In the latest offering from Lucas Animation (the first ever from this new division) we’re treated to a look into the Clone Wars. If you’ve seen the very first movie that came out in 1977, (I saw it at least 10 times in the theatre alone!) you might remember the quiet discussion that Luke and Obi-wan have after he rescues Luke from the Sand people attack on Tatooine. In this conversation Luke asks Obi-wan if he fought in the Clone wars. Since 1977 we’ve always wondered what the clone wars were. Now, that things have been hashed out in the prequels and we know things like Boba Fett’s father was the seed for the clones, that the Storm troopers are actually all identical clones, and that Obi-wan is there on Tatooine because he was forced into hiding at the beginning of the clone wars and to specifically watch over Luke! It’s now time to get into the real guts and action of the clone wars which turn out to be a major part of the Star Wars story. That’s where Lucas takes us this time around. Onto the battle field and into the lives of new characters and deeper into the relationships of old characters.

Some may think that it’s unfortunate that the decision was made to present this part of the Star Wars history as an animated film, but lets face it, Star Wars was made to be animated and they’ve done a great job. I’d love to say that it’s the best Star Wars film or even animated film that I’ve ever seen, but unfortunately it’s not. It’s good. Sometimes it’s great. But it’s not up there with the live action Star Wars films and as far as the story goes and the quality of the character animation it just doesn’t reach the heights that other animated film companies produce. Again, let me stress, it’s good, but the stylized animation style that’s used in the film seems to conflict at times with the overall, high, HIGH, quality environments and for me it was distracting and hard to get past.

Another part of the film that was hard to get past was the flamboyant, evil uncle of Jabba the Hut. This character ranks right up there with Jar Jar Binks on the irritation scale and seriously degrades the feel of the film. Why this character is presented as a purple - possibly gay - member of the Hut mob clan is beyond me. It seems that this character would have been much more believable as an evil mobster (much more evil than Jabba it turns out) if he was portrayed as dark, dirtier than the original, older, extra greasy and, well, darker. This flamboyant character is just out of place and it’s one of the truly bad parts of this film in my opinion.

In the movie there are some tremendous battle scenes, death and mayhem. There were some touching and deep scenes that added depth to the characters and the story. Most importantly though, overall, the film felt like Star Wars which is what ultimately won me over. You can tell that even though this film was directed by someone other than Lucas, you feel that he was a part of it and guiding it. So, I must say that even though this is an animated film, it still stands up nicely as another great chapter in the Star Wars saga. Let’s hope that they can keep the same quality going forward in the new animated series and in the new live action TV series that’s rumored for the future.

NOTE: I drew this picture of R2-D2 when I was 7 years old. Yes, I am an old and true fan. I should also note that I took great pleasure in taking my two sons to see this film (7 yrs old and 5 years old respectively) and they loved the movie just about as much as I loved the first one.

Overall rating: B- (but could have been higher if they chose to improve the character animation)

Overall kids rating: A+

This is a painting that I completed for the band Watson. I also designed and produced the package design.

Psychics ARE standing by baby…

Maybe someday all gas pumps will look like this when we have some kind of alternative fuel. Here’s to the scientists!

Chianti is considered an inexpensive, commercial wine T/F - Answer: False
The majority of Chianti wines (at least in major export markets such as the U.S.) are high quality wines. Chianti Classico, the type of Chianti most commonly found outside of Italy, is particularly fine.

Pinot Grigio is one of Italy’s best wines T/F - Answer: False

The average quality of Pinot Grigio wines is . . . well, average. They’re dry and refreshing, they don’t clash with most foods, and they’re perfectly fine if you want an inexpensive wine — but they lack the character and intensity that the French Pinot Gris grape (in Italy, Pinot Grigio) is capable of, and they are not Italy’s answer to great white wine.

Spumante means “sweet” T/F - Answer: False

The word spumante means “sparkling” — just that. Because Asti Spumante (the sweet, sparkling wine of Asti) is so famous, however, wineries in California and Italy have borrowed the term spumante for sweet bubblies that imitate Asti, and millions of people now think that the word applies only to sweet, sparkling wines.

Wine was discovered by a man T/F - Answer: False

According to Persian mythology, wine was discovered by a woman. She drank the fermented juice from grapes stored in a jar, went to sleep, and surprisingly woke up cured of a headache, instead of suffering from the world’s first hangover

Who said “Give me a bowl of wine. In this I bury all unkindness” - Answer: Shakespere

1. Noah in the bible
2. William Shakespeare
3. George Bush

In medieval times there were written punishments for monks who got drunk T/F - Answer: True

Their punishements were fifteen days on bread and water if one drank so much that one vomited; thirty days on bread and water if one, when drunk, encouraged others to get drunk; and forty days on bread and water if, through drunkenness, one vomited the communion wine and sacred host.

How many grape varieties are there? 125, 600, 1250? - Answer: over 600

The average number of grapes it takes to make a bottle of wine is 40, 250, 600? - Answer: 600

phylloxera is a grape variety T/F - Answer: True

Noah in the bible was the first recorded drunk. T/F - Answer: True

“The sons of Noah who went forth from the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Ham was the father of Canaan. These three were the sons of Noah; and from these the whole earth was peopled. Noah was the first tiller of the soil. He planted a vineyard; and he drank of the wine, and became drunk, and lay uncovered in his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and toook his two brothers outside.”

What sweet wine originally from Germany and Canada is made with frozen grapes? - Answer Ice wine or Eiswein

1. riesling
2. ice wine
3. cube wine

Ice Wine began as “eiswein”, created in Germany in the 1800s.

What is White Zinfandel made from? - Answer: Red Zinfandel grapes

1. Red Zinfandel grapes
2. White Zinfandel grapes
3. None of the above

Red Zinfandel grapes are what you start with to make a White Zinfandel wine. The skins are removed after an extremely short period of time

This wine is made from the leftover skins and seeds of grapes: - Answer: Grappa

1. Brandy
2. Port
3. Grappa
4. Marsala

Grappa is a traditional Italian drink. It’s around 90 proof and clear in color.

Established in 1823, the first commercial winery in the U.S. was in which state? - Answer: Missouri

1. California
2. New York
3. Missouri

The descending streaks of wine seen on the inside of a glass after it has been swirled are called? - Answer: Legs

1. tears
2. legs
3. ribbons
4. butts

Which country produces the world’s largest supply of cork? - Answer: Portugal

1. France
2. Italy
3. Portugal

The largest cork tree in the world is in Portugal. It averages over one ton of raw cork per harvest. That’s enough to cork 100,000 bottles

Who was suspected of suffocating from a bloody nose after passing out from alcohol at his ‘bachelor party’. - Answer: Attila

1. Attila the Hun
2. John Bryant (official inventor of the bong)
3. Samuel Adams

The saying ‘Mind your P’s and Q’s’ comes from the time when alcoholic beverages were served/sold in Pints and Quarts. T/F - Answer: True

Thus, to mind your P’s and Q’s meant to be careful how much you drank.

How long is the longest bar in the world? 265 feet, 684 feet or 1325 feet? - Answer: 684

The longest bar in the world is 684 feet (or about 208.5 meters) long and is located at the New Bulldog in Rock Island, Illinois.

Who was elected President of the U.S. in 1932 on a pledge to end National Prohibition. - Answer: Roosevelt

1. Franklin D. Roosevelt
2. Hoover
3. Eisenhower

Fermentation within the body is essential for human life to exist. T/F - Answer: True

Who after being informed that his general drank whiskey while leading his troops,
reportedly replied “Find out the name of the brand so I can give it to my other generals.” - Answer: Lincoln

1. Washington
2. Lincoln
3. Jefferson

Being intoxicated had desirable spiritual significance to the ancient Egyptians. They often gave their children names like “How Drunk is Cheops” or “How Intoxicated is Hathor.” T/F - Answer: True

Alcohol is considered the only proper payment for teachers among the people of Nigeria. T/F - Answer: False

(It’s customary in Tibet)

The shallow champagne glass originated with Marie Antoinette. It was first formed from wax molds made of her breasts. T/F - Answer: False

The corkscrew was invented in the year… - Answer: 1860

1. 1860
2. 1465
3. 500 B.C.

The longest recorded champagne cork flight was? - Answer: 177 feet

1. 177 feet
2. 192 feet
3. 210 feet

Bubbles in Champagne were seen by early wine makers as a highly undesirable defect to be prevented. T/F - Answer: True

What is the name of the phobia for the fear of alcohol? - Answer: Methyphobia

1. Methyphobia
2. Alcophobia
3. Dipsomania

Dipsomania is the abnormal or insatiable craving for alcohol actually and I just made up the other one.

In ancient Babylon, the bride’s father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead (fermented honey beverage) he could drink for a month after the wedding. T/F - Answer: True

Because their calendar was lunar or moon-based, this period of free mead was called the “honey month,” or what we now call the “honeymoon.”

Wine has about the same number of calories as an equal amount of grape juice. T/F - Answer: True

White wine gets lighter as it ages while red wine gets darker. T/F - Answer: False, it’s the other way around

What U.S. president’s mother said “I’m a Christian, but that doesn’t mean I’m a long-faced square. I like a little bourbon.” - Answer: Carter

1. Carter
2. Reagan
3. Clinton

Who was one of the world’s best known abstainers from alcohol? - Answer: Hitler

1. Hitler
2. Sir Winston Churchill
3. Jesus Christ

The soil of one famous vineyard in France is considered so precious that vineyard workers are required to scrape it from their shoes before they leave for home each night. T/F - Answer: True

One of the most important elements is the small amount of rice vinegar that’s added to the mix at the end. Rice vinegar takes boring, dry, tasteless rice to new heights of goodness. This small, secret ingredient adds just enough flavor to enhance your sushi.

If you like extra sweet rice, consider adding a pinch of sugar; although I would highly recommend just sticking to the vinegar and featuring the flavor of high quality fish and veggies instead of the sweet rice. Grab your chopsticks and enjoy!

(makes 1 cup sticky rice)

1. Bring 1 and 1/4 cup of cold water to a boil
2. Rinse 1 cup sushi rice until water runs clear then drain well.
3. Add the rice to the boiling water, cover and reduce to a simmer for 25 minutes
4. Remove pan from heat and let it sit for 15 minutes
5. Remove your rice from the pan and place it in a non-metallic bowl (preferably wood bowl)
6. Add 2-3 tsp of Rice vinegar
7. Cover the bowl with a towel and let the rice site for 30-40 minutes before making your sushi.

Serve cold and fresh on a rustic board or wood plate with lot’s of wasabi and chopsticks. If you can’t handle the chopsticks, use your bare hands. Using a fork or spoon is sacralige.

(Note: Never refrigerate sticky rice. It will become hard and crusty; essentially ruining any chance of a good sushi experience)

I was driving to work one morning and I stopped real quick to snap this picture of some trees in the fog. It’s a very strange and eerie picture to say the least.

I thought this photo was relevant since we’re getting dumped on by snow today. This is a picture of our view from our porch at our first house in Canal Fulton Ohio. The date on the file was 2002.

I was walking along near the University of Akron during my lunch hour a few years ago and I stopped to notice this interesting formation in the trees. This is one wild tree! Sadly I don’t think it’s there anymore for some reason. I could be wrong though.

This is an image that I completed as part of a final project in college. I believe it was for a life drawing (anatomy) class. It’s not perfect anatomy but I love the loose, expressive style of the drawing. I didn’t intend it to mean anything but after I looked at the finished piece I thought that it looked like the guy was day dreaming about his woman or something - hence the name.

Back in the day I used to dream of being a comic book artist. Actually I’d still like to dabble in it if I lived the movie Multiplicity. I just don’t have the time. I was developing some decent anatomy chops and a somewhat professional style before I gave it all up to get a real job. This was a character concept that someone asked me to do to prove my skills. I thought it was very good but I never heard back from the guy. He either hated my work or he just stole the concept and art and it’s published somewhere without my knowledge. She sure is cute though, eh?