Thursday, July 29, 2004

Obama at the DNC

I like to keep politically aware but am by no means a die hard fan of politics. And I can't classify myself as Republican or Democrat because, like many people, I am very open minded and have beleifs and ideas that fall over the entire spectrum of the left or right. But, I do know a good thing when I hear it and after watching Barack Obama (Illinois) speak at the Democratic National Convention, I was incredibly impressed. That was really the first I had heard of him, I think, but the man certainly has a speaking prescence and after looking through his website I think he would definitley be a welcome addition to the Senate. If you missed it, or if you just want to watch it again like I've been doing, the video is available on his website (http://www.obamaforillinois.com/) as well as at most news sites.

Friday, July 23, 2004

What does everybody want?

Ok, I've got to put this in the blog at least once.
Excel Telecommunications.
You've probably never heard of them but they may be just what you're looking for.
If you would like to have your own business and are looking to make some more money without doing much work at all besides talking to your friends and family, you should seriously look at Excel's business opportunity. It's not demanding. It's not difficult. It can make a big difference in your life.
Just click on the "Opportunity" link at the top of the page, watch the business presentation, read the testimonials and see for yourself why so many people are enjoying the freedom that Excel can give and, hopefully, you will make the decision to join and take some of that freedom for yourself.

Friday, July 16, 2004

Grade school tragedy in India

I just read of the school fire in Kumbakonam, India on CNN.com and Yahoo News and am at a loss for words on this tragedy. Apparently, a fire, started by a short circuit, broke out in the school late this mornining while lunch was being prepared and quickly spread to multiple parts of the school because of the thatched roof. As of now they were reporting that at least around 80 people were killed, most were children between 4 and 9 years old.

Monday, July 12, 2004

I'm usually a little bit behind the times when it comes to certain things, in this case movies. I don't go to theatres when new movies come out, except maybe once every couple of years because I'm going with someone else, but I like to watch DVD's in the comfort of my own home theatre. One movie that I really wanted to see when it first came out was Whale Rider. Obviously, I never saw it in a theatre and even chose not to watch it when it was Oxygen a couple times (not a fan of movies on TV either, commercials and all). So, I finally got it off reserve at the library and watched it tonight and must say that it is a beautiful movie and one of the best I've seen in a while. Certainly deserving of all the awards it had won. Keisha Castle-Hughes (Paikea) and Rawiri Paratene (Koro) are unforgettable as grandfather and granddaughter, and I thought Grant Roa (Paikea's uncle Rawiri) was great and would love to see him in more films. Anyway, if you haven't seen the movie you definitely need to rent it or read the book that the movie is based on by Witi Ihimaera.

Friday, July 09, 2004

Would you hire a divorced lawyer as a divorce lawyer?

I was on the New York Times website today looking around for information on hotels, city life and things to do in general because I have been thinking about taking a trip up there and I saw an article on this young woman from Jersey who decided that it's time for her to be married and put up a website advertising herself and what she's looking for in a husband so that she can meet her goal to be engaged by December. The site is www.marryblaire.com. Now, I see nothing wrong with putting yourself on the web and basically advertising yourself to the world in hopes of finding someone whom you are compatible with, attracted to and would be able to live with, share with and grow with for the rest of your lives (obviously not the easiest thing in the world based on divorce rates) but I find it odd that someone who says she is an event planner specializing bachelorette parties, a "dating coach" and who has worked as a matchmaker for WB TV would put out this website. I guess I don't find it odd but it just seems like it's more for publicity. I don't know, I suppose times change and people certainly go about things in many different ways so I can't knock it, but when I thought about it at first it seemed weird that someone who is seemingly desperate to find someone and get maerried this way is also a dating coach and a matchmaker. It just reminded me of a program I saw where a couple was going through a divorce and the female hired a divorced female as her divorce lawyer. I don't get it.
Oh well, if you are a Jewish male, between the ages of 25 and 31, in the NYC area, a "go-getter", work out and are spiritually and emotionally developed, then Blaire is looking for you so send her an e-mail and a picture and you may find yourself engaged by the end of the year!

Monday, July 05, 2004

I Love S.H.E.

As I've said, I love all kinds of music and I am absolutely in love with the Taiwanese trio, S.H.E. (for Selina (middle in the picture), Hebe (the unbelievably gorgeous one on the right ^_^ mmmm...*sigh* ) and Ella (up high on the left)). I can't actually remember when I first became aware of them but I think it was a couple years ago after downloading an mp3 of one of their songs and now I have all of their cd's and almost (!) all of their dvd's (which are awesome because they have their music videos, karaoke and behind the scenes video of them. They are definitely one of the things that have kept me interested in continuing to learn Mandarin, although I've lacked in studying for a while, a long while. But I listen to them about every day and look forward to the day when I can take a trip to Taiwan and see them live. I should take up donations. :D Ahh, that would be quite nice.
But, until then, I have to make due with their albums and dvd's. Even if you don't know any Mandarin, it's good music to listen to and ranges from very poppy music to some very nice ballads. Playing in my iTunes library right now is Ai Wo De Zi Ge, which I love.
Posted by Hello

Image from http://she.him.com.tw/

Sunday, July 04, 2004

Go Sonya!

Well, Sonya (Thomas - see previous post) did very well today in the Nathan's hot dog eating contest. While Takeru "The Tsunami" Kobayashi did win again and set a new world recod of 53.5 hot dogs and buns eaten in 12 minutes, Sonya beat her personal best and set not one, but two new reocds in the process. She was able to eat 32 hot dogs and buns which gives her a new Women's record and a new American record!! Lots of congratulations to you Sonya! But, fresh off this huge contest she has another on Thursday during the half-time of a New York Liberty basketball game in Madison Square Garden. The plat du jour: chicken. Good luck again with that one.
I am so in the wrong profession. But, I know I'm nowhere near Sonya's league. Heck, I probably couldn't beat the person that came in last at the Nathan's contest. Cooking, on the other hand, would be really fun. Imagine being on Iron Chef. Awesome. Then imagine being on Iron Chef USA, with William Shatner...eh, not so awesome. I may have to think about that though, enrolling in a cullinary program. Hmmm....

Saturday, July 03, 2004

Maria Sharapova crowned women's champion

The news from Wimbledon.
What a great match today between Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams. Even if you're not really a tennis fan you would agree that it was awesome to see Sharapova match skills and beat Williams at Wimbledon. The end of the match was just as good, if not better, than the match itself. When good sportsmanship so often seems to be wishful thinknig I could not resist smiling when Serena congratulated and passed the torch, or dish, to Maria, and especially when Maria was giving her interview and was gracious and humble by literally saying "I'm sorry" twice about taking the title from Serena. That was just too awesome. And her experssions when she couldn't her dad's cell phone to get a signal to call her mom too. That was definitely the best sports event I've seen in a while.
Then tomorrow I have to watch Sonya Thomas in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest from Coney Island, NY on ESPN. She is an amazingly attractive woman, and such a beautiful smile. And do I even have to mention her eating abilities? 11 pounds of cheesecake in 9 minutes!?!?!? 'Nuff said. She is one person I would definitely love to meet. Hopefully she will do well tomorrow and break her own record.
Posted by Hello

^_^   Beautiful Sonya.

Friday, July 02, 2004

Marlon Brando dies at 80

I just read that Marlon Brando passed away yesterday at 80 years old. I've honestly never seen the vast majority of his films. In fact, the only ones I can really recall seeing are The Godfather, Superman and The Island Dr. Moreau. With the exception of The Godfather, not really his best movies. It's been years since I've seen the Godfather though so I may get the trillogy DVD set from the library next week and watch it. This weekend though, my DVD watching is going to filled with as much Sci-Fi as I can pack into it. I got the director's cut of Frank Herbert's Dune (the SciFi miniseries from 2000) from the library this week and I've had a copy of Children of Dune that I've never watched so I'm going to try to watch those. Plus, I need to satisfy my Star Trek fix since Enterprise is in reruns until next season so I will go to the library and look for some of those.
Yeah, what a weekend I have planned. Boy, does it suck being single. It would be nice to go out to some fireworks displays this weekend but not alone and definitely not down to Red, White & Boom. It's like a frickin' mob downtown when that finishes. Oh well, as long as I have my tv, DVD player and computer I'll be ok. Ha!
Whatever.

Thursday, July 01, 2004

Saddam's Arraignment

It's really interesting seeing the video and images of Saddam Hussein in a courtroom. Needless to say, it's something that most people thought would never happen. His actual trial, whenever that will happen will be quite interesting too considering that the timeline for the preliminary charges spans 30 years. CNN says that the formal indictments will be worked out in the next few months so a trial date is probably not going to be coming until in first or second quarter 2005. Here's a link to CNN's transcript of the event: Arraignment Transcript
And in news closer to home, we know the official name of the next Harry Potter book and Britney Spears still sucks.