Dear Fine People of the Facebook Community,
Greetings to you! (Each and every 150 million of you, of course.) We at MEvBLOG hate to interrupt you while your not working, but we bring crucial information.
Before we get into it, though, let's just put this out there - Facebook is awesome. We're big fans. It's a great way to keep in touch with friends and can fill the mundane moments in a slow work day - for other people, of course...
However, many are unaware of the proper rules of etiquette for online social networking, which is not surprising. It's difficult to surrender the Internet to manners since, at times, it can be...loose with it's morals, shall we say.
(Sort of like a preacher's kid. Only with the ability to check movie times 24/7.)
No matter. We are not saints here and don't strive to inflict guilt upon you. However, we do want to provide a much-needed public service, and thought we'd lay down some rules we think all 150 million of you should keep in mind.
1. Don't post anything that you wouldn't say or display in a room filled with every person on your friends list. It's impressive that you might be able to do a keg stand, while taking a Jell-O shot. Really, that's a useful life skill. But if you have several hundred friends, would they all be as enamored with it as your fraternity was?
2. Don't assume that everyone is as addicted to it as you might be. Not everyone makes it a point to check in with you in real life, so why would the do it online? If you post something and no one responds, don't throw a pity party. (Unless it's a real party, and there's an open bar, in which case send us an invite, because we're there.)
3. Tone down the "poking" and the "super poking" nonsense. We get it. Poking is clever. Yay for poking! It harks back to the days of elementary yore. But, jut like in real life, once or twice is adorable, yet three or more virtual pokes can make someone want to turn around and smack you in the face. For real.
And most important...
4. Don't get your feelings hurt if someone doesn't accept your friends request. Ahh yes...To friend, or not to friend? We got a friend request from a user SEVEN times. At first we didn't remember who he was, but he kept at it. Finally we were like, "Geez dude...whatever. Be our friend. Just STOP ASKING ALREADY!" So now, while we didn't feel one way or another about him for almost ten years, we really don't care much for him now.
And that, dear Facebookies, is the"crux of the biscuit," if you will. Your virtual life should not exceed your actual one. Each of you is free to post pictures of you dancing a jig with Scottish drag queen at a Haggis festival in Nederland...or whatever. But if someone, say, chooses to exercise a bit of discretion and limit your access to his/her life, then let them.
And try to reserve your judgment and scorn only for those who use MySpace.
Happy posting,
MEvBLOG
P.S. And if you're serious about throwing that pity party thing, Facebook us later.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Open letter to Facebook users
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The Tao of "Top Chef"
For those Southeast Texans who don't watch Top Chef, you really should start. We think it's one of the best shows on television.
(If you Tivo-ed last night's episode - and let's be honest, that's really the only way to watch it because you can skip all the inane commercials for that retarded Real Housewives of Blah Blah Blah show - be warned there are spoilers below.)
On the right are Carla and Fabio, two of the main reasons we tune in to Bravo every Wednesday night.
Carla is crazy, in a spectacular way. Fabio - no relation - is from Italy and has a penchant for saying what's on his mind right then - a trait made all the more awesome by his Mediterranean hand gestures and minimal grasp of English. (Seriously folks...whenever he says a verb in the past tense he waves his hands and stresses the "-ed"...so "seared" becomes "sear-ED." It's great every time.)
From watching last night's episode, we realized that some serious life lessons can be gleaned from these two. For instance...
Be Resourceful - When life hands you lemons, you know what you ought to do. But when life hands you a "monkey's ass filled with bananas," here's what Fabio suggests.
"If they're gonna give me monkey ass filled with fried banana, I'll come up with something anyway. It's not a problem."
Atta boy. Make it work.
Be Positive - "Didya feel the LOVE? Didya feel the LOVE? I brought the LOVE!" exclaimed Carla when she won last night's challenge.
Every sidebar with her is like interviewing a gospel choir during a Sunday church service. It's all "Lordy!" this and "Amen, honey child!" that. Clearly, her positive thinking paid off though, because she did great last night.
"Hands up! Woo! Touchdown Carla!" she yelled. "This is the ultimate day for me. Ba-dow, ba-dow!"
Ba-dow, indeed.
Be Childlike - The contestants all share an apartment and sleep in bunk beds. Which would be awesome if this were camp, and they were 12.
"I'm 30 years old and I sleep in the bunky beds," said Fabio, who is kinda stumpy.
We imagine it's uncomfortable for Carla, who is like 11 feet tall, but has yet to complain.
C'mon Fabio, feel the love.
And finally...
Be Practical - "There is no reason to eat vegetables when there is meat and fish around," said Fabio (gesturing with his hands clasp-ED together)
Obviously, he is not familiar with our cuddly new friends, the sea kittens.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Ryan Seacrest will slide tackle Brangleina...and other Oscar predictions
The Academy Awards aren't for everyone, and that's fine, because it's not like they're essential to surviving a recession, or continuing to clean up after a hurricane, or any other sort of reality biting at the heels of Southeast Texans.
Still, it's a little bit of fun - fun which can be healthy in times like these - and as we've asked before, if a bunch of crazy, famous people want to put themselves on display for all of us to watch/judge/be entertained by, who are we to stand in their way?
Plus it gives us an opportunity to predict the future - one of everyone's favorite past times. Whether it's an election, sporting event, or awards show, guessing an outcome is like gambling - only without losing large expanses of time and memory in a smoke-filled casino, and the need to explain where you've been the whole weekend.
But we digress.
That being said, we have a few thoughts on what's going to happen at this year's parade of Hollywood crazies:
1. Ryan Seacrest will slide tackle Brangelina. At the Golden Globes, Seacrest was doing his best to be irritating on the red carpet - instead of just being irritating on both American Idol and his nonsensical radio show - and he CHASED Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie to get an interview. The two turned their backs on him in a move that some called elitest. (Others called it awesome...you decide.)
Since then, Seacrest has been seen boxing sides of beef and running with wheelbarrows through the Siberian tundra for his rematch with the famous couple.
We predict he'll make it past pretty boy Pitt, but Jolie will grab him by the throat and perform a martial arts move not seen since days of "Mortal Kombat."
2. Hugh Jackman will sing and dance. But what would really be awesome is if the "X-Men" star hosted the show as "Wolverine." That way, any time things got boring, he could light up a cigar, fling out his adamantium claws, and fight Ryan Seacrest.
We predict the Aussie star will instead belt out a song and hoof it to show off his theatrical skills.
3. More than one acceptance speech will gush over Obama. This is Hollywood, after all.
We predict that Michael Moore will rush the stage with his previous Oscar in one hand, and a corn dog in the other, singing the new President's praises. Maybe then Jackman will turn into Wolverine and take care of business.
4. Kate Winslet will win something and cry. We've been a fan of hers for a while and, even though she's married to a man who once screamed at us in a packed movie theater for no reason, she deserves some praise.
We predict she'll win for The Reader.
5. Indian people will sing and dance. Two songs from Slumdog Millionaire are nominated for "Best Original Song" which means two opportunities for its cast to bust out in a Bollywood-esque, musical extravaganza.
We predict white people will be confused.
Have some predictions to add? Let us know in the Comments.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Three things that will NOT happen
We realize that yesterday's post was a bit on the serious side, so we're going to lighten things up the rest of this week.
It's been a while since we've taken a look-see at breaking news around the country and, when we checked this morning's headlines, it was clear that nothing much has changed recently.
Awesome.
However, a handful of stories caught our attention, but not because they foretold change on the horizon.
No, in fact, they solidified a few core fundamentals we hold dear at MEvBLOG, like - waiting until you have no money to start saving doesn't make sense; using taxpayer dollars to buy a private jet might anger said taxpayers; and having eight babies at one time is something we could never do. Ever. For real.
Here are three things that will NOT happen today, or any time in the near future.
1. Citigroup will NOT be flying the friendly skies. This morning, Citigroup decided to say "Thanks, but no thanks," to that Private Jet to Nowhere. After receiving $45 billion in bailout money from the government - all which was taxpayer funded - certain executives used some of that money to purchase a $50 million corporate jet.
We're sure it was so the 50,000 people they plan to lay off could shuttle around the country interviewing for new jobs, right?
After a massive public outcry, and a knuckle-slapping from the government, Citi returned the jet. This just goes to show you should ALWAYS save your receipts!
2. Texas will NOT embark on a shopping spree at the nearest Galleria. According to Gov. Rick "How's my hair?" Perry, our future budget looks kinda tight. Perry suggests cutting spending. And tightening our purse strings. Don't quote us on this, but there was probably a line about "bootstraps" at some point.
In response, the House of Representatives passed the following unanimous resolution that said, Be it resolved, pursuant to the Governor's address, we all respond accordingly with a magnanimous, "Duh."
3. America will NEVER tire of babies. Yesterday, a woman in California gave birth to octuplets - six boys and two girls - making them the second set of live-born octuplets ever. We're glad to report that the mother and children are all doing well, though the mom reports being slightly fatigued.
Right. Sure. Makes sense.
The extreme reproductive endeavors of others is something that fascinates audiences - see HERE and HERE for proof - and we support it because one's family should be one's number one priority. Besides, it's not like these fertile Californians planned for eight kids right out of the chute, though they will get a LOT of media attention for it.
Is the spotlight for this sort of thing deserved? That's not for us to say, really. We are male, and thus somewhat unprepared to say which women deserve what awards for what kinds of baby-making prowess.
All we know is we could never do it. Literally.
That's all folks. Enjoy your day! We'll be back tomorrow with our Oscar predictions - we hear they give awards out there.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Gov. Perry should stay this execution
UPDATE: According to this story a federal appeals court just granted Larry Swearingen a reprieve. They will revisit the new evidence in his case. He will not be executed tomorrow night as was planned.
The death penalty is a topic over which many Southeast Texans probably have differing views.
Some say bad people who do horrendous things deserve to die, and others would say they should live to suffer in prison.
However, no one would say that anybody deserves to be punished for something he or she did not do.
Which brings us to Larry Swearingen and the fact that tomorrow, if everything stays on course, the State of Texas will execute him for killing a 19 year-old girl in 1998 in Montgomery County.
Even though he probably didn't do it.
According to several forensic experts - including one scientist who testified against Swearingen, then later admitted her mistake and reversed her opinion - there is no way he could have done the crime.
By no means is Swearingen a model citizen. He was accused of both rape and assault on two previous occasions. In fact, when experts now believe the murder was committed, he was in jail for multiple traffic offenses.
Several articles, editorials and blog posts have already been written about this sad state of affairs and - as of this posting - Governor Rick Perry has not announced any plans to stay Swearingen's execution.
This is a blatant example of the judicial system not living up to its promise of fairness for everyone - something people on both the left and right should be angered by.
If you already believe the death penalty is the wrong way to deter criminals, you should be outraged by this - for obvious reasons.
But if you believe that the death penalty is the right way for those who commit heinous crimes to be made accountable, you should still be outraged. Is this the sort of accountability that applies to a man who may be innocent? Is the death penalty supposed to be wielded this way?
The Governor of Texas should stay this execution, and review the new evidence, for the sake of both Larry Swearingen and the integrity of our justice system.
If you have a minute today, contact the governor's office via e-mail HERE or call it at (800) 252-9600 and weigh in with your opinion. The execution is slated for tomorrow.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Backup plan
Far be it from us at MEvBLOG to dole out marital advice to the Internet masses. However, we heard something interesting this morning when interviewing a source for a story on divorce that's running next Tuesday (save the date!).
Our source - a twice separated, now happily married, leader of seminars for divorced parents - said she believed our society is moving away from "'till death do us part," and towards a life of serial monogamy.
She might be right, and that's fine, though it's a bit of a bummer for those of us who are hopeless romantics. However, it does reinforce the wise mantra dating back to days of Boy Scouts past: "Be prepared."
Which means, in this day and age, it probably wouldn't hurt to have a backup plan. You know, where you set an age with a friend and if you're both not married by the time you reach it, you get hitched.
Or at least register for gifts.
We first happened upon the Marriage Backup Plan in high school, thought it was brilliant, and subsequently secured three of them. Then, in college, we secured another one. You can never be too prepared, right?
By the time the sun rose on our 30th year, we were sure we'd be married...to someone. Anyone.
Dawn recently came for that particular sunrise and here's the current status: two of our high school backups are happily married; our college backup is in a serious relationship; HOWEVER, our remaining backup turns 30 tomorrow!
So bust out the champagne because, according to our source from this morning, getting married for the sake of checking it off a list is totally cool. After all, since we're a society of serial monogamists, it'll be just one more relationship lily pad off of which we can simply hop to the next...right?
Still, we can't get over the notion that everyone has the potential for long-lasting happiness with one person, no matter how out-dated or fairytale-ish it seems. Make fun of us if you'd like, but we couldn't be happier that 75 percent of our backups have found true love.
And as for our fourth and final backup, we're confident she'll find the same happiness as the others, though it will probably be with someone else. Which is fine.
Honestly, she's too good for us anyway.
However, we're definitely still registering for presents. Because you're never too old - or too single - to get a free blender.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
The movies are coming! The movies are coming!
This morning, while most of Southeast Texas was pouring their first cups of coffee, the Academy Awards nominations were announced. Some notable snubs solidified that, while we always enjoy the Oscars, they really don't honor the movies most people love.
Of course, one could argue that most people have bad taste. Paul Blart: Mall Cop was the number one movie in America last weekend.
We'll probably have a couple other postings about the Oscars over the next few weeks - plenty of time to digest that The Dark Knight wasn't nominated for best picture - but, for now, we have a couple of polls to get a sense of what you, the film-going readers, think about the nominations announced today.
SIDENOTE: Both Frost/Nixon and Slumdog Millionaire will be opening in The Mont this weekend. Thanks to Aquanetta Lee, manager of Tinsletown 16, for bringing both those films to Southeast Texas!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Brian Regan's coming to the Mont
Today, everyone might be experiencing a post-inaugural hangover of some sorts. What WILL we all do now that there's no election or transition to anticipate? Well, as Obama starts running the country, it's also back to business here at MEvBLOG.
(Though, we want to pause for just one second and ask: Why did Cirque du Soleil perform at The Neighborhood Ball? They're Canadian...FRENCH Canadian...just saying.)
Anyway, this morning comedian Brian Regan phoned from Las Vegas and we chatted about his upcoming appearance in The Mont this Saturday.
Prior to prepping for this interview, we hadn't heard of Regan and, come to find out, he's quite funny. First thing he said was, "I'm in Vegas, but it's not like I've got two white tigers chained up in the backyard."
Then he told me a story about playing the Alphabet Game with his son, while driving around Sin City, and that for the letter "T" his son said, " Look dad, 'T' for 'Topless.' What's 'topless'?"
As any good father would do, he ignored it and moved on to "U."
Regan should provide some much needed laughs here in Southeast Texas. As a preview, here's a clip of something we thought was particularly entertaining.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Save the Date - 1/20/09
This morning, we ventured out of MEvBLOG Central and watched the inauguration with a group of students at Ozen High School. (not pictured)
These kids were enraptured by the ceremony - some so caught up that during both the invocation and benediction, they too bowed their heads.
One student, a junior named Terrell Raville, couldn't quite articulate what it all meant to him, so he put his thoughts into a composition called "My Greatest Fear."
Raville wrote:
"My greatest fear is that my children, and my children’s children, not recognize the progress that has been made so that an African American can become President.
The standards have risen and must never be satisfied when it comes to success.
Know our history, because history repeats itself. Do that, and our future will forever gradually expand."
MEvBLOG has a lot of readers...OK "a lot" might be generous...but we have several readers and none of them fit into a singular mold. Not everyone we know is happy that Obama is our president but, today, that shouldn't really matter.
Even through a mist of different values, we should all try to look for a better future, and that's what this day is all about.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Exit strategery: Your favorite Bushisms
For the past eight years, love him or hate him, we've all been exposed to the nuances of Still-President-for-less-than-24-hours George W. Bush's oratory style.
So "misunderestimated" have been some of his speeches that Jeffrey Weisburg at the online magazine Slate decided to keep track of any/all quotable nuggets throughout his presidency.
2,920 "Bushisms" - one a day for every day of W's tenure in office - seems over the top to us, so here are a few of the highlights sent by alert readers, Susan K., Rufus, PJ, Anne and THE O'Pine.
And, of course, they are accompanied by our favorite picture of the 43rd Commander in Cheif...with a bunny.
Here are your favorite "Bushisms"...
"There's an old saying in Tennessee - I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee - that says, fool me once, shame on...shame on you. Fool me...uh...you can't get fooled again." - Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2002
"One of the great things about books is sometimes there are some fantastic pictures." - U.S. News & World Report, Jan. 3, 2000
"Heck of a job, Brownie." - On Sept. 2, 2005 in Louisiana, complamenting then-FEMA head Michael Brown. Ten days later, Brown quit. Today
"Neither in French nor in English nor in Mexican." - Declining to answer reporters' questions at the Summit of the Americas, Quebec City, Canada, April 21, 2001
"Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB/GYNs aren't able to practice their love with women all across the country." - Poplar Bluff, Mo., Sept. 6, 2004
And finally, we respectully usher President Bush out with our personal favorite:
"Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?"—Florence, S.C., Jan. 11, 2000
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Deep-fried sea kittens anybody?
Do you know what a "sea kitten" is? Neither do we.
Apparently it's a magical creature that lives in the ocean and is hunted by evil man-predators for the purpose of cruelly torturing and killing it - thus denying it of a happy life spent searching for Nemo.
Or so the nutjobs at PETA would have you believe.
That cuddly creature above is how the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals would like to "rebrand" fish so people don't catch and eat them. Because kittens are adorable, and who would ever think about poking one with a sharp hook, right?
(Besides the executives at Time Warner Cable if they thought it would make them some money...just saying.)
Anyway, we honestly believe the above Disney creature is what the PETA folks actually think fish look like but - in reality-stricken Southeast Texas - here's how we view "sea kittens..."
At MEvBLOG, we're both environmental advocates and animal lovers. We believe that though an animal might serve a human's delicious purpose, it should still have a chance to enjoy it's life - however long that is - and should be treated with respect.
Still...when our good buddy Robb e-mailed us about this ridiculous campaign, we got fired up at the complete lack of economic foresight by PETA.
Forget the hundreds of millions of dollars generated by tourism and retail revenue from sport fishing. The commercial fishing industry ALONE brings in around $4 billion every year.
So if PETA wants fishing to end, we'd like them to put forth a plan to make up this money - and we're talking REAL money because, sorry PETA, no one will accept your homemade "coupons-for-a-hug."
What's that? You didn't think of that? You neglected to look at the bigger picture?
Is it because of all the brain cells you've killed from sniffing the paint you throw on old ladies in fur coats?
We thought so.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Send us your "Bush-isms"
Yes, we know the "Bush+Bunny" picture already ran, but whenever we see it, we imagine the following dialogue:
Bush: Hold me closer you hoppy fella.
Bunny: I'm a girl.
Bush: Well shoot, ya are. You're wearin' a dress and everythin'.
Bunny: Where's secret service?
Bush: Aw hell...I told 'em to head to Micky D's. Did ya hear the McRib is back?
And it sort of goes on from there.
So, from now on, because it makes us laugh, when any posting has to do with the 43rd President, this art will accompany it.
Plus, laughing is free and we're all about the free stuff these days.
Anyway, on Monday we asked you to send us your favorite "Bushisms" from the past eight years, and we've got some but would like a few more.
So hit us up at mdanelo@beaumontenterprise.com, or leave them in the Comments section of this post.
Thanks, and don't forget to hug your bunny today. It deserves some love too.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
A 'Straus House' with no walls
Earlier this afternoon, Rep. Joe Straus (R-San Antonio) was sworn in as the new Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives.
Because of how the state's Constitution is written, this is probably the most powerful position in Texas politics
In a blatant reference to previous speaker Tom Craddick's Stalin-esque tenure, Straus said, "Let there be no walls in this House."
That's great Straus, we're all over that. As long as you figure out a way to pay for our schools and make up the $9 billion our comptroller said we're missing you can have the walls. Take the ceilings and floors as well.
You know...unless they all get repossessed.
So long, farwell...
Good morning Southeast, Texas! It's a beautiful day here at MEvBLOG Central - something we haven't been able to say for a looooooong time - and we need your help.
As you know, by next week, "current" President Bush will be "former" President Bush and we'd like to take a moment to remember him in the most fitting way possible.
That's where you come in.
There are those who have serious gripes with him and others think he's done amazing things for this country.
But we don't care about any of that...at least not right now.
What we're looking for are your favorite gaffes, "Bush-isms," one-liners, and general moments of hilarity from the 43rd President's time in office.
For instance, we will never, EVER, get over when he said "misuderestimated" in a press conference and, while we can't remember if it was actually said by President Bush or Will Ferrell, "strategery" has to be our most favorite fake word of all time.
E-mail your suggestions and comments to mdanelo@beaumontenterprise.com this week and I'll compile them into a the perfect post for #43's retirement.
UPDATE: We just saw the following clip of President Bush's final press conference from yesterday. It happens to be the most interesting one he's given in eight years.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Golden Globes - Recap
Last night at MEvBlog Central, we watched the Golden Globes and have to admit...it was kind of dull.
Nobody won an award while he/she was in the bathroom; nobody wore anything really crazy - except our girl from I-10 West, Renee Z, but still it wasn't Bjork-swan-dress-crazy; and there was no intoxicated Jack Nicholson presenting an award and generally being awesome.
Special thanks to those of you who participated in our Diet Dr Pepper Quick Poll - we are determined to get some sponsorship moolah if it's the last thing we do! - and hope you're pleased with Heath Ledger's posthumous victory. We think he deserved it.
Here are some other thoughts on last night's telecast:
We'd like to actually see these movies. It's frustrating to hear people get stoked about films that we in The Mont might only ever watch on DVD. C'mon studios, send us a print or two of these films. Throw mid-size towns a bone and we'll probably surprise you by buying tickets.
Ricky Gervais is awesome. He killed last night when he came out swilling a pint of beer and joking with Kate Winslet about making a holocaust movie - without being offensive. That's something we think only he can get away with.
Speaking of Kate Winslet... She shut out several great actresses, but damn if she doesn't deserve some praise at last. Whatever your feelings about the movies for which she won - The Reader and Revolutionary Road - it's tough to dispute that Winslet's both gorgeous and talented...if a bit long-winded at the podium.
Slumdog Millionaire... looks interesting. Wish we could see it without having to drive 90 miles.
Where were the crazies? Nobody was visibly drunk, overtly political, or too hideously dressed. What HAPPENED to you, Hollywood? We used to be able to count on you for supplying us with plenty fodder on which to pass judgment? In the midst of this economic downturn, we all need a little crazy in our lives, thus we turn to you. We hope you remember your place by the time it's Oscar night, and show up with your A game.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Golden Globes - Quick Poll
Good afternoon, Southeast Texas. Thought we'd interrupt your workday by bringing you today's Quick Poll - make that Diet Dr Pepper Quick Poll! - in which we quickly ask our readers about something - rarely actual Diet Dr Pepper - and they answer.
(Kind of self explanatory, I know. Like when a friend started to explain what "Bagel Fridays" meant at her job - "You see, on 'Bagel Fridays' we bring in bagels on Friday..." Right. Got it.)
Anyway, the Golden Globes are on Sunday and this is the best awards show because it's the first big one of the year, and there's an open bar so, by the end, all your favorite stars are hammered and secretly making out under the tables.
That being said...
If "Top Chef" can sell out...we can too
Last night, during the first new episode of Top Chef in three weeks - pretty much the only reason we're hanging on to Time Warner Cable at this point - we couldn't help but notice that the "Quickfire Challenge" had been opportunistically renamed the "Diet Dr Pepper Quickfire Challenge."
The blatant advertising briefly distracted us from the obvious fact that Melissa and Eugene were way out of their leagues and would somebody PLEASE tell them to pack their knives and go. (Spoiler! Someone did.)
Now, the good folks at Bravo aren't strangers to capitalism. GE, Glad, Whole Foods, and any celebrity chef/food writer with a book and a pulse have been incorporated thus far.
Having a segment sponsored by a product - and pretty much starring it if you count all the times Ariane talked about sweetening her crepe-like thingy's with...what else? Diet Dr Pepper - is new for them and, though kinda random, we see nothing wrong with it.
In fact, we at MEvBLOG have decided to jump on the sponsorship bandwagon too...uh...we mean the DIET DR PEPPER BANDWAGON - so much lighter than regular wagons, you won't believe it's diet. (Or...a band?)
Anyway, in the future, you'll see Condensed Movies - brought to you by Netflix; Dunkin' Donuts Monday Headlines; the Office Depot Open Letters; and any/all Lists will be brought to you by Blackberry.
We hope you're all fine with this. We're just waiting for the ink to dry.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
2010: A Gubernatorial Odyssey
Yesterday, a letter sent from Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison to potential campaign donors was made public, reminding any deaf/dumb/blind naysayer that she's FOR SURE running for governor of Texas in 2010. The letter says...
Ten years of one man in the Governor's office has left challenges unanswered, too
little trust and consensus, and too much infighting. This tone comes from the top and we
can do something about it.
Why does this matter? You know...other than the obvious fact that it's a slow news week?
To be perfectly honest...that's about it. In our scatterbrained post yesterday, we mentioned the lack of actual lawmaking power held by the governor of Texas. A few have disagreed with us, but we stand by what we said because...well...it's true.
The Texas Constitution strictly limits the power of the state's executive branch, instead giving the lieutenant governor more of a say. The second-to-the-top serves as the president of the Senate, can introduce legislation, and gets to vote in the case of a tie.
Plus he/she gets to smack a hammer on a table like a judge, though with less sass and verve as, say, both the Hon. Judy and Joe Brown.
We'll be closely watching the gubernatorial race, because the governor is still the state's leader, but we mostly just want to see two ultimately coiffed Republicans throw down in a gloves off, old fashioned primary frenzy.
Also our Time Warner DVR erased several shows we saved and we could use the entertainment.
(Seriously,Time Warner, WHY DO YOU HATE US?)
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Blogger ADD
So, this is one of those days when our attempts to blog keep getting met by whatever anti-blogging force exists in the universe. (Al Gore, please get on top of repairing that.)
That being said, today's post is a hodge-podge of what's swimming around here at MEvBLOG Central.
***
First, we were going to question why Governor Rick Perry embarked on a trip to Iraq and, upon arrival, whether the Army issued him a helmet, or ground commanders just looked at his hair and said, "Eh...it'll do."
Then we talked with the governor's spokesperson Katherine Cesinger who said he was presenting medals to six Texas guardsmen and we became OK with the trip. His ability to leave the country right before a legislative session reminds us that, the Texas governor is more a figurehead than a lawmaker.
***
Then, because the Gods of Heavy Rotation have smiled upon her, we can't seem to escape the new Beyonce song, If I Were a Boy, which is a sweet enough tune but has some troubling lyrics.
If you were REALLY a boy, Beyonce, doing all the stuff you sing about (being lazy, dismissive, and cheating on your girlfriend) would NOT be OK. Your gender doesn't mean you can/can't misbehave and we don't quite get why you think guys have the shady market cornered.
However... we can't stop singing it. So that's a point for you.
***
And finally, we are thrilled to welcome Jerry, of "Ben & Jerry's" ice cream fame of course, to speak at Lamar University on February 17.
That was the final straw in today's haystack of distraction, because we couldn't stop thinking of the ice cream flavors we hoped his visit to Southeast Texas might inspire.
Hurri-candy Crunch, FEMA Berry Blast, and Crude Oil Swirl are a few of our top suggestions.
***
So, after all this, we gave up trying to create a coherent blog post and just threw it all on the canvas. Feel free to refer to us the "Jackson Pollack of Bloggers."
Monday, January 5, 2009
Meet the KBMT
Lots going on in statewide politics this morning, Southeast Texas, but we'll get to that later. First I wanted to give a shout out to the folks at NBC's Meet the Press.
Why? Because they gave a shout out to The Mont on Sunday.
Here at MEvBLOG we come from a family of nerds and, on the occasion we're all together on Sunday morning, you can bet that everyone's reading a section or two of the local paper, and Meet the Press is on in the background.
There hasn't been much to love about MTP since Tim Russert passed away - a huge blow to the field of journalism, especially in an election year - and yesterday's episode was no different.
Newbie moderator David Gregory - who should ask the Great Oz for some courage - passively sat by while Senate majority leader Harry Reid (D-NV) rambled on and on...and on.
BUT THEN...at the end of the program, Gregory welcomed two new stations to the NBC family - W-Blah-Blah-Blah in Somecity, FL and KBMT in Beaumont, TX!
Never mind that, according local sources, some Time Warner Cable customers still can't get KBMT/NBC on channel 14 - something TWC's customer service department promises they're trying to rectify - The Mont was mentioned on Meet the Press!
That's got to count for something. Even to non-nerds, right?
Friday, January 2, 2009
Lazy last hurrah
Happy New Year Southeast Texas!
Out of gratefulness to Time Warner Cable - for deeming it fit that we actually receive all the channels we pay for - we celebrated yesterday by watching both college football and VH1's 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs. (During the latter we were amazed that out of all the rock stars to whom time has not been kind, Slash looks like he hasn't aged much at all. Apparently the twenty-year combo of sunglasses, a top hat and cranking out blazing guitar riffs on a 1987 Gibson Les Paul made him impervious to drugs, booze and time. Who knew?)
Anyway, we got up to blog this morning and realized that it's Friday and we still have TWO MORE DAYS before the holidays are over and "real work" has to commence again.
Since there will be plenty of time in 2009 devoted to The Man, we suggest kicking back this weekend and lazily embracing one of the following two activities that require little brain activity.
Watch College Football
This afternoon you've got Texas Tech v. Ole Miss in the Cotton Bowl - which should prove to be interesting, though the Red Raiders will probably take it - and Utah against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl tonight - another game that could be surprising since Utah is one of the most underrated programs around.
Since we at MEvBLOG care for neither Florida (The University of My Father's Arch Enemy), nor Oklahoma (The University of Texas Smote Us This Season), we aren't holding our breath for the championship and, instead, have our eyes on the Fiesta Bowl - the prospect of the Longhorns trouncing Ohio State at any time/place always pleases us.
Go to the Movies
You already know how we felt Valkyrie, and if you want to see Frost/Nixon - the best movie we've seen all year - sadly, you'll have to head to Houston.
However there are several other movies we'd like to see. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button looks good, though we feel it could be kind of long, and we haven't really laughed at a movie that was supposed to be funny in a while, so Jim Carrey and Yes Man could get our money.
There's always The Day the Earth Stood Still, not because it looks good, but because we're a sucker for the combo of cheesy sci-fi and Ted Theodore Logan's dry delivery.
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How will you be spending your last free moments of the holidays? Got any suggestions? Let us know, we're all ears.
Oh, and don't forget that you could always check out VH1's 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs. But only if you really want to marvel at what twenty years of cigarettes, drugs and Jack Daniels will do to any rock star other than Slash.
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