December 31, 2004

Report: Stewart loses decorating contest in prison

NEW YORK (AP) — Martha Stewart, who has regaled audiences with countless holiday decorating tips in her magazine and on television, reportedly was unable to lead her team to victory in a prison decoration contest.
Stewart and a team of fellow inmates at a federal prison camp in Alderson, W.Va. crafted paper cranes to be hung from the ceiling, People magazine reported in an article posted on its Web site Wednesday. They lost out to a competing team that built a nativity scene showing "pictures of snow-covered hills and sleds and clouds on the wall," the magazine quoted an inmate as saying.

Each team was given $25 worth of glitter, ribbons, construction paper and glue to build a display based on the theme "Peace on Earth," the magazine said.

Stewart, who built a billion-dollar empire in homemaking, was convicted along with her stockbroker of lying about why she unloaded shares of ImClone Systems Inc. stock in 2001, just before the price plunged.

She is due to be released in early March from Alderson, then must spend five months confined to her home in Bedford, N.Y.

Following the house arrest, she is scheduled to begin shooting a daytime talk show with a live studio audience.


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Copyright 2004 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

December 21, 2004

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince release date announced

J. K. Rowling's eagerly awaited new book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, is scheduled to be released on July 16, 2005. I'll be the first in line!



December 13, 2004

Radiation Therapy

Went to see a Radiology Oncologist on Friday and he said I'll be getting radiation therapy only where they removed the tumor. I'm going to get treatments Mon-Fri every week for 6-7 weeks. Treatment only last 5-10 mins. The doctor said the only side effects are skin irritation, sort of like a sunburn, sometimes I may feel tired and the hair will never grow back where on that part of the back. I go to see the doctor on Friday to get pictures taken by x-ray or catscan, maybe both? They do that to find out what area they will treat. I also will get little dots, they will look like small moles, tattooed on my back so they can position me for the treatments and have me lined up just rights. The doctor said there is around a 1 in 3 chance I could have a reoccurrence if I did not get this done, but there is a 1 in 24 chance of reoccurrence if I do get the radiation. That's why I opted to get it done.


Just thought I'd keep everyone updated on how everything is going on all of this. I'm in good spirits, after the holidays, going on a diet. I'm going to get myself in better shape so I can stay around for as long as I can. I have a lot to be thankful for and going to have the best Christmas ever.


Hope everyone has a great holiday and, to those who get days off, enjoy the time off from work.

November 17, 2004

What's inappropriate for TV?

CNBC - Debates about television sex, violence and censorship have flared in recent days.

Thousands of Americans complained to the Federal Communications Commission about the decision by some ABC affiliates to broadcast ''Saving Private Ryan'' on Veteran’s Day, with most citing the 1998 film’s graphic violence and language.

ABC characterized the film as a tribute to the sacrifice and valor of Americans engaged in service to their country. The network said it was obligated to air the entire Steven Spielberg film without censorship under its licensing agreement with the film's studio.

ABC was in hot water again this week for its attempt to use "Monday Night Football" and its hit “Desperate Housewives" to hype each other in a sexy promo before Monday's game between the Eagles and the Cowboys.

The spot featured "Housewives" star Nicollette Sheridan, clad in only a towel, trying to seduce Eagles star Terrell Owens. He resists, until she drops the towel. He says, "Ah hell, the team's going to have to win this one without me" and they embrace.

In an interview with CNBC's Alan Murray this morning, FCC Chairman Michael Powell said he's not yet sure whether the MNF promo violates decency laws. Regardless of the legality, "it was sort of very disappointing," Powell said. "I wonder if Walt Disney (Disney owns ABC) would be proud."

Powell went on, "It would seem to me that, while we get a lot of broadcasting companies complaining about indecency enforcement, they seem to be willing to keep the issue at the forefront, keep it hot and steamy, in order to get financial gain from the free advertising it provides. And I think companies have to make that decision for themselves."

November 15, 2004

Hanks May Star in 'Da Vinci Code' Film

LOS ANGELES(AP) Will Tom Hanks crack "The Da Vinci Code"? Director Ron Howard and producer Brian Grazer, the team behind "A Beautiful Mind" and "Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas," said in Newsweek that they wanted the "Saving Private Ryan" star because of the cerebral nature of Dan Brown's best-selling novel.

"Tom is an exciting actor to watch thinking," Howard told the magazine. "We probably don't need his status from a box-office standpoint, but he gives Langdon instant legitimacy."

Hanks would play Robert Langdon, a Harvard symbologist who is in a life-or-death race with a secret society to uncover the secrets of the Holy Grail hidden in the works of Leonardo Da Vinci.

The actor's representatives said he is in negotiations to play the part.

Hanks previously worked with Howard and Grazer on the movies "Splash" (1984) and "Apollo 13" (1995).

November 9, 2004

The 4400 fans, the USA Network has ordered a second season.

USA Network has ordered a second season of "The 4400", which holds the record for the highest-rated series debut in basic cable history.

Production on 13 episodes will begin in February in Vancouver, B.C., hopefully to be aired in the US in June. Most of the original cast is expected to return.

If you missed the first season you can get "The 4400" Season 1 on DVD.

November 8, 2004

"Six Feet Under" will end its run after its upcoming fifth season.

NEW YORK(AP) "Six Feet Under" the quirky HBO series about a Southern California family that runs a funeral parlor, will end its run after its upcoming fifth season.

Alan Ball, creator and executive producer of the ensemble drama starring Peter Krause, Michael C. Hall, Frances Conroy and Rachel Griffiths, says he feels the show has run its course.

"Working on `Six Feet Under' has been enormously fulfilling creatively, but if the show is about anything, it's about the fact that everything comes to an end," Ball said in a statement.

Production on the final season is set to begin next week. HBO confirmed Monday it would be the show's last season, but hasn't said when it will air.
"I will miss working with such enormously talented writers, cast, staff and crew and I'll always be grateful to HBO for allowing and encouraging us to tell the story we set out to tell in a challenging and uncompromising way," Ball said.

November 1, 2004

Got a growth removed and...

On Sept. 3rd I had surgery to get a growth removed from my back. It had been there since Jan. 2002, but the surgeon I went to told me it was nothing and if it started to get irritated, we'd get it removed. Well it got bigger and a little irritated so I had it removed finally. A few days later I get a call saying that it was a tumor and it was cancer. Well, I was pissed to say the least. Soon thereafter I went to an oncologist and he told me we would have to go in again and get the surrounding muscle removed. I had that done by the only doctor in the Midwest who specializes in this type of surgery on Oct. 12th. This being the third time I had to get this opened, being looked at or removed. Well on Oct. 26th he told me that everything went well and he got all of the remaining tissue and muscle from around the removed tumor. I went to my regular Oncologist today and he says this is great news. Now I'm just waiting for one more thing. He is going to send all of the tests and results (i.e. pathology reports, catscans, petscans, blood work-up, etc.) to the North Kansas City Cancer Conference. He said this is weekly thing where the top oncologists, pathologists, and other cancer related doctors look at my finding and see if I am going to need chemotherapy or any other type of treatments. So, knock on wood and a lot of prayer, everything looks like it's getting better. I should know where we go from here on Nov. 24th.

August 4, 2004

"Fahrenheit 9/11" Won't Be Disqualified From Oscars

LOS ANGELES(AP) Unauthorized Cuban television broadcasts of "Fahrenheit 9/11" will not keep the movie out of the Academy Awards race for best documentary.

The broadcasts in Cuba originated from pirated copies of Michael Moore's film, according to Lions Gate Films, one of the distributors of "Fahrenheit 9/11."

John Pavlik, spokesman for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, said Wednesday that would not disqualify "Fahrenheit 9/11" for the best-documentary Oscar, which Moore won for his last film, 2002's "Bowling for Columbine."

Oscar rules prohibit television or Internet broadcast of documentary contenders anywhere in the world within nine months of their theatrical release. But "Fahrenheit 9/11" would not be affected by the Cuba broadcasts since they were not sanctioned by the distributors, Pavlik said.

"The rule was never intended to punish people for something like this," Pavlik said.

"Fahrenheit 9/11," Moore's scathing assault on President Bush's actions regarding the Sept. 11 attacks, has grossed $109.4 million domestically, the first documentary ever to top $100 million.

Along with best documentary, "Fahrenheit 9/11" is eligible to compete in other Oscar categories.

August 1, 2004

Team America World Police

From the creators of South Park comes, Team America World Police

A Dirty Shame

Are you a John waters fan? Do you want to see a movie that has an NC-17 rating? Does a bear shit in the woods? Checkout the trailer for A Dirty Shame and see what you think!

July 3, 2004

Saved!

Saved! - Large

TrueMajority

TrueMajority

Checkout the intro from Ben Cohen!

TrueMajority was founded by Ben Cohen, Co-founder, Ben and Jerry’s.

TrueMajority Principles:
1. Attack poverty and world hunger as if our life depends on it. It does.
2. Champion the rights of every child, woman & man.
3. End our obstructionism to the world's treaties.
4. Reduce our dependence on oil and lead the world to an age of renewable energy.
5. Close the book on the Cold War and ease the nuclear nightmare.
6. Renounce Star Wars and the militarization of space.
7. Make globalization work for, not against, working people.
8. Ensure equal treatment under law for all.
9. Get money out of politics.
10. Close the gap between rich and poor kids at home.

June 5, 2004

Iraqi's the only ones getting Cheap Gas!

Published - Jun 05 2004 01:06AM CDT || AP

BAGHDAD, Iraq(AP) One of the prewar forecasts was that by invading Iraq, the world would profit from stable exports of Iraq's oil. And that would translate into cheap gas for American drivers. Now, with U.S. gasoline averaging $2.05 per gallon about 50 cents more than the pre-invasion price that logic has been flipped on its head.

Instead, Iraqis seem to be the only people getting cheap gas as a result of the invasion. They pay just five cents for a gallon thanks to hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. taxpayer subsidies.

Since Iraq has little capacity to refine its own gasoline, the U.S. government pays about $1.50 a gallon to purchase fuel in neighboring countries and deliver it to Iraqi filling stations. A three-month supply costs American taxpayers more than $500 million, not including the cost of military escorts.

The arrangement keeps a fleet of 4,200 tank trucks constantly on the move, ferrying fuel to Iraq.

Baghdad taxi driver Osama Hashim says he owes his livelihood to the U.S. taxpayer.

"We thank the Americans. They risked their lives to liberate us and now they are improving our lives," said Hashim, 26, topping up the tank on his beat-up 1983 Volkswagen.

Filling a 22-gallon tank in Baghdad with low-grade fuel costs just $1.10, plus a 50-cent tip for the attendant. A tankful of high-test costs $2.75.

In Britain, by contrast, gasoline prices hit $5.79 per gallon last week $127 for a tankful.

Iraq's fuel subsidies, which are intended to mollify drivers used to low-priced fuel under Saddam Hussein, have coupled with the opening of the borders to create an anarchic car culture in Baghdad.

Cheap used cars shipped from Europe and Asia are flooding into Iraq. A 10-year-old BMW in good condition costs just $5,000. Since gas is so cheap, anyone with a car can become a taxi driver. Drivers jam the streets, offering rides for as little as 250 dinars about 17 cents.

Iraq has no sales tax, no registration, no license plates and no auto insurance. Some would argue there are no rules of the road. Cars barrel the wrong way on the highway. They swoop into surprise U-turns. They ignore traffic signals.

Analysts say the U.S. gas subsidies can't last forever.

"The U.S. taxpayer has a right to be indignant, and Iraqis have to be warned about the long-run damages of this," said Anthony Cordesman, an Iraq analyst with the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. "The minute the aid goes out, the party is over. And there's going to be a hell of a hangover."

Fahrenheit 9/11

Fahrenheit 9/11 is going to be a major hit!!! Watch this trailer and see 2 of America's BIGGEST assholes at work! One of them looks like he is try out for American Idol and the BIGGEST ASSHOLE of them all is playing golf. If you wanna know why our boy's are over in Iraq, check this out!!!

May 30, 2004

Birthday Party!!!

My birthday isn't until June 11, but my in-laws threw me and our Aunt Marge a birthday party last night. I got some really cool presents and had a great time. I got Schindlers List and Ma & Pa Kettle Vol. 1. I got some really cool shirts from my aunts and uncle in-law too!

After the party Kimberly and I saw "The Day After Tomorrow". It was an all right movie, but I expected it to be SO much better.

So tired, so tired!!!

I was so tired the other night we didn't go to Stanford & Sons. We ended up staying at home and relaxing after a hard weeks work.

May 28, 2004

Good things happen to good people

I was at work today and got a call from Craig Glazer owner of Stanford and Sons Comedy House (if you are in the Kansas City area, you know the place) Well, he had a problem with his cable service and I got it taken care of. I asked what comedians are coming to the club and he got me free tickets for tonight's show! I freaked!

I'll post after the show and let you know how it went!

May 27, 2004

Puppy finds good home...

Well, our puppy Max found a good home. My friend Dan came through for us and hooked us up with someone who wanted him. Remember what Bob Barker says, according to Dan, the dog has already been neutered OUCH!!!

May 25, 2004

I need a Hero!!!

Hero
This looks like awesome. Definitely going to see it when it comes to the theatre.

Harold and Kumar Go To Whitecastle

Harold and Kumar Go To Whitecastle
This movie is from the creators of Road Trip and Dude, Where's My Car?! Starring the MILF dude from American Pie and Van Wilder's virgin assistant from (of course) National Lampoons Van Wilder. This is another definite must see.

May 24, 2004

Working 2 - Electric Boogaloo / Puppy Problems

On lunch right now, at work, and thought I'd post a blog. It's a real busy day here and I was late coming in.

Still looking for an owner for our dog. Kimberly and I made a flyer yesterday and emailed it to a few friends. Hopefully someone contacts us soon. It's really stressing me and Kimberly out. Especially her with her allergies and all.

May 23, 2004

Anyone want a puppy?!


My wife and I are trying to find a good home for a puppy we got recently. I discovered that my wife was allergic shortly after getting it. It's a 9 week black Labrador retriever. It's received the first round of shots. We went out, the first day we got it, and bought food, wee-wee pads, chew toys, a cage/crate for crate training, food & water bowl, collar and a leash.

We are willing to give the puppy and all of it's belongings to a good home. The dog would need a backyard to play in, or some way to play out doors. It's very good with children.

If you are interested, please e-mail me with your contact information.

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