Mike's Bloggity Blog

>After 8 long excrutiating weeks my best friend (sorry Tivo) is back! That’s right Veronica Mars is back! Tonight (May 1st!) Oh yes and it is going to be sweet!

Now, I know how you people out there are going to do everything you can to watch it right? And if you don’t get the CW or Veronica Mars where you live, you are going to call someone you know or don’t know and get them to turn their TV on and watch it right? Actually, they don’t need to even watch it, cause God help me if The Pussycat Dolls get better ratings their Veronica!

Here is a little treat for you!

>So this is what it’s come down to. I told you to watch Drive and you didn’t and now it’s been Cancelled. You are going to regret it. I bet I’d have more sway if I could my readership above 100 a day. Oh well, I digress.

So last night as I was washing my kitchen floors, yes on a Saturday night when I heard my new favorite song come on the TV and ran in to see it. It’s Augustana’s “Boston” and it was playing for a new ABC show called “Traveller.” I must say this show looks pretty interesting. Actually the plot is pretty controversial, so I’m suprised it’s actually airing. I’ve posted it below. It’s only a minute, so watch it even if it’s just to listen to the song. (Facebookers click here to watch it.)

Come to think of it, I might love it just because I LOVE hearing the ABC guy announcing my birthday. (May 10th, in case you didn’t pick it up!)

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>My Birthday is in a mere 13 days. That is coming up. It will be my Quarter Century. And although I’m not necessarily happy about it, I’ve come to terms.

One of the things that drive my family nuts it that I don’t ask for gifts. I’ve never felt comforatable about it and it drives my mom bananas, so I usually give give her a glass of vino tinto and that calms her down nicely (jk mom!)

But since this is the big 25, I decided I would make things easy and start asking.

That’s right, my vow of non-gift asking is about to be broken.

I’ll post over the next fort-night gift suggestions. Do what you must.

Gift #1: Click Here

Please note: I don’t expect any of these gifts. These are highly unreasonable, thus technically even more annoying than not asking for gifts at all.

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So after a busy week of friends visiting and ex-vice president’s speaking, I finally got back to my dearly neglected TV and her boyfriend TIVO.

So this is what I caught up on:

Lost: This season keeps getting better and better. And so do the fight scenes. I actually cheered when Jin kicked that un-killable Russian’s ass. Was it better than Kate vs. Juliet’s mud wrestle? No, but nothing ever will be. I guess I just have to trust the writers, they are getting paid to do it. I’m not. Sadly.

24: I’m going to be honest, I ffwd through most of this episode. I’m not really too clear why it is going on this season. I mean yes, I know it has to go for 24 hours straight. But the terrorists have been stopped, Audrey has been rescued and Kim is so far far away. I mean sure that Chinese guy is still running around, but hasn’t he been running around fro like 3 seasons? Enough is enough. I’m going to keep watching, but I’m hoping the writers have something big under their sleeves.

Grey’s Anatomy: First things first, did you notice Dawson’s mom was the big wig’s all knowing wife. Wow, has she not aged gracefully. Speaking of Dawson’s Creek, where is Gram’s. I always liked her. But I’m straying. Tonight’s episode was pretty much setting up Addison’s spin off, which we will be watching next week. (2 hours) Also, we all know George isn’t going anywhere, why do they even pretend. I also loved how Ava pretty much summed up everything we’ve felt about the show. Two words: Soap Opera.30 Rock: So it was the season finale tonight. Luckily we already know that it is coming back next year! (come on Veronica Mars) I forgot all about Jane Krakowski. Haha, why is she even in the credits? Oh well, this show has quickly become one of my favorite shows. I actually watched it before The Office tonight. (Shhh, don’t tell Pam.) It was good to see Sean Hayes again, it seems like forever since we saw him. Also does anyone else ever notice that the music seems so loud on the show that sometimes you can’t hear the words. Is that just me? I do have thick hair.

Scrubs: Did anyone notice that just before 30 Rock started, the NBC voice guy said “the final 4 episodes of Scrubs!” Although ABC has already said it would pick the show up next year if NBC doesn’t, it’s just weird to hear “final episodes!” Well the first of the 4 had Keri Russell guest staring, so they are off to a good start. On another unrelated note, Does anyone have Felicity of DVD, I never really watched it but always wanted. I’m just saying that my birthday is in exactly 2 weeks, so if you wanted to send them my way, it wouldn’t be the worst gift ever. (That would be Conditioner. For the record.)

The Office: “A couple of chickens doing a goat, a couple of pigs watching.” Classic. Try to use it in a sentence. Today. For me, my favorite episodes of this show are when they are in crisis mode. I’m always suprised to see that they are actually good at their jobs. Except, you know, when they are dating high school students. But who hasn’t been there….right….this just got awkward. Also, how could you not love an episode that was very Creed heavy. I’m not sure, but I’m pretty sure he has something to do with that Elvis/Celine video from last night.

All in all it was a good night. Alot of TV was watched, but I also managed to do the dishes and go for a walk. Man, can my life get more exciting? (please read this as Chandler from Friends)

>When I heard about American Idol Gives Back, I was very skeptical of it. How cheesy I thought. And then tonight my roomate and I, along with my visiting friend Michelle decided to watch it and although it was very cheesy, it was certainly very powerful. Tears were shed, laughs were had and most importantly money was given. In total we gave $130 and although it wasn’t alot, we feel and hope it made a difference.

Other things I learned/observed during tonight’s charity event:

-Paula Abdul is just as awkward around children as I am. My favorite was when the kid said she loved dancing and Paula quickly reminded her that she did too…..first.

-The Elvis/Celine Dion was by far the creepiest thing ever filmed. Ever.

-It became pretty obvious that they weren’t sending anyone home, but the double exit next week will be pretty exciting.

-Can we vote for Carrie Underwood again? Man that girl just simply rocks.

-You know what was almost creepier than the Elvis/Celine duet? Kelly Clarkson’s dress.

-Where was Pink or Gwen Stefani?

-Why did they talk about Sunjaya so much. Didn’t we kill him off yet? Maybe he is taking a page from the Denny Duquette pagebook. Ugh.

-Did you see Buffy…oh I mean Sarah Michelle Gellar!?!?!?! Dreamy Sigh

So what did you think? Did anyone else donate? Next week should be kick ass!

> So rosie announced that she leaving The View this coming june after joining the whores commentators just under a year ago.

>Tonight’s American Idol promises to have me in puddles of my own tears, and this time not because of Sunjaya is singing. But because it is the first annual American Idol Gives Back. I knew would be an American Idol like no other, but I didn’t expect to be crying within the first couple of minutes. But what can I say, I’m a sucker for a Coldplay Medley.

Chris is up first and wait, what’s that. Where is the naseley Chris that caused so much controversy last week? Looks like someone was listening to the Simon. I like his version of Clapton’s Change the World, because it is so different from the original and he made it is own, which because he already gets compared to Justin, is a good thing.

Between performances we are treated to another American Idol segment. I have to say I really do respect that this cause is also going to give back Americans that also need as much as help as they can get.

On a sarcastic bastard note: Atlanta. The most beautiful city in the world? Really?

Melinda comes up next. Did she say this is a Faith Hill song? Quick, let me rewind. One sec. Yup, she sure did. Weird, I’ve never heard of this song. But Melinda is singing it, so I’m happy. This was another great song by Melinda. You know one of those songs that can make a difference. I can’t wait to hear it again. Thanks TIVO.

Sarcastistic Bastard Note: Dear Ryan, can you not make homosexual jokes about Simon, during American Idol Gives Back? Thanks.

I’m very excited that Blake is singing this song. It is such a powerful song, hopefully it is not to powerful for him. I think Blake played smartly by toning down the hair gel and his overall look. Nothing like pulling off the “looking humble” look, by pretending to look humble. During this song I noticed something. I have no idea what Blake sounds like. Sure he usually does great stuff, but I wouldn’t never be able to pick one of his songs off of the radio. I hope this doesn’t hurt him. Have you noticed this?

Lakisha is up next. She obviously didn’t learn her lesson that singing a former American Idol’s winning song doesn’t always pay off. Although “I believe” is a way better choice than white, skinny, country Carrie Underwood. Hearing this song makes me remenice about Diana Degarmo. Ahh memories. Oh look, she got a standing ovation before the song even wrapped up. That’s gotta mean good things right?

Sarcastic Bastard Note: Do you think that if Lakisha wasn’t on the show, she would be one of the thousands of people that would be benefiting from it? Oh, I’m going to hell.

Did I ever tell you what my favorite songest ever is? It’s “The Change.” Seriously, this song rocked my world and it still does. I don’t know how I feel about Phil singing it? Obviously he rock the hell out of the big ballady notes, but his messing with the Garth. Which doesn’t go down in my good books. But a brilliant song chose not the less. Well played Phil, well played.

If there was ever a night tailored for Jordin Sparks, it is tonight. She loves the ballads and as we have noticed, ballads love her. I had never heard of this song either, but it didn’t really matter. WOWZER. Do you think Jordin might actually win this thing? WOW!

So the first hour of American Idol Give Back is done and we got another two house tomorrow night. Stars gracing the stage tomorrow night include: Celine Dion, Kelly Clarkson, Bono, Hugh Grant, Keira Knightly, Earth Moon Wind and Fire (random), and of course BORAT!

Predictions:

Bottom 3: This is soooo hard.
Blake
Chris
Lakisha

Bottom 2:
Laksiha
Chris

Going Home?
So hard……….Lakisha? I honestly, I have no clue!

>It’s been several months since I bought my tickets to see Al Gore. And although I found the actual process of buying tickets to see a former vice-president a bit strange, I was excited none the less. It was in the past several days leading up to his visit to Calgary that I realized that going to Al Gore was a bit like going to the dentist as a child. We all followed the same routine when it came to the dentist. We would wake up the morning of our appointment and brush our teeth feverishly and floss like we had never flossed before, all in hopes of tricking the dentist into thinking that we maintained better oral hygiene that we actually did.

I sort of felt the same way towards Al Gore. Since watching his movie, An Inconvenient Truth, last year, my roommate and I have been avid recyclers and have tried to be as proactive as we can when it comes to conservation. But during the past couple of days I was extra “Al Gore”-friendly. Whether I was not taking plastic bags at stores when I could simply carry the item or even car pooling to the actual event tonight. I guess I felt like Al Gore would know if I was a good environmentalist or not. Kinda like an enviro-Santa.

I honestly didn’t know what to expect tonight. I certainly couldn’t have expected the man protesting in the chicken suit yelling about propaganda, the large turn out of Calgary’s “Suits”, or even that the great David Suzuiki made the trip here to see Mr. Gore speak. Although I did rather enjoy the announcements over the intercom leading up to the show counting us down to “tonight’s performance” Was Al going to sing? I certainly wasn’t expecting a performance from him, but for $160 I had paid to see him, I guess I wouldn’t have minded a little Broadway tune or two.

The evening quickly began with Gary Holden introducing the former Vice-President. The irony of the President & CEO of Enmax Corporation introducing him was certainly not lost on good ol’ Al. He thanked Mr. Holden for a nice, albeit politically safe speech and got the ball rolling pretty quickly.

I’ll be honest with you, after the first 5 minutes or so I had to check my ticket and make sure hadn’t mistakenly stumbled in a Yuk Yuk’s comedy club. (Wouldn’t be the first time.) Al had one joked lined up after another. Whether it was about his failed presidential bid, the current Administration or even a whimsical story about him and his wife getting “discovered” in a small family restaurant in rural America. Al Gore knew how to grab the audiences attention, he always has.

That tactic worked well throughout the night. One of the reasons Mr. Gore’s presentation is so enthralling is because he is passionate about the subject matter. But he also realizes that what he is dealing with is serious stuff, and then every now and then we all need a laugh. His ability to comfortably go between the serious and light-hearted carried him with ease through the three hour presentation.

I also really enjoyed how Al Gore knew who he was talking to. You can’t walk into the energy capital of Canada talking about the environment and not expect to ruffle some feathers. But Gore never wavered. He acknowledged he knew it would be a tough sell here in Calgary, but thought the fact that we were there tonight, meant that we were interested in what he had to say. Whether we chose to believed it or not.

His presentation from the movie to stage hasn’t changed much. He still has his Apple Power book displayed prominently and his statistics and images of the changing world are just as emotionally damaging as the first time around. He has updated it a little here and there. He included images of the houses in Newfoundland that were swallowed up by the ocean along with the fact that this past winter was the warmest ever recorded, ever.

For me seeing Al Gore in person was more important that I really ever thought possible. Earlier today, I woke up to discover my car was towed. I had been meaning to update my registration and waited too long and awoke to find out that the city was done waiting and sent my car to the impound. I was so frustrated because I was planning on doing it and never got around to it. It just never seemed like the right time. It wasn’t until later on tonight that I realized that we, as a society, are doing the same thing. Whether you believe Al Gore and his presentation or not, you cannot deny that we are living in a changing world. And we can all keep waiting to buy our Hybrid cars, energy efficient appliances or stop lighting rooms we aren’t in. But eventually, like with my car, we will wait too long and be forced to wake up. But by then, I’m afraid we’ll have to deal with a hell of a lot more than a towed Saturn Ion.

What I think was most poignant for me tonight was upon exiting the theatre we were given an individual package containing a energy efficient light bulb. “How great” I thought, “Maybe change won’t be that hard.” Then I walked outside and saw the giant stretch GMC Envoy limo waiting outside the theatre to pick someone up from the presentation. You know what I thought then? I’ve always loved a challenge.

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I’ve always been a firm believer in the fact you can never stop learning. No matter how smart you are, no matter many degrees you have, there is always something you don’t know or something that will surprise you.

This happened to me this weekend and felt that I might share my new knowledge with so you all can continue on with all the learning.

Most of us by now have seen the Malt Teasers commercial. It is pretty much the most annoying thing ever created. It doesn’t make sense and I’m pretty sure in alluding to Oral Sex. Never the less, ever since I saw this commercial I have been craving them. Actually, truth be told I have been craving Whoppers, and since I couldn’t find them anywhere I decided to settle with Malt Teasers.

This is where the learning started: I eagerly opened my package of Malt teasers and was shocked and slightly upset to discover that not only were malt teasers not the same as Whoppers but they were pretty much the grossest thing ever made. Were talking parsnips gross. I wasn’t happy.

To further rub it in, ever since eating this gross “treat”, it’s commercial seemed to be everywhere. The Malt teasers were openingly mocking me. Sorta like High School, but I was out $4.

Luckily enough this weekend, while celebrating the arrival of my friend Jeremy to Calgary I discovered a bag of Whoppers at my local pharmacy. My excitement was barely containable. My friends were confused by my excitement. To them not only where Malt Teasers and Whoppers the same thing, but even if they weren’t., they didn’t think it deserved me doing the running man in the pharmacy’s aisle.

To make an already long story short. We quickly returned to the apartment and had a taste test. I don’t need to tell you that Whoppers kicked ass, but I will: Whoppers kicked the Malt Teasers ass.

So what was the lesson learned? Whoppers are cool, Malt teasers are gross. Consider yourself learned. You are welcome.