I haven't been sleeping well lately. I don't know what's up. I have been staying up on the weekends until 4, 5, or even 6 AM. And when I do finally turn in for the night I'm not really even sleepy. It's weird. On weeknights I have been able to make myself go to bed about midnight or twelve thirty, but normally I end up lying there for a while before I drift off.
Beth's work schedule has changed several times lately and this might have something do with it. First of all I have been really slow to adjust to having someone sleeping in the bed with me. Some nights it is no big deal and some nights I lay there in agony just wishing that I could stretch out. My body literally aches. And on those nights I usually move to the futon in the middle of the night. But recently Beth has had to work an earlier schedule and therefore is going to bed earlier. As I said before, I can't go to bed at 11 at night so I usually slip into bed a while later. Maybe this is causing the sleeping problems. I'm trying to get to sleep, but feel like I can't toss and turn like I normally do to get to get comfortable because I don't want to wake her up.
Most of you know that I have been blessed with never really having any sleeping problems in the past. We all have bouts of insomnia once in a while, but for me they were few and far between. Not anymore. I guess a trip to the doctor for some sleep aid is in my future if things don't change soon. The good news it that Beth's schedule is supposed to change again in a week or two and she will be working later in the day. This means she can go to bed later and by going to bed at the same time I will be able to move around and get comfortable before she is asleep. I will keep you posted...
-OUT
Monday, May 05, 2008
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
It Was Real...And Imaginary
Well I promised to never blog on this site again if the Tigers didn't win the national championship. So this is my last post on here ever...
But never fear, my new blog is bigger, better, and more awesome than ever before. Also I hope the address is easier to remember. You can add it to your bookmarks and start reading it now!!!
www.chriscarwile.blogspot.com
Thanks for reading. I had over 850 original people read this blog over the last 5 months and from 18 different countries. Pretty cool if you ask me. Pass the new address off to your friends and make sure to leave me lots of comments.
And one last time I type it:
-OUT!
But never fear, my new blog is bigger, better, and more awesome than ever before. Also I hope the address is easier to remember. You can add it to your bookmarks and start reading it now!!!
www.chriscarwile.blogspot.com
Thanks for reading. I had over 850 original people read this blog over the last 5 months and from 18 different countries. Pretty cool if you ask me. Pass the new address off to your friends and make sure to leave me lots of comments.
And one last time I type it:
-OUT!
Monday, April 07, 2008
Housewives Correction
Marc Cherry, creator and executive producer for Desperate Housewives says that the rumors about the time shift were not true. The show plans to pick up where they left off before the strike and that there will not be a time jump in the last few minutes of the season. He did say 2 other interesting things. The first (non-spoiler) is that they will solve the Mary Katherine mystery by the end of the season. We will know why she left Wysteria Lane and the secret about her husband child. The second thing Cherry said (VERY SPOILERY) is that one of the main 5 ladies would likely not be with the show next year. He said who that person is and to find out, just hightlight the rest of this line... Edie Brit (Nicolette Sheridan)
Sunday, April 06, 2008
When Will They Learn?
I am pretty much tired of great movies being produced into shitty, get-rich-quick, remakes. The latest in a long line of movies being optioned for a re-do is one of my favorite movies. The flicks: Short Circuit. Has Hollywood run out of original ideas? Are they just lazy? Have moviegoers really turned their backs on going to the theater so much that the big wigs think that the only way to draw us back in is by reheating something we used to like? What's next, a Goonies remake? What about Stand By Me or The Breakfast Club or god-forbid a Big Trouble in Little China update. Make it stop, please!!!
-OUT
-OUT
Friday, April 04, 2008
All Good Things Must Come To An End...
If the Tigers don't win the national championship then I am going to close this blog forever. So Go Tigers....
Rock The Republican Vote?
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -
If you are male and a Led Zeppelin fan, chances are you may be leaning toward voting Republican in the U.S. presidential election, according to a survey of rock radio fans released on Wednesday.
It found that John McCain, the Republican candidate for U.S. president, was the top pick for the Oval Office for men and classic rock partisans -- those people who tune in to stations playing music from the "original classic rock era" of 1964 to 1975, comprised of bands like Led Zeppelin, The Who and Pink Floyd.
Jacobs Media said the survey, conducted among 69 U.S. rock-formatted stations in markets as diverse as Los Angeles and Knoxville to Buffalo, found 84 percent of the respondents planned to vote in the November election.
"People are clearly engaged by this election, even rockers. A lot of stations tend to shy away from politics because it's so polarizing, but this data suggests they'd better find a way to talk about politics this fall to keep listeners interested," said Fred Jacobs, president of Jacobs Media. He said the company threw the political questions in as an afterthought and was surprised by the results.
About 30 percent of the respondents called themselves Democrats, while nearly 22 percent described their politics as Republican and 21 percent declared they were independents.
About 26 percent of the respondents either named a different party, preferred not to answer, or refused to categorize themselves.
The survey found women and fans of alternative radio, featuring '80s and '90s rock, tend to be Democratic, while men and classic rockers lean Republican.
Asked about their overall presidential preference, Democrat Barack Obama led the pack with 26 percent support among those planning on voting in the November election.
McCain ranked second with 22 percent and Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton drew 18 percent.
There were also a fair share of write-in votes. Mickey Mouse ranked as the top presidential choice of 11 respondents, and singer Ted Nugent was written in by three members of the Rock sample.
If you are male and a Led Zeppelin fan, chances are you may be leaning toward voting Republican in the U.S. presidential election, according to a survey of rock radio fans released on Wednesday.
It found that John McCain, the Republican candidate for U.S. president, was the top pick for the Oval Office for men and classic rock partisans -- those people who tune in to stations playing music from the "original classic rock era" of 1964 to 1975, comprised of bands like Led Zeppelin, The Who and Pink Floyd.
Jacobs Media said the survey, conducted among 69 U.S. rock-formatted stations in markets as diverse as Los Angeles and Knoxville to Buffalo, found 84 percent of the respondents planned to vote in the November election.
"People are clearly engaged by this election, even rockers. A lot of stations tend to shy away from politics because it's so polarizing, but this data suggests they'd better find a way to talk about politics this fall to keep listeners interested," said Fred Jacobs, president of Jacobs Media. He said the company threw the political questions in as an afterthought and was surprised by the results.
About 30 percent of the respondents called themselves Democrats, while nearly 22 percent described their politics as Republican and 21 percent declared they were independents.
About 26 percent of the respondents either named a different party, preferred not to answer, or refused to categorize themselves.
The survey found women and fans of alternative radio, featuring '80s and '90s rock, tend to be Democratic, while men and classic rockers lean Republican.
Asked about their overall presidential preference, Democrat Barack Obama led the pack with 26 percent support among those planning on voting in the November election.
McCain ranked second with 22 percent and Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton drew 18 percent.
There were also a fair share of write-in votes. Mickey Mouse ranked as the top presidential choice of 11 respondents, and singer Ted Nugent was written in by three members of the Rock sample.
How We All Became John Calipari
When this 2007-2008 basketball campaign was about to kick off I wrote a post on my blog about how I felt that the next 3 months would bring this city together in ways that we never dreamed possible. One of the most racially torn, rags to riches cities in America would band together for what was for sure to be a magical run. It seemed like all of the pieces were finally in place. After back to back elite 8 runs it was the the Tigers' turn.
Driving in to work this morning on Sam Cooper Blvd I saw a giant tent set up on the south side of the road just east of Tillman. Under this giant blue tent was a man (woman?) dressed in a Tiger suit waving a huge Go Tigers flag. As car after car passed by each honked, waved, and shouted. This city is on it's feet glued to what's about to happen in San Antonio, Texas and I'm loving every minute of it.
When John Calipari came here after the firing of Tic Price following the 1999-2000 season I felt like a savior had been brought to us from the heavens of the NBA ranks. Five years later many in Memphis had turned on Coach Cal. We had only won one NCAA tournament game, we had just finished in the bottom ranks of the C-USA standings. Radio sports-talk guys were ready to crucify the man. At that time I didn't get it, but Cal did. He told those that begged for his resignation, that put for-sale signs in his yard, that moaned about the Big East raid on C-USA that we were close and that in the next year or two Memphis would be back on the map. He told us that the world was against us, but that we were going to do it.
That attitude, the world against us, is Cal's philosophy. And over the past four years following an NIT Championship, two Elite 8 appearances, and now a Final Four this city has bought into the madness. Every place I turn I hear about how ESPN hates us. I hear that the pundits all want us to lose because we don't represent a BCS conference. I hear from people that refs make calls against us because we aren't one of the storied programs. We have all become the man that so many hated earlier this century. We've all become Coach Cal. We've all become believers that this is our destiny and that everyone and anyone wants to stand in our way to get it.
Pittsburgh is known as the steel-city. Their sports fans are known for their blue-collar attitudes and their take no prisoner mentality. Philadelphia is know as the city that boos even Santa Claus. They will boo anyone if you aren't leading them to a championship. And now Memphis has become the loner city; a city on an island out there defending itself against the rest of the world. And this mentality has brought us all together and for once we're all fighting for the same thing. Our neighbors, once foes are now friends. And our enemies are now common among us. Our leader is the most polarizing man in the sport and we owe him big time for taking us back to the Final Four, which was his promise to us when RC Johnson brought him here.
Go Tigers Go!
Thursday, April 03, 2008
1985 Tigers - From USA Today
SAN ANTONIO — Once upon a time, they were the toast of Memphis. A hometown college basketball team composed nearly entirely of hometown kids, stubborn and proud and hungry in the way they played, clawing their way to a men's Final Four, as a city around them fell in love.
"It was," point guard Andre Turner would say 23 years later, "like a big, huge family moment."
Memphis had not seen another Final Four team until this year. But during that golden March of 1985, it seemed as if the good times might never end.
They would, however, for so many of those Memphis State Tigers.
For William Bedford, the 7-foot center who was led by drugs from so much promise in basketball to a cul-de-sac in prison.
And Baskerville Holmes, the happy-go-lucky forward with the unforgettable name who died in a horrific moment of rage.
And Dana Kirk, the affable coach who might have become a national champion with a couple more timely baskets but instead ended up dismissed after one more season and later briefly jailed on a tax evasion charge.
And Keith Lee, the star forward whose highly anticipated NBA career faded so quickly, as if it never happened.
And Aaron Price, the reserve guard who was shot down in a carjacking.
And Larry Finch, the assistant coach who was robbed of so much of his life by a series of strokes.
"You want everyone to go on and lead a good life, the American dream," Turner said over the phone from Spain, where he still plays professionally at 44. "Life isn't like that a lot of times. We're all dealt different cards."
Hoop dream
But it was such a joy while it lasted, wasn't it? To have been part of this native-son mission — 11 of the 12 players were from Memphis or across the Mississippi River in West Memphis, Ark. — and have won the second-round game against Alabama at Birmingham by one point in overtime, the regional semifinal against Boston College by two, the regional championship against Oklahoma by two.
"Basketball was their life. That's what they were all about," said Lee Fowler, then an assistant coach and now director of athletics at North Carolina State. "They played all through Memphis on concrete courts. That was their way out."
"It was the best time of my life," said Vincent Askew, another starting guard and now a coach in the CBA. "Those guys were the guys you grew up with when you didn't have a penny. We all had a common goal, and that was to win."
Win they did, until Villanova, a destiny-touched Cinderella, beat them 52-45 in the national semifinal. Two nights later, the Wildcats stunned Georgetown.
"I was two games away from shaking hands with President Reagan," said reserve guard John Wilfong, now a senior vice president for a Memphis investment firm. "I got to shake hands with the ball boy and the manager."
Still, there was much to be proud of. They were from different backgrounds, and some were not that close off the court. "But they would always pull together for Memphis," Fowler said.
But soon after, the shadows began to fall upon the Tigers of 1985.
Kirk was let go one year later, with NCAA probation on the way for recruiting violations, a penalty that included vacating the records from the 1985 tournament. Officially, 1985 never happened. Later would come Kirk's legal problems.
Lee went No. 11 in the 1985 NBA draft — "Any game that mattered, he would score 25 points and get 15 rebounds," Wilfong said — but was gone in three years.
Bedford was the No. 6 pick in the 1986 draft and a member of the Detroit Pistons' champion "Bad Boys" in 1989 and '90. But drug use hastened the end of his career and the beginning of several incarcerations. Bedford was No. 50 in the 1985 team picture. Bureau of Federal Prisons officials in Washington report a 7-foot-1 male born at the same time in Tennessee is inmate No. 16426-179 in a facility in Fort Worth, on a cocaine charge, due for release in 2013.
Wilfong was Bedford's freshman roommate. "He was a great kid. We played against each other in the state championship game, and I had a lot of fun putting my MVP trophy over his bed in our dorm room, and he had fun telling me about winning the championship.
"I visited him once when he played for Detroit, and Dennis Rodman grabbed me by the lapel and told me to tell William to grow up."
Holmes was considered one of the team's most likable players. "Baskerville Holmes," Askew said, "was the heart of our team." March 18, 1997, after an argument, he shot his longtime girlfriend and then turned the gun on himself, according to several news accounts.
Holmes' grave is in a small, neglected cemetery in Mississippi, and by his headstone is a vase with his nickname from the Memphis days: Batman.
Price was killed in November 1998, the victim of a West Memphis carjacking that has never been solved, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal. Two years later, his brother was murdered.
In 2002, Finch — who scored 29 points for Memphis State in the 1973 national title game vs. UCLA and was head coach for 11 years after Kirk's dismissal — suffered his most debilitating stroke. Since then, he has spent much of his time in a Memphis nursing facility. Wife Vickie did not return a message.
"For a guy who had so much life," Fowler said, "it's so sad to see him this way."
Ups and downs
Misfortune, piled upon tragedy, piled upon trouble. The legacy of the 1985 Memphis State Tigers became a tale of two morals, as different as sunshine and darkness: How much could be achieved together and how much could go wrong once the cheering stopped.
Turner: "I think more than anything people will look back at it as a family event. Guys from pretty much one hometown went to the Final Four. When we played, people would stop working; in the barbershops, they'd stop cutting. It was all about us."
Wilfong: "What people don't realize is it's really hard to get through that glamour at such a young age. You can end up living your life looking back instead of forward. Some guys ended up looking backwards."
Askew: "Every team, every corporation has things that go wrong. Success and failure are not that far apart."
Memphis cheers for another Final Four team this weekend, composed of many players not born in 1985. The new Tigers should know one thing.
The old Tigers are watching.
Turner will be, from Zaragoza, Spain, where he's in a tournament pool. "And I'm in the running for it, because I picked my boys all the way," he said
Askew will be, from somewhere in the Alamodome, his season done as coach of the Albany Patroons. He senses a familiar fire in these young Tigers to prove the critics wrong. "It's an us-against-the-world mentality," he said. "But that's Memphis." During this interview, he pleaded that his certainty of a Tigers championship be included. So included it is.
Wilfong will be. He took his three young sons to the airport last Sunday night to greet a triumphant Memphis team, just as a crowd greeted his team 23 years before. "It probably meant more to me than to them," he said of the moment.
Kirk will be. He still is a friendly presence in Memphis, so long as the subject is not the past. "Leave me your number, I'll get right back, because I look forward to talking to you," his answering machine chirps.
Well, maybe not all that much forward. Asked about 1985, Kirk said he would have to check with his attorney to see if he could discuss the matter, and he never called back.
Lee, still the school's all-time leading scorer, likely will be watching. He lives in Memphis, occasionally attends games and works at a Christian center. He did not respond to a request for an interview left there. "That's always been him," Turner said. "A very private fellow."
While there has been conspicuous misfortune, there are conspicuous bright stories to share, too.
Take Turner. "The Little General" was his college nickname. He is a physical marvel, playing at 44, married with five daughters.
And May 3 he plans on having one of the best days of his life. He'll get his degree from the University of Memphis, so named since 1994.
"The heart and the head — everything is going to be full that day," he said.
Turner, Askew, Wilfong. They sounded happy and young. The subject was the Final Four, the Memphis State Tigers were together. It was 1985 again.
"It was," point guard Andre Turner would say 23 years later, "like a big, huge family moment."
Memphis had not seen another Final Four team until this year. But during that golden March of 1985, it seemed as if the good times might never end.
They would, however, for so many of those Memphis State Tigers.
For William Bedford, the 7-foot center who was led by drugs from so much promise in basketball to a cul-de-sac in prison.
And Baskerville Holmes, the happy-go-lucky forward with the unforgettable name who died in a horrific moment of rage.
And Dana Kirk, the affable coach who might have become a national champion with a couple more timely baskets but instead ended up dismissed after one more season and later briefly jailed on a tax evasion charge.
And Keith Lee, the star forward whose highly anticipated NBA career faded so quickly, as if it never happened.
And Aaron Price, the reserve guard who was shot down in a carjacking.
And Larry Finch, the assistant coach who was robbed of so much of his life by a series of strokes.
"You want everyone to go on and lead a good life, the American dream," Turner said over the phone from Spain, where he still plays professionally at 44. "Life isn't like that a lot of times. We're all dealt different cards."
Hoop dream
But it was such a joy while it lasted, wasn't it? To have been part of this native-son mission — 11 of the 12 players were from Memphis or across the Mississippi River in West Memphis, Ark. — and have won the second-round game against Alabama at Birmingham by one point in overtime, the regional semifinal against Boston College by two, the regional championship against Oklahoma by two.
"Basketball was their life. That's what they were all about," said Lee Fowler, then an assistant coach and now director of athletics at North Carolina State. "They played all through Memphis on concrete courts. That was their way out."
"It was the best time of my life," said Vincent Askew, another starting guard and now a coach in the CBA. "Those guys were the guys you grew up with when you didn't have a penny. We all had a common goal, and that was to win."
Win they did, until Villanova, a destiny-touched Cinderella, beat them 52-45 in the national semifinal. Two nights later, the Wildcats stunned Georgetown.
"I was two games away from shaking hands with President Reagan," said reserve guard John Wilfong, now a senior vice president for a Memphis investment firm. "I got to shake hands with the ball boy and the manager."
Still, there was much to be proud of. They were from different backgrounds, and some were not that close off the court. "But they would always pull together for Memphis," Fowler said.
But soon after, the shadows began to fall upon the Tigers of 1985.
Kirk was let go one year later, with NCAA probation on the way for recruiting violations, a penalty that included vacating the records from the 1985 tournament. Officially, 1985 never happened. Later would come Kirk's legal problems.
Lee went No. 11 in the 1985 NBA draft — "Any game that mattered, he would score 25 points and get 15 rebounds," Wilfong said — but was gone in three years.
Bedford was the No. 6 pick in the 1986 draft and a member of the Detroit Pistons' champion "Bad Boys" in 1989 and '90. But drug use hastened the end of his career and the beginning of several incarcerations. Bedford was No. 50 in the 1985 team picture. Bureau of Federal Prisons officials in Washington report a 7-foot-1 male born at the same time in Tennessee is inmate No. 16426-179 in a facility in Fort Worth, on a cocaine charge, due for release in 2013.
Wilfong was Bedford's freshman roommate. "He was a great kid. We played against each other in the state championship game, and I had a lot of fun putting my MVP trophy over his bed in our dorm room, and he had fun telling me about winning the championship.
"I visited him once when he played for Detroit, and Dennis Rodman grabbed me by the lapel and told me to tell William to grow up."
Holmes was considered one of the team's most likable players. "Baskerville Holmes," Askew said, "was the heart of our team." March 18, 1997, after an argument, he shot his longtime girlfriend and then turned the gun on himself, according to several news accounts.
Holmes' grave is in a small, neglected cemetery in Mississippi, and by his headstone is a vase with his nickname from the Memphis days: Batman.
Price was killed in November 1998, the victim of a West Memphis carjacking that has never been solved, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal. Two years later, his brother was murdered.
In 2002, Finch — who scored 29 points for Memphis State in the 1973 national title game vs. UCLA and was head coach for 11 years after Kirk's dismissal — suffered his most debilitating stroke. Since then, he has spent much of his time in a Memphis nursing facility. Wife Vickie did not return a message.
"For a guy who had so much life," Fowler said, "it's so sad to see him this way."
Ups and downs
Misfortune, piled upon tragedy, piled upon trouble. The legacy of the 1985 Memphis State Tigers became a tale of two morals, as different as sunshine and darkness: How much could be achieved together and how much could go wrong once the cheering stopped.
Turner: "I think more than anything people will look back at it as a family event. Guys from pretty much one hometown went to the Final Four. When we played, people would stop working; in the barbershops, they'd stop cutting. It was all about us."
Wilfong: "What people don't realize is it's really hard to get through that glamour at such a young age. You can end up living your life looking back instead of forward. Some guys ended up looking backwards."
Askew: "Every team, every corporation has things that go wrong. Success and failure are not that far apart."
Memphis cheers for another Final Four team this weekend, composed of many players not born in 1985. The new Tigers should know one thing.
The old Tigers are watching.
Turner will be, from Zaragoza, Spain, where he's in a tournament pool. "And I'm in the running for it, because I picked my boys all the way," he said
Askew will be, from somewhere in the Alamodome, his season done as coach of the Albany Patroons. He senses a familiar fire in these young Tigers to prove the critics wrong. "It's an us-against-the-world mentality," he said. "But that's Memphis." During this interview, he pleaded that his certainty of a Tigers championship be included. So included it is.
Wilfong will be. He took his three young sons to the airport last Sunday night to greet a triumphant Memphis team, just as a crowd greeted his team 23 years before. "It probably meant more to me than to them," he said of the moment.
Kirk will be. He still is a friendly presence in Memphis, so long as the subject is not the past. "Leave me your number, I'll get right back, because I look forward to talking to you," his answering machine chirps.
Well, maybe not all that much forward. Asked about 1985, Kirk said he would have to check with his attorney to see if he could discuss the matter, and he never called back.
Lee, still the school's all-time leading scorer, likely will be watching. He lives in Memphis, occasionally attends games and works at a Christian center. He did not respond to a request for an interview left there. "That's always been him," Turner said. "A very private fellow."
While there has been conspicuous misfortune, there are conspicuous bright stories to share, too.
Take Turner. "The Little General" was his college nickname. He is a physical marvel, playing at 44, married with five daughters.
And May 3 he plans on having one of the best days of his life. He'll get his degree from the University of Memphis, so named since 1994.
"The heart and the head — everything is going to be full that day," he said.
Turner, Askew, Wilfong. They sounded happy and young. The subject was the Final Four, the Memphis State Tigers were together. It was 1985 again.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Too Interesting Not To Post
From CNN.COM
NEW YORK (AP) -- Maybe men had it right all along: It doesn't take long to satisfy a woman in bed.
Sex takes 3 to 13 minutes, study says
NEW YORK (AP) -- Maybe men had it right all along: It doesn't take long to satisfy a woman in bed.
It's difficult for men of all ages to make sexual intercourse last much longer, a psychologist says.
A survey of sex therapists concluded the optimal amount of time for sexual intercourse was 3 to 13 minutes. The findings, to be published in the May issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine, strike at the notion that endurance is the key to a great sex life.
If that sounds like good news to you, don't cheer too loudly. The time does not count foreplay, and the therapists did rate sexual intercourse that lasts from 1 to 2 minutes as "too short."
Researcher Eric Corty said he hoped to ease the minds of those who believe "more of something good is better, and if you really want to satisfy your partner, you should last forever."
The questions were not gender-specific, said Corty. But he said prior research has shown men and women want foreplay and sexual intercourse to last longer.
Dr. Irwin Goldstein, editor of the Journal of Sexual Medicine, cited a four-week study of 1,500 couples in 2005 that found the median time for sexual intercourse was 7.3 minutes. (Women in the study were armed with stopwatches.)
It's difficult for both older men and young men to make sexual intercourse last much longer, said Marianne Brandon, a clinical psychologist and director of Wellminds Wellbodies in Annapolis, Maryland.
"There are so many myths in our culture of what other people are doing sexually," Brandon said. "Most people's sex lives are not as exciting as other people think they are."
Fifty members of the Society for Sex Therapy and Research in the U.S. and Canada were surveyed by Corty, an associate professor of psychology at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, and student Jenay Guardiani. Thirty-four members, or 68 percent, responded, although some said the optimal time depended on the couple.
Corty said he hoped to give an idea of what therapists find to be normal and satisfactory among the couples they see.
"People who read this will say, 'I last five minutes or my partner lasts eight minutes,' and say, 'That's OK,' " he said. "They will relax a little bit."Big Brother Is Still A Hot Tranny Mess
James, James, Crazy ol' James. You my friend are a cat. One that has spent 5 of it's 9 lives, but a cat you are indeed. What really makes me laugh is that Natalie, A-Baller, Ryan, and Sheila still haven't figured out what James has known all along. He's the best player in the house and the only way to get him out is through the back door. And from what I hear, he really likes it in the back door. Ok, enough gay porn past jokes, that's the last one, I swear.
Sheila is both the smartest and dumbest players in the game. She is part of the strong alliance, but it determined to make sure that when they start turning on one another, she's the first one to get dropped.
The editing on Big Brother last night was amazing. Watching Josh completely turn on yet another friend in the house while Sharon gets a pep talk about how holy Josh is and that they will be friends outside of this house forever. Great job Big Bro.
Funniest moment of the night was for sure A-Baller hearing James and the others mention his name while he was reading the Bible. What does he do? He burst in, speaking as fast as humanly possible, screaming about something that should have been translated at the bottom of the screen but wasn't. And then as soon as he realizes that he wasn't being thrown under the bus (an over-used big brother cliche) he smiles and goes back to his Bible.
Does no one in the house remember that Sharon has already lost once? James got evicted and brought back in...but so did Sharon. And Sharon wasn't even a houseguest vote it was decided by Joshua and only Joshie poo. Why is James held to a higher standard? Oh yeah, because he is the best player in the game.
Speaking of James, his break down was quite difficult to watch. Was it just me or did he not look like some sort of sea creature when his lips pouted outward and his eyes welled with tears? He kind of looked like a sponge. I was disturbed by the whole thing. Honestly, it was the first time in the house that I didn't enjoy watching him.
We're getting close to the end of the season and that means an inevitable double elimination week looms in the near future. Could it be that James is nominated and pulls out of danger two times in one week? I would pay to see that. From what I hear, if you can't get enough of James on Big Brother there are some other places you can go an pay to see him pull out again...okay, sorry. I promised no more porn jokes, but this is Big Brother and no one keeps their word, right?
OUT!
Sheila is both the smartest and dumbest players in the game. She is part of the strong alliance, but it determined to make sure that when they start turning on one another, she's the first one to get dropped.
The editing on Big Brother last night was amazing. Watching Josh completely turn on yet another friend in the house while Sharon gets a pep talk about how holy Josh is and that they will be friends outside of this house forever. Great job Big Bro.
Funniest moment of the night was for sure A-Baller hearing James and the others mention his name while he was reading the Bible. What does he do? He burst in, speaking as fast as humanly possible, screaming about something that should have been translated at the bottom of the screen but wasn't. And then as soon as he realizes that he wasn't being thrown under the bus (an over-used big brother cliche) he smiles and goes back to his Bible.
Does no one in the house remember that Sharon has already lost once? James got evicted and brought back in...but so did Sharon. And Sharon wasn't even a houseguest vote it was decided by Joshua and only Joshie poo. Why is James held to a higher standard? Oh yeah, because he is the best player in the game.
Speaking of James, his break down was quite difficult to watch. Was it just me or did he not look like some sort of sea creature when his lips pouted outward and his eyes welled with tears? He kind of looked like a sponge. I was disturbed by the whole thing. Honestly, it was the first time in the house that I didn't enjoy watching him.
We're getting close to the end of the season and that means an inevitable double elimination week looms in the near future. Could it be that James is nominated and pulls out of danger two times in one week? I would pay to see that. From what I hear, if you can't get enough of James on Big Brother there are some other places you can go an pay to see him pull out again...okay, sorry. I promised no more porn jokes, but this is Big Brother and no one keeps their word, right?
OUT!
NBC has Big Plans...Housewives Has Bigger
Ok, so a good bit of TV news coming out of Hollywood today as we get NBC's year round programming announcement.
The Good:
The Office will be back. Medium will be back at mid season. Earl is back. 30 Rock will keep rockin'. SNL will have 4 half hour 'TNL' episodes to air in the fall after The Office to make fun of the election process, because obviously they think Hillary hasn't made enough of a mockery out of the whole thing by herself. Lastly Chuck and Friday Night Lights are both back. Chuck will return in the fall and so will FNL. The catch, FNL will be on in the fall on Directv only and then reair in the winter on NBC.
The Bad:
ER, yes that show is still on, will be back for its 15th year. I guess it is trying to outlast The Simpsons.
The Crazy: An Office spin-off will debut after the Super Bowl in early February and will then begin airing after the original Office on Thursday nights. HUH? Yeah, that long rumored, never believed tale about the best comedy on tv getting a sibling turned out to actually be true. Whether the show follows a current character like Dwight or ends up going to another Scranton branch altogether (with Karen?) remains to be seen. I'll let you know more as I do.
New:
Knight Rider will be a show again, airing on Wednesdays. Kings, a Biblical drama will be a back door movie pilot and if successful will be picked up as a series to air on The Lord's Day after Medium. Christian Slater's Jekyl and Hyde style show My Own Worst Enemy will also debut. Plus a new sitcom starring Molly Shannon and Selma Blair will be in play.
Now The Desperate Housewives news from ABC. When the show returns in late April it will pick up 5 months after the last aired episode...but that's not the scoop. The truth is the show is likely to jump forward 5 years into the future in the season finale...and stay 5 years in the future when it returns in the fall. That means major cast changes and WHOLE NEW MYSTERIES. What do you think???
The Good:
The Office will be back. Medium will be back at mid season. Earl is back. 30 Rock will keep rockin'. SNL will have 4 half hour 'TNL' episodes to air in the fall after The Office to make fun of the election process, because obviously they think Hillary hasn't made enough of a mockery out of the whole thing by herself. Lastly Chuck and Friday Night Lights are both back. Chuck will return in the fall and so will FNL. The catch, FNL will be on in the fall on Directv only and then reair in the winter on NBC.
The Bad:
ER, yes that show is still on, will be back for its 15th year. I guess it is trying to outlast The Simpsons.
The Crazy: An Office spin-off will debut after the Super Bowl in early February and will then begin airing after the original Office on Thursday nights. HUH? Yeah, that long rumored, never believed tale about the best comedy on tv getting a sibling turned out to actually be true. Whether the show follows a current character like Dwight or ends up going to another Scranton branch altogether (with Karen?) remains to be seen. I'll let you know more as I do.
New:
Knight Rider will be a show again, airing on Wednesdays. Kings, a Biblical drama will be a back door movie pilot and if successful will be picked up as a series to air on The Lord's Day after Medium. Christian Slater's Jekyl and Hyde style show My Own Worst Enemy will also debut. Plus a new sitcom starring Molly Shannon and Selma Blair will be in play.
Now The Desperate Housewives news from ABC. When the show returns in late April it will pick up 5 months after the last aired episode...but that's not the scoop. The truth is the show is likely to jump forward 5 years into the future in the season finale...and stay 5 years in the future when it returns in the fall. That means major cast changes and WHOLE NEW MYSTERIES. What do you think???
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
STP a GO, VR a NO
Velvet Revolver splits with rocker Scott Weiland
By Steve Gorman
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Four founding members of the rock band Velvet Revolver said on Tuesday they were splitting with the group's troubled singer, Scott Weiland, citing his "increasingly erratic" behavior.
The announcement came in a terse statement from the group's management company as Weiland, 40, and his recently reunited original band, Stone Temple Pilots, were set next week to announce plans for a highly anticipated summer tour.
The Pilots, also known by their acronym, STP, already have confirmed a handful of upcoming dates, beginning with the Rock on the Range festival in Columbus, Ohio, on May 17-18.
For Weiland, whose career has long been overshadowed by heroin addiction, Rock on the Range will mark his first show with STP since the band played 13 concerts to promote its last album of new material, 2001's "Shangri-La Dee Da."
Following the breakup of STP, Weiland was welcomed as lead singer for Velvet Revolver, the newly formed grunge rock band founded by three former members of Guns N' Roses -- guitarist Slash, bassist Duff McKagan and drummer Matt Sorum -- along with second guitarist Dave Kushner.
Velvet Revolver was confronted from the start with Weiland's drug and legal problems as it juggled performance schedules, recording sessions and promotional work to accommodate his court dates and rehab.
Last month, Weiland pleaded innocent to a charge of driving under the influence of drugs stemming from his arrest on a Los Angeles freeway ramp in November. He is free on $40,000 bail and is due back in court for a pretrial hearing on Friday.
A public feud between Weiland and Velvet Revolver's drummer already had cast doubt on the band's future when the statement on behalf of Sorum, Slash, McKagan and Kushner was issued under the headline "Velvet Revolver to Part Ways with Singer."
"This band is all about its fans and its music, and Scott Weiland isn't 100% committed to either," Slash was quoted as saying. "Among other things, his increasingly erratic on-stage behavior and personal problems have forced us to move on."
There was no immediate comment from Weiland, Stone Temple Pilots or their representatives.
IF YOU VISIT STONETEMPLEPILOTS.COM YOU WILL SEE AN ANNOUNCEMENT THAT STP WILL BE BACK AS AN OFFICIAL BAND ON APRIL 7TH 2008 AND ARE EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE A FULL TOUR THIS SUMMER.
Gettin Close...
Cree's second annual photo scavenger hunt is coming up on April 19th. If you haven't RSVP yet, email me soon. Here are some funny images from last year's awesome night...
Monday, March 31, 2008
THE MOLE has a host...
Anderson Cooper will not be making a grand return to reality television (of course being a news anchor is kind of like hosting a reality tv program, right) but ABC has officially announced the new host of The Mole and you can read about it right here:
The identity of "The Mole" is still a secret, but the name of the show's new host can be revealed: Jon Kelley.
Kelley, a former weekend anchor for "Extra," replaces original "Mole" man Anderson Cooper. Cooper, an unknown at the time of the show's 2001 debut, is now a key CNN primetime anchor.
It's believed ABC is planning to air the new "Mole" Mondays at 10 p.m., starting May 26. Skein will likely be paired with another Alphabet reality revival, "The Bachelorette," which is being eyed for a possible May 19 debut.
The identity of "The Mole" is still a secret, but the name of the show's new host can be revealed: Jon Kelley.
Kelley, a former weekend anchor for "Extra," replaces original "Mole" man Anderson Cooper. Cooper, an unknown at the time of the show's 2001 debut, is now a key CNN primetime anchor.
It's believed ABC is planning to air the new "Mole" Mondays at 10 p.m., starting May 26. Skein will likely be paired with another Alphabet reality revival, "The Bachelorette," which is being eyed for a possible May 19 debut.
PATD; A Pretty Odd Review
After smashing the charts and making oodles of money on their breakthrough premiere album Panic! At The Disco are back with their sophomore attempt titled Pretty.Odd. The band is hoping to show their musical chops and aim for a more mature audience. So the first change was dropping the ! from their name. And for good reason. Gone are the flashy lyrics, the stinging one-liners, and the sexy attitude that made the tween crowds go ga-ga. What the band is presenting here is a much more trippy, adult-tinged foray into The Beatles and The Beach Boys bag o' tricks.
The band still implores the horns and the stringed sections from A Fever You Can't Sweat Out, but they're used much less frequently and not to increase the festive atmosphere, but to carry you away to a new atmosphere. The music is very melodic and slow and the boys have clearly decided that you don't have to sound like you're having a good time in order to make good music. But the truth is, you don't have to have a good time to be a good band. There in lies the catch.
This album is truly good. The lyrics are much more poignant and meaningful and the songs are arranged with a lot more care and precision. But the tempo of the entire album never gets above a loud roar. If Fever was an album of roller coaster theme park rides then Pretty.Odd is a kiddie sized merry-go-round. What they've managed to create are careful, lasting songs that people can listen to ten or fifteen years from now without feeling old. What they may have forgotten to take into account is that their fan base is not THAT much older since their 2005 debut. They might not be ready for the "laying in the lily field" sound that Panic has created.
When The Killers released Hot Fuss in 2004 they were the new face of glam rock. No, not your '80s glam, but a new era of boys in make-up playing good rock n' roll that the general public could tap their feet to. By the time their follow-up Sam's Town was released the make-up, flashy suits, and free spirit had been erased and replaced with bearded men with sulky faces. Their music wasn't worse, but the fun was gone and so were a lot of fans. I fear that Panic might be making the same mistake. Will the Fall Out Boy crowd follow these guys now that they want to be stars? I'm not so sure.
Either way, what it's really about is the music. And the album is full of top notch songs including the best tune "Behind the Sea" where Brandon Urie belts; "Behind the sea they sang, So our matching legs are marching clocks, And we're all too small to talk to God. Yes, we're all too smart to talk to God." Other great songs include the entirely too short, but appropriately named "Folkin' Around." Only two up-tempo songs make the cut one of which is the closing track "Mad as Rabbits."
The Beatles influence and White Album rip-offs (I mean that in a good way) don't end with the band's songs. They also recorded at Abbey Road. If the band can capture an older audience with the song's first single "Nine in the Afternoon," then they have a chance to grown a bigger, long-lasting fan base. I doubt they'll ever enter The Beatles stratosphere as far as album sales, but they've done a nice job here of capturing that atmosphere.
Album Grade: B+
Friday, March 28, 2008
Baseball Season Predictions
Here are my choices for division winners, wild cards and champions.
National League:
East - New York Mets
Central - Chicago Cubs
West - Arizona Diamondbacks
Wild Card - Los Angeles Dodgers
American League:
East - Boston Redsox
Central - Detroit Tigers
West- Los Angeles Angels
Wild Card - Cleveland Indians
Yes, I have the Yankees missing the playoffs. I also have the National League Pennant winners from 2007, the Colorado Rockies missing the playoffs. Call me crazy.
Mets over Dodgers
Cubs over Diamondbacks (revenge for last season's sweep)
Mets over Cubs
Redsox over Indians (no revenge here)
Tigers over Angels
Tigers over Redsox
Tigers over Mets in 7
You heard it here first. No need to to even watch the season...most of you wouldn't have anyway.
OUT!
National League:
East - New York Mets
Central - Chicago Cubs
West - Arizona Diamondbacks
Wild Card - Los Angeles Dodgers
American League:
East - Boston Redsox
Central - Detroit Tigers
West- Los Angeles Angels
Wild Card - Cleveland Indians
Yes, I have the Yankees missing the playoffs. I also have the National League Pennant winners from 2007, the Colorado Rockies missing the playoffs. Call me crazy.
Mets over Dodgers
Cubs over Diamondbacks (revenge for last season's sweep)
Mets over Cubs
Redsox over Indians (no revenge here)
Tigers over Angels
Tigers over Redsox
Tigers over Mets in 7
You heard it here first. No need to to even watch the season...most of you wouldn't have anyway.
OUT!
My Bru
Many of you ask to see more pictures of Brutus since I haven't put him up on the blog lately. So here ya go...Brutus all 13 months, 155 pound of sweetness.
Two Bands, One Night, Eight Fans, One Fight
Selena and I went to Little Rock two weeks ago to see Eve 6 and Wheatus. For those of you who don't remember Eve 6, they're a pop-punk trio from So.Cal famous for the hits "Here's To The Night," and "Inside Out." You remember "Inside Out," wanna put my tender heart in a blender, watch it spin around...
And what about Wheatus of the "Teenage Dirtbag" fame? You know...I'm just a teenage dirtbag baby, listen Iron Maiden maybe with youAnyway, if you don't remember no sweat. A lot of other people didn't either. 8 people showed up to hear Wheatus. The turn out for Eve 6 was quite a bit better at least. Here are a couple of pics.
Lindsey Davenport
I never got a chance to post any pictures on here from the tennis tournament. Here are a couple of shots of Lindsey Davenport. The grandslam champion is making a comeback after being out of tennis for over a year to have a child. She won the Cellular South Cup here in Memphis this year and we can only hope that she will return next year to defend her crown.
Remembering Kurt
I always get a little down in the dumps around this time of year. Early next month will mark the 14th anniversary of Kurt Cobain's death. I am still reluctant to call it a suicide, but officially that's what it was. Nothing more, nothing less. If he didn't pull the trigger that day he likely would have killed himself eventually with the drugs and lifestyle that he was living. Nirvana's legacy will always be one that is debated. Some, like me feel that this band transformed the musical landscape and brought us out of the glam rock-cheese pop 80's. Others credit bands like The Melvins or The Pixies. My real feeling on the matter though is that Nirvana scored the popularity needed to focus America's attention to a new sound. We still have many copy cats and pretenders living off of the road paved by Cobain and Cornell and Mark Arm (Mudhoney) and The Screaming Trees. Those modern rock bands have watered down the sound and spirit of what the grunge movement was all about.
Either way Kurt was a pioneer and a unique soul and I still think about him every year around this time. He was the sound, voice, and the face of Generation X.
RIP
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Holla...
I don't want to gloat until we are sure Memphis actually makes it past the Sweet 16, but I wanted to take a minute and say goodbye to Chris Lofton, I won't miss you at all, asshole.
Slogging on Blogging
Don't really know why I've been so sluggish with the blogging lately. I want to blog every day, several times a day, but I just don't do it. So let's play catch-up. Lots to discuss.
1. Is anyone else already missing Lost yet? It's supposed to be on right this minute, but thanks to the stupid strike it's off until late April. At least when it returns it gets some friends in Grey's Anatomy and Housewives. Who knew Housewives would be a show I missed, but this season has easily been the best in the series' history.
2. Is anyone going to beat North Carolina? I don't think so. They dismantled a good Wazzu team their athleticism. Pretty impressive.
3. Speaking of sports, this is a really cool time of year. I love it. Not as good as August and the feeling of football being right around the corner, but it's still a special time of year. March Madness. Baseball season starts Sunday (the American Opening anyway). NBA and NHL playoffs both start in just a couple of weeks. Beth is going to hate being around the house the next month or two. Luckily for her I am a nice guy and still watching American Idol for her.
4. Speaking of American Idol, I finally have a favorite contestant. I think I like David Cook. He is the only rocker left on the show and I'm pretty sure he isn't going to win, but he should have a few more safe weeks as long as Syesha, Kristy Lee Cook, and Ramiele are around. Then we'll be down the the folks that can both sing and perform. I love Syesha, but she's destined to be an actress, not a singer. She's too beautiful to be a singer.
5. Big Brother was wild this week. A-Baller put a big fat target on his head, but was spared when Naughty Natalia won HoH. I'm pretty bummed about that because I don't think Crazy James has too many lives left. But didn't the video package about Adam make you like him more? It did for me.
6. I know only like two of you reading will care about this, but Battlestar Galactica is back NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT. Hell Frakkin Yeah! For those of you who think you are too cool to watch BSG, the joke's on you. It is the most intelligent show on television.
7. Tigers play tomorrow night and I'm a nervous wreck. A lot of people saw Mississippi State give us problems and expected us to be playing Pitt. They assume since we dodged the Pitt bullet that Michigan State will be a piece of cake game. Don't count on it. They have a couple of great guards and shoot the three well. Truth is this; if Dorsey plays like he did last weekend then MSU won't hang with us. He is our energy source.
Ok enough rambling, I'm off to watch Louisville vs. Tennessee. I hate both of these teams, but I can honestly say that I'm a Cardinal fan tonight.
OUT!
1. Is anyone else already missing Lost yet? It's supposed to be on right this minute, but thanks to the stupid strike it's off until late April. At least when it returns it gets some friends in Grey's Anatomy and Housewives. Who knew Housewives would be a show I missed, but this season has easily been the best in the series' history.
2. Is anyone going to beat North Carolina? I don't think so. They dismantled a good Wazzu team their athleticism. Pretty impressive.
3. Speaking of sports, this is a really cool time of year. I love it. Not as good as August and the feeling of football being right around the corner, but it's still a special time of year. March Madness. Baseball season starts Sunday (the American Opening anyway). NBA and NHL playoffs both start in just a couple of weeks. Beth is going to hate being around the house the next month or two. Luckily for her I am a nice guy and still watching American Idol for her.
4. Speaking of American Idol, I finally have a favorite contestant. I think I like David Cook. He is the only rocker left on the show and I'm pretty sure he isn't going to win, but he should have a few more safe weeks as long as Syesha, Kristy Lee Cook, and Ramiele are around. Then we'll be down the the folks that can both sing and perform. I love Syesha, but she's destined to be an actress, not a singer. She's too beautiful to be a singer.
5. Big Brother was wild this week. A-Baller put a big fat target on his head, but was spared when Naughty Natalia won HoH. I'm pretty bummed about that because I don't think Crazy James has too many lives left. But didn't the video package about Adam make you like him more? It did for me.
6. I know only like two of you reading will care about this, but Battlestar Galactica is back NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT. Hell Frakkin Yeah! For those of you who think you are too cool to watch BSG, the joke's on you. It is the most intelligent show on television.
7. Tigers play tomorrow night and I'm a nervous wreck. A lot of people saw Mississippi State give us problems and expected us to be playing Pitt. They assume since we dodged the Pitt bullet that Michigan State will be a piece of cake game. Don't count on it. They have a couple of great guards and shoot the three well. Truth is this; if Dorsey plays like he did last weekend then MSU won't hang with us. He is our energy source.
Ok enough rambling, I'm off to watch Louisville vs. Tennessee. I hate both of these teams, but I can honestly say that I'm a Cardinal fan tonight.
OUT!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
How I Met Another Year
I'm a huge fan of How I Met Your Mother and I begged my friends to watch it last night. I don't know if you did or not, but someone sure watched. There were nearly 10 million viewers and with those kind of numbers the show has a chance of getting picked up next year. WHOOO HOOO!
The sitcoms are back -- and viewers have returned with them.
The first scripted productions to resume their broadcast runs since the writers strike ended were rewarded with some of their highest ratings all season.
CBS' "The Big Bang Theory" (9.1 million viewers, 3.7 preliminary adults 18-49 rating/11 share) matched it season premiere rating. "How I Met Your Mother" (9.7 million, 4.3/11), "Two and a Half Men" (14.0 million, 5.4/13) and "The New Adventures of Old Christine" (11.4 million, 4.3/11) all hit a season highs. The sitcoms were followed by a "CSI: Miami" repeat (9.6 million, 3.0/8).
The news should give broadcast networks a sigh of relief as the industry expected the four-month strike to result in viewership declines for returning shows. Also, "Mother" has yet to be renewed for the fall, and its rating should help ensure the series a pickup.
The sitcoms are back -- and viewers have returned with them.
The first scripted productions to resume their broadcast runs since the writers strike ended were rewarded with some of their highest ratings all season.
CBS' "The Big Bang Theory" (9.1 million viewers, 3.7 preliminary adults 18-49 rating/11 share) matched it season premiere rating. "How I Met Your Mother" (9.7 million, 4.3/11), "Two and a Half Men" (14.0 million, 5.4/13) and "The New Adventures of Old Christine" (11.4 million, 4.3/11) all hit a season highs. The sitcoms were followed by a "CSI: Miami" repeat (9.6 million, 3.0/8).
The news should give broadcast networks a sigh of relief as the industry expected the four-month strike to result in viewership declines for returning shows. Also, "Mother" has yet to be renewed for the fall, and its rating should help ensure the series a pickup.
Big Brother House Is A Hot Tranny Mess
The competition in the Big Brother house is FIERCE. And I mean, split right down the middle, pick a side or die, Fierce.
James is the HoH and what a time to be in charge. His side; James, Chelsea, Sharon, and sort of Joshuah are one man short of having an equal playing field. The other side; Matt, Natalie, Ryan, Adam, and Sheila are holding on to their alliance by a thread. Will Baller switch sides? Are Ryan and Matt the most paranoid people in the game ever.
I have to say that Sheila has played the game exceptionally. Minus a few bitchy hiccups in the first few days after getting stuck with Baller she has been controlling virtually everything in the house. Yeah Matt can scream and point fingers and parade around like Joshua at at Rainbow Parade, but Sheila is the only reason his pretty face is still being shown on tv.
The two easiest people to turn in the house are Sheila and Adam. They flip and flop more than a shoe sale at American Eagle, but they know how to make it look like they're clean.
Here is what I think this all comes down to this week; If word officially gets out that Matt was the 3rd vote to bring back the mystery guest and not bring back James, then James could turn on his word, back door Matt and all hell will break loose. But, the question is whether James is so concerned with proving a point by keeping his word that he will lose focus of the game and end up making a mistake.
By getting Sheila evicted this week James will have really accomplished nothing. Like I said earlier, Sheila is a flipper and she isn't going to ever be fully loyal to anyone. Remember how she sold Allison down the river? What a perfect ploy to make Allison look like a bitch. So James needs to focus his attention on getting Ryan out. If Ryan wins the Veto then James would be a Class A fool to not replace him with Matt. Period. That plan could backfire and the house keep Matt because of James going back on his word to Natalie who worked so hard to strike that deal during the HoH comp, but getting Adam or Sheila out of the house serves no long term purpose!
Well that's my two cents. What do you Brother Watchers think? Chime in and let's see how this plays out.
OUT!
James is the HoH and what a time to be in charge. His side; James, Chelsea, Sharon, and sort of Joshuah are one man short of having an equal playing field. The other side; Matt, Natalie, Ryan, Adam, and Sheila are holding on to their alliance by a thread. Will Baller switch sides? Are Ryan and Matt the most paranoid people in the game ever.
I have to say that Sheila has played the game exceptionally. Minus a few bitchy hiccups in the first few days after getting stuck with Baller she has been controlling virtually everything in the house. Yeah Matt can scream and point fingers and parade around like Joshua at at Rainbow Parade, but Sheila is the only reason his pretty face is still being shown on tv.
The two easiest people to turn in the house are Sheila and Adam. They flip and flop more than a shoe sale at American Eagle, but they know how to make it look like they're clean.
Here is what I think this all comes down to this week; If word officially gets out that Matt was the 3rd vote to bring back the mystery guest and not bring back James, then James could turn on his word, back door Matt and all hell will break loose. But, the question is whether James is so concerned with proving a point by keeping his word that he will lose focus of the game and end up making a mistake.
By getting Sheila evicted this week James will have really accomplished nothing. Like I said earlier, Sheila is a flipper and she isn't going to ever be fully loyal to anyone. Remember how she sold Allison down the river? What a perfect ploy to make Allison look like a bitch. So James needs to focus his attention on getting Ryan out. If Ryan wins the Veto then James would be a Class A fool to not replace him with Matt. Period. That plan could backfire and the house keep Matt because of James going back on his word to Natalie who worked so hard to strike that deal during the HoH comp, but getting Adam or Sheila out of the house serves no long term purpose!
Well that's my two cents. What do you Brother Watchers think? Chime in and let's see how this plays out.
OUT!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
When You've Gotta Go...
WICHITA, Kan. -
Authorities are considering charges in the bizarre case of a woman who sat on her boyfriend's toilet for two years — so long that her body was stuck to the seat by the time the boyfriend finally called police.
Ness County Sheriff Bryan Whipple said it appeared the 35-year-old Ness City woman's skin had grown around the seat. She initially refused emergency medical services but was finally convinced by responders and her boyfriend that she needed to be checked out at a hospital.
"We pried the toilet seat off with a pry bar and the seat went with her to the hospital," Whipple said. "The hospital removed it."
Whipple said investigators planned to present their report Wednesday to the county attorney, who will determine whether any charges should be filed against the woman's 36-year-old boyfriend.
"She was not glued. She was not tied. She was just physically stuck by her body," Whipple said. "It is hard to imagine. ... I still have a hard time imagining it myself."
He told investigators he brought his girlfriend food and water, and asked her every day to come out of the bathroom.
"And her reply would be, `Maybe tomorrow,'" Whipple said. "According to him, she did not want to leave the bathroom."
The boyfriend called police on Feb. 27 to report that "there was something wrong with his girlfriend," Whipple said, adding that he never explained why it took him two years to call.
Police found the clothed woman sitting on the toilet, her sweat pants down to her mid-thigh. She was "somewhat disoriented," and her legs looked like they had atrophied, Whipple said.
"She said that she didn't need any help, that she was OK and did not want to leave," he said.
She was reported in fair condition at a hospital in Wichita, about 150 miles southeast of Ness City. Whipple said she has refused to cooperate with medical providers or law enforcement investigators.
Authorities said they did not know if she was mentally or physically disabled.
Police have declined to release the couple's names, but the house where authorities say the incident happened is listed in public records as the residence of Kory McFarren. No one answered his home phone number.
The case has been the buzz of Ness City, said James Ellis, a neighbor.
"I don't think anybody can make any sense out of it," he said.
Ellis said he had known the woman since she was a child but that he had not seen her for at least six years.
He said she had a tough childhood after her mother died at a young age and apparently was usually kept inside the house as she grew up. At one time the woman worked for a long-term care facility, he said, but he did not know what kind of work she did there.
"It really doesn't surprise me," Ellis said. "What surprises me is somebody wasn't called in a bit earlier."
Authorities are considering charges in the bizarre case of a woman who sat on her boyfriend's toilet for two years — so long that her body was stuck to the seat by the time the boyfriend finally called police.
Ness County Sheriff Bryan Whipple said it appeared the 35-year-old Ness City woman's skin had grown around the seat. She initially refused emergency medical services but was finally convinced by responders and her boyfriend that she needed to be checked out at a hospital.
"We pried the toilet seat off with a pry bar and the seat went with her to the hospital," Whipple said. "The hospital removed it."
Whipple said investigators planned to present their report Wednesday to the county attorney, who will determine whether any charges should be filed against the woman's 36-year-old boyfriend.
"She was not glued. She was not tied. She was just physically stuck by her body," Whipple said. "It is hard to imagine. ... I still have a hard time imagining it myself."
He told investigators he brought his girlfriend food and water, and asked her every day to come out of the bathroom.
"And her reply would be, `Maybe tomorrow,'" Whipple said. "According to him, she did not want to leave the bathroom."
The boyfriend called police on Feb. 27 to report that "there was something wrong with his girlfriend," Whipple said, adding that he never explained why it took him two years to call.
Police found the clothed woman sitting on the toilet, her sweat pants down to her mid-thigh. She was "somewhat disoriented," and her legs looked like they had atrophied, Whipple said.
"She said that she didn't need any help, that she was OK and did not want to leave," he said.
She was reported in fair condition at a hospital in Wichita, about 150 miles southeast of Ness City. Whipple said she has refused to cooperate with medical providers or law enforcement investigators.
Authorities said they did not know if she was mentally or physically disabled.
Police have declined to release the couple's names, but the house where authorities say the incident happened is listed in public records as the residence of Kory McFarren. No one answered his home phone number.
The case has been the buzz of Ness City, said James Ellis, a neighbor.
"I don't think anybody can make any sense out of it," he said.
Ellis said he had known the woman since she was a child but that he had not seen her for at least six years.
He said she had a tough childhood after her mother died at a young age and apparently was usually kept inside the house as she grew up. At one time the woman worked for a long-term care facility, he said, but he did not know what kind of work she did there.
"It really doesn't surprise me," Ellis said. "What surprises me is somebody wasn't called in a bit earlier."
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
THE NEW INCREDIBLE HULK TRAILER
Follow this link to check out the MTV exclusive trailer for The Incredible Hulk trailer...
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?id=1583143&vid=215625
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?id=1583143&vid=215625
Another Bad Movie Idea
From Perez Hilton:
Michael Bay is ruining yet another film.
The big budget, special effects-crazed director/producer is remaking the classic scary movie, Rosemary's Baby. You know…the devil made her preggers movie!
Bay's company is also remaking A Nightmare On Elm Street and previously worked on the Texas Chainsaw Massacre update.
He needs to retire!!!!
Big Brother "It's On"
Hey, now that the couples have been busted up, Big Brother has flipped the switch into high gear. Last night's episode was chock full of drama, laughs, and twists. Just wait until tonight when the houseguests find out that a former player is making his or her way back onto the show.
Who do you think it's going to be. I can make a case for almost any of the players to come back. I don't think it will be Jacob because the first person out is usually the least remembered by America. But if he returned it would certainly spice things up assuming Sharon stays in tonight. Like I said though, it is unlikely that he gets the votes.
Parker was the nice guy that most everyone I have talked to liked. However, will America vote for the nice guy or a vixen who is going to come in and shake things up? Allison or Amanda would really bring some added spice to the house. Allison and Joshuah having another showdown sounds great to me. And then there's Alex who might garner some sympathy votes from fans who thought he wouldn't have been booted if not for Amanda. Also, he might have some votes from fans of Mattie who he was close with in the house. Either way, no matter who it is, it's going to turn the house upside down again.
Ryan taking the money from Sheila was a low blow, but I would have done it too. It's 10,000 dollars. Hello. I don't care about her kid. To defend Sheila though, I think a mom has a right to play the "single parent" card anytime they want. Have you raised a baby lately? From what I hear it gives you a whole new appreciation for all of the sacrifices your parents made for you. Chelsia should have just kept her mouth closed, even though I completely see where she was coming from.
I so didn't really think James would be put on the block. How could it not have been Josh? I guess Ryan really is a man of his word. He promised safety to two people, Josh and Matt. Funny that it's those two people since they now find themselves on opposite sides of the divided house.
James, Sharon, Chelsia, and Josh are going to be pitted against Matt, Ryan, Natalie, Baller, and Sheila for the next few weeks. With James or Sharon going home tonight Matt's alliance would seem to hold all of the power. Who comes back into the house will now be a BIG difference maker.
Have I mentioned I love this show... As of right now;
My favorite Player: James
My favorite Person: Ryan
My least favorite Gamer: Matt
My least favorite Person: Josh
The Most Worthless Player: Natalie
The most surprising player: Adam
I hope Sharon goes home tonight. She's already been evicted once and she brings nothing into the house at all.
Who do you think it's going to be. I can make a case for almost any of the players to come back. I don't think it will be Jacob because the first person out is usually the least remembered by America. But if he returned it would certainly spice things up assuming Sharon stays in tonight. Like I said though, it is unlikely that he gets the votes.
Parker was the nice guy that most everyone I have talked to liked. However, will America vote for the nice guy or a vixen who is going to come in and shake things up? Allison or Amanda would really bring some added spice to the house. Allison and Joshuah having another showdown sounds great to me. And then there's Alex who might garner some sympathy votes from fans who thought he wouldn't have been booted if not for Amanda. Also, he might have some votes from fans of Mattie who he was close with in the house. Either way, no matter who it is, it's going to turn the house upside down again.
Ryan taking the money from Sheila was a low blow, but I would have done it too. It's 10,000 dollars. Hello. I don't care about her kid. To defend Sheila though, I think a mom has a right to play the "single parent" card anytime they want. Have you raised a baby lately? From what I hear it gives you a whole new appreciation for all of the sacrifices your parents made for you. Chelsia should have just kept her mouth closed, even though I completely see where she was coming from.
I so didn't really think James would be put on the block. How could it not have been Josh? I guess Ryan really is a man of his word. He promised safety to two people, Josh and Matt. Funny that it's those two people since they now find themselves on opposite sides of the divided house.
James, Sharon, Chelsia, and Josh are going to be pitted against Matt, Ryan, Natalie, Baller, and Sheila for the next few weeks. With James or Sharon going home tonight Matt's alliance would seem to hold all of the power. Who comes back into the house will now be a BIG difference maker.
Have I mentioned I love this show... As of right now;
My favorite Player: James
My favorite Person: Ryan
My least favorite Gamer: Matt
My least favorite Person: Josh
The Most Worthless Player: Natalie
The most surprising player: Adam
I hope Sharon goes home tonight. She's already been evicted once and she brings nothing into the house at all.
Quick Hits
A woman in Dallas, Tx threw her 6 year old and 8 year old off of an overpass into oncoming rush hour traffic. The boys survived and are in good condition. I think one of them has a broken arm. The woman is said to be in critical condition.
Last night's American Idol just made a ton of people look dumb. And by a ton of people I mean critics. Everyone has already crowned 17 year old wunderkind David Archuletta as the next idol...including my favorite critic Alan Sepinwall. He ran a commentary yesterday in the New Jersey Post about how it was Archuletta on top and everyone else playing for second. And then the kid comes out and butchers a Beatles song forgetting his words three or four times.
He's still a front runner, but he just let the pack catch up to him.
TV shows are about to start heading back to the small screen. How I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men, and The Big Bang Theory all return on Monday the 17th. Please tune in. Especailly to How I Met Your Mother. It is the little show that could and also the little show that should...as in should be watched by WAAAAY more people. It has Neil Patrick Harris for crying out loud. Please check out this show. It is on the bubble and might not make it past this season if you don't tune in. And if you weren't able to watch The Big Bang Theory during it's inital set of episodes before the strike, check out this new gem. It is highly entertaining and very funny. The Big Bang Theory kicks off the CBS Monday Night Line-up on the 17th at 7:00 Central Time, followed by Mother, Christine, and 2 1/2 Men.
Last night's American Idol just made a ton of people look dumb. And by a ton of people I mean critics. Everyone has already crowned 17 year old wunderkind David Archuletta as the next idol...including my favorite critic Alan Sepinwall. He ran a commentary yesterday in the New Jersey Post about how it was Archuletta on top and everyone else playing for second. And then the kid comes out and butchers a Beatles song forgetting his words three or four times.
He's still a front runner, but he just let the pack catch up to him.
TV shows are about to start heading back to the small screen. How I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men, and The Big Bang Theory all return on Monday the 17th. Please tune in. Especailly to How I Met Your Mother. It is the little show that could and also the little show that should...as in should be watched by WAAAAY more people. It has Neil Patrick Harris for crying out loud. Please check out this show. It is on the bubble and might not make it past this season if you don't tune in. And if you weren't able to watch The Big Bang Theory during it's inital set of episodes before the strike, check out this new gem. It is highly entertaining and very funny. The Big Bang Theory kicks off the CBS Monday Night Line-up on the 17th at 7:00 Central Time, followed by Mother, Christine, and 2 1/2 Men.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Monday, March 03, 2008
SPRING MOVIES TO SEE
Can you believe it is already time to SPRING your clocks forward this coming Sunday? It's going to be getting dark a lot later, softball fields are going to start filling up, and good movies are finally going to return to the theaters now that the January and February dumping fields have moved on.
WHAT TO SEE:
MARCH
Funny Games - March 14 ( Naomi Watts, Michael Pitt, Tim Roth)
Two psychopaths invade a couple's home and bet them that they can't survive a series of sadistic games until the morning. It's a new twist on cinematic sadism.
Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears A Who! - March 14 (Jim Carrey, Steve Carrell)
If the two starred in a live-action film I wouldn't miss it for the world. For now I'll have to settle for a Carrey/Carrell collaboration in animation format.
The Grand -March 21 (Woody Harrelson, David Cross)
This is the first that most of you have or will hear of this HIGHLY acclaimed mockumentary. There are two distinct differences between this film and the Christopher Guest style movies that many of you are familiar with; the first being that this isn't a Christopher Guest movie and 2nd this movie takes place over the course of a pro poker tournament. It should be laughs aplenty.
21 - March 28 (Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworht, Kevin Spacey)
The true story of how several MIT students learned to count cards and take several casinos for millions of dollars.
Noteworthy:
Chapter 27 - March 28 (Jared Leto)
This film premiered at Sundance this year and is mostly remembered because Leto gained so much weight to play Mark David Chapman (Lennon's killer) that he got gout.
Stop Loss - March 28 (Ryan Phillipe)
The biggest buzz about this Iraq-soldier driven story is that it's directed by Kimnberly Pierce, returning to the director's chair for the first time in nine years when she helmed Boys Don't Cry.
APRIL
Leatherheads - April 4 (George Clooney, John Krasinski)
Hey, Jim from The Office is in this old-timey football dramedy. Need I say more? Clooney also directs.
The Ruins - April 4 (Jena Malone, Shawn Ashmor)
I'm pretty sure this will be a box office bomb, but I read the book by Scott Smith (A Simple Plan) and it scared the hell out of me. So count me in.
Street Kings - April 11 (Keanu Reeves, Forest Whitaker)
Directed and written by David Ayer (Training Day) Keanu Reeves suits back up in an LAPD uniform for the first time since Speed. This time he's fighting the guys on the same side of the law as him hen he is accused of killing a fellow cop. James Ellroy co-wrote this can't miss crime caper.
Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay - April 25 (Kal Penn, John Cho, NPH)
Can this movie live up to the first, no way. Am I going to be there hoping it does, hell yeah.
Noteworthy:
Baby Mama - April 25 (Tina Fey, Amy Poehler)
Tina Fey looks hilarious in the trailer, so for right now, I'm in. She wants a baby and Amy Poehler is apparently the only one she can find. Hilarity ensues.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall - April 18 (Jason Segel, Kristen Bell)
First of all, I am seeing anything that Kristen Bell is in. I loved Veronica Mars that much. Secondly Judd Apatow produced this film and it has a lot the usual misfits in small roles. The plot? A guy gets dumped by his girl and so he goes on vacation to recover only to run into said girl and her new beau.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE IN MARCH AND APRIL?
OUT!
WHAT TO SEE:
MARCH
Funny Games - March 14 ( Naomi Watts, Michael Pitt, Tim Roth)
Two psychopaths invade a couple's home and bet them that they can't survive a series of sadistic games until the morning. It's a new twist on cinematic sadism.
Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears A Who! - March 14 (Jim Carrey, Steve Carrell)
If the two starred in a live-action film I wouldn't miss it for the world. For now I'll have to settle for a Carrey/Carrell collaboration in animation format.
The Grand -March 21 (Woody Harrelson, David Cross)
This is the first that most of you have or will hear of this HIGHLY acclaimed mockumentary. There are two distinct differences between this film and the Christopher Guest style movies that many of you are familiar with; the first being that this isn't a Christopher Guest movie and 2nd this movie takes place over the course of a pro poker tournament. It should be laughs aplenty.
21 - March 28 (Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworht, Kevin Spacey)
The true story of how several MIT students learned to count cards and take several casinos for millions of dollars.
Noteworthy:
Chapter 27 - March 28 (Jared Leto)
This film premiered at Sundance this year and is mostly remembered because Leto gained so much weight to play Mark David Chapman (Lennon's killer) that he got gout.
Stop Loss - March 28 (Ryan Phillipe)
The biggest buzz about this Iraq-soldier driven story is that it's directed by Kimnberly Pierce, returning to the director's chair for the first time in nine years when she helmed Boys Don't Cry.
APRIL
Leatherheads - April 4 (George Clooney, John Krasinski)
Hey, Jim from The Office is in this old-timey football dramedy. Need I say more? Clooney also directs.
The Ruins - April 4 (Jena Malone, Shawn Ashmor)
I'm pretty sure this will be a box office bomb, but I read the book by Scott Smith (A Simple Plan) and it scared the hell out of me. So count me in.
Street Kings - April 11 (Keanu Reeves, Forest Whitaker)
Directed and written by David Ayer (Training Day) Keanu Reeves suits back up in an LAPD uniform for the first time since Speed. This time he's fighting the guys on the same side of the law as him hen he is accused of killing a fellow cop. James Ellroy co-wrote this can't miss crime caper.
Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay - April 25 (Kal Penn, John Cho, NPH)
Can this movie live up to the first, no way. Am I going to be there hoping it does, hell yeah.
Noteworthy:
Baby Mama - April 25 (Tina Fey, Amy Poehler)
Tina Fey looks hilarious in the trailer, so for right now, I'm in. She wants a baby and Amy Poehler is apparently the only one she can find. Hilarity ensues.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall - April 18 (Jason Segel, Kristen Bell)
First of all, I am seeing anything that Kristen Bell is in. I loved Veronica Mars that much. Secondly Judd Apatow produced this film and it has a lot the usual misfits in small roles. The plot? A guy gets dumped by his girl and so he goes on vacation to recover only to run into said girl and her new beau.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE IN MARCH AND APRIL?
OUT!
Sunday, March 02, 2008
A Week Off
I took most of the week off from blogging so that I could enjoy the tennis tournament. It was a great week for me. Very relaxing. I was able to forget about all of the stressful things in my life for a while and just kick back.
I will be back to blogging full time starting tomorrow.
I will be back to blogging full time starting tomorrow.
Friday, February 29, 2008
When Stereotypes Attack
from IMDB.COM
Casting Director Asks for "Inbred"-Looking Extras, Is Fired
Casting Director Asks for "Inbred"-Looking Extras, Is Fired
The casting director for a horror movie being shot in West Virginia has been fired after putting out a call for extras with facial features that would make them look "inbred." Casting director Donna M. Belajac was dismissed after Gov. Joe Manchin released a statement describing the casting call as "offensive." He added that he thought that the movie, a horror flick titled Shelter, produced by Nala Films of Los Angeles, "does not sound like a movie worth watching." Producers Emilio Diez Barroso and Darlene Caamano apologized "for the very insensitive casting call sent out without our knowledge." The incident also drew the attention of West Virginia Sen. Robert Byrd, who released a statement saying, "Unfortunately, some in the filmmaking industry have decided that perpetuating stereotypes and insulting generations of West Virginians means cash at the box office."
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
TIGERS MAKE HISTORY
The Tigers-Vols game on ESPN was the highest rated men's college game in the history of the sports network. Hmmmm, wonder if they will starting giving the Tigers more respect since obviously people care about our non-BCS school.
More than 3.3 million households watched the game. That doesn't include those of you who packed bars and restaurants.
And what does talking a ton of shit get you...apparently a loss to the third best team in Tennessee. GO VANDY!!!
More than 3.3 million households watched the game. That doesn't include those of you who packed bars and restaurants.
And what does talking a ton of shit get you...apparently a loss to the third best team in Tennessee. GO VANDY!!!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Jesus The Vampire
Did you know Ann Rice found God? I didn't and I don't know how I missed it.
Ann Rice has had a change of heart and will write one more Vampire Chronicles book! Just one more.
About four years ago, an atheist Rice found God and was "born again." At that point, she vowed to abandon her sinister stories and write only of the Lord.
Why is she going back on her word?
The Queen of the Damned author justifies her decision by saying the book will have a definite Christian framework and a focus on the theme of redemption.
The final vampire novel will again involve the popular character Lestat (a.k.a the hottest vampire in lit) and a fictional organization known as the Talamaska that is responsible for investigating the supernatural. As Rice did, Lestat will be wrestling with the existence of God throughout the story. She says, "I don't see it as a violation of my promise, because I won't be writing about vampires in the same way."
Rice has already written two novels chronicling Jesus Christ's life. She plans to write a third installment in that series before sitting down to pen the final vampire book. So, don't expect to see last Chronicles book for a few years!
Sunday, February 24, 2008
OSCARS
HOW DID I DO?
Below is a list of nominations. The items in GREEN are who I thought SHOULD win. The items in RED are the ones I thought WOULD will win. Items in BLUE are the ones I thought should and would win. An * is placed by the ACTUAL winner.
Best Motion Picture of the Year
Atonement
Juno
Michael Clayton
*No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
Achievement in Directing
Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
*Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton
Jason Reitman, Juno
Julian Schnabel, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
George Clooney, Michael Clayton
*Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd
Tommy Lee Jones, In the Valley of Elah
Viggo Mortensen, Eastern Promises
Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Casey Affleck, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
*Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Charlie Wilson's War
Hal Holbrook, Into the Wild
Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton
Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Julie Christie, Away from Her
*Marion Cotillard, La Vie en Rose
Laura Linney, The Savages
Ellen Page, Juno
Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
Ruby Dee, American Gangster
Saoirse Ronan, Atonement
Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
*Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton
Best Animated Feature Film of the Year
Persepolis
*Ratatouille
Surf's Up
Original Screenplay
*Diablo Cody, Juno
Nancy Oliver, Lars and the Real Girl
Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton
Brad Bird, Ratatouille
Tamara Jenkins, The Savages
Adapted Screenplay
Christopher Hampton, Atonement
Sarah Polley, Away from Her
Ronald Harwood, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
*Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
Original Score
*Atonement: Dario Marianelli
The Kite Runner: Alberto Iglesias
Michael Clayton: James Newton Howard
Ratatouille: Michael Giacchino
3:10 to Yuma: Marco Beltrami
Original Song
*"Falling Slowly," Once: Music and Lyrics by Glen Hansard and: Marketa Irglova
"Happy Working Song," Enchanted: Music by Alan Menken; Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
"Raise It Up," August Rush: Nominees to be determined
"So Close," Enchanted: Music by Alan Menken; Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
"That's How You Know," Enchanted: Music by Alan Menken; Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Achievement in Art Direction
American Gangster: Art Direction: Arthur Max; Set Decoration: Beth A. Rubino
Atonement: Art Direction: Sarah Greenwood; Set Decoration: Katie Spencer
The Golden Compass: Art Direction: Dennis Gassner; Set Decoration: Anna Pinnock
*Sweeney Todd: Art Direction: Dante Ferretti; Set Decoration: Francesca Lo Schiavo
There Will Be Blood: Art Direction: Jack Fisk; Set Decoration: Jim Erickson
Achievement in Cinematography
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford: Roger Deakins
Atonement: Seamus McGarvey
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly: Janusz Kaminski
No Country for Old Men: Roger Deakins
*There Will Be Blood: Robert Elswit
Achievement in Costume Design
Across the Universe: Albert Wolsky
Atonement: Jacqueline Durran
*Elizabeth: The Golden Age: Alexandra Byrne
La Vie en Rose: Marit Allen
Sweeney Todd: Colleen Atwood
Best Documentary Feature
No End in Sight
Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience
Sicko
*Taxi to the Dark Side
War/Dance
First few artists released for Music Fest
My Chemical Romance, Joan Jett, and Jonny Lang are three of the first few artists to be named to this year's Beale Street Music Festival. Not enough to get me to head down there, but its a promising start. I think it would take Pearl Jam or an STP reunion show to get me to Tom Lee Park this year.
OUT!
OUT!
Friday, February 22, 2008
Baby I'm Black (From The Waist Down)
This song is awesome, but it's not work-viewable. Very foul language.
Casual Sax
Casual Sax
Thursday, February 21, 2008
American Brother...
First Big Brother and then Ladies Night on American Idol:
-Julie has mentioned the players being in the house for nearly three months several times. Last night she pointed out that Jen and Ryan would be seperated for nearly 3 months. Is my math wrong or is something going to happen in this season to make the show last longer than 6 weeks?
-Parker and Jen were the right couple to vote off. Allison is crazy and she won't be a threat and Ryan seems more likely to give up hope without Jen than the other way around. I wonder how mad he'll be at her when he sees that she did flat out all him a racist.
-And lastly, James is my favorite person in the house this season and I am glad he and Chelsia were able to win HoH.
AMERICAN IDOL:
Once again I will mention my top 3 women and bottom 2 women. I want to point out something first though. I know a couple of people that speak several languages and they all tell me that English was the hardest for them to learn. It's no wonder. Rules don't matter in American English. Take Asia'h and Alexandrea for example. The name Asia'h has no real no real need for an apostrophe. There are no letters missing or being taken out. It is just Asia. However, Alexandrea made the point last night that he name is not ALEX-ANDREA, but a more run together name. So wouldn't she better served to spell her name Alex'ndrea, using the apostrophe to replace the second A which apparently isn't needed to say her name...
Okay, the women were much harder to judge. As a whole they were better than the guys. It was pretty hard to narrow the top 3 down, but I didn't have much trouble on the bottom 3.
TOP 3
1. Syesha Mercado: Her smile is worth a million dollars alone. Throw in an amazing voice, a winning personality, and superstar looks and I think we have a clear favorite to be in the final 4.
2. Asia'h Epperson: Her version of the Joplin classis "Piece of My Heart" was the best that I have ever heard. She did what the judges always say; made it modern and made it her own. Can't you see this girl on FUSE now...I would have said MTV, but they don't play videos on there.
3. Amanda Overmyer: A mac-truck couldn't stop her...The judges use the word authentic too much, but I understand why they used it here. So tell me, can a rocker chic actually win this show?
BOTTOM 3
10. Joanne Borgella: The plus size model just doesn't have the plus sized voice. I think she is very talented, but her choice of song here just didn't do it for me.
11. Amy Davis: She was so boring and bland. But she is very good looking and it might be possible for her to squeeze through. However, she just doesn't have "IT" to me.
12. Kady Malloy: She sang "Groovy Kind Of Love" but she had no heart. She was dull. Where was her "Britney" style personality. She looks kinda like a Barbie Doll to me. Who knew Barbie couldn't sing!
OUT!
-Julie has mentioned the players being in the house for nearly three months several times. Last night she pointed out that Jen and Ryan would be seperated for nearly 3 months. Is my math wrong or is something going to happen in this season to make the show last longer than 6 weeks?
-Parker and Jen were the right couple to vote off. Allison is crazy and she won't be a threat and Ryan seems more likely to give up hope without Jen than the other way around. I wonder how mad he'll be at her when he sees that she did flat out all him a racist.
-And lastly, James is my favorite person in the house this season and I am glad he and Chelsia were able to win HoH.
AMERICAN IDOL:
Once again I will mention my top 3 women and bottom 2 women. I want to point out something first though. I know a couple of people that speak several languages and they all tell me that English was the hardest for them to learn. It's no wonder. Rules don't matter in American English. Take Asia'h and Alexandrea for example. The name Asia'h has no real no real need for an apostrophe. There are no letters missing or being taken out. It is just Asia. However, Alexandrea made the point last night that he name is not ALEX-ANDREA, but a more run together name. So wouldn't she better served to spell her name Alex'ndrea, using the apostrophe to replace the second A which apparently isn't needed to say her name...
Okay, the women were much harder to judge. As a whole they were better than the guys. It was pretty hard to narrow the top 3 down, but I didn't have much trouble on the bottom 3.
TOP 3
1. Syesha Mercado: Her smile is worth a million dollars alone. Throw in an amazing voice, a winning personality, and superstar looks and I think we have a clear favorite to be in the final 4.
2. Asia'h Epperson: Her version of the Joplin classis "Piece of My Heart" was the best that I have ever heard. She did what the judges always say; made it modern and made it her own. Can't you see this girl on FUSE now...I would have said MTV, but they don't play videos on there.
3. Amanda Overmyer: A mac-truck couldn't stop her...The judges use the word authentic too much, but I understand why they used it here. So tell me, can a rocker chic actually win this show?
BOTTOM 3
10. Joanne Borgella: The plus size model just doesn't have the plus sized voice. I think she is very talented, but her choice of song here just didn't do it for me.
11. Amy Davis: She was so boring and bland. But she is very good looking and it might be possible for her to squeeze through. However, she just doesn't have "IT" to me.
12. Kady Malloy: She sang "Groovy Kind Of Love" but she had no heart. She was dull. Where was her "Britney" style personality. She looks kinda like a Barbie Doll to me. Who knew Barbie couldn't sing!
OUT!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
American Idol
I can't believe I am doing this, but I am going to post a little bit about American Idol this season. It is the first time I have ever watched the show and honestly, I like it. I get why people love it now. However, I thought last night was by far the worst episode of the season. Most of the guys sounded awful. And you're telling me that Josiah Leming was NOT better than some of these dudes.
To keep this brief I am going to just name my top three guys and bottom three guys from last night. The other 6 are insignificant at this point anyway.
TOP 3:
1. Michael Johns: Win or lose, this Aussie has star written all over him. I love his voice, his style, and his stage presence. Far and away he is the front runner to me at this point.
2. David Archuleta: The 17 year old with pipes of gold. Not to mention a smile that makes you want to squeeze him. Watching with Beth last night she kept saying "Disney Show Sensation," and she might be on to something. He most definitely has the talent.
3. Jason Castro: If there is a darkhorse, it's definitely him. He has a geat voice, an innocent yet road worn look that people can buy into, and his performance was so subtle yet so powerful.
BOTTOM 3:
10. Chikeze Eze: The suit. The song. Blah. I don't think he will go out in this round, but he was close. His voice seems to be good, but he's going to have to step it up. His smile will help him through this round.
11. Garrett Haley: The Leif Garrett/Robert Plant look-alike was so underwhelming and boring. Puh-leeze. This kid doesn't have a chance. The stage swallowed him whole.
12. Luke Menard: Remember him? No, of course not. He was awful. Did he even try? And his clothes...it's American Idol, not Central BBQ. Seriously.
OUT!
To keep this brief I am going to just name my top three guys and bottom three guys from last night. The other 6 are insignificant at this point anyway.
TOP 3:
1. Michael Johns: Win or lose, this Aussie has star written all over him. I love his voice, his style, and his stage presence. Far and away he is the front runner to me at this point.
2. David Archuleta: The 17 year old with pipes of gold. Not to mention a smile that makes you want to squeeze him. Watching with Beth last night she kept saying "Disney Show Sensation," and she might be on to something. He most definitely has the talent.
3. Jason Castro: If there is a darkhorse, it's definitely him. He has a geat voice, an innocent yet road worn look that people can buy into, and his performance was so subtle yet so powerful.
BOTTOM 3:
10. Chikeze Eze: The suit. The song. Blah. I don't think he will go out in this round, but he was close. His voice seems to be good, but he's going to have to step it up. His smile will help him through this round.
11. Garrett Haley: The Leif Garrett/Robert Plant look-alike was so underwhelming and boring. Puh-leeze. This kid doesn't have a chance. The stage swallowed him whole.
12. Luke Menard: Remember him? No, of course not. He was awful. Did he even try? And his clothes...it's American Idol, not Central BBQ. Seriously.
OUT!
Big Brother - Mini Recap
Once again the Lesbian lover idea is turning into a brilliant move. Johanna just informed me of something else about Sheila; apparently she is was the 1984 Penthouse Pet of the Year and she lived with Bob Guccione (founder of Penthouse and old man) in his 35 million dollar mansion for 10 years. To top it all off she's writing a book about her life and hoping to cash in on her Bro fame to sell it.
This episode of Big Brother was mostly forgettable to me, except for a few moments:
-How psycho did Alex look spying on Amanda. His comment to her about "if we can't be physical then we shouldn't be physical with anyone else" was very creepy to me.
-I was shocked the Neil had left the house. Apparently is happend almost a week ago, but thanks to fancy editing, you'd never know it. I will have to confirm that though. I read on some message boards that people thought he left because of an STD, but I knew immediately that was bullshit. His myspace page had a message saying that his exit was family related and NOT health related and he wishes Joshuah the best of luck. Having Sharon as his partner might be the best thing that could happen for him. I think he and Neil were a little too secluded from the rest of the house.
-The Autism groups are all over Big Brother and Adam. I don't blame them. I just don't see how you can work for an Autism group and call them retards. It's so insensitive. Apparently the "non-profit" Adam works for is a little shady anyway.
-I think Jen is disliked enough that they are going to be sent home. Parker is pretty well liked in the house, but that would mean he could be considered a threat. I don't really consider Ryan a threat at this point. But we'll see. I know that Parker was pretty dumb thinking that he was going to be saved by Matt and Natalie.
-The dynamics this season have made things really weird. I love the competitions and I love that they are forced to basically partner with people. However, I am quickly learning that the gamesmanship is severely hurting because of this. Now to stab someone in the back you have to have your partner's consent. It is a bit too restrictive and I think this will become more apparent as we move forward.
-Will write more tonight after the eviction.
OUT!
This episode of Big Brother was mostly forgettable to me, except for a few moments:
-How psycho did Alex look spying on Amanda. His comment to her about "if we can't be physical then we shouldn't be physical with anyone else" was very creepy to me.
-I was shocked the Neil had left the house. Apparently is happend almost a week ago, but thanks to fancy editing, you'd never know it. I will have to confirm that though. I read on some message boards that people thought he left because of an STD, but I knew immediately that was bullshit. His myspace page had a message saying that his exit was family related and NOT health related and he wishes Joshuah the best of luck. Having Sharon as his partner might be the best thing that could happen for him. I think he and Neil were a little too secluded from the rest of the house.
-The Autism groups are all over Big Brother and Adam. I don't blame them. I just don't see how you can work for an Autism group and call them retards. It's so insensitive. Apparently the "non-profit" Adam works for is a little shady anyway.
-I think Jen is disliked enough that they are going to be sent home. Parker is pretty well liked in the house, but that would mean he could be considered a threat. I don't really consider Ryan a threat at this point. But we'll see. I know that Parker was pretty dumb thinking that he was going to be saved by Matt and Natalie.
-The dynamics this season have made things really weird. I love the competitions and I love that they are forced to basically partner with people. However, I am quickly learning that the gamesmanship is severely hurting because of this. Now to stab someone in the back you have to have your partner's consent. It is a bit too restrictive and I think this will become more apparent as we move forward.
-Will write more tonight after the eviction.
OUT!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Get The Man A Ticket
Did you guys see that Bruce Pearl called Cal this week to ask for a few extra tickets? Seems as if Peyton Manning wants to attend the game. Cal, being the great guy he is told Pearl NO. Of course he was joking and sent Pearl some tickets for P-Manning. This game is going to be huge. It's the biggest sporting event in our city since Tyson-Lewis.
A Little Respect...
ESPN college basketball analyst Pat Forde gave Memphis a lil respect today. First he jumped all over a UAB fan who tried to be clever with a sign that said "WE BEAT MEMPHIS, NOT OUR GIRLS." Except that the sign actually read 'WE BEAT MEMPIS, NOT OUR GIRLS." Ooops, looks like spelling is not a pre-req for admission into UAB.
This reminds me of two funny stories. First, back in 1996 country singer Bryan White played the Mid-South Fair. He sensed that the crowd was falling out a bit and decided to do a cheer to get everyone hyped back up. So he led up in spelling our city name. M - E - P - H - I - S. Yep, Mephis. To his credit, I think Bryan was gay and had a little lisp and Mephis is exactly what he thought the city was really called.
Secondly, if you have been to a game at the Forum this year you've probably seen Andre Allen on the big scoreboard trying to get the Tiger fans fired up. He is the first person I have ever heard actually make MEMPHIS one syllable. He says "Come on MEMS, Make some noise." MEMS, rhymes with Nymphs. Gotta love it.
Anyway, Forde goes on to make a few more comments about how great the Memphis/UT is going to be and gives us credit for being involved in the biggest and possibly best game of the year...not NC vs Duke.
Here's a link if you want to see the sign and read the article.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=3252485&sportCat=ncb&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1
This reminds me of two funny stories. First, back in 1996 country singer Bryan White played the Mid-South Fair. He sensed that the crowd was falling out a bit and decided to do a cheer to get everyone hyped back up. So he led up in spelling our city name. M - E - P - H - I - S. Yep, Mephis. To his credit, I think Bryan was gay and had a little lisp and Mephis is exactly what he thought the city was really called.
Secondly, if you have been to a game at the Forum this year you've probably seen Andre Allen on the big scoreboard trying to get the Tiger fans fired up. He is the first person I have ever heard actually make MEMPHIS one syllable. He says "Come on MEMS, Make some noise." MEMS, rhymes with Nymphs. Gotta love it.
Anyway, Forde goes on to make a few more comments about how great the Memphis/UT is going to be and gives us credit for being involved in the biggest and possibly best game of the year...not NC vs Duke.
Here's a link if you want to see the sign and read the article.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=3252485&sportCat=ncb&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1
What I Really Meant To Say
I really want to blog about a few things going on in my life. This week has been a roller coaster of ups and downs. I know the ol' roller coaster analogy is so overdone, but really I have gotten bad news followed by good news followed by more bad news over and over this week. Unfortunately, most of what I have going on is stuff that I can't blog about. Not because I don't want you guys to know, because I do. I just can't let you know on my blog, so publicly. So, if you haven't talked to me this week and want to know about my Zippen Pippen life, give me a call.
Instead I offer up a serving of bullet points:
- Jeremy and Christie are proud parents. Little Miss Mia Bailey was born on Tuesday afternoon at 1:03. She was 8 pounds, 5 ounces. Her hair was brown with blond highlights. She is definitely Christie's daughter. They are going to be great parents.
- Johanna and I have been trading emails this week containing out favorite song lyrics. It's something we started a few years ago and it kind of just faded off. I get such pleasure out of good song lyrics. If you'd like to read some of our shared lyrics so far or want to get in on a LYRIC TREE let me know. We could get a little group together and each have a day to email the group each week with song lyrics.
- I saw the full theatrical trailer for The Dark Knight this past weekend. I think it was too soon to see Heath Ledger on screen. I couldn't appreciate how awesome the movie looks because I couldn't get around the idea that he is dead. I'm not an overly sensitive or sentimental person, but it is going to be really weird watching this movie now. Maybe with a few more months in between the feeling will fade some. I did notice that he seems to have channeled some of Jack's Joker in the film. Mainly the darker parts and some mannerisms, but the similarities were there along with his own interpretation.
- NBC just announced today that they are going to a 52 week schedule starting this summer. Basically they are doing away with the big FALL KICKOFF that all of the networks rely on. I give them a big applause for the attempt...if they actually go through with it. The announcement left several outs in case they decide against it later on. Basically they are going to have a big reveal in May of their year-long schedule for the entire NBC Universal family. This includes NBC, USA, Telemundo, CNBC, and Universal HD. So, if they don't have the guts to pull the trigger and have new scripted shows starting up at unique times of the year they can just have new programs premiere on these alternate stations and save face.
In a perfect world though they would have some shows kick off in the fall and then say in November bring in The Office and Medium or something and then come February they could have a new show and bring back Heroes or whatever. You get the point. We'll see how "different" they are willing to be from the other networks.
Instead I offer up a serving of bullet points:
- Jeremy and Christie are proud parents. Little Miss Mia Bailey was born on Tuesday afternoon at 1:03. She was 8 pounds, 5 ounces. Her hair was brown with blond highlights. She is definitely Christie's daughter. They are going to be great parents.
- Johanna and I have been trading emails this week containing out favorite song lyrics. It's something we started a few years ago and it kind of just faded off. I get such pleasure out of good song lyrics. If you'd like to read some of our shared lyrics so far or want to get in on a LYRIC TREE let me know. We could get a little group together and each have a day to email the group each week with song lyrics.
- I saw the full theatrical trailer for The Dark Knight this past weekend. I think it was too soon to see Heath Ledger on screen. I couldn't appreciate how awesome the movie looks because I couldn't get around the idea that he is dead. I'm not an overly sensitive or sentimental person, but it is going to be really weird watching this movie now. Maybe with a few more months in between the feeling will fade some. I did notice that he seems to have channeled some of Jack's Joker in the film. Mainly the darker parts and some mannerisms, but the similarities were there along with his own interpretation.
- NBC just announced today that they are going to a 52 week schedule starting this summer. Basically they are doing away with the big FALL KICKOFF that all of the networks rely on. I give them a big applause for the attempt...if they actually go through with it. The announcement left several outs in case they decide against it later on. Basically they are going to have a big reveal in May of their year-long schedule for the entire NBC Universal family. This includes NBC, USA, Telemundo, CNBC, and Universal HD. So, if they don't have the guts to pull the trigger and have new scripted shows starting up at unique times of the year they can just have new programs premiere on these alternate stations and save face.
In a perfect world though they would have some shows kick off in the fall and then say in November bring in The Office and Medium or something and then come February they could have a new show and bring back Heroes or whatever. You get the point. We'll see how "different" they are willing to be from the other networks.
Monday, February 18, 2008
WOW
If you watch Big Brother, watch this NOW...JUST NOT AT WORK. If you don't watch Big Brother, watch this NOW b/c you will start watching Big Brother, I promise!!! No nudity in it, just a lot of language.
In The Cases Of Bad Strategy
There have been some worse Big Brother mistakes. Ask Marcellous (sp). But Jen's decision to tell Parker and Allison about her and Ryan is right up there with the best of them. (or worst)
Jen proved to me tonight that she is so self centered and so self absorbed that she literally couldn't see the game as a whole around her personality. She has jeopardized Parker, Ryan, and Allison and it's no wonder that no one in the house likes her. She told Parker because she couldn't stand to have a secret. It wasn't strategy. If it were strategy she would have at least discussed it with Ryan first. She told him and then told Allison because she hated the fact that she was a a "special" twist in the game and no one knew it. She felt she couldn't really be special unless everyone knew that the producers picked her to be a unique twist.
Then don't even get me started on the fact that she announced to the house that he picture was on the wall first because she is going to win. How tacky was that. I would have hated her from that moment on, if I hadn't already.
Sheila is really getting on my nerves. We have covered the fact that Adam, the Hooded Warrior is a disgusting, fugly, annoying, cocky asshole. The fact that she has to keep going on and on about it makes the target grow on her and Adam even more. Basically she is pissing off the whole house and when it gets down to the nitty gritty no one is going stay faithful to any alliance she makes because she will be so easy to throw under the bus.
Sheila and her bitchiness aside, the announcement to Joshuah that Allison and she are lesbians was one of the funniest moments on the show ever. The last time I laughed so hard watching Big Brother was when they introduced Howie the Jedi for the first time.
A lot can happen on Tuesday night to throw the show up in the air. If none of the nominees wins PoV I fully expect Parker and Jen to go home.
And one last note, I like Ryan. He seems like a cool guy. Why is he with Jen? Is it just because she is a hot piece of ass? I mean, I can't see any redeeming qualities about her whatsoever. If that's the case maybe he isn't such a good guy after all.
OUT!
Jen proved to me tonight that she is so self centered and so self absorbed that she literally couldn't see the game as a whole around her personality. She has jeopardized Parker, Ryan, and Allison and it's no wonder that no one in the house likes her. She told Parker because she couldn't stand to have a secret. It wasn't strategy. If it were strategy she would have at least discussed it with Ryan first. She told him and then told Allison because she hated the fact that she was a a "special" twist in the game and no one knew it. She felt she couldn't really be special unless everyone knew that the producers picked her to be a unique twist.
Then don't even get me started on the fact that she announced to the house that he picture was on the wall first because she is going to win. How tacky was that. I would have hated her from that moment on, if I hadn't already.
Sheila is really getting on my nerves. We have covered the fact that Adam, the Hooded Warrior is a disgusting, fugly, annoying, cocky asshole. The fact that she has to keep going on and on about it makes the target grow on her and Adam even more. Basically she is pissing off the whole house and when it gets down to the nitty gritty no one is going stay faithful to any alliance she makes because she will be so easy to throw under the bus.
Sheila and her bitchiness aside, the announcement to Joshuah that Allison and she are lesbians was one of the funniest moments on the show ever. The last time I laughed so hard watching Big Brother was when they introduced Howie the Jedi for the first time.
A lot can happen on Tuesday night to throw the show up in the air. If none of the nominees wins PoV I fully expect Parker and Jen to go home.
And one last note, I like Ryan. He seems like a cool guy. Why is he with Jen? Is it just because she is a hot piece of ass? I mean, I can't see any redeeming qualities about her whatsoever. If that's the case maybe he isn't such a good guy after all.
OUT!
Sunday, February 17, 2008
I'm Just So Sick Of This
ESPN cannot wait for us to lose, literally. Remember a few weeks ago when "THE" sports network had Kansas listed at number one, even though they weren't? And then a few days later when ESPN's choice for number one lost they ran a headline that said, "Memphis is last number one standing." It didn't say Memphis was last undefeated team standing, it said we were the last number one standing. Apparently ESPN makes up its own rules now and there can be more than one "best team" in the country.
Well last night, with Memphis down 77-70 with just a 1:30 seconds to go ESPN ran this on their page. Look on the right side where they usually post their breaking news. It is very tough to read, but it declares UAB the winner over Memphis. It reads, "Imperfect. And then there were none. No. 1 Memphis is unbeaten no longer. UAB, on the back of sharp shooter Robert Vaden, knocked off the one perfect team in Division 1 on Saturday Night."
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