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EDIT: The following collection of ramblings was written during last night's Olympic coverage....

China is kinda cool.

So, the “live blogging” of the Olympics is a bust. But, I’m writing down my thoughts re: what I’ve seen on the tube over the past few days. I’ve basically been watching the Olympics over these past few nights as my last few activities of the summer begin.

I love how the coverage has been emphasizing how “poor is cool”. In tonight’s coverage, they highlighted the best runners in the field with some “personal stories”. The Chinese hopeful was from this rural area of the country where they had “outdoor running water” and her parents would just “watch it on tv” b/c they couldn’t afford to stay in a hotel in the city and didn’t know anybody there.

But, they’ve also been highlighting how proud the people are to be hosting the games. And, I gotta say. That’s the cool part. The people are genuinely proud to be hosting the games.Flags and everything around the routes.

I’m going to admit that I was rather spoiled as an adolescent and had a chance to travel to Beijing (or at that time, PeKing).

At that time, the Pepsi era was just hitting the country as the gov had finally allowed Western countries into the “major” cities. So, I guess, I was some part of inter-cultural exchange and, as it was an athletic competition the only way I was going to be able to go was to “make the team” which meant (in my case),had to pay up to attend.

I remember going to the Great Wall and seeing endless hills and valleys. It was about an hour or so outside of the city---because that would be far enough to get a message to the forbidden city if somebody was running up on ya; you know, do a Rambo.

The women’s marathon is now back on. I went (that same summer) to the L.A. games wherein Joan Benoit won the first women’s race (the network has been running highlights—in my opinion, to support some kind of nationalism fervor so that we can be sold on the advertising. (I’m holding myself back from a big rant on the commercials). I’ve seen enough of it that I'm trying to tune out and blog while they are on--of course, right now I’m having to catch up so I can watch the live stuff with Phelps.

“HOLY FUKING CRAP!”

 That was my reaction to Phelps’ win last night. (I would try to build up my athletic prowess, but of the sports that I competed in when I was a younger, swimming was my most successful. So...) I kinda understand what Phelps has been going through…in the tiniest of bits possible. I was a butterflier in my prime (which wasn’t the best of primes but not the worst either) That finish was unbelievable. One/ one hundreds of second.

I’m back to watching the marathon now as my dinner is finally going into the oven.

I was going somewhere with my story of Bejing and how cool that city is. We went into the Forbidden City. I couldn't appreciate it at the time, but now, in retrospect, I'm amazed at how big that place is.

Back in 1984.... Edit: didn't  finish this story.
But, now the timer is going off…

And, I’m back.

There’s a funny Budweiser commercial on with the dog training the horse. Since, I don’t really watch the ads (or tv in general—except for big events). Hence, I am overly susceptible to the power of the media—man I can’t tell you how much I want to drive a Chevy run on alternative energy while drinking my Coca Cola and talking on my AT&T cell phone to either John McCain or Barack Obama .

This women’s marathon is actually pretty amazing too. However, I keep getting mesmerized by the network’s attempt to fill time. The camera work is brilliant. These overheads are really showing the beauty of the city—even tho it now has a ton of, umm, "haze"--it didn’t when I was there b/c everyone still rode bikes. Literally.

I believe the broccoli is ready. I shall return.

The race is over now. I liked how the Chinese took a victory lap together. The other lady who didn’t medal was totally amazed. But, the medalist showed how cool the Chinese are. She got bronze and called her teammate over to run a lap with her in front of the home crowd. There’s no medal for 4th and she (the other lady) got it. Coolio.

I just saw the SI photo breakdown of last night’s race and I'd love to have that last picture (can't find the picture, again) as a poster.

Dara Torres got 2nd in the 100 free by (guess what) one /one hundredth of a second. We probably won’t have an underwater shot like we did for Phelps, But, she’s 41. 41 that’s like three years older than me and there’s no way I could swim that fast. Ever. Note: I was a distance swimmer (sorta). My best race was the 200 free. A bit of a sprint and a bit of distance.

The network really wants me to watch their TV shows this fall.

Oh wait, that was an Obama ad. Why does Barrack Obama make ads to look like the network’s? Demographic? Being in a red state?

The 1500m is on. “The Super Bowl of sports” Speaking of, did you know the network is airing that (the SB) after their Fantastic Fall lineup (featuring Christian Slater—Christian Slater has a network show? Right on. I’m watching that. Oh wait. That’s the idea. 15 minutes to compete…).

I don’t know about y’all….but here in Texas we still got a bunch of ads for BIG trucks. They annoy me. A lot. Contrasting trucks with football in Texas.

Anyway, I saw a picture of Phelps staring down that Serbian dude who got 2nd on the blocks and it looks waaaay cool.
 
Yo, two commercial breaks during this race. That’s long.  Three lengths left. These long distance races are just too fing intense for me to watch. Oh, and these swimming races (in general).

The unique experience that I’m witnessing was brought to me by G,E. Wow that car that runs on plug-in power looks really cool. Rural China is getting advanced healthcare. Only problem is that it kinda seems to me based on how well their athletes are doing is that their health-care is advanced enough. I mean, the Chinese have been around for, what, thousands of years. Those Germans are kinda hot though. The women are receiving their medals for the 100 free.

Now, the women’s 4X medley relay is on. That means I’m just about caught up with everything I’ve wanted to comment on b/c the men’s is coming up in. My butt is getting numb from watching these games all afternoon/night…

Phelps is coming on now. I’m gonna enjoy this. So, I’m off. But, first commetcials so I can continue. Pimpy fing music while they contrast Phelps with Mark Spitz, Now, more commercials.

Quick story (prolly not but worth a shot): Yesterday at teacher luncheon, we played a game that I play with my students for the first day.EDIT: see below for the continuation of this story.

Nope. Back.

Oh well. Later.

It’s over. I won’t ruin it for those who don’t know…..

Now, I can go get ice cream.
But, we shouldn’t diss the Chinese b/c they’re different. The network really wants me to…Wait. Phelps is on.

Now, the T&F games start so I kinda tune out. I may have gone to China as a “runner”/ shot putter, but I came back and started playing water polo and got back in shape and swam. Ultimately, I guess I was more “successful” at swimming.

An in depth on Jamaica. Yeah, mon.

So, the network (admittedly) has done a really good job on their coverage. Taylor has satellite and showed me the interactive portion of the network’s coverage. The menu to show trivia, schedule, and medal count is pretty neat. I haven’t been (of course naturally will have after I make the link) to their web site, but their pimping of the web presence  is enough to make me want see. Apparently, one can watch clips.

Now, I’m supposed to be happy with ExxonMobil and their attempts to help out Africa eliminate Malaria. We’re back to T&F so I am going to get that blast from Sonic.

F/U Edit: The network wanted to me to know that a DVD of the opening ceremony/Phelp's swimming competition was available to buy. I can see a complete box set of this Olympics being available some day...that might be a first.

Secondly, my teacher story. We played a game wherein we (or students) came up with two lies and one true statement about ourselves. Here were mine:
1) I have a six year-old son.
2) I trained once with Michael Phelps
3) I've met Arnold Shwarzenager (sp?)

The reaction to #2 was laughter. I kinda thought that was a "plausible" lie. I shoulda gone with Mark Spitz. Let the record show that, in fact, I learned to swim/ took swimming lessons with Spitz's coach, Jim Marcus. I have a t-shirt to prove it.

Anyway, I'm starting to ramble so I'll end this now and work on cleaning  La Casita del Baldodad. Also, time to get food for the upcoming week and school clothes for the boy...

Aloha and enjoy life.
J

So, Taylor told me about this fake Guinness ad that has been making the rounds on the internets.

I'm, literally, speechless.
Out.
J

emphasis on the "needs".

1) Parker Lewis Can't Lose. With the rise of Robot Chicken (again, must recommend the Star Wars episode if I haven't already...), the phrase "Koub" has permeated La Casita del Baldodad. After his brief stint on ER, (wherein shouts of "Koub" could be heard from within my chamber), Abraham Benrubi has returned!

2 A good version of Better off Dead. The current one is barely a DVD--little if any features; a bare-bones menu; and, the oft-maligned cover art

More to follow, but it's getting late and I'm tired....

That's got to be on a bumper sticker, somewhere. I know that several people have made blogs with a play on the phrase, but let it be known that (if it's not been done already) I'd like to copyright the phrase. And, so, am hereby doing it.

So, yeah.

Everything--
The media;

authority;

love;

your self;

education;

religion;

poltics;

your values;

your place in the world;

your place in society;

even, this phrase (since, the logical extenuation of the argument would eventually lead to the questioning of whether or not you should question the question posed).

Everything.

Btw, I don't presuppose to have an answer (or that there is an answer for the question) but rather am putting it out there. I guess this is where I am in life right now.

Question everything.

Aloha,
JIm

Night.

Yowie. I'm making a review on facebook so those 2 of you out there (BTW, Michael--Rachel in the Valley; Rachel- in the Valley--Michael. You 've met. You just don't realize you've met)...I guess you'll have to read my facebook. Sorry. It's basically going to amount to the above.

I think it would be abso-fuking-lutely amazing if it actually did surpass Titanic. This is not a Happy movie about the sinking of a ship.

Oh, and on a completely un-related side note, I figured out why I am so attracted to darkness. Not The Darkness (the band). Nor the Dahk-ness (of Vampire/Dracula fame). When I moved into my new room at school, I jokingly put the sign for the adjacent "Dark Room" above my room number b/c it had such High windows that I HAD to keep the blinds shut to show a movie/clip. So, it stuck. My room became known as "The Dark Room".

Moreover, being on summer break, I'm more inclined to be a home-body and don't want to use too much electricity so I  keep the shutters closed which naturally creates a "dark room".

No, my attraction is not related to any kind of depression but rather my affinity to spending time in the semi-darkness of a movie theater. I like being in them.

 But, it can get kind of depressing after awhile (especially if you combine it with the above moo-vee). So, manana I'm out to the pool to finish with the Whores....

Aloha,
J

It is with great sadness that I read the following blog entry by Roger Ebert about the recently announced cancellation of Ebert's show (previously entitled, Siskel and Ebert at the Movies). While it has been several years since I've seen an actual episode (and, coincidently, since Ebert appeared on the show itself), they both had a tremendous impact upon me as young pup getting wet in the world of movies and entertainment.

Back in 1999, I had the good fortune to hear Ebert speak at a conference in SF a few weeks after Siskel passed away. It was a very touching speech--one of reverence and honor about his late colleague. After the speech, Ebert met with the audience individually and it was such a treat for me to meet (probably) my idol in the world of film.

I especially enjoyed the comment in the above mentioned blog by the reader who likens Ebert's persona to that of Jay Sherman. Truly a fitting tribute to his (and Siskel's) work....The Critic. I hope that Ebert's health improves and that he is with us for a lot longer. But, the show itself will be missed (actually, has been as I never could get into watching it with the new guy (Roeper)--my favorite "guest critic" was my neighbor, Harry Knowles. Still think they should have stuck with the rotating critic format, but...)

Be well, Roger. And thanks for all the thumbs.
J

Summertime, and  the listing is easy....

I love the bashing that occurs in this list about the 10 worst scientifically inaccurate movies. Cheap shot at the end with 2001.....

Edit: Furthermore, note that trailer for PE on the sidebar. Go to the site as there's a pretty neat game a la Donkey Kong but with the characters from the movie....

EDIT II: I also want to ask: Who out there was crying for another X-Files movie b/c the silence is deafening? This one doesn't even look remotely interesting. Plus, they settled most (if not all) of the plot-lines with the finale, didn't they or am I remembering that incorrectly? No real publicity to speak of for this, either. Almost as if FOX is like "Shit, we got this movie, we need something to compete with DK; so let's put it out there". Bad. Idea. Jeans, people. Just bad..

Good night.
J

Here. Here's the proof that this guy is the world's worst leader.

I mean, in retrospect, Bush I is starting to look a bit better than Bush II (that would be H.W. and W. ; not W and McCain).Sure, King George the First started a war with more than half a dozen countries, but, compared to his son, Bush I at least had some "relatively" noble causes--he helped out a country (Kuwait) that got invaded for no apparent reason (other than their incredibly vast oil reserves--which Iraq already had)  AND Bush I (as noted in the above article) enacted the executive order (that his son just lifted) banning off-shore oil drilling on the U.S. continental shelf.

Lemme tell y'all something. I've seen some sights. But, there is no comparison between the West Coast's level of off-shore drilling platforms and the Texas Gulf Coast. No comparison (waaaaay more in Texas). And, the coastal views are nearly 180 degrees opposite of each other. I'm sure you grow to appreciate each in it's own way. Moving on, I wish I had a digital copy of the pix that I took of Vinny and Michael after the Newport Oil Slick of 1989. But, I don't. So...

At any rate, Bush II is "putting the ball back into congress's court" now. Seems like a half-assed way of making the upcoming election about "the economy, stupid" with a little bit of environmentalism mixed in there (ANWAR, anybody?). Going all Michael Dukakis now aren't cha, Gerorgie.....

And, not that Bush II had anything to do with it (but, he always might have, so let's go ahead and fill in the blanks), but what the hell is with that cover of The New Yorker? Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the NYer our people? Liberals. Run by the Dems? I could be wrong on this one but I have a pretty clear recollection of that magazine being discussed out our dinner table with a great degree of disdain. (EDIT TO EXPLAIN: extremely conservative family of origin--I'm like the anti-Michael J. Fox  aka Alex P. Keaton of my family. NOTE: I didn't say/write "black sheep" b/c I don't want to offend this dude.)

The editor is "shocked" by the backlash b/c it's supposed to be blatantly satirical.

Yeah, Mr. Editor-man, I'm a pretty sarcastic guy. I think I can get satire. Nothing about your picture is "blatantly" satirical. NOTE: It wasn't until I went back and found the link for it that I noticed the picture of Bin Laden hanging over the fire. Nice. Not satire. Nor is the burning of the American flag. And, well, okay, under your explanation, I'm starting to see it, but still.....

All of this now, is just making me want to shake the fuking Democratic Leadership and go, "Wake UP,y'all". I'm starting to get this really ugly feeling that we're gonna lose it (again). This time, though,  I'm not as certain that it's gonna happen. I think Barrack just has to get tough and go back to his Southside of Chicago roots and hit back. Find something. Something. I don't care if McCain was a fuking P.O.W. and that gives him credit as "untouchable" on a personal level. Wasn't there something BIG financially with him back in the late 80's? Like he embezzled a bunch of money and got caught helping his partners out with his status as a state/local government official. Sometime around the stock market crash in '87 or something like that.

I think as soon as that convention is over it's gloves-off time, baby. Hit 'em and hit 'em hard. Yes, we understand that you can't really hit below the belt in these early rounds b/c as Hillary pointed out, "we all remember Los Angeles and Bobby Kennedy." Oh, and, remember my theory. I've told it to Max regarding the Convention.

Anyway, Worst. President. Ever.

Out,
J

This disturbs me.

But, at the same time, I think it is pretty cool that there's a Kurt Cobain "action" figure out there. I'm torn if I want to own one OR if I should abhor it totally.

An afternoon/evening/ night spent trolling around the net will get you that--that and a facebook account.
Whee!

Goodnight.
J

I found somebody else's and so I'd just like to co-opt it; It's the 19 most memorable scene stealing performances in recent film history. Most, include a you tube segment so you can sneak a peak at the context of the film.

Too bad they didn't have a link for the Charlie Sheen one. I think that's my #2.

to bed "early".....

Good night,
J