Merry Christmas!

Who knew Ralphie was so disturbed?

I got a lot of problems with you people

Happy Festivus!

Quick movie reviews

Yo.

I've been pretty derelict in putting up movie reviews lately, so here we go.

The Departed: So I wasn't totally convinced that a 14 year old girl could portray a cop that infiltrates the mob, but other than that it was a great movie. Jack seemed to have a lot of fun with his role. I used to think Matt Damon was kind of a Streisand, but he kicked ass. Hey, Scorsese, the Stones made more songs than just "Gimme Shelter."

The Prestige: I was expecting Batman and Alfred vs. Wolverine, but got an extremely grim rival magician movie...with David Bowie. There's sort of a sci-fi twist at the end, which was a bit unexpected. Dark, but good.

Flushed Away: Very enjoyable. The CGI convincingly looked like claymation. Slugs rock. I think Bill Nighy is my new favorite Old British Actor.

Borat: Quite overhyped, but hilarious nonetheless. I think most of those that are lavishing praise on the film never caught him on HBO, so the character was fresh to them. Nice.

For Your Consideration: A complete let down. I lurve all of Christopher Guest's movies, but this one just did not deliver. Fred Willard was funny, as usual, but most every scene he wasn't in was kind of off.

Rocky Balboa: AWESOME! I didn't realize I was that much of a Rocky fan until I watched all five previous movies last week. Yeah, he's old now, but that makes this film a perfect bookend to the beginning of the series where Stallone's boxer was such a sad sack. The only way you could not enjoy this movie is if you're a Communist.

DVD Picks:
Love Actually: A bit long and some of the couples' storylines could've been excised completely, but perfect for Christmas.

Art School Confidential: It started out really funny, but once it started to develop a murder mystery plot, it just fizzled.

Inside Man: Clive Owen should've been Bond*.

*Well, I haven't actually seen Casino Royale yet, but I still maintain that Daniel Craig looks like a Bond villan.

Your inspirational thought for the day

Crush of the Week: Martine McCutcheon

This week's Crush is actress (and singer?) Martine McCutcheon. The only thing I've seen her in is the most excellent Love Actually (which I saw for the first time this weekend).



What a tasty bird.

Happy Chanukah!

Hey hey!

Office chatter

Tonight's episode of "The Office": "A Benihana Christmas"

Strife on the party-planning committee results in two competing Christmas parties; Michael gets dumped for the holidays.

Discuss.

(Considering the brilliance of last year's Christmas episode, it has a lot to live up to.)

Every time a list is compiled, an angel gets its wings

Given the time of year (and taking a cue from an NPR story), I thought I'd compile my list of top Christmas movies:

1. It's a Wonderful Life
2. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
3. A Christmas Story
4. Elf
5. Millions
6. Scrooged
7. Die Hard
8. Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (MST3K version)

So, what are yours?

EDIT: Well, I made a glaring omission - Trapped in Paradise. I'd give it an honorable mention. Not a cinematic masterpiece, by any means, but it does have that warm holiday vibe (and the smokin' Madchen Amick). Plus, it is easily found in Wal-Mart's $5.50 bin.

And based on your strong recommendations (and the fact that it's been one of those movies that I've been wanting to see - loves me a good rom-com), I picked up Love Actually. I'll give it a view this weekend.

Requiem for a curmudgeon

R.I.P. Peter Boyle, 1935-2006.



You're part of a different dream team now.

Walking in a winter wonder-nanny state

What will NYC bust Santa for next?

Beverage of the day

Finlandia Wild Berries Fusion vodka with a splash of diet tonic water.

Possibly outdated 1950's notion of an after-work drink? I'm bringing it back.

I think I'm going to have a baby...

...just so I can buy the lil' pooper these clothes. Oh, wait. I have a brand new baby nephew. Scratch that whole "bein' a dad" thing.

Blessed are the Italian-American pugilists

Rocky as a Christian theological study? Now I really have to see this movie.

In other news, make way for the U2Charist.

Guess who's two

December 2nd is an important historical date: Napoleon was crowned emporer of France (1804), the first controlled nuclear chain reaction was demonstrated at the University of Chicago (1942), a Protestant and Catholic cabinet convened for the first time in Northern Ireland (1999), Enron filed for bankruptcy (2001), and Micah World was established (2004).

Yes, this past weekend my lil' blog turned two years old. And it's in good birthday company: William Randolph Hearst, Charles Ringling, Cathy Lee Crosby, Lucy Liu, and Britney Spears.

Thanks for reading. Here's hoping I'll survive another year to blog about movie reviews, attractive women, music geekery, and other non-essential information.

Vote for this podcast (please)

A message from my brother:

hello friends/family/coworkers/former coworkers/etc,

in my science classes this year my good pal monty and i have started up this podcasting project with some of my students in which they create podcasts covering the topics we have investigated in class and then post them on the web. they do all the work - they write it, record it, and produce it all on their own.

in the beginning of the year, as a kick-off to this project, some of my students entered this NASA podcast competition in which the question was posed "how will space travel affect your future?"

well, turns out, one of my girls is among the top 10 finalists in the nation for this competition. her name is quinyawna and she rocks. she takes her academics very seriously, works very hard, has an awesome personality, and is going places in life. voting for the top 3 ends this week. i would LOVE to see her take this thing...and monty and i think she has a very good shot after listening to all the other finalists.

so if youre feeling generous, hit the link below and scroll down to "quinyawna's podcast" and hook her up with a vote. and if youre feeling REALLY generous, forward this along to some others.

vote here

voting ends DECEMBER 8th!!!

thanks guys.

hope all is well with everyone
much love,
chris

You're beautiful. And dead.

According to a recent UK poll, James Blunt's "Goodbye My Lover" tops the list of songs requested to be played at people's funerals. If any of the songs from Dirty Dancing or Beaches (both on this story's list) are played at my funeral, bring me back to life and then kill me again.

I'll take this opportunity to reiterate my funeral wishes: "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes, someone to play "Keep Me In Your Heart", and for my funeral to be a party.

Make it happen.

Office chatter

Tonight's episode of "The Office": "The Convict"

Michael tries to be supportive after learning that a new employee is an ex-convict, then the staff compares the office to a prison.

Discuss.

NBC execs must read my blog

From a Dec. 12, 2005 post:

"I think it's a smart idea on NBC's part moving this and 'My Name Is Earl' to Thursdays. If only they'd also air 'Scrubs' on that night, then they could definitely regain their Must See TV throne (at least to me)."

Yes, tonight's new Thursday line-up ("My Name Is Earl", "The Office", "Scrubs", and "30 Rock") is indeed awesome. Most call it the return of Must See TV. I call it Micah Night 2.0*.

*Micah Night 1.0 was Wednesdays on ABC during 1999-2000 (only when "Whose Line" would sub in the 8:30/9:30 slots).

Micah World Top 25

Here they are, the top 25 songs burning up my iPod (as of 11.29.06):

1. "Funny Little Frog" - Belle & Sebastian
2. "More Than a Feeling" - Boston
3. "Ain't No Other Man" - Christina Aguilera
4. "Just Like Heaven" - Katie Melua
5. "Rainbows in the Dark" - Tilly and the Wall
6. "Someday" - Anya Marina
7. "Bank Job" - Barenaked Ladies
8. "If You Find Yourself Caught in Love" - Belle & Sebastian
9. "Lua" - Bright Eyes
10. "A View To a Kill" - Duran Duran
11. "Oliver's Army" - Elvis Costello
12. "Still" - Elvis Costello
13. "God's Cop" - Happy Mondays
14. "Do You Remember" - Jack Johnson
15. "You Are What You Love" - Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins
16. "Knock Yourself Out" - Jon Brion
17. "The Closest Thing to Crazy" - Katie Melua
18. "Nine Million Bicycles" - Katie Melua
19. "Piece by Piece" - Katie Melua
20. "Tribulations" - LCD Soundsystem
21. "Absolutely Cuckoo" - The Magnetic Fields
22. "For the Actor" - Mates of State
23. "Great Escape" - Moby
24. "Lump" - The Presidents of the United States of America
25. "P Control" - Prince

Some changes from the last chart. Guess I like Katie Melua. Long live Duran Duran.

It's that time of year again.

Just as charming, but not a socialist.

I've made my decision. As I have nothing really better to do, I'm going to grow out my beard again*.

*It'll come off as soon as I have a job interview or date. So, yeah, I'll have it for quite a while.

Beverage of the day

Harpoon Winter Warmer. Holy shit. This stuff is awesome. If only it wasn't so damned expensive.

There goes my plan to get an HR job using the name "Drew Carey"

Andy Griffith has sued a Wisconsin man who changed his name to Andrew Jackson Griffith for an unsuccessful sheriff campaign.

Sure, he may seem all grandfatherly, but Matlock is a ruthless man who'll take you, your family, and anyone you know down. In fact, when asked what he thought was best in life, his response was "to crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women."

Whoa-a-thon

Ah, Thanksgiving...and its accompanying days off. Perfect for some marathon viewing. At first, I thought I'd take in the Lord of the Rings epic, which I had planned on doing last year. But, man, that's one heck of a time commitment. So, I'm going to load up my Ultimate Matrix Collection this afternoon. I've got a case of Coke Zero, warmed up leftovers (homemade mac & cheese, fried oysters, stuffing), and a comfy couch. I vow to only take bathroom breaks in between movies. I'll keep you posted.

1:07 Commencing The Matrix. Whoa.
1:24 Computer programmers wear suits to work?
1:35 Cowboy Curtis!
1:49 I want those red leather chairs with the lion heads on the arm rests.
2:55 The trash had to go out, so I paused the movie. Now that The Rule has been broken, I guess that gives me carte blanche to use the loo whenever I want.
4:11 After a short break, I started The Matrix Reloaded.
4:23 Man, it's been a while since I've seen this movie, but those CGI shots of Neo flying through the air still look fake. But then, why wouldn't they? There is no spoon.
4:38 Can you smell the fromage? It's the Zion rave.
5:16 Mmmmm...Monica Bellucci.
6:23 Finished the second movie. I'm going to take a break. A much longer, multiple hour break.
10:55 Watched Inside Man and had some pizza on my hiatus; just now started The Matrix Revolutions.
11:14 Mmmm...Monica Bellucci.
12:55 My complaint with the third movie still stands: not enough time spent in the Matrix. Green tinting can polish even the stinkiest turd.

Neo...One...Oh, I get it now.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mmmmmm...muppet.

42-39

Not the hottest cheerleader on the Buckeyes squad, but definitely the cutest.

This afternoon is HUGE

Of course, I'm talking about the Tom Cruise/Katie Holmes wedding (Hail Xenu!).



Seriously, this game* is huge and it should be a fun afternoon. And one quote can summarize my plans for today:

"If everything was fried, there would be no war." - Bill Dauterive

Luckily, I've got a whole bottle of Tums.

*Not to mention the other big game: The Oldest Rivalry in the South

Office chatter

Any excuse for another Jenna Fischer pic.

Tonight's episode of "The Office" (supersized!): "The Merger"

The Scranton and Stamford branches merge and bring Jim and Pam together, again.

Discuss.

Subquestion: Team Pam or Team Karen?

Beverage of the Day

Jack's Pumpkin Spice Ale. Good, but I thought it'd be a bit more pumpkiny. Mmmmm...girly beer.

MW Fall Friend Drive 2006

I'm wealthy in superficial, social-networking-site friends...but not rich enough. Of course, I'd love to have loyal MW readers as MySpace friends (hit me up). But I'd really love to have more last.fm friends. Currently, I have three: my cousin, a blog buddy (Kate), and some chick I've never met before*. last.fm is quite the haven for music geeks like myself, in that it tabulates what you listen to.

For instance, here is what I am currently listening to:



My top artists this week and top tracks and artists overall:



Isn't that cool? Check my profile for full stats. While you're there, drop me a friend request and I'll add you, no questions asked.

*Hey, she sought me out.

Burning down the house...deliciously

It took going to four different Wal-Marts, but I finally got my turkey fryer. Just in time for the Ohio State-Team From Up North game. Aw, yeah.

Requiem for Curly (and his twin brother)

R.I.P. Jack Palance, 1919-2006.



On Thursday a co-worker and I were discussing whether or not Palance was dead. Spooky. Believe it...*inhale*...*exhale*...or not.

This Christmas will be the funkiest one ever

Solely because of this.

Office chatter

Tonight's episode of "The Office": "Branch Closing"

With the Scranton Branch closing, Michael struggles to keep spirits up.

Discuss.

Take luck.

"Where was you?"

Last week I took my nephews to see Brian Regan. Hilarious. The main part of the show consisted of all new material (to me, at least; nothing was from his CD, DVD or Comedy Central special). His encore was made up of bits requested by the audience. He was just as good as the first time I saw him - about 6 years ago at the Washington DC Improv. It's amazing how his act is so damn clean, yet so funny.

A note to BR fans*: your reciting a bit word for word while Regan goes through it may be cool for you and your friends, but it lessens the experience for everyone else.

*Specifically, the four dudes (especially the 10 ft. tall guy) seated in front of me.

"We must move forward, not backward, upward, but forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"

The elections...a disappointment. But the GOP got what it deserved. I shed no tears for them. Hopefully, this'll be a blessing and the party will return to its limited government roots (which they have strayed away from...greatly).

And Sen. Allen, the election was yours to lose. I don't know how you could do it, but you blew it.

Let the gridlock* commence!

Once again, Stephen Colbert turns last night into comic lemonade:

"The people have spoken and apparently they're tired of freedom. Don't get me wrong, I'm not angry. I'm just disappointed. I thought this country would last longer than 230 years. That's it, folks. America's over.

Don't think you're off the hook, voters. You're the ones who made this bed. Now you're the ones who are gonna have to move over so a gay couple can sleep in it. Tomorrow you're all gonna to wake up in a brave new world, a world where the Constitution gets trampled by an army of terrorist clones created in a stem-cell research lab run by homosexual doctors who sterilize their instruments over burning American flags, where tax-and-spend Democrats take all your hard earned money and use it to buy electric cars for National Public Radio and teach evolution to illegal immigrants. Oh and everybody's high!"

Hilarious.

*Which is actually the best thing for this country right now. Just hope Bush can stand strong.

I think I voted for Pat Buchanan

Here's some Election Day fun: when you go into the voting booth, peer over the curtain and say, "okay, who used up all of the conditioner?"*

If my experience at 7:45 am is any indication, voter turnout is going to be pretty big.

*I can't take credit for that. It's a classic bit from the old Letterman show on NBC (when he was funny).

Hey, Ohio voters

Vote "no" on Issue 5. And if you feel absolutely compelled to curb individual liberties, vote for the less restrictive smoking ban* (Issue 4).

That is all.

*Honestly, folks. People don't go to bars to be freakin' healthy.

My newest toy

At the risk of not having another date for at least five years, I present to you my latest toy:


"How's that for a slice of fried gold?"

Yes, I am completely retarded for all things Shaun of the Dead. I don't normally get these types of figures*, but I had to have it (on sale and with a co-worker's Tower Records employee discount, to boot). I can't wait until the Ed figure comes out.

In other news, the SotD brain trust has released a couple of teaser trailers for their next film - Hot Fuzz (their take on cop movies). Shame it won't be released until March.

*Pretty much all I've got is Zoidberg, Brodie from Mallrats, and bunch of "Simpsons" characters.

Beverage of the day

Pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks. Like crack. Warm, yummy, liquidy crack.

I still refuse to play their lnguistic game, though. Heaven forbid I use the words small, medium, and large when ordering. It is a bit funny to watch the clerk, er barista, become a bit disoriented when I don't go along with ther subtle subversion of America.

Many thanks to Trinity for the free beverage coupon.

Office chatter

Tonight's episode of "The Office": "Diwali"

Michael urges the staff to support Kelly and attend a local celebration of the Hindu Festival of Lights.

Discuss

Crush of the Week: Kari Byron

This week's Crush is MythBusters co-host Kari Byron. Honestly, I don't watch her show that often, but I dig it when I do. And I saw it last night, so she's been on my mind.



As The Todd would say, I'd like to bust her myth (cute, red-headed geek five).

Ready to have a stupid song stuck in your head?

I present to you banana phone.

Credit due: Distorted View

Samhain wrap-up

And another Halloween comes to a close. Mom prepared a great food spread. Taking the kids out trick or treating was a blast. "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" and the Halloween-themed episode of "The Office" played on TV. It's late and I'm sugar crashing right now, so I'll let the pictures speak (mostly) for themselves.



Yours truly as 4-Micah*. Get it? Get it?



My nephews. For tonight only they were given permission to say "lady, obviously you don't know your shit from Shinola" if someone couldn't figure out their costumes.



Spydrz as a Duke lacrosse player. Broomstick and rapist stigma not included.



My sister's fam (left to right, from bottom): Raggedy Ann, Lil' Jack-O-Lantern, Raggedy Ann, Off-Duty Vice Principal.

See y'all in November.

*This is not the costume I planned on wearing. I'll save that one for next year.

Happy Halloween

I have no idea where I found this picture.

Which do you choose: tricks and treats or the Great Pumpkin?

Micah World Top 25

Here they are, the top 25 songs burning up my iPod (as of 10.30.06):

1. "More Than a Feeling" - Boston
2. "Just Like Heaven" - Katie Melua
3. "Someday" - Anya Marina
4. "Ain't No Other Man" - Christina Aguilera
5. "Oliver's Army" - Elvis Costello
6. "God's Cop" - Happy Mondays
7. "Knock Yourself Out" - Jon Brion
8. "Nine Million Bicycles" - Katie Melua
9. "Lump" - The Presidents of the United States of America
10. "P Control" - Prince
11. "Adrenaline!" - The Roots
12. "How To Be Dead" - Snow Patrol
13. "Kyle Quit the Band" - Tenacious D
14. "Mr. Bad Example" - Warren Zevon
15. "Bank Job" - Barenaked Ladies
16. "Call Me Calmly" - Barenaked Ladies
17. "If You Find Yourself Caught in Love" - Belle & Sebastian
18. "Funny Little Frog" - Belle & Sebastian
19. "Jesusland" - Ben Folds
20. "Lua" - Bright Eyes
21. "Kiss Me I'm Shitfaced" - Dropkick Murphys
22. "Two Pink Lines" - Eric Church
23. "Yours and Mine" - Fountains of Wayne
24. "Cold Beverage" - G. Love & Special Sauce
25. "Do It Better" - Happy Mondays

"P Control" continues on its blitzkrieg since the last chart. And I've listened to a lot of Happy Mondays and Belle & Sebastian.

Why I love Halloween Part II

Might as well make this post a tradition...


Overruled.

Because for one day out of the year, nearly all women dress like prostitutes.

Since it's the season and all...

How about a very polite vampire*?

Someone should tell her that vampires have recently been proven to be mathematically impossible.

*I think she's been drinking.

I'm rooting for Detroit

Casey at bat.

I don't really care about the World Series this year, but I'm pulling for Detroit because of one man: University of Richmond Hall of Famer Sean Casey.

I'm going to be a Big Brother All-Star

Today - and with neither explanation nor warning - there were cameras installed over the two cubicles we temps are working at. Looks like I'll have to put my pants back on when I'm working*.

*I can't take credit for that line. Props go to fellow temp Bill.

October TV rocks my world

The single biggest WTF Moment in celluloid history.

I love television programming in October. AMC is airing wall to wall horror movies. Turner Classic Movies is doing theme nights of the classics (The Undead night is on the 27th, FYI). And, of course...It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Add Halloween-themed episodes of my favorite shows and I'm good until Christmas.

Office chatter

Tonight's episode of "The Office": "Initiation"

Dwight takes Ryan out for his first sales call and gives him a series of challenges along the way.

Discuss.

Crush of the Week: Rashida Jones

This week's Crush is actress Rashida Jones, who is currently shaping up to be Pam's romantic rival for Jim on "The Office".


a.k.a. KarentheJimSlayer

Could you imagine just how cool it would be to have the guy who wrote the theme to "Sanford & Son" as your father?!

The glorious return of the Hump Day News Round-Up (enhanced!)

• MW Crush of the Year 2005 Scarlett Johansson is recording her first CD - an album of Tom Waits songs. Hell, it sounds cool, but even if it is of Lohan quality, I'll be buying it just for the booklet.

• The Japanese (of course) have developed a wine tasting robot. At least when the machines become self-aware, they'll be useful at dinner parties. Not that we'll be invited.

• Finally, some good news: social drinkers earn more than non-drinkers. I will be alerting my temp agency in the morning.

Things I bought at Wal-Mart this evening

All for under $15:

• Ohio State ball cap
  
• egg rolls
  
• ramen
  
• hand sanitizer (trial size)
  
• Rosemary's Baby DVD

And as I was driving away through the parking lot, my iPod shuffled to Ben Folds' "All U Can Eat". Nice.

Some pretty twisted TV

MW recommendation: "Dexter" on Showtime. I watched the first two episodes* this evening and am hooked. Bascially, the guy from "Six Feet Under" plays a forensics specialist by day, serial killer by night (but he only kills bad guys). It's kind of gruesome, but a lot of dark fun.

It makes me want to read the novel that the show is based on.

*Both of which are available as free streams at the provided link.

Brilliant. Just brilliant.

Normally, I'd just post a link, but I felt compelled to embed this sucker.

This post is for Dubin

Lots o' Buckeyes

Should be exciting (after all, MSU has spoiled things in the past).

Office chatter

Tonight's episode of "The Office": "Grief Counseling"

Michael forces his staff to attend grief counseling after the death of his former regional manager.

Discuss.

We can smell our own

Just because I, too, am desperate, doesn't mean I'm like this guy. Even though I have little game, I hope it is better than his.

And since I'm in a YouTube mood: the stoned professor

Expenses recouped

As I was driving to work this morning, a middle-aged woman in a volvo pulled up right next to me, tooted her horn, and waved enthusiastically. Then she passed me. Turns out, she had University of Richmond license plates, too.

That little exchange made my mush plates worth the cost and all of the DMV hassle.

You just know that she's going to tell her co-workers, husband, kids, and pastor about those kick-ass, stick-it-to-Cooper tags she saw this morning.

Crush of the Week: Aisha Tyler

This week's Crush is former "Talk Soup" hostess, "24" villian, and poker player Aisha Tyler.



Lately, she's filled in for the recovering Roger Ebert a couple of times and did a good job.

Man, I need to start reading The Onion again

For some reason, it's been quite a while since I last went to The Onion* - one of my favorite sites. Today I ventured there and laughed my ass off. Yeah, there's the usual funny articles ("Proud Cystic-Fibrosis Foundation Doesn't Need Your Charity"), but one in particular had me howling: "Retired S1Ws Recalled To Active Duty". Hilarious. A choice passage:

"I got a letter from the P.E. the other day," said James Bomb, 46, also a former S1W. "I opened it, and read it, and said they were suckers. They want me for their army or whatever? Picture me giving a damn - I said 'Never.'"

They even managed to work in my favorite PE phrase: cold lampin'. Sure, the article requires some knowledge of Public Enemy to truly get the humor. Luckily, I have that.

*I am, however, an avid listener of The Onion Radio News podcast. Excellent stuff.

"You've got to see the ba-by."

It's alive.

I'm an uncle (again). On Friday my sister popped out another kid: Owen Keith (9 lbs. 7 oz.!)...



...which means Sadie will be twice as neglected now.