I saw "Wolverine" this evening. I headed over to Cinemark where they seem to have this movie running every 30 minutes or so. Now this was the origin version of Wolverine. As you know, he's our favorite cigar-chomping, motorcycle-riding Canadian wiseass superhero. So, we get the backstory on how Logan became Wolverine. Not a lot though. I think he was a kid, he got mad and somehow claws appeared out of his hand. But why let plot get in the way of fighting later on.

Anyhow, for a Canadian, he sure fought a lot of wars for the U.S. And with his brother Sabretooth at his side, played by Liev Schrieber. Eventually the army, well, the evil Col. Stryker, picks both for a unit he's compiling. Sort of a mutant Dirty Dozen. Anyhow, Logan quits, moves to Canada and then eventually has to go back to the world he knows, when his brother starts shaking things up by turning more evil than Logan cared to remember. But there is lots of trickeration as he gets injected with Adam Ant. No, I think it was adamantium or something. Anyhow, that's how he got that sharper stuff coming out of his hands. If you remember the trailer, "Ooh, shiny."

So, it was typical comic book stuff. Lots of special effects, bad military villains, fight scenes, unbelievable lack of security at government installations, you know the routine. We get appearances by Gambit, Deadpool, Agent Zero, Bolt, and the Blob. Decent movie and it was mildly entertaining. A nice kickoff to the summer schedule.

Meal of Links

Porn star Stormy Daniels may run for Senator from Louisiana. Change we can all get behind.

Jack White says not so fast. The White Stripes have not broken up and are, in fact, recording.

The cast of "Fawlty Towers" reunited. A very funny show. Haven't seen it lately, I wonder if it holds up.

Awkward family photos.

Look at how a Roomba moves. Kind of like a funky Spirograph.

Who do you carry a lifetime grudge against? Gotta be that idiot Nissan guy on the radio commercials.

The background on how Luc Besson became a producer. Loved the guy since I saw "Subway" lo those many years ago.

A look back at another favorite movie. "Wings of Desire".

David Lynch presents "The Interview Project". Could be interesting.

More polling. It's tough being a Governor.

The Indians are still bad. I get a look at Pavano on Monday.

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Manny Ramirez was busted for a drug on the MLB banned list. You can tell he was on something, because his locks are three times as long over the last few years. Or since it was a women's fertility drug, I guess it's a case of "Manny Being Tranny". OK, I stole both those lines, but it's still damn funny.

I'm just disappointed with the news. I suspected he was on it, hoped he wasn't, so it's not that much of a surprise. The real surprise is what he was caught with, hGC (similar to Clomid). That's so old-school of him. hGC itself doesn't manufacture testosterone, it just helps the body produce it again. Which is obvious after cycling down from steroid use. He could have achieved the same results using other things out there which aren't banned. It's probably what everyone else is using currently.

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3 Down: Red fez wearer (7 letters) Answer: Shriner

Well, the latest episode of "Get Barry" debuted today with the Barry Bonds indictment. We got to witness the dance of statements by Bonds' attorney, MLB and the Giants. A most interesting day. You knew it would eventually happen, but I think the most revealing information was the presence of a failed drug test. Even if it was BALCO-administered. Coincidental with today's developments, Bonds has played his last game.


















I don't why I am so fascinated with steroid use. Maybe I'm still awed by what it can do and I still pay attention to two of the dirtiest sports around: Track and cycling. It seems the mad scientists got to set their sights on baseball with the obvious lack of testing for so long.

That's why the upcoming Mitchell Report remains the most intriguing document. If it comes off as a class project, it will be ridiculed for being a waste of time and not going far enough. But I'd also be surprised if it actually named names, how could they not get their asses sued? And if it does name names, how far will it go? Figuring most cities have had a Barry Bonds in their midst during this era, there would have to be a surplus of names. But we'll wait a bit longer for the report.

Meal of Links

Catching up on Cleveland food blogs. The New Iron Chef, Michael Symon, has a blog. Next up, a spell check. And Ruhlman's site gets a redesign. Look for his posting about the aftermath of his vote for the New Iron Chef.

The state of Ohio has added a whole bunch of misdemeanors to the list of crimes for which you can be fingerprinted. The list now numbers 71. Things like misusing pesticide, tampering with a coin machine, etc. Another excuse to get more information from us.

More White Stripes music in time for the holidays. This time with Beck. Three of my favorites.

Exercise Yard

Speaking of BALCO, it seems the IOC can't give away the 2000 Marion Jones 100m gold medal. It seems the second place finisher had her own drug scandal in 2004.

Visitor

14 Across: Sly alter ego (5 letters) Answer: Rambo

It's time for the annual Christmas record, this time "The Peppermint Bark Mix". Some really cool stuff, I think:

"Do You Hear What I Hear?"/Spiraling
"A Great Big Sled"/The Killers
"Little Drummer Boy (Up the Khyber)"/Hoodoo Gurus
"Everything's Gonna Be Cool This Christmas"/Eels
"Oh Come All Ye Faithful"/Twisted Sister
"The Christmas Song"/The Raveonettes
"Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow"/Asleep at the Wheel
"Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto"/James Brown
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"/Gene Autry
"I Wish You a Merry Christmas"/Big Dee Irwin & Little Eva
"Mr. Heat Miser"/Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
"Oi to the World"/No Doubt
"(It Must've Been Ol') Santa Claus"/Harry Connick, Jr.
"Donde Esta Santa Claus?"/Guster
"Christmas All Over Again"/Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
"All That I Want"/The Weepies
"Merry Christmas Again..."/The Young Republic
"Holiday in Cambodia 2006"/Richard Cheese
"Mambo, Santa, Mambo"/The Bobs
"It's Christmas Time"/Yo La Tengo
"Come On! Let's Boogey to the Elf Dance"/Sufjan Stevens
"Christmas Celebration"/Weezer
"iPod X-Mas"/Hello Saferide
"The Man in the Santa Suit"/Fountains of Wayne
"I'll Be Home for Christmas"/Josh Groban

On the second day of Christmas, it's Frank and Dino:

Dean Martin & Frank Sinatra-"Marshmallow World"



Meal of Links

Many laughs here. It's the Best of Craigslist for the year.

I am an excellent driver. Kmart sucks.

By popular demand, it appears. More commercials from the '80s.

Next Friday is Global Orgasm for Peace Day. We can change the world!

Exercise Yard
















"It's Gore-Tex. You know about Gore-Tex?"

It seems a lot of people lied to the BALCO grand jury. And the court is none too pleased.

Visitor

56 Across: Billie Holiday contemporary (11 letters) Answer: Carmen McRae