The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is scheduled to enter orbit around
the Red Planet on Friday, March 10.

THOSE WACKY RUSSIANS! So anyways, I was reading up on news about the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (or MRO for short) and its expected arrival at the Red Planet less than two weeks from now, and I found an interesting article online regarding all the spacecraft that have been sent to Mars since 1960. Needless to say, the Earth is batting a little above .500 when it comes to successful missions flown to the Red Planet. And who's the player who should be cut from the team? The Soviet Union-slash-Russia, of course. Back in its Commie days, Russia was pretty much launching probes left and right to Mars...with one intention being to one-up the USA by being the first to land a probe onto the surface of the planet (and Russia was successful by being the first to do so. Too bad that probe didn't last long on the surface). Of course, much like being the first to land a dude on the moon with Apollo, the Yankees prevailed by landing the first truly successful robotic lander with Viking 1 in 1976.

All I can say is, when we finally begin sending humans to the Red Planet, let's hope that they fly on a NASA (or the European Space Agency, I guess) launch vehicle. Wouldn't want our would-be, Mars-bound astronauts to find a one-way ticket to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean by having them launch on a Russian rocket. Just kidding! Seriously though, Russia sucks at launching missions to Mars. But let's thank that country for helping us send our astronauts to the International Space Station while our beloved space shuttles remain grounded. 'Nuff said.

Farewell to the Bluth family... Tonight, FOX aired the final four episodes of Arrested Development, and now this hilarious TV sitcom is no more (unless you buy the DVDs for this season as well as Seasons' 1 and 2). The show ended on a good note, though if I was Michael Bluth (played by Jason Bateman), I'd get it on with Lindsay (Portia de Rossi) after finding out she's not really my twin sister. Err, did I say that one out loud?

On another note, when the hit series Prison Break returns to FOX next month, what are the chances that it airs at 8PM on Mondays before 24? 'Cause if it airs on any other day of the week (especially Tuesday), then I'm screwed. Monday is the only day I officially have a day off from work. Darn it.

SUPER BOWL XL... It was a good game, as exemplified (I know, I know... A big word to use for a sports-themed journal entry, haha) during the 4th quarter...when MVP Hines Ward scored a touchdown off that gadget play by Antwaan Randle El and Willie Parker. Of course, had I known the Steelers won 4 previous titles, I would’ve rooted for the Seahawks (Can you tell I'm a die-hard football fan?). Then again, maybe not. I never root for the underdogs... Always the sure-bets... Whether it be the Bulls in the 90s, the Yankees in October (that is, when the Angels aren’t in the playoffs...and I'm well aware that New York hasn't won since 2000), or the New England Patrio— Nevermind, that one was a bad example. Not that I have ever bet money on those teams, haha.

Super Bowl commercial highlights: a few of the Budweiser spots, the Ameriquest commercial where that lady gets caught on that guy's lap on an airliner, that Burger King Whopper "musical", the Godaddy.com spot with that hot babe about to lose one of her bra straps and that Careerbuilder.com ad where the dude is working in that office full of monkeys. Hi-larious.

But what was up with the movie spots?? The only noteworthy teasers were the ones for V for Vendetta and Pirates of the Carribbean 2. Shaggy Dog?? What the heck was Tim Allen thinking?? If that’s the kinda garbage he’s gonna make (when he’s not doing crappy Christmas-themed films), then stick with stand-up comedy. And what the heck was Harrison Ford thinking doing that Dr. Seuss commercial?? Especially considering he was the only non-NFL dude in that ad... Waiting for the Indy IV script to be completed?? Ugh...



Fortunately, what saved the evening was tonight's "Code Black" episode of Grey’s Anatomy. This is the first time I ever watched the show, but needless to say, this show is good! No wonder why Sandra Oh won that Golden Globe... What actually got me to stick around to watch this episode (I attended a co-worker’s Super Bowl Party in Hollywood) was Oh’s reaction when the door to that ambulance opened in the commercial. Awesome. Keep in mind I watch the FOX show House regularly...but what would've Dr. House done if he came upon some guy with a live artillery shell stuck inside his chest? Brilliant. Now that’s good television.