From Orlando to Miami, The Leeman IS your huckleberry...

Again, as always, kudos to Grudly Mandinko for a quick visit before I go. After watching the Predators lose to the Storm Saturday night (ARGH!!) I bravely drove down to Miami to see The Mandinko Clan. I am happy all is well.

Hit Bayside in Miami, The Strip in Hollywood, and (Thank God) we hit The Falcon Pub. I Love The Falcon Pub. Any place where Mike Guerdon once got arrested has got some history and is allright with me.

It was good to see my brother from another mother. Mike Guerdon... yer a gock.

4 days until Iron Man.

5 days until Free Comic Book Day.

5 days until CLAPTON.

7 days until the trek to North Carolina.

Things are rollin'. Life is good.

Just.... bring it!!!!!!!!!!!

The Dark Knight Returns

I have to share this kick-ass Poster for the new Batman Movie. That just looks awesome. Click on it to enbiggen it.

Why is this man smiling? 54 mil, perhaps....?

I've kept from posting for a few days because I had reached 69 posts.

And not only is that my favorite number, I thought it might be a good omen or something.

Alas, like any Dolphins QB after Marino, it has failed to produce. And I am done tolerating it's failure. Moving on.

I love the Miami Dolphins. I don't think that's a secret. When I go, I wanna either go in or be buried in my Dan Marino Hall Of Fame jersey. I don't even care if I'm wearing pants. Just the jersey will be fine.

And I am determined to address football on this page, for that has been lacking. So let's talk Phins.

The putrid stench of last season is over, and that smell is not the afforementioned putrid stench, but of a Tuna. A Tuna determined to make my team better than it was. Which is good. Because nothing on Earth sucked worse than the Miami Dolphins last season.

Now, we have signed Jake Long, the Number One draft pick. That's cool. But here's the problem. The drama of the draft has been sucked out of me. I mean maximum suckage. Not even the good suckage either. Like, vampire suckage. The beauty is that we need so much help in every position, it does add some intrique into the lower selections of the draft. But, come on! I got the Tuna. When is the blockbuster deal gonna come?

There's been relatively little noise coming out of Davie. And Mike Guerdon flatulates near Davie, so that in itself is unusual.

With the Jason Taylor trade-talk going on, I really have no idea what to think of the Phins right now. Zach's gone, J.T. might be next, and the rest of the team be damnned because they sucked last year anyway.

And I'm still pissed about the Wes Welker trade to the Patriots. Thanks, Cam, you complete and utter buffoon.

The only thing I know is that I'll be at the Phins/Raidas game with Grudly Mandinko. And he'll put us in the damn Raidas section. And I'll either be hatin' it... or lovin' it.

I hope The Tuna can hook me up for that game. I now apologize for the next line.

You can Tuna a piano, but you can't Tuna Phish.

THE SPIRIT moves me!!!!!!!!!!

That new trailer for The Spirit up there in that widget there LOOKS PRETTY F-ING AWESOME.

05/15/2008 UPDATE: I took the widget down. I'll put it back up during the wait for the movie.

My City Screams for Will Eisner and Frank Miller... and Darwyn Cooke, you kick total ass too...

You may have noticed the widget (I learned its called a widget) about "I'm on my way" on this page. It's a promo for the new movie based on Will Eisner's classic character, The Spirit.

I can't wait for this movie. It is being written and directed by Frank Miller, an artist I admire greatly. He is the visionary writer and artist of THE DARK KNIGHT, RONIN, SIN CITY.... he rocks. He was good friends with the late Will Eisner. He'll do it his way, but he'll do it proud. I know it. Again, I can't wait.

And I hope when this damn widget counts down we get a teaser trailer or something.

I love The Spirit. I've always gravitated toward the character that didn't have superpowers: Batman, The Shadow, Doc Savage, The Phantom... all will get future posts, I'm sure. But I want to talk about The Spirit. More importantly, I want to talk about Will Eisner.

I met Will Eisner once at a convention. I brought the only Golden Age comic I own, a 1949 issue of The Spirit, and his brilliant THE BUILDING graphic novel with me. (Yes, folks, Will Eisner invented the Graphic Novel, not Frank Miller. Frank would be the first to tell you this.). He signed my stuff, sat with me for like an hour and we talked about storytelling. Not comics. Storytelling. He treated me with repsect. That's better than most of my friends treat me. He was, in short, pretty damn cool. I met him later in the day and we shot the shit some more. Just a great guy. Loved talking about art. A true artist. A gentleman. No ego. I came away loving the guy. I still do.

Will Eisner was a Storyteller. The art of writing and drawing it into comics form was simply his natural outlet. As Clapton was the born perfect fit for the guitar, Eisner was born for the comics page. Actually, he was born to turn the comics page on its ear. His visuals were imaginative, creative, haunting, beautiful, disturbing, delightful.... Will Eisner put all he had in the game and put all the love he had into his work. He was a consumate entertainer in his field.

He was not only a natural, but a pioneer. His creative vision was simply, unequaled. And you what? He was also a really, really nice man. He shared his creative genius with me.

Me.

A nobody to him, but not really.

How gracious. How cool. How real.

A true artist and gentleman, please visit Will Eisner's legacy here:

http://www.willeisner.com/

Visit Frank's movie, and then go see it. It'll be cool. http://thespiritmovie.com/

I know Frank will do a good job. Just like Darwyn Cooke did his version of The Spirit recently for DC, Frank'll do his version of The Spirit, and he'll do it justice. Darwyn did an incredible job. I'm thinking Frank will too.

Game on. I can't wait.

My City Screams....

Thunderbirds, ho! (and other delusional rambling)

OK, I’m in a blogging mood.

Or is that posting? I think I meant posting.

I don’t suppose it matters much. Much goings on, and I’m willing to shout out to anyone who’ll listen and by the looks of this Site, that appears to be nobody anyway. I feel like a small child mumbling in the dark. But then I felt like that before I started blogging.

This will be in the form of random bizarre thoughts in the form of “mini-posts”, or posts within this post. Hey, I’m an innovator. So here we go.

- The above pic is the F-16 Thunderbirds. They were here for the Sun N’ Fun here in Cynosure, and they buzzed my house many times. I took this pic from the end of my driveway. Kick ass. One buzzed so close that not only did I see the flames shooting from the back of it, but it buzzed the drugstore next door and set off car alarms. Awesome. That’s just good macho.

- I’m still giving the Leebo Hall of Fame deal some thought. Since no one reads my blog, it’s pathetic and bizarre enough to definitely fit within my profile.

- The Leeman is three weeks from an extended stay in and around Willmington, NC. Much to do before then. Just bring it.

- Grudly Mandinko and The Miami Connection one more time this weekend before I head out. Mike Guerdon…. you, my friend… are a gock. Let the hilarity ensue.

- Preds/Storm in The Jungle next weekend. If I were me I’d expect a report from the game on this here blog. If I were me.

- Soon, as Doctors and Captains and Presidents are, I will be known by my official title, “10 Time Clapton Veteran Leebo”.

- It’s better than the other title Reid Ratajeski has instilled upon me, which is “Chief Berry Wrangler”.

- Or is it….?

- I’m so gonna do a post soon about Laredo Crowns and I’m soooooo gonna steal that Crown Royal joke from Jon Stewart.

- I hope I see Don Rickles before either one of us dies.

- Barack Obama said that people are bitter and that’s why they hold onto their guns. Stephen Cobert said that was ridiculous, that they hold onto their guns because after they fire them, they’re nice and warm. I think they both make good points.


OK, I’m not in a posting mood now. Bugger off.

This is why I live in Florida

Took this shot with my phone at The Hurricane in Pass A Grille yesterday. Since I'll be in NC soon, I've been trying to enjoy Florida as much as possible. This is enjoying Florida. Damn straight.

Vaseline Intensive Rescue

It's not what you think it is.

Thanks to Mic Man and his apparent current chafing for educating me on this.

Rock on, forager.

http://walmart.triaddigital.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid30862.aspx

The Big Leeboski on Myspace and the Web

Howdy.

Added the links to my WebPage on this page. Also updated the Myspace Page with some cool pics of my travels on the slideshow. Updated the music on it too, though I have a feeling the theme from "Bullit" will make a comeback.

I really don't know why I bother with the Myspace Page. It's become kind of a joke. I hardly talk to anyone on it anymore. They hardly talk to me either. Many supposed "friends" on it have mysteriously dissappeared (Goodbye, Katers).

I kinda feel like shit-canning the whole experiment but I don't. I guess it's just more Web-presence for Leebo.

And the new song I have on there by Vast is one of the best songs I've ever heard. And I've heard one or two songs.

Enjoy if you give two shits.

http://www.myspace.com/thebigleeboski

04/10/2008 UPDATE - Judging by all the comments on this post, no one does give two shits. Nice.

The Leebo Hall of Fame

I'm giving serious thought to the idea of The Leebo Hall Of Fame. I really think I should do this.

And I know who the first enshrinee would be too. :)

WTOG - Classic stuff!

In my searching for old school Tampa TV, I stumbled upon this - it's the segways for Channel 44 from back in the day!

Click on the link for some real nostalgia!

http://www.netbroadcasting.tv/wtog.html

Big 13

I should also send out this link since we're getting all nostolgic. It all about the history of WTVT Channel 13 in Tampa. It talks about the famous SHOCK THEATER, with Shock Armstrong. Great stuff.

http://www.big13.net/

I'll be lurkingfor youuuuuuuuu...

To answer my sweet Colleen.... the horror show host you are referring to is none other than Dr. Paul Bearer (Dick Bennick). He was on at 2pm on Saturday, WTOG Ch. 44, with Creature Feature, right after Kung Fu, which was right after Championship Wrestling from Florida, which was right after Star Trek.

Boy, I didn't get out much on Saturdays in my youth, did I?


Dr. Paul was great. He'd host the "horrible old movie' (and usually he was right) and do segways in between.


He'd play on the products of the day (Goreritos, Ghoul Whip, The Red Blobster) and "sing" the classic "Poisioning pidgeons in the park".


He'd drink Blisterine because his obviously Jewish vampire buddy would tell him he had bat-breath.


He'd promise that a topless girl would visit and then some chick would show up with nice legs and her upper torso would be completely invisible.

Camp, cheesy, absolutely fantastic stuff. His classic line at the end was always "I'll be lurking for youuuuu."


He also hosted the short-lived "Fright Theater" at 11:30pm on Friday nights, and that is where I got my first dose of the classic Universal horror flicks. Dr. Paul Bearer introduced me to Karloff, Lugosi, Chaney (Lon, not Dick) and a host of old 50's Sci-Fi flicks. For that alone he belongs in the Leebo Hall of Fame.


Hmmm... The Leebo Hall of Fame.... that's not a bad idea.....

Here's a great link from Crazed Fanboy about Dr. Paul.

http://www.crazedfanboy.com/creaturefeature/index.html

Thanks, Colleen, for bringing up Dr. Paul. I raise my glass to him. And to you, Colleen. Just because you're cute. :)

And so long, from the Sunshine State

The Dean of Wrestling Announcers, Gordon Solie, was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this weekend and that's pretty cool. Eddie Graham and Jack and Jerry Brisco, and Rocky Johnson were also inducted. All are worthy. I use to watch all those guys on WTOG, Channel 44, back in the day. Every Saturday morning, sandwiched between Star Trek and Kung Fu, was Championship Wrestling from Florida.

Yes, Championshipr Wrestling from Florida. Man, those were the days.

Dusty Rhodes. Harley Race. The Missouri Mauler. The Assassin. Bob Roop. Raul Mata. Joe LeDuc (I once saw him literally pick up a bus at The Civic). Blackjack Mulligan. The Briscos. Kevin Sullivan. Ronnie Garvin. Superstar Billy Graham. Nature Boy Ric Flair. Sir Oliver Humperdink. Ivan Koloff. Hiro Matsuta. Ox Baker. Steve Kiern. Jeez, the list goes on and on. You never see matches that they had in the NWA anymore. No Texas Bullrope Match. No Lumberjack match. At least none with real lumberjacks (Joe LeDuc was a fucking LUMBERJACK.).

Amidst all the chaos was the smooth commo of Gordon Solie. As I'm sure of anything, I'm sure he coined the terms "Squared circle", "Foreign object" and my personal favorite "His face is a Crimson Mask". He truly was the best.

The Leeman raises his glass to Gordon Solie, and the NWA, from back in the day. Salute.

WOO!

Hi!

Leebo hasn't been on The Show for a while. Let's get some things out of the way.

First and foremost, I have to shout out WOO! For Ric Flair, The Nature Boy. Supposedly, Ric Flair wrestled his last match at WRESTLEMANIA. It was a great match and easily the best match at the event.

WRESTLEMANIA was at the Damn Newcombes while they were in Mexico. What was that, Newc? You got an extra 55 dollar charge on your cable bill? I don't know what your talking about. Go away.

I remember going to the Civic and the Armory back in the day to watch Naitch rassle the likes of The American Dream Dusty Rhodes, Mike Graham, Harley Race, Bob Roop, etc. Back in the day, rasslin was all terriorial, and the National Wrestling Alliance was the deal here. Those were the days, and Flair was a big part of that. Those days were the best.

His career is legendary, and if we have really seen the last of Naitch in the ring (he'll be around in a PR capacity for WWE), then it truly was the end of an era. He is one of the last of the Greats.

Watching RAW Monday when all the "boys in the back" came out and saluted him really was the best. It was a tremendous show of respect and a total shoot. I loved it. To be the Man, you got to beat The Man, and very few beat Ric Flair in my book. Thanks, Naitch, it was a helluva run.

WOO!!!!!!!!!

Basking and Quenching

I am housesitting for the Damn Newcombes whilst they go to Mexico for a few days.

I have decided that I shall use their home to get away from it all this weekend.

It’s supposed to be in the 80’s and sunny all weekend, so I shall bask by the pool. There will be much basking.

They have an outdoor bar, so I shall quench my gullet repeatedly while basking. And I’m thirstier than Thirsty Thurston, so there will be much quenching.

Truly I have decided, because I am the decider, that there will be much Basking and Quenching.

Well played.

Nicely done.

THE FIRST AMENDMENT AND HOW IT NEEDS TO GET ITS GROOVE BACK

Normally, this is a comedy blog, but I sometimes I digress for a few to chronicle my rockstar-like travels.

So, since I digress on occasion, I don’t feel so bad for getting slightly preachy once and a while. Those of you who aren’t into it, or aren’t into freedom of speech, turn the channel now. I think a FCC-censored South Park is on somewhere.

I'm going to give a rare dose of opinion for a sec. Gather round, free-thinkers: a middle-aged man is talking.

I’m going to talk about freedom for a second. Not George Bush’s Freedom. His Freedom is spelled with a capital “F”… and co-incidentially, there’s another word that starts with a capital “F” that constitutes what he’s doing to our country (HINT: it rhymes with “pucking”).

Bush crams that particular philosophy down the world’s throat enough. I’m talking about real freedom. Little "f". The real thing.

The above pic, taken in Philly outside of Independence Hall by well-known shutterbug Ernst Stavo Galgoci, is probably my favorite picture of me anyone has ever taken. And don’t think I don’t love pictures of me. Because you know I do.

I’ve just returned from two foreign countries: Canada and southern Georgia. And when one visits other countries like these, one can tend to appreciate home much more.

My home is America. Specifically, Florida. (Sure, Florida looks like America’s Wang. Love it or leave it, pal. I like it here)

And one of the reasons I love America is right here in this photo: The First Amendment.

It is one of the true things that makes real freedom great. It is a founding principal of freedom. It is also something some folk would either like us to forget or abolish altogether.

I am very concerned of those in our country that forget all about this important ideal in order to cram their beliefs down our gullet for whatever particular agenda they might have.

There are those who would impose their beliefs upon you.

There are those would effectively silence your beliefs.

There are others who would decimate your First Amendment rights and don’t even have an agenda: they're just assholes.

And the ones who piss me off the most are the ones who have no sense of humor. Those ones are never in short supply.

FREE SPEECH, man. That’s what the First Amendment is all about.

There’s nothing better. This isn’t Tibet, man. This is Florida. And, like your wang is an extension of you, so too is this an extension of America.

I don’t have to like Bubba The Love Sponge (though I do) to be concerned that he gets yanked off the air and fined a gazillion dollars because one cat got offended. I can be concerned that network TV censors the “violence” from Looney Tunes cartoons to the point that there’s hardly any cartoon left. I can hate hip-hop music without having to censor it. It’s gonna die eventually. Even black people are starting to hate it.

I can see that censorship has reached a ridiculous and highly comedic level, when a network television broadcast of “The Big Lebowski” (and what is the network doing broadcasting a movie that uses the F-bomb more than 300 times anyway?) takes John Goodman’s incredibly classic and somewhat continuous “This is what you get when you fuck a stranger in the ass” line and converts it to “This is what you get when you find a stranger in the Alps”.

Huh?

I’m not in to offending everyone (believe it or not). I’m into turning the channel if it sucks. Does that make me a liberal? I dunno. I'd like to think it just makes me one more retard with a low attention span.

What was I typing about? Oh, yeah.

When I was in Toronto, I was shocked one morning. I opened the Toronto Globe And Mail newspaper (Which has my vote as “Most boring newspaper EVER”.) and saw this headline:

“FUCKED UP SUES ROLLING STONE”

Now, I was very confused. One, because I couldn’t believe I was seeing the f-bomb in a headline in a major Canadian newspaper. Two, because I knew what all those words meant, yet I couldn’t fathom the meaning of them all together in a sentence.

Turns out it was a Toronto-based rock band called Fucked Up suing Rolling Stone for an article that they wrote about the band that they found to be inflammatory.

But man, I was blown away by seeing that in the newspaper. Could it be that Canadians are…more mature than us? What a horrible and sobering thought. And with this kind of mentality… would they ever know what it was like to find a stranger in the Alps? Well, Dude, we just don’t know.

The other day the pretty girl picketing the abortion clinic down the street from where I live asked me if I would pray for the end to abortion.

I smiled and winked at her and told her I would rather pray for the end of stupidity.

Enlarge the photo. Read every line of the First Amendment. Remember it. Know it. Live it. And if you don’t like it, change the channel. Oh, and you can admire my chisled features while you're at it, too.

And if you want, you can pray for stupidity to end too. Because there are those out there that, no matter what you like or don't like, would regulate what you think. Would regulate what you discuss. Would regulate who you love. Would regulate your life.

I'm not into that, man. I'm into people being real, but respectful. They don't have to agree. Just respect. The Golden Rule. Treating as you want to be treated. That's humanity. That's proper. That's life.

That's what you get when you find a stranger in the Alps.

More Props

Aside from Independence Hall, The Libery Bell, The Pocano Mountains, and the very cool town of Jim Thorpe, PA, Ernie took me to Valley Forge, which was way cool. It was a great trip.

Props

I am a little late on this, but I must give PROPS to Leebo Nation charter members Ernst Stavo Galgoci and his wife Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs for showing me a good time in PA.

They are among the greatest of Leebo Peeps and in Ernie's case.... well, you know how someone says you're a gentleman and a scholar? In Ernst's case both are completely true.

Thank you, my friends!

For you, the blind who once could see, the bell tolls for thee...

Who says there are no more heroes?

The Leeman and the Liberty Bell in Philly are two American heroes.

Actually, I'm the hero.

The other one is... well... a bell.