Blog Over Troubled Water

Sunday, July 11, 2004

C'Mon Over

I am sure I am still going to be tinkering around with it... but come on over to my new TypePad home.... same blog, different name and look.

Click on over to:
Whine & Cheese
at my brand-spanking new domain: whineandcheese.net

As I mentioned in my last post, I hope this new name more accurately reflects the spirit of my blogging. As my regular readers know, I tend to not dwell too much on serious subject matter as "Troubled Water" seemed to suggest.

I will keep this site up, but obviously will not be adding to or updating it from this point out. For those of you who have been kind enough to link to my blog, please update your links. Don't worry this won't be a regular thing -- while I have had fun "re-inventing" my blog, I don't anticipate doing it again any time soon.

- posted by Ed | 7/11/2004 01:39:00 PM | | Link

Friday, July 09, 2004

Movin' Out

I was pretty late to the blogger revolution...and likewise I am bringing up the rear with my first blog "re-invention." Yes, changes are in the air! I signed up with TypePad last night, so in (hopefully) the near future, this blog will be in a shiny new home.

I am approaching my one year bloggiversary in September...so I am pretty confident at this point that blogging is not a passing fancy for me. 10 months done the road ... after 200+ entires ... and 75,000+ words, I am still enjoying it... so it seemed like it was time for an upgrade.

Not that I had any problems here on Blogger... I certainly didn't have any problems with the cost! Just wanted more room and flexibility to play with the format and look of my blog (thought it is kind of looking like most other TypePad blogs at this point...and probably will remain so). One thing I really like about TypePad is the ability to put blog entries into categories. I don't know if this is something readers really care about but that was one of the main reasons I decided to make the change...though I have to admit my life is flashing before me as I go back and classify all those entries! Eeek!

Despite some scary moments, I was able to export all my entries and import them into TypePad. So don't expect anything different from me -- same sh&t, different place! This is purely a physical change and not a thematic one... I will still be blogging about pretty much all the usual trivial things in life (well, for the most part... I do have my rare "serious" moments).

Alas this blog's name, Blog Over Troubled Water, is not surviving the move. When I started this blog it was pretty much on a whim...and weeks later I realized I should have given my blog title a bit more thought. The new name I think more accurately reflects the spirit/tone of my typical blog entries.

If paying for a blog service is not enough evidence that I have fallen into the deep end of the blogger pool...I have also joined the masses and purchased a domain name. I was actually surprised how inexpensive it was...so I figured what the heck! I am still waiting for the domain to activate...but hopefully it should be within the next 24 hours or so. Fingers crossed. I think I am fairly good at all this technical stuff, but sometimes I wonder.

I will continue to blog here until I feel my new home is ready for visitors.

I hope you will join me at the new place. Stay tuned!
- posted by Ed | 7/09/2004 12:28:00 PM | | Link

Thursday, July 08, 2004

I've Been Googled: Edition IV

It has been awhile since my last IBG entry. This is my semi-regular look at the funny and strange search hits that bring people to this blog. Where have all the good Googlers gone? Or maybe I just have to start writing about more interesting things!

Here are the "best" from the past few weeks:

Google Search: colby donaldson caught on hidden camera
Where? What was he doing? What was he wearing? May have to check out that search for myself!

Google Search: "star jones" marrying fag
Ok, I too have read the rumors about Bridezilla Jones' soon-to-be husband, Al Reynolds. Reynolds allegedly attended a predominantly male Halloween party dressed as Bam-Bam from "The Flintstones" -- the costume consisting of a Speedo and Reynolds carrying around a bone (I am assuming the bone is unrelated to the Speedo). Did I mention this party was on Fire Island? The couple released a statement that they "have discussed all relevant parts of our personal histories...We ask that people will respect our love and commitment to each other and refrain from destructive rumor, gossip and innuendo, as we happily plan our marriage and life together as husband and wife." But "fag"... c'mon wouldn't this Googler come up with something better like homo or fairy!

And this edition's "winner"!
Yahoo! Search Results for: how to kick heroin at home, what over the counter drugs should be taken when coming down
I don't know what is scarier about this one:
A) Someone thinking they can kick a heroin habit at home
B) Thinking an OTC drug will help
C) Searching for how to do this on Yahoo!
D) That I actually used all these words in my blog
E) That someone clicked onto my blogspot.com link for the answer

- posted by Ed | 7/08/2004 11:10:00 AM | | Link

Wednesday, July 07, 2004

Reality "Villian" Found Dead

American Casino, airing on The Discovery Channel, has become one of my new favorite reality series. However, it is going to be very weird watching the remainder of the season knowing that Green Valley Ranch official, Michael Tata, was found dead in his home on Tuesday morning. Tata became the man many of us "loved to hate" thanks to his numerous and memorable drag-out arguments with Ninya.

Tata was only 33 years old and the cause of death is under investigation with no preliminary signs of foul play.

- posted by Ed | 7/07/2004 01:59:00 PM | | Link

BB5/TAR5 Night 1: Too Many People!

[WARNING: BB5/TAR5 July 6th Show Spoilers Inherent]


It was a good night of television with the return of one of my guiltiest pleasures (Big Brother) and arguably the best reality show ever (Amazing Race). Pretty overwhelming tho'... 13 houseguests and 22 racers -- so keeping everyone straight and having the time to develop any thoughts about them is a difficult task. But here are the standouts:

Big Brother

All that glitters... - Ummm, Miss Julie - I am not sure if body glitter (and massive doses of it) is still "in," but even if it is I am guessing you are a few years beyond being able to pull it off. The official BB5 drinking game begins! Drink once every time Julie mentions "Project DNA." Drink twice every time Julie says it is short for "Do Not Assume Anything" (wouldn't that be DNAA then?).

He ain't heavy... he's my half-brother - Not sure how I feel about this twist. It seems pretty harsh (even for reality television) to have someone discover (and process the fact that) they have a half-sibling. Living in the BB house is a mind-f&ck enough without this extra added dose of drama. This is setting up to be a train-wreck. I think Jennifer can't be anything but pissed off that Michael did not clue her in on his discovery in a timely manner...especially after his probing questions to her about her (and his) dad. That said, I don't know what the heck I would do in that situation. How CBS got them both on the show would surely be an interesting story.

SuperTwin powers activate! - So we are going to have at least one set of twins swapping out of the game and "playing as one." We know there are two sets of twins in the house, but as I mentioned yesterday there is apparently a third floating around. I think the previews suggested that the other house guests will know, but I honestly do not know how they are going to be able to pull this one off. Will the other twin be watching live feeds 24/7 of their twin so that they know everything that was said or done? The idea reeks as a little unfair as well...though I sure the non-playing twin will be sequestered they are still getting a "break" from the game...and part of the deal is being cooped up with all these folks and in the house.

Greed vs. Groceries - It certainly did not take long for the first bone-head move of the game. It was just unfathomable that Lori would even consider taking the $10k and sending her fellow hamsters to PB&J-land for the very first week of the competition. Even if she survives the first cut, it is hard to think that this is something that will be forgotten.

"Gay" Card - Is Will delusional in his hopes that he will reveal that he is gay as "strategy" and to do it for shock value around the dinner table? C'mon Will... it's 2004 - I dare say the golden age of being gay on TV has already passed... having a gay "character" on a reality show is more the expected thing than any kind of surprise. He better not wait too long...by the time he is ready to "come out" he may just be greeted with "yeah, we figured as much." BTW, aligning with $10k gal might not be the smartest move...


Amazing Race

Ok, I totally geeked out over the start of this season. Was your heart pounding in rhythm of the TAR music and were you at the edge of your seats as Phil raised his hand and said "The world is waiting" as the race began?!

You go your way, I'll go Uruguay - Even if you take away the competition aspect of this show (but why would you want to?), this show is just a great travelogue. I doubt that I will ever get to a country like Uruguay, but it is always fascinating to see these off-the-beaten-trail countries. Wasn't that hand sculpture on the beach cool!? Ok, in a totally creepy way...but still cool.

Predictions - If last night was any indication, my pre-race predictions were total crap. With the exception of first place Alison/Donny, my teams were all "competing" for the last spot. Dennis/Erika were the first Philimination of the season. I don't feel that bad though as that LV oddsmaker also marked them as early favorites to win it all. My two other teams suffered from early bonehead moves -- both Chip/Kim and Kami/Karli totally blew off the "detour" instructions and had to backtrack to retrieve the clue... both teams made it back to the mat in the nick of time (or so the editors would have us believe).

If you need me, just whistle - After a quick tour of the discussion boards this morning, I am glad I am not the only one who find cousins Charla/Mirna annoying. But as with some others, we are finding it difficult to work out our political (in)correctness (is "dwarf" best, certainly not midget!). We all seem to laud Charla for her tenacity/bravura -- especially for her "Slap that 50-lb piece of cow onto my shoulders and quit your whining Mirna" moment -- but honey, that whistle has got to go! This team also can't seem to make up their minds -- do they want help or do they want to show they can overcome? They complain about not getting help, but then say something to the effect that they will help out a team if someone helps them first.

Team Nicknames - The folks over at Television Without Pity always come up with the best nicknames for the TAR teams. I cruised on over this morning and it seems they are still working things out. But here are my early favorites: Marshall/Lance (Pizza Putzes, Team Deep Dish), Brandon/Nicole (Team Blue Lagoon), Jim/Marsha (Team Wounded Knee).

- posted by Ed | 7/07/2004 08:32:00 AM | | Link

Tuesday, July 06, 2004

BB5: It's DNA

WARNING: Big Brother 5 Potential Spoilers Ahead!




You know my love/hate relationship with spoilers...but could not help but read some about this season's Big Brother. As annoying as it was to hear Julie Chen yell about last year's Ex Factor!!! ... this year it is apparently Project DNA. This is supposed to stand for Do Not Assume... but spoilers have it that there will be familial going-ons in the house this year.

The first aspect is kind of out already thanks to a CBS commercial. Two of the houseguests are related but they do not know it. I am assuming this will have to be two folks of the same gender, since only Fox would relish the chance of having two first cousins to make out on national television. Speculation is that the two may be Adria and Diane since they bear some physical resemblence to each other.

The other twist that I have read about is a bit more interesting. RealityTVNet.net has uncovered that three of the houseguest have twins. Coincidentally (or not!) if you go to the Big Brother 5 home page and look at the houseguest grid you will see that there are three empty spaces...hmmmmm?! If this is true, I am not sure how/if it is gonna work. I can see people voting off their ex, but voting off your twin??!

I guess we will find out soon enough... perhaps even tonite, but you know how that Julie can be quite the tease!



- posted by Ed | 7/06/2004 02:08:00 PM | | Link

Slow Boil For Farenheit

We did the patriotic thing this weekend...well, perhaps more accurately stated the Democratic/Patriotic thing and went to see Farenheit 9/11. Of course, given our own political bent we loved it!

Granted this might get me in trouble, but I don't think Moore is any different than the Bill O'Reillys and Rush Limbaughs -- all just gleefully bashing the opposition party at any and all opportunity. Part of the "fun" of watching Farenheit was just watching and listening to Moore to see how far he would go ... and he certainly went quite far on a few occasions in the film.

However, with these guys (and heck lets throw in Ann Coulter while we're at it...I think she may just have a set of balls too), as the proverb goes they are just "preaching to the choir." I anticipated the number of "the converted" walking out of Moore's film could be counted on one's fingers. Definitely no more than those of us liberal-minded folks who tune into "The Factor" for a laugh (well, a laugh until you realize there are plenty of folks who are take it all very seriously). I don't think there is any president (or any "public" figure for that matter) who has "clean hands" these days. There is certainly no doubt in my mind that Clinton has enough fodder to be the subject of a documentary.

Now, before I am accused of being a traitor. I did enjoy the film, think Moore is a masterful filmmaker (and yes, manipulator -- but that's a skill), and was entertained with the Bush administration getting a healthy serving of "just desserts." I hope the film opens eyes (the box office $$ are quite encouraging) and promotes discussion and debate. I am surprised there has not been more inquiries thus far... but perhaps the sounds of silence from the other side of the fence is most telling.

Folks have said they have left the film outraged or sad ... I can certainly understand that. But my reaction was more temperate. Sure I get plenty pissed off at times, but I don't (and for my own sanity, can't) make it a full-time job.

As a country, we get the chance to change our leadership every four years -- and hopefully we will do just that in a few months time... but if not, we'll do it again. I think it works out pretty well. So no rapid boil for me over Farenheit, just more confirmation that was not necessarily needed in the first place. I think it is a testament to this country that a scathing documentary about the sitting president can be made, distributed, and watched by millions (and make a tidy profit to boot).
*************************************************************
Just a quick thanks to those who wrote me of Marius' passing. Even though we only know each other through our blogs, your thoughts were very much appreciated. I am glad I had a long weekend to work things out. Having been through this particular emotional roller-coaster three times in the past seven years or so (and the last time just last July), I dare say that my past losses have helped me with this one. While there is still a very palpable absence in the house, I know now that the tears do end and that time eventually does work its magical healing. I take comfort that Marius had a good and long life and hold onto the hope that these last few weeks were not too painful for him. As I said before, I certainly could not have asked for a better companion.

- posted by Ed | 7/06/2004 10:10:00 AM | | Link

Thursday, July 01, 2004

Marius

Well, I just did about the hardest thing any pet owner can do... walk out of the vet's office with an empty carrier. Marius has passed on to play with his three other feline sisters.

He was not doing well this week. He got more fluids on Tuesday and I was going to take him back on Saturday. But the past few days have not been good. Marius all but stopped eating this week and his eyes were more glazed over than before. I took him to the vet and they confirmed that he had lost more muscle mass and that most of his weight were fluids surrounding his organs. With the additional weight loss, the vet also was able to feel some irregular masses around his major organs. They took x-rays and the masses (lumps, tumors) were confirmed. The additional fluids were not absorbing into his system, but instead collecting around his organs in attempt to "wash out" these masses, which were likely cancerous -- given his off-the-chart blood counts. The future seemed to hold little, if any, hope for recovery. So I made the decision to put him down. I had prepared myself that the end was not too far off, but I still did not expect that this would be the day when I woke up this morning. But it was breaking my heart seeing him get weaker and weaker...and as always a hardy cat, not to have any interest in food.

This is all still pretty raw at the moment ... I even questioned the thought about blogging about it, but this all reeks of self-therapy than something to be read... part of the grieving process... a way to get things out. I am not macho enough to not admit that tears have already been shed...and even a couple of "ugly cry" jags have already happened (in fact, one at sentence two).

They are tears of sadness for the loss. As I mentioned in my first post about his illness, Marius passing carries a lot of baggage... he was the last member of my "first generation" of pets/cats. To have someone along for the ride from when you were 22-year old grad student who had just moved cross-country to a fairly adult 36-year old home/business-owner...well, that is quite the journey. They are also tears of relief. The last weeks of his decline were difficult to watch... I dare say there is any more of a helpless feeling than watching a sick pet. I am not here to debate euthanasia (so I beg that the topic is not broached)... there was peace in the decision and the process.

So that is all... forgive my recent screwy ramblings about reality television...just good defense mechanisms for hard times... and I am sure there will be more to come for the very same reason. But I think this is all I will probably write about this for time being... just feel very empty.

So as Jean Valjean said to an injured Marius in Les Miserables... I simply say of his namesake (in a totally uncharacteristic pseudo/semi-religious manner for me):

Let him rest, Heaven blessed.

You were one cool cat.

- posted by Ed | 7/01/2004 02:19:00 PM | | Link