Guadalupe Days

I Gots to Know!

2008-03-31T01:11:00.003-06:00

Do you ever use movie lines in real life? I have several I use pretty regularly. My favorite though is "I gots to know!". It's from Dirty Harry. Check out this clip and you will see why it's a great movie line. BTW, I also have that speach memorized. It's a great speach. Do you feel lucky, Punk?

Movie Review: I Know Who Killed Me

2008-03-30T22:51:00.002-06:00

Oh, GEEZ!!! I had to see this crappy movie that got the most Razzie's any movie has ever earned. It was pretty bad but not the worst movie I've ever seen. It stars Lindsay Lohan and I must say LiLo was not on top of her game. First, she has major coke throat. I like her voice but it was distractingly raspy here. I can't say too much about the plot because it was the only thing that made the movie interesting. I will comment on other stuff.

First off, Linds needs to lay off the tanning products. Her face looks SO ruddy. It was gross. She also needs to not bleach her hair anymore as she looked good with the darker hair in this movie. She's obvs. a ging so she should just embrace her ginger status. She has a great body now that she's not too skinny. She looked decent in this film other than her ruddy complexion.

This is a movie about a killer and I guess you are supposed to be surprised about who the killer turns out to be. Anyone who has ever seen a movie will figure out who the killer is in the first 10 minutes of the film. However, there are some other things that aren't too obvious that make it a little interesting.

The movie defies all sorts of logic. There are many reasons to call "bullshit".

I would say that it seems pretty amateur from the direction and storytelling. The color blue is all over this movie to a distracting point.

Basically, if you are a fan of Lindsay Lohan you would want to see this movie since it is probably the last movie she'll make for a while. You will understand why her career is dead after you see this! Also, if you want to see her strip then by all means, watch this movie.

I give it one star out of five.

Bloggers Get Easily Bored/Mini Movie Review

2008-03-28T21:11:00.004-06:00

One thing about bloggers is that we always promise to start updating our blogs again and then we never do! Oh well, it's here if I need to express myself!

I've watched a few movies lately and I am going to talk about them this weekend, just so I have something to do.

The first movie I will talk about is "Inside Man". This movie is directed by Spike Lee and stars Clive Owen, Denzel Washington, and Jodie Foster. It is probably the only Spike Lee movie I've seen all the way through (how white of me!) so I can't compare his direction of this film with his others. Bottom line: wasn't that great a movie.

Here is my problem: If Clive Owen is starring in your movie it is not wise to have him wear a mask throughout 85% of the movie. I have seen almost all of Clive's movies and he is a bona fide hottie. Why have him wear a mask and a baggy jumpsuit during most of the movie? This movie would have been better if Clive had, oh say, been shirtless during most of the movie. I would give that movie 5 stars.

Also, Jodie Foster was wasted. Any other actress could have played her part. The only chance she really had to act was when the mayor called her a cunt. Still I couldn't tell if she was pissed or what. I'm surprised Jodie took such a "non-role" in this pic.

Denzel, however, was the only character who was actually developed. We didn't learn anything about anyone else in this movie. Denzel's character was the only fully developed character and he did a great job. He was pretty funny, too. My favorite part was when he sang out the words "pina colada" when he told Clive he wouldn't be sucking on pina coladas in prison.

Basically Spike Lee seems like many other men who just don't understand women. The way the female characters were written was a let down. Now I want to see his other movies to see if he "gets it".

I've heard Larry McMurtry writes brilliant female characters and I would agree. I've read some (not all) of his books and seen many (maybe all or most) of the adaptations and he does a great job as far as I've seen. Terms of Endearment is brills. When Jack breaks up with Shirley in the gazebo? Ouch. Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt. Why is it so hard for men to understand women? I think LM and John Hughes are the only men who might possibly really understand women when it comes to storytelling. (By the way, when Jack goes to Idaho or wherever to see if Shirley is alright it kills me! Also, the line about how he was this close to a clean get-away is great. Dang, I need to write about this movie for my Texas movie meme.)

Anyway, as far as heist movies go I can't say I thought the "perfectly planned" job was all that brilliant. What was up with the Nazi stuff? Usually when the victim is a bad guy it is a plot device to make sure the audience doesn't feel sorry for them. Who cares if we feel sorry for him? What was the point? I don't know. Of course the only thing worse than the fucking Nazis is Al-Quaeda or however you spell it. I hate all those hypocrites who benefited off the Holocaust, of course. I just didn't see the point in all that. I guess if you had to protect something in a safety deposit box it would only be two things: kiddie porn or a Nazi war criminal past life. I guess being a Nazi is worse than kiddie porn? I don't know.

Basically, those were my issues with this film. Overall it wasn't a bad movie but I don't think it was brilliant or anything. If I'm watching a movie and all I can think of is "Let's get to the end already" then you know it's not a great movie.

Like I said, Clive should have taken off his shirt.

All Sports, All The Time

2007-10-26T00:03:00.000-05:00

Oh, oh, oh peeps! What is really going on? Good God, I love this time of year. Football has just gotten underway, the World Series is going on and the NBA Season is about to start! This is like the best because it is like a stew of "real sports". Lovin' it all. (OK. I really don't and never have given a shit about baseball. But 13 to whatever (1?). Geez. I think that says something. And Rockies? Peeps have been saying "Rocktober" forever. So trying to patent that now is STUPID! Just so you dumbasses know. Still congrats on getting the chance to be the World Series Losers! At least you made it to the show. Us Astros fans know what it's like. Hell, it's not over yet. I'll reserve my judgement until you lose the whole thing!!! Still, good on ya for even getting to the Series!

The 'boys are ROCKING! Their record ain't bad! Eff Peyton! Well, the 'boys are doing good so far and Tony is at least better than Drew did last year. And that win against Buffalo? Only goes to prove why a team shouldn't give up with a minute left. Play the game all the way to the end.

How 'bout them Cowboys?

Colt, too, is doing ok. Oh, he's (so far) no Vince Young. Still, I'm gonna stick with him 'til the end.

Knocked Up: My Review

2007-06-07T16:19:00.000-05:00

So, I saw the movie "Knocked Up" last Saturday and my overall impressions are:

1) Not as funny as "The 40-Year-Old Virgin".

2) Katherine Heigl is really pretty.

3) Try as I might I cannot fall in love with Seth Rogan, but he's funny as hell.

4) Paul Rudd can do no wrong.

5) I probably really don't want to actually have a baby.

This was a good movie. Basically, Katherine and Seth have a drunken one-night stand and she gets pregnant. So, they have to decide if it means they will have a relationship or not. I guess the pregnancy is basically a plot device and overall I don't think the strength of the movie really in the plot. The best part of the movie are the jokes.

I read this article and in it they talk about how Judd Apatow isn't very good at writing female characters but he writes his male characters with a lot of understanding. This is very evident in a scene with Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann, who plays his wife. They have a discussion (the scene in the drive way) where Paul Rudd tells her that he needs his alone time. I kept waiting for her to tell him what SHE needs and she didn't. I totally got what Paul was talking about but I didn't understand why Leslie didn't really have a response to that. Maybe Judd should read some Dr. John Grey. It might help him see things from the woman's point of view.

Overall, I'd say if you are looking for something light and funny you would enjoy this movie. There is a lot of nudity, dope smoking, and bad language but you can probably handle it unless you're a pussy.

The Post You've All Been Waiting For!!!!!!

2007-06-07T16:01:00.000-05:00

With this gratuitous little post, The Landlord is now on another page! Yeah! You can read my blog without having to hear Will Ferrell say his dad is gay!

So, this post needs to be a little longer for it to work. Check out this video my mom sent me. It has lot's of pretty pictures of Texas.

Update: OK. OK. That video is still at the bottom of my blog. I love you, Pearl, but please please go away!

NBA Finals: Go Spurs Go!

2007-06-07T15:24:00.000-05:00

Back at the start of basketball season I read an article that predicted the championship would be won by the San Antonio Spurs. Now, I'm hardly one to argue when someone wants to say the team I root for is the best around, but I was a little dubious. Afterall, we didn't make the finals last year and anything can happen.

But this year the Spurs are seeking their fourth championship since Tim Duncan joined the team and we are once again subjected to articles like this one. Yawn. The Spurs are soooo boring! I Googled "San Antonio Spurs boring" and came up with 162,000 hits! Some even call Timmy "Mr. Boring". Well, "Mr. Boring" has three championship rings and he's going for his fourth tonight, so anyone who thinks Timmy is boring can suck it! He's got the bling, baby! And I think winning is really all Tim cares about anyway. It's actually refreshing that he'd rather do his job than cavort with strippers and earn his "street cred".

And you wouldn't think he was boring if you saw his Gunn Motors commercials. He gets a little silly.

Is this boring?

The other thing I do not get is the comparison of Lebron James to Michael Jordan! I mean, c'mon. Lebron is good, of course. He's playing in the finals afterall. But, I don't think he's the next Air Jordan. I haven't seen Lebron play an entire game yet, so after this series I'll be a better judge. I watched MJ play for about 4 or 5 seasons so I'll definitely be looking for any signs of that greatness in LJ's game.

The only name I ever hear mentioned in regard to the Cav's is Lebron's. All the articles have been about Lebron. The Spurs are a deeper team than the Cav's so I think the Spurs will win the series.

Spurs in 5 (I'll throw the Cav's a bone). There. I called it!

Low-Carb Cheesecake

2007-05-15T11:32:00.001-05:00

I have been doing my best to lead a "low-carb lifestyle". It's not easy! One thing I have figured out is that sugar is in everything we eat. One has to get a little creative to avoid all the sugar in most foods. The good news is sour cream, eggs, cream cheese, lemon juice and artificial sweeteners are all fairly low-carb. Gee, that ingredient list sounds like the makings of a cheesecake! Yes, it's true, (sugar-free) cheesecake is allowed on a low-carb diet.

Now I have been trying to perfect my recipe for a few months by mixing and matching different recipes. I think I've come up with something that works. I have no idea how many carbohydrates, calories, etc. are in this recipe but since all these ingredients are allowed during phase one of the Atkins diet I figure you'll be okay if you eat it in moderation. Once you move to phase two and start adding nuts to your diet, you could easily make a crust using finely chopped nuts, butter and Splenda instead of sugar.

Kelly's Low-Carb Cheesecake

2 packages of cream cheese, room temp.
8 oz. sour cream
3 eggs
juice from half a lemon, plus zest
TBS of vanilla extract
Splenda to taste (1/2 to 1 cup)

Blend all ingredients (I do the cream cheese, then add sour cream, then one egg at a time). Pour into a pan (I don't own a springform so I use a small casserole dish) and bake at about 300 degrees for about 20 minutes. I haven't perfected this part, but basically you want the edges to be set, the center to still be slightly jiggley, and you don't want it to brown on the top. Then turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake in with the door cracked. Once it cools off place it in the fridge to chill for about 4 hours.

Since you can have berries in the later phases, I think it would also be good to make a sauce with your favorite berry and a little Splenda.

It's amazing how much this tastes like regular cheesecake. I'm still working on this recipe so if I come up with any variations I'll post them later.

Friday Night Lights Update

2007-05-15T11:05:00.001-05:00

Friday Night Lights will begin re-running the entire first season starting Sunday, May 27th at 8 central. If you haven't seen this show, now is the time to get caught up.

Yesterday NBC had their up-fronts and we found out that season 2 will be airing on Friday nights at 9 central. I'm not too thrilled with this time-slot. I am glad the show will be airing at a slightly later time, since I felt like 7pm was too early. However, I'm afraid that I may have to tape a lot of episodes next season with the new time slot.

Whatever! I'm just glad the show got renewed!

NBA Play-Offs

2007-05-14T19:40:00.001-05:00

Ugh. So I haven't watched much of the NBA play-offs so far! (I'm a bad fan, I know!) I always say that the play-offs are when the "season" really starts for me. Of course, a friend today said that the game doesn't even really start until the fourth quarter and I totally agree. By then I'm usually asleep.

Anyway, as usual I'm rooting for the Spurs. I love those guys! There has been some controversy since Amare Stoudemire called Bruce Bowen a dirty player. Well, this isn't the firt time I've heard this criticism of Bruce. But all I can say is "Butch up, Sally! It's the play-offs!"

Here's a little Manu Ginobili to spice this post up a bit.

New York vs. Texas

2007-05-14T19:28:00.001-05:00

Ahhhh. New Yorkers. They are probably the only group who can compare to Texans in their rabid, undying devotion to their geographical location. Of course, I think they are stupid, stupid people! I used to think it would be cool to live in New York City but now I am so glad I live in a rinky-dink small town in Texas. Let me further explain my position.

I read this blog, Gawker, every day. Many people read it. It covers topics concerning New York City and the media. Honestly, it really depends on who is writing the posts as to how much of one thing or the other is covered.

Some things I have learned reading Gawker:

*New York real estate costs an average of $2000 per sqare foot!!!!!!

*Most New Yorkers do not earn much more than what we in the fly-over states earn.

*Almost all New Yorkers think they are too cool for school.

*Most New Yorkers live in tiny cramped apartments. They will pay $1 million to buy an apartment that measures less than 500 square feet.

*None of them own cars.

*Gawker commenters are almost exclusively New York residents.

*Most of these people seem to hate everything about New York, including hipsters, the MisShapes, iBankers, Wall Street types, people who think "art" consists of jizzing on a newspaper, socialites, magazine editors, NYU, irony, ritzy restaurants, the New York Times, famous people and basically everything else that makes New York City "New York City".

*They also think the rest of us suck since we don't live there.

That's okay, NYC-ers. I'm not saying that I like any of that stuff either! But then that's why I live in Texas. In a 1,000 square foot apartment. With no roommates. And drive a 2007 Toyota Camry. And eat at Chili's.

I think Jerry Jeff said it best when he said "We live down in Texas and Life Is Good!"

That Damn "Landlord" Video!

2007-05-14T19:06:00.000-05:00

Are y'all getting aggravated by that video playing everytime you load the page? I am! Anyway, I'm trying to put some new posts up so it will fall off this top page. I could do extensive research to find out why this happens or I could take down the video and put up a link to it on the "Funny or Die" site but I'm not going to do that! I'll just post some more crap on here and it will eventually fall off the page!

How do you like them apples?

Pet Peeve

2007-05-14T19:00:00.000-05:00

So, I have this new pet peeve. It's silly because I'm not a world-class speller or grammar expert or whatever. I have noticed that MANY people use the word "of" when they should use the word "have". I think it is due to the fact that, when spoken, "have" sounds like "uv", as in "would'uv".

For instance, "I would of done that." Should be "I would have done that."

Anyhoo, I've just noticed it a lot on blogs and message boards and it's kind "of" driving me nuts! (I used "of" correctly there!)

Lolcats

2007-05-13T21:55:00.000-05:00

So here is something everyone has probably already heard of. I just heard of it a few weeks ago. It's called lolcats. I found these on a site called "I Can Has Cheezburger?" It's pretty cute.

Here is an article you can read about this whole meme.

Ella Grace

2007-05-13T21:43:00.001-05:00

Last weekend we went back to Willow City Loop and took some pictures of my niece in the wildflowers. The pictures are just gorgeous, but what else would you expect when you place a beautiful baby in a beautiful field of flowers? Here are some of the shots I took.

Pop Goes My Heart

2007-05-13T21:28:00.000-05:00

Ok. I'm about to present you with the best 2 mins. and 28 seconds of the movie "Music & Lyrics". I watched this movie this weekend and I have to say that overall I didn't like it. Hugh Grant had some witty lines, as usual, but this movie just didn't do it for me. I do think the idea of an "1980's Has-Been" is ripe for some comedy, though. I just feel like the whole movie was based on this video-spoof concept. Anyhoo, this video is "gold and silvah-ah-ah!" for those of us who remember Mtv in their "glory days." If you were a fan of Duran Duran or Wham! you will think it's pretty funny. (Gee, I don't know how I'd act if I could meet John Taylor today! I'd probably freak a little.)

The bestus part of this video, however, has nothing to do with Hugh Grant. The other main guy is played by the one and only Scott Porter! Scott who? you may be asking yourself. Scott Porter plays Jason Street on "Friday Night Lights"! I love seeing my Jason do something different and especially since it is some seriously cheesy comedy. (He's also "in talks" for a part in the live-action "Speed Racer" movie.) Enough of my talking, just check it out!

Corpus Christi Bay Get-A-Way 2007

2007-05-10T23:05:00.000-05:00

So these are my pics from Corpus Christi. I only took three whole pics! They are from my hotel room window. I told ya the Bayfront Plaza was a cool hotel. The first is of the bay and an empty part of the marina, the second is of the causeway and the third is of the battleship even though it is hard to see. We could make it out from the window, though. That's an awesome view for only $40 apiece! Like I said, great hotel.

The other thing that makes the Bayfront Plaza such a great hotel is that it is one street in front of Chaparrel Street which is the main party street in CC. It is full of bars and restaurants so if you stay at the Bayfront Plaza you can pretty much walk to the party zone! (And stumble back to the hotel afterward.) It's where I will always try to stay anytime I venture to CC, unless someone wealthier than me wants to buy me a room on the beach!

WooFreakin'Hoo!!!

2007-05-10T21:48:00.000-05:00

The awesomeness that is Friday Night Lights has been renewed for a second and NBC has ordered 22 new episodes! That is a Full Season, Folks! That is awesome, incredible, and makes me soooo happy. (It's sad that my happiness is tied up in a TV series, huh?)

Have you seen FNL? If not, why not? It's easily the best written, best acted show on TV. Ok, ok, I don't watch too many tv series, but FNL is "Must See TV". Connie Britton and Kyle Chandler are wonderful and the rest of the cast is awesome.

If you were too scared to watch it last season because you thought it may be cancelled or because you are a dork who doesn't want to watch a show about Texas then may I suggest you start this summer with the reruns? I guarantee you will get hooked.

OK. If you like H.S. football, you will like this show.

If you like teen dramas, you will like this show.

If you want to see a show that is the total opposite of Sex and the City, you will want to watch this show.

If you live in a town other than NYC and wish TPTB would make a show about something other than rent control-obsessed brats living in NYC then you will like this show.

If you like a dose of spirituality in your shows, then you will like FNL.

OK, if you read this post then please watch Friday Night Lights. That's all I'm saying!

Corpus Christi Bay

2007-04-19T23:24:00.000-05:00

Woohoo! I'm going to Corpus this weekend! "The Coast", as it's known in these parts, is only 3 hours away and is a very a popular vacation spot. I went last year and I did all I could to have a good time even though the particular person I went with had her own agenda. I hope that this time I get to relax and have some fun. I am staying at the same great hotel, the Bayfront Plaza. The location is what makes it so great. It faces the bay and is surrounded by restaurants and bars...just what a single gal needs to make for a great weekend getaway. Everything is within walking distance! It is surprisingly cheap. Our room this weekend is only $62 for two double beds. That's an amazing rate!

Right now, it looks like we are going to the beach. Last time it rained on Saturday and we never actually made it to the beach until Saturday night. We ended up there at about midnight and stayed until about 5 in the morning. That was fun because I always wanted to go to a party on the beach with a fire and all that. This time I know that we probably won't do that sort of thing, but hopefully it won't rain and we will actually get some sun on Saturday. (I hope so since I bought new sunscreen today. That shit ain't cheap!) Of course, I wish I had been taking my diet more seriously before I have to "go public" in my bikini. Oh, what the hell...I won't know anyone there except my friend Valerie. (And I've eaten fish and salad all week. That's about as light as I can get.)

I'm also hopeful that since we are going early in the season and going to Corpus that I will be able to find some cool seashells. Last time I went to Corpus in April I found a lot of sea dollars. I'll definitely be beach combing this year. (Is it wrong that I hope we can take Val's Caddy to the beach? I don't want to get sand in my BRAND NEW Camry!)

I'll try to take some pics and post them here. They may look the same as the pics I took last year!

Virginia Tech: Was NBC Wrong?

2007-04-19T23:21:00.000-05:00

I haven't said anything about the Virginia Tech massacre. What is there to say? It is freaking horrifying. My prayers are with all the victims, of course.

A lot of people are criticizing NBC's decision to air the pictures and manifesto they received from the gunman, Cho Seung-Hui. I agree that on the one hand it is giving a platform for this killer. But, I think "Can airing this information serve the greater good?" I really think it can. This man was a deeply disturbed person whose behavior had raised many red flags within the university system. If this information was buried and forgotten I feel like we as a society would be that much more behind in trying to understand and recognize the psychology that leads to mass murder. Because this information has been made available educators, law enforcement and mental health professionals may be able to recognize the early warning signs and therefore may be able to stop this sort of thing in the future.

We will never be able to put a stop to all mass murder. At some point these people will fall through the cracks, never receive the help they need, and eventually act out in the worst way imaginable. My job requires me to work with the public in a way that I have long-term contact with the same customers. I have learned to trust my gut. After having an ambulance haul one customer to the State Hospital (who I said was psychotic the first day I met him), have one customer stab someone (this guy scared me...for good reason it turned out) and one customer commit suicide (I had a lot of problems with him and told my boss I didn't feel he was "right" in the head) I feel like we really need to trust our gut when it comes to people who we feel may be troubled. I think that we become desensitized to bizarre behavior when we've been exposed to it for a long time. The incident at Virginia Tech is one more reminder that when things are abnormal, we should be careful.

We live in a free society so locking people up is a pretty sketchy thing. The issue of gun control has come up again, as it does and should. I live in an area renowned for hunting and I don't think guns should be banned. But in this day and age there should be a way to get people's mental health records and take that into account before selling them a gun. Of course, there is always the black market. But Cho Seung-Hui bought his guns at a gun store and his background check did not reveal that he had been committed or referred to mental counseling for suicidal tendencies.

We live in "The Information Age" and the massacre at Virginia Tech has highlighted how we are not taking advantage of the information and communication available to us. The university was slow to notify the students of the first incident and the gun store owners did not have access to Cho's mental health records. It's obvious that we can do more here. The question is: Will We? Will we let the same issue that always comes up, MONEY, deter us from doing all we can to help people who need it and warn the people who need to know they could be in danger? Well, as they say money is the root of all evil.

Speaking of money, poverty seemed to be the one of the main issues that affected Cho Seung-Hui. (I also think he might have been sexually abused, based on what has been said about his "creative writing". Will this information come to light?) He railed against the rich, privileged kids with their "fur coats" and "debauchery". The irony? As a college graduate he could have joined the ranks of the rich and privileged. However, I think his problems were incredibly deep-seated and most likely started long before he ever entered college.

Should Virginia Tech have expelled this student who raised so many red-flags among the faculty and student body? Expulsion may have only brought this tragedy to them sooner. I hope that we don't get bogged down in issues like the university's response to the original shooting or gun control or whether NBC should have aired pictures and parts of the manifesto. I hope that the result of this tragedy is that we can recognize these problems sooner and figure out a good way to help these troubled people. Cho Seung-Hui was a murderer. He was evil-incarnate. He was also a very sick individual who some people tried to help but couldn't. I certainly understand how horrifying it must have been for the victims of this tragedy to see pictures of this killer, guns drawn, taken just before the murders. But, I also believe that we live in a free society and we have a right to know.

Cho Seung-Hui will go down in history among such company as Eric Klebold and Dylan Harris, Charles Whitman, and Timothy McVeigh among others. This second to last week in April will somehow go down as a "great" time for people to commit mass murder. Is it because of Adolph Hitler? (His birthday is April 20. The Columbine massacre happened on 4/20 and the OKC bombing happened on 4/19.) No one knows. I've read in the media that 4/20 has significance because of Hitler. That is f*cking sick, I know. Of course, Cho Seung-Hui committed his crime on April 16. Who knows why he picked this date? For all we know it could have been random. Still, he cited Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold in his manifesto. I just hope that the police, FBI and the mental health professionals can make something of all this. We may never know how many future massacres are prevented. We will only notice the ones we DON'T prevent.

NBC Thursday Night

2007-04-19T21:13:00.000-05:00

Tonight I watched Scrubs (still watching) and what is going on? First of all, Donald (Turk)Faison is no longer "keeping it real!" When did he let his hair grow back? I haven't noticed that yet and I've been watching all season.

The other thing that rea-uh-eally (said like Dr. Cox) bothers me is Jordan's face. What did that beautiful woman do to her face? I know the character of Jordan is supposed to be a plastic surgery addict, but it looks like Christa Miller Lawrence is addicted to Botox as well. It's hard to look at her. She looks like she's had a stroke or something, like part of her face is paralyzed. I haven't read anywhere that this is the actual problem with her, so I have to assume it is botched Botox (and maybe a botched lip job of some sort.)

Anyway, I love Scrubs but I'm starting to think this show is past it's prime. What does anyone else think? Is Scrubs over?

On the same note, I can tell you that ER is over. As much as I like the actors and feel like they do a good job, I think they are just re-hashing so much of the same story-lines. I do, however, love me some Stamos. His addition to the cast just hasn't been enough to make me care about the show anymore.

But, on the bright side, I must say I l-o-v-e-d Norm McDonald on My Name is Earl. His Burt Reynolds impersonation is the only act he does like I actually like and it was funny to see him play Chubby's son, Little Chubby. It's just too bad they killed off Chubby. Now where is the real Burt gonna find work?

The Office was a re-run, but I die for Michael's Jamaica beads, so that was alright. I thought we were going to get all new The Office episodes. What up with that?

Video of the Day: The Landlord

2007-04-17T16:51:00.000-05:00

I saw this video yesterday and I thought it was so funny that I decided to put it up here. It's a short film (very short, just a couple of minutes) by Will Ferrell and this other guy, Adam McKay and it's called The Landlord.

Some people think it's wrong to have that baby saying those things but I still got a kick out of it. Adam McKay is Pearl's dad and he doesn't think it was harmful. He doubts she'll remember any of it.

When I Die, Spread Me Where The Bluebonnets Bloom

2007-04-16T21:02:00.000-05:00

Most people don't like to think about dying (except Woody Allen-types), but I have come up with something that makes me feel good about thinking of my eventual demise. (God, let me die an old lady, asleep and warm in my bed.) When I die, I'd love to be cremated (don't want to take up unnecessary space) and have my ashes spread in the most beautiful place on earth, Willow City Loop just outside Fredricksberg, TX. This is private land but I doubt the landowners would even know! Anyway, it is the most beautiful, pristine land and in April it is covered in bluebonnets.

And I want this song played as my ashes are spread... (Please stand upwind. I don't this to become a scene out of The Big Lebowski!)...Robert Earl Keen's When The Bluebonnets Bloom. Here's the lyrics:

On a cold winter's night
'Neath a silver moon
I wished on a star
Had a dream about you
Dry the tears from your eyes
I'll be coming home soon
'Neath the wide open skies
Where the bluebonnets bloom

Like a blanket spreading out as far as you can see
when those flowers line the road
You can look for me
I'll be hanging 'round your backdoor
Like an old familiar tune
I'll be there when the bluebonnets bloom

Some people can go to the top of the world
I'd rather be home
With my bluebonnet girl
'Cause she's needing me
Like a bride needs a groom
I'll be makin' her mine
When the bluebonnets bloom

Like a blanket spreading out as far as you can see
when those flowers line the road
You can look on me
I'll be hanging 'round your backdoor
Like an old familiar tune
I'll be there when the bluebonnets
I'll be comin' home you can bet on it
I'll be there when the bluebonnets bloom

Ok. So, you can see why I think that would make a great funeral song with all the talk of comin' home and hangin' 'round your back door like an old familiar tune (like I'm haunting you!) I also want Amazing Grace sung because you cannot help but cry when that song is sung at a funeral and I want everyone to cry at my funeral!

Here is the spot:

These pics are a little blurry because they were taken as we were traveling at a high rate of speed. We didn't have much choice as there was a line of cars behind us and the people seemed more interested in speeding along then looking at the gorgeous scenery. I took these pics this weekend. In these pictures any spot that looks blue is a patch of bluebonnets.

Here is a close-up of the flowers:

Let It Snow!

2007-04-16T00:19:00.000-05:00

The best thing about living in South Texas is that it rarely snows and when it does it melts away by the next day. It snowed here back in...I can't remember! I believe it was February. Here are a few pics of our snow day.

The worst thing about it snowing is that the whole region is shut down for the day. They even have to close Interstate 10. Since we hardly get snow we don't have snow tires or chains or that sort of thing. Of course since I live where I work I don't get to stay home. The sidewalk in the second picture is my "commute" to my office. Still, it was a fairly treacherous walk on iced-over sidewalks.

I Was Wrong! Shoot Me!

2007-04-13T20:53:00.000-05:00

OK. I just re-read my two previous posts regarding Friday Night Lights and I was wrong about most of it. First off, "that kid" who has the line about "living large in Texas"? Taylor Kitsch aka Tim Riggins. I.Love.Him. I love them all: Riggins and his brother, Billy, Street, Smash, Matt, Julie, Tyra and LANDRY! Coach and Mrs. Coach are so awesome. Hell, I even like Buddy Garrity. The way the characters have been developed is wonderful. The secondary characters like Billy Riggins, Momma Smash, Grandma Saracen, and Angela are all multi-dimensional and believable.

Grandma Saracen is probably my favorite, though. Funny old ladies are always lovable and Grandma is adore. Momma Smash breaks my heart because you can tell that woman is all about the love.

Anyway, I started doing this thing where I look at the clock the first time I cry, just to see how long it took me to tear up. I have never watched this show without crying. The season finale had me crying before the opening credits rolled. But, it's not a sad show. It's just so freakin' human.

The reason for the "P" on the helmets is that the show is shot in Pfluggerville and they use the Pfluggerville unis and fieldhouse, etc. I forgive that part. The accents aren't terrible. I love the way Tami says "y'all". As for the underage sex, well I guess it happens. And they aren't all screwing like bunnies. Coach's daughter Julie is dating QB1 Matt Saracen and they haven't done it yet. There was a totally beautiful episode where Julie thought she and Matt should do it and Tami gave her the mother/daughter talk. (Connie Britton, you OWNED me during that speech.) When she broke down and almost cried but then held it together??? EMMY! Give her the Emmy NOW!

As for the setting, geographically speaking, most watchers feel that Dillon is in the San Angelo area. If you are ever obsessed with a show and don't know who to talk to about it all, then check out Television Without Pity. I have to go on the forums there because I MUST discuss this show with other people who understand. So cheesy, but so true. Anyway, we were discussing that on one episode they said Dillon was in "West Central Texas". I've lived in West Texas and Central Texas. I'm a lifelong Texan but I've never heard of that as a specific region. However, the San Angelo area would be the closest thing to "West Central".

As for capturing the excitement of a real football game, my loud cheering at the finale (as if it were a real game) proves I was wrong about that. When Matt threw the interception (not a spoiler) I screamed "Interception! NOOOOO!!!!" Alright, girl! This is a TV show!

I still think that they need a Hispanic main character to be realistic to Texas. When they show the whole team there are Hispanics but none has been given a major storyline. The only time a Hispanic was featured it was only for one episode.

Anyway, I'm not trying to summarize 22 episodes here, just to say that this is the best thing to happen to TV for a long time and I hope other people will watch it. It's not perfect, but as damn near perfect as a TV show can get.

ETA: A hot pic of Coach T.

Matty McC!

2007-04-13T20:31:00.000-05:00

How can I update this blog without giving you guys a little Matty Mac to drool over? This video has been around for a while but it cracks my shit up. I am crying from laughing so hard!

Why Don't You Blog Anymore?

2007-04-13T20:12:00.000-05:00

I'm always asked by my family why I haven't been blogging lately. What can I say? I'm fickle! I got bored with it. I think I said before that I didn't really know what I wanted my blog to be. Well, now I've decided I just want it to be a way for my family to know what I'm up to and to maybe connect with other readers who share some common interests. My other blog Pink Armadillo was supposed to be about ME but then I got all obsessed with getting hits so I was blogging more and more about celebrities. Now, I'm kind of bored with all that. And since Britney had a total breakdown and shaved off all her hair I actually feel bad about making fun of her. Paris is different, she's just a nasty skank and piece of trash and gets what she deserves when people make fun of her. But Britney is different and I actually feel sorry for her that she's so stupid! Ha.

So, this will be about me, my life, my interests, what I do and where I go. I'm not going to post 8 times a day. That was too much like a job and I'm not getting paid to do this! It's going to be just for fun.

So what have I been up to lately? Really, not a whole hell of a lot. I have been to see some concerts, specifically Radney Foster and Reckless Kelly. I took some pics of Radney and the best part is I got to meet him and shake his hand after the show. I'll try to post those pics. I took them with my cellphone cam so we'll have to see how they turn out.

Also, I am in love! Unfortunately it's not with a man. It's with a TV show. Forget any apprehension I had after the first viewing, Friday Night Lights rocks my world. I can't believe it's over. It reminds me of other great shows like Once & Again and Party of Five, a really wonderful character drama with a lot of heart and humor. I want to be BFF's with Tami Taylor (Connie Britton), the coach's wife. Of course, she may not appreciate the way I would lust after her husband, Eric (Kyle Chandler). Hopefully there will be a second season. If anyone hasn't seen this show you can watch them all at nbc.com. This show is so beautiful and well-acted and just so, so wonderful I can't believe it. I haven't felt this way about a show since Once & Again and that wasn't even as wonderful. (I used to think Evan Rachel Wood could do no wrong but then she started dating Marilyn Manson!) Anyhoo, I am begging everyone to watch this show because it is the best show on TV, bar none.

I guess I owe that show a post where I refute all the bad things I said. I'll get on that!

So, check in with me from time to time. I will keep blogging even if it is sporadic.

New Post!

2007-01-30T15:26:00.000-06:00

Yes, I'm actually posting something new on this blog! Who knows I may try to start blogging again but I'm not making any promises. I have some pictures I may put up here later.

Anyway, this weekend marks the end of football season. Who are y'all rooting for? I'm sure a lot of people would like to see the Colts win but I am going for the Bears.

My last post back there talked about the Cowboys before Tony Romo took over at QB. Wow. That was one crazy season. I kind of feel sorry for the guy.

I did watch a few Tennessee Titans games this year and Vince Young is really good. It will be interesting to see how the Titans do next year with Vince starting.

Also, the Longhorns lost to a&m but managed to win their bowl game. So, whatever...I'm sure they will get better.

So those are my barely informed thoughts on this year's football season.

Too Much Football

2006-10-10T01:45:00.000-05:00

I watched WAY too much football this weekend! First of all, UT beat OU in a great game. I agree with the announcers...we really did see the maturation of a quarterback this weekend. UT did an awesome job against OU. We beat them outright. (I say "we" because I DID attend UT, for those of you who are wondering. You don't have to graduate from there to say "we".) Anyway, that was a great game! It was real exciting to see the Longhorns play so well against OU and I feel like "we" are going to go far this year! Colt? Awesome! Griffins? Awesome! Mack Brown? Thank you, thank you, thank you....

How 'bout them Cowboys? They SUCK!!! I'm from Texas and I was rooting for Philly to win. I'm glad they did since I hate Jerry Jones. Maybe he will realize that his team sucks but he will never admit it's his fault. T.O. contributed nothing to the game. A guy with a bad ankle ran 102 yds. on an interception for the Eagles to humiliate the 'boys. Drew Bledsoe lost that game, sorry to say. He played like crap. How many interceptions could he throw?

Kicker dude? Fall ON THE BALL! Don't try to cradle the ball. Were you scared of getting your uniform dirty? No wonder everyone hates the kickers. If he'd fallen on the ball there wouldn't have been an interception! PROTECT THAT BALL!

America's team? Puh-leeze. Those days are LONG GONE. Now they are the Most Hated Team in America and after Sunday it's easy to see why. Forget being bankrupt in the morality department, which is what earned them that title. They are bankrupt in the talent department...overpaid and overhyped. That's the Cowboys.

Next weekend I'm not gonna watch any football. The preseason for the NBA is starting! I love me some B-ball and I've got some tickets to see the Spurs. I think I'll go see the pre-season game against Orlando on Saturday. I'll let you know if I do!

"The" Stomp

2006-10-06T22:04:00.000-05:00

Here's the video of the now infamous face-stomp. What do I think? Well, honestly I think guys like Haynesworth ought to have criminal charges brought against them. What he did was assault and battery (if not attempted murder). You may think that is extreme but what if you were to stomp on the face of one of your "co-workers"? This is extreme behavior. It is extremely dangerous and extremely juvenile. What I really want to know is when did Andre's helmet come off? It was on at first but after Haynesworth appears to stoop down the helmet is off. I have searched for any comment on this by Andre and have not found one. I don't know how his helmet came off. If Haynesworth took off Andre's helmet then this should be considered a criminal offense. It should be anyway. Maybe Andre doesn't want to come across as a pussy and even though I'm a girl I understand that. But, there are hard hits and then there is assault and criminal behavior. What Haynesworth did is total bullshit and should not be tolerated by the NFL. Eff the 5 game suspension...this guy does not deserve to play football! He makes T.O. look tame by comparison. Haynesworth is a freakin' psycho. I'm sick of professional sports rewarding pyschos with multi-million dollar contracts and excusing their dangerous behavior all because of "talent". If I kicked someone in the head at work, I'd not only get fired but I'd get arrested. We need to hold these altheletes to the same standards...or else we are looking at the next O.J. or Rae Curruth.

Is Border Fence The Answer?

2006-10-05T01:11:00.000-05:00

It looks like this fence thing is really going to happen. I have to say, I'm not sure this is the answer to America's security problems nor am I sure it is the answer to our illegal immigration problem. I agree that something should be done about the influx of illegal immigrants from Mexico and I agree that, in the wake of 9-11, we need more security at our borders. But these are two separate issues, just like Iraq and al-Quaida are two separate issues. After 9-11, we all wondered what the fall-out would be. Well, I think that a lot of people are using 9-11 to push their own agendas which have nothing to do with terrorism. I think that is what is happening here with the border fence.

Will a ten-foot tall fence keep out illegal immigrants? The desert these people walk through is more dangerous than a razor-wire fence and yet they take the risk. Will the cost of this fence, set to be built in parts of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, off-set the expense of having illegal immigrants in our country? What about the cost to patrol and maintain this fence? And if we are so concerned about "homeland security" and "terrorists" then what about the Canadian border? What are our plans there? I don't think Mohammad Atta swam through the Rio Grande to get into the U.S.

No doubt, Mexico is a problem for America, but it could also be a great resource. I'm not sure what the answers are; I'd just like to see us put some real thought and effort into solving the problems and not just build fences and turn our backs. And let's not allow ourselves to be scared into complying with every fanatical idea just because someone says "9-11". When politicians and radical groups use 9-11 to frighten us into compliance they are no better than terrorists. When we allow ourselves to constantly be spooked by the memory of that horrible day the terrorists really will have won.

Read more about this issue here.

Texas Music Video: Jack Ingram

2006-10-04T13:04:00.000-05:00

Here's Jack Ingram's video for Love You.

Texas Music Chart

2006-10-04T12:56:00.000-05:00

Yep, it seemed like Pat Green had a hold on number one and wasn't going to let go. I love the new Randy Rogers Band song, though. Check it out here. It's a pretty rocking little ditty. You can see the rest of the Top 30 here.

1 Randy Rogers Band Kiss Me In the Dark
Just a Matter of Tome (Mercury)

2 Jack Ingram Love You
Live Wherever You Are (Big Machine)

3 Pat Green Feels Just Like it Should
Cannonball (BNA)

4 Stoney LaRue One Chord Song
The Red Dirt Album (Smith Ent.)

5 No Justice Bend But Don’t Break
No Justice (Smith Ent.)

6 Reckless Kelly Break My Heart Tonight
Reckless Kelly Was Here (Sugar Hill)

7 Kevin Fowler What I Wouldn’t Give For Your Love
What I Wouldn’t Give For Your Love (Tin Roof)

8 Todd Fritsch & Gary P. Nunn Every Honky Tonkin’ Hero Has His Day
Every Honky Tonkin’ Hero Has His Day (Diamond Music)

9 Jamie Richards Last Time Till the Next Time
Between these Lines (D Records)

10 Brandon Rhyder Back Roads
Conviction (Dogwood Hills Records)

Hill Country Countdown Redux:

2006-10-04T00:14:00.000-05:00

One thing I noticed about my countdown but that I never mentioned is that I skipped some numbers! Part of the reason is that I started to write some posts which I never finished and never posted and part of the reason is that I was probably drunk (hehe). Anyway, I'll fill in those spots once I get going on the new additions. So, you're gonna see that I skipped #87 here. I also seem to have skipped from #86 to #83...maybe I was drunk! Don't worry! You won't get cheated. I'll fill these missing numbers in soon!

Hill Country Countdown #93-89: Festivals

Hill Country Countdown #88: Chicken Tortilla Soup

Hill Country Countdown #86: James Avery Craftsmen

Friday Night Lights: My Review

2006-10-03T23:45:00.000-05:00

I just finished watching Friday Night Lights. It wasn't great but wasn't too bad. First of all, the accents weren't too horrible although I do think they sound fake. Oh, and Plemons has one of the thicker accents but he's from Texas so I guess that's okay.

The story, which is "inspired" by the H.G. Bissinger book, is about Coach Eric Taylor and the "Dillon Panthers" football team. Coach Taylor was the offensive coach for five years before he got promoted to head coach of the "number one high-school football team in Texas". We meet the team, or rather part of the offensive line. It's like I said, there's only one black guy and no Hispanics. We meet Coach Taylor's incredibly beautiful wife, his brainiac daughter, the mayor, and a bunch of local football fanatics. It's the week of the first game. Now, in real-life this would also be the first week of school, but academics and classrooms have yet to make an appearance. Anyway, we see Coach Taylor's first week as head coach and his first game against the "Westerby Chaps".

Other than the fact that there is a lot of under-age sex and drinking going on, and that the players all want to go to UT to play for Mack Brown, we don't learn too much about the kids. I'm sure we will later on. But, hey, if you want to know what happens in the story then you should have watched the show! I'm here to criticize, not summarize!

For my first criticism, I have to pick on the fact that they are saying the show is set in West Texas but there's a lot of trees and hills for it being West Texas. The show is shot outside Austin, so I knew this would be a problem. However, I guess I can overlook that since "Dillon" is a fictional town.

One thing that I can't overlook and in my opinion it is a GLARING problem is the "P" on the helmets! This team is the Dillon Panthers and it's loosely based on the Odessa Permian Panthers. Let me explain for those of you who aren't familiar with this. Odessa has two high schools: Odessa High and Odessa Permian. ("Permian" is a geological term that refers to the oil industry, as in the great oil reserves in West Texas were created during the Permian era back when West Texas was a sea, the Permian Sea.) Another example: "Austin Westlake" is the name of the school and (coincidentally) the "Chaps" refers to the mascot. So, the real Odessa team has a "P" on their helmets not because of their mascot, the Panther, but because of the name of the high school, Permian. So, why do the Dillon Panthers have a "P" on their helmets? In high school, the name of the school goes on the helmets! This mistake was made even more obvious by the fact that their opponents, the "Westerby Chaps" have a "W" on their helmet. Dillon should have a "D" on their helmets. Follow? I think that's a huge mistake. A huge, stupid mistake.

Other than that, I also find it surprising that the show featured so much underage drinking. I'm not saying that it isn't realistic but it was portrayed in a pretty matter-of-fact way. These kids were getting drunk on a school night, the night before the big opening game, no less. No wonder they played like crap! Will beer-drinking Tim join AA? I somehow doubt it. It will be interesting to see how this issue is handled in future episodes.

There was also a lot of praying going on. When I was in high school it was very common to pray before every game and we always had some minister or someone lead the entire stadium in a prayer. I'm not a Christian-type person but I always bowed my head out of respect and because, well, I wanted my team to win! Of course, we weren't praying to win, just to protect everyone who was playing and that everyone would make it home safe from the game. But, with all the controversy about prayer in schools I find it interesting that the team prayed several times during the show.

I remember watching Beverly Hills 90210 growing up. I love that show! I remember when Brenda and Donna each lost their virginity and what a big deal it was. Even though Kelly wasn't a virgin, it was revealed that her first experience wasn't great. (He didn't even bring a blanket!) The sexuality on that show was very controversial at the time. Even though adults were all up in arms over it, the show and the characters didn't take the loss of virginity, at least for the girls (or David), lightly. Most of the girls on FNL seem like they gave it up a long time ago. My, how times have changed.

There is the one guy, Street, who is the star quarterback. He gets seriously injured in the game. This is why I hope my (future) son wants to play the guitar! Anyway, I couldn't help but recall the old Dead Kennedy's song Jock-o-Rama. I also couldn't help but tear up a bit but I'll cry about anything so that's no surprise.

And my last criticism: I don't think the show captured the excitement of being at a high-school football game. First of all, they played rock music over the game sequences. Maybe it's because I'm a former band dork but I really think that marching band music is as big a part of high school football as cheerleaders or anything else. Also, if I were a cinamatographer-type person on this show I'd have spent some time trying to capture the feel of being under those bright stadium lights. After all, that's the name of the show.

Did y'all watch it? What did anyone else think? I'll keep watching the show. Like I say it wasn't too bad and I'm sure the characterizations will get better as the show goes on. I like football and I love Texas so I'm a sucker for this sort of stuff.

And they did get that "livin' large in Texas" line out of the way, so I don't have to worry about apoplexy just yet...at least not over this TV show.

Hot Texan of the Week: Owen Wilson

2006-10-03T16:48:00.000-05:00

Friday Night Lights, The Series

2006-10-03T16:14:00.000-05:00

One of the BEST things about all the new fall TV shows starting is that the networks will stop showing the same promos over and over. I swear if I have to hear that kid say "Here's to good friends livin' large in Texas" one more time after today I'm going to have convulsions!

So, tonight's the night: Friday Night Lights the TV show is finally upon us. I wonder what this show will do to our reputations as Texans? And how many God-awful fake Texas accents will we hear? The only actual Texan in the cast is Jesse Plemons and I bet he speaks with the least accent!

Something else I've noticed from looking at the show's website is that the cast is a little too white. There is only one black actor among the central cast. How realistic is that? Also, there don't appear to be any Hispanics. I really don't see how you can make a show about life in Texas and not have any Hispanic actors. A high-school setting would be the perfect place to showcase the diverse ethnicity that makes up our country.

Obviously, by taking the story out of Odessa and changing the team colors from black and white to blue and yellow the show's creators are not really telling the same story as the book or the movie. This isn't going to be a show about West Texas football. It looks to me like it's going to be a teen drama where the kids just happen to play football.

I almost dread watching Friday Night Lights tonight, but I'm going to do it for Texas. Until then, I'm going to do my very best to keep an open mind! Check back with me tomorrow to see if I survive.

Texas Music Video: The Randy Rogers Band

2006-10-03T13:45:00.000-05:00

Guess who knocked Pat Green off the top of the Texas Music Chart? The Randy Rogers Band with their single Kiss Me In The Dark. Check out the video below!

Favorite Texas Movies: Dancer, TX: Pop. 81

2006-10-02T18:19:00.000-05:00

Dancer, TX: Pop. 81 is one of my favorite movies about life in Texas. The movie is about four guys who are graduating from high school in the far West Texas town of Dancer, where as the title suggests, there are only 81 residents. They are the graduating class, along with one girl. Could you imagine being those guys? Could you imagine being that girl?

The guys have had a pact since age 11 to get the hell out of Dancer as soon as they graduate. During the movie, we learn who each of these guys are, each one a totally unique individual with a unique story despite their common dilemma. The rest of the town-folk make bets on whether the guys really will leave once they graduate. I don't want to ruin the story because finding out if they stay or go is pretty much what the movie is about, but I will say that the decisions they make in the end turn out to be pretty surprising and not what you might have thought in the beginning.

Once again, this is a story of Texas that can't escape exploring the ranching and oil industries and what sort of future each has. These industries are the backbone of the Texas economy and affect all of us who live in this state in some way or another. The decisions made by the characters in this movie are pretty much the antithesis of decisions made by other characters in movies about Texas. But, I don't want to give anything away!

This is a quiet little movie but I think it addresses the universal theme of the need to escape from one's hometown, no matter what, or where, that town is located. It also addresses the importance of family, how the need for that connection and that support is what forms us as adults.

Have You Registered?

2006-10-02T16:30:00.000-05:00

Have you registered to vote? If not, you only have until October 10 to get it done. It doesn't matter who you wish to see elected, you must register to make it happen!

Folks, voting is something that too few of us Americans do. I'm even guilty of not always getting my ass to the polls. However, we are living in a time of rapid change and we need to be sure that our voices are heard. The only way to do that is to educate yourself about the candidates and go to the polls on election day. I don't care who you vote for, but if you don't vote then you don't have the right to complain about things! So, be sure to mark a ballot for something and don't be apathetic. Remember, your right to vote is NOT God-given! It was paid for by the blood of our soldiers who have so valiantly defended our freedom for over 200 years.

Here are the candidates for Governor with links so you can figure out who to vote for:

Rick Perry

Kinky Friedman

Carole Keeton-Strayhorn

Chris Bell

Tony & Eva: Is It Over?

2006-10-02T13:58:00.000-05:00

Have Tony Parker, 24, and Eva Longoria, 31, called it quits? According to this article on People magazine online the couple have broken up. Apparently the relationship has been in trouble for a while. The two have hectic work schedules with Eva shooting Desperate Housewives in L.A. and Tony training and playing with the Spurs in S.A. and around the country. A source close to Tony says he's denying the break-up and Eva's reps say they are just going rough time.

The Spurs are currently training in Lyon, France and gearing up for the 2006-2007 NBA season which opens October 31. The Spurs are scheduled to start their season on November 2 in a game against last-year's almost-champs, the Dallas Mavericks.

Texas Music Video: Reckless Kelly

2006-10-02T13:33:00.000-05:00

Reckless Kelly Nobody's Girl

Matthew McConaughey

2006-10-02T13:29:00.000-05:00

Yes, Matty needs to shave that scraggly beard but, um, it's not his face that attracted my attention, if ya know what I'm saying!

Hot Texan of the Week: Owen Wilson

2006-10-02T13:15:00.000-05:00

Name: Owen Cunningham Wilson

Birthday: November 18, 1968

Birthplace: Dallas, TX

With Owen, there is just so much to love: the hair, the voice, that nose, a great body and a hilarious sense of humor.

Owen first came on the scene with the movie Bottle Rocket which he co-wrote with his friend Wes Anderson. The two met while attending The University of Texas at Austin. Though not a commercial success, the film was Owen's springboard into acting. He appeared in small roles in movies like The Cable Guy, Anaconda, and The Haunting. His breakout role was in Shanghai Noon with Jackie Chan.

Personally, I love Owen's performance in Meet the Parents, as the too-perfect ex-boyfriend of Ben Stiller's fiancee. Owen has worked with Ben many times, including Zoolander in which he plays rival model Hansel and Starsky & Hutch, in which I'm pretty sure he played Hutch (I always get them confused!), and The Royal Tenenbaums (which he co-wrote with Wes Anderson). He co-starred with Vince Vaughn in one of last summer's biggest comedies Wedding Crashers and this summer starred in You, Me & Dupree with Kate Hudson and Matt Dillon.

And now, just for fun here's the Face Off clip from Zoolander ("don't you know I'm loco?"):

Longhorn Football: No Surprise, UT Wins

2006-10-01T16:47:00.000-05:00

Gee, was there any doubt? This past Saturday, UT beat Sam Houston State 56-3.

The big game is next weekend, known as OU Weekend to the Longhorns. (I'm sure the Sooners call it UT weekend or something.) This game is known as the Red River Rivalry and it's a long-standing tradition. Texas and Oklahoma began playing in 1900 and first played in Dallas in 1912. The game in 2005 marked the 100th meeting of the two teams. The game is played at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, during the Texas State Fair. The neutral-site game is one of the biggest rivalries in college football.

Give 'em Hell! Give 'em Hell! OU SUCKS!

Hill Country Countdown Redux

2006-09-28T18:04:00.000-05:00

I have two blogs. My other blog got a little boring and I decided to concentrate most of my blogging on Texas. I haven't found many other blogs that cover the subject matter I'm covering here. THIS blog was supposed to be mostly my own photos but I don't take enough quality pictures to fill it up, so it has evolved a little over the past month to include the features you are seeing now.

One thing I started over at the Armadillo blog was this Hill Country Countdown. I, ahem, never finished it. So, since I'm looking for cool features for this site I decided to finally finish the back 50 of the Countdown. In the meantime, you can catch up with us by visiting the links below.

Hill Country Countdown #100 Guadalupe River

Hill Country Countdown #99 Christmas Parades

Hill Country Countdown #98 & #97 Meyer Anderson Band & Inn of the Hills

Hill Country Countdown #96 Y.O. Social

Hill Country Countdown #95 Texas Hill Country Wine Trail

Hill Country Countdown #94 Kinky Friedman

more links to come!

Kinky Friedman: Cowboy Way

2006-09-28T17:17:00.000-05:00

Here is Kinky's latest campaign commercial called "Cowboy Way".

Let's Check In with the Dixie Chicks

2006-09-28T17:06:00.000-05:00

Believe it or not, sometimes I really do find myself wondering what the Dixie Chicks are up to and how they are doing. I'm sure everyone knows about "the comment" and the effect it had on their career. (I'll go on record right now as saying that I'm not particulary proud of President Bush myself and I defy anyone to tell me I'm not entitled to my opinion.) Anyway, the Chicks just debuted their documentary "Shut Up and Sing" at the Toronto Film Festival and it's received a lot of positive reviews. It was second runner-up for the People's Choice Award at the festival. Not only that, but their newest single "Not Ready to Make Nice" is a hit, even spending 11 consecutive weeks at #1 on the VH-1 Top Twenty Countdown. The new album, Taking the Long Way, has already sold over 2.5 million copies. Their Accidents and Accusations tour earned over $10 million just after the first 17 shows.

I got that info from this blog which has a lot of great pics of the ladies and interesting info on what Emily, Martie and Natalie have been up to, including a taping for VH-1's Storytellers and appearances on TV shows like Ellen. There are also links to articles and videos of interviews, so check it out.

Sounds to me like the Chicks are doin' alright.

Hot Texan of the Week: Beyonce

2006-09-28T16:10:00.000-05:00

Beyonce plays Nigeria
(Wednesday September 27, 2006 10:19 AM)

Beyonce is to headline the inaugural Thisday Music Festival in Nigeria, which celebrates the nation's independence from Britain.

The pop superstar will be at the top of the bill for the event, which takes place in Lagos on October 7 and features a stellar line-up of music icons.

Beyonce's boyfriend, Jay Z, is also amongst the line-up, as are Ciara, En Vogue, Snoop Dogg, Mary J Blige, Missy Elliott and Busta Rhymes.

In a statement, Beyonce commented: "It's a great thrill to come to West Africa for the first time to celebrate Nigeria's independence.

"I feel blessed for this opportunity for my all-female band and me to appear on stage with some of the world's most talented artists and share the universal message of peace, hope and beauty that music brings to all of us."

Beyonce joined Jay Z at his show at Wembley Arena in London on Sunday and is expected to make a second appearance at the Royal Albert Hall tonight. (article copied from here)

Kuder Brownz

2006-09-28T13:37:00.000-05:00

Finally, I got the 411 on Kuder Brownz. The guys had to sell the place. Supposedly, the new owners are waiting until they get their liquor license before they re-open, hopefully in November. The plan is to continue to bring great Texas music to Kerrville.

I'll try to stay on top of this and let you know when they re-open!

Texas Music Video: Wade Bowen

2006-09-28T13:25:00.000-05:00

Wade Bowen God Bless This Town

T.O. Denies Suicide Attempt

2006-09-28T12:53:00.000-05:00

By now we've all heard the denials: T.O. says he did not attempt suicide. Of course, if he did I would fully expect the Cowboys to spin the story. Let's just hope that if Terrell did in fact try to harm himself that he can get some real help.

I found this article interesting. It doesn't seem like Terrell is getting much support from the Cowboy's organization. Here's a quote:

*****
"Nothing surprises me from T.O. What can you say?" one general manager said. "It's another sad chapter in a sad saga. And it's not getting better. It's going the other way. Maybe all that was ever needed is the guy just might need help."
The GM was skeptical about Owens' version of the events of Tuesday night.
"Look at his actions rather than his words," he said. "He is a distraction. It takes the focus off what you are supposed to be doing. Now they are talking about him for a different reason. It can't be good. The Cowboys are not going to rally around him. It doesn't sound like Bill is going there. They will follow his lead."
*****

Since Parcell's didn't want to sign Owen's in the first place, it seems unlikely that he will get much support from the coaches. I think this could be a case of T.O. needing to help himself before anyone else can help him.

And you have to ask: Is it helping this guy to put him back on the field Sunday? Is it helping the team? Time will tell...

Hot Texan of the Week: Beyonce

2006-09-27T15:57:00.000-05:00

Beyonce has gotten some flack for a comment she made recently. However, as is usually the case, the comment has been taken out of context. Personally, I don't think it is offensive no matter what. Here's the quote out of context:

“I make black records. I write records like I speak, and I don’t try to change my songs so everyone else likes them.”

Here is the quote in context:

The film, costarring Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy, deals with issues of race in romance and culture — including the compromises a black group has to make in crossing over. Beyoncé says compromise is one thing she doesn’t have in common with Deena Jones. “I make black records,” she says indignantly. “I write records like I speak, and I don’t try to change my songs so everyone else likes them.”

The film referenced is Dreamgirls, out this December, in which Beyonce plays Deena Jones, the singer of a Supremes-like girl-group. What do you think? Like I said, it doesn't offend me either way. Plenty of people make fun of the way I speak since I say things like "y'all" but I wouldn't change that to please others. I think this is just a made up controversy.

This is being blamed for the drop in sales of her newest release, B'Day. I like B's music but I think Ring the Alarm ( her new single) just isn't as catchy as other songs, such as Crazy in Love. Maybe that is to blame for the slow sales!

No matter, I still love Beyonce. She's got more talent than a lot of other pop singers around today! (Certain other "Texans" who will never find themselves exalted on my little blog!)

Texas Music Video: Pat Green

2006-09-27T11:58:00.000-05:00

Here is Pat Green's video for Feels Just Like It Should.

Texas Music Chart.

2006-09-27T11:45:00.000-05:00

Pat Green is still at Number One with Feels Just Like It Should. There's been a little movement on the chart this week, most notably by Bruce Robison who's song Virginia has just cracked the Top 30.

1 Pat Green Feels Just Like It Should
Cannonball (BNA)

2 Jack Ingram Love You
Live Wherever You Are (Big Machine)

3 Randy Rogers Band Kiss Me In the Dark
Just a Matter of Time (Mercury)

4 Stoney LaRue One Chord Song
The Red Dirt Album (Smith Ent.)

5 Reckless Kelly Break My Heart Tonight
Reckless Kelly Was Here (Sugar Hill)

6 No Justice Bend But Don’t Break
No Justice (Smith Ent.)

7 Kevin Fowler What I Wouldn’t Give For Your Love
What I Wouldn’t Give For Your Love (Tin Roof)

8 Jamie Richards Last Time till The Next Time
Between these Lines (D Records)

9 Todd Fritsch & Gary P. Nunn Every Honky Tonkin’ Hero Has His Day
Every Honky Tonkin’ Hero Has His Day (Diamond Music)

10 Brandon Rhyder Back Roads
Conviction (Dogwood Hills Records

Breaking! T.O. Attempts Suicide

2006-09-27T11:23:00.000-05:00

It is being reported that Dallas Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens attempted suicide last night. According to reports T.O. swallowed a large amount of pain medication which had been prescriped to him after breaking his hand on September 17 in a game against Washington.

When authorities asked Owens if he had tried to harm himself, he answered "Yes", according to the report.

Terrell is a controversial character and has endured a lot of criticism for his attitude and antics. Still, his performance on the field was enough for Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to overlook the bad in hopes he could help Dallas win another Superbowl. Signing T.O. has been a controversial move for the Cowboys, with fans divided on whether his game was worth all the trouble that came with it.

There should be a news conference later today.

Hot Texan of the Week: Beyonce

2006-09-26T13:15:00.000-05:00

Beyonce is famous for her curves. For her part in the upcoming movie Dreamgirls she lost 20 lbs. in 10 days. That is seriously extreme dieting which she doesn't recommend. Supposedly, her diet consisted of eating nothing but maple syrup!?!

Beyonce's dad, Matthew Knowles, was a salesman for Xerox. He quit his six-figure income job in order to help Beyonce and the rest of Destiny's Child realize their dream of becoming famous.

Beyonce is dating Jay-Z, a multi-hyphenate multi-millionaire who rapped on her hit single Crazy in Love. Check out the video below (and see why her curves get so much attention!)

Matthew Strikes Back

2006-09-26T12:49:00.000-05:00

Here is an example of someone with too much time on their hands. It's an animated gif of Matthew McConaughey in a scene from Star Wars. I can't explain it, you just have to watch it. It's the craziest thing I've seen in a while! (Best Week Ever)

The New York blog cityrag points out that the theme from Star Wars can be sung using Matthew's name:

Matthew Mc-con-aug-hey Mc-con-aug-hey, Matthew Mc-con-aug-hey Mc-con-aug-hey. Matthew Mc-con-aug-hey! Oh Matthew Mc-con-aug-hey! Matthew Mc-con-aug-hey Mc-con-aug-hey. (cityrag)

I tried it and it works! I'm singing it in my head right now!

R.I.P. Pepper (1993-2006)

2006-09-25T22:55:00.000-05:00

Pepper, you were a really great dog. You brought us a lot of joy and you loved each of us unconditionally which is the best thing a dog can do. We loved you very much and we will always remember you as being the best dog we ever had. I love you, Pepper. I hope you have fun at the big puppy farm in the sky.

P.S. I wish I could hug your neck and scratch your tail one more time.

Kerrville Firefighter's 9-11 Benefit

2006-09-25T22:12:00.000-05:00

Charlie Robison

Django Walker and Doug Moreland

Josh Grider

From Left to Right: Keith Gattis, Drew Kennedy, Charlie Robison, Jared Birminham, Josh Grider

Last night I attended a concert at the Y.O. Ranch Resort in Kerrville, TX which was a benefit for the Kerrville Firefighter's 9-11 fund. It was a pretty good night of music in the Hill Country featuring some performers I had heard of and some I hadn't. It was my second time to see each Charlie Robison, Josh Grider, and Django Walker.

Django, who is of course the son of Jerry Jeff Walker, was up first along with Doug Moreland. Django rolled out of bed and threw on some jeans and flip-flops and came out to play some music. He didn't even bother to fix his bed-head. Maybe that's what the kids are doing nowadays but I don't think it would have hurt him to shower and shave before the show! That aside he played a good set.

It was the first time I'd heard Doug's music and I have to say I liked it. Very country with a sense of humor. Doug was dressed sharp in a blazer and a ten-gallon hat but must have been enjoying some drinks prior to his set as he messed up his songs a couple of times and dropped his pick twice. Still, he recovered by saying that the good thing about not having his band with him was that he could stop and then he picked up his shot of tequila. "I can stop and do a shot of tequila!" which he did and then chased it with a swig of beer before he continued playing. Django said he felt like he and Doug were the appetizers to which Doug added "We're the cheese-stuffed peppers."

After a little break the main act took the stage. The group was introduced by a real New York firefighter. I'm sorry I can't remember his name but I forgot to bring anything with which to take notes. Anyway, whenever people from Texas and New York meet the one thing you can be sure of is that we will tease each other about our accents. When New York said to the crowd "How're you doing?" it was met with a chorus of "How you doing?" a la Joey Tribiani. "Oh, excuse me," he said, "How y'all doing?" Cheers all around til he said "Forgetaboutit" and everyone laughed. Anyway, he introduced Charlie and the guys and later when Charlie introduced him the whole room gave him and all the firefighters a standing ovation.

It was a pretty good evening of music, very casual. Charlie played Good Times, New Year's Day, El Cerrito Place and My Hometown. Each guy sang about five songs. All in all a decent introduction to some new songwriters and musicians who I've heard about but haven't yet heard their music.

Kinky Friedman for Governor

2006-09-25T17:08:00.000-05:00

So, I promised to do a little research into Kinky Friedman's run for Governor. My last post got a comment from someone who I feel has absolutely no idea what they are talking about. I responded fairly diplomatically, I think. Well, I knew that I had to find out for certain how Kinky felt about the issues and what better place to get this information than the Kinkster's official website? On the matter of gay marriage, Kinky doesn't skirt the issue:

Q: What is Kinky's position on gay marriage?

A: Kinky supports gay marriage and equal rights for homosexuals. He believes that the constitution protects everyone. As he says, "I believe love is bigger than government. And besides, they have a right to be as miserable as the rest of us." (bold-face emphasis mine)

I don't see how that could be misconstrued. It's pretty plainly stated! I'm glad that Kinky hasn't let the issue of gay marriage detract from the important issues facing our state. That's not to say that equality isn't an important issue. Rather, the issue of gay marriage is like a shiny, mirrored doo-dad. It distracts our attention from what's really going on when we need to be paying attention to things that really affect us, like health-care. Gays getting married doesn't affect anyone but gays, so unless you are gay quit worrying about it!

Here is Kinky's campaign ad titled "Clean Air". ("too old for women to care"...hehe)

Hot Texan of the Week: Beyonce Knowles

2006-09-25T16:44:00.000-05:00

Name: Beyonce Giselle Knowles
Birthday: September 4, 1981
Birthplace: Houston, TX

Beyonce rose to fame as a singer with the group Destiny's Child.

Beyonce is a nine-time Grammy winner.

Beyonce's newest solo album, B'Day, was released this month to coincide with her 25th birthday.

Beyonce's name is a tribute to her mother's surname, Beyince. Her grandparents, Lumis Beyince and Agnes Dereon were French-speaking Lousiana creoles.

Beyonce's mother, Tina Knowles, designed outfits for Destiny's Child. Now she and Tina have their own clothing collection, House of Dereon, which is named after Agnes, who was a seamtress.

Info gathered from Wikipedia.

Texas Music Video: Jerry Jeff Walker

2006-09-25T16:19:00.000-05:00

This is really funny. It's an old clip of Jerry Jeff Walker performing "L.A. Freeway" on Dinah and Friends. Who are her friends? One of them is non other than Mr. Roper, Normen Fell. I don't know who "Don" is, though. Enlighten me via the comments if you do know who he is.

I find it funny that Jerry Jeff would be on a show like Dinah's. He has to change "sons of bitches" to "little suckers" so as not to offend the housewives which I'm sure made up Dinah's audience. Anyway, I love the song "L.A. Freeway". It was written by Guy Clark but Jerry Jeff made it famous.

Hot Texan of the Week: Matthew McConaughey

2006-09-24T17:30:00.000-05:00

Matthew McConaughey...what's not to love? I've posted hot pics of him all summer long on my other blog so when I decided to profile famous Texans on GD it was a no-brainer to feature Matthew first. I have really enjoyed looking at all these hot pics of Matthew and I hope you have too. But, don't worry, guys. I promise to feature a hot Texas lady next week!

And don't worry, girls. My Matthew crush doesn't end just because the week does. I'll always post new pics of him as they come up!

Have a Good Weekend, Y'all

2006-09-22T17:17:00.000-05:00

Wow! It's one slow news day. So far I spent the morning reading a bunch of articles and blogs debating whether or not Kinky Friedman is a liberal or conservative, a democrat or a republican. It's a pretty interesting debate. My opinion, of course, is that he is neither and both and that the whole reason he makes an interesting candidate is because he is outside of this two party system which is dividing our country.

One other thing I did this morning was decide who would be next week's Hot Texan. I'll reveal that it's gonna be a female and she is so hot she's smokin'...but you'll have to click me next week to find out. Since Matthew got the short week, though, I'm gonna post some more pics of him tomorrow and Sunday, mostly just because I really like looking at him.

Hopefully next week I'll also have some good pics of Charlie Robison to post. If anyone from the Hill Country is interested in learning more about the Kerrville Firefighters 9-11 Benefit Concert you can check out this article in the Kerrville Daily Times.

Also, I know a lot of you click this link when you are looking for info on Kuder Brownz. I talked to someone "in the know" who told me Kuderz shut down this month but they are opening again next month. I'll try to find out more about that and who they may have booked to play out there.

Dont' forget UT plays tomorrow at 2:30pm. I hope I get to see the game but something else might come up. If not I'll be doing laundry (fun!) and rooting for the Longhorns.

I hope everyone enjoys the last day of summer! It's hot in the Hill Country today but I figure we've only got one more week of warm temps until the thermometer drops below 80. That's downright cool to us Texans after suffering through the 100+ degree days of August.

Have a Good Weekend, Y'all!

Hot Texan of the Week: Matthew McConaughey

2006-09-22T16:16:00.000-05:00

Matthew has a brother who they call Rooster. Rooster has a son he NAMED Miller Lyte McConaughey. No lie.

Matthew lived in Australia for a while after graduation. He adopted an Aussie accent for a bit after his return to the States.

Matthew attended the University of Texas at Austin where he thought he would major in law. He soon switched his major to film (RTF, as it's known at UT).

Texas Music Video: Cross Canadian Ragweed

2006-09-22T11:15:00.000-05:00

Cross Canadian Ragweed are hugely popular in my part of the world. CCR consists of Grady Cross, Cody Canada, Randy Ragsdale and Jeremy Plato and hail from Oklahoma. They started out on the Stillwater, OK music scene and built a big fanbase in OK and Texas. Now they play about 200 shows a year and tour all over the country. Their sound is more rock-n-roll than a lot of other bands on the alt-country scene, so if you're not a big fan of country you still may like CCR.

This video is for the song Alabama which is my favorite song of theirs. Their new single This Time Around is currently number 18 on the Texas Music Chart.

Voting For Kinky?

2006-09-21T14:44:00.000-05:00

"Why the hell not?" Kinky Friedman, as you may have heard by now, is running for Governor of our great state of Texas. The thing I like about Kinky is that he says exactly what he thinks and does what he wants. He's laid it all out on the table from the get-go so I doubt there are any skeletons in his closet. As some of you may know I live just a few miles up the road from the Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch. I sometimes see Kinky around town and he's definitely a character. From now up until the election I am going to be doing some posts about Kinky's vision for Texas. For now, you can watch his new campaign commercial which was shot at the Utopia Ranch.

Hot Texan of the Week: Matthew McConaughey

2006-09-21T12:09:00.000-05:00

Matthew grew up in Longview, TX.

His father, James, was once a professional football player for the Green Bay Packers.

His mother, Kay, worked as a substitute teacher.

Matthew was voted "Most Handsome" his senior year in high school.

He was People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" in 2005.

Texas Music Video: Charlie Robison

2006-09-21T11:34:00.000-05:00

This is Charlie Robison's video for Photograph. This song is off his album Good Times which was released in 2004. I like this video because it features a lot of old photographs of Charlie's family. I love old black and white or sepia photos of life "back then". Also, watch for pictures of Charlie and his wife Emily (of The Dixie Chicks) and their baby.

Charlie will be playing in Kerrville, TX this Sunday, September 24 at the YO Ranch Resort. This is part of a benefit for the Kerrville Firefighters 9-11 Fund. Joining Charlie will be Django Walker, Keith Gattis, Drew Kennedy and Josh Grider. Yes, I've got my ticket. The show starts at 5:30 pm. I hope to get some good pictures which I will post here.

You can get advance tickets at The Cowboy Store for $20 or purchase them at the door for $25.

Longhorn Football: UT vs. Rice

2006-09-20T17:58:00.000-05:00

I didn't get to watch the entire Texas game this weekend. I only saw enough to know that the 'horns kicked ass and beat the crap out of Rice, which probably isn't saying too much. I don't think Rice has ever been known for having a great football team. Final score was 52-7.

I tuned in to see how Colt McCoy was doing. Is 12 his jersey number or his age?! He has such a baby face. He does play with a lot of composure, however. He took a lot of hard hits (and in my opinion some unneccessary roughness, but I guess that's football). It's pretty amazing that he comes from a 2-A high school (where his dad coached him). I attended a 5-A school myself and I'm a little snobby when it comes to smaller schools. Watching Cedric Benson play high school ball was like watching me play one-on-one with Michael Jordan. (I'm a 5'4" girl who doesn't like to run or sweat or catch the ball because, hey, manicures are expensive and I could break a nail!) I wonder if watching Colt when he played high school football was the same as watching Cedric? Probably, since he is the all-time leading passer in 2-A high school football and is fourth overall in Texas high school history.

The Longhorns host Iowa State this Saturday at 2:30 pm. You can see the game on ABC.

Top Ten in Texas Music

2006-09-20T16:36:00.000-05:00

Here is the Texas Music Chart Top Ten for this week. If you'd like to know more just follow this link for the rest of the chart and much more information on your favorite Texas artists.

1 Pat Green Feels Just Like It Should
Cannonball (BNA)

2 Randy Rogers Band Kiss Me In the Dark
Just a Matter of Time (Mercury)

3 Jack Ingram Love You
Live Wherever You Are (Big Machine)

4 Kevin Fowler What I Wouldn’t Give For Your Love
What I Wouldn’t Give For Your Love (Tin Roof)

5 Reckless Kelly Break My Heart Tonight
Reckless Kelly Was Here (Sugar Hill)

6 Stoney LaRue One Chord Song
The Red Dirt Album (Smith Ent.)

7 No Justice Bend But Don’t Break
No Justice (Smith Ent.)

8 Jamie Richards Last Time till The Next Time
Between these Lines (D Records)

9 Brandon Rhyder Back Roads
Conviction (Dogwood Hill Records)

10 Todd Fritsch & Gary P. Nunn Every Honky Tonkin’ Hero Has His Day
Every Honky Tonkin’ Hero Has His Day (Diamond Music)

Hot Texan of the Week

2006-09-20T15:21:00.000-05:00

Name: Matthew David McConaughey
Birthplace: Uvalde, TX
Birthday: November 4, 1969

Matthew is my inaugural Hot Texan of the Week, for obvious reasons. (He's HOT!) Matthew may not make the best movies but he looks good and that's sometimes all that matters in Hollywood.

My favorite movies of his are A Time to Kill, Dazed and Confused, and Lone Star. According to the IMDb Matty's got a lot of new movies in the works. I'm especially looking forward to seeing We Are Marshall.

Check back tomorrow for more hot pics of Matthew!

Texas Music Video

2006-09-20T11:58:00.000-05:00

Thanks to YouTube I can share with you some music by some of my favorite Texas artists. Here is the video for Hard Man to Love by Kevin Fowler.

Big Game=Big Loss

2006-09-11T23:18:00.000-05:00

Yeah, yeah, yeah...UT lost. I will say this: I'm glad Ohio state played like a number one ranked team. I think Texas did a great job. Colt McCoy, a red-shirt freshman, kept his composure throughout the game. I'd have been like Jamie Foxx in Any Given Sunday and puked before every play. With Colt, you can see that he's got the goods. The experience he is gaining right now is invaluable. Unlike teams who aren't even ranked (cough, A&M, cough), Colt and this UT team are still competing against the best of the best. It's disappointing that they lost, but it is only the second game of the season. This is a bit of a rebuilding year, afterall. I believe that Mack Brown really has created a winning football program at UT. Great players graduate. Over the past few years UT has seen some great football players such as Ricky Williams, Cedric Benson, and Vince Young. These were all exciting and dynamic college players. I think UT has established enough of a winning reputation that the program will continue to attract great atheletes. And there's always next Saturday...

Hook 'em Horns!!!

Favorite Texas Movies: Giant

2006-09-11T22:21:00.000-05:00

I just love the movie Giant. I first watched it when I was on my James Dean kick (it was Dean's last film). The movie, based on the novel by Edna Ferber, also stars Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor, Dennis Hopper, and Sal Mineo. It was shot in Marfa, TX. This contains some spoilers, so if you haven't seen it the rent the damn thing and watch it already! It's a great movie.

Elizabeth Taylor plays Leslie, the privileged daughter of a Maryland rancher. Her family plays host to Texan "Bick" Benedict, played by Rock Hudson. Taylor's character is attracted to the wealthy Texan, who is interested in buying a horse from her family. He in turn falls in love at first site with Taylor, and they marry and soon she finds herself on a train to Texas. This is an epic movie which follows Bick and Leslie's story into their old age. James Dean plays Jett Rink, the ranchhand who strikes it rich. He has been in love with Leslie since he met her and (much like Gatsby) is always trying to impress on her that he is worthy of her love.

The movie may tell a love story but it is only the framework for a much larger story, the story of Texas. Traditionally, Texas' economy has revolved around three things: cattle, cotton and oil. Families like Bick's were landowners, (his ranch, Reata, is about a half-million acres) who raised cattle. But, a change was coming to this economy. Up until about 1900 Pennsylvania was the leader in oil production with wells that produced up to 300 barrels a day. But on January 10, 1901 the modern oil industry was born in Beaumont, TX. Drillers were working on a salt dome known as Spindletop when they struck oil. The oil shot 150-feet into the air. That well, the "Lucas 1", produced 100,000 barrels a day. That was the most oil any one had ever seen.

About this same time the country was changing from coal to oil as it's main source of energy. Texas cattlemen were slowly catching onto the fact that there was a lot more money in oil...and a lot less work. Many of them, like Bick, needed convincing. However, even the most hard-headed man will eventually come around when millions of dollars are involved! Bick can only hold out for so long before he gives in to lure of all that cash.

This movie also pits the stereotypes against each other. Leslie is a privileged girly-girl who faints at the sight of barbacoa on the grill. Luz, Bick's sister, is a cowgirl. Not a cute Dale Evans-esque cowgirl, but a no-make-up wearing, sun-damaged-skin, tobacco-chewing cowgirl. She has grown up around men and sees herself as "one of the guys". At the same time she also sees herself as "lady of the manor" and does not appreciate the arrival of Ms. Leslie at all. The relationship between them is contentious til the end. Who will win control? Luz, the cowgirl rancher? Or the feminine, modern Leslie? Gee, I wonder....

The same way the movie pits the two female archetypes against each other, it points out the difference between "new money" and "old money"; "new Texan" with "old Texan" in the relationship between Jett Rink and Bick Benedict. Jett is a poor ranch hand when he strikes it rich. He lives on a little piece of land willed to him by Luz. He dubs this plot "Little Reata" and it really gets Bick's goat. One day, almost by accident, Jett strikes oil on his land. This leads to the classic scene where Dean's Jett drives up to Bick and Leslie's house. Bick and Leslie and their family are sitting on the front porch when Jett pulls up, his truck and himself coated in oil. In Jett's mind, Leslie would love him if he only had money. Jett becomes one of the wealthiest men in the country and he spends obscene amounts of money on airplanes, cars, and parties; all to impress Leslie and piss off Bick. His flamboyancy is the definition "nouveau riche". Unfortunately, his love is unrequited.

Another very important subject that this story explores (and also very relevant to today) is the issue of Mexican-Americans. Their stories are told in three different sub-plots including Leslie's work in the colonias, or slums; in the story of the poor Mexican boy (Sal Mineo, who was actually Sicilian-American) who leaves to go to war; and when Jordy, Bick and Leslie's son (Dennis Hopper), marries a Latina woman. Sadly, Texans (which includes all of us living in this land) are still dealing with many of these same issues of poverty, racism, and inequality today.

Giant is highly-romanticized, to say the least. As a Texan, believe me, I wish it were true that we all had our own oil well. Sad to say, it's not. Giant is the movie that perpetuated the stereotype of the bolo-tie-wearing Texas oilman. It should be seen by anyone who wonders why Texans are portrayed in this way in shows ranging from Dallas to Seinfeld. While this stereotype is slowly fading away, it begs the question: will the oil industry go the way of the cattle industry? For more than 100 years the Texas economy has relied on oil and there are a lot of millioniare oil-men who don't want to see this era pass. However, as Americans begin to realize the real high-price of oil, namely American lives, the possibility exists that the country will switch from an oil-based energy system to other more practicle, safer means. What will that mean for Texas?

Ok, as for my favorite scenes: I love the scene when Leslie first arrives in Texas. She arrives by train in the middle of a dust storm. This reminds me of when I first moved to West Texas. On our first day there we found ourselves in the middle of one of these unique "weather events". When you live in West Texas you are constantly battling the dust: red-colored dirt that coats everything. You can taste it and smell it and feel it's grit in your teeth.

I also love the scene where Leslie faints at seeing the barbacoa. She resolves that she will never faint again and it's at that point she becomes a Texan.

Lastly, I love the scene where Leslie and Bick first meet. Leslie asks Bick how big his ranch is and he modestly replies that Reata is about a half-million acres. Leslie is overly-impressed, just as Bick knew she'd be. This scene is also notable because Bick describes Texas to Leslie by saying: "It's different than any other state, I think. At least that's what we think. It's almost a different country."

Very true.

San Antonio Spurs: 2006-2007 Season Schedule

2006-09-11T14:46:00.000-05:00

I know the football season just started but I am all about my San Antonio Spurs! The NBA season officially starts on October 31. Go here to see the Spurs schedule for the 2006-2007 season. (The season we get the championship BACK.) The Spurs season starts out on November 2 with a little inner-state rivalry: Spurs @ Mavericks. This'll be a great game between two of the best teams in the NBA. (Weird to say about two Texas teams, isn't it?)

Go, Spurs, Go!

Hollywood Says: Hook 'em Horns!

2006-09-09T16:50:00.000-05:00

I posted this over on my other blog, but I'm mentioning it here, too. The UT Longhorns were visited by BFF's Lance Armstrong, Matthew McConaughey and Jake Gyllenhaal this week. The trio is in town for the big game tonight, where the 'horns (no. 2) go up against no. 1 ranked Ohio State.

It's pretty obvious why Matt & Lance are here, but Jake? Well, I guess he's just tagging along with his best buds. He is rooting for the 'horns tonight though, even though he's from L.A.

I wonder what advice Lance (if you don't know he's the seven-time Tour de France winner I think you should just go crawl back under your rock) gave the team? I bet hearing Lance speak about competition would really pump a team up. Apparently, Matthew taught the boys a little song he wrote. It's about not just thinking you're good, but knowing that you're good. Wow, that is deep. I need to find out about this song! Seriously, if anyone knows anything about it tell us in the comments.

Go, 'Horns, Go!

Favorite Texas Movies: Dazed & Confused

2006-09-09T16:02:00.000-05:00

The next movie in my little series about Texas movies is gonna be Dazed and Confused. First off, who hasn't felt dazed and confused at some point? It's not just the bain of the young, or stoners. This movie was directed by Richard Linklater who attended film school at The University of Texas at Austin. It also marks the film debut Linklater's UT schoolmate Matthew McConaughey.

I saw this movie at its Austin premiere. The ticket got you into the movie and the after party at a club downtown. The movie premiered at the theater downtown and Richard Linklater was in attendance, along with some of the cast. Since the cast and crew were at the showing everyone was laughing very heartily at all the jokes in the movie. Now, this could have also been because they had a full bar at the theater.

At the time no one knew who the hell Matt or Ben Affleck was so who knows if they were there? I sure don't! At the afterparty, I stood at the bar next to Linklater all night. It was very interesting to listen to everyone congratulate him. It was also very interesting because he had horrible B.O.!!! I mean, Rick, c'mon! Deordorant doesn't cost that much! Of course, it's very "Austin" to force your "natural" odor on everyone.

Dazed & Confused is a great film because it depicts a realistic slice of life from our past. Muscle cars, a classic rock soundtrack and '70's fashion are highlights of the movie. Many scenes will bring back memories, but this isn't a sentimental ode to that decade nor is the era played up for a joke as in The Wedding Singer. It's all presented in a matter-of-fact way.

The costumes are great. Gotta love all those girls in short shorts and knee-high socks complete with the three stripes at the top. God, I remember when that was THE look. Scenes of girls zipping each others jeans with pliers is another great throwback to that era. They didn't forget the bell-bottom jeans, wing collar shirts and 3/4- sleeve t-shirts, either.

This is also a movie about growing up. Feelings of social awkwardness, the need to belong, and learning to stand up for yourself are some of the themes here which are common to most movies about teenagers. This movie handles them in a way that is funny and not idealistic or sentimental. It's set on the last day of school. The soon-to-be seniors are reveling in their chance to be the top dogs and to torment the incoming freshman. The freshman are just trying to get through the day.

There are a ton of good actors in it, many of whom are making one of their first feature films. Actors like Parker Posey, Milla Jovovich, Jason London, Ben Affleck, Matthew McConaughey, Cole Hauser, Joey Lauren Adams, Adam Goldberg, Renee Zellweger, Marisa Ribisi, and Rory Cochrane make up the ensemble cast. While Jason London gets the biggest part, along with local Austinite Wiley Wiggins, it's Matty McC. who leaves a truly lasting impression as Wooderson, the graduate who just won't go away. His famous line "That's what I like about high school girls...I keep getting older. They stay the same age" is a classic! It is probably the most memorable line of the whole movie.

Hook 'em Horns! UT Wins Season Opener

2006-09-03T20:43:00.000-05:00

The Longhorns destroyed North Texas in yesterday's season opener, 56-7. Go Horns!

Next week we play Ohio State, who are ranked number one in the BCS poll. UT is currently number two. I hope we cream Ohio State.

Bruce Robison at Bandera Cabaret

2006-09-03T18:15:00.000-05:00

As promised! I went to see Bruce Robison at the Bandera Cabaret Friday night (September 1). Well worth the $10 ticket price and drive to Bandera.

His sister Robin Ludwig opened the show. She was really good, too. She's got a great voice and she plays guitar. Chicks who play guitar are so cool. And she writes her own songs. Robin told us that it was brother Charlie's birthday that day. She said "Happy Birthday, Charlie, wherever you are. Probably hanging out with some movie star...or eating macaroni and cheese." I don't know what that means but it was sorta funny. Anyway, Robin's debut CD is out now.

Bruce played two sets.
As best I can remember, here is a list of songs he played:

Travelin' Soldier
Wrapped
Rayne, Louisiana
The Good Life
Red Letter Day
Desperately
Don't Let it Go to Your Heart
What Would Willie Do?
All Over But The Cryin'
My Brother and Me
Angry All The Time
You Really Let Yourself Go
Don't Call It Love

...and a bunch more I can't remember.

Cool things: When I first walked into the Cabaret Bruce was the first person I saw. He was standing there with (I assumed) one of his kids, who was climbing and hanging all over his legs. He was talking to some people. I walked past him and I swear my head only reaches his elbow, he's so tall!

He told us that George Strait is recording "Wrapped" for his next album.

Embarrassing thing: Some chick was going around telling everyone how she grew up with the Robison's and was best friends with Robin since junior high. She was drunk, of course. She saw me standing by myself and dragged me up to the front of the stage to stand with her, which was fine. But, in the middle of the song, she yelled at Bruce "Hey, Bruce! She's a bigger groupie than me!" and pointed at me. I was horrified!!! I told her "Don't say that! He's married. I don't want him to think I'm trying to pick him up!" So that effectively killed any notion I had of trying to get his autograph after the show!

Things I don't get: It cracks me up when people go up to the stage and request a song when the band is only two songs into their set. Give 'em a chance! They'll probably play it anyway. (Don't do that to Jerry Jeff Walker. He gets pissed!)

Why pay $10 to get into the show and then spend the whole show in a part of the bar where you can't see the stage? There were a ton of people hanging out in the front entrance. I never understand that sort of thing.

It was a great show. Bruce is an awesome songwriter. He just keeps getting better. I love his voice. If y'all have the chance to see Bruce live I'd definitely recommend that you go.

It's August...

2006-08-15T01:24:00.000-05:00

...and I just realized that means it's the President's Vacation Month!!!! I haven't been paying too much attention to the "real news" since it is so friggin' fake! Plus, it all just pisses me off and I can't do anything about it.

Anyway, I'd like the Pres to fix the friggin' economy before he goes on vacay. I can't afford a decent vacation with these high gas prices. It takes damn near a full days pay to fill my car up with gas! It takes a half weeks pay to afford one night in a hotel!

Y'all minimum wage earners need to friggin' vote in the next election. Don't let the Republicans buy you off with 300 measley dollars...demand that the minimum wage be raised to $8 an hour. Refuse to work for less!!! Y'all were so stupid to let the Republicans buy your vote for $300! Don't you realize that you could be making $156 more A WEEK if the minimum wage wage $8 per hour???! That's $624 more a month! Do the math! Don't be the idiots the Republicans are "banking" on you to be!!!!

Favorite Texas Movies: Urban Cowboy

2006-08-15T00:38:00.000-05:00

I've decided to do a little series of posts concerning my favorite movies about TEXAS! My only criteria is that the movies are set in Texas and somehow deal with or reference life in the state of Texas. The list is not in any order since all these lists are subjective anyway. There's no way I could decide on one that I really believe to be "the best" since I love them all!

So, the first movie I'm going to talk about is the classic Texas movie Urban Cowboy. I saw it in the theater when it came out and I truly love this movie! Even though John Travolta is a Yankee he manages to portray Bud pretty well. The accent is hilarious but he pulls it off, I guess. Of course, that is not why people went to see the movie!

Set in Houston, the movie tells the story of Bud (Travolta) and Sissy (the impeccable Debra Winger), two rednecks looking for love at Gilley's, an actual Houston honky-tonk. Bud moves to Houston to work at the plant with his Uncle Bob. Uncle Bob and Aunt Corene take Bud out to Gilley's on his first night in town and Bud loves the place. On his first day of work at the plant, he is told he'll have to shave his beard. We see him start to trim the thing but it's in the next shot at Gilley's that we get the full effect. This is just about one of the best shots in film history in my opinion as the camera pans up his Wrangler-clad legs and dark blue shirt to reveal an incredibly good-looking and freshly shaved Bud, complete with long-neck and black Stetson. If men like that hung around the bars I went to I'd probably go out every night! Anyway, Bud meets Sissy and they share an incredibly steamy dance. You can see the heat coming off the two of them up there on the screen. They fall in love and soon get married, moving into a trailer park. That's, like, the height of redneck-dom.

When Bud and Sissy get married, we are provided with a couple of redneck trademarks, namely the bride in white cowboy boots and the personalized license plates in the back window of their truck. However, it isn't long before the marriage starts to fall apart. Married couples should not hang out in bars! It only leads to trouble.

Sissy kicks ass! She's a rough and tumble tomboy who drives a tow truck for her family's business. She always wants to do what the boys are doing, from the punching machine to the famous mechanical bull. Of course, I've never seen a man ride a mechanical bull that way!!! It's funny because even today women at places like Midnight Rodeo try to ride the bull like Sissy. Believe me, they don't pull it off. They look silly. When I was younger I knew it was sexual but, damn! Now I realize just how incredibly sexual it really is. Definitely one of the hottest things I've ever seen! Also, can I tell you how much I love the scene where Sissy is hooking a car up to her truck and Bud, stopped at a red light see hers and waves? She raises her work-glove clad hand and shoots him the finger! Classic!

The marriage is in trouble. Enter Pam and Wes Hightower. I swear if you say "Pam", "Bud & Sissy" or "Wes Hightower" in Texas, people know who you are talking about. As a matter of fact, "are you a Pam or a Sissy" is actually a topic of conversation when the movie comes up. Pam had that bad-ass high rise with the awesome view of downtown Houston. She kept her whiskey in a crystal decanter and a leather saddle in her bedroom. My favorite line of Pam's is when she first meets Bud and tells her friends as she is leaving with him: "I've got me a real cowboy." Of course, Bud isn't a REAL cowboy. He's an URBAN cowboy! But to a rich bitch like Pam he's close enough. Of course, Pam is a bitch and takes credit for Sissy's housecleaning and hides the letter Sissy leaves for Bud in their trailer. But, she sort of redeems herself in the end when she admits to Bud what she's done.

Wes Hightower is the reason your momma doesn't like you hanging out at honky-tonks. He's played with a lot of evil foreboding by Scott Glenn. You just know when you see him in that mesh shirt that he is nothing but bad news. He's just out of prison and is in no way reformed.

The costumes in this movie are terrific. I was born in Htown and grew up right outside there. I think everyone dressed just like "cowboys" did in Texas in 1980. (We don't all dress "cowboy", of course, despite what Hollywood stereotypes would have you believe. However, I admit to owning a bolo tie! I don't wear it!) The two things I love are Pam's suede vest and Sissy's feathered hatband. I would like to bring back the feathered hatband! If I find one I like I'm buying it!

Also, having grown up East Texas for a bit I can tell you that Uncle Bob's backyard looks like all the backyards in Houston I ever visited. I've also driven by those plants and the one in Channelview stinks to high heaven. My two uncles work at some sort of plant and they make good money, though. You'd have to pay me about a million bucks a year to put up with that stench!!

As for the music, I swear this soundtrack stands up today. Sure, it's a little '70's but you still hear these songs on the radio and in the bars today. "Hello Texas" is the song we hear when Bud first arrives in Houston. "Devil Went Down to Georgia" is dang near a rap song. I hear it on the radio at least once a week. (Everyone I know thinks the Devil's solo is better than Johnny's!) Ditto "Lookin' for Love" which is one of my favorite country songs ever. It's a great honky-tonk song about hooking up with strangers while you are looking for the love of your life. The soundtrack is rounded out by more great songs including "Look What You've Done to Me" by Boz Scaggs and "You and I" by Crystal Gayle and Eddie Rabbit. They may not all be Texas artists but the songs really enhance the movie. Of course, there's some Mickey Gilley songs on there as well.

Now, for the dancing. I've never seen anyone do a hoe-down from Oklahoma! in a country bar before! However, we're talking Travolta and this movie came out after Saturday Night Fever. I still think J.T. is one of the best dancers ever. He could probably still dance most men off the map. Most guys are doing well just to manage a two-step. Many guys won't even waltz!! They think it's too feminine a dance. Well, there's nothing "feminine" about a man who can dance. Women love it! That's why we all still have that soft spot in our hearts for John, even though now he is a fat Scientologist.

Urban Cowboy is probably more realistic than a lot of people like to think. Every real Texan has probably seen this movie more times than they can count. The one beef I really have with the movie is that Bud hits Sissy but later he gets pissed when Wes does the same. Is it a case of "I can smack my bitch up but you can't"? Still, I love the fight scene when they tell each other "Fine. Forget it!". Every chance I get, I like to say "Fine. Forget it" like Bud and Sissy. Also, real cowboys don't wear felt hats in summer. They wear straw hats in summer and felt in winter. But, I like felt better so I can let that one slide!

(Damn, Blogger! Damn, damn, damn!!! Can't upload pics! I'm posting anyway!)

Can You Dance?

2006-08-14T22:24:00.000-05:00

Gentlemen. Can we talk? Actually, I'll do the talking and y'all just listen up. I happen to be a very good dancer when my partner can dance as well. One thing I can't stand is when a man askes you to two-step and he's no good at it. This happened to me a couple of weeks ago and this guy blamed me for not being able to dance! Well, I'm only as good as the leader and if you don't know what you are doing then please learn before you ask a lady to dance. Actually, just tell me you don't know how and we can work on it. But to ask a lady to dance, sling her all over the floor completely out of time with the music and then tell her it's her fault isn't going to make you a popular dance partner.

I went dancing this weekend and had a great time because the men I danced with knew what they were doing. It makes all the difference in the world. I don't want to go out looking like a fool afterall!

pic source

Better Late Than Never

2006-08-14T21:25:00.000-05:00

In case any of you (the two people who read this blog!) were wondering what happened to my Cooder Graw pics, well I was too chicken to go close to the stage. Let's just say there was a particular "person" standing next to the stage and I didn't want to get too close to this particular "person". So I stayed way back. Of course the "person" was front and center and took a ton of pictures which probably turned out really great. At any rate, all I can say is "people" and haters will never keep me from fully enjoying my Texas music experience again!!!

Here are the poorly lit, grainy photos I took.

There were a lot of girls wearing boots with mini skirts. I personally think that I am too old for that look so I wore my mini skirt with flip-flops! Ha. Well, I'm actually probably too old for mini skirts period.

The pics up top show the lead singer playing the wash board. He was really jamming! He wore these gloves with spikes on the end that looked like Freddy Kruger. That was my favorite part. Also, they played all my favorite songs like "Lifetime Stand", "State Line" and "Llano Estacado". Y'all might remember that last one from that Dodge truck commercial. When I first heard it I said to myself "I can't believe someone wrote a song about the Llano Estacado!" Well, I guess it just shows why so many people write songs about Texas: you never run out of new subjects to explore!

Bruce Robison To Play Cabaret

2006-08-14T20:56:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited! I got my ticket to go hear Bruce Robison at the Bandera Cabaret on September 1. The Cabaret is the best place to hear Bruce live since he is of course originally from Bandera. I actually saw Charlie Robison, his brother, play out there a few years ago. I love Bruce's music and I'll have to keep listening to his newest release Eleven Stories so I can be sure to know all the new songs before the concert.

My current favorite is actually an older song. Desperately was recorded by George Strait and was a huge hit. As much as I love George I have to say that I prefer Bruce's version of the song. I love how his voice sounds especially toward the end ( when he repeats the chorus at the end.) The lyrics are so simple and beautiful. Lines like "I make the coffee for one" just perfectly depict lonliness and then there's that little lie all single people tell themselves "I don't need nobody else and I can do as I please".

I'm sure this show is going to be awesome. Maybe I won't be so chicken and I'll actually get close enough to the stage to take a good picture or two. See y'all at the Cabaret!
pic source

Scorpions

2006-08-09T12:13:00.000-05:00

Scorpions are something that you have to watch out for in West Texas. I found this one in my brothers drive way. It was acting like it was dead...until we kicked it. I didn't have my camera at that point but I wish I had. It jumped right up and had its pinchers in the air and its tail held high. You can't really step on them unless you're wearing boots. They are full of liquid and it makes a hell of a mess. We sprayed this sucker with Raid then hacked it's tail off.

Texas Road Hazard, Pt. 2

2006-08-09T12:06:00.000-05:00

I just returned from West Texas. On my way home I had to stop and let these cows cross the road. To the left there were three more cows playing in a puddle of mud. It was about 100 degrees outside so I think they were looking for water. I'm just glad this was during the day because I don't think I'd have seen them at night.

Even though the roads are long and fairly straight you still have to be alert to these sorts of road hazards.

KRVL Listener Appreciation Party

2006-07-24T18:17:00.000-05:00

I've got my ticket already to hear Cooder Graw (pictured) at Kuder Brownz this Friday.

They are also playing in Bandera this Sunday at the Cabaret. KRVL is having a listener appreciation party and it's FREE! They've got some pretty good acts lined up, too, including:

Cooder Graw, Houston Marchman, Jason Allen, McKay Brothers, Drew Kennedy, Robert Henry, Mike Graham, Cody Gill, The Lloyd Bonham Band, Scott Rotge, Jimmy Mitchell and Busted Strings w/ Special Guest Mike Gattis.

Right now I'm planning on going to this show. It's free! It's all day long Texas music. If you're interested you can find more info on the KRVL website.

Kuder Brownz

2006-07-15T16:16:00.000-05:00

Fans of Texas Music listen up! Do you live in the Hill Country? Some friends of mine are opening a new bar in Kerrville and I think it's what this town has needed for a long time. It's called Kuder Brownz and it's on Hwy 16 towards Fredericksburg. This is a really big space, perfect for a dancehall. They already have several shows lined up, starting next weekend.

The dates are:

7/21 Brandon Rhyder w/ Scott Rotge opening
7/28 Cooder Graw w/ Jason Eady opening
7/29 Randy Rogers Band w/ Jason Eady opening

I've been hearing a lot about Brandon Rhyder. He plays around here often so I'm excited to finally get to check him out. Ditto Randy Rogers. I'm already a fan of Cooder Graw. I know that name sounds crazy but their songs are really good. I'm a dork for liking "Lifetime Stand" as much as I do. (It reminds me of all those guys at the bar, of course!)

Scott Rotge is my friend who is opening the bar. You may have heard him at Chili's or the Inn's Songwriter Night on Monday's (he's the host), or any number of places. He's a really good performer with a really great voice and he plays my favorite style of music. If you guys haven't checked out one of Scott's performances what the hell are you waiting for?

You can get advance tickets to these shows by going here.

Right now it looks like I'm going out there tonight for a little private party. If so, I'll take some pictures and post them. I will definitely post pictures of the shows I attend.

Kerrville has needed a year-round venue for great Texas music. Robert Earl Keen lives here for cryin' out loud! Bruce Robison's record label has it's offices on Main Street! I'm tired of driving to Fredericksburg and Bandera.

Y'all get out and support Kuder Brownz!

Transients in Kerrville

2006-07-15T15:47:00.000-05:00

I read this story in the Kerrville Daily News. It is about the woman who was raped in Louise Hayes Park. Police are at a dead end in their investigation of this crime, and the only lead they have is that the rapist was most likely a transient.

This brings up the issue of the homeless in our community. I may be left-wing but I'm no bleeding-heart liberal. I think we should lock them up!

It angers me that productive members of our community are sitting at the Kerr County Jail right now, for things like DWI or drug possession. I don't think jail is the answer for these people. I know this from my own first-hand experience. I've never been to jail but I know plenty of people in our community who have been locked up. (It's a small town and I work with the public, so I know a lot of people.) My point is that some of these people have families to care for and steady jobs. They may have made some bad choices and for that their should be consequences. I just don't think that jail is the best solution for these people. If we could find a better answer for the productive alcoholics and drug addicts then the jails would be free for the transients.

Why are productive community members in jail and non-productive transient members allowed to live in the park for free? They litter, defecate on the ground, most likely break a lot of laws and apparently rape our women!

I'd rather use my tax money to keep transients in jail. The ones I'm referring to are the ones who are not trying to or are incapable of helping themselves. They are drug-addicts and alcoholics. Some may be mentally ill. They are breaking laws in our community. To me, they are much more of a nuisance to our community than that guy cruising down 27 with a roach in his ashtray. I'm a female and I don't feel like I can go to the park alone. This rape happened during the lunch hour!! In broad daylight. That is sick.

One morning a transient was caught breaking into some cars in my neighborhood. He was opening the doors on the unlocked cars and stealing all the spare change and money. He had just gotten out of jail the same morning. These are people who exist by breaking laws. They should be in jail for longer than one night.

And to answer my own question, the reason the transients aren't in jail? Money. There is no money to be made off them. They can't pay lawyers. They can't pay fines and tickets. So, they continue to live just outside of society, just outside of the law.

What I'm Listening To

2006-06-17T14:49:00.000-05:00

This is what I'm listening to right now: Bruce Robison's Eleven Stories and Cross Canadian Ragweed's Live at Billy Bob's.

Road Trip: Corpus Christi

2006-06-17T14:40:00.000-05:00

I haven't posted in a long time! I didn't even realize how long it had been. I guess I'm over the Spurs play-off elimination. (I'll never really fully recover.)

Here are a bunch of pics I took from my hotel room in Corpus Christi. I didn't end up taking a lot of pictures because for one thing I did all the driving and for another I was scared to take out my digital camera on the beach. I've heard they can get messed up by the sea air or something.

It was a cloudy, rainy day and the water looked especially muddy to me. I never actually went to the beach during the day due to the rain.

One funny thing that happened on our trip was when we first drove by the water. It was raining and the wind was blowing at least 40 mph and when we saw the water (at least 100 yards away) my friend rolled down her window. As soon as the window was down a gust of wind blew sea spray right into the car. The water got our faces totally wet and got into our mouths and eyes. It was hilarious. We were pretty far away from the water to have that happen.

Another funny thing happened at this bar, Doctor Rocket's. We were sitting there having a drink and checking out the scene. Suddenly, this never ending stream of completely hot guys came in. They were all in their young twenties and you could tell they all belonged to a gym. There must have been thirty of them lining up to pay the cover charge. Maybe this sort of thing is de rigeur in other places. All that youthful hotness was a refreshing site to our Kerrville eyes. I mean, there are hot guys like that in the Hill Country, but CC was insane.

Yeah. Good times.

Stud of the World?

2006-05-23T19:25:00.000-05:00

The first two words anyone said to me today were "Manu Ginobili". It was said with disappointment and a shake of the head. Manu is catching the flack for last night's elimination since he missed a shot to take the lead at the end of the game, forcing an OT situation where the game quickly got away from the Spurs.

Now, I think everyone knows that it's not Manu's fault that the Spurs lost. If anyone on the team had hit an extra basket during the game that would have helped just as much. Even Pop refuses to allow Manu to take the fall saying instead that Manu is "stud of the world" as far as he is concerned. Pop said we'd have two less championship rings without Manu, which is true. So, let's try not to place blame for the loss on one guy. Our team didn't really perform their best, as a whole, which is the reason for the loss.

C'mon, Spurs fans! We win as a team and we lose as a team. Let's not trash talk our own guys. They had an awesome year...and they will be back!

It's About An Hour Later....

2006-05-23T01:59:00.000-05:00

....and I still wanna puke! Did the Spurs really get eliminated tonight?

I'm Gonna Puke!

2006-05-23T01:19:00.000-05:00

I didn't blog about this series because I didn't START blogging about it and I didn't want to jinx things. Yes, I'm that stupid. I want to utterly vomit! I can't believe the Spurs lost and are now out of the play-offs. It's just truly sickening results and a crappy ending to a good season. The only consolation is that we lost to a Texas team and to our former teammate, Avery Johnson.

And it is one good thing about the NBA: it seems different teams have a chance every year.

go, mavs, go?

Game 6: Spurs Win Series

2006-05-06T15:54:00.000-05:00

Yes! I'm so excited that our Champs won the series. The Kings are a really great team and were very tough opponents. The next series will be tough, as well. I-35 Rivalry! One coach (Avery) is the other coach's (Pop's) former player. He's also a former teammate of Duncan's. Lots of excitement!

I'd say the Mavs definitely have the inside info on the Spurs. Their coach Avery Johnson is one of my favorite Spurs ever. He played with a lot of heart and love for the game and he is an excellent leader, both in the game and in his community. He was also named coach of the year this year! So, the man knows some stuff and he has a very talented team. It'll be a great series.

I'm also looking forward to Game 7 between the Suns and the Lakers. Some people are saying the Lakers have already given up. The Suns are a really great team. The Lakers are pretty inexperienced when it comes to the playoffs. I feel like the Suns will win and that is who I'm pulling for.

Kobe hides his face in shame! Heehee!

Gathering Storm Clouds

2006-05-05T20:24:00.000-05:00

We had some major thunderstorms in Texas last night and we are supposed to have more tonight. Last night's storm was so severe it flooded the streets in San Antonio, tore the roof off of Joe's Crab Shack, and left about 40,000 without electricity. That is crazy! It just rained really hard here. There was extremely heavy rain, hail and lightning but surprisingly I didn't notice the high winds here. At least, not on my patio.

These pictures are from another storm we had a few weeks back. It never did too much, but the clouds were ominous and moving fast. I tried to take a picture of the lightning but I couldn't catch it. It was pretty far off in the distance.

Gross! Pic Gives TMI

2006-05-04T18:28:00.000-05:00

This is the picture on the cover of today's Kerrville Daily Times. The picture accompanies a story about how high gas prices may be bringing tourism to Kerrville. This guy is cleaning the septic tank on his RV before leaving the Kerrville Shreiner State Park.

They couldn't take a picture of people picnicing or swimming in the Guadalupe River? Cleaning the "black water" from the RV tank isn't the part of my vacation I would want memorialized on the front page of the local paper.

Game 5: Spurs Win

2006-05-03T01:26:00.000-05:00

Manu Ginobili shaved the beard and the Spurs win Game 5! Coincidence? I don't know. I'm so glad they won! Manu, also, ended the game like a gentleman and was the high scorer (for the Spurs) tonight with 27 points. I bet Pop chewed ass during the half. They really got going and looked more like themselves. It really makes you wonder what the difference was between tonight and the past two nights. I mean, the Spurs actually have the best record in the Western Conference and lead the NBA in wins on the road. So, why the losses?

It had to be that damn beard!

By the way I'm watching the post game news conference on ESPN and Pop just read my mind. He said to the press "You guys are way too serious" when they didn't laugh at any of the jokes he was making. I agreed. Those guys didn't sound excited at all. Just now when I was writing this post I thought of all kinds of questions I'd like to hear Pop answer. No wonder the MSM is dying.