DowningRules

Spelled it phonetically. And we're talking about Amezega here. The world don't care how his name is spelled.

What is the bar everyone is going to on Friday night? I would like to appear in my white coat to appease AIR.

Anyone remember Scully trying to pronounce 'Amezega' several years ago during an Angels/Doyyers game? I think he finally said, 'ahhh I give up.' Comedy gold/oro.

Will anyone from this board get hammered this weekend while at spring training?

I have a hunch the latin names will be given extra special love at the Big A. Like the newscasters who love to pour on the accent when they say 'Imezcua' or 'flan.'

The Angels prefer to hire those who speak broken English: Jose Mota and Goobi, for example.

I love that mexico got eliminated. Hopefully it discourages their thug fans from going to anymore games.

Do your co-workers still talk about American Idol? Its ratings have really taken a hit this season. I think Fox should put the show on hiatus for two years then bring it back for it to be saved.

Dual scared the hell outta me when I was a kid. Isn't that a made for tv movie? Dennis Weaver was also memorable in "Cocaine: One Man's Obsession." Another tv movie that influenced me. I would also like to mention Michael Mann's tv series "Crime Story" with Dennis Farina in the lead. It was a well made but short run series. It was expensive to make and had heightened production values. Andrew Dice Clay had a bit part in it too. It was an odd but entertaining show.

I don't know The Driver. I'll have to see if I can track it down. I am a fan of 48 Hours. It changed the cop movie genre and greatly influenced TV, imo. Hard to believe Walter Hill directed that and Brewster's Millions.

Interesting technique. Do you pre-heat it in the microwave first, or do you just go from freezer to toaster?

DR used to live in West Hollywood between Melrose and Santa Monica Blvd. It was a good place to live in that we were able to walk many places and the gays kept the area very tidy and safe. My wife walked around without threat or worry. The veggie burger was prepared at home, Morninstar brand. What I do is microwave it to get the frozen out, then crisp it in a non-oiled skillet, with the cheese melted on top. I find a small swipe of mayonnaise is a good topper. as well, on top of said cheese. With a glass of water, it feels me up and keeps me from lunching off on a slice of pizza or Miguels, Jr. bean-rice-and-cheese burrito.

"...And when it comes time to make out, put on side 2 of Zepplin IV."

If you liked Drive, check out the movie 'Thief' with James Caan. It was made back when Michael Mann still knew how to direct and tell a story with style. I think it's Dennis Farina's first acting credit.

Last night would have made for a better Friday Night Shenanigan. Let's pretend Thursday is the new Friday. Here's how it went down: Went to the Grove (3rd and Fairfax) to catch a movie. Hadn't been there in a while. My first time back since my wife passed...she loved walking around there, looking at the tourists and we'd sneak a sandwich into a movie with the help of her massive purse. I believe the trendy term is 'hobo bag.' Anyways, I walked around a bit and decided to check out a movie. Settled on "21 and Over," which -- what's the word I'm looking for? -- SUCKED!!! It didn't help that the name of one of the producers in the credits was someone who passed on one of my scripts. I say without hesitation and with total humilty that my script would've made a waaaaaaay better movie than this steaming pile of donkey kong. Hell, any one of my Friday Night Shenanigans would've been mo' better and that's not exactly a testament to genius. I nearly walked out but I figured I didn't have to be anywhere and I also wanted to see the song credits. After the movie I walked over to Farmers Market and got a quarter pound of peanuts (blanched, salted). Delicious and full of quality. They had a good, crisp texture to them. Got back in the car and headed to the old neighborhood where my wife and I lived. I took a walk around and thought about checking on an old neighbor but decided I wasn't in the mood. Instead, I walked to a tea shop and had a cup of earl gray. It was okay. It was a little too organic, but it was warm and the shop provided warmth and shelter. In the words of Ernest Hemingway, 'a clean, well lighted place.' I was sort of killing time since I was meeting friends for dinner. Eventually, I met my friend at his office and we headed out with another friend. we went to the Soho House, which is the semi-new place to be seen (I didn't belong there). It's full of agents and wannabe's and I am not an agent. You drive into a parking structure, get reemed by the valet and check in at a desk by these little Gucci dressed robots who give you attitude like the Gucci dressed robots who work at the Gucci store. Once they give you their blessing, you can go up an elevator with leather, padded walls. It delivers youuonto a two story foyer on the top floor of a converted office space. This part is actually pretty interesting: The elevator door opened and who's there waiting to get on? Curtis Jackson. All smiles. We sat down for dinner (without 50 Cent) and I ordered the skirt steak with fries. But not before polishing off a very good ceaser salad. I had two diet cokes (bottled). The steak was a little too salty for my sake, but what the hell; it's steak so it's like watching the WBC...not the best quality but it fills a need. Our table had a really great view of Sunset Blvd, and with the rain coming down, it looked pretty cool. Reese Witherspoon was sitting a couple tables over. I highly doubt she had the steak. I had a chocolate chip cookie for dessert and it was really something special. Cooked just so. Not too hard but with a crispness to the edges. After dinner, my friend dropped me at my car and I met him back at his place where I stayed the night. Separate beds, of course, but I can see the one liners coming way ahead of time so I had to put it on the record. I woke up this morning and hit the gym with my friend at a very suspicious hour (6:30am). Went to Mel's Diner for egg whites and cheese after. They cook it in too much oil for my liking, but the coffee was good. It fired me up for the day. Perhaps this is why I'm still awake.

Just polished off a veggie burger. Because it's Friday, I got a lil' crazy and melted some cheddar cheese on top. Enjoyed it while watching USA vs. Mexican-American team. I thought I was supposed to pick up my mom and my new dad at LAX tonight, but upon checking the flight status, I have learned DR will be going to the airport tomorrow morning. I'm debating what episode of Miami Vice to watch. Might go with the Sonny Burnett amnesia arc (4th/5th season). You know, I turned down a trip to Miami this weekend. Sitting here on a Friday night, I am regretting that poor decision. I had a steak last night.

Modern Family is so lame it makes me anxious when I happen try watching it (about every 3 - 6 months). I can't stand the read the husband with the dyed black hair gives. The 'dumb dad with a good heart' routine is so overwrought. The gay storyline is force fed. Tired of the latin thing with Vergara and the fat kid. All of these characters are one-dimensional and are built to run their course after about five episodes. I would love to see ONE character who just shows up and calls everyone out. I think Ed O'Neil's character was supposed to be that guy but since it's Hollywood, he always has to learn some stupid lesson of acceptance or whatever the flavor of the week is. I can see and hear the smugness of the writers in the writers room when I try and watch the show. "Oh...we're sooo smart with our comedy! Aren't we just so aware of the world and how people really tick?"

What a great trip and great pic! Lucky kid.

Well done, Chuck. I appreciate your commitment to doing it right. Makes me feel like a wuss for chopping up some iceberg lettuce and calling it a salad.

I haven't heard from long toss craigslist friend. I sent him an email re: toss, and haven't heard back. Otherwise, your idea is a no-brainer.

I can't help but think Jose Mota has discovered craiglsist: http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/act/3664158740.html

Never seen it before. Watching it now. It's weird. Very sexualized for the time. I appreciate the scene where Kim Novak is leaning with her hands on a pole as she's ogling William Holden. Now that's progressive.

A birthday so important it gets two threads. Happy birthday.

No dinner for DR. I killed an Indian food buffet today. Had to bail on my spin class because I was afraid I'd dust the room and I didn't want to do that to the others. Now I feel like a pig. But the Injin food was solid. Chicken tikka masala, rice, naan, yogurt, lentil curry, a couple samosas. I did three rounds. 194 lbs. before lunch, 198 after. 196.5 post-reading break.

Or, they already got something in return...with lots more to come if she wins.