So my car decided to commit suicide the other day so I have not been to the video store. So lets chat about some music.
Now a lot of friends will say they have an eclectic taste in music....yet they have a strong leaning or they really just like everything for the sake of liking everything. And I think that is a little wrong. Not to judge but you can't really really like anything. Now I'm not saying much because my favorites are quite a weird mix and most people don't even like any of them. But that is generally why I like someone and will stay loyal to their music because they push that bar and take you there. So I just wanted to throw that out and remind you that its okay to say you enjoy everything, I mean I love the radio because there is everything good on there....but you can't really really consider everything to be your favorites. Then there would be no point to them.
Now that I got that out of my system. I'm a HUGE fan of the new Lady Antebellum album. I do have some all time favorites that are of the country persuasion (Lyle Lovett omg.) This is a great mix though. I highly recommend it to everyone and their disc just dropped (I believe that is still the technical industry term) and everyone should buy it. A thing I always enjoy about country is that they take stuff that really is universal...and sometimes its twangy but they take the country essence and make it audible. I'm especially fond of "Love Don't Live Here" because its the first song of theirs I found and its just absolutely perfect for the whole break up but can't shake up situation. One of those great songs where you have had this concept you've wanted to express for awhile and you hear it and go "that is EXACTLY what I wanted to say!" That makes a great song and that's what this track is. Country fan or not check them out!!!!!
Good luck on finals for all the college cats and hold out high schoolers its almost summer!!!!!! <3
4.21.2008
4.19.2008
Cringe-worthy Cinema.
So I got to watching A History of Violence today. This is the type of picture that you should watch alone with all the lights on or have a significant other to cuddle up to and hold you while you gasp. So don't worry since there is an odd singledom in the air I had the shades open and all the lights on.
This was a unique one. At first I liked it. It has a slow vibe. Then in the close of the opening scene it makes you gasp and cover your mouth at its boldness. The opening credits claim it to based on a graphic novel and graphic it was. The first mainstream picture to feature a 69 sex scene, violence against small children, graphic depiction of men dying by means of having their noses jammed into their brains. I'm not even going to kid you it was stomach churning at times even for someone who grew up in a society desensitized to violence. Yet the story is what keeps you. Unlike other graphic novels where its heavy on the graphic but at the end you go: "Wait where was the novel story to it?" this one actually had a very interesting purpose. There is kind of this trifecta story line going all relating to the effects of violence in relation to family. You have the family of Tom Stall and how their lives are rattled by Tom's violent past. Then there is the brother relationship and the role violence plays in getting ahead. Then you have the organized crime family we are all very familiar with from the Sopranos. In each there is a taste of violence...violence as protection...violence as power....violence as punishment and then the repercussions of that. More in-depth there are just some great character actors propelling this piece, Viggo, Maria, Ed I mean wow. Ed Harris is just such a force I really can't even think of a bad movie the man has made and I'm open to debate that any day.
At times I didn't want to keep watching this but the story really keeps you there which is why this is a movie of substance. I don't know what genre to classify it in though which is one of the other things I love about it. Its not really a date rental, its got some action, some drama but its really not for anything but thinking. Definitely worth the rental fee.
This was a unique one. At first I liked it. It has a slow vibe. Then in the close of the opening scene it makes you gasp and cover your mouth at its boldness. The opening credits claim it to based on a graphic novel and graphic it was. The first mainstream picture to feature a 69 sex scene, violence against small children, graphic depiction of men dying by means of having their noses jammed into their brains. I'm not even going to kid you it was stomach churning at times even for someone who grew up in a society desensitized to violence. Yet the story is what keeps you. Unlike other graphic novels where its heavy on the graphic but at the end you go: "Wait where was the novel story to it?" this one actually had a very interesting purpose. There is kind of this trifecta story line going all relating to the effects of violence in relation to family. You have the family of Tom Stall and how their lives are rattled by Tom's violent past. Then there is the brother relationship and the role violence plays in getting ahead. Then you have the organized crime family we are all very familiar with from the Sopranos. In each there is a taste of violence...violence as protection...violence as power....violence as punishment and then the repercussions of that. More in-depth there are just some great character actors propelling this piece, Viggo, Maria, Ed I mean wow. Ed Harris is just such a force I really can't even think of a bad movie the man has made and I'm open to debate that any day.
At times I didn't want to keep watching this but the story really keeps you there which is why this is a movie of substance. I don't know what genre to classify it in though which is one of the other things I love about it. Its not really a date rental, its got some action, some drama but its really not for anything but thinking. Definitely worth the rental fee.
Oh sweet moviemaking.
Spring is in the air my friends yes everywhere you look around.
For my educated friends finals are approaching and I hope you are keeping the balance of life. Work and play. Warm and cold. Sleep and insomnia.
This is a little late but lets chat a bit about: The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. Now I must say after this and Gone Baby Gone I'm a huge believer in the talent of one Mr. Casey Affleck. I'm not a huge history buff but if I were to imagine Robert Ford in person I would feel as through he had the despondent qualities of Affleck's performance. On the one hand he is completely annoying....his voice and sly mannerisms get under your skin. At the same time there is a sympathy evoked from the origin of these characteristics. Its a very American movie literally but also in that figurative sense where we feel for the underdog. We want the small man, the "nobody" to rise above. On the other hand I was also swept up in Brad Pitts performance. Now no offense i love his philanthropy but as far as acting goes he's usually just a juicy piece of action man candy. He did some acting this time. It was highly believable. Maybe not to the caliber of his less famous co-stars but non-the-less a fine performance.
Make sure and watch out for Sam Rockwell's performance. He turns in quite the scene stealer as the un-famous brother of the more un-famous coward. Very surprising and commendable portrayal. Now be warned this is a sleeper hit, emphasis on the sleeper. Don't watch this piece if you aren't in the mindset or are the slightest bit drowsy. It will put you to sleep. But the story mixed perfectly with the sweeping landscape and the antique filming quality makes it a wonderful picture to check out.
Now lets get ourselves up to speed and to something a little more light shall we?!?!?!
State and Main.
I'll admit for as much as I like to think I'm on top of the motion picture industry I have never heard of this before. The cover got me. SJP, William H. Macy, Alec Baldwin, Julia Stiles and one of the cinematic loves of my life Philip Seymour Hoffman. I was sold for the meager price of $1.50. I definitely got a steal for this gem. This is one of my top ensemble movies. Plus its a fabulous cast making a spoof of making a movie. It so surprising how honest these little movies really get. Basically it takes every stereotype about Hollywood and small town life and smashes them together ensuring a situationally hilarious picture. Watch the one line zingers it may take a second to sink in. Now when I say hilarity we aren't talking Judd Apatow or anything for my more scatology inclined readers. No this is more a dry true life humor. Where you watch a situation unfold and you realize how utterly ridiculous we are as a collective human race. Only where you cannot laugh at these situations or concepts in real life the movie gives you the freedom to enjoy yourself out loud. This is a smart mans comedy and you have to watch every second to really love it.
Up next: A History of Violence. I'm a little scared to watch this by myself I hear its graphic. But Maria Bello and Viggo Mortensen are two of the best and most understated (box office wise) actors of today so I'm super duper excited.
Reel love <3
For my educated friends finals are approaching and I hope you are keeping the balance of life. Work and play. Warm and cold. Sleep and insomnia.
This is a little late but lets chat a bit about: The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. Now I must say after this and Gone Baby Gone I'm a huge believer in the talent of one Mr. Casey Affleck. I'm not a huge history buff but if I were to imagine Robert Ford in person I would feel as through he had the despondent qualities of Affleck's performance. On the one hand he is completely annoying....his voice and sly mannerisms get under your skin. At the same time there is a sympathy evoked from the origin of these characteristics. Its a very American movie literally but also in that figurative sense where we feel for the underdog. We want the small man, the "nobody" to rise above. On the other hand I was also swept up in Brad Pitts performance. Now no offense i love his philanthropy but as far as acting goes he's usually just a juicy piece of action man candy. He did some acting this time. It was highly believable. Maybe not to the caliber of his less famous co-stars but non-the-less a fine performance.
Make sure and watch out for Sam Rockwell's performance. He turns in quite the scene stealer as the un-famous brother of the more un-famous coward. Very surprising and commendable portrayal. Now be warned this is a sleeper hit, emphasis on the sleeper. Don't watch this piece if you aren't in the mindset or are the slightest bit drowsy. It will put you to sleep. But the story mixed perfectly with the sweeping landscape and the antique filming quality makes it a wonderful picture to check out.
Now lets get ourselves up to speed and to something a little more light shall we?!?!?!
State and Main.
I'll admit for as much as I like to think I'm on top of the motion picture industry I have never heard of this before. The cover got me. SJP, William H. Macy, Alec Baldwin, Julia Stiles and one of the cinematic loves of my life Philip Seymour Hoffman. I was sold for the meager price of $1.50. I definitely got a steal for this gem. This is one of my top ensemble movies. Plus its a fabulous cast making a spoof of making a movie. It so surprising how honest these little movies really get. Basically it takes every stereotype about Hollywood and small town life and smashes them together ensuring a situationally hilarious picture. Watch the one line zingers it may take a second to sink in. Now when I say hilarity we aren't talking Judd Apatow or anything for my more scatology inclined readers. No this is more a dry true life humor. Where you watch a situation unfold and you realize how utterly ridiculous we are as a collective human race. Only where you cannot laugh at these situations or concepts in real life the movie gives you the freedom to enjoy yourself out loud. This is a smart mans comedy and you have to watch every second to really love it.
Up next: A History of Violence. I'm a little scared to watch this by myself I hear its graphic. But Maria Bello and Viggo Mortensen are two of the best and most understated (box office wise) actors of today so I'm super duper excited.
Reel love <3
4.12.2008
Bogo.
I can't even begin to tell you how much I am in love with that video store previously mentioned. I also found out that M-TH its rent one get one free. So I picked up two new releases for 2.95. Granted I have kept them like two days past their due date but even with late fees they are still cheaper than Blockbuster. I love locally owned businesses.
I'm a little behind in posting with finals coming up. Its been a wild week. Here are the latest two editions:
Sylvia.
Now I'm not a Gwyneth Paltrow fan....I do love Shakespeare in Love but I could almost always do without her. Yet I think this was finally a perfect piece for her. She could use that bland personality and lifeless eyes to perfectly portray Ms. Plath. It is always difficult in biopics of deceased individuals to do two things:
the first being to accurately portray their life while making it appealing to the audience. especially with someone as troubled as Plath its difficult to make that type of despair and downfall into something non-cringe worthy but still accurate
the second making you believe that you aren't watching a rendition to a life but making you feel as though you are watching that person unfold. That is great acting and is not something I expect ever from Paltrow especially.
Daniel Craig was a nice surprise to see him prior to his success in James Bond....The duo took you there. to the passion. through the infidelity. into the madness. I thought it was a fine portrayal that swept you into the poetry and the inspirations behind it.
Plus the post-coital couch cuddling is perhaps one of the best scenes mixing raw sexuality with intense heartbreak ever.
The Jane Austen Book Club
This is a must see for any Jane Austen fan. And I mean true fan not just seen the movies. A nice modern twist on Jane Austen's six novels and a great ensemble movie, something as difficult to pull off as a good biopic.
The cast was wonderful a few sort-of famous actors, a few unknowns but everyone turning in an Austen inspired wonderful performance.
I especially enjoyed the opening sequence...the modern shuffle of our lives is so apparent and its almost saddening and humorous to watch how ridiculous our lives have become. Then the piece surprises you by showing the wonder in human connection as well as the complications that come with this.
Look forward to the upcoming review on The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. I will hopefully not be falling asleep during the last part of it tomorrow.
I'm a little behind in posting with finals coming up. Its been a wild week. Here are the latest two editions:
Sylvia.
Now I'm not a Gwyneth Paltrow fan....I do love Shakespeare in Love but I could almost always do without her. Yet I think this was finally a perfect piece for her. She could use that bland personality and lifeless eyes to perfectly portray Ms. Plath. It is always difficult in biopics of deceased individuals to do two things:
the first being to accurately portray their life while making it appealing to the audience. especially with someone as troubled as Plath its difficult to make that type of despair and downfall into something non-cringe worthy but still accurate
the second making you believe that you aren't watching a rendition to a life but making you feel as though you are watching that person unfold. That is great acting and is not something I expect ever from Paltrow especially.
Daniel Craig was a nice surprise to see him prior to his success in James Bond....The duo took you there. to the passion. through the infidelity. into the madness. I thought it was a fine portrayal that swept you into the poetry and the inspirations behind it.
Plus the post-coital couch cuddling is perhaps one of the best scenes mixing raw sexuality with intense heartbreak ever.
The Jane Austen Book Club
This is a must see for any Jane Austen fan. And I mean true fan not just seen the movies. A nice modern twist on Jane Austen's six novels and a great ensemble movie, something as difficult to pull off as a good biopic.
The cast was wonderful a few sort-of famous actors, a few unknowns but everyone turning in an Austen inspired wonderful performance.
I especially enjoyed the opening sequence...the modern shuffle of our lives is so apparent and its almost saddening and humorous to watch how ridiculous our lives have become. Then the piece surprises you by showing the wonder in human connection as well as the complications that come with this.
Look forward to the upcoming review on The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. I will hopefully not be falling asleep during the last part of it tomorrow.
4.08.2008
I love cheap DVDs more than cheap men....
I've recently discovered a video rental store very close to my apartment that rents new DVDs for like 3 dollars and old ones for like 1.50. So that can only mean you can expect a ridiculous amounts of new movie posts. Keep an eye out and find your local mom-and-pop video store they are much nicer and affordable then the money whores at Blockbuster.
This weekend for a mere 3.95 I was able to cozy up to two Oscar nominated films. One I can't believe it got nominated it was snore fest 2007 (no wonder it was the 0.99cent movie of the month) and the other I can't believe it didn't get more hype. Lets get the boring one out of the way.
Away From Her.
While I admire the ambition to take something that is becoming unfortunately prevalent in Western society, Alzheimer's, and making a movie about it.....you would figure it would be a little more interesting. On the one hand I certainly see where they were coming from tyring to make this disjointed, slow, unevenly paced picture much characteristic of the disease itself. Julie Christie was up for this piece and I don't' know. I greatly respect her as an actress being able to stay so strong and prominent in an industry that loves to devalue its more mature and talented actors. Yet I didn't think this was a particularly strong performance on her behalf. I just felt like she didn't really take you there all the way. As much as her husband in the film wasn't necessarily a likable character I felt he took us to that place of desperation and isolation where Christie just was skirting the edges at the end. Overall I think its worth a look but it can certainly be improved on for the next picture someone tries to makes to try and touch all people.
Gone Baby Gone
Now this one blew my mind. First off I think Ben Affleck is not a good actor. The only reason I enjoy him is because he is a good husband and father in the tabloids, but as an actor he has been on the decline since his Good Will Hunting days. Now he is behind the camera writing and directing this piece which was just wonderful. Going back to his roots and setting this chilling piece in Boston you find the Afflecks (brother Casey stars) in their element, which is fabulously entertaining. Sure the story line about child abduction and corrupt cops isn't necessarily new or fun to watch. Yet Affleck took a story that could have been incredibly cliche and turned it into a graphic, cringe worthy, honest look at crime and greed. Casey Affleck is an actor after my cinematic heart. Normally in his brothers shadow I have never paid him much mind in his previous role but after GBG he has my attention. He is the actor of the family and was just absolutely phenomenal in this role. It will be interesting to continue to see if he can keep that talent and momentum up in his upcoming pieces. The cast is to die for. Ed Harris and Morgan Freeman just drive me mad with how talented they are....Ed Harris is one of the best character actors ever in my opinion and he did not disappoint. Morgan Freeman is just raw talent and this was really one of his defining performances. They take you there...which at times isn't a place the faint of heart want to be.
Affleck's story is gritty, his actors deliver in every scene, his cinematography is just amazing. I sincerely hope that the dynamic Affleck duo sticks together (in these respective roles) because I will keep giving them money to see their product. Absolutely must check this movie out!!!!!
I have a stack of movies at home (all totaling to the low-low-price of 5 dollars to rent them all for a week) so until we view together again....
miss cinematic <3
This weekend for a mere 3.95 I was able to cozy up to two Oscar nominated films. One I can't believe it got nominated it was snore fest 2007 (no wonder it was the 0.99cent movie of the month) and the other I can't believe it didn't get more hype. Lets get the boring one out of the way.
Away From Her.
While I admire the ambition to take something that is becoming unfortunately prevalent in Western society, Alzheimer's, and making a movie about it.....you would figure it would be a little more interesting. On the one hand I certainly see where they were coming from tyring to make this disjointed, slow, unevenly paced picture much characteristic of the disease itself. Julie Christie was up for this piece and I don't' know. I greatly respect her as an actress being able to stay so strong and prominent in an industry that loves to devalue its more mature and talented actors. Yet I didn't think this was a particularly strong performance on her behalf. I just felt like she didn't really take you there all the way. As much as her husband in the film wasn't necessarily a likable character I felt he took us to that place of desperation and isolation where Christie just was skirting the edges at the end. Overall I think its worth a look but it can certainly be improved on for the next picture someone tries to makes to try and touch all people.
Gone Baby Gone
Now this one blew my mind. First off I think Ben Affleck is not a good actor. The only reason I enjoy him is because he is a good husband and father in the tabloids, but as an actor he has been on the decline since his Good Will Hunting days. Now he is behind the camera writing and directing this piece which was just wonderful. Going back to his roots and setting this chilling piece in Boston you find the Afflecks (brother Casey stars) in their element, which is fabulously entertaining. Sure the story line about child abduction and corrupt cops isn't necessarily new or fun to watch. Yet Affleck took a story that could have been incredibly cliche and turned it into a graphic, cringe worthy, honest look at crime and greed. Casey Affleck is an actor after my cinematic heart. Normally in his brothers shadow I have never paid him much mind in his previous role but after GBG he has my attention. He is the actor of the family and was just absolutely phenomenal in this role. It will be interesting to continue to see if he can keep that talent and momentum up in his upcoming pieces. The cast is to die for. Ed Harris and Morgan Freeman just drive me mad with how talented they are....Ed Harris is one of the best character actors ever in my opinion and he did not disappoint. Morgan Freeman is just raw talent and this was really one of his defining performances. They take you there...which at times isn't a place the faint of heart want to be.
Affleck's story is gritty, his actors deliver in every scene, his cinematography is just amazing. I sincerely hope that the dynamic Affleck duo sticks together (in these respective roles) because I will keep giving them money to see their product. Absolutely must check this movie out!!!!!
I have a stack of movies at home (all totaling to the low-low-price of 5 dollars to rent them all for a week) so until we view together again....
miss cinematic <3
4.02.2008
Why I love JCM:
Its a well known fact that John Mayer is the love of my life....at least musically speaking (I like to pretend in all ways he is the love of my life but that would require a fact check by him agreeing to meet me)...and whether you love his music like I do or think he's lame etc. I think no matter what you feel about his music, looks, tabloid history whatever it cannot be denied that when all the poptarts and wanna be gangsters have faded he will remain one of the leading artists of the generation because he has a voice....substance if you will. I'm a huge fan of probably everything he says and I was catching up on his website this morning and wanted to share this. Directly copy-pasted from the blog so as not to lose any of its original authenticity and power. Please read. Please think.
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2008
FROM THE HEART....I need to write this. I've been traveling alone in Japan for the better part of three weeks now, and It's been so remarkable an experience for me that I can't book a ticket home yet. I haven't spoken very much out loud these days, but I've been thinking to myself in what feels like surround sound. I can see so many things clearly, and feel so connected to myself and the world around me that I need to share the perspective with you.I'm already aware that when I sing, say or write anything, 50 percent of the response will be in support of it and the other 50 will want to discount it. This blog, though, is directed to 100 percent of people reading it. If my blog truly does have any cultural effect, then it should be used for more than just pictures of sneakers and funny youtube videos. (If you don't think my blog has any effect, than you can't by definition be reading this right now and therefore don't have to respond to it in any way. Isn't that tidy?)What I'm about to write isn't about fame or success or celebrity or the media. That's my business.This is about us all. This is about a level of self consciousness so high in my generation, that it's actually toxic. This is about the girl in her bedroom who poses in front of the camera she's awkwardly holding in her outstretched hand. She'll take a hundred photos until coming up with one she's happy with, which inevitably looks nothing like her, and after she's done poring over images of herself, will post one on her myspace page and then write something like " I don't give a f*ck what you think about me. "This is about the person trying out for American Idol, who while going off about how confident they are that they were born ready to sing in front of the world, are trembling so badly they can hardly breathe. This is about me, the guy who walks through a throng of photographers into a restaurant like he's Paul Newman, but who leaves a "reject" pile of clothes in his closet so high that his cleaning lady can't figure out how one man can step into so many pairs of pants in a week.This is about a young guy who maintains a celebrity blog that subsists on tearing other people down but who has wrestled with a lifelong battle for acceptance as a gay man. This is about us all. Every one of us. Who all seem to know deep down that it's incredibly hard to be alive and interact with the world around us but will try and cover it up at any cost. For as badass and unaffected as we try to come off, we're all just one sentence away from being brought to the edge of tears, if only it was worded right. And I don't want to act immune to that anymore. I took the biggest detour from myself over the past year, since I decided that I wasn't going to care about what people thought about me. I got to the point where I had so much padding on that, sure, I couldn't feel the negativity, but that's because I couldn't feel much of anything. And I think I'm done with that. I'm not the first person to admit we're all self conscious, Kanye was. But what I want to do is to shed a little light on why we're all in the same boat, no matter the shape of the life we lead: because every one of us were told since birth that we were special. We were spoken to by name through a television. We were promised we could be anything that we wanted to be, if only we believed it and then, faster than we saw coming, we were set loose into the world to shake hands with the millions of other people who were told the exact same thing. And really? Really? It turns out we're just not all that special, when you break it down. Beautifully unspectacular, actually. And that truth is going to catch up with us whether we want to run from it or not. The paparazzo following me to the gym ain't gonna be Herb Ritts and the guy he's following ain't gonna be Bob Dylan. It's just a matter of how old you are once you embrace that fact. And for me, 30 sounds about right. What now, then? I can only really say for myself: Enjoy who I am, the talents and the liabilities. Stop acting careless. In fact, care more. Be vulnerable but stay away from where it hurts. Read. See more shows. Of any kind. Rock shows, art shows, boat shows. Create more art. Wear hoodies to dinner. Carry a notebook and hand it to people when they passionately recommend something and ask them to write it down for me.Root for others. Give more and expect the same in return, but over time. Act nervous when I'm nervous, puzzled when I don't know what the hell to do, and smile when it all goes my way. And never in any other order than that. And when it's all over, whether at the end of this fabulous career or of this life, which I hope takes place at the same time, I should look back and say that I had it good and I made the most of it while I was able. And so should you. I'm going quiet now. John
POSTED BY JOHN MAYER AT 09:58 AM FROM ...
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2008
FROM THE HEART....I need to write this. I've been traveling alone in Japan for the better part of three weeks now, and It's been so remarkable an experience for me that I can't book a ticket home yet. I haven't spoken very much out loud these days, but I've been thinking to myself in what feels like surround sound. I can see so many things clearly, and feel so connected to myself and the world around me that I need to share the perspective with you.I'm already aware that when I sing, say or write anything, 50 percent of the response will be in support of it and the other 50 will want to discount it. This blog, though, is directed to 100 percent of people reading it. If my blog truly does have any cultural effect, then it should be used for more than just pictures of sneakers and funny youtube videos. (If you don't think my blog has any effect, than you can't by definition be reading this right now and therefore don't have to respond to it in any way. Isn't that tidy?)What I'm about to write isn't about fame or success or celebrity or the media. That's my business.This is about us all. This is about a level of self consciousness so high in my generation, that it's actually toxic. This is about the girl in her bedroom who poses in front of the camera she's awkwardly holding in her outstretched hand. She'll take a hundred photos until coming up with one she's happy with, which inevitably looks nothing like her, and after she's done poring over images of herself, will post one on her myspace page and then write something like " I don't give a f*ck what you think about me. "This is about the person trying out for American Idol, who while going off about how confident they are that they were born ready to sing in front of the world, are trembling so badly they can hardly breathe. This is about me, the guy who walks through a throng of photographers into a restaurant like he's Paul Newman, but who leaves a "reject" pile of clothes in his closet so high that his cleaning lady can't figure out how one man can step into so many pairs of pants in a week.This is about a young guy who maintains a celebrity blog that subsists on tearing other people down but who has wrestled with a lifelong battle for acceptance as a gay man. This is about us all. Every one of us. Who all seem to know deep down that it's incredibly hard to be alive and interact with the world around us but will try and cover it up at any cost. For as badass and unaffected as we try to come off, we're all just one sentence away from being brought to the edge of tears, if only it was worded right. And I don't want to act immune to that anymore. I took the biggest detour from myself over the past year, since I decided that I wasn't going to care about what people thought about me. I got to the point where I had so much padding on that, sure, I couldn't feel the negativity, but that's because I couldn't feel much of anything. And I think I'm done with that. I'm not the first person to admit we're all self conscious, Kanye was. But what I want to do is to shed a little light on why we're all in the same boat, no matter the shape of the life we lead: because every one of us were told since birth that we were special. We were spoken to by name through a television. We were promised we could be anything that we wanted to be, if only we believed it and then, faster than we saw coming, we were set loose into the world to shake hands with the millions of other people who were told the exact same thing. And really? Really? It turns out we're just not all that special, when you break it down. Beautifully unspectacular, actually. And that truth is going to catch up with us whether we want to run from it or not. The paparazzo following me to the gym ain't gonna be Herb Ritts and the guy he's following ain't gonna be Bob Dylan. It's just a matter of how old you are once you embrace that fact. And for me, 30 sounds about right. What now, then? I can only really say for myself: Enjoy who I am, the talents and the liabilities. Stop acting careless. In fact, care more. Be vulnerable but stay away from where it hurts. Read. See more shows. Of any kind. Rock shows, art shows, boat shows. Create more art. Wear hoodies to dinner. Carry a notebook and hand it to people when they passionately recommend something and ask them to write it down for me.Root for others. Give more and expect the same in return, but over time. Act nervous when I'm nervous, puzzled when I don't know what the hell to do, and smile when it all goes my way. And never in any other order than that. And when it's all over, whether at the end of this fabulous career or of this life, which I hope takes place at the same time, I should look back and say that I had it good and I made the most of it while I was able. And so should you. I'm going quiet now. John
POSTED BY JOHN MAYER AT 09:58 AM FROM ...
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