Sunday, September 30, 2007
Worst hangover ever
I'm not doing so well today. I didn't get to sleep until 7:30 this morning, so that didn't help. That's what happens when you close the Blue Light. Also, I haven't showered since Friday morning. I should do something about that.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Poll ideas
Well, my idea to let someone pick the new poll went over like a fart in church. Lauren responded, but it was a somewhat non-specific question and answer set. As a result, I'm going to mull over it for a bit.
LASIK surgery
Yesterday I had LASIK surgery performed on my eyes. I'm not sure how it's going to go, because right now I can't see as well as I did with my glasses. My follow-up appointment is today at 11:45, and hopefully it takes a few days for everything to be OK. Otherwise, I may have to go back and get things straightened out, which I really am not looking forward to.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
UAW's death wish
The nationwide strike against GM by the UAW has now been called off after a settlement was reached in a day. That's good for the union's sake, because having a job with less security or benefits is better than having no job. I don't have a lot else to add since it ended so quickly.
Bionic Woman second (and third) thoughts
I was actually going to dump Bionic Woman before I even saw an episode, as I really didn't want to take on another show. But after reading this, I'm back on board in a probationary state.
Liverpool live and in person
If you haven't read it, check out Reuter's experience at the Liverpool-Reading game Tuesday night in Reading, England.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Weak posting lately
I realize the posting activity isn't up to my standards. This has been a very hectic week for a few reasons.
First, work is brutal right now. I am in charge of making sure a huge wave of Schedule B's and PBGC premium calculations get done. If you're not a pension guy, be glad you don't know what those are. They are easy, but we have tons of them.
Second, this is basically the first full week of new TV shows. Prison Break and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia are among the highlights, but the best is probably The Biggest Loser. Having Jillian back is like that 80's ballad, You Don't Know What You've Got Til It's Gone.
Third, there's more going on in my personal life right now.
I hope to have something up soon about the UAW's suicidal nationwide strike.
First, work is brutal right now. I am in charge of making sure a huge wave of Schedule B's and PBGC premium calculations get done. If you're not a pension guy, be glad you don't know what those are. They are easy, but we have tons of them.
Second, this is basically the first full week of new TV shows. Prison Break and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia are among the highlights, but the best is probably The Biggest Loser. Having Jillian back is like that 80's ballad, You Don't Know What You've Got Til It's Gone.
Third, there's more going on in my personal life right now.
I hope to have something up soon about the UAW's suicidal nationwide strike.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
King of the Hill premiere
Oh boy, the season premiere of King of the Hill is funny. It's definitely one of the best they've ever done.
The Simpsons was decent.
The Simpsons was decent.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Mayor Daley's gettin' goofy
He's usually pretty level-headed, but one thing that turns him dumb is gun-control:
"The sad comment is when you see some of the candidates going into a gun show and they think that's machoism. Someone walks into a gun show and says, 'Oh boy. I'm here watching people buy all types of guns and see all types of guns and ammunition,' " Daley said.
As a South Side guy he apparently doesn't understand that someone who goes to a gun show isn't the type of guy who shoots cops. Those that do would be criminals, Mr. Mayor, and they don't buy guns legally.
"The sad comment is when you see some of the candidates going into a gun show and they think that's machoism. Someone walks into a gun show and says, 'Oh boy. I'm here watching people buy all types of guns and see all types of guns and ammunition,' " Daley said.
As a South Side guy he apparently doesn't understand that someone who goes to a gun show isn't the type of guy who shoots cops. Those that do would be criminals, Mr. Mayor, and they don't buy guns legally.
Simpsons season premier - Sunday, September 23
Fox has FINALLY told us that the Simpsons season debut is this Sunday.
Weekend
Here's a little personal stuff, because I know people care. And by care, I mean don't care. OK, it's mostly for Lauren.
Today, "The Reuters are going to London!" They are hitting up a bad-ass sports bar to watch Liverpool tomorrow night. The bar also shows certain NFL games there, so they may be able to catch the Broncos if they are interested. Then in the Carlton Cup (or whatever it's called), Liverpool plays again next week vs. Reading, so hopefully they have a chance to check it out live and in person.
Fubar and whoever else are going to Madison for the Iowa-Wisconsin game. This is one of 2 games all year where I will root for Iowa (the other being against Michigan, naturally). We'll see if he ends up in an emergency room trying to teach cheeseheads how to drink.
Meanwhile, I'll be mostly relaxing. Of course, Bryan is coming over tomorrow morning to watch the same Liverpool game, so we'll be drinking vodka lemondaes and (if The Pool scores) Jagerbombs at 9 AM. Post-game, I need to sober up because I am going on a fancy (well, for me) dinner date with a very promising prospect I found on the interwebs. Sunday is a day to wrap up season one of Heroes just in time for the new season Monday night. I'm through 18 episodes this week and I only have 6 more, I think, to go.
Today, "The Reuters are going to London!" They are hitting up a bad-ass sports bar to watch Liverpool tomorrow night. The bar also shows certain NFL games there, so they may be able to catch the Broncos if they are interested. Then in the Carlton Cup (or whatever it's called), Liverpool plays again next week vs. Reading, so hopefully they have a chance to check it out live and in person.
Fubar and whoever else are going to Madison for the Iowa-Wisconsin game. This is one of 2 games all year where I will root for Iowa (the other being against Michigan, naturally). We'll see if he ends up in an emergency room trying to teach cheeseheads how to drink.
Meanwhile, I'll be mostly relaxing. Of course, Bryan is coming over tomorrow morning to watch the same Liverpool game, so we'll be drinking vodka lemondaes and (if The Pool scores) Jagerbombs at 9 AM. Post-game, I need to sober up because I am going on a fancy (well, for me) dinner date with a very promising prospect I found on the interwebs. Sunday is a day to wrap up season one of Heroes just in time for the new season Monday night. I'm through 18 episodes this week and I only have 6 more, I think, to go.
New poll ideas
My hella-lame poll just closed, and with the Sox 3 games ahead of TB it appears they won't have the #1 draft pick next year. They are in a tie for 3rd with about 4 other teams.
Anyway, I'm feeling uninspired so I'll let YOU, the PEOPLE decide the next poll question. Just put ideas in the comment section. I'll choose the best one next Friday morning, September 28.
I almost decided that I'd let YOU, the PEOPLE, choose the next poll question by making the first five suggestions into a poll, but that's a little too ridiculous.
Anyway, I'm feeling uninspired so I'll let YOU, the PEOPLE decide the next poll question. Just put ideas in the comment section. I'll choose the best one next Friday morning, September 28.
I almost decided that I'd let YOU, the PEOPLE, choose the next poll question by making the first five suggestions into a poll, but that's a little too ridiculous.
Whose fault is it that Canada won't deport illegals?
That's right. Ours (sorry for the length, but it's building to something here):
Over the past three weeks, 45 families and 31 individuals -- approximately 200 people -- entered Canada at the Detroit River crossings and applied in Windsor for shelter and social assistance after filing refugee claims with the Canada Border Services Agency. Municipal agencies dealing with the sudden influx of mainly Mexican refugee applicants are renting out hotel rooms and bracing for predicted thousands more to come.
"We don't have the means, ability or capacity to deal with this additional cost. We are not able to deal with this potential crisis locally," Francis wrote Harper.
"I don't believe that Windsor's residents and taxpayers should have to foot the bill for U.S. immigration policy," Francis told The Star. He was referring to the suspected source of the problem -- a recently begun crackdown on illegal immigrants in economically struggling regions of the U.S. South.
Um, couldn't they just deport them? More:
"This is a problem the U.S. has allowed to create. It's really unfair for Canada to have to face this," said MP Joe Comartin (NDP -- Windsor-Tecumseh), his Party's public safety and national security critic.
"This is very much being driven by (the U.S. Department of) Homeland Security," he said, predicting that, "with few exceptions," most of these "economic claimants" will eventually be sent back.
Back to Mexico (where they belong) or back to us? Take a guess. Yeah, Canada's a wonderful neighbor. Here's why they go there in the first place:
To be successful, refugee claimants must prove they are fleeing persecution at home, something most of the Mexicans arriving in Windsor would be hard-pressed to do. The IRB's Hawkins said there was only a 13 per cent acceptance rate of refugee claims filed by Mexican nationals during the first six months of the year, compared to an overall rate of 47 per cent.
But the average processing time for a refugee claim in Canada is currently 14.2 months, said Hawkins, a period during which the applicant is eligible for financial and other support. A failed claimant then also has the right to seek leave to appeal his or her rejection to federal court.
We could just as easily claim that they are going to Canada because of Canadian policies.
Over the past three weeks, 45 families and 31 individuals -- approximately 200 people -- entered Canada at the Detroit River crossings and applied in Windsor for shelter and social assistance after filing refugee claims with the Canada Border Services Agency. Municipal agencies dealing with the sudden influx of mainly Mexican refugee applicants are renting out hotel rooms and bracing for predicted thousands more to come.
"We don't have the means, ability or capacity to deal with this additional cost. We are not able to deal with this potential crisis locally," Francis wrote Harper.
"I don't believe that Windsor's residents and taxpayers should have to foot the bill for U.S. immigration policy," Francis told The Star. He was referring to the suspected source of the problem -- a recently begun crackdown on illegal immigrants in economically struggling regions of the U.S. South.
Um, couldn't they just deport them? More:
"This is a problem the U.S. has allowed to create. It's really unfair for Canada to have to face this," said MP Joe Comartin (NDP -- Windsor-Tecumseh), his Party's public safety and national security critic.
"This is very much being driven by (the U.S. Department of) Homeland Security," he said, predicting that, "with few exceptions," most of these "economic claimants" will eventually be sent back.
Back to Mexico (where they belong) or back to us? Take a guess. Yeah, Canada's a wonderful neighbor. Here's why they go there in the first place:
To be successful, refugee claimants must prove they are fleeing persecution at home, something most of the Mexicans arriving in Windsor would be hard-pressed to do. The IRB's Hawkins said there was only a 13 per cent acceptance rate of refugee claims filed by Mexican nationals during the first six months of the year, compared to an overall rate of 47 per cent.
But the average processing time for a refugee claim in Canada is currently 14.2 months, said Hawkins, a period during which the applicant is eligible for financial and other support. A failed claimant then also has the right to seek leave to appeal his or her rejection to federal court.
We could just as easily claim that they are going to Canada because of Canadian policies.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Heroes update
I am now halfway through season one of Heroes, and holy crap, this show is amazing.
That is all.
That is all.
American civics quiz
This is apparently some quiz given to college kids. When I was in school there is no way I would have done well. I just took it and missed 5 questions.
Jonah Goldberg missed 3, but in fairness he should do better than me given that he has a new 500-page book about political philosophy coming out later this year. Meanwhile, I am chained to a desk all day pounding out normal costs and killing my brain with booze and TV at night. So graded on a curve, I may have done better than him.
Jonah Goldberg missed 3, but in fairness he should do better than me given that he has a new 500-page book about political philosophy coming out later this year. Meanwhile, I am chained to a desk all day pounding out normal costs and killing my brain with booze and TV at night. So graded on a curve, I may have done better than him.
Spite
You know you really hate working with someone when you consider tanking some work for them for the purpose of making them look bad, even though it may make you look worse?
I bring this up because I there is someone here at work that I really hate doing work for, and these thoughts went through my head.
I bring this up because I there is someone here at work that I really hate doing work for, and these thoughts went through my head.
Ready for an 11% sales tax?
You'd better be, because a Cook County commissioner wants to raise the county sales tax by 2 percentage points. That means the total tax in the city would increase from an already-stifling 9% to an unholy 11%. Yes, that's right. And remember, that includes suburbs like Schaumburg who would get the increase (but they don't have a city sales tax like Chicago, so the overall tax will be slightly lower). If the new sales tax passes, at least we will be able to make big purchases in nearby west suburban DuPage County (6.75%) or Indiana (6%).
But what are we paying for? Among other things:
A zoo.
A botanic garden.
A veterans' assistance commission.
A law library.
A judicial advisory council. (That sounds more impressive than it is; they don't do anything.)
A commission on women's issues.
And of course, worst and most wasteful of all, the hospital system.
I've blogged about the hospital system's ridiculously generous benefits before, but today brings another story. Something tells me that a good way to cut spending is to stop giving away things to everyone who shows up and at least limit it to actual county residents (as though we don't have to piss away enough on them, especially all of the illegals turning the city in North Mexico).
I find it fascinating that whenever there is a deficit, the first idea in the heads of those in charge of the city and county governments is to increase taxes. It's never to cut spending because our taxes are already too high. The city is bad enough, as the city council is spilt between liberals with some common sense and leftists with none. I would have expected more from the county, however, since there are plenty of suburban voters to bring some accountability to the commission.
Last year, Forrest Claypool (a reform-minded cutter of taxes and spending) barely lost to Todd Stroger (not as bad as his dad, but still pretty bad) in the Democratic primary mainly due to a wave of black support. (As a conservative, I didn't vote in the Democratic primary, though I did consider it.) Claypool would have given the county government a kick in ass to change their ways. Instead, it's still just the same old thing.
Whether one agrees with my views or not, I suspect that county residents should become more involved in following the actions of the county government. It's easy to ignore it and focus on city and state races, but the fact is the county has a bloated and corrupt government that spends too much money and performs too many functions for its own good.
UPDATE: It's not just Chicago. Michigan has the worst state economy in the nation, yet what does the government want to do to make up a budget deficit? Take a guess.
But what are we paying for? Among other things:
A zoo.
A botanic garden.
A veterans' assistance commission.
A law library.
A judicial advisory council. (That sounds more impressive than it is; they don't do anything.)
A commission on women's issues.
And of course, worst and most wasteful of all, the hospital system.
I've blogged about the hospital system's ridiculously generous benefits before, but today brings another story. Something tells me that a good way to cut spending is to stop giving away things to everyone who shows up and at least limit it to actual county residents (as though we don't have to piss away enough on them, especially all of the illegals turning the city in North Mexico).
I find it fascinating that whenever there is a deficit, the first idea in the heads of those in charge of the city and county governments is to increase taxes. It's never to cut spending because our taxes are already too high. The city is bad enough, as the city council is spilt between liberals with some common sense and leftists with none. I would have expected more from the county, however, since there are plenty of suburban voters to bring some accountability to the commission.
Last year, Forrest Claypool (a reform-minded cutter of taxes and spending) barely lost to Todd Stroger (not as bad as his dad, but still pretty bad) in the Democratic primary mainly due to a wave of black support. (As a conservative, I didn't vote in the Democratic primary, though I did consider it.) Claypool would have given the county government a kick in ass to change their ways. Instead, it's still just the same old thing.
Whether one agrees with my views or not, I suspect that county residents should become more involved in following the actions of the county government. It's easy to ignore it and focus on city and state races, but the fact is the county has a bloated and corrupt government that spends too much money and performs too many functions for its own good.
UPDATE: It's not just Chicago. Michigan has the worst state economy in the nation, yet what does the government want to do to make up a budget deficit? Take a guess.
Trip report - Atlanta
On Friday, Tony and I headed down to Atlanta to hang out with our real estate guys. Due to thunderstorms down there, all flights coming into and out of Atlanta were delayed. I managed to get on an earlier flight than I was supposed to, which was nice because the flight I actually got on left when my original flight was scheduled to.
So in the Atlanta airport at 9 PM and tired from a long week at work (and with 1.5 hours to kill until Tony showed up), I knew the only thing that would keep me going was to start drinking. I found the nearest bar (a Houlihan's) and lo and behold, they carried the Sam Adams seasonal brew on tap. That meant I got to drink some fresh Octoberfest, and boy, did I. After 5 22 oz. beers, Tony showed up and we left. After getting picked up, it was late so we hung out at the hotel bar that night for a while. Some beer and a double-shot of whiskey later, and I went back to the room to pass out.
We spent the next day driving around, checking out properties. We also found out that we were scheduled to attend dinner at a fancy seafood place (BluePointe), then go to a fancy club (Lotus, but be careful because the website makes noise) to hang out in the VIP section. Since I had no decent clothes with me, we stopped at K&G. What a place! I will always now go there for nice clothes. It's hard to describe, so I'll simply write that every guy should check it out. I now have a couple of fancy shirts with French cuffs and my own set of cufflinks. Needless to say, I'll only be breaking those out when I'm out to hide my flaws from the ladies.
Dinner was good, and at the club I got to drink some Moet. Let me tell you, now I know what Biggie was talking about! Some black chick also gave me her phone number, unsolicited. They ran out of Lite, which struck me as strange, so I had to switch to Bud. Anyway, living the high life was interesting.
The next day I showed up at the airport and was able to upgrade my flight to business class for $40. Since I was feeling like death and working on 4 hours of sleep, I took it.
Overall, it was another good trip to tha ATL.
So in the Atlanta airport at 9 PM and tired from a long week at work (and with 1.5 hours to kill until Tony showed up), I knew the only thing that would keep me going was to start drinking. I found the nearest bar (a Houlihan's) and lo and behold, they carried the Sam Adams seasonal brew on tap. That meant I got to drink some fresh Octoberfest, and boy, did I. After 5 22 oz. beers, Tony showed up and we left. After getting picked up, it was late so we hung out at the hotel bar that night for a while. Some beer and a double-shot of whiskey later, and I went back to the room to pass out.
We spent the next day driving around, checking out properties. We also found out that we were scheduled to attend dinner at a fancy seafood place (BluePointe), then go to a fancy club (Lotus, but be careful because the website makes noise) to hang out in the VIP section. Since I had no decent clothes with me, we stopped at K&G. What a place! I will always now go there for nice clothes. It's hard to describe, so I'll simply write that every guy should check it out. I now have a couple of fancy shirts with French cuffs and my own set of cufflinks. Needless to say, I'll only be breaking those out when I'm out to hide my flaws from the ladies.
Dinner was good, and at the club I got to drink some Moet. Let me tell you, now I know what Biggie was talking about! Some black chick also gave me her phone number, unsolicited. They ran out of Lite, which struck me as strange, so I had to switch to Bud. Anyway, living the high life was interesting.
The next day I showed up at the airport and was able to upgrade my flight to business class for $40. Since I was feeling like death and working on 4 hours of sleep, I took it.
Overall, it was another good trip to tha ATL.
Sports Guy podcast with Cousin Sal
I am loving these podcasts where they guess the lines of NFL games. As Reuter and Fedea can attest, guessing point spreads is one of my hidden skills.
I've been watching season one of Heroes, and it makes me think this is my superpower. Either that or watching TV.
I've been watching season one of Heroes, and it makes me think this is my superpower. Either that or watching TV.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Mean Girls
The only person to have actually watched the Emmy's this year on Sunday (or whenever it was) wasn't too pleased with Sally Field's goofy rant.
The basic point she makes is that women are just as viscious as men, but they show it in different ways, so having "mothers" running the world wouldn't change things much.
The basic point she makes is that women are just as viscious as men, but they show it in different ways, so having "mothers" running the world wouldn't change things much.
Liverpool vs. Birmingham City
The game is on Setanta at 9 AM on Saturday. I'll host if there is interest. I'll also buy some Sugar-Free Red Thunder. An e-mail will appear later this week
Monday, September 17, 2007
I been lame
I am trying to rip through season one of Heroes, so that's been taking up my time lately. A full ATL trip report should be coming soon.
Friday, September 14, 2007
CTA cuts would hurt some people, yes
I guess after years and years of the entitlement mentality in this country (fueled by a certain political party), you get people who actually believe things like this:
"One feels mad. Sometimes the politicians don't think about us poor people," Komaniecki said. "It's not just me, there's so many of us. [Politicians] are thinking about other things, but what is more important than public transportation?"
Indeed, it's the most important thing for a politician in Springfield to do. You know, to keep a bus route active for someone who lives at 50th and Cicero and works in Glenview. Let that sink in a bit. I'm not kidding:
"Where it took me two hours on two buses, it went down to an hour and a half," said Komaniecki, a 60-year-old Honduran immigrant who every day travels from 50th and Cicero to her job as a housekeeper in north suburban Glenview. "If these cuts go through it will take me 2½ hours each way."
That's Glenview, in the north suburbs, from 50th and Cicero, on the southwest side. She expects some crazy, convoluted bus route to continue to bleed money for her convenience. Well jeepers, I'd love a bus that leaves from Rockwell and Altgeld and makes a direct route to Wacker and Washington, but most people aren't such selfish a-holes that they expect the public to pay for it. Maybe she should either move or get a job closer to home.
Why doesn't she just drive?
"I'll still get there but it'll take more time," she said as she rode the express, perhaps for one of its final runs, knowing that her fear of driving leaves no alternative. "I have to keep working, we can't retire."
So she also has an insane fear that me and other taxpayers have to subsidize. How nice of the Sun-Times to once again take the side of the public (like, the taxpayer). Oh, wait, they didn't do that at all. Instead they sided with another moron with a lame sob story. At least this one is so ridiculous that all but the most empty of bleeding hearts can see what a joke this woman is.
I really hope the legislature has the balls to cut off the CTA, as maybe then we'd have some reform. I'm sure they will just cave in like usual, though.
UPDATE: Cry me a river, sister. Of course businesses would take government subsidies, which is what these goofy bus routes really are.
"One feels mad. Sometimes the politicians don't think about us poor people," Komaniecki said. "It's not just me, there's so many of us. [Politicians] are thinking about other things, but what is more important than public transportation?"
Indeed, it's the most important thing for a politician in Springfield to do. You know, to keep a bus route active for someone who lives at 50th and Cicero and works in Glenview. Let that sink in a bit. I'm not kidding:
"Where it took me two hours on two buses, it went down to an hour and a half," said Komaniecki, a 60-year-old Honduran immigrant who every day travels from 50th and Cicero to her job as a housekeeper in north suburban Glenview. "If these cuts go through it will take me 2½ hours each way."
That's Glenview, in the north suburbs, from 50th and Cicero, on the southwest side. She expects some crazy, convoluted bus route to continue to bleed money for her convenience. Well jeepers, I'd love a bus that leaves from Rockwell and Altgeld and makes a direct route to Wacker and Washington, but most people aren't such selfish a-holes that they expect the public to pay for it. Maybe she should either move or get a job closer to home.
Why doesn't she just drive?
"I'll still get there but it'll take more time," she said as she rode the express, perhaps for one of its final runs, knowing that her fear of driving leaves no alternative. "I have to keep working, we can't retire."
So she also has an insane fear that me and other taxpayers have to subsidize. How nice of the Sun-Times to once again take the side of the public (like, the taxpayer). Oh, wait, they didn't do that at all. Instead they sided with another moron with a lame sob story. At least this one is so ridiculous that all but the most empty of bleeding hearts can see what a joke this woman is.
I really hope the legislature has the balls to cut off the CTA, as maybe then we'd have some reform. I'm sure they will just cave in like usual, though.
UPDATE: Cry me a river, sister. Of course businesses would take government subsidies, which is what these goofy bus routes really are.
DB (dumpster baby) was good, but Green Man was better
The second episode of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia may go down as my second favorite ever. The first 15 minutes had me laughing out loud the whole time. The rest of the episode wasn't that great. The best (of many) part(s) was Donovan McNabb's cameo. The 15 McPoyles piling out of the RV was good, too. Also, I noticed Chicago's favorite son Fred Savage directed it.
The first episode last night was also very good, but it just fits in with most others in the series.
The first episode last night was also very good, but it just fits in with most others in the series.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Hotlanta, b*tches!
Yep, I'm going to Tha ATL tomorrow to party. Not only is my cousin down there and ready to hit up Fuzzy's, but those jokers at Signature Real Estate will no doubt want to have a "gentleman's lunch" among other shenanigans.
It should be a wild one. My goal: avoid arrest.
It should be a wild one. My goal: avoid arrest.
Biggest Loser's new host
Behind in my TV, I am now watching The Biggest Loser catch-up preview show from last week. I always liked Alison Sweeney as Sami on Days of Our Lives during my college days, but she looks fantastic as the new host of TBL.
If she weren't already married with a kid I'd move to LA and stalk her.
If she weren't already married with a kid I'd move to LA and stalk her.
Quick NBA quiz
Who will have a better rookie season: Greg Oden or Ms. Joakim Noah?
Answer: Noah
This is huge. Who knew he was injured? Microfracture is not a surgery that is easy to overcome. Some guys do, and some guys are never the same. Oden's a very good athlete, but he's skilled and big enough that even if he loses some explosiveness he can be a good player in the league.
Overall, this is a big, big story.
Answer: Noah
This is huge. Who knew he was injured? Microfracture is not a surgery that is easy to overcome. Some guys do, and some guys are never the same. Oden's a very good athlete, but he's skilled and big enough that even if he loses some explosiveness he can be a good player in the league.
Overall, this is a big, big story.
The Florida Marlins aren't very popular
This is quite a sight:
No, this is not the post-game cleanup. It's during an actual MLB game. It's too bad the Marlins' owners have done everything possible to alienate the fanbase, because with 2 titles in their 14 year existence they should be quite popular.
No, this is not the post-game cleanup. It's during an actual MLB game. It's too bad the Marlins' owners have done everything possible to alienate the fanbase, because with 2 titles in their 14 year existence they should be quite popular.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Prince Of Darkness by Robert Novak
This book just arrived for me. Bob Novak had been a political reporter in DC for about 50 years (and his work can be found every Sunday, Monday, and Thursday in the Sun-Times), and this is kind of his professional memior. It should be an excellent read for politics nerds like me.
I am a little daunted, however, by its length of 638 pages. The only longer book I've read is The Age of Reagan by Steven Hayward at 704 pages, although Gulag by Anne Applebaum was a little over 600, also. This one should be quite a bit easier to finish, however, since it's not a pure history book.
I am a little daunted, however, by its length of 638 pages. The only longer book I've read is The Age of Reagan by Steven Hayward at 704 pages, although Gulag by Anne Applebaum was a little over 600, also. This one should be quite a bit easier to finish, however, since it's not a pure history book.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
This blog's seminal moment
Yes, I'm watching my just-arrived DVD set of seasons one and two of It's Always Sunny In Phildelphia. Finishing up season one now, but of course it's only 7 episodes long. The final episode is entitled, "Charlie Got Molested". It features the (hinted-at) incestious McPoyle twins. They are so disgusting, and it takes a lot for me to call someone that.
Clearly, I've got to watch my all-time favorite episode, "Mac Bangs Dennis' Mom", before I go to bed.
Clearly, I've got to watch my all-time favorite episode, "Mac Bangs Dennis' Mom", before I go to bed.
Minnie Driver is not very attractive
This puts it all in perspective:
I still refuse to believe that anybody is that interested in Kate Hudson. She's the new Minnie Driver!
I still refuse to believe that anybody is that interested in Kate Hudson. She's the new Minnie Driver!
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Who's the big winner?
Back from a day in Valpo drinking and watching the Bears piss away a game. Anyway, I TiVo'ed Swingers and I'm watching it now.
It is possibly the most defining movie of my (me and Tony, at least) generation. Favreau and Vaughn are so skinny! It makes me feel old, but seeing Vaughn now makes me feel better.
Always double down on eleven!
It is possibly the most defining movie of my (me and Tony, at least) generation. Favreau and Vaughn are so skinny! It makes me feel old, but seeing Vaughn now makes me feel better.
Always double down on eleven!
Saturday, September 8, 2007
I Heart DirecTV Sports Pack
This is my first college football season with the Sports Pack on DirecTV, and it's truly outstanding. The thing is that college sports aren't blocked on out-of-town sports channels (unlike MLB, NFL, NBA, and NHL, whatever that is). The result is a bunch of games we normally wouldn't see, even with the college football package. The main addition is the huge block of Fox Sports Network channels and their Pac-10 games. This is going to be REALLY good during basketball season, especially since the Pac-10 is supposed to be tough this year.
Anyway, I picked Boise State-Washington over a CFL game. Oh yeah, did I mention CFL games? So cool...
Anyway, I picked Boise State-Washington over a CFL game. Oh yeah, did I mention CFL games? So cool...
Setanta Free Preview this weekend
Setanta is free this weekend. EPL has the week off due to European qualifying games, but the Rugby World Cup is on constantly.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Comedy Central Fall Preview
Ah, now here is a network!
South Park - Wednesday, Oct 3
The Sarah Silverman Program - Wednesday, Oct 3
Drawn Together starts Thursday, October 4, but I gave up on that show after a season. It's here for Lauren, though.
South Park - Wednesday, Oct 3
The Sarah Silverman Program - Wednesday, Oct 3
Drawn Together starts Thursday, October 4, but I gave up on that show after a season. It's here for Lauren, though.
CBS Fall Preview
CBS's schedule is as easy as ABC's. Bully for them! The returning shows don't interest me, but a couple of new ones could be good. Both seem to be about my life in different ways:
The Big Bang Theory - Monday, Sep 24
Viva Laughlin - Sunday, Oct 21
Looking at their schedule, I see they are disproportionately either reality shows or crime dramas. But nerds hanging out with a hot chick and a dude opening his own casino? Cool.
For you How I Met Your Mother fans, it debuts Monday, September 24.
The Big Bang Theory - Monday, Sep 24
Viva Laughlin - Sunday, Oct 21
Looking at their schedule, I see they are disproportionately either reality shows or crime dramas. But nerds hanging out with a hot chick and a dude opening his own casino? Cool.
For you How I Met Your Mother fans, it debuts Monday, September 24.
ABC Fall Preview
Here's the schedule for ABC. Good for them for making it easy on us to find. Of course, there's nothing I want to watch on ABC anyway since they became EBC (Estrogen Broadcasting Company).
Lost comes back in midseason, but no date is yet on the website that I could find. Other than that and college football, ABC is a barren wasteland of lame dramas and unfunny comedies.
Lost comes back in midseason, but no date is yet on the website that I could find. Other than that and college football, ABC is a barren wasteland of lame dramas and unfunny comedies.
Fox Fall Preview
Fox's website isn't as easy to navigate as NBC's, but here's what I've been able to find:
Prison Break - Monday, Sep 17
Back To You - Wednesday, Sep 19
King of the Hill - Sunday, Sep 23
Family Guy and The Simpsons do not yet have a premiere date on the website.
Prison Break - Monday, Sep 17
Back To You - Wednesday, Sep 19
King of the Hill - Sunday, Sep 23
Family Guy and The Simpsons do not yet have a premiere date on the website.
The Sox' race to the bottom
If the Sox aren't going to be in the playoffs, they may as well have the worst record in baseball. Then they get the top pick in next year's draft. The big prize, third baseman Pedro Alvarez from The U (of Miami), is one of those superb college hitters who supposedly needs very little time in the minors. He's the kind of guy who comes along once every ten years or so (from what I've read).
So with a no-doubter going #1 next year, where do the Sox stand? Well, this is a strange year. No teams have a winning percentage below .400 (not even very close right now) and only the Red Sox are above .600 (and just barely at that). That's fairly rare. The last time everybody was between .400 and .600 was 2000, when the Sox had the best record in the AL (thanks to an offense that put up almost 1000 runs), but they were swept out of the playoffs by the Mariners in the first round.
Anyway, right now only Devil Rays are worse than the Sox, and that's only by 1 game. But then the Marlins are a game behind the Sox, and the Pirates are a game behind them. Then Houston and others are a game behind Pittsburgh. As you can see, things are very tight and it's anybody's draft pick. All I know is that at this point I'm cursing every Sox victory and praising every loss.
So with a no-doubter going #1 next year, where do the Sox stand? Well, this is a strange year. No teams have a winning percentage below .400 (not even very close right now) and only the Red Sox are above .600 (and just barely at that). That's fairly rare. The last time everybody was between .400 and .600 was 2000, when the Sox had the best record in the AL (thanks to an offense that put up almost 1000 runs), but they were swept out of the playoffs by the Mariners in the first round.
Anyway, right now only Devil Rays are worse than the Sox, and that's only by 1 game. But then the Marlins are a game behind the Sox, and the Pirates are a game behind them. Then Houston and others are a game behind Pittsburgh. As you can see, things are very tight and it's anybody's draft pick. All I know is that at this point I'm cursing every Sox victory and praising every loss.
Biggest Loser - Season Premiere on Tuesday, September 11
Finally, next week brings some new shows. While lifting this morning at the B, I saw a promo for The Biggest Loser. The season premier is a 2-hour extravaganza on Tuesday from 7-9. Fatty Caroline Rea is gone, to be replaced with Sami from Days of our Lives. Don't ask how I knew it was her when I saw her picture. She may be a future USFAW.
It appears the bulk of the rest of their shows start the week of September 24. Others I want to see (and don't badger me in the comments about The Office, I just don't think it's that funny; but as a public service, it starts Sep 27):
Heroes - Monday Sep 24
Bionic Woman - Wednesday Sep 26
My Name is Earl - Thursday Sep 27
30 Rock - Thursday Oct 4
I don't know what got into NBC the last few years, but what used to be the lamest network (Seinfeld and a bunch of poop) has begun to rival Fox for the best. Good for them. This is especially true as ABC has become Lifetime On Steroids.
More network previews this weekend.
It appears the bulk of the rest of their shows start the week of September 24. Others I want to see (and don't badger me in the comments about The Office, I just don't think it's that funny; but as a public service, it starts Sep 27):
Heroes - Monday Sep 24
Bionic Woman - Wednesday Sep 26
My Name is Earl - Thursday Sep 27
30 Rock - Thursday Oct 4
I don't know what got into NBC the last few years, but what used to be the lamest network (Seinfeld and a bunch of poop) has begun to rival Fox for the best. Good for them. This is especially true as ABC has become Lifetime On Steroids.
More network previews this weekend.
Colts 41 Saints 10
What a shellacking. I went to bed at halftime (no WAY I'm sitting through Olberman) when it was 10-10. Then the Colts O pounded the Saints. The more amazing thing was that the Colts D held the Saints to no offensive touchdowns. That's quite remarkable, considering the Saints were 5th in the NFL in offensive DVOA last year and the Colts were 27th in defensive DVOA.
KUBIAK predicted a decline for the Saints this year, but Aaron Shatz wrote it off as the system's 2-year projection being screwed up by the hurricane-wracked season in 2005. My thought is that the system is more right than wrong, and we (as fans) should take its results seriously.
I espcially am thinking about Tampa Bay's positive projection this year. The Bucs have a lot of young talent that may mature this year, and we shouldn't dismiss that just because the mainstream sports media goes by last year's record to predict this year's. These variables that KUBIAK looks at are exactly the kinds of things the MSSM misses.
KUBIAK predicted a decline for the Saints this year, but Aaron Shatz wrote it off as the system's 2-year projection being screwed up by the hurricane-wracked season in 2005. My thought is that the system is more right than wrong, and we (as fans) should take its results seriously.
I espcially am thinking about Tampa Bay's positive projection this year. The Bucs have a lot of young talent that may mature this year, and we shouldn't dismiss that just because the mainstream sports media goes by last year's record to predict this year's. These variables that KUBIAK looks at are exactly the kinds of things the MSSM misses.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Liverpool vs. Portsmouth - Sat 9/15/07 UPDATED
This game is on Setanta Xtra, I just found out. I'll be in Tha ATL that weekend, but this is a special note to all those Liverpool fans to head to a bar to watch. Setanta Xtra is just another Setanta channel on DirecTV, so I bet any bar that shows EPL games would have it.
UPDATE: I've been told that my intent above is not clear, so let me try again. Setanta Xtra is just a spillover channel they use to put extra, conflicting games on. It's like Comcast (channel 640 on DirecTV) and Comcast Plus (channel 668). Hence, any place or anyone that has Setanta also has Setanta Xtra, as far as I can tell. Interested parties may want to contact their favored bar for confirmation.
UPDATE: I've been told that my intent above is not clear, so let me try again. Setanta Xtra is just a spillover channel they use to put extra, conflicting games on. It's like Comcast (channel 640 on DirecTV) and Comcast Plus (channel 668). Hence, any place or anyone that has Setanta also has Setanta Xtra, as far as I can tell. Interested parties may want to contact their favored bar for confirmation.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Some random thoughts on the passing scene
($1 to Thomas Sowell for stealing the title to his occasional column of the same theme.)
Clint Howard's performance in The Waterboy solidifies his standing as possibly the 3rd best actor named Clint in Hollywood history. He was also in the Married...With Children episode where Peg wins a bunch of money playing bingo but Al gets too drunk with the rest of NO MAAM to remember to pick her up. And it just took me 15 minutes to find that episode summary.
Since we got all of the premium channels on DirecTV, I find myself watching Beerfest and Idiocracy any time they are on.
My copy of seasons 1 and 2 of It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia shipped today from Buy.com. To say I'm excited is an understatement. I can FINALLY give it to my brother to watch. Don't forget, the new season starts Thursday, September 13.
Fubar's last ever party at Janssen is Saturday, and I can feel the electricity in the air...
One of my headlights is out in my car, but I'm not afraid of getting a ticket since all of the Mexicans around here don't use their lights anyway until about 9 PM. They would need roadblocks to ticket everyone for that offense.
The Waterboy just finished. In the 12 minutes until the Republican debate starts, I have a brutal decision to make: CB4 or Spies Like Us (or as Fubar calls it, Fletch). Alas, neither Beerfest nor Idiocracy is on. Spies Like Us wins. A bonus is that both Bernie Casey and Vanessa Angel are in it.
I have been searching for a fall TV preview and have been unable to find one so far. If the Sun-Times doesn't have one on Sunday, I'm going to suspect a conspiracy against me is afoot.
Marlboro sent me a really sweet-looking ashtray in the mail last week. Too bad I don't smoke cigarettes.
The big 33 is coming up on Monday, but I just don't care. Once you get past 30 they are all the same until retirement.
My book queue is up to 14, and I just ordered Prince Of Darkness by Bob Novak. Clearly, I'm not reading fast enough. Even more clearly, I need to stop buying books.
Clint Howard's performance in The Waterboy solidifies his standing as possibly the 3rd best actor named Clint in Hollywood history. He was also in the Married...With Children episode where Peg wins a bunch of money playing bingo but Al gets too drunk with the rest of NO MAAM to remember to pick her up. And it just took me 15 minutes to find that episode summary.
Since we got all of the premium channels on DirecTV, I find myself watching Beerfest and Idiocracy any time they are on.
My copy of seasons 1 and 2 of It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia shipped today from Buy.com. To say I'm excited is an understatement. I can FINALLY give it to my brother to watch. Don't forget, the new season starts Thursday, September 13.
Fubar's last ever party at Janssen is Saturday, and I can feel the electricity in the air...
One of my headlights is out in my car, but I'm not afraid of getting a ticket since all of the Mexicans around here don't use their lights anyway until about 9 PM. They would need roadblocks to ticket everyone for that offense.
The Waterboy just finished. In the 12 minutes until the Republican debate starts, I have a brutal decision to make: CB4 or Spies Like Us (or as Fubar calls it, Fletch). Alas, neither Beerfest nor Idiocracy is on. Spies Like Us wins. A bonus is that both Bernie Casey and Vanessa Angel are in it.
I have been searching for a fall TV preview and have been unable to find one so far. If the Sun-Times doesn't have one on Sunday, I'm going to suspect a conspiracy against me is afoot.
Marlboro sent me a really sweet-looking ashtray in the mail last week. Too bad I don't smoke cigarettes.
The big 33 is coming up on Monday, but I just don't care. Once you get past 30 they are all the same until retirement.
My book queue is up to 14, and I just ordered Prince Of Darkness by Bob Novak. Clearly, I'm not reading fast enough. Even more clearly, I need to stop buying books.
Best catalog ever (if you're really fat)
So when I got home tonight from work, I found in my mailbox a catalog named "Living XL". The subtitle is "Unique, innovative products for tall and plus-sized men and women."
(As an aside, there's no thing such as a "plus-sized man". If women who stuff their faces with bon-bons are too emotionally fragile to be called big, that's their issue. I don't know what goes on in women's heads anyway. But us fellas know when we're fat and there is no need to finesse it. What the hell does "plus-sized" mean anyway? There's no large plus, there's extra-large. Where would plus begin? Waist size of 40? 44? 50? The whole thing is insulting.)
There are some phenominal products in this catalog:
seat belt extenders
fanny packs for waist sizes up to 64"
a scale with 1000 lb. capacity (!)
combo clock/blood pressure monitor (surprise)
a personal leg lifter (you've got to see this thing to believe it)
something that helps a person put on his socks
1200 lb. capacity toilet seat
big bike seats with 500 lb. capacity
folding chair with 800 lb. capacity
That's enough joking about the morbidly obese and the odd products they need to live their exciting lives. There are actually a few things I'd like to get:
22" wide hangers
80" x 40" bath towels
44" x 86" sleeping bag
big folding chair (this one only has a 500 lb. capacity)
Anyway, these guys clearly have some fantastic stuff. You can also check them out at their website. I recommend you do!
Finally, check out this thing. How useful would that have been at the Iowa-NIU tailgate on Saturday?
(As an aside, there's no thing such as a "plus-sized man". If women who stuff their faces with bon-bons are too emotionally fragile to be called big, that's their issue. I don't know what goes on in women's heads anyway. But us fellas know when we're fat and there is no need to finesse it. What the hell does "plus-sized" mean anyway? There's no large plus, there's extra-large. Where would plus begin? Waist size of 40? 44? 50? The whole thing is insulting.)
There are some phenominal products in this catalog:
seat belt extenders
fanny packs for waist sizes up to 64"
a scale with 1000 lb. capacity (!)
combo clock/blood pressure monitor (surprise)
a personal leg lifter (you've got to see this thing to believe it)
something that helps a person put on his socks
1200 lb. capacity toilet seat
big bike seats with 500 lb. capacity
folding chair with 800 lb. capacity
That's enough joking about the morbidly obese and the odd products they need to live their exciting lives. There are actually a few things I'd like to get:
22" wide hangers
80" x 40" bath towels
44" x 86" sleeping bag
big folding chair (this one only has a 500 lb. capacity)
Anyway, these guys clearly have some fantastic stuff. You can also check them out at their website. I recommend you do!
Finally, check out this thing. How useful would that have been at the Iowa-NIU tailgate on Saturday?
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Underrated Semi-Famous Attractive Woman - Sara Rue
Here's a new semi-regular feature that looks at some mildly well-known women who I find attractive, even though no one ever talks about them. They will tend to be ones that I just kind of noticed were good-looking. The first one is Sara Rue.
I had forgotten all about her until my now-repeated viewings of Idiocracy, in which she plays the Attorney General in the year 2505 with aplomb. Also, her character's name is Funbags. This is essentially what she looked like during filming (I can't find any pictures of her from the movie). Here's one of only two pictures from the movie on the net, but you can barely see her in the background:
I had forgotten all about her until my now-repeated viewings of Idiocracy, in which she plays the Attorney General in the year 2505 with aplomb. Also, her character's name is Funbags. This is essentially what she looked like during filming (I can't find any pictures of her from the movie). Here's one of only two pictures from the movie on the net, but you can barely see her in the background:
She also has apparently lost a bunch of weight. She still looks fantastic, even in her much skinnier state.
I will admit, though, that the first time I saw her was in this lame WB show. Oh well, she and Selma Blair made it tolerable in the days before TiVo.
Let's end my mini-tribute to Sara Rue with her glamour shot from IMDB.
Next USFAW: one of a Hollywood sister duo...
I will admit, though, that the first time I saw her was in this lame WB show. Oh well, she and Selma Blair made it tolerable in the days before TiVo.
Let's end my mini-tribute to Sara Rue with her glamour shot from IMDB.
Next USFAW: one of a Hollywood sister duo...
Movie Reviews - 9/3/07
Here's my wrap-up of this weekend's Netflix rentals:
The Quiet
I don't even know how this one made my queue, other than it has Elisha Cuthbert in it. It's a drama or something, but it was a solid all-around movie. The underlying theme is that Elisha is doing it with her dad. No joke. That's not giving away much, since we become aware of it about 15 minutes in. There's also a deaf girl who lives with the family because her parents are dead, which of course becomes integral to the story. Finally, I have to give some credit to the casting decision of new-to-the-scene Katy Mixon. Her DOB isn't given in IMDB, so until I know she's not underage I'll leave my comments at that.
Crank
I'm not much of a fan of Jason Statham and his movies, since that style of editing hurts my head to watch. However, if there was ever a movie to do it, it's this one since it worked perfectly with the story line. The movie is based on a great concept, and everyone did a good job pulling it off. Basically, he is a hitman who has to keep his adrenaline pumping to stay alive. Besides the action, there are interesting ways he does this, from pounding Red Bull to having sex with Amy Smart in Chinatown on the sidewalk in front of 50 people to stealing epinephrine from Dennis Reynolds. Overall it was good if you like action movies.
May 6th
This movie may require some explanation: On May 6, 2002, Pim Fortuyn (a candidate for Prime Minister of the Netherlands) was killed by an environmentalist nut-job. Fortuyn's party would have likely gotten a plurality in the upcoming election. It can't be overstated how his election would have shaken up Dutch politics. He was the first major political figure to speak out against the massive immigration of Muslims into the country, and this drove the Left there absolutely batty. He was regularly compared to Hitler and such. This movie is a historical fiction thriller (I guess) about the people who may have been behind the assassination. It's an interesting look into Dutch political society, but it shouldn't be taken as a documentary by any means. This movie is also the last by Theo van Gogh, a descendant of the painter. Because he also was vocally against massive Muslim immigration, he was killed on an Amsterdam street by a Muslim.
The movie was decent enough, but I hate subtitles. Don't moviemakers know how lazy I am? If you can handle subtitles, it's OK as a look into Dutch politics. The conspiracy stuff was pretty stupid (Occam's Razor and all). I would have preferred a documentary about the whole thing, but I shouldn't dislike a movie for what it's not, rather than what it is.
The Quiet
I don't even know how this one made my queue, other than it has Elisha Cuthbert in it. It's a drama or something, but it was a solid all-around movie. The underlying theme is that Elisha is doing it with her dad. No joke. That's not giving away much, since we become aware of it about 15 minutes in. There's also a deaf girl who lives with the family because her parents are dead, which of course becomes integral to the story. Finally, I have to give some credit to the casting decision of new-to-the-scene Katy Mixon. Her DOB isn't given in IMDB, so until I know she's not underage I'll leave my comments at that.
Crank
I'm not much of a fan of Jason Statham and his movies, since that style of editing hurts my head to watch. However, if there was ever a movie to do it, it's this one since it worked perfectly with the story line. The movie is based on a great concept, and everyone did a good job pulling it off. Basically, he is a hitman who has to keep his adrenaline pumping to stay alive. Besides the action, there are interesting ways he does this, from pounding Red Bull to having sex with Amy Smart in Chinatown on the sidewalk in front of 50 people to stealing epinephrine from Dennis Reynolds. Overall it was good if you like action movies.
May 6th
This movie may require some explanation: On May 6, 2002, Pim Fortuyn (a candidate for Prime Minister of the Netherlands) was killed by an environmentalist nut-job. Fortuyn's party would have likely gotten a plurality in the upcoming election. It can't be overstated how his election would have shaken up Dutch politics. He was the first major political figure to speak out against the massive immigration of Muslims into the country, and this drove the Left there absolutely batty. He was regularly compared to Hitler and such. This movie is a historical fiction thriller (I guess) about the people who may have been behind the assassination. It's an interesting look into Dutch political society, but it shouldn't be taken as a documentary by any means. This movie is also the last by Theo van Gogh, a descendant of the painter. Because he also was vocally against massive Muslim immigration, he was killed on an Amsterdam street by a Muslim.
The movie was decent enough, but I hate subtitles. Don't moviemakers know how lazy I am? If you can handle subtitles, it's OK as a look into Dutch politics. The conspiracy stuff was pretty stupid (Occam's Razor and all). I would have preferred a documentary about the whole thing, but I shouldn't dislike a movie for what it's not, rather than what it is.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Liverpool 6 - Derby County 0
Wow, this game was a pounding. I know Derby's not very good, but scores like these are still pretty rare.
The Pool may be ready to take the League this year.
The Pool may be ready to take the League this year.
Movie Review - The Marine
Since this is a WWE Films movie, it has the potential to be either an underrated action/vengeance flick or a train wreck. The last WWE Films one I saw was See No Evil (starring Kane), and it was bad. I have higher hopes here, so I'm doing a sort of live blog of it.
John Cena's character is named John. What a stretch. I can see the director having to change it to John at the beginning of shooting because Cena couldn't remember what his character's name was. It was probably much like when Homer entered the witness protection program in the Cape Feare episode of The Simpsons and they had to keep trying to get him to respond to his new name.
The main bad guy was the bad terminator in T2. That's always a treat. Plus, he's one of the 2 First Names All Stars, along with Frank Thomas and others.
In the beginning of the movie, John was discharged from the Marines for disobeying orders and rescuing his buddies. Now he's a security guard and he had to expel someone who was yelling at a secretary in an office upstairs. That was kind of fun.
Also, John's wife is that smoking-hot blond girl from Nip/Tuck. Great casting. Kelly Clarkson has really turned herself around lately.
Oh crap, a bunch of thugs stole John's car with his wife in it, and they are trying to kill him before they leave the gas station. If this is half as good as The Punisher, I'm going to be happy.
Great (if unrealistic) car chase scene, along with a sweet line of the bad guys says.
There are small bits of comic relief that are amusing and not entirely out of place.
These two drug-makers kidnapped John thinking he was a cop. John of course escaped by kicking their asses.
Holy crap, some super-hot gal in a bikini just answered a phone. In the movie I mean, not in my apartment. Nobody mixes in some T&A like Vinnie Mac!
Kelly Clarkson made a run for it, chased by the villian girl. Now they are fighting, and I gots to say it's pretty good action.
Now they are shooting up a bar. I almost started crying. It was one of those cool bars in a swamp with a boat docking station, like Porky's, too. I imagine Michelle or Kelin, being from the Everglades or wherever, to know about those places.
Bad Terminator may have killed more people in this movie than in T2.
Flashbacks to a Triple H match: John just got hit in the abdomen with a sledgehammer.
Kelly SOMEHOW came out of drowning thanks to John's CPR skills, but much like in T2 the Bad Terminator just won't die! Come on John, you know you have to throw him into molten iron ore to kill him.
HOLY BALLS. Watching the credits, I noticed that Lincon Kennedy (the former Raider) was in this movie playing HIMSELF. That must have been the huge guy who someone mentioned had played in a Super Bowl. That's somehow the most exciting part of the whole movie. I'm such a sports nerd.
SUMMARY: Not nearly as bad as I had read, but I certainly didn't expect much. Overall, it was a fun action movie with some good lines. Mild thumbs up.
John Cena's character is named John. What a stretch. I can see the director having to change it to John at the beginning of shooting because Cena couldn't remember what his character's name was. It was probably much like when Homer entered the witness protection program in the Cape Feare episode of The Simpsons and they had to keep trying to get him to respond to his new name.
The main bad guy was the bad terminator in T2. That's always a treat. Plus, he's one of the 2 First Names All Stars, along with Frank Thomas and others.
In the beginning of the movie, John was discharged from the Marines for disobeying orders and rescuing his buddies. Now he's a security guard and he had to expel someone who was yelling at a secretary in an office upstairs. That was kind of fun.
Also, John's wife is that smoking-hot blond girl from Nip/Tuck. Great casting. Kelly Clarkson has really turned herself around lately.
Oh crap, a bunch of thugs stole John's car with his wife in it, and they are trying to kill him before they leave the gas station. If this is half as good as The Punisher, I'm going to be happy.
Great (if unrealistic) car chase scene, along with a sweet line of the bad guys says.
There are small bits of comic relief that are amusing and not entirely out of place.
These two drug-makers kidnapped John thinking he was a cop. John of course escaped by kicking their asses.
Holy crap, some super-hot gal in a bikini just answered a phone. In the movie I mean, not in my apartment. Nobody mixes in some T&A like Vinnie Mac!
Kelly Clarkson made a run for it, chased by the villian girl. Now they are fighting, and I gots to say it's pretty good action.
Now they are shooting up a bar. I almost started crying. It was one of those cool bars in a swamp with a boat docking station, like Porky's, too. I imagine Michelle or Kelin, being from the Everglades or wherever, to know about those places.
Bad Terminator may have killed more people in this movie than in T2.
Flashbacks to a Triple H match: John just got hit in the abdomen with a sledgehammer.
Kelly SOMEHOW came out of drowning thanks to John's CPR skills, but much like in T2 the Bad Terminator just won't die! Come on John, you know you have to throw him into molten iron ore to kill him.
HOLY BALLS. Watching the credits, I noticed that Lincon Kennedy (the former Raider) was in this movie playing HIMSELF. That must have been the huge guy who someone mentioned had played in a Super Bowl. That's somehow the most exciting part of the whole movie. I'm such a sports nerd.
SUMMARY: Not nearly as bad as I had read, but I certainly didn't expect much. Overall, it was a fun action movie with some good lines. Mild thumbs up.
Movie Reviews - 9/2/07
The Departed
It's very good, like everyone says. I'm not giving it movie-of-the-year awards or anything, but it's a cool story.
Gridiron Gang
Better than I thought it would be, and not as sappy as it could have been. Rocky was excellent.
It's very good, like everyone says. I'm not giving it movie-of-the-year awards or anything, but it's a cool story.
Gridiron Gang
Better than I thought it would be, and not as sappy as it could have been. Rocky was excellent.
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