Classic cartoons still breathe on Revver!

While recently searching through videos on Revver, I came across a gold mine. An account called Tooncast has an entire collection of vintage cartoons just waiting to be watched! I knew right away that this was a spectacular find, and I immediately started clicking each video to watch!

I love old cartoons. There is just something so special feeling about them. A lot of modern cartoons just don't do it for me. And while I love all of the classics from the 1980's and early 1990's, since that's when I grew up, I have always had a special love for vintage cartoons from years before I was even around.

It's pretty amazing watching some of these cartoons. You can really tell how standards have changed these days. Our society is so different now, that some of these cartoons would be taboo or offensive to some people now. I personally think that's a shame, because it's obvious that these classic shows were not meant to offend, but merely meant for harmless entertainment. People get too easily offended now. An example of a classic toon that may fit that description is "Santa's Surprise". The depiction of the character's ethnicity's alone would probably have people in an uproar if it were made today. But it's so obvious that the actual message is a good one. "Stop Driving Us Crazy" is another one that I could see causing some problems today, simply because of the religious overtones. But again, the message is clearly a good one, so there really should be no problem. Ah, how things have changed.

A lot of these toons are great to watch, not just to see just how different the standards were back then, but also for the nostalgia of it. I was surprised to find some cartoons that were recognizable from my childhood. They were made before my time, but I had lots and lots of video tapes as a kid that I would watch over and over. "Somewhere in Dreamland" is one of those cartoons. I had not seen in since I was probably 6 years old. But I still remembered it completely after seeing it again, and it brought a smile to my face. There are also a slew of Merrie Melodies cartoons on there, which are always a great watch! "A Corny Concerto" is one of my favorites!

And, since we're almost at Christmas, you should check out the great collection of holiday cartoons as well, such as "A Visit From St. Nick," "The Three Little Dwarfs," and this awesome pre-Rankin & Bass "Frosty the Snowman" cartoon!

You should definitely head on over and check out all of the great videos posted by Tooncast over at Revver! It definitely should not be missed!

Videos are coming. I promise!

My computer is on the fritz right now. Bad capacitors meant I had to buy a new motherboard, and now I'm fighting with getting it installed. Not only has this halted and probably completely scrwed up several of my Christmas gifts that I was planning on getting made, but this also has haulted the production of several video projects I've been working on. And it sucks, because I have this terrible itch to edit video, and I just can't right now.

I figured I'd go ahead and let you all know about some of the items I have already started filming, editing, writing, or just thinking about that I plan to get finished and released as soon as my computer functions properly again.

1) Plastic Treasures. I know, I've been promising this one for a very long time. I sort of got side tracked by other ideas. I'm in this weird funk right now where I keep coming up with a video idea, and just where I get to the point of getting started on it, I get another idea that I run with instead. It's weird. I can't seem to keep straight. But, the good news is that I started filming and recording voice overs for the first episode of Plastic Treasures! The first 2 episodes of the show will deal with the many different versions of He-Man there have been in toy form! It should be fun! After that, I will probably take Plastic Treasures a different direction, and talk about some more obscure stuff. I've wanted to do a piece on the Food Fighters for a long time now!

2) Video Game Collectibles. I got this idea while filming my last "Closet" video for ScrewAttack. I've decided to start work on a show that discusses a part of video game collecting you don't hear about as much: toys and other collectibles! Good news is that I have already started filming this one, too. Bad news is that it still needs a lot of work. Hopefully it'll see release in January.

3) Bargain Toy Review. I did my first one of these vids just because I was bored, and to be honest, I didn't even think it turned out so well. But, some e-mails I received on YouTube about the video have encouraged me to do a few more of these. I'm going to put a little more into it this time, to make it more entertaining, and less like I'm rambling about crappy toys. I already have ideas floating around for this one, but nothing concrete yet.

4) More random, fun vids. There have been too many times where I've been in a situation and said "Damn, this would make a great video! I wish I had my camera!" So, the solution is that I'm going to start filming everything. Any idea I think might be cool, I'm going to run with it and film it. Anything that looks like it'd make a great video, I'm going to film it. Who knows, I might get strike gold.

That's mainly what's running through my head at the moment. I'm also thinking about doing something with Independent Wrestling. Not sure what, though. I'd like to put together a DVD of my best stuff, maybe with some added bonuses. But, I'm also considering some type of behind the scenes documentary, or something. If I can get the approval. Idunno. I need more thought on that one.

If any one has any ideas or suggestions, please feel free to comment me here or e-mail me at Mandalorian30@yahoo.com.

If you want to see my videos, be sure to check out Revver.com and search for Mandalorian30, or head on over to my YouTube Page!

If Santa Answered His Mail Honestly.....

Deer Santa,

I wud like a kool toy space ranjur fer Xmas. I'v ben a gud boy all yeer.

Yer Friend, Billy


Dear Billy,

Nice spelling. You're on your way to a career in lawncare. How about I send you a book so you can learn to read and spell? I'm giving your older brother the space ranger. At least HE can spell.

Santa


****************************************************

Dear Santa,

I have been a good girl all year, and the only thing I ask for is peace and joy in the world for everybody! Love, Sarah


Dear Sarah,

Your parents smoked pot when they had you, didn't they?

Santa


****************************************************

Dear Santa,

I don't know if you can do this, but for Christmas, I'd like for my mommy and daddy to get back together. Please see what you can do.

Love, Teddy


Dear Teddy,

Look, your dad's banging the babysitter like a screen door in a hurricane. Do you think he's gonna give that up to come back to your frigid mom, who rides his ass constantly? It's time to give up that dream. Let me send you some Legos instead.

Santa


****************************************************

Dear Santa,

I want a new bike, a Playstation 2, a train, some G.I. Joes, a dog, a drum kit, a pony and a tuba. Love, Francis


Dear Francis,

Who names their kid "Francis" nowadays? I bet you're gay. I'll set you up with a Barbie. Santa


****************************************************

Dear Santa,

I left milk and cookies for you under the tree, and I left carrots for your reindeer outside the back door. Love, Susan


Dear Susan,

Milk gives me the shits and carrots make the deer fart in my face when riding in the sleigh. You want to do me a favor? Leave me a bottle of Scotch. Santa

****************************************************

Dear Santa,

What do you do the other 364 days of the year? Are you busy making toys?

Your friend, Thomas


Dear Thomas,

All the toys are made in China. I have a condo in Vegas where I spend most of my time making low-budget porno films. I unwind by drinking myself silly and squeezing the asses of cocktail waitresses while losing money at the craps table. Hey, you wanted to know.

Santa



****************************************************

Dear Santa,

Do you see us when we're sleeping, do you really know when we're awake, like in the song?

Love, Jessica


Dear Jessica,

Are you really that gullible? Good luck in whatever you do. I'm skipping your house.

Santa



****************************************************

Dear Santa,

I really want a puppy this year. Please, please, please, PLEASE, PLEASE could I have one? Love, Timmy


Dear Timmy,

That whiney begging shit may work with your folks, but that crap doesn't work with me. You're getting a sweater again.

Santa



****************************************************

Dearest Santa,

We don't have a chimney in our house. How do you get into our home?

Love, Marky



Dear Mark,

First stop calling yourself "Marky", that's why you're getting your ass whipped at school. Second, you don't live in a house, you live in a low-rent apartment complex. Third, I get inside your pad just like the boogeyman does, through your bedroom window. Sweet dreams, Santa

Another great Wii story!

This particular story is not my own. I found it on a forum that I frequent, and I had to share it with everyone. I do not know who's story this is, as I'm pretty sure it has just been shared around various boards. So, if this is yours, shoot me a message and I'll be sure to give you credit for it. Because you are the man!

"I get a call from a buddy of mine that works at a game store; he says “You wanted to buy a Wii right?” I told him yes, but that I had not found one in stock. He said “give me your credit card number, I’m going to charge you $10 and put the one we have in stock on hold. Come in and pick it up today at 5:30 on the dot.” I gave him my number and told him that I would see him at 5:30. I got there at 5:25 and he gave me the story.

[queue flashback wavey lines across your screen]

Some lady has been harassing him to get a Wii for the past month. She comes in once or twice a week, never on the days that they get shipments, and always late in the evening. He has explained to her that shipments come in on certain days at certain times. If she wanted to pay a $10 deposit then they would hold one for her, but otherwise it is first come first serve, and that most times they sell out the day they come in. She bitched and moaned that she was not going to pay $10, that it was stealing, and that he should just hold one for her. He pointed out that the $10 was applied to the cost of the system, that they would call her to notify her that it was in, and that they would hold it for 48 hours. If she did not claim it then they would sell it, then put one from the next shipment on hold. If she missed 3 shipments then the $10 would be mailed back to her. Still she bitched and moaned that it was wrong of them to charge her to hold one. He pointed out that other stores required systems to be pre-paid for them to hold one, and that their $10 hold was cheap.

The night before she came into the store and he told her that a shipment was due the next morning, and that there were still some un-claimed systems on the truck. She called that morning and he told her that they have one in stock that is un-sold. She told him to hold it. He asked for the $10 payment. She said no, that she would be there at 5:30 to pick it up. He told her that without a $10 reservation that he could not hold it. She said “if you don’t hold it I’ll talk to your manager.” He was pissed. He called me. I placed the hold. I showed up at 5:25.

[queue end of flashback wavey lines across your screen]

I smiled knowingly. I took the reservation coupon that he had filled out hours before on the phone with me. I walked over close to the door of the store and perused the games for my new Wii. Sure enough, 5 minutes later a woman walked in and my buddy shot me a look. She walked up to him and demanded her Wii. I followed her to the counter and was helped by the other cashier guy. My buddy told her that they were out of Wii’s. My cashier asked what he could help me with. I said “I’m here to pick up my Wii” and handed him my reservation ticket. He produced one from under the counter.
Cahier: Here you go. What else can I get you?
Me: I…
SC: That is mine. I put one on hold.
Buddy: No, you did not. You asked me to hold one, but never paid the reservation.
SC (to me): when did you reserve that?
Me: uhh…when I called about 1ish. Can you believe they were nice enough to hold it for only $10?
SC: THAT IS MINE!!! I told him to hold it for me before you, so that is mine.
Manager: What is going on here?
Buddy: This woman called in this morning and wanted to hold one. She refused to pay the $10 reservation. In the mean time this guy reserved one and paid the fee. He is here to get it.
SC: But it is MINE!
Manager: Did you pay the $10 reservation?
SC: No. That is a rip off. You are stealing the $10.
Manager: Well, since we apply the $10 toward your purchase, you are not out anything, we just want to know that you are serious. (to me) Did you pay the $10?
Me: Yes. I don’t understand what the problem is.
Manager: You have no problem. (to cashier) ring him up. (to woman) maam, if you would like, we can reserve one for you for $10.

The SC went on to bitch and moan about what a rip off the place was. I bought the system, Wii play, and Tiger Woods. I walked outside. I stood at the curb and pulled out my cell to call a friend and tell them the story when SC came out after me. I was afraid she was going to mug me. She walks up and says “I’ll give you $350 for the Wii.” I pulled out Wii play, and Tiger woods and held up the bag. She handed me the cash and walked away.

The story does not end there. I walked in and was chit chatting to buddy about what happened. Cashier and manager were standing there laughing about it, and they all said that they were glad that they did not have to see her again. I said that I was glad to have the money, but wanted a Wii. Cashier piped up “I just bought mine today. If you pay the $10 for a reservation for me I will return the one I bought, un-opened, and you can buy it. I’ll make $10, you get a Wii today, and you get the rest of her cash.”

Long story short, I walked away with a Wii and $90."

Simply amazing. And once again, that just shows the ignorance of some people.

Project playlist. Sweet.

Sitting at work all day can definitely get boring without the help of some music to help pass the time a little quicker. When the batteries die in your MP3 player, or you just get sick of the songs on there but keep forgetting to take it home to update, what do you do? Well, if you are lucky enough to have Internet access, you hop onto Google, and do a search for a place where you can listen to some streaming music online. And if you're lucky, you find a website called Project Playlist.

I stumbled upon this site a few weeks ago, and am so glad that I did! Project Playlist is a site that basically allows you to create your very own play list of whatever music you can find in their search engine. You get 75 songs per play list, and if you fill that up and want more, you can create another play list! It's completely free, and totally worth it!

The search engine on the site is fairly good, too. I have been able to find just about anything that I have wanted to find so far. There are a few things I have been unlucky with, but for the most part I am happy with my findings.

Here, take a peep at my play list! Give it a listen! You find an awesome variety of music, from rock to video games to cartoon themes!

Mandalorian30's Playlist

Something else pretty cool about Project Playlist is the fact that you may end up discovering some new music or bands that you like. I found a group called the Mini Bosses, who do nothing but play old NES music. they sound fantastic, and after following a link from PP to their website, I just may end up ordering one of their CD's! You can check out some of their stuff on my play list up there!

You can also find some obscure stuff. My buddy Devall will appreciate this one. You see, I'm a big fan of Disney stuff. Not just the stuff from the movies, but mostly the stuff from the theme parks. The sounds in places like the Magic Kingdom and Epcot are amazing to me, and I have always wanted to have them. Well, I was lucky enough to find a bunch of that stuff right there on Project Playlist! Hurray for the Space Mountain music!

Mandalorian30's Disney Park Playlist

I highly recommend that you guys check it out. It's totally worth it! And you can post your play list pretty much where ever you want, or just launch the standalone player for yourself!

Enjoy!

Mandalorian30's Closet 2.0

Mandalorian30 recently moved into a new place, and has found this as the perfect excuse to once again show off his video game collection!Video was created in association with VGLosers.com for ScrewAttack.com's "Closet Submissions" segment.

read more | digg story

Rock Band...the ultimate party game?

My roommate picked up Rock Band for the X Box 360 over the weekend. And all I have to say is "wow!"

I have to admit, when I first heard the concept for this game, I thought it sounded kind of silly. It just seemed like yet another one of those music games that have been the fad lately. And there was no way I anyone was going to get me to sing. Boy how wrong I was.

It even took me quite some time to get into Guitar Hero. I never played 1. I played 2 briefly, and even a little bit of Rock the 80's when my brother got it. I didn't really get into the game until my roommate bought Guitar Hero 3. I finally picked up the game for real, started playing co-op, and actually had a blast. And the more I played, the better I got.

So then, we pick up Rock Band for the first time Saturday night. And we were up until 4:30 am playing that damn game! No lie. I'm pretty sure we rocked out for a solid 6 hours, or so!

After playing Guitar Hero, picking up guitar or bass in Rock Band is a walk in the park. It's an easy starting point. But where it really starts getting interesting is the drumming and the singing. The drumming can be quite rough at first, especially for someone like me who has no rhythm. But the more you do it, the better you get. And boy, does it feel kind of cool when you get to those awesome drum pounding moments, even if the only noise you;'re really making is a bunch of clanking on the drum peripheral that came with the game.

And the singing...wow, the singing. I finally mustered up the nerve to belt out "In Bloom" by Nirvana, and after that I was hooked. You don't even have to sing good, you just have to get the pitch close enough to the actual pitch of the song. Which really isn't that hard if you know how the song goes. Singing a song that you don't know is where it gets difficult, because even though it displays the words, you're screwed if you don't know just how to sing those words.

Singing has now become my favorite part of the game. It's just a blast. And, for those of you really worried about sounding dumb, the one thing I noticed is that everyone playing is so concentrated on playing their own instrument, no one really cares how your singing sounds. Because you're working as a team to pass that song. But, there will always be some laughs. That's the fun of it. So I suggest just sucking it up and grabbing that mike! It's like the craziest karaoke party you'll ever be a part of!

The variety of this game is what I like. If you get bored of playing the guitar after 3 songs, you can sing. If your voice starts to crack from trying to sing like Bono, grab the drum sticks and see if you can match Dave Grohl.

After experiencing Rock Band, and having that variety, I have to say that Guitar Hero doesn't even sound as cool any more. I mean, I'm sure it's still great. But now I'm always going to get bored of strumming, and want to sing, dammit!

If you have $200 and cool friends who don't mind looking like asses to have some fun, go buy this game. You'll love it.

Now I just need to get some pictures to post of us rocking out. Or maybe a video. Hmmm...