St. Louis Cemetery No. 1

Uh OH!

A Black Dog

You thought this would be more stuff about Lola, huh? Nope, it's about a Twitter trending topic... (yes, I do keep up with technology, TYVM) .... it's.... wait for it.....Patrick Swayze! Yep, Patrick Swayze of Ghost, Dirty Dancing and Black Dog. Along with RIP P Swayze, Black Dog is showing up in twitter as a "fan favorite". I'm not kidding, check it out. But do it quickly, because by definition, a trending topic doesn't last very long.

What's my interest, you may ask? Well, I 'll tell you. My Uncle Willie wrote Black Dog. I won't bore you with the story of how a perfectly good, rather dark script with a $50M budget (big for 1998) deteriorated into what was essentially a Patrick Swayze MOW. Suffice to say, Mr. Swayze had a bit to do with it. Let's not even mention the director. But isn't that just another Hollywood story? Good script beat into submission by the studio system. Yadie, yadi, big Yawn. The amazing thing is that Black Dog refused to die. It had good bones. It has become one of with a developed a cult following. Why? Possibly because it has tons of great car/truck crashes and explosions that are REAL F/X (is that an oxymoron?), --not digital or even done with models. I mean real like crashing a big-assed Peterbilt hauling a fully loaded car trailer off a mountain ... with a whole slew of cameras running from the trailer to get the flip, flip. flip until they were all totally smashed! Pretty awesome.

Whatever the reason, Black Dog is very much alive in rentals, on basic cable, imdb chatter and I've even seen some satirization referencing it. But don't take my word for it, check it out. And check out the twitter... I'm not lying.

Oh, just found out it's on hulu. Uncle Willie... hope you're getting those residuals.

My Cousin Charlie

My Cousin Charlie

This is my cousin Charlie. He owns this lake. A WHOLE lake!! Imagine. Well, sometimes Charlie lies. I think he just owns part of the lake (and maybe a dock). But he does seem awfully proprietary in this photo, doesn't he?

Charlie has a sister, Lola. He would prefer that I not mention her because sometimes he pretends like she doesn't exist. She does, trust me. She's pretty hot. Judge for yourself:

Sometimes, Lola looks like a Crocodile , that's why I call her Lola, Lola, Crocodile. Her mom doesn't like it when I do that. Well, that's too bad, because she does look just like a big ole toothy crock. What do you think??????????

But most of the time, she's just pretty cool. Did I tell you she likes to chase and catch chipmunks? I KNOW!! But she doesn't hurt them, she just carries them around in her mouth until she drops them and they scurry off. Note: please do not call PETA or SPCA on Lola... she's just a dog, it's in her job description. Oh yeah, and she's from TEXAS. She's kind of a trailer dog (I didn't say that, her brother Charlie did. He thinks he's so much better because he's from New Orleans. Ew. He was rescued after Katrina. Our friend Jeri sez Charlie and Lola should be called "Lotto" and "Jackpot" because now they are living the life of Riley.

About me? yeah, I'm adopted too. Big Deal. I was born in East LA and I hit the jackpot when my Uncle Willie said I was the ONE. I was "rescued" by the Bill Foundation then adopted by my Mom. My Mom sez they are the Dog Nazis because they made her sign her life away to get me. They even put a chip in me -- in case she looses me, I have to go back to Bill. Please Mom, don't lose me. Anyway, I matriculated in the Hollywood Hills, a far cry from East LA, let me tell you!!!! I learned all kinds of cool things, like how to ride my scooter:

Yeah, I KNOW! So how cool am I, huh?

PhotoDog

My girl likes to take photos. I just tag along. I helped take this photo of the Hollywood Bowl renovation in 2005. From time to time we'll post photos of cool places and things. Sometimes I'll tell you a back story, sometimes I won't. Depends solely on my mood and the length of my nails -- if they are too long I can't type well. For now I'm doing just fine.

Monza

F-1 deserves its own post. I have to confess, I was happy Hamilton crashed on LAST LAP. I just am not buying his act. I don't know why but there's just something sneaky about him that I don't trust and don't like. It started with "attitude" his first season when I thought McMer treated Fernando very shabbily and Lewis acted like a brat. And what's up with Dad always hovering and glowering at the camera when precious boy fouls up? Well, now that Ron Denis is gone we'll see how that relationship plays out.

Ok, my anti-Hamilton rant aside, great drive by Barrichello and nice 2nd by Brawn teammate JB. Poor Jenson, I think he has TMJ from clenching his jaw at having to be polite and pc as Reubens creeps up on the points. But, he does it! And appears sincere (take a note, team Lewis).

Now, about Kimi-- I am so over the iceman. Ferrari, get rid of him. Name Alonso as driver and let's get on with it. Speaking of Ferrari lineup, does anyone else think it would be too, too weird if Massa didn't make it back and Alonso and Fisi were teammates again? Talk about deja vu. But without Flavio.... that's the best news.

Guess we have to comment about "Crashgate" or the alleged order to Picoult to crash in Singapore last year opening way for Fernando to win. Do I believe Briatori would cheat? Absolutely. I mean, come on, he cheated on Heidi Klum, for gosh sakes. Then dumped her! But look how well she bounced back. Would that all who cross Flavio would land so well. Would it be a VERY STUPID move to have made such an order. Absolutely. But even stupider for Nelson P Jr. to have followed order, which, he claims he did to retain his ride. For me, that puts him equally to blame. Especially since he kept his trap shut until Renault dumped him this summer. If he was going to squeal, the time to do so would have been long before it looks like just "sour grapes". There is no good outcome here. Everyone looks tainted. Picoult should not have received immunity. I don't care if Hamilton and Alonso did in the McMer Ferrari-gate investigation. It's not the same. They were witnesses, not active participants whose very personal action is at the core of the matter. Plus, even if Picoult has no concern for his own safety, he put all of teams at risk by intentionally crashing. And please, don't tell me it's like Shummi hitting the wall a few seasons back. That was a slowwww turn and bump not a major crash during a race.

Now, what was advantage of doing this on lap 14? yes, Alonso slipped into pits just before safety car then gained maximum advantage as cars held places (with no pitting allowed) during safety car laps. But others were still ahead of Alonso. I mean, he came from something like 13th on grid! Could even the evil Flavio have foreseen all the twist and turns and other driver missteps that would bring Alonso the win? I mean he's machiavellian enough but I'm not sure even the Great FB is that prescient. Further, I refuse to believe Alonso was in on this, and the evidence seems to point that way as well. What driver in his right mind (besides MS) would want to win by pure manipulation, not talent? It just doesn't make sense.

In any event, if Renault is punished, so should Picoult be sanctioned. Even though he will not be, officially, I can't imagine any team wanting to hire him after that stunt. I mean, it's not like he went to jail for his behavior and $25M in debt (yes, dear friends, that was a Mike Vick reference).

Speaking of Vick, I'm not thrilled with him, but time will tell if he truly changed.

Sports Weekend

We are about to OD on sports this weekend. Thoughts include:

Another ugly win for LSU but still a win.

GO SC.... Trojans rule

Poor Tulane, I think it's time we fold the flag and get out of football once and for all. Glory days are way over.

Saints --- dare I dream? Drew Brees had a phenomenal game. I think it is the most passes (ever?!) in an opening season game.

US Open -- WTF with Serena Williams? I mean, really. Is it endemic of spoiled sports stars? I can understand getting upset in the heat of the moment but to not back down or apologize is beyond ego ....Note to Solipsistic Serena: you are not the only person in the world. Grow up or Get out. Not pretty.