I've been hearing a lot of yak lately about how fall is here, and how it's so great. I want it clearly on the record, I am not anti-fall. But with all this fall fallderall lately, I thought maybe it was a good chance to review the seasons at-large and toss out some honest observations on each.
We'll start with the first season on the calender itself - Winter!
Winter stinks! Okay, maybe that's not quite as in depth as you would like, but it is the truth for the most part. I have always had this very unscientific theory about those who say, " I love winter!" They're lying. Oh, they may like the first sled riding of the season, the holidays, and all the cheer that goes with that. Some ice skating, skiing, a hot toddie or two, but then the reality of it all sets in like a bad case of dry, cracked feet. The driving, the sliding, the frozen gutters, the ice, the fender-benders, the heating bills, frozen pipes....PLEASE stop me...it'll be here soon enough. Additional theory. If winter was from Thanksgiving till say January 2? No problem. Plenty of time to do all the fun stuff, and then it can be 74 degrees again.
But as luck would have it, winter gives way to - spring!
Spring is schizophrenic. It can't decide what it wants to be. It wages the great annual battle between warm and cold. Someone's gotta do it, and we've given that job to spring because all the other seasons are too smart to take it. 20 or 70 degrees? Snow or rain or sun? We're still in the NBA and NHL Playoffs, plus we've got opening day in the Major Leagues. We've got the lion-lamb thing in March, rain in April, sometime snow in May??? Is the furnace on or off? Does the AC still work? It's 90 today! I can't breathe - the pollen count is 5 million! Easter and Memorial day? Did you give something up this year? When do we change the clocks??? Sheesh, it's tough to be spring. Very complicated stuff. But overall, we must wade through the mandates of season number two to get to the most anticipated season of all for many. Summer!
Summer. Summer's great.
Fall. There are actually 2 falls. There's the now fall, that everyone is all giddy about right now. You know, the high school football fall. Sweatshirts and shorts fall, nice day cool nights fall, beautiful colors fall. We all love that fall, and why not? It's great!
But then comes the "other" fall. The 70 in the morning, 20 at dinnertime fall. The first snow in November that no one was ready for fall. The where's the snow brush fall? Raking leaves till my arms fall off fall, not to mention the filthiest job known to man - cleaning the gutters fall. What kind of masochist likes that fall? But in this case, it probably balances out even-Steven!
Anyway, we are in the first fall now, and it is rather nice. So enjoy, because you know and I know what's next. That annoying guy two cubicles down saying, "Winter is my favorite time of the year!"
He's lying.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
MOVIE REVIEW - Surrogates
Bruce Willis has a new movie out this week, Surrogates. Don't blink..you may just miss it! Surrogates is another strange Willis Sc-Fi flick, and maybe the strangest thing of all is it in only 80 minutes. I've seen infomercials longer than this movie. And 80 minutes s being generous. That's from beginning to credit roll at the end.
Surrogates is the fictional story of a new technology that is out. You can buy a beautifully crafted robot that looks totally human to go out in the world and be "you." You control the robot from you home with a headset. You are safe at home while your "Surrogate" goes out into the world and takes all the risks. As a result, crime has virtually disappeared including murder. They have totally takes over society, and everyone human pretty much sits around at home all day in pajamas, and plays "Surrogate" from their comfy chairs, wearing their headsets.
But alas, there is a threat to the Surrogate way of life. There is a new weapon out that can fry the robots, and also the human on the other end running it. This is big trouble as the whole idea of surrogacy is the safety of the humans. Ho-hum! I personally don't care about the humans in this flick. If you spend your life in a chair, playing video games in real life and running this robot so you don't have to go out in the world, I could care less what happens to you, you lazy so-n-so.
And that's just one of the problems here. You just don't care. Not good, not exciting, not suspenseful. It never really gets going. and then it just ...ends. This whole story could have been a single episode of Star Trek or something. There's just not enough here for a movie. They attempt to make it a real story by showing you the ramifications of robots in the world, and the human element. There is an attempt at depth and relevance. But it fails.
Surrogates......a big bag of nothing.
Surrogates is the fictional story of a new technology that is out. You can buy a beautifully crafted robot that looks totally human to go out in the world and be "you." You control the robot from you home with a headset. You are safe at home while your "Surrogate" goes out into the world and takes all the risks. As a result, crime has virtually disappeared including murder. They have totally takes over society, and everyone human pretty much sits around at home all day in pajamas, and plays "Surrogate" from their comfy chairs, wearing their headsets.
But alas, there is a threat to the Surrogate way of life. There is a new weapon out that can fry the robots, and also the human on the other end running it. This is big trouble as the whole idea of surrogacy is the safety of the humans. Ho-hum! I personally don't care about the humans in this flick. If you spend your life in a chair, playing video games in real life and running this robot so you don't have to go out in the world, I could care less what happens to you, you lazy so-n-so.
And that's just one of the problems here. You just don't care. Not good, not exciting, not suspenseful. It never really gets going. and then it just ...ends. This whole story could have been a single episode of Star Trek or something. There's just not enough here for a movie. They attempt to make it a real story by showing you the ramifications of robots in the world, and the human element. There is an attempt at depth and relevance. But it fails.
Surrogates......a big bag of nothing.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Waiting On The Epiphany
When Kanye West ran on stage last week at the MTV/VMA awards and upstaged Taylor Swift, many of us threw up our hands, dropped our jaws, and wondered what was next. It was the trifecta completed of totally rude, arrogant behavior over the proceeding week.
Congressman Joe Wilson got the ball rolling by screaming, "You lie!" on TV as The President was making a major speech to Congress. Then Serena Williams threatened a line judge at the US Open, with language that would make a sailor blush. Then it was West's turn to flame out on national TV.
Why on earth would people act this way? So unacceptable, so totally different than what should be considered good behavior? Some say they're angry. Angry about what? Congressman Wilson is on our payroll, and has the best benefits known to man. Doesn't sound like grounds to be mad to me. Williams is a millionaire many times over. She's young, beautiful and is a tennis champion. Pretty good again. And West, rich by any standards with millions of fans that love and buy his music. Angry? I don't get it.
So how is it that this continues to happen, with many more episodes undoubtedly coming down the road? It's simple really. We allow it. Maybe not you and me, but as a society we excuse this type of thing time and time again. And that's why it just rolls on and on.
Think about it. All of the mentioned above will just roll on down the road with barely a slap on the wrist. And there are others. Micheal Vick is a great example. The whole dog fighting thing. Great, he went to jail, and he served his time no doubt. But he comes out to a standing ovation in Philadelphia at a pre-season game on national TV. Manny Ramirez in baseball. Caught red handed taking steroids years after the whole scandal should have been long over. He too, got standing ovations after his suspension, and he was just, "Manny being Manny!"
Brittany Spears and all her antics with no underwear, and terrible parenting decisions. Countless other steroid taking, bad behaviored, law breaking, terrible example setting celebs and athletes from all across the country continue to live off off this country's disposable incomes.
We excuse much to much sometimes. I am all for forgiveness, as you are too I'm sure. But sometimes, things are just so jaw dropping, it may be best to take a different stand. Let Wilson get a real job, Serena and Kanye too. And there are a bevy of other celebrities that fit into the same wagon. Angry my eye. They're just rude, spoiled, and entitled brats who know there is nothing they can't do, or say.
Don't wait on people like this to have an epiphany, see the light and change their ways anytime soon. Sad to say, they don't have to. We should all have the epiphany, and turn the light on for them.
Congressman Joe Wilson got the ball rolling by screaming, "You lie!" on TV as The President was making a major speech to Congress. Then Serena Williams threatened a line judge at the US Open, with language that would make a sailor blush. Then it was West's turn to flame out on national TV.
Why on earth would people act this way? So unacceptable, so totally different than what should be considered good behavior? Some say they're angry. Angry about what? Congressman Wilson is on our payroll, and has the best benefits known to man. Doesn't sound like grounds to be mad to me. Williams is a millionaire many times over. She's young, beautiful and is a tennis champion. Pretty good again. And West, rich by any standards with millions of fans that love and buy his music. Angry? I don't get it.
So how is it that this continues to happen, with many more episodes undoubtedly coming down the road? It's simple really. We allow it. Maybe not you and me, but as a society we excuse this type of thing time and time again. And that's why it just rolls on and on.
Think about it. All of the mentioned above will just roll on down the road with barely a slap on the wrist. And there are others. Micheal Vick is a great example. The whole dog fighting thing. Great, he went to jail, and he served his time no doubt. But he comes out to a standing ovation in Philadelphia at a pre-season game on national TV. Manny Ramirez in baseball. Caught red handed taking steroids years after the whole scandal should have been long over. He too, got standing ovations after his suspension, and he was just, "Manny being Manny!"
Brittany Spears and all her antics with no underwear, and terrible parenting decisions. Countless other steroid taking, bad behaviored, law breaking, terrible example setting celebs and athletes from all across the country continue to live off off this country's disposable incomes.
We excuse much to much sometimes. I am all for forgiveness, as you are too I'm sure. But sometimes, things are just so jaw dropping, it may be best to take a different stand. Let Wilson get a real job, Serena and Kanye too. And there are a bevy of other celebrities that fit into the same wagon. Angry my eye. They're just rude, spoiled, and entitled brats who know there is nothing they can't do, or say.
Don't wait on people like this to have an epiphany, see the light and change their ways anytime soon. Sad to say, they don't have to. We should all have the epiphany, and turn the light on for them.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
MOVIE REVIEW - Love Happens
Let's start off by saying this. Don't be fooled by the new Jennifer Aniston flick, Love Happens new this week at the movies. If you're going in thinking this is a romantic comedy, you'll be wrong. And to be fair, it's really not even a Jennifer Aniston flick either.
Love Happens stars Aaron Eckhardt, who plays a fictional motivational speaker, a Dr. Phil type named Burke Ryan. He is bursting upon the scene with books, a TV show, and other media possibilities. His whole thing is you must confront your pain to get passed it. He is dedicated to his craft, and is great at helping others with their emotional pain and helping them get passed it. Trouble is, he won't confront his own, or deal with it. He has major demons in his attic, and they need to be dealt with.
He meets Eloise, (Aniston). She is a florist with a long line of bad romantic decisions in her wake. She meets Burke, and they strike up a friendship while he's in Seattle for one of his motivational workshops. It seems Burke wants more, but he is unable because of his demons. The whole thing gets pretty heavy. Will this work out? Are these two perfect for each other? That's the whole predictable story here. And this movie is very predictable.
If you're going to this movie thinking is a fun, light-hearted romantic comedy, then you're going to the wrong flick. True, it is a love story of sorts, but it is also very heavy, very deep, and not really funny. There are a few "cute" and romantic moments here and there, but this is not When Harry Met Sally or Sleepless In Seattle. You have to be willing to go to the mat with these characters and wade through their pain, and it is extensive, to get to the eventual end you see coming the whole movie.
I am a little annoyed with this movie. The title, the packaging of it. It all points to a light movie, and I'm fine that it's not. But this movie is misrepresented. It's not what they want you to think it is.
It's not even a bad movie. But it's predictable, and formula. Aniston, although a main character, her time on screen is limited, as is Martin Sheen's, who sticks his nose in from time to time. LH also drags a few times, and there a few too many side plots that in their idea are OK, but they spend way too much time on them. It gets a bit too bogged down, and there's a bunch of logrolling here. Come on....move on!
Love Happens. Actually love does happen, you just have to wait two hours, and go through the deep soup of despair to get there. Buyer beware, Love Happens is not a wash out, but it's not what you think it's going to be going in. For me, over all, a miss. A rental in 90 days.
Love Happens stars Aaron Eckhardt, who plays a fictional motivational speaker, a Dr. Phil type named Burke Ryan. He is bursting upon the scene with books, a TV show, and other media possibilities. His whole thing is you must confront your pain to get passed it. He is dedicated to his craft, and is great at helping others with their emotional pain and helping them get passed it. Trouble is, he won't confront his own, or deal with it. He has major demons in his attic, and they need to be dealt with.
He meets Eloise, (Aniston). She is a florist with a long line of bad romantic decisions in her wake. She meets Burke, and they strike up a friendship while he's in Seattle for one of his motivational workshops. It seems Burke wants more, but he is unable because of his demons. The whole thing gets pretty heavy. Will this work out? Are these two perfect for each other? That's the whole predictable story here. And this movie is very predictable.
If you're going to this movie thinking is a fun, light-hearted romantic comedy, then you're going to the wrong flick. True, it is a love story of sorts, but it is also very heavy, very deep, and not really funny. There are a few "cute" and romantic moments here and there, but this is not When Harry Met Sally or Sleepless In Seattle. You have to be willing to go to the mat with these characters and wade through their pain, and it is extensive, to get to the eventual end you see coming the whole movie.
I am a little annoyed with this movie. The title, the packaging of it. It all points to a light movie, and I'm fine that it's not. But this movie is misrepresented. It's not what they want you to think it is.
It's not even a bad movie. But it's predictable, and formula. Aniston, although a main character, her time on screen is limited, as is Martin Sheen's, who sticks his nose in from time to time. LH also drags a few times, and there a few too many side plots that in their idea are OK, but they spend way too much time on them. It gets a bit too bogged down, and there's a bunch of logrolling here. Come on....move on!
Love Happens. Actually love does happen, you just have to wait two hours, and go through the deep soup of despair to get there. Buyer beware, Love Happens is not a wash out, but it's not what you think it's going to be going in. For me, over all, a miss. A rental in 90 days.
MOVIE REVIEW - The Informant!
Matt Damon stars in the new comedy-drama The Informant!, new this weekend at the box office. This movie is based on a true story form the early 1990's. And because of the story's absolute absurdity, it must be true. You can't write them this crazy.
Meet mark Whitacre (Damon). He is a young executive working in Indiana at the huge food conglomerate ADM. He is a Vice-President, making 350 grand a year. He is married to a seemingly nice woman, with kids too. He seems to have it all. But in essence, he has nothing. He is a "crazy liar." From the movies outset, you can see Marc is not quite right mentally, but you think he's just kind of quirky. But it's much deeper than that.
He sets out on a string of lies to his employer, his family, his past, and even the highest levels of the FBI. All from price fixing, to tax fraud, embezzlement, where he came from, and who his parents are. He becomes and "Informant" for the FBI in an attempt to bring down ADM because of a supposed price fixing scheme. Trouble is, no on can figure out why he wants to do it in the first place. Plus, Marc believes after he brings down the giant, HE'LL be made the companies CEO. He turns out to be the worst informant of all time, and eventually the worst client and attorney ever had as well. I understand this may not sound like a laugh-a-minute movie, and it's not. BUT this is a very entertaining story that will pull you in, and keep you wondering, what is this clown going to do next?
The strength of this movie is the fact that they keep you wondering the whole time why he is the way he is. Damon is strong in this really big role. Supporting cast is fine, but this is one of those movies where the star of the movie is, the story. It is a story you don't know, and have never seen before. There is a great mix of drama, and some real dark comedy that has everyone on screen and in the theaters shaking their heads over this guys idiocy. The Informant! is a thinking mans movie. The story movies quickly, and doesn't take a lot of time to explain where it's going next. You have to keep up with it, so plan your breaks out before the movie.
The Informant!, is fun, smart, and borderline unbelievable at times. But it works. A real nice mix of smart story telling, witty dialogue, a very strange and eclectic music track, and solid performances by well cast actors. Great night at the movies.
Meet mark Whitacre (Damon). He is a young executive working in Indiana at the huge food conglomerate ADM. He is a Vice-President, making 350 grand a year. He is married to a seemingly nice woman, with kids too. He seems to have it all. But in essence, he has nothing. He is a "crazy liar." From the movies outset, you can see Marc is not quite right mentally, but you think he's just kind of quirky. But it's much deeper than that.
He sets out on a string of lies to his employer, his family, his past, and even the highest levels of the FBI. All from price fixing, to tax fraud, embezzlement, where he came from, and who his parents are. He becomes and "Informant" for the FBI in an attempt to bring down ADM because of a supposed price fixing scheme. Trouble is, no on can figure out why he wants to do it in the first place. Plus, Marc believes after he brings down the giant, HE'LL be made the companies CEO. He turns out to be the worst informant of all time, and eventually the worst client and attorney ever had as well. I understand this may not sound like a laugh-a-minute movie, and it's not. BUT this is a very entertaining story that will pull you in, and keep you wondering, what is this clown going to do next?
The strength of this movie is the fact that they keep you wondering the whole time why he is the way he is. Damon is strong in this really big role. Supporting cast is fine, but this is one of those movies where the star of the movie is, the story. It is a story you don't know, and have never seen before. There is a great mix of drama, and some real dark comedy that has everyone on screen and in the theaters shaking their heads over this guys idiocy. The Informant! is a thinking mans movie. The story movies quickly, and doesn't take a lot of time to explain where it's going next. You have to keep up with it, so plan your breaks out before the movie.
The Informant!, is fun, smart, and borderline unbelievable at times. But it works. A real nice mix of smart story telling, witty dialogue, a very strange and eclectic music track, and solid performances by well cast actors. Great night at the movies.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Small Town USA
There is a great song out right now we're playing on WQMX. It's by a new artist that we've had the pleasure of meeting and working with a time or two, his name is Justin Moore. The song is called Small Town USA. I love this song. And there are a ton of reasons why.
First, it's real country. Second, it has a catchy tune that's easy to remember as all great songs do. But the real reason I love it, it's sung by a guy who lives it. I believe every word that Justin sings in this soon-to-be number one song on the country charts. That's a big deal with me. I've been playing country music on the radio for about a thousand years and the songs I really love, I really believe.
That song speaks to the small town in all of us I think. I have recently had the honor, (and I do mean honor) of working some really great small town events recently. And even though all concerts, appearances and roadshows are fun, there's something about a small town gathering that's a little different. My mom taught me that after I was an adult. I moved away for many years, and would lways come home for vacation. We'd go to a small parade in my hometown of Berea, and she would say, "There's nothing like a small town gathering!" She's mom - she's right.
At both the Wayne County, and Portage County fairs this summer, I met so many great people it's hard to keep track of them all. The wonderful people that run these ventures are just salt-of-the-earth people that you feel a real connection to as soon as you meet them. There's something about their handshake, and the sincerity of their smiles, that make you feel at ease the second you meet them. And the fans and listeners too. The feeling is palpable all around you when one of their favorite Country Stars come to town to perform. Ala Diamond Rio, James Otto, Billy Currington, or Bucky Covington. You can feel the appreciation before the first note is sung. It's just different in a small town.
Sue and I also felt that a month or two ago when we worked the community day at the Cornerstone Methodist Church. It may not be as small in that neighborhood as Wooster, or Randolph, but the feeling was the same. Sue and I have talked about it many times since that wonderful day. The feeling there was just a bit different.
Don't get me wrong, there isn't one thing wrong with any event, anywhere. The concerts at Blossom or The Q are bigger no doubt, and everyone is great. But I think even big places like to try to capture the small town feel. You seldom hear someone say, "You know, we really want this to feel like a big, major, sweaty city." It's almost always the other way. The small town feel.
To all of the wonderful people we've met in the past few months, especially in the small towns, we say thanks! Thanks for reminding us that even though we all may not live in a small town, your welcoming, and songs like Justin Moore's make us think of our own small towns. After all, most all or us are from someplace smaller than where we eventually end up.
And for those who stay in the small town from cradle to grave, there's a part of everyone of us that wishes we had too. Even if it's just a small part.
"I'll be right here, in Small Town USA" - Justin Moore.
First, it's real country. Second, it has a catchy tune that's easy to remember as all great songs do. But the real reason I love it, it's sung by a guy who lives it. I believe every word that Justin sings in this soon-to-be number one song on the country charts. That's a big deal with me. I've been playing country music on the radio for about a thousand years and the songs I really love, I really believe.
That song speaks to the small town in all of us I think. I have recently had the honor, (and I do mean honor) of working some really great small town events recently. And even though all concerts, appearances and roadshows are fun, there's something about a small town gathering that's a little different. My mom taught me that after I was an adult. I moved away for many years, and would lways come home for vacation. We'd go to a small parade in my hometown of Berea, and she would say, "There's nothing like a small town gathering!" She's mom - she's right.
At both the Wayne County, and Portage County fairs this summer, I met so many great people it's hard to keep track of them all. The wonderful people that run these ventures are just salt-of-the-earth people that you feel a real connection to as soon as you meet them. There's something about their handshake, and the sincerity of their smiles, that make you feel at ease the second you meet them. And the fans and listeners too. The feeling is palpable all around you when one of their favorite Country Stars come to town to perform. Ala Diamond Rio, James Otto, Billy Currington, or Bucky Covington. You can feel the appreciation before the first note is sung. It's just different in a small town.
Sue and I also felt that a month or two ago when we worked the community day at the Cornerstone Methodist Church. It may not be as small in that neighborhood as Wooster, or Randolph, but the feeling was the same. Sue and I have talked about it many times since that wonderful day. The feeling there was just a bit different.
Don't get me wrong, there isn't one thing wrong with any event, anywhere. The concerts at Blossom or The Q are bigger no doubt, and everyone is great. But I think even big places like to try to capture the small town feel. You seldom hear someone say, "You know, we really want this to feel like a big, major, sweaty city." It's almost always the other way. The small town feel.
To all of the wonderful people we've met in the past few months, especially in the small towns, we say thanks! Thanks for reminding us that even though we all may not live in a small town, your welcoming, and songs like Justin Moore's make us think of our own small towns. After all, most all or us are from someplace smaller than where we eventually end up.
And for those who stay in the small town from cradle to grave, there's a part of everyone of us that wishes we had too. Even if it's just a small part.
"I'll be right here, in Small Town USA" - Justin Moore.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
MOVIE REVIEW - Whiteout
Strange release time for a movie called Whiteout that deals with life on the South Pole, but here it is. Whiteout stars Kate Beckinsdale and Tom Skerritt, as two pivotal people stationed at the main research outpost in Antarctica. She a U.S. Marshal and he the stations doctor.
Whiteout is an actiony, mystery, thriller of some kind. Kind of hard to categorize movie that is a bit more adult as compared to the slasher flicks dominating the box office right now. There have been 3 murders in Antarctica, the first ones ever. And the search is on to find the murderer. Is it someone on the inside, or is there an outsider doing these before unthinkable crimes. There is danger at every turn, and the elements of course are a big problem too.
Whiteout is better than you would think. But let's not get carried away. On the positive, I thought it showed wonderfully, what life at the South Pole would be like. It is explained how cold it really is, and how they beat it. The station was really cool, and it's interesting to see how they survive. Also, wherever this movie was filmed, there are some really beautiful scenes here. The story is better than I thought it would be going in, and it overall is easy to follow. There are a few holes, but they are somewhat forgivable.
On the down side, there is a ton of action in this flick. Most of it OK. The big action scene though in the whiteout is disappointing. Very long, and very hard to see and follow because of the blizzard. From a perspective of being accurate, probably right on. From a movie making one, hard to see, and herky-jerky. Big problem. Plus, a time or two if becomes extremely far-fetched, and that hurts too.
Beckinsdale is alluring as usual, not overly believable as a U.S. Marshal, tough to get past. Skerritt as the kindly doctor, well cast and really good in his supporting role.
Whiteout. Not mandatory viewing. Not great, but not a total whiteou.....um.. washout.
Whiteout is an actiony, mystery, thriller of some kind. Kind of hard to categorize movie that is a bit more adult as compared to the slasher flicks dominating the box office right now. There have been 3 murders in Antarctica, the first ones ever. And the search is on to find the murderer. Is it someone on the inside, or is there an outsider doing these before unthinkable crimes. There is danger at every turn, and the elements of course are a big problem too.
Whiteout is better than you would think. But let's not get carried away. On the positive, I thought it showed wonderfully, what life at the South Pole would be like. It is explained how cold it really is, and how they beat it. The station was really cool, and it's interesting to see how they survive. Also, wherever this movie was filmed, there are some really beautiful scenes here. The story is better than I thought it would be going in, and it overall is easy to follow. There are a few holes, but they are somewhat forgivable.
On the down side, there is a ton of action in this flick. Most of it OK. The big action scene though in the whiteout is disappointing. Very long, and very hard to see and follow because of the blizzard. From a perspective of being accurate, probably right on. From a movie making one, hard to see, and herky-jerky. Big problem. Plus, a time or two if becomes extremely far-fetched, and that hurts too.
Beckinsdale is alluring as usual, not overly believable as a U.S. Marshal, tough to get past. Skerritt as the kindly doctor, well cast and really good in his supporting role.
Whiteout. Not mandatory viewing. Not great, but not a total whiteou.....um.. washout.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
