A wild few days for Winter '08 here in Chicagoland. We started the day yesterday fairly mild for this time of year. I don't typically sit at work and stare at the little weather bug icon on my PC, but I do remember seeing the temperature as high as 50 during the day. In the afternoon, the temp started dropping, and by 6:00 pm, we were down under 10 degrees, the wind was howling, and snow was blowing all over the place and making it very tough to navigate the streets.
I don't mind winter that much. Truthfully, I don't think you can appreciate one season as much without the season before it, and I don't really ever care to live somewhere where the change between the seasons amounts to hot gets hotter. But when you jump from unseasonably warm to bitter cold in the span of an hour or two, that's a bit much to take.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
A few more thoughts
A couple of things on my mind that didn't seem to fit the tone of my last post, but that I am an the mood to babble about.....
I recently finished reading a book by Jim Walsh that was an oral history of the rock band The Replacements. While I never had the good fortune (or misfortune?) of seeing the band live, their albums have been among my favorites and always take me back to high school and college. The music is great on a historic level, and I've always thought that if there were justice in the world that the Goo Goo Dolls would have to give at least 50% of every penny they made to Westerberg for stealing his stuff. Anyway, it was a great book and very interesting.
Second thing....I just downloaded the new album by New Zealand singer/songwriter Liam Finn. Another band that I latched onto in high school was Crowded House. They are another band that I don't think gets the due they deserve. Liam is the son of CH leader Neil Finn -- who in my mind is up there with Westerberg as one of the greatest songwriters of our times. His son seems to be a chip off the same block. His voice reminds you of dad, and while his sound will remind you of the older Finn's work, its not just a carbon copy. If you're a fan of Neil, check out Liam's album. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
I recently finished reading a book by Jim Walsh that was an oral history of the rock band The Replacements. While I never had the good fortune (or misfortune?) of seeing the band live, their albums have been among my favorites and always take me back to high school and college. The music is great on a historic level, and I've always thought that if there were justice in the world that the Goo Goo Dolls would have to give at least 50% of every penny they made to Westerberg for stealing his stuff. Anyway, it was a great book and very interesting.
Second thing....I just downloaded the new album by New Zealand singer/songwriter Liam Finn. Another band that I latched onto in high school was Crowded House. They are another band that I don't think gets the due they deserve. Liam is the son of CH leader Neil Finn -- who in my mind is up there with Westerberg as one of the greatest songwriters of our times. His son seems to be a chip off the same block. His voice reminds you of dad, and while his sound will remind you of the older Finn's work, its not just a carbon copy. If you're a fan of Neil, check out Liam's album. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Not the way I intended to start off, but......
I didn't mean for so much time to pass since my last entry, but these things happen. Its been a weird start to 2008. First off, in my neck of the woods, the weather has been up and down. In the 3 weeks since New Year's, we've seen temps as high as 60 and as low as -10. That's a pretty wide gap, especially considering the reputation that "Chicago in winter" has.
We've also seen perhaps the most interesting political race that I can remember. I try hard not to subscribe to the thinkings of either party, but if pushed for an honest answer, I'd have to say I probably lean more towards the Democrats than to the Republican side of things. Obama/Clinton in particular is interesting to watch because you have the chance for a truly historic candidate with either person. I'm less enthused about the Republicans, but still interested in how it will all play out. Its about 1 year away that we'll be swearing in our new President, and I hope that all this "change" that is being talked about becomes reality.
Sports-wise, I have to brag for a moment and say I said to my wife during the last Patriots-Giants game that I had a funny feeling the Giants will make the Super Bowl. I'd be lying if I said I was 100% serious, but I did say it. I am not a Giants fan, but my sister is an Ole Miss grad, and as a result I have followed Eli's career, and have to say I am happy for him that he has this chance to silence some of his critics.
Another thing that is on my mind tonight is today's news that actor Heath Ledger was found dead. I really am still a bit in shock on this one, but I have to say that it is a shame that someone who is only 28 years old, has a young child and what seemed to be a world of talent is no longer with us. I have seen several of his movies, but I can't say that I've watched any of them because he is in them. I have been impressed with some of work, although I have not seen his most acclaimed performance (Brokeback Mountain). I've tried to watch it a time or two, but just can't make myself sit through it. I am a huge Batman fan -- have been since I was 4 or 5 -- and so I am somewhat ashamed to admit that one of my first thoughts was "Oh, I hope this doesn't affect 'The Dark Knight'." I have heard that his performance in the movie is pretty much incredible, so hopefully it will stand as a tribute to his work, and the movie will draw a few extra patrons that might not have taken the time otherwise.
We've also seen perhaps the most interesting political race that I can remember. I try hard not to subscribe to the thinkings of either party, but if pushed for an honest answer, I'd have to say I probably lean more towards the Democrats than to the Republican side of things. Obama/Clinton in particular is interesting to watch because you have the chance for a truly historic candidate with either person. I'm less enthused about the Republicans, but still interested in how it will all play out. Its about 1 year away that we'll be swearing in our new President, and I hope that all this "change" that is being talked about becomes reality.
Sports-wise, I have to brag for a moment and say I said to my wife during the last Patriots-Giants game that I had a funny feeling the Giants will make the Super Bowl. I'd be lying if I said I was 100% serious, but I did say it. I am not a Giants fan, but my sister is an Ole Miss grad, and as a result I have followed Eli's career, and have to say I am happy for him that he has this chance to silence some of his critics.
Another thing that is on my mind tonight is today's news that actor Heath Ledger was found dead. I really am still a bit in shock on this one, but I have to say that it is a shame that someone who is only 28 years old, has a young child and what seemed to be a world of talent is no longer with us. I have seen several of his movies, but I can't say that I've watched any of them because he is in them. I have been impressed with some of work, although I have not seen his most acclaimed performance (Brokeback Mountain). I've tried to watch it a time or two, but just can't make myself sit through it. I am a huge Batman fan -- have been since I was 4 or 5 -- and so I am somewhat ashamed to admit that one of my first thoughts was "Oh, I hope this doesn't affect 'The Dark Knight'." I have heard that his performance in the movie is pretty much incredible, so hopefully it will stand as a tribute to his work, and the movie will draw a few extra patrons that might not have taken the time otherwise.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Hello and Goodbye to '07
So, first off, here's why I called this blog "Fettucini Alberto." I'll warn you up front...I find it funny, but you probably won't. I have a cousin who, bless his soul, sometimes says things that come out a little off. Its not that he's dumb or stupid or out of it or any of those. He just doesn't always filter things as they pass between the brain to the mouth. That might sound like a mean assessment, and I suppose it is, but he's a good friend besides being my cousin, and I wouldn't give him the hard time that I do if I didn't like the guy. Anyway, he was visiting at one point and we were talking about what he would want to have for dinner, and he said "Fettucini Alberto". We did actually discover that there is a restaurant with a dish that they called "Fettucini Alberto", since renamed to "Linguine Alberto", but like most people would, we corrected him and told him it was really "Fettucini Alfredo", and then proceeded to add "Alberto" to his growing list of nicknames and had a good laugh at his expense. So in trying to come up with a clever name, I couldn't think of anything, and so lacking any real inspiration, that story popped into my head and my blog has a name.
So anyway, its the last day of 2007, and I don't really have much to say, so I thought a good place to start is a quick run down of things I liked and didn't like this year in the world of entertainment. Why not -- everyone's got a list like this at this time of year, right? So here goes...
TV: I love the Office and 30 Rock. Both shows are brilliant, and as funny as anything on TV since Seinfeld. I also enjoy Heroes, Lost and Friday Night Lights. I would say that FNL is the most underrated show on TV, but it seems that every entertainment themed publication in the free world is tripping over themselves to say the same. I was losing interest in Lost until the season finale, which actually delivered on the promise of "The Episode the will change EVERYTHING." Heroes was a pleasant surprise, although they stumbled a bit with season 2. The last few episodes of the year saw a return to form, though, and I think the show is "back."
Movies: I thought the Bourne Ultimatum was the best sequel of a year filled with sequels. Pirates 3 was by far the worst. In fact, I slept through part of it, and it STILL seemed like an overly long movie. I also loved Casino Royale, which has me excited for a new Bond movie for the first time in years. I wasn't sure about Daniel Craig when he was first announced as the new Bond, but it took about 2 minutes of the movie to make me forget that James Bond isn't supposed to be blonde. Another movie that I really enjoyed was The Departed. Nicholson is always dependable, and Matt Damon is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors. Same goes for Leonardo DiCaprio. All three were brilliant in the movie. And a last thought on movies....Hollywood -- you really need to step up your game. Too often, I skip the theaters because most movies aren't good enough to merit the time and the effort it takes to go to the theater these days. I love going to the movies, and I'd rather watching on a big screen with blaring sound, a bucket of popcorn and at least a semi-full theater. But with rising ticket prices, I already stick to matinées over evening showings, and more often than not, I opt to wait for DVD. Its all too rare that a big movie is a good movie. If you screw up "The Dark Knight", I'm going to be pissed.
Music: There is so much good music out there right now that I couldn't do a top list or a worst list. Sort of like movies, I do think several artists think that 15 song albums are required, when I'd rather have a great 10 song album than a 15 song album where I tend to skip two or three songs. I used to obsess over every new album I bought. I'd spend weeks listening, memorizing and learning an album. Now, my attention span seems shorter, and some of that is because I can afford to buy new music more often and its just a mouseclick away when I want it. But I digress. Some favorites for the year, in no particular order -- Modest Mouse's "We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank", The Shins' "Wincing the Night Away" and Iron & Wine's "The Shepherd Dog". Spoon's "Ga Ga Ga Ga..." was probably my favorite of the year. It is brilliant. I also "discovered" Band of Horses, the National, Tres Bien....All good stuff, but like I said, it would be impossible for me to think of all the stuff. Can't think of anything I out and out hated, but I'm getting very tired of pop princesses like Jessica Simpson, I hope that this latest crop from American Idol fails to sell anything because I'm sick of all of them except for maybe Kelly Clarkson (I'm not a fan, but I can tolerate her stuff when my wife plays the CD).
Tangent: This is half TV, half music -- I don't know if anyone besides me actually watched "The Next Great American Band," but I thought it was far superior to American Idol. I've always been more interested in bands than just singers anyway, but I thought the judges actually gave good advice and criticism to the band, and they kept the mildly annoying host off to the side for most of the proceedings and let the band take center stage. And even though it was a bit painful to watch the bands hope they weren't eliminated each week, I am eternally thankful that we did not have to suffer through those painfully boring results shows.
And finally, a few other rants -- I suppose its my worst of list:
So anyway, its the last day of 2007, and I don't really have much to say, so I thought a good place to start is a quick run down of things I liked and didn't like this year in the world of entertainment. Why not -- everyone's got a list like this at this time of year, right? So here goes...
TV: I love the Office and 30 Rock. Both shows are brilliant, and as funny as anything on TV since Seinfeld. I also enjoy Heroes, Lost and Friday Night Lights. I would say that FNL is the most underrated show on TV, but it seems that every entertainment themed publication in the free world is tripping over themselves to say the same. I was losing interest in Lost until the season finale, which actually delivered on the promise of "The Episode the will change EVERYTHING." Heroes was a pleasant surprise, although they stumbled a bit with season 2. The last few episodes of the year saw a return to form, though, and I think the show is "back."
Movies: I thought the Bourne Ultimatum was the best sequel of a year filled with sequels. Pirates 3 was by far the worst. In fact, I slept through part of it, and it STILL seemed like an overly long movie. I also loved Casino Royale, which has me excited for a new Bond movie for the first time in years. I wasn't sure about Daniel Craig when he was first announced as the new Bond, but it took about 2 minutes of the movie to make me forget that James Bond isn't supposed to be blonde. Another movie that I really enjoyed was The Departed. Nicholson is always dependable, and Matt Damon is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors. Same goes for Leonardo DiCaprio. All three were brilliant in the movie. And a last thought on movies....Hollywood -- you really need to step up your game. Too often, I skip the theaters because most movies aren't good enough to merit the time and the effort it takes to go to the theater these days. I love going to the movies, and I'd rather watching on a big screen with blaring sound, a bucket of popcorn and at least a semi-full theater. But with rising ticket prices, I already stick to matinées over evening showings, and more often than not, I opt to wait for DVD. Its all too rare that a big movie is a good movie. If you screw up "The Dark Knight", I'm going to be pissed.
Music: There is so much good music out there right now that I couldn't do a top list or a worst list. Sort of like movies, I do think several artists think that 15 song albums are required, when I'd rather have a great 10 song album than a 15 song album where I tend to skip two or three songs. I used to obsess over every new album I bought. I'd spend weeks listening, memorizing and learning an album. Now, my attention span seems shorter, and some of that is because I can afford to buy new music more often and its just a mouseclick away when I want it. But I digress. Some favorites for the year, in no particular order -- Modest Mouse's "We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank", The Shins' "Wincing the Night Away" and Iron & Wine's "The Shepherd Dog". Spoon's "Ga Ga Ga Ga..." was probably my favorite of the year. It is brilliant. I also "discovered" Band of Horses, the National, Tres Bien....All good stuff, but like I said, it would be impossible for me to think of all the stuff. Can't think of anything I out and out hated, but I'm getting very tired of pop princesses like Jessica Simpson, I hope that this latest crop from American Idol fails to sell anything because I'm sick of all of them except for maybe Kelly Clarkson (I'm not a fan, but I can tolerate her stuff when my wife plays the CD).
Tangent: This is half TV, half music -- I don't know if anyone besides me actually watched "The Next Great American Band," but I thought it was far superior to American Idol. I've always been more interested in bands than just singers anyway, but I thought the judges actually gave good advice and criticism to the band, and they kept the mildly annoying host off to the side for most of the proceedings and let the band take center stage. And even though it was a bit painful to watch the bands hope they weren't eliminated each week, I am eternally thankful that we did not have to suffer through those painfully boring results shows.
And finally, a few other rants -- I suppose its my worst of list:
- Dancing With the Stars -- the dancing stuff is actually kind of fun, but the hosts, judges and results shows are "Must Fast Forward" TV at its worst. And did the world really need to see this much of Marie Osmond each week? On the plus side, its the best thing to happen to Donny since he danced in a Weird Al video.
- CSI -- Its still a good show, but for some reason, I just don't care anymore. I watch an episode here and there, and they are good when I do watch, but its same old thing -- "We're doing darker stories", and the actors constantly complain about not being able to explore their characters. Ummm, that's why we liked the show in the first place...no soap.
- The Landry murder story on Friday Night Lights -- Another topic that's been done, so I'll just say that this show is better than this. It did do the story better than 90% of the rest of the TV shows in history would, but still feels like slumming for such a good show.
- Micael Bay movies -- I watched Transformers the other day, and while I didn't completely hate it, I just didn't get what the big deal was. It was mildly entertaining, but it couldn't decide if it wanted to go for the joke, the action or be a high minded sci-fi epic (which it clearly wasn't). Glad I waited for DVD.
- Celebrity babies -- I saw a list of the most influential infants on TV the other day. Who cares?
- Britney, Lindsey and Paris -- Honestly, if we ignore them, they'll go away. I know, its hard to look away, and I'm guilty of it, too. But if we stick together and try really hard, we can do it.
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