Ginger Balls

C - David Letterman, and his crack team of writers, back again, to stay (we hope)
L - A 7-11, located just behind my alma mater (high school-wise)
O - The 16-Disc Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus
S - Watching Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in The Gay Divorcee for the second time, and not realizing it
A - Trying to chop up almonds in a blender, with a really high blade.
T - Life without water makes a lot of things really difficult

My dad keeps turning the water on and off in order to fix a leak in my parent's bathroom. It's caused a lot of grief, especially yesterday when we were trying to do laundry and dishes (my sister and her husband had a band of hooligans over for some UFC fight last night, so lots of things were being made, and no water with which to wash them). It's getting old.

But! Here's the real reason for today's entry: I've been itching, ever since Matt Roush at TV Guide did this a few weeks back, to write out my top 10 television programs of the year. A lot of good TV, especially this summer, and with this writer's strike, it helps to remember why they deserve what they are asking for: because they write some of the most compelling stuff TV has seen in years.

So, without much else to blab about, here it is:

1. Lost - While a bit inconsistent in its first six episodes, Lost turned around at the beginning of 2007, giving us 15 (only one dud. Thanks a million, Jack's tattoos.)of the finest hours television has seen, and in all honesty, the most exhilarating and surprising season finale this humble television viewer has ever seen. Season 4 looks to keep the pace up, once it begins at the end of January. My hope is more viewers who left this island come back to its warmth, and realize what they missed last season. It was a thrill ride not seen on TV since I don't even know what. With a guaranteed end in 2010, this show has the makings of a television classic, and I refuse to miss one moment of it.

2. 30 Rock - This show's laugh per minute ratio is off the charts. The first half of its first season was chock full of some nice moments, but the show hit its stride near the end of last season, and hasn't stopped well into its second season. Alec Baldwin and Tracy Morgan are unbelievably brilliant in their respective roles, with Tina Fey holding it all together as the funniest straight [wo]man since Jason Bateman on Arrested Development. No longer is The Office the funniest show on Thursdays; Liz Lemon and friends take the cake. I can't get enough of this show, I really can't.

3. Mad Men - AMC really knocked it out of the park with this subtle, quiet, yet ultimately engaging series about the ad world in the early sixties. Every episode was pitch perfect (save for one off moment in the series' season finale), thanks to its brilliant writing, fantastic acting, and lush production design. This show, along with Damages on FX, really saved me this summer from going crazy during the annual quality television drought. I lapped up every moment of this show, and cannot wait for its second season.

4. Pushing Daisies - The best new show of this past season. Funny, dark, touching, and just all around amazing. I can't say enough about this show as a whole, firing on all cylinders to create a beautiful product that week in and week out has been absolute perfection, not to mention one heck of a cliffhanger, whose conclusion, sadly, awaits us after this strike ends. Keep it up Bryan Fuller. Please...

5. Friday Night Lights - I wasn't all that into this show towards the beginning of last season, but constant curiosity kept my interest piqued, and I was able to catch up on the show during off hours at work, and boy was I surprised with what I saw. I can say that season one was one of the most satisfying experiences I've had with TV in awhile. Just awesome.

6. Flight of the Conchords - Great music and great comedy make for an incredibly entertaining series. The second season should be round this next summer, and I couldn't be happier.

7. Brothers and Sisters - I love this show. It's sweet, funny, dramatic and very beautifully shot (gotta love ABC's aesthetic). I've grown to love these characters like my own family, and that makes for a great experience. I look forward to watching this every Monday via TiVo more than a lot of shows. It's just a great time.

8. How I Met Your Mother - One of the finest comedies on television right now. This one has managed to make the traditional sitcom hip and engaging. Neil Patrick Harris' Barney Stinson is probably one of the funniest characters on TV, and Cobie Smoulders is gorgeous to look at. But, there is more to it than that, thankfully, and it's just an all around great show.

9. Damages - This show was a creepy good time. Twisty, turny, crazy fun. Not much else to say. It was rather inconsistent, with red herrings galore, but I still enjoyed it, thanks mostly to fantastic performances, and an overall mood that remained consistently dark and foreboding. Plus, the season finale promises a fantastic second season that couldn't come any sooner.

10. Battlestar Galactica - Unfortunately, this past season was mostly a disappointment, but the show ended on a bang, and with the Razor TV movie this past November, the show proved to me it still had what it takes to be exciting and surprising, turning this past season's finale on its head, making us question how this show will end this coming season. I can't stand waiting until March, but it'll be worth it.

Pork Swords

C - Juno, a pregnant teenager with the wit and wisdom of a much older woman.
L - Somewhere cold, like Utah, but not as obnoxiously quirky and annoying.
O - A mailbox full of Tic-Tacs.
S - Eating lunch in the school trophy case.
A - Taking a swig of Sunny-D.
T - No matter how terrible the situation may be, all life is worth keeping, if only for the kinds of changes that can make one's own life all the more spectacular.

Today's CLOSAT is dedicated to Juno which is far and away the best film I've seen all year, and quite possibly one of the best films I've ever seen. The dialogue is crackling with wit not seen in hardly any films these days, and the story contains more heart than most dramas. Cinematic bliss is probably the only way to describe the experience. It was an awesome reminder as to why I went into film in the first place: to make films that matter, as well as entertain.

At first off-putting (too witty for its own good), I soon warmed to the sort of wacky nature of the film's presentation, thanks it part to its incredibly convincing performances, specifically from Ellen Page, who just simply knocks it out of the park. She owns the role of Juno, riding the thin line between quirk and heart with so much ease. J.K. Simmons is another standout, whose warmth and charm as Juno's father is unbelievably amazing. The rapport between the two of them is truly a sight. Jason Bateman is a joy, as usual, as is the impeccable Michael Cera. Allison Janney is her usual snarky self, and Jennifer Garner pulls in a surprising performance, capable of being icy cold in one moment, only to become the warm matriarch she is destined to be. It's simply one of those dream casts, with not a weak link among them. They all shine, taking hold of a film that is, all at once, grounded in reality, yet floating in fantasy.

I can't recommend it enough. I really can't. Find it, wherever you are. Find it, and see it, and love it. Films just don't get much better. I promise.

Tim Tam Slam

C - Emma Walker, my cousin Kyle's adorable daughter who I met for the first time today. She blows her own nose! Seriously, can't get enough!
L - My uncle John's house. It's huge.
O - My most recent purchase: Flight of the Conchords, Season 1 on DVD. It's a freaky dream, Bret. A freaky freaky dream!
S - Having waaaaaay too much time on my hands. I'm not used to this, especially considering I've been so busy lately; actually having time to relax has kinda driven me batty...
A - Watching Season 1 of Lost again. Brilliant TV, my friends...
T - Never let your busy schedule make you forget what it's like to relax, because it may just make you crazy.

Saw two movies yesterday: The Mist and Enchanted. One was mystifying and the other was hilarious. I'll let you figure out which is which (and no, I'm not being ironic)(or punny).

Thanksgiving was today. I went up to my uncle's house and we ate, "we" being a small group of my family. It was nice. It still made me sad, mostly because I had intended for the last three weeks or so to be heading home to San Diego, but I changed my mind at the last minute. I love my extended family, but due to past issues (mostly distance), I'm not as close to them as I could or should be. It frustrates me, and it makes things difficult whenever I come to visit. So, my current attitude is of sadness and regret. I should be okay, because it's not like I'm alone at my house, wishing I was elsewhere. But, then again, I am elsewhere, and I really wish that I wasn't.

I love Arrested Development. I just wanted to say that. Cause it's true...

Whoa! Boone and Shannon are about to get freaky! Aren't they, like, related? How so very George Michael and Maeby of them!
Short aside about Lost: I realized I skipped two episodes during my current "Island Madness Marathon" (my race to watch all of the previously aired episodes of Lost before the new season begins in February). It made me sad. I think I'd be more sad if I hadn't seen the show before. Sorry. I told you it was an aside.

The Battlestar Galactica movie, Razor premieres this Saturday on Sci-Fi. Can you say "Holy Crap I Couldn't Be More Excited About A Stupid Science-Fiction Show!" ? Yeah, cause it's true...

Caviar Garnish

C - Carrie Hakes, mi amiga de New Mexico, returning to town for one last ride! And some hot chocolate!
L - Panda Express for the first time in months. Man, I miss me some Orange Chicken!
O - Nifty Real D glasses that I get to keep and not use again. They really should let you bring them back to use again, because I'm on my third pair, and they're completely useless.
S - Dealing with hurt feelings from people who I once believed to be my friends. Long story. Let's not go there.
A - Watching You've Got Mail. Always a pleasure, I must say.
T - If you're not invited to see Beowulf with certain people, see it with better people. 'Nuff said...


Saw Beowulf today.
Pretty nifty.
DO NOT (seriously) see it in a normal theatre, without the aid of 3-D glasses. Part of the fun of this film is seeing it in 3-D. I honestly believe that it wouldn't have been half as cool without them. So, please, do what 'ere you can to see it in 3-D.
Yeah...
OH! Another warning: While it's PG-13, it's pretty violent, and contains a lot of nudity (mostly male bottom, but we do see some Jolie nudity, but she's covered in gold most of the time, and so there's nothing explicit). Just to warn you.
See it. It's pretty darn cool. In my humble opinion, 3-D, especially with blockbusters, is going to become the norm. It's such a fantastic way to immerse the audience in the experience, and with Beowulf there were many moments where I physically felt the film (does that make sense?). It's pretty cool. This is the 3rd film I've seen completely in 3-D (Monster House, The Nightmare Before Christmas), and two others I saw partly in 3-D (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Superman Returns). I'm convinced it's where Hollywood is going. Spielberg and Peter Jackson have recently announced a partnership to produce The Adventures of Tintin in 3-D, and James Cameron's Avatar will be completely in 3-D. Big names, big projects. Embrace it my friends. Not only is it fun, but it makes the theatre-going experience super fantastic.

You've Got Mail!

I found this to be pretty spot on brilliant. I guess that's just the geek in me coming out. This may be over some people's heads (Geocities, Prodigy, etc) but there are enough great gags that I think any fan of 24 would just love...
Enjoy!

Armani Wearing Prada

'Nuff Said...

Here's a helpful link, in case you care:

John August Explains Residuals

Here's a good video explaining it all. Take note that DVD residuals are currently off the table. What they're really fighting for is Internet profits. 

It's all about residuals, people, not salaries. Residuals keep unemployed writers (of which there are many) and their families fed. Call them spoiled, call them greedy, but they do have a right to the profits from their products, if only a ridiculously small portion. 

I commend the writers for fighting for my future, and for standing strong. Here's hoping, however, that the two parties can meet, and television and film can get back to entertaining us. 

Here's to you, my non-colleagues and maybe friends. I wish you the best. 

Jovi Punch

C - Tracy Jordan, Jewish Werewolf
L - Corner house, 11:00pm, trying to watch "The Bone Collector", people at house being louder than loud...
O - New Chocolate cell phone! It's red!
S - Trying to re-write my 419 script for a meeting tomorrow with Jeff, but being unable to do so because of excessive guitar flirting and loud giggling...
A - Doing fake suicides, à la Joel McHale on "The Soup"
T - Silence can often be the best motivator.

Dimitri and the Seven Layered Cake

C - Jared, an awesome dedicated filmmaker, with great patience when it comes to his writer...
L - Ben Unguren's office, F-342 in the HFAC ( I think)
O - A pack of Subway cookies, whose richness causes many a stomach-ache
S - Trying to decipher Tom Lefler's crazy notes!
A - Sleeping during an Ansel Adams documentary in the advanced directing class.
T - You can't please everyone, especially the Media Arts faculty.

From the sound of it, there's only one thing on my mind, and you'd be correct. Script, script, and more script. We're getting there though. We're convinced to see this through, even without our third person. We're convinced that if we hold our own and stand our ground based on the story that we'll be able to get through to the next round, but we'll see...We'll see...
In other news, it was Migraine city, after I almost threw up this morning on the way to class, due to an awful smell that reeked of vomit. I think it made me sick. Then, in an attempt to feel better, I bought some cookies that looked awesome from Subway, and they proceeded to make my already upset stomach even worse. *sigh*. Although, I was able to nap during the Ansel Adams doc (awesome, by the way, or what I saw of it anyway), so that was certainly nice.
Oh, and Jared's awesome. He's the director of the piece I'm writing. I'm glad he's patient with me, and my ramblings. It's good to have a director that cares about the process, and isn't super concerned with the story changing so frequently. Phew!

Japanese Candy

C - Gerald, lead male soloist for his Baptist Gospel choir
L - On the set of the hit television program, "Little House on the Prairie"
O - A can of soup
S - Losing your producer over creative differences
A - Watching Pushing Daisies
T - When life comes at you fast, its important to grab on, and not let go.

Update....

So, .mac was a bust. I had a hunch it would be, all things considered. While designing the site was fun and joyful, it was still a pain in the rear to update, and I could only do it from my laptop, thus leaving my poor desktop sad and lonely.
Alas, here I am, back in the Blogspot saddle again, trying to make amends for lost time.
Let's get going!
News! The producer for the project I'm writing dropped out today. Yeah. I know. Apparently he wasn't happy with the script's direction. The project was his idea, and so I suppose he deserves some kind of creative input, but the director and I have come to find his participation to be increasingly diminutive. He started not participating in our script sessions, and he would generally not read our script when I'd send it his way. I had a hunch that he was upset, but it frustrates me that he never made that clear to me.
I'm not mad, don't get me wrong, but it is annoying to see him leave like this, pretty much jeopardizing the entire production, which we have to re-pitch to The Powers That Be this next Tuesday. I loved his original idea, which is why I signed on, but holy land! Why wasn't this made clearer to me? Insecurities are abound in my mind, mostly because it is my script that has caused him to leave. I'll stand by my script, mostly because the director is fond of the direction it's heading. That makes me happy, but again, frustrated.
So, enough complainin'! On to the next, I reckon. Now we're in a mad dash for a producer to pitch with us come Tuesday. If there's anybody out there who actually reads this, and who would like to produce said project, by all means, let me know!!

A New Home...For Now

I'm trying out Apple's .Mac service because I'm fascinated by their iWeb application that allows for impressive looking blogs and such with a very user friendly environment. So, for at least the duration of the 60 day trial, I direct your attention to this website.
Enjoy!

The Tops...

Finally, three months into this new year, I'm going to finally announce my favorite films of this past year...Well, the top 10, anyway...
So, in lieu of more exposition, here she is:

1. Pan's Labyrinth - The most beautifully haunting film of the year, and also the most violent. Such a strange combination is what makes this film work so incredibly well, because it is what makes the end all the more enchanting.

2. Little Miss Sunshine - This was the best family film of the year. In spite of its R-rating, its a film that speaks to every person on this planet who questions their own self-worth. A worthwhile film for everyone to see.

3. The Departed - Its a fun, thrilling actioneer that never lets up on the tension, not even until the very last, shocking scene. Just a fantastic film.

4. Stranger Than Fiction - It's heartwarming, and its funny, and it does make you think, but not so much that your head spins. It knows its audience, and it plays to them. Will Farrell is his usual fantastic self, with a supporting cast that makes film-going a dream.

5. Children of Men - Brilliantly shot and directed. It takes an okay script and raises it to levels of sheer cinematic genius. The car chase and the final action set piece are possibly two of the most thrilling shots ever filmed. Period.

6. The Prestige - Twisty, dark and beautiful to behold. Nuff said...

7. Marie-Antoinette - Another win by Sofia Coppola. Beautiful in every frame, and mesmerizing in its directorial vision. Never has 80s punk been so cool.

8. V for Vendetta - Fun, thrilling, and thought-provoking. Full of those great "goose bump moments" that make movie-going so much fun.

9. Inside Man - Spike Lee does mainstream, and boy is it a treat. Clive and Denzel are fantastic together, and Jodie Foster being enigmatic is incredibly fun. A great bank-heist thriller with some pretty fun twists.

10. Casino Royale/Mission:Impossible III - Yes, a tie. I know... but these two spy flicks both managed to succeed in outdoing their predecessors, but they also knew how to thrill. J.J.'s directorial debut was a treat to behold (thank you Ms. Russell), and Daniel Craig's moody Bond was one of the best surprises of the year. We finally got a Bond I could respect, and Alias: The Movie...Who could ask for much more?

Other Notable Films: Dreamgirls, The Devil Wears Prada, United 93, Apocolypto, Nanny McPhee, Talladega Nights, World Trade Center, Nacho Libre

Of Formalities...

Today I had an odd experience while buying some snacks at my university's commons area. I noticed while standing in line that the cashier who was checking people's items out kept calling her customers by name. I've seen this done before, mostly at a particular grocery store back home, but I never quite took to it. I dreaded the moment I got up to the line, knowing darn well that since I was paying with a debit card that she could steal a glance at my name on the card, and then proceed to mention it as I parted ways. I was not wrong in my assumption, and to be perfectly honest, it put a huge damper on the whole transaction.

In a perfect world, though, such niceties would be appreciated. We obviously live in an increasingly cynical world where people rarely make any sort of contact with one another on a regular basis, so wouldn't such a gesture indicate a glimmer of hope? Well, in this blogger's opinion, no. I'm all for being courteous at the checkout counter. I usually say "Hi" as I approach, and then when I leave, I usually respond to the cashier's "Have a good day" with an equally as sincere "You too." I'm completely comfortable with this sort of communication between the helper and the helped. I feel like the girl who checked me out (what a phrase) wasn't even remotely sincere in her declaration. Saying my name isn't going to keep me from buying my salted cashews and Snicker's bars elsewhere. Considering the gigantic monopoly my school has on food while I'm at work (as in, I can really only buy my break items there, so I really have no choice), I guarantee I'll be back to buy more junk food items.

I don't know. I sound jaded. My roommate will certainly tell you that I'm a curmudgeon for loving the notion of the "Metro Face" (the face that most Parisians carry about their person when riding on the Parisian subway system, or Le Métro, which is usually a look of deep Parisian melancholy, with eyes full of longing...It's actually very cool), because I've never been big on being conversational with strangers. He loves it, but that's a conversation for another time. I need to do a bit of research on this topic to really ascertain how others feel about it. I just found it creepy, plain and simple. As nice a thing she might have believed it to be, it really turned into something unbearable. I dreaded our transaction, because I knew it would involve a level of insincerity that I can barely handle.

Small talk has always been a beef of mine, which is why Metro Face is so entertaining for me. Small talk reeks of insincerity. We do it simply because social conventions require us to never let a silent moment pass between two people confined to a certain space. I can agree that awkward silences are just what they claim to be -- awkward, but that's no excuse for the fact that sometimes, we just don't need to connect. I've stated in previous posts just how much I love big cities, and the connection that is palpable, especially when riding on the local transit. Even when all of our faces are clearly in Metro Face mode, there is something going on that is unspoken, but is clearly at work between each and every person on that bus/subway/trolley. There's no need to speak, and the loud noises that whichever mode you are currently riding makes certainly don't allow for easy conversation. We are apart of a larger whole, and we get that, and its a beautiful thing. Why must we feign interest in someone else's existence in order to make ourselves feel better about a certain silence that really shouldn't bother anyone? It just feels ludicrous to me. I love talking to people. Anyone who knows me knows that I love to talk anyone's ear off who will listen, but I draw the line at strangers, especially strangers in passing.

I don't think I'm totally right on this matter. My roommate is perfectly happy talking to random people, and he loves having random people talking to him. I'm pretty convinced that he would love to have someone say his name at the checkout counter. Feel what you will, but I just might snap the next time I hear someone say my name while scanning food. But, not in a crazy way... I just might write another post... Heaven forbid...

The Life of Pi

Today while driving with one of my housemates, I noticed that he had a copy of Yann Martel's (il est un québecois!) The Life of Pi. He told me to read it, because the very thought of it (the book's story) bored him to tears, so I gladly took it. Its actually not his copy, but some girl he knows' copy. So, I'm borrowing it from someone else who's borrowing it from someone else...
In any case, I'm stoked to finally read it, as I've heard its nothing short of fantastic. I like what I've read so far, so maybe I'll keep whoever reads this posted, so they too may venture into this world.

John August

Writers and those who love writers take note:
A freakin' rad website has come to my attention... www.johnaugust.com

It's written almost daily by a produced screenwriter appropriately named John August, whose works include Go, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Big Fish, Corpse Bride and a few more less than reputable films (but, hey, he's doin' better than I am). His most recent film The Nines, was a selection at Sundance, where it earned raves and also distribution. He wrote and directed that one, in case you care....

What I dig most about the site is his insight into not only the business of screenwriting, but the craft as well. Film students should take notes on his "How to Write a Scene" entry, and especially his "How to Write Dialogue." I'm just fascinated by his techniques, and equally as heartened to realize that he too struggled and continues to fine tune his craft. It's healthy to realize we may never be exceptional, but it's important to note that we can always at least try.
So, visit said website, if you have any interest at all in the craft of screenwriting (and yes, my dear naysayers, it is a craft, and it is one that does have to be fine tuned...)

Snarky comments aside, its a fun read for all who care to venture in that direction. Audiences should check it out to maybe get a better sense as to why we as writers try so desperately to surprise you, and for the most part, you deny us that with your reliance upon cliché. Get a glimpse into our process, and maybe you'll better appreciate how much we actually do care about what you think...

Enjoy!

John August

Snore....

I fell asleep during Battleship Potemkin yesterday.
Yeah, I know...
Maybe I'm completely reading this wrong, but shouldn't I be ashamed of myself? Me, a film student, falling asleep during THE quintissential film from Soviet cinema? I see it as wrong, but I also don't seem to care that much. It was a great nap, and I was able to catch up after a long night, so I really couldn't care less. But still! A part of me is reeling from the fact that I have the ability to fall asleep during any movie you put me in front of. Any movie. Whether or not I like it or not, I'm out like a light, usually within the first 15 minutes. In the broad scheme of things, I suppose the first 15 is the best place to fall asleep, if one had to fall asleep, but there is always that "what if" factor that informs me that I could very well be missing something great.
It's been a problem for years, actually. I remember my first year of college, taking an Intro to Film class, and falling asleep during EVERY movie I watched (except two, The Apartment and Wait Until Dark, but come on! Those are impossible to sleep through!). Ever since then, I have no choice half of the time. I just fall asleep. Annoying, is the word that frequently comes to mind. I should be studying these films intensely, trying to better understand the history of cinema, etc. etc. but man!
Anyway, I think no matter how hard I try, this will always be a problem. I'm chroniclly tired, no thanks to my current lifestyle, and I fear I'll never be able to catch up (the film world requires 14 hour days for months at a time....Yeah....).
Oh well.

Artist of the Week...

Sufjan Stevens -

Good accoustic music nowadays feels like a dime a dozen. Over done and over played, certain artists like Jack Johnson, John Mayer and many others often get the most recognition amongst this group of musicians. Don't get me wrong, I really dig Jack Johnson (his laid back surfer attitude reminds me of home, and his Curious George soundtrack is more fun than one should have with a children's movie), but one can't help but feel inundated by the amount of times his songs are played on the local Top 40 station. If we branch out outside of the norm, we can find some real gems. Among them is local favorite Benton Paul (check him out if you haven't. A-freakin'-mazing...and it isn't because I know him personally...), the always brilliant (and soon to break-up) Nickel Creek, and this week's Artist of the Week, Sufjan Stevens.

I first got wind of Sufjan when I learned a song of his would be used in a film I was working on this past summer. The song, a Christmas one, had all the makings of a great piece of accoustic coolness, so I had to find more of his stuff. Turns out, he has had some mild success. His song "To Be Alone With You" was featured on one of the many "The O.C." mixes, and a few of his songs were featured on the "Little Miss Sunshine" soundtrack. But, as is the case with many great artists, that is only the tip of the musical iceberg. To get the full Sufjan Stevens experience, one must check out his full length albums.

Stevens has since previous dedicated himself to the notion that he wants to write an album based on each of the 50 states of the union. Interesting prospect no doubt, and so we see that two of his previous albums fall along those lines. "Come on Feel the Illinoise" and "Greetings From Michigan" are albums full of a variety of songs, each with very very long titles. It makes for a fun experience to listen to the full album, because it often takes as long to listen to the song as it does to read the title.

Now, Stevens is releasing a Christmas album, full of some of the most interesting Christmas remakes and originals, including the song featured in our film. I was able to download the album (legally) a while back ( it was previously only made available to family and friends, but Sufjan leaked it to several websites for mass releasage), and I'm enjoying it thoroughly. He plans on releasing a new Christmas album each year full of these same witty pieces. His sense of humor is evident in his choice of instruments for each song, and also in how he reworks the titles.

Follow the link below for a better glimpse into his world. His humor runs rampant on the website of his record label, Asthmatic Kitty Records, and so a brief glimpse is definitely worth a look-see.

Asthmatic Kitty Records

Of the Rhythms of the City...

As a hopeless romantic, I find myself completely in love with big cities. The class and culture that they exhibit is nothing short of amazing to me, and I long for their urban embrace. I think big cities represent to every romantic the place where all things are possible. There's a pretty good reason why most films take place in large cities as opposed to small towns; good stuff is always bound to happen.

My love affair with the metropoli of the world started with New York. "Friends" and "Seinfeld" introduced me to the idea that great friends and romance was certain within its limits. You've Got Mail further confirmed that New York was merely a small town on a large scale, a quaint community of people where connections were never that far away. Love was inevitable for Kathleen Kelly and Joe Fox, so by means of assumption, love is inevitable to all who sought after it.

Baz Luhrmann begged radio listeners in 1999 to:

"Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard;
Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft."

Having already lived in and left Northern California, it's only natural for me to want to balance the equation. My soft milk chocolate center needs a hard candy shell.

My love affair continued to expand as I took my first trip to Chicago in 2002. Here, the landscape of the modern American city was first introduced to me. I rode my first subway here, commuting with the people of the city as if one of them. There was a rhythm that they had. They moved about the streets and subway stations as if they were maneuvering a limb; naturally and gracefully. I wanted so badly to blend in and become just another Chicagoan. My toursity eyes most likely gave me away, as I was in constant awe of my surroundings, but I did my best. For a brief moment, I think I became one with the streets, criss-crossing them like a seasoned pro. The buildings overshadowed me, and for the first time, my apparent grandeur was greatly reduced to nothing. I was humbled by their size and presence, and it changed me forever. Sears Tower still remains the highest building I've ever been in, and while a mild waste of time, the view from the top was spectacular to behold. Here I felt the pulse of the city, seeing on a grand scale exactly how things moved. I was awe struck.

A year later in 2003, I had the immense privilege of moving to Paris. While in height and size, Paris cannot compare to the cities of America, Paris became so much more than a simple tourist hotspot. I naturally did all of the necessary tourist attractions, taking in as much as I could. But soon, it wasn't about that. Soon, Paris became about the side streets, the metros, the trees in the fall, winter and spring, and the people. While I still stood in awe many many times of the great cathedral of Notre Dame in the heart of the city, or of the lights of the city as I stood on Pont Neuf overlooking the Seine, there was a different kind of beauty that I saw while sitting on my balcony each night, sipping herbal tea, and just taking deep breaths. I remember those moments almost more vividly than those I spent in the Louvre, or on the Eiffel Tower. I remember the sounds, the smells, the chill in the air. Paris has a rhythm, much like Chicago, and I could feel it on those nights. I could see it from my balcony, with cars passing every second without fail and people still enjoying the sights at ten o' clock at night. Our balcony overlooked several restaurants , and when spring hit, and those tables were moved outside, I was privy to one of the most fantastic of sights in Paris: the café . My balcony soon became front row center to the most fascinating anthropology experiment I've ever conducted. Watching people eat and drink became hypnotic and amusing.

The metros served as another place to experience the people. So much can be said about the mass transit system in Paris. It's effective, yet consistently crowded. It's rare to ever sit down, and its also rare to never have to shove your way out once you have to leave. More often than not, you are shoved in between a mass of 25 people, each with distinctive body odors, whether its cologne, perfume or nothing at all. Human contact is inevitable while on the metros, and that's what gives it its charms. In the city, we sense that loneliness and a feeling of being lost would most likely consume us as we walked the crowded streets. But, I never felt that while in Paris. I felt a part of something bigger than myself, and I felt that each person I made physical contact with in the most arbitrary ways was a part of that something as well. There's a uniqueness to the urban touch that cannot be felt in smaller towns, and while strange and uncomfortable, I sometimes wish I could have it back.

I can't explain my feelings in the manner that is most convincing. My experiences in Chicago, and most importantly in Paris have led me to believe I was born to live a city life. I never felt more at home than I did while I was living in Paris. I still refer to it as my hometown, because I've never experience more separation anxiety with anywhere else that I've lived. I cried like a baby when I had to leave, and it was like pulling teeth to get me to stop talking about it after I had. My heart beats to the same fast paced rhythm that exists in these cities. I get a thrill from walking quickly down a crowded street, or from running onto the loud buzzing subway train, squeezing tightly between two larger people. I love how after time, the sounds of the streets become silent, and all you hear is your own thoughts. You grow to ignore the noise, and you learn to embrace it.

I long to move to New York. I have since I could remember. I will move there. It's inevitable for me to eventually find myself on the streets of Manhattan. It's where I belong. I see myself married there, married to a woman equally as in tune with the city streets as I am. I see ourselves frequenting the opera or the symphony at Lincoln Center, or the hot new show on Broadway. I see us dancing slowly at a dimly lit jazz club. I envision all of this because I cannot shake it. I cannot see myself living in a house in the suburbs. I only see myself in a Brownstone, kids in tow, and a beautiful wife to boot. It may all sounds unrealistic and completely outrageous, but I refuse to dream moderately. Such an idea is almost an oxymoron. How can we ever expect to hit the target if we never aim high?


So this is my wish, to one day feel the rhythm of the city again at my feet. I feel like a piece of me is missing since I left Paris. I'd give anything to return there and feel what I felt once again, but realistically, that may not happen. New York, however, can. While as of now it is uncertain whether I'll find myself enamored with it as I was once with Paris, I cannot sit idly by and assume that I won't. As someone once said, "You get what you settle for", and I can't resolve myself to give up hope that a life more full is available elsewhere. For if we have no more to hope for, than we certainly have nothing to live for.

I'm Sorry For This...

I could not stop laughing when I saw this...Seriously...Call me terribly insensitive, but you have to admit...It's pretty ironic...

And we all thought Wii was an unfortunate name...

Of Hellos...

While on my way home this morning from class, I happened to run into the normal barrage of people who I know from my apartment complex on their way up to campus. This happens every morning, simply because there's only two ways to get to campus from where I live, and so, naturally....You get the point. Anyway, my problem with this daily occurrence stems from my insecurities when it comes to saying "Hey" properly. The first person I saw, I barely said a word to; the noise on the street made it impossible to hear anything, and I didn't even notice that she was trying to talk to me until we passed, and I caught a noise coming from her mouth. So there you have Awkward Hey #1. My hope at the time was that it would remain the only Awkward Hey of the day, but alas, as was expected, I would experience two more....
The second Awkward Hey was the most awkward of them all. It's the one that inspired me to write this post in the first place. The wet and cold day we're experiencing had me naturally placing my hands in the pockets of my coat, and they were rather comfortable there. I noticed up ahead a person I knew fairly well, and I wanted to acknowledge him, and try to atone for the sins of the previous Awkward Hey. My mind was racing trying to come up with the best means to say "hey", when suddenly I lifted my hand out of my pocket, and did a low wave. What ever compelled me to perform such a ridiculous motion is beyond even my comprehension. I mean, really, what did I intend to accomplish with such a gesture? It was as if I was performing some strange Jedi mind trick on him, forcing him to say "Hey" in return. I knew he'd acknowledge me, because that's just the sort of person he is, so why did I need to awkwardly wave my hand like that?!? In any case, that was Awkward Hey #2, the most awkward of them all.
Awkward Hey #3 may or may not be considered awkward. This one was a simple nod and a smile, as opposed to any foolish words. While I didn't do anything stupid outright, I could have possibly offended her by not saying anything, which is probably the greater sin .
But, my real question today is, what constitutes a proper "hello?" I'm pretty certain it's dependent upon the situation, but how can one avoid even the most awkward of hellos? Is there a surefire way to extinguish the problem?
Let's ponder this for a moment: Guys, in general, tend to not acknowledge people in a very warm manner. The common accepted greeting among this sex is the grunt and nod. I consciously abstain from the grunt and nod, because it looks both ridiculous, and slightly epileptic. I think that this is what gets me into trouble. The grunt and nod, while sometimes resembling a mild case of Tourette's Syndrome, might just be the least awkward means of saying "Hey" to fellow men. As far as women go, females never seem to have problems saying hey to one another. I did see "Mean Girls", so maybe there is much more going on inside than out, but it all seems so cuddly and gentle. They're usually louder and more spirited, and they tend to have much more physical contact than guys (i.e. hugs).
But, what happens when the two collide? Males and females, each with their own set of rules, trying desperately to acknowledge casually and quickly the other's presence.... This is where the Awkward Hey comes into play (that's the second time I've rhymed that today! The Awkward Hey...)...How can it not? Unless there is an established bond of friendship (like a serious friendship), then there's no easy way to say hi. For me at least, I frequently think upon the girl with which I'm about to have contact with's current relationship status. If it is known, the Hey is affected according the situation. If she's taken, the Hey is more sheepish and awkward, mainly because I feel like I'm intruding somehow by acknowledging her...If she's not available, and I'm not interested (which is usually the case), I tend to be warmer, and more open.
Luckily, I think, girls have a keen sense of understanding when it comes to guys. They thankfully don't expect the same contact that they receive from their "girlfriends", and thus we are saved from ever having to resort to loud giggles and an excess of hugging. But, at the same time, I sense that they are longing for more. I guess that's why it feels awkward for me. They may be perfectly happy with a modified grunt and nod (usually consisting of a smile, and maybe some sort of verbal acknowledgement containing more than a syllable), but I get the feeling that they'd like to hug, maybe let out a good cry, or just laugh a little. Who knows....
Then, however, you have the cling-ies...the people who cannot accept a casually quick hello; the one's that just HAVE to stop and talk to you. While I have no problem talking to these people in a normal setting, there's something about it being on the side of the road that just makes me annoyed. Especially while returning home from work/school. Never is there any greater a time for me to not want to talk to people. I like to clam up in my bedroom, or watch a little "Frasier", ignore the world, and eventually crawl back into society...So, these sort of people are barely tolerable at times, and they represent another significant chunk of the Awkward Heys I experience.
So I wonder: Why can't we live like the French, where a simple Bonjour or Salut suffices in casual contact, or the even more fun bisous (the air kisses on the cheeks) for longer visits? I mean, really...What's the deal with our need to alter tradition here in the States, and establish such a primitive and meaningless method of communication? It's as if we don't want to talk to people, and by grunting and nodding, we feel we can escape this! Well, I say that we shouldn't, and that in doing so, we degrade our society one badly pronounced syllable after another. I denounce the grunt and nod. I abhor its wicked ways, and beg that we all do the same! Why must we play mind games with ourselves, desperately seeking the means to say just the right thing in just the right way? Why must we fear how others view our inability to offer up a collected and casual "hey"? Why must this be the way our country functions!?!?!?!?!?!
So, I say this in conclusion:
Here's to the Awkward Hey and all that it represents for a better, more enunciated America!