...For The Ride Home: Rush really likes the new DVD, Megan Fox is engaged and a new show from ESPN?

Watched this last night. Yes, it's foreign, so if you don't like foreign movies, or, well, if you don't like to read, skip the following few sentences. Penelope Cruz is now officially in the "If you are in this movie, I will watch it" category for me, and I can't think of many other actresses like that. She's just wonderful. Didn't know this going in, but from what I understand, this movie is celebrated for the fact that she trounces around naked for a little while at some point. Message to perverts: Don't ruin her! She beholds the type of beauty that even when you see her naked, you feel as though she's too fragile to mess with. Just let her elegance speak for itself. Pretty good movie. Couple that with "Vicky, Christina, Barcelona," and she now officially has my trust when it comes to movies. Yes, I've heard "Nine" is bad, but... So it's Wednesday. How are you doing? That's good, assuming you said you were doing well, of course. Seems to be humid where we are, so we hope you find a way to stay cool if you happen to be suffering through the same sticky weather (weather, which, I'd like to add, I enjoy). We sincerely hope you click on a few links below - though if you'd like to read a thing or two about running, or vacations beforehand, you wouldn't hear any argument from us. Be good, and remember, if you stay in the sun too long, you'll burn.

Search through if you’d like, but it’s there. Dan LeBatard, Tony Kornheiser, Michael Wilbon and Bill Simmons are all a part of a new project. Nobody knows what it’s about, or where it will be, or in what form, but this has to pique interest in at least a few of you. (Miami Herald)

Rush is excited about its upcoming DVD. This is just an excuse to link a story about Rush. (Rolling Stone)

NBC News pretty much cleaned house in this year’s Edward R. Murrow awards. If only that counted for late-night television. (RTDNA)

Fight! Dana Milbank rips former college newspaper editor in column. The problem? His editor is running for a seat in the Senate. When rich people spat, it’s fun. (Washington Post)

Eminem recruited the Shamwow dude to help him promote his upcoming album, an album that some people say could be his best lyrically. This particular link comes fully equipped with a video, too. (All Hip-Hop)

And now Tiger Woods is the father of more children. Have fun this weekend, Earl. (New York Daily News)

Megan Fox is engaged. Never bought in to how attractive most men think she is. (Access Hollywood)

Cameron Diaz is not dating A-Rod. Really? And she likes touching. Unlike the jail officers in “Arrested Development.” (People)

These shoes were made for running

I love running. OK. Hold on. Maybe I lust running. Wait. No. I don’t know. I fall in and out of love with running, and it’s the kind of relationship that you would guess won’t result in marriage, but man, the sex is good. So I keep coming back, tricking myself that maybe this time, the result will be different and running and me can just stop fighting about petty things. Got all that? Good.

One thing I’ve found when it comes to running is that it’s something pretty much everyone my age wants to get into. It’s odd, considering all the basketball and soccer practices in high school in which I tried my hardest to get out of the activity. But I guess when you get older, and you long for that one-time athletic body again, you justify running for fun more than ever. Plus, it’s a nice conduit to feeling good. Running makes you feel less like a slob and more like you serve a purpose in life other than watching late night talk shows and eating Chinese food.

Maybe my problem with running was that I used to have a pretty OK body. And by “pretty OK body,” I mean defined abs, of course. The issue now is how hard it is to get that back, compared to how easy it was to only accidentally stumble upon it then. A skinny, defined, pretty damn nice body used to be so natural. Now, it seems as though every potato chip is devastating and each sip of a carbonated beverage is life-altering. It must be the age, right? You find yourself in your mid-20s and single, and think, “You know, the next lady/guy I find, I’m going to give her/him a nice body to look at,” when in all actuality, that never really mattered in any of the relationships/sexual encounters you’ve had before.

Sure, it’s narcissistic, but at least it’s blatant. Come on, now. Ignorance is no excuse. Most everything in today’s world is vanity-based, anyways. You aren’t walking into the bar to speak to the mildly-attractive dude who is drinking the cheapest draft beer. Yes, you may have more in common with him than anyone else, and yes, he probably is the coolest dude there, but with the way society tends to slant these days, you’ll never know, because you are too concerned with his cargo shorts or rugged “I only shave every three-and-a-half days” look. And men are no better. We all judge. Only the smart ones can realize that.

But I digress. The worst thing about running? When you put your iPod on shuffle, and even though you have 8,000 songs you know you love, it gives you a string of 21 tunes you’ve probably never even heard before. I mean, honestly. How stupid can an iPod be? The best thing about running? The satisfaction of knowing you ran, as simplistic as that may sound. You don’t feel like the ambitionless slob you know you’ve become. If only for that half-hour a day, you refuse to feel like Ralphie May on a particularly lazy afternoon.

Me? I’d like to run a triathlon. Seems like it’d be an awfully self-rewarding accomplishment. (Side: Anyone out there who has already done this? Is it as hard as I would imagine? Do you think a 20-something with no particular self-worth or ambition would be able to put it all together for just this one event? E-mail us.) The Boston Marathon seems like a nice thing to accomplish as well, though that means you’d have to be fast. And my knees hurt too much to be fast.

The real question that lies underneath all of this? Considering I used to covet a 5K as the gold standard, and I've now competed in two of those, thus forcing me to look at something far more complicated and tiring as the gold standard, would I continue to run after completing the said triathlon-ic task? That depends. Will I still be in my mid-20s and thinking, “You know, the next lady/guy I find, I’m going to give her/him a nice body to look at?”

Either way, I’m pretty sure I’ll never run a race like this…



Wow, that seems hard.

...For The Ride Home: Al Gore was messin' around with Larry David's ex, Brandon Flowers' solo album and books

"Nobody ever had a dream 'round here, but I don't really mind that it's starting to get to me." We give you The Killers and an actual full-band live version of "Sam's Town" on this Tuesday. The day began awful, as I put my streak of 10 on the line with Portugal over Ivory Coast. Because of the draw, I now have no shot at $100,000. I was going to buy you all Swedish Fish, too. I now sit, cramming in as much work as I can on a day off. That's a bit of an oxymoron, isn't it? Oh, well. Game six of the NBA Finals is on tonight, and the goal is to be done with what I want to be done with by then. Here's hoping. Before I move on to all of that, though, I present you fabulous friends with the following links. Try saying that three times fast. Eat healthy, enjoy the summer air and please always try to stay away from mean people. They are the worst. Be good, now.

If you like to read, read this. Now. Has the Internet killed professional book reviews? (Popmatters)

As if you didn’t get enough of The Killers up top. An interview with Brandon Flowers regarding his upcoming solo album. Bonus: You can listen to his first single, too. (Spin)

Glenn Beck is mad at the Washington Post. Goodness, he’s annoying. (Yahoo)

Bloggers are whores. Or so says this lady. (Splice Today)

Oh boy. Miami’s Dade county is changing its name to Wade for the week. This whole NBA free agency class thing is getting out of hand. (Sports By Brooks)

Sexual pictures featuring….Betty White. (Dime Wars)

Seven reasons to root for a Game Seven tonight in Los Angeles. Really hope Boston clinches tonight. (Fox Sports)

Oh, none of us wanted to see this. The story behind Al Gore’s divorce involves him cheating on Tipper with Larry David’s ex-wife. (New York Daily News)

Signs of Summer: Planning Beach Vacations

Only three more Signs of Summer before the official start on June 23, and hopefully that magical date will usher in some sunshine and leave the last 48 straight days of rain as nothing but a distant memory. But this isn’t a weather blog, it’s a… fun blog. So lets have some fun.

Today we pay homage to beach vacations.

Because really, for everyone other than the unfortunate ginger kid who can’t repel the sun with even SPF 500 protection, what’s better than a week of R&R in the sun and sand? For my money: nothing. I’ve been to a few beaches in my lifetime, although I’ve yet to reach the Pacific; definitely a goal of mine at some point.

Despite running the risk of sounding cliché or old (of which I’ve been called both), I think the Outer Banks, NC is the perfect beach destination for twenty-somethings. Oh, and let it be known, this idea is tainted by my east coast lean. Sorry to all you left coasters.

When you’re 18-22 or so, it’s all about the touristy hot spots – Myrtle Beach, Ocean City, Jersey Shores, etc. All pretty cheap, lots of flash, crowded beaches, chain restaraunts, many “opportunities.”

After a few years of that though, I think many of us tend to appreciate a beach that isn’t covered with people, sea gulls and feces (be it human or animal). A beach that is quiet enough that you can have your iPod on med-low volume so you can still faintly hear the waves. A beach with some awesome mom & pop eateries with local flare and flavors.

And while it’s not as cheap as the $35 per night beachfront motel room you and four friends split, it’s pretty close. In the past, we have rented four bedroom beach houses a block or two from the beach for under $1000. Split that eight ways (two people per bedroom) and you’ve got $125 per person. Split that for seven nights and you have $17.86 per person, per night. And no roaches, shared walls with strangers or seedy motel managers.

My honeymoon was at Riviera Maya, Mexico, which was pretty awesome in it’s own right, although not really affordable on a year-to-year basis. But dude, All-Inclusive is simply put the way to go for borderline alcoholics such as myself (I kid, I kid). Honest to God, if I didn’t get my money’s worth in Blue Hawaiians, Pina Coladas, Bud Lights and room service pizza, let lightning strike me dead.

Yep, I’m still here.

I truly hope you’re all going to the beach this summer – and that you think of this lonely little blog back home for a minute or two while you’re there.

Come Ride with us at 4 p.m. Hearts.

...For The Ride Home: Deaths at Bonnaroo and the CMA Fest, Tom Izzo needs to stop talking and the Tonys are good

We begin week 12 with Jennifer Carpenter because I came across without a doubt, the best episode of "Dexter" I've seen in my short history with the show. Kind of ruined her when I found out she's married to him in real life while she plays his sister on the show. Can't get over how fabulous that episode was last night, though. Goodness, gracious. You want to know what else was fabulous? Drawing with England Saturday afternoon. We stole one there, friends. Let no one fool you. That said, if we don't make it out of group play now, I may never watch soccer again. Anyways, welcome to the middle of June, or, as some may call it, the last week before the first week of summer. Does it feel like summer yet? Just wondering. I can't really decide on that particular question yet, myself. We need more sun. It seems like it's been raining just a tad bit too much. Ahh well. I suppose you can't complain too much as long as the snow isn't approaching astronomical heights. And I like the warm. It makes things sexier. Speaking of sexy, the links below are mighty sexy. You ought to check one of them out before jumping in on our HBO debate that is clearly set to tear the world apart. Don't forget to be nice, now.

Camp kid asks Tom Izzo if he’s going to coach the Cleveland Cavilers. Izzo turns kid down. Question: Why did LeBron not comment on Mike Brown and Danny Ferry being fired, yet he now wants the world to know he’d be happy with Izzo coaching the team? (ESPN)

Somebody died at Bonnaroo. Somebody also died at the CMA festival. Bad weekend for music lovers. (The Tennessean)

An interesting take on when the mass media localizes its sports coverage. Hello, ESPNBoston.com. How do you do? (National Sports Journalism Center)

University of Chicago students give life to a magazine known for its nudity. Silly college kids. (Chicago Tribune)

A vote for the Grammys learning a thing or two about how to run an awards ceremony…from the Tonys. Still would like to see “Memphis.” (New York Daily News)

What? You didn't think we’d link something pertaining to the U.S. soccer game? It did a 6.1 rating. Not bad, though it would have been nice had the number been just a little higher. Who’s in for Friday morning? (USA Today)

Conan O’Brien ends his tour tonight in Atlanta. Naturally, he stopped by TBS today to make some news. (TMZ)

Jack Kevorkian has no regrets about anything he’s ever done. Why is this reporter so scared? (CNN)

HBO is better than your favorite network

Spent some time with the latest season of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” this weekend. You know – the season featuring the “Seinfeld” cast reuniting in a way that had every critic use words like “brilliant” and “well-done” to describe it. And they were right. Only around half way through it, and I can say that it’s a pretty smart way of going about it. Definitely worth checking out.

Anyways, it got me thinking about HBO. Just now finding “Dexter” and already being a hardcore fan of “Californication,” I can now confidently say that Showtime is on the network’s heels (especially considering the notion that arguably the best shows to ever grace the HBO screens are currently over and done with). While HBO may be on top for now, it’s certainly seeing some stiff competition from all ends when you include the excellent programming from networks like AMC or FX that take the HBO format and twist it enough to be acceptable on basic cable while not losing the edge and intelligence that shows from pay-for-service television have typically offered.

Seeing “Curb” made me ponder the best shows HBO have produced. Naturally, because we love you, the incredibly insightful reader, I thought I’d post what I consider to be the best three shows HBO has seen. Before doing that, though, it must be pointed out that I have never seen any more than a few minutes of “The Sopranos” and “True Blood,” both shows that have universally been praised by just about everyone who watches television. Other shows I’ve always meant to sit down with though never found the time: “In Treatment,” “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” (hey, it’s got Jill Scott), and “Big Love.” So yes, consider the following and abridged (i.e. ignorant) version of the list, but a list nonetheless. And lists are always so much fun, aren’t they? So feel free to disagree, complain that I know nothing and be utterly dismissive of any opinion I decide to share. Besides, the appeal of lists lies only within the people who are willing to debate them. So without anymore ramblings…

3. Curb Your Enthusiasm
Could have easily been replaced with “Flight Of The Conchords,” but considering the latter had a mere two seasons, it just didn’t feel right. “Curb” is admittedly put over the edge because of this latest season, but that doesn’t mean seasons one through six weren’t any good. It’s like “Seinfeld” for grown-ups, really. The cursing helps and while I’ll be the first to admit the plot lines get a bit grating and predictable after a while, it’s still pretty neat to see the celebrities come on as themselves, willing to say and do just about anything. Plus, Larry David seems like a nice guy to root for. Especially when you happen to be as neurotic and petty as he portrays himself in the show. Come on, now. Tell me this isn’t great…



2. Entourage
Hey, it’s back in two weeks! Yes, yes, I know most anyone who has watched it has completely jumped the shark by now. But if you can accept the show for what it is – a sometimes-charming analysis on relationships – you can find the light appeal within each episode. Sure, Johnny Drama has become a bit of a caricature of himself, and Vinny Chase seems to be getting more and more like a pomp-filled, bubbling idiot, but if you can’t root for Eric and Sloan, then I don’t even know why you bother watching television all together. You can’t think this show will go much longer than the next couple seasons, but in it’s hay-day, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better dude-show that translated well to those who aren’t dudes. Besides, the first season’s finale really was greater-than-awesome television. Don’t remember? Check it out…



1. The Wire
Remember this? Oh, those were the days, before we had any comments, followers or connection to the outside world. Part of the reason why I am so reluctant to finally sit with “The Sopranos” is because of my love for "The Wire" and everybody’s insistence that while both shows are great, “The Sopranos” is a bit better, though in the same vein. The storylines intersect like city roads impossible to navigate. It’s gritty. It’s obscene. It’s funny. And most importantly, it’s universally decided that it depicts inner-city life better than any other show in the history of TV. Plus, it kind of spawned “Treme,” which, had it been around for longer than one season, may have made its own way on this list itself. It’s the smartest show to ever make its way on to a television screen, and by my calculations, the second best show ever on any network. For those who agree, you may want to check out the below clip…

...For The Ride Home: The Tonys are this weekend, Jay-Z remixes M.I.A., a day in the life of Hanson and the World Cup begins

Write these words back down!!!! Goodness, four exclamation points. Need to start the weekend off correctly, and it's hard to think of a better way than this classic Thursday tune. "Full Collapse" is one of the great (not good, great) records of the last decade. Still can't understand all the comparisons to Morrissey and The Smiths when they first hit. Silly music critics. Who needs them, right? We bring week 11 to a close with happiness. Why is that, you ask? Two reasons. One, the World Cup has officially kicked off. And two, we saw record numbers again this week. You make our hearts full of love. Love for you, the fantastically attractive reader. The only thing left that this week could offer is an American win tomorrow afternoon (coverage begins at 1:30. Watch it or be deported). Before we can move forward, though, we must offer these links and suggest you take a look at at least two-and-a-half of them. Also, if you'd like to join our conversation on this consistent flow of remade films, we'd love that as well. Either way, enjoy June, share a kiss or two and don't forget, dear, dear friends, love you, miss you.

Mexico had to rally late to draw with South Africa. Almost got excited. France/Uruguay is going to be an awfully interesting match to watch. (ESPN)

Jay-Z remixed M.I.A.’s “XXXO.” Check it out. (On Smash)

Slate wants to find better words to use in social commentary. Words up for discussion: “Tweet” and “Like.” Amen. (Slate)

Somebody says he can make Newsweek profitable again with 18 months. Honestly? (Business Insider)

We tried telling you about Coco and Jack White in Nashville. We tried. (Rolling Stone)

Hanson has been around for 18 years? Holy mmmbop. Neat read, especially if you root for these dudes, kind of like we do. (Popeater)

Angelina Jolie will play Cleopatra in a bio pic. Keep hearing “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” is pretty good. Is it? (CBS 8)

Jan Jones was in a car accident. That’s what you get when you mess around on Don Draper. (Fox News)

The Tonys are this weekend. You ought to give it a glance if you can. Here’s a writer who thinks “American Idiot” has a shot at making some noise. (Los Angeles Times)

Also this weekend? Bonnaroo. If you happen to be in Tennessee this weekend, well, yeah. You get it. (The Celebrity Café)

Double Feature: The A-Team & The Karate Kid

Each Friday, we will offer up two movies that are scheduled to be released within the accompanying weekend. We know, we know. It’s hard to come across blogs who ever actually get movie talk right. That’s why we won’t say much. A trailer. A paragraph. And boom – all you need to know about what new movies you can take your beautiful object of affection to see this weekend. It's like going to the drive-in movie theater. Remember those? So much fun. Thank us later, not now.

The A-Team

"A frenetic mildly entertaining action flick whose only distinction from other frenetic, mildly entertaining action flicks is that this one is called The A-Team." That comes directly from Rotten Tomatoes, your one-stop-shop for all things film. I like Liam Neeson. A lot actually. Even enjoy Bradley Cooper enough. And after "Valentine's Day," I have steadily grown a crush on Jessica Biel (though here she kind of jabs at what it's like to kiss Bradley Cooper, which isn't all that nice). But, come on. No way am I interested in this. I will spare the "can't we get over this whole action movie thing" speech this week, and concede that it is, in fact, summer, and these types of movies are really the only types of movies that come out around this time of year. But the A-Team? Can we please, please, please, please see something - just anything - original. What's next? A Transformers movie? Maybe a G.I. Joe flick? Oh wait...



The Karate Kid

Remember this? God, if you don't get wound up once Will Smith starts clapping in the middle of the sidewalk, check for a pulse. Really, really, really hard to believe that kid is all growed up. Even harder to think his dad would let him partake in this, yet another remake in the summer of remakes that really doesn't need to be touched ever again. It seems as though this isn't getting killed by the people who know way more about movies than I ever will, and it should be noted that Jaden Smith will forever get a pass from me because of the aforementioned roll he played in one of his father's best movies (along with the fact that "The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air" may just be one of the best television shows...oh...ever), but out of all the 1980s movies/conecpts to recreate, this ranks just under, well, The A-Team. Sure, the reviews might not be crushing it as much as I had anticipated, but the one constant in every scribe's opinion is that this movie lacks depth. That alone turns this particular movie-watcher away from the theater, but to those who still may be considering it, just remember the last movie Jackie Chan was in: "The Spy Next Door." Yep. Our thoughts exactly.

...For The Ride Home: That awful couple from "The Hills" is broke, new Kings Of Leon music and a big, big game tonight in Boston

Gave this a watch last night. It's so, so charming. And even funny at times. Always good to take a chance on buying a movie and feel justified once you finally get the time to watch it three months later. It's right there with "The Lucky Ones" when considering films I'm fairly certain nobody has or will see, but really should if they get the chance. There isn't anything particularly special about these movies. They are simply nice little ditties that should be seen by more people. Plus, I'm sort of like a woman. I like romantic-y, comedy-y things. Moving forward, it's Thursday, and oh how the days pass by like frienemies often do. Huge game this evening in Boston (as you will see below), and we'd be remiss if we didn't extend our congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks for winning the Stanley Cup last night. Somewhere, Michael Wilbon is happy. And finally - keeping with the sports theme - today is the last day before the first day of the World Cup. Adjust the next month of your schedule accordingly. Thinking about throwing money on the U.S. Saturday. Probably not a good idea, right? Anyways, before any of that gets under way, take a look at the links below and celebrate the fact that the weekend is almost here. Be good, now.

The kids from “The Hills” are broke. Had to pull this out – “Spencer spends all of his money on gadgets, including professional night vision equipment and telescopes.” (Dime Wars)

A vote for Larry King, Andy Rooney and Betty White to go away in the wake of all this Helen Thomas business. Come on, man. That was the best “Saturday Night Live” in decades. (Uncle Barky)

Pretty good idea that’s been overlooked so far: If LeBron James leaves Cleveland, it certainly isn’t Cleveland’s fault at this point. Speaking of which, how about all that Tom Izzo stuff? Goodness. (Deadspin)

New York Post writers leave because the place has become insufferable. Interesting. (Gawker)

Kings Of Leon started their tour and played brand new songs. In honor, dance to “Sex On Fire” tonight. (Spin)

Yesterday, “Back To The Future” and “Jurassic Park.” Today, a new “Mortal Combat.” (USA Today)

A big, big game four tonight for Boston. Here’s Bob Ryan’s column regarding how Derek Fisher won game three for L.A. Tuesday night. It’s win or stay home for the Celtics tonight. (Boston Globe)

This was weird. Jeremy Roenick cries after Chicago wins the Stanley Cup. Odd. (The Huffington Post)

Signs of Summer: Outdoor Concerts

Despite the agonizing fact that the official start date of summer isn’t until June 23, we’ve already had a few waves of summer-like weather in my neck of the woods. Its days like these that energize and invigorate the lion’s share of us who live in areas with over 225 days a year of “gray” weather, and these nice days deserve their due.

With that said, every Tuesday and Thursday until the official start of summer we’ll bring you an ode to the signs of summer, one marvelous item at a time. And PS - we would love it if you would pepper in your thoughts as well.

Today we pay homage to outdoor concerts.

Namely Tom Petty… bring it on, haters.

My wife and I have seen TP three times so far, once with the better half of this here blog in fact, and honest to God, I’m not sure if there’s a more fulfilling summer experience from start to finish. Granted, it’s a little more expensive than cooking on the grill, and it requires more planning than getting in a round of golf, but the whole event just screams summer.

Highlights from past Petty experiences run the gamut of awesomeness. We (whatever group is assembled) typically try to arrive at the venue three to four hours before show time to ensure that we get our tailgate on properly. We tend to keep it simple with a little propane grill, hamburgers, hot dogs, chips & dip and plenty of booze. Once the food and drink have been appropriately taken care of, we make our final pilgrimage to pay homage to one of rock’s best performers.

And Tom never lets us down, knocking out hit after hit, sprinkled with a dash of instrumental jam sessions, all brought together seamlessly with a spattering of stories that can only be told by someone with a pedigree such as his.

True story: Last time we went we got a late start on the day thanks to work commitments. Consequently, thanks to that late start, we hit one of the most nightmarish traffic jams in concert-going history. Anywhere, anytime, ever. No exaggeration whatsoever, it took us over four hours to navigate what Mapquest said was 31 miles/41 minutes.

At this point we’ll be lucky to make it in time for Petty’s opening song. So we’re trudging along in the stop-start turmoil that was, when I, the driver, get hit with the most vicious feeling in the world: I gotta go.

I think you know what I’m saying.

At this point we can see the venue entrance about half a mile up ahead. I tell my wife to take the drivers seat, I throw the car in park and I take off down the road - running more and faster than I had in years prior to that. I practically throw myself into the first patch of woods I see and as Forrest Gump would say, “I went.” Then I hear the snickers and shuffling up ahead of a group of people doing the only other thing one does in the solace of the forest at an outdoor concert… you can fill in the blank.

By the time I made it back to the car, we were at the entrance and could hear Petty’s soundcheck. Luckily, we made it in by the skin of our teeth… and chugged like three beers a piece during our wait to get to the front of the line. Coincidentally, my better half (blog-wise, not marriage-wise) ended up breaking his foot that evening but didn’t know it until the effects of said evening wore off a day later. Good times.

So let’s do it: your summer concert list, past or present. And no judgments here - we’ll get you started.

Vans Warped Tour
Dave Matthews Band
O.A.R.
Jack Johnson
Ben Harper
311
Family Values Tour
Lillith Fair
Bamboozle Fest
Counting Crows
Radio Festivals
Community Festivals
Town Fair Tours (reuniting some of the best/worst bands ever)

Your turn.

Come back and Ride with us at 4 p.m.

...For The Ride Home: Make way for Mr. West, Ben Roethlisberger news and John Stamos is headed to "Glee"

I cannot get songs from this album out of my head! Yes, that's an exclamation point, too. Last week, I posted a performance of "Like A Dog" along with The Ride, and even that wasn't enough. Sat down earlier this week to pen a column paying tribute to this entire record. That, too, was not enough. Because when I sat down to compile the material for today's Ride, I couldn't get the line "Despite what you believe, I stay away from trouble," out of my head. So alas, instead of another performance that you clearly have no interest in, I thought I'd spare you with a simple picture of the album cover. Should have had a Powderfinger week, damnit. Ahhh, goodness. Moving forward, it's Wednesday, raining and cold. Wait, it's June, right? Has to be, because a pitcher made his major league debut last night and the world stood still for two hours. Come on, Nats. You started him against AAA-Pittsburgh. It's not that big of a deal. Can't be. Anyways, if it happens to be raining and cold wherever you are, it may be a good night to settle in with a bottle of wine and catch up on some blog reading. There is our World Cup prediction. There are countless signs of summer to acquaint yourself with. And, of course, there are the links below that you may use at your own leisure. Whichever it be, we hope you enjoy. Honestly, though.

He’s coming. Kanye West to perform at the BET awards later this month. Taylor Swift, coincidentally, pulled out of the ceremony today. (All Hip-Hop)

Sexism, the Chicago Tribune and hockey. Love Christine Brennan. (USA Today)

The New York Times’ ombudsman will pen his last column this weekend. So does that mean they are accepting resumes? (Media Matters)

The headline says it all. “Back To The Future” and “Jurassic Park” will become video games. (Yahoo)

Whoa. John Stamos is going to join the cast of “Glee.” No word on if Michelle or Stephanie will join him. (TV Guide)

Police have released tapes of the interviews done during the Ben Roethlisberger case. Just when you thought the story had begun to fade, too. This seems damning. (ESPN)

Anybody happen to be in Nashville? Anybody like Conan O’Brien? Anybody like Jack White? You might want to click on this then. (Pitchfork)

Oh, wow. Larry King’s wife overdosed. (Fox News)

Your official World Cup prediction/preview post

As the headline reads here, “Only idiots try to predict the World Cup.” That’s why we are going to keep this short. The tournament kicks off Friday, and much like our Double Features, we know it’s hard to find the perfect balance of knowledge, opinion and conciseness, so the following is only done with the thought in mind that this is a mere blog – not a book, column or 2,000 word preview story. Blogs are meant to be short and to the point. So, well, without any further ado, the following is short and to the point. Full disclosure: Don’t spend your hard earned money on these picks. This is, after all, the most unpredictably important event in the world of sport.

Group A: France may be a lock, but that’s about the only thing this group offers that is certain. Even South Africa may have a shot at writing history, playing the role of the host team making it out of group play. While it’s highly unlikely, though, it must be noted that this may be the best worst team of any group. If you don’t want to take the chance, the best advice is to flip a coin for Uruguay and Mexico. The Mexicans are feisty, but you need not forget their play away from home. Too hard to fully believe in them.
Who advances? France, Uruguay.

Group B: Argentina is your lock here, but only because we want to see manager Diego Maradona run naked through the country. A bit of a sleeper pick here is Nigeria, as the country’s squad seems to be coming together at the right time. Greece is good, but being close to home may put Nigeria over the top. Notice how the words “South” and “Korea” weren’t even mentioned.
Who advances? Argentina, Nigeria.

Group C: We may know the answer to this group by Saturday evening. England has some of the world’s most premier footballers, and everything points to the Americans joining the English in the knockout stage. Then again, we saw how awful the United States looked in 2006 when it had the same expectations. But hey, my body didn’t get burned for nothing. It’s fate.
Who advances? United States, England.

Group D: Before injuries, Germany may have been a good pick to win it all. Now, well, at least they are all but promised to get to the round of 16. The rest of this group seems to be up for grabs. Yes, Serbia has been playing well enough lately to garner a 15 world ranking, but Ghana and Australia seem to have other things on their minds. Sure, Ghana may be a bit of a sexy pick here, but you can’t turn your back on the Serbians just yet.
Who advances? Germany, Serbia.

Group E: The Dutch seem to be one of the more lauded picks throughout the entire draw. They are youthful, talented and can score at will. Cameroon has the talent to make a run, but seem to be lacking leadership. The winner of the Denmark/Cameroon match will most certainly be the second team out of this group. Our pick? Cameroon keeps it together on semi home soil.
Who advances? Netherlands, Cameroon.

Group F: Italy looks good. And I mean good. They also have quite possibly the easiest draw in terms of the group stage. If they don’t make it out undefeated, something may be wrong. Paraguay is the clear cut favorite to make it out, but stranger things have happened on the World Cup stage. Hard to pick against one of the most experienced squads in all of the tourney, though.
Who advances? Italy, Paraguay.

Group G: The group of death that doesn’t look nearly as deadly as it once did. North Korea may lose each match by a three goal minimum and Brazil is practically a lock now that the Ivory Coast has lost its best player. That said, who makes it through in the second spot? Well, I think we all know the answer to that question.
Who advances? Brazil, Portugal.

Group H: The favorite to win the entire prize lies here, along with an interesting pair of Chile and Switzerland. Honduras will most likely be a non-factor, but with Spain dominating most every minute they appear on the pitch, the second team out may very well turn into a crap shoot.
Who advances? Spain, Switzerland.

Teams through to the quarterfinals: France, England, Netherlands, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Italy and Spain.

Semis: England, Netherlands, Germany and Spain.

Finals: Spain over England, 3-1.

Whew. Now the top 50 goals. Ever.

...For The Ride Home: Isley brother dies, settle down, Xtina, French actresses and comic books in film

It's been a whirlwind of a last couple days, and after finally coming to a rest last evening, I decided to pop the accompanying movie in. It was the absolute most perfect way to begin World Cup week. And, as an added bonus, it's a well done film to boot. If you claim to be a futbol fan, rent it sometime before Friday. You won't be disappointed. In other news, the comment of the day goes to my father when I called him to share some very exciting news.
Me: "Hey, I have some exciting news. It's reason to celebrate. And no, I'm not getting married."
Dad: "Isn't that reason enough to celebrate?"
It's a Tuesday in early June. Go fall in love, or something. Watch a sun set. Cook out. Exchange kisses. Do the things all the normal people do in June when they find love. I mean, honestly. If you can't fall in love in June, you aren't capable of feeling feelings. Before you partake in such lovely actions, though, be sure to click on a link or two, read about how great baseball is (note - except in my opinion), and celebrate the fact that my sister turned 24 yesterday. Yeah, she doesn't read this, but any shout out is a good shout out, right? Now don't forget to be nice to others.

Marvin Isley, bassist for the Isley Brothers, died last night. By this particular writer’s account, “This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You)” is the second best song ever written. Rest in Peace, Mr. Isley. (Washington Post)

Aaron Rodgers vs. Tony Kornheiser. (The Big Lead)

The Huffington Post is not for sale. Duh. (Business Insider)

Neat: The 50 words that confuse New York Times readers. Note the absence of the words “Daily,” “News,” “Observer” and “Post.” (New York Times)

Only because there seems to be a huge audience for this kind of stuff. What exactly is the proper way to capture a comic book in film? (Popmatters)

Any Spitalfield fans in the house? They are going to reunite. “I Love The Way She Said L.A.” is imperative summer listening. (Alternative Press)

The stars keep biting the dust. Portugal’s Nani is out of the World Cup. Spoiler Alert: Expect a full-on prediction/preview post tomorrow. (Fox Sports)

Interesting: The top 10 most stunning French actresses ever. (Vanity Fair)

She’s right. Chill out, Xtina. (Gracious Kristi)

Signs of Summer: Major League Baseball

Despite the agonizing fact that the official start date of summer isn’t until June 23, we’ve already had a few waves of summer-like weather in my neck of the woods. Its days like these that energize and invigorate the lion’s share of us who live in areas with over 225 days a year of “gray” weather, and these nice days deserve their due.

With that said, every Tuesday and Thursday until the official start of summer we’ll bring you an ode to the signs of summer, one marvelous item at a time. And PS - we would love it if you would pepper in your thoughts as well.

Today we pay homage to Major League Baseball.

As a kid growing up in western PA, it was pretty much a rite of passage to play organized baseball at some point in your life, even if only at the tee-ball level. I started when I was nine, and man was I awful that first year. I played right field from the fourth through sixth innings on a team filled with awesome 10 and 11 year olds and finished the year with an extremely disproportioned number of errors to hits. Truth be told I think I only made solid contact two or three times all year.

But those two or three instances had me hooked… as well as CONVINCED that I would play in the Majors someday.

Of course that dream would never come to fruition for me and my beastly five foot, three inch frame, but man I did love the crap out of the next seven years that I played. My best childhood memories have to do with aspiring to be a Major Leaguer, most notably getting the save and three RBIs in the peewee league championship a few years after my abysmal rookie season.

Still today, after 17 agonizing seasons of following my losing team, I still get that little flutter every April. That excitement that can only come with walking into a Major League ballpark - smelling the hot dogs and stale beer; watching a perfectly executed 6-4-3 double play; hearing the crowd heckle the ump for a blatantly bad call at the plate (and of course hearing the “lemonade!” guy three aisles away all game); uncomfortably shifting in your seat when your team is down two runs in the bottom of the ninth with the bases juiced and your cleanup hitter coming to the plate…

That’s summer man. Period.

And how appropriate a topic, with yesterday being the MLB Draft… However, I have to say the MLB Draft sorely lacks in the pomp and circumstance department, especially compared to the NFL, NBA and even the NHL.

“And with the fifth overall pick in the 2010 draft, the Cleveland Indians select some dude you’ve never heard of who may or may not ever play a game in a Major League ballpark, and even if he does, by then we’ll have practically forgotten about how great he was supposed to be in the first place.”

Huh… Cool… (remote switches back to the Food Network)

This year there were three players worth mentioning - Bryce Harper, Jameson Taillon and Manny Machado (who analysts must have annoyingly compared to A-Rod 25 freakin’ times). I’m no expert, but I will make one comment: I’m proud of my Pirates for taking a chance on the 17-year-old freak of nature Taillon. Impending Tommy Johns surgery notwithstanding, he could really be someone at the pro level, and signing him at least gives me some semblance of relief that the Buccos are committed to winning pretty soon.

For God’s sake Bob Nutting…

Rant over. More baseball talk here, if you'd like.

See you at 4 p.m. for The Ride. Don't forget to fill out your All-Star ballot.

...For The Ride Home: Steve Nash to work for World Cup, Tom Cruise is likable again and Anna Kendrick

Hello, hello. We kick off week 11 with a short ride. Going to spend the majority of the day on the road, so we needed to make sure we were still able to provide you with a proper send off into the rest of the day. Up top, you will see a commercial for MTV's movie awards that were held last night. The beginning of the show had Tom Cruise recreate his impossibly funny character from "Tropic Thunder," as you will see if you follow a link below. And if you don't want to click the link below, you can play the video above and laugh until you puke. In any case, enjoy the following tidbits, and don't forget to check back tomorrow for one of the last signs of summer. Be good, now.

Swimming with sharks saves lives. There is something inherently wrong with that headline. (CNN)

Can't decide on this outfit from Anna Kendrick. Love her times a gabillion, though. Lifetime pass for "Up In The Air." (TMZ)

Hey, this is neat. Steve Nash will work the World Cup for CBS. (Bleacher Report)

Know we are late on this, but it happened Friday night, and it can't be ignored. The greatest basketball coach to ever live, John Wooden, died. Here is Michael Wilbon's take on the Wizard. (Washington Post)

"Tropic Thunder" is the funniest movie of the last three years. Can't say that enough. Tom Cruise brought his brilliantly funny character to last night's movie awards. Why does he have to be so hatable? (Popeater)

How great is this? Kobe doesn't give a "bleep" about where LeBron James ends up. Fabulous. (Fox Sports)

The hangover and the food that comes with it

Had a party this weekend. All the cool kids were there, and I'm fairly certain it was agreed upon by everyone that it was pretty much the best night of their lives. Party wise, at least. Hey, when you can rock that LCD Soundsystem record until five in the morning, while earlier in the night your record player sprinkled in some Tom Petty, Huey Lewis and Ray Charles, you know your party was better than just about everyone else's.

The problem, though, with having such a gathering, is that I'm noticing how awful I feel the day after a night filled with drinking. This is an occurrence that only recently became commonplace, and needs to be fixed soon. Maybe its the wine, liquor and beer. Should probably stick to only one of the above, right? But a couple bottles of wine just don't do the trick by themselves, and shots always need to be taken in order to proclaim toasts. And you can't have a party and not toast to something. Goodness. The intricacies of properly consuming alcohol.

Anyways, laying on the couch with a throbbing headache warranted the following thought: What's a good food to consume the day after a night filled with friends and booze? What exactly goes well with a hangover that makes you feel as though you will never move from your bed (aside from the requisite Tylenol, Advil and occasional Gatorade, of course)?

That headache now gone, I thought I'd throw a few thoughts out there to see if any stuck. Considering everyone typically has their own remedies for such situations, it may be nice to leave a comment or two, offering your own advice because mine clearly isn't full-proof, not even for me. That said, though, here are a couple examples of food I take solace in while feeling as though an 18-wheel truck is spinning through my brain.

Hamburgers and French FriesYeah, that sounds risky, I know. But I made an art out of waking up dizzy and still finding my way to McDonalds throughout my time in college. It's essential. The grease. The carbs. The complete awfulness of knowing you are eating processed food that was probably dropped on the floor three times before it hit the wrapper you see it in. Hey, if nothing else, eating such materials has been known to induce the act of vomiting. And remember what they always say about a way to make you feel better...

Pizza
This one is sort of odd, but the more I find myself in this predicament, the more I crave a slice of pizza by 5 'o clock. Now this can be tricky simply because of the varying pizzas that happen to be offered. Pizza Hut? Only if it's a personal pan because you sometimes roll the dice with how they may cook it. Dominoes? That can get a bit too cheesy. Same with Papa John's. A local joint? That's probably the best bet, though you know the local spots tend to be more inconsistent than any mainstream chain. That's OK, though, if you happen to love the smell of the pizza place. Because let's be honest. Stepping into a local pizzeria can instantly make anyone feel better based on smell alone. The big guys? They smell like garbage and dead cats. Not good for a hangover.

Tea
Only here because of my love for tea. It's hot, though. That helps.

Bread
People always seem to suggest toast and bread in these situations. Why? Before you know it, you have eaten eight slices of bread, put on six more pounds and you seem to wonder why you are still hungry. Still, bread is the perfect gateway food. It can lead you to finally gain an appetite for something more substantial - something that may just help. Besides, it's bread. Who doesn't have a loaf of bread just chilling out, always ready to help your hunger needs?

Chinese Food
Because it makes you sleepy, silly.

And of course...

Actual Breakfast Food
You are lying if you say you've never once woken up after a late night and went out to get pancakes, eggs and bacon. Me? I hate breakfast food. I'll go with you, but I'll opt for a burger. But just because I've never sat well with such foods doesn't mean we can ignore the fact that everyone seems to love the stuff. Goodness, the obsession you people have with syrup and butter. Always have to try and keep it local, but if you happen to be near a Perkins or Eat 'N Park, at least you'll be able to look at those attractive pies while you wait for your meal. And if you can't go to any of those, word is these things seem to generate some serious excitement within you breakfast food-eating-people bunch...

...For The Ride Home: Popmatters to pay their writers (yes!), Jay-Z probably feels pretty good about himself and another star out of the World Cup

From the best album released so far this year, we offer LCD Soundsystem's "Drunk Girls" to send you off into the first weekend of June as week 10 comes to an end. Can't think of a better song to start the weekend off correctly. Two things. First, I watched the latest installment of the "Saw" series last night on DVD. I've now seen all six. This last one? Wonderful! Notice the symbol after the "l" and what it's supposed to mean. May be talking crazy here, but it's the best since the very first one, which was the Saw of all Saws. Don't even like horror films, but must stay true to the "Saw" series. Word is this year's will be the last. Sad. Secondly, I plan to run a race tomorrow. A 5K race, to be exact. It's going to be odd, though, because everyone who said they will be around, won't be around. Wasn't really prepared to go at this alone. So different from last year for so many reasons. Say a prayer for me, my sagging shorts and big-headphoned stature. It promises to be interesting. Now, before you go off into what should be a warm weekend in June, take some time to click on these links, go grab a couple bottles of wine and settle in for some almost summer fun. Don't get hurt, and yes, love you, miss you.

“Empire State Of Mind” is going to replace “New York, New York” at the Belmont Stakes this weekend. Welcome to the 21st century, horse racing. (MTV)

Haven’t had much on the oil spill, but this is interesting: The Huffington Post cuts ties with BP consultant. This whole mess is really bad, isn’t it? (Politico)

Whoa. Big news for me. Popmatters is going try and start to pay its writers. Happy day! (Business Insider)

The ongoing battle continues between the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. According the Times’ CEO, circulation numbers are holding their own against the WSJ’s attack. (Bloomberg)

Sheryl Crow adopts a kid. She looks good for nearly 50. Does anyone know if she’s had any work done? (New York Daily News)

This is sad. Gary Coleman’s funeral is cancelled because of his ex-wife and parents arguing. Why does death always do this type of stuff to people? (MSBNC)

The Grand Ole Opry won’t be open again until the fall. Bummer. Plan to visit Nashville in July. (Pollstar)

I love Jason Bateman. (TMZ)

Oh goodness. Didier Drogba is out of the World Cup. That’s what a Sports Illustrated piece will do to you, I guess. (Deadspin)

Double Feature: Get Him To The Greek & Killers

Each Friday, we will offer up two movies that are scheduled to be released within the accompanying weekend. We know, we know. It’s hard to come across blogs who ever actually get movie talk right. That’s why we won’t say much. A trailer. A paragraph. And boom – all you need to know about what new movies you can take your beautiful object of affection to see this weekend. It's like going to the drive-in movie theater. Remember those? So much fun. Thank us later, not now.

Get Him To The Greek

Well, Meredith Vieira is in this. Or at least for a few seconds, according to the trailer below. Completely understand it’s not cool to want to see this movie. Despised “Knocked Up” and “The 40-Year-Old Virgin.” Really have some inexplicable disdain for the crew this movie associates with. But there’s a soft spot in my heart for “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” and count me in the limited amount of people who tend to think Jonah Hill is funny. Add that to the fact that Diddy seemingly plays a big role here and what you have is something that I wouldn’t fight seeing. It’s like the equivalent of the John Mayer/Train tour this summer, something I recently dubbed the “nobody would ever admit to having a ticket to this” tour. It just feels like this movie should be dismissed, right? Some moments in the previews are funny, though, and while Russell Brand seems to be a bit overrated (and it’s way beyond me that they kept his character from “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” yet changed Jonah Hill’s dude), this may be a worth a watch if you feel like being indoors during a weekend in June. Yep. Highly unlikely.



Killers

Two problems with the fact that I only took up watching movies no more than two years ago. One: I feel as though I hold absolutely no grounds to pass judgment on anything movies when I talk to friends who have been watching movies their whole lives. And two: Their prejudices and judgments tend to rub off on me because of my admitted previous ignorance toward film. That said, file Katherine Heigl under the category of “someone I don’t think I’ll ever be able to root for.” All outside opinions aside, she seems as though she plays the same type of woman in every movie she happens to be in. And she keeps changing hair styles, too (note – the bangs don’t work, hunny). Seems unlikely this will do well, and at what point do you realize that Ashton Kutcher just wants to make movies without shirts? Then again, people like action, and this seems to offer a good amount of it. So who knows? Maybe the star power (?) will prevail, and people love it. Or maybe Katherine Heigl returns to “Grey’s Anatomy” by September.

...For The Ride Home: The perfect game that wasn't, a new way for writers to make money, and how does Christina Hendricks come in second in anything?

“Sure, I got you. New Wave feminist, college-educated, single and pretending to be happy about it, over-scheduled, under-sexed. You buy any magazine that says ‘Healthy Body image’ on the cover and every two years, you take up knitting…for a week.” In honor of the first Thursday without a new "30 Rock" in months, we give you this photo and the preceding quote from none other than Jack Donaghy when he met Liz Lemon for the very first time. Ahh, the memories. Anyways, logged in to begin this post and came across the fact that today's signs of summer post was our 100th. Wow. 100 is a lot to do of anything, let alone a silly little blog. The milestones keep coming. Thursday would usually mean the only night I sit to watch 30 minutes of television, but because the summer is here and new television programs are relegated to episodes of "America's Got Talent," Thursday has been reduced back to "the day before Friday." Regardless, check out the links before heading out to begin the first weekend of June early, and always remember to drink your milk like that guy from "Inglorious Basterds" and Daniel Plainview. Be good.

Submitted by a friend earlier this morning. He even pops up in the comments section every now and then. For fans of the band that haven't jumped the shark, this is endearing in it's own way. (You Tube)

Saw this everywhere, so I thought it’d be an idea to link it here, too. Woman fired from bank from “being too hot.” (AOL)

It’s like picking from 10,000 sour patch kids with this story. We’ll only offer this one up for now, though. Major League Baseball may review and overturn the call that led to Armando Galarraga not coming away with a perfect game last night. (ESPN)

Neat in a sad kind of way. A site is developed for unemployed journalists to sell their stories for 99 cents and up. (Business Journalism)

Wow. Remember those Christina Hendricks pictures from Esquire we linked to a few weeks back? Remember how they proclaimed her the best looking woman in America? That was supposed to be Scarlett Johansson. Don Draper sighs. (National Post)

Members of Anthrax and Fall Out Boy joined to form a band. And they played live. Bizarre. (Spin)

Sad: Golden Girl Rue McClanahan died. Is Betty White the only one left now? (People)

The headline says all you need to know – The good, the bad, the ugly of Zuckerberg. Still hate Facebook. (CNN)

The dude who won “American Idol” released his first single – U2’s “Beautiful Day.” And it sold almost 100,000 copies. What’s wrong with you people? (Reality TV World)

Signs of Summer: Shorts and flip flops

Despite the agonizing fact that the official start date of summer isn’t until June 23, we’ve already had a few waves of summer-like weather in my neck of the woods. Its days like these that energize and invigorate the lion’s share of us who live in areas with over 225 days a year of “gray” weather, and these nice days deserve their due.

With that said, every Tuesday and Thursday until the official start of summer we’ll bring you an ode to the signs of summer, one marvelous item at a time. And PS - we would love it if you would pepper in your thoughts as well.

Today we pay homage to wearing shorts and flip flops.

*Please disregard the well dressed portion of the Zach Efron picture above.

As a somewhat style-impaired, slightly apathetic and overbearingly thrifty (cheap) twenty-something, purchasing new, fashionable clothing is not the highest priority once the bills are paid every two weeks. Come to think of it, I’m actually getting to the point where I have “good” and “bad” undergarments, which is a clear sign that I need to bite the bullet and hit me up some Kohls, TJ Maxx and Ross Dress for Less (I told you I was cheap, right?).

Anyways, summer provides a fantastic three month window where I can rotate two pairs of shorts and a pair or two of flip-flops and never think twice about it. It’s almost like summer gives many people (mostly guys - but I believe ladies can get in on the fun as well) a free ticket to lazy, comfortable apparel.

Now, some who know me might argue that lazy, comfortable clothing is my modus operandi regardless of season. I am, in fact, a jeans and tee shirt (or polo shirt) kind of guy - but shorts and flip flops feel different for some reason. Shorts and flip flops = carefree relaxation… unless it rains really hard… then they = wet feet and and a sour look on my face.

My favorite pair of shorts has to be these tan cargo shorts I bought at Goodwill like five years ago. They have a drawstring even though I prefer to wear a belt, but I still let the drawstring hang out to give it an even more casual look. Flip flops come and go every summer for the most part, which I love. I buy a cheap pair in early June and just wear the crap out of them until September or so. Perfect.

I’m sure this shorts and flip flops summer fascination is entirely in my head, but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy the laid back vibe it provides any less. Good times.

But man, have you ever tried to run in flip flops? Dangerous and embarrassing.

We’ll see you at 4 p.m. for your Ride Home links. Take care.