Random Hits

Okay, so I haven't been here in a hot minute, so we're just going to do a potpourri of things tonight...

• Live Poker: as disappointing as expected in my previous post. Awkward, not fulfilling for the viewer at all. Oh, well.
  
• The NFL decides at the very last second, after having to cancel the first preseason game, that they don't feel like losing billions of dollars this season. Well, congratulations guys. Glad to see you got your act together just in time so we've got something to watch on Sunday's this fall besides Kristi Yamaguchi's Celebrity Skating Showdown featuring the music of the Dave Matthews Band.
• Speaking of last second, how about the federal government avoiding a debt-ceiling crisis juuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuust in time not to shit the bed this coming Tuesday. The deal's almost done, so I shouldn't jinx it, but... They had to finally play ball and compromise, something they should've just done weeks ago to avoid theatrics; however, this is what the government is, now: our most important reality TV show.
• R.E.M.: thanks for releasing the 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of "Life's Rich Pageant." No joke here or anything, thanks for releasing it.
• Given that Amy Winehouse died since the last time we convened on this blog, it would be appropriate to say that no matter what your opinion on her music or personality was, it was a pretty sad thing to see go down. I can't necessarily say it was shocking, but I was waiting for a new record from her just like millions of her fans. Obviously, there was something going on in Amy's psyche which compelled her to treat her body the way that she did, and I think that's the saddest thing to think about. All the success and money in the world couldn't bring her to a point where she could recognize that. And whether the toxicology report shows it was a direct OD, or just a heart attack caused by years of abuse, it doesn't change the fact that we don't get to hear that next great album, or even mediocre one. Sad.
• The Cubs did what they always do around the trading-deadline: they dumped salary, got mediocre prospects in return, and didn't even accomplish getting rid of the one true guy they should've. Well done, Ricketts. You're picking up right where the Tribune Company left off. Note: anyone who's looking forward to a championship season from the Cubs, we're about another 3-4 years from really being able to expect one again. Please return your attitude to 1995, turn off all electronics and return your tray table to its upright and locked position.
• Look, I'm just going to say this, okay? I'm not necessarily proud of it, but it's happening, and I have to acknowledge it: I miss Lost. I miss it a great deal. I know the last season was a slight trainwreck, but that doesn't change the fact that it was an amazing concept which was played out the best way they could (if you're going to do time-travel concepts, you open yourself up to disaster). More than anything, I just want a series that follows Hurley running the island with Ben as his #2 after Jack dies, but before they're all dead and meet in the church.
• Finally, it dismays me to know that in the year 2011, certain prejudices still exist. Just when you think it's safe to go in the swimming pool, some asshole drops a liquid-deuce in the deep end. Last night, someone very special to me faced discrimination at a bar near his home, most likely for being gay. An establishment at which he even used to work. Mind you, this isn't in "the big city," but I no longer find that to be a valid excuse. Again, it's 2011, people. We're not living in caveman times anymore, not even in the times of I Love Lucy. All of us with a rational mindset get that gay isn't some disease one catches accidentally, and isn't something that we gladly decide to do.
  However, I'm happy to say, that the negativity of that situation was over-matched by the fact that this individual was with a few close friends who acted like true friends, and were just not having ANY of it. While it's sad to see that this kind of discrimination is still existing in the suburban and rural centers of our country, it's so unbelievably encouraging to know that a majority of folks are beginning to see through that curtain of crap and are able to come to the defense of those that they truly love, no matter how different they might think their friend's bedroom activity may or may not be. Admittedly, it's a lot easier for folks coming out right now than it was for my generation twenty years ago, or generations before mine, but sometimes it gets shown that we've still got a long way to go. It's just nice to see that we've got some more folks to help us get to where we need to be. Love you, Lollipop, glad you have those kind of friends in your life. :)

Y'all have a lovely night. I'm going to have breakfast for dinner, now! :)