Becks is coming to LA! They certainly aren't paying for his footy skills, but they are paying for this kind of publicity:




















David Beckham is apparently getting $250 million for five years to play soccer in LA. Obviously paying for Beckham the Brand, because today in 2007, there has to be at least a hundred players better than him. Still, he is the most recognizable player in the world, and the kids seem to love the guy.

So, for him, it's a great move. Can he save US Soccer? Doubtful, but he can certainly raise its profile. He enters a situation with no on-field pressure, gets to go out on the town with Posh and will surpass the ink wasted on Paris Hilton in no time. I mean, they are friends with the Cruises. And Posh will be bored enough to go on "Dancing with the Stars" and make some "American Idol" appearances. And she can find some new soccer WAGS and hit Rodeo Drive often.

And if you can add a few more soccer fans in the process, what the hell? I'm not payin' him.

Meal of Links

Need to get rid of stuff? This site can help.

Steve Martin is writing a memoir. A chronicle of the early days should be a big hit.

Folks argue about lots of things. Sometimes while brandishing guns. It happened again. This time, over James Brown's height. I thought it was clear he was....here it comes...wait for it...six-feet under. OK, I stole that, but it's go-o-o-od.

Video of the Week

This is a Beck song that I've been hearing a lot of lately, and I like it very much. It's an unusually straightforward lyric from him. Probably have to turn the volume up here, too. Things to look for: Is that Gene Gene the Dancing Machine, Version 2007, in the back? He lip syncs some vocals near the end. I like the cool lyric "Whispering hello through a smoke ring smile." There seems to be off-camera stuff going on, especially at the start and with the "doo doo doo" part and when he talks about the photo booth pictures. And when he has the money from a shoebox lyric, I sense about $22. We got guys dressed like chicks and what's with the smoker? We also have chicks dressed like chicks, except they have fake hair. A neat video.

Beck-"Think I'm In Love"



Exercise Yard

Last night, S. and I wandered over to the Bart to watch CSU lose again. Now 0-5 in the league, they lost to Milwaukee, and that wasn't your father's UW-Milwaukee team they were playing either.

It's the point in the season where the post-game eats, this time at the West End Tavern, are becoming the highlight. And the scheduling is strange, as CSU has three home games lumped together this week for their only January home appearances and repeat the process once more, in a few weeks. I like it. Torture in quick doses.

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15 Across: Celebrated smiler (8 letters) Answer: Mona Lisa