Saturday, October 31, 2009

Quote of the Week

Take one of our horse-driven city tours--we guarantee no miscarriages.

Happy Halloween

Friday, October 30, 2009

Friday night musings

When the football schedule was released in July this week was supposed to have a game for us, but the week before school started that school closed and left a hole in the schedule. So, I spent another Friday night at home. This turned out to be a good thing, actually, as the weather turned out real bad and we have marchign contest in the morning, so theoretically the kids can get some rest.

I still haven't found anything to watch on Friday nights, yet, except for a marathon of The Munsters that was just for tonight, but that's alright. Next week is another Friday without a game becuse its on Thursday, but after that is the playoffs and the way the team is playing, it'll be Decemeber before I can actually set in on a schedule for Fridays.

Oh well, the rain is still fallin. I love the rain, just not having to drive in it or when it makes the next day humid, as I'm sure it will. Oy! I'll live, though.

Laughter hatred

I just got through watching The Munsters on WGN. They had some sort of marathon on tonight because if Halloween. Seems to be the only time it and The Addams Family can get any airtime, despite how great both shows are, but that's a topic for another time.

I was reading some message board tonight and they were basically crucifying sitcoms and comedies because of the laugh track and/or studio audience. Something about it being annoying. WTF?!?

Total nobodies running around drunk, bitchy brides, spinoff after spinoff after spinoff of the same show don't annoy these people, but laughing does? Am I the only person that doesn't understand this logic?

Now, I've made it more than known that I love sitcoms, especially the old ones black and white or from the '60s. They just don't make shows like this anymore. The only show that could hold a candle to the classic sitcoms of yesteryear is The Big Bang Theory and that's because its actually funny without resorting to nothing but sex jokes...there are a few, but what do you expect with 3 guys and 1 girl these days?

Back to my point...what is that makes people hate laugh tracks so much? I don't get it. Is there something wrong with laughing? I mean if you look up and down the television schedule for the past 3 or 4 years and comedies have become next to extinct while dramas and reality have taken over. Granted part of this is to save money, though I don't see how an hour long drama is cheaper than a half hour comedy, but then again I actually have common sense, unlike network execs who care only about money and nothing else....a topic for another blog, as well.

I guess you can say that I belong in a different time because I am not a big fan of dramas and loathe and detest reality shows, but love comedies and sitcoms. I can't stand shows that are dark. The world is dark enough. Do we really need to come home turn on our TV sets, or log onto our computers and see more of the same stuff?

I guess I'm in the minority, but to me the laugh tracks really make a show funnier. What annoys me about comedies these days are the shows like The Office that seem to be more of a documentary than anything. although I will say that the new comedy on ABC, Modern Family does a good job with it.

I just wish more shows would take a cue from CBS' comedies and bring back the laugh track. Forget the pimply faced morons living in their mom's basement eating hot pockets and play World of Warcraft all day. They just want something to whine and complain about. Why can't they fuss about all these stupid reality shows or copycat crime dramas?

Monday, October 26, 2009

Musical Monday

This week's Musical Monday selection is a little bit on the new side and comes to us from the band Rooney. It's quite the catchy tune if I do say so myself. I hope you enjoy "When Did Your Heart Go Missing"



Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.




PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Quote of the Week

Habit is a form of exercise.
- Elbert Hubbard

Friday, October 23, 2009

Does nothing come on Friday nights?

As many of you know, I watch a lot of television, but because of my job as a band director, my Friday nights (and the occasional Thursday) are spent at football games, so the fact that I was home tonight was a bit odd for me.

I was flipping through the stations and I swear I couldn't find anything on. Sure, there was Addams Family Values, Dollhouse, Supernanny and some other stuff, but none of these really cried out for me to watch. Until The Soup came on, the airwaves were bombarded with the same kind of humdrum, mundane, subpar programming that we have become accustomed to in this day and age. So sad....especially since I have to go through this next week, too, since there is no game.

Luckily, I'll have an extended season, since the team has yet to lose a game, so playoffs are in the future. So, no more boring Friday nights...until December (if they make it that far)

Thursday Night Football

Throughout 4 years of high school, I don't recall ever having a Thursday night game. Those were always reserved for jr. high. Last night we had a game and it was quite obvious no one wanted to be there. Not because no one wanted to support the team, but rather because these things throw the week off. Usually Thursdays are when these big tests are given and Friday is a light day filled with pep rallies and such.

That all changes when Thursday games come up. The feeling of game day Fridays doesn't apply until the end of the day on Thursdays, and then on Fridays its just this weird feeling sort of like the first day back after a break when you still feel lethargic and don't really want to be there.

Sad part about this is that in 3 weeks, I have another Thursday game. Ugh! Whoever came up with this concept needs to be drug out into the street and shot!

...ok, maybe not, but they need to explain why they came up with this crap!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

When being a fan affects your kids, its too much

When I was growing up, Halloween was October 31, no matter what. It didn't matter id it was on a Sunday, Wednesday, Tuesday, or what have you. We got out and went door to door with our little pumpkin buckets getting candy. These days, things aren't like that anymore.

A few years ago, Halloween fell on a Sunday, and wherever I was living at the time, got all up in arms about kids going trick or treating on a Sunday night because of some sort of religious conflict (even though not everyone has the same religion).

As bad as that was, the topic of the commentary I just heard takes the cake. Apparently, LSU has a game on Halloween night, so parents want trick or treating moved so that they can go to the game. WTF?!?

Is it that crucial to go to the game? Do their kids take backseat to football? Apparently! I'll be keeping an eye on this situation and if things do get moved...hopefully they won't. Here is the commentary if you want to watch it.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Adventures in the Griffin's lair

No, this isn't some kind of fantasy blog post, but rather a follow up about the contest I went to on Saturday which happened to be hosted by a school with a Griffin as the mascot (hence the title).

It has been brought to me attention, that there are more than a few of us marching band bloggers out there, so this is more for you guys than anyone else.

Saturday was forecast earlier on in the week to be quite warm, at 80 degrees, but a cold front came through this time last week, and changed everything. Turned out that the temp didn't get above 60 (plus cold wind gusts).

Now for those of you that live up north, you'd probably be dancing around outside in your underwear if it would be like that where you are, but for us down here, especially since it was so sudden, it takes a little bit of adjustment.

Lucky band kids get to wear their nice wool uniforms...not really a fan of the baby blue, but school colors are school colors, what can I say?

I must say that I enjoyed myself on Saturday. The most I've done so since I was on the other side of the podium. This turned out to be one of the most entertaining contests I've been to in recent memories. I think that has a lot to do with the bands not trying to make the football field a concert hall or do something cutting edge, but rather entertain the crowd.

There were some of those original, concert shows, but there were also to see that featured music of Broadway, Billy Joel, Michael McDonald, Evanescence, The Beatles,Earth, Wind, & Fire, and Latin music. I would prefer not to mention the atrocity that was done to Michael Jackson's music by the first band to compete. Let's just say it was bad times 100.

After they finally walked...yes, I said WALKED, off the field, we entered the stadium and the place went bananas (as much as it can with only a handful of people there...gotta love being one of the early bands). The kids rocked it. Yes, there were a few mistakes, but those were mainly nerves with this being the first contest and all. I was pleased with that they did, and I think bossman was, too.

The day went on and the bands got bigger and better. The sun went down and it got colder and colder. Finally, the awards ceremony started.

They call our name and the ratings: percussion-2, band 2. Not the best, but we could have done a LOT worse. They then announce the rankings...percussion 2nd in small class, band 3rd on small class (out of 5). Not too shabby. Some things will be cleaned up before we head to the big contest on a couple of weeks.

As good as they may think they were, it won't cut the mustard out there. I will say though, that this has to be one of the most enthusiastic group of parents I've encountered in my band career. Of all 35 students, 30 sets of parents made the 20 minute trip to see their offspring perform, and what was even better, they stayed the whole day!

The grand champion for contest was a Class AA band (that's average size), which is quite odd, since most of the time its one of the giant bands that ends up winning, but never a small band. One day I'll go into the small band bias.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Musical Monday

I have a real classic for this week's Musical Monday. Enjoy the Glenn Miller Orchestra playing "In the Mood"



Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.




PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Eye Candy 10/18

Female Hottie: Aishwarya Rai
This week's female hottie has been referred to by some as the most beautiful woman in the world. That is debatable, but she is quite fetching, if you ask me. This Bollywood actress has appeared in numerous films over in her native India, as well as being a former Miss World(1994). On top of this she also has a modeling career (wouldn't you if you looked like that?), and appeared in a few US film, most notably The Pink Panther 2.

Male Hottie: Ed Westwick

No, Zac Efron has earned a second go-round in the "Eye Candy" series of blogs. Ed Westwick is young actor that many women are swooning over, though, I'm not sure why. He's currently appearing on that overrated Gossip Girl show, and from what I hear, he is one of the best actors on there. Judging by what I saw from him in S. Darko, I'm not sure if that's good or bad.


Random Hottie from a movie or TV show seen this week: Christina Ricci


I've had on again-off again love affair with Christina Ricci, stemming back to when she was Wednesday Addams in both Addams Family movies. I prefer with more met on her bones that what she has now, but at least she's a healthy skinny and not anorexic (except for when she was in Black Snake Moan and the pictures she took around that time while she was getting ready for it). She makes the list because of her role in Penelope. Not many actresses out there can walk around a good 90% of the movie with a pig nose and still look hot!

MILF: Kari Byron

Kari Byron is a beauty with brains. She can be seen as of the Build Team Members on Mythbusters. Quite honestly, I'm sure there are more than a few guys out there that only watch to see her. In June she gave birth to her first child, a baby girl, earning her MILF status.

Clasic/Retro Hottie: Gloria Estefan

If you were around in the 80s, then I'm sure you danced around to more a few of her hits, such as "Get On Your Feet", "1,2,3,4", or the immortal "Conga", or were touched by her triumphant return after that tragic bus accident and the moving song "Coming Out of the Dark". Gloria still continues to make music, though most of it is in her native tongue of Spanish, but she also has become a bit of an actress, author, and entrepreneur. All of this aside, at 52 years of age, she shows no signs of slowing down (or age...plastic surgery, maybe?).

Saturday, October 17, 2009

A little competition never hurt anyone

I think we all grew up in days gone by when competition was competition. You know those days where that if you won, you won and you lost, you lost. There was no celebration for just participating. Sure you may have gotten a trophy or certificate or something for showing up, but that bad taste was in your mouth for not being good enough. These days everyone is so scared to hurt someone's feeling or crush their spirits or whatever.

Well, today I get to see some good old high school competition. No, its not athletic, but rather marching band. I'm sure some of you are looking at me like "WTF?!? Band isn't competition!" Well, for those of you that may be saying that, I challenge to look at some marching videos on YouTube or somewhere. Some of the stuff these kids do is nothing short of spectacular. Of course, at the same time, there are those that just show up...the equivalent of the Detroit Lions, if you will.

My fellow blogger, Lin, knows what I'm talking about with these band contests as her two kids are currently in band up where she lives and just recently she nearly froze her butt off in support of them at their contest. I initially thought I wasn't going to be doing that, since they had forecast it to be 80 degrees today, but a cold front came through Thursday night and temperatures dropped like a rock. It is forecast to be around 60 today. Still way warmer than where she was, but hey, this is Louisiana, its not gonna be in the negatives, especially in October...lol

As I was saying, these kids go out there and put on the performance of their lives, then get out of their uniforms, go back and watch the other bands and wait for the awards ceremony to see what score they earned. Those that do well are ecstatic after they win their trophies, while those that come away empty handed hang their heads in shame and head home with just a participation trophy and the judges sheets/tapes.

while there may not be any head on head competition...at least at the one my students are competing in today (there are those that rank the bands that perform, so you're in competition with everyone, regardless of size...that's topic for another day), it is still something to relish because kids are competing and not being babied.

So, as I sit here checking my e-mail and blogs (and waiting for the little woman to get dressed) before I need to get over to the school, I wonder what kind of performance the kids are going to put on this afternoon. I'm sure they'll do just fine, but it would be totally awesome to bring back one of those Grand Champion trophies (and laugh in the face of the man I student taught under who has won the thing 27 yrs in row!!!) Yeah, that's a big goal, but hey, it's not impossible! I have a competitive spirit, what can I say?

Quote of the Week

Middle age is when your age starts to show around your middle. - Bob Hope

Rivals

Today is a big day for college football, but I won't be here to see it. I have to be at a marching band contest. How dare they actually make me work?!?

So, today a couple of games that are huge. First, my alma mater Northwestern State University takes on our bitter in state rival McNeese State University. This is a down year for my Demons, as they haven't won a game yet. Of course, considering how all but 1 of the teams they've played so far are nationally ranked in either the FCS or FBS polls, it isn't that bad, but it does still hurt to be without a win. Unfortunately, the Cowboys of McNeese aren't going to be easy, either, but hopefully it'll happen.

Also, today is HUGE for my home state of Texas, as the Red River Rivalry renews! Texas WILL beat Oklahoma! That's all that needs to be said (I just hope I haven't cursed them by saying it, though).

Back to my Demons, you'd think by hiring a coach away from LSU, they'd be better, not worse. Ironically, this week it was announced that in 2011 they'll play LSU right here in Baton Rouge. Guess I'll have to sell my soul for some tickets.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Shouldn't this be more about the inside rather than the outside?

I'm sure you've seen the trailers for the upcoming Princess and the Frog movie. I'm so excited about it! Apparently Disney can still hand draw stuff, after all.

One of the things that has been brought up over and over and over and over again is the racial aspect of this picture. Personally, I don't look at it that way. She's just another princess in just another movie, but unfortunately, not everyone thinks that way and believe they need to get their point across, such as the fact that there is this whole big hype about this being the first African-American princess, yet she spends most of the movie as a frog.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the whole point to show that its what's on the inside that counts, rather than the outside? So, why is it then, that everyone is making such a big deal about the color of this woman's skin? That's just as bad as when they said Jonathan Taylor Thomas shouldn't have been Simba in favor of a young African-American actor.

This whole thing is just an example of what "PC weenies", as I read in one blog a while back, we've become. Sure, its progress that there is an African-American princess and all, but quite frankly, the bigger story should be that this is going to be a quality, hand-drawn animated, musical feature, reminiscent of the good ol' Disney movies of our childhood, rather than the computer animated filler that they've put out in the past 5 yrs (not counting the Pixar movies).

Is there nothing that anyone can do these days without offending or getting criticized for it? This is getting a bit ridiculous, if you ask me. Its like no one remembers that this is just a movie, and not a way of life, y'know?

Twisted logic

Some people can twist anything into their own way of thinking, just so they can make it sound justified. I'm not talking about conservatives or liberals, but this judge that's about half an hour from here. In case you haven't heard about this yet, here's the article:

A white Louisiana justice of the peace said he refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple out of concern for any children the couple might have.

Keith Bardwell, justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish, says it is his experience that most interracial marriages do not last long.

"I'm not a racist. I just don't believe in mixing the races that way," Bardwell told the Associated Press on Thursday. "I have piles and piles of black friends. They come to my home, I marry them, they use my bathroom. I treat them just like everyone else."

Bardwell said he asks everyone who calls about marriage if they are a mixed race couple. If they are, he does not marry them, he said.

Bardwell said he has discussed the topic with blacks and whites, along with witnessing some interracial marriages. He came to the conclusion that most of black society does not readily accept offspring of such relationships, and neither does white society, he said.

"There is a problem with both groups accepting a child from such a marriage," Bardwell said. "I think those children suffer and I won't help put them through it."

If he did an interracial marriage for one couple, he must do the same for all, he said.

"I try to treat everyone equally," he said.

Bardwell estimates that he has refused to marry about four couples during his career, all in the past 2 1/2 years.

Beth Humphrey, 30, and 32-year-old Terence McKay, both of Hammond, say they will consult the U.S. Justice Department about filing a discrimination complaint.

Humphrey, an account manager for a marketing firm, said she and McKay, a welder, just returned to Louisiana. She is white and he is black. She plans to enroll in the University of New Orleans to pursue a masters degree in minority politics.

"That was one thing that made this so unbelievable," she said. "It's not something you expect in this day and age."

Humphrey said she called Bardwell on Oct. 6 to inquire about getting a marriage license signed. She says Bardwell's wife told her that Bardwell will not sign marriage licenses for interracial couples. Bardwell suggested the couple go to another justice of the peace in the parish who agreed to marry them.

"We are looking forward to having children," Humphrey said. "And all our friends and co-workers have been very supportive. Except for this, we're typical happy newlyweds."

"It is really astonishing and disappointing to see this come up in 2009," said American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana attorney Katie Schwartzmann. She said the Supreme Court ruled in 1967 "that the government cannot tell people who they can and cannot marry."

The ACLU sent a letter to the Louisiana Judiciary Committee, which oversees the state justices of the peace, asking them to investigate Bardwell and recommending "the most severe sanctions available, because such blatant bigotry poses a substantial threat of serious harm to the administration of justice."

"He knew he was breaking the law, but continued to do it," Schwartzmann said.

According to the clerk of court's office, application for a marriage license must be made three days before the ceremony because there is a 72-hour waiting period. The applicants are asked if they have previously been married. If so, they must show how the marriage ended, such as divorce.

Other than that, all they need is a birth certificate and Social Security card.

The license fee is $35, and the license must be signed by a Louisiana minister, justice of the peace or judge. The original is returned to the clerk's office.

"I've been a justice of the peace for 34 years and I don't think I've mistreated anybody," Bardwell said. "I've made some mistakes, but you have too. I didn't tell this couple they couldn't get married. I just told them I wouldn't do it."


I know some of you are going to say this should be expected in Louisiana, but truth be told, this is the first I've heard of anything like this since I've lived here (which has been since 4th grade). I find it hard to believe that this is legal. Do judges have THAT much power? Yeah, they can deny licenses, but on the basis of race and what may happen to their children? WTF?!?

Now if he had a good reason, such as one of them had a history of alcohol or drugs, or beat the woman, something like that would make sense to deny the license, but to not allow couples to marry because they're both of different races? Notice he says he's not racist, and points out that he has "piles and piles of black friends". Most of the time when people say this, it is the exact opposite.

This just has me outraged beyond belief, but I'm curious about what you may think, so feel free to share.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

What's the Rush?

I'm no fan of the St. Louis Rams. That doesn't mean I don't like them, just that I'm not a fan. I believe they are a franchise that has fallen on hard times these last few years, but these can't last forever. It's not like they're the Detroit Lions!

Apparently the team is for sale and one of the interested parties in none other than that blowhard, Rush Limbaugh. Make no mistake, I have no love for Limbaugh. His views on many things are so totally screwed up that I'm not going to even mention them here, except for the fact that he has been vocal about saying things like the NFL is full of a bunch of thugs, America would be better if slavery was still around, Donovan McNabb gets free pass as quarterback because the media wants an African-American qb to succeed, etc. (these are all paraprhased and not direct quotes, so no one go get their panties in a wad).

Many are saying this guy is a racist. I'm not going to go that far, but he sure does seem to be anti-African Americans. Oddly enough, 66% of the NFL is African American. The Rams may be an even high number.

Around the league many players have spoken out in protest of Limbaugh. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, who apparently speak for all African Americans have also made their opinions heard, and recently a few owners and Roger Goodell, Commissioner of the NFL, has said that having him as an owner would reflect negatively on the league.

Personally, I am one that believes in giving everyone a chance, but you only get so many chances. Everytime this guy gets a forum, he uses it to spew his hate. Are we to honestly give him the power of an NFL franchise? I can see it now, after each game, he gets up to the podium and thanks the white, conservative players and coaches, while the minority players that haven't left yet, are forced to smile and nod, as he goes on another of his ravings about something political.

So, what is it that he hopes to accomplish by owning a team? Is this some sort of political move? For that matter, what does he know about running a team? Quite frankly, in case you can't tell, I think this is a bad idea, and I hope with every fiber of my being it doesn't get any farther than this speculation.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Musical Monday

This week's musical Monday selection comes from my favorite musical, How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (not one of the more well known musicals). If the guy singing looks familiar, you may know him as the head of the ad agency on Mad Men. I hope you enjoy "Brotherhood of Man"

they also did this on The Drew Carey Show



Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.




PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Eye Candy 10/11

Female Hottie: Julia Roberts

This week's female hottie is a real treat. With a smile that could light up the darkest of rooms, Julia Roberts could give Mary Tyler Moore a run for her money. Most know her for her iconic movie roles in Pretty Woman, Eric Brokovich, Steel Magnolias...not to mention she was the first live action Tinkerbell in Hook (don't quote me on that).

Male Hottie: Simon Baker

The male hottie for this week is the star of last year's breakout hit The Mentalist. Simon Baker also had a major role in the movie The Devil Wears Prada and has applied to become an American citizen (he's Australian). I'm sure more than a few of my female readers are more than happy about him making this week's list.

Random Hottie from a movie or TV show seen this week: Danielle Fishel

Gamebox 1.0 brings us our random hottie, Danielle Fishel. If she looks familiar, then you may know her better as Topanga from Boy Meets World or as the best friend of last week's random hottie in the Dorm Daze movies. These days she's a spokeswoman for Nutrisystem and hosts The Dish on The Style Network. Oh, and in case you're wondering, they are real.

MILF: Mia Sara

Remeber Matthew Broderick's uber-hot girlfriend from Ferris Bueller's Day Off? Well, these days she's the mother of two (by the sons of Sean Connery and Jim Henson, btw) and continuies to act sparingly.

Classic/Retro Hottie: Greta Garbo

We return to classic Hollywood for this week's retro hottie. Greta Garbo has been called one of the greatest actresses of all time. She is one one of the few actors that successfully made the transition from silent movies to "talkies". Garbo was caricatured in many short animated films, but it was all in good fun.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Quote of the Week

Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils.- Hector Berlioz

Game day traffic

I don't know how many of you live in a big city, let alone one that has major college football power, but if you do, then you may be able to sympathize with me here.

If you know anything about college football (or live in Gainesville, FL or Baton Rouge,LA, then you are aware that today LSU plays the University of Florida in a major matchup.

ESPN has even parked themselves on campus. As if the game wasn't big enough, there's the added attraction of getting on national television, if for only a couple of seconds.

Aside from all that, traffic down here is bad enough on a normal day. Now you add on arguably the biggest game of the season (sorry University of Alabama fans) and it is almost one big cluster of traffic jams!

I wish I was exaggerating, but I'm not. Good thing I live halfway across town from that mess, and don't have to go over there for anything. It may take an entire tank of gas to make it!

Did I mention that the game isn't until tonight? Yeah, tailgating and LSU football seems to be religion around here.

Oh shoot, I just realized that I do have to go over there to meet a friend for coffee. Maybe I should reschedule? Nah, that would just be plain lazy!

*SIGH* Wish me luck! I better get going now if I'm going to make it there by noon. Ugh! This better be a good game, I tell you what! (did I just go all King of the Hill right there?)

Friday, October 9, 2009

Is it too early?

As I'm sure you've all read/seen/hear, President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize today. This is a great accomplishment, no matter what you think of the man, but, like many people around the world, I have to wonder...is it too early?

I mean, the man has been on office about a year, but, as far as I know he hasn't really done anything to foster peace (or war)...at least not enough to justify winning the award. It could be that he was the best candidate for it, though. In which case...this is a sad world we live in that no one else tries to foster peace anymore.

My thought is that they gave it to him as a way to increase public exposure. Seriously, if you were to ask any Joe on the street to name 5 previous winners. They may get lucky and say Carter or Clinton...you know the winners that are well known, but for the most part, no one knows who wins that thing, myself included. Having arguably the most visible president win it, brigs instant exposure.

Some critics are saying that this is going to ultimately hurt his presidency. I don't see how it could that. If anything does that, it'll be these policies that no one can agree on, but I do think it is a bit premature to give him such a prestigious award, but I do applaud him.

EC is pimping themselves out

The few of us left that still use Entrecard have no doubt noticed the so-called "paid ads" that they are using now. I have my own set of issues with these things which I have and will discuss ad nauseum at various points in time, but for this post let me just say that these things are like preaching to the choir.

If you think about it, why would you advertise on blogs that already use your service. Especially, if most of us don't want them there anyway. I understand that non-users may see them and be intrigued, but chances are, these same people actually read blogs, and have read our bitching and have already been dissuaded.

It could be just me, but I just think if they're going to force this on the few that didn't join the mass exodus off the site, then they should go all out with the paid ads, and not use us to pimp themselves. I don't want that to happen, but it seems a bit counterproductive, y'know? What do you think?

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Rumors about my demise have been greatly exaggerated

As many of you that are/were users of Entrecard know, October 5th marked the reurn of paid ads, this time without the permission of the blog owner. As I've been doing my usual blog surfing and such, I've noticed that many of the blogs that I normally read and drop on have left the service or are getting ready to do so.

There have even been some that have contacted me about the belief that I will be following suit. I have not noticed any paid ads on my blog, yet. Having said that I will be watching the behavior of EC over the next month. They're on thin ice with me, and its getting thinner.

Like many of you, when I joined the site, it was to meet other bloggers, get some traffic to the site, read other blogs, etc. As time has passed, its become more of a chore to drop, and with all the "changes for the better" they've been implementing, it just isn't fun to be an EC member anymore.

The only reason I'm sticking around is becuse of the hard work I put into EC, but make no mistake, it may not be that long before I say the hell with it and leave the service for bigger and better things (which I am currently searching for, if anyone has suggestions). When/if that happenes, I'll give everyone notice in advance. Until then, I hope everyone has a good week/day/morning/night...whatever it is when you're read this.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Musical Monday

This week's musical Monday takes me way back to the first Super Bowl I ever watched and arguably the most dominant team in NFL history, the 1985 Chicago Bears. I'm not a Bears fan, but I've always loved the song and hope you'll enjoy "The Superbowl Shuffle"



Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.




PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Eye Candy 10/4

Female Hottie: Anna Paquin

The hottest non-vampire on True Blood is our female hottie this week, but before she was the object of vampire Bill (and alot of other's) affections, Anna Paquin starred as Rogue in the X-Men movies and won an Academy Award at the ripe old age of 11 for The Piano. She's not going away anytime soon, we just have to wait for the next season of True Blood, though.

Male Hottie: Jon Hamm

This week's male hottie is best known for his role as Don Draper on the critically acclaimed hit show Mad Men. He fits in perfectly with that 60s backdrop. As a matter of fact, many have said he's a throwback to old Hollywood. He's making good career choices here of late and soon I predict he'll be up there with Clooney and Pitt. I'll forgive him for being in the absolute worst movie of all time, the remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still, though.

Random Hottie from a movie or TV show seen this week: Jennifer Lyons

National Lampoon's Dorm Daze 2 is an obscenely bad movie, but one of the highlights of it seeing Jennifer Lyons attempt to come to terms with her attraction to Danielle Fishel. She actually has quite the extensive resume, but its mostly bit parts and one-shot appearances as the token "hot chick" or ditzy blonde. She has a few projects completed and waiting release for the coming year, so we may be seeing more of her in the near future.

MILF: Melina Kanakaredes

Best known for starring in the current hit CSI: NY, Melina Kanakaredes earns a sot as this week's MILF. Aside from being quite the looker, she and her husband have two little girls. Bit of trivia...she was offered the lead role in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, but hadto turn it down because of pregnancy.

Classic/Retro hottie: Dolly Parton

I'm no fan of country music, but there are a handful of country crooners that I will willingly listen to, Dolly being one of them. Now, before you start with the comments about her massive 40DD implants, take a look at her face. She is a very beautiful woman (and thanks to some very well done plastic surgery, still is). Just like Pam Anderson, everyone focuses on her implants and forgets what she looks like. Having said that, her waist is ridiculously tiny. No wonder they call her "Backwoods Barbie" With those measurements (40DD-20-35), she looks quite caricsturish, but hey with that much talent, you can do just abut anything.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Quote of the Week

I'm so OCD that I'm CDO!- one of my students during clean-up after the game last night

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Top Droppers for September

Thanks to those that continue to drop, even though EC becomes less and less enjoyable by the minute. A spec ail thanks goes to those who continue to comment, advertise, run my advertisements, and especially to my top droppers for the month of September (can you believe its over, already?)

Funky Town Disco Music
Everyday Living
The Way I See It
The Junk Drawer
My Sweet Heaven
Winesworld's blog
Tekkaus
Rambling Stuff
Blazing Minds