There’s been some “controversy” (editor’s note: usually quotation marks in a political thread mean whatever is in quotations has been perpetuated by ridiculous right-wing Republican moronism) around comments made by my Congressman Alan Grayson (of course I voted for him and can’t wait to re-elect him in 2012!). Grayson called out the Republicans for continuing to demonstrate their failure as a Party, highlighting their inability to make much-needed healthcare reform a reality. Today, OpEd (on MSNBC) featured Alan Grayson, who continues to work hard for my district. I applaud him for having the guts to expose the Republicans for what they are–a lie machine. Watch the video below:
Monday, October 5, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Lady GaGa ROCKS SNL
Although Saturday Night Live continues to make audiences question why it is still on the air with its non-funny skits and terrible writing (a skit featuring Madonna and Lady GaGa appeared akward, unfunny, and a waste of the appearance of a superstar), it got a much-needed shot-in-the arm Saturday. The pop sensation Lady Gaga performed her new single “Paparazzi” and also gave an intimate piano-laden performance of a medley of songs from The Fame and new song “Bad Romance.” Watch the spectacular performances below:
Knights Crush Memphis, Next-Up Miami Hurricanes
The UCF Knights handed the Tigers of Memphis a solid loss on Saturday in-front of a large and boisterous crowd on Parents’ Day at Bright House Networks Stadium. After running into some offensive stalls during the first half, the Knights turned-up the heat during the second half, forcing multiple turnovers and having mostly scoring drives. Running back Brynn Harvey (a recruit out of Largo) carried the ball 42 times and accumulated a whopping 219 yards of rushing while the Knights offense racked-up a total of 475 yards. The Knights now have a bye-week and will have the opportunity to get some much needed rest and recovery before taking-on the #17 Miami Hurricanes at home. The game is sold-out. The UCF CON/COHPA Tailgate Party will be held in Memory Mall (right next to Fairwinds Alumni Center). The time is TBA. GO KNIGHTS!!! BEAT THE ‘CANES!!!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Hugh Jackman & Daniel Craig Scold Cell Phone Violator during Performance
A Steady Rain, a new play running right now on Broadway starring superstar actors Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig, was disrupted by an audience member’s ringing cellular phone on Wednesday. Rightfully annoyed, Jackman (and later Craig) stopped the performance and acknowledged the ringing phone, instructing the owner to answer the phone call while they waited. The incident was caught on tape. We’ve all been to a performance of a play or a movie and experienced the annoyance of a ringing cell phone. I am glad these actors decided enough was enough:
Monday, September 28, 2009
UCF Knights look to Regroup Against Memphis
UCF suffered a major setback to their season on Saturday in their 19-14 loss to ECU. The Knights doomed themselves with failed executions, missed tackles, and missed field goals. Quarterback Brett Hodges made their work even harder handing the Pirates 4 interceptions, one of which came in the final 1:30 after the Knights scored and recovered an onside kick near the 50 yard line. Penalties were also costly for the Knights; a false start set that onside kick starting field position back 10 yards. The Knights (2-2, 0-2 CUSA) now have 2 losses in CUSA and are virtually shut-out of the chance to fight for the conference championship. UCF should now focus on winning at least 5 of their remaining games and making a post-season bowl game appearance. They’ll get their start this Saturday as they return home to take on the Memphis Tigers. Kickoff is set for 3:30pm. The CON/COHPA Tailgating Party will begin @ 10:00am in Lot E-6 right in-front of BHNS.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Faux (Fox) News Busted “Making” News
Media scientists have been researching the bias of Fox/Faux News Channel for a few years now. Look at the research conducted by Harvard University’s Communication and Media studies department, follow the watchdog group Media Matters, or watch the documentary OutFoxed if you’d like to see some of the scientific analyses. But their biased and laughable coverage hit a pinnacle last week when a producer was actually caught coaching the right wingnut protesters at a 9/12 “protest” to begin cheering loudly and acting angry during filming! Click the URL below to watch both the video of the producer instructing the crowd to escalate their “protest” and how it appeared on Fox/Faux News Channel. PATHETIC! Anyone who thinks this channel is “fair and balanced” should see a psychiatrist! Fox/Faux News Channel is about fabricating stories, skewing statistics, and providing a platform for the moronic right. The good news is that it continues to rate as the least watched 24-hour news channel in the United States. The sad news is that some people actually think it is honest and truly covers the news. http://mediamatters.org/blog/200909180037.
UCF Alum’s “Surrogates” in Theaters Friday
Robert Vendetti, an alumni from the University of Central Florida’s College of Graduate Studies, sees the release of the motion picture based on his graphic novel on comic book series Surrogates released this Friday in movie theaters nationwide. Entertainment Weekly called this tale of people who live vicarious lives through their artificial (and artificially gorgeous) “surrogates” “a resplendently grimy commentary” on our times. “The minute I heard Bruce Willis was cast was the first moment I allowed myself to hope that this might actually get turned into a movie,” Venditti says with a laugh. “A producer who had just hung out his shingle called me up [Max Handelman]. He shopped it around, ran into a studio guy who had just seen Sin City and wanted ‘something edgy, comic-booky’ like that. So Mandeville Films got involved, then Jonathan Mostow [director of U-571, Terminator 3], with screenwriters from Terminator 3. “I’ve been involved, at least in the loop,” he says. “I looked at it from the perspective that these other people were creative minds in their own right. If they’re inspired by something I did to bring their own creativity to it, I’m taking that as a compliment and letting them do what they want. They were staying true to the themes and adding their own ideas and plot lines and characters. You know they’re going to add explosions. That’s Hollywood.” Surrogates releases Friday from Touchstone Pictures. To visit the ridiculously cool official Site for Surrogates: http://chooseyoursurrogate.com/.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
UCF Knights Knock-Off Defending MAC Champs Buffalo
The UCF Knights football team showed Saturday night that they have what it takes to put forth a solid effort and win the game. The Knights took-on the reigning MAC Champions Buffalo at Bright House Networks Stadium and although gave a lackluster performance the first half, proved they have the ability to win and ferociously attacked the Bulls both defensively and offensively in the second half. UCF capitalized on several Buffalo turnovers and the Knights handed the Bulls a scoreless second half with 16 unanswered points. Brett Hodges, the Knights new quarterback showed poise and was effective in the passing game (despite some inept receivers who couldn’t always hold on to the ball). The Knights head to Greenville next week to take on C-USA foe East Carolina. UCF has never beaten ECU in their own home. Let’s hope Saturday marks the first time… GO KNIGHTS!!! BEAT THE PIRATES!!!
Friday, September 18, 2009
2 Publications In-Press from MSM WWW Study
I am happy to report that 2 articles I authored based on a study I completed several months ago looking at high-risk sexual activity among men who have sex with men (MSM) have been accepted for publication. The first, “Requests for Safer Sex Among Men Who Have Sex with Men Using the Internet to Meet Sexual Partners: Implications for Healthcare Providers” has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health Research. The article focuses on safer-sex requests by MSM using a popular Internet sexual networking site to find sex partners and examines specific sex behavior requests which places them at lower risk for HIV and sexually-transmited infections (STIs). The second article, “The Relationship Between Population Size, Requests for Bareback Sex, and HIV Serostatus Among Men Who Have Sex With Men Using the Internet to Meet Sexual Partners” was accepted for publication in the Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment. The article uses data from the same sample and focuses on differences in the rates of unsafe sex requests in-relation to the population size of specific geographic regions. Both articles can be viewed under “Research.” The publication dates, volume, and issue numbers for each are pending.
Knights Look to Rebound Against Buffalo
The UCF Knights are looking to rebound this weekend as they take on 2008 MAC Champions Buffalo. The Knights suffered a loss last weekend in Hatiesburg as they confronted their first C-USA opponent Sountern Miss. The Knights made several costly mistakes that lead to 2 early turnovers. The Golden Eagles capitalized on both and scored points. Quarterback Rob Calabrese fumbled on UCF’s second drive, giving the Golden Eagles an easy touchdown. Although they drove hard in the 3rd and 4th quarters of the game, holding Southern Miss to only one touchdown, it was too little too late for UCF, which lost the game 19-26. Saturday’s matchup pins UCF against one of the best teams from a non-BCS conference.
Buffalo was crowned MAC Champions last season. The Buffalo Bulls are coming off a loss at Pittsburgh last week. After his fumble and inability to put together an effective offense front against Southern Miss, Rob Calabrese was benched and replaced by new starting quarterback Brett Hodges, who transferred to UCF last season after competing for the starting job at Wake Forest. The Knights are 4-point favorites on Saturday. Kickoff for the UCF vs. Buffalo game is set for 7:30pm at UCF’s Bright House Networks Stadium and will be televised on Bright House Networks Sports Network. The UCF Colleges of Nursing and Health & Public Affairs will hold their Tailgate Party in Lot E-6, beginning @ 1:00pm.