XtineFiles

Robbie Williams debuted his new album Intensive Care last night in a 90 minute concert in Berlin. Broken arm and all (awe) Robbie wowed the crowd (of course).

And, further proving that Europeans do it better (or at least do it first), the concert was simulcast across Europe via cell phones, cinema screens, and webcasts. (10,000 people watched on 27 High Definition cinema screens in 11 different countries, 100,000 people watched on their mobile phones, and 7500 people watched live in Berlin). Ha, and you're like Robbie who?

Monday night I saw U2 at Madison Square Garden. While I am certain that words cant do justice to what I experienced with my own eyes I have been asked to try...so here goes.

I felt like I was at a world summit, a movement, a gathering of progressive minds, in brief it was more that just a rock show. I don't know how many of you have seen U2 in concert, but I assure you nobody is better live than U2. I repeat, nobody is better live. And, when you can walk a way from a show feeling totally entertained and also feeling like you learned something, well, that is worth more than just the ticket price.

"Jesus, Jew, Mohammed, its true. Learn to Coexist," was what Bono begged the audience after a chilling anti war set that included Sunday Bloody Sunday, Bullet the Blue Sky and a moment of Please. He sang Ms. Sarajevo, a song that was performed in 1995 for another world cause and somehow it rang so true last night in the garden.

I cried during Where the Streets Have No Name because the sound of this song live makes me think of happiness. And I wept during One as Bono talked of the massive poverty that inflicts a huge part of the world population, including the poverty in our own America.

I clapped when they sang Beautiful Day because it reminded me of when I last saw U2 in Madison Square Garden just months after 9/11. Bono got it then, just as he gets it now. I clapped even harder when Bono thanked Alicia Keys, Michael Stipe, and Jan Wenner for their work in the Make Poverty History campaign. And I let out a screeching yelp when they encored with Zoo Station. A song I have not heard live since the Zoo TV show I saw in Toronto.

The stage was innovative as it was artistic. They used the lighting and staging to compliment the energy of their music. They used screens resembling curtains that did more that just paint the arena with light; they showered us with messages we needed to read and national flags we need to see.

They ended as they always do with With or Without You, sending us home with full minds, open hearts and a revitalized perspective on the world.

That you U2 for caring about the world more than you have to.

Words cannot describe.

First, let me just say that when Fever Pitch first came to theaters I was sort of put off by it. I am a huge Nick Hornby fan and every time they make a movie out of one his books (with the exception of About a Boy) they change something key like, the country, the sports team, or the city.

Fever Pitch was supposed to be about a soccer (football) fan in the UK (go Arsensal). But I guess Hollywood thought either Jimmy Fallon couldn't do an English accent or Americans dont care much about English football so instead Fallon plays a Boston Red Sox fan whose obsession gets in the way of his life. And in the end, I'm glad they made the change!

This movie was charming in every way. It was exactly want you need from a romantic comedy. I liked it so much that I think Drew and Jimmy should carry out their roles into real life and be an off screen couple as well!

Cry Meter: 2 times (seeing Jimmy Fallon cry is tough)
Wardrobe Jealousy: 2 times (Drew's blue scarf and pink hat)
Number of times I exclaimed "Awe this movie is great": 5
Number of times I exclaimed "I cant believe that is Ione Skye!": 8
Number of times I wish I had a math teacher like Jimmy Fallon when I was in school: 6
Number of times I wish I went to a baseball game this past summer: 0
Number of times I'd be willing to see this movie again: a lot

Madonna is said to be courting Oprah, trying to bring the media goddess into Kabbalah worship along with her millions of mainstream American fans.

Madonna will be appearing on Oprah soon. She will be inviting Oprah's camera's into her English country home and will also be performing two acoustic (God save us) numbers from her upcoming CD, "Confessions on a Dancefloor."

While there is no real confirmation if Oprah leans Kabbalah, Scientology or neither, you can be certain that Madonna will be bringing Kabbalah gifts for the audience.

Ahh, I hear it now, "You get a red string, you get a red string, you get a red string, everyone gets a red string".

Given today's Hollywood rumor that Katie Holmes is pregnant with Tom Cruise's baby I think we should all pause for a moment of silence and reflect on the high probability that the world is going to end soon.

Cries of horror and dispare are coming from celeb gossip hounds. I am also hearing that a group of astrologers are currently diagnosing this calamity. And, word has it that a Tarot Card reader from Vermont says, "It's a sign from God." So, thank whoever it is you worship for all the good things in your life and then kiss your ass good-bye.

Pause.

But lets say the world doesn't end. Instead, what if there was an alternative outcome to the horror of TomKat with child?

Could it just be the great cosmic revenge where by inflicting that poor Katie with the worst case of post partem Tom Cruise has ever seen? Now that's an irony worth living for.

I am crazy tired from all this biking so in light of a full on post I leave you with a little gem I got from Jamwall.

I've watched this many many times recently. After a tough day at work, after being frustrated about sitting in an hour long traffic jam on the Long Island Expressway, after coming home and getting pissed off at how my mail man shoves the letters in my mailbox crushing everything in its wake--no matter what, "More Cowbell" is always there for me, just a like a best friend.

Watch here

Buy the T-Shirt here

Enjoy. And thank you Jamwall for reminding of this very very funny moment in time.

I bought a bicycle this weekend and have spent much of the past 48 hours riding through the grand expanse of the vast open roadways of Queens NY.

Here is what I learned:

1. All Queens and Brooklyn parks connect to each other. I have found 2 connections this weekend, perhaps I will find more next weekend

2. Passing senior citizens while waving and shouting the word "Ciao" will make their day

3. Screaming, "Passing on the left, on the left, left, left, left" to pedestrians walking on the bike path only works when the pedestrians you want to pass understand English.

4. Convincing yourself you are being chased by a Soprano will in fact make you pedal faster, thus adding to your caloric burn

5. Padded bicycle shorts are a waste of money, but the helmet on the other hand is very chic.

6. Down Hill on the way to, means Up Hill on the way from. Never forget that.

I have been inspired by a comment Nilblogette made in the comments section of my blog. Nilblogette asks the simple question, "Who is chained up in Alfre Woodard's basement on Desperate Housewives?"

Well, I have no freaking idea. BUT I think we can all have a little fun trying to guess. Perhaps they will reveal the answer on this weeks episode, but most likely they wont. So for as long as it is a mystery, be it 24 hours or 24 weeks, lets have a little fun.

Here are some of my suggestions on "Who is chained up in Alfre Woodard's basement." Reply to the comments section with your pick and feel free to make your own twisted suggestions.

The person that guesses correct wins nothing other than that satisfaction of knowing they are a little bit of a nutter.

my suggestions...

Chained up in Alfre Woodard's basement on Desperate Housewives is...

a) Ralph Macchio (I mean where else could he be?)
b) Zach
c) Her husband, another son, her step son/daughter, her mother/father, her sons fiance
d) Olivia Newton John's boyfriend (see a)
e) We will never know
f) Carlos Leon (see a)
g) your guess...

p.s. Happy 25th Birthday LL. Your sister loves you.