The Bulls and Celtics playoff series has been the best NBA playoff series I can remember. The times of Jordan were great, but the battle brewing between these two teams is so unbelievable that I can barely sit through an entire game. Seven overtime periods in six games, technical fouls, flagrant fouls (called and not called), players being thrown into scorers’ tables, elbows being thrown, and the Celtics crying like babies after every single God damned little piece of contact. And what have I learned from this entire series? I hate the Celtics. Last year, I was happy to see the Boston Three Party bring home the championship, but now I wish I could fly to Boston and burn their stadium down. This team is one of the dirtiest, egotistical, scum-bag teams I have ever seen play the game. They cry after every possession! I can’t wait to see those chumps cry off the court after tonight’s game seven. They deserve it. Way to go Bulls, you’ve played incredible, and whatever happens tonight, I won’t be disappointed.

What’s back?

This——>

I’ll save everyone my usual Cubs fan blather and just say that I am stoked baseball’s soon to be back in season.

Ok, so let’s be honest. It’s not like we didn’t think this already existed. It’s just now there might be some proof. CNN is reporting that the Bush Administration created a secret, special operations command without Congressional oversight that had the authority to assassinate high-level targets in multiple countries. Cheney and several aids have denied the claim (because, you know otherwise he would be indicted for conspiracy to commit murder).

There is a Simpsons episode in which Lisa becomes President and is offered the opportunity to assassinate Bart, who is causing her political problems. She declines and her Secret Service escort reminds her that each prez gets three secret murders, and if you don’t use them by the end of the term “Zip! They’re gone.” (This was before the invention of roll over minutes). I wonder how many Cheney actually wound up using?

The Fighting Illini Football team has finally done it. No more waiting years for success. Now we have something to brag about. Congratulations to the guys who put in the long hours, through the blood, sweat and tears. And now, without further ado, I give you the finest thing to come out of Illinois football since Red Grange; an inspirational video.

Please just have a winning season…..
Go team go?

Tiger Woods is unbelievable. That may be the understatement of the century, but it is completely true. Tiger has become so good at what he does, we now expect him to make every putt, hit every fairway, make every green in regulation, and damn near eagle every hole. I have played and studied golf for close to 12 years. And in my lifetime, I do not believe I will see another golfer like Tiger. I’m sure everyone said that when Nicklaus was playing, but I believe Tiger is better than Jack ever was. Now, if you wonder why I say that Tiger Woods will never be the same, it is not why you think. I don’t think Tiger will ever be the same Tiger because everything he does now is AFTER reconstructive knee surgery. A year ago, he could barely walk off the tee box. Now he’s coming back from a 5 stroke deficit to win tournaments. Tiger is doing what he has done his entire career. He’s impressing everyone on the tour, every fan watching the game, and every sponsor who is scrambling to find more nickels in the couch just to get their name on his golf bag. For the skeptics out there that don’t give golfers the athletic credit they deserve, try walking miles and miles up and down hill while using your entire body in a golf swing over a hundred times a day. Your body gets tired and keeping your mind sharp and focused on what you’re doing is one of the hardest parts of the game. Tiger is doing all of this with a surgically repaired knee. Tiger is just as good as he was before the surgery, if not better. The fact that everything he does is after major knee surgery is all the more impressive to me. I applaud Tiger for bringing interest back to the sport of golf and bringing fans back to the tour. I can’t wait until he wins the Master’s next month.

Tiger was 5 strokes back to start the day. He was paired up with the leader, and at the end of the day, he put on a clinic for the youngster.

As a Warren alum who knows the perpetual heartbreak of Warren basketball, I weep.

As an Illini fan, I say Hallelujah! Hallelujah, amen!

The shooter at the line was Brandon “Ice Water” Paul, an Illini signee who will be wearing the Orange and Blue next year. The shooter at the (half-court) line was Jereme Richmond, an Illinois verbal commit who will be coming the year after. The more I watch this, the less bummed and the more excited I get.

Oskee Wow-Wow.

P.S. Apologizing for my latest absence, several mid-terms and a dead hard drive later, I’m back.

Yet again, Meghan McCain has brought up another great point. It’s not a new point, nor is it very surprising, but it is definitely true. In her blog, Meghan McCain has come out and said how offensive and insulting Republican “strategist” Ann Coulter comes off. McCain states that “maybe her popularity stems from the fact that watching her is sometimes like watching a train wreck.”

Meghan McCain is slowing moving into the spotlight as a new young Republican who could be looking for political office on a national level. I wonder how here dad feels about all this.

………right……..

I’ve spent the last month reviewing the best movies of 2008. I have seen almost every major movie from the last year, and I’m here to quell your movie reviewing needs. So, without further ado, I give you my Academy Awards.

Best Comedy Picture
And the winner is…
Tropic Thunder

This award needs little explanation. This was one the largest blockbuster films of the year and included the best overall cast of any film, regardless of genre. This film provided excellent humor, surprisingly fantastic acting, a script that rivaled any comedy I’ve ever seen, and quality cinematography that is extremely rare for a comedy. This movie could be in the running for best picture, but I felt that comedies are so different from drama’s that it earned its own category. Thanks Golden Globes for the idea.

Honorable Mentions: Pineapple Express, Role Models, and Zack and Miri Make a Porno.

Best Cinematography
And the winner is….
Australia

My honest opinion of this movie is pretty brutal actually. I did not enjoy the film’s script, acting, or length. The story was mediocre at best. The only thing that allowed me to sit through this entire film was the cinematography. Nicole Kidman’s annoying quirks were overshadowed by beautiful the scenery of Australia. Epic sweeping shots brought a little character to the film and saved the film from being the largest waste of money in 2008 feature films.

Honorable Mentions: The Dark Knight, Slumdog Millionaire

Best Supporting Actor
And the winner is…
Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)

This is another award that doesn’t need reasoning. Ledger’s role was nearly perfect. He brought a debiacle character to life and made every viewer to wonder if his cynical role was the reasoning for his shocking death. Ledger’s Joker was by far the most interesting character of the year, regardless of importance or size. Ledger’s passion for the role came out immediately and only made his death even sadder.

Honorable Mentions: Robert Downey Jr. (Tropic Thunder) and Josh Brolin (Milk)

Best Supporting Actress
And the winner is…
Marisa Tomei (The Wrestler)

Marisa seriously revitalized her career with this role. Playing a stripping single mother is a gutsy role to take on, especially when you know you have the weight of Mickey Rourke’s second chance at an acting career on your shoulders. Marisa is a great character to watch in this film, and you are hoping for the best for her during the entire film. She is a great balance for the abrasive character of Mickey’s and does an excellent job balancing out the film, which also boosts it into my running for best picture.

Honorable Mentions: Taraji P. Henson (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) and Cate Blanchett (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button)

Best Actor in a Leading Role
And the winner is…
Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler)

Mickey wins my vote for best actor, best shit-show turned into an actor, best shit-show turned into an actor turned into a shit-show turned into an actor again. I can’t believe how he screwed up his career so badly when his acting skills are actually phenomenal. His character in The Wrestler is heart wrenching but also inspirational. Nobody could have played this role better than Rourke, and I’m glad. Talent such as his should not have been wasted on so many years of drugs and sin. Good job Mickey.

Honorable Mentions: Brad Pitt (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), Clint Eastwood (Gran Torino) and Sean Penn (Milk)

Best Picture
And the winner is…
The Wrestler

This was by far the hardest award to choose. The Wrestler had stiff competition this year with Slumdog Millionaire and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I think the deciding factor was Mickey Rourke’s resurgence. Also, not to slight Milk in any way, but I didn’t feel that the movie as a whole could compete with the Wrestler or Slumdog. Sean Penn’s performance was great, but the movie lacked a certain emotionality that the Wrestler and Slumdog had. This pick also makes me wonder if my judgment is off because the Academy didn’t even nominate the Wrestler for best picture, and I’m giving it the gold. Oh well, I guess that’s why I’m not in the Academy. Congratulations to The Wrestler, the movie was incredibly put together, included tremendous acting from all characters, and allowed for Marisa Tomei and Mickey Rourke to bring their careers back to life.

Honorable Mentions: Slumdog Millionaire, Milk, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Dark Knight, Gran Torino

Well, that’s the end. It was a great year for film in my opinion. It was a drama heavy year, but they were all done very well. See you all next year.

DISCLAIMER: This blog will feature extreme generalizations AND political bias. Enjoy.

A recent study claims that online porn is purchased more frequently by people in red states.

Although I’m not one to unquestionably believe in the power of statistics, I will go ahead and say it….

OMG THIS IS SHOCKING!

That’s like telling a knock knock joke at a party…

“Knock knock”
“Who’s there?”
“conservativessometimesrepresstheirsexuality”
“conservativessometimesrepresstheirsexualitywho?”

It’s really starting to seem like the Ted Haggards and Mark Foleys of the world should just be up front about their sexuality. They’ll have to pay for less porn that way.

Then again, who would we bleedin’ heart liberals have to ridicule if they didn’t hide this shit?

He’s probably praying that no one would find out that he doesn’t exactly practice what he preaches

This Sunday’s Oscars were the best ever, and it wasn’t because of Hugh Jackman’s chiseled jaw line (or the fact that Anne Hathaway didn’t win shit). These Oscars were great because of this.

I am fully aware what a sour taste these speeches left in some people’s mouths. Some hate the idea of using the Oscars as a political soap box, and I can appreciate that point of view. I am also aware how many disapprove of how Sean Penn continues to act like the moral compass of Hollywood, as if the political opinion of famous actor is somehow more relevant than that of a lay person. “I do know how hard I make it to appreciate me. Often.” You’re right about that, Sean. You frequently do make it that way, and I’m someone who usually agrees with you (and loves your acting, for that matter).

But, what Dustin Lance Black and Sean Penn said last night needed to be said.

Oscars or not.

America has been seriously embroiled in the gay marriage debate for about a decade now (many gay Americans would say even longer, I’ll bet), and we are reaching a watershed moment. Judges tell us gay marriage should be legal, voters tell us (in decreasing margins) that it shouldn’t be. It’s a matter that divides churches, divides political parties, and sadly, it divides families. In fact, I learned from a friend of mine that one his friends from his hometown decided to come out to his parents after watching the speech. How they took it, I don’t know.

As much as it might offend some, I have to agree with Sean Penn: Our grandchildren will be ashamed of us if we continue down the path we have been taking. We will be remembered as a generation that, despite electing the first black man to the presidency, continued to segregate and oppress and deny people basic human liberty because they are different from the norm. We will be seen in the same light as the segregationists and xenophobes of another age. You may think I am wrong. You may think that what I have just said is offensive and vitriolic. You may hate being lumped together with the KKK and all the images that accompany a different period of segregation. You may think that gay marriage is just plain wrong. And frankly, I would like nothing more than to have this debate with you (though I wish it didn’t have to be through the comments section). But, in 50 years, we will have to explain to your grandchildren why we thought it was right to stop those who love each other from expressing that love, whether in the ceremony of marriage, or the sharing of property, or the decision to end their partner’s life with dignity. We will have to explain why we thought it was better to let thousands of children grow up in group homes and with abusive foster parents rather than in an environment of support and love, just because their would be two fathers or two mothers in that loving, supportive household. We will be praised for what we have accomplished, but we will also be shamed for the injustice we let continue.

In 50 years (and I hope it only takes that long) those who despised Sean Penn’s speech last night will be the minority, and Harvey Milk will no longer only be a hero to the gay community, but to the human community.

I invite everyone to take some time to think about what you believe, why you believe it, and how you will answer future generations when they ask you what and why this generation believed.