LA FLORIDIANA A Case of Microwave Mayhem or Misinformation in Northwest Florida?  by William Moriaty
THIS WEEK'S MOVIE REVIEW "The Sea Inside"  by Mike Smith
ODDSERVATIONS "Filthy" and other Indie Filmmakers at MegaCon - Booth #721....Back, and Better Than Ever....Dr. Paul Bearer - 10 Year Oddservance  by Andy Lalino
SPLASH PAGE Miracle Turns 25....Oscar Predictions and Comments....Fear and Loathing No More....Speaking of Drugs....On To MegaCon  by Brandon Jones
CREATURE'S CORNER Constantine....Comics: Tom Strong  by John Lewis
MATT'S RAIL The 100,000 Club....Masters of Horror Back on Track....Rondo Winners Announced....Oscar Picks  by Matt Drinnenberg
MIKE'S RANT Attention Must Be Paid....Also Moving On....Last Hint....Next Week....Jaws: The Story, Part 7  by Mike Smith
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Miracle Turns 25

When the US was killed by the “professional” Soviet team 10-3 in their exhibition game before heading to the 1980 Olympics, the talks were optimistic to bring back a bronze.

Less than two weeks later, the US team upset the undefeated USSR team and went on to win the gold medal. This moment at Lake Placid was voted as the “Greatest Sports Moment” in US history.

Greatest? I don’t know, but I know it was my first real moment of “Olympic patriotism.” I was far too young to understand the political back-stories and the demands/expectations of the Soviet team.

I know now that Coach Herb Brooks was masterful in his handling the group of kids and the motivating tactics were genius. I know that “team” to one of the greatest of all-time, yet could only name a couple of players. I know Americans revel in that moment and do care about hockey.

Oscar predictions and comments

The ratings will be low, the show will run long and Chris Rock will be funny. Many experts feel this will be Martin Scorsese night and “The Aviator” will be the big winner.

Yeah, whatever. It wasn’t one of his better films lacking a lot of emotional edge. I think viewers enjoyed “Million Dollar Baby” and voters love Clint Eastwood, so I’ll pick Clint to get the nod over Scorsese.

The irony is that most of us will watch the highlights the next morning. Why isn’t “Kill Bill” or Tarantino nominated for anything? Oh yeah, these are the Oscars.

Fear and Loathing No More

Hunter S. Thompson took his own life ending a renown life of self-destruction. Similar to the obsession of James Dean, the live hard and die with a smile on your face was embodied with Thompson’s “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.”

I was never a big fan, but I see the appeal. His claim to be a journalist are best summarized in his writings of the Hell’s Angels, who beat him to a pulp when they read what he wrote about them. He betrayed them.

Still can’t stop laughing at the opening line of his book:

“We were somewhere around Barstow on the edge of the desert when the drugs began to take hold. I remember saying something like: ‘I feel a bit light-headed; maybe you should drive . . .'"

Speaking of drugs...

No I’m not talking about my worst trip which was caused by out-of-date cold medicine – no, no, steroids.

When did everyone wake up and realize ‘roids were bad for the game? I mean, this is what baseball wanted: more home runs. I was bigger than Orioles Brady Anderson and then he hit 50 homers.

These players are the walking, talking stereotypes. There’s never really been a question and it’s never been ILLEGAL. So where does this all lead to?

The hated Barry Bonds, of course. The sport writers can’t stand his abrasive, zero tolerance attitude and they are set to discredit him anyway possible. So, as Bonds inches closer to the all-time home run record of 755, the steroids talk will only heat up.

Should there be an asterisk next to his record if WHEN he passes Aaron?

Well Baseball, technically the asterisk should be on you for not just letting it go on, but ignoring the problem so you can sucker people back to the park to watch balls race out.

Bonds is less juiced looking than the fan favorite Mark McGwire, who broke the Roger Maris record (Bonds has since eclipsed that as well.)

It disgusts me to see the state of baseball.

On to MegaCon...

I look forward to meeting so many of you at the Orlando festival this weekend. I know this is the “yearly pilgrimage” of EIC so I can’t wait to take part.