Monthly Archives: August 2014

JBL takes the Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS

Posted on by

 

ice bucket challenge

It was bound to happen sooner rather than later.  Last night, I was called out for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

Unless you’ve been living in a case in Cobra-La lately, you’ve probably heard about the Ice Bucket Challenge.  It’s a virus campaign to raise awareness (and funds) for ALS research.  More commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a debilatating neurodegenerative disease that can cause muscle atrophy.  There is currently no cure.

In order to raise awareness, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge was created to increase public awareness for the condition.  Individuals are asked to post a video online calling out their friends and other celebrities, challenging them to either donate or dump a bucket of ice water on their head within 24 hours of receiving notice.  The campaign, however, has morphed beyond its original intent and now people are both donating and, well, getting soaked.

So, in accepting the challenge from my good friend Mike Breaux of TheBreauxShow.com, I’m tossing out a challenge to a few personal friends as well as some folks in the G.I. Joe community and beyond.

From What’s On Joe Mind, I’m calling out my friends Mike Irizarry and Gary Godsoe— neither of whom have yet been challenged.  Also, I’m tossing challenges out to one of my favorite authors Mr. Larry Hama and wrestling/G.I. Joe legend Sgt. Slaughter!

You all have 24 hours to post your videos, donate to ALS, or both!

Here’s a donation link:

https://www.als.net/iamworthit/?f=hr

If you really want to see it– here’s a very soggy admin in a very cold pool this morning:

Rest in Peace Robin Williams

Posted on by

Robin Williams as Popeye 1982

 

Sometimes listening to the news isn’t such a good thing.  Robin Williams, star of stand-up and screens large and small, died yesterday of an apparent suicide.

I realize that this is pretty dark stuff for a website dedicated to what was once a child’s toy line.  However, Robin Williams was one of those figures whose passing deserves mention.  He was a dynamic tour-de-force– someone whose boundless energy couldn’t be contained by a mere stage and screen performance.  Rather, it infected every single person in his audience and left them smiling.

From his early appearances as Mork on the sitcom Happy Days to his most recent television role on the cancelled CBS series The Crazy Ones he displayed a wit and an intelligence that was unparalleled among his peers.  Growing up, I was amazed that the intricate tapestry of topics he wove in his landmark stand-up performance “A Night at the Met“.  From the then-current state of the Middle East to his thoughts on fatherhood, he was capable of taking a performance from profane to profound in just a matter of moments.  He wasn’t just a comedian whose routines relied on vulgarity but rather an intellectual who merely had no filters whatsoever.

A favorite role of mine was possibly one of his oddest career choices and yet one that perfectly embodied the limitless capabilities of this dynamic individual– that of the title character in Robert Altman’s 1980 musical comic adaptation Popeye.  Universally panned by critics, Williams’ performance showed that the actor threw himself into the role 110% and the result is one of the most underrated moments in his career.  While I enjoyed other films like Fisher King, Dead Poet’s Society, Good Morning Viet Nam, and even the World According to Garp, it was always Popeye that was a favorite. (With Toys being a close second.)

After a lifetime of battling depression, Mr. Williams ended his time on this earth yesterday.  He was 63 years old.  While comedians and actors rise in prominence all of the time, none will ever outshine the genius of Robin Williams.

So long, Robin.  Thanks for the laughs and for the tears.  You will be missed.

SDCC 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks Review

Posted on by

50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks

Last week the SDCC 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks sets went up on ToysRUs.com and this site admin was lucky enough to snag one!  It finally arrived last week and that means it’s time for a brand new review here at JBL!  Was this set, which features the VAMP Mk 2 and Flint in their original color schemes worth it?  Or, was it another case of “wash, rinse, repaint?”

Head on over to the brand new 50th Anniversary Review Index and check it out the review of the SDCC 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks to find out one Joe fan’s opinion!