Best thing on SNL all year!

Watch it and then watch it again...
Dropping Hamiltons...

This will be down shortly

This is just a test. It seems Blogger has added their own photo upload program so I don't have to use Flickr or Hello anymore.
Google also has a program I can use to upload videos as well. You can check it out here.

Top Fifty Albums From Rolling Stone

Lots of familiar names here...

View from our room at the Fairmount Hotel

View from our room at the Fairmount Hotel
Originally uploaded by gonate23.

This is a view of the Blackcomb Base Area from our hotel room at about 4:00 PM. The photo is actually four pictures merged together in Photoshop.

The Mitchells in Whistler

The Mitchells in Whistler
Originally uploaded by gonate23.

We went for a nice hike/walk around Lost Lake today. Right as we were leaving on our journey it started snowing really hard. We ran into a nice couple (they weren't hurt luckily) who offered to take our picture. I immediately ask myself, is this my beautiful wife? Where is my beautiful house? Why am I wearing such a large suit?

Good News For Arrested Development Fans

Top Five of 2005

Greetings music fans. Once again in honor of one of my favorite movies it's time for the 2005 Top Five Albums of the Year. What movie you say? Why High Fidelity of course with John Cusack and Jack Black. Perhaps you have seen it? If not, rent it today.

Anyway, what a great year for the tunes. Real-rock continued to prevail and goatee-metal-date-rape rap has seemed to disappear for good. (In other words, Fred Durts must be crying in agreeance).
On a personal note, I was able to see some fantastic concerts at a few local venues. My Morning Jacket was the stand out show at the Showbox and Wilco was amazing at the Paramount. Also, Pearl Jam dragged us all out to the Gorge and rocked like it was 1993 again. I can only wish I could see all the weeknight shows that come through town, but alas, I am a tired teacher M-F and 11:00 PM starting times just don't work for me.

So I guess it's time for the Top Five. Perhaps you need a little assistance compiling your list? KEXP has a nice drop down list that alphabetically lists this year albums. Browsing through that list and/or looking at your ITunes list organized by the year released might help as well.

My Top Five

1. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club-Howl
Out of all the CD's I bought this year, this is the one I listened to the most. I would have never thought BRMC would succeed at doing a bluesy acoustic album filled with slide guitar and harmonica, but it works on every song. I'm listening to Aint No Easy Way as I am typing this and it must be the 50th time I have heard it and I am not even close to sick of it.

2. My Morning Jacket-Z
At first I was shocked to hear people compare this to OK Computer (my favorite non-Beatles album of all time), however after more and more listens I can see the comparison to hold water. The Layers of guitar and reverbed/echoed voice are very similiar.It Beats For You is the Paranoid Android of Z. This record will stay on my IPOD Shuffle for many more months.

3. Band of Bees (also called "Bees")-Free the Bees
I've already said this before, but it's kind of like Beta Band meets up with early the Kinks early Pink Floyd at a psychedelic jam session. The music sounds familiar and yet fresh at the same time.

4. The Go! Team-Thunder, Lighting, Strike
It's hard to explain this to anyone and have it make any sense, but here goes. Pretend your at a club watching a band that has Linus from the Peanuts on piano, a DJ programming beats and samples from 70's cop shows and cartoons, a drummer that specializes in snazzy jazz riffs, the Blues Brothers horn section, and a crew of school yard jump rope girls belting and chanting rhymes. Can you visualize that? Now imagine how it sounds. Still not working for you? All I can say is give it a shot, it's worth your $12.

5. The White Stripes-Get Behind Me Satan
This is their Led Zeppelin III. An album that showcases the piano and acoustic guitar much more so than anything electric. Still, while the album doesn't full on ROCK like their previous three, Jack White is still my hero for writing simple and fascinating songs. "If you think that a kiss is all in the lips, then you've got it all wrong man. And If you think that our dance was all in the hips, oh well, then do the twist."

Song of the Year:
LCD Soundsystem-Daft Punk is Playing at My House

Best NW Album:
Tea For Julie-Division

So what do you think? What is your Top Five?

Click on Comments, login as anonymous, type your Top Five and hit return.

P.S. I took HAD off my lists due to my obvious bias.

The Matador is supposed to be Fantastic

Click here to watch the trailer in the format of your choice.

The new Hosts of "The View". Today's topic: babies.

Did we mention the party included belly dancers?

She only charged us $5 per picture.

We ran into Jen randomly at Courtney's 30th B-Day party.

Our crazy night started with tracers at the Columbia Tower Club. Barb is telling a dirty joke and Heidi's husband Brian is negotiating a deal with Archives.

A well thought out opinion piece

Our former police chief presents some very compelling arguements for legalization of drugs.

Great Web Site to Check out Snow Conditions

All the info is fairly local, but even some Oregon and BC ski areas are included. Great site if you are only going to ride based on primo conditions.
What an amazing season so far!!!

Shins+Pot=New record

We had initially planned on taking some pics and videos of the powder runs, however, we did not want to stop once we were cruising. We ended the day hiking behind Green Valley right next to the backcountry and riding all the way down.

Crystal was huge today. 10-20 inches of fresh powder in spots. Green Valley was great all day and Campbell Basin stayed fresh until about noon. Lift lines were very quik too.

Cool article about Truly

Mark was in LOVE with Rachelle. But how could a rock star and record store owner compete with a rock star-wannabe teacher? He didn't have a chance. But Rachelle did keep his mix tapes.

(this post might last only until Rachelle gets home from work)

Something for a few of you I know

Inside the Shaun Alexander Studios

James Lipton eat your hear out.

Funny Films

Rome

Best Drama of the year so far. The ending battle last week was more realistic and more intense than anything in Gladiator. I can't wait for season II.

What is your orgasm face?

If you like this one be sure to read Fifty Ways to Ruin a Frat Party. Also funny.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING

I know I have done this before but all was lost. SO PLEASE...

I want to send Christmas Cards out this year.. so if you would like one..Please add your name to my list. If you are not sure who this is.. this is Chris the Gay Phone Operator!!!

MY CHRISTMAS CARD LIST

Hmm does Brian read this blog.. I got a x-mas gift I am willing to give up.. oops give him..

(BIG GRIN)

Lost

interesting...


'Lost' deal hatched for mobile

The mysteries of ABC's "Lost" are about to get bigger -- and smaller.

The Emmy-winning hit is spawning a second series for mobile phones in a deal soon to close with a major U.S. carrier, sources said. About 20 episodes -- each several minutes long -- are being shot next month in Hawaii to hit phones sometime early next year.

The project is not being produced by ABC or Touchstone Television but is under the oversight of "Lost" executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse.
The Walt Disney Co. declined comment.

The deal is a fresh example of the broadcast networks' rush to embrace portable media -- but this time with original content. Disney might have triggered the trend with its groundbreaking deal to make episodes of "Lost" and other Disney programming available on the new video iPod.

Titled "Lost Video Diaries," the series will introduce two characters said to be stranded alongside the cast featured on the primetime version. As fans of the series know, not all of the dozens of survivors of the fictional plane crash depicted on the series get screen time. While the story lines of the pair will be new to "Lost" viewers, the events depicted in the primetime version will inform their story lines.

A tie-in connecting broadcast and mobile versions also is being considered.

Verizon has emerged as the likeliest partner for Disney in the deal, given the companies' well-established relationship on several fronts. ABC and Verizon Wireless announced a deal in February to showcase repurposed bits of many of the network's programs for VCast, the company's wireless broadband multimedia service. Verizon already stepped up its ties to Disney this week by including ABC Entertainment among the content contributors to its new Mobile Web 2.0 applications, but those assets are not video.

Pricing on the "Lost" spinoff is unclear. Verizon's VCast makes its video content available for $15 per month, and "Diaries" likely will fall into that window. However, VCast also offers premium original content for 99 cents per episode.

Verizon employs Microsoft's Windows Media Center for its video content, which operates at 15 frames per second.

The phone carrier would have exclusive rights to the new mini-"Lost," which eventually could get an iPod window after that exclusivity expires.

"Lost" isn't the first primetime series to migrate to mobile. That distinction belongs to Fox Broadcasting Co.'s "24," which spawned "mobisodes" this year through 20th Century Fox.

Wilco Live

Family Guy

Osama the stand up.

Wednesday TV

Best episode of Lost all year by far.

South Park
Stan Marsh: "Tom Cruise won't come out of the closet!"
Sweet

Ichiro Unhappy

Also, what is the over/under on Bob Weiss?
Two weeks? Three tops?

Surprising? Not really.

People act like they are shocked or surprised by these numbers.
Lets see: Iraq, Katrina, Scooter Libby, Karl Rove, and Harriet Miles. Not a good year for the Bushman.
I think the only thing that is surprising is how long it took the average person to see what 50% of the country feared all along: Bush is incompetent. I say that of course as a moderate without party affiliation (I am and will always be an issues and candidate guy. I wish everyone else was too).

Save Arrested Development (again!!!)

Click link and sign...


Update:
Stacked gets more viewers?

NPR Concert Archives

Thanks to Stu Dog Night (aka Chris Thompson) for the link listed above. There are tons of great shows to listen to from fantastic bands. You have something better to do at work?

Arrested Development Cancelled!!!!

A sad day for fans of intelligent comedy


From EW.com
Okay, we all knew this was coming, especially after only 4 million people tuned in for its one-hour episode on Monday (pitiful!), but now it's official: Fox is cutting back its order on TV's best comedy, Arrested Development, to 13 episodes, instead of a full-season slate of 22, and pulling it during November sweeps. In other words, Arrested is kaput (as is its delightful freshman companion, Kitchen Confidential).

Even though Fox stuck with the series a lot longer than most networks would for a ratings-challenged show, I can't say I'm not crushed. And I know it's a complete longshot, but I'm still going to say a novena in the hopes that ABC or NBC (neither of which exactly have a booming roster of quality sitcoms) might have the good sense to snatch this puppy up.

Either way, it's been a hilarious run, and to honor the wacky Bluth clan, I'm inviting everyone to share their favorite Arrested Development moment. Mine comes courtesy of a throwaway line delivered by Bluth matriarch Lucille (Jessica Walter), who, forced to lower her standards and eat in a family-style restaurant, was asked by a waitress if she wanted, ''Plate or platter?'' Lucille, befuddled and repulsed, replied, ''I do not understand the question, and I won't respond to it.'' Evil. And genius.

New Grandaddy to listen to at work

It's yummy.

Can't wait to ride

Crystal is open (I'll be there Sunday). Baker opens Tueday and Stevens opens Wednesday. What if we actually had a ski season?

I have seen the best live band on the planet

Imagine for a moment you are taken back to 1974 and you are in line to see a sold out club show featuring Lynyrd Skynyrd, Led Zeppelin, or even Ted Nugent (sans politics). Then imagine, high expectations intact, that the band absolutely blows you out of the water and rocks like nothing you have seen before.

Now imagine it is 2005 and you have been waiting since the demise of Soundgarden, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, and the Screaming Trees for a band to make you want to grab your a beer and scream as loud as possible for more rock. My Morning Jacket is that band.

Simply put, My Morning Jacket is the best live band I have seen in quite some time. It's rare that a band playing live can sound so much better than they do on their albums, especially when their albums are fantastic already. My Morning Jacket did that at the Showbox last night.

My Morning Jacket opened with Wordless Chorus and It Beats For You from their new album "Z". Both songs showcased Jim Jame's reverbed falsetto and at the same time showcased the band's willingness to expand past their alt-country roots. In fact, I would say My Morning Jacket is as close to Wilco and Radiohead live as they are to Lynryd Skynyrd. Keyboards flowed throughout the night along with a occassional processed drum beats that reminded me of both bands. Processed drum beats? Yes, but nothing that took away from the sounds of the dueling guitar jams.

Their new album is a more straight-forward and song oriented than their previous two releases which focused more on alt-country and southern style jam-rock. However, these new songs live sound just as rocking as the earlier material. Particulary impressive were What a Wonderful Man ,Off the Record, and Gideon. All three sounded as if they had been part of the setlist for years.

One Big Holiday and Golden from "It Still Moves" were also big crown favorites. However, nothing prepared me for the onslaught that was Run-Thru. Run-Thru was extended about three or four extra minutes and the mid song bass line had the crowd boogying down in unison (and I mean literally boogying as in the "Shake Your Tailfeather/Ray Charles/Blues Brothers kind of way). When the song ended everyone thrust their $4 beers into the air and screamed in appreciation. Even the three sorority chicks behind us who thought that "rock concert" really meant "time to chat about useless shit" were highly impressed. Jim told the crowd that My Morning Jacket were going to "tenderize us" and indeed they did. (I know that sounds really cheesy, but what the hell? How often do I get a chance to glorify such a fantastic show)

Obviously I had a great time at the show, but the coolest thing was seeing Rachelle's jaw drop after Jim James did a two or three minute guitar solo literally in the crowd. She just kind of looked at me like "are you kidding me, is this for real?". Yes, they were that good.

Munich

Neil Diamond is cool

Listen to the new stuff!

Lost Poetry

And to top it all off, her girlfriend is cute too.

Good for her...

The Colbert Report

I have seen every episode so far and I think it will stick around. As someone who occassionally indulges in viewing the very shows Colbert is satirizing, I can easily say he has hit the mark. However, I think it's an uncomfortable half hour much like the oringal Office was and Curb Your Enthusiasm still is. The humor is cringe inducing but nonetheless funny. Your thoughts America?

Click headline to go to Seattle Pi article.

Falling Into Fall 6 Song List

Here is the song list. You can import the CD into your IPOD and just copy and paste the list below to your playlist.


Half Acre Day Action Figures Fault
Death Cab For Cutie Your Heart Is An Empty Room
Doves Some Cities
Franz Ferdinand Walk Away
Audioslave Doesn't Remind Me
Tea For Julie Still Life
BRMC Aint No Easy Way
Spoon I Summon You
Oasis Lyla
The Go! Team Ladyflash
Gorillaz Dare
Brian Jonestown Massacre Never Become Emotionally Attached
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Over and Over Again
Fruit Bats Lives of Crime
Arcade Fire Cold Wind
My Morning Jacket Gideon
Grandaddy Pull the Curtains
Bees One Glass of Water
The Strokes Juicebox
The 88 Hide Another Mistake
Coldplay Kingdom Come
The White Stripes I'm Lonely (But I Aint That Lonely Yet)

15 years ago today

You may have seen this...it's great regardless

Don't let em cancel it...ever...please...

KEXP is huge

Interesting Chris Cornell Interview

Worth a $1000

???

Plant and PJ

Considering PJ and Zeppelin are my favorite acts of all-time (along with the Beatles of course) this would have been the coolest thing ever. Check out the second encore!!!
Given to Fly, which is a rip off of Going to California followed by Going to California. Also, Zeppelin never played Fool in the Rain Live. Ever.


Set list: Love Boat Captain, Grievance, Do The Evolution, Even Flow, Dissident, Small Town, Corduroy, Green Disease, Daughter, 1/2 Full, I Am Mine, Better Man, Black, Alive, Save You, Porch

1st encore: Man of the Hour, Hard to Imagine, I Got Shit, Rearviewmirror

2nd encore: Given To Fly, Going To California (by Led Zeppelin) w/ Robert Plant and Strange Sensation, Little Sister w/ Robert Plant, Money That's What I want w/ Robert Plant, Fool In The Rain (by Led Zeppelin) w/ Robert Plant, Thank You (by Led Zeppelin) w/ Robert Plant

3rd encore: Rockin' in the Free World


From Playboy back in the day:

PB: Over the years, which band is most guilty of being a Zeppelin soundalike?
RP: Blimey. I'd probably say the Beastie Boys.
PB: Seriously
?RP: Well, that's how they got started, isn't it?
PB: You mean sampling Zeppelin riffs?
RP: Yeah, but I don't think they could get all the high notes.
PB: Have you ever heard a truly great Zeppelin cover?
RP: Well, you can't say Dolly Parton [who recently covered Stairway to Heaven], can you? No, I don't think I have. Isn't that sad after 30 fucking years?
PB: Sure is. Now it's time to play "Name That Tune." I'll play a song that "borrows" from Zeppelin and you have tell me which song it borrows from.
RP: That's quite imaginative, isn't it? That's a demo of a very early version of Kashmir [from Physical Graffiti]. Who did that?
PB: Creed.
RP: Oh, Christ. How old is that track then?PB: It came out last year.
RP: What's it called?
PB: My Sacrifice.
RP: [Writing down the name of the artist and song] Fucking hell. How original can you get? All right, so you've been caught, boys.They all sing like the guy out of, um....
PB: Pearl Jam. Eddie Vedder.
RP: Yeah.PB: Here's another.RP: All My Love [from In Through the Out Door] mixed with That's the Way [from Led Zeppelin III].
PB: This was a Grammy Award-nominated song by Wyclef Jean called Gone Till November.
RP: [Writing down the name of the artist and song] Christ. I can go skiing in the winter.PB: We're relatively sure you've heard this one.
RP: I saw Eddie Vedder in Oslo the night before that really unfortunate accident in Roskilde [the June 30, 2001 Pearl Jam show when nine fans were crushed to death], and we share the agent, not carnally, but literally, in Europe, and so I went backstage and was introduced to him. Nice guy, nice band, good people. I said, "How's that song doing that we wrote?" He said, "Ah, it's coming along fine." So I stood at the lighting desk and I was enjoying the show and he got to that song and he said, "Here's a song that we wrote for a guy out there somewhere in the dark." It's very close [to Going to California from Led Zeppelin IV], isn't it?
PB: Here's a curveball.
PB: When you first heard it, what'd you think?
RP: Well, it had to be sent to me, hysterically, for my approval afterwards. It's like that TV ad. It works.
PB: So you don't mind it?RP: I don't care. No, because it works. The riff is great. It's Jimmy's riff. It put Jimmy in a different place, which is exactly what I do with Strange Sensation [his touring band]. I think it's what music is all about. So much energy and creatively over the years and I don't give a hoot which way it works, so long as when it's working we all know what the game is. And if people sample stuff, that's fine, provided that they own up.

Hilarious

"Wiiiiilsonnnnnn!!!!!!!!"

Tomorrow night (Friday the 30th) Dan Wilson is going to catch Jamie Moyer during the first inning of the game. He is retiring at the end of the season and this will be his farewell game.

So, if you are a Dan Fan (how can you not be?) then you'll want to watch and see the ovation that the fans give him. It should be fun to see.

Great for Gifts!

Cameron Crowe and Music

One of my heroes as a journalist and film maker. His Vanilla Sky soundtrack was more or less stolen from my ITunes and he LOVES the Power and the Glory that is Led Zeppelin.
Cool essay indeed.

PJ review from Winnepeg

Music.

Sometimes it?s all you need. No fancy light show. No video screens. No elaborate stage design. No circus midgets. Sometimes, just sometimes, the music is enough.

Pearl Jam proved this beyond a shadow of a doubt last night at the MTS Centre in front of 16,000 screaming fans and you?d be hard pressed to find a single complaint from anyone there.

Armed with only their instruments and some bare bones lighting, the pioneers of grunge showed why they are one of the only surviving bands from the infamous ?Seattle scene.? With no new album since 2002?s Riot Act and not a lot of promotion leading up to the concert, Pearl Jam played to a record (and deafening) crowd at the arena and proved that like a fine wine, they only get better with age.

Even before they took the stage and started playing the opening notes of Betterman, the energy in the arena was overwhelming. They ploughed through almost three hours of material that ranged from set-list rarities such as Sad, In My Tree and In Hiding to grunge anthems Jeremy, Alive and Black. They took old classics like EvenFlow and Daughter and turned them into eight-minute jam sessions and improvs (during Daughter a fan?s cell phone made it onto the stage and lead singer Eddie Vedder led the crowd with a sing-a-long into the phone that may go down in history as the greatest voice mail ever to be received). They took a song like Do The Evolution and used it to turn the entire MTS Centre into a giant pogo-ball. They took all the energy that Winnipeg could muster and gave it right back to us. And yet the crowd just wouldn?t stop giving.

?We have to say that this is without a doubt the loudest crowd,? said Vedder when he finally addressed the crowd after ripping through the first five songs. ?The pre-show crowd, it was insane out here, we didn?t know what the f*ck was going on, and all we could think was, we hope they?re pacing themselves.?

And pace ourselves we did.

For almost three hours fans were taken on a roller coaster ride of music and emotion. From the 58-second intense rocker Lukin to the beautifully haunting Indifference to the arm raising Given To Fly, fans couldn?t help but sing and cheer. For years Winnipegger?s have seen all the impostors come and go. Nickleback, Creed, Default, Lifehouse. Each one trying to imitate Vedder?s booming baritone. But last night, Vedder showed why he can?t be duplicated. It?s not just about his arena filling voice or his trademark wails, it?s about the emotion and honesty that he puts behind every word and action that he does. From his gut wrenching screams during Blood that evoke all the pain of being ripped apart from the inside, to the sincere heart-breaking whisper of, ?we didn?t belong?we didn?t belong together,? at the end of Black, Vedder shows that music means more when you mean it yourself.

But this wasn?t just the Eddie Vedder show. The rest of Pearl Jam played like it was 1992 all over again. Guitarist Mike McCready was by far the most animated of the group. Between his giant jumping windmills or smiling and interacting with the fans by simply pointing and nodding, McCready played with all the appreciation and energy of someone performing in front of an audience for the very first time. Bassist Jeff Ament and guitarist Stone Gossard kept pace with McCready while drummer Matt Cameron proved why he is arguably one of the best drummers alive today. The group has also added keyboardist Boom Gasper to their touring line-up and watching the give-and-take that he and McCready did during the extended Crazy Mary solo was nothing short of musical magic.

And just in case the near three-hour, two encore, 29-song show wasn?t enough, the boys from Seattle decided to end the evening with two songs from ?Uncle Neil? (Neil Young) to the rabid delight of hometown fans. And as the first notes started to play on the evening?s final song, Rockin in the Free World, the house lights were completely up and the sight within the arena was absolutely spectacular. All 16,000 people still going strong, still standing, still clapping and still singing loud enough to almost drown out the music.

?Winnipeg, I?m gonna say this and I mean it,? said Vedder smiling and looking all around the arena in awe, ?you?ve been absolutely f*cking amazing!! Absolutely?f*cking?amazing!!!! ?

The thing is, you?d be hard pressed to find anyone there who wouldn?t say the same thing about them.

Just goes to show, sometimes, just sometimes, the music is enough.

No fancy lighting, elaborate stages, fancy video projectors.

Just the music.

What?! No more lap dances?!

Council panel OKs rules for strip clubs

Needed: Lost

I heard it was good. My idiotic Comcast DVR recorded the recap show.
I would like LOST if anyone has it!

Thanks!

IT would be way cooler if some younger ladies would have challenged this...

Arrested Development

"Arrested Development" premieres at 8 p.m. Monday, KCPQ/13.

The Bluth family's modest but faithful audience will be happy that the show has been picked up for a full 22-episode third season. That same group also may remember it had a full pickup last season, which was unceremoniously cut to 18, and that "Arrested" does not appear on the January schedule.

Series creator Mitch Hurwitz, genius, remains optimistic. "Schedules are often in flux, so what ends up happening is a lot of the stuff they unveil at the start of the year doesn't stick around." While that could include his comedy -- "The choice is always theirs. They always have the option of cutting it back" -- he's confidant "Arrested" is marked to slide into a slot left open by one of fall's dead leaves. (Keep an eye on that "Head Cases" time slot, kids!)

On to happier news. As the family seeks out a mole, Michael is going to start dating a British woman with a secret. "Part of the fun for the audience is the surprise of the show," he said. "We're not really big into mystery for the sake of mystery, but definitely for the sake of laughs. We knew Buster was going to lose his hand all last year." This year's game of Comedy Clue is no different, so let's hope the network doesn't ruin it in the promos.

Elsewhere at Fox: Calm down, I'm begging you -- "24" has not been canceled. It returns midseason.

Awesomely funny.

Chris Mooney

This guy was on the Daily Show last night and was extremely knowledgable and well-spoken. It's weird some people are still debating issues that 99.9% of scientists agree on.

Everything Sounds Like Coldplay Now

Michael Moore is a nut...but he is dead-on 100% accurate on this one

To All My Fellow Americans Who Voted for George W. Bush:

On this, the fourth anniversary of 9/11, I'm just curious, how does it feel? How does it feel to know that the man you elected to lead us after we were attacked went ahead and put a guy in charge of FEMA whose main qualification was that he ran horse shows? That's right. Horse shows.

I really want to know -- and I ask you this in all sincerity and with all due respect -- how do you feel about the utter contempt Mr. Bush has shown for your safety? C'mon, give me just a moment of honesty. Don't start ranting on about how this disaster in New Orleans was the fault of one of the poorest cities in America. Put aside your hatred of Democrats and liberals and anyone with the last name of Clinton. Just look me in the eye and tell me our President did the right thing after 9/11 by naming a horse show runner as the top man to protect us in case of an emergency or catastrophe.

I want you to put aside your self-affixed label of Republican/conservative/born-again/capitalist/ditto-head/right-winger and just talk to me as an American, on the common ground we both call America. Are we safer now than before 9/11? When you learn that behind the horse show runner, the #2 and #3 men in charge of emergency preparedness have zero experience in emergency preparedness, do you think we are safer?

When you look at Michael Chertoff, the head of Homeland Security, a man with little experience in national security, do you feel secure? When men who never served in the military and have never seen young men die in battle send our young people off to war, do you think they know how to conduct a war? Do they know what it means to have your legs blown off for a threat that was never there? Do you really believe that turning over important government services to private corporations has resulted in better services for the people?

Why do you hate our federal government so much? You have voted for politicians for the past 25 years whose main goal has been to de-fund the federal government. Do you think that cutting federal programs like FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers has been good or bad for America? GOOD OR BAD? With the nation's debt at an all-time high, do you think tax cuts for the rich are still a good idea? Will you give yours back so hundreds of thousands of homeless in New Orleans can have a home?

Do you believe in Jesus? Really? Didn't he say that we would be judged by how we treat the least among us? Hurricane Katrina came in and blew off the facade that we were a nation with liberty and justice for all. The wind howled and the water rose and what was revealed was that the poor in America shall be left to suffer and die while the President of the United States fiddles and tells them to eat cake. That's not a joke. The day the hurricane hit and the levees broke, Mr. Bush, John McCain and their rich pals were stuffing themselves with cake. A full day after the levees broke (the same levees whose repair funding he had cut), Mr. Bush was playing a guitar some country singer gave him. All this while New Orleans sank under water.

It would take ANOTHER day before the President would do a flyover in his jumbo jet, peeking out the widow at the misery 2500 feet below him as he flew back to his second home in DC. It would then be TWO MORE DAYS before a trickle of federal aid and troops would arrive. This was no seven minutes in a sitting trance while children read "My Pet Goat" to him. This was FOUR DAYS of doing nothing other than saying "Brownie (FEMA director Michael Brown), you're doing a heck of a job!"

My Republican friends, does it bother you that we are the laughing stock of the world? And on this sacred day of remembrance, do you think we honor or shame those who died on 9/11/01? If we learned nothing and find ourselves today every bit as vulnerable and unprepared as we were on that bright sunny morning, then did the 3,000 die in vain? Our vulnerability is not just about dealing with terrorists or natural disasters. We are vulnerable and unsafe because we allow one in eight Americans to live in horrible poverty. We accept an education system where one in six children never graduate and most of those who do can't string a coherent sentence together. The middle class can't pay the mortgage or the hospital bills and 45 million have no health coverage whatsoever.

Are we safe? Do you really feel safe? You can only move so far out and build so many gated communities before the fruit of what you've sown will be crashing through your walls and demanding retribution. Do you really want to wait until that happens? Or is it your hope that if they are left alone long enough to soil themselves and shoot themselves and drown in the filth that fills the street that maybe the problem will somehow go away? I know you know better. You gave the country and the world a man who wasn't up for the job and all he does is hire people who aren't up for the job. You did this to us, to the world, to the people of New Orleans. Please fix it. Bush is yours. And you know, for our peace and safety and security, this has to be fixed.

What do you propose? I have an idea, and it isn't a horse show.

Yours,
Michael Moore
www.michaelmoore.commmflint@aol.com

Cool

Great Flick

Take your parents. Take your kids. Take your friends. You will smile for an hour and a half straight.

Courtesy of the Ten Club

Yeah, so that was cool.

Acoustic Set:I Believe In Miracles, Small Town, Off He Goes, Lowlight, Man of the Hour, I Am Mine, Crazy Mary, Black, Hard to Imagine

Main Set:Last Exit, Save You, Do The Evolution, Alone, Sad, Even Flow, Not For You, ??, Corduroy, Dissident, MFC, Undone, Daughter, In My Tree, State of Love and Trust, Alive, Porch, Love Boat Captain, Insignificance, Rearviewmirror, Betterman

Encore 1:I Won't Back Down (Ed solo), Last Kiss, Crown of Thorns, Blood

Encore 2:Yellow Ledbetter, Baba O'Riley

more later...

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/pop/239144_pearljamq02ww.html

Download the whole show here. I have mine. The quality of the recording is very good.

Patrick MacDonald of the Times never can give a 100% positive review of course, but here it is anyway.

New TV shows

Anybody watch Rome or Prison Break?

Death Cab Etc.

The new Death Cab record comes out tomorrow. It's hard to believe I have been listening to the them for seven years and now they are on a major label. What to make of it all? Will they stay the same? Will they "sell out"? Does anyone care if they sell out? I guess this is what R.E.M. fans went through about 17-18 years ago.

Other notes:
The new BRMC is out. A very mellow record from what I have sampled. I will purchase tomorrow.
The new New Pornographers record came out last week and has been receiving amazing reviews. I will also purchase tomorrow.
Have you heard the new Franz Ferdinand record? It's exactly what a rock single should be. It's fast, catchy, and gets you excited about the new record and concert.

Apple announces 'special event' to be held September 7th

Apple has sent out invitations via email to selected media outlets announcing a special event on Wednesday, September 7, 2005 to be held at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.

The email features the line, "1,000 songs in your pocket changed everything. Here we go again."

Apple introduced the iPod on October 23, 2001, describing the device as "a breakthrough MP3 music player that packs up to 1,000 CD-quality songs into an ultra-portable, 6.5 ounce design that fits in your pocket."

-----------------------------------------------------------------
I wonder what it could be? The iTunes cell phone? A video iPod?

PJ Songs

Vote for your favorite PJ songs. Win tickets.
Top 77 PJ songs will be counted down all day next Thursday on The END.

Felix

Joey's

Jeremy was telling me about this place. Sounds like they might be in a little bit of trouble here.

Did anyone see this?

Insane.

Gorge show available as Digital Download

From Emerald

Dougie leading the toast.

More Grant

I love how the Dominican gets so much press in this one. Oh yeah, and I can't wait to go back. Last night after the race I was telling Grant (money bags!!!) to make sure and put some cash aside for a place at The Compound a.ka.a Casa del Smitt.

Rachelle and I had to listen to the race in the car because we got stuck at the border and then on I-5 in Everett on our way back from an amzing weekend in Vancouver. It was the most exciting two minutes I have ever spent stuck in traffic and I think the neighboring motorists must have thought we were nuts when we freaked out in the car.

It's amazing that Grant has come so far in such little time. I remember him writing the now infamous letter on the hammock in the D.R. over the course of a couple of days. He was so focused and so serious about his intentions. I on the other hand was more concerned about when the next swell would hit the coast and at what time I would drink my next Presidente. Actually, Grant was also concerned about his next Cerveza as well. Usually the first was at about 11:15 am. But I digress.

Anyway, we are so proud of our buddy and getting there to see him win the last race yesterday was a privilege. Walking with Grant to the back stretch and stable area was like walking with a President or Pope. Everyone, and I mean everyone wanted to shake his hand and congratulate him. Even people he didn't know wanted a piece of him.

Over the past few years I kept telling Grant "If you could win the Mile, that would be like the coolest thing of all time". I just didn't realize it would happen so quickly. What's next, the Derby?

Side note: We are still going to buy the official Cabin Fever horse at some point. If any of you are still interested, please let me know.

Behind the Scenes at the No Giveaway fan club meeting (Trent was not kicked before or after this picture was taken).

Winning Team

The Horse Whisperer

Grant Just Won the $250,000 Longacres Mile!!!!!!

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/othersports/237520_embok22.html

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/othersports/237519_mile22.html

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2002447772_webdowns21.html

This looks good too

And who doesn't love Rachel McAdams, huh? The Notebook anyone? The Wedding Crashers?

Lost Article and DVD info

For those of you who need to catch up...

Judy's Book

Bookmark this site if you are not already using it.

Felix

So how enjoyable was last night's M's game? Only the most fun I have had all year. Felix is insane.
If I have this figured out correctly Felix will pitchFriday the 26th against the White Sox and Wednesday night the 31st against the Yankees.
I am hoping to go to both games and grab decent seats.

Another good one

Franz Ferdinand

I have seen Franz twice and both times they tore the place apart with their strobe rock. Their Showbox show last year was one of the best shows I have seen. Ever. It was Dance Fever all over the place.

On Sale This Weekend:1077 The End presents Franz Ferdinand for two nights at the Paramount - Saturday October 1st and Sunday October 2nd. Opening both shows will be TV On The Radio and Cut Copy. Tickets for these all-ages shows go on sale Saturday, August 20th at Ticketmaster outlets for $30 (plus service charges). See this week's Endmail for another exclusive EndMail Pre-Sale.

Can't Wait

This is supposed to be one very funny movie.

The Arcade Fire/Six Feet Under

First of all, the end of Six Feet Under is very intense and tough to watch due to the complicated emotions every single character is going through after Nate's death. However, the show is still hypnotic and I find myself watching through covered eyes from time to time.
Secondly, The Arcade Fire song that finished the show is one of the bands best songs and deserves to be downloaded from ITunes. I love how mellow it is until it builds up to the group chorus. Uplifting and sad simultaneously.

Click on the link to download.

Medical experts warn of unhealthy buzz touting energy drinks

How many of us drink these? During sports or just relaxing or when we go out.


I know its about time I posted something in here.

Entourage Screen Tests

First of all, I meant to reply to Dagg's post. Yes, it's awesome. Every episode.

I've been wathing these screen tests on ON DEMAND, but now they are online. The Gary Coleman and Pat Morita clip is great, but I personally like the clip with all the old WWF wrestlers. I need more.

Brad

Anybody heard anything about the new Brad album? I guess it's called "Brad Vs Satchel"

LHIOB

How good is Entourage? I love it!

http://www.lhiob.com

DVD's

Hey everyone,
I am looking for some good movie recommendations for me and my buddy Netflix. I am pretty much into anything with a good story with the exception of any movie with Ashton Kutcher, Brittany Murphy post 2000, or the Freddie Prince Jr. crew.
Thanks!

HAD Tomorrow

Half Acre Day plays tomorrow night at 9:00 PM at the Chop Suey.
They are playing first and early.
WORD.

Anyone using this yet?

I would love to use this technology if anyone else downloads it.

Coolest Thing Ever

I have used this for a couple days now.
Addicting.

Joke of the Day

A physician claimed that the following are actual comments made by his patients (predominately male) while he was performing a rectal exam:

1. "Take it easy, Doc. You're boldly going where no man has gone before!"
2. "Find Amelia Earhart yet?"
3. "Can you hear me NOW?"
4. "Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?"
5. "You know, in Arkansas, we're now legally married."
6. "Any sign of the trapped miners, Chief?"
7. "You put your left hand in, you take your left hand out..."
8. "Hey! Now I know how a Muppet feels!"
9. "If your hand doesn't fit, you must quit!
10. "Hey Doc, let me know if you find my dignity."
11. "You used to be an executive at Enron, didn't you?"
12. "God, Now I know why I am not gay."

And the best one of all...13. "Could you write a note for my wife saying that my head is not up there."

Seattle Dining Guide

The Seattle Weekly has created a "Seattle Dining Guide" that you can put on your iPod. It breaks restaurants out by Cuisine, Neighborhood, and Price. It has a brief description of the restaurant and an address and phone number. VERY handy for making quick reservations!

Your iPod needs to be enabled for disk use (don't worry they tell you how to do it)

Check it out here

This is pretty cool!

Animal Attack

The pictures above are injuries sustained from a canine attack that occured while I was walking back to my hotel room last night. Luckily Rachelle was able to get me free, but as you can see I will have a few scars for a while. An animal expert told us the canine was a Eeloj and that usually this type of animal roamed the country and rarely ventured into the city. I don't remember exactly what it looked like myself, I just know it has a terrible bite.

Click on the picture for a larger view. If any of you are concerned about rabies the doctor tested me this morning and so far so good!

Exhibit 1A

Scarlett...you rock

Here is an excerpt from an article about Scarlett...

It seems that during the filming of "The Island," Scarlett balked at wearing unmentionables in a bedroom scene. As director Michael Bay recounts to Reuters, he was called to his leading lady's trailer just before the scene was set to shoot, figuring he'd have to give her a spiel on how it would all be handled with decorum.

"She's standing there and she says, 'I'm not wearing this cheap-[bleep] bra. I'm going naked,'" says the schlock-meister.

For Johansson, it was simply a matter of verisimilitude. "I said, 'Women don't normally sleep in a bra. I can't wake up in this scene wearing a bra. It's ridiculous,'" explains the It girl to Entertainment Tonight. "He said, 'What do you want to wear.' I said, 'Well, nothing!'"

Bay's response: "It's PG-13. You have to wear the bra." (Hear that sound? It's a million disappointed guys all vowing to make Michael Bay pay dearly for that decision.)

Link to full article

Dance, White Boy

Shopgirl

Now Death Cab is in mainstream movie trailers. I have always really liked Claire Danes by the way. She feels likewise.

Funny

I don't much care for Matchbox 20 or Rob Thomas. However, this is pretty damn funny, especially the last sentence.

Matchbox 20 frontman Rob Thomas has rubbished reports he had sex with Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise - and is even more mortified he's been labeled a fellow Scientologist. The singer is horrified by claims he was caught in bed with the War Of The Worlds star and has finally spoken out to end the rumors. But he's even more offended by reports he's joined Cruise and other followers of L. Ron Hubbard's Church Of Scientology, which has been labeled a "cult" by some critics. He says, "If I were gay, Tom wouldn't be on the top of my list...It would be Brad Pitt. I'm more offended by the rumors saying I'm Scientologist."

PJ

There are still GA Gorge tickets available. Just FYI.

Your Cabin Fever T-Shirt Winer!!!

First Half M's What Nots from USS Mariner

Note: VORP is value over replacement level player
Trent

Just a few random numbers from the first half that you may find of interest.
Ichiro, who had a ?disappointing? first half by most peoples standards, is 6th in the American League among outfielders in VORP. The five ahead of him are Hideki Matsui, Vladimir Guerrero, Gary Sheffield, Johnny Damon, and Manny Ramirez. Remember, VORP does not include defense. Even while slumping, Ichiro?s an elite player and a legitimate all-star.
The Mariners, White Sox, and A?s are essentially tied for the major league lead in defensive efficiency, turning 71.6 percent of all balls in play into outs. The M?s ranked 6th (70.1 %) last year, 1st (72 %) in 2003, 9th (70.5 %) in 2002, 1st (72.7 %) in 2001, and 3rd (69.9 %) in 2000. Since moving into Safeco Field, the M?s have never ranked out of the top ten in turning balls in play into outs. That?s not a coincidence.
According to BP?s playoff odds report, after sweeping the Angels this weekend, the M?s now have a 0.26 percent chance of winning the division and a 0.06 percent chance of winning the wild card. In other words, if we played the second half of the season 1,000 times, the Mariners would make the playoffs in about three of those.
The Mariners rotation of Pineiro, Moyer, Meche, Sele, and Franklin has been worth about 9 wins over a replacement level pitching staff and about 1 win less than an average pitching staff. Franklin has been the team?s top starter, being worth 2.3 wins over a replacement level starting pitcher. That ranks him 55th in major league baseball and 26th in the American League.
Speaking of Franklin, there?s good reason to expect him to perform significantly worse as the season goes on. His Fielding Independant ERA of 5.21 is a run higher than his actual 4.35 ERA, and his Expected Fielding Independant ERA, based on his component numbers, is 5.72. Both his FIP and his xFIP are worst on the staff. However, because the gloves have been turning 75 percent of his balls in play into outs, his ERA sparkles at 4.35. The next time someone tells you how ?unlucky? Ryan Franklin is, remind them that his BABIP is 9th in the majors among starting pitchers. His teammates might not score him any runs, but they save him a buttload with their defense.
More pitching fun. There are 56 pitchers in the American League who qualify for the ERA title. Of those 56, the Mariners starting pitchers rank 32nd (Meche), 40th (Pineiro), 42nd (Moyer), 51st (Franklin), and 52nd (Sele) in K/9. The starters have struck out 255 hitters in 514 innings pitched for a 4.46 K/9 as a pitching rotation. If the M?s staff was one American League pitcher, it would rank 45th out of 56 in strikeout rate. Talk about pitching to contact.
Adrian Beltre is 5th among Mariners hitters in VORP. Seriously. Only Ibanez, Sexson, Ichiro, and Morse have provided more offensive contribution to the team than the M?s third baseman. He?s still 25th among major league 3rd baseman, however. Among those major league third baseman with a higher VORP than Beltre: Jeff Cirillo. Ouch.
Eddie Guardado has been about 2 wins better than a replacement level reliever, ranking him 4th best in the American League. Considering he?s doing it with a torn rotator cuff, he?s having one of the most remarkable seasons of any player in baseball this year. He?s basically dominating with nothing but chutzpah.

Question of the Day

If you could have been named any other name (same gender) what would it be?

Tom Cruise is Nuts

This is too good not to share.

Pearl Jam Best American Rock Band Ever...Hmmm

Interesting article. It basically proves they have the biggest online community support. But cool nonetheless.

Nate is Gone

So long to the Colonel as it looks like he will sign with the Blazers. Must have been the money, right? I mean the Blazers are terrible and it will be at least a couple of years before they are decent. Unless Mac 10 works some magic of course.

Our friend Eric working with a guy named Spielberg

A cool Bees Review

And Julie...

Cabin Fever T-Shirt Contest

Directions to vote:
1. Click on each picture to see a larger version of it.
2. Click on the comments section to place your vote. You may only vote for one picture. You can login or click on the anonymous button.
3. Your vote must include your name so we don't have repeat votes. Please write your name and a brief description why you selected the picture.

Voting will be open until Friday morning.

"We must all have waffles force with."

Does Undercover Brown suit your fancy?

Would you like Marshal to ROCK your shirt?

How about Tucker: A Dog and it's Dreams?

Just kidding. You can't vote on this one.

How about picture #2?

Would you like picture number 1?

Son Volt

Mainly for Skoog,

New Son Volt album is out on ITUNES. The samples sound good so far.

RAY!!!

Question of the day...

We have been immersed in the "Into the West" series which has inspired my next question....if you could have lived in any other era other than ours what would it be?? (interpret it freely:) Mine I think would have to be the 20's , Gatsby Era, with full regalia of course:)

Bob

Anyone else see Bob Saget on Entourage last night? It was even funnier than his cameo in Half Baked.
Best...show....ever.

Next from the creator of The Office

This time Ricky plays an movie extra and bumps into all sorts of stars along the way.
Kate Winslet is pretty damn funny in this clip.

Fun With All Stars

Who cares if the M's are 'winningly challenged". There is still no place I'd rather be within the Seattle city limits on a nice evening than Safeco Field. Part of the fun of going to the game is of course talking about the game and therefore talking about the deserving/non-deserving all-stars. I love the debate.

On a side note it's nice to see Beltre hit three home runs in a week. Who knows, it could be the start of something big especially since he actually hit a home run to right field.

Live 8

I hope you are watching this throughout the day. I just saw the lead singer of the Verve join Coldplay in London for Bittersweet Symphony. Very cool. His name is Richard Ashcroft I think. Anyway, it's on VH1 and MTV all day.

The show started with U2 and Paul McCartney doing Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band which had never been done live before.

Question of the day...

In spirit of our Goldie's conversation explosion I thought it would be fun to post a question of the day (alright so this one is question of the night).....I welcome ANY questions--they don't have to be posted by me. But to kick it off....I will start with an easy one (right girls?)

Favorite city other than Seattle????

Favorite New Band

They are called THE BEES or A BAND OF BEES. You must get this stuff. It's very Beta Band if the Beta Band was rockin circa 66'-68'. Cool riffs. Great beats. I can't stop listening to it.
Awesome organ and keys.

Daily Candy

Hey Ladies....if you aren't already hooked into Daily Candy it is super fun. Every day you get a fun email/article about the latest everything; shoes, bags (the 2 most important items in my world) and lots more. They don't have a Seattle one yet but I get the "everywhere" article.

Funny, bot most likely not true

Testing

Hey everyone! Happy summer. I was having technical difficulties with the blogger but now I am back. So as a test I will shamelessly plug our d9 dance website:)

For the record I too am SICK of Tom Cruise. Off topic, we saw Crash and I really LOVED it. It is time we continued the race relations discussion and admit there is still an issue.

We are currently in the middle of the documentary, "Story of the Weeping Camel"....takes place in Mongolia and I am fascinated. It was one of the nominees....

Over & out...

Finally Something We Agree On

BERLIN (Reuters) - Hollywood actor Tom Cruise not only battles creatures from outer space in his latest film "War of the Worlds," he also believes aliens really exist, he told a German newspaper on Wednesday.
Asked in an interview with the tabloid daily Bild if he believed in aliens, Cruise said: "Yes, of course. Are you really so arrogant as to believe we are alone in this universe?"
"Millions of stars, and we're supposed to be the only living creatures? No, there are many things out there, we just don't know," Cruise, 42, said in the interview published in German.
Cruise's film "War of the Worlds" is based on British writer H.G. Wells' 1898 story of the invasion of Earth by Martians.

When asked to explain his recent strange behavior, Cruise admitted he was recently abducted aliens who probed him anally for three days straight. They only wanted to probe him for an hour of course, but he enjoyed it so much he asked for more!
Why did he ask for more? He had done the research of course.


In other Cruise news:
Tom Cruise has been further criticised for slamming the consumption of drugs used to treat depression during a recent TV interview - by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). The mental health organization has accused the War Of The Worlds star of behaving irresponsibly for labeling anti-depressant drugs a "pseudo science" during a chat with American TV newsman Matt Lauer on the Today show last week. In a statement, the APA says: "It was irresponsible for Mr. Cruise to use his movie publicity tour to promote his own ideological views... (and) deter people with mental illness from getting the help they need. Rigorous, published, peer-reviewed research clearly demonstrates that treatment (of mental illness) works. It is unfortunate that in the face of this remarkable scientific and clinical progress that a small number of individuals and groups persist in questioning its legitimacy." Cruise has also recently blasted actress Brooke Shields for using anti-depressants.

So Far So Good

Looks like I'll be seeing this one in the next couple days in spite of Tom Cruise.
92% is pretty good so far...

Movies are fun

Non-burnable CD"s

As popular as the IPOD has become, I think this will divide instead of unite the music listening community.

Tom Cruise

Anyone else sick of Tom Cruise and Scientology yet? Me too. Keep your religion to yourself please. If it wasn't for Ritalin I think a majority of my students wouldn't be able to sit still for more than two seconds!
http://aintitcoolnews.com/display.cgi?id=20577

Scientology
http://www.lisamcpherson.org/


This video is pretty good though. He handles himself very well for a brainwashed lad. Almost too good if you ask me. Almost as if he is being controlled...hmm.

"You musn't show it to the Laker girls"
"I mustn't show it to the Laker girls"

Name the movie. It makes fun of Scientology quite effectively.

War! Huh! (good God ya'll)

People in this country are actually getting smarter. Amazing. I guess after the Downing memo proved Bush wanted to go to war with IRAQ and THEN create a reason the public would buy into it has finally hit home with some folk.
Is Bush a scapegoat for the IRAQ wars continued failure? Nope he is the reason for its continued failure. No Bush in office would mean no war in Iraq. Pretty simple really.

My favorite all-time album named number onefrom the last 20 years

This is a great article in Spin. There were a few that were listed way too low (Automatic For the People and ten etc.),but overall a great reminder of some great albums.

We are all gay (especially T's mom)

MP3 Site

From what I understand, this is a real and legitimate Russian music downloading site. You can, however, view the site in English. My buddy downloaded ten albums for about $10.

Update: This site works. I downloaded 7 albums for 15 bucks yesterday. Tons of music!

30 Days

Tonight is the premiere of Morgan Spurlock's new show called 30 Days. He's the guy who did Super Size Me. The show got good reviews. The series is only 6 episodes and each episode is about what happens to people when they are put in certain situations for 30 days.
The first episode tonight is about him and his fiance living on minimum wage for 30 days. Other episodes include a red neck living with a large Muslim family for 30 days or the effects on a thirty something guy's body who tries to reverse the aging process.

If you liked Super Size Me, you'll probably like this show. Its on FX at 10PM

Something to think about

OJ was found innocent too.

Entourage is Now My favorite Show

When I was watching this with Dagg and Brandi last week we all said "this should be an hour long". Rachelle and I said the same thing last night. We are always so disappointed when it's over...but I guess they are supposed to leave you wanting more.

From EW

'Entourage'': Eric straightens out his personal life, while Ari and Jaime Pressly show the bad side of Hollywood as only pay cable can by Charles Curtis

Did I say sophomore slump last week? Waaaaay off. After watching the credits roll at the end of last night's episode, I've decided to join some of my fellow viewers in asking ? nay, demanding ? that HBO give this show the hour it deserves. Entourage has been packing a whole lot into just 26 minutes, but imagine the possibilities. Then again, you can't argue with the formula of a show that starts an episode with a fast car and ends it with ''Vegas, baby.''

What could be better? How about the triumphant return of the real Ari Gold? It took an episode to polish off the rust, but better late than never. Starting with the Lakers game, where Ari's Jack Nicholson-esque barking got the ball rolling, the superagent seemed to recover from whatever was ailing him in the first episode. He stopped sounding desperate and started rolling with Vince's punches. And of course, he had the line of the show, explaining at the Lakers postgame party that he couldn't attend Jaime Pressly's soiree since it conflicted with . . . a certain celebratory night at the Gold household. But that moment became even more hilarious later when Eric confronted Ari about the agent's statement that everyone in Hollywood is unfaithful, asking him if it applied to his wife. The very same woman he had loudly joked about ''punishing'' suddenly became ''the mother of my kids.'' Yes, Ari! You don't have to put up with E's insolence. A little tough love will show these rookies that you're their only hope of maintaining the flow of cars, starlets, and mansions.

But the MVP of this episode is little Eric, who is all grown up now. When you're the Scoutmaster surrounded by a bunch of Cubs who aren't exactly what one might call responsible, it must be disconcerting when their rampant suspicions about an unfaithful girlfriend are actually correct. Now, raise your hand if you did a Tiger Woods fist pump when E stuck it to Kristen. Yes, yes, I know ? two wrongs don't make a TV relationship right. Eric's little hotel tryst with Perfect 10 model Liana might make him the last character on the show to earn the adjective ''sleazy,'' but you knew it was only a matter of time before he got rid of the lyin', whinin', cheatin' Kristen. As Turtle put it so nicely, ''The three of us can't stand her.'' If I haven't made it obvious enough in both last week's and this week's TV Watch, make that four. (Sadly, this probably isn't the last we've seen of the girl who cried food poisoning.)

While Vince's best friend and new manager received a free Maserati and a few phone numbers to restore his swagger, Vince's brother couldn't catch a break. Johnny Drama's obsession with his skinny calves was worthy of eye rolling, but the look on his face right before the director asked him to strip was priceless. You could only wish that Turtle was around as a witness to needle him about it for the rest of the episode, instead of only one throwaway joke comparing Johnny's legs to those of the Dallas Mavericks' lanky 7-foot-6-inch center, Shawn Bradley.

Guest star Jaime Pressly also deserves an entire paragraph. Why? Unlike Lakers' forward Lamar Odom, who pulled a Peet by stopping by for a total of 12 seconds of airtime, Pressly was the engine that ran this episode. My first thought was that the producers could have snagged someone who hadn't made her last big headlines with a prime-time make-out session with Tiffani Thiessen on Fastlane, but Pressly held her own, providing both some heat for Vince and a pretext for the gratuitous nudity that reminded us that, yes, this is HBO, where F-bombs and stripping are always on hand to show us just how wild Hollywood really is. Between the shirt that came off on the bed at the Peninsula Hotel and those shed on Jaime's beach, we get the idea.

And on an extreme side note: Did anyone else notice that Debi Mazar has made her way into the show's opening credits this season? Though she went AWOL from this episode, that must mean we're going to get a major dose of Shauna soon. Adding the foul-mouthed, icy publicist to an already volatile mix can only make things better. Maybe she'll have an intra-cast affair with Ari and help persuade their star in the making to do Aquaman. Too Friends for you? Thought so.

Interesting...Beer

You know it's kind of funny how stuff works in cycles like this. I remember in 1999 when I started jamming with T, Scott, and Marshal and Marshal was like "Bring over same Rainier". At the time all I drank were expensive beers and/or micro brews so I thought it was a bit strange or even cheap to grab a Rainer. After all, I wasn't a poor college student anymore. However, I instantly enjoyed drinking the Rainier and so the tradition of drinking the cheap stuff during band practice was born. It wasn't until I came back from Cabarate that I finally made the switch to light/cheap beers for good. (My dad had already beat me to it by supplementing his Coors Light with an occassional Keystone Light. "Hey, it's just Coors Light in a cheaper can" he would say. "Mom can save a ton at Costco". It was always fantastic when my mom would go to Costco to get milk, eggs, bread, and TEN CASES OF BEER!!!)

Anyway, so now evidentally it's "trendy" to drink the PBR and Rainier etc. As someone who gets gets nervous when pop-culture catches up to him (see Modest Mouse, Puma, weed, Paul's Boutique,Interpol and 70's attire) I now announce my switch to OLYMPIA beer whenever I can find it.

Having beer is great, but having a choice of beers is wonderful.

Great White Stripes Article

What a great record. It's all over the place and yet still accessible. The thing I find hard to believe is that it's just these two and that Jack White produces the records himself. No studio trickery or session musicians.

I have been listening to the new Coldplay as well and as we guessed, it's basically A Rush of Blood to the Head 2. That's not a bad thing per se, but there is nothing new here and most of the songs will remind you of other songs. However, I am sure I will still listen to it quite frequently during my mellow moments. I still hold a belief that Coldplay could eventually be the next U2...or at least as good as the Doves.

Best Buy with your integrated IPOD solutions

Yes, you CAN get an IPOD in your car for a cheap price. Yes, it CAN be controlled on the stereo face.

Shakira

Pretty crazy that they post this on the front page of MSN...
Here is a link to Shakira's new music video - called "La Tortura"

Wow...

New Music

New White Stripes and Coldplay CD's arrive in stores today. The White Stripes album is supposed be fantastic. Basically Rolling Stone calls them the best band on the planet. Check out the other reviews at http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/whitestripes/getbehindmesatan. Yes, the album is called "Get Behind Me Satan". Kind of funny, but Rachelle tells me the say thing! Bu-dum-dum!

The Coldplay record is getting average reviews at best, but I am sure it's good if you are a big fan. I'll know more after I get both at Best Buy for $9.99 each.

The Official Cabin Fever Collage is Here! I will send everyone a JPEG copy in their GMAIL and I will also put it on Shutterfly fot those of you that would like a copy.

Cool Phone Call

8:00 am Sunday morning

The phone rings and my sister is breathing really hard telling me she is on mile 6 of her Rock-N-Roll Marathon in San Diego. Pete is one mile ahead of her and she says the adrenaline rush from all of the other competitors and the crowd is un-real. Evidentally there are tons of cheerleaders along the whole way and they keep chanting "Go Shelby" because her name is written on her arm.
She called me from Uncle's phone that is clipped to her side. Pretty cool, eh? I have never been so proud of my sister!

On a side note I am disappointed in my uncle because he only liked the last half hour of the new Star Wars movie. I believe it's much better than that of course.

Our Government Sith

So I have been reading the Internet as I do and I noticed something pretty funny. On different web sites the current Republican Government is now being called "The Sith Government" in reference to the Star Wars evil doers. If you haven't seen the movie, there are many subtle and some not-so subtle references towards out current state of affairs and present leaders in Washington. Depending on how you look at it, Lucas is saying that Chancellor (Emperor) Palpatine's quest for power and never ending war is very similar to George W. Bush putting the Patriot Act into play and creating his own war etc.
At one point Anakin even says "If your not with me, then you are against me" or something very similar.

Anyway, just thought it was funny we now have a Sith government.

Paul Shirley- The 12th Man on the Suns

Great blog site. I have the same overheating problem so I feel his pain.

People are just figuring this guy out?

The Longest Yard

I love the original. I think I've seen in ten times. Any of you like Slapshot? Also great.

So it was all about Walt...

The special powers, The Others wanting the young...do you think that the baby was a distraction. Is the French woman one of The Others (no)? What's up with the machine monster now? Can't Locke and Jack be friends? So many questions. I do think that the whole Walt issue at the end was a perfect surprise. I didn't see it coming at all. Awesome...except for the fact that there were no previews for the next show...

Star Wars and Lost

When Michael and Jin were working on the raft, Michael yelled at him "No, no! This one goes here, that one goes there, got it?" Han solo said the EXACT same thing to chewy when he was working on the Millenium Falcon in Empire Strikes Back. Paying homage one day before the opening of Episode 3? Maybe.

Star Wars!!!

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/movies/224635_starwars18q.html

Cool

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/artsentertainment/2002278140_starwars18.html

Also cool!

You heard it here first...

This is all still just rumors - but my God - if it's true...Look Out!


"Superfly is expected to announce the Vegoose Music Festival within the
coming weeks, to be held on the surrounding fields of Las Vegas, NV -
Oct 28-30 with a final show Oct 31 at the Sam Boyd Silver Bowl. The
festival will be similar to the Bonnaroo Music Festival which is being held
in Manchester, TN this June.
In addition to the festival performances, which will be over by seven
o'clock each of the three days, several of the band's will be performing
in groups of two or three at various clubs and arenas during the
evenings of the festival. Dave Matthews Band and Trey Anastasio will play the
Thomas and Mack Center the first two evening's, while moe., Umphrey's
McGee, Phil Lesh and Friends and others will share the stage at the MGM
Grand Garden Arena on night's two and three. Pearl Jam will play with
The Black Crowes on evening three at the Thomas and Mack Center, while
right down the road at the House of Blues, The John Mayer Trio will
share their Blues for fans. There will be minimal onsite camping and
minimal onsite activities, which makes this festival quite different from the
Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival.
Confirmed Acts are listed below.
Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam, moe., The String Cheese Incident, The
Black Crowes, Wilco, Ryan Adams, Trey Anastasio, Umphrey's McGee,
Widespread Panic, Phil Lesh and Friends, Mike Gordon and Leo Kottke, The John
Mayer Trio, Gov't Mule, The Allman Brothers Band, 311, Keller Williams
and many more to be announced.

Survivor

Jeremy is the big winner with Tom and gets 80 bucks! Skoog took second with Katie (at least Colby voted for her lazy butt) and gets 15 bucks. I took third with Ian and get my money back.

Since I had Ian and he likes to give everything to Tom, in the spirit of Ian, I'm going to give Jeremy (Tom) my 5 bucks...so Jeremy wins 85.

I must say as this is only my second season watching Survivor it was nice to see the game could be played relatively fair (I use the word relative strongly). This group seemed to have higher standards and morals then the last batch...can't wait for next season.

Sweet!!!!

From E Online:


Hallelujah! Arrested Development fans, brace yourselves. I have some good news and--well, you might want to sit down for this--some mind-blowing, earth-shattering, out-of-this-world, fantastic news.

Earlier this week, a friend here at E! interviewed Jason Bateman at a charity event with his good friend Ben Stiller. When asked the status of Arrested Development, he lit up like a banana stand: "Actually, great. Supergreat. There is a heartbeat. There is no flatline. And there may be twins. I'm going to let Kristin figure out what that means. I can't comment any further, but there will be an announcement next week."

After various calls to Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Pamela Anderson and Jennifer Garner's OB-GYN re "twins," I can tell you that Jason's little hint had nothing whatsoever to do with any of those things. And while there are 17 listings for a "J. Bateman" in the local Hollywood white pages, none of them know a damned thing about the fate of Arrested Development. But glory be, after much badgering and pestering, two rock-solid Fox sources, who have never failed me before, caved and gave me the lowdown.

Though they're still dotting I's and crossing T's on the final documents, I'm told Fox network and 20th Century Fox studio are "99.9 percent of the way there" to reaching an agreement on the new season. According to these highly placed sources, it looks very likely that Arrested Development will be coming back not only for a full season of 22 episodes but actually two full seasons of 22 episodes. How freaking fantastic is that?

At press time, I can tell you this is precisely where the show's fate stands. So, barring any last-minute switch-a-roonies or bad acts by Satan or Rupert Murdoch, we will get glorious "twin" seasons of the best damn comedy on TV.
According to these insiders, even though the ratings weren't exactly American Idol numbers, Fox's new prez, Peter Liguori, bless his perceptive little heart, has faith that the show will do well in a different time slot. He also wants to bring AD up to the magical episode number required for syndication and feels the show will do very well in repeats and also in DVD. Can I get a "Hell, yeah!"?

That said, not to be a Downer Debbie, but another much loved, little-watched fave isn't likely to be so lucky...

New Gorillaz Song

You may have seen the new iPod "Rollerskating" commercial. Like the song? It's the new single called "Feel Good Inc" by Gorillaz. Available for purchase on the front page of the iTunes Music Store for $.99

Check it out, y'all

Things you need to see or listen to

Go see Crash. Outstanding ensemble cast. Powerful and heart tugging scenarios. A movie with something to say. Nothing is as it seems. You'll want to talk about it...

The HBO series Entourage is on DVD now and the new series starts in a few weeks. Like movies, celebrities, cameos, good music, sex, drugs (lots of drugs) and Jeremy Piven? You'll love this show.

Built To Spill, Spoon, and the Doves are all coming to Seattle soon.

Revenge of the Sith has been getting fantastic reviews. I am taking about 25 high schoolers to see it next Thursday night. It's a double feature as we are hitting Rick's afterwords.

Spaceballs just came out on DVD. Use the Schwartz!

The Raveonettes, Spoon, Coldplay, Audioslave, and the White Stripes all have new albums out soon. Lets exchange tunes.

Have you seen Hotel Rwanda? It's hard to believe Genocide still occurs in the world. One million people dead in 100 days? Insane.

The Contender

Who else here loved seeing Jesse knock Anthony the f out?
That was AWESOME. (see the video clip here)

And last weeks fight? How tough was Joey Gilbert...coming from behind to almost upset Peter Manfredo?

I'm still rooting for Alfonso to win it all...but it looks like he has to fight Peter Manfredo next week, so who knows what will happen...

Letterman Tonight

Robert Plant and Will Ferrel.
:)

More Forster

I can't believe I attended his church...

It's called seperation of church and state you moron!!!
Freedom of religion!!!

This is exactly what turned me off of organized religion nine years ago...

I haven't posted anything remotely political since the election, but damn this pisses me off.

P.S. Bush just opened up 1/3rd of the national forests to logging and other commercial ventures. What a great day.

Rant over.

Cool Coachella Review

Wilco, Secret Machines, Spoon, and New Order etc.

Seven Long Ass Years

Has it really been that long since the Supes have been to the second round of the playoffs? What about that Ridnour play...holy dimes...The Lord was with young Luke. How good is Collison going to be next year? Will we need Fortson?

Survivor Update

Just an update for the enthusiasts.

Eric Stephane OUT
Elizabeth Jennifer
Dave Janu OUT
Brian Ian
Kerry Gregg
Rachelle Caryn
Jon Katie
Jeremy Tom
Laurie Coby OUT
Brett James OUT
Brandi Angie OUT
Tiff Jonathan OUT
Trish Ibreham OUT
John Smyth Ashley OUT
Trent Bobby Jon OUT
Cale Willard OUT
Julie Wanda OUT
Carrie Jolanda OUT
David Jeff OUT
Amanda Kim OUT

The New Eel's Album is Supposed to be Fantizzle

Two CD's.
Dos.
Zwei.

Ich bin fumphzein jahre alt.

Our Own Grant Forster Has Horse in $500,000 Race on Friday

Set your TIVO for Stun.

HOT Lanes and Planned Tolls

I have been an advocate of tolls for quite some time and it's nice that people are going to be able to pay for the roads they drive on as opposed to the government trying to raise all the road funds through general taxes.
If I was in charge I would toll I-90 heading west in Bellevue and 520 heading West in Kirkland. I would also toll 99 in Fremont and South Seattle.


From the times (click link for full article)

Highway 167 isn't the only place where the state's transportation policy-makers are flirting with tolls.

Motorists will pay to cross the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge, now under construction. It's a foregone conclusion among state and local officials that tolls will be imposed to pay part of the cost of replacing the Highway 520 bridge. New lanes on Interstate 405 could be managed as HOT lanes.

"I think the [Alaskan Way] Viaduct's going to have to have tolls on it, too," said Bruce Agnew of the Discovery Institute, a Seattle think tank, pointing to the likely gap between available tax revenues and the $4 billion cost of replacing the aging bridge with a tunnel.

I am reading this book now and it's hilarious

Yes, I hate the Yankees too.

Jereome

Survivor

From EW:

As for catty Katie, she's starting to become pretty damn annoying. True, it was funny when she mentioned that ''We can't get a female alliance because Caryn sucks,'' but her gossipy playground tone is really wearing thin. (Speaking of which, Jenna Morasca is convinced Katie is the first Survivor contestant ever to actually gain weight playing the game. Just wanted to throw that out there. Feel free to discuss among yourselves.)

My prediction for the next great movie

Angie and Dog make paper!

Death Cab on the OC Tonight

The Office

How funny was tonight's episode?

I was cracking up when he told the latino guy that they would use him come baseball season or for boxing.

Renew PJ Today

New Link to Save Arrested Development

Click it. Love it. Live it.

Cale Rocks!

The Pagets

The group finale.

All the lovely ladies.

Angels!

I just want to scream...Hello!

Cabin Fever Shirt!

Mr. and Mrs. Paget

Save Arrested Development and the Office

Please!!!!

Survivor Banter

Dead Woman Walking, or Ddub for short, is the nickname of my survivor, who I am shocked to say is still alive. Sad to see Kobe go...I actually thought he brought some good drama.

Is anyone watching this show? I am not necessarily dedicated to it, but shouldn't someone who has Stephanie, or Tom, or the Dances with Dolphins guy be talking trash to everyone?

We did bet on this didn't we? Who wants to take me for $5 that Janu outlasts their survivor. I will take all bets posted on this blog site. Bring it!

This is something for the ladies

Lost

More discussion of the radio transmission (what was really said and who said it)

Further reading on the ABC discussion board indicates that the "clarified" radio transmission was added on April 1, so it may be nothing more than a decoy. Though the audio heard on that sample clearly says "We are..." it is not the same audio that aired and which CC cleary indicated as "There were no..." It was deliberatley made obscure by the show's creators to engender exactly this type of discussion.

Random Thoughts

Random thought for today:

The new Beck album, Guero, is his most fun album since Odelay. It sounds very similar to that album and Mellow Gold with a touch of One Foot in the Grave's randomness. The Dust Brothers are producing Beck again and the result is a very cool "put this in at a party" type album. Anyway, if you like Beck at all, you will LOVE this. 100%.

24: They frickin blew up Air Force One!!! This show has balls.

The Office
Dwight:"Now who here has an inverted penis"
woman worker: "I have an inverted Vagina"

Dwight:"Who has anal fizzures... that's not a real disease?"
Stocky worker:"Some people have it (looks at camera embarressed)"

I am really digging the Kaiser Chiefs, new Doves, and Bloc Party records in addition to the Beck album. There is some really good stuff out there now that doesn't look or sound like Green Day rip-offs. I would rather hear Clash rip-offs anytime anyway. Oh wait, Green Day ripped off the Clash too. Why do I like Green Day (some punk posers) and hate all the people who want to look and sound like Green Day? It's all the Sex Pistols, Ramones, Joy Division, and the Clash anyway.

Anyone seen The Great Escape? It's a 1963 movie about an escape from a POW prison camp in Poland during World War II. It has James Garner, James Coburn, and the magnificent Steve McQueen. The motorcycle chase at the end of the movie is one of the most exhilerating pieces of cinema of all time and worth the price of the DVD alone. If you get a chance to rent it from Netflix I think you will really dig it.

I went to the M's game last night with The Peach. Seeing Beltre and Sesson up close was quite a treat. Seeing Matt Thornton pitch was the opposite of a treat. It was more like someone taking away a treat. At this point I am hoping we are within striking distance at the All-Star break, but who knows, we might surprise a few people if our pitching reverts to 2001-2003 form. That's a big if.

Rachelle and I took in The Upside of Anger on Friday. It stars Joan Allen and Kevin Costner in his funniest performance since Tin Cup. We really liked it, but I think I would recommend it as a matinee or DVD rental because it is a tad slow at times.

Lost is on tonight. Can't wait. Keep an ear open for all of those numbers. They must mean something!

Bloc Party is on Letterman tonight.