go ellen, it's yo birthday

killin any chance of me on Amer. Idol

Ok, so... not exactly thrilled about this one. But here's another Conversations in Real life involving my dad.

Let me 1st say that I haven't been completely there this past week. Starting last Tues, I've been super-spinny. Yeah, that's not exactly a technical term, eh? Well, I've been so dizzy that I actually got out of bed last Tues, & just fell to the ground!!! Like, couldn't even stand up.

It was like Bambi, but on an acid trip. The whole room just spinning around. That was all day last Tues. I didn't go to work that day or the next (last Wed.).

Then, Thursday, I kinda had to go to work, so I did. But I called my ppl (uh, that's Kaiser, they have these 24-hour advice nurses to take calls) to see what they thought. They wanted me to come in to get looked at.

Of course they did; that's their racket, ya know?! They just wanna get you through the door, just like every other corporation. I told them "no way, no how!"

My sister was having a HUMONGO party on Sat in Detroit, & there was no way I was missing it.

The advice-nurse kept insisting, saying it would only be a quick 30-min diagnosis. They thought I prob had Vertigo. I explained to her that the last time they told me to come in for a quick 30-min diagnosis (for a migraine), I ended up getting admitted for 5 days (for viral meningitis). So, I wasn't coming in until I got back from this party, & we could set up an appointment for next week.

Which we did, & I went to it yesterday, & I do have Vertigo, & they gave me a prescription. And as I'm typing this, I am SOOOO dizzy & light-headed; & feel like I should go lay down.

Ok, back to the post. When I'm not feeling well, I like to stay at my mom's house. Yes, clichéd. But that's me. My mom treats me well, & I can watch Ellen with her during the day.

So, to set the scene, I was at my parent's last night watching American Idol. And they were naming all the things the American Idol winner gets.

Pappa: Whoa, If only D could sing! Then, we could put her up in American Idol & she could try to win it. It's too bad she isn't that talented.

My mom: It doesn’t matter anyway, she could NEVER go to American Idol, even if she could sing!

Pappa: Why not?

Ma: Cause she's way too old. They have an age limit to that, you know.

Pappa: Oh.

Uh.... WAHAT!! I'm sitting right here ppl! While they're discussing my inability to sing & how old I've become.

So, long story coming to an end (can't really say "long story, short", eh?), I'm sleeping at my own house tonight. For the 1st time in over a week.

stupid crackerjack crackhead

So, TIoP just posted that MSNBC finally canceled that stupid Cracker-Jack Crack-head's show.

Thank GOD for small favors, huh? You remember Tucker Carlson, don't cha? Here's the post where I got super-mad at him:

Hate Crime Nation

And here's my post just after that to self-promote:

Pimping my Old Gay Posts

hello... glass house anyone?

Oh, you tough football boys crack me UP! Thanks for this, though. I did need a laugh today.

I mean, whatev, maybe they are piping in extraneous noise. I just really don’t think the Pats are in any position to point fingers at any other team right now. Sorry, kids, but you kinda forfeited that right when y’all went shady.

Not that all the football teams aren’t being shady. Cause they’re all pulling something. They are guys, after all.

Now I’ve gotta stay up late to see what Dave’s gonna say about this. Cause Dave films his show around 4-ish, & the story’s out already, & the Colts are his team.

*click on the pic to go to the story. Oh, & ProFootballTalk.com has audio of it.

UPDATE: Dave's in reruns this week due to the Writer's Strike. So, I'll be in bed by 9:30 pm (since I only got about 4 ½ hours last night).

Cloverfield Slushos

Or, A special post for Chaylene
Hey Chaylene,
I was going to respond to your comment, but then I sorta started rambling, & figured I'd do another post.

So, this is actually kinda an extension to yesterday's post about the Transformers movie. I mentioned the mystery trailer preceding the movie. It's supposed to be some new sci-fi-ish monster-ish movie by our very own Bad Robot. I'm pretty interested in this movie, & I know a bunch of other ppl are too, so I figured I'd collect everything I know so far into one post, & maybe we can make some predictions. It's turned into so much more than the movie for me, I love a good real-life mystery. My boss once told me I should've gone into work for the FBI or become a private detective. I love this stuff.

The only real official site so far is 1-18-08.com. It's only got snapshot pics on it. But every so often, they add a new pic, & you can click on each pic & drag it around your screen. Ya, sorry, but that's all I've got so far.

JJ says that there's a few other movie websites out there, but I guess it's a viral marketing campaign, & they're not telling what the actual sites are. JJ wants us to find em for ourselves.

May be true stuff
There's another website called Slusho.jp that some have confirmed is an official website for the movie; but I'm not buyin it unless I hear it from an official Bad Robot or Paramount source. Slusho is a (fictional) frozen drink (Slushie) that Vaughn offers Sydney when they first meet in that official debriefing in Alias.

Not really true stuff
I guess there are some "Ethan Haas" websites out there supposedly about the movie, but they're fake. Also, ParasiteMovie.com is a fake. So, I haven't even gone to them, b/c they might cloud my judgment. Yeah, that's how into my detective work I get. And there's rumors that the monster might be Cthulhu Mythos or Godzilla, or might tie in w/ Lost; but I'm not buyin that either. Very skeptical, am I.

Ok, so I'll update this as I find out more stuff (unless I get too lazy). I did post that YouTube video that shows the trailer in my previous post, but Paramount might have their lawyers take it down. If so, you can go to Apple's site, b/c Paramount gave them the trailer (well, teaser really, right?) to post there. You can go to Apple.com to see it, or you can click on the pic for the teaser to the left.

springtime = mo pics

Hey everyone,
I haven't been posting, but I've been visiting all your blogs/sites. I haven't really felt like posting, & have been worried about the state of our relationships w/ each other. I mean in this country as a whole. How we all relate to one another. And I didn't want to just keep harping on it. Ya know? So, I've just not posted.

Anyhoo, you should all know that it's beautiful outside. Did'ja see 30 Rock last night?!? They were in love w/ Cleveland last night; so much so that they've put up a C-town guide on their site!!! Yes, I'm excited b/c I'm a Clevelander through & through, & I do love this town. It's gorgeous here today.

Oh, if you like 30 Rock, you should try their online "Marry, Boff, or Kill" game. It's a game they play on the show.

Ok, back to my whole "it's beautiful outside" thing. It is. Beautiful. Gorgeous. And it inspires me to take more pics. I'm carrying my cam around w/ me again all the time; & if I see something, I'm documenting it. Also, this week's PhotoFriday challenge is "Country". AND I'm going out of town on holiday, & I'll be driving through the countryside!!! So, I'm planning on submitting my pic this coming week.

Hope y'all are doing fine. And I hope to have more to post soon.

just checking in

Hey guys,
Sorry I haven't been posting. Have been really busy, plus there's just stuff going on in my life that I can't talk about. I know, why even mention it, right?

Here's what I can tell you. I just got back from the Getty Center/Museum, & it is A-MAZE-ZING!!! I can't even tell you. Well, ok, maybe I can (& I will), but not now. I just got back to my room, & I'm just across the street from the Grauman's Chinese Theatre & the Kodak Theatre (yes, where the Academy Awards are).

But I have to go. I'll have more to write later. Just wanted to check in, & let you guys know I'm still alive. I didn't die in the 5 hour plane ride on the way here. Wait, should I not have said that until I complete the 5 hour plane ride back home? Well, whatev happens, happens.

I'll send out a post on Tues just to let y'all know I didn't just jinx myself. (I hope).

finally!

Ok, so just to let you know. I haven't been gone the last couple of days, I've been trying to figure out how to expand & collapse my sidebar.

And I've finally GOT IT!! Yea!

I know it's not really a big deal; but it kinda is to me. I hate clutter, & it felt like there was so much clutter in my sidebar. But it's all cleaned up now.

So, I can watch the shows I taped tonight now. Some of you know that I pretty much refuse to watch anything at it's regularly scheduled time. I tape everything & watch it whenever I want. That way, I'm not at the mercy of da man.

So, now I love 'Ugly Betty' & my reg 'GA'.

If you're a GA fan (um, that's Grey's Anatomy), go over to my sidebar. Under the "Waste Time" area, there's a blog written by the GA writers, as they blog about each show they've just written after it airs. I think it's pretty sweet.

I think I'm gonna love me some Blogger Beta now that I've kinda gotten the hang of it, & figured out how to adjust things to how I want them. There's more to come....

Peace out, yo.

random rumblings

Don't have much to say. Just a few thoughts on stuff (gripes, mainly). I've been pretty happy (like super-happy) all day long, & I think I wore the happiness outta me. I haven't really had time to even read much news or anything (blogs) lately, but I've been catching up. Now I'm getting sleepy, but I thought I share what’s on my mind.

1. I’ve never liked Katie Couric. I now know I am so totally in the minority here. I didn’t realize how obsessed this nation is w/ her. I’ve always been an ABC news gal. I loved Peter Jennings, wish Elizabeth Vargas all the best w/ the birth of her baby, stayed up all night w/ Bob Woodruff when he was in the eye of the storm in Houston during Hurricane Rita, & respect Charlie Gibson.

The main reason I never liked Katie? B/c she wore waaay too much eyeliner. It was horrendous, I’m sorry, but I just couldn’t get past that. And if I managed to (not be so shallow) for 2 secs, she’d start w/ the giggling. It was too much. Diane Sawyer doesn’t giggle. She makes witty comments, jokes, & teases her colleagues, but def doesn’t giggle.

I thought that when Katie left Today, that she’d fade away, but I see her all the time & everywhere. And she hasn’t even started her gig yet!

2. Our fantastic gov’t lost (lost) the original recording of the 1st moon landing. This is gonna make all those ppl who say the moon landing is a hoax veeerrry happy.

3. I love Ani DiFranco, & I’ve heard about this poem she read at the recent NOW conference where she also announced her PREGNANCY! I really want to read this poem & have been searching online for the text this whole past week. But I just can’t find it anywhere. They just have the video, & I can’t watch the video of it, I want to see the text, so if anyone knows where to find it, let me know.

All I know was that it was a weird moment; & she cried throughout her entire speech. Here’s what Allison Kasic over at Independent Women’s Forum said about it:

To celebrate the moment, Ani read an original poem. I wish I could relay what the poem was about, but truth be told, Ani lost me somewhere between the “patriarchy causing war,” a bomb dropping in Hiroshima, and the streets of Manhattan. When DiFranco finished, NOW president Kim Gandy thanked Ani for her courage and pointed out that there wasn’t “a dry eye in the house.” Hogwash, I thought. That poem didn’t even make sense! But I looked around and there really were people crying. How anyone could make sense of such a poem, let alone be moved to tears, baffles me.

And that's why I really wanna read it now.

world cup fever

Everyone knows someone who's got it. Monday, at a cookout, I met a girl who's got it bad. Her prob right now is that since the US is outta contention, she can't find the game on her tele. ESPN, ABC, & ESPN2 are still broadcasting games, but she couldn't find them. I guess they're just airing whichever games they want all sporadically. So, I told her how I watch it. Now, mind you, I don't have 'the fever'. If I'm dusting, vacuuming, or straightening up the living room, I do turn it on. I’m not glued to the set, but I’ll watch it for a few mins, then turn off the tv, & go onto whatever is next.

So, I told her to find her Telemundo channel, cause they’ll play the World Cup all day & all night, like it’s 1999. So, I’ve made a list.

Reasons to watch the World Cup on Telemundo versus the American sports channel:
1. No 5 sec delay.
What do they seriously think is gonna happen? Oh, wait, maybe it’s cause of all the streakers during the games. Ok, so maybe that’s why. Forget it then. But still, no 5 sec delay.
2. The commentators talk in Spanish.
Do you really need a play by play during the world cup? We don’t know the players names or anything. So you can clearly see the one dude passed it to the other, who bounced it off his head to some other guy who kicked it all sideways-like into the goal! Yeah! You can see all that, you don’t need someone explaining the obvious. BUT, it does sound cooler when they’re all talkin in Spanish all fast, & rollin ‘r’s, & what-not. I guess if you know Spanish, it may help; but I don't & I totally enjoy watching it in Spanish anyway. It's just plain, good clean fun.
3. You don’t have to check your tv guide to see what games are playing & when.
They’re always on, all the time. They barely even interrupt w/ the news. Screw the regularly scheduled programming, they’re (like the whole rest of the world) excited about the World Cup.

Now, I don’t really watch it, like I said before. But I do love seeing ppl all excited & passionate about stuff. They’re playing commercials in Europe about it, & U2 did a couple of the spots. Here’s what the Edge says in one: “…every 4 years in June, sick days increase 300 percent. And yet not one employee is fired. Not one doctor's note is required. Not one important meeting is ruined. Because bosses are out sick, too.”

I think that’s just crazy. I mean, by 300%!?! That’s insane! But I do like crazy, & it’s totally insane in a really cool way. So, I just wanna say that I’m totally diggin all the ppl who are all ga-ga over da Cup.

rare recap, American Idol finale

Ok, I’m not so good at these re-cap things, & so I usually don’t do them. Also, I’m lazy. BUT… There’s so much I have to say about American Idol, & I could only talk about it to one person today. The LIWW (Lady I work w/) isn’t in today, & the only other person here who watched it works in our mailroom. So, of course, I can’t really justify spending more than 30 mins talking to her about it. Esp. since she obviously was busy & had stuff to do. So, here I am.

The only word that fully sums up how I felt about American Idol last night was “excited”. There are so many other words I could use, but that one seems to fit best. So, are you ready to play? Take a drink everytime you read the word “excited”.

Ok, 1st off, how excited was I that Taylor won? How sweet was he?!?! Remember when Kelly won, & sang her single at the end of the finale the 1st year? And she was tearing up, & screeched out some of it b/c her voice couldn’t keep a note? When Taylor was singing off, he was getting the crowd hyped up. During this entire finale, he showed that he could work a crowd. And during his single to sign off the show, he told the crowd that he was livin the “American Dream”. I know that these kids get put through a pressure machine, but he made it through, & he’s stoked about it. And I’m really happy for him. Ok, enough about him.

And did’ja guys see the last Coke commercial? I can’t find it, but when I do, I’ll post it here. But it was simply a red background, & flashed 3 sentences (paraphrased):
“We’ll make this short”
“Drink Coke”
“Now tell us the winner, Seacrest!”

Now, on the rest of da show. About Katherine & Meatloaf:

1. What kind of name is “Meatloaf”? If I was a singer, & I went to pick a pseudonym or stage name, I would not pick Meatloaf. I would pick something more appealing. But maybe meatloaf is the most appealing thing he could think of at the time? Hmmm… I never thought of that. He was hopped up on a lot of drugs back in the 70s. Ok, I take it back, so Meatloaf can have his name.
2. What’s goin on w/ that red handkerchief he’s waving around like he’s Scarlett O’Hara? Is that were Steve Tyler & Shirley Manson got their handkerchief ideas from? Does anyone else still use the word handkerchief but me? You can take a drink for that too then.

Oh, & how excited (total understatement here, I completely lost my breath!) was I went Chris performed w/ LIVE!!! Those of you who went to school w/ me, do you remember how totally crazy I was about Ed Kowalczyk in college?! That was during Live’s height. I’ve seen them perform since then. The most recent time, I drove out to Pittsburgh to see them, & they are even better now than they ever were then. I’m totally not kidding. As a fan of music, & live shows, I really do think that Ed Kowalczyk & Live are probably the greatest performers I’ve seen live. No, I’m not kidding. I think it’s b/c they’re so relevant. He’ll do an old song (like from Mental Jewelry or something), & in the middle they’ll start jammin out & do lyrics from some recent hip-hop song to their music. He’s also so intelligent. I’ve seen a lot of bands, & most ppl would disagree w/ me about my thinking that “Live” is the best live performance I’ve seen. But don’t knock it til you try it. You won’t be sorry.

And is it wrong for me to say that I enjoyed Elliot’s performance w/ Mary better than her w/ U2? I mean, I love, love, love the U2 version of “One” (the live version better than the album). But the version that Mary does? ehh, not so much. It’s alright, but not as good as U2’s live version (or their album version). But, Elliot & Mary together? Loved it. And she looks better; she’s not dressing & doing her hair like an old matronly lady anymore. I swear, ever since she got married, you’d think she just turned 64 by the way she was presenting herself.

I did not really enjoy Taylor & Toni Braxton’s performance together. 1st, I couldn’t understand anything Toni was singing. And it seemed like she was trying so hard (too hard). I know there’s a huge audience (read: lots of disposable income candidates) watching, Toni, but I don’t think you sealed the deal there for yourself. I did like how comfortable Taylor looked doing a different genre of song though. He’s very versatile, that Taylor; a real Renaissance man!

And what was not exciting: the Clay-look-alike act. So, they invited the Clay-imposter to come onstage to do a song, & the real Clay comes out. Well, he’s a newer, trying not to be gayer, Clay. He’s got this spiffy new ‘do. And the fake-Clay just goes wild. I mean, he really loses it. So, now it’s just kinda pathetic, & I’m wondering to myself, if I was a gay man, I really don’t think I’d be attracted to Clay Aiken. I just don’t see it. Any gay men out there? Does anyone find Clay Aiken hot?!? Not just attractive, but drop-dead, like a “hot tamale”? You can say so as an anonymous person in the comments if you do.

Oh, & jeez-Louise! Did I flip out when I saw Prince come out!!!! Apparently, I wasn't the only one. I guess no one was really expecting him. But how exciting was that. Yes, I will admit I let out a squeal. But seriously, who knew?!?!


Speaking of losing it… The Idol judges have now officially lost it. Here’s proof. And I’ve also noticed that they’re really wrapped up in themselves. During Tuesday night’s sing-off, you could see the judges off-stage just talking to each other, ignoring the singers. Not “talking” either, Paula & Simon were arguing, & she was smacking him (big surprise). Aren’t they there to listen to the singers? I mean, it's not supposed to be "party-time" for them. They're not supposed to get drunk there.

And lastly, the “Hoff” was there. One of my fave lines is “Don’t hassle the ‘Hoff”! Corny, yes. But please don’t tell me that you haven’t figured out by now that I’m super-corny. I’m kewl w/ it though. Anyway, the ‘Hoff lost it too; when Taylor was announced the winner, he cried! I couldn’t find a pic of that, but here’s another reaction shot. And for those of you who are questioning why the ‘Hoff is there, he was a guest judge on Australian Idol, & has been on American Idol before too.

UPDATE: I finally found video of it, so I'm replacing the pic w/ the video. Warning: I've never added video before, so I'm hoping this works. And it's footage from Jay Leno. I am NOT (not, not, NOT) a fan of Jay, so I am in no way condoning his show. I am a hardcore Letterman-fan (not stalker-style, but...).

Barbara, Barbaro, & Taylor Hicks

This actually happened on Monday, but now it’s starting to annoy me. I came back to my office from lunch on Monday, & am asked if I heard the latest on Barbaro.

Moi: “huh? Barbara who?”
Lady I work w/ (LIWW): “No, Barbaro”
Me: “Who’s Barbaro? Is he a musician?” (I’m wondering how I can forget a name like Barbaro, I know it couldn’t have been an American Idol thing, cause that’s Taylor. BTW, “GO TAYLOR!!”)
LIWW: “No, Barbaro the horse”
Me: “What horse? What are you talking about?”
LIWW: “You know, the horse from the race, he had to go into surgery?”
*Now, it dawns on me.*
Me: “Oooh, thaaat horse. Yeah, I saw a picture of the bones, but I didn’t bother to read anything about it really”

That night, he was on World News Tonight (w/ Elizabeth Vargas, who my mom says is preggers). Yeah, you know what? I really don’t care. And to be frank wit cha, I didn’t realize all these other ppl cared so much for his well-being either.

Here’s the scenario, & you tell me if you see any inconsistencies in this train of thought. Let’s go out & create a ranch, hold animals that once roamed the Earth freely, & give them a strict structured life. We’ll keep them locked up in stables, “breed them” whenever (& w/ whomever) we see fit. They will be on a strict diet, have to “exercise” a certain amount everyday, have to run practice races (on a enclosed track), & basically not be able to just run around freely in a wide meadow/field w/ posies.

So, after all this, we’ll take them out for the public once a year. During that once-a-year public exhibition, they’ll run a race w/ some short guy weighing a-buck-ten on their back hitting them. If they win, we’ll give them a bunch of roses, which they probably don’t really care for. If they lose, they get to go out on a 2nd exhibition, where they are sold off to who-knows-who, who may or may not abuse the horse in order to get him to win the next race.

Now, this particular horse (who has led a life similar to the one mentioned above) ends up getting injured, & now everyone & their mother all of a sudden cares!!! Who cared about the horse’s quality of life before all this? If the horse is lucky, he may not fully recover, & get to retire early. I mean, I don’t want him to die or anything drastic. But he’s more than paid his dues, let him chill out, maybe meet himself a lil filly, & grow old w/ her. This pic is the place he's at now, recovering. I hope he gets to chill here for a while, it looks pretty tranquil.

At least on American Idol, they chose to subject themselves to all public appearances & stuff. And they get to pick one of the three songs themselves. In closing, I’d like to say “GO TAYLOR!”.

haha, he said 'crotchety'

This is how my parents feel about me:

Today's Boondocks
You'll prob have to click on it to enlarge so you can read it (unless I can figure out a way to fix it, which is highly unlikely).

da eye

Today's Ben Sargent: