Pre-Gamin'

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com

So I'm waiting for Dirty Driving: Thundercars of Indiana to start up and I'm sitting through the last part of Almost Famous. The main character/kid/Cameron Crowe character is definitely the kid of Kevin Arnold and the kid from Dazed and Confused.























A round-faced, goody two-shoes stoner.

I Forgot This Song Existed, Until I Remembered it Existed

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com

Good luck getting the hook of this jumpoff* out of your head.


* denotes- I'm not sure if I used that word correctly, but I went for it anyway. You regret the things you don't do in life.

Improv Everyone- One Hell of a Model Group of Americans

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com

I'm not all that familiar with much of their stuff, but I like knowing they exist. My sister showed me this video a few months ago and I just now decided to post it (not sure what caused the delay). Anyway, it's awesome and the placards are worth pausing on and reading.



I think that I kinda invented this though. I've been taking a flask full of booze with me wherever I go for years. That way, whenever I pull it out I feel like I'm at a party or some kind of convivial social event- much like how the champagne was deftly used in this piece. Is it kinda lame, am I a douchebag, or do I secretly think I'm awesome? Nooo.....noooo.......and yes!

Tom Durkin Interview

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com

You probably have to be a horse racingophile to appreciate this video, but I'm posting it anyway. TheBloodhorse.com is now featuring an entertaining interview with Belmont Stakes (among other races and tracks) announcer, Tom Durkin (whom I previously saluted). They talk about his preparation, strategies and do go over a few specific calls.

The most fascinating tidbit was when Durkin said that he was so confident that Smarty Jones would win the Belmont that the night before the race, he went down to the track and measured out 31 lengths, by hand, from the wire and put a piece of red tape against the rail to mark it. That distance is significant in Belmont Stakes history because it's the biggest margin of victory ever at that race, and was done by Secretariat. There is also another good image of it here.

God Exists And He Loves Him Some Racin'- Whoo Heidi

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com

The most awesome WT Documentary I've ever seen will be on HBO, Friday, 5/29 at 2am Central Time. In other words, in 3 hours from this posting. You just have to watch it.

THE FOLLOWING IS A REPOST



I had my Chakras aligned last night, shoot I tell you what. I did me some of the best remote-a-handlin' I ever did do, shoot. If you like that internet reading you can read you up on some of dat right here. And if you found that fancy, you might be a happy camper to read this here to boot.

It's called Dirty Driving: Thundercars of Indiana, but I'd also believe those cars came straight from heaven.

Man that documentary was radical. My only regret was that I didn't grow up closer to it, I was a good hour and 45 minutes away. Maybe I'll get 'em next life time.

I HIGHLY recommend that documentary to anyone who like stuff that is: 1) Awesome, 2) Sweet, 2) Cool, 3) Great, and or 4) Mega-bodacious. Great slice of Americana and a great slice of, well, numbers 1-4 as mentioned above. If your idea ratio of Shakesepearean quotations to uses of the word "cocksucker" is roughly in the 0 : 1,600 (pronounced "16 hun-erd") range, then this documentary is for you, you sumbitch.

Bad News for Fellow Saratoga Race Course Junkies

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com



Of all the awesome old dudes in the last 15 years Harvey Pack is on Mount Olympus, ruling benevolently along with Harry Caray, Burgess Meredith's character from Grumpy Old Men, John Wooden, Bill Russell, Buck O'neil, George Carlin, all the WWII veterans/commenters from Band of Brothers, and Art Donovan.

(I hijacked this article from here.)

NEW YORK, NY, April 2, 2009 -- Daily Racing Form today announced that Harvey Pack is retiring as the longtime host of DRF’s popular daily Saratoga handicapping seminars, which is ending its 17-year run at Siro’s restaurant, and that DRF has entered into a strategic partnership with the New York Racing Association to sponsor and provide analysts for an expanded and reformatted “Talking Horses” for the Saratoga race meet.

“Talking Horses, Presented by Daily Racing Form” will be conducted in a live audience format in 2009. The popular longstanding daily television show will be extended to 45 minutes, 11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. every racing day and broadcast live in the Carousel Restaurant facing the grandstand backyard. Scratches and changes have been moved to 11:40 am to allow the live program to be broadcast uninterrupted on all on-track monitors.

The new 3-person format will include a NYRA host (Eric Donovan or Jason Blewitt), NYRA co-host Andy Serling and a Daily Racing Form guest daily. DRF guests will include Steve Crist, Dave Grening, Dan Illman, Dave Litfin, Mike Watchmaker, and others.

“The Daily Racing Form’s handicapping seminars at Siro’s have been one of the great traditions of the Saratoga race meet,” NYRA President and CEO Charles Hayward said. “It won’t be the same without the legendary Harvey Pack, but we are thrilled with the opportunity to bring the DRF seminars on track and to combine our respective resources of talent and broadcast capabilities.”

The 82-year-old Pack, who resides in New York City with his wife Joy, cited family considerations for his decision not to return to Saratoga Springs for the annual six-week summer race meet. He had hosted the DRF seminars since 1999, reviving a tradition he began as the longtime host of “The Paddock Club” at the track and the “Thoroughbred Action” television show. If his family situation allows, Harvey is considering a cameo appearance as “Talking Horses” host early in August.

“The DRF seminars at Siro’s was a great gig,” said Pack. “The audiences responded to every joke and were all fans for many years. I want to thank everyone involved for a great ten years. I leave you with Little Andy (Serling), my last and best gift to racing.”

“We were saddened when Harvey told us that he could no longer come to Saratoga for the meet,” said Crist, DRF’s publisher. “We briefly considered alternative hosts but quickly concluded that no one could ever adequately replace Harvey. While it’s the end of an era for those of us involved with the DRF seminars, we’re excited about our new partnership with NYRA and hope to preserve the spirit of the seminars.”

“Talking Horses, Presented by Daily Racing Form” will be open to the public. Fans that are not on-track will be able to watch and listen to the show live on www.nyra.com and www.drf.com/saratoga.

The Stoning of Soraya M.- The New Conservative Focus Group?

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com

I heard about a free movie being shown at the independent movie theater three blocks from my apartment, so I decided to check it out. Its called The Stoning of Soraya M. and its a true story adapted from a book of the same name. In order to be able to attend the free screening I had to click here to RSVP to be allowed in.

Being that the movie was free I didn't mind jumping through a few hoops for a minute or two. But I was surprised to see its overt Christian overtone because the movie is about egregious human rights violations directed at Iranian women (Soraya in particular, as you can guess). I would have thought that if this movie had any religious or political backing it would be from a muslim council or some kind of global humanitarian awareness something or other. So I was filling out the survey at the bottom of the link and got to where it asks me to list my "Title" I was epecting the usual choices of Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr., etc. The options I got were, "Head Pastor, Pastor, Priest, Rabbi, Small Group Leader, Youth Ministry, Adult Ministry, Teacher, other."

That was surpring, and not just grammatically. Is Adult Ministry really a "title", as in, "Hello, I'm Adult Ministry Slyder"? I also noted how the "o" of "other" was lowercase, unlike all the other options. Anyway, I clicked other. The next question calls for the name of my Congregation, and the following question asks for the size of my congregation. I'm not affiliated with any religious organization, so I wrote in "none" for my name. When I got to the size of my congregation, I recalled that the survey says at the top "All Fields Required", so I was looking for the option of "0-100" or, "I don't belong to an organization" Nothing of the sort was an option. The choice with the smallest following was "1-10", so I had to lie since all fields were required.

Make no mistake about my skepticism- the movie was very good. It was good in a Schindler's List kind of way- well done, gets its point across, appears accurate and without an ax to grind, but at the same time isn't a date movie and provides zero comic relief. It's just designed to provoke thought, feel sympathy and nothing else. So a friend and I sat through the movie and found that it achieved its goal. It is entertaining, just not escapist.

When the movie finished a guy who is affiliated with the movie, more specifically Grace Hill Media, the movie's Christian PR team, grabs a microphone in the theater to ask us what we thought. He then was telling us what an outrageous crime against humanity, blah blah blah. He proceeded to tell us that the best way to end such suffering is to talk about it at our church, at youth groups and for church's to rent out entire movie theaters for its parishioners to come watch his movie. He then asked for a show of hands from the audience for people who were leaders in their churches. What I heard was "Jesus wants you to give us your money." That's when I left.

It seemed to me that this entire event was little else but a focus group for a possible new conservative agenda. Maybe the conservatives feel like the dropped the ball on certain humanitarian topics like Darfur, Global Warming, or maybe even gay marriage to some small extent (since it now seems like its legalization is a foregone conclusion, even if its a ways off), and scrambled to find a new stage in which to display their humanitarianism. So with the free screening and feedback, and subsequent email surveys, they were seeing if this was a topic that resonated with a conservative audience, and we were their focus group.

What I found most unfortunate was the veiled correlation between this conservative burgeoning concern with Iranian well-being, and the conservative support of war in that region. While this movie successfully makes us sympathize with the plight of females in Iran, it also demonizes the men (rightfully so, in the case of this movie). I couldn't shake the feeling that this movie then advances anti-muslim sentiment (since Allah apparently condones violence if the recipient had it coming to them, as we learn in the movie), by effectively stating- "Sure their thinking is screwed up, but it's nothing a little Jesus can't fix". Phrased differently, it seems to drive an ideological wedge between us and them.

Maybe all of the wedge-driving is warranted. If all the men in that village really were that incorrigble, then this movie has portrayed that accurately and no one is at fault. But such direct marketing toward Christians, and ostensibly, toward ONLY Christians reduces the credibility of the cinematic achievement. It made me ask- why does the marketing of this movie make it sound as if an atheist or muslim couldn't sympathize with Soraya's strife? Why was religion a part of the marketing of this movie? Since its a global issue, why not appeal toward more liberal groups like colleges or global humanitarian causes? Christianity playing such a heavy-handed role in the movie's marketing, I kept thinking that some conservative consortium must have planned this PR movie months ago, thinking, "Ok liberals, you won with Darfur, water-boarding, health care reform and Global Warming, but we're gonna get even when we make muslim women our new pet cause. Just you wait! Back off, non-Christians, this is our battle to fight and win, we found it first."

Then I got this email from Grace Hill today.

Dear Friend,

Now that you've had a chance to see THE STONING OF SORAYA M. and had time to collect your thoughts about this powerful film, I hope you've come to the same conclusion I have – although difficult to watch, it is a story that must be told! If you were as moved as I was, it is time to stand up and make a difference.The momentum for the STONING OF SORAYA M. is building – people as diverse as Dr. Frank Wright (President, NRB), Tony Campolo (Lecturer and Professor at Eastern University) and radio personality Rush Limbaugh have all been moved to offer action:
“Out of darkness – light. That is the story of creation, the story of human redemption, and the hope of The Stoning of Soraya M. In this true story, a wrongly accused woman pays the price for the sins of her town. With the darkness of the human condition laid bare, this riveting account inevitably points us to our only real hope: the One Atonement that dispels darkness and manifests the One Light that will never fail.”
-Frank Wright, Ph.D., President & CEO, National Religious Broadcasters

"The Stoning of Soraya M. is mesmerizing from beginning to end. It stirs the emotions that lead to commitments for justice on behalf of oppressed women everywhere. This has to be one of the best and most important films of the year."
-Tony Campolo, PhD, Eastern University

And now it's your turn.

As you probably sensed intuitively, the filmmakers responsible for THE STONING OF SORAYA M. are unique in Hollywood. Having made other life-altering films like THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST and BELLA, it's clear that their personal faith informs their professional vision. But films like these don't continue to get made without box office success, and that requires men and women who make a personal commitment to support films like these as a ministry opportunity.

We need your help. We need YOU to commit to buying out an entire screening on opening weekend. That's a big commitment, I know - but I would not ask you to do anything I wouldn't do myself. That's why I'll be buying out a screening on opening weekend. Join me, and help make THE STONING OF SORAYA M. a movie that changes hearts and frees oppressed people all over the globe. Together we can make a difference.
As an added incentive, if you buy out an entire theatre, Jim Caviezel will tape a personal greeting for you and your congregation! Just go to www.stoningparable.com/commit to register, or contact me personally at jb@gracehillmedia.com. Help support THE STONING OF SORAYA M. - so that the world will know.

Thank you again and God bless,

Jonathan BockPresidentGrace Hill Media

***********************************************************

Wait, so you're telling me that this movie has been lauded from such a diverse array of thinkers that it was praised by Rush Limbaugh AND the Pres. and CEO of National Religious Broadcasters?? That movie somehow reached out to BOTH of them?? Daayyyyum. That just about spans the whole spectrum of American political thought.

So if you feel sympathy for Soraya, and you should, you're obligated as Christians to feel guilty for your inaction regarding her people. How can you get involved? By watching my movie and telling a friend! Silence is consent- speak loudly! Unfortunately, this concept is very reminiscent of the pre-Lutheran Revolution Christian Church's selling of indulgences. The tag-team alliance of this powerful movie with this Christian group is an unsound idea as it dillutes the powerful message of the movie by secularizing it.

All that letter was missing was what they really wanted to say: Jesus told us that he wants you to give us your money.

A Martin Landau-Related Epiphany

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com


While watching the Cavs-Magic game last night it hit me: If Martin Landau ever decides to write a book of oral sex techniques, it should definitely be called Oral Landau Magic.

Daily Racing Form's Dan Illman Agrees With Me About Zenyatta

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com

After Zenyatta's stunning win in this weekends Milady Handicap, Dan Illman of DailyRacingForm.com echoed my sentiments about her superiority over the freakisly talented media darling, Rachel Alexandra.

***

With all due respect to "Superstar" Billy Graham, it is Zenyatta that is "the reflection of perfection, the number one selection." The Amazon, the freak, the scourge of the distaff division, Zenyatta is Beauty and The Beast rolled up into one divine package. Despite a wonderful ride from Garrett Gomez aboard the talented Life Is Sweet, Zenyatta wouldn't be denied. Again. Gomez dared Mike Smith to move Zenyatta through a narrow opening on the inside entering the final turn of the Milady Handicap at Hollywood Park on Saturday, and when Smith took the bait, Gomez almost put him over the rail. Undaunted, Zenyatta calmly began to build up momentum, and despite losing ground when wide turning for home, she steamrolled her opposition with the devastating ease that we've come to expect from the champion. Rachel Alexandra may have thrown down the gauntlet by beating males in the Preakness, but she isn't the mare to beat until she tackles Zenyatta.

***

Agreed.

Mancow on Countdown With Keith Olbermann to Discuss his Waterboarding Experience

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com

By now I'm sure all of you have heard that Chicago rado DJ Erich "Mancow" Mueller was voluntarily waterboarded on his show last week. This is the first interview that I've seen him do about it. Here it is.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

I still think pee boarding would be worse.

Roland Burris Really is a Moron

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com

The Trib is reporting that Roland Burris was caught on tape telling Rod Blagojevich's brother that he'd be will to present then-Governor Rod Blagojevich with a check, if appointed to a Senate seat.

That information was made available a day after a judge announced that a secretly-recorded phone conversation between Burris and Blago's brother would be used in the Blagojevich trial. When reached for comment about it yesterday, an attorney representing Burris said that he was glad the tape was being used as evidence, because he was sure that its contents, whatever they were, would help exonerate Bloagevich and Burris. He was wrong.

The Sun-Times provides a transcript of the phone call here.

Some Things Are Just Meant to be

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com

Mr. T sang Take Me Out To The Ballgame at Wrigley.

The New Sheriff of Sexytown

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com

Not only was I not uncomfortable at any point of this video, but it inspired me to be a better man.




Any guy who is NOT gyrating his pelvis to cliched R and B, while wearing red manties and a gold grill is no man at all.

This is Unimportant But I Couldn't Sit Idly By

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com

I've been watching the NBA playoffs on TNT. They are running a commercial now starring their usual suspects- Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson. In the commercial Ernie says he can't do something because he has a weak back. Kenny asks, "oh when did that happen?" and Ernie answers, "oh about a week back".

They stole that from the Three Stooges.

Not a great joke by the Stooges, but nonetheless, it's theirs and not TNT's. One would think that if TNT would steal a joke it'd be a good one, but I guess that's not the case. Big ups to the Stooges.

Strike Two

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com

Helio Castroneves Evades Taxes, Indy 500 Loss

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com

Actually he was acquitted on charges of tax evasion, but was convicted of conspiracy. Anyway, he won the Indy 500 on Sunday.

Zenyatta Still Aint Nothin' to Eff With

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com

Zenyatta does it again. Watch her the whole time, she tries for about a quarter of a mile in this mile and a sixteenth race. If Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra go head to head (presumably in the Breeder's Cup, but most likely not before), I think that would be the best day of my life. This ride is one of those rare things of beauty that does not involve me shirtless.



Rick Reilly certainly has never heard of this horse. Was that the impetus of my recent article against him? Yes. Not only is Reilly unaware of the Breeder's Cup, it is obvious he has never see this horse race. Nor has he seen Zenyatta effortlessly put to bed her foes in the classiest female race in the world like I have. That race? This one. The 2008 Breeder's Cup Ladies Classic.



Look impressive? It's cuz she is. I Loooooove Rachel Alexandra as much as the rest of America. But The throne she aspires to is currently occupied by Zenyatta. Don't believe me? What if the EIC of the Daily Racing Form ran a comparison of the best current female in training against the best mare (older female) of all time? Would it be Rachel Alexandra? Click here to find out.

Zenyatta is nothing to be fucked with.

Why the Sun-Times Lags Behind the Tribune

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com

Because the Sun-Times not only gives the time of day to Clay Aiken's blog, but uses a cheeky headline to boot- Aiken Takes Poke at 'Idol', Lambert.

No word yet on whether the truth was difficult for Lambert to swallow or if Lambert felt Clay to be a pain in the ass.

Minor Changes to the Blog

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com

I added a few new links to my Recommended Links in the margin.

FMyLife- Mentioned a few posts below this one.

The Memory Palace- Ditto.

TheYBF- The Young Black and Famous. Basically a black gossip site. Its comments section taught me the acronym, LMBAO, which I use regularly.

The Big Lead- Great sports blog.

Huffington Post- You're probably familiar with this reputable and cutting edge news site.

The Chicago Defender- News regarding the Black Community in Chicago.

Fake Shore Drive- Outstanding, independent blog about the hip-hop scene in Chicago.

The Boston Phoenix- Independent, Free Boston newspaper. At least I think it's independent, a copy of them helped me get through my recent Boston-to-Chicago flight. It reminds me of the Chicago Reader. I thought I'd give them some Link Love.

Rod and Patti Blagojevich to Have Role on I'm A Celebrity....Get me out of Here

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com

Patti will be a full-fledged contestant and Rod will have some kind of job that surprises us, according to him. This is a great day for America.

For anyone who isn't familiar with the Blagojeviches, just trust me. They'll amuse you.