The People's Anthem

England 3 - 1 Hungary

England looked strong....much better in the second half than in the first.

Beckham was so spot on with almost every pass. From the two crosses he bent in that lead to goals....to the 70-80 yard cross pitch passes. Amazing!

Steven Gerrard, John Terry and Peter Crouch all scored goals.

Sven needs to wake up and realize that Crouch is a viable starter.... I'm not saying that Michael Owen shouldn't start, but I am saying that Owen does look a little "off" and needs to shake the rust out and he needs to do that NOW!

Sol Campbell also looked a little shaky at times.

Jamaica is up next for England....on Saturday. That could be a blow out!!

X-MEN: The Last Stand - MY REVIEW

X-Men: The Last Stand is the third movie in the X-Men franchise. It's been rumored that it'll be the last movie, but I think that is only based on the title. Hugh Jackman has signed on for a Wolverine spin off. So it's definitely not the last "X" type movie.

As an ex-comic book reader, specifically books from the X-Men Universe, I do realize that the movie X-Men are "different" than the comic book ones.

I have to say, I wasn't too impressed. I did like the movie. I'm telling friends that I thought it was "pretty good."

It is however, my least favorite of the 3 movies.

The effects, as always, were very cool. It was nice to see Storm play more of an upfront role. Also, it was cool to see her doing some of the comic book moves, like that tornado punch thing she does. Although, how many times did I have to see her eyes turn white when she was changing the weather. I know, from the last two movies that when she uses her powers, her eyes go white. Every single time she uses her power in this one, they have to show her eyes. It got a little annoying.

The "Dark Phoenix" effects were amazing. The way they made Jean's face glow and the hair....VERY COOL.

Angel's wings were beautifully done and Ben Foster was well cast to play him.

I think that Kelsey Grammer was a very good choice for Beast, I did think he could have looked a bit wider.

If you saw both of the trailers for the movie, you may have seen Beasts hand change from blue and furry to "normal"....when this happened, I was really expecting him to say something like, "It's been a long time since I've looked like that." Just kind of, as a nod to the comic book geeks....but that didn't happen.

I was initially gonna make this review longer and was probably gonna put in some of the spoilers....but I decided against it. But I will say this....STAY TILL THE END OF THE CREDITS!!!

McPheever!

This will probably be my last post whining about Katharine losing to Michael McDonald on American Idol....errrr Taylor Hicks, I meant Taylor....I swear.

I've got the McPheever, I know, but what can I do about it? No prescription drug can help.

I DEMAND A RE-COUNT!!

I mean come'on....Seriously!

America Voted....

America!
What the heck is your problem?? Is Simon Cowell your God?
He says Taylor Hicks and you just turn all zombie on us and do what he says??

When I look at Taylor Hicks, all I see is Michael McDonald....
Soul Patrol? WHATEVER!
I'm just not seeing an American Idol....Nope, can't see it.

This on the other hand....

Looks like an American Idol to me!

I honestly have no doubt that Ms. Katharine Mcphee
will be just fine....singing, acting....albums, radio, broadway....she'll be just fine!

Harold is Top Chef

Harold won Top Chef on Bravo last night. I'm really glad he won. I don't know anyone who liked Tiffany....although I thought she was a great chef, I just didn't think she had a good attitude.

In a weird twist, the show brought back the last 4 people who were kicked off the show. Two would join Tiffany to prepare a final meal and two would join Harold.

It was VERY obvious that all four wanted to work with Harold and no one wanted Tiffany to win.

I'm not going to detail the whole show, but the judges thought that Harold played it safe and didn't experiment too much with his final meal. Where as Tiffany went all out.

The judges asked the 4 old cast members who they thought should win Top Chef and every one of them said Harold.

While at Bravo's website I saw that they're selling the "I'm not your bitch, Bitch!" shirts. That's the line from the show....hands down!

Ed vs. Spencer

On BBC America, there's a show called Ed vs. Spencer....
I read somewhere that the show originated in Canada.


Ed and Spencer come up with a bet and then a time frame to complete it, and the show goes from there!!

I've seen 4 episodes:

1. Who can stay handcuffed the longest?
   (They're handcuffed to each other!)
2. Who do kids like more?
3. Who can put on the most weight?
4. Who can earn the most money in three days?

The stuff these two go through and put each other through!! It's crazy! To me this show is freakin' HILARIOUS!

Probably the worst thing about the show is when they figure out who the loser is....it's the HUMILIATION part of the show....the winner gets to choose what the loser has to do. It's usually something really gross or really embarassing!

If you have BBC America, you've gotta check this show out!

A Hoop Moment

My former co-worker and still good friend Hoop recently took his son to the opening of an Apple store near his house. Well in the rush to get out of the house, his son only had one shoe on. Hoop didn't notice this fact until they actually got to the Apple store!! So a thought runs through his head....Do I lose my place in line for the SUPER DUPER GRAND OPENING of the new neighborhood Apple store?? OOoooorrrr....Do I take my son home and get the other shoe??

Let's just say that little Hoop helped open that store with a little bit of a limp!!

My version goes like this....my daughter was invited to a birthday party for a little friend of hers. We were running late so I ask her to put her shoes on. (This is a DAILY occurance for her.) I grab the birthday present, my camera bag....and we're off!!

The party was at an elementary school. There's an adult group of actors called the Brown Bag Players who are putting on a play. The play is going to be the Jungle Book. We get there and the birthday girl welcomes us and she and my daughter go off an play with some of the other party goers. This goes on for about 15 minutes. Then the doors open and we go into the "drama room." We set up for lunch and eat lunch....probably about 10 minutes there.

Then the actor who is playing the Grey Wolf announces that the kids can line up and get their faces painted. My daughter climbs the stairs of the stage to join one of four lines of kids and I notice....her shoes are on the wrong feet!!

There's 3 thoughts that go through my head....(almost all at the same time)....as I ask her to sit on the floor and switch her shoes around to the right feet.

1. What's it gonna hurt if she left them on the wrong feet.
2. How does she not feel that her shoes are on the wrong feet??
3. Do I have Hoop's cell number in my phone, because I've GOT TO call him, RIGHT NOW!

I don't have his number in my phone, so I guess a link to this blog is gonna have to do!

Blackout 2006!

Last night about 7 pm our power went out. Not just our place, but about 80% of our condo complex. One of neighbors called the electric company and was told that it would take them 6 to 8 hours to fix the problem.

5 trucks show up at our complex. 2 were at the front and 3 were practically outside our condo!! Actually they were about 3 doors down but with all of our windows open, because we obviously couldn't use the air conditioner, it sounded like they were right outside!

Finally got to sleep, and everything was fixed when we woke up!

Henry Stays

Arsenal captain Thierry Henry has decided to stay with the club and lead them out at their new Emirates Stadium next season.

"I hope to stay for as long as I can keep running."

Champions League Final

I recorded the UEFA Champions League Final this afternoon from Paris on the DVR. The match is between Arsenal and Barcelona. Two of the biggest superstars in football in Thierry Henry & Ronaldinho playing against one another.

A friend of mine, Judy, in the UK believes that Arsenal will win 3-2, with Henry having a hat-trick. I also want Arsenal to win....but I think the score will be lower....2-1, Henry will have a goal and an assist.

Time to fire up the match....here's some play by play.

First 5 minutes definitely go to Arsenal....they have done a great job on the offesive side of the pitch.

8th minute....Ashley Cole looks really fit and is playing well....that's good news for England!!

11th minute....Ronaldinho free kick....pressure's on now....he curves it waaaaaay wide.

ESPN2 is showing the match here in the states, I have to say that I love Tommy Smyth's accent....it's so AWESOME!!

Henry almost completes a beautiful pass to Pires in the 15th minute....ALMOST!

WTF?? Lehmann gets a RED CARD!! Are you kidding me?? (I'm not saying he didn't deserve it)....Almunia comes in to protect the goal now and Pires has to come off. With no warm-up....and a free kick just outside the box....this is CRAZY!! #10 stares it down....just barely missed!

They just mentioned that Lehmann is the first player to ever get a red card in a Champions League Final....way to go down in the history books!!!

GOAL!! 37th minute....Sol Campbell heads in a Henry free kick! Only 10 men and in the lead!

Eto'o hits the post!!! That was too close for comfort!!

Tommy Smyth just called Almunia....ALUMINUM!!! HAHAHAHA

OUCH! That was an awkward tackle from Henry and he gets a YELLOW CARD.

Ronaldinho gets another free kick, but puts it right into the wall....then Arsenal get a free kick....neither one can turn it into a goal.

GOAL! 76th minute....Eto'o scores and ends Arsenal's 9995 minute's without conceding a goal. (Flares sure do mess up the view for the TV audience....all i see is smoke!)

The rain is really coming down now.

GOAL! 80th minute....Belletti scores between Almunia's legs

Arsenal are looking very tired....the 10 men on the pitch are playing so hard. With just over 5 minutes left, it looks like Barcelona are playing a nice game of "Keep Away" Arsenal will have to capitalize on a Barcelona mistake.

This match is over....

Top Chef

Watched the 1st part of the Top Chef finale....with the top 3 chefs cooking in VEGAS.

I missed the first two episodes of the series. Pretty good show. I have to say I couldn't stand Steven and could Dave cry and more than he does?? Dude that guy is so emotional....it's almost funny sometimes!

Last night though, Dave put out a dish called Grilled Kobe Tenderloin. Looked pretty good. Might have to try it.....obviously without the Kobe Beef.

Even with that dish, Dave was told to pack his knives.

Animal Style

I'm a big fan of IN-N-OUT. It's the one major food item that I CRAVED during the two years I was in Singapore....it's like it works it's way into your system, it's just that good!!

A buddy of mine, Michelle, mentioned in her devART journal that she had "animal style" fries from IN-N-OUT.

Now, I know about the "Secret Menu", (they even list secret menu items on their web site) but animal style fries??!! No Way!!

So I go to IN-N-OUT this afternoon for lunch and what do I get....Animal Style Fries, of course!!

YUM!

First Post!!

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....Is this thing on?

I wonder how many people's first post's to their blogs are tests? Probably a lot, huh? You can add me to the list I guess!!

Anyway, I've been meaning to create a "blog" for a while now....although, I used to have one a few years ago on a personal web site of mine....back then I just called it an online journal....just a way for family to feel connected to me and my family while we were in Singapore.

If you've come here randomly....welcome....feel free to post a comment.

I'm sure I'll be posting more and more....so check back often!