Google Image Search: Word & Picture #83

Today's Word:
"labor day holiday"
Today's Picture:


Yes! I feel just like this girl about the Labor Day holiday. I am stoked for a 3 day weekend. I have been laboring... I am excited to not have to labor on Monday. I am excited about the Master Pancake shows tomorrow night. I am stoked to spend some time with Megan this weekend.

Everyone have a safe & happy holiday. I will blog when I get back.

Daily "Name This Person And Win!"

The first person who names the person in this picture wins a hug from Ben!!!

Best of Austin List

Hi Friends and Family.

It is time for shameful begging on behalf of my friends & co-workers.

The Austin Chronicle holds their "Best of Austin" poll once a year. Now is that time. If you would be so kind, please vote for several of my friends & co-workers. You can vote here.

You only have until September 2nd, so please do this today!

PLEASE VOTE FOR THESE PEOPLE:
Comedy/Improv Troupe - Master Pancake Theater
Local Author/Poet - Owen Egerton
Composer - Brian Satterwhite
Dance Company - Little Stolen Moments
Bed and Breakfast - Carrington's Bluff
Comedian - Les McGehee
Movie Theatre - Alamo Drafthouse
Emergent Local Filmmaker - Kat Candler
Food Event - Alamo Drafthouse Bene-feasts

Here are nominations I would suggest you consider when filling-out your ballot:
New Building (Past Five Years) - City Hall
Public Space - City Hall
Public Art - Stevie Ray Vaughn statue
Austin Landmark - postcard in South Austin
Historic Site - Governor's Mansion (sympathy vote... I am not voting for the resident within)
Architectural Trend - outdoor eating & drinking spaces
Bathroom - Stephen F. Austin lobby bathroom, the Taj Mahal of downtown poopers
Billboard - postcard in South Austin
Sign - postcard in South Austin
Hotel - Hotel San Jose
Motel - Austin motel
Scenester/Mover and Shaker - Leslie
Museum - South Austin museum of popular culture
Visual Artist - Matthew Stuart
Actor/Actress - damnit, only one?! Leslie Langee and Lee Eddy... but there are so many good ones
Film Series - again, only one?! I love Terror Thursdays, Weird Wednesdays, Music Mondays, AFS Screenings... I can not pick one.
Karaoke - Austin Karaoke
Local Food Company - does Wheatsville Food Co-op count?
Business Dining - Roaring Fork
24-Hour/Late - Magnolia Cafe? Kerby Lane? I have no idea.
Drive-Through - Thunder Cloud subs outside the South Lamar Alamo
Restaurant When Someone Else Is Paying - any of them
Place to Take a First Date - I refuse to answer on the grounds that I am married.
Cheap Date - walk around town park
Outdoor Dining - Freddie's in South Austin
Intimate Dining - Jefferies, I guess? Maybe Vespaio?
Farmers' Market - Sunset Valley Farmers’ Market
Neighborhood Grocery - Fresh Plus
Sweets/Goodies - Whole Foods (awesome vegan chocolate ice cream)
Bar Staff - Alamo Drafthouse at the Ritz
Bar Ambience - Draught Horse
Neighborhood/Dive Bar - Draught Horse
Beer on Tap - Gingerman
Cocktails/Cocktail Menu - Chuy's Texas Martini
Wine Selection - Vino Vino
Beer Selection - Gingerman
Beer/Wine Prices - Spec's
Best-Kept Secret - my house
Bookstore - Book People (unless Owen tells me different)
Clothes - no idea... ByGeorge?
Haircut - again, no idea, my hair is falling out.
Toys - Toy Joy
Restaurant - Trudy's
DVD Selection - tough choice between I Luv Video, Vulcan Video and Waterloo
Nature Day Trip - tubing
Texas Amusement Park - Schlitterbahn
Cheap Thrill - laughing
Summer Camp - Kat Candler's filmmaking class
Sports/Rec Program - dodge ball on the east side
Local Non-Chronicle Publication - Alamo Drafthouse guide
Music Station - KGSR & KOOP
Radio Music Deejay - John Erler, Mac Blake, Brian Satterwhite... you pick
Radio Talk/News Host - John Erler, Mac Blake, Brian Satterwhite... you pick
Local Blogger - Southpaw Jones
Local Blog - benbartley.blogspot.com
Local Team - Austin Toros
Annual Event - Fantastic Fest
Scenic View - top of the Frost Bank Building
Solitude/Quiet - my house
Place for a Picnic - Barton Springs
Bike Ride - town lake
Day Trip - Dry = Fredericksburg
Day Trip - Wet = tubing
Place to Tube = Comal River
Place to Camp = Pace Bend Park
Swimming Hole = Deep Eddy
Local Issue = condos on town lake
Elected Official = Will Wynn
City Official = Will Wynn
Council Member = = Brewster McCracken
Unsung Behind-the-Scenester = Tim League
Job = unemployed
Spa = Austin Day Spa
Car Wash = Genie
Veterinarian = Westlake Animal Hospital
Movers = Two Men and a Truck
Thrift Store = Goodwill
Car Dealership = Smart Car Dealership in Round Rock
Local Bookstore = Bookpeople
Computer Store = Frye's
Music Gear = Guitar Center
Record/CD Store = Waterloo
DVD Rental/Purchase = I Luv Video, Vulcan or Waterloo

If you see anyone I accidentally forgot to list, please put it in the comments. There is so much great stuff in Austin, it is often hard to pick one.

Google Image Search: Word & Picture #82

Today's Word:
"best movie ever"
Today's Picture:


Wow. I love it. I pulled it from this guy's blog.

Here is a direct quote from the blog:
"Why would it be the greatest movie ever made? Because I would cut all the bullshit and give people what they want: The Redskins, Wolverine, the little man from Willow, a naughty schoolgirl, and the alien from Contra."

Wow. I would pay $7 to see this. I would pay $10 just to read the screen play.

The only thing that would make it better if, instead of the Washington Redskins, he could use the Kansas City Chiefs.

Daily "Name This Person And Win!"

The first person who names the person in this picture wins a hug from Ben!!!


Rules

Google Image Search: Word & Picture #81

Today's Word:
"Silly"
Today's Picture:


I have been feeling pretty silly these days.

Megan is super funny. She cracks me up. While I wish I was the comedian, Megan is the REAL funny one in our family (and (sometimes) I am the therapist)... weird, eh?

I think hanging out with the Pancake guys has helped. I feel light. The shows have been tight. They have been sold out every night. It has been a ton of fun.

I am also working on some video projects... more on that later. Fun & funny videos.

Daily "Name This Person And Win!"

The first person who names the person in this picture wins a hug from Ben!!!

Google Image Search: Word & Picture #80

Today's Word:
"Jurassic Poop"
Today's Picture:


I am fascinated by this. I totally want to read this book. I also want to shake the hand of the person who thought of the name... after I watch this person wash that hand.

So I am getting ready to head downtown for the Master Pancake Jurassic Park show. Getting excited, but it looks like rain.

Also, I just found out that we were put in the big theater. A few people contacted me about trying to buy tickets to Saturday night's show... it was sold out as of Wednesday. Now the tickets are on sale again (because we changed theaters and are now in the big theater).

It is sure to sell-out quickly, so you can buy tickets here for Saturday's show.

Anyone who reads this blog, buys a ticket to Saturday's late show and yells, "Take Off Your Pants" in the introduction will be immediately escorted out of the theater.

Come see me think of something witty to say at this point in the movie (low hanging fruit).

Daily "Name This Person And Win!"

The first person who names the person in this picture wins a hug from Ben!!!

Rules

Google Image Search: Word & Picture #79

Today's Word:
"Tropic Thunder"

Today's Picture:


I saw Tropic Thunder tonight. Wow. I laughed myself silly. This was such a great movie. It has immediately moved into my top 5 of the year. Robert Downey, Jr... awesome. Ben Stiller... excellent. Jack Black... fantastic. Nick Nolte... great. But my favorite: Tom Cruise. I have not laughed so hard at a Tom Cruise movie ever. It was way funnier than Cocktail.

Seriously, go see this movie.

So far, I think these are my top 7 movie this year:
Iron Man
Batman - Dark Knight
Son of Rambow
Young@heart
Tropic Thunder
Pineapple Express
The Fall

I think that is about right. I can not remember everything I have seen this year. But that is the best I can do right now.

Congratulations on a great film, Ben Stiller.

Daily "Name This Person And Win!"

The first person who names the person in this picture wins a hug from Ben!!!

Google Image Search: Word & Picture #78

Today's Word:
"Unnecessary Sequels"
Today's Picture:


I am going to the Unnecessary Sequels event at the Alamo Ritz tonight at 9:30. Want to join me? Buy a ticket here.

You can see me on the big screen, shirtless... sounds like a great night to be at the Alamo.

Daily "Name This Person And Win!"

The first person who names the person in this picture wins a hug from Ben!!!

Rules

Google Image Search: Word & Picture #77

Today's Word:
"funny remake"
Today's Picture:

Ah, yes, the always sensitive Dr. Dre, sharing his (fake) opinion on depression.

While that Prozac remake is indeed funny, the funniest remake I have seen in a while is Mac Blake's entry into the Alamo Drafthouse's Unnecessary Sequel filmmaking competition: Over The Top 2 - ARMageddon. Please watch it here. I make 2 brief cameos, see if you can find me.

Also, sign-up for the website, vote for the movie and leave positive comments on the Filmmaking Frenzy website.

This is, by far, the best Stallone remake ever. Way better than Rocky V... way way better than Rambo III.

Daily "Name This Person And Win!"

The first person who names the person in this picture wins a hug from Ben!!!

Rules