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If I had won that $640 million...

In case you are wondering, and I know not a single one of you is, I do not hold, nor am I one of the three people who possess, that winning $640 Mega-Millions lottery ticket from March 30. Like I really had a chance! Quite frankly, the odds are more in my favor to fly, maybe even pilot, a starship through an asteroid field, as Han Solo (Harrison Ford) did, defying the odds spoken by protocol droid C3PO (3,720 to 1) in “The Empire Strikes Back” (1980), than to win a lottery worth more than $600 million.

Final days overpower Houston's legacy

“They’re devils to me . . . and they’re out to eat my flesh.” That was one among several memorable quotes uttered by six-time Grammy Award-winning singer Whitney Houston over the years. The comment in particular was from a 1996 interview in Redbook magazine on her opinion of the media.

No such thing as the perfect candidate

"When are you going to learn that in presidential elections there is no such thing as the perfect candidate?" That was the response I sent a friend of mine after an email he sent me about the ABC Nightline interview that aired Jan. 19 with Newt Gingrich's ex-wife Marianne.

Why we're avoiding movie theaters these days

"We make a lot of s----- movies. Every one of them breaks my heart." Such are the words spoken by Universal Studios President Ron Meyer in a November article at www.huffingtonpost.com, admitting his studio makes a lot of awful movies. I cannot help but agree.

Grief for Korean leader troublesome

"They're grieving like they knew the man." Such was the line uttered by disgruntled and supposed conspirator ex-FBI agent Guy Banister (Ed Asner) in Oliver Stone's "JFK" (1991) as he expressed disgust watching Americans grieve at the news that President John F.

Welcome to 'Murder House'

"I guess these guys were into the kinky stuff, huh?" So said Dan Harmon (Dylan McDermott) upon seeing what his wife, Vivien (Connie Britton) stumbled across in the attic of their new Los Angeles home nicknamed Murder House. That's where the couple, along with their daughter (Taissa Farmiga), moved into in the pilot episode of  "American Horror Story"  that premiered on the FX cable TV channel in early October.

Sandusky's unfortunate book title

"Within his words … between the lines … lies the truth." Such are the phrases I saw splashed across the big screen in the trailer for "Anonymous," director Roland Emmerich's latest conspiracy minded/non-sci-fi disaster movie that entertains the notion that the famous plays William Shakespeare wrote were actually written by someone else.

What's wrong with violent lyrics?

A few weeks ago, while working out with my fitness trainer, I heard a song on the radio for the first time this year titled "Pumped Up Kicks" by the American pop group Foster the People. Granted, I am not much into what the younger-than-40 generation listens to today, but I thought the song had a good beat to it and was the kind of tune people might dance to at a nightclub.

Gadhafi on list of most colorful real-life villains

I think I learned more humorous tidbits about former Libyan dictator Col. Moammar Gadhafi this year since the downfall of his 42-year regime began last March than I ever did in decades past.  It all ended with his much-publicized bloody death at the hands of his own people in his hometown of Sirte Oct.

Supernatural or not?

Despite my growing fascination with supposedly real-life supernatural events, thanks to my reading such magazines as Fortean Times and Paranormal and watching documentaries on the Discovery, History and Travel channels, I remain skeptical on whether ghosts exist.

Remembering the man whose products made us "think differently"

"I remember the first time I got a Mac. I thought when I opened it up, I don't know if I should turn it on or hug it," Today co-host Savannah Guthrie said Oct. 6, the day after Apple founder Steve Jobs passed away at 56. "It (the Mac) was so cute, for lack of a better word.

Footloose 2011

Needless movie remakes NEVER replace the originals

If the release date of "Footloose" and "The Thing" fell on Friday the 13th instead of Friday, Oct. 14, I would warmly welcome that day of bad luck in hopes both these movies flop at the box office. "Footloose" is an update of the 1984 dance movie that starred Kevin Bacon.

400+ cable stations - but nothing to watch!

"Joe, step away from the TV." That was a comment a former co-worker posted on Facebook back in December after reading a few remarks I posted on her page referencing various television shows. Although I am 110 percent certain she was joking, I admit I was a little offended, at first, as she made it sound as though all I do on my off time is watch television.

Star Wars Blu ray

'Star Wars' arrives on Blu-ray

I couldn't help but laugh at how "Star Wars" fans at last August's Celebration V in Orlando, Fla., applauded when they saw a never-before-seen, deleted opening scene from "Return of the Jedi" (1983). It accompanied the announcement from creator George Lucas that both the original and prequel trilogies were coming to Blu-ray in late 2011.

No more Oscar predictions for this writer

This year marks the first time since I have been writing for various publications (off and on since 1991) that I will not issue predictions of who will win on Oscar night, Feb. 27. Barbara Walters last year said she would do no more hour-long specials before the Oscars, saying, "I'm thrilled we have such great stars and have such a wonderful show, but to be honest, I feel like I've been there, done that.

News More »

  • Tornado warnings prompt safety measures

    Tornado warning sirens were sounded around the campus last Tuesday around 2 p.m. when severe weather swept through Dallas County. Students were instructed to go to the catacombs of the college where they would be protected from possible tornadoes or damaging weather.

Sports More »

  • Everybody out of the pool

    Summer is coming soon and many students are getting ready for swim season. Unfortunately, the campus pool will remain closed and will be filled in the future. The campus pool is closed to students and faculty. A discussion is under way to identify other uses for the gated area in which it is located.

A&E More »

  • The Cabin in the Woods

    “The Cabin in the Woods” claims “You think you know the story,” and it’s 100 percent truthful. Coming from Joss Whedon,  creator of the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” TV series and director, co-writer of the upcoming “The Avengers” and Drew Goddard (“Cloverfield”), screenwriter, this is a horror movie unlike any you’ve ever seen.

  • Splatters The Splatters

    “The Splatters” is the cutest game ever! At least a girl will likely think so. A guy? Maybe not so much. But “The Splatters” presents itself with bright fun colors with retro arcade style music that is upbeat and entertaining. This isn’t just any ordinary skill game.

  • Prototype 2

    Radical Entertainment returns with “Prototype 2” bringing back shape-shifting and sandbox action world that all of us gamers have come to love and to know. In this second installment players take on the role of Sgt. James Heller. The ultimate goal is to annihilate the original and not-so-heroic Prototype, Alex Mercer, the man who infected Heller and turned him into a monster.

  • Wrath of the Titans

    Two years ago Legendary Pictures unleashed a pile of trash upon us that they tried to pass off as “Clash of the Titans.” Besides the last few minutes of the film where Zeus famously releases the ferocious Kraken, the film was an utter post-converted 3D mess.

Campus More »

  • Students locked out of buildings

    Students are once again being locked out of some Richland College buildings on weekend evenings. Those students who arrive between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sundays usually find the campus building doors unlocked. Others arriving later usually find the doors locked.

  • Flash mob invades Earth Day fest

    Mother nature didn’t stop students from celebrating Earth Day last Friday. Despite the rain for the second year in a row, students came out to the Breezeway to enjoy food and entertainment. The Office of Student Life and representatives from the Student Government Association helped host the event, passing out peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and snacks for students.

  • 'Proof' explores intense family relationships

    Imagine what it would be like to be the one person who discovered something really important and world-changing. An experience like that would be mind-boggling. That is the focus of playwright David Auburn’s 2000 drama titled “Proof,” which won the 2001 Tony Award for best play, as well as the 2001 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

  • SGA supports Wounded Warrior Project

    The success of the Student Government Association’s fundraising project to support the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) has gone beyond the Richland campus as representatives from Richland and the rest of the Texas Junior College Student Government Association’s Region II presented the project at the organization’s state convention in Austin.

  • RCHS senior turns green thumb into passion

    Writing an extensive essay isn’t anything new for RCHS students working on their senior projects, but one student is pushing hers past the paper. Lauren Benefield is the founder of the Prosperity Gardens Club and isn’t just striving for an A. She’s hoping her knowledge and passion for horticulture will be something that Richland will benefit from even after she graduates.

Columns More »

  • Campus biking initiatives need to be reformed

    Let’s get serious here for a moment.  If our school can afford to erect a national environmental showcase like the splendid new Sabine Hall and to construct more, and periodically resurface its existing parking lots, it can surely afford to make some other simple and much cheaper changes to actively promote bicycling.

  • If I had won that $640 million...

    In case you are wondering, and I know not a single one of you is, I do not hold, nor am I one of the three people who possess, that winning $640 Mega-Millions lottery ticket from March 30. Like I really had a chance! Quite frankly, the odds are more in my favor to fly, maybe even pilot, a starship through an asteroid field, as Han Solo (Harrison Ford) did, defying the odds spoken by protocol droid C3PO (3,720 to 1) in “The Empire Strikes Back” (1980), than to win a lottery worth more than $600 million.