Harvard Classics: 36 To 37

I finished Volume 36 of the Harvard Classics last night. My closest friends know full-well my obsession with this set of books, as I've been reading them for better than a decade now. A slow pace, I admit, but I am trying to read and comprehend as I go, and since there are no timetables I'm attempting to keep I am able to immerse myself in this my true bit of "pleasure reading". The works are fascinating to me and I've often called this collection the best book investment I've ever made.

Anyway, Volume 36 consists of The Chronicles of Froissart (a nice read for the history lover, especially the section on "Wat Tyler's Rebellion"), The Holy Grail by Sir Thomas Malory (one of the most respected accounts of all things King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table), and A Description of Elizabethan England (written for Holinshed's Chronicles) by William Harrison. In this last section a great picture of the way things used to be is painted masterfully. I've read where Shakespeare drew a lot of his imagery from this particular work, and it is quite an enjoable read for the fireside and coffee. The one thing that stood out to me in the Description, though, is that "the more things change, the more they stay the same".

Now I'm off to dive into Volume 37 and see what I can glean from the likes of Machiavelli, More and Martin Luther...

Me And Xtina At My Grandma's

Here's a pic I snapped recently of Christina while we were over at my Grandma's checking out some old records. I told her she shouldn't lay on the floor, but she insisted. I took this pic of her lookin' so darn cute because I couldn't resist. Of course, I'm full of it...this pic is from her Back to Basics album cover, and I thought I'd post it just 'cuz I like it.

The Departed

Jack Nicholson plays a mob boss smashingly in this Martin Scorsese flic. He has the perfect mug for the job, as in his older age he's looking (somehow) more sinister and vile than in times past. He plays a ruthless, totally self-confident ring leader of a crime family, and masters the role from start to gruesome finish.

I read earlier this week that Leonardo DiCaprio almost hung up his acting career after he made Titanic because he hated being portrayed as a sex-symbol. (Read a brief overview here.) As if Gangs of New York & Aviator (both Scorsese movies) didn't do it, he's for sure moved on to bigger and better things with The Departed. I was watching for a soft spot, just a hint of weakness, maybe even a smidgeon of "pretty-boy" gentleness, but no such luck. This is hard to say (especially since Titanic was on TV allllllll weekend long as Fate seemingly meant to thrust Leo front and center in my life), but he played the bad-ass roll amazingly. Even his sex scene was a bit "rough"...at least rougher than his romp with Rose on the soon-to-sink ship.

Matt Damon did slimy without a hitch as Colin Sullivan, a corrupt state cop, and worked outstandily alongside Jack & Leo in the picture. Since his best film to date was Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron , it was a seeming impossibility for him to get any better. (Um, I'm just kidding, by the way...he did much better in films where he wasn't a cartoon horse). I like him a lot in The Departed, becuase he carries his character from start to finish without it ever seeming forced.

Wow, time fails me to tell of the roles played by Mark Wahlberg , Martin Sheen , & Alec Baldwin , when especially Wahlberg deserved more. The token chick in a 87.3% man's movie was Vera Farmiga , and since I have a lot of friends of the fairer sex I'll give her a spot here in the review by saying she did a good job. Not the hottest gal on the big screen today, but I'll say of her role like the guy on the Taco Bell commercial says of Carmen Electra's dress: "it'll do." (FYI, this commercial is NOT currently online, or at least I couldn't find it, so I have no link to it. Feel free to remedy that if you find it.)

Leave Grossman Alone Already

Are you kiddin' me? ESPN is in absolute Rex hater mode, and it's startin' to really piss me off. Granted I may be a bit biased since, as I've already mentioned in a previous post, he's a local hero here in Bloomington. But even at that, don't you think the guy needs a break? Seriously, every time he threw a pass that was within 25 yards of a defender during the Saints game, the announcers were harping about how "lucky he was it wasn't picked off". C'mon, now...it's the N.F.L. Nearly every pass is "almost intercepted", just like every time a team punts, the defense "nearly blocked it". (Don't believe me, pay attention the next game you watch and see how many times this comment is made.) Anyway, I'm just sayin' it's time to cut 'ol Rexy some slack. He's a dynamic player, and in case you haven't noticed, his team has the best record in football and is representing their conference in Super Bowl 41. He's obviously gifted, so let's get some sportscasters and writers to get a little creative and start showing clips of his best passes and make remarks about what he's doing right. Why is this so important? One reason: if the Bears (and I hope not!) win the Super Bowl, these naysayers will be the first ones writing about how awesome this young kid who's going to Disney World really is. Hypocrites! Pshaw, I'm gonna put my two-cents in now...he's a deserving starter and a terrific player, mistakes notwithstanding...

My Favorite Family Guy Clip

Click the image above to see the best 22 seconds of Family Guy ever...

Colors

Race is still a volatile subject in this America in which we live. Much is being said about the fact that for the first time in history a Super Bowl team is being coached by a black man. Actually, both teams are. As I was watching the games last weekend it seemed like every few minutes that fact was being made known, and I couldn't help but wish under my breath that they'd just drop it already. Maybe I'm overreacting, but it just seems unfortunate to me to make an issue of someone's race when the color of their skin played absolutely no part in their success. The coaches in the Super Bowl are there solely because they are outstanding leaders who've learned how to direct a set of talented teams to the next level. Anyway, I've said more than I intended, I just wanted to post a couple of links to articles I've read recently concerning race. One from Esquire, and one from ESPN. Check 'em out...

HWOTP Goes Back In A Sexy Way!

Damn, girl! My life was blessed this past Christmas by my best friend/ gal-pal Amy who bought us tix to an upcoming show of Christina Aguilera's Back To Basics tour. I'm soooooo stoked about it, and can hardly wait. Taking a leisurely stroll today on the www I came across a bit of information that has (believe it or not), stoked my fever even more. Evidently there is a video backdrop during a part of the show where X-tina shows clips of a photo shoot she did in preparation for the 2005 tour that was cancelled (if my memory serves me right, she was touring then with Chingy, I think). Anyway, I found both a link to the video AND a site that has a list of still pics, one of which is included in this post. I am a believer that as far as dress and presentation of oneself goes, the decision should be in what makes that person happy. That being said, MY personal preference is for girls to look like girls, the look I affectionately refer to as "girlie-girls". The vid and pics here leave a stunning impression of feminine beauty, in my most humble opinion. I've noticed that a lot of pin-ups from the 30's and 40's dressed quite provocatively, and the look is just as hot today on present day starlets. The HWOTP has produced a smashing display of gorgeousness in these presentations, and I'm so looking forward to the concert. I believe the tour lineup also includes The Pussycat Dolls. Bloody hell...thanks AJ!

If I Were A Country Singer...

...I'd probably be Jason Aldean. Here's a video clip to Hicktown, and below is the set of lyrics that go with it. I've never owned a cowboy hat or a pair of boots, but perhaps I should start lookin'. Yee-haw!

You like the way that sounds?

Little Jimmy Jackson is jackin’ up his Bronco

He’s gonna lay a little rubber later on at the truck pull

All the girls are getting’ pretty sprayin’ on the White Rain

Yeah they’re gonna get a rowdy tonight down at the football game Yeah

(Ch.) We let it rip when we got the money Let it roll if we got the gas

It gets wild yeah but that’s the way we get down In a Hicktown

Well you can see the neighbors butt crack nailing on his shingles

And his woman’s’ smokin’ Pall Mall’s watchin’ Laura Ingles

And Granny’s getting’ lit she’s headin’ out to bingo

Yeah my buddies and me are goin’ muddin’ down on Blue Hole Road

You know You know

(Br.) We hear folks in the city party in Martini Bars

And they like to show off in their fancy foreign cars

Out here in the boondocks we buy beer at Amoco

And crank our Kraco speakers with that country radio

Yeah in a Hicktown Oh we aint finished yet

We got you’re country boys and you’re redneck girls

It’s the party heard round the world Right here in Hicktown Yeah In Hicktown

The whole town’s gettin’ down

Home State 76 Or Hometown 1

That's the debate around here...who to root for in the Super Bowl? With yesterday's impressive come-from-behind thriller, Indiana's beloved Colts have finally exorcised the "can't beat the Patriots-can't advance to the big stage"
demons that have been nagging them for years. Peyton Manning is nearly a god around here, and that's saying a lot for a basketball obsessed state! The hype in recent years has been paralleled only by the the disappointment at repeatedly having a fabulous season with a flop of a post-season. All that is past now, and it's time to take a deep breath and get ready to don the royal blue and white on February 4th. Or is it?

Here in Bloomington there is a bit of a dilemma. The quarterback for the opposition in the Super Bowl, the Chicago Bears, is none other than hometown legend Rex Grossman. A stand-out in high school for Bloomington South, Rex's following has intensified each year of his stellar rise from local hero to college phenom at Florida to N.F.L. darling and now Super Bowl dynamo. I strolled down Kirkwood Ave. recently and saw a sign promoting calling early to the bar/eatery to snag seats to watch the big Bears game! What? We're less than an hour from the RCA dome. A short drive from the haunts of Peyton and Marvin and Tony, last names not needed around here. I admit I'm proud of Rex and his accomplishments, but I would feel like a traitor to root against the Colts now! Besides, no one ever posts placards about rooting for the Chiefs, and Trent Green played QB right here at I.U.! That is a classic double standard if you ask me;)

My latest check showed 76 players on the Colts roster. I'm sure the Super Bowl will be awesome, and I wouldn't miss it for the world, even if I'll be watching it in the only town in America where 1 is greater than 76.

Mad As Hell

I connected today with the song "Not Ready To Make Nice" by the Dixie Chicks. Above is a still pic from the video, next is the lyrics, here is a link to the youtube page for the video itself.

Forgive, sounds good. Forget, I'm not sure I could.

They say time heals everything, But I'm still waiting

I'm through, with doubt, There's nothing left for me to figure out,

I've paid a price, and i'll keep paying

I'm not ready to make nice, I'm not ready to back down,

I'm still mad as hell And I don't have time To go round and round and round

It's too late to make it right I probably wouldn't if I could

Cause I'm mad as hell Can't bring myself to do what it is You think I should

I know you said Why can't you just get over it,

It turned my whole world around and i kind of like it

I made by bed, and I sleep like a baby,

With no regrets and I don't mind saying, It's a sad sad story

That a mother will teach her daughter that she ought to hate a perfect stranger.

And how in the world Can the words that I said Send somebody so over the edge

That they'd write me a letter Saying that I better shut up and sing Or my life will be over

It's not been often that I've felt this way, but in a few of the biggest turmoils I've experienced in my life a lot of what's said here is what I would express to the ones who were involved. "With no regrets"...frog

The Beauty With Bucks

Well, as if I needed another excuse to add to my Christina worshipping, I just read that she is number 19 in Forbes magazines list of the 20 Richest Women In Entertainment. The list, released on the website yesterday, is accompanied by an interesting article and even a slide show of pictures! Ch-check it out...

Aich-What?-P

In making good on my promise to allow space for a Christina shrine on my blog, here is a pic that will definitely be a poster in my entertainment room someday. I first saw this in the wall-art collection of my cousin who is a damn good photographer herself. Rolling Stone has produced some awesome covers over the years, but this one ranks as one of the most recognized issues ever, and is wildly popular, as well it should. The original release was November 14, 2002, so the world has had a shade over 4 years to bask in the ethereal beauty of the HWOTP...

"Deeply Strange, Almost Impossibly Beautiful"

I got an email from my mom today, who got it from my bonus dad, who got it from a friend, who got...well, that sufficiently makes the point that it was a forward, those infamous cluttery creatures who typically confound the mind, waste time and bandwith, and break the concenatration. This one, however, is a complete rarity...it inspired my mind, was worth the minutes and space spent, and brings not just the moment but perhaps even life itself into focus. Check out the link to the top ten photos from the Hubble in it's first 16 years, as voted by astronomers. I like what Michael Hanlon of the Daily Mail said in his article: "...(these photos)illustrate that our universe is not only deeply strange, but also almost impossibly beautiful." What a terrific description, not unlike a few women I've met...

V's Fabulous First Impression

A while back I posted about V For Vendetta, one of my favorite movies of all time. Since then I've discovered the glorious world that is youtube, and on that site found the video clip of a portion of the dialogue. Click here to be amused.

HWOTP

My fascination with Christina Aguilara has to find an out somewhere, so here's to it... It all began with the Christmas cd she released in 2000, and has yet to peter out. It's the vocals, yeah, that's it...the powerful singing voice. Oh, hell, who am I kidding! I have called her the "hottest woman on the planet" (which I've shortened to HWOTP) for so long now that my closest friends know without asking who I most admire. I did just get the Back To Basics album this past week, and I have to admit it is phenomenal...visually AND melodically, that is. The cover is a masterpiece of amazing pics of the Beautiful one. The 2 discs are simply fascinating productions of groovin' beats and smashing lyrics. In her honor I've chosen the pic above to be the initial shot as I introduce a part of my blog as an X-tina shrine...

Futuresex/Lovesounds

Um, yeah....it's past midnight and I gotta go to work in just a bit but I'm caught up jammin' to JT's newest album. This is a dancin' project (slow or fast, there's plenty of material for both), and groovin' and swervin' is a fav activity of mine. Fascination with females explodes on song after song, and yet it's not rough, crass or tainted with the nervous arrogance that makes so much of pop music almost a nuisance. I hear JT sayin' "girls...I love 'em, I respect 'em, I want 'em in a grown and sexy way..." Girls are so much funner to hang out with than guys...and that's a fact!