Mos Eisley Cantina

Fringe

2011-08-04T08:31:00.000-07:00

Damn it, I can't look away :). Like Lost, I'm disc-marathon-addicted to this show. Being a latecomer has its perks...as I can avoid the suspense of "the next episode" for the time being. Having just finished the season 1 discs and reading a bit (unavoidable, believe me) on what happens next, I'm excited to move forward. This show has a lot going for it...with fringe science at its core. Then come the stories that are very well thought and written. And the cast that was assembled simply delivers. I personally like the rough edges on Anna Torv's character and the amusing relationship between Joshua Jackson and John Noble.

Small ball works

2011-07-17T22:24:00.000-07:00

Bochy is such an underappreciated manager in the league. He and this team just continue to find ways to manufacture runs behind the strong pitching crew. Today's game was fun to watch because it was a lot of small ball in the end....steals and a suicide squeeze. Beautiful.

Production where it counts

2011-06-29T09:56:00.000-07:00

Analysts can keep snickering at the Giants for having the lowest offensive numbers in the league despite maintining its position at the top of the NL West standings. I like to think of it as an economical approach ;). Seriously, though, I love that there is no one or two guys you normally would expect to produce every given night. Its different guys every game, and that's the beauty of it. Score just enough runs to win. Even if its a productive out to move a runner, draw out more pitches, or keep the pressure on the basepaths, it still adds up in the end. Work hard and results will follow.

Oddities

2011-06-19T20:05:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I fell in love with another series in the same weekend...after a marathon with Ice Pilots NWT, I then found myself on a marathon of Oddities episodes. This show is basically a fusion of two other shows I really like: Pawn Stars and American Pickers. This show however is bent towards the obscure and the crew is great. It doesn't hurt to see Chloe Sevigny visit them, too!

Ice Pilots NWT

2011-06-19T19:59:00.000-07:00

I'm hooked. The marathon showing this weekend just kept me glued to the couch. I really admire this company's love of piston-engine planes. It's great to see all these WWII-era planes still in service. The folks that run the company are interesting as well.

One Hour Photo

2011-05-22T21:36:00.000-07:00

I couldn't believe Robin Williams was able to contain himself in this film. That in itself was a major achievement. Of course if you have the dvd all you have to do is watch the featurette and Charlie Rose segment to see that off-camera he let it all out......I don't think I've ever seen Charlie Rose giggle as much.

One is enough

2011-05-22T21:28:00.000-07:00

It does feel like an extended post-season. The giants are still winning by one-run margins...and its become typical...though now people appear less tortured than before. Great weekend...we sweep the A's....wow! While analysts scratch their heads (again) at how the Giants remain on top of the division despite a weak offense...just goes to show how timely hitting is working. Personally though I just enjoy how this really is a team. There is no single person. It can be any of the regulars....Huff, Posey, or Sanchez.....but can also easily be anyone from the bench....like this A's series where Schierholtz, Ford, and Burris shined.

Redemption

2011-05-09T11:30:00.000-07:00

Honestly, before this season, I only knew Ryan Vogelsong because he was the guy the Giants traded for Jason Schmidt...and given the greate service time we got out of him....Ryan easily drifted into memory. This weekend's game was heart-warming in that Ryan was able to work his way back to the Giants and delivered a solid performance. With a standing ovation on his exit and a tip of the cap to the fans, it was a nice moment.

A sprinkle of magic...

2011-05-06T23:45:00.000-07:00

Ok, so the season hasn't been a roaring start. But this is still a team, and it just goes down to who are up to par on any given evening. And then there are days when you feel sprinkles of magic :). What a great day to have it on Willie Mays' birthday celebration at the park.

As the new season unfolds...

2011-04-10T21:34:00.000-07:00

Finally got the first week out of the way. It's a mixed bag, actually...defense is still a little rusty, but there are positives to celebrate...Timmy has started strong, Pablo's off-season workout appears to be paying dividends, and we finally are seeing production out of De Rosa. It was sad to see Ishikawa let go (great that he was brough back for the ring ceremony), but Belt really made a case for making the roster...now let's hope he can stay the way Buster did.

Red

2011-02-25T22:46:00.000-08:00

"This is going to be fun", says Victoria Winslow (Dame Helen Mirren)....and it truly was....there's always that fear that an all-star cast spells doom for a film...but Red shows in can still be.....fun! Too many nice scenes and lines....and I find myself laughing out loud.....this movie reminds me of Sneakers....fun to watch and has great comedic lines (in Sneakers, Sidney Poiter was gold)....John Malkovich's Marvin Boggs could have very well been Howling Mad Murdock's dad :). Dame Helen Mirren firing automatic and sniper arms...a beautiful sight indeed. Way to go, your highness!

NCIS

2011-01-24T20:17:00.000-08:00

The addiction pretty much started the same way as CSI....via a marathon of syndicated episodes on cable. This time the culprit was the USA Network (for CSI it was Spike). The formula is not new, but when you get the right actors you get really interesting characters and relationships. It also helps to have some longer plot lines. The change in actors (Sasha Alexander to Cota de Pablo, Lauren Holly to Rocky Carroll) wasn't a negative. The dynamic between Mark Harmon and Michael Weatherly is funny and the forensic scientists (Ducky and Abby) add just the right quirkiness.

Penn & Teller in Seattle

2010-12-11T23:30:00.000-08:00

Eyyyy...and I didn't even have to travel to Vegas to see them! :). It was a fun show and I liked how they expose the way to do magic tricks...and then add a twist. I remember this trick where they ask a member of the audience to use a video camera and shoot liberally as they do slight-of-hand tricks. We, the audience, see what he sees through a big screen. Of course the best was saved for last...as the skit ended Teller suddenly pops up as the one with the camera. I also remember finally seeing Teller do his "rose shadow" bit. He's an amazing performer...a very nice Chaplin variant.

Brandi Carlile with Seattle Symphony at Benaroya Hall

2010-11-19T23:58:00.000-08:00

If I declared this my first symphony show, would that count? :) It was a good deal for me...I get to watch Brandi and listen to the Seattle Symphony at Benaroya Hall.....kinda. The show started with an opening act none other than Brandi and the band (nice). After a break, the orchestra joined them. The sound was dominated by the band, but in "Fall Apart Again" the symphony really shined and I think that was my favorite track of the evening.

Louise

2010-11-14T21:45:00.000-08:00

Looks liks Katee Sackhoff has taken over what used to be Louise Lombard's role at CSI. I still can't accept it. I really liked Louise. Not too happy that Wendy is gone, too. I somehow have this wish that they all come back when Grissom decides to make is return (along with Lady Heather, of course :) ). One can dream, right?

Game 5 - YYEEAAAAHHHHHH

2010-11-01T19:37:00.001-07:00

Game 4 - Checky Check :) :) ;)

2010-10-31T20:54:00.000-07:00

I will need to pinch myself a few more times to think.....that.....tomorrow can be the day the Giants finally win it all. Madison Bumgarner was locked in....and so was Huff's home run.....felt like everyone in the team locked in after that.....'keep the lead'......and so the team is now one win away from glory. I can't wait!

Game 2 - Check :) :)

2010-10-29T08:30:00.000-07:00

The train keeps on rolling :). Good win for Matt Cain who pitched really well.....good spots by Javier Lopez and Mota (finally got him in the game). And of course....the offense :). You never know who's gonna be the hot bat (or bats) in the game but it really feels like the team is in a zone. The next challenge is in Arlington. Looking forward to it :).

Game 1 - Check :)

2010-10-27T22:23:00.000-07:00

Still underdogs in the eyes of most....no problemo! What an offensive show...both pitchers were off and the hitters took advantage. The Rangers are still a tough team and still a lot of adjustments and fixes to work on in the next games. But hey, a win is a win, thank you very much!

Giants are NL Champions :)

2010-10-23T21:23:00.001-07:00

YEEEAAAHHHHH!!!! :) :) :)

Nothin' on You

2010-10-22T16:15:00.000-07:00

It's been a while and I still find myself coming back to watch Lili Taylor do this cover. Its all in good fun and I actually like her version better!

Original (just in case you're curious): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PTDv_szmL0

Le Underdogs Strike Again!

2010-10-20T21:31:00.000-07:00

Really? Are you all still calling us underdogs? Oh well....well these underdogs are still grindin' ;). It was a tough game and it was very admirable for Bochy to keep relievers Casilla and Romo in there even after they each gave away runs. But the trust was rewarded and they were able to keep the game close. A lot of good calls in this game. Putting Sandoval in (Panda finally gets some productive hits!) and getting Uribe in on the 9th (both defensively and the winning sacrifice fly).....and Huff was Huff :)....and Ross, while not homering, still hot at the plate.

Le Underdogs

2010-10-17T10:40:00.000-07:00

Watch every broadcast and you'll see how everyone pretty much thinks the Giants don't have a chance against the Philies. Well excuuuuuuuuse me! And so what happens to these broadcast naysayers after the 4-3 win by the Giants over Halladay in game 1?...yeah go ahead, backpedal as much as you like. Try as they will to keep some Halladay shine in check ("....not that he didn't pitch a good game...").....sorry boys, we're not as caught up in the bright lights you see in the east. Underdogs.....I like the sound of that ;).

Salute to Bobby Cox

2010-10-11T20:20:00.000-07:00

Yes, the Giants won the series (woohoo!)...but have to pause and salute Bobby Cox. I'm guessing somewhere in that locker room Chipper Jones is feeling the loss. Chipper and Bobby have been together his entire career (Bobby scouted him, drafted him, coached him...pretty much a second father to him). A salute also to the Giants who extended a gesture to Bobby as he said goodbye on the field for the last time.

Now how about them Giants :) .....I hated Cody Ross when he was with the Marlins...am sure happy now that those hits against the Giants are now serving the Giants :).

Back at you!

2010-10-10T20:12:00.000-07:00

Game 2 was a heartbreaker with the come-from-behind win by the Braves, but in Game 3 tonight the Giants were able to return the favor and win it in the 9th. Woohoo!

The Freak Delivers

2010-10-07T21:54:00.000-07:00

Tim Lincecum's first post-season highlight stat: 14 strikeouts. Got one run from offense. That was enough. Amen.

More October Baseball!!

2010-10-03T18:28:00.000-07:00

The sign one fan was holding says it all: ""torture has never felt this good". Winning was always an uphill battle for this team but they just kept on coming and finally we get to play deep into October once more. Woohoo!!

One more to go!

2010-09-30T20:31:00.000-07:00

One more win and the Giants are finally back in the playoffs! Woohoo! What a great story this is becoming....Pat Burrell coming home to the bay area and has re-energized his career. Rookie Buster Posey having a monster year. Aubrey Huff the best pick in the off season. Sanchez and Fontenot along with Uribe and Sandoval platooning very well. Torres for MVP. Lincecum and Cain...nuff said :).

Number 80 belongs to Jerry

2010-09-21T16:27:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Jerry Rice...No. 80 is now retired in SF. And what an entourage he had on that day....Joe Montana, Steve Young, Eddie DeBartolo....if only Bill Walsh was still around I'm sure he would have been there as well.

A Successful Storm

2010-09-17T09:52:00.000-07:00

Congrats to the Seattle Storm for winning the WNBA finals! I'd consider this a win for the city after it lost the Sonics but found a way to keep the Storm in town (thanks to a group of local gals who bought the team). The tag team that is Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson is really fun to watch and I'd agree with the journalists who saw flashes of that Malone-Stockton pick and roll. It's a bit sad that the WNBA doesn't get enough attention, but just take a look at Sue Bird's million dollar smile and you can feel the sunshine from miles away ;).

Uuuuu-ribe!

2010-09-05T22:35:00.000-07:00

Uuuuu-ribe! Apparently this is not a new chant for Giants fans....from what I've read, it was once chanted for Jose Uribe...who happens to be related to current Juan Uribe. He's done in both recent games against the Dodgers....both on breaking balls that he wacked into the night :).

Machete

2010-09-01T20:14:00.000-07:00

More Machete Info

Soldiering on

2010-08-29T18:08:00.000-07:00

Two bad losses...no problemo...let's move on ;) T'was a good win today.

Lisbeth Salander

2010-08-25T08:23:00.000-07:00

Rooney Mara will have some big shoes to fill when she takes on Noomi Rapace's character in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I really liked this film. I appreciated not having to delve too much into how Lisbeth is a hacker. She just is.....just like the character Winston in Jackie Brown (he finds people...because thats what he does). Michael Nyqvist's character was equally interesting, having somewhat of a resemblance to Corso in the Ninth Gate.

Ups and Downs

2010-08-21T21:02:00.000-07:00

The tough schedule was bound to put the team to the test. But these tough games highlight those who will be key to the team's success. The Huff Daddy is one of em :). His blog is a great read, too ;).

Believer

2010-08-12T08:23:00.000-07:00

Inception

2010-07-18T20:34:00.000-07:00

Its just one of those films you really have to see in a theater and fully appreciate the effects and sounds. It gets really tense, epecially when they get to the final heist (the inception). I definitely need to see this again. I think I got it, but feel that there were some bits that I entrusted to the director's concept. I really like Hans Zimmer's 'decelerating' touch to the theme music :).

Thanks, Harvey...

2010-07-17T13:46:00.000-07:00

Harvey Pekar's gone. I wish I could say I've known him for so long and have all his comics, but honestly it wasn't until Paul Giamatti portrayed him in American Splendor that I started to go back and read up a bit on his work. There's a bit of Harvey in all of us, some more than others, some up and about more frequently than most. I hope that in his last moments he had a little bit of satisfaction in the fact that not all has been as bad or miserable. So long, Harvey. Thanks, man.

So long, Bengie

2010-07-09T11:29:00.000-07:00

It was time. Buster Posey's hot bat was undeniable and while he still has a lot to learn from the crouch position, he's a quick study. And Bengie isn't necessarily a bench guy who can mentor a kid at this point...at least I'm sure he wouldn't want that...he wants to play...so it was time. Perhaps if next season there are no takers he can look into coming back to work more with Posey...that would be a nice thought. But for now...so long, Bengie, and thanks for being a great Giant.

Pawn Stars

2010-06-28T21:35:00.000-07:00

You watch one episode and before you know it you're sucked in! It starts with the curiousity about antiques and how pawn shops operate and later its how interesting the characters are...customers and pawnbrokers.

Payback!

2010-06-14T22:12:00.001-07:00

The A's always have the Giants' number....was so pleased they finally got some payback and were on the winning side of a sweep this past weekend. Woohoo!

Catch me if you can

2010-06-07T09:35:00.000-07:00

Andres Torres has arrived. After seasons of bench duty, he finally gets a chance to play more and it has paid off. Loud contact hits, speed on the bases, high-energy in the dugout, accurate throws from the outfield. He really played his way into the lineup.

Lost

2010-06-06T12:12:00.000-07:00

So everyone's celebrating, mourning, etc, etc....I have only just started my journey :). And I'm way behind...just starting on season 2. So far, I can't say I'm crazy about it, but I do enjoy watching it and curious about how far they can really stretch the storylines for this series.

Oh come all ye faithful

2010-05-28T10:55:00.000-07:00

Mythbusters

2010-05-21T08:10:00.000-07:00

Hundreds of myths tested and still going strong. I've always enjoyed Mythbusters...and more so now that I'm in the Pacific Northwest...simply makes me miss the bay area so much more. In a recent trip to Vegas my brother and I saw Adam...we were right next to him in front of the hotel...alas I couldn't bring myself to be a fan and at least say hello and cheer for the show...yes, I am a chicken (why are chickens associated with cowardice?....hmm...a myth to bust?....or not :) ).

SeattlePi article

Steppin' up

2010-05-15T07:42:00.000-07:00

The guys are really moving up. Matt Downs has shown great defense and production at the plate. The same can be said for Andres Torres. John Bowker is right behind them. I don't know about Travis Ishikawa. He just isn't getting any playing time and with Aubrey Huff producing well at 1st base, he may not have many chances unless he can play another position.

Can't we go back to our laughing ways? :)

2010-05-15T07:25:00.000-07:00

A lot of tension in the Mariners dugout these days. Losing can really sour everything and anything. Laughter is the best medicine....well, it can help a bit, right?

Finally!

2010-05-09T22:25:00.000-07:00

It had been a long eight game losing streak for the Mariners. I watched one of those games and let me tell you....I can deal with the cold air...but watching a losing game....I was freezing! Anyway, glad a win was finally achieved....sadly at the expense of firing the hitting coach and calling up two more guys from the minors.

Tekzilla

2010-05-03T12:47:00.000-07:00

One of the perks of the Roku streming device is that it makes brings you just that one last step to launch anything else that is available and this made me curious about the available content (other than MLB and Netflix!) and Tekzilla from Revision3 has been a nice discovery. I enjoy the dynamic between Patrick Norton and Veronica Belmont. It helps feed my inner geek as well ;).

Non-Halladay

2010-04-27T10:42:00.000-07:00

He sure was the off-season's biggest acquisition and put a lot of fear into opposing teams' lineups, but the crew was ready to face Halladay :). I think it's been great for the younger guys to see the approach that De Rosa and Huff have at the plate. The Panda, of course, is his own case :). Eli Whiteside is finally getting more exposure as Sanchez' catcher of choice and better offensive production.

Lorena's retirement

2010-04-21T12:39:00.000-07:00

I while back I had a post on how I considered Lorena a silent giant, and after reading an article by Gwen Knapp recently, I continue to see and admire her that way. It's quite rare to see the word fragility in an article about a person engaged in a competitive sport, but thats where it goes to show that strength can come from so many different places.

Why not?

2010-04-09T08:47:00.000-07:00

I found it encouraging to read an article about Eri Yoshida getting invited to play baseball in one of the independent leagues in the US. Why not? I hope it becomes mainstream in my lifetime. But right now, you have to wow people to even consider it...luckily Eri throws a knuckleball.

Bang!

2010-04-05T19:36:00.000-07:00

Egggzzzzelllent! Baseball season has finally begun! And a nice win to start the season :). Lincecum's filthy pitching is doing ok, thank you.....and Mark De Rosa hits his first HR as a Giant (woohoo!).

Moon

2010-03-22T23:13:00.000-07:00

It's quite hard not to feel the eerie atmosphere of Kubrick's Space Odyssey, but Moon is a unique film. It's existential and contemplative. Sam Rockwell gives a great performance through stages of normalcy, confusion, discovery, and redemption. I have to say I consider this film one of my favorites.

The Flying Tomato Twist

2010-02-19T21:43:00.000-08:00

How could one not flash a smile back at Shaun White? He just simply dominates snowboarding and with his McTwist 1260 move finally out in Olympic competition, he once again is one hot raging.....flying....tomato!...with a twist ;).

Annie Clark at Neumos

2010-02-19T21:40:00.000-08:00

More than a week had already passed and I'm still thinking about St. Vincent's performance at Neumos. The evening was all Actor album.....I don't think I remember...wall maybe at least one from the Marry Me album. You gotta see "Marrow" performed live...nothing quite like it :).

Why try to change me now...

2010-02-03T22:19:00.001-08:00

Archer

2010-01-27T07:39:00.000-08:00

Spoofing the intelligence community (or an intelligence operation) is not a new concept, but for as long as you have funny dialogue you can still get away with it and Archer is entertaining to watch and a nice way to get some laughs from an animated series late at night (right now just once a week, though....but episodes are available on-demand ;) ).

Depth chart so far...

2010-01-15T10:23:00.000-08:00

Spring training is already within radar range and my brother and I have already set our sights on March for our annual trek to Arizona. Looking at the Giants roster so far...

Signing Mark De Rosa and Aubrey Huff is a bit of a gamble, but I have a good feeling about it. I'm glad they were able to bring back Juan Uribe. He's a great sparkplug on and off the field. It looks like they're bringing back Torrealba so Posey can get more seasoning in the minors...still thinking about Bengie Molina though...hey, if the Mets don't give him the years he wants, perhaps he can come back to SF instead for two...the second in a mentoring role to Buster...I know, I know, I'm dreaming.

It's too bad they had a short leash on Garko. I still think he didn't get enough time to prove himself. On the flipside, I think it was about time to say goodbye to Merkin Valdez. I think the team has invested a lot of time and opportunities for him and maybe a change of scenery would serve him better.

See ya soon, Annie!

2010-01-12T21:44:00.000-08:00

The march to March begins...

2010-01-12T21:34:00.000-08:00

New album finally coming :). Curious to see what direction they will take this time. Seventh Tree was such a departure from Supernature, but was outstanding and one of my favorites.

Leave 'em, Conan!

2010-01-12T19:03:00.000-08:00

I think it was the right and classy move by Conan to resist NBC's desperate moves. I hope he finds a network that can treat him fairly. (Conan's message)

Avatar

2010-01-05T15:53:00.000-08:00

The visual imagery in Avatar is beautiful and that alone can grab your attention. The meat behind this visual skeleton is straightforward and easily accessible...which is possibly why some critics have not looked more favorably at this undertaking. I personally appreciate the inspirations for the elements.

Women are strong characters in James Cameron's movies and Sigourney Weaver and Michelle Rordriguez do not disappoint (though Michelle gets the key bitch line this time).

Pacman continues to roll

2009-11-14T22:26:00.000-08:00

The Pacman continues to power on...it's beginning to scare me each time he takes on an opponent and I think its because it's becoming more and more inconceivable to see him lose. It took twelve rounds for him to finally put Cotto away but Manny appears really solid. 'Hope Cotto is ok...he really took a beating.

Hang in there, Shirley...

2009-11-13T14:54:00.000-08:00

click on image

Nowhere Boy

2009-11-13T14:51:00.000-08:00

(click on image)

This program is brought to you by the letter S

2009-11-10T16:41:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Sesame Street on it's 40th anniversary! I always say I grew up on Sesame Street and owe a lot of learning (and humor) from the program. I still have great memories of Cookie Monster singing "C is for Cookie", the Count's laugh, Ernie's pranks at Bert (no, I never thought they were gay....when you're a kid you just don't see things that way), Big Bird and Snuffalufacus (spell that right?)......and of course, the real folks...Maria, Bob, Mr. Hooper, Gordon. Like the old Star Trek crew, I'm very much partial to the original muppets (not fond of Elmo, sorry). Anyway, congratulations to the Street!

The Office

2009-10-12T14:34:00.000-07:00

After I got my Roku player from Netflix I started loading up my streaming queue and this was the first tv series I had wanted to check out. Finishing the first season was easy...the second season, which had more than twenty episodes, took longer.....but I did finish seasons 2 and 3 over the weekend.....yes, that pretty much proves that I'm hooked on the show :). I finished off seasons 4 and 5 during the week and season 6 online....which pretty much brings me up to date on this show so far. The show has an amazing cast and I have to admit after season 2, I started getting tired of Steve Carrell's character, but the other cast members kept it very much alive for me. Jim's pranks on Dwight, the quirky accounting crew (Angela, Oscar, and Kevin), Meredith (I love all her scenes where she shows off skin), Creed's spaced-out antics, ....there's a lot to enjoy. The guest spots have been great as well, but my favorite would have to be the casting of Amy Ryan. She does that lovable quirkiness really well.

Season's done

2009-10-05T10:30:00.000-07:00

Season's over, thoughts about the roster and next season's efforts? In general, I think I share the same sentiment everyone has pretty much said lately...that an impact hitter is what the Giants need to focus on for next season. And pretty much is it. The pitching rotation and bullpen has more than enough depth and prospects from the minors. As for the field, my fantasy roster would be:

C - Posey/Molina/Whiteside (this, of course, assumes that Molina is offered perhaps a 2-year deal but with less playing time and more mentoring purpose for Posey); Whiteside has proven to be a good backup and may even flourish with more playing time.
1B - this is where a potential impact hitter can be drafted. But if none is acquired, I wouldn't mind sticking with Garko and Ishikawa (plus Sandoval, when he's not on 3B)
SS - Sanchez/Renteria/Velez
2B - Uribe/Renteria
3B - Sandoval/Rholinger (I'd like to see Rholinger make the team...I think he has potential)
Outfield - Torres/Rowand/Schierholtz as primary with Velez (and perhaps Lewis) for depth
Rotation - Lincecum/Zito/Cain/Sanchez/Penny - this assumes Penny re-signs with SF; wouldn't this be a nice R/L combo?
Bullpen (relief/long relief) - Affeldt, Runzler, Romo, Medders
Bullpen (closer) - Brian Wilson

You can't keep everybody...if I had to...either in trade or other decision.......Valdez (Merkin), Lewis, Ishikawa or Garko (if the right deal comes along for 1B).

Comback wish: Noah Lowry.

So long, Ross...

2009-10-02T12:13:00.000-07:00

Today was Ross McGowan's last day on KTVU and I just wanted to say goodbye.....again.....I actually did send him an email though the station's website (and lo and behold he replied!) and I'll say it again....Ross was one of the reasons I enjoyed watching Mornings on 2. He had a warm voice and was very smart on interviews. He also had a great sense of humor that worked really well with Tori, Frank (now on the evening news), and Sal. Come visit sometimes, Ross. We miss ya already.

Thanks Richie!

2009-10-02T12:02:00.000-07:00

Just getting Rich Aurilia back with the team this year was one of the bright spots for me, personally. Having known him since I first caught on with the Giants, he's like an old friend coming for a visit. He was great to have in the clubhouse and he made his contributions on the field whenever he got the chance. I hope he can come back with the same opportunities JT Snow had....Richie interviews well and may be a better broadcasting choice than JT (JT....I think you're better as a coach on the field). In the meantime, thanks and farewell for now, Richie!

the state of

2009-09-20T19:41:00.001-07:00

This weekend marks the release of Days of Abandon, the-state-of's new album. I've been listening to them for some time now and really admire the dynamic between Steph Taylor's piano/lyrics and Nabedi Osorio's drum work. Right now they've been drawing from covers and Steph's material, particularly the Between Ground and Sky album, which itself has great tracks ("Collide", "Helmet and Sword", "Anything for You", "My Love"). I think the reprise for "My Love" was a very special touch. "Helmet and Sword" is my favorite. 'Looking forward to the new album.

Marrow

2009-09-16T10:15:00.000-07:00

The dosage entered the bloodstream.....it started with Landmines....then What Me Worry?....pretty soon I couldn't end my daily trek home without hearing We Put a Pearl on the Ground. Then, like a cigarette habit, I had to at least hear The Apocalypse Song at least once when I'm driving anywhere. I tried to mix in Marry Me for a little kick up. Alas, another dosage is necessary. At first try of the Actor album, it seemed that there was no kick...but then I left the player running...then it suddenly.....sank....and all made sense. The dosage is now again running fine in the bloodstream. The Party is leading the way.....Marrow is not too far behind....The Neighbors, too.......and Black Rainbow, yes......Laughing with a Mouth of Blood, absolutely.......like the Marry Me album, Actor is meant to be consumed as a whole. See you on the other side.....maybe.

Diane in Texas

2009-09-15T22:22:00.000-07:00

As they continue to play No Country for Old Men on cable, I can't help but continue to admire Kelly MacDonald's performance as Carla in the film. For a Scottish lass, she does that country accent in a really lovable and warm way. She's done a lot of films but my lasting memory of her will always be Diane from Trainspotting ;).

(Carla and Llewelyn on the phone)
Carla: "you're hurt aint cha"
Llewelyn: "how can you tell?"
Carla: "i can hear it in your voice"
Llewelyn: "You meet me in El Paso.....I'm puttin' you an a plane"
Carla: "oh, Llewelyn i can't just leave you in the lurch..."

Pooopulaaahhhh

2009-09-11T22:24:00.000-07:00

I've been replaying Ratatouille the past couple of weeks and just can't get enough of Anton Ego's "special moment". It was excellent casting to have Peter O'Toole do it. Jeneane Garofalo also did Collette very well. Had I not checked, I would never have known it was her throwing that French accent (like Kevin Kline....she did refer to his portrayal in French Kiss as a reference).

Brrroooooommm!

2009-08-30T22:24:00.001-07:00

Ha! A sweep it is! With a Lincecum-Zito-Cain lineup in the Colorado series, the expectation was to at least win the series....but a sweep? Hell yeah! It makes for an interesting one as well....Sandoval playing injured, rookie Rohlinger giving a solid performance both defensively and offensively, Whiteside filling in for Molina and throwing out four, Wilson keeping the bullpen alive. A tough series is ahead with the Philies....but for now, time to celebrate a bit for a job well done.

An Actor, a Cat, and some Pretenders

2009-08-27T22:44:00.000-07:00

Quite a lineup with Juliette Lewis, Cat Power, and the Pretenders at Marymoor park. It was the first time I'd seen Juliette Lewis perform and she was actually quite entertaining.....kinda chanelling a bit of Janis and Bonnie Tyler. A couple of years back I missed Cat's show....and have been regretting it ever since. Tonight was a bit of redemption....but with a tracklist from her recent covers album (I was hoping for some tracks from The Greatest)......I'm getting some residual punishment still....and Chrisse wasn't exactly in a good mood tonight (i.e. camera flashes was sadly annoying the hell out of her). It was weird night and I found myself silent driving home.

owwweeee!

2009-08-25T09:30:00.000-07:00

Well you can't win em all....but man that loss last night to the Rockies was brutal. 'Just when you thought a 3 run lead seals it....it just goes south on you. Hang in there, guys....time to bounce back.

Basterds

2009-08-24T08:33:00.001-07:00

If you ever crave for a fix of Morricone, this film will help you out. It's a great "what-if" story that is every bit spaghetti western and revenge as you'd expect from Quentin. Til Schweiger, who I've mostly recognized (in US films....am sure he's big in Germany) as a supporting actor, gets an exposure boost in this film. His persona in this film is action honey ;). The big prize, in my opinion, goes to Melanie Laurent. She's got the thousand yard stare.

Yang!

2009-08-17T09:45:00.000-07:00

Y.E. Yang was very "Tiger-esque" in his PGA win this weekend. He stayed focused and made very precise shots.....pretty much like Tiger....who he beat to win ;). People had been clamoring for some competition......they sure got it.

Pow!

2009-08-12T20:28:00.000-07:00

Uuuuu-ribe!! I hate that I wasn't at the park for this game.....really charged! Lincecum's pitching, Bochy ejected, Wotus ejected, Panda's mad, Renteria madder, benches clear, Velez still hittin....and hittin at the plate, and uuuuuuuu-ribe hitting the walk-off home run in the 10th. Add some garlic fries, polish dog, and beer.....pow!

Funny People

2009-08-05T15:00:00.000-07:00

The reviews are true...this really is a very good film. It exposes a lot of realities not only with comedians but with people in general. What makes it a stroke of genius is that there is a real story that just happens to be presented as a comedy. It can very well be done as a drama, but that's not the Apatow way (I think). Such a great cast with Adam, Seth, Jonah, Jason, and Leslie....and wow, Daisy! (I mean, Aubrey Plaza).

Garko and Sanchez

2009-08-05T14:26:00.000-07:00

I like the trade deadline deals Brian Sabean made for the Giants. I heard the rumors about Freddy Sanchez but figured he was a really good and well liked player in Pittsburgh to get traded...but lo and behold Brian got him. I didn't know much about Ryan Garko (was hoping for V-Mart, actually), but the more I watch him the more I like him. His built is like Pete Rose.......and Freddy Sanchez actually looks like a young Craig Biggio!

I sleepwalk...

2009-07-26T11:48:00.000-07:00

...that's why I wear my shoes to sleep." Half Blood Prince is one of the best in the series, and personally for me, every scene with Luna Lovegood is gold :). It's refreshing to see some background characters get more depth in the story...such as Malfoy and Ginny. In this film. it surprisingly makes sense to pair up Ginny with Harry (sorry Cho Chang, I just don't see it). Bonnie Wright has certainly given a great performance in giving Ginny that inner strength and depth (and bewitching ;) ).

All Alan Rickman, good or evil, needs is his voice and delivery (and frown) to win you over. I still miss Richard Harris and wish this was his last film...not to take anything away from Michael Gambon, who has played the role very well.

There's a Meat Market Down the Street

2009-07-23T13:03:00.000-07:00

Playful is how I'd describe Regina Spektor's music. The Calculation and Song of the 80's are in heavy rotation my drive from and to work. I like her playful beat in The Calculation and who could not smile at the sound of synthesizers in Song of the 80's? ok ok....I guess if you grew up in the 80's....otherwise...doesn't it get a giggle out of you? :)

Sanchez No Hitter!!!

2009-07-11T01:42:00.000-07:00

Talk about redemption! Finally, ESPN is spending lots of air time for the Giants.

Good job, Johnny!

Vote for Pedro!...er.....Pablo!

2009-07-07T12:33:00.000-07:00

Whoppp!.....a grand slam on the way and with Duane Kuiper making the push...vote for Pedro for the all-star game! He's just fun to watch and a real bolt of lightning to the offense. And with a lovable call sign of Panda, doesn't that just put a smile on your face?

Public Enemies

2009-07-05T22:02:00.000-07:00

I like how Michael Mann presented the film in waves of intensity as opposed to the typical build-up approach. You can't miss how beautiful Marion is....as if this era was where she was meant to be.... The sound of Tommy guns showering bullets makes this a must-have for anyone with a good sound system...and of you want more bass, the Browning Automatic Rifles will please you on that end. I do wish there was more done to substantiate the bond between Dillinger and Frechette. As expected, Johnny brings a very unique dimension to his character.

The Big Sadowski

2009-07-04T11:43:00.000-07:00

Holy Cow! I'm really impressed with how the farm system has produced a formidable roster of players. Ryan Sadowski feels like a potential starter (and may push out Jonathan Sanchez). Also great to see Eli Whiteside still in the roster (an added plus that he's caught Sadowski before in Triple-A) and they make a good team. I look forward to seeing more of this tandem.

Up

2009-06-22T08:46:00.001-07:00

I'm sure the kids loved the adventure with Doug (and the other talking canines), Russell, and the exotic bird......but for me, personally, all I enjoyed was the side story of Carl and Ellie. I can understand why the film couldn't stay focused on them......I mean, it's a Disney film.....hmmm, am wishing Pixar never sold out to them. It would be interesting to see Pixar do animation for an older demographic.....but maybe this opens the door for other production companies.

The team so far...

2009-06-13T22:09:00.000-07:00

The team appears to be getting in a rythm and that's good news.

The starting pitching is holding strong (good to see Zito getting consistent and more confident).
The bullpen has also toughened up (Romo and Affeldt have held up well).
Schierholtz is being rewarded for making good contact (and sadly Lewis has gone back in a slump)
The pickup of Uribe is paying dividends.
Burriss is consistent and clearly the better choice than Frandsen.
Torres is an excellent utility right now. Whiteside shows promise as well.
Sandoval is....well....the Panda! (....and Bengie is.....the Big Panda!)

Hermione no more

2009-06-13T14:47:00.000-07:00

I'm not into fashion really, but seeing Emma be the new face of Burberry.....she's absolutely stunning.

Randy's 300th

2009-06-06T08:28:00.000-07:00

Watching Randy dive and throw to first like that.....not bad for a 45-year old, huh? Congrats on reaching 300, man!

See Ball Hit Ball

2009-05-31T20:22:00.000-07:00

He really is a kungfu panda, ya know ;). His power at the bat is expected. But athleticism is quite a surprise. Playing third base really shows it. Today's game was fun to watch because it also continues to show that Lewis has turned a corner with his stroke. Personally, I enjoyed watching Rich Aurilia hit a whopper (his first HR this year).

Jay's last Tonight Show

2009-05-30T07:04:00.000-07:00

You could already hear in Jay's voice the sadness and a little fight to hold back tears. It's been a great run (and he's not exactly going anyway with that 10pm spot going for him in September). But despite the fact that he's still entertaining to watch, this move may be a good thing for him. I've always liked Conan and I'm actually really excited for him. And I do hope he doesn't change anything from what has made him a success in late night. Keep pulling those imaginary strings, Conan!

Colonia

2009-05-17T20:14:00.000-07:00

I'm about two weeks listening to A Camp's Colonia album and have grown really fond of "The Crowning", "Golden Teeth and Silver Medals", and "Chinatown". I really like Nina Persson's voice and the "old pop" sound works really well.

Must get ball

2009-05-11T08:59:00.000-07:00

It's admirable how Rowand throws his body there in the outfield. In Sunday's game, he preserved an out twice. With his body type built with more bulk it's probably strong enough to take the landing, but still a high cost. When you watch baseball there are always moments when the ball lands in front of a player and you wonder why the player didn't dive for the ball. There are reasons for it, of course, but in Rowand's case, it's hard to question it....you know he would dive for the ball if he has to....

Aurilia wins it in the 10th

2009-05-03T19:41:00.000-07:00

The new guys are great, but I'm glad we still have the veterans. It was sad when JT Snow left (and I'm glad to say I was there when he came back for one game to retire as a Giant), but Rich Aurilia has helped keep a nice memory of the past on the team. I can't believe I've been following this team for more about 7-8 years. Aurilia was one of the first and most familiar faces I got introduced to back then.

BB in the Booth

2009-04-27T20:50:00.000-07:00

It was nice surprise to see Barry in the booth in today's game. Just listening to him talk to Kruk and Kuip about baseball was very entertaining. They should think about having him come in more often. Too bad he had to move over to the radio booth (with John Miller and Dave Fleming). Good to see ya, BB.

Pitch streak

2009-04-23T15:22:00.001-07:00

Giants pitching has been solid for at least the past 4 starts! Looks like Lincecum has snapped back, Cain finally got good run support, Randy Johnson was in the zone, and Barry Zito was on a mission! Good work guys! The bullpen has been very effective, as well. Jeremy Affeldt is a great addition.