Happy Birthday Bro

     Yesterday, my brother had his birthday.  I don't think it really matters how old he is [cough frickin old cough], but he and I had a conversation yesterday, and on my way to work today, I really reflected on what he means to me.

     I remember a time when I really resented my brother.  He was always bigger than me, as most big brothers are.  For a while, during his infatuation with wrestling, he loved to practice the latest finishing move on me, usually somehow convincing me to set up on the bed and wait for the inevitable pile-driver.  As fate decided, he and I were separated for a brief time, and fate decided that we needed space and separation.  

     My brother and I probably didn't talk for a great many years.  At this point, it doesn't matter.  In fact, that time probably allowed both of us to overcome some personal issues.  Today, he and I are probably closest than we've ever been.  The profound love and mutual respect we have for each other is irreplaceable.  

     Is everything perfect?  No, far from it.  We have our issues, but it always comes back to that love and respect.  We talk frequently, more often that weekly, share our troubles and successes, 

nudie pics (not really, but heh...), and the occasional overnight trip.  My life is that much sweeter with a big brother.  Even at my old age, I still have that almost looking up to him that probably will never leave.

   

 I don't imagine anyone without siblings would understand.  Sisters understand the bond, as do brothers.  It's such a simple thing.  I guess maybe John Lennon was onto something when he penned "All You Need Is Love"

Guilty Pleasures: Cheesy Music

I really like Weezer.  Thanks to Rock Band, I've had a really good introduction and have procured three of their albums.

Why are they cheesy?  Well, quite honestly I doubt that Rivers Cuomo would come out and say that his band is the coolest and hottest band out there.  In his own self depricating manner, he would probably say something like, "Yeah, we're okay, but we're not as hot as Rhianna or the Jonas Brothers."  Their music is what firmly plants them into this fizzy guitar-riff filled teen angst-that- even-middle-aged-adults-feel sound that, well, is easy to relate to.  

Yeah, that's right.  Even middle aged adults feel those uncomfortable situations found socially, where the "cool ones" ignore the "outcast".  Going through most of the albums I have, many of their songs have a quite similar feeling.  Such as any long-lasting artist, Weezer has a unique sound.  Just like the Foo Fighters and Red Hot Chili Peppers, Weezer is able to really convey their "sound" into most of their music.  

At this point, I'm considering using one or two of their songs in the class.  The details I'll work out later, but it just reminds me of how one teacher used Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire" to teach a research/history lesson all together.  Something like that.  I read at one blog how "In the Garage" and "Heart Songs" are just name-dropping anecdotes for the typical survival that makes up teen angst.  I would agree, but that's not a bad thing.  Aren't the greatest love songs such because they evoke a passionate message within us?  Those tear jerker movies, those impassioned pleas for greater humanity, and the transcending humor that can be found in most any culture:  all these fuel that which makes us human.  And for a great part of American society, teen angst exists in one form or another.  Weezer's been able to tap into that and well...for me, offer a reminescent reminder that life isn't perfect, but more so (being a teacher) that what much of my students are going through right now.

Is it cheesy?  Maybe, but I simply would retort, "WTF?!!?"  Who are others to judge you based upon merely one group that you happen to enjoy?  Vanilla Ice (7 million albums) , Milli Vanilli (14 million albums), any hyped-up boy/girl band all had their fans and support, but no one will admit to it.  

I guess that's why it's a guilty pleasure.  

Guilty Pleasure Confession

Readers, forgive me, for I have chosen to give in to that which we poke fun at.

I was up late the other night and I was watching License to Kill. You know, the second Bond flick with Timothy Dalton? Well, maybe you don't.

Anyway, I was watching and I remembered how TBS used to be the best as every year, they would showcase Bond films in a Bond Marathon. Fifteen days Bond films, with usually three every evening. There would be some overlap, but that was nevermind. Bond, Bond babes, the gadgets, usually a competent villain, and the infrequent decent storyline. Arguably the worst Bond flick (disagree? leave a comment!), A View to a Kill was considered my favorite when I was in fourth grade. Why? Only because it was the newest and had Duran Duran sang the title song. I know now that my taste sucked, but I still watch it to see the rock salt-loaded shotgun. TBS doesn't do the marathons anymore, but it appears that many channels play the Bond films time to time, so I can get my fix.

Who was the best Bond? I think a lot of that depends on when you started watching him. Sean Connery was really good. I grew up with Roger Moore. George Lazenby? A philanderer's dream, but not quite. Timothy Dalton wasn't bad, but came across as a bit too angry at times. Pierce Brosnan was an exceptional actor. Daniel Craig, the new one, played the role extremely well. I see him as a cross between Connery's intensity, but with Brosnan's sophistication. The best sense of humor probably came from Connery. Of course, his was a different time. In the end, I think each represented his movie(s) to the best and as such should be respected as such. I can't imagine anyone else but Dalton spouting off, "I must have scared the living daylights out of her", a cheap plug for the movie. Even when Connery came back for the "unofficial" Bond film, Never Say Never Again. Not my favorite, but eh...

The best Bond girl? All of them. You can't pick anyone over another. Each again, brought something special to her film and...um, forgive me a sec.

Honey Rider. Pussy Galore. Plenty O'Toole. Bambi & Thumper. Holly Goodhead. Bib Dahl. Octopussy. Xenia Onatopp. Wai Lin. Christmas Jones (remember "Christmas only comes once a year"?). Not to be confused with "professional" entertainers or working girls, these handily capable vixens provided a helping hand in more ways than one to the needy Bond.

Okay, I lied. My favorite? Pam Bouvier, played by actress Carey Lowell. You may recognize her from some of the Law and Order episodes. Walking hottness, but again, you probably have your favorites. But for Pam, give me a girl who can pilot any vehicle, handle a gun, con a con-artist televangelist Joe Butcher, and still satisfy Bond.

Yowza.

First Week of School

Ah, the sweet dew on the grass. Chirping birds in the trees. Big yellow dogs hauling kids to school.

It's that time again: back to school. You've probably been bombarded in the last few weeks with all the shills for sales and "gotta have" supplies. Most kids will probably groan that first morning, gripe about having to get up "sooo early" and trudge themselves out the door and into whichever vehicle they take to school. I remember the first day of school. Much like the comparison, I pretty much dreaded it. It marked another the end to another chapter of my childhood, irreplaceable and gone forever. Of course, there is the other side...

As a teacher, I get to ask kids various questions about their summer, shopping, what they did, etc. For the majority of the students, they, at least one part, were ready for school to be back in session. Sitting at home watching reruns, stuck on the couch (South Texas people!), and playing the same [insert digital activity here] over and over again for the 104 days of summer (thanks Phineas and Ferb). Most are willing to admit that school offers a break from the monotony that summer became. Growing up and the adventures that my buddies and I had usually took there toll and school did become that inevitable break that we secretly welcomed. School shopping will never go out of style and I'm always amazed by how shiny shoes are that first week back.

So how was it? Well, the first week back is usually the easiest for the kids. It primarily consists of forms and rules and expectations. I didn't give any homework until Wednesday, and that was pretty easy (I thought so at least). For the most part, the best part was listening to the kids discuss their summers and such. It's a long ways until the end of the school year, but each year I'm surprised by how many of my kids turn out. My expectations aren't any less this year. Maybe I'll put a little something-something here for you readers to enjoy.

How was your summer? Even if you're a working stiff, drop a line. Maybe something about your first day back to school.

Cheers!

Meaningless List #1: Best Under-Rated Movie

I've been working a story for some time, but as my friend would remind me, I still need to get some writing out there.





So, in an effort to conform to the current trend of lists, here's one for you.





I would consider myself a movie fan, not quite a connoisseur, but I think you get the gist. While I like the typical action flick (understand I grew up in the 80's and early 90's), I also can appreciate a well-played story. So, in the near three decades of watching videos, cable, DVDs and regular programming, I've got my likes and dislikes. Of course, today will be "the good stuff" that you may not have heard much about.





And what would a list be without the Honorable Mention Quad. Quickies on these:





HM1 - Ronin - DeNiro & car chases. 'Nuff said.


HM2 - Malcom X - A slanted view, designed to incite, but worth a good watch.


HM3 - Chasing Amy - Kevin Smith did a great job here. Keep an open mind.


HM4 - Tin Cup - Just goes to prove that winning isn't everything.








Without further ado, here are the Explicit Eight:





8. Booty Call - I'm sure that I'll catch a bit of flack on this one, but anyone who's ever seen it, probably understands what I'll say here. There are times in everyone's life when you need a good laugh for whatever reason. Whatever reason. Knowing that, there have been times in my life that I needed a laugh without getting stoned (that's a whole 'nother story...). My buddy recommeded this, and Alton worked at a video store, so I know he's seen everything at least twice. Probably more on the "Adult Section". The point is, most guys could probably relate to the gist of the story: I'm calling because I would like to have intercourse tonight with someone and I'm wiling to do the whole dog-and-pony-show to do it. Perhaps it's just being able to relate at certain times, but it's just funny. Pure, adult, sexual, perverted like a junior high schooler, tongue in cheek and other places funny. You cannot take this movie serious, so don't. Enjoy Jamie Foxx before his Ray notoriety.


7. Dogma - This is where all the Kevin Smith fans come out and say something like, "Why didn't you pick Clerks?" Cuz I didn't. Not good enough? Well, I didn't watch Dogma until it came out on Starz, and having been a converted Catholic for only a few years at the time, I found the movie to be a real tongue-in-cheek hilarious. I've always felt that God has a sense of humor bequethed to us, and as such, we should be able to find the humor in all of His work (sometimes just to simply bear through the drudgery or worse yet, the pain that comes with life). The movie's ensemble really make it an easy watch, but you'll come back for the jokes that truly reflect a not so suble thumbing at religion and Christianity. I wouldn't show this to a Sunday school class, but it does offer a lesson on self-deprication.


6. Gattica - I saw this movie shortly after I began a new chapter in my life. One of the girls I worked with at the time had a huge thing for Ethan Hawke. She raved about this movie, saying "Oh my god, he is sooo hot. And the other guy is hot too!". Weird thing is I'm now related to her, but I digress...I checked out the movie on a whim, and wow. It blew my mind. In a way that Blade Runner and Terminator 2 did. Not so much in the action, but in the overall message.


5. Less than Zero - I saw this late one night on cable. Oh my. I can only say that Robert Downey Jr's character was superbly played. I don't remember much of when this movie did come out, but seeing it as I did, in the period of my life, opened up my eyes that my life can and always could be worse than it is, even if I have everything I could want.


4. Brokeback Mountain - Arguably not under-rated, but living in a small town filled with homophobes doesn't this one's reception. You probably heard about this story from a friend who told you about the gay cowboys. I can honestly say that I waited with anticipation to watch this one. Ang Lee did a great job on this film, and I usually like his work. As such, I truly kept an open mind about the story. What a story. Taboo love amongst the toughest of men. If you truly enjoy a love story, you can't miss this one.


3. October Sky - I reemmber seeing the previews for this one in the theaters. A feel good movie, bit of a tragedy in the end, but overall an overused piece for any science teachers. Toby Maguire does a good job and we are privy to his unique way of talking (think whispering whiney innocence, but not so annoyuing). My favorite part? When Chris Cooper's character goes over there to whip that step-dad's arse. A bit predictable, but I'm a sap for feel good movies.


2. Usual Suspects - Often times, the lady behind the movie counter will make stupid recommendations; so much that I believe that they make bets on geting people to rent shitty movies. Well, as my lady and I cruised the aisles looking for good flick, I just casually asked her for a suggestion. "Here, try this one." "Never heard of it." "Oh goodness, Kevin Spacey is so good in it. You'll like it (after referring to my recent returns)." I was not let down. Kevin Spacey's acting here could make anyone want to be an actor. The movie's plot is quite simple, yet deviously complicated; an almost unintentional paradox. When you watch it, give it your full attention. Take the phone off the hook, set your celly on silent, and have a couple of cold ones and a big bowl of popcorn ready to roll. An great ensemble, it includes Stephen, Baldwin, Benicio del Toro, Kevin Pollack, and Chazz Palminteri. How can one get better than this, you ask? Well...


1. Last of the Mohicans - I've only read part of James Fennimore Cooper's classic novel, and have yet to view the 1936 original film, but for whatever reason, this film is just majesty on film. The first thing one notices is the scope of film. The grand landscapes that once made up this country. Beautiful woods and grasses, bodies moving as one that is nature. The substance that keeps you there is the wonderful soundtrack that stirs you within. Honestly the acting was okay. As a whole, a bit fantastic; but for mant parts that aren't quite continuous, breathtaking. You want to believe in the fantasy. When Madeleine Stowe's character Alice first tell's Day Lewis's character Hawkeye "I will find you.", he spurns her for fear of her safety. Later, in a pivotal scene, Hawkeye tells Alice "No, you submit, do you hear? You be strong, you survive... You stay alive, no matter what occurs! I will find you. No matter how long it takes, no matter how far, I will find you." Reminiscent of Real World:Seattle, when David and Kira got into a fight, and with microphones running, screaming that "it hurts" to love her as much as he does. Perhaps this movie is under-rated because it's a bit fantastic. Who am I kidding? It's very fantastic. That's perhaps the best part. Historical-fiction is a wonderful art, mixing reality with a ficticious story.

That's it. Your thoughts? Comments? Don't be shy. I'm sure that you've got something that you thought I missed. Let's hear it.

Cheers...