Blog Over Troubled Water

Friday, January 30, 2004

My Hottest Hotties: Male Division

Today, I turn my attention to re-ordering and analyzing the male side of VH-1's 100 Hottest Hotties. Unlike yesterday's female hotties, I had no shortage of candidates. It was a pretty difficult task...like having to choose between the Oreo Cheesecake and the Brownie Sundae. As I said yesterday, if I did this list again tomorrow it would probably come out entirely different. I am sure I am missing somebody (in all likelihood your favorite!)... but nevertheless, here it goes:

1: Brad Pitt (#6 overall/#3 male) - Ok, pretty obvious choice -- but obvious for a reason... if you asked anyone to name a hot guy (including straight men), I would think Pitt's name come up over and over again...just the epitome of beautiful. The only time he goes mildly astray is when he does the beard/scraggly hair thing... hottest looks on-screen: "Thelma & Louise," "A River Runs Through It," and "Ocean's Eleven" - I don't care what Shania Twain might say... he does impress me much!

2: Matthew McCounaughey (#72 overall/#31 male) - My biggest ranking order quibble on the VH-1 list... how could Matthew be so far down?! Great bod, wonderful head of hair and a southern drawl that makes one simply melt...and on top of that he has no qualms about hanging around the house naked...what's not to love?!

3: George Clooney (#16 overall/#8 male) - Back in his big-hair day's in the 80s (remember "The Facts of Life"?) he was cute...but "ER" and beyond he has become a very classically handsome guy...that wry smile is very sexy.

4: Nick Lachey (#51 overall/#22 male) - Ok, Nick is pretty much the "stud d'jour" thanks to MTV's "The Newlyweds" but his rugged good looks and bod are good enough to earn him a spot on the list...even if it is for 15 minutes. When does he find time to work out?

5: Justin Timberlake (#14 overall/#7 male) - I was never a huge fan of the brillo-headed member of N'Sync...but over the past few years he has grown on me. This Rolling Stone cover pretty much solidified his spot on the list.

6: Ben Affleck (#82 overall/#35 male) - Like his ex-fiancee, if I don't see or hear from Ben in the near future that'll just be fine with me. He can look a little gruff and "ordinary" at times...but other times he still rates high on the hot factor...like this GQ cover.

7: Prince William (#42 overall/#18 male) - After some awkward looking younger years, it appears that his mother's DNA has thankfully kicked in. Another classically handsome fellow... even if he wasn't the future King of England, couldn't you just see him in a Ralph Lauren ad?

8: Tom Cruise (#18 overall/#9 male) - For me, Cruise's killer smile and great head of hair win out over his bod. Even though he was deemed hottest in his "Top Gun" and "Cocktail" days, I prefer the "Jerry Maguire" somewhat older Tom.

9: Derek Jeter (#45 overall/#19 male) - Token athlete on the list...really don't get to see him all that much since we live in a NL baseball town...but saw him in person during the 2001 World Series... great bod (particularly the posterior).

10: Ashton Kutcher (#3 overall/#1 male) - The current "it" guy and VH-1's top male pick...while I don't think he is #1, the combo of prettiness and mischievousness is appealing...Demi fatigue knocks him down a peg or two....but he also did a "worth more than a second look" Rolling Stone cover.

Also on the VH-1 list and deserving mention are: Jude Law, Hugh Jackman, Paul Walker, and Sean William Scott

As if those 14 guys were not enough...my mind wandered to all those who did not land on the list... I collect them here as they are...
Missing in Action:

Las Vegas hottie: Josh Duhamel - Hey if VH-1 can throw actors from "The OC" on their list, why not include the best new face on primetime...daytime viewers have long known about Duhamel since his day's as lady-killer Leo on "All My Children." Something was needed to balance all that T&A on NBC's "Las Vegas" and since James Caan ain't gonna do it Josh certainly pulls his weight...and you can see ALL he has to offer thanks to some nude "art" photos he posed for early in his career.

Goofy hottie: Zach Braff - What's not to love about the adorable star of "Scrubs"? Sure Braff is not going to win any beauty contests...but the cutie really does have more than okay bod when he occasionally shows it off for comedic effect.

Get a lot of blog hits hottie: Nate Berkus - I have talked about him quite enough, catch him on Oprah and I dare you not to include him on a hottie list!

Undertaker hottie: Peter Krause - Another not-so-obvious hottie, but there is a simmering sexiness to the star of "Six Feet Under" ... definitely more frisky in his days on "Sports Night."

Tennis hotties: While Andy Roddick made VH-1's list (#57 overall/#25 male), give me Carlos Moya or Marat Safin over him any day.

Queer Guy hotties: While I often tire of him telling me how to shave and the need to use "product," Kyan Douglas is definitely the hunk of the "Fab 5" in my opinion...and since his sole purpose is really just to sit there and be cute I should also mention Jai Rodriguez.

Queer Guy "For Pay" hottie: Gale Harold - A lot of gay men (or even straight women) would probably not mind being just another notch on the bedpost of Brian Kinney - the sex-crazed character Harold plays on Showtime's "Queer As Folk."

Singing Latino hotties: I guess we have to wait to see a VH-1 "What Ever Happened To?" special to get Ricky Martin back on a VH-1 list. But even if they are going on who's currently on the radar what was the reason for leaving Enrique Iglesias off their hottie list?

Carpenter hotties: For the past several years Ty Pennington has been making folks swoon over at "Trading Spaces"... but, in my eyes, the latest carpenter in town, Carter Oosterhouse, is steadily gaining ground on him.

Reality hotties: These guys come quickly to mind: Colby Donaldson ("Survivor Outback" & upcoming "All Stars"), Josh Souza ("Big Brother 1"), Reichen Lehmkuhl ("Amazing Race 4"), and heck even throw in "Survivor" host Jeff Probst.

Whew! I am exhausted now...have a great weekend! ;-)
- posted by Ed | 1/30/2004 09:31:00 AM | | Link

Thursday, January 29, 2004

My Hottest Hotties: Females

Finally got through VH-1's 100 Hottest Hotties -- today I offer up my Top 8 Female Hottest Hotties. As with any list, it would probably change if you asked me again tomorrow.

The VH-1 list was top-heavy on the ladies (and I am not talking about Pamela Anderson at #9)...58 females vs. 42 males. Just in case you are not a regular reader of this blog, please keep in mind that these picks are not "below the belt" influenced:

1: Beyonce (ranked #1 overall) - As with any VH-1 "list" special, the picks are a snapshot of the day...and, under that criteria, I think they got it right with Beyonce. Does steam not rise off your TV set every time she is on the screen? I know I am not ready for that jelly!

2: Julia Roberts (#48 overall/#28 woman) - While Julia is certainly not lacking anything in the looks department ("They're called boobs, Ed") but what constantly wins me over is her seemingly down-to-earth personality, megawatt smile, and infectious laugh.

3: Catherine Zeta-Jones (#50 overall/#29 woman) - I think Zeta-Jones is the epitome of Hollywood glamour...classic good looks and a smoky British accent. She even makes those T-Mobile commercials worth watching.

4: Jennifer Aniston (#19 overall/#10 woman) - Ok maybe a bit of husband-envy going on here, but she holds up very well even up against him. I think Aniston is getting better with age.

5: Heather Locklear (#44 overall/#26 woman) - Probably showing my age here as my fondness for Locklear started during the big-hair "Dynasty" days of the 80s...but through "Melrose Place" and her recent guest stint on "Scrubs" the 42-year old Locklear is still as spunky and sexy as ever.

6: Nicole Kidman (#31 overall/#18 woman) - Like Zeta-Jones another classic beauty with more than a healthy dose of glamour...even more so since she has blossomed into something more than an award-show accessory for Mr. Cruise.

7: Demi Moore (#22 overall/#12 woman) - I had a crush on Demi since she was a mere teenager (as was I) during her stint on "General Hospital" in the early 80s. Again, I am a sucker for a smoky voice (if I was doing this list 20 years ago I have no doubts Kathleen Turner would be heading it) - and as the bikini scene in "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" showed she still has the killer bod (surgically enhanced or not). Down the list a bit due to the Ashton overexposure...

8: Jennifer Lopez (#11 overall/#6 woman) -- Actually VH-1 named "J-Lo's Ass" at the #11 spot. No doubt if this list was done a year ago, J-Lo would be heading it... but in all likelihood the "Bennifer" drama dropped her down the list... and I agree, I definitely think she is hot, but if I don't have to see/hear from her again for the at least the next six months that would just be fine.

Missing in Action:

Sandra Bullock - The girl next door...sure she is turns into the clumsy buffoon more often than not, but as "Miss Congeniality" showed she can clean up very well.

Sarah Jessica Parker - Sure she is thrown into some goofy outfits on "Sex and the City" and her hair can go astray (i.e. last weekend's Golden Globes), but SJP looks great more often than not.

UPDATE: Just an afterthought...how could VH-1 have left off Shania Twain and Janet Jackson... two more musical hotties in my book!

Next up...the more difficult task... the boys!
- posted by Ed | 1/29/2004 10:02:00 AM | | Link

Wednesday, January 28, 2004

BadTV

Just so you don't think that I watch every reality tv show ... finally caught the first episode of ToddTV and within 15 minutes had pretty much determined that the TiVo Season Pass was history. Granted the reason for watching it in the first place was pretty shaky... since the guy's name was Todd (other half of this household) and the show seemed to be a rip-off of the movie EdTV (that being me). But this was a pretty awful excuse for a show... only exacerbated that TV "Todd" is pretty much a Loser (note the capital "L"). Granted it can be fun to watch a loser, but this guy really does not have any redeeming values. The ratings for the show were not great, so perhaps one of the "America Votes" questions at the end of the show should be whether or not to air another episode.

The last episode of Las Vegas was truly horrible. Now I know this show is not The West Wing or ER, but even when it is bad, it is usually bad in fun/kitschy/harmless way. But this episode was truly painful...hopefully James Caan's agent was on the phone with NBC screaming about how this episode ever made it on the air. A blackout where everything in the city goes out except selective slot machines and lights in a night club, a person is shot on the casino floor but only 10 people stick around including the killer (but no security guards), an employee gets all freaked out with claustrophobia due to being locked in the spacious security suite but effortlessly crawls through air conditioning ducts to get out (and to top it off...with a battery operated laser that is able to cut through metal). I could go on...but I am really trying to forget this episode. I guess we can look forward to Paris Hilton's guest spot on the show next week...things could not possibly get worse.
- posted by Ed | 1/28/2004 10:24:00 AM | | Link

Tuesday, January 27, 2004

And The Oscar Goes To...

With the Oscar nominations just an hour old, here are the winners (mind you I haven't seen the vast majority of the nominees, but that doesn't stop Academy members!):

Supporting Actress: Renee Zellweger for Cold Mountain - Renee is an Academy favorite and with the movie (surprisingly) being shut out of the Best Picture/Director categories this will probably be the movie's "reward." Dark horse: Patricia Clarkson, previously nominated and had another critically praised performances this year in "The Station Agent"... Hunter and Harden have already won Oscars, Aghdashloo too unknown.

Supporting Actor: Tim Robbins for Mystic River - though may be hurt by his political "activism" but then again this is "liberal" Hollywood. Dark horse: Alec Baldwin - first nomination for veteran actor, but despite his flashy role he may not be considered "serious" enough.

Actress: Charlize Theron for Monster - the "slam dunk" of the acting nominations as the Academy loves it when beauty turns into a beast....only helped out further by two "out there" competitors (Castle-Hughes and Morton)... Keaton is the darkest of horses and while I am happy to see Watts get a nomination she is probably not "due" for her Oscar just yet.

Actor: Sean Penn for Mystic River - probably should have won an Oscar by now and helped out by another worthy performance in 21 Grams... but will the Academy honor the reclusive, anti-Hollywood Penn (will he even show up)? The youth of Depp and Law rule them out, Kingsley won in the past/will probably win again in the future...so that leaves the kinder/gentler anti-Hollywood Bill Murray to potentially spoil.

Picture/Director: The Lord of the Rings and Peter Jackson. The Academy has waited for the 3rd/final installment to honor the entire work (which, btw I have yet to see any of!) and the path is pretty clear. "Lost in Translation" will be viewed as "too small" (look for Coppola to pick up a Original Screenplay Oscar), "Master and Commander" has lacked any "winner" buzz, "Seabiscuit" did not receive a directing nom...so the only possible (and unlikely) upset lies with "Mystic River."
- posted by Ed | 1/27/2004 07:19:00 AM | | Link

Monday, January 26, 2004

I Am A TiVo-holic

In my last entry I was bemoaning the move of Scrubs back to Tuesdays because it conflicted with 24. Since we have a "standalone" TiVo, we can watch one program while recording another...but then gosh-darnit you have to sit through commercials besides having to "make an appointment" to sit down and watch a show.

So what did we do (I will keep saying "we"...but this was mostly my hair-brained idea)... well, of course get another TiVo! And, on top of that...with the recent addition of a wireless home network...went ahead and purchased the TiVo Home Media Option for both DVRs so that we can then watch programs from either TiVo on the other set! A whole lot of (ir)rationalization went into this decision to spend hundreds of $$s more just to be able to record two things at once, but I still think it will be worth it! Solves that Friends/Survivor conflict too! There is a 12-step program out there for this, right?!

Caught 21 Grams over the weekend... excellent movie and stellar performances from Sean Penn, Naomi Watts, and Benicio del Toro ... how the Golden Globes ignored each of these performances is beyond me (hopefully tomorrow morning's Oscar nominations will fix that). Perhaps they were befuddled by the very non-linear way the story was told... there were definitely some rumbles from our movie audience as the story skipped all around from the beginning to the middle to the end of the story. I likened it to putting together a jigsaw puzzle... get a little piece here and there...go back and fill in more here, etc. I would guess it takes a good 45 minutes to an hour to get the "big picture"...the technique is a tad "arty" (self-conscious?) but I think it was a pretty intriguing way to present the film.
- posted by Ed | 1/26/2004 10:56:00 AM | | Link

Friday, January 23, 2004

America The Beautiful... Not

I am still around! Have just been fighting a chest cold for the past few days and coupled with "real" work, I thought best to keep the whining to myself.

I guess I should chime in about Dubya's State of the Union speech since that seems to have been a pretty popular blog topic of the week. Not much to add to the other blogs that I have read, you either love it or hate it depending on which side of the political fence you fall on ... obviously I was on the "non-love" side. The closing of the speech was the absolute clincher... steroids=bad, sexually transmitted diseases among teenagers=bad, "activist judges"=bad, sanctity of marriage=good, prisoner re-entry initiative=good. So even though I have "dignity and value in God's sight," my right to liberty and pursuit of happiness apparently falls somewhere below ex-cons.

On a totally different topic...have been tuning in to tennis' first Grand Slam of the year... the American...errr, I mean Australian Open on ESPN. It is the same quibble I have with pretty much the majority of US television tennis coverage - you would think no one is playing the tournament except for Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, and Venus Williams. I know it is all about ratings...but heck, if someone is tuning in at 11pm EST to watch the Australian Open I am guessing they are a tennis fan who doesn't need to be lured into watching some American thoroughly rout some teenager from the Czech Republic or Russia.

Okay to end on a positive note...something "American" and "Beautiful"... I am still getting through VH-1s "100 Hottest Hotties" series... once I get through it all I will share my own revisionist list. But I have to tell you right now... something is seriously wrong if Matthew McConaughey is way down at #72!

Quick P.S. -- Just read that my favorite sitcom Scrubs is being moved off of Thursdays since American Idol trounced The Apprentice on Wednesday... NBC Thursday is now.. Friends, Will & Grace, Apprentice and ER... with Scrubs moving over to Tuesdays at 9:30pm EST... up against one of my other faves ...24... damn you the Donald and NBC!!
- posted by Ed | 1/23/2004 10:24:00 AM | | Link

Tuesday, January 20, 2004

Mormons, Queer Eye and the Super Bowl

Just a quick blog today as work is interfering (don't you hate that?!)...

Had a "barky" morning. That is one big difference between cats and dogs, cats really do not care if someone is at the door or in the backyard. First, there was the tree feeder... then the pool cleaner guy... then to REALLY top it off... Mormom missionaries! Not much of a conversation ensued... probably due to a combination of: a) my late-morning disheveled "bed head," b) my Pavlovian eye-roll upon seeing the tidily white-shirted youngsters at my door, and c) the struggle to keep the hounds at bay. Upon closing the door on the duo, they asked "Can we help?" to which I offered a hopefully pleasant sounding "no."
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NBC is getting a lot of press for its "brilliant" counter-programming move... pitting a Queer Eye marathon against the Super Bowl. It is even made the local news with the anchors offering "Boy, that'll really attract a different crowd!" I don't know if I should be offended by all of this. NBC is basically offering up a sacrificial lamb.

And heck...I watch the Super Bowl... well, for the commercials and...well...I caught the QE episodes on Bravo already....
- posted by Ed | 1/20/2004 11:36:00 AM | | Link

Monday, January 19, 2004

So What DID I Do?

So I know "all" of you are breathlessly wondering how I spent the weekend after the plethora of options offered up on Friday. Friday night was a trip to the Indian casino, Saturday was a movie "out," and Sunday was a return to the tennis courts ... and a healthy does of TV throughout.

The gambling jaunt was mildly successful. I was holding even most of the time before falling off for a bit...a last 25-cent triple-play video poker machine got me back over the top and leaving with a little extra. I had a flurry of 4-of-a-kinds throughout the entire evening...should have left with a lot more $$$...but me and Mr. Will Power are not good friends.

We are still "hitting balls" rather than playing tennis. But I think our 2nd attempt exceeded our initial try. Hitting a tennis ball is not like "getting back on the bike"... it is definitely going to take some time to improve. We really need to rent out the gym's ball machine. I think it will help both of our groundstrokes to get balls in a consistent manner. Watching the opening rounds of the Australian Open last night REALLY makes me appreciate the pros!

We ended up seeing The Cooler. It was good...but I was just left with a feeling that there was a much better movie in there somewhere. Like many a critic, I did have some quibbles with the ending and you do have to suspend some belief with the whole concept -- that the mere presence of a person can "cool" off a hot table. It reminded me of the lady playing video poker next to me on Friday... she told her husband that she was not holding "diamonds" since the machine "wasn't giving them out." It is all games of chance! The performances were fine across the board... though I am not sure Alec Baldwin deserves all the accolades... it was certainly one of his better movie roles, but I think it was too over-the-top to really be deserving of a Supporting Actor Oscar (which seems to be the latest buzz).

TV-wise spent some time with Nick and Jessica... catching a couple of episodes of the first season of Newlyweds as well as their stint on Saturday Night Live. The MTV-series was an amusing diversion. Jessica is certainly the "star" with Nick being her patient foil. Jessica is a perfect mix of naivete and spoiled brat as she comes to terms with the "joys" of household duties. It hit a little too close to home here... I was mildly taunted of being "the Jessica" in this house... but fully admit to already having that thought before it was voiced from the other side of the room... haha! Though kudos to both of them for one of the better guest host stints of this season of SNL. Jessica did not shy away from self-deprecation...and the singing Mexican restaurant skit was a hoot.
- posted by Ed | 1/19/2004 08:21:00 AM | | Link

Friday, January 16, 2004

What To Do?

With the weekend about to start, I am having a hard time trying to figure out what "fun" things to do...or more so, figuring out how to fit those things around the usual weekend activities (i.e. supermarket, working out, family phone call, etc.)

Here are the options:

Going out to a Movie
Stuck between some serious Oscar-type movies (21 Grams or The Cooler) and the light fluff of Along Came Polly.

Watching TiVo
There is that long list of shows being recorded tonight...plus we have a three movie back-log. My intention was to have a "movie night" on Saturdays but that has been another hard thing to squeeze in when there is a bunch of other things to watch.

Gambling
We have been playing some video poker on the PC and online...so starting to get the itch to get back to the local Indian casino for the "real thing." Always a tricky proposition since they tend to be pretty "tight"... it is a lot more fun to win (or heck, even break even)...but often the $$$ goes waaay to quickly...and that is really a bummer.

And for our friends back East... yes, we actually have options for outdoor activities...

"Playing Tennis"
...or should I say "hitting around tennis balls." Last weekend, we went to the gym and finally used their courts...it was the first time I had done that in years... definitely makes me re-appreciate the pros! Surprisingly, I still had some signs of actual groundstrokes... would like to keep at it.

Dog Park
A couple of weekends ago we hit a brand new dog park a few miles from the house. I think it is good for the dogs to get out and "socialize." It is also fun to see all the other dogs too! The funniest part is that our ferocious basset Toby turns into a total wimp at the park... pretty much rolling over if any dogs heads his direction.

I guess that is about it. Oh yeah, we have plans to paint our den/TV room...but does that really qualify as "fun"? Have a good one! Tune back on Monday to see what "won" out. [ Note: I DO realize no one really cares :-) ]
- posted by Ed | 1/16/2004 12:01:00 PM | | Link

Thursday, January 15, 2004

Everything You Wanted To Know...In 6 Hours or Less

I actually did not know what to blog about today...then I checked the TiVo and looked at tomorrow night's "To Do" list...it has us completely pegged!

Here is what's on tap:

5:30-6:00 ABC World News Tonight
We record (and usually actually watch!) the nightly news every night. Keeps us informed of what is going on. Also, we now know that Peter Jennings says a reporter's name at least twice at the end of a report ("Thank you Martha Radditz, Martha Radditz at the Pentagon").

6:00-7:00 Real Time with Bill Maher
More controversial and loud takes on politics...Bill tells it like it is, if you want to hear it or not. With all that is going on in the political world, it should be an interesting new season.

7:00-7:30 30 Minute Meals
Rachael Ray is a lovable goofball and as she always tells the truth..."In the time it takes you to watch this program, I will have made a delicious and healthy meal from start to finish in less than 30 minutes."

7:30-8:00 Newlyweds: Nick And Jessica
Missed this pop-culture phenomenon the first time around...was planning to just catch the 2nd season...but set that "Season Pass" too early and got snagged with the 1st season marathon (which apparently is being shown ad nauseum until the new season's premiere).

8:00-8:30 Hope & Faith
The show is not very good, truly annoying child actors...but I have a thing for Kelly Ripa... and Ted McGinley is aging very gracefully.

8:30-9:00 The McLaughlin Group
More political jabber! Should turn it into a drinking game. Drink every time Pat Buchanan chuckles, drink every time Eleanor Clift has to raise her voice, drink every time John McLaughlin stumbles over his words, drink every time they let the fourth "guest" panelist talk. Bye, Byyyye!

9:00-10:00 Newlyweds: Nick And Jessica
The marathon re-surfaces... same reasons as noted above...plus Nick is pretty easy on the eyes...

10:00-11:00 Sex and the City
Just some older episodes for "filler" material.

11:00-midnight Between The Lines
A special on A&E about letters written to the White House. We picked this one up as when searching for programs featuring our new best friend, Hillary Rodham Clinton. But, hosted by Robert Downey Jr.??

Midnight - 12:30am Newlyweds: Nick And Jessica
One more episode picked up... Nick takes off his shirt at least once in a while, right?!
- posted by Ed | 1/15/2004 11:33:00 AM | | Link

Wednesday, January 14, 2004

Shucking "The Children of the Corn"

What a difference a day makes... another phone call to the Diamondbacks regarding our season tickets... this time with a bit more "bite" ended up with good results... seats in the equivalent section on the opposite side of the field (we are moving from the 1st base/right field to the 3rd base/left field) and 10 rows down (closer to the field). Apparently, it really does not do you any good to try and be "nice" in these type of situations. For the full story go here.

Our new seat assignment should get us away from the somewhat annoying family who had seats behind us for the past couple of years. What made it worse is that I went to grad school with the "dad." You think in a 40,000 seat ballpark you would not end up seated by someone from your past! The funniest part is that we never acknowledged each other's presence. I knew it was him from Day 1 -- but we were not friends in school (I always thought he was an arrogant ass), so I never felt a need to strike up a conversation. To this day, I never really knew if he recognized me.

Nothing had changed though in the 10 years that have passed -- he was still a know-it-all. I would say I often eavesdropped on his conversations -- but I don't think you can call it eavesdropping when the person is talking so loudly that there is little you can do to NOT hear him (and believe me I tried)! He spouted off about anything and everything...mostly pulling from his deep knowledge of baseball. Why he is not a major league manager I really do not know?! One of his "favorite" things to do was to report the out-of-town scores ("Colorado's up 6-2 over the Padres in the bottom of the 6th") or make wild assumptions based on score changes ("The Giants have another run...Bonds must have homered"). If I wanted to know the scores, I would just look at the scoreboard myself!

It did not take us long to dub his two young sons "the children of the corn." Not unlike Dad, they showed often eerie signs of having encyclopedic knowledge of the game. They knew every player and would often question Dad about a player was not playing their normal position or why a play was "scored" a certain way. The things that would come out of the mouths seemed well beyond their years. I really hope they have friends.

So now we will just have to wait to see what the new season bring us when it comes to people watching (and hearing)... like Mr. Gump's box of chocolates, you never know what you are gonna get.
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Comments are back. I went ahead and switched over to Haloscan... so we'll see if I can put this one out of business. Comment away...you know you want to!
- posted by Ed | 1/14/2004 09:10:00 AM | | Link

Tuesday, January 13, 2004

Diamond"Sucks"

I would not be surprised if Todd blogs about this since the household is in a general state of crabbiness over it. Over the weekend, we received our new seat assignments for our Arizona Diamondbacks season tickets. Our jubilation was almost instant as we thought we moved a section closer to home plate and a chockful of rows closer to the field. Fast forward to a day later and the bubble-bursting moment of discovering the seats were actually a section further away from home plate. Our "upgrade" instructions were not followed...this was confirmed with a Monday phone call when a rep offered that maybe a 2 was misinterpreted as a 1. Of course, our existing seats of the past two years have already been re-assigned to someone else -- and the only two "remedies" offered were slightly worse seats in the very section we have been in OR seats further back (we are already fairly far back) in the next section closer to home plate.

So needless to say we are pretty pissed. We wait two years for a seat change and when it happens it all but amounts to a downgrade. We are talking about a serious chunk of change as well ($20+ a seat, 80+ games...you do the math)...also we have to worry about "re-sale" value as we are only able to get to 20-25 games per year. So seat desirability is a pretty important issue...if not to us, the people looking to buy. Ugh! We have found talking about it doesn't help either (nor does blogging about it apparently)!
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Continuing the "that sucks" theme, finally caught the cute new "reality" series Airline on A&E. Life generally sucks for pretty much everyone on this show which follows the troubled travails of Southwest Airlines staff (or should I say team members?) and passengers. From drunk passengers to smelly ones, from irate parents to the C.O.S (that's "customer of size" who are required to purchase two seats due to their weight)... this is every imaginable travel nightmare tidily tucked into a half hour. I am definitely glad I am on this side of the TV screen though...since I have an abysmally low tolerance for a) bad "public" behavior and b) poor customer service. Though I have to say the Southwest staff handles everything infinitely more calmly and professionally than I could (well, at least with the cameras rolling). Worth a look or a TiVo Season Pass.
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Looks like my BlogSpeak comments will be down for a bit longer. The person who runs it is having some serious issues with their host. I may just switch to HaloScan or something else.
- posted by Ed | 1/13/2004 09:23:00 AM | | Link

Monday, January 12, 2004

The Reviews Are In...

Starlight Express was pretty much the crapfest the newspaper reviewer said it was. As I mentioned in my last post, the show has never rated high on my list...but this production just was far worse than any I had seen before. Vocally it was pretty weak - I did not like the tone of lead steam train Rusty's voice (over-nasally) and Pearl missed some notes badly (and also landed on her ass during the finale)...and the guy playing Greaseball was in the original SE cast... in 1984! Geez, I was in high school... time to find a new gig dude! Though kudos to the show's one saving grace... Dennis LeGree's Poppa the elder states-train... fine voice and stage presence. The 3-D filmed sequences were good but just added to the overall cheese factor. Made me feel like it was the 1970s. Except of course for the new songs in an attempt to embrace the music of today. Another big flop. The 2nd act opened with the rap/hip-hop inspired "It's Time To Race" number. This was perhaps the "coolest" thing I have seen since Al Gore did the Macarena at the 1996 Democratic Convention.
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The P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon was apparently a huge success with over 24,000 runners crossing the finish line for both the marathon and half-marathon events. It was a Phoenix "Chamber of Commerce" day with sunny skies and temps in the low 70s! The 2nd event is already on the calendar for January 9, 2005 and I hope, if my body does not rebel, that I can be part of it. I am counting on my new running sneakers to help out those achy ankles and knees.
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[Warning: Spoilers for the most recent episodes of "Sex and the City" and "Friends" below]



A very nice rebound for Sex And The City after the so-so premiere of the last round of episodes. I did not even mind the Carrie/Aleksander stuff - perhaps because Carrie is showing signs (despite the McDonalds dance) of tiring of him as much as I am. The Steve/Miranda proposal and wedding was wonderful...while saying her vows, a moment of true happiness/contentment seeped to the surface before reverting back to everyone's favorite cynic. While I could have done without Charlotte and Harry's gastronomic distress, it still had a certain "Charlotte" goofy charm. Then there was the Samantha bombshell. TV Guide had already "spoiled" that plot twist for me. I wasn't really sure giving Samantha breast cancer was a good idea. But it was introduced with all of Samantha's egocentricity intact. Why not refrain from telling anyone until after Miranda's wedding? That would have been the "right" thing to do... but it is not Samantha's M.O. to not trump or shock. I liked that the writers stayed true to her character (and all the others) in this episode. If handled correctly in upcoming episodes, I think it will perfect close for Samantha to reach an epiphany (in her trademark headstrong style) that there is more to life than perfect breasts and a big dick.
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I know it is a sitcom, but a big thumbs down to Friends for how the whole Monica/Chandler adoption storyline played out. A birth mother anonymously picks the file of a reverend and doctor for an interview - Monica & Chandler are erroneously called in and then, for audience laughs, play along and pretend to be that couple. They eventually confess...the birth mother has a minute of being pissed...before saying she liked their file too and after a mildy impassioned speech from Chandler agrees to adopt her unborn baby out to them. I have empathy for the feelings of desperation and the difficulty of the adoption process...but I found the whole charade detestable (if that is a strong enough word!) and anything but funny. I know the show is not "real" (like any of them could afford those NY apartments) -- but I think there had to be a far better (pretty much any other) way for Monica and Chandler to achieve their dream.

Hmmm... my "Comments" seem to be missing... hopefully they'll return...
Update: Comments are really down and are expected to return at some point later today (Monday)...so as difficult as it is NOT to comment...please be patient :-)
- posted by Ed | 1/12/2004 08:51:00 AM | | Link

Friday, January 09, 2004

Weekend Musings

This weekend is the big marathon/half marathon...it is expected to break the record for a debut event with an anticipated 28,000 runners. For all of you shivering in winter cold, the anticipated high temperature for Sunday is 77 degrees! Yes, there are plenty of good reasons to be living in Phoenix this time of the year.

Last week, I spoke of my intention of attempting the 1/2 marathon next year. Even with a full year to go, I am wondering if my body can handle it. After my 2-mile run left me hobbled for nearly a week with back, neck, leg, and butt muscle issues -- I cautiously returned to the treadmill last night. The results were not terribly encouraging. This morning my right knee and both ankles are a little sore -- and that was only after a 1/2 mile "jog." So we'll see... I should invest in some good running shoes and give it a chance. The desire is still there...so it is a battle of mind over body, right?
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Tonight we are seeing Starlight Express -- this is the 3rd go-round for me on this one...the first two times were planned, this is just a season ticket package thing. I probably would not have chosen to see this one again. It is not exactly Andrew Lloyd Webber's shining moment...but, all in all, it is pretty harmless. The show has allegedly been re-tooled ... new songs added (to reflect the popular music of "today"), in-line skates used for the first time, and... 3-D movie action. Yes, we get those funky glasses. The newspaper review said it was pretty miserable. I think even those involved in the show know it is a piece of schlock -- so why not have some fun?
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The rest of the weekend will probably be devoted to removing any remnants of Christmas. Yes, they are still around. Since last weekend still kind of felt "holiday-ish" (we only really returned to work this past Monday??!), holiday things are lingering about longer than usual this year. I tried to get some stuff down during the week...but you turn a corner and there's more stuff!. I think it took 4 weekends (not full ones -- we're not that loony) to get everything up, so I guess I should not have had expectations that everything would come down in a day. But now with the holidays seeming like ancient history... things have gotta go... pronto!
- posted by Ed | 1/09/2004 09:16:00 AM | | Link

Thursday, January 08, 2004

Hitting the Books...Again

I like to read. I used to read a lot. Well, 15-20 books a year...mostly contemporary "literature" with some quickie thrillers and a few non-fiction selections thrown into the mix. But in the past 6 months or so, I have been lucky to get through a couple of books.

Simply put, my scapegoat is TiVo...with this truly wonderful machine there is always something to watch. In pre-TiVo days, there were a couple of full nights spent in front of the tube. But more often than not, a show or two would be watched each evening... nothing else would be on...so it was off to read for an hour or so before bed.

But with TiVo...
* I can watch "Survivor" AND record "Friends."
* I can decide that the six new fall shows are worth a look at.
* I do not have to stumble onto all 10 hours of VH-1's "I Love the 80's" - TiVo will find and record all of them for me.
* I can easily find that there are 67 shows about Las Vegas on any of our 100+ cable channels in the next two weeks.
...and while I am actually watching all these shows TiVo can still record more stuff!

It has been very hard to break away from sofa vegetation and get back to the books. This week I managed to return to a book that has been sitting on the shelf for over a month. I have had some help. During the holidays most "regular" TV was pre-empted or in repeats... while the networks provided some "relief" with show cancellations or hiatuses. Our TiVo "Now Playing" list is currently at it lowest levels since the first or second week we got it.

So I need to take advantage... or take stock... of the situation. I should let TiVo allow me to read instead of taking the place of it. Much easier said than done, but I will try and give it a shot.

I am Ed, and I approved this message [don't you love that new tag line for those political ads?!]
- posted by Ed | 1/08/2004 09:33:00 AM | | Link

Wednesday, January 07, 2004

Missing Link & Mega Hits

Should I have hurt feelings that someone removed a link to my blog? I feel pretty silly for even admitting it. I was pretty surprised to get the link from this blog initially...it is pretty specialized topic-wise. I dip into that "theme" every so often - but it is surely not my focus... heck, I do not have a focus.

Now, I am not looking for reciprocity when it comes to blog links...in fact, in my brief history as a blogger/blog reader I think it is probably done far too often. I do not link with the intention of getting a link back (though if I do, that's great!). The blog links I have off to the right there meet my tight criteria of being some magical combo of: entertaining, well-written, informative, insightful, and visual simplicity (some blogs I click on are such a "busy" assault on the eyes I don't even get around to reading anything). I also "monitor" a blog for usually a couple of weeks before adding it. Being consistently all those things I stated above is perhaps the toughest task of them all.

Why should I care that one link is gone, when I have quite a few others and definitely "feel" the increased (dare I say loyal?) readership over the past several months. I think it all comes back to that common human inclination of concentrating on the 1 negative instead of the dozens of positives.

Okay, now that we solved that... I feel better! :-)
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I guess I just have to look at my blog stats to see if interior designer "Mr. B" is on Oprah. Yesterday was a repeat episode of one of his appearances...I hesitate even to mention his full name ever again since I am increasingly guilt-ridden about all the disappointed folks thinking they will find him in various stages of undress on this site. I guess the only service I am providing is confirming that he is "gay" for all the dozens of searches looking for that particular tidbit.

Hopefully Zionide does not mind me "sharing" these searches with me...little did I know how right he was about the volume (I won't mention how I ever stumbled onto his blog in the first place!).
- posted by Ed | 1/07/2004 09:11:00 AM | | Link

Tuesday, January 06, 2004

Capitol "Hill"

In the year-end "awards" on The McLaughlin Group, Eleanor Clift called Hillary Rodham Clinton "a rock star in the political world." Anyone attending yesterday afternoon's booksigning for Living History here in Tempe, AZ could say little to dispute that claim.

I arrived 45 minutes prior to the signing... hundreds of people were already lined up outside the bookstore (which had to be closed to only people with tickets for the signing), the parking lot was filled to capacity, nearly every local news station had reporters on hand, police cars and motorcycles circled the lot, and at least six Secret Service agents were monitoring the area.

We were in the first group to be let into the store. Radios buzzed as we heard the Senator was on time...as she slipped through a back door we heard a cheer go up at the back of the store amid the flashes of cameras from the media. We snaked our way through the store and caught our first glimpse of perhaps one of the world's most famous heads of blonde hair. It was hard not to get a little star-struck. Small in physical stature...her "aura" was anything but. The very woman who claimed to be "no Tammy Wynette," told the world of a "vast right wing conspiracy," and spent eight years in the White House where she met innumerable celebrities and foreign dignitaries was just a few yards away.

As we were now quickly approaching the Senator, I finalized my mental "plan." I am never good at talking to authors (let alone a former First Lady and Senator), but I felt like I really wanted to say something to her. I noticed she was shaking hands with some folks (a bit of a surprise considering all the "rules" for the signing), so I quickly adjusted my plan to include a potential handshake.

The moment was here. She looked up gave me an enthusiastic "hi" which I returned... the book already signed was pushed to the side...a little befuddled I managed to get out "I hope you give us a chance to vote for you someday"...she kind of giggled and said "Oh, thank you..." A publishing rep handed me a signed book, Todd followed and we were done (for Todd's account... click here). I turned to him quickly and said "Did we shake hands?!" He assured me that we had. I later remembered the hand shake...but the whole thing was over all so quickly my brain seemingly could not absorb those couple of seconds.

I think what threw me off was that HRC was signing "two books ahead." So the book she was signing while I was in front of her actually went to the person two people behind me. With 900 books to sign in 1.5 hours, we have a fairly hastily scribbled signature that reads "Hillary R Cl" with the "-inton" pretty much a dragged line (subconscious commentary??)... the actual signed book was a secondary, but utterly cool, benefit to just having the opportunity to "meet" her.

I really do hope she runs for (and becomes) President some day... though after eight years under the microscope at the White House already under her belt, I would not blame her if she did not choose to take that path again.
- posted by Ed | 1/06/2004 08:14:00 AM | | Link

Monday, January 05, 2004

Thanks Britney!

Ms. Spears' "Oops!" marriage (well depending on whether you listen to the parents of the bride or the groom) this weekend in Las Vegas just made me laugh.

I am starting to the Dubya just might be right about the whole gay marriage issue... "Marriage is a sacred institution between a man and a woman...I will work...to do what is legally necessary to defend the sanctity of marriage."

The 12-hour foray into sacredness and sanctity for Britney and Jason Alexander (yes, this does sound like a Seinfeld episode...not that there's anything wrong with that!) just proves that heteros can't even provide adequate defense for "preserving the institution." It's easy as signing a piece of paper to do it...and another to get out of it.

So thanks again... and while I am at it... shout-outs to Liza and David, Billy Bob and Angelina...and Ben/JLo (even NOT getting married...yet...has furthered the "cause").
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Not too impressed with the first of the last 8 episodes of Sex in The City. The show started off strong with some of the classic girl "round-table" chat at the department store... Carrie's eye-winking take on the word "luvah," Charlotte being her blindly (whoops, I guess pun intended) optimistic self, Miranda all sarcastic/cynical, and Samantha being her blunt sexual self. But then what happened???

Miranda turns all soft and mushy with Steve. Really thinks Blair Underwood is deeply in love with her?? Underwood really in love with her enough to get "psycho"?? "Classic" Miranda would have just rolled her eyes said "we had great sex" followed by a big "Get over it/Whatever" and continued her march down the stairs.

Charlotte get the silly throw-away (and not terribly funny) story of the show...lately this has been Kim Cattrell's burden. The "blind" thing just gave her something (anything!) to do...and perhaps the swan-song of Mario Cantone's Anthony?!

Samantha getting all mushy... over cheating?!?! This should have been a no-regrets fun f*ck with her ex...okay, she could have felt a twinge of remorse but not to the extent she did.

Just hate the whole Carrie/Aleksander pairing. Like Carrie, I can't understand most of what he says... there is little chemistry... and last night's foray was just an excuse for an extended "Google" plug. We all know (well, hopefully!) Baryshnikov is going to be dancing off into the sunset.. so they should have ditched the dead wood in this episode.

Thanks to TV Guide... I know some spoilers for the rest of the season (I don't like knowing, but can't stop myself from reading them). This episode was pretty much
a transitional episode in preparation for the "end game." While I don't know how the show will truly end...it has to get better than this. Some of the upcoming story lines I feel okay about, others I am not quite sure... but I will be watching... can't believe the girls will be gone for good in two months time!
- posted by Ed | 1/05/2004 10:25:00 AM | | Link

Thursday, January 01, 2004

100 Things

For my first blog of 2004 I thought it would be fun to do the popular blogger excercise of "100 things"...I thought it was a tad egocentric at first... but as I trudged along it turned out to be pretty challenging. Surely, I thought I could easily rattle off 100 things about me, but after a quick 50 items or so... the soul-searching and hunt for minutiae kicked into high gear.

So, not in any particular order or importance (but some re-arranging)... here is my 100 things about me (plus one):

1. My story began in October 1967
2. Until I was about 25, I brainwashed people into remembering my birthday
3. I was born and lived in NJ for my first 22 years
4. I have one older brother and one nephew
5. I get along with my parents just fine
6. My family ancestry is Slovak and/or Austrian
7. My eyes are blue
8. I moved to Arizona in 1990
9. I have an MBA from Arizona State University
10. I chose ASU, pretty much based on the weather
11. I am a part-owner of a business and work out of my home
12. My job does not require or use my MBA (didn't help me to get it either)
13. I don't think I could commute or work in a "real" office ever again
14. This is only my 2nd "real" job I have held
15. At age 24, I told someone that I was gay for the first time
16. She told me I was throwing away my life and going to hell
17. The people I have told since have handled the news much better
18. I accidently outed myself to my brother's family - was sending two letters one to brother, one to a friend - put wrong letter in wrong envelope (I know bad sitcom episode material)
19. I have been happily "attached" since about 1994
20. We met online
21. About four months later, we thought it would be funny to meet in-person the first time at a Hooters
22. We have lived together since March 2002
23. Despite constant begging, growing up my parents would not allow me to have any pets
24. I currently have 4 pets - 2 dogs, 2 cats
25. My pet's comfort often takes priority over my own (is that why my back hurts when I get out of bed?)
26. I have had a harder time getting over the death of my pets than some of my family members
27. After college, I had $30k worth of student loan/credit card debt
28. I have been debt-free for over 5 years
29. I love going to Las Vegas
30. To date, I have never stayed in the same Vegas hotel more than once (that will have to change soon, running out of hotels!)
31. At a casino, I compulsively play video poker
32. On airplanes, I prefer the window seat
33. I hated being dragged to my brother's Little League baseball games when I was a kid
34. One of the highlights of my life, was attending Game 7 of the 2001 World Series.
35. I have season tickets for the Arizona Diamondbacks
36. I have season tickets for ASU's Broadway Across America
37. To date, I have seen over 40 different musicals on the stage
38. I have seen "Les Miserables" at least 6 times
39. My favorite musical is "Rent"
40. My first concert was Hall & Oates
41. I camped out overnight for tix to Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA" concert (circa 1985)
42. My recall of trivia from the 1980s sometimes scares people
43. I often can not remember where I left my car keys
44. I have a port-wine birthmark on my face and neck
45. Three years ago, I started laser treatments to remove the birthmark
46. I sleep on my side(s)
47. Most nights it takes me at least 30 minutes to fall asleep
48. I probably screw up my internal clock by sleeping "in" most weekends/days off
49. I like cooking, as long as it for more than just myself
50. Prior to moving to Arizona, I never had Mexican food.
51. My favorite food is Mexican
52. Prior to college, I had never had a topping on a pizza
53. My favorite pizza topping is pepperoni
54. I was president of my dorm
55. I didn't make any good friends in college until my junior year
56. Canada is the only "foreign" country I have been to
57. In 5th grade, I was hit by a car while riding my bicycle - I did not sustain any serious injuries
58. I probably watch too much TV
59. I think TiVo is one of the greatest products in the past 10 years
60. I talk to my mother at least twice a week on the phone
61. I talk to my dad about 4 times a year on the phone
62. For the most part, I don't like talking on the phone
63. I can't imagine politically supporting anyone other than a Democrat
64. I support the following charities: public television, humane society, Amnesty International and Heifer International
65. Reggie Jackson's 3 home-run World Series game occurred on my 10th birthday
66. I have a tendency to repeat myself
67. I needed to wear glasses since 4th grade, I have worn contacts since my sophomore year in college
68. I was a writer/photographer for two online tennis magazines for about 10 years
69. My favorite movies are probably Moonstruck and Fargo.
70. I was raised Roman Catholic, but can probably be best described as agnostic these days
71. I could probably eat a pound of pistachios in one sitting
72. I think floating on a pool raft is one of the great things in life
73. Thanks to a torrential downpour, my college graduation ceremony lasted less than 10 minutes
74. I don't like celery, mushrooms, or olives - but don't mind if they are fairly well-hidden in a dish
75. I joined a health club for the first time in my life in 2003
76. I have been pretty happy with the results thus far
77. I unconsciously crave constant positive reinforcement (I guess it conscious now)
78. I have a tendency to repeat myself
79. I have never owned a Michael Jackson album/CD
80. When I was a kid, my dentist did not use novacaine for fillings
81. Once I ran out of the dentist chair and right out the office door
82. After not going to the dentist for about 10 years, I now go for cleanings 3x/year
83. An overwhelming majority of my friends and family live out of state
84. I watch most of whatever HBO puts on Sunday nights
85. A week after I moved to Phoenix, the all-time record high temperature was broken (122 degrees F)
86. Give me "dry" heat over humidity any day
87. I still have a picture of me on top of the World Trade Center (August 1981)
88. I still have a reaction whenever the WTC in an old TV show or movie
89. I notice when the WTC is missing in post-2001 TV shows and movies
90. I have never had lobster
91. The first grouping on my "other blogs" list are people I have met in person
92. There are anywhere from 20 to 25 people on my Christmas card mailing list each year
93. I (or my family) have never had a live Christmas tree
94. I read/watch a lot of "year in review" magazines/tv shows
95. Public restrooms make me stressy
96. I have a strong preference for Pepsi over Coke
97. Tradings Spaces designer I would want to do my room: Vern, Designer I would want to work with: Genevieve
98. In 2nd grade, I had an after-school "fight" (over a girl, go figure!) scheduled - it never materialized
99. Browsing in a bookstore is one of my favorite things
100. The only place where I have been publicly gay "bashed" was in San Francisco (funny, huh?)
101. I don't think there are 100 interesting things to say about me

- posted by Ed | 1/01/2004 08:55:00 PM | | Link