I’m a little shell shocked at the cinema these days. Never in a million years, make that six million years, would I ever have thought that I could go to the movies and take my pick of seeing a flick starring Batman, Hulk or Iron Man. On the same day no less! (Okay, Iron Man is probably barely having anymore screenings, but cut me a little slack, it’s close enough.) Not to mention crazy movies like Hellboy or even next year’s Watchmen.

Don’t get me wrong, I love it all. But it wasn’t always this way. And after seeing “The Dark Knight” recently, it reminded me of my childhood before Batman ever hit the big screen.

As a super comic nerd growing up, I had my fair share of ridicule. I wore all sorts of comic book T-shirts, had all the action figures, hundreds of comics themselves, etc. But one memory that most clearly stands out in my mind was back in high school. I believe it was in 9th or 10th grade (which would put it around 1986 or so) and I had this one Batman T-shirt I wore to gym class all the time.  Some of the jockier guys would make fun of me, but man, the girls were the real ruthless ones. I don’t even recall the insults other than the pointing and laughing and “He thinks he’s Batman” comments. Awesome. But I didn’t really care and it was all justified once word on the street got out that Tim Burton was working on a Batman movie.

Sure it didn’t come out until a few years later, but it got people talking and starting to take it a little seriously. Okay, not much. But to me it was almost vindication! And then, well, I will never forget my sister’s 20th birthday. She had some friends over and we were celebrating at home that night and all I kept saying to her and my parents was that I really really really really really wanted to go to the midnight showing of the “Batman” movie. (It officially opened on June 23, 1989, but they had midnight showings I recall.) “Not a chance,” was pretty much the response from everyone. Awesome again. Thanks for the support.

So I saw it Friday morning at 10 a.m. with a few school friends of mine and loved it. Even better, one of my classmates worked at the local theater and somehow we arranged to get a private screening for our grade! So about a week later, there I was with dozens of my high school buddies, hanging out in a theater watching Batman for a second time. This time, I finally did feel vindicated. Well, except for that haunting Prince soundtrack…

COUPON TIME:

Apparently a wardrobe consisting of comic-laden T-shirts isn’t considered high fashion these days. (What, a guy can’t have 2 different shirts with Captain America’s shield on them?) So here are a bunch of apparel coupons to help me, er, you folks looking for some new threads.

Free shipping on orders over $100 at Aeropostale
Valid through: September 1, 2008 11:59pm ET
Economy shipping only. U.S. only. Not valid on previous orders.

10% off online orders at Alloy.com
Use promotion code AFF10.
Valid through: July 30, 2008
Not valid on clearance or redline merchandise. Only one coupon or discount of any type may be used at one time. Cannot be combined with free shipping. Not valid toward any previously purchased merchandise or the purchase of merchandise certificates, or gift cards.

20% off online orders over $100 at AnnTaylorLoft.com
Plus Free Shipping!
During checkout (step 3 of 4) at the bottom of the page enter promotional code 104016307. Then click RECALCULATE.
Valid through: July 31, 2008
Not valid on sale items. Valid online only. Offer may be used only once. Taxes, shipping fees, purchases of Gift Cards, charges for gift boxes and payment of an Ann Taylor Credit Card do not count towards the qualifying amounts. Free Shipping is for Standard Shipping within the Continental U.S. only. Standard Shipping not available in Alaska, Puerto Rico and Hawaii. Not valid at Ann Taylor LOFT stores, Ann Taylor stores, Ann Taylor Factory stores, ANNTAYLOR.COM, on purchases of gift cards, on payment of Ann Taylor accounts or in conjunction with any other offer. No adjustments to prior purchases. Cannot be combined with other coupons.

Free Shipping on orders over $100 at Bluefly.com 
NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY.
Use promo code ULTIMATESHIP.
Valid through: July 31, 2008
New customers only. Free shipping is valid only on standard ground shipping in the Continental United States. Minimum purchase of $100 excludes charges for gift-wrapping, shipping, applicable taxes and duties or gift certificates. Can be used once per person. Offer cannot be combined with other promotions, discounts and promotional codes or applied retroactively to previously placed orders. Does not work with Google Checkout!

15% off online orders at delias
Use promo code SHOP15D.
Valid through: July 30, 2008
Cannot be combined with other coupons or Free Shipping offers. Not valid on previously purchased merchandise or for merchandise certificates, or gift cards.

20% off a purchase of $100 or more at Eastbay.com
Use this link to activate the coupon. You should see LKS18L29 in the Source Code box during checkout.
Valid through: August 1, 2008 11:59pm CT
Items excluded from this coupon will say “This item is currently excluded from any promotional discounts.” Not valid on gift cards or team orders. Does not apply to prior purchases or open orders and cannot be combined with any other coupons/discounts.

10% off Clothing orders over $49 at Kmart.com
Use this link for details.
Valid through: July 26, 2008
Valid online only. Cannot be combined with other coupons. Not valid on previous purchases. Excludes sports backpacks, infant clothing and clearance items.

10% off Apparel orders over $100 at Sears.com
Use coupon code AAPPAREL.
Valid through: August 2, 2008

When I was a kid, probably around 9 or 10 years old, I used to go bike riding with my dad. A lot. I fondly remember every weekend actually getting up early (Like, earlier then I normally would on the weekends, when I’d just sit in front of the TV on a Saturday morning watching literally hours of cartoons…), having a quick breakfast, then getting dressed and hitting the road.

I’m not talking about mountain biking here or racing around a track. No, we’d hop on our bikes and just ride out of our neighborhood and onto the local streets. It was probably around 7:30 or 8 a.m. on a Saturday or Sunday, so the roads were pretty empty. We’d just go for a nice ride past wooded areas, nice neighborhoods, etc.

But the best part was always stopping at that mom and pop deli. That would be about the halfway point, I’d say. We’d usually get some drinks and snacks, but all I can remember to this day is getting a pack of Hostess Cupcakes and just devouring them. Those cream-filled chocolate cupcakes just made that ride so worth it, you know? All those painful uphill strides? No problem, as long as I knew we were hitting that deli at the top of that hill, I probably could’ve pedaled all the way up Mount Everest.

I haven’t gone biking in probably about 5 years I’d gather. And certainly not with my dad in a good 20 years I’d say. He mentioned going for a bike ride himself the other day, which is what got me thinking about all this. Maybe I should get my bike tuned up and hit the roads with dear ol’ dad one of these days. After all, I really could go for a cupcake right about now…

COUPON TIME:

Get your ride on with these coupons good for sporting good stores so you can hook yourself up with some bicycles, helmets, sneakers (also known as running shoes for some folks) and more.

Free Shipping on a web order of $75+ at Sierra Trading Post
Use this link to activate the coupon. The discount will be displayed in your shopping cart and you’ll see a note saying “Your Ultimate Coupons exclusive Free Shipping offer has been applied to all eligible items.” Do not enter a keycode during checkout.
Valid through: September 15, 2008
U.S ground shipping only. Must order online. Cannot be applied to past orders or combined with other offers.

FREE 14-day trial at Trails.com
Register for a free trial and receive access to: 30,000 trails from 1,000 guidebooks, 30 outdoor & travel activities, unlimited topo maps, guidebook chapter downloads and hi-resolution map downloads.

10% off any order online at Eastbay
Use this link to activate the coupon.
You should see LKS4AFD in the Source Code box during checkout.
Items excluded from this coupon will say “This item is currently excluded from any promotional discounts.” Not valid on gift cards or team orders. Does not apply to prior purchases or open orders and cannot be combined with any other coupons/discounts.

20% off a purchase of $99 or more at FootLocker.com
Use this link to activate the coupon.
You should see promotional code LKS18LCP in the box during checkout.
Valid through: August 2, 2008 11:59pm CT
Not valid on gift cards or team orders. Some items are excluded and will say “This item is currently excluded from any promotional discounts” under the product description. Not valid on prior purchases or open orders. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Order value must total $99 or more before taxes, shipping and handling.

15% off online orders over $100 at Modells.com
Eligible items will have the following note on their product page: “Get 15% off your entire order” Valid online only.
Use this link to activate the coupon or use Promotion/Discount code MOD_1508 at checkout.
Valid through: July 31, 2008 11:59pm ET
Maximum discount of $200. Valid for in-stock merchandise only. Discount excludes the following: Electronics/optics, Atec, Bauer, Bowflex, Carhartt, Callaway, CCM, Cobra, Coleman Boats, Columbia, Crocs, DeMarini, Easton, Escape, Fitness Quest, Fly Flot, Footjoy, Future Beach, Garmin, Heelys, Hi-Tec, Horizon, Jugs, K2, Kettler, K-Swiss, Leisure Life, Louisville, Louisville Slugger, Magellan, Magnum, Marmot, Miken Sports, Minolta, Mission, Mongoose, Motorola, Muzono Golf, Nike, Nike ACG,Nike Golf, Oakley, Pelican, Pro Feet, Puma, Rawlings, Razors, Roces, Rollerblade, Salomon, Spira, Spring Step, Sole, Taylor Made, The North Face, Titleist, Trend Sports, Under Armour, World Industries, Worth and select other brands. If the coupon doesn’t seem to work on an item, the brand is probably excluded. Discount does not apply to gift cards, gift certificates, taxes, shipping and handling charges, gift wrapping and similar charges. Cannot be combined with any other promotional offer nor is this offer valid on previous purchases. Entire order must be shipped to a single address. Valid online only.

15% off one full-price item at REI
Get your coupon code by signing up for REI Gearmail (free).
The coupon will be emailed to you.
Discount applies to your highest priced full-price item. Offer not valid at REI-OUTLET.com, REI Adventures or Outdoor School. Offer not valid for sale items (prices ending in $._3 or $._9). Offer not valid on special orders, package discounts, REI gift cards or E-gift certificates, gift boxes, memberships, rentals, shop services, boats, bicycles, skis, boots or bindings, snowboards, boots or bindings, GPS receivers, two-way radios and personal locator beacons. Offer is limited to stock on hand, is nontransferable and is not redeemable for cash. Offer may not be combined with any other discount or offer. Limit one coupon per customer. Merchandise purchased with this discount is not eligible for the REI member refund.

No, it’s not my birthday again. Yes, I’m still 36 years old. At least last I checked I was. But a number of stars (and some aching bones and muscles)  have aligned to alert me to the fact that yes indeed I am getting old. Don’t believe me? Well, then I’ll just have to prove it the only way the internet knows how… with a Top 10 list!

Top 10 Reasons You Know You’re Getting Old, Even at 36

1.  You hit the batting cages with your buddy and can barely connect on a wimpy 54 mph fastball. Even after trying for like 20 minutes. And you get a blood blister on your palm in the process. But I’m not bitter.
2. Your 5-year-old son can outscore you in video games. And you’re REALLY trying to beat him this time.
3. Nintendo thinks you’re 45 years old, thanks to the highly scientific Wii Fit’s “Fit Age.”
4. Time Life starts putting out sets of music like “Hard & Heavy” and you actually own 75% of the awesome rocking songs on it. (Shameless plug for Time Life coupons).
5. As my friend Brian put it… you start eating (and enjoying) things like eggplant. Once I start looking forward to eating prunes, I’m totally digging my grave.
6. Watching baseball is actually less boring then it used to be. And that’s without even drinking beers.
7. I’ve actually used the phrase, “I remember back when gas was under $2.” Next I’ll be reminiscing about movie tickets costing $3.50 and comic books being only 65 cents.
8. “Return of the Jedi” came out 25 years ago. Really?!?
9. HD DVD easily reminds you of a thing called Betamax.
10. Those damn kids just won’t stay outta my yard!

COUPON TIME:

Yeah, I’m old. So that means technology should scare me, right? Wrong! Nothing I like better than buying a new computer, which I do every couple of years just for the heck of it. So here are a bunch of electronics/computer coupons for you young whippersnappers:

25% off Inspiron Laptops priced over $999 at Dell Home
Use coupon code 6XC27Q5BKS0FVG.
Valid through: July 17, 2008 5:55am CT or after 10,000 redemptions (whichever occurs first)
Cannot be combined with mail in rebates, dollars off, percentages, or select other promotions. Only one coupon may be applied per cart at checkout. Taxes, fees, shipping, handling and any applicable restocking charges are extra, and vary. U.S. Dell Home and Home Office new purchases only. Purchase limit of 5 systems per order, but coupon discount applies to only 1 system per cart.

$400 off a customized HP Pavilion Desktop PC configured at $999 or greater
Limited to the first 1,350 coupon redemptions
Use coupon code DT3325.
Valid online only. Offer limited to the first 1,350 coupons redeemed. Maximum 1 redemption per person or address. Restrictions apply. (For complete conditions, see “Coupon Information” in the Customer Service section of the HP Home Store.) Coupon discounts are not combinable with instant rebate(s) or free gift offers. HP will apply the higher of the two discounts.

$400 off a customized HP Pavilion Notebook PC configured at $1,299 or greater
Limited to the first 2,790 coupon redemptions
Use coupon code NB7530.
Excludes the dv5z and dv2700t Broadband Wireless PC. Valid online only. Offer limited to the first 2,790 coupons redeemed. Maximum 1 redemption per person or address. Restrictions apply. (For complete conditions, see “Coupon Information” in the Customer Service section of the HP Home Store.) Coupon discounts are not combinable with instant rebate(s) or free gift offers. HP will apply the higher of the two discounts.

Up to a $100 Rebate when you buy a Mac and qualifying printer
Use this link to get all the details.
Offer valid through July 21, 2008
Rebate will equal what you paid for the printer up to a maximum of $100.

Christmas in July Apple Sale at MacMall.com
Save up to 30% on Apple Computers
Save up to 38% on Mac Software
Save up to 30% on Mac CPUs
Save up to 42% on Mac Accessories
Valid through: July 17, 2008 9pm ET

10% off Norton Antivirus at Symantec
Use coupon code 10NAV08.
Valid through: October 1, 2008
Online only. Cannot be combined with other coupon codes.

10% off online orders over $50 at 123Inkjets.com
Use coupon code ULTIMATE10.
Expires: December 31, 2008
Not valid on OEM cartridges, memory, or media items.

So I ate really well on Friday and Saturday, but that’s probably because I didn’t go anywhere. Yesterday, though, we went to a family friend’s house for a pool party with a few other families. Bunch of kids, decent weather and lots of BBQ. And since it’s 4th of July weekend and I hadn’t had a single hot dog yet, I just couldn’t pass ‘em up. So I challenged my stomach and came out ahead. No, I didn’t down 59 hot dogs in 10 minutes, like our U.S.A. champ Joey Chestnut. But I think I did pretty well.

Besides downing a few beers, I enjoyed some real nice/interesting pasta salad, along with a refreshing spinach salad (actually had some vinegar, strawberries and tons of other stuff I cna’t remember. But hey, if someone can make me eat and enjoy spinach, more power to them!).  Then I downed a hamburger, a nice grilled chicken breast and 3 hot dogs. Um, yeah, 3. Granted, the last one wasn’t on a bun, but still. I was a bit full after that and yet was still eyeing the last few hot dogs on the plate. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Hot dogs are my kryptonite I guess. Good thing they’re so healthy, though, right? Uh, right? Oy…

COUPON TIME:

Since I so could’ve used some Tums yesterday, I’m listing off some good diet and exercise coupons here to kick myself in the butt and get into shape!

THREE FREE WEEKS OF FOOD with NutriSystem Advanced
Offer good on new Auto-Delivery orders only. Limit one per customer. With Auto-Delivery, you automatically receive your 28-Day program once every 4 weeks. You can cancel Auto-Delivery at any time, however for this offer you must stay on Auto-Delivery for at least two consecutive 28-Day program deliveries to receive the second free week and at least three consecutive 28-Day program deliveries to receive the third free week. One additional free week of food will be included with your first, second and third deliveries. Cannot be combined with any prior or current discount or offer.

Save $20.82 on Weight Watchers Online!
Offer ends: July 31, 2008 11:59pm ET
Save over 25% when you sign up for the 3-Month Savings Plan. Use the link above to activate the promotion code. Savings is off the Standard Monthly Plan Pricing. No need to enter a promotion code.

Free 1 Week of Meals ($131.60 value) at eDiets Deliciously Yours
To receive your free week of food you must receive 7 weeks of meal delivery. Your free week is the 8th week. Valid for first-time customers only and is non-renewable.

$1 Trial Offer at TotalGym.com
The risk-free trial offer lets you try the Total Gym in your home for 30 days with a single payment of just $1.00. If you decide to keep the Total Gym, you’ll be billed additional payments.

Save over 50% on a Winsor Pilates DVD package
Find the best sculpting and weight-loss package for you and save over 50% off the retail price. Plus free bonus gift: Win-in-10 Meal Plan and Cookbook.

Okay, who am I kidding? If you’re still reading at this point, here’s the best coupon for the day.

Yes, a Nathan’s coupon good for 1 free hot dog. Click the image to the right to see the full coupon and print it straight from your computer.

HAPPY 4th OF JULY TO EVERYONE!

Hope your day’s sunny and filled with gallons of beer and vats of hot dogs! And don’t forget to watch the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest today on ESPN! Will American Joey Chestnut hold on to the much-coveted Mustard Yellow Belt (last year he ate 66 dogs!) as he faces a slew of hungry contestants including former champ Japanese eating-machine Takeru Kobayash?

Come on and chant with me: U.S.A.! U.S.A.!!!

Lots of big 4th of July sales going on this weekend, so I figured I’d toss a slew of the best sales and coupons going on this weekend for ya. Enjoy!

July 4th Sale at Macys.com
Save 20-75% + Values on Women, Men, Juniors, Kids, Shoes, For The Home, Bed & Bath, Handbags, and Jewelry.
Sale Ends: July 6, 2008

4th of July Super Sale at Circuit City
Valid through: July 5, 2008

• Big savings on TVs and HDTVs!
• Save 10% on all Wii games
• DVDs for just$4.99
• All Blu-ray DVD players on sale
• Top-selling Garmin GPS on sale

Fourth of July Sale at Sears.com
Use this link for details.
Valid through: July 5, 2008

• 50% off + an Extra 10% off Mattresses
• All TVs, Cameras & Portable Electronics on sale
• All Craftsman Power Lawn Equipment on sale
• 30% off all Patio Sets and all Grills on sale
• 20% off all Kenmore Appliances & Vacuums
• Big Brand Tool Sale - all top brands on sale
• Up to 60% off Shoes & 50% off Summer Apparel & Swimwear

America’s Biggest Home & White Sale at JCPenney.com
Save 30-60% on Bed & Bath, Furniture, Home Decor, Housewares, Luggage, Windows and Rugs!
Valid through July 7, 2008

Fourth of July Sale: One-Way Flights From $66 at Travelocity
Use this link for details.
Valid through: July 8, 2008

4th of July - save up to 30% at Expedia.com
Good for travel July 3 through July 6, 2008
Use this link for details.
Valid through: July 4, 2008

20% Off at National Pet Pharmacy
Use coupon code: SAVEJULY4
Valid through: July 11, 2008

Free shipping on your order at Nike.com
Use promotional code 4JULY during checkout. Code is CASE SENSITIVE. You must be LOGGED IN to activate coupon.
Valid through: July 8, 2008 11:59pm PT
Valid for free standard ground shipping to a single destination only. One use per person. Cannot be combined with other offers. Not redeemable for cash or credit toward shipping upgrades. Not valid on NikeiD orders. Some restrictions may apply.

I’ve already told you about my brush of celebrity with meeting Twisted Sister lead hair man Dee Snider, but with the 4th of July coming up, I suppose it’s high time I tell you about my favorite Independence Day memory.

It was probably about 12 years ago in beautiful sunny San Diego. It was July 4th weekend and I was out there for work at the big annual Comic Con event. (It’s a monstrous comic book/toy/sci-fi convention full of all sorts of shiny things, tons of freebies and loads of has-been actors like the guy who wore the Boba Fett costume or the guy who played Mike TV on the original “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” movie. I kid you not.) Anyways, I worked for a magazine about comic books, so I was at the show working our booth and shmoozing it up with all our industry contacts. It just so happens that one of my contacts was for a company called Dark Horse Comics (they put out all the Star Wars comics, Hellboy and a slew of other good stuff. Free plug for DH!) At the time, there was a new mini-series coming out called The Black Pearl, which was written by Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill.

Since the comic was just coming out, Mark (yes, I can call him Mark) was at Comic Con that year promoting the book and doing a signing. So I was hoping to at least get a quick handshake with Luke, er, Mark courtesy of my Dark Horse contact. I was way off. My DH contact did me way better. He invited me and my editor to a real nice dinner with him, Mark and about 10 other industry type people. Dinner with Luke Skywalker. In San Diego. On July 4th. No way I was passing that up!

We got to the restaurant, met Mark and then sat down at one end of the table next to 2 other guys who I don’t even remember where they were from. Mark, unfortunately, sat alllll the way down at the other end. Sigh. Well at least we’re at the same table. Now, besides playing Luke in the Star Wars films, Mark’s also a huuuuge comic book geek too. And he voiced the Joker in all the Batman and Justice League cartoons. So he was putting on the voices, talking comics and me and my editor were being professional, yet having fun (all the while foaming at the mouth inside). And just as we finished eating, it happened…

Mark stopped in mid-sentence, and then said, “Y’know, I want to go sit and chat with the comic guys now.” So he got up and walked over right next to me and my editor and sat down with us (the other guys shifted over to make room) and chatted with us for the next 30 or 40 minutes. I don’t recall anythign we talked about, but it was just fun, geeky stuff. He was seriously a very nice, funny all-around kind of guy. Then we all walked out, talked some more. I even got his home phone number so I could follow up with any sort of interviews later on. That’s worth it’s weight in gold to a comic/sci-fi geek like me.

COUPON TIME:

All this talk of sunny weather and San Diego has me thinking of travel. And with gas prices the way they are, it may be cheaper to fly somewhere rather then drive! So here are some pretty sweet travel deals for you jetsetters.

$50 off select 3+ night vacations at CheapTickets.com
Use promotion code SUNSALE50.
Valid through: July 6, 2008
Book a qualifying hotel or flight + hotel package by July 6, 2008, for 3 or more nights for travel by August 31, 2008, via CheapTickets and instantly receive $50 off your purchase through the use of the promotion code. Limit one discount per hotel room and one promotion code per purchase. Discounts are not redeemable for cash for any reason. Any attempt at fraud will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Void where prohibited, taxed or restricted. CheapTickets reserves the right to change or limit the promotion in its sole discretion.

4th of July - save up to 30% at Expedia.com
Good for travel July 3 through July 6, 2008
Use this link for details.
Valid through: July 4, 2008

Theme Park Vacation Deals: Save up to 30% on hotels
Book by July 6; Travel by September 30
Use this link to get all the details.

Up to $100 Rebate on your Hotel stay
Use this link to view the coupon.
Get $20 with a 3-Night Booking
Get $30 with a 5-Night Booking
Get $50 with a 8-Night Booking
Get $75 with an 10-Night Booking
Get $100 with a 12-Night Booking
Valid for reservations booked online through July 31, 2008
Must travel by September 30, 2008