Steel Kaleidoscopes

Academy Awards

No, the Academy Awards aren't perfect. There are always flaws.

The actors and actresses (excuse me, they're all actors now) can be pretentious, haughty, arrogant and redundant.

But ask yourself this: How many movies have you watched in the last year? How many trips have you made to Blockbuster and how many red envelopes have you resealed and sent back to Netflix?

Hollywood plays a big role in our lives, filling our idle time with laughter, tears and wonderment. Movies were our first date, one of our first clues that there was a bigger world outside our zip code.

Year after year, these actors fill our screens to help take the sting off a bad day while giving us fodder for endless conversation and debate.

Who cares if the host was too tame and some of his jokes were lame? Who cares what so-and-so was wearing? Who cares if the acceptance speeches got a little long?

Who cares about their politics?

Movies are a big part of our life. Let the actors have their night.

It Happened One Night

With Netflix, it's easy to check out a lot of classic movies we haven't seen. This weekend we watched "It Happened One Night," a blockbuster from 1934 that swept five major Oscar categories including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director and Best Screenplay.

What's interesting to watch is not only how far movie-making has come in the last 71 years, but how gender relations have evolved. Clark Gable is overbearing and condescending to Claudette Colbert, yet she swoons to his machismo and melts in his presence.

This would never happen today.  After the two meet on a bus from Miami to New York, Gable degrades her, slaps her, spanks her, tells her what she can and can't eat, and puts her on a budget as the two travel from Miami to New York. Can you imagine Ethan Hawke treating Julie Delpy this way in "Before Sunrise," a modern-day romance similarly inspired by a chance meeting on public transportation?

No way. No one would believe it.

Yet, in 1934, men ruled the world, made the rules and "knew best for the fairer gender."

The fact that this swept five Oscars is a window into 1934 Americana.

What a difference 71 years make.

Was it Good for You?

This bird appears to be enjoying a smoke, but in reality is just a little chilly. Courtesy of Ashley in Saratoga. Original photo by Robert F. Bukaty.

Late February

They're tossing the ball back and forth in Fort Myers. The sun is shining a little longer each day. A snowfall is old news, an annoyance.

The Ides of March are but a few footsteps away. The Oscars are lined up, ready to be handed out to both the deserving and undeserving.

The breeze has lost its bite. Cabin Fever is slowly dissipating with each winter day disappearing off the calendar.

April, come she will.

Jose Canseco

There's an unwritten rule among fraternities, a universal code of silence so publicized and mainstream that Vegas uses it for its recent marketing campaign.

What happens here, stays here.

Not so for Jose Canseco, the former Major League Baseball star who made his mark with a unique combination of power and speed. He and teammate Mark McGwire earned the nickname "The Bash Brothers" for their home run prowess during their early years with the Oakland A's.

Now four years out of uniform, Canseco is still a one-man wrecking crew, trashing his fraternity on a book promotion tour that includes appearances on "60 Minutes" and "Hannity and Colmes."

In the latter, broadcast Tuesday night, Canseco talks not only of rampant steroid use throughout the league, but of infidelity so deep in the ranks that he knows of only one player who did not cheat on his wife.

Even if what he's saying is true, and it's highly doubtful Roger Clemens is the only committed husband in the last 15 years of the game, you don't go on national TV with it.

It's bad enough Canseco is naming names in regard to steroids. But now his infidelity statement is going to upset a lot of wives whose husbands may or may not be telling them the truth after the five-city road trip.

Clearly, baseball needs to clean up the drug problem. With the new testing rules, it has taken a positive step. Hopefully, the truth will come out and those who are cheating the game will be exposed and punished.

But Canseco is only making matters worse, and he's saying more than he needs to say in an effort to sell a book. The fraternity must be fuming. Regardless of who's cheating with drugs or women, the disgruntled Canseco is painting a wide swath over the game, fueling suspicion on the field and in the bedroom.

Turns out that "Bash Brother" is a fitting nickname for Jose Canseco, long after his last home run has cleared the fence.

American Idol: First Round, Females

Can we get a redo? It seems like there's some talent here, but nervousness was the theme of the evening. Clearly, the boys will rule American Idol IV when it's whittled down to the final 12. Other than a few, most of these girls were mediocre and unmemorable.

1. Aloha Mischeaux
Most talented of the group. Unique sound and style. Original. Fearless. Hated the song choice, but no one really came close to this performance. She'll be around in May, without a doubt, perhaps the one woman in the top 5 challenging the guys.
Odds of winning: 3-1

2. Carrie Underwood
Nice vocal controls. Hit all of her notes correctly in a difficult song. Had some Diana DeGarmo moments.  The question is: How far will country take you? More talented than Carmen Rasmusen.
Odds of winning: 5-1

3. Nadia Turner
Best performance of the night.  Perhaps the best stage presence of both gender. Came out with confidence, moved well, sang well. Her presence almost overwhelmed her vocals. Jeans and belly shirt worked. Big hair. Really big hair. Unique. Memorable.
Odds of winning: 8-1

4. Jessica Sierra
Loved the song choice ("Against All Odds"). Thought she sang it OK. Wasn't great. Seems like there's potential, once she handles her nerves. Like many of these, she seemed shell-shocked that she was actually performing in front of millions of people.
Odds of winning: 10-1

5. Vonzell Solomon
Pitchy, hit some bad notes, a little too runny. Was out of breath at times. Thought the judges were off on this one, but I just think they appreciate someone coming out with an uptempo song to open the show. Lots of energy, pretty. She needs another song.
Odds of winning: 17-1

6. Lindsey Cardinale
Safe, boring. Seemed like she was holding back. Another one battling nerves. Nasally. Cute. The guy vote will probably keep her around. Not impressed. Not memorable.
Odds of winning: 20-1

7. Celena Rae
Too subdued at the beginning. Very difficult to hear her. Sounded like she was mumbling. Picked it up midway and had a decent finish. Is there a voice here? Needs to come out with something strong if she sticks around.
Odds of winning: 20-1

8. Melinda Lira
Off-key, pitchy, too many awkward runs. Yet another one battling nerves. Hit a nice note at the end. Other than that, boring and forgettable.
Odds of winning: 20-1

9. Amanda Avila
Lots of emotion in her voice, but talent just doesn't match up to what lies ahead. Michael Bolton song a bad choice. Very safe and structured. Thought Simon's microphone comment was inappropriate.
Odds of winning: 25-1

10. Janay Castine
May have been the most nervous of all, and those nerves  affected her performance. She hit a few good notes, but most were off-key. Bad song choice. She may get the sympathy vote as the judges were forgiving.
Odds of winning: 25-1

11. Sarah Mather
The song choice ("Get Ready") didn't work for her. Thought the performance was weak, and lacked emotion. It was like watching a Dramamine perform. Cute girl. Guy vote may keep her in, but she's out of her league here.
Odds of winning: 25-1

12. Mikalah Gordon
What was that? She was off-key, had trouble mouthing the lyrics and moved like Elaine Bennis. Thought she did OK during the auditions, so this was a surprise. Quirkiness may keep her around, but it's doubtful.
Odds of winning: 30-1

American Idol: First Round, Males

Finally, some talented male singers. After a season in which an inconsistent George Huff was the sole talent of the gender, it looks like the boys are back in town. There are a few standouts in a group in which everyone is better than Jon Peter Lewis and John Stevens. Kudos to Fox for hand-picking an eclectic, talented dozen. Here's the order of how the 12 male finalists performed last night, with the odds of winning it all in May:

1. Anthony Federov
Purest voice of the night and a clear early favorite. Kind of sounds like a young Dennis DeYoung. The question is whether or not there's room for two Clay Aikens.  The judges were tough on him, but Simon hated Clay early in Season 2. Probably has the most heartwarming road to Idol. Needs to find some charisma.
Odds of winning: 3-1

2. Travis Tucker
Wonderful Stevie Wonder-like voice -- deep and rich, with some range. Has a killer smile that will draw the girl vote. Loads of talent. Judges were way, way wrong with their criticism. He was one of the best, and should stick around deep into the spring.
Odds of winning: 3-1

3. Anwar Robinson
One of the few singers who took a chance with song selection and delivery. Created his own arrangement of "Moon River" and it worked. Displayed strong vocal dynamics. Hit a few sour notes, but overall excellent. He'll be around in May.
Odds of winning: 3-1

4. Constantine Maroulis
This kid has a great voice. Loved the song selection. Handling "Seal's "Kiss From a Rose" shows he can sing styles other than rock from the outset. Charismatic with an Eddie Vedder bad-boy image lurking underneath. Will get a big share of the girl vote (and they won't admit it).
Odds of winning: 5-1

5. Nikko Smith
Loved seeing him open the show. Made us forget about the lack of male talent from last season right away. Very smooth and controlled. The question is: How will he do when he's not singing Stevie Wonder?
Odds of winning: 10-1

6. Bo Bice
It's all going to depend on whether or not America wants the next Bob Seger as its American Idol. He is the anti-boy band entry. Really good voice. Wasn't crazy about the background vocals. Judges' positive comments will keep him around, at least until next week. Will America reel back the '70s?
Odds of winning: 12-1

7. Scott Savol
Nice voice. Clearly in the upper echelon of this group. Kind of has that crazed, angry postal worker expression that may turn off voters, especially the girls. Simon was a little too harsh on him. I hope he sticks around for one more chance, but won't be surprised if he gets cut.
Odds of winning: 25-1

8. David Brown
Bad song choice. "Never Can Say Goodbye"? Yecch. Seemed nervous. Performance was just OK. Too safe and a little boring. Not memorable. May sneak through this week, but won't be in the final 6.
Odds of winning: 20-1

9. Jared Yates
Sounded a little breathy and forced. Came across as a poor man's Marc Anthony. Very average. Thought he may have been the safest of all. Good looks will help him, but he needs to find a way to stand out vocally. Could get bumped off this week.
Odds of winning: 25-1

10.  Joseph Murena
Thought he did an OK job, but hated the song choice. Choosing Michael Bolton as your first song choice is a bad idea. Thought it was safe, boring and little forced.
Odds of winning: 25-1

11. Mario Vazquez
Kind of a runny, whiny, pitchy voice. Just OK. Seemed nervous. Has the look, but can he sing? Yes, but he doesn't match up with the blue-chippers in this group. Any time someone says "C'mon people" to the audience is a bad sign.
Odds of winning: 20-1

12. Judd Harris
What were the judges thinking? Mediocre, sophomoric effort. Way too over the top and forced. He picked up where the overrated JPL left off. He shouted the lyrics and barely resembled singing. Because the judges were exuberant, he'll get another chance.
Odds of winning: 20-1

Summer Scene

When winter seems to linger, it's easy to think summer thoughts. Sharing a bottle of Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio with crackers and lobster dip is only a few months away.

 

Pondering II

If a student is struggling in an orbital mechanics class, does the instructor say, "What did you expect,  it's rocket science."

If someone tells you they took a job and are in it for the long run, does it mean they run a 10K after work every night?

If a night watchman isn't wearing a watch and he's fired, can he blame it on bad timing?

Underwater Treasure

Interesting story this morning in regard to the tsunami.

Archaeologists have discovered an ancient city off the coast of India. Excavations have uncovered part of a temple with intricate carvings of animals. Apparently, as the waves receded, the force of the water removed sand deposits that had been covering the structures for centuries.

Archaeologists are guessing the city was built around the seventh century.