American Idol Begins: The Top 24 First Cut

 

Year after year, Americans turn on their TV's to tune into the live tunes of young hopefuls.  This year is like any other.  The phenomenon of American Idol culture blows me away, and yet I understand its appeal and exactly what makes it great. 

The concept of the show is based off of beautiful looking 16-20 something year olds with amazing voices all striving for the American Dream.  Who wouldn't be sucked in?  It's almost impossible for a viewer not to root for their favorite- even if they aren't texting in to vote.  Each viewer has a unique experience with the show: they choose their protagonist and antagonist and then let the story unfold to the sounds of classic and simply GOOD music.

This year, Ellen Degeneres joins the panel of judges giving feedback to the contestants.  Yes, Paula will no longer be with the AI team- I think a little substance abuse may be tied into that....I mean really, did you see the way she acted and dressed?  Anywho, the point is Ellen is here and she is FANTASTIC.  Like always, she brings her comic expertise and love of music to enrich the show.  Fingers are crossed that this will keep up through out the season.

Dinosaurs and Astronauts

 As a friend of mine once pointed out: As a child, you are either a dinosaur or an astronaut.  That isn't to say that you are green and spiky or that you live on the moon.  Her point was much more metaphorical and pointless- maybe it had something to do with living in the past rather than the future.  I don't recall much of that conversation other than my long-island ice tea tasted delicious.  

Anywho, back to Dinos and Moon-men.

Apparently a new species of Dinosaur was found this week, "Fossils of a previously undiscovered species of dinosaur have been found in slabs of Utah sandstone that were so hard that explosives had to be used to free some of the remains...." I know, I know, you are thinking "Is he really going to spend the entire blog talking about extinct species?" The answer is no- I will be sure to throw in random references to The Land Before Time and Jurassic Park. The fossils were from one of those long-neck 'leaf eaters'.  Technical term: sauropod.

So you think:  "Who cares?"  So another species of clunky over-sized lizards was uncovered by a socially awkward scientist....the point?

What if we are one of those over-sized clunky lizards?  I mean, what if billions of years for now, some socially awkward alien digs you up and gives you some foreign name?  And then you are subject to children's cartoon movies for little aliens to learn about the insignificant species which once ruled the world.

It seems like no matter where we look we are running into movies, which portray these species of creatures we known so little about.  I just wonder if one day when the next evolution in dominant species takes over, if they will make little films about little old humans.  

I guess it's a bit of a stretch, but maybe we should give a little more attention to the 'long-necks', after all they too have a story.  I know, when they dig me up from the ruins of LA, I want then them to take notice, and make a really killer movie in which they try to replicate my DNA and build a whole society of humans in cages which then becomes an amusement park-gone-wrong.


Perhaps this is a little like my friend's metaphor: pointless without a nice drink in hand.

Gilbert, Gambling, and Guns: NBA Star Ruins his Career

If it goes up it must come down.  At least perhaps that's the mentality these athletes have in mind.  It seems that without fail, these celebrities are destined to ruin their own careers.

"On December 24, 2009, it was revealed that [Gilbert] Arenas had admitted to storing unloaded firearms in his locker at Verizon Center and had surrendered them to team security."   This violated the NBA's rules preventing firearms from entering an arena- it also breaks Washington D.C. ordinance as well which prohibits un registered firearms.

Ok, so the guy had guns in his locker.  Stupid choice on his part, but it's not like he pulled one on anybody....OH WAIT! He did.  

"On January 1, 2010, it was also reported that Arenas and teammate Javaris Crittenton had unloaded guns in the Wizards' locker room during a Christmas Eve argument regarding gambling debts."  Apparently its typical for players to play poker or some other arbitrary card game during their flights from one state to another.  I don't think, however, they usually threaten each others lives over them.


"On January 6, 2010, (his 28th birthday) the NBA suspended Arenas indefinitely without pay until its investigation was complete."  During the traditional pre-game presentation of the players rivaling the Philadelphia 76er's, Gilbert thought it cute to draw 'fingertip pistols' on his team mate and pretend to shoot them.  In his defense he states that he was trying to make light of the situation.  In reality he is dumb as bricks. 

"NBA Commissioner David Stern said in a statement that 'his ongoing conduct has led me to conclude that he is not currently fit to take the court in an NBA game.' DUH!  That's like OJ pulling fake guns on the jury at his court case.  I don't think he's get way with it...then again he is a celebrity....the point is: the stupid do stupid things then further their stupidity with continuous stupid actions. 

"On January 27, 2010, Arenas and Crittenton were suspended for the rest of the season, after meeting with Stern." It makes sense.  He was an idiot and broke several laws on top of being a bad representation of the NBA.  He doesn't deserve to play.  As for the other guy, it's blurry.  He did have a gun and was involved, though.


<sup>It's disheartening to know that role models are setting bad examples for those that look up to them.  Though as a society we recognize their flaws more than the good they do- perhaps we just have high standards.  

I blame it on the baggy shorts- this kind of thing never happened when basketball players were running around in short shorts.

Strangely, basketball fans are still waiting for Ron Artest to pull his outrageous stunt for 2010.  Maybe the Lakers sucked the crazy out of him....</sup>

Social Networking? More like Social Netlurking!

Social Network sites have almost become the butt of a joke everyone is involved in.  If you are reading this, you probably are registered for one or more social network sites- after all this blog has elements of online social marketing.

The Question is:  What effects have these sites had on American society?

TMI:  Remember this old acronym?  "Too much information"- that is exactly what a site like Twitter is promoting.  There is this ingrained need to know where and what everyone is doing, at all times. There was a brief period in time in which my phone was synced to Twitters automatic updates- let me tell you it didn't last long.

8:00am    sexycatchick:  Donno what to do today.  So bored... :/
9:15am    sexycatchick:  Anyone wanna go see "Avatar"- Imax 3D???????
12:00pm: sexycatchick:   about to see avatar with my bff.  So excited!!!!
2:35pm:   sexycatchick:  these graphix are HELLA Cool- but this bald guy infront of me is so annoying. Ugh.
4:00pm:   sexycatchick:   AVATAR! SO GOOD! SO GOOD!   Imma get me some tacobell now.
4:21pm:   sexycatchick:  Gordito taco not a good idea.  Ill be on da toilet for a while.
6:00pm:   sexycatchick:   Oooh.  Sex and the City is on.  That shit is for real.

(You get the point...I will spare you the remaining six hours of the Day)

The Online Stalker:  Yes, social networking has become a form of Social Netlurking- creepers everywhere are sitting behind their computers and waiting for their next victim.

It's funny, but also really creepy.  Luckily, sites usually allow for privacy settings.  Somehow, I think that the people who suffer online stalking allow it because they like the attention.  My rule is:  "if I don't know you, I don't add you"


Myspace to me seems like a breeding pool for gross middle-aged men to hit on teenagers.  I am a strong Myspace-protester.  It is my second least favorite website, after Perez Hilton (note I wont even give you a link).

Application Overload:  Social network site providing "Apps" such as Farmville, Mafiawars, and the ever annoy Super Poke are fueling this Internet Addiction.  

My Name is Abe Rodriguez and I am a Farmviller...True, you may catch me on occasion plowing, seeding, and harvesting on Facebook.  Why is it so addicting?  I can't say, but I will tell you this, if you haven't Farmvilled you can't judge, you might be sucked in just as easily. 

February 12th: Darwin Day?

Yes, people out there are protesting the official Holiday of "Darwin Day".  Supporters state, "We need our elected leaders to speak out about the importance of scientific knowledge and its contribution to the advancement of humanity, and send a signal that religious infiltration into our science classrooms will not be tolerated. That's why we're asking you to sign our petition urging President Obama to recognize Darwin Day."  The date is to be set on or around February 12th (the scientists birthday).

Whether you are atheist or a firm believer in God, I think we can all agree Darwin Day is a dud.  Why not create a much better holiday like "Hugh Jackman day"?  Trust me, myself and millions of woman out there would love that day.

Top Five Romantic Comedies: in time for Valentines Day

Of course with everyone's opinions out there, no one set of five movies will please all; however, these five movies are guaranteed to keep you entertained.  These are the top five recommended movies to watch this Valentine's day.

Valentine's Day: A Day of Love, Laughs, and Lingerie

 

February 14th should feel like any other winter day in the hearts of Americans, but with the magic of Greeting Card Companies and the power of Chocolate it has become a day of celebration.  Valentine's day is all about love and affection.  

Our friends at Wikipedia would define it as: "a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as 'valentines')."  My challenge to readers is to find what Valentine's Day means to them.  

1.  Is it a Day of Romantic Comedies and Cuddling Up?

Valentine's Day (2010) is jammed packed with high profile celebrities- note that I call them 'Celebrities' and not 'Actors'.  Since When is Taylor Swift and actress?  Kanye West might have something to say about this!  The IMDB synopsis reads, "In this Russian roulette world of finding love, everyone in the film is asking for advice on how to find and keep true love."  Will it be cliche?  Probably.  Will it make you laugh? Probably?  Will you have wasted money?  Who is to say- after all you do get to see the bright and handsome faces of Hollywood's Finest.