O Death

The deaths of those who help us forget about the more mundane aspects of life are usually more noted and remembered by the world at large than, say, Korean Christian missionaries in Afghanistan sadly, at least in the short term. Still, a note to think about those whose work has affected me somewhat directly in my life so far, the fate of those Koreans may yet be related to me in ways I cannot comprehend at this moment.


Thank you INGMAR BERGMAN, BILL WALSH, and TOM SNYDER.

Crispin Glover On Letterman: 20 Years Ago Saturday

Can't believe that it's been 20 years since the infamous Crispin Glover appearance on Late Night With David Letterman. Don't watch Dave as much as I used to back then, seeing as I had a job that started in the mid-afternoon, but my roomates and I would always end the day watching Letterman. This is the one clip that always sticks in my mind from those days, mostly because we were wondering what the hell kind of drugs, if any, was Glover on, and if he wasn't, then he was obviously the perfect choice for McFly in Back To The Future. (Have to mention his role in River's Edge in that sense as well). Slightly truncated version, the first bit of the interview, before it all unravels, is absent; sorrily I haven't gotten round to getting the best of my VHS tapes digitized yet.

It's Official: Eddie Kunz Signs With Mets

More good news, and congratulations, to ex-Beaver Eddie Kunz on signing a contract with the New York Mets today. No terms were announced on the teams website, but Mets General Manager Oman Minaya has said, in the same article, that Kunz could follow the steps of fellow Met reliever Joe Smith and make it to the parent club in one year. (Not to say that he would be deemed a failure if he didn't make it by then, many unrelated and unforeseen things could happen in the interim.)


Kunz was in attendance at the Mets/Pirates game tonight, unfortunately I could not get home in time to see if any airtime was devoted to the signing of the Mets top draft pick, but good luck once again Eddie; solid relief pitching is always a welcome commodity.



NEW YORK METS SITE STORY

MST3K Partial Video Repository

Various episodes and opening shorts ready to view. While some of the acknowledged "classics" may not be here (e.g. Manos, Teenagers From Outer Space, or Daddy-O from the former, the Junior Rodeo short, which I've always loved, from the latter), there's still enough stuff to whet your appetite for more. Which is the point of this site, hosted by YouTube, I'd presume. Works for me.


Thankfully, the Mr. B Natural short is here, in all its technicolored and gender confusion glory.




MST3K

My Daily Bit Of Sunshine: Go-Betweens "Clouds"

This was the song running through my mind this morning during the hectic morning commute in Portland this morning, made a bit worse by the sudden rainfall. A lovely song, the acoustic set that Robert and Grant played at Jackpot all of those years ago (on the 16 Lovers Lane tour) is still a wonderful memory that will never fade, this song included in that set. I can still hear the audible sighs after this one and Dive For Your Memory were played. Still can't quite believe that Grant's gone, RIP sir, thank you for the music.

Clever Marketing For The Simpsons Movie In England

Can't say that I would've thought about making a land painting of an underwear-clad Homer next to an ancient mountain side fertility symbol from the 17th century, but hey, when in the U.K.....

The Homer figure, with donut in hand, will wash away with some rain, which is the aim of some pagans in Dorset, who plan on some "magic" to accomplish the feat. Wait a second, I thought England had been having a lot of rainfall this summer, why the need for this action? Ah well, still a lovely marketing move Fox.



BBC STORY

Up And At Them, Peter!

Way to represent Congressman DeFazio. This is for keeping the whole SIMPSONS MOVIE PREMIERE IN VERMONT WHEN IT SHOULD BE IN OREGON question in the proper perspective by adding a certain amount of ridiculousness in his humorous letter of protestation over the curious result. The story in today's Albany paper is HERE.




Of course, the movie could be a total dog, with the same quality that recent seasons of the television series have exhibited, in which case we might not have anything to complain about. I did catch the two gents from KFLY's Donkey Show calling in on KPNW's SportsTalk this week, urging a boycott of the movie and of products from Vermont. That latter request seemed easy enough to do (maple syrup? just buy Canadian) but then it was pointed out the Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream would be on that list as well, at which point both Steve and Nate paused and realized what they would have to give up, a tough decision to make indeed. Have to say that it would be hard for me, I am rather attracted to the Phish Food, though I am happy to admit that I am in no way a fan of the Vermont band.

Oregon Adds Baseball

The news, not altogether unexpected, was officially announced today, along with something called "competitive cheer" for the females in order to make Oregon more Title IX compliant. The bad news in this is that men's wrestling has been dropped in this shuffle.



All of the issues and contentions about why the Ducks have added baseball won't be addressed here, as everybody's gonna have their own ideas and contentions about the nature of these machinations. On a personal level though, this news affects me, as a Duck fan, very little. Some of this is down to traveling, I'd have to drive about an hour to get to the games, and some of this pertains to my tastes, which include the metal bats and the use of a designated hitter.


About the only games I might attend would be the games in Corvallis against the Beavers, or those games that would fall on a Saturday or a Sunday.



I'm sure to hear an earful at work about most of this in the coming days, weeks, and months, so I guess I can be thankful to help fill in some of the dead time until the football practices and games start again this fall.





GODUCKS.COM ARTICLE

Needs More Bass: Spinal Tap At Live Earth

I had other things to do this weekend, some of which left no carbon print on this earth. Bottom line is that I didn't watch much of this concert, as I had no idea about who was playing where and at what time. After hearing Harry Shearer on NPR on Friday talking about how they were gonna play 3 songs, two classics and one new tune entitled Warmer Than Hell, they jumped, in my mind, to the band I wanted most to see, but when Saturday rolled around, I plum forgot about 'em being on board to help us save us from ourselves. Here's the one song I was most looking forward to, glad to see it got played, with the combined forces of the Tap and an Army of bassists, it's Big Bottom, via MetaFilter.

Mets 5 Astros 3 (17 Innings)

Extra innings special today in baseball in the games I've had on today: Angels/Yankees played 13 earlier. Currently, in addition to the Mets game, the Red Sox/Tigers are in the bottom of the 13th.


As one might expect, a lot of runners left on base in the game in Houston, with the Mets coming back from an early 3-0 deficit to tie the game on home runs by Carlos Delgado and David Wright by the seventh, with the pitchers on both sides taking charge from that point on.



Special mention for ex-Astro Carlos Beltran, being booed at every at bat in this series, with his tumbling catch of a drive from Luke Scott on the mound at MinuteMaid Park. The two out effort, with runners on the corners, seemed to be a certain hit for the Astros fans still remaining in attendance, I'm sure they didn't think that Beltran could back up fast enough while going up the hill to catch the ball. Stunned is the word that would best sum up the fans reaction to the catch, which Beltran made nicely by sticking his glove out from his body while falling down and away from the ball. Certainly makes up for going 0 for 6 so far.



9:20 EDIT: Mets won in 17 innings, scoring two runs on rbi singles from Beltran and David Wright. As the Astro announcers noted, Beltran may not have had the best stats in the game, but he made the crucial plays that counted the most. Let's go Mets! More good news: Braves and Phillies lost as well, the latter blowing a 3-0 lead in Colorado. Yes, I guess those Rockies batters can hit.

Haven't Seen Any Of This Stuff Back Of The House

Did not notice this story last year, but it just resurfaced on Reddit today, regarding the kitchen practices of Chinese kitchens on the mainland. Did not know before I read the story that the Epoch Times was affiliated with Falun Gong either, but that's another issue altogether.


If this story is true, which wouldn't surprise me giving the supposed link between WILD-FLAVOR CUISINE AND SARS scenario, but as my work takes me into the back of many restaurants, I'm glad to say that nothing I've seen in my rounds resembles the incidents in this story. The worst thing I have seen is some of the cooks in a couple of places smoking cigarettes while working. Mmmmmm.............ashes.




STORY

BBC'S Alan Johnston Freed

Much relief now in many parts of the world seeing that the BBC's Alan Johnston has been released by his Palestinian kidnappers the Army of Islam after 114 days in captivity, a much happier ending than the fate that has befallen other journalists in dangerous territories. The latest reports that Hamas was closing in on the place where the journalist was being held had led to some worries that in desperation they might kill him, for they had once filmed him in a vest wired with explosives that he said they might detontate if he were to be freed by force, but none of those fears came to pass. Doubtless more details about the conditions surrounding his release will be known as the hours and days pass in the near future, but it is a good sign when people recognize the short-sightedness of the actions of some of their, ostensibly, political allies. With this news, the button of Alan on this blog will now be removed, as was the intent of the campaign of those on his behalf.



STORY


THE ORDEAL IN JOHNSON'S WORDS

Jacoby Ellsbury Game Number Three

Definitely not going to run a game by game rundown of former Oregon State baseball player Jacoby Ellsbury, but while killing some time before the Mets start at Colorado, I've got to note the fantastic speed that Ellsbury has displayed so far in his stint. (Texas at Boston is a more appealing match-up than Cubs/Washington, Milwaukee/Pittsburgh, or Tampa Bay/Cleveland, for sure).



His first major league hit was that infield single on Saturday, as was his second hit, which he got in his first at bat tonight, after going 0 for 4 on Sunday. In tonight's second at bat, he lined a solid single to right field, used some of that speed to steal his first base tonight, and then scored his second run of the game.........by blazing home from second on a passed ball by Texas catcher Gerald Laird, which bounced away from him and wound up near third base. Very impressive exhibition on that run, much appreciated by the Red Sox faithful.


I'll tune in from time to time during the Mets game, but for now....way to go Jacoby!

Jacoby Ellsbury's MLB Debut

Great to see a local kid finally make it to the major leagues, and Jacoby Ellsbury, from Madras and Oregon State University, made his debut tonight for the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, against the Texas Rangers. Ellsbury got his call up to the parent club due to an injury to Coco Crisp.


I had the game on the TV, but as the game I was most interested in had aired earlier in the day on Fox (Mets vs. Phillies), this was the best late afternoon match-up on ExtraInnings, and so I used this as background whilst doing things around the house (I can't sit on the couch that long).



Actually had forgotten Ellsbury was with the Bosox, until I heard his name called, which brought me out to witness his first major league at-bat. Unfortunately, it's one that will be remembered for the wrong reasons, grounding out to the catcher on a check swing as the ball hits the ground in front of the plate. Jacoby freezes and just stands there, and Ranger catcher Gerald Laird quickly tags him out, obviously a rookie making a rookie mistake, but one that his teammates will probably never let him forget about (in a good way, of course, like being fined by the kangaroo court).


He did much better in his second at bat, getting an infield single on the basis of his speed, which had to delight Red Sox fans no end. Ellsbury, batting ninth, wound up the night going 1 for 4, although he never hit the ball out of the infield.


The Sox lost 5-4 after leading 4-0 early on, as Josh Beckett pitched like he did last year squandering the lead. Pinch runner Julio Lugo, running for Dustin Pedroia who had hit a two out double in the bottom of the eight, made a critical error by trying to steal third, apparently on his own initiative. It was an ugly effort, and Lugo was out by a mile, which effectively killed the Sox rally before the Rangers sent in Eric Gagne in to protect the lead in the ninth.



The Sons Of Sam Horn, a Red Sox board, had a game thread, with a few posts about Ellsbury's first AB, the relevant posts are on the bottom of page five HERE, with a separate thread related to his arrival, which is HERE.

Say It Isn't So: DaMarcus Beasley To Rangers

Crap....as one who always likes to see U.S. players do well in the European football leagues, today's news of DaMarcus Beasley heading to Ibrox is a bit of a bummer, having been indoctrinated into all things Celtic several years ago. (I still recall running into a transplanted Glaswegian at the library whilst I was wearing the hoops, who was a bit stunned at seeing the colors so far away from home. A lovely fellow indeed.)


Though for the most part the Scottish Pointless, err Premiere, League is a two-horse show, I'll still root for D. to do well, especially in European competition, just not when the two teams from Glasgow face off in an Old Firm clash.




THE NEWS IS OUT...




In other football news, nice to see that while Mexico has problems with the U.S., they have no problems with Brazil for the second time in a row, 2-0 today. Makes all of last Sunday's victory that much sweeter. Heh.



REPORT

Sinéad O'Connor

"That's Why There's Chocolate And Vanilla. That's the name of Sinéad's label imprint via Koch Records, which started with her 2005 release of excellent reggae covers, Throw Down Your Arms, recorded in Kingston with Sly & Robbie.


It's also an apt description of her thoughts about religion and God that have been expressed over the years, to the consternation of those who would like to have those ideas both linear and compartmentalized, with more control of the religion by the leaders rather than by the faithful followers. The ability to freely state and follow one's beliefs confidently, and without regard to the consequences of doing so, has also been a constant theme throughout the majority of her body of work to date.


She has a new album out now today, Theology, with songs based on scriptures from the Old Testament, with one acoustic disc, the "Dublin Sessions", and one electric disc, the "London Sessions", with the 11 songs given a different treatment on each side.



An interview with Beliefnet, in which she expounds on some of those beliefs, as well as the roles of both God and religion in context with the other, can be found HERE and some more background info on the making of the album HERE.

Down To The Basics: Size Equals Speeding On The Highway?

Well, I wouldn't know anything about that assumption, as a guy who drives a lot for my living, all I know is that I wanna get home safely that night, and in one piece as well. Which is why for work I'm almost always found in the right hand lane doing the speed limit or below.


The post title is what's seemingly referred to in a new Australian advertising campaign aimed to make speeding drivers slow down. I guess it's an extension of men buying fast sports cars to make up for those "shortcomings", but I've also seen a number of women speeding as well, and I'm not quite ready to think about how those things relate, if the advertising hypothesis is true.



The news story is HERE, found via reading DIGG

USA 2 Mexico 1

A strong second half comeback from the United States featuring two goals, one from Landon Donovan on a penalty kick in the 62nd minute, the other on a spectacular long range strike from Ben Feilhaber in the 73rd, put a cap on a lively, entertaining match in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup Championship against Mexcio.


A boisterous sold out, pro-Mexican crowd at Soldier Field in Chicago provided the usual atmosphere that's on hand when these countries meet on the pitch, and I didn't sense the bit of extra "oomph" on tackles that might've sparked a verbal or physical challenge that has occurred in the past.



The Mexicans had the better first half in terms of overall team play that might lead to goal opportunities, but the Americans had some chances that were denied with both some awkward shots and some brilliant goaltending from Oswaldo Sanchez. The energetic (and unmarked) Jose Andres Guardado knocked in a rebound just before the end of the first half to give Mexico a deserved lead.


The U.S. showed more life in their offensive attack in the second half, and were rewarded with the two goals. In fact, the score might've been totally different were it all of the golden chances for a goal were capitalized on, a couple of shots hit the woodwork, some shots went just wide, and of course the fine saves by both goalies, Sanchez and Tim Howard.


The usual post match analysis has been going on with regard to the performance of the Mexican team on U.S. soil, who are now 0-8-1 in their last nine north of the border. This means that some, including Mexico coach Hugo Sanchez, will insist that the team playing the best did not win. Hey, at least you guys got a goal today, the first in nearly 800 minutes up here.


I did notice that the Mexican coaching staff were talking with the referees immediately after the game, as well as the roll of toilet paper that flew down when Donovan took his penalty kick, but all reports that I've seen is that the crowd was as well behaved as one could expect, basically meaning only a couple of incidents involving meatheads from both sides.


FOX SOCCER RECAP

Stick Sports Baseball

I might well use this baseball game as a bit of a time-waster at work the next couple of weeks, being as office bound as I am due to my injury. Only just came across this site, strangely enough from a gent from the U.K., where cricket is the more popular sport by far between the two over there.


The batting order for the team one is assigned, without registering, where one can then create one's team, features Micheal Young, Jeter, Griffey, Jr., A-Rod, Chipper Jones, Mark Teixeira, Derrick Lee, and Jason Veritek, with a choice between Dontrelle Willis, Jake Peavy and Roger Clemens for the pitchers.



STICK SPORTS BASEBALL

Shed No Tears: Au Revoir Henry, From The Arse To Barca

Much as I admire Thierry Henry's skills , the news of his departure to play for Barcelona in Spain will be no cause for grief, at least in most quarters outside of a certain area in North London, as well as their fanbase.


Knowing that he could no longer win the Premiership and CL titles in London were the big reasons that the Frenchman decided to seek greener pastures in Catalonia, with the possibility that coach Arsene Wenger may soon follow him to the south as soon as his current contract expires at the end of the next season.


The bandwagon effect of all the U.S. soccer fans I've met around who are fans of the Arse has always gotten on my nerves a bit: would they be fans if they weren't on top? I have admitted to becoming a fan of MLB's New York Mets because they were champions, but I have kept the faith in my long-distance fandom all of these years, through thick and thin, now is the time for those Arse fans around here, like the ones I met at the Sports Park, to do the same. I do offer sympathies to the long-time Arsenal fans I've met though, it can't be easy in a time like this when a star the magnitude of Henry decides he must play elsewhere


A reason for some tempering of unbridled joy at the news of Henry's departure here is that Dimitar Berbatov next year could possibly be open to leaving Spurs if they fail to advance in his search for European glory. For now, the declines in fortune for those usurpers might well be the advantage that Spurs need to help consolidate the advances that have occurred under Martin Jol the last two years. Fcuk Arse.....come on you Spurs! ( as well as Real Madrid!)





WENGER'S FUTURE?


I'M GOING TO SPAIN