COLLEGE BASKETBALL POSTSEASON ROLLS ALONG

More tickets punched to national tournaments. 

NAIA

University of Antelope Valley PioneersCALIFORNIA PACIFIC CONFERENCE: CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The last teams standing in this tournament were the top seeds – the UNIVERSITY OF ANTELOPE VALLEY PIONEERS – and the 2nd seeded UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT MERCED GOLDEN BOBCATS. The Pioneers (should be the Antelopes) had doubled-up on the Golden Bobcats by Halftime, leading them 46-23. UAV stayed on top the rest of the way for an 84-66 victory led by Ronnie Rousseau III’s 25 points. * THE PIONEERS ARE CHAMPIONS OF THE CALIFORNIA PACIFIC CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT

college of idaho coyoteCASCADE COLLEGIATE CONFERENCE: CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – This title tilt pitted the top-seeded COLLEGE OF IDAHO COYOTES against the 3 seeds – the OREGON TECH HUSTLIN’ OWLS. The Coyotes were out in front 44-36 at the Half, then held on against the never-say-die Hustlin’ Owls to win it 82-77. Talon Pinckney led the way for the College of Idaho with 23 points. * THE COYOTES ARE CHAMPIONS OF THE CASCADE COLLEGIATE CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT Continue reading

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THE STRANGER (1991-1995): TIME FOR ANOTHER SUCH PASTICHE OF DOCTOR WHO?

The StrangerTHE STRANGER – Given the current uproar over the disastrous Chibnall retcon, Balladeer’s Blog takes a look at the “brief shining moment” when Colin Baker was starring in what is often called a bootleg Doctor Who series. Less antagonistic interpretations call the BBV series a pastiche or a knowing “homage” to Doctor Who.  

When The Stranger series of stories first came out it was a few years after the original run of Doctor Who was over. For the many Colin Baker fans who felt he got robbed of an opportunity to shine as the Doctor for reasons beyond his control, these episodes were basically just barely-concealed stories featuring Colin’s regeneration of the timelord from Gallifrey. 

Consider:

*** Colin Baker went from playing an enigmatic traveler in time and space known only as the Doctor to playing an enigmatic traveler in time and space known only as the Stranger.     

Colin Baker*** The most popular companion of Baker’s Doctor was Peri Brown, played by Nicola Bryant. The Stranger’s companion was “Miss Brown,” played by Nicola Bryant.

*** The Doctor and his companions traveled in a time/space vehicle called the Tardis. The Stranger and his companions traveled in a never-seen vehicle coyly referred to as their “mode of transportation.” Continue reading

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THE MASKED MAN: STORY THREE – THE BANK ROBBERY

Balladeer’s Blog continues its examination of B.C. Boyer’s neglected 1980s superhero the Masked Man. For Part One click HERE  

Eclipse Monthly 1ECLIPSE MONTHLY Vol 1 #1 (August 1983)

Title: The Bank Robbery

Villains: The Incognito Gang

Note: With so many other sites covering the way the BBC has decided that the Doctor “was born a poor black child” as Steve Martin once said, I am instead proceeding with this series of reviews.  

Synopsis: This 3rd Masked Man adventure was one of 5 features in the debut issue of Eclipse Monthly. B.C. Boyer’s massively underrated hero shared the gigantic magazine with the legendary Steve Ditko’s superhero called Static, Doug Wildey’s iconic gunslinger Rio and others.

The Masked Man (Dick Carstairs) wound up being the most popular character in the monthly publication and eventually graduated to his own solo series. As always, Boyer wrote AND drew the story.  

Masked Man faceThe Bank Robbery opens with a little boy named Delbert being scorned and bullied by a bunch of other boys his age. They look down their noses at Delbert until, in a desperate bid for acceptance, he tells them he “helped” the Masked Man stop a bank robbery the previous week.

We learn that the boy’s father is dead and his financially struggling mother picked him up after school the previous Friday and then took him to the bank to cash her paycheck. While she was at the counter doing just that, the six-man Incognito Gang entered, guns drawn, to rob the bank.

Each of the gang members wore colorful masks fitting for supervillains in a comic book, except for one, who wore a Groucho Marx mask. Boyer’s fun ability to blend action, dark urban danger and occasional laughs makes me wish he had written the script for the 2008 movie about Will Eisner’s hero The Spirit.      Continue reading

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SHAKEM AKHET: DEMOCRATS DO NOTHING FOR BLACK VOTERS

Shakem AkhetIndependent Voter site Balladeer’s Blog likes to keep readers updated on those of us who have chosen to #WALKAWAY from the increasingly repulsive and out of touch Democrats. Shakem Akhet, leader of South Carolina’s #BLEXIT answer to #WALKAWAY, recently reflected on the reasons he and other African Americans are leaving the Democrats.

Link is below, but first some excerpts:

“The Democratic Party has played with the black vote for so long. The Democratic Party has used the black vote for their advantage and they have done nothing in return. The cities are still in a dilapidated state. You have a lot of corruption. You still have a lot of dirty politics, so we feel as though since the Democratic Party is not doing what they’re supposed to do then there needs to be a mass exit out of the Democratic Party.”

mascot new look donkey and elephant heads“Trump kind of won me over a lot with prison reform. We’ve got a lot of individuals in the prison system, especially federal prison, and what happened is with the First Step Act, a lot of people who were incarcerated were able to actually have an avenue to come home.”

Regarding President Trump’s Opportunity Zones, Akhet was equally positive: “I love the opportunity zones. That’s a good thing that allows us to invest in underserved communities that give us opportunity to provide jobs and to build up our communities.” Continue reading

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COLLEGE BASKETBALL: MORE TOURNAMENT RESULTS

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Southeastern University Fire NEWTHE SUN CONFERENCE: CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The top seeds – the SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY FIRE – took on the 3rd seeded SAINT THOMAS UNIVERSITY BOBCATS (should be the Tomcats). The Fire were on top 34-25 at Halftime only to see the Bobcats charge back, forcing Overtime with a 68-68 tie. In the extra session Southeastern U won the game 78-73. Riley Minx notched THIRTY-ONE points to lead the victors. * THE FIRE ARE CHAMPIONS OF THE SUN CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT

Mayville State Comets SQUARENORTH STAR ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION: CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The 2nd seeded MAYVILLE STATE COMETS faced the Cinderella 5 seeds – the WALDORF UNIVERSITY WARRIORS. By the Half the Comets had taken a 30-24 advantage but had to hold on tight from there against a furious Warriors rally. Mayville State won it 65-62 led by 22 points from Demitrius Martin. * THE COMETS ARE CHAMPIONS OF THE NSAA TOURNAMENT *

NJCAA

Sandhills College FlyersMID-ATLANTIC DISTRICT: CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The SANDHILLS COLLEGE FLYERS clashed with the ANNE ARUNDEL COLLEGE RIVERHAWKS. The Flyers led the Riverhawks 40-36 at the midpoint. The explosive 2nd Half ended with Sandhills College winning by a Century Club-level score of 108-92. Sayaun Dent tossed in 18 points to lead the Flyers. * THE FLYERS ARE CHAMPIONS OF THE MID-ATLANTIC DISTRICT TOURNAMENT * Continue reading

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TO MARS WITH TESLA (1901): ANCIENT SCIENCE FICTION

To Mars With TeslaTO MARS WITH TESLA (1901) – Written by Weldon J Cobb, To Mars With Tesla (not to be confused with To Hell With Alexander Graham Bell) momentarily turned the”Edisonade” sub-genre of science fiction into a “Tesla-ade.”

Years ago Balladeer’s Blog reviewed Edison’s Conquest of Mars, an 1898 novel depicting the inventor Thomas Edison and several other real-life figures saving Earth from Martian aggression. This 1901 work presents Edison’s rival inventor Nikola Tesla in a tale involving the Red Planet.

NOTE: Do not confuse this novel with the 21st Century adaptation of it by another author.

To Mars With Tesla aka A Trip To Mars was originally serialized in the magazine New Golden Hours from March 30th, 1901 to May 18th, 1901. Nikola Tesla is attempting wireless communication with Mars to see if it bears intelligent life. Assisting him in this endeavor are Professors Weir and Combe as well as a youthful intern called “Young Edison.”

masc graveyard newThat intern sees most of the action and is supposedly a distant relative of Thomas Edison. Young Edison relays messages between his scientist bosses and this makes him a frequent target of the nefarious schemes of the villainous Heinrickson, a mad tycoon who has evil designs on the planet Mars.      

Secondary antagonists include the mad scientist Herschel de Vega, who is constructing a spaceship, and a pair of crooks named Zadir and Hazif, who impersonate Martians as part of their criminal scheme.    Continue reading

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TEN WEBSITES THAT ARE NOT TO BE MISSED

Balladeer’s Blog takes a look at some sites you’ll kick yourself for not visiting on a daily basis. CLICK ON TITLES TO VISIT THE SITES.

INFOGALACTIC.COM

InfogalacticNature: Informational

Comment: Called “The planetary knowledge core,” Infogalactic.com proves you don’t ever need to use W-pedia OR the g-word. Well, you can use the g-word if you want search results that prioritize sites which PAY the g-barons to place them higher than sites that are actually more relevant to your search. And unlike W-pedia, Infogalactic.com doesn’t allow fools with an axe to grind to “edit” entries.

ETHAN VAN SCIVER’S C.A.P.S.

Ethan Van Sciver picNature: Irreverent takes on pop culture … and mummies

Comment: C.A.P.S. stands for Comic Artist Pro Secrets but don’t let that specificity fool you. Van Sciver is like a new King of All Media in the way that he irreverently addresses any and every pop culture topic that enters his crosshairs (And I think we all know how painful that can be). Called “Caesar” and “Uncle Ethan” by his fans, EVS’s YT channel makes for addictive viewing and/or listening. The jovial genius embodies the old clichés like “you know him, you love him, you can’t live without him.” Balladeer’s Blog’s regulars know that I know funny, and Ethan is hilarious! Continue reading

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COLLEGE BASKETBALL POSTSEASON TOURNAMENTS CONTINUE

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NORTH STAR ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

Mayville State Comets SQUAREFIRST SEMIFINAL – The 2 seeds – the MAYVILLE STATE COMETS – squared off against the 3rd seeded VITERBO UNIVERSITY V-HAWKS. The Comets had taken a 41-29 advantage by Halftime, then kept the V-Hawks at arm’s length the rest of the way for a 75-62 triumph. Max Cooper led the way for Mayville State with his 20 points. 

Waldorf Warriors logoSECOND SEMIFINAL – In this game the 5th seeded WALDORF UNIVERSITY WARRIORS clashed with the top seeds – the BELLEVUE UNIVERSITY BRUINS. The Bruins held a 34-31 edge at the Half, but the Warriors came from behind to win the game 68-66. Demitrius Martin tossed in 27 points to lead Waldorf University in this Upset.

NJCAA

Herkimer Generals logo BIGREGION 303: FIRST SEMIFINAL – The 3 seeds – the HERKIMER COLLEGE GENERALS – took the court against the 2nd seeded ONONDAGA COLLEGE LAZERS. The Generals were all over the Lazers, leading 35-20 at the break on their way to a 68-48 smackdown victory. Shykell Brown’s 21 points led Herkimer College.  Continue reading

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JACK BREWER CALLS TRUMP “THE FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT” PLUS MORE

Jack Brewer 3As Black History Month 2020 comes to a close, here are some of the recent highlights.

Former NFL star Jack Brewer, a prominent Democrat who has praised de facto Third Party President Donald Trump’s many accomplishments for the African American Community, called Trump “the First Black President” at the Black History Month Roundtable at the White House on Thursday.

Brewer’s remark was a light-hearted variation on the way Bill Clinton was often called the first black president, but given President Trump’s incredible and unprecedented economic achievements for African Americans, the truth behind Brewer’s levity shone through.

Trump Black History MonthTrump’s rapport with so many African American voters seems to be part of the reason that Republican trash like George W Bush, Mitt Romney and the National Review crowd oppose him.

“I’ve been a Democrat all my life but I’m not a Democrat now,” Brewer said. “You’ve changed me. You touched me. And you made my work go to another level. You inspire me. And every time I go into those prisons and I ask my guys how many of them had their sentences reduced and they raise their hands, I know I’m doing God’s work and I thank you for that.” (Note from Balladeer: A reference to President Trump’s prison reform policies.)

big MAGA hatBrewer also noted that President Trump had ignited “a tremendous awakening in the country” among black Americans. “Donald Trump will get over 20% of the black vote,” Jack said . “That is what’s going to win the election. Why? Because there hasn’t been a Republican to even try to go in and talk to the black community. They don’t go there. They don’t even try. I think he’s trying, finally.” (Note from Balladeer: History is being made, that’s for sure.)

Brewer continued by criticizing the failed policies of Barack Obama – “it left a bad taste in my mouth,” he said . “And then I really started being awakening [sic] to what was happening with the Democratic Party — making so many promises but then abandoning the community that I worked so hard in.” (Note from Balladeer: The Democrats do that to all of the working class and the poor, unfortunately.)

“I said enough was enough, and I really started putting aside what my parents and my grandparents taught me about sticking to the Democratic Party because they were the party for African Americans,” Brewer said. “You know all that rhetoric sounded good back in the ’60s, but the facts are that the (Democrats’) policies just don’t help our families.”  Continue reading

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LEAP DAY MILESTONES

Charles “The Bearded Badass” Darwin

Some things happen only once every four years – things like Democrat Joe Biden having a coherent thought and Republican Mitt Romney prying his head out of his ass. Another one of those things would be February 29th: Leap Day. Balladeer’s Blog takes a look at some of the milestone events that got cheated out of a yearly anniversary by happening on this date.

1704 – French provocateurs and Native Americans attack Deerfield, MA and kill roughly 50 inhabitants while abducting 100. Ronald Reagan’s ancestor recommends selling arms to Persia to secure the release of the abductees. Elizabeth Warren’s ancestor recommends killing all the Native Americans and then claiming to BE part Native American when it’s monetarily or politically convenient.

1712 – In Sweden February 29th is followed by February 30th to help usher in the new calendar system … and because Al Sharpton’s ancestor demanded an extra day in February to make Black History Month a little bit longer.  

1720 – Back to Sweden, where Queen Ulrica Eleonora resigns following general public ridicule of her name “Ulrica”. I’m kidding! But she did resign.

1784 – In France, the Marquis de Sade is transferred from the fortress of Vincennes to the Bastille in exchange for 3 other sadists and a masochist to be named later.

1832 – Charles Darwin explores the Brazilian jungle and gets a great idea for how he can screw with religious nuts even long after he’s dead.

1836 – In Paris, Meyerbeers’ opera Les Huguenots premieres. Nobody cared back then either. Continue reading

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