Partying with interchangeable body parts

  • by Drew

Did I mention the launch is coming? That would be the Mad Science The Card Game launch party. In case you were wondering. Saturday July 21, 4pm at Alterniverse in Salt Point. Be there or be Spongebob’s super lame cousin in right angle pantaloons.

We’re inviting friends and un-creepy acquaintances from far and wide to crash at Casa Mad Science aka the Laboratory aka the Skateboard Heroes secret hideout aka Lulu’s domain. I may even invest in an industrial strength shower fitting so we can offer group sanitation without the lye-overtones of prison induction.

Okay, maybe that’s a bit much. We have two showers and a third half bath so any guests who take us up on the offer can get clean without the threat of public indecency charges.

Unless that’s what you’re into.

Mad Science…

Yay!

My Only Slightly Larger Princess

  • by Drew

My three year old daughter rules our house with an iron fist. Sure she has a wrist full of silly bands, an older brother’s Star Wars t-shirt cum ballerina dress, and a pink tutu, but she is totally in charge. When she barks an instruction, we jump to attention and follow it because no one is willing to suffer her wrath… all 30 pounds of it.

Nevertheless, she is still my baby girl. My little pink princess baby girl. Although she made a bit of a step forward. She left her crib behind this week and moved up to her “big girl bed.” No more Glenna Jean bedding crib sheets and vertically sliding crib walls. She’s got a twin with a Jenny Lind headboard from the 60s (the same one I inherited in the 70s) and it’s all alright.

Heavy Equipment

  • by Drew

I’ve really enjoyed all of the this Mad Science The Card Game nonsense. I still have some mixed feelings about Kickstarter, but knowing it is a business and not (as too many people believe) a charitable organization i any way, shape or form, that’s probably okay. And at some point in the future I very well may go ahead and do another project.

That said, I totally have to get back to Skateboard Heroes. I have kept the comic on the backburner for too long. So long, in fact, that the kids are growing and the photos I got of Booster battling a front loader may not work. And that would blow. Do I need to start trolling for used skid steers for sale? When you combine a world class skateboarder with a front loader operated by a claw-wielding megalomaniac… tell me that doesn’t rock you tonight?

Backseat Litigation

  • by Drew

I just saw the Lincoln Lawyer, and while I’m no big McConaughey fan, I actually kind of like him in the role. In fact, I really enjoyed the film. I am a huge fan of Michael Connelly – love his novels, especially the Harry Bosch books. I have enjoyed the Mickey Haller books, although I have often felt them slightly forced when compared to his other books.

I think what actually sold me on the authenticity (as such, it being an over the top thriller with a bit of courtroom drama in the mix) in the film was the soundtrack. The hip hop emphasis while the lawyer is cruising around is perhaps better explained in the novel, but for me, seeing the film, it really fit with the super saturated color process and the shaky camera work. Definitely worth the time.

Signature Models

  • by Drew

I’ve been receiving mail order musician supply catalogs for something like 25 years now, so I am usually familiar with what the big guitar companies are putting out. I’ve seen some real doozies over the years, but one thing I am always interested in is the signature model guitars. Sure, there have always been Clapton and Eddie Van Halen models. And in recent years, there are usually a handful of offerings right after a surprise Grammys win, but others kind of surprise me.

It used to be a somewhat rare honor, though. at least, that’s how it seemed to me. Like the Stevie Ray Vaughn model, after his tragic accident, it was a pretty special instrument. But now, it seems to be just another gimmick, at least some of the time.

Like, I adore Rancid, but a Fender acoustic Tim Armstrong model seems a little forced. And when I see an Ace Frehley Gibson I can’t help but wonder if it comes with best makeup remover recommendations. And while the death of Dimebag Darrell was certainly a tragedy, I have to believe he holds some kind of record for the most posthumous signature models because there are dozens and dozens of Dimebag models.

Greats of the 90s

  • by Drew

Did you ever listen to Belly? Oh man, what a fantastic band. I have a totally huge crush on Tanya Donnelly. I bet she is aging so hot. They were such a great group, though. Seriously. With connections to The Throwing Muses and The Breeders among others, how could you not adore them!

While the grunge stars were worrying about Blood tests in Seattle, Belly was rocking out with those New England roots. So good.

It should be clear to know what’s in my playlist today.

Faulty Wiring

  • by Drew

A friend recently relocated his retail business. He was more or less pushed into an empty space in a neighboring facility by his landlord so they could rent his former space to the next door tenanct who wanted to expand. So, they caused him the headaches and expense of moving with no real personal advantages.

Already we hate these landlords, right? As well we should. But it gets worse. When he moved into the new space, he found out that there were all sorts of wiring problems, with the phones in particular. The former tenant had a specialized business with specialized needs and had done some wacky stuff. Since it is all inside the building, the phone company won’t help without a miliion dollar service call that will result in lots of wasted time. Sure, all the panduit raceway that is sure to result will probably be cool and all that, but shouldn’t the responsibility fall on the landlord? After all, they said it was ready to move in. How can they just lay it at the tenant’s feet.

3 wheelers

  • by Drew

Here’s another complaint that will make me sound like a total jerk, but, well, what can I do? I’ve never really understood the three wheel strollers. I get the whole baby jogger thing, and I actually did see it happen once. I mean, a mother jogging and pushing a stroller.

Most recently, though, I’ve noticed a lot of, ahem, larger couples with three wheel strollers. Now, at the risk of sounding judgemental, let me put it out there. These people ain’t jogging. No way, no how. So why the pretense? Unless there was a big sale or something, like 25% fewer wheels, 25% lower price, I don’t know why you would opt for the 3 wheel death machine.

Maybe it’s just me.

But at least half of the other times I’ve seen a three wheel stroller, it has been tipped over. Granted, it is usually tipped by overzealous older siblings, but it happens. I mean, it’s basic physics right? It’s a less stable foundation, and when you have bouncy toddlers. Well, it all goes to hell pretty quick.

Hillbillies

  • by Drew

I hate to go back to the Whites, but that documentary really did irritate me. I feel like I should have a term insurance without medical exam joke here, especially with all of the time they spend in the Emergency Room, but of course, they don’t even think about stuff like that.

And there I go again, being an elitist. I know. such an awful character I am. Dangblast it.

Bike Tires

  • by Drew

Specifically, motorcycle tires. Okay, I know this is a strange aside, but I have always wondered why the tires you see on bad ass custom motorcycles on TV shows always have those mostly smooth, very rounded tires with slash marks for treads. They just seem so far away from automobile tires. Sure, scream Conti Road Attack 2 with joy, but all I can see is road rash. Horrible, horrible road rash. Isn’t grip, like, the point of treads. When your tires look like sideways inner tubes, aren’t you risking your neck, like, big time?

Maybe it’s just me. Clearly I’m a lot more comfortable on 4 wheels than 2, but I can’t help but wonder.

© 2026 Drew Bancroft. All rights reserved. Totally.