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Wild and Woolly
Anything is far better than "The Dreamers".— January 28, 2009 10:08 p.m.
Monster Truck Shows -- death of a 6 and 93-year-old
Hey pete...sorry to hear about your brother. And your dad, for that matter. My best wishes to you. I'd be willing to bet, though, that MOST KIDS don't wear ear protection at those things. And, I also wonder why they don't have plexi-glass, the way they do at hockey games. Even though I'm sure it doesn't happen often, just the nature of the beast -- big vehicles crushing other vehicles, and the fact that metal debris could be flying all around, should be enough to make that mandatory. Even if it detracts from the action.— January 28, 2009 5:24 p.m.
100 Point Basketball Game
Dang it! I alway said I would never Google and research the stories I blog about. Otherwise, it's like I'm writing a regular news story. (in best Homer Simpson voice)..."Damn research!" But the coach posted this blog, in which he claims he didn't do the full court press, and he took all his starters out. I tend to not believe him, though. Because if the school officials met with him, and he was so adament about not wanting to apologize or not realizing how bad this whole thing looked...he is a coach that doesn't have a clue. Although, he is probably smart enough to realize that NOW he should down play the entire incident.— January 28, 2009 8:29 a.m.
None
Very good points, refried. And, having seen Gran Torino, I agree those scenes are realistic. And, the movie shows a number of gangstas in all races. But, it's a long running argument I've had with my girlfriend, because having played basketball with ALL RACES, in all different parts of the city (from Logan Heights to La Jolla), one race has a larger percentage that talks smack, and wants to start fights when you talk smack back. I want say which, as to not be branded "racist". I'm merely making an observation, based on 30 years experience and meeting many many different players of all races.— January 27, 2009 5:56 p.m.
The Real Neil
That was where my parents saw him...at that ampitheatre in Vista. I read a great book by the drummer of this 60s band LOVE (most people probably don't know or remember them). After playing with LOVE, he had the chance to become Diamonds drummer. He went to the audition (early 70s), and was told not to look Diamond in the eyes, or make conversation with him. Diamond yelled at the band and was kind of mean. He then said doing the songs, he thought...the money to do this is probably great. But I just hate these songs. I can't do this. He got up and left. And became an electrician or something. He said he'd rather do that, then play boring songs that he didn't care about. That blew me away.— January 26, 2009 12:21 a.m.
And the Oscar Goes To....
Yeah, Viola was great. In her one scene. To me, those types of nominations are lame. I'm not sure if Alec Baldwin got a nomination, when he had the one scene in Glengary Glenross. But if he did, I'd be against that, as well. Another nomination that bothers me is Penelop Cruz. I didn't care for her or the movie Vickie Christina Barcelona. I wasn't bored watching it, but it was very lazy writing. And Woody Allen seems to get these free passes on everything. I think our own critic made the best observation in his review. It involves a scene where a joke is being told at the dinner table. And, Javier Bardem doesn't even finish the joke. Music just comes in and it trails off. The old Woody Allen would've written a punch line, not just a set-up. And the situation was unbelievable, and the movie became this highly overrated thing with all kinds of buzz that wasn't warranted.— January 23, 2009 11:19 a.m.
Sports Shorts -- LT and high school violations
That's good logic, blue. I loved them beating the Patriots, too. I had that coach. And the Raiders, for all the obvious reasons (I still remember the holly roller, but also...just their gangster fans and Al Davis). But, when they handled Natrone Means the way they did, that's when something about being a fan of theirs in me...just died. I mean, I'd still root for them. But I really didn't care if they won or lost. I had no interest, other than that of a casual fan. I'm more interested in my fantasy team (which, unfortunately, had LT this year!) And thanks for not being offended by the word "idiot". My stepbrother is the biggest Chargers fan on the planet, and I often call him an idiot for getting so upset about all these things, when you know with AJ Smith and the gang, what you're going to get.— January 23, 2009 10:31 a.m.
And the Oscar Goes To....
More Oscar stuff: Viola getting the nomination for "supporting actress" in Doubt is just ridiculous. She was not a supporting actress. She had one scene with Meryl Streep. That almost qualifies as a cameo. In the same category, Amy Adams got the nomination for supporting actress, too. Which she was! And, on the subject of Doubt and "supporting" roles, my friend pointed out at racquetball tonight, that it is insane that Phillip Seymour Hoffman got a nomination as "supporting actor" when he was the MAIN ACTOR in that movie, so he should've been nominated for BEST ACTOR, if he was to get a nomination. The Academy seems to screw things up every year!— January 23, 2009 1:15 a.m.
The Real Neil
My mom called me...all excited about this Blurt. She told me about how her and my stepfather saw this guy perform. She hated him, and he liked him. She said that he does the weirdest thing in concert. He'll talk about his life, as if he's Neil Diamond. She asked, "Do all tribute bands do that? It's really corny."— January 23, 2009 1:11 a.m.
Forsaking Friendships
Barb...in this column you bring up great points (as you usually do), but why no details? MsGrant told us details about her person, and it made it more interesting. We read a column like that, and we're dying to know...just WHAT did this roommate do that is so bad that you terminate the friendship? I'm sure you were right to do that, but still. Details would totally enhance this. Can you tell us in one of these posts? And MsG...with a person like that, two things. Why would you ever tell her ANYTHING? Never say "we're going to a movie," or "we're going to a yard sale," because you never know how that can turn out. That's the first step. Second...anybody that she badmouths about you, probably realize what kind of person she is (especially at the moment she's doing that). And really, why torture yourself over that? I'd want to call her on the BS, and see if she does do that. You could very nicely say "Hey...that stuff is expensive, I can't just let you use it anytime you want." It's like someone that always bums cigarettes off their friends, or never has money when the check comes. You gotta call them out on that, because everyone else just bitches and bitches, and nothing gets done about it.— January 23, 2009 1:09 a.m.