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February 28, 2008

Poor Corky

Posted by Nathan Gemayel at 8:53 AM | Comments (2)

Another Bad Year for the Cards?

Sometimes I tend to be one who expects bad things...I tend to be cup half empty kind of guy. So, it seems to me that the situation with the Red Birds is way too familiar. We're seeing many things go array during Spring Training...it scares me...

1. Instead of the hard-hitter, Scott Rolen being too unhealthy to play, it seems that Pujols is headed that direction. His arm is bothering him, but doesn't want to have surgery...not looking good.

2. Instead of Chris Carpenter, our star pitcher being too unhealthy to go on the mound, wait, I'm sorry...Carpenter's STILL NOT READY TO PITCH!?!?! Man, we need him back in a real way

3. Instead of LaRussa being the one with the DUI, this year it's Spiezio who was hit with a DUI back at the end of December. Sadly, he just got cut from the Red Birds' roster. Spiezio was a great player and part of their World Series win back in 2006. I hope he gets the help he needs.

The good news is only 32 days until Opening Day at the Busch Stadium!

Posted by Nathan Gemayel at 8:42 AM

February 25, 2008

Felicidades Javi!

Last night all gathered around the fireplace of 715A to enjoy a night at the Oscars! Many of Hollywood Royalty were a part of the show...from George, to Johnny, to Jack, to Cameron...but it was the newbies that stole the show! As predicted by sweetchicken.stlouisblogs.org, Tilda Swinton won, as well as Daniel Day Lewis and Javier Bardem. No Country for Old Men was the big winner of the night, eventually winning the Oscar for Picture of the Year!
There were surprises as well, with Marion Cotillard who won in the Best Actress category for her portrayal of Edith Piaf, a singer from France. The whole seqence of her winning the award was beautiful. She was overwhelmed, and speechless; it was great. It makes you feel like..."Wow! Dreams do come true!" I've decided that Cotillard just might be the French version of Charlize Theron.

I say this because, one, she was a first-time nominee with an incredible performance of the late singer, and two, the look of utter surprise and amazement that she had actually won was as memorable as when the South African actress won back in '05 for Monster.
I need to mention again Javier Bardem, who won with his dark, yet quiet performance of the chilling Sigur. What can I say? He's a Spaniard. I was loving every bit of his time at the mic! I wish I could have been in the room with some of my movie-loving friends from Spain. I'm sure Manuel and Jorge and Jose Ramon, and others were all screaming for joy as if Spain had just won the World Cup. It was a great triumph for a country that has not seen a big-time win since Pedro Almodovar came on the scene about a decade ago. I was so proud of Spain representin'...not only Bardem, but Penelope Cruz made an appearance in a beautiful dark-blue gown. Wow! Muy Bien Javi! Muy Bien Penelope! You two should date...

I loved that the Coen Brothers won three statues! No Country for Old Men is one of the best films I've seen in a really long time! So original. I was horrified and yet couldn't look away at the same time. Those of you that know me know that I love chocolate. When I saw No Country back in November I took a pack of M&M's into the theatre, but never got around to eating them because the movie pulled me in from the get-go. If you haven't yet, you gotta see it...but bring an extra pair of underwear, it's a doozy of a movie...you'll pee in your pants, not that I did that or anything.
I loved, loved, loved that Enchanted didn't win a single award in the music category! Those songs were so Disney, know what I mean? The performance between Once stars, Glen Handsard and Marketa Irglova, was incredible. Talk about a show-stopper! I remember when I saw Once this past summer...I remember thinking, "that was a great film, to bad it won't get any recogniton...too small." Guess I was wrong. The people made that movie in three weeks with only $100,000!!! What a great moment when they won!
As far as the fashion goes...there wasn't a single woman this year that blew me away. I just found everything to be unexciting. There was no Halle or Charlize or Angelina. There was no, "Wow! That dress is amazing." There were, however, some, "that's pretty." But let's face it...people don't watch the red carpet to see pretty dresses they could buy at David's Bridal Wear...that being said, it was an uninteresting red carpet, I mean, except for Daniel Day Lewis' wife and the dress that had been attacked by the Bedazzle monster. OK, I'm starting to sound like Cojo, need to move on.
Last night I got together with a few friends to watch the festivities play out. We had a great time as we viewed the awards show while chomping on pizza and cookies and drinking frosty beverages in brown bottles! At the end of the night I got 12 predictions on the ballot right, I tied for the number one spot with some cool hipster in rim glasses, which puts me at a coolness level of the color red! Welp, the bad news is we have approximately nine months of CGI'd/Pixared/Romantic-Comedied movies to get through until the real stuff comes back. The good news is that we'll have sweetchicken.stlouisblogs.org to keep us all entertained and thought provoced until then!

Posted by Nathan Gemayel at 9:38 PM

February 21, 2008

The Dassler

This is my roommate's show. If you're in the St. Louis area you should come!

Posted by Nathan Gemayel at 9:19 PM

Slap My Face!

February 1 - 17 at the Contemporary Art Museum of St. Louis!

As the inaugural occupant, White Flag Projects will stage a pointed critique of the commercial gallery system within the Front Room walls, operating an ersatz gallery that offers insult and abuse as its only services. Willing patrons are photographed receiving a smack in the face and are then offered the opportunity to purchase a print of the moment the gallery attendant’s hand makes contact with his or her face. Gallery “goers” may be slapped free of charge, while “collectors” may pay to have a print made as a souvenir of the assault. “Important collectors” may attempt to negotiate discounts for large purchases of multiple slaps.

Posted by Nathan Gemayel at 8:17 PM

Oscar Predictions

These are my humble predictions for who will go home with the golden statues on Sunday. I chose not to officially predict in areas of documentary and short films, just haven't seen any of 'em.

Picture of the Year - No Country for Old Men
Best Actor - Daniel-Day Lewis
Best Actress - Julie Christie
Supporting Actor - Javier Bardem
Supporting Actress - Tilda Swinton
Director - The Coen Brothers
Best Original Screenplay - Juno
Best Adapted Screenplay - No Country for Old Men
Best Art Direction - Sweeney Todd
Best Cinematography - There Will Be Blood
Best Film Editing - No Country for Old Men
Best Original Score - Atonement
Best Original Song - That's How You Know (Even though I hate that the movie, Enchanted, has trumped incredible songs by Eddie Vedder from being in this category at all)
Best Animated Feature - Ratatouille
Best Costume Design - Atonement
Best Makeup - Sweeney Todd
Best Visual Effects - Transformers
Best Sound Mixing - Transformers
Best Sound Editing - Transformers

Posted by Nathan Gemayel at 7:55 PM | Comments (8)

February 19, 2008

Live to Tell

I remember watching the Madonna concert that aired last year on NBC and being struck by one part of the concert in particular. Three different dancers illustrate a time in their life when they wanted to die because of the suffering around them, but they eventually realized that life was worth living...you'll see what happens next...
All I can say is that I am reminded of the fact that life on earth is a gift from God...and all human life is good. I know that's basic, but it's the common thread through out this video. Even the song sung by Madonna is about a pregnant woman who has decided to keep her child despite what others around her tell her to do.
The one disclaimer I feel I should give is that Madonna's chosen attire is made to resemble Jesus, she said in a later statement to the AP that it was a cathartic way of illustrating what we are doing in the world today...sacrificing innocent human beings in war and neglecting those in third world countries. I think she could have found a much better way to do that, but she's Madonna...and ya know...

Posted by Nathan Gemayel at 6:58 PM

February 18, 2008

Britney

Since Britney Spears started her rise to fame back in '99 with "Baby, One More Time" she has gone from being the most famous woman in the world to the most infamous of all pop stars. Her first album sold more than 13 million copies in the States alone and her face was on the cover of every magazine possible. In the past couple of years however, her fall from grace has been put on display like none who have come before her. Even the combined controversies of the Jackson family cannot come close to the amount of damage illustrated through Ms. Spears. A close friend of Spears says that she is alone, saying, "There's one instant with everyone where she freaks out and suddenly says, 'I don't trust you, and I don't know what's going on.'" She doesn't have a manager, publicist, stylist, image consultant...even Jive records, her "musical home," no longer speaks to her directly. The only one among her family that she communicates with now is her sister, Jamie Lynn, whom she talks with on the phone every now and then. It is has been suggested that in 2007 she accounted for more than 20% of all tabloid sales, which, all this leads me to question, like many, "What happened?"

As I read an article in Rollingstone entitled, "Britney Spears, An American Tragedy," I discovered that her life over the past 10 years has been not only about her, but about many around her. Britney signed a record deal with Jive records when she was 15-years-old, and the creation of a virgin clueless of her sexual flirtation followed. This, of course, was an image used to push records off the shelves...and it eventually polluted her soul with a distrust of all people and a determination to prove all wrong who thought she was a sweet and innocent young lady.

She grew up in a JonBenet-world of pageants and singing contests, which had her attending choir, dance, and gymnastic lessons by the age of three, she eventually got a coveted role on Disney's The Mickey Mouse Club around age 10. Just a few years later she made the jump to the TRL crowd along with Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera. This was a time for Britney of much success, but many downfalls came with the high-rise experiences.

The first downfall came when she, along with her mother, decided to get breast implants because they thought the public demanded it. However, she wasn't allowed to discuss any part of the change, which gave her the idea of needing to be more, but without the freedom of honesty of what she had done. This led to shame and an unawareness of her personhood. A former choreographer tells of her lack of confidence in herself, "Britney would come offstage after performing in front of 15 to 16,000 people and start crying because she thought she was terrible, the girl doesn't know who she is." It was at this point that the product was becoming too much. Her childhood friends from Kentwood, Louisiana where she grew up say, "There were meetings where people would fight about giving Britney a break, but in the end the machine always won." Drugs soon became the prescription for blowing off stress.

Justin Timberlake kept Britney grounded, but when the relationship ended the lifting of her roots began. He had encouraged her to stay away from the drugs and to not intermingle with those who brought them around. She became dependent on his strength. One friend speaks of Timberlake, "He became the great force in her life, but it started a pattern-she began to look for guys to help her get away from the people who control her." Of course, neither were allowed to discuss the matter of their relationship, which continued a theme with no real identity in sight.

It seems that the constant lack of care and concern for Britney Spears, the person, eventually crushed her. Plain and simple, she hasn't been taken care of. To say that she's been used and abused by those close to her is an understatement. This has all led to a lack of trust on Britney's part to extreme measures. She literally feels as though she has no one on her side, except for, ironically, those who still stick around to make more money off her image, the paparrazzi. Everyday in L.A. there are approximately 100 camera-men who wait to get a picture of the most mundane of errands run by Britney. She can trust that they will be there, and will be excited to see her coming. They are her most dedicated.

My hope for Britney Spears is that she will somehow be brought close to the Father. I pray, yes, pray, that God would put people in her life to help realize that He has created her for good things...some of which may include her musical talents. I pray that she would come to discover that she, without any of her talents, is still worth who she has been created to be, a human being...loved by God.

Posted by Nathan Gemayel at 10:31 PM | Comments (1)

Head On

The Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang, constructed 'Head On,' out of 99 wolves made of clay, hay, and dyed sheep wool. This exhibition was first displayed in Berlin's Guggenheim Museum, where he focused on the Berlin Wall. It is now at the Guggenheim in New York. Qiang's creations tend to be large and way extraordinary, as you can see by his 'Black Rainbow.' He should come to St. Louis, he seems to be all about the arches!

Posted by Nathan Gemayel at 8:43 PM | Comments (5)

February 14, 2008

Arts-y Sundays Coming Up Soon

I apologize for the title of this post, I hate the word, "Arts-y." Anyway, I was meeting with a group from church last night; we were planning a 13-week Sunday school discussion on the arts...movies, contemporary art, theatre, and music, which is my part of the discussion. We planned out our overall theme that includes common grace and the fact that God's fingerprint, if you will, is on everything. All truth is God's truth, and therefore, we can recognize His image in most things. The reason it's all so relevant is that the art forms, be it film or ballet, have become the philosophers of our generation. The arts teach us about the culture we live in, and they help us understand what people are thinking. If we know what people are getting into, then we can hear what their ideas are about the world around us. An album can serve as a bridge to their soul on a certain level.
I led a discussion last Spring on music. I had a lot of fun planning and leading the class, but was surprised by the feedback. I was naive to assume that just because I go to a PCA church that everyone knew about Francis Schaffer's ideas with regards to interacting with culture. I went into it with the idea that everyone had taken Jerram Barrs' contemporary culture class. Boy was I wrong.
I share songs and images from The Shins, Dashboard Confessional, Mary J. Blige, U2, Modest Mouse, Madonna, Lauryn Hill, Avril Lavigne, and others of which I can't remember right now. Each week we had great discussions and by the end I was pleased with the final product. There were members of our church that had problems with some of my music choices, but after a couple of conversations I came to realize that I had failed to communicate what we were doing. The goal was to hear music and recognize the good of it all. It wasn't to critique or call into question what's being said, but to build bridges through God's truths. The questions and concerns didn't have to do so much the music choices, but the degree of discernment that seemed to be lacking.
I'm sure we all disagree on what's OK to watch and listen to at a certain level. It's hard to know how to teach wisdom in making decisions involving art; it's so subjective. I guess for me, if it involves an area of struggle for me, if images will bother me so that I don't stop thinking about them, if I will be tempted to sin in a certain area after viewing a film, then it's not a good idea to watch the DVD I just rented or bought. There are obvious movies and music to avoid, but that is less often the case. I would also look at the content of the film and ask myself, "Why should I buy this album?", "What will I get out of this movie?" For example, American Beauty is an incredible film, with nudity and images that are offensive, but the story is one that many people identify with. Is this a film that should be on my list? I can skip over the bad scenes in order to see this good movie. I think it depends on the content, I mean, do I really need to see 40-Year-Old Virgin? Does this movie bring truth into my life? Probably not. We all have a choice and responsibility to make wise choices when viewing art, but the decision is yours to make; how you make that decision is according to you.
For our lesson I will be having a Radiohead Sunday and a Coldplay Sunday, two bands that have much relevance in our culture today. I haven't decided on the third week, but I look forward to who it will be and the preparation that will take place along the way.

Posted by Nathan Gemayel at 5:34 PM

February 13, 2008

Christina Does Her Best James Brown

As great as the performances by Alicia Keys and Amy Winehouse were at the Grammy's, they didn't come close to what Christina Aguilera did last year with her rendition of James Brown's "It's a Man's World." Some people would describe it as screaming I realize, but man, the girl's got pipes.

Posted by Nathan Gemayel at 8:27 PM

So Whatcha Want? More Beastie Boys!

Congratulations to the Beastie Boys...they won a Grammy this past weekend for their instrumental album, The Mix-Up. I've loved the Beastie Boys since I was in high school. My junior year was about two albums, Pearl Jam's Ten, and the Beastie Boys' Check Your Head. I remember being in the car of one of my best friends, Nat King, and us blasting 'Whatcha Want' and 'Funky Boss.' Since then, they've continued to be a part of my musical life, if you will. Hello Nasty is a righteous album...I don't skip over any of the 22 songs on there.

It's amazing that a band could start out in the hardcore punk scene of CBGB's in New York and then make the jump to pop/hip-hop which would eventually have them opening for a then teeny-bopper Madonna during her Like a Virgin Tour. What's even more amazing is to see how they've evolved from 'Fight for Your Right' to legitimate musicians with a conscience for the world around them. Their music lives on, and their causes for peace continue.

Posted by Nathan Gemayel at 8:13 PM | Comments (2)

Spring Training Coming Soon!

Not only will lovers be getting together on Thursday, but catchers and pitchers will be as well...at Spring training that is. Yes, it's finally time for our Cards to get back in the business again. On Thursday the catchers report with the players to follow on the 18th, the workouts start on the 19th.

This past year was the first loosing season in 8 years and many are expecting it to be a rebuilding year for the Cardinals. LaRussa seems to think that, "we're being underestimated some," making the point that we still need to play the games.

After seeing some talented players head to other parts of the country, it's exciting to think about a new year, with fresh talent and a new team to cheer on. The Grapefruit league, as it's called, starts on February 28 and goes through March 27. Opening day at Busch Stadium is March 31, just around the corner!

Posted by Nathan Gemayel at 12:03 AM

February 12, 2008

Amy Winehouse is the new Norah Jones

The Grammys were this past weekend...and my predictions were way off. I was surprised that Amy Winehouse won as many trophies as she did, 5 out of 6 that she was nominated for. The girl is talented, there is no doubt; her performance rocked, and in my opinion was second only to Alicia Keys and John Mayer. People ask, "Why is Amy Winehouse considered such a great artist?" I think it's because she's actually an artist. Not only does she write her own music, but she's in the business of creating. She put her own sounds together in order to make the most original music of the past year...among her pop counterparts Winehouse's music remains refreshing and new. Rollingstone described her music in a recent cover story as, "a sound like a British hip-hop brat's interpretation of Sixties Motown soul." She's a 2007 version of the Ronnettes mixed with a persona that resembles the Washington DC punk scene of the 80s. It's like she picked up where rock and roll rebels came before her...and added to the age-old story of rock.

As a self-professed 'daddy's girl,' Winehouse grew up in the home of a taxi driver and a pharmacist mom who divorced when she was 9. She got her first tattoo, Betty Boop, when she was 15-years-old and never looked back. Thirteen tattoos later, her life has been rich in drama and heartbreak...and much ink used to commemorate the events that life has handed her.
Many friends and family describe her as one who has always been strong willed, and has always done what she wanted. There is never an explanation for her actions, which include fits of rage in public, cutting, obvious drug abuse, and the like. There are never apologies...only statements that say, "I'm flawed."
In an industry where every move and decision is calculated, it would seem that there is no room for a singer who's fallenness is so worn on her sleeve, yet she continues to carry the music forward. While the issues at hand are sad and tragic, it's good to see someone not hide behind a facade of pictures and publicists. It's only when we bear our scars that others know to help. I don't know what her hurts or wounds are; why someone would self-destruct the way she does? Amy Winehouse is intriguing for this reason. The tabloids and Perezes of the world have fun making a mockery of her life for the time being, but never question what's behind it. I can't help but wonder why. How could she continue down this long, dark tunnel of drugs and pain.
I've heard many artists say that the most beautiful lyrics and music come from pain. If that's the case then there is a lot of digging of the soul that Winehouse has to do. I hope she gets better, and stronger; and that she will come to prove that assumption wrong.
One thing's for sure, Amy Winehouse is Grammy's new golden girl, picking up where Norah Jones left off.

Posted by Nathan Gemayel at 11:50 PM

February 6, 2008

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

My good friend Nathan Mattia tipped me off, if you will, about the new Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin album coming out in April. Here's a preview of the music...

Posted by Nathan Gemayel at 10:06 PM

February 5, 2008

Grammy Predictions

The Grammys tend to be my precursor to the Oscars, my personal Superbowl, if you will. Therefore, I have my idea of who will win, which is verses what I think should win. Good luck to all nominated, of course.

Album of the Year - Graduation by Kanye West

Record of the Year - "What Goes Around...Comes Around" by Justin Timberlake
* This is a hard category for me because both "Irreplaceable" and "What Goes Around..." were in my Top Ten list for 2007. Many predict "Umbrella" will be winning this category, however, I was never into that song, therefore, I predict Timberlake will take the trophy home

Best New Artist - Amy Winehouse

* Although I don't dig her shtick, she's by far the most innovative singer of the lot. The only other possibility would be Feist and I think she might be too indie for the grammy crowd

Best Rock Album - Foo Fighters Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace
* Could an album nominated for Album of the Year not win in it's own category?

Best Alternative Album - Arcade Fire Neon Bible

Best Rap Album -Graduation by Kanye West

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance - Amy Winehouse "Rehab"
* Although I love anything Christina does, I think "Candyman" is way too similar to "Bugleboy" by the Andrews Sisters for anyone to vote for it; and although Winehouse is ironically in real rehab these, voters will be able to overlook her personal troubles to appreciate a solid performer

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance - Justin Timberlake "What Goes Around, Comes Around"
* Those Grammy voters love John Mayer, so he could take the cake...or, the trophy that is

Best Rock Song - "The Pretender" by the Foo Fighters

Best Female R&B Vocal Performance - "No One" by Alicia Keys
* The song is killer, and even if it wasn't, Keys is the U2 of the Grammys...she's always winning something

Best R&B Song - "No One" by Alicia Keys

Best Pop Collabaration with Vocals - "Steppin' out with My Baby" by Tony Bennett and Christina Aguilera

Posted by Nathan Gemayel at 9:03 PM | Comments (4)

February 4, 2008

Happy 100 Sweet Chicken!

To celebrate 100 posts I thought I would put up some pictures of some of my favorites!

Posted by Nathan Gemayel at 8:51 PM

What a Good Find!

I remember a few years ago a woman in Las Vegas was cleaning out her garage and decided to have a yard sale...well, she found a weird looking picture, so she decided to see if anyone wanted to buy it. Turns out, it was an original Jackson Pollock...she was tipped off by someone who had come to the yard sale. She sold the painting for $25 million!
If that happened to me I would pay off my loans and give the rest to my friends and family. I know, I'm so sweet.

Posted by Nathan Gemayel at 8:32 PM | Comments (3)

February 3, 2008

The World Comes to St. Louis

It was Missions Sunday at church today, which brought a closer look at what is going on in St. Louis. Although missions tends to have a worldwide aspect, as it should, the world also includes St. Louis...yes, it's true. We heard from missionaries that are working in Welston, north of U. City, to help men get trained as carpenters after they have spent a significant time in prison. We heard from a man who runs a furniture store specifically for immigrants, many of whom are refugees from Africa, and other parts of the world. We heard from a woman who helps to run a day care in North City. There were others that came along from many organizations, it was really good.
One fact that I learned is that St. Louis is the second city in the nation for immigrants...didn't know that. I've always heard about Bosnians, Africans, Mexicans, Vietnamese, Chinese and others who have come to St. Louis, but didn't realize that we are that welcoming of a community. I love that. It is through relationships with people from other nations that we get to know the world, and become aware of what's going on. These are God's people, just like anyone else in my neighborhood, I think it is so cool that they are here.
Ironically, or maybe not so much, today's sermon was about faith in Christ. I can't imagine the faith in Christ it must take to pick up your family and move to another country where you don't speak the language, don't know the customs, don't know where to go for help...oh, and don't have any money to make things happen. That's the kind of faith it must have taken many people to get here. Maybe things are so bad in their country that it's worth it to take a risk...I don't know. What I do know is that we are so blessed to live in a country where the opportunities are abundant. Looking to move somewhere else isn't even a consideration for most of us, in fact, the thought of going to some other land is crazy. Who would want to do that? Seeing as how this is the case, it seems to me that we should look for ways to be a welcoming home to so many that have nothing, who are looking for a way out of hard times...and therefore come to America.
As I think about this I am reminded of God's blessings upon me. I didn't choose to be born an American; and, in addition, in a home where all my needs were met in abundance. I had nothing to do with that. I just came into the world safe and warm, and provided for. It makes me ask the question, "What can I do to help other people feel the same way?" I know I wouldn't have that perspective if weren't for my faith in Christ's work on the cross. That may not be the case for others, but I tend to think about me and my needs way too much. I know that Christ entered into my life at a time when thoughts of Him only existed when I needed help, or I needed to bargain with Him for something like a pair of Guess jeans or a new Swatch watch. All that to say, it is He who takes away my self focus and who gives me a desire to help others in need.

Posted by Nathan Gemayel at 3:49 PM

February 1, 2008

Snow Day!

Good times at 715A!

Posted by Nathan Gemayel at 6:55 PM | Comments (2)