many other things are fixing to destroy the very world that we have evolved into. We've progressed technology-wise, but we're nowhere closer to bridging the gap to make this world the peace-filled future that we see in our own humanity in shows like "Star Trek".

Don't get me wrong, I think that we're headed in the exact direction that the world go to before the utopia that is the "United Federation of Planets". If you ever watch "Deep Space Nine" (And I did, on occasion) There was an episode where Capt. (I think that he was a Captain at this point, may have still been a Commander) Sisko. Travelled back in time to I believe the late 2000's-Early 2100's. And it was explained that before Starfleet and the Federation, the Humans were suffering through poverty, and fighting amongst one another, and basically the human race was destroying itself from within.

I don't remember the exact specifics of the episode itself. But I do remember that Sisko ended up making sure that the past had been preserved, however he was put into the historical records, and one of his commanding officers showed him a picture from that time showing him, that he was, in fact in the past.

That's not the point that I am making, but hopefully, the point that I end up making is that it's going to probably get a lot worse before it gets better. While technology is going to always be evolving, the amount of people who are going to have access to that tech is going to be more and more limited. Why? Because things are always getting more expensive, but the amount of money being made by the average person is going down.

I would love it if the world was more like the one that we see in Star Trek. A Person such as myself would be able to work the job best suited to their individual talents, because of things like no money, and people merely working for the benefit of mankind, but let's face facts. Nothing like that will ever happen in this lifetime.

I swore to myself at the age of 15, that I would never, ever say to anyone that "I remember a day when...." but I find myself doing it more and more all of the time, and I am only 32. But It's amazing 1. That 9 years ago, I was making more money than I do in 2009. When I first started driving, gas was at the cost of 45-49 cents a liter. A loaf of bread was 99 cents, It cost $5 to go to the movies, and Minimum wage was like $6.85/hr.

Today, gas is 80-85 cents a liter, almost double what it was in 1995, and that's down from the whopping $1.35/liter it was last summer. We're thanking our lucky stars that we're only paying that for gas, however, are we any better off? It's almost double the cost it was 15 years ago! Heck, I remember when gas was at about 56 cents a liter, I was working at KFC at the time, and I remember delivery drivers threatening to quit, because Gas was too expensive! Seriously? Decorum prevents me from being able to say the things I do for gas at that price!

Now, I go through a lot of bread. And for those who know me well, it's because I eat an exorbitant amount of Grilled Cheese. But bread, as well costs literally double what it did when I first started driving. And that's just the "Price Chopper/Food Basics" Generic brand. $2/loaf. That's silly. For one of the staples in one's grocery lists, it's double the cost.

The movies is the worst culprit of them all. When I was 17 years old, and just starting out driving, I went to the movies with my friends all of the time, at the Seaway Cinemas, it cost a whopping $4.25 to go see a movie anytime. In St. Catharines, it was like $5, if you went on Tuesdays, it was like $2, and if you were willing to wait a couple of months, you could see a movie at the second-run theater for $1.25. Now? Well if you wanna go to Welland, I think that it's like $7-8 to go, same with Niagara Falls. Welland's movie theater is garbage, and it's worth spending the extra in gas to go to The Falls, because the two main theaters haven't even been updated in almost 20 years, by the looks of it, the seats, the screen, the sound, all the same! At least in Niagara Falls. The theater is newer, and the screens and sound is pretty good! But if you wanna see a show in St. Kitts? You're looking at like $11 to go! At least that was the cost the last time that I went! Nice Theater? Yes. But no nicer than the one in the falls! Regardless, the fact remains that the cost has nearly doubled in all of that time.

Now ask yourself. Why are these prices double? What possible reason could there be, to justify increasing the cost of anything, without taking into consideration that the finances of the individual consumer, haven't even come close to doubling. I have no idea what the current minimum wage is in Ontario/Canada, but I am assuming that it's not anywhere close to $13.70 an hour. Because if it is, I am making Minimum wage at my present job. That would explain why I barely make enough to get by. Now I know, that the minimum wage is closer to $8.00, but how do you expect anyone who works 40 hours a week at that rate to be able to afford any of the above things, without sacrificing a decent rate of living.

Who's to blame for this fiasco??? Well the blame is the easiest to point at corporations. That is where, I at least place the blame. Executives at these large companies care more about pandering to stockholders, and more to the "Bottom Line" than they care about making sure that the people who want/need their product can afford it. Take for example, my insulin. I am a diabetic, and have been for 6 years now. I work at a job that covers 90% of my prescription costs, and I still pay $45/month for insulin. so if I am paying 1/10th of the cost of my prescription, that means that without benefits, I would have to pay $450/month for medication in order to SURVIVE! $450/month! That's not including the cost of needles, test strips, a Glucometer, batteries to operate the Glucometer, or any other expenses that I may be overlooking right now. That's insanity.

Take the price cars. Look at the state of the Auto industry. The "Big Three" Automakers of North America, are trying to get the governments to bail them out of their current predicament, which they, themselves put themselves in! It's a Vicious circle. Look at it! The Car company builds a car, which is supposed to be an "Entry Level" car to sell to consumers. Let's say for this scenario, the Chevrolet Cavalier (And yes, I know they don't make it anymore.) So the Automaker builds this car. A Base Model, nothing fancy, and prices it, so that the middle-lower income families can barely scrape by to afford one. The car itself is a piece of garbage, and the owner has to keep paying into it, to keep it on the road, which they can't afford to do, so not only are they paying for a car, that they can't afford, they're paying for parts to fix the car that they can't afford. So the owner of said car, when it comes time to make a decision: Do I keep fixing it, or buy another brand of vehicle? 9 times out of 10, if they can afford to, they go to a different make of vehicle, and remove brand-loyalty to their previous decision. Then the Automakers stand with their hands out, asking... What the hell happened? We make a decent car! The truth is, no. You don't! You may make a decent High-End vehicle, but you don't make a decent entry level car. Not at least one that the general populace can afford. Then you ask banks, and the Government to bail you out? Why don't you start by attempting to make a half-decent car that anyone can afford? I am sure that the profit-margin on the sale of any car that is built by any auto-maker is quite substantial. The people I feel bad for in all of this, is the Auto worker.

Actually? You know what? No. I don't feel bad for the Auto worker. Sure, their jobs have been threatened a number of times, and automation of the industry has left more than their fair share without gainful employment, but the auto workers have only themselves to blame for their current employment woes. The reason? Unions.

Now I have never been a fan of the Union. In my opinion (And I repeat, my opinion) I feel that a Union only gives a lazy person more of a chance to remain lazy. I have worked in two jobs where the workforce was unionized. The Second place? It didn't make a difference, most of the people did their job with limited issue, however when it came time to negotiate a pay raise, what happened? STRIKE! STRIKE! Now, I didn't work for the company at the time, however, when I came to visit a friend of mine that wasn't in the union who worked there? The people who I worked side-by-side with, wouldn't even let me pass. Even though they knew me, personally, they had to make my life difficult. What possible point were they making when they were doing that, other than, I want more money, so I am going to bitch and complain and not work, or make ANY money until you start paying me more!

The first place that I worked at, was more of a service, then it was a "plant" and the Union was a joke. Basically, it was a job, which required my services of parking cars. This is how the union worked here. The guy at the top, took the keys, wrote everything down, handed the slip, gave it to owner, and passed the keys to the guy under him. Then he passed it to the guy under him, and then so on and so forth, until the guy at the bottom took the keys, parked the car, and walked back, while 7 guys stood there, looking like a bunch of slackers. That's the Union in action.

Getting back to my point about the Auto workers, I am not placing blame on any one individual. I am placing it on everyone as a whole. Why? Because the Union is responsible for most of these people losing their jobs. The Union has its points, but it's only become some sort of enforcer, really only there to serve the Union's ends, not the worker. How? Union dues. I have no idea what the average auto worker makes, but I am sure that it's a hell of a lot more than what I make. And these guys don't have difficult work. I am sure that it's intense to a degree, but I am sure that it's no more emotionally draining than working in a call center for $10/hr. But they bitch and complain about standard of living, or cost of living, or wages, when people with more education, are flipping burgers, because when they started working at these places out of High School, or dropped out of High School and landed this job, and have made a decent go of it. But like everything in life, we want, we want, we want.

I am sure I wouldn't like working in an auto plant, but for the amount of money I'd make there, instead of the current job that I have that I hate, I am sure that it would be much more tolerable. Money is a terrific motivator.

Getting back to the Big Three. Do I think that they should get bailed out? Yes. Not because I love them so much, but because the long term impacts that would occur by these companies going under would be catastrophic on our overall economy. There would be a massive trickle-down effect that would impact every single person. So we have no choice. Do I like it? No. But the fact remains that we need to do something.

But at the same time, these Corporate "Fat Cats" that run these companies need to do some things.

1. Stop worrying about the Bottom Line, as much as making a good product, that the average person can afford.

2. Stop closing down factories, that employ local people building the products that these same people would purchase, and moving those jobs to Mexico/India/Guatemala or where ever, only because you'll save a massive amount of money on labor.

3. Work with your employees, instead of against them (And vice/versa) Because if the Boss/Employee relationship is a stable and productive one, you'll get more out of your job, and I honestly believe that you'll get more out of your product.

4. BUILD A BETTER PRODUCT!!! I can not stress this enough! I don't think that there should be no Chevy Cavaliers on the road, but build them so that in 2 years the doors still close, and the body doesn't rust at 10,000km.

5. Make your products affordable. If you want people to buy your merchandise. Make it so that most people can actually go and buy it! No wonder you companies are going under! No one can afford them! This ties in with "The Bottom Line". Sure, make $10,000 profit on a car, and you're laughing, but is profit more important than "Brand Loyalty" or "Market Share"??? Personally? I think not. Repeat customers drives business, and getting someone once, is not going to be enough to maintain a company. You need to create a product that people love enough to buy again, when it comes time to replace it.

It makes sense to me, and I am sure that it probably will make sense to you. The problem is getting he guy at the top to understand it. That's going to be tricky. And until we do, I don't see things getting any better. And my Star Trek future is never going to happen.

But that's just my opinion... What do I know???

F.M.

The ForchMan Story. Part 3. "General Mills"

When we last visited the world of ForchMan, we explored the Origin of our hero. This installment, we are going to explore the Origin of our villain.

General Harland Sanders Mills, Jr. was born into a military family. His father being a WWII Army Staff Sergeant. His mother as well being a military nurse. Mills was raised with his three older brothers in a strict setting. His father rarely showing any emotion, because he was a tough as nails man.

Harland was very close to his mother, more so than his brothers, and his father mistook that for being soft. His father became increasingly verbal to his son, and in turn, his mother became increasingly defensive. The conflict finally came to a head on his 12th birthday, as Harland watched, as his father murdered his mother before his eyes, as they fought over the way that she coddled him.

Harland's father was sent to a military prison to serve a life sentence for Murder one.

Harland and his three brothers were then sent to foster families to live. Harland was bounced from family to family because he was becoming very difficult to deal with. Having watched his father murder his mother, he became somewhat unhinged. He excelled at his schooling, and was accepted to West Point on a military scholarship.

He then went on to graduate with honors, leaving West Point with a 4.0 GPA and holding a rank of Private First Class.

He quickly went through the ranks of the military, going on to serve in Vietnam, receiving numerous commendations and awards for his bravery and courage under fire. But what the military did not know, was that slowly, he was becoming more and more unhinged during his tour.

Mills, on numerous occasions, would kill innocent people in order to get to the enemy. Feeling no remorse, he would start killing people without any inner monologue telling him that what he was doing was not right.

At the conclusion of the Vietnam war, Mills was promoted to the rank of Captain, serving as one of the most feared and respected commanders in the U.S. Army. He was widely known as one of the toughest men, and was known to demand more from those under him than any man in the entire U.S. military.

Slowly, Mills became more and more mad, and ultimately lost it, after visiting his father in Military prison. His father, having spent years in jail, had become a model prisoner, and respected by his fellow inmates, but when his son came to visit him, Mills just snapped and killed his father, tricking everyone into thinking that his father attacked him, so that it didn't look like Murder.

Mills had officially lost it, but covered it well, as to not appear like he was anything other than a tough-as-nails Army captain. Behind the scenes, he started to amass a large fortune by using mercenaries, and the like to stage crimes to cement his personal fortune and satiate his lust for power.

As the 1990's approached, Mills was a 5-star general, orchestrating the initial attacks during Operation: Desert Storm. But was finally discovered for who he truly was, when he laid waste to a small Iraqi village for no reason. There was no reason for the slaughter of the innocents. But once discovered, he was immediately locked up in military prison.

While he was being transported to the U.S. to answer for his crimes, the plane that carried him was hijacked in mid-air and blown up. The public believed that he was killed in the crash, but the truth was, that he had ben taken off the plane by "planted" mercenaries that he had on the plane.

Mills then went into hiding, running his top-secret organization "Terror Inc.", using the monies that he had made doing several criminal ventures to increase his hand of power in the criminal underworld.

A Staunch patriot. Mills was appalled when the "Winfield Amalgamation and Rejuvenation Initiate" was established. He felt that the idea behind Winfield City was a disgrace to America, and decided to make it a personal mission to stop this at all costs. So Mills took it upon himself to move his base of operations to Winfield City, to destroy it from within, and make as much of a profit as possible.

But that's just my opinion... What do I know???
F.M.

Something to pass the time...

Hey Gang...

Just decided to fool around in my Comic Life program (Thank God for the Mac!) and take photos from last night, and make them POP! :) I have to admit, I love having a mac way more than I ever did, having a PC! But, alas. That is a blog for another day!


But that's just my opinion... What do I know???
F.M.

Thank You.

Yeah, yeah, I know it's been a couple of days, but I've been a little tied up for the last few days.

I just thought that I would pass along a small thank you to those of you who supported me in the 2009 Big Brothers/Big Sisters "Bowl for Kids Sake" as by the time the "Forch Foreign Legion" finished their set, they had raised over $95,000 in total. I am proud to be a small part of that.

I'd like to make a mention to my teammates in the "Forch Foreign Legion". Jennifer Culley, Mike and Gillian Mclay as well as Lesley Bourque. All of you guys are awesome, and in the same breath awesome teammates! You guys were a pleasure to have on my team, and thank you for joining me in this epic battle!

And as a special treat for those of you who want to see it... I give you....

ME IN MY SUPERHERO COSTUME!!! :)


Dorky? Yes! But it was all for a good cause!!! :)

And thanks for your support!!!







Thanks to the Forch Foreign Legion!

But that's just my opinion... What do I know???
F.M.

The ForchMan Story. Part 2. (Comic Version)

In our last installment of Forch'N Telling, I had proceeded to explain the ideas behind the ForchMan Comic Book Character. The first episode was to provide some backstory on the newly formed metropolis of Winfield City of the "Winfield Amalgamation and Rejuvenation Initiate".

Today's installment is going to delve deeper into our Protagonist: Chris Fortier, aka: ForchMan.

When the story begins, it is the summer of 1996. Chris (Or Forch as his friends call him) is a 19 year old video store employee. He lives with his parents, and is about to start college in the fall. Unsure of his future, Chris was feeling uncertain of his career path. Somewhat of a slacker, he also possessed a reasonably high level of intelligence.

Always the one guy who couldn't seem to get a break with the girls, Forch felt like he never fit in, at least with the cool kids. He had a great amount of friends, both male and female, but he could never get over the anxiety that he had around girls, so he never possessed the courage to ask a girl out on a date.

Chris lived with his Parents, Mitchell and Katarina Fortier, and his younger brother, Joe. His father a successful architect, and his mother who worked in the local mall in the former Welland area of Winfield City.

So on the fateful night of July 20th, 1996. Fate struck a blow in the life of young Chris Fortier. On the fifth anniversary of his grandmother's death, as he was taking the garbage out he was one of the 172 people caught in the Discharge of the Winfield City Hydro-Electric Plant fiasco, set off by General Harland Mills, and Terror, Inc. Chris, being the only survivor, and was left in a coma after the strike.

3 days later, Chris awoke in the hospital, after hearing what he thought was his late Grandmother telling him to get up. After being advised of what had happened, and doing a series of preliminary tests, Chris was almost unaffected by the massive electrical discharge, save one problem. His Pancreas was the one thing that was totally shut down due to the high voltage that passed through him, so Chris was left a diabetic.

Chris and his family were relieved at the fact that he came out of it pretty much unscathed. Chris was put on a regiment of meds to control his condition. Going back to his life would be relatively easy, with very little change... Or so he thought.

A few days after getting settled, Chris awoke, late for work. When he went to his car, it wouldn't start. Knowing that he had 10 minutes to get to work, he started running, because no one was around to give him a ride. So he ran. And as soon as he started running, everything became very blurry and in the matter of a few seconds, Chris was at work. Unsure as to how he got there so quickly, he shrugged it off and went to work.

Once working, he started to feel like time was moving slower. Whenever he had to do something, he seemed quicker, and more adaptable. Reading things became clearer, and more concise, and the retaining of the information seemed more solid.

By the end of his shift, the store was then closed, and he proceeded to start walking home. Walking behind the store, a bunch of criminal-types decided to hold him up, to gain access to the safe in the video store. When Chris refused, one of them pulled a gun on him, Chris, feeling that discretion is the better part of valor, took them inside the store, opened the safe, and gave them all of the money inside.

Once they had what they needed, the leader pulled his gun out and fired, intending on killing the only witness to the crime. Chris, possibly out of instinct spun out of the way, using reflexes that were faster than any person alive, and caught the bullet in mid-air.

The Criminals, stunned by what they saw, were only able to see a 19 year old kid with a bullet in the palm of his hand, and shaking like he had just been through the most traumatic experience of his life, and as his hands were shaking, that very bullet started to glow, and look like it was ready to explode.

Chris ran out of the store, almost invisible to the naked eye, and threw the bullet into the air as fast as he could, to watch it explode, and much more explosive than any bullet. Putting two and two together, he came to the realization, that something's happened to him, and realizing that he had the ability to do something about it, he ran back in the store, and within the blink of an eye, the Robbers were subdued, tied up, left outside of the store, the money put back into the safe, a note left for the police, a bunch of candy bars taken, with a note left for the manager. Oh, and the doors were properly locked, and Chris went hope. Eating the candy bars, to put back the sugars that he realized his body expended in using these new gifts.

Trying to conceal that he was the hero behind the events, Chris left, and went home, leaving the criminals to be found by the authorities.

The next morning, Chris awoke, to the sounds of his parents screaming down into the basement, where he had his bedroom, and ran upstairs to see what they were trying to get his attention for.

They pointed at the TV, which on the news, showed security camera footage of Chris, subduing the criminals from the night before, as well as outside footage of his throwing the bullet in the air, with a headline that said: Video Store Superhero??? The news identified that it was Chris that stopped the robbers, and within seconds of his name being revealed, a media circus ensued on the Fortier family lawn.

Within hours, the Mayor of Winfield City, Ilene Dover, called a press conference, with Chris being put on the spot to ask questions. In that instant, Chris became a media darling, relishing the spotlight that his newfound success had afforded him. People liked his charisma, and he as well, loved the idea of being a superhero.

After the press conference, Chris was whisked off to Watchtech Labs, the government-funded scientific research company, Winfield City used to build all its technological advances. Chris was tested thoroughly, to determine the extent of his abilities.

After thorough testing, the extent of his powers were revealed.

He was able to run at speeds of no faster than 1200mph.
His memory retained more information, after reading.
He was able to add kinetic energy to any object, expanding it's explosive field.
Other than his pancreas, his healing abilities were sped up to match his speed.

But the one flaw with his system, was that once his blood sugar was outside optimal levels, his powers would start to diminish, until they reached a safe level. So to compensate for that, a gauntlet was built to go on his left arm, which monitored his physiology, and allowed it to regulate his body, while using his powers, which used a large amount energy, which appeared to keep him outside of optimal levels.

In addition, a Costume was built. Out of an experimental material, called Frehlonite. The Frehlonite Polymer was used, because of its ability to both withstand high velocity, but as well be able to be compressed and stored within the gauntlet.

So after all of the testing, and preparation, The City of Winfield unveiled its newest Champion.... ForchMan.

But this tale, is far from over...

But that's just my opinion... What do I know???
F.M.

Chloe and Daddy Tuesday Night Fun!!!

The Beginning of the Origin of ForchMan!! (Comic Version)

Thanks to Colleen Campbell for the suggestion for today's blog.

First off, to start, bare in mind that this is going to be a multi-parted blog, due to the in-depth story-line, I need multiple postings to get this out of the way.

Colleen has suggested that I tell her, and for lack of a better part, the world. The Origin story of the ForchMan Comic Book Character. I have decided to go ahead and do that, with the idea of adding some revamp to the character, since the original concept/story was done over 15 years ago.

To get an idea of the universe in which "ForchMan" occupied, the first blog is going to be telling the story of the city where ForchMan Defends.

Every great superhero defends a great city, and my original idea is no different. Originally, I was going to use Buffalo, but a city of less than a million people didn't ring "Super" so I came up, with an idea that was both a personal dream of mine, as well as a somewhat original concept.

The City that ForchMan defends... Is called Winfield City.

Winfield City, or the "Winfield Amalgamation and Rejuvenation Initiate" was based on the idea that I had that eventually, it would seem logical that both Canada and the US were going to amalgamate (I know, I am going to hear it about that one) and the two governments, who were experiencing an economic crisis, began the idea of amalgamating the two nations into one, and the Winfield City project was the first step to achieving this goal.

Basically, the idea was a self-sufficient, self governed, cityscape that would be used as an experiment to see if an unprotected border between the two nations would be manageable.

Walter Winfield, the projects developer, thought that the best geographic location would be utilized with the Niagara Region of Ontario, and Western New York State. So the cities of Buffalo, Niagara Falls (US and Canada), Welland, Fort Erie, St. Catharines and surrounding areas would all be enveloped into one mega-city.

The idea was used to stimulate the economy, by bringing in a number of new companies to do massive construction, first off to allow the travel between all areas accessible. Bridges, Expressways, Major roads were to be built, as well as governments providing incentives for major companies to base their operations within Winfield City, to stimulate growth.

Buffalo/Fort Erie, providing the downtown core, St. Catharines/Welland providing the industrial as well as the Commercial sectors, Niagara Falls Providing the Tourism and the remaining areas focussing on a massive overhaul on agricultural pursuits. The idea, was to have the city itself, sustained without any outside help, until the project was deemed a success, and the idea expanded to other "Border Cities", and finally the two countries would be merged.

Security/Policing was a major issue at first, but both governments put into place security measures that ensured that enough police/services were made available, and the city itself, was equipped with a major CCTV security system that was state of the art, and ensured that an eye was kept on security.

The initial phase was an immediate success, thanks mostly to Winfield's charisma and charm. Industries were brought in, and the area began a growth that was unheard of, as people were flocking to new jobs, and new lives in an area that, at the time had no growth and no hope.

The first phase of construction lasted 2 years, from 1993-1995.

In 1996, the city was about 45% completed, with plans to expand at a rapid rate.

Until "He" Came.

General Harland Mills. (The whole story will be a future blog) One of the most decorated, and most brutal 5-star Generals of the first Iraq war. Mills was dishonorably discharged in 1991, after laying waste to an entire Iraqi village. He had originally been sentenced to life in Military Prison, but had escaped with the assistance of a group of Mercenaries and the like calling themselves "Terror, Inc."

Mills, not wanting to see America amalgamate with Canada, as well, wanting to leave his mark on the world, and amass an incalculable fortune, decided to start his criminal empire in this new Metropolis.

His first strike on the city, was the new Hydro-Electric Power Plant, located in the former "Niagara Falls". the idea was to hold the plant, and it's workers hostage, and demand a hefty sum, the problem was, was that one of his Henchmen, got careless, and accidentally triggered a massive power discharge that was unleashed on the entire city. The Surge reached out, and killed a total of 171 people.

Only one person who was struck by the discharge survived, but was comatose afterward.

His name, Chris Fortier. a 19 year old video store employee, who was taking out the garbage before his shift ended, and was caught in the line of one of the massive discharges, and was found unconscious in the middle of the parking lot, and rushed to the hospital.

And so begins our tale.

The next part will start to elaborate on our hero.

But that's just my opinion... What do I know???
F.M.

A short and Sweet Taste Treat for someone to eat!

Just a quick memo for the few people who read this.

There's some anonymous Jackass who has left comments on my blog on 2 occasions (The first being deleted) The most recent one being on my Anti-Valentine's Blog, which I have left up.

Clearly there are people who are reading this blog, and I appreciate comments where ever they may be. But this individual seems to feel the need to deliberately attack me, and I think I have a good idea who that might be. I am not 100% certain, but it doesn't take an idiot to figure out that their lack of proper grammar may help me figure out who they are.

If you feel the need to leave negative comments on here, so be it. It doesn't take a Silicon-filled bimbo to tell that I am pouring my heart out here, and I am not always trying to, but I do. I am an open person, that is who I am. But if you're going to complain about my complaining, then at least 1. Do it with proper grammar, and 2. Read someone else's blog!

I'm not some idiot driving a Buick Regal, here. I'm rather intelligent.

But that's just my opinion... What do I know???
F.M.

20 Things I would do over....

Well, a promise is a promise, so as I had on Facebook said that I would allow the first person to comment on my most recent video pick the category of my most recent blog, I am a man of my word, so here goes..

Thanks to Shannon Cullen-Owens for today's subject.

"20 Things that I would do over again, if I could."

First off, there is absolutely no order to these items, they are being put in as I think of them. I was going to brainstorm them before writing, but to be honest, I work best this way...

1. High School. If I had my way (knowing now what I do) I would completely do High School over again. Looking back, I would totally get over my insecurities, and just forge ahead. My social existence in High School was miserable. I had some great friends, don't get me wrong, but I was so nervous around girls, that I never got my guts out there to ask someone out. And 15 years later, I am finding out there were people who actually liked me enough to go out with me, and I would've never guessed.

2. I would have tried harder in School. I am reaping what I sow right now, having a terrible job. Had I used my intellect to its full capacity, I would probably doing much better now.

3. I would have started to drink Sugar-free Soda/Pop earlier. In the early 2000-2003 time frame, I used to drink an exorbitant amount of Pepsi and Coke, and as a result, I went and killed my Pancreas. Had I drank sugar-free pop earlier, I would have been able to stop my diabetes before it happened.

4. I would have been a better husband. The Former Mrs. Fortier left me because I never changed (In addition to the other stuff) and I regret that, because now I don't get to see Chloe every day. Had I been a better person, then I could be the father I am, every day, instead of part-time.

5. I would have stayed in Barrie. Before I was 14 years old, I had relocated with my family twice, and I think that a lot of that didn't help my Social Anxieties when I was in my teens. Because I had to pretty much start over and make new friends twice, I had a hard time coming out of my shell to meet girls, because I had a hard enough time making friends, let alone girlfriends.

6. I would have tried harder in sports. Especially Volleyball and Basketball. Both of which I was pretty good at, had I actually tried to be an athlete, I might have been much healthier now...

7. I would have had Grandpa's Condition appropriately diagnosed. My Grandfather died when I was 25, and I know now what he had, because I took the time to figure it out, but his jackass of a doctor, didn't diagnose his condition properly, and as a result, he was taken from me well before he should have been. If he were with us today, I'd be benefitting from his advice today, which I could really use.

8. I would have never let The Former Mrs. Fortier buy that Damned Kia! That car was one of the worst things we could have ever bought, but I pretty much laid down and let her buy it, and that was one, of the many things that lead to the downfall of our relationship.

9. I would have not gone away to college, and stayed local. I think part of the reason I didn't really try hard in College, or finish, is because I had no real supervision. Had I stayed home, it might have been a different story, and I would have been able to focus better.

10. I would have taken what I wanted to take in College. I was pressured to take something to do with Computers in College. Because I was so good with computers. I, myself wanted to get into Radio/TV, but I was told that I couldn't make a career out of it, and as a result, I ended up taking Broadcasting about 10 years later. Had I been able to take that when I should have, I may be in a different place now.

11. I would have asked for help when I should have. I lost my house, because I was too proud to ask for help. After the fact, I found out that I could have gotten someone to buy the house, and have me maintain it. And I would still be living where I should be living...

12. I would have never drank as much as I did when living with Adrian. One Word. Concussions.

13. I would have moved to the states when I had the chance. As the most Pro-American Canadian out there, I have had a number of chances to move to the states for work, and I never took them. Most of which were in the last year. But had I taken the first opportunity that I had (10 years ago) things may have turned out differently.

14. I wouldn't have gotten married. The dissolving of my marriage was probably one of if not the most traumatic experiences of my life. Had I known how badly it was going to end, I might've never done it. But I would still probably do it over again, only because of Chloe. But if we never had kids, I would've stayed away from the Former Mrs. Fortier, for many reasons.

15. I would have taken better care of the First ForchMobile. I loved that car, and I miss it every day. If I still had it. I would be a happy camper!

16. I would completely do over the summer of 1995. Most notably, who I dated in the first part of that Summer. Someone I waited to ask out throughout High School, ruined my summer completely, If I hadn't asked her out, the summer would have been much more enjoyable.

17. February 25th, 1994. My first Car accident. I would have been a little more careful that night, and I am still feeling the repercussions of that night, as my right knee is still messed up.

18. September 1st, 1991. The day that my Former Grandfather introduced his new "Wife" to the Fortier clan. I was 14, but I should have spoken up. It would have never done any good, but I, to this day still wish that I could tell that son of a bitch to go to hell. Bert is one of the people who are responsible for me being the pessimist that I am. I wish I had told him off when I had the chance.

19. August 25th, 2002. I would have went to the Orioles-Jays game instead of that stupid family reunion. I was forced to go to that reunion, when my presence was not required. It wasn't even my family, But I was forced to go to anyway, and that was the last chance to have a final "Good Memory" with my Grandfather, Rusty. That would have been nice. The people responsible for that will never, EVER be forgiven for that...

20. August 26th, 2002. If I had known that it would have been the last thing I ever said to Rusty, I would have said something a little more relevant than: "Call me if you need anything..."

There's 20. Thank you, Shannon.

I know that these are things that I can not change, but they are things that I would change if I had the chance.

But that's just my opinion... What do I know???
F.M.

My one, true Valentine...

The video below is very important to me, especially today, a day of "Love"



This young girl is my biggest source of love.

She is my daughter.

My Valentine.

I love her so much, that it pains me when she is not around. I wish that I could spend every day with her, because every day I see something new in her eyes, and it fills me with happiness.

She is my best friend :)

My everything...

But that's just my opinion... What do I know???
F.M.

What else is going on inside ForchMan's Head???

Love Stinks! YEAH! YEAH!

I have never been a fan of Valentine’s Day

I think that the idea of dedicating a “Hallmark” holiday to some “Saint” who apparently dedicated himself to the ideals of love, so some rigmarole like that is absolutely ludicrous.

So what is it that has gotten me so riled up that I felt the need to dedicate my “Daily Dose of Forchieness” to my loathing of the idea of Valentine’s Day? Well it’s my bitterness about the Day of February 14th, first off, as well as the idea of giving someone a box of chocolates to tell them that you love them, when in reality, when you’re with someone, that should be said EVERY DAY!!!

My main reason for hating the 14th stems from the year 1995. At the tender (well, not quite tender, mullet-ridden seems more appropriate) age of 18, I lost one of the most important people in my life on that very day. My Uncle, Allan Chindemi.

Allan, who was one of the smartest, and most loving people I have ever known, and I am sure will EVER know, passed away after a lengthy battle with AIDS. Chindemi-Nation all knew about it, and we spent a great deal of time preparing for the inevitable outcome, but no amount of preparing will ever have you ready to watch someone who is a personal hero, wither away to nothing. It’s not fun, and I never wish that upon even people whom I loathe with a full Nuclear Capability.

The second reason, well it goes without saying. I don’t believe in love anymore.

You can thank the former Mrs. Fortier for that one, as she took away from me one of the ideals that I believed in most. But at the same time, I am also smart enough to know that if we were still together, since V-Day falls on a Saturday, she would have left me at home alone with Chloe so that she could go to Karaoke and spend time with people who were always more important to her than I ever was.

Yeah, you could say that V-Day makes me somewhat bitter, but I honestly believe Arnold J. Rimmer had said it best when he said: “Love is something invented by Bank Managers to make us all overdrawn.” I honestly believe that. Because love is something that we normally can’t explain, but apparently we feel in our hearts when it is there. But if love is so important, then why doesn’t anyone actually work to make love work. I will tell you why. BECAUSE LOVE DOES NOT EXIST!

Love Stinks, Yeah Yeah. The J. Geils Band never spoke truer words.

Love is merely an idea. An idea that people use to convince themselves that they NEED to be with the person that they have convinced themselves that they are in love with. People have this pre-conceived notion that they’re going to bump into someone, and sparks will fly, and their lives will be complete. The truth is, the sparks may only be the static-electricity that they generated, and then it set off when they touched. People come up with these lame anecdotes which make fate, and love, and destiny seem so believable. The truth is, is that nothing like that exists.

Love is an idea. Nothing more. It’s something that isn’t tangible, like God, or Destiny or anything like that. Something that apparently exists, but we have no ability to prove. And at this point in time, I honestly believe that the chances of me moving next door to Santa might be a little more realistic, than falling in love with someone.

But that’s just my opinion… What do I know???
F.M.

What Else Goes on Inside ForchMan's Head???

What goes on in ForchMan's head???

A Streak-free ForchMan! What everyone wants!!!

ANGRY VINCE!

Many much Moosen!!!

I think that it’s about time that we do something about the plural of the word: “Box”

For years now, we have been “Conditioned” to use the word “Boxes” as the plural of the word “Box” and I think that it’s about time for a change! And thanks to the Stand-up comedian: Brian Regan, I feel that he has touched base on the proper use of the word.

The new way it is to be said: “BOXEN”!!!

I think that if we get enough people behind it, I think that we can replace “Boxes” with “Boxen” without any difficulty. Well…. At least limited difficulty. Well…. Maybe a lot of difficulty.

Now I know what you’re going to say… “Forch! You’re nuts! How do you expect anyone to accept this!” Well, when you’re like me, and you’re surrounded by nothing but crazy ideas, I have no choice but to go ahead with this! That, and I was trying tocome up with something original to blog about, so this is it!

I never said that everything I say is gold! :P

But if you ever get the chance to, check out Brian Regan, and his Stand-up. He’s hilarious!



But that’s just my opinion… What do I know???
F.M.

I NEED to see this movie!!!

March 6th, 2009.... Forch needs to see this!

I've left my heart in San Francisco...

I miss the TV show Journeyman...


"Journeyman's Opening Credits"

I was watching the show "Grey's Anatomy" for the very first time ever with a friend of mine, and I saw that one of the stars: Kevin McKidd on that show, and I felt nostalgic for the short-lived NBC drama.

The show featured McKidd, as Dan Vasser. A Reporter for the San Francisco Register, who for some strange reason, starts to "jump" into the past for varied amounts of time, and gets placed into events into other peoples lives, and makes small alterations to their timeline, in order to fix some sort of error/event in their lives.

The plot itself seems to be somewhat reminiscent of "Quantum Leap", but with a number of differences, one, that the show only takes place in San Francisco, and two, that Dan does not "Leap" into the lives of other people, but appears as himself.

I really enjoyed the show itself, from the very first episode. For some reason, I really enjoy the time-travel concept. You look at all of the many favorite shoes/movies of mine, it always has some element of Time Travel. I wonder why that is. Just look at a short list of my favorite shows/movies which feature Time Travel: "Back to the Future", "Doctor Who", "Quantum Leap" and "Heroes".


"A Short Feature on Journeyman"

It's a real shame that the show never really lasted. It was, one of many shows that was a victim of last season's "Writer's Strike", and as a result, the show only lasted for the initial run of 13 episodes. Fortunately enough, the show was able to at least tie up all of the loose ends/questions that were asked throughout the show's run, so at least the show was able to effectively "end", but I was still upset that the strike basically put the show into cancellation.

I certainly hope that at some point, the show makes its way to DVD. I feel that if the show could've got more exposure, and perhaps more marketing/advertising, the show could have made a great continuing series. Especially since it followed my favorite Monday night show: "Heroes".


"Someone's homemade Youtube Tribute to Journeyman"

So I guess the point that I am trying to make is, that I miss Journeyman!

But that's just my opinion... What do I know???
F.M.

Win A Date With ForchMan!!!!

Depression is a bitch-mistress to which escape from is completely difficult.

I should know. I have been coping with depression for quite a number of years, more so in the last year (And for obvious reasons) I have had to attempt to elevate my depression to a level that I won't sink below. I have had a very difficult time staying afloat (Both financially and personally) in the last year, and I think that I am about sick and tired of it.

It's funny. Those of you who know me, know me as the ultimate pessimist. And I am. I always look at the worst in things. I've always lived with the motto: "Expect the worst, because that way, when it happens, you're not disappointed." I live my life that way in virtually every aspect of my life except 2.

The first is my relationship with Chloe. She keeps me afloat emotionally. She is the one thing in this world that I ever did right. Everything else that lead to her being here may have been wrong, but Chloe is the one thing that I had done right, and I am very proud of that.

The second is when I meet someone. When I meet someone that I really like, I always try very hard to maintain a positive frame of mind. I am nice, I may crack jokes that are not always appropriate, but I always try very hard to be a good, and positive person.

Until the first "Chink in the Armor" appears.

And then after that, yeah. Forch becomes the same Forch that he usually is. Weak-willed and pessimistic. Someone who's going to expect to get screwed over (And usually does) because he knows what lurks in people's hearts. Why I am speaking in the third person, I will never know, but the fact remains that my life, when it comes to most things is a miserable failure, to which very few people have reached that level. Dating, is right at the top of the list.

That is why I started writing my book: "You're a nice guy, But.... (Finding Success In My Failures with Women)". It was a way for me to not only get some self-analysis, but as well to maybe help get the word out, and perhaps help a few people along the way. Lord knows that I have enough material to fill a book, and at the rate I am going, it appears that the amount of material is only ever-increasing.

So I have decided to have one final, last ditch effort at realizing my dream, which is to just find someone and be in love with them (I don't think that is asking for too much, but apparently it is).

I am bringing back the "Win a Date with ForchMan" contest.

Is this a sad, and pathetic gesture? You're damn right it is.

This is my way of basically giving myself one last chance, before I completely give up. And yes, I know that I have said that before, but this time I REALLY MEAN IT! How do I mean it, you say? Let's just say that, I have something planned to signify my end of searching for love, which will be unveiled once this is complete.

The Details?? Simple.

Part 1. The first part of the contest, is going to involve you commenting to this very blog, stating why you'd actually want to go out with me on a Date/relationship.

Simple Enough? No. Because there is a catch. First. There has to be at least 100 words in the comment (I will count) and in addition to that, there has to be no references to "How nice of a guy I am" or anything to do with my looks. I am sick of everything having to be about my looks, so if you want to go out with me, you have to find some non-superficial reason to.

The Top 5 (Which I will be lucky to get 3 responses to this drivel) Will be awarded points. The best one getting 50 points, while the others getting points ranging from 40 for second, to 10 for fifth.

Part 2. Is going to involve the utilization of the website: FACEINHOLE. Basically, I want you to FACEINHOLE a picture of you and I together, it doesn't matter which picture, but the points will be awarded on creativity, and originality.

You then have to mail them to me at forchman@hotmail.com

Same Point Structure applies, only the most original, does get a 10 point bonus, and that doesn't mean that the first place one will get the most original...

Part 3. The third part of the contest will be, for some, the most difficult. It involves you taking a picture of yourself, making grilled cheese. Once again, point structure is the same, and this time, the best smile gets a 10 point bonus...

You then have to mail them to me at forchman@hotmail.com

Part 4. The final part of the contest will consist of a quiz, consisting of 26 questions about me. Point structure stays the same, and there will be opportunities for bonus points, and offers for answers to be offered up as a bonus.

You can get the quiz from me at forchman@hotmail.com

So good luck.... I await to see the results!!!

But that's just my opinion... What do I know???
F.M.

TORCHWOOD IS COMING BACK!!!

Holy crap! Torchwood is coming back!

And Forch is very excited! :)

ORIOLES!!!! YO HO!!!! ORIOLES!!!! YO HO!!!

I am not a religious man, to say the least, but my faith has been reaffirmed, because God, is a Baltimore Orioles fan.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. Isn’t God supposed to love everyone equally? Well apparently not, because Stephen Colbert told me so!

On the February 4th edition of "The Colbert Report", Mr. Colbert did a segment entitled “Yahweh or No Way”, where he proceeded that state that God wasn’t following The Steelers or the Cardinals, in the Superbowl, because he’s a Fan of the Orioles. (Which I am familiar with comedy, but humor me, for Crap’s sake!) Now anyone knows that the Orioles are a Baseball team, and this was of course a bit, but I love the fact that Colbert used the Orioles out of any team that he could have. That brings two of my most-loved items together, if even for a moment.

Especially since Stephen Colbert confirmed, himself, that God is an Orioles fan!

I imagine that as a fan, he doesn’t want to interfere with the games, because apparently his endorsement hasn’t helped the team’s Win-Loss Record in the last 10 years.

In reaching out to the people who read this blog, as a way to get to know me, personally, I usually come out with Blogs that are relevant to myself, or at least a subject to which I am knowledgeable.

The Orioles, to me are. I have been a fan of the Baltimore Orioles since the age of 6. (1983, if you’re keeping track, the year that they last won the World Series) I have been a fan through thick and thin, and have never wavered in the dream that one day, I will get a chance to see my boys in Orange and Black make it past a .500 season!

Truth be told, the last 10 years have been rather difficult to swallow. Mostly because the O’s are owned by someone who’s not willing to make this once-proud franchise a winner. In addition, a series of bad luck streaks, and player signings that didn’t really pan out, make being an Orioles Fan, something really difficult.

Does that make me waver in my love? No way!

Now, I am following blind optimism here, and hoping that at least this year, which is another classic “Rebuilding year” yields positive results. The team has signed a handful of good-quality players, and is working on bringing up some key players for the future, most notably: Matt Wieters.

Wieters is going to hopefully be (Along with Nick Markakis and Brian Roberts) one of the Cornerstones of the team. Wieters brings with him hope at a position that is historically a difficult position to fill and as well, scout. The position: Catcher. Not a lot of Catchers get taken in the first round of the MLB draft, and Wieters went second in 2007. The last that I really remember was B.J. Surhoff, and I don’t remember how long he actually played at the Backstop, but he ended his career as more of a utilityman/outfielder.

Wieters is going to probably make the team at some point this year, and he has someone filling his spot for the time being that I think will solidify the Orioles’ lineup. Gregg Zaun. The only Blue Jay that I have ever been a fan of, Zaun has Orioles pedigree, he was originally drafted by the team, and don’t forget, his Uncle was one of the most famous Orioles, and probably their greatest Catcher: Rick Dempsey.

I am relieved that the O’s also did the right thing by signing Markakis to a 6-year deal. He only just finished his third season, and has some great days ahead of him. He’s an absolute marvel to watch play, and I look forward to him assuming leadership within the team.

Brian Roberts, my favorite current Oriole, I am hoping remains with the team. He seems to always be on the cusp of trade talks, which make me edgy. I still believe that he is the heart and soul of the team, and I hope that he spends his entire career with the O’s

I could talk about the Orioles for hours, but I only have so much time to write. I am anxious to see how this year plays out, I am going to start off the season, like I do every season. Optimistic…. Only time will tell how 2009 is going to affect the team.

But that’s just my opinion… What do I know???