the state of

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

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

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

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!

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

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!

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

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!

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!

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

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

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...

...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

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!!!

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

Good job, Johnny!

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

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

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

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

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...

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!)