SMOKEY ROBINSON TOMORROW NIGHT!!!

Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen,

Not a whole lot of news from the past few days...except that I WILL be attending the Smokey Robinson concert this coming Friday at Red Butte Gardens...and I won't be alone. Who will I be going with? Well, you can guess. Here's a big hint. She's the Love of my life thus far (and probably forever). No, not my niece Kairi...but you're close. They hang out a lot. Give up? Oh, you guess it right the first time? Oh okay, yeah, it's my mom. So yeah, I'll be going to see THE Smokey Robinson in concert tomorrow night...with my mom & stepdad. We'll be packing up a picnic blanket & a box of wine or two and get hammered listening to one of the legends of Motown well into his sixties. It'll be like THE Reverend Al Green last September...only Smokier. It's gonna be AWESOME!!! Expect pictures over the weekend.

Also, I'm starting to formulate a plan for a trip to LA in November for a sci-fi convention. "But $teve, you're not a complete nerd! Why would you want to go to a science-fiction convention?" I'm glad you asked...and thanks for not assuming I'm a complete nerd. The truth is...I am a nerd...to a certain extent. This convention is for one of my favorite shows that only lasted a year (thanks to Fox's death timeslot on Friday nights) called "Firefly" perhaps you've heard of it. They made a movie from it too called "Serenity." You've more than likely heard of that. There will also be a convention for something called Star Trek next door to this one (so plenty of people watching). This convention is also being held across the street from where Lilie works...so it's an excuse to go see her...and to go to Cali...and I'm hoping the Wingmans will want to come with me...because all we need is an excuse to go to Cali for a weekend or something. JL Clyde will be going too. So yeah, if anybody else is interested in going, just let me know & we'll help set you up. You can meet half the cast of "Firefly" and I can't wait to ask Morena Baccarin, "Is that a penis in your pants?" (It's a Sunny in Philadelphia joke...and she played that part in the pilot...hilarious, check the special features) Don't worry, I'll wait until I've had my fill of the convention so that when security throws me out, it'll be okay. May also spend a few days in Orange County or San Diego or something too. You've gotta make it worth the drive out there, right? I'll keep ya posted.

Over the past few days, I've been doing a lot of errands and watching a lot of movies. I'll actually start with the one that I watched last night "L.A. Confidential" since it has to do with L.A. For those of you who haven't seen this, please check it out. It's a great cop drama murder mystery type movie with a star studded cast that includes Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kevin Spacey, Sir James Cromwell, Kim Basinger and Danny DeVito among others. The story based off the James Ellroy novel and is set in 1950's Hollywood when a string of murders climaxes in the Nite Owl Massacre at a local coffee shop, involving cops, prostitutes that look like movie stars and a lot of unanswered questions. It's followed by a string of corruption, lies, drugs, sex...and even more murder...and the good guys have to come in to clean up the streets...but are they all good guys? How deep does this thing go? Check out the flick to find out. Ladies, did I mention that Russell Crowe is in it? Gentlemen, did I mention that Kim Basinger is in it? Check it out.

The other day, while hanging with my dad, I watched "Strange Days" starring Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Lewis, Angela Bassett and Tom Sizemore. It's an early nineties flick set in the future (evening of Y2K). Again, in Los Angeles, there's murder, sex, drugs, all the stuff as fifty years earlier in the last flick...but this one has a twist. A former cop (Fiennes) sells these DVD's called SQUIDs that actually beam memories & experiences directly through somebody's brain so that they can have that experience...and of course, it's basically like a high-tech drug and has a whole underground movement. Well, during the last day of the millennium, another conspiracy involving the LAPD, a slain rapper (not 2Pac), call girls, an ex-girlfriend (Lewis), her new drug running beau (James Remar), his private investigator buddy (Sizemore), his limo driving friend (Bassett) and a slough of others come to fruition. Now, I'll admit, this is no LA Confidential. It's...fairly predictable...and the acting isn't incredible or anything...and nothing really new...but still okay. I guess the most interesting thing about the movie is the concept of the DVDs that play in your mind so that you not only see what they see...but feel what they feel in that moment too. We're almost to that point in technology (so the movie's a little 2001 Space Odyssey in that respect) but it's probably only a matter of time before the next evolution of the Blu-Ray or PS5 or whatever comes out to where we can star in our own porno or win an NBA championship or climb Everest or rob a bank or club a baby seal or whatever purely in the confines of our mind. Stay tuned. Oooh, speaking of future technologies that may damn the human race...

Cloning Update - Five clones of a search and rescue dog which helped locate people trapped in the rubble of the 9/11 attacks were formally presented to their ancestor's former handler. James Symington, a former Canadian police officer, who choked back tears as he formally took possession of the five descendants of his beloved German shepherd named Trakr, who died in April. Symington was presented with Trakr's offspring after winning a competition organized by California firm BioArts International -- the "Golden Clone Giveaway" -- to find the world's most "cloneworthy" dog. Symington said he hopes the puppies -- Trustt, Valor, Prodigy, Solace and Déjà Vu -- will go on to follow in Trakr's footsteps. "We're here to celebrate that Trakr's legacy lives on in these five beautiful puppies," he told reporters. "If they have the same attributes Trakr did, then hopefully they'll develop into world class search and rescue dogs." Symington and Trakr arrived at the site of the World Trade Center collapse, commonly referred to as Ground Zero, on September 12, 2001 and were one of the first K9 search and rescue teams on the scene. After working nearly non-stop for 48 hours, Trakr located the last human survivor found in the rubble of the twin towers. "Trakr was an extraordinary search and rescue dog. His work at Ground Zero was the culmination of his career," Symington said. BioArts International, which says it offers the world's first commercial dog cloning service, partnered with South Korea's SooAm Biotech Research Foundation to clone Trakr under the direction of scientist Hwang Woo-Suk. BioArts International chief executive Lou Hawthorne said canine cloning would remain beyond the reach of ordinary pet lovers, with cloned dogs costing an average $144,000 each. Hawthorne defended the right of people to clone their dogs instead of obtaining new pets from rescue shelters. "I think 99 percent of the time people should get their pets from shelters...but can we agree though that one percent of the time if you have a one in a million dog and you have the money to pay for it, you should be able to go to either a breeder or a cloner?" Hawthorne said Trakr had been chosen for cloning because of his heroics on 9/11. "We received many very touching submissions to our contest, describing some truly amazing dogs," he said. "But Trakr's story blew us away." Symington meanwhile said that one member of his new litter -- Trustt -- was an exact replica of Trakr (even with horrible spelling of their name...which must be some sort of acronym). "The physical similarities are uncanny. He's the spitting image of the Trakr that I first met in 1995. He has exactly the same markings, the way he moves, everything. Very alert, very intelligent and intuitive. I respect that cloning's not for everyone...but there are few dogs that are born with extraordinary abilities and Trakr was one of those dogs. I look forward to the day that these puppies can follow in Trakr's footsteps and play an important role in other rescues, like Trakr did." So there you have it, a touching story of man meets dog, dogs saves many, man loses dog to natural causes, other man plays God, God brings back many dogs, man reunited with dogs...and it's been a while since I've read this story...but I think it usually ends in the dogs become self-aware or possessed by the scientific equivalent of Satan or some mutation causing incredible power and/or rage towards humans ending in bloodshed. Or they live happily ever after. Depending on if it's a Disney production or an adaptation of a short story by Philip K. Dick. I hope it's the Disney production...and I love dogs...but not $144,000 worth. I'll share my Love with another mutt for a nominal neutering fee. There's plenty to go around. Sorry Bogi...and X...and Zurich...and Bronto...and Stubby...

Speaking of things rising from the dead, a few nights ago, I also watched a CLASSIC for the first time in probably a decade or so, in the epic four-hour tale of "Ben Hur" starring Charlton Heston and Stephen Boyd. Set in the holy land during the time of Jesus (who makes a few important cameos), it's the story of a Jewish prince Judah Ben Hur (Heston) who meets up with his best friend (Boyd) who has returned to the land of Judea after being in Rome for many years. Their reunion is bittersweet to say the least, as his friend is the new muscle of the Roman empire and within a day their relationship goes from best friends reunited...to bitter enemies. Judah & his family are thrown in jail...and what follows is a tale of vengeance, action, traveling all over the world, divine intervention, chariot races, betrayal, Jesus, Rome (which made me want to go for a third time...because that place is AWESOME), love, heartbreak, this movie has everything...and it should being four hours long. Do they even do movies with intermissions and entr'actes anymore? Like Sound of Music & Dr Zhivago? I guess nowadays they just split into the sequels and trilogies like Kill Bill, the Lord of the Rings and the Matrix. It's more profitable that way...but yeah, nowadays attention spans are stretched to the max at two-and-a-half hours...and that's for the most willing of us movie goers. Hmm, maybe I'll have to bring back the Intermission. Then again, if the lights turn back on during the middle of my movie, the floor would be extra sticky...and I might have to give ample warning so that people can put their clothes back on. Wait, what was I talking about? Oh yeah, Jesus. He's in this movie (sort of) so yeah, check it out if you haven't already. It's in my Biblical Movie List (silver medal I believe). Gosh, haven't done one of those in a while either. Somebody give me a topic for a movie list. I can't think of one on my own. I think I've done like fifty already.

Anyway, I think that'll do it for me for tonight. Hope you all enjoyed my future techno-zombie clone movie reviews & news updates...and basked in my nerdiness over short-lived science-fiction television series.and Motown singers that peaked before my dad knew his time tables...but I like it. I'm going to see one of the few people that I would consider paying money to see perform tomorrow night...and I'm going to spend some time in California hanging with friends and witnessing other nerds that somehow make me feel not so nerdy. It's gonna be awesome. Again, let me know if you're interested...and until then, have a great day everybody!!! I'll just be here...off the record, on the QT, and very...hush hush.

Flowers Would Be A Surprise

Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen,

Despite what you may have read yesterday, the weekend wasn't all bad. For example, I did get to have some good Chinese food at the Golden Phoenix with JL Clyde. Their sesame chicken, braised tofu (which I'm told is some type of bird), and wonton soup were pretty good. I didn't keep the Fortune Cookie of the Day…but it was something like "Flowers would be a great surprise for somebody tomorrow." Really? That would be something of a surprise…but since I just spent a few grand on suits for a job that I've heard basically nothing on for several weeks, I just sent some digital flowers with a sweet message. Hopefully that'll work in surprising some ladies out there.

At work, I got to hang with the Mad Scientist, Camb, and Mandy for a few moments, so that was cool too. I even got a call from Bubbles who really brightened my day by describing her new Halloween outfit - Li'l Red Riding Hood. Made me think a little bit about my Halloween outfit…and Filly has offered to make me one for the longest time…but I've simply had so much other crap on my mind, I really can't think of anything. We've thrown around ideas like Frank the Bunny (Donnie Darko), the Jolly Green Giant, Sexual Harassment Panda, Dramatic Stare Squirrel, even Li'l Red Riding Hood briefly (did it once in high school…and it wasn't pretty) but can't really think of one that'd work good…and I don't want to bother her with my indecision…so I'm basically just thinking as going as Chewbacca or a Horny Devil again because it's simple and I already have the costume. Heck, Dramatic Stare Squirrel would just require a little face paint with the Wookie suit. I don't know. What do you guys think? Any suggestions?

Ooh, I also finished "Choke" by Chuck Palahniuk…and as previously mentioned, I highly recommend it to anybody who likes to read books. There's definitely a different kind of logic behind the main character's thinking but there's a lot of odd ball happenings, character quirks, and mishaps along the way. I'd say check it out…or the movie comes out on Friday. Now for the news…

Nate Dogg Hospitalized - West Coast rapper Nate Dogg was hospitalized nearly two weeks ago after suffering a stroke, his second in less than a year. However, contrary to Internet news stories that offered an upbeat prognosis, a family member tells E! News that as of Wednesday the 39-year-old was on life support in a Los Angeles-area hospital with a feeding tube in his mouth. "He has suffered another stroke from his bad eating habits and unhealthy lifestyle. All we can do now is pray for him." says Donald Smith, Dogg's cousin and a fellow rapper who goes by the moniker Lil' Half Dead (Really?). Dogg has since been taken off life support but as of today still requires a feeding tube. The rapper, whose real name is Nathaniel Hale, was stricken on Sept. 5. Earlier this week, manager Rod McGrew told the hip-hop news site SOHH "the prognosis at this time is favorable. We're positive, prayerful, hopeful and patient." The rapper's condition will undoubtedly force a Compton judge to postpone a Sept. 24 hearing in which Dogg faces felony charges for threatening and stalking his estranged wife (as mentioned earlier on this blog). Our prayers go out to you and your family…and we hope that you recover fully.

Mission Failed - 25-year-old Richard Anthony Smith called 911 from his cell phone before dawn Wednesday saying he was trapped in an air conditioning duct leading from the Knoxville Museum of Art's roof. Police and firefighters reached the roof, found a rope and cable and followed them to a vent shaft. Peering inside, they spotted Smith about 45 feet down. Hoisted up and read his rights, Smith told police he was a "special agent from the United States Illuminati, badge number 0931" and had rappelled onto the museum from a helicopter, a police report said. He said he was following orders to "defuse and confiscate" a Soviet-made nuclear warhead, specifically a "MERV6SS-22AN" warhead. The bomb supposedly was hidden in a blue, plastic cow sculpture in the museum basement. However, Smith told officers his "agency" called while he was in air-vent limbo to say it made a mistake and the bomb might be in a Memphis museum instead. Police charged Smith with aggravated robbery. He was being held on $2,000 bond at the Knox County Jail. Authorities said he did not have a lawyer…but he's gonna need a good one. Police spokesman Darrell DeBusk said, "Fortunately he was able to reach his cell phone or he may not have been found for quite some time." I guess the mission was a failure…but what if he's telling the truth...and the people of Memphis should watch out for an active Soviet warhead? These may not be a the ramblings of a mad man…or the BS of a man stuck in an air conditioning duct trying to come up with something, anything to tell police when they come to rescue him. Here's the question, is there a blue cow sculpture in the basement? I always told my mom that's where blue cheese comes from…but she never believed me. One thing's for sure, as a fellow member of the Illuminati, he must now be executed for revealing our existence. Wait, does that mean that I must be eliminated now? Never mind, forget that I said anything.

Cloning: It Begins - The Australian government has issued its first license allowing scientists to create cloned human embryos to try and obtain embryonic stem cells. The in vitro-fertilization firm Sydney IVF was granted the license and reportedly has access to 7,200 human eggs for its research. If the firm is successful it would be a world first. Scientists in other countries have made stem cells they believe are similar to embryonic cells using a variety of techniques but none have been able to extract embryonic stem cells from cloned human embryos. An Australian ban on the research, known as therapeutic cloning or somatic cell nuclear transfer, was lifted in December 2006 after a rare conscience vote in the national parliament…but the use of excess IVF embryos and the creation and use of other embryos in research is restricted by law through national legislation. Human cloning for reproductive purposes is banned. More of the details are explained in the article if you're interested…but it should be an interesting development. I've mentioned my views of cloning before…but here they are again for new readers.

• Cloning Humans - Were I a selfish person, I would say that we can clone various Victoria's Secret supermodels, actresses, and bring back Marilyn Monroe. However, the world is already extremely overpopulated for its resources. So for the safety of all, I suggest that we invest in pleasure-giving robots instead of having my own Norma Jean. I'll just have to find the living, breathing girl the old fashioned way...buy her from her father for a few head of cattle.



• However, I do like the idea of cloning for organ transplants & diseases and what have you. Sure, it'll be one of those things were the advantage goes to those that can afford it...but all medicine is that way. That's why life expectancy differs from country to country & continent to continent.



• Some may argue that growing a human being simply for a few organs is wrong. They may be right. However, is it any more wrong to grow sunflowers for a few seeds? Or soy for its beans? Or a walnut tree for its nuts? Wow, that last one did sound a little wrong.



• Cloning Animals - In advance, I'm going to warn you that my views differ from that of PETA...because I love meat. All kind of meat. Meat that some wouldn't even consider meat. However, I do realize that there are more humane ways to produce meat over others. Some may ask "Why do some companies brutally slaughter instead of humanely recycle animals?" Well, leaving out the more delicate use of words, it's basically a financial influence. Killing humanely costs more money...and to stay competitive with foreign producers, prices need to be slashed (pardon the ironic use of words).



• I like the idea of cloning animals for food & clothing and any other use of their bodies...except for one thing, it probably costs more than usual herding...which defeats the purpose to both producer & consumer, so it's only feasible financially as a last resort for world starvation...but may be sooner than we think.



• There is one gripe that I have about animal protestors. They always defend the cute animals like dolphins, horses, & pandas...but where's the love for nature's less-attractive animals like turkeys or retarded animals like cows.



• Cloning Plants - Nobody ever seems to have a problem with cloning or bioengineering plants. Do plants not react to their environment like an animal or human? Do they not feed, grow, reproduce, or are effected by disease like any other being? Yeah, I'm all for engineering super plants that bear tomatoes the size of Buick (for pizza sauce) and cashews that can be used as rocking furniture. Tell me that a nacho flavored banana doesn't sound delicious & nutritious.

Well, it's a rainy morning here in Utah...and who knows, maybe I'll hear something about this Denver job some time this week. I'm sure that it'll come at the most inconvenient possible time. Until next time, take care of yourself...and each other. Love out!!!