The women of Enron ... Brought to you by Playboy
"For those who said that all the Enron scandal lacked was sex, the wait is almost over." ... I've always thought that this was the missing ingredient, I mean, Greed, financial crimes and collapse can only hold our attention for so long.

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John Wayne Bobbitt Remarries
Remember him? the guy who was thrust into the national spotlight in 1993 when his wife was charged with cutting off his penis while he slept. Getting married! wow, I bet he probably urged the wedding guests to refrain from bringing any gifts containing cutlery.

Well Done Halle. (via USnews2.com)

Enough with the best. What movie was the worst of the year? Check out the Golden Raspberry award

Hitting the Books ... And the Booze
While there has been an increase in the number of substance-free dorms, the binge-drinking numbers at colleges have remained steadily high over the last decade. There has been a significant increase in binge-drinking at all-women's colleges. Go ahead ladies! get your drink on.

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If current trends continue, New York's murder rate will be the lowest since Mickey Mantle played for the Yankees.

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Which country is the World's # 1 oil producer? The answer might surprise you.

The year: 1972. Nixon is in the White House. America is at war in Vietnam. "Superfly,'' "Hit Man'' and other blaxploitation movies are pulling in a heretofore ignored minority audience.

And Oscar, for the first time in its 45-year history, acknowledges three African American actors in the best-actor categories: Paul Winfield and Cicely Tyson for their Louisiana sharecropper parents in "Sounder''; Diana Ross for her tragic, lilting Billie Holiday in "Lady Sings the Blues.''

The winners? White. Marlon Brando for "The Godfather,'' Liza Minnelli for "Cabaret.''

The year: 2002. George W. is in the Oval Office. America is at war in Afghanistan. Digital animation and Wesley Snipes as a vampire warrior are boffo at the box office. And Oscar, for the first time in 30 years, again nominates three black actors in the best-actor categories: Will Smith for "Ali,'' Halle Berry for "Monster's Ball'' and previous supporting-actor winner Denzel Washington for "Training Day.'' (via Bay Area.com)

The answer came last evening:

Halle Berry became the first African American female to receive the oscar for best actress and Denzel only the second African American male to receive an Oscar for best actor, Sidney Poitier was the first. And how awe inspiring it was for me to see Sidney Poitier receive a life time achievement Oscar also on this night.

And the winners are ... (Live reporting from my den)

I'm not feeling whoopie's outfit, but hell give her a round of applause ... she 's got it like that. (8:30PM)

The first award goes to Jennifer Connelly, predictably, for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. (8:40 PM)

Lord of the Rings takes the make up category, Hey! Where did this guy get his tux? That's hot! Rock and roll baby! ... Moulin rouge for best costume, ok. (9:05PM)


Uncle Woody Allen just did a hilarious introduction to a series of clips about the importance of New York in film. Jodie Foster introduced Best Cinematography category. What a lovely woman. (9:30PM)


What's the story with those backstage contortionists? I feel like I'm missing something here ... How about the dancing guy in the red coat that came onstage with the winner for Best Short Subject Documentary, at first I thought it was a security breach. (9:50PM)


Wow, boredom has set in, I wonder if Russel Crowe is a bored as I am, I noticed he left his seat. ... I will go sit on the couch with wifey (10:00PM)

The cirque the soleil performance was hot! I like this whole metropolis, flying trapeze, trampoline, movie back drop vibe etc. (10:30PM)

Ryan O' Neal and Ali McGraw, who co-starred in Love Story, just introduced the Humanitarian Award. They are 20 years older and they look it. (10:45PM)

I was moved by the tribute to Sidney Poitier. The man is truly an American Icon, a class act, an inspiration to many and a great human being. I must admit I got a little misty eyed. As Halle Berry said of Poitier, "He is an American Treasure" (11:05PM)

Wow, time flies when you're not having fun too ... well, kudos to Randy Newman, first oscar after 16 nominations over the years. Oh! two of my favorite people are presenting ... Sharon Stone and John Travolta. (11:45PM)

Here we go, and the winner for best actress is ....... Halle Berry WOW! History has been made Halle Berry becomes the first African American woman to win an academy award for Best Actress. This made the whole night worthwhile. So far my first prediction came true.(12:15AM Mon.)


And the winner for best actor is Denzel Washington My God, this is awesome! Looks like Julia Roberts was just as happy as I am.(12:30AM Mon.)

Another huge win Ron Howard for best director. I'm on a roll here, so far I'm 3 out of 4. (12:40AM Mon.)


Woo hooo!!!!! ... A Beautiful Mind Best picture! well deserved I'd say. 4 out of 4 on my predictions who would have thought .... Jeeezus! I should have put my money where my mouth is. Well, I'm off to bed , wifey is calling .... Coming honey!! (12:50AM Mon.)

My predictions for the 2002 Oscars

Best picture-
Should win: A Beautiful Mind

Best Actor-
Should win: Denzel Washington ( Training Day)

Best Actress-
Should win: Halle Berry (Monster Ball)

Best Director-
Should win: Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind)


But, then again, what do I know.

Goatee update: I'm not completely used to the hairy chin look yet, which probably explains why I carry an electric shaver in my briefcase in case I need an emergency shave. But, I've been drawing some goatee motivation from various sources including the great Goatee Style.com web site. It might be my imagination but I think I see a resemblance between myself and the guy on the right, either that or "I'm brian Fellow "

What's wrong with this picture

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Capitalism after death
And you thought it was the end ... Well, actually no, you can now put Advertising on your tombstone

Ken Starr To Lead Court Fight Against Campaign Finance Reform
Opponents of the recently passed campaign finance reform bill "quickly announced a 'dream team' of prominent lawyers to challenge the measure in court," the Washington Post reports. "Their lawyers include Kenneth W. Starr, who led the impeachment investigation of Bill Clinton, and First Amendment specialist Floyd Abrams." The New York Times notes "the group also includes experts in election and campaign law as well as Kathleen M. Sullivan, the dean of Stanford Law School." USA Today called it a "glittering legal team."

I cannot comment with absolute certainty--not having read the exact text of the CFR Act - but I'm leaning in the "pro" direction. I have realized that the current campaign finance system is out of control. It serves to benefit some of the people and not all of the people. I agree with Sen. John McCain that CFR will "help to restore the public's faith in government." Here is a CNN first view.