fanboys

As the few of you who read this blog know, I never write about politics. I guess I shouldn't say never, one or two sarcastic political remarks may find there way in to a post from time to time. The main reasons that I don't are because I don't have many firm political opinions, and when push comes to shove, I don't care that much.

I'm registered independent, mainly because I've felt attacked by both sides at some point, and as an independent I don't have to answer as many heated questions. It's a cop out, I know, but I also may be more enlightened. I feel as though just about every political issue is a dense issue. It's all grey. I'd rather sift through the grey than try to find little black or white dots which are speckled throughout to hold dearly to.


Anyway, the main reason for this post is that I recently read something that got me thinking. In Colorado Springs there is a local publication known as the "Independent." It's free of charge, contains articles on local politics, and reviews of film, music, and local town hot spots.

Last week there was a quote that I can't get out of my mind. It was labeled "Quote of the Week." A local C Springs resident posted this on a news website comment section,

"I don't care if Sarah Palin isn't very smart, she'd still make a great president."

I couldn't get this quote out of my mind. My first instinct was to laugh. But it reminded me of fanboys for some reason.

Fanboys is a term usually reserved for film, comic books, and video games. For example, recently there are hoards of fanboys that worship at the Star Wars alter. Ten years ago, when Episode one was released, there was international pandemonium. People camped outside of theaters for weeks, months even, just to buy tickets for a two hour film. Fanboys declared this the best film of all time before they even saw it. These fanboys still call this film great ten years later, even when most of the film going public thought the film was sub par.

More recently, teenage girls are traveling in flocks and gaggles to see the new Twilight film. It made 140 million dollars at the box office last weekend alone even though it was universally reviled by critics. The kicker is, most women I've talked to admit that the Twilight films are crap. Poorly directed, written, and acted. The general idea I get from women I've worked with "I know the movie is terrible, but I still want to see it." They aren't even defending it, but still love it.

This is what I can't get out of my head when it comes to that quote about Sarah Palin. Have we become fanboys when it comes to politics? Have we already decided that whatever candidate that is in our party is awesome and whatever candidate is in the other party sucks ass? Is Sarah Palin the Republicans version of Twilight. "Ah, we know she's not that smart, but she's a great candidate." Is President Obama the Democrats version of Star wars Episode I? "I know he isn't the president yet, but he is going to be amazing, perhaps the best ever."

Even worse about these fanboys, they revile anyone who disagrees with them. They use words of such hatred for critics of their beloved films.

Reminds me of the constant status updates I see on facebook blasting those in public office. Jesus Christ, do fanboys have anything better to do? Fanboys are so lenient of the things they are fans of, and so quick to criticize rivals.

Have we become fanboys in politics?

Funny Bumper Stickers

Just thinking about some of the funniest bumper stickers I've ever seen...

"Pave the Rainforest"

"In Case of Rapture, I'm taking your car"

"Republicans for Voldemort"

"Everything I need to know about life I've learned by reading banned books"

"Evolution is just a theory. kinda like gravity"

"Jesus loves you but everyone else thinks you're an asshole"

"Dog is my copilot"

"Honk if you're Amish"

"Heck is for people who don't believe in Gosh"

"If you're born again, do you have two belly buttons?"

"What if the hokey pokey is what its all about?"

"My kid is the proud parent of his teacher's baby"

"My child beat up your honor student"



any others? tell me what you think is funny

Friday afternoon Shout Outs

Carrie Beth - they do in fact celebrate the 4th of July in Hawaii :)

Jim Tracy - You were definitely the manager of the year, do it again next season

Ray Lamontagne - For helping my girlfriend love me

"Bill" - for selling me concert tickets on craigs list and significantly lowering his price

Almonds - you add that extra bit of ooomph that my salad needs

Michael Scott - for valuing the feelings of his employees

Ricky Williams - for giving my fantasy football team an early lead last night

"nose scratching" - for being a believable excuse for "nose picking"

"based on a true story" sports movies - even the trailers make me cry

trampolines - how i miss thee

just a few for today

For my viewing pleasure

Doing some brainstorming while laying here in bed. Decided to make a list before lights out. Here's a list of my all time favorite actors and actresses along with two or three of my favorite performances of theirs.

Ladies first...


1. Jodie Foster (Silence of the Lambs, The Accused, Contact)

2. Kate Winslet (Little Children, Eternal Sunshine..., Revolutionary Road)

3. Meryl Streep (Sophie's Choice, Doubt, The Deer Hunter)

4. Susan Sarandon (Dead Man Walking, Bull Durham, Thelma and Louise)

5. Laura Linney (The Truman Show, You Can Count on Me, Kinsey)

6. Elizabeth Taylor (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?)

7. Dianne Wiest (Parenthood, Edward Scissorhands, The Birdcage)

8. Holly Hunter (Broadcast News, Thirteen, Raising Arizona)

9. Faye Dunaway (Network, Chinatown, Bonnie and Clyde)

10. Cate Blanchett (The Aviator, I'm Not There, Notes on a Scandal)


Actors


1. Paul Newman (The Hustler, Nobody's Fool, Hud)

2. Gene Hackmen (The Royal Tenenbaums, The French Connection, Unforgiven)

3. Daniel Day-Lewis (My Left Foot, There Will Be Blood, The Age of Innocence)

4. Marlon Brando (On the Waterfront, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Godfather)

5. Mel Gibson (Lethal Weapon, Braveheart, Maverick)

6. George C. Scott (Patton, The Hustler, Dr. Strangelove...)

7. Bill Murray (Ghostbusters, Lost in Translation, Caddyshack)

8. Michael Caine (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Man Who Would Be King, Batman Begins)

9. Tom Hanks (Cast Away, Philadelphia, Big)

10. Dustin Hoffman (Midnight Cowboy, Wag the Dog, Tootsie)

Honorable Mention

Philip Seymour Hoffman (Capote, Synecdoche, New York, Before the Devil Knows You're Dead)


Just some that came to mine. Any comments?

Can I get some Thursday Love...

Shoutin' out much love to...

Carrie Beth - making me crave salad

Broncos - for not realizing that they were supposed to suck big time

Half and Half - tasting like heaven from a cow

All other Dairy Products - for being totally worth the fat intake

Professor Koenig - Staying up until 5:30 am to have our exams graded. You'll definitely make this list again if you discover a way to simplify some of the multiple choice questions on the next test.

Meryl Streep - for fully capturing my attention with every performance

Zombies - for being utterly hilarious in spite of your horrible condition

People who don't forward silly emotional emails - Thanks for not giving me more trash to delete

People who forward hilarious emails - sometimes I need to laugh

Elvis Dumervil - for being the #1 fear of every quarterback in the NFL

Matches - for magically taking "stink" away

Highway 24 - for being the prettier way to get to the mountains from the "springs"

Fighter Jets - for being awesome, i wish you didn't have to drop bombs.

People who don't post their political opinions on their facebook status - I couldn't possibly care less what you think via the internet, especially if you don't have any advanced credentials or degrees on the subject

People who read this blog even though its a bit self indulgent - thanks

Couples who have blind dates in coffee shops - you don't think i'm eavesdropping, but I am

The movie "Up" - for being way more awesome than the "Balloon Boy" story

Carrie Beth - JIMMMAAAAYYYYY!

Shoutin' out on a Thursday morn...

Carrie Beth - for braving the sub freezing temperatures and incredibly late gametime to enjoy a Rockies playoff experience with me

Huston Street - You were lights out all season. The best offense in the National League just proved you are human this week. Can't wait to see what you do next season.

Colorado Rockies - Giving me hope for next season

The Science and Learning Center - helping me figure out Coffee Cup Calorimetry

Owen Meany - for being hilarious so far. and despite your size, hitting the crap out of the baseball even though it had fatal results. Can't wait to see what happens with you.

Smiley's - for the amazing slice of heaven that you refer to as "toast."

The teenage girl who works the register at Smiley's - the restaurant must have been named after you. your braces filled smile brightens my already bright sunday mornings. if nobody ever invites you to the prom i will gladly escort you.

Bob the vendor - you're the only ballpark vendor i'd ever want to purchase beer or crackerjacks from. The rockies will win the big one for you someday.

Denver Broncos - 5-0 are you kidding me???!!!! I can't believe how great you've been to watch so far...

The NFL - for not letting Rush Limbaugh purchase the St. Louis Rams. As if they aren't already the laughing stock of the league

Jim and Pam - for making me actually appreciate tv show couples. I thought ross and rachel ruined it for me by being painfully annoying. but i actually kinda like you guys.

The Obama daughters - don't ever listen to the naysayers. Your daddy is a good man.

David Bazan - singing exactly what i'm feeling. i wish we could get a beer together.

Calvin - texting me some answers to our online Bio quiz. I'm still gonna get a better grade than you :)

Lewis Cash - I check your blog daily for updates.

Bobcats - for making landscaping a whole hell of a lot easier. I'm not too in to manual labor. I'm ok with machines doing the work for us, even if it does limit jobs.

The channel 5 news crew - for putting me on air last week!

Ruby - for continuing to improve in the frisbee realm. one day you'll catch 9 out of 10 in your mouth

Jessica - for making haircuts a pleasant experience.

Farts - for always being funny

Carrie Beth's chili - for being an utterly scrumptious experience.

3rd straight thursday morning shout out

Carrie Beth - for your strength through adversity

My fantasy football team - for being undefeated after 4 weeks

The Minnesota Twins - Inspiring, truly inspiring

blenders - for so easily mixing tasty solid foods into delicious beverages.

Dwight Schrute - For your devotion to the harsh reality of the world, while embracing the fantasy world simultaneously

Dr. Dymek (my chem professor) - for being equal parts condescending and considerate. You're always good for a laugh

My calculator - for not making my brain work harder than necessary

Kristen - for putting up with the huge clumps of bullshit her coach continues to toss her way

South America - for hosting your first Olympics. Congrats!

Jumping Jacks - for giving incredible workouts even though you are a lost art

Josh McDaniels - For making it work so far

Kyle Orton - No interceptions through 4 games!!!!!

Jay Cutler - Who in the hell is Jay Cutler?

Serena Williams - posing nude on the cover of ESPN magazine. I'm equally repulsed and aroused

Carrie Beth - I dig on your smile