Sunday, November 30, 2008

Amazing INcident in Oakland

Oakland Raiders football practice was delayed nearly two hours this morning after a player reported finding an unknown white powdery substance on the practice field. Head coach Tom Cable immediately suspended practice while police and federal agents were called to investigate. After a complete analysis, FBI forensic experts determined that the white substance, unknown to the players, was the goal line. Practice was resumed this afternoon after special agents decided the team was unlikely to encounter the substance again.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Role Models Moviegoing Experience

First Look

Kings2009.com
The Yes Man Sneak Preview
The Beast
The Cristmas Sweater

Previews!!!!
Bride Wars (Looks strangely interesting....)
Nobel Son (Uh? huh?
Twlight (Did they really think we didn't know it was already out?)
Fast and the Furious: New Model
The Uninvited (Looks really neat... )
The Unborn

Funny movie... but we expected a ton more...

Friday, November 28, 2008

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Dancing With the Stars Final Results Show of 2008



The wife and I are starting this at 11 pm as I just got home from a god awful Zoning Board meeting where the people are just plain dumb.

YAY!!!!!!!!!! Recap... blech.. Fast Forward! Samantha is in the back interviewing everyone and I need to listen to this because she is so bad and it will be months until I see this again... Warren is a fun dancer, but he is really unintelligible...

Here comes a funny bit... they went looking for CLoris... and she's basically a bum... hee hee... and she is interviewing people on the street.

Alicia Keyes sings and I fast forward...
We get dances with the stars that were voted off.. First... JEffrey Ross... THAT'S WHY YOU WERE VOTED OFF!!!
TED MCGINLEY IS NEXT... Shark... jumping...
KIM Kardashian... blech... she sucked... and the crowd is far too nice.

We relive weeks 3 and 4 through fast forward and Misty May Traenor is interviewed... and Rocco DiSpirito dance...

Time to relive weeks 5 and 6... Toni Braxton is interviewed... and can't dance... because of some minor surgery... Cloris Leachman dances...

Psycho Susan Lucci dances... She is crazy person...
Maurice Greene dances... ZOOM...

Now we get something funny... since Jeffrey Ross is considered the best roaster in the world... he is asked to roast the three remaining dancers... He makes me laugh...

Cody is able to dance a final dance as well... *yawn*

The judges offer their opinions of the dancers... and it isn't really anything new.

We are reminded that they will all dance a final dance that will count towards the judges' scores...

Warren Sapp & Kym Johnson is up first and they have chosen to dance the Hustle after a long ass Season Memory video montage... He's not at the top of his game and yet he's still smiling infecting the audience... Len thinks he is the public's champion... and not the judges' champion. Bruno says something in his native dialect. (His scores tonight...9, 9, 9 .. 27 + 53 from last night = 80)

Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer dance second and they grew up this past season and Lacey is a crying baby and Lance is not self concious any longer. They dance their fabulous Sailor Suit Jitterbug dance again... and it was fabulous... except when Lance almost dropped Lacey on her head... twice. Oof... He hits those and He steals second place from Warren... Now... I am not so sure... (His scores tonight... 9, 9, 10 ... 28 + 53 from last night = 81) That score is bullshit... he really should have gotten 8s across the board.

Brooke Burke & Derek Hough recap their season and they come out to dance the Viennese Waltz. IT's as nice or better than the first time... so sweet... and well done... even LA can't argue with that. Carrie Ann thinks she is a star and says this through her tears... Len still thinks it is amazing... Bruno speaks again in tongues... (Her scores tonight... 10, 10, 10 ... 30 + 58 from last night = 88)

LOST IS COMING BACK!!!!!

It's time to start eliminating! Let's drop off the first couple. Third place goes to... Lance and Lacey. Not surprising really...



MILEY CYRUS BORES US TO TEARS WITH HER SINGING...

Samantha interviews the two finalists and then Tom interviews some of the past losers of this season to just fill in space...

It's time to announce the winner and first loser.

Second place goes to... Warren Sapp and Kym Johnson...



Season... Whatever's winner is... Brooke Burke and Derek Hough...



And so concludes a completely anti-climatic season....

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Dancing With The Stars... The Finals Have Arrived....



Hey... It's the closest final ... EVER!

LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVVVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Oh my God... The three stars all come out and they are all wearing the same outfits and they look like a bad character from THE MASK.

ROUND ONE

Brooke Burke & Derek Hough are up first and they are showing the audience a dance that we have already seen during the season... they choose to show us the Quick Step again... and when I mean again... I mean... it's on tape. And for more tape... we get their Paso Doble again. We get a look at her stats so far and she is tops. Tom interviews Brooke and Derek on stage, which leaves America happy because Samantha isn't talking at all...

Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer are up next and they share with us some video of their Tango. I remember this one... it was really creepy and Lacey officially entered psychotic mode with this one in my book... but alas... they are still here and we keep enabling her behavior. For the Latin choice... they chose the Mambo... which was their best dance... Tom is STILL interviewing! Hooray...

Warren Sapp & Kym Johnson are up third to show us their dance... They chose the Viennese Waltz and we got to see Warren's Big Pimpin' Style... It was also a nice and graceful dance. They also chose their Paso Doble where they were wearing the Matrix leather outfits and I fell in love with Kym...

In a completely anti-climatic moment... the junior champions are crowned and they dance for us. They are given a little mirror ball and Samantha and the judges appear!

Time to start the show...

ROUND TWO -- Samba Smackdown!!!

Brooke is first... Lance is second... Warren is third... and they are all going to dance it and try to be unique and memorable. This is a good way to start... and puts them all on a somewhat equal level. They even practice some together... and the trash talking reaches new levels of cliche...

The Smackdown begins with Brooke and Derek. Immediately... she looks off. TW is all critical of her posture and I am watching Derek dance around her... obviously showing off his skills... 1/2 through... it looks like she picks it up... Lance and Lacey come out third... and do some interesting moves... and something about Lacey is bugging me... enough to push my vote away from Lance, who is tremendous.... since his personality has busted out. That leg sweepy thing they end with was awesome. Warren and Kym come out and Warren does a horrible Round Off Cartwheel... and they get into a dance where Kym is wearing a giant yellow and red tail. Warren appeared to us to do very well, but Lance just seemed the best... They end the Smackdown all together with an interesting ending...

What did the judges think? Len thought Warren did fantastic and better than normal. Lance was energetic... and finese was off. Brooke is still his favorite. Bruno thinks that Brooke is a sexy beast and awesome. Lance is great and could be a leading man. Warren has little technique but he is fun. Carrie adores Lance as it gets better and better. Warren is the most improved to Carrie even being the least talented. Brooke is good too... interesting how the Lovefest is ongoing...

Time for the scores...
Brooke Burke & Derek Hough -- (Scores 9, 9, 10 - for a total of 28)
Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer -- (Scores 9, 8, 9 - for a total of 26)
Warren Sapp & Kym Johnson -- (Scores 9, 7, 9 - for a total of 25)

ROUND THREE -- FREESTYLE

Brooke Burke & Derek Hough are up first... and we are reminded that Brooke choked on the Jive and her confidence levels are low... Practice begins... and Derek is in a lot of pain. They practice in the pool. Apparently... she thinks the mirror ball is hers... They are dancing to some sort of Grease song. The One That I Want I think... She strips her dress off and it becomes a fun dance with lots of flips and tosses and things. I got distracted by... umm... Tucker staring at me... Good dog! The judges think... Bruno thought it was spectacular... Carrie Ann is looking lovely tonight and she thinks they were awesome. Len is/was hot under the collar... and thought it was the best Freestyle that he has ever seen. -- (Scores 10, 10, 10 - for a total of 30)

Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer are up second and we see that they are wearing shirts that say... "LANCEY" and that makes both of us say ...at the same time... "Oh dear." Lance and Lacey now talk to us and admit that only a catastrophe can bring them down... and they have a ton of confidence. They are dancing to IT'S Tricky... and I am feeling more black than I ever have after watching this... I don't know... it might be the bedazzled pants of Lance. I really didn't like it at all. Carrie Ann thought it was good and yet... there was a middle part that didn't work. Len thought it worked.... and Bruno said something that I didn't understand. -- (Scores 9, 9 , 9 - for a total of 27)

Warren Sapp & Kym Johnson dance last and Warren claims that we will see something that has never been done on the dance floor ... ever. We see a lot of practicing and a lot of almost falls and neck breaking... This will be a great dance or a train wreck... They are dancing to a rather interesting interpretation of Proud Mary... that just blows up... and they stip to skimpier clothes... and it gets awesomer and awesomer... there better be some good scores for that... It was Carrie's favorite dance... -- (Scores 9, 10, 9- for a total of 53)

Just to remind you... of tonight's scores...

Brooke Burke & Derek Hough -- 58
Warren Sapp & Kym Johnson -- 53
Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer -- 53

Monday, November 24, 2008

Book 73 of 52 -- Kathy Reichs' Bare Bones



In her sixth Temperance Brennan novel, art once again imitates life as Kathy Reichs writes about forensic anthropologist Brennan, who, like Reichs, is employed in North Carolina and Quebec.

When Tempe goes to a picnic near Charlotte, North Carolina with her college-aged daughter Katy, Boyd, Tempe's estranged husband's dog, digs up skeletal remains.

With the discovery of human bones amidst bear remains, Tempe's anticipated vacation with Montreal detective Andrew Ryan, comes to a sudden halt.

With the beach trip on the back burner, Ryan joins Tempe, as she investigates the burned remains of the baby belonging to a drug dealer's girlfriend, a fiery plane crash, and more bear and human remains in a latrine pit near Boyd's initial skeletal discovery.

While the various investigative sites seem unrelated, Tempe's intuition tells her that they are all somehow connected, as she comes across a complex weave of drug trafficking and illegal exporting of animal parts.

Ms. Reichs' technical knowledge of forensic anthropology adds fascinating information to this novel chock full of murder, mystery, and a dash of romance.

With so many twist and turns and death threats against Tempe, this novel is a sure winner with fans who want a no-holds barred suspenseful mystery.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Friday, November 21, 2008

Survivor Gabon... Week... Uhhh... NINE!



Previously... on Survivor... Charlie... suffering in an unrequited BROMANCE was blindsided and voted out last week. Kenny seems to be running things.... and Bob has an awesome looking fake idol...

We arrive "LIVE" on the beach on Night 27... and there are some pretty tense individuals... Randy is surprised that he's still around...

Day 28 comes and Bob shows Sugar the fake idol and only her... Sugar is crazy cute and I am not sure if it is because she was able to eat for two more week's worth of time than the rest of the group.

We get to see an interaction between Randy and Corrinne -- the two absolutely least appealing people in this season -- and they show me that they are incredibly insane. (Annoying people make the show more fun though....)

Tree Mail arrives and we get a food auction! They start bidding on food and we are told... no pooling money and no sharing food. The first item is beer and peanuts and Randy pays $180 for it. Kenny buys a parchment... and it reads that he can send himself to Exile Island or send someone else and take their money. He sends Bob and takes his money. Sugar buys chocolate and peanut butter for $340. The next item is a hot bath and fresh clothes... sold to Susie for $340... and she bathes NOW!... blech. Burger and fries comes up... Matty wins for $40. (Susie steps out of the bath too early... and everyone thinks she is nuts. She is nuts.) For $280, Randy wins spaghetti and meatballs. The next item is a bottle with a clue for the next immunity challenge that Corrinne wins for $500 (It must be kept sealed until the challenge.) Randy buys a cookie for everyone... and Sugar refuses the cookie, but in the end takes one and gives it to Matty. Randy versus Sugar... interesting...

High Definition animals are awesome... we get back and Randy is a pissed off bastard... but he and Corrinne try and convince Matty to join them and Bob... who... we are reminded is on Exile Island. He chose Idol looking and realizes that his extra clue is irrelevant... sooo... thinking he will get voted off soon, he goes for a long walk around Africa and we all feel better about ourselves.. and thankfully... it is in high definition.

The other alliance of Kenny, Sugar, Crystal, Susie and Matty all start talking strategy. They all want to get rid of Randy, but Matty tries to convince them to get rid of Bob since he is the stronger player. Randy comes back to the hut...and dramatic music begins! ... then... commercial..

Day 29 begins... and Randy thinks that he is going to shake things up and plans to act really nasty to everyone and get the votes... He will then use the immunity idol that Bob "found". The next five minutes are Randy being an annoying fucking asshole... and then cut outs to each player telling the camera that he needs to go.

Immunity Challenge time! Bob returns... First round... walk across balance beams with a bag of blocks... twice... first two people make it to the final round. Second round is cool... they put their blocks on angles on another balance beam... Then... they must walk through some trip wires that will knock down the blocks... (hard to describe... but neat...) Corrinne reads her clue and she is exempt from the first round... Matty and Kenny win so the three go into the finals... It's a wacky challenge and the blocks must be set up so they will fall like dominoes... to knock down a Rube Goldberg thingy to get a flag up. Kenny tries and it doesn't work... Then... all three start about the same time and only Kenny's goes all the way... so he wins immunity.

How can it NOT be Randy going home?

We get to see the logic of Randy because he has made a complete ass of himself because he assumes that Bob has found the idol. Sugar convinces Bob to give Randy the fake idol. Bob sees no reason why he shouldn't... and he "convinces" Randy to take the idol. Randy offers his vote for Bob in the finals if he doesn't make it there. Randy has a newfound bit of confidence that is disgusting and annoying... I have a new found respect for Bob that is awesome.

Tribal Council arrives and we all know who is going home.... it's an interesting TC...

Crystal votes and her screaming can be heard back at the TC...a nd everyone is uncomfortable.

It's time to "tally the votes"...and the payoff when Randy plays the idol is worth it... even though we knew it was coming the whole time! Thank you Randy for being a complete moron... Thank you....

Randy
Randy
Susie
Susie
Susie
Randy
Randy
Randy

I don't mind losing him from my team... what a bonehead idiot joke.

Buh bye Randy!

Tucker's Nuts
5. Susie Smith (9)
6. Matty Whitmore (12)
8. Bob Crowley (16)
9. Jessica Kiper (17)
7. Randy Bailey (13) -- Booted Week Nine
1. Charlie Herschel (1) -- Booted Week Eight
3. Jacque Berg (5) -- Booted Week Three
2. Paloma Soto-Castillo (4) -- Booted Week Two
4. Michelle Chase (8) -- Booted Week One

Assshfault Warriors
1. Ken Hoang (2)
3. Corinne Kaplan (6)
7. Crystal Cox (14)
8. Marcus Lehman (15) -- BOOTED WEEK SEVEN!!!!
2. Dan Kay (3) -- BOOTED WEEK SIX!!!!
4. Ace Gordon (7)-- BOOTED WEEK SIX!!!!
5. Kelly Czarnecki(10)-- BOOTED WEEK FIVE!!!!
6. Danny Brown aka GC (11) -- BOOTED WEEK FOUR!!!!
9. Gillian Larson(18) -- BOOTED WEEK ONE!!!!!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Rutgers in the Orange Bowl? It's a long shot -- but, yes, still possible

I saw this on NJ.com... and I thought I would steal it.

Posted by tluicci November 17, 2008 14:59PM

Kenny Britt and Rutgers could grab an Orange Bowl berth, but it's a long shot.


As if Rutgers' bowl prospects weren't confused enough, here's something else to make it complete chaos: According to the Big East, there are at least two scenarios in which the Scarlet Knights can still win the league title -- which would mean a BCS berth in the Orange Bowl.

Crazy for a team that started 1-5, but true.

Ready to be bowled over by Rutgers to the BCS scenarios? Here goes.

Scenario No. 1:

*Rutgers needs to beat Louisville on Dec. 4. That would make the Knights 5-2 in league play.

*Cincinnati needs to lose to Pittsburgh on Saturday and then to Syracuse (we know, that's a stretch and the only part of this equation that is a real long shot). That would make the Bearcats 4-3 in the conference.

*Pittsburgh beats Cincinnati but loses to West Virginia and Connecticut. That puts the Panthers at 4-3.

*West Virginia beats Pittsburgh but loses to Louisville and South Florida. The Mountaineers are then 4-3.

*Connecticut loses to South Florida and then beats Pitt. The Huskies then finish 4-3.

Rutgers then wins its first Big title -- and outright.

Scenario No. 2

* Rutgers beats Louisville to finish 5-2 in the league.

*Cincinnati loses to Pitt and Syracuse to finish 4-3.

*Pitt beats Cincinnati and UConn but loses to West Virginia to finish 5-2.

*West Virginia beats Pitt but loses to Louisville and South Florida to finish 4-3.

*Connecticut beats South Florida but loses to Pitt, which means the best the Huskies can be is 4-3.

That scenario would leave Pittsburgh and Rutgers tied for first place at 5-2 and the Knights, on the strength of their 54-34 romp at Pittsburgh, would earn the Big East title and would be Orange Bowl-bound.

In the case of a three-way and a four-way tie for first place, the teams involved form a mini-conference, with the best record against the other teams breaking the tie. If one team doesn't have a record better than the others -- that is, if teams are still tied -- the team with the highest BCS ranking still goes.

In the case of a five-way tie for first, which could happen, the team ranked highest in the BCS represents the league in the Orange Bowl as the champion.

What if no Big East teams are ranked in the BCS Top 25? Glad you asked -- and we knew astute Rutgers fans would. According to a Big East official, the BCS rankings can be extended upon request beyond the top 25. So the highest ranked Big East team becomes league champion and is BCS bowl-bound.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Happy Birthday To Me

As a tribute to me... I wanted to re-relate one of my "Top Five Stories."

I am going to relate one of the greatest small world stories of my life and I hope that it translates well onto this medium.

I went to Rutgers and my Freshman year, I took Calculus class.

Like most large colleges, I was stuck in a 500+ person class with Freshmen galore.

I didn't know anyone in class and I sat down next to this random chick.

She and I struck up a conversation as class was going and we hit it off pretty well.

So much so, that we hung out at every class after that.

About three weeks into the semester, we realized that our birthdays were coming up relatively soon, so I asked, "When is your birthday?"

She replied with, "November 19th. Yours?"

I answered, "Me too! That's so cool."

We smiled...

"Don't think I am crazy, but where were you born?" I asked.

She named a hospital and I was shocked! It was the same hospital that I was born in.

Now that is a small world.

We each called our moms that night and found out that our parents shared a hospital room when we were born... a couple of minutes apart.

Now... THAT's a small world...

And pretty neat too.

Dancing With the Stars Results Show -- SEMIFINALS



Soooo... as I start this... I am watching some of the absolutely unnecessary first hour where all the dances are recapped in case you missed it while my wife is taking care of some business around the house (aka... preparing for my birthday... :))

The kids are dancing in the first hour and I am completely skeeved out by this... and I know some of you like this, but it really does freak me out unbelievably...

If you remember... Lance kicked some ass... Samantha looks lovely but speaks with an actual hand in her mouth. They have tons of special guests...

The first one to sing is Aretha Franklin... and she looks horrible. I almost feel bad... but she can still belt out the music when she tries really hard. She didn't move at all during her entire song and we hear why she was on the show... she is promoting her new holiday album.

We get yet ANOTHER recap of what happened... ZOOM. (But wait! Lance... is in his sailor outfit... hee hee... )

After the first commercial... we now get our next musical guest and she is LEona Lewis and she is here to sing and promote the American Music Awards... isn't she British dammit? She was also named the hottest vegetarian this year... by PETA I think?

The judges are then forced to tell us what is strong about all of the couples and I can't stop making lewd comments out loud much to muh wife's chagrin, but she's frozen peas from the bag... so I have nothing for her.

Julianne Hough is musical guest number three with some goofy genre of music they call country music... What makes this creepy is that Mark Ballast and her brother are the dancers during the song. I think she might have been lipsynching, but either way... she has a much more powerful voice than I ever thought.

Musical Guest #4 is John Legend in a special dance number... jesus... I know there is a lot of dancing going on with the performances... but cmon ABC... get to the business at hand... kicking off someone!

Our first video montage is here at minute 34... and it is a montage about the people that care about dancers... and *yawn*... wake me up when it's over...

Aretha Franklin is back... AGAIN... Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas dance to her "RESPECT" and then another shitty montage about how everyone wants to win... seriously? Cliche-ville... I thought we got rid of Maurice awhile ago?!?!?!?!

Finalllllllllllllllllllllly, it's time for some results... They are going to reveal two happy couples and two sad couples.. in no particular order...

First saved is... Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer (DUH)
Secondly saved is... Brooke Burke & Derek Hough (ANOTHER DUH)

The final two in the red dramatic lights are... Warren Sapp & Kym Johnson and Cody Linley & Julianne Hough

Samantha gets to interview the two happy couples right now and guess what? They're ALL HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!

The couple going home is.... Hasta Pasta... Cody and Julianne...

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Dancing With the Stars -- SEMINFINAL



We are reminded that Maurice was booted last week and that this is the semi-final! I bet there is a lot left to dance for right? Oh yeah.... they get to learn two dances this week. The drama is never ending....

We are LLLLLIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

Samantha finally looks lovely again... and she's wearing green. Brooke is wearing glitter all over her body... Kym Johnson continues to smile at me... and it's great seeing Julianne back... and well... Lacey is... Lacey.

Brooke Burke & Derek Hough are dancing the Jive and the Salsa and Derek says something that drives me nuts and why the show is somewhat predictable... "I want this dance to be the best it can be..." Duh. Derek is beating himself up since he can't get some good choreography down. Brroke also wants to be a great performer. The Jive starts... and you can tell that it's going to be goood... I have never seen Brooke with this much facial reactions.... it's cute... I am betting that she is told to just plain dance instead... Len calls the dance a "disaster" and Bruno said that the "technique went down the toilet." Carrie Ann adds a sigh of drama... and hated the blatant illegal lift...finding it disrespectful (to which I agree actually...) -- (Scores 7, 7, 7 - for a total of 21 -- Lowest score ever.)

Cody Linley & Julianne Hough are up second as we welcome Julianne back. They are dancing the Salsa and Cody can't be good at it because he is stiff a lot. They have to dance the Paso Doble and it is the most "manly dance" so that means 18 year old Cody is nervous that he won't be able to pull it off. They dance the Paso Doble first and it will be done in military outfits. I am not sure how I feel about it... except that Julianne is back... Bruno thought that it was too off... and not traditional enough. "Not good enough." Carrie says that is "10 for determination" and yet... it wasn't the smoothest. Len thinks he will get his "marching orders" and "not good." It was odd, but really? -- (Scores 8, 7, 7 - for a total of 22)

Warren Sapp & Kym Johnson come in third... and the judges liked him last week... remember? Warren is a busy ellow... and he does Inside the NFL. This week he is doing the Mambo and the Jitterbug. Lots of energy is being expended and he gets loud and angry at everything, but he isn't a quitter and there was som more personality in that. They start off with the Mambo with some bastardized version of "Tequilla." There is some weird choreography... but it seems like the best dance so far of the night. Carrie thinks they could do more... Len knows that Warren is a performer while Bruno says that he is flat footed even though he is engaging. -- (Scores 8, 8, 8 - for a total of 24)

Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer are up last... Mambo and the Jitterbug.... We meet Lance's dad and grandfather... His grandfather is old and cute and is proud of him... especially doing the "dance of old people... the Jitterbug... Weird and Sweet at the same time. Mambo is up first and Lacey has a horrible outfit on. It starts off as the Lacey show where Lance doesn't have to do anything... and then it kicks in... the music helps out a lot on this one. Now that was the best one of the four... even though Lacey was involved. Len adored it. BRuno thought it was semi-final material. Carrie Ann... agreed... -- (Scores 10, 9, 9 - for a total of 28)

ROUND TWO!!!! -- They were allowed to pick any dance they wanted to from the dances that they introduced this season. We are then subjected to Len's Master Class where he teaches the couples how to dance by isolating their problems... I am not going to write about this sicne they just keep the same themes of always... old grumpy man... and the stars suck up to him.

Brooke Burke & Derek Hough are dancing the Salsa... They start off with a lift and TW yells at the screen. I am there to quickly remind her that it is allowed in these special dances. This dance is a crowd pleaser... and justifyably so with that amazing ending throwing Brooke around moment. Bruno -- "Brooke is back!" Carrie Ann and Len are in agreement. -- (Scores 9, 10, 9 - for a total of 28)

Cody Linley & Julianne Hough dance the Salsa... Julianne's outfit is amazing and probably illegal in a few countries. This is better than their last dance and yet...n ot perfect. Carrie Ann was critical but Len liked it much better. Bruno was somewhere in the middle and flamboyant. Cody sucks up to the audience... and annoys me. -- (Scores 8, 8, 8 - for a total of 24)

Warren Sapp & Kym Johnson chose the Jitterbug. Good times are being had by all and yet... I am nervous throughout the dance as Warren throws Kym all over the place. It was an ambitious dance and not entirely bad. Len avoids talking about the moves and just about his performer side. Bruno thinks he is still flat footed and Carrie Ann loved it. -- (Scores 9, 8, 8 - for a total of 25)

Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer are also dancing the Jitterbug -- the last one of the evening. Lance Bass is in a sailor outfit. SHIT! Must keep jokes inside... big time inside... don't let it come out of my mouth... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! It's a great dance... even if it is a bit awkward in the middle... but Lance's shoe comes off and he kicks at it just like you would think he would.... in his sailor's outfit... My face is giggling... and I can't react. The judges loved them. It was magic... and yet... I am giggling... especially when they go to Lance's grandfather... -- (Scores 10, 9, 10 - for a total of 29)

Just to remind you... of tonight's scores...

Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer -- 57
Brooke Burke & Derek Hough -- 49
Warren Sapp & Kym Johnson -- 49
Cody Linley & Julianne Hough -- 46

Monday, November 17, 2008

Rocknrolla Movie Going Experience‏

10:45 in the morning on a weekday equals only person in a huge theater.

There was an awesome four minute commercial for Lost that got me very excited again.

God... I love the Macy's Day Parade Commercial for Coke with renegade balloons fighting for Coke

Transporter 3 -- Jason Statham is so frigging bad ass.

The International -- Looks like an awesome concept so I wonder if Clive Owen, Naomi Watts, and friends can pull it off.

Notorious -- Notorious B.I.G. biopic.... Uhhhhhh... Why are they playing Duran Duran in the preview?

Frost/Nixon -- Lots of Oscar buzz around this and it has Oliver Platt! Awesome preview too.

Friday the 13th - will the killer be Jason or Mrs. Voorhees? I can't tell from the previews even with a machete weilding Jason.

Four Christmases - Vaughn and Witherspoon in a romantic comedy and no gossip around it... Heh.

Quantum of Solace Moviegoing Experience

The Yes Man

The Day the Earth Stood Still

Bedtime Stories

Valkyrie (The theme music is the same as Saw -- Tom Cruise is a thief)

Fast and the Furious: New Model -- Watch this preview... the beginning is incredible.

The International

2012

Seven Pounds

Thoroughly satisfying movie... not the best but good.

Thank you.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Thank You TW and Rutgers



Yesterday was perfect...

:)

Saturday, November 15, 2008

In the... Always Check Your Kid's Work Category...



(Mommy works at Home Depot, she was selling a shovel)

Thanks to my sister in law for this one.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Survivor Gabon -- Week 8



Previously on Survivor... Ken is a weenie... Randy is a tough guy... Marcus was smug and got booted. Jeff said... "Blindside" in a totally creepy kid toucher sort of way.

Night 24... Kenny is bragging about how awesome he is... and he is all bravado about how Bob is going home. Nice edittig... that has to mean that Kenny is at risk... right?

Tree mail comes on Day 25 and they are going to play some sort of slingshot golf. They practice a little bit and Marcus is identified as the one who was booted. Corrinne opens her big mouth and so does Charlie claiming that Marcus didn't desrve to leave the game. Kenny rightfully calls them on it and it gets awkward.

They play slingshot golf. Whatever team gets it into the "sand" hole in the least amount of tries wins the hole. Best two out of three. Corrinne is forced to sit.

First Hole
Kota is up first and Fang is up second. Both drives are pretty good and Bob has a great second shot... while Matty's (Fang) shot goes off. Kota wins the hole with Kenny's awesome shot.

Second Hole
Bob kicks ass for Kota and Matty succeeds for Fang. Fang's second shot lands 6 inches from the hole while Kota is thirty feet. They need to get it in. Nope. Fnag ties it up on the easy shot.

Third Hole
Matty & Bob launch incredible shots. Second shots are in decent shape. Kota shoots third first with Kenny "just" missing. Fang shoots short and lands within an inch. Kenny just overshoots. For Fang, Randy, Charlie and Matty all argue like assholes with a ton of bravado. They all suck. Randy is such a prick and gets nuts.

Bob is sent to Exile Island...

Fang gets to go to an African village and experience a pretty cool reward. This is Matty's first reward and he kind of earns it! They are treated well. Now... they all mourn the loss of Marcus... Dammit Charlie... think for yourself for once.

We return to Kota and watch Kenny navigate his rowboat while stuck... literally... going around in circles and circles. He catches some fish and thinks that he is a provider. How can they NOT boot him with all this crazy editting around his confidence.

Bob decides to look for the idol instead of taking comfort. He thinks he is the next one to get booted. He can't find the idol so makes a fake idol and what he makes is a pretty damn good looking fake idol.

Immunity Challenge is going to be all about making fire fast. They can't figure out if it will be individual or team and we get to see a lot of venom from Randy towards Crystal that just seems wrong and over the top. They arrive and it is now a MERGED tribe. Individual immunity is what they will seek. (This is a new lease on life for Bob.)

It's a basic challenge and they gotta light a fire and burn a string with flint, knife, and rope.... throw some kindling and a fire will eventually burn. Susie takes the early lead... with Sugar right behind. Susie's fire is just plain awesome... while Sugar is the only other one with fire. The rest of them are just plain pathetic... Susie wins in an incredibly anti-climatic event.

They are to go back to the old Fang which is a brand new tribe... all things were moved there. Randy declares that he can't live with Crystal and it will be one of the two of them going home.

They return to camp and everyone is joyous... strategy started pretty much right away. There seems to be two solid alliances and Sugar is the swing vote. Corrinne is a complete asshole in the way she speaks about Sugar. Matty, Kenny, Crystal, and Susie all start to focus on Charlie. Randy, Corrinne, Charlie, and Bob are all leaning towards Crystal. Ken shows his strength. Sugar can't decide... and drives me nuts with her "thinking."

Tribal Council comes and Marcus looks handsome in the jury. It starts and Crystal and Randy have a verbal bashing and it isn't fun to watch especially because Crystal talks in the third person. The rest of it bores me and no one is allowed to vote for Susie. I get the feeling that Charlie is going home. We see Randy votes for Crystal and Kenny votes for Charlie. Charlie votes for Crystal... Sugar is crying and we see that she starts writing a "C" name... then cries a whole bunch.

Jeff will tally up the votes...

Crystal
Crystal
Crystal
Crystal
Charlie
Charlie
Charlie
Charlie
Charlie

Bye Bye Charlie... Lucy pulled the football out from you.

Tucker's Nuts
5. Susie Smith (9)
6. Matty Whitmore (12)
7. Randy Bailey (13)
8. Bob Crowley (16)
9. Jessica Kiper (17)
1. Charlie Herschel (1) -- Booted Week Eight
3. Jacque Berg (5) -- Booted Week Three
2. Paloma Soto-Castillo (4) -- Booted Week Two
4. Michelle Chase (8) -- Booted Week One

Assshfault Warriors
1. Ken Hoang (2)
3. Corinne Kaplan (6)
7. Crystal Cox (14)
8. Marcus Lehman (15) -- BOOTED WEEK SEVEN!!!!
2. Dan Kay (3) -- BOOTED WEEK SIX!!!!
4. Ace Gordon (7)-- BOOTED WEEK SIX!!!!
5. Kelly Czarnecki(10)-- BOOTED WEEK FIVE!!!!
6. Danny Brown aka GC (11) -- BOOTED WEEK FOUR!!!!
9. Gillian Larson(18) -- BOOTED WEEK ONE!!!!!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Book 72 of 52 -- Lee Goldberg -- Mr. Monk Goes to Germany



As a big fan of the show, I was a little wary to read this book...

I was right... I shouldn't have read it since it was a bit nuts and over the top.

Mr. Goldberg did a great disservice to the series and should be ashamed of himself.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Dancing With the Stars -- Week 8 Results



Holy crap... another whole hour long recap episode before the show? Really? That's called milking it baby.

We get a quick judges' breakdown of each of the dancers and we continue to get the feeling that Len absolutely hates poor Lance and I think it all comes from an animosity for Lacey who was a "so You Think You Can Dance?" Winner.

The dance they want to see again is Warren and Kym's Tango... It was my favorite too because.... the singers didn't sing and it was an all instrumental piece. I hate that band... I really do.

Samantha is in the back and she is a terrible interviewer as we get some awkward moments with Cody who has both Edyta and Julliane on his arm... making America jealous...

Brad Paisely is up and the "Draw" to this is that Lacey and her brother are going to dance together. Look... America... I love my sister, but I would never dance with her this way... It's just plain icky and gross.

It's time to save two couples... pretty early I think.

First saved!?!?!? Warren Sapp & Kym Johnson Cool.
Second saved? Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer That was a surprise to me.

In what I hope is an interesting time filler, Dr. Drew Pinsky will evaluate each of the remaining couple's relationships. Lance and Lacey are up first and Dr. Drew thinks that they want to win and they need to allow each others to feel their feelings. Warren and Kim are second and I got nothing out of that except that Warren is busy. Maurice and Cheryl are third and we re-learn that Maurice is competitive and can't communicate. The other two will be later.

For the Macy's Special Dance... it is the audience choice dance and we get more icky brother and sister dancing since it is Derek and Julianne Hough dancing on a piano. Ergh. Especially when Derek had his nuts on Julianne' neck.

More Dr. Drew -- Derek and Brooke are up fourth. Brooke and Derek relive their fights. Boring. Cody and Julianne are up last and she looks more like Heather Locklear each week... and Cody cries a bit too much... They hug and we get nothing really out of this.

Seriously... what is worse... 1. Finding out early that you are safe and HAVE TO DO THESE INANE interviews with Samantha or 2. Being the last couple to find out you are safe? Seriously.

Brad Paisley sings again... and I ... fast forward... Country music just sucks...

Brooke Burke & Derek Hough are saved third.

We finally come down to some incredible drama at the end of the episode... to see who is the couple that gets booted this week.

Maurice Greene & Cheryl Burke or Cody Linley & Edyta Sliwinski

COMMERCIAL!
LIIIIVE!

Maurice Greene & Cheryl Burke are chucked.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Dancing With the Stars... Five *ahem* Stars Left!



Before we begin, we were "blessed" to see Tony Dovolani and Susan Lucci on the Ellen show. Tony is still so charming and Susan is as vacant as Cindy McCain at a funeral.

LLLLLLLIIIIIIIIIIIVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Tonight... each of the couples will have to dance TWICE with two different dances...and to create even more contrived DRAMA for an hour and a half of television, they will have to dance a solo during the Latin portion.

Oof! or Awesome!

We get our first glimpse at our stars and at Samantha. And... I have to say this. Samantha's hairstylist is such a fucking asshole.

Part One -- Ballroom

Cody Linley & Edyta Sliwinski are up first and Cody can't deal with being in last place last week. So Edyta invited his friends over to watch him. The total age of the 5 kids was 65. They finally leave and Cody can finally learn the Foxtrot... and he's calling it a comeback... uh... whatever. The dance starts and Edyta has comehow found a dress that somehow stays on her ass the whole dance while really showing it off. Len was "pleasantly surprised" and Bruno liked it. Carrie LOVED the performance even with the phantom... "lift". -- (Scores 8, 8, 8 - for a total of 24)

Brooke Burke & Derek Hough are up second. Brooke got the first perfect score last week and Derek tells her that he is going to push her incredibly hard. The work really hard and they are dancing the Tango. I am mesmerized by it because it seems so erfect and my wife can only add... "I am worried that her dress is going to fall off." Strangely enough. I am not worried about that at all. :) All three judges loved it tremendously with Len liking it the least. -- (Scores 10, 8, 10- for a total of 28)

Maurice Greene & Cheryl Burke is getting ready to dance the Quickstep. The dance starts out of nowhere and I am not sure that Maurice ready for it all. He just doesn't seem ready to dance and I laugh because the song is Puttin' On the Ritz and we just saw Young Frankenstein on Broadway soooo... if you know the movie or show... that should make you smile too. His footwork is fine, but he doesn't seem comfortable. Carrie Ann, Len, and Bruno thought it was pretty good! -- (Scores 8, 8, 8 - for a total of 24)

Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer dance fourth and we are reminded of how much of an asshole Len can be since he doesn't seem to like anything that Lacey... therefore Lance does. They are doing the Samba and the Foxtrot. They claim that they are going to pull any crap this week and dance it all by the book just make Len happy. It was nice and Len thought so too. -- (Scores 9, 8, 9 - for a total of 26)

Warren Sapp & Kym Johnson are reminded that last week wasn't their week. He is dancing the Jive and the Tango. During the video, it doesn't look good. They dance the Tango first and Kym's boobs are apparently here to assist them with their dance. The dance was frenetic and good. The judges thought it was good. -- (Scores 10, 9, 9 - for a total of 28)

This season, since the dancers aren't as good, the judges are just plain rougher.

Part II -- Latin Dances

Cody Linley & Edyta Sliwinski are up to dance the Mambo. Edyta has done quite a job with him. I think he looks good until the turn where he ends up lifting Edya by mistake. Carrie Anne thought it was disjointed and appreciated his excitement. Len thought it was nice, but stiff. Bruno thought it was "spasmodic" and then acted out that word. I am ill. -- (Scores 8, 8, 8 - for a total of 24)

We get an update and Jullianne will be returning if Cody makes it through this week.

Brooke Burke & Derek Hough are also dancing the Mambo. Brooke is wearing a wig. and I am still impressed by her and Derek. I really liked that dance despite the horrific singing of that horrible Dancing With the Stars band. Len thought it was ambitious, but offered some criticism. Bruno thought it was good. Carrie thought her posture was awkward. -- (Scores 9, 9, 9 - for a total of 27)

Maurice Greene & Cheryl Burke are dancing the Paso Doble and it is an auspicious start when Maurice can't pick up Cheryl right away. It picks up momentum and eventually gets to a great point even with a pretty damn good ending. Bruno thought it was strong and imposing. Carrie and Len thought it was good. -- (Scores 8, 8, 8 - for a total of 24)

Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer are dancing the Samba. My first reaction is that Lacey's dress is worse than Samantha's hair. I am not going to get into body sizes, but cmon wardrobe department... get that right. The dance ends with Lance's face right in Lacey's feather molting dress's ass. Carrie has some criticism and Len hates it and his footwork. Bruno liked it. -- (Scores 8, 7, 9 - for a total of 24)

Warren Sapp & Kym Johnson are told to dance just as they come out of a commercial. They are dancing the Jive. I am a big fan of this performance and Warren's solo actually brings a smile to my face. The dance was fun and brought a huge smile to both of our faces. Please be good judges. Len thought it was a joy to watch and hated his feet. Bruno agrees about the feet, but that it was a good dance. Carrie agrees it was flat footed, but the energy was very upbeat. -- (Scores 9, 8, 9 - for a total of 26)

Just to remind you... of tonight's scores...

Brooke Burke & Derek Hough -- 28 + 27 = 55
Warren Sapp & Kym Johnson -- 28 + 26 = 54
Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer -- 26 + 24 = 50
Cody Linley & Julianne Hough -- 24 + 24 = 48
Maurice Greene & Cheryl Burke -- 24 + 24 = 48

Monday, November 10, 2008

Book 71 of 52 -- Shirley Jackson's The Lottery and Other Stories



I read this book on the suggestion of someone that the Lottery is a great story and extremely eerie.

I expected stories on par with the Lottery in this collection and I didn't find it.

The majority of other stories do not fall in to the classification of horror stories like the Lottery or "The Haunting of Hill House" which Shirley Jackson is also so famous for.

The stories would fall in to the region of American Literature, not horror or mystery.

There are multiple stories that don't come to a conclusion as one would expect with either a horror or mystery story but are a poignant tale of literature.

If you find yourself buying this for mystery or horror stories, take a pass.

If you are looking to reread "The Lottery" I would recommend taking this book out from the library.

Saturday, November 08, 2008

A New Element Added to the Periodic Table

Research has led to the discovery of the heaviest element yet known to science. The new element, Governmentium (Gv), has one neuron, 25 assistant neurons, 88 deputy neurons, and 198 assistant deputy neurons, giving it an atomic mass of 312.


These 312 particles are held together by forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons. Since Governmentium has no electrons, it is inert; however, it can be detected, because it impedes every reaction with which it comes into contact.


A minute amount of Governmentium can cause a reaction that would normally take less than a second to take from four days to four years to complete. Governmentium has a normal half-life of 2-6 years; it does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganization in which a portion of the assistant neurons and deputy neurons exchange places. In fact, Governmentium's mass will actually increase over time, since each reorganization will cause more morons to become neurons, forming isodopes.


This characteristic of moron promotion leads some scientists to believe that Governmentium is formed whenever morons reach a critical concentration. This hypothetical quantity is referred to as critical morass. When catalyzed with money, Governmentium becomes Administratium, an element that radiates just as much energy as Governmentium since it has half as many peons but twice as many morons.

Friday, November 07, 2008

Survior Gabon -- Earth's Last Eden -- Week... ?



Kota -- Randy is not friends with anyone, but he thinks he is... and everyone needs to check their realities at the door as Susie is then the center of everyone's anger.

Fang -- No one is a friend and they are completely dysfunctional. Matty is nuts and Crystal is a whack job. Kenny doesn't say anything and Sugar is just cute and awesome.

So some tree mail arrives and the tribes read it as a merge, but it is truly vague enough that it could be anything. Both tribes arrive for a huge feast with all of their personal items. Lots of hugging and smooching and drooling. There is a box and it says... don't open until the feast is over.

During lunch, Ken and Charlie discover an immunity idol clue. Through some circumstances, the whole tribe reads the clue. Marcus and Randy push for finding it for everyone and then setting it free. Randy gets beligerent... and makes me uncomfortable.

The idol sits in the middle of the table and everyone talks about whether or not they should or shouldn't take it. Randy gets Randy and is the one who directs the tribe to throw it into the ocean. Randy claims all the credit... but Marcus is the real person who convinces everyone to throw it into the ocean.

The box is then opened. Everyone grabs a colored stone and there are now two new tribes. Odds are Fang and evens are Kota.

The new tribes are:
Fang -- Matty, Sugar, Randy, Charlie, and Corrinne
Kota -- Bob, Marcus, Susie, Crystal, and Kenny

They collect their items and retun home. Marcus realizes that he knows who Crystal's cousin is and that relationship shows Marcus how cool Crystal is. They are now friends. That should be an interesting dynamic later. Susie is throwing around her ability to flip immunities.

Randy gets awesome and comes out with a cool idea... lose intentionally to get rid of Matty and/or Sugar so that whatever Susie is doing on the other side doesn't matter. That's the side of Randy that I like.

Immunity Challenge -- There is an endurance challenge where everyone is holding up posts with the tops of their hands. The last tribe to have someone left is the winner. Basically... easy to throw.

In order of screwing up... Crystal, Sugar, Susie, Corrinne, Randy, Kenny, Marcus, Charlie, (Bob vs Matty are the last two...and this is actually very dramatic television.) Matty eventually wins and Kota has to go to tribal council...

The way things are playing out... it looks like Susie might be the swing vote for the Kenny/Crystal or Marcus/Bob choice to go home. Marcus is scheming and planning either lying or telling the truth to Susie and Crystal to make them both feel safe.

Tribal Council comes around and it is going to be either Kenny or Marcus... That makes me happy since I don't have either one... we see everyone's votes but Susie's so it really does come down to her.

Marcus
Kenny
Kenny
Marcus
Marcus -- He's also the first member of the jury... soooo... there will be either a final two with eight jurors or a final three with seven jurors...

Tucker's Nuts
1. Charlie Herschel (1)
5. Susie Smith (9)
6. Matty Whitmore (12)
7. Randy Bailey (13)
8. Bob Crowley (16)
9. Jessica Kiper (17)
3. Jacque Berg (5) -- Booted Week Three
2. Paloma Soto-Castillo (4) -- Booted Week Two
4. Michelle Chase (8) -- Booted Week One

Assshfault Warriors
1. Ken Hoang (2)
3. Corinne Kaplan (6)
7. Crystal Cox (14)
8. Marcus Lehman (15) -- BOOTED WEEK SEVEN!!!!
2. Dan Kay (3) -- BOOTED WEEK SIX!!!!
4. Ace Gordon (7)-- BOOTED WEEK SIX!!!!
5. Kelly Czarnecki(10)-- BOOTED WEEK FIVE!!!!
6. Danny Brown aka GC (11) -- BOOTED WEEK FOUR!!!!
9. Gillian Larson(18) -- BOOTED WEEK ONE!!!!!

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Dancing With the Stars Week 7 Boot



We are LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVEEEEEEEEEEEE. (God... I still love that...)

Good news I heard is that Julianne will dance next week if she is needed...and she should be because I can't really see Cody getting booted.

We get a reminder of how everyone did two nights ago, which is a good segue into the repeat performance... We get the Group/Team Paso Doble again.

Welcome back... and Tom and Samantha have obviously been told to push the hell out of the Team Dance... and shove it down our throats.

Apparently... we learn that next week... each novice will have to dance BY THEMSELVES OUT ON THE DANCE FLOOR. huh? I guess I will have to wait and see.

Lionel Ritchie steps out to sing and he goes right into a song that I don't know at all... DAMMIT... you get one or two songs... sing the classics... Dammit...

Let's save a couple right now... Maurice Greene & Cheryl Burke (eh... )

DANCECENTER IS BACK! Kenny Mayne, Len Goodman, and Jerry Rice rule... This bit is awesome.

Yay! Macy's Stars of Dance is up and we get some weird creepy guy doing magic and dancing.

DANCECENTER PART TWO is on... and I am still laughing... Kenny Mayne really gets it.

Ok... save a second couple... and it's the obvious one..Brooke Burke & Derek Hough

The third couple saved is Warren Sapp & Kym Johnson

The last three couples are all from Team Cha Cha... That will teach that team to suck.

Lionel Ritchie is singing DANCING ON THE CEILING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Classic.

I think there was a video montage that I fast forwarded through.

Let's save someone else... Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer

The final two are Susan Lucci & Tony Dovolani and Cody Linley & Edyta Sliwinski.

Drama ... drama... drama...

Susan Lucci & Tony Dovolani are gone!!!!!!!!!!!!

YYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Go away creepy lady.

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

2008 Election

I can't help but smile at this one.

I also found this from one of my absolute favorite writers -- Chris Moore -- who is frigging hilarious.

To the McCain Voters
November 4th, 2008 · 1 Comment

To the McCain Voters

I know how you feel. Honestly. Been there. Got the T-shirt. But look at the spirit of those kids who have lined the streets of our cities tonight, the tears and the smiles, and you should know. We wish you no ill. I understand if you’re angry, disappointed, or incredulous, but that will pass, really. I understand. You don’t get to drive for a while, but you can scream, grab the wheel, and freak us out the whole way. Really, that’s more fun than driving.

Come on. It’ll be fun.

Book 70 of 52 -- Nicholas Sparks' The Lucky One



Sparks delivers again with another great story with another set of great characters, who's stories all get intertwined and weaved together somehow yet again.

I have to admit Sparks has a way of really getting you emotionally involved in his stories, and it's hard to put the book down until you've read cover to cover.

I don't wanna give anything away, but I have to say I was really impressed how Sparks developed and told his story this time making me care for the characters very early one, and I was actually almost shocked to see a "villain" this time around as well.

I will admit a few characters and events seemed a little forced here and there, but I find that in a lot of his stories, so it just kinda goes with the territory.

Regardless, I was sucked into the story and I enjoyed til the bitter end.

I do have to say this book really makes you think of things such as fate and destiny and whether or not they exist for people.

His best book since The Notebook.

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Happy Election Day

Please get out and vote.

It's a big election... and most of you know who I am voting for.

Enjoy tonight too... it's lots of pundits and stupid graphics and too much blue and red for one evening.

Tonight...the Empire State Building will be lit up in red on one side and blue on the other.

Tomorrow night... it will be lit up with the corresponding color of whomever wins.

Monday, November 03, 2008

Dancing With The Stars -- Week Seven



We were reminded that Cloris was booted off a couple weeks too late and that we are going to have the first ever Team Dance... (Team Cha Cha vs Team paso Doble wherethey will also get a team score) Oh yeah... everyone is stressed out... duh.

LLLLLLIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

The credits roll and we see that Julianne is still in the credits although Edyta will be dancing for her this week.

Warren Sapp & Kym Johnson step up first and have to do teh Fox Trot... In one of the most boring video openings... Warren watches some professional men dance. He comes out looking dapper and looks what I think is great... and a lot of it is becasue of Kym's great choreography. She is really coming out of her shell this season now that she actually has somone who can dance or isn't 80 years old. I liked it more than my wife did. Len starts off by saying it wasn't his best dance and a tiny bit of a disappointment. Bruno admits he's gay? Not sure. Tough Tough Tough... -- (Scores 7, 7, 7 - for a total of 21)

Susan Lucci & Tony Dovolani has had a difficult week according to Tom. She is nervous that she doesn't know if she was in the bottom two or not. Susan is such a turd and she is the only star to ever yell at Tony (the sweetest male dancer in the history of the world). Susan is a turd. She looks like she wants to cry a bunch. THERE SHE GOES! Cry! Cry! Cry! She is dancing the Paso Doble and is covered in stripper glitter. For a woman who has been a soap star for years, she has no passion whatsoever..... and it's not good. How did she make it this far? Bruno liked that!?!?!? Carrie Ann too? Len liked it too? Screw you guys. She's obviously on some sort of artifical assistance... -- (Scores 8, 8, 8 - for a total of 24)

Maurice Greene & Cheryl Burke are up third. Maurice is under a tremendous amount of stress and during the Saturday rehearsal, he hyperextends his knee and we finally get a look into the real Maurice when he isn't just screaming stupid cliches. I actually like him after that... even though he is sad and hurt. He became more of a person to me. His dance was nice to me. The judges thought it was nice. -- (Scores 8, 9 , 8 - for a total of 25)

Cody Linley & Edyta Sliwinski are up fourth. Cody gets a new partner and they will be dancing Vienese Waltz but first, let's visit the Mormon after her surgery while she wears an AC/DC shirt. Hey guess what? They need to learn each other. Oh well... It is really nice to see Edyta back. I thought it was a sweet dance and my wife is criticizing his arm extensions. Len and Bruno were critical and Carrie Ann thought it was great. -- (Scores 8, 7, 7 - for a total of 22)

Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer have to dance the dance of love (Rumba) and by the video montage, the lack of self-esteem of Lance has finally gotten to Lacey who can't help him anymore. Great drama and thankfully it was good television. They are going to dance it barefoot and it begins a great interaction between them where they get into a big baby fight. yay!!!!!!!!!! They look hapy on the show though and begin their dance to a John Mayer song. Dance looked good to me. Bruno too. Carrie said it was her best dance yet and Len hated it. Of course he did. -- (Scores 9, 7, 9 - for a total of 25)

Brooke Burke & Derek Hough dance last and she looks to regain first place this week. They are going to do a Foxtrot... after a pretty boring montage. It was such a graceful dance and Derek is a great dancer. She better get good scores. Judges will give her good scores.-- (Scores 10, 10, 10 - for a total of 30)

We have a new feature this year... Team dances where the contestants compete individual dances and then as a team for a group score. This could be an absolute trainwreck possibly. Warren and Susan were made captains and allowed to pick teams.

Team Cha Cha has three members Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer, Susan Lucci & Tony Dovolani, and Cody Linley & Edyta Sliwinski. They are first and everyone stands around in a circle and they compliment how wonderful they are. Then... they are al nervous about if they will pull it off... *yawn* The dance starts and my gut reaction is that it is unfair to Susan since the only other two women are professionals. There is a lot of solo dancing for a team dance. Susan is on some sort of drug... I swear... The judges thought that the dance was borderline bad and Carrie is brutally honest about the unison dancing. Every one of them said that Lance and Lacey saved the dance. -- (Scores 6, 7, 7 - for a total of 20 -- Each performer gets 20 more points added to their scores.)

Time for Team Paso Doble who has three members Maurice Greene & Cheryl Burke, Brooke Burke & Derek Hough, and Warren Sapp & Kym Johnson. The video montage is more fun simply because of Warren and Derek. Wow. Their dance was far better than the first one and I hope the scores reflect that. Even Maurice pulled his weight on that one. Bruno loved it. Carrie loved it. -- (Scores 10, 9, 10 - for a total of 59)

Just to remind you... of tonight's scores...

Brooke Burke & Derek Hough -- 59
Maurice Greene & Cheryl Burke -- 54
Warren Sapp & Kym Johnson -- 50
Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer -- 45
Susan Lucci & Tony Dovolani -- 44
Cody Linley & Edyta Sliwinski -- 42

Sunday, November 02, 2008

Don Draper Rules

Have You Wondered? (Thanks Dad)

Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?

Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are dead?

Why do banks charge a fee on 'insufficient funds' when they know there is not enough?

Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?

Whose idea was it to put an 'S' in the word 'lisp'?

What is the speed of darkness?

Why is it that people say they 's lept like a baby' when babies wake up every two hours?

Are there specially reserved parking spaces for 'normal' people at the Special Olympics?

If the temperature is zero outside today and it's going to be twice as cold tomorrow, how cold will it be?

Do married people live longer than single ones or does it only seem longer?

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?

Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, 'I think I'll squeeze
these pink dangly things here, and drink whatever comes out?'

Who was the first person to say, 'See that chicken there... I'm gonna eat the next thing that comes outta it's butt.

Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!

If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?

If olive oil is made from olives, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, then what is baby oil made from?

Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him on a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?

Saturday, November 01, 2008