riddlin', diddlin', and country fiddlin'

2009-08-24T02:35:00.001-05:00

2008-10-24T01:44:00.001-05:00

i started a new blog but didn't post it on here.

e-mail me if you'd like the address.

dbrown1225@mac.com

Nerd Fight!

2008-06-17T01:57:00.004-05:00

(from Yahoo! News)

Disgruntled scientists renewed their vows this week to call Pluto a planet despite an international governing body's latest ruling to reclassify the tiny world.

On Wednesday, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) declared that Pluto will henceforth be known as a "plutoid," a new class of objects that has two members (the other being Eris, a small body beyond Pluto). The IAU, considered in charge of naming celestial objects, has been around since 1919. It demoted Pluto to "dwarf planet" status in 2006.

The latest decision was announced by email to the press, and it took researchers by surprise. Even IAU members and astronomers who discovered Eris and other objects that might eventually be called plutoids were not consulted or informed.

That's left many scientists peeved that the IAU developed the new term and its definition behind closed doors. They accuse the IAU of being secretive, out of touch and of failing to consider basic physical characteristics that researchers use to define planets.

"The derision for this group [the IAU] is now spreading virally," said Alan Stern, former assistant administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA and lead investigator for the New Horizons mission to Pluto.

Stern has also hinted that a rival group to the IAU might be formed. When asked about this possibility, he said: "There is a disturbance in the force. Enough said."

2008-06-06T03:01:00.007-05:00

I think it's great that we finally have a candidate in Barack Obama that a lot of people feel genuinely excited about.

It's easy to see why. He's a compelling speaker delivering a compelling message to a country that abhors its current president.

But I'm a little uncomfortable with how many people are obsessed with Barack Obama without REALLY knowing why they're obsessed with Barack Obama.

If the election were held tomorrow I would vote for Obama because I think he's damn smart. Not because it's trendy and not because he's the polar opposite of W. I see a lot a lot of people who have never had a social or political thought in their lives thumping their chests and sending me "Yes, We Can" or "Stop Hillary" links. And I wonder how many of those people really know much about Obama's voting record or beliefs. Sometimes I make fun of Obama supporters because they're so swept up in idealism and forget that they have a functioning brain that allows them to take a hard look at the world.

I'm not voting for Obama because he's charming and makes me feel warm inside. I'm not voting for him because Scarlett Johansson wants me to. I'm going to vote for him because I think he would be a good leader and, again, I think he's damn smart.

So this is my plea to voters (especially the young ones)...

Be informed. Do some critical thinking. Look at Obama objectively.

Vote for the right reasons.

?

2008-05-26T13:04:00.003-05:00

I have finished my schooling at the Illinois Center for Broadcasting and am now in a holding pattern. I'm looking for jobs. Video and television moreso than radio.

This is the hard part.

I want life to keep moving forward and I hate feeling like it's stagnant.

So that's where I am. Needing money. Needing a real job.

I sound like Bob Wylie. "I neeeed! I neeeed!"

I have baseball things to say!

2008-05-13T22:04:00.004-05:00

> If you're a Cubs fan and regularly watch the games, I hope you appreciate how good of a color commentator you have in Bob Brenly. I understand Steve Stone will always have a place in the hearts of Cubs fans and rightly so. But if you're paying attention to the games and not just casually watching, you can learn a lot about baseball from Brenly. He's a terrific color commentator. Appreciate him. Please.

> Almost everything about White Sox culture annoys me. Specifically...

Sox broadcasters whining about umpires. I was watching the Sox losing last night and Hawk Harrelson said "I wish we could blame the umpires but the umpiring has been consistent." I think it is RARELY justified to attribute a loss to bad umpiring. And most of the time it just makes you sound like a loser.
The Cubs obsession is ridiculous and it reaches from the fans to the manager. It's petty and sad. And I find it a little more annoying when it comes from casual Sox fans who can't name 5 players in the starting lineup.
Hawk Harrelson.

> I recently heard a caller to The Score say he wanted to get rid of the Sox sluggers because they ground into too many double plays. That's one of the most idiotic reasons to trade a player.

You look at the top 20 players for grounding into double plays last year and you see names like Albert Pujols, Derek Jeter, Manny Ramirez, Matt Holliday. Those are outstanding hitters.

You look at the top 3 players ALL TIME who have grounded into the most double plays...Cal Ripken Jr, Hank Aaron, Carl Yastrzemzski. All first ballot Hall of Famers.

That's all for now.

Player

2008-05-05T14:56:00.012-05:00

There is an intelligent basketball coach who continues making the same confounding decision over and over again.

He gives valuable playing time to a player that continues to disappoint, frustrate, and torpedo his team. The coach is familiar with his player so there are no real surprises, but he holds out hope that one day all of his patience will pay off and his player will flourish.

Sometimes the coach gets so fed up with his player's mistakes and poor performance that he decides to take him out of the game because he's better off without him on the court. It's never an easy decision but most of the time his flaws far outweigh his positives.

Suddenly the coach has found a new player. The sense of familiarity is not there, but the new player shows great promise and the coach is impressed with the way he's performing. He makes good decisions on the court and gains the coach's trust rather quickly. It seems to be a good fit.

However the promising new player is not perfect. No player is. He makes a few mistakes that are more reflective of not knowing the coach's system than it is the player's abilities. But the coach quickly decides he needs to make a change, ignoring all the good things he saw from his new player, and sits him down.

Much to the fans' chagrin, he puts the other player back in. They know it's only a matter of time before he makes another mistake and hurts the team, but the coach is willing to give it another shot.

The fans wonder why. They wonder why the coach makes the same decision over and over again with the same negative results. There must be something the coach sees that no one else does. He must have a reason. He has to.

So the loyal fans continue to watch, hoping that the better player will get enough playing time to prove that he belongs. They hope. But the coach seems resigned to sticking with the original player despite the anxiety and heartache he seems to bring. The coach holds out hope.

Maybe he'll suddenly turn it around. Maybe he'll just stop being the player he's shown that he is. Maybe his track record really doesn't mean all that much.

Or maybe it's time for the coach to make the hard decision.

deleted scenes

2008-04-23T01:55:00.004-05:00

you know what's funny? or maybe 'weird' is more accurate. i've probably written about 3-4 full posts over the last week that i never published for you to read.

why didn't i publish them? because i got about 95% done writing them and decided i didn't like them anymore. and then i thought about the filmmaking process and how they spend a ton of money shooting material that will ultimately never be used in the final cut. but we usually end up seeing them on the dvd anyway.

i'm glad there are no bonus features on this blog where you can click and read the stuff that i've deleted.

An Unstoppable Force

2008-04-17T23:26:00.003-05:00

I've known for a while that Hannah Montana and High School Musical were crazy popular. As a Disney cast member, I'm regularly exposed to the deity-like status that these names command.

But when I learned that other cast members and myself were traveling to Chicago's West Side to talk to students about exercise and the major food groups, I was pretty skeptical. I expected them to want Jay-Z. Or the WGCI team.

Then our DJ asked the kids "who here likes Hannah Montana?!?" and I swear they went just as crazy as any white-ass suburban school that I've seen. They sscccrrrrrreeeeaaammmmed. Same with High School Musical. I have an entirely new perspective for how big these things are.

Hannah Montana and High School Musical. Bridging the racial divide. For Channel 4 news, I'm Maurice DuBois.

my first cubs game

2008-03-31T01:37:00.005-05:00

this picture wasn't from my first game, but it was from the '89 season. that's joe girardi. he manages the yankees now. ever heard of them?

the first cubs game i ever attended was on july 20, 1989. it was my mom, dad, sister, grandma, and grandpa. and it was a well orchestrated surprise.

the six of us were headed downtown and we took the el. i was 7 years old so i didn't really know what was going on. i just followed the grown ups like a good boy.

as we approached the addison street stop i heard the conductor make an announcement that included the words "wrigley field". i remember freaking out. but NOT because i thought we were going to the game. oh no...i was asking my mom if we could just SEE wrigley field. all i wanted was to look at the place where the chicago cubs--the team i'd loved for about 2 years at that time--played their games.

my mom played along and said "hmmm...i dont know. ask grandma." i pleaded with my grandma. the thought of seeing wrigley was too good to pass up. i remember her smiling but i don't recall her actual words.

and then my mom broke the news. WE'RE GOING TO THE GAME. i couldn't believe it. we were actually going to see the cubs play in person. right now.

i'm pretty sure i floated from the train station to my seat inside wrigley. it was all too good to be true.

the game itself, which you can read about here, was not good for the first 8 innings. the cubs were behind 3 runs and it was a rather cool evening with howling winds and plastic bags hovering about 'american beauty' style.

my mom has since confessed that she was begging God for the cubs to come back and win the game. otherwise it would have been a cold, windy cubs loss.

they rallied to score 3 runs in the 9th inning. and then les lancaster (a pitcher, mind you) came through with a 2-out game winning double in the bottom of the 11th inning to score curtis wilkerson alllllll the way from first base.

it was probably the best possible first game experience i could have had.

So wrong yet so right

2008-03-27T16:01:00.001-05:00

Moment of Clarity

2008-03-22T03:17:00.006-05:00

A lot of my friends have a hard time understanding why I don't love LOST. Most of them are deeply invested in the show, gathering weekly to take part in the Thursday night airing. I usually attend these viewings less for the show and more for the community.

And when a Kanye West song randomly surfaced on my iPod, I realized something: I feel the same way about LOST as I do Kanye West.

I can acknowledge that both bring creativity and originality to their arts. Both are very well done and deserve a large fan following. But neither one is really for me.

In regards to LOST, I've never been drawn to the sci-fi/fantasy genre. I'm apathetic towards Lord of the Rings. Star Wars is kinda fun but ultimately I can live without it. It's just not for me. Look at my favorite movies listed on Facebook and tell me how many of them fall into that category.

And when it comes to Kanye, I have a similar taste difference. Kanye's sound is a little too polished for me. From his music to his clothes to his lyrics....it's glossy. I like my rappers way more raw, way more grimy, and to be honest way more angry. Like The Game.

I can watch LOST and listen to Kanye and it's fine. I can enjoy both from time to time but ultimately neither one of them really grab me. I think there are more compelling rappers than Kanye and more compelling shows than LOST.

I think Kanye is a very talented (not to mention annoying) artist. And LOST produces some interesting television in a time that is saturated with thoughtless reality shows. I'll never be able to say LOST doesn't ask a lot of its viewers, and there's something to be said for that.

I thought about stating my creative criticisms of both...but if you're a LOST or Kanye fan, I don't think you wanna read that.

So just know that I respect both. Kanye is bringing a different sound to hip-hop, and LOST is infusing originality and thought into prime time.

My Name is John Daker

2008-03-20T08:47:00.003-05:00

I stole this off my friend Michael's blog. Stick with it....it's magical.

The Grumpy Bastard posts will continue from time to time. Basically when I feel like a topic deserves one. So it'll be recurring and not contained to a timeframe.

Grumpy Bastard Week: Dave Matthews Band

2008-03-15T02:22:00.005-05:00

I know there is a federal law that says if you were born after 1977 you have to think Dave Matthews Band is God's gift to the music industry. But I think Dave Matthews Band sucks.

Playing 72 instruments at the same time does not automatically mean it's good music. This criticism will often lead a DMB fan to invite you to "come to a show sometime, bro. You need to see them live to really appreciate it."

I'm sure they're a fun band to party to. They wouldn't have such a massive high school and college following if they weren't.

But in my opinion Dave Matthews Band produces music that doesn't ask a lot of the listener. And that's fine. I'm sure there's a time and place for music that goes well with beer and doesn't require much brainpower.

I just have no interest in it. And I think Dave Matthews' voice sucks.

2008-03-13T23:09:00.003-05:00

I did not give Grumpy Bastard Week the attention it deserved. I ran out of time to blog. My apologies. I will try not to start things I can't finish.

Grumpy Bastard Week: Garden State

2008-03-11T21:08:00.008-05:00

Hell hath no fury like a 20something who is told that Garden State isn't the highest form of art.

It's the movie for people in their 20's who realize their parents are human and are starting to be exposed to the cynicism of adult life. It has a very good soundtrack and incorporates a few moments that are more cute than they are artistic (see above).

It got mostly positive reviews, but many of which included acknowledgment of its flaws.

"imaginative, if sometimes scattered."

"a richly populated if uneven act..."

"at least some, if not all, of the sparks catch"

It was not included in the list of Top Ten Movies of 2004 by Newsweek, Entertainment Weekly, Roger Ebert, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Post, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Time, or USA Today. I want to send flowers to these publications as a big THANK YOU.

Believe me, there are worse movies. I know this, man.

But I place Garden State squarely in the category of Movies That Try Way Too Hard.

Grumpy Bastard Week: Family Guy

2008-03-10T01:25:00.008-05:00

"Your sense of humor is just like Family Guy"

I've been told this before. A few times.

And I find great joy in watching Cartman's furious response to Kyle's rather innocent suggestion. Catharsis at its finest.

It's not that I think Family Guy never has good moments. Just recently I saw a sequence on the show that I thought was well done and (gasp) smart.

But overall I just find it rather...what's the word I'm looking for...irrelevant.

With the tendency for numerous cutaway gags, it's the perfect show for the ADD-afflicted American. If you're not liking the current storyline, fear not. You'll get a completely unrelated joke in about 15 seconds. I stumbled upon an episode the other day and it wasn't more than 10 seconds before a cutaway gag. Cartman is correct in his lamenting about the show's brand of humor. This is also one reason I believe the clips are so popular on YouTube, because they rarely need to be connected to a storyline and usually stand as their own entities.

Plus more times than not I feel like Family Guy really doesn't stand for anything.

And at the risk of sounding like I can't or don't think for myself, a line has been drawn in the sand. South Park and The Simpsons stand together on one side, and Family Guy stands on the other. I won't get into all of that, but the South Park and Simpsons people have made it clear how they feel about Family Guy.

Until the next Grumpy Bastard post, I'm Drew Brown. Goodnight.

Guess whose back...back again

2008-03-07T17:40:00.004-06:00

It's my back. Tell a friend.

For the past 2-3 years I've had an ongoing back problem. I think it developed due to 15+ years of playing basketball, but I have no real evidence to support that claim. It's just a theory.

However, I'm finding that unless someone has experienced true back pain, they're often unsympathetic or ignorant to how debilitating it can be.

I have a disc injury that applies pressure to a nerve in my back. It's enough to make me walk like an baboon sometimes.

That's when I love receiving unsolicited advice from someone who currently has no back pain.

A teacher at my school dismissively told me to "take an advil, get a heating pack, you'll be fine".

No. Actually. I won't. Because even medications like skelaxin and codeine don't provide sufficient relief.

It's getting better though which is the good news.

On another topic, I'm tempted to start a week of posts that just turn into tangents. Grumpy Bastard Week we could call it. Just wanting to allow myself to be publicly annoyed and/or angry. Or is every week Grumpy Bastard Week on this blog?

Maybe the next week will follow with only positive and lauding posts to help some of you get through the negativity.

March 5

2008-03-04T23:27:00.003-06:00

The last couple days I haven't been filled with an overwhelming sense of sadness. The dates of March 2-5 haven't sent me into a funk or anything.

But more than anything I find myself saying "3 years ago I was ____".

Like right now...March 4 at 11:37pm....I think I was hanging out with my friends Kelly and Amy. Maybe talking. Maybe watching The Simpsons. Either trying to process or trying to distract myself. And I think a Shamrock Shake was consumed.

So that's where I am. Not in a terribly sad place right now. Just remembering what it was like. And still having a hard time believing that those moments actually happened.

Aww Zell

2008-02-29T01:03:00.003-06:00

There is a fan uproar over the possibility (or what now seems like a conclusion) that Wrigley Field is going to undergo a name change in the near future.

Sam Zell, the billionaire owner of the Tribune Company, has stated that he won't hesitate to sell the naming rights which will command hundreds of millions of dollars.

I'm not exactly sure where the money will go, but it sounds like the Cubs won't benefit. I've read one article that claims Zell will use the money to decrease the Tribune Company's debt. But the more popular belief says that he's going to pocket the money. We are potentially talking in the neighborhood of $500 million.

An elderly billionaire ignoring the interest of the public to make himself richer. Sam Zell is a real life Montgomery Burns.

My attitude would be different if that money was added to the team's payroll. If selling the naming rights to Wrigley tacked on another $20 million every year for the Cubs to play around with, I'd have no issue with renaming the park.

I would rather watch the first place Cubs at United Stadium than the second place (or worse) Cubs at Wrigley Field.

But that doesn't appear to be the case. It looks like Mr. Burns is going to wring out Wrigley Field and keep the money for himself.

Poor guy only has $6 billion right now. We wouldn't want him wearing rags.

F*ckin

2008-02-28T02:40:00.003-06:00

Along with the Conan-Colbert-Stewart-Huckabee thing, this is one of the strangest running jokes I've ever seen. And probably the most elaborate.

God bless celebrities who don't take themselves too seriously. I'm looking at you, Sean Penn.

one year ago

2008-02-21T00:02:00.004-06:00

it really is amazing how much can change in one year.

exactly one year ago i was

> living at home

> working full time as a video editor/producer for the chapel

> dating someone

today i am

> living with friends

> a full time student starting a promotions internship this week with radio disney, in addition to a new role as an energy broker for a company called glacial energy

> very much not dating someone

it will be interesting to see where things are on february 21, 2009.

Westboro Baptist Church

2008-02-17T14:32:00.006-06:00

A couple friends and I made an impulsive decision on Friday to travel to NIU because we saw reports that the Westboro Baptist Church was going to picket during a campus vigil.

This wasn't me being stupid and immature and saying "I'm gonna kick their ass!". But if they were going to spew their hate during a vigil, I at least wanted to stand with NIU students while that happened. And maybe talk in a civilized manner to the WBC folks.

There wasn't much going on at the school. Everything was quiet. Like a funeral.

No vigils. No WBC. Just quiet.

Monday, however, may be a little different.

The WBC website, GodHatesFags.com, says that the group will picket the funerals of two NIU shooting victims.

I've been looking at videos on YouTube of the church and people's response to them. Here's what I've learned...

Don't hate them. Not only are they used to it, but in their minds it only validates that what they're doing is right. The more resistance they encounter, the more they're convinced that they're similar to Jesus because he was also hated. They are in the business of hate and are unaffected when it's used on them.

They bring out the worst in others. Understandably, they upset people. And it's natural to feel pure disgust for them. But when you stoop to their level of name calling, they win.

They're brainwashed. It's a cult. They are not sane people. That's just something else to keep in mind. There is something very wrong with them.

There are better options. At the risk of sounding cliche, if I was ever face to face with these people I'd want to respond in a way that would make God proud. Whether that's just ignoring them or telling them that God forgives them. Because somehow they too are loved.

It's sickening to think that they will protest the funerals of NIU victims. And obviously emotions will be running high tomorrow at these funerals. I'm not saying it would be easy to keep my composure. And I'm thankful that I've never had a mourning process interrupted by these people.

2008-02-17T01:48:00.004-06:00

Baseball is my favorite sport. It always will be. And basketball will always be second.

But you are absolutely wasting your breath if you ever try to convince me that the NBA isn't home to the best athletes on the planet.

"was there something going on with Laurie and you?"

2008-02-08T01:03:00.001-06:00

I've been thinking about how to respond to this question. And I admire the courage of Sheila to ask it. I recently talked to someone who has been reading my blog since Laurie died and she said that she thinks there has been a lingering curiosity about this amongst readers. True? Not so much? I have curiosity regarding your curiosity.

Anyway, how do I answer this truthfully in a way that satisfies the reader, while maintaining privacy for both myself and Laurie?

The answer is....I don't know. But I'll give it the old college try.

Obviously Laurie and I had a very close friendship. And there were times when the two of us explored the possibility of more than a friendship.

Then why the hell didn't it happen?

I still ask myself that question sometimes.

Sometimes we were on the same page but didn't know it.

I found out about one of these instances somewhat recently. I had a conversation with a friend about wanting to date Laurie. Shortly after, Laurie had a conversation with that same friend about wanting to date me. Not wanting to meddle, our friend said nothing. So there's one example of Laurie and I wanting to date each other, but not knowing it. Sucks, no?

And now I look back at things we did together, things we said to each other, and specific moments a little differently.

Like last summer I found a letter she once wrote me for Christmas/my birthday. I hadn't seen it in a few years. I read it now with a different color to it than I did when she first gave it to me. Here are a few lines from it.

"There is something about you Drew Brown that I just can't get enough of. I'm hooked! ...I love how we can just laugh together for hours and hours about absolutely nothing. ...I love that you are one of the only people I want to see after I've had a really long, sad, or stressful day. You make me so happy Drew! I hope that you know that I care about you much more than I think you know. ...Drew, you make me so happy. ...I really look forward to many more years together as best friends making many more memories. I love you Drew Brown!"

Yeah.

There's more but I don't want to get too obnoxious about it.

At the risk of sounding cheesey, there are moments between Jim and Pam in the first three seasons of The Office that remind me of my friendship with Laurie. Having countless inside jokes, knowing what the other is thinking without saying a word...you get the point.

And in the last episode of the third season when she thinks she's lost Jim to Karen and New York, Pam says "we just never got the timing right."

That's how I feel. We just never got the timing right.

Of course right after Pam says that Jim walks in and asks her out and they have been together ever since.

I prefer that ending.

2008-02-01T15:09:00.000-06:00

I appreciated the support on the anti-Shane post. Both from the written comments as well as those of you who verbally expressed feelings similar to mine. Maybe as a form of protest we should all go out and buy expensive shoes.

But enough about that.

There's an infamous phrase that I want to talk about. Perhaps you've heard it. Perhaps you've said it.

"I don't want to risk losing our friendship".

Nobody has said this to me recently so this post isn't a response to anything in particular. In fact I'm not totally sure when this was ever said to me.

But I don't like it.

If a guy is interested in a girl, and that girl is interested in that guy, and one or both of them decide that they don't want to date because they might lose their friendship, then they're either idiots or not telling the truth.

There are plenty of acceptable reasons not to date a friend.

You're not attracted to them. They don't possess qualities you want in another person. Or you're just flat out not interested in dating them.

So say that.

If there's another reason you don't want to date someone, don't use the friendship thing as an excuse. Just say it.

And if you are interested in someone and they feel the same way....give it a shot. If your friendship is so good and so important to both of you, it will probably survive.

Plus, if a guy and a girl have such a strong friendship, you'll have a hard time convincing me that there isn't something else going on under the surface. Maybe not every time. But often enough.

I'm done.

Also

2008-01-27T14:04:00.000-06:00

The death of Heath Ledger is very sad for many reasons.

He was only 28.

He left behind a 2 year-old daughter.

His death appears to be accidental.

However, the fact that he was a good looking guy doesn't make his death any sadder.

I've seen a lot of people responding to his death with statements like "This is so sad. He was so gorgeous."

No! It's sad because he died young and left a child who will most likely not remember him. The fact that he was an attractive person doesn't make his death any sadder.

I'm not a fan

2008-01-23T01:06:00.000-06:00

I must be a bad Christian because I have very little interest in anything Shane Claiborne says.

I know. That's total blasphemy.

After all he is the closest thing to Jesus we have on earth, right?

But really, I could rattle off 20 people I'd rather hear speak than Claiborne.

Don't get me wrong. I don't think he's a bad guy. I love his devotion to following God and clearly he desires to bring heaven to earth. And I'm much more drawn to his theology that is strongly rooted in grace vesus a pastor who only wants to feed the hungry if he "can do it in the name of Jesus".

He's doing great things. He's just not the voice I want to hear.

Guess what? I like having an iPod. I pay money to watch baseball. I spend $15 a month to rent dvd's.

There have been times when I've heard Shane Claiborne speak that I came away feeling shamed. Not ashamed. Shamed.

I feel like there's a subtle arrogance to it all. Like "oh, you haven't sold your car and done away with your possessions? Really? And you call that following Jesus?"

Yes. I believe you can actually own normal things, live in the way of God, and not be a complete turd.

Wacky, huh?

Conan O'Brien's Writer's Strike Diary (this is genius)

2008-01-17T02:25:00.000-06:00

By Conan O'Brien

There was an eerie calm before the Strike hit, which made its arrival all the more terrifying. The sky darkened and the cruel November winds howled. Hell hath no fury like a Writer denied his appropriate Internet-participation formula. I was tossed about my quarters like a rag doll, gasping for air and struggling against the relentless tide of angry industry chatter. Then all was blackness...

DAY 1
I am alive, but there is no writing for television and motion pictures. I stumble about my apartment — a stranger in a strange land. Gathering my wits, I take stock of my meager supplies: four original episodes of House, a handful of fresh 30 Rocks, and two Heroes, which I fear have gone bad. I cannot survive long — panic sets in.

DAY 2
Using three coat hangers and an old T-shirt, I construct a crude device to collect potable water. I then realize that fresh drinking water will not be an issue during a Writers' Strike. I go to the refrigerator and fetch a Pomegranate Lychee Green Tea. It is my first triumph over the elements and I rejoice.

DAY 5
With no sign on the horizon of fresh scripted television, I decide to read a book. The first few pages go well, but I can't help wondering if Meredith and McDreamy will ever work things out. They're so right for each other and yet so wrong. I burn the book for warmth.

DAY 12
Tragedy! A power surge fries my DVR, destroying my meager larder of scripted shows. With little to sustain me, I am forced to subsist entirely on Reality Television. I gorge myself on marathons of The Real Housewives of Orange County and Flavor of Love, then collapse in a wretched heap. If this is living, I welcome death.

DAY 23
I hear a plane and decide to make a signal. I head to my roof to spell out ''Help — End Strike — Need New Shows — Make a Fair Deal for the Writers and End This!'' Sadly, I only have enough sticks for half an ''H.'' Must eat more Popsicles.

DAY 37
I turn my back on TV and venture off into uncharted territory: Halo 3. I enthusiastically shoulder my rifle and begin my virtual campaign to defend Earth. Within the hour I've been shot in the face six times by a 9-year-old Dutch boy named DeathGiver23.

DAY 45
The solitude is unbearable. Am I alone? Are there others like me? I decide to visit the Internet and check out some blogs. ''How is everyone holding up?'' I post innocently. The response is swift and merciless: ''U R Gay!'' Quickly I retreat to YouTube and hum along quietly to ''Chocolate Rain.''

DAY 51
I am now surviving completely on Game Shows. I have lost weight, my hands tremble uncontrollably, but I am certain that Briefcase Twenty-Two holds the million dollars. I scream at my television, but that stupid Physical Therapist from Tarzana cannot hear me. Seriously — what is wrong with that bitch?

DAY 58
How much can one man endure? Now the heavens themselves are conspiring to destroy me, as a light rain knocks out my DirecTV. I get through watching six hours of video snow by convincing myself I'm watching a director's cut of The Ring.

DAY 60
Today, a shocking discovery: I am not alone! In the guest bedroom, I stumble across a woman who refers to herself as my ''wife.'' She tells a harrowing tale, having survived all this time on just one DVD: Reba: The Complete 4th Season. There is nothing I can do for her, and I slowly back out of the room.

DAY 64
Blasphemy! Horror! The Golden Globes are canceled and the Oscars may be next. I want no part of a world that refuses to congratulate itself. I drag all the now-useless televisions to the center of my room and lash them together to form a crude raft. Soon, global warming will cause the seas to rise and I can float effortlessly out my eighth-floor window. It feels good to finally have a sensible plan...

EDITOR'S NOTE: Here the diary abruptly ends. It was found several weeks later in a lobster trap off the coast of Nova Scotia. Nothing is known of the author's current whereabouts. Rumors persist that he can be seen nightly at 12:35 a.m. EST on NBC, but at press time, those reports are unsubstantiated.

Amendment

2008-01-14T02:15:00.000-06:00

Ever since I wrote the entry entitled "Is" I've kinda been wondering about what I wrote.

It's not that I believe what I said was untrue, but I think the entry was short and oversimplified. Without subtracting from what I said, I think there is more to be added to the conversation. The recognition of truth is important. And sometimes it is best to take an objective look at something even if it might be painful.

But what comes next is what matters. And I think this might be where my original post failed.

Allow me to confess something that I find attractive in the opposite sex.

I think it's very appealing when a girl recognizes that this world is in desperate need of joy, love, and service. When she sees that things aren't the way they should be, and then takes it upon herself to do something about it.

That, my friends, is hot.

I know girls who have traveled outside of the United States to love and serve orphans, to free child sex slaves, to bring heaven to earth.

And it's freaking hot.

Obviously they saw truth. But they didn't stop there. They did something about it.

So seek truth. Use your brain and do some critical thinking. Do the work to uncover what something really is at its core.

And then, if you don't like it, do something about it.

Elitist

2008-01-09T18:53:00.000-06:00

For better or worse, I find myself turning into somewhat of an elitist (a slightly nicer word for snob) when it comes to certain topics like sports, television, and movies.

I'm often using those topics as litmus tests for other people. This doesn't really apply to close friends, but more to acquaintances, strangers, people I just don't know that well.

Few things frustrate me more than uninformed sports opinions.

I remember someone stating that the Bears should just "have one game where they go all out and blitz every play".

No. No they really shouldn't. I won't bore you with why they shouldn't. But that's just an absolutely stupid idea.

But I kept my mouth shut because I didn't want to be a jerk. Then again, by not saying anything, the stupidity was not addressed.

This happens far too often for my liking. And the more significant the game, the better the chance that I'll have to filter out the brain-dead sports observations.

Same goes with movies and television. If a person that I don't know very well says that they like a certain show, I too often throw them into one of two categories because of it.

The "I don't think I can ever respect your artistic tastes because you like that show" category...or the "I already love you because you clearly get it" group.

So there's me. Trying to not be a jerk, but having a hard time tolerating things that my elitist self deems inferior.

Great, huh?

Is

2008-01-09T01:31:00.000-06:00

I was recently talking to a friend about an experience I had about a year ago concerning a girl. As I explained the story to her, she interrupted by saying "you, my friend, are a romantic".

I found it interesting that she said that because I'm not sure if I agree or disagree.

Earlier that day in my counseling session, I stated that I'm becoming aware of some of my realist tendencies. In some areas of my life, I'm far more interested in what is now, what is real, and just what is more than I'm interested in what could be, what the best possible scenario is, what the future might hold.

Truth. The current truth. Reality.

Sometimes the truth can hurt. Sometimes it's easier and more appealing to hold out for the possibility.

"Maybe she will change her ways"

"It's possible that he'll like me someday"

"What if this situation turns around?"

I would never say don't have hope. If I did, there would be no romantic in me at all. And apparently that's not the case.

But there are times when truth is all we need. When a dose of reality is the best thing for us.

White She Devil

2008-01-07T14:20:00.000-06:00

I've been a little bothered and bewildered by the strong anti-Hillary sentiment among people.

I'm not saying I'm voting for her. I'm not even saying I like her.

But I sure as hell don't understand this rabid devotion to keeping her as far away from the Oval Office as possible.

I know far more people that have these odd, bitter, passionate feelings of disdain for Hillary than I know people who like her.

Am I alone in noticing this?

Does anyone else feel like there's a large "Anyone but Hillary" camp and you don't totally understand why?

I'm just asking.

This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius....

2006-06-17T00:06:00.000-05:00

And of course by that I mean...the new site is up.

Take a second to lower your expectations.

Ok.

This is the home page.

This is the blog.

You can check the rest out if you're interested.

Riddlin' Diddlin' will stay up for a while, but won't be updated.

Hope you continue to read.

Deep breaths...

2006-06-15T11:30:00.000-05:00

From IMDB...

Cast members of hit mafia series The Sopranos are demanding higher salaries after the show's bosses secured a string of lucrative rerun rights and staggering DVD sales. Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who plays Meadow, Robert Iler, who plays A.J., Steven Schirripa, who plays Bobby Bacala, Steven Van Zandt, who plays Silvio Dante, Lorraine Bracco, who plays Dr. Melfi, and Tony Sirico, who plays Paulie 'Walnuts', are all demanding a substantial rise before signing up for the final season, set to begin next month. They've reportedly threatened to walk out unless their wages more than double.

However, network HBO is only offering a fraction of their demands, and may be forced to write characters out of the series if they don't settle. A source tells the New York Post, "It's coming down to the wire. HBO just doesn't want to pay. No one has deals and they're very far apart. (Show creator) David Chase has tried to help the actors, but even his pleas have fallen on deaf ears. The guys want (a new deal) to happen. These are the last eight episodes, and the money is going to be coming in for HBO for years to come. But the actors get no residuals - and they want to be compensated. They're being treated like dog s**t." An HBO spokesman refused to comment on the pay reports.

Excuse me. I have some praying to do.

I'm a wiener

2006-06-14T02:47:00.000-05:00

I'll put a link to the new site on this blog. I wanted to see if I could draw out some of the anonymous readers. But I guess they have their own reasons, however sheepish, to remain unknown.

Also the idea of going back to a smaller reader base was appealing. But as Peter Parker was taught, with great power comes great responsibility. I'm just kidding. I have no power. But delusion is a nice place to be.

And yes, the blog will be the same type of content. The address and the appearance will change, but the writing won't. Buh-leee dat.

2006-06-13T01:36:00.000-05:00

So at the risk of sounding like a bastard, I probably won't post the new site on here. Once it's up, you can e-mail me and I'll send you the address. If you want to keep reading, thats great. I appreciate it. But at the same time I wont be sad to go back to a blog less traveled.

It'll be up in the next couple days...which makes it sound like it's gonna be some crazy site with so much on it. And it won't. I'm just a little busy.

Shout to the Lord

2006-06-12T09:28:00.000-05:00

The MacBook is here.

I'm working on a new site, so the days of Riddlin' Diddlin' are numbered.

Ratatouille (Rat-a-too-ee)

2006-06-11T01:04:00.000-05:00

As one Pixar movie opens, the teaser for the next one emerges. Only Brad Garrett has been confirmed so far, but it sounds like Patton Oswalt voices the title character.

I'm already excited. And it comes from Incredibles writer and director Brad Bird...a Simpsons alum.

It ALL comes back to The Simpsons, my friends.

Worship

2006-06-10T01:48:00.000-05:00

I like old hymns.

Lyrically, I often like old hymns more than I like modern worship music.

Why?

Because a lot of the songs we sing today are all about us.

Trading My Sorrows
He Knows My Name
Give Us Clean Hands

There's nothing wrong with songs about our need for God. We need Him badly. And I love that artists are free to express so many different emotions and feelings about God through music. Thank God for that.

But sometimes I like songs that are more about adoration of who God is rather than our need for him in our lives. Lyrics that aren't necessarily about what we want God to do, or the ways in which we've experienced him, but about his character and the type of God he is.

Just a thought.

Three

2006-06-09T02:06:00.000-05:00

Excited about Philly.

Rooting for Miami.

Cubs are exhausting.

Job is changing.

Need my MacBook.

I hate money.

Love new DMX.

Movie Awards sucked.

Wine is good.

Girls are trouble.

I miss Jack.

Go Chicago Rush.

I am tired.

22

2006-06-07T01:01:00.000-05:00

I just happened to find this note from Laurie last night. She wrote stuff like this all the time.

It's weird. I've come across a few things recently that have been really hard. In cleaning out my AOL address book, I came across her old screen name of Flutter678. Delete. It's funny how some people still have her phone number in their cell phone. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that, but I deleted her number probably less than a week after she died. I have enough constant reminders without intentionally keeping some around.

Then I came across the original of this picture. I don't remember if she left for Mexico later that day, or the day after. Last night I also found an old copy of my flight itinerary from when I went to visit her three years ago. Seems like forever ago.

The weirdest one may have been something I found in my iTunes purchased folder. I noticed that the last time I listened to Green Day's "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" happened to be March 2, 2005 at 12:04AM. My friend was probably awake at the same time. She was fifteen minutes away. And she was four minutes into the last day of her life.

Here's where we start playing the never-ending What If? game. What if I had called her that late just to talk? Is there any way that conversation could have made a difference? Probably not. She probably would have lied to me the same way she lied to everyone else that day. But I still wonder.

She would have been 22 years old today. Six years since she got her navy Saturn. Three years since she celebrated her birthday in Mexico. Two years since the Cubs-Cards game.

I'll probably head down to the lake at some point tonight. I'll probably get mad at the water again. I'll probably pace along the spot where she jumped in.

It's a sucky way to spend a night, but it's what I have to do.

2006-06-06T01:06:00.000-05:00

The Sopranos wrapped its sixth season on Sunday and ended much differently than other finales I watched. So many other shows ended with a cliffhanger, or included the biggest story event of the season. Those aren't bad things. 24 did it. But I loved what Entertainment Weekly said about The Sopranos finale...

"What, you were maybe expecting a showdown, a confrontation, a resolution, a great big whacking? Are you nuts? What TV show do you think you've been watching, Prison Break? Not so much a season finale as a graceful recapitulation of themes before a six-month intermission...a gentle, compassionate, pause-button episode..."

Eight episodes left. I will savor every one.

Also, I saw a half episode of Grey's Anatomy on Sunday and wasn't exactly enthralled. I know, a half hour of the show is not enough to base an opinion on. I'm just saying it didn't grab me. Perhaps I'll rent the first season.

And plans are sllllooowwwllyy coming together for a late fall/early winter trip to Disney. When you find ways to go for cheap, it becomes so much more attainable. "Belle wasn't a princess" "She was a princess because her heart is pure!"

2006-06-05T00:20:00.000-05:00

Does the fact that I want to see The Devil Wears Prada make me gay? And I love the trailer. Just one long clip.

The very solid sixth season of The Sopranos came to an end Sunday and I'm not ready to process yet. Though I'm fully aware that the processing is all for me since I think two readers of this blog watch that show.

And this is the best trailer remix yet. It's a mix of Toy Story 2 and Requiem for a Dream (possibly the most powerful movie I've ever seen). There are multiple swears. Consider yourself warned.

Which leads us to a poll...

YES

2006-06-03T12:38:00.000-05:00

I just placed an order for a MacBook. I went with the black model.

I'm excited, but right now it just feels I put a crap load of money onto my credit card.

Once the beautiful machine arrives in all its splendor, I will know I made the right choice.

Oh yeah. It also means changes for this blog. As in this blog would be shutdown but a new one would surface.

The time has come.

Danger

2006-06-02T01:28:00.000-05:00

There's one song that's been stuck in my head all week -- "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley. It's available on iTunes.

What the hell is Gnarls Barkley? It's a recently formed duo of Danger Mouse (who produced the Jay-Z/Beatles marriage called The Grey Album) and longtime hip-hop mainstay Cee-Lo.

I'm not gonna pretend to know everything about the Gnarls Barkley debut album. I just know that Danger Mouse is making me want to buy everything he touches. Aside from The Grey Album, which you can't buy, he also produced the Gorillaz latest album, called Demon Days, one of my favorite albums of the last five years.

Just talking about "Crazy" has brought the hook back into my brain. I can't get enough of it.

Good Show - Part 2

2006-06-01T01:22:00.000-05:00

Now I'm curious as to why you like your favorite shows.

Part of me feels a little disenchanted with the whole 'cliffhanger' thing that seems to be the current trend. I know that's slightly ripping 24, but I appreciate that when a Sopranos episode ends, it ends. You don't end every hour with an "oh my gosh!" moment. Same with Desperate Housewives, for the most part. If a show is really that well-written, should it need a cliffhanger to bring you back every week?

I'm really anxious to hear what's so compelling about Grey's Anatomy. And don't just say "oh the writing is good". Explain it. I've never seen it, so tell me why I should.

Do you want shows to be moving? Or just entertaining?

Why do you watch Gilmore Girls? Why do you like Sex and the City? What makes you watch Law and Order? What brings you back to CSI every week?

I've blogged many times about my favorite shows of all-time -- The Simpsons, The Sopranos, and 24.

It's your turn. I want to hear about your favorites and why they're your favorites.

Good Show - Part 1

2006-05-31T00:41:00.000-05:00

I have questions. And I want you to give me your answers.

What makes you start watching a TV show? Or want to start watching?

Is it reviews? Is it word of mouth? Is it the 30 second ads you see when you're watching a different show?

When Lost is called "the best television drama ever" by the LA Times, are you itching to watch it? Is that more important than the commercial ads you see? Or is the most important factor hearing other people talk about it?

When 24 is called "the best drama on television" by Entertainment Weekly, how much more likely are you to check out the adventures of Jack Bauer? Are you more interested when you hear the premise is about terrorism? Is that more important than people talking about the addictive nature of the series?

When The New York Times calls The Sopranos "the greatest work of American popular culture in the last 25 years" are you more likely to check out a story about organized crime? It's violent, vulgar, and graphic...not to mention it airs on a channel you have to pay extra for. What would it take for you to watch?

How did Grey's Anatomy become such a hot show? It seems like every girl I know loves it. Was it word of mouth? Where did it come from? What's going on? Who are you people?

Please answer. I'm very curious to hear why you started watching the shows you watch...even if I predictably failed to mention your favorite show.

Tomorrow...Part 2

2006-05-30T02:36:00.000-05:00

For all the questions I have about God, for all my doubts surrounding man's interpretation of the Bible, and for all my cynicism about the Church, I do know this...

There is nothing in this life that compares to the redemptive work of God.

Nothing.

2006-05-29T12:37:00.000-05:00

How can you not like this man? And watch for cameos by local tools Eddie & JoBo.

2006-05-28T01:48:00.000-05:00

My ethics professor never said the actual auction was a bad idea, but I can't go into it anymore without sounding like a total assmonkey.

I HATE June Bugs. They're big and loud and they fly into things. Not my recipe for a cool insect.

Does anyone (and by 'anyone' I basically mean TJ) think that a healthy Amare Stoudemire would ensure a Suns trip to the Finals? He's an absolute lion and I don't think anyone on Dallas could cover him. I fear the Suns next year when he's back.

10 Things I Hate About Commandments. Watch out for the F bomb at the end.

Finally, if anyone wants to join our team for The Overnight the $75 registration fee is waived through Thursday. Come on. You know you wanna. Who wouldn't want the chance to talk to me for 12 hours? Don't answer that.

2006-05-27T02:14:00.000-05:00

This song is dedicated to the 2006 Chicago Cubs.

WARNING: This song is Rated R.

Don't get mad at me if you listen to it and you get offended.

You're gonna hate me...

2006-05-26T02:08:00.000-05:00

Because I was THIS close to posting the date auction rules, and starting the bidding. Then an ethical friend of mine pointed out some flaws in the idea, and suddenly I'm thinking it might be better to call it off.

So now my question to you, Suzie Blogreader, is this...what do I need to do in order to get a handsome donation from you?

Post a comment or e-mail me at Dignan1225@aol.com

Yes, I realize that sounds a little shady. But I'm stuck on $430 and I need a little help.

So...help!

2006-05-24T01:14:00.000-05:00

Perhaps I complain about Christians a little bit too much...especially since I claim to be one. It's just that I think a lot of Christians dont get it. Not that I'm an expert...these are just my thoughts...

I never fully understand the phrase "what God wants me to do" or the question "is that where God wants you?" It usually seems to involve a job, or the college, or the moving, or the churches, or the whole GA-HOYVEEEE!!!!!!!

As if God would be horrified if you were to pursue something that interests you without taking a year to consult him first.

I think there are times when you need to pray about stuff. Absolutely.

But I don't understand the rationale that we have to double check with God every time we want something. I don't think God's plan is to piss you off and force you into doing things you hate. Why is it so hard to imagine that you don't need concrete permission from God to do the things for which he designed you in the first place?

If you want to study medicine, do it. If you want to teach third graders, knock yourself out. If you want to scoop up elephant poo at the circus, more power to you.

There's a reason God designed you the way he did. You have a brain. You have gifts. You have free will. Use them.

Finale Week

2006-05-23T00:30:00.000-05:00

So here we are. Day 1 of roughly 240 before we experience a new episode of The Jack Bauer Power Hour. So depressing. But what a finale!

What has separated this season of 24 from past seasons in my mind has been the character-driven intensity (largely thanks to President Logan and his wife) that usually gives way to adrenaline-fueled action. This season we got both. I also think we saw the best acting in this show's history.

So now Jack is literally on a slow boat to China. I can't help but speculate for next season. Is there any way Logan plays a role? Is he too valuable a character to lose? Does next season take place in China? I don't think so, but I'd love to see it.

Until then, I will mourn the characters we lost this season and the fact that I won't see a new hour of 24 until January.

The second season of Desperate Housewives came to a conclusion on Sunday with plenty of storylines to be developed for next season. This show is endlessly dark and entertaining...I love it. But it's also so over the top that I don't take it as seriously as other shows, and I don't think it's meant to be taken that seriously. Still, the show is so fun and fast paced that I can't help but watch. Sign me up for season three.

And for the first time in about 4 months, something amazing has happened. I'm actually interested to see an episode of Lost. Supposedly, big questions will be answered on Wednesday's finale. Does this mean I'll go back and watch the fifteen season two episodes I haven't seen? Awww heeeell no. But I am curious as to how they answer some of the questions.

So my second and third favorite shows have ended.

But I still have my favorite show's finale on June 4th. After that, I don't know what I'll do with myself.

2006-05-22T01:57:00.000-05:00

I love Chipotle.

During a regular week, I probably consume three or four burritos from The Chip. During a 'good' week, it's in the five to six range. It's not a healthy addiction.

There's a store about five minutes away from my house which makes for a happy Drew.

At this store though, I recently had a moment and realized I should be nicer to people...even if they don't know I'm being a jerk.

There's a female worker who has some rather unattractive teeth. And when I say that, I mean she is missing primary teeth in the front of her mouth. It's really noticeable.

When I look at her, I admit that several nasty, shallow comments run through my mind. She doesn't know it, but I make fun of her. Like I'm better than her. Like because she's missing teeth and making my burrito I have the right to belittle her...regardless of whether or not she's aware that I'm doing so.

But then I stopped.

Something, maybe God, got a hold of me and I started thinking "maybe she's really self conscious about her teeth." Or "maybe she hates coming to this job and she really wishes she had the benefits to see a dentist."

Maybe it's totally shallow that I'm assuming she finds shame in her appearance.

Whatever. I felt like a dick.

2006-05-21T02:04:00.000-05:00

Weird.

Awesome.

Sickening.

Dark (but funny).

Just plain funny.

2006-05-20T01:49:00.000-05:00

Conan is hosting the Emmys this year. I'd watch the Emmys anyway, but this makes it...say it with me...Appointment Television.

I'm a hypocrite when it comes to award shows. I say they mean nothing, which I believe to an extent, but then I root like hell for certain shows/actors to win.

This could be a very interesting year in the Best Television Drama department. Right now the nominees could be Grey's Anatomy, 24, Lost, The Sopranos, and CSI. We all know Lost is the darling of audiences and critics, so I'd expect a repeat of last year's win.

But I swear if Edie Falco doesn't win Best Actress in a Drama, I will......write someone a very strong letter.

2006-05-19T02:58:00.000-05:00

Sorry for another sports post. Actually, I'm not sorry. That was insincere.

But basketball is my second favorite sport and this year's NBA playoffs have been sensational. For the first time in years, the games are becoming Can't Miss TV. Or, as Terry Boers might say, "Appointment Television".

This is the new and improved NBA.

And yes, LeBron James (pictured above) may be on the verge of leading his 4th seeded Cavs to a series win over the Pistons...aka the team with the best record in the NBA. He's 21. As a Bulls fan, it's terrifying to see how complete of a player he is at such a young age. Is this payback for all those years Jordan menaced the Cavs? And by the way, I love the Messiah-esque tagline for LeBron, courtesy of Nike. "We Are All Witnesses."

We could have a LeBron-Wade matchup in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Eeexcellent.

Responses

2006-05-18T00:59:00.000-05:00

How is my "detaching" from the Cubs going? I watched the entire game tonight. Who am I kidding? Die-hard fans might say they want to take a step back, but we know it's impossible. I can't stay away. "And I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-yeee-I-I-I-I will always L-O-O-O-VE YOU-U-U-U-U"...

And in response to KayDo's comment, which asked "If one is from Chicago...is one truly allowed to like and root for the Pistons? What's next: the Packers?" If one were so inclined. Part of this may be the age difference. I was still only 9 when the Bulls swept Detroit in '91, so my Piston hatred was real at the time, but I don't remember it as well as the Bulls-Knicks rivalry. I wished horrible things on John Starks and Patrick Ewing. Plus, Chicago-Detroit aren't rivals across the board like Chicago-NY have been. Girls, what do you think? I'm sure you all have well thought-out, insightful opinions on this.

As far as The DaVinci Code, I've seen several non-denominational churches spend time talking about it. And I really don't like the approach. Instead of having conversations with people about the book, or allowing it to lead us to some difficult questions, we jump in with our Bibles and what we call the "right answers". I'm sorry, but I don't think that fosters growth. It's a cheesey analogy, but remember in school you had math books that often had the answers in the back? You could find the right answer, but if you didn't work through it you didn't really learn anything. I'm done.

Finally, here is a very interesting article that Barb told me about a couple weeks ago. Call me gullible and short-sighted (you'd be right), but this makes sense to me. Thank God for smart people.

I'm

2006-05-17T01:15:00.000-05:00

I'm taking a small step back from the Cubs. Even though they won last night, I just don't know how much more I can emotionally invest in this team. It's not about being fairweather, I've never been like that. Go ahead and test my fandom. But I feel the need to detach a little bit for the sake of my own sanity and overall lease on life. FIRE DUSTY.

I'm mourning the fact that after June 4th I'll have to wait until January for new episodes of the two best dramas on tv. And even when January rolls around, there will only be nine new Sopranos episodes before the series ends. That's so depressing.

I'm rooting for the Detroit Pistons to win the NBA championship. They're the best team in the league, and they're so fun to watch.

I'm THIS close to buying Nick Lachey's album.

I'm not always a big fan of people.

I'm SO SO SO sick of Christians who are crapping their pants because of the DaVinci code. And the ones who boycott it. Idiots.

I'm ornery.

2006-05-16T02:02:00.000-05:00

Donations?

2006-05-15T02:16:00.000-05:00

So ever since I researched how many times the word "Conan" appears in the history of my blog, I've wanted to do more searching.

I think stats are interesting. So if you don't, this post is going to suck.

Obviously, this tally is not flawless. If I blogged about Eminem and just called him Marshall, it wouldn't count the post. So this isn't perfect, but it gives you an idea.

The Ten Most Blogged About Words in the History of Riddlin' Diddlin' and Country Fiddlin'...

10. Trailer 23

9. Sopranos 24

8. Conan 32

7. Girls 33

6. Simpsons 37

5. Jack 50

4. Eminem 64

3. God 66

2. Cubs 87

1. Laurie 103

Conan

2006-05-13T01:33:00.000-05:00

So in my blogger dashboard you can search for how many times you've blogged about a specific word/name/topic since you've had the blog. I searched for Conan's name and I've at least mentioned him in 32 blog posts. So yeah, I'm a fan.

The show was grand. Walking into the theatre I was thinking "Conan O'Brien is in this building."

When he came out, I started bowing. Is that sad? It doesn't matter. It felt right. He is worthy.

As always, television makes everything look bigger. When we stepped into the balcony of the Chicago Theatre it looked pretty tiny. And the balcony is a hell of a lot closer to the stage than it appears on tv.

I can say that as Conan was searching for an audience member to take for a desk ride, I got supremely jealous. I'm thinking "some schmuck who's less deserving than me is going to be on national tv with Conan O'Br---oh wait it's Andy!"

Favorite moments of the show...George Wendt making out with Chewbacca, the beatings of Steve Bartman, seeing our nation's first black president (it's coming), the entire audience singing the Empire Carpet theme, the Wrigley Field stop on the desk ride ("where dreams go to die") and the Late Night Small Talk Moment.

And of course, the company of Anna, Craig, and Kelly was wonderful too. We must do it again sometime.

2006-05-12T01:09:00.000-05:00

Trailers

You, Me, and Dupree I can't wait.

Cars Still looks a littly iffy to me.

Miami Vice Could be awesome.

Lady in the Water I like the M. Night cameo in the trailer.

And last, but certainly not least, the day is here. Today, I am seeing Conan O'Brien LIVE. I'm giddy.

Mindless

2006-05-11T01:29:00.000-05:00

Haven't done a survey in a while (really I should never do them) and this one is pretty fun.

Put your iTunes or iPod on shuffle. Use the song title to answer the question.

1. How am I feeling today?
"Troubles" Alicia Keys

2. Will I get far in life?
"Everything's Not Lost" Coldplay

3. How do my friends see me?
"What's the Difference Between Me and You?" Dr. Dre

4. When will I get Married?
"You Can Do It" Ice Cube

5. What is my best friend's theme song?
"She Lives In My Lap" OutKast

6. What is the story of my life?
"Planting the Seeds" David Holmes

7. What was high school like?
"Hey Jude" The Beatles

8. How can I get ahead in life?
"The Way I Am" Eminem

9. What is the best thing about me?
"On Fire" Switchfoot

10. How is today going to be?
"Melt Away" Mariah Carey

11. What is in store for this weekend?
"We Starvin" Krayzie Bone

12.What song describes my parents?
"Boulevard of Broken Dreams" Green Day

13. To describe my grandparents?
"Confessions (Remix)" Usher

14. How is my life going?
"Who Shot Ya?" The Notorious B.I.G.

15. What song will they play at my funeral?
"Ready to Meet Him" DMX

16. How does the world see me?
"Lady Madonna" The Beatles

17. Will I have a Happy Life?
"Dream, Dream, Dream" Percy Faith

18. What do my friends really think of me?
"James Bond Theme (Moby's Re-Version)" Moby

19. Do people secretly lust after me?
"You're Beautiful" James Blunt

20. How can I make myself happy?
"If You Could See" Flesh-N-Bone

21. What should I do with my life?
"Living in Pain" The Notorious B.I.G.

22. Will I ever have children?
"Colors of the Wind" Cristy Carlson Romano

23. What is some good advice for me?
"Ball and Biscuit" The White Stripes

24. What's that smell?
"True Love Waits" Radiohead

25. What is my signature dancing song?
"Baby, It's Cold Outside" Ralph Sharon

26. What do I think my current theme song is?
"Amsterdam" Coldplay

27. What does everyone else think my current theme song is?
"Dopeman" Jay-Z

28. What type of women do you like?
"Lovin U" Alicia Keys

29. How do you feel about yourself at this point in time?
"50 Candles" Boyz II Men

Enzo and Carter Novelli

2006-05-10T02:45:00.000-05:00

Poor little guys. They have no idea what they're getting into.

Tangent

2006-05-09T02:20:00.000-05:00

Growing up in a Lutheran school, there was one belief that we were taught over and over again.

You don't get to heaven by being a good person, or doing good things, you get to heaven by accepting Jesus.

Now, let me say, the whole heaven discussion makes me sick sometimes. Christians focus on it way too much. As Rob Bell says in Velvet Elvis, it's disturbing "when people talk more about hell after this life than they do about hell here and now." But, we're talking about eternity, so it probably merits some discussion.

We've been taught that you don't earn your way into heaven. You receive grace.

But let's be hypothetical for a moment, shall we?

Let's say Bill and Melinda Gates, who have crusaded across the world and donated tens of billions of dollars to multiple causes, die in a car accident tomorrow. They've spent years of their life (as well as unfathomable amounts of money) fighting for the less fortunate, something that Jesus told his followers to do.

Is there really a chance they would be sent to hell for eternal punishment? Would God really do that just because of one choice they didn't make? I really hope not. That's injustice.

And what is hell? Is it real? I believe Satan is real, but is hell really eternal separation from God? How can you ever be separated from God? If God has authority over everything, how can you be apart from him in hell?

I hate when Christians, or anyone for that matter, act like they know who's going to hell. YOU HAVE NO IDEA. You don't.

As Brian McLaren states in Adventures in Missing the Point, the phrase "accept Christ as your personal Savior" is not in the Bible. The Bible never even uses the term "personal Savior". Interesting.

Right now, George Clooney shames me. He's making much more of an effort to get involved in social justice than I am. He's fighting to end the genocide in Darfur. But by our current belief system, I'm entitled to heaven and he's not.

What's wrong with this picture?

At the end of the day, I know that God is love and God is just. So it's not for me to worry about.

2006-05-08T12:34:00.000-05:00

This is a great article about the chances of LeBron James and Kobe Bryant to be as good as (if not better than) Michael Jordan.

2006-05-08T01:20:00.000-05:00

So I was debating on whether to write something pretty serious, or something pretty light. Light wins. Tomorrow will be serious.

I saw something incredibly disturbing tonight. It was an NBC promo for Conan's shows in Chicago, and he was wearing... ::gulp:: ...a White Sox jersey. They showed a quick shot of him taking batting practice with the South Siders. I almost had a stroke.

I know, they're the World Champions so they're gonna get some pub. But seeing Conan O'Brien--my Coney--in a Sox jersey...a little piece of my soul was destroyed. I really hope they do something at Wrigley. You have to. It's Wrigley.

Speaking of Wrigley, I can't believe I haven't been to a game yet. I think it's been several years since I've gone this far into a season without watching my Cubs. But they're REAL BAD right now. Anything can happen though. I still choose hope.

Anna, Ben, myself

I never imagined that on May 8th, I would have been to three Chicago Rush games and zero Cubs games. But I'm a simple man. When tickets are provided pro-bono, with a few social incentives thrown in, I'll be there. The above picture is from post-game at Ram.

By the way, I've got a small case of Schadenfreude for Tom Cruise right now, after M:I:III's disappointing take at the weekend box office. And this isn't a "I want a Scientologist to fail" thing. I don't root against people based on their spiritual preference. But his entire persona has become so arrogant and weird and creepy and condescending. I could go the rest of my life without seeing his boyishly handsome face and be fine with it.

And I actually didn't see my Sopranos tonight (don't tell me what happens)...so Monday night will be a gauntlet of Jack, Tony, and the ladies. I likey!!

My Own 24

2006-05-07T00:51:00.000-05:00

The best 24 hours of my week takes place between Sunday 9:00pm and Monday 9:00pm.

Sunday night around 9:00 is usually when I see Pete and Barb and we catch up on stuff. Seems like a good way to recap/process the week and prepare for the days ahead.

A little bit after that, I watch the new Sopranos episode (yes, Matt, I think it's far better than Lost).

Then Monday is a short work day, followed by counseling which I'd like to have every day, then grill time with the Novellis and others, followed by Jack. And now post-Jack I'll download the newest Desperate Housewives from iTunes.

Drew likes Sunday-Monday.

2006-05-06T02:11:00.000-05:00

You know this brightens your day.

2006-05-05T00:06:00.000-05:00

Books I Must Read :: Brian McLaren's The Secret Message of Jesus : Uncovering the Truth that Could Change Everything and A Generous Orthodoxy. Also, Henri Nouwen's The Wounded Healer.

Movies I Must See :: Invisible Children, Russian Ark, Hotel Rwanda.

Shows I Must Watch :: Six Feet Under, Grey's Anatomy, Buffy: The Vampire Slayer. Yes I'm serious.

2006-05-04T00:28:00.000-05:00

I've had more than my share of Laurie reminders in the past five days or so.

It sucks.

I don't remember every trigger, but I do remember the two hardest moments.

1 - I heard co-workers talking about prom, and it was heartbreaking. I'm 24 years old and my prom date is not here to reminisce with me. Stupid.

2 - This is worse. Someone that I have as a MySpace friend, who I dont know in real life, posted a survey. And in the survey he basically joked about drowning himself. I winced as I read it.

It had really been a while since there were any significant triggers. Not just little reminders here and there...but moments where I'm thrown.

14 months later, it still doesn't make sense.

2006-05-03T00:06:00.000-05:00

Support Drew

Click here to see the new Superman Returns trailer. For the first minute and a half I was thinking "looks pretty good"...and then the last minute made me very excited. I can't wait.

Watch Triumph giving a weather report in Hawaii.

Watch the Sexual Harassment Skeleton. The video quality sucks, but it makes me happy.

And if you've never seen this, it's good for a short laugh.

Television is my friend

2006-05-02T01:33:00.000-05:00

Spoilers ahead. Read at your own risk.

The three shows I'm currently invested in each aired fantastic episodes this week.

The Sopranos - It's been a very strong season, and Sunday's episode was the best so far. Some of the themes about navigating change...brilliant.

EW writes this about an amazing scene between Tony and his son A.J, calling it "one of the great scenes in this extraordinary series' long and rich tradition of dramatizing family dynamics better than any other show on television."

What am I going to do without this show? Considering there are only 13 episodes left in the series.

24 - The streak of stellar episodes continued last night, and think about how little actually happened. We never saw Audrey, Curtis, Henderson, or the V.P...and yet it was thrilling. I did have a slight problem with Jack doing whatever he wanted on the plane and no one hearing him punch, strangle, or kick the guys he needed to subdue. But he's Jack Bauer. Normal sound waves don't apply. And does Chloe not get better every week?

Desperate Housewives - After watching the series' first 42 episodes on iTunes, I'm finally caught up. And the biggest surprise of this quality installment...I actually started caring about Eva Longoria's character, Gaby. That heartbreaking scene of her and Carlos losing their baby to the biological mother was gutwrenching. That says a lot, in my book. I usually see this show as pure entertainment...rarely moving, a little cheesey, but always fast paced and fun. That scene, however, has to be considered one of the most emotionally heavy in the show's history.

By the way, I've said Edie Falco is the best actress on television...and she is...but Felicity Huffman is pretty damn good too.

I'll be errwhere...

2006-05-01T01:13:00.000-05:00

I bet about 3 people understood that.

This is my Monday.

10:00-10:30 | In Transit (Arlington Heights > Libertyville)

10:30-12:30 | Work

12:30-1:30 | In Transit (Libertyville > Elgin)

1:30-3:30 | Visit Imago Media

3:30-4:00 | In Transit (Elgin > Schaumburg)

4:00-5:00 | Counseling

5:00-5:45 | In Transit (Schaumburg > Buffalo Grove)

5:45-7:00 | In Transit (Buffalo Grove > O'Hare)

7:00-8:00 | In Transit (O'Hare > Carpentersville)

8:00-9:00 | Submitting to the lordship of Mr. Bauer

9:00-10:00 | Recover from 24

10:00-11:00 | In Transit (Carpentersville > Buffalo Grove)

11:00-11:15 | In Transit (Buffalo Grove > Arlington Heights)

A day Mr. Bauer would be proud of.

United 93

2006-04-30T01:28:00.000-05:00

I saw United 93 tonight, and I agree with a lot of Jackie's thoughts on the film.

I also saw the A&E version that came out earlier this year and teared up during several scenes, so I think I was somewhat overprepared to experience those same emotions tonight.

But this movie was different than I expected.

This felt a little more like a documentary about a day than a story about people. Many of the most well-known details (Todd Beamer's "let's roll", for example) are not emphasized, but simply included in the unfolding of events. Nothing is overstated.

I was also surprised at how much of the first half was spent focusing on the air traffic control personnel, many of whom actually played themselves. Can you imagine going through that day at that job and then re-living it? Must have been so hard, yet so therapeutic.

To say that I 'liked' this film would be inaccurate...did you 'like' Schindler's List? But I'm not sure I could respect the direction of Paul Greengrass any more than I do. He did a fantastic job sticking to reality, without trying to sensationalize the situation (more so than it already was), manipulate emotions, or insert a political agenda.

2006-04-29T01:33:00.000-05:00

Last summer I produced a video for my church depicting the hatred that homosexuals have had to endure from so-called Christians.

This stuff makes me irate. And it's where my immaturity comes out. Consider yourself warned.

One of the most outspoken and publicized groups is the Fred Phelps-led Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas. I prefer to call them The Army of the Irretrievably Stupid. I actually had to e-mail these creeps for permission to use pictures off their website.

And they're back in the news. Lately they've been protesting at funerals for soldiers killed in Iraq. How can that bitch be smiling? And don't you love that a kid is being taught this nonsense too?

Click here to watch an interview with Phelps' daughter on Fox News' Hannity & Colmes. She's downright creepy.

I know...someone is going to tell me it's not totally their fault because they're probably sick in the head and blah blah blah.

But this stuff...and the KKK and Skinheads and any other rectums you wanna add....this stuff makes me furious.

Happy Saturday.

2006-04-28T00:23:00.000-05:00

My favorite director is in an American Express commercial. Obviously, he directed it. Thanks to k.Do for the link.

I knew I was forgetting something. I neglected to mention the remaining episodes of The Sopranos sixth season as something I'm looking forward to. This season has been pretty different from the previous five, but I love it. I think it's hands down the smartest show on television.

And just like that, a new Edward Norton movie will be out next weekend. Check out the trailer for Down in the Valley.

Is it just me, or does Nick Lachey's new single sound like it could be heard on Christian radio? It's got that Christiany production feel to it and the lyrics add to the ambiguity..."An endless circle -- runnin from myself until you gave me a reason for standing still." I like the song.

I must confess...I've been a major slacker in the running department. The problem is I've been sick like twice in the last three weeks so that's thrown me off. I'm thinking May 1st is the new start date, except that's a Monday and those are mental health days. And Tuesday is basketball. So Wednesday. Yeah. Next Wednesday I'll start it up again. You can all hold me accountable.

And if you're wondering what it looks like for A-Rod to stroke his bat, witness the magic.

2006-04-27T01:14:00.000-05:00

Again, appears to be no overlap in the girls I would date vs. the girls who seemingly would date me.

Do you have any idea how frustrating that is?

I'll shutup now.

Coming Up

2006-04-26T00:10:00.000-05:00

Here are a few things I'm excited about over the next couple months...

May 12 Going with friends to see Conan O'Brien live at the Chicago Theatre. If you know me, you know how big of a deal this is. As Barb suggested, I'll be wearing an adult diaper that day.

May 14 Going with those same friends to Great America...along with some of the Adrenaline Rush Dancers. Yeah.

Late May The last hours of 24. I don't want this season to end. I think we've seen the best acting in the history of the show this year...from Jack to Henderson to the President and even Audrey, it's been pretty stellar.

June 17 My friend Tiffany's wedding. I can't believe she's getting married. I feel very old and very single.

June 18-21 Visiting my friend Molly in Philadelphia. I'm a fan of short trips, though they can often be too short. Like the rapper. Anyway, it will be great to spend time with Molly and check out a city I've never been to. Not to mention, catching a Phillies - Yankees game at Citizen's Bank Park.

So that covers the next two months...for now.

It's Never Been Harder To Be A Cubs Fan

2006-04-25T02:34:00.000-05:00

I'm only 24 years old. I can't imagine the torment felt by Cubs fans who have followed this team for 50+ years. I became a fan when I was kid, in the Leon Durham and eventually Andre Dawson years. So I've been a Cubs fan for nearly 20 years. Nothing to shake a stick at.

And I believe that it's never been harder to be a Cubs fan than it is right now. Let me explain.

Boston in 2004
The Boston Red Sox, the American League's answer to the Cubs, ended their 'curse' in 2004, completing a historic run to their first World Series title in 86 years. Red Sox and Cubs fans understood each other. There was a shared pain due to years of heartbreak. Well, Red Sox fans can't relate to us anymore. They can only hope we join them in Mexico.

White Sox in 2005
The White Sox ended 88 years of futility last year with a dominant 11-1 postseason record en route to their first title since 1917. I don't know a ton of Cubs fans who hate the Sox the way most Sox fans hate the Cubs, but their success has obviously left die-hard Cubs fans craving a World Series. Whether Sox fans want to admit it or not, Chicago is still a Cubs town. So you can imagine our frustration when the second team in the Second City manages to bring home a trophy first. Not to mention, they're on fire right now.

Shoulda been us
The 2003 Cubs had the starting pitching to shut down any team in baseball. They made a fantastic run from September to October, and put themselves in position for their first World Series trip since 1945. We all know what happened in Game 6. And then in Game 7. Absolute heartbreak.

But the 2004 team was stacked. 2004 was supposed to be the year. The team that came SO close to the World Series had only improved...adding Greg Maddux, Derrek Lee, Todd Walker, Michael Barret, Todd Hollandsworth, and sharp relievers LaTroy Hawkins and Kent Mercker. On paper, this was arguably the most talented team in baseball top to bottom.

They didn't make the playoffs.

Wood and Prior
The two starting pitchers who were largely responsible for the success in 2003 have not been able to stay healthy, thus preventing the team from reaching it's full potential. These are two special pitchers that can dominate when healthy, but they never seem to be 100%. Unless they can stay on the mound, the Cubs may not see the playoffs again for a long time.

Tickets
Since 2003, the Cubs have never been more popular, and tickets have been harder to come by. Just this year, the Cubs set a single day record in ticket sales with more than 600,000 seats sold. Ticket brokers, aka scalpers, are making a killing off normal people who want to see a game. It's a sucky situation.

It's been 98 years
Think about this fact...No professional team in any major league, in any team sport, on any of the six populated continents has gone longer without winning a league championship than the Chicago Cubs.

We've experienced heartbreak, disappointment, spent nights wondering 'what if'...all the meanwhile seeing other 'cursed' teams win the World Series in consecutive years. And it's nearly impossible to find tickets for face value.

Oh yeah, did I mention we just lost Derrek Lee, arguably the best all around player in the NL, to a freak wrist injury?

If there's ever been a harder time to be a Cubs fan, please tell me when it was.

2006-04-24T01:12:00.000-05:00

I'm beginning to understand just how much I like entertaining people, and how it affects the choices I make (and don't make) day to day.

For example...why do I blog almost every day?

Because for the most part I get positive responses via comments, e-mails, IM's, phone calls, whatever. Which leads me to believe that there is an entertainment value somewhere in this blog. Hopefully, that doesn't sound too pretentious. But I think it's safe to say that this blog is probably the most consistent vehicle I have for entertainment.

So whether it's writing, video, on stage performance, or whatever else...I love the entertainment factor. And if you want to break that down a little bit, I love comedy and seeing people laugh. I think one of my dream jobs would be writing for Conan. To have the opportunity to make people all over the world laugh...I can't imagine how exciting that would be.

Sometimes I think about my future and how much money I'll need to make and all that crap. I worry about numbers a little too often, in case you hadn't noticed. But I think about a different line of work, like finance or something that could make me richer. And then I remember how miserable I was working at a mortgage company...and how miserable I'd be if I ever did that again.

I like the entertainment world. I like dressing up as Moses and doing bad stand-up comedy. I like writing a script for Tiny D that makes people smile, if not laugh.

There are few things more satisfying to me than hearing an audience of people laugh at something that came from my mind.

Now if only I could make a handsome wage doing that...

2006-04-23T01:23:00.000-05:00

The saddest hour of television I've watched this week? It wasn't the killing of a Soprano, nor the death of a CTU agent. It was MTV's hour-long "What's Left of Me" special about the last six months of Nick Lachey's life and the creation of his new album. Seriously. I was so sad as he talked about his divorce and the need to move on. And I sincerely felt sorry for him watching him work so hard to promote his new album. I hope it sells 100 million copies...which would be quite a feat since Thriller is the best selling album of all time at 51 million.

It'll be ok Nick. We're gonna make it.

2006-04-22T01:41:00.000-05:00

Please support me!

Or, support my good friends Mark and Aimee.

Do it.

DO IT.

DO IT.

Name the movie.

2006-04-21T00:10:00.000-05:00

The worst thing that could have possibly happened to the Cubs just did. Derrek Lee, the team's most indispensable player, could be out 2-3 months with a fractured wrist. So...we enter survival mode. The Cubs will have to get by without Lee's offensive production and defensive prowess. As Jack Bauer has been known to scream, "Dammit!!!"

Ready or not, we're one week away from the release of United 93. This week, ADo informed me that director Paul Greengrass asked permission of the victims' family members before production began and was unanimously given the go-ahead with the film. I'm very interested to see it. I think there's about a 2% chance I won't cry.

And about the date auction, I need to clarify something. A "public" auction doesn't mean people would physically show up somewhere and rattle off bids to a Southern auctioneer. I just meant it'd be more like eBay, where you would know the highest current bid. Sorry to disappoint some of you.

So the votes are mixed, and as a result so are my feelings about the whole thing. I'm still leaning towards it, so we shall see.

And yes, I do put out.

Just kidding.

2006-04-20T00:54:00.000-05:00

Thanks for all the input on the church post. Stimulating conversation.

This is awesome. How the hell do you evade the authorities for 43 years?? Must have had a lot of cops on his payroll.

Alright, let's talk about the possibility of this date auction, because it's time to start raising some dough.

Tell me if this is something you single girls would participate in.

Frankly, if there's little or no interest, it will be fine with me. I've got enough stress to worry about. Namely, the Cubs.

But, if there is interest, I'd be happy to take on the anxiety to raise some money for a great cause.

No offense to the married women out there, but I'd prefer you not vote in this poll. It might alter the results.

And FYI, I'd pay for the entire date.

So here goes one of the riskiest (and scariest) things I've ever done on this blog...

2006-04-19T01:00:00.000-05:00

I'm in a constant state of trying to identify myself as part of the Emergent Church conversation while trying to distance myself from the tired, traditional approach of the modern church.

I really like Doug Pagitt's teachings, and he's expressed these thoughts....

"The great risk of the church is not losing our traditions; it is losing our ability to reimagine. I really don't know what to do with the approach to faith that tells us all the answers have been discovered and we are simply to apply those answers to our lives. And I really don't know how to live out an understanding of the gospel that says I don't have a part to play in what God is doing in the world."

I likey.

And I swear, if it wasn't 2:40AM, I'd really have some unprocessed, delusional thoughts for you.

But, alas, those will have to wait.

I'm in...again

2006-04-17T02:23:00.000-05:00

It's official...I'll be walking in The Overnight for the second time.

Please check out my fundraising page.

2006-04-16T01:48:00.000-05:00

It's easy to dismiss Easter as just another holiday where Christians like to pride themselves on knowing the 'true meaning' of the day.

But at the risk of overspiritualizing, I know that I would not be who I am today if Jesus hadn't risen from the dead.

Happy Easter.

2006-04-15T01:39:00.000-05:00

Eminem has had a rough week.

I want to know who 'Smiley' is. Reveal yourself! E-mail me.

TJ Fuller should blog.

I felt a little cheap blogging about hip-hop after talking about something as important as sex. It pushed me to consider blogging more about my life, God, questions I have, my beliefs, etc.

How does one go about creating a TV show? I'm not discussing my idea, but I think it's worth exploring.

I'm going to Conan. Because my friends RULE.

And I need a Mac. In a big way.

2006-04-14T00:22:00.000-05:00

More thoughts on the sex topic later. I need to post something I'm actually knowledgeable about.

Last year I blogged about MTV selecting the greatest hip-hop albums of all-time. This year, they've selected the ten greatest MC's of all time.

Here's MTV's list.

10. LL Cool J

9. Eminem

8. Ice Cube

7. Big Daddy Kane

6. KRS-One

5. Nas

4. Rakim

3. Notorious B.I.G.

2. Tupac

1. Jay-Z

There's no way Eminem should be all the way down at #9. There's also no way Rakim should be ranked higher than Nas. And Ice Cube doesn't even deserve a spot in the top ten.

Here's my list.

10. Andre 3000 - Don't let the crazy outfits fool you, he's one of the sharpest lyricists of the past decade.

9. Common - Has always flown under the radar, but has produced smart, socially conscious hip-hop since the early 90's.

8. Rakim - The first great lyricist.

7. Redman - Perhaps the rapper most deserving to be more popular than he is.

6. LL Cool J - Where would hip-hop be without him?

5. Tupac - Killed in his prime, he continues to be an influential artist almost 10 years later.

4. The Notorious B.I.G. - Often argued as the best ever, and only lived to see one of his albums be released.

3. Nas - A true street poet. When Nas is at his best, there's no one better.

2. Jay-Z - He just makes it look so easy.

1. Eminem - I've been listening to hip-hop since grade school, and I've never heard a rapper with the lyrical, delivery, and creative skills that Em possesses. There's no doubt in my mind he's the best.

2006-04-13T00:23:00.000-05:00

In the words of the late Tupac Shakur, "this be the realest shit I ever wrote".

Sometimes....and let me emphasize the SOMETIMES....I wonder why we make such a big deal about pre-marital sex.

That's right, friends. Sometimes I just don't get it.

There are so many people that have committed their lives to following God who haven't waited until marriage. I know a few people who were crucial to my spiritual formation who didn't wait. Did it dramatically screw up their lives? Not to my knowledge. So you'll have to excuse me when I question the system.

People who held out until marriage have said "I'm so glad I waited". But I'm not sure I know a ton of people who didn't wait who have said "I wish I had waited."

Please hear what I'm saying and what I'm not saying.

It might be different if I knew who I was going to marry and saw a little light at the end of the tunnel. But I don't, so it's a little harder to accept the waiting.

In my heart of hearts, I know what's right. That's why I've never made whoopee. But sometimes it gets difficult when I think with my....testosterone....rather than my mind.

By the way, I'm aware of what the Bible says so don't even go there girlfriend. Provide some actual thought instead of just reciting a verse.

I'm gonna be getting phone calls.

Three More?

2006-04-12T01:31:00.000-05:00

Never question my love for Jack Bauer. Ever. You hear me?

But I found myself agreeing with an EW blog post that said this...

So Jack Bauer's guaranteed to have three more of the worst days of his life. And the actor who plays him, Kiefer Sutherland, is locked in for one of the best deals of anyone's life: three years, $40 million, or so the reports are saying.

But what does that mean for John and Jane 24 Fan? Does it bother us that we know our hero will survive for three more seasons? I'll admit to feeling weirdly let down. Now, I'm not a complete moron. I know Jack isn't going to die -- not until the ratings plunge, anyway. But the prospect of three more seasons, three more bad days, three more grim, sweaty sprints to save America from ludicrously convoluted terrorist plots, it sort of makes me wish Jack would just pack it in and move to Ontario.

I want to see 24 end well, much like I wanted to see The Simpsons end well and not be extended ANOTHER two seasons. And although Season Five has quite possibly been the best season to date, I'm not confident I'll be saying the same thing when Season Eight rolls around.

Feel me?

2006-04-11T16:16:00.000-05:00

THIS SUCKS.

Analyze and interpret

2006-04-11T02:05:00.000-05:00

Seriously, what does this mean today?

"But I tell the unmarried, and women who are widows, that it is well for them to remain as I am. If, however, they cannot maintain self-control, by all means let them marry; for marriage is better than the fever of passion."

1 Corinthians 7:8-9

2006-04-10T02:30:00.000-05:00

I've fallen into a nice little Sunday night routine.

First, hanging out with Pete and Barb and talking about the past week of our respective lives. Needless to say, they usually edge me in the drama department.

Secondly, picking up my weekly tape of The Sopranos from my ever-so-kind friend.

I love that the best two shows on television are on back to back nights.

Speaking of which, we'll be getting more 24.

AND...here's a clip from tonight's episode.

2006-04-08T02:11:00.000-05:00

Please don't turn this into a war. I'm just curious to see the numbers.

Vote on your team.

2006-04-06T00:49:00.000-05:00

There's a part-time employee that works next to me whose first name is Laurie. And it kinda sucks because sometimes I just can't bring myself to address her as Laurie. You'd think I'd be able to because I've known her for a year, but it's still strangely difficult. It makes me sad.

And that's my story.

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