Left to my own devices

When the Dam Breaks

2012-02-21T13:31:00.000-06:00

Someone crying has always been hard for me to take. Only in the most extreme circumstances -- when I suspect the tears of being faked, or that the person is deserving of them -- has my reaction been anything but icy toward the person bearing the tears. In fact, the presence of a crying person has often snapped me out of any foul mood I may have borne toward them (or the situation). Whether or not this is a proper reaction to such events is debatable, nevertheless it is my observed response. This occurred just a few days ago, in fact.

Pic of the Week

2012-02-17T23:01:00.001-06:00

This week, it's actor Daren Kagasoff. Enjoy.

"When the Ride Stops, It's Where It Started"

2012-02-09T11:17:00.000-06:00

The Chicago Tribune recently featured an article by Richard Asa about being "young" and trying to re-enter the dating scene after the death of a partner/spouse. I put "young" in quotation marks because the author would seem to define it as someone in their 20s and 30s. Apparently, 40-somethings on up are placed into some sort of "it gets better" category for loss. Here's a salient excerpt from the article:

It's not that the grief is less for older widows and widowers, but most of them have decades of fond memories. People widowed at a younger age are looking at a blank slate where future plans once existed. It can change you.

The Eternal Problem

2012-02-07T15:21:00.000-06:00

As regular readers of this blog will know, I am not a believer in the afterlife. It a fairly certain disbelief, but not one carved in stone, as none of us really have proof one way or the other, so I admit to possibly being very wrong on the subject. At any rate, one of the reasons I've had an issue with the notion of an afterlife (at least, as it's been presented in most world religions) is that it seems to encompass all of eternity. That may seem lovely to some, but not to this fellow. As the First Doctor noted in the 1983 Five Doctors special, "Immortality is a curse, not a blessing." I mean, really, who wants to live forever?

Writer's Block

2012-02-01T11:12:00.000-06:00

I was conferring with a friend (and fellow aspiring writer) recently about how things have been progessing with our respective fiction writing. In short: slowly. We discussed what tends to inhibit our creative juices, and I was reminded of just how many roadblocks I erect in order to avoid sitting down and following-through with putting pen to paper (so to speak).

Pic of the Week

2012-01-30T13:04:00.000-06:00

Despite his loss yesterday, we still love Rafa.

Best Albums of 2011

2012-01-29T16:46:00.002-06:00

So, about a month ago I presented my list of the Top 10 Songs of 2011, with the caveat that I wasn't sure if even five albums warranted a 'best of' label for the same year. Well, I can positively say that, yes, there were five albums from 2011 that were quite good and, without further adieu, here they are.

The One Constant In Life is That People Will Disappoint

2012-01-26T14:36:00.000-06:00

This is likely to be an angry post. I (kind of ) apologize in advance, but, there you go.

It has been a Matt-truism for decades that I've long been a very sensitive person. No point in going into all the possible reasons why at this juncture. It's simply a part of who I am, although I try every day to keep it in check, to not let it overrule my better nature. Yet, decades later, I seem to find myself back at square one when it comes to sensitivity in regards to interactions with people. It's a deflating, pathetic, lonely, maddening feeling.

Born This Way?

2012-01-25T21:56:00.000-06:00

Actress Cynthia Nixon seems to be making headlines this week, due to remarks she made at a recent LGBT conference, in which she said that being gay/lesbian is a choice. Here's what she told the New York Times magazine:

“I gave a speech recently, an empowerment speech to a gay audience, and it included the line ‘I’ve been straight and I’ve been gay, and gay is better.’ And they tried to get me to change it, because they said it implies that homosexuality can be a choice. And for me, it is a choice. I understand that for many people it’s not, but for me it’s a choice, and you don’t get to define my gayness for me.”

Honestly, I'm not offended by Nixon's remarks. For one, she makes it clear that she's speaking for herself, and no one else. For another, I do think it's possible that being gay could, perhaps, be a choice for some. Now, before my gay brethren whip out the pitchforks, let me be clear: I believe sexuality to likely be a product of nature and nurture. After all, there are twins who have turned out to have different sexual orientations. And who is to say that whom we favor emotionally and sexually isn't influenced somewhat by our environment?

Murder, We Spoke

2012-01-22T18:52:00.000-06:00

From time to time I check out the TV Shows On DVD web site to see if there's going to be a release of the Murder, She Wrote TV movies collection. To clarify: Murder, She Wrote ran for twelve seasons on CBS, and was a favorite of mine. I watched it religiously, and have collected all twelve of the DVD season box sets. All that's left now is the release (if there is to be one) of the four TV movies Angela Lansbury starred in after the show went off the air. They aired from, 1997 to 2003. Their release would be a bittersweet occasion for me.

Pop Muzik

2012-01-21T16:36:00.001-06:00

There's something amiss with pop music fans these days. I don't mean that they're fans of pop music, more so that they seem to be fans of old pop music. This, in and of itself, isn't a bad thing per se, but it is a situation fairly unique to the last 45-50 years of popular music. And, with the current crop of singer/songwriter output being at such a low mark of quality, I do wonder if our culture's tendency to cling to the music makers of the past is perhaps harming the ability to progress in a new, even better direction?

Pic of the Week

2012-01-15T14:49:00.000-06:00

It's been awhile since we've had a Pic of the Week. My apologies. This week, we make up for it by featuring the dishy actor Rob James-Collier, better known as the gay house servant Thomas on the hit British series Downton Abbey.

Here you go...

It should be noted that James-Collier is a former model, and before Downton Abbey he starred in the long-running British soap opera Coronation Street. It's also interesting to learn that the gay kiss featured in Series 1 of Downtown Abbey was his idea:

He admitted that it was his idea for Thomas to kiss a visiting Duke, played by Charlie Cox, in the first episode.

"It wasn't actually in the scene but at the second rehearsal it dawned on me that there was a moment missing and we could improve it," he said. "I'm sure my friends back in Manchester will have a few things to say. But you play a character who happens to be gay. It's not an issue."

Bless 'im.

Define "Better"

2012-01-13T11:39:00.000-06:00

This probably won't be one of my more popular blog entries. It has to do with being gay, with society, with the hardships that life throws our way, with wanting to belong, and joining a trend. And it has to do with suicide -- never an easy subject. Yet, I feel compelled to put pen to paper (so to speak), if for no other reason than to collect my own thoughts on the matter. So, I'm sorry if I offend you during any portion of this post. Having said that, let's begin.

The Empathetic Upper Crust

2012-01-08T15:17:00.000-06:00

Tonight marks the (American) return of the hit British television series Downton Abbey. For the uninitiated, the show takes place in England during the early twentieth century, when noblemen were, well, noble, and servants ran vast estates and were, for the most part, content with their lot in life. Or so the story goes. Actor and Academy Award winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes is the creative force behind Downtown Abbey, and writes with an empathetic flair for the human heart. It is this empathy that has, in my opinion at least, made the conservative Fellowes' production such a big hit, on both sides of the pond.

Irin Carmon of Slate.com is challenging this notion, wanting an answer to the question of "Why Liberals Love Downton Abbey." The piece struck me for a few reasons. For one, it picks up on the aforementioned stream of empathy that seems to embody the upper class of Abbey. For another, it doesn't shy away from asking why we (at least we as Americans, whose nation is founded upon the throwing-off of the British aristocratic shackles) are such suckers for this stuff. Because what is likely an undercurrent to Carmon's piece (and even my own thoughts) is that the conservative Fellowes' portrayal of the upper crust is, very probably, rose-coloured.

Tree of Life

2011-12-29T12:04:00.000-06:00

Today is my mother's 65th birthday. I just got back from having breakfast with her at one of her favorite haunts, the Original Pancake House. We exchanged birthday gifts two days ago, when it was my birthday. All this talk of birthdays got me to thinking (often dangerous) about what such days are really about, or what their history is.

Pic of the Week

2011-12-17T14:36:00.000-06:00

This week we turn our gaze toward Justin Gaston, the 23-year-old underwear model and former boyfriend of Miley Cyrus. Enjoy.

Gone

2011-12-16T18:19:00.001-06:00

Christopher Hitchens died last night. Many of you likely know who he was. Some of you may only have heard of him. To say that he was a British journalist who rose to fame on the prowess of his writing on politics and atheism, while true, would only be the cold, stock description of a vast and complicated man. Ill with esophageal cancer over the last year-and-a-half, the news of Hitchens' death has nevertheless surprised me with the magnitude of melancholy it has created within my core.

A man of sharp tongue and intellect, who rarely tired of a robust debate, Hitchens drew inspiration from George Orwell, and many (myself included) in-turn drew inspiration from him. His written output was profuse, encompassing a plethora of essays and articles, many of them for Vanity Fair magazine. He also put out the odd book, many of which wouldn't fail at rousing the ire of many a die-hard believer, incensed at Hitchens' blasphemy of their particular religiosity. But it was hard to win a debate against the man. Most were simply too slow-witted, and not as well-versed in whatever subject was at hand, to combat his oratorical and intellectual skills.

Top 10 Songs of 2011

2011-12-16T11:25:00.000-06:00

Well, folks, it's been.... a year. Music-wise, I can't say that 2011 has been a sterling effort, but it's been ok (certainly no 1993 or 1997, the two best years for music during the past 20 years). While I'm still trying to determine whether there are even five consistently solid albums for my 'Top 5 Albums' list, I do have a fair amount of songs that were in the running for 'Top 10 Songs of the Year.' And here they are:

Building a Mystery

2011-12-12T19:27:00.000-06:00

Ashley & I have recently re-started watching Twin Peaks, that quirky, venerable TV series that enjoyed a bright, brilliant life before burning out quickly after a season-and-a-half in the early 1990s. The up and down quality of the program is noticeable, especially during the second season (where we have picked it up at). While the death of Laura Palmer made for good water cooler talk, other mysteries, such as possible alien abductions, Agent Cooper being investigated by the FBI, David Duchovny as a cross-dresser, and a hostile business take-over, are not quite as enthralling. Audiences thought so, too, which is why the series was cancelled in 1991.

Together Forever

2011-12-11T20:01:00.000-06:00

Thoughts of the passage of time have been on my mind. It's my birthday later this month, so this may be an artifact of that occasion. The years go by. We take it for granted that they always will, but then, somewhere in the recess of our mind that we dare not go to often, we know that at that some point this will not be so. It is, in fact, true that we live a transient life. This seems to run contrary to what we want, nevertheless it is so.

Pic of the Week

2011-12-07T11:09:00.001-06:00

Today is the 22nd birthday of actor Nicholas Hoult. Although he's had a steady career in film and television, I remember Nicholas primarily from the 2002 Hugh Grant film About a Boy. As you can see, he's grown up just a tad since then....

Bully Pulpit

2011-12-05T10:06:00.000-06:00

Bullying has been in the news a lot lately. That's a good thing. It needs a spotlight shown on it, so the bullies can (hopefully) scurry into the shadows like cockroaches with the light turned on them. And, maybe, they'll take some time to contemplate their actions and words, to reflect upon how what they do to others is awful and, sometimes, nearly unforgivable. I speak from experience. I was bullied nearly all through public school. And, in turn, I tried to bully once, to assert some sort of elusive power, and it hurt just as much as being bullied, myself. The cycle of discord among our young is nothing new, but that doesn't mean it should continue.

Comforting Persona

2011-11-30T22:40:00.000-06:00

Next to PBS, my favorite television network is probably Turner Classic Movies. TCM has been a staple on most cable line-ups for nearly twenty years, and part of its allure (besides the excellent programming of classic film and the no-commercials policy) is the venerable long-time host, Robert Osborne. A film historian of great repute, Mr. Obsorne provides the introductions and exiting remarks to every movie aired on TCM during the evenings. He is returning to the network tomorrow night after an almost five-month hiatus due to health reasons. I, for one, am more than pleased.

Pic of the Week

2011-11-28T10:01:00.004-06:00

Today is the 26th birthday of British actor Ryan Sampson. I've enjoyed him in the TV series After You've Gone, as well as his villainous turn in a Doctor Who two-parter during the David Tennant era. Happy Birthday, Ryan!

"At night, the dream returns...."

2011-11-27T18:16:00.003-06:00

I'm not a superstitious person. I don't believe in ghosts, nor in the effects of black cats or broken mirrors. But I am afraid of the number 52. I dislike it immensely. It is, to me, unlucky. If I ever constructed a building, it very likely wouldn't have a 52nd floor. Why all the hate for this number? Simply put, my dad died at age 52, and it has since become my antagonist. I measure my life as a countdown to that age, to the time when, perhaps, this journey will be at an end.

Night of the Hunters

2011-11-23T14:52:00.000-06:00

Yet another division has arisen between the Champaign Police Department and the citizenry of Champaign. Over the summer, a young man was stopped for jaywalking after leaving a bar. He was mouthy. For his sins, he was pepper-sprayed and, perhaps, choked. I say "perhaps" because, after viewing the video of the incident, it is unclear that he was in fact choked. Regardless, it was a rough time. It's doubtful either the police officer or the young man made a new friend that night.

The Languid Dead

2011-11-21T15:57:00.000-06:00

Last night was episode 6 of Season 2 of AMC's hit series The Walking Dead. It's a show I came to late. Well, after a few episodes, anyway. The program premiered last year on Halloween, and I had little desire to watch yet another depiction of a zombie apocalypse (there's only been, what, 50 million such movies about the subject within the last decade or so?) At any rate, the first episode proved to be a monster success, and I kept hearing good things about the show, so I tuned-in around episode 4 of Season 1, got caught-up with everything during one of the many all-day marathons that AMC aired for it, and was suitably hooked. After 6 episodes, the show went on hiatus until this Autumn. So far, Season 2 has been a pale shadow of its predecessor, and last night's episode was part & parcel of why that is.

Pic of the Week

2011-11-21T09:51:00.000-06:00

It's the 36th birthday of actor Jimmi Simpson (so, he's still quite young, really). I loved his performance in Date Night. Enjoy.

Hero Worship

2011-11-14T12:47:00.000-06:00

There's been a column from the Washington Post making the social media rounds recently, as it relates to the Penn State scandal. It's written by Thomas Day, and he's a Penn State alum, former member of Sandusky's Second Mile Foundation, an Iraq war vet, and a Catholic. And he's lost his faith in coach Joe Paterno and the rest of Penn State hierarchy. He has also lost faith in his parents' generation.

Love, Sex and Intelligence

2011-11-13T14:22:00.000-06:00

Let's talk about sex. You know.... physical attraction, not necessarily the act, itself. But we can talk about that as well. What -- if anything -- influences our levels of attraction toward certain people? What inhibits them? Is it nature vs. nurture? A bit of both? And is it good or bad to assign labels to people's sexuality? Let's explore, shall we.

There are a lot of factors that shape our perceptions of what sexuality is, and those include (but are not limited to): culture, religion, age, environment and life experience. I have my own views of human sexuality. Yours may differ. That's ok. I wouldn't expect us to agree on every single point. Yet I think it's an interesting subject to discuss. The 'life experience' factor is a biggie, probably as influential as religion or culture.

Lyrical Idiocy

2011-11-10T14:54:00.000-06:00

Today I'd like to chat with you about something we're all probably guilty of engaging in. That's right, folks, I'm talking about the misheard song lyric quandary. You know the drill: You buy a new CD (or download a song, if you're one of those young whippersnappers), turn up the volume, sit back and take-in the music. Eventually, you begin to sing along with the vocals, whether they affect you in a happy or melancholy way (depending on your mood), and you're one with the music experience.

The aforementioned ceremony is all well and good, until you happen, one day, to perhaps share the song with someone else. It could be on purpose --- "Hey, I loooove this new song, you've gotta' hear it!" --- or on accident --- "You're in my car, and I'mma play this music, whether you like it or not" --- and you begin to sing along with it, swept-up in the glory of the moment. That's where the trouble begins. A brusk friend might interrupt your euphoric tune-belting and say something like, "Wait, what did you just say?" A more polite friend may just smile embarrassingly for you, waiting for you to ask them what is amusing them so.

Smilla's Sense of Smell

2011-11-07T10:06:00.002-06:00

I was on the bus to work this morning, and the fella next to me, African-American, smelled like cigarette smoke. A very familiar cigarette smoke. I'm not up on all the brands of death sticks. I lived with my father for twelve years while he smoked them like I drink soda pop, yet I couldn't -- if my life depended on it -- tell you want brand they were. Same with my uncles. Yet, this morning, the guy sitting next to me smelled just like them. The flood of memories that smell brought to mind was, to say the least, quite heady.

Pic of the Week

2011-11-02T10:14:00.001-05:00

If you're not already familiar with British actor Ryan Cartwright, then you should be. The definition of 'dishy,' Ryan has featured in such quality TV shows as Hardware, Bones and, currently, Alphas. With a voice that could melt butter, and a face subtle in its beauty, Mr. Cartwright is our Pic of the Week.

The Best of Halloween (Favorite Horror Films)

2011-10-31T14:36:00.000-05:00

It's Halloween, that sinister holiday that allows adults and children alike to dress-up in costume, cut loose, have some fun, and face our deepest fears with a twinkle in our eye. Part & parcel of the Halloween funfest is, of course, a bevy of scary movies. There have been many over the years. I thought I'd go over my Top 10 Favorite ones here.

Shades of Grey

2011-10-28T11:58:00.001-05:00

There's been yet another clash of citizens vs. police in my fair city. This time, it's an allegation of police brutality. The citizen (and his family & friends) tells one story. The police tell quite another. But I don't want this to be about that situation in particular. Really, I don't. Instead, I want to discuss something perhaps even more important, and that is rhetoric, and it's power to shape and influence a community, however large or small.

Dial M-a-t-t for Depression

2011-10-25T15:01:00.003-05:00

So, I've been feeling a bit down of late. This feeling of moroseness has been occurring on-and-off over the past few weeks, but really came on strong a couple of days ago. Sleep patterns probably had something to do with it. I was better the next day. But then I was worse again this morning. Perhaps it is seasonal? Who knows? All I do know is, I've been dealing with this crappy thing called depression for a long time, and wish I could break free.

Pic of the Week

2011-10-23T19:57:00.001-05:00

Ryan Reyonds turns 35 today (quite a youthful age), and so he's our special pic of the week. Enjoy.

100 in the Light

2011-10-19T13:43:00.001-05:00

Three years ago today, the world lost a woman who had been with it for over a century. She didn't live the easiest life, but it was a blessed one. Without her, scores of people who are near and dear to me wouldn't exist. And, selfishly, I must admit to being one of them. I am, of course, referring to Callie Mae Hubbard, also known as my paternal grandma.

Passing away just one week shy of her 101st birthday, Callie Mae was my longest-lived, and last remaining, grandparent. They are all gone now. Both grandfathers were unknown to me, and Gummy (my maternal grandmother) had died 10 years earlier. There was a lot I didn't know about Callie Mae, but what I did know, I liked. She was one-of-a-kind.

Pic of the Week

2011-10-19T10:46:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was Zac Efron's 24th birthday. Let's just celebrate and gaze, shall we?

My Gummy

2011-10-17T13:11:00.000-05:00

Today is the 83rd birthday anniversary of my maternal grandmother, affectionately known to me as "Gummy." This was due, I later found out, to a mis-reading of her handwriting. Originally, it had been her intention that I should know her as "Grammy." She wrote this down once, I looked at it, uttered "Gummy," and the name stuck. It wasn't until years later that I knew her real name was Emma Gene. Gummy suited her better. Grandkids know best about such things.

To Boldly Go

2011-10-16T14:40:00.000-05:00

Actor Zachary Quinto has officially come out to the world today. I must admit to being a tad blind-sided by the news, as my Gaydar had not been tripped by him up until now. Of course, upon further reflection, it seems pretty obvious. Following is part of Quinto's heartfelt statement, from his web site:

when i found out that jamey rodemeyer killed himself - i felt deeply troubled. but when i found out that jamey rodemeyer had made an it gets better video only months before taking his own life - i felt indescribable despair. i also made an it gets better video last year - in the wake of the senseless and tragic gay teen suicides that were sweeping the nation at the time. but in light of jamey's death - it became clear to me in an instant that living a gay life without publicly acknowledging it - is simply not enough to make any significant contribution to the immense work that lies ahead on the road to complete equality. our society needs to recognize the unstoppable momentum toward unequivocal civil equality for every gay lesbian bisexual and transgendered citizen of this country. gay kids need to stop killing themselves because they are made to feel worthless by cruel and relentless bullying. parents need to teach their children principles of respect and acceptance.

Quinto is a prominent, up & coming actor, and this is fairly big news for young Hollywood. Bravo to him for having the confidence to make his sexuality public. If this can help any struggling gay people who are needing to know that there are others out there like them, then this is more than worth it.

Good Neighbors

2011-10-15T16:04:00.000-05:00

I grew up during a simpler time. This isn't necessarily because times are more complicated today than they used to be (although we certainly have more technology at our disposal now), but it is because children often see (and remember) things in much more simpler terms than when their brains become better developed, and they have to directly contend with so much more of the world as adults. So, yes, things were pretty complicated -- and even dangerous -- when I was a kid, but they seemed simple more often than not.

To Infinity, and Beyond....

2011-10-13T21:31:00.000-05:00

There's an episode of the old-time radio series Lights Out Everybody, from the pen of creative luminary Arch Oboler. The plot of The Immortal Gentleman rather startled me when, as a kid, I first listened to it, alone upstairs in my darkened bedroom.

It is the future. Or, at least, we think it is. A man from the present day falls asleep in an auditorium during a boring lecture, and "wakes up" to find himself in the remnants of the very same auditorium. He is soon tagging-along with a band of people who are on a mission. In the future --- in their time --- people live forever. And they're seeking to end that, by any means necessary.

The moral of Immortal Gentleman --- that humanity should live and then die, making way for newer, younger people --- has always stuck with me. When we're young, we rarely seem to think about death. If we do, it's typically something we don't look favorably upon. The idea of living forever is an inviting one. But at what cost? Is an infinite lifespan really all it's cracked up to be? Let's think about it for a moment.

Pic of the Week

2011-10-12T10:28:00.000-05:00

Today is the 19th birthday of actor Josh Hutcherson (he of American Splendor and The Kids Are All Right fame). So, happy birthday to Josh, eh?

Memories of Mrs. Storch

2011-10-09T15:36:00.000-05:00

There was an article recently in the local paper about a man who, ten years ago when he was a student at my old high school, was shown some kindness by one of the deans. She gave him a winter coat, which he desperately needed, and now that kindness is proving fruitful as the young man is helping with Unit 4's Warm-A-Kid drive. The effort is seeking to provide coats for kids who need them this winter. Check it out.

All of this reminded me of the kindness and attention visited upon me by another of Champaign Centennial High School's finest deans. I refer, of course, to Mrs. Nicole Storch. She was dean long before my time at the school, and retired while I was there, much to my dismay. It's true that I've had lots of teachers whose influence and teaching style made a difference, but only one dean truly made a difference during my time in public school. I probably owe my sanity and perseverance to the efforts of this woman.

Remember Me

2011-10-04T16:51:00.000-05:00

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to read about how I misunderstood a friend's recent Tweet. They have to give a eulogy in a Public Speaking class, about a fictional person. At first, I thought it was a eulogy they had to write and read about themselves. Oy! Talk about morbid. At any rate, it got me to thinking about my own eulogy (which is hopefully far, far in the future, but you never know), and how I'd like to be remembered in it. Oh, come now, you know you've thought about this for yourself on occasion.

I Was So Much Gayer Then, But I'm Younger Than That Now

2011-09-30T10:25:00.000-05:00

I don't know about you, but it seems like it's getting harder and harder to tell who's gay and who's not these days. And then there's the bisexuals. Oy. Don't even get me started. What's a label-defined, everything-in-its-place, definition-loving society to do? I suppose we could do away with labels all together, but then that would probably make things more confusing. Seriously, though: human sexuality is a curious thing, innit?

Pic of the Week

2011-09-27T10:44:00.000-05:00

Over the weekend I was watching an episode of the British crime drama Dalziel & Pascoe, and couldn't help but notice one of the guest stars. He's dishy actor Neil Newbon, and he's our pic of the week.....

The Greatest American Rock & Roll Band?

2011-09-26T17:20:00.000-05:00

After three decades of making music together, the rock band R.E.M. have announced that they are calling it quits (as a group, anyway). Unfortunately, R.E.M. reached their zenith a number of years ago, so they're going out with a whimper, and not a bang. Still, it's been a good run. Someone on an internet forum I frequent (because that's what I do in my spare time -- visit internet forums) posited the following:

I think you could make a strong case that they were the greatest American rock and roll band of the past thirty years.

Now, I got to thinking about this. My initial reaction was a knee-jerk nodding of the head, but then further contemplation brought forth some doubt. There are other rock & roll bands that could vie for the title of 'greatest' from past thirty years, surely? Perhaps R.E.M. comes to the fore because of its longevity? But does quantity stand tall over quality? Seems doubtful. Let's look at some other rock bands from the past three decades.

Pic of the Week

2011-09-22T12:21:00.001-05:00

Actor Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy from the Harry Potter series of films) turns 24 today (so, just a couple years younger than me). Here's a rather nice photo of him. Enjoy.

The Undiscovered Country

2011-09-21T21:50:00.000-05:00

A recent excerpt from film critic Roger Ebert's new memoir, in regards to his views on death, got me to thinking about the subject. Not for the first time. Let's be real: Death is something that we think about from time to time. It is, in many ways, the basis for nearly all religions in the world - past and present. My own view on death may sound bleak, and it does scare me sometimes, but it is what is is.

A View of Art

2011-09-19T14:56:00.002-05:00

I went to an art gallery recently that featured an exhibition of photography from around the world. I frequent this gallery fairly often, and my heart sank sightly when this month's featured artist turned out to be a photographer. Nothing against photography, mind you. I enjoy it quite a bit. And the exhibit has some nice pictures. But I have this notion on how art should be viewed. I prefer to look at photographs in book form, or at least in the comfort of my own home, and prefer to enjoy paintings at an art gallery.

Whither 3-D?

2011-09-16T16:49:00.000-05:00

Film critic Roger Ebert, long a naysayer of the gimmick of 3-D usage in movies, is rubbing his hands together with glee at the Slate article by Daniel Engber that all but puts a stake in the heart of the 3-D film phenomenon. While a Mark Twain quote comes to mind at the moment, I can't necessarily dispute Mr. Engber's assertion that 3-D's popularity may have peaked. The following passage from the article caught my attention:

Yet by the end of August 2010, the future of cinema was starting to look unsteady on its feet. Box-office returns from the next wave of 3-D films were disappointing. The revival needed reviving.

The thought occurred, when reading the above quote, that it might (just might) be possible that the entire scope of movie releases could have to undergo a massive overhaul in the coming years. What I'm talking about, in one sense, is the death of the multiplex. Indeed, all one has to do is look around to see the portents of this potential trend. We've witnessed the implosion and shuttering of nationwide companies, resulting in the plethora of their chain stores standing as empty, silent husks of what once had been a thriving business.

Photography for the People

2011-09-14T20:12:00.000-05:00

This is a post about my photography, but first, allow me to talk a moment about creativity and individualism, at least as they apply to me. Your indulgence is appreciated.

Day of the World

2011-09-11T14:51:00.003-05:00

September 11th, 2001 was a terrible day. Ten years later, it is being remembered all across the country (and, one hopes, across much of the world). This is as it should be. We must never forget the human-on-human acts of violence that have littered our history. But we must also learn from them. Let's hope that today, while we bow our heads in memory of horrid events and of lives lost, we also remember the lessons from that dark day.

Suicide Box

2011-09-08T07:50:00.000-05:00

We're in the middle of National Suicide Prevention Week. World Suicide Prevention Day is September 10th. It's a good cause, but a sad topic. Too many people exit their lives in this manner, and whatever we can do to prevent it is worthwhile. Many folks who commit suicide (or attempt to do so ) aren't really looking for the finality of death, but more so for help. A release from their pain is often what drives them, and that can be something we can try and help them with. We may not always be successful, but the least we can do is try.

You're Timeless To Me

2011-09-07T13:36:00.001-05:00

The other day I was listening to the song Screaming by the Pet Shop Boys. It had featured on the soundtrack to Gus Van Sant's 1998 remake of Psycho. The remake taught me something, and that is that filmmaking styles can become dated, but the films, themselves, can sometimes still be timeless. This in-turn leads me to wonder: What makes a film timeless?

My TV Dad

2011-08-30T15:00:00.000-05:00

Today is the birthday anniversary of Frederick Martin MacMurray, better know as Fred MacMurray, the Golden Age of Hollywood actor, with films such as The Caine Mutiny, Double Indemnity, The Apartment and The Egg and I lining his resume. MacMurray is, I think it's fair to say, a bit of an underrated actor. He starred mostly in comedies and, while certainly a leading man, his dramatic chops were rarely utilized outside of his collaborations with director Billy Wilder. For the most part, folks today who remember him do so mainly from his 12-year-stint as Steve Douglas on the venerable sitcom My Three Sons. That's how I was introduced to this great actor.

Pic of the Week

2011-08-24T21:18:00.002-05:00

Today marks 23 years for actor Rupert Grint (better known as Ron Weasley from the Harry Potter film series). Here he is with... a tattoo... I guess.

Remembrance of Telethons Past

2011-08-22T07:30:00.003-05:00

The Muscular Dystrophy Association's annual Labor Day Telethon is something forever embedded within my childhood memories. I can remember how it would run locally on WCIA (Channel 3 for you townies) all weekend long, often canceling-out some of my favorite weekend programs. My mom would solemnly explain to me that it was for a good cause, and then I'd actually sit and watch a few hours of the thing, and understand that she was right.

Aside from the focus stories on the children with Muscular Dystrophy, there would be that wacky comedian guy hosting the event, and the sidekick dude from The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Yes, for those of us old enough to read and comprehend this writing, Jerry Lewis and Ed McMahon are indelibly linked to the MDA Telethon. And for those who grew-up watching it on WCIA, so is Judy Fraser, who was our local MC, a beloved local personality who navigated the phone banks and looked to the camera asking us to donate to help the cause.

I was reminded of all this, not only because it's Labor Day in just two weeks' time, but because the MDA Telethon has been in the news lately, and not in a good way. In fact, it's all made me rather sad.

Pic of the Week

2011-08-20T18:25:00.003-05:00

It's the 28th birthday of actor Andrew Garfield. Here he is, suited-up as the next Spider-Man....

Nothing Has Been Proved

2011-08-18T13:28:00.000-05:00

There was a conversation once between my mother and I. The genesis of the discussion eludes me these days, but what sticks in my mind is a comparison mom made between her and my father and, subsequently, myself. We must have been talking about interpersonal relationships, because she remarked:

"You know, Matt, people have nothing to prove to me when I meet them. I trust them from the get go, and then, if they do something later to show that I shouldn't trust them, then they have something to prove. But I think you're like your dad. With him, people always had to prove themselves to him first, before he would trust them. I'm just not like that."

With the Help of Others

2011-08-15T15:51:00.000-05:00

It occurred to me recently how much of what I have to be thankful for in life is through the thoughtfulness and actions of others. In other words: I owe a lot to a lot of people.

We tend to think of the accomplishments and milestones in our lives as things we, personally, have done. There is truth to this. But it very often isn't the whole truth. For many of us have lived lives of great fortune, receiving kindness from many that we have encountered. Sometimes these have been small acts, sometimes big ones, and sometimes they have been small acts with big impact. Following are just a few of the situations I have to be thankful for in my life.

How Do You Sleep?

2011-08-11T19:08:00.001-05:00

Aside from being a rather bitter song by John Lennon, the title of this post is a sincere question. How do you sleep, dear reader? Mostly, I'm curious to hear about your bedtime routine (if you have one), and perhaps how soundly you sleep. But mostly the routine. Allow me to explain.

"I find your lack of faith disturbing."

2011-08-07T15:20:00.000-05:00

It's Sunday. This is the day that many Americans attend church, praising their God in whatever denomination they've decided upon. Worship services run the gamut, from strict conservative to uber-liberal, from "primitive" to modern. There are Christians, Muslims, Wiccans and a whole host of others who worship on Sundays, and several other days of the week, and here in the U.S., it's a very small minority that does not believe in a god, or who lacks faith. I am among that minority.

Pic of the Week 2

2011-08-06T19:42:00.001-05:00

Just came across this, and had to post. It's Charlie McDonnell (of Charlieissocoollike fame). *sigh*

Pic of the Week (Burning Up)

2011-08-05T11:00:00.003-05:00

Ladies & Gentlemen, Mr. Nick Carter (also of the Backstreet Boys)....

Time To Be In Earnest

2011-08-03T18:50:00.001-05:00

Some can gaze and not be sick,

But I could never learn the trick,

There's this to say for blood and breath,

They give a man a taste for death.

-- A.E. Housman

Today is the 91st birthday of Phyllis Dorothy White (better known to her legion of readers as P.D. James). She is my absolute favorite author, as well as a human being I admire. To read one of her books is to read modern literature at its finest, and her deftly-written and plotted mysteries have given me immense pleasure ever since I picked-up her stellar novel Devices & Desires two decades ago.

To help celebrate her special day, I've concocted a list of the Top Five P.D. James books. I really hope you'll pick one up and read one if you have the chance.

Health, Life & Hope

2011-08-02T13:34:00.000-05:00

I'm a worrier, have been ever since a weekend when, as a teenager, my mom went away for a week's vacation and left me to my own devices at the house during the summer (every teenager's dream, right?). I became so nervous and upset being on my own, with not much to do and no one to do it with, that I developed severe stomach pains, and ended up having to see a doctor once mom got back. He wanted to give me an enema. I didn't know what that was. When the doctor explained it to me, I said thanks but no thanks, we left his office, and the stomach pains evaporated within a day. This is the power of the mind over the body.

Pic of the Week

2011-07-30T15:06:00.005-05:00

Saw Captain America last night. It was good. A summer superhero movie that took its time telling a story, and was about the size of the fight in the dog, not the dog in the fight. Good values, good actors and good special effects.

Oh... and it, ahem, starred Chris Evans....

Diff'rent Strokes

2011-07-29T12:04:00.001-05:00

Roger Ebert's recent blog post (worth a read, by the way) about becoming an "old fart" in an ever-changing world has inspired me to be write about my own view of the changes I've seen happen, and how I've tried to adapt to them. Sometimes, adaptation has occurred without a moment's thought, and sometimes it has been a struggle. I'm still not sure what exactly precipitates one reaction vs. another.

Laugh Out Loud

2011-07-27T15:11:00.001-05:00

A few days ago I Tweeted a link to a list by Screen Junkies of the 10 Best British Comedy Actors. I received a few replies, all of which were expressing sincere shock and dismay at the exclusion of Rowan Atkinson (of Blackadder and Mr. Bean fame). Admittedly, it was an odd omission, especially on a list of British comedy actors, but one reason I posted the link was because it was a tad refreshing in that it listed performers who don't normally make such ranks. People like Peter Sallis and Frank Thornton, to name just two.

I am, however, willing to embark upon my own list of Best Comedy Actors (note the omission of British from the title, as this will be an international gallery of rogues). After all, the gift of laughter is something to be cherish, isn't it? Ok, so, here we go...

No, No, No

2011-07-24T14:20:00.000-05:00

Troubled singer Amy Winehouse died yesterday. The cause of death is being described as "unexplained," but her history of drug and alcohol problems (which were bad enough to cause her to develop emphysema) have caused many to snicker as they play a guessing game about how she died. I will admit to even belting-out a few bars to her song Rehab yesterday after hearing of her death. But that sort of mocking has subsided to an overall sadness.

Pic of the Week 2

2011-07-23T15:11:00.001-05:00

With a recent guest host stint on SNL, and a new movie in theaters with Mila Kunis, there's no stopping Justin Timberlake. So, here he is, our second pic o' the week!

Pic of the Week

2011-07-21T20:59:00.001-05:00

In honor of the final Harry Potter film debuting last weekend to rave reviews (and a kick-ass box office), here is Daniel Radcliffe. And a horse.

The Music of Time

2011-07-21T12:58:00.001-05:00

It is said that the olfactory system is wonderful at transporting us in time. We catch a whiff of something, and it has the potential to send our brains reeling back to experiences long ago. We may remember our grandmother's kitchen, or a walk along the beach, or the guy in college that we liked who always kind of smelled like laundry (yes, there's a scent for that). Regardless, it's a pretty universal sensation. But I also think that there is something else, something potentially as strong as our sense of smell in vividly activating our memories, and that is music.

They Lived Once

2011-07-20T14:28:00.000-05:00

Andrew Sullivan has a great post up about not forgetting the early days (and deaths) of AIDS. Money quote:

It is vital the current generation know about this. Because we gays do not reproduce ourselves, we do not have the family networks that inform one generation of the ordeals of the last. The amnesia horrifies and angers me. We owe it to our war-dead to remember them.

Chivalry In the Age of Equality

2011-07-19T13:35:00.001-05:00

A "frequent reader" of this blog sent me a link to an article, and asked what I thought about it, noting that it could prove to be a good topic for a blog post. How right they were. The article in question is one by Kelly Connor that appeared on Huffington Post. In it, Connor uses the common situation of elevator etiquette to illustrate what appears to be a decline in chivalry. The most pertinent part of the article is as follows:

The Films of 2010

2011-07-16T14:41:00.003-05:00

So, every year, round abouts February or March, I have my very own movie awards, known far & wide (or at least in my household) as The Matt Awards. Basically, I pick my favorite films/actors/actresses, etc. of the year, in various categories, and make note of it for posterity. This year I am (ahem) a tad behind the ball on getting the 2010 awards selected, but have finally hunkered-down and decided. Honestly, it wasn't that difficult, as Inception proved to be -- far and way -- my favorite film of the year (challenged only by The King's Speech).

Here, then, are the Matt Awards for 2010:

A Free Society

2011-07-15T12:55:00.000-05:00

This week, Netflix managed to rile-up much of its customer base by changing its subscriptions services and prices. There has been a great wailing and gnashing of teeth on Twitter and Facebook from folks who now seem to have adopted "We're Not Gonna Take It!" as their theme song. What, dear reader, was the terrible wrong inflicted upon the Netflix user base? Read it, and weep:

The Most Dangerous Game

2011-07-11T13:40:00.000-05:00

There are past-times that I just don't 'get.' The same is true for all of us. We all have certain hobbies & endeavors that give us pleasure, and they can be both appreciated and thought odd by those around us. So it goes. As long as no harm's done, what's the big deal, right? So that's why I don't understand hunting. True, it's a popular "sport," but popularity doesn't equate to comprehension. It's a legal past-time, it's been around since man could make sharp tools, and it will likely be around for eons to come. Still... what's it all about, eh?

A Person's Best Friend

2011-07-09T18:17:00.000-05:00

They do not judge you. They do not care if you're fat, skinny, short, tall, black, white, Asian, beautiful, deformed, gay, straight, Republican or Democrat. They ask very little of you. Pretty much all they want is for you to love them and take care of them with food, water and shelter. In return, they'll be there for you, and appreciative to have you in their lives.

I am referring, of course, to our pets.

Pic of the Week

2011-07-07T01:43:00.002-05:00

Our spotlight this week shines on Chord Overstreet (gotta love the name), who has been in the news this week as possibly leaving or staying on the hit TV series Glee. Regardless of how that plays out, he wore the gold shorts well in the Rocky Horror episodes last October....

Less Than Meets the Eye

2011-07-06T13:50:00.003-05:00

This past July 4th weekend, I had the.... experience... of going to the theater and watching Transformers 3-D. It was a two-and-a-half hour assault on the senses. I realize that's not a unique phrase but there really is no other way to describe this film. It was so bad, in fact, that I had to devote a blog post to the glory of it awfulness. If you wish to turn away now, that's fine. No one would blame you. Continue reading at your own risk.

Gods & Monsters

2011-07-05T12:42:00.002-05:00

I just had to respond to this commentary by Rabbi Boteach that was on Huffington Post a couple of days ago. The premise is that "godlessness" is causing Great Britain to go down the tubes (only 35% of the country's population believes in God, compared to 92% in the US).

Basically, the rabbi wants to tie religiosity to success. Fair enough. In certain situations, no doubt one's religious convictions can help them to better themselves and society. But the opposite is also true. So religion is often a zero sum game in this regard. Just as importantly, so, too, is atheism. Someone who doesn't believe in a god, or a religious faith, is not necessarily better or worse than someone who does. Human beings are human beings.

Morally Getting Out of Doing Your Job

2011-06-29T21:40:00.000-05:00

Marriage equality became law in New York last week. When it takes effect next month, however, there is at least one place in the state where folks can expect some sparks. The 75-year-old town clerk of Volney, NY, one Barbara MacEwan, says that she will refuse to sign her name to any marriage licenses for gay couples because it is against her "morals and [her] God." Says MacEwan:

Hello, Goodbye

2011-06-28T13:50:00.001-05:00

A conversation I had the other day made me think about how and when we say goodbye to people we know. That in turn led me to wonder about how we say hello. This dynamic tossed around inside my head for awhile, and I came to a conclusion about the two-step process. Allow me to explain my thoughts.

"Mr. Warren York on the organ, ladies and gentlemen!"

2011-06-28T07:54:00.000-05:00

A Champaign-Urbana living legend is alive no more. Yesterday, we lost a very special one of our own, Mr. Warren York. He played the vintage organ at the historic Virginia Theatre in downtown Champaign, and we could always rely on him to be there for screenings, and for the yearly Ebertfest film festival. He was absent the last few years, due to ill-health, and the organ sat silent. He will be missed.

Here is a December 2000 article from The Octopus about Warren York's contribution to the Virginia Theatre. May he rest in peace.

The Closing of Carmon's

2011-06-26T15:20:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, I had brunch at one of my favorite restaurants for the very last time. After roughly four years in business, Carmon's Creperie has closed its doors. I am sad beyond explanation.

It is true that Ashley & I had grown to think of Carmon's as a wonderful little respite from daily life, and of the staff as family. The charming decor made for a cozy atmosphere, with the music sheet wallpaper, the gorgeous chandeliers, award-winning bathrooms, simple but functional tables, unique salt & pepper shakers, beautiful wooden wine racks, quirky propeller fans, and intimate booth. Oh, and where else could you go and have, as background music, Dusty Springfield, Rufus Wainwright and ABBA?

Equality - Finally

2011-06-24T22:34:00.001-05:00

The New York legislature has now legalized gay marriage for the Empire State. S'wonderful!

The Best of the Best

2011-06-23T18:00:00.001-05:00

I know several people -- myself included -- who view the 1987-2000 drama Inspector Morse as being among the best television shows of all-time. Set in beautiful Oxford, England it was a mainstay on PBS for over a decade, and has fans all over the world. Many love the duo of the cranky, intelligent Morse and the affable, plodding Lewis. I thought it appropriate, therefore, to single-out my Top 5 favorite Morse episodes. They are as follows:

Read more »

Show Some Respect

2011-06-22T14:55:00.001-05:00

Film critic Roger Ebert caused a stir yesterday when he Tweeted and Facebooked a comment regarding the death of Jackass star Ryan Dunn. For those of you just now crawling up from under a rock, Mr. Dunn and a passenger were killed in an automobile accident a couple of days ago. The police have now confirmed that Dunn was intoxicated and speeding. Ebert made the comment, "Friends don't let jackasses drive drunk." The world of Ryan Dunn/Jackass fandom went into outrage-overdrive. Ebert (kind of) apologized. The whole thing wasn't pretty.

The Winter Birthday Blues

2011-06-21T13:30:00.000-05:00

I'll admit it: having a birthday on December 27th sucks. Really, it does. Several years of this have driven the point home. Being born between the Pagan holiday that was co-opted by Christianity into the throw-a-dart on the map equivalent of picking a birthday date for Jesus, and the secular hooplah holiday celebrating the changing of years makes for quite the downer. Not many people seem to have the time, or the inclination, to celebrate the day you were born. Couple that with the typical Midwestern winter weather that storms through around that time, and you're basically screwed.

"I Don't Speak German, But I Can If You Like....."

2011-06-20T13:44:00.004-05:00

A friend e-mailed me a few nights ago and asked what I thought of Lady Gaga. I gave my usual reply, which is that her music is awesome, but I can't stand her "schtick." You know what I'm talking about.... the outrageous costumes, the in-your-face videos, the political statements (even though I agree with most all of them): I just want her to perform her really cool music, and leave it at that. Oh, and she can host SNL again, too. She was pretty good at it last month.

Pic of the Week

2011-06-20T11:59:00.001-05:00

Probably most famous for his recent starring role in the acclaimed TV series Sherlock, Benedict Cumberbatch is our pic o' the week.

What is probably lesser known is that Benedict has his very own doppleganger who the rides the same bus I do to and from work. For the summer months, the Benedict clone is wearing a t-shirt and shorts. Ahem.

Anyway, here's the real deal. Enjoy.

A Happy Fathers Day

2011-06-19T12:04:00.001-05:00

A few weeks ago I wrote a rather sad little post about the relationship I'd had with my father. Everything in it was true. There is no changing history, and no back-tracking. Everyone, however, is multi-faceted, including my father, and so today, in honor of Fathers Day, I thought I'd write about the good things that existed between us.

Through the Golden Age, and What People Find There

2011-06-18T21:13:00.003-05:00

Finally got to see the highly-praised new Woody Allen movie, Midnight In Paris, and can safely say that it lives up to the hype. Part romantic-comedy, part dream-sequence, part drama, and part love-letter to Paris, this film is definitely worth seeing.

FaceBlog

2011-06-17T15:08:00.000-05:00

It's had accolades from the tech and filmmaking industry, been given an eyebrow-raising presentation at the movies, and managed to cross generations with its networking prowess, but the big news this week about Facebook (aside from a possible impending war with Apple) is how it's bleeding users like never before. From the L.A. Times:

Facebook lost nearly 6 million users in the U.S. last month, falling from 155.2 million at the start of May to 149.4 million at the end of the month, said Eric Eldon, an editor at Inside Facebook, a research and marketing group that conducted the study. It was the first monthly decline in a year, he said.

I'm a Mac

2011-06-16T13:08:00.001-05:00

So, someone's done a profile of Mac vs. PC users. Funny stuff. A lot of it falls within the realm of stereotypical expectations, although I was probably most surprised at the inclusion of The Rachel Maddow Show on the list of favorite programs of PC users. Hmmmm.
Read more »

The New & Improved Doctor Who

2011-06-14T22:10:00.003-05:00

So, it's been a bit of a bumpy ride for Steven Moffat since he took the reigns as showrunner of Doctor Who. A lot of folks have complained that his vision of the show is too dark, too fairytale-like and --- mostly with this season --- too difficult to follow. A blogger/fan contemplates some of the problems here:

Cheques are being written that currently can’t be cashed. It’s not going unnoticed; we’re staring right at it. Unfortunately for the production team, a glance to one side isn’t going to wipe it from our minds