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Free on iTunes - Damages, Rockers, Wolves, Salsa
Friday, August 3rd, 2007 at 6:15 PM - by

Remember Ted Danson? He was the recovering alcoholic, skirt chasing, ex-baseballer who owned and operated Cheers, the bar where everybody knows your name. (Norm!)
After Cheers Ted kinda dropped off the radar. I'm sure he's done some things here and there, but nothing memorable (with the possible exception of his role as Captain Hamill in Saving Private Ryan).
Well, Ted's all grey now, but that doesn't mean he's had it with acting, in fact, Ted's appearing with Glenn Close in the new FX series, Damages.
Yes, it's another law drama, but Glenn Close, who is usually found on the big screen, plays the tough lead litigator, Patty Hewes. Danson plays a corporate swindler who winds up in Patty's sights. The free pilot episode centers on the cat and mouse game between them and how it affects the lives of those around them.
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It's actually very watchable. Glenn Close does an excellent job as the Iron Maiden lawyer whose tenaciousness and tactics swamps the lives of Ellen, Patty's new protege, and Ellen's boyfriend, David. Ted Danson is top notch as the ex-CEO rip-off artist, Aurthur Frobisher, who is determined to keep his ill-gotten gains.
Check out the pilot episode of Damages, free this week at the iTunes Store.
OK, next up is a reality show. I'm not going to complain about reality shows this week, I'm sure you've heard it all before.
The Rock Life is about a fledgling rock band looking for a break. Cameras follow as long hair gets flung, groupie hips gyrate, and pseudo-crisis pop up like Jiffy-Pop on a high burner.
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The band is named Whitestarr and they are not half bad if you like late 70's to mid-80's rock. The show is no different than other shows of this type, except no one here appears to be gay (not that there's anything wrong with that).
The Rock Life is an interesting diversion for when you tire of Guitar Hero, so grab the free episode and rock on.
And when you get done with the loud music and long hair you might want to chill and take in an audiobook. You're in luck because this week there's a free chapter of a new book series by Michelle Paver called Wolf Brother: Chronicles of Ancient Darkness.
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Ian McKellen narrates this tale of a young boy and his wolf companion as they struggle against an unspeakable evil. As I listened I couldn't help but imagine Gandalf reading to me, which is not a bad thing. While it 's true that this book is geared for a young audience (early to mid-teens), Mr. McKellen in the guise of The Lord of the Rings wizard, as The X-Men's Magneto, or as himself has a voice that commands your attention. It's a shame you only get one chapter free, you'll want to hear more, but then, I guess that's the point of the free chapter, huh?
Pick up the free chapter of Wolf Brother: Chronicles of Darkness at the iTunes Store.
Ok, time to get a beat up in this b..., um, place.
I'm not a bad dancer, but I've always wanted to learn some of the latin dances. I'm not talking about that competition ballroom stuff where everything is executed so precisely it looks more like a military operation than dancing.
No, what I want is some butt shaking, hip swaying, sexy, sweaty, up-close and personal latin club dancing. Yeah, that's what I want to learn. Who's with me?
Well, there seems to be a podcast for just about anything, why not one for latin dance? Addicted 2 Salsa is just what we need. In episode one Anthony and Stephanie demo basic salsa steps without fanfare. I like it! In subsequent episodes the pair show you more advanced steps and the next thing you know you've got a bit of latin booty shaking going on.
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Even if you've got the grace of a drunk with bunions and two left feet you'll be surprised at how easy it is to step (..., 2, 3, 4,...). I'm telling ya; there are few things hotter than being able to cut a rug latin style.
There are 29 episodes so far and while each is pretty short - about 1 to 3 minutes- they are all free. How can you not like something that's guaranteed to make you sexier and it won't cost you a cent? Addicted 2 Salsa; get it.
And if you need to music fro practicing your new moves check out Alegria, one of this week's iTunes Store free singles from B-Side Players. I don't understand a word they are saying, the beat is smokin'.
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More feestuff on the iTunes Store:
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Vern Seward is a writer who currently lives in Orlando, FL. He's been a Mac fan since Atari Computers folded, but has worked with computers of nearly every type for 20 years.
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