Let the game begin!

Ok, before we get started, I should probably backtrack a tad on what I said yesterday.  The contestants don't really "self-promote" as bad as they are shamelessly promoted by the producers of the show assuming that their audience is stupid and cram contestants down the throats of America.  The best singer never wins except (according to Dana) last year when David Cook won.  And I will admit that he is the only Idol winner that I wouldn't change the station from on the radio.  Taylor Hicks' fan base is not comprised entirely of losers because apparently Sarah Beth likes him (wha?!).  But he's still a joke.  End of backtracking, I stand by what I said about Kara.  And remember that when the rest of America is fed up with her condescension to the blind guy.

On to the game rules and how it works.  We made this up as we went last night, but here's the basic premise: 

Dana has a team of 6 (Danny Gokey; Megan the swingy-armed; Alison the Goth; Jasmine Murray; Matt Giraud; Alexis Grace)  

I have a team of 6 (Lil Rounds; Michael Sarver; Anoop -dawg; Jorge Nunez; Scott said blind guy; and Kris Allen).  

We have yet to name our teams, but some possible themes are that Dana is almost a racist and I'm almost a sexist based on our picks.  Or she could be "The Widowers" to my "The Visually Impaired."  We don't know yet.

Scoring: 

Winner - 120 pts

Runner-up - 80 pts

3rd - 60 pts

4th - 50 pts

5th - 40 pts and so on until 8th place.  If you can't make the top 8, you don't get a point.  

We also pick who we think is going to get eliminated before the performance show (worth 6 points if correct) and have an option to change our pick between the performance and the elimination show (worth 3 points if correct).  So, you get rewarded double if you pick ahead of time who is going to stink and America agrees with you.  Of course, it sounded like they changed the process last night so that they could keep Adam Lambert as long as they wanted which brings us to...

Moment of Unity:

Although this is a competition between us, we needed to have a time each show to put away our swords and come together in a spirit of togetherness.  Because this was about hanging out together and having fun.  That will be created when we hem and haw over Adam Lambert's awful, closeted, contrived, and infuriating performance each week.  He will not figure into the scoring because we will ignore him as far as that goes.  

Ok, so that is the game.  I think my team will get more votes, but I like Dana's team better as far as being good singers and not annoying.  That said, I liked my Kris Allen pick until he sabotaged himself by telling the little girls of America that he had a wife.

Dana got the first pick and took Gokey.  My first pick was Lil Rounds.  We'll see how it plays out for "The Teams to be named."

One way to watch American Idol

I have hated American Idol almost since the first time I saw it.  My sister loved it, and as has often happened, it prompted me to feel the opposite (which is why I began liking North Caroliona basketball...she thought Christian Laettner was awesome and we see how that worked out).  My feelings on the show are confirmed and reinforced with every airing of it (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday every week).  They reward screaming, shameless self-promotion and the winner is never the best singer, just the one with the most votes from his loser-fanbase (see: Hicks, Taylor)

Nevertheless, people watch every week despite all the things that turn me off about it.  Dana likes it.  And rather than excuse myself all 4 nights a week that they show it on Fox, I decided to try and stomach it.  Funny thing happened, I still hated it.  But I hate it with an opinion about almost all the contestants, but more importantly the judges (Randy-clown; Paula-loveably dumb but nice, Simon - awesome, Kara-should be electro-shocked every time she opens her mouth).  I've been sucked in...and yes that's the right verb relative to the show's producers.

But to ease the annoyance each week, Dana and I are drafting the final 12 tonight onto two respective teams.  We devised a scoring system and everything.  What about the 13th person?  We decided to collectively hate on Adam Lambert for the entirety of the season and keep him from figuring into the scoring at all.

I'll let you know how it goes after tonight, but if you need help making it through this show like I do, maybe this will help.  I'm actually excited about it.  It almost helps me forget that they cut Normund Gentle who would have gotten me to watch without any game attached.

Like everyone else in Alabama, we made a big deal about the snow on Sunday.  It was a great day all the way around.  We woke up and went to the Waysider for breakfast with Melissa and Brian.  Then we came home, said goodbye to our guests and bundled up.  We were taking Pistol to the park (whether Dana wanted to or not...she ended up very happy she went).  Grits was just fine curled up next to the space heater in the shed, and wouldn't be bothered to come along.  

It was crowded, but still very fun at the park.  And if we hadn't gone when we did, there would have been no snow to go and enjoy anyway.  In the hour and a half we were there, the snow melted away.  That is why we used that magical Japanese technology to capture the moments.  Here you go, enjoy!

I Love the 90's

So, over the last couple of months, Kent and I Netflixed the series "My So-Called Life." Ahh, the comfort of plaid flannel shirts, Doc Martens, and the general sense of 90's teen angst. I never really entered a "grunge" phase myself, but the show calls to mind a whole other time period that doesn't feel so long ago, but in watching this, was forever ago.

I didn't watch this show the first time around because I think I was "too young," and it had the reputation of being edgy and mature. I don't think Mom and Dad were too enthused. So, imagine my surprise when I was watching the DVDs to see how tame this show is. Although, that's probably because it's tame by today's standards. Sure, they talk about teenage sex, but it's not for shock value, and it's discussed in a very adolescent way. The main character doesn't drink, doesn't have sex, doesn't care about high fashion. There is one small incident with a gun at school that accidentally goes off and hits a locker. That's nothing compared to the horrors we hear of now. The characters participate in school plays, go to parties, eat dinner with their parents, break up with guys, have crushes, experience peer pressure. One character suffers with drugs and alcohol, but she's one character amidst her supportive friends who try to help her. There's the eternal heartthrob bad boy Jordan Catalano...the good-hearted nerd Brian...the sexually confused Ricky...the parents still trying to figure out teenagers and how to keep their relationship alive and well.

All of this is to say, it was refreshing to watch a show about teenagers that showcases actual teenage life and problems. Don't get me wrong, I watch Gossip Girl (and 90210, ugh) on a regular basis, but when have teenagers EVER had lives like these? I sound like I'm 100 years old, but I liked seeing normal girls and guys that don't have cell phones plastered to their hands, don't go to nightclubs when they're 15, aren't all about being mean to each other, and don't wear designer everything.

I hope a new show will emerge soon that portrays a more honest depiction of life. Or maybe I'm just stuck in the 90's.

General Update

Just a few things to keep you up to date on the Jacksons.

-Dana started her job this week.  She has her own office, new computer (with 2 monitors so she can look at two blogs at once), and a new understanding of what constitutes sexual harassment because of the video she's required to watch.  So that's good.

-I've made it to the mid-way point of the semester with an A average in all my classes.  It sounds awesome, but really it's not based on much more than a few things and very subject to change.  But I do feel a little smarter and am speaking in more than sentence fragments now.

-One of the things I am most excited about is coming up on May 9th:  

The Inaugural Jamboe Cup.  This is the brainchild of my buddy Mike and myself.  We are going to divide up around 20 of our friends into to two large teams, and have a Ryder-Cup style Jamboe (also known as "cornhole") competition.  It will have individual awards to be handed out at the conclusion of the day, and of course the award of the Jamboe Cup to travel between the houses of the winning team.  

-Grits is struggling a little with her arthritis and only goes to the park with me and Pistol occasionally.  This is because when she does go, by the end of our jaunt, she's usually dragging behind by quite a ways.  That coupled with the fact that she tries to attack every dog she sees really adds to my stress which is what I'm trying to relieve by going in the first place.

-I am enjoying a few songs right now at a high level:

Ryan Adams - Mockingbird, and The Rescue Blues

Radiohead - 15 step and Everything in its Right Place

David Gray - Last Boat to America

Ben Folds - Still Fighting It

Dana told me she's loving "The Bear" by My Morning Jacket which of course is a not-so-subtle nod to the great football coach from Alabama.

-In the annual Oscar pick-em, I whipped Dana with a score of 12 for 15 to her 9 for 15.  

And this brings me to a short commentary:  Really, Academy?!  You couldn't have nominated Bruce Springsteen's song from The Wrestler?  Jai Ho and that other crap was sooo much better?  Come on!  

Hugh Jackman was a good host, although no the musical is not "back."

I would give more commentary, but I'm busy reflecting on the positions of those who are shaming themselves in the eyes of their unborn grandchildren while thanking Sean Penn for bringing it to my attention.

Commentary over.  

Moments where Dana teared up during the ceremony:

1. any time they showed Kate Winslett, and especially when she called out to her dad and mum.

2. almost every time there was choreographed dancing and singing (a given).

3. any time the showed the little kids from Slumdog.

4. during the Heath Ledger family speech (of course)

5.  when Queen Latifah sung. It is unclear whether it was over the people who died this year or the performance itself.

Between now and next time, discuss whether Danny Gokey is an inspirational story or a shameless guy using a tragedy to gain votes to win a singing contest.  I prefer the first one (I'm an optimist), but even I thought it was sorry when they put that picture up on screen last time.  Stay tuned.

TGIW

Thank goodness it's Wednesday! Although Wednesdays don't typically have much going on, they now equal LOST, which is a great part of the week! I spoke briefly about this in my "25 Facts" post, but work is slow this morning, so I'll expound.

I literally thank Kent for making me watch this show and tell him it's one of the best things he's ever done for me. Before you judge me for loving TV too much, I don't care. It's true. I went into the show kicking and screaming because (1) I'm scared of flying and the plot centered on a plane crash....not good. (2) It bordered on science-fiction...weird. (3) It was too involved and I didn't feel like devoting myself to yet another show.

It only took one episode, and I was hooked. Blame it on the good-looking castaways, the mystery, the clever flashback device, the weekly revelations on character, and allusions to books and philosophy, but the show is genius. If you don't watch it...start! But you have to start from the beginning, or you won't like it. Sure, it's a lot to take on, so maybe wait until the summer TV slump. You'll thank me :)

Top 5 Movie Speeches

I took this one pretty serious.  I think it is because when you hear a good speech in a movie, it gives you goosebumps, and when something gives you goosebumps, you know it's special...or cold.  I thought about just throwing out 5 of these randomly that were good, but they need more organization than that.  A good dramatic speech comes in a few predictable forms: 

-before the big game in a sports movie (Hoosiers), "I love you guys...TEAM!"

-before a big battle in a war/military movie (Braveheart), "They'll never take our freedom!"

-in a classroom setting from a rogue teacher (Dead Poets Society), "Carpe Diem, boys"

-in a courtroom (A Time To Kill), "...Now imagine she's white."

-in a boy gets the girl back scene (Jerry Maguire), "You complete me." 

-a stock broker/sales movie where the boss rallies the subordinates to action (Wall Street), "Greed is Good, greed is right."

-Political speech in any movie about politics (The American President) "My name is Andrew Shepard and I AM the president."

-or just any Al Pacino movie because he's the king of this category as you'll see. "I'll show you out of order!"

As you can see, the categories outnumber the slots so I'll have to let others (are you ladies alive, or just fundamentally opposed to the top 5?) fill in their faves.  These are in no particular order.  And watch out for the language, sorry.

5.  The speech at the beginning of Patton by George C. Scott.  The movie is good, but that speech is the apex of the movie and it comes in the first 5 minutes.  Tell someone your dad's age that you know this movie and they will be your best friend and spend the next 20 minutes quoting it and talking about it.

 4.  Coffee is for Closers in Glengarry Glen Ross.  Not exactly inspiring, but pretty awesome nonetheless.  I find it interesting that we haven't seen Alec Baldwin as anything but comic relief in years when he's got the ability to do things like this.  Also, I once read that Ben Affleck was the new Alec Baldwin.  At first I dismissed this, but I keep coming across examples of where he blatantly rips Baldwin off (Boiler Room speech is a poor man's version).  Also, in what universe is Baldwin superior to Kevin Spacey, Ed Harris, and Jack Lemon?

  

3.  The "inch by inch" speech in Any Given Sunday.  The movie is average at best but this speech is worth the rental (or save the $4.50 and just watch it here).  Halftime of the championship game, and the team is predictably down a few points, bring in Al and he will rouse the team into a frenzy.  The last time I watched this speech, I got so pumped up I punched my aunt in the face.  Not really, but you can imagine what it would be like if I had...

2.  The big speech in Lean on Me before East Side High's students take their standardized tests.  Morgan Freeman had about 20 great speeches in this movie, and while this one isn't probably as good as the others on this list, the movie had too many good ones to not be included. 

 1.  Al's back, and this is his best.  Pacino is the Barack Obama of movie stars and always delivers the great speech no matter the caliber of movie.  Of course, this movie is just scene after scene of Pacino just killing it, culminating in this explosive speech.  Never tell Al that he's out of order.

happy valentine's day . . . a little early

February 14th is so much fun, especially when it's on a Saturday so there's no interference by work. This is our first Valentine's Day as a married couple, and I'm really looking forward to it. No pressure on Kent, but I'm simply looking forward to waking up together and hanging out all day, and maybe some chocolate :)

Happy Valentine's Day to all our friends! Hope you each have a lovely day.

Big news and another 5

Ok, this is probably Dana's announcement to make (and by probably, I mean definitely), but the combination of Dana's humility and inability to blog on a regular basis puts the task on her husband. So, here's the news: The Jacksons are going to Birmingham! Dana got a job as a proposal specialist for a company out of Birmingham and since they have schools there that offer Masters programs too, onward and upward! We are "pleased and excited" (a Sabanism) to say the least. For the time being, she'll commute, and when our lease is up (August), we're moving.

We've always thought of moving someday, and it's happening sooner than later (and that is good). Let me also, take a minute to brag a little on Dana. She found a job that she really wanted (not in development which she'd been pigeon-holed into), and did so in an impossible and historically bad job market. She did it all on her own, with no connections or favors called in. It's easy to talk about God's plan when things go right for you, but we've both marveled at the many "setbacks" that led to this perfect outcome. When faith in The Plan is fleeting, we will remember the good times and bad, and as John Locke (Lost, not the philosopher) said, "That pain led me where I am now, I wouldn't trade it."


Ok, Top 5 guys I'm not scared of in a big spot against my team(s).


I got to thinking about this last night while watching Kobe and the Lakers steal a game from the Celtics in the Gaaaahhhhden with the help of the unconscionably bad refereeing in the final 5 minutes of regulation and OT.


1. Alex Rodriguez: there is not a more un-clutch superstar anywhere who just doesn't get it. You know he wanted to be Matt Stairs for just one minute while watching the Series this year.


2. Kobe Bryant: a bit of a surprise considering what happened last night because he does hit big shots, but only 50% of the time and less than that against the Celtics. Remember that this is the same person who has famously disappeared in big games throughout his career. Does anyone really think MJ would have let the Bulls get beaten by 40 in the decisive game of the Finals or any playoff game for that matter? His fraudulence has shown up in 3 different playoff elimination games (2 Game 7s and last year's Game 6). And it was excruciating to have to cheer for him during the Olympics.



3. Carnell Williams: This is kind of a weird person to bring up, but I was never scared of him in the Iron Bowl. And that feeling was confirmed every November of his collegiate career. They (AU) may have beaten us in some of those games, but he came up small in every one of them, if he even played. And yes, his heir to the throne is Knowshon Moreno.



4. Ladanian Tomlinson: If I really had an NFL team, this would be more relevant, but he needs to be on this list because he's right alongside A-Rod in the media darlings who have no heart and come up small time and time again.


5. Lane Kiffin: I'll admit that he was the coach I didn't want UT to hire at the time. But after a few months, I could not be less scared of him. He's proving every time that he opens his mouth (without having coached a game yet, mind you) that he's not ready for this job or the stage he's on. The beauty of this is that all the UT fans are defending his every move and will be eating their words when Florida hangs 50 on them, and Bama beats them badly for the 3rd consecutive year. What a clown! I'll never have the disdain for him that I did for Fulmer because Fulmer actually beat us sometimes. Kiffin will go winless against his rivals which will be the gaping hole in his imitation of Spurrier.


The common thread among all of these guys is that they care too much about what the fans/teammates think of them instead of just ripping the other team's heart out and showing it to them. Give me the guys that enjoy the kill and relish the big moment (the only exception here would be Kobe, but again only 50% success rate). A-Rod hears the boos of the home fans all too well. Kiffin is too much of a people-pleaser to his own fans to focus on the task at hand. Carnell had the talent but lacked the killer instinct (and still does).

I suppose it would be good to give an example of someone who does scare me in a big spot. Hmmm.
Against Alabama, Tim Tebow, Darren McFadden, and Houston Nutt.
Against the Celtics: LeBron, Dwyane Wade, Greg Popovich (who would absolutely dismantle Doc Rivers), Joe Johnson, and Chris Paul.
Against the Sox, always Jeter, Vlad, Evan Longoria, Manny if he ever gets the chance, and Grady Sizemore. Just off the top of my head.


Join us next time for another sports rant that only Kent cares about. Or make it your own and apply it to your teams.

a quick 5

The list idea got me thinking of another list exercise.  Participate if you'd like.  In the movie, High Fidelity, they are constantly doing these Top 5 lists.  I like the idea and use it to pass the time in the car with Dana when we have many miles to travel.  So here we go, Top 5 fringe characters on Seinfeld.

1.  Frank Costanza: Would you believe that when I was 14, I had a ssssssilver dollar collection?

2.  J. Peterman:  The very pants I was returning.

3.  David Putty:  High five.

4.  Mr. Bookman:  Let me tell you something, joy boy...

5.  Kenny Banya:  Gold, Jerry.  Gold!