Crush of the Day: Mark Ballas

So, I got to spend part of my evening watching some really fierce reality TV.  First up was American Idol, during which I was thoroughly impressed with each of the top five performers... Adam Lambert is still the frontrunner, but the other four really aren't that far behind.

Then, I tuned in for Dancing With The Stars, one of my all-time favorite reality shows.  It was really good, and the right couple (Chuck & Julianne) were sent home.

Anyhow, later in the evening, I was watching some old clips of Dancing With The Stars, mostly clips from two seasons ago featuring Sabrina Bryan and Mark Ballas.  Sabrina is the best person who has ever been on Dancing With The Stars, except maybe for Mel B (from the same season), Kristi Yamaguchi (from the season after that), Melissa Rycroft, or Gilles Marini, both from this current season.  (PS--no one in this current season has gotten three 10s from the judges; Sabrina and Mark did that in like the third week.)

The bottom line is this: I love Sabrina Bryan.  The REAL bottom line is this: Mark Ballas is an incredible dancer, and he truly knows how to bring out the best in his partner.  And therefore, he's my Crush of the Day.  I have a feeling that he could also bring out the best in me...

Exhibit A: Mark and Sabrina, invited back to the show weeks after they were eliminated...

Exhibit B: Mark with his shirt off.  Not bad, eh?

Exhibit C: Mark & Sabrina dancing the fiercest cha cha ever on the first week of competition.

Exhibit D: A cute close-up of Mark.

Swine Flu FAQs

CNN has answered our most curious questions regarding the swine flu epidemic here.  

Kind of scary stuff, to be honest.  

I guess this is just another reason why I'd rather go to Hawai'i than Mexico...

PS--The image above is just one of the results Google shows when one searches "swine flu."  A cute doctor, no?

It's all about the chicken tetrazzini......

and yes, I'll be providing a recipe for this post.  But you have to promise to watch the clip from Maury via The Soup first!!!

Chicken Tetrazzini, from Giada DeLaurentiis.

• 9 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pound white mushrooms, sliced
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups whole milk, room temperature
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream, room temperature
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 12 ounces linguine
• 3/4 cup frozen peas
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
• 1 cup grated Parmesan
• 1/4 cup dried Italian-style breadcrumbs

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Spread 1 tablespoon of butter over a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking dish. Melt 1 tablespoon each of butter and oil in a deep large nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the chicken with 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Add the chicken to the hot pan and cook until pale golden and just cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a plate to cool slightly. Coarsely shred the chicken into bite-size pieces and into a large bowl.

Meanwhile, add 1 tablespoon each of butter and oil to the same pan. Add the mushrooms and saute over medium-high heat until the liquid from the mushrooms evaporates and the mushrooms become pale golden, about 12 minutes. Add the onion, garlic, and thyme, and saute until the onion is translucent, about 8 minutes. Add the wine and simmer until it evaporates, about 2 minutes. Transfer the mushroom mixture to the bowl with the chicken.

Melt 3 more tablespoons butter in the same pan over medium-low heat. Add the flour and whisk for 2 minutes. Whisk in the milk, cream, broth, nutmeg, remaining 1 3/4 teaspoons salt, and remaining 3/4 teaspoon pepper. Increase the heat to high. Cover and bring to a boil. Simmer, uncovered, until the sauce thickens slightly, whisking often, about 10 minutes.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook until it is tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 9 minutes. Drain. Add the linguine, sauce, peas, and parsley to the chicken mixture. Toss until the sauce coats the pasta and the mixture is well blended.

Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Stir the cheese and breadcrumbs in a small bowl to blend. Sprinkle the cheese mixture over the pasta. Dot with the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter. Bake, uncovered, until golden brown on top and the sauce bubbles, about 25 minutes.

One of the gayest things I've seen in a while...

...and keep in mind that I live in Boystown.

Johnny Weir skating to Lady Gaga's "Poker Face" at a recent show in Korea.  

It's, well, it's fierce, in it's own special way.  And so is Johnny.

Just saying...

I like this picture of the President and Mrs. Obama.  There's just something really nice about it, and the fact that this man (and this woman) are leading our country right now.

Via CNN's Political Ticker.

Crush of the Day: Representative Aaron Schock

The youngest member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Aaron Schock (R-Peoria, IL) has a lot to be admired for: intelligence, a drive to succeed, respect from long-standing members of Congress, and amazing abs.

Yeah, he's a pretty conservative Republican, but oh well.  I can see past that.

Schock was born in Minnesota in 1981, making him 27 years old, and the first member of the U.S. Congress to be born in the 1980's.  His family moved to Peoria when he was young, and he attended college at nearby Bradley University.  After graduating, he quickly found a place in politics, becoming a school board president and later a member of the Illinois House or Representatives.

I'm not the only one who thinks Shock is hot...  The Huffington Post did a survey after the general elections in the fall and he was voted the "hottest (incoming) freshman" to the House.

Did I mention that Schock has really sexy abs (and a fierce upper body in general)?

On a serious note...

This developing story is tragic.  An 11 year old boy recently committed suicide because he was constantly bullied by kids at school for allegedly being gay.  An 11 year old. 

When I was that age, yes, I was bullied and called horrible names by kids I went to school with... It's a tragedy of our culture that the go-to name for making fun of kids who are different is "gay." I remember days when I would pray for indoor recess so that I didn't have to go out to the playground and face the older kids for fear that they would taunt and tease me...  It was quite a sad way to grow up, but I now know that it made me stronger and helped to build me into the person I am today.

That being said, it makes me so SO sad that some young children just can't escape the pain and discouragement that being bullied brings them...  

Also, I still find it shocking that, when a young boy is bullied, the antagonists often jump right to the conclusion that he is "gay" or "a fag."  Not only that, but what 11 year olds really comprehend the notion of sexuality, anyways?  I find it hard to believe that kids who don't understand long division can have such a complex ideological stereotypes against kids that they find different...

That's all for now.

Will someone get her a cheeseburger?

Just a funny little video of some girl explaining how she was trying to get what she wanted...  I think that she might have been eating in a Hillstone restaurant, based on the fact that the server featured the fresh fish quite similarly to the way I do.  Ha.  I hope I'm not that annoying, though.

If you're a nervous flyer...

...then please don't watch the video below.  

A Lufthansa Airbus A320 airliner came *this* close to having a tragic landing in storm-force winds, but thanks to a talented pilot, the plane ended up landing safely.  Truly amazing footage...   

How big do you like it???

I like it big and hot, preferably a little greasy and pretty floppy.  How about you?

Pizza.

Mmmmm.

Check out some big pies here, via Just Whatever.

I'm a Chicagoan, and I definitely enjoy Chicago-style pizza; it's something we as citizens are proud of.  It's our own little niche in America's favorite food.  But you know what?  I honestly prefer the Brooklyn style pizza of such places like Bacci Pizzeria (here in Chicago), Flying Pizza on the OSU campus in Columbus, or from a street meat vendor guy in NYC.  Yum.

Too Many Divas Make Matt a Fierce Boy

I would so love to see Jennifer Hudson in concert, and this is just one small reason why.

At a recent concert in Atlanta, J Hud invited the legendary Jennifer Holiday on stage to perform the song that has trademarked both of their careers, "And I Am Telling You."

I don't know what is better: the performance itself or the gays in the background constantly yelling "oh my God oh my God!"  

It's unreal.

For no reason...

Thanks, Perez, for this excellent late-breaking sports news story...

And thank you, Cristiano Ronaldo, for being so fierce to look at.

Kill Bill 1 & 2 in One Minute!

I love the Kill Bill movies...  They're among my top favorites of all time.  Tons of awesome fight scenes, beautiful cinematography, genius scripts, and fierce acting.

If you haven't seen the movies, I recommend that you check them out.  If you don't have time right now and are curious as to what they're about, check out this one minute (and one take!) version of BOTH movies.

San Fran Sunrise

I haven't been so San Francisco since I was a little kid, but this beautiful time-lapse video of a sunrise makes me want to visit even more than I already do.  Beautiful, no?

This video is doubly great because the song in the background is on the Bandera soundtrack; I hear it roughly 15 times a day.

I found this clip on one of my new favorite blogs, Just Whatever.

April 15th is Tax Day...

It's everyone's favorite day: Tax Day!  Ugh.  Fortunately I had the foresight to do mine (by myself!) about a month ago, but I waited 'till today to slip my check in the mail.  No fun.

Here's the IRS' web site with lots of information, including last minute tips for those of you who are scrambling to get your taxes done.

All across the country so-called "tea party" protests are being held, mostly in opposition to President Obama's bailout plan...  CNN has that story here.

Many democrats call this day Patriots' Day--read Paul Begala's opinion here.  Freedom isn't free!

Crush of the Day: Adam Lambert (believe it)

He's fierce.  I mean, he's really, really, really fierce.  

I have heard and read all the hype the last few weeks about this apparent American Idol super-contestant, but I wasn't sure what to believe.  I finally caught an episode of Idol tonight and all I can say is, well, the hype is true.  Adam Lambert is unlike any other contestant in American Idol's history; it's difficult to say exactly why, but it's some kind of unique combination of an incredible voice, wicked style, a great face, and a true knack for performing.  And a lot of eyeliner.

Anyhow, tonight he sang an electro-rock version of "Born To Be Wild," and it was a little reminiscent of David Cook's "Billie Jean" from last season, only his voice is on a totally different level.  The kid can croon, rock, give you soul, and hit some insane notes.  He has it all vocally, and that's not the only thing he's got...  Also fierce was when he went up to the back up singers and gave them some props and camera time--something that never happens on Idol. That shows that he truly understands the art; a singer is nothing without his band and his back-ups!  

I'm pretty sure he's going to win this season...  I hope so.  I can see him going places.  Like into my bedroom.

Want to know more?

Here is his Myspace.

Here is official American Idol page.

Here is The Hollywood Gossip's page about him.

And below are a few more pics.

Brad Pitt in Fight Club...

The question is this: was Brad's role in Fight Club the best/sexiest he has ever looked?  I think so, and so does Spicy.  Check out her commentary and a few photos of brad circa 1999, around the time that Fight Club came out.

A few pics to get you motivated...

Who wants to date LezLo/Blowhan/LL/Firecrotch?

I have to admit, Lindsay Lohan knows how to keep herself relevant.

Lindsay Lohan's eHarmony Profile from Lindsay Lohan

A sad day for Andy Roddick lovers...

The NY Post is reporting that tennis star Andy Roddick and his swimsuit model girlfriend Brooklyn Decker are getting hitched this weekend in Austin, TX.  They met a few years back when, after seeing her in Sports Illustrated's swimsuit edition, Andy had his agent get in touch with hers.  Wouldn't it be nice to just have your agent call someone else's agent when you wanted a date with him/her?  What a life.

Anyhow, I'm crushed.  

They are a pretty attractive couple, though.  Maybe getting married will give Andy a playing boost and he can win some tournaments again...

Just for laughs...

Amy Winehouse's vacation life continues in St. Lucia.  Recently she's been riding horses and looking like a total junkie.  Not much new in her life...

Anyhow, this picture isn't of anything important or newsworthy, but it's just funny.  Right?

I just can't help it...

I watched the last few minutes of Dancing With The Stars tonight and was lucky enough to see Gilles Marini and Cheryl Burke dance...  And, during their rehearsal footage, the cameras followed Gilles to a soccer field.  Apparently he was playing in a charity soccer game recently.

He's too hot to not write about.

The Graduate

The new issue of GQ features a more grown-up looking Zac Efron.  Delicious, no?

Check out the story and a slideshow here.  Or just look at these pictures over and over again. That's what I'm doing.

America's Diva Icons ?

I must have fashion and style on the brain today...  

Glamour magazine's last issue (probably from a month ago) included an editorial of photos of young Hollywood actors and other names posing as American style icons.  Included in the list are Michelle Obama (by Alicia Keys), Althea Gibson (by Chanel Iman), Audrey Hepburn (by Emma Roberts [above]), and Madonna (by Lindsay Lohan).  Interesting.

The Obamas Do Europe

The President and First lady were in Europe last week, attending all kinds of important meetings and taking care of official stuff. However, the popular media seemed more transfixed on Mrs. Obama's wardrobe than the outcome of the G-20 summit.  And it's no wonder!  She looked fierce meeting with French President Sarkozy and his supermodel wife, the Queen of England, and other high ranking political officials and fashionistas as well.

CNN put together a nice slideshow highlighting Mrs. Obama's 13 best looks while overseas. 

Check it out!

The Thinny

New product alert: the Thinny Hair Holder.  It's a set of four thingys that give your long hair the extra volume you desire.  Who needs to go to the salon and spend tons of money when you can get your own reusable set of Thinnys?

61

What a fierce commercial.

What will they think of next?

Thanks to Dlisted for the tip.

FAME is coming!!!

This trailer isn't amazing...  But it's good.  I'm not sure how I feel about the re-vamping of the title song, but the dancing looks good, and so does "Out Here On My Own."

Anyways, check out the trailer from the forthcoming remake of Fame.