If you think you've seen just about every kind of entertainment on cruise ships, Disney is about to overturn your applecart. Back in the 50's, there was a popular new medium that came to movie theaters, where everyone put on these snorky-looking cardboard glasses, one eye covered in red, the other in blue. There's no doubt those glasses were atrocious looking, but nobody was wearing 'em for style. It was to experience a movie in 3 dimensions, instantly dubbed "3D". A handful of filmmakers have attempted to forge a comeback for 3D, including the "Jaws" series a few years ago. What they failed to realize is we really don't NEED to see bloody human body parts, floating off the screen and into our laps. This time, though, it's Disney's turn in a family-friendly genre. They will be debuting 3D movies on the Disney Wonder next Friday, and on the Disney Magic in December. Looking ahead to 2009, it won't be just movies in 3D, either. They are going to attempt to combine 3D films with a live-action theatrical extravaganza, including fog machines, laser lights, streamers and other special effects. Passengers will get to experience first-run, full-length Disney movies, the same week they are released in theaters nationwide.
Leave it to the wholesome likes of Disney, to try to re-create a 60's psychedelic happening on a cruise ship. Of course they say it's for the kids, but 3D is definitely for adults as well. I remember going to an all-night 3D film festival in 1970, highlighted by the Beatles' Yellow Submarine. Oh my! If I were on a Disney cruise, I might even swig down a handful of rum punches and check it out....I wonder how those little paper umbrellas look in 3D?
This week marks a special occasion here in Charlotte, North Carolina. Nothing fancy, but then again Billy Graham probably doesn't have a fancy bone in his body. He's just a country preacher, whose easy style and quietly powerful voice shaped a generation, and then some. I remember my parents attending a Billy Graham crusade, and coming away more hopeful and more at peace than before. Reverend Graham will be turning 90 years old on Friday of this week, and although it won't get a lot of bells and whistles nationally, around here there will be a knowing nod and a "thank you" for his years of dedication, leadership and service. Happy birthday, Rev. Graham.
Speaking of North Carolina familiar faces, John Edwards came out of his shell last week, raising questions about his future in politics. Voters have proven over and over again that they'll forgive and forget, when it comes to fast-talking politicians. Just look at (dare I mention it) Alaska, where incredibly the voters almost re-elected a man recently convicted of multiple felonies, and ethical improprieties! Sorry, that's just plain ignorance in my opinion. I don't think carte blanche forgive-and-forget is a good thing. Sure everyone deserves a second chance in life, but it doesn't mean a second chance at the SAME life. If that were true, it means there are virtually no consequences for people's actions. In Mr. Edwards' case, he has the stigma of being not only a losing VP candidate with John Kerry, a losing Presidential candidate blown out by Hillary Clinton and President-elect Obama, but also cheating on his wife during a time she was trying to cope with cancer. If ever there were a trifecta for staying the heck out of politics, John....all I have to say is TAG: you're it.
Congratulations to Ricoh. You know Ricoh, the office equipment company? It's true they've left a carbon footprint that rivals a Brontosaurus, but at least in their latest advertising effort they're trying something new in the heart of excess, Times Square, New York. Ricoh is putting up the first "green" billboard this winter, a 35,000 lb. sign powered solely by wind and sun! There will be 16 wind turbines and 64 solar panels, which will save between $12,000-$15,000 per month in electricity usage and cost. The billboard will be lit by floodlights instead of light-emitting diodes, so potentially it could go dark during long periods of no wind or sun, but it would take more than 4 straight days of nothingness to have that impact. A lighting ceremony has been scheduled for Dec. 4, for the 126-foot wide, 47-foot high billboard. Good idea, guys, and a hearty round of applause from the old Skipper.
"Wash your hands, Bernard." I'm pretty sure that's what 33-year old Bernard Wood's mother told him, but the boy became the man and he just didn't listen to his Mama. Police in Lynchburg, Virginia were trying to solve a series of break-ins, without success. Apparently the bandit had been careful enough to use gloves, when breaking into peoples' homes and stealing their goods, while also helping himself to goodies from their refrigerators. Recently, the bandit raided a fridge and found a rather large helping of leftover Kentucky Fried Chicken, and decided to sit down for a quick feast. Colonel Sanders said it best, it's "finger-lickin'-good", which means you just can't properly eat it in gloves. So the thief took his off long enough to devour the chicken, and gulp down a bottle of orange juice. He carefully wiped down the table and fridge handle before throwing away the bottle and leaving. Oops! Police were able to lift greasy fingerprints from the orange juice bottle, and Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Bethany Harrison said those fingerprints led to Bernard Wood. Police found incriminating evidence at his apartment, and last Friday he was sentenced to 6 years in prison, after being found guilty of 3 counts of burglary and 2 counts of grand larceny. I think he should have been given an extra year for aggravated disregard of using Handi-Wipes, and misdemeanor stupidity....
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