Penn & Teller in Seattle

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

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

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

Game 4 - Checky Check :) :) ;)

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 :) :)

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 :)

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 :)

YEEEAAAHHHHH!!!! :) :) :)

Nothin' on You

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!

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

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

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!

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

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

More October Baseball!!

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!

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

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

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!

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

More Machete Info

Soldiering on

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

Lisbeth Salander

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

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

:)

Inception

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...

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

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

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!

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

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

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

Mythbusters

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

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? :)

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!

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

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

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

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?

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!

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

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

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

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...

Archer

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...

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!

The march to March begins...

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!

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

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).