So it seems a bunch of Secret Service agents as well as members of the US Military hired some hos down in Cartagggggena Columbia. (Love saying Cartagena - remember Romancing the Stone?)
I for one am shocked, shocked, SHOCKED that men who have chosen a career that involves intensive training with firearms, international travel and intrigue, not to mention prestige and frequent high pressure situations at great personal risk at the highest possible stakes - would ever entertain the idea of meaningless sex with attractive (or at least not super ugly) women.
Let's get real and get a grip.
Anyone who doesn't know or who can't comprehend that this sort of thing has been going on in the Secret Service, FBI, CIA, NSA, military, etc. etc. etc. for decades on end is beyond naive.
Beyond that - this sort of behavior, from those in positions that involve soldiering and or body guarding or both - stretches back to time immemorial. They don't call it the world's oldest profession for nothing, and the feigned outrage by our government and the media is fairly ridiculous.
But that has been the theme so far in these last six months of politics across the country.
Blah blah blah... War on women... blah blah blah... Obama eats dogs... blah blah blah... Romney hates cookies... blah blah blah... OUTRAGE!
It is truly the time to be OUTRAGED, apparently. Because it's not enough to try and focus on the stuff that actually matters, like our floundering economy and lack of jobs and a president who is so far over his head that it's not even funny.
That stuff is boring.
Secret Service members like to fuck strangers when they're overseas! OMG! OUTRAGE!
*****
Quick personal story that helped me recognize the way of the world.
I was 27 years old and on my first major solo shoot for my company in Venezuela.
It was me and one other camera operator, we were covering a treasure hunt, 22 miles off the coast on a large ship.
The deep sea crew, about 10 of them, who maintained and operated an ROV (remote operating vehicle) that traveled deep into the ocean to search for wreckage, were a fun bunch of boisterous guys who enjoyed regaling the rest of us at meal time with extremely graphic tales of their sexual conquests with the working girls of Caracas the previous week.
In tandem with the crew, were the investors. A half a dozen guys who were basically shmucks, but were rich. They paid for the prostitutes in Caracas, as well as the entire expedition itself. Both the crew and their benefactors enjoyed reminiscing about various activities, which often they were in the same room with each other to witness in the first place.
"Yeah, it was great getting our dicks sucked. We should do it again when we get back." one of the investors chimed in, clearly enjoying my wide eyed disbelief.
I have to admit, that I was pretty appalled at first. Many of these were married men. But I came to recognize pretty early on, in the way they talked about it, that this was absolutely not a big deal and fairly common for all of them in their travels across the world.
The master diver that commanded the ROV team was an enormous barrel chested man and ex-Navy seal.
He didn't talk much. But others on the team told me stories about him. These stories were not about sex, but just as graphic. The master diver had excelled at killing men, often with his bare hands, for our country. I had no doubt these stories were based on truth, but the men seemed to relish relaying them to me so much that I suspect that many of the details were added and/or embellished.
Regardless, upon meeting him, I had no doubt in my mind that the dive master was a genuine walking bad-ass. Other men on the team, most of who, were also ex-military, admired him and obviously were trying their best to live up to him.
By the way, the master diver, I was told, did not join the men in their whore sharing exploits,
In any event - the point of all this, is not that I approve of boning prostitutes in mass quantities with other guys in the room, but that it was pretty evident that it is exceedingly common among men who fancy themselves as alphas.
The real alphas (the ones who are at the top of their game in military and or mercenary matters) I suspect, don't waste their time too much with booze, women and other vices. But the ones who are driven to a life in pursuit of adrenaline without the talent and or drive to reach the apex of their chosen fields, are absolutely prone to excess, carnal and otherwise.
They want that high, that rush, be it from hurling their bodies in front of the president to take a bullet or hurling themselves on some crab infested hoochie south of the border.
It's not necessarily moral, right or even pleasant, but it's the way it is. "Wheels up, rings off" is the expression that the Secret Service uses when they're abroad, and I suspect that all military and military-esque groups from the US as well as around the world, have similar sayings.
Hell, even in video and film production, there's a very old line... "What goes on location, stays on location." Referring mostly to the propensity for crew members to hook up when out of town or abroad (not so much the prostitution thing as far as I know).
So the point to all of this, and it applies not just to this recent prostitution "scandal" but across the political spectrum as well.
RELAX. Save your phony outrage for something that matters, like the economy. Or jobs. I know it may be a slow news day, but after awhile all this righteous indignation begins to fade away as I tune it out.
A boy can cry wolf, or OUTRAGE, only so many times before it becomes meaningless.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Wednesday, April 04, 2012
Not much to say...
So the Treyvon Martin case...
It's clearly a tragedy and it's clearly a case that should go to trial.
It's also clear that it has been blown WAY out of proportion by the MSM and even by right wing media outlets.
Why? The fact is, were Zimmerman black, no one would care.
Racialists and race baiters are delighting in this case; they are using it in a full court press to advance their own political causes and regressive world views on anyone they can.
Meanwhile they ignore the pervasive dysfunction in the African American community - namely black on black violence.
The numbers are shocking - While African Americans comprise 13.5% of the U.S. Population, 43% of all murder victims in 2007 were African American, 93.1% of whom were killed were African Americans.
And yet nobody seems to care, especially African American community "leaders" such as Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson.
********
Someone asked me today if I was a fan of Ann Coultier.
I sighed and simply responded - "She's not helping..."
She is a loud mouthed demagogue who does way more damage to her cause than help.
I see Al Sharpton and other race bating extortionists like him in the same light. Ostensibly they want peace, understanding and a better world - but they choose to treat the flames of discontent with gasoline.
They are not helping, they are hurting.
When Spike Lee tweets what he thinks is the home address of George Zimmerman, he apologizes only when it appears that he sent out the wrong address.
Really? As if it would be okay if it was Zimmerman's home.
Him and others like him are happy to stay silent on the 50% drop out rate of African Americans in our schools, the 40% prison population rate of African Americans and the mind-blowing 72% of African American babies that are born out of wedlock.
Me - I'll go along with Bill Cosby thanks.
He rambles a bit, but you get the point.
Accountability and responsibility - two of my favorite words and much more likely to get me to get concerned and get involved.
As it is, when knuckleheads like these get involved...
I'm inclined to shrug my shoulders, give a big middle finger and get back to stuff that I care about.
Not much to say at that point - or after relentless, unending coverage of the Martin / Zimmerman case.
In fact, I'm inclined to say the same thing about this case as what most African American leaders say about black on black violence - which is nothing.
Don't care. And I don't lose a wink of sleep over it.
It's clearly a tragedy and it's clearly a case that should go to trial.
It's also clear that it has been blown WAY out of proportion by the MSM and even by right wing media outlets.
Why? The fact is, were Zimmerman black, no one would care.
Racialists and race baiters are delighting in this case; they are using it in a full court press to advance their own political causes and regressive world views on anyone they can.
Meanwhile they ignore the pervasive dysfunction in the African American community - namely black on black violence.
The numbers are shocking - While African Americans comprise 13.5% of the U.S. Population, 43% of all murder victims in 2007 were African American, 93.1% of whom were killed were African Americans.
And yet nobody seems to care, especially African American community "leaders" such as Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson.
********
Someone asked me today if I was a fan of Ann Coultier.
I sighed and simply responded - "She's not helping..."
She is a loud mouthed demagogue who does way more damage to her cause than help.
I see Al Sharpton and other race bating extortionists like him in the same light. Ostensibly they want peace, understanding and a better world - but they choose to treat the flames of discontent with gasoline.
They are not helping, they are hurting.
When Spike Lee tweets what he thinks is the home address of George Zimmerman, he apologizes only when it appears that he sent out the wrong address.
Really? As if it would be okay if it was Zimmerman's home.
Him and others like him are happy to stay silent on the 50% drop out rate of African Americans in our schools, the 40% prison population rate of African Americans and the mind-blowing 72% of African American babies that are born out of wedlock.
Me - I'll go along with Bill Cosby thanks.
He rambles a bit, but you get the point.
Accountability and responsibility - two of my favorite words and much more likely to get me to get concerned and get involved.
As it is, when knuckleheads like these get involved...
I'm inclined to shrug my shoulders, give a big middle finger and get back to stuff that I care about.
Not much to say at that point - or after relentless, unending coverage of the Martin / Zimmerman case.
In fact, I'm inclined to say the same thing about this case as what most African American leaders say about black on black violence - which is nothing.
Don't care. And I don't lose a wink of sleep over it.
Friday, March 02, 2012
A bit much.
As you probably know, I'm a pro-choice, pro-birth control kinda guy. I abhor abortions, but in the long run we have less of them if we keep it safe and legal. Look anywhere in the third world and you can see this, especially in South America - mostly Catholic countries with a fraction of our population and twice as many abortions despite the practice being widely illegal.
As for birth control, it is simply a practical necessity these days with modern human beings. We no longer need to have 9 kids so 6 of them can survive and work in the fields. I find it pretty absurd that religious types try to impose their bizarre and backwards view of sexual health on the rest of us, even more ridiculous is the bible thumping elements in the GOP (you know, the party of smaller and less intrusive government) sticking their noses into our bedrooms.
That said, I have to admit this was pretty incredible to watch...
Uh, huh.
So...
Really?
I am, truly speechless.
*****
UPDATE:
Okay, after reflecting a bit I have a couple of thoughts.
Rush Limbaugh went on the air shortly after this and called Sandra a "slut" and a "prostitute". Whatever, like that's the worst thing he could say. Who cares? Aren't we all human beings who enjoy sex? Albeit not all of us enjoy it with lots of different random people, as the lame word "slut" implies. Such a dreadful word, only because it has such a negative double standard against women, that is firstly because it is super negative against only women who are promiscuous. There is no equivalent term for a man. And second, because having sex can often be a very positive thing and is also very important to living healthy.
But what a stupid thing for RL to say about this porridge brained idiot; her sex drive has nothing to do with her stance. It's her smug, privileged and decadent self of entitlement that boggles my mind. Really? You want congress to pay for your birth control? Are you kidding me? And the absurd part of the video - that young women are being shamed at campuses across the country when they realize that their insurance doesn't cover the pill? So they can't go home and bone away? They have to cough up big bucks (about a dollar) for a condom? (Which she should be using anyway to cut down on the chance of catching something.) Absolutely absurd.
Look. I'm all in favor of women's rights and women's health care, but there has to be some responsibility and some accountability. Sex is wonderful, sex is fantastic, sex feels good. But sex also has consequences if done recklessly and/or in excess. If you are old enough to be having sex, you need to be old enough to step up and be responsible for what happens afterwards - be it all manner of STD's or pregnancy. It is not up to your mommy and daddy (that would be the government) to give you a free pass to fuck.
And I think that's what many on the left who are pro-choice get confused about. They can't grasp that many taxpayers (though not necessarily me) are very offended by a white and privileged dunce like Sandra being indignant about not getting her license to bump uglies with some random drunk at a frat party. Because that's what this incredibly stupid speech implies from the outset. And I guess I can see why RL would take it a step further and make a moral judgement on Sandra's character. I don't really agree with it, but if you have any bit of understanding of people who have different moral standards (that is, they actually have some) then you can at least see where they're coming from. I can anyway.
So then, whatever, Limbaugh's a blow-hard, who cares. But our President decides to go on television and call him out! What a joke.
Why legitimize Rush? Not very presidential. I guess he thinks it's a political opportunity that was handed to him on a silver platter - but to me the President's acknowledgement of Rush as highly influential along with the fact that Rush clearly struck a nerve with Obama, just makes it seem as though the left might actually be on the wrong side of this young woman's character after all.
As for birth control, it is simply a practical necessity these days with modern human beings. We no longer need to have 9 kids so 6 of them can survive and work in the fields. I find it pretty absurd that religious types try to impose their bizarre and backwards view of sexual health on the rest of us, even more ridiculous is the bible thumping elements in the GOP (you know, the party of smaller and less intrusive government) sticking their noses into our bedrooms.
That said, I have to admit this was pretty incredible to watch...
Uh, huh.
So...
Really?
I am, truly speechless.
*****
UPDATE:
Okay, after reflecting a bit I have a couple of thoughts.
Rush Limbaugh went on the air shortly after this and called Sandra a "slut" and a "prostitute". Whatever, like that's the worst thing he could say. Who cares? Aren't we all human beings who enjoy sex? Albeit not all of us enjoy it with lots of different random people, as the lame word "slut" implies. Such a dreadful word, only because it has such a negative double standard against women, that is firstly because it is super negative against only women who are promiscuous. There is no equivalent term for a man. And second, because having sex can often be a very positive thing and is also very important to living healthy.
But what a stupid thing for RL to say about this porridge brained idiot; her sex drive has nothing to do with her stance. It's her smug, privileged and decadent self of entitlement that boggles my mind. Really? You want congress to pay for your birth control? Are you kidding me? And the absurd part of the video - that young women are being shamed at campuses across the country when they realize that their insurance doesn't cover the pill? So they can't go home and bone away? They have to cough up big bucks (about a dollar) for a condom? (Which she should be using anyway to cut down on the chance of catching something.) Absolutely absurd.
Look. I'm all in favor of women's rights and women's health care, but there has to be some responsibility and some accountability. Sex is wonderful, sex is fantastic, sex feels good. But sex also has consequences if done recklessly and/or in excess. If you are old enough to be having sex, you need to be old enough to step up and be responsible for what happens afterwards - be it all manner of STD's or pregnancy. It is not up to your mommy and daddy (that would be the government) to give you a free pass to fuck.
And I think that's what many on the left who are pro-choice get confused about. They can't grasp that many taxpayers (though not necessarily me) are very offended by a white and privileged dunce like Sandra being indignant about not getting her license to bump uglies with some random drunk at a frat party. Because that's what this incredibly stupid speech implies from the outset. And I guess I can see why RL would take it a step further and make a moral judgement on Sandra's character. I don't really agree with it, but if you have any bit of understanding of people who have different moral standards (that is, they actually have some) then you can at least see where they're coming from. I can anyway.
So then, whatever, Limbaugh's a blow-hard, who cares. But our President decides to go on television and call him out! What a joke.
Why legitimize Rush? Not very presidential. I guess he thinks it's a political opportunity that was handed to him on a silver platter - but to me the President's acknowledgement of Rush as highly influential along with the fact that Rush clearly struck a nerve with Obama, just makes it seem as though the left might actually be on the wrong side of this young woman's character after all.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Apologize.
So this is the story the media is selling -
NATO soldiers (yeah, that would be Americans) discover that terrorist prisoners are writing in their US taxpayer dollar funded Korans, so they can communicate with each other and possibly plan dastardly deeds.
So the soldiers confiscate the Korans, and in not wanting to do the wrong thing they research how to properly dispose of a Koran that has been desecrated. Yes, by definition, if you scribble in a Koran you have desecrated it.
So it turns out that the way all the Muslim experts say you should dispose of a desecrated Koran is to burn it. Okay, fine, so the soldiers do it.
Some locals promptly discover the charred remains and proceed to go batshit crazy. I know, what a shocker.
In the space of a few days 2 US soldiers are killed, a dozen Afghan citizens as well and as I write this a story just now has broken about 2 more US "advisors" being shot dead inside the Afghan ministry.
In the midst of this, our president sends a letter of apology to Karzi, which whips the nutballs into an even greater frenzy of rage.
Note to the POTUS - Saying sorry to crazy terrorist assholes just makes them madder. They view it as weak and patronizing.
But then again, some kinds of apologies are the good kind. Witness this heroic young lady.
Now that's the kind of apology I'm talking about.
These assholes can't handle a couple of books being burned. Seriously, that's what all this insanity is about, a couple of books.
So they're sacred. So what. Deal with it. The rest of us have to contend with works of art like "Piss Christ" and so on. Somehow we manage not to slaughter people and burn down the city.
Speaking of slaughter, how about that Syria. Civilians butchered in the streets, and we do nothing.
Now that's leadership.
Maybe we should apologize.
NATO soldiers (yeah, that would be Americans) discover that terrorist prisoners are writing in their US taxpayer dollar funded Korans, so they can communicate with each other and possibly plan dastardly deeds.
So the soldiers confiscate the Korans, and in not wanting to do the wrong thing they research how to properly dispose of a Koran that has been desecrated. Yes, by definition, if you scribble in a Koran you have desecrated it.
So it turns out that the way all the Muslim experts say you should dispose of a desecrated Koran is to burn it. Okay, fine, so the soldiers do it.
Some locals promptly discover the charred remains and proceed to go batshit crazy. I know, what a shocker.
In the space of a few days 2 US soldiers are killed, a dozen Afghan citizens as well and as I write this a story just now has broken about 2 more US "advisors" being shot dead inside the Afghan ministry.
Fan-fucking-tastic.
In the midst of this, our president sends a letter of apology to Karzi, which whips the nutballs into an even greater frenzy of rage.
Note to the POTUS - Saying sorry to crazy terrorist assholes just makes them madder. They view it as weak and patronizing.
But then again, some kinds of apologies are the good kind. Witness this heroic young lady.
Now that's the kind of apology I'm talking about.
These assholes can't handle a couple of books being burned. Seriously, that's what all this insanity is about, a couple of books.
So they're sacred. So what. Deal with it. The rest of us have to contend with works of art like "Piss Christ" and so on. Somehow we manage not to slaughter people and burn down the city.
Speaking of slaughter, how about that Syria. Civilians butchered in the streets, and we do nothing.
Now that's leadership.
Maybe we should apologize.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Movies 2011
It was a pretty good year for movies, less so for films.
If you've missed my treatise on movies vs. films, you can educate yourself by reading the first few paragraphs here.
Also keep in mind, when I was in my 20's I pretty much saw every movie that came out every year. Now in my 40's I see hardly any by comparison.
I'm going to do it a little different this year, because none of the movies that made my top ten are best picture nominees, but the ones I did see I liked. I'll start with them first.
Here are the Oscar nominees for best picture that I've seen this year and my thoughts on each:
The Artist
An interesting and truly nostalgic look at the movies with a melodramatic story about the passage of time and the passing on of a legend. I liked it very much. I do not think it deserves to win best picture, which naturally makes it a lock.
It was shot amazingly - the cinematography and style of shooting are authentic 1930's, and also to some extent the 1920's. As a movie nut, I could appreciate what the director and DOP were trying to do - and they largely succeeded.
Speaking of movie nuts -
Hugo
I had very low expectations for this, from my movie business friends, (a writer, a film mixer, and several editors) who said it was slow (the writer said it was "ponderous") but because I didn't think it would be good - I actually enjoyed it quite a bit.
The story of the boy and the girl works very well, as does the station cop and his love interest arc. Less so, the Ben Kingsley character, who is based on real life film pioneer Georges Melies.
Unlike the Artist, which connects emotionally by showing and not telling us old school movie magic, Scorcese fails to convey to those of us who aren't film nuts, what was so special about this guy and his art. The flashback scenes at his studio are simply flat and magic-less.
Still, overall, the movie does work; though the glacial pacing does rub my modern movie watching sensibilities the wrong way at times, the little boy and girl are so good in their roles that there is enough resonance and hope to keep me engaged.
Moneyball
This movie has great moments and great acting, but loses it's footing a bit in the last act when it veers away from actual baseball footage and shows actors playing the game.
But don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed Moneyball and want very much to see it again. It felt more than any other sports movie, that we were truly "inside baseball" - especially fantastic and an all time highlight for me was the first scene with Billy and all the scouts. They nailed the essence of the sport, and the conflict between new and old, with those great character actors and Brad Pitt. Simply awesome.
War Horse
I don't get the hate for this movie among film geeks. I enjoyed it very much - as it was (as is The Artist and Hugo) very much an old fashioned movie.
This was not Private Ryan or Schindler's list, a realistic depiction of the horrors of war - rather it was a David Lean style movie - touching on themes of loss and redemption. The music was at times overbearing, and yes, Spielberg tried a little too hard to get me to cry - but hey, I'm older now and so I cry pretty easy. It had some great stand out scenes that I know I'll want to revisit.
And that's it. I still want to see "The Help", "Tree of Life" and the Tom Hanks 9/11 crying thing, but I doubt very much that any of these films can knock one of these movies out of my top 10 for 2011.
10. The Adventures of Tintin
Fraught with story problems, this movie is nonetheless a very faithful adaptation of the Tintin graphic novels. As a HUGE Tintin fan (I grew up with all the books) I loved this movie. Objectively, I can't tell you if it is really any good - it seemed like it was, but mostly I just felt like a giddy 12 year old again watching Captain Haddock come to life before my eyes. My 7 year old was mostly bored, but she loved Snowy.
9. Bridesmaids
Not only hilarious, but a pretty deep movie. While the gross out scenarios and over the top zaniness are not especially realistic, the emotions and fears of the lead girl certainly are. Kristin Wiig is amazing, and manages to let us see her heart and mind stripped bare. And by sharing her fears and insecurities, we can get a lot of insight into our own.
8. Captain America: The First Avenger
Oh hells yes. Director Joe Johnston meekly proclaimed half way through production that this Captain was not some jingoist flag waver - a statement that immediately turned me off and made me sad.
Thankfully, because the story stayed true to the character - Johnston has (in spite of his liberal weenie-ness) in fact delivered us an unapologetically patriotic Captain and a kick ass movie along with it.
Great action set pieces, offset with humor that works throughout. Outstanding turn by the female lead (though a bit silly to see her in combat at the end) who brings real emotional weight to her love of Steve Rogers and the uniform he wears.
Best dialogue exchange:
Red Skull: I see a future without flags.
Captain America: Not my future
Now that's what I'm talking about!
7. Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Bay returns to form with more big ass 'splosions and stuff.
Pure movie awesomeness. Love the third act which blows the walls off and sets a new bar for the action set piece. Great moments throughout, a story we can follow, and Michael Bay finally realizes that by keeping the Deceptacons grey/silver and the Autobots brightly colored, we can much better follow who is blowing up who.
6. Rango
Amazing art from Gore Verbinski and his team.
This animated film rises above most of it's kind - by being not only gorgeously realized, but emotionally resonant. We feel and care for Rango from the beginning, and we are intrigued by the characters he meets along the way. Even though the final act is the weakest, it's still strong enough for a very satisfying movie experience.
My 7 year old loves it. Any younger (or less mature than she is) is too young. Save this one till they can handle big and scary action set pieces - including 2 relentless pursuits by a hawk, a massive chase / shoot-out with covered wagons and bats and a very scary ginormous rattle snake that says several times that he's going to send Rango to hell.
5. Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Now this is some cool shit.
Very awesome CGI / motion-capture work bring the apes to life in a way that was certainly impossible only a couple of years ago.
James Franco is the perfect choice for a role that we can appreciate with both sympathy for his good intentions and scorn for his naivete'.
The action is simply breathtaking, and better yet, the heartache we feel for the apes and the sadness at our own failings as a species - mingle perfectly to create a fantastic moviegoing experience that does indeed recapture some of that magic from the first Apes movie.
I can't wait to see where they go from here.
4. Soul Surfer
Being a person who has a deep faith, this was a breath of fresh air.
Beautifully shot and realized, this is the true story of surfer Bethany Hamilton. A girl from Hawaii who was on the path to being a professional surfer when her arm was ripped off her body by an enormous shark.
This girl also happens to be a practicing Christian, and the movie actually DOESN'T downplay this fact.
By telling her entire story, of which her faith is a HUGE part, Soul Surfer makes the ordeal that Bethany faces and triumphs over, a very powerful and satisfying journey.
There were a few choices I wasn't crazy about - I thought there was too much voice over; the scenes that worked best were when AnnaSophia Robb (the lead) simply did her thing and lived the character - then we really got the full emotional and spiritual thrust of who this girl was.
I was taken out of the movie every time her voice would narrate precisely what she was up against. Hey film makers, I'm not stupid! It's very obvious that when Bethany goes to help the tsunami victims in Thailand, and teaches a little kid to surf - that she's following God's plan. I don't need to hear her literally say it!
Still, overall the movie is super strong - especially the end when we see the real Bethany. Can't wait to find some time to watch the documentary on her life.
3. The Muppets
Not perfect, but mostly it recaptures the magic.
Again, as with Tintin, I'm a huge fan - so objectively I can't tell you if this movie works. But if you love the Muppet show and the Muppet movie, then this is an absolute must see. Great songs and even better, a great connection to our old friends.
2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pt. 2
Simply outstanding. As with Tolkien, Rowling is at her strongest when paying off the story. Much as Return of the King is my favorite Lord of the Rings episode, this final chapter has to be my favorite of the Harry Potter world.
For the third time I must say, I'm a HUGE fan. So who knows if this movie is actually any good, and you might as well ignore the following nerd speak.
The brilliant - the battle of Hogwarts. Snapes death and the pensieve. The epilogue.
The great - the dragon escape. Hermione as Bellatrix.
The good - Ableforth. The kiss. Fred's death.
The fair - Rowena Ravenclaw.
The clumsy - Bellatrix's demise. Way underdone and awkward.
1. Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol
Picking number one is always tough, but this year it was pretty clear cut. M:IGP was simply my most satisfying movie going experience of the year. Great fucking film.
It had all the best elements of the past 3 movies, a complicated but coherent story, great gags, and a highly motivated protagonist.
Best of all, it pulls of what many movies on this list couldn't - a completely solid final act and brilliant payoff.
Great stuff!
Honorable Mentions:
Rio
Fantastic animated fare that soars above most because we are genuinely invested in the lead bird's journey. Yes, this damn movie makes me cry in the end. Also, it surprisingly does touch on how awful the poverty in Brazil is, while still being an obvious love letter to the country.
X-Men First Class
Much better than the problematic "Last Stand". Some truly awesome moments; hopefully the next installment will up the game and bring us characters we can truly bond with. I'm a little hesitant to dive in on this series since we got so burned on the last one.
Puss in Boots
Yes, I'm a sucker for good animation and a good story. Fun and frothy, but also plenty of heart.
Thor
I want to see this again - very dense mythological story stuff that flew over my head a bit. I never read the comic so I'm unfamiliar with the mythology, and this kind of cooled me off a bit from going ga-ga. Now if I had been a HUGE fan, I'll betcha I would've loved it. There's plenty of humor and heart in this equation, well worth a rental if you're like me and only a super hero fan and not a Thor fan.
Hanna
Very strong first half, this was shaping up to be a perfect movie, but the denouement' was a bit of a let down.
Cate Blanchett's character is, in the end, simply evil. I thought a much stronger choice would have been to make her very complicated, and somewhat justified in her actions. Instead, she's just a sicko. Meh. And the clumsy scene at the end with the deer, simply lame.
I did love the bad guy and his henchmen - very nasty and bad. Yep, that family basically gets wiped out if you think about it. Chills.
Super 8
Really enjoyed this solid and nostalgic monster movie. Wish it had taken me higher emotionally, but still very solid. Suffered a bit from my high expectations, I had a couple of friends who are over the moon about this. Yes, I get it, the movie reminds us of our childhood - that's cool. Problem is, the story needs to be stronger.
Let Downs
And finally, here are a few where I was disappointed, but still found a few redeeming things.
Sucker Punch
Okay, Zach Snyder is a hack. He's proved it to me after an uneven Watchmen and now this mess. 300 looks more and more like a brilliant accident.
The main problem with this emotionless fluff, is the bleakness for no reason, and the utter lack of character in the characters. Flat and lifeless, despite the gorgeous framing and FX. Still, I want to watch it again.
Pirates of the Caribbean 4
After Verbinski's brilliant first Pirate movie, and the two worthy follow ups - this is a pretty big let down.
How can you have Ian McShane playing Blackbeard and make it boring? Rob Marshall found a way.
The mermaids are awesome - but it takes an hour to get to them. Meanwhile, Jack Sparrow is rudderless without an Elizabeth Swan to motivate him. Penelope Cruz's character is a pale substitute.
I enjoyed the missionary story line and appreciated the fate of the fountain of youth. I also loved the location shooting - if there's one thing that this movie has going for it, it absolutely feels like it's set in the same universe as the Verbinski tales.
Overall, at the end of the day, it's a purchase - but suffers in comparison to the first three.
Kung Fu Panda 2
This one is actually a lot of fun and good story telling, but because the first one was so brilliant it inevitably suffers in comparison.
Saw it in the theaters with my 7 year old who liked but didn't love it (a little intense for her) and bought the blu-ray; but haven't watched it again yet.
Cars 2
The inevitable fall from grace for Pixar is actually a pretty darn good movie on it's own - but when you hold it up to it's pedigree, well, this simply doesn't cut it.
I like that it's a completely different direction from the first one, and a send up of James Bond - very cool. But Mater simply cannot carry a movie, though the payoff for his character when it finally does come, is actually pretty good.
Pretty good. Pixar. Mmmmmm.... no.
So there it is, overall I had a good time at the movies this year,but I'm sad to say that I didn't catch any "films" that were truly great. Last year I had "True Grit", but this year, pretty much zip. Ah well. Looking forward to 2012 at the movies!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
The grown-up in the room.
Recently an old family friend shared this on facebook.
She, like many from her generation, is a died in the wool liberal, and this cartoon was meant as a cutting jab to the heartless republican establishment.
I saw it and laughed out loud and thought to myself - "That's right, the answer is no!"
This cartoon absolutely nails the reality of being a conservative in the information age. And for me it was like a big lightbulb going off and illuminating why I so often face hostility among my friends and family when we discuss politics.
It's because I have to be the grown-up and point out uncomfortable truths and set limits.
I find it very similar to occasional interactions with my child. For example, on Valentines day she comes home with a bag full of cards and candies.
"Daddy, can I have a chocolate turtle?" (This is right after I pick her up after school)
"No sweetheart, it will be your dinner time when we get home."
"Ohhh...." She pouts, crosses her arms and stamps her foot. She doesn't throw a tantrum, but she clearly resents not being able to have candy. Clearly, it's Valentines day!
Daddys are so mean.
Yes, we conservatives are the parents - and believe me, it really sucks. It sucks to be "mean" and say how it is, knowing we have to face pouty faces and temper tantrums. (The liberal equivalent being regular and surprisingly vicious ad hominem attacks on our integrity.)
The lightbulb became especially bright for me when, two days after I saw this cartoon - I stumbled across this video.
This, says it perfectly.
There is a pervasive infantilism in many baby-boomers, and unfortunately it's infected a good chunk of my generation as well. Children don't want to hear that they can't get away with their selfishness and can get hostile when confronted with this fact.
It sucks that we have to be the ones to point out that people have to be held accountable for their actions and that in fact, there are actually real world standards of right and wrong.
It makes liberals indignant when I tell them that they can't have a cookie (health care) before dinner (without paying for it).
It makes liberals petulant when I tell them that bullies (Islamo-fascists) don't want to talk (negotiate peace) they just want to punch their lights out (the destruction of Israel and the USA).
And it especially makes liberals lose their tempers when I inform them that no, they can't simply take money (tax) from someone else who has worked hard for it (CEO, small business owner, etc.) and give it to their friends (people who will vote for them.)
That's called stealing children, and giving people you like treats, that you've taken from someone else, so they will be your friends doesn't mean they are really your friends.
I like this metaphor! It really does explain a lot of the hostility I've received over the years.
I just have to remember, that though children don't like rules - deep down they really do need them.
She, like many from her generation, is a died in the wool liberal, and this cartoon was meant as a cutting jab to the heartless republican establishment.
I saw it and laughed out loud and thought to myself - "That's right, the answer is no!"
This cartoon absolutely nails the reality of being a conservative in the information age. And for me it was like a big lightbulb going off and illuminating why I so often face hostility among my friends and family when we discuss politics.
It's because I have to be the grown-up and point out uncomfortable truths and set limits.
I find it very similar to occasional interactions with my child. For example, on Valentines day she comes home with a bag full of cards and candies.
"Daddy, can I have a chocolate turtle?" (This is right after I pick her up after school)
"No sweetheart, it will be your dinner time when we get home."
"Ohhh...." She pouts, crosses her arms and stamps her foot. She doesn't throw a tantrum, but she clearly resents not being able to have candy. Clearly, it's Valentines day!
Daddys are so mean.
Yes, we conservatives are the parents - and believe me, it really sucks. It sucks to be "mean" and say how it is, knowing we have to face pouty faces and temper tantrums. (The liberal equivalent being regular and surprisingly vicious ad hominem attacks on our integrity.)
The lightbulb became especially bright for me when, two days after I saw this cartoon - I stumbled across this video.
This, says it perfectly.
There is a pervasive infantilism in many baby-boomers, and unfortunately it's infected a good chunk of my generation as well. Children don't want to hear that they can't get away with their selfishness and can get hostile when confronted with this fact.
It sucks that we have to be the ones to point out that people have to be held accountable for their actions and that in fact, there are actually real world standards of right and wrong.
It makes liberals indignant when I tell them that they can't have a cookie (health care) before dinner (without paying for it).
It makes liberals petulant when I tell them that bullies (Islamo-fascists) don't want to talk (negotiate peace) they just want to punch their lights out (the destruction of Israel and the USA).
And it especially makes liberals lose their tempers when I inform them that no, they can't simply take money (tax) from someone else who has worked hard for it (CEO, small business owner, etc.) and give it to their friends (people who will vote for them.)
That's called stealing children, and giving people you like treats, that you've taken from someone else, so they will be your friends doesn't mean they are really your friends.
I like this metaphor! It really does explain a lot of the hostility I've received over the years.
I just have to remember, that though children don't like rules - deep down they really do need them.
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
In other news...
So Romney is inevitable - or is he?
Before Gingrich went psycho on us he was my guy. Then he flipped his wig and I lost interest, content with the fact that Romney is the de-facto mediocre and soft intellectual lightweight that will lose to Obama come November.
Fine. Whatever. As long as we are relentless with our drones and actually stand by Israel regardless of rhetoric, I can live with another 4 years of "The One". Our economy will likely be beyond fucked after he's through with it, despite the recent "improvements". Yeah, 5 trillion in debt and counting with a still very high unemployment rate, things are really looking up. Insert eye roll here.
But a funny thing happened last night, Romney lost to Santorum in three states. Not only lost, but was in fact obliterated. Ron Paul finished second in Colorado, with Mitt a distant third. This could get interesting.
I'm not a fan of Santorum primarily because he is a big government "conservative" cut from the same cloth as GWB. He believes it is the government's role to oversee and fund social programs that foster entitlement and bloated bureaucracy. He doesn't say this in so many words, but his record speaks volumes as to what kind of deficit spending we would face under his administration. I reckon he might even give Barry a real run for the money.
The other strike Santorum has against him is the whole bat-shit crazy evangelical thing. Personally, I could care less what God someone prays to as long as they keep it on the down low when they're doing their job. On the flip side, I would have a real hard time voting for a President that didn't have some kind of faith in the almighty.
Rick Santorum unfortunately has bought into the kool-aid of the extreme religious right and is ardently anti-gay marriage, pro-life and various other hard line positions on issues of "morality", which as I have stated here many times before are big losers for the GOP.
Myself, I'm pro-gay marriage. It seems a rather obvious no-brainer for conservatives who truly believe government should stay out of our lives. I am baffled by many republicans who somehow don't see the hypocrisy in calling for less government intrusion while at the same time insisting that the "sanctity of marriage" be protected by the government.
To be fair, there is plenty of anti-gay marriage sentiment on the left side of the aisle as well. President Obama is still steadfastly against it. Not to mention the African-American community, as over a three quarters of them in California who voted for Obama in 2008 also voted yes on Prop. 8.
Wherever people line up politically, on this issue of who can marry who - it is quite frankly un-American to dictate that a man/woman union is okay while a man/man or woman/woman union is not. When I look at some of my straight friends with failed marriages, and then I see a gay couple that I've known still going strong for nearly 20 years, my mind boggles.
So I'm somewhat pleased that the 9th circuit has seen fit to call out Prop 8 for what it is, a "separate but equal" fallacy reminiscent of Jim Crow laws.
There is also a part of me though, the conservative part, that recognizes that laws do not in the end change people's minds or hearts. They can certainly do more help than harm on occasion, but I truly believe you cannot legislate morality.
A big case in point that liberals like to make is that the supreme court case of Brown vs. Board of Education was the catalyst and biggest instrument of change for the civil rights movement, along with the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
I would have to disagree here and say that it wasn't a legal decision or a passage of any law that brought about real and lasting change in the hearts and minds of Americans. It was the televised images of dogs and fire hoses being unleashed on blacks in the south that really turned the tide.
Laws certainly can help shape behavior, but people cannot be legislated into being better human beings. For a person to truly change his heart, he as has to be confronted not with threat of legal consequence or even incarceration, but with the light of truth which is rooted in reality.
The Supreme Court of the United States may or may not uphold the 9th circuit's decision, in the end I really think it won't matter as much as many claim. Real change will only come when society as a whole relents to the truth that "separate but equal" is as false now as it was a half a century ago.
I am optimistic, perhaps naive, but I do believe that in a decade or so most of us will wonder what all the fuss was about. In the mean time I'm happy to take on the anti-gay marriage folks in both parties who stubbornly cling to their out-dated lines of logic.
I am less comfortable labeling anti-gay marriage people bigots or homophobes. I don't think anyone would give our President this label, even though he is explicitly anti-gay marriage; so I am not going to sink to this level with someone just because they happen to also be a republican, conservative, Christian or all three.
A second reason to refrain from such severe labeling is that it shuts down dialogue. Liberals are very eager to name call - tea-baggers, hate-mongers, racists, etc. That's simply not how I roll, because I find when I do that (though I do love calling the OWS people "flea-baggers") then any chance I have to get through to someone vanishes in the fog of anger.
Also, I find that there is an enormous double standard for those of us on the right. Someone on the left can literally call for bringing back the guillotine and no one gives a shit, but if a conservative gets one toe out of line the world comes crashing down. This double standard applies not only in the big leagues of g and the media, but is also used to a relentless degree by everyday liberals online and in daily life.
When Sarah Palin has a few crosshairs on her political action map she is directly responsible for the Tucson shooting. When Obama says that he's going to bring a gun to a knife fight, it's simply an exchange of ideas.
Whatever.
I'm simply going to do my best to stay away from the personal and stick to the issues, recognizing that as a conservative and libertarian I have a much narrower path to walk.
Before Gingrich went psycho on us he was my guy. Then he flipped his wig and I lost interest, content with the fact that Romney is the de-facto mediocre and soft intellectual lightweight that will lose to Obama come November.
Fine. Whatever. As long as we are relentless with our drones and actually stand by Israel regardless of rhetoric, I can live with another 4 years of "The One". Our economy will likely be beyond fucked after he's through with it, despite the recent "improvements". Yeah, 5 trillion in debt and counting with a still very high unemployment rate, things are really looking up. Insert eye roll here.
But a funny thing happened last night, Romney lost to Santorum in three states. Not only lost, but was in fact obliterated. Ron Paul finished second in Colorado, with Mitt a distant third. This could get interesting.
I'm not a fan of Santorum primarily because he is a big government "conservative" cut from the same cloth as GWB. He believes it is the government's role to oversee and fund social programs that foster entitlement and bloated bureaucracy. He doesn't say this in so many words, but his record speaks volumes as to what kind of deficit spending we would face under his administration. I reckon he might even give Barry a real run for the money.
The other strike Santorum has against him is the whole bat-shit crazy evangelical thing. Personally, I could care less what God someone prays to as long as they keep it on the down low when they're doing their job. On the flip side, I would have a real hard time voting for a President that didn't have some kind of faith in the almighty.
Rick Santorum unfortunately has bought into the kool-aid of the extreme religious right and is ardently anti-gay marriage, pro-life and various other hard line positions on issues of "morality", which as I have stated here many times before are big losers for the GOP.
Myself, I'm pro-gay marriage. It seems a rather obvious no-brainer for conservatives who truly believe government should stay out of our lives. I am baffled by many republicans who somehow don't see the hypocrisy in calling for less government intrusion while at the same time insisting that the "sanctity of marriage" be protected by the government.
To be fair, there is plenty of anti-gay marriage sentiment on the left side of the aisle as well. President Obama is still steadfastly against it. Not to mention the African-American community, as over a three quarters of them in California who voted for Obama in 2008 also voted yes on Prop. 8.
Wherever people line up politically, on this issue of who can marry who - it is quite frankly un-American to dictate that a man/woman union is okay while a man/man or woman/woman union is not. When I look at some of my straight friends with failed marriages, and then I see a gay couple that I've known still going strong for nearly 20 years, my mind boggles.
So I'm somewhat pleased that the 9th circuit has seen fit to call out Prop 8 for what it is, a "separate but equal" fallacy reminiscent of Jim Crow laws.
There is also a part of me though, the conservative part, that recognizes that laws do not in the end change people's minds or hearts. They can certainly do more help than harm on occasion, but I truly believe you cannot legislate morality.
A big case in point that liberals like to make is that the supreme court case of Brown vs. Board of Education was the catalyst and biggest instrument of change for the civil rights movement, along with the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
I would have to disagree here and say that it wasn't a legal decision or a passage of any law that brought about real and lasting change in the hearts and minds of Americans. It was the televised images of dogs and fire hoses being unleashed on blacks in the south that really turned the tide.
Laws certainly can help shape behavior, but people cannot be legislated into being better human beings. For a person to truly change his heart, he as has to be confronted not with threat of legal consequence or even incarceration, but with the light of truth which is rooted in reality.
The Supreme Court of the United States may or may not uphold the 9th circuit's decision, in the end I really think it won't matter as much as many claim. Real change will only come when society as a whole relents to the truth that "separate but equal" is as false now as it was a half a century ago.
I am optimistic, perhaps naive, but I do believe that in a decade or so most of us will wonder what all the fuss was about. In the mean time I'm happy to take on the anti-gay marriage folks in both parties who stubbornly cling to their out-dated lines of logic.
I am less comfortable labeling anti-gay marriage people bigots or homophobes. I don't think anyone would give our President this label, even though he is explicitly anti-gay marriage; so I am not going to sink to this level with someone just because they happen to also be a republican, conservative, Christian or all three.
A second reason to refrain from such severe labeling is that it shuts down dialogue. Liberals are very eager to name call - tea-baggers, hate-mongers, racists, etc. That's simply not how I roll, because I find when I do that (though I do love calling the OWS people "flea-baggers") then any chance I have to get through to someone vanishes in the fog of anger.
Also, I find that there is an enormous double standard for those of us on the right. Someone on the left can literally call for bringing back the guillotine and no one gives a shit, but if a conservative gets one toe out of line the world comes crashing down. This double standard applies not only in the big leagues of g and the media, but is also used to a relentless degree by everyday liberals online and in daily life.
When Sarah Palin has a few crosshairs on her political action map she is directly responsible for the Tucson shooting. When Obama says that he's going to bring a gun to a knife fight, it's simply an exchange of ideas.
Whatever.
I'm simply going to do my best to stay away from the personal and stick to the issues, recognizing that as a conservative and libertarian I have a much narrower path to walk.
Saturday, February 04, 2012
Suddenly, Tammy! or Beth Sorrentino and the boys!
Everyone has that band that they loved in their youth, you know - the one that no one else has ever heard of, but is so totally awesome, right? Well I do, and the band is called "Suddenly, Tammy!".
Actually, they disbanded in 1997. Long story short, they were up and coming in the early 90's, released a couple of EP's, then an independent album which did pretty well and impressed a few suits. Warner Brothers signed them to a contract and they made another record.
The band was just three people, Beth and her brother Jay and their friend Ken. They played Piano, drums and bass respectively. No guitars. That's right - no guitars.
Pretty amazing sound. Awe inspiring really. Check it out.
The video isn't the greatest, kinda 1990's film school, but it's growing on me. In my professional opinion it is cut very well and there are a few electric moments where you see Beth and the guys play and it works nicely. And it also fits thematically with the band - a school bus is perfect, as they really are exuberant musicians, giving the impression that they all went to band class together. My favorite element here is probably that they're all bobbing their heads, tapping their feet and hands, rockin' out the way we all have.
"Suddenly, Tammy!" were definitely the new flavor of the month there for a bit - here's a great snippet from a music program that shows what they were all about. This clip is actually how I discovered the band.
Yep, these guys and gal are for sure one of my all time favorites. I find the deceptively plain lyrics and the expert musicianship along with Beth's simple and plaintive (some would say child-like) singing to be a very potent mix. As I get older I appreciate it all even more, and am able to connect in a very visceral way to ST's very powerful technique.
After the single "Hard Lesson" came out and the album with it, which is divine and available on I-Tunes and Amazon (it's called "We Get There When We Do") the group toured for a bit and then went back in the studio for a follow up in 1996.
After recording and mixing, alas, Warner Brothers had a big purge of many of their artists, and "Suddenly, Tammy!" was among the casualties, released from their contract.
Most awful of all, the record that the band had made - "Comet" was not only not released, it was put on a shelf and made unavailable to anyone, I think maybe even including the band!
The group went their separate ways the following year and life moved on. Not sure what the boys ended up doing, but according to several websites Beth settled into teaching music full time to kids in Manhattan.
As the years passed in my life, I often felt a twinge of sadness whenever ST would pop up on my i-pod - I still loved the sound, and would occasionally play a whole ST record, but I couldn't help wonder what might have been.
This band has a truly unique sound and it seems like a no brainer that they should have found a lot more commercial success. If a capable but musically simple and highly derivative piano pounder like Ben Folds could have a monster career with soundtrack deals and sold out hockey arenas, why not Beth and her guys? To me, when you hold ST up with BFF and others like him, it seems that ST brings so much more to the table musically and emotionally.
But anyway, I digress. "Comet" wasn't going to see the light of day anytime soon, and the years rolled by.
Then, in 2006, Beth put out an amazing solo album on I-Tunes, which was basically a demo tape - just her and a piano, and almost entirely down tempo songs. I always prefer the rocking stuff, but I bought it anyway (after discovering it randomly in 2008) and really enjoyed it. There are some great stand out tracks. Again, very powerful and emotional stuff. EDIT: Not sure why this video got muted - I'll put it up to youtube's software. Hopefully I can find a replacement vid or track.
There's a comment below this video that really speaks to how Beth's music, or any music I guess, can ingrain itself into a person.
"It is amazing how music and a unique artist's voice can get inside you and become part of who you are."
Yep, that's what Beth and ST have been for me over the last decade and a half. More than any other group, they have sunk into my soul and tapped into my emotional core. So I was happy that she was still making music. Still, "Comet" was always kicking around in the back of my brain. The "lost" album.
Tantalizingly, I would occasionally read a post or a blurb from someone on the interwebs that they had heard a bootleg of the record and it was incredible.
Time moved on.
Then, yesterday, I for some unknown reason I searched Beth Sorrentino on Itunes. I guess I was just wondering if she had put out more stuff in the couple of years since her solo debut.
She did have a new record, just released last year. Yay. And also... there it was. "Comet" was available for download. It had been released almost 2 years ago!
I haven't even listened to Beth's new record yet, I'm looking forward to purchasing and enjoying it, but right now I've got "Comet" stuck in my car's cd player and stuck on repeat on my ipod.
It is, of course, a truly great record. And a great relief, that the world, or at least us few ST-philes, can finally enjoy it. I can't find a song on YouTube, but if you dig ST's first two records, you'll love this one too. EDIT: (2016) Found the record on YouTube, listen to this as a sample - and then buy the record!
I'm glad I can share this group with my friends and family here. I still can't help feel a little bit melancholy that Beth and the boys were unable to turn their passion into a lucrative profession - but in the end, the music stands (including "Comet" thank God!) and it touches people in a very profound way.
As time continues to pass relentlessly, other, more "successful" musicians will fade away. "We Built This City on Rock and Roll" probably sold millions and millions of copies, but will someone be driving home late at night, listening to it and be gently weeping for joy? I don't think so.
Memories, and disposable songs, fade in time. Art that resonates emotionally, lingers.
"Suddenly, Tammy!" will be in my heart until the end - and for that I am beyond grateful.
Actually, they disbanded in 1997. Long story short, they were up and coming in the early 90's, released a couple of EP's, then an independent album which did pretty well and impressed a few suits. Warner Brothers signed them to a contract and they made another record.
The band was just three people, Beth and her brother Jay and their friend Ken. They played Piano, drums and bass respectively. No guitars. That's right - no guitars.
Pretty amazing sound. Awe inspiring really. Check it out.
The video isn't the greatest, kinda 1990's film school, but it's growing on me. In my professional opinion it is cut very well and there are a few electric moments where you see Beth and the guys play and it works nicely. And it also fits thematically with the band - a school bus is perfect, as they really are exuberant musicians, giving the impression that they all went to band class together. My favorite element here is probably that they're all bobbing their heads, tapping their feet and hands, rockin' out the way we all have.
"Suddenly, Tammy!" were definitely the new flavor of the month there for a bit - here's a great snippet from a music program that shows what they were all about. This clip is actually how I discovered the band.
Yep, these guys and gal are for sure one of my all time favorites. I find the deceptively plain lyrics and the expert musicianship along with Beth's simple and plaintive (some would say child-like) singing to be a very potent mix. As I get older I appreciate it all even more, and am able to connect in a very visceral way to ST's very powerful technique.
After the single "Hard Lesson" came out and the album with it, which is divine and available on I-Tunes and Amazon (it's called "We Get There When We Do") the group toured for a bit and then went back in the studio for a follow up in 1996.
After recording and mixing, alas, Warner Brothers had a big purge of many of their artists, and "Suddenly, Tammy!" was among the casualties, released from their contract.
Most awful of all, the record that the band had made - "Comet" was not only not released, it was put on a shelf and made unavailable to anyone, I think maybe even including the band!
The group went their separate ways the following year and life moved on. Not sure what the boys ended up doing, but according to several websites Beth settled into teaching music full time to kids in Manhattan.
As the years passed in my life, I often felt a twinge of sadness whenever ST would pop up on my i-pod - I still loved the sound, and would occasionally play a whole ST record, but I couldn't help wonder what might have been.
This band has a truly unique sound and it seems like a no brainer that they should have found a lot more commercial success. If a capable but musically simple and highly derivative piano pounder like Ben Folds could have a monster career with soundtrack deals and sold out hockey arenas, why not Beth and her guys? To me, when you hold ST up with BFF and others like him, it seems that ST brings so much more to the table musically and emotionally.
But anyway, I digress. "Comet" wasn't going to see the light of day anytime soon, and the years rolled by.
Then, in 2006, Beth put out an amazing solo album on I-Tunes, which was basically a demo tape - just her and a piano, and almost entirely down tempo songs. I always prefer the rocking stuff, but I bought it anyway (after discovering it randomly in 2008) and really enjoyed it. There are some great stand out tracks. Again, very powerful and emotional stuff. EDIT: Not sure why this video got muted - I'll put it up to youtube's software. Hopefully I can find a replacement vid or track.
There's a comment below this video that really speaks to how Beth's music, or any music I guess, can ingrain itself into a person.
"It is amazing how music and a unique artist's voice can get inside you and become part of who you are."
Yep, that's what Beth and ST have been for me over the last decade and a half. More than any other group, they have sunk into my soul and tapped into my emotional core. So I was happy that she was still making music. Still, "Comet" was always kicking around in the back of my brain. The "lost" album.
Tantalizingly, I would occasionally read a post or a blurb from someone on the interwebs that they had heard a bootleg of the record and it was incredible.
Time moved on.
Then, yesterday, I for some unknown reason I searched Beth Sorrentino on Itunes. I guess I was just wondering if she had put out more stuff in the couple of years since her solo debut.
She did have a new record, just released last year. Yay. And also... there it was. "Comet" was available for download. It had been released almost 2 years ago!
I haven't even listened to Beth's new record yet, I'm looking forward to purchasing and enjoying it, but right now I've got "Comet" stuck in my car's cd player and stuck on repeat on my ipod.
It is, of course, a truly great record. And a great relief, that the world, or at least us few ST-philes, can finally enjoy it. I can't find a song on YouTube, but if you dig ST's first two records, you'll love this one too. EDIT: (2016) Found the record on YouTube, listen to this as a sample - and then buy the record!
I'm glad I can share this group with my friends and family here. I still can't help feel a little bit melancholy that Beth and the boys were unable to turn their passion into a lucrative profession - but in the end, the music stands (including "Comet" thank God!) and it touches people in a very profound way.
As time continues to pass relentlessly, other, more "successful" musicians will fade away. "We Built This City on Rock and Roll" probably sold millions and millions of copies, but will someone be driving home late at night, listening to it and be gently weeping for joy? I don't think so.
Memories, and disposable songs, fade in time. Art that resonates emotionally, lingers.
"Suddenly, Tammy!" will be in my heart until the end - and for that I am beyond grateful.
Monday, January 02, 2012
One Simple Reason
There's only one simple reason why 2011 was a shit year.
I lost my dad.
I have written on this blog a few times about death, people that I've known and known of, passing on and the impact they've had on me.
But until I lost my father, I had never experienced a real loss.
Thankfully, in the end, all the drama surrounding his passing, the endlessly complicated whirlwind of human and chemical factors that brought about his death - none of that matters.
The turmoil in myself over what I could have done differently is fading. I am instead overwhelmed with unconditional love for him and I have long forgiven him and myself for all the sins and bullshit that all human beings typically cannot escape anyway, no matter where they come from or what they have to endure.
I can sincerely say that very soon I will have nothing traumatic left about my dad - I love him and I know he loved me. Nothing feels wrong or bad about his being gone save for one cold hard fact.
The simple fact that he IS gone and I can't call him up or fly down to see him. Ever.
That is the one simple reason, the one crushing obstacle that I don't think I will overcome.
2011, outside of this one simple reason, was a damn good year. Good career, loving wife and kid. I'm healthy and the future looks bright.
But God I miss him.
We were not as close as I would have liked, but I know he is so much of who I am that in the end the less than ideal closeness didn't really matter. He was hardwired into my brain and soul, and I'd like to think that I was to him as well.
Even in stretches of a month or more where we didn't call each other, I know we were still bonded. Partly it was his disease that kept me away, but also I know that we both had our own busy lives and it was okay. As Merrill men, that's just how we rolled.
I do regret a bit that I didn't call more often, but I know he's okay with it because of our unspoken bond.
And I know that wether it was destiny or choices that brought about his end, as Forrest Gump posits at Jenny's grave - Are we a feather just floating on the breeze or can we choose? Maybe it's both... In the end it doesn't really matter. What's happened has happened and it's okay, except of course that he's not here any more.
That's the one simple reason why I'm in pain and probably will remain so for a long time.
But I can also smile and know that in the ways that mattered most he was a great man, the smartest and strongest I've ever known. And that I'm going to do my best to live up to the best parts of him. The fun parts that were stubborn and righteous, but also the parts that were thoughtful and kind.
I'm looking forward to the new year, and though I'll always miss him terribly, I know I'll also have a part of my dad in my heart forever. I feel a small jolt of bittersweet joy stirring in my soul these days whenever an event pops up that reminds me of him. For example, when I sit down to a great home cooked meal or take in a fun "caper" movie like Mission Impossible 4 that I saw the other night.
It's good and it's bad, it's happy and it's sad. But in the end I treasure these little pangs of memories - and truly hope they don't fade too much. I love that I can be flipping through channels, hit a Seinfeld rerun and then suddenly be focused like a laser on a vision of my dad. I don't want to lose this, because as time passes, these flashes become a little less painful and a little more comforting.
True, 2012 will be tough because of the one simple reason, but I'm also grateful that I still really miss my dad, and that he can present himself to me at unexpected times. As hard as it is, it is also wonderful - and in that I can find some consolation.
I lost my dad.
I have written on this blog a few times about death, people that I've known and known of, passing on and the impact they've had on me.
But until I lost my father, I had never experienced a real loss.
Thankfully, in the end, all the drama surrounding his passing, the endlessly complicated whirlwind of human and chemical factors that brought about his death - none of that matters.
The turmoil in myself over what I could have done differently is fading. I am instead overwhelmed with unconditional love for him and I have long forgiven him and myself for all the sins and bullshit that all human beings typically cannot escape anyway, no matter where they come from or what they have to endure.
I can sincerely say that very soon I will have nothing traumatic left about my dad - I love him and I know he loved me. Nothing feels wrong or bad about his being gone save for one cold hard fact.
The simple fact that he IS gone and I can't call him up or fly down to see him. Ever.
That is the one simple reason, the one crushing obstacle that I don't think I will overcome.
2011, outside of this one simple reason, was a damn good year. Good career, loving wife and kid. I'm healthy and the future looks bright.
But God I miss him.
We were not as close as I would have liked, but I know he is so much of who I am that in the end the less than ideal closeness didn't really matter. He was hardwired into my brain and soul, and I'd like to think that I was to him as well.
Even in stretches of a month or more where we didn't call each other, I know we were still bonded. Partly it was his disease that kept me away, but also I know that we both had our own busy lives and it was okay. As Merrill men, that's just how we rolled.
I do regret a bit that I didn't call more often, but I know he's okay with it because of our unspoken bond.
And I know that wether it was destiny or choices that brought about his end, as Forrest Gump posits at Jenny's grave - Are we a feather just floating on the breeze or can we choose? Maybe it's both... In the end it doesn't really matter. What's happened has happened and it's okay, except of course that he's not here any more.
That's the one simple reason why I'm in pain and probably will remain so for a long time.
But I can also smile and know that in the ways that mattered most he was a great man, the smartest and strongest I've ever known. And that I'm going to do my best to live up to the best parts of him. The fun parts that were stubborn and righteous, but also the parts that were thoughtful and kind.
I'm looking forward to the new year, and though I'll always miss him terribly, I know I'll also have a part of my dad in my heart forever. I feel a small jolt of bittersweet joy stirring in my soul these days whenever an event pops up that reminds me of him. For example, when I sit down to a great home cooked meal or take in a fun "caper" movie like Mission Impossible 4 that I saw the other night.
It's good and it's bad, it's happy and it's sad. But in the end I treasure these little pangs of memories - and truly hope they don't fade too much. I love that I can be flipping through channels, hit a Seinfeld rerun and then suddenly be focused like a laser on a vision of my dad. I don't want to lose this, because as time passes, these flashes become a little less painful and a little more comforting.
True, 2012 will be tough because of the one simple reason, but I'm also grateful that I still really miss my dad, and that he can present himself to me at unexpected times. As hard as it is, it is also wonderful - and in that I can find some consolation.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Pwned.
I haven't been watching the endless Republican debates, because frankly without Christie or Giulliani in the race, I don't really have a horse to root for - but someone recently sent me this.
The funny thing is, I know that the idiot "journalist" here probably doesn't even get that he was just served up and down and side to side. There is simply too big of a short circuit in the elitist brain.
So now I know, that despite his skeletons, despite his wacky asides (an incredibly stupid video with Pelosi springs to mind) I will be voting without holding my nose for Newt should he be the man against his Obama-ness. This guy is one smart mo fo, and I would be happy to have him as my president.
Gingrich dismantles a smug CBS anchor beautifully here, and perfectly articulates the disconnect between comprehension-impaired liberals and the rest of us who get it.
The funny thing is, I know that the idiot "journalist" here probably doesn't even get that he was just served up and down and side to side. There is simply too big of a short circuit in the elitist brain.
So now I know, that despite his skeletons, despite his wacky asides (an incredibly stupid video with Pelosi springs to mind) I will be voting without holding my nose for Newt should he be the man against his Obama-ness. This guy is one smart mo fo, and I would be happy to have him as my president.
Tuesday, November 08, 2011
Confused?
Don't be.
Recently in political discussions people have been assuming and lumping me in with religious nuts.
While I confess, I do believe in Jesus and his teachings, it's really kind of a private thing between me and him.
When it comes to my politics - my faith has both everything and nothing to do with where I stand.
Follow me if you can.
When it comes to who should be elected into higher office, I'm not interested in Jesus. I'm interested in freedom.
I have very little in common with bible thumping loons. I am a free thinking pro-choice, pro-gun, pro-capitalism, pro-gay marriage and pro-liberty dude from Berkeley California.
To me, freedom of the individual is sacred above all.
I am against a redistribution of wealth, against the death penalty, against higher taxes and bigger government.
Most of all I am against someone else telling me how to live my life and taking the fruits of my labor and giving them to someone else.
Capitalism is what made and continues to make this country the greatest on God's green earth.
Our troops are what keeps us free.
What's between me and my God is my own business.
Clear things up a bit?
Recently in political discussions people have been assuming and lumping me in with religious nuts.
While I confess, I do believe in Jesus and his teachings, it's really kind of a private thing between me and him.
When it comes to my politics - my faith has both everything and nothing to do with where I stand.
Follow me if you can.
When it comes to who should be elected into higher office, I'm not interested in Jesus. I'm interested in freedom.
I have very little in common with bible thumping loons. I am a free thinking pro-choice, pro-gun, pro-capitalism, pro-gay marriage and pro-liberty dude from Berkeley California.
To me, freedom of the individual is sacred above all.
I am against a redistribution of wealth, against the death penalty, against higher taxes and bigger government.
Most of all I am against someone else telling me how to live my life and taking the fruits of my labor and giving them to someone else.
Capitalism is what made and continues to make this country the greatest on God's green earth.
Our troops are what keeps us free.
What's between me and my God is my own business.
Clear things up a bit?
Friday, November 04, 2011
One and the same?
In a nutshell, I have come around on my initial opinion that the Occupy Wall Street movement is analogous to the Tea Party group. At first blush, I thought that the ernest young people in Zuccotti Park were simply expressing themselves and their discontent, much as libertarian and right of center citizens have been doing for the last 2 and a half years.
What is the OWS message?
Well, I suppose they are technically doing that - but in every other respect they could not be more different than the TP's.
The first difference is message - the Tea Party has one. Even if you disagree with it, their premise is simple. Lower taxes, smaller government.
The first difference is message - the Tea Party has one. Even if you disagree with it, their premise is simple. Lower taxes, smaller government.
What is the OWS message?
Banks are greedy and corrupt and made off like bandits as the economy collapsed.
"Okay, and?"
"That's it man. Corporations are evil."
"So what's the solution then?"
"More regulations and more government."
Okay...
As a wing-nut you all know that I find this preposterous, but setting fundamental disagreements aside, this "message" is not only unfocused, it's incoherent both in it's presentation and apparent absence of a solution.
In other words - Where's the beef?
There is no substance here, only the same dreck the radical left has been pushing for my lifetime entire, and for decades prior.
That said, they still have a right to protest, right?
Absolutely.
Were they to organize and communicate effectively per the Tea Party, march on specific targets, disrupt actually culpable organizations - they would have some sympathy from me. Alas, as it is, they have decided to take their message to public spaces by squatting.
Zuccotti Park in New York City is now in squalor. Trash everywhere, human feces too. Used condoms and drug paraphernalia litter the ground. The stench of weed is overpowering. And the drums are really annoying.
Great. These are the values of OWS.
An incoherent message, and a delightful medley of shitting, fucking and drug use.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Not to mention a blizzard of sexual assaults, not only in Zuccotti but every other major city with an OWS movement.
Peace, love. Get your rape on. But don't talk to the cops. We'll handle this.
And the parks, which everyone used to enjoy, are now off limits to people who actually live in the neighborhoods. Local businesses are suffering, laying off workers and even shutting down.
Remind me again - why is this necessary?
Let's say for argument sake, that OWS actually has a message that makes sense - let's say that blaming the banks (rather than the government and and their lackeys such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) is entirely logical.
It's a big leap, I know - but stay with me.
Let's say they are not idiotic. Isn't there a better way to not only get their message across, but to affect real change in the system?
Yes, I suppose they could march in the tens of thousands on Washington (as the Tea Party did) in a calm and organized manner, clearly articulating what it is they want (again, as you know who did) and being respectful of their environment, other citizens and law enforcement.
But where's the fun in that? You can't smoke it, crap on it or screw it - so what's the point?
Fuck it.
At least, that's the impression these fine folks are giving me.
Okay, so they don't have a coherent or half intelligent message. Okay, so they are disruptive and destructive. They still have a right to protest, right? Yes on the first, no on the second.
There is no such thing as an unrestricted right to free speech. Charles Cooke from the National Review says it best.
"There is no right of “occupation” included in the Bill of Rights, nor does a desire to protest accord a right to take over private property, or disregard the laws of the land. They couldn’t march into Barnes & Noble and take it over for a month with impunity."
And therein lies my biggest rub with this whole smelly fiasco.
Because these protestors, with their stupidity and their destructive tendencies, fall in line politically with liberal elites (who also happen to be in charge of most urban cities) - they have been given a free pass to take a shit in the faces of law abiding citizens.
Can you imagine if the Tea Party had deigned to set up a campground at Zuccotti and refused to leave?
Are you kidding me? This violent mob, as our president has referred to the Tea Party, would have been summarily squashed under the thumb of the police state.
The mayor of Oakland, a life long tool of union progressives, lost her mind for a brief moment and tried to do just that to the smelly squatters in her city. It lasted for less than 12 hours. She was back to praising them and even called on city unions (excepting the police of course) to endorse their ham-handed general strike which succeeded only in damaging local businesses and shutting down the 4th biggest port in the world. Bizarro world indeed.
The rule of law has been dismissed out of hand in favor of populist opportunism and mob rule.
The problem for the liberals is that they forget their history all too quickly.
In 1968 the anti-war hippies were at the height of their power, and they were going to take their candidate to the White House and get out of Vietnam immediately.
Except that their guy lost in a landslide to Richard Nixon. Nixon in fact carried the vast majority of the youth vote.
Uh-oh.
Obama and his lackeys have made yet another fatal error, by throwing in with these Flea Baggers (man it feels good to say that after being called a Tea Bagger for so long) they have distanced themselves, perhaps irrevocably from most Americans.
The sad part is, I and many agree with the one kernal of common sense that the OWS is spouting - the banks should have never been bailed out. But Bush started it, and Obama finished it decisively. The fact that all the private banks and corporations that were helped by the government paid back their loans with interest is lost on OWS, but I can even agree with them that we shouldn't have dumped the money in the first place.
I would also like to point out to them that Obama has received twice the donations to his campaign from Wall Street that Bush did.
But don't let facts get in the way.
Take a crap, stick it in, smoke some dope and throw a brick.
Friday, October 14, 2011
My 53%
I am one of the few and the privileged, I am an American.
In my work as a videographer I have been to 31 countries, many of them third world.
I have seen the worst poverty imaginable, from the streets of Bombay to the slums of Nairobi.
I have seen a baby starving to death right in front of me.
I have walked through raw sewage to get to a tin shack, where a family of 10 lived.
I learned of the rape gangs that prowled their neighborhood, and I met the grandmother who had been a frequent victim.
I have been to 6 communist countries.
In China I saw the television go blank when a news story about Tibet started to come on.
In Russia we were pulled over for no reason in particular by a police officer standing on the corner.
With hardly a word, my driver payed the cop 900 rubles in cash ($40) so we could drive on.
In Nicaragua, every street vendor had a pistol in his belt.
Every truck driver had someone next to him with a shotgun.
In Egypt I asked someone where the bathroom was, he took me there - and then demanded money for his help.
This kind of thing happened over and over and over again during my visit.
I have also seen poverty and despair in America, but only in my work with Feed the Children.
Yes there are hungry families here, yes these are tough times.
But the guy on the street corner in Nike shoes with an ipod asking me for change is not hungry, he is strung out on drugs.
The kids in a park near Wall Street, wallowing in grime and trash, having sex and consuming copious amounts of drugs in public, do not engender sympathy from me.
They are selfish and self obsessed.
They presume to speak for me, when they have not seen genuine poverty a day in their life.
They are decadent, self-loathing narcissists who have confused freedom with entitlement.
America is an opportunity, it is not a guarantee.
I have been blessed beyond belief that my hard work has reaped material and emotional rewards.
But I know it could all end tomorrow with a bit of bad luck or a tragic event.
If it does, I won't look to anyone for compensation.
I don't want a dime from my government. I don't want a dime from anyone.
****
Whatever the happenstance or the circumstance, if things go bad, I will make my own way.
Because I live in the greatest country on God's green earth, and I have the OPPORTUNITY to
do it myself.
By the sweat of my brow, by the determination in my soul.
Like my forefathers before me, who toiled a hundred times greater than I ever have - I will fight and fight and fight to make my way.
And I will not presume that anyone owes me anything.
I am the 53%.
Now get off my lawn.
In my work as a videographer I have been to 31 countries, many of them third world.
I have seen the worst poverty imaginable, from the streets of Bombay to the slums of Nairobi.
I have seen a baby starving to death right in front of me.
I have walked through raw sewage to get to a tin shack, where a family of 10 lived.
I learned of the rape gangs that prowled their neighborhood, and I met the grandmother who had been a frequent victim.
I have been to 6 communist countries.
In China I saw the television go blank when a news story about Tibet started to come on.
In Russia we were pulled over for no reason in particular by a police officer standing on the corner.
With hardly a word, my driver payed the cop 900 rubles in cash ($40) so we could drive on.
In Nicaragua, every street vendor had a pistol in his belt.
Every truck driver had someone next to him with a shotgun.
In Egypt I asked someone where the bathroom was, he took me there - and then demanded money for his help.
This kind of thing happened over and over and over again during my visit.
I have also seen poverty and despair in America, but only in my work with Feed the Children.
Yes there are hungry families here, yes these are tough times.
But the guy on the street corner in Nike shoes with an ipod asking me for change is not hungry, he is strung out on drugs.
The kids in a park near Wall Street, wallowing in grime and trash, having sex and consuming copious amounts of drugs in public, do not engender sympathy from me.
They are selfish and self obsessed.
They presume to speak for me, when they have not seen genuine poverty a day in their life.
They are decadent, self-loathing narcissists who have confused freedom with entitlement.
America is an opportunity, it is not a guarantee.
I have been blessed beyond belief that my hard work has reaped material and emotional rewards.
But I know it could all end tomorrow with a bit of bad luck or a tragic event.
If it does, I won't look to anyone for compensation.
I don't want a dime from my government. I don't want a dime from anyone.
****
Whatever the happenstance or the circumstance, if things go bad, I will make my own way.
Because I live in the greatest country on God's green earth, and I have the OPPORTUNITY to
do it myself.
By the sweat of my brow, by the determination in my soul.
Like my forefathers before me, who toiled a hundred times greater than I ever have - I will fight and fight and fight to make my way.
And I will not presume that anyone owes me anything.
I am the 53%.
Now get off my lawn.
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