TTFN

Today I'm heading to Ohio (the "Show Me State") for my cousin's wedding and will not be bringing my laptop with me, so there'll be no MW updates until Sunday. To tide you over, here's a picture of Borat.



Nice. See y'all in a few days.

Micah World Top 25

Here they are, the top 25 songs burning up my iPod (as of 9.27.06):

1. "Someday" - Anya Marina
2. "More Than a Feeling" - Boston
3. "Oliver's Army" - Elvis Costello
4. "Knock Yourself Out" - Jon Brion
5. "Nine Million Bicycles" - Katie Melua
6. "Just Like Heaven" - Katie Melua
7. "Lump" - The Presidents of the United States of America
8. "How To Be Dead" - Snow Patrol
9. "Mr. Bad Example" - Warren Zevon
10. "Jesusland" - Ben Folds
11. "Ain't No Other Man" - Christina Aguilera
12. "Two Pink Lines" - Eric Church
13. "Touchdown Turnaround (Don't Give Up On Me)" - Hellogoodbye
14. "You Are What You Love" - Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins
15. "The Closest Thing To Crazy" - Katie Melua
16. "For The Actor" - Mates of State
17. "Great Escape" - Moby
18. "P Control" - Prince
19. "Fidelity" - Regina Spektor
20. "She Must Think I Like Poetry" - Robbie Fulks
21. "Adrenaline!" - The Roots
22. "Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too" - Say Anything
23. "Rainbows in the Dark" - Tilly and the Wall
24. "All the Pretty Girls Leave Town" - Tim Easton
25. "88 Lines About 44 Women" - The Nails

Since the last chart, we've got a new king (er, queen) and a few debuts, including "P Control"'s initial bid for chart dominance.

I've got Heather Graham's back (and front)

Unlike last season, I'm refusing to give many new fall TV shows a shot this time out. There are several reasons*, but mostly it is because every year the networks seem more short-sighted and refuse to let their new series' cultivate audiences (Remember "Kitchen Confidential"? No? How about "The Tick"? "Love Monkey"? Anyone?). Just when you get into a good one, if it's not a Top 10 smash right out of the gate - BAM - it's yanked for repeats of "CSI" or "Law and Order". Or worse yet, a reality show. Even though some of the new shows sound promising, to mitigate any wasted investment of my time, I'm only giving three a shot: "Heroes", "30 Rock", and "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" (all on NBC).

I figure if any appealing new show actually gets lucky enough to last a whole season, I'll be able to catch it on the inevitable DVD release.

EDIT: In "Heroes" last night, there was a character named Micah (the young son of the webcam stripper!). His mom repeatedly called his name out at one point. I've gotta say, that's the first time that I've experienced hearing my name used in fictional pop culture. It was kind of odd, but I liked it. Now I know how you Tom, Dick, and Chers feel.

*I already watch enough TV as it is; there's no DVR this season.

Office chatter

Tonight's episode of "The Office": "Gay Witch Hunt"

When Michael unintentionally outs a gay employee, he stumbles through a sensitivity minefield.

Dinkin' flicka!

Discuss.

Quick movie reviews: beer, blasphemy, and brake pads

"Why don't we get you out those wet clothes and into a dry martini."

Beerfest: I love a good R rated comedy. And this is one: lots of drinking, cussing, and boobage. Freakin' hilarious.

The Da Vinci Code: Critics gave this a severe beatdown, but it was actually pretty good. Though it was dumbed down - and the source material ain't literature to begin with - at least the words "sacred feminine" were only used once or twice (as opposed to it appearing in the book about 500 times). What's scarier than a murderous albino monk? Tom Hanks's hair.

Cars: I am a Pixar junkie and while it had all of the qualities you'd expect (top notch animation, decent story, lots of humor), this is probably my least favorite of the films that they've put out. Maybe it's because I'm not a car guy or NASCAR fan. Or maybe it's because I despise Larry the Cable Guy. It's still a good flick, though.

Why is today a good day?

Aside from none of my homies dying, "Scrubs" enters syndication today and it's on thrice daily (granted, I doubt I'll catch the 11:30 pm airing, but it's comforting to know that it's on).

Of course, I have the DVDs, but this is just so much...easier.

"Hey, guys. Someone making soup?"

"This is the first refrigerator I've ever owned."

"Oh, I steal things all the time. It's just something I do. I stopped caring a long time ago. You should see how many supplies I've taken from this place. Honestly, I love stealing things."

After plowing through the bulk of "The Office" second season DVDs, I've come to the conclusion that Creed is my favorite character. He's just so damn creepy...and funny. Turns out, in real life he was a member of the band The Grass Roots.

In other news, I came across this Jam - that's Jim and Pam - video: a compilation of their cute little moments set to the Old 97's "Question" (a song that I normally associate with Ed Stevens and Carol Vessey*). I love it. Yeah, I'm a big softy.

*Man, "Ed" is one of the only TV shows not already on DVD that I'm clamoring for.

Crush of the Week: Kristan Cunningham

This week's Crush is interior design guru Kristan Cunningham. I was flipping channels the other day and saw her. Even though I'm not a fan of design shows, I had to watch hers.



Since I haven't posted a Crush in a while, y'all get a bonus photo.



Who knew someone from West Virginia could be so cute?

The award for Babysitter of the Year goes to...

...this woman.

Credit due: Distorted View

Ah, what the heck. A few free plugs...

A MW favorite - Pigeon John - has a new CD out today. As much as I'd like to get it right now, I'm going to have to wait a bit.

But I did pick up some media today: the new CD from Barenaked Ladies and the stellar second season of "The Office" on DVD.

On bookshelves today is World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks (author of The Zombie Survival Guide). I'm really salivating over this one, but my reading pile is already high enough (reading ZSG right now). FYI: Brad Pitt's production company already bought the rights to this book.

Lastly, Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy, the sequel to an extremely fun video game, is out. Usually, I wait until a game hits the $20 mark before I buy it, but I don't know if I can hold out.

Whew. It's not often Media Buying Tuesday offers a DVD, CD, book, AND game that I really want. Too bad I don't have a real job and the disposable income that provides.

Never forget.

Much is being said about today's 5th anniversary of 9.11, so I thought I'd do something a little different and post my favorite song inspired by the events of that day. It's "The Medical Career" by Steve Poltz. He wrote it about (or maybe for) his then-record label's publicist, whose husband died in the World Trade Center.

The Medical Career by Steve Poltz

I should've had a medical career
I'd write a script for cheer
Eliminate all fear

If i had a medical career
I wouldn't play this lonely chord
I'd work the ER ward
I'd stitch up someone's heart
And analyze a chart
And I wouldn't sit alone with my guitar

I should've had a medical career
I'd hole up in my lab
Splice a pair of genes
I would be first rate
I'd take away the gene for hate

My medical career would help me live
I wouldn't be so sensitive
I'd really try to give
My heart would never hurt
And my hands would have no dirt
And I'd never write a song that makes me cry

My name is Steven Joseph Joshua Poltz
I got a confirmation name
It's really pretty lame
I picked it out myself when I was twelve

And I never use the left side of my brain
It's useless as a stain
Like water down the drain
But if i had a medical career
Hey, I'd be good a math
I'd take a different path
And I'd wipe out the disease that causes war

The other day I saw the sweetest thing
A ninety year old man
And his old wife, hand in hand
And he bumped his head upon the corner door
Inside a grocery store
And she squeezed his hand and whispered
"I love you"

The world is such a lovely, troubled place
But from up in outer space
It's one big human race
It looks just like a giant spinning eye
I never want to die
Such a beautiful blue sky
Like a flower growing wild in the weeds

I should've had a medical career
I'd write a script for cheer
Eliminate all fear
But most of all I'd steer
Myself to try and mend a broken heart

It still kind of chokes me up when I listen to it. While it never directly references 9.11, I think it effectively taps into the helpless feeling we all had during that time.

The song has never been officially released on CD or iTunes, but it is readily available from several live sets that can be found online (perfectly legal) and on his concert DVD.

For your convenience, I've posted the song for download here. It should be up for seven days, but if you have a problem getting it, let me know and other means of delivery can be arranged.

Hook 'em, Bucks!

O-H-I-O!

Suh-weet.

Quick movie reviews: three films my brother said I had to see

"'Spells'? Jesus, James, you make it sound like we're in a Tennessee Williams play. I don't get 'spells.'"

After I revealed that I had never seen the following movies - three of my brother's favorites - he lent them to me. My thoughts:

Wonder Boys: Sure, the title makes it sound like gay porn...but it's even better than that. I really dug this movie, about a pot-smoking writer/professor (Michael Douglas), his editor (Robert Downey, Jr.), and a talented but depressed student (Tobey Maguire). A stolen car, a transvestite, a dead blind dog, a long-delayed follow-up novel, and Marylin Monroe's wedding day coat all play a part in the hijinks that unfold over a wintery weekend in Pittsburgh. I liked this film so much that I went out and bought a used copy ($5!) at Blockbuster. In fact, I'm watching it again right now. Definitely check it out. And see if you can spot "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"'s Mac in a non-speaking role.

Vanilla Sky: I was prepared to hate this one, since all I've ever heard about it was negative. But I liked it. Not as much as much as Wonder Boys, but it still left a positive impression. As with all Cameron Crowe movies, it has a great soundtrack.

Magnolia: This one I didn't really care for. I recognize that it is a well-made film and there are some great performances, but I just found it depressing and meandering. Aimee Mann's songs are used to great effect, though.

Thanksgiving is going to be awwwwwwkward

Not exactly breaking news at this point, but still funny: CNN anchor Kyra Phillips took a toilet break while her mike was live and broadcasting over a Bush speech. Among other things, she said her sister-in-law was a "control freak." Ouch.

She did give her Top 10 excuses on Letterman, though.

I'm back.

After a short break, I'm back with more blog for you. First off, my new plates finally arrived:


At least I think it's funny.

I'd like to think that passersby got a good chuckle out them.

And I got my first UR parking ticket:


Another case of Parking While White.

Being a visitor, I can file that in the rubbish bin, right next to my credit card solicitations.


KPMD enjoys drinking Moet and laying hoes.

This week shamrock and KPMD came down to VA, to celebrate KPMD's...uh...29th birthday (Kandaceapalooza?). Yeah, that's it. Lots of good food - two cakes! - and alcohol. Good times, bitches.


We came. We ate. We ogled co-eds.

Shamrock, KPMD, spydrz, MandaPanda69 and I went back to our old stomping grounds: D-Hall. It's been redone since our tenure at UR; very nicely, I might add. Today's students are spoiled. My enjoyment of having a side of Lucky Charms with my Spider Burger was countered by my dismay at the lack of grilled cheese offerings.

We played a fun game of "Pick Out Your Current Student Counterpart" and I think we all pretty much hit the nail on the head with our selections. I wanted to warn Young Micah about the perils of not studying, not meeting enough chicks, overdoing it on the Chicken Parms and playing too much NHL 95. But, alas, I think that's a lesson he must learn on his own.

It's back.

My Saturdays are booked for the next few months.

HeadOn. Apply directly to the forehead.

HeadOn. Apply directly to the forehead.
HeadOn. Apply directly to the forehead.
HeadOn. Apply directly to the forehead.
HeadOn. Apply directly to the forehead.
HeadOn. Apply directly to the forehead.
HeadOn. Apply directly to the forehead.
HeadOn. Apply directly to the forehead.
HeadOn. Apply directly to the forehead.

I just saw this annoying commercial for the first time this afternoon (actually, I saw a clip of it on "The Colbert Report" a while back, but thought it was fake). This parody cracks me up.

Where can I buy a top hat and monocle?

Tonight I will become a multimillionaire. Yes, I bought a lottery ticket, which is virtually guaranteed to win me the $83 million prize. But I won't forget you - the common people. If, nay when I win the top prize, I will give each of my loyal MW readers $5.

Et tu, Jessica and Samuel?

Because of my freakish first name, I cannot receive a personalized phone call from Samuel L. Jackson, nor can I download a version of Jessica Simpson's "A Public Affair" that gives me a shout out. Yes, this is the hell that I've grown up with all of my life, especially in everyone's heavily-gifted personalized trinketed formative years. Bicycle license plates that say "Mike", key chains that say "Mitch" (my brother and sister's nickname for me), magnets reading "Michael".

While both of my siblings received their Captain Zoom birthday 45s, I got nada.

Maybe the lack of validation for my existence really screwed me up. Who knows?