I am not sure if this is endorsed by the Pork Patrol or not.  Either way $10 says this kid grows up to be just like Julius Andreas Gimli Arn MacGyver Chewbacka Highlander Elessar-Jankov except he won’t be Norwegian but maybe if you eat enough pork you can become Norwegian or Baptist.  Enjoy and yes – add this to the Party Gras Play-list.

“Now, we have inscribed a new memory alongside those others. It’s a memory of tragedy and shock, of loss and mourning. But not only of loss and mourning. It’s also a memory of bravery and self-sacrifice, and the love that lays down its life for a friend–even a friend whose name it never knew. “
- President George W. Bush

“Through their own lives and through you, the loved ones they left behind, the men and women who lost their lives eight years ago today leave a legacy that still shines brightly in the darkness and that calls on all of us to be strong and firm and united…That is our calling today and in all the Septembers still to come.”
- President Barack Obama

From both the “things that are cool” and the “if I had more time categories” I present you with the Lego Star Wars Chess Set.  From what I understand this is a homemade set from a designer who understands both Lego and Star Wars.

I like the design and particularly like the use of the smaller ships on the knights and love the rooks.  The rebel forces are a touch more creative but I think you have a lot more to work with on that side.  I was a little confused as to whether Han Solo and Chewbacca were the king or the queen on the rebel side.  If I am looking at it right they are the queen.  It makes them a more mobile player in the game but could upset a wookiee and we all know “It’s not wise to upset a Wookiee.”

More images…

If you haven’t been to Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary you should go – doesn’t matter what show or event it is you can expect that it will be well done.  We saw this during the Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival and again this past Friday at the Heart concert.  The show was very well done, the sound was great and the band was well – you know that girl group from the 80’s.  No I couldn’t name a song off the top of my head when I was told we had tickets but their hits include Crazy on You, All I Wanna Do, Never, Magic Man, Barracuda, and the list goes on.  As a group they still sound really good – they really don’t look like the album covers I remember from back in the day but who among us really does?

They really played a lot of their hits and didn’t try to make us listen to anything new that they thought was great.  They knew their audience and kept it to the classics – with the exception of covering Led Zeppelin’s Immigrant Song I thought they did a great job.  And overall it was a surprisingly entertaining show.  (Hey – I really did draw a blank on who they were when Cara told me a friend had left us tickets at will call.)

On a side note – people watching was a premium activity at this event.  And yes – I’m sure a lot of people looked at us and said the same thing.  Just a point of order for those us still going to events in our middle-age to senior years…  a) the shirt or pants you wore to you first concert?  They don’t fit.  Yes I know you can get them on but that can’t be comfortable  b) dancing like a crazy 18 year old girl is really silly at any age past 23 – if you are double that it is twice as silly  c) whoever was “lighting up” – really?  You were at a HEART concert.  This wasn’t Snoop Dog or Willie Nelson.  Leave that crap at home.  That is all. Please proceed with the quality entertainment and as always – free or cheap tickets = me showing up at the event.  All you would bes or has beens can email me with your offers.

I am a fan of the Google logo changes and typically try to guess what they are about before I click the link. This one? No clue. Alien abduction? Is Google becoming Gogle to save bandwidth? I am at loss – your thoughts?

Clicking the logo takes you to a search of  “unexplained phenomenon” and the first news story “Google maintains stoic silence over unexplained phenomenon?” doesn’t explain much about it either.  Strange things are afoot at the Circle K. Strange things indeed.

Update: More info here.