Be Prepared...Do you have a Basic Disaster Supplies Kit in your Home?

We recently made one with a Rubbermaid Roughneck Tote from Home Depot

Disclosure:  This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Weave Made Media and Rubbermaid, but all my opinions are my own. #weavemade #fallfixup http://my-disclosur.es/RgFrEH

It was a sunny morning on Monday August 11, 2014 making it appear as if it was going to be just another average Michigan summer day.  Around noon it started to rain and it didn't stop raining for nine hours making it Detroit's wettest day in 89 years.  By the time rush hour started that evening the ground was saturated to the point that flash floods began to submerge roads and freeways throughout the Metro Detroit area.  More than a thousand cars were abandoned as they became engulfed by rushing water.  Thousands of people found themselves with flooded basements, without power and in some cases, of all things to lose access to on this wet summer afternoon, without water as communities' infrastructure were overwhelmed or washed away.  Some of the flooded highways looked more like rivers than roads for several days following the great rainfall.  Many businesses didn't open up for a day or two following the floods.  People found themselves stranded with no transportation, power or water.  Miles and miles of street curbs became flooded not with water, but with all the garbage people were tossing out from flood damage to their homes.  Metro Detroit had become a disaster scene...and no one had seen it coming until the flooding had started. A lot of people were caught unprepared.

The interstate freeway by our home the day after the great flood of 2014

Garbage from flooded homes lined the streets of Metro Detroit

Our family had it pretty lucky.  My wife and I made it home from work without our cars getting submerged and our basement was one of only a handful in our city that didn't flood.  While thousands lost their power and water service, we didn't experience any disruptions.  The event was a reminder that disasters can happen unexpectedly and at any time.  It also made me think that we should put together a disaster supply kit for our home because up until now we had neglected doing that.

So what should go into a basic disaster supply kit?  According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), every home should have stockpiled the following supplies in case of a disaster impacting your community:

• Water - one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation.
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both.
• Flashlights and extra batteries.
• First aid kit.
• Whistle to signal for help.
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place.
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation.
• Wrench and pliers to turn off utilities.
• Manual can opener  for food.
• Local maps.
• Cell phone with chargers or solar charger.
• Copy of your insurance policy.
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person.
• Complete change of clothes for each member of your family, especially if dealing with wet or cold conditions.
• Household chlorine bleach & medicine dropper -  when diluted nine parts water to one part bleach can be used as a disinfectant.  In emergency can treat water by using 16 drops of liquid bleach per gallon of water.
• Fire extinguisher.
• Matches in a waterproof case.
• Paper cups, plates, towels and plastic utensils.
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children.

Once we threw together all these items, plus an extra Swiss army knife I had in the garage because you can always use one of those when you are in a bind, for our disaster supplies kit we needed to find something to store all this stuff in...and once you put everything together it is a lot of stuff.  So we headed to Home Depot to pick something up.

Rubbermaid 18 Gal. Roughneck Tote @ Home Depot

We needed a container for our disaster supplies kit that would be durable and water resistant.  The Rubbermaid 18 Gallon Roughneck Tote was a perfect pick for our needs.  Big enough to store our items but small enough to conveniently place in our home it was just what we were looking for.  Another plus is that this sturdy container is designed to withstand harsh temperatures that go from hot to cold.  Roughneck containers are made with a durable polyethylene material that Rubbermaid backs with a 10 year limited warranty.  It also has a lid that securely snaps on to protect the contents you place inside.  Guaranteed durability and nicely priced at $8.97 made this a great buy for us during our visit to Home Depot.

If you are concerned that you may need a storage tote larger than 18 gallons for your family's needs Rubbermaid also produces a 54 gallon Roughneck tote that you can pickup at Home Depot.

Mission Accomplished! We have a basic disaster supply kit packed and stored.  If disaster strikes hopefully we'll be prepared for it.  Are you ready for the unexpected?

NFL ADDS SOME POP WITH NEW LINE OF FUNKO FIGURINES

 

The popular Funko vinyl toys that mimic pop culture entertainment figures is adding the NFL to its ranks this fall.  Debuting just in time for the kickoff of the National Football League's 2014 season is a new line of Funko Pop! figurines that depict some of football's greatest athletes.  Funko's Pop! Viynl toys are modeled in Japanese chibi style which portrays an exaggerated caricature that is small and chubby with stuffy limbs and over-sized heads giving characters the resemblance of small children.  The NFL joins a wide array of licenses that Funko already holds for a variety of entertainment properties including DC Super Heroes, Disney, Star Wars and The Walking Dead among others.

Funko will be releasing toys of 26 players from 19 NFL teams ranging from Detroit's Calvin "Megatron" Johnson to Washington DC's Reggie Griffin III.  Each figure will be 3.75" and come with a removable helmet.  Each figure will also capture a unique feature of a player in his chibi caricature.  For example, Calvin Johnson will have on eye black, Troy Polamalu and Clay Matthews  have long locks of hair, Andrew Luck will be sporting his lucky beard, a bandage adorns JJ Watts nose and RGIII will be wearing a beanie.  The lineup of represented players ranges from SuperBowl Champs to ProBowl super stars to some of the top rookies picked up in this year's draft.  Yes Johnny Manziel and Jadeveon Clowney made the cut.

Each player is also assigned a number on Funko's 2014 roster of NFL figures:

01 Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
02 Richard Sherman, Seattle Seahawks
03 Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks
04 Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos
05 Tom Brady, New England Patriots
06 Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers
07 DeMarcus Ware, Denver Broncos
08 Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins
09 J.J. Watt, Houston Texans
10 Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
11 Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
12 Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers
13 Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins

14 Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts
15 Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
16 Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers
17 Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions
18 Eli Manning, New York Giants
19 Victor Cruz, New York Giants
20 Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers
21 Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots
22 Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys
23 Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears
24 Jadeveon Clowney, Houston Texans
25 Johnny Manziel, Cleveland Browns
26 Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars

This isn't Funko's first foray into mocking up sports figures, but will be its first effort with the NFL.  They have also featured NBA players and WWE wrestlers in the past, plus captured Major League Baseball's mascots in vinyl in the past.

Players are sold separately and suggested retail price is $9.99.  Keep an eye out at stores for your favorite players this fall.  Also note that once a wave of Funko toys is released they normally aren't reproduced again which makes them collectibles that are often grabbed up; so if you see a player you want at a store pick him up because you may not be able to find the toy again once it is sold out unless you go to ebay and pay a huge markup.

For more info, visit www.funko.com

Disney Channel's "Out of this World" Weekend

Friday, July 25th through Sunday the 27th will be "Out of this World" as the DISNEY CHANNEL features a weekend filled with SciFi themed programming.  The Disney Channel's "Out of this World" promo will be showcase the premiere of PHINEAS & FERB: STAR WARS and also feature a lineup of shows that feature scripts revolving around aliens, outer space and science fiction inspired topics.  You know I am going to be popping a big bowl of popcorn and watching these shows throughout that weekend with my kids!

PHINEAS & FERB: STAR WARS will be on Saturday, July 26, 2014 at 9pm and is a one hour television special that is a comedic mashup of the Disney Channels popular animated television show, Phineas and Ferb, with the Star Wars universe.  The story involves Phineas and Ferb living just one moisture farm over from a guy named Luke Skywalker on the planet Tatooine.  When R2-D2 and the Death Star plans inadvertently fall into THEIR landspeeder comedic adventures ensue.  Meanwhile chaos erupts on the Death Star when Perry the Rebelpus is trapped in carbonite while trying to stop Darthenshmirtz from using his new "Sith-inator."

Disney Channel will also be airing an episode of THE NEW YODA CHRONICLES during its "Out of this World" Weekend.  The NEW YODA CHRONICLES is in the middle of a new 5 episode arc in which it has already shown episodes 1 & 2 in May and June respectively.  I'm not sure if episode 3 is going to air during this weekend but based on the gap between the last 2 episodes it would fit.  There hasn't been a lot of info about the NEW YODA CHRONICLES tie in to the "Out of this World" promo - it is called "New" because the previous story arc ran on Cartoon Network and these "new" episodes which feature an imaginative and amusing combination of Star Wars characters and scenarios with LEGO building blocks - other than it is included in the trailer that the Disney Channel is currently airing to promote the event.  Hopefully they will show a brand new episode ... and wouldn't it be great if they showed the whole story arc up to now with all three episode during this themed weekend event.  That combined with PHINEAS & FERB: STAR WARS would be spectacular!

Here's a trailer for THE NEW YODA CHRONICLES: Episode 2 "Race for the Holocrons" which aired in the Disney Channel & DisneyXD (DisneyXD is aimed at tweens, teens & young adults and is considered a competitor with Cartoon Network - one of the reasons Disney pulled Yoda Chronicles and Star Wars: Clone Wars from that cable channel). 

As a long-time Star Wars fan, I have to say it is really nice that Disney has embraced the traditional trilogy and is pretty much ignoring the prequel movies since it took over the license.  You'll notice that the Phineas & Ferb special and The New Yoda Chronicles (plus the upcoming Star Wars: Rebels animated television series are all tied to the original Star Wars movies versus the prequels.  In fact from Disney's new Star Wars projects and marketing for the upcoming movie Episode VII you'd almost forget the Prequel movies ever existed.  Hopefully that is a strategy that will continue!

In addition to the Star Wars programming for Disney Channel's "Out of this World" Weekend, the network will also be showing a number of episodes of their own original series with scripts tied to this theme.

According to the Disney Channel the "Out of this World" lineup will also include:

Jessie “Spaced Out” 
Ravi’s birthday present from his parents is a trip to outer space with the rest of the Ross kids and Jessie. Their trip takes an unexpected turn when Ravi ends up not going.
Guest starring John Rubinstein as Ivan

Dog With A Blog “Pod People from Pasadena”
Avery learns she’s been selected to create a float for her town’s parade and is excited to spend some quality time with her father to build it. Meanwhile, Chloe watches a sci-fi movie that leads her to believe her family is being taken over by aliens and that the parade float they are constructing is really a spaceship.

Liv and Maddie “Space-Werewolf-A-Rooney”
To prove to the skeptics that she is meant to star in “Space Warewolves,” Liv agrees to do all her own stunts, not realizing exactly how complicated they are.
Guest starring Garry Marshall as Vic Defazerelli and Mimi Drew as Whitney

I Didn’t Do It “Earth Boys are Icky”
Delia is convinced boys on earth are too ordinary for her and creates a strange device, partly developed by NASA, to communicate with outer space and attract an extraterrestrial boyfriend. Meanwhile, Logan finds himself in an even weirder relationship when he discovers his new girlfriend Danica is the vice principal’s daughter.
Guest starring Savannah Lathem as Danica

 Austin & Ally “Eggs & Extraterrestrials”

When Dez, Trish and Austin convince Ally to attend the annual Zaliens Convention that’s being held in Miami, Trish and Dez happen to stumble upon real Zaliens and the foursome must devise a plan to survive.

Additionally, there will be a brand new episode of "Girl Meets World" running during this weekend promo but the only connection I see to the theme based on the script for that episode is the word "World" in the show's title?  All of the Disney Channel episodes mentioned in this post are rated G.

Marvel Lampoons DC with Deadpool 3D Comic Book

DC Comics is making a big deal of their month long FUTURES END-themed comic books with lenticular 3-D covers hitting stores in September. Now Marvel is taking a friendly swipe at their comic book competitor with their own 3-D covered comic book that will also be available in September that has the popular Deadpool character lampooning DC's promotion.

Marvel's Deadpool #34 limited edition 3-D variant cover will be provided to retailers for every 52 copies of the standard issue they order (catch the 52 connection with DC's current product lineup?)  Marvel notes that 3-D stands for "Dashingly Dancing Deadpool." This looks to be a fun collectible to get your hands on but may not be so easy to get as retailers will probably provide as a reward to their most loyal customers or jack up the price for resale based upon the limited quantities being distributed.  If you really want one, you may want to talk to your local comic book specialty store this month because they are placing their September orders to publishers now.

September's lampoon isn't the first time Marvel has poked fun at DC.  Going back to the 1990s, Deadpool #17 mocked the DC Comics promotion "Faces of DC Month".  A Marvel press release hints back to that Deadpool #17 lampoon:

Flashback to an earlier time – the 1990s – covers were flashier, pouches were really in style, and every comics  tied into an event or crossover. Have we mentioned this latest issue ties in to Original Sin yet? Thanks to the events of Original Sin, S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents Adsit & Preston have learned the dark secrets in Deadpool’s past. 

Now, witness the events they uncovered about Deadpool first-hand as what really happened is finally revealed!  Plus, don’t miss guest appearances from some of the biggest comic stars of the 1990s – 90s Sabretooth, 90s Alpha Flight and 90s artwork!

More recently, Marvel lampooned DC with a Deadpool 53 state birds variant cover for "Uncanny X-Men" which was released at the same time "Justice League #1" which featured 52 state flag variant covers was out.  Also in 2010, Marvel offered retailers a special Deadpool themed variant cover for Siege #3 for every 50 stripped covers of DC's most popular titles returned to the publisher.

Deadpool by the way is a disfigured and mentally unstable mercenary that originally appeared as a villain in Marvel Comic's in a 1991 issue of the New Mutants and has evolved into somewhat of a quasi hero with appearance in multiple other titles and his own series.

So what do you think? Is Marvel's poke at DC funny and amusing or do you think it is kinda tacky?

A Summer Family Adventure Movie: EARTH TO ECHO

Looking for a summer movie that your whole family can enjoy together?  I'd suggest you take a look at going to see EARTH TO ECHO which starts it run at movie theaters on July 2nd.  This summer family adventure movie has a story that is a cross between the movies Goonies & E.T. from my youth tweeked and angled to connect with today's Millennial generation.  EARTH TO ECHO is rated PG and stars Teo Halm, Brian "Astro" Bradley, Reese Hartwig, and Ella Linnea Wahlestedt.

UPDATE (7/2/14): Congrats to Michael S. from California who won the prize pack!
WIN AN EARTH TO ECHO PRIZE PACK

To help generate a buzz for EARTH TO ECHO and it's July 2, 2014 theatrical release, we have one EARTH TO ECHO prize pack to provide to a lucky A GEEK DADDY blog reader.  The prize pack includes a $25 VISA gift card to help cover the cost of tickets for your family to go see EARTH TO ECHO, a BikeGlow safety light, and an Earth to Echo frisbee, fan & beach ball.

To enter to win this prize pack:

ENTRY #1:  E-mail thegeekdaddy [at] yahoo [dot] com your name and mailing address with the subject line EARTH TO ECHO.

ENTRY # 2:  For a second entry follow @Geeky_Dad on Twitter and include your twitter account name in the above noted email.  Your twitter account info must be included in your ENTRY #1 e-mail  for your second entry to count.

All valid entries will be assigned a number and one random entry will be chosen to receive the Earth to Echo prize pack. You must be a US resident to enter over the age of 18.  For a chance to win submit your entries before Tuesday, July 1, 2014 @ 11:59pm EST.  I will select the random winner on Wednesday, July 3rd. A Geek Daddy Blog will be responsible for selecting the winner of this contest, but Big Honcho Media is responsible for providing the prize and its delivery to the winner.  By participating in this contest you waive any liability towards A Geek Daddy Blog or its publisher that may arise from your involvement with this promotion.  Only one entrant per mailing address per A GEEK DADDY BLOG giveaway.  If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.  P.O. Boxes are not allowed as mailing addresses for this contest.

Now that we've gotten the contest information and rules out of the way, here's a little bit more information about EARTH TO ECHO from the official movie synopsis:

Friendship is the greatest adventure of all.  Tuck, Munch, and Alex are a closely bonded trio of inseparable friends, but their time together is coming to an end.  Their neighborhood is being destroyed by a highway construction project that is forcing their families to move away.  But just two days before they must part ways, the boys find a cryptic signal has infected their phones.  Convinced something bigger is going on and looking for one final adventure together, they set off to trace the messages to their source and discover something beyond their wildest imaginations: hiding in the darkness is a mysterious being, stranded on Earth, and wanted by the government.  This launches the boys on an epic journey full of danger and wonder, one that will test the limits of their friendship and change all their lives forever.

For more information about the movie, visit: callhimecho.com

DISCLAIMER:  In addition to awarding a prize pack to the winner of this contest, Big Honcho Media also provided A GEEK DADDY Blog with a prize pack as part of the blog's participation in this promotion.

What is Free Comic Book Day?

FREE COMIC BOOK is an annual event held the first Saturday in May by the comic book industry that promotes people to visit local brick and mortar comic book shops and check out a sampling of the things publishers are sending to print.  Visitors to participating comic book stores are provided the opportunity to pickup a few FREE comic books from a designated selection.  The FREE books vary from full scale individual stories just like a comic book you'd buy at the store to compilations filled with a selection of short previews or samples of a publisher's artists and titles.  This year FREE COMIC BOOK DAY is on Saturday, May 3rd. 

The FREE comic books are available while supplies last at each participating locations.  Often times they are gone by early in the afternoon so if you are planning on going I'd recommend swinging by to pick up your free comics in the morning as the shop is opening.

Here are a few items to look out for if you decide to check out this year's FREE COMIC BOOK DAY:

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY looks to be the next summer blockbuster at the movie theaters from Marvel Comics.  Writer Brian Bendis and acclaimed artist Nick Bradshaw provide an all-new story for readers that will help you get ready for the upcoming movie.  The book also contains a preview of an upcoming Spider-Man storyline that will be taking place later in 2014.

What if Star Wars was portrayed in Steam Punk?  Check out this interpretation of one of my favorite sci-fi franchises taking place in an evil Victorian era empire in a galaxy not so far away.

Archaia does one of the nicest jobs of any publisher in providing a great product for this event.  Pick up a copy of their hardcover bound book that features short stories from some of their magnificent series like Mouse Guard and Rust.

I loved the animated series when it was on TV, the live action one not so much, so pick up a comic book filled with all new stories.

V-WARS has been picked up for a television series pilot.  Check it out now as this could be the next Walking Dead type show to hit television.

There will be 52 comic books to select from this year on FREE COMIC BOOK DAY.  What is nice is that they have offerings that will appeal to all age ranges from early readers to mature adults.  To find a location near you CLICK HERE.

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY IS GREAT FOR PRESCHOOLERS & EARLY READERS

I've been taking my children to FREE COMIC BOOK DAY for the last several years although they've been too young to read themselves.  This event on the first Saturday of May is when publishers team up with comic book shops to promote their industry to consumers by offering free samples to anyone who visits participating stores that day (well that is while supplies last because most stores normally run out of stock by mid-afternoon).  My kids flip through the pages enjoying the artwork and have me read the stories to them for weeks following our FREE COMIC BOOK DAY visit.  Sharing comic books with my kids through this annual event has been a fun day of bonding with my son and daughter while promoting creativity, imagination, and reading with my children.

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY had done a nice job of making sure the event provides a selection of comics targeted to preschoolers and early readers that parent can feel comfortable giving to their children.  This year's event is on Saturday, May 3, 2014 and will be featuring ten titles suitable for young readers including:

Published by PERFECT SQUARE this comic features all new adventures featuring Hello Kitty and her friends.  It will also feature a sneak peek of an upcoming tribute book celebrating Hello Kitty's 40th anniversary.

In FANTAGRAPHIC BOOKS "A Matter of some Gravity" saucy sorceress Magica De Spell turns Scrooge's life sideways-literally! when she distorts the forces of gravity.

PAPERCUTZ brings the Smurfs to Free Comic Book Day.  This comic features never-before-seen stories from Peyo starring everyone's favorite blue bombshell: the Smurfette! It's Smurftastically FREE!

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS is bringing Sonic the Hedgehog & Mega Man to the party.  It is providing TWO free comic books in ONE.  It will showcase storylines from both characters' universes in a flipsided combined issue.

BOOM ENTERTAINMENT will feature samples from all their popular children's series including Peanut & Garfield.

Two years ago ARCHAIA published an incredible hard cover Free Comic Book Day edition featuring its popular MOUSE GUARD series.  ARCHAIA continues to be one of the leading supporters of this event by publishing another great hard cover comic book this year!

CAPSTONE is celebrating its award winning series JELLABY.  This comic book about ten year old Portia and her beloved purple monster Jellaby will feature two short stories, including the exclusive, never-before-in-print adventure "The Knot."  

DC COMICS will also be providing a TEEN TITANS issue for Free Comic Book Day.

To find a participating comic book retailer near you, CLICK HERE.  Don't miss out on Free Comic Book Day!