Vinny Chase, Queen of the Ninny-Whinnies

In the season finale of Entourage the boys return to their roots. Vinny always said if the Hollywood thing didn't work out he would go home to Queens. And so he does. Partying every night,  it's almost as if they didn't leave L.A. The only difference is Vince cannot secure an acting job.

At last I realized why. Vincent Chase is Queen of the Ninny-Whinnies. Of all the characters on the show, Vinny is the most pathetic. He is the epitome of a pretty boy, nothing to offer except for his charm and good looks. After the charm wears off, we are left with his utter mediocrity.

When Vince finds out that Gus Van Sant doesn't want him for his next movie, Vince flips out on E and ends their professional relationship. Umm excuse me, but if anyone should take the blame, it should be Vince. The reason he got himself into this predicament is simple. Vinny can't act, and Hollywood is finally realizing the truth about its beloved boy from Queens.

Unfortunately, the show sacrifices reality for the played out happy ending. Vince gets a call from Martin Scorcese and now the scene is set for the upcoming season. Vinny will star in a modern day version of The Great Gatsby.

What's next? Vincent Chase wins an Oscar. Hey, they have given it to the wrong man before.

Conclusion: Overall this has been a much improved season, especially after the Medellin debacle. However, the show needs to give more face time to the other Chase brother, Johnny Drama. At least Turtle is finally getting a storyline and E is finding success with other clients.

The Potato Chip Bag Without Potato Chips

Have you ever bought a bag of potato chips only to find out that upon opening the bag the chip to non-chip ratio is completely out of wack? How come every bag of potato chips comes with less and less of its signature product? My only wish is that when I buy a bag I find a full allotment of chips. Unfortunately, it seems as if the dude on the assembly line got to my chips first, leaving my bag with a meager amount of the product. So not cool.

I grabbed some takeout from Noodles tonight for dinner. While ordering the pad thai I asked if they could throw in a few extra vegetables. The lady behind the cash register responded, "that is an extra 75 cents." I responded, "no thanks." Sure, 75 cents is not that much, but seriously why does everything have to cost extra? Why can't the lady just respond with a smile and say "we'd love to get that for you?"

Noodles isn't the worst though. I have always had my biggest issues with Subway. As much as I love the place for being healthy-ish fast food, I wish they would throw on one more slice of turkey to my six inch sub. Have you ever noticed that they only give you three slices of turkey for the six inch? Must be a direct order down from corporate headquarters. Only three slices, if they want more charge an extra two dollars. If that is the case, you might as well get a footlong. Am I asking for too much? I believe a turkey sandwich should be made up of, well, turkey, not mostly bread and spicy mustard.

The Problem With Jodi Picoult Novels

Jodi Picoult is a prolific writer. She turns out a couple novels a year, or so it seems. Have you ever wondered how she writes that much? How does she keep coming up with new ideas? Well, here is the big reveal—she writes the same story over again.

Small town, good family, strong values...violence strikes or a secret is revealed...now the protagonist must figure out a way to live in this new unfamiliar reality. That pretty much covers a Jodi Picoult story. If you doubt me, just look at the synopis on the back of the book. They all sound the same.

Then her world is turned upside down with a single act of violence ... and suddenly everything Trixie has believed about her family and herself seems to be a lie.

- back cover of The Tenth Circle

Sterling is a small, ordinary New Hampshire town where nothing ever happens - until the day its complacency is shattered by a shocking act of violence.

- inside cover of Nineteen Minutes

Delia Hopkins has led a charmed life. Raised in rural New Hampshire ... But as she plans her wedding, she is plagued by flashbacks of a life she can't recall. And when a policeman arrives to disclose a truth that will upend the world as she knows it...

- Vanishing Acts

Basically, Picoult reworks the same story with slight plot variations. In such storytelling, Picoult's characters lose their realness. They merely become caricatures of what a true character should be. It's always the same person who appears in each novel. The only difference is in the name and the secret on the verge of explosion. But still, it's basically the same character.

I am currently reading The Tenth Circle, and once I finish it I have made a vow to never read another Jodi Picoult novel. The saying is true—if you have read one Picoult novel, then you have read them all.

Twilight

As an English major one would expect that I read a lot, and I guess I do, but I hadn't read a book in awhile until now.  The last book I read was Where The Heart Is, and that was over a month ago.  I decided it was time to get back in the saddle.  

The hardest part about reading a book is just getting started. Therefore, I decided I should pick a book that would be an easy read.  With an upcoming movie release, I figured Twilight, the vampire romance story, would be a good pick.  

I was right.  I read the 500 page novel in less than 24 hours. Now I am obsessed and can't wait to get my hands on the next novel in the series. Some claim that Twilight is the next Harry Potter.  As much as I enjoy the story, I would have disagree. Harry Potter stands on a pedestal all its own.

Twilight is not as sophisticated as Harry Potter.  However, the romance between Edward and Bella is irresistible.  It's like a science fiction version of Romeo and Juliet, and while tragedy may befall these starcrossed lovers, I hope they have a different fate than the one Shakespeare had in mind.  Then again, in a world of vampires, the death of the mortal heroine may be the only answer to ensure the couple's eternal happiness.  

I am not sure how the series ends up, but I will find out soon enough.  Here is what I have gathered so far:  falling in love with a vampire is complicated, but it sounds good to me.

Obama Time

Mazel Tov!  America elected an African American as president.  Perhaps we have finally moved past racial lines.  Well, actually, he is only half black, but that is besides the point.  It is time for a change.  Hallelujah!  Praise the Lord!  

Hold up, wait a sec...  Sure we have a lot to be excited about, but I think I will hold off on popping another bottle of champagne.  Let's wait to see if this new saving grace can deliver. Believe me I want to be as ecstatic as the next person, but it is hard to go crazy about some guy who really hasn't done anything.  

I'm definitely impressed by his campaign skills.  It certainly took a lot to get elected, but now he must take on the real challenges.  I feel sorry for the guy.  He has inherited one hell of a mess, and if he can't make good on his promises then he'll be just another second rate politician.  

Honestly, I am not such a fan of Obama.  He has a great story, but I have not been caught up in all the hoopla.  All I really care about is results.  Therefore, if Obama saves America like Superman continually saves Metroplis, then I might change my tune.  Until then, let's keep the celebrations on the down low.