Jenkat Games or Jencat Games, call us whatever makes you feel good!

While I never slept on New Kids on the Block pillowcase or anything,  back in the late 80’s/early 90’s (I can and will now shamefully admit that) I thought member Jonathan Knight was a tasty teen dream back then, and that I seriously could not get their hit song “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” out of my head for like, a year.

So, today I see a story that the New Kids are currently making plans to tour, and have recorded a new single called “Summertime” - in spite of their silly band name that was chosen without any consideration or plan for musical longevity. 

I jumped on the NKOTB Official MySpace to find the song and give it a listen, hoping that the track would be filled with the glorious pop hooks, dance beats and melodies of old.  Alas, ’twas not to be.  I am more thana little disappointed - maybe they should have head-hunted Timbaland to collaborate with them… You may speak with a crazy British accent, but you are a thinking diva, Madonna.  Just saying, Timbaland is King Midas when it comes to keeping artists that should by now be considered “has-beens”, relevant. 

Maybe it’s because I currently have my house on the market - but these guys all look like real estate agents to me now.  Jonathan isn’t exactly my type anymore, either - he’s just a little too pretty for my tastes.  Give me furry and funny over pretty and plastic any day!

Just wondering if anyone out there has plans to re-live their first boy band obsession by seeing these guys on tour?  If so, we expect a review! 

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 13th, 2008 at 3:37 pm and is filed under Music.

Would you believe that the temperature in Colorado Springs (a.k.a., the location of the Jenkat Games bunker) is only 41 degrees today?  It’s dreary and wet, and I am in no mood for it.    I must be lacking in Vitamin D.

And to make matters worse, my allergies appear to be out of control today - the runny nose, scratchy throat, watery eyes, the whole deal.  Doesn’t that just figure?  Ah well, at least this little guy can relate.  And since my mom is in town visiting Jenkat headquarters, I can sneak up behind her just when I am about to sneeze, and get my jollies at the expense of her similar reaction:

*Chuckle* 

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 13th, 2008 at 1:03 pm and is filed under Videos, Comedy.

This week I decided that I want to try and post a weekly blog (every Friday), listing my top 5 iTunes songs of the week.  I really am obsessed with finding songs, both new and old via iTunes, and I am hoping this will open up a discussion with other music lovers lurking around Jenkat, and help tune me in to new music I might like.  I am pretty much open to anything except hardcore rap, and I rarely leave the house without my iPod - it is basically technology’s replacement for the Teddy Bear!  And a side note, have you seen that some companies apparently agree with me on this - and have combined the two?  Click the image of the bear to see what I mean. 

Anyway, I will be posting my favorite songs weekly, and I hope you guys will leave your comments and suggestions about the songs that you are currently listening to, as I rarely hear stuff I like on the radio anymore.  So, without further ado, here is my first installment of Jovi’s Friday Jams:

5. Losing Me (Perdido en Ti) by Diego - This one is a current free download on iTunes (this week only), and I suggest you download it posthaste if you love a soaring melody.  I believe that rising Latin sensation Diego’s first language might be Spanish, but you wouldn’t know it when he sings this song in English.

4. My Way by Butch Walker - This one is a bit of an oldie (released in 2002), but it’s got one heck of a hook.  Butch is the former frontman of the band Marvelous 3, which enjoyed some moderate success in the late 1990’s.  This guy is an amazing songwriter - you gotta trust me!  If you have never heard of him, this is definitely a good one to check out.

3. The Music of the Night (American Idol Studio Version) by David Cook - If you read my American Idol blogs, you all know by now that David Cook is the dark horse coming on strong at the end, and I think this was the song that sealed his fate in the top two… is it too early to assume that he’ll be there?  Methinks no.  The studio version of this performance is just dreamy - who would have thought Daughtry Junior had such a lovely falsetto?

2. Nine Lives by Def Leppard featuring Tim McGraw - A very solid uptempo ditty by my favorite band of all time.  Now would be a good time to prepare you to expect to see Def Leppard on this list frequently.    Joe Elliott and Tim Mc Graw perform the verses in sort of a call out and response fashion, and I admit, at times it is hard to tell them apart.  I have this entire CD (natch), and this is nowhere near the best song on the album - but as a single, I gotta admit it’s pretty catchy.  And did I mention I live next door to a guy that looks just like Tim McGraw?  Well, I do.

1. Shake It by Metro Station - This one was a totally random iTunes find for me, but I am so digging on it!  Very poppy, very synth heavy, and a little retro sounding.  Even their name reminds me of the 80’s.  The song itself sounds like it came off of a John Hughes movie soundtrack - and that’s a GOOD thing!  This one could be my Memorial Day jam of choice.

Have a great weekend, and I’ll see ya next week!

This entry was posted on Friday, May 9th, 2008 at 7:43 pm and is filed under Music.

It appears that after last night’s elimination of Jason Castro, all is just how it should be in Idol Land. Thank goodness Teflon®-coated Syesha will live to sing another day (I guess).  Well, when I say “all is well”, I mean - except for the fact that Michael Johns won’t be performing in the Top 3 while sporting a tight black t-shirt and leather pants… I do regret that I won’t be treated to an Aussie “gun show” come next week.  Other than that, things are fine and dandy.  And will continue to be so long as D-Cook continues to ride the wave.

I have to admit, after the season-long blubber-fest courtesy of nanny Brooke White, and then the tearful breakdown from Syesha this week - it was very refreshing to see a contestant head home that didn’t go all weepy and whiney on us.  Jason took it as well as any burner worth his salt (or “oregano”) should.  And even though his lost-lyric perfomance of Mr. Tambourine Man reminded me of this:

…he will live on in my heart as the guy whose most difficult challenge in life has been dealing with being dead brain… or is it brain dead?  Whatever.  We all have struggles.

Good luck to my personal favorite American Idol contestant named after a dictator, Jason Castro - as he heads off into the sunset to learn about Cuba, and have some food!

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 8th, 2008 at 4:02 pm and is filed under Television, American Idol.

Well, there are only four Idol hopefuls left, and let’s be honest - by now it is more than obvious that our final two should (and probably will be) Little David vs. Big David.  I don’t know how many of you even pay attention, but I haven’t posted an Idol-related blog in about three weeks.  The reason being - the joy has been sucked out of the show for me this year.  Maybe it’s because I am in the middle of big changes in my personal and work life (good ones!), but the show just isn’t holding my attention like it did in seasons past.  I blame the producers for constantly trying to fix what isn’t broken, terrible theme weeks and overhyping the poor contestants to no end.

My initial horse in the race, Michael Johns, went home way too early, so I am probably just a wee bit bitter.  That aside, I just don’t see a lot of luster and star quality flowing forth from the remaining four contestants - save for my new object of affection - a.k.a. Big David.  If he doesn’t win this thing, then I will eat that newly purchased set of Tupperware awaiting delivery to my mother this Sunday.  He has the most potential for commercial success, he’s kinda sexy in spite of that big ol’ skull, and he seems to be the one that tries the hardest, and usually succeeds in his Idol experiements… thereby offering up the biggest reward for the audience.  His first song choice (in theory) should have been really good lfor him ast night (it wasn’t), and the second, while a great choice for him (Baba O’Riley RULES, thank you) might have been amazing had he not been required to cut the song down to a minute and a half.  As far as the “unworthy” go:

Jason Castro - Come on, the guy isn’t even trying.  He’s yawning on stage, and picking “Bob” songs (Dylan and Marley) to show off his vocal “skillz”?  Seriously.  Dude is not edgy enough to carry the name of a dictator… just go home and blaze up, already.

Syesha Mercado - Meh.  I never expected this girl to make the top 10, but apparently America loves shrieky, oversung R & B classics.  Girlfriend is made of Teflon®, but that won’t be enough to get her to the final two.  She definitely gets my vote for Best Dressed, but would Simon give a banger about that?

and lastly…

David Archleta, The Boy Wonder - This is where the hate comments and mail come in *see Jovi duck*.  For me, The Boy Wonder is sort of a younger Clay Aiken with higher testosterone levels.  Meaning - I don’t imagine that he will have much success anywhere other than the AC charts.  By the way, AC ain’t just the initials on David Cook’s guitar - it also means Adult Contemporary for those of us who aren’t Billboard chart geeks, right TC?    However, I am willing to concede that for the first time in weeks David finally came on and belted out a really memorable vocal last night - his version of “Stand By Me” was goosebump inducing for me (the runs in the chorus were like buttah), and he stood out amongst the grand pile of crap and mediocrity of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Week.  And, that includes my man David Cook - I luff him, but he is gonna have to BRING IT if he wants or expects to be the first rocker to take the pop idol title.

So, in a nutshell, that is where I am at.  Tonight, I really think anyone could go home, as wonky as this season has been thus far.  However, my money is riding on Jason Castro - I doubt The Powers That Be want him there anymore, and his fan base was likely too inebriated to vote.

What about you guys - is anyone here still watching the show, or have you all moved on to summer vacation without me?

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 7th, 2008 at 7:16 pm and is filed under Television, American Idol.

Children of the 80’s, I think you will all agree with me that no televison star from that era is more worthy of a career resurgence than our favorite housekeeper/boarding school mother figure - Charlotte Rae.  And, she is back with a vengeance, i.e., a promoted movie role:

‘Mrs. Garrett’ teaches Adam Sandler character facts of life

Spoiler alert!!!

Mrs. G as a cougar?  I haven’t even had dinner yet, but it already feels like dessert has been served… and then, came back up in my mouth a little bit.  Good on you, Mr. Sandler!

Now if only someone with comedic influence in Hollywood would offer up a comeback vehicle for Ms. Rae’s Facts of Life co-star, Blair Warner’s dear cousin Geri… she wasn’t too shabby on HBO’s Deadwood.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 7th, 2008 at 5:55 pm and is filed under Television, Movies.

Who would have thunk it?  Apparently it is cool to admit affection for George Michael again.  Thanks, Eli Stone!

I stopped being cool and trendy when it comes to music loooong ago, so I don’t have a problem admitting that I love me some Wham! (feel free to Google ”80’s European pop has-beens”), and even a few of George’s solo efforts tickle my pop lovin’ tootsies.  G’ ahead, laugh; I can take it.

I remember watching George’s performances during the Freddie Mercury tribute concert, and thinking that the guy was pretty phenomenal live - and probably very underrated for his vocal abilites - likely because of his ultra-poppish catalog of music.  Well, Mr. Michael has decided to finally stop hanging out in mens’ rooms, and is hitting the road, touring America for the first time in 17 years.  His “25 Live” tour kicks off in San Diego, and will take him to a total of 20 cities in support of his new album, which features duets with Mary J. Blige and Paul McCartney. 

Of course, he won’t be coming to Colorado - but really, who does?  I think singers must be afraid of the altitude.  In case you live in a city where big tours actually stop, here are the dates:

June 17: San Diego/San Diego Sports Arena
June 19: San Jose, Calif./HP Pavilion
June 21: Las Vegas/MGM Grand
June 22: Phoenix/US Airways Center
June 25: Los Angeles/Great Western Forum
July 2: Seattle/Key Arena
July 4: Vancouver/General Motors Place
July 7: St. Paul/Xcel Energy Center
July 9: Chicago/United Center
July 13: Dallas/American Airlines Center
July 14: Houston/Toyota Center
July 17: Toronto/Air Canada Centre
July 18: Montreal/Bell Centre
July 21 and 23: New York/Madison Square Garden
July 26: Philadelphia/Wachovia Center
July 27: Boston/TD Banknorth Garden
July 29: Washington, D.C./Verizon Center
July 31: Atlanta/Philips Arena
Aug. 2: Tampa/St. Pete Times Forum
Aug. 3: Sunrise, Fla./Bank Atlantic Center

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 7th, 2008 at 4:08 pm and is filed under Music.

Well, I guess this would explain why Angela Kinsey’s character (Angela Martin) has been hiding behind a desk since The Office returned to the airwaves post-strike:

The Office’s Angela Kinsey Has a Baby Girl

Many congrats and best wishes to the happy couple!  In honor of the blessed event, you know I cannot resist posting an Office-related clip - actually, it is a song and a montage - but a great tribute, starring none other than new momma Angela in some of her funniest moments. 

This entry was posted on Monday, May 5th, 2008 at 7:35 pm and is filed under Videos, Television.

My smart aleck brother (who drives a Honda) sent this to me.  Not very funny when you drive an SUV. 

This entry was posted on Monday, May 5th, 2008 at 3:26 pm and is filed under Comedy, Photos.

Happy Monday, Kats!

I just downloaded Tumblebugs 2 over the weekend, and I am enjoying it verily!  I loved playing the original online version of Tumblebugs at my former place of employment, and always hoped for a sequel.  I had actually given up that hope long ago, as the original Tumblebugs was released back in 2005! 

For anyone else that has given the game a try - is it just me, or is the first level really hard?  I guess I need to investigate further to see if there has been some new gameplay element added to the new version that I’ve missed - something required to pass the level that I am neglecting.  After several tries, I am struggling… and it is bugging me out.  Pun intended. 

The graphics of the game seem to be just as good as the original - not really better, but definitely on par.  I am learning that I shouldn’t play in full screen mode, because seeing the bugs rotate on a fairly large widescreen monitor is making me queasy!  Playing in window mode seems to solve that for me.

All in all, this very Zuma-esque game seems pretty fun, and worth a try.  And, if you have any hints for me - please comment below.  I stink at this game, and I was a semi-wiz when I played the original.  Guess I need more practice.

This entry was posted on Monday, May 5th, 2008 at 2:57 pm and is filed under Jenkat, Games.