Every year Lake Superior State University unveils its list of words and phrases that should be banished forever.
Since 1976, LSSU has been compiling this list based on nominations it receives. This year's unlucky words and phrases include "green" or "going green", "maverick", "from Wall Street to Main Street", "game-changing" and "monkey".
The term "first dude" as coined by almost VP Sarah Palin's husband, Todd Palin was also on the list as was the first emoticon to get the boot; the heart which apparently is made using the less than symbol and the #3.
I'd like to offer some of my own: How about "Joe the plumber", "I personally", "with all due respect", "at the end of the day", "it's not rocket science", "going forward", "not so much", "be that as it may", using the word "so" as an adverb as in, "I'm so going to the concert tonight" and my absolute least favorite is using the word "not" to contradict something that was just said. An example of this would be, "I'm so enjoying my time in the car with you...NOT!"
Feel free to send me the words or phrases from 2008 that you never want to hear again.
peace,
paul
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
This is a sad story and an admonition to all those parents of children who "had to walk 10 miles in the snow just to get to school."
peace,
paul
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/crime/2008/12/30/id.blizzard.death.charges.kmvt
peace,
paul
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/crime/2008/12/30/id.blizzard.death.charges.kmvt
movie minute
Love letters: The lovely Kristin Scott Thomas has been turning in spectacular performances since she burst onto the scene as unfortunate-in-love Fiona in 1994's Four Weddings & A Funeral. And yet she remains one of the most underrated actresses who just happens to be British & French.
She hits another homerun in her latest film I've Loved You So Long in which she plays Juliette who is released from prison after 15 years and goes to live with her sister Lea (played by the radiant Elsa Zylberstein). The two sisters are estranged to say the least but Juliette and Lea are determined to make it work even as Lea's husband struggles with having Juliette in the house and spending time with the couple's two adopted daughters.
The film is cleverly directed by first-time director Phillippe Claudel and it's wonderfully layered not just in the performances but in the revelations that are slowly shared with us along the way.
This is an intelligent film that follows the two women and the difficulties they face in rebuilding a once seemingly unbreakable friendship and sisterhood. And although Thomas gives an absolutely beautiful performance (most of it devoid of makeup) the climax of the film is a bit implausible but the two actresses make it work somehow and give us hope that the two will forge a new bond that is even stronger than we thought it could be.
Bags of popcorn (out of 5): 3
Oscar nominations
Best Actress-Kristin Scott Thomas
Best Supporting Actress-Elsa Zylberstein
She hits another homerun in her latest film I've Loved You So Long in which she plays Juliette who is released from prison after 15 years and goes to live with her sister Lea (played by the radiant Elsa Zylberstein). The two sisters are estranged to say the least but Juliette and Lea are determined to make it work even as Lea's husband struggles with having Juliette in the house and spending time with the couple's two adopted daughters.
The film is cleverly directed by first-time director Phillippe Claudel and it's wonderfully layered not just in the performances but in the revelations that are slowly shared with us along the way.
This is an intelligent film that follows the two women and the difficulties they face in rebuilding a once seemingly unbreakable friendship and sisterhood. And although Thomas gives an absolutely beautiful performance (most of it devoid of makeup) the climax of the film is a bit implausible but the two actresses make it work somehow and give us hope that the two will forge a new bond that is even stronger than we thought it could be.
Bags of popcorn (out of 5): 3
Oscar nominations
Best Actress-Kristin Scott Thomas
Best Supporting Actress-Elsa Zylberstein
movie minute
Button Up: First of all, if a person is born old as a baby then shouldn't they die young as an adult? That's what bothered me most about direction David Fincher's (Fight Club, Panic Room, Zodiac) new film The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button. The movie reteams Fincher with his golden boy Brad Pitt who plays the title character. After being born with a rare (does it even really exist?) condition, Benjamin ages backwards. He starts out as a baby who is about 80 years old and then proceeds to grow younger; he's his own fountain of youth.
The movie is adapted from F. Scott Fitzgerald's story of the same name but apparently the two have little in common with the exception of their title. Even though the film is 2 hours and 44 minutes long, this picaresque picture glides along at a brisk pace. The film starts just before Hurricane Katrina is due to hit with Daisy, an old woman on her deathbed, telling her daughter the story of how she and Benjamin met. It then moves to post WWI with the birth of Benjamin. As Benjamin begins to "age" he meets a 12-year old Daisy with whom he bonds. She is the same age chronologically that he is mentally. The two continue to meet up year after year as she stays with her grandmother at the boarding house in which he lives.
Benjamin eventually goes off to work on a tugboat and gets caught up in WWII. He also meets British woman Elizabeth Abbott (played by Tilda Swinton) although through it all he and Daisy continue their contact with one another.
Their lives continue to intersect in different ways and as Benjamin realizes Daisy (now a grown up played by the radiant Cate Blanchett) is his true love something awful happens which threatens to permanently tear them apart.
The film has been compared to Forrest Gump and rightly so but the difference is this is a beautfiully written love story of two people who literally meet in the middle to live their lives together.
Aside from the medical implausibility of the film, the only other complaint I had was the interludes with the man who "got struck by lightning seven times." The rest of the cast, particularly Taraji P. Henson who plays Benjamin's "mother" are all good too.
The movie is wonderfully directed and is a shoo-in for Best Picture, Best Director and will earn Brad Pitt another Oscar nomination. He has really matured as an actor and has proven just how deft he is at both drama and comedy (as witnessed by this year's earlier release Burn After Reading in which he played a gay gym employee).
Bags of popcorn (out of 5): 4.25
Oscar nominations:
Best Actor-Brad Pitt
Best Picture
Best Director-David Fincher
Best Screenplay
Best Adapted Screenplay
The movie is adapted from F. Scott Fitzgerald's story of the same name but apparently the two have little in common with the exception of their title. Even though the film is 2 hours and 44 minutes long, this picaresque picture glides along at a brisk pace. The film starts just before Hurricane Katrina is due to hit with Daisy, an old woman on her deathbed, telling her daughter the story of how she and Benjamin met. It then moves to post WWI with the birth of Benjamin. As Benjamin begins to "age" he meets a 12-year old Daisy with whom he bonds. She is the same age chronologically that he is mentally. The two continue to meet up year after year as she stays with her grandmother at the boarding house in which he lives.
Benjamin eventually goes off to work on a tugboat and gets caught up in WWII. He also meets British woman Elizabeth Abbott (played by Tilda Swinton) although through it all he and Daisy continue their contact with one another.
Their lives continue to intersect in different ways and as Benjamin realizes Daisy (now a grown up played by the radiant Cate Blanchett) is his true love something awful happens which threatens to permanently tear them apart.
The film has been compared to Forrest Gump and rightly so but the difference is this is a beautfiully written love story of two people who literally meet in the middle to live their lives together.
Aside from the medical implausibility of the film, the only other complaint I had was the interludes with the man who "got struck by lightning seven times." The rest of the cast, particularly Taraji P. Henson who plays Benjamin's "mother" are all good too.
The movie is wonderfully directed and is a shoo-in for Best Picture, Best Director and will earn Brad Pitt another Oscar nomination. He has really matured as an actor and has proven just how deft he is at both drama and comedy (as witnessed by this year's earlier release Burn After Reading in which he played a gay gym employee).
Bags of popcorn (out of 5): 4.25
Oscar nominations:
Best Actor-Brad Pitt
Best Picture
Best Director-David Fincher
Best Screenplay
Best Adapted Screenplay
Monday, December 29, 2008
You, down front, Shhhhhh.....
Who would have thought a movie about a man who ages backwards could be so dangerous? Certainly not the Philadelphia, PA family who took in the film "The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button" on Christmas Day. The family were sitting in front of 29-year-old James Joseph Cialella who threw popcorn at the son in order to get them to stop talking. When that didn't work, Cialella argued with the family and then approached the family from the left. The father stood up and was then shot in the arm by Cialella with a .380 caliber handgun. Cialella was arrested and taken into custody.
I guess going to see the manager to get the family to be quiet was just too easy in this case. Now he'll never know the ending to this almost 3 hour movie!
peace,
paul
I guess going to see the manager to get the family to be quiet was just too easy in this case. Now he'll never know the ending to this almost 3 hour movie!
peace,
paul
Friday, December 19, 2008
movie minute
Slumming for answers: You are reading this movie review because:
(A) You like me
(B) I encouraged you to
(C) It is written
(D) You have nothing better to do for five minutes
And thus begins the new film Slumdog Millionaire, cleverly crafted by maverick British director Danny Boyle (Millions, 28 Days Later, Trainspotting).
First off, the film is not an original idea which I was disheartened to discover. No, it's based on a novel titled Q&A by Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup. Having said that, the movie is still a must see if for no other reason than it's just the positive and uplifting push that India needs right now after the three days of terror that Mumbai experienced in late November; a terror that crippled the city and ended with some resignations by some government officials.
The film cuts between the past and present of street beggar Jamal Malik. When we first see Jamal, he is being interrogated and tortured by the police because they suspect him of cheating on the TV show Kaun Banega Crorepati (the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?). Despite the torture, Jamal continues to profess his innocence and that he made it to the final question on the show by actually knowing the answers.
From there, we actually get to see how he knew each of the answers that he was presented with on the show. We see him and his older brother Salim and how they learn to survive on the streets after the brutal death of their mother. Afterwards, one of the city's head gangsters grooms Salim to join his operation in which the brothers would beg for money. Along the way, the brothers also meet orphan Latika who proves to be the love of Jamal's life. He never stops searching for Latika no matter how many times they are separated.
The film moves along at a wonderfully brisk pace and we see each step of the way how the brothers and Latika survive the harsh streets. The past continually brings us back to the present and the next question on the game show and we clearly see how Jamal knew the answer; no matter how difficult the questions become. Fans of the show know that as the contestant racks up the money, the answers to the questions prove more and more elusive.
When Jamal does finally make it to the final question which is worth 20 million rupees, we discover that the slick host is the biggest skeptic as to how Jamal knows all the answers. The host is played by Hindi actor and producer Anil Kapoor; a better looking and suaver version of Regis Philbin. All of the actors in the film believably portray their characters; thus making the film even more engaging.
The end is touching as the whole city is brought together by an unlikely "hero" on a guilty pleasure game show.
This film has been called the Juno or Little Miss Sunshine of the year and I will be surprised if it doesn't go all the way and amass some Oscar nods. Whether it will win the big prize remains up in the air but I will say this: Considering the other movies that are up for nominations for Golden Globes (a good precursor to Oscar nods) Slumdog Millionaire has possibly a better chance of winning Best Picture than Juno or Little Miss Sunshine could have dreamed about.
Bags of popcorn (out of 5): 5
Oscar Nominations Predictions:
Best Picture
Best Director
Best Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best Score
(A) You like me
(B) I encouraged you to
(C) It is written
(D) You have nothing better to do for five minutes
And thus begins the new film Slumdog Millionaire, cleverly crafted by maverick British director Danny Boyle (Millions, 28 Days Later, Trainspotting).
First off, the film is not an original idea which I was disheartened to discover. No, it's based on a novel titled Q&A by Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup. Having said that, the movie is still a must see if for no other reason than it's just the positive and uplifting push that India needs right now after the three days of terror that Mumbai experienced in late November; a terror that crippled the city and ended with some resignations by some government officials.
The film cuts between the past and present of street beggar Jamal Malik. When we first see Jamal, he is being interrogated and tortured by the police because they suspect him of cheating on the TV show Kaun Banega Crorepati (the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?). Despite the torture, Jamal continues to profess his innocence and that he made it to the final question on the show by actually knowing the answers.
From there, we actually get to see how he knew each of the answers that he was presented with on the show. We see him and his older brother Salim and how they learn to survive on the streets after the brutal death of their mother. Afterwards, one of the city's head gangsters grooms Salim to join his operation in which the brothers would beg for money. Along the way, the brothers also meet orphan Latika who proves to be the love of Jamal's life. He never stops searching for Latika no matter how many times they are separated.
The film moves along at a wonderfully brisk pace and we see each step of the way how the brothers and Latika survive the harsh streets. The past continually brings us back to the present and the next question on the game show and we clearly see how Jamal knew the answer; no matter how difficult the questions become. Fans of the show know that as the contestant racks up the money, the answers to the questions prove more and more elusive.
When Jamal does finally make it to the final question which is worth 20 million rupees, we discover that the slick host is the biggest skeptic as to how Jamal knows all the answers. The host is played by Hindi actor and producer Anil Kapoor; a better looking and suaver version of Regis Philbin. All of the actors in the film believably portray their characters; thus making the film even more engaging.
The end is touching as the whole city is brought together by an unlikely "hero" on a guilty pleasure game show.
This film has been called the Juno or Little Miss Sunshine of the year and I will be surprised if it doesn't go all the way and amass some Oscar nods. Whether it will win the big prize remains up in the air but I will say this: Considering the other movies that are up for nominations for Golden Globes (a good precursor to Oscar nods) Slumdog Millionaire has possibly a better chance of winning Best Picture than Juno or Little Miss Sunshine could have dreamed about.
Bags of popcorn (out of 5): 5
Oscar Nominations Predictions:
Best Picture
Best Director
Best Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best Score
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
This little boy just wanted to play.
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=11116126&ch=4226713&src=news
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=11116126&ch=4226713&src=news
Friday, December 12, 2008
Viral video
No, it doesn't have a virus but it is all over the internet (hence, the word viral). Enjoy but do not try this yourself.
paul
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/10/video-unhappy-shanghai-lady-tows-the-tow-truck/
paul
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/10/video-unhappy-shanghai-lady-tows-the-tow-truck/
Friday, December 05, 2008
Food fight
Well this is just bizarre. A man in Vero Beach, FL was arrested on December 4 and faces charges of assault. The weapon a Mickey D's cheeseburger. Yes, those pickles and processed meat can be quite dangerous.
Apparently, the man and his girlfriend were arguing in the car outside of their home. When the man would not let the woman out of the car, she threw his drink out the window (isn't that the logical response?) As a result, the man took his cheeseburger (or maybe it was hers) and smashed it into her face. After the two of them did finally get out of the car, he proceeded to mash the burger into her face a second time. Bluto would be so proud.
peace,
paul
Apparently, the man and his girlfriend were arguing in the car outside of their home. When the man would not let the woman out of the car, she threw his drink out the window (isn't that the logical response?) As a result, the man took his cheeseburger (or maybe it was hers) and smashed it into her face. After the two of them did finally get out of the car, he proceeded to mash the burger into her face a second time. Bluto would be so proud.
peace,
paul
A cool thing for the troops. This will only take a few seconds and is perfect to let troops know you are thinking about them; especially this time of year.
peace,
paul
http://www.letssaythanks.com/
peace,
paul
http://www.letssaythanks.com/
Thursday, December 04, 2008
cinema craze
It's that time of year when movie studios begin pumping out the big guns. No, not the shoot-em-up, car chasing, guns ablazing films but the ones they have high hopes will score some nominations for little golden men. Oscar season is my absolute favorite time of year and this year is no exception and I've already begun my movie watching spree. However, some movies are more anticipated than others and this year there are 5 that I am absolutely chomping at the bit to watch. Sadly, I have to be at the beck and call of release dates and limited openings. In the meantime, I'll just talk about them (some more). Below the five films on my MUST SEE plate.
Slumdog Millionaire: This movie is the Juno or Little Miss Sunshine of 2008. Director Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, 28 Days Later) fashions a heartwarming movie that tells the tale of Jamal, a young lad living in modern day India who is constantly getting into trouble. After Jamal and his older brother witness their mother brutally murdered, they turn to the streets and become slumdogs.
The story takes a turn when Jamal finds himself on India's version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and finds that he is smarter than he thought and becomes to win buckets of money. However, detractors are not far behind and soon begin questioning how a slumdog knows so much.
This film won the Audience Award at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival and is sure to be a crowd pleaser. It's also been rumored that it could snag a nomination for Best Picture (just like Juno and Little Miss Sunshine did).
Milk: Gus Van Sant is back with the first non-documentary about activist and politician Harvey Milk. This film has LONG been in the making; not this particular film but it's been known for many years that different directors and actors were looking to make this movie. Sean Penn snagged the title role and completely immerses himself in the part and into the polyester era.
The movies follows Harvey's rise to being the first openly gay politician and his eventual assassination by city supervisor Dan White. White is played by Josh Brolin, who like Penn, seems to be getting better with age. James Franco, Diego Luna and Emile Hirsch also star in this film that screams OSCAR. By the way, if you look at a picture of the real Harvey Milk and Sean Penn in character as Milk, they really do look the same.
The Reader: Based on the book by Bernhard Schlink, The Reader is a WWII set movie in which a young boy becomes fascinated with an older woman. The woman is played by 5-time Academy Award nominee Kate Winslet. The two begin a relationship and then lose touch. Several years later, they happen upon each other again; this time the boy is in school doing research on and she is on trial. This movie is not a happy one (nor was the book) but the performances are sure to be terrific and Winslet is in not one, but two highly anticipated movies this season. The other is with her Titanic co-star Leonardo DiCaprio in Revolutionary Road. Winslet's biggest competition for her sixth Oscar nomination (which she is certain to get for Best Actress unless she get Supporting) is Meryl Streep.
Which brings me to the next film...
Doubt, starring Streep herself. Based on the Pulitzer Prize winning play and directed by John Patrick Shanley (the playwright himself), Doubt is set in the Bronx in 1964 and tells the story of domineering principal Sister Aloysius (Streep) who when she gets wind that the charismatic Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman) has been spending too much time with the school's first black studnet, Sister Aloysius decides that something is amiss and that Flynn has to go.
I did not have the pleasure of seeing the play but this film looks HOT. I've heard that some critics think Streep is unconvincing as Sister Aloysius but the trailer looks as if she might be able to pull it off. What makes this film really interesting is the boy's mother is Tony award winning Viola Davis (Nights In Rodanthe, Antwone Fisher) who decides to go toe to toe with Sister Aloysius over matters relating to her son. The scene with Davis and Streep better crackle with energy and the whole movie better be nothing short of brilliant because this is the one of all of them I'm looking most forward to. The cast is rounded out by Amy Adams (so good in Enchanted and Junebug) and there are rumors that this could be the first film in a long time to garner Oscar nominations from all four main actors.
I've Loved You So Long: Kristen Scott Thomas is one of those actresses whose beauty sometimes undermines just how talented she really is. The Academy award winning actress plays Juliette who has recently been released from prison. When she is picked up at the airport by her sister Lea (Elsa Zylberstein), the two realize how estranged they really are. From the trailer, it looks as if Thomas gives a heart-wrenching, not to mention makeup free performance which could score her her second Oscar nomination.
Honorable Mentions:
The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button: No, this is not an original screenplay (very few are anymore). The movie is adapted from a story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. A man, Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt in full make-up mode) is born in his 80's and slowly ages backwards. This is another movie that screams Oscar and it's a good bet this one could make it to the top race come January. That really is Brad Pitt's (almost a shoo-in for his second Oscar nom) face throughout the movie (and not Gollum's better looking cousin). The movie also features Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson, Julia Ormond and last year's Supporting Actress winner Tilda Swinton.
Defiance: How could I resist the piercing blue eyes of James Bond portrayer Daniel Craig? He plays one of four Jewish brothers in this film based on the true story of said brothers helping Russian resistance fighters guide Jews to safety in Nazi occupied Poland during WWII. The movie also stars Jamie Bell (Billy Elliott all grown up).
Happy Viewing...
peace,
paul
Slumdog Millionaire: This movie is the Juno or Little Miss Sunshine of 2008. Director Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, 28 Days Later) fashions a heartwarming movie that tells the tale of Jamal, a young lad living in modern day India who is constantly getting into trouble. After Jamal and his older brother witness their mother brutally murdered, they turn to the streets and become slumdogs.
The story takes a turn when Jamal finds himself on India's version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and finds that he is smarter than he thought and becomes to win buckets of money. However, detractors are not far behind and soon begin questioning how a slumdog knows so much.
This film won the Audience Award at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival and is sure to be a crowd pleaser. It's also been rumored that it could snag a nomination for Best Picture (just like Juno and Little Miss Sunshine did).
Milk: Gus Van Sant is back with the first non-documentary about activist and politician Harvey Milk. This film has LONG been in the making; not this particular film but it's been known for many years that different directors and actors were looking to make this movie. Sean Penn snagged the title role and completely immerses himself in the part and into the polyester era.
The movies follows Harvey's rise to being the first openly gay politician and his eventual assassination by city supervisor Dan White. White is played by Josh Brolin, who like Penn, seems to be getting better with age. James Franco, Diego Luna and Emile Hirsch also star in this film that screams OSCAR. By the way, if you look at a picture of the real Harvey Milk and Sean Penn in character as Milk, they really do look the same.
The Reader: Based on the book by Bernhard Schlink, The Reader is a WWII set movie in which a young boy becomes fascinated with an older woman. The woman is played by 5-time Academy Award nominee Kate Winslet. The two begin a relationship and then lose touch. Several years later, they happen upon each other again; this time the boy is in school doing research on and she is on trial. This movie is not a happy one (nor was the book) but the performances are sure to be terrific and Winslet is in not one, but two highly anticipated movies this season. The other is with her Titanic co-star Leonardo DiCaprio in Revolutionary Road. Winslet's biggest competition for her sixth Oscar nomination (which she is certain to get for Best Actress unless she get Supporting) is Meryl Streep.
Which brings me to the next film...
Doubt, starring Streep herself. Based on the Pulitzer Prize winning play and directed by John Patrick Shanley (the playwright himself), Doubt is set in the Bronx in 1964 and tells the story of domineering principal Sister Aloysius (Streep) who when she gets wind that the charismatic Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman) has been spending too much time with the school's first black studnet, Sister Aloysius decides that something is amiss and that Flynn has to go.
I did not have the pleasure of seeing the play but this film looks HOT. I've heard that some critics think Streep is unconvincing as Sister Aloysius but the trailer looks as if she might be able to pull it off. What makes this film really interesting is the boy's mother is Tony award winning Viola Davis (Nights In Rodanthe, Antwone Fisher) who decides to go toe to toe with Sister Aloysius over matters relating to her son. The scene with Davis and Streep better crackle with energy and the whole movie better be nothing short of brilliant because this is the one of all of them I'm looking most forward to. The cast is rounded out by Amy Adams (so good in Enchanted and Junebug) and there are rumors that this could be the first film in a long time to garner Oscar nominations from all four main actors.
I've Loved You So Long: Kristen Scott Thomas is one of those actresses whose beauty sometimes undermines just how talented she really is. The Academy award winning actress plays Juliette who has recently been released from prison. When she is picked up at the airport by her sister Lea (Elsa Zylberstein), the two realize how estranged they really are. From the trailer, it looks as if Thomas gives a heart-wrenching, not to mention makeup free performance which could score her her second Oscar nomination.
Honorable Mentions:
The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button: No, this is not an original screenplay (very few are anymore). The movie is adapted from a story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. A man, Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt in full make-up mode) is born in his 80's and slowly ages backwards. This is another movie that screams Oscar and it's a good bet this one could make it to the top race come January. That really is Brad Pitt's (almost a shoo-in for his second Oscar nom) face throughout the movie (and not Gollum's better looking cousin). The movie also features Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson, Julia Ormond and last year's Supporting Actress winner Tilda Swinton.
Defiance: How could I resist the piercing blue eyes of James Bond portrayer Daniel Craig? He plays one of four Jewish brothers in this film based on the true story of said brothers helping Russian resistance fighters guide Jews to safety in Nazi occupied Poland during WWII. The movie also stars Jamie Bell (Billy Elliott all grown up).
Happy Viewing...
peace,
paul
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
music scene
Who says there's nothing good on the radio? There are a number of songs I'm enjoying that are currently in heavy rotation. By the way, the new album by The Killers (Day & Age) is definitely worth the price. Which brings us to the first song, the first single from that album...
"Human" by The Killers: Who cares if the lyrics are cryptic "Are we human or are we dancer? My sign is vital, my hands are cold." What???? It doesn't matter if you're still clueless because the driving beat in this song is a foot-stomping one and makes me want to bob my head and jump up and down with feel good excitement.
"So What" by Pink: Please do not exceed word count.'" by Pink: It's hard to believe that Pink has been around for about eight years. The first single from her fifth studio album is as in your face as ever. When she's not singing about losing her husband, getting into fights and grousing that her table was just given away to Jessica Simpson, Pink is telling that no good louse what a tool he is and how she's having more fun than she ever did when he was around. Ouch! Another foot stomper with some head banging thrown in for good measure.
"Just Dance" by Lady GaGa: Less famously known as Joanne Stefani Germanotta, New York born Lady GaGa's first single from her The Fame album is a perfect club song. We all know what it's like to be the center of attention on the dance floor, don't we? We're out with friends, having fun, maybe one too many drinks and then our ABSOLUTE FAVORITE song comes on and we have to strut our stuff right to the center of the floor. This one's a hip shaker.
"Love Story" by Taylor Swift: Swift's first single from her second album is one of those country songs that kind of sound like pop. In fact, the first time I heard it I thought it was Jewel (who's actually gone country). It's a sweet song that talks about love ala Romeo and Juliet. Two young lovers overcome seemingly insurmountable odds (including one very strict father) to become betrothed to each other.
"Right Now" by Akon: Let's face it Akon or Aliaune Thiam, is still hot (and I mean in terms of success). His first single from his third album is another one of those songs he's become famous for. The ones that get inside your head and refuse to exit. This time it's about a couple who break up (my guess is it was the guy's fault) and he realizes his mistake and pleads with her to make up and link up...right now. The song is a bit racy during the bridge when Akon sings "I wish you could dine with me, one that would grind with me". There's no subtlety there now is there?
"If I Were A Boy" by Beyonce: In this song, pop/R&B princess Beyonce ruminates on how she would act and treat her lady love if she were in fact of the male persuasion. And if I were a girl, I'd wear the flashiest dresses, strut around in the highest heels and stare at myself in the mirror remarking on how pretty I am (oh, wait, I already do that one).
So those are a few of the songs I'm liking these days. What are YOU listening to?
peace,
paul
"Human" by The Killers: Who cares if the lyrics are cryptic "Are we human or are we dancer? My sign is vital, my hands are cold." What???? It doesn't matter if you're still clueless because the driving beat in this song is a foot-stomping one and makes me want to bob my head and jump up and down with feel good excitement.
"So What" by Pink: Please do not exceed word count.'" by Pink: It's hard to believe that Pink has been around for about eight years. The first single from her fifth studio album is as in your face as ever. When she's not singing about losing her husband, getting into fights and grousing that her table was just given away to Jessica Simpson, Pink is telling that no good louse what a tool he is and how she's having more fun than she ever did when he was around. Ouch! Another foot stomper with some head banging thrown in for good measure.
"Just Dance" by Lady GaGa: Less famously known as Joanne Stefani Germanotta, New York born Lady GaGa's first single from her The Fame album is a perfect club song. We all know what it's like to be the center of attention on the dance floor, don't we? We're out with friends, having fun, maybe one too many drinks and then our ABSOLUTE FAVORITE song comes on and we have to strut our stuff right to the center of the floor. This one's a hip shaker.
"Love Story" by Taylor Swift: Swift's first single from her second album is one of those country songs that kind of sound like pop. In fact, the first time I heard it I thought it was Jewel (who's actually gone country). It's a sweet song that talks about love ala Romeo and Juliet. Two young lovers overcome seemingly insurmountable odds (including one very strict father) to become betrothed to each other.
"Right Now" by Akon: Let's face it Akon or Aliaune Thiam, is still hot (and I mean in terms of success). His first single from his third album is another one of those songs he's become famous for. The ones that get inside your head and refuse to exit. This time it's about a couple who break up (my guess is it was the guy's fault) and he realizes his mistake and pleads with her to make up and link up...right now. The song is a bit racy during the bridge when Akon sings "I wish you could dine with me, one that would grind with me". There's no subtlety there now is there?
"If I Were A Boy" by Beyonce: In this song, pop/R&B princess Beyonce ruminates on how she would act and treat her lady love if she were in fact of the male persuasion. And if I were a girl, I'd wear the flashiest dresses, strut around in the highest heels and stare at myself in the mirror remarking on how pretty I am (oh, wait, I already do that one).
So those are a few of the songs I'm liking these days. What are YOU listening to?
peace,
paul
Hunter becomes hunted
Deer season has started and fellows (and ladies) let's be careful out there. There have been so many stories of hunters being shot by their buddies (hello, Cheney) that it's ridiculous. Now there's a new danger to contend with; your kill striking back.
In Missouri, a hunter was nearly maimed to death by a 9-point, 240lb buck after he shot it twice. Randy Goodman used his .270-caliber rifle to kill the horned beast and was probably thinking about how proud his buddies would be as he approached the seemingly dead animal. Once Goodman reached Bambi's father, the deer jumped up and struck Goodman with an antler before trying to escape. Two more shots did the trick; for real this time. Goodman recalls the moment as "15 second of hell". He not only got bragging rights but also paid for it with a concussion, bruises and 7 new staples in his thick head. No word on whether he needed new underpants.
peace,
paul
In Missouri, a hunter was nearly maimed to death by a 9-point, 240lb buck after he shot it twice. Randy Goodman used his .270-caliber rifle to kill the horned beast and was probably thinking about how proud his buddies would be as he approached the seemingly dead animal. Once Goodman reached Bambi's father, the deer jumped up and struck Goodman with an antler before trying to escape. Two more shots did the trick; for real this time. Goodman recalls the moment as "15 second of hell". He not only got bragging rights but also paid for it with a concussion, bruises and 7 new staples in his thick head. No word on whether he needed new underpants.
peace,
paul
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