Friday May 8 – 12:33 P.M. (CT)

-It's a fun time to be a wrestling fan. The ratings are down across the board for WWE and TNA, but I thought last week featured some of the more entertaining programs that WWE has produced in recent memory. It's been fun to watch guys like The Miz and MVP get a chance to shine on the Monday night show, and last week's Smackdown in MSG was fantastic.

TNA Impact wasn't particularly strong last week, but the show is much more entertaining these days than ever before. Yes, there are still flaws and room for improvement, but the product is dramatically better than it was earlier this year. I'm enjoying the overall product more today than at any time during the company's existence.

Sure, there were some classic X Division matches in TNA's past and I wish the company would make said division a priority, but the overall product is more entertaining now than it was back in the glory days of the X Division. Of course, bashing TNA is en vogue with internet fans so it might take a while before some people are willing to admit the company has made progress, but I am definitely seeing improvement.

There are plenty of theories as to why the ratings are down for WWE and TNA programming. Is it the NBA playoffs? Stronger opposition than usual during the May sweeps? The lack of Triple H and very little John Cena on Monday nights? Whatever the cause, the ratings will improve eventually if the companies continue to produce quality television shows.

-One of the Carolina newspapers recently reported that Reid Flair was busted with black tar heroin. I've never heard of this particular type of heroin, but the article noted that it's even more dangerous than regular heroin. Let me get this straight. Drug dealers are actually coming up with ways to deliver a product that's more potent, more dangerous, and more addictive than plain old heroin?

Was there a meeting between drug dealers where someone stood up and said, "You know, heroin is ultra-addictive and we've made billions selling it on the street to junkies, but I think we can do better." Rather than jail these people, maybe it's time the authorities round them up and force them to work in cancer research. Seriously, WTF?

-I heard a knock on my doorbell while Rich Twilling and I were recording last week's Dot Net Weekly audio show for the Dot Net Members' site. I went to the front door and found a package, and then spotted my mailman wearing a helmet even though he was driving a postal truck. Again, WTF?

Ever since I saw him, I've had this strange desire to wait for him to arrive, sneak up behind him, and hit him over the head with a hammer. Don't get me wrong, I have no desire to harm the man, but I'd love to tell him, "Wow, it's a good thing you were waring that helmet." Yes, I have issues.

-I caught the midnight showing of the new Star Trek movie last night. No, I'm not a Trekkie. The midnight showing just worked out nicely with my schedule (although I'm paying the price today for staying up so late), and part of the appeal was going to check out the Trekkie's who dressed up like their favorite character.

Where have all the real Trekkie's gone? The theater was packed, but it was filled primarily with college kids and only a couple of them dressed up like dorks. I did see a woman wearing an "I Love Nerds" t-shirt, but even she had to be disappointed by the lack of legit nerds in attendance.

Anyway, the movie was fun. I know the basics of the show from my childhood, but I was always more of a Star Wars fan. In fact I'm not sure if I would have went to see a Star Trek film had it not been directed by J.J. Abrams. The movie was very well done and I enjoyed it much more than Wolverine, which I caught last weekend.

It helps to be familiar with the basic character info of the Star Trek television show, but my younger brother loved the movie even though he's only familiar with Captain Kirk and Spock. In other words, familiarity with the series will help you enjoy the movie more, but you can go in with no knowledge of the show and still enjoy the movie. I never thought I'd say this about a Star Trek movie, but I highly recommend it.

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