Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Huell Howser explores the LA River - sort of
If you are not familiar with Huell Howser, a video journalist and personality who is well-known to public tv fans in California, you may or may not find this video parody funny. But if you are familiar with him, you may spit your morning coffee (or tea, as I did). Spot on. Warning - the video contains some bad words.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Best tradition in sports
I just finished watching the Anaheim Ducks defeat Detroit 4-3 to win the Western Conference championship and go on to the Stanley Cup final. Man, that was fun! I have to write this little love letter to playoff hockey.
In the playoffs, the games are rarely interrupted by mindless and often pointless fights. Players are more focused and intense. This allows the fan to appreciate the speed, flow and continuous action. Hockey is a beautiful sport in ways that no other team sport can approach. It also has much better tv announcers than pro football, baseball or basketball. Mike Emrick expresses the excitement and energy of the game. His voice actually gets excited at the right moments - imagine that. And best of all, since hockey is on the obscure network Versus, there are no annoying crowd shots of celebrities! No bands, no dancers. Again, imagine that - the camera stays focused on the action.
There was a lot of action to enjoy tonight too. The Ducks playing at home roared to a 3-0 lead in the 3rd period. It appeared that they would cruise into the Cup finals. Then the Red Wings relentlessly pushed the attack for the final 20 minutes. They put 16 shots on goal. Three went in. But the Ducks scored a 4th goal with 14 minutes to go and held on for the win.
Following the game, I got all goosebumped as I watched my favorite tradition in sports - the players line up at center ice and shake hands. This is not like little leaguers idly slapping their opponents hands and saying "good game, good game" as they look the other way and rush through the line. The players firmly grasp the hand of each opponent while looking into his face and saying a few words of congratulation or consolation. After several seconds, he moves on to the next player in line. I witnessed intense competitors clearly showing respect for each other. That is the pure essence of sport. And it reminded me that even adults paid a handsome salary as professionals can embody the best amateur spirit.
In the playoffs, the games are rarely interrupted by mindless and often pointless fights. Players are more focused and intense. This allows the fan to appreciate the speed, flow and continuous action. Hockey is a beautiful sport in ways that no other team sport can approach. It also has much better tv announcers than pro football, baseball or basketball. Mike Emrick expresses the excitement and energy of the game. His voice actually gets excited at the right moments - imagine that. And best of all, since hockey is on the obscure network Versus, there are no annoying crowd shots of celebrities! No bands, no dancers. Again, imagine that - the camera stays focused on the action.
There was a lot of action to enjoy tonight too. The Ducks playing at home roared to a 3-0 lead in the 3rd period. It appeared that they would cruise into the Cup finals. Then the Red Wings relentlessly pushed the attack for the final 20 minutes. They put 16 shots on goal. Three went in. But the Ducks scored a 4th goal with 14 minutes to go and held on for the win.
Following the game, I got all goosebumped as I watched my favorite tradition in sports - the players line up at center ice and shake hands. This is not like little leaguers idly slapping their opponents hands and saying "good game, good game" as they look the other way and rush through the line. The players firmly grasp the hand of each opponent while looking into his face and saying a few words of congratulation or consolation. After several seconds, he moves on to the next player in line. I witnessed intense competitors clearly showing respect for each other. That is the pure essence of sport. And it reminded me that even adults paid a handsome salary as professionals can embody the best amateur spirit.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Lost Season Recaps
Warning - If you are a fan of Lost, do not read these at work. You will make loud, high pitched laughing noises that will draw unwanted attention to your cubicle and then soon you will have a crowd of people around your computer making similar noises. They certainly had me laughing out loud but you can do that with few consequences when you work at home.
Lost Season 2 Recap - 1
Lost Season 2 Recap - 2
Lost Season 3 Recap
Lost Season 2 Recap - 1
Lost Season 2 Recap - 2
Lost Season 3 Recap
Thursday, May 17, 2007
The Landlord Outtakes
Last month Will Farrell and his writing partner Adam McKay released a very funny short video that featured McKay's 2 year old daughter Pearl as Farrell's landlord
In the current tradition, they have now released the outtakes to The Landlord
I think the outtakes prove that any 2 year old can be funnier than Will Farrell. Of course a 2 year old can be funnier than anyone.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Lost - a philosphic treatise
This theory of Lost's deeper philosophic meaning definitely appeals to my inner nerd. It might even be right. Perhaps we'll find out by 2010. By then, fans like me can hope to be introduced to characters named for Schopenhauer, Kierkegaard, Heidegger, Nietzsche and John Stuart Mill. Or Spock. I really want to hear someone on Lost say, "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few."
'Lost,' a la Descartes
'Lost,' a la Descartes
Thursday, May 03, 2007
I'm the Commander Guy
I don't think much comment is needed to this recent quote from The Decider
"By the way, in the report it said, it is -- the government may have to put in more troops to be able to get to that position. And that's what we do. We put in more troops to get to a position where we can be in some other place. The question is, who ought to make that decision? The Congress or the commanders? And as you know, my position is clear -- I'm the commander guy."
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/20070502-2.html
If you liked that, you will love this list of Bushisms
"By the way, in the report it said, it is -- the government may have to put in more troops to be able to get to that position. And that's what we do. We put in more troops to get to a position where we can be in some other place. The question is, who ought to make that decision? The Congress or the commanders? And as you know, my position is clear -- I'm the commander guy."
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/20070502-2.html
If you liked that, you will love this list of Bushisms
