Whine & Cheese

BB5 Houseguests Unveiled

[Okay, I am bored today...leave me alone!]

Julie Chen's Summer Vacation, otherwise known as Big Brother, is back. The houseguests for the 5th edition have been revealed! To take a look at the hamsters for yourself, check out the houseguest home page here.

No surprise that the cast of 13 (7 men, 6 women) is composed of primarily pretty 20-somethings. But part of the appeal of this show is finding those who look good look good shirtless and/or in bikinis. Not a terribly diverse cast...only one man of color and I think I spotted the token gay guy already.

Here is the run-down:

Adria: 30, married web designer from Birmingham.

Diane: 22, cocktail waitress from Kentucky. Her motto "Treat people as they treat you"...hmmm, could be interesting.

Drew: 22, recent college grad from Ohio. Guess that means "unemployed"...definitely one of the pretty boys.

Holly: "In her 20s" (translation: 29), a model from LA. Self-proclaimed as "opinionated" and "dramatic"...uh oh.

Jase: 28, volunteer firefighter from IL. Self described as "crazy, crazy, crazy"...another looker.

Jennifer: 21, restaurant hostess from San Antonio. Seems like the "artsy" type... have a feeling she won't be part of the "in" clique.

Karen: 30, married portrait artist from NJ. Hilarious bio... saying the type of news she will miss the most is "Hearing how President 'Super-Genius' plans to get re-elected" and says she plans to "wind that House up tighter than a bull's a** in fly season."

Lori: 26, yoga instructor from Boston. Says she will win BB by "forming trusting relationships and being honest"... good luck honey!!

Marvin: 36, African American mortician from South Carolina. Plans to win over the house by being a "gourmet chef."

Michael: 23, security officer from Oklahoma, engaged with a son on the way.

Mike: 41, single dad and commercial painter from Michigan. Personal heroes are George W. and Rush Limbaugh... yowza, Mike meet Karen!

Scott: 26, sales rep from Pittsburgh. His motto is "no pain, no fame" and says one of the reasons he is on the show is for "exposure"... so aspiring actor/model. 6'4" and 210, btw.

Will: 26, registered nurse from Mississippi. Personal hero is SF mayor Gavin Newsome and says one of the news items he will miss most is "Whitney's latest tabloid trauma." So folks, who do you think is going to be his "Grace" in the BB house?

4000K Club

Last night, it was a thrill to be at the ballpark and see Randy Johnson get his 4,000th strikeout. The Big Unit becomes only the 4th pitcher in MLB history to accomplish this feat. Despite being far from a sell-out for this Tuesday night game vs. the San Diego Padres, there was still a perceptible buzz at the ballpark from the moment I entered the ballpark with Johnson just 8 strikeouts away from the milestone.

Strikeout 3,999 was recorded in the 7th inning and all the ballpark video screen lit up with the number. The ballpark was seemingly on its feet for each and every pitch of the next inning. We loudly cheered each strike and groaned just as loudly when a Padre was retired with a ground-out or fly-out. Then it happened. With one out in the eighth, Jeff Cirillo swung for strike three! There was a firework-like display of camera flashes from the stands. The crowd erupted, almost missing (or barely caring) about Diamonbacks catcher, Robby Hammock, throwing out a player at third for a double play ... ending the inning.

Johnson publicly stated he did not want a stoppage of play at the big strikeout -- so it was nice that it came at the end of a half inning. The accomplishment deserved to be cheered loud and long -- and that is exactly what the 34,000+ fans did. Johnson tipped his cap to the appreciative crowd - sending up another roar. It was one of the longest ovation that I can remember anytime or anywhere (well barring the 2001 World Series). The crowd did not quiet until the next Diamondback stepped up to the plate to start the bottom of the 8th.

I have to admit to having a "Jessica Simpson" moment. After the strikeout, the Jumbotron showed the members of the "4000 K Club" (just for the record the others are Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens, and Steve Carlton). I turned to Todd and said ... "Shouldn't it be the 4K club, isn't 4000 K really the 4 million club?" Giving me his best "are you really that dumb" Nick look, I realized my error. In baseball lingo, a strikeout is referred to as a "K" -- so my interpretation of K being defined as a 1,000 was pretty darn stupid in this context. But heck, I don't think Jessica would know that a K can represent a 1,000 or a strikeout! [Though comparing my intelligence to Ms. Simpson might not be exactly patting myself on the back now that I think of it]

So thanks to Randy Johnson for giving us Diamondback fans two things cheer about this season -- first a rare perfect game and now this milestone career mark. They have been about the only 2 things to be happy about in this truly dismal season.

Second "Life" for Metzger

Remember cutie Matt Metzger from this past season of American Idol? He of the killer smile, but slender-voice (recall his renditions of "Walking in Memphis" and "When I See You Smile"?). Matt has landed a new high-profile job -- not a singer, but as an actor. Despite limited acting experience, Metzger will be joining the cast of the ABC soap One Life To Live on August 23rd. He will be playing Drew Buchanan -- a character born in early 1990s but magically aged to 20-something for his return to the fictional town of Llanview. This is not some minor character either. Having watched OLTL on-and-off since high school, I know that the Buchanans are the central family in town... so Matt should be front and center...and I would guess I will be watching.

"Amazing" Odds

My Amazing Race obsession continues today. Next week's TV Guide (with Elvis on the cover) has a feature article on this season's 11 teams. A Las Vegas oddsmaker (who happens to be a fan of the show as well) gave his expert input on who will prevail based on a sneak peek of the first episode (which btw, TVG honors with a rare "10" rating).

My pre-race analysis matches up fairly well with the oddsmaker. But then again, this isn't exactly brain surgery.

My Top Picks (LV odds):
Dennis & Erika (3-1): Formerly-engaged couple in their mid/upper 20s
Alison & Donnie (5-1): Big Brother runner-up and her college football playing boyfriend
Kami & Karli (7-1): 26-year old identical twins
Chip & Kim (10-1): 40-something married owners of a computer consulting company

My Middle of the Pack
Colin & Christie (2-1): Mid-20's, testing marriage potential
Marshall & Lance (4-1): Brothers/Restaurant owners
Nicole & Brandon (15-1): Bible-studying models

My Early Exits
Linda & Karen (10-1): Bowling Moms
Bob & Joyce (20-1): 61/54-year old Internet dating couple
Charla & Mirna (30-1): Cousins, Charla is a dwarf
Jim & Marsha (30-1): Father/Daughter

Reality Round-Up

Watched the 2nd episode of The Casino. Slightly better than the debut, but still not very "real." Maybe I should just get that thought out of mind. As I mentioned in the last post, most of the action seems pretty staged. This week's titillating storyline involved a young married couple being lured into swingers party. In no way did you feel like you just happened upon these folks and watched their story unfold. I think the couple's "what the heck" attitude was more playing a part in a "reality show" than any serious thought of actually swinging.
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While it is probably just as staged, I still feel like more of a fly on the wall while watching The Discovery Channel's American Casino. I am still an episode behind, but the latest episode I watched had another great Ninya-Michael smackdown. This time Michael pummeling Nina for missing a staff meeting on her day off... a day off that Michael apparently approved. When I get back to Vegas, I think I will have to give Ninya a high-five for putting up with his crap. I am still not terribly impressed with Wayne, the director of marketing. His events never seem to go all that well and he spends much of his time worry about impressing the big boss, Joe. Well, Wayne a word of advice... getting drunk off your ass and diving into a pool while on a company "research trip" to check out other casino bars is not the way to win over the boss (especially when he seems to be a pretty conservative guy)!
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I think Nick and Jessica are losing some steam in Season 3 of their "reality" trip. I am putting most of the blame on Jessica's friend/"manager" Cacee. I think she is dragging them and the show down. She is not very likeable (or at least "edited" that way) -- and while Nick's "get out of my house" side remarks are funny, it already seems to be already a broken record in only episode two. While they had fun with a "Three's Company" theme-song in this last episode -- I am definitely feeling more like original adage -- that, in this scenario... three is a crowd.
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Good news on the reality horizon -- two of my summer staples, Big Brother and The Amazing Race popped up on my TiVo "to do" list over the weekend...quite excited about that. Both shows premier with 90 minute episodes on July 6th.

Also, Kevin and Drew Unleashed featuring the frat bros from TAR1 debuts on The Discovery Channel on July 8th. I believe it is 10pm EST ...but check your listings...and hey Discovery Channel give these guys their own place on your website like the rest of your shows!

Roddick and "The Casino" -- Baah!

Hopefully Mandy Moore has moved onto a smarter beau...

On a special Wimbledon edition of "The Weakest Link" (which I hear is still very popular across the pond), Andy Roddick was asked "What is a female sheep called that sounds like a letter of the alphabet." 

The top ranked American male tennis player's response was “baah.”
I would have loved to have heard what host Anne Robinson had to say about that one. 

At least Roddick had a sense of humor about it, commenting later:  "I knew going in my ignorance was going to shine through. You'd be shocked at the things I don't know."  Hopefully, he'll do better this week on the tennis court.
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Finally got around to watching the first episode of Mark Burnett's The Casino on Fox.  I must have knew something if it took me almost two weeks.  While Burnett is the king of manipulating "reality," this had to be one of the poorest examples I have ever seen.

There is this obnoxious high roller/card-counter who says he feels like he is being watched... umm... was being followed around by a tv camera your first clue?  There is a backstage discussion between a young crooner and the hotel's entertainment big-wig that was so stilted... they should have just gone ahead and showed us the cue cards.  Then you have owners, Tim and Tom, tee-hee-heeing at the door of a raucous frat-boy virgin-deflowering party -- don't they have better things to do?  And certainly let's not worry about other hotel guests who might want some peace and quiet.  Finally, I won't even get into Mr. Obnoxius getting set-up with a transvestite.

So we'll see... will keep it on the TiVo as long as there is plenty of space but that is about it... but otherwise, I am happier with my folks over at American Casino.

Gym Names

The gym is an interesting place. For the most part you are among strangers -- but stranger who you often see at least once a week (if not several times a week if both parties are being "good" about your fitness regime).

Since I am a people-watcher, I find myself giving these people names/titles. This makes conversation (either internal or w/ Todd) about them so much easier.

The most popular naming convention is to use names of TV characters that they remind me of:

I seem to be fairly on the same schedule as Roz. She seems very dedicated to her workout schedule... does her cardio, has her gloves for the weight machines and free weights -- and she reminds me of Peri Gilpen's character from "Frasier."

I haven't seen CJ much lately... she was one of the rare folks at the gym that would actually say "hello" to a familiar face (that being me). She is a quite tall (and dare I add big-boned) woman, but very fit. She also has this lesbian vibe about her (though I think she is dating a black guy)... of course, she reminds of Alison Janney from "The West Wing."

Other "celebrities" that I have not seen lately include: Carmela (from "The Sopranos") a middle-age blond woman with impeccable taste in workout gear and Joe Millionnaire a somewhat dead-ringer for Evan Marriott...same beefy build and I am guessing the IQ to match.

Other people I name based on the physical characteristics:

There is Little Black Guy...a very diligent worker at the gym, but yes he is about 5'4" and African American. I know not terribly politically correct...at all!

One of our all-time faves at the gym is Slow Walker. This guy is a total muscle stud. Incredible upper body and arms (which he constantly shows off in his tight tanks), always with a baseball cap on (turned the "correct" way...not backwards), and always with track pants (I guess he doesn't work on those legs too much!). As the name suggest, he casually walks his way across the gym floor. I would pretty much put it at the pace of all those military guards at Reagan's funeral. His arms also swing just as slowly as he walks. But no complaints about his speed (or lack thereof)... more time to enjoy the view.

We have had the recent arrival of The Twins. Two studly early 20-something brothers. If their identical features were not enough they also seem to wear the same exact workout clothes (which seems just a little strange!). The first time I saw them was off a mirror and I really thought there was only one of them...until I saw two bodies actually pass by. I guess I should come up with another name, since MAK over at 'Til The Cows Come Home has already documented his own set of twins at his gym.

Alas it has been a while since we have seen Wonder Boy -- yet another studly twenty-something who had a penchant for wearing Nike lycra muscle shirts to the gym. Like the super heroes, he definitely had some nice nipple action going on.

I am sure they are many, many others...but those are the ones that jump to mind immediately. I haven't thought about it...but I fear for what names others might be coming up with me. Perhaps if you read a similar blog entry that talks about "Muscle Shirt NOT! Guy" or "Mr. Wannabee" that could be me!

I Am Not Stalking David Sedaris

Saw David Sedaris last night. I think this was either the 3rd or 4th time around (the more I think about, I think it was the 4th). Most of the time when he hits the Valley he stops at the local arts center theater (as opposed to a bookstore) - where he reads from his book (he is currently plugging his #1 bestseller Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim -- well #1 at least until Clinton's book hits the charts), other published material, as well as from his diary...and one of the best parts...audience Q&A. As usual, he was hilarious -- just the standard bizarre tales that make up his life (as well as our own, these are stories we can usually relate to in some way). Just love his style and sense of humor (very dry/sardonic).

When we entered the lobby, we were a bit surprised to see that he was signing books before the show. I had not planned to buy the new book (I am still deep in Anna Karenina) and/or get it signed. I have several signed books of his already and knew the line would be fairly long after the show...I knew I wouldn't feel like hanging around (especially on a "school" night). But since the line was not terribly long, I decided to buy the book and got on line to get it signed.

One time in the past, Sedaris said he recognized me. I told him I had been to a couple of his past shows/signings. I always thought this was strange. I don't think of myself as very memorable (no green hair, a pierced eyebrow, or anything terribly "distinctive")... but figured maybe he just says this to every 38th person on line or something (though this doesn't really seem like his MO).

As "show time" approached, a staff person comes up to me to tell me they are cutting the signing line off at me. Immediately I go into a fairly pathetic whine about why I have to be the lucky person. This does not work. The woman infers that Sedaris asked the line to be cut at the guy in the striped shirt (the person in front of me). Of course, I take it personally. Did he remember me? If so, did he think I am a some kind of stalker?

Since we had great seats (4th row), we were one of the last folks to get back out to the lobby after the show. As expected, it was a madhouse with a lengthy line already formed (btw, Sedaris -- a gleefully compulsive smoker -- gives "line" priority to those smokers who have cigarettes on hand). It was already approaching my bed time...so there was no way I was sticking around... unsigned book in hand, I left.

Perhaps when cutting the line, Sedaris knew he would be providing me with the material one can find in one of his essays ... and I guess that is just what he did!

Cat Update / Bill and the Big W Blitz Begins

Well, first a quick cat update.  Sorry folks, I have a feeling this is going to be my life for awhile so it will be seeping in this blog...but I will try and spare you most of the daily grind.   Marius had some blood taken on Friday and unfortunately (despite him seeming more peppy) nothing dramatically changed over last week's 4 days of medical attention.  The vet seems more considered with the results from his liver than from his kidneys (despite the kidney-related counts seeming more out of whack than anything else).   So tomorrow, I am taking him back to the vet for another round of fluids and to get some medication that will address his liver concerns.  An ultrasound of his liver also may be coming up in the not-so-distant future.

I have a feeling this is going to be a long haul.  At his age (14 years old), I don't expect him ever to be 100% healthy again... but on the other hand, he does not seem quite ready for his voyage to the "Rainbow Bridge" (the name of a knife-in-the-heart that dubs "pet heaven" as the "Rainbow Bridge"...no nothing related at all to Gay Pride).  I am anticipating a lot trial-and-error with drugs and diagnostic tests.  I am sure he will be around for awhile..and that I am truly glad for...but I think it will still be pretty mentally draining for the time being.
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So did you all catch Bill Clinton on 60 Minutes last night?  In a creepy reality-show kind of way, I really wish we could have seen Bill tell Hillary about his "terrible moral error."  I have to say he is still a terribly charismatic guy.  I am surprised I have not read any blog entries about it...figured us Democratic bloggers would be rallying around 'ole Bill...if anything just to counterbalance all the hullabaloo over Reagan the week before last. 

We are still keeping hopes that Clinton will come and sign his book at our local bookstore as Hillary did back in January -- but thus far Arizona is not a planned stop on his month-long book tour.  Hey Bill, we're a battleground state...so c'mon down!
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This morning began my first of hundreds of hours watching Wimbledon coverage.  And since it is the Big W, it goes without saying that there have been already four rain delays. 

However, there were some great stories already from Day 1:  47-year old Martina Navratilova easily won her first singles match at Wimbledon since losing in the finals 10 years ago and 2001 champion Goran Ivanisevic won his first round -- this will be the Croat's last tournament having not played at Wimbledon due to a plague of injuries since winning it all three years ago.

Also in the news today, a plea from the Wimbledon superintendent of police: "I would appeal to people not to turn up with any sort of weapon that they don't need". 

So just to repeat, for those of you headed to the All England Club only bring weapons that you feel you will need. 

I know these are serious times and people are stupid...but this just made me chuckle.

Sick Kitty

They are getting to know me again well at the vet's office. I took my 14-year old male cat Marius (yes, set the my flame to high... he is named after the character from Les Miserables and also from Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles series) to the vet on Tuesday since I was concerned about his lack of appetite and weight loss. Having been through this before, I correctly figured blood would be taken and we would go from there. Always a stocky (not fat...really!) cat, he had dropped 4 lbs. since being at the vet sometime last year. He was also pumped with some fluids to help out with some dehydration.

Wednesday morning the vet called with the results. It was not great news. It appears he is having some kidney failure and there were so many things wrong with all these different blood counts that after about 2 minutes I stopped writing them all down on my piece of paper. The vet might as well as punched me in the stomach. I have been through cat kidney problems once before and I know that is not a great thing. The vet recommended that I come in for some more fluids, antibiotics, and a special food to help the situation out. Despite seeming like he shouldn't even be alive based on those blood test results, the vet led me to believe that all this could be recoverable.

This morning I got back from another round of fluids (this in hopes of flushing out his system and getting things back working properly) and tomorrow I go back for yet another round of fluids and another blood test to see if he is bouncing back. While I never thought Marius was in that bad of shape even before going to the vet at all...I have to say it does seem like he has perked up a bit with all this medical attention...so perhaps things have been caught in time.

It is a hard line to walk that is for sure. I want to remain realistic about his chances, but of course I want to hold onto hope that he will be around for a little longer. I lost a cat to cancer last July, so it seems much too soon to be going through this again. Not that there is ever a "good" time to lose a pet.

Marius is the last survivor of my first "generation" of cats. I was never allowed to have a four-legged pet when I was growing up. I eventually landed a parakeet when I was in junior high...but that was after a decade or more of begging. When I moved out on my own in 1990, within a month I had two cats. Maggie, the first, who I lost last year and Marius. Within a year, that ballooned to two more cats ... not the smartest thing I have ever done, but I guess I was making up for lost time. So while each pet passing has been devastating in its own way (the first time, the long illness, the out-of-nowhere illness), I am dreading the day when Marius goes. He is about the only thing that has lasted through all these years as I made a new life out West. He has been with me since month-one in Arizona - grad school, 7+ months of unemployment, two jobs, four homes, and six other four-legged roommates. That is alot!

So I will do my best for him. Do whatever I can that will help (within in reasonable cost, which I would guess is quite a lot for me) or make the right decision if that most heart-breaking of decisions has to be me. (For those of you in the "it's just a dog/cat" camp, I don't need to hear from you! ) Having gone through my other pet illnesses, he does not seem as sickly as the others have been -- so at this hour... hope is winning out over resignation. But I know that can all change tomorrow or the next day.