What exactly is a "Family Tree"?

I spend an average of two hours a day in my car commuting to and from work. That totals to at least ten hours a week. If you were to ask my wife, she'd probably guess that this average is low as of late. Ever since returning to work after the honeymoon, I've spent at least 30 minutes longer in my commute home than the previous five months at my new job.

The reason why I bring this up is that I spend a lot of time listening to talk radio. Let me first get this off my chest so you can stop gawking at me: Yes, I am a conservative. (No, this is not a political commentary post... well, not really.)

However, I don't just choose to listen to what the Future Socialists of America in our country call "the extremist right-wing agenda" just to piss them off. I just can't listen to music all the time. I think that some people in my life would beg to differ, since they've seen my CD library (and it is quite massive). I find that it keeps my brain stimulated, so I can stay alert, rather than tuning out to the "angry white guy" crunching guitar riffs and then nodding off only to find myself merging into the next lane and slamming into a tractor-trailer.

Listening to Uncle Phil yesterday, I heard about Lowe's little fiasco of introducing the "family tree" to this year's holiday shopping consumers. I find it repulsive... and they're called Christmas trees!

This is a "family tree."

What kind of country do we live in where 80 percent of the population claims to be a part of some kind of Christian faith, where 95 percent of the same country celebrates Christmas, yet the removal of the word "Christ" from Christmas amongst other things becomes more and more evident every year?

I am so tired of this political correctness that it makes me physically sick. Are we so afraid of hurting someone's feelings that we're willing to jepardize the biggest ecomonic stimulus of the entire year? Ever heard of "Black Friday"? Pay attention now: Americans, on average, go Christmas shopping. They spend their hard-earned money, to help drive their country's economy by purchasing Christmas presents.

If we're not careful, our own government is going to sneak up behind us and start telling us what we can and cannot do in regards to decorating our own personal homes.

Oops! Too late.

The United States of America celebrates Christmas. In most areas of the country, it's considered the least active day of the year for businesses and commerce. (Try finding a store open, or if you do, one that will sell you batteries at a reasonable price on Christmas day when you're parents forgot to include them with the newest and coolest toy.)

In many ways, Christmas is just as much a secular holiday as it is religious. I know several people that celebrate Christmas who want nothing to do with Christ or religion. I'm tired of the minority, armed with a "PC-Friendly megaphone", telling the vast majority what is and isn't right. I'm an adult and reserve the right to have my own opinion. My parents raised me to be sensitive towards others and to treat people with respect. I don't need them or my government to do it.

I celebrate Christmas. I decorate a Christmas tree. I place presents underneath the Christmas tree and open them on December 25th. I give gifts to family and friends during Christmas to express my love and kindness I feel towards them. I listen to and sing songs that celebrate the season as well as the birth of my savior. I roast chestnuts on an open fire (well, not really, but I would if I had the opportunity).

Don't tell me what I can and cannot do when it comes to Christmas. The last time I checked, the U.S. Constitution protected my rights to freedom of religion. And guess what, that's all religions. Not all religions except for Christianity and holidays that might offend thoses that celebrate Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Eid ul-Adha, Winter Solstice, Chrismukkah or anything that doesn't involve Jesus Christ. I seriously doubt Christians, as well as those who celebrate Christmas, would riot in the streets if retail businesses started running ads for the "Festival of Lights Price Cut Sale!" or a "Kwanzaa Inventory Blow Out!"

Please leave my Christmas alone.

Thank you and have a wonderful day.

A World Without Writers

I've dabbled a little bit in the whole process of screenwriting back when I was in college and it's difficult. Trying to conjure something out of nothing can garner great frustrations, but it can also be quite rewarding when you've delighted your instructor on a great original idea or being able to properly execute the visual artform. I've come to the conclusion that I support the writer's strike. Even if it means that I'll be up to my ears in reality shows by February sweeps of next year, so be it.

I predict that we're in for the long haul, and even though it may mean that I'll have to wait forever for the series finale of Scrubs, I personally don't care. I've come across some good articles and blogs that express the concern of the writer's strike. Most give merit to their cause, and even though I'm not a huge fan of unions in general, I can completely understand and identify with their frustrations with the AMPTP.

The first is from John August's personal website. John August is a screenwriter who's penned such films as Big Fish, Charlie & The Chocolate Factory and Go. I personally don't care for everything that would be on his resumé, but I appreciate his perspective on the situation given here.

The other article is on the eminent death of television. It's written by Damon Lindelof, the co-creator and head writer for the television series Lost. I don't personally care for Lost, but his comments on where our future is headed in regards to how we, as a general public, will receive our entertainment, is expressed here.

(My sincerest apologies in advance for any link that I post which will eventually be unavailable. Newspaper and magazine websites are notorious for removing archived data and links after a certain period of time. I've saved the article for future reference in PDF format, in case this happens.)

For some highly amusing anecdotes, I highly recommend you check out:

LateShowWritersOnStrike.com

I recommend the story involving the "Hulk Woman."


Lastly, I post a video entitled "A World Without Writer." I'd comment more, but it speaks for itself and the importance of their creativity and input in the entertainment juggernaut that is Hollywood.

Fantasy Moguls!

I've started this new online game where you pick up to eight films for your virtual studio and see how they perform at the box office. Of course, you're only give a set budget of $100 to spend for your films, so you have to be aware that bigger budgeted films will cost more. Smaller independent films will cost less and could end up being a marathon runner at the box office.

It's a huge risk, I know... but I'm willing to sacrifice the virtual $100. You can visit the website here, if you have more inquiries than I'm unable to answer. The first of the four films that my studio is promoting will be American Gangster. Please take the time to admire the shameless promoting below:

Boost my Fantasy Moguls score!


Go see American Gangster!


Opens Fri Nov 2

It's very difficult to pass up the combination for director Ridley Scott with the possible knockout acting combo of Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe.

The other three films are as follows:

No Country for Old Men (11/9 Release date)
I would find it a complete contradiction of my true film geek nature not to back the Coen Brothers (Joel & Ethan) and quite possibly their next masterpiece of cinematic goodness.

I Am Legend (12/14 Release Date)
Even Will Smith's track record is almost completely idiot proof.

There Will Be Blood (12/26 Release Date)
Paul Thomas Anderson might be a bit of a long shot since he hasn't had a decent reception of his films since Magnolia. However, I still see him as a modern Robert Altman and his track record with critics is usually on par with many top ten lists by the end of the year. Besides, Daniel Day-Lewis only comes out from hiding to do a film once every 3-5 years, and he chose this script to grace us with his presence.

I hope none of you have a stomach ache from eating too much junk food last night. If you do, I hope a bottle of Pepto-Bismol is within your reach.

Until next time, dear readers.