Mama Mia - Here I Go Again

Mrs. Schmenge and I went to see the movie (“Mama Mia”) hence the title for today’s very short collection of totally unconnected thoughts.

About the movie: I’m going to go see it again, and I haven’t gone back to see a movie at the theatre more than once since “Apollo 13” in 1995. The three female leads (Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski and Julie Waters) are absolutely perfectly cast. I’ll always think of Amanda Syfried as the haunting Lily Kane (“Veronica Mars – 1st Season") she is an adorable Sophie, and if Colin Firth made a movie where all he did was read phone book entries – I’d still pay for a ticket to see it. When (not if) you see this movie be sure to stay past the first few credits at the end – believe me it’s worth it and will leave you with a smile and song you won’t be able to get off your brain for days.

Meanwhile, back on the field how quickly things change: Last Sunday Ron Washington and his playoff talk were 7 ½ games out of first in the AL West. This Sunday morning (as I write this blog) Ron Washington is 9 ½ games out first – and where is all that playoff talk? Again don’t get me wrong – this has been a really good season, and I mean really good. It is something to build on and - if the Rangers don’t dig themselves another big hole they can’t get out of in 2009 – I won’t whine about playoff talk, but not until next year, maybe.

From the Blue Notebook: Did you check the AL East standings this morning? The rumors of Tampa Bay’s demise may have been greatly exaggerated… From last July: do you remember Mark Teixeira’s comments about how great it was going to Atlanta because they were a contender and it was a better atmosphere and how happy he was etc. etc. etc. – I’m wondering if we’ll hear the same exact phrases in a few weeks when the Braves trade him. I’m especially interested to hear him sing the praises of Boston if he’s traded to the Red Sox – the same organization that he (and Scott Boras) felt did not respect him when they drafted him out of high school...I bought a ticket to last Thursday night’s game in Frisco based on the assumption that we’d get to see Neftali Feliz pitch, but we didn't thanks to Eric Hurley’s re-hab start which pushed Feliz’s start back to a Friday road game. Instead watched a dismal 8-2 loss to San Antonio, but did hang out with our friend the great Grant Schiller (and his sister Kate and dad Mike) Grant graciously posed with the Blue Notebook for this week’s blog – be sure to read Grant’s blog Texas Ranger Trades …why did Scott Lucas’s note that there are now three players in the Rangers minor leagues named De Los Santos make giggle and recall that recurring line from “Newhart” – ("Hi, I'm Larry. This is my brother Darryl, and this is my other brother Daryl”)... I spend the majority of my day talking to chefs (I’m a customer service rep for food service products) I wish they were all as clever and entertaining as the Food Network’s Alton Brown (“Good Eats”). I really like the i-Tunes list from his website and noted that he too is another “space nut” child from the 1960’s with this entry on his blog: "Let me say here and now that I feel that space exploration is one of the last great human ventures. Despite the problems on Earth, in 1969 we landed on the moon and I don’t think we’ve had a better collective moment since that day.” ... The song says "the words of the prophets are written on the subway walls” I disagree, I think they are written on the Monday Morning Manager. See for yourself - check out the intro from July 14th’s MMM for a prediction about Josh Hamilton that became the truth…just daydreaming: rumor has it that the Tigers are thinking of trading Pudge Rodriguez – how much fun would it be to see Max Ramirez and Pudge on the roster as the Rangers catching tandem – and maybe that would ensure Pudge is wearing a Rangers T on his HOF cap.

The Lisa Winston Music List: the random music list named in honor of our favorite MiLB writer and pal Lisa Winston. Be sure to read her latest article on Jamie D'Antona and Mike Hessman on MilLB.com Since we’re in still in a movie mode – today’s list has the rambling title: “ Five Soundtracks: When I Hear This Song – I Think Of This Movie” -- that pretty much explains my criteria – (movie musicals are excluded)

1. “Can’t Buy Me Love” from “A Hard Day’s Night” – this movie set the standard for every “rock ‘n roll” movie and many have proclaimed it as the birth of the music video (and I won’t argue that)
   
   
2. “Tiny Dancer” from “Almost Famous” – I love Cameron Crowe’s movies (except for “Vanilla Sky”). Readers of a certain age, like mine, will know why the scene and the song reminds me of a lazy Sunday afternoon in college after one of those typical 70’s weekend's.
   
   
3. “Layla” from “Goodfella’s” – if you remember this song/sequence – it is stunning. I would love to have dinner with Martin Scorsese and just listen to him talk filmmaking. He is an amazing film historian and his enthusiasm for the subject is spellbinding.
   
   
4. “All Along The Watchtower” from “Forest Gump” – this may be the movie that uses pop music most effectively in the last twenty years. It was a toss up between this song and “Turn, Turn, Turn” - I think even if you were just a kid in the 60’s that song and the accompaying footage in the film conjure up some disturbing memories of that era.
   
   
5. “Twist and Shout” from "Ferris Bueller’s Day Off" -- and you are surprised I included another Beatles song? C’mon this is great scene and you know it.

Those are the five songs that came to mind while writing this morning, feel free to add your own list in the comments section.

Finally: In case you haven’t already noticed, the new blog entries are on the weekend now – it works out better with my work and life schedule. I’m also moving the photo galleries to a site that should be easier to access – they’ll all be back on line later this week.

Did you know ABBA were the muscial guests on one of the first episodes of Saturday Night Live singing both “Waterloo” and “SOS”? (so now both of those songs will be on your mind all day) – Marla Hooch

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