| 5/20/2005 |
WHAT'S THE FREQUENCY, KENNETH by R.E.M.
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NEWS OF THE INANE AND INSANE
-Thank God it says that it's hygenic!
-I would think that you would want to do any last minute shopping BEFORE you got ready to go to the movies. Maybe he was there to purchase some "BLANCE BARS". Though, I doubt they'll improve your spelling.
-I would think these librarians should just count their blessing this vandal wasn't checking out the potty training book Everybody Poops!
-I don't think these kids are going to get too many takers and trading lunches. |
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I posted this @ 5/20/2005 02:45:00 PM.............Need a link?..........
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| 5/18/2005 |
REAL WORLD by Matchbox 20
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REAL WORLD by Matchbox 20
I have very little sympathy for reality show contestants who whine. The amount of sympathy I have is inversely proportional to the amount of time they spend whining. I hear the argument that it's not 'reality' if they have people doing all kinds of things that normal people wouldn't do. These people aren't professional actors playing a part. Yet television editing has a very bad habit of editing people into characters. If you have cameras following your around 24/7 and the show is only a half hour or an hour long, there is no possible way to show all aspects of a person in such a time. I don't care how long the show is on the air. It won't happen.
When you interview for a reality show, you are judged and picked based on four basic points; Appeal (Likeability/Dislikeability), Looks, Stereotype, and Hook (personal motive). In some cases a persons lack of appeal can be just as intriguing to watch as it is watching to root on your favorite person. Anyone who has seen Fear Factor knows that your looks are important for that show. Stereotype isn't always a gender or racial stereotype. It could be you are the pretty rich girl who will be entertaining to watch live in a motor home for a couple month. It could be that you are the homophobic jock forced to room with a flamboyant gay. Hook can be a wide variety of things. Perhaps you are a divorce couple trying to reconcile. Perhaps you lost everything in a fire and could use the money. Perhaps your have/had an unusual occupation. Your hook is your selling point. What can you be 'advertised' as?
If I ever went on one of those shows, I'd know what I was getting into. I'd know that there are probably two or three stand-out points of my personality that a show could choose to edit out or play up. If I am only shown acting like a jack-ass on a show, it doesn't mean that I always act like that, but that I am able to act like that and enough so that they show me acting that way repeatedly.
I really do have a point that I'm getting to. I swear!
After your appearance on a reality show you have very little room to complain about how you were portrayed on the show. You fit the 'part' they were looking for. On the latest season of The Amazing Race one of the teams consisted of a Former POW and her pageant Queen girlfriend. They started out by showing them as the All-American Couple. They made specific points to stress that this guy was a former POW in Iraq. Now after the show he is annoyed that they show him making all kind of comparisons to being a POW. He says the questions during interview segments were leading. Granted they probably were. IN watching the show not all his comments about being a POW were made in the context of a post-game interview. Yet once again. That is the hook you used when you applied.
In the previous season a highly dysfunctional couple ws shown. These "married entrepreneurs" were at each others throats so much that it was truly painful to watch. His constant rants about her worthlessness and lack of ability to even take a breath properly were so bad that even producers stepped in at some point and told him to tone it down. In one situation he almost knocks his wife to the ground after pushing her as she carried a heavy backpack. Big shock that he went on the defensive after his season aired. He claimed he wasn't like that in real life. I'm sure he's not, but it didn't bother him enough that he didn't want to appear on Dr Phil and work out his problems on TV for another 15 minutes of fame. It didn't stop him from pitching the idea of cameras following the two of them around as a separate reality show. Be an ass, if you so desire. At least admit to it.
There have how many Apprentices that have been "fired" and then seen in newspapers and magazines trying to salvage their image. You're human. You're allowed to be an idiot. Just don't expect sympathy from anyone where you're public idiocy comes as a result of appearing on national television.
How many American Idols names do you remember? How many Idolites have had record deals even though they didn't win? If you are there for the love of the music, but the music doesn't love you, don't complain and decide to take a mudslinging path. You tried.
Don't claim it was the medication you were on. Don't claim it was the unusually stressful environment of 'the game.' Don't claim external forces that caused you to act in a way that you aren't happy to see. You wanted your time in the sun. This is what happens. Sunburns can be a bitch. |
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I posted this @ 5/18/2005 02:51:00 PM.............Need a link?..........
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| 5/16/2005 |
DOMO ARIGATO MR. ROBOTO by Styx
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THE GRUDGE - (B-) I used to think Japan was a pretty cool place. Beautiful land. Exotic food. Amazingly rich cultural heritage. The occasional gigantic radioactive monster attack, but you could see the coming and be prepared. Yet, since seeing The Ring and The Grudge... I'm not so sure Japan is quite as idyllic as it once seemed. There is some freaky shit going on in Japan.
Foolishly enough Sarah Michelle Geller completely fogets all her supernatural fighting skills from Buffy and her sleuthing skills from Scooby Doo and charges head-first into the House Of Mysterious Disappearances and Deaths. I'm torn on this subject. I would be all willing to investigate spooky or mysterious noises. Really, I would! I'm Mulder like that. Yet, if I knew that there was a long string of deaths involved. You couldn't make me get near that house. I'd refer to the Guide For Surviving A Horror Movie in a situation like that. I know it is just type casting, but for me that is what makes it hard to watch. She's Buffy for crying out loud! Don't you know how to handle evil? By... you know... NOT handling evil! Let someone else who knows about curses do it!
The story itself is creepy. There were several times where I was creeped the hell out and every hair on my body (and that's no small feat) stood up. Yet, the way the movie was told was very choppy. I had a hard time trying to figure out the sequences of events. I'm not typically this dense. I understood Memento and Pulp Fiction with it's fractured way of telling tale. Yet for some reason, I found myself trying to figure out if Karen (Gellar) was investigating a past incident or if she was a past incident or she had seemingly stepped into the past in one incident. It wasn't until the very end that it really all comes together and you see who died first that started the curse on the house.
There is something about pale Asian children who screech from an extraordinarily large mouth like a cat that gives me the willies!! Time to take Little Yoshi to the doctor if that is the case. The movie definitely has it's moments where you see the Responsible Evil before the unwitting actor does. Those are the 'best' moments. I am a bit confused by the ending as in 'how' they explain those who survive the final cinematic clash. I imagine it is done so as to leave the possibility of a sequel. I don't think it will happen. Not in the states at least.
Good creepy story, though I think other such films have done it better. The cast is unremarkable, but they aren't bad by any means. There is just nothing really stellar from any of them.
Bad way to tell the story. Very choppy chronology in some parts. Not enough explanation for my liking.
I'm glad I didn't pay full movie ticket price to see it, but it would definitely be worth it is you were going with a bunch of squemy friends who flinch a lot. Very rentable! |
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I posted this @ 5/16/2005 01:37:00 AM.............Need a link?..........
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SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER by Alice Cooper
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My good friend Zaida had her graduation party on Saturday. I haven't seen here in over a month. I've talked to her and she said she was getting bigger (baby due in a little over a month), but the way she made it sound she was as big as a house. I think that is pretty standard to feel from what I've heard. Yet she actually looked pretty much the same as I recall other than the fact she is 8 months along. Knowing her the way I do, I knew that she wasn't going to let pregnancy slow her down, unless she had to. Always the social butterfly, everytime someone came in she was at the door and greeting them with hugs. Even with a plate of food it took her a long time to actually eat. There was always someone new coming in that she wanted to greet and thank for coming.
My understanding of the nuances of the culture of Hispanic families is very limited. From a general stand point I know that they are typically very close-knit. Strong family bonds. It was intersting to see this play out when a member of someone's family would arrive and greet all the aunt, mothers, and grandmothers by kissing each and every one of them on the cheek. It was very My Big Fat Greek Wedding. I imagined the amount of chapstick needed for such an event like Thanksgiving or Christmas.
The graduation party also gave me a chance to see my former co-workers from the Hotline. Nothing against the people I work with now, but I don't have the same closeness with them as I did/do these people. When we saw each other, after a brief explination of what I am up to now it was like old times. Laughing, gossiping, and recounting various tales. Good times. It's almost been a year since I've seen some of these people and it's nice to know that not much has changed.
I was actually quite sad leaving. Mainly becuase of how things have changed and how much those people were a part of my life. That goes for quite a few people, even those that I didn't work with. I really terribly miss a lot of people that I don't see or talk to every day like I used to do. It's no one's fault but my own, really. Yet, I can still be sad for what has been lost. |
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I posted this @ 5/16/2005 01:36:00 AM.............Need a link?..........
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GROUND CONTROL TO MAJOR TOM by David Bowie
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Sorry about not posting this sooner. I just thought I'd mention that I did go see...
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - (B) Ok... Here is how I typically feel about such movies. By such movies I mean a movie where I don't really know a whole, if anything at all, about the actors in the movie. In addition, I also mean a movie where I know it's been a popular book for years and I've never bothered to even pretend to read it or act like I'm in the know when someone else discusses the book.
I enjoyed this movie. If you like British 'humour' (a la Monty Python) and parodies of other films (a la Space Balls), then you stand a good chance of walking out of this film with a smile upon your face. By not having read the book(s), I wasn't able to scoff when something was omitted in the film, or when something was done not precisely as I had envisioned it in my head after reading it. I knew the books were cult classics, in the way a prose version of the Rocky Horror Picture Show or Little Shop of Horrors would be a cult classic. I knew I was in for an odd ride when the first 10 minutes were devoted to... Well, actually I'll not spoil it in case it is important to someone. Let's just say, I wouldn't have expected an opening like that at all. Hiiiiii-larious!
Overall the film probably touched on such socio-political and moral issues as such stories typically do. Of course that is likewise, typically lost on me. I was never good at analyzing such things as any of my English Lit. teachers could tell you, if they even remembered me being in their class, since I probably never volunteered an answer to anything they would've asked.
The acting was pretty good. The characters were believable for as far out there as they were to begin with. The overall feel of the film was kind of 70s. The special effects were done very well. Although, there wasn't a huge build up to a lot of FX usage. This isn't Star Wars.
I don't really feel I can say what was good or bad about this movie because without having read the book it was based on I can't really say if it kept true to the original story. I did enjoy myself. I laughed. I rooted for people. I can see this movie being a cult classic that people would eventually dress up for and bring a towel. |
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I posted this @ 5/16/2005 01:33:00 AM.............Need a link?..........
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| 5/15/2005 |
MAMA MIA by ABBA
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MONSTER-IN-LAW - (B) When you see an actor who is famous for their various roles over 10 or 15 years ago, suddenly on shows that are advertised as fresh and hip leaves me with a bad feeling in my mouth. Seeing Tom Poston (the loveable seemingly dim handyman George from Newhart) on Committed was painful. He was out of place and awkward. This isn't about Tom Poston. It's about Jane Fonda. I had the aforementioned hesitation of such a scenario like Tom Poston. Award Winning Jane Fonda starring with Jenifer Lopez and Michael Vartan. What combination of actors could we put together that would be the most unlikely three-some (not like that) ever! Jane Fonda, Jenifer Lopez, & Wanda Sykes! Then let's put Michael Vartan in there and watch him fall all over himself as he watches his fiance and mother go at it tooth-and-nail.
It may sound like I didn't like this movie, but it was a riot! Truly! I have nothing against Jane Fonda (aforementioned worries aside). I like J to the Lopez since her movie The Wedding Planner. I LOVE Wanda Sykes. She is absolutely hilarious in her stand-up. I hear that some scenes she was just given free reign to ad-lib what she thought would work. I've seen the critics reviews and I don't get it. What movie did they see? I don't think anyone thought this was doing to be some kind of award grabbing behemoth. It's a funny, light-hearted movie. Ruby (Sykes) has some of the best lines in the movie. The acting was good for what is was. Like I said, no one is expecting Oscars. Just entertainment. Perhaps the ending is a little predictable. You know what you'd like to see, you just don't know if that's even possible.
The scenes with Wanda Sykes are my favorites. Considering she has probably used both Jenifer Lopez and Jane Fonda as fodder in her routines just adds to the fun.
There are several faces in the supporting cast that you think you recognize from other things. That's always a fun game to play.
It's good that Jane Fonda doesn't come off as 'washed up' and starving for any part she can get. It's good that Wanda Sykes is given free comedic reign. It's good that Jenifer Lopez knows how to act like someone is proposing to her. It's like she's made for that role. She's a harpy!! Luring men in with her song, till they fall in love.
It's too bad they don't let Sykes have more scenes. It's too bad they tried to pass off Michael Vartan as a Mama's Boy. Any more Dharma & Greg-ish and this movie would've put me over the edge.
It's worth matinee price. Maybe even full price if you are all about such fun type of films. |
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I posted this @ 5/15/2005 02:09:00 PM.............Need a link?..........
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| 5/10/2005 |
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SCIENCE FICTION DOUBLE FEATURE by Riff Raff
I'm obviously not the one to be throwing stones, because this 'glass house' is receeding more every year. But... Damn! When this is your acting promo shot, you need a better agent.
Doogie looks like the benign alien from This Island Earth
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I posted this @ 5/10/2005 02:52:00 PM.............Need a link?..........
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| 5/06/2005 |
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GIVE A LITTLE BIT by Supertramp (covered by the Goo Goo Dolls)
Remember Parent's Day when you were in school? At my elementary school there was one or two days a school year when a relative (presumably a parent) came to school and ate lunch with you. They might stop by your class and see your room and your desk. You were able to show off a poster you had made or a recent project the class had done. My Grandmother came when she could. I don't have specific memories of her not being there. Then again, I don't have specific memories of Parent's Day. I just recall the general feeling of them. It was the same feeling I had at Christmas programs and other music concerts throughout my whole school career. I know that there was a time when she felt as though I was embarrassed by having her there (because of her age as a grandparent, not because of the 'typical' be-seen-with-your-parents sort of thing). I'm sorry that I didn't do more to alleviate that. I remember when it was Senior Night for the Band. My Grandparents were there with me. Again, I think she thought I wouldn't want her there. By this time I had done more convincing that it was never an issue.
Those of you who know me, know that I was raised by my grandparents. I have absent parents that were infrequently seen. When I was younger it wasn't as easy for me to explain the situation. While this may sound bad, it isn't intended that way. For as personally difficult as it was to explain my family situation, I would have rather done that than have no one there with me at all.
I was talking with a co-worker. She was put off at taking time out of the work day to go to her son's school for a Mother's Day party. This isn't the first of such 'annoyed' comments about what she does for her child. I understand that many people have very busy work and personal schedules that don't allow much flexibility. When it comes to children I would hope that if there is the possibility to be a part of their life, then they would. If your situation allows you to take such time to be a parent, do so.
Perhaps it is just a lunch with your son. He has lunch every day. Perhaps it is just another of your daughter's soccer game. Her team is not that good. Maybe it's another choir or band concert. I mean, really... How many times can a person be expected to sit through keyless renditions of songs so old that even Public Domain doesn't want them? The answer: every time you have the ability. That's. Your. Kid.
A lot of my friends have children, recently had children, or are about to have children. My peer group is just that age, I guess. Some of them have demanding jobs, awkward hours, limited funds, to name a few reasons. Yet, while all of those are reasonably valid reasons not to do something with your child, the one I have the most problem with is because it had inconvenienced your day.
"I hope it rains because I don't feel like sitting at a pee-wee football game."
"I will have to work late tonight because I took time off this morning to have lunch with my daughter."
"Maybe he'll not like playing piano soon, because I have to drive him across town for lessons."
I wish I could shake someone like a fresh glow stick when I hear things like that.
I know people who doctors recommend that they don't have kids or more kids because of health concerns. I know people who would adopt in a second if they had the ability. They have the space in their heart, but maybe not their home. I don't know if kids are in the future for me. I'd like to think so, but it would happen unconventionally. Yet, one thing I know is that I would stand outside in the rain and mud if it meant I got to watch my kid play Tee-ball. I know people that would donate parts of themselves if it meant saving their child.
Perhaps, I'm emotional about this, but I don't think it is an overreaction. It is turning down opportunities to experience the little things in life that in turn come back to haunt them. It's the little things that kids use to build bigger relationships.
Now go hug your damn kid... |
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I posted this @ 5/06/2005 02:43:00 PM.............Need a link?..........
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| 5/05/2005 |
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ABC by Jackson 5
I just wanted to make a post noting that it was 05-05-05.
Luckily there is no short supply of numbers, or the date might like a little different. |
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I posted this @ 5/05/2005 12:32:00 PM.............Need a link?..........
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| 5/04/2005 |
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EAT IT by Weird Al
I subscribe to the daily recipe newsletter from allrecipes.com. I love it! I love to cook and try new recipes. The recipes they send are generally pretty run of the mill. Nothing too wild or wacky. Occasionally, I will get the 'exotic' dish, but it is usually something pretty easy to make and made with standard main items. Meaning, I won't have to hunt through the phone book looking for a black market Asian food store to find fugu or Godzilla guano just to make dinner.
I am a picky eater. Not just necessarily picky about what I eat, but the texture of the things I eat. I like my Jell-O pure. There shouldn't be chunks of fruit, cottage cheese, or other non-Jell-O items. I'm ok with crunchy things in my ice cream (a la Blizzards) as long as the item is edible to begin with.
I could go on, but my overall point is that some things shouldn't be combined as far as I'm concerned. Fruit on salad is odd to me. Peanuts on chicken is odd to me. The texture of such combinations is not something I relish. Based on the name alone, it should be no surprise to anyone that I probably won't be making the latest recipe that I was sent.
Coconut Breaded Chicken with Crunchy Fruit Sauce
The combination of slaw, apricots, pecans, and cucumber is not one that I will be looking through my recipe box to find. Fruit can be 'crunchy' because of the fruit itself, but adding things to the fruit to make it crunchy is not acceptable. Apples might be 'crunchy' because of the 'bite' of their peel. Apricots are defintely not crunchy in any form. Fruit might be crisp, but crunchy gives it another level of meaning that doesn't jump out at me as something that would make for good eats.
If anyone is brave enough to try this recipe, be my guest. I'd love to know what someone who isn't me thinks of this dish. |
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I posted this @ 5/04/2005 02:44:00 PM.............Need a link?..........
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| 5/02/2005 |
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GETTING OLDER by Oasis
There has been a lot that has gone on lately that has me personally feeling like I am old. Wait... perhaps old isn't the right word. What would be the term for when "a lot of time has passed and things have changed right under your nose without you even realizing it happened?" Old? Anyway...
My little brother is graduating high school at the end of this month. A good friend from the neighborhood I grew in is getting married at some point this year. Another good friend just had a beautiful baby boy. If a person's 20s are to figure out who you are as a person and where you think you want your life to go. The 30s are obviously about seeing where those choices led you and watching others begin to make choices of their own.
My brother was accepted to college. He has good ideas of what he wants to study. He talks about Prom and moving into the dorms. I am excited for him. I feel like I am living vicariously through him in a small way. I get to see his excitement and anticipation, while remembering when he couldn't talk and when I carried him around on my shoulders. He's grown up... and it's a wonderful thing.
My childhood friend is getting married. She is well on her way to starting a family of her own. I remember when we used to try and convince her she was adopted because she had different color hair from her siblings. (Kids will be kids) I listened to her talk about her college major. I helped her with a couple projects, and even let her job shadow me a couple shifts. She's gone from the 'little sister' to the mom and wife.
Part of all this is me just being in a sentimental mood. I think I typically am this type of year, just because Spring is a time of change and about new directions as people move away, go to school, or marry. Along with that, being a student of human nature I find that I enjoy hearing about other people and seeing the changes they make in their life.
I just thought I'd share. |
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I posted this @ 5/02/2005 06:21:00 PM.............Need a link?..........
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UNCONSCIOUS MUTTERINGS
- Texas:: Lone Star
- Scholarship:: College
- Runner-up:: First Loser
- Mustang Sally:: Wilson Pickett
- Jones:: "Mister Joooones and me..."
- Hard to get:: Huh?
- Jewish:: Temple
- Crew:: J.
- Cable:: Larry the ____ Guy
- Assistant:: to the Regional Manager
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I posted this @ 5/02/2005 05:59:00 AM.............Need a link?..........
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