Dieses und Das

The Masked Chicken, at Jimmy Akin's blog, asked if I will be continuing with Old World Swine now that I've started my Daily Painting Blog. The answer is, yes, because OWS is something I enjoy (too much, some days) and the two blogs are for different purposes and will likely attract different kinds of people. My readers here might not care that much to talk about art all the time, and visitors at the art blog may not appreciate my brain-fogged, lurching attempts to form meaningful opinions on culture, religion or politics. I know that I deeply appreciate it when the artists and musicians I admire cultivate a talent for keeping their mouths shut. In private, of course, they can do what they like.

For instance, I'm a fan of James Taylor. Great musician and songwriter. I've seen him in concert twice, and it was like enjoying a fine wine both times. I know he's a Democrat and raised money for Obama and probably supports all kinds of Loopy Left causes, but he's not obnoxious about it and doesn't interrupt his concerts to harangue his fans with warmed-over hand-holding Woodstock claptrap, or adolescent and hateful digs at public figures, or tearful pleas to Help Al Gore Save The Earth Before It's Too Late.

And speaking of movies... Sweet Wifey and I saw Marley and Me with some friends this past weekend. She was of the opinion that it might have been better with a couple of lesser-knowns in the lead roles. I agreed. I mean, it's a little hard to see past Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston to any of the other characters, including the dog (though Alan Arkin is terrific). So, it's more like "warm hearted romantic comedy + a dog".

SPOILER ALERT! Bring a hankie, though. The end even got me a little misty-eyed. It's a huge, cathartic open invitation for anyone who's ever lost a loved pet to grieve all over again in public. It was also dragged out to the point of being exploitive, in my opinion. END SPOILER.

A good movie, though. The dog, Marley - a big, yellow lab - really isn't presented as, you know, "a Very Special Dog". He strikes me as having been a remarkably ordinary family dog, but one who's owner happened to be a good writer and who happened to be paying attention to the way a family pet can become part of the warp-and-woof (heh) of daily life, of family history and mythos. It's touching, but mostly not overplayed.

One thing that bugged me... Wilson's and Aniston's characters not only don't age at all, they never even (apparently) have a haircut in 13 years, and neither do their friends. Worth the matinee tickets, though.

Comments

[Celeste]

"Warp-and-woof" Groan.

[Del]

That pun was awesomely bad!

Well worth the time spent reading that post.
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If I send you some Christmas tobacco, will you wax eloquent on the joys of pipe smoking again?

[Tim J.]

Del, my friend, I'll be happy to wax as eloquently as I can manage on any subject you care to name!

I know you asked a while ago about what kind of tobacco I'd prefer, but at this stage I'm trying different kinds and would really enjoy it if you sent one of your favored brands for me to try.

Thanks very much!

Of course, the company I enjoyed at Chestercon would make the experience complete, but I sure won't say no!

E-mail me (there's a link toward the upper left) and I'll send you my snail-mail address.

A blessed New Year to you, and all your loved ones.