Got a dead body? Just call Frank’s Crime Scene Steam-N-Clean — the premiere biohazard removal company! Here’s the just released (well, July 21) first episode of this original webisode series:

The first episode of a dark comedy series created and produced by USC graduate film students Scott Rickels, Tim Dragga and Tim Kolesk stars Dale Midkiff, Richard Riehle, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Tuione, Chrissy Anderson, Travis Willingham and Jessica McClendon. More episodes are “in the works” (as those of us “in the biz” like to say). Link

It’s the story of a low-rent super-villain, the hero who keeps beating him up, and the cute girl from the laundromat he’s too shy to talk to.

Neil Patrick Harris…..as Dr. Horrible
Nathan Fillion……….as Captain Hammer
Felicia Day…………..as Penny

And a cast of dozens!

Joss Whedon began writing his musical web series (watch the teaser below), with the help of all his relatives and friends, during the writer’s strike, then streamed the first three acts, free, on the official web site (not to be confused with the official fan site). The “free streaming broadcast” part is no more, but they are available on iTunes and, in the not-too-distant future (before Christmas) the complete short epic will be available on DVD. It’ll be legen….wait for it….dary!

P.S. At great personal risk, I was able to obtain this copy of “The Master Plan”, secretly penned by Joss Whedon in a dark, scary secret cave somewhere (but not the Bat Cave. This one’s shown at the beginning of the teaser, I think) that will explain the whole twisted, diabolical scheme. Read it! Be safe!

No presidential election would be complete without a contribution from JibJab to make light of it. Here’s their latest…

Davey sent a wmv version of this a couple years ago and I’d posted it on my AFP website. It apparently was shown on Good Morning America in August ‘06 and is due a reprise. If you live in a metered water area as I do, you’ll see this in a whole different light…

I wasn’t able to get this ready in time to make it a Patriot’s Journey post, but for those of you unable to attend our 48th Annual Folsom Pro Rodeo July 3-5, I thought I’d share a couple video clips via MyFolsom.com to give you a taste of the event.

As in past years, the rodeo began with Kent Lane, skydiver extraordinaire, dropping into the arena each night trailing a 2,000 square foot American flag. During a short free-fall from 4,500 feet, Lane spoke to the audience via helmet-mounted radio, then deployed his canopy and guided the huge flag to a soft landing in the middle of Dan Russell Rodeo Arena where a waiting ground crew whisked it from the ground before it touched, all to the sound of Lee Greenwood’s “Proud to be an American.” I’ve seen it done many times and it always makes my chest swell and brings a lump to my throat.

The second clip if of a bronc rider having what looks to be a pretty good ride. Sorry, I don’t have his name. And, as always, the rodeo was preceded on July 2 by the annual longhorn cattle drive down Sutter Street in historic Folsom. We missed it this year, but here are a few photos (click to enlarge) from a prior year.

There are more images in this album.

Ever watch Dilbert, the TV version of the well known Scott Adams comic strip? This is a Dilbert “minisode”, a five minute short, but you can watch full length TV shows as well on this site.

It’s called Hulu, a website that offers free, high-quality streaming video of TV shows and movies, primarily from NBC and FOX and their cable networks. It’s supported by occasional commercials (sorry, but at least they’re short) and provides higher viewing quality than YouTube, even some offerings in HD. Miss an episode of The Office or House? Catch it here!

Sorry, no downloads, but if you’ve got an Apple iTV, you can probably stream to your big screen. How cool is that?

James sent this “post Fourth of July” Comedy Central skit with the caption, “Steve Pelkey, American Hero”…

As we approach Independence Day and prepare for our annual backyard barbecues and “safe” fireworks with the kids, many of us reminisce about the “good old days” when cherry bombs, bottle rockets and Roman candles were as much a part of the holiday as The Star Spangled Banner and Aunt Minnie’s Dutch apple pie. But most states outlawed them years ago to reduce injuries and fires. Replacing them are “snakes and sparklers” and assorted thingies that do little more than whistle and smoke.

Apparently, “real” fireworks are still available in Nevada (if they have whores, they’re bound to have serious fireworks, right?) but our Governor has begged Californians not to buy them this year. No wonder; we already have more than 1200 wildfires burning through our landscape, and firefighters have no idea when they’ll get them under control!

All of which reminded me of a classic scene in the movie Joe Dirt, a conversation between David Spade and Adam Beach…

Now, I’m not telling you what to do or not do, but I’m with Arnold on this, at least this year. How ‘bout forgetting the “real” fireworks? Go to a controlled fireworks show in your area instead. They’re bigger and better anyway, right?

You may remember various email hoaxes over the years claiming that cell phones could cook an egg and therefore were frying your brain while you used them. Well, a new version popped up May 28th in the form of YouTube videos purporting to demonstrate how cell phones can pop corn. I’ve received several emails from friends “alerting” me to the danger.

Sorry, folks, but all three videos were illusions produced by Cardo Systems, Inc., a provider of Bluetooth headsets, as part of a marketing campaign to - you guessed it - sell more headsets. Pretty clever, I suppose, but how was it done? Well, someone’s produced a video that purports to “expose” the hoax. The video on the left is one of the three produced by Cardo showing the corn “popping”, the one on the right by someone dismantling a microwave to demonstrate how the trick was conceivably accomplished. Kids, don’t try this at home.

A word of caution seems appropriate here. Cardo refers to their videos as “illusions” without explaining how they were accomplished. The video purporting to expose them was not produced by Cardo and could conceivably be a hoax itself. In any event, attempting to reproduce the illusion as shown in the second video would be, at the very least, dangerous. At worst, you could be electrocuted or burn your house down. Needless to say, I don’t recommend anyone try it.

Dawn and I enjoy watching “America’s Got Talent” and witnessing the birth of some amazing acts like Terry Fator and Bianca Ryan. Some of you may not be aware that the show is patterned after its counterpart, “Britain’s Got Talent”.

If you watched BGT last season, you’ll remember finalist Connie Talbot, the little six-year-old princess that captured everyone’s hearts with her version of Over the Rainbow. Following the competition, she recorded an album featuring some of her favorite songs. I’ve posted two, but you can hear more, including her new single, Three Little Birds, on Connie’s web site.

I have to admit that I’m a little disoriented; I’m talking about a recording artist, her album, her new single, her web site… and she’s only six!? But no matter; she’s definitely got talent!

It’s science but, given a level table and steady hands, you just might use it to win a few beers at the local pub…

Thanks James!

The incandescent light bulb is a quintessential American invention, discovered by Thomas Edison more than 125 years ago, but its future seems to be fading to black amid an ever-greening society. As Americans become more environmentally conscious, consumers are being pushed to buy more earth friendly products including compact fluorescent lights, or CFLs, the latest help-the-planet issue du jour among concerned citizens.

At the federal level, President Bush signed an energy bill in December that, among other changes, will require all light bulbs sold in the United States by 2014 to be at least 70 percent more efficient than today. For those of you that haven’t already connected the dots, the mandate means that, without major improvements, incandescent bulbs will disappear from store shelves by 2014.

After Congress delivered its comprehensive energy bill to the White House in a Toyota Prius hybrid car, U.S. Rep. Jane Harman, a California Democrat, waxed poetic about light bulbs, noting that little had changed since Edison and his glass tube and filament. “When it comes to illumination,” Harman said, “we still live in a cave.”

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The political landscape is changing now that the interminable Obama-Clinton pissing contest (“I’m for change…” “No, I”M for change…”) has finally ended with Obama demonstrating only slightly greater distance. Expect a different kind of tourney between McCain and Obama between now and November which will include its share of clever…

…and satirical…

…videos on YouTube. All I can say is that McCain’s campaign staff better learn to harness the power of viral videos if they want him to appeal to young “MTV Generation” voters.

Sometimes knowing what’s going to happen and not letting on is almost impossible. I’m sure Noah can attest to that; he’d planned to propose to long-time girl friend, Jamie, when they reached the top of Yosemite’s Half Dome and shared his plan with Michael and me over back yard cigars a few weeks ago. I thought, “How perfectly romantic!”

So when they began the hike earlier this week, I was anxious to learn how it had gone. Of course, she said, “Yes”. And cool guy that he is, Noah captured the moment on video! So world, I give you the just engaged couple, Jamie and Noah!

Congratulations to you both! You’re a wonderful couple and Dawn and I wish you a lifetime of happiness!

Cousin Mike sent the .wmv version of this, and if it doesn’t make you stand up and cheer, nothing will! It’s our National Anthem sung by five young girls — Andi, Baylee, Blaire, Madeline and Tatum — ages 8-13 at the time and known as “The Cactus Cuties” after the Cactus Theater in Lubbock, Texas. This performance was at the Texas Tech vs Texas basketball game, January 20, 2008, before a crowd of more than 11,000 spectators.

Having become something of a YouTube phenomenon, their studio recording of the National Anthem is available on iTunes. I don’t know about you, but whenever I see and hear something like this, my chest swells, my throat tightens and my faith in our future is renewed. And yes, sometimes I get a little teary-eyed.

This is a Patriot’s Journey post. You may also enjoy visiting the other journeyers: Drumwaster, Larry at The Bastage, the folks at The Line Is Here and Shortbus from The Edge of Reason…