2006 year marker

one last bit before 06 is gone...
when you see a mirror,
what do you see?
what do you do?

see ya in 07...

Life is a blast when...

I've been exposed to Tony Hawk's Project 8 commerical far too long and I just had to find out who was singing that last bit in the end. As it turns out it was Del the Funky Homosapien. I like the stomping beat and the opening lyrics continue to repeat in my head.

ok....

here we go....

Life is a blast when you know what you're doin

Best to know what you're doin 'fore your life gets ruined

:)

Natalie Walker

Her voice floats.

It's part Sarah McLachlan, part Jem.

It was only a few weeks ago when I was listening to Daughter Darling and loved Broken Bridge and their cover of Dust in the Wind and wondered who was singing...but got distracted and never found out. Somewhere between that time and a weekend when I was surfing iTunes that I ran into Natalie Walker and loved her album enough to not download anything (I wanted the CD). It wasn't 'till I got the CD and read through the credits when I was surprised to discover that it was Natalie Walker who sang for Daughter Darling. Urban Angel is her solo album (she has left Daughter Darling).

Life has a funny way of leading you to someone sometimes.

Offseason moves so far...

So far I'm pleased with the acquisition of Dave Roberts and Rich Aurilia. Dave Roberts adds speed and smarts in the lineup and he works hard. I'm really happy to welcome Rich back. I think his time away from the Giants was a blessing as he discovered his versatility as an infielder. I'm not too thirlled about Bengie Molina but I trust Sabean has a reason for choosing him (or maybe I'm just still bitter about these ex-Angels guys ;) ).

16 mil for Bonds? All I can hope for is that they are able to structure the payoff so that the Giants can still go for Zito, Suppan, Sexson, or Burrell. I'm a bit disappointed that they didn't sign Shea Hillenbrand. I had him on my wishlist a long time ago and when the Giants finally got him I expected him to stick around...anyway.

JT Snow coming back to the organization is well deserved. I hope someday we see Kirk Reuter return as well...perhaps to replace Mark Gardner or assist in some capacity. I wouldn't mind seeing Robb Nen in that pen, too.

Rodrigo Y Gabriela

If you ever listened to Kaki King and wondered what would best complement her percussive style of guitar playing, you probably may have (or not) considered a player with a pick and pluck style of play. That's exactly what Rodrigo y Gabriela is...a perfect match of yin and yang. Listening to their original work and even covers (Led Zep's Stairway to Heaven and Metallica's Orion) leaves you appreciating the guitar playing and blending. The absence of vocals doesn't take away anthything from them at all.

The DVD is even better. Aside from seeing them perform live, you get to watch as they tell their story. I was impressed to see how they both started with a heavy metal band and then made the decision to go acoustic. The tutorial is a unique idea and really worth watching.

My favorite track is Ixtapa, which happens to be the only track where they were pleased to have another musician join them.

The Gambler

It was probably two or so months ago that I read about Thea Gilmore, but it wasn't until a couple days ago that I finally decided to listen to tracks in a local Barnes & Noble. The first track (The Gambler) really caught my attention. Sadly, I didn't find anything else in the CD to convince myself to buy the album...so I left it in the rack.

The Gambler continued to play in my mind and so I finally logged in to iTunes and listend to it again. I just couldn't let go. I ended up listening to all the sample tracks from Thea's albums. All in all, I couldn't let go of 3 tracks. It's when Thea slows down that her music becomes haunting and hypnotic.

The Gambler from Harpo's Ghost
Eight Months and Pirate Moon from Avalanche

The Gambler
Roll that dice again again
Once or twice you’ll reel me in
What I’ve got is not what I came for
I’ll keep coming back for more

Lay your head upon my chest
The odds are slim but isn’t that the test
In this game you either bend or break
And I don’t know what kind of mess we’ll make
Come on lay your head upon my chest

Come on, come on
Come on, come on
Spin that wheel, spin that wheel, spin that wheel.

Pull the trigger load the gun
The journey home has only just begun
We could rise but if we swan-dive too
Oh I’ll love going down with you
(come on pull the trigger load the gun)

Come on, come on
Come on, come on
Spin that wheel, spin that wheel, spin that wheel
Come on, come on
Come on, come on
Spin that wheel, spin that wheel, spin that wheel

Eight Months
Indian Summer
Toronto sings
This is the gateway
To everything
Heading south down
The pan American
Lord give me eight months
Eight months
To get it done

Fortaleza
Would make you cry
Cold canyon sunrise
Russian vines
I'll catch these days as
Londons' leaves fall
Lord give me eight months
Eight months
To see it all

Aroura Borealis
The Blue daystar
I'm chasing sunsets, cities, taillights
To get that far

Cut the sky to
Wellington
Then Sydney bathing
In blue neon
Karakorams to rest
In purple skies
Lord Give me eight months
Eight months
To open my eyes

Lord Give me eight months
Eight months
To open my eyes

Pirate Moon
Up in the midnight blue
That's where I'm going to
Up where the sirens scream
Through every misplaced dream

Up with the pirate moon
In bloody Monochrome
That's where I'll call my home
Up where the stars will die

Before they can reach your eyes
Up with the Pirate Moon
Above the mirrored sea
That's where I'm going to be

Up where the whisper fails
In scar tissue of vapour trails
Up with the pirate moon
Up in the cloud ballet
That’s where I'm going to stay
I could just disappear
You cannot reach me here
Up with the pirate moon

Shawn Colvin and Brandi Carlile

In my recent trip down to Portland, I got tickets to see Shawn Colvin. The best part of it was that her opening act was Brandi Carlile. I missed out on Brandi's shows in Seattle so this was a chance to see her perform songs from her current album. She started off with covers from Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan, and then proceeded to original tracks, including "Follow", "Tragedy", and "Closer to You".

When Shawn Colvin's turn came up, she started with a cover as well (performing "Smile", an old BeeGees song). I've watched Shawn perform live on TV (and DVD), but I have to say that watching her in the flesh is priceless. Her voice is really strong and live is just the best way to enjoy her music. Midway through her set she invited Brandi to do a duet and Brandi, ever admitting that she's a big fan, was a little tense in the beginning. But Shawn, ever the old pro, calmed her down and gave her a back rub (which would probably cause any devoted fan to faint ;) ). After the song, Shawn thanked Brandi and even added some humor ("...she's so sweet, she even brushed her teeth before coming on stage...she must be all grossed out at me!").

After the set, I was on my way out when I heard her come back to do a quick song (because of something...maybe to buy time for the crew...another set was coming up)...and to my surprise....she did Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy"...now that was a treat!

The Departed

oh yeahhhh....good ole Martin S....lotsa rats and dropping bodies (my brother noticed "lotsa close range shots")...The Departed was really good. You try to figure out who know's what and who might be working for whom and that keeps you following the story. In the end, the one left standing was the one who walked away at the right time (and walked back in just in time to make a killing ;) ).

I'd like to think that Vera Farmiga's character had something to do with that last hit. She reminds me of Emmanuel Beart with those big eyes...and her thin body makes me think of her as Beth Orton at times. Jack Nicholson opted to inject his own interpretation during production and while it does come out really well, I'm left to wonder how far he strayed from the real character in the original script. Matt Damon plays the rat, as he did in The Talented Mr. Ripley, to perfection. Playing a character with bones in the closet is becoming a skill for Matt...he uses it repeatedly in playing Jason Bourne. Let's hope this doesn't limit his character choices.

A lot of great supporting performances...enjoyed all the dialogue from Alec Baldwin and Mark Wahlberg (way to go guys).

Like Mother Like Daughter

It's amazing how parents see themselves in their kids. I saw this image of Madonna with her kids and was really surprised to see young Lourdes. I felt a shiver through my spine....she looks exactly like Madonna at that age! Somewhere lodged in my memory is a magazine article that shows a young Louise Ciccone....so I surfed the web frantically looking for the image...but to my despair...was unsuccessful.

The closest one is the black & white below. Don't you think the resemblance is uncanny? It must be even stranger for Ms. Louise Ciccone herself. Do you think she ever stops to stare at Lourdes and ask herself, "Jesus Christ kid you look just like me!" If it were to happen to me, I'd probably get weird sometimes....probably try to talk to the kid as if I was talking to myself.....like I found a way to teleport back to my childhood....and now armed with experience can tell everything I need to know to survive in this world.

Ok ok I know....I sound creepy....here's the photo...

The Horse Whisperer

While sifting through all the magazines i was collating for my scrapbook i found myself watching this film. Seeing Scarlett Johansson in her debut reminded me how not much has changed about her to this day. She will always have that blunt look in her eyes. The more I watched, the more I wish Tommy Lee Jones played the lead character. I just couldn't see Robert Redford as this horse whisperer...Tommy Lee would have been perfect (and he's a real rancher).

I really think that romance between Kristin Scott Thomas and Redford should have been taken out (or done differently). It just felt gratuitous and unoriginal. This reminds me of how well director Clint Eastwood portrayed the chemistry between Tommy Lee Jones and Marcia Gay Harden in Space Cowboys. It held just a few moments in the film but delivered really well. Sometimes it's the short powerful moments that count.

Why does Sam Neil always play the husband destined to be abandoned? Poor guy. I appreciated the fact that in this movie it wasn't a cliche "terrible-husband-definitely-leave-him" character but a person who had a clear grip on the reality of the relationship and was very honest about it (way to go, 'mate).

Love me or hate me

Make way for the SOV!

Drum, bass, dits, blips, and bloops...it's fun music to have on while driving. There indeed is a simple message and however you may see it, it preaches deflection, indifference, and strength. Hey, sometimes you just don't want to give a flying f***. ;)

I find your lack of faith disturbing...

The originals have always been the best.

Nuff said :)

Everybody get random!

Every now and then you just want to hear really fun music. I heard comparisons of Lady Sovereign to Eminem, and his music had catchy beats and lyrics...and to think that Lady Sov is British made it more intriquing (british hip hop rap...or urban underground as they call it in the UK)...I gotta hear this.

Woohoo! Loved the beats and Sov's delivery. Granted I can never really follow that fast rapping, but her funny hiccups (chi-ching!, pop) and howls (eshovee :)) just make me smile and I believe I can count on her to cheer me up whenever I've had a long day ;).

Chi-Ching!

The Inevitable

Well we knew it would come eventually...the end finally came for Andre. It was the last time we would get to see him bow and blow kisses to all four corners of the stadium. I never did get to follow him much during the early part of his career, but I can just imagine how much he had to go through to sustain it.

I think I most admired him when he hit bottom and sunk to 114th in the rankings. He just kept on playing...didn't matter what tournament or where...he just kept playing...and worked himself all the way back to the top. He did have some rough turns outside the tennis court, but he eventually was able to bounce back.

Andre is a great example of of someone who, like a lot of us, make wrong decisions, squander opportunities, and hit rock-bottom in life, and, by hard work and perseverance, sustains and eventually finds peace within.

Farewell, Andre...good show old man! :)

Egad!

Is there a doctor in a house!?!?!?!? Hahaha....another heart attack match, but Andre prevails so everyone's happy. Could this be that last burst of career-ending adrenaline? Lindsay Davenport had it when she was on the verge of retirement (that was at least 2 years ago...and she's continued playing!!!)...I doubt Andre would have any second thoughts, though...it's been a great career and I think he's ready to say goodbye...if only to leave with a swan song.

the drama continues...

Jonatha Live in New York!

One of the benefits of being "in the loop somewhat" has its priviledges :). I've had the advance copy of Jonatha's live CD/DVD for some time now and I'm really thrilled at the whole thing....not just the great performance, but the fact that the CD/DVD project was fan-supported and I'm proud to have contributed to it...it also is a personal thing for me since I was actually there at the Anspacher Public Theater so whenever I listen to the recording I can almost imagine being there all over again.

I only wish I was there when she did her first live recording. Jonatha and her band are really at their best live.

"Crumbs" will always be a favorite of mine, but "Damn Everything But the Circus" was a real treat and I repeat it at least once everytime I listen to the CD. "Inconsolable" played live is magnificent.

A heart attack waiting to happen :)

7-6, 6-7, 6-7 for the first 3 sets.....that's a heart attack waiting to happen! Man, it was nerve-wracking but in the end all worth the pain. It really did look like Andre had played his last match. But like a true veteran of the sport, he knew his mechanics, his equipment, and his will to endure 4 sets.

It was just the first round of the US Open, but it felt like a championship match. Just knowing this is Andre's last tournament does indeed have such an impact on everyone.

'Hope you make it passed the next round, Andre.

Clerks II

It was the last show...10:40pm and I expected to be alone in the theater...but alas, I wasn't...several dudes in the audience (and a few dudettes too, of course...Jay does have that pull).....so I was expecting some movie-watching rudeness....but hell, it's late at night...I didn't care anymore.

What can I say...it was a blast! The underlying story is a serious one...but the bits of comedy sprinkled throughout the movie just made it all worth the distraction. Jay's dance routine was truly a classic...damn I'll sure miss these characters.

To my surprise...when the movie ended...all the dudes actually clapped their hands? Could you believe that?

Hoodwinked

I've always dismissed Anne Hathaway as that "Princess Diaries gal"...well I guess I still do...but the matchup of her voice and Red was great and the supporting cast of Patrick Warburton(wolf-reported), Jim Belushi(unrecognizable voice), and Xzibit(the bear/police chief)....and Andy Dick! The making-of featurette in the dvd was very enlightening and I admired the story/concept start that slowly evolved into a success.

Critters do have feelings!! :)

Doogal Extra: enjoying Hoodwinked too much left me thirsty for another animated feature so I went to the local video store and dug into their previewed bins and found Doogal. The voiceover cast was all-star...Will Macy, Kevin Smith, Jon Stewart...wow...sad to say though...I didn't like the movie. It just didn't have any life to it. I couldn't even finish it. Hoodwinked was driven by the story & concept while technology and great actor-voiceovers supported it. It seemed the other way around with Doogal and it just didn't work for me.

Hostel

No...that's not Prince Zardoz' cousin.... :)

I'm a little behind on all these slasher flicks (but I do have Saw, Saw II, Wolf Creek, and The Descent somewhere down my list) and this first one was actually great! The exploration from the bliss of the Amsterdam red district to the hedonistic charms of this hostel in the middle of nowhere to the depths of hell...well, not exactly...the depths of torture...is a classic downward spiral method (think the opening sequence of Outbreak...we're on BL5!). The revenge in the end was very satisfying (I'm guessing Quentin loved that part too...seeing as how the revenge story has been his main staple).

The Squid and the Whale

It's been a long time since I last saw a powerful performance by a young actor...a long time since....well, Natalie Portman in The Professional (Leon). Owen Kline's portrayal of Frank Bernard's character was so scarring I couldn't imagine how his parents were convinced into allowing him to play the part. Maybe times are changing. Owen had the best lines and his facial expressions and delivery was just so dead on it whacks you in the head every time.

I literally watched this film again immediately after I finished browsing through the special features. It just left me thirsty for more misery from these characters.

I have a weak spot for Laura Linney (especially when she ties her hair) and she is just able to portray tortured characters really well. I think Jeff Daniels is such an underrated actor and this movie just totally should show people his range. Could you ever imagine him here and then watch Dumb and Dumber?...totally different personalities and absolutely non-interchangeable.

I thank Stephen King for giving that last push for me to get this DVD. I had it in mind but forgot it in all the madness going on in my life...but after reading his article and declaring The Squid and the Whale as the best...hell, I won't argue with the king :).

Dear reader...don't miss out on this one.

Holding back

I was really happy to see Tiger win the British Open this weekend...and was also touched by the emotion he displayed on the 18th and last hole of the course. When you're on the brink of tears, that's when you find yourself truly vulnerable.

Personally, of the moments I knew I was close to losing control of holding back tears, I'd be on a panic to distract myself...think of something funny, stare at a wall or look up in the sky...and I usually pull it off.

Just don't touch me. It's happened before. I'm able to keep the dam secure, but then someone puts their arm around me and boom...a waterfall is born :). In Tiger's case, it was way passed that and in a way he induced the gush by hugging caddie Steve Williams (and later his wife).

It's been years...I wonder if my skin is still as vulnerable?

Fiona at Ste Michelle

What an afternoon-slash-evening! Being so used to watching concerts in enclosed venues, I didn't really know what to expect at the Ste. Michelle Winery. The last couple of open-air concerts I've attended weren't done at a winery...so I had to get used to the constant stream of people flowing to and from the performance to either run to the bathrooms, transport picnic stuff from their cars, or whatever.

David Garza and Damien Rice did the opening sets...not a big fan of either and that didn't change after their sets...maybe I was just biased (just came to see Fiona). Didn't enjoy the lengthy watch-me-i-am-so-good-at-playing-guitar pieces and was somewhat annoyed at Damien Rice for cursing (in his songs and in between) like he's this bad dude and suddenly sing sugar-coated pop tunes...dunno, maybe I was just biased...David Garza did an entertaining "Hendrix" national anthem to begin his set but after that I couldn't figure out if he was testing his guitar or warming up for another song...granted I have no clue as to his catalog...maybe I was just biased.

The sun was still up when Fiona marched onto the stage, hands epileptically waving in the air...maybe she was trying to get amped up, or was extremely amped up, annoyed at the sunlight, or just plain packed with raw energy. The sound engineer was probably having a hard time as her singing was in extremes the first couple of songs (whispers at one end and loud shouts in the other). The darker the sky got, the better she felt (I think) and she was as Fiona as I'd ever seen her ;).

I really have to stress in this entry again that I really miss Matt Chamberlain. That drum solo in "Limp" is a clear indicator...nuff said. I wish Tori would lend her not only Matt, but her sound engineer as well. There was a struggle between the accompanying music and Fiona's voice and it most likely caused by having to manage it in an open-air venue. But both key players need to know the artist and that's what has benefited not only Tori, but others who have stuck with the same trusted collaborators for years.

I remember reading once that when Tori was starting out, Manu Katche (her session drummer at the time) told her that she needed to find a drummer...and this was not an insult. A drummer controls the tempo and it takes a drummer who knows the singer to clearly channel the right expression.

Anyway.....

Hey, I have to say her performance of "Oh Well" was the best I ever heard...second only to the bootleg track of Extraordinary Machine, which I still believe is the best and more honest version of that track.

Could you pass that bottle of Cab please?....

Farewell to Wimbledon for Andre

It was sad to see Andre say goodbye to Wimbledon in his farewell tour, but everything has an end. It's been a great run, Andre. I wish you well. I'm sure tennis will still be part of your life...I can always imagine you playing tennis at home with Stefi.

I can't wait to see your kids turn pro :).

300 and 300 for Finley

He still looks like a Diamondback to me, but I'm sure glad the Giants finally got him. He recently reached the 300/300 milestone (300 home runs/300 steals) in Arizona (of all places).

Good show, old man!

Follow

Follow your heart and see where it might take you
Don't let the world outside there break you
They know not who you are inside
They have never felt your hell
Don't ever let them crack

Hold out I know you feel it getting cold out
Without the blanket for your soul now
Before you know it you'll be frozen
You have to see this through
There's no one here but you

I feel the rain coming down
It reminds me of who I want to be
But now that's nothing more
Than a memory

Don't go to sleep and cry because tomorrow
If you let it it will swallow
You up and none of this will matter
Will matter anymore

"Follow"
- Brandi Carilie

I still can't recall why I skipped this album the first time.....must've been in a bad mood or something. Anyway, thanks to KCRW for bringing it to my attention! It's such a great debut album....you start with one song, then the next....and before you know it the whole album's consumed you :). Loved "Follow" and "Throw it all away".


NashvillePosted by BC on 04.12.06

hey friends,

this is the first time i've actually written on my website journal but i've been thinking about it a lot lately and i promise this will be the first of many entries...i want to communicate with the people i'm meeting on the road and the new and old fans that i appreciate deeply....
i'm on tour with train right now and am currently in a hotel room in Milwaukee...this is my 6th show and they have all been soooo much fun but there is one in particular i want to talk about...on the 8th i played in Nashville at the ryman auditorium...the country music fans out there know it as themother church of country music and the original grand ole opry...home to my heroes patsy cline, tammy wynett, hank, minnie pearl, roy acuff, waylon jennings, and of course johnny...the list goes on and on...it's been a dream of mine since i can remember to play on that stage or even see it...my mom was out on the road with me for the first time because she wanted to see me play there...my mom is a country singer and she is the one who got me headed in the right direction...my little sis was out too and when the three of us stepped into the theatre we had instant goose bumps...walking around and looking at the pictures of our heroes felt so familiar it was eerie...it was as if i was looking at photos of distant relatives...our set was a blast and the audience was magical...at the end of the set i called my mom out to sing with me...she hasn't performed in years and she got a standing ovation at the ryman! when the crowd stood up my mother started to cry...i won't forget it.

i finished up the set by myself and got an overwhelming response from the audience...i exited the wrong side of the stage and climbed the stairs to where i thought my dressing room was but the left wing ofthe ryman was empty and dark so i ran my hand along the wall until i found a light switch...in the dark space the only thing that lit up was a little back-lit painting of patsy cline and it said "sweetdreams".........it was so quiet and strange that i sat in there and played my guitar until someone came and got me....

sweet dreams
lots of love
brandi

Trees Lounge

This movie is so depressing and miserable...and dammit I love it. Steve Buscemi made such a gem out of it. It does kinda remind me of Barfly (man, another unsung hero of a film) and hints of Beautiful Girls (by the late Ted Demme, god bless his soul).

Doesn't hurt to have Chloe Sevigny in it, too...love those droopy eyes.

What if you never left town...stayed in the old neighborhood, didn't marry the girl you always thought you would, ...never made the career you, well, never really could figure out?

age is a funny thing...and when you stay in an environment too long you reach this twilight zone that keeps you from growing up, and you get stuck...until something happens, and then...well, you're still stuck...but now you see it more clearly and it's really pissing you off!

don't mind me, man, i was just messin' with ya...have a drink on me...connie, give the man a bud and a wild turkey....

The Last Stand

x3 - My mind was wandering around in so many directions while I watched this movie.

Ping!
...trying at most to appreciate the plausability of the the whole x-men conspiracy. An evolutionary leap wouldn't be so far-fetched (and neither would the politics that would eventually sorround it!)...

Ping!
The "cure" would have definitely brought chaos. How do we treat people who are supremely above normal...or natural? ...ever read about the controversy in sports concerning the dominance of black athletes, or the unfortunately isolated lives that young musical or intellectual prodigies must endure, or even psychos and psychics?

Ping!
where is the night crawler?

Ping!
totally star wars inspired...or at least me drawing flashbacks....dr. xavier having to die in front of a follower (ben kenobi & luke skywalker), dr. xavier trying to teach jean grey to control her power (the force)

Ping!
i'm sorry but i just can't look at beast without thinking he's Frasier!!!...and any moment now Niles is going to appear!...oh wait...that was in Hellboy!!! no!!!!!

Ping!
:)

American Splendor

Every time you finish watching a movie and walk out of the theater, don't you sometimes just tell yourself, "back to reality". That is true...the movie is nothing more than a few hours watching someone else's life...but what if we reversed that?

I've always loved Paul Giamatti and Hope Davis. They both worked their way playing excellent bit parts in movies. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to magnify those "bit parts" into two hours. Well here it is: American Splendor.

Being a pessimist, myself, I can relate to a lot of Harvey's gloom and doom way of thinking. And if the movie looked like an amplified depiction of dysfunction, well, it may be...but is it?

(I'll leave you and your shadow to discuss this now...)

KT Tunstall

If you ever hitched a ride with me these past few weeks, you'd probably cross me off your list by now. I've had a really short play list and "other side of the world" will always get at at least two or three replays. "Universe and U" and "False Alarm" are excellent Sunday afternoon tracks...you should try it sometime.

Come monday morning, go ahead and play "Heal Over" on the way to work.

Thanks, KT.

Tina Dico at the Chop Suey

The Chop Suey in Seattle is a small venue right across from a great Pizza place :).

Strumming and plucking her guitar with such ease, she sang most of her tracks from In the Red, one from her EP, and a new one (Magic). She was really comfortable and warm, making slight changes to the songs; a stronger line here, a whisper of a few words there, shorter here, longer there, ....it's so obvious that she's been playing and singing all her life.

Tina has a powerful voice, but she never uses it unless she has to (something Kelly Clarkson should learn to do). Her live accoustic set is really different from the studio album and is so much more livelier. I hope someday she makes a DVD of her live performances. It shows so much of her great character and strengths.

This is bad news and good news for me. Good that I was able to see her in such an intimate setting. I had such a great time. Bad that with so much talent, wisdom, and heart, she is destined for success. Chances are, the next time I watch her, I'll be somewhere in section O, row 3, seat 9.....

But that's ok. I'll always have this little solo concert in Seattle in my memory.

V for Vendetta

There is just something about Natalie Portman when she's not smiling that I see Mathilda (and deep inside I'm wishing for a sequel to Leon). The movie, as a whole, was in perfect balance. Even during the rather funny moments that could have spoiled it (i.e. the apron)...it is able to swerve back to the path of seriousness.

I don't know why they didn't pick Hugo Weaving to play the part of V, but I'm glad fate stepped in and put him in the role. Despite a few moments where I almost thought I heard him say "mister anderson!" subconsciously...hehe...I think his voice was perfect behind the mask.

There are several suggestions as to the identity of V, and my guess is that, well...he may have been Ruth.

I could be wrong...

It's all good, Woody!

I just had to write about it. Today it was announced that Kirk Rueter retired as a Giant (SFGIANTS article). Woody has always been one of my favorites and when he was designated for assignment last season my heart really sank. If anything, I wanted to see the Giants win it all with Kirk, JT, Barry, Marquis, and Rich still onboard. But....Rich and JT were lost to free agency and Marquis and Kirk were released to make room for other players.

Woody always embodied smart play. His best fastball was 85mph and if the beginning of last season was any indication, he relied heavily on the defense for ground balls. He simply located his fastball and used a wide array of combination pitches, altering speeds each time, to throw off batters. He made use of whatever he had in hir toolbox and just played it smart.

I'm sorry you didn't get to retire in your own terms, Woody. But I am forever in awe of you and in my own selfish way, am happy to see you retire as a Giant.

Now if you could just open The Shed to the public.....

No News is Bad News

Its funny how you get attached to the news. Every day you turn on the tv in the morning, sometimes at noon when you're not working, at night for primetime news...you really just take it for granted. I've always enjoyed the morning program at KTVU-2. So it wasn't a surpirse for me to wonder why on my last week in the bay area I never saw Noreen again. I mean, she had probably been gone for some time. But like I say, its funny how you get attached to the news....news people, anyway.

It was her eyes. They were tired. They've been through a lot. They carry a lot of experience. It was heartwarming to find out later that Noreen had been a longtime resident (and local favorite) in New Mexico.....where she has returned (http://www.kfoxtv.com/noreen/index.html).

This brings me back to the days when I was travelling a lot. I would be somewhere in Argentina, Toronto, or Colorado, but when I turned on the TV all I had to do was turn to CNN Headline News and I would feel right at home. Of course, that was when Lynne Russell was still anchoring it.


Lynne just had a great way of delivering the news. She was always calm and poised. She'd be smiling a bit but you'd never really know what that meant.

I think I was somewhere in Orlando when I was watching her last broadcast. They showed a lot of odd clips. My favorite was Lynne finishing a bit of news, and then slapping a post-it on her forehead.

I miss you, Lynne. Headline News has never been the same since you left.

Saved!

Have you ever seen the movie Dogma? If you have (and enjoyed it), then you will love Saved!. Like Dogma, it questions Christianity and the many levels people have taken it to make it their own. While Dogma used a comic satire to deliver its message, Saved! Stayed in the realms of reality. In one movie, it pushed Christian faith to a corner, dragging it through all the realities that will test any disciple: homosexuality, premarital sex, adultery, teenage pregnancy, rebellion. By the time you finish the movie, you realize that you’re not looking at a movie about Jesus freaks anymore. You’re witnessing the realities of life.

I turn back to the movie Dogma, for it delivers the same message. It wasn’t that God wants all of is to surrender our lives and worship him. He just wanted us to have a good idea about it all….about life.

I think that message goes beyond religion. And that makes it more powerful.

The Woodsman

The Woodsman is not just a story or redemption. It is a story of the road do redemption. It shows that redemption is dangerous. A repeat offender often has to be on the brink of a relapse, and hopefully be able to snap back. It’s as real as facing your demons as it gets. It’s no fairy tale story indeed. And like what really happens in real life, it all will take time.

Throne of Blood

That arrow ending Toshiro's execution was a classic.

The wife was either power behind the throne or devil's advocate....but such a great revelation that is far removed from the usual depiction of women in feudal Japan.