Whine & Cheese

MisMatch #3

Technically this is not a "mismatch" (where the source messes up with the story/headline and accompanying photo combo)... this is a mismatch of a headline and my brain...

... and proof positive that my mind can be in the gutter even before 8 a.m.

Here is a screen-cap from this morning's front page of Las Vegas Review-Journal:

Oh yeah... rodeo... of course, rodeo!

(My reaction to the headline of the feature story...  about 7.8 seconds later)

Let's Go To The Mall

Here's my latest "can't get enough of it" musical obsession (thanks JD!)

I have not experienced the likes of this since Valerie Cherish took on "I Will Survive"...

As recently mentioned, I am quite happy that we started watching the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother.  While it is a "traditional" sitcom, a group of friends dealing with life and love, somehow it avoids seeming like something that I have seen a hundred times over. 

A couple of episodes ago, we learned of Robin's skeleton in the closet... that she was Robin Sparkles ... a teeny-bopper pop princess who toured the malls of Canada in the early 90s (we're told that it took the 80s a little while to get up to our neighbor to the North).

The video of Ms. Sparkles' greatest hit is pure genius!  A delightfully devilish mix of Debbie Gibson and Tiffany (and let's throw Canada's own Alanis Morissette... since she had a sugary pop singing past as well)...

It's got the clothes, the hair, the cheesy dance moves, the breathy voice-overs, the break out into a rap, groovy special effects... and even Canadian accents.

So without further ado... Robin Sparkles' "Let's Go To The Mall"... try it!  You won't be saww-ry!

tags:  robin sparkles,  lets go to the mall,  how i met your mother

Morality For Beautiful Girls

Recently, I have been lamenting the loss of my reading mojo... my last three books have been a bit of a struggle... not that they were bad (well, one of them I didn't enjoy at all)... but it just seemed as if I could not get into a rhythm... lacking that "joy of reading" feeling where you feel compelled to pick the book up at any free moment... 

So I was looking for a book to get me back on track.  The no-brainer decision was the third novel in Alexander McCall Smith's No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, Morality For Beautiful Girls. 

I feel somewhat sheepish that I have been so sucked into these books.  I hesitated for a long time to even pick up the first book since I had a preconceived notion that the series was just cheesy chick-lit (not that there's anything wrong with that).  So while they are not the most masculine reading choices out there as I have said over and over, the books are totally charming.  Not serious literati... but nice to curl up with a book that keeps you turning the pages and, more often than not, puts a smile on your face.

And a quick read is definitely what I needed to re-jump my reading.  I could the books are like a bag of potato chips, but that sounds bad... so let's say it's like opening up a box of multi-grain snacks.

Since it usually takes awhile for a series to get off the ground, I sensed with MfBG that McCall Smith (and his publisher) realized this was going to be a successful series.  Precious Ramotswe is still our spunky protagonist... but the story expands with her relationship with Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni put on the ropes (with, of course the prospect that it will all work out in future books)... and we learn more about the agency's ambitious secretary Mma Makutsi.  I know this means absolutely nothing to those who haven't read the books... but I had to say a little something!

So, with 3 of the 7 books currently in the series (as of this writing) under my belt, I just have to fight the temptation to eat the rest of them up!   McCall Smith has a couple of other series going... so I might have to give those a try.

I have already finished another book... so the next book-related post may not be too far off... it is certainly nice to have a book back-log again!

tags:  alexander mccall smith,  morality for beautiful girls

Holiday Jeer

Before I start, I have to say to my other half that I am "over it"... when something moves from "a bit peeved" to the "this'll make a great blog entry!"... that's usually a good sign.

So this past Saturday, we had an interesting little interaction with our fellow man... and it didn't quite have us humming "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year."  As I was putting this post together in my head, I read about Kenna's similar post-Thanksgiving run-in... so watch out folks...cover your mouths and wash those hands...  bitchiness is on the loose and contagious!

So... we're about to step off the curb from the movie theater to the parking lot (at a designated crosswalk!)... and this SUV stops. 

I think... how quaint... stopping for pedestrians.

We get halfway across and the SUV hits the gas!

They stop in plenty of time... but your body still reacts... tenses, jerks up... but after realizing you have not been run-over, a couple of micro-seconds later the instinctual "WTF?!?" expression kicks in.  Now nothing bad... no fingers, solitary or otherwise, directed at the vehicle... just a scrunched up face and a shrug.

We continue on our way, mildly annoyed... but more "whatever" than anything else.

But then, the passenger (and "adult" male) puts down their window and shouts to us (we're a good 15+ feet away by now): 
"She didn't see you, but I told her you were there... so just quit the hand gesture shit"

And that's a direct quote..."quit the hand gesture shit" and he wasn't using his "indoor" voice.

Now we hadn't even looked back after we had moved on... it was obvious that the vehicle had not stopped because of the presence of a crosswalk, let alone people attempting to use it (I am guessing they were looking down an aisle for an available parking space)...

But to take the time to roll down (I know, no one "rolls down" car windows anymore!) a closed car window and yell at us was just plain bonkers!  I guess we should have thanked him... since the insinuation was that if he wasn't there we would have been run over! 

TAR10: Mo' Rockin'

Thoughts on last night's TAR episode "We Just Won't Die, Like Roaches"...

As the Final Four teams headed to Morocco, I have to confess that I wasn't all too concerned about the order of finish... first off, I really don't care as there is no one I feel I can really root for ... but I also did a little TAR math... two episodes left after this one... three teams in the finale... so no Philimination tonight.

But after falling into the Barbies' spell over the last couple of weeks, I finally remembered what it was that got under my (and many others) skin... there was surely not a shortage of times the Barbies referred to Alabama as the "sis-tahs"... perhaps watching the show from the comfort of their living rooms they are realizing how badly that's coming across.   "Karma" was thrown out there last night, and while the Blondies did get a taste of it... with the non-Philimination it impossible to view it as a full serving.

And speaking of Alabama, how about them showing some racing skills... maybe the Six Pack was dragging them down!  Now that their on their own, it was the other three teams who were following around each other and thus allowing *lyn to get an early lead.  But as the race to the mat showed, they are lacking in the physical department... so, even if they do make it to the end I think they are in trouble (especially since that final leg is typically more grueling).  But it was still nice to see them working on their own... and succeeding!

So, the Boys won another leg... yawn!   It's really hard not to consider them the favorites.  Given the coming attractions for next week, it looks like Rob & Kim might be headed for a meltdown... but I have to give credit to Rob for holding it together during yet another car breakdown.  Like he said, he seems to be learning... but again, let's hold out any "grow as person" judgment until the Race is over.

Oh, more news on next season... which apparently will be the All-Stars edition.  I had previously noted that Colin & Christie and Charla & Mirnya were two of the teams rumored to be involved... now Reality Blurred (via Variety) is reporting a couple of more additions...

Dave & Mary from this season...  TAR7 champs Uchenna & Joyce... and some of you may have to sit down for this one... ready??   Reality whores regulars okay whores... Rob & Amber.   (Pausing for blood-curdling screams)  As you may recall, I am not among the Romber haters... so I really don't mind  (or dare I even say, welcome) their addition.  I'll continue to keep you posted... the article mentioned the Race started in mid-November and will air first quarter 2007.  So we'll just have a little break from the action once this season wraps up.

Express Lane: Issue 19

Babs and poodle take in blackjack - After hitting Phoenix, Streisand heads up to Vegas... and plays some post-concert $15/hand blackjack... in the high limit lounge... with her poodle in tow. (11/20/06)

Showtime's High on More 'Weeds' - Though teased with it after this season's big cliffhanger, Showtime just makes it official today that 'Weeds' will return for a 3rd season (late summer 2007).  Good thing!  They couldn't have ended the series like that!   Little boxes on the hillside... (11/16/06)

ABC May Double Up on 'Dancing' - Given the ratings bonanza, no surprise that the alphabet network is scrambling to get another round ready for Spring 2007 -- though it may change nights to avoid a 'lil show called "American Idol.' (11/16/06)

'Earl' Girl Pressly Confirms Pregnancy - It's a new bundle of well... JOY!  Appropriately enough, currently out of wedlock too (though Pressly is engaged to the daddy). (11/16/06)

Pahrump weighs ordinance - Now I really don't care whether or not English becomes the official language of this Nevada town... I was just surprised it is a real town after being recently featured on a two-part episode on 'Studio 60.' (11/14/06)

Federer Strikes A Pose

First off... Happy Thanksgiving!   There will be an Express Lane "update" posted sometime over the long weekend, but otherwise I'll be kicking back... likely recovering from a overeating, wine-induced haze.

Last week, Roger Federer capped off another remarkable year by capturing the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup.  We'll take a look at his 2006 accomplishments in a bit...

But first, a little eye candy.  Now, while the #1 tennis player may not be a drop-your-jaw "hunk"... there is still something quite appealing about him... People Magazine agreed, including him the latest edition of their "Sexiest Man Alive" issue... but, today I am borrowing sharing these pix from Roger's recent spread in Vogue. I think it really shows off his classic (and classy) good looks.

... and just not another handsome face... here are some of his 2006 on-court accomplishments...

• First player to earn $8 million in prize money in one season
• Most ever ranking points in a season (8,370 ... some perspective, #2 ranked Rafael Nadal has 4,470 points, #3 ranked Nikolay Davydenko has 2,825 points).
• Has already ensured himself of breaking Jimmy Connor's record of 160 consecutive weeks at #1 next February
• First man to win 10 or more titles in three consecutive years
• First man in 11 years to win 12 titles in one season
• First man in 24 years to win 90 or more matches in one season (92-5, 2006 w/l record)
• First man to ever reach 6 consecutive Grand Slam finals
• First man in 37 years to reach all 4 Grand Slam finals in one season
• Only second man to ever win 3 Grand Slam titles in two different seasons
• First man ever to win both Wimbledon-US Open three years in a row
• Extended the all-time win streak on grass to 48 matches (last loss on grass was in 2002)
• Since the beginning of 2004, has compiled a 246-15 win/loss record.

Pretty amazing!

tags:  roger federer

MINI Cooper Grill Badges

Even though it is another beautiful day here in Phoenix...I am giving you one of my "rainy day" posts.  Figures work would to get busy for the short/holiday week!

A while back, I teased that I had a new accessory for my MINI Cooper...

Grill Badges!   What they heck is that, you say?  Well, here is a photo:

Since the badges are magnetic (and placed on a grill badge holder... more on that below), I put a couple on the "boot" of my Cooper... here I am honoring its British heritage and American home...

Since the place I ordered the badges from (again, details below) had a special offer when purchased 6 badges... here are 3 others...

(I decided to not crop this photo too closely around the badges since I got this "artsy" looking reflection thing going on).

Ok, the details...

First, you need to get a grill badge holder... this is a little metal disk that attaches through your grill.  I ordered mine from Out Motoring, a cool MINI online store... here's a direct link to the grill badge holder product page.   I think you can get them through MINI dealerships as well.

Next up, you need the magnetic badges... and ToddsMods is definitely the place to go.  As of this writing, there are six pages worth of badges!

So a fun little accessory... nice that I can swap 'em around depending on my mood... and yet another dose of personality for your Cooper... not that a MINI is lacking in that department!

tags: mini cooper,  grill badge

Hot Turkey

I'm not making this up folks!  Here is the current temperature!

Though the local news said we officially hit 89 degrees... needless to say, an all-time high for the day.

As you can see, there's a cooling trend ahead and we'll probably need to throw some logs on the fire come Thanksgiving Day on Thursday!

TAR10: Nice Guys Finish...

... well, you know how that line usually ends! :-(

Thoughts from last night's TAR episode "Lookin' Like A Blue-Haired Lady on a Sunday Drive"

Well, it was not the Philimination most of us where looking for, as The Cho Bros were... <ahem!  prepping my best "sad" Phil voice>... I'm sorry to say, the last team to arrive.  Now, I can't say that I didn't see it coming...   while "nice guys" do win TAR (think Chip & Kim or Uchenna & Joyce), I think the Chos just lacked competitive drive... or should I say over-drive to make them a viable team to win it all.

That said, I was still hoping they would be the last of the "Six/Back Pack" to survive...  but thankfully, their Philimination was not due to their nice-ness... while they did (arrrgh!) wait for 'Bama after the Roadblock... the editors didn't even try to make the "who's gonna be last?" sequence look like it would be close.

So, for the first time (I think), I feel like I don't have a team to root for in the Final 4...

'Bama has been losing me more and more each episode... and it has nothing to do with their independent spirit.  I think there is no point in any sort of extended alliances in the TAR.  My jaw dropped to the floor when one of them said something to the affect of "it's time for the Chos to start running their own Race"... this coming after after their 47th complaint that Chos were driving too slow and asking for directions too much... ummm, who exactly is not running their own Race here?  I think the answer is in the rear-view mirror... of the Chos' car!

From there it continues to be slim pickins' as we are left with this season's  "axis of evil" ... though individually, none of these teams would make it onto my "most hated" (or even "love to hate") list. 

The Model Boys are just not doing it for me. Sure they have had a minor scare or two, but it almost seems as if they are there by default, not expending a whole lot of effort (unlike last year's alpha-males, Eric & Jeremy... who were equally vacuous but seemed to sweat it a lot)... or maybe I should just give them credit for making it look easy (though I doubt that).

What can I say about Rob & Kim?  I think even the editors are tired of making Rob look like a jerk, just giving us few small doses of orneriness over the past couple of episodes.  Todd last night asked me if Rob pounds his first and shouts "it's over, we're out" in every episode.  Though these continued car troubles are making me more and more suspicious.  I'm willing to think there is a conspiracy theory that there is at least one lemon in every bunch of cars (well, except when the cars used are a not-so-sly product placement).

So, yes... as I alluded to in last week's update... I'm leaning... god help me...  towards the Barbies.  I just have think their Chernobyl "that's where the atomic bomb went off" line was "cute" instead of a scholarship pageant moment.  So while I haven't enjoyed their overall behavior (particularly to other teams)... they have been pretty darn competent, working together with an amazing lack of in-fighting... so begrudgingly... they are the lesser of two... three... umm, four evils.