Did any of you catch "Pushing Daisies" yesterday? It was definitely one of the new shows that I was curious to try out. The ads looked cute and the premise - a man who could bring the dead to life by touching them and then dead again after a second touch - was interesting.

So I watched it, AND LOVED IT! It's definitely on my list of favorite shows now. I could use so many words to describe the show - whimsical, funny, quirky, colorful, imaginative, adorable, and enchanting. The lead, Ned, is charming and sweet. His partner in crime (solving crime, that is), Emerson, is gruff, but lovable (played by the huggable Chi McBride). And Ned's childhood sweetheart, the un-dead Chuck, is the most alive person on screen.

The show is a joy to watch. The colors just pop off the screen, and it feels like you're watching a fairytale, thanks to a play by play by the narrator. "Daisies" reminds me a lot of movies like "Edward Scissorhands" and "Stardust". I've read that it's a lot like "Wonderfalls", an awesome show that was canceled before I ever got to watch an episode (that I also had on my Blockbuster online queue but canceled before I could watch a show).

So, if you didn't catch it yesterday, it'll be on again tomorrow night. I know it may not be something that interests everyone, but it was a perfect fit for me!

...and if I still haven't convinced you, check out the extended preview.

Anyone catch yesterday's Heroes premiere?

I realized yesterday that I totally love the show, and that I never want it to end. I found myself checking my watch often, not because I was waiting for 9pm to roll around, as a way to torture myself and think, "Dammit! There's only 15 minutes left!"

---SPOILERS---

There were a lot of surprises, and the last 5-10 minutes left me thinking "Whaaaa-?!?!" several times. Things that left me wondering were...

- WTF is up with that craziness that Nathan saw in the mirror? Is that what he REALLY looks like now? You'd think so, since he went up into the atmosphere with Peter before he blew up - Nathan doesn't have the healing power so it's understandable that his face would be all fucked up like that.

- Peter in a box? ...and looking 10 times hotter than last season? Also, it looks like he's got a new power...

- Kensei is a white English guy?!?

- What's up with the two Mexicans? What does she do? Why does she kill people? Why is are her brother's eyebrows so bushy?

- Love the whole "My Two Dads" thing going on with Matt, Mohinder and Molly, but do they actually allow those arrangements to happen?

Next week can't come soon enough!

I admit it, I was almost hoping that Britney Spears' performance at the VMA's yesterday would bomb. Maybe a slip, maybe a breakdown, maybe just standing there like a deer in headlights.

What I saw yesterday could only be described as sad. I felt bad for her. The girl who was so outgoing and had "it" in terms of being able to hold the crowd in her performance was gone. She was nervous, tentative, and looked like she just wanted to get the thing over with. She was just going through the motions and the confidence she had, that fire in her eye that made her performances so exciting, was gone. MTV should never had asked her to perform, to put herself out there before she was ready.

Now for a moment of cattiness - she should NOT have worn that outfit. I'm not saying she's fat because she looks great for someone who's had two kids, but her body isn't ready for a bikini like that. Learn a lesson from Beyonce, whose dress highlighted her assets and kept her extra baggage hidden under flowy layers.

Other quick comments (I didn't watch the whole show because bath-time takes precedence!)

- Is it me, or did Dr. Dre look like he was wearing Incredible Hulk padding under his shirt? Has he always been that huge?

- Best performance of the night? Chris Brown, hands down. (hey, I'm a poet and didn't know it!) He had that spark that has been missing for so long. The kid can dance, he's entertaining, and he knows he's awesome. Extra points for the Billie Jean impersonation. 25 years later and kids are STILL doing it. Also, props to Rihanna for NOT lipsynching, and for just being as cute as a button.

- Second place? Alicia "Hips" Keys. The girl's beautiful, she can sing, and I loved the part when she was singing on the table and the dude sitting there was trying to get a picture of her at just the right angle, trying to be all sneaky. Dude, you're on national television, we're going to see you. Back to Alicia - she always manages to have entertaining, meaningful performances. I heart her.

- I kinda liked the idea of the performances being in different locations. No big show, setups or lights for most of the performances...they were low-key and felt like they were concentrating on the music rather than hiding behind backup dancers and lipsynching.

- Bravo to Justin Timberlake for telling MTV to show more videos. Then again, who am I to complain? I watch videos on MTV all the time. Why? Because I'm up at 4 in the morning working, that's why!

- Did they give out awards? I must have missed them

Update: Now with pictures from Lost-Media.com

My favorite show on television right now is "Lost". Admittedly, I'm not as obsessed with it as i had been in previous seasons. This season seemed to have lost a lot of steam. The first several episodes of the season were just OK. There weren't many "Oh shit!" moments like when we first found out that Locke used to be in a wheelchair. It seemed like Lost had lost it's luster. I didn't even care too much when I had to miss episodes because of work. I was able to watch them online, but still, before I had LOVED watching Lost on Wednesday nights.

Then came "Par Avion", the episode where we find out that Claire is Jack's half sister. A good episode that ended with the first "Oh shit!" moment that I'd had in a long time with the show - Sayid, Kate and Locke go to save Jack from the Others, only to find him running away....then turning around to catch a football from Mr. Friendly. All I remember thinking was, "Whhaaaaaaaaat?!?"

Next came the episode that we'd all been waiting for - the one where we find out how Locke ended up in his wheelchair. The explanation was ok, but the execution of it was pretty cool. Then came one of the most emotional moments of Lost - the first time that Locke is put into his wheelchair. It was gutwrenching to see the wide array of emotions that he goes through as he realizes he'll be spending the rest of his life in a wheelchair.

Then was the filler episode that everyone wanted to happen - the death of Paolo and Nikki. Dave's a little bummed because she went to his highschool. I'm sad to see them go...even though they were thrown awkwardly into the cast mix, they had potential. Now they're dead. But dangit, they went out with style! Even though it was a filler episode, I still loved it because it wove the story of Nikki and Paolo through old scenes of the show, bringing back characters like Arzt and Ethan.

But after that, there was episode after episode of kick ass Lost...some of my favorite moments from the eps before the season finale: (spoiler alert!)

Girlfight between Kate and Juliet

Sawyer kissing up to the other Losties to avoid banishment

We find out that Juliet is spying on the Losties for Ben

Charlie almost dies...4 times

"Want me to make you a mix tape?" - cutest line ever said by Sawyer, after trying to get Kate to do another round in the sack

Frickin' Mikhail COMES BACK FROM THE DEAD!

Bittersweet - Sun finds out that her baby is Jin's, but knows that since her baby was conceived on the island, she's going to die

Naomi tells the guys that flight 815 had crashed, and there were no survivors

We find out something we knew all along - Locke's dad is the original Sawyer

The Others seem to be this creepy cult, and for some reason, it looks like Locke might end up being their Messiah

Uncle Rico plays Ben's dad

WTF was up with that scene in Jacob's shack? At first, it seemed like Ben was crazy and talking to himself, but the "Help me" whispered in Locke's ear and screencaps of someone actually sitting there make me wonder...

The return of Bernard and Rose....where the hell have you been, my favorite interracial couple?

"#1. The night I met you..." - the last words in Charlie's goodbye to Claire, listing the most important moments of his life

All of these moments had made me SO excited for the season finale. However, there have been other season finales for Lost when I've felt cheated (like the one where they never mentioned what was in the hatch). Could the season finale match the awesomeness of the episodes before it? Would it answer questions?

Well, it turned out that the season finale was everything that I wanted, and more. There were several, "OH SHIT!" moments, and even a couple, "What the fuck?!?!" times thrown in there as well. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the episode (ok, lying on the couch with Ben sleeping on my chest, but I was near the edge of the couch!). This, to me, was one of the best episodes of Lost ever. Some questions answered, more questions asked, and an ending that left me sitting there, thinking, "HUH!?!?"

Here's my thoughts...definitely spoilers in here:

I have to say - when I saw Jack on the plane with a beard, I thought to myself, "When was this? Is this the future?" but then I said, "Nah..."

I love Rose...she is my favorite Lostie next to Hurley.

Jin's farewell to Sun made me teary-eyed, especially when he said, "We have to go home" in English. *wah*

Dude, "Bonnie" in the Looking Glass played Carrie in Days of Our Lives for, like, 4 months

I can't help but stare at the fleshy area where Mikhail's eye used to be. Remember this guy from "Toy Soldiers"? One of my favorite movies just because the guys walk around in their underwear for half the movie.

I couldn't believe that they shot Sayid, Bernard and Jin. I was so worried about Rose and Jin. I was so relieved to find out that they were still alive.

Juliet kisses Jack. Yano growls and grinds her teeth. Grrrrrr......

I love to read "The Lost Diary", which originally started on TMZ. Daniel over there has the best little quote about the exchange between Mikhail and Ben in the Looking Glass: "Mikhail is pissed and now Henry wants him to kill everyone. It's like, "Hey, sorry I lied on all these years, but can you do me a favor and kill a bunch of people for me? Thanks, you're the best." Only Henry Gale could pull that off."

Why is everyone always so mean to Hurley? He's only trying to help. I was so happy when he came to save the day in his VW van, and kept on mentioning to Jack on the walkie talkie - "Yeah, I saved them all!"

John Locke is paralyzed again, in a pit with a bunch of rotting bodies. Will he live? Ohh....we hear a voice. Who is it? It's Walt! Walt's back! He left the island an 8 year old, he comes back...25 years old! Well, that's how old he looks now...

Jack tells Kate he loves her. *sigh* That means that they'll never be together. Oh well. Sawyer's going to need a booty call when he gets back.

Speaking of Sawyer, he shot Mr. Friendly! I actually liked Tom. He seemed like an OK guy. I think Sawyer's in a dark place right now, we might see jerk-ass Sawyer come back next season, which means a lot of tears for Kate. Poor Kate, tears for Jack, who will inevitably hook up with Juliet, and tears for Sawyer who's going to be an ass to her.

I think that Ben is right - I think Naomi's people are going to be baaaaad news.

I'm so happy that Alex finally got reunited with her mom, Rousseau. What a touching moment. Especially the part where Rousseau says, "Want to help me tie him up?"

"Who is Naomi?" - Penny. Uh oh, that means trouble! Too bad that Desmond didn't get to see Penny on screen!

Dammit, MIKHAIL JUST WON'T DIE, will he?

In the past, if you asked me who was expendable on Lost, the first person I'd say was Charlie. But as I said, over the last few episodes, he's redeemed himself. He was awesome in this episode. He went out like a hero, closing the door of the room when he could have very well escaped. Why didn't he? Because he wanted to make sure that Desmond's vision came true - that Claire was saved. He had one more act of heroism - with his last moments he warned Desmond that it wasn't Penny's ship. Bye Bye Charlie!

I admit, I sniffled a bit when Aaron, aka Turniphead, was crying at the moment when Charlie died. *wahhhhh*

Jack makes a call to meet someone. Shadowy figure comes out of a car. It's Kate. She looks awesome - just a touch of makeup does her good. So now I'm SURE that this is a future flash. My head is spinning, it's hard to concentrate on the show because my head is thinking a thousand things. Jack says that they should never had gotten off the island. Kate says she has to go back to "him", I'm assuming Sawyer. Or maybe she hooked up with Hurley...but the main thing is THIS IS IN THE FUCKING FUTURE. *brain explodes*

So who was in the coffin that Jack went to see? My guess is Locke or Ben...at first I thought Sawyer, but the scene with Kate changed my mind.

So what happens now?!?! It's obvious that the Losties are saved, and brought back to the real world. Maybe next season of Lost isn't even going to take place on the island. Maybe we'll see what their lives are like once they're saved. Looks like Jack-o isn't having much of a life. Maybe the reason he wants to go back is because on the island, he was the leader, he had some purpose, he was the hero. Back in reality, he's just falling into the same traps as his father.

My head is still exploding...

Hot damn, that was a good episode. Sorry for babbling on so long...I'm just so excited that the show is BACK. Well, it's back, but then it's gone again. Friggin show doesn't come back until 2008. 2008!!!!!! What am I going to do with myself until then!?!?!?

I was going to do a play by play of the academy awards like I usually do, but several factors prevented me from doing so this year:

1) We just got to our hotel room before the show started
2) I'm incredibly sore and all I want to do is lie in bed
3) This year's Oscars were incredibly boring

I was hoping that Ellen would be a great host, but she was only so-so. Anyway, here's my show best and worst:

Best - All the love that everyone was giving Al Gore, and how humbly he soaked it up

Worst - Those dancer/tumbler/circus acts that made objects behind the screen

Best - Melissa Ethridge being the first woman in my memory to thank her wife for an award

Worst - Having presenters present an award that their movie is nominated for - Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt for the Costumes and Jack Nicholson for Best movie. Poor Anne and Emily had to fake happiness for Marie Antoinette's win

Best - How much the winners from Pan's Labyrinth love and respect their director, Guillermo del Toro. It seemed like every time they spoke his name he cried. I only wish he won Best Foreign Language!

Worst - Showing all the nominees faces right as they lose the award. I know they always do it, but it still hurts!

Best - Jack Black and Wil Ferrell's duet about how comedians are the saddest people at the Oscars

Worst - The movie montages that they made - BOOOOOORING!

Best - Having Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola on the same stage. They had great chemistry. Even better? Having them present the Best Director award to their peer, Martin Scorcese

Best (because I want to end on a best) - Forest Whitaker's speech was a highlight for me. He first talked about watching movies from the backseat of his family car, and moved on to talk about why he acts, to feel that emotion come out of him. You could see that it affected everyone in the room as his fellow actors all reflected to themselves why they were there.

All in all, it was an OK awards show. There were a couple surprises (poor Eddie!) but it was just average to me.

It could be that I'm just in a lot of pain and I'm not easily amused right now.

:-P

I was watching, but due to a lot of people around and having to chase Ben, I couldn't do a play by play...

Any of you watch it? I caught bits and pieces of it...here's a couple thoughts:

- The whole "Police Reunion" was ok, wasn't as cool as I thought it would be

- I've seen better performances from Gnarles Barkley, though I did like their outfits

- When Justin Timberlake started performing "What Goes Around" I was thinking to myself, "Justin always has such awesome live performances!" Then halfway through he brought out a video camera and started singing to it which was just weird.

- I'm glad that the Dixie Chicks won, and Natalie Maines looks terrific...her husband, Adrian Pasdar from "Heroes" was looking pretty fine as well. Although I'm happy they won, I think that at times Natalie acted a little smug about it.

- Is it just me, or is Mary J. Blige everywhere? She looked gorgeous during her song with Ludacris, though...

- Corinne Bailey Ray is the cutest thing...

- Did anyone see Smokey Robinson's green eyes? FREAKY!!!

- I never realized Mandy Moore was so tall

- I really enjoyed Chris Brown's step routine...it takes me back to college

- The James Brown tribute they did was nice, with a man (the one who's held it for all these years) bringing his cloak out to the stage, hanging it on the microphone and leaving the spotlight on just the cloak covered microphone.

- I wish that the Red Hot Chili Peppers sang a different song at the end of the show.

What did you think?

I'm so excited, tonight there's a new season of Lost on! It feels like years since we left those crazy castaways on that island...

OK, gotta go back to work.

Well, I had a nice 2 hour drive to Milwaukee today for a client visit, and I was able to grieve over the Bear loss, so I'm now ready to give my play by play of the game.

We decided to have a last minute Superbowl party, since Dave didn't want to leave the house in fear he might jinx the Bears, and also because of his 100 inch screen in the basement. Two years ago we went to a party when the Illini made it to the NCAA championship, and they lost, and of course it was Dave's fault because he left the house to watch somewhere else. Anyway, it turned out that everyone already had plans to go to other parties, so just the family came over to watch.

So we all had our jerseys on, the grandparents took pictures with Ben, I was taping the game, and everything was set. We were in the basement all giddy with excitement, knowing that all the naysayers would be wrong once again - the Bears would win the Superbowl.

Billy Joel did the national anthem. I have to admit, I don't remember it at all, I was so jittery. We were annoyed with the 30 commercials that were aired in the first 10 minutes before the actual game (FYI, Jessica Simpson's commercial SUCKED.)

Finally, the kickoff. It was so exhilarating to see all of the flashbulbs going off as the Colts kicked it straight to Devin Hester, the Windy City Flyer. Then, lo and behold, he dodged a couple tackles, found a hole, and off he went, down the field. We were screaming, Dave and his brother were jumping around, we saw Devin going, going going all the way to the goal. TOUCHDOWN! We were going bananas. Dave and his brother were screaming like little girls. My father and father in law were cheering and laughing. My sister and I looked at each other like something amazing happened, which it did. Ben just looked at all of us like we were crazy. We scored a touchdown on the very first play of the game! Devin Hester makes history as the first kickoff touchdown in a Superbowl.

...and then the rest of the game happened.

Yup. That's my play by play. The Colts won. I'm tempted to point fingers as to whose fault it was and you'll hear grumblings all over Chicago about who the blame will lay on. But we got outplayed, as a team. Mistakes were made everywhere and it was a painful game to watch, and it tore my heart out to think of how Rex felt afterwards, how disappointed our defense was and how much they would blame themselves. But if I know Lovie, he'll make this a lesson for all of them, and make them stronger next year. We've got experience now, we've been at the big game and we'll know how to handle the pressure.

So in the words of the Cubs fan in me...

"There's always next year..."

:cries:

Today I was invited to the Minneapolis area team get together. My company is big enough that they can actually have get togethers at different cities where remote employees work.

It was cool to meet fellow coworkers, I'm still getting used to the fact that I may never meet someone of the people I work with, they're just all over the US and it's hard to get everyone together. It's very different from the days of having 25 total people work at X-Systems.

We met up at a place called Azia in downtown Minneapolis, and let me tell you, the place was great! It's one of those Asian fusion places that have become popular, serving traditional Asian dishes with a twist. I had lemongrass monkfish bow Thai pasta, which was delicious, and everyone around me had no complaints at all about their meals. I missed out on the appetizers, since I got there late, but everyone else raved about the cranberry cream cheese puffs.

The restaurant itself is dimly lit, like most cool/hip restaurants like to be. The bathrooms are a unique experience - the sinks are outside the bathrooms and are shared. From the dining area you can see the bathroom sink area and then the doors for the bathrooms are on the sides. I'm sure it's a fun game to play for the diners to see who doesn't wash their hands as they come out of the bathroom!

The highlight of the night for me was the dessert. There were many tasty desserts to choose from, from a lemon tart to exotic ice creams to banana rolls. What I decided on was the sweet rice with coconut ice cream. The words "sweet rice" caught my eye, because it made me think of one of my favorite childhood Filipino desserts, bibingka - not the weird yellow kind, but the one made with sweet sticky rice with cocoa jam on the top.

After I put the first spoonful in my mouth, I was immediately brought back to my childhood - watching my mom and dad cook the rice, then scoop it out onto a pan, smoothing it out and giving me any extra that didn't fit. It was delicious, just the right amount of sweetness, complimented so well by the coconut ice cream and sauce. It's been a long time since I've had a reaction to food like that. It made me so nostalgic - I missed my childhood, I missed my mom. Memories came back that were a bit forgotten, a little bittersweet, but so beloved. It's incredible how a smell or taste can bring you back in time. I sat there and silently reveled in the dish before me, savoring every bite.

At one point, I wanted to jump up and exclaim to everyone at the table, "THIS IS THE BEST DESSERT EVER!!!" Which would be unusual, because most of my favorite desserts have chocolate involved in some way. But it was a great experience, definitely something I will remember the next time I'm in town.

So if you're ever in Minneapolis, check out Azia. It's a little on the pricier side (about $25-$40 total for a meal) but well worth it. Check out the sweet rice - it may not bring you back to your childhood, but it will definitely give you a taste of what mine was like.

I don't have much time to write, but this had to be said...

I'M ANGRY AT YOU DAMON LINDELOF, WRITER FOR LOST!

(spoilers below)

They killed off the second-most kickass character of the show, next to Hurley...my beloved Mr. Eko. Boo! Boo on you, LOST! I was ok with Ana Lucia, ok with Libby, but Eko? Why Eko? He had so much potential! He didn't even get to finish building his church. Damn you, LOST Island, damn you and your need for sacrifices! Boo!

I'm sad.

Did anyone watch Monday Night Football? The undefeated Bears played against the Arizona Cardinals.

My heart is still beating a thousand beats a minute - it was a crazy game!

We were getting our asses handing back to us on a plate. For a while it was 0-14 in favor of the Cardinals, and I wanted to smash the TV in the hotel (i'm in Baltimore right now) because the announcers were totally trash talking the Bears.

Then at a point we were down 3-23.

After that, channeling the 2005 team, our defense made things happen. A pick here, a recovered fumble there, and a great punt return with a little help from a 40 yard miss from the Cardinal field goal kicker, and the Bears came back.

We shouldn't have won. The Cards were spanking us. They dominated every stat of the game. Leinart was on fire. He was hyped. The Arizona crowd was super loud. The Chicago defense was weak. The offense was non-existent.

Yet we got lucky. We found a couple weaknesses and we had an incredible game.

Truthfully, I think Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton accidentally switched bodies, because that's the only way I can explain the 4 interceptions, fumbles and throws to the middle of nowhere.

However, I feel a little bad that Leinart didn't win because this little kid on the sidelines came to watch his idol Matt play in Monday Night Football. But just a little. Very little.

*whew*

6 and 0, baby!!!

This is a little add-on to my list from yesterday...Just wanted to talk about my little guilty pleasures...

Project Runway

I love this show. When I was younger, I wanted to be a fashion designer. I would look at my aunt's pattern books and trace the model's bodies and sketch them completely new outfits. I had a notebook where I kept all my sketches, though I don't know where that book is now. That's why I adore this show, the desginers have such amazing imaginations and the challenges they get really bring out some amazing designs! Here's my thoughts on the remaining designers:

- Kayne : His style is so extravagant. He can be a little too much, and sometimes I'm surprised he's pulled some of this stuff off. However, I love his personality. He makes me laugh. Also, wasn't it the cutest thing when Michael was trying to teach Kayne how to walk the catwalk?

- Michael : To tell the truth, when I first saw his sketches on the pre-show I thought his designs were a bit too bootylicious and skin tight to make it far in the show. But he's definitely proved me wrong! He's got an eye for what fits well on a woman, and he's great with his execution - I have yet to see something he's made that doesn't fit his model well. He knows what works! He's definitely a favorite of mine for the finale.

- Jeffrey : I have mixed feelings about Jeffrey. Sometimes I feel for him, like when his eyes lit up with affection when his mom walked the runway or when he felt so much emotion after Robert Best left. Most of the time, though, I find Jeffrey to be a complete jerkoff. He was horrid to Angela's mother, and this week he was so mean to poor Angela! She's not the best designer, and can get really annoying sometimes, but she didn't deserve to get treated like that. I was hoping one of the other designers would ask him to stop harassing her, but they didn't. He's an ass - he's brilliant with his designs, but I can't wait til he's kicked out.

- Laura : I cannot believe that this woman has five kids (working on her 6th) and has such impeccable style. It's so clean and sophisticated. I wonder what she's like with her kids, though...when they had the dog challenge it almost seemed like she was repulsed by it. Laura has been gliding under the radar so far, making nothing spectacular, yet nothing that would make me want to vomit, much like Angela did.

- Uli : I love Uli, and I love her style. I don't know if she'll make it to the finals, though, because sometimes she gets stuck in a design rut - her designs are all starting to look alike. There's one thing about having your own special "look" and another when you're doing the same thing over and over again, but with different patterns.

- Vincent : He's CRAZY! Not crazy like he's going to crack and shoot all the other contestants, but crazy like "crazy Uncle Bob". He's like a mad scientist of fashion, working in his corner mumbling to himself and laughing like a maniac when he comes up with a crazy, off the wall design. I don't see him in the finals but who knows...Santino was crazy and he made it last year!

Celebrity Duets

Jai Rodriguez owns this show! He has amazing stage presence, a beautiful voice, and great chemistry with whoever is on the stage with him. I really enjoyed seeing Lucy Lawless sing, and she looks incredible. I never realized she was that tall! Michelle Williams, from Destiny Child, shocked me. Not with her performance, but with how skinny she is! Her head looks too big for her body, I was afraid she was going to topple over because she looked like she was standing on toothpicks. Then I realized it was her legs. And what's up with Little Richard? Half the time I couldn't understand what he was saying, he was so loopy and weird! Marie Osmond would just not shut up with all of her advice that poor David Foster never had time to talk. I'll probably watch this again...depending on if there's anything on television that's better that night!

Real World Road Rules Challenge

I haven't been keeping up with the show for the last few weeks, but I saw the latest episode the other night. I'm pretty happy to see Wes and Casey in the finals, because everyone was shitting on them for the whole season. I only hope that Wes isn't a dick to Casey and yell at her like he's been doing. It's because of her that they got that far! I wish that Diem was still on the show, I know that she could have used money she could have won for her hospital bills.

I'm totally a TV junkie, and I just love this time of the year - the new television season is starting! There's some great returning shows as well as some new ones that I'm really interested in checking out. Here's my rundown of what's going on in my television life.

New Shows

- Sunday Night Football : Sure, football on Sunday nights isn't new, but I really hate the fact that Monday Night Football has moved to ESPN. People have to subscribe to cable to watch the Monday Night games. Sure, that's fine if someone wants to watch the Sopranos, but everyone should be able to watch MNF! I'm happy that NBC created its own version.

- Heroes : A television show based on people with superpowers? You know I'm there! I only hope that people outside of the geek population watch this show so it has a chance of surviving.

- Six Degrees : I admit to being lured in by the commercials, and the pretty face of Jay Hernandez. Plus, I'm really curious to see how they use this "six degrees" thing.

- The Black Donnellys : I really enjoyed Paul Haggis' Crash, I'd like to see what he can do on the small screen. That, and Walter's been pimping it out.

Oldies but Goodies

- LOST : I still weep that they didn't get an Emmy nomination. Anyway, I'm really interested to see where this show goes with the cool kids being kidnapped by "the others" and what other connections they are going to weave into the back stories of the survivors. More Hurley!

- Prison Break : Two words - Wentworth Miller.

- The Office : I missed the season finale, but I've heard about what happened. Can't wait to see if something will come of it. I hope so! This is a great show, it reminds me of the good ol' days at X-Systems.

- What About Brian : There were only several episodes last season, but it was enough to get me hooked on this cast. I see it as the thirtysomething of our generation.

- Gray's Anatomy : I admit, I love this show. Dave hates the doctor cheesiness of it all, but I love it!

- House : What a way to end a season - House shot and asking for an operation that might heal his leg. Will it work? For how long? Will he be the same abrasive, rude, loveable House?

The Best Shows You've Just Missed (shows that just had their season finales last week)

- Kyle XY : Any of you remember the show "John Doe"? Same concept - guy wakes up in the middle of nowhere, not knowing who he is or how he got there, but shows amazing abilities. In Kyle's case, he wakes up a blank slate. He has to learn how to interact with people and why he has no memories. He ends up being taken under the wing of his therapists family and learning how the human race things. For some reason, Alex Kryczek from the X-Files has been following him - does Alex know why Kyle has a super high IQ and no belly button? Great show, really addictive! I got teary during the season finale.

- Psych : An unemployed misfit with incredible deductive powers figures out a way to use his gift to his advantage - he pretends to be a psychic, and helps the local law enforcement solve crimes. The show is smart and funny, and the lead James Roday and sidekick Dule Hill make a great team and have perfect chemistry.

7pm - Conan does a LOST spoof! I love it! I freakin' love it! Too bad LOST was shut out of the Emmy Awards. Oh! I love it when Hurley says, "We weren't exactly invited." I'm actually typing this as the intro goes on, so you're getting my reactions. Conan has just fallen through the Office ceiling. Oh how I love Conan. Now he's on 24. Now he's on House. Great show...Hugh Laurie just said that Conan looks like an Albino. Ha! Conan on South Park! Oh yeah, I saw that Tom Cruise spoof coming a mile away, but it was pretty funny. Now conebone69 is an internet predator on Dateline. Whoo! I think this is one of the best Emmy openings ever. Very clever!

7:10 - Conan's opening monologue started out slow, but ended on a high note. His rules of acceptance speeches were pretty good "Don't say that the statue is heavy when you get it, of course it's heavy, it contains the shattered dreams of four other people." He's got a lot of balls talking about how badly NBC is doing!

7:17 - Yay, Megan Mullally won! Nice heartfelt speech.

7:27 - Wow...Blythe Danner wins! If you see the movie 1776, which Blythe was in when she was a young lady, you'll see that she looks exactly like her daughter Gwyneth Paltrow. So if Gwyn takes care of herself, she'll be as beautiful and radiant as her mother. Is it just me, or do the winners have almost no time to make their speeches?

7:30 - Poor Jason Lee, no nomination. What a great sport to show up and present. And WOW! Jeremy Piven wins!!! Let's all hug it out, BITCHES! Aww..Jeremy almost cried. *sniff* I don't care if people say he's a jerk, be brought his mommy to the awards!

7:50 - My Name Is Earl just won two awards, and both had awesome speeches, especially the writer, who didn't thank God because he took his hair away, and "that's just not cool, man."

8:00 - Aww, the tribute to Dick Clark just touched my heart. Man, I remember watching American Bandstand when I was a kid. And I'm such a sucker for standing ovations, now I'm all teary eyed. He is such an amazing man...he has changed so much in years since his stroke. The man who never aged came in front of the nation as an old man. It was touching to see all the eyes in the audience watching Dick with their eyes shining in adoration and respect. It was obvious that most of the people in the audience have the same fond memories of Dick Clark that I do. How I love that man! Then they kill the moment and bring out Barry Manilow. I love Barry and all, but it just felt weird. But that's OK, Dick enjoyed it!

8:14 - Conan puts an awesome spin to announcing the accounting team by doing it NBA style, with flashing lights and the loud booming voice. Kareem Abdul Jabar looked gigantic next to the accountants!

8:15 - Ohh, Wentworth Miller. So yummy! A little shiney, but still tasty.

8:27 - The Deal or No Deal spoof was pretty lame. Why is his show so popular? He's annoying!

8:45 - Tony Shaloub wins best actor in a comedy. Although I love Monk, I really think that Steve Carell should have won. :(

9:15 - (after a break to feed Ben) The tribute to Aaron Spelling was touching. It's incredible how many shows he's created, what a fantastic imagination! It was nice to see the Charlie's Angels back together again. I was praying that Farrah Fawcett wouldn't have a drug induced meltdown like she usually does on live TV. Jaclyn Smith has aged gracefully. Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart had an awesome dialog before presenting the Best Reality Show. "Bow down to your golden god!"

9:21 - James Gandolfini presented the award for best miniseries like he was being forced to do it. It made me laugh when he quickly said, "Elizabeth the first" so quickly, it seemed like he wanted to get out of there fast!

9:25 - In Memoriam - I forgot thatDon Adams of "Get Smart" fame passed away. That was one of my favorite shows as a kid. They're doing a movie based on the show, staring Steve Carell...I know he'll do a great job. I'll also miss Pat Morita, Richard Pryor, Grandpa Munster, John Spencer, Don Knots and many of the others that were honored.

9:35 - Yay! Mariska Hargitay won. I love her...and I loved her speech.

9:40 - Has anyone seen Julia Louis-Dreyfus' new show? Is it good? I'm just curious. I really wish that Jane Kaczmarek won, but I thought that Julia's speech was adorable when she had stood there trying to remember a name to thank saying, "This is going to haunt me later", and later someone yelling from the crowd to thank her husband.

9:55 - Yay, The Office won! Great speech...I love the show because it totally feels like what it was like to work for X-Systems way beck when. Nice to see 24 win, too.

All in all, an OK show. Conan did a great job hosting, and the it moved quickly and didn't feel like it was dragging at all. Probably because no one wanted Bob Newhart to die. As Redpac said, he's a national treasure!

The Emmy's are taking place in a couple minutes and I wanted to put in my predictions before it starts. Here goes:

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series
Who Will Win: Steve Carell - The Office
Who I Want to Win: Steve Carell - The Office : He is pure comedy gold!
Who Should Have Been Nominated: Jason Lee - My Name is Earl : He's awesome in the show, he was cheated out of a nomination

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series
Who Will Win: Martin Sheen - The West Wing : They always give awards to people who's shows are cancelled
Who I Want to Win: Denis Leary - Rescue Me : Hard to believe he has such dramatic range
Who Should Have Been Nominated: Hugh Laurie - House : How could this guy not have gotten nominated. Has anyone at the academy SEEN this show?

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series
Who Will Win: Debra Messing - Will & Grace : She actually had a big part this last season
Who I Want to Win: Jane Kaczmarek - Malcolm in the Middle : It's her seventh nomination with no win

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series
Who Will Win: Allison Janney - The West Wing
Who I Want to Win: Mariska Hargitay - Law & Order: Special Victims Unit : One of my favorite shows

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series
Who Will Win: Sean Hayes - Will & Grace : One last time for Sean
Who I Want to Win: Jeremy Piven - Entourage : "Hug it out, Bitch!" is one of my favorite lines
Who Should Have Been Nominated: Kevin Dillon - Entourage : He has one of the funniest characters on television

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series
Who Will Win: William Shatner - Boston Legal
Who I Want to Win: I really don't know enough about the people in this group...can't choose.

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series
Who Will Win: Megan Mullally - Will & Grace
Who I Want to Win: Jaime Pressly - My Name Is Earl : I'd love for her to win because she starred in "Poison Ivy III"

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series
Who Will Win: Sandra Oh - Grey's Anatomy : She wins EVERYTHING
Who I Want to Win: Sandra Oh - Grey's Anatomy : Because she really deserves to win everything

Outstanding Comedy Series
Who Will Win: The Office
Who I Want to Win: Arrested Development - It would be a nice goodbye
Who Should Have Been Nominated: Will and Grace - What, everyone in the cast was nominated, but not the show?

Outstanding Drama Series
Who Will Win: 24
Who I Want to Win: House
Who Should Have Been Nominated: LOST LOST LOST LOST. Why wasn't last year's winner nominated?!?! I weep for the television academy!

I know I'm no beauty queen so I really shouldn't criticize, but is it just me or are the contestants for the Miss USA pageant not that pretty? The pickings were really slim for the top 16. Some looked too old, some looked like they had too much makeup on. Maybe I have fond memories of gorgeous women from my youth, or maybe the US is getting uglier. Last years winner, Chelsea Cooley, is gorgeous and obviously a natural beauty. It's hard for me to tell if any of the top 10 are that pretty naturally.

I feel a little bad for Drew Lachey, because all the women are taller than him. I can't get Fatima's voice out of my head - "He looks like a teletubby!"

We're at the top ten right now...I'll come back when they narrow them down a bit more.

Oh, and am I the only one watching this?

----------------------

Miss Georgia totally has fake boobs. I thought they didn't allow that at these pageants?

Anyway, I'm happy that Miss Kentucky won....she was definitely the prettiest of them all!

....but Britney Spears is an awful actress.

I'm watching "Will and Grace" right now where she's guest starring, and I swear, her acting is over the top and her facial gestures are making me uncomfortable for her. I know she's supposed to be hamming it up, but there's a difference between hamming up and just being plain awful.

Hmm, stick to singing, girl.

Ahh, better yet, stick to driving your kid around on your lap as you're taking away your husband's allowance because he's spending it on his flopping rap career and strippers....

George Takei, on the other hand, better known as "Mr. Sulu" was awesome. It's great to see him on screen again. Big props to him for coming out, being on the show, and even better, providing some great comedy in an episode that could have been ruined by Spears.

...unless you're the #1 and #2 players in the NCAA and you get beat in the sweet 16...

Sorry Adam Morrison and J.J. Redick...I know you guys were the favorites, but hey, you got outplayed yesterday. There was so much passion and intensity with these guys, it's a shame they didn't go forward (Duke screwed up Dave's NCAA pool by losing, though he was cheering for LSU...) But that's why they call it March Madness, baby! Adam, I'll miss that 70's porn 'stache and hairdo you've got...I obsess about it every time I see you play!

Honorable mention goes to UCLA's Arron Afflalo - when most others would be rejoicing their win with their teammates, he went up to the poor guy from the other team who was on the middle of the court, devastated, and tried to help him up.

"That's just a sign of obviously a great program," Morrison said. "They had enough guts as a man to come over in their moment of victory, pick somebody off the floor. If I could thank them, I would."

Man, too bad Bradley didn't win...that would have made it even crazier!

Here's my annual Academy Award play-by-play...

I'm really excited to see Jon Stewart host....he should make it a really interesting show. I liked his opening monologue...it moved nicely and had some great jokes.

7:20 - George Clooney gets his first Academy award. Wow...this guy has been EVERYWHERE. He also had an incredible speech. Big points for bringing up Hattie McDaniel...

7:34 - Aww, aren't the Wallace and Gromit guys the cutest, bringing a matching bow-tie for their Oscar? They look like some really fun guys...

7:38 - Wow...Dolly Parton has got the smallest waist I've ever seen! The thing I love about Dolly is that she doesn't keep the secret of her seemingly eternal youth a secret - she has plastic surgery whenever she needs it and isn't shy to talk about it. Kudos for singing live, too!

7:46 - Ahh...the old "the audience looks at presenters that are not there" featuring the stars of "Chicken Little". You'd think that they'd get the hint that this is kinda silly...

8:09 - Let's hear it for pregnant women! Rachel Wiesz wins an Academy award...it's unfortunate that they announce her movie resume with "The Mummy I and II"

8:22 - Charlize's dress looks very frumpy. I love it that the winners for best documentary brought up their own stuffed penguins. Very cute comment about seeing people in tuxedos reminding them of making the movie....

8:29 - This sing from the movie "Crash" is kinda weird. I feel like I'm watching some sort of urban Cirque du Soleil without acrobats....

8:37 - Is it just me, or have these awards been REALLY boring?

8:44 - Salma Hayek never fails to look amazingly stunning when going to these awards. She looks amazing in a sapphire blue dress. Except one of her boobs looks like it's trying to fight the straps of her dress...."Let me out! Let me out!"

9:05 - Ahh, Meryl Streep and Lily Tomlin give a refreshing improv break to the ceremony...these ladies know how to work a room!

9:20 - There's just something wonderful about a rap group singing "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" at the Academy Awards...it's just magical! *grins*

9:25 - ...and the song wins!!! Wowza! This opens a whole bunch of fun jokes for Stewart....

9:33 - Ahh...."In Memoriam", always a sad set of clips. For some reason I din't know Anne Bancroft died. The thing I kinda hate about this is the clapping popularity contest. You can hear the clapping, and know who the big stars are, but I feel bad for the people behind the scenes who people don't know that well, but their contributions to the movie industry have been just as big as the ones we all know and love...

9:40 - OK Academy, instead of having 1,001 video montages of movies we've seen over and over again, give more time for acceptance speeches...I'd sit through 20 boring big Hollywood names thanking their agents for the chance that there would be one winner so excited and so happy and proud of his home country like the winner of the Foreign Language film, expressing his love for this country and pointing out his young stars. It was a sweet moment.

9:48 - I'm so happy that Phillip Seymour Hoffman won the award. He has always played such interesting characters, but has always been overlooked for his importance to a movie. I always have a lot respect for winners that compliment their fellow nominees. However, Dave and I had to laugh a little, because we always quote PSH's character from "Boogie Nights", like "Like my car?"....

10:00 - I was waiting for Reese to thank her husband during her acceptance speech. I could tell that he was waiting.

10:13 - Wow...Uma Thurman kinda looks freaky. Dave says she looks like a raccoon.

10:26 - Wow...."Crash" won! I was thinking that "Brokeback Mountain" would win...I see this is a nice upset, though not a HUGE upset, since Crash won the ensemble at the SAG awards last month...Nice to see Crash win, though, since it was such a huge cast. Though it would have been great to see Brokeback win, just because...

All in all...pretty boring. But I think Jon Stewart did a great job, even though he didn't have much opportunity to be funny...

Now its time to pick up all those movies on DVD when the come out....

The Academy Awards are on tomorrow...here's my predictions:

Performance by an actor in a leading role
x	Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Capote” (UA/Sony Pictures Classics)
	Terrence Howard in “Hustle & Flow” (Paramount Classics, MTV Films and New Deal Entertainment)
	Heath Ledger in “Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)
	Joaquin Phoenix in “Walk the Line” (20th Century Fox)
	David Strathairn in “Good Night, and Good Luck.” (Warner Independent Pictures)
Performance by an actor in a supporting role
x	George Clooney in “Syriana” (Warner Bros.)
	Matt Dillon in “Crash” (Lions Gate)
	Paul Giamatti in “Cinderella Man” (Universal and Miramax)
	Jake Gyllenhaal in “Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)
	William Hurt in “A History of Violence” (New Line)
Performance by an actress in a leading role
	Judi Dench in “Mrs. Henderson Presents” (The Weinstein Company)
	Felicity Huffman in “Transamerica” (The Weinstein Company and IFC Films)
	Keira Knightley in “Pride & Prejudice” (Focus Features)
	Charlize Theron in “North Country” (Warner Bros.)
x	Reese Witherspoon in “Walk the Line” (20th Century Fox)
Performance by an actress in a supporting role
	Amy Adams in “Junebug” (Sony Pictures Classics)
	Catherine Keener in “Capote” (UA/Sony Pictures Classics)
	Frances McDormand in “North Country” (Warner Bros.)
	Rachel Weisz in “The Constant Gardener” (Focus Features)
x	Michelle Williams in “Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)
Best animated feature film of the year
x	“Howl’s Moving Castle” (Buena Vista) Hayao Miyazaki
	“Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride” (Warner Bros.) Mike Johnson and Tim Burton
	“Wallace & Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit” (DreamWorks Animation SKG) Nick Park and Steve Box
Achievement in costume design
	“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” (Warner Bros.) Gabriella Pescucci
x	“Memoirs of a Geisha” (Sony Pictures Releasing) Colleen Atwood
	“Mrs. Henderson Presents” (The Weinstein Company) Sandy Powell
	“Pride & Prejudice” (Focus Features) Jacqueline Durran
	“Walk the Line” (20th Century Fox) Arianne Phillips
Achievement in directing
x	“Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features) Ang Lee
	“Capote” (UA/Sony Pictures Classics) Bennett Miller
	“Crash” (Lions Gate) Paul Haggis
	“Good Night, and Good Luck.” (Warner Independent Pictures) George Clooney
	“Munich” (Universal and DreamWorks) Steven Spielberg
Best documentary feature
	“Darwin’s Nightmare” (International Film Circuit) A Mille et Une Production Hubert Sauper
	“Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room” (Magnolia Pictures) An HDNet Films Production Alex Gibney and Jason Kliot
x	“March of the Penguins” (Warner Independent Pictures) A Bonne Pioche Production Luc Jacquet and Yves Darondeau
	“Murderball” (THINKFilm) An Eat Films Production Henry-Alex Rubin and Dana Adam Shapiro
	“Street Fight” A Marshall Curry Production Marshall Curry
Best documentary short subject
	“The Death of Kevin Carter: Casualty of the Bang Bang Club” A Dan Krauss Production Dan Krauss
x	“God Sleeps in Rwanda” An Acquaro/Sherman Production Kimberlee Acquaro and Stacy Sherman
	“The Mushroom Club” A Farallon Films Production Steven Okazaki
	“A Note of Triumph: The Golden Age of Norman Corwin” A NomaFilms Production Corinne Marrinan and Eric Simonson
Best foreign language film of the year
	“Don’t Tell” A Cattleya/Rai Cinema Production Italy
	“Joyeux Noël” A Nord-Ouest Production France
	“Paradise Now” An Augustus Film Production Palestine
	“Sophie Scholl - The Final Days” A Goldkind Filmproduktion and Broth Film Production Germany
x	“Tsotsi” A Moviworld Production South Africa
Achievement in makeup
x	“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” (Buena Vista) Howard Berger and Tami Lane
	“Cinderella Man” (Universal and Miramax) David Leroy Anderson and Lance Anderson
	“Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith” (20th Century Fox) Dave Elsey and Nikki Gooley
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
	“Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features) Gustavo Santaolalla
	“The Constant Gardener” (Focus Features) Alberto Iglesias
x	“Memoirs of a Geisha” (Sony Pictures Releasing) John Williams
	“Munich” (Universal and DreamWorks) John Williams
	“Pride & Prejudice” (Focus Features) Dario Marianelli
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
x	“In the Deep” from “Crash” (Lions Gate) Music by Kathleen “Bird” York and Michael Becker Lyric by Kathleen “Bird” York
	“It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp” from“Hustle & Flow” (Paramount Classics, MTV Films and New Deal Entertainment) Music and Lyric by Jordan Houston, Cedric Coleman and Paul Beauregard
	“Travelin’ Thru” from “Transamerica” (The Weinstein Company and IFC Films) Music and Lyric by Dolly Parton
Best motion picture of the year
	“Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features) A River Road Entertainment Production Diana Ossana and James Schamus, Producers
	“Capote” (UA/Sony Pictures Classics) An A-Line Pictures/Cooper’s Town/ Infinity Media Production Caroline Baron, William Vince and Michael Ohoven, Producers
x	“Crash” (Lions Gate) A Bob Yari/DEJ/Blackfriar’s Bridge/ Harris Company/ApolloProscreen GmbH & Co./Bull’s Eye Entertainment Production Paul Haggis and Cathy Schulman, Producers
	“Good Night, and Good Luck.” (Warner Independent Pictures) A Good Night Good Luck LLC Production Grant Heslov, Producer
	“Munich” (Universal and DreamWorks) A Universal Pictures/DreamWorks Pictures Production Kathleen Kennedy, Steven Spielberg and Barry Mendel, Producers
Best animated short film
	“Badgered” A National Film and Television School Production Sharon Colman
	“The Moon and the Son: An Imagined Conversation” A John Canemaker Production John Canemaker and Peggy Stern
	“The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello” (Monster Distributes) A 3D Films Production Anthony Lucas
	“9” A Shane Acker Production Shane Acker
x	“One Man Band” A Pixar Animation Studios Production Andrew Jimenez and Mark Andrews
Adapted screenplay
	“Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features) Screenplay by Larry McMurtry & Diana Ossana
x	“Capote” (UA/Sony Pictures Classics) Screenplay by Dan Futterman
	“The Constant Gardener” (Focus Features) Screenplay by Jeffrey Caine
	“A History of Violence” (New Line) Screenplay by Josh Olson
	“Munich” (Universal and DreamWorks) Screenplay by Tony Kushner and Eric Roth
Original screenplay
x	“Crash” (Lions Gate) Screenplay by Paul Haggis & Bobby Moresco Story by Paul Haggis
	“Good Night, and Good Luck.” (Warner Independent Pictures) Screenplay by George Clooney & Grant Heslov
	“Match Point” (DreamWorks) Written by Woody Allen
	“The Squid and the Whale” (Samuel Goldwyn Films and Sony Pictures Releasing) Written by Noah Baumbach
	“Syriana” (Warner Bros.) Written by Stephen Gaghan

Truthfully, I haven't seen any of the major contenders this year - been too busy. But based on the buzz and my "feeling", that's how I chose my winners!

What are your choices? Let's make it into a little contest for my trivia people - whoever gets the best guess from my trivia people gets to choose the trivia topic for 4 days this month! The best guess out of everyone gets a little prize! Bring it on!

So I had started watching Rudy about 10 years ago...but only got through the first half hour or so. I've always been meaning to finish it but never got the chance, til today.

What a great movie! People have always told me its a classic and definitely a tearjerker, but I never realized how great it was!

I'm currently crying like a little baby....and the movie isn't even over yet!

*wails*

If you've never watched this movie, definitely go out to your local video store and pick it up...it will make your heart sing...

Oh Rudy!

I dropped off Dave at the airport early this morning. He's spending the week in Vail, CO for a "conference", that is, getting his notes from his friends and snowboarding all week. I'm so jealous - we were supposed to do this trip together, before we found out about the pregnancy. But oh well, life changes when you have kids, right?

I haven't been able to go back to sleep so I've been channel surfing since 6am. I caught "Glory" on, which I just now realized is one of my favorite movies. "Glory" is based on the the true story of the Civil War's first all black regiment, and all the prejudices that they faced from both sides of the war. It features stunning performances by Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington (who won an Academy Award for this movie), Morgan Freeman, Andre Braugher and Cary Elwes. One of the best war films ever made!

Every time I see this movie I end up crying like a little baby throughout the movie. It's so powerful and so emotional! The last ten minutes of the movie just make me hold my breath and send chills up my spine. If you ever have a chance to see this movie, see it, it will definitely be worth your time.

*sniff*

Wow, yesterday was another interesting day for long track speedskating at the Olympics...

Beware, this is a pretty biased post...

As I said in an earlier post, I was getting really tired of the Chad Hedrick & media created rivalry between Chad and Shani. Chad is the kind of athlete that the media loves - he talks a lot, he says whatever is on his mind, he wants everyone to love him, and he adores the spotlight on him. Shani just wants to go out there and do his best - he's been burned by the media before so he's wary of them, and he knows that reports have been painting him as the bad guy - but the only way to win this fight is on the ice.

It seems like everyone is talking about it. As much as I've said I'm sick of it, I just wanted to get a couple things off my chest and just let it go after today (of course, after replying to any comments that I disagree with).

It all comes down to this: Should Shani have skated the team pursuit? Before I said I was on the fence about it. However, I've seen interviews and read up on it a little more and agree with Shani. Chad says that any good teammate would be on the team to help the US win a gold, it's the patriotic thing to do, rather than think about your own race and yourself. He felt betrayed that Shani didn't speak to him about not skating, and has said that being on the relay would be a sure win for the US. Come on now, is ANYTHING a sure win in the Olympics? We know the answer to that.

Chad had some pretty good points....if speedskating was a team sport.

Something that the media has frequently failed to mention are these points:

- Shani has NEVER skated the team pursuit before

- the US brought people to skate the relay. Shani was part of the 2002 short track team as an alternate, but never got to skate. He swore after that he would never take anyone's chance away to skate at the Olympics

- Shani's best race was the 1000m, two days after the team pursuit. He wanted to concentrate on his best race - that's what he really came to the Olympics for. Sure, Chad was in the 1000m, also, but it's Chad's weakest race, he wasn't expected to medal. As Shani has said, "Would it have been the same if the 5,000 (Chad's best distance) was right after the team pursuit? We'll never know."

- If Shani lost the 1000m, he would have gotten a lot of flack for it, since he has consistently won it in competitions. As Dan Jansen said, either way - skating the TP and maybe not winning the 1000m or not skating the TP and winning the 1000m, he'd get criticized. It's a lose lose situation.

- The press has hinted that Chad was really angry at Shani for not skating the team pursuit because that meant that Chad's quest for 5 golds was jeopardized. Hey, what was Shani skating for? Just a silver? Because if Chad DID get 5 golds, that's all Shani could have hoped for in his races. Speedskating isn't a team sport - they ALL want the gold.

However, I think Shani's post interview after the 1000m was weird. He was cold, distant, guarded and barely spoke more than 5 words to answer a question. This was not the Shani I know! Then the reporter asked, "Are you angry?" (what the hell kind of leading question is that?) he said no, then turned away and smiled. Bizarre! Of course, it was hardly mentioned on NBC that Chad had congratulated silver medalist Joey Cheek, but did not say anything to Shani, which probably made Shani upset.

It was more refreshing to see him interviewed for our local news, smiling, ecstatic, friendly and eager to talk. This is the Shani I'm used to! He had a much better interview with NBC after the medal ceremony, where he talked about hoping to show kids that they could stick with something and make their dreams come true.

As for the feelings after the 1000m, here's a couple quotes from the guys after the 1000m:

Like all good catfights, he neither congratulated Davis for beating him in the race (Hedrick finished sixth) nor had much praise for him. Are you happy for Shani, he was asked.

"I'm happy for Joey," he said. "Joey has been skating real well."

Davis laughed at it.

"At least he said I skated fast. That was nice."

Davis isn't even surprised. He said he has "a lot of respect for Chad" and said it was natural for them to butt heads.

Then came the 1500m race, the distance that both these guys have held world records in. It was the showdown of the century, well, for speedskating anyway. NBC hyped up the tension between Shani and Chad, so much that outspoken Chad didn't even want to talk about it anymore. Who would win the showdown? Who would get bragging rights?

Enrico Fabris has 'em!

Yes, the home team gets a winner when drama-free Enrico Fabris had an amazing last lap that Chad and Shani had to beat, which they didn't. The two golden boys had to settle for lower spots on the podium - Shani with the Silver and Chad with the bronze. Chad was visibly upset after his race, taking a lap with his hands on his lap to cool down. After his race, Shani smiled, shrugged in an "Oh well!" sort of way, and congratulated Fabris after Chad did. What you didn't see on TV (if you were in the US) was Chad going to take off his skates an d sulk while Shani stayed on the ice and waved to fans and talk to other skaters.

The home crowd was going crazy! As much as I wanted the US to win, it was great to see an Italian win...they are such a great crowd.

Of course, Chad and Shani didn't touch each other, although I've seen news reports that they congratulated each other.

I was relieved that the drama was over. The post interviews were ok, Shani's was much better than his post gold one. It seemed like the speedskating world would be OK. Also, Shani and Chad wouldn't have to touch each other since they were on opposite sides of the podium. Chad had a nice

But then NBC televised footage from the post-race press conference. All I could say was WOW. Even Dave shushed me when we were watching it.

"I'll be honest with you," said Davis, the first black athlete in Winter Olympic history to win an individual gold medal. "Sure, Chad and I are fighting for the same thing. But it would have been kind of nice after I won the 1,000 if he would have been a good teammate and shook my hand, just like I shook his hand -- or hugged him -- after he won the 5,000."

After he said that, all the reporters turned to Chad for his rebuttal. Shani got up and walked out. Chad was left there, drinking a glass of water, smiling, much like Bush did after he was told about 9/11, trying to formulate what to say. The pause was so uncomfortable that people actually started laughing. Then he came back with this:

"We're all part of Team USA," Hedrick said. "We had a great opportunity to win the team pursuit. I felt betrayed in a way. Not only did he not participate, he wouldn't even discuss it with me as a leader of the team. I thought we passed up a medal."

Waa waa waa...stop bringing it up! Shani won a 1000m gold for team USA. Shani didn't do every interview possible to make another teammate look bad. Shani is there to win, but he's happy with his results when he tries his best, he doesn't say things like, "I didn't come here to finish third,'' Chad said. "I'm not happy with what I did. This is not what I sacrificed my whole life to do.''

Chad always talks about being part of the team, being a good teammate. Shani had a good point - a good teammate would have shook hands after losing...a good teammate would have been happy for a fellow teammate to win. For as much as Chad cries about Shani being a bad teammate, Chad was not only a bad teammate, but also a bad sport after the 1000m. His argument would have been much stronger if he just sucked it up and congratulated Shani rather than going to the "I didn't congratulate him because I felt betrayed" deal.

I wish this whole thing would go away. Shani's a great guy that has a lot of love for speedskating, he doesn't deserve to be involved with this big mess...his experience here should have been something more positive, something kids could really look up to. But now, in a way, it's a little bit tainted with all the drama. Truthfully, I don't know much about Chad. Never met him, don't know much about his backstory, but he came across to me before the Olympics as charming, confident, and a little cocky.

Gladly, they don't have to race anymore.

So the scoreboard reads: Shani - gold and silver, Chad - gold and bronze.

Hee hee.

I just wanted to get that off my chest.

Feel free to debate.

Articles used:
Fabris tops Americans for 1500m gold
Speedskating smackdown

Best New Sport - Snowboard Cross. I know it's the only new sport, but still, it's SO cool to watch. It's one of the sports that I look at and think, "Hey, I can do that..." Of course, like short track, there's a lot of strategy involved - it's not just the fastest that wins. You have to be the fastest AND not fall or get knocked out by someone else falling.

Best Cheering Section - Toby Dawson. I would laugh every time they showed his cheering section in the

Worst Behavior on the Medal Stand - I know I sound like an old lady in saying this, but as much as I like Hannah Teeter and her happy go lucky attitude, she just seemed so disrespectful on the medal stand as they were playing the National Anthem. I know she's just 19 but she acted very much like a high school kid watching the national anthem being sung at a football game. I think she realized later that people were watching, so she calmed down a bit.

Best Use of Gold Medal Fame - Shawn White. In his plan to woo figure skater Sasha Cohen, he pretended to talk to Sasha, saying, "Oh yeah, this, I just got it. How's it going?"

Worst Rivalry - Chad Hedrick vs. Shani Davis. I'm still on the fence about how I feel about Shani not skating the team pursuit. The press makes it seem like he's selfish and not thinking "team" and only concentrating on himself. During his press conferences, Chad has said similar things. But if you had a good chance to medal at the Olympics (which Shani does at the 1000m), would you risk it to do a relay where you could get injured, lose your focus or get too tired before your big race? I don't think I would. The press also seems to forget the fact that Shani has never skated the team pursuit. The press is making this a bigger deal than it really is. A better idea for everyone would have been to have the team pursuit at the end of the games.

Best Medal Stand Moment - Seth Weston, gold medalist for snowboard cross, inviting the bronze and silver medalists to stand up with him on the top of the podium before the flags were raised. He stood there, smiling, with his arms around his fellow winners, savoring the moment.

Worst Injury - France's Carole Montillet-Carles crashed during a practice run for women's downhill skiing. She landed on her face, and with the swelling and bruising, it doesn't paint a pretty picture. Then again, I don't know what she looked like before.

Best Performance that Didn't Win Gold - Kelly Clark. She needed an amazing run to win the gold. She went down the halfpipe and came up with the biggest air that I've ever seen a woman have, she was WAY above the pipe. She had a run good enough for a silver or bronze, but she threw in one more trick to go for gold - a frontside 900 - and didn't land it, pushing her to 4th place. But what she accomplished during her run was amazing, having a run and achieving the heights that many of the guys could only wish they had.

Worst Marketing - NBC. For touting this year's Olympic team as THE BEST TEAM EVER, and adding so much pressure on these athletes in addition to the huge amount of pressure that the Olympics already puts on these athlete's backs. These ads that they had then give the viewers expectations of these athletes, so when they get beat we actually get upset WITH the athletes for letting us down. It's horrible. We go from a country of champions before the Olympics to a group of chokers, let-downs, and people who couldn't deliver. It's the wrong frame of mind to put the audience in.

Best Comeback - Chinese pairs skaters Dan Zhang and Hao Zhang. After being thrown by her partner into a quadruple spin, she fell at an awkward angle on her knees. She was led to the side of the ice by her concerned partner, and her coach asked her of she wanted to stop. After some tears, she said she wanted to continue. Her partner led her out on the ice and the continued their performance, her partner casting worried glancing and murmuring words of encouragement to her as they finished their routine. She reached inside her and had a great routine, so great that they got the silver medal. As they got their scores which revealed that they got the medal, her partner carried her in his arms as they celebrated. Everyone cries. Ahh, I love the Olympics!

Worst Torture for Athletes - The moguls winners seats. There are three seats at the bottom of the moguls hill, one for gold, silver and bronze. The top three sit in those seats, watching the competitors. If someone gets a high score, the guys get up, move over one seat, the guy in third place has to exit, and the new guy sits in the #1 seat. I think it's torture being in that 3rd seat! That, and if you have a crappy run, you actually have to PASS the guys who are in the top 3. Tough.

Best Use of a Media Press Conference - Joey Cheek, for saying that he's going to donate his $25,000 bonus for getting a gold medal to A Right to Play, an organization that brings sports to disadvantaged areas of the world. He spoke about Sudan and how he wanted his money to go there, stating that he had help getting to where he is today and he wanted to give that chance to someone who otherwise wouldn't have it. What a guy!

Go Joey!!!

More later...

Posted by Yano at 11:38 AM | Comments (9)

I was going to post this a while ago, but since Dave got into a "let's clean out your crap from the closets" mood, I didn't have time to type it up this weekend.

I loved the opening ceremonies, I think Italy did a great job. I taped it, of course, since that's my family tradition - tape it, and never watch it again. Here's a couple things that stuck out at me:

- The whole thing had a Cirque de Soleil feel to it. But after some reflection, I realized that all opening ceremonies have the weird, otherworldly music and abstract acrobats doing weird things.

- I loved that they had people pulling around statues of cows. Reminds me of the Cows on Parade sculptures in Chicago a while ago. To make it even better, they had dancers come out dressed in cow-printed clothes. If they had udders on the women it would have been perfect, but then I realized that the pink crinoline under the women's skirts were representing udders. They don't miss a beat, do they?

- Carla Bruni looked beautiful, and her dress had a really futuristic shine to it. For some reason, her name sounds really familiar, but I can't place it.

- I felt bad for the little girl who sang, she looked a bit terrified. I always wonder if they have a spare kid in the back or something to take the place of the original kid if he/she freaks out before the ceremonies.

- There was a point in the ceremony where the dancers formed an "XX". For some reason, the placement of the XX and the lower and upper lights of the stage made it look a little satanic.

- The chicks who led out each country with they country's name on it had white, peaked dresses that were supposed to represent the Alps. To me, it resembled tufts of cool whip and made me very hungry.

- I'm happy that NBC made it a point not to skip televising any nations during the parade of nations. I remember watching the 1996 Olympics with my family, eagerly anticipating seeing the Philippines come up, and then as soon as we saw the sign for the Philippines, NBC cut to a commercial. We were pissed. What NBC failed to realize was that Filipinos are the second biggest Asian minority in the US, and they got a lot of flack for it. Sure, we're not an Olympic powerhouse, but give us a couple brief moments to be proud of our countrymen! It's a big deal for any immigrant community to see their home country being represented in the Olympics. Glad NBC realized that.

- We need to have an Olympics in Brazil. That would be CRAZY, but it would be such a great time for the athletes!

- I feel bad for Bob Costas and Brian Williams, having to spout off witty trivia to entertain us. However, I was a little annoyed when Bob said that Costa Rica had "no realistic shot for a medal". Hmph! Why say that? You could say something positive about the country or how it's incredible that they're even there.

- My favorite Costas story during the parade of ceremonies? The story of how a cross country skier from Kenya finished in twice the time that the gold medal winner finished, but when he arrived at the finish line, the gold medal winner was there, waiting for everyone to finish the race and congratulate them. He was so touched by that gesture that he named his firstborn son after the winner. *sniff* THAT'S the Olympics, folks!

- I loved the music they played during the parade of nations, as cheesey as it was. It was a weird blend of techno, 80's, disco and light metal.

- It was hard to find the athletes from each country that I was familiar with, everything went by so fast. It was great that they concentrated a lot on the US, I saw a lot of my favorite athletes. The snowboarders were so cute and goofy, mugging it up for the camera. Everyone looked so happy to be there, even Mr. Grumpypants Bode Miller, being a rebel and not wearing the beret.

- It must be the biggest rush to be walking into the Olympic stadium, as the home team, having the whole stadium cheer and sing when your team walks in. Italy got an amazing reception from the home crowd! For some reason, I was expecting there to be a lot of hot young Italian men on the team, but all I could see of the Italian team were hot young women and old men.

- Weirdest segment of the ceremonies - the Ferrari. It just didn't fit with the rest of the theme and seemed a bit out of place. But the guys in the audience sure seemed to like it!

- Am I the only one who misses Juan Antonio Samaranch, the old head Olympic Guy?

- When I'm 71 years old, I hope that I am as hot and sophisticated as Sophia Loren. She looked AMAZING! The choice of Susan Sarandon to carry in the Olympic flag was a little random to me, but oh well, I'm not the one picking the people.

- At some angles, Peter Gabriel looked like Boy George without makeup. I don't know why he was chosen to sing "Imagine", but he only did a so-so job of it. Don't get me wrong, I love his songs, but I just don't think he was the person to sing this particular song.

- I missed the lighting of the torch because Dave called and I was distracted. Hmph! I did see replays of it, though, and it looked really cool. However, my favorite lighting of the torch was when they had the archer light it, almost a decade ago. THAT was really cool.

- Ahh....having Pavoratti sing for the finale was awesome. I loved the backdrop with the chandelier, curtains and orchestra, and he picked the perfect song. So beautiful! However, I was distracted by how black his hair was, wondering the whole time if he colors it.

All in all, Italy put on a great show. Can't wait to see what they have in store for the closing ceremonies, now THAT will be fun!!!

I watched a bit of the Grammy awards yesterday, but not the whole thing, since "LOST" was on during the telecast. All in all, it was an OK show, with a couple great performances and it seemed to move pretty quickly (though I wouldn't know since I was switching channels through the whole thing...) Here's a couple of my highlights:

- I was really looking forward to the Gorillaz/Madonna opening performance. The Gorillaz looked cool in their 3D incarnations, and I just can't get that Madonna song outta my head. But I wish they had more interaction, but I don't know how open Madonna would be to actually performing with someone who wasn't there.

- I think my favorite performance of the night was the Kanye West performance. He definitely didn't disappoint, and as long as you have a marching band and a drumline in your performance, you'll be my #1 performance of the night. Kanye entertained me all night long, with his Michael Jackson-like gloves and shirt unbuttoned down-to-there.

- There didn't seem to be any huge winners last night, everything seemed pretty spread out. I was waiting for Kanye to throw a hissy-fit when he lost for Album of the Year to U2, but Bono did a stand up thing and actually went up to Kanye and shook his hand before coming up on stage to accept their award. Kanye surprised me by actually looking happy for Bono when he won. I dunno, we'll see in the papers today if Kanye has anything to say about it! I hope he just keeps his mouth shut for this one time. But Kanye, if you're reading this, let me tell ya - I think your album was better. But I don't vote for the Grammy's so that means pretty much nothing!

- I'm really liking John Legend. He has a kind face and he sounds like a good guy.

- I was switching channels from the Grammys and switched back to this young, tall woman singing with Adam and Maroon Five. I was wondering, "Did they pick up a new female singer? She's gorgeous! She has awesome legs!!!" Then I realized it was rnb singer Ciara. Damn, that girl looks good! I think she looks much better with black hair than as a lighter brunette. Thing is, you could tell that she felt her skirt was too short because she could hardly move up there. But hey, her legs went on for miles and miles!

- 10 years ago, if you asked Paul McCartney if he'd be singing "Yesterday" on stage with a rapper in his ear going "UH! UH!" and a rock group who had a hit with the line, "Shut up with I'm talking to you!" he'd probably call you crazy and kick you in the balls. But yesterday he sang his old tune with Linkin Park and Jay-Z and I have to say....it was pretty good. Really weird, but pretty good.

- Kelly Clarkson is such a cutie. Unfortunately, this means 10 more years of American Idol.

- Second best performance of the night? U2 and Mary J. Blige. Man, when Mary's feeling it, she's FEELING it. She blows my mind with her powerful performances.

- I would never have said this 4 years ago, but lately Christina Aguilera has really been outclassing Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson. She looked fabulous out there in her white dress, red lipstick and platinum blonde hair. Her voice is still amazing, too. Yesterday she transcended being just a singer to having her voice be a musical instrument, merging so wonderfully with Herbie Hancock's (where have you been, Herbie?!?!) piano.

- I didn't catch much of Mariah's performance, but is it me, or was she totally lip-synching?

- Gwen Stefani looks amazing for being so pregnant. Bitch. :-P

Hmm...that's about all I remember from the Grammys. Do you guys have any memorable moments?

I Do My Olympic Wave with My Bronze Medal

The Torino Olympics are only 3 days away! I'm pretty excited for them. Ever since I was a little kid, the Olympics was always a big thing in my house. The family would sit together in the basement and watch the parade of nations during the opening ceremonies, as my dad would tape it on the VCR to be saved for the ages. Whenever the Philippines would come on we'd give a big cheer (though that never really happened during the Winter Olympics) and we'd love hearing the stories of various special athletes the network chose to focus on.

This year is extra special to me since I actually KNOW people who are competing, and I've been following one of the sports for 4 years now so I actually know what's going on.

So here I'll give my predictions, well wishes and suggestions on who to keep an eye out for...doubt I'll be right about any of them, because during the Olympics, anything can happen!

Short Track
Ahh, my favorite winter sport to watch! Four years ago a kid named Apolo Anton Ohno captured my eye and opened me to a whole new world of crazy fans, cool athletes, and friends that I still keep in touch with today. I predict that we're going to see a lot of South Koreans on the podium for the men and women, especially that sneaky little Ahn Hyun Soo. He's a quick one and he's got some great technique. If anyone's gonna break the Korean barrier, you can bet on Apolo, who's gonna win his share of medals. I doubt all of them will be gold, but you can count on at least one in there. But I can see him in the finals for all the races. The Koreans aren't as strong in the 500m, so you'll see Apolo and some of the Canadians shine in this one. For the men's relay, I predict Canada, Korea, and the US, in that order. If we're lucky, we'll get a silver - we've got a strong men's team out there as long as we keep JP Kepka on the relay team. He's got the experience and with his skating and power, we can definitely pull it off. The US women have a chance with the relay as well, with Allison Baver and cutie pie Hyo-Jung Kim having a really strong competitive season, with the added help of three time Olympian Caroline Hallisey.

Who to watch out for? Never count out Li Jiajun from China - he's a veteran and he's still winning races. Also, Matt-Damon-Look-a-like (but better looking) Mathieu Turcotte will be in the mix, as well. On the women's side, both the Korean and Chinese women are strong, but if there's someone to break that wall, it'll be Bulgaria's Evgenia Radanova.

My personal favorite is my friend Rusty Smith, who currently holds the 1000m US record and if he keeps his head on, could very well medal in it. I offered him $10 to promote yanowhatimean.com somewhere on his body during the Opening Ceremonies. I doubt it'll happen, but if it does, you heard it here first, folks! This is his third time out at the Olympics and we're all proud of him for sticking with the sport and making the team. Hopefully he's not eating too much out there right now because he LOVES that food out there in Italy!

My other favorites are Alex Izykowski, who worked so hard to make the team, and his family went through many fundraisers to raise money to go out to Italy to go out and see him. He's a great guy, and his family is so wonderful and supportive. I hope he does well! Fabio Carta from Italy will definitely be a hometown favorite, and for as much bad press as he got last Olympics (for saying Apolo should be shot with a gun - but it's some weird Italian saying that everyone misinterpreted) he is the nicest, most generous guy you'll ever meet. I also adore Canadian women Alana Kraus and Amanda Overland, who has really done well in the last few years.

As you remember, anything can happen in short track, so it will be interesting to watch this year!

Here's a desktop background I made for Rusty's site from the Sports Illustrated feature on some of the members of the US team (click for the larger picture):

Long Track
I must admit that I don't know too much about Long Track, but my ultimate favorite is Shani Davis, a fan of yanowhatimean. A friend and fellow Chicagoan, Shani has worked hard to get where he is today, and despite all the obstacles he's faced, he's made it to the top of his sport. Forget all the reports about how he failed to make both the short track and long track team - NO ONE has done that feat, so to fail in doing both isn't as big of a deal as the press makes it out to be. If he wins here, he'll be the first African American man to win a gold medal at the Winter Olympics. He's the idol of every kid that meets him and he's a good guy. He'll definitely win his share of medals!

Also watch out for Chad Hedrick, the charming Texan with a megawatt smile - his teeth are bigger than mine!

I'm also cheering for Joey Cheek, who's a strong contender, who once got me into a bar in Salt Lake City. They have weird laws out there.

Snowboarding
I haven't really been watching as much of this as I'd like to, but it's usually on at the same time as basketball on the weekends so Dave's usually at the TV. But I DO know that Shaun "The Flying Tomato" White is gonna tear it up out in Torino. He's been itching for this chance since he missed the team in 2002, and this year he's been winning competitions left and right.

My other favorite is Danny Kass, just because he made a quote in 2002 about his reason for being at the SLC Olympics - "I'm here for the beer and babes." Mix that with the facts that he loves Count Chocula and he trains at my favorite place to snowboard, Mammoth Mountain - Danny has won my heart.

I'm really excited to see snowboard cross, and I'd love to see American Lindsey Jacobellis win. Just because she's in that Visa commercial and she's really cute.

Figure Skating
I know that Michelle Kwan is gonna try and win that elusive gold, but I really don't think it's gonna happen. She may not even be able to make it on the medal stand. Hopefully, she proves me wrong, but she's been injured and she's old, she may not have it in her to pull out a win. I also don't think Russian Irina Slutskya will make it to the top of the podium this time around, either. I believe it's Sasha Cohen's year. She's got the skill, she's got the artistry, and hopefully if she wins, she won't disappear like Sarah Hughes and Tara Lipinski did. Sasha's gonna win it all. Poor Irina and Michelle, they'll be in the old skater's home hugging each other for solace.

OK, that's about all the sports I know enough to comment on.

What sports will you be watching?

We're here at home watching the Superbowl (Dave won't leave his 100 inch screen to go anywhere else).

I'm rooting for Seattle, since no one else is rooting for them and it seems like 85% of the crowd at the Superbowl is rooting for the Steelers. Also, the Seahawks have the better helmet - I love the art of the greater Northwest...the seahawk looks cool. The helmet of the Steelers is SO 1973.

There are a couple things that have already transpired (indented comments are about the game, because come on, I'm here for the commercials!)...

- I hate Jessica Simpson. I used to like her when she was a nice girl and didn't use a slutty image to get anywhere. But anytime I hear her rendition of "These Boots are Made for Walking", a little bit of me dies. It's especially bad that she's using that song to sell pizzas. Is it me, or has she gotten uglier lately, too?

- Why do they need 12 people up there to toss a coin? And why Tom Brady of all people to be up there? It just made me laugh to see all these big burly guys standing around watching an itty bitty coin fly up in the air.

- I like when through brought out the MVP's for the last Superbowls, especially to see the awesome Superbowl XX hero, Chicago Bear Richard Dent. Dave and I watched a special on the 1985 win earlier today to hype ourselves for the big game.

- During the first seconds of the "Have it Your Way" Burger King commercial, I thought it was pretty stupid and lame. But then I found it kinda funny, and actually enjoyed the part where they all flew into a big burger heap.

- 5:50 - I'm not used to seeing so many completions during a football game. It almost feels like Hasselbeck is completing all his passes (most, anyway). We had Orton, we were lucky if he completed 5 in one game.

- 5:51 - I really like the Seahawk's uniforms. They look sleek and cool in blues and black with a splash of green.

- 5:55 - LOVED LOVED LOVED the FedEx caveman commercial where the caveman gets fired for using carrier teradactyl instead of FedEx. As the caveman storms out of the cave, he sees a cute little dinosaur passing by and gives it a swift kick, much like I've felt like doing to pigeons outside of work.

- 6:00 - The preview for "V for Vendetta" looked kickass. Natalie Portman looks kick ass. The preview for the newest Bruce Willis movie looks pretty cool, too, and you can never see to much of Mos Def!

- 6:30 - The in-laws came back and I had to be a hsotess, so I didn't get a chance to really pay attention to the game and commercials, that, and my mother-in-law wanted to ask me questions about my upcoming shower...but let me try and remember a couple...

That catch that Stevens made that got knocked out by the defenders was definitely a catch - not incomplete like the refs said. Then again, I don't know what would happen to that play since it was called dead before anyone else touched it.

- The Clydesdale football game with the lamb 'streaker' was really cute. I couldn't hear what anyone was saying though, so a bit of it was lost on me.

- Same thing with the Kermit the Frog commercial. I was looking forward to that one, too, but I didn't want to 'shush' anyone here.

- 6:35 - Wow, this game turned around fast. Looked like it was pretty onesided in the Seahawks favor, but all of the sudden, the Steelers are 5 yards from a touchdown.

- 6:44 - Yeah, that was totally a touchdown. Dave and I got into a debate over it, and to me, the ball, which was in the crook of Roethlisberger's arm, crossed the plane of the goal. Dave doesn't think so.

- 6:55 - Now I have to run upstairs and print out my registry for my M-I-L and the guest list on her side. Looks like I'm gonna miss a bit of halftime.

- 7:25 - Aww, I really love the "I'm going to Disneyland!" commercials for Disney. These players are so cute as they rehearse their surprise and excitement at winning and planning to go to the place where dreams come true.

- 7:33 - Gah! A touchdown! Seattle totally got smoked with that one. Bah!

- 7:34 - GREAT Ameriquest ad where the lady is on a late night flight and needs to go to the bathroom, only to find out the two gentlemen next to her are sleeping. She quietly tries to sneak past them but then a jolt of turbulence gets her into a compromising position with her fellow passenger, just as the lights turn on and the rest of the plan is left to wonder what those two are doing...

- 7:41 - Boo! Another missed field goal by Seattle. At this point I'm thinking that they don't deserve to win. Someone is gonna get beat up after the game...

- 7:43 - *sniff* That Budweiser clydesdale commercial where the young foal is trying to pull a cart made me all misty. You can see that he dreams of being a Budweiser clydesdale and tries to pull the cart, but you can see it's too big for him. All of the sudden, he gathers the strength to pull the cart. As he pulls it out of the barn, you can see two older horses behind the cart, giving the little guy the extra help he needs. I love those horses!

- 7:51 - Awesome interception for the Seahawks! Just what they needed to revive themselves. Roethlisberger totally got pushed like a little girl during that play. Now if only the Seahawks can use that momentum to get some points! By the way, I hate spelling Roethlisberger. From now on, he'll just be Roeth.

- 7:55 - Whoo hoo! Touchdown! Yay!

- 8:22 - OHH!!! Interception! Who was Hasselbeck throwing to?!? That thing that was moving far away that WASN'T his teammate? Gah! Get us a bodybag! Just kidding. The Steelers are still far from their endzone.

- 8:27 - I spoke too soon. Several plays later, the Steelers score. Bah!

- 8:34 - CHALLENGE!!! Hasselbeck was down by contact, it's not a fumble! I bet you. It HAS TO BE! He has a lot of cajones for trying to carry it that far, but hey, the lane was pretty clear. They just need to teach him how to hold onto the ball!

- 8:55 - I'm at the 'not caring anymore' point of the game, knowing it will be hard for Seattle to come back. *sigh*

Eh...it was an OK game this year. I think even the commercials were ok, with only a few commercials that I find memorable for this superbowl (the Caveman and young Clydesdale commercials.)

Pittsburgh played awesome and took advantage of the mistakes that Seattle made. They deserve to be winners and I'm happy that they've got their Superbowl win.

Oh well, there's always next year!

I know all of you over in the east coast/midwest have already seen it, but I'm on west coast time, so here's my play by play of the Golden Globes. I missed the first half hour because I was eating Chinese food and getting ice cream (baby's gotta eat!)

8:42 - Best Actress, Drama - I loved it when Geena Davis started off her speech with "On my way here, I felt a tug on my dress. It was a little girl, all dressed up, and she said to me, "Because of you, I want to be president someday."" Of course, the crowd ahh'd at the cuteness of the thought, and she later continuted, "But that didn't happen." Loved it.

8:38 - Best Actor, Drama - Hugh Laurie had an awesome speech, picking names randomly from pieces of paper in his pocket.

8:52 - Best Actor Comedy - Steve Carrell said that his wife wrote his speech, which was really cute, especially since it said, "Thanks to my wife, who put her career on hold for mine, who would appreciate it if I called when I was going to be late so she could put her life on hold..." He had the cutest little smirk on...

8:59 - Aww, how cute is Ryan Phillippe for giving Reese a little backrun as they're calling out her name for her nomination. I'm glad they're still together. Reese is so adorable, I was hoping her Southern twang would come out during her speech.

9:04 - Mary Louis Parker for Weeds! Wow, I was thinking Felicity would get it, but I love Mary Louse nonetheless....she's great.

FYI - my internet connection could die at any moment, so this post could end at any moment...if that happens, I'll post the rest of it tomorrow night when I land HOME. Oh home! How much I miss you!

9:47 - What happened for the last 40 minutes? I turned my eyes away from the TV to surf the internet and I missed almost an hour of the show. To go back a bit, I don't understand the hype of 'Desperate Housewives'. It's a great show, but I love Entourage much more and think that 'My Name is Earl' totally kicks ass. Hopefully I won't have to see those chatty banshees up on stage again next year...

I made Dave take me to Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire the other day. I really liked the movie, it was a great time. However, the third movie is still my favorite. As much as I liked this movie, I was expecting more, since this is my favorite book of the lot.

First of all, I understand that it's hard to fit a 700+ page book into 2 1/2 hours of movie, especially with all the intertwined storylines that Rowling had created. The writers did a pretty good job of taking the book apart and putting it back together into a shorter story.

However, there were many parts where I got excited, but then got let down because the movie quickly moved on to another subject.

If you haven't read the book, and don't want it spoiled, don't read on...

In the beginning scenes, Harry and friends go to the Quidditch cup, which is held in this AWESOME stadium, and it's all exciting seeing the teams flying around in this huge stadiums with a bunch of fanfare. I thought to myself, "This is going to be an amazing match!" Then all of the sudden they're back in the tents and the deatheaters are coming by, all Klan style, wreaking havoc. What happened to the match?

The tasks for the Tri-Wizard tournament had some great special effects, but didn't have that life or death feeling that they did in the first book. The maze was hardly scary, and didn't seem too hard, considering it was the last task of the tournament. Everything seemed watered down a bit.

Then there are the things that aren't even in there, like SPEW, or how annoying Rita Skeeter REALLY was, Cho Chang is just a little sidenote, and my favorite parts of the movies - the day to day classes and just attending Hogwarts. There just wasn't time to include this filler stuff - most of the movie brings you action scene to action scene to action scene. One of my favorite moments in the book, which I felt that scenes in the movie were leading up to, was when big jock Victor Krum tries to prounounce Hermione's name in the library. It was the cutest, and I think it would have made a great scene. But alas, it was not meant to be! Krum just comes across as a big blockhead that just wants a piece of Hermione's ass. OK, not really, but just little, right?

But enough of knocking the movie, it was still great. Having a British director helped a lot - there was rain in almost every scene, and there was a very dark mood in this one.

It's great to see the kids growing up. Hermione looks great, and you're glad that she goes with that hot beefcake Krum to the dance, leaving the quivery lipped Ron in the dust to think about how much she means to him. Harry is turning out to be quite a looker, if I was a young'un, he may have adorned my locker. He also does a great performance near the end, weeping over the body of a classmate.

The effects are amazing. Not once did I think to myself, "Ohh, that was a cool effect." It was all real to me, and this is a compliment to the special effects team.

All in all, a great movie. I can't wait til the next one comes out, even darker than this one!

-----

I also had a reader submit a review for Harry Potter, our very own "Aquaman", who has returned from the dead and is now posting through me, so he doesn't get in trouble. *wink*

His review is a little less wordy than mine...

Goblet of Fire, Three Stars.

Wouldn't necessarily say that this one is the crowning achievement of the series. [I think I enjoyed part two the most out of the four movies.] Anyway, there was a whole lot going on, multiple storylines criss-crossing each other. The tournament is portrayed as a huge deal in the wizarding world, but there's a lot more going on behind the scenes that's kind of distracting. The other three movies all had a definite storyline, progression and resolution, but this one was a little scattered. Kind of like it was a middle chapter in the overall story [which it is], but not as complete a movie on its own.

But there is a whole lot to like as well! I thoroughly enjoyed the darkness and violence, and there was a whole lot!! Exactly what this series needs to keep everyone interested. I also liked the whole teens-growing-up thing, too. Nothing wrong with a little eye candy thrown in to keep the daddy's tuned in! [Never mind that these girls are supposed to be teenagers...] Although I felt that this movie felt a lot more like a chapter than a story on its own, it was pretty satisfying, and what happened in the movie promises to have dramatic, dark, and disturbing repercussions for the next installment. You have to go see it!

What a pervert.

So has anyone seen this yet? What do you think?

So the new season is in full swing, and I wanted to go over the shows that I think will be hits, and the ones that are just 'eh'.

Sunday: Nothing new on this day, I just stick with "Grey's Anatomy"

Monday:
"Surface" - I just caught the "Surface" marathon on the Sci-Fi channel the other day, so now I've watched all 4 episodes, and I'm hooked. The great thing about the show is that we've already seen the monster, we're not being led on like we are on "Invasion".
"Prison Break" - Probably my favorite new show of the season. It's a clever story, much like "Shawshank Redemption", and the hottest new star on TV - Wentworth Miller. This is one of those shows where when it ends, you think to yourself, "Already?!?! Why? Why can't this be two hours long?". Consipracy, intrigue, romance, humor, prison rapes, it's got it all!

Tuesday:
"Bones" - Oh David Boreanz, how I've missed you. I'm so happy you have your soul back so you can play an FBI agent who goes out in the sunlight. It's a cool show, I'll keep on watching, but I won't be upset if I miss it.
"My Name is Earl" - You know, I really like this show, but for some reason I keep on missing it. I always seem to fall asleep at this time. But it's a clever show and I love Jason Lee. He plays white trash like no other!
"Supernatural" - I've wanted to watch this, but haven't had the chance - is it any good?

Wednesday:
"Freddie" - I caught it last week, and it was just ok. But Freddie is just so cute! If I have nothing else to do on Wednesday, I'll watch it just for the eye candy.
"LOST" - I know it's not new, but I love this show so damn much. It fucking rocks!
"Invasion" - This show is dragging on forever, but I keep on watching just in the hopes that it actually GETS somewhere someday.

Thursday:
"Smallville" - Not a new show, but it feels like new to me. I didn't catch the season last year because I started watching lost, but with the Thursday move, now I can watch the amazing adventures of Clark Kent again. Looks like a good season - now that he's dating, there are a lot of shirtless Tom Welling scenes. Hubba Hubba!

Friday:
"Ghost Whisperer" - I've only had a chance to watch this show once, but it was pretty good. Which is a rave review since Jennifer Love Hewitt annoys the hell outta me.
"Three Wishes" - I have yet to watch this show and not end up as a tear stained, bawling mess. I'm a pushover for these heartstring pulling shows! I wish it wasn't on a Friday, though, because my schedule on Fridays is crazy!

Well, that's my new fall line up...what shows are you watching??

Yay!!!

New Memoirs of a Geisha Trailer

I'm so excited for this!

(sorry, the trailer loads a little slowly - I suggest letting it load, then playing it.)

Watched the Emmy's yesterday, but didn't think it was exciting enough for a minute-by-minute review. But here's my highlights:

- Oh Ellen! She did a so-so job. Most of the jokes were ok, but she wasn't half as funny as she was the last time she hosted.

- Yes, that WAS Barbara Hershey who accompanied LOST's Naveen Andrews to the award show. Me and Claudine kept on going, "Is that Barbara Hershey? No way! She looks too young!" I guess it is!

- Sandra Oh has the smallest waist ever.

- Dave hates it when I watch Law and Order, he just doesn't like dramas. However, when he saw Mariska Hargitay on the red carpet, he said, "Wow, if she looked like that on Law and Order all the time, I'd watch the show, too!"

- Donald Trump singing "Green Acres" was possibly the oddest thing ever, but I gotta give him props for having the balls to go out there and sing it in front of the nation. Actually, the whole Emmy Idol thing was stupid, though Macy Gray looked AWESOME with her "Courtney Love" makeover. Still looks like she's high, though.

- I am sick and tired of the Desperate Housewives hype, from how good the show is to people prodding the actresses for gossip on how they don't get along. It's annoying and it's getting old. It's a great, clever show, but I'm glad they didn't win.

- I must watch this "The Life and Times of Peter Sellers" movie. It feels like it won just about everything it was nominated for.

- With that said, remember the good ol' days of the Emmy's, when the winners were shows you've heard of before, shows that were on the big 3 networks? I think HBO is a GREAT network, but I don't think it's fair that there are people out there that don't have access to it - it's a channel that's on cable AND that you have to pay extra for. What percentage of the viewing community actually has it? It's not like the Oscars where a good percentage of the movies people have access to (I would have said 'all', but Redpac reminded me that some communities don't get the arthouse movies). I dunno. When I didn't have HBO I'd always get pissed when HBO programming won.

- Marcia Cross wins the fashion battle. I said I'm sick of the battle of the "Housewives", but still, she looked spectacular. Her dress was gorgeous, the color was perfect for her. Honorable mentions: Jennifer Garner for being the best looking knocked up lady since Cat Zeta Jones, LOST's Evangeline Lilly, who Redpac remarked "cleans up real good" and looked beautiful in her dress, and Adrien Grenier, who is just a cutie pie.

- The opening musical sequence was really cute - I love the song "September". Well, it was cute for the first 2 minutes. Then we got really bored. Having the Black Eyed Peas come out didn't save it. Oh wait, having BEP's Taboo dance with Everybody Loves Raymond's Doris Roberts was worth it. A little bit.

- Best Speech - S. Epatha Merkerson - who the hell is she? The boss from Law and Order. Anyway, she started off her speech with saying that she lost her speech down the front of her dress, and proceeded to hunt for it while she was on stage. When she realized they were going to start the music, she looked like a deer in headlights at the camera and said, "Thanks". hilarious. Runner-up: Felicity Huffman, for telling us her first kiss with husband William H. Macy was in a cowfield.

- Jon Stewart needs to host this show. His little film about who to blame for Hurricane Katrina was comedy gold. "George Bush hates Black....Sabbath."

- I really wanted Terry O'Quinn to win Best Supporting actor, but I believe that having fellow LOST castmember Naveen Andrews in the running split the vote. Sorry Shatner. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

- Everybody Loves Raymond has the same hold on the Emmy's that Frasier did years ago. I'm glad it's ending. Now other people can win!

- Patricia Arquette wins for Best Actress in a drama? I've seen Medium, and I dunno about that. She's no Mariska Hargitay. Grr....

- I really wanted Hugh Laurie from "House" to win for Best Actor in a Drama. Hmph.

- I'm going to watch "Everybody Hates Chris" when it comes out, just because I was so impressed by the young star of the show, Tyler Williams, during his speech. He has a precense that was so calm, collected and professional. He acted like a kid, yet still acted mature. It's hard to explain. But he did a great job.

- I adore the cast of LOST. I've been watching my DVD all week. I'm in love with them, and I'm so happy that they won Best Drama. Hopefully they'll get the same amount of attention now as the Desperate Housewives, and that they get a raise, too. It's hard filming a show out in Hawaii, you know? But really they deserve their award. Seeing the whole cast out there, so happy, with everyone getting along, it was good to see. I love this show! Season premiere on Wednesday!

All in all, it was on OK Emmy awards. Nothing amazingly exciting happened and it wasn't memorable. Maybe next year...

Hey, was it just me, or did it look like President Bush was speaking from in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle in Disneyworld when he was giving his speech tonight?

If you were wondering, he's speaking from Jackson Square in the heart of the French Quarter in New Orleans.

...because I'm slightly obsessed with him. He reminds me of this little kid I knew when I worked at another job.

Anyway...he was on "Ellen" today. Oh, did I forget to tell you that I'm a huge Ellen fan? She fucking rocks, man!

Anyway, he sang Gold Digger, and it made me laugh a little bit, because her audience is predominantly older white women. In Ellen's show, she encourages her audience to dance (she often has a "dance break" during the show). So it gave me a good laugh to see everybody get down. (Go on girls go head get down!)

He also gave a little of the story behind his outburst last Friday, saying that he had rehearsed his speech from the teleprompters, but had felt that none of the speeches said everything that needed to be said. He then sat through the performance by Tim McGraw and was so moved by the song that he sat in tears, feeling helpless. When it came time for him to speak with Mike Myers, he warned him, "I might ad lib a little".

Yeah, that was 'a little'.

Not saying he was wrong or right. I feel it was a bad time to say it, but I give him props for having the balls to say it on live television. He had nothing to gain by saying something like that.

Anyway, it didn't affect his record sales, either, which made right about what everyone was expecting...

I just found a new guilty pleasure - "Battle of the Network Reality Stars", on Bravo. Remember way back when they had "Battle of the Network Stars" where ABC, NBC and CBS primetime stars would compete against each other? That was the best! All our beloved TV stars in one place, in a mini Olympics, hanging out together, talking smack at one each other, and doing the infamous "OBSTACLE CHALLENGE"! I really miss that, though I think that television stars today are too prissy and think themselves above such silly games. Eh, I have little faith in Hollywood!

Anyway, Bravo has brought together a gaggle of reality television stars to compete in the same contests as they did in the olden days - the dunk tank, swimming races, joust, simon says, etc. Stars from the Real World, the Apprentice, American Idol, Joe Schmoe, the Bachelor, the Amazing Race, you name it, there's someone from it. It's a lot of fun to watch, though it doesn't share that same vibe as the show did in the olden days. Of course, they've added the reality television twist where people get voted off and peopkle conspire together. Eh, can't we just have fun with a contest?

Well, it's still addicting. The big highlights are when they actually show clips of "battle of the Network Stars" from the 70's/80's. It's awesome to see the Farrah Fawcett hair and the big Gabe Kaplan 'fro.

Hmm, maybe this means that there's a "Circus of the Stars" coming up soon!

Pretty strong words, eh?

If you haven't heard yet, these are the words that rapper Kanye West spoke during a live telethon tonight. I'm sure by tomorrow the nation will be a-buzz with his statements. Before I go on, I've always thought that Kanye, though amazingly talented, is also arrogant, hot headed, and doesn't care what people think of him or what his public image is. I thought he was an ass for whining about not winning the Best New Artist grammy, even though he did publicly apologize to Gretchen Wilson. He's got a reputation for being outspoken.

But I gotta give him props for saying what he did tonight. I can't believe he did it, but in a way, I'm impressed he had the balls to say what half of America is wondering - "Why has it taken so long to get those people out?"

I'm sure people will call him a publicity hungry asshole for saying it, once they read it in their morning newspapers. But I don't think he is.

I've seriously sat here the last several days, working at home, but hardly feeling any motivation to do anything. News channels have been on non-stop (well, when Buffy or Ellen weren't on) and it's hard to not be sickened by the images of what is happening in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. People waiting for water, people calling out for rescuers on the roof of their homes, citizens forming militias to protect their families from looters and gangs, women giving away their children to people with spots on buses, people dying outside the convention center. It's horrible. I feel so helpless, not knowing what I can do. I've donated, but still, it feels like there is so much more that needs to be done.

So there's this telethon on. Artists from the area perform, Harry Connick Jr sings a song about New Orleans. It's a quaint little telethon, an hour long (compared to the 3 hour telethon after 9-11).

Up comes Mike Myers and Kanye West. Myers is reading of a prompter, talking about the damage to New Orleans and the rest of the region. Then Kanye goes into this nervous, stuttering speech:

"I hate the way they portray us in the media. You see a black family it says they're looting. You see a white family is says they are looking for food."

To those of you who haven't seen it - Yahoo had posted pictures of black people looting. They then had pictures of white people, pretty much doing the same thing, but the caption underneath said they were scavaging for food.

He continued:

"It's been five days because most of the people are Black; and even for me to complain about it, I would be a hypocrite because I tried to turn away from the TV because it's to hard to watch. I've even been shopping before even giving a donation. So now I'm calling my business manager right now to see what's the biggest amount I can give; and to just imagine if I was down there and those are my people down there."

"To anybody out there that wants to do anything that we can help with the set-up that America's set up to help the poor, the Black people, the less well off - slow as possible. The Red Cross is doing everything they can. We already realized how a lot of the people who could help are at war right now fighting another war. They've given them [The U.S. Army] permission to go down [to New Orleans] and shoot us."

Mike Myers, a little confused, continued with his teleprompter speech. When Kanye's turn came up again, he blurts out...."George W. Bush doesn't care about black people." *cut to a bewildered Chris Tucker*

Wow. In a second, I got a phone call. "Are you watching the telethon? Did you hear what Kanye said?" It was my sister. We were both stunned, and I'm sure the rest of America was stunned.

Was this the right place for him to say it? No way. Did he do it as a publicity stunt? Someone who reads the transcript could say yes. If I didn't see it, I'd say that Kanye was being arrogant and self-centered, as we've seen him be before.

But if you saw him, you'd know that he was agitated - this whole situation disturbed him, he was deeply affected by what was happening to his people, and the blame, to him lay on one person. You could tell during the beginning of his speech that he was trying to contain himself, trying to contain his desperation and anger to get some help out there, until finally, he couldn't hold it back anymore and he just said it. My gut tells me it was all sincere. Not that he was right in doing it, but he was at a breaking point.

If anyone was going to drop that bomb, it'd be Kanye.

I don't know why it seems to have taken so long to provide help to that region. I hate having the thoughts that if this happened to California that they'd have a better response. I get so angry to see some people turn into animals at times like this. I think it's horrible that all this is happening when a lot of it could have been prevented, or at least the amount of lives lost could have been lessened. I'm not going to point fingers, because there is enough blame to go around - from those who thought they could stick out this hurricane and didn't leave their homes, to the lack of foresight of FEMA, the absence of an effective evacuation plan for the region, to the slow deployment of the national guard, to the fact that 40% of the National Guard of the states are not even IN the US...there's nothing we can do now but try and save those who have survived and try and live normal lives again....

I *do* think Bush cares about black people.

Not as much as he cares about people with money, who are Republicans or who are from Texas, but he cares for them....a little....I hope.

The latest song I've been jamming to is Kanye West's "Gold Digger". The beat is SWEET, and I love it that Jamie Foxx makes a cameo in the beginning. It's just a song that makes me bop my head and dance in my car. The video is cool, and I think Kanye is awesome, I love the way he dances. He's also been doing a lot better with his public image, which he had some problems with in the beginning of his career (throwing a hissy fit when he didn't win the Best New Artist). He's also talked about gay bashing in hip hop and how he was teased about being gay when in school which made him homophobic. He then re-evaluated his attitude towards gays when he found out his cousin was gay.

I just may have to pick up his album "Late Registration" when it comes out on Tuesday!

I remember mentioning some time ago that I had finished reading "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince".

Here's my quick spoiler-free review:

I liked the book. I finished it in about 4 days as I was traveling and spent a lot of time in airports. I didn't love it, and #4 is still my favorite.

I think my biggest gripe about the book is that it's pretty anticlimactic. Sure, a lot of stuff happens and there is one big thing at the end, but all in all, I felt like I was reading a prequel to "THE LAST BIG HARRY POTTER BOOK". It all seemed like things that are getting us ready for the events of the final book.

But I enjoyed it. It's great to see the characters mature and act like teenagers, though there were some moments that made me feel a little weird - this is definitely not a book your 8 year old should be reading! It works well in the Potter universe, and anyone who is a fan of the books will love this one.

I can't wait until the last book. I have a feeling, based on all the little hints in #6, that we're going to be blown away!

With all that said (which was nothing really), I'd love to start a discussion in the comments to talk about the book. There's a lot of questions and things we can talk about, and I don't want it out here if people don't want the surprises spoiled for them. I'll pose a couple questions in the first comment - feel free to talk about it or add your own questions/comments/reviews within the comments!

from walking disaster to kung fu master

Here is my DVD recommendation for the week. Kung Fu Hustle is directed by Stephen Chow (the creator of Shaolin Soccer). Using CG and traditional chop-socky fun, and mixing in some really goofy almost looney tuney humor, Kung Fu Hustle is highly entertaining! Set in 1940's China, the Axe Gang antagonize a little residential community called the Pig Sty. What they don't know is that some of the residents won't give in without a fight... If you liked Shaolin Soccer, you'll love Kung Fu Hustle. If you enjoy a movie that heightens your wonderment in martial arts flicks, this one will not disappoint you! Rent it, buy it, watch it!

Is anyone else watching 'So You Think You Can Dance?'? It's not as entertaining as I thought it would be. I don't understand how they can have breakdancers do ballroom and vice versa. Can it be done?

There was a point in time where I used to envision myself as a backup dancer for Janet Jackson. A backup dancer with no dance background, who can't do the splits, hates working out and has a weakness for Krispy Kremes. But I love to dance, and I loved doing choreographed dances (I'm sure I'm not the only U of I PSA grad that misses doing fashion shows.)

There was also 20 minutes that I toyed with the idea of being a breakdancer. As I was trying to do a flare, my pants pocket got snagged on a nail on the floor and almost ripped off my pocket. My career ended there.

I'm only 20 minutes into the show, maybe it gets better later. I love watching dancing - ballroom, hiphop, breakdancing, tap, all of it. I'm sure the later episodes will be much better.

At 8pm I'm switching to 'Brat Camp'.

Thanks to my fairy godmother Melanie, I got a ticket to see 'Wicked' at the Oriental Theater for my birthday. It was a girls night out, with Fata, Claud, Chariya, Kimmy, Mel and I in attendance.

First things first - if you go to see the show, you have to get out of the mentality that you're going to see the book. I had a hard time in the first 15 minutes because I was thinking things like, 'No, that's not the way it was!' or 'What? That's not right!' or 'Um, I don't think that happened in the book.' Once I told myself to look at this production with fresh eyes, and separate it from the book I loved, it became enjoyable to me. This isn't the book, it's a bit like it, but not completely, with some changes that make it into a completely different story.

I was surprised to see Ana Gasteyer as the name of the woman who would be playing Elphaba, the lead character. Does the name sound familiar? She used to be on Saturday Night Live, best known for playing Bobbie Moughan-Culp, the music teacher who sang with Will Farrell, as well as the lady who did the NPR talk show. I had no idea that she REALLY knew how to sing. I was a bit skeptical.

But as soon as I heard her sing, I was floored. She was amazing, her voice was clear, strong and beautiful. She was a great Elphaba, even though some people had thought that she was too old for the role. Green does wonders for making you look younger!

Kristen Reinders was excellent as Glinda. I wasn't sure if anyone could get that high, clear, cartoony voice that Kristin Chenoweth has (the original Glinda), but Kristin was great. She had the spunk, her comedic timing was excellent, and her voice and Ana's were excellent together.

The rest of the cast was great, though not many had solo songs. The stage set looked amazing, which you can see in one of my pictures. I was so excited to see the dragon clock, it looked so huge! However, it didn't play the part in the show that I had expected.

Overall, the songs were good. Not at Miss Saigon levels, where pretty much every song is something memorable, but there were still several that I would take the time to put into my 'greatest Musical numbers' mix tape. I'll still be buying the sountrack, I'd love to compare with how the original cast sounds.

The story line was excellent. This has a sort of prequel feeling to this, much like the latest 'Star Wars' movie. You get enough information here to get a good understanding of the state of things when 'The Wizard of Oz' starts. It's a little too perfect how everything turns out for my tastes, but it was so entertaining. Once I started accepting the show, then I was in my own world.

As I said, this show isn't the book. It's not even half as dark and the show changes several major story lines and character relationships. The change in Glinda is hardly evident here, and I began to realize that if all the material was covered in the book, we'd be watching a REALLY long show.

But in this case, change is good. They made enough changes to make this an enjoyable and memorable experience.

If you ever have the chance, come out to Chicago and see it!

Here's my pics:

Outside the theater

Chariya, Melanie and Kim take a picture

Sisters!

No photography allowed. Yeah right, as if THAT'S going to stop me from sneaking in a pic before the show!

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe is coming to the big screen this November, and of course, I have to read the books before the movie comes out. I'm really excited about the movie, when I saw the preview I felt a little pang in my heart. I think this movie is going to wash out the bad taste that the annoying Lucy left in my mouth from the PBS version. Not that I'm not appreciative, I just found her really annoying. She didn't annoy me in the books, and the movie looks like it's not going to disappoint.

I have such fond memories of the book. I was probably in second grade when I started reading them, and my father had bought me the whole boxed set to read. Loved the books so much, and it's because of the Narnia books that I fell in love with reading. These books made me believe that worlds outside of our own existed, worlds where centaurs, talking animals, and magic were not impossibilities. My world was as big as my imagination. 'The Last Battle' was the first book that ever made me cry.

That boxed set has been passed around to God knows how many people, and finally after more than a decade, the book came back into Fatima's possession. After she breezed through the first 3 books she passed them on to me and I began the first, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.

My memory is horrible. I can watch a movie multiple times and it will always feel like the first time. The same thing goes for books. So to read this book after more than 2 decades was just like touching on a memory that is on the edge of my consciousness.

It was strange to reconnect with these characters again, the 4 children - Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy, the evil, cold Witch, the incredible and noble Aslan. Its like seeing friends that you grew up with who you haven't seen since you were a child.

I never realized when I first read the book the whole parallel with the story of Christ, yet it's so obvious now. C.S. Lewis was a pretty crafty storyteller - the book isn't long, only a couple hundred pages in large print. But within that short span you grow to love these characters. Aslan the Lion only speaks a few sentences and appears in the middle of the book, but you find yourself loving him as much as the children in the book do.

I'm devouring these books right now like a drug. I'm feeling like a kid again, and all the troubles and worries of the past few weeks have been slowly been melting away as I lose myself, once again, in my childhood land of magic.

Saw 'Batman Begins' on Saturday.

Loved it.

The original Superman with Christopher Reeves is still my favorite comic book movie, but this one is definitely in the top 5.

What I loved so much about this movie is that it didn't feel like a comic book movie. As much as I loved Tim Burton's vision, this version wasn't out there or campy. Christopher Nolan (who directed Memento, one of my favorites) made Batman human, someone real, someone believable. He takes the little known past of Bruce Wayne and gives him a purpose, gives us a reason to believe that yes, a guy gliding around in a cape can be very real.

There were pretty solid performances all around, from Christian Bale's tormented hero, to Michael Caine's patient, loving butler, to Liam Neeson's stern mentor. Katie Holmes was ok, as well. Not great, just ok. Bale, of course, stood out, giving Bruce many layers.

This incarnation of Batman is much darker than the others, and definitely something is a little more adult. The plot itself is so-so, the main highlight to me is Bruce's internal struggle, how he comes to terms with his fears, anger, and need for revenge. To tell the truth, I enjoyed the movie more when he wasn't in the batsuit than when he was. My one annoyance with the movie was the way Baled talked when he had the batsuit on. It was annoying.

One thing about the movie got me as giddy as a little schoolgirl - it was filmed in Chicago, and it was exciting to see my beloved city turned into the dark, menacing city of Gotham. Lower Wacker made for some exciting chase scenes, and there were point in the movie where the panned right over the building where I work. Like a geek, I whispered to Dave, 'There's my building, that's so cool!'

Overall, an excellent movie. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the previous movies. It's definitely the best of them all.

My apologies to NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon for what happened at Wrigley Field. I can only tell you that if you're going to sing 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game' at Wrigley, you do a little research first. Like what the lyrics of the song are. Or that if you're asked to sing the song, that you SING - we don't care how off tune you are, but sing it loud! If you can't sing it, make sure you bring your kids or a friend who can sing it with you.

Another tip? It's Wrigley Field, not Wrigley Stadium. It's like calling the Daytona International Speedway the Daytona International Arena.

So yeah, I feel a little bad that you were booed as you sang the song yesterday, but hey, if you're going to be in front of 38,000 people singing a song, it may help a bit to practice the song at home.

Luckily, you escaped the biting tongue of the press here - I could only find one real reference to what the AM news called "The worst performance of the song since Mike Ditka. And we can forgive Ditka because he's one of ours."

I wouldn't read too much into Clemens' night ending early Tuesday.

There was some concern about tightness in his right groin, but longtime watchers know that he'll be fine unless he runs into either kryptonite or starts preparing for games the way Jeff Gordon got ready to sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game."

OK, Jeff, it's Wrigley Field, not Wrigley Stadium. Has been since 1926, when it stopped being known as Cubs Park.

And just about every 12-year-old can sing the song without looking at a set of words, as it appeared you were doing when you fell hopelessly behind the crowd, which wound up booing you. Your act was as weak as the two lineups on the field, and that's saying something.

From chicagosports.com

Jeff's official site makes it into a more positive experience:

In the middle of the 7th inning, Gordon led the crowd in a rendition of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame," which definitely didn't go as smoothly as a lap around a NASCAR track (the words simply escaped him). Though Gordon's "Let's get some runs" proclamation at the conclusion turned out to be a boon for the home team as the Cubs rallied from a 2-0 deficit with 4 runs in the eighth inning to win the game.

Geez, Jeff, even Ozzy Osbourne did better than you!

Well, at least we won the game - we're on a three game winning streak!

Sometimes my post titles are so unfunny I want to kick myself. But I had to try!

Anyway, yesterday I headed out with my dad and sisters to watch Star Wars : Revenge of the Sith. It's been a long time since we've all gone to watch a movie together, and my dad has seemed pretty down lately, so I thought it would be a good pick-me-up for all of us. One of my favorite childhood memories was when my dad took all of us to watch 'Return of the Jedi', and we sat in the theater and watched it twice.

I can honestly say that Episode III was heads above the other two prequels. It's hard for me to compare it to the original trilogy because the others are so close to my heart, I doubt anything could be better because of that bias. However, I hated Episodes I and II, so III didn't have to accomplish much to be better.

George Lucas is a visual master. EpIII is a masterpiece for the eyes - the special effects are amazing. My criteria for a good special effects movie is that the effects don't divert your attention from the story. You're not watching and thinking 'Cool! Look at that special effect!' or 'That thing looks SO CGI!'. The effects are seamless, you don't know your watching the effects because they go so well with the story. Only looking back do you realize, 'Wow, that was amazing!' For EpIII, Lucas created some brand new worlds, some amazing fights in space, and incredible light saber duels. This is where he shines, his imagination soars, and you can see it from what he presents on screen. This is his strength.

Which brings me to his greatest weakness, something that I'm sure we're all aware of - his writing. For some reason, the first trilogy was fine, I don't have any issues with the writing. Maybe if I saw it with new eyes now I would, but as I said before, I love those movies. But I thought the writing was horrible for EpI and even worse for EpII (those romantic scenes made me want to throw up). EpIII isn't as bad, but that could be because there's so much action going on. However, some of the dialogue is choppy, and once again, the romantic scenes between Anakin and Padme are just plain uncomfortable. There were several times where I'm like, 'OK Lucas, cut the scene, you've been hovering on them too much' or when the scene was cut too abruptly. The storyline this time around seems a lot easier to follow, but it could be because I had seen the other two several times that I know what the basis of the story for EpIII is. Although I can understand the reasons why Anakin turned to the dark side, the events leading to that turn seem hard to believe.

The acting was 'eh', though much better this time around. Anakin isn't as bratty as he was in II, which was my biggest gripe. All of the actors were able to get a little more depth this time around, though I really felt that there could have been more. Then again, you can only work with the script you're given. Natalie Portman looked gorgeous, though there's one scene where her hair looks totally 80's and I felt like laughing. Ewan McGregor was born to play Obi Wan, he's got the voice and the bearing. The man who played Senator Palpatine probably had the best performance - he play his shady, manipulative character well. Yoda rocked my world, watch out for the scene near the end where it looks like he's wearing pajamas - it's really cute. I also enjoyed every seen that my beloved R2D2 was in. He's adorable.

Even with these gripes aside, I loved the movie. It's what the other two should have been. We didn't need the fluff of Jarjar Binks or scenes of Anakin and Padme rolling around fields. We need action, we need anguish, we need to be shocked. There were definitely times in EpIII that I was shocked, turning to my sisters with my mouth open in disbelief. Lucas may have problems writing dialoge or scenes between people, but he knows how to throw in some zingers to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. I'd say the last 1/2 hour of the movie is definitely the best.

What I love most about EpIII is that now I feel some closure. The circle is complete, leading us back to the original Star Wars. Lucas makes sure to close any gaps in the mythology (like why don't R2D2 and C3PO recognize Darth Vader to be Anakin?) and gives us a great prequel. He sets up the next three movies perfectly. I'm not giving away any spoilers here, because we all know what happens in the original movies, but that moment when we actually see the Darth Vader that we had come to know and love, it sends shivers up your spine. It's an amazing feeling.

I left the theater feeling fulfilled. Even though I have some issues with the dialogue, I'm not there to see the dialogue. I'm there to see a good movie, to see if I can forgive Lucas for the other two movies.

...and I have.

So get out there and see it. Even if you think it sucks, at least you'll get some sense of closure for this whole saga.

I have to admit that I'm loving the beat of Gwen Stefani's new song 'Hollaback Girl', even though I think the song itself is incredibly stupid. Why, why does she have to spell B-A-N-A-N-A-S at the end of the song? It keeps on playing in my head, and it's driving me insane. But the beat is good, it really makes me move.

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I heard the song 'Ignition' by R. Kelly the other day. Can you believe that the song was a hit 2 years ago? It seems just like yesterday we were jamming to the song in the stretch Navigator we had for my wedding. That song just reminds me of good times, friendship and summertime. R. Kelly may be a dirty shady bastard, but dammit, he knows how to make a good song!

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I'm writing this post on the train, and I'm listening to 'Switch'. I had noticed earlier that I was bopping my head and shoulders to the song. I'm hoping no one noticed. When I get home, I'll close the door, play the song, and dance to it in the privacy of my own home.

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In other music news...

Britney Spears' new show "Chaotic" = TRASH.

I don't know how anyone at UPN could have thought it was a good idea, or that Britney thought that this would be a good career move.

Will Smith hasn't had a CD out in a long time, but I guess he either just came out with one or it's coming out soon. I used to be a big fan of his (back in the Fresh Prince days) but over the last several years I really haven't enjoyed his music as much.

A couple months ago, I saw an MTV special of his talking about his new CD. They played a track from it, and it had an awesome beat and a good sound. It's a really danceable song, and we all know I love to dance. The video was awesome, but I'll get to that in a bit. However, I didn't know if it would catch on - several weeks after that, I still hadn't heard it on the radio or seen the video in rotation. Then again, I haven't watched videos much lately.

Last week I finally heard it on the radio, and I verified that yes, I did like the song.

Saw the video again last night, and I realized one of the reason that I'm diggin' this tune.

Will Smith looks friggin' hot in the video. I haven't thought he was hot since those days way back when. But in this video he's wearing a wife beater (a tank top, and I have no other way to describe that article of clothing. There's something about them that I think are really attractive. Sure, they may bring to mind some low-life thugs or whatever, but there's something really rugged and manly about them, especially paired with a good pair of jeans.

Of course, it DOES help that he's got a nice body and great arms. Mmm...my weakness!

Yum.

I don't watch any reality shows religiously, but I catch some shows when I see them on.

So here's my opinions on the ones that I've caught lately.

American Idol

My client invited me over for an 'American Idol' party yesterday, with the other clients that were in town for our workshop. I've only been half watching this show, but I know enough of all the drama that's going on. Anyway, Simon seemed really restrained yesterday, and very complimentary - for Simon, that is. He was even very nice to Scott and the Eastern European guy that looks like a blond Harry Potter. And he wasn't nice to Vonzelle, or whatever her name is. So we were thinking that he's doing some reverse psychology. By telling Vonzelle that she's in trouble, he's getting her fan base to vote. By telling the not-so-good guys that they did well, their fans will think that these guys are safe, not vote, which will then eliminate them from the competition. Smart thinking, Simon!

The Bachelor

Unfortunately, Charlie is down to two women who are so-so. I don't like Crisily at all, she seems a little needy and a lot psycho. I don't see a connection between Charlie and little Sarah, either. Luckily, he got rid of Sarah W, who was really cocky and very manipulative. Either way he chooses, he loses. That's what he gets for thinking with his pants.

The Surreal Life

This was an interesting cast. You would have thought that the supermodel woman would have fallen for the supermodel man, but she fell for the Brady kid. Of course, Chris Knight grew up to be VERY appealing, so I can't blame her. To maintain his health and look so buff at his age is really impressive. I really liked how some members of this cast bonded, like Marcus Schenkenberg and Vern Troyer - Vern got all teary eyed when he related them to Batmand and Robin. I also loved how they all rallied around Chynna when her crazy ex-boyfriend came around.

Real World/Road Rules The Inferno II

Veronica is the biggest bitch, ever. Coral was bitchy before, but she wasn't as evil as Veronica. Veronica is all talk and no action. I really hope the good guys win, because I think Landon has the best smile ever. Oh, and because the good guys are good. It's been hard for me to catch this show on, but I really hope that the newer players make it to the end. I'm getting tired of the old faces.

I think that's all the reality shows that I've caught this season. What other shows are you guys watching?

You know, I joke around when I call myself a 'geek' or 'nerd', knowing that I haven't really fallen into the abyss of geekdom that would really make me a geek. I mean, I know I'm cool. I'm just a gal that reads comics - I'm not a *real* geek.

But I realized last Friday, that yes, I am a geek.

We went to watch Sin City. I pretty much forced Dave to go, even though I knew he had a long day and was tired. We got to the theater, and of course had to get our traditional pretzel bites. It took some time in line, and as I looked at my watch, we'd just make it in time for the movie. Dave looked at me and said, 'There aren't even a lot of people here. It's not going to be packed.' As we approached the theater, I realized it was going to be in the biggest theater they had, which made me happy. I sang with joy, "I'm SO excited to see this movie, you don't even know!" As I neared the entrance, I could hear that the previews were already playing (I love the previews - I don't have to go see the actual movie because the previews show it all). As we walked in, my jaw dropped. The place was PACKED. People were milling around looking all over for seats. After wandering around for a bit, all we could find were two seats on the side, 2 rows from the HUGE screen.

I was pissed as I sat down. We were at a weird angle, and it was hard to see the whole screen. Dave asked if I wanted to go and ask for our money back, but I got grouchy and said, "No, we got our food, and there are no other shows tonight. We'll just stay." Then I shot him the look of death that said, 'Ask that question no more. I'm pissed."

So I sat there pouting. My movie experience was ruined. All the anticipation was for nothing. I'd probably have to go see the movie again.

Then the movie started, and I forgot about everything else. Nothing else mattered anymore.

Let me tell you, this was a FUCKING GREAT MOVIE.

I swear, I had a geekgasm there. ('geekgasm' is a term created by Rod Cajudo, who would give me shit if I didn't tell that to you guys)

This was the best comic book to movie adaptation I've ever seen. Scene for scene, Roberto Rodriguez stayed true to the book - copying scenes, using the perfect music, keeping the same mood and atmosphere. I felt like it was the comic book, come to life. It was all done in front of a green screen, with the backgrounds computer generated. The movie is in black and white (as was the comic) except for some key scenes. It's got that old fashioned noir look to it, like a detective movie from the past.

I was wondering how much of the comics they would incorporate into the movie. After watching the commercials, I wondered if people would be surprised as to how violent and just plain wrong this movie is. The movie has got every bad thing you can think of - electrocutions, beheadings (a lot of them), prostitution, gratuituous boob shots, lots and lots of blood, cannibalism - you name it, they've got it, and they don't hold back. Half the time I was thinking, 'Wow, they actually DID that!' And I loved it. I loved that the movie didn't hold back. Like Pulp Fiction, but without the dancing part. What would you expect? The place is called 'Sin City'.

I'll spare you saying all the names of the stars of the movie again. The performances were, on a whole, pretty good. I can't say great, because the real star of the movie is the story itself. The story is actually broken into 3 short stories, the best one being the one about Marv, the big lug set out to avenge the death of a hooker. Mickey Rourke is awesome in this role, even though you can't tell it's him under all that makeup.

Some people may say that this movie is very misogynistic, with all the prostitutes and gratuitous nudity. I didn't mind it. When you actually look at the story, these women are empowering themselves. There's nothing weak or offensive about them. They kick ass, to tell the truth.

There was a big stink made (well, in the comic community) about how Jessica Alba's character is topless in the comic (she's an exotic dancer) and Alba opted not to take her top off. As much as I'd love to have seen that, she did pretty well in her role, and actually looked HOTTER in just a t-shirt and jeans.

Everything was great with the movie. The only thing I can criticize is that at times, some of the dialogue seemed forced or too over the top. But that's about it. I watched the whole thing with my mouth open, concentrating so hard, like a little kid watching Teletubbies. I was so ecstatic watching that I didn't even mind when Dave fell asleep halfway. I made sure to wake him up for the Alba parts. I think there were even times when I was so excited that I clapped my hands with joy.

In the end, I loved it. I loved that this movie made the comic that I envisioned in my head come to life, more life than I ever thought it could have. It was a visual masterpiece. I'd definitely go and see it again.

Go watch it!

Geekiness is good.

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Dave's Review

"I fell asleep, but I still think it was really good. There were lot of boobs. GREAT movie!"

Sin City is coming out today. Haven't heard about it? Have you been living under a rock? I swear that Sin City has some of the biggest hype behind it that I haven't seen since 'The Last Action Hero'. Hopefully it doesn't share the same fate. It's had a week-long special on Entertainment Tonight, the stars (of which there are MANY) have been on every talk show on TV, there have been a million internet stories on it, the comic book it's based on has been flying off bookshelves. It's freakin' everywhere.

Which is what had me worried. Sometimes too much press can turn people off.

But I've read the books. The books, written by Frank Miller (who kinda reminds me of Freddy Krueger) are AWESOME. The stories are dark, gritty and the draw you in and spit you out. After seeing the previews, I've been in love with this movie. With it's amazing cast of stars - Jessica Alba, Bruce Willis, Rosario Dawson, Clive Owen, Mickey Rourke, Jaime King, Brittany Murphy, Elijah Wood, Josh Hartnett, Carla Gugino, ugh, I can't even remember them all - and the attention that director Roberto Rodriguez has paid to making this movie as similar to the original comic, this movie is every fanboy's (and fangirl's) dream. Check out this comparison of the movie scenes and scenes from the comic.

The movie was filmed on a green screen, with all the backgrounds done by computer, and the look is sharp. The movie previews don't really give you an idea of how gritty this movie is actually going to be (if it's true to the book). It's a lot darker and twisted then they let on, but it's great. The closest thing I can compare it to is Kill Bill, but darker and meaner. Sin City isn't afraid to touch on any subject - prostitution, drugs, rape, cannibalism and all that fun stuff.

Sin City has something for everyone. For guys, it's got gratuitous nudity, big guns, lots of action and Jessica Alba in chaps. For women, you get women that kick ass, the hunky Clive Owen, and Jessica Alba in chaps.

Of course, I have an ulterior motive for getting you all to watch this movie.

I've made a bet with Redpac that Sin City would make $100 million domestically. I made this silly bet before I realized that this movie would be rated R, which would make it tough to get that teen audience it so needs to get to that mark. But I'm feeling a little better about it with the recent media blitz and the good reviews it's been getting.

So go watch the movie, and help me win my burrito from Chipotle!

Has anyone watched the latest 'Bachelor'? I've never really watched it before, but I've had a mini-crush on Charlie O'Connell for a while, (real small. nothing to worry about, Dave) so I decided to check it out.

This show just totally made me laugh and cringe at the same time. Bringing in 25 women to fight over one guy is crazy. Every bad stereotype of women comes up in the episode - how my gender can be catty, conniving, mean, evil, slutty, emotional, dramatic, it's all there. And I was entertained by it. The stunts that they pull are shameless. I really believe they will do ANYTHING.

Is it because they want to be with Charlie, or because these women are just being competitive - they don't want the others to win? Is one guy so important that they will lie, use other people, throw themselves at him, try to ruin the reputations of the other competition, and stalk him, all for a silly rose? It's sad, and it just makes some of these women look desperate. Even sadder, one of the women who pulled a nasty trick (only 5 women were allowed on a date, she wasn't to be one of them, but she got in the car before the rest of them so the last girl got screwed) got a rose. Some of the nicer women got let go because they didn't get a chance. Just like in real life, the good guys don't always win. In fact, they sometimes get screwed over and sent home.

I'm not saying at all of these women are she-devil bitches. There are still some good ones in the bunch, like my current favorite, Sarah, who actually has a REAL connection with Charlie and did nothing sneaky to get his attention. She was just herself, shy, funloving and real. I think he could see that she was being genuine. I'll be rooting for her. Especially since when she got the rose from Charlie the other women shot her the look of death. Jealousy is such an ugly thing!

My other favorite is no longer part of the show, but she was so freaky weird that she intrigued me. She was listed as a swimsuit model, which she didn't hesitate to show off. But she was a 'butter face' as Dave would say. What's a butter face? Everything is hot about her but her face. Get it? Butter face? (where's my drum and cymbal crash?) Anyway, during a one on one talk with Charlie, this woman then told him that she does secret stuff for the government. A bikini model that does secret stuff for the government? Are we in a movie? Charlie knew immediately that she was a little cuckoo, which was verified later after he chose her to go home and she told the camera 'I love you Charlie, and I only wish that you were able to say it to me.' Cuckoo!!

I'd love to say that such behavior is only on TV, but come on, how many of these people have you known in high school? College? In your life right now? I know enough of them. I think that's why the Bachelor is entertaining and painful at the same time. I can relate to the situation, I can picture myself in the shoes of some of those women. Yeah, I admit to being a bit conniving and dramatic, but I've also been on the other side where I've been screwed by other women.

*meow*

Which is why I'm so happy to work with a bunch of guys.

Anyway, I think I'll be paying attention to 'The Bachelor' this season to see how this all plays out. But I'd rather be watching 'The Bachelorette' because I don't really like the flaws of my gender being proven, week after week. Why couldn't it be testosterone laden men trying to show off their physical prowess to impress a girl? Ugh, I guess that's NEXT season.

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p.s. WATCH SIN CITY!

Yesterday me, Marilyn and Dave went to go and meet Manny and Rachel to watch "Constantine". To tell the truth, I was getting sent to be mildly entertained and maybe a little disappointed. I'm always a little disappointed when I watch comic book movies. Then again, I've never read 'Hellblazer', the Vertigo comic that the movie is based on.

But I wasn't disappointed at all and was really entertained. The movie had a little more meaning to me since it talks a lot about Catholicism and Heaven and Hell. Keanu did a great job, and I have to admit, at 40 he looks AWESOME. He's not the best actor on the planet, but I don't mind watching his eye candy for 2 hours. He's so yummy!

Um, where was I?

Oh yeah. Keanu did a great job as Constantine, although I always feel like he's channeling 'Ted' from 'Bill and Ted' and I wait for him to say 'Whoa!' (which he didn't) People who have read the book have mentioned that he's spot on as Constantine, so what better compliment is that? He's believable as the tortured soul, saving the earth from demons and trying to win brownie points so he can get into Heaven, since he's destined to go to Hell.

Rachel Weisz is gorgeous and spunky in her role, as the hard edged detective out to prove that her sister didn't commit suicide. The chemistry between the two of them is great.

There's an interesting group of supporting characters, from an alcoholic priest, to the 'robin'-type sidekick cab driver, to a sexually ambiguous halfbreed angel, to one of Satan's minions who looks surprising like Bush's frontman, Gavin Rossdale. All these people take part in Constantine's fight to save the world, and for redemption.

The best thing about this movie is the cinematography and tone. It's dark, gloomy and there are definitely parts that make you jump out of your seat. It's visually appealing, even with its dark theme. The movie takes place in the world we live in today, but shows what demons and angels live among us that we never take the time to notice.

The movie wasn't life changing, nor will I be telling everyone I see to go out and watch it. But I'll tell my fellow comic book afficionados to check it out, or anyone who wants something entertaining to watch. And, of course, anyone who doesn't mind watching Keanu's pretty, un-aging face for 2 hours.

Yum.

7pm - 5 bands! Four stages! The Black Eyed Peas start it off with 'Let's Get It Started', the most played out song since 'La Vida Loca'. But I still love BEP, and they did a good job. Surprised Fergie didn't have her tiny tony skirt on. Probably afraid of the FCC. Gwen Stefani and Eve did a good job. The Joku girls are hot. I want to be one. Los Lonely Boys did a good job. The lead reminds me of Jose Feliciano, which brings a tear to my heart. The other guitarist looks like George Perez. For some reason, I'm really attracted to the lead singer of Maroon Five. His voice sounds really high and nasally today, and he looks like Peewee Herman in that suit, but still hot. Love this song by Franz Ferdinand. It rocks! Makes my toes wiggle and dance. Then everyone gets together and has one big smorgasboard of song. And it actually sounds good. Overall? A pretty kickass opening for the Grammys.

7: 20 - Los Lonely Boys win, in what to me is a surprise, beating out Maroon Five and No Doubt. They are genuinely surprised, and it's touching to see their dad all teary eyed

7:25 - Alicia! What are you wearing? White just isn't your color, especially as your foot is banging against the piano pedal. "She looks THICK!" Dave exclaims. "She has a big ass!" You know what, though? Who the hell cares what you look like when you sing like that? She is lighting it up tonight! She looks beautiful, and this rendition of 'If I Ain't Got You' is spectacular. She's amazing - her voice is just, man I can't even find the words! "She's hot. She's really hot!" Dave says, neutralizing his earlier comment. She looks at the camera and Dave cries, "She's looking at me!" Jamie Foxx comes out and channels Ray Charles, very well, I must say. A sweet, sweet rendition of "Georgia On My Mind" Who knew that Jamie could sing so well? And a well deserved standing O for the two of them.

7:32 - Prince wins Best Male R&B Male Performance, and he's not there. I'm a bit surprised that it isn't Usher. Dave's upset that Usher didn't win because he wants to see Usher's date again.

7:40 - Hmm, U2 seems a little chill today. I was expecting a little more. Nice song, though. Gives me a chance to go to the kitchen and get some cookies. Did you see the shot of Quentin Tarantino afterwards? He looked like a big Korean thug.

7:45 - Pharrell Williams is up giving away and award. Yummy! Greenday wins, the first of many, I'm sure. Dave points to the TV and yells, "You saved rock, baby! You saved rock!"

7:55 - JLo and Mark Anthony. Was it worth all the hype? Well, Jlo's dress was awesome, her voice is much stronger than I thought it would be, but she had trouble with some notes. Mark, of course, was fantastic. But he looks like a chihuahua. I admit it, they look cute together - you can really see something in their eyes - for a couple seconds, at least. I wish they kissed at the end.

8:09 - OK, I admit, that although I used the beginning of the Country mastermix performance as a bathroom break, I really loved it when they performed 'Sweet Home Alabama'.

8:14 - ever since I listened to Queen Latifah's jazz CD, I wanted to see her sing it. I'm really impressed. I'm tempted to start waving my arms and chanting 'U-N-I-T-Y". It's been a long time since then, baby! She's now a sexy, sultry jazz diva, and it's obvious that she's lost weight. Looking like a queen, there. I tell Dave that I should start singing jazz, he tells me he's going to start tap dancing. And proceeds to dance. Which isn't pretty.

8:20 - Kanye West loses Best New Artist. To make up for what happened during the American Music Awards where he went ballistic when he lost, he shakes the hand and hugs each one of the Maroon Five guys, who beat him for the award. I guess someone told Kanye (probably Christopher Cross) that Best New Artist translates to "Most People Who Win This Are Never Heard From Again". No wonder he's smiling.

8:27 - What the hell is Quentin Tarantino wearing? I think he's packing heat, yo. He announces Greenday, who are FUCKING AWESOME. Greenday to me represents being young, being stupid, not caring, being an idiot, and just living and loving life. They make me smile, they make me feel good. I adore them. THEY ROCK! *sticks out tongue and makes rock signs with her fingers and jams*

8:45 - Love the Kanye West part. I wish he was at the podium a little more - maybe he'll win some later. This was a great performance.

8:49 - Whew!!! Kanye wins best Rap Album. Come on Kanye, cry. But don't make me cry. Oh, here I go. You go, my Chi-Town boy!!! Nice speech, nice.

8:47 - Kris Kristofferson co-wrote 'Me and Bobby McGee'? That's AWESOME. One of Janis Joplin's best songs. He's up to introduce Joss Stone, who I think is one of the best things to happen to music in a LONG time. Who thought such soulfull sounds could come out of that tiny little British girl? Um, it may be a little insensitive of me, but why is Melissa Etheridge bald? Is she going through chemo? Because if she is, and she's going in front of everyone bald, she's my new hero. Showing everyone out there that bald is beautiful - who needs wigs? Be proud of what you're going through. I was so proud of my mom when she ditched the wig and just went out with her super short do - she looked badass. Joss and Melissa make this one of the best performances of the night!
[edit] Yes, Melissa Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer last year

9:25 - John Mayer sings 'Daughters' and it makes me all tingly. Reminds me of when Maui sang it for his little Jillian. I think I want to be best friends with John Mayer.

9:37 - Anthony Lapaglia speaks. Who? Exactly. Just kidding. He announces a song that is going to raise money for tsunami victims. I'm sorry, but this song is no 'We Are the World'. I mean, Steve Tyler's playing maraccas! Please, stop, I'm hurting here. Looks like Duff McKagan in the back is hurting, too. Dave says, "Who's that guy? He looks like a math teacher!" I tell him it's Brian Wilson, and he says, 'WHO!?!' and I said 'From the Beach Boys'. Dave's eagle eyes notice that Nora Jones' mic is stuck to her dress.

9:44 - Is this everyone wins a Grammy night? John Mayer wins for Song of the Year.

9:53 - Usher is up! He's got the whole package - he's got a great voice, and he's got some sweet moves. Smooth. I can watch him all day. Watching this really makes me miss dancing in college. That fucking handkerchief move kicked ass. And Dave's happy because once again, they showed Usher's date.

9:58 - Ray Charles and Nora Jones win record of the year. Her speech is touching. I was hoping he'd win this one. I can't believe it - they're turning the music on the people who are speaking for Ray Charles! Have you shame, Academy? OK, they turned it off.

- Album of the Year - it could be anyone! But the voters go for the safe choice and honor the late Ray Charles. I love this old man who speaks for Ray. Such kind eyes. Nice way to end the night.

Best quote?

"Everybody wanted to know what I'd do if I didn't win. I guess we'll never know."
--Kanye West

Best commercial?

The one where the guy drops the case of Heineken, and then throughout the land, men stop, scared, frozen, knowing that something, somewhere, has gone terribly wrong. AWESOME.

Funniest post show comment:

"Irony Award: At the one event where no one was likely to yell out "Play 'Freebird,'" they played "Freebird."" <- E! Online

Truthfully, this was the best Grammys I've seen in a while. It moved along, the performances were all pretty good, there wasn't one clear winner, and no big drama. Good times.

My best friend Jaygee is currently living in New York, auditioning for musicals and living the life of a struggling actress. One of my favorite things about New York City is Broadway. There is nothing better than going out to dinner, running out to see a musical on Broadway and having dessert afterwards. One of the first things Jaygee did when she was out there was see the musical 'Wicked', which is a twist on the 'The Wizard of Oz'. It gives the background story of the the Wicked Witch, and tells the tale from her side.

She called me after watching it, telling me how much she loved the musical, and how she came to an epiphany.

"Christine, I realized that you have to see this musical!" she said.

"Why?"

"Because she's you!"

"Who is?"

"The main character!"

"You mean the Wicked Witch of the West? She's me? You're saying I'm a wicked witch?"

"No, her character is different. And I'm not saying you're evil, but you're like her."

It was pretty interesting coming from one of the few people on this planet who actually KNOWS me and understands me. Me? Wicked?

"Thanks. Thanks a lot."

"No, you have to see the musical. Then you'll understand. She's not evil, she's just misunderstood. She has gone through her life just trying to have people see her way, filled with so much passion, so many dreams, so many ideas, but it never works out for her. She's always in the shadows, always helping out other people that she never gets to be the one that shines. She has no idea how powerful she really is."

Hmm. When you put it that way, it doesn't sound too bad. Maybe I don't mind being wicked at all.

"Ahh...um, ok. I guess that's ok then."

"Just see it when you get a chance. I know you'll love it!"

Since I'm not in New York, I can't see the play. But it is coming to Chicago later this year, and you KNOW I'll be first in line to see it (and screw setting up one of those group outings people, I suck at that - remember 'Spamalot'?). I did go out and buy the book, though. I've read Gregory Maguire's other book 'Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister' and I had loved it, and 'Wicked:The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West' had always been on my list to read.

So I read it. And I loved it. I loved how we see life through the eyes of the Wicked Witch, how there are injustices that we don't see in the movie (of course it's all fiction). Though I admit, I read most of the book thinking, 'Jaygee thinks that I'm like Elphaba? (the name of the Wicked Witch in the book)' Sure, maybe there are some similarities, though I wasn't born green and don't try biting people's fingers off. Fine. That last part is a lie. But there are some parallels in our ways of thinking, in our thoughts, how other people perceive us. But still, it's a bit weird.

Then again, I've heard that the musical is different from the novel, and looking at the photos from the musical, it looks like it. Has anyone seen both? Is the musical different?

Am I really wicked?

I don't think so.

*rides away on her broom with her flying monkeys*

I'm watching American Idol right now.

Since I'm cooking dinner and have nothing to do, I guess I'll do a mini play by play.

- The guy who sang 'You Raise Me Up' looked like he could sing. He even started out OK. And then he remembered the words....and maybe forgot how to sing. The stunned silence of the judges was hilarious. And then the dude burst out crying. Hey, it's ok little buddy, I burst out crying when you were singing, too.

- Does Toni Braxton know that this guy is impersonating her cousin? Was he singing in English? Did he think that singing in Romulan would get him in with Simon? No way, baby, he's Klingon all the way.

- What a story - the lady who sold her wedding ring to pay for her trip. That was mean of Simon to bring in her husband and kid, just to say that he doesn't think she should make it through to the next round. But as happy as I am that Paula voted to let her in, I really don't think she's got what it takes.

- I was almost expecting the girl who's parents were British to suck ass. But she was awesome. With really incredible eyes.

- So that thing with the guy holding his note after singing 'Tomorrow' was SO staged. But funny. He looked a big Grimace - the big purple mascot of McDonald's.

- OK, so I really thought that the guy who was poplocking and dancing (he even did the heartbeat!) and who did the wardrobe change was going to suck at singing. But his rendition of 'Isn't She Lovely' was sweet. And he really looks YUMMY.

- Who would ever choose 'Kissing You' as an audition song? The song is super hard to sing. Doesn't she have family or friends around to tell her that it's a bad idea to sing that song?

- They said 'no' to the boxer? I thought she did a great job...ESPECIALLY for being 17. I think it was an asset rather than a handicap like the judges thought.

- Is Mary the next William Hung? No chance. He was much worse and much more huggable.

You knew it was coming...my by the minute recap of the Golden Globes. Refresh and watch the show with me!

7:00 - The start of the show. I like the intro song. Or maybe I'm just so happy that it's not a horrible of remix of 'Hey Ya!' like they did last year.

7:04 - Best Supporting Actor in a drama. Clive Owen in 'Closer'. I was hoping that Thomas Hayden Church in 'Sideways'. I haven't seen it, but I've heard some great things about it, and it seems to be the sleeper hit of the awards season. I mean, who wouldn't love a movie with Paul Giamatti in it?

7:06 - Best Supporting Actress - Natalie! Natalie! Yay. I've adored her since 'The Professional'. What an absolutely charming acceptance speech. You can tell she's genuinely surprised. And the part where she says she wanted to be just like her cousin was an 'Awwww!' moment.

7:07 - This isn't part of the show, but DUDE - I used to act with the guy who's playing the doctor in the GE commercial!

7:10 - Oh, Mark Wahlberg you hunky chunk of man-flesh. Yum. Didja check out Charlize Theron's brunette 'do? Aeon Flux is going to rock - she looks bad-ass with that cut. Angelica Huston wins the prize for "Best Performance By An Actress In A Supporting Role In A Series, Mini-Series Or Motion Picture Made For Television" - say that 10 times fast. She's like 8 million years old. Nice to see her win. Didn't really see any of the nominees, but it's always have someone thank their assistant.

7:13 - Somebody pinch me. William Shatner just won a Golden Globe! You're almost expecting something wild and crazy during his speech, but it was short, humble and normal.

7:20 - Jim Carrey. Come on funny man, make me laugh! Looks like Robin Williams and Goldie Hawn are enjoying him. Have you noticed that he hasn't aged?

7:22 - Wow. Bill Clinton. Although he's lost weight, he's looking pretty old. I find it really great that Clinton and Bush Sr. are working together to raise money for the tsunami victims.

7:23 - Jennifer Garner has the cutest smile. But I'm pulling for Mariska Hargitay to win best actress Drama.....and it goes to.....Mariska!!! Sorry Jen. Maybe next year. It's a little sucky that they put the camera on Jennifer after the announcement. What a trouper - she kept her chin up, even though you know she really wanted it. Mariska's speech was cute, she kind of started off like a drunk, swaying a bit. But at the end, I was all teary when she thanked her dad and her mother (Jayne Mansfield).

7:47 - Back from a dinner break. Can someone explain to me what Meryl Streep meant when she said 'Congratulations, Natalie'? There seemed to be something I was missing. I'm really happy that Jason Bateman won, though I would have loved for Zach Braff to win. Jason has come a long way since 'Silver Spoons'!

7:51 - Annette Bening wins, and she still looks so beautiful and radiant. When I get older, I hope I look as good. But her speech was a bit boring. Except for the part where she talks to her kids.

8:00 - Nip/Tuck wins best drama. I haven't seen the show since last season, but I really loved it. Maybe I should go back to it because I had no idea what was going on in the clip that I watched! Does anyone know what the hell Liam Neeson was saying when the camera panned to him right before commercial? I have no idea what he said, but he seemed pretty animated about it.

8:06 - Teri Hatcher looks great - much better than the Radio Shack commercials of a couple years ago. But Eva Langoria looks WAY hotter. *whoo*

8:30 - Hmm. I seemed to have zoned out for the last 20 minutes. Not a good sign.

8:33 - I would love 'Eternal Sunshine' to win a prize. The plot is so clever and it was such a great movie But alas, it was not meant to be. But it's all good, because 'Sideways', the little movie that could, won it.

8:36 - Wow, the desperate housewives casta is taking over the best actress in a comedy category just like the sex in the city ladies did in years before this! Nice to see Teri Hatcher win this one. It seemed like only yesterday she was the lady with the real boobs on Seinfeld. Love her speech, thanking NBC to take a chance on her when she was the biggest has-been ever.

8:47 - I'm pulling for Sherk 2's "Accidentally in Love" to win best song. Its just a fun song and it always makes me smile and remember the movie.
...and it loses.

8:56 - Ooh...Prince! As girlie as he is, man, he's a master. He's awesome. He's the king. Oh wait. He's Prince. Duh. But you could see that he's got a lot of respect, by the amount of applause he got.

9:01 - It sucks so bad that Jim Carrey is up against Jamie Foxx in Best Actor, he did such a great job in 'Eternal Sunshine'. But it was SO SO awesome to see Jamie Foxx win Best Actor. If he doesn't win the Oscar for it, there's something wrong with the world. Jamie has come SO SO far. Can I say, 'In Living Color'? His quote from Ray Charles (I'll dig it out tomorrow) was beautiful, about the music being right under your fingers....and if you didn't get a bit misty when he was talking about his grandmother at the end of his speech and he felt she was looking down on him, you don't have a soul! "I used to think it was corny when people would say that people are looking down on you and I didn't believe it, but I got a feeling..." It is beautiful to see him win. On to the Academy Awards, Jamie!

9:13 - Am I the only one who forgot that Robin Williams played 'Popeye'? He had a great speech, telling jokes at a million miles an hour changing characters in a blink of an eye, just like I expected. What was unexpected was his beautiful tribute at the end of his speech to Christopher Reeve. *cries*

9:43 - Kate Hudson looks great! Motherhood has really being good to her.

9:55 - 'Sideways' wins Best Motion Picture - Musical Or Comedy. Wow. I've gotta go see it. Am I the only one who has NOT heard of this movie before the awards season?

10:00 - Um, yeah, the show is over. I have to admit, it lost a lot of steam at the end. I got so bored I just zoned out at the end and surfed the net.

But hey, at least it ended on time!

I think the funniest thing about the American Music Awards last night was that Snoop Dogg was probably the ONLY one not on something. That bake sale skit at the beginning was pretty awesome. Extra points for throwing Bobby Brown in there!

I'm so happy that Anna Nicole Smith has lost so much weight, thanks to Trim Spa. Ack, who are we kidding? From the way that she was so strung out yesterday, you know she's on something else. Maybe even something not of this planet. Felt bad for Kanye West (our hometown boy whom I adore), whose intro she was doing. Shame on me for thinking that once she lost the weight that I'd actually be able to UNDERSTAND what she's saying half the time! Though I had to admit, as sad and uncomfortable as I, and the rest of America felt - it was really entertaining.

Not to be outdone, Nicolette Sheridan, from 'Desperate Housewives' looked equally as loopy when she announced Bon Jovi. Not only was she embarrassing poor co-presenter Eva Longoria, who you could tell was a little mortified, but Sheridan also looked a little manly.

I was so happy that Bon Jovi won the Award of Merit. But I was pretty disappointed that their performance had the energy of the 85th Street Senior Citizen Women's Knitting Club. No offense ladies. You do great work. As for Jon and crew, I would have expected something spectacular. But I guess old age is catching up to you. But you guys still look good!

I want Lenny Kravitz's hair back. Right NOW.

All in all, it was actually a mildly entertaining show, with some great performances (Kanye West, Alicia Keys). I missed the last hour of it, but from reading the news about it today, I think most of the action happened while I was watching, anyway!

After seeing the previews for "Friday Night Lights" I was a little turned off by the boast that it was one of the best sports movies ever. Could it possibly beat "Only the Strong", the definitive Capoeira movie of our generation? *wink*

But it was the only thing to watch on a Friday night, so we headed out to see it.

Did it live up to the hype?

Hmm...Yes and no.

It's not the best sports movie ever. But it's pretty damn close.

Watching the movie brought deep feelings of nostalgia to me, for two reasons.

My freshman year of highschool, our football team went to the state finals. It was really a surreal experience, riding on the bus, going to Normal, IL to watch our team play. It was so awesome to go out there and cheer our guys on. And before you say, "Christine, you went to an all girls' school, what the hell are you talking about?" Remember, I was in band with boys from our brother school, so we would play at all the football games.

But the movie also brought strong memories of my years of actually playing football. You may not know that, but football is my favorite sport to play. In college, we would play in Ricebowl. Ricebowl was an annual tournament of all the Asian clubs in the Chicagoland area - including us all the way down in Champaign-Urbana. I started out as a wide reciever, moved up to a running back, split the quarterback duties, and later on did some linebacking and defensive line. Running back was my favorite. And there is only one feeling that is better than the incredible high you get when you score a touchdown - it's winning the championship. "Friday Night Lights" made me long for those days. Running a fake and knowing that the defense is going for you, even though you don't have the ball, and seeing the surprise in their eyes when they realize it. Giving a block that knocks someone on their ass. Throwing a pass and connecting with your reciever. Checking out the other team and seeing that they've got a 6'1" chick that's at least 225lbs with "Bonecrusher" on her jersey and knowing that smarts, speed and agility can beat size any day. That feeling of running down the field, knowing that no one was close enough to touch you and that a touchdown was right in your grasp. To have your teammates come up and pile on a scream in joy. Not only did I miss actually playing, but I missed everything associated to it - doing drills in practice, taking a knee before a game and saying a prayer, our warmup circle, in the huddle and doing our cocky little countdowns, and of course, the pep rallies. Here's a pic from the year after we won the championship. Maybe if someone could let me copy their videos of it *cough*angelo*cough* then I could post it up here.

I'm on the bottom row, 6th from the left, kinda hiding

But yeah, I digress. But not really. Because a lot of these aspects are in the movie.

"Friday Night Lights" is different from what I thought it would be. It feels more like a gritty documentary than an actual movie. It's the true story of a small town in Texas, Odessa, that lives and breathes highschool football. On Friday nights, the town closes down, with "Gone to the Game" signs up in store fronts and everyone packing into the multimillion dollar football field to cheer the team to the state playoffs. The stadium is their auditorium, and these kids become rock stars.

Sure, the movie has a good amount of action sequences - the in your face grunts, hits, smashes and crunches that you expect from a movie. And by the way - the previews don't really give you a good idea of the movie, which, after seeing the movie, is pretty unfair to the feeling and tone of the movie. The movie is so much more than the ads.

But what really drives the movie is the characterization - not just of the lead characters, but of the town of Odessa itself. How the movie reveals that the sport of football, the fate of the Permian High Panthers, is directly related to the well being of the town. Billy Bob Thornton, who plays his role with such skill - there are so many nuances he brings out with just a look, makes an excellent coach - torn between the pressure of the town placed on his shoulders, and his moral responsibility to be a good coach to these kids. Lucas Black, who I loved when he was a kid in "American Gothic" and is all grown up now (yet still plays that dead serious, overthinking kind of character), plays the quarterback who doesn't love the game as much as he lets the college recruits know, but who feels the need to get out of the small town, and bears the responsibility for the teams failures since he's the leader of the team. Garrett Hedlund, whose father won a State Championship, but could never live up to his father's expectations, nor escape from his bouts of drunken rage. Derek Luke, who gave one of the best performances of the movie, the brash, trash talking egoistic star of the team, who later on must face the hard reality of his fate.

There is so much going on with the story, so many tales to tell. But that's what happens in a small town. In Odessa, they lived their lives, but they lived them around football. When the team did well, everything is good, when the team didn't, things were bad, and everyone tried to find someone to blame - "They're doing too much learning in the schools," a caller says to a talkshow. One of the boosters tells the coach, "You go and win that state championship". The coach then asks, "Or what?" "Just get it done." smiles the booster. Yeah. THAT'S not any pressure!

So yeah, it's a great movie. You'll be at the edge of your seat as you watch the games, cheering the team on and getting involved as much as the people in Odessa. And if you've ever been to a game, it'll bring back some memories. And if you've ever played the game, not only will it bring some memories, but it'll make you long to be back out on that field, to be with the amazing people you played with, to feel the rush of playing again.

It's very rare that I say that a sequel to the movie is better than the first. I usually have strong feeling for the first go around of a movie, since it's where the characters are introduced, as well as the reason we even bother going to see the sequel. This is how I felt about "Wayne's World", "Star Wars", and "Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring". Only "Hot Shots! Part Deux" and "Scary Movie II" surpassed their predecessors. (There are probably others, but I can't think of any right now). Shrek II can probably join that list.

As much as I loved and enjoyed the first one, the sequel is just plain funnier. There were times where I missed jokes I was laughing so hard. But not only does Shrek II succeed in making the audience laugh, it still has the heart and emotion of the first movie.

Mike Meyers and Cameron Diaz are back as Shrek and Princess Fiona, who are newlyweds and are invited to Fiona's kingdom of Far Far Away to recieve her parents' blessing. A love triangle forms when Prince Charming, who was the one who was supposed to break Fiona out of her enchanted spell, comes back into the picture. Throw in a hilarious Eddie Murphy as Donkey and the fairytale characters we grew to love (the Gingerbread man, the three blind mice, the wolf and Pinocchio) and you've got a movie worth seeing. There were also some new characters introduced, my favorite being Puss in Boots. When he was first on screen, I was thinking to myself, "Ahh...are they trying to make that cat sound like Antonio Banderas?" Then I found out (it gets obvious later on) that it WAS Antonio Banderas.

I liked it so much, I wouldn't mind paying to see it again. Of course, me and Fata went to the matinee showing, so we didn't spend as much. Well, we DID, since we went to see it downtown and spent $7.50 on the matinee. (How much are movies nowadays?) The comedy is smart, often having jokes that would be over the head of the kids watching it, but will make adults snicker. After seeing it, I will never look at a pepper mill, pink thong underwear or the Little Mermaid the same again.

[spoilers galore]

Saw Troy a couple weeks ago, but I've finally have a chance to do a review. One day, I'll do a review of a movie RIGHT after I watch it....til then, here's my review...

All in all, it was entertaining. The acting was top notch. The fight scenes were epic and incredible. Everyone in the cast was very easy on the eyes. I enjoyed the movie a lot.

But as with all movies that are based on a book, in this case Homer's Iliad, I have issues. I feel that there was too much emphasis on Brad Pitt's character, Achilles, almost making him too sympathetic. Then again, I'm not complaining that there was too much Brad Pitt time. I could watch him all day. What an amazing body! Whoo! I'm still sweating. But I don't feel that they spent enough time concentrating on the people of Troy. And where are the strong women characters? Helen showed a couple moments of strength, but most of the time just lamented that it was all her fault. The only strong woman character was Briseis. And where were Cassandra and Hecuba? Did they not exist? I guess not. So here's just a couple inconsistensies that I found:

- The Trojan war lasted more than 10 years. In the movie, it's about 2 weeks.
- Agamemnon doesn't die the way he did in the movie, nor did Ajax.
- Achilles was never in the horse.
- I don't think Achilles and Patroclus were cousins. If you'd like to see their real relationship, look it up in the internet. Interesting reading.
- Melaneus doesn't die the way he did in the movie, either...actually, he doesn't die until way after.

I'm also sad that they didn't focus on the gods and goddesses role in the war. I know that this made the movie much more realistic, but I always loved the myths of Apollo's interference, as well as the Judgement of Paris, with Athena, Aphrodite and Hera making Paris choose between them.

I think the most outstanding performance in the movie was definitely Eric Bana. His Hector was everything I imagined him to be - heroic, honorable, torn between being true to his family and defending his country. He was incredible. He took this role and played Hector with every fiber of his being.

Brad Pitt did a pretty good job, too. Well, much better than I thought he would do. Damn, he sure is nice to look at!!! But really, his Achilles was someone I really felt for, I understood where he was coming from, which is something that you don't really catch from the Iliad. He conveys Achilles' inner torment and his drive to do the things that he does. Have I mentioned that he has pretty eyes? And I admit, I even gave into Hollywood's romantic spin on things and even started rooting for the bastard. I never wanted to like Achilles!!! But really, too much focus on him. Especially the part when he's talking to his mother, Thetis, by the water, and the camera pans on his face as he thinks about joining the battle. I actually laughed out loud....I felt like I was watching a soap opera.

Orlando Bloom played a very wimpy Paris, which is just the way I pictured him. And I'm sure everyone thought about Legolas as he brandished his bow and arrow. Poor Orly, getting typecasted.

Brian Cox and Peter O'Toole were awesome in their respective roles. Cox made Agamemnon the bad guy, not caring about anyone and happy to use everyone as his pawns. Peter O'Toole as Priam was regal and cared so much for his country and family, even if he did have a little too much arrogance to believe that Troy could not be invaded. He had an amazing scene with Pitt at the camp, when he begs for the body of Hector to be returned. I loved Sean Bean's Odysseus. I only wish that he had a bigger part.

So, I think it was a great movie. I would have liked it so much more if I didn't know anything about Troy. But the acting and epic-ness of the movie are undeniable.

If this movie entertained you, definitely go to Blockbuster and rent 'Helen of Troy', A&E's miniseries of the war on Troy, but from the eyes of Helen. Still doesn't stick exactly to the book, but it's much truer to the literature than Troy.

Or if you're wanting to see a Troy from a completely female perspective, check out Marion Zimmer Bradley's book, 'The Firebrand'. It's one of my favorites.

Then again, neither have shots of Brad Pitt's ass.

Whoo. I'm still recovering from that.

Saw the 'Friends' finale....

There was so much hype over it...TV specials, Today show appearances, finaly parties in Hollywood...etc. NBC has been milking it for months.

How was it? It wasn't amazing, I didn't falling off my chair laughing, I didn't start bawling, it wasn't the best episode ever. But it was nice. A sweet goodbye.

Why such a big deal? What's so special about the show?

Well, for me, this show has been around for so many of my life changes. I remember in college people would get together for 'Friends' nights. People would relate things in their lives to things that happened on the show. We've been involved with these characters, through love and heartbreak, and in a way, we've grown up with them. It's so different from one of my other favorite shows, 'Seinfeld' in that these characters weren't always happy. Things weren't always funny. Seinfeld and Co were pretty much the same characters throughout the run of the show...there was no timeline, really. They never really had long, drawn out storylines.

But it was different with Friends. The characters we saw 10 years ago are different from the ones that we watched yesterday. We saw Ross and Rachel fall in love, then out of love, then in love again. We witnessed Chandler and Monica hide their sexcapades, then watched as it turned into love. Ross got married several times. And Joey ate. A lot. Phoebe had triplets, and had a hard time deciding on names. We were torn when both Ross and Joey were in love with Rachel. We ached when Monica and Chandler found out they couldn't conceive a child...

So I'll miss the show....miss the comfort of knowing that it will be on, every Thursday night. But to tell the truth, it hasn't been as great the last couple seasons. Though as mediocre as the shows have been lately, the show went out well. I admit, I got a bit teary. But it ended the right way. I mean, he IS her lobster.

So goodbye, my Friends....I'll see you in reruns....

*clap* *clap* *clap* *clap*

Have I told you yet that I can't stand Britney Spears, but her annoyingly catchy songs get stuck in my head and I can't get rid of them?

Now I've got her annoying video 'Everytime' stuck in my head. Is it supposed to be deep? That her death resulted in a birth? She doesn't get reincarnated into a tree slug? How evil the media is? The stresses she faces being in front of cameras all the time?

Yet it plays over and over in my head.

Why? Because that hunk of hunks, Stephen Dorff is in it. Who? Come on, you know him. Blade? S.F.W.? Forget it. He's just hot. And he's hot in this video. Though a little too tan for my taste. And that shirtless scene shows me that although his career has gone to the dogs since he's starring in Britney videos, he still cares about his body. Stephen, I miss you. Please make a movie that I would pay to watch.

He kinda reminds me of another hottie, Christian Kane, who plays Lindsay on Angel. Yum Yum. Sucks that the show only has two episodes left! The WB is going down!

Troy will be premiering in a couple weeks, and it has several hotties - Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, and Orlando Bloom. Troy is one of my favorite stories from ancient times. But as excited as I am to see Brad in it, I hope they don't focus on Achilles as much as they do in the ads. He wasn't the battle of Troy. It was an immense cast of characters that made up that story. My biggest disappointment, my favorite character from all of Greek mythology isn't even in the movie, though she was a princess of Troy - Cassandra, the woman who could see the future but whom no one would believe. Bastards. She's a great character to throw in there! Just because they banished her to the temple doesn't mean she can't be in the movie!

OK....that's my mini-hottie report for the month.

Watching Divas Live on VH-1 right now...

9:02 - It's the opening, Patti La Belle is doing Lady Marmalade, and her girls are coming out on stage. Here's Jessica Simpson, who has the most amazing boobs I've ever seen. Perky, round and full. She's working it in that black dress. Lucky bitch. Cyndi Lauper is out, too. I never knew she could belt out music like that! Cyndi, I love you!

9:05 - The women of the Apprentice are out. Everytime I see Omarosa, I want to hiss and boo. But girlfriend has an awesome pair of legs. But still, I get the biggest urge to scratch her eyes out.

9:08 - When did Deborah Harry start looking like Zsa Zsa Gabor in fatigues? Eve looked HOT in her Farrah Fawcett 'doo and thigh high stockings....she's come a long way!

9:11 - Joss Stone is stunning. I'm not just talking just about her looks, I'm talking about that sexy sultry voice that you would never expect to come from this 17 year old blond Brit. She kind of reminds me of a really soulful Janis Joplin. I'm really diggin' her. But I'm tired of the song....what's coming out next from her?

9:20 - Jessica Alba. Woke Dave up from his nap to see his 'Jessie'. Not enough air time. Dave almost misses her whole intro. Is it really her? The camera is too far away. Jessica is introducing Ashanti. Come on, Ashanti is SO five minutes ago. :-P

9:26 - I love Tyra Banks because she's one of the most beautiful women in the world, and she's got HIPS. Gotta love that. But today, she looks a little weird. I think it's the non-existent eyebrows. Or maybe the wild-n-crazy orangish-brown hair.

9:36 - Ever since I was little, I adored Sheila E. She was a woman in a field that you just didn't get a lot of women stars in, and whenever she played the drums she had so much energy, so much fire and sass. Even now, she's still as strikingly beautiful as she was when I was a kid. As much as I love Cyndi Lauper, I wish she'd get some normal hair! I like it that Cyndi's range didn't go into the ear piercing whininess that had marked her earlier career. I love the maturity of her singing voice now....even though her normal speaking voice is still kinda squeaky.

9:42 - I would never had thought that Pattie La Belle and Cyndi Lauper were as close as they were, but I guess Patti is the godmother to Cyndi's son. How cool is that?!? After a little technical snafu, Patti joins Cyndi in a duet of one of my favorite songs - 'Time After Time'. Wow. This is just magical. I'm getting chills up my spine. I've never heard it done like this before...two such different styles of singing merging to beautifully into one. I hope I can find this somewhere online, this is a keeper! Oh, and Patti homegirl threw in True Colors! Wowza. I'm spazzin' here. Lovely. Absolutely lovely. I'm breathless.

9:56 - Still reeling from Cyndi and Patti. Next up, Jessica Simpson, who looks like a Greek goddess, a rather cold one, in a long white flowing dress. You know, I never really liked her remake of 'Take My Breath Away'. I love Jessica's voice, but I just don't like her take on that song. Then she goes into a rendition of 'Loving Angels Instead', which is excellent. She has such a wonderful voice! But when she sings she kinda looks like a woodpecker, and her face makes some weird contortions. But still, she does the song well.

10:07 - Patti again. Definitely timeless. But a little part of me is whispering 'do an encore of Time After Time!'

10:17 - The Pussycat Dolls. Nice bodies. And nice to see Carmen Elektra singing after her singing career didn't take off in her post Prince years. Sexy and they can sing, too. Where can I sign up? Oh, forget it. Too short. Then Tom Jones comes out. Wish he sang 'It's Not Unusual', but that's ok. Dave says he looks like Andrew Dice Clay. I think he looks a little leather and plastic. What happened, Tom?

10:28 - Blondie, the band. Um...it's ok.

10:33 - Joss Stone joins Blondie singing 'One Way or Another'. Joss looks to be having the time of her life singing and dancing barefoot with Debbie. She is just the cutest thing!

10:43 - The amazing Gladys Knight. When I was a kid, I loved her, she was classy, she had such a presence about her. And she reminded me of my Tita Rosie. She has such a lovely smile! She does a great rendition of 'Memories'. Then the young divas Joss and Jessica come out to sing with her. Joss ends her bit with an enthusiastic, 'I just sang with Gladys Knight!' Jessica can sing, but she needs to get a little more soul in her moves!

10:59 - Cyndi starts off the finally with, what else, 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun'. And Holy Shit! Sheila E is out doing Glamourous Life! Awww.....yeah! I love her! Did I say that yet? Play those drums, woman! Damn! That's hot! She kicks ass! Debbie Harry's doing 'Call Me', and she sounds the same...she just looks so different! Next up, Ashanti...cute. Joss comes up next, that little white girl with soul, singing Sting's 'Set Them Free'. Jessica does Steve Winwood's 'Higher Love', I don't know why she chose that one, nor why she looks so much like Morticia Adams' blond sister. The Pussycat Dolls do 'Girls on Film'. Meeeeow! Oh Tom, I love that chocolaty voice! I just want your extra time, and you're *smack* KISS! He sure was hot in his day. Maybe not today, but in his day. Last up, Patti La Belle singing 'New Attitude'. You know, I miss her weird wacky hair/hat things that she used to have. Remember that?

So that's the end of the show. Hmm...it was ok. Kinda mediocre for me, outside of the performances of Sheila E and the duet with Cyndi and Patti...

Here's a dual review, on two excellent movies...

HellBoy

I've never read this comic, but after watching this movie, I really want to check it out.

The story of Hellboy is during the second world war, the Nazi's tried to get some supernatural help, but the American forces prevented it. However, Hellboy was able to come in from his dimension. Fortunately, he was found be a good scientist who raised him as his own son. His own red skinned, six foot five, horned son, that is.

Hell boy had some great action sequences, but even better than that, the movie had some good character development. You really got a sense of who Hellboy is, a man who is not a man, trying to find his identity in a society that he must hide from. Ron Perleman plays him with such force, you feel like you're watching the real Hellboy - not a man in prosthetic horns and makeup. He's perfect with every punchline, his eyes speak volumes, and he's just as cocky as can be.

The supporting cast is great as well. I never realized how hauntingly beautiful Selma Blair was until this movie. She plays Hellboys tortured love interest, Liz, so well. I adore her even more after this movie. Rupert Evans, a brunette Brad Pitt look-a-like, has a strong movie debut as Hellboy's FBI liason. His character isn't as rounded as the others, but he's definitely nice to look at. You almost want to see more of him, to follow him through the rest of his character's career.

The story is so-so, but I don't think I was expecting an amazing story requiring a lot of thought and reflection. There are some great lines and some great comedic parts, though there were jumps between certain scenes that were too abrupt for me. One moment they're here, they next moment they're there, and the audience is left to figure out what happened in-between. I think that's my only complaint about the movie.

---

Kill Bill: Vol 2

When I had seen the previews for Kill Bill: Volume 2, I didn't feel it had the same action as Vol 1. I didn't think it would be as good.

Well, I was wrong.

I guess the thing I was forgetting that Vol 2 isn't a sequel, it's the second part of the same movie. But the feel of 2 is definitely different from 1. I wasn't wrong about Vol 2 in that the fight sequences aren't as majestic as Vol 1's - the fight against the Crazy 88's was amazing in 1, and 2 doesn't have anything of that magnitude. But where 2 lacks in epic fight scenes, it makes up for in plot, dialogue and 'moments'. Vol 1 was for action, Vol 2 is for the mind.

Not that Vol 2 didn't have some great fight sequences. The fight between Elle and the Bride in the trailer was thrilling. The choreography had to give us action in a little confined space, and they came up with some pretty inventive things. If you would have asked me 5 years ago if Uma Thurman and Daryl Hannah would have kicked ass as hard as they did in this scene, I would never had believed you.

There is so much that is answered in Vol 2 that you were left wondering about in Vol 1. The scenes between Bill and the Bride are almost touching - both the flashbacks and the present day scenes. You really get to see the dynamic between the two and understand both of their motives. The whole church massacre is explained. (And there's a pretty good cameo by one of the coolest cats around) Vol 2 is more filling.

And I loved the humor in the movie. The humor is really dark, but that's to be expected from Tarantino. I didn't expect to laugh like I did, but he threw in some really great parts. I especially loved the scene in the hotel room - it was hilarious. And the scenes with Pai Mai were excellent as well. You could see Quentin's love for the kung fu movie genre here, in how many of the scenes and moments that are an homage to the movies he adores.

Uma is just amazing in this movie. I never thought she was the amazing beauty that everyone said her to be, but after this movie, I think she's gorgeous. You could see that she put her all into the part, learning the fight choreography, creating a character that flowed from anger to sadness to rage to ambivalence, all within the blink of an eye. She is the bad ass girl to rule all the bad asses. She makes this movie the ultimate girl power movie.

All in all, it was a great movie. I had loved Tarantino's movies, and he didn't disappoint this time around. Quentin is a pop culture junkie, and you can see it here. You can see how much care he put into the characters, how hard he worked on the script, how much he thought each scene, each shot, in every single scene. Where Vol 1 sucked us in with the action and the in your face violence, Vol 2 keeps us in our seats and opens our eyes by weaving the rest of the story and creating depth in the characters, characters that we start to sympathize with and care about. Did I mention that Uma kicks ass?

So go see it!

Watched 'Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story' earlier today. I absolutely love that movie!

There aren't too many people out there that illustrate the racism against Asians in the mid-sixties, some aspects which are still existent today. Bruce didn't just have a difficult journey to become a movie star or martial arts master, he also had to fight with prejudice and acceptance.

It's a pretty inspirational story, and it's so sad that Bruce died at age 32, just as his star was rising. It's also a sad to think that Bruce's son Brandon also met a death too early, while filming the movie that would have made him a household name 'The Crow'.

And this movie has one of the best soundtracks ever - when you hear it you'll think of many movies that have since used it for trailers and commercials.

OK, fine. I just watched it for Jason Scott Lee. Hubba hubba! That one part in the beginning, at the dance, when he fights the sailors and he gets knocked back so hard that this shirt rips and he pulls it off, exposing his ripped muscles and well oiled body.... ahhhhhhhhhh...... yeah...... That is definitely the body type that I like. Yum.

I had posted up a review of N.E.R.D.'s 'She Likes to Move' the other day, but I just wanted to highlight some other songs that have been on my mind lately....

"This Love" - Maroon Five

I love this song. It's fun, it's lively...and since watching them perform on Saturday Night Live, I find the lead singer really attractive, even though he reminds me of Psycho's Norman Bates. And he's part of that 'I'm lucky to be a rock star' club because he gets to frolick around in bed with a naked girl in the video.

---

"My Band" - D12

I said it once, I'll say it again, I really love that Oscar Award winning rapper, Eminem. This song just kicks ass, and the video does, too. (I've been watching a lot of MTV lately) No one pokes fun at other people quite like Eminem does, and this time he brings his band D12 into it, too. The lyrics are smart and fun, and not as mean as Eminem used to be. Well, just a little mean. The rest of D12 do a fine job as the supporting cast, bitter after being in the shadow of Eminem the prima donna.

---

"If I Ain't Got You" - Alicia Keys

Alicia proves that she's not just a one-album wonder, and that her Best New Artist Grammy was well deserverd. This song is so sweet, it's so hot and Alicia's honey smooth voice makes it unforgettable. And the lyrics, yeah, I don't need nothin' but my man!

---

"My Immortal" - Evanescence

For some reason, I found myself attached to this song, something drew me to it. Every time I'd catch it on the radio, I would listen to the words, bot not hear them. But something inside me loved this song, as simple as it is. After listening I was always left with a sense of longing. Not until reading Fata's blog did I realize why I loved this song so much. I've been so busy the last couple weeks that I haven't really had time to just think, like I had in the beginning of the year. It's been a while since I've really sat down and thought about my mom. Lately my life has been so busy and crazy that I haven't though about her as much as I used to. But I guess my attachment to this song still shows that my mother's memory is still around. And since life has been slowing down a bit, my thoughts turn to her more and more again, missing her again. Her memory still holds me.

So I've got a couple hours free before I have to pick up Mel and Fata from the airport, so I'm just killing time here at work.

I haven't been keeping up with reality TV lately, and I really got into 'Survivor' and 'The Apprentice' for the first couple weeks, but with travel and my schedule (and now March Madness) I don't have much time to watch.

But yesterday I got a chance to watch 'Survivor: All Stars' and damn you Lex! You're supposed to be a good guy! What are you doing plotting with Jerry? Argh. And they voted Colby out last week. And yesterday....*sniff*....they voted out poor Ethan. Yeah, I know he was a winner from before, but he's a good guy! He played the game well, but played it with more morals than most of the people there. I don't know why they're keeping Jerry there, unless they're keeping her for the final two because they KNOW no one is going to vote Jerry to win. But still. I'll miss my EZ and his smile and buff body trying to catch fish and trying desperately to stay on the island.

Hmm...who to root for now...Rupert! I like him. It's like Hagrid landed on a deserted island.

Since I've been home, I've been watching lots of movies on the Oxygen channel and on Bravo. It's kind of funny when you watch old movies, because you get to see the stars of today in the bit parts of yesterday.

For instance, I was watching 'Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead' and the badguy metrosexual who was in league with the mean advertising lady was none other than David Duchovny. Back then, I remembered thinking, 'That guy's hot, too bad he's a mean guy!'

And in 'Adventures in Babysitting', the guy that played the blond haired Thor in the garage was none other than VIncent D'Onofrio, from 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent' and 'The Cell'. It makes me laugh because he does not look that at ALL - he's a brunette, he's balding, and he's put on a bit of weight. I would venture to say that in 'Adventures...' he was kinda hot!

'To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything - Julie Newmar' not only had John Leguizamo, Patrick Swayze and Wesley Snipes as drag queens, it also had a very young Michael Vartan (from 'Alias') playing Tommy, the small town bully.

Its really nice to see these guys in these old roles, so young and fresh faced. Who knew that they would be the stars that they are (or aren't) today.

Reading Pleasures

Wizard Magazine

That's the only thing I really have the time to read. Without a commute and traveling, I really have no opportunity to read. Sad.

song stuck in my head

'I Believe in a Thing Called Love' - The Darkness

80's glam hairband rock is back! I don't know if these guys are serious or not, but it reminds me of my younger head bangin' days. And the video rocks!

at the movies

Shiri

A friend of mine pointed out this movie to me a while ago, and I finally picked it up at Blockbuster (since we bought the snowboards, no movie theaters for us!) Anyway, this is a Korean movie that kicked Titanic's but way back when. It's about Ryu, a cop that is chasing a beautiful assassin named Hee. It's a great action movie, but the gals will love it for the romantic aspect (Ryu is trying to protect his girlfriend). It's non-stop action (and some pretty graphic violence and a high body count) with a great, though predictable plot. It also gives some insight into relations between North and South Korea, something I wasn't aware of before.

Of course, this is a kick ass movie just for the fact that the lead is a female assassin. And the ending will have you in tears.

comic you should be reading

Elektra

Elektra has a fever, and it's throwing her off her game. She relies on being 100% to do her jobs, and since she came back from her last mission, she seems to have brought back a sickness with her. She's off balance, she can't see straight. What's happening? Will she be able to get over it and return to her old self? Will her fever spread to others? I'll have to wait til next month to find out!

yummy for my tummy

Coffee Ice Cream

My favorite grocery ice cream was on sale the other day - Breyers coffee ice cream. Ohh...it's so good, and natural, too!

addiction

Yahoo! Pool

Yeah...since I've discovered the magic that is online pool. It's incredible and super addicting. I can't stop. I want to beat these cocky little 14 year old bastards from ireland. Just kidding. I've met so many interesting people playing pool...but that's for another post entirely! It's amazing that I could be playing with someone halfway around the world. And even more amazing that I suck so badly right now. Maybe I need to have a couple drinks before playing....

I also updated the blogs on the left to include Jennie and Cybertoad. Bernadette has a new addy so I updated her link, and as they've already discovered, Dan and Shannon have been moved up to 'Family'. And Marilyn should have always been in 'Family' but I don't know why I accidently put her with the common folk *wink* so I moved her to birthright as well.

I went to Dave's uncle's friend's place to watch the Superbowl today. I made my extra special weiner rolls, and people liked them - I even got asked for the recipe.

Unfortunately, we were late to the party since Dave came home late from work, so I didn't really see too much of the first quarter and part of the second half. Which means I also missed some of the best commercials, if there WERE any good commercials. Because during the second half, the commercials sucked ass. They just weren't entertaining to me. A couple of the beer commercials were good, and the football players singing 'Tomorrow' was really funny, but other than that, nothing stuck out to me. And what's up with so many commericals having to do with ways to solve erectile dysfunction?

The game itself made me yawn for the first part. To tell the truth, at the beginning of the third quarter I was thinking to myself, 'Man, I'm going to put in my blog that this is probably one of the most blah superbowls ever. Nothing exciting or outstanding is happening at all.' Carolina wasn't producing at all. But was I wrong! Carolina stepped it up in the third quarter and gave New England something to sweat about. Jake Delhomme, the QB who had an awful first half, suddenly found his groove and started throwing some BEAUTIFUL long passes. The lead switched back and forth, Carolina was breathing down the Patriot's necks.

And the ending was something from the movies. A field goal, to be kicked by the man who never misses, but who missed two field goals earlier that game. Not only that, but the ONLY time he has missed indoors was in that stadium. And this kick was 10 yards farther than the two field goals he missed. There were four seconds left in the game, and the score was tied. Two years ago, he saved the game by kicking the winning field goal. Can he do it again? How was that for pressure? But Adam Vinatieri didn't sweat, he kicked it down the middle. What a incredible game!

And the MVP goes to Tom Brady, who didn't sweat the whole time...well, maybe that one time when he threw that interception, but still, he was MONEY when he had the ball.

OK. That's all.
____________________

Just kidding. You think I could review the Superbowl without talking about the Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake halftime spectacle?

First of all, although I love Janet Jackson and give her partial credit to helping me become the dancer that I am today, I have no idea why she was the headliner for the halftime show. Was has she done for me lately? Oooooh ooh yeah? Lately as in the last year. As much as I enjoyed seeing her perform again, (i just about died when they did Rhythm Nation, because I was joking around when she was on and said, 'What is she going to do? Rhythm Nation?') I just didn't think that she has the current momentum to carry the show. Boy was I wrong!

Note: I had to kick Dave when he started laughing when the marching band came out. Marching bands ROCK.

It was nice to see Nelly, P. Diddy and Kid Rock perform. And sing songs that were popular 2 years ago.

And then Mr. Timberlake. Oh Justin Justin. I was thinking to myself, "What would Cameron think, you chasing your ex-girlfriend up and down stage as she grabs your ass." That was a cute little flirty dance they had going on. Then at the end, right as he says, "Gonna have you naked by the end of this song..." Justin rips off Janet's right corset cup and exposes her boob, a-la Li'l Kim. CBS cut away fast, but the damage was done. I turned to Dave and his cousins and we all had a dumbfounded look on our faces. "Was that her boob?" I asked? "nah...it was too white. I think it was a flesh colored top underneath". We all had different theories. I thought it was her boob with a pasty over the nipple (which when you look at the close up shots, is something much more interesting - don't click on the link if you don't want to know) and others speculated it was a fake boob (to which I said, 'Then where's her real boob?', 'Tucked in her armpit' was the answer I got) or that it was an outfit underneath.

But it turns out it was her real boob. And as much as Justin apologizes and says it was an accident, there is no valid explanation for what his action intended to do if not rip off her top like that.I'm pretty sure that they meant to do it, even if they didn't do it in rehearsal. Janet didn't look shocked or surprised at all, Justin didn't flinch nor was he apologetic.

"I'm sorry if anyone was offended by the wardrobe malfunction during the halftime performance of the Super Bowl," Timberlake said. "It was not intentional and is regrettable."

Riiiiiiight, Justin. Do you even talk like that, dude? And how was that a malfunction? He tore it off!

But boy, are they apologizing now!

And something that CBS kept away from us was the streaker who was on the field right before the second half kickoff. Man! We saw Janet's boobie, give the gals some goods to see, too!

First gay couples are kissing on awards shows and now this. Who said that CBS was the station for old conservative people?

[Edit 12:03pm]I saw the Born to be a Clydesdale Donkey commercial, and it was one of the cutest commercials ever. I especially liked the hair extension part!

I've been wanting to write this for a while now, but just haven't had the chance, nor remembered when I had extra time.

But if you ever have a free night, and you're looking for a movie to rent, rent 'Whale Rider'.

'Whale Rider' is the story of Pai, a young Maori girl in New Zealand who's grandfather is the leader of her tribe. Her twin brother, who died at childbirth, was to be the tribe's next leader. The death of her brother broke a line of male heirs way back to her ancestor Pikea, who legend said came to New Zealand from Hawai'i on the back of a whale. Her grandfather never forgave Pai for being the one who lived.

So she goes through life trying to live up to her grandfather's expectations, but never pleasing him. And her tribe is need of a new leader. Her grandfather takes all the young boys in the tribe to teach them the old ways, but will not allow Pike to learn because she is a girl. But she knows that she is better than any of the boys, and she knows that she can lead her people.

So it's your typical 'girls can't do this because of tradition' movie, yet it's so much more. All the performances in the movie are powerful, especially the grandfather's and Pai's. It touches on the differences between generations, trying to maintain a dying culture and learning that sometimes to move on, tradition has to change. And the movie blurs the line between reality and fantasy...the ending is just beautiful.

I've always had an interest in the Maori culture, and never knew how rich the culture was in New Zealand. The movie gives a wonderful insight into an unfamiliar culture. All the extras in the movie are from the actual tribe where the film was filmed, and the backdrop of the New Zealand coast is breathaking.

So see it. It'll make you feel good.

Last Monday me and Dave went to see 'Big Fish'. I've been wanting to see this movie since I first saw the preview last fall. I'm a huge fan of Tim Burton, and this movie really intrigued me. Burton works magic with fantasy, he did wonders with Sleepy Hollow, Edward Scissorhands was a masterpiece, and, well, I even liked Mars Attacks. Even though at the end of it I was like, 'Huh?' Burton has a beautiful, colorful imagination, and I wanted to see how he did with tall tales.

'Big Fish' is essentially a father and son story, with Albert Finney playing Edward Bloom, a man who had gone through life sharing with others the tall tales of his past. His son, Will, played by the dashing Billy Crudup, used to love to hear the stories, but as he got older and learned that the stories couldn't possibly be true, became distant from his father out of embarrassment.

But the time comes where Will must go back home again, and try to make amends with his father. He begs his father for the truth, that he never knew his father, couldn't find him through the lies that he had told his whole life. He felt that these fantastic stories were an escape for his father from his boring family and his dead end life.

But once again, his father re-hashes the stories that he had told over and over. But this time, Wil discovers that the line between the fantastic and reality in his father's stories isn't so black and white. And he learns that all along, he had known who his father was, he just needed to listen.

No one could have done this story better than Tim Burton. He presents Ed's tales beautifully, filling each scene with magic. This is probably his most mature work to date. He balances the magical world so well with the real world, and in this movie he really does well with portraying the emotions of his characters. They are more real than any of the characters he has had before this. I love to see the world through Tim Burton's eyes.

Ewan McGregor was excellent as the young Ed - handsome, charming and ready to take on the world with his ambition. Allison Lohman was radiant as the younger version of Ed's wife, played by Jessica Lange. And Lange was suberb with her quiet strength, watching the man she loves slowly fade away. There were a couple great supporting roles - Helena Bonham Carter in a dual role as the local witch and a woman in love with young Ed, Gary Buscemi as quirky as ever as a poet, and Danny Devito, showing you more of himself than you would ever want to see.

I really liked this movie. Though for parts of it, it was difficult for me to watch. It brought back a lot of moments that I went through around the time my mother died. Hospital scenes and so much more brought small waves of emotion to me. But I left feeling good, once again feeling the love of my mother that I felt after her passing. Like Ed Bloom, she left an impression on all that knew her, and no matter what I know and don't know about her life, I know that she loved me.

This gets three and a half stars from me!

Reading Pleasures

None

I really haven't had time to read. Once I do, I'll review something here!

song stuck in my head

'Seven Nation Army' - White Stripes

This song has a awesome bass line. I'm a sucker for rock songs with good bass lines. Another song that has a great bass line is 'Are You Gonna Be My Girl' by Jet.

at the movies

Return of the King

Well, since I've seen this movie twice already, I'll make this my movie pick. I feel like I've been anticipating this movie forever, and it definitely didn't let me down. It was epic, beautifully filmed, and I'm happy with the way that the plot went. All the good stuff that people say about it is true.

However, it wasn't my favorite of the three. That would have to be the first one. I usually like the first movies of trilogies just because they introduce us to the characters and the plot of the story. However, three did a great job in searching deeper into the relationships between the various characters. But the last installment to the trilogy didn't wow me, as I wished it would. To me, no battle in ROTK beat the awestruck feeling I felt when I watched the battle of Helm's deep in Twin Towers. Then again, maybe I'm just used to it now. But nonetheless, the movie was good. I loved it.

Though I could really have done without the pretty eyes that Frodo was giving everyone. By the end of the movie I was snickering every time Frodo would look at Sam. And I'm not really going to give anything away here, but that scene where the hobbits are on the bed, and Gimli walks in? I just about died. I could hear Dave whispering, 'The dwarf is in on it, too?' I know that hobbits are happy, loving people, but it was a little much!

comic you should be reading

Wolverine: The End

With 'Origin' Marvel told us about the beginnings of the mysterious Wolverine, with a lot of big surprises. With 'The End', Marvel fast forwards way way into the future with Wolverine's last story. How will he ultimately meet his demise? What are the last days like for a man with a natural healing factor? I don't know if this series will answer these questions, but I hope it does. So far, we see in Wolvie's future that he lives as a hermit, but that he has some contact with humanity, so fortunately he hasn't turned into a rabid animal up in the Canadian wilderness. This is definitely something to read if you're a Wolverine fan!

yummy for my tummy

Ghirardelli Chocolate

Dan gave me a 10lb block of Ghirardelli chocolate for Christmas. At about 270 calories per 1 ounce square or something like that, I should get my ass back in no time!

addiction

Exhaustion

I've been so busy lately, I haven't had time to myself. Hopefully after the New Year, things will slow down!

Well, Friday night me and Dave headed out to watch 'Honey', starring the super sexy-hot Jessica Alba. I really enjoyed 'Flashdance II', uh, I mean, 'Honey'. I wouldn't tell everyone to see it, though...I suggest you see if if you fit into one of the following groups:

1) Anyone who has ever wanted to be a backup dancer for Janet Jackson or a booty gal in a rap video
2) Anyone who has done choreographed dance shows but has never taken any formal training, but who still tapes MTV videos so they could learn the moves because they miss the dancing
3) Anyone who thinks Jessica Alba is HOT and has been waiting for her to do something since 'Dark Angel' was cancelled last year
4) Anyone who thinks that 'Flashdance' was one of the most significant movies of the 80's, who still feels like breaking into dance when hearing Irene Cara's 'What a Feeling' come on the radio.

Oh look, I fit into all four categories.

If you're looking for a riveting story, this isn't the movie. If you're looking for Alba's first Oscar worthy role, this isn't the movie. If you're waiting for Jessica Alba's first naked sex scene, sorry guys, it's not happening in this movie (much to Dave's displeasure).

But if you're looking for a feel-good movie with some AWESOME dance moves, a great soundtrack and many shots of Jessica Alba's glorious abs, this is the movie to see. The plot was painfully obvious and predicable, but that's ok, because I wasn't expecting one. Though the movie WAS incredibly cheesey, with many parts were intended for the audience to go 'Awww...' (by the way, little Zachary Williams stole the show). One part that comes to mind was when Honey and little Raymond are sitting on the steps, talking about some really bad problem, and the intro to Mary J. Blige's 'No More Drama' starts playing. That intro being the theme song to 'The Young and the Restless'. When it came on, me and Dave actually looked at each other and laughed.

Anyway, to break it down for ya, 'Honey' is about an aspiring dancer who teaches inner city hip-hop. She gets discovered, forgets what she really loves in life, but then realizes her errant ways and wants to help the inner city youth find a better life, through dance. But it's not so easy to raise the money, so she has to figure out a way...

Ohh....intriguing, eh? What's going to happen!?!?

Alba put a lot of hard work into the movie - 3 months, 6 hours a day of dance training, and it shows. And I just love to watch little kids dance. And Mekhi Pfieffer is great eye candy. Joy Bryant just cracked me up as the best friend.

Anyway, I liked the movie. Didn't love it, but I liked it. Dave ADORED the movie. It just reinforced his love for Jessie, his new pet name for her. We'll be getting the DVD, too - him for outtakes of Jessica, me for any extra dance sequences. And we'll be getting 'Idle Hands', too, because Jessie's in that, too.

Reading Pleasures

The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold

This is a great book, and so different from most other books I've read. The book is narrarated by Susie, a young girl who, as we find out in the first chapter, has been brutally murdered. She narrarates from Heaven, looking down below at the world she has left. She watches over the lives of the people she has left behind - the father who will not stop until he finds Susie's murderer, her sister who closes herself from any emotion, the boy who loved Susie, and even her murderer. Susie knows who her murderer is, as does the reader, but the people in her life have no idea, and Susie has no way of telling them. She's up in her heaven, staying the same as the people left behind her grieve and move on and grow old, but never forgetting her in an unending search for closure.

The story is beautifully written, and it's haunting watching the lives of the people Susie knew each deal in their own way with their grief. Sebold pulls no punches, walking us through the horrific way that Susie dies, and how everyone grieves in their own way. I couldn't read this book fast enough, it's definitely something I would recommend!

song stuck in my head

'Milkshake' - Kelis

"My milk shake brings all the boys to the yard, And they're like, it's better than yours, Damn right its better than yours, I can teach you, but I have to charge!" How could you not love this song? It hardly makes any sense, but it's got a hot beat. *shakes her ass* Finally, I've found out what it is that brings all those boys to my yard every day. It's my milkshake, baby! Shake, shake shake it like a polaroid picture. I know, wrong song. Those Neptunes know how to work magic, baby!

Here's what a Milkshake is, if you're looking...

at the movies

Mulholland Drive

I rented Mulholland Drive several months ago, but only got about halfway since the DVD was scratched up. So last week I finally rented it again. And in a way, I think I was better off with just watching half the movie because at the end of the movie, only one thought rang through my head - 'What the fuck was that?' I was confused. Two-thirds of the way through the movie, it completely changes and you're questioning everything you had seen previous to that. I admit, though, I liked the movie. Only David Lynch can have me love something as disjointed, quirky and trippy as this, but then again, I watched all of the 'Twin Peaks' episodes and bought the sound track. Yes, I can even play the song on the piano. Anyway, once I searched the internet a bit for some enlightenment and to answer the questions that raged in my head, everything made almost perfect sense. Not. But at least it answered some questions. And Naomi Watts had an excellent performance, which is even better once you realize what's going on. And yes, Dave appreciated the lesbian scenes. As a matter of fact, those were the only scenes he watched during the movie.

comic you should be reading

Aspen #1

I may have mentioned this comic before, but it's FINALLY out in stores. I think it's selling like hotcakes, so make sure to get a copy. Aspen #1 is Michael Turner's last Fathom arc before Talent Caldwell takes the helm. Hopefully there will be some answers about Aspen's past. There's also some great sketch previews of upcoming Aspen MLT books Ekos and Soulfire, as well as interviews. I already have a couple copies of #1 from the Chicago convention (and #2) so I'm really anticipating Aspen #3. The rest of the Aspen books will be out within the next few months, so buy them!

yummy for my tummy

Ho-Ho's

Oh heavenly chocolatey cream filled rolls of cakey sweetness, I love you so!

addiction

Picture Gallery

I've been trying to get my picture galleries reformatted because since the bog blog change, the galleries look like crap. So within the next couple weeks, you'll see some fun changes in the picture gallery. Hopefully.

New Links

Aaron - Even Uppity Negroes need love, too.
Luna - Didn't know that this girl was as ghetto as she was til I read her blog!
Pat - Comic book geeks unite! Pat rocks!
Rosie - Co-Coordinator of the worst PSA dance scene ever! But we had lots of fun not working on it!
Stephani - She's good at helping me out with drunk people!

I'm watching them right now. Have you seen them? The red carpet party was ok, Monica did a much better job than Lance Bass, who looked a little flustered and nervous at times, but the other guy (who I have no idea who he is) was just plain annoying. I also think it's kinda weird having so many TV personalities giving awards. Never thought I'd see Dennis Franz giving out an award there. Britney's set was OK, but I think her outfit was so tight she couldn't really dance too well, she seemed kind of restrained in her dancing. That, and I could hardly see any of the routine because the cameras kept on switching. Avril Lavigne...where's SHE been?!? Poor Hillary Duff looked nervous, but she did a good job, though it almost sounded like she was singing along with the memorex. Then again, it could be my ears. Of course, Outkast had a great set. Every time I hear that song I just gotta start dancing. But I think my favorite performance of the evening was Pink. She did away with the big garish set, millions of back-up dancers, pyrotechnics and memorex and sang 'Trouble' with just her guitarist backing her up, and she kicked ass. Jimmy Kimmell said it perfectly after her performance - 'It's always a surprise when people can actually sing'. Kinda brings back the 'Dead or Alive' that Bon Jovi did back in the day. Rock on, woman....

And my favorite quote comes from Kid Rock, 'And I'd like to thank that fat girl right up there! What's up baby!?!?'

Any one else watch it?

Oh, and somebody pinch me - did I see Li'l Kim doing Old Navy ads?

Reading Pleasures

Contact - Carl Sagan

I haven't bought a new book in ages, so when I was home in Chicago I decided to re-read one of my favorites, Contact by Carl Sagan. The movie with Jodie Foster and Matthew McConaughy is based on it.

I love this book because I've always been intrigued with life on other planets, looking out at the stars in the sky, wondering what other civilizations are out there, what they look like, if they know about us, if UFO's are real, when we'll ever be technologically advanced enough to venture out of our little corner of the universe. Sagan touches on many of these things in this book, and makes the thought of more intelligent beings out there less science fiction, and more of a reality that we haven't discovered yet.

In 'Contact', Sagan uses a lot of scientific terminology, but in a way that a regular person can understand. Throughout the novel, Sagan touches on religion, politics, and science, and gives a profound sense of wonder once the novel is done. He expertly conveys the emotions of his lead character, Ellie Arroway, who's discovery of a message from outer space leads her on an adventure that involves the whole earth, all of humanity. Her journey, and the journey of her fellow travelers, makes the reader realize how little our little earth is, when compared to the billions of other stars in universe.

I love this book.

song stuck in my head

'Hey Ya' - Outkast

Once again, Outkast gives us a song that's so different from what else is out there. This song just makes me want to throw on my go-go boots and shimmy my way up to the platform. It's just FUN.

at the movies

Kill Bill

Yes, I saw Kill Bill yesterday. And I loved it. Sure, it was a bit bloody and gory, but that's part of what made it so awesome. I would never have seen Uma Thurman as an action heroine, but she ROCKS in this role. Vivica Fox and Lucy Liu are great as well. Chiaki Kuriyama, who played the bodyguard Gogo, has a gaze to kill, and her scene with Uma was on of the best. The fight scenes are amazing - the choreography is fast paced, but without a lot of the matrix-style special effects that we're so used to. Heads roll, scalps fly, blood spurts. I love it. There was also a short anime in the movie which kept true to the movie's mood, and which could stand alone as a mini-movie. It takes a little thought to keep up with the storyline, which is divided into chapters, though the story as presented isn't in chronological order.

comic you should be reading

New X-Men - Marvel

Damn. This book has balls. Because it gives you the nice warm fuzzies about a character, and then BAM! Kicks you in the ass, slaps you in the face, and whispers, 'You fool, I've been setting you up for the past year just to fuck you over!' Gotta love a book that does that. Although sometimes he's a little extreme, I'm still loving Grant Morrison's run on this book. He's changed the X-Men as we know them and made them tougher, meaner, and much more real.

yummy for my tummy

White Castles

While in Chicago, for the first week or so, I had White Castle every day. At first, I had people make WC runs for me while I was at the hospital. Later on, I was overjoyed to discover that the hospital cafeteria sold microwaveable White Castles. Oh joy in a sqaure bun!!!

addiction

Marquette

Yeah, I'm the girl who uses up her vacation days to go to the middle of nowhere to watch short track speedskating. My husband is the coolest guy on the planet for being OK with his wife flying out to watch people wearing spandex skate around in circles. For this, I'll let him watch as much ESPN and Wild on E! as much as he wants. As for me, I'm actually more excited to see my friends at Marquette than I am to see the skating! It's like going to a reunion. I only wish that everyone could make it, that would make it so much better!

Just watched my tape of tonight's Smallville, and it was a great episode! I think one reason why I, and so many other people, love this show is because in a way, we already know what's going to happen. Clark and Lex will become mortal enemies. Clark's true love is Lois Lane - Lana Lang is just a high school crush.

But Smallville takes these things into account and toys with our hearts, makes us wish that the future for Clark Kent was different. Clark and Lex best friends? Lana Lang professing her love for Clark? These are the things that you want to last. But you know they aren't. And you still watch anyway, because the journey is so worthwhile.

That, and Tom Welling has a hot bod.

I love the Superman references, like the when the burn on Clark's chest fades, you see the S of Superman. Or Clark opening his shirt in a phone booth. Or using the name Kal when under the influence of red kryptonite. When asked what he wanted to do with his life, he said "I dunno, just as long as it doesn't involve wearing a suit and flying". Gotta love that!

Well, Dave wanted to watch a movie today, even though we're on 'a budget'. Hey, I won't complain. I love watching movies.

There really wasn't too much out in the theaters that I wanted to see, but a very good radio interview that The Rock did earlier this week got me intrigued. I enjoyed 'The Scorpion King', and the DJ was totally in love with 'The Rundown', so I thought it would be a good movie to see. Also, I'm a fan of The Rock. I'm a fan of any athlete that you would think is dumb as rocks (excuse the pun) but ends up being intelligent. I've seen the Rock talk, and he's no dummy. He's actually pretty smart, and definitely has a magnetic personalityu.

So the movie, yeah. I had no idea what I was getting into. Didn't see too many commercials, knew nothing of the storyline other than it taking place in a forest. And there was an interesting monkey scene.

I'm happy to say that I really enjoyed the movie. It had some GREAT fight scenes, which made good use of beautiful fight choreography and matrix-style slow motion. It was the kind of fight scenes that made you cringe in your seat and say, 'Ohhh, damn! Ouch!' The storyline was also a bit different from your run of the mill action movie.

The Rock did very well in this movie, and is broadening his acting range (not like that takes a lot) and had great chemistry with Seann William Scott, who, sadly is stuck with the Stifler-esque roles. But like in American Pie, he excels at the smart ass big talker funny sidekick role. And damn, his body is pretty toned! But sorry, next to the Rock, he's just a little girlie man. Rosario Dawson's character was great, and she had some good emotional depth, and every time I see her, she gets prettier and prettier.

And damn, Ernie Reyes Jr. was in the movie. Remember him? Sidekicks? Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? I'd have to say, he had the best moves in the movie. But I kept on thinking his name was Mojito, instead of Manito. Guess it's been a while since I've had a drink. Anyway, it was great to see him in the movie, even though when him and his little rebel friends came on screen, we all looked around and said, 'What are Filipinos doing in the jungles of Brazil?' I guess we're cheaper extras.

Speaking of appearances, for some reason, I always laugh when Christopher Walken shows up on screen. Just like Scott, Walken is kinda stuck in the same kind of role. But I love him. He's just so quirky. And he plays a pretty good bad guy, though it's hard for me to see him as a REALLY bad guy.

So all in all, I liked the movie a lot. It was a great action/comedy. I was surprised it was so good, and I feel that the Rock is going to have many more like this, and I don't mind at all. He's very nice to see on screen.

Notable Preview: Honey, starring Jessica Alba in what looks like a hip hop version of Flashdance. Sounds cheesy, but DAMN, Jessica looks HOT. Her body is more toned than it was in Dark Angel, if that's even possible. And the dance scenes look awesome. You know I'm a sucker for a good dance routine.

Dave's Review: Wow. That was a really good movie. I loved the midget. Let's get it on DVD, ok?

Who watched the Emmy's yesterday?

I thought it was more entertaining than usual. Conan, of course, rocked my world. It was great to see Joe Pantoliano get emotional. I was cleaning the bathroom and missed the John Ritter tribute. It was really sad to watch the tribute to those that had passed away this last year, it's mind-boggling how many screen legends we had last in the last year. George Perez was hilarious. Wanda, not so much. I wish Everybody Loves Raymond didn't win so much. I don't love him. I just like him. Debra Messing looked radiant as she made her speech. I love exuberance like that.

OK. I'm at a trade show taking a break. I hate it here.

Tell me what you think of last night!

I know the song has been out for a while now, but Pharrell William's jam, 'Frontin' has really grown on me. It could also have to do with me seeing the video on MTV. I've been watching a lot of that lately, usually having it as background noise as I work from home. But Pharrell is a little cutie, (the abs don't hurt, either) and the song is really catchy, and even though the radio stations here are starting to kill the song, I haven't been annoyed with it. And for some reason, I really love the part in the song where he just exhales, and it's just a quick two 'Hahh, hahh....Hahh hahh...' It's hot. Really hot. Makes me move my shoulders in my little jigga dance.

Tomorrow, I'm working back in downtown LA again, this time at the Convention Center for a tradeshow. Come visit me. I will be amazingly bored, since I'm not a salesperson so I think I could be a waste of space. Actually though, I think my job tomorrow will be scanning badges and bringing in leads to watch demos. Blah!

I've been waiting for Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill" to come out for the longest time. And from the latest news reports, it looks like my wait will be worth it, since they are thinking of cutting the movie in half (it's more than 3 hours right now) and showing it as two movies. How awesome is that? I get to see Uma Thurman and Lucy Liu kick ass twice! During lunch yesterday Mike said, "It's a big risk, though, because what if people don't like the first movie, and they don't go to the second? They'll lose a lot of money." To which I answered, "Hello! Have you SEEN the trailer? Do you really think it's gonna suck?"

October 10th can't come soon enough!

the freaky eye

Blond: By Request

I recieved a complaint from a loyal reader that my last webcam pic set wasn't up to par. It was requested that I post up a 'hot' pic. Unfortunately, I don't have hot pics. You'll just have to settle with this one.

reading pleasures

Wizard Magazine

I haven't read my last 3 issues of Wizard Magazine for Comics. I need to read up so I know what's up when I go to the 'con, and so I know who has what projects coming up.

song stuck in my head

'Love At 1st Sight' - Mary J. Blige

God bless Mary J. This song is just hot. I love it.

at the movies

Old School on DVD

Haven't had a chance to watch a real movie lately, so I've been renting. Loved this movie in the theaters, love it more on DVD. "You're my boy, Blue!"

comic you should be reading

Exiles - Marvel

I love to hate this book. I hate to love it. Those punk ass bastards at Marvel didn't get enough thrills killing off Psylocke twice, after killing off Blink many years ago, they answered our prayers by bringing her back to lead the Exiles. She kicked ass. She fell in love. She teleported. She saved the world - several times. She was awesome. And then they got rid of her. How many times must you break my heart, Joe Quesada? Yet I keep on coming back. Because evil Majik/Illyana Rasputin is pretty hardcore. Right now, they've got to kill off Havok, who I've never really liked anyway. Nightcrawler also gets to meet his alternate reality daughter, Nocturne. And with this book, anything can happen. (*hint - bring back Psylocke!*)

yummy for my tummy

Guacamole Doritos

Tuesday, my Guac Doritos were the only thing I ate. Well, plus cheese. Then, I let my coworkers eat them. And they loved them too. Then I forgot them in the kitchen. And the vultures got to them. Adios, mi Doritos. It was fun. I love you.

addiction

stress

With work, traveling, the wedding, working on the magazine, layoffs, working on online responsibilities, getting 2 hours of sleep a night, missing the Lion King, rain, losing my Cirque du Soleil tix, having to do a presentation for a user forum on something I have no idea about, planning my stalking schedule for next year, being sick for the past two weeks, and losing my DSL for a week, the key word lately has been STRESS.

new blogs

Decided to add/update the blog links. I added in Soo, Steph, Melinda, Beata and Mira, and finally updated Bernadette's.

reading pleasures

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, by J.K. Rowling

Once again, I'm addicted to that little wizard boy. This book should take me a while to read since it's 800+ pages. However, it took Fatima a mere 2 days to read it. If I was jobless and didn't have a driver's license, I'd finish it in two days, too. The story is pretty dark so far. You can tell that Harry's really maturing. Can't wait to see who dies.

at the movies

Charlie's Angels:Full Throttle

This one is just like the first, except there's more action, it's even sillier than it was before, there's more of a story (yet that's still not much), and there's one more hot body - Demi Moore. Hot damn. When I get old I want to look like that. That is, when I get old and can afford plastic surgery. But still, she looked hot. I liked this movie so much more than I want to. It was just a lot of giddy girl-power fun. Cameron Diaz with a mullett just cracks me up. The action scenes were well choreographed. Bernie Mac did a great job. All in all, a rockin' good time. Guys will love it for the hot girls. Girls will love it for the hot surfer guy, the cool fight scenes, and yes, the hot girls. Except for Drew Barrymore. Sorry, every time I see her, I picture her talking to E.T. That's not hot at all.

comic you should be reading

Soulfire, Aspen MLT

OK, so legal issues are preventing the first issue of Soulfire from being sent out to the store. As is the deal with all of the comics from Aspen, MLT. Poor Michael Turner! Then again, he's gonna be the star of the comicon, and once the comics DO come out, they'll go like hotcakes. As for Soulfire itself, well, I've been waiting for this one to come out for a LONG time. And through some sort of magical means, I've gotten my grubby little paws on a copy of it, and it looks AWESOME. Can't wait til it's officially out. And yes, I will be campaigning for a cameo in the comic. *wink*

yummy for my tummy

Taste of Chicago

Well, it's that time of year again. When Chicagoans gorge themselves on food as they walk around Grant Park, surrounded by 300,000 of their closest friends. Fun? Not really. Good food? Hell yes! Damn. I'm just drooling just thinking of all the delicacies they have there! Taste of Chicago is an annual food fest where local restaurants all get little booths located near the waterfront and people go around and try their goodies. And there's bands that play, and free stuff given out, and everyone and their mother is almost obligated to go here at least once a year. Anytime anyone ever asks me about Chicago, I always tell them to come around during the taste. All the wonderful foods of Chicago, all in once place, which can all be sampled for around $20. OK, if you're like me it's gonna cost a little more. God, the food is good. If you go, make sure to get some fried dough or garlic cheese bread. Yum!

addiction

friendster

Friendster is the devil. Stay away. But if you're already stuck in it, well, sucks to be you. Add me as a friend. That is, if you're really, truly my friend. Or whatever it is this slow ass addictive server asks you before you add someone as a friend. No where else have I found so many U of I people that I haven't heard from in years or random people that I chatted with once or twice 10 years ago. Scary, dude.

I got tickets to an advanced screening of "Legally Blonde" yesterday. I had really enjoyed the first one, more that I thought I would, and well, the tickets were free. Having a cousin that works at a leading unnamed brewery has its priveleges.

The movie was good, pretty much what you expect, using much of the same formula. There were a couple pleasant surprises in there, but basically, you know what's gonna happen. The old gang is back, and Elle is going to D.C. to get a bill passed to stop animal testing for cosmetics. To save her dog's mom. So her dog's mom can come to her wedding. SO she goes to DC, all dressed up in pink, and finds out its a big, bad world there, and gradually (just like in the original) her wardrobe gets more mature as you see her working harder and harder towards her goal. Sprinkled through the movie were cute little jokes, dance routines, lots of dogs. And I admit it, when she was talking to the statue of Lincoln I got a bit misty eyed.

They also talked about Elle's upcoming wedding a lot, which annoyed me to no end. Hell, I went to this movie to FORGET about my wedding plans, not to relive them!

Reese Witherspoon is hopelessly likeable. She just exudes cuteness. And is it just me, or has Luke Wilson in every movie that's out this summer? (I heard he was Jennifer Connelly's stunt double in 'The Hulk'.) I really enjoyed seeing 'The Airplane Dude' from MacGuyver in the movie, too.

All in all, it's a fun movie, don't know if I would actually go out and see it in the theater, though. I think people who really loved the first will like this one a lot, but I'm poor. But I would definitely rent it.

Reading Pleasures

The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club by Laurie Notaro

I loved this book. It's almost like reading someone's blog archives. Yes, I'm a geek. Laurie Notaro, takes the reader through the many interesting events that happen in her life. She makes ordinary day-to-day experiences turn into hilarious broadway productions. From the rules of the ladies' bathroom to being mistaken as a homeless person after going out with a hangover, she's got a book packed with misadventures that will make anyone laugh. Laurie smokes, drinks, doesn't work out and doesn't have a steady boyfriend. That's enough fodder for a book, if not two books (her next book is coming out in July). Check it out. It's a great read!

At the Movies

The Italian Job

This movie is kinda what you expect it to be, based on the commercials. I haven't seen the original with Michael Caine, but after watching this, I'd like to. It's got a solid story, exciting chase scenes, an easy-on-the-eyes cast and some pretty slick tricks. Mark Wahlberg is nice to look at, especially when he wears tight shirts with short sleeves and plays basketball. Yeah. It was worth my $8.50 right there. As for his acting, he's got the soft-spoken, hot-headed, sweet tough guy act down pat. Charlize Theron was, of course, gorgeous. Neutrogena needs to hire that girl to do skin care commercials, her face is flawless. Her hair is flawless, too. And she's a tough chick. I love her. The rest of the ensemble is good. Ed Norton is creepy, mean and slimey. Seth Green is a loveable computer geek. They all work pretty well together. And yeah, I admit it, I'm starting to feel affection for those damn mini-Coopers.

All in all, I love movies about thieves. This is a good one. Not as good as Ocean's 11, but still pretty good. Mark Wahlberg is hot.

reading pleasures

Lamb : The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore

I really love this book. The first time that I've felt that my 12 years of Catholic school did me any good. If you're easily offended, skip this book. This story is narrarated by Biff, Jesus' best friend, who chronicles the years that the Gospels don't mention - 6 - 33 of Jesus' life. Biff goes through life with Jesus, his confusion what being 'the Messiah' means, not being able to 'know woman', dabbling in Taoism, Buddhism, and Hinduism, falling in love with Chinese food, and accepting his path as the savior of the world. Biff is Christ's protector, his best friend, and has sex with all the women that Jesus can't.

This book is hilarious, and it's going on my list of 'books to tell people to read.' There are a lot of references to all the religions of the world, especially Christianity and Judaism.

"Joshua, you're the Son of God. You're the Messiah. That implies -- oh, I don't know -- that you're a Jew! You can't eat bacon."
"God doesn't care if we eat bacon. I can just feel it."
"You're going to need more than that to usher in the kingdom of God, Josh, no offense. We can't go home with 'Hi, I'm the Messiah, God wanted you to have this bacon.'"
"I know. We have much more to learn. But breakfasts will be more interesting."

Moore is going to hell. And I'm going to hell for loving it.

at the movies

finding nemo

This movie is absolutely adorable! I remember not expecting much from it when they were showing trailers for it way back when. But Fatima saw it, and insisted that I see it. So we went, and it was great!

Pixar has outdone themselves once again. I remember being amazed at Sully's hairs in Monster's Inc, but that's nothing compared to making waves, and simulating movement under water. Finding Nemo not only is visual masterpiece, but it also has a great story, with characters that you immediately grow to love. Ellen Degeneres' character is a trip, the turtles are raaadical, dude! and Nemo, well, I just want to take his fishy little face and squeeze it til it pops.

There were some scary parts, though, because it IS underwater. The sharks aren't the only scary thing in the sea! But I stayed tough, I even looked at the screen during the scary parts and didn't hide my head in my jacket, or start crying like the wimpy little 5 year olds in the audience.

Speaking of, I hear that many fish have been liberated from home aquariums after kids have watched 'Finding Nemo' and been flushed down the toilet. Little do these kids know that the sewage system will most likely give these Nemo-wannabes a slow and agonizing death during the water.

Getting an honorable mention are the previews for 'Brother Bear', Disney's next animated movie, which got me a bit misty eyed. Also, Pixar's 'The Incredibles', which reminds me a lot of the CrossGen comic, 'The Crossovers', which chronicles the everyday, normal life of superheroes. I'm counting the days!

comic you should be reading

fray, dark horse comics

Somehow I missed this issue coming out. Then again, I didn't go to the store in 2 months. Anyway, I love Fray. The fact that the comic comes out every 7 months is just a minor annoyance. The story follows Melaka Fray, a vampire slayer 200 years after Buffy's time. Life is way different, but there's still vampires to kill. Joss Whedon kicks ass with the story in this book, and Karl Moline's pencils give it a gritty, futuristic feel. Kat - you need to pick it up when the trade paperback comes out!

yummy for my tummy

frapuccinos

Well, they're out of my price range right now, and have WAY too much fat (22 grams), but it doesn't stop me from staring at the people walking out with them from the Starbucks in my building.

addiction

sleeping

Been SO tired lately! I've been falling asleep at about midnight each day. *gasp* that means I've been getting more than 5 hours of sleep each day!

So I saw X-Men 2 Saturday. I liked it a lot better than the first X-men, but I still have many gripes. I can go on for days, but I'll give you a run down of the good stuff, and the not so good stuff... (warning, there might be some spoilers)

Good stuff:
* Nightcrawler's fight scene was kick ass. He teleports visually just the way I thought he would.
* Storm didn't have any stupid lines, and Halle Berry's wig was a lot better looking this time around
* Magneto, as bad ass as ever. Loved his escape.
* Colossus! In metal form! Whoo hoo!
* Hank McCoy and Remy LeBeau. Gotta watch more to see which ones I missed, but these guys are in there, in some form!
* Kelly Hu. Damn. I want to be as hot as her someday!
* The story was A LOT better than the first one
* Jean Grey's powers. Yeah...big stuff....can't wait til the next one...

The Not so Good:
* Nightcrawler - where's the *bamf* when he teleports? And he's not my furry blue elf! And if he said 'My name is Kurt Wagner' one more time....
* I still can't get over the fact that Bobby Drake is a teenager. Grr.
* What's up with Wolvie's hair? He was channeling Jim Carrey's white devil hairdo from Ace Ventura.
* Cyclops. Man. I can't get over that he looks so much younger than Famke Janssen's Jean Grey, and he really didn't have any character development. You're almost rooting for Wolvie to get Jean.
* Although we did get to see Colossus, Kitty and Jubilee, they didn't get much screen time.
* Dude, when are we going to see the Danger Room?
* In the comics, Mystique is Kurt's mom, and she was Rogue's foster mother. I wouldhave loved to have seen some hints to that.
* More bad guys with mutant powers!
* Kelly Hu was great to look at, but dammit, give the gal some lines to say!
* Hugh Jackman needs more scenes with his shirt off. *wink*
* I don't think that Professor X would have been as easily manipulated as he was in the movie. Also, Patrick Stewart needs more screen time!
* To me, Mystique is the character in the movies that is the most unlike the comic book version. She's a lot better in this one, but I'd love to see Mystique with some guns and talking, and I really like the white dress with the skull belt from the comics.
* Although Rogue used her power in the movie, she only used it to take someone's powers, not to use the powers herself. How awesome would it be if Rogue took Cyclops' powers and started blasting everyone away?
* I have a big gripe with the ending, but I don't want to give anything away, but all I have to say is 'Why don't you do it INSIDE the plane?!?!?!'

OK, I'm done griping for now. Really though, I liked it. I got all excited when I saw Hank McCoy. It was TONS better than the first. I think I might actually see the next one on opening day this time. Can someone say 'Dark Phoenix Saga?'

I give it 3 stars.

Well, I've been wanting to write about this for a while, but it's been so busy with my trip to Cali and all. But I've watched a couple great movies over the past week, and I wanted to go over them...

Old School
I've been itching to see a movie, and it was between 'Old School' and 'Phonebooth'. I was in the mood to laugh, so we went to see Old School. I was thinking it had the potential to be a waste of money, but it was actually really good, and a lot of laughs. I can almost picture Dave and his crew to be pulling the same stunts when they get into that middle age funk. Wil Ferrell is, well, Will Ferrell. Seeing him naked isn't even a shock to me anymore, but he's at a totally different level here. Vince Vaughn and Luke Wilson also round off this pretty funny cast, and they have got some great moments. I laughed. A lot. Dave laughed, too. And he really enjoyed it when Stiffler came in - don't know the guys name, he'll always be known as Stiffler. When he came on screen, the whole audience was whispering to each other 'It's Stiffler!' Poor guy. But he had his typical quirky weird part in the movie. Good movie. Good laughs.

Spirited Away
For a while I had been eagerly awaiting Hayao Miyazaki's followup to 'Princess Mononoke'. Unfortunately, I couldn't find anyone to watch it with me, and then I had forgotten that it was out. Then it won the Academy Award for best animated feature, and it was re-released. So me and Fatima decided to go and watch the matinee on Saturday. We were thinking we would be the only ones there, but once we got there, the place was packed with families. Oh yeah, forgot that the movie was distributed by Disney. Hmm. Interesting. I'm hoping that there's no singing animals in here.

But it was a great movie. Magical. A great fantasy. It's like Alice in Wonderland, anime style. Awesome. It was a great story, multifaceted characters, beautiful landscapes, amazing cinematography, and...uh...singing animals. And a fat radish-god. It's also pretty kick ass that the main character is a girl, and that she's voiced by the very same girl who plays Samara in 'The Ring'.

However, I don't think it's a movie for some kids. For as many cute characters as there, are, and that the lead is a little girl, I think that many of the themes explored are over the heads of children. Also, there are some parts that can be a bit scary, I mean, even I was spooked! The plot is pretty intricate, too, that it could be hard to follow - there came a point near the end where me and Fatima looked at each other with a look of, 'WTF?!?!?!'

But I liked it. Best Buy, I'm coming in for the DVD!

Drumline
I've been wanting to see this movie for a LONG time. When I saw the preview for it during a movie, my jaw dropped, and I said to myself, 'I HAVE TO SEE THIS MOVIE!' The band geek in my jumped for joy. Finally, a movie to make band kids look COOL.

Of course, I forgot to watch it. But lucky for me, it was the movie that was playing on my flight to California. So I plug in my headphones, put it on channel 1, and pump up the volume. And the connection is weird. Every so often, there's no sound. I play around with my headphones, with the jack, no, it's something internal. Nothing to do with my headphones. That's ok, it's only every once in a while. I can still understand the movie. And it's pretty good. And they have some great drumming sequences. I'm into the movie. The talented, but undisciplined drummer tries to survive in the highly competitive drum core. Then 3/4 way through, the sound completely cuts out. I should have seen it coming! So I ask the guy next to me if I could use his connection, but i realize it's on his other armrest. And he says, really condescending, 'Are you sure you have it on the right channel?' - yes, i've been watching it, it's cutting in and out - 'do you have the volume up?' - yes, as i said before, i haven't changed anything. Grrr. I'd kick your ass if it wasn't a federal offense. So i missed the sound for the rest of the movie. :( It sucked! I could see them drumming, but couldn't hear anything! What torture!

Which will only force me to buy it on DVD. One more reason to go to Best Buy.

Speaking of....Harry Potter is now on DVD. Go check it out. Also, in honor of it being out on DVD, I've posted my 'Harry Potter' webcam edition. Enjoy, and revel in my dorkiness!

Not much time to write today, but I had a blast! My good friend Denise and I went out to dinner and a show and desert afterwards. We went to see 'Hairspray' which was a lot of fun. Harvey Fiersten was awesome as the mom, and there were a lot of big group dance numbers, which I loved. I had to laugh a little bit when I realzed that the man sitting next to me fell asleep during the first 15 minutes of the show. Anyone who likes a feel good show, go and see that one. It's adorable. Oh, and we saw Rudy Galindo, the figure skater there! He was sitting maybe 5 rows in front of us. And I swear as he was leaving he looked at me. Whoo hoo! Before the show we had dinner at this lovely Italian restaurant, and I had a wonderfully cooked steak. On our way there, we saw Michael McKean getting into a limo. The limo driver said to him, 'Hey, where's Lenny?' and Michael said, 'I played Lenny, the other guy was Squiggy.' I swear, Denise is a celebrity magnet. Afterwards, we had dessert at the Brooklyn Diner, which was definitely tasty, and I admit, I'm still on a sugar high. Throughout the night, we had some great conversations, many times about our favorite subject, but we had a lot more than that to talk about about, too. That's one of the greatest things that has come out of the last year, the friends that I've made throughout my internet romps and my travels. Thanks ST.

Good times. Good times.

Tomorrow, I'll have a drink for the Goo.

Wow. Smallville is such a fucking great show. MAN! They brought on Christopher Reeve today, the original Superman, and they could have had him in amazingly cheesey role, or part of a stupid plotline, but it was a great episode. And when they started playing the Superman theme song...WOWZA. Love this show!

And I admit, I got a little misty eyed during the Chloe/Lana part.

Well, the superbowl has come and gone, and let me throw in my two cents.

Commercials were good this year, but there was nothing that really stood out for me. I remember seeing the EDS cats commercial from a couple years ago and dying laughing. There were some good chuckles here and there, and let me give you my top ones:

- The Budweiser horses play review. 'The ref is a jackass'. 'Actually, he's a zebra'.

- The upside down clown Budweiser commercial. 'Do you guys serve hotdogs?'

- The Budweiser 'Man with Dog on Head' commercial just for the fact that I, too, have worn Ewok on my head. Not to get into bars, just for entertainment.

- Basically most of the Budweiser-related commercials were pretty good.

- The Fed-Ex 'Castaway' commercial.

- The Pepsi Osbournes commercial

- Movie previews. Daredevil looks badass. Charlie's Angels looks like a good time. The Hulk looks so-so. I don't find the CGI effects believable. And can I get a Keanu 'WHOA!' for the Matrix! Those movies are gonna KICK SOME ASS!!! Oh, I can't wait. It looks SWEET!

- The Anti-Drug commercial with 'The Youngest Grandparents in Town'. Yeah, it was a downer. But not as much a downer as Gannon's passing game. It was an interesting twist to the end. I liked it.

- Don Cheadle's 'Crazy' ad. I've been seeing him all season, and damn, this guy is COOL. Nice to see a finale of sorts to all of his other NFL spots. I love this game! It makes me, c-razy.

As for the game, I had wanted the Bucs to win, since it was their first time at the superbowl and all. It was a good game, and you could see the Bucs pulling ahead early in the game. It was a battle that many wondered about - the best offense against the best defense. Defense came out at the end. Poor Gannon. I almost feel bad for him. And that interception he threw in the last minute didn't help any either! But that Bucs ruled! I'm really happy for them.

Although I'm a little miffed at Simeon Rice for saying he came from 'The School of Hard Knocks' when they did their intros. Dude, the guy went to U of I! He's an Illini! I went to school with him! Can't he give props to the school? Noooooo...he's gotta be the cool guy. Well, I guess that's ok, because he did a great job on defense, with two sacks (unfortunately his sack during the 2 point conversion didn't count).

I was starting to get a little bored by halftime. The halftime show was ok. Too bad Shania was on memorex. Gwen did a great job. Though I love her so much more without so much makeup. Is it me, or does every halftime show feature either U2, Aerosmith or Sting?

Luckily, the Raiders tried making a comeback in the 3rd, or I would have fallen asleep. It was too little too late. But it was a valiant effort!

All in all, it was a good Superbowl. Looking forward to next year!

Well, after the cheesey two hour finally, the lovely and talented Kelly Clarkson wins and becomes our American Idol. GO KELLY!!! YAY! I admit, I got a little misty eyed at the end when she sang 'A Moment Like This' and got all choked up. That girl kicks ass. Though I don't know how far she'll go. She's got a lot going for her, but I don't know how the general public will take it. I mean, where's Eden's Crush right now? Exactly. But I'm happy that she at least had her 15 minutes of fame. I'm still a little salty that Tamyra got booted.

Anyway, me and Dan are working out today. Yay, fun. I'm bringing my free American Idol radio to the gym with me. I'm such a dork. But I'm in touch with my dorkiness. I revel in it. I AM A DORK!

Work today was much better than it has been in a long while. I'm still a little out of it, but I think things are getting better. I'm just trying to make a little attitude adjustment, trying to fit into this newly molded group, and it seems to be working a little. I knew it was getting bad before when a coworker called me and said that he had noticed that I had lost my 'spark' and that I've looked pretty down at work. I don't want to lose my 'spark'! I want it back. So we're gonna see how Yano gets her groove back. I'm working on it. I'm just SO resistant to change. But I've got a master plan. I always do! I just have to zone out all the ass kissing that goes on here. Ack....enough to make me gag.