Blog Over Troubled Water

Wednesday, June 30, 2004

BB5 Houseguests Unveiled

[Okay, I am bored today...leave me alone!]

Julie Chen's Summer Vacation, otherwise known as Big Brother, is back. The houseguests for the 5th edition have been revealed! To take a look at the hamsters for yourself, check out the houseguest home page here.

No surprise that the cast of 13 (7 men, 6 women) is composed of primarily pretty 20-somethings. But part of the appeal of this show is finding those who look good look good shirtless and/or in bikinis. Not a terribly diverse cast...only one man of color and I think I spotted the token gay guy already.

Here is the run-down:

Adria: 30, married web designer from Birmingham.

Diane: 22, cocktail waitress from Kentucky. Her motto "Treat people as they treat you"...hmmm, could be interesting.

Drew: 22, recent college grad from Ohio. Guess that means "unemployed"...definitely one of the pretty boys.

Holly: "In her 20s" (translation: 29), a model from LA. Self-proclaimed as "opinionated" and "dramatic"...uh oh.

Jase: 28, volunteer firefighter from IL. Self described as "crazy, crazy, crazy"...another looker.

Jennifer: 21, restaurant hostess from San Antonio. Seems like the "artsy" type... have a feeling she won't be part of the "in" clique.

Karen: 30, married portrait artist from NJ. Hilarious bio... saying the type of news she will miss the most is "Hearing how President 'Super-Genius' plans to get re-elected" and says she plans to "wind that House up tighter than a bull's a** in fly season."

Lori: 26, yoga instructor from Boston. Says she will win BB by "forming trusting relationships and being honest"... good luck honey!!

Marvin: 36, African American mortician from South Carolina. Plans to win over the house by being a "gourmet chef."

Michael: 23, security officer from Oklahoma, engaged with a son on the way.

Mike: 41, single dad and commercial painter from Michigan. Personal heroes are George W. and Rush Limbaugh... yowza, Mike meet Karen!

Scott: 26, sales rep from Pittsburgh. His motto is "no pain, no fame" and says one of the reasons he is on the show is for "exposure"... so aspiring actor/model. 6'4" and 210, btw.

Will: 26, registered nurse from Mississippi. Personal hero is SF mayor Gavin Newsome and says one of the news items he will miss most is "Whitney's latest tabloid trauma." So folks, who do you think is going to be his "Grace" in the BB house?

- posted by Ed | 6/30/2004 01:31:00 PM | | Link

4000K Club

Last night, it was a thrill to be at the ballpark and see Randy Johnson get his 4,000th strikeout. The Big Unit becomes only the 4th pitcher in MLB history to accomplish this feat. Despite being far from a sell-out for this Tuesday night game vs. the San Diego Padres, there was still a perceptible buzz at the ballpark from the moment I entered the ballpark with Johnson just 8 strikeouts away from the milestone.

Strikeout 3,999 was recorded in the 7th inning and all the ballpark video screen lit up with the number. The ballpark was seemingly on its feet for each and every pitch of the next inning. We loudly cheered each strike and groaned just as loudly when a Padre was retired with a ground-out or fly-out. Then it happened. With one out in the eighth, Jeff Cirillo swung for strike three! There was a firework-like display of camera flashes from the stands. The crowd erupted, almost missing (or barely caring) about Diamonbacks catcher, Robby Hammock, throwing out a player at third for a double play ... ending the inning.

Johnson publicly stated he did not want a stoppage of play at the big strikeout -- so it was nice that it came at the end of a half inning. The accomplishment deserved to be cheered loud and long -- and that is exactly what the 34,000+ fans did. Johnson tipped his cap to the appreciative crowd - sending up another roar. It was one of the longest ovation that I can remember anytime or anywhere (well barring the 2001 World Series). The crowd did not quiet until the next Diamondback stepped up to the plate to start the bottom of the 8th.

I have to admit to having a "Jessica Simpson" moment. After the strikeout, the Jumbotron showed the members of the "4000 K Club" (just for the record the others are Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens, and Steve Carlton). I turned to Todd and said ... "Shouldn't it be the 4K club, isn't 4000 K really the 4 million club?" Giving me his best "are you really that dumb" Nick look, I realized my error. In baseball lingo, a strikeout is referred to as a "K" -- so my interpretation of K being defined as a 1,000 was pretty darn stupid in this context. But heck, I don't think Jessica would know that a K can represent a 1,000 or a strikeout! [Though comparing my intelligence to Ms. Simpson might not be exactly patting myself on the back now that I think of it]

So thanks to Randy Johnson for giving us Diamondback fans two things cheer about this season -- first a rare perfect game and now this milestone career mark. They have been about the only 2 things to be happy about in this truly dismal season.

- posted by Ed | 6/30/2004 08:27:00 AM | | Link

Second "Life" for Metzger

Remember cutie Matt Metzger from this past season of American Idol? He of the killer smile, but slender-voice (recall his renditions of "Walking in Memphis" and "When I See You Smile"?). Matt has landed a new high-profile job -- not a singer, but as an actor. Despite limited acting experience, Metzger will be joining the cast of the ABC soap One Life To Live on August 23rd. He will be playing Drew Buchanan -- a character born in early 1990s but magically aged to 20-something for his return to the fictional town of Llanview. This is not some minor character either. Having watched OLTL on-and-off since high school, I know that the Buchanans are the central family in town... so Matt should be front and center...and I would guess I will be watching.


- posted by Ed | 6/30/2004 07:44:00 AM | | Link

Tuesday, June 29, 2004

"Amazing" Odds

My Amazing Race obsession continues today. Next week's TV Guide (with Elvis on the cover) has a feature article on this season's 11 teams. A Las Vegas oddsmaker (who happens to be a fan of the show as well) gave his expert input on who will prevail based on a sneak peek of the first episode (which btw, TVG honors with a rare "10" rating).

My pre-race analysis matches up fairly well with the oddsmaker. But then again, this isn't exactly brain surgery.

My Top Picks (LV odds):
Dennis & Erika (3-1): Formerly-engaged couple in their mid/upper 20s
Alison & Donnie (5-1): Big Brother runner-up and her college football playing boyfriend
Kami & Karli (7-1): 26-year old identical twins
Chip & Kim (10-1): 40-something married owners of a computer consulting company

My Middle of the Pack
Colin & Christie (2-1): Mid-20's, testing marriage potential
Marshall & Lance (4-1): Brothers/Restaurant owners
Nicole & Brandon (15-1): Bible-studying models

My Early Exits
Linda & Karen (10-1): Bowling Moms
Bob & Joyce (20-1): 61/54-year old Internet dating couple
Charla & Mirna (30-1): Cousins, Charla is a dwarf
Jim & Marsha (30-1): Father/Daughter

- posted by Ed | 6/29/2004 11:50:00 AM | | Link

Monday, June 28, 2004

Reality Round-Up

Watched the 2nd episode of The Casino. Slightly better than the debut, but still not very "real." Maybe I should just get that thought out of mind. As I mentioned in the last post, most of the action seems pretty staged. This week's titillating storyline involved a young married couple being lured into swingers party. In no way did you feel like you just happened upon these folks and watched their story unfold. I think the couple's "what the heck" attitude was more playing a part in a "reality show" than any serious thought of actually swinging.
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While it is probably just as staged, I still feel like more of a fly on the wall while watching The Discovery Channel's American Casino. I am still an episode behind, but the latest episode I watched had another great Ninya-Michael smackdown. This time Michael pummeling Nina for missing a staff meeting on her day off... a day off that Michael apparently approved. When I get back to Vegas, I think I will have to give Ninya a high-five for putting up with his crap. I am still not terribly impressed with Wayne, the director of marketing. His events never seem to go all that well and he spends much of his time worry about impressing the big boss, Joe. Well, Wayne a word of advice... getting drunk off your ass and diving into a pool while on a company "research trip" to check out other casino bars is not the way to win over the boss (especially when he seems to be a pretty conservative guy)!
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I think Nick and Jessica are losing some steam in Season 3 of their "reality" trip. I am putting most of the blame on Jessica's friend/"manager" Cacee. I think she is dragging them and the show down. She is not very likeable (or at least "edited" that way) -- and while Nick's "get out of my house" side remarks are funny, it already seems to be already a broken record in only episode two. While they had fun with a "Three's Company" theme-song in this last episode -- I am definitely feeling more like original adage -- that, in this scenario... three is a crowd.
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Good news on the reality horizon -- two of my summer staples, Big Brother and The Amazing Race popped up on my TiVo "to do" list over the weekend...quite excited about that. Both shows premier with 90 minute episodes on July 6th.

Also, Kevin and Drew Unleashed featuring the frat bros from TAR1 debuts on The Discovery Channel on July 8th. I believe it is 10pm EST ...but check your listings...and hey Discovery Channel give these guys their own place on your website like the rest of your shows!

- posted by Ed | 6/28/2004 01:08:00 PM | | Link

Friday, June 25, 2004

Roddick and "The Casino" -- Baah!

Hopefully Mandy Moore has moved onto a smarter beau...

On a special Wimbledon edition of "The Weakest Link" (which I hear is still very popular across the pond), Andy Roddick was asked "What is a female sheep called that sounds like a letter of the alphabet."

The top ranked American male tennis player's response was “baah.”
I would have loved to have heard what host Anne Robinson had to say about that one.

At least Roddick had a sense of humor about it, commenting later: "I knew going in my ignorance was going to shine through. You'd be shocked at the things I don't know." Hopefully, he'll do better this week on the tennis court.
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Finally got around to watching the first episode of Mark Burnett's The Casino on Fox. I must have knew something if it took me almost two weeks. While Burnett is the king of manipulating "reality," this had to be one of the poorest examples I have ever seen.

There is this obnoxious high roller/card-counter who says he feels like he is being watched... umm... was being followed around by a tv camera your first clue? There is a backstage discussion between a young crooner and the hotel's entertainment big-wig that was so stilted... they should have just gone ahead and showed us the cue cards. Then you have owners, Tim and Tom, tee-hee-heeing at the door of a raucous frat-boy virgin-deflowering party -- don't they have better things to do? And certainly let's not worry about other hotel guests who might want some peace and quiet. Finally, I won't even get into Mr. Obnoxius getting set-up with a transvestite.

So we'll see... will keep it on the TiVo as long as there is plenty of space but that is about it... but otherwise, I am happier with my folks over at American Casino.

- posted by Ed | 6/25/2004 12:43:00 PM | | Link

Thursday, June 24, 2004

Gym Names

The gym is an interesting place. For the most part you are among strangers -- but stranger who you often see at least once a week (if not several times a week if both parties are being "good" about your fitness regime).

Since I am a people-watcher, I find myself giving these people names/titles. This makes conversation (either internal or w/ Todd) about them so much easier.

The most popular naming convention is to use names of TV characters that they remind me of:

I seem to be fairly on the same schedule as Roz. She seems very dedicated to her workout schedule... does her cardio, has her gloves for the weight machines and free weights -- and she reminds me of Peri Gilpen's character from "Frasier."

I haven't seen CJ much lately... she was one of the rare folks at the gym that would actually say "hello" to a familiar face (that being me). She is a quite tall (and dare I add big-boned) woman, but very fit. She also has this lesbian vibe about her (though I think she is dating a black guy)... of course, she reminds of Alison Janney from "The West Wing."

Other "celebrities" that I have not seen lately include: Carmela (from "The Sopranos") a middle-age blond woman with impeccable taste in workout gear and Joe Millionnaire a somewhat dead-ringer for Evan Marriott...same beefy build and I am guessing the IQ to match.

Other people I name based on the physical characteristics:

There is Little Black Guy...a very diligent worker at the gym, but yes he is about 5'4" and African American. I know not terribly politically correct...at all!

One of our all-time faves at the gym is Slow Walker. This guy is a total muscle stud. Incredible upper body and arms (which he constantly shows off in his tight tanks), always with a baseball cap on (turned the "correct" way...not backwards), and always with track pants (I guess he doesn't work on those legs too much!). As the name suggest, he casually walks his way across the gym floor. I would pretty much put it at the pace of all those military guards at Reagan's funeral. His arms also swing just as slowly as he walks. But no complaints about his speed (or lack thereof)... more time to enjoy the view.

We have had the recent arrival of The Twins. Two studly early 20-something brothers. If their identical features were not enough they also seem to wear the same exact workout clothes (which seems just a little strange!). The first time I saw them was off a mirror and I really thought there was only one of them...until I saw two bodies actually pass by. I guess I should come up with another name, since MAK over at 'Til The Cows Come Home has already documented his own set of twins at his gym.

Alas it has been a while since we have seen Wonder Boy -- yet another studly twenty-something who had a penchant for wearing Nike lycra muscle shirts to the gym. Like the super heroes, he definitely had some nice nipple action going on.

I am sure they are many, many others...but those are the ones that jump to mind immediately. I haven't thought about it...but I fear for what names others might be coming up with me. Perhaps if you read a similar blog entry that talks about "Muscle Shirt NOT! Guy" or "Mr. Wannabee" that could be me!

- posted by Ed | 6/24/2004 01:02:00 PM | | Link

Wednesday, June 23, 2004

I Am Not Stalking David Sedaris

Saw David Sedaris last night. I think this was either the 3rd or 4th time around (the more I think about, I think it was the 4th). Most of the time when he hits the Valley he stops at the local arts center theater (as opposed to a bookstore) - where he reads from his book (he is currently plugging his #1 bestseller Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim -- well #1 at least until Clinton's book hits the charts), other published material, as well as from his diary...and one of the best parts...audience Q&A. As usual, he was hilarious -- just the standard bizarre tales that make up his life (as well as our own, these are stories we can usually relate to in some way). Just love his style and sense of humor (very dry/sardonic).

When we entered the lobby, we were a bit surprised to see that he was signing books before the show. I had not planned to buy the new book (I am still deep in Anna Karenina) and/or get it signed. I have several signed books of his already and knew the line would be fairly long after the show...I knew I wouldn't feel like hanging around (especially on a "school" night). But since the line was not terribly long, I decided to buy the book and got on line to get it signed.

One time in the past, Sedaris said he recognized me. I told him I had been to a couple of his past shows/signings. I always thought this was strange. I don't think of myself as very memorable (no green hair, a pierced eyebrow, or anything terribly "distinctive")... but figured maybe he just says this to every 38th person on line or something (though this doesn't really seem like his MO).

As "show time" approached, a staff person comes up to me to tell me they are cutting the signing line off at me. Immediately I go into a fairly pathetic whine about why I have to be the lucky person. This does not work. The woman infers that Sedaris asked the line to be cut at the guy in the striped shirt (the person in front of me). Of course, I take it personally. Did he remember me? If so, did he think I am a some kind of stalker?

Since we had great seats (4th row), we were one of the last folks to get back out to the lobby after the show. As expected, it was a madhouse with a lengthy line already formed (btw, Sedaris -- a gleefully compulsive smoker -- gives "line" priority to those smokers who have cigarettes on hand). It was already approaching my bed time...so there was no way I was sticking around... unsigned book in hand, I left.

Perhaps when cutting the line, Sedaris knew he would be providing me with the material one can find in one of his essays ... and I guess that is just what he did!

- posted by Ed | 6/23/2004 07:52:00 AM | | Link

Monday, June 21, 2004

Cat Update / Bill and the Big W Blitz Begins

Well, first a quick cat update. Sorry folks, I have a feeling this is going to be my life for awhile so it will be seeping in this blog...but I will try and spare you most of the daily grind. Marius had some blood taken on Friday and unfortunately (despite him seeming more peppy) nothing dramatically changed over last week's 4 days of medical attention. The vet seems more considered with the results from his liver than from his kidneys (despite the kidney-related counts seeming more out of whack than anything else). So tomorrow, I am taking him back to the vet for another round of fluids and to get some medication that will address his liver concerns. An ultrasound of his liver also may be coming up in the not-so-distant future.

I have a feeling this is going to be a long haul. At his age (14 years old), I don't expect him ever to be 100% healthy again... but on the other hand, he does not seem quite ready for his voyage to the "Rainbow Bridge" (the name of a knife-in-the-heart that dubs "pet heaven" as the "Rainbow Bridge"...no nothing related at all to Gay Pride). I am anticipating a lot trial-and-error with drugs and diagnostic tests. I am sure he will be around for awhile..and that I am truly glad for...but I think it will still be pretty mentally draining for the time being.
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So did you all catch Bill Clinton on 60 Minutes last night? In a creepy reality-show kind of way, I really wish we could have seen Bill tell Hillary about his "terrible moral error." I have to say he is still a terribly charismatic guy. I am surprised I have not read any blog entries about it...figured us Democratic bloggers would be rallying around 'ole Bill...if anything just to counterbalance all the hullabaloo over Reagan the week before last.

We are still keeping hopes that Clinton will come and sign his book at our local bookstore as Hillary did back in January -- but thus far Arizona is not a planned stop on his month-long book tour. Hey Bill, we're a battleground state...so c'mon down!
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This morning began my first of hundreds of hours watching Wimbledon coverage. And since it is the Big W, it goes without saying that there have been already four rain delays.

However, there were some great stories already from Day 1: 47-year old Martina Navratilova easily won her first singles match at Wimbledon since losing in the finals 10 years ago and 2001 champion Goran Ivanisevic won his first round -- this will be the Croat's last tournament having not played at Wimbledon due to a plague of injuries since winning it all three years ago.

Also in the news today, a plea from the Wimbledon superintendent of police: "I would appeal to people not to turn up with any sort of weapon that they don't need".

So just to repeat, for those of you headed to the All England Club only bring weapons that you feel you will need.

I know these are serious times and people are stupid...but this just made me chuckle.

- posted by Ed | 6/21/2004 12:57:00 PM | | Link

Thursday, June 17, 2004

Sick Kitty

They are getting to know me again well at the vet's office. I took my 14-year old male cat Marius (yes, set the my flame to high... he is named after the character from Les Miserables and also from Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles series) to the vet on Tuesday since I was concerned about his lack of appetite and weight loss. Having been through this before, I correctly figured blood would be taken and we would go from there. Always a stocky (not fat...really!) cat, he had dropped 4 lbs. since being at the vet sometime last year. He was also pumped with some fluids to help out with some dehydration.

Wednesday morning the vet called with the results. It was not great news. It appears he is having some kidney failure and there were so many things wrong with all these different blood counts that after about 2 minutes I stopped writing them all down on my piece of paper. The vet might as well as punched me in the stomach. I have been through cat kidney problems once before and I know that is not a great thing. The vet recommended that I come in for some more fluids, antibiotics, and a special food to help the situation out. Despite seeming like he shouldn't even be alive based on those blood test results, the vet led me to believe that all this could be recoverable.

This morning I got back from another round of fluids (this in hopes of flushing out his system and getting things back working properly) and tomorrow I go back for yet another round of fluids and another blood test to see if he is bouncing back. While I never thought Marius was in that bad of shape even before going to the vet at all...I have to say it does seem like he has perked up a bit with all this medical attention...so perhaps things have been caught in time.

It is a hard line to walk that is for sure. I want to remain realistic about his chances, but of course I want to hold onto hope that he will be around for a little longer. I lost a cat to cancer last July, so it seems much too soon to be going through this again. Not that there is ever a "good" time to lose a pet.

Marius is the last survivor of my first "generation" of cats. I was never allowed to have a four-legged pet when I was growing up. I eventually landed a parakeet when I was in junior high...but that was after a decade or more of begging. When I moved out on my own in 1990, within a month I had two cats. Maggie, the first, who I lost last year and Marius. Within a year, that ballooned to two more cats ... not the smartest thing I have ever done, but I guess I was making up for lost time. So while each pet passing has been devastating in its own way (the first time, the long illness, the out-of-nowhere illness), I am dreading the day when Marius goes. He is about the only thing that has lasted through all these years as I made a new life out West. He has been with me since month-one in Arizona - grad school, 7+ months of unemployment, two jobs, four homes, and six other four-legged roommates. That is alot!

So I will do my best for him. Do whatever I can that will help (within in reasonable cost, which I would guess is quite a lot for me) or make the right decision if that most heart-breaking of decisions has to be me. (For those of you in the "it's just a dog/cat" camp, I don't need to hear from you! ) Having gone through my other pet illnesses, he does not seem as sickly as the others have been -- so at this hour... hope is winning out over resignation. But I know that can all change tomorrow or the next day.

- posted by Ed | 6/17/2004 11:40:00 AM | | Link

Wednesday, June 16, 2004

Not Enough Sex on MTV?

It looks like the upcoming season of The Newlyweds (starting tonight) should be interesting. Jessica's road manager and best friend CaCee (ignore the annoying spelling - it is pronounced "Casey") moves into Casa Lachey and Nick is going to be odd man out. The preview article can be found here - but this exchange was a hoot, so I have to share it here:

And that's not the only problem the couple is facing, as we discover in an episode when Jessica berates Nick for not opening her car door.

"You always opened doors for me when we first got married," she says.
"Well, when we first got married," he says, "I was getting laid."
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In other MTV news, two gay guys are part of the upcoming season of Road Rules (this incarnation is dubbed "Road Rules X-Treme"). While this would normally be enough to compel me to tune in (reality show! gay guys!), I don't think I will. With the exception of Nick & Jessica and a slight foray into The Real World: Las Vegas, I have not consistently watched anything on MTV since The Real World: New Orleans -- so in other words, I am getting old!

But back to the boys. The two are featured in an article in the July 2004 issue of Out Magazine (the cover and "fashion" feature is "Rugby Rocks", for my rugby readers out there). There is Danny, a 21-year old buffed-out guy with an "impressive" sexual history, who is counterbalanced by Nick - dubbed the "virgin." Well, I guess it depends on your definition. The 22-year old Nick says he is only a virgin to "anal intercourse" (can we make it a little more cold/formal sounding? but I guess I should just think about the Google hits I am going to get on this one!). Further elaborating on that activity, he adds, "I'm not willing to do it just get it out of the way...I'm not in a rush to get it done, but it will happen sooner or later."

While I certainly respect a person's decision to wait... this poor guy sounds like he is talking more about getting wisdom teeth extracted than sex! For his sake, I hope he finds the right partner the first (second? third!?) time around.

- posted by Ed | 6/16/2004 08:53:00 AM | | Link

Monday, June 14, 2004

Six and Sin

I thought last week was depressing enough... and that was before I saw Nancy's last goodbye at the Reagan Library!, But I should have known that the season premiere of Six Feet Under would not be the "cheer me up" anecdote that I was looking for. Much of the press that I read going into this season's SFU has not been terribly positive - about the show in general, that is -- needless to say, the tone of the show always seems to have a dark cloud hanging over it.

I thought the first episode was excellent. Picking up the right where last season left off, we are once again a voyeur into the very complex relationships of the Fisher clan. As the network's tagline goes... it's not TV. There are never any tidy bows in place or any clear future paths for each of the characters. Like a novel, you could easily have a group discussion about the episode. Nate's decision regarding Lisa, Claire's discussion with Russell, Brenda's motives and feelings, and David and Keith... by far the most three-dimensional gay relationship ever put on the small screen. I am definitely looking forward to seeing how this all plays out over the summer.
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Thankfully there is some lighter TV material out there... caught the 2nd episode of The Discovery Channel's American Casino. Being a Sin City aficionado, I have to say this show is totally taking away all the mystique of working for a hotel casino. While fun to watch, it is impossible to not get a little stressed out. The principals are pretty much are on duty 24 hours a day. I have not been terribly impressed by the folks in charge at the Green Valley Ranch (an off-strip casino located in Henderson, NV) . They definitely have not taken any management classes - unless relentlessly berating your employees is the new "in" management philosophy these days. Particularly hard to watch in this past episode were the exchanges between Michael (Hotel Operations VP) and Ninya (Hotel Manager). There were some missteps regarding treatment of some VIPs and Michael sarcastically ripped Ninya a new one time and time again. Granted Ninya does not strike me as the most ideal employee on the planet, but I would probably end up having that permanent "eat sh*t and die" smile on my face too if I had to deal with this guy.

I just hope by the time this was filmed (it appears earlier this year since episodes have centered around the Super Bowl and Valentine's Day) and now that it is airing that these "team members" have had a chance to work past their differences. I can't imagine that these people can work with each other if they are just "learning" some of this stuff as these episodes air.

Mark Burnett's The Casino starts tonite on Fox. It sounds an awful lot like AC - with a slightly different angle as two dot.com millionaires buy out and hope to restore downtown LV's Golden Nugget Casino back to its Rat Pack/glory days image. But like AC, it appears to be a straight "behind-the-scenes" show (none of the weekly eliminations ala Burnett's other reality successes, Survivor and The Apprentice). I am sure Burnett will be more flashy and "dramatically" edited. But I still am liking the trials and tribulations of the folks on the other end of town.

- posted by Ed | 6/14/2004 10:44:00 AM | | Link

Friday, June 11, 2004

Heavy-Hearted For One More Day

As someone who can (and without too much guilt does) "watch" television for most of the work day, weeks like this are kind of tough on the psyche. I know I could turn off the television - or pop on over to VH-1 - but during weeks like these I rarely reach for the remote...even when I know that it is going to have a negative impact on my mental state.

My whole reaction to the death of Ronald Reagan caught me a little off guard. I could not get caught up in the fact that he was a Republican (and all that entails) -- it was quite simply that a president had died...and that is a major event. While it is certainly not required that you like the man, I still think there should be respect for the office. Agreed with the politics or not, just think of the hundreds of millions of Americans that have lived over the 228 year-old life of this country - and Reagan was only 1 of 43 men who have held the highest office in the land.

Sure there are plenty of things that Reagan did (or didn't do) that deserve criticism...but I think that is something that can be debated in the years, decades, and centuries to come. While the praise was overblown at times during the week, I have to admit that I would not want anything different for myself. None of us are perfect, we certainly don't do thing to please every single person we know. It may not be "right" at the time...or even 20 years down the road but for the most part we are all just trying to do our best.

In that same spirit, I do not not want to hear about womanizing or heroin addiction -- but rather just reflect on the wonderful musical contributions Ray Charles made to the world. We were lucky enough to witness Ray Charles sing his classic interpretation of "America The Beautiful" during Game 2 of the 2001 World Series. We had paid a small fortune for seats just behind the Diamondbacks dugout for that game -- and figured it was worth it -- but when we read that Charles would be performing there was little thought about money. His performance was something that we will never forget. The news re-played it last night and it is still goose-bump inducing. It is still one of our fondest memories of the Series....only topped by our team's dramatic win in Game 7.

So it has been one of those weeks. These deaths bring that whole darn mortality thing to the front of our minds. This week, I have thought about the loved ones that I have lost... and perhaps in a more truly depressing way, those that lie ahead. Sure it gives us a well-deserved kick in the bottom... we should appreciate our own lives and those of our friends and families...but I am sure it won't take too long to get caught back up in all the stuff that gets pummels those types of thoughts back down into the recesses of our minds...and that is probably a good thing.

Life goes on...and so does the show... tonite we see our last Broadway show of the season - Oklahoma! Nothing better to cheer up a gay boy like a musical, huh?!

Have a good weekend and next week, we return you to your normally scheduled frothy and irreverent (or should I say, irrelevant) blog!

- posted by Ed | 6/11/2004 02:42:00 PM | | Link

Thursday, June 10, 2004

Slow Down, You Move Too Fast

Got a new driver's license yesterday. My old one was about 10 years old. I have moved twice since then, so I figured it was time. And besides the new ones are pretty spiffy -- no dull white background, but a beautiful vista of the Grand Canyon!

The parking lot was packed (the middle of a Wednesday afternoon?) and upon entering the office it seemed as if there were 5 people for every car in the parking lot. I went to the information desk told them what I wanted to do (I was also paying for my car registration) and was issued a letter and a number - C102. I did my paperwork and sat. A computerized female voiced announced the next letter-number and which window to proceed to. After about 15 minutes, I determined that there were 9 letters in use (A thru I) and when a "C" number was finally announced I was about 23 "C" people away.

I watched the DMV window workers... most seemed fairly efficient despite having computers that seemed to be circa 1982. I wondered if they had "pong" on them? Granted there were a few employees that appeared virtually exhausted between customers (c'mon press the button for the next number already!). The announcements jumped all over the alphas. At one point, I don't think a "C" number was called in 25 minutes time. An hour later, my letter-number was called. Paid for my registration, paid for my new license (only $4!), and got a new picture taken -- a process that took 10 minutes from start to finish!

My business partner told me I should bring a book. I did not. Despite the DMV having one of the worst service reputations, I figured how bad could it be? I guess an hour wait is really not all that bad (given their rep - but when you are in the midst of it, it seemed interminable!

And speaking of interminable, upon returning from the DMV I watched the Reagan funeral procession to the Capitol and the Rotunda ceremony. In this whizzing world we now live in, I just want (need!) things to go just a little bit faster. But I guess there are some things that are meant to be slow - the DMV and presidential funeral processions are just two of them.

- posted by Ed | 6/10/2004 08:40:00 AM | | Link

Wednesday, June 09, 2004

Amazing Race 5: Teams Unveiled!

Hurray, the rumors of CBS pushing TAR5 until the fall are untrue and the race is scheduled to begin on July 6th with a special 90-minute episode.

You can find the teams on the CBS The Amazing Race Home Page.

Wisely, the producers have not included any 20/30-something all-male stud teams this time around ... that demo has won 3 of the 4 shows. The exception was poor Zach dragging Flo's ass around the world in TAR3.

Here are the teams and my take keeping in mind that this is purely based on past TARs.

Kami & Karli - 26 year old twins from Oregon. Self described as "very competitive" but having a love-hate relationship. So a toss-up depending on which one of those attributes win out.

Marshall & Lance - Brothers and restaurant owners. The only all-male team this year, but just based on their picture fitness does not appear to be their strong point.

Chip & Kim - Mid 40's married, parents of 3, both business owners. They say they spend 23 hours a day with each other...by choice. They look fit...and with that kind of connection they seem like they could go far.

Alison & Donnie - Big Brother 4 runner-up and her college football playing boyfriend. A young and fit team that should do well as long as they don't turn into Zach/Flo Part II. Even if you hated her in BB4, you can't deny she is a tough competitor.

Colin & Christie - Mid 20-something... testing their marriage potential...always a risky proposition! Christie is a Miss Teen USA winner who "hates to lose" but is always late...

Linda & Karen - 40-something bowling moms. If past shows are any indication, don't get too attached to this team.

Dennis & Erika - Mid 20's and formerly engaged. The stress of the Race are tough enough without dragging your Ex along. Dennis broke the engagement after Erika (a wedding planner, no less!) went skydiving naked! This team is a wildcard... emphasis on wild.

Jim & Marsha - Father and daughter. Again, never a hugely successful TAR combination... mostly coming down to the parent (here age 53) not being able to keep up with the child (age 26). But Jim is Vietnam vet...so who knows!

Charla & Mirna - 27 year old cousins...between them they speak 4 languages (including French & Spanish). In a TAR first, Charla is a dwarf...which may prove challenging on the physical aspect of the show.

Brandon & Nicole - 20-something dating couple. Ah, the pretty young things team... a model and actress respectively...but their relationship is "God-centered." Age is on their side...but sounds like they are not used to roughing it.

Bob & Joyce - 61 & 54 year old couple who are dating and met on the Internet. We all usually love the "elder" team, but in the bunch of youngsters it is going to take something special to even make it to the halfway point.

So purely on paper, I am liking:
Alison & Donnie, Chip & Kim, Kami & Karli, Dennis & Erika

...and early "Phil-iminations" of:
Bob & Joyce, Charla & Mirna, Jim & Marsha, Linda & Karen

- posted by Ed | 6/09/2004 11:43:00 AM | | Link

Tuesday, June 08, 2004

Teflon Retired

Is it really any surprise that Ronald Reagan is being lauded as one of the greatest presidents ever? If you ask the average person on the street (well at least one that can name a president or two) what the Reagan legacy is, I would guess the majority (and I included myself on this one) will name the end of the Cold War including the famous "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall" line...even if it just amounted to placing the last card atop an already shaky house of cards.

On that "top of mind" quiz, Reagan is about as positive as you can get. Try it on the current roster of living presidents:

Ford - the specter of Nixon
Carter - the Iran hostage crisis
George H. - Reagan's shadow, Persian Gulf War, "read my lips"
Clinton - two words: Ms. Lewinsky
George W. - should have been catapulted up by 9/11, but crash-and-burned in Iraq and on the world stage

I know Reagan was not a political saint - like I said yesterday, I am not a fan of the man or his political party. But even in death, he is still teflon-coated. Unlike the men above, the stuff I noted above is sticking to their pans and no amount of scrubbing (or scrubbing bubbles) is going wipe it clean.

I am not sure Reagan would have been able to shake it in today's world. Things seem more devisive these days. With the 24-hour news cycle, the Internet...and yes, even blogging... I think it is virtually impossible to viewed as a success in the White House. In a post-Monica, post-9/11, current Iraq war world... the media is a relentless attack dog and the public is a eager participant in wanting things turned upside-down and inside-out. It is the ultimate reality show ... with failure being far more engaging (dare I say entertaining or even desirable) than success?

- posted by Ed | 6/08/2004 03:46:00 PM | | Link

Monday, June 07, 2004

The Long Goodbye

The death of former President Ronald Reagan was surprisingly a bit emotional for me. It was not so much over his actual passing. I was in high school for most of his administration... and in those days, I had little care of politics or even who was President (though I still think I deemed myself a Democrat even back then). By the end of this week, I am sure Reagan will be viewed as nothing short of a saint. There will certainly be time to debate his legacy...but it was hard to be partisan this weekend and likely will be for the rest of this week. [UPDATE: Well...after a quick blog read-around - maybe not, that's what great about this country!]

However, most of my emotions did not focus on the former president, but his wife Nancy. In her appearances over the past few years you could see the deep sadness in her eyes and a voice that could not help but tremble when speaking of her husband's health.

My family had its own bout with Alzheimer's Disease. During the last several years of her life, my grandmother sank into the depths of Alzheimer's and almost took my mother, her 24-hour a day caretaker, down with her. I found it so poignant that in the President's last letter to the American public where he disclosed his Alzheimer's diagnosis that he worried most about the impact it would have on his wife.

The depths of the disease I think are truly immeasurable. One can only imagine what occurs in the failing mind of the one afflicted. But the scars are much more evident in the caretakers. It is a disease that only gets worse. One can not look down the well and see the bottom. It gets deeper and darker each day, each week, each month, each year.

I have heard that Reagan's illness brought greater understanding of Alzheimer's to the public. I do not know about that. With my grandmother (who suffered for many of the same years as Reagan), there was still a lot of fear and misunderstanding among other family members. My grandmother's sister was particularly harsh on my mother... choosing to believe the dementia-infused rants of her sister over my mother's version. My mother experienced many hurt feelings over this, but continually bit her tongue and repeated that mantra that she just "does not understand." In a cruelly karmic twist, my great-aunt is now dealing with her own husband's Alzheimer's. My great-aunt has since pleaded forgiveness...and my mother has been truly remarkable... offering any assistance she can (a trip to the grocery store, a much needed lunch out of the house) to the woman who was so critical of her just a few years back.

My grandmother was a giver. Baking dozens of holiday cookies. Knitting baby blankets. Making Christmas ornaments. Sending out birthday and anniversary cards seemingly an a daily basis. But where were these recipients of those gifts when she was slipping away? Visits to the house did not happen and even a phone call from a niece or nephew or whoever was a rare event. Again it was probably fear, who does not want to be recognized by a loved one...or to see a shell of a person they knew?

My parents were virtual prisoners in their own home. But dare to vent about this and that would even draw criticism. My mom would hear that she "chose her path"... that she could have sent my grandmother to a nursing home... that she did not need to sacrifice or put her life on hold. My mother never viewed it as a choice...it was just the right thing to do, what had to be done. I found this to be most deplorable... that people ever accused of her of playing the martyr.

I was not physically there with my parents and grandmother at the end. My support was limited to being an ear on the other side of a weekly (or sometimes multiple times/week) phone call. My mother actually discouraged me from returning home during that time. I think she wanted to preserve the fond memories I had of my grandmother... something that she was unable to maintain herself. My mom had a great relationship with her mother (they talked daily on the phone while I was growing up)...but the disease and years of caretaking virtually erased most of it. I find to be the most heartbreaking thing -- that my mom has little of a positive memory left of her mother. Almost five years later, my mom I think is finally breaking out and getting over it. But it has had a profound affect on her... and certainly the rest of us.

So again, my thoughts are with Nancy Reagan this week. A woman I never thought I would relate to on any level in my lifetime. The caretakers of those with Alzheimer's earn my utmost respect... for their unselfishness, their bravery, their strength and their perseverance. It is truly a blessing when "the long goodbye" comes to an end. The tears may flow... but they are more often than of relief, not of sadness. You have mourned the loss of your loved one... each and every day... for far too many days.
- posted by Ed | 6/07/2004 11:29:00 AM | | Link

Friday, June 04, 2004

Give My Regards To Broadway

If I was still living back East, there is little doubt that I would be heading to Broadway a lot this summer.  The tourist season seems to bring on a bevy of stunt-casting - mostly to breathe some life into the ticket sales (especially those shows that have been around for awhile).  I would definitely be suckered in.

I think I have seen Rent three times.  It ranks up there as one of my favorite musicals, so I do not need any additional motivation to see it yet again.   I believe Melanie Brown (aka Scary Spice) is currently playing Mimi, but what would really get me to see it is Queer Eye's Jai Rodriguez returning to the role of Angel (for a brief 2-week run in July) as well as the all-time American Idol martyr, Frenchie Davis, as part of the ensemble (I think she does the feature solo for the 2nd act opener, "Seasons of Love").  For fans of MTV's The Newlyweds (as well as those who remember the 98 Degrees), Drew Lachey (Nick's bro) is set for a Broadway debut as Mark later this year.   Rumors are still swirling (an article as recent as this week) that Rent is headed to the big screen with Chris Columbus writing/directing and Justin Timberlake "dying to do it" (in the role of Roger).  But we have been hearing this stuff for years now!

Next on my stunt-casting tour would be Paige Davis as Roxie Hart in Chicago.  Yes, Paige Davis from TLC's Trading Spaces.  This is not as much as a stretch as you would think (now Melanie Griffith in the role, that is a stretch!).  Before becoming one of the perkiest hostesses on television, Paige was in the touring production of Beauty and the Beast (as the feather duster, Babette) and also understudied Chicago for the likes of Chita Rivera and Marilu Henner as well as a featured performer in the Las Vegas incarnation of the show.  In other casting news on this one, Wayne Brady will once again be gainfully employed later this year when he takes over the role of Billy Flynn.

Then there are a couple of plays (both limited summer runs) that would interest me due to the casting of some of my favorite actors.  Arthur Miller's After The Fall stars Six Feet Under's Peter Krause and Carla Gugino, most recently screwed over this past season as ABC's Karen Sisco.  I have no idea what the play is about, but I find them both smoldering...so I hope it is something that they can both be sexy in.  Also there is the lovely Laura Linney (forever Mary Ann Singleton from "Tales of the City" for me) and Ben Shenkman (most recently seen in HBO's "Angels in America") in Sight Unseen.

Finally, one show that I would probably skip is James Getzlaff's Off-Broadway debut in "My Big Gay Italian Wedding."  Yes, that James Getzlaff - the main "boy" from Bravo's pretty darn awful Boy Meets Boy gay-straight reality show from last summer.  First, I am sick of anything these days that begins with the words "My Big..." and secondly I did not think Getzlaff did a very good job playing himself on television.  Perhaps he took some lessons, but he seemed way too shy/reserved to be any kind of actor ... maybe gal pal Andra is helping him out in the wings.

- posted by Ed | 6/04/2004 10:21:00 AM | | Link

Thursday, June 03, 2004

Idol Withdrawal

Ok, I admit to experiencing some Idol withdrawal.  After writing about the show a couple of times per week for the last several months, it did (does) seem a little strange not to have anything to talk about...well at least about the show.  Fantasia and Diana are still making the media rounds - so let's talk about that.

Going into the finale, Ryan Seacrest vowed not to tip off the finalists before announcing the winner.  Last year, Clay admitted to glancing down at Ryan's card and noticing the length of the name -- and knowing it was too long to be his.  So this year, Ryan buckled down and proved up to the task of actually memorizing the winner's name instead of reading it off the card.  But all his hard work did not matter as Diana admits that she figured out she probably had not won even before going on the stage for the results show.  Blame the producers, who informed the bubbly Snellvillian that she would be singing "I Believe" as the last song prior to the announcement.  Diana is no dummy and quickly deduced that they would not have the winner sing "I Believe" before than announcement and then sing it again (a few moments later) to close out the show.

Speaking of the new Idol anthem, Fantasia has been hitting the East Coast talk shows and belting "I Believe" out wherever she goes.  The Fantasia detractors have always had issues with her voice (my "favorite" was someone thanking her for letting them know what it sounds like when a live cat goes through a meat grinder -- I even had to laugh at that one even being of Fantasia and felines) -- but even I think she has sounded pretty darn screechy (or is it pitchy?!) in her recent appearances.  I think she is just pretty much ready for the media tour to be over, despite happily BoBo-ing her way out onto the sets there definitely some fatigue in her eyes and I think that is also showing in her voice.  She still puts a lot of emotion into the song...but the voice is sounding pretty rough and ragged.  Better rest up those vocal chords for the big tour!

Finally, I was a bit surprised to just read that it will be battling Idol singles.  With last year's slither of a win for Ruben, I was not surprised about the decision to have Clay release a single... but even with a larger margin of victory Fantasia and Diana will be hitting the charts together.  Fantasia releases the "I Believe" single on June 15th... with Diana following up with a still-unknown single the following week.  While I am happy for Diana and hope she does well, I am not sure if going head-to-head so soon again with Fantasia is a great idea.  I think a lot of the support for Diana was more "anti-Fantasia,"  so I am not sure if that is going to translate into sales for Diana.  But who knows.  She could be the next Clay Aiken ... or Justin Guarini?

- posted by Ed | 6/03/2004 01:23:00 PM | | Link

Wednesday, June 02, 2004

Corporate Squashing

I picked up a copy of Anna Karenina (more on that later).  As noted yesterday, my intention was to support our independent book store instead of one of the corporate beheamoths (or as Barbara Kingsolver, a staunch independent bookstore champion, noted "bookstores that begin with the letter B"), but guess what... they didn't even have the Oprah edition of the AK in stock!   They had plenty of the O's other selections, so it wasn't like they aren't doing the Oprah thing.  Maybe the shipment was late due to the holiday, but I could not help but think of the number of sales they have lost from the Pavlovian masses (and yes, I admit to being one of them) running out and following the gospel according to O.

A short drive over to Border's and no big surprise... a big display of AK right at the front door!  I don't think this particular independent bookstore is in any danger of going out of business (they are as close to an Arizona institution as there is... and always seem to get the primo book signings)...but it just seems dangerous business-wise not to have the "hot" book on the shelves....especially when there are more prominent (and cheaper) alternatives just around the corner.
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Our local (just down the block!) art-house movie theater closed its doors over the weekend.  I will definitely miss it. While you could still check out movies like Shrek 2, it true value was showcasing independent documentaries and films like Bowling For Columbine and The Cooler.  It didn't have chairs that rocked or stadium-style seating...but you could find a parking space (and not worry about getting dinged), a seat in the theater, and not having to wait 15 minutes on line for popcorn made the trade-off worth it.  Granted these were probably sure signs that the theater would not be around too long.  Additionally, with two theater chains dominating our market, this little guy did not stand a chance.  We still have one artsy theater in town (owned by one of the biggies), so all is not lost ... but for the rest of the summer it is back to the airport-like mega-multiplexi.
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Okay, I am 20 pages into Anna Karenina.  The names of these characters are outrageous (Stepan Arkadych, Darya Alexandrovna), but overall it seems fairly readable.  Stepan is some big-shot who sounds like he married Darya for her money...but he is in the dog-house big time after cheating on her with their children's governess.  Stepan's childhood friend, Levin, seems to have a thing for Darya's sister Kittty (Ekaterina).  Title-gal, Anna K, is headed to town with the intention of saving her brother Stepan's marriage.  I think that is it, so far.  As long as I keep viewing this as some kind of Russian Melrose Place, I think I will be fine.


- posted by Ed | 6/02/2004 11:28:00 AM | | Link

Tuesday, June 01, 2004

To Karenina Or To Not Karenina

Hope everyone had a good Memorial Day weekend.  It was a mostly a relaxation weekend here.  As anticipated the pool was not warm enough to enjoy over the holiday weekend, but Mother Nature is turning on the broiler this coming week in Phoenix with temps shooting up to the 105-110 range this week...so I am sure the pool will be perfect come this weekend... and at least it is already Tuesday!

So I was watching a bit of Oprah yesterday and hung around for her big summer book announcement.  As you may or may not know, the queen of all media has now moved her book club towards "classic" literature as opposed to contemporary (after her run-in with Jonathan Franzen, she prefers her authors to be dead these days).  I think this is a good idea - why not shine a well-deserved light on books that really have stood the test of time? 

I have been wanting to get back to reading and having been generally pleased with her past selections, both contemporary and classic.  I thought this would be a good way to get motivated (she has a reading "training" schedule) as well as read something of substance.  I did pick up a novel over the weekend, but since I am not too far into it I figure I can put it aside and instead pick up a classic!   Sounds good, huh?!

I have also thought about reading a classic after seeing a "101 Great Books" list that has been circulating around blogger-land.  This is a list of books recommended for HS students (as well as folks of all ages).  I considered publishing my own "have read" list... but after counting up the 23 works that I had read (mostly in HS), I figured I would not be impressing anyone ... myself included!   But hey, I have read Moby Dick (believe it or not, my junior year English teacher encouraged us to buy the Cliff Notes for it)

Well, her summer selection is Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina.

But... Oy!   Tolstoy?!  800+ pages!?  Russian lit??!?  Plus, even Oprah seemed to have trepidations (for the first time she is picking a book she has not read in advance). 

This does NOT seem to be a good way to break myself back in.  And to boot, it didn't even make that list (they cited Tolstoy's other door-stopper, War and Peace).   What to do?!?  I have read Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment (on the list!) and actually remember liking it... so maybe it won't be too bad?!   I am meeting an ex-co-worker today for lunch and will be right by our local independent bookstore (which I like to support ... even though my brain says to get that 40% discount over at Borders or CostCo)... so I will probably pick it up and give it a shot... but not making any promises.

- posted by Ed | 6/01/2004 11:36:00 AM | | Link