“Made it, Ma! Top of the world!”

From: White Heat

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: Arthur “Cody” Jarrett

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the film noir, White Heat. White Heat focuses on Arthur “Cody” Jarrett, a deranged gang leader who loves killing people while staging robberies. The film is considered a classic and has been inducted into the National Film Registry for being culturally and artistically significant.

The quote comes from the closing moments of the film. Cody (played by James Cagney) has been surrounded by the police and climbs to the top of a chemical plant. The police do shoot at Cody but, although he has been shot several times, the criminal refuses to go do. Cody, realizing there is no escape, shoots a tanker full of gas and, just before it explodes, he delivers the quote

Geek wisdom: We all want to be the best. However, we also have to consider the path we take to be the greatest. If it leads to your self destruction, then that path, even if it’s the easiest one, isn’t worth it.

“You make me want to be a better man.”

From: As Good As It Gets

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Melvin Udall

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from As Good As it Gets. The film stars Jack Nicholson as Melvin Udall, a shut-in, obsessive-compulsive novelist. He, however, becomes involved with Carol Connelly (played by Helen Hunt), a waitress at the restaurant where he eats on a regular basis as well as his gay neighbor, Simon Bishop (played by Greg Kinnear). Because of his involvement with these people, Melvin slowly starts to come out of his shell.

The quote comes near the end of the film. The trio take a trip so that Simon can a loan from his parents. During their trip, Melvin takes Carol out to dinner. In an awkward way of professing his growing feelings for her, Melvin tells her a “compliment” as well as the quote in question.

Geek wisdom: We can’t actually force change on people. We may think we know what’s best for them but forcing them to do so doesn’t usually stick and they will return to their old ways. However, people will change for you on their own free will if you give them the chance. This is when they will try to better themselves in the long run.

“Oh my God! They killed Kenny!”

From: South Park

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Stan Marsh (usually)

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the hugely popular Comedy Central animated show, South Park. The show revolves around four boys, Stan Marsh, Kenny McCormick, Kyle Broflovski and Eric Cartman. Definitely not a cartoon for kids as South Park has a lot of profanity, dirty jokes, adult themes and dark humor

One of the running gags that really nailed the dark humor aspect was how Kenny McCormick would usually get killed in some way during the show. While Kenny dying doesn’t happen every episode, like during the first five seasons of the show, when he does, Stan would usually deliver the quote with Kyle following it up by calling whoever (or whatever) killed their friend a bastard.

Geek wisdom: Our time in this world can end suddenly and abruptly. Our end may come when we’re old and just expire due to our age. Or it could come out of no where out of the blue tomorrow. We always have to live life to our fullest and make the most of our time on this planet while we can.

“There was a HOLE here. It’s gone now.”

From: Silent Hill 2

Genre: Video games

Who said it?: Unknown

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from, Silent Hill 2, a Konami game that was released before the company was still heralded as one of the best in the industry and before the entire #fuckonami movement. The game revolves around James Sunderland, a recent widower, who receives a letter from his deceased wife, Mary, to return to the town of Silent Hill. Of course, the instant James enters the town, things go frighteningly wrong.

The quote comes early in the game. James explores Silent Hill and comes across Neely’s Bar. In the bar, he gets a vital item that helps him push through in the game. But also, scrawled on the newspaper covered windows, is the quote.

TherewasaHOLEhere

Side Note: When I played Silent Hill 2, I can vividly remember going to Neely’s Bar in the “Otherworld” first. I do recall seeing a hole on that very spot but James didn’t want to go through it. This is why I returned to the bar after returning to the “normal” world. This was when I saw the quote… and it really creeped me out because it was like the game knew what I wanted to do!

 

Geek wisdom: Things change. Landmarks and old hangouts you used to love going when you were a younger may not be there anymore when you get old. You can drift away from family and friends you were close with before. We never thing about the possibility they may be gone in an instant.

Cherish the time you have with the people and places you love. Enjoy spending time with them while they are still on this earth… and not the Otherworld.

“The best place to be is here. The best time to be is now.”

From: Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Bill S. Preston, Esq. and Ted “Theodore” Logan and, together, they are Wyld Stallyns

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey, which is a sequel to the highly successful late 80’s movie, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. In this movie, instead of travelling through time like in Excellent Adventure, Bogus Journey has the duo of Bill S. Preston, Esq. and Ted “Theodore” Logan touring the afterlife.

The quote comes from the very end of the movie. During their final concert, the Wyld Stallyns give a short speech detailing how they’ve been all over time and even to different spiritual planes. After saying that, both of them deliver the quote.

Geek wisdom: We all like to reminisce about the past and the good ol’ days as well as look to a brighter future and all the places we’ll go. However, we always tend to look at the present. We sometimes feel that the best times are all behind us and we can even postpone our own happiness until we achieve something. We can forget that the past and future don’t really exist; the only time we have is the present. So, make the present the best place you can be in.

“Now this is a story all about how…”

From: The Fresh Prince of Bel Air

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Will Smith

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the 90’s sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. The show starred Will Smith. Yes, the same Will Smith you see in a lot of blockbuster movies like The Pursuit of Happyness, Men in Black, Bad Boys and many more. But before he was a Hollywood superstar, Will Smith was part of the rap duo, DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince (which is where part of the name of the show came from). Will Smith was approached by Quincy Jones to star in the sitcom, which became a smash hit and started Will Smith’s ride to stardom.

The show became popular to no small part of the show’s extremely catchy theme song. In fact, if you mention the quote, which is the first line of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air’s theme song,  there’s a good chance that people will instinctively start rapping the entire thing from memory.

Geek wisdom: You can be millionaire that managed to claw their way out of poverty. Or a political official that managed to climb up from an impoverished neighborhood. These may seem like success stories but it will be all for nothing if you forget where you came from. Always remember your roots and where you came from.

“Whatcha talkin’ ’bout, Willis?”

From: Diff’rent Strokes

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Arnold Jackson

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from Diff’rent Strokes. The show was a very successful sitcom that ran from 1978 to 1986. In the show, businessman Mr. Drummond takes in two African American kids from Harlem, Willis and Arnold and adopts them. The show follows a classic “fish out of water” scenario wherein Willis (played by Todd Bridges) and Arnold (played by Gary Coleman) as they try to adjust to living in luxury as well as trying to fit in with high society.

The quote is actually the catchphrase of Arnold as he says it multiple times in the show. He doesn’t necessarily always question Willis and he does substitute different people at times. But since he usually questions his older brother, the quote is usually mentioned as such.

Geek wisdom: Sometimes, you just need to get some clarity on a situation. There are times when we say that we understand something even though we really don’t. Whether it be because we don’t like to ask questions or we don’t like to look stupid, it doesn’t, and it shouldn’t matter. Clarify and ask questions while it’s still early.

“Had to be me. Someone else might have gotten it wrong.”

From: Mass Effect 3

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: Mordin Solus

The story behind the quote: This is my second quote from the Mass Effect series by Bioware. And, much like my other quote from the series, not many people quote it even though it’s poignant and memorable. In all fairness, however, it’s possible that, due to the branching story paths you can take throughout the Mass Effect series, it’s possible some gamers may not even encounter the quote.

The quote comes from the third game of the series. Mordin Solus, one of Commander Shepard’s squad members, has developed a cure for the krogan genophage, a disease that prevents the krogan race from bearing offspring. However, in order to disperse the genophage cure, Mordin would have to go to the top of a tower, which is on the verge of collapse. It does mean sure death for the salarian but he’s okay with it as he was one of the people involved in the creation of the genophage in the first place.

While Shepard is sorry to see his comrade leave, Mordin says that he isn’t…

Geek wisdom: We like to pretend that we aren’t involved in the world. We like to say we have no voice in important matters. Yet, we love to complain when other people mess things up. If we really want to set the future in the right path, we have to make sure that things get done properly. After all, there’s a chance others will get it wrong.

“Ferb, I know what we’re gonna do today!”

From: Phineas and Ferb

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Phineas

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the Disney animated series Phineas and Ferb. The show revolves around Phineas and Ferb, two brothers who, thanks to their inventive minds as well as engineering skills, manage to create and build various fantastical object in order to enjoy themselves during their summer vacation. Their sister, Candace, always wants to “bust [her] brothers” by telling on them to their mom. However, Phineas and Ferb’s creations usually vanish before their mom arrives. This is usually due to some mishap, usually caused by their pet platypus, Perry, who also a secret agent, and his nemesis Dr. Doofenshmirtz.

The quote is usually spoken by Phineas, who, in each episode, exclaims it to his brother Ferb when he comes up with a plan on what their plans are for the day.

The clip below actually comes from “Rollercoaster: The Musical”… because I couldn’t really find a good clip where Phineas delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: We just love to postpone things. We always come up with various excuses why we don’t do our chores or start that project we’ve always dreamed of doing. We like to say we don’t have the time or we want to get all our ducks in a row before we do it. However, things will never get done unless we start it.

Actually, this blog is a testament of biting the bullet and actually starting it. I envisioned My Geek Wisdom a long time ago and, after months of contemplation, it was released roughly five years ago on September 4. I wouldn’t be doing this for five years already if I hadn’t started then. So, don’t waste time and seize the day!

“Aaaaand… it’s gone.”

From: South Park

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Unnamed Bank Clerk

The story behind the quote: South Park is an animated cartoon on Comedy Central. The show revolves around the small Colorado town of South Park and each story usually revolves around Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Kenny McCormick and Eric Cartman. The creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, usually use the show to parody and satirize current events and to show how ridiculous things really are.

The quote comes from Margaritaville, the third episode of the thirteenth episode of the show. Stan received a check of $100 and his father encourages him to put it in the bank. However, instead of putting the money in a normal account, the bank clerk preemptively invests the money in a mutual fund, which was not a great idea…

Geek wisdom: It’s really easy to fall into the trap of thinking that we have all the time in the world. Whether it be objects we cherish, our loved ones and even the time we spend on this earth, we believe that it’ll all be there tomorrow. But we usually regret it when these things are taken away from us without notice. We regret not spending time with the things we cherish until it’s, well, until it’s gone.

We have to treasure the time we have here as well as the things we love. That’s because we never know when it will be taken away from us.