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Random thoughts while wondering whether anyone really cares about television ratings other than those affiliated with the channels/networks and/or advertisers whose commercials appear on telecasts:
* Continuing to wonder about TV ratings, if you do care, why? Does it really make you feel better if you know after the fact that many others also were watching? Does it somehow validate you and your fandom? Have you sought professional help? And if not, why not? Are are you in a fog?
“Tarafied” received much critical acclaim Saturday at The Squared Circle.
* Speaking of fog, that was the highlight in the Cubs’ 6-2 loss to Cincinnati at Wrigley Field (unless, perhaps, you’re a Reds fan) and delayed the Toronto-White Sox game at U.S. Cellular Field. The Sox prevailed 9-6. If it’s any consolation to Cubs fans (and the guess here is that it is not because they are approaching the point of being inconsolable, if they aren’t always there), fans at the ballpark probably didn’t see Brandon Phillips’ grand slam land in the stands.
* Adam Dunn hit two home runs, went 4-for-4 and drove in five runs for the Sox. Meaning if there ever is an expansion team in London, Dunn likely would be a big hit over there — provided the fog doesn’t lift. Speaking of lifting, Dunn raised his batting average to .181. Cubs pitcher Scott Feldman went 1-for-2 and raised his average to .192. Then again, Dunn didn’t give up five runs in six innings.
Filmmaker Matt Goldberg and Lisa Marie Varon, the star of his “Tarafied” documentary that was shown at her restaurant.
* Still speaking of fog, the stuff that rolled in and blanketed both ballparks provided a perfect chance for Chicago Sun-Times reporters to show off their photographic skills by taking what would look like blurry, amorphous images. Or is that setting bar too high for the paper that fired its photo staff? Not sure management there is focused on the visual as much as it is on breaking a union. Get the picture? Yes, and it’s not a pretty one — that much is clear.
* Speaking of management making hard-to-fathom decisions, in case anyone wonders about how the NHL works, the media hotel for Monday and Tuesday (June 10-11) for the Stanley Cup finals that start Wednesday at the United Center was in Gurnee, Ill. Which makes perfect sense — if you have to travel to Milwaukee and not to downtown Chicago.
* For wrestling fans (or those in search of a good lunch), Brooke Adams (also known as Miss Tessmacher) and Robbie E will be at The Squared Circle (2418 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago) from 1-3 p.m. Saturday (June 15). That is the dining and drinking establishment owned and operated by Lisa Marie Varon (wrestling’s Tara of TNA/Impact Wrestling fame and formerly WWE’s Victoria) and her husband/chef Lee.
* Speaking of Lisa Marie and her restaurant, that was the site and she was the subject of a screening Saturday of Matt Goldberg’s film “Tarafied.” A standing-room crowd enjoyed the 5 p.m. showing that I attended with several familiar faces in the crowd (and that means you, Nate, among others). There was to have been a 10 p.m. showing, too. Your humble correspondent did not stay around for that. Filmmaker Goldberg, whose documentary was shown at the recent Cannes Film Festival, did. Which must have made for a long day/night — considering The Squared Circle was showing the Blackhawks game that went two overtimes. My only complaint about the film, which included interviews with a variety of wrestling figures and provided a behind-the-scenes look at Lisa Marie’s wrestling world? It was too short. Maybe Goldberg can find a way to produce a director’s cut extended version for viewing another time.
* And if you miss Brooke at The Squared Circle, she was will be at PCW’s “Dream Night” at the Don Preston Center, 14500 S. Kostner, Modlothian. The Saturday evening event is scheduled for 6 with doors opening at 5. Other special guests scheduled to attend are Rikishi and Scott Hall. Tickets ($15) are available by clicking here.
A wise man (meaning someone other than anyone affiliated with elliottharris.com suggested running photos of Miss Finland, thereby creating some tangential link to the Stanley Cup final matchup between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Boston Bruins. The link being the Bruins have a Finnish player in goalie Tuukka Rask. So who is Miss Finland 2013. Well, the editorial staff around here was thinking about giving you a lotta hints. But we couldn’t think of any. Miss Finland is Lotta Hintsa. Really. Even if the name does sound like something from a James Bond book/movie.
This photo really does not need a caption. But then what would the caption writers at elliottharris.com have to do? Other than gawk, that is.
Hintsa does have a sports link because her father is a Formula 1 doctor. The 24-year-old also had a relationship with driver Lewis Hamilton about six years ago. Hey, but who doesn’t do a few crazy things to upset our parents when we are teenagers.
That’s a lotta info about Hintsa.
But wait. There’s more. She also apparently is in a relationship with hockey player Kristian Näkyvä.
Anyway, the editorial staff around here thought the concept of running Miss Finland photos — 2013, among other years — is a worthy concept. And to take that thought a step further, this site’s video department figured adding a video element to the idea would be nothing short of a public service to the visitors to this web site. And upper management around here is all about public servive and winning the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service (or its cyberspace equivalent). So here we go with some video:
And here is the spot where you generally can find non-gratuitous video to view — just for you (OK, and anyone else who happens upon this site). All thanks to the editorial and video departments at elliottharris.com for their conscientious efforts (and extremely broad definition of “gratuitous”):
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