Happy Birthday Great... Uh.. Americans.

I am taking off the day to go watch a double-header at Sox Park. Should be fun... hope the White Sox win at least one. Doubtful.

I wanted to use my blog today to reflect on today's two big birthdays. George W and 50 Cent both have a birthday today. That's right. And both have a secured a place in American history... not necessarily a good thing. I am so hoping they get together and party tonight - that would be a site to see. Another day I am so proud to have these true America Idols in my life... uh...

Nathan's.

Every Independence Day I watch the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition... until they start eating. Watching it makes me feel ill, so I leave the room for 12 minutes and then return to see who won. For the past six years it has been Takeru Kobayashi, who came out of no where... and really change the competition forever. Before Kobayashi it was only super obese dudes who won, then a skinny guy from Japan won the title. And won it for six consecutive years.

Until yesterday, when Joey Chestnut won by eating a record 66 hot dogs in 12 minutes (and not barfing). The best part was at the end the crowd cheering "U.S.A." and then Joey being draped with an American flag. The title of biggest hot dog pig was once again held by an American. It was like we had just won World War 3.

I love the U.S.A because we all have this need to win everything. It's funny. We all have a little part of this in us... and that's one reason why so many people around the world dislike us. Even our little American hippies and anarchists that hate America... they all want to win so badly and be number one (smoke the most weed, drop the most acid, burn the most logging trucks, etc). So what better way to spend Independence Day by watching an American win a hot dog eating competition. Nice!

* I ended my day by watching Lil' Bush. Classic!

4th of July.

4th of July is here... so that means a big Hollywood Motion Picture. This year it's Transformers. I give it a C+. I was never was into the Transformers as a kid... so maybe that is why it's not a B- for me. And it's way too long.

Happy Independence Day!!!

Remaking. Doing Wrong.

Last night I watched the movie Angels In The Outfield... because I am a total sucker for baseball movies. Many of my favorite movies are about baseball. In case you are wondering, my favorite baseball movie is the original Bad News Bears (1976). This was not the terrible 1994 Angels movie with Christopher Llyod and Danny Glover... no no no, this was the original version that was released in 1951. The original is so much better. It's about the Pittsburgh Pirates. It's simple and charming. If you ever see if you will wonder, like I did, why anyone who ever remake the film.

This re-do of classic films is something that gets to me. Is the film industry running out of good, original ideas? There have been so many classic films remade that I'm surprised someone allowed them to be made. Doesn't the film industry have a board that could stop the remaking a films that were just fine, even fantastic, the first time?

I know there are plans to remake Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds, and also plans to remake The Warriors. Maybe they are even done by now and just waiting release. Why would anyone remake a cult classic movie like The Warriors... or re-do an Alfred Hitchcock film - hello? he is one of the best film makers to ever live. And now they are remaking Hairspray... John Waters better be getting massively rich for this to happen.

From Planet of the Apes to Psycho to Poseidon to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre to even my beloved Bad News Bears. When will it end?

The Weekend Wrap Up.

So the weekend was not over the top exciting... but maybe that's why it was such a good one. As I get older I think I appreciate simpler things, although I still notice (and I am reminded by others) I have a hard time relaxing and sitting still.

1. Went to View & Brew and saw Hot Fuzz. Drank High Life. Thumbs up.

2. Did some grilling and played Scrabble in the backyard while enjoying a perfect summer evening. A neighborhood cat (Smokie) came and hung out with us. A huge June bug landed on my shoulder and scared the living shit out of me. Guess I still don't like large bugs.

3. Saw the Narrator play at the Beat Kitchen. Good times.

4. Went and finally saw Knocked Up. Fantastic! My brother told me it's even funnier if you have kids. LP and I always talk about going to the movies and never do. This weekend we saw two movies. Nice.

5. Saw Sara Evans at Grant Park. We showed up late so we were really far away, but she sounded good.

I love the winter... but a weekend like this past one could make me a fan of summer each and every day. It reminds me that I did live in California for 20 years.