We were at an uncle's house today, and I was showing him how to navigate the "On Demand" feature on his cable service. He told me that he has no interest in paying to rent "Pay-Per-View" movies and sporting events, but would be interested in the free ones. As we were surfing through the "Horror" section of the freebies, we saw that "The Blob", the original Steve McQueen version from 1958, was currently available. Now, we live about 7 miles from Phoenixville, PA, where much of the film was shot, and I took several photos of my Corvair in front of the Colonial Theater (which figures prominently in the movie) just earlier this month. We decided to watch the movie, which was the first time I've ever watched it start to finish! I came to realize a few things... 1) They did a great job restoring the Colonial Theater over the last few years, considering the fact that they did it on a shoestring (all donations). 2) Steve McQueen got a lot better later in his career, because he really wasn't all that good in 1958! 3) Special Effects sure have come a long way... 4) The people of the 1950's were in much better condition, by and large, than they are today. The crowd runs out of the theater and past the "Downingtown Diner" (also still there, and as far as I know still in business) in one climactic scene, but the two buildings are about 15 miles apart! Those poor folks must really have been scared!

If you get the chance, check out "The Blob". Compare the shots of the Colonial Theater in the movie to my photo, and you'll be surprised just how little the building has changed in 50 years.

Yesterday, 7/15/08, a group came to Motortopia with the sole, express purpose of Anti-Voting members of certain groups in challenges, and those who have sold the cars that they are using in the challenge. They want people to completely disregard friendship or what they honestly think is a better car just because someone has elected to be a member of a group that also, incidentally enjoys participating in challenges. These groups are made up of friends who enjoy hanging out online, and the challenges are one thing they enjoy doing together. To Anti-Vote someone simply because he or she is a member of a group they don't fully understand is predjudice, plain and simple. I don't see how this sort of behavior is any different from hating someone due to race or religion. We may believe different things, but to openly proclaim that we're wrong for belonging to a group, and then to openly vote for someone simply because they AREN'T a member of a group is just plain SILLY!!!