Showdown next week
Those of you upset that ESPN showed a repeat episode of the World Series of Poker can take comfort that the final show will be aired next Tuesday.

Greatest Cheese In the World
It's a very subjective title to grant, but for my money Old York Sharp is the greatest cheese in the history of the world. I grew up on this stuff in Western NY state, and I order it online today. It's that good, and nothing I've ever sampled anywhere else (and I like cheese) comes even close.

So THERE.

You keep your distance with a system of touch | and gentle persuasion
I can't get "Head Over Heels" out of my mental playlist, thanks to Donnie Darko. I can't stop thinking about the movie, which I saw a couple nights ago.

I've now thought about it enough to own it. Amazon will be my undoing.

PS. It took me two seconds to pre-order this movie, so you can rest easy.

I was working and then...
For the love of god take Mr. Poo's advice and don't go here, especially if you have a work ethic.

I used to love playing games like Monkey Ball and Gyro Ball.

Although this version of Spank the monkey is quite enjoyable, it isn't as fun as the good old original (my record is 244 mph -- I think you'd have to throw your mouse through a wall to get the record).

The old fashioned way
In deference to El Cid's former writing style -- he's recently given up the longhand -- here's how Stephen King submitted his review of Harry Potter V to Entertainment Weekly for publishing. Yes, it's handwritten penmanship from the man himself, and fascinating stuff.

UPDATE: Here's the story behind the handwritten review.

I haven't killed anyone... since 1984
Not surprisingly, it turns out that having relationships with people who you have both good and bad feelings towards can make you sick. I've known this for a few years now. Oh well.

Homer's song of protest
Not like I didn't expect it, but Walter Chaw has delivered a chuckle-full review of Uptown Girls. Just don't read it while in a meeting, like I did (you get very confused looks when you suddely spit out your drink).

Iverson: Finally saying what is on my mind
Maybe it's because he's had his own publicity-drenched brushes with the law, or maybe it's because he's tired of the media treatment (like many of us), but whatever the reason, The Answer has delivered a cogent commentary on all the hype over the Kobe situation:

"'It's just something I don't like to discuss or want to discuss, because I've been through that in my own life,' Iverson said. 'You have people speculating on what they think happened, and everybody is talking about it. It's a big media circus, and it takes away from the realness of what went on. You turn it into a comedy show instead of something real. It's just unfair to speak on it and say what I think. I just wouldn't do it. I got respect for Kobe and I got respect for the alleged victim, and I won't do that.'
'I feel, in a situation like this, people should be quiet until something happens,' Iverson continued. 'But everybody just keeps yapping and yapping and yapping and (nobody knows) what happened but the two people that were involved. I hope (Bryant doesn't) have planes flying over his house and people camping out in front of his house all day and taking pictures of his dog, his kids and all that. ... I just hope he's not going through those types of things, because it's not right. If he's innocent, that's terrible. If he's guilty, then, hey ... but if he's innocent, I feel so bad. Because that's going to scar him for the rest of his life.'"

Allen's got a good perspective on the whole affair. Most people have already formed their own opinions on the case based on rumours, leaking, partial information, and prejudices. Thankfully, nothing will happen in the case for a couple months so we won't be barraged by a ton of worthless opinions, comments and speculation. For a while, at least.

You owe me 15 grand, pal.
For those of you who are interested in more World Series of Poker-related material, other than Tuesday night's next episode, I stumbled upon a literary outlet.

Fans of the show will be familiar with Howard and Annie Lederer, two of the more charismatic players seen in the tournament. It turns out that their little sister wrote a book about growing up in that household called Poker Face: A Girlhood Among Gamblers. If you happen to read it before I do, let me know.

UPDATE: Here's a good article on Annie.

Hot and vacuous and sending really conflicting messages!
In a rare display of equal voice (that is not what I, nor this site stands for!), I give you my hero Walter Chaw deliciously lambasting Britney's movie Crossroads. This is to avoid an inappropriately-placed Philips head screwdriver.

Bringing up our next Star Wars generation right
Jaquandor wrote a small list of questions his young daughter asked when viewing Return of the Jedi for the first time, and it's priceless.

And, like all responsible parents, he is clearly showing the films in the correct (i.e., original trilogy, then new trilogy) order. [Rant aside: I met someone who had seen only one Star Wars film, and it was Return of the Jedi. What the fuck is wrong with some people?].

Reject! Reject! Reject!
As I noted yesterday, I'll be sorting through potential roommates this week. The ones lucky enough to get an invite to the house were screened via email for possible warning signs.

At work, the hiring and sorting process continues. Here's an exerpt from a recent cover letter:

My most important principles are to maintain the highest standards of ethic and business conducts, and operated at all time within the laws of the United States and under all regulations and policies of the organization.

This wording used by this candidate (I'm sorry, former candidate), implies one, if not many problems. In no particular order, here are the ones which may apply:

1. One would hope that you can maintain a civil code of conduct without having to overtly plead it in your cover letter.
   
2. His principles have probably gotten him into trouble with his former employer, who saw his law-abiding zealotry as a narc, firebomber, self-appointed diversity expert, or a boorish boy scout.
   
3. He is likely required by law to state this disclaimer because he's been accused otherwise.
   
4. He is hiding a most treacherous past.
   
5. In naming the U.S., one might argue that this is the ONLY country, therefore, whose laws he will respect (cancel that business meeting in Ontario).
   
6. By saying "highest" standards, I infer that he believes his standards to be higher than my own (they most likely are). What a pretentious bastard. I will track him down and destroy him with extreme prejudice.

So, please be careful what kind of message you are sending. Thanks.