COMMERCIAL OF THE YEAR

I saw a commercial the other day and not only did it touch my heart but it was one I will never forget! Commercial The LiveStrong band gliding across the TV screen linked to hundreds of them. Then you start to hear Voice Overs (V/O).


(V/O) I am 25 and I have cancer
(V/O) I am 19 and I had cancer
(V/O) I am 30 and a cancer survivor
(V/O) I am 27 and I have cancer
(V/O) of Lance Armstrong - Behind every band is a story ... tell us yours.

The commercial was short / sweet / simple and to the point!! I WAS SO AMAZED AND TAKEN AWAY BY IT!! For everyone who knows someone who has cancers, survived it, or passed on from it totally got this commercial!!!

SHARE YOUR STORY > Share Your Story - Share Your Story <
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Everyone always ask me why I sport the yellow band everywhere I go, why I feel the way that I do about cancer, and why I look up to Lance Armstrong so much

My mom fought cancer for 19 months and in many way even though she is not with us anymore in my heart she won the battle. She fought till the end, and died a brave woman!! She was my hero and also my best friend!! So for that I owe her to not only tell her story but support the cause!!

What I admire about Lance is his incredible inspiration to people from all walks of life, and he has lifted the spirits of those who face life's challenges, He is a true champion!!
Everyone has heard about Lance Armstrong's victorious fight against cancer, and his subsequent climb to the pinnacle of the bicycle-racing world, in his book It's Not About the Bike. What people see in him is Lance's positive attitude, his take-charge approach, his refusal to accept defeat -- his desire not only to live but to live victoriously -- was impressive, motivating, educational and invaluable to me in how he proved, by the doing of it, how one can face such enormous obstacles and overcome such seemingly insurmountable challenges.
To me his determination, focus and willingness to invest everything he has towards achieving his goals -- both immediate and longer range -- is truly remarkable and inspiring. I have so much respect for the man who have put his heart and really touched the world!!

Thanks, Lance. Here's to you!!






WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT LANCE ARMSTRONG

Ann Curry, NBC's Todaynews anchor who has interviewed Armstrong several times
"Lance is a marvel. The fact that he has dominated such a physically demanding sport for the better half of a decade makes it that much more amazing. His dedication and desire to stay on top of his sport for so long despite his domination and all that he has proven makes him a great champion."

- Cal Ripken Jr., who holds the record for consecutive baseball games played
"His grit on the bike and in life is an inspiration to us all. He's outpaced world-class opponents, rewritten the record book and defeated cancer. When the matchup is Lance against adversity, Lance wins. He shows time and again what we at Nike have always believed, that human potential is without limit."

- Phil Knight, founder and chairman of the board of directors for Nike
"Lance's drive and passion are inspirational to me, both athletically and personally. His strength has touched millions of lives and truly motivates the human spirit."

- Andre Agassi, pro tennis star
"Lance is an incredible inspiration to people from all walks of life, and he has lifted the spirits of those who face life's challenges. He is a true champion."

- President Bush
"The bigger picture for Lance is not winning seven consecutive Tour de Frances. The bigger thing is what he has done for cancer patients worldwide with his foundation. Everybody's wearing the yellow wristbands. That gives awareness to people of cancer. The greater awareness brings more money for research. It's a cause for humanity as opposed to something that's for Lance. ... What's so inspiring is that he went through as much as most any cancer patient is going to have to go through to regain their health. He showed you can go through all that treatment and still be an awesome athlete. Not just survive but achieve at a high level."

- Steve Scott, who still holds the U.S. mile record of 3:47.69 he set in 1982, was diagnosed with testicular cancer in May 1994. He was one of the first people Armstrong called after his diagnosis, seeking information on how the disease would affect performance.
"Lance has had a tremendous impact on all sports, not just cycling. His tenacity has shown the world what sports is all about: drive, determination and will. He has beaten the odds both on and off the field and is the true definition of a champion. He has succeeded in athletics, but more importantly in living a life anyone would be proud of."

- Shaquille O'Neal, Miami Heat
"What Lance Armstrong has done for cancer is outstanding, but without a doubt, more importantly, it's what he has done for his country. As he pedals his bicycle all over France, his whole country is behind him. He's making America proud. Lance has collected a lot of money for cancer. He does it by pedaling that bike, meeting people and making people aware. He's an important symbol. He's a symbol for Americans, and he's a symbol of hope. He makes those with cancer, or those whose loved ones have cancer, say, 'If he can do it, anybody else can do it, too.' "

- Tommy Lasorda, ex-Los Angeles Dodgers manager and Hall of Famer who is active in prostate cancer fundraising.
"He has been an inspiration, a guy you just want to stand up and applaud for everything he has done — overcoming cancer and continuing to win the race, which is the toughest race of all, and he continues to dominate it. People realize what a tremendous challenge it is, year in and year out, overcoming the illness and continuing to be the best there is. I had a lot of players that I coached over the years who played injured, played hurt, exhibited toughness. Like Bob Kuechenberg, who played in the Super Bowl against Minnesota with a broken arm with his arm in a cast. This is the type of courage he has displayed."

- Don Shula, Pro Football Hall of Fame coach
"I've read his book, It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life, I've heard him speak, I've watched the pieces on his battle with cancer and I've watched all seven tours. He's an inspiration to all of us. He's an inspiration to me personally."

- Jim Calhoun, University of Connecticut men's basketball coach and prostate cancer survivor
"Lance has had an amazing impact on people while on the bike, but now as a star across many of the Discovery Networks (Discovery Channel, Discovery Health Channel, Science Channel and Travel Channel) he will have the ability to inspire millions each week with his message of courage, quality and excellence."

- William M. Campbell, president of Discovery Networks, U.S.
"I have a lot or respect for Lance. ... He lost all his strength, and then he came back in the ultimate endurance sport. ... He has put a face on (cancer). He has taught people that it doesn't just strike older people. Men 18-35 can get it. He's made people aware that it can happen to anyone but with today's technology there's something that can be done."


> Lance Armstrong <

Slow Day + Closer (Movie Review)

OK so the day is UGH ... dont even know where to start!! I had a few drinks last night whoohooo one turned into two then two turned into three and then I had to stop at 5. Yeah GOOD GIRL GONE BAD na jk was feeling down and out so why not drown my sorrows in some alcohol :)!!

Its been a crazy but slow week its given me think to think and reflect on life... OMG who am I kidding just been thinking of mom and also this movie "CLOSER" I saw the other day ... Have you all see it ?? The film puts the four leading characters in a box and then takes them apart.

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Plot Summary for Closer (2004)
Set in London, England, good Samaritan Dan Wolf (Jude Law), a struggling writer, takes Alice Ayres (Natalie Portman), a shady young woman and part-time stripper, to the hospital when she's hit by a car, and they fall in love. One year later, Dan meets photographer Anna Cameron (Julie Roberts) and tries to pick her up, but she rebuffs him. In revenge, Dan sets Anna up for an embarrassing encounter with sex-addicted dermatologist Larry Bagley (Clive Owen), but the two end up seeing each other. Then another year later, Dan and Anna begin an affair of their own, and relationships between the four collapse. Over the next year, all of them become obsessed with hurting each other and wreak some heavy emotional damage. Will any of them be strong enough to put this destructive sequence of events to a stop?
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I havent yet written a Review about this movie because I really had to think about this one. A Review coming form a Film Major is always deep and in though, but you see it always means so more than just watching a movie or just ready any review. Its more of my direction of the meaning of the film. Actually what I got from it because we all have our own opinions about things :) !! I do have to add when I first started watching it I was thinking "WHAT A FLOP" and "CAN WE PLEASE FAST FORWARD", but then when it ended I had to sit down and really think about the story, the characters, the plots, and also the climax and ending. I dont want to ruin the film for you so if you have not seen it I suggest to don't read any farther!!

Chris' Movie Review
I Give Closer (B+)
There’s a great old Onion story with a headline to the effect of “Sex No Longer Worth The Trouble.” Mike Nichols’ Closer presents as convincing an argument to that end as you’re likely to see in a film featuring Julia Roberts. Adapted by Patrick Marber from his own play Closer details the sexual interminglings of four of the most vile, manipulative people to ever exchange bodily fluids. It opens with Dan (Jude Law) catching the eye of a pretty stranger, Alice (Natalie Portman) who returns his gaze and promptly steps into the path of an oncoming vehicle. Dan brings her to the hospital, some time goes by, and they’re eventually living together. Dan publishes a book and hires Anna (a miscast Roberts) to take his picture for the jacket.
OK, so I saw this movie with my friend, who is a photographer. She spent most of the film in an angry funk about the inaccuracies in its portrayal of her profession. Anyway, assuming this doesn't bother the other 99 percent of you, there's plenty to enjoy about Closer, namely a lot of fast talk about sex. All of the physical intercourse, much of which happens purely for spite takes place off screen and most of the film is devoted to snappy conversation about all that is going on. Each character is vicious in his or her own right, and each to some extent gets his or her comeuppance. Closer will be best appreciated by viewers with some interest in or familiarity with the art of theatrical scripting and performance. Films based on stage plays more so than those adapted from other media always make me curious about the source material: what was changed, how it was originally staged, etc. The same is true of Nichols’ previous effort the spectacular Angels in America bed on Tony Kushner’s play.

I suspect my fascination has to do with the inherent emphasis on dialogue, which is typically far superior to that of films based on videogames. Characteristically the back-and-forth in Closer is dynamite. These characters relentlessly assault each other with impeccably timed verbal abuse, turning the proceedings into a fascinating case study in emotional sadomasochism. The unforgettable strip-club confrontation between Larry and Alice is one of the best collisions of writing, acting and directing to grace the screen in a long time its just because of the appealing ways in which Portman is photographed. The dialogue in Closer bears little resemblance to how real people talk. The conversations are rhythmic, stylized and idealized, sprinkled with profundity you wouldn’t expect from such despicable characters. It’s the sort of stuff you’d think to say a half hour after losing an argument. In a lot of ways, Closer is a hard sell—photogenic actors in various stages of stardom, cast against type, with almost nothing good to say about love. Not exactly a popcorn film for the holidays or a date film, but just the thing for the cynics among us who like to see nastiness articulated as elegantly as possible.

FX Series OVER*THERE

FX has ordered a pilot from Steven Bochco Prods. for a series set on the front lines of the conflict in Iraq.

Bochco will serve as executive producer with Chris Gerolmo will director of the pilot he wrote. Other movies he has been involded with are Resurrecting the Champ, Citizen X, The Witness, Mississippi Burning, and Miles from home. The pilot marks the first collaboration between Bochco, the veteran producer of over 40 gritty series such as LA Law, LA Law The movie, NYPD Blue, Hill Street Blues, Blind Justice, Murder One Diary of a Serial Killer, The Twilight Zone ect. ABOUT THE SHOW The first TV drama based on a war still in progress follows the trend of recent war movies where patriotism is a joke, leaders are corrupt, and idealism is a foolish illusion.

Over There (FX, Wednesdays, 10:00 p.m. ET), the new dramatic series about American soldiers fighting in Iraq, is supposedly neither pro-war nor anti-war. "I don't think you have to deal at all with the politics of it," producer Steven Bochco told HOLLYWOOD Reproter"Ultimately, a young man being shot at in a firefight has absolutely no interest in politics." Of the soldiers, he told The New York Times, "they're not fighting for an ideal, they're fighting to survive. It irises down to issues that are completely nonpolitical." But in my eyes to portray a war without any of its ideals is to portray that war as meaningless. If the reasons for the war are just "politics," if war is nothing more than a struggle for survival, who could support it? "Over There" is an ensemble drama that will explore the lives of a select group of Army soldiers in combat as well as the families they left behind. In accord with the anti-war movie cliché, it is yet to be knows if it is your typical war movie or if they will be true to us all in exsporing the three sides of the story. From the previews it is known that one of the men in the squad has the nickname "Doublewide," expressing the bigotry of the upper middle class for people who live in trailers. A bespectacled young soldier has the nickname "Dim" because he was a college student and thus "stupid to join the army." One soldier needs the GI Bill so he can go to college. Another had auditioned for a national choir, but when he failed, he enlisted to avoid facing the folks back home. Others are escaping bad family situations. One soldier does say, "I love the army," but his gung-ho attitude earns him scornful looks, and he will no doubt learn his lesson.

Ironically, even anti-war war stories exploit the action and excitement of war. This show has been the talk of the town and from what I have heard the combat scenes in Over There are excellent. Gun battles?with flashing machine guns from a mosque?are shown in the green light of night-vision goggles. The camera bounces along with the men as they run. Scope shots show the targets?enemies who silently fall when shot?putting the viewer behind the rifle. Over There is the first TV drama based on a war still in progress. But this did also happen in World War II, to keep up morale on the home front. Those movies are often dismissed today as propaganda.

I guess its up to the world to decide where this show is going HOME DVD Collections, or a THE BURRING RIOT CONTROVERSIAL PILE WITH OTHER WAR MOVIES / SHOWS!

MTV's Laguna Beach

THEME SONG:
Let's go back
Back to the beginning
Back to when the earth, the sun, the stars all aligned
'Cause perfect didn't feel so perfect
Trying to fit a square into a circle
Was no lie I defy
Let the rain fall downAnd wake my dreams
Let it wash away My sanity'
Cause I wanna feel the thunder
I wanna screamLet the rain fall down
I'm comimg clean, I'm coming clean
Let's go backBack to the beginning

While not everyone may share my opinion that Laguna Beach is one of the best reality TV shows on, it has definitely basked in success and critical acclaim since it’s Premier of Season One on September 1, 2004. Since then MTV’s smash hit has found fans in the hearts of reality TV fans, The O.C. TV series and everyone who has a nostalgic view of the good times in high school and preparing for the real world. To answer a few questions, producer Gary Auerbach and MTV have proved that the TV show is indeed strictly reality – nothing is scripted and absolutely nothing is made up. Unlike Real World where MTV and the show’s producers give out challenges and set up situations, Laguna Beach moves beyond the confines of “scripted reality” by simply following the lives of one of the most popular power cliques at the Laguna Beach High School in Laguna Beach, CA. MTV realized that this group of smart, beautiful, talented and intelligent kids has a lot going for them in life, and that high school creates enough drama to keep from warranting any acting or scripting – so MTV set out to film their lives. The only thing to keep in mind when watching the show is that, just like shows such as Real World, Road Rules and The Inferno all shoot “out of order,” so does Laguna Beach. Meaning, the producers shoot all of the tape during the show’s length, and then go back to the studio to piece it all together before putting it on air. While producers structure the show off of a strict chronological time frame so you literally watch the characters grow up, they do sometimes add in old comments, audio or interviews they filmed later in the show, that reflect back on a situation that occurred months previous and shed light on a situation the viewer would otherwise be unlikely to see. This way, the viewer gains a deeper understanding of the show and can identify with the characters much more closely, while still maintaining the integrity of the show. Whether you’ll admit you like it or not, Laguna Beach has found a place in the hearts of millions of fans across America, and it has shed light on an area of California that The O.C. frequently talks about, but never shows the “real life” side of the area or what really goes on. And that is what makes Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County a winner!

"The Island" Review

Chris' Movie Review
THE ISLAND

Note: The following movie review may contain spoilers. If you'd prefer not to know anything, stop reading now.

-- Love him or hate him -- there doesn't seem to be any middle ground -- Michael Bay's movies make big bucks. Even the nearly unwatchable "Pearl Harbor" made $198 million dollars. Action junkies, i.e. adolescent boys (Hollywood's favorite demographic), swarm to his films.

Director Michael Bay--known for such vapid but action-packed thrillers as The Rock, Armageddon and the Bad Boys series--hasn't ever made a film without his anchor, the grand pooh-bah himself producer Jerry Bruckheimer. The Island is the first time the director is flying solo--and apparently, Bruckheimer was a little peeved when he found out about it. According to Entertainment Weekly the producer told Bay, "Just so you know, we passed on it." Ouch. But you know what? Bay does just fine without the Bruckmeister, turning in his most compelling movie to date--and that's really saying something. Screenwriter Caspian Tredwell-Owen, obviously influenced by George Orwell's 1984 and the campy 1976 Logan's Run, turned in an original script that was a tad too cerebral, but we all know It had to be Bay-ified. So, young writing upstarts Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci were brought in to add that all-important action elements. Of course, the idea that sometime in the future, for the right amount of money, you could have a clone made of yourself to use in case something happens to you, seems intriguing. And mix some good old-fashioned run-for-your-life smash 'em ups, the combination pays off.

"The Island" contains all of Bay's trademarks -- a total disregard for the laws of physics, over-the-top chase scenes, and lots of circular panning shots. But unlike his other films, "The Island" also has an interesting story, penned by Caspian Tredwell-Owen (with script credit also going to Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci) and two very good actors -- Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson -- playing the leading characters. This is the first Michael Bay film I've actually enjoyed. But that's not saying much.

The Island is a sci-fi action drama in its own sort of way that has a fresh feel to it if not completely original. Good or bad, Michael Bay executes his vision well enough for the film to be enjoyable and fun. The Island begins with one of what seems like the slowest first acts in a film that I have ever seen. You get to know Lincoln Six Echo (McGregor) and how he and other people have lived in this enclosed facility. Some people seven years, others four and three. Then we meet Jordan Two Delta (Johansson) a good friend of Lincolns. There is in fact no sexual attraction between any of these clones which makes it interesting to see how people interact with one another. The beauteous pair are also supported by an eclectic group. They include Djimon Hounsou (In America) as the mysterious special ops leader relentlessly hunting down Jordan and Lincoln, and Sean Bean (Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring , James Bond: Goldeneye and National Treasure) is ‘god’ of the facility you might say. Bean knows how to play a villain well so his roll in this movie was more than perfect! And if you want to add a little screwy humor to your full-blown action flick, hire Steve Buscemi (remember him in Con Air?). He plays a technician at the facility who befriends Lincoln--and lets him know how it really is.

The slow start and the plot of The Island might leave you a little confused in the beginning as some of the dialogue sounds rather patched together, leaving you confused about some of the characters' statements and whats going on such as the weird things going on around the area and a lottery drawing where one person a week is allowed to go to a place of luxury and peace called The Island. Lincoln (McGregor) discovers that the whole charade is but a conspiracy, and takes it upon himself to go out, and get some dire information about what the truth is behind his existence. McGregor does well when it comes to acting and Johansson does the best piece of acting I have seen her do since her breakout role in 2003’s Lost In Translation.

A couple of nice CGI (Character Generated Images) go well with the film and Bay's vision of what Los Angeles in 2119 will like. Bay only makes a film about every other year. Finally, after nine years of waiting Bay has finally returned to give us another good and exciting action piece, the last being The Rock.

Like many other action dramas, the film contains some lengthy dialogue scenes, which can be bad or good depending on how the director and actors deliver them. The Island puts forth its character and plot development excellently. The scenes with Steve Buscemi as a character of note named McCord are wonderfully done and seamless in design. Buscemi has shown us some impressive acting chops in the past and here he's particularly awesome.

There are five major action scenes in The Island, all of which should keep you on the edge of your seat and having a blast. One involves a weird but cool flying motorcycle chase and another revolves around McGregor and Johansson's characters trying to escape a sticky situation while dodging flying spears. When Bay said he was going to make a good summer popcorn film, he meant it. He doesn’t disappoint in that category, despite coming up short in some other aspects of his filmmaking.
From this point on it's pure Bay -- action, action, action.

However, the story still has some surprises left, and Johansson and McGregor have good romantic chemistry. They're both such good actors they somehow make the unbelievable in "The Island" believable -- to an extent.
"The Island" isn't the best sci-fi thriller out there this summer -- "War of the Worlds" wins by miles -- but it's enjoyable. You just have to take all of Bay's excess with a grain ... oh, let's make that a pound of salt. After all, he doesn't really make movies, he makes roller coaster rides. So, if you're in the mood, "The Island" is just worth the trip.

Overall
When leaving The Island you might think to yourself, "Should I be taking precautions for the future?" And if so, will we ever remember what our lives were like today if a future like the one dreamed up here comes to pass. Michael Bay brings wonder to the summer of 2005 with a vision of a disgusting world that might become a reality for us. After all, he doesn't really make movies, he makes roller coaster rides. So, if you're in the mood, "The Island" is just worth the trip.

"THE ISLAND" MOVIE VIDEOS:
Featurette: "Bay-hem"
Quicktime - HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW
Windows Media - HIGH / MEDIUM / HIGH
Real Player - HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

Featurette: "Production"
QuickTime - HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW
Windows Media - HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW
Real Player - HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

"The Island" Clip #1 - "I Wish There Was More"
QuickTime - HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW
Windows Media - HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW
Real Player - HIGH / MEDIUM/ LOW

"The Island" Clip #2 - "Jordan Wins the Lottery"
QuickTime - HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW
Windows Media - HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW
Real Player - HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

"The Island" Clip #4 - "You Are Clones!"
QuickTime - HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW
Windows Media - HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW
Real Player - HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

"The Island" Clip #8 - "Worth Every Penny"
QuickTime - HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW
Windows Media - HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW
Real Player - HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

TV Spot - "Get Ready"
QuickTime - HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW
Windows Media - HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW
Real Player - HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

Trailer (May 2005):
LOW / MEDIUM / HIGH

Teaser #1:
Quicktime - LOW / MEDIUM / HIGH / SUPER HIGH
Windows Media - LOW / MEDIUM / HIGH / SUPER HIGH
Real Media - LOW / MEDIUM / HIGH / SUPER HIGH

Teaser #2:
Windows Media - LOW / MEDIUM / HIGH SUPER HIGH
Real Media - LOW / MEDIUM / HIGH / SUPER HIGH

International Trailer:
Quicktime - SMALL / MEDIUM / LARGE

Lance Armstrong Goes Out in Style

Armstrong Goes Out in Style
Bicycling: Tour De France 2005 - Armstrong Goes Out in Style
















PARIS (July 24) - One last time, "The Star-Spangled Banner" rang out over the Champs-Elysees in honor of Lance Armstrong. One last time, on the podium against the backdrop of the Arc de Triomphe, the cancer survivor who became the greatest cyclist in Tour de France history slipped into the leader's yellow jersey Sunday.

This time, it was the winner's jersey, for an unprecedented seventh consecutive year in the world's most grueling race.

He held his yellow cap over his heart as the American anthem played, and his twin 3-year-old daughters, Grace and Isabelle, wore matching yellow dresses. "Vive le Tour! Forever," Armstrong said. It was the end of Armstrong's amazing career, and in retiring a winner he achieved a rare feat in sports - going out on top. He said his decision was final and that he walks away with no regrets. "I'm finished," Armstrong told a motorcycle-borne TV reporter as he rode a victory lap of the Champs-Elysees, waving to the crowds and accompanied by another rider waving the Stars and Stripes.

With the pavement slick from rain, and Armstrong comfortably ahead, he was declared the winner with 30 miles to go. The rare decision was made rather than risk having a mad dash to the finish in treacherous conditions. Riders were still racing at the time, with eight laps of the Champs-Elysees to complete, and the stage competition continued. Alexandre Vinokourov of Kazakhstan eventually won the final stage, with Armstrong finishing safely in the pack to win the Tour by 4 minutes, 40 seconds over Ivan Basso of Italy. The 1997 Tour winner, Jan Ullrich, was third, 6:21 back.

Armstrong's 5-year-old son, Luke, delivered a different message. "Daddy, can we go home and play?" the boy whispered to him as he stepped off the podium. Armstrong choked up on the podium and rock star girlfriend Sheryl Crow, wearing a yellow halter top, cried during the ceremony. "This is the way he wanted to finish his career, so it's very emotional," she said.

At the end of th race Armstrong mentioned Tiger Woods, Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan and Andre Agassi as personal inspirations. "Those are guys that you look up to you, guys that have been at the top of their game for a long time," he said. As for his accomplishments, he said, "I can't be in charge of dictating what it says or how you remember it. "In five, 10, 15, 20 years, we'll see what the legacy is. But I think we did come along and revolutionize the cycling part, the training part, the equipment part. We're fanatics." Armstrong's last ride as a professional - the closing 89.8-mile 21st stage into Paris from Corbeil-Essonnes south of the capital - was not without incident. Three of his teammates slipped and crashed on the road coming around a bend just before they crossed the River Seine. Armstrong, right behind them, braked and skidded into the fallen riders, using his right foot to steady himself and stay on the bike. His teammates, wearing special shirts with a band of yellow on right shoulder, recovered and led him up the Champs-Elysees at the front of the pack.

Armstrong's departure begins a new era for the 102-year-old Tour, with no clear successor. His riding and his inspiring comeback from testicular cancer attracted new fans - especially in the United States - to the race, as much a part of French summers as sun cream, forest fires and traffic jams down to the Cote d'Azur. Millions turned out each year, cheering, picnicking and sipping wine by the side of the road, to watch Armstrong flash past in the yellow jersey, the famed "maillot jaune." Cancer survivors, autograph hunters and admirers pushed, shoved and yelled "Lance! Lance!" outside his bus in the mornings for a smile, a signature or a just word from the champion. Some spectators would shout obscenities or "Dope!" To some, his comeback from cancer and his uphill bursts of speed that left rivals gasping in the Alps and Pyrenees were too good to be true. Armstrong insisted that he simply trained, worked and prepared harder than anyone. He was drug-tested hundreds of times, in and out of competition, but was never found to have committed any infractions.

Armstrong came into this Tour saying he had a dual objective - winning the race and the hearts of French fans. He was more relaxed, forthcoming and talkative than last year, when the pressure was on to be the first six-time winner. Some fans hung the Stars and Stripes on barriers that lined the Champs-Elysees on Sunday. Around France, some also urged Armstrong to go for an eighth win next year- holding up placards and daubing their appeals in paint on the road. Armstrong, however, wanted to go out on top -

AS YOU CAN SEE HE DID JUST THAT!!

GO LANCE!!

Cant Sleep

Ok so its 12:39am and I am so awake not sure why ... Ooooo actuallyI know why !! Its because I so did not run or bike today. Let me start be telling you that I ate something bad on Friday and talk about feeling like crap FRI and SAT ugh it was so bad. I so wont go into details haha but I have to tell you that Sat morning I sent Micahel (little bro) to go out and get me something for my stomach. After about 2 hrs later the kid bring back PEPTO-BISMOL Cherry Flavored Chewable Tablets. Ok my first thought was yeah never send a guy or brother to get you some meds, and second was no way can I chew this its gonna taste like crap-o-la. Well after thinking about how I felt I sucked it up and took two. Come to find out not only did they work but they were not as bad as I thought ... LITTLE BRO DID GOOD!!!!

Ok back to not tired yeah its official I am a total loser because I cant sleep unless I work out. Who would have ever thought!!

Anyway Sunday (today) Michael and I are gonna go to the mall ... not sure if that is a good or bad idea considering that its "TAX FREE WEEK " o god you know the entire world is gonna be at the mall today ... damn all those kids who start school soon. Ok ok the truth is I actually have to thank them because its cheeper for me hahaha!!

Other than that no real news this weekend it totally sucked.... my plans went down the drain because I got sick but no worries its all good.










After the mall Bro and I are gonna catch a Flick and what we have in mind is "THE ISLAND"

Plot Summary for The Island
Directed byMichael Bay
Lincoln Six-Echo (McGregor) is a resident of a seemingly utopian but contained facility in the mid 21st century. Like all of the inhabitants of this carefully controlled environment, Lincoln hopes to be chosen to go to the "The Island" - reportedly the last uncontaminated spot on the planet. But Lincoln soon discovers that everything about his existence is a lie. He and all of the other inhabitants of the facility are actually human clones whose only purpose is to provide "spare parts" for their original human counterparts. Realizing it is only a matter of time before he is "harvested," Lincoln makes a daring escape with a beautiful fellow resident named Jordan Two-Delta (Johansson). Relentlessly pursued by the forces of the sinister institute that once housed them, Lincoln and Jordan engage in a race for their lives to literally meet their makers.

Taglines for The Island :

They don't want you to know what you are.

Plan Your Escape

You have Been Chosen

You all know that after the movie I am so gonna have to post my Chris' Movie Review so stay tuned !!

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I forgot to tell you that anyone can leave a comment just simply click on the 0 comments at the end of that days post!

Hope to hear from everyone soon!

COUNTDOWN BEGINS

14 DAYS LEFT

The count down is one !!

14 days from today till I leave for Phx and hit Disney Land with the family!! Whoohoo :) !

Ok Ok Ok so for all of you who dont know Aug 4th I leave for PHX then Auntie, Uncle and I are driving to California to spend some quality time with the family at the happiest place on earth (DISNEY LAND) with the girls, the girls husbands, and the rugrats hahaha the kids :) .... Time for Dumbo , Space Mountain, Never Neverland NO NOT Michael Jackon's Ranch the G rated Peter Pan Ride, and dont forget ITS A SMALL WORLD. Yeah thats totally the last ride we are gonna ride because that song just gets stuck in your head and well its bad and around a crowd of people it can get ugly!! Here let me refresh your memory

It's a world of laughter - A world of tears It's a world of hopes - And a world of fears There's so much that we share - That it's time we're aware It's a small world after all It's a small world after allIt's a small world after all It's a small world after all It's a small, small world There is just one moon - And one golden sun And a smile means - Friendship to every one Though the mountains divide - And the oceans are wide It's a small world after all It's a small world after allIt's a small world after all It's a small world after all It's a small, small world

O god its never ending and also the longest ride ever!! So yeah totally a last one ... who knows we might even run out of time and not have to be tortured. Well you know I will let you know!!

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>>>> Disneyland® park <<<<

Hello Everyone

Hello Everyone,

I know I have been out of touch with the world since mom passed away, so I figured why not keep a live journal just to keep in touch with everyone. So I have decided to create one and post my thoughts, quotes of the day, what I have been up to, and also 411 on what the family has been up to in this journal. Its really mostly to keep in touch with you all. HOPE YOU ENJOY MY ADVENTURES AND DRAMA !!

Love,Chrissie