My Christmas Vacation

So, I made it back to Portland safely, and the overall trip was easy despite the snowy weather in Oregon. My outgoing flight was delayed only an hour, and there were not any complications coming back from Houston, so I lucked out.

The trip itself was your typical Christmas. I had the chance to visit with my loved ones, received some great DVDs, and I had the chance to relax a little bit. Not a bad trip at all. It was also good to be back in Texas, even if it was only for a few days.

The only downside of the trip is the fact that it was cloudy and rainy for most of the time while I was there. I swear I can never leave the rain to save my life. I think rainclouds just follow me around. It was also very humid in Houston, which isn't anything new, but it just reminded me how much I've gotten used to the weather up here in Portland.

Being in Houston also gave me something to think about, especially when it comes to my next big move. I realized that I really, really, really don't like the heat and humidity, which could rule out Houston (or any where on the Gulf Coast) as a possible destination. Combine this revelation with the fact that I really enjoyed the snow in Portland, and I think I have a better idea of where I might belong, i.e. somewhere that has sun but also gets cold and snowy with little to no humidity. Where could that be?

My trip home was good, and it was nice to see the family again, but I was really excited to be back in Portland. Part of me actually missed the cold and snow, and for the first time in a long time I referred to Portland as home...maybe that will factor in my next decision as well.

My Snowball

So, apparently Portland's going to be buried under snow for the next couple of days. The storm really rolled in last Sunday, and it's been off and on, but it really came down today. We got like 8 inches.

I like snow well enough, but even I think I've hit my limit. It's not the snow that I mind; it's the being stuck in the apartment that is starting to get to me. Also, my hot water heater decided to spring a leak, so I had to deal with that. My apartment manager and I ripped up part of the carpet to avoid mold, and hopefully people will be by on Monday (assuming the city isn't shut down) to fix things up. It's kind of a bummer, but it could have been worse; it could have leaked while I was gone thus flooding my entire apartment. That's me, always looking at the bright side.

Back to the snow. It's been really beautiful seeing the entire city blanketed in snow, but I just wish the roads weren't so bad. Cabin fever's setting in, and I'm starting to freak out about my flight next week. Things are supposed to be slightly better on Tuesday (the day I fly out to Houston), but snow and ice are still in the forecast. We'll just have to wait and see. It has been a nice little preview for me though because I've always said I'd like to live in Colorado, and for some reason this is how I picture life in the Rockies.

So, sure it's been kinda boring being shut it, but I had the chance to watch Eureka: Season 1, had some hot soup, and I have a warm place to sleep. I really can't complain in the end.

My Jam

I've never considered myself a music person. For the longest time, the only music I really listened to was what ever was on the radio station. I did go through my R&B phase, and Boyz II Men were pretty much the greatest thing ever. Then, I had my Country phase which lasted a few years until the line between Country & Pop was annihilated (thanks a lot Shania!).

Over the last couple of years, I've realized that my musical tastes have been leaning towards chill, acoustic music over stuff like Hip-hop, Alternative, and Emo. Personally, I think it's because of my recent man-crush on Zach Braff. I have fine tuned my preference which now includes artists like Jack Johnson, Schuyler Fisk, Amos Lee, Joshua Radin, Tristan Prettyman, and my all-time favorite Griffin House.

Compared to the rest, Griffin House is still kind of under the radar, which is fine by me because I feel like I'm in the know. I stumbled across House's Myspace page a few years ago, and I really dug a song on his music player called "The Guy That Says Goodbye to You Is Out of His Mind" I was immediately hooked, and I was excited to see that a music video has finally been produced:



The video itself is pretty low-key, and straight to the point, but it's the song that really shines. Despite my love for Griffin House, I've yet to catch one of his shows, and he comes up to Portland a lot. He's scheduled to be back in January, and I should check it out...I just need to find someone who digs his kind of music to go with me.

My Season of Bowling

It's kind of hard to believe that the college bowl season starts this Saturday. This fall just flew by! I know that the it thing in college football is to clamor for a Division 1-A Playoff, but we all know that is NEVER going to happen. I'm in the minority because I actually like the bowl games, and I like the Bowl Championship Series. Say what you will, but the BCS makes November an exciting month due to all of the controversies...plus, the BCS screwed Texas out a National Championship, which is always aces in my book.

Now, the bowl season is far from perfect but it does create some buzz because it allows some unique matchups that we may not have a chance to see otherwise, and 30+ teams have a chance to go out on top. Of course, I do have some problems with the bowls:

1. Lack of Creativity
We still have good old fashioned bowl games who have a sense of identity and creativity like the Cotton Bowl. You hear "Cotton Bowl" and you know the game's taking place in Texas. How about the Gator Bowl, that just screams Florida. Unfortunately the current trend is to take away all of the creativity from the bowls. Now, we have the New Orleans Bowl (guess where that one takes place), the Texas Bowl (Houston), the Las Vegas Bowl, the Hawai'i Bowl (Honolulu), the New Mexico Bowl (Albuquerque), and the St. Petersburg Bowl (sure the Rays finally started winning, but do they deserve a bowl) to name a few. Where's the originality? It's just plain lazy.

2. Corporate Takeover
Corporations and naming rights have ruined sports from the top down. I hate it that major sports facilities have to be named after a company. It's just sickening. Of course the almighty dollar has always had an impact on college football, and now companies have their own bowl games like: the Capital One Bowl (formally the Tangerine/Florida Citrus Bowl), the Chik-fil-A Bowl (formally the Peach Bowl), the Emerald Bowl (formally the San Francisco Bowl), Meineke Car Care Bowl (formally the Queen City Bowl), and the Papajohns.com Bowl (the worst name ever). It's hard to take a football game seriously when it's named after a pizza company's website. Despite my hatred for corporation tie-ins, I do think it'd be funny if the Alamo Bowl was renamed to the Taco Cabana Bowl.

3. Too Many Bowls
Maybe the lack of naming creativity is because we have way too many bowl games. There are 34 bowl games, meaning 68 teams received bids...there are only 119 D-IA teams, which means over half of the teams go to a bowl. We have teams who don't even have a winning record (ahem...Notre Dame) going to games. It just reminds me of kiddie soccer where everyone gets a trophy just for showing up. Only the best teams and matchups should be showcased in a bowl game, not anyone who managed to go 6-6. Seriously, who wants to see Florida Atlantic vs. Central Michigan or Ohio State vs. Texas (I kid...sorta)?

Despite all of the flaws, I do love bowl season more than any other time of the sports year. I'm really excited to see Boise State vs. TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl, a classic Rose Bowl (Penn State vs. USC), and Florida & Oklahoma in the BCS National Championship game. Good times! Enjoy all of the football!

My Snow Day

Yesterday was the first snow in Portland, so of course the entire city practically shut down. I'm not complaining because that meant I had a snow day today. I really didn't do much with my day off; slept in, watched some movies, surfed the net, took a nap, but it was a nice little break from reality.

I also remembered how much of a love-hate relationship I have with snow. I love it because it's snow! Who doesn't love watching the flakes fall, the world blanketed in white, remembering the joyous times as a kid when you played in it. Snow really is a cool thing...unless you have to leave your house. I've lived up here in Portland for close to four years, and it only really snows a handful of times per year, so my snow driving skills are limited. Add to this the fact that I grew up in West Texas, and you can understand why the thought of driving in the snow is stressful. I'd love to live in a place where it snows fairly regularly, but I'd never get anything done because I'd be cooped up inside the entire time. OK, so I know I'll eventually pick up the skills to navigate slick highway conditions, but it's still an unsettling thought.

The past two days have been a nice little timeout from the rest of my life. I had the chance to marvel at the snowfall like I did when I was younger, and I had the chance to take some time for myself. Why can't everyday be a snow day?

My Giddiness is in the Red

If you haven't heard by now, Scrubs is moving to ABC. If you don't watch Scrubs, I can't talk to you unless you catch up and start watching this January:

My Countdown

In roughly six months I'll be finishing up my graduate degree (fingers crossed), and starting the new chapter of my life. I'd be lying if I said I'm not counting down the days until I'm finished, unfortunately, I don't quite know what that next chapter will be.

I've been spending way too much time and effort trying to figure out what my next move is going to be. Sure, the picture is becoming a little bit clearer, but it's by no means totally in focus. Usually, this uncertainty excites me, but for some reason the unknown is freaking me out just a bit this time around.

Maybe it's because I have more questions than I have answers. There is still a part of me that is wondering if I'm really on the right track, moving towards the life that I'm meant for. I mean, I enjoy working in student services...I just don't love it. This lack of passion has me worried because I've always wanted to love what I do, and I just don't know if this is it. The thing is, it might be too late. I've spent way too much time and money to just change my mind and walk away. Plus, it's not like I hate what I do.

Add to this the fact that I have no idea where I'm going to be living in six-plus months, and I've had a lot on my mind. I'm pretty sure Portland's been taken off of the list, but then again I never say never. In all reality my next stop revolves around where I can find work, so it's kind of out of my hands, but I'd like to have SOME direction.

So, I'm ready to get going onto whatever life has in store for me next, but a little hint about what that might be wouldn't hurt.

My Two-Cents on Let the Right One In

I was finally able to catch Let the Right One In, and I'm glad I did since it's only at one theater at a time here in Portland, which is kinda sad since you can spit and hit a showing of Twilight. Now, I can't objectively say anything about Twilight because I haven't read the book, and probably will never watch the movie, but I cannot understand why someone would pick that movie over the superior Let the Right One In. Well, if you're a tween who cannot name a quality movie, then you'd might prefer Twilight, but I digress.

To label Let the Right One In as just a vampire movie is a huge disservice. This film is ultimately a bittersweet, coming of age, love story that has some vampirism thrown in for good measure. The movie is set in a stark, yet oddly beautiful Swedish landscape that really becomes a character unto itself, and it revolves around the budding friendship and romance between two twelve year olds, Oskar and Eli. Throughout the film, you feel the pain and isolation that sometimes comes along with growing up. You get to know these characters, and you feel for them, even though you know the deck is stacked against them. The relationship between the youths is organic and real, which makes you forget that you're watching a movie about a vampire.

The vampire components were almost secondary to me. Sure, there was some creepiness, violence, and gore throughout the film, but it all took a backseat to the bond that was developing between Oskar & Eli. Once you wipe away all of the blood, you get to see the heart that is the foundation of the movie.

I mentioned earlier that the landscape becomes its own character because you really experience the frigidness that the characters must be feeling, but the way it is shot is magnificent. The setting is cold, white, bleak, but beautiful at the same time. The cinematography in this film was phenomenal and probably the best I've seen in a long time.

The acting was good, but nothing too outstanding with the exception of Lina Leandersson who played the vampire Eli. She was able to create a character that was creepy while still being endearing, which is not an easy task.

Overall, Let the Right One In is probably one of the best movies (not just the best vampire movie) that I've seen in the last couple of years; definitely one of the best of the year. If you want to see a good vampire love story, PLEASE seek out this movie over Twilight.

My Giddiness is Out of Control

Seriously, I'm totally psyched!

My first impressions:

This snippet is classic Scrubs, and I like how they're poking fun at themselves (J.D.'s had so many sexy, wind-blown, reveals for new female characters, that his get on with it approach had me laughing out loud).

Also, I like J.D. with some scruff. I'm sure people are going to give Zach Braff some crap for this, but I think it finally gives the character some depth because he's not the same old J.D.

Is it just me, or does Courteney Cox seem like a natural member of the Scrubs cast? I'm a little bummed that she's only going to be a part of a three episode arch. I'm sure this is blasphemous, but I'd like to keep her around over having Dr. Cox take over as Chief of Medicine.

This may just be a small preview, but it's got me all worked up. I can't wait!

My Fanaticism is Returning

For a while there I was ashamed to call myself a Harry Potter fan after geeky fanboys and girls raised a fuss about Warner Bros. deciding to push back the release date for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I still don't mind that WB made the move, but the HP fan inside me was pumped after seeing the new trailer:



It would have been cool to see the flick a week ago, but at least I have something to look forward to this July.

My Thanks

It's another Thanksgiving, and once again I have a lot to be thankful for. Of course, I'm extremely thankful for my family. As the years go by, I realize how fortunate I am to have such a wonderful group of people supporting me. I'm also grateful for all of the blessings that I've received this year. I have a roof over my head, food on my table, and the chance to further my education. You can't ask for anything more. Happy Thanksgiving!

My Giddiness Mounts

The New Year cannot get here fast enough...the countdown has begun!

My Freeze-Ray

Since ABC has decided to pull the plug on one of the most creative shows on TV today, I've decided to promote something just as awesome that they cannot take away from us, Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. For those who don't know, check out the trailer:





Dr. Horrible proves two things:

1.) Musicals are cool

and

2.) NPH freakin' rocks!

My Pick for Must-See Vampire Flick

Why watch Twilight (which looks like a vampire version of The Covenant), when you can see Let the Right One In

My Missing Piece

Last night in class, we had a former university president come to class to share her experience in higher education. From the get-go you could sense that she was good at what she did, and is a model of strong leadership. She talked about her tenets of good leadership, and she spent a lot of time on being passionate about what you do. This echoed the advice another guest speaker gave during a class last term.

In May, this woman gave a presentation about what she does for a living. It involved working with female inmates, and getting them ready to transition to re-enter the outside world by helping them learn a trade. Again, she showed great passion and dedication for what she did.

These two women got me thinking about what I want to do with me life. Now, I'm not saying that I want to work with inmates or be a college president for the rest of my life, or at all for that matter, but they were so passionate about what they did. I wish I had a fraction of that spark.

It still feels like I'm just drifting along in life. I still feel like I have zero direction, and for the first time in my life it's starting to scare me. You'd think I'd have the slightest idea about what I'd want to do for a living by now. Unfortunately, I don't. At least I don't think that I do.

Maybe that's not all true. I do think that I'm supposed to be some sort of teacher, probably in a college environment, but I'm not convinced that my heart is not totally in it, and I don't want to get stuck down a path that I regret. Now, I know that life isn't supposed to be mapped out for you, and you need to learn from mistakes and detours, but that's just such a scary thought.

The thing is, I don't know what I'm passionate about. I used to think that it was movies, but I know that's just a fantasy that will never happen. I have zero musical talent, so that's out of the picture. I don't feel the urge to save the pandas, or the polar bears, or the rain forest. I've never really given back to my community. I just sit here and think about what is missing in my life.

Over the last couple of months, I've had this nagging need to shake things up, but for some reason I'm hesitant to do so, probably because it's easier to sit back and whine about life rather than doing something to change it. I do think that getting involved in the community could give me some direction, but for some reason I keep talking myself out of doing anything. Organizations like the Boys and Girls Club or Big Brothers Big Sisters intrigue me, but I can't even figure out how to live my own life. I guess I'm just scared of messing up some kid's life.

At least I know that something is missing, and now I just need to man up and find the piece that fits.

My Two-Cents on Bond, James Bond

This afternoon, I checked out the new James Bond film, Quantum of Solace, and I wanted to share a few thoughts, but I also wanted to re-visit my take on Casino Royale, so I skimmed through my blog on Myspace to find my initial review of CR:

I was a little surprised that Casino Royale was able to rack up a 94% fresh rating according to rottentomatoes.com. The reason I was a little surprised is because I've never seen the appeal of James Bond. The 007 Franchise is one that I've never been able to get behind. To be fair, I've never really given the movies much of a chance. Casino Royale is only the second Bond flick I've ever watched (the other one being GoldenEye). I've always pictured Bond as a stuffed shirt, pretty boy with some really cool toys. The older movies either seemed too silly and unbelievable, so I never paid them too much attention.

Casino Royale changes all of that. This Bond movie is grittier, darker, and more realistic. Daniel Craig works because he does not look like your cookie-cutter Bond, and this is not your cookie-cutter Bond movie. Craig is still charming, but his Bond has depth, baggage, and a mean streak. He's pretty much a badass.

This flick also works because it focuses more on story and character development and less on cool gadgets and blowing stuff up. I liked the reboot approach that was taken with Casino Royale because it makes Bond human. We get a little glimpse at what makes Bond click. We get to see a little bit of his back-story. We get to see the man before he puts on the tux. This is similar to the approach that we saw with Batman Begins. We get to see James Bond become 007 just like we saw Bruce Wayne become Batman.

The lack of toys and ludicrous action sequences does not mean that this movie is boring. There are some great fight scenes (the chase through a construction site was worth the ticket alone), some good chuckles, and a love story to boot.

There are some flaws with this installment. The movie went a little too long and had a Return of the King feel because it could have ended two or three times before the actual credits rolled. The opening credits seemed a little too campy. I also did not like Texas Hold'em being substituted for baccarat. Sure, poker's more popular but there's something iconic about seeing Bond play baccarat.

Overall, I enjoyed Casino Royale. It didn't make me want to go out and watch the previous 20 flicks, but I will be watching Bond 22 when it comes out.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now, on to QoS. This was a nice follow-up to Casino Royale, but it did not reach the high bar that was set by its predecessor. Sure, this installment has some great action sequences, fights, and amazingly hot women, but it really didn't add much to this new Bond.

The story was a little weak, and the villain was not as menacing as other baddies that have been introduced to cinema, but they serve their purposes. It's been said that QoS is the second part of a Bond trilogy, and that's what it feels like. You get some closure, but ultimately it's a bridge to the next chapter, which should be on par with Casino Royale.

Solace's strength relies again on Daniel Craig's portrayal of Bond. He's still brooding, vengeful, and dark but still a badass. He's also able to toss in some well-timed dark humor, which is never a bad thing. I know that I'm totally biased and uninformed, but Craig's Bond is by far the best in my book (NOTE: I've never seen a Connery Bond film, so let's not even debate). This is not your father's Bond, but that's a good thing because the character has new life. I love how people are bitching about the new Bond is more like Jason Bourne than the Bond of old, but wasn't that the point of the reboot? I have three words for them: get over it. It's kind of like people saying they prefer George Clooney's Batman over Christian Bale's.

Overall, Quantum of Solace is no where close to being as good as Casino Royale, but I was still entertained, and I'm looking forward to Bond 23, and isn't that the point of a good franchise.

My Daisies are Being Pushed

It looks like I should have done my research before putting out my dream, ABC prime time lineup. I can't say that I'm surprised to see that Pushing Daisies is on the bubble because it hasn't been bringing in the numbers, but it'll suck if this show is canned due to circumstances it had no control over.

Every sophomore series was devastated by the WGA Writer's Strike because they did not have the chance to really find a wide audience. The strike also kept new shows off the air for months, so potential viewers didn't have the chance to see shows like Pushing Daisies. I also think some viewers were turned away from network TV because of the strike, but that's just my own conspiracy theory.

So, it looks like Ned, Chuck, Emerson, and Olive will be pushing daisies themselves, which is unfortunate because this show has tons of potential.

My Mid-Season Clusterfrick

It's almost that time of year, mid-season on network TV. Usually, mid-season has little to no buzz, but I'm actually excited this year because Scrubs will start its new life on ABC.

Unfortunately, this mid-season might be a downer for some of my other favorite shows; namely Pushing Daisies. Apparently, PD's second season numbers are drastically lower compared to last season, which could spell doom for the Pie Maker. According to Wikipedia, Daisies is not on the mid-season calendar and has been replaced with Scrubs and The Goode Family. Ironic, huh?

I understand why Daisies hasn't been a huge hit for ABC since it actually promotes creativity rather than reality based schlock. Brightly-colored, quirky, fantasy shows will not resonate with all viewers, but then again watching washed up celebrities prance around doesn't either.

The thing is ABC has the chance to set up a pretty fun night if they just gave Pushing Daisies a shot. For example, you could have an hour block of sitcoms by pairing up Scrubs with Samantha Who?, follow that up with Pushing Daisies, and round out the night with Eli Stone.

Now, I haven't watched an episode of Samantha or Eli, but from what I know they both have that slightly quirky edge to them which could work nicely with Scrubs and Daisies. Sure, you may turn some viewers away with an all "outside the box" night, but you could keep a lot of viewers for the entire evening.

If I ran ABC, I would put this lineup on Tuesday nights starting this winter. Sure, it would go up against American Idol, but the same is true for Wednesdays. It would make the most sense to put these shows on Mondays, but then Scrubs or Daisies would probably have to go up against How I Met Your Mother, Chuck, and House. My DVR's already working overtime on Monday nights.

So, that's what my ideal ABC lineup would look like if I ruled the world (or Disney). I just hope Pushing Daisies gets some new life, and Scrubs doesn't get crushed on its new network. Either way, it could be an interesting mid-season.

My Giddiness Continues

Scrubs: Season 7 comes out tomorrow! Can't wait. I know how I'm going to celebrate Veteran's Day...Scrubs marathon!!

My Tears of Joy

Very rarely do I tear up over anything...I did tonight. I can say that I was able to see Senator Barack Obama become the President-Elect of the United States of America. To be honest, I knew this day would come in my lifetime, but I'm happy to see that it happened so soon. Tonight has been an exclamation point on a pretty amazing day.

Earlier today I was walking from one of the parking structures at Portland State, and I saw one of the daycare workers walking with four children around my niece's age. There was a little white boy and girl, and the other two were black twin girls. I was amazed when I saw the little white girl grab and hold onto one of the black girls' hand as they walked...like it was natural for her to do that. It was an instinct. This little girl did not pull her hand away because she was reaching for a hand that was not like hers. She just took it and held it. I was surprised and hopeful, especially on a day like today.

I walked a few more feet thinking about what I just witnessed, and I realized that I shouldn't have been so surprised. One of my earliest memories is playing with a little black boy in the schoolyard of my daycare center. I didn't realize that he was different than me until years later when society told me that he was. I remember having white friends, and Hispanic friends, and black friends growing up, and not giving it a second thought. My generation is fortunate because I bet thousands of my peers have similar experiences. We were brought up in a more tolerant age, and while it may not be as accepting as we'd hope, it is still light years ahead of where we've been. Tonight is proof of that.

My Belief in Change

Here we are on the eve of one of the most important days in modern American political history. Hopefully, by the end of tomorrow night we'll know who the next President of the United States is. Personally, I'm hoping that it is Senator Obama, but I hope that every American who can vote gets out (if they already haven't) to cast their ballot for whomever they see fit. I don't care if it's for Sen. McCain, Sen. Obama, Ralph Nader, or one of the other candidates...just do it already.

I've been an open Obama supporter because I believe that he is the right person for the job. I believe that he's ready to lead us towards a better United States. I know some people agree with me, and some don't, and I'm cool with you either way. I respect Sen. McCain for everything he's done for this country, and he's put up one helluva fight regardless of the outcome. Either way, we cannot forget how lucky we are to be Americans. Sure, the U.S. is broken right now, but I cannot imagine living anywhere else.

Be grateful for what we have as a country and show your gratitude by getting out and voting tomorrow.

My Two-Cents on Zack & Miri

This flick is probably the filthiest romantic comedy ever, and one of Kevin Smith's better movies. Zack & Miri has more laugh-out-loud moments than Mallrats & Clerks II combined. Right now, I'd have to rank Z&M up there on my list of Smith movies, probably at No. 3 behind Chasing Amy and Jersey Girl, and only slightly ahead of Dogma, but I'll probably have to watch it one more time before solidifying the final rankings.

The story was pretty straight forward and predictable, but the movie's strength relies on the performances. Rogen pretty much plays the same character that's made him a star, but the biggest surprise is Elizabeth Banks. She is able to combine the raunch with the heart, and she comes off as charming and cute. Banks is by far the best leading lady in any of Smith's films, but then again she doesn't have too much competition (I'd say Liv Tyler is the only person to give her a run for her money). Craig Robinson ("The Office") steals the show as Rogen's friend and producer, and the View Askew alums (Jason Mewes & Jeff Anderson) have some decent post-Jersey performances. There are some memorable cameos to boot. Let's just say I won't look at a Mac ad or Superman the same way again.

Overall, it was exactly what I expected. It was raunchy, obscene, but with some sweetness thrown in there for good measure. My only gripe is how people are going to say Smith is making an Apatow film, when we all know Smith was making these kind of flicks way before The 40 Year Old Virgin was a hit. But it was kind of cool seeing the two Comedy Families (View Askew & Apatow & Co.) meet on screen. Hopefully, this is the first of many collaborations.

My Least Favorite Holiday

I didn't realize how much I disliked Halloween until today. It just gives people the opportunity to drink and to dress up like prostitutes. Really, the only difference between Halloween and any night out is you get to see half-naked women at the beginning of the evening.

My Two-Cents on the Kevin Smith Flicks

Zack and Miri Make a Porno comes out tomorrow, and of course I'm going to check it out. I've been a fan of Kevin Smith's for some time now, but I do feel like I've outgrown his brand of comedy over the years. With that being said, I'm still really excited about this flick.

Zack and Miri Make a Porno in HD


The release has me thinking about Smith's body of work, and I posted my thoughts about the films after I watched Clerks II a few years back, and I wanted to re-visit my reviews:

I was inspired to put together a list ranking the films of Kevin Smith after watching Clerks II earlier today. My affection for Kevin Smith movies has lessened since I graduated from high school, but I still find them entertaining. So, here is my list of Kevin Smith movies:

1. Chasing Amy: This film is still my all-time favorite movie. This flick started my love for movies. The reason I love Chasing Amy is because it is so real. Ok, a comic book writer converting a hot lesbian may not be "realistic", but there are some real emotions involved. Also, I love the fact that the movie ends on somewhat of a down note. To quote Mr. Smith himself, "It ends on such a down note. I mean, that's what life is, a series of down endings."

2. Jersey Girl: I don't understand why Jersey Girl was crucified by critics and moviegoers. I thought this movie was really good. I enjoyed Kevin showing his more grown-up and sensitive side. Also, I was happy to see Kevin move away from the View Askewniverse. Too bad it didn't last.

3. Dogma: I was surprised to see Kevin pull of a fantasy-type movie with some action and special effects after a string of indie flicks. I feel he pulled it off. The writing is genius, the story was creative, and acting was pretty good (except for Linda Fiorentino). I feel that Ben Affleck give his best performance as Bartleby.

4. Clerks II: I was unsure about this movie because I didn't think a Clerks sequel was needed. I was also upset that Kevin reverted back to his old ways after trying to move forward. He was able to make it work though.

5. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back: I think of JSBSB as a guilty pleasure. It's no more than Kevin's homage to himself with a silly heist caper added in for more of a mainstream feel, but there are some laugh-out-loud moments with some cutting Hollywood satire. I'm also amazed how well Jason Mewes did carrying this flick.

6. Clerks: The movie that started it all. I appreciate what Clerks accomplished and how it helped change Hollywood. I didn't think it was all that great because of the lack of a strong storyline. I feel it's just a movie filled with dick and fart jokes with a little bit of pop-culture thrown in there. It's an ok movie, but not his best.

7. Mallrats: I will never understand why people love Mallrats. I just don't think it's very funny.

My Giddiness Ensues

It feels like ABC is already showing Scrubs more love than NBC ever did. Hell, ABC is even creating webisodes, and NBC couldn't even show episodes in order.

I can't wait for the new season!

My Dream Girl

I've always thought of myself as a guy without a definite type. While I do prefer brunettes over blondes, I wouldn't say that's enough to classify a "type". It hasn't been until recently that I realized that I do in fact have a type.

My type really doesn't involve anything physical, meaning things like boobs really are not that important. I've realized that I'm attracted to goofy girls. By "goofy" I do not mean socially awkward or head cases. I mean those girls who do things their own way, can be a little nerdy, and know how to laugh at themselves. That's hot.

What's even better is goofy girls can be super hot and not even know it, thus making them even hotter. I've known and seen some girls who are very attractive, but they know it. They have that, "I'm hot shit" attitude and they flaunt it. That's a huge turn-off. Give me a girl who isn't conceited or superficial. Someone who can say, "Screw it. I'm going to be me!"

And if they're the innocent type, then I'm a goner. Now, I don't mean the prudish type. But I'm a sucker for a girl who is a little naive (not in a bad way) but can also hold her own.

So, if I had to describe my ideal woman, that's what I'd say. I guess that's a type.

My Here or There

The one common theme that can be seen throughout my blogs is indecision. Apparently, I have trouble picking a life path and sticking to it. For example, I was positive that I would be headed back to Texas when I was done with graduate school. It only made sense since my family is there, and I would like to start settling down sooner than later. Then I started questioning if that is the right next step for me.

Before I made this decision to move back home, I always envisioned myself making one more stop before heading back to Texas. Places like Colorado and Hawaii have always been appealing to me, and I would love to have the chance to spend some time there. I've even tossed around the idea of sticking around Portland for a few more years, but it seems like I'm at either one extreme or the other when it comes to this place. When the sun is out, I cannot imagine living anywhere else. When it's cloudy and rainy, I cannot understand why I stick around. Too bad it's cloudy and rainy half of the year. Maybe I just need to buy one of those UV headlamps.

So here I am again...trying to figure out what I want to do and where I want to live, and I'm not coming up with many answers. The only thing I know for sure is I don't know anything when it comes to what I want out of life.

My Loyalties are Torn

The 2008-2009 NBA season starts in less than a week, and I'm trying to decide which team to throw my support behind. For years now I've been a Spurs fan, and I still am, but there's another team vying for my fanaticism...the Portland Trail Blazers.

Now, it might seem like I'm nothing but a homer since I've lived in San Antonio and Portland, but that's not the case. Both teams have great potential. First, the Spurs are an established team with four NBA Championships, so they're always in the mix to win it all (especially since this is an odd numbered year). The thing with the Spurs is they're getting older by the minute, and it doesn't seem like they did anything to get younger.

On the other hand, the Blazers are a young and up-and-coming team. Greg Oden's healthy, they've added Rudy Fernandez, and they already had Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge. That's a stacked roster, albeit a young one. I'm not saying that the Blazers are going to win it all this season, but they're on their way.

So, the question is who to support -- a team on the downslide of its dynasty, or a the young guns with a really bright future? It's going to be an interesting season.

My Love for Chuck

So, it looks like Chuck is winning my New Favorite TV Show contest thanks to last night's episode. Although it did have some stiff competition from How I Met Your Mother. Check it out and see why I'm loving Monday nights.

My Aggies

My poor Aggies are really sucking it up this season. Now, being a Texas A&M football fan has never been an easy task, especially the last couple of seasons, but I had some high hopes for this seasons team. Yes, I thought the team that is 2-5 would be doing a lot better. Wishful thinking I suppose.

So, I'm convinced that Texas A&M is cursed because of a poor decision that was made almost 6 years ago. In 2002 Texas A&M decided to fire Head Coach R.C. Slocum, who had been one of the most successful coaches in Aggie history. The school was fed up because he was not taking the team to where they thought they should be. That may have been true, but Coach Slocum was far from a failure in College Station. Coach Slocum was 123-47-2, with 11 bowl appearances, during his 14 seasons with the Aggies. He never had a losing season. Compared to many college coaches, Slocum was very successful, but Texas A&M decided to let him go. Since then, the Aggies have gone 34-33 under Franchione and Sherman. Sure, Coach Sherman may turn things around, but it's not looking good.

I feel the way R.C. Slocum was treated towards the end of his tenure created some bad mojo for the Aggies, and I usually don't believe in curses. Then again, it is Aggie football.

My Dream Come True

There is something magical about an attractive Canadian woman playing hockey.

My New Man-Crush

Over the last couple of months I've been watching a lot of movies and TV shows starring Matthew Perry, and I think I've developed a hetero man-crush on him.

It all started when I watched all ten seasons of "Friends", and seriously, who doesn't like Chandler Bing? Chandler's just one of those characters that is easy to connect with because people see themselves in him. Out of all of the friends, he was the most realistic. People can relate to Chandler because they have jobs that they hate, or are a little insecure when it comes to the romance department, or constantly fill the sidekick role. The thing is you still cared about Chandler because he was genuinely a good guy, and part of his appeal was due to Perry's portrayal.

While on my Perry binge, I came across an independent movie called Numb, which is about a screenwriter who suffers from depersonalization disorder and is forced to face his affliction when he meets the woman of his dreams. The movie is in the same vein as Garden State but a little bit more mainstream. It's billed as a romantic comedy, which is a bit misleading because of its weighty subject matter. I immediately fell in love with this movie thanks to Perry's strong performance and the overall story. I'd recommend this film to anyone who enjoys smaller movies that deal with real personal issues.

Recently, I've been addicted to hulu.com because you can watch full episodes of almost any NBC or FOX show for free. Thanks to hulu, I started watching another Perry vehicle, "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip", and I was hooked from the start. I never watched "Studio 60" when it was on NBC a few years ago, but I'm glad that it still has a little bit of life thanks to the internet. I understand why it didn't catch on with casual fans because it wasn't mindless drivel that tends permeates network TV. It was a satirical, inside look about television, and I think that it's ironic that a show about how TV works never really worked on TV.

So, now I'm relying on Netflix for my Matthew Perry fix. Right now, I have The Whole Nine Yards, Three to Tango, and Birds of America in my queue to get me by. My man-crush hasn't gotten so bad that I feel the need to watch Serving Sara or Almost Heroes, but I did watch Fools Rush In...again.

My Two-Cents on the Baseball Playoffs

So, the Divisional Series have wrapped up and I think we have two interesting match-ups to see which teams goes to the World Series.

ALCS: Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox

I'll admit it, I've jumped on the Rays bandwagon because I seriously didn't think they'd make it this far, but I'm happy that they have. I'm a sucker for the underdog, and you can't get any more underdog than the Rays (so what if they won their division). It's even better because they're taking on a division rival that happens to be the defending World Champions.

My gut's telling me that the Red Sox will win this series, which would really bum me out because the BoSox are one of my four most hated teams (along with the New York Yankees, the Atlanta Braves, and the Chicago Cubs). So, I might not be a true Tampa Bay fan, but I'm still going to root for them, and plus they could use all they help they can get.

NLCS: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

I really don't have a horse in this race because I'm neither a Phillies fan nor a Dodgers fan, but this series has some old school charm to it. It's been forever since either team's been this far in the playoffs, so I'll be happy for either one of them.

If I had to pick a winner, I'd go with the Dodgers because of my west coast bias but they beat the Cubs, which in theory are better than the Brewers, so there you go. I'm just glad that both Milwaukee and Chicago got knocked out earlier after the screwjob that happened to the Astros, since both of these team ultimately came out ahead.

2008 World Series: Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Again, this series would have some old school nostalgia since these two teams go way back, and it would make a lot of baseball fans (and MLB) happy. If this match-up does somehow occur, I'll be pulling for the Dodgers all the way. Again, there's some WC bias, but also I'm tired of hearing all the Boston sportswriters going on and on about how great their teams are. Then again, all of the gloating didn't help the Patriots, did it?

My New Favorite TV Show

With "Scrubs" on its way out, I'm in need of a new favorite show. Last season was the first time I really paid any attention to the television mostly because of my DVR which is a God send, so there are some potential shows that will eventually replace my beloved hospital comedy as No. 1.

The Front Runners

• "Chuck" - Out of all of the shows on TV right now, I'd have to say that "Chuck" has the best shot at becoming my favorite new show. I've been watching "Chuck" since it started on NBC, and I've been entertained almost every episode. For those out of the loop, "Chuck" is a mix of "Alias", "Scrubs", with a little bit of Clerks thrown in there as well. This show has the right mix of action, humor, and romantic tension. Plus, Yvonne Strahovski is HOT!
• "How I Met Your Mother" - At the start of last season, "HIMYM" was on route to becoming my new favorite show, but then season 3 ended on a relatively low-note. Season 3 was inferior compared to the first 2, especially when they had Robin & Barney hook up. Personally, that hook-up is when this show jumped the shark. So far season 4 has been a let down as well, but it's still early so this show still has the chance to redeem itself and to take the top spot.
• "Greek" - So, I'm usually not a fan of teeny bopper, tweener shows, but I really like ABC Family's "Greek". Now, I was never "fully" in a fraternity, so the Greek-life aspect of the show is kinda of irrelevant to me, but I do find the rest of the show entertaining. This show's just a funny take on college life in general with some charming characters involved in a good mix of drama and comedy.
• "Pushing Daisies" - I just started watching this show last weekend thanks to Netflix, and I quickly became a fan. I love the fact that this show is not like any other on any network today. Sure, it's quirky and too fairy-taleish, but it's got more going for it than most shows on TV. I like the storybook elements, and this show has good characters, charm, humor, and a little romance thrown in there for good measure. The second season opener was not on par with the first season, but I'm still hooked.

The Middle of the Pack

• "The Simpsons" - I've been a Simpsons fan for a good portion of my life, so it's hard to say goodbye to the show, but it's no secret that the series has been struggling for too many years. Even the movie couldn't reinvigorate my love for this show, but I will be tuning in every Sunday with my fingers crossed, hoping that it can recapture some of its original magic.
  
• "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" - I used to be a big "CSI" fan, but I've lost interest over the last couple of seasons, mostly because it was up against "The Office" and "Scrubs". Also, I was not happy that they had Grissom and Sara together at the end of Season 6. That was the beginning of the end for me. Season 7 was sub-par as well mostly due to the fact that Grissom left for sabbatical or whatever the reason was. Now that "Scrubs" is no longer on Thursday nights, I might head back towards "CSI", but this show is on its last legs and should be done once Grissom is gone for good.
• "House M.D." - "House" is another old favorite that has lost some steam. I really started to lose interest when they tried to introduce the new team in season 4, although I liked how the hiring process took place. It made sense to introduce a new team, but viewers really got attached to Cameron, Chase, & Foreman so any change is not going to go over well. Add the fact that the new team is pretty weak in comparison, and that's not a good sign. Despite the inferior new team, there are still some redeeming qualities that will keep me watching, just not as many.
• "Reaper" - This little fantasy dramedy had some potential early on, but mid-season it started to get formulaic and boring, then it ended on a pretty high-note. I'll be checking in to season 2, but I'm not happy that it's coming back mid-season so I might be hooked to another show by the time it is back on the air. There's also a chance that it will be going up against "Scrubs" which is not a good sign.
• "Fringe" - "Fringe" is one of the few new shows this season that has peaked my interest. This show is very J.J. Abrams which can be a good thing and a bad thing. I liked "Alias" but could never get into "Lost", and this series is in the same vein as both. Right now, it has some promise but we'll have to wait and see if it has lasting power.

Barely Hanging On

• "The Office" - I didn't start watching "The Office" until last summer thanks to Netflix Watch Instantly, so I was able to catch up on the first two seasons in a few days, and I was hooked. Season 3 was just as good, and then Season 4 happened. Season 4 was just horrible with only a minimal amount of laughs, and some episodes were actually painful to watch. I decided to give "The Office" one more shot, and so far Season 5 is just as lackluster.
• "Heroes" - Season 1 was engaging, Season 2 was a bore, and so far Season 3 is just all over the place. I know that "Heroes" is a show that is supposed to be complex, but right now I don't have the patience to put up with this show.
• "Family Guy" - For some reason I keep giving "Family Guy" another chance to convince me that it's a funny show, and every time it fails. It's just not funny.

So, there is a lot of competition for my TV heart, and while some may have the inside track, I'm always on the lookout for some good food for my DVR, so if there's a show that I should be watching (aside from reality TV...I refuse to watch reality TV) let me know.

My Trip Down Memory Lane

So, I was flipping through the channels, and I came across VH1's "Behind the Music: New Kids on the Block", and I was compelled to catch the tail end of it. Now, I was never really a NKOTB fan growing up because I have a penis, but the show did get me thinking about my all-time favorite music group while I was growing up, Boyz II Men.

Now, I'll admit that I was a HUGE BIIM fan when I was younger. Some of my fondest memories can be linked to a Boyz II Men song. I remember buying CooleyHighHarmony and taking it to my fourth grade class to show it off. I remember performing "End of the Road" at a lip sync contest when I was in the sixth grade. I remember listening to II with my first girlfriend. To say that Boyz II Men had an impact on my adolescence would be an understatement. They were quiet simply, the best ever!

Unfortunately, I stopped paying attention to Boyz II Men after their Evolution album because I thought it was lackluster. I also remember when Shawn Stockman did his solo thing, and I was convinced that was the end of the group, so I moved on. It wasn't until I bought their greatest hits album, Legacy, that I realized that they had released three more albums.

Today, I can't say that I'm still a true fan since I stopped listening to their music religiously, but I still appreciate what they did and how they impacted the music world. They were responsible for some of the greatest music of the 90s like "End of the Road", "On Bended Knees", "Water Runs Dry", etc. Now that was some good shit.

My First Night of Class

So, the first night of class has come and gone, and even though I initially dreaded for school to start up again, I think it's going to be a good term. The course material will be interesting, the assignments should be fairly easy, and the class has a good vibe to it.

It does suck that I won't be done until 9:20 at night, and I have to walk clear across campus (which is a lot longer than you might think), but I'm only taking one class this term, so I'm pretty much done for the week.

Also, I'm actually interacting with some of my fellow classmates which has made things more entertaining. Going to class is so much more fun when you have people to talk to and make jokes with.

So, despite my initial unwillingness, I really cannot complain, and it was a good first day. I hope it's an indicator of where the rest of the year is headed.

My Summer

Even though it is late September, my summer is finally coming to an end. On Monday, classes start up again, and I am not looking forward to it. Part of my hesitance is because I don't like sitting in boring classes, but another reason is because I'm not ready for summer to be over especially since I didn't get to do anything that I wanted to do.

I had a relatively short to-do list for this summer, and unfortunately I didn't cross much off of it. For example, I wanted to hit the Oregon coast. One of the benefits of living in Portland is you live in a metropolitan area, but are really close to the ocean and mountains. Last summer, I had the chance to go to the coast and I remembered how much I like being around water (something I realized while in Ireland). Sadly, I didn't have the chance to re-visit the beach, and I don't know if I'll have the chance to go back before I leave Oregon. Ah well.

Also, I really wanted to head up to Seattle for a Mariners game. I had all summer to put together a trip, but I waited until the last series of the season, and didn't ask anyone to go until the day before the game. The planning was a little short-sighted to say the least. Now, I'm not a huge Mariners fan (especially this season), but I do love baseball, and since I can't go to any Astros games this summer, Seattle's my only option. The good thing is, I'll should have a chance to go to a game next season.

Luckily, I did have the chance to head back to Texas for a quick visit, and it was much needed after 8 weeks of summer school. Living so far away is starting to take its toll on me because I don't get to see my family as much as I'd like. I'm lucky if I'm back in Texas every six to seven months, which is OK but not great. My trip back to Midland will hold me over until I go back in December, and then I'll be heading back for good in June (maybe???), so I'll be back home before I know it.

Overall, it wasn't a wasted summer but I do wish I accomplished more. Then again, I was able to cross some classes off of my list, which will make this school year a little more manageable. At least I won't have to sit through as many boring classes this time around.

My Two-Cents on Scrubs: The New Class

For those who don't know me all that well, I only get excited about a handful of things one of which is Scrubs. I jumped on the Scrubs bandwagon after I rented the first three seasons from Netflix, and I started watching the show regularly on NBC starting with Season 5. I've stuck by the show over the past three seasons, and I was excited that it was going to get a proper final season...then the WGA Strike happened, which created an interesting scenario for my favorite show. I originally posted this entry on my Xanga on June 22, 2008 after I read some rumors that Scrubs may go on after the new season on ABC:

So, apparently there are some rumors going around that this upcoming season of Scrubs on ABC may not be its last. There are some talks that Scrubs may continue if this 8th season is a successful one, but it may go on without Zach Braff and Bill Lawrence. This really isn't too much of a revelation because Scrubs has been preparing to go on without Braff for the last few seasons, but this was supposed to be its swan song, so why keep it going rather than bowing out gracefully?

As a fan, I've been waiting for the final season of Scrubs for some time now. Season 5 should have been its last, but it's somehow survived for an additional three seasons, but the last two have lacked that special something that made the show great. Bill Lawrence promises that season 8 will return to form, so why run the risk of the show getting stale again? It needs to take its bow and exit stage left, not stick around for a possible encore. Then again, it's no secret that ABC is in need of traditional sitcoms to add to its lineup, so another season of Scrubs makes sense on paper, but can it survive without J.D.? My first reaction is no.

The show has always revolved around J.D. and his life at Sacred Heart, so No J.D. = No Scrubs. I'm not in favor of continuing Scrubs post-J.D., but I'm open to the idea of a possible spin-off because that's the only way this crazy idea could possibly work. Of course, spin-offs are not new to TV, and they're always hit or miss, but I can't help but think about the Scrubs spin-off possibilities.

I think there are only two possible spin-off scenarios that could work. The one that I'd probably like to see the most would revolve around Elliott and her life as a private practice doctor (which I know sounds like another ABC medical spin-off). Now, this show depends on what happens between J.D. and Elliott in season 8. If the two end up together, then this spin-off shouldn't happen because it would have to involve J.D.'s character. Sure, they could split-up yet again prior to the new show, but that could piss off potential viewers, but if they don't end up together this show could potentially work. I think Elliott's character is the most developed after J.D., and with a few tweaks, she can be a solid lead character of her own show. I would like to see Sarah Chalke become a regular on How I Met Your Mother, but the thought of her own TV show is kinda cool too.

The second spin-off would be about Dr. Cox's Sacred Heart. It would pretty much focus on Dr. Cox as the Chief of Medicine and how he runs the hospital. This idea probably makes the most sense because it has the best chance to maintaining the Scrubs universe. It would be like Scrubs, only not. Plus, you could keep most of the original cast around like Carla and Turk, The Todd, maybe even Ted and Janitor. They've also introduced some interesting, young doctors over the years (i.e. Keith, Rex, and Boone), and Dr. Cox could take a new "Newbie" under his wing. Again, this idea has the most potential, but I'm not sure if it would catch on at all.

There are some ideas that I think have no chance of working. I don't think a Turk-Carla spin-off would do so well because I don't feel Turk is developed enough without J.D., and I just don't like Carla's character. I can't see some of the other minor characters holding their own either. Could you imagine a show just about the Todd or Snoop Dog Attending?

In the end, I hope that season 8 is the end of Scrubs once and for all because it deserves to go out on top, and it shouldn't wear out its welcome and tarnish its reputation.

NOTE: There have been some new developments since I posted this entry, including the news that Judy Reyes (Carla) will not becoming back for a possible ninth season.

My Fanaticism is in Question

I originally posted this entry at MySpace on August 19, 2008 as a response to the whining that was coming from Harry Potter fans after Warner Bros. decided to push back Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince's release date:

I've considered myself to be a decent Harry Potter fan, but I'm starting to rethink how much of a "fan" I really am. For those not in the loop, Warner Bros. has decided to push back the opening of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and I was a little bummed at first, but then I started reading some of the backlash from other fans, and I immediately wanted to distance myself from these nutjobs.

People have been leaving posts about how they started crying when they heard the news, or how it was the worst day of their lives, or how they hate the capitalist pigs known as the WB, and so forth and so on. Seriously? People are getting that worked up over a movie being pushed back a few months?

I guess I can appreciate this kind of dedication, but it's also a little scary, and I'm not going to lie, a little pathetic. These kids need to realize that what Warners did is nothing compared to the travesties that others have to face on a daily basis. There are people who don't have the money to buy food, while these fanatics complain about having to wait eight months to drop $20 bucks to see HBP in IMAX. This was the worst day of your life? Ask some Georgians about their worst day, and see if waiting a little longer to watch a movie about a boy wizard compares.

I'm not defending what Warner Bros. did. It was sneaky, and underhanded, but I also understand where they're coming from. They needed a big-name summer movie for 2009. Harry Potter is a pretty big name, so the move makes sense. Are they trying to make a few extra bucks, sure, but the last time I checked that was business. Sure, the WB could have treated the hardcore HP fans with a bit more respect, but this move really doesn't impact the casual fan, which is the bread and butter of the movie industry. It's not like every person who saw The Dark Knight knew all of the Batman mythology. Hell, I didn't even read the HP books until after I saw the first three movies.

What I find most humorous about this whole ordeal is how fans are threatening to boycott this movie, or skip out on the opening weekend, or wait until the DVD comes out. OK, let's look at this from a different point-of-view. Skipping the opening weekend won't do much good if you end up watching the movie a few weeks later. Your money is still going to Warners. The same is true if you buy it on DVD. Now, a true boycott could work, but I doubt the die-hard fans would really do that. And that's the brilliance of the WB's move. Sure, they may have lost a few fans, but most HP fans are still going to see the flick, and they make up the difference by bringing in more casual fans. In the end, this movie is still going to make a nice chunk of change.

So, maybe I'm not a true Harry Potter fan, and I'm OK with that. It's not like I was going to be waiting hours on end in some wizard costume on November 21 to begin with. Now, that's just odd...

My Cut Ties

Apparently I'm on a blogging binge because this is my fourth new blog account over the last few years. For the last two years or so, the majority of the blogging that I did took place on MySpace. The main reason I've started using this account is because I'm tempted to turn my back on MySpace altogether. Recently, I've started to use the new and improved Facebook for my social networking needs, but the lack of a real blog feature caused a need for an alternative. I also use Xanga, but that account is for more personal blogs so I'm not quite ready to open up that can of worms.

MySpace didn't do anything to upset me. I was just tired of the wonkiness of the site, especially compared to the new Facebook. Now, I know that I'm in a huge minority here, but I like the new Facebook layout. I feel that it just looks cleaner and less clunky. I'm glad that I don't have to scroll down past 50 different applications just to see someone's wall, but I digress because this post is not about Facebook.

Over the next couple of days or weeks I'll be re-posting some of my entries from MySpace so I can officially cut ties once and for all. Stay tuned...

My Two-Cents on the Astros

I know that the city of Houston has more important things to worry about than what happened to the Astros about a week ago. For those who don't pay attention to baseball, the Astros were supposed to host the Chicago Cubs for a three game series. Then Hurricane Ike disrupted things, and Major League Baseball moved the series to a neutral site in Milwaukee, WI. The Astros were on a hot-streak that was halted due to this change of venue, and it could have cost the Astros a possible playoff berth.

So, apparently the Commissioner of Major League Baseball, Bud Selig is trying to apologize to Astro fans, and he should because having the games played in Milwaukee is far from "neutral" because Cubs fans can travel there fairly easily to create a home field vibe. Also, Brewers fans could have attended the games to help create a hostile environment for the Astros since they were only a few games ahead of Houston for the Wildcard. Either way, Miller Park was not a neutral site. Of course fans are upset because Astros had the chance to come back from the dead to make the playoffs for the third time, which is not an easy task, but MLB played a role in hurting their chances of doing such an amazing feat.

Some non-Astro fans are accusing Houston fans of being whiners because they're still bitching about the crappy hand that was dealt to their beloved team. Let's just turn things around for a bit. If this series was in Chicago, and a huge blizzard hit thus moving the series to let's say Arlington, the Cub fans would be adding the Curse of the Blizzard along with the Billy Goat and Bartman.

Fans are fans. They support their teams and feel shafted when stuff like this happens, so let them complain if they want. I'm an Astros fan, and I was not happy when I heard the news, but I got over it fairly quickly. Some other fans are more invested, and they can feel slighted all they want because we've had to listen to Cubs fans whine and Red Sox whine (up until recently). It's time for the Stros fans to raise some hell.

I do agree that the players shouldn't be as outspoken because it makes them look less professional. They still played the game, and while they weren't at 100% they still had the chance to win, but people cannot discount the mental and physical fatigue the players had to endure. Flying from Houston to Milwaukee on such short notice, worrying about your family, friends, and homes, and playing in a hostile environment will have an impact. It's only human.

So, the players should be quiet and move on, but fans can whine all they want because that's what fans do best!

My Way Home

It's been a week since Hurricane Ike ravaged the Texas coastline, and I'm surprised (and a little mad at myself) that I haven't been keeping up with the aftermath. This is the second time my family's been impacted by a hurricane, and while I know that my sister and her daughter made it safely home to West Texas before the storm hit, that's the extent of what I know. You'd think I'd be more in tune with the goings on in my home state after such a tragedy. Unfortunately, I'm in my own little world up in the Pacific Northwest.

Being so far away has contributed to my ignorance because I'm not in the thick of it up here in Portland. I can watch the footage on CNN or the Weather Channel and be informed, but it doesn't directly impact my daily life, but it should. My family and friends are dealing with the fallout while I sit up in Oregon complaining about a few clouds in the sky. I feel guilty. I feel like I should be back in Texas recovering like my brethren.

The one way that Hurricane Ike did affect me was it convinced me that I need to move back as soon as possible. Over the last couple of years I've learned the valuable lesson that at the end of the day all you have is family. I've been away from mine for too long now, and I need to be closer to them. I need to be there the next time something like this happens so I can take the punches alongside those that mean the most to me.

My family, friends, and fellow Texans are in my thoughts and prayers...no matter how few and far between they may be.

My Booty Embargo

I'm not good at being single. I've always been the relationship kind of guy who enjoys being with someone over being alone. Now, I'm not the kind of person who always has to be in a relationship, and I do enjoy the single lifestyle, but I like having that special girl in my life. Since I've been up in Portland, I've been going through a minor dry-spell, and it's been frustrating but also good for me. I've had a few potential suitors, but nothing serious, and I'm OK with that because each one was special while it lasted, so I'm grateful rather than bitter.

The few near misses have helped me in the long run because they allowed me to sit and examine what I'm looking for right now. After some thinking I've decided to put my love life on hold for the next couple of months. That's right, I'm installing a full booty embargo on myself. No more searching for Miss Right for the foreseeable future. The reason I've decided to do this to myself is because I have no idea where I'm going to be next year.

I made the decision a while back that I'm moving back to Texas once I'm done with graduate school. While I've loved living up in Oregon, I knew it was not going to be a permanent home for me. Texas will always be home, and I can't wait to be back. So, the conclusion I've come to is there really isn't a point in searching for love up in Portland, knowing that I'm leaving in about 9 months. Why put someone or myself through that?

The thing is, I'm the "never say never" type. If the woman of my dreams shows up in the next couple of months, I'm not going to let her pass me by, but I'm not going to dedicate time searching for her either. I'll just let things happen for once...

My New Blog

I really don't think that I need yet another blog since I already use two, but I figured I'd stack my claim to a blogger one just in case I need it.