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!

Rocked! In The CIty Of Evil

I recently purchased this grand album and am thrilled that I did. I first heard these guys at Ozzfest a few months ago, and have been plotting my acquisition since then. The first song, The Beast & The Harlot is a terrific opening for a hard-rock project. It deals with Revelation 18...read the account, then listen to the song. The Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas tribute, Bat Country, comes across fourth and is equally as forceful and riveting. I'm late to the party in this genre, though I did get into some of the popular bands when I was growing up. I'm finding this work in particular to be entertaining, aggressive and a good way to "out" some frustration. Better them screaming than me, I guess...

Finally, A Soft Drink That Won't Kill Me...

My drink of choice of late...unless and until I get proof that it's bad for me as well.

V For Vendetta

I picked up the film V For Vendetta this week, and I feel I must do my part to spread the word...this is an awesome film. Click here for the IMDb page. Finally, a movie with outstanding dialogue, plenty of action and very interesting story line! To whet the appetite, here are some cool quotes from the flick:

*After V rescues Evey, she makes the required inquiry into the identification of her hero...
Evey: Who are you?
V: Who? Who is but the form following the function of "what", and what I am is a man in a mask.
Evey: Well I can see that.
V: Of course you can. I'm not questioning your powers of observation, I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.
Evey: Oh...right.
V: But on this most auspicious of nights, permit me then, in lieu of the more commonplace soubriquet, to suggest the character of this dramatis persona.

*Then, as V furthers his introduction to Evey)...
"Voilà! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a bygone vexation stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin vanguarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition. The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose vis-a-vis an introduction, so let me simply add that it's my very good honor to meet you and you may call me V."

*After Creedy threatens V...
Beneath this mask there is more than flesh. Beneath this mask there is an idea, Mr. Creedy, and ideas are bulletproof.

*Of course, the brilliant poetic piece of the film...
Remember, RememberThe fifth of November,
The gunpowder treason and plot.
I know of no reason
Why the gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.

*From the explosive final confrontation with the evil Creedy...
Creedy: Defiant until the end, huh? You won't cry like him, will you? You're not afraid of death. You're like me.
V: The only thing you and I have in common, Mr. Creedy, is that we are both about to die.
Creedy: How do you imagine that'll happen?
V: With my hands around your neck.
Creedy: Bollocks. We've swept this whole place. You've got nothing. Nothing but your bloody knives and your fancy karate gimmicks. We have guns.
V: No. What you have are bullets and the hope that when your guns are empty I'm no longer standing, because if I am, you'll all be dead before you've reloaded.
Creedy: That's impossible. Kill him!
(At this point Creedy's men open up a barrage of bullets upon V, who though hit many times remains standing, then offers...)
V: My turn.

Awesome to say the least...I will watch again and spread the revolution!

Items Of Recent Interest

A couple of weekends ago I went to OzzFest with my brother Cory. Ozzy wasn't at the Indianapolis show, but the headliner was System Of A Down, which I've referenced before in a previous post. I've liked SOAD for a while now, but after hearing them in concert and seeing firsthand how awesome they are, my fascination has reached a new level. Other bands of interest I heard were Disturbed and Avenged Sevenfold who were also quite fascinating, to say the least. I'll be back, though next time I'll be sure not to go looking like a surfer...I didn't quite fit in with all of the black, and am quite thankful I made it out of there alive...

I've also made it a point to let myself get rawked by Junk a couple times in the last month. If you're hankering for a place to cool off, wind down, get crazy or let your hair down, find a venue where they're jammin' and have at it...

I picked up the new album by The Fray titled "How To Save A Life"...it's a good mellow listen, the great-for-background-music-while-you're-working-type, in my opinion...

I've been reading the Rule #1 book by Phil Town. If I get rich, I'll jazz up my blog and hopefully have the spare time to post more frequently than once a month! Then again, that may not be what the world needs right now...

Football season is upon us, and I was pumped to watch a bit of the Hall Of Fame game this past weekend, even if it was just the Eagles and Raiders. My unapologetic predictions are as follows: in the N.F.L., the Colts will FINALLY do it this year and win the Super Bowl; in N.C.A.A. Div. 1, Notre Dame will recapture some of their glory from ages past, making an all-Indiana set of champs for the year. Seriously, it will happen, just mark it down and congratulate me next February...

I now have cable internet and the ability to use my wi-fi functions of my laptop at the house now. Newsworthy? No, not really. I'm just wondering how in the world I have lived without it for so long...adios.

My First Meme!

Uh, actually, I had never heard of such a critter until Jabel sent me an email stating I'd been tagged on a meme. My initial reaction was a wotdahail?!?!, but then I consulted the trusty wikipedia and discovered the meaning of a meme. Read it here. Now, the moment that seals my fate as a meme-r...

1. One book that changed your life: Micheal J. Gelb, How to Think like Leonardo da Vinci.

2. One book that you’ve read more than once: Dr. Seuss, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.

3. One book you’d want on a desert island: Charles Darwin, The Origin of Species.

4. One book that made you laugh: Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote of the Mancha.

5. One book that made you cry: Stephen E. Ambrose, Undaunted Courage.

6. One book that you wish had been written: Raising Two Boys and Convincing Them That They Are The Most Important People On The Planet To You, Now & Forever

7. One book that you wish had never been written: Haven't found one yet.

8. One book you’re currently reading: The Harvard Classics, Volume 34-Descartes, Voltaire, Rousseau & Hobbes.

9. One book you’ve been meaning to read: Phil Town, Rule #1: The Simple Strategy for Successful Investing in Only 15 Minutes A Week!

10. Now tag five people:
-Becca
-Jeff
-John
-Amy
-Mary

Cincinnati Reds

I've been a fan of the Reds for a few years now, since the trade that brought my favorite major leage player over from Seattle, Ken Griffey, Jr. The last few years have ranged from dismal to disappointing to downright "I'm not even gonna' watch...", but this season is different. As of today they are just 2 games back of the Cardinals for the top spot in the N.L. Central, and things are exciting again.

The above picture was taken a couple of years ago when I last visited Great American Ball Park with my boys, Boston (now 9) and Britain (now 7). They are actually why I'm posting about the Reds today, as we are planning a return trip in the coming weeks. Each of my boys has followed in my footsteps and like both the Reds and Griffey! Of course, their fascination with my favorite player probably has more to do with the video games they play than it does me, but hey, the end result is the same. I'm looking forward to a day with the guys again, sittin' out at the ol' (new, actually) ballpark, checking out the game, splurging on $6 hot dogs and $5 drinks, and soaking up the rays all in the fabulous venue which is Great American. If you get a chance to go, I highly recommend it. Oh, yeah...there should be some pretty good baseball to watch, too!

The Praiseworthy New York Times

I know it's quite pleasing to root for the underdog, at times even heaping praise upon those short on talent and ability but tall on heart and effort. It almost seems the American way to do things, perhaps stemming from the fact that a couple and a quarter plus centuries ago we as a nation were one of the said "underdogs", and challenged the bigs to create a life-system all our own. That being said, I must concede that in the world of newspapers, my praise is going to a big and mighty...The New York Times. In my previous employ I spent a lot of time travelling, and therefore was able to sample a rather large variety of daily papers, both in large metropolitan areas and small, rural locales as well. I now read the NYT about 5 times a week (according to one study [pdf], I'm either a Heavy Reader or a Skimmer), and am always impressed with the amount of readable material and the skill of the writers. I know this is no surprise, seeing that the Times is "one of the most-read newspapers in the world", and as such they have both the means and the business responsibility to have the best writers. I also know that I'm not the first and won't be the last to state this most obvious fact, but I just want to throw in my two-cents worth and say that when it comes to daily papers, the underdog may not be the most worthy of your time.

The Elderly Files...Revisited

Well, it has been a bit since I’ve blogged, but there are a number of reasons for that. My work schedule has been hectic and quite busy, but I’ll not be a bore and share too much information on that. I did have somewhat of a bit of inspiration today, so I thought I’d jot down some things. I’m working now at my Home Instead and spending the day with Prof. G. (name left out, obviously, for confidentiality reasons). He is an Alzheimer’s patient that I’ve had the privilege of working with for about six months now, and is quite a remarkable individual, hence my aforementioned “inspiration”. I’m not sure why exactly I’ve not thought to keep up a report on the interesting and otherwise events while I’m here, but while walking with Prof. G. today it hit me-I need to be recording these things. So today I’ll begin, and occasionally kick back to some memories of the past six months.

As I referenced, Prof. G. has Alzheimer’s. The disease is always fatal, and although it seems a bit morbid to mention it now, that fact actually is the best catalyst to encourage me to be the best I can be every time I’m with him…because I want to ensure this last stage of his life is both enjoyable and tolerable. Prof. G. is very mobile and has hardly any trouble getting around, and at 77 that is quite an extraordinary feat! His memory, though, is not quite so robust. The day I first met him we went for groceries and he asked me no fewer than 6 times while we were there if I’d ever been to that store before, and then told me how remarkable a place it was. His memory (lack of) trend of late has been repeated trips to the mailbox, on which trips he invariably checks the neighbor’s mail as well, much to their dismay. I’ve had to make a concentrated effort each time to tell him that the neighbor’s called and told me to tell him that he didn’t need to get their mail today, as they would be getting it themselves. I must use such non-threatening language in order to ensure a pacific rest of the day, for if I fail here his mood becomes full of anger and agitation. On some days this exchange happens better than 25 times, and I must admit that at times it does get a bit frustrating (which, I’m certain, is a very typical human emotion in such situations!). I’ve been blessed with an apparent grand amount of patience, though, and for this I am very thankful. It’s just not worth it on any level to lose my cool, and I think this frequent exercise with Prof. G. will make a better man out of me.

Prof. G. is a remarkable musician, and spent his working years as a musicologist, most recently at Indiana University here in Bloomington. I am treated daily with his playing works by Chopin, Brahms, and his favorite, Debussy, among others. I am a self-proclaimed lover of music, enjoying a wide variety of genres. My favorite in the classical style music has for a number of years been George Friedrich Handel, and specifically his Water Music has been my most listened to piece. Prof. G. evidently has done a lot of teaching on Handel, for I’ve found 20+ books in his library and a number of CD’s by and about the famed composer.

Hey, I did it! I actually jotted down a thought in my blog…imagine that! Well, anyway, I’ll try to do better (of course, I’m talking to myself by way of the printed page, and not trying to make promises to anyone but me, so perhaps the “doing better” is the wrong choice of words). Perhaps I’ll be privileged to both jot down some fascinating memories of my client/friend Prof. G. and maybe remind myself and others of lessons learned along this much illuminated pathway of friendship with an Alzheimer’s patient.

On The Mend

Well, it's been a bit since I last blogged so I thought I'd jot down a line or two to catch myself up on where I am in life at this point. My most recent post was an advertisement for my rocket, and I must say it's with mixed emotions that I report its' sale. It was purchased by one of the players on one of my favorite sports teams (I'll leave his name and team out for privacy reasons), but that was only a small consolation! I enjoyed meeting the guy, but it must feel the same as when a dad meets his girls date for the first time. The only difference is I knew this guy was gonna ride off into the sunset with her and that I'd never see her again. It still feels a bit awkward...

Anyway, loads of stuff has happened since then. Most noteworthy was my trip to Las Vegas with my gal-pal, Amy. Perhaps I'll share more later, but I just want to mention now that I think I could live at New York, New York Hotel & Casino. The coaster, the food, the atmosphere...it's all good!

I'm currently reading The Millionaire Next Door and am enthralled...these guys are gonna help me on my way to wealth, I just know it. I'm also digging into a book my mom picked up for me called When Bad Christians Happen To Good People.... It's certainly a worthwhile read for the currently churched as well as those of us who've experienced, shall we say, a bit of a bad taste with church-life. Wrapping up my worth-mentioning reads of the moment would be The Body You Want In The Time You Have..., which leaves no room for further excuses for not working out. You name the number of times a week you wanna work out (quite simply, just pick a number between 1 and 7...it's not that hard). Then decide how long you want each workout to last (from 15 minutes up to an hour). Finally choose the type of workout your looking for (i.e., weight loss, definition, mass or a combination of the three) and voila', your personal plan is ready made. Now go find your abs!

Life is great...

2003 Kawasaki Ninja ZX6RR

That dreadful day has arrived...I'm selling my rocket! I may write a lengthy tribute later, but for now the pain is just to great to dwell on it long enought to pen anything down. It's listed over at ebay (click here for details), and already interest is being shown in taking from me my asphalt love thing. I'll get over it, I'm sure, but I have so many memories that will never go away...

Okay, enough with the sob story. The bottom line is, if you or someone you know is interested in a rocket, here's a steal of a deal. I've gotta get rid of it to make room for other things at the present time, so I'm quite motivated.

PS-To understand my grief at parting, you'd probably have to be a rider...

Tucker Carlson

My interest in the "news" is not something I would consider white-hot, and perhaps I'd describe it as tepid at best. Most mornings I'll pour myself a bowl of Cheerios topped with blueberries or strawberries, fill up a tall glass of high-pulp orange juice, and snag a banana from the fruit counter at home and then sit down to catch up on the latest. Occasionally I'll tune in to MSNBC or Fox News, but I'd say 90% of the time it's Headline News. I've heard of friends and family members alike who suggest they watch certain shows and avoid certain others because of their political preferences. I guess I'm just not involved enough, or perhaps I just don't possess the intelligence, to detect "spin". Some I'm acquainted with speak almost passionately about who believes what and which anchors are masters at making their political sentiments come out on top, but I just don't seem to get it.

That all being said, in the last two months I've learned of Tucker Carlson, pictured above left. His show The Situation With Tucker Carlson airs at 11 pm EDT on MSNBC. My viewing is not religious and certainly has no set pattern, but a good 2 or 3 nights a week I'll give his show at least a bit of my time. It's not a cover-all like Headline News, and is obviously more of an opinion piece rather than just reporting. I like it just for that reason. He's the type of anchor that I just connect with and when I watch I am not distracted from what he's saying by any idiosyncrasies, unlike with similar programs.

I just recently was made aware that he maintains a blog called Untied, and upon reviewing it I find his writing to be just as enjoyable and informative as the television show. His post for today, for example, is entitled Nice to see Christianity still scares. I'm pasting a copy of it here because I think it's quite poignant and perceptive...

Nice to see Christianity still scares (Tucker Carlson)
People often make jokes about Episcopalians being boring, and unfortunately they're usually right. I know this because on most Sundays I sit through an Episcopal Church service with my wife and children. It's a reassuringly predictable experience, always exactly an hour long. And you'll never meet nicer people. If you needed someone to hold your wallet, or if you were lost in an unfamiliar neighborhood and had to duck into a stranger's house to use the bathroom, you could do a whole lot worse than to meet up with an Episcopalian. No one has better manners.

And that may be the problem. There's a notable lack of urgency in most Episcopal churches. Jesus may have promised he'd come back someday, but in the Episcopal Church you don't get the feeling he really meant it. Nor do you hear a lot about sin. Lust, hatred, gluttony, pride, envy -- those are dramatic emotions. Drama makes Episcopalians uncomfortable. The typical sermon leaves the impression that all would be well in this world if only people could manage to be reasonable with each other. Gentlemanly. Thoughtful.

There's nothing necessarily bad about any of this. (I remain an Episcopalian, with no plans to change.) But every once in a while, as I shift in my pew listening to one of our unusually well-educated preachers expand on the Aramaic understanding of discipleship, I do wish Jesus would come back, preferably in a massive ball of fire through the ceiling of the church. Spiritually, I'm nowhere near ready to face something like that. But it'd be worth it for the shock value.

All of which is to say, I welcome the controversies this season over Christmas. Every time a school district bans Christmas carols, every time the ACLU dispatches a busload of lawyers to fight a nativity scene, every time the ADL declares the Christian Right "dangerous," it's a reaffirmation that the faith is not dead. Dead religions don't give people the creeps. They don't make atheists mad. They don't keep Alan Dershowitz up at night. But Christianity still does. What a relief. It's nice to see that our faith still scares people.

Of Hot News Anchors And Ugly Massage Therapists

Is it just me, or are we in a totally different world than we were in just a few years ago? Bonnie Bernstein is incredible as a sports reporter, but can you be any better looking and know something about a 3/4 court press? Then there's Rachel Nichols who gets my undivided attention everytime she gets airtime...especially when she closes with her name and "Es..p...ANNNN". I saw Soledad O'Brien this morning and felt like Ron Weasly and uttered a quiet, reverential "bloody hell". What about Rudi Bakhtiar??? Who was Dan Rather, anyway? Laurie Dhue is up there in the top rankings of babes on the "boob" tube as well. Almost everything the French do these days is suspect, but Melissa Theuriau is their great equalizer. Let them make all the fuss they want, but keep her on the screen and all is even...though getting her to speak English might be a bit easier.

In the spirit of our favorite homage to newsanchordom, might I finish up by saying with Ron Burgundy..."Be classy...".

PS-The massage therapist insisted on showing up in my title line. Sorry, I have nothing to say about them in this post...

The Peace Of Being "Caught Up"

No, for my churchy friends, that has absolutely nothing to do with the Rapture. (Props to you, R.B.) But, now that I mention it, rapturous delight would not come too far short of describing how it feels for me to finally catch up on my "to-do" list. What with the move to the office building in early November for my real estate career, to accepting more hours (lots, and lots, and lots) of them with the "second" job, I've had a helluva (props this time to you, mom) time staying on track and up to track on the things I need/want/MUST do. At this stage in my life I have to depend on blocking out every waking hour with detailed tasks and places to be. My life is certainly not lacking in demands, nor is it in any wise routine and boring. And therein lies my problem. I feel as though I function better when I can know well in advance where I'm to be, what exactly I'm to be doing, who I'm to be with, and a plan for all things in between. My schedule of late, though, has made that entirely an impossibility. But as of this weekend, I'm caught up and ready to make strides in December to keep things on track. Ahh, how relaxing...(RING...RING)...(DING: "You've got mail!")...("Daddy, can you come play with us NOW?")...("Hello?"..."Um, yeah, I need to buy a house, and it needs to happen like, yesterday! Are you doing anything, say, around 7:30 tonight?"...)...

Has Anyone Seen November?

I feel like a blogging virgin again since I haven't jotted down my thinks for nearly a month! Due to my big office move and the crazy amount of hours I've been working, my blogging has been nil, but hopefully that's about to change. I've a lot to say, so I'm gonna HAVE to do better at getting on here.

I did brave the late night, pajama-clad high school kid crazy first showing of the latest Harry Potter film in the wee hours of November 18th...but I fell asleep! I was in Indianapolis for Mediation Training for the Board of REALTORS on Thursday and Friday and thought I'd be able to swing a show that Friday morn, but evidently I couldn't last. I know my good pal Jabel was quite excited about seeing the movie, but I think he was a bit disappointed. I can't really say at this point since one of the sleeping fits I had was right in the middle of the third task at the Triwizard Tournament! I recall the maze popping up...and the next thing I really remember was Mad Eye Moody leading Harry back to his office. Um, I think I must've missed the whole encounter with Voldemort, which was supposed to be the pinnacle of the film. I'll just have to watch it again on DVD when it comes out and make my final opinion known at that time.

Also this month I was introduced to a new client with Home Instead so I'll have to draft a new version of my Elderly Files. This man shall be referred to as Prof B., and I have plenty of items of interest to pen down for the record.

And that would be about it this month! I've not played basketball even once, of course it's been too cold for tennis, and I don't have a gym membership. That means only one thing...something's gotta give or I'm gonna be floating up stairwells like a blimp rather than having to stop half-way up to catch my breath...wait, maybe the blimp thing isn't so bad after all.

TBC...