So Joe the Plumber stood McCain up... in Defiance, Ohio of all places! And apparently 2/3 of the crowd was the ENTIRE Defiance School District, who was bused in from their schools.
From MSNBC's Chueck Todd: "A local school district official confirmed after the event that of the 6,000 people estimated by the fire marshal to be in attendance this morning, more than 4,000 were bused in from schools in the area. The entire 2,500-student Defiance School District was in attendance, the official said, in addition to at least three other schools from neighboring districts, one of which sent 14 buses."
What is going on with this??? Not everyone in Defiance is a Republican....
Thursday, October 30
Tuesday, October 28
17 Kids and Counting: “Trading Places, Duggar Style"
The promos for this episode made it sound like the Duggar kids really traded jurisdictions (that’s Duggar-ese for “chores”), but it was more like “boys make a mess with soup while the girls learn auto maintenance.” Plus there was a commercial at the end for Scrubbing Bubbles, starring Jim Bob, Josh, and John David. (Don’t tell me that wasn’t product placement - who holds up a bottle like that with the label facing forward and everything while they’re just talking or standing around?) I did appreciate that the producers asked Michelle a couple of the real questions that have been brought up about their jurisdictions and the amount of housework that the girls do: did she think their allocation of chores reinforced gender stereotypes, and did she think she was raising the girls to be stay-at-home moms? Michelle’s answer was awful, though: the girls like doing those chores because gender stereotypes are “innate,” and also “most” of them want, in their hearts, to be SAHMs (because it’s the only career they know of for women?!).
So, the little boys did laundry (and they were using brand-name detergent - what happened to their homemade laundry soap from last week?) while the girls put on plaid flannel shirts over their long skirts and learned to change the oil in the car. Then the boys "helped" Michelle cook green beans and Tater Tot Casserole for lunch while the girls were "stranded" 200 yards from the house and left to change a flat tire on their own. The two oldest boys were nowhere to be seen during the chore swap, except when they drove the girls out to the tire change spot in a Corvette..? (Bet Josh "borrowed" that from the used car lot.)
The Duggars' double-standards just make me so angry. Jim Bob and Michelle kissed before they were married! Michelle wore pants! She worked outside the home (first in JB's mom's yogurt shop, then with JB as a real estate agent, and she even mentioned last night that she occasionally had to drive a tow truck when they ran a towing business)! Not to mention, they both got to attend public school, where Michelle was even a cheerleader!
For those of you interested in this type of fundie entertainment, TLC will be airing a special this Sunday on Purity Balls.
So, the little boys did laundry (and they were using brand-name detergent - what happened to their homemade laundry soap from last week?) while the girls put on plaid flannel shirts over their long skirts and learned to change the oil in the car. Then the boys "helped" Michelle cook green beans and Tater Tot Casserole for lunch while the girls were "stranded" 200 yards from the house and left to change a flat tire on their own. The two oldest boys were nowhere to be seen during the chore swap, except when they drove the girls out to the tire change spot in a Corvette..? (Bet Josh "borrowed" that from the used car lot.)
The Duggars' double-standards just make me so angry. Jim Bob and Michelle kissed before they were married! Michelle wore pants! She worked outside the home (first in JB's mom's yogurt shop, then with JB as a real estate agent, and she even mentioned last night that she occasionally had to drive a tow truck when they ran a towing business)! Not to mention, they both got to attend public school, where Michelle was even a cheerleader!
For those of you interested in this type of fundie entertainment, TLC will be airing a special this Sunday on Purity Balls.
Saturday, October 25
Friday, October 24
My Birthday Party
My birthday is November 3, so I'm having an election results slash birthday party on November 4. We're going to have our own electoral college, too. Because I live in Los Angeles and no one that lives here was born in California, each person gets the number of electoral votes that their home state receives. For instance, I was born in Ohio and get 20 votes. One of my friends is from Massachusetts, so she gets 12 Liberal Elite Electoral Votes. My friends from Hungary, Egypt and Germany get 3 Totally Made Up Electoral Votes.
I had a similar birthday party in 2004 and had a 4-year hangover. It looks like this year's party will go a little better.
I had a similar birthday party in 2004 and had a 4-year hangover. It looks like this year's party will go a little better.
Who will play Michelle Obama
If the word on the street is correct, then it's Maya Rudolph! I love all the returning cast members. Tina Fey as Sarah Palin! Will Ferrel as Bush! (How funny was last night, by the way?) Chris Parnell the other night as Tom Brokaw, too! Not to mention Alex Baldwin last week. SNL has been at its best lately. And it's starting to feel more like a comedy troupe rather than a cast. You never know who's going to be on the show! Me like!
Thursday, October 23
Must Have!
I have a pretty cool sign on my desk that says "Plate Is Full". I made it myself and thought it was pretty ingenious. But today I stumbled across this:
I must have the Do Not Disturb. Maybe one for home, too.
I must have the Do Not Disturb. Maybe one for home, too.
Tuesday, October 21
I Don't Need To Know
I have a feeling the Madonna/Guy Ritchie thing is going to get bad. Very bad. I just ran across an article about Guy giving an interview regarding their sex life. Okay people... let's move along. No one cares.
Mike Singletary
I have been a Bears fan since high school but I might have to break ranks because my most favorite player of ALL TIME has been named head coach of the 49ers. Way to go, Mike!
17 Kids and Counting: "Cheaper by the Duggars"
Last week I speculated that this week's episode, "Cheaper by the Duggars," would feature such money saving tips as shopping at Aldi's and thrift stores, and getting TLC to build your house. Well, two out of three right isn't bad! After hearing how all the kids' shoes have fallen apart (one girl had covered the heels of her boots with duct tap!), we saw Michelle take the younger boys shoe shopping at a thrift store. There are ten boys in this family. They left with thirty pairs of shoes. Is that three new pairs per person? Whatever, they were $1/pair. We saw the older girls making laundry soap, which they've been doing for a year now, after getting the recipe from another family. We saw Jim Bob collecting rent from one of their commercial properties, and he showed off their biggest money maker, the cell phone tower on their property. And he proudly proclaimed he had a full signal while standing nearby. Of course we saw the shopping trip to Aldi's, where they ignored the urine/bleach smell (at least if it's anything like the Aldi's by me) and bought $3000 worth of groceries in 11 shopping carts. Oh and also they were being followed by a Korean film crew, which the TLC crew was filming. They're being featured in Korea to inspire people to have kids, I guess, since they have a low birth rate. When Jim Bob met them, he said, he told them his was a "typical American family." Har har, Jim Bob. If that were true, why would they have chosen you out of the entire country? No, they realize you're abnormal, that's why your wife's on TV in Korea. A neighbor from town, Mr. Charlie (?), set up one long row of a vegetable garden for the Duggar kids to help tend and get some veggies from. They kept saying how they loved cucumbers, but I think we know from past Duggar specials that what they really love is pickles! Finally, the most shocking revelation in the entire show: the older Duggar girls perm their hair! Hello, what about your countenances, ladies? Anyway, pretty much everything they showed seems to be in response to various comments made on TWoP and elsewhere on the internet (especially Jim Bob interviewing on what he thinks their environmental impact is, but also "how do they get their income?" and "why don't they grown their own vegetables?"). If this trend holds, based on current TWoP discussion, we should see them doing some volunteer work in a future season of their show.
Friday, October 17
Still Thinking of Voting For McCain?
If so (and even if you're not), please read the following:
Courtesy of Alexa, on Flotsam,More Wounded Than Eloquent, I'm Afraid
Courtesy of Alexa, on Flotsam,More Wounded Than Eloquent, I'm Afraid
Thursday, October 16
How In The Hell Did This Man Get Nominated For President?
Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain reacts to almost heading the wrong way off the stage after shaking hands with Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama at the conclusion of the final presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, October 15, 2008.
REUTERS/Jim Bourg
Project Runway 5 Finale: And the Winner is...
Leanne Marshall! Love her style and personality! I hope she goes far. If the worst the judges could come up with was that she might become known for her "petals" and get called Petals Marshall, well, Christian (last season's winner) should be known as Puffy Sleeves Siriano.I was almost certain that they were setting up a "bad guy" win for Kenley, like they had with Jeffrey in Season 3, but I was very glad to see that they didn't.
I'm sad Jerell didn't get to compete, though. He really was this season's Austin Scarlett: flamboyant and feminine, and eliminated just before the finale. But the thing I liked most about him was that he had a really good attitude throughout the competition. Even when he was eliminated, he still kept his spirits up and took it in stride.
Wednesday, October 15
Why Does Every Republican Administration Need An Idiot?
Sarah Palin today:
"It seems like, and in our last rally too, and in other parts around this great Northwest, here in New Hampshire, ya just get it."
(Yes, I'm addicted to the election.)
"It seems like, and in our last rally too, and in other parts around this great Northwest, here in New Hampshire, ya just get it."
(Yes, I'm addicted to the election.)
Little Big Planet
If you have a PS3, this is the next game you need to buy. I was lucky enough to be part of the online Beta, and couldn't stop playing for the week I had it. The characters are so cute (way cuter than Mario), and the gameplay is fun and bouncy. Essentially, you're a "sack boy" (a boy made out of a potato sack), you can customize him however you want, and you play levels that are built out of everyday items like skateboards and fences. The most exciting part of the game: you can create your own levels with the items you collect! I sucked at creating levels, but it was a lot of fun to play other people's levels. Rumor is there will be levels set to look like Mario Brothers, God of War, Metal Gear Solid, etc. It's the YouTube of videogames!
Even the advertising for the game is so cute... I've seen mini-billboards sticking out of plant pots and on the beach here in Los Angeles. Look out for them!
Even the advertising for the game is so cute... I've seen mini-billboards sticking out of plant pots and on the beach here in Los Angeles. Look out for them!
Fey on Palin
If she wins, I'm done. I can't do that for four years. And by "I'm done," I mean I'm leaving Earth.
Fringe Recap
From TWOP:
Meet Joseph Meegar. He's a loser in a dead-end job to support and crabby old mother, and he's creepily obsessed with the receptionist at a firm he delivers packages to. Unlike most losers, though, when he gets upset, he seems to have an effect on electrical devices around him (you know, like Boo in Monsters, Inc. [these are the movie references available to me as the father of a two-year-old]). So this is bad news for his crush and the other people in the elevator when Bethany discovers, via his cell phone full of surreptitiously taken pictures of her, his obsession, his stress sends the elevator screaming twenty-six floors to the basement. Joseph walks away, only to get fired from his job, which is bad news for his boss, who loses his arm to a conveyor belt.
The Fringe crew is looking into it, and discover the elevator victims were electrocuted before the elevator hit the ground. In a shocking (sorry) twist, Walter once worked on a project that maybe has something to do with this.
Joseph's firing prompts some more scolding from Mama Meegar, which makes Joseph freak out, frying her pacemaker.
So how does the Fringe team track her down? Simple: helped in part by Olivia's visions of the late John Scott, they train homing pigeons to track Joseph based on his magnetic fingerprint, and find him being "adjusted" by the psycho mad scientist who screwed with his brain's wiring and turned him into Electro in the first place. Hallucinations of dead people and homing pigeons: if only all their cases were so easy to crack.
---Jen here. Sorry, but I felt this particular episode was weak and even more far-fetched that past episodes. I am really hoping the storylines don't go downhill and become ridiculous because so far, I like this show enough to watch it at its regular scheduled time (and that's saying something! especially considering I am 4 episodes behind on Project Runway).
Meet Joseph Meegar. He's a loser in a dead-end job to support and crabby old mother, and he's creepily obsessed with the receptionist at a firm he delivers packages to. Unlike most losers, though, when he gets upset, he seems to have an effect on electrical devices around him (you know, like Boo in Monsters, Inc. [these are the movie references available to me as the father of a two-year-old]). So this is bad news for his crush and the other people in the elevator when Bethany discovers, via his cell phone full of surreptitiously taken pictures of her, his obsession, his stress sends the elevator screaming twenty-six floors to the basement. Joseph walks away, only to get fired from his job, which is bad news for his boss, who loses his arm to a conveyor belt.
The Fringe crew is looking into it, and discover the elevator victims were electrocuted before the elevator hit the ground. In a shocking (sorry) twist, Walter once worked on a project that maybe has something to do with this.
Joseph's firing prompts some more scolding from Mama Meegar, which makes Joseph freak out, frying her pacemaker.
So how does the Fringe team track her down? Simple: helped in part by Olivia's visions of the late John Scott, they train homing pigeons to track Joseph based on his magnetic fingerprint, and find him being "adjusted" by the psycho mad scientist who screwed with his brain's wiring and turned him into Electro in the first place. Hallucinations of dead people and homing pigeons: if only all their cases were so easy to crack.
---Jen here. Sorry, but I felt this particular episode was weak and even more far-fetched that past episodes. I am really hoping the storylines don't go downhill and become ridiculous because so far, I like this show enough to watch it at its regular scheduled time (and that's saying something! especially considering I am 4 episodes behind on Project Runway).
Love Me Some Amy Sedaris
Strangers with Candy alum Amy Sedaris is set to bring her oh-so-special brand of funny back to television, having signed a deal with 20th Century Fox TV to create, write and star in her own sitcom project, says the Hollywood Reporter.
The as-yet-untitled series is being fleshed out by Sedaris and writing partner Paul Dinello, but the premise is based on an idea Sedaris came up with six years ago. Dinello will direct the single-camera show, and no less than Sedaris BFF David Letterman's Worldwide Pants will co-produce.
But first, Sedaris will lens a two-episode arc on TNT's The Closer, playing Fritz's sister. (His psychic sister, TVGuide.com has learned.) Master interrogator Brenda Leigh might get a psychic for a sister-in-law? I smell a zany buddy comedy!
17 Kids and Counting: "When Big Families Collide" and "Bates vs. Duggars Smackdown"
Hi everybody! New contributor Lola here, writing today about the latest episodes of the Duggar Family's new series, 17 Kids and Counting. Just the latest in TLC's "abnormally large family freakshow," this series of half-hour shows is more of a "reality TV" look at the super-Christian Duggar family of Arkansas, who until now we've only seen in a few hour-long specials and an occasional news appearance when mom, Michelle, pops out yet another little "blessing." (Without getting too in-depth into their beliefs, the Duggars are part of the Quiver Full movement, which believes that children are blessings from the lord and people shouldn't do anything to inhibit getting pregnant. Which is fine and all, except most QF families end up with maybe 5-6 kids. The Duggars actively try to get pregnant as soon as possible after each birth, which is why there are a kajillion of them.)
In their two latest episodes (shown back-to-back), the Duggars received a visit from the Bates family from Tennessee. With 16 kids and one on the way, they have almost caught up to the Duggars (though actually, there are two sets of Duggar twins, so by number of pregnancies, the Bates are winning). If you thought the Duggars' uniform of khakis and polos for the boys and long skirts for the girls was conservative, take a look at the Bates! Okay, khakis and polos again for the boys, but those poor girls are dressing like Little Clown on the Prairie! The Bates women thought if they wore dresses "it would be pleasing to the lord," so one of the older girls sews the same pattern in various sizes and color combinations so everyone can wear a matching dress with a giant collar and ruffled trim. However, while the Duggars currently dress in what they refer to as "Modern Modest," it wasn't too long ago that they were all rocking the big frilly collars as well.
Anyway, some other stuff happened, the two families did some good Christian activities like skydiving and paintballing, but probably the funniest part was when they went to Silver Dollar City to see people in old-timey costumes demonstrate blacksmithing and candy making. The Bates girls' dresses were the same as the old timey costumes! (Meanwhile, Jinger Duggar was shown rolling her eyes at the candy demo. Free Jinger!)
Coming up next week: see how the Duggars save money on necessities like food, clothing, and shelter! (Based on past specials, I'm going to guess it involves trips to Aldi's and the thrift store, and getting TLC to build you a house.)
In their two latest episodes (shown back-to-back), the Duggars received a visit from the Bates family from Tennessee. With 16 kids and one on the way, they have almost caught up to the Duggars (though actually, there are two sets of Duggar twins, so by number of pregnancies, the Bates are winning). If you thought the Duggars' uniform of khakis and polos for the boys and long skirts for the girls was conservative, take a look at the Bates! Okay, khakis and polos again for the boys, but those poor girls are dressing like Little Clown on the Prairie! The Bates women thought if they wore dresses "it would be pleasing to the lord," so one of the older girls sews the same pattern in various sizes and color combinations so everyone can wear a matching dress with a giant collar and ruffled trim. However, while the Duggars currently dress in what they refer to as "Modern Modest," it wasn't too long ago that they were all rocking the big frilly collars as well.
Anyway, some other stuff happened, the two families did some good Christian activities like skydiving and paintballing, but probably the funniest part was when they went to Silver Dollar City to see people in old-timey costumes demonstrate blacksmithing and candy making. The Bates girls' dresses were the same as the old timey costumes! (Meanwhile, Jinger Duggar was shown rolling her eyes at the candy demo. Free Jinger!)
Coming up next week: see how the Duggars save money on necessities like food, clothing, and shelter! (Based on past specials, I'm going to guess it involves trips to Aldi's and the thrift store, and getting TLC to build you a house.)
Monday, October 13
Hey Cool!
Who woulda thought you could combine breakfast cereal and politics? Apparently the good folks at AirBed & Breakfast did!
Saturday, October 11
Wednesday, October 8
Tuesday, October 7
Guitar Hero News
Courtesy of Gizmodo:
If you're looking to pick up Guitar Hero: World tour when it comes out on October 26th, you'll have a choice between the wussy regular edition and the awesome deluxe edition. While yes, we may be headed for an economic depression, you'll still want to spend the extra $50 on the deluxe edition. It comes with a keychain!
It also comes with two t-shirts! And a couple recharge kits! And a gig bag! And nothing else! That's right, $50 for a bunch of crap you'll never use. All for $240, more than the cheapest version of the console it's meant to be played on.
Seriously RedOctane, I know that deluxe editions are all the rage these days, but you can't really think your customers are so stupid as to drop $50 on a couple of shirts and a keychain, can you?
For All You Procrastinators
and, to keep the multi-taskers focused.... here's what to get them for Christmas (or other gift-giving occasion). You can buy it at Pretty Bitter
Tuesday, September 30
Thursday, September 25
She Really Should Shut Up
My favorite comment: "I've diagrammed it out, and implementing her suggestions would apparently result in a pineapple upside-down cake."
Sunday, September 21
Post Turtle
The old rancher said, “Well, ya know, Palin is a ‘Post Turtle.’”
Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked him what a post turtle was.
The old rancher said, “When you’re driving down a country road you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that’s a ‘post turtle.’”
The old rancher saw the puzzled look on the doctor’s face so he continued to explain. “You know she didn’t get up there by herself, she doesn’t belong up there, and she doesn’t know what to do while she’s up there, and you just wonder what kind of dummy put her up there to begin with.”
Thursday, September 18
Attention Magazine Lovers
There isn't much I like better than to come home to a new issue of a magazine I subscribe to. Well, there is other things I get excited about, like shoes, but anyhow... for those who like Netflix, you might wanna check out Maghound.com
I'll have to do some more snooping around the site before deciding whether or not I'd sign up, but it does appeal to me.
I'll have to do some more snooping around the site before deciding whether or not I'd sign up, but it does appeal to me.
Vapid Is Right!
Dan Froomkin is one of my favorites. Here's his latest column, regarding President Bush's "handling" of the economic crisis we are currently in.
Bush's Vapid Reassurances
Bush's Vapid Reassurances
Tuesday, September 16
FRINGE!
Okay, so I'm a total geek. I am absolutely in love with J.J. Abrams new show, Fringe. I watched the premiere and I watched the encore. Tonight at 9pm FOX the next episode will air. I already have the show on my Season Pass, but I plan to watch it in real-time, which I rarely do. Who has time to schedule their life around a tv show? But I promise you... Fringe is definitely worthy of your time. I am captivated by it, much like I am with Lost. There are some similarities... heavy on the sci-fi, creepy music, even one of the actors is on both shows. But I promise... the scripts are nothing alike.
Are you watching Fringe?
Are you watching Fringe?
Thursday, September 11
9/11
Tonight at 9 p.m. ET, on the seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, History Channel debuts 102 Minutes that Changed America, a two-hour, commercial-free documentary that chronicles the time between when the first plane hit the World Trade Center until the second tower collapsed.
Tuesday, September 9
Thursday, September 4
Please Read
By JIM KUHNHENN, Associated Press Writer Wed Sep 3, 11:48 PM ET
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and her Republican supporters held back little Wednesday as they issued dismissive attacks on Barack Obama and flattering praise on her credentials to be vice president. In some cases, the reproach and the praise stretched the truth.
Some examples:
PALIN: "I have protected the taxpayers by vetoing wasteful spending ... and championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress. I told the Congress 'thanks but no thanks' for that Bridge to Nowhere."
THE FACTS: As mayor of Wasilla, Palin hired a lobbyist and traveled to Washington annually to support earmarks for the town totaling $27 million. In her two years as governor, Alaska has requested nearly $750 million in special federal spending, by far the largest per-capita request in the nation. While Palin notes she rejected plans to build a $398 million bridge from Ketchikan to an island with 50 residents and an airport, that opposition came only after the plan was ridiculed nationally as a "bridge to nowhere."
PALIN: "There is much to like and admire about our opponent. But listening to him speak, it's easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform — not even in the state senate."
THE FACTS: Compared to McCain and his two decades in the Senate, Obama does have a more meager record. But he has worked with Republicans to pass legislation that expanded efforts to intercept illegal shipments of weapons of mass destruction and to help destroy conventional weapons stockpiles. The legislation became law last year. To demean that accomplishment would be to also demean the work of Republican Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, a respected foreign policy voice in the Senate. In Illinois, he was the leader on two big, contentious measures in Illinois: studying racial profiling by police and requiring recordings of interrogations in potential death penalty cases. He also successfully co-sponsored major ethics reform legislation.
PALIN: "The Democratic nominee for president supports plans to raise income taxes, raise payroll taxes, raise investment income taxes, raise the death tax, raise business taxes, and increase the tax burden on the American people by hundreds of billions of dollars."
THE FACTS: The Tax Policy Center, a think tank run jointly by the Brookings Institution and the Urban Institute, concluded that Obama's plan would increase after-tax income for middle-income taxpayers by about 5 percent by 2012, or nearly $2,200 annually. McCain's plan, which cuts taxes across all income levels, would raise after tax-income for middle-income taxpayers by 3 percent, the center concluded.
Obama would provide $80 billion in tax breaks, mainly for poor workers and the elderly, including tripling the Earned Income Tax Credit for minimum-wage workers and higher credits for larger families.
He also would raise income taxes, capital gains and dividend taxes on the wealthiest. He would raise payroll taxes on taxpayers with incomes above $250,000, and he would raise corporate taxes. Small businesses that make more than $250,000 a year would see taxes rise.
MCCAIN: "She's been governor of our largest state, in charge of 20 percent of America's energy supply ... She's responsible for 20 percent of the nation's energy supply. I'm entertained by the comparison and I hope we can keep making that comparison that running a political campaign is somehow comparable to being the executive of the largest state in America," he said in an interview with ABC News' Charles Gibson.
THE FACTS: McCain's phrasing exaggerates both claims. Palin is governor of a state that ranks second nationally in crude oil production, but she's no more "responsible" for that resource than President Bush was when he was governor of Texas, another oil-producing state. In fact, her primary power is the ability to tax oil, which she did in concert with the Alaska Legislature. And where Alaska is the largest state in America, McCain could as easily have called it the 47th largest state — by population.
MCCAIN: "She's the commander of the Alaska National Guard. ... She has been in charge, and she has had national security as one of her primary responsibilities," he said on ABC.
THE FACTS: While governors are in charge of their state guard units, that authority ends whenever those units are called to actual military service. When guard units are deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, for example, they assume those duties under "federal status," which means they report to the Defense Department, not their governors. Alaska's national guard units have a total of about 4,200 personnel, among the smallest of state guard organizations.
FORMER ARKANSAS GOV. MIKE HUCKABEE: Palin "got more votes running for mayor of Wasilla, Alaska than Joe Biden got running for president of the United States."
THE FACTS: A whopper. Palin got 616 votes in the 1996 mayor's election, and got 909 in her 1999 re-election race, for a total of 1,525. Biden dropped out of the race after the Iowa caucuses, but he still got 76,165 votes in 23 states and the District of Columbia where he was on the ballot during the 2008 presidential primaries.
FORMER MASSACHUSETTS GOV. MITT ROMNEY: "We need change, all right — change from a liberal Washington to a conservative Washington! We have a prescription for every American who wants change in Washington — throw out the big-government liberals, and elect John McCain and Sarah Palin."
THE FACTS: A Back-to-the-Future moment. George W. Bush, a conservative Republican, has been president for nearly eight years. And until last year, Republicans controlled Congress. Only since January 2007 have Democrats have been in charge of the House and Senate.
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and her Republican supporters held back little Wednesday as they issued dismissive attacks on Barack Obama and flattering praise on her credentials to be vice president. In some cases, the reproach and the praise stretched the truth.
Some examples:
PALIN: "I have protected the taxpayers by vetoing wasteful spending ... and championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress. I told the Congress 'thanks but no thanks' for that Bridge to Nowhere."
THE FACTS: As mayor of Wasilla, Palin hired a lobbyist and traveled to Washington annually to support earmarks for the town totaling $27 million. In her two years as governor, Alaska has requested nearly $750 million in special federal spending, by far the largest per-capita request in the nation. While Palin notes she rejected plans to build a $398 million bridge from Ketchikan to an island with 50 residents and an airport, that opposition came only after the plan was ridiculed nationally as a "bridge to nowhere."
PALIN: "There is much to like and admire about our opponent. But listening to him speak, it's easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform — not even in the state senate."
THE FACTS: Compared to McCain and his two decades in the Senate, Obama does have a more meager record. But he has worked with Republicans to pass legislation that expanded efforts to intercept illegal shipments of weapons of mass destruction and to help destroy conventional weapons stockpiles. The legislation became law last year. To demean that accomplishment would be to also demean the work of Republican Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, a respected foreign policy voice in the Senate. In Illinois, he was the leader on two big, contentious measures in Illinois: studying racial profiling by police and requiring recordings of interrogations in potential death penalty cases. He also successfully co-sponsored major ethics reform legislation.
PALIN: "The Democratic nominee for president supports plans to raise income taxes, raise payroll taxes, raise investment income taxes, raise the death tax, raise business taxes, and increase the tax burden on the American people by hundreds of billions of dollars."
THE FACTS: The Tax Policy Center, a think tank run jointly by the Brookings Institution and the Urban Institute, concluded that Obama's plan would increase after-tax income for middle-income taxpayers by about 5 percent by 2012, or nearly $2,200 annually. McCain's plan, which cuts taxes across all income levels, would raise after tax-income for middle-income taxpayers by 3 percent, the center concluded.
Obama would provide $80 billion in tax breaks, mainly for poor workers and the elderly, including tripling the Earned Income Tax Credit for minimum-wage workers and higher credits for larger families.
He also would raise income taxes, capital gains and dividend taxes on the wealthiest. He would raise payroll taxes on taxpayers with incomes above $250,000, and he would raise corporate taxes. Small businesses that make more than $250,000 a year would see taxes rise.
MCCAIN: "She's been governor of our largest state, in charge of 20 percent of America's energy supply ... She's responsible for 20 percent of the nation's energy supply. I'm entertained by the comparison and I hope we can keep making that comparison that running a political campaign is somehow comparable to being the executive of the largest state in America," he said in an interview with ABC News' Charles Gibson.
THE FACTS: McCain's phrasing exaggerates both claims. Palin is governor of a state that ranks second nationally in crude oil production, but she's no more "responsible" for that resource than President Bush was when he was governor of Texas, another oil-producing state. In fact, her primary power is the ability to tax oil, which she did in concert with the Alaska Legislature. And where Alaska is the largest state in America, McCain could as easily have called it the 47th largest state — by population.
MCCAIN: "She's the commander of the Alaska National Guard. ... She has been in charge, and she has had national security as one of her primary responsibilities," he said on ABC.
THE FACTS: While governors are in charge of their state guard units, that authority ends whenever those units are called to actual military service. When guard units are deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, for example, they assume those duties under "federal status," which means they report to the Defense Department, not their governors. Alaska's national guard units have a total of about 4,200 personnel, among the smallest of state guard organizations.
FORMER ARKANSAS GOV. MIKE HUCKABEE: Palin "got more votes running for mayor of Wasilla, Alaska than Joe Biden got running for president of the United States."
THE FACTS: A whopper. Palin got 616 votes in the 1996 mayor's election, and got 909 in her 1999 re-election race, for a total of 1,525. Biden dropped out of the race after the Iowa caucuses, but he still got 76,165 votes in 23 states and the District of Columbia where he was on the ballot during the 2008 presidential primaries.
FORMER MASSACHUSETTS GOV. MITT ROMNEY: "We need change, all right — change from a liberal Washington to a conservative Washington! We have a prescription for every American who wants change in Washington — throw out the big-government liberals, and elect John McCain and Sarah Palin."
THE FACTS: A Back-to-the-Future moment. George W. Bush, a conservative Republican, has been president for nearly eight years. And until last year, Republicans controlled Congress. Only since January 2007 have Democrats have been in charge of the House and Senate.
Tuesday, September 2
Sarah Palin
From Alex Balk:
"Also, did you ever think you’d live long enough to see a campaign where “My teenage daughter can’t have been the mother of my child… because she’s pregnant herself” is considered an effective strategy for rebutting uncomfortable rumors? This is some crazy-ass Peyton Place shit we’ve got going on here."
From Twitter FakeSarahPalin:
“ No, I don’t think being vice president will interfere with my ability to be a mom for my daughter when she needs me. ”
Must-Read.... Disclosures on Palin Raise Questions on Vetting Process by NY Times
Must check out.... Perez Hilton
"Also, did you ever think you’d live long enough to see a campaign where “My teenage daughter can’t have been the mother of my child… because she’s pregnant herself” is considered an effective strategy for rebutting uncomfortable rumors? This is some crazy-ass Peyton Place shit we’ve got going on here."
From Twitter FakeSarahPalin:
“ No, I don’t think being vice president will interfere with my ability to be a mom for my daughter when she needs me. ”
Must-Read.... Disclosures on Palin Raise Questions on Vetting Process by NY Times
Must check out.... Perez Hilton
Sunday, August 31
Monday, August 18
Helen Thomas
Tonight, as part of its summer documentary film series, HBO debuts a documentary that profiles Helen Thomas, the journalist who’s known as the “first lady of the press” for covering all presidents since Kennedy. Thank You, Mr. President: Helen Thomas at the White House debuts at 9 p.m. ET, and repeats frequently this month and next.
Sunday, August 17
Reality Roundup
The Hills [MTV, August 18, Mondays at 10]
Making the Band 4 [MTV, Aug. 19, Tuesdays at 9]
Architecture School [Sundance Channel, Aug. 20, Wednesdays at 9]
Glam God With Vivica A. Fox [VH1, August 21, Thursdays at 10]
The Cho Show [VH1, August 21, Thursdays at 11]
Tabatha’s Salon Takeover [Bravo, August 21, Thursdays at 11]
America’s Toughest Jobs [NBC, Aug.25, Mondays at 9(4 episodes); Sept.19, Fri's at 8]
My Super Sweet 16 Presents: Exiled [MTV, August 25, Mondays at 10:30]
Janice Dickinson’s Modeling Agency [Oxygen, August 26, Tuesdays at 10]
Grizzly Man Diaries [Discovery Channel, Aug. 29, Fridays at 9]
America’s Next Top Model 11 [The CW, Sept. 3, Wednesdays at 8]
Top Design 2 [Bravo, Sept. 3, Wednesdays at 10]
Kitchen Nightmares [Fox, Sept. 4 at 8, Thursdays at 9]
Dogtown [National Geographic Channel, Sept. 5 at 9, Fridays at 10]
The Locator [WEtv, Sept. 6, Saturdays at 9]
Rachel Zoe Project [Bravo, Sept. 8 at 11, Mondays at 10]
Hole in the Wall [Fox, Sept. 11, Thursdays at 8]
Solo: Lost at Sea [National Geographic Channel, Sept. 15, Mondays at 10]
The Biggest Loser 6: Families [NBC, Sept. 16, Tuesdays from 8 to 10]
Survivor Gabon [CBS, Sept. 18, Thursdays at 8]
In Harm’s Way [The CW, Sept. 21 at 7, Nov. 2 at 6:30]
Dancing with the Stars 7 [ABC, Sept. 22, Mondays at 8 and Tuesdays at 9]
Opportunity Knocks [ABC, Sept. 23, Tuesdays at 8]
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition [ABC, Sept. 28 at 7, Sundays at 8]
The Amazing Race 13 [CBS, Sept. 28, Sundays at 8]
World’s Toughest Fixes [National Geographic Channel, Sept. 28 at 9]
Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style [Bravo, Oct. 2 at 11, Thursdays at 10]
Wife Swap [ABC, Oct. 3, Fridays at 8]
Supernanny [ABC, Oct. 3, Fridays at 9]
Real Housewives of Atlanta [Bravo, Oct. 7, Tuesdays at 10]
Gimme My Reality Show! [Fox Reality, Oct. 11]
Stylista [The CW, Oct. 29, Wednesdays at 9]
My Bare Lady 2 [Fox Reality, Nov. 8, Saturdays]
Fall
Cash or Capture [Sci Fi, November]
Celebrity Rehab 2 [VH1, October]
Creature [Animal Planet, fall]
Estate of Panic [Sci Fi, November]
Hulk Hogan’s Celebrity Championship Wrestling [CMT, fall]
Mr. and Mrs. Wolf [Animal Planet, October]
The Phone [MTV, fall]
Project Runway 6 [Lifetime, November, Wednesdays]
The Real Housewives of Orange County [Bravo, fourth quarter 2008]
Rock of Love Girls: Charm School [VH1, fall]
Ruby [Style, November]
Sandhogs [History, Sept.]
Scream Queens [VH1, fall
Top Chef 5 [Bravo, fourth quarter 2008]
Whale Wars [Animal Planet, fall]
Making the Band 4 [MTV, Aug. 19, Tuesdays at 9]
Architecture School [Sundance Channel, Aug. 20, Wednesdays at 9]
Glam God With Vivica A. Fox [VH1, August 21, Thursdays at 10]
The Cho Show [VH1, August 21, Thursdays at 11]
Tabatha’s Salon Takeover [Bravo, August 21, Thursdays at 11]
America’s Toughest Jobs [NBC, Aug.25, Mondays at 9(4 episodes); Sept.19, Fri's at 8]
My Super Sweet 16 Presents: Exiled [MTV, August 25, Mondays at 10:30]
Janice Dickinson’s Modeling Agency [Oxygen, August 26, Tuesdays at 10]
Grizzly Man Diaries [Discovery Channel, Aug. 29, Fridays at 9]
America’s Next Top Model 11 [The CW, Sept. 3, Wednesdays at 8]
Top Design 2 [Bravo, Sept. 3, Wednesdays at 10]
Kitchen Nightmares [Fox, Sept. 4 at 8, Thursdays at 9]
Dogtown [National Geographic Channel, Sept. 5 at 9, Fridays at 10]
The Locator [WEtv, Sept. 6, Saturdays at 9]
Rachel Zoe Project [Bravo, Sept. 8 at 11, Mondays at 10]
Hole in the Wall [Fox, Sept. 11, Thursdays at 8]
Solo: Lost at Sea [National Geographic Channel, Sept. 15, Mondays at 10]
The Biggest Loser 6: Families [NBC, Sept. 16, Tuesdays from 8 to 10]
Survivor Gabon [CBS, Sept. 18, Thursdays at 8]
In Harm’s Way [The CW, Sept. 21 at 7, Nov. 2 at 6:30]
Dancing with the Stars 7 [ABC, Sept. 22, Mondays at 8 and Tuesdays at 9]
Opportunity Knocks [ABC, Sept. 23, Tuesdays at 8]
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition [ABC, Sept. 28 at 7, Sundays at 8]
The Amazing Race 13 [CBS, Sept. 28, Sundays at 8]
World’s Toughest Fixes [National Geographic Channel, Sept. 28 at 9]
Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style [Bravo, Oct. 2 at 11, Thursdays at 10]
Wife Swap [ABC, Oct. 3, Fridays at 8]
Supernanny [ABC, Oct. 3, Fridays at 9]
Real Housewives of Atlanta [Bravo, Oct. 7, Tuesdays at 10]
Gimme My Reality Show! [Fox Reality, Oct. 11]
Stylista [The CW, Oct. 29, Wednesdays at 9]
My Bare Lady 2 [Fox Reality, Nov. 8, Saturdays]
Fall
Cash or Capture [Sci Fi, November]
Celebrity Rehab 2 [VH1, October]
Creature [Animal Planet, fall]
Estate of Panic [Sci Fi, November]
Hulk Hogan’s Celebrity Championship Wrestling [CMT, fall]
Mr. and Mrs. Wolf [Animal Planet, October]
The Phone [MTV, fall]
Project Runway 6 [Lifetime, November, Wednesdays]
The Real Housewives of Orange County [Bravo, fourth quarter 2008]
Rock of Love Girls: Charm School [VH1, fall]
Ruby [Style, November]
Sandhogs [History, Sept.]
Scream Queens [VH1, fall
Top Chef 5 [Bravo, fourth quarter 2008]
Whale Wars [Animal Planet, fall]
Thursday, August 14
Tuesday, August 12
Great Fun!
Ever wondered what your yearbook picture might have looked like back in the 70s? Or some other era? I especially liked my 1966 bouffant!
Check out Yearbook Yourself and have some fun!
Check out Yearbook Yourself and have some fun!
We're Dealing With Communists. Remember???
From CNN
A little girl and her song captivated millions of viewers during the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. But what they saw was not what they heard. Lin Miaoke was the darling of the Olympic opening ceremony, but it turns out she was lip-syncing.
Games organizers confirm that Lin Miaoke, who performed "Ode to the Motherland" as China's flag was paraded Friday into Beijing's National Stadium, was not singing at all. Lin was lip-syncing to the sound of another girl, 7-year-old Yang Peiyi, who was heard but not seen, apparently because she was deemed not cute enough.
"The reason was for the national interest," said Chen Qigang, the ceremony's musical director, in a state radio interview. "The child on camera should be flawless in image, internal feeling and expression. ... Lin Miaoke is excellent in those aspects." The decision was made at the highest levels, Chen said.
"We had to do it," he said. "We'd been through several inspections. They're all very strict. When we rehearsed at the spot, there were several spectators from various divisions, especially leaders from the Politburo, who gave the opinion it must change."
Few who watched the Olympic ceremony realized the deception. "Tiny singer wins heart of nation," read the headline in Tuesday's China Daily newspaper.
"Lin Miaoke might be only 9 years old but she is well on her way to becoming a star, thanks to her heartwarming performance," the article gushed -- without mentioning she never sang a note. But as word has gotten out on the Internet, some Chinese bloggers are outraged. "If you're not good-looking, no matter how well you sing, you'll not be onstage. Do you know you're twisting a whole generation?" read one comment. Another said, "If foreigners found out, they'd think we can't even find a girl who is good at both."
As for Yang Peiyi, she's been quoted as saying she was honored to have had a role in the opening ceremony, even though few realized just how big her part really was.
A little girl and her song captivated millions of viewers during the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. But what they saw was not what they heard. Lin Miaoke was the darling of the Olympic opening ceremony, but it turns out she was lip-syncing.
Games organizers confirm that Lin Miaoke, who performed "Ode to the Motherland" as China's flag was paraded Friday into Beijing's National Stadium, was not singing at all. Lin was lip-syncing to the sound of another girl, 7-year-old Yang Peiyi, who was heard but not seen, apparently because she was deemed not cute enough.
"The reason was for the national interest," said Chen Qigang, the ceremony's musical director, in a state radio interview. "The child on camera should be flawless in image, internal feeling and expression. ... Lin Miaoke is excellent in those aspects." The decision was made at the highest levels, Chen said.
"We had to do it," he said. "We'd been through several inspections. They're all very strict. When we rehearsed at the spot, there were several spectators from various divisions, especially leaders from the Politburo, who gave the opinion it must change."
Few who watched the Olympic ceremony realized the deception. "Tiny singer wins heart of nation," read the headline in Tuesday's China Daily newspaper.
"Lin Miaoke might be only 9 years old but she is well on her way to becoming a star, thanks to her heartwarming performance," the article gushed -- without mentioning she never sang a note. But as word has gotten out on the Internet, some Chinese bloggers are outraged. "If you're not good-looking, no matter how well you sing, you'll not be onstage. Do you know you're twisting a whole generation?" read one comment. Another said, "If foreigners found out, they'd think we can't even find a girl who is good at both."
As for Yang Peiyi, she's been quoted as saying she was honored to have had a role in the opening ceremony, even though few realized just how big her part really was.
Wednesday, August 6
A Bit O' Lost
From my "secret source"
Q: I didn't attend Comic-Con and I'm too lazy to scour the web looking for a
transcript of the Lost panel, so whaddaya say you save me the trouble and give me a
quick rundown of the major Lost spoilers that Team Darlton revealed? - Nicole
A: Unfortunately, I'm even lazier than you, so I wouldn't touch that assignment with
a 10-foot pole. I would, however, email EW's Doc Jensen and kindly ask him to do it
for both of us. (He was sitting in the front row, after all.) Below are what he
considers to be the major takeaways, bullet-pointed for your convenience.
. Richard Alpert will figure prominently in Season 5.
. The whole notion of "flashbacks" and "flash-forwards" will be reinvented, suggesting
that upcoming episodes will span multiple time periods and perspectives.
. Jin will be back, but there's no word if he's dead or alive.
. It was strongly suggested that Faraday survived.
. Faraday's notebook will play a prominent role this season.
. We'll finally get Rousseau's back-story, but Darlton cautioned that it would be wrong
to call it a "flashback" episode.
I don't know about anyone else, but I have been EXTREMELY patient, waiting for Rousseau's story. I thought we were gonna get it in season 3 and then, last season. So, I am grateful to hear the producers say we will finally a Rousseau episode. Yippee!
Q: I didn't attend Comic-Con and I'm too lazy to scour the web looking for a
transcript of the Lost panel, so whaddaya say you save me the trouble and give me a
quick rundown of the major Lost spoilers that Team Darlton revealed? - Nicole
A: Unfortunately, I'm even lazier than you, so I wouldn't touch that assignment with
a 10-foot pole. I would, however, email EW's Doc Jensen and kindly ask him to do it
for both of us. (He was sitting in the front row, after all.) Below are what he
considers to be the major takeaways, bullet-pointed for your convenience.
. Richard Alpert will figure prominently in Season 5.
. The whole notion of "flashbacks" and "flash-forwards" will be reinvented, suggesting
that upcoming episodes will span multiple time periods and perspectives.
. Jin will be back, but there's no word if he's dead or alive.
. It was strongly suggested that Faraday survived.
. Faraday's notebook will play a prominent role this season.
. We'll finally get Rousseau's back-story, but Darlton cautioned that it would be wrong
to call it a "flashback" episode.
I don't know about anyone else, but I have been EXTREMELY patient, waiting for Rousseau's story. I thought we were gonna get it in season 3 and then, last season. So, I am grateful to hear the producers say we will finally a Rousseau episode. Yippee!
Tuesday, August 5
I think my Tivo is dying
Speaking on the fall line-up, anyone have any spare Tivo's laying around? I think mine is dying. It quit making daily calls over a year ago and recently, it may have been affected by lightning. Either way, I'm guessing I'm gonna have to take the plunge and get a new DVR.
Fall LineUp
TV Guide posted this handy-dandy fall line-up. Check it out. What are you looking forward to?
Sorry for the Absence
Yes, I suck. It's official. I am unable to juggle all the demands of my life. It's been an incredibly busy summer for me both personally and with work demands. Some things just had to go by the wayside and Media Sluts, unfortunately, was one of the casualties.
Hopefully I can redeem myself with a few posts and get back in everyone's good graces.
Hopefully I can redeem myself with a few posts and get back in everyone's good graces.
Tuesday, July 1
Retro Cereals
I am a huge fan of retro cereals. I find them fascinating and it brings up all kinds of fond memories of when I was a kid. Check out this Retro Gallery of cereals. Enjoy!
Thursday, June 26
Shred It!
So yeah, I want this shirt so I can wear it while playing the new Aerosmith edition of Guitar Hero. Which I've pre-ordered. Because I'm a huge dork.
LOST Tidbits
Jin is gonna be fine. I suspect that the difference between Michael's and Jin's survival is that Michael was trapped inside the hold, whereas Jin being up on the edge of the deck meant he had a chance to be blown clear of the ship.
Emilie de Ravin will be on a holding contract with Lost for season five and returning in season six.
Emilie de Ravin will be on a holding contract with Lost for season five and returning in season six.
Wednesday, June 25
George Carlin
NEW YORK June 24, 2008 As hilarious and heartfelt tributes pour in marking the passing of groundbreaking comedian George Carlin, "Saturday Night Live" pays tribute on Saturday, June 28 (11:30 p.m.-1:00 a.m. ET), re-airing its premiere episode that featured Carlin as host.
Remembering Carlin, "Saturday Night Live" creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels noted: "You never forget the people who were there at the beginning. George Carlin helped give 'Saturday Night Live' its start as our first host. He was gracious, fearless, and most important of all, funny."
Typifying the show's "of-the-moment" sensibility that would continue throughout its over thirty-year history, Carlin was brought in as the first host of the groundbreaking comedy show. Carlin performed three individual monologues on the program that also introduced audiences to the now legendary "Not Ready For Prime-Time Players" Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Larraine Newman and Gilda Radner.
The 1975 episode also features musical guests Janis Ian and Billy Preston as well as a landmark performance from comedian Andy Kaufman.
Remembering Carlin, "Saturday Night Live" creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels noted: "You never forget the people who were there at the beginning. George Carlin helped give 'Saturday Night Live' its start as our first host. He was gracious, fearless, and most important of all, funny."
Typifying the show's "of-the-moment" sensibility that would continue throughout its over thirty-year history, Carlin was brought in as the first host of the groundbreaking comedy show. Carlin performed three individual monologues on the program that also introduced audiences to the now legendary "Not Ready For Prime-Time Players" Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Larraine Newman and Gilda Radner.
The 1975 episode also features musical guests Janis Ian and Billy Preston as well as a landmark performance from comedian Andy Kaufman.
Monday, June 23
Thursday, June 19
Tuesday, June 10
Friday, June 6
Do We Care?
On the news last night was a segment concerning Ed McMahon's possible foreclosure on his home. And then later I heard Evander Holyfield's home had been foreclosed and was on the auction block. I thought to myself, why are either of these stories making the national news?
Is it because it demonstrates to the general population that the nation really is in an economic downturn/recession? Is it to prove that even rich people can have financial trouble? Or is it news simply because they have a name many of us recognize?
I don't know the answer to why Ed and Evander's financial situations are news-worthy, but I doknow that people every day are being forced to choose between eating, taking medication, buying pet food or fueling their vehicles. It's no longer a choice for some. Families have had to give up their long-time animal companions. Seniors can't afford their medications. Children go to bed at night hungry. Your neighbor has lost his job of 20+ years and soon will lose his home.
But Ed and Evander? They won't have those problems. They'll still be able to eat, travel, buy necessities and even enjoy a very fine home. It will just be a home that is less expensive. Somehow we make do with a modest home. I'm guessing Evander won't REALLY require 17 bathrooms in order to continue to be functional. And 'ol Ed, I doubt he truly needs a $7 million dollar home (isn't he about due for a nursing home anyway?).
But the regular folks. They can't make a go of it with the little they do have! They live in modest homes, cut coupons, eat at home instead of at restaurants, quit buying non-essentials. All the stuff any of us would do if faced with financial difficulties. Why aren't some of MY neighbors and YOUR friends being featured on the nightly news? They are the ones who are truly experiencing the worthlessness of the American dollar, the increased costs of living and seeing their jobs sent overseas.
Let's focus on what is real. THAT is something I can care about.
Is it because it demonstrates to the general population that the nation really is in an economic downturn/recession? Is it to prove that even rich people can have financial trouble? Or is it news simply because they have a name many of us recognize?
I don't know the answer to why Ed and Evander's financial situations are news-worthy, but I doknow that people every day are being forced to choose between eating, taking medication, buying pet food or fueling their vehicles. It's no longer a choice for some. Families have had to give up their long-time animal companions. Seniors can't afford their medications. Children go to bed at night hungry. Your neighbor has lost his job of 20+ years and soon will lose his home.
But Ed and Evander? They won't have those problems. They'll still be able to eat, travel, buy necessities and even enjoy a very fine home. It will just be a home that is less expensive. Somehow we make do with a modest home. I'm guessing Evander won't REALLY require 17 bathrooms in order to continue to be functional. And 'ol Ed, I doubt he truly needs a $7 million dollar home (isn't he about due for a nursing home anyway?).
But the regular folks. They can't make a go of it with the little they do have! They live in modest homes, cut coupons, eat at home instead of at restaurants, quit buying non-essentials. All the stuff any of us would do if faced with financial difficulties. Why aren't some of MY neighbors and YOUR friends being featured on the nightly news? They are the ones who are truly experiencing the worthlessness of the American dollar, the increased costs of living and seeing their jobs sent overseas.
Let's focus on what is real. THAT is something I can care about.
Tuesday, June 3
Did Someone Say Chickenfoot?
Sammy Hagar is excited about his new supergroup, Chickenfoot, so much so that he says the band "could rival Zep."
Comprised of acclaimed guitarist Joe Satriani, Red Hot Chili Peppers's drummer Chad Smith, former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony and Hagar, Chickenfoot have written "around eight or nine songs so far" and are due to enter the recording studio in September..
"When people hear the music, it's Led Zeppelin," Hagar enthuses. "I know that's a bold statement, but it's as good as that." The Red Rocker then compares the group to another musical entity, one he has had some experience with: "It's ten times Van Halen, because it's functional - we all like each other."
For his part, Joe Satriani is jazzed about the project but is less hyperbolic than Cabo man Hagar: "We're having a very fun time. For years now I've wanted to do something with a real vocalist and a real band, and I came close a few times but nothing really panned out. This time is different. What I'm doing with Sammy and the rest of the guys feels right. We get together, we have a lot of laughs, and great things happen musically. I'm thrilled, and I can't wait to get our ideas recorded."
Comprised of acclaimed guitarist Joe Satriani, Red Hot Chili Peppers's drummer Chad Smith, former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony and Hagar, Chickenfoot have written "around eight or nine songs so far" and are due to enter the recording studio in September..
"When people hear the music, it's Led Zeppelin," Hagar enthuses. "I know that's a bold statement, but it's as good as that." The Red Rocker then compares the group to another musical entity, one he has had some experience with: "It's ten times Van Halen, because it's functional - we all like each other."
For his part, Joe Satriani is jazzed about the project but is less hyperbolic than Cabo man Hagar: "We're having a very fun time. For years now I've wanted to do something with a real vocalist and a real band, and I came close a few times but nothing really panned out. This time is different. What I'm doing with Sammy and the rest of the guys feels right. We get together, we have a lot of laughs, and great things happen musically. I'm thrilled, and I can't wait to get our ideas recorded."
Just As I Suspected
If you're a Top Chef viewer, you probably suspected the frozen scallops were a plant. Weel, you suspected correctly. Basically the producers put them there and foolishly, Spike chose to use them.
30 Days
courtesy of realityblurred:
30 Days, the FX reality series inspired by Morgan Spurlock’s documentary Super Size Me, returns tonight for its third season at 10 p.m. ET on FX. The show follows one person who inhabits someone else’s life for a month, and despite the contrived nature of the situations, comes off as a mini-documentary and one of the most real and genuine series on TV.
Spurlock has decided to be featured in two of this season’s six episodes. Tonight’s shows him becoming a coal miner, and episode six follows his life on an Indian reservation. But Spurlock says that episode three, in which a hunter lives with a family of vegan PETA members, is “the best hour of television you’re ever going to see in your life,” he told Entertainment Weekly.
Episode five reverses that somewhat, as a gun control advocate whose best friend was shot to death lives with a gun collector. On episode two, NFL quarterback Ray Crockett lives in a wheelchair for a month, while episode four follows a substitute teacher who doesn’t believe children should be raised by same-sex parents who—you guessed it—lives with a gay couple who have four adopted kids.
30 Days, the FX reality series inspired by Morgan Spurlock’s documentary Super Size Me, returns tonight for its third season at 10 p.m. ET on FX. The show follows one person who inhabits someone else’s life for a month, and despite the contrived nature of the situations, comes off as a mini-documentary and one of the most real and genuine series on TV.
Spurlock has decided to be featured in two of this season’s six episodes. Tonight’s shows him becoming a coal miner, and episode six follows his life on an Indian reservation. But Spurlock says that episode three, in which a hunter lives with a family of vegan PETA members, is “the best hour of television you’re ever going to see in your life,” he told Entertainment Weekly.
Episode five reverses that somewhat, as a gun control advocate whose best friend was shot to death lives with a gun collector. On episode two, NFL quarterback Ray Crockett lives in a wheelchair for a month, while episode four follows a substitute teacher who doesn’t believe children should be raised by same-sex parents who—you guessed it—lives with a gay couple who have four adopted kids.
Wednesday, May 28
Lost Preview
It's almost here... the BIG FINALE!!! I can hardly stand it and I'm pretty sure all the other Losties are just as excited as I am to see how this season wraps up (or leaves us hanging, which I'm sure it will)
Anyhoo... here's some reading to tide you over until tomorrow night!
Michael Emerson Interview
Flash Forwards In Chronological Order
Anyhoo... here's some reading to tide you over until tomorrow night!
Michael Emerson Interview
Flash Forwards In Chronological Order
For Your Next Party
Won't mom get a kick out of this when the family gathers for a big picnic on the 4th? It's the Big Ass Piñata!
Thursday, May 22
Thought-Provoking
1. What was I doing 10 years ago?
I was getting more serious about settling down and re-marrying. I owned my own house, worked full-time, did freelance design and was really enjoying my life for the first time in many, many years.
2. What are 5 things on my to-do list for today (not in any particular order)?
-organize scrapbooking stuff
-run errands
-laundry
-purge magazine pile
-walk dog
3. Snacks I enjoy:
I definitely have a thing for ice cream.
4. Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
All the typical stuff people do when they come into money. But I'd also like to think I could use some of my money to help others and, I know this sounds corny, but to help make the world a better place.
5. Places you have lived:
Defiance, Ohio
6. Peeps I want to know more about:
I'd like to know more about the people who read this blog but never comment.
I was getting more serious about settling down and re-marrying. I owned my own house, worked full-time, did freelance design and was really enjoying my life for the first time in many, many years.
2. What are 5 things on my to-do list for today (not in any particular order)?
-organize scrapbooking stuff
-run errands
-laundry
-purge magazine pile
-walk dog
3. Snacks I enjoy:
I definitely have a thing for ice cream.
4. Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
All the typical stuff people do when they come into money. But I'd also like to think I could use some of my money to help others and, I know this sounds corny, but to help make the world a better place.
5. Places you have lived:
Defiance, Ohio
6. Peeps I want to know more about:
I'd like to know more about the people who read this blog but never comment.
Tuesday, May 20
Idol Chatter
The big Idol finale is on tonight. Does anyone care? Did this season ever get exciting or interesting... at any point? I think not. Although Idol has consistently gotten good ratings, they are, overall, down. I've heard rumors they are looking to change up the format a bit. I hope they do. The obnoxious and never-ending audition episodes are tiresome and frankly, it's almost offensive how they exploit some of the wannabe's. And you know which ones I'm talking about, don't you?
And here's another thing... what is with the judges blasting the contestants when they make a bad song choice? Hello! Whose decision was it to have Andrew Lloyd Weber and Neil Diamond join in? Seriously! How can they complain about the Idols not singing current, contemporary, popular stuff when the producers are shoving show tunes down their throats?
I honestly don't care who wins at this point. It doesn't matter. And I tend to think that I'm not alone in my opinion.
And here's another thing... what is with the judges blasting the contestants when they make a bad song choice? Hello! Whose decision was it to have Andrew Lloyd Weber and Neil Diamond join in? Seriously! How can they complain about the Idols not singing current, contemporary, popular stuff when the producers are shoving show tunes down their throats?
I honestly don't care who wins at this point. It doesn't matter. And I tend to think that I'm not alone in my opinion.
Thursday, May 15
LOST Scoop
From my "secret source":
Info on when Lost will be seen next season: The time is TBD, according to Steve McPherson from ABC. "At this point, we still like this 10 p.m. on Thursday, and we could move Life on Marsat that point. But it's also been a great 9 p.m. performer and 8 p.m. performer, so I think quite honestly we have to see how the fall plays out." (Let's keep our fingers crossed for an earlier time next season!!)
Episode 4.12: There's No Place Like Home, Part 1 (Season finale, part 1)
(Oceanic 6-centric) Airdate: May 15, 2008
The face-off between the survivors and the freighter people begins. Widmore's freighter fiends, as one might guess, do not rescue the Oceanic Six. Desmond may come very close to becoming one of the Oceanic Seven. There's a fair amount of blood shed in the three-part finale. And there's at least one significant death. A major story line will begin for Claire. "Mysterious things are happening to Claire that set up the next few episodes - and the next few years, too."
We will see the Orchid - all three levels of it - that might shed more light on the Island's time-warping properties. The Orchid will play a big role in the finale.
It seems Darlton was holding out on us regarding the "spectacular kiss". Not only is the kiss spectacular, but according to a very solid source, it's the kind of liplock that "stops f---ing time" and"makes the entire world vanish in the moment."
The season finale will leave you ballistic as far as cliffhangers go.
Off the Island:
The finale will depict the arrival on the American mainland of the Oceanic Six :
Two pilots are at the helm of a transport plane. One chastises the other for clinging to his lucky charm; the one holding the rabbit's foot says he has to be extra vigilant considering the cargo they are carrying. Karen Decker (Michelle Forbes) is an Oceanic Airlines representative, strapped into the jump seat immediately behind the pilots. The pilots tell Decker they're approaching the runway. Decker ventures into the cargo hold where Jack, Hurley, Sayid, Sun and Kate are strapped in to passenger seats. Kate is holding Aaron. Michelle Forbes tells them the press calls them the Oceanic Six and wants to talk to them, but she can get them out of it. Jack speaks for the group and says that's fine, they're prepared to answer any questions. Decker leaves, tottering back to the cockpit in her stilettos.
Jack says they all know the story, but if they get any questions they can't answer, the press will just assume they're in shock. Sun: "Jack, we are in shock." Sun and Sayid do look like they're in shock indeed, whereas Kate just looks generally devastated. The plane lands, and the gangplank is lowered. The Six exit the back of the transport. Carmen Reyes, Mr. and Mrs. Paik and Margo
Shephard are all waiting for them. The three families are overjoyed to see each other. Sayid and Kate have no one greeting them. Hugo jumps back after hugging his mom hello and introduces Sayid, who gets the full family hug treatment. Kate just holds on tight to baby Aaron and looks around, all alone. A huge crowd of extras reported to the old Barbers Point Naval Air Station in Kalaeloa, taking part in a scene involving the return of the Oceanic Six to the outside world.
Their rescue is a huge media circus, with a throng of reporters and photographers on hand as they step off a military transport plane that brought them back to the United States. Via Honolulu. The filming focused on an elaborate Oceanic Airlines-coordinated press conference. Or, as sources put it, "a big press con." The world's media was there for answers, as well as several familiar faces: (Margo Shephard), David Reyes and Lillian and Carmen Reyes). Questions asked included: "Ms. Austen, how old is Aaron? Ms. Kwon, what happened to your husband? Mr. Reyes, what of your fortune, and this hefty airline settlement?"
The press is skeptical of the official story.
Hurley's hackles are raised by a query that's been raised by viewers and comedians alike since Season 1. Sayid tows the line, but isn't happy about it. The Oceanic Six make surprising mention of some long, lost friends. Three of them, at least, whose
deaths occurred in each of the first three seasons. The settlement comes into play in the finale.
Also seen will be the elaborate funeral of Christian Shepherd:
All of the Oceanic Six were present and accounted for. An exterior scene involved Sayid and Kate standing outside the church as mourners filed in. A limo arrives, and Hurley exits along with a young woman (possibly Starla?). And the woman, not Kate, is the one carrying the baby (could be a stand-in). The group hugs and talks briefly at the top of the stairs before heading inside. Though it looked like a flash forward involving many of the "Oceanic Six", there was no flock of press. Andrea Gabriel reappears as Nadia at the funeral - at Sayid's side.
On the Island:
Keamy (on SAT phone): Put it down over there. Charlotte: Is that from the chopper? Lapidus (on SAT phone): We're still five clicks from the site! Keamy: I said put it
down Frank. We'll pick you up guys, as soon as we hit the ground we can go to the Orchid. Head down! Let's do this. Jack: You know what the Orchid is? Juliet: No, I didn't hear Desmond or Sayid either. Jack: Kate! Wanna take a walk? Kate: Absolutely
Jack: I'll get the guns, you get some water OK? Kate: OK. Juliet: You can't..possibly be serious. You just had surgery, Jack. Jack: I'm fine. Juliet: You're not going to be fine. Jack: I can't just sit around waiting.. Juliet: Recovery is not sitting around. Jack: I have to do this. Juliet: Why? Jack: Because I promised those people..that I would get them off this island. Juliet: Don't bleed to death Jack. Jack: I'll see you in a couple of hours. Charlotte: Daniel, what's wrong? Daniel: Charlotte, did you hear what he said? They're going to the Orchid. They're using the secondary protocol. Charlotte: What are you talking about? Daniel: We have to get off this island...right now. Sayid: Hey! Over here! Sun: Sayid, where's Desmond? Sayid: He's fine, he's on the freighter. Listen, I'm going to start taking people back, six at a time. We have to go right now, before the helicopter gets back to the boat. Juliet: Why do we have to go to the boat before the chopper gets back? Sayid: Because the men on that helicopter have every intention of killing us all. ...What? Juliet: Jack and Kate just went running after it. Hurley: OK, let's say this greenhouse place does what you say and yeah, I get it, it's really dangerous and unpredictable but suppose..somehow it works and we move the island. Dosen't that mean the dudes with guns move too? Ben: Yes, I
suppose they would. Hurley: Well isn't that, y'know, a problem?! Ben: I'm working on it. Hurley: Well what about me? I still wanna get off it! Locke: I'm afraid it's a little late for that Hugo. Ben: May I have the binoculars please? You might want to get down lower to the ground. Locke: Why might we want to do that? Ben: Because we're at the Orchid.
Also: please check out Doc Jensen's story to the right, in the RSS feed.
Info on when Lost will be seen next season: The time is TBD, according to Steve McPherson from ABC. "At this point, we still like this 10 p.m. on Thursday, and we could move Life on Marsat that point. But it's also been a great 9 p.m. performer and 8 p.m. performer, so I think quite honestly we have to see how the fall plays out." (Let's keep our fingers crossed for an earlier time next season!!)
Episode 4.12: There's No Place Like Home, Part 1 (Season finale, part 1)
(Oceanic 6-centric) Airdate: May 15, 2008
The face-off between the survivors and the freighter people begins. Widmore's freighter fiends, as one might guess, do not rescue the Oceanic Six. Desmond may come very close to becoming one of the Oceanic Seven. There's a fair amount of blood shed in the three-part finale. And there's at least one significant death. A major story line will begin for Claire. "Mysterious things are happening to Claire that set up the next few episodes - and the next few years, too."
We will see the Orchid - all three levels of it - that might shed more light on the Island's time-warping properties. The Orchid will play a big role in the finale.
It seems Darlton was holding out on us regarding the "spectacular kiss". Not only is the kiss spectacular, but according to a very solid source, it's the kind of liplock that "stops f---ing time" and"makes the entire world vanish in the moment."
The season finale will leave you ballistic as far as cliffhangers go.
Off the Island:
The finale will depict the arrival on the American mainland of the Oceanic Six :
Two pilots are at the helm of a transport plane. One chastises the other for clinging to his lucky charm; the one holding the rabbit's foot says he has to be extra vigilant considering the cargo they are carrying. Karen Decker (Michelle Forbes) is an Oceanic Airlines representative, strapped into the jump seat immediately behind the pilots. The pilots tell Decker they're approaching the runway. Decker ventures into the cargo hold where Jack, Hurley, Sayid, Sun and Kate are strapped in to passenger seats. Kate is holding Aaron. Michelle Forbes tells them the press calls them the Oceanic Six and wants to talk to them, but she can get them out of it. Jack speaks for the group and says that's fine, they're prepared to answer any questions. Decker leaves, tottering back to the cockpit in her stilettos.
Jack says they all know the story, but if they get any questions they can't answer, the press will just assume they're in shock. Sun: "Jack, we are in shock." Sun and Sayid do look like they're in shock indeed, whereas Kate just looks generally devastated. The plane lands, and the gangplank is lowered. The Six exit the back of the transport. Carmen Reyes, Mr. and Mrs. Paik and Margo
Shephard are all waiting for them. The three families are overjoyed to see each other. Sayid and Kate have no one greeting them. Hugo jumps back after hugging his mom hello and introduces Sayid, who gets the full family hug treatment. Kate just holds on tight to baby Aaron and looks around, all alone. A huge crowd of extras reported to the old Barbers Point Naval Air Station in Kalaeloa, taking part in a scene involving the return of the Oceanic Six to the outside world.
Their rescue is a huge media circus, with a throng of reporters and photographers on hand as they step off a military transport plane that brought them back to the United States. Via Honolulu. The filming focused on an elaborate Oceanic Airlines-coordinated press conference. Or, as sources put it, "a big press con." The world's media was there for answers, as well as several familiar faces: (Margo Shephard), David Reyes and Lillian and Carmen Reyes). Questions asked included: "Ms. Austen, how old is Aaron? Ms. Kwon, what happened to your husband? Mr. Reyes, what of your fortune, and this hefty airline settlement?"
The press is skeptical of the official story.
Hurley's hackles are raised by a query that's been raised by viewers and comedians alike since Season 1. Sayid tows the line, but isn't happy about it. The Oceanic Six make surprising mention of some long, lost friends. Three of them, at least, whose
deaths occurred in each of the first three seasons. The settlement comes into play in the finale.
Also seen will be the elaborate funeral of Christian Shepherd:
All of the Oceanic Six were present and accounted for. An exterior scene involved Sayid and Kate standing outside the church as mourners filed in. A limo arrives, and Hurley exits along with a young woman (possibly Starla?). And the woman, not Kate, is the one carrying the baby (could be a stand-in). The group hugs and talks briefly at the top of the stairs before heading inside. Though it looked like a flash forward involving many of the "Oceanic Six", there was no flock of press. Andrea Gabriel reappears as Nadia at the funeral - at Sayid's side.
On the Island:
Keamy (on SAT phone): Put it down over there. Charlotte: Is that from the chopper? Lapidus (on SAT phone): We're still five clicks from the site! Keamy: I said put it
down Frank. We'll pick you up guys, as soon as we hit the ground we can go to the Orchid. Head down! Let's do this. Jack: You know what the Orchid is? Juliet: No, I didn't hear Desmond or Sayid either. Jack: Kate! Wanna take a walk? Kate: Absolutely
Jack: I'll get the guns, you get some water OK? Kate: OK. Juliet: You can't..possibly be serious. You just had surgery, Jack. Jack: I'm fine. Juliet: You're not going to be fine. Jack: I can't just sit around waiting.. Juliet: Recovery is not sitting around. Jack: I have to do this. Juliet: Why? Jack: Because I promised those people..that I would get them off this island. Juliet: Don't bleed to death Jack. Jack: I'll see you in a couple of hours. Charlotte: Daniel, what's wrong? Daniel: Charlotte, did you hear what he said? They're going to the Orchid. They're using the secondary protocol. Charlotte: What are you talking about? Daniel: We have to get off this island...right now. Sayid: Hey! Over here! Sun: Sayid, where's Desmond? Sayid: He's fine, he's on the freighter. Listen, I'm going to start taking people back, six at a time. We have to go right now, before the helicopter gets back to the boat. Juliet: Why do we have to go to the boat before the chopper gets back? Sayid: Because the men on that helicopter have every intention of killing us all. ...What? Juliet: Jack and Kate just went running after it. Hurley: OK, let's say this greenhouse place does what you say and yeah, I get it, it's really dangerous and unpredictable but suppose..somehow it works and we move the island. Dosen't that mean the dudes with guns move too? Ben: Yes, I
suppose they would. Hurley: Well isn't that, y'know, a problem?! Ben: I'm working on it. Hurley: Well what about me? I still wanna get off it! Locke: I'm afraid it's a little late for that Hugo. Ben: May I have the binoculars please? You might want to get down lower to the ground. Locke: Why might we want to do that? Ben: Because we're at the Orchid.
Also: please check out Doc Jensen's story to the right, in the RSS feed.
Tuesday, May 13
New Addiction
For those who have a few minutes to kill... or want a break from the drudgery of your workday... may I suggest TypeRacer!
TypeRacer
TypeRacer
Monday, May 12
Disturbing Yet Intriguing
It's this kind of stuff that makes me feel so fortunate to be part of the Blogosphere.
Check out more by Clicking Here
Check out more by Clicking Here
Friday, May 9
Personal Man-Servant (kinda)
Mac OS X only: Free, open source application Pandora Boy pulls the popular streaming internet radio site Pandora out of your browser and integrates it with your Mac desktop. With features like global hotkeys, support for your Apple Remote, and even integration with Growl, PandoraBoy looks to be the ultimate Pandora companion for OS X. PandoraBoy is free, Mac OS X only. Windows users looking for a similar solution, check out PandoraBrowse or our bevy of other ways to get more from Pandora.
Thursday, May 8
LOST Preview
Episode 4.11: Cabin Fever (Locke-centric)
Airdate: May 8, 2008
The last three episodes include only one flashback, which the producers say will be a mythically significant outing for... someone. The rumor: Locke.
Locke is enlightened as to the whereabouts of Jacob's cabin, and life aboard the freighter becomes perilous.
The Lost production team is working double-time to deliver the last five episodes of Season 4. Thursday found them working all over the island for Episode 4.11, a Locke-centric outing. In the morning, they finished up at Waimano Home in Pearl City, with Terry O'Quinn and Lance Reddick on the scene. At the same time, a second unit was at work at Manoa Falls Trail, filming an on-island scene. Emilie DeRavin, Josh Holloway, Daniel Dae Kim, Yunjin Kim, Rebecca Mader and Jeremy Davies trekked through the jungle past a simple wooden Dharma door. After lunch, the action moved to Leilehua High School in Wahiawa. Students and cheerleaders in 1960s garb brought us to Cowan Heights (near Tustin, CA) to witness Locke's struggles at sixteen. It looks like our "Man of Faith" has had issues with science for a long, long time.Late word from Wahiawa United Methodist Church, reporting several "gorgeous" 1950s or 1960s cars. And one of them was apparently enlisted to film a dramatic scene in which a little girl (perhaps five years of age) runs out of a house and gets struck in the street.
Waimano Home is a former mental institution turned government office and laboratory hidden high in the mountains above Pearl City in Leeward O'ahu. Its drab, concrete walls and stark halls made it the perfect location to shoot a hospital scene. The wardrobe suggests that we'll be visiting the 1950s, and possibly another decade in the past. The where and the when, though, is nowhere near as interesting as the who. The flashback revolves around John Locke (Terry O'Quinn), and it's a flashback to the very beginning of his story: his birth. We'll also see Emily, his mother, in her younger days (presumably before her time in Santa Rosa, and before she betrays John Locke for his father's kidney hunt). But someone else is wandering the hospital: the ageless and eerie Richard Alpert, looking quite dapper in a suit.
Airdate: May 8, 2008
The last three episodes include only one flashback, which the producers say will be a mythically significant outing for... someone. The rumor: Locke.
Locke is enlightened as to the whereabouts of Jacob's cabin, and life aboard the freighter becomes perilous.
The Lost production team is working double-time to deliver the last five episodes of Season 4. Thursday found them working all over the island for Episode 4.11, a Locke-centric outing. In the morning, they finished up at Waimano Home in Pearl City, with Terry O'Quinn and Lance Reddick on the scene. At the same time, a second unit was at work at Manoa Falls Trail, filming an on-island scene. Emilie DeRavin, Josh Holloway, Daniel Dae Kim, Yunjin Kim, Rebecca Mader and Jeremy Davies trekked through the jungle past a simple wooden Dharma door. After lunch, the action moved to Leilehua High School in Wahiawa. Students and cheerleaders in 1960s garb brought us to Cowan Heights (near Tustin, CA) to witness Locke's struggles at sixteen. It looks like our "Man of Faith" has had issues with science for a long, long time.Late word from Wahiawa United Methodist Church, reporting several "gorgeous" 1950s or 1960s cars. And one of them was apparently enlisted to film a dramatic scene in which a little girl (perhaps five years of age) runs out of a house and gets struck in the street.
Waimano Home is a former mental institution turned government office and laboratory hidden high in the mountains above Pearl City in Leeward O'ahu. Its drab, concrete walls and stark halls made it the perfect location to shoot a hospital scene. The wardrobe suggests that we'll be visiting the 1950s, and possibly another decade in the past. The where and the when, though, is nowhere near as interesting as the who. The flashback revolves around John Locke (Terry O'Quinn), and it's a flashback to the very beginning of his story: his birth. We'll also see Emily, his mother, in her younger days (presumably before her time in Santa Rosa, and before she betrays John Locke for his father's kidney hunt). But someone else is wandering the hospital: the ageless and eerie Richard Alpert, looking quite dapper in a suit.
Wednesday, May 7
Stevie Nicks
In case you need a little Gold Dust Woman... here's her tour schedule:
June
5 - Biloxi, Miss. @ Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
7 - Hollywood, Fl. @ Hard Rock Café Seminole
8 - Tampa, Fl. @ Ford Amphitheatre – Florida State Fairgrounds
10 - Alpharetta, Ga. @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
13 - St. Louis, Mo. @ Chaifetz Arena
14 - Chicago, Ill. @ Charter One Pavilion
15 - Clarkston, Mich. @ DTE Energy Music Center
18 - Orilla, Ontario @ Casino Rama
20 - Atlantic City, N.J. @ Borgata Hotel
21 - Atlantic City, N.J. @ Borgata Hotel
22 - Boston, Mass. @ Bank of America Pavilion
25 - Toledo, Ohio @ Toledo Zoo Amphitheatre
26 - Cincinnati, Ohio @ National City Pavilion
28 - Wantagh, N.Y. @ Jones Beach Amphitheater
29 - Holmdel, N.J. @ PNC Bank Arts Center
June
5 - Biloxi, Miss. @ Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
7 - Hollywood, Fl. @ Hard Rock Café Seminole
8 - Tampa, Fl. @ Ford Amphitheatre – Florida State Fairgrounds
10 - Alpharetta, Ga. @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
13 - St. Louis, Mo. @ Chaifetz Arena
14 - Chicago, Ill. @ Charter One Pavilion
15 - Clarkston, Mich. @ DTE Energy Music Center
18 - Orilla, Ontario @ Casino Rama
20 - Atlantic City, N.J. @ Borgata Hotel
21 - Atlantic City, N.J. @ Borgata Hotel
22 - Boston, Mass. @ Bank of America Pavilion
25 - Toledo, Ohio @ Toledo Zoo Amphitheatre
26 - Cincinnati, Ohio @ National City Pavilion
28 - Wantagh, N.Y. @ Jones Beach Amphitheater
29 - Holmdel, N.J. @ PNC Bank Arts Center
Monday, May 5
Summer Reality Line-Up
No guarantee the dates are accurate, so as always, check your local listings.
Summer debuts
* So You Think You Can Dance 4 [FOX, May 22 at 8, Wed at 8 and Thurs at 9]
* Last Comic Standing 6 [NBC, May 22 at 9:30, Thursdays at 8:30]
* The Bachelorette 4 [ABC, May 19 at 9, Mondays at 8]
* The Mole 3 [ABC, May 26, Mondays at 10]
* The Next Food Network Star 4 [Food Network, June 1, Sundays at 10]
* 30 Days [FX, June 3, Tuesdays at 10]
* Design Star 3 [HGTV, June 8, Sundays at 9]
* Ice Road Truckers [History, June 8, Sundays at 10]
* Nashville Star 6 [NBC, June 9, Mondays at 9:30]
* Celebrity Circus [NBC, June 11, Wednesdays at 9]
* America’s Got Talent 3 [ABC, June 17, Tuesdays at 9]
* Shear Genius 2 [Bravo, June 25, Tuesdays at 9]
* Baby Borrowers [NBC, June 25, Wednesdays at 8]
* Dance Machine [ABC, June 27, Fridays at 8]
* Greatest American Dog [CBS, July 10, Thursdays at 8]
* I Love Money [VH1, July 13]
* High School Musical [ABC, July 20, Sundays at 8]
* How to Look Good Naked [Lifetime, July]
* Sunset Tan [E!]
* When Women Rule the World [FOX]
Summer debuts
* So You Think You Can Dance 4 [FOX, May 22 at 8, Wed at 8 and Thurs at 9]
* Last Comic Standing 6 [NBC, May 22 at 9:30, Thursdays at 8:30]
* The Bachelorette 4 [ABC, May 19 at 9, Mondays at 8]
* The Mole 3 [ABC, May 26, Mondays at 10]
* The Next Food Network Star 4 [Food Network, June 1, Sundays at 10]
* 30 Days [FX, June 3, Tuesdays at 10]
* Design Star 3 [HGTV, June 8, Sundays at 9]
* Ice Road Truckers [History, June 8, Sundays at 10]
* Nashville Star 6 [NBC, June 9, Mondays at 9:30]
* Celebrity Circus [NBC, June 11, Wednesdays at 9]
* America’s Got Talent 3 [ABC, June 17, Tuesdays at 9]
* Shear Genius 2 [Bravo, June 25, Tuesdays at 9]
* Baby Borrowers [NBC, June 25, Wednesdays at 8]
* Dance Machine [ABC, June 27, Fridays at 8]
* Greatest American Dog [CBS, July 10, Thursdays at 8]
* I Love Money [VH1, July 13]
* High School Musical [ABC, July 20, Sundays at 8]
* How to Look Good Naked [Lifetime, July]
* Sunset Tan [E!]
* When Women Rule the World [FOX]
Friday, May 2
Thursday, May 1
Wednesday, April 30
Great Quote
“ If you want to buy happiness you are much better off buying an experience rather than a thing. That’s because a thing like a car, new clothes, or cool gadget will always wear down, break down over time, while an experience, like going to the Galapagos, or a great concert, will only improve over time. You’ll always have it (Paris, bunjee jumping, that meal) forever. In the long term an experience delivers more happiness per dollar. Oh, and warm puppies (and children) are experiences, not things. ”
-Daniel Gilbert, of “Stumbling on Happiness”
-Daniel Gilbert, of “Stumbling on Happiness”
Tuesday, April 29
Lost Scoop
Episode 4.10: Something Nice Back Home (Jack-centric)
Airdate: May 1, 2008
TV Guide caught a scene shot for the May 1 episode in which Jack collapses, unconscious, on the beach. Expect Juliet to take charge and perform emergency surgery. "I get to go into Jack's guts!" says a gleeful Mitchell, who adds, "After reading this episode, I realized that Juliet really does truly love him." Even so, Jack's flash-forward revolves around Kate.
"The Shape of Things to Come" will be followed by a flash-forward installment for Jack. "We're starting to close the loop on the end of last season," says [Matthew] Fox. "Jack in the future is a man marked by weakness, but the Jack of the present is strong. You're going to understand how he made that transition."
On Juliet and Jack: "Well, Jack and Juliet obviously kissed in the sixth episode this year, and we will be sort of revisiting the emotional idea of that and their relationship.
When Jack's health is seriously compromised, Kate and Juliet must learn to work together in order to save him; and something goes wrong as Sawyer, Claire, Aaron and Miles continue their trek away from Locke's camp and back to the beach.
Lost returned to the Windward Community College campus in Kaneohe today to film another scene at the "Santa Rosa Mental Institute." A sign was set up in back, fronting a sometimes soccer field, and Jack's old pickup truck was parked nearby. Filming took place inside Hale Kuhina, the continuing education/employment training building, with Jorge Garcia and Matthew Fox. A man dressed as a doctor (Dr. Stillman, perhaps, given recent casting calls) and a couple of burly orderlies were also sighted milling about. Hale Kuhina is within a stone's throw of the Hawaii State Hospital building and shady tree that served as the Santa Rosa lawn where Hurley received a mysterious visit from Charlie.
Lost set up shop in Hawaii Pacific University's Frear Center, located in an office building in downtown Honolulu. The scene took place inside "St. Sebastian Neuro Clinic," so of course Matthew Fox (Jack Shepherd) was spotted among dozens of extras dressed in medical garb. But also featured prominently was John Terry (Christian Shepherd). Brief shots were filmed at the clinic's front desk, and inside Dr. Jack Shepherd's office.
Airdate: May 1, 2008
TV Guide caught a scene shot for the May 1 episode in which Jack collapses, unconscious, on the beach. Expect Juliet to take charge and perform emergency surgery. "I get to go into Jack's guts!" says a gleeful Mitchell, who adds, "After reading this episode, I realized that Juliet really does truly love him." Even so, Jack's flash-forward revolves around Kate.
"The Shape of Things to Come" will be followed by a flash-forward installment for Jack. "We're starting to close the loop on the end of last season," says [Matthew] Fox. "Jack in the future is a man marked by weakness, but the Jack of the present is strong. You're going to understand how he made that transition."
On Juliet and Jack: "Well, Jack and Juliet obviously kissed in the sixth episode this year, and we will be sort of revisiting the emotional idea of that and their relationship.
When Jack's health is seriously compromised, Kate and Juliet must learn to work together in order to save him; and something goes wrong as Sawyer, Claire, Aaron and Miles continue their trek away from Locke's camp and back to the beach.
Lost returned to the Windward Community College campus in Kaneohe today to film another scene at the "Santa Rosa Mental Institute." A sign was set up in back, fronting a sometimes soccer field, and Jack's old pickup truck was parked nearby. Filming took place inside Hale Kuhina, the continuing education/employment training building, with Jorge Garcia and Matthew Fox. A man dressed as a doctor (Dr. Stillman, perhaps, given recent casting calls) and a couple of burly orderlies were also sighted milling about. Hale Kuhina is within a stone's throw of the Hawaii State Hospital building and shady tree that served as the Santa Rosa lawn where Hurley received a mysterious visit from Charlie.
Lost set up shop in Hawaii Pacific University's Frear Center, located in an office building in downtown Honolulu. The scene took place inside "St. Sebastian Neuro Clinic," so of course Matthew Fox (Jack Shepherd) was spotted among dozens of extras dressed in medical garb. But also featured prominently was John Terry (Christian Shepherd). Brief shots were filmed at the clinic's front desk, and inside Dr. Jack Shepherd's office.
Friday, April 25
MacPro Is In Surgery
Tech guy just arrived onsite. He brought a logic board, power supply and processor. Hopefully soon he'll pronounce it healed and cured.
Thursday, April 24
Attention LOSTIES!
TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT!!!! LOST is back, baby!
Episode 4.09: The Shape of Things to Come
Ben leads the resistance against the freighter fiends working for cranky billionaire Charles Widmore, while in his flash-forward adventure, he does battle in the Tunisian desert and spies on a funeral in Iraq.
The invasion of the island commences. In the first 15 minutes 3 characters are killed (minor ones). Later in the episode some one is shot in the head execution style, but it's not who you think if you've seen any promos. This character is a major one.
[Michael] Emerson [reveals] during a brief respite from shooting Lost's first episode since the writers' strike interrupted production last November[:] "I thought we would ease into things. Instead, I get this all-Ben extravaganza: combat, riding horses, foreign languages. And piano playing!" [...] [A] corpse [...] washes up on the sandy shores of Camp Jack and [a] raging gunfight [...] will decimate Camp Locke. [...] In addition to being a flash-forward adventure for globe-trotting Ben, in which his war with British billionaire Charles Widmore (Alan Dale) over control of the Island will intensify, episode 9 revisits a long-simmering subplot: Sayid's romance with Iraqi love Nadia (Andrea Gabriel). According to Lindelof, a new dimension of Smokey the monster's mercurial nature will also be revealed, per the Lost rule that "you learn something new about the monster whenever it appears." And Cuse says a major story line will begin for Claire, Aaron's Aussie mommy, who lost boyfriend Charlie in last year's finale: "Mysterious things are happening to Claire that set up the next few episodes - and the next few years, too." [...] During EW's stay on the set, Garcia prepared for an encounter with Smokey, and Holloway was spritzed with fake sweat and a touch of blood in advance of a raging gunfight. [Jin will be] fishing that mystery corpse from the surf.
There will be an "amazing death sequence". The smoke monster will also return in that episode (which may/may not be related to the death).
Smokey and Jacob will be in the first episode back. The fate of Karl and Rousseau will be known the first episode back, and [Damon and Carlton] really want to tell Rousseau's story of how she got to the island.
I can reveal that the body that is washed ashore in Episode 4.09 is that of Doc Ray. His body itself is not that significant but what it implies does.
Danielle and Karl's fate is decided in Episode 4.09 - They were shot with bullets.
Besides the "major" character being killed, the thing I'm most anticipating is the backstory on Rousseau.
Episode 4.09: The Shape of Things to Come
Ben leads the resistance against the freighter fiends working for cranky billionaire Charles Widmore, while in his flash-forward adventure, he does battle in the Tunisian desert and spies on a funeral in Iraq.
The invasion of the island commences. In the first 15 minutes 3 characters are killed (minor ones). Later in the episode some one is shot in the head execution style, but it's not who you think if you've seen any promos. This character is a major one.
[Michael] Emerson [reveals] during a brief respite from shooting Lost's first episode since the writers' strike interrupted production last November[:] "I thought we would ease into things. Instead, I get this all-Ben extravaganza: combat, riding horses, foreign languages. And piano playing!" [...] [A] corpse [...] washes up on the sandy shores of Camp Jack and [a] raging gunfight [...] will decimate Camp Locke. [...] In addition to being a flash-forward adventure for globe-trotting Ben, in which his war with British billionaire Charles Widmore (Alan Dale) over control of the Island will intensify, episode 9 revisits a long-simmering subplot: Sayid's romance with Iraqi love Nadia (Andrea Gabriel). According to Lindelof, a new dimension of Smokey the monster's mercurial nature will also be revealed, per the Lost rule that "you learn something new about the monster whenever it appears." And Cuse says a major story line will begin for Claire, Aaron's Aussie mommy, who lost boyfriend Charlie in last year's finale: "Mysterious things are happening to Claire that set up the next few episodes - and the next few years, too." [...] During EW's stay on the set, Garcia prepared for an encounter with Smokey, and Holloway was spritzed with fake sweat and a touch of blood in advance of a raging gunfight. [Jin will be] fishing that mystery corpse from the surf.
There will be an "amazing death sequence". The smoke monster will also return in that episode (which may/may not be related to the death).
Smokey and Jacob will be in the first episode back. The fate of Karl and Rousseau will be known the first episode back, and [Damon and Carlton] really want to tell Rousseau's story of how she got to the island.
I can reveal that the body that is washed ashore in Episode 4.09 is that of Doc Ray. His body itself is not that significant but what it implies does.
Danielle and Karl's fate is decided in Episode 4.09 - They were shot with bullets.
Besides the "major" character being killed, the thing I'm most anticipating is the backstory on Rousseau.
Tuesday, April 22
A Most SUCK ASS Day
No one died and I wasn't diagnosed with any sort of horrible or incurable disease... but still... my day really sucked some serious ass.
First, my 7 month-old MacPro decided to quit working. I now have to take it to an Apple service provider to have it repaired. Spent the entire day patching up my OLD hard drive so I could continue to work on my projects.
Then I somehow managed to delete an important document I needed. My saving grace is that the server is backed up nightly. Now it's just a matter of the IT guy recovering the document for me.
Finally, I learned that the Diet Cherry Chocolate Dr. Pepper that I LOVE, is being discontinued. I am very sad about that. Almost more sad than my beloved Mac taking a major dump. At least the computer can be fixed.
So there. That is my sucky, fucked up day.
First, my 7 month-old MacPro decided to quit working. I now have to take it to an Apple service provider to have it repaired. Spent the entire day patching up my OLD hard drive so I could continue to work on my projects.
Then I somehow managed to delete an important document I needed. My saving grace is that the server is backed up nightly. Now it's just a matter of the IT guy recovering the document for me.
Finally, I learned that the Diet Cherry Chocolate Dr. Pepper that I LOVE, is being discontinued. I am very sad about that. Almost more sad than my beloved Mac taking a major dump. At least the computer can be fixed.
So there. That is my sucky, fucked up day.
Monday, April 21
Google Meme
I lifted this Meme from my Twitter buddy, Lola. I thought it was kinda fun.
Here's what you do: put your name + verb into Google and write down the first result.
“jenni needs”
Jenni needs to learn to be more alluring
“jenni looks like”
Jenni looks like she's really listening closely!
“jenni likes”
Jenni likes going to the gym to burn off excess energy
“jenni wants”
Jenni wants to be the famous twin Mary-Kate Olsen
“jenni does”
Jenni does development research for Time Team
“jenni hates”
Jenni hates spam, of the email variety
“jenni goes”
jenni goes country
“jenni loves”
Jenni loves surprises, even if it’s just a night out on the town, dinner and a movie
“jenni has”
Jenni has a true passion for music
Here's what you do: put your name + verb into Google and write down the first result.
“jenni needs”
Jenni needs to learn to be more alluring
“jenni looks like”
Jenni looks like she's really listening closely!
“jenni likes”
Jenni likes going to the gym to burn off excess energy
“jenni wants”
Jenni wants to be the famous twin Mary-Kate Olsen
“jenni does”
Jenni does development research for Time Team
“jenni hates”
Jenni hates spam, of the email variety
“jenni goes”
jenni goes country
“jenni loves”
Jenni loves surprises, even if it’s just a night out on the town, dinner and a movie
“jenni has”
Jenni has a true passion for music
Breakfast In Bed?
There are so many ways i could go with this... instead, your mind can wander aimlessly into thoughts of 'what if'....
Survivor
I haven't mentioned much about Survivor lately but I must admit, this season has been better than I expected. The most recent episode was simply devilish. If Cirie doesn't win this thing, I am going to be extremely disappointed. She is truly a mastermind!
Seeing Ozzie get the boot was priceless. Well done, Cirie. Well done!
Seeing Ozzie get the boot was priceless. Well done, Cirie. Well done!
Lost Goodies
Courtesy of TV Guide:
It doesn't take a flash-forward to uncover Lost's secrets. Just a trip to Hawaii and a few prying interviews. Here, a sextet (in honor of the Oceanic Six) of spoilery insights. — Shawna Malcom
1) Others leader Ben (Michael Emerson) has been called many things — Master Manipulator, Bug-Eyed Bastard, Captain Bunny Killer — but an action hero?
In the April 24 episode, Ben leads the resistance against the freighter fiends working for cranky billionaire Charles Widmore, while in his flash-forward adventure, he does battle in the Tunisian desert and spies on a funeral in Iraq. Emerson was as surprised as anyone by this unexpected turn of events, not to mention a little anxious. "Stunts, languages — all sorts of special skills were asked of me," he says. "I feel like I've done everything but the kitchen sink in this episode. God only knows what's next."
2) In one scene witnessed by TV Guide, Sawyer, Miles (Ken Leung) and a banged-up Claire, holding baby Aaron, make a ghastly discovery in the jungle: one dead body and an extra dismembered arm. Surprisingly, the con man turns all Big Brother on the single mum. "Since Charlie's died, I feel like no one's protecting Claire," Holloway explains. But can anyone really keep Claire from joining the island's body count? After all, Aaron's calling Kate "Mommy" in the future. De Ravin claims she hasn't received the dreaded phone call from producers. "Maybe just let the baby go first," she says. "Or maybe fall off the helicopter. But if that's the case, I'm not shooting that scene. Stunt double, please!"
3) Remember that watercolor painting an institutionalized Hurley was working on when Charlie appeared in the season premiere? Jorge Garcia painted it himself. He also decided what to paint — an Eskimo fishing outside an igloo. "I was like, 'Hope people think this means something,'" says the prankster. Mission accomplished: After the episode, fan sites buzzed with theories, including one he expected: "I hoped people might think it had something to do with the guys [in the Season 2 finale] speaking Portuguese in the snow."
4) TV Guide caught a scene shot for the May 1 episode in which Jack collapses, unconscious, on the beach. Expect Juliet to take charge and perform emergency surgery. "I get to go into Jack's guts!" says a gleeful Mitchell, who adds, "After reading this episode, I realized that Juliet really does truly love him." Even so, Jack's flash-forward revolves around Kate. We're sworn to secrecy but will let slip that fans of "Jate" are in for a long-awaited, happy turn of events.
5) Coming attractions: The return of ageless Other Richard Alpert (Nestor Carbonell). A trek to Jacob's cabin. In the future, Hurley imparting a chilling message from Charlie to Jack. Christian Shephard reaching out to both (!) of his children.
6) The producers' ambitions for the season finale were so epic, they had to ask ABC for an additional hour. (Part 1 airs May 15; the second and third hours will air May 29.) "All we can say is, at the end of May 15, viewers will be left wondering how the hell are — in two hours — the Oceanic 6 all going to be together and off the island?" executive producer Damon Lindelof says. But get off they will. And as a result, expect Lost to be a whole new ballgame — again — when it returns for Season 5.
It doesn't take a flash-forward to uncover Lost's secrets. Just a trip to Hawaii and a few prying interviews. Here, a sextet (in honor of the Oceanic Six) of spoilery insights. — Shawna Malcom
1) Others leader Ben (Michael Emerson) has been called many things — Master Manipulator, Bug-Eyed Bastard, Captain Bunny Killer — but an action hero?
In the April 24 episode, Ben leads the resistance against the freighter fiends working for cranky billionaire Charles Widmore, while in his flash-forward adventure, he does battle in the Tunisian desert and spies on a funeral in Iraq. Emerson was as surprised as anyone by this unexpected turn of events, not to mention a little anxious. "Stunts, languages — all sorts of special skills were asked of me," he says. "I feel like I've done everything but the kitchen sink in this episode. God only knows what's next."
2) In one scene witnessed by TV Guide, Sawyer, Miles (Ken Leung) and a banged-up Claire, holding baby Aaron, make a ghastly discovery in the jungle: one dead body and an extra dismembered arm. Surprisingly, the con man turns all Big Brother on the single mum. "Since Charlie's died, I feel like no one's protecting Claire," Holloway explains. But can anyone really keep Claire from joining the island's body count? After all, Aaron's calling Kate "Mommy" in the future. De Ravin claims she hasn't received the dreaded phone call from producers. "Maybe just let the baby go first," she says. "Or maybe fall off the helicopter. But if that's the case, I'm not shooting that scene. Stunt double, please!"
3) Remember that watercolor painting an institutionalized Hurley was working on when Charlie appeared in the season premiere? Jorge Garcia painted it himself. He also decided what to paint — an Eskimo fishing outside an igloo. "I was like, 'Hope people think this means something,'" says the prankster. Mission accomplished: After the episode, fan sites buzzed with theories, including one he expected: "I hoped people might think it had something to do with the guys [in the Season 2 finale] speaking Portuguese in the snow."
4) TV Guide caught a scene shot for the May 1 episode in which Jack collapses, unconscious, on the beach. Expect Juliet to take charge and perform emergency surgery. "I get to go into Jack's guts!" says a gleeful Mitchell, who adds, "After reading this episode, I realized that Juliet really does truly love him." Even so, Jack's flash-forward revolves around Kate. We're sworn to secrecy but will let slip that fans of "Jate" are in for a long-awaited, happy turn of events.
5) Coming attractions: The return of ageless Other Richard Alpert (Nestor Carbonell). A trek to Jacob's cabin. In the future, Hurley imparting a chilling message from Charlie to Jack. Christian Shephard reaching out to both (!) of his children.
6) The producers' ambitions for the season finale were so epic, they had to ask ABC for an additional hour. (Part 1 airs May 15; the second and third hours will air May 29.) "All we can say is, at the end of May 15, viewers will be left wondering how the hell are — in two hours — the Oceanic 6 all going to be together and off the island?" executive producer Damon Lindelof says. But get off they will. And as a result, expect Lost to be a whole new ballgame — again — when it returns for Season 5.
Friday, April 18
Shake Shake Shake
So yeah.... I woke up to an earthquake this morning. How bizarre is that? And yeah... I'm in Ohio. That's even more bizarre.
Monday, April 14
OMG! Mystery (sorta) Solved!
Bret Michaels also addresses the mystery that is his hair: “My hair is combined of my hair and the finest extensions Europe has to offer. I do the show without it on all the time and they won’t film me. They are like, ‘Put your bandanna back on. It is your image.’ It is my signature thing.”
Um-hmmmm....cuz really, would the women still act like crazy stripper-hookers if Bret's "signature thing" was a comb-over?
Um-hmmmm....cuz really, would the women still act like crazy stripper-hookers if Bret's "signature thing" was a comb-over?
That Giant Sucking Sound?
Yeah... that'd be the Bachelor. Slowly sucking the brain cells from my body. The cells that control any sense of logic, time-management and good sense. I am weak. Pathetic and weak.
10 Days & Counting
LOST will be back in 10 days. In order to keep you entertained, please refer to the RSS feed in the right-hand column of this blog. Click. Read. Enjoy.
I also bring you some "insider" goodies from my friend Lola, who has been so kind to share some LOST tidbits with me. Enjoy!
I also bring you some "insider" goodies from my friend Lola, who has been so kind to share some LOST tidbits with me. Enjoy!
Lost to Get Two-Hour Finale?
It is looking "highly likely" (yay!) that there will be an additional hour of Lost for season four, for a total of six hours coming up in the spring run, starting April 24.
Producers pitched the idea of a two-hour finale to ABC, and if they end up getting an extra hour but it is notto extend the finale, well...that could be messy.
The sense among insiders is that ABC execs very much want to make this happen, but like I said, they have not yet had a chance to respond. Fingers crossed they will soon and it'll be the right (i.e., "yes") decision!
In case you're a romantic sap like me...
Hobbit turned Lost star Dominic Monaghan and island show co-star Evangeline Lilly are a couple again, according to new reports.
They split up three months ago but "never stopped loving each other" according to an insider. Awwww. "She remained in Hawaii for the show, and he moved back to L.A. when he was killed off, so the distance took its toll," says the insider. "They decided to take a break, but it was really hard on them both." Frequent telephone calls and under the radar visits just reinforced to Evangeline and Dominic that they belonged together, explains the source. "It was as simple as that." How sweet!
Monday, April 7
My Latest Quest
I am oddly fascinated with Bret Michaels. You know... the man-slut on Rock Of Love... who lets all those skanky women slobber and cry all over him. Specifically, I am on a quest to determine if he is bald. Does anyone know? That weave he's sportin' is not attractive and it's awfully suspicious that he'd be wearing that stupid bandana or hat all the time, even while hot-tubbin' and cavortin' in bed.
So, I send it out to you.... weave? bald? comb-over? What the hell lurks beneath that doo-rag?
So, I send it out to you.... weave? bald? comb-over? What the hell lurks beneath that doo-rag?
Tuesday, April 1
Hell's Kitchen
Best reality show line in a long, long time....
"What do you call this?" "Hen in a pumpkin."
Wait... scratch that....here's a better one...
"He's over there running around like a toilet brush."
"What do you call this?" "Hen in a pumpkin."
Wait... scratch that....here's a better one...
"He's over there running around like a toilet brush."
You're Feeling Verrrrry Sleepy.....
Logo Can Make You 'Think Different'
ScienceDaily (Mar. 30, 2008) — Whether you are a Mac person or a PC person, even the briefest exposure to the Apple logo may make you behave more creatively, according to recent research from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and the University of Waterloo, Canada.
In work to be published in the April issue of the Journal of Consumer Research, Professors Gavan Fitzsimons and Tanya Chartrand of Duke, and Gráinne Fitzsimons of Waterloo, found that even the briefest exposure to well-known brands can cause people to behave in ways that mirror those brands’ traits.
To assess the effects of brands on behavior, the researchers selected two competing brands, both well respected by consumers, with distinct and well-defined brand personalities. “Apple has worked for many years to develop a brand character associated with nonconformity, innovation and creativity,” said Chartrand, “and IBM is viewed by consumers as traditional, smart and responsible.”
The team conducted an experiment in which 341 university students completed what they believed was a visual acuity task, during which either the Apple or IBM logo was flashed so quickly that they were unaware they had been exposed to the brand logo. The participants then completed a task designed to evaluate how creative they were, listing all of the uses for a brick that they could imagine beyond building a wall.
People who were exposed to the Apple logo generated significantly more unusual uses for the brick compared with those who were primed with the IBM logo, the researchers said. In addition, the unusual uses the Apple-primed participants generated were rated as more creative by independent judges.
Adapted from materials provided by Duke University.
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