Where Stories Come From: COVER OF NIGHT (AKA THE SINNER)

(Revised 03/04/2024)

Sometimes, writing can be therapeutic. And AKA The Sinner: Cover Of Night, which serves as the debut of Nathaniel Brigand in Pro Se Productions' Thriller of the Week series, is a great example.

Events and themes were percolating in my head: recent arguments in "support" of white supremacy groups in Charlottesville, a hashtag reacting to a news item about casting Asian actors, and some nostalgia for my "good old days..."

...and then Tommy had proposed a new series of novellas: a "Thriller of the Week" series of Kindle-only novellas based on the old NBC Mystery Movie series...and I had a way to channel some of these issues into my writing.

At this time, the #ExpressiveAsians hashtag popped up on my Twitter feed thanks to two of my friends' efforts. (They know who they are, and I don't need to call them out). When thinking of an entry-point character, I realized that I could write about the impact of racism without falling into the usual tropes by making her a third-generation Japanese-American female. (Of course, I ended up falling into a trap that a fellow writer to lived in Japan once made about limiting my stories to three areas of interest). If I needed background info, I knew many lawyers, and one of my female friends trained as a boxer. Rather than use AKA The Sinner's suggested setting, I used Rogers Park on Chicago's Northside since I knew the area, and I prefer writing fish-out-of-water stories.

Photo by Gordon Dymowski

And if you were to look at my search history for research...hoo, boy. Reading first-person accounts of families dealing with the implications of growing up in American internment camps during World War Two; female heads of white supremacist groups...and I even did fieldwork. One scene took place in the same meeting room where the Chicago Doctor Who Meetup holds its Third Coast Comics meetups. And yes, Terry gave me a strange look....but hey, I do the damn research).

Cover of Night was also a story that went through several changes from the initial outline to the final draft. Unable to formulate a compelling (non-cliche) antagonist, I realized that the "big bad" wasn't a man...it was a woman. One particular scene in chapter five went through several rewrites. And the reason for all this...

I wanted to get it right. Yes, I'm one of many authors who believe that representation matters, and my past writing (especially female characters) has been weak. Or worse, that I've had the "token" woman. Granted, it was a short story with a shorter turnaround time, but I had to back my advocacy with action.

Did I get it right? Probably not. But what matters is that I made the effort. No "just-use-generic-insert-types-here" strategies that other writers have advocated. Writing diverse characters means putting in the effort and making the characters real enough. If I want more than the usual pulp-reading crowd to read my work, I have to make the effort to attract them.

But all in all, AKA The Sinner: Cover of Night should read like a heady mix of Law & Order and Leslie Charteris' The Saint. (And yes, I am planning on checking those books out, why do you ask?) But it's not just a great read (although it's Kindle-only, you can use Amazon's online Kindle reader) at a great price...it's also, in a small way, a huge accomplishment on my part.

And you can find it - with other written works - via my Amazon author page. 

Argument & Rhetoric Basics

Offered as a public service to those of you who wish to become better advocates and argue for your cause.

First, here's the best introductory lesson in how to argue, used in college philosophy courses everywhere:


And to see some of these principles in action, let me offer Mr. Bill Nye as a master:

Review: COMIC BOOK BABLYON

When Clifford Meth offered me a complimentary review copy of his new book Comic Book Babylon, I leapt at the chance. His work for Aardwolf Publishing - including his Dave Cockrum and Gene Colan tribute books - were thoroughly enjoyable, and I've always thought highly of Mr. Meth. So I approached Comic Book Babylon in the spirit of being a series of portraits and reminisces about writing and publishing.

But it's so much more than that...and has easily  become of my favorite comic-related reads of 2014.

Beginning with his efforts to help his friend gain recognition and royalties from a major comic company, Comic Book Babylon is more than just a great book about the history of comics - it's also a great how-to manual in ethical behavior in the comics industry. This book doesn't just deserve your attention - it demands it.

Bookended by his efforts to aid both Dave Cockrum and Gene Colan during tough times, Comic Book Bablyon contains some really great portraits of comics professionals and other writers.This is mandatory reading for anyone wishing to learn the history of comics, especially portraying the more down-to-earth, grounded mentality of past masters versus the current scene's more showy, exaggerated mindset. (Michael Netzer's illustrations are simply gorgeous) 

But various other writings - from a slightly heartbreaking (in retrospect) interview with Christopher Reeve to a talk with Alan Moore as his works became adapted for movies - provide a wider scope to Meth's writing. There's never a feeling of self-importance or being an "insider", nor does it ever engage in simply watching and writing. Comic Book Babylon is an extremely powerful read, and quite simply, you won't be able to put it down. Writings were culled from a variety of sources, including Silver Bullet Comic Books (now called Comics Bulletin), and his own blog, as well as various other sites with some unpublished pieces. Overall, Comic Book Bablyon balances a very casual tone with great humility and very biting humor. Just a few sample quotes to give you a sense of Meth's writing:

Of course, I believed him right away. Joe can't even spell coup détat, let alone pull one.

---

Speech may be protected by the First Amendment, but that doesn't give you the right to yell Poker game! in the middle of a crowded firehouse.

---

I prefer helping people. It hurts me to look at the 990s of even well-deserving charities and see executives taking $400K salaries plus $80K in 'expenses.' So I help people directly.

---

...I'm wrestling with a metaphysical (conundrum). I'm wondering how anyone in our industry can walk by this situation and not pay it heed. The petitions from fans are nice, the messages on the forums are encouraging, but there's too much rubber necking and not enough action; too many cameras and not enough food. And the blame game just ain't gonna work this time.

---

The women he draws make you want to throw away your family and job and take up the needle again

(The only way I could do Meth's book justice would be to copy and paste it in its entirety into this blog post, but one of Mr. Meth's best friends is Harlan Ellison. Something tells me Mr. Meth nor Mr. Ellison would take too kindly to that action, no matter how well-intentioned...and let me just add that some of my fellow non-profit/social good peers would also do well to read this book)

As I write this post, there's been much talk in Chicago over ethical issues in relating to fandom (pal Michi provides a better, more thorough job in describing it than I ever could). Perhaps now is the time for all good comics fans to consider reading Comic Book Babylon, an outline of how one fan can live a pretty decent, very ethical life.
Seriously - buy and read this book. Now.

Hump Day Reading To Put It In Perspective

I know that, in the middle of NaBloPoMo, simply linking to articles and calling it a post may seem like....well, cheating. But in an effort to give myself a little bit of creative room, I thought I would like to two articles I've read recently. These articles, I think, really help put a lot of our present situation into perspective....and quite frankly, I think they're worth checking out.

Surviving The Post-Employment Economy discusses many current issues in job seeking and unemployment. (And yes, I'm still not working, but am always open - and as my Linked In profile shows, I'm rather talented). It's a very unique perspective, and quite honestly, I think it's definitely a must-read.

Much closer to home, David Eads of Free Geek Chicago shared this article from Dissent on "big philanthrophy". As someone who has worked (and would like to work) in the non-profit field, much of what this article rings true about how larger foundations may be acting counter to community interests. (And plus, I've always been more of a "peer progressive" myself in focusing on smaller, more crowdsourced initiatives...which may explain why I'm not as popular in the non-profit/tech set as I should be; I'm more about strategy and implementation than the whiz-bang of tech).

So for this gentle Wednesday, a bit of a break for me - but some necessary reading for you. Enjoy!

Give Me That Old Time Television

One of the advantages to the recent digital tv switchover is that, much like cable, there is a greater variety of choices. (Unlike cable and other providers, it's free....with a converter box). What I've noticed in the time that I'm spending with television is that a variety of channels providing "classic" television has erupted.

With names like "Cozi-TV", "Me-TV", "Antenna TV" and "Retro TV", these channels might be seen to be a dumping ground - a great opportunity for purchasing low-cost content to show in between infomercials  (In fact, the target demographic seems to be aging Boomers and possibly aging Generation Xers). Some of the selections may be a bit obscure on other channels (Route 66? The Real McCoys?), but these channels deal heavily in nostalgia...and they do themselves a disservice, because they're a great education into how television used to be produced.

And no, that's not nostalgia from a guy who's being targeted by these shows. (I mean, let's face it, Cozi-TV has won my heart by mini-marathons of Lee Majors and Lindsay Wagner doing superheroic things in slow motion). In our current content-driven media culture, it would be easy for the younger set to get enmeshed in the high drama, overamped arcs, and continuity-driven storytelling, having done-in-one-episode stories seems exceptionally quaint...yet, there's a strength to the writing on several of these older shows. (There's also a greater flexibility in the performing - after all, two channels highlight the dramatic work of Bill Cosby - yes, I typed that out loud, and quite honestly, proved that he was more than the sweater-wearing pudding-pop salesman of the 1980s).

Ironically, these channels have me revisiting (in between writing bursts and job search efforts) two of my favorite shows: The Wild, Wild West and Ellery Queen...and has me appreciating the craft both shows bring. Neither one of them is "classic" television, and there's no whiff of nostalgia with Queen (I barely remember it as a child, and only began appreciating it via reruns on A & E in the 1990s), but both shows - much like the fare on current digital channels - demonstrate a kind of literacy that is largely absent from contemporary pop culture - concise plotting, well-drawn characters, and a willingness to engage the intelligence of the average viewer.

It's ironic - as I think about these channels, I'm reminded of summers with my paternal grandparents, where I would sneak downstairs while both napped, turn on the ancient black-and-white television (which needed to warm up first!) and watch reruns of shows on WGN and WFLD. It's great to know that some child, flipping channels, will now receive a pop culture education similar to my own.

Counting the HOLY NUMBERS

In the interests of full disclosure - an electronic copy was provided for review. My opinions are my own.

Imagine, if you will, a prophet (of sorts) rising in modern-day Ireland. Mix in some murder, politically oriented intrigue, and a slight whiff of sexuality, and you have Tommie Kelly's The Holy Numbers one of the better digital comics to come out in recent months.

One of the great things about Tommie Kelly's writing is that it manages to mix deeper philosophical and religious conversations into a compelling story without seeming pretentious or out of place. It's the kind of story that could have been seriously mishandled, but Kelly never allows it to descend into pretention or condescension. Thankfully, the art also helps maintain this tone - it's similar to Oeming's work on Powers, yet there's a quality that makes it feel grounded and otherworldly at the same time.

As a digital comic, I also enjoyed the layout - think "landscape" over "portrait". (At least, that's how it was presented in the PDF I reviewed). Easy accommodating a variety of screens, it's good to see a writer take advantage of the unique nature of digital comics, providing an easy-to-glance style of storytelling that puts much of its hard-copy competitors to shame.

The other nice thing about Holy Numbers is that Keene has adopted a pay-what-you-think-it's-worth model, and quite honestly, I would encourage you to financially support this book. It's an adult (several aspects are NSFW), mature take on faith, free will, and ultimately, what we do as human beings. It's the kind of comic that needs to be more prevalent, and quite honestly, I cannot recommend Holy Numbers enthusiastically enough.

In other words, head to http://www.theHolyNumbers.com and buy it. Read it. Then wait for Volume 2 - it will definitely be worth it.

Movie Ratings Through The Years - In Video Form

Offered with minimal comment and apology (with some slightly NSFW content at the end):

How Movie Ratings Were First Described:


My Personal Favorite Explanation of Movie Ratings:


Why Movie Ratings May Not Be As Respected As They Once Were:

What Happens AFTER PORN ENDS?

(FULL DISCLOSURE: a screener DVD was provided gratis for purposes of review. My opinions are my own). 

One of the more disturbing aspects of American culture (including popular culture) is the duality of our opinions and perspectives - we celebrate those who achieve, yet will denigrate those who do not try 'hard enough'; we will worship mediocrity while complaining about a lack of excellence; and we will publicly renounce resources that we privately enjoy.

I'm talking, of course, about pornography, and writing this post is a little challenging - I'm writing about a great documentary entitled After Porn Ends, and because of one single word, my view rates will go through the roof, but people will click off this post when they see it is not porn, which is a shame....because this is one of the more fascinating documentaries of recent years.

Focusing on the lives of former porn stars, After Porn Ends discusses adjustment to life after working in the field. Thankfully, the documentary takes neither an excessively moralistic or judgmental tone, allowing former (and current) porn actors and actresses to comment honestly about their lives, their motivations for entering "the business", and the impact on their lives after their careers ended. Be warned - there are some very NSFW moments in the film, but the ones that are the most moving....are the ones that rely solely on visuals.

The actor who has regret in his eyes over not having a "normal" life. Random shots of children's toys laying around a room. A woman with her husband and child. The kinds of images you would not normally associate with pornography, but that seem all the more vulnerable, revealing...and naked.

As with documentaries like this, there are some well-needed perspectives, mostly in balancing out some of the more traumatic stories with those that are a little more settled. But  rides a critical edge, revealing more about the motivations of industry participants - and their ability to live with the implications after leaving the industry - without engaging in black-and-white thinking.

After Porn Ends is one of those rare documentaries that not only moves you, but encourages you to think a little differently about an industry outside of the mainstream. Regardless of your positions about porn, you will find a great deal with value about this documentary.

After Porn Ends is available on DVD and Netflix streaming, and well worth viewing.

The "No More Twinkies" Brouhaha

We've just come from one of the more divisive elections in recent history, and are moving towards an impending discussion about the "fiscal cliff". Many of us are trying to find work - to survive - in a shaky economy, and what is the main source of conversation?

"No More Twinkies" as Hostess moves into Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Much like Roger, I am a little concerned about the slant of the news, almost pointing an accusing finger and claiming "it's the union's fault"....especially since the heads of Hostess may have engaged in some possibly-not-quite-ethical financial shenanigans before the strike.

First, even as Hostess progresses, there is always the opportunity for some enterprising company to purchase the brand and its assets. To echo sentiments from last night's Zone 4 recording - come on, Disney! You own Star Wars and Marvel, why not have a food product to compliment them!

But I also wonder if much of Hostess' downfall...is simply part of the changing times.

We're focused more on eating healthier foods, and less dependent on snack cakes. Perhaps the fact that we began using traditional "junk" food as elements of high cuisine (like the deep fried Twinkie in the photo), external events seem to shift as if to say, "This just isn't right." Although I may sound a bit conservative on this, we have a variety of other goods in the general marketplace which are of much higher quality than Hostess' products. So although yes, I'll miss having junk food....I really haven't eaten any except for trying chocolate-filled Twinkies a few months ago.

(Verdict - the most vile taste I have ever experienced).

And for those people hoarding boxes of Twinkies....well, I won't scold you and correct your belief that Twinkies last forever (they don't). But I will encourage you to take the initiative and make your own.

The Sexism In Fandom Brouhaha

Sometimes - just sometimes - I often find myself looking at fandom in a critical way, and often wondering, "Does anyone else really get it?"

Recently, I came across two pieces - one through another site and another via a local pal's blog - focusing on female roles in fandom, whether it's about "fake fans" (or as my pals the Nerd Girls would say, "booth babes") or misogyny in other fields such as music.

Of course, it would be easy for me to proclaim, as a "feminist-friendly" blogger, that there is rampant misogyny....because it's true.

I'm also more concerned with what's even more concerting - somehow, that having nerdy or geeky interests makes you "special", and that "nerd hierarchy" is becoming less of a snarky term....and more of a way of being. It's the feeling that somehow, unless you are so immersed into something that it becomes your own, or you are into the "right" shows, you somehow lose "nerd cred."

It's dumb. It's stupid, and we should know better.

I'm not sure there's more of a point, but I'll open it up, especially since I'm not sure how to express myself without ranting.

So please, your thoughts? Comments? And please keep them polite and civil.

The Laura Siegel Brouhaha

Recently, there's been a lot of commentary made about the open letter Laura Siegel Larson wrote to fans about the continuing litigation against DC around the family's rights to Superman -  much of it from current, presumably younger fans about how "greedy" her family has been.

(And admittedly, I cannot honestly say that I haven't stirred the pot somewhat with my own comments).

Rather than repeat the usual argument - that Siegel and Shuster had no way of "knowing better" - let's look at this through a modern context.

First, with all of the excessive lawyers' fees that DC is paying, it would have been much easier (as Ms. Larson suggests) to simply pay the families of both creators. After all, it is not as if Siegel and Shuster's efforts did not pave the way for DC's success, nor is it wrong to suggest that any person who works hard and creates something profitable should benefit from those efforts.

Looking at DC's representation - and their efforts to discredit Larson's attorney - are more than slightly offensive; it borders on unethical. It is one thing to try the case in the "court of public opinion"; it is another to make claims that have very little basis in reality. I can understand DC's need to protect its copyright, but it smacks of stories about how lawyers walk through conventions and prevent artists from doing licensed characters as commissions. At some point, doing the right thing can be more advantageous than efforts to avoid doing the right thing.

And yes, more rabid fans drive the controversy home by pointing out the "greed" of both families - whatever their intentions (and despite my earlier comments, let's assume the best of those intentions), they have a legal right to make claim over the benefits of their forebears' efforts. After all, we have a presidential candidate who has benefited from being part of a powerful political family, a real estate mogul in New York who built his own empire on his father's financial successes....wouldn't it be fair and right for other families to benefit in a similar way?

My position is clear - Siegel and Shuster were the victims of slightly devious business practices, and although they received some compensation, DC had to essentially be shamed into doing the right thing. So my advice - both sides sit down, work out a reasonable agreement, let the court case go, and move on.

If that isn't truth, justice, and the American way, I have no idea what is.....

On the Eve of September 11th....

...I would like to make one simple, and humble request. Many of you who are Facebook friends with me - and who may not be friends with me, but are on Facebook - are engaging in a habit which is destructive, counterproductive, and just plain obnoxious.

I'm talking, of course, about the posting of political cartoons which basically serve to demonize and insult the opposing side.

Yes, both liberals and conservatives are engaging in this behavior, and quite frankly, it's annoying.

(Not as annoying as people who post things which suggest a message of, "I am who I am, so kiss an unmentionable part of my body", but I'll lump them in for sake of argument).

Unfortunately, this phenomenon has meant that I've had to essentially remove people from my news feed - not because I agree or disagree with them, but quite honestly, I just don't care.

Yes, we have a major election coming up. Yes, it's important to vote...but where was your civic duty the past three years?

I am ranting a little bit, and I can tell you - I've stopped doing that very thing. Not because I'm taking the moral high ground...but quite honestly, this election deserves honest debate, not gushing over the President's organic garden or Romney's sharply pressed white shirts.

Let's take the high road, people - politics is too important to post on Facebook. You'll have your chance in November to state your case....in the voting booth, where it belongs.

And now, back to your regular blog experience.

How NOT to Argue

From the sublime to the ridiculous:

First, Bill Nye makes a heartfelt, valid point about his beliefs:


And this gentleman, in rebuttal, decides to mix up the issue:


And as a public service to Mr. Ham, a polite education in how one <b>should</b> argue. (Yes, I know what I'm talking about - I do this kind of thing for a living).

RIP Neil Armstrong

Photo acquired via Flickr

Probably the most I can say I've already said on Facebook:

RIP Neil Armstrong - when I was a child, I used to dream of being an astronaut. (Even had a toy Apollo rocket). It's disheartening that, nowadays, our dreams aren't about reaching for the moon, but to share fame with someone named "Snooki". So let's not sell ourselves short - if we could send Armstrong to the moon, we can pretty much not limit ourselves in terms of our ambitions. And that's the end of tonight's lecture. :)

Failure is ALWAYS An Option

One of the more recent news items of interest (for me, at least) was the revelation that several people had burned their feet participating in a Tony Robbins motivational seminar.

Now, like Richard Pryor, I believe fire is inspirational, but along with some other personal experiences, it has me thinking along lines I've blogged about elsewhere.

Normally, I'm not pessimistic or believe that the worst can happen. Quite the opposite, in fact....but I am getting a bit worn out by the always-keep-on-the-sunny-side, who believe that they are, in essence, the Don Quixote of the 21st Century.

You know the type...people who believe that they can do anything they set their mind to. The ones who believe that their job, first and foremost, is to be "remarkable"....without any justification. The kind who will name their group "The Community" and claim to be willing to work with others...but will tell you straight faced that "The Community" does not want your efforts.

(Yes, that actually happened. Of course, "The Community" in question appears to be dying after only eight months, but I digress).

Being negative doesn't mean being planning for negative outcomes - it means (to use a really cool concept that I love) defensively pessmistic. It means seeing what can go wrong and, well, making plans to counter it. Yes, things will go wrong, and nothing turns out perfectly....but it beats the kind of gerbil-faced optimism (with a rational backing) that is promoted by people in several fields of endeavor: comics fans, non-profit workers, etc.

But in my opinion, failure is always an option. There's something quite beautiful - at times - of seeing the oh-so lovely glow of plans as they crash and burn. Thankfully, right now there's nothing that I can state is an absolute failure: I only know, as Thomas Edison did, all the ways that didn't work.

Because Rome wasn't - and will never be - built in a day. No matter how positive I am.

P.S. Yes, I am having a spot of insomnia, why do you ask?

Jay Smooth Talks About the Olympics Better Than I Can

One of my favorite video bloggers, Jay Smooth, talks about the Olympics, and says many things that I can agree with (although, admittedly, I'm not a big sports fan, so I don't care about the Olympics, but insert any pop culture obsession, and it comes close):

The Biography of Steel

OK, I admit it, I have a love/hate relationship with serious attempts to examine pop culture and its impact on mainstream culture. I'm finding that several times which include "....and Philosophy" in their title are geared more towards the hardcore philosopher than, say, the casual reader.

(I've had enough philosophy in college to really mess up my thinking, to paraphrase Steve Martin).

On the plus side, I really enjoy Sequart's work (currently making my way through Teenagers of the Future via Kindle Cloud Reader). And the most recent "hardbound" book I've read - and thoroughly enjoyed - is Larry Tye's Superman: The High Flying History of America's Most Enduring Hero. 

Think of this book as a more fact-based, in-depth, text version of the 2007 documentary Look, Up in The Sky, focusing on the history of the character, but also providing some of the historical backdrop behind the character's creation. (Think of it as having a little bit more heft than Gerard Jones' Men of Tomorrow, which focused more on comics in general). Thankfully, the book does focus on the travails and experiences of Siegel and Shuster, but does so in a much more open-minded, honest way. (Neither man is necessarily portrayed as a saint, and in reading some of the details around past rights' violations and current  litigation....well, it shows that both sides may have acted less-than-pristinely.)

My only complaint? The book feels way too short. Granted, not much happens after the Byrne-era reboot (only the Death of Superman, the Lois and Clark show, and Superman Returns), but there seems to be more story there. Of course, that may just be my own frustration that the book seemed to end too soon.

Very highly recommended.

A Manifesto Of Sorts

(Note: this post has actually been sitting in my "drafts" folder for awhile; it was written mostly to get some of my thoughts "on paper", working through how I felt. With some of the commentary about what is "geek culture" , the role of women in geek culture,  and "who gets to speak for it" - thought it might be a good opportunity to make these thoughts available, and to see if they somehow fit. Thoughts and comments welcome, but please keep them civil)

To be honest, I've been feeling a little out of place - I'm not liking what I'm seeing in the geek/nerd/comic/whatever you want to call it circles. Yes, I am talking somewhat about my own experiences, especially this past year. No, I'm not going to name names, and quite honestly, I've engaged in some of this behavior as well. I'm not pointing fingers at anyone other than myself. Read into this what you will.

You know the behavior I'm taking about:

The overamped enthusiasm for things simply because they reflect what we like without any consideration of merit or validity.

The "they're not part of our group" attitude - and sometimes outright ostracism -simply because of simple differences of opinion or belief.

The dismissal and slight bullying that comes when you dare speak out or express an opinion that doesn't reflect the status quo.

The micromanaging and excessive expectations that come with events and gatherings, as if somehow organizers must cater to every whim of every person rather than focus on the greater good.

The patronizing tone some people take because you dare question how "cool" things are.

Finally, the idea that there's some kind of "nerd code" of behavior - that being enthusiastic for something isn't enough, but that unless you fit some "check list" of likes and behaviors, you don't belong in the group.

Now, far be it from me to ask a dumb question, but for anyone who identifies him/herself as a nerd, I simply posit this: aren't these attitudes pretty much what we had to deal with growing up? And shouldn't we be better than this?

As a Hugo-Award winning author once wrote, there's no "right" way to be a fan. We have the right to our opinions, and if we don't share certain opinions....that should be accepted. Not dismissed, not insulted, not harassed....but accepted and embraced. If one of the lessons of our popular culture is that we are better because of our diversity, we need to embrace that diversity - of demographics, of ideology, and of tastes. People who want to claim that "if you don't like it, you don't get it" shouldn't be tolerated - they should be called to task and held accountable. There's enough of that obnoxiousness in the world already - we shouldn't allow it to permeate our social circles.

In that spirit, I'm going to try to set a better example...and to do so by not only being polite in disagreeing, but also speaking out when this happens. To be tolerant of those who might not agree with me, and to actually accept that we have different tastes and opinions. For those to whom I've behaved in a snobbish manner - let's talk offline. I'm more than willing to make amends where needed, because to quote one of my favorite albums, revolution begins at home, preferably in the bathroom mirror.

But let's put this on the table, folks - we're starting to become the very thing we beheld. It's getting to the point where Revenge of the Nerds could be remade into Revenge of the Jocks....only the "bad guys" are the nerds.

Just something to consider. Not trolling or trying to start a flame war - just want to take the temperature of the Internet.

Which I may regret.....

About the Aurora Shootings....

There's really not much I can say.....I debated whether or not I should blog about this; however, the only commentary I can provide I had written early this morning on Facebook. Consider this my only statement, since I'm still reeling from the news:

Unfortunately, the Aurora shootings bring back sad, powerful memories for me - I lived in Eugene with my then-fiance and her kids when school shootings occurred in 1998. The community lived through a time of confusion, of grief, sorrow, and disconnectedness. Thankfully, they (and we) were able to move through by simply acknowledging our hurts....and being good to one another. May I humbly ask that we refrain from name calling, finger pointing, and quite honestly, divisiveness and snark during this time? Because what the people of Aurora really need....is our support and kindness. Not our anger and sarcasm.

Andy Griffith's Finest Hour

Via Flickr

With the recent passing of Andy Griffith, there's going to be a lot of talk about Mayberry...maybe, maybe too much talk.

This post isn't going to cover Griffith's television work at all....instead, it's a film that I recently saw, and quite honestly, I think it's probably the best way to celebrate his career.

A Face In the Crowd, directed by Elia Kazan, would have very little problem fitting into our contemporary culture, focusing on a small time drifter's media-driven rise to fame and power.  It's a story that we're seeing play out on a regular basis 50 years after the film was made, but the film still feels fresh and insightful. (Thank Budd Schulberg's screenplay, which may have integrated various real-life influences, but never comes across as derivative or accusatory)

But the real secret of the movie is Griffith's performance - in many films of this nature, the temptation would have been to make the character somehow "likeable". In similar performances, there is often a slight "tell" in attitude where the actor says I'm not really this bad of a person - I'm just playing a bad guy.

Andy Griffith never does this - all throughout the film, he gives off such a Machiavellian sense of purpose, and an extremely malevolent attitude, that it's hard to reconcile this with the small-town sheriff he would portray ten years' later. It's the kind of performance most modern actors might avoid, or worse, play up the more "crazy" aspects. Griffith's performance heads along a razor-sharp line between his character's public "down-home" persona and a more ambitious, scheming, arrogant private persona.

Throughout this week, many television stations may rerun marathons of Matlock and The Andy Griffith Show. We'll even discuss how that personal helped a nation through a turbulent time in its history.

But for my money, I'd rather honor his life with A Face In the Crowd. It's one of the best movies I've seen in a long time....and I think this is the best way to celebrate his career.

It's his finest hour. Do yourself a favor. See it. Now.