Nate's Noodle-fest

And the winner is...

I promised a prize for the best idea to change the Academy Awards, and I don't want to disapoint.

In the spirit of the real Academy Awards, and because all your ideas were so great: You all won.

Please come up on stage to recieve your OSCAR.

Congratulations!

Have fun at your respective parites.

This year we could all win.

Well, it's a harsh reality of life but one that we have to come to grips with: the Grammy's are over. Sad but true. We'll have to wait an entire year to see the likes of J-Lo and Marc Anthony grace the stage with such moving tributes like the one the did to the Spanish daytime soap opera.

Fortunately for all of us the bevy of award shows continues with one that may possibly be the biggest:

the beloved Academy Awards.

This years show is sure to be a suprizing, if not down right shocking experience for many in the audience as Chris Rock is scheduled to be hosting. (Though I've heard many important people are not excited about that fact, and are suggesting that he be pulled at the last minute for a more Academy friendly host. I seriously doubt that will happen, but that's what my sources tell me anyway.)

So, here's my suggestion. What if we--the blogging community--came up with a few fresh ideas the Academy could implement to spice up the show? Make it something truly memorable.

For instance, I've heard that this year before each winner is announced all of the nominees will be present on stage. So, no more hiding your contempt from your seat with a fake smile. Which is, I think, an interesting idea...it adds a game show element that the Academy Awards has been missing.

But lets take that idea one step further. What if each of the nominees was given a Segway and they had to run an obstical course to get to the podium and the winner was given 10 more votes towards their total? So if it was really a close race...and say you're Annette Benning, then you could improv your chances. All in the name of artistic integrity, and good clean fun of course.

So let's hear from you blogging community. What are your ideas to improv the Academy Awards?

P.S. There will be a prize given for best idea. Sweet hu?

A Gus for all seasons

Because it is the bleak mid-winter where I live I would like a share a photo from a greener, and warmer time.

This is me playing hide and seek with my nephew Gus. Look at all the pretty color...or at least shades of green. Gus is the small little guy. I'm the one behind the tree.

Believe it or not he never found me.