Monthly Archives: September 2012

Cryptic Post #1

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Hahaha. After all the yammering I do about people being guilty of this on Facebook, now I write one here?

Not really, no. I mean I could, but I won’t. I want to, but…seriously, I have to say that just for general purposes, we should all — myself included, absolutely — do the following, for the greater good:

  1. Do unto others…
  2. Tell the truth to people you care about, even if it’s uncomfortable — but also be willing to hear the truth.
  3. Open doors for people. And I don’t mean in the metaphorical sense. I mean, if someone’s behind you, or struggling with an armload of stuff — be nice and open the door. :-)
  4. Bring somebody some chocolate once in awhile. It makes you feel good. (PM me for my address.)
  5. If someone insults you, forgive him first, then go to him and work it out, as calmly and quietly as possible.
  6. Trusting someone with your private thoughts is a huge deal, and must never be entered into lightly.
  7. Always, always try to choose kindness first, and resist with all your might the urge to put the smackdown on someone because it would make you feel superior.
  8. Be OK with the fact that sometimes you’re the dog, and sometimes you’re the fire hydrant. It happens.
  9. Choose one person per day to build up and encourage with a kind comment.
  10. Live by Google’s (alleged) motto: “Don’t be evil.”
Start with #11 if you got any!

 

A little ouchy

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It was bound to happen…I mean, I’m not upset or anything, and I **love** Homeland, but Mad Men’s choke hold on the Emmys ended last night. Could it be that the show is approaching yesterday’s news status because the end is near? Same with Breaking Bad, mayhap?

Why do we get so attached to pretend stories on TV? It’s an age-old question, whether its books or movies or plays, I suppose. It’s the transcendent quality of stories that lifts us out of our daily lives and allows us to vicariously experience things we never would consider doing in realtime. I’ve always been a sucker for a fantastic tale.

But, as with all things, I suppose stories run their course in time, and eventually the day comes when things move on. I’m not looking forward to seeing my favorite stories end (MM and BB), but I understand they can’t be endless yarns. Anyway, I’m trying to analyze why I like my favorite shows. Here’s a weak attempt:

  1. Mad Men. Without a doubt, it’s the nostalgia. I was a child of the 1960s, and I remember the clothing styles, the hairstyles, the furniture, the newspaper ads, the billboards, the cars…everything rings true to me. It’s transcendent. Add to that a handsome cast, brilliant writing and great music, and I’m hooked.
  2. Breaking Bad. I guess that, as a teacher, I cannot even fathom doing something like Walt does and actually getting away with it. I watch every week to see how far he is going to go next, and to see Jesse advance in his humanity as Walt degrades his own. Where will all the betrayal and secrets end? We’ll find out this summer, when the final episodes air.
  3. True Blood. I just love vampire stuff. It all started with my accidentally picking up a copy of Interview with the Vampire back in the early 90s. It’s a guilty pleasure. Vampires are dangerous and intensely romantic. And then there’s that whole live forever as an insanely wealthy eccentric thing…
  4. The Newsroom. I really hope HBO keeps this. Aaron Sorkin is not everyone’s bag of chips — I don’t even buy all his ideas — but it makes for great storytelling.
  5. Once Upon a Time. I love fairy tales! And this one has entertaining characters and a wacky, fantastic plot.
  6. Game of Thrones and Boardwalk Empire. I love fantasy and history.

There’s more, but I’m out of time. But if you have time, tell why you love your fave TV or movie. Who knows, maybe I’ll take a recommendation from you. My DVR ain’t half full. :P

Happy Monkday!

Double duty

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This post serves two purposes today: thumbs-up progress report and movie review.

Update on The Visit: the pies (chocolate and coconut cream) were awesome. Daddy and I waited at Lyn-Way while they assembled them fresh. LEKKER. There was great conversation while we waited to hear about Mavis’s hospital test (turns out there wasn’t a radiologist there to read it, so we have to wait some more).

Then, while Daddy and the Thriller went out to the garage to figure out what’s wrong (again) with the Finkmobile, Kathy and I decided to drive out to the county fair. Turns out, the boys had the problem figured out by the time we got our shoes and coats on — bonus! We saw lots of horses (her favorite, and every horse she petted and talked to knew it) and sampled the incredible food on the midway. When we got back, they left so Daddy could nap at the hotel (he’s still recovering from shoulder surgery).

BFF Kay, Seamus and Hannah stopped by around dinnertime for a chat. The boy ended up out on the porch with his Granddaddy for over an hour, talking about cars. It was awesome, and Mama Fink was six kinds of happy and proud. Can’t wait for Lars to meet him tonight, where the conversation will no doubt turn to guitars.

After K and the kids went on their way, we rented Cabin in the Woods — something Daddy and the Thriller wanted to see. As usual, I had the pillow in front of my face for much of the time, so this review will be based on sound as much as actual viewing.

It’s a satirical twist on the slash-and-gore genre. And there is a reason why the cabin is suspended in mid-air on the poster. There are puppeteers. That’s all I’ll say about that.

Of course, there was the obligatory and ubiquitous head lopping and skin ripping that make these movies so ooky to me. The men in the room laughed at the gory parts; I, however, take them all too seriously, which significantly impedes my ability to “enjoy” films like this. Still, I will say that it was somewhat satisfying to see an ending — however bizarre — that didn’t follow the standard slasher story recipe.

With plenty of jump-out-and-BOO! moments, some smart-aleck comedy provided by one of my favorite actors (West Wing‘s Bradley Whitford), and the requisite pretty boys & girls, it’s a rather interesting variation on what is, to me, an old, tired theme. But you horror fans might dig it.

On the Rat-O-Meter scale of five cheeses, I give Cabin in the Woods:

Happy Saturnday to all! The grand finale family get-together is tonight — can’t wait. :-)

Cool surprise

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So I got a phone call on Wednesday night, saying Daddy & Kathy had already arrived in town!

When I got home from school last night, the five of us went out for dinner and laughs, and had a grand time. Today, we’re off to Mansfield to do some shopping, and tonight — well, who knows? Tomorrow night is the big pizza feast, and there will surely be photos taken. It’s an awesome visit so far.

Yo homies, smell ya later. I don’t have to go to school today, AND there is pie for breakfast. What a country.

:-D