There's less than 1 hr before the 2009 begins. I feel obligated to send off 2008 in its own entry.
While I like the "holiday season" for the most part, I dislike the New Year's Day. Not because I hate a new year, but because I have to say good-bye to the old one. And I hate good-byes. I hate giving stuff up, even if that something is as impermanent as time itself.
When 2008 began, I thought things were going to be great. After all, 8 is a lucky number, right? All the Chinese predictions seemed to hype it all up. Fast forward 365 days later...boooooo. The global economy is in the gutter, the war in Iraq is as pointless as ever, and more shenanigans is going on in the Middle East. I can go on, but these things encompass a lot of other stuff (mainly economical).
On a personal note, I've had to say good-bye to many of my friends that I used to see all the time on campus. And say good-bye to the many of things I used to enjoy such as relaxing and chilling and just plain having fun. Fortunately, I've been able to relive some of that for the past several days, but I'm going to have to go back to the daily grind soon.
It just seems that in 2008, I seemed to have lost more than I gained, and I don't mean monetarily or some other kind of tangible form of exchangeable material currency whatever (that wasn't supposed to make sense). It just seems that life is less sweet. But I say that admitting that I'm the type of person who has a large moment of metaphorical inertia. I'm not someone who's inclined to much change in life. At its very best, I'm stable. And its worst, I'm stubborn.
While I hate to say good-bye to anything that I've grown used to (in this example, I mean the year 2008), I do look forward to making progress in life. Progress in the broadest possible sense. I don't know what that may be, but hopefully, it'll be for the better. Don't let us down, 2009.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
On this Christmas Morning
Just a mandatory filler entry here. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. I think that's the very least you guys can do for yourself to close out such a horrible 2008. (Things started out with so much promise too.)
I hope you got a lot of gifts, spent some time with your family, and just relax. That's what I plan on doing anyways. *phew
I hope you got a lot of gifts, spent some time with your family, and just relax. That's what I plan on doing anyways. *phew
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Jon Stewart is the Comic Philosopher of This Generation of This Decade
The concept of the Comic Philosopher is one that greatly intrigues me. As you can tell from my last post, I like to wax myself a comic, and sometimes I like to wax myself a philosopher. I think good comics are predisposed to being philosophical, because one of the universal traits of comics is that they're observant of the people and things around them. And obviously, good philosophers need to be observant as well.
Being barely over two decades old, I don't know of many people who I think are worthy enough, but the late George Carlin, Bill Maher, and Jon Stewart come to mind quite easily.
George Carlin, as liberal as he is, has always stayed away from the heated debates (as far as I know and can tell from his character). His preference is generally to stay the heck away from those more ignorant than he. Bill Maher, again as far as I can tell, thrives in the debate, in the open forum (Politically Incorrect and Real Time - 'nuff said.)
In contrast, I think Jon Stewart is the one that's perhaps most easily relatable and appealing to the mass population. He has the ability to engage the opposite side without seeming threatening (something the conservative right does all the time) and at the same time, he's able to make his point without looking or sounding like a total whackjob (something the liberal left does all the time).
Instead, he uses real experiences phrased in everyday terms with reasonable comparisons to make very insightful points. On yesterday's episode of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Jon takes on Gov. Mike Huckabee on politics.
This interview is eyeopening because I can't recall the last time I've seen two people on TV from opposite ends of the political spectrum debate back and forth with each other so respectfully. It is extremely rare, even though (or maybe because of) there are more political pundits than ever reporting during the longest news cycle ever on more channels than ever.
I really want to highlight all of the stuff that I enjoyed in the interview, but then I would just end up typing out the entire transcript. But what I can say is that there's a Pt.1 to the interview too and you can watch clips and full episodes of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart online. Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert will definitely inspire an entire generation of Americans. Cross my heart.
Being barely over two decades old, I don't know of many people who I think are worthy enough, but the late George Carlin, Bill Maher, and Jon Stewart come to mind quite easily.
George Carlin, as liberal as he is, has always stayed away from the heated debates (as far as I know and can tell from his character). His preference is generally to stay the heck away from those more ignorant than he. Bill Maher, again as far as I can tell, thrives in the debate, in the open forum (Politically Incorrect and Real Time - 'nuff said.)
In contrast, I think Jon Stewart is the one that's perhaps most easily relatable and appealing to the mass population. He has the ability to engage the opposite side without seeming threatening (something the conservative right does all the time) and at the same time, he's able to make his point without looking or sounding like a total whackjob (something the liberal left does all the time).
Instead, he uses real experiences phrased in everyday terms with reasonable comparisons to make very insightful points. On yesterday's episode of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Jon takes on Gov. Mike Huckabee on politics.
This interview is eyeopening because I can't recall the last time I've seen two people on TV from opposite ends of the political spectrum debate back and forth with each other so respectfully. It is extremely rare, even though (or maybe because of) there are more political pundits than ever reporting during the longest news cycle ever on more channels than ever.
I really want to highlight all of the stuff that I enjoyed in the interview, but then I would just end up typing out the entire transcript. But what I can say is that there's a Pt.1 to the interview too and you can watch clips and full episodes of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart online. Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert will definitely inspire an entire generation of Americans. Cross my heart.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Character Study with Liz Lemon
SPOILER ALERT - This entry contains spoilers to Episode 5 of 30 Rock, "Reunion"
Last Thursday's episode of 30 Rock definitely ranks up there in my all-time favorite episodes. I think I realized why I love Tina Fey's character, Liz Lemon, so much. Certain aspects of her character is a reflection of my own. I did not realize it until I read James Poniewozik's post on TIME magazine's Tuned In blog.
"Reunion," is titled such because Liz's high school reunion was coming up. Liz wasn't going because she was "a bit of a nerd" in high school, but Jack persuades her to go because she's transformed into an attractive and accomplished "vaguely ethnic swan."
The plot twist in this episode is that Liz's classmates actually thought of HER as the bully. Liz flashbacks to a time when she was using a telescope. The popular girl comes up and asks condescendingly, "How's that telescope?" Liz's reply was some shy, soft-spoken mumbling. But what Liz had actually mumbled back was, "How's your mom's pill addiction?" Liz always had harsh comments for her "bullies," but those words made Liz the real bully.
Further analysis of Liz Lemon's character is best provided by James Poniewozik:
"The great thing about that twist is that it underscores how distinctive and non-cliche a character Liz is. ... Rather, she is—and has been all along—self-doubting and self-confident at the same time. (A combination that's not rare in life but is rarer in fiction.)
"Unlike the typical woman in a class-reunion story, Liz is not pretending to be impressive and successful to impress her classmates. She actually is impressive and successful—in fact, even as a teen, she was apparently far more intimidating than she knew she was."
Reading further into the comments section (only 1 comment ATM), an insightful comment reads:
"... What I kept coming back to about it was how it drove home the point that being the funny one in the room very often makes you the mean one! ... I love Liz because she is so real, and the last episode was an almost disconcertingly honest look at the extent to which people deceive themselves about themselves."
I realize I am also "self-doubting and self-confident at the same time." A few years ago, I never would have labeled myself arrogant, but I now understand my type arrogance and how it flows out of me - sometimes quite obnoxiously. Because of my own sharp tongue and cutting sarcasm, I too, am "far more intimidating" than I realize when I say it. But I like to think that I am a servant of humor. And because of that, it is apparently difficult for those around me to know what I am honestly thinking.
Humor is a powerful force, and I think it's probably just as powerful as love or hate. Where I lack in my ability to love and to hate, I make up for in my ability to laugh. I will use humor as a way to open up, but I will use humor to defend myself. Like any predominant personality trait, my sense of humor is my greatest ally, but also my most insurmountable enemy. Being funny is a double-edged sword, because as the commenter correctly points out: being the funny one also means you're probably the mean one.
To close this entry, I will leave you with this humorous, yet insightful, exchange between Jack and Liz at the reunion. (Plot line Note: Jack has lost his chance to become CEO of his company and is finding comfort by pretending to be someone else at the reunion to find companionship amongst "normal guys.")
Liz: If these jagweeds don't want to get to know the nice, new me - then screw them and their rapidly yellowing teeth.
Jack: Wow, Lemon, you really haven't changed, have you?
Liz: Excuse me?
Jack: What happened when I told you Geiss had screwed me over for the CEO job? Did you offer your help as a friend? Or did you make some joke about me being impotent?
Liz: Geez, that was like 8 hours ago! I was just - I don't know - cutting the tension.
Jack: Or as always, you were hiding behind your sense of humor. Instead of engaging in a real way?
Liz: Really? I'm the one that's hiding, "Larry Braverman?"
Jack: There it is, right there. When you feel threatened, you attack. That's why you're almost 40 and still alone.
Let's hope I don't make it all the way to 40! Haha
Last Thursday's episode of 30 Rock definitely ranks up there in my all-time favorite episodes. I think I realized why I love Tina Fey's character, Liz Lemon, so much. Certain aspects of her character is a reflection of my own. I did not realize it until I read James Poniewozik's post on TIME magazine's Tuned In blog.
"Reunion," is titled such because Liz's high school reunion was coming up. Liz wasn't going because she was "a bit of a nerd" in high school, but Jack persuades her to go because she's transformed into an attractive and accomplished "vaguely ethnic swan."
The plot twist in this episode is that Liz's classmates actually thought of HER as the bully. Liz flashbacks to a time when she was using a telescope. The popular girl comes up and asks condescendingly, "How's that telescope?" Liz's reply was some shy, soft-spoken mumbling. But what Liz had actually mumbled back was, "How's your mom's pill addiction?" Liz always had harsh comments for her "bullies," but those words made Liz the real bully.
Further analysis of Liz Lemon's character is best provided by James Poniewozik:
"The great thing about that twist is that it underscores how distinctive and non-cliche a character Liz is. ... Rather, she is—and has been all along—self-doubting and self-confident at the same time. (A combination that's not rare in life but is rarer in fiction.)
"Unlike the typical woman in a class-reunion story, Liz is not pretending to be impressive and successful to impress her classmates. She actually is impressive and successful—in fact, even as a teen, she was apparently far more intimidating than she knew she was."
Reading further into the comments section (only 1 comment ATM), an insightful comment reads:
"... What I kept coming back to about it was how it drove home the point that being the funny one in the room very often makes you the mean one! ... I love Liz because she is so real, and the last episode was an almost disconcertingly honest look at the extent to which people deceive themselves about themselves."
I realize I am also "self-doubting and self-confident at the same time." A few years ago, I never would have labeled myself arrogant, but I now understand my type arrogance and how it flows out of me - sometimes quite obnoxiously. Because of my own sharp tongue and cutting sarcasm, I too, am "far more intimidating" than I realize when I say it. But I like to think that I am a servant of humor. And because of that, it is apparently difficult for those around me to know what I am honestly thinking.
Humor is a powerful force, and I think it's probably just as powerful as love or hate. Where I lack in my ability to love and to hate, I make up for in my ability to laugh. I will use humor as a way to open up, but I will use humor to defend myself. Like any predominant personality trait, my sense of humor is my greatest ally, but also my most insurmountable enemy. Being funny is a double-edged sword, because as the commenter correctly points out: being the funny one also means you're probably the mean one.
To close this entry, I will leave you with this humorous, yet insightful, exchange between Jack and Liz at the reunion. (Plot line Note: Jack has lost his chance to become CEO of his company and is finding comfort by pretending to be someone else at the reunion to find companionship amongst "normal guys.")
Liz: If these jagweeds don't want to get to know the nice, new me - then screw them and their rapidly yellowing teeth.
Jack: Wow, Lemon, you really haven't changed, have you?
Liz: Excuse me?
Jack: What happened when I told you Geiss had screwed me over for the CEO job? Did you offer your help as a friend? Or did you make some joke about me being impotent?
Liz: Geez, that was like 8 hours ago! I was just - I don't know - cutting the tension.
Jack: Or as always, you were hiding behind your sense of humor. Instead of engaging in a real way?
Liz: Really? I'm the one that's hiding, "Larry Braverman?"
Jack: There it is, right there. When you feel threatened, you attack. That's why you're almost 40 and still alone.
Let's hope I don't make it all the way to 40! Haha
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