MEMORIAL DAY SPECIAL
A nice extra long weekend and it's about time we had another one. This one is a nice way to kick-off the summer time festivities and to do a little reflection. I hope folks do not forget the meaning behind this day and why we have it, especially for those who have or had family that has served in any armed forces to protect their countries interests. The soldier's life is not to question why but to simply do what their leaders tell them to do. So the day belongs to all those veterans past and present, with us or not ... remember.Weekly Update:So this past week we saw some additional crazy weather. Isolated thunder storms, rain here and there, a tornado watch and some sun but temps were down in the 60's and even high 50's. All this after last Sunday we had over 100 degrees heat!! What in the world is going on here? You can dress for a hot day in the morning thinking it will clear up and get warm only to discover you are in the rain and it's freezing. I actually turned on our heater one night and that is crazy!!! Are these random effects of global warming? Probably but who is to say for certain how much of it is and isn't and just random oddness. Maybe a combination of both perhaps.
At the movies:No surprise here as Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull took the holiday lead with a 5+ day total of 126.1 million at the box office. I am sure folks are pleased with the number but given the magnitude of this film and its expectations I am sure it fell about 40 million short. In at #2 with an expected 50% drop is "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" with 28.6 mil more for 4-day weekend giving it only a cume of just over 96 mil. This high budget movie is leaving Disney wondering what happened. Holding strong at #3 is "Iron Man" with an additional 25.7 mil in its 4th week and now a cume of well over 257 mil! Also holding strong at #4 is "What Happens in Vegas" with an extra 11.2 mil for the holiday weekend. Out of all the RomCom's that have hit the summer so far this is the strongest but I am sure this weekend will change all that when "Sex and the City" opens. Rounding off the top 5 is "Speed Racer" with only 5.2 mil for the holiday and the race is officially over for this movie ... someone needs to tell the movie that.Comment Response:None at this time.
Other News:This Memorial Day the president said this on the grounds at Arlington Cemetery, "They're an awesome bunch of people and the United States is blessed to have such citizens." Hmmm, did he just say "awesome" on this day and at a military cemetery? Who is he talking to, some high school kids or college crowds? To me this shows that this lame (in SO many ways) duck president is trying to appear "hip" and cool but seriously, he can not pull it off. I think we can't forget the fact that the man is responsible for the 4,000+ additional grave sites put into Arlington over the past 5+ years. He shouldn't be saying anything but "Sorry" and "I don't know what I am doing" and "I screwed up."
Facts & Tips:Cows do not have upper front teeth."I hope you don't mind living below a bunch of pro skaters that like to party."- Tony Hawk as Tony Hawk in the TV series "The Simpsons: Barting Over" episode.
HEAT WAVE!!! Wow this week we hit some record breaking numbers but I guess it just goes to show you that summer is HERE!! Sunday I was out in the "valley" as we call which is short for San Fernando Valley and it reached 103 degrees. Luckily I was in the shade most of the time but still it was scorching. Back in the OC it almost hit 100 a few times but remained in the 90's, phew ... I am convinced AC is an act of divine pity upon us ... and I will take it!
Weekly Update:This past week had a cool moment, my friend was doing some special project on the set of the TV show Bones and I got to meet and chat with T.J. Thyne who is on the show. VERY nice and cool guy. The set was pretty cool too although I have seen it before (without anyone knowing) but this time was better because I didn't have to "sneak" around ... not that I was sneaking around the last time.
At the movies:
Royalty at the box office this weekend as The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian takes the crown with a decent summer opener of 56.6 million. Still showing strong at #2 is "Iron Man" with another 31.2 mil and well over 222 mil cume. Holding strong at #3 is "What Happens in Vegas" with an extra 13.9 mil. Big drop to #4 is "Speed Racer" with only 7.6 mil and it may never see the checkered flag. Rounding off the top 5 is "Baby Mama" with another 4.6 mil and just short of a 50 mil cume but I am sure it will get there very soon.Comment Response:
None at this time.
Other News:
One of the more recent big news stories is the earthquake that hit China earlier in the week which now has an estimated death toll of 50,000 people and who knows how many injured and homeless. Throw on top of that people still missing and thought to be dead as rescue efforts continue amidst the very poor health conditions as a result of the quake. Ranging from lack of food to finding fresh water and medicines. Sunday the country started 3-days of national mourning as flags flew half-staffed and public entertainment cancelled. The Olympic torch relay was also suspended as part of the observance. Such a huge tragedy and soon it will be too late for hope to find any additional survivors.
Facts & Tips:
The first country to use postcards was Austria."I am about to revolutionize the scaring industry, and when I do, even the great James P. Sullivan is gonna be working of me."- Steve Buscemi as Randall Boggs in "Monsters, Inc."
POST-MOTHER'S DAY EDITIONYesterday was Mother's Day which was first recognized in the US by President Woodrow Wilson in 1914 which he declared the first national Mother's Day (2nd Sunday of May). The history of Mother's Day itself stems back to England and perhaps even further back but firm details or facts are sketchy at best. However, in the US it was an idea influenced by Ann Jarvis in 1858 to help improve sanitation in which she called it Mothers' Work Days.
Weekly Update:
Not too much went on this past week except the same old junk I guess. Drove around in a Toyota Highlander (SUV) which wasn't too bad. Very comfortable, good mileage and tons of space. The downside was that it was hard to park but other than that, its a decent card. The sound system was really nice, I like the systems where as you drive faster or the noise level increases due to outside sound, the music adjusts itself accordingly. I did have to switch cars on Saturday and I have a Chrysler PT Cruiser. So far, not impressed at all with it.
At the movies:week in a row as "Iron Man" earns another 50.5 million and now holds a 10-day The home-made man of steel holds on to the box office crown for the 2ndcume of over 177 mil. New at #2 is the cartoon brought to life as Speed Racer comes in with 20.2 mil. New at #3 is the comedy What Happens in Vegas earns a nice 20 mil. Holding in at #4 is the rom-com "Made of Honor" with another 7.6 mil. Rounding off the top 5 is "Baby Mama" with an additional 5.8 mil.
Comment Response:None at this time.
Other News:
Little bit of sports ... as the LA Lakers lose game 4 to the Utah Jazz this past Sunday. The series is now tied 2-2 as the Lakers went into Utah 2-0. The Jazz did have one of the best home game records of the season with 37 wins to 4 losses in their home arena. They have since improved that record to 41-5 since the play-offs have started. Lakers return home to challenge the Jazz at the Staples Center hoping to take a win before they return to Utah for a very tough game 6. Winner of this series will face off either between New Orleans or San Antonio for the Western Division Championship. San Antonio managed to take down New Orleans tonight also tieing their series up 2-2.
Facts & Tips:The first food eaten in space by a U.S. astronaut was applesauce."See... I grew up idolizing guys like Fonzie and Vinnie Barbarino because they got a lot of chicks. You know what happened to Fonzie and Vinnie Barbarino?"- Allen Covert as Sammy in "The Wedding Singer."
CINCO DE MAYO EDITION!!Hola amigos! Today is the 5th of May or more commonly known in the states as Cinco de Mayo. A Hispanic holiday celebrated by all. But what is the history behind it? Simply the day commemorates the victory of Mexican forces led by General Igancio Seguin over french forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. I am not sure what has made this particular occasion so important considering the French invaded Mexico City a year later occupying it. The actual day of Mexico's Independence is on September 16th but I guess Cinco de Mayo sounds like a party name or has a holiday tone to it. Celebrate muchachos y muchachas!Weekly Update:The week started off pretty good, half the office was gone so it was nice and quiet. I got into a little fender-bender on Friday so my car is out till further notice and I am driving around a rental. All they had were SUV's and though pretty comfortable, parking is difficult. It's already hard finding a small parking spot at work and in-around LA but now, ouch. At least the accident wasn't my fault so that is something, I was even stopped when it happened.At the movies:
The man of steel takes the box office crown! No no, not that man of steel but Iron Man as he kicks off the summer for the industry opening with a huge 100.8 million! I am sure this number exceeded a lot of expectations for everyone. In at a very distant #2 is Made of Honor with 15.5 mil. Holding in at #3 is "Baby Mama" with an extra 10.3 mil, not a bad drop at all. At #4 is "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" with another 6.1 mil. Suffering a big drop down to #5 is "Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay" with only 4.2 mil and struggling.
Comment Response:
Nice spam/virus link, thanks spammer.
Other News:
President Bush makes more history!! Since Presidential approval ratings were first started to be tracked in the 1930's, current president Bush has marked a milestone. He has now raised the bar and currently 71% of Americans disapprove of his handling of the job. He shocks us yet again (well, not really) with his dedication to making America gre ... ok, seriously, we suck. The best President who had the lowest disapproval rating was John F. Kennedy with only 30% however I do wonder how that would reflect with today's issues and population. Bush did manage to beat out top runners Harry S. Truman (67%) and Richard Nixon (66%) for top honors. Congrats president Bush on making history!
Facts & Tips:
Thailand means "Land of the free."
"Uh, I'm Irish-German."- Ed Begley, Jr as Mark Schaefer, Hotel Manager in "Best in Show."
At the movies:
Facts & Tips:
