Guilty Pleasure: Clint Eastwood

I can't think of a film by Eastwood that I didn't like (closest was Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil but that had Kevin Spacey).

Gran Torino is one of those movies that I watched because 1) it had Clint Eastwood in it; and 2) the title simply rocked.  To be honest I actually thought the title was referring to something else, but it is still a great title.

I'm not going to really delve into the movie.  Simply put, if you like Eastwood films, especially how you take a jerk of a man who is "misunderstood" by the rest of the world, you'll like this one.  I was piqued by the involvement of Asians, specially the Hmong people.

So what is it about Eastwood?  Is it the fact that his whiskey drawl voice still carries with the menace that made me respect my elders at a young age?  Or that fact that Eastwood again makes his characters believable and likeable? (I didn't say loveable, because you don't always love his characters). 

My brother was eager to watch the film; now that he has the opportunity to do so and having heard my opinion of it, he'll probably watch in the next few days.  

I remember watching Heartbreak Ridge with him when it showed on Showtime.  Not being old enough to recognize good or bad plots, we liked the interplay between Eastwood and his antagonist within the Marine Corps, the cadence that started with "Model A Ford and a tank full of gas...".

I remember watching the first parts of Dirty Harry and Sudden Impact at our Grampa's house.  The fact that he sits there, all badass and such, proclaiming to the crook, "You're asking yourself did he six shots or five?"  Anyone tries that now and the bit would fall flat.

Eastwood, 73, literally brings his best guns to Gran Torino.  And for that, Eastwood remains on my list of guilty pleasures.   For your viewing pleasure...

You like him too, right?

"Well do you...punk?"

Merry Christmas (or Happy Holidays)

I believe it was a few years ago when I posted about the hullabaloo about saying "Merry Christmas" as opposed to a more PC greeting, "Happy Holidays".

I have a young lady in one of my classes and after a quite friendly and informative discussion, I discovered that her family doesn't celebrate many (for that matter any) of the Christian holidays.  Without divluging any personal information, her family worships a different religion.  When I asked if she could share some more about the what's and how's of her religion, she kindly explained.  Quite simply, she stated, it's not about the gifts; it's about doing work for Him, in His honor.  I was touched by the succint and yet full explanation of this.

Why tell you the story about this person?  She was able to reach into my black crusted heart of tolerance and peel back one of those layers.  I now have a new found respect for those that may not celebrate Christmas, but celebrate His love and ideals in other ways. 

As my sons opened their gifts and my wife hers, I considered what this young person shared with me, and quite frankly smiled.  It's not that I was so proud of myself, but that I was glad to have spent the eleven or so hours in the car driving 667 total miles start to finish to be with loved ones across the state of Texas.

Kris and Alton, I love both you guys.  You took time out of your busy schedules to share a bit of time with me during this hectic season.  Tell Kelley and Danielle (your respective wife) thanks for me as well.

Grandma, I love with all my heart.  I enjoyed your hospitality, but more importantly, your company.  Our conversations remain close to my heart.

Mom, a many thanks.  It was good to see you and the kids and Chris.  As crazy as our times together can be, they are truly priceless.

Nelson, you've shown me proof that change is possible, and in many cases, inevitable.  You told me that this is perhaps the best Christmas in quite a few years.  I think it's a reflection of the changes you've made in your heart that has brought you these rewards.  I love you bro.

So to all of you out there, may you be touched my His grace.

Cheers.

Dancing Teachers

Just a quickie here.

I had the opportunity (chance intervened on this...) to do a bit of work on video, namely having my mini-choir kids taped for a video announcement.

It's here; just make sure that you watch until the last minute for so.

Frosty makes a visit (joke: dancing fat white man).

Happy holidays to you and yours, wherever you are celebrating.

Be safe and merry!

The Mert

Destination Vacation: 600 miles

I'm about to embark on my yearly sojourn, to visit with loved ones across our lovely state of Tejas.

I started this a last year, and it was actually pretty cool. I got to see a number of close ones that I don't see too often without missing my family for too long.

I think that's the best part. In this season, we are often so worried about the various crap that we are going to give to someone or that we might receive. I hate to call it crap as many times people spend agonizing moments analyzing and debating whether to get the citrus- or mango-and-cream scented lotion for their lady friend. We talk about how Christmas (or Hanukkah or any other gift giving occasion) is about being with the ones we love, but Oh, we have to get Soandso a gift too.

Am I guilt of this? Absolutely to a certain extent. I like buying my boys gifts; they are kids. I like to get my wife certain things. My friends know that I like to get them just seemingly random stuff for the fun of it.

But in the end, I would hope that my simple and humble companionship be enough. For me, that's what I want. What other reason do I have to make this sojourn and spend three and a half days away from my boys and wife? As much as I miss them, I enjoy it that much more to see them as I drive up.

And before you are so quick to judge, I teach my boys values. But that's another story...

To you and yours, may the holidays bring love and joy in all its splendor.

Cheers

Black Friday

I have to admit, as much as I like shopping, I hate it.

To be so hedonistic gives such sinful pleasure.  While I enjoy seeing the look on someone's face receive that "special" gift, it's nothing compared to the look of passer-by's in the mall as you drop X amount of dollars at the mall, store, or wherever you spend your money.  For a bit of that envious glare from unknown strangers, you buy the cow, the harness, and two bales of hay.  And for that, I hate it.

I hate wanting to gain that stupid satisfaction that comes from a stranger's glance.  That sneer that one develop's when you know you got what some Joe Schmo doesn't have quite yet.  It's a dirty feeling and I feel like shouting "Out damn spot; out!".  The wife and I did Black Friday and for all the little gifts we got for our family and friends, I have a bit of a sour taste in my mouth.

I just read about the Wal-Mart worker was trampled to death upon the store's opening today.  As much as I like a deal, how much humanity have we lost to step upon a human being in order to garner a few $2 DVDs and a really big and flat TV for $400.  Let's be honest folks; none of those people out this morning were in dire need of those things.  Yes, I love a deal too, but c'mon...someone died.  Imagine being in that crowd of over 2.000 who rushed in when the doors were unlocked.  I wasn't there, but I did say unlocked, not exactly opened.  

Imagine being in that pent-up energy, building up as the seconds tick by, hearing the two ladies next to you voice their plan about hitting such and such area first.  Suddenly, there's a hush as the blue vested man approaches the doors.  He unlocks them and begins to open them.  Hell is thusly unleashed.  The crowd rushes through, the smell of deals and saved money awaiting to be spent on on countless other deals tickles the adrenal glands just enough for a squirt of that lively juice.  Elbows get pushed, voices raise over the din and suddenly you feel something rubbery on under your footsteps.  You glance down and see some blue but can't stop due to the wave of humans following you and fifty others' path.  Tragedy befalls us.

I actually had a few other things I had hoped to write about, but those all seemed trivial in comparison.  My thoughts and prayers to any and all who were physically hurt today in our attempt to save as much money as possible to garner as much crap to give to others.

Excuse me; I'm going to go wash my hands and brush my teeth again.