Merry Christmas!
Happy Hanukkah!
Joyous Kwanzaa!
Bountiful Solstice!
Chipper Boxing Day!
* * * * * * * *
Randy here.
Well, this year has been another tough one for me, having been “RIFfed” (Reduction in Force) near the beginning of the year and still searching for a job as we are at the end. (Netflix almost came through-damn that would’ve been sweet!) An injury left me unable to go to San Diego Comic Con; nothing worse than twisting your ankle and breaking a toe the day before an event where you have to walk everywhere! This year has been about “It could be better… but it could be a whole lot worse!”
But there was much so much to celebrate as good! for me.
I met some great now geek friends; you know they’re classy when one is overjoyed at my having a DVD copy of Solomon Kane for him to finally see & his wife who’s trying to put together Zatanna costume, as well as one who not only dressed up as Black Widow but manages to FIGHT in it at her ninjitsu class! (Sorry-can’t share the photos) These are my kinda geeks!
I also had many wonderful moments that were nice & unique for me:
- Having my nephew visit LA & enjoy some quality time at local pubs.. cuz that’s how Irish boys ROLL!
- Watching a private film screening of Chimes at Midnight at a friend’s place-along with Oscar-winning cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond.
- Seeing director Michael Mann talk about making Manhunter.
- Chatting up writer/director Edgar Wright two different times this year. (we spoke of our mutual theatrical experiences at Battle Beyond the Stars only a few weeks ago)
- Spending time with my family back in MA as Fall appeared in the trees (and it was roasting in LA!).
- Seeing w/d Walter Hill look genuinely touched at the audience response to a showing of The Driver,
- Seeing a 25th anniversary screening of ALIENS then listening to five of the cast talk after
- Getting the Hot Toys’ 12″ T-800 from The Terminator (my last HT for awhile!).
- Watching Grindhouse & Machete with Quentin Tarantino & Robert Rodriguez.
- Going to the world premiere of The Thing
- Holding in my hands after 27 years action figures from The Terminator thanks to NECA!
- Getting to discuss the movie Looper with its w/d Rian Johnson… before in gets released in September 2012!
- The many fun Friday Night Film movies & dinners with friends all through this year.
My great thanks this year to Lady Ella, Scobus, Foam Smithy, GypsyWynd, ZombieQueen, Dizney Chick, Raw Dawg, Oddbatt, CrimsonRatt, El Pinko Grande, Jestr, Logan882, Kabuto, Robin & Rose, Kricki & Duckman, Gryphon & DB and new friends WarriorGeek and .NinjaLawyer. You keep me on the Path and you make it so much fun.
But especially my parents, Crowmaniac, Head Ginger, Happy Jack (the cutest nephew evah!), along with Umpire and Toygodd. Your keep me from “delving too deep into the mines” of my soul.
And as always, you, the readers of AFTimes. You keep bringing me back to the keyboard.
So it’s time for some munchies, a little egg nog and then a live video opening of presents with my family back in MA.
Ain’t high tech wonderful?
I wish you all the best for the holidays!
Yours,
RANDY
