Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Overused Joke Hall of Fame

Sildenafil citrate. Originally designed to cure a heart ailment, it was the side effect of this drug that made it the most famous pill in the US since AZT. Though only available by prescription, it has more commercials on TV than Children's Tylenol. In case you haven't figured it out yet, I'm talking about the wonder drug, Viagra.

I know that most of you are saying, "Um, Nate? Where are you going with this?" Just bear with me.

If we remember correctly, when Viagra first came out, it immediately ascended to "easiest punchline" status. Think about it. Leno and Letterman probably looked at the newspaper and exclaimed, "They're going to make a pill that will cause an erection? That's a comic gold mine!" They then laid off half their writers.

So we start getting these gems:

"We now know Saddam Hussein takes Viagra and he has as many as six mistresses. No wonder Congress is reluctant to take action against this guy, he's one of their own."
(Chuckle.)

"Did you hear about the fire in the Viagra Factory? There was a delay in reporting it, because Pops, the night watchman, was busy getting laid."
(Yeah, real funny.)

"Stock market was up today, it must be..."
(All right. You know what? Stop.)

Viagra became its own joke and it was not that funny. It became a sophomoric comedy shortcut and I think most of us were tired of it after about a week.

Why am I bringing this up? Because I realized the other night that Brokeback Mountain is the new Viagra joke. Just take a mental inventory, how many gay cowboy jokes have you heard in the last month? This movie is going to win the Academy Award for Best Picture and many Americans have turned it into a punchline for a gay joke. That's America for you, we make a daring movie about a previously unexplored topic and everybody looks right past that and switches into Beavis and Butthead mode.

I saw Rob Lowe get a hug from some correspondent from The Tonight Show on location at Sundance the other night, and of course herespondedd with a "We got some Brokeback Mountain action going on here, or what?" Yeah, hilarious, Rob.

My point is this: It's not that damned funny. What, are we in fourth grade here? God help us if they every make a movie about The Village People. Jay Leno's head might blow up.

So here is my proposition. I think we should have to retire jokes about people or events after they have been used to excess. We can hang these jokes in the rafters of the Tonight Show, with Brokeback Mountain joining other honorees as "Michael Jackson likes kids", "Martha Stewart went to prison" and the inaugaral member "Viagra."

MOVIE REVIEWS

Hustle and Flow (Terrance Howard, Anthony Anderson, Ludacris)- Story about an aspiring rapper bringing himself up from the pimpin' game and trying to get rich. This is like every other story along these lines (8 Mile, Get Rich or Die Tryin, etc...) but it is done with a craft that those other stories lacked. Of course, there is the requisite unbelievability in some parts (especially the fact that our hero has a prostitute in his stable that can apparently sing like Ashanti) but the story is still tight.

Dukes of Hazzard (Seann William Scott, Johnny Knoxville, Jessica Simpson's breasts)- This could be the all-time worst movie adaptation of a television series in history. As a fan of the original TV show, I was appalled at the storyline, the casting and the way that they used the characters. The worst of all (I swear), is how Daisy Duke went from a smart, cunning and inventive vixen in the TV show to a full court press of sluttiness and bimbo-ism in the form of Jessica Simpson.

The Island (Ewan McGregor, Scarlett Johansson)- It's what you'd expect from a Michael Bay directed movie about human cloning. The clones have problems (when do they ever not have problems?) and a bunch of stuff blows up. Scarlett Johansson apparently borrowed Tara Reid's hair and voice for part of this role (the similarities are uncanny) but she was more visually stunning than many of the CGI action scenes. I'm a big fan. The ending was pretty horrible, even by Michael Bay standards, but there were some pretty good action scenes to make up for it. The most peculiar thing about this DVD was its lack of bonus material. There were NO deleted scenes, no bloopers, in fact the only thing it did have was a short "making of" piece... which consisted of Michael Bay blowing stuff up. It figures.

I'm finished,
Nate

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Post 100

Live from the Call Me Hoss studios in Appleton, WI, it's the

"Call Me Hoss: One Hundredth Post Extravaganza!"



We'll take a look back at the last hundred posts and of course, take a look ahead to the next hundred. Guest appearance comments are expected from: Jaime! Ash Bash! Corey Bruno! Carrie Miller! Ashley! And anyone else that reads this on a regular basis!

Thank you. Thank you. When you do something one hundred times, whether it's posting on a blog, riding a bike or robbing a liquor store, you tend to get pretty good at it. (Sorry, that was me channeling John Madden for a second.)

I discovered this little rodeo back in June of 2004 and have been trying to get up entertaining posts whenever I could or whenever I had something to say. Some attempts to force myself to have a topic (the city nicknames thing, etc...) were met with limited success. But, I do try my best to be humorous while blogging my experiences for future reflection. There were times when I was blogging every day (when I was unemployed and living with my uncle. This was also the time when I penned the Shawn Kemp E! True Hollywood Story, truly a masterpiece in the annals of "Too Much Free Time.") There were times when I didn't get a chance to jot anything down for weeks on end. The best thing about this whole experience are the comments that I periodically get from folks. As most of you know, awaiting a sarcastic remark from Jaime is akin to awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus.

Hopefully if you all take one thing away from reading this blog on a regular basis, it's that we can still keep in touch as friends, no matter where our lives take us. No, wait. If you can only take one thing away, it'd be "Watch Scrubs," but if you have room for two things...

So what is Nate Dogg going to do for you in his next one hundred posts? The first thing I'm going to do is have a more interesting life. I decided the reason that I rarely write about anything interesting going on in my life is that, I'm kinda lazy. That's a tall order going into this tax season in which I'll be working overtime like the dad in that "Cat's in the Cradle" song, but I'll do my best.

Secondly, as much as I like sports, I'll try to write less about it. Until I get tired of writing about other stuff and revert back to sports.

My final promise to you is that I am going to start reviewing every movie that I watch in between posts. Some reviews will be long and others not so, but I won't give any plot points away or spoil a movie for anyone. And, I will start that now:

Red Eye (Rachel McAdams, Cillian Murphy) - Although the idea for this film is great (thriller comprised mostly of two people sitting on an airplane) the execution is only so-so. If you've ever seen a Wes Craven movie, you will see most of the plot unfold from a few scenes prior. Rachel McAdams, although stunning in this movie, conveyed the terror of someone watching a particularily scary episode of Scooby Doo. I love this Cillian Murphy character, though. The kid reminds me of a young Brad Pitt.

Two For The Money (Al Pacino, Matt McConaughey, Rene Russo) - Great movie. Although the underlying theme is about a sports betting service, this movie provides something for any taste. Rene Russo and Al Pacino deliver some stellar scenes as a troubled married couple struggling with the various issues in each other's lives. I suggest this movie to just about anyone.

Lord of War (Nick Cage, Jared Leto) - Interesting look at the world of international gun running. Most of this movie revolves around the end of the Cold War and what it meant for gun runners as well as regimes and warlords around the world. A giant spotlight is also wielded towards African nations that in the 90's (and to this day) used anyone that was old enough to pick up a gun in seemingly never-ending civil wars.

So, that's it, folks. I suppose I would be remiss if I didn't include a random movie quote in my 100th post.

100TH POST RANDOM MOVIE QUOTES!

Edward Carnby: "Your mother's wrong, kid. Being afraid of the dark is what keeps most of us alive."

Edward Carnby: "Fear is what protects you from the things you don't believe in."

Edward Carnby: "I learned the truth a long time ago. Just because you can't see something, doesn't mean it can't kill you."

Cabbie: "You travel light."
Edward Carnby: "I carry enough baggage for the both of us."

Just some of the gems from "Alone in the Dark" (2005). Remember, this is the same movie that gave us Tara Reid playing a respected paleontologist. A respected paleontologist who has her shirt off within 20 minutes of appearing on screen.

I'm finished,
Nate

Thursday, January 19, 2006

You've Got Questions?

OK, here's the deal. I had to delay the 100th post extravaganza that I had planned. I decided that filling out a blog quiz from Jaime was much more important. So as not to ruin the integrity of the blog, I went back and erased a previous post from early 2005 and updated the last post to "Post XCVIII", making this current post the 99th. Hey, you gotta have some pride in accuracy.

I'm sure you've all seen these things before on blogs. Ask a goofy question, get a goofy answer. Well, let's get to the fun unhesitatingly.

1. What would be more likely to make you confess: The Rack or Chinese Water Torture?

I'd have to say The Rack. I am a breast man after all.

2. If you had to choose a superhero to fight would you pick Superman, Spiderman, Batman or Chuck Norris? How would you defeat them?

Chuck Norris. Despite his internet legend, I believe the mere mention of Conan O'Brien's "Walker Texas Ranger Lever" would cause Chuck to sulk away in shame.

3. Who is more attractive: Imhotep (in fully regenerated form), The Scorpion King, or Rick O'Connel?

As I don't recall who Imhotep is, I'll have to go with the Scorpion King. The real question is, how many freakin' brothers does Jerry O'Connell have?

4. What is the name of your car? If it doesn't have a name you are a bad car parent.

The Gutless.

5. Which word is more fun to say, aardvark or spork?

If I say spork, there is a chance that I'm at Taco Bell. What's more fun than Taco Bell? Grande Meal, anyone?

6. What's the grossest thing you've ever eaten?

Strawberry shortcake. I hate strawberries, but I was trying to be polite. It was not a good idea.

7. Make a sentence using the following words: eskimo, dungeon, vessel, honey badger, pantaloons.

"In my homemade dungeon, my submissive eskimo hottie broke a blood vessel in her cheek as we enjoyed a wild romp in the honey badger position whilst my pantaloons were around my ankles." Good god, I think I need therapy.

8. Did you have an imaginary friend when you were a kid (or now)? What was its name? Was it because you were too uncool to have real friends?

I'd love to answer those questions, but the First Rule of Fight Club...

9. If you were going to have a cereal named after you what would it be called? And what would it taste like?

Hoss's no. 7 Brand. It would taste like Jack Daniel's, of course.

10. If you could have one super power what would it be?

Invisibility, and if you say anything other than invisibility, you're lying to yourself. So many locker rooms, so little time.

11. Have you ever voluntarily watched "From Justin to Kelly"?

Umm. Parts of it. Poor Kelly Clarkson is going to be the next Streisand (in terms of popularity, not listenability) and she's going to have this steaming pile to look back on at the beginning of her career. It's sad, really. I think Justin is probably hoping for a sequel.

12. Doodle Bear or Aqua Doodle?

Even though it's not legally allowed, I'm just going to vote for Bush again.

13. Do you believe in psychics?

Yeah, I love people that make vague educated guesses and call it psychic ability. NBC should make a cop show about it.

14. How many medium sized baked potatoes could you eat in one sitting?

A handful.

15. Invent a word. Define it and use it in a sentence.

Kelly Clarksons- slang term for breast implants, which Kelly might want to look into getting.
Sentence: "Pamela Anderson got a new set of Kelly Clarksons for Christmas."

16. Who would you rather meet, The Kool-Aid Guy, the Michelin Man or the Snuggle Bear?

Snuggle Bear. He looks all soft and wholesome in the commercials, but I bet that bear is a party animal.

17. Who's creepier, Quagmire or Zap Branigan?

What is this, some Dungeons and Dragons crap? Um, Zap Branigan... I guess.

18. When was the last time you cried? Sissy.

Probably last month when I jacked up my foot and I could barely walk to the bathroom. It got worse when I gave up on the bathroom and marked my territory like a wolf.

19. If you had a sidekick what would his name be?

Sober Driver.

20. Have you ever had a crush on a cartoon character?

Jessica Rabbit, Pocahontas, Belle, Little Bo Peep from Toy Story, Jasmine, Aeon Flux, Mrs. Cartman, Lady from Lady and the Tramp (even though she's technically a dog)... I guess the answer I was looking for is: Yes.

I'm finished,
Nate

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Post XCVIII

Quite a weekend for the Murray wedding boys as we partied in Bark River on Friday night, playing some poker and enjoying the company of Grant's buddies from back home. We spent the next evening in Marquette, taking in the local taverns and parties after the hockey game and a Wildcat sweep. Over all, it was a lot of beer drank, zero injuries and zero arrests. Not a bad way to spend a weekend.

Of course, the Patriots did lose on Saturday night. It's a bit maddening how the Patriots have a total of six turnovers in the three previous Super Bowl seasons combined, then they spring for five in one game on Saturday night. It didn't help that the league office was on the phone to the refs all night, trying to make sure that there was no chance the Colts would have to face Tom Brady again this year. "Hey, even if Champ Bailey fumbles the ball directly through the back of the endzone, DO NOT call it a touchback. Just give the Broncos the ball on the one yard line. Oh, and if the corners for the Pats come within a foot of the Denver recievers... throw a flag." I'm just so tired of the NFL season ending in disappointment for me. Oh, wait. Super Bowls XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX. Never mind, I'm good. Oh, and the Colts lost. The Peyton Manning Face is always a welcome sight.

Great quote: RNC spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt said: "On a day when Americans are focused on the legacy of Martin Luther King, Hillary Clinton is focused on the legacy of Hillary Clinton." This is after Clinton made a point on MLK day to accuse the Republican led house of "being run like a plantation." Good for you, Hil-Rod. Just keep talking.

Next post will be a 100th post extravaganza.

I'm finished,
Nate

Thursday, January 12, 2006

Snowshoe Golf?

Here's a funny link. It's the 7 day outlook for Marquette, MI area golf courses from the weather.com web site.

7 Day Golf Course Conditions

You know those things that can be done a couple of ways, but there is a method that is preferred by leaps and bounds over the rest? From now on, I will call the inferior methods "Like Cooking Soup In A Microwave." Sound good? Imagine: "You're going to take that road to get over to the park instead of taking the highway? That's cooking soup in the microwave if I've ever seen it!" Start using it. I give you permission.

I'm sure some people really love Howard Stern. I'm not one that's crazy about his schtick and shock-jock antics. Some people really hate him. Say what you want, the guy has turned dirty jokes and exclusive interviews with varied members of the adult entertainment industry into a pretty lucrative business over the years.

Have a good weekend.

I'm finished,
Nate

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Where Values Thrive.

So even though I never changed my profile, as most of you know, I left Thrivent Financial for greener pastures back in September. Long story, short: It didn't work out and I'm back in the desk. It all started with Ashley's casual mention that Thrivent would probably welcome me back. I proceeded to run into two of my supervisors at my fill-in gig selling electronics, with both of them expressing support. It then culminated with a conversation with my former boss, C Dub, who got everything in place. Remarkably, this all took place within the span of about 10 days. I will once again fill my days with talk of required minimum distributions, 1099-R forms, and rights of accumulation. It's good to be back.

I just emptied out the recycling bin at my desk which contained all of the paper items of Julie, the former owner. In the bin was a 800 page Vogue magazine. You read that correctly. A magazine that's the size of a stinkin' dictionary.

I was thinking about the Kanye West song "Gold Digger", or as I call it "The Ballad of the Deadbeat Dad" the other day. When women sing along to that song, do they actually think about the words?

Quite a year for Marcus Vick of Virginia Tech: Runner up for ACC Offensive Player of the Year, coming off suspension for allegedly getting 15 year old girls drunk, having his driver's license suspended, getting ticketed for driving on that suspended license, getting kicked off the team for stomping on an opponent and, to start the new year off right, getting arrested for pointing a gun at people. He could be the first NFL Draft prospect whose potential downside rating from Mel Kiper includes "May kill someone his rookie year."

I saw this pure gold statement on IMDB.com news today: "Jessica Simpson's estranged husband Nick Lachey is narrowing down his search for a new woman..." What does that even mean? Is there an application process for this? Did I miss the "Win a Date with Nick Lachey" buses that came to a city near you? He went on to say that he is looking for "a Jessica Alba look-a-like who has bedded fewer than 10 guys." Reached for comment, Jessica Alba said she is looking for, "Not Nick Lachey."

Big weekend coming up, hockey game and bachelor party for G Money in Marquette.

I'm finished,
Nate