Aussie Open 2008 good news or bad news?

It looks like Australian Open will get a new look, in the form of a brand new surface court according to tournament organizers it will now be made of an acrylic composition instead of the previous Rebound Ace surface. Whatever that means lol.

I do like the fact that the new surface will have lower heat retention, hopefully now play won't have to be suspended due to extreme heat conditions as much. Since the court will no longer be made of rubber tires.

It also supposedly won't change the speed of the court, which the officials say will still stay in the medium to medium fast range. Something all players like about the Aussie Open. It remains to be seen how the players adjust to this change and whether it'll help or hinder them.

Personally I think the "more consistent pace and bounce" part sounds really good, and could be quite advantageous to players like Martina Hingis who rely on bounce and especially pace in their game.

It all looks good on paper, but as I've mentioned it really remains to be seen just how comfortable the players will be on this new surface. Hopefully it'll be a change for the better, keeping the Aussie Open on the top of the grand slam circuit, and on the favourite list of all players on tour.

Women's bumper stickers....

Found these amusing and decided to share:D. I particularly like #1, 3, 6, 8, 14 and 15. Oh, hell I like them all! LOL.


1. SO MANY MEN, SO FEW WHO CAN AFFORD ME.

2. GOD MADE US SISTERS; PROZAC MADE US FRIENDS.

3. IF THEY DON'T HAVE CHOCOLATE IN HEAVEN,
I AIN'T GOING.

4. MY MOTHER IS A TRAVEL AGENT FOR GUILT TRIPS.

5. PRINCESS, HAVING HAD SUFFICIENT EXPERIENCE
WITH PRINCES, SEEKS FROG.

6. COFFEE, CHOCOLATE, MEN...
SOME THINGS ARE JUST BETTER RICH.

7. DON'T TREAT ME ANY DIFFERENTLY
THAN YOU WOULD THE QUEEN.

8. IF YOU WANT BREAKFAST IN BED, SLEEP IN THE KITCHEN.

9. DINNER IS READY WHEN THE SMOKE ALARM GOES OFF.

10. I'M OUT OF ESTROGEN-AND I HAVE A GUN.

11. GUYS HAVE FEELINGS TOO. BUT LIKE...WHO CARES?

12. NEXT MOOD SWING: 6 MINUTES.

13. AND YOUR POINT IS...?

14. WARNING: I HAVE AN ATTITUDE
AND I KNOW HOW TO USE IT.

15. OF COURSE I DON'T LOOK BUSY...
I DID IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.

16. DO NOT START WITH ME. YOU WILL NOT WIN.

17. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT,
SO PLEASE SHUT UP.

18. ALL STRESSED OUT AND NO ONE TO CHOKE.

19. I'M ONE OF THOSE BAD THINGS
THAT HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE.

20. HOW CAN I MISS YOU IF YOU WON'T GO AWAY?

21. SORRY IF I LOOKED INTERESTED. I'M NOT.

23. IF WE ARE WHAT WE EAT, I'M FAST, CHEAP AND EASY.

24. DON'T UPSET ME!
I'M RUNNING OUT OF PLACES TO HIDE THE BODIES.

Wise words from Joss Whedon

A few weeks ago Joss Whedon (writer, directer most known for Buffy) wrote an essay like statement on Whedonesque.com in regards to a news story.

I've seen this posted on many other blogs, I think it contains some of the most powerful observations about equality for women and humanity in general and I'm posting it here because I think more people should read it. It's really thought provoking.

I particularly like this paragraph:

"I have never had any faith in humanity. But I will give us props on this: if we can evolve, invent and theorize our way into the technologically magical, culturally diverse and artistically magnificent race we are and still get people to buy the idiotic idea that half of us are inferior, we’re pretty amazing. Let our next sleight of hand be to make that myth disappear".

Also here is YouTube video of Joss receiving an award from Equality Now (last year). I find his acceptance speech highly amusing and quite moving at the same time.

It always amazes me how he can make a powerful point with what seems like a very lengthy rant lol. As Willow would say: "he's a wiz, if ever a wiz there was"

Do Canadians Have a Sense of Humor?

*Chuckle*

IF YOU DON'T STAND BEHIND OUR TROOPS, PLEASE, FEEL FREE...TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM


"POLITICIANS & DIAPERS BOTH NEED TO BE CHANGED OFTEN, AND FOR THE SAME REASON"

American Idol 2007......

17 year old Jordin Sparks!. I knew she would win after Melinda Doolittle got booted off, and though I'm quite happy for Jordin 'cause she definitely has the chops I have to say this year was so anti-climatic.

I would have actually been more shocked if it was Blake that won it (I'm so glad he didn't though). I was getting real tired of his beat-boxing bit. I'm actually still very sad that Melinda didn't win the whole she-bang but I'll take Jordin over Blake any day.

Things I never wanna see or hear again in future AI finales:

1. The golden idol awards *rolls eyes* so lame and clearly time filling devices.

2. The song writing contest, total disaster!. I think Jordin really did the best she could with a sappy, crappy ballad like "This Is My Now". Ok, it was slightly better then Taylor's "Do I Make You Proud" single last year but not by much.

3. Bette Midler I actually really like the woman (and a lot of her songs) but tonight's performance of "Wind Beneath My Wings" was kind of excruciating in the make your ears bleed kind of way. Let's just blame it on the AI band 9/10 times it's their fault! lol. Seriously, I hope she does better when she takes over for Celine next year, or those ticket sales will plummet.

4. Please no more Tony Bennett! I have huge respect for the guy, but I don't know he just doesn't gel with American Idol for me.

Bring on American Idol 2008!

More sharp ads

This one is pretty clever

Sharp ads

This is actually on a bus

This one is particularly cool I think it's David Beckham

Just felt like sharing these, I think they're pretty inventive.

Kelly Clarkson in control and loving it

If you've been reading my blog you all know I'm a big Kelly Clarkson fan, I've mentioned how much I'm looking forward to her new album My December a number of times. What I haven't mentioned is how big of a struggle this album became for Kelly creatively.

When the music exec's first heard Kelly's latest effort, they really didn't like it because they thought it was too dark. I remember reading that they wanted her to at one point scrap the whole thing!. I guess they wanted her to make a copy of her previous one.

That's all the labels do nowadays, make copies of the originals. Pretty soon there will be no music labels because everyone will be independent.

The latest issue of Entertainment Weekly has a revealing in-depth interview with Kelly about these very issues. It's quite a good read actually.

Here are some of my favourite bits:

"So when Clarkson decided not to reunite with any of the producers who helped craft that record's five ultra-catchy top 20 singles, insiders say that BMG Label Group's chairman, 40-year music veteran Clive Davis, sat on My December for four months, hoping she'd change her mind. She wouldn't".

Ok, gotta say gutsy move, yet somehow I think she made the right choice. Now I really know her album will not end up like Avril's latest effort.

I love the answer she gives in regards to her weight. Right on Kelly!. More people should have this attitude, especially in the world of (skinny) celebrities.

"Some of the songs are not what 10-year-olds are probably going to listen to. But we all go through situations for certain reasons, and I think we should share that. This record is more intense, it's more raw, it's more emotional. But it's not that different. It's not Metallica".

I'm actually loving the fact that this new album is going to be darker and more on the brooding side. Every artist has those times where things are not all hunky-dory, and I applaud her for not being afraid to explore that on her album. Now I really can't wait to hear it!.

And I also have to add, kudos to Kelly for not sticking with the norm and conforming to the labels wishes. That's one of the things I really like about her she continues to breakaway from the whole American Idol mold and is truly evolving as an artist in her own right. Which I think is something that only she has been able to do successfully, ok her and maybe Carrie Underwood.

As for her album sales, well there's no telling how they'll do, but I know one thing for sure I'll be the first in line to purchase my copy:).

The Sarah Connor Chronicles preview

I mentioned this show back in November 2006. Well today I found a trailer of it on YouTube. For those who don't remember the show is based on The Terminator movies, the end of T:2 specifically.

It centers around Sarah Connor and her son John. According to FOX's schedule the show doesn't start until 2008, but I definitely think it has potential. Plus you can't go wrong with Lena Headley from Imagine Me & You playing the role of Sarah Connor. It's the one new show I'm really looking forward to.

Just 'cause I feel like it...

Glitter Graphics - GlitterLive.com

Jennifer Garner from Alias to talk show host?

So apparently Jennifer Garner has decided to create a talk show and she's calling it: "The View for mothers", although there's no official name yet. According to Access Hollywood Jenn will serve as the executive producer and appear on the show periodically sort of like Barbara Walters. So I guess technically she's not really the host.

I'm not sure what to think of this, and frankly I really can't see Jenn as a talk show host, butt kicking action heroine....well duh!. But talk show host?. I don't know. Although as I've said since she's stepping into the shoes of a producer, who knows?. It may not be so bad.

Another French Open another lost opportunity

Well it is now official Martina Hingis is out of the French Open due to her hip and back injury. I'm not really sure whether I should be disappointed, since I really didn't have high hopes of her recovering in time.

Though I'm sad that she's missing another shot at the French, I'm also glad she's taking the time off to heal and get back to 100% health wise. Because until she does that entering tournaments would be pointless. And only hinder her in the long run.

So once again I'm wishing her a very speedy recovery. Who knows, maybe she'll be back for this year's Wimbledon (I know I'm probably dreaming but hey it could happen). We shall wait and see.

One thing is for sure, Roland Garros is going to be an absolute bore-fest (at least for me).

Thunder and lighting

Today is the perfect day for sleeping in or taking a nap lol. It's dark and very wet. Actually the dark part is kind of freaky. But we definitely needed the moisture after so many days of humidity.

And I know I said I would not complain about the heat (seeing as we had such a long cold winter), so I won't. Even though a part of me wants too lol.

I'm off to curl up in my nice comfy chair and watch the tube. I just hope I can stay awake during American Idol tonight lol. If I have the energy later I might do an update with some entertainment news.

Hingis out of Rome

This past week Martina Hingis pulled out of the Rome championship with her back/shoulder/hip injury. I still don't know which lol. Well, actually from what I have read Martina is suffering from an inflammation of a sciatic nerve. The injury radiates into the left leg, so she cannot put pressure on it. But the diagnosis is not conclusive.

Either way it doesn't sound good, this injury seems quite serious and could put her out of commission for some time. So it's a good thing she pulled out of Rome, now I'm starting to have serious doubts about Roland Garros. But until I find out otherwise I'm staying positive and wishing her a speedy recovery.

The Grand Slams just won't be as exciting without her in them. In fact the whole rest of the season would be a giant snooze-fest

Happy Mother's Day!

Wishing all the moms out there a wonderful day :).

Hingis loses in Berlin more health questions arise

hingis.org

Well I guess I have my answer Martina's performance against Patty Schnyder was terrible, which means she really is having some problems with injuries. I'm a little confused on exactly what those injuries are.

Some press is reporting that's it's a shoulder issue, some are saying it's her hip and some are saying it's her back. I'm not sure which to believe at the moment.

But there clearly is something wrong with her physically nothing else could explain the 6-4 6-0 loss to her fellow Swiss opponent

Martina admits to not being a hundred percent in several interviews, the fact that she's even considering not defending her title in Rome next week is another indication things are definitely not good.

I'm starting to think that the French Open is an absolute jinx for Hingis, every time we get to this championship something bad happens to her. Last year it was the food poisoning and this year it's another possible injury.

She just cannot win. I'm still hoping for a miracle, even though I know the chances are probably slim to none. I don't really care that much if she misses Rome but I would be hugely disappointed if she withdrew from The French.

The optimist in me really hopes her injuries are not too serious, especially since she had enough of them during the 3 years she was retired. Simply put, this would just suck.

The "I'd like to make a decision soon what to do about my future" comment is especially worrisome. Please don't let it be another retirement.

Tennis needs Martina Hingis without her and Kim Clijsters there will be no one with real personalities on court (at least on the women's side). And the game will become boring again with nothing but power hitters.

I'll be following tennis events very closely over the next few weeks with the hope that everything will turn out alright. And I'm sending all my positive vibes Hingis's way, wishing her a speedy recovery.

Evan Rachel Wood and Marilyn Manson still an item?

A while back there were rumors that Evan Rachel Wood (Thirteen) and Marilyn Manson were dating, now of course I didn't think they were true.

'Cause frankly it's just scary. But it looks like there may have been some truth to the rumor after all. Evan appears in Manson's newest music video (above). All I will say about it is that it's not for the kiddies lol. The whole thing is 8 minutes long I saw it earlier today and have no desire to ever watch it again.

Marilyn Manson just creeps me out, I don't understand his music or his art and frankly I don't want to. Which is why I'm just so baffled as to why Evan is so interested in him. Maybe it's because he's so weird she seems attracted to all things weird, I don't know.

And what is it with Evan and music videos? I think this is her 3rd one. I mean she's a great actress there's really no need for her to do music videos. I guess she's doing it for fun but still. There's no need for her to give into that particular Hollywood trend.

And yeah I admit that the reason I have trouble seeing Evan with Manson is probably because I will always see her as the 15 year old who started out on "Once and Again". Although on second thought 13 and the movies following it kind of shattered that image.

So maybe that's not it. I don't think it's even the age difference (after all there's plenty of that Demi and Ashton for example). It's definitely the general freakishness of Manson. I really don't get why she went from this:



to this:



Colour me confused.

Hingis scrapes by into 3rd round of Berlin Open

hingis.org

Well after several weeks off due to a hip injury, Hingis was back on court today playing against Katerina Bondarenko of Ukraine. This definitely wasn't a stand out performance, it turned into a very tough match with Martina on the defensive even having to save 2 set points. Hingis prevailed in the end with a score of 7-5 7-6.

That's a little too close for comfort. To top things off, Hingis is also suffering from a shoulder injury and is taking pain killers. It doesn't seem too serious but, I guess we'll see if it's bothering her by how she performs in her next match.

Perhaps she needs a little more time off, but I think she's right to jump back into it if she even wants a shot at the French this year. I just hope she doesn't cause herself further injury. Tennis just wouldn't be the same without her in the draw. Next she'll face fellow countrywoman Patty Schynder.

More on the match here

All accidents happen in the home

Just for a change of pace I thought I would write a little something about me. Today is one of those days, I was in the kitchen pouring myself a drink and accidentally dropped a coffee mug, a very heavy one I might add on one of my toes (owww!).

Currently it is nice and purple and I just feel so stupid. At least it's not as bad as it was the last time I can still move normally. I just hope I can still walk on it tomorrow, because I still have to go out and get a gift for mother's day this Sunday. Crap, why does stuff like this always happen to me lol.


I am off to lie down and try not to look at my ugly purple toe lol.

Dreaded weekday....

Glitter Graphics - GlitterLive.com

Kim makes it official

Well this is my first bit of tennis news for the month and unfortunately it's of the sad variety. In the past I have said how sad it'll be when Kim Clijster's retires after Wimbledon.

Well it seems that day arrived sooner then expected. On Sunday night Kim announced on her website that she's retiring from professional tennis effective immediately, due to her chronic back, knee and wrist injuries.

It's really tragic to see a player who's only 23 years old retire so early. And it once again makes me question the grueling schedule the players are forced to keep throughout the year. I really hope something is done about that in the future, or there will be a lot more early retirements to come.

I think it's safe to say that her comradery with all the WTA players, her unique style of play and high but friendly competitiveness will be sorely missed on tour. And I will certainly miss her rivalry with Martina Hingis.

Goodbye Kim, I wish you much success in all your personal endeavors. You will be missed:(.

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