'Domain hoarder' registers pope address
Associated Press

FORT WORTH — A self-described "domain hoarder" who used to live in Texas says he will be cautious with the pope-related Web address he registered earlier this month.

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Rogers Cadenhead, a former Fort Worth newspaper reporter who now lives in St. Augustine, Fla., registered BenedictXVI.com well before the new pope's name was announced.

"I'm going to try and avoid angering 1.1 billion Catholics and my grandmother," Cadenhead said.

Cadenhead, a Catholic, said he registered eight possible names last month. Having the right domain name can prove lucrative. Friday morning, bidding on eBay for a similar name, "PopeBenedictXVI.com," had surpassed $16,000.

But Cadenhead apparently isn't asking for money. On his personal Web site, Cadenhead wrote that in exchange for the domain name, he would ask the Vatican for "one of those hats," a free stay at the Vatican hotel and "complete absolution, no questions asked, for the third week of March 1987."

Some among the hundreds who have e-mailed him in recent days are concerned that he might sell the domain name to a company that creates adult Web sites. He said he wouldn't do that.



My favorite part: "complete absolution, no questions asked, for the third week of March 1987." Spring break or Madri Gras?

This is the greatest thing I've seen in a long time. An a cappella group from some school in Wisconsin does nintendo It rulez!



Edit - Link updated. Be patient, its QT file that locks the browser for a minute while loading.

you seem pretty hot there buddy.

Time for more educational squidget! Over the course of the next several posts, I will be outlining my favorite films from countries around the world. (ok, maybe not around, mostly in the lands of small Asian folk) I know I made some posts previously about movies that greatly touch me in my soul but now it will be in a handy easy to read post. Here we go!
Top 5 of Japan (In no particular order)

1.Bird People of China directed by Takeshi Miike
Miike is known for his over the top gross out style. Ichii The Killer, Dead or Alive, Gozu, and Audition are some of his most well known work for being completely, utterly disgusting and insane. Sometimes the visuals are just too much; I end up closing my eyes, covering my ears and whimpering like a little girl. I've also noticed that his endings are abrupt and you get a feeling of WTF? after viewing. Some people don't like his style but his movies are always a hell of a ride. Which brings us to Bird People of China. If it wasn't for the fact the disc said directed by Takeshi Miike I would have never recognized this as a Miike film. After it was over it wasn't a feeling of WTF it was a feeling of pure awe and wonderment. A Japanese business man (Wada) must travel to a remote village in China to check on a possible deposit of Jade found on the land for work. On the way a Yakuza(Ujiie) tags a long for the ride and will not leave because Wada's employers owe his boss money. The 1st half of the film deals with the journey the 2 men take with their interpreter through the mountains of China to find this village. Wada is young, naive and easily startled by his new Yakuza traveling companion. Ujiie being the big bad gangster is totally arrogant, and pushes Wada around. The 2nd half takes place in the village itself and the natives there. Wada becomes a little less green, less scared. The journey harden him a bit. And Ujiie shows his sensitive side. Granted, he still carries a gun everywhere but he softens a bit. No action, no sweeping sound score, no grotesque violence. It's a very pure and simple film with a very easy to identify with message. Oh yeah, keep an eye out for the turtles, absolutely amazing!
I do not own this film, so you cannot borrow from the squidget library. However, it's available in region 1 and can be had for rental (blockbuster) or purchase
(amazon.com)

2. Battle Royale directed by Kinji Fukasaku
Oh. My. Goodness. This film is crazy. I have never seen anything like it nor do I think I ever will. There is a message in this film and it's kinda weak but do I care? No! Why do I watch this film over and over? All for the death! I admit it. I'm not into this one for any other reason then the fact of 15 year olds slaughtering each other. Label me shallow. Story: In the not so distant future in Japan the young people are out of control. They have no respect for authority and they are running amok. (Amok, amok, amok) The adults institute a program called Battle Royale which takes one class and drops them on a deserted island where they must go all out in a no holds barred, there can be only 1 type fight. Its in the kids best interest to fight because if they don't, they are equipped with collars that will blow their cute little heads off. Let the mayhem ensue.
Available all the damn world over. It's in region 1 in retail and rental stores everywhere. It's also at the HOY and comes in 2 formats: Director's cut (region 0) and theatrical edition (region 3)

3. Seven Samurai directed by Akira Kurosawa
What kind of top 5 would this be without something from the great Akira Kurosawa? Granted, he has so many movies to choose from but this one is my favorite and it was my first taste of Japanese cinema. It holds a special place in my heart. A simple story; a story that has been redone and rehash for many years after its 1954 release. A small village is being terrorized by bandits and they hire 7 samurai to protect them. They have no money and only a little food, but the samurai take job for the pride and the honor of it. This is a great character driven epic and a must see.
This film is available everywhere and I recommend the Criterion Edition (which I have) the print has been beautiful restored and has many extras.

4. The Twilight Samurai directed by Yoji Yamada
I kept hearing about this one online and I finally rented it to see what all the fuss was about. Wow. Fuss well deserved. A low class samurai must care for his two daughters and senile mother after his wife passes. His colleagues give him the not so kind nickname of 'Twilight' because he rushes home right after the sunsets to care for household instead of drinking & whoring it up. Our Twilight Samurai has a quiet dignity about him that only his young daughters are able to see. Even though his clothes are worn, his hair is unkempt, his sucks have holes he doesn't mind at all. It's a very simple story that unfolds slowly but you get caught up in it easily.
The region 1 disc just came out about a month ago. However, the best print is the region 2. This DVD doesn't yet reside at the HOY but it will shortly.

5. Ping Pong directed by Fumihiko Sori
Granted, I feel this movie could have been trimmed by 10 minutes but it's still a great film. The device of the movie well is ping pong (aka table tennis) but it's really about friendship. Peco and Smile are friends and ping pong players. Peco is arrogant and thinks he's top shit (cause well he is) and Smile is shy and non-competitive. Peco dreams of going "Pro" and Smile is content with being his friend. This is a funny and warm film that is just a joy to watch. Reminds me of 80's sports films of old.
This disc is not available in region 1 and the Region 2 Japanese is hard to find. Good news though: I do own the Japanese disc, if your region free come borrow or watch it at the HOY

Honorable mention:
The Returner - This is a cult favorite of mine because it has his hotness Takeshi Kaneshiro. Mmmm. As lovely as he is and as shiny as the movie was the plot wasn't very good at all. It does get bonus points for coming in one of the nicest dvd boxes I've ever seen.
Casshern - Another shiny movie in a shiny box. No sexy eye candy, it was too long and the 'message' was beaten into the viewer over and over till your head hurts. Worth a look for looks sake but don't expect too much.
Azumi - The beginning of this film ruled. After that it just kinda floundered a bit then picked up again at the end. Maybe a 2nd viewing would improve my opinion of it.
Ichii the Killer - Oh pieces of crazy on a stick! This is a sick and twisted film. I spent a good deal of it under the chair trying not to look. But like a good train wreck: You can't stop looking!! This is a good film actually. Good acting, directing, cinematography but was way too gory for me.
All HM's are at the HOY except for Azumi

Next entry moving on to HK stay tuned!

this picture is one of them:

I have an American Express Blue Card. It is currently the only credit card I use. Why? Because it has 5% cash back, 0.0% APR till 3/06, oh and its see thru. Very nifty. Anyway, it seems that everytime I make a payment, they increase my limit. I'm really not understanding why they are doing this but its becoming increasingly difficult to use my uber cool looking card. Everytime I go to buy groceries with it I think to myself, "I can buy like 50 steaks!" Or, "how bout I get lobster for dinner?" I have a disorder where I like to buy things. Like the mini mac? Blame the amex card. New timberlands? Again, the amex card. Amex is on to me, at the current rate of increase by years end I'll be able to buy a car. That new cadiallac convertible is super sexy. Hrmmmmmm......

1st of all, I would like to say to those out there who have unsecured wireless networks; thank you very much. Without your neglect, this post would not be possible. I'm away from home this week, I'm staying out in Bristow with my cousin. I thought centreville was the country, I truely know what country is now being 16 miles south of home. I never really noticed before but in the 7-0-3 the stars aren't all that clear. Looking out the window from my sofa bed and the stars are vibrant here. Like a black sea with diamonds floating in it.
Truely amazing.
Well, that was enough outside excitement for me, time to move onto more important matters. Can you say World of Warcraft? I know that you can.
To unsecured network HIEDI in bristow, I'll make sure to slay some wilderbeasts in your honor.