Harry Kalas, RIP

I was saddened to here about the sudden passing of the legendary Philadelphia Phillies announcer Harry Kalas. Harry, whose career spanned 43 years, the last 38 with the Phils, was inducted into the announcers’ wing of the Baseball of Fame in 2002. He was 73

Condolences to his family, including his brother Jim, who I know as he’s a member of my former church and was my boss’s boss’s boss for a time; he has the same resonating voice.

Here’s Harry celebrating the 2007 National League East division champion Philadelphia Phillies with his rendition of “High Hopes”.

And even if you’re not a sports fan, the voiceover in the commercial and others in the series is Harry’s.

ROG

Geek meme

From Jaquandor, done subsequently by others. You just ‘X’ in the items that pertain to you.

() You spent a day watching all of the Lord of the Rings/Star Wars/Star Trek movies.
No, but I did see four Beatles movies in one day and five Planet of the Apes movies on another day.
() You spent next two days after watching commentary, outtakes, and behind the scenes footage.
(x) And you bought the soundtrack.
Well, I have a couple soundtracks of Star Wars. On vinyl.
(x) You went to a midnight release of a movie.
Rocky Horror Picture Show.
() You camped in front of the theater for more than 12 hours to get tickets.
() Camping did not prevent you from being in costume.
(x) You can have an entire conversation with friends consisting of quotes from your favorite movies.
Annoying, but true.
() You own at least three game systems.
() You have lost weight because you forgot to eat while trying to reach the next level in your game.
() You own more than four game controllers (of any kind).
() You have existed on 3 hours of sleep per night so that your “Sims” get 8 hours and are refreshed for work.
() You upgraded your computer because you wanted to buy a new video game/expansion pack.
() You have dressed as your game avatar, or as a npc in that game.
() You achieved level 60 on World of Warcraft.
() You have played “Dungeons and Dragons” or any other RPG.
(x) You know what “RPG” stands for.
I know people who play. I love them anyway.
() You dressed as your RPG character would dress.
(x) You own dice with more than six sides.
() You have been accused of having a “gamer” Scent.
() You can identify a Black Lotus.
() You can identify a Charizard.
() You have bought any of the “Harry Potter” books after standing in line until midnight.
() You waited to get your “Harry Potter” book in costume, quoting favorite lines.
(x) You have attended any function with “con” in the name.
FantaCon, San Diego Comic Con, for two.
() You stood in line at said “con” for more than 4 hours to have an item signed.
() You spent more than $50 on a costume to wear to “con” because you wanted it to be authentic.
(x) You own more than 50 comics.
Hey, I used to sell the things.
() You collect your comics in longboxes.
Used to.
(x) You know what a “longbox” is.
I used to sell the things. Got very good at putting them together quickly.
(x) You’ve met and had your comics signed by the creator(s).
() You know how many “Robins” there are.
I used to.
(x) You know that the portrayal of Rogue in the movie “X-Men” is completely wrong.
(x) You have chatted online more than in person.
(x) You chatted online enough to learn the time zones.
() You think that when the Mythbusters say “Don’t try this at home,” they really don’t mean YOU.
(x) Have participated in a movie/tv marathon that involved a drinking game.
() Can sing along with the Buffy Musical Episode.
(x) You know Seth Green from more than just the “Austin Powers” movies.
() You can name all 8 Kevin Smith-directed movies without referring to IMdb.
(x) You have participated in a “Clerks”-esque discussion about Star Wars (or any other movie).
(x) You have participated in a Kirk vs Picard discussion.
(x) You have participated in a Star Wars vs Star Trek discussion.
() You have participated in a Babylon 5 vs. Star Trek:DS9 discussion
() You know who jms is.
(x) You have ever corrected anyone who called you a Trekkie.
() You have worn a Star Fleet Uniform.
() You own a Star Fleet Uniform.
() You think “Twilight” is lame because everyone knows that vampires burst into flame in the sunlight.
() You have written fanfic.
() You have watched Bizzare Foods and thought “I’d try that.”
() You can pinpoint the moment at which “Lost” jumped the shark.
(x) You know who Stan Lee is.
He’s my Facebook “friend”.
(x) You know who Jack Kirby is.
Twice talked to Jack Kirby on the phone.
() You know who Geoff Johns is.
() You have built a website.
(x) You have started a blog.
More than one.
(x) You maintained a blog for over a year.
() You know what the Genie SFRT is
(x) You have a Twitter account.
() You have over 500 followers on Twitter.
Just over 100.
() You purchased a smartphone just so you could check Twitter on the road.
() You forget your family members’ birthdays because they aren’t your friends on Facebook.
(x) You have given virtual gifts on Facebook.
But I still don’t “get” it.
() You have Superpoked your boss on Facebook.
() You have gotten a date through Facebook (and we’re not talking dinner and movie with your buddies).
() You have broken up with someone/been broken up with through Facebook
No, but have been dumped by e-mail.
() You’ve reached level 30 or higher in Mafia Wars.
() You know what Mafia Wars is.
(x) You participated in more than three social networks.
(x) You’ve spent more than 200 hours playing the same video game.
If this includes the arcade version of Ms. Pacman.
(x) You’ve seen any movie in the theater more than three times.
Midnight Cowboy, Annie Hall and King of Hearts.
() You can name the episode of MST3K where Joel was replaced by Mike.
(x) You’ve argued why the comic is way superior to the show/movie when discussing “The Tick,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “X-Men,” “Fantastic Four,” “Spider-Man,” etc.
() You have the soundtrack for “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” on your MP3 player.
() You are willing to defend the Star Wars prequels.
Nah, only watched the first prequel.
() You openly disparage the Star Wars prequels because they don’t live up to “Empire.”
Nah, not that invested.
() You’re openly concerned about the time line ramifications that J.J. Abram’s “Star Trek” movie presents to the canon.
But give it time; the movie’s not out yet.
(x) You own anything written by Neil Gaiman, Alan Moore or H.P. Lovecraft.
First two for sure, both acquired in 2009.
() You have a flying spaghetti monster on your car
I don’t know what that means.
() You’ve seen a midnight showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show with live actors in front of the screen.
(x) You know the REAL reason Spider-Man had a black costume
() You know the NCC numbers of at least two starships other than the Enterprise
() You know what “NCC” stands for.
() You own an original Star Trek Concordance, Technical Manual, and Blueprints
() You own at least two medieval weapons
(x) You have participated in battles with foam-covered swords
() You know who “Major Matt Mason” is
() You have seen bootleg copies of the original Fantastic Four and Justice League movies.
(x) After having had children you realize there’s now more people to costume and relish it.
() You’ve managed to turn four days at Euroquest* into nearly eight because, who needs sleep?
() You’ve spent more than $1000 on your “spot-on” costume. (and it’s still not quite right…)
() You’ve made a fan film.
() Your fan film has been seen by more than your immediate family.
() People know you by your online name instead of your mundane name.
() You know what Pennsic is.
() You’ve camped at Pennsic.
() You have/had personalized plates on your car proudly proclaiming your fandom.
() Your spouse and/or friends do as well.
(x) You yell at your kids when they try to open a toy/book/comic/figure etc. that you’re collecting.
I don’t yell, but she has her toys and I have mine.
() Your kids have broken your Hallmark collectible Star Trek/Star Wars, etc. ornament.
(x) You’ve traveled more than 500 miles to attend a con.
() You have a tattoo related to your fandom of choice.
() You met your spouse at a fan-related event or con.
As far as I know, she’s never been to one.
() You got engaged (to be married!) at a sci-fi convention.
() You are publicly willing to defend Dollhouse, because Joss Whedon must be trusted.

ROG

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