Happy birthday, Wil. Enjoy it, and thanks for everything you do. Just get out to the East Coast someday. :-)

To reveal such a fragile and awkward moment, you have obviously forged your spirit in the tradition of your ancestors. You honor us.

If you'd like to read the entirety of the original article, along with many comments, Google "Mr. Crusher will be playing Ted Kord" and go to the cached version. I used it mostly so I could find out the full name of the "writer" (I use "writer" because the entire thing wasn't plagiarized, but must use the quotes so as to differentiate him from people that actually work at the craft in any real sense). Check out the words of moderator "Troy" and author "David" in the comments if you should Google cache. They still don't get it, probably even now. The most bizarre part to me wasn't even the article. It was a comment from a contributor named "Corey": "If it makes you feel any better, David, you’ve probably given Wheaton more press with this article than he’s had in the last 15 years." Really?

Glad a couple of people finally mentioned Jake Johannsen; I just about wore out the video tape with his special "This'll Take About An Hour" back in the day. Other comedy specials I recall that I don't think have been mentioned: Bob Nelson, "Nelson Schmelson"; Larry Miller, "...Just Words"; and a couple of the HBO Young Comedians specials, including the 6th (hosted by the Smothers Brothers, featuring Jerry Seinfeld, Harry Anderson, Richard Lewis and Howie Mandel) and the 8th (including Paula Poundstone, Bill Maher, Carol Leifer, Joel Hodgson (!) and the Amazing Johnathan). As far as albums, Bill Cosby, Bob Newhart, George Carlin, Monty Python ("She came over all dead, so we've given her the afternoon off."), Tom Lehrer, Lewis Black and Weird Al, just to name a few (oh, and Eddie Murphy's first album; wouldn't go near Old Spice after that). I left this until last, but a special mention must be made of Rick Reynolds' amazing one-man show, "Only The Truth Is Funny." It's not all laughs (because it's all true), but it's still one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

Glad a couple of people finally mentioned Jake Johannsen; I just about wore out the video tape with his special "This'll Take About An Hour" back in the day. Other comedy specials I recall that I don't think have been mentioned: Bob Nelson, "Nelson Schmelson"; Larry Miller, "...Just Words"; and a couple of the HBO Young Comedians specials, including the 6th (hosted by the Smothers Brothers, featuring Jerry Seinfeld, Harry Anderson, Richard Lewis and Howie Mandel) and the 8th (including Paula Poundstone, Bill Maher, Carol Leifer, Joel Hodgson (!) and the Amazing Johnathan). As far as albums, Bill Cosby, Bob Newhart, George Carlin, Monty Python ("She came over all dead, so we've given her the afternoon off."), Tom Lehrer, Lewis Black and Weird Al, just to name a few (oh, and Eddie Murphy's first album; wouldn't go near Old Spice after that). I left this until last, but a special mention must be made of Rick Reynolds' amazing one-man show, "Only The Truth Is Funny." It's not all laughs (because it's all true), but it's still one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

As Thomas mentioned (how dare you steal my thunder many hours ago! ;P), the Police haven't been playing together that long, hence why the songs sound so fresh. Amazing what a 20-year break will do; maybe we could persuade some other bands to try it and then not let them reform.... I saw The Police at Citizens Bank Park in Philly last summer b/c I missed out on the Synchronicity Tour 25 years ago thanks to my parents, and they were one of the few acts I'd said I'd be willing to pay that much money to see. I also had the misfortune to get Fiction Plane instead of Elvis Costello (which could have made it truly awesome), but did discover a pretty good band in The Fratellis. Sting and the guys were awesome, they did play SynchII, but we also got the drunks behind dumping drinks on us and the pot smokers later in front making my wife very ill. Other than that, a great show. I rarely go to concerts anymore, in part because many of the bands I want to see play at the crappy South Philly venues with no seating, and my feet can't take it (God, I'm old). I've come to trust the fan base of a very few acts that I'll go see when I get the chance. P.s. I hope you at least got the medlies of "Voices Inside My Head/When the World Is Running Down..." and "Can't Stand Losing You/Regatta de Blanc"; they were highlights of the CPB show.

As Thomas mentioned (how dare you steal my thunder many hours ago! ;P), the Police haven't been playing together that long, hence why the songs sound so fresh. Amazing what a 20-year break will do; maybe we could persuade some other bands to try it and then not let them reform.... I saw The Police at Citizens Bank Park in Philly last summer b/c I missed out on the Synchronicity Tour 25 years ago thanks to my parents, and they were one of the few acts I'd said I'd be willing to pay that much money to see. I also had the misfortune to get Fiction Plane instead of Elvis Costello (which could have made it truly awesome), but did discover a pretty good band in The Fratellis. Sting and the guys were awesome, they did play SynchII, but we also got the drunks behind dumping drinks on us and the pot smokers later in front making my wife very ill. Other than that, a great show. I rarely go to concerts anymore, in part because many of the bands I want to see play at the crappy South Philly venues with no seating, and my feet can't take it (God, I'm old). I've come to trust the fan base of a very few acts that I'll go see when I get the chance. P.s. I hope you at least got the medlies of "Voices Inside My Head/When the World Is Running Down..." and "Can't Stand Losing You/Regatta de Blanc"; they were highlights of the CPB show.

As Thomas mentioned (how dare you steal my thunder many hours ago! ;P), the Police haven't been playing together that long, hence why the songs sound so fresh. Amazing what a 20-year break will do; maybe we could persuade some other bands to try it and then not let them reform.... I saw The Police at Citizens Bank Park in Philly last summer b/c I missed out on the Synchronicity Tour 25 years ago thanks to my parents, and they were one of the few acts I'd said I'd be willing to pay that much money to see. I also had the misfortune to get Fiction Plane instead of Elvis Costello (which could have made it truly awesome), but did discover a pretty good band in The Fratellis. Sting and the guys were awesome, they did play SynchII, but we also got the drunks behind dumping drinks on us and the pot smokers later in front making my wife very ill. Other than that, a great show. I rarely go to concerts anymore, in part because many of the bands I want to see play at the crappy South Philly venues with no seating, and my feet can't take it (God, I'm old). I've come to trust the fan base of a very few acts that I'll go see when I get the chance. P.s. I hope you at least got the medlies of "Voices Inside My Head/When the World Is Running Down..." and "Can't Stand Losing You/Regatta de Blanc"; they were highlights of the CPB show.

As Thomas mentioned (how dare you steal my thunder many hours ago! ;P), the Police haven't been playing together that long, hence why the songs sound so fresh. Amazing what a 20-year break will do; maybe we could persuade some other bands to try it and then not let them reform.... I saw The Police at Citizens Bank Park in Philly last summer b/c I missed out on the Synchronicity Tour 25 years ago thanks to my parents, and they were one of the few acts I'd said I'd be willing to pay that much money to see. I also had the misfortune to get Fiction Plane instead of Elvis Costello (which could have made it truly awesome), but did discover a pretty good band in The Fratellis. Sting and the guys were awesome, they did play SynchII, but we also got the drunks behind dumping drinks on us and the pot smokers later in front making my wife very ill. Other than that, a great show. I rarely go to concerts anymore, in part because many of the bands I want to see play at the crappy South Philly venues with no seating, and my feet can't take it (God, I'm old). I've come to trust the fan base of a very few acts that I'll go see when I get the chance. P.s. I hope you at least got the medlies of "Voices Inside My Head/When the World Is Running Down..." and "Can't Stand Losing You/Regatta de Blanc"; they were highlights of the CPB show.

OK, I have to add my Xmas favorites from the five volumes (and counting) of music we've compiled over the past 10 years: Barenaked Ladies - "Christmas Medley (live)" Ben Folds - "Bizarre Christmas Incident" Big People - "Piece For Christmas" Bill Lloyd - "Underneath The Christmas Tree" The Bobs - "Santa's Got A Brand New Bag" Brave Combo - "Must Be Santa" Clockhammer - "Here Comes Santa Claus" Dan Wilson - "What A Year For A New Year" Dance Hall Crashers - "I Did It For The Toys" Dave Edmunds - "Run Run Rudolph" Deborah Holland - "It Only Comes Once A Year" Eels - "Christmas Is Going To The Dogs" Eels - "Everything's Gonna Be Cool This Christmas" El Vez - "Feliz Navi-Nada" Ed Haynes - "Holiday Song" Fishbone - "It's A Wonderful Life (Gonna Have A Good Time)" Fountains of Wayne - "The Man In The Santa Suit" Futurama - "Xmas Song" Henry Rollins - "Twas The Night Before Christmas" Hoodoo Gurus - "Little Drummer Boy (Up The Khyber)" Jethro Tull - "A Christmas Song" Jill Sobule - "Merry Christmas From The Family" John Wesley Harding - "Talking Christmas Goodwill Blues" Kate Bush - "December Will Be Magic Again" Klark Kent - "Yo Ho Ho" Martin Mull - "Santa Doesn't Cop Out On Dope" Mono Puff - "Careless Santa" Monty Python - "Christmas In Heaven" MxPx - "Christmas Day" Nicole Blackman - "What I Want For Christmas" No Doubt - "Oi To The World" The Pretenders - "2000 Miles" The Puddles - "Christmas List" Rebel Pebbles - "Cool Yule" The Royal Guardsmen - "Snoopy's Christmas" Shalini - "Nutrocker" Simon & Garfunkel - "7 O'Clock News/Silent Night" The Sonics - "Don't Believe In Christmas" Squeeze - "Christmas Day" Squirrel Nut Zippers - "Indian Giver" Stan Freberg - "The Night Before Christmas" Stan Freberg & Daws Butler - "Christmas Dragnet" Steve Hunter - "We Three Kings" They Might Be Giants - "Santa's Beard" Timbuk 3 - "All I Want For Christmas" Tom Lehrer - "A Christmas Carol" Vince Guaraldi - "Skating" Wayne Newton - "Jingle Bell Hustle" Weird Al Yankovic - "Christmas At Ground Zero (Extra Gory Version)" The Whirlees - "The Grinch" XTC - "Countdown To Christmas Party Time" I also enjoy many of the ones already mentioned (especially "Fairytale of New York" and "Christmas Wrapping"), and hope everyone gets to enjoy all the music of their choice and the holiday season! Take care all!

OK, I have to add my Xmas favorites from the five volumes (and counting) of music we've compiled over the past 10 years: Barenaked Ladies - "Christmas Medley (live)" Ben Folds - "Bizarre Christmas Incident" Big People - "Piece For Christmas" Bill Lloyd - "Underneath The Christmas Tree" The Bobs - "Santa's Got A Brand New Bag" Brave Combo - "Must Be Santa" Clockhammer - "Here Comes Santa Claus" Dan Wilson - "What A Year For A New Year" Dance Hall Crashers - "I Did It For The Toys" Dave Edmunds - "Run Run Rudolph" Deborah Holland - "It Only Comes Once A Year" Eels - "Christmas Is Going To The Dogs" Eels - "Everything's Gonna Be Cool This Christmas" El Vez - "Feliz Navi-Nada" Ed Haynes - "Holiday Song" Fishbone - "It's A Wonderful Life (Gonna Have A Good Time)" Fountains of Wayne - "The Man In The Santa Suit" Futurama - "Xmas Song" Henry Rollins - "Twas The Night Before Christmas" Hoodoo Gurus - "Little Drummer Boy (Up The Khyber)" Jethro Tull - "A Christmas Song" Jill Sobule - "Merry Christmas From The Family" John Wesley Harding - "Talking Christmas Goodwill Blues" Kate Bush - "December Will Be Magic Again" Klark Kent - "Yo Ho Ho" Martin Mull - "Santa Doesn't Cop Out On Dope" Mono Puff - "Careless Santa" Monty Python - "Christmas In Heaven" MxPx - "Christmas Day" Nicole Blackman - "What I Want For Christmas" No Doubt - "Oi To The World" The Pretenders - "2000 Miles" The Puddles - "Christmas List" Rebel Pebbles - "Cool Yule" The Royal Guardsmen - "Snoopy's Christmas" Shalini - "Nutrocker" Simon & Garfunkel - "7 O'Clock News/Silent Night" The Sonics - "Don't Believe In Christmas" Squeeze - "Christmas Day" Squirrel Nut Zippers - "Indian Giver" Stan Freberg - "The Night Before Christmas" Stan Freberg & Daws Butler - "Christmas Dragnet" Steve Hunter - "We Three Kings" They Might Be Giants - "Santa's Beard" Timbuk 3 - "All I Want For Christmas" Tom Lehrer - "A Christmas Carol" Vince Guaraldi - "Skating" Wayne Newton - "Jingle Bell Hustle" Weird Al Yankovic - "Christmas At Ground Zero (Extra Gory Version)" The Whirlees - "The Grinch" XTC - "Countdown To Christmas Party Time" I also enjoy many of the ones already mentioned (especially "Fairytale of New York" and "Christmas Wrapping"), and hope everyone gets to enjoy all the music of their choice and the holiday season! Take care all!

Congrats, Wil and Ryan. You should be proud of yourselves and each other for how Ryan's turned out and the special relationship you two seem to share. Enjoy the day; there won't be another like it. I drove 10 hours to attend my niece's high school graduation last weekend. I married her mom's sister, so I don't share any of her DNA either, but I felt much as you do. Her dad isn't around, and a man her mom married a few years ago turned out to be a real putz, so I like to think of myself as sort of a surrogate (if long-distance) father figure to her. I couldn't express to her enough during the short time we were there just how proud I was of her. Luckily she and her sister will be spending a couple of weeks with us in a few days, so I'll have plenty of extra chances.

Congrats, Wil and Ryan. You should be proud of yourselves and each other for how Ryan's turned out and the special relationship you two seem to share. Enjoy the day; there won't be another like it. I drove 10 hours to attend my niece's high school graduation last weekend. I married her mom's sister, so I don't share any of her DNA either, but I felt much as you do. Her dad isn't around, and a man her mom married a few years ago turned out to be a real putz, so I like to think of myself as sort of a surrogate (if long-distance) father figure to her. I couldn't express to her enough during the short time we were there just how proud I was of her. Luckily she and her sister will be spending a couple of weeks with us in a few days, so I'll have plenty of extra chances.

Only one or two people have mentioned Star Trek novels, and I'm surprised no one has mentioned the best of the best in that area: Peter David. Love the "Star Trek: New Frontier" books, though I'm a bit behind.

Only one or two people have mentioned Star Trek novels, and I'm surprised no one has mentioned the best of the best in that area: Peter David. Love the "Star Trek: New Frontier" books, though I'm a bit behind.

Good for you, Wil! On a whim, last night I entered FullTilt's Midnight Madness $10+1 tourney (1,152 entrants), and somehow stayed awake long enough to finish 14th! The only reason I was knocked out there was someone who slow-played Aces in the small blind to keep me (BB) in the hand sucked out with runner-runner to make a higher two pair after I flopped two pair with my 43o. Again, good job, Wil. See, you definitely deserve to be a Team PokerStars member ... more than any of those $.10 tourney entrants. ;-P

Good for you, Wil! On a whim, last night I entered FullTilt's Midnight Madness $10+1 tourney (1,152 entrants), and somehow stayed awake long enough to finish 14th! The only reason I was knocked out there was someone who slow-played Aces in the small blind to keep me (BB) in the hand sucked out with runner-runner to make a higher two pair after I flopped two pair with my 43o. Again, good job, Wil. See, you definitely deserve to be a Team PokerStars member ... more than any of those $.10 tourney entrants. ;-P

Wil, that's the best part of Netflix. You rent the movie, and if it's that great you know it's worth buying to watch the extras such as commentaries, etc. That's what my wife and I use it for. Besides, isn't the main idea of Netflix that there's no due dates or late fees? So why don't you have time to go back and watch the commentary? P.s. Glad you finally got around to catching Network.

Wil, that's the best part of Netflix. You rent the movie, and if it's that great you know it's worth buying to watch the extras such as commentaries, etc. That's what my wife and I use it for. Besides, isn't the main idea of Netflix that there's no due dates or late fees? So why don't you have time to go back and watch the commentary? P.s. Glad you finally got around to catching Network.

I got that T-shirt for Christmas from my wife. 8-) As a sports reporter with nightly deadlines, I almost always feel under pressure to produce content, but by the same token also usually have events about which to write. However, it does help keep me from starting a blog (I write so much for work, I don't often want to do it outside of work). Hmmm, that sounded a lot more relevant when I started writing it.... Hey, I got that T-shirt for Christmas from my wife!

I got that T-shirt for Christmas from my wife. 8-) As a sports reporter with nightly deadlines, I almost always feel under pressure to produce content, but by the same token also usually have events about which to write. However, it does help keep me from starting a blog (I write so much for work, I don't often want to do it outside of work). Hmmm, that sounded a lot more relevant when I started writing it.... Hey, I got that T-shirt for Christmas from my wife!

*excited squeal* "Now say 'nuclear wessels!'"

*excited squeal* "Now say 'nuclear wessels!'"

Wil, I come to your weblog almost every day to see if something new has been posted. Yours is the only blog I do this with. I come because I respect your work as a writer, not because you're writing about something that I think I'll be interested in. Other than your technical posts (which I usually can't follow -- my fault, not yours), I always make sure to read the post. Whether it's an entry on poker (come find me on PokerStars sometime), work, family or life, I almost always come away learning something, either about you or, surprise, surprise, myself. Keep doing what you do, and keep working at all your crafts. I get discouraged occasionally in my job as a sportswriter (OK, maybe more than occasionally), but then someone comes along and tells me how much they appreciated or enjoyed something I wrote. Hopefully I and many of the other commenters have helped you in that respect, because I do appreciate what you write -- all of it. Take care. FatCat3

Wil, I come to your weblog almost every day to see if something new has been posted. Yours is the only blog I do this with. I come because I respect your work as a writer, not because you're writing about something that I think I'll be interested in. Other than your technical posts (which I usually can't follow -- my fault, not yours), I always make sure to read the post. Whether it's an entry on poker (come find me on PokerStars sometime), work, family or life, I almost always come away learning something, either about you or, surprise, surprise, myself. Keep doing what you do, and keep working at all your crafts. I get discouraged occasionally in my job as a sportswriter (OK, maybe more than occasionally), but then someone comes along and tells me how much they appreciated or enjoyed something I wrote. Hopefully I and many of the other commenters have helped you in that respect, because I do appreciate what you write -- all of it. Take care. FatCat3