It’s coming, and I don’t like it

This weekend is Memorial Day and this means the unofficial start of summer. School’s out, people putting on their best bathing suits, twitching little freaks running through the streets, vacations. Well, I don’t like it. As a young kid, I always enjoy summer for its long break. As I grew older and knowing my body, summer is not kind to me. Although I love Washington D.C. (and Fairfax), the summer is the worse because of new buildings replacing trees and reduce rain. The summer also makes me delusional and I really can’t think straight because I’m so much concentrating on hoping the building blast Arctic air. The summer also shows a terrible family gene: sweating profusely. That tells me a sign of weakness and I hate being sweaty among my friends and co-workers. Now, I’m not a wimp because of the assumption that I want climate control. During the summer (and spring), I would want that. But, I would like to have frostbite than be sweating. I really enjoy the fall and winter seasons because those seasons are more thoughtful and you’re in control. I wish telecommuting becomes popular so in the summer, I can go near the ocean like in Ocean City, Maryland, San Diego, and underrated Seattle. Most of those days in those areas, you get 70 degrees and fair weather (except Seattle, where 50 degrees is heaven for me). Although D.C. is my town, sometimes D.C. bites me in the back. Damn, where’s a nuclear winter?

Tracy’s Random Thoughts May 2006 edition

My thoughts are so good, I have another edition of my thoughts. Let’s roll:

1. Immigration policies

On Monday, President Bush announces he will have troops surround the Mexican-U.S. border to limit as many illegal immigrants as possible coming in. Look, I believe in limiting immigrants coming, but you can’t just use troops to watch the border. Yes, there are pros and cons of illegal immigrants and my view is they should have legal documentation to work and not just let them get a free ride. I believe there should be an extensive search on the illegal immigrants. My problem with having troops is what the troops going to do there. Is there a two layer line or huge tanks blocking? My feeling is you’re putting away a good majority of the workforce and might scare customers not only here, but other immigrants as well. I believe the U.S. must be assertive, but not going to panic mode is one of those reasons.

2. Duke Scandal

I have two friends that went to Duke (One is Hispanic, the other is African-American). On the outside, I would see Duke as a smart, diverse school. Since its a private school, I know there are some wealthy people that go to Duke. I would not know that Duke was the polar opposite of what Durham is and that is an urban city. At first, this was about race and a line divided in the city. Now, this has become a he said/she said. As I learn from Rafael Palmerio, the speaking part is easy. The hard part is someone finding out. The third person charged held a press conference and said, without a script, that neither he nor his teammates did anything wrong. Right now, I believe more towards the team than this woman because the accuser has several different stories from being rape by 20, now 3, now remembering the person had a mustache, the pictures, and it goes on. As we learn in the news, the accuser had a tough childhood, but there is something weird about the story and the story has me convince this is a ply to have the DA getting elected.

Saying all that, the Duke Lacrosse team should not have a free pass as well. They held a party and had alcohol in the house and the kicked out player writing a nasty email. The problem about this is Duke Lacrosse players are saying they didn’t anything as a team, not as individuals. This is a high-browed clique than anything. It’s good to have unity, but its just odd saying that “we” didn’t do anything, acting like a team is one individual. The result I think is a settlement between the accuser and the defense.

3. Lawsuits

Last week, some guy sued the LA Angels of Anaheim for not giving him a tote bag on Mother’s Day. The Angels made a “nice” gesture and tried to give him 4 tote bags. Sadly, the guy rejected the offer and is suing them for discrimination. How in the hell did we became a litigious society? Is it really that money is important or since you’re the customer, you want every detail right? One, it was for women and it was on Mother’s day and there were no complaints about this. The sad part about this is he might have an argument that he prefers women’s accessories and pink was his favorite color or play the gay card. That is why our justice system sucks most of the time.

4. Britney Spears getting pregnant again.

Why do I care

5. 18-34 year olds don’t know their broadcast networks

A recent survey shows only one in four 18-34 year olds know the four main broadcast networks. My thinking is all these networks are owning up on the cable networks, it is hard to differentiate the networks. I would ask them who owns these networks. Big media, how we love them so much, it hurts.

That is all. Next month, a huge edition (but I’ll be wrong as always)

My Recommendations

Movies:

I haven’t been into the movie theatres since November (Harry Potter). By the looks of it, I’m probably have to wait till the DVD comes out. I don’t know any movie that has struck me and say “It’s a must watch.” Movies I want to see (this includes DVD):

• March of the Penguins
• Me and You and Everything Else
• Dave Chappelle’s Block Party
• King Kong
• Hustle and Flow
• Kung Fu Hustle

Television:

NBA playoffs: Although exciting, the playoffs are way too long, but we have the best eight teams left, which could be good. The problem with the NBA not a mainstream success like in the 1990s is most of the games are televise and there is no closeness for the teams you’re reeled in. This is a sport where personality matters. As of now, LeBron and Shaq are the closest of a sure thing. If both are gone, say goodbye to high ratings.

The Office: I was skeptical of the US version originally. The British version was the funniest and greatest sitcom ever. The US version is not on that standard, but the episodes are still better than 99% of the current sitcoms. Last week’s complaint episode showed the depth and emotion that none the these shows carry. I hope it becomes of a mainstream hit.

Other shows to watch: Grey’s Anatomy, PTI, PBA Bowling Skills Challenge, New Spongebob episodes.

I haven’t watch American Idol because of the format nor the popularity. The reason is its on FOX and most of the money AI gets goes to Rupert Murdoch, the dictator of the media. Now he has an empire to bring friends and has a satellite dish to steal more money to customers. I just hope there’s a movement to move AI to ABC or PBS, but I’m guessing I’m the only one worried about this.

Next Year: Can’t wait to see ‘Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” from Aaron Sorkin and “Let’s Rob Mick Jagger” from the creators of Ed and former writers of David Letterman starring Donald Logue (Tao of Steve) and Mick Jagger himself. Oh and NBC Sunday Night Football if you count that.

Music:

Two really good albums are coming out. I recently bought new Pearl Jam’s new self-titled album. The album is more edgier and has a purpose of a release. This is their best since Vitalogy. The guitar riffs, lyrics, and Eddie Vedder’s voice nearly tells a story of global currents events. There are political references from the troops overseas, “The President,” and big companies. Ignore the politics or not, this is a classic example of a rock album and shows Pearl Jam is back in the sense of mainstream. Another new release coming out this week is the new Red Hot Chili Peppers “Stadium Arcadium” I heard they were all over the map in this double album from rock, rap, country, metal, soul, etc. The first single from the album “Dani California” is a great start and can’t wait what the album sounds like. Seems like the 90s bands are coming back with a sense of purpose. I wonder if C & C Music Factory are coming back?

Other albums to look at:

• Nickelback – Try get all their album except Curb. Although their released singles are overplayed to the max, they are the mist underappreciated rock band out there. They can play ballads as well as edgier songs like “Never Again” and “Side of a Bullet.” Don’t look at the Nickelback songs companies release, listen to all the albums and you can thank me.
• Fort Minor – “Remember the Name” – I’m guessing this will come to nearest arena and stadium to you.
• Notables – Brindley Brothers, Adamson Square, Collective Soul, Seether.

Other Media:

• Ricky Gervais
• This Website Stinks – The Tony Kornheiser fan site
• The K Street Gang
• Freakanomics
• Between the Bridge and the River – Craig Ferguson (also a great talk show host)

Secretariat…

In honor of Chuck Norris and the Triple Crown for Horse Racing, it is time to build my own fact website. I chose Secretariat for the hell of it. Here are some facts of Secretariat:

• Secretariat is the greatest athlete in Virginia
• Secretariat is a top ten athlete of all-time
• Secretariat had sex breeded and got paid $50 million for each horse he was breeded
• Secretariat can play all sports
• Secretariat was a lefty
• Secretariat’s dinner: Hay for appetizer; Michael Wilbon for the main course; and Cherries for dessert.
• Secretariat breeded 30,000 Phillies
• Secretariat + Lucille Ball = Angie Everhart
• The origin of The Matrix series: Secretariat
• In 1973, Secretariat was named as one of People’s 50 Most Beautiful People
• When Secretariat gets shy, he turn his hair colors to pink
• Secretariat wanted to run fast because he had previous commitments with ten other phillies after race day.
• After his Belmont victory, Secretariat faced Mark Spitz in a swimming match (200M). Secretariat won by 10 lenghts.
• Secretariat and Wilt Chamberlain were teammates and best friends for the Los Angeles Lakers, but the relationship fractured when Secretariat caught Wilt sleeping with 5,000 of his women.
• Secretariat’s lawyers successfully sued announcer Alan Kalter of using the nickname “Big Red” and won $25 million and a guest spot with David Letterman
• Secretariat was the creator of the basketball game H-O-R-S-E
• In the Classic Home Run Derby, Secretariat defeated Reggie Jackson 21-7 and hit the longest home run in baseball history (1280 ft.)
• Secretariat climbed Mount Everest in 10 minutes
• While horses go to the glue factory; Secretariat made his own glue from his own poop.
• Secretariat is always the Alpha Male
• In a recent survey, more than 80% of the women would have sex with Secretariat than Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, and Colin Farrell together
• Secretariat had a sports camp for inspiring athletes. His former campers: Michael Vick, Allen Iverson, Grant Hill, J.J. Redick, Billy Wagner, Ronald Curry, Tiki and Rhonde Barber, Jeff and Ward Burton, Pete Sampras, and Lawrence Taylor
• In a charity boxing match, Secretariat beat Muhammed Ali in 12 seconds with the left hoofer on Ali’s jaw.
• Secretariat creates tornadoes
• As a two-year old, Secretariat surprisingly retired. However, before the first horse race of 1973, Secretariat came back and said in his press conference, “I’m broke and I’m back!!!”
• Secretariat usually get $120 an hour in the summer for families who need air conditioning
• Secretariat is the first basketball player to dunk a ball from the three-point line.
• Secretariat can lift an airplane 10 times straight.
• Secretariat fought for animal rights against glue companies and won a reported $767 million for each sire of the horse was euthanized by the glue companies.
• Secretariat’s favorite quote, “BUH-BYE!”

Please send your own Secretariat facts to the comments section.