The Emmys

I only watched part of The Emmys, because "The Wire" was on and I was on the phone as well. Here are some quick observations: Meryl Streeep's necklace was awful. Just awful. I am annoyed that Sarah Jessica Parker won again. ENough already. Did you notice how Kim Cattrall sat across the aisle from the other three women from "Sex and the City?" What was UP with Chris Noth proposing to SJP? She looked quite floored. Was that supposed to be funny?

Since I didn't do a log, please read this one from Joal Ryan at E!Online. It rocks.

http://www.eonline.com/Features/Awards/Emmys2004/Backstage/index.html

Surprise! Britney Spears gets married. Again

I, for one, think they will be VERY happy together! I do. Oh yes. Indeedy.

http://abcnews.go.com/wire/Entertainment/ap20040920_389.html

Singer Britney Spears Marries Dancer Kevin Federline in Surprise L.A. Ceremony
The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES Sept. 20, 2004 — Britney Spears, who rose to stardom singing "Oops! ... I Did It Again," has once again tied the knot, the second marriage in nine months for the multi-platinum artist.

Spears, 22, married her fiance, 26-year-old dancer Kevin Federline, in a secret weekend ceremony, her record label said Sunday. "She did marry him," Jive Records spokeswoman Sonia Muckle told The Associated Press.

Muckle declined to provide further details. On its Web site, "Entertainment Tonight" said the wedding was held Saturday evening at a private home in the Studio City area with 20 to 30 people attending.

It was the second marriage in nine months for Spears. In January, she married childhood friend Jason Alexander in a surprise wedding in Las Vegas. That marriage was annulled 55 hours later.

In just a few years, Spears has gone from posing as a schoolgirl to sing "... Baby, One More Time" and saying sex should be saved for marriage to recording "I'm a Slave 4 U," kissing Madonna during the MTV Video Music Awards and posing nearly nude for magazine covers.

Spears' latest nuptials caught several of her fellow celebrities by surprise.

"Everybody is looking for happiness and love," comedian Ellen DeGeneres said while attending the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. "She's very young. We got to give her a break."

Dennis Franz of ABC's "NYPD Blue," with his arm draped around wife Joanie, said, "All I can do is wish her the best and say, `Compromise, compromise, compromise.'"

Spears and Federline announced their engagement in June after dating since early this year.

Federline appeared in the movie "You Got Served" and performed as a backup dancer for singer Justin Timberlake, Spears' former boyfriend. He was previously involved with actress Shar Jackson of TV's "Moesha." They have two children a 2-year-old and a newborn.

Third season of "The Wire" debuts tonight

http://www.hbo.com/thewire/

 

I am absolutely CRAZY about this show on HBO. In fact, I had canceled HBO and ordered it again for three months just so I can watch "The Wire."

The show is a cop drama with a pace like that of a novel. Absolutely NOTHING is resolved in thirty minutes. You have to watch the whole season to appreciate all the nuances. "The Wire" was created by David Simon, the former police reporter of the Sun in Baltimore. Anyone who has ever covered the cop beat as a reporter can appreciate this series.

My political discussion with 12-year-old girls

So I was in line at the checkout counter at Barnes & Noble (buying the new Carl Hiassen book and Jennifer Weiner's new book). Behind me are two blonde girls, about 12 years old. This was the conversation:

TEEN #1: So George Bush is for the war on terrorism. He needs to be the next president because he will make us safer. John Kerry said he will make all the troops come home.
TEEN #2: Well, that is what he SHOULD do....
TEEN #1: (Not listening)...And John Kerry is for gay marriages...
TEEN #2: Ewwwww.....
TEEN #1: And anyway, John Kerry isn't even a Christian!! I know a lot about politics.

So I debate with myself. Do I say something? Do I set them straight? Do I just keep my mouth shut and buy my book?

Nah.

"Girls," I say. "John Kerry IS a Christian. He is Catholic."
"Oh."
"And he isn't necessarily FOR gay marriage, he just thinks each state should decide."

Blink, blink, blink.

"Well, anyway, I am glad you are discussing politics. It is good to know what is going on," I say in a chipper way. "And only a few more years till you can vote!"

Did they listen to me? Should I have bothered? Who the heck knows. But I did.

My imaginary boyfriend, Anderson Cooper

There is a new love in my life. A witty, urbane telecaster. His name is Anderson Cooper. Now don't be concerned that my love for my new imaginary boyfriend, Anderson, beats out the love for my continual imaginary boyfriend, George Clooney. That could NEVER happen! I will always be true to George.

However, that Anderson is pretty cool, too. Except for when he must be subjected to violent weather! His heartless bosses at CNN keep putting my precious Anderson in harm's way by making him broadcast live during hurricanes! Last night, he was tossed left. He was blown right. He got very, very wet. And he must have been cold. He SEEMED to be having fun, but how do we know that our valiant Anderson was not just putting on a brave face? I worry for him. I do.

Highlights from this week's student crime log

www.thewhitonline.com

While some literary license is taken, all events reported are true and taken from Public Safety reports.

09/01/04
Time Unknown
Location: Football Field

Officers were dispatched to the football field for a report of theft. Upon arrival they were told by a grounds employee that during the evening someone had used bolt cutters to break the lock of the equipment shed. A chainsaw was missing. The lock was found about 10 feet from the shed and was brought back to headquarters. It was placed into an evidence bag, which was then placed into the evidence locker.

09/04/04
02:26 hours
Location: Triad

Officers met with Triad residents who called Public Safety regarding criminal mischief in their apartment. The residents stated that on the previousday as he and another roommate were leaving, they witnessed another roommate coming in with between 15 and 20 guests. "Later when they returned the apartment was severely damaged. Window screen was ripped, holes in walls, clothing removed from room and thrown about, used condom under desk, urine in water bottle, and cabinets in disarray." The police report also made ambiguous mention of something else involving shaving cream. Public Safety photographed damage and forwarded a report to housing services. This crime log reporter humbly requests that he be invited to any further events that might take place in the previously mentioned apartment.

09/07/04
22:20 hours
Location: North Halls Parking Lot

Officers witnessed two individuals destroying a bicycle in the parking lot adjacent to Chestnut Hall. When confronted, the subjects claimed that they were playing a joke on a friend of theirs who lived in nearby on campus housing. The name they had given of their friend proved to be fake when it was run through student records. The suspects were found letting air out of the bike's tires, wrapping the tire around the seat and attempting to remove the seat. Both subjects smelled of alcohol and appeared to be very intoxicated. They later admitted to destroying the bicycle and not knowing the owner. They agreed to pay restitution to the bicycles actual owner. Throughout the incident, one of the subjects continuously gave false information regarding his identification, but once taken into custody, he started cooperating. Both individuals were charged with criminal mischief.

Martha Stewart goes to the Big House. Up the River. In the Pokey

Here are my thoughts on Martha Stewart's announcement today that she will go to jail ASAP instead of waiting for her appeal: Good for her. I would want to get it over with, too, instead of having the cloud of jail over my head. However, it was a bit weird for her to mention that she needs to get out of jail by spring so that she can plant her garden. Um....

While I do think she was guilty, I do NOT think she deserved jail time. She has SO MUCH MONEY. She could put that cash to so much better use than by going to jail. The judge could have ordered her to create a trust fund for abused women. Or Martha could have paid to makeover a bunch of projects. Putting her in jail is ridiculous.