Archive for July, 2010

Free Streaming Radio

Music has always been a part of conventional radio for a long time now until MTV invaded our homes and revolutionized the way music was presented to newer generations. And now, it is the turn of the internet to take over the place that television snatched away from conventional radio so long ago. Ironically, this is in the form of streaming radio and is generally offered for free over the internet.

While there are several genres that one can listen to as well a mix of the top music of the week, there is one genre that is a billion dollar industry and literally stands on its own apart from mainstream music, and is known as gospel music.

Musicians such as Ron Kenoly, Amy Grant, Jars of Clay, DC Talk and Petra revolutionized every sub-genre of Christian music forever apart from the traditional devotional music offering that has been a part of the music industry for sometime to come.

And with the advent of internet radio, people from all over the world can now listen to both the oldies as well as the latest music released by (most probably) CCM in the United States as well as in the United Kingdom.

And just like the best things in life come for free, one can listen to streaming radio for no cost at all.

The movie of Christopher Nolan and Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio “Inception” bagged the number one spot at the close of the weekend box office, opening with $60.4 million as estimated last Sunday. The sci-fi movie offering of Warner Bros is Leonardo’s biggest weekend opening which beat his previous best opening in the movie “Shutter Island” which topped $41.1 million last winter. But for director Christopher Nolan, it fell short for his best movie, the Batman hit “The Dark Knight”.

The said blockbuster movie grossed $158.4 million when it opened with the same number of days about a couple of years ago. A lot of positive reviews have helped the movie “Inception” bag the number one spot which stars Leonardo DiCaprio who plays a leader of a group of individuals that get inside dreams of other people and steal their thoughts and secrets. Later on, the team has been assigned to do the exact opposite, which is to give an idea to the subconscious mind of a wealthy heir. Coming off in the number two spot is the former number one movie – Steve Carell’s movie “Despicable Me”. The movie released by Universal Studios has grossed a total of $118.4 million in its 10 days of showing.Meanwhile, the movie “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”, the latest offering of Walt Disney Pictures ended the week landing at the number three spot grossing only $24.5 million.

    The return of American Idol

    Today was the return of AI! “American Idol” is back! The 10th season of the hit show began the signup process today in Nashville. Crowds braved the near 90 degree heat and turned up 10,000 strong at the Bridgestone Arena. The signup process will continue till Saturday and the auditions will begin at a later date.This year is milestone for “Idol” in many ways. First of all it is the show’s 10th season and for any TV show to make it through 10 years is a big achievement indeed. Next, the show has dropped its minimum age limit to 15, so you can expect Justin Bieber lookalikes and tiny-teeny-boppers to swamp the show (or at least the auditions).

    Last of all, the missing Cowell factor could be telling on the ratings of the show. Hated or loved, Simon Cowell was the backbone of “Idol”. His decision to leave the show, while prudent on his part, may be the worst thing that ever happened to the show. With ratings steadily sliding over the last few years, the exit of Cowell was the last thing “Idol” needed. For reasons unknown, his replacement is still not evident. Neither is news on the future of Randy Jackson; whether we will see the “Dawg” return for season 10 or not remains on how contract negotiations concluded.

    Since FOX has kept mum on the subject, we could see a double replacement for the male judges in the coming days.”American Idol” is scheduled to make audition stops at – Milwaukee, New Orleans, East Rutherford, Austin, and San Francisco.

    Luis Suarez handball in the last second of game against Ghana proves heroic and results in Uruguay winning.

    The soccer World Cup match was tied 1-1 and went into 30 minute overtime. In the last minutes of the overtime, Ghana made a shot towards the goal of Uruguay, which was blocked once by the defenders and bounced back to Ghana for 2nd shot, blocked again and bounce back for header by Ghana player and this time Luis Suarez if Uruguay saved the ball from going in by his hands. It was an obvious break of the rules and he immediately got a red card and got ejected.

    Ghana was awarded a penalty kicked in the last few seconds of the game and incredibly they missed and hit the post bar on top. The game ended up tied and went into penalty shoot outs where Uruguay ended up winning 4-2.

    You might say that Ghana should have won and this save was not fair. However, in my opinion Ghana messed up. If they were really the better team, then they should have made that penalty shot or won in penalty kick outs.

    Luis Suarez who is one of the best players on the Uruguay team will unfortunately miss the next game against Netherlands in the semi-finals due to the red card. “It was worth it to be sent off in this way. It was complicated and tough. We suffered to the end but the hand of God, it’s mine now,” stated Luis Suarez, refering to the infamous goal by Maradona back in the 80’s.