Misadventures in the (310)

Rudolph Village Accessories: Happy Helpers

2009-11-15T11:48:00.000-08:00

The 4-piece Happy Helpers accessory/figurine set from the Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer Christmas Village Accessory Collection by Collectibles Today and the Hawthorne Village:

Rudolph Village Accessory: Donner's Diner

2009-07-11T16:55:00.000-07:00

The 4-piece Donner's Diner accessory/figurine set from the Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer Christmas Village Accessory Collection by Collectibles Today and the Hawthorne Village:

No, Please Don't Let This Be!

2008-10-27T16:36:00.001-07:00

Eyes Wide Shut: Canine Theatre by Chris Kattan

2008-10-20T20:24:00.000-07:00

Canine Theater: Eyes Wide Shut

Yes, that is my boy Bentley starring, albeit in a supporting role, in former SNL member Chris Kattan's Eyes Wide Shut episode of his Canine Theatre series.

Bentley plays one of the two Gate Keepers. His buddy Max plays the other one, but Max couldn't keep it together in front of the camera the night we filmed, so Bentley got the better camera time.

Is this just the beginning of a superstar acting career for my son? That Beverly Hills Chihuahua better watch out!

90%

2008-10-15T20:21:00.000-07:00

John McCain is proud of the people who attend his rallys, the bigots and racists, the people who claim not to believe in bigger and more government, but do believe that there should be laws dictating what women can and can't do to their bodies. People who think discrimination is just dandy, and that two men in love don't have the right to marry. People who think it's OK for others to file bankruptcy due to rising health care costs, and that the trickle down effect of Reaganomics actually works.

"Don't boo now, just vote!"

Who Doesn't Love a Singing Hippo?

2008-10-11T10:21:00.001-07:00

Proud to be an American!

2008-09-26T21:46:00.001-07:00

Star Wars Bedding? Am I still 8?

2008-09-02T20:23:00.000-07:00

As a kid back in England I had this set of Return of the Jedi bedding and curtains.

At some point (were they threadbare or was it just time to grow up) the sheets were eventually sewn by my mum into a slipcover for this oversized pillow I had. But when I moved to the States, sadly that pillow was left back on my old bed back home.

Cut to 2008, the release of the Clone Wars movies in theatres and the re-release of Star Wars bedding.

Still to come the missing decorative pillow.

Let California Ring

2008-08-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

What a Feeling!

2008-07-05T12:57:00.000-07:00

Happy belated birthday America!!!

Only 52 days to my citizenship test!!! Now how many Amendments are there again?

A Life Lesson!

2008-05-11T13:30:00.000-07:00

During one of the commercial breaks for CBS' Sunday Morning today I inadvertently saw the teaser for tonight's Survivor finale. Having not yet watched Thursday night's episode I did not know that the women had made it to the "Final 4."

How surprised was I then when watching the episode to see Erik win the prized Immunity Idol, guaranteeing him a place in said Final 4. So what happened? You can watch here:

"Those damn girls."

You stupid boy!

The Avengers Initiative

2008-05-07T16:03:00.000-07:00

For those who missed it (complete with fan acknowledgment)...

The Gremlins are Back!!!!!

2008-05-01T12:04:00.000-07:00

And rumors abound that a new Gremlins movie may well be in the works! Hurrah!!!!

55/45 - A 10 Poin Victory!

2008-04-22T21:48:00.000-07:00

Dear Matt,

Thanks to you, we won a critically important victory tonight in Pennsylvania. It's a giant step forward that will transform the landscape of the presidential race. And it couldn't have happened without your generous support.

There will be much more to do beginning tomorrow. But tonight, let's just celebrate the fact that you and I are part of a remarkable community of people tough enough, passionate enough, and determined enough to win big when everything is on the line.

Thanks so much for all you do.

Sincerely,

Hillary Rodham Clinton

"The Fight of You Life"

2008-04-18T14:08:00.000-07:00

To the tune of Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes' classic 1997 Dirty Dancing theme, let me share with you A Clinton-Obama Love Song, from this morning's Day to Day on NPR.

Not George's Wars

2008-04-13T08:30:00.000-07:00

But we might wish they were!

"As Ohio goes, so goes the Nation!"

2008-03-04T22:35:00.000-08:00

Wins tonight in Rhode Island, Ohio and TEXAS!!!!!

And just like Jack, I'm rooting for Hillary.

Up next Wyoming, followed by Mississippi and then on to the next biggie, Pennsylvania on April 22nd!

If you haven't pledged your support yet, you can do so here.

Can Seeds Save The 4400?

2008-01-07T14:37:00.000-08:00

Fans out to save USA's alien abductee drama The 4400 are hoping that a deluge of sunflower seeds will help bring back the show for a 5th season (much in the same way that nuts paved the way for the return of CBS' Jericho).

The good folks over at Save The 4400 are urging disgruntled fans to send letters and said seeds over to Bonnie Hammer at the USA Network all to arrive on February 1, 2008 for maximum impact. Click on over to the site to sign the petition and see what else you can do to save this unceremoniously-dumped Emmy-nominated show.

In the meantime Ms. Hammer's address is as follows:

Bonnie Hammer
USA NETWORK
30 Rockefeller Plaza
21st Floor
New York, NY 10112

Xmas, Day 6: Steroid Bust

2007-12-30T20:04:00.000-08:00

It looks like Hidetada Yamagishi won't be entering the 2008 Ironman Pro and Arnold Classic after all.

On December 8th, upon arriving at LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) from Tokyo's Narita Airport, Hide (34, 5'6", 200 or so lbs) was arrested for felony possession of a controlled substance. He is currently being held at the North County Correctional Facility in Saugus, CA on a $180,000 bond, with anupcoming court date of January 8, 2008 at the Los Angeles Municipal Court. Though it hasn't been disclosed exactly what he was in possession of, the boys on the boards are supposing it was steroids (huh? you think?).

Hide, the first pro Japanese bodybuilder to compete at the hallowed Mr. Olympia contest, was steadily rising in the pro ranks (including 3rd in Sacramento, 9th at the Atlantic City Pro and 7th at the Ironman) and had been gaining a lot of positive attention in 2007. How exactly his detention will effect (or is it affect) his bodybuilding career is yet to be seen, but much more importantly, what will become of his pending immigration status and will he ever even get a "get out of jail free" card?

Xmas, Day 5: 5 Naked Men!!!

2007-12-29T22:52:00.000-08:00

Update: Gotta say I was pretty impressed with Janice's bawdy little update of the classic European Christmas carol. Taken from the 2006 holiday episode of Oxygen's The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency, one of my guilty pleasures, I somehow only caught the episode this time around when my Tivo recorded it no less than five times (all on Christmass Eve I think).

Xmas, Day 3: Mikey makes the Tribune

2007-12-27T09:02:00.000-08:00

United Airlines cancelled four of Mikey's flights over the Christmas break. All he was trying to do was get home for the holidays, to Cleveland, Ohio, to see his momma but was told that due to "scheduling problems with the crew" he wouldn't be able to make it home for two days. Luckily Mikey's mom has some connections and was able to help him find alternative flights, flights that the United ticketing people said did not exist!

Upon finally getting back to WeHo Christmas night Mikey immediately wrote a nasty letter to the airline, cc-ing a Chicago Tribune columnist, who subsequently contacted him for a follow-up story she was writing about the airlines scheduling miseries (Chicago being United's homebase). To see "Los Angeles-based architect" Mike in print click on through here.

Cloverfield 01-18-08

2007-12-15T14:49:00.001-08:00

Northern Lights aka The Golden Compass

2007-12-10T20:31:00.000-08:00

The world created by author Philip Pullman in His Dark Materials trilogy is, arguably, the thinking man's Narnia. An inversion of John Milton's Paradise Lost the books have come under much fire by Christian (and inparticularly Catholic) groups as being "written to promote atheism and denigrate Christianity, especially Roman Catholicism." In amongst his blatant criticism of organised religion, the zealots who run it and the lie that is the Chrisitan Heaven, Pullman's story centers on Lyra Belacqua (and later Will Parry) as they run amok cutting rifts between parallel worlds, flying with witches and befriending armoured bears, all so they can ultimately stop the flow of Dust.

The movie version of The Golden Compass, formerly known in the UK as Northern Lights (the title of the novel changed much like that of JK Rowling's first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone), debuted this past weekend to modest (if a tad disappointing) numbers. Minus the final three chapters of the novel (which having been already filmed will hopefully find light of day at the beginning of the proposed sequel), the film sadly limps to an unsatisfying conclusion. This is unfortunate since Nicole Kidman is delicious as Mrs. Coulter, Daniel Craig ever the stud as Lord Asriel, the polar bear fight is fantastic and little Dakota Blue isn't half as bad as I heard she was.

It's a great story with great effects so let's just hope there's some momentum of word of mouth (as we left the theater an inordinate number of people were of the "that didn't deserve the criticism it got" opinion), and better weather back east, that'll encourage New Line to at least give us part deux!

Now since I alread have my own daemon (my Bentley) the following was simply a fun little exercise to while away the minutes. Try it for yourself.

Giving Thanks!

2007-11-23T20:35:00.000-08:00

Though my immigration paperwork is still pending over at good ol' Homeland Security HQ, I have no qualms about giving "thanks" over this, arguably the most American of holidays (complete with Thanksgiving and Black Friday). And though the accompanying pictures make me realise it's time for some brand spanking new bake ware, Thanksgiving 2007 was a complete success.

This year however I thought it particularly appropriate to thank those who have made this day ever so special:

To the good folks over at Spago (and I suppose Wolfgang himself) for the turkey, a perk given to all the restaurant's staff. And then to my mum (and British TV cooking goddess Delia Smith) for the whys and hows of cooking said bird (it's all about the butter and bacon).

To Brian for probably the tastiest potatoes in the world. All the way from Lititz, PA in Pennsylvania Dutch county, lifted from a recipe book compiled by the folks at his mum's school. Shredded hash brown potatoes, sour cream, cream of chicken soup and corn flakes, there's nothing better.

To Carmen, Joe's ex-sister-in-law for her candied yams. Not too sweet and nice and crunchy. Deliciousity.

And finally to Essie, for giving Joe her mom's sausage and cornbread stuffing recipe, which, although it includes celery (not a favourite of mine), also has pecans, cranberries and walnuts. Though, according to my Joe, it's the fresh herbs that really give it it's kick.

Since it now seems questionable as to whether or not tryptophan really makes one sleepy, we decided to conduct a very unscientific experiment, with Bentley as our test subject, feeding the pup his own plate of turkey and gravy.

And the result...

One zonked out puptophan...

Stuck on the 10!

2007-11-20T23:08:00.000-08:00

Talking of Doctor Who, remember that season 3 episode Gridlock where the Doctor and Martha find them selves stuck with the cat people in a decades long traffic jam on "The Motorway" in New New York. That's how I felt earlier today when I very sillily decided to take the 10 back from Santa Monica.

Less than an hour earlier I'd taken the 10 west to pick up a couple of things at West Elm, and the traffic going back east seemed pretty light. As soon as I drove off the ramp however I knew I'd made a major mistake, immediately hitting five packed lanes of slow-moving traffic, at only 20 to 4 in the afternoon. It took almost an hour to drive the less than 8 miles of freeway to the La Cienega exit (where the on and off ramps collide - great road planning people).

And people do this everyday!

Are they crazy?

Back with Who: Time Crash!

2007-11-19T11:03:00.000-08:00

Presented by BBC TV presenter Terry Wogan (the man who made US 80's super-soap Dallas a huge hit in the UK) and bi-sexual hottie Captain Jack, was the following exclusive filmed for the Beeb's annual Children In Need charity appeal:

"You know what Doctor, you were my Doctor!"

Yes, that's the 5th Doctor played by Peter Davison, fresh from All Creatures Great and Small, complete with celery, cricket whites and trainers. And yes, he was my Doctor too! The one I too grew up with!

KPCC at 89.3

2007-10-18T09:35:00.000-07:00

When 98.7's Jamie, Jack & Stench was unceremoniously taken off the air back in January, I searched the dial for a new morning radio show, and came across KPCC at 89.3, the local NPR station in Pasadena. I know a lot of the cool kids in SoCal seem to prefer KCRW with it's Morning Becomes Eclectic ditties, but I've always prefered talk radio (a la Radio 4 back in the UK), so I stuck with Morning Edition, Day to Day and AirTalk on KPCC.

Today is (supposedly) the last day of the fundraising effort with the intention of capping out at 9,000 members. I not sure I really believe Larry Mantle, Steve Julien et al. when they tell listeners they're not there to make us feel guilty during KPCC's Fall Member Drive. Hence, for the first time this morning I threw my hat into the ring, became a KPCC member and pledged my support.

Yes, they made me feel real guilty!

UKBFF: "James L" Wins!

2007-10-15T21:40:00.000-07:00

Sunday night's light-heavy (90 kilo) class at the UKBFF British Championships in Nottingham was apparently a very close competition with James "Flex" Lewis just narrowly beating out James Llewellin. Fan consensus seemed to be that while Llewellin did have more upper body thickness, Flex took it with tighter rear shots (particular his lower back and glutes), better conditioning, and generally a more aesthetic shape.

Flex also took on heavyweight monster Dar ren Ball to win the overall and in so doing earned himself a pro card (yeah). He can now go play with the real big boys!

And finally Flex really took the bull by the horns by proposing to girlfriend Shina (who Joe and I met along with Flex at the 2007 Fit Expo in Pasadena last February). She of course said yes! Congrats to both of them!

Writing on his thread earlier today Llewellin was the most gracious runner up:

"I had an absolute ball. I loved every single minute of it and when my name was read out in second place I knew the right decision had been made. For all the talk and hype, I knew it was Flex's time and he deserved it thoroughly."

Words of a true champion, a man with real class, and one who I'm sure will come back bigger 'n' badder than ever. Good on yer James!

The Other "James L"

2007-10-13T09:37:00.000-07:00

There's another "James L" competing in the light heavy's at tomorrow's UKBFF championships.

On Wednesday I posted some video of James "Flex" Lewis taken last weekend. Pictured here is another Brit also competing in the under 90 kilos (198.4 lbs) class. This "James L" is James Llewellin, overall winner at the UKBFF Birmingham qualifier back in August, and quite a force to be reckoned with back in the UK.

I've been sporadically follwoing this James' progress by reading his contest prep thread over at the UK-Muscle forums. This thread is probably one of the most informative and frank discussions on bodybuilding (from diet, to training, to supplementation) and consequently certainly something no US competitor would ever write. The guy seems to have great heart, knows his stuff ,and a good and loyal fan base.

It looks like there might just be a real fight on between these two "James L's" for overall domination!

Captain America, Not Dead After All!

2007-10-12T14:32:00.000-07:00

Can't say I'm exactly surprised. I mean you knew those good folks at Marvel weren't gonna keep one of the all time superhero comic book icons dead forever.

Cap's new duds, designed by legendary comicbook artist Alex Ross, will debut in the January issue of Captain America, #34. This new (and improved) Cap (whoever he may be) will sport not only the classic shield, but also a knife and (for the first time in the comics) a gun!

Since writer Ed Brubaker and the folks at Marvel insist that good ol' Steve Rogers is well and truly dead (assasinated by his lover in Captain America #25), just who is this new Cap? My money's on former sidekick and current Winter Soldier, Bucky, but I suppose we'll just have to keep on reading and wait until January to find out!

Sienna Buff aka "Flex" Lewis, Future Pro?

2007-10-10T19:56:00.000-07:00

Almost certainly!!!

Flex, good luck on the 14th at the UKBFF British Championships in Nottingham!!!

Just Another Day in LA!

2007-10-08T16:11:00.000-07:00

After a long 6-day stretch last week at Spago, today was my additional day off. Time to run a bunch of errands and get back to the gym after a few self-imposed days off.

First stop Golden Apple to pick up Buffy #7 and some other comics. And there is some hot blonde filming some bit, probably for those G4 kids at Attack of the Show, highlighting some upcoming Thunderbolts graphic novels.

Then at Target, you've got a another camera crew following some chick pushing a cart filled with Hanes products, which now seem to dominate the whole men's underwear section. Over in housewears there's Andy Richter, not saving the universe, but rather just shopping with his kids. Andy by the way he is one big tall dude.

At the gym are those cute baseball-capped twins from MTV's True Life "I'm an Identical Twin episode, Maurice, one of the "most gorgeous male models" from Bravo's 2004 reality show Manhunt, and the usual number of completely ripped, completelty shaved down model types that frequent the gym from 11 to 2.

Finally at Rock 'n' Roll Ralphs I waiting in line for the cashiers behind two sportily dressed Latinas. Or so I think. When one has to go back to fetch some iced-oatmeal cookies, I get a better look. Both chicks have big tits, tiny wastes, broad shoulders, strong chins AND Adam's Apples! I'm stuck behind two done-up-to-the-sporty-nines transexuals who barely seem to speak English (and the cashier happens to be Asian who then asks if I'm into bodybuilding and if I know who won last week's Olympia).

Just another day in LA!

CELEBFLASH: Faith & Jimmy!

2007-09-20T22:13:00.000-07:00

A fun though ultimately somewhat lackluster Sunday night Emmy party capped off an odd couple of weeks last weekend. The highlight of the night was getting to see two of the truly most attractive people in TV: First off was Eliza Dushku, Buffy the Vampire Slayer's ultimate bad girl Faith, who though a tad thin is simply stunning in person and radiates both elegance and confidence, though I suppose the latter shouldn't be surprising since she recently inked her own development deal at Fox. Isn't it really just time for the ultimate Buffy spin-off?

Then there was the original Jimmy Olsen, and former Special Unit 2 detective, Michael Landes, who's pictures just don't do him justice. The guy is truly beautiful in the flesh. Landes another recent Fox signer-on deserves to break through and make it big. Booted from The New Adventures of Lois & Clark for looking too much like Dean Cain, Landes was seen earlier this year in the soon cancelled Wedding Bells. I have a feeling Sunday night he thought that I was stalking him and his missus since every time I turned around there he was (or is it the other way around). Well, maybe the first two or three times, but after that it was all purely accidental.

Now a Faith-centric supernatural-fantasy show with Landes as some sort of deity/demon/sidekick, now that I would certainly watch!

Eat Sh*t!

2007-09-17T20:51:00.000-07:00

Earlier today I got all excited by the prospect of a new Dogipot just down from the CPK/Crunch building there on Crescent Heights.

Later this evening, there I am sitting with Bentley on the couch (while I waiting for some water to boil) and I hear a rumbling right outside the door. I open the door to peak out and find that several bits of dog poo have been thrown (or kicked) at my door. Now I know the culprit was the sad lonely guy in #15 (since I also just heard his door shutting). I go and knock on his door to ask why did he just do that. The fat guy in #15 doesn't even open the door, but starts shouting at me through his peephole. Claiming that since I'm the only one with a dog on this side (all four units), the pathetic guy in #15 starts calling me an asshole because I've let Bentley take a dump in front of his door and not picked it up. Well, I start getting all wound up and let the disgustingly ugly guy in #15 have it right back, and then some.

98% of the time I take Bentley out the back way. I get excited every time I see another Dogipot on our walks. I always pick up his mess. I frown upon and bitch about those who don't (especially every time I park on the west side of Hayworth and have to dodge dog mess in the grassy verge there). I have bunches of plastic bags in my pockets. And most importantly, not only is Bentley very particular where he poos, he would never poo inside! Oh, did I mention this all took place on the inside stairwell, which opens out onto the courtyard where the other small dog owners in the complex let there little dogs roam free?

After doing the responsible thing and picking up the crap that the I-hope-he-dies-alone guy in #15 threw, I call the management company to complain (and state my case) while I'm all wound up, sound utterly distressed and am almost trembling.

The lesson of this altercation: You can mess with me, just don't mess with or verbally attack my dog!

Atlantic City Pro, Prejudging Pix

2007-09-15T13:04:00.000-07:00

A selection of prejudging pictures from this weekend's Atlanctic City Pro, courtesy of the good camerafolk at Muscular Development.

Fouad Abiad: 5th Place's a Charm

2007-09-12T21:02:00.000-07:00

Over the years, as I've perused the numerous bodybuilding forums (I'm thinking of Muscle Mayhem in particular here), Hoss aka Fouad Abiad seems to have been one of the constants on the boards with his training insights, supportive comments and progress pix.

In 2006 after rising up through the amateur ranks, Fouad won both his super-heavyweight class and the overall at the 2006 Canadian National championship in Saskatoon, SK, finally earning him his IFBB pro card. He quickly followed this up with a "test run" against the big boys at that years Atlantic City Pro just over a week later, but placed an unfortunate 15th.

Being one of those off season mass monsters who can really put on the pounds, Fouad regularly gets close to the 300 mark (which is a pretty fair amount for a 5'10" guy), before then dieting down to his contest weight of around 230 or so pounds, a feat requiring much determination to achieve such conditioning.

The results of his hard work could be seen this past weekend at Montmorency College's André Mathieu Auditorium where Fouad blew away some of his more experienced competion with a 5th place finish at the 2007 Montreal Pro Classic. Though narrowly placing out of a slot that would have qualified him for the Olympia (only the top three qualify), Fouad earned the respect of many, including MD's Dave Palumbo, for his "thick, dense, muscle and superb conditioning [which, Palumbo acknowledged] was enough for the judges to overlook his less than perfect symmetry." Huh? Looks pretty damn symmetrical to me!

Responding to his Mayhem fans Sunday Fouad posted the following:

"Thanks everyone for your support I could not have asked for a better outcome. Posing next to guys that I have looked up to for years was one of the most thrilling things I have done in my life and I will never forget it," while also acknowledging that "I know I still have a long way to go and I also imagine myself with more quad sweep, thicker hams and calves, fuller arms and shoulders and more thickness in the chest and back. Did I miss anything... lol." At 29 Fouad has a bright, bright future in the sport!

Up next the Atlantic City Pro at the Trump Taj Mahal.

Tony Stark is...

2007-09-11T19:48:00.000-07:00

This year it was Spider-Man, Ghost Rider and the Fantastic Four.

Next year it's Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk. and a third, Travolta-less attempt to reimagine the Punisher.

And you thought 2007 was the summer of comic book movies?

Erik Fankhouser, North American Pro!

2007-09-04T19:32:00.000-07:00

There's a new IFBB Pro in the house, specifically Erik "The House" Fankhouser, the 5'9" 215 or so pounder who passed on July's USA championships to concentrate on this past weekend's 2007 IFBB North American Bodybuilding contest held at the Renaissance Hotel in Cleveland, OH.

Erik brought his A-game, a fantastic taper, and those freaking fraking legs of his. Though a pre-contest favourite to win the whole shebang, he had a fight on his hand in a packed heavyweight class, though ultimately bested both Darrell Terrell and Michael Liberatore, the 2007 MD Cyber Classic champ and Dave Palumbo's actual pick for the top spot, a man who "brought a symmetrical, freaky-ripped, package to the stage and was rewarded with a deserving 3rd place."

Erik then rocked the house in his quest for overall domination taking down super-heavy Grigori Atoyan, middleweight Mexican Angel Rangel, and light-heavy Mark Perry (who's been competing at the national level since 1996).

With Erik's win I'm seriously tempted to support the guy and get one of his House Wear (as opposed to Thug Wear™ by Yanchulis) designed shirts (especially since Joe has one of Flex's tees).

Hold on a sec though... You may have noticed Erik's inability to crack a decent smile in the pix I've posted (or from clicking on through the links above), well that's another reason to go out and support this West Virginian native.

Yes, as you can see bad, bad teeth for this otherwise handsome man! Maybe he's got some British ancestry?

Suit Yourself. No More Off the Peg.

2007-09-02T20:44:00.000-07:00

I've been needing to buy a new suit for a while now (especially since I had that little incident at work when I was showing someone how to squat), so I'd determined that this Labor Day Weekend, along with all the concurrent Labor Day Sales, would be the perfect time to search one out.

I figured Macy's would be my first stop with it's decent selection and well publicized sales, choosing to venture down Pico to the Westside Pavilion, and the store where I'd picked out my first Spago suit (formerly a Hecht's/Robinson-May branded store). After trying on a couple I figured a 42 short might work (so my movement was a tad restricted), but since I'm a comparison shopper and need much friendly affirmation I chose to continue the quest anyway. At Nordstrom the sales chap tried to put me in a couple of Hugo Boss jackets (which, given the $795.00 price tag, were thankfully too tight anyway). I left despondent and bought a Hagrid action figure and latte instead.

Joe came with me Saturday to search the Beverly Center Macy's, where he decided a 42 was too small anyway, and I really needed a 44. Now 42s come with 36 inch pants, and 44s with 38, and since I'm like a 33, that really isn't gone work is it (since the most a pair of pants can be altered in maybe 3 inches). Loehmann's followed (Ed, what were you thinking?), then Banana Republic (they don't carry jackets 42 and above in short lengths).

Today, Sunday, Joe was determined we try Men's Warehouse, so off we popped to Burbank. Greeted almost instantly by a salesman armed with his trusty tape measure, he took my measurements, lead us over to a rack and started handing me jackets. Quickly realising I'm actually a 46 short, separates were determined to be the only way to go.

The jacket still needs some major alterations to taper it, but with an instore tailor Men's Warehouse has made this simple one-stop shopping, and without being over bearing or at all pushy, the salesman told me what I'd pretty much discovered over the last couple of days, that manufactures just don't design suits for people with my "atheltic" (5'5" and 202 lbs) build.

But now it's done, I look as wide as hell, and to celebrate rather than pick up some Krispy Kremes, I got some canned snow instead (roll on Christmas)!

Kitchen Nightmares

2007-08-30T15:46:00.000-07:00

Dotty ex-antiques shop owner Sandy, sulky Laura and horse-faced Helen run Morgans, an intimate restaurant in Woolton, an upscale suburb of Liverpool, with British super-soap Hollyoaks taped just around the corner.

I'd been suffering from some Gordon Ramsay withdrawal since Hell's Kitchen finished up it's tepid third season just a few weeks ago, but flipping through the what's on list on Tivo there I found him on BBC America in Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares. And that's where I met the gals of Morgans as Ramsay bleeps his way through another hour of reality television, this time hoping to turn around struggling and underperforming British restaurants with all the finesse of a bull in a china shop.

No matter what your opinion of Ramsay he certainly knows what he's doing, demanding responsibility and profitability from his new found charges, which, at least in this episode, results in a terrific upswing in business and success for sous-turned-head chef Emma. All the while however Ramsay simply delights in stirring up the emotions and egos involved in running a restaurant. This of course makes for good TV, has earned the show a couple of BAFTAs (the British Emmy), and come September 19th we'll see Kitchen Nightmares, the US copycat version on FOX.

I wonder if "bollocks" will be among the words bleeped out!

Buffy Cancelled for a Third Time!

2007-08-26T20:13:00.000-07:00

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the (best) TV show (ever) ended in May 2003 after Sarah Michelle Geller decided not to renew her contract. Just months later then license holder Moore Action Collectibles cancelled their line of action figures, claiming lack of retailer support. Fan support however was rabid, ultimately resulting in Diamond Select Toys' decision to take over the line and produce a 100 or so figures (as well as some superb plush and prop replicas) over the next four years.

Last week, on August 22nd 2007 to be precise, Chuck Terceira, Director of Diamond Select Toys, announced the cancellation of all upcoming Buffy figure releases, most notably the "build-a-figure" Judge wave which was due in stores at the end of the month, a wave which was first announced as far back as last November.

The fans have again rallied to take action. In hopes of securing a release for said figures, Philip M, administrator of SlayAlive and BtVSFigs, has organized the Save BUFFY Figures campaign. On August 29th, 2007 supporters will purchase at least one figure directly from DST. Polls on both sites will determine which currently available figure should be purchased, the goal being to buy up all of Diamond's stock in that item and show consumer interest in the line. I'm sure everyone reading this will do their part!

As much as I wanted a 6" vampire Dru, I suppose this sad news allows me to focus my collecting attentions on the Harry Potter and Doctor Who lines. Hmmmm!

Big Brother: The Stuff We Don't See!

2007-08-23T14:05:00.000-07:00

"I saw a vision. I won the POV, and I feel like that was God's way... of prepping me for this week... If everything pans out as God's told me its going to, you know, I'm going to win POV tomorrow and Jameka and me will be in the final two. That's what I really believe."

Oh, poor, dear, vocabulary challenged Amber, your vision didn't come to pass, but God may actually be on your side after all. It looks like we'll be saying "Bye Bye" to dear busty Jen this week. Backdoored by Danielle, Jen threw a wobbly once the prime-time cameras shut down for the night on Tuesday, ranting and raving, destroying Dick's fags and breaking from her season-long slop sentence, finally tucking in to some real food.

This earned her the first ever Big Brother penalty nomination:

Which was later changed to a single penalty vote. Seeing as she's sure to be gone this week, I suppose this will seem more dramatic on tonight's live Thursday show.

By the way a big “thank you” to Reality Blurred for keeping me updated on these real cumings and goings in the house (and by that I'm also referring to Eric's on-screen masturbation, a video of which has since been removed from YouTube), since I don’t subscribe to the live feed nor do I have Showtime Too. Oh well, much as I love BB8, three primetime hours and some online gossip is more than enough.

But back to Jen, who, truth be told, has been one of my favourite houseguests this season. Though truly self absorbed, her don’t care attitude and competitive edge have gotten her pretty far (although she’s been on the block numerous times). She's proved she’s there to play the game (and not just in it for the cash, having relinquished half her possible winnings during a veto competition), making her untelevised outbursts true to character. Let's face it, who really wants to play to lose? And this is effectively what she’s now doing. She may as well go out with a bang and have some fun (and some real food) while she finishes up her time in the BB house. Good on her, I'm sure I'd play it a similar way.

And yes Matt, I think (and am hoping) that Danielle will take it all, with Jess, Eric and sadly at this point I'm thinking Amber (maybe God's poisoning my mind) may actuallly round out the final four.

Big Brother Update: Week Whatever-It-Is

2007-08-16T08:52:00.000-07:00

A hottieless house is not necessary a boring house, as the last couple of weeks of BB8 is proving. If anything Nick's ousting has helped the season, lighting the fire in Danielle and encouraging Dick to reluctantly make peace with Jen and (now gone) Kail.

Let's first talk Evil Dick, the voice of reason this season? Love him or hate (and I love him), he says what he thinks, is not afraid to confront people, point out their hypocrisies and tell it like it is. Maybe not the best way to play the game, but Dick is doing what he needs to to get Danielle to the end. Pissing off the other houseguests seems his way of making up for lost time and trying to be a good dad. A prime example being this outburst towards Amber (and Jameka) before the veto competition:

"You are one ugly bitch. On the life of your daughter I am going to make you so miserable every f***ing day that you regret ever seeing me. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Let's pray! You save her Jameka, even though you don't know how to save yourself. Help me Jesus! Help me Lord! Give me that magic ping-pong ball this morning!"

Oh Dustin, how I grow to hate reality TV homos! I begin each show hoping beyond hope that I am going to be able to identify with, and support to the end, the resident homo. This season ex-boyfriend Joe was flamingly obnoxious (so dispatched quickly), then Dustin became comfortable, started solidifying his role as leader of the LNC, and became as sanctimonious, annoying and preachingly precious as the God-fearing rest of them.

Dustin I ask you, which is a more "professional" career, a shoe salesman vs. bartender? Oh Princess!

In other news the blogs and forums are bubbling about rumours that producers of the show manipulate those Diary Room confessions (come on wasn't that obvious, last season Mike Boogie's explanations of each veto or HOH game were just so damn scripted), as well as the cast's incessant bigotry, which has supposedly reached an all time high. This has lead one very clever MySpacer to create the following very cool BB8 Prejudice map:

Stardust vs. Flash

2007-08-13T19:16:00.000-07:00

After catching Stardust this weekend at The Grove, I understand why Joe was so upset at not meeting Neil Gaiman at this year's Comic Con. The movie is a wonderful, joyful fantasy romp, and certainly the best movie I've seen this summer. Please go see it, you'll thank me!

Having seen the trailer earlier this year, I went in knowing nothing more about the story except that Claire Danes plays a fallen star sought by a wicked witch played by Michelle Pfeiffer. With the likes of the LOTR trilogy, Legend and The Neverending Story being some of my all-time favourite flicks, Stardust seemed right up my alley (and hey, with Catwoman as a witch, surely you can't go wrong)! It seems however that I was one of the few who responded positively to the marketing, as with The Princess Bride 20 years ago, the studio just didn't know how to sell the movie (hence it sadly only pulled in just over $9 million this weekend).

Danes, with her spot on English accent, truly glows in her role. De Niro's effete, cross dressing Captain Shakespeare is a stud. Relative newcomers Kate Magowan radiates as the tethered princess while Charlie Cox' hero Tristan warms the cockles of your heart. There's even Harry Potter's Mr. Weasley who shows up as a human goat. Oh, and of course the wondrously vile nad deliriously decadent Ms. Pfeiffer, who, at almost 50 still has that twinkle in her eye under, or out of, all those prosthetics. The movies crackles to ever more exuberant life whenever she is on screen.

Still not convinced, read these reviews for yourself:

The Sc-Fi Channel's reimagining of Flash Gordon on the other hand was a much a huge disappointment as Stardust was a joy to behold.

Let's face it, we all knew it was going to be bad when Sci-Fi announced that Queen's classic theme created for the camp yet cult 1980 Sam Jones movie would not be used in the show, but rather only for promotional purposes. Because of BSG I still held out some hope however, but just a few minutes into the show today, having discovered that Flash is now a runner (not a football star) and still lives with his mum, well I sadly tuned out.

For a round up of the critics rumblings check them out here on Ain't It Cool News.

It seems like we all want our Flash fun, fast and camp-filled... Max Von Sydow, Brian Blessed et al. you spoiled us!

Mike Ergas: Prejudging Pix from Texas!

2007-08-11T15:02:00.000-07:00

Here are some early prejudging shots from the lads over at Muscular Development.

According to big Dave Palumbo, who's reporting directly from the show and posting to the site's forum, Mike unfortunately "looks overdieted.......sacrificed muscle....... skin looks a little loose. Looks small.. Should have done under 210 class."

Mike was selected for the 3rd of the callouts, along with Derik Farnsworth, Mike Kindred, Aiman Faour and Marc Jacobs. So it sadly looks like he's behind Silvio Samuel, Bill Wilmore and Will Harris, Dave's pick for the top three.

The finals are later tonight!

Big Brother: Jew Bashing Amber

2007-08-09T17:19:00.000-07:00

What a surprise, good little god-fearing Christan girl Amber from Las Vegas, NV is a bigot.

And you wonder why I despise organized religion!

In other news America's Player Eric has found himself on the chopping block. After being instrumental in ousting of the delicious Nick last week, Eric was rumbled by Daniele after one of those airplane banner flybys (which stated that both Eric and Amber were liars).

Now this whole America's Player "twist" thing doesn't bother me so much, but Eric and those goddamn life-of-their-own eyebrows do! Does he have to make those goofey wide-eyed arched-brow expressions every time he reads one of the producers' Player messages? And then last week when he tired to compare himself to Nick, even going so far as to having the girls give him a faux-hawk, well that was the final straw. Time to say bu-bye Eric!

Remember Mike?

2007-08-09T00:10:00.000-07:00

No, not Bentley's Mike, who's new cell phone connected blog can be read here, but rather local bodybuilder "Mighty" Mike Ergas, a particular favourite of mine for pretty much ever (hell I've even given him his own blogger label), who finally earned his IFBB pro status at last year's NPC USA's (the somewhat lackluster 2007 edition of which took place just a couple of weekends ago).

Well, Mike is finally making his pro debut at the Europa Super Show this weekend in Dallas, TX. Up against such luminaries as Silvio Samuel and Quincy Taylor, Mike simply hopes to crack the top three (and therefore receive an invitation to this year's Mr. Olympia). Asked by Bodybuilding.com's Kris Gethin in a recent interview if he'll be "playing the size game" for his debut Mike's response was thus:

"My plan is to do what got me here in the first place and that is to come in as conditioned as I possibly can. Of course I want to be bigger than in the past but size without cuts will do nothing in regards of a decent placing anyway."

At 5'6" and about 220lbs, he's already a pretty damn big boy anyway. Let's just hope mass, with class, ultimately rules the day!

SeaWorld San Diego: Stroller Hell!!!

2007-08-08T00:02:00.000-07:00

After two long days at Comic Con, it was time for a change of pace.

San Diego is of course known as the home of two major tourist traps, I mean attractions, the Zoo and SeaWorld, both of which are world reknown. It being the middle of summer, we figured the zoo wouldn't be the most active place on a scorching July afternoon, so we chose to believe and go visit Shamu instead.

We didn't stop to think however what a kiddie nightmare it would be (though I am sure the zoo would have been worst). Disney at least has the tweens and teens to balance out those little munchkins. I truly have never seen as many strollers, or assigned stroller parking areas, in my entire life. And if you think the merchanising at Disney is bad, I don't think it compares with this place - cute, adorable and overpriced plush penguins, seals, dolphins and orca jump out at you at every possible opportunity.

That's not to say the place wasn't fun (though I think I got more out of it than Joe), how can you not get a thrill out of petting a bat ray, ducking through the shark tunnel, and believing with Shamu, even the food was pretty damn good (the Calypso Bay Smokehouse being the standout).

Bratty kids aside, by the end of the afternoon we'd "flown" to the remote Wild Arctic research station, stepped on the scales to see if we weighed as much as a manatee, picked up the requisite fridge magnet, and burned in the sun.

The one thing I can say with certain (which I am sure Joe is quite pleased by), now that I've done SeaWorld, I never have to go back!

National Underwear Day!

2007-08-07T07:32:00.000-07:00

Did you know there was such a day? A day to celebrate your boxers, briefs and pantalettes!

Let's give thanks to those nice people at Freshpair for parading such scantily clad men (and women) around Manhatten. (Maybe one day Freshpair will bring these strapping young men to LA!)

But in the meantime, to celebrate, I bring you these fine images:

And of course let's finish with that classic Calvin Klein ad with Marky...

Vote Nick!

2007-07-31T22:15:00.000-07:00

Don't let it be another hottieless year on CBS' summer reality staple, Big Brother. Have eyebrow happy America's Player Eric, vote out Kail on this Thursday's live eviction show (sadly voting will be closed by the time most of you read this).

We've already lost Mike, the painting contractor from Wisconsin (or more correctly the model from LA!). We can't possibly loose Nick, the former pro football player (and by that we mean European Federation of American Football player for the Seinäjoki Crocodiles, a team from Finland), and the lone surviving member of the Magnus/Kragnus dynamic strongman duo.

Let's face it any straight boy who can admit on national television that he has a Top Five guys that he'd sleep with, well that's a novelty in itself really isn't it. And to recap those guys are:

#1. Matthew McConaughey (naturally)
#2. Hugh Jackman
#3. Brad Pitt
#4. Unknown
#5. Ryan Reynolds

Come on America, and BB8 houseguests, let's please keep Nick in the house just a few weeks longer! I need some eye candy to deal with the increasingly sanctimonious ramblings of Dustin, Evil and co., which is beginning to sound a lot like squawking of Maggie, April and co. from Big Brother 6. And that's a truly scary proposition!

Comic Con 2007: Not All Geeks...

2007-07-30T20:41:00.000-07:00

Look like this:

But the few who did made Friday afternoon at Comic Con a simply delightful place to be (and almost made up for the hour and a half spent looking for parking in the one-way construction zone that is the Gaslamp District of downtown San Diego).

Of course most looked like this:

And then there was this one chick, who the comic nerds were drooling over, but I found her whole outfit somewhat disturbing:

Of course there were celebs: that guy from Stargate Atlantis, the shorter one from Supernatural; ST: TNG's Geordie and Deanna (too much Botox my dear); BSG's Chief/Cylon; and the ever present (at these type of things) Green Cross Code Man, aka the man who first played Vader, amongst others.

No official Joss meeting this year either (not even a post bathroom meeting like last year), but Joe did get a bunch of signatures from the 30 Days of Night boys, as well as some from the Aspen Comics hotties (and yes they were). But at least I got a couple more pieces from Robert Kraus of RAK Graphics (which he did on the spot for me), an artist I'd met previously at Wizard World LA and whose comic-styling images I love.

Two days of merchandising exclusives, crazy crowds, packed panels, and never-ending "what is this line for" queques, and Joe and I are already planning on spending three days down there next year!!!

Wot No Tigger???

2007-06-26T09:37:00.000-07:00

Pride Parade 2007

2007-06-21T23:25:00.000-07:00

The 2007 LA Gay Pride parade and festival, produced by those good Christopher Street West folks, was almost two weeks ago and I'm only now just getting round to blogging it - how busy I can I really be?

With just one day off work that weekend, I passed on the fesitval (to spend time with my boys and run some errands - though Mikey said it was a blast), but did go down to the parade (which pretty much runs at the bottom of the street anyway) taking Bentley along for an extended walk.

There's really no better way to show how proud one is than by watching scantily clad boys wiggle there stuff on top of fire engines, cheering for drag queens flaunting their fake tits on mutli-coloured floats, and grasping for an array of stickers, leaflets and deely-boppers from passing muscle boys and fag hags.

But I ask you where were the floats from Gold's, 24 Hour Fitness, Starbucks, Pavillions, the cast of Wicked, the majority of the bars, and all those other business and places that we gays frequent. Where was the support for the community that supports them?

Those kids from Disney were out bopping like there was no tomorrow (and it's where I'm going tomorrow); I actually tuned in to 98.7 the next morning for the first time since it dropped the Jamie, Jack & Stench morning show just because they had a float; and those wonderful Chipotle people handed out free burrito coupons, "homo estas?"

And as for muscle boys? Well, Micky's engine had some hotties; Svedka was well promoted; The Abbey, maybe sorta cute, but NO energy; none of the bears really did it for me, but at least the Midtowne Spa train blazed through with some decent performers (the best of which was on the opposite side there of the car, and can just be glimpsed in the pix). Oh, well!

Rise of the Best Summer Sequel (So Far)!

2007-06-18T09:17:00.000-07:00

No the scene of Johnny Storm (aka Chris Evans) coming out of the shower wrapped only in a towel wasn't gratuitous. We've come to expect such crowd pleasing fare from a Fantastic Four flick (though in my humble opinion we shouldn't have had to wait so long for said scene), good honest comic book movies with a little style, very little substance, but a very fun-filled 90 or so minutes nonetheless.

The 7:30pm Friday night audience at The Grove was packed with kids (and a spattering of homos), the target audience for this popcorn tale that introduces the iconic Silver Surfer (herald of the storm-cloud like Galactus, an Ultimate Universe-esq. departure from his classic pointy-helmeted appearance), cures Victor Von Doom of his facial deformities (so that the stunning Julian McMahon, who I'd never really considered that handsome before, can play him mask, and makeup, less), and brings the Fantasticar to the movie mythology.

Like Spider-man, New York City is the home base for this super foursome, however unlike most Ameri-centric comic book movies, FF2 turns into a truly global venture with spectacular set pieces at the London Eye, the Great Wall of China and some other Asian city. Like the recent Spider-man 3 however, FF2 also features a dancing superhero (this time Mr. Fantastic, Reed Richards), though this time its totally played for nothing but laughs (and to show off Reed's stretchiness).

With an estimated opening weekend gross of $57.4 million in the US, it looks like I wasn't the only one to actually like the Rise of the Silver Surfer, despite mediocre reviews. If I had one real complaint about the entire movie it would be this: Jessica Alba's blond locks really bothered me (with a Storm circa X-Men 1 and 2 feel)!!!

(But best summer sequel (so far) you ask, well Spidey 3 just couldn't, and didn't, live up to its previous installments, and Pirates 3 beached itself on a sandbar of confusion and boredom. Next upJohn McClane dies again.)

Just for Alex: The Altoid Boyz!

2007-06-11T09:17:00.000-07:00

When I happened to mention at the end of last week at work that I might not make it to the Gay Pride Parade on Sunday, Alexandra said to me, with a somewhat forlorn look on her face, "But what about the Altoid float?" So the following are just for her!

Goddamn that Paris!

2007-06-08T13:10:00.000-07:00

I'm glad she's back in jail!!! Hopefully that'll mean the (temporary) end of those bloody low-flying helicopters over my house!!!

And judging by this press release (which I have copied below) other West Hollywood residents feel the same way about the unnecessary press this spoilt cow is getting!

Dear Neighbors:

I have received an enormous number of calls and e-mails today about the helicopters hovering over the City. As you may know, Paris Hilton lives in Los Angeles, just off the Sunset Strip and immediately adjacent to West Hollywood. Given the publicity and controversy surrounding her recent incarceration and re-assignment to house arrest, the media has converged on our community, including a flock of helicopters.

Like many of you, I too was woken this morning about 5:30 AM by helicopters. However, I want to let you know that the City of West Hollywood and the Sheriff's Department, as well as the City of Los Angeles and their Police Department, have no authority or jurisdiction over airspace and helicopters hovering overhead. Aircraft remain under the exclusive control of the federal government and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

West Hollywood and hundreds of other cities have protested the serious impacts of hovering helicopters, particularly news and paparazzi helicopters, for many years to no avail.

While we shall again register our objections to our federal representatives and ask for more local regulatory authority, I also want to offer some suggestions for you. If you feel strongly that helicopters hovering over densely populated residential neighborhoods is a problem that needs fixing, please contact West Hollywood's federal representatives and the FAA:

U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer
U. S. Senator Dianne Feinstein
U. S Representative Henry Waxman

You can also call the "Assignment Desk" at local television stations and register your complaints about their news helicopters and their negative impact on the community.

I regret that I cannot do more as a member of the City Council to help relieve our neighborhoods of this problem, but I am certain that our representatives and the news stations would be pleased to know your views on the subject.

Best regards,
JEFFREY PRANG
Mayor Pro Tempore

Countdown to Celebration: It's Almost Here!!!!

2007-05-24T09:58:00.000-07:00

Is Tales of The New Republic a second official animated offering that has been kept on the (very) down-low or just another very cleverly done fan film?

Which Drew Struzan designed stamp will get it's very own stamp sheet, as voted on by the American public?

What further delights will Hasbro astound us with in their unveiling of the remainder of the 30th Anniversary Collection action figure line?

How will The Vader Project impact our lives and just what insightful and amusing anecdotes will Princess Leia herself enthrall us with during A Conversation with Carrie Fisher, Saturday evening at the LA Convention Center.

All will be revealed this weekend!!

Hulk Smash!!!

2007-05-22T14:49:00.000-07:00

Countdown to Celebration: The Little Menace!

2007-05-17T22:40:00.000-07:00

South Park Park Wars

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Since I've Been Gone: Pure Beef!

2007-05-15T20:27:00.000-07:00

Having spent almost the entire morning at a Toyota dealership in North Hollywood yesterday, come lunchtime I was starving, ready to eat my own hand off if need be. MacDonald's was the only recognizable eatery in the vicinity, so there we stopped, and there I inhaled an Angus Bacon & Cheese Third Pounder (one of those burgers the cute Boston boys rant about in the commercial - and it was in fact truly delicious).

Talking of pure beef, the 2007 IFBB New York pro bodybuilding show took place this past weekend at the Tribecca Performing Arts Center in the city, featuring such massive meatheads as King Kamali, Silvio Samuel and Dennis James.

Number one meathead of the night however was my man, Branch Warren! Pocketing the $15,000 paycheck, the NY Pro Ring and receiving the Best Legs award, Branch puts a disappointing 2006 season (and a poor 7th place finish at March's Arnold) behind him.

However even with his awesomely freaky mass and conditioning, Branch ended the night just four points ahead of runner-up Dennis James, and according to Flex Online, Branch only won the contest during the final posedown round (which is something that rarely happens, the winner is usually clear after pre-judging and the compulsories).

So lets hear from the big man himself talking to former pro, turned Muscular Development reporter, Flex Wheeler:

Since I've Been Gone: TV Land

2007-05-13T20:20:00.000-07:00

Rosie quits (after contractual negotiations brake down), and former Survivor chick Elisabeth is preggers. Poor Babs now has to find at least two new co-hosts for the surely beleaguered View this fall.

The pretty boy and his ditsy girlfriend (former season 9 racers Eric and Danielle) won The Amazing Race: All-Stars edition! Wasn't this the one team that no one wanted to win?

The second, and far superior, season of Workout seemingly focused less on Sky Sports owner Jackie Warner, and more on her ensemble family of trainers. The slow build towards the death of 44-year old hottie Doug Blasdell brought tears to hottie Brian's (and my) eyes!

Shear Genius is sheer genius (and I'm not the only one who thinks so)! With Jacklyn Smith, an eclectic mix of accented stylists, hair brawls, short cuts, final cuts and the stylist who brought us the 'shag,' what's not to love about Bravo's latest, and campest, Project Runway-esq reality show?

According to Edward James Olmos it seems that those Battlestar Galactica folks will reach Earth in the fourth, and final (or is it?), season of the show when it returns to the airwaves in '08.

Whitney, Lana's first BF on Smallville, is officially the Sci-Fi Channel's new Flash Gordon (not, as previously rumored, the stripper guy from The OC). Super hot Gina Holden will play his beau Dale Arden.

The best show of the 2006-2007 season, Friday Nights Lights, has been picked up for its sophomore season. Yeah! More of Connie Britton's terrific Texas twang!!!

And in an unprecedented announcement by a network, Lost will officially end in 2010! Only 49 more episode left to go!

(And now it's 3 hours of the Survivor:Fiji finale, and I'm currently rooting for underdog Boo!!!)

Since I've Been Gone: MINI Haters

2007-05-11T14:01:00.000-07:00

In the past month my little MINI has been vandalized not once, but twice!!!

The first time it happened the passenger side view mirror was twisted/yanked off, and left dangling by its electrical cord from the side of the car without another scratch on it; someone had simply taken it upon himself or herself to “bash” the side mirrors of a number of cars on parked on Laurel (the truck behind me had been similarly defaced). Four hours, and $727.00 later it was all fixed, but what a truly great way to spend a day off work!!!

Then just this past Wednesday, some jackass tore off the fender trim from two of my wheel arches, again on the passenger side. This time however it wasn’t on Laurel when it was “bashed”, but instead parked just off of Wilshire and 9th in Santa Monica while running an errand. At least this damage it purely cosmetic and doesn’t require an immediate fix, which is good ‘coz so far I’ve been quoted $185.00 a piece (plus labor) by the MINI dealership. However I’ve also found one of the pieces on ebay for just $15.00, plus shipping (a big thank you to the stranger at the gym who suggested this).

I keep trying to tell myself that these recent incidents are purely coincidental, but a nagging little voice in the back of my head keeps telling me that my MINI (sadly oh-so distinctive with it’s Union Jack roof and GB sticker) has been targeted. Maybe it’s that fat homo with those two nasty little pugs who I had words with that time. Or maybe it’s the MINI people themselves so they can charge inflated prices for parts and labor. Or maybe I'm just unlucky these days!

Since I've Been Gone: Back into Tivo Hell!

2007-05-10T07:43:00.000-07:00

Why do I do this to myself?

Do I really need BBC America and the Game Show Network added to my channel lineup? Do I really want an unsightly digital cable box (that's too big for the compartments of our TV stand) and add to an already tangled mess of cables?

Is the trouble I've gone through over the past 24 hours, searching through my cupboards for that vital little IR Control cable, having to repeat "Guided Setup" multiple times to find the right channel lineup, getting up at 6am to repeat the whole process upteen more times (all in vain), all so we can watch one channel and Tivo another, is it all really worth it?

Is the $5.00 a month that I'll supposedly be saving really worth it?

At this exact moment in time, I think not!!!!

Countdown to Celebration: Body Art

2007-04-27T04:58:00.000-07:00

I'm somewhat jonsing for tattoo #2.

Although I initially planned to wait until I reached that magical 200 lbs to celebrate with some more body art, with the impending Celebration IV I think it's time to re-evaluate and re-ink.

I was considering getting another of the galactic era symbols to join the Rise of the Empire logo on my left shoulder, or just a simple copy of the famed Mandalorian "Mythosaur Skull" insignia on my right.

But a new coffee table book, The Force in the Flesh, written and compiled by Shane Turgeon, creator of http://www.tattoosandtoys.com/, puts my simple tats to shame. From single images and basic symbols like mine, to complex full torse or whole sleeve works of art, the book showcases the elegant and intricate work of 45 artist and tattoo enthusiasts from the world over. Maybe I should reconsider just what my future insignia should be?

The book will be released during the convention and will also be available on their site.

Countdown to Celebration: Another One?

2007-04-14T08:36:00.000-07:00

Yes, Hasbro has revealed a third exclusive figure to be sold alongside R2 and 3PO at the upcoming Celebration IV here in LA and Celebration Europe in London.

Though already rumoured to be one of the McQuarrie Signature Series figures accompanying Hasbro's regular waves of figures, Luke Skywalker, formerly known as Luke Starkiller, joins the growing ranks of characters from Ralph McQuarrie's concept illustrations to be immortalized in plastic.

Over at Sideshow the've just released images of one of their convention exclusives, the 12" version of Luke Skywalker dressed in his I've-just-blown-up-the-Death Star finery. Priority pre-ordering for these beauties begin Thursday, April 12th at 10AM (Pacific Time). Unfortunately I think I'll be passing on this one.

Sunkist, Sunkist, Rah! Rah! Rah!

2007-04-10T23:04:00.001-07:00

Rock 'N' Roll Ralphs on Sunset is always out of Diet Sunkist!

No matter what time or what day you go, they're out. They have rows and rows of Coke, Cherry Coke, Pepsi and 7-Up, but no Diet Sunkist, in fact it seems like Diet Sunkist is the only soda they're ever out of!

For some reason, they also no longer sell my other favourite soda Diet Coke with Lime (in the 2-litre bottles), so of late, when faced with this lack-of-Sunkist dilemma, I've been taste testing a number of the other sodas, sampling from the plethora of choices available in the pop aisle, to see what else could possibly hit the spot.

Tropicana Sugar Free Orangeade had a disgustingly artificial aftertaste, Pineapple Fanta had no chance (having been raised on Lilt, and it's totally tropical taste), but the Caramel Cream flavoured Jazz, from the makers of Diet Pepsi, well, that was a lovely surprise.

Fearing that it too would be too saccharinely sweet, Jazz knocked my taste buds out of the park. Just enough caramel, not too much aspartame, and snazzy packaging. What more could you ask for from a soda. I'm almost hooked!

New York Pro: 6 Weeks Out

2007-04-05T21:52:00.000-07:00

Guest posing at last weekend's 2007 NPC Northern Colorado show in Boulder, CO was Branch Warren, my fraking favourite bodybuilder and at only 5'7" and an off-season weight of around 270 lbs, one of the ultimate mass monsters in the sport.

Branch is currently prepping for the New York Pro championships on May 12th. At his last show, the Arnold Classic in March, he placed 7th, narrowly missing out on automatic qualification for this year's Olympia (only the top 6 qualified, the top five in New York will also qualify). Branch hasn't placed too highly in his last few competitions. Back in 2005 he took home back-to-back first place trophies (at the Charlotte and Europa Super Shows), but since then, although he's gained a good 20+ lbs of muscle, he hasn't been able to dial it in quite as well. This guy is all fraking muscle however, check out the following quick clip:

Later this summer Branch will turn promoter when he hosts The NPC Branch Warren Bodybuilding, Figure and Fitness Championships in Houston, TX. Until then however he's got the New York Pro to win, and if his current 6-week out conditioning is anything to go by, he's got grown men running scared!

Countdown to Celebration: Exclusive Figures

2007-04-03T18:33:00.000-07:00

As expected, Hasbro's action figure exclusive(s) for Celebration IV here in LA (and July's Celebration Europe at the ExCeL exhibition center in London) are 3¾" versions of concept artist Ralph McQuarrie's original illustrations of those iconic bickering droids C-3PO and R2-D2.

McQuarrie concept figures accompany each wave of the new 30th Anniversary figures (with versions of the Stormtrooper, Boba Fett and Chewbacca already previewed). This signature series will continue throughout the year with Darth, Luke and Han amongst others already rumoured. R2 and 3PO's conspicuous absence from the rumour list made them highly likely candidates for this year's convention exclusive.

Limited to one set per convention day pass purchased (which means if you've purchased a 4-day pass you’re lucky enough to be able to buy 4 sets – one to keep MIB, one to open, and 2 to ebay - sadly I only have a day pass) these figures will quickly become hot commodities!!!

May the Force be with you!

Countdown to Celebration: USPS

2007-03-31T13:38:00.000-07:00

For only the second time in history, the US Postal Service is giving the public the opportunity to vote for a stamp that will become it's very own stamp sheet.

Acclaimed artist Drew Struzan designed a sheet of 15 stamps that we can choose from, stamps which commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Star Wars saga, incorporating images from all six movies (including such icons as Yoda, Emperor Palpatine, Darth Maul and Boba Fett) against a space battle background.

On Friday, May 25, the these stamps will be released at a first-day-of-issue ceremony during the Star Wars Celebration IV at the LA Convention Center. The most popular single stamp, voted for by the public, will also be announced at this event.

You have until May 23rd to place your vote.

May the Force be with you!

CELEBFLASH: Me?

2007-03-29T12:14:00.000-07:00

Yes, that's me on Oprah!

Filmed at Spago exactly a month ago, the episode, A Tribute to Sidney Poitier, aired yesterday. Celebrating The Measure of a Man, Mr. Poitier's spiritual autobiography at a "Dinner of a Lifetime" were seven lucky viewers (and a cast and crew behind the scenes of hundreds).

I was lucky enough to be featured in the Spago overview bit towards the beginning of the episode (I'm the one standing behind uber-designer Colin Cowie, looking a tad befuddled if I do say so myself)
Next stop Survivor!

[ Note: Downloading the episode from Tivo to my laptop was a piece of cake. Capturing a screenshot not so easy! Matt in NYC has given me a couple of ideas, namely using VLC Media Player which captures it's own snapshot - still not great images, but better! ]

Archer and the TB Test

2007-03-28T14:28:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning I woke to Jeffrey Archer, British author, former MP, and convicted perjurer espousing The Gospel According to Judas (his own fictionalized version anyway, written in conjunction with biblical scholar Francis J. Moloney) to Matt Laurer on The Today Show.

Later that morning I find out that it's advisable that I take a tuberculosis test (having recently come in contact with someone with the ailment). Great!

All of a sudden I'm transported back about 20 years, to Wellington School (my secondary school, circa 1986), that fateful day queuing outside the "san," readying myself for a Heaf Test and BCG vaccination, continually moving to the end of the line to put off the injection for as long as possible (which on the positive side, meant that I'd be late for German).

The summer prior I had been presented with my "prize" (for coming first in my year in Latin) by none other than Jeffrey Archer, a school alum. This was just before the 1987 libel case against the Daily Star in which he perjured himself, leading to his imprisonment and suspension from both the Conservative Party and the Marylebone Cricket Club.

Interestingly enough in his younger days Archer reportedly told people he was an "old boy" of the more prestigious Wellington Collage rather than the less well known Wellington School. Wouldn't that be an indication of things to come?

CELEBFLASH: Bad Table?

2007-03-27T07:55:00.000-07:00

Remember the good old days when you played one of the leads in TV's top rated medical drama, when you were the "and" in the show's title (similar to Heather Locklear's "special guest star" role on Melrose Place).

Then after 168 episodes you hang up your scrubs to produce, direct and star in your own movie, Crazy as Hell. Maybe you thought you'd get out when the going was still good, when ER was still on top and just after your NAACP Image Award win for best actor in a TV drama, hoping your career path would mimic former co-star George Clooney's upward spiral.

And then... Well, there were a couple of episodes of Without a Trace and a behind the camera stint on an episode of The Twilight Zone.

And now... Oh, dear Eriq La Salle, 44, there you are on the break.

Not exactly the best table in the house!

No More Foie

2007-03-22T21:36:00.000-07:00

Hot on the heels of The Governor's Ball, that famous post Oscar bash catered by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck (i.e. my boss), came the news of that one of his chefs had contracted hepatitis. Less than a month later Puck is in the news again, this time to promote animal rights and fight cruelty to animals.

"Puck chefs will continue to kill lobsters by cutting them in half while they're still alive," but foie gras is no longer on the menu. And while that famous Spago weiner schnitzel (which is damn good by the way) will now be made from free-range all-natural veal, "skate and Russian caviar, both of which Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch has on its "avoid" list," will still be used. So wrote Corie Brown on the front page of the LA Times earlier today.

Puck's announcement was made with help from the Humane Society, which only recently began its programs championing the rights of farm animals. Farm Sanctuary, the 21-year old farm animal protection organization responsible for the legislative ban on foie gras in Chicago (which begins here in California in 2012), got no such love, having protested outside Spago for many of the restaurant's 25 years.

In other restaurant news Chef Lee, Spago's own executive chef, has been nominated for the Outstanding Chef at the 2007 James Beard Awards. Fellow nominees include Top Chef's Tom Colicchio, Jean Joho, Paul Kahan and Michael Richard. Meanwhile steakhouse CUT (which Chef Lee oversees) at the Regent Beverly Wilshire (you know, the Pretty Woman hotel) has been nominated for Best New Restaurant. The awards ceremony will be held Monday, May 7 in New York.

Wizard World LA 2007

2007-03-19T22:37:00.000-07:00

Finding parking at the LA Convention Center sucked as much this year as it did last, and there weren't any Buffy alums to beg autographed eight by tens from, but the 2007 leg of the Wizard World Convention in downtown Los Angeles provided just as much geeky enjoyment (maybe even more) as my inaugural visit did in 2006.

Last year I all but dragged Mikey along with me. This time Joe was my willing accomplice. Last year Charisma Carpenter and Stephanie Romanov were the big draws (though I'm still kicking myself for not shelling out for Andy Hallett and Elizabeth Rohm's signed pix). This time it was artists Marc Silvestri and Humberto Ramos.

Thanks in no small part to the never-ending Marvel Civil War, the advent of Buffy: Season 8, and most importantly, Joe's own love of the art, my appreciation of comics has been rekindled over the last few months. Though I'm still really more of a collector/completest, Joe is a true and avid comicbook fan, so his excitement at meeting his favourite artist, Ramos, was infectious. Not only did Ramos sign a few comics, but he drew Joe a very very cool Venom sketch. We followed that with signings by British writer Paul Jenkins and Anita Blake penciller Brett Booth (sadly the line for Top Cow founder Silvestri was way too long).

In addition to meeting the artistes, I found several of the Civil War tie-in issues I was missing (including the Wizard World Captain America #25 variant, though Amazing Spidey #529 still illudes me), as well as some adorable Star Wars character prints (which will nicely adorn my bathroom). We even came across a number of those exclusive Wal-Mart figures I mentioned previously, and though cheaper at $15 a piece, I still couldn't justify the price.

Without the glitz and glamour that Hollywood lavishes on the San Diego Comic-Con, and with guests the like of Jerri Manthey, Tony Burton and Lou Ferrigno, the comicbook artists and writers far outshown the competition at Wizard World. As well they should!

WTF TFAW?

2007-03-15T23:36:00.000-07:00

Saturday night Joe and I ventured over the hill to Universal City Walk to experience the true awesomeness of 300 on an IMAX. While I thoroughly loved the movie, marvelling at the seamless CGI and bluescreen work, and gazing in awe at the wonderfully chiseled warriors, it never really felt like there were 300 Spartans (but rather maybe 30 at best), while the accompanying score (and editing) just couldn't match the dramatic intensity of the original stunning trailer. 300 however truly is a movie that should be seen on the big BIG screen.

City Walk itself was an entirely different matter. My first and only other excursion to the Walk was back in 2004 during an exploratory trip to LA! At that time I hadn't noticed the gaudiness of the place, purchasing my board shorts, souvenirs and paying way too much for way average food like a good little consumer.

One of the fond memories I had from that visit was of Things From Another World (the TFAW in the title). This time around, though still impressed by the wide range of geeky collectibles, I was horrified at the extortionate prices being charged, particularly for Star Wars figures, Wal-Mart exclusive figures to be precise. You know some jackass is plundering the Wal-Mart shelves on shipment day, buying them cheap ($5.99), then jacking up the price ($24.99). This figure scalping is just plain criminal!

So other than the overpriced stores and restaurants, Saturday evening at Citywalk was overrun with tourists from the park; littered with parents who had entirely too many kids; and we were bombarded on all sides by people who had little sense of direction and no spacial awareness.

I don't think we'll be heading back on a Saturday night anytime soon, even for the IMAX (I should note however that exiting the parking structure was a much quicker and easier experience than I've ever had leaving The Grove or the hell that is Arclight).

Buffy: Season 8

2007-03-14T23:32:00.000-07:00

After the catastrophy of last week (missing out on Captain America #25), there I was at 10:00am this morning, waiting outside Golden Apple for the store to open, ready to snatch up the Joss Wheadon-written premier issue of Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8, the official continuation of the iconic (and my all-time favorite) TV series.

Being one of the first sad buggers at the store, not only did I pick up the regular edition, with cover art by Ju Chen, but I also managed to grab the Georges Jeunty and Dave Stewart drawn variant cover edition (both for me and for Joe).

Since we last saw Buffy in May of 2003, about a year and a half has passed, 500 or so slayers now roam the earth, Xander is in Scotland, Dawn is suffering from growing pains and as such "The Long Way Home" has begun!

UPDATE: A day after it's release, publisher Dark Horse has already announced a second printing for this inaugral edition since retailer interest has significantly surpassed the original 100,000 copy print run.

Bye Bye Ramber!

2007-03-11T22:12:00.000-07:00

A collective "Aaawwwwwwwhhhhh!" rang out on Laurel earlier this evening when Phil announced to former Survivor All-Stars champs Rob and Amber Mariano, "You have been eliminated from the Race!"

The Amazing Race: All-Stars that is!

After 3 weeks in poll position, Ramber fell from grace, slipping behind Charla and Mirna as karma bit them in the ass (they lied to the little person and her whinny cousin attempting to lure them away from the cluebox) when they failed to find their self addressed letter at the post office at "The End of the World" on Isla Redonda, the southern most tip of South America.

Mikey and I were both hoping this would be a one of those non-elimination legs. But sadly no. No matter how many reality shows they've already been on, and how much dosh they've already won, say what you will about super-cocky Boston Rob and his Mrs., they were good TV and will be missed!

O Captain! My Captain!

2007-03-08T20:56:00.000-08:00

*Squish! Squish!*

No these are not the tears of a man saddened by the death of an American icon, the death of a hero who symbolized the spirit of America, the death of Steve Rogers. These are not tears for the death of Captain America.

Having surrendered to the Pro-Registration forces, Steve Rogers is assassinated, shot once in the shoulder by a sniper, then three times in the stomach by his lover, S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Sharon Carter, as he enters a Federal Courthouse.

No these are the tears of a man who missed out on one of the most important issues of Marvel's whole Civil War crossover event. The tears of a man who forget to ask his Joe to pop into Golden Apple (since he didn't have to go into work until late). These are the tears of a man who missed out on Captain America 25, the issue that told the above story.

*Sob!*

These are real tears!!!

Goodbye Starbuck, Hello Flash!

2007-03-07T00:02:00.000-08:00

So having just watched Maelstrom, the latest Battlestar Galactica episode and the one that leads, according to showrunner Ron Moore in his Chicago Tribune interview, to

"a fundamental and permanent change in the makeup of the show’s cast and of the show itself and how the show operates and what the show is about. It’s a very dramatic change of direction.”

And truthfully I was a little disappointed. The episode was Lost-like and flashback-filled, highlighting the psycological tourments suffered by Starbuck during her youth. The "Let me go/See you on the other side" death was a poor payoff for a character we've invested in, a character with an apparant destiny. I was somewhat expecting (hoping) the closing scene would be Starbuck downloading into her new body in one of those Cylon rebirthing tanks. But no!

"I am dead as far as I know,” claimed Katee Sackoff in her first post-Maelstrom interview (even with 3 years remaining on her contract). But with Starbuck's death Ron Moore may have made "a world class frak up," or at least a jump the shark moment. We'll wait and see!

In other Sci-Fi Channel news, it looks like Christopher Showerman will save every one of us when the cable network's new original series Flash Gordon premieres this July. Showerman is previously best known for his portrayl of George, in George of the Jungle 2, and as the Impossibly Hot Fireman on the now defunct O.C. (a clip of which follows):

And lastly, on NBC's Heroes, we've finally met the mysterious, pot pie eating Linderman, aka Malcolm McDowell, aka the man who killed Captain Kirk.

We know he's been collecting Isaac's paintings, got Niki/Jessica released from jail, and now he's guaranteed Nathan Petrelli an election win, followed by a chance at The White House.

But exactly what this all means... Well unfortunately we won't find out more until Heroes returns April 23rd for the final five episodes of this fantastic season.

Victor(y) at The Arnold

2007-03-05T08:00:00.000-08:00

The Arnold Classic is arguably the first real big show of the bodybuilding season (i.e. the show where the big boys finally come out of hibernation and compete). Held this past weekend in Columbus, OH, even Governor Arnold graced the stage at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium (well he should, the show is after all named for him... Hell the whole weekend is held in his honor), presenting overall champion Victor Martinez with a check for $130,000.00, as well as the coveted Most Muscular trophy.

Highly placed competitors from the recent Ironman and Sacramento shows didn't fare so well up against these real big boys. Mark Dugdale, 2nd at the Ironman, placed 11th here. Hidetada Yamagishi, 3rd in Sacramento, only 13th (though his previous placing qualifies him as the first ever Japanese bodybuilder to compete at the Olympia). While Marcus Haley, 5th in both those shows, fell to 12th at the Arnold (though he was awarded Best Poser). Toney Freeman however, first place winner at both previous pro shows, continued to prove himself a force to be reckoned with coming in an impressive 3rd, besting Puerto Riccan Gustavo Badell and previous uber-newcomer Phil Gift" Heath.

That said my two "boys," Branch 'Quadrasaurus' Warren and Ronny 'the Rock' Rockel, didn't fair quite so well either, placing 7th and 8th respectively.

In 2005 Branch took first at the both the Europa Super Show and the Charlotte Pro. Last year he came second at the Arnold and took home the Most Muscular prize. Towards the end of 2006 however, he wasn't able to wow them at the Olympia (12th), although he seemed to have gained a whole lot of additional mass, but was unable to dial it in as well as he had earlier that year. This weekend he continues with the freaky mass monster look, but that doesn't equate with higher placings.

For some time fans considered Ronny an unfairly overlooked bodybuilder. He then won the 2006 Australian Grand Prix, but again fell from favour at that year's Olympia (he didn't even place), only to rebound again during a couple of the later international Grand Prix. This weekend he came in with the complete balanced package, but not as sharp (and as big) as he could have been to place higher.

Up next the New York Pro in May (Victor is sure to be the hometown fav if he competes here), then Shawn Ray's Colorado Pro in June. The Olympia Weekend this year starts on September 29th, once again in Las Vegas, NV.

Bye Bye Oscar!

2007-02-26T22:43:00.000-08:00

Now that the Oscars are over the residents of WeHo, BH and Hollywood can get back to normal. Gone are the traffic restrictions and road closures. No longer do choppers buzz constantly overhead (poised to catch all those extra special red carpet moments and after-party shenanigans). And it's possible for regular folks to get dinner reservations again (other than places like Denny's).

The 79th Annual Academy Awards ran long (quelle surprise, producer Laura Ziskin holds the record for longest Oscars ever with the 2002 broadcast which ran 4 hours and 28 minutes. Oh, you poor East Coast viewers!), drew bigger ratings than last year's Jon Stewart affair (but fewer than 2005's Chris Rock emceed event), and even offered a few surprises (Alan Arkin, Melissa Ethridge and Happy Feet anyone). But this annual event, which back in '96 I even stayed up through the night to watch (the first time it was broadcast in it's entirety in Britain), nowadays just plain bores me.

No, not because of Ellen's "comfy but often dull" hosting style, but simply because I now live in LA! and I've sadly become too accustomed to the "proximity of celebrity," as I previously mentioned in Repeat City. It's just a nuisance that Hollywood Boulevard (the true cross city shortcut) gets shut down for a week to lay the red carpet; that you can't find parking at the gym because of the Jimmy Kimmel shuttle buses; and that limos and Lincoln Town Cars pollute the already overcrowded vehicular landscape. Then, when you hear about all those behind-the-scenes atrocities and craziness, well, then you're really like "do these people have nothing better to do or spend their money on?"

No, they probably don't!

2007 Ironman Pro Discord

2007-02-21T23:17:00.000-08:00

As with any bodybuilding show there's always dissent amongst the fans with regards to the judging. So-and-so should have placed higher, whojamacallit was holding water, and whatsisname just couldn't control his stomach.

This years 2007 Vyotech Ironman Pro Invitational, held over the hill at the Pasadena Civic Center Auditorium, was no exception, except maybe with regards to winner, Toney Freeman, who's first place finish seemed to be met with unanimous approval (well pretty much unanimous, at least the viewers watching on bodybuilding.com gave him their vote).

Many thought Silvio Samual certainly deserved higher than 4th, having added a good 15lbs of muscle to his frame since last season (under the tutelage of Milos Sarcev), and a posing routine that earned him the Vince Gironda Award. "But heres the silver lining," thought Enter the Mind's BB is 4 life :) "with the position he got it shows he wasnt ignored, he grabbed their attention, now he is on the radar."

Second place finisher Mark Dugdale, one of the smaller IFBB pros, has one of the more symmetrical and proportional physiques, but not the mass that many like their pro bodybuilders to have. As Mike, the Admin Dude from Muscle Mayhem put it, Dugdale just "doesn't have that 'wow' factor [and basically] needs to get off that porch and put on some more mass."

39 year old Eddie Abbew, who's been around for a while now, placed 3rd, but how, asked Mayhem's dbcb314 when "his thighs are really narrow. His arms are nothing special. His conditioning was nothing special. He isn't a mass monster."

Then there's the case of unknown Russian Sergey Shelestov who was never even called out for a comparison against the top guys. "Yeah Shelestov got robbed BIG time. I think those mofos are racist," shouted Freak, a fellow Russian over at Muscle Mecca. His sentiments (well maybe not the racist parts) were echoed by many over all of the boards. Bodybuilding is a name game, and no one knew Sergey, hence his poor, poor placing.

Whether it's a guy's symmetry, aesthetics or proportions. Whether they have full round muscle bellies, lor ack the appropriate striations Maybe they look too chemically enhanced. Or maybe they just don't display and can't pose well. There's many a reason these boys place how they do... and only the judges really know the ins and outs of judging (deep I know).

The Force Unleashed at Toy Fair

2007-02-19T22:27:00.000-08:00

The most important event in February, more important than the Grammys, the Ironman Pro, and the Oscars combined, is the American International Toy Fair, held last week in New York City.

Geeks around the world look to Toy Fair for news (and pictures) from their favourite toy lines. Avid fans clamor for sneak peaks of upcoming action figures from such lines as Hasbro's Marvel Legends, McFarlane's Spawn, JAKKS' WWE series, even My Little Pony. It's the anticipation of new Star Wars toys that really makes me moist however, and with this being the 30th anniversary of Episode IV: A New Hope, 2007's product is going to be one bumper crop!

A couple of the upcoming Gentle Giant animated maquettes will look great on my shelves (hint hint Joe), and those 12" Sideshow Collectibles, Galactic Heroes and Nerf Blasters all have their place (and fans) I suppose, but it's Hasbro's classic line of 3¾" figures that I most look forward to adding to my collection.

This year's line will consist of at least 60 basic figures, in brand-spanking-new specially designed 30th anniversary packaging, complete with a collectible coin (a homage to Kenner's 1985 Power of the Force line).

Future goodies include the likes of M'iiyoom Onith, Hermi Odle and Umpass-Stay, and a series of figures based on Ralph McQuarrie's original concept art, all mixed in with new renditions of the core characters (like Luke, Leia and R2). The most exciting news however is that Hasbro will finally embrace the Expanded Universe with characters from the Lucas Arts' upcoming The Force Unleashed (a video game for the "next generation" platforms, where you play Vader's secret Sith apprentice) along with versions of Darth Revan, Darth Malak and Roron Corobb.

And so with the prospect of all these wonderful new toys on the horizon, I passed up the one remaining Betrayal of Felucia battle pack I found at Target this morning. It could end up being one expensive year with many storage challenges!

CELEBFLASH: Repeat City

2007-02-12T23:24:00.000-08:00

The CelebFlash, a self-coined term used to describe my encounters with the Hollywood elite (and once a significant part of my blog) has seemingly been long since absent from my writings. Thinking about it now, the majority of my CelebFlashes occurred when I was still at The Farm. You would have thought my position at Spago would have granted me better access to the stars, however being stuck up in the office I just don't get the opportunity to interact like I did back at The Grove. Sure I've brushed passed Jake Gyllenhaal's ass, had a conversation with KeiraKnightley's mum, and planned a lunch for those Knots Landing folks, but it's just not the same as gushing over Buffy, pouring tea for Corbin Bernsen, or mocking Breckin Meyer.

Sure I recently met past Deadwood inhabitant, and sleight-of-hand artiste Ricky Jay. Glimpsed both Terminators: the T-1000's Robert Patrick shortly after his fine performance in Cena's The Marine, as well as the original T-800 , the Governator himself, Arnold. Chanced upon Rocky IV's Ludmilla Drago herself, the ever-imposing, incredibly tall, international reality TV queen Brigitte Nielson (who seems as tall sitting as I am standing). I even once had to tell Candice Bergen, no, she could not get a reservation.

Nowadays however I feel like I'm trapped in the equivalent of network TV's summer season (aka rerun season), running in to the same old faces again and again. Ian Ziering (at The Griddle, Rite Aid or Baja Fresh), Michael Rapaport, Grant Show, The Biggest Loser's Trainer Bob, Peter Paige and, of course, the one and only Jesse Metcalf (causing me to wonder "Where's Jesse?" every time we go to the gym).

Sadly I suppose the CelebFlash has become part and parcel of my everyday life here in LA! (exactly like people warned it would). Meeting Carrie Fisher or James Marsters would still cause me to go into conniptions (similar to the way Bentley does whenever I come home), but I suppose when all's said and done "stars" still have to buy their toilet paper at Target just like the rest of us!

Just Two!

2007-02-06T23:49:00.000-08:00

MyBentley, now just two years old (or fourteen in dog years), and still very much my pup, my baby, my son!!!

"It's not a day out at Alton Towers, you know"

2007-01-30T08:01:00.000-08:00

Each week I sit down in front of the telly, Tivo remote in hand, ready to immerse myself in my little bit of heaven, Eastenders.

Eastenders is a prime time British soap opera produced by the BBC. Now over 20 years old, Eastenders first aired February 19th, 1985, and to this day continues to be one of the highest-rated programmes in the UK, consistently viewed by 50% of the country's population, spawning numerous spin-offs and much water-cooler talk.

When I moved from DC I was concerned as to whether or not I would continue to get my weekly Eastenders fix. Thankfully here in LA! the local PBS affiliate, KOCE, airs two episodes a week, Friday nights at 7:00 and 7:30pm (with repeats in the early hours on Sunday mornings).

Set in the fictional London borough of Walford (complete with Tube station, Walford East, and postal code, E20), Eastenders centers on the strong, matriarch lead and seemingly incestuously interwoven families who inhabit Albert Square and frequent the local pub, The Queen Vic.

Now Eastenders may not be as flashy and sophisticated as some US shows (I’m thinking Battlestar Galactica and Heroes in particular), but it blows your common-or-garden melodramas, like Brothers & Sisters, Grey’s Anatomy and ER, out of the water.

Eastenders was conceived a a social realist drama. Yes there is still murder, arson, marital infidelity, young love and much gossiping (it is after all still a populist kitchen sink drama), but over the years the programme has dealt with the likes of domestic and child abuse, euthanasia, teenage pregnancy, racial prejudice, drunk driving, mental health issues and abortion among other issues.

A recent episode serves as an example of the programmes power, featuring only four of the characters and juxtapositioning their two stories. One of a son (former Spandau Ballet member Martin Kemp) confronting his dieing mother with the abuse she put him through as a child. The second that of a young wife, unable to cope with her new pregnancy, telling her husband that she plans on aborting their child. Great powerful televsion!

Devilish Oscar Nods

2007-01-23T22:31:00.000-08:00

Early this morning (we're talking 7:09am) an email came through my Outlook from my Kansas City dwelling good friend Marky Mark. Attached was his yearly Oscar nominations matrix, a handy reference sheet to all those flicks you ought to catch before Joan and Melissa take to the red carpet on February 25th to chastise the stars at the 79th Academy Awards, both the gay equivalent of the Super Bowl and the ultimate CelebFlash.

While JM previously poo-pooed my predication that Meryl would receive an Oscar nom for Prada, since (and I quote) "that sort of role (and movie) isn't even close to Oscar material" (obviously it was), what other surprises did those Oscar folks deliver us?

No Best Picture for Dreamgirls even after it's win at the Golden Globes.

Best Original Screenplay for Pan's Labyrinth, a Spanish language movie (and a movie less about fantasy and more about the Spanish civil war than I expected).

Several big nods to Little Miss Sunshine, with it's truly rib tickling moment when young Olive, having been left at a gas station, has to run after (and jump in to) the family's moving VW van.

Best Director, but no Best Picture, for United 93, a stunning film that took me on a roller coaster of emotions (though I'm glad about the lack of Best Picture nomination, the film is way too emotionally charge for that category).

A Best Actress nod to Penélope Cruz for her powerful portrayal of Raimunda in Volver, an otherwise pointless movie about independent, morally void women sticking together through adversities (and getting away with murder).

And lastly the original Marky Mark (aka Mark Wahlberg) beating out Jack Nicholson in the Best Supporting Actor category for The Departed.

While it might seem at the moment that the Oscar statuettes for both Helen Mirren and Forest Whitaker are theirs to lose, we've seen upsets in the past (especially with Peter O'Toole, Judi Dench and the ever present Ms. Streep lurking in the background). And will Scorsese finally take one home for The Departed? We'll have wait and see.

Things I've Learnt So Far This Year

2007-01-10T16:20:00.000-08:00

I was shocked to hear on Donald Trump's new LA based Apprentice, that West Hollywood is a "homosexual area." The episode coincidentally featured my workplace, Spago Beverly Hills, and our Assistant GM, Laurent. Manager Mikey had his scenes cut - sadly that's the TV business for you Mikey.

Little Cuban New York hairdresser's can have smokin' hot bodies (and can pass on real nasty colds).

Sometimes you do have to waste a sick day on a day when you really are sick.

Yes, maybe because of the Santa Anas, the wide fluctuation in day and night temperatures, or just maybe because of the recent bout of bloody freezing weather (it snowed in Malibu yesterday for god's sake), but I've had the worst cold ever.

Now that DayQuil (and NyQuil) are no longer made with the decongestant pseudoephedrine (an ingredient used to make crystal meth) DON’T BUY THEM, they no longer work.

Being one of the biggest guys at The Firehouse in Venice is just not right.

Dogster is the new MySpace! Give my dog a bone and go check out Bentley's profile.

Bentley has had a couple of mishaps lately, and I cannot praise highly enough Laurel Pet Hospital with its efficient, friendly, and particularly cute veterinarians (I’m talking about you Dr. Arnold).

With Meryl Streep accepting the Golden Globe for her Prada wearing portrayal of the devilish Miranda Priestly, it looks like my previous Oscar predication is one step closer to fruition.

Target really is "the Happiest Place on Earth," especially now that they sell grocery items in bulk-sized family packs.

Super hunky John Vito returns in The Amazing Race's all-star edition (unfortunately so do reality whores Rob & Amber).

After recently discovering some shots of my boy Branch from the 2005 Charlotte Pro show (where he took home the first place trophy), it’s confirmed, this man does have one hell of an ass!

So Top Chef finalists Ilan and Elia both shaved their heads, accounting for the bandanas, hoodie and wig (?) they’ve been wearing during their recent one-on-ones.

And lastly, catching up with my Sad Clown (who was visiting from DC for a few days to see whether or not LA! would be a viable living environment) was just wonderful! Selfishly I think LA! would be the perfect fit!

Things I Learnt this Christmas

2006-12-27T22:04:00.000-08:00

"Merry Christmas" must be a perfectly fine holiday salutation after all if it is used freely and without abandon in Beverly Hills, CA.

If you are going to make mince pies from scratch, at least do them the justice of buying real ice cream (and not Edy's Slow Churned, 1/2 the fat, Caramel Delight) to eat them with.

Green Bean Casserole is much better made with less than a 1/3 of a cup of milk and an extra can of cut green beans.

A Christmas Story is now shown on TBS, not TNT.

ICON man Brian Wade works out at 24 Hour Arclight as well as Gold's (as do I... Sort of... Well I have two memberships now anyway).

When Will Smith squishes, so do I (as least when watching his latest flick, The Pursuit of Happyness, which with it's obvious ending is maybe at best worth the price of a matinee ticket).

The Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale (for Men) should only be considered a sale if you think $159.00 for a pair of jeans or $55.00 for a T-Shirt cheap.
Watching Fraggle Rock without "The Captain," played by Fulton Mackay, and is a little bit disconcerting.

No matter how much you're craving one of their Spanish Lattes and a slice of chocolate cake, do not go to Urth Caffé on Melrose when there's the possibility of rain (kudos however to the staff for getting those umbrellas out so damn quickly).

A "passing shower" in the rest of the country is considered a "torrential downpour" here in LA.

Pit bull puppies and hummus - not the best combination.

And lastly... Joe has confined himself to the kitchen on all future Christmas Eve's since he's going to have to make those great roast chicken enchiladas year in and year out from now on.

The Deathly Hallows

2006-12-21T10:57:00.000-08:00

As in "Harry Potter and the..."

So announced J.K. Rowling through her publisher earlier today.

But what exactly these Deathly Hallows are is yet to be revealed.

What has been leaked however is that *spoiler alert* two more major characters will not make to the end of the novel alive; both hot Quidditch star Viktor Krum and Dolores Umbridge are set to return; Kreacher, Harry's inherited house elf, will play an important role (hence J.K.'s insistence that he appear in the Order of the Phoenix movie); we'll learn lots more significant back story stuff about Peter Pettigrew, Dumbledore, Harry's mum and Aunt Petunia; and most importantly we will finally learn who's side Severus Snape is really on!

What a great Christmas present from one of the richest women in the UK... now, if we only had a publication date...

The Worst is Over...

2006-12-18T22:58:00.000-08:00

Or is it?

A week before Christmas and the parties do seem to be slowing to a halt. With the big day on a Monday this year there may be one extra weekend to get in that last minute shopping, but when it comes to events, no one really wants to party.

Friday the 15th was the big one. With the busiest lunch of the year (of about 300 covers, plus the special events in our private dining rooms) upper management was rightfully crazed early that morning. Ultimately the day seemed to proceed without a hitch, nevertheless, it's on days like these, true "Black Fridays," that we in Special Events close the door, keep our heads down, and order super expensive Chinese for lunch.

Those ubiquitous holiday staples, See's Candies, have reared their ugly heads once again (and seriously ladies, you can't expect me to work Saturday, with an open box of chocs at my disposal, and hope to have any left upon your return Monday). Boxes from Harry & David's have made welcome appearances, and even a nice little candy dish from Tiffany's arrived Friday.

One of the more interesting gift's that I have partaken in however was a nice slice of banana bread handcrafted by none other than Buffy's former beau, Riley Finn, aka Marc Blucas. Now while not the nuttiest of loaves, this was one particularly tasty tea bread. I now have my fingers very much crossed for a signed glossy black n' white to add to my collection.

So with no real disasters (OK, so that one guest had to wait for their chicken after a second guest switched from pasta at the last minute... we thought the world was going to end for a moment there), and the only concerns being the strange prevalence of Pink Floyd and The Stones over soothing holiday/dinner, the season is winding down nicely.

Cards have been sent (is it still a faux par to wish people a Merry Christmas?), gifts have been readied, and vacation time has been booked - and yes, this time, it was approved!!!

The Quest for South Coast

2006-12-12T22:41:00.000-08:00

South Coast Plaza that is, one of the preeminent malls in the country!

Located down in The OC (Costa Mesa, CA to be precise), South Coast Plaza has over 2.8 million leasable square feet, 280 plus stores and the highest per square foot sales in California (eat your heart out The Beverly Center), from Abercrombie to Zegna, American Eagle to Valentino, this mall seemingly has it all.

The effort getting there however was akin to Frodo and Sam's quest for Mount Doom in The Return of the King.

Starting with traffic at a standstill on the 101 (an abandoned burnt out wreck was strewn across the middle two lanes). And ending with getting lost entering the mall from the wrong direction off of the 5 (rather than the more direct route from the 405). It took us almost three hours to go 47 miles. Oh, and did I mention the blown out tire near Anaheim!

Crossing the Carpool/HOV median we hit something that put a gaping hole in the driver's side back tire. Drifting across the five lanes to the shoulder, we ground to a halt, called MINI Roadside Assistance (that's AAA to you and me), blistered in the heat for 45 minutes waiting for the mechanic, and all the while my little car continued to be buffeted by the air currents of the passing traffic. An unnerving experience to be sure, but less so for me since Joe never told me that people get killed waiting in their cars on Californian highway shoulders.

(And that's the second time I had to call Roadside Assistance this week - my battery went flat Monday when I left the blinkers on for an extended period of time - Oops! Silly me!)

So was the trip to the mall worth the trouble? A few select Godiva truffles, a romantic dinner at Claim Jumper, and being come on to as the "not from around here" muscle boys by the cutie in Quicksilver. Well, a good day was finally had by all.

And it only took us an hour and a half to get home... in the pouring rain... and on the donut!

Family Meal

2006-12-07T23:22:00.000-08:00

Sorry Chef Lee, but some of the best food at Spago isn't necessarily found on the regular dining menu.

Fondly known as "Family Meal," this twice daily ritual, served first at 10:30am, then again at 4:30pm, brings the Spago staff (from bussers and dishwashers, to sous chefs and management) together before service begins.

It doesn't matter that we're not getting grilled Carpenter Ranch squab breast or Snake River Kobe beef when there's coconutily spicy chicken curry, melt-in-your-mouth buttered cornbread, damn good corndogs, and the "all white meat" chicken pot pie which... well, it even puts Marie Callender to shame!!!

"Family Meal" is that welcome "second breakfast," after a protein shake and coffee, which entices me into the office in the mornings. It's the perfect "tide-you-over-til-dinner" afternoon snack, which, along with my double-shot latté, I wouldn't make it through the early evenings without. And most importantly, it's certainly helped me bulk this fall, I'm a whopping 196 as of last weigh in!!!

PS - Don't forget to set your Tivos for Chef Lee's upcoming appearance on Bravo's Top Chef.

PPS - I'd never had a corn dog before working at Spago!

2006 Excalibur Championships

2006-12-05T09:18:00.000-08:00

The 2006 Excalibur Bodybuilding Championships, another local bodybuilding contest that Joe and I didn't go to, was held this past weekend at the Veteran's Memorial Auditorium just down the road in Culver City, CA.

The winner of both the superheavy weight class and the overall title was a "wee slip of a lad" by the name of Trey Brewer from Atlanta, GA.

Brewer, a former high school star fullback, relinquished the pigskin in favor of the fulltime pursuit of the iron game. Back in 2005 at the tender age of 19, the 6 ft tall, then only 225 pounder, earned an impressive third place finish in the heavyweight division at that year's NPC Teen & Collegiate National Championships behind the crazily coiffed Steve Kuclo.

Now at only 21 years old, not only has Brewer ballooned up into the super heavyweight class (weighing well over 225 lbs), but he's won a major Californian contest that now qualifies him for one of the big national competitions (like the NPC USA or NPC Nationals).

This is one “little one” who can now truly play with the “big boys.”

A Recipe for Candied Yams

2006-11-22T01:36:00.000-08:00

Finally there's a reason to celebrate Thanksgiving: my recent discovery earlier this month of Candied Yam at the NPC Nationals Bodybuilding Championships in Miami, Florida.

After an exhaustive web search, all I can make out is that "Candied Yam" is actually one Jeff Long. He competed in the heavy weight class (for lads weighing from 198.50 to 225.25 pounds), and placed 16th (along with 20 other guys - which effectively means he didn't place, only the top 15 are ranked).

Now don't go confusing this Jeff with the other Jeff Long, the nationally ranked (albeit 89th) African American bodybuilder who earned his pro card as a middleweight at the Nationals back in 1995 (Graphic Muscle did).

So that, sadly for the moment, seems to be all there is... so until Candied Yam competes again, enjoy these festive pix!

Alternatively, since yams are a traditional part of the Thanksgiving feast, here's the actual recipe that I'll be trying out this Turkey Day (thank you Essie):

Carmen's Candied Yams

Ingredients:
2 cans canned yams
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
3/4 cup crushed pecans
2 cans evaporated milk
marshmallows to cover

In a large pot, mash the candied yams together with the butter, the evaporated milk and the brown sugar. Finally mix in the pecans and simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish and top off with the marshmallows.

Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes or until the marshmallows begin to brown.

Spoon onto warmed plates, serve immediately, and remember to give thanks for all those "Candied Yams."

What the Frack!

2006-11-21T17:33:00.000-08:00

Battlestar Galactic will be moving to Sunday nights when it returns to the airwaves in January (after it's Christmas hiatus). It'll still be on the Sci-Fi Channel at 10pm (and not on NBC as many rumoured), but no longer paired with those other now classic Sci-Friday shows Doctor Who and Stargate SG-1. Instead its lead in will be the new show based on Jim Butcher's best-selling novels, The Dresden Files, about a detective with Harry Potter-esq. abilities (i.e. he’s a wizard).

In it’s new timeslot Battlestar will be facing off against the stiff competition of ABC's Brothers & Sisters (And yes, I jest! Anyone’s who’s watched Sally Field and Calista Flockhart go at it as mother and daughter know the show will barely make it to the end of the season).

For more on the whys and wherefores of this move, click here.

I’m really just glad that Apollo, aka Jamie Bamber (recently featured in People’s 2006 Sexiest Man Alive issue), is no longer wearing the fat suit and is thin again!

Bad, Bad Drugs!

2006-11-20T15:45:00.000-08:00

During the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Canadian Ben Johnson beat American "Golden Boy" Carl Lewis to the gold in the 100 meters sprint, the games' premiere event, only to be disqualified three days later when traces of stanozolol (Winstrol) were found in his urine. Johnson admitted to his steroid use, his records were deleted from the books, and he was suspended from the sport.

After a successful pro football career from 1971 to 1985, LA Raiders defensive lineman Lyle Alzado was the first American Football player to admit to the use of anabolic steroids after he had been diagnosed with brain cancer. He claimed that his steroid abuse had caused the disease. Alzado died in 1992 at only 43.

According to Bryant Gumbel and his HBO Real Sports team, these two incidences were the catalysts that made steroid usage the #1 menace that it is today.

In 2000, the writers of the book, The Adonis Complex, claimed that steroid usage can result in serious mood swings, nothing more. In grown men the only side effects ever officially attributed to steroids are acne, breast tenderness, hair loss and an increase in badcholesterol. There have been no long terms studies, and no definitive deaths linked to steroid use.

Before the 1988 Olympics Carl Lewis tested positive three times for banned substances (pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine).

Alzado's own doctors announced that there was no known connection between the cancer and the steroid usage.

Both the DEA and AMA were resistant to administration insistence that steroids become controlled substances.

Hmmmmm!

The Battle of South Beach: The Results

2006-11-13T23:55:00.000-08:00

I'm know you've all been waiting with baited breathe for this past weekend's NPC Nationals Bodybuilding Championship results, so here are bodybuilding's new IFBB pros:

Bantemweight: Randy Jackson, Sr.
Lightweight: Henderson Gordon
Welterweight: Abiu Feliz
Middleweight: Garrett Allin
Light Heavyweight: Stan McQuay
Heavyweight: Lionel Brown
Super Heavyweight & Overall: Desmond Miller

As you see, only one of my three "predictions" came to any fruition, with "pretty boy" Stan taking the light heavies. Stan's win was a controversial one however, as again at the Nationals the judges decisions seemed at odds with the will of the crowd. Runner up Charles Dixon was thought by many, but obviously not the judges, to be the clear winner, coming in bigger, harder and more separated. Now in this case both lads have, arguably, paid their dues, but Stan certainly has the more appealing physique, especially when it comes to attracting a broader, more mainstream audience (and is therefore much more lucrative for the supplement company which ultimately sponsors him). Interesting!

Evan Centopani, many a critics pick for the Overall, instead took second to Desmond Miller in the super heavies. At 5'11" and 245 lbs Evan is one big 24 year old with a great future in the sport. Did he deserve to win the Overall? I think not. The guy certainly needs to work on his legs and could add even more mass to his already massive physique. Should he have beaten Miller? Maybe, at least from the pix I saw (though I know real-time viewing can give one a whole different perspective). Next time Evan, next time!

But I ask you to look at the pictures, didn't the 5'5" 170 plus pounds 42 year old middleweight Garrett Allin actually steal the show? The guy was as thick as shit (and you can't beat a good bald head).

Do the heavies and super heavies always have to win the big prize?

And sadly, no word yet on Candied Yam!

2006 NPC Nationals Weigh In

2006-11-09T22:53:00.000-08:00

This weekend the 2006 NPC National Bodybuilding (and Fitness) Championships are being held in Miami Beach, Florida.

The Nationals are arguably the most prestigious amateur bodybuilding contest of the year since the winners of each weight class earn their IFBB pro cards (unlike the USA where only the Overall and a select runner up earn their pro status).

Now you may recall my chitter-chatter about the Nationals last year, when one of my favs, "Mighty" Mike Ergas, was criminally beat out of first place in the heavyweight class, thereby being robbed of his pro card (which he finally did win however at this year's USA). Let's hope there's not a similar judging misstep this time around.

To be honest I've not read too much about this year's competition on the boards. I know pretty boy Stan McQuay is one of the favorites for the Light Heavies (having bulked up from a Middleweight in previous shows). And I do believe that Evan Centopani, the "out of the blue" winner of the Super Heavies and the Overall at the 2006 Juniors, has been getting some good press. I've always be a fan of Seb Zona (formerly know here as "Warm Earth," a color which also happens to be my new bathroom color). Seb has paid his dues over the years and is currently looking pretty damn sick (which is a good thing)!

The weigh in was tonight (hence the pix, thanks Bill Comstock now of Muscular Development), prejudging is tomorrow at 5:30pm, followed by the finals at 7pm on Saturday evening, when the top 15 in each class take to the stage and posedown.

Thats a long weekend of fine tuning and fine tanning, so good luck lads, and may the freakiest, most shredded physiques win!

The Actress & My Nemesis

2006-11-06T21:03:00.000-08:00

It's been almost a year now since I left The Farm, and though I haven't kept in touch with the guys liked I hoped too, I still miss them. In the three or so months I worked there, Lilas, Nat, Vic, Paul, et al. made my transition to LA much, much smoother.

One person I always meant to write about, but never got round to (because I suddenly up and quit) was Mary Kate (not Olsen) Shellhardt. You might just remember Mary Kate from such flicks as Apollo 13, What's Eating Gilbert Grape or most especially, Free Wil ly 2: The Adventure Home. Yes, big movies!

I seemingly mention Mary Kate out of the blue like this because we ran into each other this weekend, waiting for the gym to open (more of that later). We worked together only a couple of times, but one shift we got chatting. Mary Kate explained to me the difficulties of trying to get back into the business after taking time off to get her BFA. Numerous excursions to the Charmed casting couch yielded nothing. Even though she had had prominent roles in big movies she couldn't drop the "child star" thing, and still looking quite so cherubic, even in her twenties, didn't help either. Since we parted ways Mary Kate has had guest spots in Scrubs and NBC's summer show Windfall (no I didn't watch that either), and has a new movie, Mr. Blue Sky, in post production.

With things finally looking up, maybe she'll get to pull Leonardo's hair once more!

Anyway, so we're at the gym ready for it to open at 8am on Saturday morning - along with the two dozen or so other freaks desperate to get their workouts in. Now, I have an excuse, I had to work at 10am (yes, on a Saturday), so Joe and I had a chest routine to get through. But what of these other crazies? Are they that obsessive that they have to be knocking on the gym door at 7:45am? On a Saturday?

And who was waiting there in the crowd? None other than my brand new arch-nemesis! One of the NFBs (No Fat Boys) from Gold's who has since followed me to Arclight. If I worked out at 11, there he was. If I waited until 2, so did he. And now there he is at 8am, primed for his morning pump. And did I mention he has NO FAT (which makes his head look big, but I digress)?

So why is he my arch-nemesis? He just is! Like the good folks on NBC's Heroes, everyone needs a nemesis, they'll make you stronger... and maybe just a tad more neurotic!