Do The “Batusi” At Da Club, Yo

Back in the old days, before Arune.Com became a blog, once of the most popular features of this site was the “nerdy” side sites. I remember being so proud of the we design back in the day, mainly because I taught myself html and wrote the html in the “Notepad” program without anyone’s help or training. Looking back, I can see how crudely I designed the sites and the basics mistakes I made, but they are symbols of my ambition at the time. If remember my Arune.Com history, I started this site in May 1998, so I figured it’d be appropriate to honor the parts of Arune.Com that helped drive most of the traffic. The first was “Emrace Eva”, a fan site for the anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion, and once of the first North American fan sites for the show. But the one that got the most press was a bit more…odd. I introduce BATUSI FEVER.

As the story goes, my friend Tim Hughes and I were sitting in our Grade 11 English class and were pretty bored, so we began chatting about the Batman series starring Adam West. We were joking about the Batusi, the classic dance West performed in the first episodes of Batman, and realized we should start a fan club for the dance. Look, we were 17–that was a cool idea to us. So I began the site, and while I’ve abandoned it over the years, there’s a lot of funny stuff there. I still laugh when I read my description of how to dance the Batusi or listen to the classic audioclip I have on that same page.

So, after 8 years, I can say that Arune.Com has grown by leaps and bounds…but it was pretty fun in the beginning too. Hell, I got international recognition in Wizard: The Comics Guide because of Batusi Fever: how can I be ashamed of my humble origins?

Want More 24?

Fox will be re-running Season Five of 24 this summer. If you’re interested in 24 but have never seen it, this is the perfect way to jump into things. Trust me. I watched Season One years back and didn’t get back into the show till Season Four, but I caught up and actually appreciated the earlier season even more upon knowing where the characters were going. This season was easily the best of the show’s history, despite some majorly questionable decisions by some characters near the end, and there’s a good reason this show picked up millions of viewers this year. Yeah, sometimes this show is stupid, but there’s no program that’ll give you more fun and more excitement in one hour of television.

And FX just aired the first episode of Rescue Me’s third season. Get the first two seasons on DVD, asap! This is one of the best shows on television, up there with The Shield and Veronica Mars.

Yes, I’m That Much Of A Nerd

There’s another great Superman Returns article at MTV.Com where the author discusses how some fans have very particular desires when it comes to how to watch this film. And guess what? I’m no different.

In a weird way, and this may offend some friends, I’d almost love to see this movie alone during my first viewing. I’d like to just be able to absorb everything on my own terms without any distractions. But since that’s not possible, I’m content to go see the film with my buddy Scott, who will literally kick the crap out of you if you screw with his movie experience. He’s very much a film fanatic, in terms of both the content and process, so he’s a good friend to see movies with, as his critiques are more in-depth and informed than those of most people I know. We’re planning to spend all of June 28th (the new release date for Superman Returns) in the movie theatre watching the film and, yes, that’s geeky, but we’re not going to be obnoxious. We’re not going to cite every comic book reference that the movie contradicts, nor are we going to have nerdy pissing contests over who is the “bigger” Superman fan. That’s my only fear: we’re going to deal with super-nerds who won’t shut up and let us enjoy the movie experience. I don’t mind people cheering and laughing…but don’t loudly quote Superman comics during the entire film!

Still, I’m excited about this film and I’m not going to apologize for that. I’m not going to break down in tears seeing it or anything, but if people enjoy it that much, that’s fine with me. Just be respectful of those around you and please, keep the chatter and cell phone conversations to a minimum. And by minimum I mean “not at all.” Go ahead. Dress Up. Smile over the Superman popcorn bags. Have a good time. And let me have one too.

My Drug Problem

I was watching some great daytime soap opera the other day (considering I watch ABC’s entire soap opera lineup, I can’t remember which show) and there was an advertisement for some drug used to relax you, un-depress you, or cure headaches or something like that. Then the narrator went through the side effects really quickly, as they seem to do in most of those commercials, so you don’t have a chance to really think about how many risks there are with the medication before you run your doctor asking for a lifetime supply of Advair.
Continue reading My Drug Problem…

Ask First, Shoot Later

I’m not the easiest person to know. I’ve got an abrasive personality. I’m cocky. I often seem arrogant and aloof. My sense of humor can be biting if you don’t understand where it all comes from. I don’t have a need to connect to everyone around me. I know where I’m going and most people don’t figure into it (directly at least). But at my core, I’m one of the most respectful, kind and giving people you’ll ever meet. Or maybe I’m even cocky for saying that much. So for those people who are my friends, who’ve been able to look past those flaws/aspects of my personality, I thank you. You’re the rare kind of person who actually waits to have enough information before making a judgment about someone. And to those who aren’t so keen on me, I only ask that you arm yourself with factual information before deciding that I’m an asshole. I mean, to a degree I am, but at least take time to learn about me before making that conclusion. I say all this because I was just thinking about relationships in my life, people I’ve met, and rash decisions I’ve made. Sometimes we’re just not fair to other people and forget that our personalities and actions are often as fluid as the tides or shifting as the winds. And that’s not a bad thing.
Continue reading Ask First, Shoot Later…

Why Don’t We Seem To Care?

I’m all for a diverse array of interests. Perhaps you want to read about Hugh Jackman enjoying life or Neil Gaiman’s take on the Superman mythos. It’s all good. But it’s a bit disturbing to see how much people would rather watch another episode of Seinfeld instead of the evening news…or any news. Now American Idol and the Secrest hyperbole machine made a dubious claim about voting in the finals, where they have no way of measuring unique votes, but it does speak to a disturbing truth: America seems much more interested in entertainment than reality.
Continue reading Why Don’t We Seem To Care?…

Superman Returns Some More

I saw X-Men: The Last Stand with some friends last night and it’s not as bad as the reviews make it out to be: it’s worse. Easily one of the worst, if not the worst, superhero movie I’ve ever seen. From the music to the wire work to the story, the movie utterly failed me. Last Stand is one of those films where you’re so convinced it’s utter crap, and even though you know everyone has their own tastes, you’re surprised people enjoyed it. I think I hated almost every scene in the film. But there was one upside: a new Superman Returns trailer. Enjoy!

Jack Bauer & Superman: Can One Man Admire Both Of Them?

Lately I’ve people have asked me how I can be such a big fan of 24’s hero Jack Bauer, a bordeline sociopath at best, and Superman, possibly the ultimate fictional paragon of virtue. Jack would definitely not trust Superman and Superman would treat Jack like the criminal he is, because seriously, Jack commits crimes all the time. The two wouldn’t get along. Their life philosophies and methods of operation seem completely contradictory. So how do I reconcile those differences?
Continue reading Jack Bauer & Superman: Can One Man Admire Both Of Them?…

Chuck Norris Is The Man

You’ve probably heard about those “Chuck Norris Facts” on the Internet. They’re the basis for the Jack Bauer facts you see all over the ‘net as well. Chuck Norris recently read the facts aloud and it’s like God reading from the Bible (says one of my friends). If that offends you then you might be at the wrong site.

You’ve Probably Already Seen It…

But it’s still funny the fourth or fifth time around.