Left to my own devices

There's been a lot of talk recently about the non-existent girlfriend of Notre Dame football player Manti Te'o. His story has changed a few times but, ultimately, he admits that they never met, but that he wasn't involved with the hoax that was perpetrated on not only him (supposedly), but the national media. Gullible thought it may be, the media certainly didn't suspect that someone -- anyone -- would make-up a story about a girlfriend dying. It's a strange story, to be sure, but the fact that there was a hoax isn't what interests me most.

"I haven't seen Gummy in 15 years." I uttered those words recently, about my late maternal grandmother, after remembering that she'd died in March of 1998, and that I hadn't seen her for a couple months before then. What struck me about the turn-of-phrase is how it differs from how we typically think of those who are no longer with us. Usually we say, "she's been dead 15 years," or "She passed away 15 years ago." But the words I uttered -- which I gave no thought to during the moment -- were different. We tend not to think of those who are dead as possibly able to be seen or heard from again, for obvious reasons, but the lack of their presence in our lives is akin to someone who is still living, but whom we haven't communicated with in awhile. Only this time, the permanency of their absence is without question. I will never again see Gummy's face (outside of a photograph). I won't be able to hear her voice, my grandm...

So it's been awhile since we've had a Pic of the Week. What better way to kick-off 2013's pics than with one of actor (and little brother of James Franco) Dave Franco?  Enjoy.

Perhaps you've the seen the signs? Various advertising billboards around town have sprouted-up, attempting to make a connection with a static object and a live social media account. This is a product of Adams Outdoor Advertising Company, and they even have a web site devoted to it. Here they tout one of their more pronounced billboard messages: 'Our first tweet was hand-painted.' They go on to explain how they come to equate their business with that of social media:

I wish I could be happier . Strike that. What I mean to say is that I wish I could be happier more easily . There are a great many things in life that I have to be grateful for. And, often, I am. But the tendency is to focus on the negative first. It often takes a conscious effort to be fully appreciative of things. This is something I'm working on. Indeed, it is one of many things in life that I strive to better about myself. Sometimes it's successful, sometimes... well... it's a work-in-progress.

It's been another year of movies, and so it's time for another round of The Matt Awards , the most-anticipated movie awards of the season (well, by me, anyway)! Every year I pick the best in film, in various categories. Been doing this since 1997, when my Best Picture was Titanic . There are few mediums that resonate with a person better than film, and this is my way of acknowledging and keeping track of those movies, actors, actresses, directors, etc. that have had the greatest impact on me year-by-year. 2012 was a pretty good year for movies. It seemed to have a fairly diverse line-up, with a selection of styles and subject matter that could please nearly everyone. As it stands, I've seen every film from the past year that I have an interest in, and so here are the winners of the 2012 Matt Awards . Enjoy!

Last week saw my list of favorite songs from 2012 . Now we've arrived at the my picks for best albums of the past year. In short, it was a good year for music. There were some releases from stalwart favorites, as well as some artists that were brand new to my ears. So, without further adieu, here are my Top 6 Albums from 2012. Hopefully you'll find something you like among the ruins.

It was a pretty solid year for music. Nothing too extraordinary, but lots of consistent goodness. When it came time to compile my list of favorite songs from 2011 , it felt as though I had to perhaps stretch it a bit in order to come up with ten tracks. With 2012, I'm leaving things on the cutting room floor. It is with great pleasure therefore that I present to you my favorite bits of music from the recently-departed 2012. Hope you find something you like!