MMM: The Finals are here!

Wow. That’s all I can say as we made it all the way to the final two flicks and are left with a matchup as improbable as some of the crazy pairings in the NCAA b-ball tourney.

I really didn’t know what to expect heading into this thing. The films we started with were a strange and sorted lot. Nearly 2,500 votes have been cast along the way. Best of all, a lot of cool people have bumped into a lot of other cool people. Many of you said hi and visited the sites of others. Sweet. Of course, some of your bumping might’ve been a shoulder check ala the high school hallway “watch where you’re walking!” guy, but a little healthy competition never hurt anyone.

This ain’t mamby-pamby land after all.

One of our participants–Rob Shepherd–even took time out to have twins right in the middle of this thing! [Warning: scenes of nasty, baby goo included :-)]. According to Rob, this site is like “eHarmony without the romance.” Ah, the power of bringing people together.

Oh yeah, but you came here for results didn’t you? So let me get right to them so I can anger some of you and rip people apart. So much for bloganthropy. I give and take.

Alright, here’s the bracket as we head into the final matchup. I’ll interpret on the other side for those of you (not naming any names of course) who struggle with such lofty concepts as words on lines.

PTP4: Search Bombs & Zombies

Back at you and it’s the week of Search Bombing! Side note: see if you can find the plastic, green monster in today’s video.

If you haven’t yet seen what Ironic Mom and I were up to this week then WATCH THIS! Then enjoy search bombing us or your friends. Or people you hate.

I found this piece from Botut to be hilarious. Her kids watched a show about gang signs. See what happened when they went out in public the next day.

Paul from The Good Greatsby wrote How to Manipulate People into Throwing You a Party. Funny stuff.

Here’s a great post I discovered on a site called the Blog O’Cheese. Funny take on what being a teacher is like.

While we’re on the subject of teaching check out Avy Around the World and this amazing post that was Freshly Pressed this week. Most people just can’t write something like this.

Also, from Piper Bayard’s site we have a cool guest post from Jennifer Joseph about practical matters such as the inevitable zombie apocalypse.

That’s all for this week. Happy search bombing!

[Did you find the hidden green monster?]

Did you have any fun search bombing experiences yesterday? Be sure to include them in the comments.

I’d also love to hear of some great posts for a future PTP nod.

Posts That Pop appears on Saturdays and features some of the best web content I’ve discovered recently. My goal is to be interesting in all I do so nothing I promote will be a waste of your time.

Connect with me on Twitter @ClayMorganPA.

MMM: Final Four Announced & Open!

Alrighty my friends, the votes have been tabulated and the results are in. After some extensive analysis I am here to report that in all certainty MC Hammer was right. U can’t touch this. But you came here for a recap of the Elite 8 round in our March Movie Madness which is too legit to quit. Hey-hey.

I’d love to give you a flashy video rundown but am saving that for tomorrow, so here are the updated brackets showing you who has advance to the Final Four!

MMM: The Elite 8!

Great job so far everyone. We’re down to these final eight flicks that have a chance to reach this weekend’s Final Four. Sweet.

Voting opens today (Wednesday) and will conclude in 48 hours on Friday, so be sure to vote! The further you make it, the more publicity  you’ll grab, and I may have a special feature waiting for that last person standing.

Before we get to the voting, here is how we arrived at this point in case you’re just joining us or simply want a recap.

Lessons from a Writer’s Conference

Jonathan Maberry - Image via Wikipedia

Last Friday I packed up the White Rabbit and drove across the state to attend my first writer’s conference. I’m glad I went.

This trip seemed the next logical step in a process that began last summer when I committed to writing as a potential full-time career. The conference was perfect for what I needed, a brief event with less than 200 people attending and a nice tune up to the next conference which will be much longer and larger.

Some of the info coming at me wasn’t surprising at all. I didn’t need anyone to tell me that nonfiction writers are outnumbered by the fiction crowd big time. Other good reminders include the fact that writers need to write everyday and Kristen Lamb rocks. *Looks at camera 3, winks.*

I was flying solo and enjoyed getting to know a number of folks who just happened to be the next person around the corner. After an uneventful first night, the second day included plenty of good stuff to keep my brain chugging along.

Here are a couple highlights.

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Some of the best stuff of the weekend came from New York Times best-selling author Jonathan Maberry. I’d be better off even without specific takeaway points and strategies to chew on. His persistence in and passion for the craft are as contagious as the zombie viruses he’s written about. I have respect for the respect he shows aspiring authors.

But gravy for me because I did learn some great lessons from him. They include:

My Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Features

Two of the best pieces I’ve had published appeared as full page features in Sunday editions of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The first article highlights how Harry Houdini became the 1st international superstar and specifically details some of his appearances in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Amazing to imagine him leaping into one of the Three Rivers or hanging from skyscrapers in a straight jacket.

The more recent feature is all about using pop culture in education to better connect with students of all levels and disciplines.

Click on the links to check them out. I hope you enjoy reading them.

MMM: Sweet 16 Results

Here are your results for the previous round and which movies are advancing to the Elite 8.

So thanks to all who participated in the second round and congratulations if you’re advancing to Round 3 for a chance to reach the Final Four.

If you are in this final group please send me what you would like to use by tomorrow night. The next round will be up for voting on Wednesday (March 30). I’ll also have the updated bracket in effect on that day so you can print them and share with friends and coworkers who are no doubt shaking in anticipation next to a water cooler.

We’re down to it, so now’s the time to really push the film and person you want to rock this thang. I’ll find a way to make it worth the while of the winner in my Tourney Recap which is sure to be epic like those Sports Illustrated commercials that come on 17 seconds after every major championship is decided.

For those of you who may be new to the site, you’ve found us smack dab in the middle of our March Movie Madness, but I’m going to sneak a regular post in here this week as well.

I’ll look for those new write ups in the email!

What do you think of these results? Shocked? Pleased? Do tell.

March Movie Madness: Sweet 16 Concluded

Most of you should know the score by now, so let’s keep this short and sweet 16.

The first batch of round 2 movies concludes tomorrow morning. I’ll be out of town but should have no problem with internet access.

This batch will be open for voting until Monday morning. I’ll be traveling home that day but will get results out as soon as possible. Then we’ll have the Elite 8 all set.

You’ll notice some of these pitches are longer than others. If you’d like to add to what you’ve said you can a) send me something and I’ll get it up as soon as possible, b) write something on your blog and I’ll add the link, or c) use the comment section to continue your appeal. Thanks and here we go.

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Spaceballs (Kelly-Dances With Chaos) vs.

The most brilliant satirical film of all time dominated (by two votes) the competition last round – read my previous synopsis here if you missed it. This week, I list 4 Reasons Why You Should Vote for Spaceballs:

Follow this White Rabbit to a Guest Post Today!

I’m appearing over at the blog of my buddy Thoughts Appear today. I hope you’ll check out my post there, especially if you like having your head messed with. Wait, nobody likes that. Um, it’s in a good way. I think.

March Movie Madness: Round 2 Begins!

What a great first round. I apparently told you all about it through a video on Saturday even though I have no memory of said event. Fun times.

Now we’re down to the Sweet Sixteen. Congrats to those of you who made it, unlike my local team Pitt who just hates advancing in these silly March tournaments. (Some people from my hometown just murdered me with their minds.)

Here’s a look at the updated bracket.

Just Being Honest

Image by Anson Kennedy via Flickr

People often ask me questions about history as if I should know every event that has ever occurred complete with names, dates, and quirky yet relevant information surrounding the thing. I enjoy the challenge, but don’t be surprised if I say I have no idea about this or that.

You’ve probably experienced the same thing in your life. Whether it’s a field you work in, a trait you’re known for, or something else, have you ever been expected to know about something that you just don’t?

I have a reputation for being a guy who knows movies. People expect me to have seen just about every film ever made, especially all the big names.

Truth is, I haven’t.

So in that spirit, I am today coming forward about some movies I have not seen. These are movies that everybody has seen, so of course Clay has seen them too right? He hasn’t? Gasp-laugh-snicker-snort!

A quick search led me first to 100 Great Movies Every Guy MUST See. I was cruising along this list, confidant that I’d seen the first few and disagreeing with some of the selections when I got to #10 and realized I still have not watched this film. What was it?

MMM: Round 1 Recap

You’ll probably think I’ve been zombified when you see today’s video. Pay no attention to the aluminum foil mayhem in the background.

If you’ve advanced to the next round, you can check out the original bracket from this post to see who you are against. I did read the results in order, so you should already have a good idea of who you’ll face.

Go ahead and craft a follow up support effort to your flick pick keeping the new competitor in mind. Maybe a short couple sentences this time just to give the bracket a little flavor for round 2 which will begin on Wednesday (the 1st half). The other half of round 2 begins next Friday. That may seem spaced out a bit, but so am I. Wait, I meant but that’s by design as I will be out of town for a writer’s conference and won’t be able to do a good results rundown until the following Monday.

Thanks again all who participated. Good luck if you’re still in this thing. And have fun in the comments now whether you’re disgruntled or just interested in discussing the next round of matchups!

I’m going to get some more sleep. Maybe.

Okay, have at it!

[By the way, if anyone has been told that I unsubscribed to your blog, that’s only because of email switches made through WordPress. I will resubscribe as I go.]

Bad Boys: How Do I Love Thee [Guest Post by Renee Jacobson]

Image by K嘛 via Flickr

Time to take a break from our Movie Madness for a Friday Flick Faceoff. Voting for the first set of films is now closed and the second set will be shut down tomorrow morning. But who won? Tune in tomorrow afternoon (Saturday) for the results show. Yes, I am doing that to you. Stop stabbing me with mindsicles.

Today’s guest post comes to us from Renee  over at Lessons from Teachers and Twits. You can also find her on Twitter. Renee is the original fryber (cyber friend), one of the first real connections I made as I got serious about blogging last year. She knows how to make a point, has a great sense of humor, and is not afraid to mix it up every now and again. She’s a wife and mom from New York, and did I mention she’s also a teacher?

Well, she’s also a fan of naughty things, so I’m not surprised with how she handled her first FFF. It’s a jailbreak folks. Time to round up the suspects and make your pick in this lineup. Don’t worry, it’s a one way mirror here. Probably.

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I’ve always had a thing for bad boys. There was the guy with the motorcycle. (Actually, there were four of those.) There was the dude with the earring. (I believe there were three of those.) And there was the dude who supposedly “did it” with a sheep. (Only one of those.) Maybe this weird attraction explains why I have a thing for prison movies. What are these films about? Bad boys… who get caught.

March Movie Madness: Part Deux

Cover of Favorite Movies: Critics' Choice,

We hit the ground running yesterday as hundreds of votes have already been cast. And we’re just gettin’ warmed up [apply appropriate Al Pacino voice to that last sentence].

Thanks to those who grabbed the unclaimed movies. Each voting cycle for the first round goes 3 days. Once that’s done, I’ll let you know who advances and who bows out in what’s sure to be the most exciting results show since whatever reality TV show ended last.

That’s enough of me; it’s time for you. Here’s the rest of the round 1 matchups. Vote for your fave in each pairing and visit links of the folks who were willing to play. See you on the other side!

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The Blues Brothers (Heather-Prawn & Quartered) vs.

I’m on a mission from God…I’m gonna win this thing!

Click here for 8 things to love about The Blues Brothers.

Monty Python & The Holy Graille (Brent Davis)

Just look at the bones!!!!!!! Rich in humor that takes planning, a real sense of comedy, not this run into stuff and in your face humor these days…a comedy that has spanned the ages…bring out yer dead!!!!

March Movie Madness: It’s on!

Here we go for round 1 of March Movie Madness! Time to get in the mix and vote.

Image by mcgreevey via Flickr

A couple of you have asked if it’s okay to promote your movie elsewhere to get votes. The answer to that is hecks yeah! Let’s have some fun. Voting for each poll will remain open for 3 days.

For each matchup you’ll see the movie title followed by the person defending the flick. You may also see a link next to their name so check them out and see if you don’t make a new acquaintance.

One final twist. For the first time ever, I’m hiding all poll results, so no one will know who is ahead until the poll closes! Crazy right? Okay, stop throwing objects at me with your mind.

And now, I give you March Movie Madness. Begin.