While I try to listen to opinions and beliefs of others and try not to push my own on others (that’s just rude! Ask Ms. Manners!), I had to laugh at this posting on the Preaching Politics (Wait, Preaching Politics? Didn’t our forefathers say something about the separation of church & state. And don’t throw your 1st Amendment argument around. Both the left & the right use it for their own ends as we all know.) blog. The one entitled “Liberals Just Can’t Understand Me!” made me laugh.

It’s all about how Mel Gibson wants to make a Holocaust movie and every one is all upset on both sides. Uh, it’s just a movie. While I agree with the author that the media does go overboard many times, I think people on all sides of these issues take their entertainment (def - n : a diversion that holds the attention) too seriously. Do you understand that diversion part?

The last paragraph of the post was the best. I love the “commentary on the actions of people who take their faith seriously” part. This is something I dislike about all people on either side who go to the verge of extreme. They hardly ever put themselves in the shoes of others. Perhaps those people who never attend church or *gasp* don’t believe what you do actually had a religious upbringing, but decided it didn’t work for them. Let them live their lives. You live yours. In other words, keep your ‘God’ in its own sanctuary.

The best is the last. The last seven words had me in hysterics! Mel Gibson? Suffer? Yes, poor Mel Gibson is a suffering soul. He chose his career. He put himself in the spotlight. I’m sure his flunkies, hangers-on & sycophants can tuck him into his bed of cash tonight so he’ll feel better. Yes, that’s a bit over the top, but let’s be realistic here. Mel Gibson is playing the movie-making game. He’s quite aware of what it takes.

Doing his job? Yes. Suffering? Hardly.

Listening to: Wig In A Box - The Polyphonic Spree

I’ve nothing really even remotely humorous here; just pure excitement! Aimee Mann is my favorite music artist and has been for a number of years now. Her management just announced a more subdued, acoustic tour this time around with more intimate settings. On January 27th, she’ll be appearing at the Boulder Theater and for the first time I get to see her without standing on the floor having to peer around everyone who is taller than me. (I’m only 5′7″) This time it’s reserved seating.

Because I’m a fan, I got to do the pre-sale thing. I’m sure you can see where this is headed. Larry (a fellow Monkey) and I have 2nd row, exact center seats. Second row! I’ve never been that close with reserved seating. Needless to say, I’ve already taken the liberty of asking for the night off from my part-time job – a month and a half early.

And speaking of good Aimee news, she got a Grammy nomination today. Unfortunately, it’s not for her music; however, it is a very worthy Best Recording Package nomination for her latest, The Forgotten Arm. It truly is a beautiful package which I have an oversize version that was sent for pre-ordering the album on her site. You can see why from just the cover. It’s my #2 album of the year (Top 20 to be listed later this month). Logically then, if I had made it my #1 album of the year, I’d be sitting on front row seats. Right?

Listening to: Waltz Across Texas Tonight – Emmylou Harris

Just to prove that you truly never know what is going to happen in improv, I offer this:

Tonight, Monkey’s Uncle did a private show for a group of wonderful elementary school teachers. During a game of Party Quirks I found myself, or rather my character found himself, sautéing boogers with peanut butter & bananas tempura-style for an Elvis impersonator.

Just go with the flow. If you think in improv, you’re dead. It’s true.

Listening to: One Night In Bangkok - Murray Head

As I was changing the calendars in the office this morning, I had a vision of what I wanted for Christmas. There are several picturesque calendars surrounding me in the small office in which I work; most of them displaying beautiful images from Alaska (the boss likes it there).

As I turned them from images of orange leaves to snowy, frozen rivers, I realized that in Australia & New Zealand a few hours ago they all turned their calendars and saw sunny, warm beaches, scantily clad men and women frolicking on the beaches, and the sunny reds & browns of the Outback. I want a calendar like that so I can mess with people’s heads.

I can just imagine someone coming into the office during the end of July and seeing a calendar with some snowy, frozen river in New Zealand and them just stopping in mid-sentence with their jaw agape. What delicious fun!

Listening to: Hands To Heaven - Breathe