Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Confessions Tour 2006

Rating:★★★★
Category:Music
Genre: Pop
Artist:Madonna
Madonna hit Vegas this weekend with her new Confessions Tour. If you have never seen Madonna perform before, you need to know that her shows are more than just a concert. Her shows are a theatrical adventure consisting of elaborate sets, costume changes, dancers and more. The Confessions Tour was no different.

The theme, at least for the first half of the show, was, well, equestrian. There were images of horses on the huge video screens and the dancers mimicked horses galloping as they pranced around the stage. At one point Madonna even straddled a floating horse saddle, mounted on a pole, where she demonstrated her pole dancing skills while singing 'Like a Virgin'.

The music sounded perfect. There was occasional feedback ringing, but that was easily masked by the techno music playing.

If you haven't already heard of the controversial segment of the show, it featured Madonna strapped up on a huge cross. She sang 'Live to Tell' from this position and it was actually quite amazing visually. Her voice was in great shape (possibly due to the fact that she requires the air conditioning to be turned off during her show- and it did get a bit warm in there).

The many costume changes gave chances for the amazing dancers to showcase their talents. We didn't even mind that Madonna was absent from the stage because we were so transfixed on the dancers. They were jumping, leaping, hanging from the multi tiered stages.

Madonna has so many hits that a long time fan might be disappointed they didn't hear more of their favorites, but after playing most of the new album, and a track or two from each of her dozen or so albums, there wouldn't be time for all the hits. It would have been a 10 hour show. As it was, it was a good 2 hours straight.

There was a terrific 70's disco segment where the dancers all came out on roller skates, the disco ball hanging and Madonna and her two background singers in John Travolta 'Saturday Night Fever' white suits.

Out of a page from the U2 concert ritual, there was a segment where the video screen displayed images and the words 'don't speak' and 'don't talk' flashed. There were numbers counting up (numbers we eventually were told were the number of children left orphaned by AIDs), and video of various political and government officials ranging from Rumsfeld to Hitler to G. W. Bush. I think she was trying to make a point, but truthfully, it wasn't specific enough for me to actually understand what point she was trying to convey, it seemed all over the place and possibly just there to be political. Could have been just me....

One thing I want to note- Madonna is fit. It's probably the yoga, but for 47, she is in better shape than I will ever be. She is extremely flexible (see earlier pole dancing reference), and all over the dance floor, uh, I mean stage.

The show closed with 'Hung Up' and balloons fell from the rafters.

I would recommend this show if you don't mind the high ticket prices (which basically would put you in the 'Big Madonna Fan' category anyway and you will love it no matter what).

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Boxing

Start:     Jun 3, '06 4:00p
Location:     Thomas & Mack Center
http://www.thomasandmack.com/
http://www.yuriforeman.com/

Golf

Start:     Jun 3, '06 07:30a
Location:     Painted Desert

Tennis

Start:     May 31, '06 6:00p
Location:     Stirling Club, Turnberry

Saturday, May 27, 2006

Madonna

Start:     May 28, '06 8:00p
Location:     MGM Grand

Friday, May 26, 2006

VH1 Rock Honors




Last night (5/25/06) was the filming of VH1's Rock Honors show, which airs on 5/31 on VH1. This was a tribute show to Rock Legends. The honored bands were Queen (performing with Paul Rodgers), Def Leppard, Judas Priest and Kiss. The bands playing tribute were Foo Fighters (sang a Queen song, then Grohl and Taylor drummed with Queen's set), Godsmack and The All American Rejects. There was also a special performance by an all star tribute band, performing a Kiss song- Tommy Lee, Slash, Scott Ian (Anthrax), Rob Zombie.... It was awesome. The show was hosted by Jaime Pressly and had a few celeb presenters. Cameras weren't allowed so my photos are a little grainy and more sparse than if I was allowed to take pictures :)...

Tune in on 5/31 to catch the show. The bands (especially Judas Priest) sounded great. I didn't particularly like Paul Rodgers singing with Queen, but otherwise all the acts were perfect and true to old form!


http://www.vh1.com/shows/events/rock_honors/2006/

Thursday, May 25, 2006

VH1 Rock Honors

Start:     May 25, '06 8:00p
Location:     Mandalay Bay Events Center
http://www.vh1.com/shows/events/rock_honors/2006/

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Al Gore on SNL




Al Gore was on Saturday Night Live this past weekend and the segment was a look at an alternate reality, a parallel universe, one in which Gore won in 2000...

Al Gore on Saturday Night Live

The gist of this segment was- what if we took a look at a parallel universe....


Transcript of 'President' Gore's Address to the Nation


The following is a transcript of "President" Al Gore's address to the nation on Saturday Night Live.

AL GORE: "Good evening my fellow Americans. In 2000 when you overwhelmingly made the decision to elect me as your 43rd President, I knew the road ahead would be difficult. We have accomplished so much, yet challenges lie ahead.

In the last six years, we have been able to stop global warming. No one could have predicted the negative results of this. Glaciers that once were melting are now on the attack. As you know, these renegade glaciers have already captured parts of upper Michigan and northern Maine. But I assure you, we will not let the glaciers win.

Right now in the second week of May 2006, we are facing perhaps the worst gas crisis in history.


We have way too much gasoline! Gas is down to nineteen cents a gallon and the oil companies are hurting. I know that I am partly to blame, by insisting that cars run on trash.

I am therefore proposing a Federal bail-out to our oil companies because hey, if it were the other way around, you know the oil companies would help us.

On a positive note, we worked hard to save welfare, fix Social Security, and of course, provide the universal health care we all enjoy today. But all this came at a high cost. As I speak, the gigantic National Budget Surplus is down to a perilously low 11 trillion dollars. And don't get any ideas. That money is staying in the very successful lock box. We're not touching it. Of course, we could give economic aid to China or lend money to the Saudis again, but right now we are already so loved by everyone in the world that American tourists can't even go over to Europe anymore without getting hugged.

There are some of you would like to spend our money on some made-up war. To you I say, "what part of lockbox don't you understand?" What if there's a hurricane or a tornado? Unlikely I know, because of the anti-hurricane and tornado machine I was instrumental in helping to develop…but what if? What if the scientists are right and one of those giant glaciers hits Boston? That's why we have the lockbox.

As for immigration, solving that came at a heavy cost, and I personally regret the loss of California. However, the new Mexifornian economy is strong and El Presidente Schwarzenegger is doing a great job.

There have been some setbacks. Unfortunately, the confirmation process for Supreme Court Justice Michael Moore was bitter and divisive. However, I could not be more proud of how the House and Senate pulled together to confirm the nomination of Chief Justice George Clooney.

Baseball, our national pastime, still lies under the shadow of steroid accusations. But I have faith in Baseball Commissioner George W. Bush when he says, "we will find the steroid users if we have to tap every phone in America."

In 2001, when I came into office, our national security was the most important issue. The threat of terrorism was real. Who knew that six years later, Afghanistan would be the most popular spring break destination, or that Six Flags Tehran is the fastest growing amusement park in the Mideast, and the scariest thing we Americas have to fear is … Live From New York, It's Saturday Night!"


Video here: http://jodig.multiply.com/video/item/6

Sunday, May 14, 2006

Palms Fantasy Suites

Last weekend I was fortunate enough to attend the premiere party for the Palms Hotel Fantasy Suites (aka the Party-Floor Suites).  The Palms Hotel, owned by Sacramento Kings owner George Maloof, opened a second tower earlier this year and last weekend they premiered their fantasy suites.  I had been seeing the commercials for these suites for the past couple weeks, and I know beyond this party I will probably never be in one again.

There are 7 basic fantasy suites:

g-Suite
Erotic Suite
Hot Pink Suite
Kingpin Suite
Crib Suite
Celebrity Suite
Director's Suite

The party was done block party style, where each of these themed suites were open and had open bars.  The party was packed with celebrities (yes, Paris Hilton was there), but the real stars of this party were the suites.  

The Kingpin Suite, for example, has two full size bowling lanes in it (which apparently Avril Lavigne took advantage of at the party- I had already left).  From The Palms website: With two full sized bowling lanes, this room is fit for a King-pin. This retro style 4,240 square foot suite features two bedrooms, three bathrooms, LCD and Plasma TVs throughout. It also includes regulation bowling equipment, a pool table, full bar, and theater size projection television with lounge.

The Celebrity Suite is where the party started (or at least where we started).  All of the suites had full bars that were fully stocked for the party.

The Cribs Suite is a 2,000 sq ft suite which caters to the demands and the needs of any ultimate crib seeker. Amenities include a DJ booth, back bar, show shower™, pool table, graffiti ceiling, video gaming lounge, “sound seating,” hydraulic bed, a display of hip-hop memorabilia, and an expanded bathroom and dressing area with a saltwater fish tank.

All of the suites had huge glass showers with stripper poles in them.  The Erotic Suite  features a shadow dancer projection wall, metal show shower™, full bar, and an eight foot round rotating bed with mirrored ceiling.

These suites are a nice addition to the Palms already popular Hardwood Suite, including its own basketball court.

All of the suites offer full glass wall views of the Strip from the 25th and 26th floors of the new tower.

Seriously, these suites are COOL.  Prices, you ask?  Well...you can't reserve these online, you have to call.  And honestly I don't know the prices, but I think it would be safe to say $5-$10k a night is probably on target.... this is Vegas after all...

http://www.palms.com/suites_villas_7_1.php

Friday, May 12, 2006

Snoop Dogg

Start:     May 6, '06 11:45p
Location:     The Joint at Hard Rock

Wednesday, May 3, 2006

Buck Cherry

Start:     May 19, '06 10:00p
Location:     HOB

Cloud Nine Weekly Summer Golf League

Start:     May 11, '06 5:30p
Location:     Angel Park

Rock 'n Roll Wine Tasting

Start:     May 10, '06 7:00p
Location:     Sapporo
http://www.rocknrollwine.com

Hiking

Start:     May 7, '06 09:00a
Location:     Red Rock Canyon

Palms Fantasy Suites Launch Party

Start:     May 6, '06 9:00p
Location:     The Palms

UNLVino

Start:     May 6, '06 3:00p
Location:     Paris Hotel
UNLV wine tasting event
http://www.unlvino.com

Barry Manilow

Start:     Apr 27, '06 9:00p
Location:     Las Vegas Hilton

Wrangler's Hockey Game

Start:     Apr 30, '06 5:00p
Location:     Orleans Arena

Game 7 Wranglers Playoff Hockey

Start:     Apr 19, '06 7:00p
Location:     Orleans Arena

Tiger Woods Tiger Jam

Start:     Apr 29, '06 8:00p
Location:     Mandalay Bay
http://www.tigerjam.com/

M:I 3 (Mission Impossible 3)

Rating:★★★★
Category:Movies
Genre: Action & Adventure
Plot Outline: IMF leader Ethan Hunt comes face to face with a dangerous and sadistic arms dealer while trying to keep his identity secret in order to protect his girlfriend.


I am having a little trouble writing this review. The biggest reason is I can't remember any details about the first 2 MI movies. Now that shouldn't affect my judgement on the 3rd, but it does. I like to compare sequels to their earlier releases, but I have no memory of them. I saw them both. I believe I liked them both. I know Tom Cruise starred in both. He played Ethan Hunt. That is all I remember.... so let's look at M:I 3 as a stand alone movie.

It has action. Oh boy does it have action. There were at least 4 times I had to stop myself and say "breathe, Jodi". It has 'edge of seat' action.

It has Philip Seymour Hoffman. This should be enough reason alone to go. I love PSH. Generally a character actor, his role in M:I 3 is no different, although less over the top, more subtle, definitely bad-ass.

The storyline is pretty good. You can see J. J. Abrams influence all over the place. I won't list any spoilers, but Felicity, I mean Keri Russell, shows her inner Sydney Bristow (Alias reference for those of you who don't know J. J. Abrams was the creator of both Alias and Felicity (and Lost and ...). Greg Grunberg also makes a very brief appearance. He has had a cameo in just about every J. J. Abrams TV show so when I saw him pop-up in M:I 3, I chuckled out loud- although I am sure no one knew why...

I would recommend this movie, because basically it is going to be exactly what you expect. What could have hurt it, because you know there would be spectacular special affects and non-stop action, would be the storyline. But it was solid enough for an action movie, a couple little plot twists kept in interesting. If you want a fun action movie, go see M:I 3.

Transcript of Stephen Colbert's WHCA Speech

Stephen Colbert's White House Correspondents Dinner Speech


COLBERT: Wow, what an honor. The White House Correspondents' Dinner. To actually sit here, at the same table with my hero, George W. Bush, to be this close to the man. I feel like I'm dreaming. Somebody pinch me. You know what? I'm a pretty sound sleeper -- that may not be enough. Somebody shoot me in the face.

Is he really not here tonight? Dammit. The one guy who could have helped.

By the way, before I get started, if anybody needs anything else at their tables, just speak slowly and clearly into your table numbers. Somebody from the NSA will be right over with a cocktail.

Mark Smith, ladies and gentlemen of the press corps, Madame First Lady, Mr. President, my name is Stephen Colbert and tonight it's my privilege to celebrate this president. We're not so different, he and I. We get it. We're not brainiacs on the nerd patrol. We're not members of the factinista. We go straight from the gut, right sir? That's where the truth lies, right down here in the gut. Do you know you have more nerve endings in your gut than you have in your head? You can look it up.

I know some of you are going to say "I did look it up, and that's not true." That's 'cause you looked it up in a book. Next time, look it up in your gut. I did. My gut tells me that's how our nervous system works. Every night on my show, the Colbert Report, I speak straight from the gut, OK? I give people the truth, unfiltered by rational argument. I call it the "No Fact Zone." Fox News, I hold a copyright on that term.

I'm a simple man with a simple mind. I hold a simple set of beliefs that I live by. Number one, I believe in America. I believe it exists. My gut tells me I live there. I feel that it extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and I strongly believe it has 50 states. And I cannot wait to see how the Washington Post spins that one tomorrow.

Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong, welcome. Your great country makes our Happy Meals possible. I said it's a celebration. I believe the government that governs best is the government that governs least. And by these standards, we have set up a fabulous government in Iraq.

I believe in pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps. I believe it is possible -- I saw this guy do it once in Cirque du Soleil. It was magical. And though I am a committed Christian, I believe that everyone has the right to their own religion, be you Hindu, Jewish or Muslim. I believe there are infinite paths to accepting Jesus Christ as your personal savior.

Ladies and gentlemen, I believe it's yogurt. But I refuse to believe it's not butter. Most of all, I believe in this president.

Now, I know there are some polls out there saying this man has a 32% approval rating. But guys like us, we don't pay attention to the polls. We know that polls are just a collection of statistics that reflect what people are thinking in "reality." And reality has a well-known liberal bias.

So, Mr. President, please, pay no attention to the people that say the glass is half full. Sir, pay no attention to the people who say the glass is half empty, because 32% means it's 2/3 empty. There's still some liquid in that glass is my point, but I wouldn't drink it. The last third is usually backwash.

Okay, look, folks, my point is that I don't believe this is a low point in this presidency. I believe it is just a lull before a comeback. I mean, it's like the movie "Rocky." All right. The president in this case is Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed is -- everything else in the world. It's the tenth round. He's bloodied. His corner man, Mick, who in this case I guess would be the vice president, he's yelling, "Cut me, Dick, cut me!," and every time he falls everyone says, "Stay down! Stay down!" Does he stay down? No. Like Rocky, he gets back up, and in the end he -- actually, he loses in the first movie.

OK. Doesn't matter. The point is it is the heart-warming story of a man who was repeatedly punched in the face. So don't pay attention to the approval ratings that say 68% of Americans disapprove of the job this man is doing. I ask you this, does that not also logically mean that 68% approve of the job he's not doing? Think about it. I haven't.

I stand by this man. I stand by this man because he stands for things. Not only for things, he stands on things. Things like aircraft carriers and rubble and recently flooded city squares. And that sends a strong message, that no matter what happens to America, she will always rebound -- with the most powerfully staged photo ops in the world.

Now, there may be an energy crisis. This president has a very forward-thinking energy policy. Why do you think he's down on the ranch cutting that brush all the time? He's trying to create an alternative energy source. By 2008 we will have a mesquite-powered car!

And I just like the guy. He's a good Joe. Obviously loves his wife, calls her his better half. And polls show America agrees. She's a true lady and a wonderful woman. But I just have one beef, ma'am. I'm sorry, but this reading initiative. I'm sorry, I've never been a fan of books. I don't trust them. They're all fact, no heart. I mean, they're elitist, telling us what is or isn't true, or what did or didn't happen. Who's Britannica to tell me the Panama Canal was built in 1914? If I want to say it was built in 1941, that's my right as an American! I'm with the president, let history decide what did or did not happen.

The greatest thing about this man is he's steady. You know where he stands. He believes the same thing Wednesday that he believed on Monday, no matter what happened Tuesday. Events can change; this man's beliefs never will.

As excited as I am to be here with the president, I am appalled to be surrounded by the liberal media that is destroying America, with the exception of Fox News. Fox News gives you both sides of every story: the president's side, and the vice president's side.

But the rest of you, what are you thinking, reporting on NSA wiretapping or secret prisons in eastern Europe? Those things are secret for a very important reason: they're super-depressing. And if that's your goal, well, misery accomplished.

Over the last five years you people were so good -- over tax cuts, WMD intelligence, the effect of global warming. We Americans didn't want to know, and you had the courtesy not to try to find out. Those were good times, as far as we knew.

But, listen, let's review the rules. Here's how it works: the president makes decisions. He's the Decider. The press secretary announces those decisions, and you people of the press type those decisions down. Make, announce, type. Just put 'em through a spell check and go home. Get to know your family again. Make love to your wife. Write that novel you got kicking around in your head. You know, the one about the intrepid Washington reporter with the courage to stand up to the administration. You know - fiction!

Because really, what incentive do these people have to answer your questions, after all? I mean, nothing satisfies you. Everybody asks for personnel changes. So the White House has personnel changes. Then you write, "Oh, they're just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic." First of all, that is a terrible metaphor. This administration is not sinking. This administration is soaring. If anything, they are rearranging the deck chairs on the Hindenburg!

Now, it's not all bad guys out there. Some are heroes: Christopher Buckley, Jeff Sacks, Ken Burns, Bob Schieffer. They've all been on my show. By the way, Mr. President, thank you for agreeing to be on my show. I was just as shocked as everyone here is, I promise you. How's Tuesday for you? I've got Frank Rich, but we can bump him. And I mean bump him. I know a guy. Say the word.

See who we've got here tonight. General Moseley, Air Force Chief of Staff. General Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. They still support Rumsfeld. Right, you guys aren't retired yet, right? Right, they still support Rumsfeld.

Look, by the way, I've got a theory about how to handle these retired generals causing all this trouble: don't let them retire! Come on, we've got a stop-loss program; let's use it on these guys. I've seen Zinni and that crowd on Wolf Blitzer. If you're strong enough to go on one of those pundit shows, you can stand on a bank of computers and order men into battle. Come on.

Jesse Jackson is here, the Reverend. Haven't heard from the Reverend in a little while. I had him on the show. Very interesting and challenging interview. You can ask him anything, but he's going to say what he wants, at the pace that he wants. It's like boxing a glacier. Enjoy that metaphor, by the way, because your grandchildren will have no idea what a glacier is.

John McCain is here. John McCain, John McCain, what a maverick! Somebody find out what fork he used on his salad, because I guarantee you it wasn't a salad fork. This guy could have used a spoon! There's no predicting him. By the way, Senator McCain, it's so wonderful to see you coming back into the Republican fold. I have a summer house in South Carolina; look me up when you go to speak at Bob Jones University. So glad you've seen the light, sir.

Mayor Nagin! Mayor Nagin is here from New Orleans, the chocolate city! Yeah, give it up. Mayor Nagin, I'd like to welcome you to Washington, D.C., the chocolate city with a marshmallow center. And a graham cracker crust of corruption. It's a Mallomar, I guess is what I'm describing.

Joe Wilson is here, Joe Wilson right down here in front, the most famous husband since Desi Arnaz. And of course he brought along his lovely wife Valerie Plame. Oh, my god! Oh, what have I said? [looks horrified] I am sorry, Mr. President, I meant to say he brought along "Joe Wilson's wife. "Patrick Fitzgerald is not here tonight? OK. Dodged a bullet.

And, of course, we can't forget the man of the hour, new press secretary, Tony Snow. Secret Service name, "Snow Job." Toughest job. What a hero! Took the second toughest job in government, next to, of course, the ambassador to Iraq.

Got some big shoes to fill, Tony. Big shoes to fill. Scott McClellan could say nothing like nobody else.