Thoughts of a Chilled Out Entertainer
November 20th, 2004 — Books
The following was posted on Mugglenet this morning:
Someone in a position to know (whose name we obviously can’t reveal) has given us word that Scholastic is planning for a mid-June 2005 release for book six, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. More specifically, they are considering June 11th and June 18th - both Saturdays.
As always, treat this as a rumor until we can get real confirmation, which in this case will most likely come from JK Rowling’s official site.
November 20th, 2004 — Baseball
from the AP
WASHINGTON — The Montreal Expos are about to get their new name: the Washington Nationals.
A city official and a baseball official, both speaking on condition of anonymity, said Friday that the team will reveal its new name, cap and red-white-and-blue color scheme during a news conference Monday.
The search for a new name began Sept. 29, when Major League Baseball announced it planned to relocate the team for the 2005 season. Initially, the plan was to wait until the team was sold to select the name, but the sale process is expected to take months — and the team needs to start marketing itself in its new home city immediately.
The top contenders were Nationals, Senators and Grays, with Senators the sentimental favorite. The original American League Senators played in the nation’s capital from 1901-60 before moving to Minnesota to become the Twins. The expansion Senators called Washington home from 1961-71 before moving to Texas to become the Rangers. Senators was also the preference of commissioner Bud Selig, even though the Rangers still hold the rights to the name.
But Mayor Anthony Williams objected, saying the name isn’t appropriate, given the District of Columbia’s lack of representation in the U.S. Senate.
“We don’t have senators here,” the mayor said in September. “Give us two senators, and I’ll be happy to call them the Senators.”
Williams preferred the Grays, a tribute to the Homestead Grays, a Negro League team that played many of its games in Washington in the 1930s and 1940s. Historians, however, noted that the Grays’ real home was Pittsburgh.
The compromise was Nationals. The Nationals, or Nats, was considered the original official nickname of the 1901-60 team. But fans instead adopted Senators, which was the name of two National League teams in Washington in the late 1800s.
Baseball owners still must approve the move. They delayed a vote when they met Thursday but said one will take place by Dec. 6. The relocation is also contingent on the D.C. government enacting legislation by Dec. 31 to finance a new ballpark.
November 19th, 2004 — Music
There’s a big rumor circulating on the web that U2 are planning a suprise gig - a free concert in Washington Square Park in Manhattan - for this Monday, November 22. Obviously, there are no details as of yet, but I’ll keep my ear to the ground.
Another rumor seems to be gaining credence if the recently released tour start date of March 1 holds true. According to several sites, expect to see U2 play the Wachovia Center in Philly on March 16 & 17. St. Patrick’s Day with U2 - how awesome is that going to be?!?!?!?!?!?
Last, but certainly not least, it’s no rumor, U2 are going to be on Saturday Night Live tomorrow night. Set your Tivos/VCRs to stun!
November 19th, 2004 — Arsenal FC
from the BBC:
Arsenal have signed Ivory Coast international defender Emmanuel Eboue from Beveren for an undisclosed fee.
“He will certainly join us in January,” Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said.
“He’s a multi-functional player. He normally plays centre-back, but he can play right-back or midfield. He has a chance to play.”
Belgian club Beveren, who act as a feeder team for Arsenal, said that 21-year-old Eboue had signed a four-and-a-half year contract with the Gunners.
“In the summer he took part in some of Arsenal’s preparatory matches and made quite an impression on Wenger,” said a statement on Beveren’s website.
“Arsenal had already tried to buy Hatem Trabelsi from Ajax, but the transfer had never been completed, so they decided to buy Eboue,” it added.
In moving to Highbury Eboue will join compatriot Kolo Toure.
November 19th, 2004 — Adventure
Thanks to help from Mr. Zog, we’re proud to offer a new feature on AOM, a forum of our very own. So, feel free to shoot the breeze, share your thoughts on something you saw posted here, or write about pretty much anything else that strikes your fancy. While you’re there, be sure to take time to check out the lovely original artwork so kindly donated by our good friend Josh Lindsey. To get started, click on the image above, or choose “FORUM” from the menu at the top of the screen. You have to register, but it’s a simple process. Just choose a username and password, set some preferences, and enter your email address. You’ll get a confirmation email containing a link. Click on it to confirm your membership, and you’re good to go.
ENJOY, and happy posting!
November 19th, 2004 — Film
from the AP
Colin Firth is done being Bridget Jones’ nice guy, but he’s not against donning British agent 007’s tuxedo.
“At the moment, I can’t think of anything I would be less attracted to,” says Firth about the possibility of a third “Bridget Jones” film.
However, the 44-year-old actor tells Entertainment Weekly magazine that he’d seriously consider taking over the James Bond franchise from Pierce Brosnan.
Unlike another famous Colin - Colin Farrell, who says he’s not interested in the role despite being Brosnan’s choice - there’s been no talk of Firth grabbing Bond’s Walther PPK.
“No one has approached me, but I would not be averse to it,” Firth tells EW in its latest issue.
“Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason,” the sequel to the 2001 original, stars Firth as the stiff tacky-sweater-wearing lawyer Mark Darcy and Renee Zellweger as Bridget Jones.
Firth, whose screen credits also include “Love Actually” and “Shakespeare in Love,” said he isn’t interested in Mark Darcy-like roles.
“I’m attracted to dark stuff,” he said, “and I’m in that mode right now.”
