They'll always find an appropriate highlight, won't they?

From the NYT, August 16
Article about a Bollywood actor detained at Newark airport.

'In the India Day parade in Manhattan, Pooja Patel, 15, was carried as part of a troupe advertising an online matrimonial site.' (Pic: Damon Winter/The New York Times)

Courtesy Winnie Hu, readers can assume child marriage is the norm in India, and in the community. Nice.

At least it wasn't Somini Sengupta this time. Winnie beat her to it.

Strike 3 - Let's see. Michael Phelps at it again.

Michael Phelps at it again.

The last time we had the bong incident. And we were to look for when he'd say "I'm 27, and...". Looks like Phelps is going to go with "I'm 24, and....".

Reports are he's likely not in trouble this time -

'Olympic gold medal swimming champion Michael Phelps was involved in a traffic accident in Baltimore, Maryland, on Thursday night'

- but I'd wait and watch

Very Standard No-Nos by me =)

Now, don't be judgmental: ;)

- White socks with black shoes
- Labeling something 'First/best/largest in Asia'
- Shaking hands (there are also people that need to shake hands every time they meet you that day)
- Recalling anyone's birthday (close relatives excused). Tracking people's birthdays is creepy.
- 'See, the thing is 'I'm very frank , I tell it like it is' (Has anyone ever admitted to being otherwise. 'See, I never tell it like it is. I use riddles')
- Black trousers and brown shoes (add white socks here, even worse)
- Idiot friendship day messages (especially when sent by guys)
- 'I'm into classic rock'
- '___ city is different from ten years ago' . (what they said ten yrs ago)
- Being handed the phone to talk to someone you've never met. 'Here, I told my geezer friend about you and he wants to say hi' (I so so hate this, hate hate it)
- 'You're a (zodiac sign here) I can tell'. This is dumb enough from girls, but downright gay from a guy.

Been a late night for no reason, and there are repeats from last year. :)

Red Sox tainted - and look at whodunit

Don't know how I missed this earlier today - apparently Manny and David Ortiz tested positive years ago.

Come to think of it, look at Manny's appearance over the years... , and here take a look at this for Ortiz.

The Boston Globe article says 'Our cheaters were better than their cheaters', referring to Sox fans' glee over the parade of Yankee dopsters - A-Rod, Giambi, Clemens over the years.

Anyway, what big surprise after Roger Clemens - there will be more revelations.

They should start a separate Hall of Fame - a Hall of Fame*.

I don't get Twitter -

Does everyone need to know what you're doing?

Is broadcasting that important, does anyone care?

The end of Michael Jackson - a non fan thinks back....

Michael Jackson is Dead.

And who did not know who he was?

Michael Jackson or 'Cycle' Jackson as I referred to him was likely the greatest music star ever - in terms of popularity and chart success. The global superstar. Kids worldwide grew up in the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s with MJ. I choose to remember his good years, not the controversies afterward, and the ignominy of his living away in exile.

To hear today that he was gone brought back several memories like I'm sure for many others. Everyone, everyone knew who MJ was, everyone had heard a MJ number, and everyone wondered what kind of freakshow he was too.

First off, I can't believe Michael Jackson is 50. Was 50. And he died of what....?! Wasn't he supposed to die, by rumor, of some disease some months ago?

I always wondered, aloud sometimes, how someone so immensely talented and popular went this way. Progressively whacko. Whacko Jacko.

Though I've always been into rock/metal - a dyed-in-the-wool fan, and not pop or anything of the MJ genre - he was always around. I used to snigger at friends that went to MJ shows, listened to MJ numbers, people that imitated MJ moves. But there was no ignoring the showman, the entertainer. He was always around - in posters, on MTV videos, in the news, on radio, everywhere, a constant.

Michael Jackson is dead. Unbelievable. This is going to take some getting used to.

March Madness - Can you believe Syracuse?

A fantastic run with two OTs to the Big East Finals before running out of steam. And now to the Sweet 16 during March Madness.

Good stuff, Orange.

'Unfortunate Names' =)

The moment I saw this article, I was reminded of several even more unfortunate names. Far more unfortunate.These were of India students back in the day at Syracuse. The expressions of landlords, nurses, university office staff were priceless when these newbies mentioned their names.

'Wait a minute, did you say your name is _____?'

From this piece:
'What do you call some of the most unlucky people in Britain?

Justin Case, Barb Dwyer and Stan Still.

It sounds like a bad joke, but a study has revealed that there really are unfortunate people with those names....'

Oh, they could do a lot worse; don't you think, Deepshita?

A great sporting weekend - Tennis, Football, (and swimming).

And there have been several such before.

• Fri,a stellar Australian Open semi final: Nadal vs. Verdasco. List this among the all-time great five setters.
• (Sat, disregard the women's final. Boring. More reason to not watch any of these one siders. Had actually stopped watching a few years.)
• Sun, an amazing men's final. Too bad FeDex lost again to Rafa, but what else could he do to save the match?
• Sun, a thrilling Super Bowl. It all happened in the final two minutes for the Steelers, but it was almost the second (or third?) coming of Kurt Warner. Think his performance was enough to qualify.

No wait, there's more -

• Sun, swim legend Michael Phelps demonstrated his ability to smoke from a bong.

He said:
"I'm 23 years old, and despite the successes I have had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner that people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public -- it will not happen again."

And last time, he'd said:
"Getting into a car with anything to drink is wrong. It's dangerous and it's unacceptable. I'm 19, but was taught that no matter how old you are, you take responsibility for actions, which I do,"

So we look for when he'll say:
"I'm 27 years old, and...."

Layoffs at my college

Read in the Daily Orange that my school laid off 48 staffers last week. Whenever I hear Syracuse University and finances in the same sentence, I tend to pay attention. People that know me, are familiar with my view of SU.

SU is in dire financial straits? Really?

What happened to all the $ from incessant solicitations, the giant endowment, tuition increases, and selling off square blocks on the quad to any alumni that that wanted their names etched on granite?

Maybe it didn't work out, or they wanted more. I do hope one effect of the situation is an end to scholarships, and funding to students of no merit - SU was lax in researching credentials.

Slumdog - what is the fuss about?

What, I'm wrong? I should have bought in?

I thought Slumdog Millionaire was no fun, had unreal situations, and reinforced god-awful stereotypes. I kept looking for a magical moment, and there weren't any. Also, where was that great music I kept hearing about?

Must have missed something amidst all the hype. Viral 'you gotta see this'.

And why, why were India people raving about it so much? Reality aside, is this what they'd like to be associated with?

Cell phone tricks - how to spot non-calls. ;)

Ever notice the antics of people using cell phones? No, they're not always having a conversation, or texting. You likely know this.

They're trying to look busy and connected.
They're trying to look not awkward.

• A lot of people will talk to themselves on their cell phones. They are not talking to anyone else at all. Watch anyone that's sitting at a table in a restaurant, public place alone with a phone.
• If they have an intense expression and look around once in a while - they're likely talking to themselves. Most such people will sound like they're having an argument. A made-up one.
• People that eat alone at a restaurant often start a fake phone call. Who the heck wants to be seen alone at a table? Fork and phone in hand looks better.
  
• Watch anyone that walks into a gathering of people, and everyone seems to look at them. They'll either come in with a supposed cell phone 'conversation', or will pretend to call or text someone just then. They're self conscious. They want to look busy.
• There are also the ones that will have a self-conversation about a topic just to gain the attention of those in earshot. Interesting places, clubs, people will be mentioned, and there will be a lot of exclaiming, and fake enthusiasm. Exclamations:'Really?!, No kidding!, Wow!'
  
  Watch if their phone suddenly starts to ring mid-fake call.
  

A comic reality TV show - 'The Palins'

At last. This, this was SO expected. It was no surprise, and it was still amazing to hear. And hilarious.

'Sherry Johnston, was arrested Thursday on drug charges by Alaska state police'

Right after the 'see it to believe it' turkey interview, - The Thanksgiving Classic, comes this X'mas special from the Palins. Episode 5: 'The In-Laws Get Busted'.


I think the moment we heard this in September, like many others, we had more such delightful expectations from this value added family.

And have they delivered. Let's see what the 2009 season holds for us, from them. Reports are there's a lot more in the script.

Land O'Lincoln: Blago's auction | Tribune bankruptcy

First off - wow! Unbelievable.

Rod Blagojevich joins so many other idiot pols, and of course continues the grand tradition of Illinois governors.

(CNN) - 'A day before Democratic Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was busted by federal investigators on corruption charges, he dared authorities to tape his phone calls if they thought he was guilty of anything.

Authorities had indeed bugged the governor's campaign office and tapped his home phone, catching him talking about alleged plans to sell the U.S. Senate seat left empty by President-elect Barack Obama.'

He was trying to auction off Barack Obama's senate seat?!!
His reasoning was:

'The Senate seat "is a f---ing valuable thing, you just don't give it away for nothing."
And, if no one bid high enough, then he just might take the seat himself. "If ... they're not going to offer anything of value, then I might just take it."'

The US attorney said '....Lincoln would roll over in his grave' . He must have, several times already for Illinois.

Also wondering if these are distantly related - 'Blago tried to get some critics from the Chicago Tribune editorial board fired in exchange for state money to assist in the sale of Wrigley Field.'

That did not happen.

The Tribune Co. filed for bankruptcy.

Blagojevich caught saying on wiretaps - "I want to make money,"
And then he had a great idea.

Let's go - Chandrayaan!

This morning Chandrayaan landed an impact probe on the moon. For those that don't know what it is - look this up.

' (CNN) -- A TV-sized probe adorned with a painted Indian flag is set to crash on the moon Friday as part of New Delhi's first unmanned lunar mission. The craft is carrying payloads from the United States, the European Union and Bulgaria, and India plans to share the data from the mission with other programs, including NASA.'

'My Friends, It's All Over'

Finally Over for Sen. John McCain.

I can't forget McCain vs. Bush (nasty!) during the 2000 campaign for the GOP presidential nomination. McCain gained fantastic momentum after winning the NH primary by a mile, and was a media favorite. The Bush camp ran an appalling slanderous attack soon afterward. And then W. won the nomination, and John McCain called him 'My friend George...'.

It should have been him in 2000.

John McCain was implored by John Kerry to run with him on the Dem ticket in 2004. Two decorated vets running together against the ex-Texas National Guard airman, and the double draft dodger - very attractive. McCain anyway was far from being the President's best friend.

He'd have been a heartbeat away from the Presidency in 2004.

This year he came back from the dead to be the Republican nominee - a win in NH again. He had the nomination in the bag early, while the Democrats battled right through to June. It was supposed to him vs. Hillary, and there was a good chance given how 'polarizing' she is.

So where did this Obama guy come from?

It so could have been him in 2008.

Unfortunate, never mind the historic election. I always thought he was a decent man. The evidence is there in his gracious concession speech, his great sense of humor and his handling of anti-Obama hotheads on the campaign trail.

Oh Darn! So close, so close.... rats.

The Sox didn't make it.

After leveling the series with that 4-2 win Saturday it looked like the inevitable. The Boston Red Sox would again get in the World Series and do another sweep.

Not this time.

In 2008, it almost happened that Pats, Celtics and Sox would hold championships at the same time. Even as that didn't happen, the near-misses reinforce the dominance of Boston teams in professional sports. An era that began with the Patriots winning the 2002 Superbowl.

Stayin' Alive. It's that time of the year again - Sox rally!

Unbelievable (cliched, and true).

It's October and they've done it again, a comeback! Back from the dead in a playoff elimination game.

It's October, and (again) when they're written off, they're right back in.

Nevermind it's not over yet for the series - but to come back from 0-7 to win 8-7 is plain amazing. To do this after being whipped by the Rays in Game 3 and 4, and that too in an elimination game, is miraculous.

Look up this article, if it hasn't sunk in. =)

(Globe Photo/Barry Chin)

Wait a minute - 'Joe the Plumber'?

I must have missed something here about this plumber. He's looking to buy a $250000 company? Must be one heck of a plumbing business in these times.

Good job he got mentioned 26 times during the debate - that's one amazing bi-partisan plug for his venture, on national TV no less! This is this Joe Sixpack's 15 minutes of fame for sure.

MLB - NL
The Phillies, after losing 10000+ games, are actually in the World Series. Who'd have thought?

Now for the Sox - reports are that the grand ALCS comeback will not happen this time.

'Family Matters' - the making of a likely disaster.

(And I'm not talking about Gustav.)

Ok, I now think that John McCain's finished. Just when I said there was no fun in this election.

Why? Here's why - cos of his Veep pick's conservative 'family values', or worse - her preaching them. I guess this is what the 'abstinence theory' does. Nice.

And nicely worded:

Sarah and Todd Palin issued a statement saying they are "proud of Bristol's decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents."

"Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned. As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows she has our unconditional love and support," the Palins said.

Anyone else agree?

Senior McCain campaign officials said McCain knew of the daughter's pregnancy when he selected Palin last week as his vice presidential running mate, deciding that it did not disqualify the 44-year-old governor in any way.

Rrright.

This was to win over the conservatives? With the mom(s) of the year.