Tag / Veronica Mars

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Book 6 (of 52) – Veronica Mars: The Thousand Dollar Tan Line

Veronica Mars: The Thousand Dollar Tan Line - Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham

Veronica Mars: The Thousand Dollar Tan Line – Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham

When Rob Thomas first started hashing out the Veronica Mars movie, he had a story that he wanted to tell. Before he got too far along in the writing process, though, he decided he needed to tell a different story first, one which reintroduced the characters and set them in place going forward. That is what we got last month as the Veronica Mars movie. That original story, though, now comes to us in novel form, thanks to Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham.

Before we go any further, a spoiler warning. There is no way to discuss the book without revealing where the film left the characters. If you haven’t seen the film, and assuming anybody happens to be reading this, you have been forewarned. Turn back now while you still can.

The book picks up a few months after the end of the film. Veronica is back in Neptune and running her father’s business while he recupperates from the accident that killed Deputy Sachs. Business is slow until she is hired by the town’s chamber of commerce to help the inept sheriff solve the case of a missing coed, which threatens the town’s spring break business. While the sheriff butts heads with the Nancy Grace stand-in, Veronica investigates the original missing girl, a second one is reported, one which brings back some unresolved issues from Veronica’s past.

As a backer of the Kickstarter campaign that enabled the film, I guess it is safe to say that I am a Veronica Mars fan and this novel should be right up my alley. Well, it certainly was. Graham, working from Thomas’ story, managed to capture the essence of these characters that, for some reason, have managed to endure for all these years. The future of Veronica Mars as a live action franchise still remains to be seen at this point. If it were to live on in novel form only, this first installment gives one hope for that future.

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Veronica Mars Poster Watch – Day 11

VMposter
After 11 days, the mystery of the Veronica Mars movie poster has finally come to an end.
USPS
The poster has seen better days, as it obviously either came open or was deliberately opened at some point during it’s trip.  The 8 day trek to travel the approximately 25 miles from Beecher, IL to my front door step left the right side of the poster crinkled up and with one of the plastic caps at the end of the poster tube missing in action.  I guess I can’t complain, though, since I had pretty much written off ever seeing the poster arrive.  Kudos, I guess, to the USPS.  Your item may be ruined, but they will (eventually) get it there.
 

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Veronica Mars Poster Watch – Day 8

VMposter

One of the perks from the Veronica Mars Kickstarter campaign was a movie poster.  I got an email back on March 6th saying that it had shipped and gave me the tracking number from the USPS.  The expected delivery data was Tuesday, March 11th, which was one week ago.  USPS still claims it is on track for delivery on the 11th, with its last known location being the sort facility in Beecher, IL on March 13th.  There’s been no update since then.  At this point, I’m not holding out hope that it will ever arrive, but I’ll keep looking as long as USPS says it is in transit.

VMposterUSPS

by jim

A Long Time Ago

vmars-shirt

As you may remember, way back in March we contributed $100 to the Kickstarter campaign for the Veronica Mars movie.  Well, the initial rewards, the t-shirt and stickers, have arrived, a little later than initially expected.  I believe the initial plan was to have the shirts out in time for Comic-Con, but that obviously didn’t happen and, as I was not planning on attending this year’s Comic-Con, it didn’t really bother me.

I’m still looking forward to the movie, due out next spring.  I might need to re-watch the series in preparation.

by jim

iTunes Top 100 Artists: #91-100

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My latest desktop computer arrived in late 2007, at which point I transitioned all of my music off of my laptop. 2 iPods, 2 iPhones, and an iPad later, that computer is still my main repository of music, with iTunes updating its stats every time I listen to something.

Having already gone through cassette tapes and CDs, and digital music, it’s time to roll everything up with the Top 100 artists that I’ve listened to as of 8/21/2013, according to iTunes. Today we look at the the bottom 10, which includes plenty of rock royalty.

#91: Letters To Cleo

iTunes stats: 26 plays

Split across 2 songs, both of which achieved success due to their inclusion on soundtracks.  The band broke up in 2000.

#91: Beastie Boys

iTunes stats: 26 plays

7 different songs make up this total for the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, who have not been active since the death of Adam “MCA” Yauch.

#91: Bloodhound Gang

iTunes stats: 26 plays

2 songs make up this total for the band known for humorous and off-beat, satirical lyrics.

#94: Ozzy Osbourne

iTunes stats: 24 plays

The bumbling TV dad of reality series fame used 5 songs, including a duet with Lita Ford, to compile this total.

#94: K’s Choice

iTunes stats: 24 plays

5 songs make up this total for the arguable one hit wonder from Belgium.

#94: 2Pac

iTunes stats: 24 plays

The slain rapper makes the list with only 2 entries, including his collaboration with Dr. Dre.

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iTunes Top 100: #30 – 40

itunes_imageMy latest desktop computer arrived in late 2007, at which point I transitioned all of my music off of my laptop. 2 iPods, 2 iPhones, and an iPad later, that computer is still my main repository of music, with iTunes updating its stats every time I listen to something.

Having already gone through cassette tapes and CDs, it is now time to look at digital music with the Top 100 songs that I’ve listened to as of 6/2/2013, according to iTunes. Today we look at the 11 songs that take up spots 30 – 40, with between 25 and 21 plays.

#30: The Cast Of Buffy The Vampire Slayer – I’ve Got A Theory/Bunnies/If We’re Together

A plot moving tune that features most of the main cast.

iTunes stats: 25 plays, most recently on 4/28/2013

#30: Foo Fighters – All My Life

A live version of the song from the Live in Hyde Park bootleg.

iTunes stats: 25 plays, most recently on 2/6/2013

#32: Blossom Theme

The catchy theme song from the 90s pantheon to weird teenage girls being themselves.

iTunes stats: 24 plays, most recently on 3/10/2013

#33: Foo Fighters – Everlong

The album version from their second studio release.

iTunes stats: 23 plays, most recently on 3/22/2013

#33: Foo Fighters – Best Of You

A live version of the song from the Live in Hyde Park bootleg.

iTunes stats: 23 plays, most recently on 11/18/2012

#33: The Office Theme

The theme song from the hit NBC comedy that came to a close this spring.

iTunes stats: 23 plays, most recently on 5/15/2013

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by jim

Post Mortem – Cult

cult_logoI have to be honest, I did not expect much from this show.  The only thing I was knew going in to it was that former Veronica Mars guest star Alona Tal was involved, so that gave me a reason to at least give it a shot.  That was certainly a mistake.

The only plus for the show was Jessica Lucas, who I completely forget about until I see her in something new and ask myself who the beautiful woman is.  Other than that, this show was a complete and utter mess, and I’m surprised it lasted the 7 episodes it did before getting pulled.

by jim

We Used To Be Friends

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Ever since the show was cancelled back in 2007, Veronica Mars creator Rob Thomas and star Kristen Bell have talked about reviving the characters for a movie.  It always seemed like a pipe dream, until yesterday morning, when the pair launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the film.  The goal: raise $2,000,000 in 30 days.  Judging by the response so far, Mars Investigations will be back in business next year.

The project has broken a Kickstarter record by passing the $1 million mark in under 5 hours.  The official goal of $2 million was surpassed at 7:55 PM.  Of course, the more money they raise, the more that can be spent on the movie.

I ended up contributing $100, which entitles me to email updates about the project, a PDF of the shooting script, a limited edition t-shirt, a digital version of the movie at the time of the theatrical release, the official movie poster, and the Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack.  I had considered splurging a bit and contributing $1000, which included all of the swag I’m already getting, plus a signed poster and tickets to the premiere and the after party.  Luckily, those sold out before I pulled the trigger, but I have certainly spent more on less.

by admin

Mix Tape Monday – March 2005

After my tape deck crapped out in 1997, I was stuck listening to either the radio or full albums in whatever order the artist intended.  That all changed in 2001, when the new-fangled MP3 technology got combined with my new CD burner.

So, we skip ahead to 2005 with this entry.  Perhaps nothing interesting happened in music in 2004.  Along with a couple of television theme songs, we have new music from Snoop Dogg, Tegan and Sara, and Garbage.

Letters To Cleo – Here And Now

The biggest hit for the Boston based band.

iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 3/13/2012

Creedence Clearwater Revival – Fortunate Son

As President Bush’s second term gets under way, this song suddenly became relevant again.

iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 8/1/2011

Andy Partridge – I Wonder Why The Wonderfalls

The theme song to the short-lived Fox show Wonderfalls.

iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 5/19/2012

Nazareth – Love Hurts

The staple of classic rock stations in the late 80s and early 90s.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 8/10/2011

Snoop Dogg – Drop It Like It’s Hot

The first song from Snoop Dogg that I’ve liked since his debut album.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 3/16/2012

AC/DC – For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)

I suppose we have Artie Lange and the Howard Stern Show to thank for the inclusion of this classic.

iTunes stats: 1 play, on 7/30/2012

Ludacris – Get Back

The latest release from the Champaign-born rapper.

iTunes stats: 12 plays, most recently on 1/4/2013

Black Eyed Peas – Let’s Get It Started

The PC version of the ubiquitous hit that introduced the Black Eyed Peas to a mainstream audience.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 10/2/2011

The Dandy Warhols – We Used To Be Friends

The theme song to the wonderful Veronica Mars program.

iTunes stats: 20 plays, most recently on 1/2/2013

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