Tom Delay --Dancing with the Stars...WHAT?

I was watching the news this morning and I was halfway paying attention to the "filler" stories when one of the news anchors released information on Tom Delay possibly going on the popular TV show Dancing with the Stars.

This topic interested me for several reasons one being that he graduated from my high school and the other being that he was involved in a huge scandal in 2006 involving the Jack Abramoff case. It was reported that Abramoff gave free trips, money, and other goods to Delay when he was in office. After the rumors started the Justice Department began to investigate Delay and soon after Delay resigned from being Majority Leader in the House of Representatives.

Going back to the subject of dancing with the stars. My reaction to this rather odd news is, more than anything, laughter! Although this would make for some good entertainment, I feel that there are better people for this very entertaining show.

Remember that one time...

... When I actually posted in this blog.

Hah.

Well, my unsaid hiatus is now over and back to posting somewhat relevant nonsense.


FOR YOUR EARS:

"I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend" - Black Kids



Incredibly infectious.

BLACK KIDS - This indie/synthpop band hails from Jacksonville, FL, which is refreshing since the Sunshine State is mainly known for churning out sugared down boy bands, and well... Creed. The Kids just started touring yesterday, kicking it off down under in Auckland, Australia. They'll be touring the whole Spring, playing with the Kaiser Chefs in England and the Mates of State when hitting the U.S. cities. Check out their tour dates and other mumbojumbo at blackkidsmusic.com


Sounds like: The bastard child of MGMT and CSS, concieved at a Dylan's Candy Bar.

Why they're awesome: They toured with Kate Nash. I mean, that alone deserves some sort of medal.


- mel

Keep a Look Out - Possibly Oscar Worthy

Every year I try to watch the Oscars and I really get irritated when I haven't seen the movies that have been nominated. In result I have decided to start researching early.

I found this website that gives a list of predictions. I've heard of almost all of these movies and plan to watch most of them, especially Milk, Revolutionary Road, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, Body of Lies, Burning After Reading, Changeling, Blindness, Choke and the Soloist.

What do you think? Are there any movies missing?

http://baasecha1.blogspot.com/2008/03/2009-oscar-predictions-year-in-advance.html

2009 Oscar Predictions - Year in Advance

Best Picture:

1. Revolutionary Road
2. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
3. Australia
4. Blindness
5. Milk
   
   Other Chances:
   Changeling
   The Reader
   Doubt
   Synecdoche, New York
   Brothers
   Frost/Nixon
   Defiance
   Body of Lies
   Appaloosa
   Burn After Reading
   

Best Director:

1. Sam Mendes – Revolutionary Road
2. Baz Luhrman – Australia
3. David Fincher – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
4. Fernando Meirelles – Blindness
5. Gus Van Sant – Milk
   
   Other Chances:
   Clint Eastwood – Changeling
   Jim Sheridan – Brothers
   Stephen Daldry – The Reader
   John Patrick Shanley - Doubt
   Ron Howard – Frost/Nixon
   Charlie Kaufman – Synecdoche, New York
   Joe Wright – The Soloist
   Ed Harris – Appaloosa
   Coen Brothers – Burn After Reading
   Ridley Scott – Body of Lies
   

Best Actor

1. Sean Penn – Milk
2. Leonardo DiCaprio – Revolutionary Road
3. Frank Langella – Frost/Nixon
4. Benecio Del Toro – The Argentine
5. Brad Pitt – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
   
   Other Chances:
   Hugh Jackman – Australia
   Ralph Fiennes – The Reader
   Eric Bana – The Time Traveller’s Wife
   Sam Rockwell – Choke
   Jamie Foxx – The Soloist
   Jake Gyllenhall – Brothers
   Leonardo DiCaprio – Body of Lies
   

Best Actress:

1. Kate Winslett – Revolutionary Road
2. Nicole Kidman – Australia
3. Julianne Moore – Blindness
4. Meryl Streep – Doubt
5. Rachel McAdams – The Time Traveller’s Wife
   

Other Choices:
Angelina Jolie – Changeling'

Keira Knightly – The Duchess

Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Meryl Streep – Mama Mia
Natalie Portman – Brothers
Emily Blunt – The Young Victoria


Best Supporting Actress

1. Cate Blanchett – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
2. Amy Adams - Doubt
3. Anjelica Houston – Choke
4. Kate Winslett – The Reader
5. Kathy Bates – Revolutionary Road
   
   Other Chances:
   Sandra Oh – Blindness
   Amy Ryan – Changeling
   Catherine Keener – The Soloist
   Tilda Swinton – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
   Catherine Keener – Synedoche, New York or Soloist
   Frances McDormand – Burn After Reading
   Scarlett Johansson - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
   Samantha Morton - Synecdoche, New York
   Dianne Weist - Synecdoche, New York
   Raches Weisz – My Blueberry Nights
   

Best Supporting Actor

1. Josh Brolin – Milk
2. Heath Ledger – The Dark Knight
3. Mark Ruffalo – Blindness
4. Emille Hirsch – Milk
5. Michael Sheen – Frost/Nixon
   
   Other Choices:
   Gael Garcia Bernal – Blindness
   Philip Seymour Hoffman – Doubt
   James Franco – Milk
   David Strathairn – My Blueberry Nights
   Tobey Maguire – Brothers
   Michael Shannon – Revolutionary Road
   Russell Crow – Body of Lies
   Robert Downy Jr. – The Soloist
   
   

Sometimes It's Easier to Escape Society

I'll start by posting this quote from the movie Into the Wild.

So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.
- Christopher McCandless

For those of you not familiar with the this quote or the movie here is a summary. Christopher McCandless, who is extremely intelligent, hates society and it's judgmental characteristics. A lot of this stems from his childhood (which you learn about throughout the movie). After he graduates from a prestigious college he decides to abandon society and travel through the wild. This movie is deeply inspirational and breathtaking. Or at least that is what I got out of it.

Being an impatient person makes it difficult to accept that all the questions that I have about life will not be answered, EVER. This eventually leads to over analyzing every situation that I am put into and also every persons actions around me. Judgment is not only frustrating and straining to ones mind, it is also natural. Every person judges other people. This probably has something to do with also every person being naturally selfish.

So, as I over analyze and question my path through life and the meaning behind my decisions (what's moral and immoral...etc), and my future, I very much just want to escape society and leave all the corruption and bullshit behind. Sometimes I want to leave everything behind and see the pure things in this world instead of hearing the deceiving and fake conversations of people around me and seeing the conniving actions of those in this world

I'm probably a hypocrite for writing this since I too say things that may not be absolutely true and also want to be accepted by others. But being selfish and judgmental is natural and can in some aspects lead a person to be more of a "down to earth" person, but there is a line that should be drawn because the more you judge others and are selfish, the more you turn into a person you never wanted to become. We should all just step back and take a look at the actions we take, the comments we make, the judgmental attitudes we have and try to change the way we look at the world and what it offers. There is so much more to life than going to see a concert, buying a pair of shoes, or going out to parties. Maybe this is why seeing the wild and leaving society is so great. It allows you to see the pureness and breathtaking world that most of us never even start to consider. A world that is inspirational and far from the bullshit all people have to deal with in life.

Because Boys need some perspective, bitches...

and so I've decided that an intervention is necessary.

I've been surrounded by boys (I mean, initially I'm not complaining) lately. In my dorm, at work, just everywhere in general.

Its defintely pushed my observing eye over the edge.

Why are guys so damn competitive? Why can't some guys accept the concept of monotamy, but think they can still feel up on a selective girl?

Do they really think that dousting themselves in Axe Pheonix will have chicks smarming them?

I'm putting on my blown up floaties and diving into the male mind.

From now on... I'm deeming Mondays - Melanie Mondays... tah-dah.

Yeah, incredible name I know. It's temporary until I can strain the creative juices from my cabezza.

Here I go... dipping into the mind of the other....


Smell.

Okay, so I'm not sure if guys really care about what they smell like, but from what I've smelled, they actually do.

It seems like they always want to smell musky... like spiced burned wood or something in that nature.

They don't seem to expand their smell much. I mean, have you smelled the different kinds of Axe? Girls can't tell the difference, and they all pretty much smell the same. Only I did smell this one Axe scent that I swear was modeled after butthole... watch for that one for now, I'll let you know that one later.

My favorite scent on a guy was Kierra by PacSun. But I just sniffed it a couple of months ago... and not likey anymore. I also really like SoCal from Hollister, but it's an acquired scent.

Also Curve for guys and Clearwater (because it reminds me of my papa) smells pretty fresh.

And girls like fresh.

TIPS FOR GUYS:

Use girls' deodorant.

I know it's extremely odd and may strip you of your so-called "masculinity" but one time my friend walked passed me, and I swear he smelled irresistable. I asked him what he was wearing, and he told me his secret was using Secret.

I swear it'll have good effects- and no homo.


-Mel

Vice Presidential Debate, October 2nd

The only VP debate for the 2008 Presidential election is going to be held on October 2, 2008. It has been rumored that this debate will get more views than the first Presidential debate which was held at the University of Mississippi over foreign policy. For those that are out of the loop, Joe Biden Sen. of Delaware is Barack Obama's VP pick and Sarah Palin Sen. of Alaska is John McCain's VP pick. Much of the viewers are still very worried about Sarah Palin's experience and what she could potentially bring to the table. American's are also worried about how Palin will be handling foreign policy matters when she recently just received a passport and officially visited another country. It is going to be interesting to hear what Biden has to say considering he has been out of the media post VP picks were announced. I'm almost positive that his comment on Obama's ad is going to be questioned. I guess we will see what happens tomorrow!

First 2008 Presidential Debate

On Friday September 26, 2008 Barak Obama and John McCain will debate over foreign policy issues. The debate will be held in Mississippi at the University of Mississippi. Some of the key underlying issues are going to be on nation building in foreign countries (like what is going on in Iraq and several other countries) and our relationship and dependence on China. It is going to be interesting to see the different policy plans that both candidates propose.

Personally, I am pretty fed up with both candidates. I really hope that these debates don't result in personal attacks but instead look towards how they are going to help the country get out of the horrible economic position that we find ourselves in. We are in a crisis and our focus should be on how we are going to help us prosper instead of who has a daughter having a child as a teenager or who might still be connected to the Muslim religion. So many Americans only look at the fact that one candidate is Republican and the other is Democrat. Being president is so much more than that. The U.S. needs a president that can work with the opposing party and get things DONE. I am relying on these debates to make my decision on who I think will help this country and myself. I hope neither candidate disappoints me.

Give Props to Tina Fey

Tina Fay and Amy Poehler did a skit on the two most popular women in politics. Fey playing an amazing Palin and Poehler playing Clinton. You have to check this out it is hilarious. Enjoy!

Is the World Coming to an End Due to...

Next month the largest particle accelerator (LHC) will be turned on in Geneva, Switzerland. For those that are interested in physics and astronomy and are part of the scientific community, this is a huge opportunity to find more information about what happened seconds after the Big Bang.

The project cost 8 billion dollars and is operated by the International Physics Laboratory called CERN. The accelerator will be smashing subatomic particles together, creating energy that happened seconds after the Big Bang.

So why might the world come to an end? Well, this is what worries people about the machine and this is also why people are talking so much about this project. If the particles are being smashed together at such fast and powerful rates (very close to the speed of light) this possibly could create micro-black holes. If this is true it could 'in theory' destroy mankind and the Earth itself. The physicist and astronomers who are looking at possible micro-black holes developing are relying on Hawkings Radiation. Hawkings Radiation theory says that when 2 virtual particles appear they cancel each other out. However, if two virtual particles appear and one falls into the black hole there is one left over that can't be canceled out, therefore taking energy/mass away from the black hole. Keep in mind this is all 'in theory'.

Because there is some possibility of a black hole being created there have been many lawsuits trying to shutdown the particle accelerator. Although there is a very, very small chance a black hole will be created online blogs and discussion boards have been raving about this subject alone. However a CERN spokesman made a good point; "Earth is bathed with cosmic rays powerful enough to create black holes all the time, and the planet hasn't been destroyed yet"

The LHC project was not intended to prove that black holes can be developed by scientists or to see if the earth can in fact be destroyed. This IS an advancement in the Science community, to strengthen our knowledge on how the Universe was created and how it developed.

This is all pretty interesting. Here are some informational websites:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgLdIly2Xtw

http://public.web.cern.ch/public/en/Research/Accelerator-en.html
http://www.livescience.com/environment/060919_black_holes.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/21/science/21cernw.html

Eagle Eye

Personally I love action pact movies and this is why I am so stoked for the upcoming movie, directed by D.J. Caruso under Spielberg's executive production, Eagle Eye. Jerry Shaw (Labeouf) and Rachael Holloman (Monogahn) receive phone calls from a woman who gives them directions on how to stay alive and away from the police. From the trailer it looks as if somebody framed both Holloman and Shaw and the only way they can escape is to listen to woman on the phone who knows exactly what is going to happen at any given moment.

This movie looks like a lot of fun and completely amazing. Have fun watching the trailer.

new philosophy.

as I sit listening to the acoustic version of Paramore's "For a Pessimist, I am pretty optimistic"...
I realize the following blog will have no real argument.
just a thought on expectations.

a real important person once told me to not expect anything at all. and he is right.
if good happens, great. what a bonus.
if bad happens, it is okay, because there was no real let down-since there were no expectations.

so instead of expecting anything at all, i am giving up, dropping preconceived notions, and i am letting things take their own fall or not.

hey, it is time i adapt to change.
yeah?

xoxo,
S.

Ike, can I shake your hand?

Ike, which was probably named after the South Park character, is now a Cat. 2 hurricane, anticipated to become a Cat. 3.

The National Hurricane Center calls it a "large tropical cyclone," which makes it sound WAY cooler than it really is.

Ikie is supposed to hit Texas on Saturday, leaving some Texans pissed with it's interference with the Arkansas game.

I say keep the game on schedule - and let it really filter out the real Horns fans from the fakes. Let's see how many chicks will still dress all cute just to sit in other people's designated seats, hoping the Megatron captures their good side. Grrr.

And I hope that the next hurricane that's abrewing will be named Kenny.

Real Clear Politics Shows McCain in the Lead

Although the 2008 presidential race is extremely close, most polls have shown Obama in the lead by around 5 points. This means +/- and this is why even with the polls any candidate could win. However I was reading today that McCain has actually taken the lead in the polls by an average of +/- 2.9 points. Although this is still a very close race it is still very interesting considering Obama has been in the lead thus far. Here are the polls.

General Election: McCain vs. Obama
RCP Electoral Map | Changes in Electoral Count | Map With No Toss Ups | No Toss Up Changes
Polling Data
Poll Date Sample McCain (R) Obama (D) Spread
RCP Average 09/05 - 09/07 -- 48.3 45.4 McCain +2.9
ABC News/Wash Post 09/05 - 09/07 LV 49 47 McCain +2
CBS News 09/05 - 09/07 655 RV 46 44 McCain +2
USA Today/Gallup 09/05 - 09/07 823 LV 54 44 McCain +10

CNN 09/05 - 09/07 942 RV 48 48 Tie
Rasmussen Tracking 09/05 - 09/07 3000 LV 48 47 McCain +1
Hotline/FD Tracking 09/05 - 09/07 924 RV 44 44 Tie
Gallup Tracking 09/05 - 09/07 2733 RV 49 44 McCain +5

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/us/general_election_mccain_vs_obama-225.html

Russel Brand; Worst VMA Host Ever

I usually watch the VMA's every year and have been happy or satisfied with who MTV decides to pick to host the VMA's. However, this year is the exception. I didn't think Russel Brand did a good job hosting at all. I slightly giggled sometimes but other than that I didn't understand why he was chosen to host this event. Overall I thought the VMA's were good, way better than last year anyways but I wasn't feeling Russel Brand. What did y'all think?

An Embarrassment to Sarahs Everywhere

Educate yourself about Sarah Palin:
(from MoveOn.org )

• Palin recently said that the war in Iraq is "God's task." She's even admitted she hasn't thought about the war much—just last year she was quoted saying, "I've been so focused on state government, I haven't really focused much on the war in Iraq." ^{1, 2}
• Palin has actively sought the support of the fringe Alaska Independence Party. Six months ago, Palin told members of the group—who advocate for a vote on secession from the union—to "keep up the good work" and "wished the party luck on what she called its 'inspiring convention.'" ³
• Palin wants to teach creationism in public schools. She hasn't made clear whether she thinks evolution is a fact.⁴
• Palin doesn't believe that humans contribute to global warming. Speaking about climate change, she said, "I'm not one though who would attribute it to being manmade." ⁵
• Palin has close ties to Big Oil. Her inauguration was even sponsored by BP. ⁶
• Palin is extremely anti-choice. She doesn't even support abortion in the case of rape or incest. ⁷
• Palin opposes comprehensive sex-ed in public schools. She's said she will only support abstinence-only approaches. ⁸
• As mayor, Palin tried to ban books from the library. Palin asked the library how she might go about banning books because some had inappropriate language in them—shocking the librarian, Mary Ellen Baker. According to Time, "news reports from the time show that Palin had threatened to fire Baker for not giving "full support" to the mayor." ⁹
• She DID support the Bridge to Nowhere (before she opposed it). Palin claimed that she said "thanks, but no thanks" to the infamous Bridge to Nowhere. But in 2006, Palin supported the project repeatedly, saying that Alaska should take advantage of earmarks "while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist." ¹⁰

Sources
1. "Palin: Iraq war 'a task that is from God'," Associated Press, September 3, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=24701&id=13709-6374540-VbK.KZx&t=6

2. "Palin wasn't 'really focused much' on the Iraq war," ThinkProgress, August 30, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=24702&id=13709-6374540-VbK.KZx&t=7

3. "The Sarah Palin Digest," ThinkProgress, September 4, 2008
http://thinkprogress.org/palin-digest/

4. "McCain and Palin differ on issues," Associated Press, September 3, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=24703&id=13709-6374540-VbK.KZx&t=8

5. Ibid

6. The Sarah Palin Digest," ThinkProgress, September 4, 2008
http://thinkprogress.org/palin-digest/

7. Ibid

8. Ibid.

9. "Mayor Palin: A Rough Record," Time, September 2, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=24704&id=13709-6374540-VbK.KZx&t=9

10. The Sarah Palin Digest," ThinkProgress, September 4, 2008
http://thinkprogress.org/palin-digest/

This is a designated "no cussing" zone

There is a no cussing club. It has a video:



Bonus:

Chinese=Cheaters?

Right before the 2008 Olympic Qualifying round in gymnastics the U.S. team challenged that the Chinese girls were under the age of 16. If you are not familiar with the rules it is as fallows. You must be 16 or be turning 16 years of age the same year that the Olympics takes place. The Chinese reportedly showed the passports of all the girls and the FIG Board let them compete.

As I was watching the Olympics I too was wondering how old the girls on the Chinese team were. Some of the girls looked at least 13 years old. Well, today on the Celebrity Gossip Column Perez Hilton, there was a blog about how a hacker has found proof that one of the girls competing was only 14 years old. This is the same Chinese girl who was given the gold medal in the Individual Competition on bars when she tied with Nastia Liukin, and personally I thought they both deserved gold instead of giving Nastia the Silver medal.

Perez Hilton just reported that the Board is going to investigate the hackers evidence. Should the Chinese be stripped of their medals if they did cheat? I think they should and I also think that Nastia Liukin should be given the Gold on Bars! Clearly, looking at the scoring compared to the Chinese it seemed like the judges were giving the U.S. girls lower scores than they deserved. And, if the Chinese are guilty we will get what we deserve, more medals on the individual events and the Gold as a team.

Here is the Link to the blog:

Twilight News!

The Twilight premiere has been moved to 11/21/08 instead of the original date 12/12/08!

Free Jenna Now

To promote his new movie, The Rocker, Rainn Wilson (Dwight on NBC's The Office) has "kidnapped" co-star Jenna Fischer (Pam). Read all about it at Free Jenna Now!
Here's the first ransom video:



I'm going to be honest, I hadn't planned on seeing this movie originally, but with all the effort he put into this I just can't resist.

The Summer OLYMPICS Are Here!!!!

Today the opening Olympic ceremony is going to be held in Beijing, China. Although there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the location of the Olympics (due to both political and environmental problems) it is finally here!!!!! Personally I'm excited about a couple of sports including gymnastics and swimming but it looks like there is a sport for everyone.

List of Summer Olympic Sports:

Modern Pentathlon
Archery
Athletics
Badminton
Baseball
Basketball
Boxing
BMX Racing
Canoing
Cycling
Diving
Equestrian
Diving
Fencing
Football
Gymnastics
Handball
Field Hockey
Judo
Rowing
Sailing
Shooting
Softball
Swimming
Synchronized Swimming
Table Tennis
Taekwondo
Tennis
Triathlon
Volleyball
Water Polo
Weightlifting
Wrestling

I know it is a long list!!! You should be able to catch most of the Olympics on television channels like ABC and NBC. I will post results as soon as possible for some of the popular sports.

GO TEAM USA!