About Kier

I've been on the web since about 1994. I have a background in a lot of things, including a five year stint as a journalist and over a decade of helping people get their message out to the world. I write on a number of subjects--everything from relationships to personal development to politics and every day life. I hope you get something worthwhile out of it.

Nightmare Code: Still a few Bugs

I back a lot of crowdfunding projects. But I don’t back everything.

Nightmare Code is one of the films I almost backed but, for one reason or another, never quite pulled the trigger on. It did make its goal (and then some), it made the festival circuit (and won some), and got a distribution deal (which is how I finally got around to seeing it).

It really didn’t work for me. Not because it’s bad… I’ve seen much worse films (recently). It’s mostly their style that didn’t work for me. They didn’t utilize their innovative shooting style in a way that really supported what they seemed to be going for. Instead, it was more of a distraction.

At least for me.

You can hit them up at NightmareCode.com for more info (like where you can check the film out for yourself–and I want you to, if only so we can talk a bit about it). Even if it’s not my cup of tea, I’ve got to give them credit for pulling together a solid production.

You can also watch my full review on today’s vlog.

Don’t forget that you have some say over what goes on for the next 100 days… click the big green button below here to get to the page where you can submit topic suggestions and questions (so I know what kinds of things you want to see go on in these videos).

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Happy Thanksgiving

Why, yes, that is a classic pic from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade prominently featuring Bullwinkle.

He’s still one of my favorite balloons. As is Spider Man. (Really, I kind of dig them all for different reasons… and it’s always neat to see new ones come into rotation, and kind of sad to see old ones go.)

Today’s plan involves food with friends and far too much time getting there and back (very appreciative of the people driving those buses and trains today). Some minor side-dishes have been made (cranberry sauce and some pumpkin bread from a box… realized I’m a few ingredients short of a pie idea or two I had).

It’s going to be a small-ish gathering, which has been the case for a few years now. That usually works out pretty well.

Anyway, while I’m out stuffing my face (or traveling to or from there), check out some well-wishes in today’s vlog.

Don’t forget that you have some say over what goes on for the next 100 days… click the big green button below here to get to the page where you can submit topic suggestions and questions (so I know what kinds of things you want to see go on in these videos).

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Thanksgiving on TV

One thing about holiday seasons: they lead to a bunch of stuff on TV.

Four of my favorite things that come on this time of year (in no particular order) have been around for a while. Still, every year, I get a certain kick out of catching even pieces of them. Those are what I talk about in today’s vlog.

Here are some pertinent links, so you can share in the fun (if you’re not already familiar with these holiday classics).

  • Friends – This show had a few pretty awesome Thanksgiving episodes. The bit where Joey gets the turkey stuck on his head? Fantastic. The football game? Pretty darn funny. Always worth checking out.
  • WKRP in Cincinnati – One of my favorite shows from back in the day, the WKRP Turkey Drop episode has certainly stuck with me, and many others, ever since it first aired. Definitely one of the funniest–and most horrific–sequences ever in a sitcom.
  • Addams Family Values – If you haven’t seen the Camp Chippewa Thanksgiving play sequence, you really need to. It’s full of fun, sadistic, glee.

The final thing is the long-running Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which is always full of the most American kitsch and spectacle you can find. Back in 2008, it lead to the Rick Rolling of pretty much all the U.S. (while the on-air commentators were completely oblivious to the joke).

So, yeah, take a few minutes and watch me geek out over these things.

Don’t forget that you have some say over what goes on for the next 100 days… click the big green button below here to get to the page where you can submit topic suggestions and questions (so I know what kinds of things you want to see go on in these videos).

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It’s About Family

Growing up in the Northeast, Thanksgiving often had a bit of classic feel. Nice, crisp autumn days, maybe a little bit of snow, full family around the tasty turkey… stuff right out of pictures.

But everyone didn’t have that. Or, so I’ve discovered over the years.

Thankfully, most (if not all) of the people I know have found their own “family” to get together with on the holidays.

I ramble on a bit about that in today’s vlog.

Don’t forget that you have some say over what goes on for the next 100 days… click the big green button below here to get to the page where you can submit topic suggestions and questions (so I know what kinds of things you want to see go on in these videos).

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Cliffhangers!

You know you’ve got a favorite cliffhanger.

At some point you watched an episode of a show that, when it ended, you were just left wanting more. Maybe it was a recent mid-season finale. Maybe it was something a little more classic. Maybe it was just a two part episode.

But you saw it and you absolutely needed to see what happened next.

Okay, maybe “needed” is a strong word, but that’s what the showrunners hope you feel.

The whole concept of a cliffhanger goes way back in entertainment history. On TV, they were often a good way to end a season (though they weren’t really a thing–like so much else–until the 80s when Dallas left pretty much all of America wondering “Who shot JR?” (Yes, it did make it onto the cover of Time magazine it was such a big deal.)

It’s mid-season finale time. So, this stuff is on my mind. I want to know what your favorite TV cliffhanger is.

Check out the vlog

Don’t forget that you have some say over what goes on for the next 100 days… click the big green button below here to get to the page where you can submit topic suggestions and questions (so I know what kinds of things you want to see go on in these videos).

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