The Bachelor, Paris: Week 5

I had a little “incident” yesterday that left me incapacitated at the time of The Bachelor’s showing. So my beloved wife covered the beat for me. Take it honey!

Roses… “Yes!”

I have a lot of different names for Moana. I really don’t like her. I mean, I REEEEEALY don’t like her. She’s over-dramatic, snooty, pious, witchy, overpowering, bossy, not that good looking (I didn’t want to say “ugly”), and just not a good match for for Travis at all! But, I don’t want to be mean or anything. For some reason, Travis is intrigued by her and kept her around. I frankly think he just feels sorry for her because she was so unliked in the house and she seems a bit mysterious, so that keeps him interested. I just hope he sees the light quickly. She may, however, turn into one of those “boil your pet bunny” stalkers if he does end up rejecting her. Scary! From what I saw of their “exotic overnight date”, it went very well. Darn!

If anyone in the house could be the total opposite of Moana, it would be Sarah. So it stands to reason that I really like her. She’s sweet, polite, relaxed, positive, grounded, and good looking, but not SO good looking that it gives her a giant ego. I don’t know really how Travis feels though. Before their date he said he was hoping to find out if there was a “romantic spark” there between them. And she said she wanted him to give her a “real kiss”, not just a peck on the lips. They had a great talk on the couch in the suite and she told him her feelings, which Travis really appreciated, and then they locked lips for quite a while, so if Travis was looking for a romantic spark, that would’ve been the time to see if it was there. He said it was, but I don’t know for sure. They just seem more like they’d end up as friends. How wierd would it be though if Travis didn’t pick her and there she is, just a few blocks away from where he lives (they live down the street from each other in Nashville). Talk about uncomfortable….seems like they’d eventually run into each other. I’m pulling for Sarah, but I just don’t see him picking her. Mr. Right is out there Sarah! Don’t you worry!

Roses… “No.”

I have to admit I was wrong about Susan. I thought for sure she’d be “the one”, but after watching her closely over the past couple weeks, I started to rethink that decision. Travis apparently couldn’t figure out if Susan was sincere in what she was saying to him or if she was just saying what she thought he wanted to hear. I couldn’t figure it out either. She just seems kinda fake to me. He asked her a lot of hard questions while they were on their date this time and she took offense at hearing that her housemates accused her of being there for the “competition” of it all. Out came the tears and we all believed she truly was here because she had feelings for Travis. But she is wanting to pursue acting, so how do I really know those tears are for real? I don’t…and neither did Travis, so he ultimately decided to let her go. He told her he felt their relationship was “too formal”, whatever that means. I guess it means it just wasn’t “real” enough. No love loss there for me though…I didn’t hate her, but I didn’t really like her either.

So far this season has just been so-so for me. I don’t look forward to it like I have in seasons past. I guess I’m bored of all the catty scenes with the immature, floosy girls and the cocky, oversexed guys and I’m just over it. I’ll still watch every single season though as long as it continues…I’m addicted to reality tv. GO SARAH!

Paladin: “Great job honey! Maybe you should do these all the time?”

Marriage Amendment Vote in June

One of the most critical issues of our day will be in the spotlight come June. The family is the building block of society, so as the family goes, so goes the country. There are countless studies that show children are best raised in a family with both a father and a mother. Changing that equation only diminishes the odds for those children. We all need to step up and let our opinions be heard.

Washington, D.C. — On Friday, Senate Majority Leader Frist announced that the Senate vote for AFM’s Marriage Protection Amendment (MPA) has been scheduled for June 5th and 6th (Debate on the 5th, Vote on the 6th). The Senate will be voting on the following language what will be the 28th Amendment to our U.S. Constitution:

“Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Neither this Constitution, nor the constitution of any State, shall be construed to require that marriage or the legal incidents thereof be conferred upon any union other than the union of a man and a woman.”

Dojo Info 2/13/06

1. Lakers’ Jackson implies refs influenced by Cuban
   How can you not love the Cube?
2. Star Wars Outtakes
   For the die-hard Star Wars fans.
3. Video: AMD video contest winners
   Theser are the Top3. I’m amazed that people have the free time to create such amazing pieces.
4. In electric company
   “You score a touchdown,” he says, “and it’s almost better than sex.” Note: He’s not talking about real football, but electric football. hehe
5. A guy witnesses an accident
   Don’t mess with the little old ladies.

Museum Plaza: All Eyes on Louisville

Louisville is a fairly conservative city. Not politically, but in almost every other area. It’s really interesting to learn that we’ll be building one of the most futuristic and modern high-rise buildings in the country, if not the world called Museum Plaza.

Reminds me of Mies van der Rohe, only given free reign to do whatever he liked. Make sure to view the amazing video preview. It’s far more adventursome than the new World Trade Building in NYC.

A Most Gifted Chalk Artist

You might have seen this email forwarded about the Internet. I’m just amazed by the ability of some artists. You can tell he loves his work too. Brilliant.

Baby Bear, 3 Weeks Old

Sorry I haven’t posted more. Been busy out-of-town, etc. I know, unforgivable, but I’ll try harder, I promise.

The lastest with Barret is that there’s no real news on his heart defects until we get to take him to the Cardiologist on Feb. 21. Then they’ll take another sonogram and compare it with his first one. Other than that, he’s driving Mom crazy with always wanting to eat, even after 40 minutes of feeding, which is really 80% loafing. Breastfeeding is a full-time job. If I could help her I would, but I’ve never been a strong lactater. I’ll post more about Baby Bear when we get more news.

Survivor Panama: Week 2

D’oh! I forgot to make my Fantasy Survivor picks. Oh dopey me. Anyway, on to the show!

Today was the first (of many?) shakedown to mix up the players. After looking at the newly created two tribes, it was pretty clear which one I liked better. What I didn’t guess was how much better my favorite tribe, La Mina, would perform in the next two challenges. They won both handily.

La Mina

Terry received the 1st pick and choose Sally the Social Worker. Good choice, especially if they had some previous agreement on a possible alliance. Terry was strong in the challenges as well, without being bossy. He’ll be a strong player.

Sally choose Austin with her pick. This team was getting better with each pick.

Austin is being approached by both the Manly Alliance and the Young Subset Alliance and so far, he’s saying “yes” to both. Could bite him later but so far, so good.

Austin picked Misty and La Mina is building a strong, cohesive group of non-agitators. Misty then picked Nick, the strongest male available.

Nick didn’t land on Danielle’s tribe, but who’s going to bet against him trying to make a move on Misty or Sally? Nick then choose Ruth “Bader Ginsberg” Marie.

Ruth Marie was very quiet in this episode. She needs to build more of a connection with Terry and Dan to counter the Young Subset Alliance.

Ruth chose Casper, uh, I mean, Dan as the last member of La Mina. Poor Bruce wasn’t picked. How many of you remember not being picked for a kickball team? Oh… the memories… ahhh…

Casaya

Danielle, also known as Big Guns, was the first to choose for Casaya. Choosing Shane was a mistake she didn’t know she’d made. It will be the impetus for all the chaos that will follow this tribe until the next shakeup; or my name is Richard M. Nixon (which, of course, it isn’t).

Shane got most of the airtime in this episode, partly because CBS wanted us to think he’d be voted off, and partly because the guy is a wreck. Combined with his nicotine detox, he’s fighting loneliness and I think he might have ADD, seriously. They should have just voted the guy off and made a new start. This won’t end well.

Who thought Shane would pick anyone other than the Fire Dancer? Honestly. It’s not that I dislike her, she’s just annoying. This tribe is in dire straights.

Aras made a major blunder by openly communicating their Alliance so early in this game. What a doofus. First the fire mojo stuff, now this. Is a tribe allowed to forfeit?

Aras choose Cirie. They’re just making bad choice after bad choice. The Vegas odds have to be skyrocketing after this mixup.

Cirie choose Silent Bob. Next time Bobby says something, let me know, otherwise I’ll continue to ignore him. Shy is one thing, but c’mon, this is a game about building relationships. Speech is kind of a pre-requisite.

Melinda, what can I say about Melinda. Well, she didn’t quit like Shane but other than that, she’s not exactly trying to build up tribe moral. Wasn’t too big of a surprise when she was voted off.

Bruce got to spend some quality R&R on Exile. Looking at the tribe he joined afterwards, I’m not so sure he doesn’t wish to be back on Exile. Poor chap.

Don’t forget to join in our Fantasy Survivor contest (The Dojo). I’m going to make my next week’s picks while everything is fresh in my head. My memory ain’t what it used to be.

Broadcast Decency Act

You’ll be hard-pressed to find much information on this piece of legislation—the Broadcast Decency Act—but on Tuesday the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a new report about “a la cart pricing” that rejects what the content providers have been telling us all along, that giving consumers the ability to choose which channels to receive would be too expensive. Cable and satellite companies want to bundle it to achieve higher per month bills. Customers want to pick and choose which channels they’ll receive, not only to save money but to keep certain programming out of their homes. Makes sense to me.

Let your voice be heard and and tell your Senators to support H.R. 310, The Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act.

Update: More on the study.

Dojo Info 2/9/06

1. Iran to publish Holocaust cartoons
   Are there really any people who believe these groups are “just like us”?
2. Hollywood, We Have a Problem
   Glory Road shows The Sports Guy that Hollywood has gone too Hollywood.
3. ow much is your house worth? Zillow knows
   Could be good news? Could be bad? But if I have to pay for this info, I doubt it’ll fly.
4. Funny Photo Booth
   Hidden camara antics.
5. Back off, Coach K, for the good of the game
   Doyel is never one to mince words. If you’re a proud Duke-hater like myself, this is great stuff.

Just Kidding

I’m wondering how many of you have experienced this phenomenon. It’s 8:25am on Monday and I’m flying into LaGuardia. The pilot had mentioned that “the air was choppy” and as a passenger on this roller-coaster/bumper car ride, I could certainly vouch for that. Made me wish I had taken some Dramamine prior to take off. Stupid! *forehead smack*

So here we are on approach. Cross the water, almost down… almost down… and we’re taking off again! I’m like, “Whaaa?!?!” We had to circle again (another 12 minutes) give it a second try. During this loop, I’m seriously considering reaching for the Airsickness Bag so generously supplied by U.S. Airways. I’ve never been so sick on a flight before. The best part? I had only 30 minutes to make my connection, which was cut down to 15 due to our bonus flight time. Let’s just say, running through the airport didn’t do much to help my stomach.

In honor of this occassion, I’ve decided to list the Top 10 Traveler’s Aids.

10. Chewing Gum: Serving double-duty gum helps halt that nasty airplane breath and it helps thwart ear-popping due to altitude change.
9. iPod: Music to soothe the savage beast, or the irritable traveler.
8. Computer: Even without an Internet connection, a nice game of Hearts can help pass the time.
7. Tums: You know you’ll need them. Why not head to Sam’s Club and stock up?
6. Anti-Bacterial Gel: Can’t wash your hands? No worries. Always keep a bottle handy.
5. Comfortable Shoes: You never know just how far the next terminal might be.
4. Dramamine: Tums’ more powerful big brother. Not everyone might need this, but those of us who do, it’s a lifesaver.
3. Luggage Wheels: Wheels are such a good idea, I say we put them on everything, from clothes to grocery bags to Altoids.
2. Good Paperback Book: Better than the computer and easier to carry. Plus, you don’t have to pull it out of your luggage when passing through the Security Check.
1. Cell Phone: Practically essential for updating loved ones that your flight has been delayed… again.

Did I leave anything off?

New York Case Highlights Anti-Christian Bias

This from Tony Perkin’s of the Family Research Council underscores the reality of an anti-Christian viewpoint in many sectors of our nation:

A three-judge panel of the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has just issued a split ruling in Skoros v. City of New York that shows how actively hostile to Christians and Christianity elements of the federal judiciary and the liberal education establishment have become. The issue was whether New York’s public schools should display a creche during the Christmas season. The suit was brought by Christians who complained that the city’s public schools were displaying menorahs during Hanukkah and the star and crescent during the Muslim month of Ramadan but banning the creche. The school system had said YES to the menorah and star and crescent, finding them acceptable secular symbols, but NO to the creche. This incredible, illogical, thoroughly dishonest policy seethes with hostility to the Christian faith–yet the court upheld it.

If Christians think to “sit out” the political battle, then it won’t be much of a battle and expressing one’s faith could be considered a criminal act. Seriously.

Anti-Duke, Pro-Redick?

Bomani Jones has a new piece calld Stop hating on J. J. Redick! In it he makes the case that we should be cutting J. J. some slack because his only crime is playing for the pure-evil that is Duke. While I appreciate Jone’s logic, isn’t his only crime still a crime? I agree that he doesn’t deserve the assinine hatred that’s being directed at him personally. But certainly he does deserve what he gets for being the best player on this nation’s most hated team?

Also, if A-Rod likes Duke it just confirms what we all know to be true. No team in America gets more carpet baggers than the Dookies.

Update: On PTI I just saw where they brought in an expert to address the issue that many believe Duke gets more calls in their favor than other teams. Want to know who that “expert” was? None other than Duke graduate Jay Bilas, of course. Nice.

The Bachelor, Paris: Week 4

What’s up is down and vice versa. Just when you think you’ve got it figure out, the Bachelor flips a switch. I was almost certain that Sarah B. would be moving on and it would be Sarah S. getting left out in the cold. Shows how much I know, huh?

Roses… “Yes!”

My wife said it would be Susan from the start. Maybe I should be getting her to write these blog posts? I just don’t know. Yeah, she’s attractive but I haven’t seen much of a personality behind the facade. Maybe Travis doesn’t need much? I’m not sure. If it’s only physical, it won’t last. That much is certain.

Moana is one strange bird. And what was with her parents? I’m all for screening any potential husbands but it looked like her Dad didn’t approve of Travis from the first handshake. And all that talk about marriage being so vital yet her parents have already divorced. Pot? Kettle? Strange, very strange. Then the meltdown on the video tape just sealed it for me. No way Travis should select Moana. That’s now my #1 goal.

Date went great. Travis started to show his more mature side, then he blindsides her with the idea about moving to Colorado. Guess mountain biking is a higher priority than family? Go figure. Even still, of these three girls, I’m rooting for Sarah S.

Roses… “No.”

It all came down to Sarah being too young. Couldn’t they have addressed this during the contestant selection? All well… maybe next year. Poor Sarah really thought it was going to happen too.

This hasn’t been the best season of The Bachelor, so there really needs to be something unexpected/special in the final shows for there to even be a next Bachelor. I think the ratings haven’t been very good this time around.

Dojo Info 2/7/06

1. Tomorrow’s games, designed by players as they play
   Sure, this is fine and good but why don’t some of these development houses do more end-user research in order to find out what belongs in the original game in the first place?
2. “Cat Killer” Laettner Sued By Lexington-Based Company
   Talk about irony.
3. Small is beautiful for Web 2.0 start-ups
   According to one entreprenuer, “I think the idea of enterprise software is dead.”
4. Ohio conducts rare transplant procedure
   “In a rare transplant procedure, a 4-month-old boy was given a new heart and set of lungs, and his healthy heart was then donated to a 3-month-old girl, a hospital said Thursday.” Medical science is making amazing advances.
5. Woman downs 26 grilled cheese sandwiches
   Anyone who’s read my blog for some time knows how impressed I am with Koboyashi. So now his main competition is stepping it up, huh? Bring it on!

Steelers Stiffle Seahawks

Not much of a Super Bowl but I think the better team won. Even still, did anyone else notice that 90% of the bad calls went the Steeler’s way? Hmm…. and no, I’m not you everyday conspiracy theorist. That would take too much effort. 8^)

Update: It appears the Seahawk coach isn’t too pleased.