Oh those 7 Words...George Carlin 1937-2008

Can God create a rock so big that he himself could not lift it? If there are gates controlled by St. Peter, I am sure this is among the many questions George Carlin is getting the answers to as we speak.

My first exposure to the great George Carlin was his famous Class Clown stand up - on 8-track. For those of you not born to see the original Star Wars in the theater, this was the grandfather of the audiotape. In swiping it from my brother's room I took it to camp and became the coolest kid in the campground with the comic whose seven words we couldn't say on television we memorized feverishly. Twenty-five years later and before my morning coffee I ticked off all seven words as I watched the news about his passing.

Speaking of passing - to do Carlin proud I should simply say he died yesterday, he didn't pass away or expire and as a result our world has lost a little of it's edge and sharp perception. As an adult, Carlin's opening run from "Doing it Again" about euphemisms stands as one of my favorite observations of how our language has been manipulated, if not mutilated over the course of time. What made Carlin unique was his unabashed ability to make the contradictions in common thoughts, words and religion center stage.

Carlin ranks among the greats of comedians, by all accounts he was a great human being as well - generous and thoughtful to a fault. His legacy is assured by his sharp wit - 50 years of craft will live on. I admired Carlin because by all accounts he lived life aggressively and how can you not love a guy who boiled the 10 commandments down to 2!?!?!

Three Hail Mary's from Father Rivera George, a grateful world mourns the loss of this great voice!

MAY YOU REST IN PEACE GEORGE CARLIN

It's Not Easy Being Green...

And that will be the closest reference to TV and film I get in today's post. A tongue and cheek nod to The Muppet Movie and Kermit the Frog.

I have been wondering lately about the modern day adult peer pressure. It may be me, but it feels as though every time I turn on the television or read a newspaper there is another reminder that I am not doing enough for the planet. Gas prices are the latest pressure point. Every other day there is an article/news segment discussing hybrids and energy efficiency cars. When you look at some of the insane weather patterns and natural disasters of the last six months you can't help but think - Al Gore was onto something. Look I don't want to be a kill joy, nor do I believe that being more efficient with our planet and energy isn't a worthwhile endeavor. The increasing noise on the topic just likens back to the vegetarians of the 80's who wore leather shoes. There are many today who are putting the energy efficient light bulbs in their homes while never shutting down their multiple computers or unplugging chargers when not charging. I say this to express it is a delicate balance.

If I am being honest I have to say I resent the 'push' to green my life. As if I have all the power in the world to do so. Don't get me wrong, I understand the need to reverse the trajectory our planet is on, however I don't like the heavy-handed media and marketing push around my 'greening' my world. The trifecta of energy efficiency, organic and all natural products to me is a pressure filled world that is unattainable to so many people.

I mean seriously, perhaps it is because I have been recently unemployed, but in my mind if the above categories are so beneficial to us as individuals and society as a whole, why is it inaccessible to such a large portion of that society? The fact is, hybrid cars are 20% more expensive than regular cars. Seventh Generation products and their competitors retail at nearly 40% more than supermarket brands (yes I did an actual cost comparison of household staples - all purpose cleaner, eggs, milk and toilet paper)and that doesn't even get into fruits, veggies and organic "grass fed" animals. Then there are the natural soaps, lotions, shampoos and miscellaneous beauty products. Switching to 'natural' product lines requires a good deal of research and in some cases hunting - stores with authentic product lines are far and few between. Many are not around the corner like your local CVS/Rite Aid and have mark ups of 50% or more at times.

The fact is, if you are on a budget, and these days who isn't, there are tough decisions to be made regarding how your money is spent. The cost prohibitiveness(is that a word?) of the above products is maddening to me. Take cars, it's a false premise to promote that people should just go energy efficient for cars - as though it was an affordable choice, supply is limited and demand up. Economics 101 teaches us what that means, higher prices. I did an experiment last week on public transportation. I live in the DC metro area and have a young child in daycare. Public transportation adds 45 minutes each way to our commute and averages $14 a day, $308 a month. By car, parking and gas gets me to $256. More important than the $50 a month I would save nearly a day and a half of commute time (33 hours). In a a day and age where it seems we never have time to get anything done, 16.5 days saved a year is of greater value to me. Selfish? Yes! At the end of the day, I think as in all things there is a balance to be struck. After decades of imperialistic growth without thought to the environment the shift back isn't going to happen overnight. So while I am happy to separate my garbage and willing to spend a little more where I can to do my part I think it is unrealistic to downshift completely and still afford to live. OK, I will descend now from my non-recyclable soapbox now.

p.s. - I read my newspapers online - does that count in doing my part for the environment?

They Say The Neon Lights Are Bright...

ON BROADWAY...

Yes after a weekend of many tears I am currently rejoicing in one of my great loves - The Theater. Tonight is the annual Tony Awards ceremony. While I realize it is hard to think of a reason to sit through a 3 hour awards ceremony on things you don't know anything about I would beg to differ. It is an opportunity for two things - 1) To see musical performances of all the current running/nominated shows. 2) You will see a pool of wonderful actors many familar faces because they are the non superstars you often see on film and television.

For me I watch with great longing. I am long past my days of seeing shows 3-4 times a week. So Tony night is an opportunity to see what's new, what's revived and wonder what will be the break out this summer. Live theater is one of those things that is an indescribable experience. Musical theater in particular isn't for everyone. But with shows like Passing Strange and In the Heights juxaposed against revivals like South Pacific and Gypsy it's hard to not linger in the breadth that theater can provide.

I look forward to introducing my daughter to theater sooner rather than later and truth be told, while Washington, DC is rich with regional theater, I am a NY snob and look forward to taking her to four show weekends. I could fill a book of my memories associated with the theater, from my weekly trips to certain shows, second acting many a musical, sleeping on the sidewalk to see Meryl Streep perform in Shakespeare in the Park, seeing Phantom of the Opera for the first time or falling asleep at Les Miz. The memories are plentiful and joyous. While theater isn't for everyone, everyone should experience it at least once.

The Moderator of Meet the Press... A Narrator to a Nation

Who will take on this legacy?

Who will we turn to for an inside out understanding of our political process?

Who will now provide us with the issues state by state in senate debates for key states?

Who will hold the white board on November 4th with the state that will tell us the story of our next President?

Who will provide the enthusiasm of our political dialogue that he brought to news every day, not just this historic presidential season?

Who will emulate that balance of being driven by a passion of what you do with the ultimate understanding for what was important?

Buffalo's native son has died and we have lost a vibrant voice in journalism. Just in the brief time that I have written this blog I have mentioned Tim Russert a half dozen times. In clicking through the television channels late this afternoon I saw the unthinkable - Tim Russert Dead at 58 -- Not possible I thought, but sadly changing the channels only provided more images of the death of a giant. I have been watching endless coverage of the NBC broadcasters and correspondents. All look distraught as a family suddenly lost without their patriarch. He was admired, reveered and beloved for the astute and meticulous research that he brought to his Meet the Press interviews and for he gregarious nature and diligent priority around family.

I had the dumb random luck to meet Tim Russert at a Boys and Girls Club gala in Washington, DC. He was serving as Master of Ceremonies and to my great surprise wound up in a seat next to me. Knowing his great love of the Buffalo Bills I knew that was my "in" to striking up a conversation. I led with football, got into a discussion about the Yankees and in a badge of honor - made him laugh. It was no more than 5 minutes of conversation. But I went on that night to watch him raise a half million for the Boys and Girls Club in 10 minutes from the podium.

It is rare in life that the people we place on pedastals meet our expectations. In a time where heroes are hard to come by, Tim Russert was certainly mine. I had placed Tim Russert in that level of esteem that few could live up to, so to come in contact with him and have him exceed everything I believed him to be was truly amazing. He will be remembered for many things, but I hope his legacy will give just credit to his integrity and faith - in family, our country and the fact that he was a man who never forgot where he came from.

I think it is fitting that Tim Russert's final Meet the Press was at a table surrounded by his political correspondents. However it is not fair that we will hve to weather the remainder of this political season without his navigation. I take stock in the fact that on his last day he was doing the thing he loved most he was surrounded by his NBC family. While it is awful to think that Sunday's will now go on without Tim Russert, it is fitting that the world of journalism and the Sunday political pundits will pause this Sunday to remember Russert, on Father's Day.

My heart is broken for his wife, son, family and extended family at NBC, may God be with them all.

Passing on a Sunday...Rest in Peace Tim Russert

Tim Russert on the night Barack Obama became the Democratic Nominee for President of United States pondered how exciting it would be the next morning to be a history teacher.

Everything I know about American politics I learned from Tim Russert, he was a teacher and guide to a nation.

Secret TV and other random crushes...

OK, odd title I know, but lets face it there is a TV show, character, actor that we all secretly adore but are remiss to admit to in public. Without ever going into places like Soap Operas and HGTV I know many of my friends(and you know who you are) there are diverse shows from The Walton's to Flavor of Love to La Femmne Nikita. Over the years we all have found shows and TV characters who we adore without rhyme or reason.

As all who know me have long accepted I have a deep rooted admiration (read: borderline crush) on Tim Russert at NBC and Meet the Press is appointment TV for me. At only 2 my daughter knows who he is and whenever she sees him on TV she proclaims "Mommy, it's Tim! it's Tim!". Well for me, I must admit there is someone who has given Tim a run for the money over the last couple of months....

OK, it is appropriate that I am sitting here with MSNBC in the backdrop as Barack Obama has just become the presumtive democratic nominee for President of the United States. It's a moment to mark simply because of the history it makes and without being too corny, the extrodinary pride I feel in seeing it happen and being part of the process that led to this result. As someone two short generations removed from a woman made to wash her hands when she came in contact with black people I have such an immense pride in a moment that changes history.

OK, I return to my silly rant of the day. So the combination of unemployment, interest in our political landscape, cable TV and too much time on my hands I have watched more than my share political cable news over the last few months. In doing so a gem of a geek has risen out of the dronings of Chris Matthews and Pat Buchanan. That person is NBC's Political Director, Chuck Todd. Chucky T as he is loving referred to by collegues is the numbers guy, the statistical geek and basically the guy you run up against at a bar watching the game who can hand you every statistic known to man on any given team in any given sport. I adore Chuck Todd and his running commentary in this lengthy primary race, for me, has only been second to that of Tim Russert (I'm a loyalist too!).

For those of you who have seen it, Chuck Todd reminds me of Joshua Molina's character on ABC's old TV series "Sports Night" - Jeremy whose first scene in the show is being interviewed by Felicity Huffman and in a panic rolls out a detailed analysis on the NY Knicks and throughout the series had every statistic/random fact waiting at his finger tips. I have been mocked (at times mercilessly) by friends for my fandom of Chuck Todd. But after many years of obscure admirations like this I have finally found vindication. It arrived in the form of another blog: www.vivachucktodd.blogspot.com, check it out and you too will see I am not alone in admiring Chuck's brillance

Say what you will, crushes and secret TV loves are a good thing, it is the escapism that TV is meant to me.

I'm Baaacckkkk....

As eloquently pointed out by Melissa, I have officially slacked off the last 2 months. My my time flies when you are unemployed and moving into a new home! After much painting, unpacking and yes slacking I am back to writing.

Today will bring quick (because really, they require little else) film reviews of the two big recent releases - Indiana Jones and Sex in the City.

Indiana Jones (and the long title about a Skull that I never get right)

Really and truly this film can be summed up in a question. Did you ask yourself "I wonder if it is worth seeing?" If you did, don't go see it. This is a film made for fans - fans of the Indie series, fans of the genre and fans of nostalgia. I happen to like extra helpings of all three and therefore was present and accounted for at the first showing Thursday morning at 10AM. Note, there was a 12:01AM showing on Wednesday, but I have long left my days of midnight showings at the movies!

The movie treds on no new territory and obliterates some of the old. Yes George Lucas is a man who makes Oliver Stone look ego-less and his quest story is long in the teeth both in believability and interest. Yes, the CGI technology goes too far in an unrealistic jungle scene and yes Cate Blanchet (who I love and adore) is WAY over the top, she makes Laura Dern's turn in RECOUNT look subtle. My answer to that is SO WHAT? I mean really, the point of the movie is fantasy/adventure. What about either of those words asks the viewer to believe it needs to all make sense.

At the end of the day in my book it ranks somewhere in between The Last Crusade and Temple of Doom. Raider's will forever be untouched, but truth be told, this fourth installment is all it needs to be - a big budget, summer, popcorn induced, cotton candy flick with a nice dose of nostalgia on top! For me, not a bad way to spend a Thursday morning.

SEX AND THE CITY

OK, same rules apply - if you have to ask the question, don't bother. This is a film made for its fans. It too is long in the teeth. The running time of 2 1/2 hours is just WAY too many couture costume changes for me. I should pause to qualify this review. I am a fan of the original show. I loved some seasons, loathed others and could be indifferent to many episodes. However, I did admire the shows ability to explore these four women and expand their personal journeys beyond the show's title.

That said, the thing they did wonderfully well in the show and lost in the movie was the strength of the male characters. All four men (even Chris Noth) feel like they are mere accessories for the side of the ladies that aren't carrying the Prada bags. All built wonderful characters over the course of the show and all were left with less to do than I would have hoped. That said the thing the film does best is go to the emotional core of the series, the unbreakable bond of true friendship. It shows the vulnerability and stubborn will of these women's relationships with each other in a way that honors the six years of story building they did in the series.

So in the end is the movie everything it could have been, no. It is however a fitting tribute to a series that didn't always live up to its promise. Flawed and all, it was nice to return to these four women and watch them close the loop of a phase of life that many of us took a birdseye view into and sometimes related back to our own lives.