Looks like MMA is going mainstream. Like I've said, I'm still hanging on with boxing, because I know it. CBS showing a few UFC matches is one thing. But when the Bud Light logo graces the octagon, it's only a matter of time before the bouts show up in more unlikely places.

Meal of Links

Kate Beckinsale says her best feature is her twat. "That's gold, Jerry! Gold!"

The most disturbing comic has to be "Garfield Minus Garfield". Methamphetamine addictions can be rough.

A reminder. Here is the link from last night's John Doe/Wilco concert, live from D.C.. Goes for a tick over 3 hours. Wilco appears on SNL this Saturday with Ellen Page.

Looks like Jason Bourne will return. Not quickly, but some time in the future.

How to copy online videos. Some good conversion sites here.

The mind can act in odd ways, can't it? From Deja Vu to a bunch of other phenomenon. I think Costanza had L’esprit de l’Escalier in the "jerk store" episode.

Learning how to smoke. Not a big deal. Unless you're 46.

John McCain was born in the Panama Canal Zone. Can he run for President?

Remember when HBO used this intro? It's 25 years old now.



Jason Statham has another movie next week. I am there opening weekend. Here are the 10 most outrageous moments from "The Transporter" series. The fight scene with the hose is much better than Number 8. And I do love when he kicks that door in on that guy's face. Hah! I checked IMDB. He's got "Death Race 3000", "Crank 2" and "Transporter 3" in the pipeline. Yes!



Exercise Yard

College basketball and taunting have gone hand-in-hand for a long time. But we're way beyond "Gun Down, Kent State"-type cheers, it seems.

Visitor

44 Across: 1979-81 trucker-with-chimp TV comedy (12 letters) Answer: B.J. and the Bear

Tonight's CSU debate was kinda tedious. Clinton and Obama agree on most things, so not many fireworks. My favorite part was a Russian question. Mrs. Clinton goes into a monologue showing how much she knows about Putin and the upcoming election, successors, etc. After her long-winded answer, all eyes turn to Obama, because everyone questions his experience, especially in the area of foreign policy. His answer? Sort of a "Mrs. Clinton is correct in what she says." Take that! It was like he only said "Ditto!". Hah!

Meal of Links

Christian Bale stars in the new "Terminator". I love that guy. BTW, shouldn't Dwayne Johnson be in that movie?

ABC gets into the On-Demand game. Only on Cox, for now. I think it's a good idea.

This past week's episode of "The Wire" showed Omar getting shot in the head by what looked like a 6-year old. You don't see many inner city gay stickup artists get done like that. Only two episodes left.

How to fix the Oscar telecast. My first step? Move it up 30 minutes and why keep it on Sundays, when ratings are falling. Make it an Oscar Saturday where people can stay up later, or have it on the same day as Daytona and get that President's Day crowd. But there are some good points made here.

Dan Neil takes a ride in the Mustang Bullitt. He wanted to hate it, but...Zoom, zoom!

Exercise Yard

Sean Salisbury is done at ESPN. Some people really like this guy, I never got his act. He talks really loud, never gets called on for any of the shit he predicts that doesn't happen, and was one of the worst NFL "experts" out there. Good luck taking that brand elsewhere. Cris Carter takes over at the Four-Letter. I like him. Let's hope he doesn't get Bermanized.

Visitor

61 Across: Inventor Whitney (3 letters) Answer: Eli

Tonight, it is the Academy Awards presentation. How great! We'll see Heath Ledger on the Dead People Salute, somebody who thought they would win will get hosed, and my favorite, when a minority is nominated or presenting, we'll be sure to see which other members of their race have attended.

Not sure if I'll do the major blow-by-blow this evening, so here are the picks, just in case:

Movie: "No Country for Old Men"
Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis
Actress: The Edith Piaf chick
Supporting Actor: Javier Bardem
Supporting Actress: Cate Blanchett

There you have it. I saved you 215 minutes of TV viewing. Now go watch the end of the NASCAR race.

80th Annual Academy Awards Telecast

I didn't do a running tally of the festivities, because as it ended up, it only took 3:20 and they cut out the Humanitarian Award and another of the Honorary Oscars, which is always catch up on my typing time. But, of course, I did watch.

The oddest thing was not telecast-related, but during the reading of the Best Actor nominees, a patrol car was shining its light through my windows and front door. WTF? You can't rightly look out the door, because who knows if someone called or they were looking for someone. Sheesh! It's like when the police copter is hovering around your house. Don't run outside looking like a fool. Stay put.

Hey, how 'bout those predictions, eh? Heath Ledger got the biggest applause on the Dead People Scroll, 4 of 5 in the majors with Cate Blanchett probably mad, and the most obvious peer shot was when that 98-year old guy was giving his Honorary Oscar speech and they showed Hal Holbrook! Hah!

Jon Stewart was much better this year. Although I am a sucker for stupid jokes like his Gaydolf Tittler running for President in '44 joke. That made me laugh. He seemed much more relaxed and maybe the writers strike emptied his plate a bit and they went with more basic stuff, meaning dumb it down. I enjoyed him a lot this time. Although why did the Best Song winner get to come back and deliver her part of that duo's speech? What about all the past winners who couldn't give theirs. Start it earlier and then everyone can speak. Stewart also joked about "Norbit" getting a nomination. Tee hee. I've never told anyone, "Hey, that movie sucks, but go for the makeup."

I was set to watch some red carpet action on Spice...I mean E!, before the show. Seacrest Out asked Jessica Alba if she was going to breast-feed her child. I thought that rather odd, so off that went and I watched NASCAR and some of the Cavs game until 8:00. Then I watched ABC's pre-game festivities. Man, Regis Philbin was awful. He called him "Xavier Bardem". Not only that he said, "Ex-zavior Bardem". Mindful of Woody Allen saying, "She said Van Gock. Van Gock!"

Who represented old Hollywood (non-nominee category)? Was it Dennis Hopper? Am I missing something? Whey was he there? Nominee, relative of nominee, friend of nominee, fan, lost? Strange. I mean I know why Diane Lane was there, as wife of presenter Josh Brolin, but Hopper? And didn't Tommy Lee Jones looked pissed during the beginning of Stewart's monologue?




















In HD, you can really tell who's got the goods. Jennifer Garner...flawless. Without question, she looked the best. Penelope Cruz showed up and I got to do my favorite Cruz line, although I said it in Spanish this time, "No habla! No habla! No habla! No habla! No habla!" Then she habla'ed and I said, "Bah!" Still not sold on Cameron Diaz. I don't even have to go under the hood for that decision.

Shouldn't the winner for Best Costume Design actually have a nice outfit on? I'm just hablaing.

Steve Carrell makes me laugh by walking out to the mike. I can't help it. Anne Hathaway...sigh! Did he say "shit"? Seriously, I think he said "shit".



















Katherine Heigl didn't look good at all to me. Hilary Swank is another one from time to time that doesn't look right, but I do have to go under the hood for replays on her.

On each of the five nominated songs, my sound kept cutting out. I wish I could do that on purpose, but this was annoying.

"Everybody clap your hands....come on, now." Fuck McDonald's.

Cuba Gooding, Jr. in a montage. Hah! Now doing dreck like "Daddy Day Camp" and wearing some other guy's underwear. Do you realize he beat William H. Macy in "Fargo" that year?

It's your big Oscar win and who presents your award? Jennifer Hudson! Buzzkill. 3 years from now, it'll be "Who's that?"

Hey, I thought there was a commercial break and Owen Wilson was on. WTF? Did they give him a standing O? Did he show his scars? Was he funny?






























Marion Cotillard should have said "Je bois de votre milk-shake!"

OK, who could not see the winner for Best Foreign Film coming? I'm telling you, any movie that has Nazis and Jews in it, is an automatic. I think if some foreign land made "Hogan's Heroes" into a movie, it has a shot.



















David Bowie won an Oscar!

Too bad that Roy Scheider died late for the Dead People Scroll, even though everyone watching knows he's dead. I'm guessing lots, some, a few people watching said, "Hey, they forgot Roy Scheider." Although they used his line, "We're gonna need a bigger boat."

Another tradition at the Oscars. Best Original Screenplay goes to the movie that everyone liked, but no one wants to vote for any major nominations it may have received. This year, it went to "Juno". I recall "Sideways" and "Pulp Fiction" getting this treatment in the past.

I understand the world is changing, but why are some of these presenters on here. Miley Cyrus, are you kidding me? Seriously, find Walken, find Alec Baldwin, find Will Ferrell, for crying out loud. I didn't have a problem with The Rock as a presenter, but riddle me this, Batman? Why isn't he a bigger star? It's a strange world when Matt Damon (Bourne is way cool, though) is a bigger action star than him. I thought "The Rundown" was just the beginning. Whoops.












Finally, the Coen Brothers take Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Picture. First time ever for the triple crown.

Meal of Links


Ralph Nader tosses his hat into the presidential ring. Here we go again. BTW, I got a call from Mrs. Clinton today. She says her record is being distorted and she has a plan to fix NAFTA.

Who should be John McCain's running mate? Some of the usual suspects are mentioned, but not many.

The Onion always makes me laugh. This time a victim of an alleged mall shooting crawled into the mall area so they would not die inside of a Yankee Candle. That is too funny.

Exercise Yard

Last night, HBO had the Klitschko-Ibragimov fight, and it was pretty dull. The announce team kept saying how it was a clash of styles, but I don't know, I thought Klitschko should have put him away much earlier, as his right hand was working great all night. An uninteresting bout to be sure, with Klitschko getting the unanimous decision.

Visitor

None, it's Sunday.

S. and I went to the Lakewood Civic Auditorium last night to see Wilco. This was the first time I saw Wilco and in the words of Jesse Ventura, "I'm impressed and I don't impress that easily, McMahon." This sorta kicked off the tour for Wilco, as they just got done playing a week of shows in their hometown of Chicago.

The Venue: The Lakewood Civic Auditorium is a pretty nice facility, seating about 2,000 and built next to the high school. I had not been there in years. I actually had my high school commencement there and I believe I saw a rendition of "Hamlet" there once. They do not serve alcohol. Wilco's frontman, Jeff Tweedy mentioned, "They don't serve alcohol here, do they? You guys look painfully alert."

Being a bit late seeing Wilco live, the audience has many devotees. There are people who know virtually every song. Let's not get carried away, this isn't like a Springsteen or U2, but it is noticeable.

Jeff Tweedy: The leader of Wilco surprised me on two fronts. His voice is really good live. Can do the rock screaming, sound real bluesy and I thought, channeled Van Morrison on their last number.

And, he's really funny. I have mentioned before that when the harmonica makes an appearance at a show, there is a a certain faction of the audience that goes crazy. Before one tune, Tweedy put that harmonica apparatus on and when he played, it happened again last night. After the song, Tweedy said, "I was wearing this around the school today. Then they put me in a special needs class."

Plus, they did not do the encore in the truest sense. Tweedy basically said they were gonna dispose of that, continue playing, and when they were done, hopefully you could beg or plead with them honestly to call them back. And the crowd did just that. Breaking the curfew in the process.

The Tickets: We were in the upper section (Section 2), maybe five rows from the top, but not a bad view at all. Actually quite good. Empty seats on either side provided the coveted coat chair. And being in the uppers there was no need to stand, so it was just sit back and enjoy the show.

The Sound: I dare say, this was the best sound at a concert I have heard in a long time. And with Wilco up there, you know the sound system is going to be tested for some unusual tones. Absolutely gorgeous sound.

The opening act was John Doe from X. Or "John F*cking Doe" as the t-shirt read. Unfortunately, we didn't see the beginning of his act. His band had three different members in the roles of Bonebrake, Zoom and Exene. We arrived four songs from the end of his act, in time to hear him say, "Don't forget to vote." And went into an awesome version of "The New World" which had a couple of verses of "Revolution" in it. Very cool.

The Stage: The setup was old school for Doe. Drummer with no riser and all four of them packed closely.

The setup for Wilco was fairly basic, Back row was drummer on a riser, flanked by two keyboards on either side at stage level. Up front were the three guitars with Tweedy in the middle, Nels Cline (who plays a mean slide, in addition to kickass electric guitar) on the left, John Stirratt on bass on the right.

Sparse lighting, nothing too obnoxious and the latter half of the show was played with normal lighting turned on.

The Music:: An unbelievable show. Wilco has this unusual ability to have you sucked into the melody of a song. Then, without any warning, you may end up careening into some of the harshest sounds you'll hear. Trust me, it works. And they played for at least two hours. Hands down, it was one of the best concerts I've seen.

Setlist:

I could not find one, although I know they played my favorite song "Heavy Metal Drummer".

All in all, it was great to see Wilco for the first time. I'll definitely look them up in the future and keep the Civic Auditorium in mind for future shows, as well.

The Plain Dealer review. You can hear them on NPR on Wednesday.

Meal of Links

After the CSU game, Jeff and I headed over to Bricco for some post-game chow. It's in the old Hickerson's space. They profess to be "upscale casual" as so many places claim these days. The space looks upscale, but the bar had NASCAR on, go figure. The bar area seemed to seat about 10-12 at the bar with a few other tables around. The dining area was pretty big and like most Downtown spaces, they are going to have to figure out how to maximize occupancy. At the very least,it offers more choices to Playhouse Square and CSU attendees. Not many people there around 8:30 on a Saturday, because the shows at Playhouse Square have already begun. The food was pretty good. Jeff liked the Garlic Bread and had Penne with Italian Sausage, and I had kind of a half meal. I had a half Mixed Greens Salad and a Blackened Chicken Pizza. Boxed up half for later consumption. Washed that down with a couple of Pacificos from a pretty good beer list with reasonable prices for imports. Those ran at $3.50. I liked it.

Bon Scott gets a bronze statue. Let's say, Cleveland decided to do this. Who would it be? Trent Reznor? Drew Carey (who, for one fleeting moment, I thought was the truck driver in that Serpentini ad)? Ghoulardi? I dunno, maybe no one.

Looks like "Flight of the Conchords" is a strike casualty and won't return until next year. So, I will occupy my summer of 2008 campaigning with Dave Grohl for President. I love smoky barbecues, too. Plus, he'll rock the fuckin' house, as he says.

Exercise Yard

















The ESPN Bracketbuster was tonight. My brother and I were in attendance to see CSU take on the Red Foxes of Marist. No, not the Redd Foxxes, but I was really hoping to see him as their logo. I swear they had Champipple instead of Gatorade on the bench.

Another one of those grind-it-out games. Both teams had a horrid first half on Senior Night. In the second half, Marist hung around by hitting the three ball at opportune times. CSU finally pulled away in the last 5 minutes and won, 59-44.

Visitor

13 Down: Directing father and son (7 letters) Answer: Reiners

Tonight's Oscar nominated movie was "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford". And, yes, the movie was about as long as that title. Casey Affleck is up for Best Supporting Actor. Affleck plays Ford as a pathetic James acolyte at the start and ends up resenting James for who he is, later on. I liked this movie very much and not just because James Carville had a couple of scenes as a Missouri governor out to get Jesse James. I thought it captured the aura around Jesse James quite well. His name still congers up folk legends of train robberies and general mayhem in the late 19th century.

This was well-acted. Brad Pitt was Jesse James and he was really good. Terrific support from Affleck and Sam Rockwell, as well, as the Ford Brothers. Sam Shepard stopped in as Frank James. Mary-Louise Parker was Jesse's wife and had a bit part. Really neat score from Nick Cave. Also, just beautiful cinematography in this one. Pleasantly surprised, although I should not have been, that it was photographed by Roger Deakins. Found out he's nominated here and, of course, for the Coen Brothers "No Country for Old Men", as he does all of their work since "Barton Fink". Also did "In the Valley of Elah", so he's had quite the year.

So, if you have a spare 2 hours and 41 minutes, watch it. Oh, there are parts that aren't exactly exciting, but worth the ride.

BTW, this Oscar quiz took me 10 minutes to get 10 correct. Cannot believe I forgot "Crash". OK, you have one.

Meal of Links

Next week is "Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week". Many restaurants are offering choices at $20 and $30 or $40 for a three-course meal. Some restaurants already have their choices on their websites via the links.

I don't know how I missed this. But Ford is offering a Steve McQueen-inspired Mustang Bullitt! Are you kidding me? I was getting pumped about this car, until I saw that $31,000 price tag. Come on, Mega Millions!

Daily Kos lists the Senate records of Clinton and Obama. After further review, the author went with Obama.

"Idol" has pros as contestants. Now this guy says "Iron Chef" is fake.

Exercise Yard

I should have gone back to my original theory about the NBA. If Shawn Kemp can be traded, anyone can. The trading of Shaq should have clinched it for me. Therefore, when the rumors really got hot about a Cavs deal or two around 2:30, especially when Ben Wallace was sitting out Chicago's practice today, we were not surprised that something happened.

Well, we shed Larry Hughes awful contract in exchange for a worser one with Ben Wallace. We also get Wally World, point guard Delonte West, the ageless Joe Smith and a second round draft pick in "09 from the Bulls. We also dumped Donyell Marshall, Ira Newble, Shannon Brown, Drew Gooden and Cedric Simmons. If that sounds like the team has been overhauled, well, it has been.

Now LeBron has some pieces/parts that he may be able to work with. West isn't the greatest point guard, but now that his mama said, "No more tats!", maybe he'll be OK. Szczerbiak can still shoot the three, but he's already played 50 games, so his annual injury will eventually show up, this year or next. Joe Smith can help a little bit, probably more than some people we dumped. But the key is Ben Wallace. Let's face it, this guy is a black hole on offense. We will get nothing from him. However, if he can get motivated and play some killer defense, it may turn out well.

Overall, I think by making some sort of move, the Cavs did OK. They did take on more salary, but maybe the new guys will contribute more on the court, so the dollar exchange won't mean much. It's a significant upgrade in the front court with a rotation of Szczerbiak, Ilgauskus, Wallace, Smith and Varejao. LeBron is great and should be able to have these veteran players crank up their performance levels.

However, Charley Rosen expresses the doubts we all have.

Visitor

62 Across: Big name in soy sauce (8 letters) Answer: Kikkoman (in a puzzle of K's today)

I'm still not worried, just a little concerned. My stance all along is that I wouldn't worry about the Cavs ability to keep LeBron James. When he eventually becomes a free agent, we have the opportunity to pay him the most cash, and I've maintained that's enough to keep him here.

But the Jason Kidd trade raises the most obvious side issue. The Nets will clear a ton of cap space in the next couple of years and will also be moving to Brooklyn. What better way to become New York's team by having Jay-Z add James to the roster. It's also clear that LeBron has elevated his game and is now the best player on the planet, carrying a team of has-beens and never-will-bes to whatever heights they will achieve. Hopefully, last year's finals visit isn't the last.

I don't think I could forgive the Cavs if they didn't surround him with some talent and let the guy walk. Again, I don't think it will happen, but my Fear Factor is at about 8% right now.

Meal of Links

Tonight's Oscar quest took me "In The Valley Of Elah" with Tommy Lee Jones. He could not have been better in this Paul Haggis movie. You remember Haggis, he directed "Crash". Anyhow, Tommy Lee had to come to grips with the new Army against what used to be his old Army, while investigating the death of an AWOL son, a recent returnee from Iraq. Really a fine little movie that virtually no one has seen. Susan Sarandon, Jason Patric and especially Charlize Theron are first-rate.

The plagiarism attack by Hillary Clinton against Barack Obama proves one thing. She definitely does not have the press on her side. I'm actually surprised how fast this attack has fizzled, causing but a ripple. It congers memories of Joe Biden's 1988 aborted campaign when the one time he failed to cite Neil Kinnock in a speech, it was on video. After a huge firestorm, his campaign died shortly thereafter. But is what Obama using plagiarism or not, or does it even matter.

To quote Johnny Fever, "Chips are falling!"

Exercise Yard

Don't know why the local media isn't on this, but if the IRL and Champ Car series merge, the Cleveland race dies. One series dictates maybe 15 or 16 races and since IRL is the clear winner, they mainly race ovals. Last time I looked, Burke is not an oval. Toronto, Portland and other Champ Car mainstays also lose out in 2008 and maybe beyond. Especially if futher foreign expansion continues.

Not a done deal yet, but it's the closest to a merger since the day they split.

Visitor

30 Across: Carl famous for hostile takeovers (5 letters) Answer: Icahn

Oscar Cram Week continued today with Marion Cotillard in "La Vie en Rose". Even my limited, not even taxicab variety, French tells me that is "Life in Pink". A song made famous by Edith Piaf, whose life story is told in this movie. She died in 1963 at the age of 47 and rammed about 150 years worth of hard living and heartache into this one.

So, of course, this is a performance that Oscar loves. Because Cotillard can play her both young and old, you have to read the movie via subtitles, it's a famous person plus you have major triumphs and downfalls all in the same 2:14 movie that ping-pongs in a non-chronological way. Her affair with Marcel Cerdan was also highlighted. That means we get a little boxing action in the middle of an arty flick. Giddyup.

Famous names mentioned in the movie: Jean Cocteau, Marlene Dietrich, Marcel Cerdan, Marlon Brando, Charles Chaplin, Charles Aznavour, Yves Montand.

It's the type of movie where you say life kinda sucked in the early 20th century. You know, kids with dirty faces and snot running down their noses. Piaf was first abandoned by her mother, then her father and was raised in a whorehouse, run by her grandma. Nice family upbringing. Father reclaims her and did I mention he's a circus performer. A contortionist. I told you life kinda sucked. Try paying the bills that way.

What did we learn? Well, this is not a comedy. Piaf was blind as a child; as a teen, she had a child very few knew about who died of meningitis; she played the diva role to the hilt "Who says I can't? What's the point of being Edith Piaf?", that's a great line; the guy who discovered her (Gerard Depardieu) was killed by mobsters who knew Piaf and people didn't take a shine to that as they thought she was involved; she then hooked up with another guy who molded her into a star by booking her into music halls, etc.; her marriages get short shrift in the movie but the Cerdan affair was her great love and keeping with the theme of her life, he was on his way to see her and died in a plane crash in 1949. Can you pile any more onto her?

Did I mention she was an alcoholic and also a morphine addict? Her husband made her go to rehab, did they call it that back then? BTW, she also died of liver cancer. Yep, that's a full life to take a final curtain at 47.

Great performance, but not a movie you wanna see early on a sunny day.

Meal of Links

Lindsay Lohan gets naked. Wasn't this sort of hush-hush, I mean, who knew this was coming?

22 remakes and how they differed from the original. Some were improved, others not so much.

It's the new cast of "Dancing With The Stars". Monica Seles says, "I'm a tennis player. I don't know a tango from a mango." Also, check out Priscilla Presley's new face.

Exercise Yard

With all of the contenders in the NBA making trades, what will the Cavs do? Get Kirk Snyder? Yawn.

Visitor

46 Down: Millenium Falcon pilot (7 letters) Answer: Han Solo

My kingdom for a Heinen's.

Well, how did my second-most hated place behind Time-Warner, Giant Eagle, make me angry today? I didn't go to my normal one, so let me count the ways:

I like Caramel topping, don't eat it a lot, but I had my last drop some time last year. I wanted some today. You know, the simple Hershey's squeeze bottle, that's all I'm lookin' for. Could not find it. Why, there it is with all the other ice cream stuff, like cones. IN THE DIAPER AISLE!

I also like Toasteds, you know, the Keebler crackers. Those elves make a mean three-pack of Buttercrisp, Sesame and Wheat. Go to the cracker and cookie aisle. Nothing. Oh, you got your Ritz, your Premium, your Town House, but no Toasted. Why, there it is, along with Cheez-It (the crack of the cracker world), IN THE CEREAL AISLE, seven aisles away!

Unrelated to Giant Eagle, although I'm sure they lobbied for it, the size of the Jimmy Dean Breakfast Skillet has dropped. Yes, this used to be 20 ounces of plug-my-arteries breakfast goodness, but it has dropped to 18 ounces now. Of course, the associated price hasn't dropped either.

Lastly, if I'm going to Get-Go, I always wait until I get my groceries then I go there. Being in a really fab mood, I did that today. Only to go to the pump and see that cash customers now have to pre-pay, at least at this one. Well, that's the end of my convenience, because now I have to be a math major to estimate how much I'll need to fill up. Let's see the sign says $2.99, how much do I have on my card, well, I don't know because I have to go inside. Oh, it's 30 cents off, uh, er, I dunno, give me 25 dollars. So, as I'm pumping, I realize $25 is too much and I'm able to get $22.65 in. So, I have to go back in.

Her(snidely): "Oh, you're back in, huh?"
Me (angrily): "Yep, that's the hazard of pre-paying."
Her (densely): "Huh?"
Me (smart-assly): "That's the hazard of pre-paying. How am I supposed to know what a fill-up costs?"
Her(snottily): "Well, all stations are pre-paid."
Me (disgustedly): "No, they're not. Have you ever heard of Sheetz?"

Meal of Links

Amidst the Left Turn Guys starting today (Hello, Newman), I have been catching up on these Oscar nominations. I saw Viggo Mortensen in "Eastern Promises". I dunno, I didn't like it and I'm not sure why he was nominated. Well, he had an accent, was cut, tatted up and had a naked fight scene in a bath house. Kind of like Edward Norton, sans the accent, in "American History X". Anyhow, it's about Russian mobsters in London. So-so, at best.

Ronaldo's leg blew out, maybe, because of steroids. Hey, if Socrates believes it, I'm in.

You've probably noticed the words "cult" and "Obama" used in the same sentence a lot lately. I actually think the use of the word "cult" helps his opponents, because Americans is stupid, and they think bad things normally associated with cults. But people are fainting at his rallies. A Joel Stein column is referenced a lot these days, and it's actually quite good. The correlation to Peter Sellers in "Being There" is spot on.

Exercise Yard

I watched Pavlik-Taylor II last night via the feed from our good friends, the Chinese, and it was an OK fight at best. Yeah, Pavlik threw more punches, but both fighters were never in serious trouble. I don't know if it was that the fight was at 166 pounds or that it was a non-title match, but I hope there is no third bout here. Let's move on.

I guess Taylor proved he could last 12 rounds, although I thought he tired badly after the tenth. Pavlik continued to have a high work rate, lasted 12 rounds, and did what he needed to do to score points. I scored it Pavlik 115-113, with Kelly winning the final two rounds. It was a hard bout to score, as it was fairly even. There was more action in 7 rounds last time than last night's fight. I guess I'm a little disappointed and would be moreso, if I had purchased the PPV.

I'd like to see Pavlik fight closer to home and hopefully, have a shot at some quality opponents. Pavlik wins the unanimous decision.

Visitor

None, it's Daytona today.

The sun is out today. My God, what did we do wrong? After attending another Polka Happy Hour at the Happy Dog, I didn't have an opportunity to take advantage of the sun today, because I had the rest of my plumbing issues tended to.

I had originally scheduled it for the 29th, but I got a call yesterday that said I was scheduled for today, so I am not one to argue. They did a great job and it only took about 4 hours this time, because the work done was pretty straightforward. So, that headache is resolved.

It also allowed me to watch CSU play #9 Butler. A rare Saturday afternoon game for Cleveland State. Since I'm at all of the home games, I haven't been able to assess the broadcast team on STO. Uh, they are not good.

Case in point, with the score tied at 40 with 13:59 left, J'Nathan Bullock hits a short shot to tie and is fouled. I'm happy, because if he hits the free throw, CSU is up by three. Well, the refs reversed the call and the basket is taken away. CSU scores only 6 points the rest of the way (Butler only scored 11 more, to show you how ugly it was). And the announcers never mentioned how much or how long of a scoring drought CSU had the rest of the game!

Hey director, stat guy, anyone, whisper into the guys ears so they can tell us. Brutal. I don't think it's picky. I mean the score stayed 48-42 Butler from the 9:03 mark until 3:24 remained. That is beyond eternity in basketball. At a point in the game when CSU is trailing by 5 or 6 points with a little bit of time left, it would be nice to know how long it took them to score their last 6 points. That's all I'm asking.

CSU lost, 51-46.

Meal of Links

As if I have enough to worry about, now we are going to shoot a satellite down. Seems easy, right? Well, how come, I am reading things like:

"The government has placed six rescue teams across the country to be prepared to act if the satellite hits the United States." (Hopefully, one near me.)

"The Navy missile will be fired as the satellite reenters the atmosphere and has a reasonably high opportunity for success." (I was thinking how about 100% accuracy?)

"If it hits the ground, it could leak gas and cause potentially fatal injury over an area of the size of about two football fields." (Uh-oh.)

"Two other Navy cruisers with backup missiles have been dispatched and that they could take additional shots at the satellite, if necessary." (Again, I would think the first guy would get it right.)

John Cleese delivers a letter to America. Big changes forthwith.

The Number One underrated city in America is Baltimore. Hey, I watch "The Wire", I'm not sure I agree.

Exercise Yard

Plumbing also permitted me to watch one of the greatest upsets in F.A. Cup history this morning. Barnsley beat mighty Liverpool. Can't believe I just typed that. That would be the equivalent of the Kinston Indians beating the Red Sox.

Effin' Barnsley with a goal in the last seconds. After they had been hosed seconds earlier on a non-penalty call. Amazing.

Visitor

21 Across: Title assassin in a 1990 French film (6 letters) Answer: Nikita (A great opening scene)

Happy Valentine's Day. Well, for most.

Meal of Links

Fancast is the latest one-stop shopping place for your entertainment needs. A pretty decent list of full episodes (both new and old) of your favorite TV shows. For instance, the turkey episode from "WKRP" is up.

I might have mentioned this before, but here's a chat with Greg Garcia, who worked at Burger King during the writers strike. Now it's back to work on "My Name is Earl".

How people around the world count cash. What is up with the Pakistanis?

Exercise Yard

The offense that is all the rage in Hoops. Next time you watch unbeaten Memphis, it's that offense.

Visitor

17 Across: Hearst Castle architect (11 letters) Answer: Julia Morgan

Could anything make you head to the shower quicker than that Roger Clemens/Brian McNamee congressional hearing today? Jeezy creezy, was that uncomfortable. I failed to realize they would be testifying at the same time and at the same table. Apparently, that's why the "potted plant", as he was referred to, was in the middle.

My favorites:

Clemens saying Andy Pettitte "misremembered". That will be used as much as "U.S. Americans" now.

Dan Burton woke up the echoes and thought it was the Clinton impeachment. I wonder if he ever grilled Rumsfeld or someone of his ilk like that. He actually called Clemens "a titan".

McNamee finally sounded as if he got tired of answering the same questions. Again.

Pettitte as a "Stand-up guy". Ahem. Used HGH more than he previously admitted. Had his Dad get him HGH. Threw Clemens and his wife under the bus. God, I hate using that bus term, but it's accurate in this case.

Clemens mentioning Mom and his kids in his opening paragraph channeling Mr. Smith, when he went to Washington.

The Congresswoman who sarcastically said Clemens would go to heaven.

Commentary here.

Meal of Links

Old Replacements stuff gets reissued. Looks like the first part soon and the Sire stuff later this year.

Here's a bunch of items that white people like. Kitchen gadgets and the fact that "Jump Around" was #2 on the list of hip-hop songs white people like. Hey, "Arrested Development" WAS funny.

The dates of when your favorite TV series return. "The Office" and "The Riches" look like the only ones I care about, with the Sunday shows I like basically unaffected by the timing of the strike.

Exercise Yard

A beagle, Uno, wins Westminster. The clash of fashion with dog shows. I get the replay all week on Universal HD.

Visitor

30 Down: Former U.S. soccer team captain Claudio (5 letters) Answer: Reyna

While trying to do determine if it's the Chesapeake or Potomac Primaries...

Hey, the other day I got a phone call from this guy. Since then, I got a flier from "America's Most Courageous Congressman". Who's that, you ask? Well, that's my representative, Dennis Kucinich. He is holding a "Valentine's Fun Raiser" (Fun, get it?) at the IX Center, and it stars Sean Penn, of all people.

$25 gets you in the door. $100 also gets a photo with Sean Penn. $1000 gets you a reception with Penn and a picture. Funny, I never see Penn at the local Marc's.

Meal of Links

Tim Goodman talks about the impending changes resulting from the writers strike. It looks like the networks will reduce the number of pilots, but it'll probably take until fall or perhaps early '09 for things to resemble normalcy.

A sex offender won the Massachusetts Lottery. Party at Chuck E. Cheese, followed by "I'm goin' to Disney World!"

Hey, the best new DVD this week has to be "The Equalizer: Season 1". I absolutely loved this show, from the Stewart Copeland theme, an urbane vigilante, to the New York setting. Very cool.

Honest Valentine's Day cards. Some are funny.

How Google developed their logo. No, they didn't use a glue stick and construction paper to come up with it.

Will Ferrell is developing Jackie Moon into a commercial actor. Check out these ads for Old Spice. "Don't smell like a turtle cage."

Paris looks awesome at night.

Exercise Yard

How to celebrate a soccer win, "Raising Arizona" style.



Last night, a funny thing happened while my brother and I were there to watch CSU stumble to the finish of their season. They decided to play one of their better games of the year and whip up on Wisconsin-Green Bay. J'Nathan Bullock benefited from a more aggressive offensive approach from the team and tossed in 39 points a league-high this season. That rates as one of the all-time best games in CSU history. Game was 37-all at half, Green Bay stumbled at the start of the second half and CSU rolled. Shooting 53% helps, toss in all the Green Bay turnovers and you have a rout.

Anyhow, it was a win against a team directly behind them in the standings, avenged an earlier loss to Green Bay, and set up a potential home game in the Horizon League tournament. There are 4 conference games left. Two at Valpo and #10 Butler this week, Milwaukee at home next week and a roadie to finish out at Y-Town. The Bracketbuster game also got scheduled against Marist to close out the home schedule.

CSU wins, 81-67.

Visitor

47 Across: Singer Benatar (3 letters) Answer: Pat

Tonight, it's "Music's Biggest Night". Yep, it's the Grammy Awards from the Staples Center in LA. In HD.
















8:00: Hey, it's Francis Albert Sinatra talking about the Grammys. He's dead. However, he joins Alicia Keys in a duet on "Learnin' The Blues". He's in black and white. She's in color. So is the orchestra. I think I saw Yoko and Ringo in the same row in the crowd.

8:05: Carrie Underwood comes on and sings "Before He Cheats". Wow, talk about "pimping out", she looks hot. She has a band and what appears to be a "Chicks from Stomp" production going on. They have big sticks, so maybe it's "Chicks with Sticks". Ahem. Anyhow, it looks stupid.

8:09: Prince is on! Best R&B Female goes to, oddly enough, Alicia Keys for "No One". Prince takes off his shades and gives her the award. Mmmmm. I sense Appolicia in the future.















8:17: Jimmy Jam to say a few words. But a reunion of The Time has broken out. Omigod, Morris Day and Jerome Benton come out. I think Morris borrowed Prince's shades. Of course, it's "Jungle Love". "Oh-wee-oh-wee-oh". Jerome has found a mirror! I wonder if it's an original that he found in his garage. Rihanna follows with "Umbrella" and we have another production number featuring...umbrellas. Please don't stop the music seems to be the message. Morris finishes with a "Yay-es" and asks Rihanna if she has the time.

8:23: Tom Hanks inducts "The Band" as Lifetime Achievers. I love "The Band". Robbie Robertson in the house! Hanks then talks about The Beatles.

8:25:: Which evolves into a Beatles tribute. Crap, Cirque du Soleil. It's a "Day In The Life". "I saw these clowns today...I just had to laugh...I'd love to turn them off." Now we have some youth singing "Let it Be". An older lady gives it that unnecessary Gospel treatment. Kinda like next year at the inauguration when Patti Labelle sings "Hail to the Chief". Oooh, peace symbols at the end. Standing O.

8:34: Cyndi Lauper and Hannah Montana. Best New Artist goes to Amy Winehouse. Hey, they got that right.

8:35: Jason Bateman is outside the Staples Center. He tells us the Foo Fighters contest will be on soon. It's between two fiddlers and a cellist. I sense "The Pretender" is the song. He intros the conductor of My Grammy Moment Contest Winner Orchestra as "John Paul Jones... from Led Zeppelin...that's for the morons!" Hah!
















8:45: It's Kanye West channeling Kraftwerk. It appears he has a computer on his suit. He's got cool-looking white shades from the "Max Headroom" collection. Plus, we have fire like the Cavs games. Hey, it's Daft Punk helping out with the electronica. Next, Kanye ditches the glasses (and Daft Punk) and has a tribute to his Mom. No mention of George Bush.















8:52: Fergie with John Legend at the piano. They're former Grammy winners, you know. Why does Fergie look like Rene Russo all of a sudden? Of course, it's a ballad. Best Compilation Album goes to "Love". Sir George Martin and son bring Ringo up.

























9:03: Cher with her new face, introduces Beyonce, who is showing her legs. It's apparently a tribute to every black woman who has ever won a Grammy. Hey, it's Tina Turner! Ike who? His death has seemingly no effect. She hasn't lost much, I'd say. "What's Love Got To Do With It." You know, it's a second-hand emotion. She then goes into "You Better Be Good To Me". No Fixx reunion, though. Wait a minute, Tina doesn't move like she used to, that looked like Tom Jones right there. "Nice and easy". Uh-oh, you know what that means..."Proud Mary" with Beyonce. Standing O.

9:13: Nelly Furtado, former Grammy host Andy Williams, and someone I don't know, make Burt Bacharach an Achiever. It's Song of the Year and it goes to Amy Winehouse for "Rehab". Nice.





















9:20: The contest winner is a violinist. Here are the Foos with "The Pretender". At this precise time, Channel 19 rolls the school closings, taking me out of HD mode. Fockers! The Foos tonight, at least, are a 35-member unit with that orchestra.





















9:32: George Lopez intros the white-hatted Brad Paisley. I like him, he's rather harmless. I'm talkin' about Paisley.

9:37: Chris Brown, A-Kon and some chick give Best Pop Album to Kanye West. He turned the suit back on. He reminds everyone not to release an album when he does, because he will win every time. He is the man these days.


















9:42: Chris "Ludacris" Bridges inducts Cab Calloway as an Achiever. Why not just Ludacris anymore? Anyhow, it's a Gospel session. My God, Aretha Franklin is huge. Officially getting her clothes at Hamiltion Tent and Awning now. OK, everyone should know there is no school tomorrow, as 19 stops the closings and we are back in HD.

9:56: Carole King and Dierks Bentley tell us that Earl Scruggs is an Achiever. Leslie Feist comes on and starts counting. I decide to buy a 32MB iTouch during this performance. I been hypnotized! Of all songs to have no production number. Is that the Canadian Brass behind her? Nope, but it could be.

9:59: Louis Prima and Keely Smith via the Wayback Machine! Why can't someone have a Louis Prima Night? Keely Smith, a Grammy winner from 50 years ago, and Kid Rock sing "That Old Black Magic" or something like it, with Dave Koz on sax. Man, this is a creepy pairing. Where is Andy Williams, couldn't he sing with Kid Rock? Anyhow, Best Rock Album goes to Foo Fighters. Not a surprise...THEY PERFORMED! Why do you think Amy Winehouse is on via the big bird? Dave Grohl with a nice speech.

10:11: The increasingly weird Stevie Wonder, with harmonica, appears. Barry Gordy is an Industry Icon. Is that the same or better than being an Achiever? Alicia Keys is back to sing "No One". She is getting lots of air time this evening. John Mayer, without a VW, plays guitar late on the song.


















10:17: Ringo Starr and Eurhythmic Dave Stewart, with Prince's shades. Best Country Album goes to the non-performing Vince Gill. "I've just had an award given to me by a Beatle. Have you had that happen yet, Kanye?" Choice!

10:25: Itzhak Perlman and Max Roach are granted Achievement status by Joe Mantegna. Of course, we have Herbie Hancock and is it Lang-Lang? Why no Yo-Yo Ma? Why no T-Bone? Anyhow, they proceed to tinkle their respective ivories on "Rhapsody In Blue". I proceed to book a flight on United during this performance.

10:33: Who are these ding-dongs presenting Rap/Sung Collaboration? Jay-Z and Rihanna for "Umbrella". Shut up! Didn't see that coming. Damn 19 has been running those school closings for a while again. WTF?

10:41: Cuba Gooding, wearing Amy Winehouse's underwear, intros Amy via satellite from London. I get to sing along with that instant classic, "I'm No Good". Oh, we get a bonus track, "Rehab". With all of her publicity lately, give her credit for singing this and the Grammys for allowing it. I'm sure she'll pick up a Tanqueray off camera.
















10:47: Natalie Cole and that shrinking Achiever, Tony Bennett. They intro Doris Day as an Achiever. Doris Freakin' Day. Morris Day comes out by mistake. "Once I had a secret love...". Anyhow, Record of the Year goes to Amy Winehouse for "Rehab". I'm back in HD. The crowd shouts "Amy!". "To my incarcerated Blake", she says. They can't get out of that feed quick enough. Let's party!

10:57: The Recording Academy CEO talks about all the good they do. You know, Music Cares, the Grammy Museum, they want to be comped for radio airplay, as well. Grammy, not just an award show. Hey, Beldar is playing an Oscar Peterson tune. Naw, it's Eldar. It's the Dead Person Honor Roll!

11:03: They end with Pavarotti and some guy intros a tribute to him and all the other dead people. Josh Groban helps with the honors as the other guy sings, too.
















11:12: Bonnie Raitt brings us John Fogerty, Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis. Fogerty sings a verse of one of his songs and can still rock. Jerry Lee actually sings "Great Balls Of Fire".

Elvis: "Jerry Lee, do you think I sing the Devil's music?"
Jerry Lee: "Son, you ARE the Devil."

When he sings, "Kiss me, baby" though, it just does not seem the same.

Little Richard kicks ass on "Good Golly Miss Molly". Fogerty helps with Verse 2, but I'm tellin' ya, Little Richard is pretty strong here.

Other Grammy winners just in: Barack Obama and The Flight of the Conchords!

11:27: Usher and Quincy Jones present the final award of the night. Album of the Year. It goes to Herbie Hancock for "River: The Joni Letters". Did this vote count take place in New Mexico? Kanye West should go up there and beat the shit of someone. Seriously. I'm sure it's a fine album, but come on. And on that note, the evening ends with a buzzkill.

All the winners!

Meal of Links

Hillary dumps her campaign manager. On a strange note, a Nobel laureate says if Obama is elected, he will also be assassinated. Well, that's confidence in the electorate.

Don't the Cavs salary cap issues make you wanna puke? They couldn't even trade for Jason Alexander this year with this bunch. We're gonna have to dance with the one who brung us.

I like caramels, too.

Exercise Yard

Boxing has been a bit lame thus far in '08. But HBO took over the schedule and two pretty good bouts on "Boxing After Dark" last night. In the first, one of my faves, Andre Berto, took on Michel Trabant in the Welterweight division. Berto made him quit on his stool after the sixth. Berto emptied the arsenal with Trabant, hitting him with almost every punch known to man, including some exceptional uppercuts.

In the main event at Welterweight, it was Carlos Quintana against Paul "The Punisher" Williams, the champ. Unfortunately for Williams, he fought more like Paul "The Songwriter" Williams. He just didn't have it. Quintana dominated the first two rounds and consistently beat the champ to the punch. It went the distance, which always brings that pit to my stomach. There's that old convention that you have to KO a champ to take his title and that would have been very unfair to Quintana. He was the better fighter and deservedly won a unnanimous decision.

It starts a good stretch of boxing with Pavlik-Taylor 2 next week and a Klitschko fight later in the month. Then we have Marquez and Pacquiao again in March. And last week, the publicity machine started for Calzaghe-Hopkins for their April bout in Vegas.

Visitor

None, it's Sunday.

Last night I found myself at Harpo's. I wanted to drink some beer and Gale said why not try that sports place, Rivals. But it was insanely crowded over there. Don't know too much about the place, but something must be happening. Can't be everyone there for the Cavs.

Anyhow, we moseyed over to Harpo's. They had trivia there. So, I was able to break out the mad skills and try to beat everyone. One problem, I think we led every game going into the last question, where I proceeded to choke like a dog. Even one of those games that took several rounds. I won every round until the last one, where you had to wager up to 50% of your points. Of course, I said, "Howie, that's a lot of points, but No Deal!" as I bet the 50%. Then they asked some lame-o question about animated lion voices. The answer was Walken did not do a voiceover, but the likes of Matthew Broderick and Ben Stiller did. How the hell am I supposed to know that?

My coup of the evening was knowing the title of Rockpile's 1980 album. Sadly, I have that on vinyl and it's "Seconds of Pleasure". At the time, it gave me enough of a cushion to eventually blow a big lead. Bah!

Meal of Links

Check this out. A place in Nicaragua thrives on cocaine tossed overboard by smugglers, about to be caught. Even the fisherman are on the prowl for "la langosta blanca", the white lobster.

I went to my new doctor yesterday and am trying to figure out why my body temperature was 97.5. I mean, nary a comment from the nurse. Oh well, I guess it's not bad and I'll live. Except for the potential of Brain Fog. Oh well, I guess it's not bad and I'll live. Except for the potential of Brain Fog.

This is something I will definitely try and see. EPL games in America! Regular season games that count. Regardless of the ultimate motive of greed, I think it's great to have an additional game abroad.

Exercise Yard

My brother notified me that Rick Pitino also sold ice cream a la Good Humor, in another one of those "White Out Nights" at the Louisville-Georgetown game tonight.































My Dad and I took in the latest CSU game (the second of three in five days), this one against Detroit-Mercy. What an ugly affair, as UDM is the worst team in the conference, with only one win. This was one of those games when you keep a bad team around and let them off the hook, you are presented real danger of actually losing.

The numbers...really bad. CSU shot 36% from the floor, but missed only three foul shots, which saved their bacon. They were an awful 3 for 22 on three-pointers. It's become apparent, outside of J'Nathan Bullock, CSU has no inside game and the zones they are facing are really packed in down low. That results in open jumpers, which they are failing to hit.

In a great escape, CSU wins, 60-56.

Visitor

15 Across: Fictional mustache twirler (15 letters) Answer: Snidely Whiplash

I guess I got it wrong. Moe Green is still alive! And that was Alex Rocco in the Audi commercial during the Super Bowl. I thought he died after that "Famous Teddy Z" TV series of yesteryear. I still maintain there is too much going on to figure out they are selling Audis, but good to see Moe Green is still kicking. Now, if we follow "The Godfather" correctly, shouldn't we all get an Audi?

Meal of Links

Here I am, minding my own business, when this comes across my desk. Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz in a lesbian scene. I don't even care that this is in a Woody Allen film. As always, I'm hoping Ms. Cruz doesn't speak, or in this case, moan in English in the flick. I'll see this one, oh, probably the minute it shows up in town.

The Bonnaroo lineup. I'd say it's very good. The SXSW lineup is here. I love that band name, Scissors for Lefty.

Animals that have somehow avoided entering my house, so far. Chimps in clothes! And, of course, "Maybe the dingo ate your Peppermint Jo-Jos." I still have one box left.

Jeezy creezy. "American Idol" as a theme park attraction. Isn't that karaoke?

If the writer's strike ends soon, here is what may happen with the remaining schedule. Looks like "The Office" is the only one that may have more than 7 episodes.

Who knew that G.O.B. was the voice of GMC Trucks? So, he can't do the voice of K.I.T.T., because it's a Mustang. BTW, Will Arnett is still alive.

Why Pete Doherty matters.

Exercise Yard

My Dad and I attended the CSU-Wright State game this evening. A scant three weeks ago, it was the high of beating Butler and Valpo back-to-back. And there were people there. Today with Wright State in town, after CSU dumped four in a row on the road, it was back to normal as I parked on the street. Although they listed the crowd at 2,793.

While "What a difference a day makes..." was playing in our collective heads, Wright State jumped out to a 15-2 lead. They never gave up that lead. It got as close as two in the second half, but in about 20 seconds, it was a Wright State three, a CSU turnover and another Wright State basket. "Game over, man, game over!" Five losses in a row have now marred a pretty promising season. 34% shooting by CSU tells the story.

CSU loses, 55-49.

Visitor

22 Across: He came after Jimmy (6 letters) Answer: Ronald

It's Super Duper!





















Gee, it doesn't rain like this in the summer anymore. Lightning in February? Come on. But with each page leaving the calendar, we gotta start thinking of Spring. Hey, I recognize that our largest snow last year was on Feb. 14, but we keep inching toward that return to standard time.

Today was Super Duper Tuesday and Fat Tuesday. I got to eat some sausage and red beans and rice and beer to take care of the Fat part. As far as the vote is concerned, Barack Obama is hanging in there (actually splitting delegates at this point) and with his fund-raising ability, suddenly our little hamlet here in Ohio and Texas play the next biggest role on March 4. But why do his crowds think they are at a taping of "The Jeffersons"? Great line: "We are the ones that we've been waiting for." Listening to Limbaugh at work today, a woman calls in and says I can't vote for Obama because he's a "wild card". Why not just say because he's black? We laughed at that one.

But the Clinton machine is tough, churning out big wins in New Jersey and California. The schedule being more spread out means...look out! We are gonna be bombarded with ads. And, hopefully, I'll get a chance to hear the combatants live at some point.

(Side note: Hey, Amy Vining died! "Gossipy nurse" in some obits, hah! Also passing, Lt. Gerard.)

Speaking of ads, could Joe Cimperman find a worse picture of Dennis Kucinich for his congressional ad? BTW, a very funny ad and effective, too.



The Republicans look like they've finally buried Mitt Romney. I voted for John McCain in the 2004 primary when I had doubts about John Kerry, so I know what he's been about for a long time. But McCain looks like he's having major trouble, because the South is rejecting him. The R's are really gonna have to have a talk with themselves, because if they remain fractured, the D's might have a chance.

Meal of Links

Hey, another contest for Super Duper Tuesday. Travel with Bourdain! How about going to Montreal and eating smoked meat with him.

You know Amy Winehouse has hit rock bottom, when she gets her own "E! True Hollywood Story". Great talent, but future sales depend on you actually breathing.

Some Floridians wanted to vote on Super Tuesday. Hey, thanks for participating, but your primary was last week.

Exercise Yard

Charley Rosen breaks down the Cavs win over the Celtics. Ira Newble! Miami grad, BTW.

Visitor

3 Down: "Wicked Game" singer Chris (5 letters) Answer: Isaak "Bullets ain't got no eyes."

Today was one of those wasted days you run into now and then. Yes, I had to call a plumber. And, of course, it's not a job that lasts a couple of hours. No, eight-and-a-half hours later, the job is done. Don't get me wrong. The work is actually well done, it's just that with some old galvanized pipe, you get yourself curveballs in their repair. Probably something that should have been taken care of a while ago, but so easy to put off until necessary.

Meal of Links

FBI wants to track all of your characteristics. Hey, that goes against the very idea of one's rights of privacy.

Not only did the Super Bowl suck for three quarters, the commercials were subpar. Typically, you can find several gems, but yesterday's ads were either creepy or caused me to say WTF a lot. Especially for the most-watched game in the history of the Super Bowl.

Tired ads:

I'm really bored by the Clydesdales these days.
Can you find someone more relevant than Carmen Electra to sell your product?
The theory that it's tough to sell cars during the Super Bowl was hammered home, wasn't it?

Good ads:

NFL with Rashaan Salaam and Chester Pitts and his oboe.
Bud Light's fire-breathing guy got the proceedings off in a good way.
FedEx carrier pigeons.
Stewie and Underdog balloons fighting for a Coke that goes to Charlie Brown.
Tide's interview with a stain.
Barkley and Wade for T-Mobile was hilarious.

Bad ads:

Planters ugly chick.
SoBe. When you spend the whole ad wondering...Is that Naomi Campbell?
CareerBuilder, especially the heart one. What were they smokin'?
Audi. Great Godfather reference. Two weird things. I was fascinated by what type of grill it was and God, that guy looked like Moe Green and I know he's dead.
Dell Red. Nice cause, awful ad. Too much butt slapping.
Garmin. A bunch of French things with Napoleon as the punchline. Way too much for America to handle.

20 Geeky pop culture obsessions. My favorite whipping boy, The Renaissance Faire, clocks in at Number Two. Sadly, "The Simpsons" and Zappa make the list. Fanfic is really bizarre, especially when your favorite TV characters are having sex. Ewww!

Exercise Yard

Well, I was really wrong about the Super Bowl and that's why I don't bet on football. That game, for three quarters, was dull, but very quick. Then things got interesting. Not mentioned too much is that Tom Brady actually delivered big scoring drives when he had to the last two seasons. And he still got eliminated in both games. Last year, against the Colts and then yesterday.

Some thoughts:

Giants defense was overwhelming.
New England should have attempted a field goal, instead of going for it 4th and 13.
Belichick is still an ass.
David Tyree's catch still amazes me. If not for Rodney Harrison underneath him, that ball would have slammed into the turf. Greatest catch in SB history? Maybe, but I have to see the NFL Films treatment before I vote.
New England gave up on the run pretty early, I thought.
Why couldn't Randy Moss get open in the first three quarters?
Eli Manning was good in the playoffs, but I'm already tired of "he grew up before our eyes".

A Patriots fan perspective.

Visitor

30 Across: Middle Corleone brother (5 letters) Answer: Fredo BTW, look at John Cazale's movies:

"The Godfather"
"The Conversation"
"The Godfather, Part II"
"Dog Day Afternoon"
"The Deer Hunter"

Word of advice. Do not go to Giant Eagle on Super Bowl Sunday. You'd think it was Y2K or something going on. I actually saw adults pushing around those "car carts", because there weren't any regular ones. Hey, I draw the line on that and would rather wait for a conventional one. Nevertheless, it was madhouse status in there, rivaling Thanksgiving week.

Meal of Links

Stilettos help women's sex lives. Wow, what a surprise.

Stalking at the Super Bowl. I laughed.

When will this happen? Or at least move the game to Saturday. Especially this year, when you Super Bowl, Mardi Gras and Chinese New Year in the same week.

Exercise Yard

Brock Lesnar wasn't much of a wrestler either. He lost his UFC debut. I don't watch UFC, I'm still hanging on to the Sweet Science. But there's been a dearth of good boxing matches lately.

Visitor

None, it's Super Bowl Sunday!

The Super Bowl always screws up my Sunday routine, which is whatever Sunday evening show I watch, plus laundry. The beauty of HBO On Demand is that Super Bowl XLII won't foul up my weekly visit with "The Wire", because they have the Sunday episode available the previous Monday. Saw that today and we're halfway through the final season already.

The creator of "The Wire", David Simon, talks about Baltimore. The city where it is filmed. BTW, Steve Earle, who also has a role, has the theme song (Tom Waits' "Way Down in the Hole") for Season 5.



Meal of Links

Reader's Digest publishes a list of weight-loss ideas. But shouldn't it be less than 50 ideas, given their raison d'etre?

Hey, the Browns were unbeaten once. 60 years ago. But it never happened, because the NFL does not recognize AAFC records. And Jim Brown speaks.

Man gets tazed, turns into Chewbacca!

Exercise Yard

The NFL added six new members to the Hall of Fame today. I gotta say, this is one of the weakest groups I remember.

Darrell Green-No brainer.
Art Monk-Just not sure about him, but probably OK.
Emmitt Thomas-Yes.
Gary Zimmerman-Yes.

But Andre Tippett and Fred Dean? I liked them both and they were good, but I dunno. Especially in lieu of Cris Carter.

Visitor

30 Across: Jazz vibraphonist Jackson (4 letters) Answer: Milt

You gotta play with pain and I've been having some back issues lately. But I feel better today, so let's catch up on some things.

Sarah Silverman is fucking Matt Damon:



I've noticed that Sam Elliott isn't doing the "Beef, It's What's for Dinner" ads anymore. He had been doing that for 10 years. Before him...Robert Mitchum! I think they've tossed the TV promos and are using only print ads and radio spots. I had XM on and heard the replacement. The new voice is Matthew McConaughey. At least they've kept the Copland.

Don't know why I was thinking of the movie "Evil Roy Slade" today. Maybe lines like this:

Poker Player: "I got Jacks with an Ace."
Evil Roy Slade: "I got threes...with a gun!"
Poker Player: "You win! Wow, you are lucky!"

Have you seen that extra item on your pizza? It's GPS. Domino's Pizza Tracker shows the updated location of your pizza after your order.

When was the last time you heard "Dicker and Dicker of Beverly Hills"? Speaking of game shows, "Idol" producers are bringing back "Match Game".

Have you heard the band, Foxboro Hot Tubs, yet? No, this isn't New England-related. They have a song, "Mother Mary", that's getting airplay. Quite peppy, kind of a throwback. But, it's really Green Day.

OK, you must take the Patriots minus the points as your Super Bowl bet. Really, do you see this any other way? Of course, there are the prop bets. Vegas released a disastrous prop when they first came out this year. They had one for punts and the number was only 42.5 yards, a distance which punters were getting even during those bad weather games. I mean only needing one punt traveling longer than that was ridiculous. Of course, the earlybirds were all over it and I think that number is now up to 48.5 yards or higher.

Casey Blake. The Six Dollar Man.

20 of the Meanest Love Songs. "A simple prop to occupy my time..." IS kinda mean, I'd say.

Some food I've tried recently:

Asiago Roast Beef Sammie at Panera. Very good.

Toasted subs at Arby's are pretty good. But the Market Fresh Chicken Club Salad is really tasty.

Old El Paso Fresh Mexican Style Salsa Smooth Roja is out of control good. Marc's had these dirt cheap last week.

Monopoly wants you to vote for the cities to include in their World Edition Game. I don't think the Land of Cleves is gonna make it.

An "Arrested Development" movie? "To the nuts..."

Meal of Links

The AskMen 99 came out today and the Number One on the "Most Desirable Woman" list was Katherine Heigl. She's OK, but I wouldn't have her in the Top 10. Actually, the rest of the Top 10 is fairly accurate. Especially with Kate Beckinsale in at #3.

Michael Wilbon from "PTI", a show I DVR every day, talks about his heart attack.

A day in the life of a dog and a cat.

Exercise Yard

Just in time for the Super Bowl, it's 20 Classic Football Movies. These are the must-sees on the list:

"Heaven Can Wait"
"Brian's Song"
"The Waterboy"
"The Longest Yard" (1974)
"Any Given Sunday"
"North Dallas Forty"

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44 Across: Teammate of Pee Wee and Duke (3 letters) Answer: Roy