HOW TO TALK LIKE A PIRATE

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirates life for me! Every night when Tom Mason and the Blue Buccaneers perform their audiences have the chance to live the pirate life while this band plays its tunes. The wild band of Nashville musicians dress like pirates and act out the role as well while playing a rollicking mix of piratical sing-alongs, rousing historical rave-ups, Afro-Cuban tinged ballads, Cajun sea shanties, and bluesy Irish jigs, all celebrating the days when the seas were ruled by great sailing ships. Their energetic performances and outlandish pirate garb are always a hit with kids while parents will enjoy the rambunctious pub band attitude of Captain Tom and his Blue Buccaneers.  With a playlist of all ages friendly content, this is a band that is sure to entertain the entire family.

In honor of Talk Like a Pirate Day, Captain Tom has shared with ageekdaddy.com his pointers on speaking like one of his Blue Buccaneers. "If you are shy and need some nerve, talk like a pirate!" Captain Tom recommends. Enjoy this video of Captain Tom's Talk Like a Pirate Day tips then take a moment to enter our giveaway for his band's new album If You Want To Be a Pirate: Songs for Young Buccaneers.



I was impressed that If You Want To Be a Pirate: Songs for Young Buccaneers' songs have the quality of being enhanced by multilayered instrumentation – from accordions to violins – and are full of jolly harmonies. The album starts listeners off on their musical pirate adventure with the aspirational and welcoming title track. Next up, the song “It’s a Lot of Work To Be a Pirate,” confirms the bilgey deck-swabbing reality of life aboard a sailing ship. Listeners meet “Kristofer the Kindly Kraken” and “The Parrot of a Pirate.”  There’s no sign of rum in the kids’ version of the Blue Buccaneers hit “In the Drink” included on this family friendly album.

Captain Tom and his crew have some interesting message in a bottle style lyrics to share with their Mateys. One tune bemoans the state of the world’s oceans and “messy humanity” when “You Can’t See the Treasure through the Trash.” They also share with all the “lusty lads” and “lively lasses” listening how to instantly “Talk Like a Pirate” (a song written with Talk Like a Pirate Day co-founder John “Ol’ Chumbucket” Baur). Time moves swiftly in a pirate’s life. Before you know it, you’re “Sailing On” with the wind.

This is one of my favorite all ages albums released this year. So I'm excited that Captain Tom and the Blue Buccaneers have provided an album to giveaway to one lucky winner. Hey my matey! Who wants it? Just complete the rafflecopter entries before October 10, 2018 at 11:59 pm EST for a chance to win. Must be a United States resident, over 18 years old, wear an eye patch and have a wooden peg leg to be eligible for the giveaway. Ok ignore the peg leg and eye patch requirement, I was just checking to see if you were reading the rules. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Talk Like A Pirate Day was created by John “Ol Chumbucket” Baur and Mark “Cap’n Slappy” Summers. Find out more about them and why everyone adds "Argh!" to their vocabulary on September 19th at www.talklikeapirate.com. For more information about If You Want To Be a Pirate: Songs for Young Buccaneers sail across the Internet over to tommason.net

SCRIBBLENAUTS BATMAN DAY FUN

We had some BATMAN DAY fun playing "Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure" thanks to Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment sending us a free copy of the SCRIBBLENAUTS MEGA PACK they are releasing on September 18, 2018.

SCRIBBLENAUTS MEGA PACK combines upgraded versions of previously released, "Scribblenauts Unlimited" + "Scribblenauts Unmasked" in one video game bundle which includes new content for both titles. It is available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox One gaming consoles.



As a parent, I appreciate that Scribblenauts' games focus on players utilizing their creativity and imagination along with vocabulary and spelling skills to solve puzzles and overcome challenges to win the game.  Using adjectives to enhance the abilities of characters and objects and nouns to create helpful tools and vehicles are an essential part of these games. Utilizing the games extensive dictionary database, players can conjure up user-created objects or alter the features of characters within the games that range from incredible to wacky.

I also like the old school side-scrolling views the game is laid out in while my kids appreciate the open world aspect of the play.  They love games that let them explore rather than ones that force you to follow a script so Scribblenaut games are always a hit with my twins. The distinctive Scribblenauts art style with its sketchy tones is an aspect of these games my son and daughter really like. SCRIBBLENAUTS MEGA PACK improves on this aspect by now having the hand-drawn scenery and objects that are a highlight of these two games displayed in high-definition.

Another nice feature of the MEGA PACK is having added the Scribblenauts "sunflower" text entry system to both games making them much more user friendly than the earlier versions of "Scribblenauts Unlimited" and "Scribblenauts Unmasked."  Also both games had the two-player mode upgraded to provide for a more collaborative and interactive experience.  It is nice to see my Wonder Twins teaming up as they activate powers and craft things so they can solve the problems the game presents them to overcome. It is great to see them working together and having fun spending time with each other.

SCRIBBLENAUTS UNMASKED 

So as I mentioned, it is Batman Day and my kids are having a super time interacting with the Caped Crusader and exploring Gotham City while playing "Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure." Wow there is Batman … and he's drawn in the classic Scribblenauts style.  Plus the game's dictionary has been expanded to incorporate references from DC Comics so you can create a Batmobile and take it for a spin. You know that was a big hit with the kids!

"Scribblenauts Unmasked" isn't just about Batman though, the game incorporates thousands of DC Comics references into it.  Ally with a variety of heroes and battle numerous villains while traveling among iconic locations that in addition to Gotham City include Atlantis and Metropolis. It really is an immersive experience into the DC universe that combined with the Scribblenauts style imagery really gives this game some fantastic comic book flair to it.

The SCRIBBLENAUTS MEGA PACK also adds two new locations into the Unmasked game. Titans Tower, headquarters of the Teen Titans (did you see their animated movie this summer?) and Belle Reve which is the base of operations for Suicide Squad (have to admit I haven't seen that movie yet myself). The game has also been updated with the addition of hundreds of new DC characters, objects, and costumes for players to interact with.  Dress your Scribblenaut to mimic your favorite DC Comics super hero or create your own look.

Customizing your character was an aspect of the game my kids truly appreciated. They also really enjoyed being able to summon heroes like Batman and Superman to join them in action to help defeat bad guys like Batman's nemesis the Joker and the Green Lantern's archenemy Sinestro. All the special comic book inspired details of "Scribblenauts Unmasked" put some big Joker sized smiles on my son and daughter's faces while playing the game.  It was a great way to enjoy spending Batman Day.

SCRIBBLENAUTS UNLIMITED

Of course my family also spent some time playing the other game included within the MEGA PACK too!  "Scribblenauts Unlimited" is fun in its own right. Players help the game’s hero, Maxwell, solve robust puzzles and challenges by summoning objects as varied as “colossal hoverbus” and “microbial fire tornado”  in this Scribblenauts adventure.

Explore a variety of places ranging from a mummy's tomb to a pirate ship. "Scribblenauts Unlimited" has been updated with two new bonus levels, The new Zed Zeppelin has players work with crew members to keep the dirigible safe while the new Land of Sweet Hyperbole level allows players to drive around in a sweet ride and interact with candy themed neighbors. When it comes to "Scribblenauts Unlimited" the only limitations are a player's own imagination.

SCRIBBLENAUTS MEGA PACK earns A Geek Daddy nod of approval because it is educational and entertaining. Kids are developing their spelling and vocabulary as they play. It is also great for promoting children's creative thinking and imagination as well. Parents have to like that! This is a video game where kids are actually learning while having fun!

"Scribblenauts Unlimited" and "Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure" are rated E10+ with Cartoon Violence & Comic Mischief. For more information about the SCRIBBLENAUTS MEGA PACK that bundles them together with updated content go to www.scribblenauts.com.

SONY WIRELESS NOISE CANCELING OVER EAR HEADPHONES

During my college years in the '90s, I was part of my university's forensic competition team. We traveled around the country engaging in contests of argument and advocacy public speaking skills versus other schools. One of the categories I participated in was Informative Speaking which has students present a speech that educates an audience about a topic.

One year I qualified for the American Forensic Association's national collegiate championship tournament in the Informative Speaking category with a presentation on what was a new concept at the time that suggested technology could copy then reverse sound waves to hush noise.  It has been exciting over the years to see this emerging tech idea that I highlighted in my speech now being utilized in products people are now using everyday like Sony’s Noise Canceling WH-1000XM3 Headphones available from Best Buy.

INDUSTRY LEADING NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES

It seems like whenever I want to relax on my back patio to read, listen to a ball game or enjoy some music one of my neighbors decides that is the perfect time to mow their lawn, start using loud tools on some sort of project, or just be obnoxious in some other way.  What is nice about wireless noise cancelling headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM3 are that you can slip them on wherever you are at and block out the noise around you.  In fact, the Sony WH-1000XM3 Headphones are the industry leader when it comes to noise-cancelling technology.

While most noise cancelling headphones just block out harsh sounds like vehicle clamor, the WH-100XM3 excels at nullifying a variety of background sounds including voices.  Whether you want to focus on phone call, enjoy listening to music, or just block out annoying sounds around you, the close-fitting ear pads and advanced high definition QN1 noise cancelling processor make Sony's WH-1000XM3 Headphones highly effective at filtering out the disturbances that can surround us.

Here are three of my favorite features with Sony's. First, with Quick Attention simply place your hand over one of the ear cups to instantly pause the noise canceling process and reduce the headphone's volume for a quick conversation. Second, its other ear cup has simple tap and swipe controls for easily interacting with connected Bluetooth devices and controlling the headphone's functions. Third, it has up to 30 hours of battery life and can be powered for 5 hours with just a 10-minute quick charge.

Saving the best for last … the best feature of Sony's new industry leading noise cancelling WH-1000XM3 headphones is their Adaptive Sound Control feature. Adaptive Sound Control automatically detects your activity when traveling, walking, or just sitting around and then it adjusts ambient sound settings to your situation. You can also download the Sony I Headphones Connect App to personally control your ambient sound dampening and the WH-1000XM3's volume levels. Plus with these headphones being wireless you can enjoy using them cord free!

HEADPHONE HIGHLIGHTS

• Talk at a touch with Quick Attention 
• Equalizer 
• Virtual Surround Sound 
• Sound Position Control 
• Industry-leading Noise Canceling 
• Premium Sound
•  All-day listening with Quick Charging
•  Smart Listening 
• Wear all day in total comfort 
• Voice Assistant 
• Swivel foldable structure 
• Carry case with cable

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This Sony Wireless Industry Leading Noise Canceling Over Ear Headphones post in sponsored. The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

THE REALM SOUNDTRACK

I've been enjoying reading the new series from Image Comics called THE REALM. It is a comic book apocalyptic adventure that has a Dungeon & Dragons meets The Walking Dead vibe to it. The story is set fifteen years after a cataclysmic event impacted the Earth which involved an energy burst that destroyed the ability for anything using electricity to operate causing technology and vehicles to be inoperable.  This was followed by mystical portals opening up around the world unleashing hordes of invading mythical creatures like goblins, trolls and even dragons from another dimension.

The story combines realistic elements from everyday life and spins them together with a fantasy landscape filled with monsters and magic creating a captivating supernatural drama. In THE REALM, a group of humanity's survivors embarks on a quest to reclaim our planet from the growing darkness that is enveloping it unleashed from mysterious portals that arrived the day electricity stopped working. Can they find a way to reverse the dampening field that is hindering people from using the technology and transportation that society had become dependent on? Can our heroes shut down the portals transporting these alien invaders to the Earth? Or is the planet destined to end up looking like the setting for J. R. R. Tolkien's novel Lord of the Rings.

THE REALM is released in monthly installments and I've looked forward to getting my hands on each new comic book issue as it comes out.  The creative team has taken what could have been a really cheesy concept and portrays this nightmare scenario as if it crazily actually happened.  It provides a gritty drama that is interesting to read complimented with excellent artwork that draws you into the story. This series provides an entertaining escape from reality for its readers which in my opinion is what comic book authors and artists should always be striving to achieve. This comic book series is rated M for Mature Audiences.

To further immerse readers into THE REALM experience, its creators have teamed up with the Indie rock band Me Like Bees to create a musical soundtrack for the comic book series.  Me Like Bees has created a five track album titled "Songs from the Realm" as well as a music video for the first song, The River Divides to give readers a multi-media experience when it comes to reading these comic books. Movies and television shows have music soundtracks so why not comic books too?!



You can take a listen to THE REALM's musical soundtrack for FREE on Spotify:

You can also purchase a compact disc of "Songs from the Realm" from Me Like Bees website or buy digital downloads of the songs from iTunes.

Great comic books … great tunes … I encourage you to pick up THE REALM from your local comic book shop, tune in to the soundtrack from Me Like Bees and imagine yourself in a world where scary creatures have come to life. How would you cope in a world without automobiles, lights, the internet, refrigeration, and other conveniences we've become accustomed to that has suddenly become filled with monsters straight from the pages of a Dungeon and Dragons fantasy game? Reading THE REALM will immerse you in that world and have you anxiously looking forward to each new issue.

MARVEL MUSIC ON SPOTIFY

Marvel Entertainment is known for its incredible visualizations of superhero adventures in comic books, television shows, movies and video games but they are also producing some marvelous music to compliment those productions. From original scores for the feature films in the Marvel cinematic universe to playlists that tie in to the reading experience of a comic book there is a variety of musical selections to enjoy.  Soundtracks from Marvel television shows including Daredevil, Cloak & Dagger, and Runaways, themed playlists for characters ranging from Captain America to Iron Man, and songs from movies like Black Panther and Guardians of the Galaxy, and song lists compiled to go along with specific comic book issues such as  Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #297 and Doctor Strange #25 and The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #1 can all be streamed for FREE from Spotify.

Just set up a no cost Spotify account and search for MARVEL MUSIC PUBLIC PLAYLISTS.  You can then stream the music to your computer or a mobile device without any charges though you will need to listen to an occasional advertisement. I've found Spotify provides excellent sound quality and really appreciate that they actually make an effort to minimize the disruption of your listening experience with infrequent short, targeted advertisement segments. Tune in to Spotify and crank up a Marvel Music playlist the next time you are reading comic books or playing a superhero themed game.

We like to turn up the volume on Spotify's Marvel Studios Theme Songs playlist to set the mood during family fun nights playing the Marvel edition of MUNCHKIN from USAopoly. This card game lets players imagine they are a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent taking part in a comic book style superhero adventure. Characters draw cards they can use while playing the game which enlist them with the help of allies (like Black Widow, Captain America, She-Hulk or Thor), use of equipment (ranging from Nick Fury's eye patch to Spider-Man's web slingers), or provide special attributes and powers (such as enhanced agility, heightened senses or elemental manipulation).

Tune in to Spotify to make the music of the Marvel entertainment universe part of the soundtrack of your life. Head over to spotify.com to start listening! Plus for news and updates about Marvel Entertainment's music endeavors follow @MarvelMusicInc on Twitter.

27: THE MOST PERFECT ALBUM

History buffs like myself will appreciate this new musical album, 27: THE MOST PERFECT ALBUM, that features original songs by a variety of artists ranging from Dolly Parton to They Might Be Giants that are inspired by the 27 Amendments to the United States Constitution. Each track on the album reflects upon one amendments. 27: THE MOST PERFECT is available to listen to digitally for FREE.

From country music and mariachi, to folk and punk rock, all of the participating artists interpret each of the amendments in their own distinct styles. Dolly Parton delves into the 19th Amendment and women’s right to vote; Flor de Toloache contributes a track about the Second Amendment and the right to keep and bear arms; Devendra Banhart  reflects on the procedures for presidential succession. Plus Palehound, Torres, Kash Doll, Caroline Shaw, The Kominas, Cherry Glazerr, The Slants, Sons of an Illustrious Father are some of the other artists you'll hear on this album that provides a civic lesson in an entertaining way. CLICK HERE to stream 27: THE MOST PERFECT from SOUNDCLOUD.

Produced by Jad Abumrad the host of the popular show Radiolab from WYNC Studios -- New York Public Radio, 27: THE MOST PERFECT ALBUM was influenced by More Perfect, a Radiolab spin-off podcast he created that explores how cases deliberated inside the Supreme Court affect people's lives far away from that legal setting. “The mission of this album is to take these sometimes forgotten words and animate them through the power of music," Abumrad communicated to ageekdaddy.com. "These 27 amendments not only outline our basic rights as Americans but they also show a country changing and evolving and re-imagining itself. Striving (and not always succeeding) to be better.”

Who remembers School House Rock? They were short clips that aired during Saturday morning cartoons in the 1980s teaching kids educational topics through amusing songs. I loved them! One of my favorites was "I'm Just A Bill." 27: THE MOST PERFECT is taking a similar approach in a bit more sophisticated manner with the goal of getting people thinking about important principles by capturing their attention in an entertaining way.



 I have to say my favorite song from 27: THE MOST PERFECT ALBUM is 18th & 21st Amendments by The Slants which has a catchy beat and interesting message about being aware of freedoms politicians can take away from you. If you aren't familiar with the Constitution and American history though might not catch the connection with the 18th Amendment that created a national prohibition on alcohol and the 21st Amendment the repealed the restrictions that is the basis of the song.

I enjoyed listening to the numerous musical styles and hearing how the artists attempted to make a topic many people probably consider boring or irrelevant to themselves into an impactful, interesting  experience. 27: THE MOST PERFECT ALBUM is worth taking the time to listen to...and hey if you don't like it you didn't spend any money on it since it is available to listen to for free.

HAMILTUNES SING ALONG EVENT IN MIDTOWN DETROIT

Broadway in Detroit is celebrating the start of its 2018-2019 theatrical season with a fun, free event on Friday, September 21 from 7 pm - 9pm at New Center Park located directly across from the Fisher Theater where many of its shows will be playing. Join in a HAMILTUNES community karaoke style sing along of the songs from HAMILTON led by the Mosaic Youth Theatre troupe.

Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit harnesses the passion, energy and creativity of area youth to create outstanding theater productions, critical thinking skills, and good global citizens through arts education, college prep, and workforce readiness programming. Mosaic's young artists have performed at the White House and the Kennedy Center and have toured their critically-acclaimed productions in Europe, Asia, Africa and 25 states throughout the U.S. The organization maintains a 95%-plus high school graduation rate with students attending colleges across Michigan and around the country, institutions such as The Julliard, and going on to become Kresge Fellows, Broadway stars, and Emmy and Tony Award winners.

The hit theatrical sensation HAMILTON is coming to Detroit's. Fisher Theatre, March 12 – April 21, 2019. This musical stage show tells the story of America's Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington's right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and was the new nation’s first Treasury Secretary. The play features a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B, and Broadway musical styles. HAMILTON is the story of America then, as told by America now.

Gates to New Center Park will open at 6 p.m. and seating is first come – first served. People are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs and plan accordingly for weather. You can sing along from the crowd but there is also an opportunity to jump on stage to perform yourself in front of everyone. If you are interested in doing that sign up at hamiltunesdetroit.eventbrite.com.

To find out more details about going to see HAMILTON while it is in town, visit BroadwayInDetroit.com. You can also follow Broadway In Detroit on Facebook as well as @BroadwayDetroit on Instagram and Twitter for regular news and updates about the Broadway quality performances they are bringing to Detroit.