High School Graduations - Recap

Best line from a high school senior speaker at a graduation ceremony I worked: "I've talked with people who discuss Niche, Voltaire or Plato with elementary ease..."

Yes, you see when I was in high school not only was there one person but multiple acquaintances that when we would gather would discuss ancient and/or medieval philosophy...and why wouldn't we? I about fell out of my chair laughing when I heard this line, and I almost felt compelled to approach this student afterwards and ask him if he could (off the top of his head) give a short summary of any of the three historical philosophers he mentioned...but of course I really don't care that much...

Of course after references to philosophers he mentions how he will approach his career with the same intensity that he does when playing a video game...to win... There you have it...today's generation refers to life as if it was a video game, but they are bright enough to go on the internet to look up 3 historic figures that will make them 'sound' smart....

High School - Ah The Memories...Yeah Right

One of the things that my job has 'drawn' me into, is working high school graduations... I will be doing the live video production for the 2 largest high schools in my town. In preparation for this, and especially hearing the student speakers during rehearsal, the song selection's, etc., has me thinking how the high school years could be some people's 'Best Time Of Their Life' and how many adults and students preach that it is indeed such.

I remember going through high school and not at any moment did I even HOPE that these would be the best time of my life. And now, 17 years later I look back and am glad that my high school years and experience were clearly not the 'Best Time Of My Life'. High school, sure, it's the last of your 'innocence' and you want to no longer be considered niave...but let's be honost you will be that way until you've developed career skills...regardless of what that career might be.

I would even say that my entire life up until I was about 25, was not the best time of my life... would I love to turn back the hands of time and return to being a child or adolescent...you know it, but of course packing the knowledge I now have. But for me, I thought the best time of my life was the span of time from about the age of 23 thru 27. I was single, done with college and having a great time. Not that my current status of being older and married with children is all that horrible...but at no other time in my life did I have the freedom I did during that time span and I took advantage of that and had a great time!

Speaking Of Clutch

I don't know why I haven't graced my blog regulars with a link to 3 songs Clutch (one of my favorite bands) has posted on the internet in advance of their new album Robot Hive/Exodus, which will be in stores June 21st. I've been listening to them since I was informed about them a week or so ago...

So take a listen here and enjoy! It is sounding good!

Revenge Of The Sith - As Expected

Revenge of the Sith is not the "masterpiece" some make it out to be. It is, simply, a far more worthy installment than we've recently been fed. Its currently lofty status is a mirage, induced and perpetuated by the shameless hokum which preceded it. This being said, it should be noted that Sith, perhaps more than any other film in the sextilogy, tries valiantly to be a "real" movie – and often succeeds. But, in doing so, it also forgoes the most fundamental tenets of storytelling.

This is the unbiased (imo) review I expected to see in regards to the latest Star Wars movie, Revenge Of The Sith. For the full review, click here. Most other 'reviewers' seem to review the movie as a fan...and the fans...as I predicted, have an orgasm just getting near the theatre that this film is playing in.

Lucas is just selling to people that want to feel included...and they are more than will to buy what he has selling...

American Idol Sucks Part II

There is no question that my most viewed blog entry to date has been "Why American Idol Sucks". And of course my feelings and attitude for the show remain as originally posted. But just surfing around I stumbled across this piece which I think summarizes the show, why it sucks and why the people that enjoy the show are pretty much dolts...I recommend reading the entire article, but here are a couple highlights:

...a cruel freak show, which plays on viewers’ inherent tendency for indulging in schadenfreude, which morphs into a standard talent show--albeit one with putative audience participation. The change-up happens right after the freaks are shown the door--and it should be pointed out that, in season three, there seem to be a larger number of deliberate pranksters this time.

And when the rest of the “talent,” to use that word in its most liberal sense, is shaped and pared and steered toward the inevitable countdown to idoldom, what’s left is a major snoozefest.

People get hooked on American Idol during its slow-motion-car-wreck phase, and some of them don’t have the good sense to turn the show off when it starts showing its hand, aesthetically speaking. Once the goofballs are gone, it’s easy to keep watching, with the hope that someone else will melt down in the middle of some hideous ballad or after a serious bitch-slapping from the judges.

So, perhaps it isn’t that people care, as the Bee’s Kushman stated. It’s just that they’re too hypnotized to change channels.

And wraps it up with:

And once the alluring hook of seeing something weird and different and awful at the show’s beginning is removed--before the “workshopping” segments kick into high gear--American Idol turns into nothing more than a foisting mechanism for mediocre swill. It is best avoided.

So, if you’re still watching this mess, here’s a tip: Stop. There are better uses of your time, like organizing your stamp collection or looking up words that begin with “V” in the dictionary or staring at the ceiling.

I Got Nothing

So I'm sitting here, actually thinking of what I could possibly blog, but I got nothing...

So here's just a few tidbits that may or may not interest a person...

First, if you haven't seen a picture of Phil Spector in court on Monday, he is sporting a fantastic white man's 'fro. Check it out here.

Red McCombs finally is able to sell the Vikings. After several years of threatening to move the team, someone different will begin that process.

The weather here has been totally crappy. During the first 2/3rds of April the weather was fantastic but since that time has been totally crappy... a high today of 61 and forecasts have it not getting up to 70 until next week with rain and wind forecasted through the weekend.

The NHL and the player's union appear to be making some headway in hammering out a deal that could see the sport get back onto the ice next season...but nothing has been signed yet, so despite the optimistic reports so far, neither of these groups can be trusted...

I have quite a bit of vacation time acrued right now so I am trying to plan some summer trips...possible events include The Sounds Of The Underground Tour, July 7th in Minneapolis. Primarily to see Clutch, one of my favorite bands that will have a new album out June 21st so would get a chance to see them performing some new material. Ozzfest, August 7th in Somerset. I've been to Ozzfest from 1997-2003 (missed '02) and last year Ozzy was hurt. It is always a good time and it looks like a good lineup this year, Velvet Revolver, Black Sabbath, Black Label Society, Rob Zombie, Iron Maiden...should be fun. Aside from those potential road trips, the Violent Femmes are playing a local club here in July. I saw them about 6 years ago and had a really good time...

So that's what I got for now...

Enjoy the Memorial Day Weekend! Remember the men and women who fight for our freedoms.

Bracing For Another Holdout

The Chargers' first round pick Shawne Merriman is not at the Chargers summer training camp because he has not signed a contract with the Chargers and because of the Chargers recent past of not being able to sign high draft picks until the season is nearly underway or, in some cases, already underway. A.J. Smith, the Chargers' GM is already providing the soundbites that have Charger fans, such as myself, braced for another first round holdout.

Merriman is to bring a much needed pass rush to the Chargers' defense and any lengthy holdout could mean that area of defense will continue to be exposed by the opposition.

0-2

My horse betting isn't going all that good...but I'm not out a lot of money... I got the Belmont next month to try and get some money out of my Triple Crown bets, but it will probably be tough to do so. Afleet Alex will probably be the favorite, with very low odds. Giacomo posting a good showing should also be amongst the favorites. But I still contend that the field is still wide open, so who knows...

For those that are interested, here's the 2005 Preakness payout:

12	Afleet Alex	8.60	5.00	3.20
5	Scrappy T		11.20	5.80
13	Giacomo			4.80

$2 Daily Double		7-12		33.20
$2 Daily Double		PIM SPECIAL/PREAKNESS 5-12		35.80
$2 Exacta		12-5		152.60
$1 Superfecta		12-5-13-10		10,362.30
$2 Trifecta		12-5-13		872.00
$2 Pick 3		7-7-12 (3 correct)		222.40
$2 Pick 4		4-7-7-12 (4 correct)		4,881.80

Preakness Picks

Ok, for my disclaimer and betting method, refer back to my Kentucky Derby picks.

So my bet for this weekend's Preakness is all middle/high odd horses, again because I want a decent return on a relatively small wager...if it all hits...

So I'm box exacta betting: 3 (Noble Causeway), 9 (Wilko) and 11 (High Limit).

So the full $2 box exacta bets of: 3-9, 3-11 and 9-11 will cost me $12 again. High Limit is currently at 12-1 and Noble Causeway and Wilko are both 10-1...so the payout could be respectable...

Good luck everyone...

Good Times

Have you ever had spells in your life where things seem to be really good... well, I am currently in such a period.

I recently got a bonus from my work place, the first time that this has happened for any job that I had held...unfortunately some city commissioners don't feel that incentive bonus' are worth budgeting for, so it will be the last such bonus I receive while working here, for some reason they never thought they would have to pay the bonus and now that they are they no longer want too...but for now it is nice!

Now, we expanded my department and a new hire will begin on Monday...why is this big news? It's because for a year I have shared an office with another person while a perfectly good (and big!) office was left vacant from past reshuffling and job vacancies. I was next in line (tenure and position wise) that should have been given my own office but because of indecision and 'office politics' I was not authorized to move...that is until now. The hiring of a new person forced the decision and the end result was I am finally moved into my own office. Although today is my first day of residency in my new work space, I can already say that I am confident I will enjoy it. It is considerably larger than my previous work area...in fact the total area I shared with another co-worker is smaller than the total area I now reside in...

Coming from a blue-collar family, I have worked hard at any job I have ever had, and have had about every crappy job a person could have. I have never asked much (in my opinion) from any of my employers and have been taken advantage of more than once by more than one boss/supervisor. So at this stage in my life, I feel like I'm getting some of the things that I deserve at a job that I enjoy and do well at. I'm a simple guy that enjoys simple pleasures...and right now I am enjoying the simple pleasures.

Knee-Jerk Laws

Something that really gets my ire up these days is both the federal and state legislatures passing a law because of a knee-jerk reaction. The states of Minnesota and North Dakota are both doing such...they are outlawing the consumption of alcohol for individuals that turn 21 until 8 (or 9 AM) of their 21st birthday. Why? Because apparently some kids these day have what they call 'power hour' which is going out to a bar at midnight of your 21st birthday and trying to consume 21 shots in that hour. Last year some 21 year-old died from attempting this feat and now both states are passing laws to try and prevent this from happening again...

Ok, where do I start?

First off, if you are DUMB enough to want to try and do a 'power hour', I think you deserve whatever might come your way...and if the extreme consequence is death, you really should have known better. Of course you'll have the people that will point to peer pressure and other factors, but let's be honost here, if you are even thinking of undertaking this 'power hour' you've consumed some alcohol before and know the consequences of over-consumption.

Next, doesn't our state congresses have anything better to do with their time than 'babysitting'? One incident where one moron died from doing something extremely stupid. With that type of logic being used in our state governing bodies the laws that come from these bodies should continue the trend of absurdity.

And when all is said and done, this is probably just another law that after a while will just be forgotten and overlooked by any that should be enforcing it...and what is the punishment and who receives it? Either way, it is just a waste of our time and tax dollars...

Music Everyone Loves, But I Hate

So perusing the blog world everyone has a list...favorite movies, tv shows, music, foods, games, etc.... and me, the conformist that I am, decided what type of list can I come up with? Well, it didn't take that long to think of because one of my 'pleasures' in life is music. I especially enjoy going to live shows of bands that I enjoy and I am fortunate enough to have a job that also permits me to see many acts that I wouldn't pay to see... so let's get into it...in no particular order:

Music I hate that everyone else seems to love:

1. Top-40 Stars (ie: Britany Spears, Ashlee Simpson, American Idol Stars, Backstreet Boys, etc.): Do I even need to elaborate? I'm no longer 12, nor am I a girl...so music that these entities generate is garbage. To futher testify how crappy this crap is, most of these top 40 stars have one, maybe two albums and that is their 'career'. To me, because you can sell a million records (which isn't even a challenge anymore) of crap to idiots that watch MTV doesn't make the music any better.

2. U2 - Honostly, I use to like U2 before they became stars. War was a decent album but that's about it. They became political then commercial and now a little of both...but many a band can do that and still be 'good'. But not for me... their music really never grabbed me...sure a song or two I can tolerate, but as a whole I do not U2.

3. The Dave Matthews Band. Now here is a band that I can whole-heartedly dislike on several levels. First let's review the obvious...every song is the same...or at the least similair. Oh sure, every band has a 'sound' but the Dave Matthews Band, I think, has one song and it is just played over and over. Next, if there was ever a band that has 'sold out' it is the Dave Matthews Band...and this, probably for more reason than any other, is why I dislike them so much. You see you have people that 'follow' the band and their is this false perception that the Dave Matthews Band stands for individuality but the Dave Matthews Band is all about commercialism. They literally will sell any and everything to any corporate sponsor that they can. They have such prominent displays of commercialism, yet many of their fans don't seem to see that or just ignore the blatent displays - and again, have this perception of an 'independent' type band...which they clearly are not.

4. R.E.M. I did not like REM from day 1. And with the exception of "It's The End Of The World", every other song I can not tolerate. I have not liked REM ever and doubt I will anytime soon. I can go on and list all the things I don't like about Micheal Stipe but that is just detailing the obvious.

5. The Red Hot Chili Peppers. Those that know me know, know that I like 'heavy' type music...but not exclusively. They then think how can the Red Hot Chili Peppers be on my hate list? It's easy...they suck. Again, they are a band that to me, most of their songs are very similiar...and just not likeable. The RHP are easily my 'most switched off the radio when the come on' band...partly because the stations I listen too feel that the Peppers fit into that genre.

6. All 'modern' country music. Yes, I hate ALL country music that has been put out in the last (oh lets say) 20-25 years. Oh there may be an exception or two, but I can't think of what that might be. Reasoning: first, all the 'popular' country music songs today are 90% of the time cover tunes of old rock and roll songs. I think that merely taking a rock and roll tune and 'countryfying' isn't a basis for an entire genre of music to make it's 'foundation' upon. Then you have the 'fans'...you see not to cast a blanket generalization, but I will... country (and I always like to pronounce it cuntry when mocking it) music fans are about as bright as a bag of hammers. Drunk hicks or drunk hick wannabees is the cuntry music fan of today and for some reason I just don't like to associate with folks that are proud that they are idiots.

And that about rounds it out... I really can't think of any other band/artist that really annoys me enough to not want to hear it... at least not at this time...but I am sure there are plenty of young, up and coming artists that are just dying to get on my hate list...so I'll keep listening for them!

The Losers Rejoice

So the day is soon here, and in fact it has already came for some...that is the final installment of George Lucas' Star Wars saga, Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. I'm already on record as saying that this movie will be like the previous 2 and 1/2 movies in the saga and continue the road of disappointment.

It is also becoming evident that the media, critics and fans of the movie are willing to accept and throw accolades on this final installment for the sheer fact that it is the final installment. Surfing the various movie sites that have initial reviews of the movie I am finding two distinct trends... first, critics seem to be glowing over it...which isn't surprising since most critics are often 'bought and paid for' by the studio themselves and I would think with the the Star Wars credibility on the line, Lucas took ever precaution to make sure as many critics were bought and paid for prior to the release to insure stellar reviews. The other is reading the reviews from people and it is quite clear that like Episode I and II, if you are a Star Wars geek you will love the movie if it was nothing but 2 hours of static because you have been told, brainwashed and manipulated to accept anything that is branded with Star Wars as being 'awesome.' But reading reviews from folks that I align myself with...that is, I really liked the original trilogy (sans Ewoks) and have been nothing but disappointed in Episode I and II (and especially Episode I which has totally soured me on this second trilogy)... they say that the movie continues a trend that makes it anything special. Lucas seems to (not so cleverly) plant several political/philosophical comments throughout the movie (ie: anti-war and smoking lines). Apparently the movie is filled with light-saber duels that will please many of the Star Wars geeks, but the overall film walks through the motions that we've all wanted to see... Anakin becoming Darth.

Sure, if the film is still playing in a theatre in a month or so and I have nothing better to do, I may go check it out...otherwise I'll just wait to rent it on DVD. But if the initial feedback that I am reading about this film hold true, it is as I predicted...the Star Wars geeks (again) will gush over it, only because they would do so anyways...but otherwise it is another so-so movie in what was once a great story now becoming bland and a platform for Lucas to discern his personal agenda in.

Road Trip

So I was a bit busy last week, which prevented me from posting for a bit...but I was able to go on a 'road trip' with a friend to check out a couple of my other friend's band in Brainerd, MN. It was a good time. I haven't gotten out of town in quite some time. But after the 2 1/2 hour drive, a good night of drinking at the Blue Ox followed by an after-bar party was well worth it...just to get out of town for a night. Really nothing extraordinary happened other than consuming lots of liquor and tolerating drunk stupid girls...but that seems to be the norm when you party with 'rock stars', like I do...

Partied until dawn, passed out until noon, ate and drove home... that is the Cliff's Notes version...but the end result was - a good time, which is all that really matters!

Bitter Than Sweetness

So I've had a DSL internet connection since it's been available in my area...which is approximately since 1997, which was before cable and any other highspeed options. I like DSL better than cable because I do a fair amount of file sharing and the upstream speed is really nice for that. For some reason I wanted to check out to see what it would cost to upgrade my speed and after some quick checking found out that I've actually been paying for a faster connection but because my modem is/was so old that it was incapable of getting the faster line speed...but I should have been charged a lesser rate. Well, I wasn't a happy camper when I realized this. I made a call to my phone company and after some creative 'haggling' ... mainly inquiring as to why my rate was never reduced automatically ... I am going to be paying the same rate, getting a new modem for free, pay no activation or set up fees (which are all b.s. anyways), a nice credit on my account which will essentially pay my next 2 months of phone service and will be upping my connection speed by next week.

So hopefully by this time next week I will be blogging with a 3.5 MbPS connection versus the old 640 KbPS I was previously connected with. Also, the new modem has a built in router, wireless, ethernet and usb connectivity... not that I will be using much of that right away but being a 'chip head' I have big plans for the future and am glad to finally join the 21st century in that regards... I have a spare computer I let my daughter use and will probably hook that up to the internet just because I can now.

I do have to admit that when I first called the phone company I was ready to unload some rage upon whomever dared take my call but the representative was actually quite understanding and I did not have to issue any ultimatums and alls well that ends well.

Barry Bonds Biggest Phony Ever?

The whole Barry Bonds situation is becoming a bigger and bigger farce every day. Apparently now, Barry does not communicate with his team (San Francisco Giants), their trainers, managers, coaches, players, etc. Showing just how much he cares about the 'team' he is on.

I personally hope that he never takes another pitch. I wish Selig would grow some testicles and asterisk all of his records...at the very least. Bonds' records, in my opinion, should be removed from the pages. He has disgraced the sport and now is making a mockery of the whole situation by 'being hurt and unable to play'...when we all know that without his precious roids he will descend to normality and most certainly be done with a plethera of excuses that are all being set up by his current condition, and not to mention the 'media scrutiny' that Bonds continues blame as well as it being 'racially motivated'.

The true single season home run king is still Roger Maris and his 61 homers.

What a payday!

Well, my derby picks didn't pan out...but I didn't lose too much, so I'm not too sad...and I didn't see any of the'experts' picking either Giacomo or Closing Argument.

But how about that exacta payout? $2 Exacta (10-18) Paid $9,814.80, are you kidding me? $9,000+?!?!?! The field truly was wide open, and it will be interesting to see how high the odds go for the Preakness.

Here's the complete payout for the 2005 Kentucky Derby:

10 (10) Giacomo	102.60	45.80	19.80
18 (18) Closing Argument		70.00	24.80
12 (12) Afleet Alex			4.60

$2 Exacta (10-18) Paid $9,814.80
$2 Trifecta (10-18-12) Paid $133,134.80
$1 Superfecta (10-18-12-17) Paid $864,253.50
$2 Pick 3 (8-9-10) 3 Correct Paid $21,335.20
$2 Pick 4 (1-8-9-10) 4 Correct Paid $164,168.60
$2 Pick 6 (5-5/6-1-8-9-10) 5 Correct Paid $11,228.20
$2 Daily Double (9-10) Paid $1,973.40
$2 Daily Double (OAKS/DERBY - 5-10) Paid $595.20

Ultimatums

My 'bloodline' is of pure German descent, that is my great-great grandparents came straight from Germany to North Dakota and lived in a primarily German settled area...so my great grandparents, grandparents and parents have all married other such German descendants... I have broken the 'purity' by marrying a 'mutt' but that is not relevant now...The reason I mention this is because for all of my life I have been around these German folks and many (if not most) of my older relatives are very 'hardcore' Germans...speaking German, cooking/eating German foods and exhibiting many a German trait. I also am friends with other German 'descendants' that are my age and it doesn't take long to notice several traits that we have 'inherited' from our ancestors...such as stubbornness, hard work ethic and our word is our bond.

Our word is our bond, that is the topic of this post because it is even more complex than that... you see for many a proud German we hold a simple credo very dearly, that is if you say it, you mean it, you do it and you never defy it...NEVER defy it. Oh sure, many may think that's how they are, but no, that is not the case for your 'perception' of that phrase and the reality is often different. In society today people will lie openly to your face, while you know it. People will say they will meet you somewhere at 9:00 AM and not be there at 9:00 AM, sure it may be 9:01 AM, but then why didn't you say 9:01 AM? You see it is that definitive. Most 'hardcore' Germans are NEVER late, in fact it is a standard practice to be at least - AT LEAST - 5 minutes early for any and everything. My family reunions say they will begin at 10:00 AM on a Saturday, but we all know that means show up Friday night to make some red-eye (standard German party drink), drink and play cards (usually of the gambling nature - women will play Pinochle) or other parlor games (ie: pool) and essentially be on site until the reunion has concluded sometime Sunday for us that have to work. There is nothing better than running to the liquor store to pick up the kegs and the liquor store not having them ready...I know no German (which kills me in card games because they all cheat by speaking German...but I am catching on) but know that what my older uncles are saying while inside the establishment are anything but flattering towards the employee who does not have our kegs of beer ready, which at a different time would mean they would get beaten on the spot. (Did I mention that Germans like to drink?)

So now comes my point...the ultimatum...again, our word is our bond. There have been businesses I, sometimes alone and sometimes with others, have uttered the words "I will never set foot in this business again." And by saying this means you are required to honor it...if not, then why say it? There is a popular electronics/computer store in my town will never see me set foot inside of it again for an incident that occurred about 2 years ago. With some friends about 4 years ago a liquor establishment wouldn't sell us offsale at 12:55 PM (5 minutes before they legally had to stop - and did I mention Germans like to drink?) and one of my fellow German descendant friends uttered the phrase "We will never set foot in here again." And I have yet to return to that establishment and have even had to tell people that I couldn't go there because I refuse to enter it because of the ultimatum.

So I am opening a new checking account because I didn't like the bank I was at...no, I didn't say I would never do business with them again (I left the door open) but I just didn't like the service and it seemed as if I was getting raped on charges all the time for items other banks are giving away for free...so it made sense to move to a bank that seemed to want my business. So prior to me selecting my bank I just mentioned to my mother that I was looking for a new bank and told her of one that I thought of moving too... she told me that I couldn't move to that bank because in 1974 they were extremely rude to her and would not approve a house loan and she uttered the phrase "I will never do business with you nor will anyone in my family!" So there you go, I had to select another bank because of an incident in 1974...we hold a grudge and I must honor it, if I didn't I would surely be chastised by not only my family, but everyone my mother could tell..."Did you know my son is banking at a bank that I said we would never do business with?" News like that would spread like wild-fire amongst my relatives and would surely be one of the first things said to me at the next reunion... "Hey, how's it going? I hear you are banking at that no-good bank your mother hates? What's with that?"

To tell you the truth, I think holding the ultimatum and the German stubbornness traits is like a badge of honor and that if everyone in today's society would do the same you would see better service from all businesses.

2005 Kentucky Derby Picks

PREFACE: I am not a horse racing expert. I do not know anything about the horses entered into any horse race other than what you can you find on the racing sheet. But I do enjoy watching and wager on the Triple Crown...always have, probably always will. I use to frequent local OTB places and on occassion will spend an afternoon 'playing the ponies' with some other friends that also enjoy the same. My betting 'system' is fairly simple. I don't like to wager a lot of money on one race, so I usually will box-exacta, selecting horses that are middle to high odds. Hitting just one of these (which usually happens if you bet on several races in a day) will sometimes get you over $100 on a $2 bet...some days I have been super lucky and hit multiple such wagers...

So this year's Kentucky Derby is about here and from the 'experts' that are handicapping the race, essentially say the field is wide open. Bellamy Road is the favorite, with odds at 5-2 right now. This is what I like to hear... I usually shy away from the favorites because, again, I don't lay a lot of money down and betting the favorite won't really get me any money back. So here's what I think I am going to do this year... for $12 I am going to box-exacta Sun King (3), Afleet Alex (12) and Noble Causeway (2). Afleet Alex's odds right now are 9-2, but Noble Causeway and Sun King have odds of 12-1 and 13-1 respectively... if that 2-3 combo hits, it should pay nicely. I'm throwing Afleet Alex in there because from this week's workouts looks to be the fastest horse on the track...and just over a 4 to 1 payout, with one of the higher odd horses, could still be a respectable payout. And the nice thing is that if I lose and nothing hits...I'm out only a whopping $12...

So I'm going 3-12, 2-3 and 2-12 all boxed exactas, laying $4 (to get the full $2 exacta payout) per bet. If I win, a round of drinks on me! Good luck everyone!

American Idol's Unraveling

Of course those that frequent my blog, recall my February rant as to why American Idol sucks. I concluded that entry with my anticipation for idol stars to be arrested as the show would begin to unravel and the 'stars' of the show would slowly descend back to obscurity...

Well, it looks as if a former contestant is coming forward with some allegations that will be revealed on ABC's Primetime Live edition that aren't too flattering for the show. Although I still contend that the entire show is totally produced and rehearsed with the outcome predetermined, this might be the beginning of the end of this annoying television entity.

Will I watch the ABC Primetime Live expose on American Idol? Of course not. I will continue to hate it from afar and the less I know about American Idol, the better I feel. I just want to hear about the things that confirm my theories about the show... that is is choreographed crap...but I really don't need too much confirmation of that.

I do think that this is just the beginning and that the flood of negative press revealing the 'dark side' of the show will eventually come...

Star Wars - Can It Get Any Worse?

The original Star Wars trilogy (episodes 4-6) was something I remember. The original Star Wars movie had played in our theatre for 30+ weeks before I could finally coax my parents into letting me have some money to go and watch it - they have seen a movie in a movie theatre maybe 3 times total and aren't movie buffs, to say the least. I, like most other 7 year-olds was instantly in love with this movie. It had it all and appealed to everyone at every level. Good guys were in white and Darth Vader was in black. Action, lasers, alien creatures and space ships - it's tough to ruin a movie with those elements for a child. Then came Empire Strikes Back, man it only gets better. The beginning of Empire, I say, to this day is a great way to begin a movie. This Star Wars series is only getting better and I, like the rest of the world, waited with great anticipation for Return Of The Jedi. And this is the beginning of the end... for the first half of Return of The Jedi the movie has great potential and then we are introduced to Ewoks and the movie goes downhill from that point. But all-in-all, the original trilogy is fantastic.

Then comes the second trilogy with Episode I leading the way. This movie was so unlikeable for those of us that remember the original trilogy on so many levels. I don't have to even mention the Jar-Jar Bings character, but needless to say, ruined any attempt at an interesting movie. Episode II, the Clone Wars was so bad that the release of the final installment was delayed until the Lord Of The Rings Trilogy ran it's course so that Lucas could grab all the headlines he can for this final grasp at respectability. Without seeing this movie, nor do I have any intention of doing so, I have little doubt that it will suck like the last two installments. But I am not saying anything that us 'old-timers' already know... that the last 2 Star Wars movie sucked and sucked badly.

So why I am compelled to point out the obvious? It's because there are apparently dorks that are in line to be the first to see the final installment RIGHT now and the movie isn't due to be released for another month. How can this be? After Episode I and II I wouldn't PAY to see the final installment. Who are these idiots? I understand that you have those, that since 1977 have had only Star Wars as their mate...and obviously love is blind because despite the crappiness of the last two installments they are willing to give the Star Wars franchise one more chance. Remembering back to the release of Episode I, I recall on tv hearing about fans that went to the movie multiple times in the first days and weeks...after seeing it once I just wonder how stupid these dorks are. These are the same type of people who have an infactuation with any person, movie, entity, etc. and regardless of how obscure these 'pop-culture' items become, they refuse to acknowledge the crappiness that it has become. But to tell you the truth, I am a bit jealous. I wish I had no life, no responsibilities and no cares where I could be sitting on a sidewalk outside a theater for a month just to see a movie. I would love to not have any other obligations that to squander a month to merely wait in line is an 'activity' that I would even consider. But even so...I still am wondering how crappy this last installment is going to be? I have ZERO hope of it even being remotely interesting and I won't buy into the hype - I never do, especially when it comes to movies. And that's my point... Even if you have no life and waiting a month in line to watch a movie is something you want to do...go crazy. But to pick this final installment of Star Wars as the movie to do so...that, I think, may make you certifiably insane...