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November 28, 2007

Thanksgiving Fun!

We fried our turkey...Good Times!

That's right...those are my sweet potatoes!

The turkey was full of flavor!

...the wine went well with the turkey.

Posted by Nathan Gemayel at 8:44 PM | Comments (1)

November 26, 2007

Kelly Clarkson does her best Patty Griffin

OK, I admit it...I love Kelly Clarkson. It's always a treat to hear her sing. What an incredible voice! Do you know that one of her favorite singers is also one of my favorite singers? That's right, she's all about Patty Griffin.
This past year American Idol had a benefit to raise money for children both in the States and in Africa. For the event Kelly chose to sing a song written by Griffin called 'Up on the Mountain.' I think the song goes well following my recent post. Inspiration for the song comes from a prayer written by Martin Luther King Jr. Though he feels like he's been nothing but tired, he still goes up on the mountain [to pray and fellowship with the Lord] because he hears his Father say, "I love you." Sometimes in weary or hopeless times all we can do is choose to be aware that God loves us. I am not currently in a hard place, but I have been in the past and will be in the future, I'm sure of it...it's part of the Christian life. I hope you enjoy this performance from the show I spoke of earlier...motivating and hopeful! By the way, you guessed it right, that's Jeff Beck accompanying her on bass.

Posted by Nathan Gemayel at 10:17 PM | Comments (5)

November 25, 2007

Christmas Time Equals Hope.

Today at church our pastor had an incredible message that got me thinking about this time of the year. We spend so much energy getting ready for the Holidays and looking forward to Christmas and all that goes along with it, and yet somehow it can be the loneliest and saddest time of the year. Greg, my pastor, talked about how our brokenness gets heightened during the festivities: that close friend or relative has gone and you miss them more now than ever, the divorced family seems even more divorced, the single mother is even more desperate for help. We live in a messed up world where things are not as they should be. I ask myself, "Where would my hope come from if I didn't have Jesus?"
Disease infects our friends or their kids or their parents, Alzheimers sets in and our mom or dad doesn't even recognize us, a freak accident has killed a sixteen-year-old son who "had everything going for him," war zones killing 50 people at a time...this is the world we live in. What about it is hopeful? We have friends and good relationships and stuff like that. However, ultimately, it seems that our hope has to come from something greater. I believe that God has given us someone who redeems us, our situations, AND the world we live in. What does that mean? It means no more kidnapping, no more bone cancer, no more war, no more hate.
Today we read from a part of the Bible which was a letter written by a man named Peter. He was writing to a group of Christians who were being persecuted and were therefore, in danger of wavering away from what they believed to be true, that is, Jesus. He encouraged them to, "remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles." It is crazy to watch the news and see shady business that ignores the well-being of people and believe in God, it is crazy to have a horrible day in which everything seems to go wrong, to the point that you wish you were dead, and believe in God. People see and experience bad things everyday and scoff at our belief in a God who would allow hard times to fall on people. They ask, "Where is the hope that you speak of?" Believers do have hope...in the form of Jesus Christ, who enters our lives, and gives hope to the hurting. Does it ease the pain? A little bit at times, and a lot at other times. However, what I think this hope gives me at the end of the day, is the ability to endure the bad news. Although I don't illustrate it so well, I have a fullness of hope that's real within me. I guess I'm saying that my hope in the face of tragedy or just the simple complications of life is not fake or dissallusioned, but centered...on Jesus' promise of better days that will last forever, which in turn gives me hope for today. Now that's something to celebrate at Christmas!!!
I want to be clear that I'm not dismissing the tremendous amount of pain that must be felt by people in difficult times. Let's be honest, a parent watching their sick infant enter back into the hospital for a fifth time from some Hellacious disease is sad, painful, and seemingly hopeless. However, it is when we go into the darkness of life holding the hand of Jesus that we will be able to survive. He is our hope in a fallen, lonely, wounded world.

Posted by Nathan Gemayel at 6:22 PM

November 22, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving! A Question.

I was listening to NPR this past weekend and they were discussing cooking tips for Thanksgiving. The question of aluminum foil came up, "Are you suppose to cook with the shiny side up or down?" I found the question hilarious. The co-host, who was a professional cook, swore that there made no difference...but I'm not sure she knew what she was talking about. Why? Well, think about it...if I wanted to work on my tan I would hold up the shiny side in front of my face in order to receive the best results. Why would that not be the case for a turkey? There has to be a side that works better. Which makes me wonder...would tanning oil help with that golden brown look on the bird that we all desire?

Posted by Nathan Gemayel at 7:08 AM | Comments (2)

November 20, 2007

Buffy Strikes Again!

Congratualtions to Joss Wheadon, creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Sarah Michelle Gellar, who was declared no. 45 on TV Land's list for the 100 Greatest TV Icons of all time. Entertainment Weekly came together with the channel to put the list together in which Johnny Carson was number 1.

I quote EW's explanation for Gellar's place on the list, "Whether performing quippy comedy, ass-kicking, or intense drama (Buffy's struggle with the sudden death of her mother in "The Body" was one bravura hour), Gellar defined the full-service cult-pop diva."

Posted by Nathan Gemayel at 10:07 PM

Hollywood Walk of Shame, I Mean Fame

So this past week a few more stars were added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame...Ricky Martin and David Spade! Nope, that's not a typo. I was thinking that the cement in front of the famed Chinese Theatre was to be embedded with memborable names such as Clark Gable, Orson Welles, Jack Nicholson...you know, people who earned their piece of Hollywood history. OK, so 'Livin' la Vida Loca' was huge at the time, and el Ricky may have been the leader of the so-called 'Latin Explosion' of the late 90s, but honestly, does he belong on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? As far as David Spade is concerned...five words: 'Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star,' I guess I could just use two words: 'Joe Dirt.' Do I need to say anything else? Oh, did I mention that while Brian Seacrest was getting a star back in January of '07 George Lucas still had not been given the opportunity to buy one. That's right, the local government of Hollywood receives submissions from the star, or 'their people' I should say, and then the entertainer gets to buy the star for $25,000 if they are approved.

I figure if Donald Trump could be pompass enough to consider himself deserving to be amongst company such as Katherine Hepburn and Lucille Ball then why shouldn't George Lucas? I mean, Trump was a huge reality-TV show star for like 2 seasons before ratings plummeted and he had to result to awkward mouth-offs with Rosie for attention. Come on George, you have great company waiting! In fact, I just might make a submission for myself...do you know anyone else that is as famous as I am for the puns that come together in my head? I don't think so. Just looking at that star with "Your Name Here" written on it makes my heart go into overdrive...seriously, I'm deserving, and I'm nervous, and excited. Yes, I'm going to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame! Hopefully Joan Rivers won't be at the ceremony, I have nothing posh enough to wear. Wait, that's just a dream. I couldn't afford to buy the star even if I had the opportunity to do so...I guess not having one puts me in the same category as the great George Lucas...although my writing just might be a little bit better than his.

Posted by Nathan Gemayel at 9:50 PM | Comments (2)

November 19, 2007

lt's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Fall has come and brought with it beautiful days! We are now on our way to Christmas time, and winter will come along with it! I love this time of year, for whatever reason it feels warm to me...and familiar and friendly...making any sense?

Anyway, along with majestic trees and cooler weather come great movies. This is the time of year when all the film companies put their best foot forward in order to garner nominations during Hollywood's self-love fest. That's right folks, 'Awards Season,' as it is often called, will be amongst us soon! The Hollywood Foreign Press begins the near-two-month extravaganza of flattery with the Golden Globes. It's when the 'American Beautys' and 'Magnolias' come out to play and we are left with thought provocing messages that leave us frustrated, sad, excited, motivated, encouraged, hopeful. Of course there are always the typical 'popcorn' movies around Christmas time, but it's the brave independent movies and the like that I enjoy so much.

I've had the opportunity to see a few films that fit the bill. I first saw Sean Penn's directorial debut, "Into the Wild," about a young man who graduates from college and leaves in search of peace from all humanity with a time of 'living off the land' in Alaska. Chris McCandless heads towards our Northern state and is taken on an adventure across the States where he meets people from all walks of life...although he seems to connect with most of them, his desire is to live off the land and in the wild mountains of the Alaskan frontier. The movie is based on a book with the same name that tells true accounts of people who reached out to Chris during his time of preparation for Alaska. Along with their stories we know much about his time through his diary as well. The film is beautiful and sad and adventurous and tragic.

In 'Micheal Clayton' George Clooney plays a lawyer who is sought after to do damage control for a billion-dollar client within his firm. Along the way shady business begins to rise to the surface. Tilda Swinton plays an incredible villian and will receive an Oscar nomination...she's incredible! Although the movie is quick and smart, it's basically an intelligent popcorn movie...nothing like Ocean's 16 or whatever that movie is. Go see it...you'll be on the edge of your seat the entire time.

Finally, I went to see 'No Country for Old Men' yesterday. If you haven't seen a thriller that could rival 'Silence of the Lambs', as far as scary-heart-beating-very-fast-movies goe...then see this movie. I had an open box of Swedish Fish and Reese's Pieces sitting right beside me that I didn't touch five minutes into the film. Javier Bardem plays the cool, calm, and collected Anton Chigurh...well, he's cool, calm, and collected until it's time to kill someone...which is often the experience. I'm telling you, every time he was on the screen I squinted my eyes because I was scared of what he was going to do next. The setting of the movie is Texas in 1980 and tells the story of a drug-deal-gone-bad. Llewelyn Moss played by James Brolin, finds a briefcase full of money and takes it, Bardem's character is then sent to find Llewelyn and to get the money back. Anton's chase after Lleywellen carries you through out the film. This is one of the best movies I've ever seen...but warning, it's not an easy movie to watch; be prepared to have your nerves tied in knots by the end. Be sure to watch in February when Javier wins an Oscar for this role.

Happy watching...and may the best man win. I'm sure whoever gets a golden statue will be surprised. Ha!

Posted by Nathan Gemayel at 8:34 PM | Comments (3)