Friday, March 19, 2010

"Lean Mean Thirteen : A Stephanie Plum Novel" by Janet Evanovich : The late R R & R Review

I actually finished this a couple of days ago. My friend Linda recommends the series highly. Stephanie Plum is a bounty hunter who always seems to find herself in trouble. This is a comedy and it's a lot of fun, a good, fast, light read. Best part for me is there is a character named "Ranger" :>) Stephanie's friend Lula is a hoot. The plot involves Stephanie's ex-husband's disappearance and his involvement with a shady law firm... but the plot is not that important. There are amusing side stories involving Stephanie's bounties, including a whacked-out taxidermist. Stephanie is also juggling two men by the way. Lots of fun. Ranger Brad say check it out if you want a fun, light read...

More later...

Saturday, March 13, 2010

"Woman Of The Year" (1942) : The R R & R Review

This is wonderful. This is what they're talking about when it's said "They don't make 'em like that anymore". This is Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn's first film together of many. The rapport is obvious ; she is beautiful and there are lots of nice closeups of her. They are two reporters who get married ; she is self-absorbed but comes around in the end. The final sequence where she sneaks in to cook breakfast but obviously knows nothing about cooking is comic genius. Also, the scene where he tries to explain baseball to her. Really, what else do you need to know... this is a treasure...

More later...

Friday, March 12, 2010

"Time Bomb" by Jonathan Kellerman : The R R & R Review

I was disappointed with this one. The premise sounded good : psychologist Alex Delaware is called in by his detective buddy Milo when a sniper opens fire on a crowded school playground, to assist with the traumatized children ; later is asked by the sniper's father to do a "psychological autopsy" of her. In the middle of that, uncovers a bizarre, elaborate Nazi conspiracy. In the meantime, strikes up a romance with the principal. Sounds like it would be exciting, but much of this is a talk fest, on top of that, a lot of the dialogue and stereotypes are downright silly. The principal Dr Linda Overstreet drones on for pages about something that happened in her past to Alex, and it ends up not having anything to do with anything in the story. This is all too bad ; it could have been an interesting story if handled right. By the way, have you ever heard an adult bad guy call his foe a "turd"... well, it happens here(groan). It is kind of redeemed at the end by one of those twists at the end that I like... all in all, though, I would not recommend this highly...

More later...

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Shopping Adventures With My Neighbor

Neither my neighbor or I have transportation, so a couple of times recently she has asked if I wanted to come along when she had a ride from another neighbor to get groceries. I have and it has been a big help... but she is a trip to shop with. First time we went to Sams and she kept to my side giving "suggestions" on what I should get. Really made me nervous as I could tell she was not that worried about blowing her wad as I was mine. Still, I'm glad I went, spent quite a bit(she easily had me beat, even had to put things back) but stocked up pretty well. I like to buy a little over several trips, she obviously wants to try to get everything in one trip!

The other time was last night at Target. She was sick and said she didn't want to be there long, so I said sure. Well, "not long" turned out be about 3 hours! I should have known... luckily this time she wanted to split up... and she spent about 3 times what I did! Never a dull moment shopping with her, but I'm grateful she lets me tag along...

More later...

Friday, March 5, 2010

Totally Useless Music Records

If you have ever wondered what artist has the longest album title, this is your lucky day...

Fiona Apple had the record from 2001-2007, was even in the Guinness Book of World Records, with her second album, this 90 word mouthful :

When the Pawn Hits the Conflicts He Thinks Like a King What He Knows Throws the Blows When He Goes to the Fight and He'll Win the Whole Thing 'Fore He Enters the Ring There's No Body to Batter When Your Mind Is Your Might So When You Go Solo, You Hold Your Own Hand and Remember That Depth Is the Greatest of Heights and If You Know Where You Stand, Then You Know Where to Land and If You Fall It Won't Matter, Cuz You'll Know That You're Right

In Oct 2007, some band named Soulwax took over with the 103 word :

Most of the remixes we've made for other people over the years except for the one for Einstürzende Neubauten because we lost it and a few we didn't think sounded good enough or just didn't fit in length-wise, but including some that are hard to find because either people forgot about them or simply because they haven't been released yet, a few we really love, one we think is just ok, some we did for free, some we did for money, some for ourselves without permission and some for friends as swaps but never on time and always at our studio in Ghent.

One hit wonder Chumbawamba took the title in 2008 with the 156 word :

The boy bands have won, and all the copyists and the tribute bands and the TV talent show producers have won, if we allow our culture to be shaped by mimicry, whether from lack of ideas or from exaggerated respect. You should never try to freeze culture. What you can do is recycle that culture. Take your older brother’s hand-me-down jacket and re-style it, re-fashion it to the point where it becomes your own. But don’t just regurgitate creative history, or hold art and music and literature as fixed, untouchable and kept under glass. The people who try to ‘guard’ any particular form of music are, like the copyists and manufactured bands, doing it the worst disservice, because the only thing that you can do to music that will damage it is not change it, not make it your own. Because then it dies, then it’s over, then it’s done, and the boy bands have won

Aren't you glad to know this? Maybe I can win the record for longest blog now... hee hee hee

More later...

Thursday, March 4, 2010

My Adventure On Greyhound : From Texas to Arizona and even Vegas

I will never forget when I had vacation time and decided to get adventurous and take the Greyhound to visit my aunt and uncle in Arizona. It was an experience like never before. For the bus trip I brought along a silly book by David Feldman called Imponderables and a tape collection I had made(way back in the days of cassettes!) compiling all the songs I had of Donna Summer from A-Z. Boy, did I have free time or what... I got the idea for that from a station presenting the Beatles from A-Z. Anyway, it was a blast going through the little towns along the way, with all the scenery, El Paso, New Mexico, though it was late night when we passed through there and missed most of it. I had serious "bus lag" when I got to Arizona and slept for a while! Arizona is really beautiful, I love all the mountains and desert. The Grand Canyon is awesome, but didn't see it on that trip, I saw it when I was way young. When my aunt had to go to work, my uncle took me up to Vegas to visit my cousin and sight see. I didn't see much of the Strip but I have done my fair share of gambling in Louisiana and Oklahoma. It was a fun trip, I'm glad I stepped out of the comfort zone and made it!

More later...

Friday, February 26, 2010

Radio Disc Jockeys

This is something I think about sometimes. Mainly I wonder why in this computerized age, they haven't been more phased out. I listened mainly to Jack FM for years, partly for the wild variety of music (anything from 80's pop, classic rock, 90's grunge, even things like Atomic Dog every now and then!), but mostly because there are no DJs or annoying DJ chatter. I finally had to kick them to the curb for the most part, as they butcher a lot of classic rock songs (Free Bird, Won't Get Fooled Again, etc...) and I cannot tolerate that. I now listen to LoneStar 92.5 ; the DJs are not very intrusive, they only speak after a set of songs and not for long. As I think about it, DJs are even less necessary these days, as I guess the main function used to be to identify song titles and artists... but now you can find all that on the station's web site. Maybe a lot of people still want a little human touch these days when a lot of times it's hard to make a call without getting some kind of recording. There will also always be a need for traffic and weather information. I imagine though eventually human DJs will be more and more phased out...

More later...

Thursday, February 25, 2010

The Firm by John Grisham : The R R & R Review : !

Well, this is another book that kept me up past midnight. Very engrossing story of Mitch McDeere, who accepts a position with a law firm, while he had several offers from several other firms, and soon regrets it. This firm is caught up in some bad business that he soon becomes privy to. This book is a wild ride ; I would say take your time with it as it's hard to keep up with all the characters and shenanigans. On top of that, all the main characters end up with one or more alias ; one character even ends up with three (I think) and even comments she hopes she can keep up with them all. Mitch is one busy dude, becoming involved with both the Mafia and FBI. Ranger Brad recommends, as long as your brain is ready to keep up with everyone and everything...

More later...

Saturday, February 20, 2010

The Invasion of Sam Walton... On My Street!

I have finally found out what the construction is about at the end of my street which I have walked by... Walmart is arriving on my street... a street of nothing now but apartment complexes. Granted it won't happen any time soon as they have just begun. I'm not sure how I feel about this. On one hand, it would make shopping for me a lot more convenient. Oh by the way, there is a Sams across the street from where my street dead ends near my apartment... so Sam Walton will be represented on both ends of my street! On the other hand, I think it might increase traffic on my street too much... which is not all that light to begin with. Also, I have a slight problem with Walmart's monopolizing attitude of taking over the world it seems... I'm sure a lot of mom & pop places have been put out of business by Walmarts in small towns. Then again, I would probably still shop there if it were that convenient... we'll see how it goes...

More later...

Friday, February 19, 2010

Reading & Radio Resource

What do you know, some more r's... LOL. This is an organization I've been looking into. They record audio books and news for the visually impaired. I am interested in volunteering for them ; it sounds right up my alley since I love to read. I went on a tour of the place the other day and it seems neat ; everyone has their own booth to record in and a cubbyhole to keep the book they are working on. And there are plaques of recognition for so many hours of service. My next step is to tape an audition, which requires some study ; some of the words on these pages I don't know how to pronounce and accuracy is important. I will keep posted on how this progresses...

More later...

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Malcolm X(1992) : The R R & R Review

This is a biography of the controversial black leader directed by Spike Lee and starring Denzel Washington in the title role. It is mostly very good, involving and educational. It runs about 200 minutes and the first hour or so is kind of slow going, tracing his childhood and early life as a burglar, pursuer of white women, etc. It really picks up when Malcolm Little is imprisoned and is introduced to the Muslim faith by a fellow inmate. He is transformed into a charasmatic leader when he gets out, even able to lead several people marching down a street, in a memorable scene. On the personal front, his wife is played by Angela Basset, who I always like. But please tell me, who proposes marriage over the phone??? and who would accept over the phone... :>)

Malcolm X believed in separation for blacks and whites until he made a pilgrimage to Mecca, in a great sequence, where his beliefs are softened, and comes to realize Muslims come from all races. This change in his views eventually leads to his assassination while he's giving a speech, in front of his wife and little girls. If you can keep a dry eye while Ms Basset wails over her brutally murdered husband's body, you have a lot more restraint than I do. The film ends with actual footage of Malcolm X... Ranger Brad recommends... as long as you have 3 and a half hours in your schedule...

More later...

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Oh, The Weather Outside's Been Frightful...

Well, we had record snowfall in Dallas Thursday... it snowed day and night! It sure was nice to look at the whiteness from inside... with a hot chocolate. It's times like that I count my blessings I have a roof over my head... there have been times when I haven't, but thankfully it was never like the other day. There are a lot of trees around my complex and a lot of limbs fell from the weight of the snow! I know people up north think we are wimps as they have snow all the time :>) Truth is, I am so sick of this weather, figuratively and literally. I have gotten sick for the second time this season... think I'm getting over it now. I am so ready for spring and baseball season... bring it on!

More later...

"1st To Die" By James Patterson : The R R and R Review

This is the first in a series known as the Women's Murder Club. It's formed over time by homicide inspector Lindsey Boxer, when she realizes she needs help with a sick, perverted series of murders of just-married couples, that come to be know as "The Honeymoon Murders". Let's just say the groom is always murdered first and the bride is always defiled in some way... AFTER she's killed! Over the course of the case, she enlists the help of her best friend Claire, medical examiner, also Cindy, a rising crime reporter, and Jill, a district attorney. They join forces and decide to conduct their investigation independent of the police force. The girls are all likable and the book works best when they meet up to discuss their clues. There are a couple of subplots that really get in the way a little bit, I think. I think Mr Patterson spends too much time on the relationship that blooms between Lindsey and her partner, and wasn't all that believable to me... but does provide some touching moments toward the end. Overall, a good, exciting, twisted story. One thing I will tell you, nothing is as it seems. I will look forward to reading more in this series. Ranger Brad recommends...

More later...

Saturday, February 6, 2010

A Raisin In The Sun(1961):The R R & R Review

I've seen this this afternoon. This is one special film. Starring Sidney Poitier and Ruby Dee. Walter Lee Younger(Poitier) lives in poverty with his wife, sister, mother and young son, who has to sleep on the living room couch. They have a chance for something better when his mother(Ms Dee) receives a life insurance check for $10,000 from her late husband. However, mother and son clash on what to do with the money, which causes some tension(and him to turn to drinking) : he wants to invest in a liquor store, she ends up buying a more spacious house in a white neighborhood, which also causes tension. Walter Lee is pissed that she has "crushed his dream", but in a touching scene, she gives him the remainder of the money left from the house to put aside for sister Beneatha's medical school dream, the rest for a checking account for him, then tells him he is now "head of the household". This is based on a play, and each actor has a chance to shine. I always tend to like films based on plays. The sister provides some comic relief, she's a little different, to say the least. I recommend this highly, especially the last monologue by Poitier. Very moving...

More later...

Some Thoughts On This Year's Oscar Nominations... and a daring Super Bowl prediction

As usual, I haven't seen any of these movies yet... but that won't stop me. First of all, the Academy is INSANE for stretching best picture to 10 nominees this year. I read somewhere that was due to to lower ratings for the Oscars in recent years. But I don't see how this will help. To me, it would be mind-numbing trying to choose between 10 movies. OK, that being said, from what I've read and heard, I think Avatar will be a shoo-in for best picture. I think it has already gone past Titanic as box-office champ of all time and money talks. Everyone seems to love it and it sounds like a ground-breaking picture. Therefore, James Cameron should win for best director, since best picture and best director almost always go hand in hand(but not Brokeback Mountain... a topic for another day). Best Actress is pretty interesting... Meryl Streep is of course nominated again for It's Complicated, but she does not have a chance, being the Academy does not like to honor comedies in general, romantic comedies in particular. Sandra Bullock will probably win, she has had a lot of "buzz", but then Helen Mirren might, she is very respected. But I will go with Ms Bullock. Best Actor will be between George Clooney and Jeff Bridges... Mr Clooney is an old favorite but has already won, as I don't know offhand if Mr Bridges has, and he got a lot of critical "buzz", so I will go with him. Supporting Actor, I will go with Matt Damon, he is always good, and Supporting Actress, with Mo'Nique for Precious, I've heard and read she was remarkable.

Now for the Super Bowl Sunday, I fearlessly predict that either the Saints or Colts will win... mark my words...

More later...

My "Celebrity" Encounters

Since I have been blogging about all the celebrities my neighbor knows, I thought I would talk about the "stars" I have seen, which is very few, and not as glamorous as hers :>) I have already reported in a previous blog about meeting Al Brumley, who used to do write-ups on Howard Stern in the Dallas Morning News, at a gathering of fans when his radio show was about to be taken off the air in Dallas. Not sure what happened to him. On another Stern front, I met his sidekick Robin Quivers when she did a book signing in Dallas for her autobiography "Quivers... A Life". By the way, that is a well-written and involving book, I would reccomend it. She was very nice, and the most deserving of my encounters to be called a "celebrity" Though I don't know what she is up to these days, even if she's still with Stern, as I'm no longer a fan of his. I find his humor kind of juvenile now. Even though I still enjoy South Park and Family Guy and the like. I've also seen Jeff Brady of Channel 8 news a couple of times at the Starbucks where I hang out. The first time I did a double-take as he walked by and like a dumbass said "Aren't you on the news?". I'm sure he was thinking "Can't I even go to Starbucks without being recognized by some nerd? :>)

On a barely related topic, I have gone to a lot of concerts in my youth, when I had more money, and they weren't so expensive! The highlight is definitely Pink Floyd at the now gone Texas Stadium, but I've also been to Rush, Don Henley several times, Stevie Nicks, Bob Seger, a double bill of Chicago and the Beach Boys, several others. I also won tickets on a radio call-in to Crosby Stills and Nash, which was cool...

More later...

Thursday, February 4, 2010

More Name Dropping From My Fun Neighbor

I love it when she comes over and gets in her name dropping mode like she did the other night. "Bohemian Rhapsody" was on again and it got her reminiscing about meeting Roger Taylor and Freddie Mercury(she calls him Brian) from Queen. She went on a couple of dates with Roger and even came up to her apartment for drinks. Unfortunately, she says he told her he could not spend the night because the band had made a pact not to separate on tour. She also met Dusty Hill from ZZ Top, her friend went out with him for a little while. But this may be the best part. She says she was a stand-in for Victoria Principal on "Dallas". She hung out with Larry Hagman and Steve Kanaly but Ms Principal kept to herself. When she gets in this mode, I pay strict attention because I don't want to miss a thing! How much, if any, is true, I don't know, but I sure enjoy hearing it!

More later...

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Controversy Where There Should Be None: The Tim Tebow Super Bowl Ad

I read about this last week. Apparently college football star Tim Tebow is in a Super Bowl ad with his mother where the theme is "Celebrate Life" His mother was encouraged to abort the pregnancy that produced him while she was on a dangerous mission in Africa, I think. And he is grateful to her for that. And this has the radical women pro choice groups up in arms! I really can't believe these people. How could such a sweet sentiment be controversial? These women are not "pro-choice" in my opinion. Doesn't pro-choice also mean to have the choice NOT to abort? The groups that oppose this ad are scary. I say good for Tim Tebow and his mom!

More later...

Thursday, January 28, 2010

The Cow Goddess Remembered

This is a girl I used to work with when I worked graveyard at First Interstate - later Regulus. She was definitely one of a kind... she had red hair, was one of the last free spirits, she was a fan of Howard Stern, Homer Simpson and you guessed it... cows! Everything about her had something to with cows. She even eventually fixed her car up with Legos in the shape of a cow! This was a sight to see. Her car was written up in the Dallas Observer... I sure wish I still had the article but I know I don't. I saw her at the Save Howard Stern rally in Los Colinas( I think?) when he was about to be taken off the air in Dallas. I also met Al Brumley there who did writeups on Stern in the Dallas Morning News. She was a lot of fun to work with, she eventually became our lead. She was brought on by our first lead, who was an aspiring actress, and did some shows at the Pocket Sandwich Theater. She really did go by "Cow Goddess" and always wore the most cool funky clothes that she could afford. I sure wish I knew where she was these days... one of the most unique people I'll probably meet...

More later...

Ok, one of my friends just sent me this link to her writeup in the Observer... enjoy...

http://www.dallasobserver.com/slideshow/view/15924761

More later...

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

"Kiss Me Kate"... the YouTube London production

How odd it seems to be reviewing something shown on YouTube. I guess that's the world we live in now. I was interested in looking this up after seeing the film version at the library several months ago. Luckily, this is atop the search list. This is a wonderful show taped live in London in front of a live audience, and shown here in 22 parts of about 6 and a half minutes each, coming to almost 2 and a half hours. Two actors named Brent Barrett and Rachel York are the leads ; they are wonderful in the parts of ex-spouses performing in Shakespeare's "Taming Of The Shrew"(this is one of those shows-within-a-show) and their singing is beautiful. Don't worry too much about the plot(as in most musicals), just sit back and enjoy the Cole Porter score, if that's your cup of tea, that is. One highlight is the number "Too Darn Hot" which is really given an all-out treatment here and is totally different from the movie. RangerBrad say, if you're a fan of musicals, don't hesitate to check this out, you'll be glad you did...

More later...

Saturday, January 23, 2010

"Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf"... Don't be... the review

This is a film from 1966 starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, based on a play. It is a talkfest as films based on plays are, but there is never a dull moment. Burton is a college professor ; he and Ms Taylor have an interesting marriage to say the least, full of shouting and insults. The movie takes place over a whole night ; George(Burton) and Martha(Ms Taylor) have a couple over to the house after a party, and they quickly get sucked into their cruel and viscous games. On one hand, you have to wonder why they just don't leave, but, like the viewer, they are watching(and are part of) a train wreck that you can't take your eyes off of. This was a bold movie for it's day ; I read somewhere that the ratings system got started on account of this film. Ms Taylor deserved the Oscar she got for this ; she is totally mesmerizing. I'm still not sure I understood everything that went on but it doesn't matter much ; I was engrossed by these people. Not a feel-good movie at all, I would recommend it for a rainy afternoon, as I had this afternoon. Not great art, but kind of fun trying to see what these people will do or say next, and I would say a touching ending.

More later...

Two Short Fun Lists

Five cool "year" songs:

December 1963(Oh What A Night) - Four Seasons
Summer Of '69 - Bryan Adams
1979 - Smashing Pumpkins
Sex Crime(1984) - Eurythmics
1999 - Prince

Good excuse to showcase this little known gem from the Eurythmics :>)

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT1H9gafkfE

Creepy love songs:

Last Kiss - done by several
http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Kiss

Don't Fear The Reaper - Blue Oyster Cult
"Romeo and Juliet... we can be like they are... la la la la la" Yikes!

"Every Breath You Take" - Police
pretty melody but sounds like a stalker talking

Lovefool - the Cardigans
not so much creepy as pathetic: "I don't care if you really love me as long as you don't go"... self esteem issues?
http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuQ0AQ7YWS8

More later...

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Signs Of The Times

How sad is it that we live in a world where we need signs posted telling drivers not to drive and text at the same time? Shouldn't this be common sense? As the saying goes, maybe common sense is not so common. How can you not realize you need to pay full attention to driving? Anything can happen in the split second you look down on your screen. Driving is hard enough without distractions like that. I have seen ladies try to put on makeup and drive before, sometimes read. Amazing. Though it's not as bad, I have also seen people walk and try to text. I admit I've done this before, but on a resedential street. I've also seen people try to read or do puzzles while walking. I think multi-tasking is overrated. When you try to do so many things at once, one or all of those things are not going to be done to your fullest, to say the least. What's wrong with focusing on one thing at a time?

More later...

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

More Lists... Remakes of Songs Which Don't Suck

A lot of times when artists try to remake well known songs it doesn't turn out too well. Here is a list of covers which IMHO are at least OK or in one case, totally obliterate the original: (Just so you know, I will be entertaining myself with some of these videos on YouTube)

MacArthur Park - Donna Summer
Does anyone even remember the original by Richard Harris?

There Goes My Baby - Donna Summer: original by the Drifters

Ain't Too Proud To Beg - Rolling Stones: original by the Temptations

Come Together - Aerosmith: original by the Beatles

I Shot The Sheriff - Eric Clapton: original by Bob Marley

Crimson and Clover - Joan Jett and the Blackhearts: original by Tommy James and the Shondells
The original was psychedelic, the cover is totally rockin'

Why Do Fools Fall In Love - Diana Ross: original by Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers

Proud Mary - Ike and Tina Turner: original by CCR
It's hard to resist Tina rockin' out with this song

Route 66 - Depeche Mode sung with "Behind The Wheel: original By Nat King Cole
Little know song from an under appreciated band

Rockin' At Midnight - Honeydrippers(Led Zeppelin offshoot) - original by Roy Brown
"Sea of Love" was the bigger remake hit from these guys, but it's a little bland for my taste

What's New - Linda Ronstadt: originally an instrumental and then recorded by others in the '30s
She was the queen of the remake in the 70's but I think this is one of the few that measure up

More later...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdH5hrJKjlE

Honorary mention should go to Natalie Cole's loving tribute album, "Unforgettable", to her father, Nat King Cole

A Little About Me

Time to get personal... some of my favorite things to do are reading, crossword puzzles, really any kind of word game(which you know if you see me on Facebook :>)), Scrabble, though I haven't played it in a long time. I used to play it online but can't find a good site for it now. I find reading relaxing, I get lost in another world for a while. I prefer it to TV or the movies(even though I do like going out to movies) mainly because I can experience it at my own pace and use my imagination, I think it helps keep my mind active. My favorite author is John Grisham and his legal thrillers, I love his wit and how he interjects humor and you get to know his characters. I enjoy reading thrillers of any kind. As for the word games, I like how orderly they are, how everything has its place. I like to keep things orderly in my mind, I can't stand chaos, chaos drives me crazy. Though you might not be able to tell it from this blog and how I'm all over the place... LOL. Watching baseball is another favorite activity for this reason, baseball is one of the most anal things around, how everybody takes turns. It's also one of the most statistic- obsessed sports around, there are stats for everything in baseball. I also kind of like that it's one of the few sports not ruled by a clock, there's something about that which appeals to me. I am also enjoying blogging since I've started, I've been finding it relaxing and a good way to express myself. Well, I think that's enough of me for now...

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

The Attack of the Purple Playoff Eaters... or Shame on Brett Favre

Being from Dallas, this is my take on the last minute touchdown pass by Brett Favre of the Vikings against the Cowboys Sunday when they were already ahead 27-3... WTF!... not cool at all. This is not sour grapes, I swear ; I can just see no reason to go for the glory at that point except to show off, twist the knife in further, all it does is put them in a bad light. No one is saying they shouldn't play to win or take it easy on their opponents, but come on! That is just totally unneccessary. I believe it was on 4th down, which would make it even worse ; usuall you don't go for it on 4th down unless you're desparate for points. Really it's neither here nor there, it's bad sportsmanship either way. When asked about it after the game, Brett Favre was his usual wishy-washy self, would neither confirm nor deny. What can you expect from a guy who announces his retirement, then goes back and forth. Do you think your average Joe could just take back his retirement like that? If you are going to run up the score like that at the last minute, at least have the balls to admit it, is all I'm saying. This will not though keep me from watching one of my favorite goofball movies in which he makes an appearance, " There's Something About Mary" :>)
And hopefully the Cowboys will get revenge in the future...

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Queen Streep

I'm totally amazed by Meryl Streep. As I read somewhere recently, she can play anything... and does. Also, she is around 60 and still is constantly working, about 2 or 3 films a year. This is the way films were done in the old days, but it's not as workable these days with all the special effects and CGI that goes into most films. Her first movie was Julia in about 1977, playing a minor role under Jane Fonda. I have to wonder though if those two did a movie together today, who would get second billing... LOL. Ms Streep still manages to stay in demand, while some other acclaimed actresses, like Ms Fonda and Susan Sarandon, seem to struggle to find work these days. Sometimes I find it hard to believe Ms Streep has only won two Oscars in over 30 years. Then again, the Oscars often don't make sense... but that can be a topic for another day. I do believe she has the most nominations of any actress. She has really gotten versatile over the years ; when she started out, she mainly did heavy dramas, but has done more and more comedies as she's gotten older. A performance worth mentioning is in "The Devil Wears Prada" where she plays the bitch boss. She doesn't overdo it as many would, in fact she's very quiet, saying all she needs to in her signature line "That's all". Also she has a nice singing voice, as was heard in "Prarie Home Companion" and "Mamma Mia". She could take up a singing career if she ever decided to. She seemed to have the time of her life in "Mamma Mia". Well, let's see how she does at the Academy Awards this year...

My Groupie Neighbor

I've got to talk about my next door neighbor. I moved into this apartment Dec 1, and there is never a dull moment with her. First, let me say she is very nice and I'm lucky to be living next to someone nice, but she is definitely one of a kind. I hope she doesn't read this :>) She has been helping me with food and other necessities ever since I moved in. Well, here's one thing that cracks me up about her : one night she was in the apt, I had the radio on as I always do. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen came on and she said she has met Freddy Mercury and Roger Taylor. She actually said Freddy Mercury is quite shy in person, I find that hard to believe but who knows. She said Bohemian Rhapsody is her all-time favorite song. Then next came a Led Zeppelin song, of course she said she has met Robert Plant. Do you sense a pattern here? She also had an Elton John story and said she has met one or both(I'm not sure) of Mick Jagger's wives. I know both Bianca and Jerri's names were mentioned anyway. I'm sure if the Beatles had come on, she would be currently banging Paul McCartney... hee hee hee. I need to ask her if she has any autographs.

She also feeds stray cats, dogs and raccoons(yes I said raccoons!) and of course they hang around her place. But I have been sworn to secrecy about that(to anyone around the complex anyway) She says she is going to teach me how to cook more, but I don't know about that. I think she feels like a mother figure to me... she is nice, albeit a little eccentric...

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Fun With Lists... Song Title Not In Lyrics

As you will soon find out, I love lists. I have been thinking of making a list of all the cool songs whose title does not appear in the lyrics. I don't know why, I just think it's cool when groups think "outside the box" like that. And it seems to me to happen more often with rock's legends than in the pop genre or any other. So here we go, in no particular order, 10 of these songs...

Iris - Goo Goo Dolls
Unchained Melody - Rightous Brothers
Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
Baba O'Riley - The Who
Young Lust - Pink Floyd
Immigrant Song - Led Zeppelin
A Day In The Life - Beatles

Ok, I'm totally drawing a blank now. I thought I could come up with 10, and I'm not even totally sure Zep doesn't sing "immigrant". Shows how rare this is... anbody have any other ideas?

A day later, I have come up with at least three more...

Bad - U2
Space Oddity - David Bowie
Brain Damage - Pink Floyd

I know Brain Damage is always played with Eclipse on the radio, and "eclipse" is mentioned, but I think technically they are two separate songs... so there! Stop being so picky...

I would have loved to have seen this as a category on $25,000 Pyramid... and see the blank stare... hee hee hee

More later...

Rich Man Poor Man - My Review

I finished the epic Rich Man Poor Man the other night... actually stayed up way too late to finish it... this is one long book! My copy was 666 pages, small print. It of course covers 20+ years in the lives of the three Jordache siblings, Rudolph, Thomas and Gretchen. Rudolph being the "rich man", Thomas the "poor man". This is an enjoyable soap, even though I'm not sure I can say I really like any of the characters. I'm sure Rudolph is supposed to be the hero, at least he is the one the whole family seems to rely on for help, especially the whiny, sick mother who he basically supports when the father disappears ( he has drowned himself though she is sure he has just taken off) , but Rudolph rubs me the wrong way in several ways. Mostly through constantly wishing his mother dead, if only to himself. I know she is a pill, but still... sometimes he is downright cruel with her. Gretchen is definitely not a favorite character either... she is mainly a doormat for several men to treat her horribly. In her later years she even has a lover who she knows has at least two mistresses. Thomas is by far the most likable, even though he is the black sheep. Ironically, in the end, he ends up making an ultimate sacrifice for Rudy, who he has spent most of the book and the 20 years despising. Also, ironically, Rudy and Gretchen stupidly and indirectly start the ball rolling for the chain of events that lead to the tragic end. May I say, these three are constantly drinking throughout the book! Almost always have whiskey, scotch, etc on hand. It is a very enjoyable, engrossing book by Irwin Shaw. I reccomend it to those who have not yet read it. I am going to look for the followup Beggarman, Thief as soon as I can...