I just got done watching my quintessential Christmas movie, The Muppets Christmas Carol, and thought I'd get one here to throw out some seasons greetings.
I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas.
Have fun out there and enjoy the holiday.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
WWW #17
I didn't post earlier this week like I normally do because things have been hectic. But I have a chance right now to throw a Wednesday Words of Wisedumb at ya, so that's what I'm going to do:
I truly believe that one of the keys to happiness involves finding a hobby you're really passionate about and sinking all of the time and money you can afford to into it. -JT
I truly believe that one of the keys to happiness involves finding a hobby you're really passionate about and sinking all of the time and money you can afford to into it. -JT
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
WWW #16
So for this WWW, I decided to let someone else's words be read here. I got this as an email, and after researching it there seems to be some debate as to how much of it was actually written by the alleged author. He definitely wrote most of it, but some bits are disputed. For two reasons I'm posting the whole thing under his name anyway. First, a lot of it was in fact written by Ben Stein (the monotone teacher from the Wonder Years) and the parts that were not aren't 100% decided upon. Second, I don't give a shit because I like the message as a whole and this is my damn blog so I'll post it here as his work regardless of what the truth is. Without further ado:
Herewith at this happy time of year, a few confessions from my beating heart: I have no freaking clue who Nick and Jessica are.
I see them on the cover of People and Us constantly when I am buying my dog biscuits and kitty litter. I often ask the checkers at the grocery stores. They never know who Nick and Jessica are either.
Who are they? Will it change my life if I know who they are and why they have broken up? Why are they so important? I don't know who Lindsay Lohan is either, and I do not care at all about Tom Cruise's wife. Am I going to be called before a Senate committee and asked if I am a subversive?
Maybe, but I just have no clue who Nick and Jessica are. If this is what it means to no longer be young, it's not so bad.
Next confession: I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees. It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year.
It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away. I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians.
I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution, and I don't like it being shoved down my throat. Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?
I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to.
In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking. Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this Happen?" (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response.
She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out.
How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?" In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc.
I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school.
The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself.
And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide).
We said an expert should know what he's talking about and we said OK.
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out.
I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW." Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Y'shua friend.
Shalom!
-Ben Stein
Just something to think about during the Christmas season. Have a good week.
Herewith at this happy time of year, a few confessions from my beating heart: I have no freaking clue who Nick and Jessica are.
I see them on the cover of People and Us constantly when I am buying my dog biscuits and kitty litter. I often ask the checkers at the grocery stores. They never know who Nick and Jessica are either.
Who are they? Will it change my life if I know who they are and why they have broken up? Why are they so important? I don't know who Lindsay Lohan is either, and I do not care at all about Tom Cruise's wife. Am I going to be called before a Senate committee and asked if I am a subversive?
Maybe, but I just have no clue who Nick and Jessica are. If this is what it means to no longer be young, it's not so bad.
Next confession: I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees. It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year.
It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away. I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians.
I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution, and I don't like it being shoved down my throat. Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?
I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to.
In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking. Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this Happen?" (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response.
She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out.
How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?" In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc.
I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school.
The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself.
And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide).
We said an expert should know what he's talking about and we said OK.
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out.
I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW." Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Y'shua friend.
Shalom!
-Ben Stein
Just something to think about during the Christmas season. Have a good week.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Pats, Snow, and Scroogery
So just a couple of things here to start us off. First of all, Christmas is exactly 2 weeks from tomorrow. It's crazy, but true. If you haven't done your shopping yet, you might as well put it off until Christmas Eve like I always do. I thrive under the pressure. Secondly, my beloved Patriots are now 13-0, one step closer to history, after defeating the Steelers in spectacular fashion. Yes I'm excited, and yes we're going to be undefeated.
You know it's a funny thing this year, December feels different. I can't put a finger on it, but something doesn't feel quite the same. Christmas is coming fairly quickly, and I haven't been pissed off about it this year. You see, it's not that I don't like Christmas, because I enjoy the actual holiday very much. I just hate the season. Everyone gets stressed out and usually cool people suck to be around. People should be happy and joyous and taking in the meaning of the season, but it frequently has the exact opposite effect on the masses. As I stated before, this has seemed less true this year. I'm watching Christmas movies and helping to decorate at home and work, and I'm not bothered a bit. Merry Christmas to all I say.
Another major change this year has been my lack of disdain for the winter season. Having grown up in harsh Vermont winters, I've always hated the season. I don't ski, I snowboard rarely and I don't own a snowmobile. Perhaps I hate the season because I have nothing to do, but more likely because it's a cold, long, pain in the ass. However, even though we have close to a foot of snow on the lawn, I'm not bummed out. In fact, when we had a snowstorm that lasted around 4 days, I said let it snow. Why? Because I drive a Subaru WRX and drifting around the snowy streets like a reckless rally driver makes me happy. Very happy. It's so damn fun I get into my car late at night and find a snowy parking lot to dick around in, despite the cold temperatures. I'm not sure how long this will last, but anything that takes away from misery adds to happiness I always say, so I'll embrace it.
Other than that things are fairly standard, but those two facts change a great deal of the season for me. And luckily, they change it in a positive way. That's really all I've got to say today, other than telling you to think about whether or not this year is different than past years for you. If not, change something. If you can't be happy about a new thing, be upset about a new thing. It's better than being content to live out your life the same year after year. Happy Holidays, see you next week.
You know it's a funny thing this year, December feels different. I can't put a finger on it, but something doesn't feel quite the same. Christmas is coming fairly quickly, and I haven't been pissed off about it this year. You see, it's not that I don't like Christmas, because I enjoy the actual holiday very much. I just hate the season. Everyone gets stressed out and usually cool people suck to be around. People should be happy and joyous and taking in the meaning of the season, but it frequently has the exact opposite effect on the masses. As I stated before, this has seemed less true this year. I'm watching Christmas movies and helping to decorate at home and work, and I'm not bothered a bit. Merry Christmas to all I say.
Another major change this year has been my lack of disdain for the winter season. Having grown up in harsh Vermont winters, I've always hated the season. I don't ski, I snowboard rarely and I don't own a snowmobile. Perhaps I hate the season because I have nothing to do, but more likely because it's a cold, long, pain in the ass. However, even though we have close to a foot of snow on the lawn, I'm not bummed out. In fact, when we had a snowstorm that lasted around 4 days, I said let it snow. Why? Because I drive a Subaru WRX and drifting around the snowy streets like a reckless rally driver makes me happy. Very happy. It's so damn fun I get into my car late at night and find a snowy parking lot to dick around in, despite the cold temperatures. I'm not sure how long this will last, but anything that takes away from misery adds to happiness I always say, so I'll embrace it.
Other than that things are fairly standard, but those two facts change a great deal of the season for me. And luckily, they change it in a positive way. That's really all I've got to say today, other than telling you to think about whether or not this year is different than past years for you. If not, change something. If you can't be happy about a new thing, be upset about a new thing. It's better than being content to live out your life the same year after year. Happy Holidays, see you next week.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
WWW #15
Putting you in your place with this week's Wednesday Words of Wisedumb:
Never allow yourself to buy into the belief that having permission to do something wrong makes it right. -JT
Have a great week.
Never allow yourself to buy into the belief that having permission to do something wrong makes it right. -JT
Have a great week.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Theatrical Traitor
So I'm taking the chance to rant tonight about something that's really been bothering me lately. I'd say it actually started bothering me a few years ago, but it's only gotten worse as the years have gone by. What is it? I'm talking about every company involved in cinema releasing a dozen and a half previews for every movie, especially big movies, they come out with. I'll explain.
The movie that provoked my actually writing about this subject was I Am Legend. If you haven't heard of it (*cough*loser), it's the new Will Smith movie destined to make millions and millions. It involves some sort of disaster leaving him as the last living human on the planet. You're right, it does sound awesome. Of course, he comes to discover that he isn't quite alone and the music will become ominous and I'm sure plenty of action will unfold. Sounds like a fairly ambiguous synopsis right? That's the way it should be. The only reason I know so little about this movie is that I've chosen not to watch anything other than the official theatrical trailer. This has turned out to be quite a task, because there are about 20 different trailers, previews and TV spots promoting it and they're on every channel once every 5 minutes. This frustrates me to no end as a person who goes to the movies on a regular basis. Why does this frustrate me you may ask? I'm glad you asked.
Tons of previews for big movies pisses me off for a few reasons. The most significant reason, however, is that for some strange reason I enjoy going to a movie and being impressed by cool scenes and laughing at funny stuff for the first time. I did pay to get in after all. But it seems like nowadays I walk into a movie and I've already seen the funniest, most impressive, most badass scenes, and all I go to a movie for is to see the filler in between the big budget stuff. I know people who watch as many trailers as possible because I guess they hate surprises.
Why this is done is something of a mystery to me. I'm guessing that the marketing department did a blind study or a survey that showed that people like watching previews of movies they are interested in. Or a studio released several trailers of a movie and the movie subsequently did very well. Marketing departments being what they are, they most assuredly took credit for the success of the movie that would have made tons of money anyway (hell, more if they hadn't spent millions on all the commercials and theatrical trailers). Other people heard about this and suddenly it was very clear to executives that the best way to ensure a movie's success was to release as many different previews as possible showing different sections of the movie. Way to go assholes.
Here's what I'd like to see happen: studio spending their time and money on just one well done, official theatrical trailer. Because all I'm looking for is a reason to go see the movie or not to go see the movie. All it really has to do is intrigue me and pique my curiosity. If it does that I'll see all the cool special effects and the scenes they spent millions of dollars on when I go to see it. After I've actually paid, which seems to be more beneficial for them to me. But that's just me.
The movie that provoked my actually writing about this subject was I Am Legend. If you haven't heard of it (*cough*loser), it's the new Will Smith movie destined to make millions and millions. It involves some sort of disaster leaving him as the last living human on the planet. You're right, it does sound awesome. Of course, he comes to discover that he isn't quite alone and the music will become ominous and I'm sure plenty of action will unfold. Sounds like a fairly ambiguous synopsis right? That's the way it should be. The only reason I know so little about this movie is that I've chosen not to watch anything other than the official theatrical trailer. This has turned out to be quite a task, because there are about 20 different trailers, previews and TV spots promoting it and they're on every channel once every 5 minutes. This frustrates me to no end as a person who goes to the movies on a regular basis. Why does this frustrate me you may ask? I'm glad you asked.
Tons of previews for big movies pisses me off for a few reasons. The most significant reason, however, is that for some strange reason I enjoy going to a movie and being impressed by cool scenes and laughing at funny stuff for the first time. I did pay to get in after all. But it seems like nowadays I walk into a movie and I've already seen the funniest, most impressive, most badass scenes, and all I go to a movie for is to see the filler in between the big budget stuff. I know people who watch as many trailers as possible because I guess they hate surprises.
Why this is done is something of a mystery to me. I'm guessing that the marketing department did a blind study or a survey that showed that people like watching previews of movies they are interested in. Or a studio released several trailers of a movie and the movie subsequently did very well. Marketing departments being what they are, they most assuredly took credit for the success of the movie that would have made tons of money anyway (hell, more if they hadn't spent millions on all the commercials and theatrical trailers). Other people heard about this and suddenly it was very clear to executives that the best way to ensure a movie's success was to release as many different previews as possible showing different sections of the movie. Way to go assholes.
Here's what I'd like to see happen: studio spending their time and money on just one well done, official theatrical trailer. Because all I'm looking for is a reason to go see the movie or not to go see the movie. All it really has to do is intrigue me and pique my curiosity. If it does that I'll see all the cool special effects and the scenes they spent millions of dollars on when I go to see it. After I've actually paid, which seems to be more beneficial for them to me. But that's just me.
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