Going Places

going places

Well, now I’ve done it. I’ve gone and started a new business venture that will either be a rousing success (or something else). But at least it won’t be boring. Also, not gonna fail. It’s that simple.

What is this new venture, you may wonder?

I’ll tell you: Travel. As in, I’ve become a Certified Travel Advisor with FORA, a worldwide travel agency. That means I can book all your travel and get you the perks and VIP treatment you deserve. Cool, right?

But wait, there’s more.

I’ve also decided I need to be making videos for YouTube in connection with the business, but also because I’ve got years of experience making stuff and it seems a shame to continue to not use that for something positive. So, YouTube.

The channel is called Ullrich Travel, as is the business. It will be launching soon. The business is already going. Yes, it’s a real business and everything. An LLC to be exact. Fun stuff.

Anyway, I’m gonna be even busier than before . . . and that'’s a good thing. I love to travel and meet interesting people and see amazing things. I just wish I’d thought of this before. Oh well, I’m doing it now.

Pretty exciting. Say tuned for more.

In the meantime, here’s some places where Ullrich Travel is already making an impression:

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

My FORA page

And don’t forget, if you want to travel, I’ve got your back.

Where do you want to go today?



Comic-Con 2014

san-diego-comic-con-logo-1As many of you know, it’s San Diego Comic-Con time this week and thousands of geeks/nerds will be making their way to the promised land to experience all the Con has to offer. I will not be one of those geeks/nerds.

Well, that’s not entirely true. I will be going to San Diego, but just for one day. That’s it.

So, for those of you who care, I will be at the Con on Saturday and will be wandering the halls getting into adventures. If you happen to run into me, feel free to say “Hello.” But no, I won’t be giving out any free hugs. Sorry.

Why am I only going on Saturday? Well, let’s just say I’m trying to avoid any Imperial entanglements. That sounds a lot cooler than the real reason.

Happy Nerd Prom to one and all!


Nerdapalooza 2013

nerdapalooza-1

Sadly, I’m not going to the Nerdapalooza event in Orlando next week. I would if I could, because it looks like a great time with a lot of bands, and other nerdity, I would enjoy. Plus, hello, I’m a nerd from way back.

But, as many of you know, there’s this new man in my life (his name is Max) who needs lots of attention right now and also a steady supply of clean diapers and nipples. So, no trips for me right now.

However, not being able to go doesn’t stop me from talking about the event or from posting a video about it. It also doesn’t stop me from posting this link to Z’s article at Geek Dad about what to bring to the show if you’re one of the few, the happy few, to be going.

Plus, I like cool events that cater to my people and I like to promote them when I can. I don’t get anything for it other than a warm feeling inside and the satisfaction of knowing I did what I could to help out a worthy event. So there.

Oh, before we get to the video, my pal Joe Dilworth and I managed to crank out a new episode of our podcast this week. I think it’s pretty cool. You might too.

Okay, enough self-promotion, here’s the video.

[youtube www.youtube.com/watch


The Importance of Doing Nothing

Unless you use a different calendar than I do (which is possible, I guess) you know today is Sunday. This day is also known as my favorite day of the week. You know this if you read my earlier post on that very subject.

Seeing as this is my favorite day of the week, what am I going to do with it you may wonder? The short answer, for this week at least, is nothing.

I’m a big fan of doing nothing, at least once in awhile. With all that goes on during the days and weeks and months of work, deadlines and life in general, when you have a chance to just sit, watch mindless TV, read a book or comic or write blog posts, I say take it.

I don’t have all that much to do right at the moment, especially today. I have work that needs to be done and deadlines coming up, but right at this moment, today, they are not urgent. I also don’t have any pressing social engagements, things I have to do for Heather or any children to worry about (at least not yet) so none of that is vying for my time today either.

These times don’t come along all that often, but when they do, it’s wrong to just ignore them. Plus, doing nothing has a lot of benefits.

It helps you recharge and get ready for the days and weeks of work ahead. It also helps you unplug from the computer, social media and all that that entails.

And, it helps you discover and explore new things like books you haven’t gotten to, comics you needed to read, all those neglected episodes of Firefly on Netflix or The Wire on HBO Go or any number of other pursuits that seem to always get relegated to “someday soon” due to life’s relentless pressure to do something else.

So, with that in mind, I choose to seize this opportunity and do nothing. It won’t last long, but it doesn’t have to. The trick is just to enjoy it while you can.

Doing nothing is kinda like life that way.

 


Two notes for those of you who’ve read this far down.

Believer, my comic book project at Kickstarter, is doing pretty well after only a couple days. Check it out if you have a minute.

• I will not be going to CES this year for many reasons, but mostly because I just don’t really want to. I’m pretty sure if you asked most of the people at CES they would say they don’t want to be there either. Trust me, it’s not as fun as it seems.


'Sports Illustrated' Reveals New 2010 Cover Girl

Here’s the new SI cover girl Brooklyn Decker looking very good. You’re welcome.

						<div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://chrisword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/sports-illustrated-cover-brook.jpg" alt="sports-illustrated-cover-brook.jpg" border="0" width="525" height="707"></div>

My Favorite Patrick Swayze Movies

patrick-swayze.jpgSadly, the world lost a great guy, a great dancer, a great actor and a great fighter today when Patrick Swayze passed away at 57 from complications due to pancreatic cancer. He will be missed.

						I've been a fan of the man for years and even had the chance to meet and work with him long ago on a movie probably best forgotten. It wasn't one of his best films (or mine) and at the time he was a little worse for wear, but still he was always a professional, a friendly, happy man and a pleasure to work with.

						That's the way I'm going to remember him. 

						Also, I'm going to remember him through his movies. So, in honor of Patrick Wayne Swayze, here's a few of my favorites. 

						[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn96jR5Geyk&amp;color1=0xb1b1b1&amp;color2=0xcfcfcf&amp;hl=en&amp;feature=player_embedded&amp;fs=1]

						[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVOW9FUdZxo&amp;color1=0xb1b1b1&amp;color2=0xcfcfcf&amp;hl=en&amp;feature=player_embedded&amp;fs=1]

						[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoM6IFiyRjE&amp;color1=0xb1b1b1&amp;color2=0xcfcfcf&amp;hl=en&amp;feature=player_embedded&amp;fs=1]

						[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsbuQ-jg014&amp;color1=0xb1b1b1&amp;color2=0xcfcfcf&amp;hl=en&amp;feature=player_embedded&amp;fs=1]

As always, we remember

I’m very lucky to live in a country where I’ve had the opportunity to pursue pretty much whatever dream I saw fit. To those who can no longer follow their dreams, we will not forget you.

						<img src="http://cullrich.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/national-park-service-9-11-statue-of-liberty-and-wtc-fire.jpg" alt="National_Park_Service_9-11_Statue_of_Liberty_and_WTC_fire.jpg" border="0" width="350" height="265">

Photo Tuesday with Princess Leia, Selma Blair, Milo Ventimiglia and More!

Here’s some photos for ‘Photo Tuesday’ from the recent New York Comic Con. These were taken by my pal Tony Mark at the show and feature some people you may know and characters you may recognize. Enjoy.

						<img src="http://cullrich.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/milo.jpg" alt="milo.jpg" border="0" width="350" height="523">
						Milo Ventimiglia from <em>Heroes</em>

						<img src="http://cullrich.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/reika.jpg" alt="reika.jpg" border="0" width="350" height="311">
						Rehka Sharma from <em>Battlestar Galactica</em>

						<img src="http://cullrich.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/selma.jpg" alt="selma.jpg" border="0" width="350" height="523">
						Selma Blair

						<img src="http://cullrich.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/lieas.jpg" alt="lieas.jpg" border="0" width="350" height="270">
						Some Slave Leias

						<img src="http://cullrich.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/michaelhogan.jpg" alt="michaelhogan.jpg" border="0" width="350" height="403">
						Colonial Tigh himself, Michael Hogan

						<img src="http://cullrich.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/ronp.jpg" alt="ronp.jpg" border="0" width="350" height="523">
						<em>Hellboy's</em> Ron Perlman

New York Comic Con Final Thoughts

ironmanglasses.jpg
						You know, maybe I won't bother to do a brain dump post about the NYCC after all. Sure, I could hit you with all the things I liked about the Con from the not overly-crowded show floor to the weather in NYC to the well-run and often interesting panels.

						Or, I could complain about the few things I didn't like about the Con such as the sometimes lateness of the panels which caused us a bit of trouble, the overpriced food and the extra-super-crappy wireless internet which they should not charge for and give money back to anyone dumb enough to get it. But really, what do I have to complain about?

						Life is pretty good. I got to spend several days "working" with some of the most talented, interesting, gracious and fun people around. Yes, I'm talking about the ComicMix team. In short, I had a great time and one that I hope to repeat come San Diego Comic-Con in July. Which, hopefully, I will be attending again under the gracious auspices of ComicMix/Crowd Fusion and its super-talented and benevolent rockstar Brian Alvey.

						Who knows, perhaps I will even be able to do a bit of work for some as-yet unrealized movie and TV related sites? Anything is possible and I will not speculate further because I think certain people may read this blog and I don't want them to get angry at me for giving away too much or saying things I'm not supposed to say. Whew, that was a close one.

						Sure, the week in NYC was not without its few glitches. But come on, I got paid to go to a comic book convention and meet writers, artists, film directors, actors and hang out with the best team working in journalism today. I don't know about you or what you happen to do to make ends meet, but I can tell you, my life is pretty sweet -- at least where my "work" is concerned. I also managed to take care of some "personal" business while in NYC as well, which was the other reason I was in New York. Lucky for me, I was able to do both while there.

						As for my my personal life? Well, don't get me started on that as its a long and winding road to be sure. Its been an interesting six months to be sure. By way of explanation, did I happen to mention how much fun I had in New York at the Comic Con? Did I tell you how great it was to be working shoulder to shoulder with people like Mike Gold, Rick Marshall, Glenn Hauman, Michael Davis, Kai Connolly, Mike Raup, Matt Raub!, Martha Thomases, Karl Cramer, Alan Kistler and the rest of the team, friends and support system.

						And yes, even if Glenn <em>did</em> forget to bring me my "official" ComicMix business cards, I still think he's a great, funny and intelligent guy who really knows his way around comics. Glenn, I'm sorry again that everyone gave you such a hard time about forgetting my cards. I didn't put them up to it, I promise. Still, it <em>was</em> kinda funny, at least to me. And Matt Raub!

						See what I did there? A little sleight-o-hand to make you forget to ask me about my personal life. We're talking about all good things right now so I won't muck it up with anything not good. Suffice to say that life is good but sometimes you gotta make sure you tell yourself that a lot to help get you through the times when life isn't like that.

New York Comic Con Stalling

nyccthankyou.jpg
						I'm still gathering my thoughts (such as they are) about the New York Comic Con. Rest assured I will eventually do a brain dump of whatever is left in there to dump. I know, without reservation, it will be well worth the wait. Of course, I've also been known to drink a bit now and then, so who knows?

						Meantime, feel free to take a look at what my learned colleagues at ComicMix have to say on the subject. Here's <a href="http://www.comicmix.com/news/2008/04/22/nycc-a-post-game-analysis/">Mike Gold's perspective</a> and <a href="http://www.comicmix.com/news/2008/04/23/new-york-comic-con-the-brain-dump-roundup/">here's Rick Marshall's</a>. Both of them are smart and have a lot of experience at these types of events so you will find what they have to say very interesting, no doubt about it.

						I've also managed to post a few photos from my trip over at my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisu/">Flickr pages.</a> So those can also serve to give you something to look at and help pass the time between now and when my no doubt brilliant insight into the Con will arrive.

						Well, now that I've way over-sold the whole thing I guess I should probably put my head down and write it. Ok, I will. Check back later.