For as long as Michael Cera continues to make movies, I will continue to go out of my way to make sure I see them. It may have taken nine months to get to it, but alas, I finally was able to take in an evening with the accompanying flick last night. It was pretty Michael Cera-ish. Had no idea it had such an interesting cast, though, which was a pleasant surprise. If you don't like Michael Cera, don't see this movie. But if you like him, well, hey. Why not? Welcome to Thursday. We here at The Unusual Suspects sincerely hope you are having a wonderful day-before-the-final-day-of-the-work-week. This is your reminder that we will indeed offer our next installment of Blogspot Banter tomorrow, so be sure to check back for that (in addition to the always-wonderful post about movies we haven't seen yet, of course). "30 Rock" flies its way back onto your television sets this evening, so this is your friendly reminder that yes, it is the best show on television today, and yes, you ought to check it out at 8:30 (new time!). And finally, well, "Outsourced" looks awful. If you think it's mildly interesting, rent the movie and then shun the television show. OK. Now that we've done all that, we encourage you to click a few links and have a fabulous rest of your Thursday.
ESPN ombudsman finally speaks about all the madness that’s been happening. And it appears as though no one is happy about the things he said. (Deadspin)
If you pass along links, we will use them, friends. “…off in the open field, no bricks in sight, stands Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger with 37 million readers online wondering whether he could soon run the largest newspaper site in the world.” (Buzz Machine)
Never, ever got into them. But I know there are gabillions of you who did. Weezer announce the first batch of dates for the tour in which they will play their albums from front to back. (Pitchfork)
How to talk like a vampire. That’s pretty much all you need to know. (CNN)
I was happy I got to see it last night as it happened. Letterman made it awkward, I thought, after harping on what he harped on for as long as he did. It was still worth seeing, though. (Hollywood Reporter)
NBA players want to know how much money commissioner David Stern is getting paid. So, this means we don’t already know? Hmmm. (TMZ)
Woody Paige. Suicide. And depression. Read this. (Denver Post)
All right. So, I'm not the happiest person you'll ever meet. Those who know me the best know that. That said, though, those individuals also know I have the capabilities of being one of the nicest, smartest, caring-est and fun-est dudes they can come across, and that's why I'm lucky enough to have a larger-than-normal core group of really, really great friends. Sure, I may be a bit too sarcastic or cynical from time to time, but as those aforementioned people can attest to, once you figure out what lies underneath of all that, you can simply giggle it off while knowing who I really am, how much love I have in my heart, or how far I've managed to come in this often-complicated life.
But I have a confession to make. I hate Sundays.
No, but really. I do.
They are just so hard, don't you think? There was a months-long span that I consistently said to the same people every Sunday the following: "If I could just have one good Sunday, that's all. That's all I need. Just one." I've since stopped offering such opinions simply because I know everyone is sick of hearing it.
What's wrong with Sundays? Well, it's the beginning of the week, for one. Nobody can do anything on a Sunday without thinking of what it is he or she has to accomplish within the week ahead (and it's not that there's something wrong with having things to accomplish. It's just the feeling of knowing those things aren't done yet. Impatience plays a key role in this, you know). Secondly, Sundays can be often spent as a day of reflection, whether it be while attending some type of church, recovering from a weekend-enduced hangover, saying goodbye to someone you are only allowed to see on weekends, or making that long drive home from wherever it was you spent the previous couple days forgetting about the normal hustle and bustle a life can offer.
Those reasons shutter in comparison to the biggest emotion Sundays are typically accompanied with: Loneliness. As I tweeted this past weekend (which was, by the way, a pretty clever tweet if you happen to enjoy John Mayer from time to time), I am beginning to realize that while alone-time is essential in one's life, knowing you don't have someone else to share certain moments with can weigh heavily on you. Sure, we all want to believe we aren't effected by the notion of loneliness. But the reality is that too much isolation can bring upon too much (possible) sadness. Even someone as independent, stubborn, selfish and ego-driven as myself can admit that I'd love to have a partner in crime when it comes to simplistic day-to-day idiosyncrasies. And Sundays tend to highlight those moments more than any other days a week may hold. It's like a synonym for depression. Sundays make you want to hold someone more than ever while realizing more intensely than ever that, well, you don't really have anyone to hold.
The only thing worse than Sundays? Sundays in the fall. But we'll get back to that once fall officially arrives. In the meantime, I suggest enjoying the only thing a Sunday is good for - the inspiration behind this song, a song that is, by my calculation, the fourth best song ever written...
Came across this Tweet Saturday morning. Thought it was poignant for being so tiny. The weather was considerably warmer than it had been all week. It was the first time in months I woke up not having to worry about how many layers of blankets I had kicked off my body. And the feeling of something new was in the air.
But that’s what the changing of a season or month can do for you. It’s just so damn vibrant. Reading the message triggered an immediate feeling of objection, followed by an immediate feeling of consideration. Is May the best month? Kind of thought if would be April (yes, that has nothing to do with my birthday, either). Maybe June? It’s so summer-y and continues to hold tight the remains of the yearly hope brought on by springtime. How about the beauty of December, though? Goodness, gracious it can get cold, depending on where you are, but if you happen across the right night – in the right mood – you could find a bag of cherished memories sitting like a hotel buffet before your eyes.
It’s provocative, isn’t it? What really is the best month of the year? Is it dependent and varied considering one’s memories? Has to be, right? I mean, come on: You aren’t going to feel good about November if you got dumped on Thanksgiving day. Or maybe those Fourth of July fireworks simply aren’t as beautiful if they are attached with finding out a loved one passed. Or are they? Silly me. Maybe there are people out there who function on something that proves to be the complete opposite of my usual train of thought, drenched in cynicism and speculation. Maybe there are individuals who can turn could-be bad memories into inspirational moments. Wait. Are there?
See what I mean, though? Most everyone relates wonderful moments with so much more than wonderful surroundings. It has just as much to do with one’s perception than it does with one’s environment. That said, the answer to the aforementioned question remains: Is May indeed the best month?
Who knows? In light of such an obtuse notion, though, I decided to make an official list of months in order of best to worst. We can call it the Unusual Suspects’ Unofficial Official Best-To-Worst Months List. But only because it rolls off the tongue so well. Consider…
1. June – Have no idea why, except that it’s easy to associate June with fun. School is let out. No worries about the weather. Positive expectations fill your brain as you know the next two months present a plethora of opportunity, no matter how old or young you may be. The summer concert season is in full effect. And the summer blockbuster films have finally caught their stride (even if it does happen to be something as awful as the film below).
2. April – It’s a close second, but no matter where you live, April promises cold weather is gone forever by the end of the month. Plus, it's quintessential springtime, the most romantic season of the year. 3. May – Take everything previously said about April, and add Memorial Day to it. Me? Too many bad Memorial Days to lift the month higher than the top two. Most equate such a thing with fun and happiness. Me? Nope. Still, no denying the desire May gives an individual to want to take a walk. And walks are the best. Honestly.
4. December – Think of how incredibly beautiful the month can be. If you live in certain areas, it may take until December to finally get a first picture perfect snowfall. But once you get it, all you want to do is grab someone’s hand and make a snow angel. Or. Well, I do, at least. And presents. Giving is better than most anything else in the world (except receiving, but we don’t need to go there, dirty-minded reader). Plus, every once in a while, you stumble across an honest-to-goodness fun New Year’s Eve, complete with kiss.
5. July – The Fourth is one of those odd “I feel like this should be special, so I’m going to try to make it special” situations that pique the interest of most anybody. The height of random neat occurrence possibility (RNOP) happens during this month, as well. Get a tan and find a date, damnit.
6. February – Valentine’s Day can be the most fun you have all year, if you only let it. Stupid silly romantic.
7. September – Such a bummer September can be, right? Go back to school. The summer, its memories and those chance make-out sessions are gone. You turn your attention to cold, and I don’t care what anyone says, for as pretty as fall can be at times, it’s awfully depressing, as well. This is your last reminder that it’s coming.
8. March – Holds the best week of sports all year: The NCAA basketball tournament’s first round. Unfortunately, that’s about it.
9. November – What good are you? You make us fat with your Thanksgiving feasts and awkward family reunions. You give us middle-of-the-season irrelevant football. You force us to finally turn the heat on, increasing whatever bill you may have. Bad November, bad.
10. August – Too. Hot.
11. January – It’s like the depths of hell. 31 days. You need to come down from your post-Christmas high. Depending on where you live, it may be impossible to leave your home for 30 of those 31 days. No glimmer of hope. Shut the doors and go to bed. The novelty and beauty of winter has warn itself dry. Go away, January, if you know what’s good for you.
12. October – Never had a good October in my life. I know I’m in the minority here, but goodness, this month makes me want to cry every day. The rain and the leaves. The warm nights turn to chilly evenings. Loneliness sets in like a dark cloud before a rainstorm. Ugh. October actually makes you look forward to snow because at least then, you know you’ll have an excuse to complain about the weather. Pretty or not, October can’t go away soon enough. Having 31 days doesn’t help, either. The only redeeming quality? October always promises another installment of these movies…
For as long as Michael Cera continues to make movies, I will continue to go out of my way to make sure I see them. It may have taken nine months to get to it, but alas, I finally was able to take in an evening with the accompanying flick last night. It was pretty Michael Cera-ish. Had no idea it had such an interesting cast, though, which was a pleasant surprise. If you don't like Michael Cera, don't see this movie. But if you like him, well, hey. Why not? Welcome to Thursday. We here at The Unusual Suspects sincerely hope you are having a wonderful day-before-the-final-day-of-the-work-week. This is your reminder that we will indeed offer our next installment of Blogspot Banter tomorrow, so be sure to check back for that (in addition to the always-wonderful post about movies we haven't seen yet, of course). "30 Rock" flies its way back onto your television sets this evening, so this is your friendly reminder that yes, it is the best show on television today, and yes, you ought to check it out at 8:30 (new time!). And finally, well, "Outsourced" looks awful. If you think it's mildly interesting, rent the movie and then shun the television show. OK. Now that we've done all that, we encourage you to click a few links and have a fabulous rest of your Thursday.
