Kids are Good for Something After All..

Breathe deeply people, it's a joke. Anyone who knows me knows that I am not so great with the kiddos (cousins and sibs notwithstanding)... but these videos are HUH-LARIOUS because they combine two things that I love: reality television and precocious children. Watch and enjoy

An Open Letter to Ryan Murphy

Dear Ryan Murphy,

What are you doing to our beloved show, Glee? The top 3 of the back 9 episodes have thus far been an epic disappointment! What happened to the fun, lighthearted, sardonic, clever nature of this program? It's hard to place exactly what is wrong and what is different but I will try my best to inform you that you may thusly remedy the situation. Because you bet your Jersey Shore abs, it is a Situation!

First off, the pacing has been so strange. The first episode seemed incredibly rushed and crammed with too much plot. Conversely, the third episode seemed to move nowhere at all and got dragged down in extraneous plot lines. Glee works best when the focus is on the club as a whole, or at least the issues that affect it as a whole.

Also, the music is starting to overwhelm the show. Don't get me wrong- I LOVE the musical component of the show. Obviously that's one of the most special things about Glee! The thing of it is, the music should not drive the plot; it should be there to support it only. For instance, the Madonna episode clearly drove the plot through the music- not much of substance happened that wasn't related to the Madonna songs. And the songs seem to be increasing in length- the abbreviated versions are much better suited to the hour-long format so as to not get in the way of the plot. Where's Quinn/Puck/Finn drama? Where the heck was Emma this entire last episode?? It's all very frustrating.

I also think it's great and amazing that you are incorporating in so many incredibly talented guest stars... a la Cheno, Idina, etc, but be cautious how you use them. It's Glee, not the McKinley High Variety Hour. Whereas Cheno played a minor role in her initial appearance, she pretty much dominated the entire episode this time around. And while I'm a huge fan, I would have sacrificed one of her 3 songs to get some legitimate Rachel/Jesse interaction. Rachel didn't have a single line in the episode!!! Unacceptable.

Mr. Murphy, give us back our joy- give us back our Glee! Don't ruin what has been so ridiculously awesome to this point. I have faith it can be turned around...now Don't Rain on Our Parade! For the love of Barbara, please right this ship!

Sincerely,

BelleoftheBallgame

You're doin' Fine, Oklahoma

So unless you've been living under a rock, and by a rock I mean probably any other state, you know that last night was most likely THE greatest night in Oklahoma sporting history. Now to the rock-dwellers out there, that may not sound like much. Really, though, it IS when you consider that OU lays claim to 7 national titles in Football, 5 Heisman Trophy winners, and the longest winning streak in college football history, just to name a few achievements.

Let me break down for you real fast what happened last night:

THE #1 pick in the draft, Samuel Bradford, is an OKC-born and bred Sooner

The #3 pick in the draft, GK Gerald McCoy, is an OKC-born and bred Sooner

The #4 pick in the draft, Trent Silverback Williams (what the heck?), is a SOONER!

The #6 pick in the draft, Russell Okung is from OSU

Two additional 1st rounders, Jermaine Gresham (SOONER!) and Dez Bryant (OSU) hail from O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A schools!

So that was pretty stinkin' amazing. So many new NFL teams to pull for... The Rams, The Bucks, The Bengals... sorry Silverback, division rivalry dictates that I cannot get behind another NFC East team. Speaking of which... WELCOME, Dez Bryant to The Cowboys! I think this pick is brilliantly awesome. He is an excellent player, and I don't really buy that he has character issues... I think he was just a nervous kid that got mixed up in a crummy situation. He will fill a void left by the much-maligned Longhorn Roy Williams. What. A. Bust.

But wait, people. That's SO not all that happened! There was a teeny-tiny little game going down in the Ford Center between the Thunder and the Lakers! I was fortunate enough to get to attend this game in Loud City (codename: Nosebleeds!). The game was so disappointing...

I mean didn't even get to see Khloe Kardashian! Just kiddiiiing- it was amazing! It was super loud and exciting- I haven't experienced that kind of noise since the 2008 Texas Tech game... apparently it got up to 109 decibels. That, plus the blue-out, and the atmosphere was totally SICK! And while making the trek from the Ford Center to the car... you would have sworn we won the whole dang championship. People were honking, hanging out of their cars, and chanting "Beat LA" ad nauseam. But that's what's so cool about it- such a passionate fanbase, who was just so incredibly excited about beating the Lakers in the first ever playoff series in Thunder history.

And THAT, people, makes up an epic night in sports. But you're not going to hear much about it in the national media, because OKC isn't a big market and people just don't pay that much attention. Well TAKE NOTICE, people, because there's some really amazing stuff going on here! You can have your 48th pick Jimmy Claussens and your stupid Kobes with their blocked shots (courtesy of Durantula)... I'll take these Oklahoma athletes any day!!!!

Damage Control

It has come to my attention that people are actually believing some "sick little rumor" (to quote my girl LC) that I like, no, LOVE, Taylor Swift! In my complete horror, I figured I had better take to the blogosphere to clear my good name (and to pimp my blog for more readership).

I have never, nor will I ever love Taylor Swift. I'm sorry, it's just not going to happen. As if her horrendous live singing and sugary-sweet lyrics aren't enough to send me over the edge, that overwhelming eye black she calls makeup makes me want to dub her Meeko and attack her with an armful of cleansing products, stat!

Every song she sings is about "this is a fairytale" or "this is not a fairytale," "I'm an average-but-loveable girl," or "I'm the girl who has been wronged." Variations on a theme here, princess... WE GET YOUR POINT!!!!!

I will concede the point that I do enjoy one song that features her vocals- Two is Better Than One. BUT! That is technically not her song, it is a Boys Like Girls song and she is not the prominent vocalist.

And seriously... we KNOW Joe Jonas wronged her. She's made that perfectly clear. But will she leave the middle JoeBro alone already? It's probably some serious sour grapes that he's now "dating" her pseudo-nemesis, Demi (from whom she purportedly stole BFF Selena Gomez), but c'mon girl...LET IT GO!

Don't get me wrong... it's not like a full on dislike the girl... I really do think she's a positive role model for girls and an image of a strong woman who doesn't brand herself through sex. Props. For. That!

Anyways... with respect (or lack thereof) to the purveyor of these falsehoods... everyone should know that she cannot be considered a credible source...I mean she uses crutches for gosh sakes, people! That's all i'm going to say about my nemesis.

Well, I hope this clears up that horrendous, shall we say, "miscommunication incident." I'm going to go watch some Hannah Montana to go purge all this negativity. *Miley peace sign face*

It's Gettin' A Little Drafty Out...

The draft approaches people... get. excited! I can't wait to see where Sam, Gresh, GK and the gang end up and which new NFL teams I will feel pseudo-compelled to root for (please no Eagles!).

Anywho, the latest news for The Big Easy is not good. Seriously, I know I was thinking, "what could be worse than going to the Rams?" Well, unfortunately there is speculation that worse predicament could happen.... the DOG POUND! I mean, that is where football dreams go to die. The Browns are a cursed franchise. When was the last time they were truly relevant? I JUST want what's best for SB... and the Rams are starting to look like a better deal. Hmmm maybe that's their tactic... get him more primed to the idea of the Rams by suggesting the possibility of the Browns... let us hope it is mere folly, indeed!

I am bummed I missed the Jon Gruden QB Camp special on ESPN... I have been seeing clips all week and I really wanted to check it out... I think I've taken for granted up until this point the completely bomb class of qb's going into the draft. Seriously, when was the last time it was this good? It's like we're seeing the new crop of NFL heroes about to emerge... It's like Saved by the Bell: The New Class... only hopefully way way better than that woefully dreadful spinoff... Dustin Diamond really is a creeper.... Ok- disengaging tangent mode!

Anyways, a few comments on the clips that I have seen. Watching Sam's shoulder getting destroyed was incredibly painful to watch... probably for everyone and definitely for him. He looked and sounded like he'd been reamed 1093843984 times for his, shall we say, "struggles" to properly take a hit. Poor guy. If he needs a shoulder to cry on, or, really, just a spare shoulder, I'd take one for the team and oblige either request. Just kidding... he's looking great based off his pro day. Colt McCoy... ohmygosh. He makes it impossible to dislike him! I mean I know I should, he's a LONGHORN for crying out loud! But his personality and sense of humor permeate the bounds of a loathesome rivalry. Read: I like the guy, okay! He was flat out huh-larious with Gruden, and my motto remains, if he's good enough for Sam to be friends with him, he's good enough for me. I will no doubt be cheering this kid on in the NFL. For the record, I hope he retains that southern accent... rep the Tejas!!

So long story short, if you're not at least a little pumped about this year's draft you either a.) are not a Sooner, 2.) dislike quarterbacks or f.) don't have a pulse! Btw, I'd love to hear comments and opinions on draft stuff... so throw it out there! See ya'll in prime time!

Glee-ful Me

I should be working on job apps tonight, but I'm too much like the 10 year-old version of myself that couldn't go to sleep the night before a fun field trip or vacation (dorky i know)... we are less than 24 hours from the premiere of the back 9 episodes of GLEE!!!!!!!!!

I am one serious Gleek... if you haven't watched it, it's like a sassy, grown up version of high school musical! They do versions of every kind of song imaginable- country, pop, old school rock, broadway, etc. And the 'mash-ups' (combining of two songs) are GEN-IOUS!

Here is a list of some Glee songs you should definitely check out, as they are my faves and they are generally awesome:

1. Somebody to Love - ask anybody, this is probably THE best Glee cover

2. Young Girl/Don't Stand So Close to Me- the thematic and musical mesh of these two songs is just too perfect!

3. Jump- it will just make you smile and dance... seriously!

4. Dancing with Myself- I love Kevin McHale's voice and it's a nice acoustic version of that song

5. Sweet Caroline- Puck just melts my heart and he's got the voice to pull off that "personal tribute to a musical Jewish icon." HOTT.

Now back to heaping more praise upon the show. It's funny, it's smart, it's touching and it's musical! It's just plain amazin'... and we have been promised so much goodness in these last 9 episodes, I can barely stand it: Quinn baby birth, Neil Patrick Harris, the Madonna episode, the Lady Gaga episode, Molly Shannon, and regionals! It's ridiculous!

And may I just say, Jane Lynch is a freakin' genious. Everything said and done by Sue Sylvester is pure hilarium. See for yourself in this Sue's Corner teaser posted below. It's that kind of over-the-top, tongue-and-cheek humor that makes me a hardcore Glee fan!

Happy viewing tomorrow, fellow Gleekers!

Lady Ace?

Has anyone else noticed a striking similarity between Gaga's new song Alejandro, and the Ace of Base song of the 9o's? I kind of love it. It's so not my favorite song of hers... but I like what she did there... she's one clever cookie. If you think I'm totally off base, listen to the two songs below and form your own opinion!

Ok, I know that was random but that's all I got for right now... I'll hit you with some glee love soon!

96

Random number? You might think so... but you think wrong. I have a few bones to pick with this stupid number....

'96- The year my book, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Football Like a Pro was written. Well, not my book (although I can see how you would be confused), but Joe Theismann's book that I'm reading. Anyways, I'm trying to absorb as much learning about the game that I can (I mean I am highlighting... the whole nine!) but I am finding some of the information to be very outdated. Some of it is humorous, like talking about Carolina coach Tom Coughlin or Troy Aikman, the current highest-paid player in the league. Where i'm running into trouble is some of the rules- I know some of them are outdated because the changed the playoff rules literally days ago. But what else is out of date? I already know the basic rules and regs of football, but there are some of the nit-picky details I'm a bit fuzzy on. For instance they've moved kickoffs from the 35 to the 30... have they changed it again since 1996? If I go solely by this book I may be watching under rules older than my brother (he's 11!)

I really am enjoying this book, though and I'm already learning a lot. I can't wait to get into penalties and offensive and defensive strategy... I have a LOT to learn.

96 teams... if you haven't heard the NCAA is seriously and legitimately considering at 96-team field for the men's basketball tournament. "Well, that sounds like fun," you might say. Again, you would be wrong. Just kidding. But I don't think I am in support of this. Now, I don't feel terribly qualified to speak on the subject as I am no connesouir of basketball, collegiate or otherwise, but I do have a few thoughts on the matter anyways (surprised? I didn't think so).

I understand the arguments for such a move: more 'bubble' teams get a chance to play, and there is more revenue in it. More inclusion, and more money... that's the American Dream isn't it?

Here's the thing: I AM A SPORTING ELITIST. I only want to see the best of the best play. True, I love Cinderella teams like Butler... but they made it to the tournament because the earned their way there. Do you know how many 16 seeds have advanced ever? Zero. None. Not a one. Do we need to throw any more erroneous teams in there? I realize with a first-round bye for the top seeds the top and bottom seeds wouldn't be facing off, but really, isn't it prolonging the inevitable?

I understand that the true bottom line here is this -----> $, which is further irksome. I don't mean to compare apples to Orange Bowls here, but isn't the complaint of many a college football fan about the bowl system? So many pointless bowls... do we really need a bowl in Boise, Idaho? Apparently we do... because of the money. Many cry out for a playoff system- one to rival the excitement of March Madness (I won't get into that whole topic). Why take the luster away from a great tournament? The inclusion won't just be 'bubble' teams, it will be mediocre ones as well... I highly doubt there are 32 extra teams that could be legitimately considered to make a run at the title. Get real.

I'm very much old-fashioned about change. I like tradition in sports, especially, but I do realize when a change is needed... for example the NFL overtime rules. So it's not about being an old fogey who doesn't want to adjust to a new system. I just think it's wrong to make this decision pretty much all about the money. Save that nonsense for the pro sports.

9-6 That's OU Football's record in its last 15 games. Yeah, I did reach for that one a little bit, but what an eery coincidence. I'm not a fan of this 96 either. I'm not going to put together a full-blown rant about this past season or about the national championship because quite frankly I am trying to block them out and look ahead to the future. Really though, we could and should have won each of those six games (except maybe to Texas). But on to the future, in which we have currently lost zero games! Here are my bold and fearless predictions (more like hopes and dreams masked as bold and fearless predictions) for future Soonerdom: Bradford to the Redskins, Sooners to a BCS Bowl. You heard it here. No doubt if these thing happen, I will be basking in the glory of my correct-ness.

Ok, 96, i'm done picking on you. My next target will be 3240803948.... you better watch out, 3240803948, I'm arming myself with stats.