I’m usually not the sort to make predictions or prognostications. I’ve neither the acumen nor the inclination to try to figure out any sort of “grand plan”, at least as far as technology is concerned. However, I’ve been known to comment on the obvious trend now and again. One such trend that I see is one in which some level of connectivity to the Internet is expected, no matter where one is geographically.

It’s a rare occasion that I’m left without connectivity of some sort. I’m one of those types that checks email religiously, even while on vacation. I’ve been known to sit outside the local library with my laptop, searching for the best position to sit so I can get a signal from their publicly available wireless internet connection. I’ve come to expect that I’ll have connectivity anywhere, at any time. In fact, I get a bit stressed when I know I’ll not be “connected”.

All parents at one time or another are going to be subjected to the world of toddler television. It’s a painful, song-filled world of creepy adults dressed in horrifying costumes, singing dinosaurs, cross-dressing rapping grannies and baby-voiced animated four-year olds who can’t wipe their own bottoms. It’s awful.

I had decided before my son Philip was born I would not let him watch any television aside from Sesame Street, but a few months into my stay at home, I realized my entertainment value wasn’t as much as I had thought and my creativity was running dry. So, reluctantly, I turned on Disney.

We all know They Might Be Giants have contributed to the world of children’s music, and are responsible for the great theme song, “Boss of Me,” from Malcolm In The Middle. What I did not know is that they are slowly becoming a big name on the Disney circuit, creating theme songs for a few of the shows.

Flash: Barry Allen (1956-1985) First Appearance: Showcase #4 1956

Have you ever found yourself bored at work, overwhelmed with the sheer amount that you have to do? So what do you do? Crack open the tales of the icons you love so much. However, beware of the thunderstorm that may sneak up on you as you read your comic at work, for it may strike you with lightning and, if you are lucky, bathe you in chemicals from a nearby shelf, thus giving you super speed. Yes, my friends. While Barry Allen was slacking, reading Jay Garrick Comics, at the Police Lab in Central City, Missouri, he was struck and bathed. Once again, he discovers his powers by running late, and trying to catch a cab. Suddenly he passes the cab as if it isn’t even moving. Amazing!

Connections. Life is all about connections. When we meet new people we try to connect, and then we try to stay connected. It is always interesting to be part of a new group of people. Maybe it is a new book club, maybe it is a church retreat, a business convention, or just two new neighbors on the lawn, but somehow conversation takes away the strangeness of strangers. (On a side note, staring at people only adds to your strangeness.) One topic that always seems to come up is television and what we watch. What we currently watch becomes what we used to watch, and then we are able to gauge how similar we are. Did they watch The Smurfs, The A-Team, and Mr. Rogers, or do they belong to a different generation?

What happens when they watched Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles instead of Speed Racer? They watched Howdy Doody and not Captain Kangaroo? I’ll tell you what happens.

You start talking about food.

Donkey Kong climbed to the top of the construction site and nervously looked around. Syndrome was hot on his trail but it appeared, for the moment at least, that he had lost him. Donkey was cautiously optimistic he had given Syndrome the slip but just to be safe he hid behind a stack of barrels.

The still air was suddenly split by the whooshing sound of Syndrome’s rocket boots. He sailed right over Kong, scanning the area but oblivious to the great ape hiding below. Kong saw his chance to strike and took it.