Carly Simon Autographs!

I'm so excited to finally share these. Have been a fan of Carly for years. My dad, who works on Martha's Vineyard, approached her on the boat one day. He told her what a big fan I was and asked if there was any way he could get an autograph for me. She said she'd get a package together to give to me soon. He told me this when he got home that evening, but I honestly didn't believe anything would come of it. Sure enough, a couple of weeks later, he comes home from work with a package under his arm that has my name on it. Opening it up, I couldn't believe what I saw. Three one-of-a-kind autographs! Two CDs, and one Polaroid. I wrote immediately, thanking her for such a great gesture. Through business associates, she got one last message to my dad. She wanted to let him know that she had received the letter and picture I'd sent, and that the picture hung on the wall in the room where she keeps her awards! What an honor! I can't believe it!

A Walk To Remember

As much as I love the movie, nothing compares to reading the novel. Author Nicholas Sparks leaves no detail unnoticed in creating this stunning work. From the outset, the reader feels as if they have known each character forever. That familiarity allows for very deep emotional investment. Landon Carter and Jamie Sullivan share a love that will soften even the hardest of hearts. Even though I'm writing a review, it's difficult for me to describe how truly amazing this book is. You'll come away a better person for reading it. Let the lessons it teaches inspire you to live your best life.

Nightclub Appearance Shown Online!

I've just learned that Barbra's upcoming concert at The Village Vanguard will be available for online viewing the week after it happens through her official website. Very exciting news! Be sure to check it out!

Aggravation!

I don't understand why things like this always happen. It seems like nothing ever stays stress free. If I could only do everything by myself and not have to depend on other people. Why is it so hard for people to take things seriously?

Awesome Weekend!

First was an adorable birthday party for my nephew. Loved getting to see the extended family. After that extravaganza, I came home and watched A Walk To Remember. Best movie ever! Sunday is family day at the farm. Had a nice cookout and visited with the extended family one more time before they head back. Was so awesome spending the weekend with everyone. It's not often we're all together in the same place. Good times! Good times!

Back On The Schedule...

That's right, I've tuned back in again. After hearing a radio interview with TNA president Dixie Carter about the changes being made to better the product, I had to see for myself. What an amazing turnaround. I'm so happy to see Impact focused in-ring again. AJ Styles had awesome matches with both Doug Williams and Chris Sabin. The confrontation between Christopher Daniels and Samoa Joe was also a highlight. Hearing Taz on commentary made me smile to. Clean finishes and highly contested matchups make for great television. I guess you could say I'm cautiously optimistic.

Tragedy And Consequences...

He put that Barbra to his head, and pulled the trigger...

Yikes!!!

Not good people, not good. Nielsen ratings for the week of August 24, 2009 were just released. Our beloved sudser, All My Children hit an all-time low of 1.7. Disgraceful and sad. Unfortunately, I highly doubt anything will be done in an effort to try and stop the hemorrhaging. There's nothing we can say that we haven't been screaming about already.

Amazing!

How fucking stunning does Chrishell Stause look in this dress?! I had to pick my jaw up off the floor when she came on my screen! There are no words!

Celebrate Good Times!

Apologies for me posting this late. We all had a great time celebrating my sister's birthday last weekend. The dinner choice of Chicken Caesar Salad was amazing, and the dessert with the name that I'm not sure of was pretty good to. I love this picture. She is so photogenic. Awesome. I hope you had an amazing day!

I Look To You

Just got done listening to the eagerly-awaited, highly-anticipated new offering from Whitney Houston, I Look To You. I've heard, and read about, several people complaining that her voice has lost some of its magic. While it's obvious that the sound of her instrument has matured with age, I think she's in top form vocally. Song choice is strong throughout. I just wish we had been treated to a couple more slow tunes. To that end, those looking for the Whitney of old, and unwilling to embrace the new, will be disappointed. Go into this with an open mind, take it as intended, and you'll be very pleased.

Quote Of The Moment...

"They say there's no future for us as a pair, and though I may know, I don't care."

-As Long As You're Mine-Wicked

A Walk To Remember

Inspirational, thought-provoking and heartfelt. This soundtrack is a great mix of music. Pop, rock, Christian, and Classsic are all represented. You don't have to be a fan of the movie to enjoy. It may be wise to have a box of tissues handy. The memories come rolling fast. Love it!

Raw: Dusty Double-Cross...With A Twist...

I couldn't help but smile when The American Dream's music hit my speakers. He announces a title match between Orton and Rhodes with Cena as referee. One more twist, Dusty will be in Cody's corner. While it definitely sounded intriguing, I knew something was up immediately.

The rest of the night, with the exception of Hornswoggle, Chavo, Show, and Mark Henry was very enjoyable. The divas played a big part, had two good matches, and proved they are worthy of being feature attractions. Kofi Kingston, The Miz, Jack Swagger, and Carlito were thrown together in a United States Championship match. I loved every second and am glad to see Kofi retain. MVP and Jericho squared off in a very entertaining back-and-forth battle, with Chris eventually getting a clean victory. These two worked well. Wouldn't mind seeing them step between the ropes again..

Okay, back to Rhodes and Orton. When it was ten of eleven and the main event hadn't started, I knew we weren't going to get what was promised. As it turns out, the elder Rhodes orchestrates a beatdown of Cena, with every member of Legacy getting licks in. DX runs in to help but is quickly overtaken with the assistance of Dusty's cowboy boot. As the confident, cocky group stands victorious, with faces strewn everywhere, Orton RKO's Dusty out of nowhere. The screen fades to black as Cody, tears in his eyes after the unexpected betrayal, stands looking at his father helplessly. Am very interested to see how this turn of events plays out.

And The Emmy Goes To...

Congratulations to Vincent Irizarry for his Outstanding Supporting Actor Emmy win. Only a few other things worthy of note. Susan Haskill took home the well deserved Leading Actress trophy, Guiding Light and Sesame Street were given very touching, if rushed tributes, and Daytime Confidential was well represented. Everything else was a complete joke. With such a hack, uncaring representation, it's no wonder The Daytime Emmys had trouble finding a home this year. Wouldn't be surprised if it were the last one ever televised. Very bittersweet evening.

Not Guilty!

So, the jury finds Carl innocent in relation to the attempted murder of Rachel. I must say, Carl's lawyer meant business. With every point the prosecution made, a more intelligent rebuttal was waiting. Very impressive! If he can escape attempted murder charges with all the evidence pointing to his guilt, it's highly unlikely Carl will ever pay for any crime he commits. BC residents should watch their step more than ever. I have a feeling revenge is a dish Carl will serve up icy cold.

Cass is an asshole! I can't believe he's angry with Felicia for putting Lucas first. They are husband and wife after all! Oh, that's right. Everyone's supposed to live their lives on Cass' whim. It doesn't matter if you're marriage suffers, you lose a baby, or your trying to protect yourself from a murderer. As long as Cass is happy, it's all good! I hate him more everyday!

Jamie and Marley decide to elope. Jake gets wind of the plan and sets about stopping it. Everything he told Jamie and Marley in order to get them home was true. I admire his perseverance. One problem in all of this. He's started falling for Paulina. Will he finally realize Marley isn't worth his energy? Will Marley realize she wants him just as he and Paulina start building a life together? What kind of factor will Grant play? So many questions...

The Rise And Fall Of WCW

My expectations for this release were very high. The popularity and excellent quality of its predecessor, The Rise And Fall Of ECW, had fans hoping for an equally great product this time around. Sad to say, nearly everything about this set is a disappointment. The documentary itself is rushed and uninspired. Huge periods of history are missing, interviews are lackluster, and key elements are glossed over.

The special features, if they can be called that, are laughable. Totaling all of about 15 minutes, they're not even worth watching. Match selection on the two bonus discs is weak as well. Nothing never-before-seen or even rare, all retreads. I wish the care and attention given to the first set was paid here. It could have, and should have, been amazing.

Candles!

Got these beauties at Walmart the other day. Just $3 for the holders! The candles smell fabulous by the way! Cotton Fresh and Summer Rain.

One Year Ago Today...

I started my journey into the world of blogging one year ago. It's hard for me to find the right words to express how amazing it's been. To finally have a place to be able to share and express opinions about things that matter to me has been incredibly liberating. My heartfelt thanks to those who have come along for the ride. I love you all!

Six Pack

The love affair continues! A cappella sensation Straight No Chaser has just released their new EP, Six Pack. I love it! As was the case with their previous release, Holiday Spirits, vocals are absolutely stunning. Pure joy and fun! Perfect! Get it now!

Summerslam: The Return Of The Dead Man!

We're going to talk about the things that stood out. Firstly, Randy Orton retained the WWE championship. While the match ended in a convoluted, unrealistic manner, it was solid and entertaining until the closing moments. I was pleasantly surprised to see Orton escape defeat. Let's hope he starts relying on ability to win his matches.

CM Punk and Jeff Hardy had the match of the night. Though I went in knowing it would probably be the last we saw of Hardy for a while, there were a couple of times where I wasn't sure what was going to happen. The dive that Jeff took off the top of that ladder was legit one of the craziest things I've ever seen. He's to be applauded for giving it his all before his indefinite hiatus.

While that match definitely gets my nomination for in-ring performance of the night, the last five minutes of the broadcast stole the show. I'd been hearing for quite some time that The Undertaker was going to feud with Punk when he eventually returned. Though I'd been hearing that said return was set to happen somewhere around Survivor Series, my friend Tim was insistent that The Dead Man was going to shock with an appearance at Summerslam. He was right! After CM's hard fought victory, the lights went out, the gong was heard, and The Undertaker emerged from underneath the ring to lay waste to the newly-crowned champion. I can't think of a more intriguing way to end the extravaganza. Interesting developing feud with the potential for greatness. Going to have to start tuning into Smackdown!

Solid show, perfect ending, amazing night!

Macho Madness-The Randy Savage Ultimate Collection

Finally! I've been waiting for a career retrospective of Macho Man Randy Savage for such a long time. This set is awesome! The matches chosen are excellent and the extras are very entertaining. The wedding of Randy and Elizabeth and The Career Ending Match between Randy and The Ultimate Warrior are definite high points. Any wrestling fan would be stupid to not add this to their collection. Sensational!

Quote Of The Moment...

"No one in your life is with you constantly. No one is completely on your side. And though I'd move my world to be with him, still the gap between us is too wide."

-I Know Him So Well-Barbra Streisand

Raw: Rinse And Repeat... And Repeat... And Repeat... And...

First, the good. Freddie Prinze, Jr. was my favorite guest host so far. It's nice to see an actual fan take part and enjoy themselves. Was awesome of him to take that bump from Orton. Evan Bourne and The Miz had a good match. I'm getting more worried by the week. Evan Bourne is to amazing an athlete to be buried in midcard purgatory. He'd be wise to make the best out of anything that happens. Okay, so that wasn't all positive, shoot me.

Degeneration X returned again. I know these guys like top spots and cheap pops, but even they have to realize how old this is getting. Same dialogue, same skits, same, same, same. Just let it die with what little dignity it has left.

For those wondering, the main event was predictable, ridiculous, and doesn't even deserve mention.

Explosions!

Jenna finally sees Matt for the scumbag that he is. Certainly took long enough. I'm happy that she didn't instantly run to Dean. Shows she has character and morals. It's going to be very interesting to see the relationship between Jenna and Dean develop. Oh, and another thing. If Matt is too heartbroken to stay in Bay City and manages to convince Lorna they should run off together, I wouldn't exactly be devastated.

Frankie's near-death experience appears to have put things in prospective for her. I'm really glad that Cass went ballistic on her after finding out about the miscarriage. His doing so may have finally allowed her to see the jackass he really is. I support her decision to keep the pregnancy from him. There was no more room for confusion in her life at that point. She handled everything as best she could at the time. I'm not looking forward to these two reconciling. Blah!

Everyone seems to think they have Carl right where they want him. Something tells me it won't exactly be that cut and dry. Piece of advice for all involved, he very cautious.

Mark Pinter has assumed the role of Grant Harrison. I enjoyed him immensely on All My Children and am anxious to see how he tackles this challenge. Maybe Grant will finally become something more than filler.

Berenstein Bears "B" Book

Big brown

Big brown bear

Big brown bear, blue bull

Big brown bear, blue bull, beautiful baboon

Big brown bear, blue bull, beautiful baboon blowing bubbles

Big brown bear, blue bull, beautiful baboon blowing bubbles biking backwards...

Big brown bear, blue bull, beautiful baboon blowing bubbles biking backwards, bump...

BAM!

Big brown bear, blue bull, beautiful baboon blowing bubbles biking backward, bump black bug's banana boxes...

Big Brown bear, blue bull, beautiful baboon blowing bubbles biking backward, bump black bug's banana boxes and Billy Bunny's breadbasket...

Big brown bear, blue bull, beautiful baboon blowing bubbles biking backward, bump black bug's banana boxes and Billy Bunny's breadbasket and Brother Bob's baseball bus...

Big brown bear, blue bull, beautiful baboon blowing bubbles biking backward, bump black bug's banana boxes and Billy Bunny's breadbasket and Brother Bob's baseball bus and Buster Beagle's banjo-bagpipe-bugle band...

And that's what...

Broke Baby Bird's balloon.

Publicity Plans For Love Is The Answer...

Turns out I may have spoken too soon with my publicity criticism. To get the word about her upcoming release out, Barbra is scheduled to appear on Oprah. Also, her club appearance will be broadcast live on the web. I'm very happy to see an effort being made. Let's hope it translates into sales.

Thanks, Rebecca!

Shout-out to my girl Rebecca for hooking me up with this awesome new layout. I love it! Thanks, darling.

Raw: Practically Unwatchable...

What the hell is this shit with Shawn Michaels? This is the angle that got him to come back early? A chef. Really? I just don't know what to say? We're two weeks away from the second biggest event of the year and there's no positive buzz. I just don't know. Hopefully something will happen to turn things around.

Usually I go on and on about Evan Bourne and Jack Swagger. My high hopes for a feud between the two appear to be crushed. Look at me. I'm so disgusted and disheartened that I can't even put an intelligent thought together. Summerslam is going to be an awesome night even if the PPV itself sucks. Thank God for great friends.

How The Mighty Hath Fallen...

I had never seen anything like TNA when it premiered in June 2002. The innovative, exciting X Division, with death-defying athletes like AJ Styles, Jerry Lynn and Lo-Ki. The entire product delivered from top to bottom. There was no undercard because everything was main event caliber. I still get chills and teary-eyed when I watch the match to crown the first X Division champion. Psychosis, Jerry Lynn, Lo-Ki, and AJ Styles put on one of the greatest matches in the history of the sport. Every Wednesday night was appointment television for me. Pushing such amazing young talent, how could a company go wrong?

Fast-forward seven years. I don't even watch TNA anymore. Somewhere along the line, someone decided it better to take the emphasis off the in-ring product and make poorly written, ill conceived storylines the focal point. It's heartbreaking. I feel cheated. With the birth of this company, fans were promised an alternative to the stale WWE product that focused on athleticism and competition. What happened? Is it right to blame one person or bad decision? I think it's a combination of things that can be remedied fairly easily. Let's hope Dixie Carter follows through with her latest plan to clean things up. Something needs to happen before it's too late.

Awesome Weekend!

I had such a great weekend. Getting to see Stephanie and Arthur on Saturday was definitely the highlight. Anytime they come for a visit is wonderful. I hope it's not a year before we see them again.

My brother makes knives. I've always been interested in seeing the process, but always felt like I'd be in the way or something. I finally decided to check it out a couple of weeks ago. It's fascinating. The time and effort one truly has to dedicate to such a craft is admirable. Great stuff.

Dirty Hands! Dirty Face!

Okay, you got me. I stole the title of my post from a song. This picture was taken after working on the Bobcat with Grandpapa. It's hard pushing all those buttons and digging stuff up. That lollipop is well deserved.

Jeanine Wins!

Congratulations to Jeanine for winning this season of So You Think You Can Dance. Very well deserved. Truthfully though, I wish it were Evan. Anyone is better than Brandon I guess.

Love Is The Answer Cover Art!

No words can describe the beauty of this cover art. Barbra Streisand takes my breath away. Best album cover since Higher Ground. Simply stunning!

Walt Willey Taken Off Contract!

Sorry Jack and Erica fans. With the disappointing news that Walt Willey has been taken off contract, it doesn't seem likely that Jerica will have a happy ending. I can't say I'm surprised with this development. Jackson hasn't had a decent story in years and on-screen time for the character and actor has dwindled dramatically. While I won't miss Jack at all, I feel bad for the people who will. Maybe Erica will finally find someone worthy of her attention.

My DVD Collection Has A New Home!

I've been looking for a decent size storage unit to house my ever-growing DVD collection for a long time. Found this on Walmart.com on clearance and thought it would be perfect. Plenty of room! Should do the job for years to come.

Official: All My Children Relocates To California!

In case you've been living under a rock and don't already know, ABC has officially announced All My Children's move to California. From what I've heard and read, all on-screen contract players will be given the option to stay or go. Why the move? Cheaper production costs, a bigger studio, and the ability to build and house sets permanently. It's certainly going to be an interesting couple of weeks as more details become available. Stay tuned!

Simply Streisand

There couldn't be a better name for this album. Just Barbra, in exquisite voice, accompanied by beautiful instrumentals. Heaven! Comfortable, confident, and in top form, Streisand sings each song perfectly. My Funny Valentine is a masterpiece. While this album is certainly worthy of every bit of praise it receives, it's not my favorite. I can't exactly say why. It's a great listen on an occasional basis and is a must for any Streisand fan.

Lucci/Willey Phased Out? AMC To LA?

Executives in charge at the sinking ship known as All My Children just keep getting smarter by the day. Their latest idea to save AMC? Force leading man Walt Willey out by drastically reducing his airtime, and put the most popular actress in the history of daytime television, Susan Lucci on recurring status in hopes that she'll quit. Why? Easy. It would be much cheaper to produce the show in LA, and what better way to cut costs than to fire two of your most well-paid stars? No, I'm not kidding. Enjoy AMC while you can, people. If this happens, it won't survive.

Raw: Beat The Bullshit!

I don't know what to say. This is all just utter stupidity. How many more times do the fans have to see these recycled main events? So, Shaq comes up with the brilliant idea of the Beat The Clock Challenge. You'd have to be blind not to see that it was either going to be Triple H or John Cena who would win. If things stay on the course they've charted, the value of Summerslam just decreased greatly for me.

Can't creative come up with something better for Jericho to do? It's the same thing week after week. I can't imagine Chris is too thrilled with the repetition. Another thing, Jericho is much too talented to be paired with The Big Show. WWE's efforts to make Show viable have always failed. It's time to put the big man out to pasture. Seriously.

Kudos to Evan Bourne for his victory over Jack Swagger. I can only hope this means that WWE finally realizes it's time to push him like he deserves. We shall see.

I can't comment on the main event because I refuse to watch anything with Cryme Tyme.

Quote Of The Moment...

"Superboy and The Invisible Girl.. Son of steel and daughter of air. He's a hero, a lover, a prince. She's not there."

-Superboy And The Invisible Girl-Next To Normal

Night Of Champions

Congratulations are an order for Mickie James, Christian, and Jeff Hardy. All are new champions on their respective brands and had awesome matches. The six-pack challenge was my favorite part of the show and saw the unlikely outcome of Kofi Kingston retaining the United States championship. Orton, Triple H, and Cena was surprisingly entertaining until the all-too-predictable run-in. While I'm happy Randy still has his title, I really wish he would have retained on his own merits.

The diva bouts were excellent. Michelle McCool is definitely the top heel of all the women in the company. Maryse does a great job and is improving greatly with every match, but needs to change up her game a little to stay fresh. Tommy Dreamer fell to Christian in a hard-fought contest. Personally, I think the belt would have been better utilized had it stayed on Dreamer. I hope it's not long before we see Christian moved to another brand and used properly. Night Of Champions was amazing! Catch the replay if you can.

My Life According To Barbra Streisand

Just a fun little something I did using Barbra as inspiration.

Are you a male or female?
One less man to pick up after. No more laughter. No more love.

Describe yourself:
Run wild out on the edge of time child. Carry your dreams away. No one can hold you now. For you are an island.

How do you feel:
Bewitched, Bothered, And Bewildered.

If you could go anywhere, where would you go:
I'm in a New York state of mind.

Your best friend is:
Ageless and evergreen.

What's the weather like:
It's raining, it's pouring. My love life is boring me to tears.

Favorite time of day:
And the night will become our golden dawn.

If your life was a TV show, what would it be called:
Guilty Pleasures

What is life to you:
This will be my shining hour. Calm and happy and bright.

Something you would say:
My idea of a perfect world, is one in which we really appreciate each others differences. Short/Tall, Democrat/Republican, Black/White, Gay/Straight. A world in which all of us are equal, but definitely not the same.

What is the best advice you have to give:
I don't care if you're the patient or the doctor, relationships are difficult to have.

Thought for the Day:
It's the laughter we'll remember whenever we remember the way we were.

Something bothersome:
How I miss you kissing me goodnight.

My motto:
People who need people are the luckiest people in the world.

Love Is The Answer Track Listing!

Here is the complete track listing for the upcoming Barbra Streisand record Love Is The Answer.

1. Here's To Life
2. In The Wee Small Hours
3. Gentle Rain
4. If You Go Away
5. Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most
6. Make Someone Happy
7. Where Do You Start?
8. A Time For Love
9. Here's That Rainy Day
10. Love Dance
11. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
12. Bonus Track-You Must Believe In Spring

Quote Of The Moment...

"What heaven brought you and me cannot be forgotten."

-Southern Cross-Crosby, Stills, And Nash

One Voice

Streisand fans waited a long time for One Voice to debut on DVD. Was it worth it? In some respects. Picture is clear and improved for the most part. However, excessive grain and other distractions are very evident in some audience shots. The new surround sound mix is an absolute pleasure. A definite "A" on the audio side.

How is the concert itself? Song selection is certainly appropriate for this political fundraiser. Barbra's vocals are strong and confident. Barry Gibb makes a special appearance to duet with her and the chemistry between the pair is electrifying. The politically-minded commentary of the evening serves well to emphasize the urgent feel that Streisand no doubt does her best to make apparent. One Voice stands as a great example of why Barbra Streisand is an icon.

The Death Of TNA?

Apparently, there's major unrest backstage at TNA. Rumor has said unrest resulting in the ouster of Jeff Jarrett. If this scenario were to materialize, Vince Russo would likely assume creative control. Without someone to keep an eye on him, I have no doubt that Mr. Russo could spell the end for TNA. Let us not forget that this is the man partially responsible for the death of WCW. He is considered by many to be the worst booker ever. Someone needs to realize what a terrible business decision this would be and stop it in its tracks. Get your head out of your ass and hire Paul Heyman immediately.

Freddie Frog

Would like everyone to meet Freddie. Found him at the fair last week and had to bring him home. Just too cute!

Here We Go Again!

You guessed it, my computer crapped out again! Just decided to turn off and not reboot. Redoing everything every couple of months is getting really old. Don't know what the problem is. Wish I had the money to get a new machine. Hopefully we'll stay up and running for a while this time. Please!

Elton John On My Answering Machine!

You can imagine my excitement when I came home from the fair Saturday night and heard Elton John's voice on my answering machine. Tim had gone to see him and told me he would call during Daniel so I could listen. So amazing! Greatest message ever! Thanks, buddy!

Uncontrolled Hysteria...

It's all well and good to be a huge fan of someone. Believe me, I know. My obsession with Barbra Streisand is forever. That being said, there are instances were it can go too far. Rebecca and I were watching a Michael Jackson concert this morning and I was shocked by the behavior of the audience. People were passing out before the man even sang a note. I ask you, what's the point of paying and unbelievable amount of money to see your idol if you don't even get to enjoy the show. As over the moon as I was to finally see Barbra live, I kept a fair amount of composure. Waiting as long as I did, nothing was going to keep me from seeing her performance in its entirety.

It's almost as if the people there to see Michael lost all self control. While celebrities can certainly touch and change lives, it's important to remember that they are just people. It scares me when people get so carried away and careless. While everyone is free to enjoy what they like, there's no need for hysteria. It's all quite ridiculous.

Incredible!

I went to see RENT on Tuesday night with Rebecca and Kyle. It was amazing! Being in the same building as Anthony Rapp (original Mark) was absolutely surreal. Adam Pascal (original Roger) was advertised but no-showed. That huge disappointment aside, it was a perfect evening all around. Definitely something I'll remember for a long, long time!

Shoot With Tammy Lynn Sytch

The best shoot interview I have ever seen! If you love professional wrestling, you know and admire Ms. Sytch's work. Refreshingly honest and straight forward, this interview allows one an amazingly candid look into the heart of a woman who truly loves wrestling. Mesmerizing! Thank you, Tammy!

Audio and video quality is fair. Truthfully, you'll get so caught up in the emotion of everything that it won't matter.

Paul Levesque

Mr. Levesque's first effort is disappointing. Unfortunately, the song selection doesn't allow him to properly showcase his amazing talent. The awesome range and power of his voice is held in check by the weak material. The heart and emotion present during most performances is noticeably absent. I expected better and know he is more than capable of delivering.

Raw: Bourne Better...

Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston are phenomenal. To go out there, with the small time they were allotted, and steal the show is amazing. These two gentlemen are the future of the business and should be looked upon as such. More TV time for both, please.

Ted DiBiase, Jr. and Randy Orton had a solid match. If junior can improve upon what's already there, the sky's the limit. He needs to venture out on his own and do some growing.

John Cena and Triple H put in a good one. It's just a shame to have a quality match end in such a ridiculous way. I'm not looking forward to the recycled main event at Night Of Champions. Something really special is going to have to happen to capture and maintain my interest. Not likely.

Time...

Time...

Slow and fast.

Ally and foe.

Friend and thief.

Love and hate.
Birth and death.

Promise-filled beginnings.

Sorrowful, untimely endings.

Old and young.

We are all at your mercy.

Beautiful and fierce.

How much do we have?

One never knows...

Copyright 2009 Regis C. Spangler III

True Evil...

I'm sad to say that I think I was wrong about Taylor returning. Unfortunate, really. Was looking forward to her psychotic brand of entertainment. As crazy as she is though, Taylor has absolutely nothing on Carl. Trying to have Rachel killed at the television studio was just the latest in his long line of unspeakable deeds. I have a feeling, that when all is over, Rachel is going to look back on this attempt to take her life as the good old days. There's no telling what lengths Carl will go to in trying to get what he wants. A man with no morals or boundaries is extremely dangerous. I've heard rumors that Rachel and Carl eventually become involved romantically. If accurate, I can't wait to see how it all unfolds. Oh, boy!

As much as I enjoy Jake and Paulina, their constant arguing is getting old. I hope the pace picks up soon. Bring on the amazing supercouple I've heard so much about.

Sam and Amanda are boring. How many more times do we have to see someone staying with someone else out of obligation. If Olivia knew what was going on, I'm pretty sure she wouldn't like playing second fiddle. The collective men of Bay City need to grow a pair and stop being so selfish.

While we're on the subject of selfish idiots, I'll mention Cass. He up and leaves a perfectly happy life with Frankie to run back to his first wife and kiss her boo-boos. After a couple of months of "trying" to work things out, he gets bored and expects Frankie to be waiting. He confesses his love, admits his mistake, but says he can't leave Kathleen quite yet because of Carl. Confused? I am. I hope Frankie tells him to kick rocks the next time he comes sniffing around her heals. I hate him so much!

The Age Of Orton On Display!

Isn't this just the coolest thing ever?! My friend Kyle got it for me for my birthday. All my other action figures best behave unless they want an RKO! Randy Orton kicks so much ass! Thanks, Kyle!

Totally Engrossed...

Wow, whatever they were watching must have been absolutely captivating. It's so nice to see them sitting together sweet and calm. :)

Someone's In The Kitchen...

This is delicious Chicken Picatta. Rebecca and I had it for dinner last night. We added spinach just to do a little something different with it. Yummy!

Michael Jackson

I wasn't going to comment on any of this, but feel I have to now. Michael Jackson is a legendary figure in the music world and should be remembered for his professional contributions. I couldn't help but feel sorry when thinking that he'd experienced inhuman amounts of scrutiny and pain in his life. No one should ever have to go through anything close to what he has. Yes, there was certainly fame, fortune, and adulation. There isn't anyone in the world who should judge how that all effected him. When all is said and done, the truth is that he is the only one who will ever really know. Michael Jackson's professional successes are nearly unmatched. It is my hope that he be remembered for the amazingly unique and talented artist he was. May he truly find peace now.

Throwback!

Just hilarious! Rebecca drew this years ago, I came across it yesterday, and had to share. Look at the amazing attention to detail! She even has the right arm in the air! Absolutely priceless!

Music!

That's right, people! I have music on my blog now. Feel like listening while you browse? Just scroll down until you see the Ipod on the left side of the page and click the play button. Only have a couple of songs so far, but will be adding more periodically. Enjoy!

The Bash: So What?

Just got done watching The Bash from last night and don't really care. Yes, there were a few good matches. Chris and Rey stole the show with their Intercontinental Championship bout. When amazing athletes are left to do what they do best, magic happens. I'm very happy that Michelle McCool is the new Women's Champion. This beautiful young lady is one hell of a wrestler who seems really dedicated to perfecting her craft. Got to love hard work and dedication. CM Punk and Jeff Hardy had a respectably good contest. I think it was a smart move to keep the strap on Punk. You can't put a major championship around the waist of someone who isn't sure about their future in the business.

Please, put ECW out of our misery. It's so obvious that the inclusion of the brand on the show was an afterthought. It's sad that the championship means absolutely nothing. Nothing about the brand resembles the old company that people loved. No one cares. Save the company money and lay the ECW name to rest once and for all.

Who else hopes that this was the blowoff match in the feud between Triple H and Randy Orton? How many more times are we going to be forced to watch these two square off? It's played out to the point of stupidity already. Move on.

John Cena vs. The Miz was the perfect opportunity for us to see the beginning of a rise to stardom. Instead, we're "treated" to Cena making short work of Miz. Why spend so much time shaping a rivalry to end it so quickly? I expect big things from The Miz in the very near future. Maybe John Cena was to much of a girl to hang.

The good definitely didn't outweigh the bad with The Bash.

What?!

What the hell?! I don't even know where to start. What exactly did Vince McMahon think including Donald Trump in the show for one week would do? Does he actually think the fans are stupid enough to buy this shit? Horribly botched Trump angle aside, giving away the main event of a pay-per-view for free isn't exactly smart. Another thing, what's the point of having three separate brands if the superstars from each can appear on any show? The brand extension was ridiculous to begin with and needs to be undone faster than you can say "bad booking." One more gripe. The fact that there's hardly any wrestling on a wrestling program is ridiculous. It makes me want to puke!

Okay, there are a few bright spots. Randy Orton is an amazing heel. Everything he does is so believable and intriguing. He is the personification of evil, and the fact that he fully embraces it keeps me glued to the screen. Next, I alwaays enjoy a good diva match. The women on the WWE roster are extremely talented for the most part and I love when they are given the opportunity to show it.

I hope somebody in charge realizes what a terrible show Raw has been and makes changes soon. Right now, they should be ashamed to call this their flagship show.

Evita: Original Broadway Cast

A fan of the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice classic? You won't find a better recording! Believe me, I own nearly every in existence. Using words like perfect, impeccable, and flawless to describe it seems a disservice somehow. A masterpiece a million times over!

Info Regarding Forthcoming Streisand Album!

Columbia Records has issued an official press release regarding Barbra Streisand's forthcoming album. To be titled Love Is The Answer, a mix of jazz-flavored classics and standards is the order of the day. September, 29, 2009 is the expected release date. However, as we all are well aware when it comes to our Barbra, things can change quickly and unexpectedly. Track listing isn't available as of yet, but will be posted as soon as it is made so. My expectations for this one are extremely high. Am waiting with great anticipation to see if they are met.

Something (Almost) Positive...

After the post blasting everything All My Children yesterday, I'm here to say something a little positive. I just got through watching Jake and Amanda's nuptials and, in spite of myself, enjoyed them. Of course, I wish David hadn't interrupted and Tad performing the ceremony was quite ridiculous, but all involved acted their hearts out to make it believable. Favorite part had to be Jake waiting like an impatient child for Tad to finish so he could kiss Amanda. The vows were sweet on both ends to. Most certainly the best thing on AMC in a while.

Knots Untied?

Poor Iris! All the time and energy she's been exerting in an attempt to expose Paulina has been for not. Fear not, though, I'm sure she'll find many other ways to cause trouble.

Hooray! Jake and Paulina are finally married! I have a strange feeling things aren't going to go exactly as planned. I'll tell you one thing for sure, I can't wait for the real love story between these two to begin. Maybe then, Jake will finally realize that Marley isn't worth his affection. Jensen Buchanan is stiff and unlikable as Victoria/Marley. I've yet to see any sort of spark, decent acting, or attempt to own the roles. Hopefully, all the good I've heard about her portrayal of these characters shows itself eventually.

Matt is a total sleeze! Just minutes after humping Lorna, he's with Jenna acting the perfect boyfriend. It won't be long before Dean catches onto the game he's playing and makes things right. I'm actually excited to see the relationship between Jenna and Dean develop and hope it delivers on the potential that's there.

There's a storm brewing in Bay City and it's sure to bring tons of delicious drama. When the weather gets bad on soaps, it's always can't miss!

Why???

Okay, so I've been catching up on the AMC I missed because of the hospital and am disgusted and confused. Why exactly is "wish she was" Liza involved in every aspect of the show? It's obvious to anyone with eyes and ears that Ms. Luner is a one-note, terrible actress. Making matters worse, (if that's even possible), the writing for this formerly amazing character is sophomoric and abysmal. I don't see the point of any of this and hope we, as a viewing audience, are put out of our misery concerning not-Liza sooner rather than later. Please!

Why exactly did the beloved character of Stuart have to die? If Charles Pratt is so damn desperate to see a ratings increase, go back to the tried-and-true method of playing vets in sophisticated, engrossing storylines. The entire approach to this supposed murder mystery has been horrendously executed from the start. We, as viewers, should have been either left wondering which twin died, or have been the ones in on it watching the citizens of Pine Valley piecing the puzzle together and slowly learning the truth. Instead of everyday common sense prevailing, we're treated to a rushed, write-as-we-go, uninteresting mess. How much louder are fans going to have to scream before Charles Pratt's hackneed ways come to an end?

I wrote some time ago that it's hard to get invested in a storyline when you don't know how long an actor or actress is sticking around. Maybe that's why I'm not completely onboard with the Jake/Amanda pairing. Sure, Chrishell has re-upped till the end of the year. Then what? Are we going to be forced to endure another horrific miscast when she finally smartens up and leaves? I just don't know. I can't talk about it anymore.

Open My Eyes, Lord

No need for a long review. If you're a fan of Christian music, and/or great voices, this is the CD for you. Will bring you to tears, and leave you feeling inspired and uplifted for days. Incredible!

... And Ain't It Grand!

Finally, back in business! I've been away for a little while due to an unexpected hospital stay. I'm better now and would like to thank everyone for their well wishes and support.

Blessed...

You know something. I am one of the luckiest people in the world. I woke up this morning to find a very sweet comment from someone who found my blog. Her words inspired me so, that I got to thinking. Who has it better than I do, seriously? Sure, I have a physical disability that is very frustrating at times, but I refuse to let it define me. God blessed me with it because he knew I could handle it.

Over the years, I've struggled. Making and keeping friends has always been the most difficult challenge. I've come to realize though that true friends are dependable, loving, loyal people who are always there. As I write this, my best friend comes to mind. It took what seemed like forever but I finally found a true friendship that I couldn't live without. Tim has been my rock and is someone who inspires me everyday. That is not to say that I don't love my other friends dearly, but he is definitely amazing.

All right, enough of that. When he reads this, he's going to give me a Pedigree for being so emotional. Sorry buddy!

I would also like to take a moment to acknowledge my amazing family. I couldn't ask for better parents or siblings. Growing up, a conscious decision was made on their part to treat me like they would anyone else. They allowed me to grow, change, and experience without being overprotective or suffocating. I appreciate that more than I can put into words and will be forever grateful.

I know I'm probably rambling, but I felt compelled to say these things. Thank you to all I have ever loved and will love in the future. You've helped shape the individual I am. I love you all.

Labyrinth-A Novel

A.C.H Smith does an amazing job spinning a novel from this beloved film. Though I didn't think it possible, the world of Labyrinth is even more realized in print. Those who know the characters of the movie will find their knowledge enriched by the detail with which Smith describes every situation. Not familiar with the magic of the Jim Henson classic? Don't worry, the book will be just as enchanting. This novel has replaced The Neverending Story as my all-time favorite fantasy. Once the journey begins, you'll find yourself wishing the clock would never strike thirteen.

She's Baa-aack!

I certainly hope John and Sharlene don't get too comfortable. Taylor is back and ready to serve up some revenge. She's as psychotic as ever and I'm going to love every second! Okay, I know this post is really short, but I had to share the good news with everyone! Hooray for Taylor!