Captain Kirk!!!

A picture of the plaque at Riverside, Iowa, reading "Future Birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk March 22, 2228". (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I was speaking with my daughter recently, as I get to do, as, I'm her dad, and I came to the conclusion that improv is everything. And the ultimate example of it comes to me in the form of, Captain Kirk.

I do understand that he's a character from a fictional TV show that aired first in the 60's, however, it follows that his method for original thinking in pressure situations is what made him unique.

I'm always reminded of the scene from A Piece of the Action when he becomes a mobster, in order to undo the violation of the Prime Directive that was made when a previous starship visited the planet what was it, a hundred years ago?

The best illustration of Kirk's improv ability comes from his creation of the game of Fizzbin. A mythical card game he makes up on the spot, and he even has Spock to back him up, and fill in the details. "Each player gets six cards. Except for the dealer, and the guy on the dealer's right, who get seven, except on Tuesday," is how he starts out. The henchmen guarding Kirk and Spock are immediately sucked into the game, and distracted to the point wherein Kirk 'accidentally' drops a card on the floor, and everyone looks at it. Kirk flips the table, Spock takes out another with a Vulcan nerve pinch, and they make their escape.

I've spoken several times before, or at least once, about that you don't wake up with a script on your nightstand, telling you what to do, where to go, and what to say. We are not robots, we have free will to do as we want, and we are accountable to whomever you hold in high regard. You may have a plan as to what you're going to do today, but you truly don't know how that's going to turn out.

You may have to improvise. Thinking on your feet is a valuable skill, that can be cultivated, and learned. You probably won't have to escape from henchmen that are holding you prisoner, however, there may be a situation in your life where you find yourself unexpectedly.

At which point, you might have to play Fizzbin.

72 and sunny in Redondo Beach.

Related articles

• Leadership Lessons from James T. Kirk (lenbrzozowski.wordpress.com)
• Five Leadership Lessons From James T. Kirk (forbes.com)

Shazam! - Series 1 ( DC Direct )

Shazam! - Series 1 ( DC Direct ), a photo by Leandro [ Egon ] on Flickr.

Looks like the lightning fired too hot, and turned her costume white ;)

Cheerleaders!!!

Image via WikipediaI saw a tweet, from my good friend @JessicaNorthey that simply read, "How do you feel today?" And I was reminded of a cheer from my high school days. The yell leader (male version of cheerleader, remember I went to high school in the 70's) would shout, "Hey cheerleaders, how do you feel?" to which they'd reply via dance that twirled their skirts up while they squated down, "We feel good. A do it, do it, do it, umph!"

This cheer usually opened the second half, depending on how the North Hollywood Huskies were doing at the same time, simply to bring up the crowd. After the cheerleaders' initial response, he'd again shout, "How do you really feel???" This is where the fun begins....

They'd dance and swing their hips to to tune of, "My back is breakin' my fingers ache, my hips are shakin' to the left, right left..." and then they'd collapse. The weird part comes from my perspective up in the announcer's box, with my binoculars in hand. And before you jump to conclusions, yes, I was asked to help the announcer with play calling. Staring at cheerleaders in between plays was how you say, a perk. It also helped that I had a crush on one of them, but that's another post for another time, at quite possibly a website that I'll never write for. Or to.

Anyways, as an audience member, when they said left, their hips went right, and vice versa.  Now, being classically trained in stage, I knew they were performing for the audience, however, to a crazy mixed up kid like myself, it could be construed as confusing as well.

How can we apply this to today? I don't know, I'm just a reporter. Of course, Clark Kent used that excuse a few times, so, maybe I'm in good company.

Currently, it's raining in Redondo, but it must be 72 and sunny somewhere....

Related articles

• Warning: Math Ahead (my168project.net)
• The Big Production Number (my168project.net)
• How Many Cups of Coffee To Make a Movie? (my168project.net)

Artists Everywhere!!!

Not sure what will happen with the following:



But I'd ask you click, and find out. Then let me know in the comments section. I previewed this, and it looks like it does what I thought it would do. Fascinating. Well, visit the artist's site if you can from here, and comment below on what you think. Thanks!!!

From The Department Of....

What do I do with this information, now that I have it?
Click image to enlarge

Via: Streamline Refinance

I don't even know how to tag this....

Blue Blazes!!!

It is my intention for this season's 168 Project, to do a sequel to the film I created in 2011. Here's the music video/trailer for that film...

Of course, the problem is, I don't know if the rules allow me to make a sequel yet, within the confines of the competition. Of course I can make a sequel, however, I made the mistake of signing a contract without reading it, so, ownership is murky at best, except within The 168 Project itself.

If I feel the need to go into it, I will. Someplace else ;) For now, enjoy, and let me know what you think, and if you want to see the whole movie, and if you'd like to see more of this character.

Oh, and insert the appropriate catch phrase here.

Magnetic Poles Shifting

I don't even think Superman could fix this. Let me know what you think when you think it in the comment box below. Or, by responding to my tweet.... Or, both!!! Thanks!!!