New Percy Jackson Teaser

I seriously can NOT wait for this movie, I'm not digging the editing on this teaser, but I still can't wait.
Here's the brand new teaser for Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Vinylmation Holiday Series 1

Dear Vinylmation, when I first saw you, I knew it was LOVE at first sight. But lately you've been different. You've kind of been... how should I put this?... sucking.
Now with this "Holiday" set, I can see the appeal. But me personally, I don't need a full box of festive Mickeys out all year.
Oh well, the fact that I am not PUMPED whatsoever about this series is not gonna stop me from doing my countdown. Come on....

Alright, this series is already one short. Including the chaser there are only 11 pieces this time around.
11. Valentine's Day - Chaser
WOWWWWW
I think this is the worst I've ever given a chaser. I would never CHASE this. Its Uglyasuarus Rex. GROSS. Its like chalk and crappy candy. Who is doing this to me!!!??

10. Leprachaun
I can taste the Ugly in my MOUTH! This is not a Leprachaun! This is a drunk Irishman with a glue on beard!
9. New Year's Baby
Oh come on, I can't even blog seriously. Why would you put this out in your house??? Please someone justify these to me!! If you currently have this on display in your home, and you are a full grown adult, I am coming over for an intervention!
8. Ghost
See this is what I am talking about. This is pleasant to my eye balls. I'm actually putting him down at 8 cause he is kinda plain. It's a little obvious to me, oh Halloween, ghost. Get creative with it!7. American Flag
I saw a lot of people trading these today and they adored them. I think its a taste thing. They are nice but I am not crazy about them. They do however fit the criteria of a fun collectible holiday figure, without being too far out there. B+ for effort.

6. Glow Bat
I admire that you are simple, yet interesting. Plain, yet glow in the dark. But that seems like all you can offer me, glow bat. It's just not enough...

5. Melty the Snowman
I like you Melty. You get what we are doing here. You're holiday oriented, you're Disney-fied with those cute little mouse ears, and yet you've got something interesting going on. You got that fresh looking scarf on and you're so quirky because you are melting. You, my friend, are a WINNER.

4. Jack O' Lantern
I'm not going to lie. Jack O' Lantern is not my style. In fact, he's a little scary. But when it comes to straight up CREATIVITY, I'll give it to ole Jack. The pinstripe suit with the striped pumpkin head and the cobweb in one eye... I like that. It gives the figure character. Nice.

3. Easter Egg Bunny
Everything I like about Melty, is what I like about the Bunny. It qualifies to be in this box of toys, but is still interesting to the eye. Good work Bunny!

2. Cooked Turkey
This is MY personal favorite. It is a very smart abstract way of going "Here is a Thanksgiving Figure".

1. Christmas Tree Mickey
I think this is by far the most succesful figure. Why? A) Holiday B) Disney C) Interesting to my brain. It is a fun way to look at a Mickey and think Christmas. Pretty simple.

Comments: I just want to know WHY, if this is a set scheduled for release in the Fall are there figures that are Spring Holidays. Wouldnt it be smarter to take out Bunny and Leprachaun, and put in ANYTHING for Hannukah and Kwanzaa??? Then release series 2 in the Spring...
Just a thought...

BONUS ROUND!!
This weekend we also got 2 special releases....
D23 Convention exclusive and Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party Candy Corn
The D23 exclusive, I love. It's glossy black with gold trim, and all it says on the back is D23 2009. It is commemorative, but also something that can be displayed without being dated by an actual year on the front. I like :)
Candy corn... oh dear. Why is the BOX cuter than the toy??? Explain this! The figure is boring. Just a candy corn slapped across poor Mickey's body. You, my friend, are banished to the inside... cuz I will still buy you for your fancy tin. Curse you tin!

The Next Iron Chef Season 2

Oh Man, I lovvvvve 'Iron Chef'. Truly, I can't get enough of it. And I adored the first 'Next Iron Chef' competition, so of course I am SERIOUSLY pumped for Season 2 to premiere on October 4th.
So what can we expect for this season?
Well, Season 1 was comprised of 8 challenges;
1. Speed, 2. Artistry, 3. Simplicity, 4. Innovation, 5. Resourcefulness, 6. Creativity Under Pressure, 7. Lead & Inspire, and finally 8. Attain Greatness. I expect the format will remain the same; several elimination challenges and 1 final challenge at Kitchen Stadium to determine the NEXT IRON CHEF.

When Season 1 aired back in 2007, contestants included Traci Des Jardin, Jill Davie, Marou Ouattara, Gavin Kaysen, Aarón Sanchez, Chris Consentino, John Besh, and the winner Michael Symon. With the exceptions of Chef Davie and Chef Kaysen, all contestants had at one time competed on "Iron Chef America". Chefs Aarón Sanchez & Chris Consentino went on to get their own show on Food Network; "Chefs vs City". John Besh recently appeared on "Top Chef Masters". And Since winning, Iron Chef Symon has competed 11 times and also temporarily hosted "Dinner: Impossible".
Besh definitely was my choice for winner, of the 8 contestants, he was the only one to previously win in Kitchen Stadium during battle Andouille in Season 3 against Iron Chef Mario Batali. Symon, although he is a great chef and has character, is a little uninteresting for me to watch.

ANYHOW, this season will feature 10 NEW contestants...

Roberto Trevino, Executive Chef and Owner of 'Budatai'. From San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Lost to Iron Chef Batali in Season 1 Battle Catfish.
This episode re-aired 3 weeks ago, expect to see it again closer to the premiere of the show.



Jose Garces, Executive Chef and Owner of 'Amada', 'Tinto', 'Distrito', and 'Chifa. From Philadelphia, PA.
Defeated Iron Chef Flay in Season 6 Battle Melon/ Brain Freeze.
This episode re-aired last night and will be shown again Sept 10th at 8pm, 11th at 3am, and 12th at 5pm.



Amanda Freitag, Exective Chef of 'The Harrison'. From New York, NY.
Lost to Iron Chef Flay in Season 7 Battle King Crab.
This episode re-aired last week, you can probably still catch it playing at odd hours.




Nate Appleman, Chef and Butcher. From New York, NY.
Lost to Iron Chef Symon in Season 7 Battle Suckling Pig.
This episode is scheduled to re-air Sept. 10 and 11.




Brad Farmerie, Executive Chef at 'Double Crown', 'Madam Geneva', 'PUBLIC', and 'The Monday Room'. From New York, NY.
Defeated Iron Chef Cora in Season 7 Battle Maple Syrup.
This episode re-aired 3 weeks ago, expect to see it again closer to the show's premiere.



Jehangir Mehta, Executive Chef and Owner of 'Graffiti'. From New York, NY.
Lost to Iron Chef Morimoto in Season 7 Battle Coconut.
This episode aired 2 weeks ago and has been on repeatedly, you can probably catch it randomly this week.



Dominique Crenn, Chef De Cuisine of 'Luce' at 'InterContinental San Francisco'. From San Francisco, CA.





Eric Greenspan, Executive Chef and Owner of 'The Foundry on Melrose'. From Los Angeles, CA.





Holly Smith, Chef and Owner of 'Cafe Juanita' and 'Poco Carreto Gelato'. From Kirkland, WA.





Seamus Mullen, Executive Chef and Partner of 'Boqueria Flatiron' and 'Boqueria Soho'. From New York, NY.






Season 1 was hosted by Food Network's Alton Brown and the Iron Chef Chairman Mark Dacascos, who will return as hosts this season. Of the 3 judges from last season, only one will return; Donatella Arpaia. Replacing Michael Ruhlman and Andrew Knowlton will be Anya Fernald and the Iron Chef judge everyone loves to hate; Jeffrey Steingarten.

So there is your intro to "The Next Iron Chef". I absolutely can't wait. Catch the Premiere OCTOBER 4TH on Food Network, and if you need your fix now... catch "Iron Chef America" on Food Network and "Iron Chef Japan" on Fine Living Network :)