Vern Week Lives And Other News From Around Passamaquoddy.

Well things over in Passamaquoddy have sure been busy lately. Filming is about to wrap on Passamaquoddy Survivor. Capt Slippy has filed papers to expand his business to include paddle boat rentals in the bay this summer. There is a report that the wreckage of the fishing vessel ORCA has been discovered about seven miles offshore.

The ORCA, as many will recall originally made its home port from nearby Amity Island and was reported lost in 1971 by then acting police chief Martin Brody.

Brody, who is deceased, could not be reached for comment. The tragic lost of the Orca and the sea bound terror that had haunted the waters of Amity were documented in the 1975 film JAWS, Directed by Steven Spielberg.

Roy Scheider 1932-2008(aka Martin Brody)

But the biggest news to come out of the Quaddy area today is the return of Vern Week. Oh sure the other events may have overshadowed this one, but have no fear this annual festival is in full force. Already reports are coming in that walkers and runners alike are posting mileage as they travel the new green friendly trails near Chum Shop Earth.

Sponsors such as Grumpy’s Gym and Herring Whip have returned. In a surprising announcement Sea Perch Pop Ups are back again this year. Readers of this blog may recall that last year Willie "Steamboat" Mongello (aka Skipper Scopa’s little buddy) had supplied the event with several hundred cases of the frozen treat. Later it was discovered that Sea Perch brand was actually owned by Purr-enya, a division of TDC’s cat food company based in Virginia Beach.

The company, which faced many lawsuits, has rebounded in recent months, as top lawyers were able to get those suing the company to admit that they had actually enjoyed eating the treat and suffered no ill effects from it's consumption. The case was dismissed after the company realized the potential of a new market agreed to produce a version that is safe for human consumption. That product hit the market last November and is setting record sales for Purr-enya. TDC’s have announced plans for two new flavors. Lemon Pepper and Shrimp Scampi.

Yours truly did make it out onto the course this morning. I was a little put off by the 30 degree temps and the freshly fallen snow, but after seeing so many others already on the course I headed out the door and hit the trails. Let me tell you something, outside is much more fun than mall walking. I managed to walk/jog six miles which was my goal and I have updated the roster over on the Virtual Voice Events Blog.

Passamaquoddy Survivor Continues

Be sure to stop by Passamaquoddy and catch up on the latest news.

Mall Walking with Cats and Disney Dudes.

Well howdy pardners! Yes I'm still here. I've been doing ok. The weather here continues to not be my friend and that has led me to Mall Walking. I should go to SNAP and jog the treadmill too, but for some reason I just hate the thought. Don't know why, can't explain it. But at least I have been active at the Mall with several walks over the past couple weeks. Today I walked even though I had not planned it. I was a Target on an early morning Wii Fit hunt. I am of the strong belief that Wii Fit does not actually exist and that it is just a marketing ploy to get consumers into the stores just so they might buy other items. I have looked for this stupid thing for nearly a year. I am NOT kidding. I'm going to just buy a wooden board and pretend at this point.

So anyway Target was open earlier than the Mall itself and all the dedicated Mall walkers where in full force. Usually the Mall is open when I go there to walk. So after Target I walked back to my car, grabbed my ipod, left my coat and quickly made it back inside. brrrrr. It was kinda fun being in there with such a mix of people all just walking around and around. I wanted to break into a jog but I was certain someone would object and I'd get ejected from the mall.

While walking today I listened to episodes #39 and #40 of Those Darn Cats



and episode #7 of The Disney Dudes.



The shows were fun to listen too, made even more fun by that fact that I actually met Lisa, Trace, and Wayne. I'm sure that some day I'll get to meet Jennifer too.

The Cats talked about the Disney Store and this years Oscar nominations. See the 81st annual nominations here.

Jennifer is a very big Wall-E fan. I have discovered while listening to her that she is quite a deep analogical thinker. She certainly looks at this film and others from a different perspective than I. I viewed it as just another fine piece of Pixar animation. I do own a copy of Wall-E and I must say that as Jennifer expressed her impression of the film I did agree with her observations. Wall-E is not my favorite, but it is enjoyable. For more of Jennifer's thoughts on a Disney Trasures DVD release, Download episode #22 for a discussion she had with her husband and son about "Disney On The Front Lines" This is one DVD that I am proud to have in my collection. There are a number items here that might surprise even the most devoted fan of Disney animation. War time propaganda, classic Donald Duck shorts. Some of which you will never see elsewhere. If you do happen to own this you already know the importance of saving your bacon grease.

Trace made an appearance on show TDC #39 and discussed romantic WDW ideas that you can do.

Over on the Disney Dudes Podcast, if you can believe it, was a visit from Lisa. This was truly a Cat friendly day. Lisa was on the show to take the guys to task over a few comments on TDD #4. Quite funny but be aware that the show does drift off into a bit of adult type humor. Listen to it without the kids.

It feels good to be able to Mall Walk but I am itching for the open road.

Flight of the Conchords: Robots

Outwit - Outlast - Outcast In the end there can only be one Passamaquoddy Survivor.

The fun starts here.

Self Centeredness + Apathy, Does Not = The Biggest Loser

How many of you follow The Biggest Loser? I have been watching the show since season one. The show can really move you on a number of emotional levels. Overall I have to say that this seasons contestants have impressed me. Now I'm not talking about being impressed because of the weight that is being lost. Instead I'm talking about the support that the majority of everyone on the ranch is giving each other. With the exception of two people, everyone seems to be doing this for the right reasons. Their health. So far I have not seen any sneaky game play.

Past seasons saw contestants divided strongly between the Bob and Gillian camps. This time around everyone is patting each other on the back and cheering them on. It's a different kind of show so far this season and I like it.

Sadly there were a couple of people whose hearts just were not in it. Even more sad is the fact that their partners did have the desire to remain in the game. Now two teams are gone because one person from each team became apathetic.

The interesting twist this year is that shortly after the show began, one person on each team was sent home. These people still needed to train because there would be a chance to come back to the ranch a month later.

The Orange team of Daniel and Dave: Daniel stayed on the ranch and Dave went home. Although starting out was tough, Daniel soon realized the healthy benefits he was receiving. Dave on the other hand returned home and just seemed to resume his old life. When he returned to the ranch he actually told everyone he did not care.

The Silver team of Carla and Joelle: Carla was determined and focused when she came onto the show. This was important to her. In my opinion she had drawn that line in the sand before ever going out to California. When it came time for one of them to go home. It was decided that she had enough drive to stick with it at home. So Joelle stayed to reap the benefits of having Bob as a trainer. I don't think Joelle ever really wanted to be part of biggest loser. She never seemed to "get it." Maybe she felt she did not need to "get it." She is the first contestant to frustrate Bob to the piont of verbal meltdown.

To make a long story short Dave and Joelle sabotaged their friends goals. I don't think there was anything intentially malicious about it. It's just that they did not care.

The past couple weeks have been fun with the weekend emails flying back and forth. Lets keep that positive uplifting spirit going.

And as for Carla and Daniel. Show us what you can do. The people on this team believe in you.