Best non-winning performance

There are many factors that come into play in Survivor. Sadly, being the best player in the game doesn't necessarily get you a million bucks or in Brian Corridan's place, it doesn't even get you a place on the jury. Brian ended up on the wrong side of the majority to start out the game but helped get two alliance members booted before the tribal switch, and still was able to help get one of the majority tribemembers out of there. He had an interesting plot to save himself the next tribal council but it didn't work, but he stayed enthusiastic, stayed on his game, and if they ever have a non-jury "bring 'em back" show I really hope to see Brian on there. Of course, before that, I'd like to see myself on there and back with a million bucks in my pocket :)

And my personal Oscar goes to...

Johnathan Lipnicki did one of the best, if not, the best child acting performance I've ever seen in the movie "Jerry Maguire". He stole the show and demonstated such sensitivity and emotion that you couldn't but help notice him. Even though the entire movie was fantastic, Johnathan's acting and charisma definitely stood out. Sadly in Hollywood, its gonna be a hard act to follow.

The Supportive Mom

Its funny that when you ask people if they watch "Queer as Folk", most likely if the person isn't gay, they're going to say "hell no", but its a show that has a lot of lessons about life, love, friends and compassion, that most people could use. Sherry Miller does a fabulous job playing the suppotive mother character, that as she understands her son, as a human being, not just as a homosexual, their relationship grows, once the fear of the unknown subsides.

All Kinds of Heroes

In my life, I've learned that there are all kind of heroes. People like Tom Westman, NYC Firemen, are the obvious kind, just like soldiers who fight for our country, paramedics who come to the rescue, but working for the Red Cross, I see a different kind of hero. We have a lot of people come and give blood to help someone they don't even know. For some of them its a painless process, for others, it comes with light-headedness and nausea, and those people that its not so painless for often don't come back; but some do. These people truly amaze me. They know that the person who receives the blood is suffering way more than the short-term negative effects they'll have, so they donate anyway, knowing ahead of time that they may pass out or vomit, simply because their small amount of suffering is small compared to the person on the other end. Kudos to all those unsung blood donor heroes out there!

What a Small World

Several months ago, I went to get my haircut and noticed and autographed photo of Jenna Boyd hanging at the barber shop. I had never seen her before, then as time passed by I saw "Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants" and funny thing, I saw it with two females and I was the only one of us to like it..lol..but then when I got my haircut again, I realized it was Jenna in that movie (she was the best part of the movie), and found out her grandfather gets his haircut there as well. I wrote to her for an autograph,and got a bonus photo of her brother Cayden as well, who I didn't recognize by name but realized he was the son in "Freaky Friday". These two surely must make grandpa proud, but I wonder why only Jenna's photo is hanging in the barber shop!

The stress of it all

When I really want something in life, and have to deal with the rejection of not being able to do it, its tormenting. Yes, I get over it, and try harder or move on to a new dream, but still putting so much into something, whether it be getting a job, a relationship, dreaming big, a competition, etc and not getting the results I was looking for can be a big hit on my self esteem, so I wonder what it must be like for kid's who want to make it in Hollywood. If the stress of rejection is hard for us adults, I can just imagine what its like for kids. Haley Ramm is getting to live her dream and did a wonderful job starring with Jodie Foster in "Flight Plan". I hope her star continues to rise in the future.

Backed into a corner

There are times in life when I feel backed into a corner, that there's no easy way out, and its those times that I need to do something off the wall to bring back sanity. Travis "Bubba Barker" Sampson from Survivor Vanuatu got backed into a corner when the tribes were shuffled knowing he was going to be toast if he didn't do something drastic, so he tried to communicate to his old tribemates that he was going to be gone and to lose the challenge on purpose. The ploy didn't work, but he at least went out knowing he did what he could to stay in the game.

Master of his game

Sir Ian McKellen is an actor who blows my mind away, mainly because he is able to transform so well into the character that he is playing, so much that you can look at two roles that he plays and not realize the same actor is playing them. I've said it many times before that this is the sign of a true actor; and it shows that Mr McKellen is able to relate to other people and walk in their shoes. Even though I haven't been able to do much acting, I've done sales and to be successful in sales this art is key as well; to be able to understand where the other person is coming from.

Motivation for my favorite shows

Being deserted on an Island didn't start with Survivor or LOST, but on television can at least be dated back to Gilligan's Island, one of those shows I never missed as a kid. Why did some of them have changes of clothes and others not? Where did they get their food? How did the Skipper stay fat? How did they cut their hair and manage to stay so fresh looking? How come the visitors to the island ended up getting off but our castaways never did? Why did it take so long to add MaryAnn and the Professor to the song instead of just being "and the rest"? These were questions I remember going through my mind when I watched the show. As every young kid, I had an early crush on Dawn Wells playing Mary Ann, but then again, who didn't!

Which Golden Girl Would You Be?

I've seen emails go around asking which Golden Girl you would be. Of course this seems like a dumb question for a guy to answer, but really, if we can't see similar traits between ourselves in both men and women, I don't think we're getting a full understanding of who we are. I can be dingy like Rose, stubborn like Dorothy and sarcastic like Sophia, but when it comes down to it, I'd be most like Rue McClanahan's Blanche, looking for love but settling for what comes along the way in the meantime because I hate to be alone.

Happy Birthday Beth and Thank you!!

This post is to wish best wishes for a Happy Birthday to my good friend Beth who is currently in Banff with her family celebrating her 29th hehe Birthday...None of these successes would have been possible without Beth....Thanks Beth for John Carroll Lynch, Doris Day, Kathryn Erbe and Glenn Scarpelli. See you soon!!

Second time's a charm

I've tried writing to Vin Diesel before with little luck, but sometimes it takes a second or third attempt in this autograph collecting hobby to strike gold. I've gotten no response, and a preprint and its ncie to have what looks to be an authentic signature from this versatile and talented actor.

Kakota set...are they real?

The one thing that comes with collecting autographs through the mail is not knowing if what you are getting is real or signed by someone else. Movie sets are a good way to get those hard to get celebrities know for sending preprinted or fake autographs, but still through the movie set you can't be sure you're getting the real thing. The likes of Christian Slater, Bily Zane and Carmen Electra have been very quick to respond via this set yet the signatures for at least Slater and Zane have varying differences between those that get them, meaning they either vary in their signature which at times does happen or other people are signing for them, which happens as well. I'll go with the glass half full theory with these and say they are real until proven otherwise!

Win a Date with me?

hahahaha! OK...I'm definitely not Josh Duhamel, but a date every now and then wouldn't be a bad thing. I don't even remember what to do on a date any more, but on the brighter side, I've learned to be happy with myself!

Some things never change

When I was in high school and college a bunch of us would be hooked on "Days of Our Lives". Since college, its been rare that I've ever gotten to see any daytime TV, let alone a soap opera, but 20 years gone by, you can tune one on, and see many of the same characters who were there 20 years ago. Many others have come and gone. Same with life, I guess...there's those people who stick with us many years and others that just pass through, some we remember, some we forget. Drake Hogestyn has been a fixture on "Days of Our Lives" and its amazing, he even looks the same!

Dream Big

Never Quit. Yeah, we've heard this a million times, but there are things in life that remind me how true it is. The movie "Rudy" has been an amazing momento to me that nothing is beyond reach if you're willing to go the distance and make it happen. I've spent a lot of my life letting others tell me I'm crazy to go after dreams, and sadly, most of the time, I listened, but now I sit back looking back wondering what would have happened had I went forward with what I wanted for my life. Its definitely time for that to change. Rudy Ruettiger, inspiration for "Rudy" is still sending that message to people around the world; and its nice to have reminders around to help me never forget it!

All about Balance

Funny how things that are practically the same. Ryan Aiken was the first booted from Survivor Amazon due to a balance beam issue which was more Daniel's fault than Ryan, but still he was part of it; opposed to Survivor Vanuatu wear Chris Daugherty lost the challenge due to a balance beam and wound up winning the whole thing. I'm learning that some times there is no rhyme or reason to anything in life. Just because cause A creates effect A in one situation, it may cause effect B, C or D the next time around, and on that note...yep, I need sleep!

Buffalo Wings

Growing up in Buffalo, I learned to LOVE Buffalo Wings..They just can't seem to get them right anywhere else though, especially the chain restaurants. I personally adore Jessica Simpson, and any one who falls for the dumb blonde routine is way off base. I'd be surprised if Jessica's IQ wasn't at least 140 or higher. I've heard so many people talk about her comment about buffalo wings and buffaloes and really thought she meant it...I say stuff like that all the time for shock value as well, and its funny how many people think I'm serious, and it usually takes another blonde to figure out I'm not.

Do you believe in ghosts?

Its one of those questions I don't really have an answer to, as is with most paranormal type things. The possibility of it fascinates me; the logic of it discourages me, but as most people I've had some things happen through the course of my life that lead me to believe there may definitely be some type of spiritual force that roams around that can't be explained. Several times, in my place, my cats have all been what appears to be watching something as it crosses the room. What it was, I have no idea, but it obviously wasn't here to do harm whatever it was. Bill Pullman did a great job in the movie version of Casper...the friendliest ghost of all :)

Those with God given talent...

..really should make the most of it...I would love to be able to sing, but I lack that most important talent element, so I'm stuck to doing Karaoke, and that 's only when I know most of the audience :) I hadn't watched much American Idol until this season, but Diana Degarma is one of my favorite's I've seen and I'm glad to see her sharing her talents with others currently starring in "Hairspray" in NYC!

Motivation

I am pretty sure if the cards were dealt at least fairly decent I could do well on Survivor if I ever get that opportunity. The one thing lately that I lack the physical shape necessary, not only to do well in the competitions, but to get looked at for an interview. Jeff Wilson has brought some inspiration back to me to start doing things to get back in shape...now I need to put that motivation to work and do something about it!

Laughter..nature's remedy

One of the greatest gift man can have is the ability to make other's laugh, especially when they don't feel like laughing...Kevin Nealon has entertained the world for a long time by making himself look foolish (or his character's). On those bad days that come about as life passes by, those people who bring the laughs do a great thing...

The Glamorous Life

Just like Sheila E's famous song "The Glamorous Life", all those good things in life; money, luxuries, fancy cars don't mean very much if you don't have love in your life. How true is that!

Monk

Monk is the name of my neighbor as well as the TV show that Stanley Kamel now plays in. I wrote to him about his role in "Melrose Place" which reminds me of the condo complex I live in...It would be the perfect complex for young singles with all the condos surrounding the nicely landscaped pool, but instead its Retirement Village USA, with me being the only pseudo-young person here...

Larger than Life

Rupert Boneham of Survivor Pearl Islands and Allstar has been a fan favorite like no other. Some say he got lucky in editing, but more likely it is Rupert's genuine nature, and big heart. At first I didn't know what to think of the "fan favorite" voting on Survivor Allstars that gave Rupert a million bucks, but obviously, he's put the money to get use, and is known for having a heart as big if not bigger than his personality. You can check out his charity Rupert's Kids at www.rupertskids.org .

Waiting to Shine

Joy Lauren has been on the sidelines pretty much the entire two seasons of the hit show "Desperate Housewives" playing the naive daughter of Bree Van de Kamp. As Danielle, she plays the role very well, and I keep waiting for a storyline to develop for her, which it seems to finally be happening. I like the inter-racial dating storyline that's developing, and how Danielle is becoming the target of affection of both Applewhite sons. I can't wait to see where that story progresses and glad Joy is finally getting her due.

Never Say Never

In Survivor Guatemala, the final two came down to two women who as the game progressed both had huge obstacles to overcome to get into the position they were in. Stephenie LaGrossa came into the game with a target on her back from being a prior contestant, and Danni Boatwright went into the merge at the short end of the stick. With the way the game is usually played there were several times Danni's goose should have been cooked, but through perseverance, cleverness, and her ability to be likeable to the other contestants, Danni not only made the Final 2 but end up winning the game. She won immunity when she needed to; she did a great job of planting ideas into the heads of others without looking like the bad guy, and even got Rafe to take his promise back regarding voting him off. If I was on the jury, this is the season I would have had the hardest time picking a winner. Both women played fantastic games. Apparently the jury wasn't as torn as I was since Danni won by a vote of 6-1.

Wow!

When I think of young actress Dakota Fanning, all I can say to myself is "Wow!". This young lady has probably done more living at the ripe age of 12 than most people do in an entire lifetime. She has more God-given talent than most actors and actresses out there, a very mature, yet still innocent nature, and a charming personality. I first became a fan when Dakota played in "Sam I Am" and have followed her movies ever since. It will be interesting to see her career progress as she gets older, and hope to see her be able to fulfill her dreams as the years go by. Having accomplished so much, so young, it makes you wonder what goals and dreams she holds for the future.

Premature E-Jed-ulation

One strategy that I've seen used on Survivor several times is losing challenges on purpose to get rid of somebody. There are situations where that could be a wise move, but Jed was offed the 3rd tribal council session by an overly cocky Sook-Jai tribe. Granted, we don't get to see everything that is going on as the viewing obvious, but it was clear that Jed Hildebrand was instrumental in winning the challenges that the Sook-Jai tribe had won prior to that. I do think not booting Jed so early, and especially not losing a challenge on purpose would have made a drastic difference in how the game played out.

Mrs. Grubman

I've recently become a Nip/Tuck Junkie and one of my favorite characters on the show is Mrs. Grubman, fantastically played by actress Ruth Williamson. Ruth plays Mrs. Grubman with such depth and she's a character that we get to see many sides of, the good, the bad and the ugly. I finished Season 1 and Season 2 on DVD and I'm hoping to get and watch Season 3 when it comes out on DVD May 8th before I find out who the infamous Carver is, even though I already have my ideas.

Sacrafices and Flexibility

Kimmi Kappenberg went on Survivor Australian Outback as a vegetarian then had a tough decision to make during one of the immunity challenges of whether to eat gross "meat" to give her tribe immunity or to refuse as a vegetarian. The first time around, she chose to refuse, which caused a tie, and for her to have to get up there again, and for the rest of her tribe, she put her vegetarianism aside, and won the challenge for her tribe, something I'd say was the right thing to do. Unfortunately, in terms of the game, it only kept her around for one more tribal council as she was booted the next time around. I do however think Kimmi showed a lot of character and determination, and lives somewhat like I do, having guidelines but looking at situations over just plain "rules".

Thinking ahead

Like John Raymond, in the prior post, Diane Ogden was the first Survivor castoff in Africa. Even though I haven't even gotten a phone call from Survivor, I've already planned ideas of what to say in an interview, and more importantly, what to do to avoid being the dreaded first castoff on the show, and how to proceed to go on to win the game. I've always been the type to think steps ahead of where I am, a trait in myself that was pointed out to me by a former, very intuitive boss of mine. I'm usually 10 steps ahead of most people, which is good in a way, because I can get a clearer vision of how to succeed, but also bad, because in conversations, being so far ahead, I can lose people as they have no idea to what I'm talking about :)

A Question of Faith

Something I've struggled with over the years has been my faith. Some people are so sure they know so much about God and religion, and many of those viewpoints obviously contradict each other, so I've tried to learn things about different religions and forms of spirituality which has only gotten me more confused in the process. I have a deep respect for people with great conviction for what they believe in, but for me lately, its been trying to find something to believe in that's been on my mind. John Raymond is definitely a man who has strong ties to his faith, and even though he was the first off in Thailand, he stayed positive and thankful and focussed on the positive of his experience.

Expressions say it all

One thing I've learned through the years is that someone's expressions, gestures, and body language often have a lot more truth in what they are saying than words. Working at the Red Cross is very rewarding for me, but sometimes, situations beyond my control having me feeling similar to the expression of Ed Asner here playing Lou Grant. I try not to let those emotions of frustration show too much, but sometimes the face says it all!

Never Give Up

I have a bad habit of sometimes losing faith in myself and its nice to get some positive reenforcement. Being that a big goal for myself the last several years has been to get on Survivor it was great to get that message back to back from three former castaways, Lydia Morales, Frank Garrison, and Judd Sergeant, even though Judd's remark was "never stop giving up"....I think he meant for me to never give up! Its those dreams that keep me going day to day, and I'm surprised at how many people out there discourage rather then encourage people to follow their dreams. Will there be disappointment; sure, most of the time, but the successes definitely outweigh the failures.

"You Rock"

Its kind of cool to get two autographs with pretty much the same inscription from too totally unrelated people. Jorge Garcia who does a great job playing Hurley on "LOST" and Kathy O'Brien who was jury bound twice on "Survivor" both wrote "You Rock" as their inscriptions, and both were trapped on an Island whether it be fiction or non-fiction. "LOST" is getting interesting in that we've been presented the concept that the whole thing is a big dream... Sometimes, I wait to wake up and find the last few years of my life have been a dream!

Just starting out

As I get older, there are less and less things that seem fresh and exciting. I've been doing basically the same job for 12 years, been more stable in my living quarters, not moving around as much and sometimes things feel a bit stale. For people like Lyriq Bent, actor and Erika Jo, singer, things are just beginning out and they both show promising careers and you can tell bother are real excited about what lies ahead of them. Maybe for me its time for a change!

Gotta Love Mama

I've been off the blog scene for a while...I've been up in Buffalo taking some much needed rest and relaxation from the hustle and bustle of life (and I'm probably living in the slowest paced town in the country..scary!) It was awesome to see the family, always great to see mom, sis, and my aunt, so this post is dedicated to all the mothers in the world...where would any of us be without you :) In the mail when I got back was this collage back from Patricia Jackson, the loving, yet stern "Mama" from Survivor Marquesas.