Digital Reunions

Last November, in anticipation of my 10-year high school class reunion this past July, I wanted to seek out and get reacquainted with some of my fellow classmates. Having seen a large number of former friends and acquaintances on the site, I decided to pay $15 for a Gold account with Classmates.com, figuring it was money well spent since it was a service that had been around a while longer. I found a few people over the course of a couple of days, but I hardly used the service afterwards. Why not? Because just weeks after I created my Classmates account, I finally caught up with the rest of the world and joined MySpace and Facebook, and I never looked back.

From the start, I loved the numerous features of each. MySpace offers the most customization options for your profile page, while Facebook is the better organized of the two sites. Once I signed up for both, I spent many hours customizing my profile and searching for old friends and relatives. I was surprised at just how many people had been using these services (Facebook in particular) for some time. It felt like I had arrived late to a party, which in a sense I had. Today, almost a year later, looking at my friends lists on both sites is like looking at a Rolodex of my life thus far. It should come as no surprise that social networking sites have now surpassed pornography sites in popularity.

Almost 15 years after the Internet hit the mainstream, I am once again reminded of how grateful I am for it and how easy it can be for us to take it for granted most of the time. It has completely redefined our lifestyle, making a world of information readily available and bringing people together where they would not have otherwise (or at least as easily) been able to. As Thanksgiving approaches, I think about those changes and all the things that have transpired over the last year for which I am thankful, including the many wonderful reunions I've enjoyed because of these two social networking sites (Twitter is another popular option, primarily for simple status message updates).

Which brings us back to Classmates.com. Last week, I had the nice surprise of being unexpectedly charged $40 for automatic renewal of my account; one thing I am decidedly not thankful for! After I had set up the account last year, I didn't set the renewal options from "Automatic" to "Manual". It was one of those situations where you just have to read the fine print, but I can't say I'm a huge fan of this business model. An advance email reminding me that my account will be renewed would have been much appreciated! At any rate, it just makes me all the more relieved to have switched to MySpace and Facebook: they have the added bonus of being completely free of charge!

Still Cruisin'

I don't tend to read many biographies, but I'm almost finished with Tom Cruise: An Unauthorized Biography by Andrew Morton. I grew up watching Cruise's films, though after his couch-jumping profession of love for Katie Holmes on Oprah a few years ago, I and many others couldn't help but to see him in a new light. Morton's book reveals Tom Cruise to be the charismatic, talented and focused actor we have all known him to be, but it also examines many sides of the actor which at times have threatened to be his undoing.

For example, it's no secret that Tom Cruise is a fervent believer in Scientology. In addition to retracing his stellar career, Morton's book also takes a closer look at the inner workings of Scientology, leaving the reader wondering just how Cruise (or anyone else, for that matter) could follow the outrageous beliefs and practices that Scientology entails. According to the book, many families have been separated by the cult, and one member even died from lack of proper medical care because she followed Scientology treatment practices.

In recent years, Cruise has been particularly outspoken about his passion for the cult, and unfortunately it has only served to harm his reputation in the court of public opinion. At 46, he is still a box office draw, but not as much as before Scientology came to the forefront of his life. His next film, Valkyrie (out December 26), will be another Litmus test of his staying power. As of late, though, his devout faith in Scientology and his previously exceptional box office success are proving to be mutually exclusive.

Echoes of Pink Floyd

During the summer of 1994, I began watching MTV and VH1 and did for the next several years. Music videos were a hobby of sorts, and I remember seeing the video for Pink Floyd's (then) new single, "Take It Back", from their album The Division Bell. I remember thinking at the time that it was an artistic but unusual video (in one scene, an astronaut approaches a lone tree in the middle of a desert and cuts it down with an ax) and being intrigued at how it didn't once feature any of the band members (pictured above in 2005, from left: David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright).

Fast-forward four years to the fall of 1998. I was starting college at the time and was thankfully re-introduced to Pink Floyd through my roommate. I then bought some of the band's later albums (including A Momentary Lapse of Reason, The Division Bell and PULSE, a spectacular live album). I also researched the history of the band and its various incarnations: the original lineup featured Syd Barrett on lead vocals, but he left the band in 1968 due to mental health issues stemming from LSD use. In 1985, Waters left to pursue solo projects. Since that time, Gilmour has taken over as the lead vocalist.

After I became a bona fide fan in 1998, I had high hopes (pardon the pun, Floydians) that the band would record at least one more album or that I would one day have the opportunity to see them in concert (I was in no rush to see one of those second-rate tribute laser shows that have become popular in recent years), but it was not to be. However, much to the excitement of myself and other fans, Roger Waters rejoined the band in 2005 for a Live 8 concert in London, which would be one of their final performances as Pink Floyd. Three years later, in September, 2008, Richard Wright died of cancer at age 65.

Though Pink Floyd is no more (many die-hard fans will tell you that the band ceased to exist after the departure of Barrett or even Waters), the surviving members are still active in their field, and David Gilmour is often considered to be one of the greatest guitarists of his generation. Having sold over 210 million albums worldwide (The Dark Side of the Moon stayed on the Billboard 200 for an astounding 14 years), they are among the most successful recording acts in history. Pink Floyd remains one of my favorite bands whose music provided the soundtrack for much of my early college experience.

Here is a performance of their classic "Wish You Were Here" (a tribute to Syd Barrett) from the Live 8 concert:

Polly's Story

I think that it can be healthy sometimes to be informed or reminded of tragedy so long as it serves to instill in us a renewed desire to condemn events and behaviors that harm the greater good. This is why, for example, I allow myself to relive the experience of 9/11 each anniversary by watching specials on television that revisit the event. I feel the anger and disgust all over again when I see towers burning and bodies falling.

On a much smaller scale, I came across this story on News4Jax and was again reminded of just how cruel we as humans have the capacity to be at times. Even in our desensitized culture, a news story can occasionally give you pause and touch you on an emotional level. This one certainly qualifies regardless of whether or not you're a cat-lover. Fortunately, as with any tragedy, this ordeal is not without a certain degree of hope.

A South Georgia kitten turned celebrity pet since his story aired on Channel 4 earlier this week has been placed in a loving home in the Kingsland area.

Polly the kitten was recently so badly injured in a case of animal abuse that one of his legs had to be amputated.

The staff of Laurel Oaks Animal Hospital helped Polly get well and then began looking for a family to adopt him.

Hospital workers said there was a tremendous outpouring of support for Polly and that more than 400 people expressed interest in taking the kitten home.

Polly has been placed with a couple in the Kingsland area. The animal hospital will continue to monitor his recovery.

Kingsland police said they have a general description of the suspected abusers who hurt Polly, and both an investigator and an animal control officer are working on the case.

If I learn of any updates on this story, I will post them.

Election Day

Most email forwards you receive on a day to day basis are most likely forgettable, and many you probably don't even bother reading. Still, every now and then a golden nugget comes along.

I received this one from a friend the other day and thought it was one of the better email reads I had come across in a while, not to mention a humorous farewell to this chaotic election season.

After all, who doesn't appreciate the notion of crooked politicians getting their just desserts?

While walking down the street one day a US senator is tragically hit by a truck and dies. His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

“Welcome to heaven,” says St. Peter. “Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we’re not sure what to do with you.”

“No problem, just let me in,” says the senator.

“Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we’ll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity.”

“Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven,” says the senator.

“I'm sorry, but we have our rules.”

And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him. Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people. They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne.

Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises. The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him.

“Now it's time to visit heaven.”

So, 24 hours pass with the senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.

“Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity.”

The senator reflects for a minute, then answers: “Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell.”

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above. The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder.

“I don't understand,” stammers the senator. “Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?”

The devil looks at him, smiles and says: “Yesterday we were campaigning. Today you voted.”

Review: 'Changeling' another Triumph for Eastwood

Though I admire Clint Eastwood as an actor (but have yet to watch him in many of his earlier spaghetti Westerns), I have been very impressed as of late with his talents as a director. Within the last 20 years, Eastwood, now 78, has directed and starred in some of the most enduring modern American films. The controversial 2004 Best Picture winner Million Dollar Baby, for example, is perhaps the most fitting testament to his skills both as an actor and director since Unforgiven (another Best Picture winner, 1992).

Changeling, based on a true story, is yet another remarkable addition to Eastwood's directorial resume. Angelina Jolie stars as a single mother in 1928 Los Angeles whose son goes missing one day while she is at work. Months later, the LAPD claims they found her son, but the boy they bring to her is not her boy. While repeatedly explaining that fact to the police, who mysteriously turn her a deaf ear, her message is reinforced by a reverend/radio host (John Malkovich) who is intent on exposing corruption within the LAPD.

Jolie is entirely believable in her role as a mother fighting for her son's return, and one can't help but to sympathize with her as she encounters each agonizing roadblock. The cinematography is as much of a star as Jolie; Los Angeles in the late 20's/early 30's is recreated in sharp detail, from its budding skyline to the automobiles and trolleys on the street. Eastwood has said that his next project, Gran Torino, may mark his last time in front of the camera, but with Changeling, he has proven once again that he is a genius behind the camera.

Obamarama

What a night! As I type this, Barack Obama has just surpassed 270 votes in the electoral college. It's now official: Obama will become the first African-American president of the United States. Soon after the results, John McCain gracefully bowed out of the race and Obama spoke to supporters in Chicago's Grant Park.

I knew this was an exceptional election, and I was reminded of that when I arrived at my precinct this morning in northeast Columbia. I had to park far down the street and walk a while before joining an impossibly long line that stretched far across the property. You would think it was a rock concert; in many respects, it was.

It's been a long two years for candidates and supporters alike, and the conclusion of this campaign marks the beginning of an exciting new era in America. Those who did not vote for Obama should now rally behind him, while those who did vote for him have plenty of reason to celebrate and can now triumphantly declare: "yes, we did"!

Flight of Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix has confirmed that he plans to retire from acting to pursue a career in music. Two Lovers, to be released in early 2009 and co-starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Isabella Rossellini, will be his final movie. His film career spans almost 25 years, and as with his older brother before him, Phoenix was a major presence in the industry whose absence will be very noticeable and disappointing.

I first saw Phoenix as the villainous Commodus in the 2000 film Gladiator, but will remember him most fondly as Johnny Cash in Walk the Line from 2005 (I became a fan of both Cash and Phoenix after seeing that film); his role as the late country legend was phenomenal. Though he was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar, the Academy passed him over for Philip Seymour Hoffman's performance in Capote.

Much of what made Phoenix's portrayal of Cash so memorable was that he performed all of the music in the film, never once lip-syncing to the voice of Cash. It is that kind of dedication which I think will serve him well in the music industry just as it did in Hollywood. Here's wishing him success, though given that he is only 34 years old, I think he will one day return to the silver screen. I look forward to it.