Le Tourmalet

Octave Lapize memorial at the top of the Tourmalet

At almost 7,000 feet Col du Tourmalet is the highest road in the central Pyrenees Mountains of France. It is a fan favorite for The Tour and with all this snow - we can't wait!

It will be climbed twice during the 2010 Tour de France.

Death Track

This isn't good for Vancouver, all ready beset with one disaster after another - after all there's no snow for the winter Olympics. A major disaster in and of itself but nothing compared to the Luge track which sadly, terribly claimed a life today.

Nodar Kumaritashvili, 21, of Soviet Georgia was killed in a horrific crash today on a practice run. The accident is horrendous and difficult to watch (yes, it's on video). Our condolences go out to his entire family and teammates.

This is the 12th accident on the same track this month as Olympians converge on Vancouver for training runs. The mens Luge competition is scheduled to begin tomorrow but there's no way. No Way. As of now, the Georgian team is thinking of packing it up and heading home - a mere hours before Opening Ceremonies are due to begin. This is horrible for everyone involved. A Man Died. Georgia wants the entire event canceled. Can you blame them?

Athletes are super critical of this track, dubbed the fastest in the world, and which seems unnecessarily dangerous, using the athletes "like guinea pigs." There have been a dozen high speed crashes on the track as well as a new world speed record. It simply isn't safe. The pole that poor Nodar hit at 140km an hour was unpadded and his body bounced off it like a sack of flour.

Several of the crashes resulted in hospital visits and an athlete being knocked unconscious for a few minutes. 140km an hour is slow on this track and officials are looking into modifying tracks for the 2014 Olympics that are actually designed with safety in mind.

UPDATE:

The womens downhill ski event has been canceled due to RAIN and the mens event is also in jeopardy at this hour. Athletes are upset to say the least.

2010 Winter Olympics

Opening Ceremonies are tonight at 7:30 on NBC!

The Dragon Slayer and The Black Widow

Survivors: Heroes Vs. Villians

A Survivor Premiere Episode Recap:

This is going to be another awesome season of Survivor. The All Star seasons are fantastic because you know everyone going in. This year's cast is great on both sides of the Hero/Villain Survivor coin.

The contestants were choppered in, giving them a pampered entrance, as in other years they've had to read crude maps and hike or swim 9 miles to camp. As Jeff Probst assembled them, the villains grumbled that they really weren't villains - "What did we do?," wailed one anorexic contestant. To which, Jeff recited a litany of bad behavior. Seriously.. how great is Jeff?

Things got heated up super fast as Jeff launched them into their first reward challenge, wherein Stephanie almost immediately got her shoulder dislocated due to the roughhousing of the other contestants. It was mean. The boys loved it. Know what they loved more? On the second ladies round when Sugar got her top ripped off and promptly ran topless with her prize into the end zone turned and flipped the finger at the other girls. The boys really cheered on that run!

Sadly, Colby got owned by Coach who "frog rode him to the pad." Oh Boy. Coach is back. And speaking of the Dragon Slayer, he's smitten by original Survivor Villianess/Temptress/Black Widow Jerri Manthey who seems equally flirty. They actually would make a cute couple. Plus, seeing Jerri suck the life out of Coach would be fun. It's a Bad Romance...Haha. The Bad Bromance..? That's Coach (again) and Boston Rob who had some of the best lines of the night. Typical, BR, "Our women are clearly stronger than theirs." What a riot. He's probably right, though. After all, Stefanie ripped her arm out of it's socket and tried to decline medical afraid she'd get booted.

The second challenge, immunity, was ridiculous. Swim here, assemble this, light this on fire...it was all of the challenges mashed together and proved Chirie knows shit about solving a puzzle. She had a ten minute lead and BLEW IT. And somehow, Sugar is to blame and is the first Survivor to get voted off.

Russell is back and this is his chance to prove that he is the greatest Survivor contestant ever. He also had some great lines last night, although he is trying to keep low key for now.

J.T. needs to be subtitled. We can't understand a damn thing he says.

Poor, Rupert has no clue how to start a fire and almost wasted all the flint. It was sad. On the other hand, Boston Rob was wondering why no one on his tribe wanted to do anything as far as survival. They didn't feel like building a fire, or a shelter. So he started a fire by himself the old fashioned boy scout way...rubbing sticks together.

It was a good episode and a great preview of what's to come this season...

R.I.P Captain Phil Harris

Captain Phil Harris passed away yesterday from complications of the stroke he suffered last week.

Statement from Discovery - Discovery mourns the loss of dear friend and colleague Captain Phil Harris. He was more than someone on our television screen. Phil was a devoted father and loyal friend to all who knew him. We will miss his straightforward honesty, wicked sense of humor and enormous heart. We share our tremendous sadness over this loss with the millions of viewers who followed Phil’s every move. We send our thoughts and prayers to Phil’s sons Josh and Jake and the Cornelia Marie crew.

Sig Hansen, captain of the Northwestern, says this on his website "Phil Harris was called home and will forever be remembered."

The Time Bandit, of Hillstrand Family fame, posted this message online: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Phil Harris. May God bless and care for Phil and his family."

The Fisherman's Prayer:
God grant that I may live to fish,
until my dying day,
And when it comes to my last cast,
I then most humbly pray,
When in the Lord's safe landing net,
I'm peacefully asleep,
That in his mercy I be judged,
As big enough to keep.

Update:

There is a makeshift memorial at the Seattle Fisherman's wharf for Cap't. Phil. Funeral plans have not been disclosed yet.

Snow Day

We're snowed in.
Here are a few other sites to enjoy:

Bored.com
cracked.com
reddit.com
ListVerse.com
TotallyLooksLike.com

Thar Be Whale Wars, Captain!

The Steve Irwin exchanges water cannon fire with
a Japanese whaler, February 6, 2010.

Saving the whales is a dangerous job. KUDOS to the Sea Shepard's!! They may be calling you terrorists now, but in the years to come you'll be recognized as the heroes you are. BOO HISS to the Australian Royal Navy who does NOTHING to keep the Japanese ships out of their waters. The Nisshin Maru runs rampant, doing anything it wants, including opening fire on anti-whaling ships.

Yesterday, the Maru was surprised as shit. You see, when they opened their water canons on the Bob Barker, the Steve Irwin fired back with BIGGER and BETTER water canons, making the Japanese whalers run for cover on their own decks! HA! Both ships, the Bob Barker and the Steve Irwin confronted the whalers this past weekend.

"It does not matter where they go, east or west along the Antarctic Coast," said Steve Irwin 1st Officer Locky MacLean. "We intend to stick to their rear like glue and we will not allow a single whale to be loaded onto the decks of that foul floating abattoir."

Fucking A, dude. Go for it! In 2009-2010 over 300 whales were killed by Japanese whalers. How many more do they "need for research."???

Please donate to this wonderful, kick-ass conservation society:
SeaShepard.org



Dalai Lama - 1998 Letter of Support

for the Sea Shepards.

Who Dat Winning Superbowls?

When the Saints Go Marching Into the EndZone great things happen!
Congrats to Drew Brees and The New Orleans Saints!
This is going to be the Best. Mardi. Gras. Ever!

Aints vs. Dolts

Self-described teams New Orleans Aints and the Indianapolis Dolts go head-to-head today in the Superbowl.

Both teams had an awesome season and the nicknames end now. This Superbowl should be a great game.

Who Dat?

R.I.P. Francis Reid

"Alice and Tom Horton" together again in TV heaven...

The Days of her life are sadly over and Salem will never be the same. Francis Reid, aka, Alice Horton long-time Matriarch of the Horton clan, died yesterday at 95 years young. She joins her tv hubby MacDonald Carrey who passed away in 1994. The two starred on daytime's 3rd longest running soap - Days of Our Lives - which debuted in 1965.

February 2, 2010

What a day! There is breaking news all over the place!

1) The Groundhog DID see his shadow. Prepare accordingly for another 6 weeks of winter.

2) Oscars Noms are out! Viggo Mortensen is shut out for his awesome work in The Road. SUCKO ACADEMY! Besides that - UP, the animated Disney movie, is nominated for Best Animated Pic AND Best Picture, a historic move on part of the Academy.

Breakdown:

Avatar and The Hurt Locker have 9 noms each. Get this - James Cameron, director of Avatar and Kathryn Bigelow, director of Hurt Locker used to be MARRIED! What a showdown! We hope Bigelow wins 'cause Cameron's such an egotistical prick as it is.

1. Best Picture: "Avatar," "The Blind Side," "District 9," "An Education," "The Hurt Locker," "Inglourious Basterds," "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire," "A Serious Man," "Up," "Up in the Air."

2. Actor: Jeff Bridges, "Crazy Heart"; George Clooney, "Up in the Air"; Colin Firth, "A Single Man"; Morgan Freeman, "Invictus"; Jeremy Renner, "The Hurt Locker."

3. Actress: Sandra Bullock, "The Blind Side"; Helen Mirren, "The Last Station"; Carey Mulligan, "An Education"; Gabourey Sidibe, "Precious: Based on the Novel `Push' by Sapphire"; Meryl Streep, "Julie & Julia."

4. Supporting Actor: Matt Damon, "Invictus"; Woody Harrelson, "The Messenger"; Christopher Plummer, "The Last Station"; Stanley Tucci, "The Lovely Bones"; Christoph Waltz, "Inglourious Basterds."

5. Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz, "Nine"; Vera Farmiga, "Up in the Air"; Maggie Gyllenhaal, "Crazy Heart"; Anna Kendrick, "Up in the Air"; Mo'Nique, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire."

6. Directing: James Cameron, "Avatar"; Kathryn Bigelow, "The Hurt Locker"; Quentin Tarantino, "Inglourious Basterds"; Lee Daniels, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"; Jason Reitman, "Up in the Air."

For the complete list:
2010 Oscar Nominees

3) LOST IS BACK!!!!! Prepare for the final season that debuts tonight at 9 on ABC.
We are promised answers to all the mysteries of the island and we better get them. Producers have sworn that we WILL NOT get the Sopranos fade to black ending, or the Newhart/Dallas it was all a dream ending. Honestly, we better get a satisfactory wrap up to this or...or...else!

4) This was a few days ago and worth the mention - The 2010 MusiCares Person Of The Year is Neil Young! The tribute for him was held at the Los Angeles Convention Center last Friday night. Dozens of musicians and stars came out to honor the GREAT GREAT NEIL YOUNG.

"In what was a staggering display of star power and rock & roll might, dozens of music luminaries gathered on Friday night to celebrate Neil Young as MusiCares Person of the Year."

YAY! We can't think of anyone who deserves it more!

Rolling Stone article

The Rainbow Bridge

In Honor of Tetonka who would have been 18 today. We miss you more than you can imagine...

The Rainbow Bridge
inspired by a Norse legend

By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,
Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.
Where the friends of man and woman do run,
When their time on earth is over and done.
For here, between this world and the next,
Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest.
On this golden land, they wait and they play,
Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.
No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,
For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.
Their limbs are restored, their health renewed,
Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued.
They romp through the grass, without even a care,
Until one day they start, and sniff at the air.
All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back,
Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack.
For just at that instant, their eyes have met;
Together again, both person and pet.
So they run to each other, these friends from long past,
The time of their parting is over at last.
The sadness they felt while they were apart,
Has turned into joy once more in each heart.
They embrace with a love that will last forever,
And then, side-by-side, they cross over… together.

© 1998 Steve and Diane Bodofsky. All Rights Reserved.

GET WELL SOON, Captain Phil!!

Josh, Phil and Jake Harris

Fans of the Deadliest Catch Discovery Channel reality show are waking to the news that one of their favorite Captain's - Phil Harris of the Cornelia Marie - has suffered an intense stroke and has been placed into a medically induced coma.

While unloading the catch at tiny, remote St. Paul island deep in the Bering Sea, Phil stroked out and had to be flown to Anchorage for emergency surgery. The surgery lasted over 12 hours and they had to put him in a coma to reduce swelling on the brain.

His kids, Jake and Josh are on site with him and updates should be coming out later today. In the meantime they have released this statement:
Josh and Jake Harris thank everyone for their heartfelt thought and prayers. The 'Deadliest Catch' community has always been more like family than just fans, and Discovery Channel joins the Harris boys in thanking everyone for their wishes of support. Captain Phil is resting comfortably and is in the care of excellent doctors and nurses. We will update everyone on his progress as best we can.

We wish him well and urge him and all those guys up there to STOP SMOKING! It might not be the root cause, but it sure as hell doesn't help.

Cornelia Maria.com

Sweet 16

Roger Federer won the Australian Open Sunday beating Andy "I'm another choke artist" Murray. What is it with the Andy's? Anyway, Roger is now officially the "Best Men's Tennis Player to have Ever Graced the Court." With his 16th Grand Slam title under his belt, Roger celebrated all night with family and friends. Look for Federer to sweep all four Slams this year.

Here's the deal - Roger is a great guy off the court. Generous and funny, people love him. Who else drops a grand on pizza parties for the ball kids? On the court - we feel he's ruined tennis finals for years. Finals with Roger (with very few exceptions) are so lop-sided that its not FUN to watch. The matches leading up the finals are fantastic 5 set barnburners that make the sport fun, exciting, awesome and the reason why we LOVE LOVE LOVE tennis. Watching Roger sweep every final in 3 sets sucks. It just does.

Poor Andy Murray. He had to cut his 2nd place speech short when he was overcome with tears apologizing to all of the U.K. for losing. Memorable quote "I can cry like Roger, I just can't play like him". AWWW... He was then comforted by Federer and the look on Andy's face said it all. SHUT UP, ROGER!

Serena Williams won again. Her 12th Grand Slam. She is on course to becoming the greatest women's tennis player of all time. It's a shame really that she has such an asshole personality. We don't even care that she opened schools for disadvantaged kids because it comes off as insincere and a PR gimmick. "Hello - Serena - Oprah did that already." We totally can't stand her. We're sad she's tied Billie Jean King's record of 12 slams and will cry when she beats Martina Navratilova's record of 18 Grand Slam titles. We just LOVE Martina and Billie Jean!

Here's the Best and Worst of the Aussie Open - A great ESPN article.

Australian Open Update - 1/26/10

WoW! Marin Cilic (Chill-ich) is a kid on FIRE! He took out Roddick in 5 sets. We think he would be a serious contender if he hadn't had to go 5 sets in his last three matches(Blake, Del Potro & Roddick). As Mary Carrillo put it "He's tenderized. He's been softened for his next opponent." He'll be too drained to fight Murray or Federer. Then again, he's a kid and may have energy and fitness levels that can get him through it. He's Goran Ivanisevic's protege so we LOVE him now, even though he looks like Martin Scorsese did in 1801 when he was young...

Poor Andy Roddick! What a freaking choke artist he is! He cannot, cannot, cannot complete the deal..any deal...in a grand slam major. The guy cleans up in every other tourney all year. He's a GREAT Player. He just cannot seal a slam, ever. He's almost 29 now and will only have a few more seasons to do it. If he can't win another now in his 20's, he'll never do it in his 30's. Andy Roddick was a former World Ranked #1 and it's a shame he's only won 1 Grand Slam (2003 U.S. Open) in his career. He's lost to Federer 4 times in other finals including the Epic Heartbreak at Wimbledon which will live in Infamy (You WON that, Andy!). We'll have to see how he does the rest of the season. It's not too late!

Rafael Nadal. **SIGH** We're upset. He retired injured in 3 today against the other Andy. We've learned the reason he looks so anemic is that he lost a ton of weight to rehab his knee. His knee that he re-injured today. Poor Rafa. The only reason anyone ever questioned whether or not Federer was the best in the sport was because this kid, Rafa, came from nowhere and seemed unstoppable for a while - giving Federer a real run for his money every slam. Now, at only 23, his career may be over. Look for him to make a comeback at Wimbledon and the French - softer surfaces.

Andy Murray, is a ROCK STAR in England, they can't get enough of him. And we don't want to bash Little Timmy Henman, the UK's last "star" but it's no wonder the UK loves Murray. He's animated and passionate and for a pasty white boy from Scotland, he's got Game. Look for him to give Federer a challenge this year.

That leaves our favorite - Novak Djokovic (Joke-o-vich). He's beaten Alfred Tsonga before so we're hoping for a great rematch today.

Stay tuned!

Aussie Open Update - 1/25/10

Happy Australian Day to our Friends Down Under!

There were some BIG men's matches this weekend. Big Juan Del Potro lost in a 5 set barn burner to Marin Cilin. Verdasco and Davydenko also went 5 as well as Tsonga and Almagro. Davydenko and Tsonga were victorious and will move on to play against Federer and Djokovic.

Round of 8:
Roger Federer v Nikolay Davydenko
Novak Djokovic v Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Andy Roddick v Marin Cilic
Andy Murray v Rafael Nadal

Look for Federer to advance to the finals. We're hoping for Roddick to beat him this time!

In the women's round, the Williams sisters are going to end up head to head in the finals. Serena will probably win if she can resist shoving a racket down a linesman's throat.

Robert E. Howard

Author of the Month - January 2010

All fled--all done, so lift me on the pyre;
The feast is over, and the lamps expire.
- Howard's suicide note 6/11/1936

Robert E. Howard

On June 11, 1936, Robert Ervin Howard, The World's Greatest Writer of Fiction, killed himself by a self-inflicted gunshot. The above prose was found on his person at the time of death. Today is the 104th anniversay of his birth.

We firmly believe that Robert E. Howard was the greatest pulp fiction author, creator and literary genius that ever lived. He was a tortured person and that self-depth and imagination led to a lifetime's work of literary characters and world's that up until then had never before been penned.

We can thank him for creating such fantastic and awesome literary characters like Conan the Barbarian and Solomon Kane. He wrote in a surprising number of genres including detective stories, westerns, horror, historical fiction and of course his grand opus and gift - sword and sorcery. A genre he created and perfected.

Rivaled only by J.R.R. Tolkien in his lifetime, Howard enjoyed financial success having his short stories published in dozens of high paying magazines. His first Conan story, "The Phoenix and the Sword" was published in 1932. Like Tolkien, Robert E. Howard invented an entire world for his protagonist, Conan - the mythical land of Cimmeria in the Hyborian Age. It's an amazing place and one we enjoy visiting every now and again.

Robert E. Howard has continued to influence entire generations of writers including: Michael Moorcock, L. Sprague de Camp, Fritz Lieber and John Jakes to name a few.

Although most well known for his novels and stories, Howard's poetry is also just as hauntingly beautiful, creepy, powerful and amazing. Not exactly sunshiny happy stuff, due to the fact the Robert was a lifetime depressive, but remarkable just the same.

Here are a few verses from some of his best poems:

The mighty poets write in blood and tears
And agony that, flame-like, bites and sears.
They reach their mad blind hands into the night,
To plumb abysses dead to human sight;
To drag from gulfs where lunacy lies curled,
Mad, monstrous nightmare shapes to blast the world.
- "Musings"


What do I know of cultured ways, the gilt, the craft and the lie?
I, who was born in a naked land and bred in the open sky.
The subtle tongue, the sophist guile, they fail when the broadswords sing;
Rush in and die, dogs - I was a man before I was a king.
- "The Road of Kings"


Who are you?" I asked the phantom,
"I am rest from Hate and Pride.
"I am friend to king and beggar,
"I am Alpha and Omega,
"I was councilor to Hagar
"But men call me suicide."
I was weary of tide breasting,
Weary of the world's behesting,
And I lusted for the resting
As a lover for his bride."
- "The Tempter"


From wild red dawn to wild red dawn we held our iron line,
and fought till the blades broke in our hands
and the sea ran as red as wine.
With arrow, spear and heavy mace we broke the dragon's pride,
Thigh-deep in the roaring sea we fought and crimson ran the tide.
- "Diombar's Song of the Last Battle"

Bonus: Special Prayer to Crom, Supreme God of Cimmeria

Crom, I have never prayed to you before. I have no tongue for it. No one, not even you, will remember if we were good men or bad. Why we fought, or why we died. All that matters is that two stood against many. That's what's important! Valor pleases you, Crom... so grant me one request. Grant me revenge! And if you do not listen, then to HELL with you!

Conan.com
REH Wiki Article
Crossplains,TX Offical REH Site

Famous Frank Frazetta renditition of Conan the Barbarian


Arnold as Conan - Amazing!

Get Burned!

The 4th season of Burn Notice begins tonight!

16 new episodes of Mikey and Fiona blowing things up!
16 new episodes of BRUCE CAMPBELL!.

USA tonight at 10pm EST

UPDATE: Last night's episode is scoring a 9.6 out of 10. We agree!

Who do you think burned Michael?

Wes Studi

Check out this great interview by Brad Balfour with Native American Legendary Actor Wes Studi on his role as tribal chief Eytukan in the mega-hit Avatar:

HuffPost Article - Wes Studi

Studi as "Magua", the Bad Ass Motherfucking Huron warrior in The Last of the Mohicans

And as CGI tribal chief - Eytukan, in Avatar

No Cognac and Roses For Poe....

This year marks the first time since 1949 - 1949! - that the Poe Toaster failed to arrive to drink and leave the three red roses and half bottle of cognac for America's Greatest Writer.

Speculation is running high as to why the mystery man known as the Poe Toaster didn't show. Rumours run the gamut from "Did he die?" to "Maybe he has the Flu this year" to "it's over." It is believed that since last year was the 200 anniversary of his birth this would've been the perfect time to end the tradition.

50 people showed up at the cemetery this year to catch a glimpse of the man in black with the wide brimmed hat who makes this annual gift to Poe's grave. In other years, up to a hundred people have shown, some from as far away as Japan. This Poe Toaster thing has grown big and is/was a magnificent "literary" tradition. The people of Baltimore were shocked and saddened that he didn't show this year. It's a quirky thing that has turned into an elegant (albeit it COLD)ritual.

If it's over, we're sad to see it go. Something tells us though that someone will pick up the mantle next year and keep the yearly pilgrimage alive.

"New" lithograph reveals a happier looking Edgar Allen Poe

Hear the mellow wedding-bells,
Golden bells!
What a world of happiness their harmony foretells!
Through the balmy air of night
How they ring out their delight
From the molten-golden notes!
And all in tune,
What a liquid ditty floats
To the turtle-dove that listens, while she gloats
On the moon!
Oh, from out the sounding cells,
What a gust of euphony voluminously wells!
How it swells!
How it dwells
On the Future! how it tells
Of rapture that impels
To the swinging and the ringing
Of the bells, bells, bells--
Of the bells, bells, bells, bells,
Bells, bells, bells--
To the rhyming and the chiming of the bells!

2nd verse - "The Bells" - E.A. Poe
Not so Doom and Gloomy - eh?

Australian Open 2010 - Update

Australian open.com

SHARAPOVA UPSET in FIRST ROUND!
After a more than 3 hour battle, Maria Sharapova lost and is out to friendly rival Maria Kirilenko (our new fave!). Bye Maria! We'll try to enjoy the rest of the tourney without you!

For the Men - Murray, Nadal, Del Potro, Gonzalez all breezed through to the second round and for the Women - Clijsters, Henin, Safina and Kuznetsova are all also heading to the second.

What's wrong, Maria?

Golden Globes 1/17/2010

Golden Globes Official Site

THE 67th ANNUAL GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS NOMINATIONS
HOLLYWOOD FOREIGN PRESS ASSOCIATION

UPDATE: Winners in Bold!

BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
AVATAR
THE HURT LOCKER
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS
PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL PUSH BY SAPPHIRE
UP IN THE AIR

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
EMILY BLUNT - THE YOUNG VICTORIA
SANDRA BULLOCK - THE BLIND SIDE
HELEN MIRREN - THE LAST STATION
CAREY MULLIGAN - AN EDUCATION
GABOUREY SIDIBE - PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL PUSH BY SAPPHIRE

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
JEFF BRIDGES - CRAZY HEART
GEORGE CLOONEY - UP IN THE AIR
COLIN FIRTH - A SINGLE MAN
MORGAN FREEMAN - INVICTUS
TOBEY MAGUIRE - BROTHERS

BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
(500) DAYS OF SUMMER
THE HANGOVER
IT’S COMPLICATED
JULIE & JULIA
NINE

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE –COMEDY OR MUSICAL
SANDRA BULLOCK - THE PROPOSAL
MARION COTILLARD - NINE
JULIA ROBERTS - DUPLICITY
MERYL STREEP - IT’S COMPLICATED
MERYL STREEP - JULIE & JULIA

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
MATT DAMON - THE INFORMANT!
DANIEL DAY-LEWIS - NINE
ROBERT DOWNEY JR - SHERLOCK HOLMES
JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT - (500) DAYS OF SUMMER
MICHAEL STUHLBARG - A SERIOUS MAN

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS
CORALINE
FANTASTIC MR. FOX
THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG
UP

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
PENÉLOPE CRUZ - NINE
VERA FARMIGA - UP IN THE AIR
ANNA KENDRICK - UP IN THE AIR
MO’NIQUE - PRECIOUS
JULIANNE MOORE - A SINGLE MAN

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
MATT DAMON - INVICTUS
WOODY HARRELSON - THE MESSENGER
CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER - THE LAST STATION
STANLEY TUCCI - THE LOVELY BONES
CHRISTOPH WALTZ - INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS

BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURE
KATHRYN BIGELOW - THE HURT LOCKER
JAMES CAMERON - AVATAR
CLINT EASTWOOD - INVICTUS
JASON REITMAN - UP IN THE AIR
QUENTIN TARANTINO - INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS

BEST TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
BIG LOVE (HBO)
DEXTER (SHOWTIME)
MAD MEN (AMC)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
GLENN CLOSE - DAMAGES
JANUARY JONES - MAD MEN
JULIANNA MARGULIES - THE GOOD WIFE
ANNA PAQUIN - TRUE BLOOD
KYRA SEDGWICK - THE CLOSER

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
SIMON BAKER - THE MENTALIST
MICHAEL C. HALL - DEXTER
JON HAMM - MAD MEN
HUGH LAURIE - HOUSE
BILL PAXTON - BIG LOVE

BEST TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
30 ROCK (NBC)
ENTOURAGE (HBO)
GLEE (FOX)
MODERN FAMILY (ABC)
THE OFFICE (NBC)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
TONI COLLETTE
COURTENEY COX
EDIE FALCO
TINA FEY
LEA MICHELE

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
ALEC BALDWIN
STEVE CARELL
DAVID DUCHOVNY
THOMAS JANE
MATTHEW MORRISON

Causes

The Omni Report is proud to post links to the charities and causes that we feel are well worth the time.

"The good we do for ourselves, dies with us.
The good we do for others, is and will always be immortal"

Help People
Red Cross Haiti Relief

Help Children
UNICEF Haiti Relief

Help Animals
ASPCA Animal Rescue FUND - HAITI

The Art Gallery - Claude Lorrain 1600-1682

Pastoral Landscape, 1648

Landschaft mit der Nymphe, 1669

Harbourview at Sunrise, 1637

Coast Scene with Europa and the Bull, 1634

Aeneas, 1671

Haiti

Haiti's Presidential Palace before the 1/12/10 earthquake and after.

Please donate to the Red Cross and help.

The Great Wall of China

January 2010 - Archaeological Site of the Month

The Great Wall of China is an amazing monument of human achievement and one of the most famous landmarks on Earth. Whether or not is can be seem from space is in doubt, however, at over 4,000 miles in length, it is a awesome work.

It was designed an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

Although it's over 2,000 years old, parts of the wall are in remarkable shape, a testament to the masonry and craftsmanship that went in to the building of the wall. You can see from the pictures below, the watchtowers and ramparts could be usable today to repel an invading army.

Great Wall Tour Groups

Wiki article

R.I.P. Stephen Huneck

This is so sad.

The world lost a fabulous guy yesterday when artist and all-around-nice-guy Stephen Huneck killed himself.

Stephen who was famous for his superior artistry in wood carvings, of dogs!, was despondent over having to lay off staff at his Vermont art gallery called Dog Mountain and fearful over losing the establishment altogether.

From the AP:
"A native of Sudbury, Mass., he started out whittling wooden sculptures and later dog-themed furniture, like the wooden pews eventually installed in the chapel, which he built in 2000, a miniature version of the 19th-century churches that dot Vermont's landscape.

Built of wood harvested from his 175-acre Dog Mountain property, it had vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows with images of dogs pieced into them.

"Welcome all creeds, all breeds. No dogmas allowed," says the sign outside.

"When dogs pull up in here, they may never have been here before, but it's like they saw the 'Disneyland' sign," said Huneck in a 2008 interview with The Associated Press. "They just get so excited, so happy," he said.

Anyone who goes out his way to make dogs happy is aces with us.
Our condolences to his family, friends, supporters and staff.

Picture from Stephen's website. Stephen and his dog's Artimus, Molly and Heidi in front of the Dog Chapel on Dog Mountain, St. Johnsbury, Vermont

Dog Mountain Art Gallery
Abc news article
Dog Chapel Story Wonderful!

The King is Dead - Long Live the King!

Who loves ya, Baby?

Elvis reached the Billboard #1 in 1956 for a little ditty called "Heartbreak Hotel" and followed that up with gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards for about 150 singles and albums, not to mention a bunch of Grammy awards. Today he would've turned 75 years old.

75th B'day Party at Graceland

Survivor: Heroes vs. Villians Cast Reveal

The All Star Heroes vs Villians Survivor cast was revealed during The People's Choice Awards last night.

One word: Colby! Two words: Russell Hantz!

Here we go:
Heroes
Rupert Boneham (Previous seasons: Pearl Islands, All-Stars)

James Clement (Previous seasons: China, Micronesia)

Colby Donaldson (Previous seasons: The Australian Outback, All-Stars)

Cirie Fields (Previous seasons: Panama, Micronesia)

Amanda Kimmell (Previous seasons: China, Micronesia)

Jessica “Sugar” Kiper (Previous season: Gabon)

Stephenie LaGrossa (Previous seasons: Palau, Guatemala)

James “J.T.” Thomas (Previous season: Tocantins)

Tom Westman (Previous season: Palau)

Candice Woodcock (Previous season: Cook Islands)


Villains

Tyson Apostol (Previous season: Tocantins)

Randy Bailey (Previous season: Gabon)

Sandra Diaz-Twine (Previous season: Pearl Islands)

Danielle DiLorenzo (Previous season: Panama)

Russell Hantz (Previous season: Samoa)

Jerri Manthey (Previous seasons: Australian Outback, All-Stars)

“Boston” Rob Mariano (Previous seasons: Marquesas, All-Stars)

Parvati Shallow (Previous seasons: Cook Islands, Micronesia)

“Coach” Benjamin Wade (Previous season: Tocantins)

Courtney Yates (Previous season: China)


Rupert! Colby! Russell!
Jerri Manthey is back. People hate hated her, but what can she do now?

3 things:
Coach again? NOOO!
It's another season of Jeff yelling Poverty instead of Parvati, which is actually quite funny.
And.....Boston Rob...

War at Sea!

War at Sea!

The war between The Sea Shepard Conservation Group and Japanese whalers in the Southern Ocean near Australia escalated yesterday with a series of incidents leading to the sinking of one boat, extensive damage to another and the anti-whaling vessel, Bob Barker, coming to the rescue!

A Japanese whaling ship rammed the super high tech stealth boat, Ady Gil, operated by The Sea Shepard Conservation Group. Smashed into pieces the Ady Gil crew was evacuated and rescued by the crew of THE BOB BARKER, the newly renovated former Norwegian whaling vessel.

Where the fuck is the Royal Australian Navy?

Protesters are pissed. "This is Australian Antarctic territorial waters and I see the Japanese whalers doing whatever they want with impunity down here without a single Australian government vessel anywhere to be found..."

They have a valid point and one that isn't being taken seriously by their own government. Australian officials have basically told the Sea Shepards "to exercise restraint in the name of safety." WTF?

The other Sea Shepard vessel, Steve Irwin, has also been involved with this, pursuing the Japanese whaling fleet for weeks and avoiding Japanese "security ships" that threaten the Sea Shepard's daily. It was one of these security ships, The Something or Other Maru, that critically disabled the Ady Gil.

Learn more:

Sea Shepard.org

Bob Barker ship

Pic of the ruined Ady Gil

News - 1/4/2010

America's Most Wanted strikes again.
Way to go John Walsh!

Hungarian Rhapsody
In the "you can't make this shit up department" - the next time you find yourself living in a cave, you might just be the next multi-billionaire...

The Turkish Zahi Hawass
Not another one!

Uganda is messed up!
And these guys sure didn't help. Why is it that the people most drawn to Christ and his desire for love and peace - HAVE NO FUCKING CLUE? Dont they know that they have to die a horrible death for eating shrimp?! It's in the bible, right next to the whole "gay thing". Oh wait, they missed that part...oh! That explains it.

Top Archaeological finds of 2009
Great slide show at msnbc.com

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

MOVE YOUR MONEY

Sacramento Tent City 2009 - Population 300+ and growing fast

Our last post regarding the year in review made light of the poor financial situation affecting this country.

In reality, the situation we're in is worse than you can imagine. Unemployment statistics reveal that as of November 2009, 15.4 million people are unemployed, a number that was 7.5 million in December 2007*.

The "Housing Bubble" is a stupid euphemism that means entire families are now living under bridges, in tent cities, in decrepit conditions and with other members of their families in crowded over-filled houses.

Who's to blame? Ordinary people are a minor cause. There were millions of people who bought houses without the means to support the mortgage payments. The MAJOR cause? "Predatory Lending" from major financial institutions that don't give a fuck.

From Huffington Post:
"The big banks on Wall Street, propped up by taxpayer money and government guarantees, have had a record year, making record profits while returning to the highly leveraged activities that brought our economy to the brink of disaster. In a slap in the face to taxpayers, they have also cut back on the money they are lending, even though the need to get credit flowing again was one of the main points used in selling the public the bank bailout. But since April, the Big Four banks -- JP Morgan/Chase, Citibank, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo -- all of which took billions in taxpayer money, have cut lending to businesses by $100 billion."

Have you had enough of this Wall Street Bullshit? Then help support Main Street!

Join a Grassroots Movement that can impact you and help free America from the callous, jaded and wholly unacceptable behaviour of these big banks.

GO LOCAL AND MOVE YOUR MONEY! Move Your Money.info

The theory is that if ordinary people started to move their money into local community banks and credit unions, then the big banks wouldn't be able to spend millions of dollars to lobby the government against US. It's an idea so simple, that it just might work. Of course, we aren't economists but we are optimists and believe that one good turn deserves another.

WAKE UP SHEEPLE and JOIN THE REVOLUTION!

Here is the link to Arianna's main article: Huffington Post

* Department of Labor statistics

A MUST SEE!

2009 Year in Review

2009 was quite a year and one we are happy to have end.

The economic situation dominated everything and changed America's spending habits. Staycation became a household word - pun intended. Money, or lack of it, has driven some people to suicide and despair while others are taking advantage. After all, mansions are half price now.

We lost more celebrities than any other year in history. Although somehow, Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears managed to stay alive. Go figure!

Celebrity scandals were almost low key except for the J&K+8 explosion. Jon and Kate Gosselin dominated the gossip rags ALL year. We can't even wait for J. Goss to kill himself. Go for it Jon! And take your whores with you! Speaking of whores....

Tiger "Check out my One Wood! Have you seen my Love Club"? Woods. We actually have to hand it to this guy. How the hell did he have time to 1) have a successful busy career, 2) marry and have 2 kids and 3) have sex with 675 whores a year? Beware of Tiger's Not-so-Hidden Dragon!

For some reason, celebrity divorces seem to be the big end of the year story. We couldn't care less.

Reality shows continued to dominate in 2009. Every profession has one: repo men, pawn shop owners, salon owners, saloon owners, bakers, paranormal investigators, wedding dress proprietors - not to mention ice road truckers and Bering Sea crabbers. We would like to see one on Administrative Assistants That Kill.

Pawn Stars is one of our favorite shows of all time. It's like the Antiques Roadshow on steroids. Love. It.

Survivor, Top Chef and Amazing Race had their BEST SEASONS EVER. Seriously, after 20 seasons Jeff Probst is just hitting his stride. We are looking forward to Survivor All Stars: Heroes vs. Villains. Anyone for more Johnny Fairplay? How about Colby? We're just guessin'.

Movies this year received scathing blows from critics leading most people to avoid them at all costs. Still, teens flocked to Transformers 2 and New Moon, and the end of the year Hollywood numbers are off the chart because of Avatar and Sherlock Holmes.

Wolverine was one of our favorite movies this year. Hugh Jackman is AWESOME as Wolverine. And Liev Strieber was in it - cannot go wrong there. Speaking of Liev, anyone see Defiance? Great movie about defiant Jews. And speaking of Defiant Jews - Run don't walk to rent Inglorious Basterds. Best. Jewish. Revenge. Fantasy. Ever. Although it's probably the ONLY Jewish revenge fantasy movie.

Star Trek was definitely worth it. Karl Urban as Dr. McCoy is inspired casting at its best. Go Karl! BTW, Karl had the Best Movie of 2007 - Pathfinder (with the ever awesome, fave actor Clancy Brown). Go rent it.

The Hangover is THE BEST MOVIE OF THE YEAR. Hands down. This movie is spectacularly hilarious. Comedies are really never funny the whole way through. Hangover is hysterical. On every level. The whole way and do not miss the credits!

In politics...oh, the hell with it. Do you care?

Let's talk SuBo!! Susan Boyle is one our favorite people this year. Her story is incredible and lovely. It's a Cinderella fantasy come true! How could a middle-aged frumpy lady become an international sensation outselling Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Eminem, Beyonce and Rihanna combined!? Her record "I Dreamed a Dream" has smashed the record charts on every continent in the world, becoming history in and of itself. We're happy for her!

Lady GaGa. What can we say? Anyone who can make a dress out of Kermit the Frog dolls and another one out of Hello Kitty dolls deserves 15 minutes of fame. Talk about letting your Freak Flag Fly...YGG!

Well, we can't wrap-up our 2009 end of the year post without mentioning.....2012! 2012 end-of-the-world-mania has taken off and gone mainstream. Everyone knows about it now. What will happen? Will the world end? Will we be obliterated through war, famine, disease, an asteroid, zombies? We'll save our opinion for another post, but are leaning towards zombies right now....

Other things to mention for 2009? Captain Sully, Michael Jackson, Somali Pirates, Barack Obama, Ted Kennedy, Swine Flu, Juan del Potro....There are 50 million more subjects that we could have touched on for 2009.

What else happened in 2009? The Omni Report! We hope you've enjoyed our "little blog". Thanks for reading and supporting our sponsors. Have a GREAT New Year and come back soon. We have lots planned for 2010.

Conspiracy Theory of the Month - 12/09

SANTA CLAUS

Does he exist or not? How does he deliver presents to all children on Earth in one night? Do his reindeer really play games and have a leader with a red nose? Are his elves volunteers or actually child laboring slaves? Is Mrs. Claus complicit, an unwitting pawn or is she the secret mastermind of this whole affair?

All these questions and more will be answered by the end of this post!

First, what is his real name? Father Christmas? Saint Nicholas? Kris Kringle? Santa Claus? Gandalf? Is he in the witness protection program? Why so many names for one man?

Secondly, where does he live? In the mountains of Finland? The ambiguous "far north"? The North Pole? He must be in the witness protection program. His location is always changing!

Legends of the man known as Saint Nicholas date back to the 8th century while others take us up to the 13th century in Germany and to 17th century legends in Belgium and the Netherlands. All describe a man giving presents to children and the other variants of the story crop up through time as the legend grew - 8 reindeer, a sled, sliding through chimneys,etc....

Current intelligence places his location at the North Pole where he is residing, as he has the past century, under the guise "Santa Claus".

Radar confirmations through the U.S. government military agency NORAD, do seem to verify the existence and travels of "Santa Claus" on the 24th night of December every year. Radar indications of a large sled pulled by eight reindeer are also confirmed! So the legends, so far, seem true!

The reindeer games are speculative. The deer aren't talking to anyone. You know how loose lips sink ships. With this economy, even the disgruntled deer know not to make waves with "the big guy". Everybody wants to keep their job. We were able to confirm through a secret Elf source, that yes, Rudolph, the lead reindeer, does indeed have a bulbous red light as a nose "that is as cute as a button and more functional than Halogen lights in a hailstorm." Another Elf source was quoted as saying "They definitely play games." Well there you have it. Now do they let Rudolph play is the question.

Interviews with the Mrs. and the Elves are a little easier to come by. According to NPZ, the North Pole exclusive gossip rag, Mrs. Claus has gone on record, going so far as to say, "It's a shame that this controversy has to come up every year. Of course my husband exists, of course he delivers presents to all children on Earth in one night...His secret? Magic, of course! Anyone for some hot chocolate?" This leads us to believe that Mrs. Claus is an innocent yet complicit pawn that secretly masterminds the entire North Pole Operation of one such "Santa Claus".

The Elves? Well, they are befuddled as to how they could be confused with "slavery" and "forced labor camps". Hermie, the Head Elf and Chief Dentist of the North Pole Elves Association, recently tweeted that Elf Service contract negotiations with "Santa" are on going every summer and that this year, despite the economy, the Elves are promised a bonus and no more furlough days. Although salaries are frozen again this year, Hermie added, "Everything is frozen up here anyway." They couldn't be happier with the the way the contract talks turned out this year.

As far as Santa's one-night delivery system, good and bad children's list and strange clothing style, we're told by "a source" that Santa has been on top of technology from the beginning and was "way ahead of Lotus notes" and "turbo charged fuel injected nitrous overdrives." One Elf close to Hermie's upper echelon camp bragged, "Twitter and Facebook have nothing on what we've got!"

We couldn't obtain a comment about the clothes so we went to The Fashion Master, Tim Gunn, and asked his opinion. All he could say was that Mrs. Claus must have had to "make it work".

Well, for some, Santa will always be a conspiracy. A made up commercial "Deity" for mass consumption and everything that is wrong with a materialistic society that has "lost its way".

For others he will always be real.

Why is it important to believe in Santa Claus?

Because Hope, Magic, Faith and Dreams are the things that bring out the best in us and what makes us better human beings. He represents Giving, Family and Selflessness. And that is a Good Thing.

NORAD Santa Tracker