Friday, January 28, 2005
Ebert Remembers Carson
Roger Ebert has a nice tribute to Johnny Carson on his website. He talks about his experiences being on the Tonight Show with Johnny.
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Jimmy Kimmel
I was in Hollywood today with a group of my students and as I was walking down Hollywood Boulevard in front of Disney's El Capitan theater, I saw a video crew taping some kind of performance on the sidewalk. A young woman with a walkie-talkie stopped me and asked if I wouldn't mind stepping into the street and walking around their shot.
"Sure," I said with a smile, and as I made my way around the crew I looked back to see the action. It was Jimmy Kimmel, star of ABC's late night comedy/talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live. He was doing some comedy bit in a camping tent, which was erected on the sidewalk between the El Cap and the Masonic Temple where the show is taped every evening.
Apparently ABC's daytime talk show The View is preparing to visit Hollywood by taping in the El Capitan this month. Kimmel was doing some comedy bit about that. The camera poked its "head" into the tent where Jimmy was holding up fabricated products related to The View, such as "View Beer" and Barbara Walters gummy bears among other things.
"Sure," I said with a smile, and as I made my way around the crew I looked back to see the action. It was Jimmy Kimmel, star of ABC's late night comedy/talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live. He was doing some comedy bit in a camping tent, which was erected on the sidewalk between the El Cap and the Masonic Temple where the show is taped every evening.
Apparently ABC's daytime talk show The View is preparing to visit Hollywood by taping in the El Capitan this month. Kimmel was doing some comedy bit about that. The camera poked its "head" into the tent where Jimmy was holding up fabricated products related to The View, such as "View Beer" and Barbara Walters gummy bears among other things.
Monday, January 24, 2005
Body Worlds
I had the most extraordinary experience of visiting the Body Worlds exhibition late last night at the California Science Center in Los Angeles.
You may have heard about this in the news. It's a world tour exhibition created by the German scientist Gunther von Hagens, and it features real human corpses on anatomical display. The bodies (all donated) have been treated by a process called "plastination" which replaces body fluids with clear, pliable plastic, making it possible to position not only cadavers, but internal systems such as blood vessels into dynamic poses.
This might sound exceptionally morbid, and I must admit a macabre interest in this sort of thing, but really the exhibition was incredibly tasteful and accessible to all. There were people there from all walks of life, every nationality, young and old, families with small children, and senior citizens.
The exhibition has been so popular (over 650,000 people have seen it in LA alone, 15 million worldwide) that the museum stayed opened 24 hours a day for the last weekend of the show. Tickets eventually sold out, but I was able to get reservations for the 9:45 PM entrance last night.
Even though it was incredibly crowded, I felt a strange sense of intimacy seeing the insides of real human beings revealed for all to see. It made me appreciate the human body for the exquisite and remarkable vessel that it is, and seeing the displays of diseased organs made me want to take good care of my body.
The exhibition now moves on to Chicago, but Angelenos who missed it or want to see more won't have to wait long. Body Worlds 2 opens for a two-month run starting next weekend!
You may have heard about this in the news. It's a world tour exhibition created by the German scientist Gunther von Hagens, and it features real human corpses on anatomical display. The bodies (all donated) have been treated by a process called "plastination" which replaces body fluids with clear, pliable plastic, making it possible to position not only cadavers, but internal systems such as blood vessels into dynamic poses.
This might sound exceptionally morbid, and I must admit a macabre interest in this sort of thing, but really the exhibition was incredibly tasteful and accessible to all. There were people there from all walks of life, every nationality, young and old, families with small children, and senior citizens.
The exhibition has been so popular (over 650,000 people have seen it in LA alone, 15 million worldwide) that the museum stayed opened 24 hours a day for the last weekend of the show. Tickets eventually sold out, but I was able to get reservations for the 9:45 PM entrance last night.
Even though it was incredibly crowded, I felt a strange sense of intimacy seeing the insides of real human beings revealed for all to see. It made me appreciate the human body for the exquisite and remarkable vessel that it is, and seeing the displays of diseased organs made me want to take good care of my body.
The exhibition now moves on to Chicago, but Angelenos who missed it or want to see more won't have to wait long. Body Worlds 2 opens for a two-month run starting next weekend!
Favorite Carson Memories?
Watching all the news coverage of the passing of Johnny Carson brought up a lot of memories of classic Carson moments on The Tonight Show.
I used to love the Great Carnak. They played one clip tonight that cracked me up:
Answer: "Yahoo! Serious."
Question: "What are the two stages of sex?"
What are some of your favorite Carson memories?
I used to love the Great Carnak. They played one clip tonight that cracked me up:
Answer: "Yahoo! Serious."
Question: "What are the two stages of sex?"
What are some of your favorite Carson memories?
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Friday, January 21, 2005
iPod's Dirty Little Secret
You may have heard about this before. I hadn't, and I don't know if it's true, but it's a cool little video regardless.
iPod's Dirty Little Secret
iPod's Dirty Little Secret
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Brad and Jenn Split
Summer In January??
As if the torrential winter rain storms weren't enough earlier this month, this week Los Angeles is experiencing summer-like temperatures with highs in the mid-80s!!
The end of the world is nigh.
The end of the world is nigh.
Saturday, January 15, 2005
BowieNet Birthday Bash
Last Saturday, January 8th, was David Bowie's 58th birthday. A few of us fans got together at RogInLA's apartment to celebrate.
It was a low-key affair, and although some of our favorite members weren't in attendance, it was still a pretty good turnout despite the horrendous rain storms all across southern California that weekend.
That's most of us in the picture below:
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And here I am jamming my heart out during our Bowie singalong:
It was a low-key affair, and although some of our favorite members weren't in attendance, it was still a pretty good turnout despite the horrendous rain storms all across southern California that weekend.
That's most of us in the picture below:
And here I am jamming my heart out during our Bowie singalong:
People of the Year: Bloggers
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Traffic Really Sucks After Mudslides
Because of the torrential downpours recently here in LA, most of the canyon roads have been closed because of mudslides. This has created a terrible ripple effect of overly congested roadways (even more than usual) around the city.
Case in point, the traffic yesterday was perhaps the worst ever! I got about a mile down Wilshire (it took 20 minutes) when I realized we were going nowhere, so rather than sit in my car for two frustrating hours, I went back to Westwood and saw a movie (Ocean's 12, not bad).
By the time I came out of the movie and wasted another hour in Best Buy, it was after 8 o'clock and still the traffic was CRAWLING, even on all my secret shortcuts that I take when traffic is bad. Took me about an hour to get home, approximately seven miles total distance.
Case in point, the traffic yesterday was perhaps the worst ever! I got about a mile down Wilshire (it took 20 minutes) when I realized we were going nowhere, so rather than sit in my car for two frustrating hours, I went back to Westwood and saw a movie (Ocean's 12, not bad).
By the time I came out of the movie and wasted another hour in Best Buy, it was after 8 o'clock and still the traffic was CRAWLING, even on all my secret shortcuts that I take when traffic is bad. Took me about an hour to get home, approximately seven miles total distance.
Tsunami Photos: Before and After
I'm sure you've all seen plenty of photos of the Asian Tsunami, but here's a site I came across that has the most dramatic comparisons of before and after that I've seen. It's absolutely devastating. Check it out if you're interested.
I also made a small donation to the American Red Cross International Response Fund this evening. Been meaning to do that for weeks. I made the donation in honor of my young nephew Aidan Spalding, pictured below.
I also made a small donation to the American Red Cross International Response Fund this evening. Been meaning to do that for weeks. I made the donation in honor of my young nephew Aidan Spalding, pictured below.
Bad Blogger
Oh my god, I've been such a bad blogger so far this year. It's not that I haven't had things to write about -- I definitely have. It's just that I've been so busy lately, and I've been daunted by the task of catching up with all the blogs I know I wanted to write: about the New Year, seeing my dear friend "Betty" conduct Les Miserables at The Pantages in Hollywood, last weekend's Bowie Birthday Bash at RoginLA's house, and the unbelievable rain we've had in Los Angeles this month.
Instead of trying to catch up, however, I'll just plunge back in anew and hopefully blog about some of those past topics another time.
Instead of trying to catch up, however, I'll just plunge back in anew and hopefully blog about some of those past topics another time.
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Back To Blog
Gosh, it's been a couple weeks since I updated my blog. Guess I've been busy with the holiday season...too busy living life to have time to write about it!
The holidays always begin for me on my birthday, December 17th. My friend Betty met me for dinner at Miceli's in Hollywood. Then Heidster came down from the Valley and took me to the movies at the Egyptian. We saw a Jeff Bridges double-feature ("The Door In The Floor" and "The Fisher King"), which included an in-person appearance by Mr. Bridges himself. That was cool!!
Christmas was pleasant in Denver. I abbreviated my usual week-long visit to about 4 days this time. It was the perfect amount of time to be there. Long enough to see everyone and not feel too terribly rushed, but still short enough to avoid boredom or frustration. Always leave them wanting more, right?!
My last few trips home have been so hectic and stressful that I ended up feeling more exhausted after my vacation than before it. I've really been burnt out lately so I felt the need to allow a few days to myself at home in LA, and I'm really glad I made that choice.
Today is a dark, rainy day in Los Angeles. I got out of my tour training obligations this morning (who wants to walk around downtown in a downpour?), so I have the whole day to myself to play with my Christmas toys!
The holidays always begin for me on my birthday, December 17th. My friend Betty met me for dinner at Miceli's in Hollywood. Then Heidster came down from the Valley and took me to the movies at the Egyptian. We saw a Jeff Bridges double-feature ("The Door In The Floor" and "The Fisher King"), which included an in-person appearance by Mr. Bridges himself. That was cool!!
Christmas was pleasant in Denver. I abbreviated my usual week-long visit to about 4 days this time. It was the perfect amount of time to be there. Long enough to see everyone and not feel too terribly rushed, but still short enough to avoid boredom or frustration. Always leave them wanting more, right?!
My last few trips home have been so hectic and stressful that I ended up feeling more exhausted after my vacation than before it. I've really been burnt out lately so I felt the need to allow a few days to myself at home in LA, and I'm really glad I made that choice.
Today is a dark, rainy day in Los Angeles. I got out of my tour training obligations this morning (who wants to walk around downtown in a downpour?), so I have the whole day to myself to play with my Christmas toys!
Sunday, December 12, 2004
Year End Wrap-up 2005
I'm going to go out on a limb here and predict that the Michael Jackson trial will be one of the biggest news stories in 2005. We'll have to follow the trial all year and the story will be included in all of the "year-in-review" programs about twelve months from now.
Mark my words.
Mark my words.
Thursday, December 09, 2004
Worst Commute Ever
Anyone who lives in L.A. knows the traffic is a bitch sometimes, OK most of the time, but tonight was one of the worst commutes ever.
My commute home from UCLA in Westwood to my apartment near Hollywood is approximately 9 miles and usually takes me 20-30 minutes on surface streets. Tonight that 9 mile drive took (drumroll please) two and a half hours! Yes, TWO AND A HALF FUCKING HOURS!!! That's got to be a new record.
I knew it was going to be bad when I pulled out of the parking lot and saw the left turn lane on to Wilshire all backed up. That's OK because I have an alternative route up Sunset I can take so I tried that. Bad idea. Sunset was even more jammed than Wilshire. After thirty minutes, and having traveled barely a mile from my office, I decided to sit out the rush, so I pulled back into one of the parking structures and took a nap while listening to the radio.
An hour later, I decided to brave it, but the roads hadn't improved. I started home anyway and sat in the car for another hour before finally reaching home. I don't know what caused the huge backup. I never saw an accident or heard any reports on the radio, but it was a mess.
My commute home from UCLA in Westwood to my apartment near Hollywood is approximately 9 miles and usually takes me 20-30 minutes on surface streets. Tonight that 9 mile drive took (drumroll please) two and a half hours! Yes, TWO AND A HALF FUCKING HOURS!!! That's got to be a new record.
I knew it was going to be bad when I pulled out of the parking lot and saw the left turn lane on to Wilshire all backed up. That's OK because I have an alternative route up Sunset I can take so I tried that. Bad idea. Sunset was even more jammed than Wilshire. After thirty minutes, and having traveled barely a mile from my office, I decided to sit out the rush, so I pulled back into one of the parking structures and took a nap while listening to the radio.
An hour later, I decided to brave it, but the roads hadn't improved. I started home anyway and sat in the car for another hour before finally reaching home. I don't know what caused the huge backup. I never saw an accident or heard any reports on the radio, but it was a mess.
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Kim Basinger is a Movie Star
Last week I went to the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood to see Kim Basinger in person for her tribute from the American Cinematheque. The program included screenings of Basinger's newest feature The Door In The Floor, co-starring Jeff Bridges, and L.A. Confidential, for which Miss Basinger won an Oscar for her supporting performance.
Although I've enjoyed her work for years, I've never really considered her a great actress. My opinion hasn't really changed, but I do enjoy her presence on screen and in person she is even more lovely.
I remember first seeing Kim Basinger over twenty years ago in the 1983 film Never Say Never Again, which featured the return of Sean Connery as James Bond. She was a total babe and I quickly developed an adolescent crush on her. Now she is a big movie star and an Oscar winner. Even my students from various countries overseas know who she is.
Basinger arrived at the theater with her own entourage. There was her publicist and an assistant, plus at least two big beefy guys in suits who served as her security guards, as if anyone at the Egyptian would hassle her...it's not that kind of crowd. It was strange to see the security personnel there, and somewhat comical as they shielded her from the movie audience as she entered and exited the theater. (I heard later from a friend who said Basinger has agoraphobia and therefore mistrusts crowds.)
I've seen a lot of famous stars hold court at the Egyptian. They often come to promote their current movie (The Door In The Floor comes out on DVD Dec 14th) or the relive the glory days of a classic film. Never have I seen a star arrive with a security detail. She is a big star in the classic Hollywood sense: strikingly beautiful, somewhat talented, and extremely glamorous.
The Door In The Floor is based on the novel A Widow For One Year by John Irving. It's a decent film focusing on the first third of the book (an oustanding read by the way) and it's a very sad story, full of grief and emotional performances and Miss Basinger held her own with Jeff Bridges, who never ceases to be extremely entertaining.
After the screening, Miss Basinger arrived to discuss the film with the head of the American Cinematheque, who asked leading and pretentious questions as usual. She did a fine job of replying equally pretentiously ("The director told my agent, 'if she fears the role, she'll take the job'"). Then there were a few questions from the audience. Nothing surprising or exceptional. I wanted to ask her about Never Say Never Again, but I was too shy to raise my hand and probably wouldn't have been noticed since I was sitting toward the back of the house.
At the conclusion of the Q&A, Miss Basinger posed for a few publicity photos, then she was whisked away by her security detail through the emergency exits, entourage in tow. Ah, the life of a movie star.
After a short break, the double feature continued with L.A. Confidential, the great film directed by Curtis Hanson (whom I saw two years ago at the DGA), and the role for which Miss Basinger won her coveted Oscar. Ironically, when an audience member asked her about playing that part, Ms B couldn't even remember her character's name. Oh well, easy come easy go.
P.S. I just realized today, Dec 8, is Kim Basinger's birthday. Happy Birthday, Kim!
First Ken, Now Tom?!
As if saying goodbye to Ken Jennings last night on Jeopardy wasn't bad enough, tonight Tom Brokaw gave his last report as the anchor of the NBC Nightly News. God, what is the world coming to??
I always liked Tom. He was a reassuring voice in the worst of circumstances, and he seems to have a keen intellect and respect for history. I must admit I migrated to Peter Jennings (no relation to Ken) a couple of years ago, but I would still flip over to see how Tom was doing now and then. He's like somebody's favorite old uncle who can't pronounce his "L's".
Brokaw's replacement will be Brian Williams, who has been anchoring news programs on cable's MSNBC for some time. He's great -- a wonderful reporter, and a sly sense of humor as well.
Farewell Tom, and let's go Brian!
I always liked Tom. He was a reassuring voice in the worst of circumstances, and he seems to have a keen intellect and respect for history. I must admit I migrated to Peter Jennings (no relation to Ken) a couple of years ago, but I would still flip over to see how Tom was doing now and then. He's like somebody's favorite old uncle who can't pronounce his "L's".
Brokaw's replacement will be Brian Williams, who has been anchoring news programs on cable's MSNBC for some time. He's great -- a wonderful reporter, and a sly sense of humor as well.
Farewell Tom, and let's go Brian!
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