In a few hours I'm heading over to And/Or Gallery to check out an opening for Lily Hanson and Jason Singleton, a couple of Texas sculptors. A very cool bonus is that Denton electro-acoustic act Mom will perform a short set around 8-ish. I've never seen them live before so I'm very excited.
Obar Third Anniversary Party. 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. — and free drinks from 10 to 11. DJs from the 12 Inch Pimps on the decks.
Ghostbar’s year anniversary party with Nick Cannon. He’s supposed to be spinning, and not sequestered in VIP all night. Ladies are free, but dudes gotta pay up $20 a piece. Might be worth it to just swing for a table, guys, if there’s any left. I think tables start at $300 for a minimum of six people. 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
SATURDAY
I’m going to be at Ghosthustler and The Party, and all ya’ll should come too. You can also put on your psychedelic mod clothes and hit up Return of the Smoke at ArtClub (formerly Avenue Arts; it’s moved next door).
Or, if you’re feeling chic, there’s the International Pre-Fourth of July Party at Metro Grill, hosted by party guru Big Mike. DJ Ski and DJ Klassik will be in the house, playing hip-hop and R&B and old-school. It’s free before 10:30.
I don’t quite understand this sudden rumor mill obsession to trade Devin Harris (above). Harris isn’t the prototypical point guard, but he’s starting to grow into something for the Mavericks.
On a team that says its No. 1 objective this off-season is to find an offensive threat to take some pressure off Dirk Nowitzki, trading the ONLY player on the Mavs that takes the ball to the basket on a consistent basis would be a mistake. Not to mention, that he’s one of the best defenders at the position in the league (and is finally earning a “little” respect from the refs, who have pretty much given him none his first couple years).
Hopefully, I won’t wake up tomorrow and find out Harris is gone. If I do, it will be a sad day.
Turns out Britney Spears may not make an appearance at the True Colors concert Saturday in Las Vegas because she doesn't want to sing. Hmmm.
A source tells Page Six, "There's no way. Britney said she would only dance or lip-sync - and to be on stage with Cyndi, you have to actually perform. It's not happening now."
It seems every other day a home run milestone is being reached in Major League Baseball. Frank Thomas became the latest, hitting his 500th this afternoon.
Later this season, another player will reach a HR milestone when Ken Griffey Jr. -- barring injury -- will hit the 600th of his career.
If you like the rock 'n' roll music, check out the White Stripes' latest album, Icky Thump. A lot of music critics raved about Jack White's other band, the Raconteurs, and how great it was that he was finally playing with a "real drummer." Their album was OK, but I got bored with it pretty quickly. So I'm happy to see Jack back with the much-maligned Meg White. Talent-wise, she may never be John Bonham or Dave Grohl or Danny Carey (or even Animal from the Muppets), but there's an energy when they get together that was sorely lacking when Jack went Meg-less. He seems to have a blast playing with his ex-wife/sister/whatever, and it shows through on songs like "Rag and Bone" and "You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do As You're Told)." So all hail the great Meg White, and long may she thump.
Fans of Prince will be excited to hear the "bootleg" version of "Future Baby Mama," from his forthcoming Planet Earth album, which we assume has nothing to do with the Discovery Channel nature series (but wouldn't that be something?).
It's posted on his site, and it's a pretty enough track (with a fairly lame title), good for the grown-and-sexy crowd. It's a falsetto ballad. Like so many other of his falsetto ballads.
It's one of those things that drive some of his fans crazy: He rocks out at the Super Bowl and wows just about everyone who witnesses it, yet here we have another subdued love song. Even just his cover of the Foo Fighters' "Best of You" from that soggy Super Bowl might be better to put out there. But that's just me.
Check out the new episode of Movie Time With Pikahsso and Tahiti, in which our fearless rappers review Evan Almighty. Their attempts at gathering two of every animal unfortunately fell short, but watch for some excellent Morgan Freeman humor.
A Spice Girls reunion tour. Huh. And if that weren't enough, they're planning a "greatest hits" album and TV documentary. Ginger Spice Geri Halliwell says the doc will include the girls' "dark side."
Not sure whether to laugh or cry about this one. But I am feeling the urge to slam my body down and wind it all around. Zigazig ah.
If you read my article on Ghosthustler, you know I promised to show you the video for "Parking Lot Nights" (which has already been on many other sites, but that's ... OK). It was directed by Pete Ohs, whose last music video was The Arcade Fire's "Wake Up."
According to Ghosthustler lead singer Alan Palomo (who, from the video, looks like a more talented version of the dude from Entourage), Ohs contacted the band after hearing an MP3 of "Parking Lot Nights" on music blog Gorilla vs. Bear.
The director shot all the outdoor scenes in Cincinnati (where he be) and then added in the performance footage of Palomo and one of his bandmates, Gray Gideon, done in Denton and sent to him by the guys. Kind of surprising that Palomo and Gideon took that performance footage themselves, but then again, Palomo is a film student.
Of the final product, Palomo says, "We were just knocked off our asses." I am too. I've watched this video over and over and haven't gotten tired of it yet. MTV2 or MTVU, you listening?
Ghosthustler plays during The Party at the Granada on Saturday night. See you there ...
Guess Maxwell's is realizing that a hot, packed club at 11 p.m. do not a lot of happy people make. Especially when said people are paying $20 to get in.
Their new flier, which landed in my inbox this morning courtesy of Party Chaser, features the tagline "More" -- "More Music. More Time. More Space. More for your Money."
If anyone's been up there lately, I'm curious to hear what it was like.
it's the iPig. The St. Paul Saints Baseball Club has created the perfect alternative. It's a pig, and an iPod and a phone. You can customize your iPid, and at $299, it's a bargain compared with the $499 for the 4-gig iPhone.
I love watching Serena Williams play tennis. Heck, she can serve a tennis ball 120 mph. That's movin'. But the sounds that come out of her mouth every time she hits the ball are, well ... alarming.
I can't figure out if a.) she's having a tooth pulled; b.) she's hacked off at something her crazy father said; or c.) she's having — how would you say it? — a memorable sexual experience.
Seriously. Watch her at Wimbledon, and you'll understand what I'm talking about.
Here are some snippets from Paris Hilton's interview with Larry King tonight, in case you missed it:
On Larry King …I consider you an icon and I really respect you.
On being out of jail …It’s just overwhelming just to be out and be free again.
On why the paparazzi are fascinated with her …I have no idea. I just am living my life. … It was nice to be away form all the flashes for a while [in jail].
On how she was treated in jail …I was treated like any other inmate. NO better, NO worse.
On her medical condition …
I’ve suffered from claustrophobia my entire life. And when I first got in that cell, I was having severe panic attacks, anxiety attacks. … I’ve been on medication since I was on child. I have ADD, so I take medication for that.
You know, Salim Nourallah's songs and singing voice have always made me think of John Lennon. So, it makes sense that he'd be sharing the bill at the Granada this evening with one-time Beatle Pete Best. We've still got that Salim MP3 available if yer interested, by the way.
Yeah I know you know. But just in case you haven't read enough about it, here's more. You can get the NY Times's David Pogue's iPhone video review on everythingiphone.com. It's kinda funny but shows the good and the bad. Let me know if you're buying one.
This week, Rosie O'Donnell posted a photo of her daughter, Vivi, 4, wearing a toy bullet belt while playing "soldier", on her Web site. Fans immediately spoke out, as Rosie has been very vocal about gun control. The picture has been taken down, but Rosie's responded with a montage of Vivi playing dress up.
People is reporting that Britney -- she has risen to single-name status, no? -- will join Cyndi Lauper and crew for the True Colors Tour concert on Saturday in LA.
So what's behind this, I wonder... Career revival? Possibly. But I'm thinking it's a way to keep her name out of Margaret Cho's standup routine.
A little advice, Brit: Hang with Cyndi and learn how best to keep a career going. Because, girl, we all know you need it.
So I was definitely reading this PEOPLE "exclusive interview" with Paris and it said that this interview "gave a candid glimpse into her 23 days in jail – including her explanation of the medical problems that led to her brief transfer to house arrest, and what she says she's learned from her experience," and I seriously thought to myself "I already know what she's been feeling because of the Paris diaries that have been in QUICK for the past couple of weeks..." HA, silly me, those weren't real! But they were obviously pretty convincing.
World War Hulk: X-Men No. 1: Although he wasn't a party to Hulk's exile to outer space, Professor X was once part of the cabal that secretly sent him away. So the Hulk has a few questions for him.
Jack of Fables No. 12: You can meet the writers of this series, Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges, at this weekend's Dallas Comic Con.
Stardust: The graphic novel written by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Charles Vess is being rereleased in advance of the big-screen adaptation coming to theaters in August.
X-Men No. 200: The adjectiveless X-Men title -- not to be confused with Uncanny X-Men, New X-Men or Astonishing X-Men -- celebrates a milestone issue with tons of guest stars and no less than threevariantcovers.
But if you are like me and don't have the funds or enough love for older-Sting to go to the AAC, there are other options.
Like, there's a Tum Tumrelease party at Purgatory, for his new CD Eat or Get Ate. He's the next big thing, Skin sez. And we tend to trust Skin on things of that nature.
If you want something a little more laid-back, head to the Cavern for some Smile Smile boy-girl action. Did I just type that? By action, I mean "soul-stirring indie pop." There. That's better.
Remember when Will Ferrell was late with his rent, and had to deal with his landlord, tough toddler Pearl? Well Pearl's back in Good Cop, Baby Cop, and she's gonna knock his teeth out.
This is pretty tragic. Chris Benoit, World Wrestling Entertainment Star, asphyxiated his wife and 7-year-old son before hanging himself. The family was found Monday morning in their home in Fayetteville, Georgia, but according to officials the wife was killed Friday after having her feet bound, and the son was killed on Saturday in his bedroom. Benoit took his own life either late Saturday or Sunday.
The family has been having problems with domestic violence and his wife, Nancy, had filed for divorce in 2000. However, in 2003, she asked for the divorce petition to be dismissed.
Kelly Clarkson sang a few songs on Good Morning America. When asked a couple of times about the tour cancellation, all she said was she needed get the right people behind her. And she admitted she was narcissistic when discussing the album, saying a lot of it was about her.
Look, I know things are kind of crummy right now. People are talking a lot of crap. Even the Wal-Mart clerk had some trash she heard on morning radio to pass along.
I know, I can’t believe she bases preconceived judgments on morning radio without even logging on to one of those celebrity-stalking Web sites. (Which, by the way, I’m convinced are all run by members of the gay mafia. Well, except for Trent. He’s cool.)
So anyway, I’m sure that after the whole fight with Clive, the management firing, the tour cancellation and now all this assumption that you’re album sucks, you're questioning some things. After all, you’re only human.
But don’t listen to a word of it, Kelly. Listen to my boyfriend Brian.
The king of hot-dog eating, Takeru Kobayashi, may not be able to compete for the Mustard Belt on July Fourth on Coney Island because of acute jaw pain. Frankly, it makes us kinda sad.
The 2007 National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention, which opens to the public Saturday in Grapevine, has something that you don't see every day: a fashion show during which adults dress in Barbie outfits. You know you want to learn more.
Check out the Archive of Misheard Lyrics to see if you really know what you're singing in the car. Some of my biggest mistakes:
Soul Asylum, "Misery"
My lyrics: Frustrated is overrated
Real lyrics: Frustrated, incorporated
I know, it doesn't make sense
Sheryl Crow, "Soak Up the Sun"
My lyrics: My family Communist, holds meetings in his office
Real lyrics: My friend the communist
Holds meetings in his RV
I can't afford his gas
So I'm stuck here watching TV
My husband just corrected me on this one last night. Now the "I can't afford his gas" makes more sense, and, as he noted, office doesn't rhyme with TV.
Go-Gos "Our Lips Are Sealed"
My lyrics: Only to see you
Real lyrics: Our lips are sealed
Yeah, I have no excuse.
Rosie O'Donnell will not, I repeat, will not be the host of The Price Is Right because she doesn't want to move to L.A. Her family is happy where they are and she "doesn't need the money."
Also, while reading the article I pretty much decided I hate the way she speaks, and for some reason every time she talks I imagine her with lots of food in her mouth.
So if you don't vote for our new president come November, maybe you'll help vote in the New 7 Wonders of the World (echo: world world world) campaign.
Pick your faves from 21 structures built or discovered before the year 2000. Among them: the Statue of Liberty, Machu Picchu, the Eiffel Tower, Petra in Jordan and the Great Pyramids of Giza.
Voting ends July 6, and the winners will be announced July 7 in Lisbon, Portugal.
When you win the Stanley Cup, the celebrated trophy for the NHL's champion is pretty much at your mercy. So far, the Anaheim Ducks (that's Teemu Salanne above) have taken it boating, swam with it and obviously had a few drinks from it. Defenseman Sean O'Donnell let his black lab use it as a dog food dish. The Cup's journey is detailed here.
Texas Frightmare Weekend hits Dallas this weekend at the Omni Dallas Park West Hotel and if you're a horror fan, this is the place to be. Meet some of the genre's most beloved stars including Sid Haig and Bill Moseley from The Devil's Rejects, Doug Bradley (Pinhead from the Hellraiser films), Jeffrey Combs (Re-Animator), as well as cast members from Night Of The Living Dead, Halloween (1978 and 2007), Creepshow, Hostel and more. Also appearing is legendary director George A. Romero.
Additionally, there are special screenings of The Black Cat - a brand new Masters Of Horror episode, the unrated cut of The Hills Have Eyes 2 and Behind The Mask: The Rise Of Leslie Vernon.
For more info, check out http://www.texasfrightmareweekend.com.
Cyndi Lauper has fond memories of Dallas, especially her last trip here earlier this year. The singer says, “Last time I was in Dallas, I slept in the same bed that Bonnie Raitt did and I was wondering if her guitar prowess would go through the mattress and into my hands to make me a little better guitar player than I am. I don’t think it worked, I still play like a gorilla.”
Since the beginning of her career, Lauper, 54, has stood out of the crowd with her unique look, songs and voice. She’s been outspoken about her distaste for homophobia for a very long time and has received support from the gay community for most of her career. As a thank you to her loyal fanbase, she’s embarked on the True Colors Tour, an aptly named tour that references one of her biggest hits that is still as poignant, if not more, than ever. Lauper says, “Now more than ever, I just want to bring everybody together and have a good time. The tour has been a great healer and energy booster.” She’s eager to get back to Dallas, where she feels she has always had the support of her fans. She says, “I love Dallas. It’s a place where huge things are happening. It’s an exciting time there.”
Here’s more from Lauper:
Q: Did you ever think that “True Colors” would still be such an important song to so many people a couple of decades later?
A: When I sang the song, I sang it knowing it was a healing song. I was taken by how simple we made it. I tried to make a song that would whisper in your ear and call to your heart and soul. I would hope that any music that I would make would have longevity. I had no idea that it would become what it did to so many people. When I was pregnant I was reading e-mails and it wasn’t one or two, or even ten. It was every other e-mail talked about when people came out they were in their late teens or early 20s and they were disenfranchised from their families, friends and jobs. They were suicidal and when they heard “True Colors”, it gave them healing. When the opportunity comes, we can do something. Now I’m doing something.
Q: You certainly understand being different than everyone else, even in the music community. This must have been a strange journey for you.
A: People used to throw rocks at me because I dressed different and it gave me the courage to say, “Fine. I’m still who I am” and a year later everybody wore the same clothes they were throwing rocks. Human rights should be extended to all people, not just some people. You don’t make a hate crime bill and then say, “It only extends to these people, but it’s OK to hate those”. How do you do that in America? I thought it was “America The Beautiful – crown thy good with brotherhood”. We all have a common denominator. I remember the Civil Rights movement and I saw that as hopeful.
Q: Another song that has stuck with people is one that you got a lot of flack for – “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”. Was that kind of an odd time for you?
A: I know in my heart what “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” was about. It’s about entitlement. I made sure when I did my video, it spoke to every girl of every color. I wanted them to know they were just as entitled as the next one to have fun. With humor, joy and energy you can change vibrational thought patterns. Everybody in this country has freedom of thought and freedom of speech and as long as they don’t hurt anybody. I just want to be positive in my music and work to make things better.
Q: What will be different about your set this time around from your last appearance here?
A: We’re playing “Girls” live and I’ve never played it live. There are a bunch of old songs I’m playing a few new ones. It’s not a long set, but I move things around so that if people come to see more than one show, they won’t see the same show in Dallas and Houston.
Q: Margaret Cho is hosting the show here in Dallas. How has that been adding a comedic element to a tour like this?
A: Wonderful. Isn’t she great? She kills me. She’s an amazing person, too. Her life is so interesting. Her family were immigrants in San Francisco and they owned a gay book store and they didn’t speak English very well, so she helped there and it opened a whole new world for her. Just being able to have her and Rosie [O’Donnell] as a part of these shows is just so much fun.
Paul Salfen
Cyndi Lauper performs with Erasure, Debbie Harry and Dresden Dolls at Smirnoff Music Centre on Saturday. 1818 1st Avenue. $21 - $76. 214-421-1111.
1. DJ Reach tonight at Ghostbar. As you can see here, he's a DJ-to-the-stars. (Notice the huge pic of him and Usher.) He's also a resident at Tao in LV and Marquee in NYC, both of which are the kinds of places common people hardly ever get into. The event's free for ladies and $20 for men.
2. Mark Farina at 2505 on Saturday. Farina, who's from Chicago, is huge in the DJ world -- he invented an ambient style of music called "mushroom jazz," which you may have heard of. It's a mix of house and jazz and hip-hop and down-tempo.
3. Big Black, of MTV's Rob & Big, is hosting a party at Purgatory on Saturday night. Door is $10 to $15, or reduced if you get on the guestlist.
4. DJ Lord of Public Enemy is spinning after-hours at Eden early Sunday (4 to 8 a.m.), and then he'll be at Mantus on Sunday night. They haven't advertised the cover anywhere, but I'm guessing it's at least $20.
5. Lastly, if you're a sports fan, there's an NBA-NFL party at The Loft, the new venue above the Palladium Ballroom that used to be Tryst. Marcus Spears of the Cowboys and Chris Bosh of the Toronto Raptors host. The place is tiny, so they can't be hanging out in VIP all night. Discounted admission here.
The Texas football team is No. 1 again, if you agree with an SI.com ranking of the best college football uniforms in the country. Michigan, SI.com's No. 2, would be my top choice. Although I'd have to throw the Mount Union Purple Raiders in the top three, also. Notre Dame made the list for best (blue tops) and worst (green tops) uniforms.
Some people like The Simpsons, but these thieves at a movie theater in Malaysia really like The Simpsons. Fortunately, Homer has been returned to that lonely spot on the couch beside his family.
I'm totally late on this -- blame it on actually working -- but for the second year in a row, the biggest gay event in town will be getting a visit from a former TV president. Martin Sheen will be the keynote speaker at this November's Black Tie Dinner. Last year, the lovely Geena Davis graced the stage.
For fake-political balance next year, wonder if Alan Alda's on the consideration list...
We all know that seeing your name in print is like, uuuhmazing, but this India kid took it way too far.
A 15 year old boy performed a C-Section on a woman in the hopes of being put in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the youngest surgeon. His parents, both surgeons, watched the surgery to be sure things went over smoothly. Now, the parents risk having their licenses revoked and could possibly face criminal charges.
But as long as that kid gets his name in the Book, it was totally worth it. *scoff*
OK, some people I know (Hunter) say they've fallen asleep while watching HBO's new drama John From Cincinnati. But I say give it some time. Things get a little more interesting in the second episode with a jarring turn of events, and I love just about anything with some X-Files-type stuff thrown in there. Or maybe it's God-type stuff. We don't really know yet. And the surfer characters really don't say "dude" that much, so that's a plus.
I was linked to this BBC site that depicts a guy in various stages of drug use. You can choose which drugs to make him take, watch his reaction, and learn about the effects, all set to different music depending on the drug. It seems that presenting the information in such an interactive way would make more people remember what they learned.
Check out this week's Girl Talk podcast, a gabfest with Leah the Bomb Maker and Jennie the World Traveler. They are so much fun. We’re pretty much all over the place: first dates; who pays?; the roles in relationships; break-ups; and a man who kept a score card during a first date...
(The Girl Talk column is an interview with one of the founders of Dallas-based True.com.)
So you want to be a rock star but don't want the expense of buying an instrument or the hassle of actually learning how to play one? Check out the U.S. Air Guitar Championships tour at 9 tonight at the House of Blues' Cambridge Room, 2200 N. Lamar St. Doors open at 8, and it's $10. Organizers say they may let you register on site, if you're passionate enough. Playing pretend-guitar is serious business.
Two Miami high-school students are taking You Tube by storm. They’ve gotten a bunch of publicity — read the Miami New Times article here — from a video they created called “Chongalicious.” It’s a riff on Fergalicious, making fun of Miami girls known as "chongas."
Basically (and I didn’t know this until now), a chonga is a young Latina who wears tight, tacky clothes, dark lip liner, big gold earrings, and thinks she’s gangsta. Kind of like a chola and a naca all rolled into one, I’m guessing.
Isn’t it fascinating? The article’s long, but read it if you have a few minutes. Apparently the video has spawned several imitations, the girls have appeared on the local hip-hop radio station, and they've got an offer to record the song for real.
Flavor Flav must really be in love with Deelishis, because VH1 has a new star looking for his soul mate: Poison frontman Bret Michaels. In Rock of Love, premiering July 15, Bret invites "twenty handpicked beautiful women to move into his rock and roll palace ... and compete for his heart."
I hope New York makes an appearance. Read more about the show...
Hillary Clinton picked her campaign song: "You and I" by Canadian Celine Dion. Hillary and husband Bill announce the winner with a spoof of The Soprano's ending in a video on her Web site, complete with a cameo by Johnny Sack.
Justice League of America No. 10: Clearly, one of Power Girl's powers is the ability to defy gravity. That's the only explanation for how she's standing upright on Michael Turner's cover (left).
Flash: The Fastest Man Alive No. 13: DC was already promising a big surprise in this issue. Then came word that this will be the series' final issue before yet another reboot.
Ex Machina No. 29: New York Mayor Mitchell Hundred gains some insight into how he got his power to command all machines.
G.I. Joe: Storm Shadow No. 2: To little boys growing up in the '80s, there was nothing more badass than a ninja. And there was no ninja more badass than Storm Shadow.
John Woo's Seven Brothers: Speaking of badasses, Virgin Comics has collected the series inspired by the director of Hard Boiled and written by Garth Ennis, the author of Preacher.
X-Men: Endangered Species: This one-shot sets up Marvel's next big X-event. At the conclusion of 2005's House of M, the mutant population was reduced to 198. Apparently, that number's going down again.
Alert! Steve Carell on Conan RIGHT NOW! Promoting Evan Almighty, which looks pretty stupid, but whatever. IT'S STEVE CARELL!
Anyway, the movie opens this Friday, with Morgan Freeman reprising his Bruce Almighty role as God. Other notables are Lauren Graham, Tom Shadyac, John Goodman and the hilarious Wanda Sykes.
We've been trying for years to get C&C Music Factory on this blog. (OK, maybe not that long.) Finally, we have a breakthrough. Former NBA All-Star Kenny Anderson has been named coach of the CBA's Atlanta Krunk. (Sweet!) The Krunk is owned by former C&C vocalist Freedom Williams. So there ya go.
SI.com has ranked the top 10 high school athletic programs in the nation for 2006-07, and (surprise) Southlake Carroll checks in at No. 8 after winning another football state title. Here is the list.
The Simpsons Movie comes out July 26, and 14 Springfields across the nation are competing to host the premiere. The public will choose the winner in a USA Today online vote.
I hope the town has a comic book store with an owner like the show's and a police chief who likes doughnuts. But that might not be enough - apparently Springfield, Ill., has a power plant run by a man who looks like Mr. Burns.
I'm sitting here watching a Boston Legal re-run and meditating on the spectacular freakitude and unexpected talent that is William Shatner. And I am not the only one, apparently.
Opening this month in Calgary, Canada, The Shatner Show is at Uppercase Gallery; it features more than 76 pieces/odes to Shanter that range from prints and paintings to a Lego bust.
If you're not headed north-of-the-border by the Aug. 15 close date, not to fret; there's a 128-page book with photos of the images, commentary by the artists, facts about Shatner's career, as well as comments by him.
Captain Kirk himself responded to the show earlier this year: “Every artist has their muse. Leonardo was inspired by the ceiling in the great chapel. Michelangelo found his art in the Italian marble. Who am I to stand in the way of all these fine artists and artisans who want to use my lumpy, aging face for inspiration? Some creators love a great sunset; some have in mind my bloodshot eyes. Nevertheless, out of awe, amusement, or pity, you should come and see this unique show.”
Didn't think I'd show up today, did ya? Oh, ye of little faith. I was just busy procrastinating and stuff.
Well, since this got moved to Denton, you could just give up on music and see The Princess Bride at Victory Park for free. "But that's something a sellout would do!" you protest. "Cool people don't hang out in Victory Park!" Me, I like outdoor gatherings, and I like The Princess Bride even better. So, do whatever you feel is right.
Hell bent on hearing some tunes? Hmm, well, uh, maybe try the Rosebuds at the Cavern, even though I know nothing about them.
Oh, and Dinosaur Jr and the Black Keys are at the Ridglea in Fort Worth, if you feel like driving there. Do you ever?
Oh, I am so bummed. This Friday, alterna-country-folksy-fabulous Slaid Cleaves is playing at the Granada Theater and I can't go. Please, someone else go and send me text messages as he plays?
Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8. Tickets are $15-$25. 3524 Greenville Ave.
The Rangers rewarded Jon Daniels for his "exemplary" work as general manager today by extending his contract through 2009.
What is Tom Hicks watching? Has he not seen how J.D. has pretty much dismantled this team with trade blunder after trade blunder? Think this team could use Chris Young ... or Adrian Gonzalez ... or Coco Cordero ... or Alfonso Soriano (and yeah, I know he was a free agent the next year, but for BRAD freakin' WILKERSON???)?
Now he's trying to trade Mark Teixeira. Grrrrrreat!
Can't wait to see how that debacle turns out. Maybe we can trade him to the Mets and get Julio Franco back.
Arcade opened recently next to the Lakewood Theater, underneath the Balcony Club. Went there a few weekends ago and it was very chill -- not that many people there, not much to do besides sit and drink and talk. I liked it. Plus the drinks were strong.
They've also got patio seating (just a few tables, but still), which is not very common at Lakewood bars. (All I can think of is the Tipperary Inn.) The tables sit right in the neon glow of the theater's giant, art-deco sign. If anyone's got friends visiting, this might be a good place to take them.
Lindsay Lohan has reportedly canceled her big Vegas birthday celebration. (She turnes 21 on July 2.) I don't understand. What better way to celebrate getting out of rehab than surrounded by alcohol in Sin City? Is she taking the Paris Hilton high road, vowing to "not act dumb" anymore?
After bringing the hugely successful Body Worlds exhibit to Dallas earlier this year, the Museum of Nature & Science has announced its next big draw.
Baseball As America, billed as the most significant exhibition of baseball artifacts and history ever assembled, is set to debut Sept. 28. In addition to the goofy name, it will feature items from the collection of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y. Here's the Web site for the exhibit, which is currently on display in Cleveland.
Tiger Woods and his wife, Elin, became parents Monday, bringing daughter Sam Alexis Woods into the world. Think of the drama that would have engulfed the U.S. Open on Sunday had Tiger walked off the course while in contention on Father's Day. Here is an announcement from the proud father.
But Robert Iler, who played A.J. on The Sopranos, is pretty funny. He appeared on The View right before the series finale, and guest host Kathy Griffin asked him what it's like when someone gets killed off the show. He replied, "I don't know. What is it like?" to which Barbara Walters gave him a piercing look.
There's a little recap of the exchange at this blog called "Watching The View." After finding that, I couldn't decide what was funnier - Robert's comment or the fact that there's a blog devoted to The View that people actually read.
Variety reports that Rosie O'Donnell has been campaigning for Bob Barker's old job on The Price Is Right, days after the retired host endorsed her for the position.
Others who have reportedly auditioned include Entertainment Tonight co-host Mark Steines, Mario Lopez, George Hamilton, John O'Hurley and, most recently, Ian Ziering.
If Rosie lands the job (said to be a longshot), let's hope she'll get along with the contestants better than she did with her old co-hosts on The View. As she said over the weekend, "I got to tell you, I've been hanging around with those heteros for a full year, and it's not fun. Turn around one minute, and they'll stab you in the back with a high heel."
AT&T is quietly offering a good deal on DSL Internet service. The $10-a-month plan is about half the price as any of the company's advertised deals.
The service offers download speeds up to 768 kb per second and upload speeds up to 128kbps. It's not the fastest connection, but it's a simple, cheap plan. The speeds match AT&T's $19.95 plan.
NFL player LaVar Arrington has been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, but his injuries aren't life threatening. Arrington played only six games last season before tearing his Achilles and was released by the Giants in February.
Arrington was wearing a helmet, and alcohol was not involved, but in the wake of Ben Roethlisberger and Kellen Winslow's accidents, when are NFL players going to realize that riding a motorcycle, even out of season, probably isn't a good idea? Pro athletes make a living by staying healthy. People pay them to make smart decisions about risky behavior, such as riding a motorcycle - even though it's fun. Wait till retirement, especially if you're shopping yourself to teams, like Arrington is.
Did you hear that Kristy Swanson -- star of Skating With Celebrities and the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer -- was arrested over the weekend? If you want to know more, ask her yourself when she appears at Dallas Comic Con in two weeks.
If you haven’t seen an Pedro Almodovarmovie, you’re missing out. The plotlines are intense and funny, heartfelt and absurd. Plus they often include early versions of Penelope Cruz and Antonio Banderas. (Meow!)
The Latino Culture Center is showing the Spanish director’s movies throughout July for free, and all the movies have English subtitles. So you have no excuse why you shouldn’t go. Unless you have kids -- baby-sitting can be expensive.
Some say Ed Oakley's sexuality wasn't an issue in Saturday's runoff. Others claim it was. Jacquielynn Floyd, one of my favorite DMN columnists, got an e-mail from a reader blaming her mention of Oakley's homo status for his loss. But Jack (as we call her around the newsroom) adds:
Gee, seems like it was just yesterday that I was fielding e-mails from bitter readers for "promoting the radical homosexual agenda."
OK. I keep hearing about this agenda. But no matter how much I read Towleroad, watch LOGO or hang out at Mickey's, I just can't seem to get my hands on a copy of it. How am I supposed to know what sinister plot to push if I can't even take a peek at the playbook?
If anyone out there has gotten a glimpse of it, please fill me in on the details.
I'd like to take this opportunity to say that many of you missed out on the greatness that were Glen Farris and Here, In Arms at Double Wide Thursday night. Don't make that mistake again.
OMG, Jamie! I totally got sucked into, like, a My Super Sweet marathon on Sunday. And, like, it was totally crazy. Land Rovers and Porshes for 16-year-olds? Rival classmates stealing each other's performers? Parents throwing bigger fits than their kids?
It was totally awesome. And I was, like, so addicted. But for some reason I felt completely compelled to go shopping after about two-and-a-half hours of watching.
This show is awesome. I totally can't wait for these girls to grow up. So then they can be on Bridezillas.
The June 18 issue of ESPN The Magazine has a little note about Jason Terry and his daughter Jalayah.
It seems JET's 6-year-old daughter says her name is Mrs. Dirk Nowitzki. According to the magazine, she writes Dirk notes telling him to play well and asking him to call her after games.
... Wonder if she stopped writing him after the playoffs?
It what looks like an attempt to counter sales of Miller's new Chill, Budweiser has come out with the Clamato Chelada, a beer mixed with Clamato tomato cocktail that launched in March in El Paso, Laredo and San Antonio. Doesn't sound like my thing, and neither is the Miller Chill, but apparently the tomato-beer combo is a popular thing. I'd be interested to hear if anyone's tried it.
This week (June 24, to be exact) marks the 20th anniversary of the film Spaceballs. The Mel Brooks classic - it's not too soon to call it a classic, is it? - will be on Comedy Central at 12:30 p.m. Monday, in case you're playing hooky from work.
Brooks signed on last fall to develop an animated series based on the film. It's set to debut this fall on the G4 network.
The bratty, spoiled little people you love to hate are back on MTV tonight at 8 p.m. for a new season of My Super Sweet 16. I don't know why I'm so intrigued by seeing how obnoxious these people are, but I am. It's like not being able to look away from a car wreck.
In that same vein, a new season of Engaged and Underage premieres at 8:30 p.m. Doesn't that show makes you really sorry you didn't marry your high school sweetheart at 19? Me too!
Looking for a last-minute Father's Day gift? Is your dad the kind of guy who's suspicious of all those new-fangled technological advances that keep making electronic devices smaller and smaller? Is he always misplacing things? If so, check this out: a big-ass TV remote control. Try losing that under the couch cushions.
At 16, Emma Roberts already has the celebrity thing down. Somehow in a little over an hour, the Nancy Drew star was able to sign autographs for 500 fans at the Stonebriar Mall Frisco, without looking down at the stack of posters below her, making sure everyone got, along with their poster, a little eye contact and a flash of that amazing trademark smile. She comes by it honestly – her aunt is Julia Roberts, to whom she bears a striking resemblance – and her father actor is Eric Roberts.
After going over her appointed signing time, we are whisked away to a dimly lit, somewhat creepy hallway on the way to a nondescript side door exit guarded by the mall’s finest, where a few feet away, a couple of cars wait to take her and her entourage of eight or so that are wrapped around the corner to the airport for another appearance.
After the dizzying meet-and-greet session, Roberts holds her cramping hand and says of the city-to-city promotional tour experience, “I sign really fast – I have to. It’s crazy, but it’s fun to see who’s going to see your movie. It’s good to sign autographs for them because they’re supporting you and if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here.”
Although she didn’t grow up reading the books upon which her character is based, she says, “When I was younger, I didn’t read them, but I was a fan of the whole idea. I think everybody, whether or not they like the books or not, have respect for her because she’s a really cool character. She’s iconic.”
Taking on such a protected and cherished character let her add her voice and mannerisms to an extent, but for the most part, she stuck to the original idea of Nancy Drew and will let the fans take it from there. She’s pretty grounded about the whole thing, simply shrugging and saying, “I don’t know what to expect. I hope it does well.”
Of course there’s interest in the movie, but what does everyone seem to want to know about? Her famous family, of course. She says, “They want to know, “What advice did they give you?” and the answer is “None. I get advice from my mom and friends and family.”
Up next, Roberts says, “I’m going to England to shoot a movie called Wild Child about a spoiled Malibu princess whose dad can’t stand her behavior and sends her off to boarding school. It’s going to be fun – and I’ll get long, blonde hair.”
But don’t expect her to end up like some of her fellow blonde teenage Hollywood starlets. She dismisses the notion of that lifestyle saying, “I think a lot of that has less to do with Hollywood and more what kind of person you are. If you were a bad kid in high school, you probably still would be now. I’m not that kind of person, though.”
With that, the entourage made the signal, swooped around the corner and got their star out to the waiting vehicle and off she went to catch a flight to another town for more of the same. Such is the life for a rising actress – a role that’s in her blood.
Paul Salfen
Nancy Drew opens in theaters everywhere today.
The movie’s official site is http://nancydrewmovie.warnerbros.com/
Even though he kind of annoys me (I was always a John Lennon fan), Paul McCartney is pretty adorable in his new Apple ad. He's dancing in Converse! And looks about 15 years younger.
He's been seen out and about with the babilicious Jessica Biel, but if she had any questions about the nature of their relationship, he answered them for her. In print.
Classy.
He called her a "very dear friend" who texts him night and day. But then the reporter got bold and asked him about the love of his life: "I haven't met her yet."
Dude's on tour and Biel joined him for a couple of cities, but he wants people to know that it's not like he invited her or anything.
"She truly insisted that she came with me on tour. I don't know how to say no to a pretty face. But it wasn't really a good idea. This time I'm putting the machine before everything else. Jessica met up with me in Manchester, but for Paris I told her categorically no. This tour is very important for me. I'm doing it really seriously so there's no question of playing sweethearts!"
Not that he'll have any problems landing other ladies. "I defy a girl not to fall for me if I'm on a surfboard or snowboarding. It's my secret weapon if a girl resists me."
Well, the big gay circus rolls into town next week when myriad celebs show up at Smirnoff to perform in the True Colors Tour.
I caught up with Margaret Cho this morning. She's at the Borgata Hotel in Atlantic City where the tour performs tonight. She said it's been a huge blast so far. And while she loves all the performers, working with Cyndi Lauper has been the most rewarding:
"She's been a huge inspiration for me for such a long time. I love her music and style and message. She's so beautiful and so amazing. It's interesting - when you're a fan of someone for so long, and they come into your life, it's kind of like you’ve been a friend with them for that whole time because there's never been a gap between when you were a fan and a friend."
You can check out more from her and Erasure'sAndy Bell in Tuesday's upcoming Orientations.
She'll be playing Bass Hall in Fort Worth next month, but I was pleased to see her new comedy special on iTunes the other day -- Everybody Can Suck It. Part of what makes her so funny (to me, anyway) is how her celebrity-bashing is similar to listening to a friend tell you funny gossip about people you don't like. Lindsey Lohan and Ann Coulter, for starters.
And what other D-Lister could get away with flipping off the crew of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition during the Emmys and telling them to suck it in front of thousands of people?
LeBron James is the proud father of a new baby. Bryce Maximus James, an 8-pound, 6-ounce boy. Maybe LeBron just couldn't wait for the Transformers. he could be a fan. Maximus? Doesn't that sound familiar?
Tom Leppert and Ed Oakley square off Saturday in Dallas' mayoral runoff. Friday in Quick, we'll profile each of them and give you the lowdown to make an informed choice. For example, Leppert favors American Idol over Dancing With the Stars because he's always wanted to sing. And Oakley was the yearbook photographer in high school.
See, without us, who'd be there to tell you the important stuff?
I'm really liking the latest Queens of the Stone Age CD, Era Vulgaris. It doesn't have anything that's immediately super-catchy (except maybe "Make It Wit Chu," which has been around for a few years, first appearing on one of Josh Homme's Desert Sessions CDs). But it's got some cool grooves that stick in your head and make you oblivious to the fact that you're topping 80 mph on the tollway.
Looks like Kelly Clarkson isn't touring this summer as planned. Not sure the reasoning. But I'm sure lots of fans are devastated. Especially after a recent Entertainment Weekly cover story promoting the North Texas songstress and all this talk about the battle with Clive Davis to get her latest album out.
Devastated and depressed, Kelly's No. 1 fan (my boyfriend), has declared he won't be leaving the house until she performs live again. But I'm betting he'll break when that last pint of Blue Bell runs out. Which should be around 5:13 this evening.
Go to Google Maps and in the search box put "New York, New York to Paris, France." On the left hand side is a scroll bar... scroll down to number 21. Read it and "lol."
SurvYAY!(compliments of www.howstuffworks.com)
When you don't know the words to a song you...
A) Mumble something
B) Sing the wrong lyrics really obnoxiously
C) Shut your mouth.
Well, Dallas' resident Cher impersonator Wayne Smith finally appeared on last night's episode of The Next Best Thing. But he won't be moving on - the judges declined to pass him on to the next round.
The boyfriend and I watched from Mickey's, where Wayne performs nearly every night of the week. The crowd was disappointed that Wayne didn't make the cut. Of course, Wayne already knew his fate. He did, however, seem a little offended at one thing - the fact that they censored his heiney when he spun around in his black "If I Could Turn Back Time" Cher outfit.
"They blurred out my butt!" he shouted across the bar.
Dallas’ gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community has an incentive to vote in Saturday’s mayoral runoff. And not just to try and make Ed Oakley the first openly gay mayor of a major U.S. city.
Anyone with a stamped voter registration card won’t have to pay cover at lesbian bar Sue Ellen’s on Saturday or nightclub Station 4 on Saturday or Sunday. The mainstays on Cedar Springs Road are owned by Caven Enterprises, the company whose board Mr. Oakley sits on.
I wonder if younger voters would start turning out to polls if watering holes and dance clubs all over town offered such discounts.
ESPN football analyst Mark Schlereth made a guest appearance as Detective Roc Hoover today on the CBS soap opera Guiding Light.
I didn't watch. (My TiVo was broken. ...Or was it?) But, if the former Super Bowl winning offensive lineman performed anything like he does on ESPN's NFL LIve I'm sure he pulled it off without a hitch.
And a special shout-out to Hailey's in Denton, which is bringing in 10 acts including Astronautalis (YES!), Tree Wave, PPT, Ghosthustler and more for a special "Summer Party."
I promised you some Jacob Smigel downloads, didn't I? Oh, you didn't read the story about him? Shame on you. Read it here.
Prepared now?
I've got two tasty morsels for you: A track from Smigel's latest album New Mexico and a found-sound clip from his Eavesdrop compilation. If you like what you hear, you can order both at his Web site.
New L.A. resident Victoria Beckham threw out the first pitch at Dodger Stadium on Monday night. Across the pond, media outlets covered Posh's toss like Paris Hilton was going to jail or something. And check out that form. Hope she didn't break a nail.
Why is any news of quality in the cellphone industry an "iPhone killer"?
How about we just let the iPhone come out and benefit from it? Maybe other carriers will try and make better products. I wonder what will happen when a current customer gets the same love as a new customer. Kinda makes you think.
People reports that Eddie Murphy is finally taking a paternity test to find out if he's the father of Melanie Brown's baby,Angel Iris Murphy Brown. Good thing the baby has four names, in case Scary Spice has to drop the "Murphy."
And Kevin Federline has apparently been making the rounds. Celebrity gossip columnist Cindy Adams reports Shar Jackson, mother of K-Fed's first two offspring, is pregnant with his fourth ... no wait, FIFTH child. (He and Britney Spears had two.) Is he going for a football team?
My old intern Jamie had the best idea, he watched it with us last night: Jamie thought they should have had a Pulp Fiction ending where the hitman unloaded his gun at Tony, but all the bullets missed, ricocheted off the table and the jukebox and somehow hit AJ.
Found a little quiz of recent pop-culture topics. Give it a go ... I expect my fellow Quick employees to do better than me! My score was pretty pathetic.
It's HOT. And it's only June. I probably sound like a whiner to tried-and-tested Texans used to walking outside and feeling like a blow dryer just hit you in the face.
But running the A/C all summer and racking up ridiculous bills can't make any of us thrilled. MSNBC has come up with some tips to beat the heat cheaply, or at least manage it better.
Writer Greg Pak gave a shoutout to his hometown in the first issue of World War Hulk.
As the Hulk fights Iron Man in the sky over New York City, their bout is broadcast around the world. For example, a panel captioned "Washington, D.C." shows the president watching it in the Oval Office.
The next panel is captioned "Dallas, Texas." It shows Iron Man smashing the Hulk on the Jumbotron of a baseball stadium that looks remarkably like Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. All the fans are cheering as they look at the screen, as are the players on the field, who seem to have forgotten about their game.
Makes sense to me. Considering the state of the Rangers this season, wouldn't you rather watch a good superhero smackdown?
I think Barbara Walters is about to be Paris Hilton's new bestie. Walters had an argument with the executive producer, Bill Geddie, concerning her thoughts on Paris Hilton becoming the new co-host on The View when she gets out of jail.
The Problem: Paris can't even put together a full sentence.
However, this was Monday. Today, Barbara seemed less than enthusiastic about the idea. For the full story, check out People.
Oh well. Paris just won't invite Barbara to her ginormous party when she gets out. Take THAT Barbara!
I got an e-mail from a mother of an incoming high-school senior. She's planning his prom for next spring and wanted some recommendations for local bands. The first names I gave her were Smile Smile, Radiant and Hendrick (which incidentally is losing its drummer to higher education, but will announce a new one later this summer). I promised her more names to come. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?
Also up for discussion: What makes a good prom band? Catchy choruses? Versatility? Willingness to interpret the hits of Chris Brown and Nelly? I have no idea. Hit me!
I heard on The Ticket the discussion of last night's national anthem, performed by Ben Harper on his trademark slide guitar.
I can see how someone just listening to the audio might think WTF? But in all honesty, Ben is an amazing musician. Any song performed solely on the slide guitar is gonna be pretty rough. Even though I wish he had sung along with the song, it was a completely different kind of performance, not an overwrought shriekathon by an American Idol contestant.
That means we didn't have to hear the "banner yet wa-a-a-a-ahey-ay-ay-ay-ve" vocal acrobatics. And Bill Walton seemed to dig the hell out of it.
I've resisted the theory that the NBA Finals are boring, seeing as how a lot of those comments are coming from Mavs fans. They aren't real happy campers right now. But as a lifelong Spurs fan, watching Tim & Tony & Eva win isn't boring at all.
Except for last night. The no-offense style of play put me to sleep at the start of the third quarter, and I dozed until there was a minute left in the game. And even the close score wasn't enough to perk me up.
So I'm a bad Spurs fan. On the other hand, I annoyed my wife with my snoring. So I had that going for me.
I was at the store yesterday (I picked up Bosque Brown and Voxtrot on vinyl and Centro-matic's new EP on CD) when I noticed something:
Despite the Polyphonic Spree's The Fragile Army not coming out on CD until Tuesday, you can already get a vinyl copy at the store. It comes with a code for digital downloads of the tracks, so you're covered there. The Voxtrot record has a similar code, and Bosque's has an extra CD inside the record sleeve. So there's really no reason not to buy vinyl these days.
And no, I'm not a purist or anything. I just have a new old wooden stereo cabinet I bought at an estate sale, and I like usin' it.
More on the Spree: There's a big ol' shindig at Good Recs on Monday night to celebrate The Fragile Army's proper release. Tim Delaughter and the gang will be there, along with food and wine from Urbano. Get there early.
And then, of course, there's the CD release show on June 23 at the Granada.
Wish I could be two places at once, but I'm gonna have to hightail it to the Cavern after deadline to see Mom open for Baltimore's Dan Deacon. No, not my mother, but the Denton electro-acoustic act whose MySpace demos slay me. Good Records' music guy C.J. (who's releasing the next Mom CD on his Pancakes for Mattie label) is fresh out of the latest CD-R at the store, dammit, so I'm anxious to hear the material in a live setting.
World Wark Hulk No. 1 (of 5): Marvel's big summer blockbuster springs from the mind of Hillcrest High graduate Greg Pak. The Hulk has been on another planet, and he's returned to Earth to exact his revenge on the men who exiled him. But post-Civil War, one of those men now commands an entire army of government-sanctioned superheroes.
Hulk: Planet Hulk: This hardcover volume collects the 14 issues of Incredible Hulk in which Pak chronicled the not-so-jolly green giant's adventures in outer space.
Occult Crimes Taskforce: The series co-written by and starring Rosario Dawson has been collected in one volume.
Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus Vol. 1: DC Comics is issuing massive collections of the four interconnected series that industry legend Jack Kirby created in the 1970s.
Avengers Classic No. 1: This debut issue reprints the very first Avengers story by Kirby and Stan Lee, but it also features a new tale penned by Lee and drawn by Kevin Maguire, who kicked so much butt on Justice League International in the late 1980s.
Green Arrow No. 75: The series written by Real World: San Francisco alum Judd Winick ends with Green Arrow proposing to his longtime lover, Black Canary.
New Avengers No. 31: Marvel's publicity department says this issue features the most important last page of any comic they'll publish this year. Try to fight the temptation to flip straight to it while browsing in your friendly neighborhood comics shop.
There's a rumor going around that Whoopi Goldberg is set to replace Rosie O'Donnell on The View. She'd take over this fall, after a slew of summer guest hosts. But in the "grain-of-salt" category, the report originated in the National Enquirer.
Frankie Abernathy, a cast member on The Real World: San Diego in 2004, has died. No cause has been determined, but the 25-year-old suffered from cystic fibrosis.
We had some irked motorist posts last week. On the front page of Monday's USA Today was a story about programs taking on reckless drivers. Agencies encourage people to call 911 if they feel threatened on the road. According to the Texas DOT, aggressive drivers can be fined up to $200 for each aggressive driving moving violation, and spend time in jail.
It's been a nice run for summer movies. I've seen a few, and can't wait for the Fantastic Four. I think the Silver Surfer will be pretty cool. Was he the guy from The Incredibles? Oh well. What movies are you waiting for? Speaking of movies, check out Movie Time with Pikahsso and Tahiti. Later.
Word is, Paris Hilton's dad is planning a huge party for his heiress daughter when she gets out of the slammer.
Maybe it could be a celebration of all the stars who have spent time in jail. Martha can bring the salmon nicoise salad with dijon vinaigrette, Mel can bring the booze, and Snoop can bring the uh, specialty cigarettes. Who else should be on the guest list?
Technology is great. I don't know how I would communicate if I didn't have my computer and cell phone. I didn't get into technology until I was probably in my tweenage years, when ICQ was popular and such like that... I remember playing with my barbies when I was six and making up my own imaginary world, with imaginary friends, imaginary malls and imaginary cars. Girls today, however, will start playing with Barbie MP3 players, opening a world on the Web for Barbies.
In this "Digital Age" kids play with computers and hand-held everything, and I'm honestly not really a fan. I think that getting to play on computers should have an age restriction, kind of like getting your driver's license and your right to drink (legally). Kids should get a license at the age of I don't know, 12, so we can be sure their imaginations get the same chance to thrive and grow, just as mine did.
USA Today is running a series of Top 25 lists to celebrate its 25 years in the business. The latest version lists the Top 25 biggest sports stories of the last 25 years.
Here is its list. And here's how I would have ranked the Top 5:
Monty Python lovers rejoice: The British Emporium in Grapevine is hosting a whole weekend full of Monty-centric activities, to get fans juiced for the June 19 opening of Spamalot at Fair Park Music Hall.
All entry fees from the event benefit the family of Emily Mather, an 11-year-old Fort Worth girl who has reflex sympathetic dystrophy, a neurological condition. The family needs help paying medical bills.
Some highlights of the weekend:
Friday —
6 to 9 p.m. Open House and First Annual General Meeting of The Monty Python Appreciation Society
At nightfall: Outdoor viewing of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, with extra live entertainment from the Texas All-Coconut Orchestra.
Saturday —
Noon to 5 p.m. Random live In-Store Performances of Python skits
Noon to 3 p.m. Argument Clinic will be open - $5 per argument.
12:15 to12:45 p.m. Gumby flower arranging and SPAM cooking demonstration
1 to 3 p.m. Have your photo taken with a Viking!
4 pm - 4:30 pm Monty Python costume contest judging and awards ceremony. (Grand Prize: Two tickets to Spamalot courtesy of Dallas Summer Musicals)
4:45pm Monty Python sing-a-long and send off
Hard rockers, rejoice: Local-ish band Fair To Midland plays its big CD release show tonight at Curtain Club. Notable opening act (among others) is my favorite area rock band, Denton's Record Hop. You have to see this band live to understand.
Speaking of Denton, there's a sweet li'l show at Hailey's with local band Gashcat and Sin City acts Las Vegas Club, Deertick and Jacob Smigel. You'll hear more from me about Smigel, a science-obsessed folk singer with a penchant for found sound, later this week. He and Deertick (for which he plays bass) will be at Good Records on Friday. I might even have a couple of MP3s for ya, so keep checking back.
Oh, and for you popheads out there, a couple of the Bowling for Soup dudes are in Frisco.
Passport to Latin America, the Travel Channel’s latest show with globetrotter Samantha Brown, debuted last week. Brown has to have the greatest job in the world (er, except mine, of course), and you can see her enjoyment in every episode. Like the previous Passport to Europe, this series is more about entertainment than education, although Brown does hit most of the high points as she travels from city to city. She’s just as likely to get hammered drunk as to visit ancient ruins. In other words, Passport is the polar opposite of the stodgy fare you’ll find on PBS. It’s a fun half-hour for anyone who loves to travel (or dream about traveling while sitting in a cubicle).
Tiger Woods can play a little golf ... and he's filthy rich. He led Sports Illustrated's recent ranking of the top-earning American athletes again, expected to pull in about $112 million in 2007. Oscar De La Hoya is No. 2 at $55 million, and Phil Mickelson is No. 3 at more than $51 million. Here is the list.
If you watch FX, you’ve heard those lyrics from the incessant Rescue Me promos. Denis Leary gets back to playing snarky firefighter Tommy Gavin in the fourth season, premiering tomorrow at 9 p.m. Last season, Tommy nearly died after being stranded in a beach house while (ironically) a fire raged. He can’t piece together the events leading up to the blaze and is suspected of arson.
I'm kind of looking forward to this show because it's not really one where you need to catch up on seasons or see EVERY episode to know what's going on. (Damn Shield ... I'm still on season 4.)
Mondays continue to be challenging when it comes to finding good local music.
So, if you don't have tickets to this, may we recommend a kickass DJ event? The info comes courtesy of Quick's nightclub guru, Lesley Tellez, so you don't have to doubt its quality.
I'm talking about Soul in the City, a weekly party at Spike in Mockingbird Station. DJs Frances Jaye, Viz and Jay Clipp will spin hip-hop and soul, much of it old-school.
And if you know of some magic live music event, that's what the comments section is for. Recommend away!
Tonight at 8 p.m. is the season-two premiere of Big Love, HBO's polygamist drama starring Fort Worth native Bill Paxton as husband-of-three Bill Henrickson. With his three wives (Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloë Sevigny and Ginnifer Goodwin), seven children and secret life, Paxton is the driving force behind this drama, which I was hooked on from episode one.
I know some have slammed the series as soap opera-y, plotless and "an excruciating waste of these actors' talents." Ouch.
But I'm going to disagree. Perhaps it's the novelty of the concept, but I got engrossed just trying to figure out how a family with four spouses functions on a day-to-day basis. Throw in a twisted religious cult, secret business dealings and regular sightings of Bill Paxton's naked butt cheeks, and you've got a winning combo, in my opinion.
Victory Park is kicking off a free movie series at 7:30 Tuesday night with "Jaws." It'll be shown on the plaza's big screens. You can bring a lawn chair or watch from an outdoor patio at one of the area restaurants -- N9NE, NOVE or Paciugo Gran Caffe. The schedule for the rest of the series, all starting at 7:30:
June 19: "The Princess Bride"
June 26: "Singing in the Rain"
July 10: "Grease"
July 17: "Ghostbusters"
July 31: "The Sound of Music"
Aug. 7: "Superman" (original 1978 version)
Aug. 21: "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"
Aug. 28: "Ferris Bueller’s Day Off "
Sept. 7: "The Wizard of Oz"
I've become aware of how "in the know" the writers of Quick are when it comes to what's going on in the city of Dallas, but I thought I'd post about something fun for someone like me, a 17 year old, normally-underage-for-anything-fun, to do.
This Friday night at the Dallas Museum of Art Erykah Badu will be performing a free concert at the Museum's Ross Avenue Plaza. Part of the "2007 Late Night" deal at the DMA, the museum will be open until midnight for a fun night of "performances, concerts, readings, film screenings, guided Starbucks Coffee tastings, tours, family programs, complimentary Starbucks Coffee, and more..." General admission is about $10 and this goes on every third Friday of the month, but the Erykah Badu concert is this week only!
Wing Stop -- the Dallas restaurant company endorsed by Troy Aikman -- has now sold its one-billionth chicken wing. Can you imagine how many that is? It would probably take all of their nine proprietary flavors -- including Cajun, Atomic, Teriyaki, Lemon Pepper, Garlic Parmesan, etc. -- criss-crossing the world twenty times.
With so many wings floating around the country, you'd think you could find them anywhere. Not true. A friend of mine who lives in Seattle has been looking for decent wings for three years. (Wing Stop is in 27 states but Washington yet.) There is plenty of tofurky though. I guess they serve that on game day.
The work-of-art Sopranos finale last night left more questions than answers. Did Paulie suspect that cat would smell a rat? Did Uncle Junior think to himself, "If only I had a gun, I could finish the job"? Did Tony die a quick death (gunshot, bomb) after the cut-to-black or a slow one (onion rings)? Did the cable company get lots of calls? Did "Don't Stop Believin'" rocket up the iTunes chart?
While some answers will come slowly and some will never come at all (good one, David Chase), you can certainly waste some time today reading my minute-by-minute reactions to the finale. Or you can try to wrap your head around all the theories here and here. Enjoy, and don't stop ...
So when David Hyde Pierce's name was called, I was thinking, "Will he? Will he?!?" And, on the gayest night of the year, he did. Mentioned his partner of 24 -- count them, 24 -- years, writer/producer Brian Hargrove.
As Leah noted when it came out a couple weeks ago, the news wasn't all that shocking that Pierce is family, a member of the church, a big ol' Friend of Dorothy. But it was refreshing to see a big name say who he and those important in his life are.
Nothing like watching the Tonys to remind you how truly gay, gay, gay life can be. I just watched all three hours...my gay card was officially renewed tonight. Now on to college baseball playoffs...go Titans!
I saw Theatre Three's production of Caroline, or Change over the weekend, and I have to agree with DMN critic Lawson Taitte. Liz Mikel, who plays the title role, has some serious pipes. And so does the singing washing machine. Check out the review here.
Presidential candidate John Edwards had a birthday party yesterday at the Best Western University Inn in Chapel Hill, N.C. It included a pig roast and legendary Tar Heels basketball coach Dean Smith. The cost was $15, and if well-wishers contributed more than $6.10 (the date) to his campaign before Sunday, they received a pecan pie recipe from Edwards' mom, Bobbie, according to the Associated Press. We just thought you'd like to know.
The above photo has nothing to do with the party, but what's up with the dude on the left?
Apparently the logo for the London Olympic Games in 2012 has caused some concern. A video showing the logo's spikes darting all over the place was removed from the Web site because people were concerned it could trigger seizures. Not exactly something you want your event to be associated with and thousands of people to see.
Everyone loves to stop and look at the aftermath of a wreck on the freeway (at least that's what I gather from the morons traveling the opposite direction at 2 mph).
So most people should get that same pleasure from MTV's newest show The X Effect.
The show is based on the premise that reuniting former flames (in a romantic resort) will fan the fire that may still exist. The catch is that those exes don't realize they're being spied on by their current significant others the whole time.
New episodes air at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. Good ahead and rubberneck. You know you wanna.
I'm quite sure I'm not the first to think of this, but I couldn't resist noting the three Tonys fighting for TV ratings tonight. Here's how I think they'll rank tomorrow.
1. Tony Soprano 2. Tony Parker and the Spurs (the game may get higher ratings since it's on broadcast TV, but not as much buzz) 3. The Tony Awards. Poor sweet Tony Awards.
Here are a couple links leading up to tonight's Sopranos finale, some of which were in Friday's Quick. They're probably good spots for post-analysis after tonight's airing, too:
The Slate's Timothy Noah, Jeffrey Goldberg of The New Yorker and NBC's Brian Williams get into some interesting discussion about this season on the Slate.
A group of DMN worker bees had a really interesting idea: Make 26 weekly bar visits, and have each place's name begin with the next letter in the alphabet. (i.e., Adair's, Blarney Stone, Cosmo's, Double Wide, etc.)
They've made it all the way to "H" and now they're stuck. Anyone have any suggestions? The only criteria is that the bar be cool. (No Humperdink's.) All I could think of was House of Blues.
I'm not sure if this is what we're supposed to write about on here, but I just thought you all should know this... While at my other job today (the Oakley store at NorthPark), a woman came in and I, you know, did my job and helped her. She was trying on glasses, being indecisive and quite frankly getting on my nerves, and asking my opinion... all that good customer stuff. So then we're doing a little small talk and she says "so what are you up to this summer?" and I tell her that I'm working a whole lot because I have two jobs. And she says "oh, wow! that's impressive. where else do you work?" And I said "At Quick" and she just lit up and got so excited. She started asking me all of these questions, like if I knew Rob, Gordon, and Hunter, wondering if I actually worked with all of you guys. When I told her I did she said "Oh wow! You let them know how great that paper is and to keep it up. It's so much fun, I love it! You're all so witty, how do you do it?!" And went on and on for quite a while.
Moral of the story, it's really fun being a part of this newspaper. Good job team! Neat-o gang!
Oh and uh.. here's some news. It looks like California may have watched a liiittle too much "The Price Is Right"...
I'm excited to premiere a brand new song from one of my favorite Dallas musicians, Salim Nourallah. "Erased" is from his new album Snowing In My Heart, which hits both Europe (on Tapete Records) and the U.S. (as an indie release on iTunes) July 20.
Salim, of course, produced Snowing at his Dallas studio, Pleasantry Lane. I plan to visit him there and talk a lot more about the new album in coming weeks. In the meantime, check out this week's local music column to read some of his thoughts.
Hope you enjoy the early track. Let me know what you think of it. Salim plays Club Dada with Smile Smile and others on Saturday night.
NOTE: Beyond this post, the blog might be kind of quiet today. Don't blame us -- blame our daylong staff training session.
For those of you looking for something entertaining to do this weekend on the cheap, look no further. The LFT Live concert series starts this weekend at LFT (Lifestyle Fashion Terminal) in Victory Park with Eastern Conference Champions (ex-members of Laguardia and CKY) and locals Beauxregard tonight from 6 - 8 PM and Flickerstick, Illinois and locals Odis tomorrow from 5 - 8 PM. For more info, go to www.myspace.com/lftconcerts.
I had a flat today on Highway 80. I was surprised to see very few people move to the far lane. I was terrified. Cars speeding by at breakneck speeds. My hat even flew off when a diesel was a little too close. So if you see someone changing a tire, move over.
And in other celebrity news, Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora has entered a Los Angeles treatment facility for an undisclosed problems, AP reports. The may put a damper on the band's plans. The new album, Lost Highway, comes out June 19, the same day the band is scheduled to appear on the Today show.
People reports that Isaiah Washington will not be returning to Grey's Anatomy next season. "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more," the actor said in a statement.
97.9 The Beat's Rickey Smiley is planning a real funeral for a fictional character. From 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, he'll lay to rest Cora Jackson, who's often summoned from the dead on Smiley's morning radio show. Smiley, who will be dressed as his elderly character Bernice Jenkins, promises plenty of laughs and surprises. Headkrack and friends will be doing a musical tribute, and there will even be a reception afterward.
The funeral will be at Friendship West Baptist Church, 2020 W. Wheatland Road in Dallas. The reception ($5 for adults, $3 for kids) will be at Valley Ridge Park, 2850 Park Ridge Dr. in Cedar Hill.
I've never even thought of responding how this businessman responded after being faced with an unwanted hug.
Note to self: Sue Aunt Patty.
A businessman seen fleeing from a hug from British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen in the hit movie Borat has sued filmmaker 20th Century Fox, saying his civil rights were violated.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, seeks unspecified damages on behalf of the businessman, who listed himself as John Doe. The New York Post reported Thursday that the businessman was Jeffrey Lemerond, 31.
Lemerond, a Dartmouth College graduate and financial analyst, was shown running and yelling “Go away!” as Cohen’s Borat character, a phony Kazakh journalist, chased him down Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue in an attempt to hug strangers. His lawyer did not immediately return a telephone message for comment Thursday.
-- Associated Press
As much as it pains me to say, on June 19 the San Antonio Spurs will once again hoist the NBA championship trophy. (That's Game 6, if you're counting.)
My only hope is that the league office and the refs will give LeBron James the superstar treatment all series long that they gave Dwyane Wade in games 5 and 6 last year.
I thought the Mavs were far superior to Miami last year entering the series and look what happened. I think the same about San Antonio this year. So maybe there's hope.
But even if the Spurs lose, Mavs fans will still have to hear, "We've got THREE world titles, already," from those sorry Spurs fans.
...sigh.
+ New Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy (above, right) is back in the same division as greaseball Pat Riley (left), the man that basically kicked Van Gundy to the curb during the Heat's NBA championship season. TASTY!
+ I know the Rangers suck (the clinical term for it), but look on the bright side: at least they're not the Yankees. New York -- you know, the same New York that spent more than $200 million on its roster -- is only six games ahead of the Rangers, the worst team in the league.
+ San Diego Padres closer Trevor Hoffman earned his 500th save Wednesday. Unfortunately, the most important part of the previous sentence may be the word, closer. Why? Just ask Rich Gossage, Jeff Reardon or Lee Smith -- all of whom are waiting for the Hall to call.
A Fairleigh Dickinson University poll revealed that a 2-1 margin of Sopranos fans want to see Tony live.
I think it seems the show's been leading up to his death, so it would be weird to have him live and wonder what happens next - when viewers aren't going to get a "next." Man, I'm going to miss this show.
Be sure to check out the rest of Sopranos Central on nj.com - seems like Tony's home state newspaper (and mine) would be a good place to get your Sopranos fix before Sunday night's series finale.
They have a great family tree that shows who got whacked and how, by whom.
... direct your attention to Gorilla vs. Bear, where blogger Chris Cantalini posted a link to a mashup featuring the Polyphonic Spree and the Shop Boyz -- the rap group behind "Party Like a Rockstar." Yeah, so I'm giving you a link to a link to a link. You just shouldn't miss this mashup.
A microphone Bob Barker used on The Price is Right is up for auction on eBay. My initial reaction was "do you know how many animals could be spayed and neutered with that money?" But then I read lower on the page....
"All proceeds, 100%, generated through the sale of this microphone will be given to United Activists for Animal Rights -- an organization that is near and dear to Bob's heart."
awwwww.
Stop by Sonic Drive-In tonight for a free root beer float from 8 p.m. to midnight. Only while supplies last, so get there early. Find a participating location near you at www.sonicdrivein.com.
I just thought this was kind of fun/gross/weird. 12 abnormally large animals and short little profiles with cute little pictures. A toad, a squid, a dog, you name it, it's probably on here.
This ain't no classified-ad blog, but I couldn't resist telling you about an exciting garage sale happening on Saturday. Hella-talented rock 'n' roll (among other things) photographer Allison V. Smith is getting together with other creative types to unload a bunch of good stuff.
Smith told me more about the sale (8 a.m. Saturday at 6026 Goliad Ave.) in a MySpace message:
"[It's being put on by] my friends William Baker (of Dolly Python & Uncommon Objects in austin) and Erin Piper, who used to have a vintage clothing store in Waxahachie. Brian Harkin, photographer, will be selling some of his prints. I will be selling prints and 'zines and stuff. Some camera bags and photo geek related things."
Smith also said she'd be selling a few of the remaining copies of her new photo 'zine for $20 a pop. I haven't picked one up yet, but I've heard goodthings.
If you can't make the sale, get the 'zine at Murray Street Coffee Shop. And if you can, don't go near my pile, because I'll have to cut you.
Lower Greenville bar Gezellig (Quick's nightclub review here) has the contemporary local classic "85 Feet and Falling" as its MySpace profile song, and that could mean only one thing. Sorta's in the house. And it's not just a set. It's "an evening with Sorta." Fancy! If you have any sense in that head, you should hightail it there after work, get a few beeras in your system, and be ready for the music at 9 p.m. Don't it sound good?
Oh, that reminds me -- has anyone caught one of Sorta singer Trey Johnson's solo sets at Barley House yet? I haven't been able to, so if there's anybody out there, tell us about it. That comment button isn't there for decoration. Not that it couldn't use a fresh coat of paint or a doily.
For people who just want to go to a bar and hangout on Friday, the Windmill Lounge (on Maple near Inwood) is hosting its 2nd Anniversary Party, with happy hour specials all evening. Future Soul Soundclash -- described on the flier as "soulful jazzy reggae" -- starts playing at 8 p.m. Check 'em out on MySpace, they sound pretty good.
DJ EZ Eddie D and DJ Sista Whitenoise go on afterward.
If you get a chance, listen to the Quick Girl Talk podcast today, stereotypes in lesbian dating. Guests are Erica Felicella and Franceanna Campagna and they are hilarious.
Also, check the Girl Talk column on long-distance dating; does anyone like it? Apparently so.
1. MEN (JD Samson and Johanna Fateman of Le Tigre, both of whom are women) are doing a DJ set on Saturday at 2505. The show's supposed to be pretty good. Read that they'll play anything from George Michael to J.J. Fad. But not much Le Tigre.
2. Derrick Carter's at Minc on Saturday. He's a pretty influential house DJ, originally from Chicago. More on him here. Tix $15-$20.
3. Dub Step VIII at the Green Elephant on Friday. Keith P, Mundo and Lifted MC have been doing these shows for awhile, and apparently they keep getting better and better. Hopefully, if sick hubby gets better, I'll get to check it out myself to see what all the fuss is about.
Didn't believe it at first, but it's true. Following the lead of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the Long Beach Armada of the Golden Baseball League is changing its name. Are you ready?
The new name is the Long Beach Armada of Los Angeles of California of the United States of North America Including Barrow, Alaska. Or LBALACUSNAIBA for short. Merchandise is already being ordered. The abbreviation will wrap around a hat.
The Alaska tie? The Armada has partnered with Barrow to form the northernmost sister city franchise in pro baseball.
I suggest that from now on, this blog be known as Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah of Blah Blah Blah. Or BBBBBBBOBBB for short.
I just got word that the Ludacris concert scheduled for Thursday night at Nokia Theatre in Grand Prairie has been canceled because of a scheduling conflict. Maybe an appearance on The O'Reilly Factor?
Promoters say refunds will be available at the point of purchase. All tickets bought by phone or Internet will automatically be refunded. For details, call Ticketmaster at 214-373-8000.
I just found a fun link promoting a movie - gone2thedogs.com. You can play a game to see what kind of dog you are. Here's a video clip of "me," a Bedlington terrier. Kind of a weird-looking thing, but "full of fun." I'll take that.
Disclaimer: The video's peppered with ads for the movie, and a trailer follows.
Annie's post about Nicole Richie possibly being pregnant reminded me of a story about how she was scared she might have to follow pal Paris to jail because of her DUI arrest in February. Aw, but wouldn't they be like, the hottest cellmates ever?
Former Chomsky guitarist Glen Reynolds celebrates this week's hard-copy release of his solo CD In Between Days (it's already been on iTunes for a couple of weeks) with an in-store performance at Good Records Saturday afternoon. Food, beer and smart rock -- there's no better combo. You might also head to Good at happy hour time on Friday to check out Cedar Hill folk-pop band Room Sound at its CD release party.
Invincible No. 42: This discounted issue recaps the entire series billed as "probably the best superhero comic book in the universe." Yes, I realize I listed this comic in this space last week, but there was a last-second delay.
Bullet Points: A collection of J. Michael Straczynski's five-issue series about how a single bullet can change the history of the Marvel Universe. The bullet kills the scientist behind the super soldier serum, which led to the creation of Captain America, and the scientist's bodyguard, Ben Parker (a.k.a. Peter Parker's uncle).
Batman: Turning Points: All-star writers Ed Brubaker, Chuck Dixon and Greg Rucka collaborate on a series examining Batman's relationship with Commissioner Gordon.
Nightwing No. 133: Marv Wolfman knows a thing or two about Nightwing, a.k.a. Dick Grayson, the original Robin. Wolfman wrote The New Teen Titans when Grayson was a star of that title. In this issue, Wolfman begins a story arc exploring the time after Grayson dropped out of college but before the new Teen Titans formed.
The All-New Atom No. 12: Ryan Choi, the all-new Atom, begins searching for his predecessor, Ray Palmer, who hasn't been seen since the end of Identity Crisis.
Call up the MySpace page of the Rocket Summer (a.k.a. local-boy-done-good Bryce Avary) and listen to "So Much Love," the first single from his forthcoming Island Records CD Do You Feel. Talk about going big -- this song has a killer hook, soaring background vocals and even a horn section. I can't get enough of it; in fact, I might have to download its EP single from iTunes now, despite the full album hitting stores July 17.
HE DID WHAAAAT?!
That's right. Attack on the popemobile by none other than the pink t-shirt-wearing German man. Fear not, he wasn't trying to hurt the pope; he just wanted some attention. That's why he wore a pink t-shirt, I'll bet. Although security is pretty tight with metal detectors and police forces and what-not, there's no security for pink t-shirts... Another reason men should not be allowed to wear pink t-shirts. (no offense if you wear pink t-shirts)
However, the pope wasn't phased. He just continued his duties of waving and interacting with the audience. Kudos pope for keeping it together.
...(And you know you giggled a little when you read "popemobile"... I know I did!)
After spending my first hour in the common area, I’ve figured out that these other girls in here need help. They have sad, flat brown hair and furry eyebrows. Like Muppets or something. Too bad tweezers are against regulations. How can something so positive be thought of as a weapon?
Maybe it’s unavoidable (who says my vocabumalary sucks?). They did take my hair extensions, and I can already see my roots. What if people find out I’m not a natural blond? That, plus the brows ... I guess this is what it felt like to be at Lilith Fair.
So, you didn't have the desire to get Fergalicious this fine evening? Here are a few lower-profile music choices.
If you're a Bosque Brown fan, you'd also like Samantha Crain, an Oklahoma folk singer performing tonight at City Tavern. She's got a similarly odd-but-beautiful voice that makes you lean in and REALLY LISTEN to the lyrics. Love it.
What's that? You'd rather tap your feet and bob your head? Interesting. Well, I guess you can try Green River Ordinance at Club Dada.
While you're texting friends and deciding which show to see, check this out -- a constantly growing collection of recent performance vids from Denton's best music venues. It's currently consuming my world.
A story from the Associated Press reports that a South Korean bank is offering special interest rates for soldiers who have been dumped by their significant others while they've been serving the country.
All the South Korean soldiers have to do is prove their break-up by showing a letter or e-mail in which they've been jilted to the bank clerk, who will read the letter, probably attempt to stifle any snickering, then waive some service fees and offer them better rates.
At that bank, work just got SIGNIFICANTLY more interesting.
Funny exchange between Today's Ann Curry and David Hasselhoff this morning. Curry, who never met a question she didn't feel like answering for her guest, concluded their interview (mostly about Hasselhoff's alcoholism) by grabbing his hand and telling him to get well.
Hasselhoff's reply: "Oh my God. Honey, I am well. And watch America's Got Talent because that's why I came on the show."
It kind of sucks growing up because all of that stuff you believed in usually turns out to be fake. Santa Claus, that jolly ol' chap... not real, according to most (sorry if I just crushed your dreams.) The Easter Bunny... another myth... And now they're ruining pirates for us?! Come on you Realists, cut us Believers some slack. And according to this spirit-crushing article, pirates probably didn't walk the plank either.
Can you tell from my late blog entry that it's been hard to find anything for this evening? No? Well, you've always been kind of dense. KIDDING.
If you are a nerd (and we love nerds here!) you might get gussied up for that Star Trek thing at the symphony.
You can try out the open mic at White Rock Coffee, although the time I went there was only one performer, doing Christian contemporary tunes. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Don't really know what else to tell ya. Pearl has experimental jazz!?
Nearly every day my husband and I get a piece of mail addressed to someone who isn't us. Maybe it's for another apartment in the building, you ask? NO. It's someone at a totally different address. Like, down the street.
We didn't know what to do about this. Do we call the post office? What if they get mad, and decide to give us even LESS mail? (Postal worker, glancing at my W2: "Just wait until this never arrives!") You really have no control. It's scary.
Finally, after one of his magazines went missing, hubby called the national consumer affairs post office number. (Apparently this does exist.) But our local lady found out about it, and she was upset that we didn't call her directly.
I'm kind of scared to check the mailbox tonight. Dead birds? 50,000 more credit card offers?
The murder of JonBenet Ramsey and the disappearance of Natalee Holloway captured America's attention for months at a time.
Hopefully, the press will let a reported romance between Ramsey's father and Holloway's mother slip into obscurity. They've both been through enough already.
Normally I'm not one to be fascinated by such trite drivel, but dude! This is interesting! Like Gisele Bündchen? NOT EVEN HOT BEFORE! How is that possible? And check Angelina Jolie's little upturned oinker schnoz. Crazy what plastic surgeons can do.
People magazine is reporting that Dallas native Owen Wilson and Kate Hudson are no longer a couple. The two were in Dallas last month for the premiere of The Wendell Baker Story and an afterparty at Ghost Bar.
In last night's season finale of The Riches, it looked like Wayne and Dahlia were headed for a second season away from Eden Falls. But the RV wouldn't start. And it looks like Dale's getting rid of Pete, Doug's annoying best friend.
This is my favorite new show this year. The concept is unique, and the cast (led by Minnie Driver and Eddie Izzard) is perfect. And I love Nina the drug-dealer housewife whose husband is gay, and Hartley, the gold-digger whose prostethic arm fascinates Dale, are great characters.
Several reputable sources (all of whom love the Chicago Bears) have told me that Ben's Half Yard House is closing after Saturday, June 9.
The bar was a big hangout for Bears fans over the past year, and they used to show a lot of soccer matches, too. The website link -- sniff, sniff -- is already down.
In case you missed it in print today, here's what we imagine Paris the jailbird is writing in her diary:
Dear Diary: What’s up? I’m OK. I mean, for being in jail and all. My first day was so not hot. The other inmates kept laughing at me, and one of them made a sex-tape joke. That’s so 2003.
I can’t believe my attorneys insisted on sneaking me in here without one last photo op. That red carpet at the movie awards was so not enough exposure, and then that brunette girl onstage made fun of me during the show. Sarah Winkleman or something like that. So what? I’m way cuter than her. She has flabby arms.
Plus, her joke about prison bars painted like penises? Right, like you could really make bars look like that. I checked as soon as I got here, and there’s no way. So, like, whatever.
Gotta run. There’s a big girl named Erma who says she’s gonna butter my bread. Thank goodness. I’m starving.
Calle 13, my favorite crazy n' wacky reggaeton duo, is coming to Escapade 2009 on June 20. (Did anyone else know that they were here just a few weeks ago, on May 24 at Far West? Why do I find about these things after they happen?)
I can't find any ticket info yet, but I'm sure you'll be able to show up and buy tix there, if you're so inclined. Also: I highly recommend valet.
*Ponte hyper (PONE-tay, not pon-tee) means "get hyper" en espanol, and it's from their hit Atrevete Te Te, which you can listen to here.
Apple has put up a section in iTunes where it's listed its biggest selling albums of all time and priced them at $7.99.
Apple doesn't say if the 96 albums are ranked or randomly listed, but even so, there's a ton of music not to be missed at such a good price. Listed first is How to Save a Life by The Fray. And there's everything from Kelly Clarkson and The Killers to Jack Johnson, Eminem, Rihanna, etc.
I can't help checking Steep and Cheap every day to see what deals they're running on outdoor equipment. The deal changes every so often throughout the day, and sometimes the deals, like the ones on snowboarding gear, aren't so relevant for us Texas folks. But one day I got a ridiculous bargain on a pair of Garmont hiking shoes that I'm still bragging about. Check it out; you might find something worthwhile.
Kind of a shocking story - a man came to Dallas to purchase a car he found on the Internet, and he was killed. Police think it was a setup to try to rob him.
FYI: Tomorrow, take your hunger and a nonperishable food item to any DFW Chipotle Mexican Grill and get a free burrito, tacos, salad or bowl. This benefits the Tarrant area and north Texas food banks.
Is it just me, or is it totally easy to tell from the first second of a Sopranos scene that someone will get whacked? Not that it's a bad thing. That electric train sequence last night before Bobby ate it was one of the finest moments of TV ever.
Did you pick up any other clues from the second-to-last episode? Did that comment about "family being safe" mean that family is not safe?
Will Carm ever find out about Adriana?
Did Tony not have an extra set of sheets in that safe house?
I'll bet Paris Hilton is sad and lonely in jail, what with no pups or paparazzi and 22 more days to go to complete her sentence. Why not write her an encouraging note, blahblahblah-ers?
Paris Hilton #9818783
Century Regional Detention Facility
11705 S. Alameda Street
Lynwood, CA 90262
But it's more than metal files that are not allowed in notes to the heiress. Don't bother bedazzling a pillow for her or sending:
* Food or cosmetics
* Stationery, blank envelopes, envelopes with metal clasps, postage stamps,
envelopes with gang or suggestive drawings/art work (this probably includes depictions of scenes from One Night in Paris)
* Cash, personal or second party checks, travelers checks, payroll checks
* A single money order exceeding the $200 limit
* Blank money orders or non U.S.P.S. out-of-state money orders
Musical, plastic, plastic covered, blank, greeting or post cards larger than 6”x9”
* Paper clips, staples, pens, pencils, glitter, stickers, glued or gummed labels
* Rosary beads, balloons, string bracelets, or other jewelry items
* Lottery tickets or prepaid telephone cards
* Cellophane tape or any type of tape on letters
To reflect current reality, the Paris Hilton wax figure at Madame Tussauds in New York is now dressed in an old-school black-and-white striped jail outfit. Probably looks better than the jumpsuit she's really wearing. Orange never was her color.
The thought of using Yoo-Hoo and Tang in alcoholic drinks never crossed my mind, but now that I’ve tried it at the Double Wide, I can’t think of life any other way.
Why didn’t someone come up with this before?
The DW’s new drink menu — unveiled last week — contains the delectable Yoo-Hoo Yee Haw (like a White Russian, but with Yoo-Hoo's famous "chocolate drink" flavor, the ingredients of which can be found here); the Boones Farm Martini, with a Pixy Stix-sugared rim; the Hurri-Tang (a Hurricane made w/ Tang), and the Hurri-Tang Twist. The last one is like a Tang-flavored margarita.
All are $6, so you can at least have one, reflect back on your elementary-school days (who would have ever thought you'd be drinking Tang with vodka?), and then switch back to your canned Lone Star. As for musical accompanyment, I recommend this.
If you can find any good music in Dallas tonight, you besta let us know. Seems pretty dead, eh?
So, of course, we'll have to send you to Denton, where there's a perfectly fine li'l show at the much-debated-yet-not-duplicated Rubber Gloves. On the billski? A folksy, poppy Florida band called Clock Hands Struggle and Denton's My Son the Astronaut. The latter is definitely worth checkin' out during a reflective moment.
Paris Hilton made an appearance at the MTV Movie Awards last night, then checked herself in for at least a 23-day stay at an L.A. jail. There's no Twelve Step program, but I'm sure there will be plenty of time for reflection as she spends 23 hours a day in a 12-by-8 cell. Hey Paris, I've got a rock hammer and a poster of Rita Hayworth for ya.
Over the weekend, I was having a conversation with my wife about whether kids today are smarter and more highly evolved than we older bipeds. While we slowly trudge through day-to-day life, these whippersnappers are zipping past us on their fancy wheeled sneakers. And though it probably wouldn't be socially acceptable, I secretly think to myself, "I wonder if those come in a size 13."
Well, it turns out that may not be the greatest idea. Doctors are reporting more and more injuries from these roller shoes. Read on for the full story.
This weekend was BookExpo America. There was no red carpet, but there were some stars. Among the highlights:
* Rosie announced her memoir, Celebrity Detox, will be out this fall. No word yet on a forward by Elisabeth Hasselbeck.
* Stephen King sang. ... scary.
* Judy Blume signed 225 books in an hour. Fudge-a-Mania!
Joey Chestnut got Takeru Kobayashi's attention over the weekend. Chestnut (above, gulp) shattered Kobayashi's hot dog eating world record by devouring 59 1/2 in 12 minutes in a regional contest for Nathan's. Kobayashi had gobbled up 53 3/4 in last year's Fourth of July event at Coney Island. Get this: One of Chestnut's prizes: a year's supply of hot dogs. Mustard, anyone?
The only two Texas bands I spotted are both from Austin, Spoon and The Black Angels. Non Lone Star bands include The Police, Franz Ferdinand, Junior Brown. Regina Spektor, The Decemberists, Spoon, Wilco, The Flaming Lips, Ben Harper, The String Cheese Incident, Tool and about a zillion others.
I'm not a big fan of the mixed martial arts stuff on TV (or as I call it, the "Keep Watching Us Cuz Sooner or Later Somebody Will Die In the Ring" Fighting Championships).
Former NFL wide receiver Johnnie Morton got his block knocked off in his first MMA fight. He lost in 38 seconds and was quickly taken to the hospital afterward.
Ya know, when I think of players making the transition from the NFL to such an extremely brutal sport, my mind goes immediately to linemen or linebackers not pretty boy wide receivers.
Mississippi Braves manager Phillip Wellman gave an umpire-dissing performance for the ages Friday night. His effort included tossing the rossin bag from behind the pitcher's mound toward home plate as if it were a grenade. And the toss was perfect, landing just a few feet in front of the ump for a powdery explosion. A must see!
A member of A&E's reality series Flip This House is facing reality. AP reports that legal filings claim Atlanta businessman Sam Leccima was involved in a series of scams "that included faking the home renovations shown ... and claiming to have sold houses he never owned." Allegedly, Leccima's friends and family posed as potential homebuyers, and home repairs were quick fixes just good enough for the camera. Maybe Leccima, who is no longer listed on the show's Web site, needs an Intervention.
Make sure you check out this week's episode of Movie Time With Pikahsso and Tahiti. The guys take on Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, and they do it in pirate garb.
They may have a future as pirates, if the rap thing doesn't work out.
LeBron's double-OT performance last night was about as dominant as we've seen. Jordan-esque, even. He scored 29 of the Cavs' final 30 points. An amazing 25 in a row. Detroit's defense turned to Swiss cheese.
If the Cavs advance to the Finals, the Spurs better plan on Bruce Bowen, Fabricio Oberto and Robert Horry guarding LeBron at all times. Maybe a love tap from Horry would help slow him down. Even that's doubtful.
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