Top Five Good Things About Christmas

On December 15, 2013December 14, 2013 By R. PettyIn OpinionsLeave a comment

As promised last week in my list of pet peeves, this week I’ll discuss the things that make my least favorite holiday more bearable – sometimes even enjoyable.

1. Christmas with family and friends – Some of my favorite memories are seeing my son’s eyes on Christmas morning. There’s something about the twinkle they have that seems to make it all worth it. Family Christmas is crazy town, and we all go a little overboard, but we have a great time and enjoy the chaos. My friends are the best, and it’s not because they give awesome gifts. Whether we’re playing video games or watching it snow, we always have fun.

2. Shopping Day – I hate shopping. You will never find me out on Black Friday. However, it has to be done, so my awesome RevPub partner James volunteered his company a few years ago to lend a hand. We take a Friday off from work and shop and eat. We leave at the time we’d normally go to work and come home eight or nine hours later – just like a regular work day. We run through my multiple lists, make fun of people, and have a blast. This year, the added bonus: it was Friday the 13th.

3. Buying special gifts – Although I hate to shop, I do love finding that perfect gift. It stresses me out terribly, and I plan for it all year. I love finding those unexpected things that actually surprise people. The gifts that are not on a list. And I don’t do gift cards unless the person leaves me no choice. People know when they open their gift that I put my brain and heart into it; that’s what’s important.

4. Christmas movies and specials – How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Scrooged, and While You Were Sleeping are in my top 20 favorite movies of all time. Christmas movies and cartoons are fun, lighthearted, and entertaining, and it’s an easy way to remind yourself that the world is not as crazy as it seems.

5. Lights and colors – Inflatables are a bit much, but it is nice to drive down a dark street and see a house lit in color and beauty – red, white, gold, blue, silver, and green. It’s the one time a year where color throws up all over the place and brightens things up.

Here’s my favorite traditional Christmas song, too. Enjoy!

Top 10 Christmas Pet Peeves

On December 8, 2013December 7, 2013 By R. PettyIn OpinionsLeave a comment

Before everyone thinks I’m a Scrooge, I’m going to try to do a two-part series for the holidays. The first is this post, and the second will be what I like about the holidays. Admittedly, the second will probably be shorter, but I’ll do my best to be fair. So, for all those people who don’t love the holiday, here’s my list:

1. Presents over good deeds – Christmas is supposed to be about giving, not getting. It’s not about getting upset because you didn’t get the perfect gift. How many people are donating time to shelters? How many people are adopting angels or giving money to charity. That is what the season is supposed to be about. It’s not about materialism – it’s a about giving all of yourself to make someone’s life better, even if only for a few weeks.

2. Traffic/driving – As soon as time changes, the city loses its mind. Nashvillians can’t drive on sunny days, much less when it’s dark. When the city goes out every night to a party or for shopping, traffic gets worse. People are rude too because where they need to be is more important. Right?

3. Shopping – We need to fight over a TV? A tablet? A PS4? No. Stores open on Thanksgiving day should be ashamed of themselves. Let employees be with their loved ones. People will shop no matter what, and we don’t have to do it in one day! We don’t have to fight or disrespect each other over gifts.

4. Facebook/Christmas Tree pics – This year has been especially bad with Christmas tree pics. As I scroll through my feed every day, I can’t help but think “Would you like a medal because you put up your tree? Congrats. You joined millions of people. They all look the same. No one cares.”

5. Buying for everyone – Yes, this is my fault. I feel obligated to buy for people I care about or appreciate. It’s the people who never talk to me and who don’t care about me who I have a problem with. It’s not that I don’t like them; it’s that I don’t feel I should have to spend my money on them because of tradition or obligation. If I opted out, I know what would happen…

6. Winter weather – This week, it was 75 degrees and two days later 32 with the threat of ice. Cold weather and dreariness makes people grumpy. People have to get out but don’t want to, so they are especially nasty and crazy if it rains/ices/sleets/snows.

7. Attitudes – I don’t care what people say, people are not nicer during Christmas. If anything, they’re more rude and impatient. I had a person ride my bumper and honk at me in a school zone Friday morning. I responded with slowing down and holding the bird out the window. That’s my response to your schedule; we all have things to do.

8. Putting up Christmas stuff before Halloween – If you walked into a store in October, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Halloween has two weeks of love, whereas Christmas had two months. I realize people buy more at Christmas, but if you read No. 1 you know that’s not the point of the holiday.

9. Christmas music – I worked in a grocery store for 10 years. I’ve heard enough Christmas music to last a lifetime. Unless it’s U2’s It’s Christmas Baby, Please Come Home, I’ll pass.

10. Perkiness – I get so much crap for not being perky during the holidays. Yes, I put in Mudvayne and Marilyn Manson to drown out Christmas music. No, I’m no more peppy than usual; I don’t need a holiday to be in a good mood. I don’t criticize people for being joyful and happy, so leave me alone and let me be me.

Remember to be a little nicer this week, and maybe we can stop the madness!

An Unlikely Thanksgiving Treat

On November 27, 2013November 27, 2013 By James CastroIn Movies, OpinionsLeave a comment

Let’s face it, sequels are lame. They either do the exact same thing as the first film, only less effectively, or they do something completely different and lose all of what made their progenitor worthy of continuance.

Every now and then, however, a sequel can surprise you and sometimes even surpass the original. A couple of famous, celebrated examples are Aliens and Terminator 2; two Jim Cameron films that built on what the original did and included new elements that added to their luster. But then there are some less-well known films, where the original isn’t considered a classic, the sequel relatively forgotten, and, while both are actually fun movies, the sequel is by far the better. In this particular case, I’m talking about Addams Family Values.

The original live-action Addams Family film starring Raoul Julia, Angelica Huston, Christopher Lloyd, and a very young Christina Ricci, was a fun little caper film. Well-acted and entertaining. Addams Family Values is far zanier. It’s like the best episode of your favorite cartoon show, big laughs, satisfying stories, priceless moments. The dark humor is spot-on, every actor is terrific (bringing great characters to the sequel are Joan Cusack as a psychotic black widow, with Peter MacNicol and Christine Baranski as two sociopathically happy camp counselors, and you’ll even spot Tony Shaloub in there if you look carefully…) and still featuring all the actors from the first returning to their original roles.

It’s goofy, dark, simple, and damned entertaining. I’ve seen it dozens of times and laugh all the way through it.

So why am I posting this on the day before Thanksgiving? Because it’s the only movie I actually like (sorry but Planes, Trains, and Automobiles isn’t entertaining to me at all…) that has a memorable Thanksgiving theme and the ONLY Thanksgiving song I know. The Thanksgiving song is one of my favorite movie musical moments. It sounds ridiculous but it’s true. Doubt me? Well here it is!

And for the great full Thanksgiving play:

Happy Thanksgiving from RevPub!

Thanksgiving: The Little Things

On November 24, 2013November 23, 2013 By R. PettyIn Opinions2 Comments

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. – Robert Brault

Recently, my amazing grandmother messaged me and moved our family’s Thanksgiving to the Sunday after. At first, I couldn’t believe what was happening…I don’t have to go to two Thanksgivings in one day? Has the world come to an end?

It doesn’t seem like that big of a deal, but it is. I talked with people all week about their plans, and I heard, “I’m driving to Illinois, Ohio, this city and that. One day here, one day there.” And I realized her very small gesture actually meant a great deal.

After 15 years of having two Thanksgivings a day, and before that, three or four in two days, it’s so nice to know we can go to one and relax. My grandmother gets it.

As I listened to everyone explain where they were going or how many people they were hosting, I heard the truth. The holidays stress people the hell out. Is that what we really want to remember in 20 years. Is that what matters?

Families should be more flexible and understanding. After all, is it not our families who are supposed to be that way no matter what? Aren’t they the ones who are supposed to love us unconditionally and support us through life?

Don’t Have Traditions for the Sake of Having Them

Too often families gripe and moan about not celebrating on that day. “It’s not the same…but it’s Thanksgiving…,” and they whine and whine. Thanksgiving is whatever day you schedule it. The whole purpose of the holiday is to spend time with people who care about and show thanks for what we have. And yes, I believe we can do that every day of the year. Thanksgiving is just to make sure we do it.

Let’s talk about food. Not everyone eats the same thing, so why should an entire family cater to a couple of people? Shouldn’t we all compromise and find a solution? Thankfully, my family is very diverse, so we have lots of options and favorites. We try new recipes and all pitch in.

If you have more than a few people who want to see, say an average of 10 people, consider rotating who travels where, maybe change the day of the feast, or throw in the cooking towel and go to a restaurant. You don’t have to have turkey and dressing. In fact, I’m having Chinese soon. And it will be a Thanksgiving celebration because I will eat a lot of good food and enjoy even better company.

So, this year I thank my grandmother, who truly gets the spirit of the season. She made a very small decision that meant a great deal – she just wanted everyone to be able to attend and bring a dish. Consider doing the same for the people you care about – you may help stop some madness, too.

How to be a Good Fan: Wrap Up

On September 11, 2013September 11, 2013 By James CastroIn Games, Movies, OpinionsLeave a comment

It has been a longer series than I planned, but it helped get some of the frustrations I’ve experienced just being a fan in the current day and age. As a wrap up, I thought I’d do summation, kind of a quick-n-easy guide to being a good fan.

1.) Be Accepting, Not Exclusionist: It’s hard to become a fan of something if people who are already fan exclude you and deride you for not having been a fan as long as they have. Would you, as a neophyte, want such derision? If you are criticizing them for not being experts as neophytes, you are now part of the problem.

2.) Be Discerning for Personal Tastes, but Not Judgmental: It’s good to be critical and desire the “best” of things, but nothing’s perfect. And just because something isn’t your cup of tea doesn’t mean it’s bad.

3.) Constructive Criticism, Please: Be critical. Please everyone be critical — don’t just accept what’s been given to you — but be constructive in criticism. If it’s bad, how could it be better? If it could use improvement, how? If you don’t like it, why? If enough people say the same thing, maybe it can become something you’ll enjoy.

4.) Debate, Don’t Argue: Debating is very healthy for an active mind. Arguing is personal and taps into aggression. NOTHING you can be a fan of is worth real rage. Even the things I love the most I wouldn’t defend with violence. Even verbal violence. Would you win new fans that way?

5.) The Impermanence of All Things: Possibly most important, remember the impermanence of ALL the things we love. What we’re fans of today, we may not like tomorrow. The most important thing to our brains may only hold that position for a brief period. Before ending friendships, making new enemies, acting like a petulant child over the things we’re fans of, remember it’s just a thing that we like right now.

Of course there are many aspects to being a “good fan” and, of course, many opinions. It seems strange to think it all comes down to, “can’t we all just get along?” but hanging around the Internet long enough has gotten me to this point! I think we CAN all get along. I think various kinds of fans CAN get along, and many kinds of fans can exist within one person — you can be a fan of games, electronic entertainment, sports, literature, history, natural science, etc. I know you can be, because I am a fan of aspects of all those things. And if someone wanted to debate them or learn about them, I’d be happy to participate!

I feel sure there will be more topics on fandom that come up, and you can be sure I’ll be happy to post about them! Until then, I hope everyone makes the Internet a better place to be a fan!

How to be a Good Fan: Building Them Up to Tear Them Down

On September 4, 2013September 4, 2013 By James CastroIn Games, Movies, OpinionsLeave a comment

This topic is one of the most alarming to me, it says a lot about the nature of our culture’s priorities and mentality. I’ll leave geek culture for a bit and enter the only part of the sports realm I know.

Manny Pacquiao circa 2003 was an incredible, but one-dimensional fighter. Aggressive, courageous, talented, fast, powerful. He had it all. He shocked challengers, from up and comers to established, brilliant, hard-fighting, more skilled boxers (Marco Antonio Barrera anyone? Styles really do make fights…). He his reputation increased when he stepped up from Featherweight to Super Featherweight to Lightweight. Even fighting a draw and disputed victory with Marquez, he was hailed for giving a great fight. He demolished champions, sometimes ferocious long-running champions like Ricky Hatton, crushed Oscar De La Hoya in a fight OSCAR sought, so he could beat the best fighter of the era and retire (thinking the little Pacquiao would be too small to be effective), pounded dangerous fighter Miguel Cotto. He did even more by fighting the massive but stationary Antonio Margarito. Manny’s showing some rust a bit now, but even worse, going all the way back to his conquest of De La Hoya, a fight many ring experts picked him to lose based on the legend and size of Oscar, fans started to turn against him.

“Overrated,” he “picks his fights,” “he’s limited in ability and just made to look good by fighting old, drained, and chosen fighters.” Media started to look into his private life. How’s his marriage? How are his taxes? What kind of business is he in? Is he overspending his money? He’s not that nice, he can’t be. His movie was a bomb. He lost his first election. Etc. Etc. Eeetttc…

It’s this kind of attitude I just can’t understand. We love you, we love you! Oh wait no we don’t. We hate you! We hate you!

It happens in so many areas of entertainment. TV shows are the “new” thing, then quickly abandoned as the “worst” thing. Bands and musical artists sell more than anyone ever has, then are quickly hated. Some of it is over-exposure. The “summer hit” rarely means the artist will be the next U2. For example: The Macarena. Biggest hit of the summer one year when I was in school… In the U.S., Los Del Rio never showed up again, and the dance and song Macarena went from national pastime to a reviled joke. The opinion changes from, “this is fun, this guy’s great, this show is the best” to not only “this isn’t good anymore” but to “this is the worst thing that ever existed and, not only that, but it always has been.” Then why did you love it six months ago? Like I said in the CBG post, maybe you’re the one who’s changed. If you hate the exact same song you loved six months ago, it may mean that you hate a little bit of who you were when you loved that song, too. Maybe that’s why we so violently turn against things.

With Pacquiao, I think it’s partially the change from “up and comer” to “made it.” For some reason, fans love the up and comer, but can’t wait for the NEXT up and comer. Once Manny made it, the only thing fans wanted to see was the next guy whose coming up to beat him. When no one really showed up (he beat Bradley…sorry guys) it just became, “I just want to see him beaten!” I haven’t quite pinpointed this mentality. It’s like the fans of a band who only like the underground stuff. Once they release a studio album, they “sold out” and are no longer worthy of our undying love. Like Maynard says though, they likely sold out long before you’d ever heard of them. Is the music still good? If the answer’s “yes” just sit back and enjoy it without complaining, “it was better when” just to be pretentious and snobbish.

On the other side of the coin, sometimes something that doesn’t last long causes outcry simply because it didn’t. Three popular examples: the original Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Edgar Wright collaboration Spaced, the UK Office, and Firefly. I haven’t seen the latter yet, but the other two were written to be limited in run. Firefly wasn’t, but many feel it was unjustly cancelled as it was a terrific sci-fi show. One of the things I feel about Spaced and the BBC Office is these shows were great because they were so short in their run. They packed hilarious good ideas into 14 episodes or so each and never grew stale, or made dumb sitcom mistakes. It makes me wonder if the same is true about other shows many feel ended before their time. If Firefly went 12 seasons, would it have been as incredible? Joss Whedon has been elevated into a geek god, but Buffy eventually ran out of steam… I can’t think of any shows that maintain the same level of quality throughout their run. I wonder if Spaced had gone into season 8 would it have had a fan outcry of “this show is terrible…it’s not what it used to be” — some fans say that about the difference between its TWO seasons, though fans of the first tend to agree both are terrific.

The only lesson I can think of with this is “enjoy what we have while we have it.” Fighters, as Marcellus Wallace said, “have a short shelf life and don’t age like wine.” Manny, Jones Jr., Tyson, Duran, Ali, all had great careers. They have (or will eventually) turn to vinegar in the ring. It’s the aging process. So why do we hate them for getting old and not being what they used to be? Stupid songs can be terrific fun. Almost ALL popular 80s music has that stupid sing-along quality that can grate at your brain. But still fun to sing along to! Even shows you loved as a kid that may seem incredibly lousy now (I’m thinking Thundercats), why hate them for being lousy now? Just love the fact that you loved them then.

Fans shouldn’t see things in black and white. It’s not the “greatest of all time” or, related to the last post the, “worst thing ever.” I think of them as “things I loved then,” “things I’m into now,” and of course, “things I can’t believe I ever liked!” All said with a smile. After all, we’re always changing; the things we love will change as we do. But we shouldn’t hate the things we used to love. They help explain who we were then and helped make us who we are today.

Revenant Publications

Category: Opinions