Updated with srikeouts. Only 3 wrong, not too bad. (Little Jaden Smith doesn’t count, but he sure is adorable.) 2:00 AM – Props to Eric for another great post and for this cool graphic. I’m too tired to list who I think all the nominees will be, but I will reveal a few of my picks. I’ll be up early for the nominations as I’m picking Tyson up at the airport. I imagine a lot of people in West Hollywood are up tonight! Here are my favorites to win, not that they necessarily will. I still have some real work to finish Best Actor: I loved Will Smith’s performance, though I think Leonardo may be hard to beat with Best Actress: Helen Mirren, no contest Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Hudson Best Supporting Actor: It might be Eddie Murphy’s year, but they could go with Best Picture: For my money was Babel, with Best Song: Hopefully “Listen”, but maybe I Love You I Do has a chance? I tend to wear them both out on my hard drive! Best Director: Eastwood by a hair, sorry Foreign Language Film: I’m going with More later….back to work! –Carey
and it’s late. If anybody’s up, feel free to call 
two roles, and of course the sentimental favorite is Peter O’Toole. Sasha Baron Cohen might be the wildcard. I haven’t seen Half Nelson yet, damnit! It’s anyone’s guess.Nicholson. I haven’t seen Half Nelson yet, damnit! (How about props for Jaden Smith? )Dreamgirls a close second.Bill C.Volver. Haven’t seen Pan’s.
Month: January 2007
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Oscar Eve
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Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep…
I couldn’t resist posting this
Thanks Tim.Also, I can’t remember if I already posted this one of Garbo & Ruby I took with my cell when I was dog sitting them.
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The Good, The Bad & The Bush Baby: New Idol Low?
Update: 11/12/2008 – As I predicted nearly 2 years ago, Someone finally died after being humiliated on American Idol: http://www.tmz.com/2008/11/12/dead-woman-former-idol-wannabe/ She was obviously mentally ill. I hope the producers make some changes as a result of this.
OK this is terribly sad I think. Even more so than William Hung. At least he was smart, albeit naive. These two kids (see below) are mentally disabled (at least the one is according to the New York Times, who claims Jayne competed in the Special Olympics). How far must this exploitation go? One might argue that it’s not exploitation if they are none the wiser for embracing their new found “fame”. William Hung is a millionaire now and still performs all over the world. But he has the mental capacity to know what he’s doing. And even Jimmy Kimmel, in the guise of trying to help these kids and paying them to do spots on his show, is exploiting them I think. This is more than schadenfreude, it’s actually quite painful to watch. You be the judge: MSNBC Video (Make sure you watch for the interview with them about 3 minutes into the video). They also had another interview later in the show that I’m sure will be on YouTube soon, where they both say they want to break into movies now, and become actors, since they now have agents (and one has already changed his name)! Oi vey. I fear it’s going to take a suicide to stop this type of thing.The other side of this coin is “who cares”? These kids audition knowing how the show works and what they’re getting into. It happens every season, all over the world (including places like Ethiopia and the Ukraine), and these two kids are getting their humiliating “15 minutes” of Idol fame. Surely there are more important things in the world to worry about. That’s hard to argue with, but on a deeper level, is this worldwide “idolatry” phenomenon representative of a larger global problem? It’s difficult to say. I just think the interviews these kids are now giving are more “cringingly” painful to watch then their original Idol auditions…or maybe I’m making way too big a deal about it. Again, just food for thought.
Posted by …. Melanie McFarland …. on January 22, 2007 10:30 a.m.Almost a week after Seattle witnessed its reputation as a music town get slaughtered on “American Idol,” I’m still getting e-mail about it. Which is understandable, since television won’t let the whole bush baby business die.Luckily for us, Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul came to Pasadena on Saturday, giving us the opportunity to grill them about being meanies.
“Look, (the auditioners have) watched it for five seasons. I think they’re aware that if they’re not very good, they’re going to get a hard time,” Cowell told critics. He went on to say that what we don’t see on camera is the judges going in front of everyone who made the cut and warning them about what may happen, giving them one last chance to leave.
“Let me ask you something,” he added later. “Do you think William Hung is mad that he came on this show? The guy’s made almost a million dollars for being one of the worst singers ever. Do you think he’s mad? Are you kidding? He’s jumping up and down.”
True…but Simon didn’t compare Hung’s looks to a primate’s. So after the session, I cornered him and executive producer Ken Warwick, and broached a few topics on Seattle’s behalf.
#1. The bush baby brouhaha.
Out of all the terrible singers featured in Wednesday’s episode, Kenneth Briggs (who has since asked to be called Michael Swale) was the one everyone was talking about because Cowell said he looked like “one of those creatures in the jungle with massive eyes.”
“The View” defended Briggs/Swale and Jonathan Jayne Thursday morning, then “Jimmy Kimmel Live” brought them to Hollywood after all. They’re getting a trip to Florida out of the deal, and their good fortune probably won’t end there.
It wasn’t nice, but being called a “bush baby” been berry, berry good to Briggs. Yet, he has asked several times for an apology.
So I passed that along to Cowell, who said, “I don’t even know this guy who you’re talking about!”
That should help heal the rift. But he went on. “I’ve only read (about it)…The fact that I am 47 years old, coming to America and talking about bush babies is sort of surreal. I think it was an off-the-cuff remark I made, and he’s offended, then I apologize. I won’t ever call anyone a bush baby again.”
Honestly? You apologize? I asked.
“Oh, completely. I’ll be sending him a letter.” Then Cowell rolled his eyes.
Better accept it man, because that’s as good as it’s gonna get — and it won’t be the last time someone’s looks will get ridiculed.
“You’ve got to remember that (Simon) comes from a background where you have to be commercial. He’s about that: ‘I make my money, my business is about selling records,’” Warwick said, adding that looks play a huge part in finding the next lucrative “Idol.”
If that’s true, someone needs to explain Taylor Hicks to me.
#2. Jayne making it in front of the judges.
Last week The New York Times attempted to shame “Idol” by running a story about Jayne having competed in a past Special Olympics, implying that the show allowed a “mentally handicapped” person to make the initial cut for the sole purpose of making fun of him.
If you actually saw Jayne in action on the show, you know that’s wrong on a number of levels. For one thing, Jayne is not mentally handicapped. He has a mild case of autism, which is a neurodevelopmental disorder. That doesn’t stop him from having pretty much the same ambition and desires as any other singers in this competition.
In fact, he has a leg up on most people because the guy really can sing. Jayne blew the audition, like so many other did, but you can tell he has a nice voice. At issue were comments judges made on his weight, but if you watched the entire thing, they were actually fairly gentle with the guy.
More to the point, Cowell said in the “Idol” session, “To suggest that because someone like that…shouldn’t be allowed to enter the competition smacks of censorship, to be honest with you. I’m not saying that it’s particularly pleasant to watch. But I don’t think we should be censors on any type of people…what we’re trying to be, more than anything else, is representative.”
Later, Warwick put it a little more brusquely. “Everyone should get a fair crack of the whip,” he said. “And I have a problem with people who are critics of us saying, ‘That person was simple! They shouldn’t be on television!’
“That’s nonsense. I’m asking them to sing 16 bars of a song, for goodness sake, not defuse a bomb!”
#3. Making Seattle look bad.
Cowell and Warwick swear they didn’t do it on purpose. “I love Seattle as a city, I seriously do!” Warwick said. “I felt relaxed there. I thought it was beautiful…I would move to Seattle, when all this falls to pieces. ”
Cowell echoed that sentiment. “I mean, I do like the city. I just hated the singers who turned up.”
Asked what it was about “Idol” auditions that brought out the region’s David Lynch mob, he replied, “I genuinely don’t know what was happening! I remember it happening in Houston about three years ago, when we had two days of absolute hell… We actually thought they were all going to be good and, well, you saw the show. It was just a wave of miserably bad people.”
In the end, it appears that “Idol” learned its lesson. “We won’t be going back to Seattle next year,” Cowell said.
Lastly, I know saying this is not going to make me popular in a number of living rooms, but someone has to do it: Folks, let it go. Seriously. All of this outrage over Seattle’s treatment on “American Idol” amounts to energy misspent. Plan your gardens. Lobby for more efficient public transportation. Stop seething over this thing.
“American Idol” is now in its sixth season, and every year auditions in some city yield a “has Simon gotten meaner?” story. Tag, Seattle — we’re it.
Yes, Simon was meaner. He has a reputation for being the meanest man on television. Every year he has to up the ante — of course he’s meaner! “Idol” auditioners know their shot comes with the possible price of horrific humiliation. I don’t hear anyone complaining on behalf of Darwin Reedy, and she seems to be Fox’s poster child of 2007′s talentless.
And really, what is there to get mad about? Reggie Watts or Common Market didn’t show up among the rejects. Why? Because they and the other local talents don’t need “Idol” to validate them. Go to one of the fine, fine shows they and other Seattle bands put on almost any night of the week, and you’ll understand why.
Above all, do not cry for Jayne or Briggs/Swale. Right now, some enterprising person must be cooking up a scheme to get those two, Hung and whatever bad singers we witness this week to commit to some sort of tone-deaf Lollapalooza. Want to make them feel better? Go ahead and buy a ticket to that show when it comes to town, and be sure to bring earplugs.
The Continuing Adventures of Jonathan & Kenneth
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Photographer Photographs Photographer
The following photographs were taken by photographer Hans van de Vorst at the Grand Canyon, Arizona. The descriptions are his own. The identity of the photographer in the photos is unknown.
I was simply stunned seeing this guy standing on this solitary rock in the Grand Canyon. The canyon’s depth is 900 meters here. The rock on the right is next to the canyon and safe.
Watching this guy in his thong sandals, with a camera and a tripod I asked myself 3 questions:
1. How did he climb that rock?
2. Why is he not taking that sunset picture on that rock to the right, which is perfectly safe?
3. How will he get back?
This is the point of no return.
After the sun set behind the canyon’s horizon he packed his things (having only one hand available) and prepared himself for the jump. This took about 2 minutes. At that point he had the full attention of the crowd.
After that, he jumped…
The canyon’s depth is 900 meters here.
Now you can see that the adjacent rock is higher so he tried to land lower, which is quite steep and tried to use his one hand to grab the rock.
That’s it! Look carefully at the photographer. He has a camera, a tripod and also a plastic bag, all on his shoulder or in his left hand. Only his right hand was available to grab the rock and the weight of his load must be heavy.
He lands low on this flip flops both his right hand and right foot slips away…
At that moment the photo is taken.
He pushes his body against the rock. He waits a few seconds, throws his stuff on the rock, climbs up and walks away.I was impressed by this too, until I looked it up on Snopes, and found this:
Though still impressive, and dangerous, the drop was not 900 meters. One should always question what they find on the Internet or receive in their email.
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Istanbul not Constantinople
Thanks Michaela! Love and Miss ya! Glad Istanbul was great. See you in London! –Carey
Giorgio Armani: David Beckham Wants To Be An Actor (???? Giorgio Armani)
Jan 17, 2007
David Beckham is moving to the US so he can become an actor, fashion designer Giorgio Armani has claimed.
The former England captain agreed a staggering £128 million deal to join the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer club last week and the revered designer is convinced it is because the sports star wants to make it big in Hollywood.
Armani said: “”If the reports are true, then he has done the right thing. And I think he wants to be an actor, not a soccer player.”
Hey football-fans,
just found a picture from the summer-meeting in munich this summer! there are only few of the gang in the picture.
I think you need to work on it a bit, ’cause I scanned it on my moms computer and there’s is no fotoshop or similar program on it
anyway, hope the fisheye-shot brings a smile on your face
lots of hugs and kisses,
mick -
Junk Mail
Glad I got this off my chest, LOL
To: United Airlines Customer Relations
Message type: Complaint
Response required: Yes
I have a stack of junk mail here from United. Everything from your stupid Visa card to “Great Expectations Dating Service” (why United thinks I need a spouse I do not know). I have scoured your website looking for the legally required place to opt out of junk mail per the Gramm Leach Bliley Act, and it’s not there. You are in violation of federal law. This correspondence will serve as notification that you are never to send me another piece of snail mail as long as I live. It is the 21st century. I don’t want a United Visa, and I don’t need you tampering with my love life. Leave me alone or I will sue you. I am sticking this stack of junk in the mailbox today, marked RETURN TO SENDER and your bankrupt company can pay the postage. I repeat, never send me anything in the mail again. Only email. Understand????? Please advise, and make sure your response addressess everything I talk about here. I’m not about to start an endless thread with a bankrupt behemoth who doesn’t even deserve my business anymore. Why do you think I stopped flying you after 15 years of loyalty? Your corporate values and your price gouging practices are inexcusable. I don’t know how you sleep with yourselves at night knowing that you are directly responsible for the utter misery of thousands of good people. You disgust me. NO MORE MAIL. You’re nothing but greedy corporate robber barons, and I refuse to acquiesce to your strong arm filthy tactics.
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Andy Pandy
My cousin installed a new doggie door tonight, and guess who found it first??
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Nuclear Bomb Detonated in Los Angeles
OK, I’m really sorry I didn’t mean to scare you. If you notice the “President Palmer” part, you know that this is a scene from the new season of “24“. People here in LA are talking about it though. It hits a little close to “home”. Ever since 9/11 I’ve assumed that LA is a target. It makes perfect sense. The ridiculously obscene gluttony of pop culture merged with vapid “stars” like Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie, is one of the reasons why “they hate us so much”. It’s not that other countries don’t have similar situations, but LA is the epicenter of it all. “Everybody comes to Hollywood, they want to make it in the neighborhood…”
Today was actually a very strange day here in LA. It’s unseasonably cool (Arnold is still directing state agencies to activate extreme temperature protocols, LOL) When I walked home from lunch the sky was eerily dark in the north but shining bright in the south. I took these pictures with my cell phone from the top of my street (at 1 PM mind you). They’re not great, but you kind of get the idea. The sky looked like it does in the midwest before a huge storm. Then I heard on the radio that there were “unconfirmed” reports of SNOW on Sunset Blvd. Even though my camera is still broken, I would have bought a new one just to take pictures of that!
Apparently it did snow in Malibu, but I swear the temperature was 20 degrees (F) above freezing, so I can’t imagine it stayed on the ground for more than a few minutes. Weird though. We all know the planet’s weather patterns are changing. If you haven’t seen “An Inconvenient Truth” yet, it really is required viewing.
I’ve got the heat on tonight, and I’m watching a tragic American Idol, while typing this on my laptop. So…maybe it is the “End of the World As We Know It” (but I feel fine)
