Whine & Cheese

Kareni-Done!

Yes, I finally finished Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina -- so no, that book graphic for AK off to the right was not a permanent fixture on W&C. I even finished it a whole week ahead of Oprah's schedule (it is a good thing, her schedule kept me motivated to keep plugging away). With the Olympics, I fell off the wagon a bit...but a late reading surge still kept me ahead of the September 3rd "finish" date.

I have to say that overall AK was a pretty good reading experience. It was far more readable and easy to follow than I ever would have imagined. Sure the names got confusing (especially when a character can be called 3 or 4 different ways), but over the 800 pages you have more than enough time to figure it all out. There were slow parts for sure. I would imagine everyone has their own favorite sub-plot and when it takes 50-75 pages to get back to it things can drag on a bit. But overall it was quite entertaining - as I mentioned in my earliest AK-related post it at times resembled a 19th-century Russian version of Melrose Place (realize I just aged myself with that reference... should I have said The O.C. instead?).

So time for a new book...well actually an old book: Hillary Rodham Clinton's Living History. I started the book eons ago, but then got involved with AK -- so I return to HRC after a 3+ month layoff. I just hope Oprah hold off on her next book selection for a bit. I have had Living History ever since I met Hill herself at a book signing in January (ok, maybe not "met"...but shook her hand and uttered a sentence in about 5 seconds time). I figured this book would be a good anecdote to this week's Republican Convention and "in the mood" as we head for the home-stretch of the Presidential election. I just hope it takes me a lot shorter time to finish this book!

Fine Wine #7 - Alexandre Despatie

Adding Alexandre Despatie, to the Fine Wine list was a bit of a tough call. First, the Canadian diver has already been idenitified as a hottie by many a blogger...so I am kind of late to the party. Secondly, as a few have noted, we are a little cautious about ogling over a 19-year old. Even though 18 is legal, I think I'd rather have cleared the 21-year old age mark...but after watching last night's 10m platform final...it seemed far too long a wait for Beijing in 2008.

The 5'6" 161-lb Canadian is just a cutie. In a night where many of the male divers seemed to be borderline anoxerics (lots of ribs on display) - it was nice to see the muscular but compact Despatie...and let's just say he was rounded in some other areas (and just leave it at that for now). And who wouldn't want to run their fingers through that shaggy hair!

With the Closing Cermonies tonight, I have to say I am shocked that the Athens Games only added three guys to the list...I guess I can show some self-restraint every now and then!

BB5: Eviction Night - Week 7

A fairly boring eviction night. I guess it would have been too much to expect a surprise ouster of Cowboy...so predictably it is Natalie flying off to the quite nice jury house. I'd rather see TV coverage of the Will and Natalie next week rather than the remaining hamsters. Hopefully those additional days in the Mexican (???) sunshine before Nat arrives will give Will a chance to chill out. Will it is really time to start to let go...

Otherwise the highlights of the show were Miss Julie looking snazzy in a overly strappy red dress. The ensemble not only showed off her shoulders (as usual) but some cleavage too. Showing off some additional skin must have thrown her off as she flubbed a few lines (that's what you get for trying to ad lib Jules!) and apparently messed up the HOH competition. The discussion boards and BB websites are crying foul as replays suggest that Karen won the first round of the putt-putt challenge and not Marvin, the eventual winner. Apparently, Marvin's ball did go in the hole first...but it was Karen's ball that landed at the bottom of the tube first...which was the (unnecessary?) key to winning the game.

It would have been interesting if Karen had won as she would have been forced to "get into the game." To date she has expended little (any?) effort. However, she is engaging in the BB2 Nicole "strategy"...turning on the water-works big time during the "goodbye" speeches -- despite being anything less than sad about the outcome.

I have no idea who Marvin will target for eviction. The obvious would be to break up Diane & Drew (though given Drew's recent comments it is not much of an alliance). Live feed reports have Marvin already promising Diane and Nakomis safety...so who really knows...things seem to change by the minute.

I've Been Googled: Edition V

It has been well over a month since I have done a "Googled" entry -- the wacky collection of searches that land people to my blog.

With the Olympic Games just days away from ending, let's look back at some of the more classic searches. And folks, do you really have to search for "Michael Phelphs shirtless" - the guy makes his living shirtless! Go to Yahoo or CNN...it is not like trying to find one of Bob Costas (now watch me get a search for that)!

Here is my special Olympic sub-edition:

Yahoo! Search Results for: michael phelps in low speedos
Are there "high" speedos? Well, I know there are bikinis that more resemble granny panties, but most of the speedos I have seen, are pretty darn low...especially on Mr. Phelps... on that Time Magazine cover as well as in that AT&T commercial.

Google Search: phelps and olympics and peeing
Geez, doesn't he know NOT to tinkle in the pool by now?!?

Yahoo! Search Results for: is speedos necessary for diving
Not that I should throw any stones when it comes to grammar...but should it be either "is a speedo..." or "are speedos..."? But I digress, I guess that the actual answer is probably no. I am surprised that diving attire has not followed the trend of swimming with those longer "shorts" ... though we are not going for aerodynamics in diving. But in my opinion and aesthetically, I think speedos ARE necessary.... and while we're at it, given what women volleyball players are wearing (or not wearing), I think speedos should be necessary for the men in that sport as well!

Google Search: accidental water polo nudity at olympic games
I hear this does happen all the time... those water polo guys pulling down speedos in the heat of competition...accidental? Well, that is for you to decide. As far as pictures of this, I think these particular pictures are something that the mainstream press won't be sharing with us.

That concludes the Olympics portion of this post, here are some other "good" ones:

My Search: pictures from michael tata autopsy
Ok, I know Tata was on a reality show (American Casino)...but c'mon isn't this taking things a bit too far? This isn't CSI!

Google Search: two gay frat brother rubbing backs
Don't know really what to say about this one... nice visual, very specific... ummm... keep looking...

Google Search: Jeff Probst's "significant other"
Mr./Ms. Googler what are you implying here? Afraid to type "gay"? To the best of my knowledge, Jeff is not married, attached or gay. But to throw some gas on the fire (because after all "fire is life"), I have heard that Jeff's workout partner is none other than Colby Donaldson...but I think it ends at the gym folks... but wouldn't you like to be a member at that gym!?!

Google Search: reichen lehmkuhl boyfriend charlie
Sometimes a Google search does make me want to find the answer...especially since I definitely do not have it. But yes folks, Reichen from The Amazing Race 3 is Chip-less and has a new boyfriend of four months...thankfully not James from Boy Meets Boy or one of the Queer Eye guys. Reichen is part of a new website called thefishbowl.com - a gathering of ex-reality stars who are trying to extend their 15 minutes of fame (I will probably have more to say on this in the future). Here is a story and pictures of Reichen traveling back East to introduce Charlie to the parents.

Google Search: the largest cheese shoop in London
Funny in two ways... first just the idea of looking for the biggest cheese retail store in London, and second, misspelling shop as "shoop". How did they land on my blog? Could it have been that I wrote about having the "Shoop Shoop Song" on my MP3 player.

TAR5: If Karma Is A Boomerang...

Thoughts on last night's episode "I'm Going To Jail":

Ugly American: Chapter 68
With the screen-hogging (tho no complaint here) Charla & Mirna out of the Race, the producers have to turn their attention elsewhere...and, not that we needed any further evidence, but we have christened the official villain of TAR5 - Colin! What is there to really add to last night's Tanzania cab fare imbroglio?!

The world doesn't hate us American for our freedom...it's our damn attitude! I am thinking TAR needs to make a screening of the movie Midnight Express a pre-Race requirement. Even if you are right (and I don't think Colin was), I think the basic instinct as a foreigner in a foreign land is to avoid anything involving the police. When the cops were brought in... you nicely place the $100 on the counter, apologize, meekly smile, hold your hands up in the surrender mode, and slowly walk back out of the situation. What does Colin do (among other things!)...sarcastically quote from The Lion King! Now there is something I never thought I would write!? Did he actually tell the officer "Hakuna Matata"?! It is not like anyone was scammed on the cab fare... every team paid $100 as opposed to last week's $5 vs. $100 discrepancy. Heck, I think we have paid $30 to get from McCarran Airport to our hotel on the Vegas Strip ... and that is like 5 miles ... not a 100-mile trip to get out of wiles of Africa.

The saddest part of the evening was Christie apologizing to Colin and later saying that she should not have questioned him... ugh! I really hope this is not any indication of their relationship in the "real world."

My entry title comes from last week's eviction on Big Brother... when Will nonsensically stated of his ouster "If karma is a boomerang, I will see you sooner than later." [Sidenote: in another BB move, maybe Colin should have done a "pinky swear" with the cab driver regarding the requirements for payment in full]. But if karma is at work, we should hopefully see Colin and Christie Philiminated sooner rather than later. Though sadistically I would probably find it much more satisfying to see the Bowling Moms slip by them in the final stage of the Race to take the prize. I think Colin would instantaneously combust.

"It is easier for a camel to pass...
... through an eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the gates of heaven". So a bible passage goes. While not entirely applicable to the situation, it was still pretty eye-rolling that Bible-thumpers Brandon and Nicole tried to get out paying their full cab fare by offering a combination of American and Kenyan cash. Now more accurately dubbed on the Internet as The God Squad (though I still like "Team Blue Lagoon")... it was yet another instance of these pretty young things not exactly practicing what they preach.

Vacation Dilemma

We spent a good deal of this weekend trying to figure out where to go on vacation next year. An extended 2004 vacation is not in the cards right now, so we are setting our sights to 2005. We want to do a BIG vacation. It has been just about 2 years since our last "slightly more than a weekend" vacation (to Lake Tahoe) and almost 4 years since our last 4+ day vacation (to Washington DC). We are definitely due for a major getaway.

Here is what we are tossing around (in no order of preference, which is a big part of the problem!), but let's go from "west" to "east":

South Pacific: We found this awesome dual island vacation between Tahiti and Bora Bora. The scenery looks absolutely stunning and it certainly seems the anecdote to "get away from it all." The package is fairly expensive but includes round-trip airfare from LA and hotel. It does not include food or anything else...which has us a bit worried since this is definitely the most expensive option. It is a very long flight (if you are not a geography whiz...it is almost to Australia/New Zealand).

Hawaii - Still in the tropical mode...obviously much closer than the South Pacific, packages we saw only include hotel. Don't know which island is the best (or to do a multi-island thing) and from what I hear Hawaii is notoriously expensive when it comes to dining and other activities. Todd's parents are going to Oahu and Maui in October so we will get feedback...but also we don't want to "copy" their vacation.

Seattle/British Columbia - As I mentioned in one of my earlier Olympic-related posts, would like to get up to the Vancouver area prior to the 2010 Winter Olympics. Have heard nothing but great things about the Seattle, Vancouver, Victoria, and Whistler. I think the $ exchange rate is still pretty good US vs. Canada...so a pretty good discount even if you stay at higher-end places. The only non- major urban, non-tropical option on our list. Though since Athens didn't get their sh&t together until like last month, maybe it would be better to wait a couple of years on this one.

NYC - I should visit the family in New Jersey sometime next year...so this would also fill that obligation. Todd has never been to NYC and while I think I know it quite well I haven't been to the Big Apple in close to 15 years...so I am sure it would be a very fresh experience for myself as well....tho not exactly fittin the bill of a "relaxing" vacation or "getting away from it all."

Caribbean - Back to the tropics in a more cost-efficient and geographically closer manner. Like that many of the resorts are all-inclusive (hotel, food, booze, activities). Again airfare not included in the package prices we saw...and the air is a bit of an issue -- most air travel from Phoenix would require 2 plane changes (so a total of 3 planes...ugh!). Also don't have any knowledge of the islands. St Thomas? Bahamas? Barbados? A lot of the hotels look kind of tacky/cheesy.

Europe - ...With the likely candidates being London and/or Paris. Todd has been to both places, though, I think, in a limited way (not extended stays in either place). I have never been across the pond. Again, not fulfilling the bill of "relaxing" - but hard to argue with a visit to two of the great cities of the world.

Any thoughts, feedback, advice would be appreciated and strongly encouraged! Experiences, hotel recommendations...anything!

BB5: Eviction Show - Week 6

It was Will, without much Grace on last night's eviction show. One of my reality show pet peeves is when a contestant is deluded into thinking it is not a game. [Pet Peeve #2: Someone who blames everyone but themselves for their ouster (what did he or his allies, Karen and Nakomis, do to keep him in?)]. The first surprise of the evening was learning that Will lives in NYC and not Tupelo, MS (well at least for those of us non-live feed subscribers). Why BB just doesn't tell us the truth at the get-go is beyond me. We won't stop watching just because the gay man lives in the big city or that a certain volunteer fireman from IL is really an "actor" living in Hollywood. Next thing you know they will tell us that Diane (who comically turned the word "paranoid" into a verb last night) is not a cocktail waitress from Kentucky, but a model who has posed topless in the past!

But back to Will. He gave us a line that will forever live on in BB infamy: "If karma is a boomerang, I'll see you sooner than later." Heck, if I was Adria I think I would have been "Say what?!" as well. Not that A was any more eloquent in her eviction speech. But Will's goodbye was the verbal equivalent of storming off the playground and taking your dodgeball with you. Well, a playground where words like "karma" and "boomerang" are used. More school-girl antics ensued during the show and with his appearance with the ever shoulder-bearing Miss Julie, where Will bemoaned the fact that a "pinky promise" made with the twins had been violated...a pinky promise dammit! The fall of Western civilization continues...

While he avoided hugging the twins on the way out, he still managed to hug two other folks who voted him out. As a gay man, I can appreciate his desire for an exit filled with drama and wit...but I'd only give his dismount from the game a 8.975. He complained the the twins have turned into the new Scott and Jase... but at least those two guys handled their eviction in a more mature manner...which is not saying a lot for Mr. Will...

But alas Will did awaken the karma goddess and anointed Nakomis (thanks Jules and CBS for finally breaking down and calling "Jennifer" by her requested name) as the new HOH. It is doubtful that anyone other than Adria and Natalie will be on a block this week...with Diane scrambling back to party in power.

Finally, let's all head over to CBS.com and vote for Michael/Cowboy to win America's Choice to land a walk-on role on The Young & The Restless -- can we hope that they'll just give him one line to try and get out of his mouth?! Voting ends tonight (Friday - Aug 20th)!

Fine Wine #6 - Pieter van den Hoogenband

Well, you know I have been smitten with the name Pieter van den Hoogenband... just brings a smile to my face every time I hear it (and we have heard it a lot!)...but it is not only his name that is cute...who knew what lurked beneath those goggles and swimming cap?

Pieter Before & After

Is this a transformation worthy of Clark Kent-Superman...or maybe Diana Prince since she was pretty darn dorky before twirling into Wonder Woman?!

He has won 3 medals in Athens (1 Gold, 2 Silver) to accompany the 4 medals he took home in Sydney (2 gold, 2 bronze).

The 26-year old "Flying Dutchman" (or "Hoogie") is on the skimpy side of the height/weight proportionate scale (6"3" or 6'4" and between 157-161 lbs, depending on where you look). In his NBC bio, of his sunken chest van den Hoogenband says it is "handy when it comes to resting a pint while floating on your back in a swimming pool."

Gotta love that... congrats to the latest addition to the Fine Wine List!

TAR5: Charla & Mirna Come Up Short

Thoughts on this week's episode "Are You Sure This Is Safe?":

Another Egg-stravaganza!
The theme of this year's TAR is...eggs! First we had fish eggs and this week we had the ostrich egg scramble. This should have been called an "artery-block" instead of a roadblock. Let's just say if there is an eating contest in the last leg of the run our winners will be Chip & Kim. Can that man eat or what?

A Bus Ride in Tanzania Costs...?
a) $3, b) $100, or c) $5 - the answer is apparently d) all of the above. While the situation was pretty scary (thus the episode title), it was pretty funny when Brandon & Nicole along with Kami & Karli were totally scammed. Even more hilarious when Brandon wondered how the Charla/Mirna and the Moms would fair and they bargained to the $5 fare (or something like that). Yelling at the driver, throwing the money down to the ground....onward Christian soldiers!

Tara & Wil Part 2
I think it is safe to say that Colin & Christie have become the most hated couple since TAR2's Tara and Wil (Can you remember back that far? It seems like the fervor was just as great back then). I believe Phil (in the "Insider") called Colin the most competitive TAR contestant ever. In the world of reality, competitive usually equals obnoxious.

Won't Get Fooled Again?
What a surprising finale! While it looked like Charla & Mirna would come in last...going into the pit stop the Phil voice-over left out the key phrase "the last team to arrive will be eliminated." So even when the team were scooting down the zip line, I said aloud "Good thing it is a non-elimination week." But Phil and TAR folks pulled a fast on us. The pause between telling them they were the last to arrive was lengthier than usual...and Charla even raised her eyebrows waiting to be pulled off the hook. But alas they were Philiminated.

I have to admit to being a little sad. While Mirna became more unbearable with each passing week, it was pretty darn impossible not to be impressed by Charla's drive, ability, humor, and (yes Phil)...her spirit...even when she used her dwarfism to her advantage. Before the Race, they were probably the team most people crossed off their list first (my hand is raised!) - and they definitely proved us wrong. And heck, if you can get the stoic Mr. Koegan choked up -- that is really saying something! They will easily go down as one of the most memorable teams ever on TAR.

BB5: Veto Show - Week 6

I think Adria and Natalie (sorry gals you are still playing as "one") played their hands a little too soon. But, then again, I really don't know what would have been the alternative. Since they are aligned with the other obvious alliance in the house, Diane and Drew (I like Drew, but geez the suck face-fest was even a bit too much for me), I do not think there were any safe nominations. It was smart to keep Cowboy safe since he is all about loyalty (and hasn't show one iota of skill/smarts when it comes to scheming).

I think A may have unnecessarily burned a bridge with Marvin. While the hold God/Bible angle was annoying (hello, CBS canceled Touched By An Angel long ago...and that goes for you too Brandon & Nicole from TAR), Marvin had a point that he stuck up for A and/or Nat in the past. As a floater, he could have been useful. But whatever happens tomorrow - there is no doubt who is the target.

Will's reaction -- other than the standard anger of being nominated -- I understand much less. He was plotting the demise of the twins long before A ever won HOH, and I am guess if he won the twins would have been nominated. So all the "bitch" and "Rosemary's Baby" stuff just seems foolish. He got called out...and his actions and words are just confirming the reasons why he should have been nominated and strategically why he should be evicted.

My sneaky "strategrical" move would have been to "discuss" the nominations beforehand with the larger group (everyone but Marvin and Cowboy)...say they were going to nominate a "pawn" and Marvin (without necessarily having to name the pawn). This avoids bad blood for the week with the main group. Try to calm Marvin during the week by saying "everything will work out" or "you never know what will happen" and then on eviction night do the surprise eviction of Will. With Diane/Drew/Nat... at minimum it would be a tie that A could break. Karen and Nakomis would be reeling from the surprise and probably be thrown off enough not to do well in the HOH competition. But easier said than done...