My Rabbit Hole Casting

I love, love, love the casting decision of Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart in the upcoming film adaptation of the stage play 'Rabbit Hole'. Kidman is at her best when her character is suffering and Eckhart can do plenty with the meaty role in the story about a couple after the death of their young son. As for who should play Kidman's mom and Jason, the catalyst that starts off the story? I would like to see Ellen Burstyn ('Requiem For A Dream') for the former and Emile Hirsch ('Milk') in the latter- in fact, anyone besides Shia LaBeouf would do. (THR)

P.S.- Isn't Nicole pretty?

My 2009 Baseball Predictions

With another baseball season starting this weekend, I figured it's time to throw in my two cents as usual with some predictions. Last year, I was a little off. Although I did have both the Red Sox and Phillies in the League Championship Series. So many questions are going to answered. Will the Mets have another colossal collapse for the third straight season? Can the Rays take their best season and run with it? Can the Yanks overcome last year's woes and this year's off-field distractions? Which team will come out of the dreadful NL Central and West alive? I guess we'll all just have to wait and see. Anyway, here are my quick picks:

American League:

1. Boston Red Sox (AL East Champions)

2. Los Angeles Angels (AL West Champions)

3. Minnesota Twins (AL Central Champions)

4. New York Yankees (AL Wild Card)

ALDS: Boston over Minnesota, Los Angeles over New York

ALCS: Los Angeles over Boston

I don't see the Rays getting back to the playoffs (ESPN Mag has them winning it all!) and the Yanks will do well under Girardi's second season but not well enough. The Angels are as dominant as they can be in another weak division.

National League:

1. Philadelphia Phillies (NL East Champions)

2. Chicago Cubs (NL Central Champions)

3. Los Angeles Dodgers (NL West Champions)

4. New York Mets (NL Wild Card)

ALDS: Philadelphia over Los Angeles, New York over Chicago

ALCS: Philadelphia over New York

I don't see how the Mets' offseason moves for their bullpen will result in another collapse- I was wrong last year as well. The only that'd give the Dodgers problems should be the Diamondbacks- other than that, Philadelphia should roll on.

World Series: Philadelphia over Los Angeles

Going out on a limb and calling for the first repeat World Series Champions since the '98-'00 Yanks.

My Release Dates

Just a few recently announced release dates I'm personally looking forward to:

- Carrie Bradshaw and the girls slated to come back to screen during Memorial Day weekend next year.

- Mad Men's third season is set to kick off this summer according to AMC, but specific date has been set.

- Friday Night Light's third season will arrive on DVD on May 19 with another sexy cover.

My Neighborhood Golf Course

It still baffles me that I live in New York City and there's an 18-hole golf course less than 10 blocks from my apartment. It's so close that I can see the same tip of the Verranzano Bridge on my rooftop. Though not a golf fan, I think I went out to the driving range once back in college, I can appreciate the greenery of the Dyker Beach Golf Course. Their recent addition of the banquet hall prompted me interest in suggesting to my sister to hold at least her small wedding reception there. I'd hold out for my own wedding, but let's face it- that ain't happening anytime soon. 

My Chinese Electric Cars

Taking advantage of the current downfall in the US automobile industry, China leaders adapted a new plan to go ahead with their studies and development of electric cars. While electric cars had a short lifespan earlier this decade, they dwindled and faded away- loosely documented here. But with the current economic crisis and the no-end-in-sight outlook of it for the automobile industry in Detroit, China seems poised to succeed with their new plan and rival Japan as the leading electric car engineers in the world. (NYT)

My Jai Ho Remix

Way to go Pussycat Dolls, you've successfully put the ho in Jai Ho.

My Best. Salad. Ever.

Grilled watermelon. Balsamic dressing. Goat cheese. Thanks, Alexis.

My Boxers Renaissance

For the most part of this century, I've been a boxer briefs kinda guy when I opted to wear underwear. I just like the way it feels and looks on me. But due to not laundry for three weeks an uncontrollable circumstance, I'm down to boxers I haven't worn since my shopping spree days at FSU. For goodness sakes, I'm wearing boxers from Structure(!). I've gotta say though, this temporary switch back has been a nice one. I don't feel discomfortable like in the past and I don't feel the urge readjust myself like I remember either. Hmm... perhaps being on the boxer briefs team for so long has blurred my ability to see the advantages of wearing just plain old boxers.