Post Anger

Not that Hank Stuever reads my blog, or anyone who knows Hank Stuever, or anyone who has ever heard of Hank Stuever, but this morning's Washington Post review of last night's LIVE episode of 30 Rock was a travesty.

Firstly, I'm not saying you have to be a fan of 30 Rock. (But usually people who say they don't like 30 Rock are people who don't "get it.") (Kidding.)

I knew his review was headed for the shitter when Mr. Stuever (if that's her real name) mentioned the cameo appearance of the "much-missed" Rachel Dratch.  Seriously?  Dratch was the first season's weakest link, you dolt!  Then Mr. Stuever said for people not fascinated by the behind-the-scenes goings-on of Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock seems like a pre-Office chore.  A pre-Office chore!  Has this dude been stuck in a mine for the last three years? (Too soon?) 30 Rock has always aired AFTER The Office until this season, AND everyone knows The Office has been steadily (slowly) sucking these last few seasons.  30 Rock has only been getting better.  Then Stuever said "some of our DVRs have a few unwatched episodes of 30 Rock in the queue."  Look, folks, I'll let you in on a secret... If 30 Rock gets DVRed it's the first thing that gets watched the moment you get back from where ever you felt was more important to be than at home watching 30 Rock.

I know I'm being a tad bit dramatic.  I know I don't sound very objective right now.  But come on, they did the episode live last night!  Holy shit!  And it was great!  If a small child approaches me and proudly shows me some artwork crafted with beans and pipe cleaners my response to that kid isn't going to be, "Nice. Hey, didn't you shit your pants last week?" 

Here's the funny thing: I work across the street from the Washington Post.  I probably stood behind Hank Stuever this morning at Jack's Deli.  If I had known it was him would I have the coconuts to disagree with his lame review of 30 Rock?  Probably not. 

You don't have to like what I like, but if you're going to criticize it at least know what you're talking about. 

Trivia Question:  How many years in a row did 30 Rock win the Emmy for best comedy?  (Boom.)

Since Feeling is First

By E.E. Cummings

since feeling is first
who pays any attention
to the syntax of things
will never wholly kiss you;

wholly to be a fool
while Spring is in the world

my blood approves,
and kisses are better fate
than wisdom
lady i swear by all flowers. Don't cry
—the best gesture of my brain is less than
your eyelids' flutter which says

we are for each other: then
laugh, leaning back in my arms
for life's not a paragraph

And death i think is no parenthesis

BttF Trailer Remake

(Awesome!)

"I was with God, and I was with the Devil."

See

Fortuitous things are going to happen to you. Good news will occur in your life. Are you able to read the signs? As I type this, thirty-three miners in Chile are being pulled from the depths of the Earth after being trapped for more than two months. Amazing.

What grabbed me most about the story of the trapped miners is that after the accident seventeen days passed before anyone knew they were still alive. Seventeen days. Can you imagine not existing for seventeen days? Would you want the people who love you to think you were dead for seventeen days?

Don't tell me there ain't good news in the world. Don't tell me fortuitous things don't happen in our lives. Don't tell me the signs aren't there for us. We just need to know how to see them.

Banksy Meets Simpson's

Proof that The Simpson's is the most culturally and socially aware show on TV:


UPDATE: Fox has blocked the video from being viewed on YouTube. I highly recommend searching it out and watching it before it's gone forever.

Hockey Town?

I'm no hockey expert. Heck, I didn't even start watching hockey until two years ago, but I'm afraid DC is not a "hockey town" as the above video purports.  (BTW, this video plays at the Verizon Center at the beginning of every home game.)

Considering DC sports and the people who make up a lot of its population, it's difficult to determine what kind of town it is.  Baseball is way too new and the Wizards have a stupid name.  The United is soccer (no explanation required).  Then there's the Redskins... From the outside looking in I can't even say this is a football town.  In defense of football and its sudden rise in popularity in recent decades there's a whole lot of Redskins fans here.  Normally, that would be a duh statement, BUT this town is so full of transient people that often you might run into more Cowboy fans than Redskin fans.  Or Bears, or Steelers, etc.

My point is I think it's sad that more people who live here don't back the home team. Back in Chicago, there are no options.  The sports teams are like family and we loved them no matter what.  Even in the losingest of losing seasons rarely did a "fan" get too down on the beloved Bears.  Every family has that weirdie loser who can't seem to do anything right, but we loved 'em anyway.

I live in DC now.  I am a Nationals fan.  I am a Capitals fan.  I am a Bears fan.  (Sorry, blood is thicker than water!)

Happy Birthday, John

John, This world has suffered without you.  My eyes well up just thinking about what could have been, yet eternally grateful for what was.

Kill Anxiety

Whoever watches the wind will not plant;
whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.

Ecclesiastes 11:4

I have a huge problem with anxiety and uncertainty.  Christianity has helped me retain perspective on what is truly important in life.  Our lives are full of meaningless trivialities. I worry about everything, but mostly I pretend that I don't because I have learned that the key to success is acting like you know what is going on.  Play the part - that was my mantra.  And so far it has worked.  But I'm pretty sure I haven't given credit where credit is due.  I'm a resourceful man, not an actor.  I don't believe in accidents.  Random acts merely tip over the first domino.  

New Clip for The Walking Dead!

Bigmouth Strikes Again

Sometimes you forget your hat in the morning,

other times your hat forgets you.

Today feels different... aside from being hatless, I feel... different.

Whatever - Here's The Smiths:

Two of my favorite things! Combined!

May the wind take your troubles away

 

Listen to this album and there ain't nothin' you can't do and there ain't nothin' that can get you down and there ain't nothin' that can keep you from getting past difficult situations in life.  This album holds the answers to all of life's questions.

Buses, Subways, and Hot Air Balloons

The bus was crowded this morning - Tuesday is the new Monday.  I was sitting next to a man who didn't yield much of the seat to accommodate the both of us.  I chose to endure the four minutes of discomfort and think happy thoughts (...pancakes, boobies, video games...) And then the man spoke.  To me. 

Startled because no one speaks to anyone on the bus lest they be categorized as a weirdie, I said, "What?"

And he said, "What's up with this music?" 

Then I realized the bus driver was listening to classical music.  (As opposed to being screamed at by blowhards opining on the trivialities of politics.)  And it was good.  In fact, I've never had a more relaxed four minute ride to the Metro station in my life! 

Noticing that my large seat companion had a slight southern drawl to his dialect, I said, "At least it ain't country." 

The man never spoke to me again. 

Lesson learned: One stupid opinion does not beget another stupid opinion.  A wise man would have kept his mouth shut.  I'm weak, yet satisfied with my cleverness. 

Under Pressure

End Homelessness

The History of Rap

The Obscene Angel

There's a sticker on my car that says, "Virginia is for Lovers."  I'm no expert, but based on my experience, 'tis true.  But the other day while walking the three city blocks to the Metro station I spotted a small, black sticker affixed to a lamp post at 15th and K Street that read, "DC is for Fuckers."

That little, inconspicuous, vulgar sticker made me smile.  Sometimes humor finds us.  Sometimes funny moments occur when we least expect them.  This ain't no special revelation, I know, but I appreciate the reminder and therefore felt compelled to pass it along.

I think there are times in our lives when we search for novel, shiny ideas when an oldie-but-goodie would suffice.  I think there are times when hearing what you already know is comforting.  I know this sweater vest looks good, but it feels great to hear someone else confirm it.  I know everything will be okay, but doesn't having someone else affirm it feel like we're all going to win the Super Bowl?

I am grateful for moments that lift me away from my daily walk to the Metro station.  My only wish is that we all come across something in our day that makes us smile when we typically don't.  Imagine the wars we could have avoided if we would have covertly infiltrated faraway lands with funny stickers.

He Does.

God answers prayers.

Work

Bonnie