Stupid YouTube appears to have updated itself to the point where a Flash update is required to play videos, and of course I don't have the authority to download and install software on my work computer. So, today's planned video hilarity will have to wait.
In dietary planning news, I went out to celebrate the birthday of a friend yesterday at the local sports bar and took the opportunity to sift through the menu and see what the deranged vegan could conceivably consume come fall. And it's daunting: chips & salsa, and the house salad with just about everything held. Oh well. I knew what this was.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Christmas in July
Here's a promo from "Wit, Verve, and a Bit o' Nerve", a show CHIKARA did in Easton, PA back in March. UltraMantis Black is appealing to the tecnicos for some assistance in repulsing the BDK onslaught. Dig that pink-n-blackitude, dig those large, ornate, seasonally festive tattoos he's got on the upper arms (Santa Claus on the right, a snowman on the left).
It's Called "Fashionably Late", F*ckface.
A wonderful blending of my soon-to-be costume and my costume from two years ago. The image was created by Mark Sinclair for a fan-designed wallpaper contest at the CHIKARA website.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
The OTHER Steelers' 4-game Suspension
As I gradually wrap my brain around what October is going to involve, little alarming truths come to the forefront. In this case, the 2010 NFL season (if there is one).
For several years it has been my habit to go watch the Steelers at sports bars whenever possible. Fortunately, it turns out that several (if not all) forms of alcohol are vegan, including all Miller beers and Jim Beam, which is all I really need to make it through. Also, while I rarely enjoy eating wings and meat sandwiches more than I do on game days, I think I can get by on chips & salsa and eggplant or whatever. But it's not even the foregoing of pub food that gets to me.
NO HEATH MILLERS! DAMN YOU, DAIRY MORATORIUM!
See, a Heath Miller (so named for the starting Steelers tight end, #83) is when you take a Heath Bar and use it to garnish a pint or pitcher of Miller beer. Drink the beer, eat the beer-soaked candy. It's better than you probably think.
Superstitious food and drink are important to all the sports teams I follow. Ask them and they will tell you. Especially the Pwnguins. 60% of the time, it works every time.
I am not quite as distraught about this sacrifice as I would have been in recent years or, hopefully, future years, because of the "blah" state the Steelers are in. They aren't terrible: Wallace, Ward, Mendenhall and Miller are a better-than-average platoon of skill players, the defense will remain monstrous despite an aging line, the Pouncey drafting finally began to address the O-line issues...but despite all this, even without the Roethlisberger suspension, I get the feeling that there's going to be one more mediocre year before another really strong run.
So I guess if I have to take the break, better to do it now.
For several years it has been my habit to go watch the Steelers at sports bars whenever possible. Fortunately, it turns out that several (if not all) forms of alcohol are vegan, including all Miller beers and Jim Beam, which is all I really need to make it through. Also, while I rarely enjoy eating wings and meat sandwiches more than I do on game days, I think I can get by on chips & salsa and eggplant or whatever. But it's not even the foregoing of pub food that gets to me.
NO HEATH MILLERS! DAMN YOU, DAIRY MORATORIUM!
See, a Heath Miller (so named for the starting Steelers tight end, #83) is when you take a Heath Bar and use it to garnish a pint or pitcher of Miller beer. Drink the beer, eat the beer-soaked candy. It's better than you probably think.
Superstitious food and drink are important to all the sports teams I follow. Ask them and they will tell you. Especially the Pwnguins. 60% of the time, it works every time.
I am not quite as distraught about this sacrifice as I would have been in recent years or, hopefully, future years, because of the "blah" state the Steelers are in. They aren't terrible: Wallace, Ward, Mendenhall and Miller are a better-than-average platoon of skill players, the defense will remain monstrous despite an aging line, the Pouncey drafting finally began to address the O-line issues...but despite all this, even without the Roethlisberger suspension, I get the feeling that there's going to be one more mediocre year before another really strong run.
So I guess if I have to take the break, better to do it now.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
No Money...
In the course of my preliminary research, I have come upon an interesting debate among the vegan community: is honey vegan?
There's a surprising amount of opinion out there on this, with substantial evidence to support both contentions. On the one side, you have those who say it is NOT vegan because it comes from beekeeping, which (I guess?) kills bees faster than it would in the wild and, in any case, exploits them for sustenance, which is hardly any better than killing and eating them.
On the other side, the argument is that, yeah, taking honey from bees is getting something from their labor, but the honey would be produced regardless of human consumption, and the bees don't use it for anything. Also, to follow the argument that beekeeping results in the killing of some bees would require not only a boycott of honey but of every other kind of food or activity by which insects are killed, like sugar or driving your car (which can only be powered by a 100% efficient cold fusion reactor) faster than 15 miles an hour.
A third camp thinks that both arguments are fine and you can choose to eat or not eat honey so long as you just STFU about it already.
Obviously, it is impossible for anyone to completely abstain from any activity that risks involving the death of anything in Kingdom Animalia, but the vegans of the former persuasion argue that it is better to simply be extreme as you can than to consistently define the principle by which you live as a vegan.
Usually, I would value the consistency of the principle above all other things. For this venture, and the reasons for which I undertake it, a consistent principle is absolutely necessary, yet also represents near-senseless extremism.
I am conflicted between the arguments, and will have to think on this carefully.
There's a surprising amount of opinion out there on this, with substantial evidence to support both contentions. On the one side, you have those who say it is NOT vegan because it comes from beekeeping, which (I guess?) kills bees faster than it would in the wild and, in any case, exploits them for sustenance, which is hardly any better than killing and eating them.
On the other side, the argument is that, yeah, taking honey from bees is getting something from their labor, but the honey would be produced regardless of human consumption, and the bees don't use it for anything. Also, to follow the argument that beekeeping results in the killing of some bees would require not only a boycott of honey but of every other kind of food or activity by which insects are killed, like sugar or driving your car (which can only be powered by a 100% efficient cold fusion reactor) faster than 15 miles an hour.
A third camp thinks that both arguments are fine and you can choose to eat or not eat honey so long as you just STFU about it already.
Obviously, it is impossible for anyone to completely abstain from any activity that risks involving the death of anything in Kingdom Animalia, but the vegans of the former persuasion argue that it is better to simply be extreme as you can than to consistently define the principle by which you live as a vegan.
Usually, I would value the consistency of the principle above all other things. For this venture, and the reasons for which I undertake it, a consistent principle is absolutely necessary, yet also represents near-senseless extremism.
I am conflicted between the arguments, and will have to think on this carefully.
Monday, July 19, 2010
The Sort Of Thing That Put Jack Paar Out Of Work
Here's a promo clip by some fly-by-night flimflammers who apparently exist to do nothing but tease me into thinking there's a full video at another site, only to find that said site does not exist. Nevertheless, edited though it is, it's a good look at UMB away from the ring. Try not to rewind the bit at 0:35 too many times.
EDIT: While the full version of this continues to prove elusive, a reader found a list of topics allegedly covered in the interview at Pro Wrestling Guerrilla forums. As if I needed bluer balls:
How UltraMantis got into the wrestling business
Polynesian pro wrestling
Wrestling without his mask
Garfield
Talking to UltraMantis before being UltraMantis Black
Wrestling Tracey Smothers
How to become a Neo-Solar Temple "Devotee"
His favorite match
Talks about being Vegan and his favorite foods
Preparing for battle
Trash talk on Hydra the J-brone
Thoughts on Crossbones' eating habits
UltraMantis' Grammy makes delicious vegan treats
Neo-Solar Temple's plans for Chikara domination
What/Where is the Neo Solar Temple
Poetry by UltraMantis Black
His dream team Cibernetico (alive and dead)
Orange Cassidy
Favorite Commentary Partner
Thoughs on the upcoming tour of Big Japan
Will Ultrazero ever team again?
Winner of our Revolucha DVD contest
'80s villains
Name Associations
Hydra's steroid scandal
.. and much more!
EDIT: While the full version of this continues to prove elusive, a reader found a list of topics allegedly covered in the interview at Pro Wrestling Guerrilla forums. As if I needed bluer balls:
How UltraMantis got into the wrestling business
Polynesian pro wrestling
Wrestling without his mask
Garfield
Talking to UltraMantis before being UltraMantis Black
Wrestling Tracey Smothers
How to become a Neo-Solar Temple "Devotee"
His favorite match
Talks about being Vegan and his favorite foods
Preparing for battle
Trash talk on Hydra the J-brone
Thoughts on Crossbones' eating habits
UltraMantis' Grammy makes delicious vegan treats
Neo-Solar Temple's plans for Chikara domination
What/Where is the Neo Solar Temple
Poetry by UltraMantis Black
His dream team Cibernetico (alive and dead)
Orange Cassidy
Favorite Commentary Partner
Thoughs on the upcoming tour of Big Japan
Will Ultrazero ever team again?
Winner of our Revolucha DVD contest
'80s villains
Name Associations
Hydra's steroid scandal
.. and much more!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
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