Brad Renfro was snubbed in the tribute to deceased entertain persons in last night's Oscars. Their explanation? "We can't pay tribute to everyone." I've heard that before.
Jonathan Brandis was also snubbed by the Oscar tribute segment despite having been in 46 projects. They claimed he was more widely known for TV work but any look at his filmography puts a lie to that.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
Two Years Later
Today marks two years since Mother passed on. I feel I owe her a bit of an apology for not making better use of the time and the resources at my disposal. Still, you can’t exactly skip steps.
I ambled up to Brother’s at noon to try to sign those documents but no one was home. I wandered off to the bank and made a deposit and moved some money from savings to checking so I can pay my March bills online. It was off to the grocery to pick up food for kitty. I got a few piggy items. Nutella, ice cream, stamps. Ok, I don’t eat stamps. Not yet anyway. On my travels I took note of who was hiring.
The walk was comfortable and easy although my feet are groaning. I picked up “active maturity” food for kitty and am mixing it in with her other food. I’m hoping it’ll smooth things out for her digestion. It was cooler today than expected.
When I left there was a notice from the complex someone wants to repair my metering system next week. Yeah. Whatever. They probably think it’s broken because my use is not as high as surrounding apartment. I’m just frugal.
I ambled up to Brother’s at noon to try to sign those documents but no one was home. I wandered off to the bank and made a deposit and moved some money from savings to checking so I can pay my March bills online. It was off to the grocery to pick up food for kitty. I got a few piggy items. Nutella, ice cream, stamps. Ok, I don’t eat stamps. Not yet anyway. On my travels I took note of who was hiring.
The walk was comfortable and easy although my feet are groaning. I picked up “active maturity” food for kitty and am mixing it in with her other food. I’m hoping it’ll smooth things out for her digestion. It was cooler today than expected.
When I left there was a notice from the complex someone wants to repair my metering system next week. Yeah. Whatever. They probably think it’s broken because my use is not as high as surrounding apartment. I’m just frugal.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Coroner on Brad Renfro Cause of Death
Knoxville News Sentinel
An old demon defeated Knoxville-born actor Brad Renfro...
"The results have come back, and we have closed the case based on those results," said Craig Harvey, L.A. County chief coroner investigator.
"The cause of death was established as acute heroin/morphine intoxication," said Harvey. "The coroner has indicated the injury occurred by injection, and the coroner has ruled the death an accident."
Renfro had finished shooting "The Informers" with Winona Ryder and Billy Bob Thornton shortly before he died. He gained national recognition starring alongside Susan Sarandon and Tommy Lee Jones in his first film, "The Client," which he made the summer he turned 11.
Renfro's legal problems involving drugs began in 1998 when he was charged with possession of cocaine and marijuana seven weeks before his 16th birthday. He reached an agreement with Knox County prosecutors to submit to random drug screenings in order to avoid a juvenile record.
Renfro was sentenced by a judge in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in January 2001 to two years of probation for attempting to steal a yacht in August 2000. In May 2001, he was arrested in Knox County for underage consumption of alcohol. After he was arrested in Knoxville for public intoxication in January 2002, he spent a short stint in a Florida jail before being ordered to enter a three-month substance-abuse treatment program.
In November 2005, Renfro was arrested in Los Angeles for driving under the influence, but the incident that signaled the depth of his substance-abuse problems was his December 2005 arrest for attempting to buy heroin in L.A.'s skid row district. After a brief stint in jail on his DUI charge in March 2006, he entered a rehab program in lieu of jail for the heroin arrest...
Harvey speculated that Renfro's overdose could have occurred because the actor had not been using drugs in a while.
"Other people had told us that he was off of the injectables; he wasn't using anything injectable," said Harvey. "You have guys that … go to prison and they were IV drug users, and they're in prison for a period of time. Then they get out of prison, and the first thing they do is they'll score some drugs.
"They buy the same quantity or level of drugs that they were buying before they went into prison, and they use the same quantity or level they used and they'll end up overdosing immediately because their bodies detoxed while they were in prison. They don't take that into consideration.
"And I'm just wondering if he (Renfro) might have done essentially the same thing. He hadn't used it in so long, and when ultimately he did use it again he just simply used the same quantity he did before without thinking, not realizing his body no longer had the same tolerance to it as before."
Despite his legal problems and struggles with addiction, Renfro starred in 21 feature films, including "The Informers," and reportedly he had other film prospects on the horizon...
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
An "Accidental" Ending For Ledger
Two painkillers, two anti-anxiety meds and two sleep aids let to an "accidental overdose" and his death from "acute intoxication" according to the medical examiner. His drugs of choice were "oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (ibuprofen), diazepam (Valium), temazepam (Restoril), alprazolam (Xanax) and doxylamine (Unisom)"
NYC medical examiner rules Ledger died of accidental overdose
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
La-La-La La-La
What a fun time! This is the worst election cycle since 1976. Makes me sigh and grind my teeth. I wouldn't give you two cents for any of the remaining major candidates. (Duckie loves Hillary.)
There was good news this morning. CA Prop 93 failed. It was a sham attempt by termed out incumbents in the state legislature to get an additional 12 years. In the YES ads they claimed it reduced term limits from 14 years to 12 years while conveniently failing to mention the loophole for incumbents. Causing us a third statewide election this year, these same people said we couldn't afford an off-year election in 2005 for Schwarzenegger's reform agenda. Speaking of the governor, he support Prop 93 by itself even though earlier he refused to support it if it wasn't coupled with a redistricting proposal. The redistricting proposal never came.
L.A. voted to approve a 9% phone tax, publicized as a "tax cut" from 10% to 9%. Unfortunately, that existing 10% sales tax has been declared illegal by a court. So the "cut" is from a potential 0% to 9%. The opposition only raised thousands for advertising while the establishment had a few million to run ads.
I talked to Brother tonight. Apparently the estate lawyer sent him more papers to sign. WTH!? I guess it's not over yet. It'll be two years in several days. That's just stupid. He also thinks she's ended her private practice and joined a separate firm. Oh joy!
There was good news this morning. CA Prop 93 failed. It was a sham attempt by termed out incumbents in the state legislature to get an additional 12 years. In the YES ads they claimed it reduced term limits from 14 years to 12 years while conveniently failing to mention the loophole for incumbents. Causing us a third statewide election this year, these same people said we couldn't afford an off-year election in 2005 for Schwarzenegger's reform agenda. Speaking of the governor, he support Prop 93 by itself even though earlier he refused to support it if it wasn't coupled with a redistricting proposal. The redistricting proposal never came.
L.A. voted to approve a 9% phone tax, publicized as a "tax cut" from 10% to 9%. Unfortunately, that existing 10% sales tax has been declared illegal by a court. So the "cut" is from a potential 0% to 9%. The opposition only raised thousands for advertising while the establishment had a few million to run ads.
I talked to Brother tonight. Apparently the estate lawyer sent him more papers to sign. WTH!? I guess it's not over yet. It'll be two years in several days. That's just stupid. He also thinks she's ended her private practice and joined a separate firm. Oh joy!
Sunday, February 03, 2008
RIP Brad Renfro's Grandmother, 76
Brad Renfro's grandmother, 76, dies
Joanne Barron Renfro, the grandmother of Knoxville-born actor Brad Renfro, died Friday. She was 76.
Mrs. Renfro raised her grandson from the time he was 5 years old at her home in North Knoxville's Lincoln Park community. Her grandson drew national attention at the age of 10 in 1993, when he was cast to star in the film adaptation of John Grisham's "The Client.
There's still no determination on Brad Renfro's cause of death.
Joanne Barron Renfro, the grandmother of Knoxville-born actor Brad Renfro, died Friday. She was 76.
Mrs. Renfro raised her grandson from the time he was 5 years old at her home in North Knoxville's Lincoln Park community. Her grandson drew national attention at the age of 10 in 1993, when he was cast to star in the film adaptation of John Grisham's "The Client.
There's still no determination on Brad Renfro's cause of death.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
RIP Brad Renfro, 25 ("The Client")
Actor Brad Renfro, whose career began promisingly with a childhood role in "The Client" but rapidly faded as he struggled with drugs and alcohol, was found dead Tuesday in his home. He was 25. (Yahoo)
"Brad was raised by his grandmother Joanne Renfro following his parents' divorce when Brad was 6 years old. He broke into movies at age 10 when he impressed an audience member during a D.A.R.E. skit (he was playing a drug dealer)."
Select filmography:
"The Client" (1994)
"The Cure" (1995)
"Tom And Huck" (1995)
"Sleepers" (1996)
"Apt Pupil" (1998)
"Bully" ("2001")
"Brad was raised by his grandmother Joanne Renfro following his parents' divorce when Brad was 6 years old. He broke into movies at age 10 when he impressed an audience member during a D.A.R.E. skit (he was playing a drug dealer)."
Select filmography:
"The Client" (1994)
"The Cure" (1995)
"Tom And Huck" (1995)
"Sleepers" (1996)
"Apt Pupil" (1998)
"Bully" ("2001")
Monday, December 24, 2007
Christmas? Bah-Humbug.
Happy Christmas to Murray, Leon, Bernie and dearest Duckie. :P
I haven't heard from Brother so I dunno if there's a cemetery visit in the works or not. I got up at 4am. I've been trying to keep busy. I just scrubbed the toilet and sink and mirrors and floor in my bathroom. The kitchen's cleaned up. I'm running out of stuff to scrub.
I've been avoiding holiday music and specials completely. I haven't done a lick of gift shopping. It's just that kind of mood. Kitty's napping in her lounge chair. We didn't put up the tree or anything.
I want a nap. Ugh.
It's now early afternoon. Still nothing from my Brother. I called his cell and got voice mail. If we're going to the cemetery we'll have to go relatively soon. It closes in about three hours and it's almost an hours trip.
I called the house. The SIL answered. Brother's out "running errands" because they didn't get a gift for the niece. Right. Ok. She said as far as she knew he wasn't going to the cemetery today because he's too busy running around and doesn't have the traditional mini tree to take. She said she thought he was going tomorrow but um they're closed tomorrow. Oy.
I think I can see Duckie laughing from here!
Another update. I ate. I used more of my few-months-passed "best by date" sauce. Mother would be proud of my dietary daring. Brother called me to tell me he was coming to pick me up. It was late, less than an hour til closing at the cemetery. I'm like uh... time? He's like "it only takes 15 minutes to get there" and I'm thinking "yous [sic] crazy." I barely had my pants on when he was ringing the bell. Kitty was nonplused, barely roused from her lounge chair, probably because I warned her we might have company.
He explained he never did find a mini-tree. The tree has been a tradition Mother started after Father passed away and I continued last year with Brother after she passed. No worries, I had earlier hacked a length of branch off a pine tree in my landscaping as a back up plan.
I didn't pay attention to the time because I knew that would only annoy me unnecessarily. This is progress. In the past I would've been obsessive about watching the time. Ok, I admit I was eyeing the radio in the truck but couldn't make out a time (if it even has a clock) but I should get points for not checking my watch.
The gates were open. We parked on the gravel and walked in. The sun was quickly heading into the day's oblivion on the ocean horizon. I took photos of the setting sun and Brother rambled to the cold stone with a slight patina of algae. We left.
I'd been thinking that his kids never had their grandpa's holiday candy. For a week or more I'd been kicking around trying my hand at it. He was amenable to the idea so we stopped at a grocery. I didn't have the recipe nor had I even looked it up so I went on memory. It was sad that Brother didn't really have an idea what went into the recipe. It turned out I got was right on all counts but did get margarine that I didn't need. I still swear Father used it even if it isn't in the written recipe. I've been pondering what else he could've made that would've called for melting butter in a large pot. Doesn't matter; it was on sale at only 83 cents per pound--shockingly inexpensive. Not everything was so affordable. The tiny bottle of real vanilla was $4, on sale, for the store-brand!
(more to come)
I haven't heard from Brother so I dunno if there's a cemetery visit in the works or not. I got up at 4am. I've been trying to keep busy. I just scrubbed the toilet and sink and mirrors and floor in my bathroom. The kitchen's cleaned up. I'm running out of stuff to scrub.
I've been avoiding holiday music and specials completely. I haven't done a lick of gift shopping. It's just that kind of mood. Kitty's napping in her lounge chair. We didn't put up the tree or anything.
I want a nap. Ugh.
It's now early afternoon. Still nothing from my Brother. I called his cell and got voice mail. If we're going to the cemetery we'll have to go relatively soon. It closes in about three hours and it's almost an hours trip.
I called the house. The SIL answered. Brother's out "running errands" because they didn't get a gift for the niece. Right. Ok. She said as far as she knew he wasn't going to the cemetery today because he's too busy running around and doesn't have the traditional mini tree to take. She said she thought he was going tomorrow but um they're closed tomorrow. Oy.
I think I can see Duckie laughing from here!
Another update. I ate. I used more of my few-months-passed "best by date" sauce. Mother would be proud of my dietary daring. Brother called me to tell me he was coming to pick me up. It was late, less than an hour til closing at the cemetery. I'm like uh... time? He's like "it only takes 15 minutes to get there" and I'm thinking "yous [sic] crazy." I barely had my pants on when he was ringing the bell. Kitty was nonplused, barely roused from her lounge chair, probably because I warned her we might have company.
He explained he never did find a mini-tree. The tree has been a tradition Mother started after Father passed away and I continued last year with Brother after she passed. No worries, I had earlier hacked a length of branch off a pine tree in my landscaping as a back up plan.
I didn't pay attention to the time because I knew that would only annoy me unnecessarily. This is progress. In the past I would've been obsessive about watching the time. Ok, I admit I was eyeing the radio in the truck but couldn't make out a time (if it even has a clock) but I should get points for not checking my watch.
The gates were open. We parked on the gravel and walked in. The sun was quickly heading into the day's oblivion on the ocean horizon. I took photos of the setting sun and Brother rambled to the cold stone with a slight patina of algae. We left.
I'd been thinking that his kids never had their grandpa's holiday candy. For a week or more I'd been kicking around trying my hand at it. He was amenable to the idea so we stopped at a grocery. I didn't have the recipe nor had I even looked it up so I went on memory. It was sad that Brother didn't really have an idea what went into the recipe. It turned out I got was right on all counts but did get margarine that I didn't need. I still swear Father used it even if it isn't in the written recipe. I've been pondering what else he could've made that would've called for melting butter in a large pot. Doesn't matter; it was on sale at only 83 cents per pound--shockingly inexpensive. Not everything was so affordable. The tiny bottle of real vanilla was $4, on sale, for the store-brand!
(more to come)
Monday, December 17, 2007
RIP Dan Fogelberg, singer-songwriter
Dead at 56 of prostate cancer.
"His best-remembered songs include his biggest hit, the affecting ballad "Longer" ... ; "Leader of the Band," a tribute to his bandleader father, Lawrence; and the evergreen seasonal standard "Same Old Lang Syne," which originally hit the top 10 in 1980." USA Today obit. They missed "Rhythm of the Rain."
"Leader of the Band" is one of the very finest of the tributes song genre. Gives me chills.
Rest well, Dan Fogelberg. Thanks for the songs.
"His best-remembered songs include his biggest hit, the affecting ballad "Longer" ... ; "Leader of the Band," a tribute to his bandleader father, Lawrence; and the evergreen seasonal standard "Same Old Lang Syne," which originally hit the top 10 in 1980." USA Today obit. They missed "Rhythm of the Rain."
"Leader of the Band" is one of the very finest of the tributes song genre. Gives me chills.
Rest well, Dan Fogelberg. Thanks for the songs.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
TV Season Winding Down
Spoilers ahead! Be warned!
With the TV writers still out on strike shows have been winding down. On "Desperate Housewives" Andrew (Shawn Pyfrom) moved out of the house which can only mean we'll see even less of him than now I guess. In the tornado episode Bree didn't touch base and we didn't see the gay neighbors at all. Two die. "One loses a husband and everyone loses a friend." I don't know if the second part will actually show this month or if it's being held for the shows inevitable return.
"Heroes" wrapped the second Chapter on Monday and I think I've lost interest in the show. I think they've jumped the shark. If the season wasn't bad enough with the "wonder twins" and the lame diversions with Claire at school and the other story in NOLA. Really my favorite story was Hiro and then, maybe, the Peter mystery but it all came to mean nothing. We know immortality and resurrection exists now in the show's universe so just where's the risk? I've been skeptical since they let Sylar survive in last year's finale and this year proved my skepticism justified. Sad.
January sees the return of "Kyle XY" with the second half of the second season. I don't know when other shows return yet.
"SVU" got me excited last week with the "death" of Eliot's wife. Unfortunately she was alive at the end of the episode. I've never liked that character. "Criminal Intent" is on a slim budget with the four detectives, switching off weeks, and the Captain. No ADA now. I never did find out how or why Jamie Sheridan was replaced. I can't stand the hair on the his replacement.
"House" has his new team. I'll miss "Cut-Throat Bitch."
TV is barely interesting.
With the TV writers still out on strike shows have been winding down. On "Desperate Housewives" Andrew (Shawn Pyfrom) moved out of the house which can only mean we'll see even less of him than now I guess. In the tornado episode Bree didn't touch base and we didn't see the gay neighbors at all. Two die. "One loses a husband and everyone loses a friend." I don't know if the second part will actually show this month or if it's being held for the shows inevitable return.
"Heroes" wrapped the second Chapter on Monday and I think I've lost interest in the show. I think they've jumped the shark. If the season wasn't bad enough with the "wonder twins" and the lame diversions with Claire at school and the other story in NOLA. Really my favorite story was Hiro and then, maybe, the Peter mystery but it all came to mean nothing. We know immortality and resurrection exists now in the show's universe so just where's the risk? I've been skeptical since they let Sylar survive in last year's finale and this year proved my skepticism justified. Sad.
January sees the return of "Kyle XY" with the second half of the second season. I don't know when other shows return yet.
"SVU" got me excited last week with the "death" of Eliot's wife. Unfortunately she was alive at the end of the episode. I've never liked that character. "Criminal Intent" is on a slim budget with the four detectives, switching off weeks, and the Captain. No ADA now. I never did find out how or why Jamie Sheridan was replaced. I can't stand the hair on the his replacement.
"House" has his new team. I'll miss "Cut-Throat Bitch."
TV is barely interesting.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
"Break Another" on iTunes
Blake's single "Break Another" is now available at the iTunes Music Store.
I sent out iTunes emails to a few people and noticed the email said it's available Nov 20 but I bought it this morning.
I sent out iTunes emails to a few people and noticed the email said it's available Nov 20 but I bought it this morning.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Friday cancelled?
Wednesday night I looked at weatherbug to see the extended forecast for my area and here's what it gave me:
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Halloween, Blake News!
His debut album, "Audio Dream Day - A.D.D." (Arista), is scheduled for availablity on December 4th and now for pre-order on Amazon. Blake's debut single hits radio today in the U.S. It is called "Break Another"; Blake co-produced. It's catchy! Listen over here
This is a different song than was previously announced as his debut single.
Happy Birthday to Duckie!
This is a different song than was previously announced as his debut single.
Happy Birthday to Duckie!
Friday, October 26, 2007
Meow!
Mins: G4-867mHz, G5, Intel. 512MB RAM. 9GB HD. DVD.
The Classic Mac OS 9 environment no longer supported with Leopard.
Yahoo! Messenger for Mac ßeta Updated.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Desperate Housewives, Desperate Writers
The new token gay neighbors moved in next to Susan. She repeatedly makes an ass of herself. On the upside Andrew was back again, scheming with his step-dad over a motor scooter Bree doesn't want them to keep. He declined a crab cake mini hors d'œuvres, maybe he doesn't do shellfish. The other stories were painful to watch and, frankly, I was not happy to see Rex's mother much less her finding out the truth about Bree's baby.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Trek Casting, Prices, TV
We've an official update: Chris Pine is Kirk. Karl Urban is Dr. McCoy.
They join Zachary Quinto (Spock), Zoe Saldana (Uhura), Simon Pegg (Scotty), Anton Yelchin (Chekov), John Cho (Sulu) and Eric Bana as villain Nero. Original star Leonard Nimoy will also play Spock.
Apple's RAM prices continue to be far outside reality. You can get 2GB for $150 from them or 4GB at $175 from a reliable 3rd party provider.
We watched "Gossip Girl" and bits of some "Law & Order" repeats on Wednesday. It's a chilly night out. Some bills have already arrived. The water bill was estimated. I hate that.
They join Zachary Quinto (Spock), Zoe Saldana (Uhura), Simon Pegg (Scotty), Anton Yelchin (Chekov), John Cho (Sulu) and Eric Bana as villain Nero. Original star Leonard Nimoy will also play Spock.
Apple's RAM prices continue to be far outside reality. You can get 2GB for $150 from them or 4GB at $175 from a reliable 3rd party provider.
We watched "Gossip Girl" and bits of some "Law & Order" repeats on Wednesday. It's a chilly night out. Some bills have already arrived. The water bill was estimated. I hate that.
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