I have to admit, I was a trifle reluctant to attend Nolan's 52nd Birthday Celebration at the Gandy Hooters for fear that some of my -uh- more opinionated views in Oddservations and on the Crazed Fanboy message boards may put me in hot water with certain contributors/readers in attendance. But, I said to myself: "Andy, you're not really afraid of the Blazing Wimpoid liberals that infect Crazed Fanboy, are you?" Well, of course not, so upon a last minute phone call from Chris Woods, I decided Nole was well worth it (not that Chris is at all a Blazing Wimpoid).
Of course, as soon as I left Clearwater, the skies opened up - and viciously, too. By the time I arrived at Hooters (15 min. late) it was coming down like a Beech Nut spitter's demonstration. Not to be brought down by meek liquid droplets, I grabbed my University of Central Florida mini-umbrella and ventured in.
Sure enough, the gang was seated before the front entranceway, as bombastic as ever. There was Chris Woods, Joel D. Wynkoop, Terence, Nole's brother Ron Canova, and of course the suspendered one hisself. I doled out handshakes and hugs (never being sure when the knife would plunge in my back; Terence might be working for Senor Drew Ryber...) and took a seat at the end of the table - where latecomers were banished.
After ordering a Mountain Dew, conversations between the gang were rekindled. Topics ranged from: Crazed Fanboy gossip & ketch-up to cult movies to indie film to Gus Perez. I have to say it was great to see Nolan having so much fun. He was probably more animated an hilarious than I've ever seen him (and that's saying a lot) and seemed to really enjoy the cheap beer. Plus Nolan was very, very L-O-U-D. Before long, the waitress delivered our food orders, and there were gobs of chicken wings to go 'round for the beak/talon crowd.
I'd say the highlight conversation centered around last week's TFR, not that I knew much about the films they referred to, but the stories were interesting/funny anyway. As Crazed Fanboys perpetually demand, past memories were dredged, one of my favorites being Ron Canova's tales of when he and Steve Beasley worked at the Woolco Dept. store back in the 1970's. It was also good seeing Joel, who I typically only get the chance to mingle with during conventions. Chris and Terence seemed to have a great time too.
Above all, Nole appeared to have a blast, and I was glad I had an open window to celebrate the Great One's b-day with him and our friends.
He should have birthdays more often.
Flash - Ahhh-Ah!
This week marks the official release of Flash Gordon on DVD, with a cover by Alex Ross. Fans of the colorful '80 production (I'm one) may want to pick this one up for the packaging and extras. I mean, how could you not have Flash Gordon in your collection?
"Oddservations" is ©2007 by Andy Lalino. The Oddservations banner is a creation of Andy Lalino. All other graphics, except where otherwise noted, are creations of Nolan B. Canova. All contents of Nolan's Pop Culture Review are ©2007 by Nolan B. Canova.
