Michael Scott Finally Gets Something Right!

Warning: Spoilers!

A little disclaimer-I have been a fan of The Office from day one. I loved the British version and I loved the American version just as much. You really can’t compare the two  for those of you that are constantly trying to. They may both have the same story lines, but each actor made a totally different character than their English counterpart. Both versions are well crafted pieces of television comedy (not to mention American humor and British humor are two totally different animals). 

The Office has had it’s highs and lows over the past 7 seasons, some seasons have seemed uninspired and “phoning it in” while others have been hilarious and well written. I would just like to say that last night’s episode of The Office was one of the most well written pieces of television comedy I’ve seen in awhile. Michael Scott FINALLY getting something right after years of screw up after screw up, the tension leading up to his big moment, just waiting for it to go wrong and the relief and happiness when he succeeds is only matched by the moment when he tells the staff he is moving to Colorado. In that precise moment all of the characters we’ve watched struggle with Michael over the past 7 years realize just how much they truly love him. They managed to accomplish all this real emotion while still maintaing the level of comedy they are known for. 

I mean, it’s “just” comedy, I guess...but this truly was a fantastic piece of television. Thank you writers of The Office for not letting television die in the hands of the laugh track and Charlie Sheen’s tigers blood. The only thing I ask of you, please please please end it after this season. Go out leaving people wanting more, don't beat it to death until no one wants to watch it anymore. I mean, I know you've got Will Ferrell and all but this is Michael Scott's show and after all....isn't it better to burn out than fade away? 

In Defense of Rebecca Black....wait, what?

The recent video “Friday” by Rebecca Black has highlighted two things that are very wrong with America. Yes, it did highlight the despicable state of the music industry, but that’s not one of the two I’m talking about. One is the idea of privilege and the raising of a generation to believe that they don’t have to work hard for anything and two is the use of the internet as shield from consequences. People have a freedom to write whatever they want on the internet because they have the guise of anonynimity. They can judge because no one is able to judge them. They are nothing...they are a voice of opinion floating out in the interweb. What they say doesn’t matter, I suppose, but that doesn’t mean that isn’t harmful. 

In case you haven’t seen it, this is the awful video that everyone is talking about. 

From the basic standpoint of music appreciation I think we can all agree on a few things. 

1.This is one of the most terribly written songs of all time. 

2.The video itself is awkward, oddly shot and adds to the confusion created by the song lyrics. 

3.Rebecca is not the worst singer of all time, but she’s not exactly record deal material either. 

All that being said, I would argue that the majority of fault for the birth of this video lies in the production company and the songwriter (neither of which are Rebecca herself). In fact, I have a lot of respect for this 13 year old who seemingly was able to roll with the punches..and there were a lot of punches...about 34 million of them. She handled the situation with a maturity beyond her 13 years and I applaud her for that. Where my major issue comes from, is her parents. 

Rebecca’s parents forked over the money to this shady production company to produce this video for their precious baby girl. What does that tell Rebecca? “Oh darling, Justin Bieber’s agent won’t find you a record deal? It’s ok, Mommy and Daddy will just buy you one. Who says you need talent when you have money darling.” 

As part of the arts industry (albeit a miniscule part) I’ve seen so much of this I’m often left wondering if my parents are doing me a disservice by being realistic with me and expecting me to support myself. There’s a difference between supporting your 13 year old daughter’s dreams (i.e, maybe you pay for her to get voice lessons) and straight up giving her false hope. I know people who’s parents pay for their rent in New York City and give them an allowance (at 25 years old!) so they don’t have to trouble themselves with a job while they go out on auditions. Maybe I’m just jealous, but the people I know who have had to struggle, who have had to find a balance between their dreams and stark reality, those people have developed character...and their art is far more interesting for it. What will happen to these privileged people when they realize the world won’t be blinded by money forever (at least for the love of all things creative, I hope not), or when Mom and Dad die and the money runs out? They better find a sugar daddy quick because in this economy just being pretty ain’t  gettin’ you a job sweetheart. 

Onto a totally different argument, which can still point the finger at misguided parents-internet bullying. 

The comments you can find on Ms. Black’s video are awful. Here are two of the many:

“wut the fuck is this her and all her ugly friends should get raped and then die a slow painfull death. hopfully this is ur last song cus after this song the suside rate went up by 87%.”

“Please, Rebbeca Black go take a few shots of Drano.. When you start throwing up blood you know it's working”

Now, these people are probably wastes of space with no self esteem who make themselves feel better by making little girls cry on the internet. However, just because these people have no credibility, doesn’t mean what they have to say is not hurtful, or by any means ok. We all know that kids can be hurtful, little girls quickly learn the power of exclusivity and little boys quickly learn the power of being “cool”. Children exist in their own social hierarchy and the moralities of the adult world don’t yet apply. I believe that it is our responsibility as adults, as parents, as older siblings, as role models (because let’s be honest, anyone who interacts with a child immediately becomes an example) to demand that this kind of behavior is wrong. I can’t help but feel that my two points are deeply connected. If you raise a generation of children to believe that they don’t have to work hard, that the world will hand them everything they could ever need or want, they will believe that they are superior to those who don’t get everything they need and want. They will believe that these “others” are somehow lacking. They won’t see the need to prove themselves as human beings with quality and character. 

I have never raised a child and can’t being to imagine the difficulties that one encounters with such a task. However, I can tell you with certainty that my parents raised me in a way that would never allow me to talk about anyone like this. They raised me to believe that I am responsible for my words and actions whether or not anyone knows I was the one who committed them. They raised me to believe that not only do I have to prove myself to them, but ultimately, I have to answer to myself. I have to live with my choices. Not that I was a perfect child, I certainly did my share of gossiping and served my time of groundings, but to believe that I had the right to talk about people in a way such as this would never have crossed my mind. I can’t help but feel that children, teens and eventually adults who have this twisted sense of superiority had the seeds planted by their immediate role models, their parents. They say it takes a village to raise a child, well it’s time our society started demanding more from our children. It’s time we demand that they prove themselves. Respect is not doled out because you pay for it. You have to earn it, you have to work hard for it. Let’s stop sugar-coating the world, ay? 

There sure are some crazies out there....Who the hell pickets a funeral?!

In an 8 to 1 vote the supreme court has ruled that it is admissible by law for people to picket funerals. Seems to fall under the good ‘ol free speech category. I truly believe that this is an extremely delicate issue, where the outcome could have surely created a domino effect that could lead to *gasp* a 1984-esque future. So I will go against Francisco d’Anconia’s advice and give my own, irrelevant opinion. (High five if you get the reference!)

First off, I think we can all agree that any person who chooses to picket a funeral is a little (perhaps a lot) sick in the head. (how effed up is that video?!?) I suppose you’re making a point by being grossly offensive and hateful, but the only hearts your winning are the people who are as sick as you...and for the rest of our sakes let’s hope that demographic is a minority. 

As someone who is socially liberal, this is a difficult issue for me to grab a hold of. It is simply wrong to do what the members of Westboro Baptist Church did and I truly hope that whatever god they believe in sends them to whatever hell they believe in and they rot in it. If you are so inclined to be so deeply involved in a church that preaches hate, that is your prerogative, but let others live their lives as they choose. Your opinion of the lifestyle of others is irrelevant. Keep it for your own sermons and preach to your own screwed up choir. 

However, I feel as though banning this type of behavior could possibly be the slippery slope that so many of us fear. I have to agree with Chief Justice Roberts that perhaps the best way to go about this issue is to create stronger, larger, buffering zones around funerals. I also have heard various stories where the communities have banned together to block or prevent this type of behavior. Yes you have a right to freedom of speech, but that doesn’t mean there will be no consequences. I am not a religious person, but the shadow that these people are casting on christianity is sad and disgusting. These are the people Ghandi was talking about when he said “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians, your Christians are so unlike your Christ”.

In America you have the freedom to be who you want to be, say what you want to say, have sex with whoever you damn well please and be happy about it. If you want something other than this, move somewhere else, please. I for one, would be overjoyed to see you leave our “sick country”. As so many politicians and pundits have said, freedom of speech is not negotiable. However, neither is our right as Americans to be free and choose what we want for ourselves. You do not have the right to tell me or anyone else how to live. Go create your own precious little Zion somewhere hidden far away from us...and you better pray real damn hard that what you believe is correct...because if not, the wrath of karma is coming for you...and I hope it beats the shit out of you. 

For some interesting supplemental info, check out some of my favorite pundits..

Jon Stewart on the daily show...

The ever entertaining, if not totally sane, Glenn Beck

Aaand for a little perspective...the “elitists” version of the eloquent political asshole...Bill Maher

"Go ahead and sell me out and I'll lay your shit bare"

If you haven’t heard british-born Adele’s new album “21” yet, you’re probably living under a rock...or at the very least lacking a solid cable/internet connection. Either way, get yourself a copy of this album (you can buy it the old school way, too) and sit down with some noise canceling headphones for an unusual phenomenon. What’s so different about this album, you ask? Unlike the majority of popular music today, this girl has real, raw, heart wrenching talent. In a freakish display of skill, Adele sounds better live than she does on the album, and she sounds freaking amazing on the album. Adele is what singers were meant to be, a storyteller. This is what separates her from the masses of auto-tuned, synthesized, bleached and tanned bitches. Adele is telling a story, she’s not just singing, she’s acting, she’s performing. The world has been waiting for a talent like Adele. I just hope we are aware enough and not too jaded and dulled by the Britney’s of the world to give her the accolades she deserves.

Adele shows her range on “21” by swinging from songs like “Rolling in the Deep”, which has her belting out in her “sasha fierce” voice (as she calls it) to songs like “Someone Like You”, a quieter ballad that hits even the coldest heart. With some of the best songwriting I’ve heard in awhile this album has timeless written all over it. One of the best lines of the album comes from the song “Someone Like You”; “we were born and raised in a summer haze, bound by the surprise of our glory days”. The lyrical quality of “21” is so far beyond anything else that’s being written in the pop world that, well, I think we all need to get down on our knees and kiss this chick’s feet. Thanks Adele, for breathing a breath of fresh air into a stale, stale market.

How Dare You!

People like to be offended. It makes them feel important, like they have values that you have stepped on with your insincere, thoughtless gestures. So, the following is a list of things you should not be offended by. Keep it on you...and check it the next time you feel like acting like a bitter, shriveled ass.
1.
Getting bumped or grazed on the subway, street, stairs...make that anywhere in New York City. Manhattan is the most densely populated of the five boroughs, which make up what was originally the County of New York. The County of New York is the most densely populated county in the US. In 2008 1,634,795 lived in an area of 22.96 sq. miles. There are a lot of us here. So next time I brush up against you, why don’t you wipe that miserable look off your face and move your ass over.
2.
On the topic of subways, don’t get offended if I offer you my seat. Yes, perhaps you look ancient and I’m afraid you can’t support your own weight, but generally it’s just a kind gesture that people offer to others who seem tired, are carrying things, have a baby, are pregnant...or maybe I just don’t feel like sitting anymore and I’m just trying to be NICE. Get over yourself.
3.
Someone spelling/pronouncing your name wrong. I’m sorry that your parents were hippies and chose to spell Sarah “Sahaighra” but I’m not a linguist and I’m pretty sure that’s not phonetically correct anyway...so perhaps you should fill me in on how to pronounce your weird ass name and give me a few chances to get the spelling down before you jump down my throat and take it as a result of me not respecting you. And maybe consider getting that birth certificate reworked.
4.
When people say “Happy Holidays”. I know this is a controversial one...but seriously, get over it. I’m not saying no one should be allowed to say Merry Christmas or Happy Chrismahanakwanzica...all I’m saying is YOU should not get offended when SOMEONE ELSE says Happy Holidays. Usually this person is not trying to dismantle your faith, only simply trying to be inclusive...and guess what, I try not to use my mind reading skills on innocent bystanders so I have no idea what faith you’ve chosen to devote your free time to. This world could use a lot more inclusive-minded people and a whole lot less exclusivity. In return, I won’t judge you when you pointedly say “Merry Christmas” back at me with that twisted look of superiority. I’ll try not to anyway.
5.
While we’re talking about beliefs, don’t get offended when you find out I’m a vegetarian. I know you probably believe that I’m anti patriotic for not supporting the all american slaughterhouses and chowing down on red meat everyday to help balloon the increasing overweight population (pun intended)...but I really don’t care. I am always surprised by how offended people get when they find out I’m vegetarian. I don’t get offended when I find out you’re a meat eater. That’s your prerogative. In return, I won’t school you on how being vegetarian is better for your body, your wallet, the economy and the environment unless you’re really interested. Listen, it’s more meat for you, right?
6.
Don’t be hyper sensitive when people make general assumptions about you based on your race, gender or anything other than fact. I know this sounds a little backwards, and I’m not talking about racism or negative assumptions. I’m just saying that if you’re black and you dress like Kanye West and I ask you how you feel about the new Jay Z album you probably shouldn’t say something like “what you think all black people listen to rap?”. Generally when people make assumptions like this they are just trying to make connections, not offend you. Take it as an opportunity to educate them on your eclectic musical tastes. In return I’ll try not to get offended when I tell you I’m Irish and you say “so you must drink a lot of beer, right?”. Primarily because it’s true.
7.

Don’t get offended when you go into Starbucks and see they have Italian named sizes...you just order a large and they’ll get it, they speak English too. And remember, you were the one who walked your Dunkin lovin’ ass in there. On the flip side, if you work at Starbucks, don’t get offended when someone orders a large instead of a venti...because then you’re just pretentious...and no one likes that either.

In general, maybe we should assume that people mean well, before we assume they are trying to insult us. Just a thought.

"We're all going to die, all of us, what a circus! That alone should make us love each other but it doesn't. We are terrorized and flattened by trivialities, we are eaten up by nothing."/Bukowski

"One Day" by David Nicholls

I've decided to begin writing reviews...might help me get an internship. Because what the world needs is more of my opinion.

Anyway, my review of One Day...no spoilers here!

Reading “One Day” by David Nicholls was like reading a novel about myself, and likely everyone else who has ever gone through college, fell in love, fell out of love, got a job they hated, succeeded only to immediately fail and vice versa. Whether you had an angsty, “the world is so screwed up so let’s listen to Rage Against the Machine and quote Ani Difranco” sort of phase, or an “Im going to drink 30 PBR’s every night and have sex with everything that moves” phase, or even if you didn’t have the guts but considered the idea for a moment...you will find yourself reflected in this book. Whether you’re just out of college or you haven’t been there for many years, you will connect to these characters on an intimate level. Where most love stories fail to recognize the characters as individuals and often focus on only what these characters are together, “One Day” follows the journey of Emma and Dexter through a lifetime of failures and success apart, while the reader gets small glimpses of what they could possibly be together.

For much of the book you’re wondering if these two characters will ever finally wake up and realize just how perfect they are for each other. You want to scream at Dexter “get your head out of your ass!”. But as Nicholls develops these two character in such an honest, true to life way, the reader starts to wish for them to discover who they are as individuals. We realize that maybe they aren’t perfect for each other, as much as we hoped they would be. Perhaps perpetual happiness together is an unlikely ending to this story. The happy ending that we wish for suddenly becomes not about Emma and Dexter seeing the light and falling into each other’s arms, but about them recognizing the light within themselves and sorting their heads out as separate people.

This is not a cheesy, weepy love story...I did shed a tear or two (who am I kidding, my rough outer shell was pierced to the heart and I cried like a baby). Though this is a story about two people who truly do love each other, it is more a coming of age story about how we continue to grow throughout our lives even as we become adults and think we’ve seen it all. It is a story that reminds you that life goes on, even when it seems impossible or you wish with all your soul that it wouldn’t.

“One Day” is a beautifully written, hilarious, smart story about two relatable, real people who just happen to have their paths cross. From lovers to best friends to enemies to possible lovers again, these two characters reflect a mirror for each other...they are what is real in a world where everyone has ulterior motives. It’s not the kind of love you yearn for out of fairy tales, and it’s not the kind of love that consumes you...it’s the kind of love that really exists in the real world, the kind of love that makes long, strong marriages..if you’re brave enough to grab hold of it. It’s the most real thing we can hope for, and for Em and Dex it’s all we can wish for that they take advantage of it.

Play it loud enough, it'll keep the demons away

The following is a list of songs that I love. They’re those songs that no matter how many albums you have on your ipod, you always come back too. I’m not claiming that they’re all fabulously skillful pieces of music (I don’t know enough about music to argue for their complexity or skill level)...I’m just saying that they all touch me every single time I listen to them. They’re those songs that you actually stop what you’re doing and pay attention to.

In no particular order...

Needed You Tonight- Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals

The whole song captures me but particularly Ben letting loose on “violin is my instrument of choice, it recognizes the paaaaaaaaaain in my voice” gives me goosebumps every time. (Arguably one of Harper’s best albums, in case you were wondering).

Honey Bee- Tom Petty

This song is just gritty and dirty and I love it. I particularly love Tom Petty at the beginning “alright here we go...this is a little number called give me some sugar little honey, natural, bee”. This song just makes you wanna grind up on the nearest human being. Not to mention, Petty may be old as dirt but the guy still rocks it out at his concerts, some of the best shows I’ve ever seen.

Narcolepsy- Third Eye Blind

So, yeah, I’m a 3EB junkie and this is one of my favorites. I particularly love “I read dead Russian authors volumes at a time. I write everything down except what’s on my mind” I particularly love when they break it down to half time towards the end.

Piano Man-Billy Joel

The reason I love this song is because A. it’s awesome and B. you can be in a bar anywhere in the world and turn this song on and everyone will start singing. Some of my favorite moments have been surrounded by friends and strangers a lil’ drunk and belting out this tune. “Yes they’re sharing a drink they called loneliness, but it’s better than drinking alone.”

Rosalita- Bruce Springsteen

One of my fav’s...I just love this song. It’s upbeat and it’s The Boss, what’s not to love?

My favorite part... “Well tell him this is last chance to get, his daughter in a fine romance, because the record company Rosie, just gave me a big advance! And my tires were slashed and I almost crashed but the Lord have mercy..and my machine she’s a dud, I’m stuck in the mud somewhere in the swamps of Jersey.” Plus he was 23 when he wrote this album...what am I doing with my life?

Hour Follows Hour- Ani DiFranco

I think Ani D is an excellent lyricist and this song really show it. It’s beautiful. I love the whole song but the part that really grabs me is “We can only hold so much is what I figure, try and keep our eye on the big picture, the picture keeps getting bigger. Too much is how I love you, but too well is how I know you and I’ve got nothing to prove this time only something to show you. I guess I just wanted you to see, that it was all worth it to me.”

Rain King (Live)-Counting Crows

One of their best recordings. This song is perfect and the transition to the Thunder Road cover is seamless.

James Taylor-Fire and Rain

gorgeous song. some of the best lyrics ever written.

Anyone wanna shout out any songs that hit them like a ton of bricks?