'LOST' and 'Fringe' Done For Now...

'LOST' and 'Fringe' aired season finales this week. Why am I more disappointed than anxious?

'Fringe' ended it's inaugural season in somewhat bland fashion. Me thinks the producers put too much on Leonard Nimoy's all too brief appearance at the end to carry this thing. What we get to look forward to next season appears to be alternate/parallel universes and the mystery behind Peter Bishop. If you haven't seen it I don't want to be any more detailed than that. I enjoy the show but I don't think I'll be having withdrawal symptoms any time throughout the offseason.

'LOST' didn't quite do it for me either. After the other season enders I suffered from 'Post Season Depression' immediately. I don't feel that this year and it's a shame because this is the last season finale before the final chapter. The producers have led us to believe they've known how this was to end ever since they started. This finale leaves me feeling that they may not be so sure afterall. Things really seemed forced in order to move the story along. Characters you've grown to know from day one were acting 'out of character' in epic proportions. It appears that the final chapter may be a little more, shall we say, 'biblical'...If that is the case I'm not too sure many LOST fans will be happy...

My favorite network shows are done for a while and I'm sad that I won't miss them much until they return. When the time comes I will welcome them back with open arms and an open mind.

"The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane"

Tonight was a 'Netflix Night'. You can't do much better than classic Jodie Foster.

I've really been enjoying some classics lately. Last week it was 'The Entity' with Barbara Hershey. It'd been a while since I'd seen it and it still holds up pretty well. The special effects are pretty decent for 1981. I didn't realize how attractive Barbara Hershey was until I rewatched this gem of a horror movie.

On that note; nobody did it better than Jodie Foster back in the day. She had the classic 'little girl' look but carried as much bravado as John Wayne on the big screen. Wise beyond her years and street smart to boot. she could do anything and do it well.

I love movies that make me think. 'The Little Girl...' certainly did that for me as well as it creeped me out at times. Watching older movies like this makes you realize how much the world has changed in 30 years. Interpretations of movies and their characters can change with the times. I can see how this movie may have been viewed differently when it came out in 1976 . I really had a lot of empathy and sympathy for Foster's character. Martin Sheen is here too, as a creepy pervert who basically stalks Foster's character who is 13.

As much as Sheen's character made me feel icky I think I hated his nosey mother a little more.

I won't give anything away but I highly recommend this movie to anyone looking for a thrill and is tired of all the modern...well...crap that's out there.

Another Star Athlete Drops The Ball

I don't much care for professional sports apart from the NFL. Pro baseball is something that I've never been interested in at all...especially now.

Manny Ramirez of the Los Angeles Dodgers was hit with a 50 game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's drug policy. From what I've seen on ESPN and other sources I know that Manny has been one of baseball's more controversial personalities. Even so, the Dodgers were so desperate for a star they gave Manny a fat contract.

Well, L.A., here's your nice little payoff!

Why, why, why, do professional sports teams continue to throw big money at players of questionable character? In L.A.'s case, no other team in the league would have anything to do with Ramirez as a free agent this off-season. While holding out for Manny to sign they said 'no thanks' to some very solid talent. For likely less money than they paid Manny, they'd probably have someone else getting the job done. Now, for the next 50 games at least, the Dodgers have nothing to show for their efforts.

On the other hand, why do players like Ramirez and other stars mess with this stuff? Do they think they won't get caught? Surprise! You aren't too big of a star to get caught. Somehow guys like Alex Rodriguez get cornered but don't get much trouble in the end. Might that be because A-Rod plays for the richest team in baseball?

If Barry Bonds had been a little more likable and media friendly, would he have undergone such scrutiny? If Bonds played for the Yankees would he have been able to sweep most of his troubles under the carpet much in the same way A-Rod apparently has?

Money talks. It always has. It always will. It also helps if you put on a happy face and say all the right things - even if you don't DO the right things. Especially in professional sports.

Windows 7 Cometh...Well...Almost

Microsoft recently released a "Release Candidate" version of their next Windows operating system, Windows 7. That's not unusual but what is unusual is it's good until June 2010.

I downloaded my copy today and I'm contemplating exactly what to do with it after I burn my disc. Luckily I have 3 computers right now and one of them isn't being used. Since Microsoft suggest a clean install for the RC then that would be my most likely target. I already have a beta version of Windows 7 on it so it makes even more sense.

I was so impressed with the beta I proclaimed it was already better than Vista which is on my laptop. I don't really have many problems with Vista though I question it's wireless networking abilities. The computer the Win7 beta resides on is a desktop with a wireless networking card installed. Right after install of the beta I've had a flawless wireless connection. Something I can't claim for the Vista laptop.

Microsoft won't commit to an official release date for the final release version of Windows 7 but rumors persist it will be out before the end of 2009, just in time for the Holidays.

Netflix: What Do I Want to See Next?

Netflix is one of the greatest concepts ever! I have a lot of movies in my queue but I can never decide what to put at the top for my next viewing.

I have quite a few hobbies and I work 3rd shift. It's hard for me to make time to watch a two hour movie but I do enjoy the right movie at the right time. Sometimes I get a movie from Netflix that sits on my desk for weeks often to be sent back without viewing.

Netflix. Take my pain away. You need to have an option where subscribers can have DVDs in their queue sent randomly. Just send me a disc in my queue with total disregard of it's placement in my queue. Of course, TV shows and multiple disc collections would be immune to the random selection. Just make it for movies.

Surprise Me!

I Already Have a Bad Case of P.D.D.

Derby 135 is now in the history books and what a great show by Calvin Borel. I'm already suffering from Post Derby Depression (P.D.D.).

A long shot won. I bet on a long shot. It was just the wrong long shot. Calvin Borel and Mine That Bird put on a spectacular show and netted the second biggest upset in Derby history. Even though I picked the wrong long shot ( Atomic Rain ) I'm so glad to see another long shot draped in the roses. Calvin Borel is quickly becoming horse racing's newest legend.

365 days ( give or take ) until Louisville's next 'day in the sun'. Valerie Bertinelli and Danica Patrick are breathing my air and walking where I have walked...so close and yet so far away...sigh! Valerie appears to be back to her 'One Day at a Time' weight and it was nice to see Danica looking 'girlie' for a change. Thank you for coming to my city and teasing me with your presence.

Derby Morning Musings

Well, it's Derby Day here in Louisville and I just couldn't go without making a post. Post. Horse racing humor.

Early favorite I Want Revenge has been scratched from the Big Race with a bum ankle. I'm watching live coverage of this major news. I just can't get through the day until I know how the friggin stable boy feels about it. I won't be surprised if someone tries to find out how the horse himself feels about the development.

It won't be the most beautiful of Derby Days as the best case scenario is perhaps the sun will poke through the dark clouds a few times today. It will be a blessing if we don't see any more rain.

Today is the one day of the year where Louisville Kentucky is THE place to be. I don't care much for all the celebrity goings on as it seems more and more of them are famous for doing nothing. I won't name names but one of them hosted a big bash here last night. I do have some celebs I'd like to see here but all is well whether they show up or not.

I'll be wagering for my family and myself online today. Technology is wonderful. I have a new way to lose money.