Art Bell Dead at 72

We at BZ85/PZ85 are saddened by the news of Art Bell's passing.

Bell was the creator and long time host of Coast to Coast AM until his retirement in the late 2000's.

C2CAM is one of many influences on Podzilla 1985's creator Seanán, and was the biggest inspiration for the initial creation of the podcast, as well as the currently running monthly program "I Want to Believe."

Bell's personality and dedication to the paranormal lives on the in programs like the X Files, and will continue to inspire those who look into the beyond for answers.

He was 72.

Goodbye, Farewell and Amen, David Ogden Stiers

I was sad to learn that David Ogden Stiers passed away not long ago.  He was suffering from bladder cancer, and passed away peacefully at 75 in his home.

Like many others I remember him as Major Charles Emerson Winchester the 3rd from M*A*S*H. He was the stuck up rich boy doctor who quickly became the replacement for old ferret face Burns. I always liked him more as a balance to Hawkeye and B.J., and he became more of a team player as the series went on.

His character's love of classical music has always stuck with me. I didn't care for it much as a teen, but over the years I've grown to understand its beauty.

Funny, in some ways I use to feel the same way about M*A*S*H* in general. I wasn't a fan as a kid, and always got bored when my mom would watch it. Yet, as I got older I did get hooked on the reruns. I spent a lot of TV time in high school and college enjoying the show.

Although, that wasn't hard to do when it was being aired ten times a day via three or four different networks. I actually miss watching M*A*S*H*. I may have to break out the few seasons I have on DVD.

Hello Bishi?

Hello Kitty has always been a part of my life in one way or another. I was never a hardcore fan, but I do love Sanrio characters so very much.

Early on it was all about Hello Kitty and My Melody, and in my munchkin years when I enjoyed watching the Hello Kitty's Furry Tale theater cartoon on TV.

Then in middle school it was all about Keroppi and Pochacco. A friend reminded me of the adorable animals and several teen aimed fashion brands were using them on t-shirts.

When high school hit, I discovered my favorite yet in Badtz Maru.

I still love this bad boy penguin to death. His style just makes me smile.  I like Tuxedo Sam, the earlier penguin in the brand, but he's no Badtz, though he does have an adorable sailor hat.

After college, Chococat joined my list of beloved characters and most recently I find myself rather entertained by Aggretsuko, who is an office worker red panda that get's angry at work and goes into metal music rages.

She's so cute.

What I didn't know is that, three years ago, Sanrio created some characters for social media to help sell their products. Theses five human characters are Sanrio fans as well and got popular enough to spawn a manga, drama CDs, a phone game, and most recently an anime.

I heard about Sanrio Boys last summer, and honestly thought it was a joke.

I mean come on, pretty anime boys who love Sanrio characters?

It's not a joke.

It's a thing, and has been since 2015.

How did I miss this?

Seriously? How?

The anime began airing this month, and I'm already hooked.

You Will Not Live Forever

Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated. I AM Mr. 100, and it's going to take more than some high blood pressure and a possible heart attack to slow me down. I have lived through the deaths of my parents, exile from my family, and the most painful emotional breaks that have brought me to the edge of suicide.

I'm still standing here.

Defiant.

Confident.

Impossible to knock down.

Don't let my bravado fool you. Sunday was one of the most frightening days of my life. I felt a pain unlike any I've ever experienced, and it echoed through my chest, back, jaw, and arms. It was so overwhelming that I could no longer convince myself that it was nothing, and I went to an Urgent Care office here in Cape Girardeau.

Until this point I was sure that it was just sore muscles. I haven't been able to lift much lately, but I'm a big guy, so it's probably just a nagging old injury. I had made the mistake of looking up the symptoms online, and anyone that has ever done the same will know the fear that follows. The internet is an awful place, filled with awful people, and very scary information when you're some simpleton trying to self diagnose. My hope was that Urgent Care could ease my mind and I could go home, rest, and get over this.

Instead, the doctor on staff did a great job convincing me that I was going to drop dead almost immediately.

Shining Live!

It has finally happened! I have an English version of an Uta no Prince-sama game.

Granted, it's on my phone but I'm fine with that.

Shining Live! dropped in the Google Play store on January 23rd for download, and its your typical freemium with in game purchases. It's mainly a rhythm game, but you do have some story elements for unlocking new songs. You also get photos of the various idols that you level up as you play.

The better the photos level and skills the more points you get while playing each song.

My favorite parts of the game that I was pleasantly surprised with -

• All of the music are songs from the series.
• All of the respected voice actors are accounted for.
• Best of all the game is actually challenging. I didn't get my first S score until well after midnight on my first day playing.

Some of the dialogue is a little stiff and drawn out, but it seems to be getting lighter as I progress through the story. The guys' personalities are coming out a bit more rather than just being overly professional. That being said there is not much of a story. That may change, but so far it's just playful banter between the guys as they work gigs.

So far I like the game. I've unlocked about eight songs and already have a couple high level cards. I actually had to force myself to stop playing so I could get lunch.

There's also a campaign mode that allows you to play other songs you may not have unlocked, for a limited time. Rarer songs will also pop up on this list from time to time.

The game does however ask you the hardest question of all.

YOU CAN'T ASK ME THAT!

It's not fair making me pick one. I like them all for different reasons. This really is a series full of characters you get attached to. I guess I should be happy that the third idol group HEAVENS isn't in this game too.

...........yet.

To a New Year and New Challenges

2017 was painfully long, yet over in the blink of an eye.

I got a promotion, moved to a new apartment and got a new car after I smashed the old one into the side of another vehicle.

But this is my column, and I'd rather side step the bad events and focus on the good.

I fell behind on the upkeep of my Etsy page, but locally my art thrived. I had two local shops house my work.

Gaming Grounds in Cape Girardeau, MO, hosted some of my Pokemon fan art, and the walls got a little touch of color with my trading card wall hangings. My adult coloring pages were a bigger hit over all, as I had to restock with new designs several times over the last few months.

Villainous Grounds in Perryville, MO, was another welcoming home for my work. The amazing owners of this coffee shop/comic book store are big supporters of local artists and authors. They have a consignment method of sorts, and it allows us creative types to put our work up for sale for a minimum charge. I personally have sold a half dozen or more drawings that probably wouldn't have sold otherwise outside of a convention setting. I can remove my work whenever I want and they only take a percentage if an item sells. It's a great system, and I am so lucky to have found them.

Going into 2018, I want to continue to further my creativity. I'm generally not one for resolutions but I have decided to set myself a few goals.

And, since you're still reading this, I hope you're interested in those goals too.