Titan Doctor Who Toys Checklist

First Annual Geeklectic EGOT Pool-a-Rama!

Do you want to win an EGOT but can't sing, act or dance? If your answer was yes then I am here to help make your delusional dreams come true!

The First Annual Geeklectic EGOT Pool-a-rama is set to kick off on June 8th, 2014. For several years now I've been doing Oscar and Tony prediction games with some close friends and have always wanted to expand it to the Grammys and Emmys as well. 

Here is the FAQ and rules for the inaugural Geeklectic EGOT Pool-a-Rama.

What in the bloody hell is an EGOT? 
EGOT is the term to describe the 4 major entertainment awards ceremonies. Emmys, Grammys, Oscars, Tonys. It's considered very illustrious for a performer to win an EGOT. Currently only 12 people have earned the title. The most recent to win the award is composer Robert Lopez who won just this last year and is the only person to do it all in a single decade. The last performer to win the award was Whoopi Goldberg.

The Geeklectic EGOT Pool-a-rama will start every year at the moment the Tony Awards broadcast starts in June. In 2014 that is on June 8th. 

A ballot will be sent out to all of the Pool-a-rama participants beforehand where they will predict the winners of all of the categories. Detailed instructions will be sent out with that ballot on how to fill it out properly. The same thing will happen before the Oscars, Grammys and Emmy awards as well. 

There will be plenty of email updates and updates on Geeklectic.com throughout the year as I'll try to make it a fun event that you guys will want to do for years to come.

How do I play?
The objective is simple. Correctly guess the most winners in each category for each of the 4 major awards shows.  No sweat, right?

How much does it cost?
The entry fee to play for the entire year is $20 per person.

What do I win?
There will be 5 separate payouts over the course of the year. Your entry fee will be paid out as such:

Tony Awards Individual Winner: $2.50 from each $20
Emmy Awards Individual Winner: $2.50 from each $20
Grammy Awards Individual Winner: $2.50 from each $20
Oscar Awards Individual Winner: $2.50 from each $20
The cumulative winner of all 4 games scores combined: $10 from each $20.

The winner may also receive a Geeklectic EGOT Pool-a-rama trophy, but the details of that are still being worked out.

Scoring in this first season will be simple. You will receive 1 point for every correct prediction in the pool. The person with the most points for each individual show will win that show's pot. The person with the most cumulative points from all 4 shows will win the big pot. There will be a couple of small twists included like likes the LOCK and HEDGE.

What is this LOCK and HEDGE that you speak of?
You will be able to designate one winner in each Awards show as a LOCK. A lock is something you feel 100% about. So much so that you are making a wager. For example, if you designate "Hedwig and the Angry" Inch as a LOCK to win the Best Revival of a Musical category and you are correct, you will win 3 points. However, if "Hedwig" doesn't win the award for Best Musical Revival then you actually lose 3 points. It can make or break your night so choose wisely!

You will also be able to designate one prediction in each Awards show as a HEDGE. A HEDGE is a category where you aren't as confident about who is going to win. For example, if you designate "Act One" as your winner in the Best Play category and you aren't completely sure, you could also designate "All the Way" as your HEDGE. If Act One wins, you get your full point. If it loses however and All the Way wins instead, you'll get half a point. If you've played in a pool before you know that half a point could win the whole thing for you.

HEDGES and LOCKS may seem complicated at first, but can really add a new element of fun to a game like this.

When is payment due?
Payment is due ASAP. I would need the $20 no later than June 7th to secure your spot in the first Geeklectic EGOT Pool-a-rama. I'll accept paypal or personal check and the money will sit in a safe account until pay outs are made.

I've been in a baseball prediction game like this for several years and have a blast with it and I think this could be a ton of fun as well.

Here is the ballot and the sample ballot.   Just fill it out and send it too me no later than midnight on June 7th to be entered in the Tony Award game.    Payment instructions will be coming up shortly.

If you're interested to just respond here and privately send me the email you'd like to participate under. If you have friends that you think would be a fun addition to the game please feel free to invite them. The more the merrier and the more people the more cash to win!

Any questions? Feel free to ask!

Geeklectic on Gallifrey

The Geeklectic Podcast has now become Geeklectic on Gallifrey and will be focusing primarily (though not exclusively) on Doctor Who

Our primary goal is going to be to watch and comment on the entire original series in order (though not with a seperate podcast for every serial) plus we will add in special shows and randomness as we see fit.

So far there have been 4 Doctor Who centric shows covering:
1. recap episode of An Unearthly Child (the first serial of the William Hartnell era)
2. recap episode of The Daleks (the 2nd serial and introduction of the classic villains)
3. predictions episode for the 50th Anniversary special "Day of the Doctor"
4. recap episode of the 50th Anniversary special "Day of the Doctor"

Here is our iTunes link to the show:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/geeklectic-on-gallifreys-oh/id601438591?i=194879748&mt=2

and our RSS feed:
http://geeklectic.hipcast.com/rss/geeklectic_podcast.xml

Dallas Comic Con - Fan Days Loot

This past weekend was Dallas Comic-Con: Fan Days.   This post is to share all the wonderful loot I was able to secure during the event. :) 

STAR WARS

Anthony Daniels signed my Empire Strikes Back Poster.   He was an absolutely lovely man and even spent some quality time talking with Cooper.  He also gave Cooper....

...this personalized 8X10 and let Coop pick it out himself.  It was totally free of charge and it made our day.   That is a great moment and one we won't soon forget.

Tom Kane does the voice of Yoda for "The Clone Wars" television series and signed the 8X10 for Cooper and an action figure for me.

BATMAN

An exclusive to the Dallas Comic Con was the Joker Metallic Pop Vinyl figure from the classic 1966 Batman TV series.  If you look very closely you'll see the figure even has a Cesar Romero mustache!

The "Batman: Bane of the Demon" series all signed by artist Graham Nolan.

Some of the iconic covers of the "Knightfall" series where Bane breaks Batman's back.   I had them all signed by cover artist Kelley Jones.

Signed by Kelley Jones (Cover) and Graham Nolan (Artist).

This poster is one of my favorite comic book covers of all time and it was signed by the legendary artist Neal Adams.   He's wasn't the warmest man in the world, but it'll still look great in my Geek Cave.

BREAKING BAD

This awesome fry batter bucket from Breaking Bad signed by Gustavo Fring himself (Giancarlo Esposito) is one of the cooler collectables of the con for me.    Clay had it signed and also took this amazing picture.

DOCTOR WHO

Photo signed by John Barrowman who plays Captain Jack Harkness in Doctor Who and Torchwood.

  

Original art by Greg Horn depicting Rose in peril and the Doctor coming to save her.   It's in the style of those fantastic 50s sexploitation magazines.

  

Various Vinyl and Micro figures from Doctor Who.

And my piece de resistance!   This is a framed Doctor Who poster signed by Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill.    There is a fantastic story attached to it as well.   Anji noticed that the name plate actually reads "Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, Rory Williams" which is actor name, actor name, character name.   SO...she pointed it out and started negotiating.  We ended up getting it for less than 50% of the original asking price!   I'm not even going to bother changing the name plate because the story is so good. :) 

And this concludes my Comic Con goodies posting.   My collection is now heavier than it was before!

What are you geeking out on right now?

Currently I'm in the process of catching up on:

Saga
Batgirl New 52
Batman New 52
Revival
The Walking Dead

and trying to will myself to read the Song of Fire and Ice series before starting to broaden my horizons and become more of a Marvel guy too.

And of course watching my MLB Best 13-2 Braves kick some ass.

What are you geeking out on?

2013 MLB Predictions

It's Opening Day 2013 so I figure I'd post both my real and my outlandish predictions for the season

AL East - Rays
AL Central - Tigers
AL West - Athletics
AL Wildcards - Blue Jays, Angels

NL East - Braves
NL Central - Reds
NL West - Dodgers
NL Wildcards - Nationals, Giants

AL Champ - Rays
NL Champ - Nationals

World Series: Nationals over Rays

AL MVP - Albert Pujols
AL CY Young - Max Scherzer
AL Breakout - Alex Cobb
AL Bust - Brett Lawrie
AL ROY - Wil Myers

NL MVP - Joey Votto
NL CY Young - Stephen Strasburg
NL Breakout - Freddie Freeman
NL Bust - Chase Headley
NL ROY - Julio Teheran

Outlandish Statements That Are Not Quite Predictions

• All 3 members of the Braves outfield will go 30/30.
• Albert Pujols will finish the season with more HR than Joey Bautista
• Josh Hamilton will play 158 games and hit .340 with 45 HR and 155 RBI and win the Triple Crown and MVP
• Kris Medlen will have a higher ERA and WHIP than Julio Teheran
• The Pirates will win 82 games giving them their first .500 season since 1992.
• Matt Moore will have 18+ wins and over 200Ks
• Kevin Slowey will have 8% of the Marlins total wins.
• Mike Trout and Carlos Gomez will be within 5 HR and 5 SB of each other & Trout's average will be less than .020 higher.
• Brett Myers will pitch 180+ innings and end up with a sub 3.5 ERA.
• Dustin Pedroia will get more MVP votes this season than Robinson Cano.
• Brian Wilson will have the most saves in the NL Central this season
• Freddie Freeman will finish in the top 3 in the NL MVP voting

2013's Best Bobblehead Giveaways

When you think about baseball it is almost impossible to not be transported back to the time when you were a little boy or girl lugging around a big bag of peanuts & begging your dad for another box of Cracker Jacks to get that decoder ring that will finally reveal the answer to the scrambled word.  Over the last 15 years there has been a new (old) candidate throwing its name in the ring to be as synonymous with baseball as singing "Take Me Out the Ball Game" during the 7th inning stretch.   The Bobblehead.   

Every major league team has a bobblehead night once or twice a year at the very least.   Those range from honoring the hot new player who has us dreaming of baseball’s first 50/50 season to remembering the legends of our youth hitting 3 HRs in the World Series or taking Al Downing deep to surpass an icon on top of the all-time Home Run list.

Of course they don't always have to be reminders of a greater time or fuel for our imagination of the future of our favorite team.  Sometimes they are weird, goofy or questionable, but they are always fun. 

As a collector of baseball memorabilia I always like to check out what I can obtain for my collection that is no longer just mine, but also something I can share with my 4 year old son.

This season throughout both the Major leagues and the Minor leagues there is no shortage of amusing, interesting and even ill-conceived bobblehead give-a- ways.    I spent some time going through promotional give away lists for not just MLB Teams, but also every Low-A, High-A, AA and AAA team in MiLB.   I’m going to list out my Top 11 Bobblehead giveaways for the 2013 season.   So in no particular order, here we go.

Oakland Athletics - Saturday April 27th: 1973 Reggie Jackson Bobblehead (First 10,000 Fans)

On the night where the Athletics are honoring their 1973 World Series winning team they are giving away this iconic Reggie Jackson Bobblehead. 

Richmond Flying Squirrels -  Saturday May 17th: Shaka Smart Bobblehead (First 2000 Fans 15 & Older)

Okay, I admit that part of the reason I added this bobblehead to the list was just so I could type out Richmond Flying Squirrels.  Still, one of the great things about minor league baseball is how connected they are to their communities.   The community of Richmond, Virginia has been invigorated by VCU since their improbable run to the Final Four in the 2011 NCAA Tournament.  Since then, Shaka Smart has reportedly turned down bigger programs like Minnesota and just this week the UCLA Bruins.   Proving that bobblehead promotions have no sports segregation, the Squirrels will be giving these out and Coach Smart himself will be appearing at the game.   Anyone can go get another boring Derek Jeter bobblehead.  How many of you have Shaka Smart?

Louisville Bats - Saturday April 6th: Corky Miller Bobblehead (First 2500 Fans) 

I've always been a fan of Corky Abraham Philip Miller.   I guess it was the fact that he is named Corky and I was a fan of Life Goes On back in the day.  It sure as hell isn't his 10 year MLB career that resulted in an amazing line of .188/.270/.300 with 11 HR and 49 RBI.   Yep, I'm pretty sure it's because every time I hear his name I start singing "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" and dancing around my house with a silly grin thinking of the crush I had on Kelly Martin.  Enough of my adolescent affections though.  Just look at he picture - it's clear why this one made the list.

If you need a tad more convincing. Listen to this while staring at the picture.   If you're still unsure then you're dead to me.

Portland Sea Dogs - Tuesday May 6th: Kevin Millar Bobblehead (First 1000 Fans)

When I first saw this I thought they might be having "Men In Their 40's With Frosted Tips" night at Hadlock Field, but apparently not.  We're just being given this gem for no special occasion.   

All joking aside I've always liked Millar as a player and I like him even more in his analyst role on MLB Network.   He's fills the goofy John Kruk roll from ESPN, but he actually has a good baseball mind, is funny and most importantly doesn't make me want to drive to Bristol and punch him in the face.   

Tampa Bay Rays - Sunday April 21st: Astro Bobblehead (Kids 14 & Under While Supplies Last)

When you're the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner you get special perks.  David Price decided that one of his is having a bobblehead made of his dog and giving out to kids at the Rays game.   Suck it, Justin Verlander!

This is one of many reasons why the Rays are one of the best organizations in baseball. For all of you people in the Tampa area who aren't going to Rays game you're missing out. They put a great product out on that deplorable field. 

This isn't even their best giveaway of the year.  That award goes to the creepy, yet amazing Joe Maddon Gnome.  

Fort Myers Miracle - Saturday June 29th: Craig Sager Bobblehead

Speaking of creepy!   Sports reporter Craig Sager, known for his clown like attire, will be in Fort Myers where he was formerly a sports anchor as they give out what I hope is an absolutely hideous bobblehead.

Akron Aeros - Saturday May 4: Univerity of Akron Jim Tressel Bobblehead

As good as the Shaka Smart bobblehead is, this one is a bit of a head-scratcher for me.   Jim Tressel, most famous for his days winning National Championships for The Ohio State University, is now "Vice President of Strategic Engagement" (wait, what?)  for the University of Akron.  You probably remember that the reason he is no longer the Head Coach for one of America's most attractive coaching destinations isn't just so he could move onto such a prestigious job as University of Akron's VP of SE. (again, what?)  He was suspended by OSU for failing to notify the school of NCAA violations involving OSU.   The NCAA accused Tressel of withholding information and lying to keep Buckeyes players game eligible.   He later admitted that he lied about the violations because he didn't want to impact the FBI's investigation of a local Tattoo shop owner accused of drug trafficking and trading tattoos to players for their championship rings, jerseys and other football related awards - which of course is an NCAA violation.   Tressel resigned as OSU's head football coach in May of 2011 and Sports Illustrated revealed that as many as 28 players were involved and Tressel potentially covered this up and at best didn't report it.   As a result, he essentially exiled himself to non-coaching position for the University of Akron (No offense to fans of the Kangaroos!)   

Now that you're caught up, it just seems like an odd guy to honor with a bobblehead.  As a collector - odd is exactly what I want!

Pensacola Blue Wahoos - Friday April 5th: Billy Hamilton Bobblelegs

You read that right.  This is not a Bobblehead.  It's a Bobblelegs!  Honoring Billy Hamilton breaking Vince Coleman's minor league stolen base record by swiping 147 bags last year, the Billy Hamilton Bobblelegs is sure to be a popular item on eBay for fantasy baseball owners as they turned down offers of Billy Hamilton for major league All-Stars in hopes that he joins other high number minor league speeders who went onto major league greatness such as Esix Sneed, Allen Lewis, Donell Nixon and of course Larry Lintz.  Um, I mean...Vince Coleman & Rickey Henderson.  

Frederick Keys - Friday August 23rd: Tim Kurkjian Bobblehead (First 1000 Fans)

Let's be honest.  There isn't a lot to like about ESPN's baseball crew at this point.   They are drab, annoying and they seem to be reading two week old updates from Rotowire for their "breaking news".    

That said there is still one gem and one reason while I'll decided not to watch a replay of Clubhouse Confidential or Intentional Talk rather than stumble onto Baseball Tonight and that's Tim Kurkjian.   The guy is like the  Rain Man of baseball statistics and I really dig how much he loves the game.  The only thing that could make a Timmah! bobblehead better is if when you flicked it's head to make it bobble it yells out something like "In 1944 Mike and Bob Garbark both ended the season with a .261 batting average.   No brother combo since has finished the season with the exact same BA and that is why I'm looking forward to watching Justin and BJ Upton in Atlanta this season."

Kansas City Royals - Friday May 25th, June 22nd & July 20th: Ketchup, Mustard & Relish Bobblehead Giveaway

I don't know what it is about these 3 Bobbleheads that intrigues me so much, but if I lived in the Kansas City area I wouldn't hesitate to get all 3 of these for my collection.   They are obvious, but at the same time so delightfully random.  

If that isn't enough convincing you could add the Corky Miller bobblehead to the mix and have a very disturbing basis for a MLB/50 Shades of Gray cross over fan fic.

and lastly....

Northwest Arkansas Naturals - Saturday June 15th: Brian Poldberg Bobble-Mustache Giveaway (First 2000 Fans)

Bobble-Mustache?   Need I say more?

And that's it.  My 11 favorite Bobblehead Giveaways of 2013.   There are many more out there and I've organized them in this handy spreadsheet that you're welcome to download and use!  

Enjoy the peanuts, cracker jacks and bobble heads baseball fans.   Finally, baseball is back!