I lied.

So, when I said I wouldn't post until October, I lied. Sorry. Just popped in to tell you about a new feature I've added to the blog. Have you ever read one of my posts and thought that someone else who you know should read it? Well, now they can! *woohoo*

Just click the little envelope icon beneath the post you want to send and enter the person's email address. Boom! There you go!

Why don't you try it?

Tomato

*goes back into seclusion*

Project Redmoon

Because of the previously mentioned Halloween Project, Project Redmoon, I'm going on hiatus until 10-1-09, when something VERY big will happen. Guesses?

Tomato

*sweatdrop*

*pant* *pant* *pant* *huff* *pant*

Tomato *pant* here! *huff* *huff* *wheeze*

So *pant* I've discovered the bane of my existance: libraries. I've wanted to do something special at Ripe Thoughts for Halloween. It's driven me crazy, all the work I've put into it. I have to wonder who exactly runs the asylum of my head. So, today, I spent the last hour browsing 51 pages of library listings for this project. No joke! I've filled my video reserves to the brim. That's like No Man's Land! Took some detective work, too. It's left me cold. I'm talkin' subzero levels. I might not make it out alive, but I can at least be prodigal about it.

Tomato

Calling All Readers

Tomato here,

You ever get the feeling that the planets have just alligned? Lee and Z, of the Lee and Z Show, a video game podcast, have announced that they're doing a contest for their show. The theme? Video game haikus. The prize? A DVD of an indie animated film I've always wanted to see: Snow Snow For Lucy. The problem: I've got three haikus. Your job, either pick the best or send me back to the drawing board. Here's information on all three subjects of these haikus for those of you unfamiliar with them. With that in mind, which of these should I submit, or should I submit any?

Mario

Jumpman strikes again
Koopas die off one by one
Mushroom-powered fun!

Sly Cooper

He’s a party guest
Until he swipes a hooked cane
He’s a poltergeist


Peggle
The array is vast
The lonesome orb tenacious
Nail biting awaits

I await feedback! And, if I win, I promise to do a review of Snow Snow For Lucy and post it here! Deal?

Tomato

No post today...

But I'm working on a special video with my brother that's gonna be posted soon.

Tomato

...And Those Who Read: Hard Hit by Ann Turner

We are but mere mortals, enticed by the siren songs of flipping pages and the aroma of ink. Whether it be in hardcover or paperback, fantasy or sci-fi, comic book or non-fiction, we scour the fringes of literature new and old, mainstream and obscure, classic or contrived. Cereal boxes and warning labels arranged and rearranged to form epics. Lexicons of words contained in every layer of our lips. It's very simple. There are those who follow...and those who read.

------------------

So yeah, drama aside, I'm doing a book review. Today's subject is a strange creature: a book of separate poems, yet a narrative all its own. I'm talking about Hard Hit by Ann Turner.

What makes Hard Hit special is not that it deals with subjects that haven't been dealt with, death is a very common subject in books, as is cancer. Not to say it isn't incredibly sad, because it is, or that it's not good, because it's great. Not at all. Where this book's strength lies is in its execution. It's told entirely through a series of one-to-two page poems, all interconnected and about the same plot. Never does it break from this pattern.

Your basic plot is as follows: a boy, star player of his baseball team, is shaken when his dad gets diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He starts to barter with himself. If he can pitch a no-hitter, maybe his dad will heal. Having lost my grandma to cancer, I can completely identify with the exploits of this character. Ann Turner possesses an extrodinary ability to realistically depict these events, and you can't shake the feeling she's been through this before.

The poems themselves are where this book truly shines. They have an undeniably strong rythm. One of my poems was described by someone as "like the pedaling of a bike" and those words were applicable here. The raw voice, rythm, and emotions of these poems grips you hard, and never lets go.

In truth, this is a quick story, about two bus trips depending on your speed, and it would be easy for this to be a gimmicky story, like David Lubar's Hidden Talents, but Ann Turner's unwavering voice makes it a classic. It comes highly reccomended at 4 stars.

Do you like the idea of me reviewing books? Do you want to see more? Leave a comment!

Tomato

How To Treat People With Cerebral Palsy, Part One

Good morning!

So, several significant things have happened to me in the past few days. First of all, in mid-week, I stumbled across a cool blog: http://www.teencerebralpalsy.com/!

Now, for those of you not in the know (I don't know why you wouldn't be, considering that most of you reading this know me either in person or on Toon Zone, where I've posted about it.) I have a condition called Cerebral Palsy. This is caused by damage to a tiny part of your brain called the cerebellum, one that controls basic motion like walking. As a result, my muscles are uncharacteristically tight and I use a wheelchair. You know when you watch Friday the 13th, and Jason randomly jumps out and stabs somebody, and you tense a little? That's me. Only amplified and all day long. I can stand with a lot of assistance, but only for a few minutes.

And. That's. Really. All. It. Is.

I will say that some people with CP have speech impediments, and some can't communicate verbally. I'm very, very lucky.

But, back to the significant things.

Kathy Fetters, who runs TCP, blogs about her struggles and triumphs almost every day. So she's inspired me to do so as well. But rather than copy her formula. I'm going to copy other people's formula. Namely, Adam and Jamie's, aka the Mythbusters. So, let's get crackin' and bust some CP myths!

MYTH: People with CP cannot communicate, or are "mentally retarded".

FACT: People with CP are just as likely as you are to be either social or antisocial on any given day.

Second significant event: I was at my school's dance yesterday. My mom chaparoned, which basically meant she would bring me there, and then go up to the 2nd floor to talk to my math teacher about some software we were trying. (Hi, Mr. O!) So, she drops me off in the lobby, where I'm in plain sight. I go up to the ticket booth and drop off my ticket, my mom just about to leave. The lady looks up at my mom and asks her "Can I X his hand?" I'm RIGHT in front of her. RIGHT there. And I'm thinking "Hey, lady, I'm here. I can talk!" Always approach the person first. We can talk, and if we can't, we can still use gestures. This REALLY ticks me off. Same with people, even trained aids, speaking sloooowly and quietly. Just because we have a handicap doesn't mean we don't have something to say. Same with using the word "retarded". Every time I go in a public place, I say hi to a random stranger. You'd be surprised how long their eyes can bug out.

And, about the mentally retarded thing, tell me what a grandfather paradox is, or what an acroanagramtic poem is, and then we can talk about me being mentally retarded, OK?

MYTH: People with Cerebral Palsy are depressed and wallow in self pity.

FACT: People with Cerebral Palsy are usually very optimistic.

Look, we all have bad days. Sometimes. I'm a tad down. But if you know me, you know I'm usually very energetic. One time, a provider (a physical theraby student who helps me strech and stuff like that) were on our usual summertime walk. This old man comes up to her, I'm in plain sight, and he says "Can I encourage him?" Poor Amanda just nodded. He kneels down to me, and he looks me in the eyes, and then he starts speaking. Slowly. "I had a friend in a wheelchair. We used to race up hills, and we'd go fast." Oooooooooooooooooookay.

______________________

Bottom line: I'm no different than you. I play baseball. I watch TV (Mrs. N should really get on LOST, seeing as it premiers in January and she's got 100-plus episodes to watch!) I play Wii (Duece!) and I read (Book reviews in progress!). And I should be treated exactly like that. (By the way, the dance was TONS better after the ticket lady! Go Bladeblahs!)

Expect a new post later, and check out Kathy at http://www.teencerebralpalsy.com/!

Tomato

Tired am I

Post tomorrow.

She Tried To Kill Me With A Forklift!

True story time! So, we had a substitute today, and her name was Mrs. Manos. Poor girl was wondering why people kept shouting "THE HANDS OF FATE!" every time someone said her name. Poor me had that forklift jingle stuck in my head foreeeeeeeever.

One more thing: call your family today. Do it. Life's short.

Tomato

Feedback

I'll be honest with you, dear readers. I had a teensy bit of a meltdown earlier today. I don't know why, really. I guess it's just like I feel I'm not doing enough with this blog. As far as I know, only two people read this. And I kinda feel like I'm talking to a brick wall. I want to get this blog "out there" onto the blogosphere. Get it global, so it goes beyond only people I know. I feel like I have important things to say, but I have no idea if anyone's listening. Is anyone out there?

 

And while we're at it, what can I do to make this blog better? What do you want to see? News posts? DeLoreans? Webgame Wednesdays? Do you use the voting boxes? Do I keep you efficiantly informed? What do you think of a monthly email digest telling you what's happening with Ripe Thoughts? Do you like the Blog format, or should I do a video blog or a podcast? How do I get out there? Do you want just my opinion, or me and some friends spouting thoughts? I want to trim the unessescary fat and get with the program, and the best way to do that is by going through you. Share your feedback in the comments.

 

Thanks,

Tomato  

Degeneres Thing To Do?

It's official: Ellen DeGeneres is on Idol, in place of notoriously... entertaining judge Paula Abdul. It's official: I'm gonna need an Aspirin (wonder if I still have that half bottle of Vicadin from spinal rehab...?)




Wait, who?

Ellen DeGeneres is a comedian who starred in the ABC sitcom These Friends of Mine, running from 94' to '98. Since the mid-2000's, she's hosted The Ellen DeGeneres show, an afternoon talk/variety show, which gets the first Ripe Thoughts Just Conceived Medal of Awesomeness, on grounds of being extremely awesomely funny and...ripe, I guess. It's my blog, and I have a constitutional right to award awards for no reason whatsoever.

Where was I? Oh, yeah, Ellen. She's also an activist for animal rights and LBGT rights, as well as a frequent supporter of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. In short, she's a pretty awesome person. And now, she's a judge on American Idol.

Wait, what?

You know American Idol, the multi-million dollar cash-cow ratings-grabber?* Well, even though it's still a ratings juggernaut, its ratings are quickly going down the can. It was clear, both in figures like these and public opinion.n, that American Idol didn't have the lifespan of a Twinkie. What do you do if your show is tanking? Introduce a fourth judge. Enter singer-songwriter-19 Entertainment-mouthpiece** Kara Dioguardi. Now, as generally offensive as this is about to sound, it's not my opion, bu what I believe was the opinion of the higher-ups.

Each judge filled a dynamic, a certain group. You had Simon, the mean guy. You had Randy, the African American guy, and you had Paula, the woman. As I said, not my personal opinion.

But, there's a problem here, if you're thinking like a producer. You now have two women. Add to that the fact that you were going over your broadcast time from all the 4 judges commenting, and you're in a pickle. So, someone had to go.

In August, Paula tweeted her resignation. A bit of initial shock ensued, but nobody was truly surprised.

You want surprise? Try Thursday, when Ellen announced on her show she'd be the new, permenant, FOURTH judge on American Idol. I'm mixed about this.

Wait, why?

It's not so much the fact that I'm opposed to Ellen being the fourth judge, it's that I'm opposed to there being a fourth judge.

First of all, the contestants have just over a minute each for the better part of the season to perform three-minute to four-minute songs, meaning they have to cut out most of the song as is. Last season, with four judges, the show would regularly run over its time 10-15 minutes, cumulating with the judges not being able to comment at all for the entire first half of the episode. This is a big problem, one that I'd hoped would be fixed with only three judges. (Simon, Randy, Kara.) Now, it may only get worse.

Secondly, on a more personal note, I'm worried about what this'll do to Ellen herself. One thing I like about Ellen is how she's an outsider, being famous but also having a homely feel to her, asking the questions we would ask, poking fun at the big coperate juggernaughts. You can't do this when you have a muzzle made out of big gobs o' money. Maybe I'm paranoid. We'll see.

Either way, let's have a little fun.... today.

Tomato

*Most hyphens ever?

**I take that back.

This is a test....

Using this feature, I can post on my blog from my email using a super-secret address. Let's try!

Expect a new post later.

EDIT: IT WORKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tomato

Emulation Frustration

UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

So, here's the setup:

I wanted so badly to do another DeLorean today. Upon picking my brain, I remembered a childhood favorite; PacMan: The New Adventures for the Sega Genesis. It's a fun game, but don't let the title fool you, it's not your traditional PacMan. Not enough people on the blogosphere talk about it*, so I find it my civic duty as a PacFan to do so. The problem? I actually need to, y'know, play it to blog about it. The Genesis was released in the 90's, meaning that there's not free online versions of it. Trust me, I've spent an hour and a half Google-ing.

The good news? Now, in the digital age, there's these things called emulators, which basically means little programs that allow you to download games to your computer. (This is called pirating. It's also illegal. YAAAAAAAARGH!) So, I bet you're thinking, "OK, Tomato. That's great! Now, where's the DeLorean?"

Well, the problem is, I know as much about emulators as I do about piloting a TARDIS with Spanish instructions. That is to say that I know absolutely nothing about them. So, if you know how to operate these fancy-smanchy emulators, or know someone who does, leave a comment or shoot me an email at silvertomatoproductions@gmail.com. Please?

Meanwhile, I shall descend into the depths of my basement to try to find our actual Sega Genesis and the cartridge. Question is: will it even work? That is, if I can find it.

Regardless, check out the post below this one, if you haven't already. It's a voice that should be heard, and I put my heart and soul into it.

Expect new posts out the wazoo over today and tomorrow.

Tomato

Coke or Pepsi?

To those who know me well, it's no secret that I'm a pop drinker. It's not unusual to see me meticulously typing my next script like an undead Beethoven on Ritalin while chugging down a soda. Now, I've tried nearly every pop out there, and the best one for me is Cherry Coke. It's just so perfect. I find myself meshing with it, find that it's become a part of me, a second skin. Someting that I've loved so much, it's irreplaceable and inseperable from me. The thing that bugs me, the question that gnaws at my brain like a termite: why do Coke drinkers hate Pepsi drinkers? The thing is, Pepsi drinkers find that same feeling in their bottle that you do in your Coke. I've tried Pepsi. It's not for me. I just don't get the same feeling cracking open a Pepsi bottle as I do a Cherry Coke bottle. I don't hate Pepsi, and I definately don't hate people who drink it. It's completly irrational to feel a tinge of hate toward someone because of the soda they drink, because I know they feel the same way about Pepsi as I do about Cherry Coke. They don't dislike or hate Coke either, or the people who drink it. It's just not for them.

And plus, you really don't have just Pepsi drinkers or just Coke drinkers. You have people who like Diet Coke, people who like Cherry Coke, people who drink Coke Zero, people who drink Vanilla Coke. Even though they all have the same base flavor, just a hint of plain Coke, they all have so many varied flavors that they really turn into different drinks altogether. Even though I recognize a hint of Cherry Coke taste in Diet Coke or plain Coke, I just can't drink it. So, really, we're not talking about two drinks here, we're talking about 2,000+. My Nana liked Coke, but put a little cherry in it, and it wasn't for her. I couldn't drink her plain Coke, either. It's the same with the thousands of flavors of Pepsi. One will be very differently flavored than the other. And that's not bad at all.

But where it gets really crazy is when Coke drinkers start not only just not caring for the Pepsi drink itself, they start disliking the drinkers because a select few do bad things. And then, suddenly, all Pepsi is INHERENTLY evil, even though it comes in many varied forms. Before you know it, all Pepsi drinkers are evil, heartless maniacs, even without doing a darn thing to hurt anyone. And then, all Coke drinkers who look like they maybe someday kinda might could sorta ever taste Pepsi are malicious killers. And then, before you could say "Holy Ovearzeality, Batman!" we're building walls to keep ALL PEOPLE who don't like Coke out of our nation. And then, in the general public's eye, whole countries are factories of evil just because a small slice of their populus likes Pepsi. You hear on the news about people jailed and waterboarded for liking Pepsi. And what do you here from Coke drinkers nationwide? "Good for them!". Suddenly, Pepsi drinkers are Dick Dastardly mustache twirling villians.

A small fraction of crazed Pepsi drinkers sometimes do bad things. But, in the Pepsi community, this is looked down upon, and is an exception to the rule. I'd argue that yes, extremist Pepsi drinkers did wrong things, but I'd argue they weren't even drinking soda in the first place. The last words of one Pepsi drinker, one who crashed a plane into a tower and killed hundreds? "Pepsi is great." The words of a sixteen year old girl who watched from her rooftop as thousands of her own people risked getting killed in order to cast their ballot and somehow change the life they'd been forced into by their loony goverment? "Pepsi is great."

Look up Melissa Huckabee. Columbine. The list goes on. Coke drinkers do bad things too.

These are people, Pepsi drinkers, who've experienced love, war, corrupt government, and longings for peace just as we have before.

I know a Pepsi drinker who sits two desks away from me in class. When my Cerebral Palsy prevented me from doing so, she wrote down my assignments without being asked. When I drop a paper or book, before my lips even form words, she picks it up.

So, I have a challange for you. Sit down at lunch with a Pepsi drinker, or a Mountain Dew drinker, or a Fresco drinker, and just talk. I think you'll learn something valuble.

Tomato

Pause

I'm hitting the pause button for a second. So many blog-worthy bombshells have been dropped in the past week that I've got too much on my plate. This weekend, thusly, will be a bloggapalooza.

Topics covered:

* Disney Buys Marvel Comic: What Does This Mean For The Non-Comicers? <<< my big post
*A Philosophical Bottle of Pepsi <<< analogies galore
* Ellen DeGeneres is the fourth Idol Judge: Good/Bad Idea?
*DC Comics forms DC Entertainment, gets female lead?
*Obama's Speech To Students: My Review
* Comics To Read if You Hate Comics <<< check this out, please.

Tomato

Fission Mailed

I'm here to acknowledhe that my fission has in fact been mailed. My blending is homeworking my brain. Week next post new.

I need scissors. 61!

Please,
Watermelon

I really want this couch.

It's a couch. A couch designed after Scrabble.

Image from cracked.com

Enough said. Here's a challenge: find a photo of the nerdiest furniture possible. Post in comments.

Tomato

Shoulda gotten Geico...

Hey guys,
I was in a wrong way crash while driving the DeLorean. Ran into a carridge. Oh well, guess there's no DL today! I'll put it in the shop and maybe they'll have it repaired soon.

Hmm... about that big post....

Tomato

Nobama Part II

My school had revoked their decision. Here is the email:

Message from the Superintendent

The Blablahdeblah learned of President Barack Obama’s student address scheduled to air at noon on Tuesday, September 8, just two days ago from several concerned parents. Since then, we have been overwhelmed with phone calls and e-mails both in favor of and against airing the broadcast in our school buildings on Tuesday.

As a district, we take a non-partisan view towards this address. The President of the United States is our nation’s leader and a world power who will be addressing the youth of our country. The intent to speak to students is not unprecedented, as other Presidents have done the same. For educators, this address presents a teachable moment for our students. As a system, it is our responsibility to provide educational opportunities for our students.

As Superintendent of this district, I always make an effort to listen and be responsive to community concerns. This issue has resulted in a divided community outcry that cannot be ignored. In an attempt to bring some calm to our community and be responsive to the concerns on both sides of the issue, I have decided to permit our schools to air the broadcast on Tuesday. Students whose parents prefer they not participate will be provided an alternative activity during the 15-20 minute address.

I understand this decision will be met with mixed emotions; however, I believe it offers an educational opportunity that should be made available to students.

Mr. Blabedeblah
Superintendent

End quote. And here's the first email:


September 3, 2009


Good afternoon,

As many of you may already know, President Barack Obama is broadcasting an address to students online next Tuesday, September 8, at noon. The district has attempted to take a neutral position regarding the broadcasting of the address in school by offering students the option of viewing or not.

However, since yesterday we have received significant feedback from our school community regarding the broadcast in our schools. We also have just learned that the address will be available on C-Span for recording, as well as posted on the White House Web site (www.whitehouse.gov) for viewing at any time.

Parents will now be able to access and share the broadcast with their children at their own discretion. The district will not broadcast the President’s address in the schools on Tuesday. We hope this decision will address the concerns of all our parents and prevent the disruption of our students’ school day.

End quote.

Now, you know those games that you play in kindergarten where you spot the differences between two pictures? Let's play.

First email:
We hope this decision will address the concerns of all our parents and prevent the disruption of our students’ school day.


Second email:
For educators, this address presents a teachable moment for our students.

Emphasis mine.

First email:

We also have just learned that the address will be available on C-Span for recording, as well as posted on the White House Web site (www.whitehouse.gov) for viewing at any time. Parents will now be able to access and share the broadcast with their children at their own discretion.

Second email:

As a system, it is our responsibility to provide educational opportunities for our students.

I think this speaks for itself. Although I love my district and the services they provide, I'll hold them accountable when they make a mistake and try to double talk out of it. They jumped ship on a educational opportunity provided by the leader of our nation to save a mite of controversey. I'm glad they've been persuaded otherwise, but I shouldn't have to write this post. As a district, they want me to learn to think for myself. And that's what I'm doing.

That's what I want you to do as well. So, whether you agree or disagree, make your voice heard.

GO BLABADEHBLAHS!

Tomato

Nobama?

My school has decided not to air President Obama's address to schoolkids next week.

I have a very big problem with this. And here's why: he's the dang President.

Regardless of your political views, here's the thing. On November 4th, 2008, Barack Hussein Obama was elected president of the USA, like it or not. YOUR PEOPLE voted, there were more votes for Obama than McCain. It's. As. Simple. As. That. No conspiracies. No smoke and mirrors. And, even if Obama's a terrorist (he's not!) how much harm can he do to your child? You expect him to pull an Uzi and shoot through the TV screen? Even if his speech is Nazi/terrorist rhetoric made up of nothing but HEIL HITLER, that doesn't mean your kids have to agree with it. They watch videos on the Holocaust in school, yet they realize that it was wrong. What about slavery? You don't see Johnny going around enslaving people. To me, saying you don't want this speech aired in your district is, albiet indirectly, saying your kids are blind sheep who don't know right from wrong.

And yes, if McCain won, I would advocate the same points about his speech. I don't have to agree with our president, and oftentimes I don't, but you should at least lend him your ears. Treat others how you want to be treated. That's what America's about.

And, despite the efforts of my school, I'm watching that address. I may come out of it completely unconvinced, I may agree. Either way, I'll listen to our President. I may not do what he says, I may not agree, but I'll listen.

God bless the USA, where I can make a post like this, and you can respond any way you want to.

Still working on my big post!

Tomato

Webgame Wedneday #1- Cursor Thief

Tomato here,



Now, let's be real. It's Wednesday, smack in the middle of the school or work week. Your enthusiasm is waning, and your engine is going "pfft". We've got two days left until the weekend, so we need to recharge. One of my favorite ways to do that is with a webgame.


Now, I realize some of you were born in the Dark Age when there was no such thing as the Web, and you entertained yourself with those little paper things, though the name escapes me. As such, I'll define a webgame for you. A webgame is a mini bite-sized computer game, made in a program called Flash. Three good things about webgames:


A. They're usually free.


B. Since the designers of these games are usually freelance designers, they're not held down by Hitler-esque corporations.


C. They're played only using a mouse and a keyboard, no complicated controller needed.


Consequently, they're easy for first-time players to pick up- and also super fun! So, from now on, each Wednesday, I'll spotlight a favorite webgame. This week: Cursor Thief!


Cursor Theif has a relatively simple premise: keep your mouse cursor away from a crafty thief for as long as you can. He'll use traps, bombs, poles, rockets, grappeling hooks, teleportation, and good old fashion jumping to try to net your cursor. Here, that old adage "less is more" applies. It's simple and fun, and you only need to move your mouse. My record is 529 seconds, for anyone wanting bragging rights!


This game embodies what a webgame is all about: a simple, charming, addictive diversion. That made it perfect for my first Webgame Wednesday! I hope you enjoyed it.


Tomato