Introducing TFS.org!
After considerable thought, I have decided to give True Funk Soldier an independent identity. Readers, I give you:
TrueFunkSoldier.org
I’ve managed to transfer all posts from here to the new domain, but there have been a few caveats. Embedded videos have turned into unclickable code, and I seem to have lost my original Blogroll. I’ll see if I can fix one or both of these problems in the near future, but for now, I am tickled purple!
The new site, which I’ve purchased for two years through GoDaddy.com, will start out just as a blog. Over the coming weeks, though, I hope to add a forum there and maybe a few other cool features. This blog (truefunksoldier.wordpress.com) will stick around as a backup that I can return to in case there are any major snafus with the site. I hope to avoid getting shut down by Prince’s lawyers, so if they find me and ask me to adhere to a set of rules in order to stay active, I will comply. I may even have to change the site name eventually, which I can do quite easily if need be.
Questions, comments, concerns, etc. can be directed to me at info@truefunksoldier.org. See you there!
Change is…good?
Today was supposed to be the day that True Funk Soldier got a major overhaul: New color scheme, layout, widgets, etc.
One problem, though–WordPress.com is very limiting with regard to how much a blogger can customize his/her site. It’s a free service, though, so I should’ve anticipated this. On the other hand, there are actually quite a few free hosting services that offer more flexibility than this one, so I think I’ll be packing up and moving somewhere else very soon.
courtesy cathiecooksfood.wordpress.com
I’ll still continue to post here while I’m searching for the perfect host, and with any luck my new home will have an ‘Import’ option so I won’t lose any of the content I’ve created up to this point. It’s hard to say how much readership I have or haven’t garnered in my time at WordPress, but I’m certainly not going to take any risks by wiping this site out immediately. Who knows how it will play out? But, this place will stay put…for now.
I’m off to do some “house shopping.”
UPDATE
Apparently, it’s virtually impossible to export a WordPress blog! I can’t believe this…what a crime. I guess I’ll have to stay put. Bummer!
I’m a celebrity?!
OK, so maybe I’m not a real celebrity…I’ll probably never show up on PerezHilton.com or TMZ (at least I hope not). Still, it feels nice to be a little famous.
My college newspaper ran a story on me in today’s issue–on the front page, in color. My dad promptly stole enough copies to line every single birdcage in North America. Seriously, everyone I know (and a lot of people I don’t) will be getting a copy in the mail.
It’s fun being an “it guy” for a change, but I must admit I am a tad miffed that the Prince mention I dropped in the interview didn’t make it to print. I want so badly for someone in the Paisley camp to see or hear that I’m a die-hard fan and relay that information to Prince. Then, maybe I’ll become the next Shelbey. To paraphrase the Purple One, “You can call me a dreamer, too.”
But for now, I’ll just revel in my 15 seconds of pseudo-fame.
See you back on Earth tomorrow!
[Opinion] Ten vampire stories that pwn Twilight
Before Stephenie Meyer came along and reduced the immortal rulers of the night to “emo douche” status, vampires were actually pretty awesome. Here are ten stories featuring bloodsuckers that make Edward Cullen and company look like fairy princesses.
10. The Little Vampire (2000). Yes, it’s cutesy. But at least the young princes of darkness in this film starring Jonathan Lipnicki (Jerry Maguire) have a reason to behave like nine-year olds…they are nine year-olds.
9. Once Bitten (1985). Jim Carrey (in his first starring role) plays Mark Kendall, a hapless goof who tags along on a boy’s night out and is seduced by Countess (Lauren Hutton), an ancient vampire who can only stay youthful by regularly drinking the blood of virgins. While this comedy is pure cheese, it is remarkably entertaining.
8. Interview with the Vampire (1994). I can’t believe I’m saying this but, even with its awkward homoerotic undertones, this Pitt/Cruise team-up looks like Rambo compared to Twilight.
7. Nosferatu (1922). In F.W. Murnau’s classic silent chiller, Max Schreck portrays Count Orlok, who is perhaps the creepiest vampire ever. That’s saying a lot for a character who doesn’t speak a single word on screen.
6. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992). Years before Sarah Michelle Gellar portrayed her on T.V., America’s favorite stake-wielding Valley girl was introduced to movie audiences in the form of blonde stunner Kristy Swanson. While I never watched a single episode of the show, I love the movie version.
5. From Dusk till Dawn (1996). Following the breakout success of his 1992 Western Desperado, young director Robert Rodriguez took filmgoers to the Titty Twister, a dive on the Mexican border teeming with bloodsucking biker baddies. Their queen, the sultry Santanico Pandemonium (Salma Hayek), has no trouble snaring fresh meat.
4. The Dead Lover (1836). Young priest Romuald falls for the beautiful Clarimonde, who holds a strange power over him. Puzzled by the increasing loss of energy impeding his holy work, Romuald vows to discover the truth behind Clarimonde’s beguiling ways. Théophile Gautier’s intensely moving tale is one of the best examples of short-form vampire fiction.
3. Underworld (2003). Vampires and werewolves face off in a centuries-old feud in this pulse-pounding action thriller. Huntress Selene (Kate Beckinsdale) loves a human, but after he is bitten by a werewolf, she must decide whether she will let him live or die.
2. Salem’s Lot (1975). Successful writer Ben Mears returns to the small Maine town where he grew up, hoping to conduct research for a book he’ll be writing about the Martsen House, an abandoned mansion plagued by urban legends of pale-faced night-stalkers. At a hefty 656 pages, Stephen King’s epic is arguably the most impressive novel of its kind produced in the 20th century.
1. Dracula (1897) In writing his famous gothic novel, Bram Stoker created the most influential horror villain of all time. Before the Count, vampires were just zombies who craved blood rather than brains.
Twihards, listen up: You think you know vampires? You’re not even close.
I know you are, but what am I?
He went on a big adventure. He bought a playhouse. He performed under the big top. Then suddenly, he was gone.
But in 2010, the gray suit and red bow-tie is coming back for another “Tequila” bar dance.
Pee-wee Herman has returned!
Paul Reubens has reinvented the stage show that gave birth to his most famous character. It will run for four weeks at Club Nokia in Los Angeles beginning January 12.
I envy all those who will be experiencing Pee-wee live. I really wish I could go, but California’s just too far away.
[Cue Jambi the Genie] “Wish? Did somebody say wish?”
Vita Chambers: Young Money
A short time ago, I blogged about Vita Chambers, an up-and-coming teen pop singer. Since then, I have heard a handful of her songs, and let me tell you: she rocks!
Here is the brand-new video for her single, “Young Money.” I’m loving it! Comment and let me know if you dig it, too.
Not looking good…
As I write this post, the Arizona Cardinals are driving, up 27-10 on the Minnesota Vikings with roughly six minutes left in the game.
A death blow seems imminent.
The Vikes will slip to 10-2, two games back of the unbeaten Saints in the race for home field advantage in the playoffs.
E.J. Henderson is being carted off the field now.
Ugh…an all-around nightmare of a game. I feel too apathetic right now to even bring up stats. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a brighter day…
Sugar for your Saturday
Twenty-two years ago, arena rock gods Def Leppard released one of my favorite albums of all time. Every time I listen to Hysteria, I feel seven years old again. I look back on those days with nothing but fond memories in my heart. That was when most popular music was still great to listen to.
But enough of my wistful babbling. Here’s a little something to “sweeten” your weekend:
Monthiversary
Have I seriously been at this for a whole month already? Unbelievable.
Thus far, I have posted every day. But with Fall semester drawing to a close at Augustana College, I’m worried that the discipline I’ve built up will vanish without the motivation of my Journalism class. I have some ideas on how to improve True Funk Soldier, but will I end up implementing them? Readers, your guesses are as good as mine.
November was a lot of fun. My fellow amateur editorialists and I have really produced some quality blog writing, as a quick journey through my Blogroll will show. Quite a few of these people have bright futures ahead of them in the journalistic field, so I hope they will keep up with their blogs after the class, and not simply dismiss them as “former necessary evils.” (*Ahem*, R.G., are you listening?
This little place has felt like home since I created it. I hope I’ll stay interested enough to add a few bits of furniture and some throw pillows in the near future.
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