Stay out of the black: End Piracy, Not Liberty, or Allow Me a Few Minutes on My SOPA Box …

Maybe you like the black box and the emptiness that accompanies it. Maybe you like being part of a soul-sucking void.

Entitled titles: Do some movies deserve special treatment?

Toward the end of 2011, I began the process of converting all my existing DVDs into a digital format, partly to have everything available on a computer, mostly to free up space in my house.

I’m at about the halfway point of converting the films, but I’m now faced with a dilemma as I move toward my favorite titles/directors: Do I keep any hard copies of the movies from my favorite directors? There’s something about having the actual DVDs from Scorsese, Eastwood, Anderson (both P.T. and Wes), Tarantino, Spielberg and others that I find comforting.

Everlast-ing love, or How I’m Finally Proven Right Over a Misheard Song Lyric

When House of Pain’s “Jump Around” first debuted in the 1990s, I didn’t care too much for it because of one of rapper Everlast’s boasts, which I found to be not very, well, boastful.

Lowered Expectations: My Official List of Things to Do in 2012

UPDATED Jan. 17, 2012
I guess I need a better list.

The past few years, I have started January with a list of fun pop-culturey things to do in the following 12 months. The list can range from eating a one-pound hamburger to watching four movies in a theatre in one day (both of which I proudly accomplished).

2011 Skullz Fantasy Football: Back to back to back, or How I Dominated Again

I’ll keep it simple.

The very best in music, movies, books, TV, concerts and more of 2011

UPDATED Jan. 4
In sitting down to pick my top movies/albums/etc. of the past year, I realized I would have a difficult time picking 10 in any particular category, which is kind of a key component in any top 10 list.

So, instead of the usual “best of” format, I’m going to borrow from Stephen King (who happens to be on this list) and include the things I loved in 2011. Other than being grouped by category with a No. 1 leading the way for each, they’ll be in no particular order.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give to you …

The 2011 List of So … There I Was’ Favorite Things

1,000 Words: Mirror Music Machine

Lollapalooza. 2010. Rock. Roll. Exhaustion. Rock stars. RockStars. Ibuprofen. Rock. Rock. Rock. Awesomeness.

An email that in no way alludes to the NBA’s blocking of a trade

The following is an email I sent to the NBA Store in response to a promotion I received about a sale on all NBA-related items:

Even more movies now available thanks to my digital conversion

In addition to the movies I listed earlier in the week (check them out here), I’ve added several good new titles. Movies are $5 each or five for $20, except as noted.

(UPDATED with new titles!) My move to digital means you have the chance to buy several DVDs

I’m in the process of converting all my DVDs to digital, which means I will have most of my collection up for sale. I’m selling all my movies for $5 each, or five for $20 (except where noted). The list will be updated regularly, so please check back for new titles as they come available.