Matrix Reloaded
 

Count me as a concurrence. I saw it this weekend, too. 'Twas good looking. Not disappointing, but not dazzling. (Not as dazzling as the original, but I recognized that the dazzle there was simply that the jump in FX was much greater & surprising and therefore more impressive.)

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Actually, the idea that all "supernatural" phenomena is just the program assymilating glitches was a fun extension of the "deja vu" and "alien abduction" ideas of the first flick. As was the idea of predictably self-replicating chaos. The ghost-things moving up through the floor & stuff, with all their snakey hair preceding them, was SUCH an obvious crib from the Final Fantasy movie, though, that it was a bit distracting (though it did give a feeling of dread (heh, heh) to the effect that it wouldn't have had on its own).

edited because my grammar sucks as well as my spelling

Quick Giro Update
 

For those who care and are not taping at home:




Today's stage has just ended.

Cipo broke the record with his 42nd Giro stage win. He's had two amazing back-to-back wins, where it appears he defeated the stress and anxiety of the record.

Also, there were punches thrown by the Polsat sprinter and Petacchi in the final kilometer. I will never understand how they can ride at 30-40 kph and have the balance to punch the guy next to them without crashing.

Overall, another excellent sprint finish . . . and Garzelli stays in the maglia rosa.

AI Lawsuit
 

For all you AI fans out there:

Harry T. Keane Jr., I.D.-ed in reports as a Lone Star state entertainment producer, has filed a federal lawsuit against Fox and producers of American Idol, claiming the idea, and even the set design, for the mega-watched crooning contest was ripped off from him.

His suit seeks unspecified damages--the Houston Chronicle says Keane's attorney has suggested $300 million would do for a settlement--and a temporary restraining order that would bar the show from airing ASAP.


Link to the full story here.

For those interested in Annika
 

Should be fun to watch this week.

And I think it's interesting that Vijay withdrew, although it's not uncommon for a player to withdraw from the next tournament after a win (unless the next is a major). He has nothing to prove, golf wise and if anyone thinks he was scared of losing to her, they're drunk. I think he withdrew because he didn't want to be bothered by the press. Pretty shitty. If you're going to make the comment, don't run from it.

Here is an interesting breakdown of Annika.

(And Less, that 14 year old is a freak. With her skills, strength and attitude, I would expect her to win on the PGA tour. She won't, though, because she will make so much more money on the LPGA.)

And here's a link to an ESPN article about Sorenstam and other female atheletes who've tried to cross over in other sports.
http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/story?id=1556014
___________________________

In the Crosshairs: Annika Sorenstam
By Ivan Maisel
Monday, May 12
Updated: May 18
6:16 PM ET

Born: Oct. 9, 1970 (Stockholm)
Size: 5'6", 139 pounds
Key Stats: Missed only four cuts since 1995 -- all in majors

She's the best (woman) golfer in the world. She tops the (LPGA) money list. She's the highest-profile (female) competitor in her sport. Annika Sorenstam rules (women's) golf. But on May 22, she'll leave the paren-theses in her locker and tee it up against the best (men) in the world at the Colonial, one of the oldest, most prestigious stops on the PGA Tour. The only question is: Why? With 43 victories and nearly $12 mil in career winnings, she's got nothing to prove -- except to herself. Unlike Billie Jean King taking down a mouthy Bobby Riggs on behalf of women everywhere, Annika's only cause is Annika. "I want to be a better player," Sorenstam says. "I love the way the guys play. They hit farther. They're stronger. I want to learn from that." Juli Inkster, the defending U.S. Women's Open champ, says it's simple: "She wants to see how good she is." But however pure her motives might be, the fallout from her success -- or failure -- will be felt far beyond the course.

MARQUEE PLAYER: If Sorenstam plays well -- doesn't get rattled, makes the cut, competes -- it could boost ticket sales for the LPGA along with appreciation for its best player. Stodgy male golf fans might even tune in to watch the women play. But if she shoots 72-72 (the cut last year was 143) and has to throw the sticks in the trunk on Friday afternoon, there'll be knowing nods about the deficiencies of the women's game, whispers that "their" best can't even keep up with "our" middle of the pack. And don't think the middle of the PGA Tour pack won't be busting their butts to make sure that's exactly what happens.

PERFECT FIT: A casual remark in January about testing herself against the opposite sex netted nine invitations to PGA Tour events. She chose Colonial for the same reason local hero Ben Hogan won the Fort Worth tourney five times: The tight, 7,098-yard, par-70 track favors laser precision over pure power. "It's a great shotmaker's course," says Meg Mallon, who won the U.S. Women's Open at Colonial in 1991. Distance-challenged Corey Pavin is a two-time champ; defending champion Nick Price, also a two-timer, ranks 134th in driving distance on the PGA Tour. Off the tee, Price (278.7) is a little longer, Pavin (269) a little shorter than Sorenstam. But while most of her fellow competitors will pull a lofted club for approach shots, Annika will be trying to hold Colonial's hard, postage-stamp greens with a middle iron.

FOR SHOW: Annika started building a power game two years ago, and has added nearly 25 yards off the tee. She's currently averaging 275.4 yards. Tops in the LPGA, that would be only 158th on the PGA Tour. She's become a devoted iron pumper, and she's been playing from the tips at Lake Nona, her 7,011-yard home course in Orlando. (That's 700 yards longer than the typical LPGA tourney track.) On the range before an LPGA event, caddie Terry McNamara stations himself at 100 yards and catches Sorenstam's wedges with a baseball glove. To prepare for Colonial, he moved out to 160 to shag her 7-irons.

FOR DOUGH: Sorenstam's never been a great putter. She hits it straight enough and close enough that she hasn't had to be a master of the flatstick. Right now she ranks 62nd in putting; last year, she finished 39th; the year before, 100th. Not surprisingly, she regularly switches from a conventional grip to cross-handed and back again. (Currently, she's left-hand low). "Judging by how she's putting lately," Mallon says, "I wish she'd played Colonial last year." Despite her struggles, putts per greens in regulation remains her favorite stat. "When I'm better than 1.7, I win," Sorenstam says. "I'm at 1.74 right now. It sounds like such a little number, but it adds up." Proof? This time a year ago, she had three wins. This year, just one.

ONE AND DONE: Let's say she brings her A-game to Fort Worth. Let's say she feeds off the pressure and the hype. Let's say she makes the cut. No, let's say she tops the mark set by Phil Mickelson, who said off-the-cuff earlier this year that she could finish 20th. What then? That's easy: back to the LPGA Tour. In February, Sorenstam said she was open to playing more than once against the guys. After four months in the media maelstrom, she called herself "naïve" and said Colonial would be her last venture onto the men's tour. One reason: her competitive edge. "I want to win tournaments," she says. "That's why I play on the LPGA."
___________________________

TM

Edited to add second link.

Setting yourself apart.
 

Heh heh heh...

Reminds me of the line from Bridget Jones's Diary, where, after confessing to her 4th interviewer that the real reason she's leaving her job is because she has to, 'cause she was shagging her boss, the interviewer's reply (with a cheezy wink) is, "No one ever gets sacked at [Company name here] for shagging the boss!"

Set yourself apart
 

Isn't that one of Dave Barry's (or some such person's) [x] Rules about Life:

A person who is nice to you and nasty to the wait staff is not a nice person.

Chickenshit of the week award...and the Bachelor
 

Originally posted by Thurgreed

I agree - chickenshit of the week award goes to Vijay.


As for the Bachelor - I was really surprised to see how OLD Andrew's parents were. Husband said they looked like they were in their 70's. My best guess is mid 60's - they've been married for 45 years. So he was a very late baby. Yes, they had a nice vineyard house - but not what I'd call fabulous. When his brother expressed concerns about Kirsten still having a boyfriend on top of everything every other woman at the house had told him, I thought geez if he picks her after all this - he's in denial and deserves her. Needless to say, finally one of these guys got it right. First Bachelor went for fake boobs and the one who let him tongue her on the floor of a Japanese restaurant. 2nd idiot picked the shrew over Trista - a move I'm sure he still regrets. And now this guy - at least he didn't pick the golddigger (Kirsten had made a comment about what it would be like to live in "this family" to which the sister commented that "it's not all houses and cars - we work and we work damn hard." I think she was offended that Kirsten thought that living on the vineyard would be all fun and games and cavorting with the rich and famous.
But Paigow was right - there seemed to be very little chemistry between them (except for all the kissing). But her family really liked her (as did most of America - voting was 86% to 10%). And she did get a really nice looking ring.
:cool:

BAchelor
 

Here's my concept question: Why is it even remotely realistic for these idiots to propose after 3 dates, some "alone time" and one nookie session? And why is it sensible to accept?

Given the timing of the show, why not have one final rose ceremony. Both "amazing" ladies in the room, only one gets the rose. Then, do like survivor, fast forward to a live "final" show, where after 4 months of actually dating, talking, things most people do before a marriage proposal, the bachelor can make the proposal. Or not. That's drama. Kind of like "Love Connection" except that the bachelor/ette is in the room, rather than in a little inset box backstage. Maybe even bring back the wench from Missing Link to do her "goodbye" line if the answer is no.

Holes
 

Speaking of movies, I highly recommend Holes for anyone looking for a family film. I didn't know much about it except it was about a bunch of boys digging a bunch of holes, but it is actually a well-written story with terrific acting from the kids.

BAchelor
 

Good idea - if you think its realistic that people would stay together in the real life situation after all the amazing trips with the amazing ladies (that cracks me up), then you should pitch your idea to a network.

I simply do not see what was in it for Andrew or even how his parents could have been cool with this (I cant believe thsee zillionaires agreed to have their home filmed in the first place- maybe it was some kind of promotion for their wine?????) Thats gotta be it- it was to increase business at the vineyard, Andrew just doenst seem like a huge troublemaker (but who knows with the editing- I bet he could have gotten thrown out of several prep schools for dealing). Or perhaps there is some kind of Aaron Spelling type clause in his trsut fund that he has to be married to inherit. Whatever it is, I aint buying that he is in love with this gal, esp given that he was having oh such a tough time choosing. She aint all that- marcia brady with bad plastic surgery. ho hum.

as for why she said yes, thats a no brainer. she's got nowhere to go but up and that was a pretty swell looking ring.

Bachelor
 

I'm with you. How can a proposal that is immediately preceded by a heart-pounding fit of anxiety over whether you will be chosen or dumped for the other contender be one that you want to look back on for the rest of your married life? It's like these women are waiting for the cast list or varsity cheerleading tryout results to be posted.

BAchelor
 

That wouldn't work b/c there'd be no way they could keep the identity of the final "lady" a secret for that long. And I doubt as many people would watch if they already knew who his final choice was. Nobody gives a damn whether these people actually stay together or not, they only want to see the "ladies" be bitchy to one another and melt down in the limo.

Oh yeah, that's the best part. Seeing the crying in the limo scene - it's what I waited for. At first I thought Kirsten wasn't going to cry - because she has no feelings - and then when that first little tear dribbled down her cheeks - ah yes, a good moment in TV. No one deserved to cry in the limo more than that chick. You have to ask yourself - if a person doesn't get along with ANY women - is it her or them?

His parents said that they believed in love at first sight - having gotten engaged after 2 weeks of dating. So they were really on board with this concept. As for the $$ the sisters and brothers made it seem like all their $$ was tied up in the winery and that they weren't "trust fund babies" with money coming out their asses. And they truly seemed like hard working, down to earth people. However, the publicity for the winery - priceless.

As for the first part- some of us actually have an interest in specuilating about how long the relationship will last and have seen enough limo meltdowns to not get off on that sort of thing. For me the social and matchmaking aspects are far more interstings than watching some chick with a bad nose job have meltdown (again).

I read the recap on ABC and apparentlyu Mister ANdrew cut a check for over 48 grand for this ring without batting an eye. I dont know about you but I certainly dont have that kind of money kicking around in a checking account. Us non-heir types have to invest in things that bear interest and such. And wealth is all relative anyway- I am sure the Firestones feel merely uppermiddle class compared to those pesky Forbes nd Murdochs. The point about my being surprised about the parents being on board is taht it surprises me that ultra rich people would allow cameras around their premises- for security and privacy reasons. Plus, its just downright tacky isnt it debtslave? Wouldnt old money types be appaled by this sort of publicity whoring? Thats why I think they have to be thinking about selling Firestone wines.

I have no respect for people with virtually infinite trust funds who still work. They're missing the point. I want a trust fund SO I CAN SIT ON MY ASS...