Making a rare LJ appearance to note that David Vickers is the best character on any soap.

I just clicked onto the weather forecast from AOL.  What I saw was so bizarre that I had to do a screengrab so I'd have photographic evidence.

After the non-Golden Globes, it was nice to see a little red carpet action at the SAG Awards.  I wasn't particularly invested in any of the outcomes, so I just watched the people with interest.

Is Angelina Jolie pregnant?  It sure looked like it.

Ellen Page needed to loosen up and enjoy herself.

Debra Messing was truly scary between the out-of-control red fright wig and the Star Trek dress.

Michelle Pfeiffer is 50 and looks 35.  How is that possible?  And she looks natural, too.  Like her plastic surgeon did a masterful job?

Dear Vanessa Redgrave--
Please do us a favor and wear some make up.  Consider getting a hairstyle, too.  Just because you're 7 feet tall and over 70 doesn't give you an excuse to slack off.   Did you see Ellen Burstyn?  That's what you should be doing.  Well, apart from the dressing like a shepherd thing.  You could look almost that good, too.  C'mon!  Your husband is still gorgeous.  Give a little effort.  You can look like this.  Unfortunately, you usually seem to show up looking like this.
(Incidentally, hilarious and tremendously well-written article about "Big Van" here: http://observer.guardian.co.uk/magazine/story/0,,1732336,00.html). 

Where was Helen?  Forrest W. was there to present the best actor prize.  She'd better be at the Oscars!  Well, if they happen.

America Ferrera looked fabulous.  I was flipping out over her dress.

Dear Daniel Day-Lewis--
You are a very good looking man.  Your hair is a crime.

Christina Applegate was the highlight of my evening.

Tilda Swinton needs so much help that it's difficult to even comprehend.  Johnny Depp manages to pull off intentionally bizarre.  Tilda, not so much.
 

I wonder if I'm the only one who puts skim milk on Cocoa Puffs. It's kind of like, why bother, you know?

My photography thing has actually worked out. Go figure. It's pretty cool!

I made more money with unemployment than I do working. That is pathetic.

I am so freaking sick of commercials for erectile dysfunction drugs and "male enhancement" (whatever the hell that is) products. The new ad for Viagra is particularly nauseating. Some guy is washing his classic car and his wife gives him the look. The voiceover says something about being able to have only "one great passion." So, he sets up the sprinkler to rinse the car while he goes inside to get some. Yech. Or how about the one for Enzyte where the guy keeps throwing the football through the tire swing. Symbolism much?

I am firmly convinced that our society not only favors stupidity, but actually rewards it.

Well, it's Friday night and I'm still conflicted on the Derby.  I made a few wagers today and wound up $17.80 in the hole (in spite of the fact that I won $28.20).  I need to do much better tomorrow.

I've come to a few conclusions....

If it's as muddy as it was today, Nobiz Like Shobiz goes up higher on my list.  His star was already shining a little brighter for me during the last few days, anyway.  His trainer said he wouldn't trade with anyone and I always like to hear that.  The last time I actually remember hearing that from a Derby trainer was '87, from the trainer of Alysheba, who won.

I still like Great Hunter, even though he got the post position 20, but I like him better on a sloppy track.  I can't get his stablemate Liquidity out of my head, though.  Even their owner said today (to the surprise of many) that he was favoring Liquidity.  With the lucky 9 hole and a chance to get out on the lead......maybe, just maybe.

About the much-hyped favorite Curlin...I like him.  But, I just can't get past the fact that he didn't race at age 2 and he only has 3 career starts.  You have to go back to the 1880s to find a Derby winner unraced at 2 and the early 1900s to find a winner with fewer than 4 races under his belt.  If he wins tomorrow, he may just be the next Triple Crown winner.  Until then, I'm thinking too much too soon.

Circular Quay is a good horse.  But, right before he was to have had his final prep race 4 weeks ago, it was suddenly announced that he wouldn't race again 'til the Derby.  That's suspicious.  Rumor was that something was amiss (although probably not super serious, or he wouldn't be in tomorrow).  With that and 8 weeks between his last race and the Derby, I can't get behind him.

The horse to beat is Street Sense.  There's little doubt in my mind about that.  He has a great shot, any way you look at it.  He's trained beautifully and couldn't be coming in any better.  There's little else to add.  There are plenty of ways for him to lose, but if he's the superior animal that everyone seems to think, he can overcome them.

I'm on and off Hard Spun.  I've liked him since I saw his very first race.  There is a big question as to whether his very fast workout on Monday was a good or bad thing.  If it was good, he may be underrated.  The weather could work in his favor, also.

Another horse who has a good chance to factor in the equation is Scat Daddy, who's done very little wrong his whole career.  He's a big guy and has trained well.  Dunno if I'll play him to win, but he's worth consideration.

Any Given Saturday is another horse who's in and out of my good graces.  A lot of smart observers seem to like him.  I don't have a strong feeling about him at the moment.  He could very easily win, though.  

I will make my final decisions after reading the morning Blood Horse column by astute Derby guru Steve Haskin.

More Kentucky Derby...brief thoughts on each horse.

Pictures I have of the Derby and Oaks (Derby for girls) contenders:

Derby

            
Zanjero                Zanjero                   Street Sense          Street Sense        Sedgefield              Liquidity


                
  Dominican             Circular Quay         Curlin                 Scat Daddy           Hard Spun            Hard Spun

       
Teuflesberg          Teuflesberg           Great Hunter          Great Hunter

Oaks

           
High Again             Grace Happens      Cash Included         Rags to Riches      Rags to Riches         Octave                      

       
 Mistical Plan          Mistical Plan      Dreaming of Anna   Dawn After Dawn  Cotton Blossom

Anybody know how to fix Javascript problems?

New pet peeve: places that ask for a resume, but require you to fill out a job application that is mostly a repeat of what's on your resume. I don't mind filling out an app., because there ARE things they might want to ask that wouldn't be on a resume. But, geez, why do you even want a resume if I have to put my entire work and educational history, plus references on the application? It's a total waste of time.

I've applied for 3 entry-level reference jobs recently in my target area: Woodford County (Versailles/Midway, KY), Lexington Public Library and the public library in Frankfort. It would be nice to get one of those. This is in addition to the assistant branch manager job I interviewed for last week in Louisville. *Sigh* I'm very ready, any time now! I'm not all that enthused about library employment, but that's what I'm qualified to do, so it's what I must do.

Lakisha - I always like her, tonight was no exception.
Chris S. - OK, I *love* that song and I was pleasantly surprised by his vocals. Too bad the beat got away.
Gina - This was definitely her best so far. I was impressed.
Sanjaya - Wow. I could only focus on the hair, but it was probably one of his better vocals.
Haley - Fine, no major mistakes, but she's just not a standout.
Phil - Surprisingly didn't butcher the Police song, but I wouldn't mind seeing him go.
Melinda - First song she's done that I actually liked.
Blake - V. good, glad he skipped the beatboxing with this song.
Jordin - She did a good job, but a)I hate that song and b)it was copycattish.
Chris R. - OK, I actually thought he was better last week. Go figure.

It was NOT supposed to be warm and sunny yesterday. As a result, I have a sunburn. Argh. Yes, I know you can get a sunburn when it's overcast. But, I was expecting to have my jacket on all day and I never needed it. Ouch. I was in 4 states yesterday: IL, IN, OH, and KY. Woo hoo.

Turfway Park is no Churchill Downs, but it was a fun day. I am inept with my camera 75% of the time, though. I was shooting on shutter priority. At some point, I did something to my settings (I don't know what) that caused the photos to turn out too grainy and dark. It did get cloudy and darker toward the end, but not like this. Plus, getting an action shot with good depth of field and that is crisp is just luck for me.
I either get one that turns out like this: Or this:
In other words, they're either pretty good or they suck.

This one isn't too bad, but it could've been better: Same with this one:

I did capture some drama when 2 fillies started freaking and broke out out of the gate. Panty Raid (#4), dumped her rider Edgar Prado (ironically also the jockey of Barbaro), while Shaun Bridgmohan on Acadia Breeze (#3) was lucky not to get stomped by both fillies. Amazingly, both fillies and jockeys were unhurt. Panty Raid was caught quickly after she got loose and finished a close 2nd (see the 2-horse finish above), but Acadia Breeze made it about 1/4 of a mile before she was rounded up and was well beaten.
Jockeys are brave souls.

And what I did to my settings to go from getting something like this:
to getting stuff like this: I have no clue.