A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY:

... Sooooo, today is Friday - And other than it being a pretty typical gloomy Northern California day - And a Friday - There really is not much going on other than the fact it is Friday.

Did I mention that it is Friday?

Friday.

Yup.

Well - In addition to the fact that it is a rainy Friday it is also exactly one week away from 'Rouge One: A Star Wars Story' hitting theaters...I for one am EXCITED. It is going to be pretty cool actually; just in time for the Holiday Season.

I was not much of a fan of Episode VII - But I am stoked about 'Rouge One.' In a way, it will be a way to see how this whole thing started.

Yes, I know there where prequels. Do I acknowledge them? No. No I do not.

Google the "Ernest Rister Order" or the "Machete Order" if you really want to go hard - George Lucas thought that Star Wars was Anakin's Story...Alas, he was wrong. Anakin Skywalker was a complex and interesting character but not a transcendent one. Not like Luke. Not even a little bit.

Anyway - In celebration of 'Rouge One: A Star Wars Story' being released next week here is some bad-ass Star Wars art Kotaku offered up a while back...Enjoy:

http://kotaku.com/the-best-star-wars-art-on-the-planet-1786644742

May the Force be with you.

Hot Mama

P.S. And I happen to be watching 'The Empire Strikes Back' tonight - The best of the bunch, guys...The best of the bunch.

B.

PUNCH IT, CHEWIE:

... Hey - Check this out, did you ever wonder what the inside of the Millennium Falcon looks like? - Of course you did; it is the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs after all.

Am I right???

Anyway...Joking aside check this out:

http://io9.gizmodo.com/so-thats-how-the-inside-of-the-millennium-falcon-is-lai-1784073989

Sorry, maybe I am just a little TOO excited about 'Rouge One: A Star Wars Story' hitting Theaters later this month...It is finally December after all.

Pretty neat, right? - I know, #NerdAlert!!!

Syndication out,
Hot Mama

BANNED:

... So, the NBA has been back for around a month now and I STILL have not had a chance to blog about this interesting article I stumbled across on Yahoo! regarding the story of the original Jordan 1's and the League's ban of he shoe during the 1984-1985 Season.

I know, I know - I am late with everything...But in all fairness, it has been a rough six months in the old Matray Household.

Anyway...It really is a fascinating example of strategic marketing that quite honestly started an sports empire the likes of which I do not think even Phil Knight could have imagined.

Quite simply, this is where it all started.

Here is the Yahoo! A article...I highly recommend it - And you get a look at the Jordan 31's; a re-imagined take on the "Banned" 1's that all of the Jordan Brand Athletes will be rocking on court this season.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nike-celebrating-banned-air-jordans-with-new-release-174631314.html

... And here is a fun graphic to pair with the article:

Michael Jeffery Jordan was a God among insects.

PEACE,

B.

YOU ARE A ROCK:

... Seriously.

You are like a ROCK when you act this way.

Immovable.

You. Are. Immovable.

And here I stay, trying to balance everything in my life...My hopes. My dreams. My accomplishments, my short comings and my "What-ifs."

I am having a tough time right now recognizing my place in this world.

It really is tough.
B.

NO...I AM NOT OKAY:

... No, I am not okay. Please stop telling me that everything is fine. No. I am not okay. And it is okay for me to say that and to feel that way.

I am not okay that my Wife and I cannot have anymore children without IVF. I am not okay that this was taken from us.

I am NOT okay with this.

I am not okay that my Son will probably be an only child and everyone fucking caters to him like he's Prince Joffrery.

No.

I am not okay.

I am not okay that I lost out on a promotion two weeks ago to someone who is SO under qualified as it compares to me that it is embarrassing...AND...That the explanation given to me was that I need to work on my education in Government even though I have MORE experience in Government and a degree that is...Whatever, I should NOT have to defend myself on this.

What a fucked up excuse for not promoting me.

If your fucking reading this, that WAS fucked up.

Looking for someone more technical? Someone who balances you more? Someone who is a better fit???

Whatever.

More like: "I want you right where I have you and until I am gone you will stay right there" - Was that SO tough to say?

...

No.

I am not okay.

I am not okay because this nation elected Donald Fucking Trump our 45th President and that is seriously fucking fucked up.

What. The. Fuck???

No.

This Country, the Women, Children, Minorities and the LGBTQ Community - Not to mention my Wife and Son - Deserve BETTER THAN THIS!!!!!!!!!!!

GOOD GRIEF AMERICA.

No.

I'm not okay.

Thank you for asking.
B.

A-TISKET, A-TASKET...

... "Hey Boo-Boo, Let's Go Get Us a Pic-a-nic Basket:"

Now yours for the low-low price of a stone-cold $5 Million.

http://gizmodo.com/unsellable-196-foot-picnic-basket-marked-down-to-5-mil-1786360738

What in the literal HELL were they thinking?

Form follows function indeed.

B.

BMX SESSION AT THE SILVERDOME:

... Whelp, it is Week 4 in the NFL and my Beloved Chicago Bears will be playing the Detroit Lions today - Or, I suppose more appropriately stated: My beloved Chicago Bears will be losing to the Detroit Lions today.

FML.

Anyway, I have decided to focus on something more positive - Rather, something more interesting than the results of today's match-up - Something like Tyler Fernengel shredding BMX through the abandoned Silverdome outside of Detroit in Pontiac, Michigan.

Yup. That is better - #PUREMICHIGAN.

... Remember this? - Ah, memories:

http://lostarchitectsunite.blogspot.com/2014/10/i-see-you-detroit.html

Fuck Detroit.

PEACE,
B.

I THINK I JUST THREW UP A LITTLE...

... In my mouth.

Just more evidence that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is completely upside down and totally fucked:

http://gizmodo.com/heres-the-2022-winter-olympics-venue-in-the-middle-of-1721529580

Groan...B.

HUH...YEAH - THIS:

... Well, www.deadspin.com has a thought:

http://deadspin.com/why-dont-they-just-make-the-whole-airplane-out-of-olymp-1785649726

It is so crazy it just might work.

Syndication out,
B.

WHEN THE DUST SETTLES:

... Well the Summer Olympics have been over for a little more than a week - And in case you did not know (...or have been living under a rock) - I am sure the facilities and venues have already started their gradual decline into disarray since the world's best and brightest have bolted.

What? - You do not believe me? Here is a link from www.gizmodo.com illustrating what Sochi looks like now - And it has only been two and a half years since the last Winter Games were held in Russia...Eek:

http://gizmodo.com/just-six-months-after-the-olympics-sochi-looks-like-a-1626519139/+tcraggs22

... And just for good measure here are a few additional links from Gizmodo and www.io9.com that offer-up additional fantastic photographs of abandoned and decaying past Olympic sites:

http://io9.com/after-the-games-photographs-of-decaying-olympic-sites-503372635

http://gizmodo.com/the-sad-desolate-state-of-athens-olympic-venues-10-ye-1617897127

Kind of makes you wonder how the Olympics ever make any money...Oh, wait:

http://gizmodo.com/do-the-olympics-ever-break-even-1529295819

Tragic.

Benjamin out,
Hot Mama

P.S. This is by far not the first time I have thrown shade on this crap...You can find some past thoughts on the topic in the links below:

http://lostarchitectsunite.blogspot.com/2016/08/i-i-just-cant-anymore.html

http://lostarchitectsunite.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-quick-update.html

http://lostarchitectsunite.blogspot.com/2014/03/and-with-that-merely-memory.html

http://lostarchitectsunite.blogspot.com/2014/02/meanwhile-in-russia.html

PEACE...B.

I, I JUST CAN'T ANYMORE:

... I LOVE the Olympics - I am sure you know this as a proud and loyal follower of this Blog - BUT - While you enjoy all 306 games of this Summer's Olympics please keep the things mentioned in this article foremost in your mind:

http://deadspin.com/staying-in-rio-presents-some-challenges-1784641588

There was a sink:

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Sucks.

Oh yeah, and try not to think of the World's best Athletes swimming and rowing in what actually amounts to an ocean full of toilet water...And there is also Zika for good measure; you know just to up the ante a bit - I guess it is supposed to be exciting, sort of like the "Hunger Games?"

Yuck.

Peace,
Hot Mama

"I'M ON A BOAT!!!"

I AM THE NIGHT:

... So, www.jalopnik.com did a little thing on the Batmobile.

Pretty cool actually - P.S. - This:

... Here is the link:

http://jalopnik.com/this-is-the-only-batmobile-that-makes-any-sense-1767771390

Cheers,
Hot Mama

REST IN PEACE, CHAMP:

... 74.

Rest easy Champ, rest easy - #TheGreatestOfAllTime, #ThePeoplesChamp.

Vaya con dios,
B.

WE STILL RISE - #TEAMMATRAY:

65...

... Rest in Peace, Zaha Hadid - Vaya con Dios.

iTUNES TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

... Oh goodness - This is hilarious. So, you know those pesky iTunes Terms and Conditions that Apple shoves in your face every time you turn around twice? - Sure you do, it is all that verbiage that you "agree" to without even thinking, right??? Well anyway, this guy has taken them, used them as written dialogue for multiple different cartoon panels and posted them to Tumblr.

You can check it out here: http://itunestandc.tumblr.com/

Hey, it might be the only time in your life you actually READ that garbage...Here is just one example for your viewing pleasure:

Anyway - I thought it was funny.

Fuck Apple,
B.

WELL...YEAH:

... This is a stupid post I have kept as a a draft in my Blogger for a while now and I really think I should just ditch it.

Funny how time distorts things.

Anyway, here:

https://www.brandiose.com/behind-the-scenes/nike/2

Flying Squirrels - FLYING SQUIRRELS!!!

... And with that I am out,
ME.

MY OLD SCHOOL HOUSE:

... Guess which parts my Tuition paid for???

Bear Down Arizona.

B.Arch, The University of Arizona, Class of 2002

Hot Mama

... SOON, GUYS. SOON:

WHO YA' GONNA' CALL???

... So, I am sure you guys have seen this already but just in case - This is happening and I am more than a little apprehensive:

I suppose all-in-all things could be worse and it is reportedly not a reboot, or "soft" reboot or a re-imagining of the originals...It is reportedly cannon and will expand upon the original story and pay tribute to the original Ghostbusters - AND...Well, supposedly also has not only Dan Aykroyd's but also Bill Murray's blessing...Which I find hard to believe, but, whatever.

... Like I said, it could be worse - Especially given how Hollywood bastardizes most things nowadays - I mean, maybe that is too harsh - Maybe...But did you see the Fantastic 4 reboot??? - Me neither, perhaps that is why it bombed, because no one saw it...Or, maybe it just sucked..Like, sucked big time.

But I am still apprehensive about this new Ghostbusters film...Because of, well...

This. This right here:

Nope. Just nope.

Why, why, why the hell do you have to "Cute" up the Radioactive emblem with a heart? - That is totally unnecessary - I get it, they are women, but come on man, this is 2016 not 1963...Why can they not simply exist on their own, on their own merits and because of their own talents rather than diluting this whole thing down with hearts, unicorns and easy-bake ovens.

I mean...Come on, right?

*Dismounts Soapbox*

... Okay - Moving on. Anyway, on a happier note in case you did not know the original movies were shot in various locations [obviously] in and around New York City - Including their historic and iconic abandoned fire house headquarters - But in real life, the fire house is actually not abandoned at all; like so many other things in Hollywood its death was slightly exaggerated...In fact, the station itself has made more than one film/television appearance.

Yes, the Hook & Ladder 8 is still alive and well.

www.io9.com posted a brief write-up on the Hook & Ladder 8's interesting story prior to the new year and I thought that now, with all the hype associated with the upcoming movie, might be a good time to share...Because, well - First off I am a Nerd and second, I care about you.

I know, I know...It will be okay - No need to worry; we can get through this together - Anyway, here is the article, enjoy:

http://io9.com/the-fascinating-history-of-the-nyc-fire-station-that-st-1747107090

... BUT - This is the coolest part of this whole thing...Here is what Hook and Ladder 8's Fire Department Patch looks like:

This...This is seriously cool.

Where is Peter Venkman when you need him??? - Oh right...

He got slimed. I forgot.

Syndication out,

Hot Mama

SO MUCH FOR THAT:

... An Architectural "Crack-down" has begun:

http://gizmodo.com/chinas-ban-on-weird-architecture-is-a-damn-shame-1760774451

Bummer.

B.

HOW TO MACHINE A CLOCK:

... Happy Tuesday.

Yay,

B.

TYSON'S TIGER LAIR:

... Did you guys ever read about Mike Tyson's abandoned Mansion in Ohio? - It is sort of a nutty story, actually. The main house and out buildings are just sitting there in disarray having been neglected for decades.

The house itself is really no architectural wonder but the interior decor sort of sits there frozen in time extremely dated...A little bit like a Polaroid Photograph from 1990 in an old rusted frame.

... BUT!!!

It is crazy to look at this abandoned mansion and imagine what it looked like during the height of Tyson's popularity and fame - It must have been a crazy place to visit...I mean, here are just a few photos of the property - The main gate, master bathroom hot tube and the interior pool.

... Here is a Yahoo! link with plenty of additional photos - Including one of the former Boxing Champion with one of his White Bengal Tigers - And some additional history on the property:

https://homes.yahoo.com/photos/photos-cursed-neglected-mike-tyson-mansion-1427918373-slideshow/photos-cursed-neglected-mike-tyson-mansion-photo-1427930038518.html

This whole thing reminds me of one of my all-time favorite Tyson Quotes...I suppose now, in retrospect, this is still oddly appropriate:

How the mighty have fallen.

Crazy, right?
B.

80's & 90's RETRO NFL POSTERS:

... Well, the Super Bowl was last Sunday and Football has officially been over for a week. Miss it yet? - I can assure you that there is a large portion on the population that would have answered "Yes" to that question.

Anywho - Here is something to hold you all over until the NFL Combine and OTA's - An online collection of 1980's and 1990's retro posters...Remember these things??? - These were cool.

Here is the link: http://imgur.com/a/O2626

... And here is a sampling of the Bears-themed Posters; oh my beloved Chicago Bears...Bear Down, Chicago Bears:

What? - The 80's were classic...I seriously had that 'Mad Mac' Poster on my Bedroom wall as a kid - The "Punky QB;" what a character.

Happy off season,
Hot Mama

WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS:

HAPPY SUPER BOWL 50:

... Or Super Bowl L - Or, whatever I guess.

As I am sure you are all aware of by now, unless you have been living in Beirut, the Super Bowl is today - And the NFL has used Super Bowl 50 as a golden anniversary of the event - Get it, Super Bowl 50??? - The fiftieth anniversary of the Super Bowl...Get it? Of course you do.

But you might be saying, "But, Hot Mama - Wasn't the first Super Bowl in 1967, and by extension, wouldn't that mean that this is actually the 49th Super Bowl and not the 50th???"

... And, you would be correct - But, who cares right? Because. Marketing.

Anywho - As I do every year, I will be watching the game - Lewis Black has that joke about how he watches the Super Bowl every year because he has no religion and he believes it is important for a man to believe in something and that the Super Bowl occurs on a Sunday, and, so, well there you go. I have not quite yet determined who I am rooting for, however. I think it would be nice for Denver to win, allow Manning to pick-up another ring and ride out into the sunset like a horse - ON A Horse...Sorry, I meant ON A Horse. Sheesh. But a Carolina win would be fine too - I have a ton of respect for Ron Rivera and his time spent as a part of my beloved Chicago Bears...And even though most football fans hate Cam Newton; his bravado, attitude and "swagger" do not bother me at all...He honestly does not bother me in the least.

At least he is having fun out there...I mean, that really should be what football is all about, right?

Speaking of having fun - I will tell you that there are people out there that are NOT having any fun as it applies to Super Bowl Gold or L or 50...Or whatever. There are San Franciscans that are not too fond of the NFL ascending into the Bay and shoving corporate tentacles into every corner and crevice.

Yes...The good people of San Francisco are not too happy about hosting the Super Bowl - And I really cannot say that I blame them because the city of San Francisco is actually ponying up a boatload of cash directly from the General Fund to finance marketing and events, i.e. TAX PAYER'S MONEY...They even rounded-up all the homeless and have them quarantined in a portion of the city where esteemed guests and visitors are not expected to visit.

Classy.

... But here is the kicker - The Super Bowl is not actually in San Francisco this year - It is in Santa Clara. The Super Bowl is being played at the 49ers newish stadium in Santa Clara known as "Levi's Stadium" - Yay, corporate stadium naming rights!!! - Levi's Stadium and Santa Clara are on the other side of the Bay...In fact, it would make more sense for a traveler headed to Levi's Stadium to fly into the San Jose Airport and not San Francisco International...One could go as far as saying that said traveler could fly-in, stay near the stadium, attend the game and fly-out without ever actually leaving Santa Clara County or entering the City of San Francisco - Or the County of San Francisco for that matter.

AND - The best part? Santa Clara is actually being reimbursed for hosting the Super Bowl...See? - I would be pissed-off too!!! - Here is a nice summary on www.deadspin.com about this whole debacle:

http://deadspin.com/san-francisco-still-doesnt-know-how-its-going-to-pay-fo-1756527792

... They also had a nice write-up on some of the vandalism Super Bowl 50 installations are having in and around the city of San Francisco; which, again is NOT where the actual game is occurring - Here is just one example, "UP R BOWEL" - Very, very clever, guys:

Plenty more examples here; enjoy:

http://deadspin.com/san-franciscans-have-declared-war-on-super-bowl-sculptu-1756345681

Honestly, this whole thing has me remembering Candlestick Park - Where the 49ers used to play in San Francisco - And the Giants for a while too actually. Candlestick no longer exists; they have been slowly demolishing since the 49ers left for Levi's Stadium.

... About six or seven months ago two guys jumped the fence at the Candlestick demolition site - Here are a few of their photos. Pretty amazing actually - Think of all the history here reduced to rubble:

... Out with the old and in with the new; such is the way of big-money professional sports in America...Progress, right? - You can find plenty of additional photos here, it is worth a look:

http://deadspin.com/we-hopped-a-fence-and-explored-the-ruins-of-candlestick-1711438735

It really is crazy to think that the 'Stick is gone...R.I.P. Candlestick Park.

Happy Super Bowl 50, one and all. Bring money.

PEACE,
B.

X-MEN: APOCALYPSE | 1990's CARTOON STYLE:

... Did you guys see the trailer for "X-Men: Apocalypse" a few months before the Holidays? - I know, old news, right? - I am late for EVERYTHING...It sucks. BUT - Enough with the self-deprecation because that is NOT what this post is about. This post is about my favorite Marvel Comic Book Characters:

The X-Men.

I am a HUGE X-Men fan - Always have been actually; they were my comic book of choice as a child and I even remember dressing up with my Sister and running around our back yard pretending to be Wolverine, Cyclops or Gambit - My Sister would either be Jean Grey - Or, her favorite, Rouge. We had these yellow and blue cellulose triacetate and polyester Nike warm-up jackets (...so late 80's, early 90's) that allowed us to play our parts to perfection in our minds.

Good times had by all.

The other really cool thing about the X-Men was the Saturday Morning cartoon that ran in the early 1990's - IT WAS AWESOME - The graphics always seemed a little odd but it stuck true to the canon of the comics and the main antagonist, Apocalypse, was a total bad ass.

... Of course, I am not the only fan that felt this way and the 1990 Cartoon has a rather large cult-following - So, it is really no surprise to me that someone re-cut the dialogue from the latest "X-Men: Apocalypse" trailer, dubbed-it over shots from the 90's Cartoon and posted it to www.youtube.com - AND - Since I am just that kind of guy, here it is...From me to you:

Pretty cool, huh?

Remember what I said about the 1990's Cartoon having a huge cult-following? - Well it honestly still holds true to this day. There is an Animator who has taken a whole year off of work to create and produce an unauthorized and re-imagined short animated series on YouTube and his own www.facebook.com account - His name is Joe Furtado and the series is titled "X-Men : Danger Room Protocols" and you can find more information here on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/joelyface

Or his website here:

http://www.joelfurtado.com/

Problem is...Last I read Marvel had shut him down - Se la vie.

Here is a promo pic:

... AND - In closing, you can see the Official 20th Century FOX Trailer for "X-Men Apocalypse" here on YouTube - I guess it is pretty cool too:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COvnHv42T-A

But come on...You'd be lying to yourself.

Peace,

Hot Mama

THIS TOWN IS ON FIRE!!!

... So, I stumbled across this on www.gizmodo.com right after the New Year and I simply could not believe it - Dubai has a serious problem with the envelopes of their skyscrapers - Technically the insulation - And by extension their preferred Architectural Aesthetic...It begs the question about just how serious of an issue this might become and just how they found themselves in this situation with this serious problem.

Check out this time lapse video from www.youtube.com - This is NUTSO:

... You can find the original post here - Lots of additional information; also - ROBOT DRONE FIREFIGHTERS!!!! - Seriously. Check it out:

http://gizmodo.com/when-will-dubai-fix-its-burning-skyscraper-problem-1751398645

Holy Hell.

Syndication out,
Hot Mama