The Taming of the Jungle

There is a reason why building things up in your head is a bad thing. Three words: Dead Man's Chest. One more word: Disappointing. I'm not up for a full blown rant and review of the sequel to Pirates... (if you want that, check out the critics -- especially at EW where they gave it a D+), but I will say that it had its moments and I did like some of it. I actually laughed out loud at parts and enjoyed myself ("Oh, oh the heat...")-- but on the whole, the movie lagged, rehashed way too many jokes and wasn't self-contained but rather just a huge set-up movie for the third installment (much like the second Matrix). I can't even talk about it anymore.

So I'll get on my soap box about something else and say that I'm beginning to realize that I'm not a fan of Neil Simon. First thing, let's be clear. Yes, I've seen two recent productions of Neil Simon plays in the past few months; the acting was enjoyable (kudos everyone!), the sets beautiful, and the theaters did wonderful jobs of pulling off the material -- it wasn't the productions that I'm referring to here.

It's the source material I question. It's not bad -- it's just not boss, you know? Some plays are boss -- they gleam, they draw out emotion, they reach in and touch your heart for better or worse...and some plays don't. To be fair, I've always liked Barefoot in the Park. Always. And to be more fair, I've not yet read or seen ALL of Simon's work -- including the ones that have brought him Tony Awards and a Pulitzer. But from what I have read or seen, thus far, I'm not terribly impressed by an author who's receiving honors and being feted this year with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

And to all those Simonphiles who are hissing at me, I'll check out The Odd Couple and Lost in Yonkers and we'll talk soon for a more educated verdict.

I'm not really in a cranky mood -- though I can see an argument forming for it based on my lambasting of cinema and theatre. I'm just saying that we should celebrate things that deserve it and not just because there's a certain name attached.

Speaking of fetes -- fete me, I mowed the lawn (oh there's "woo"...and "hoo"). The jungle has been tamed. To most, this is not a reason for a party or ticker tape, but here at Sobingro it's like one of those newsworthy soundbites that you forget after dinner ("...and coming up at eleven -- a local man's battle against nature"). Nothing world changing here, but for just a split second it means something to someone. And that's what matters.

Did someone say "newsworthy"?


Just FYI -- 37 years ago today, July 16th, Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin blasted off toward the Sea of Tranquility on the Apollo 11 mission. Four days from now will mark the anniversary of their historic landing on the lunar surface.

This makes me want to go watch this NASA DVD I bought about the last 50 years of the Space Program. I'm such a geek, but it's just so cool.

Sorry if I'm talking a bit wild today. I'm a little sluggish and relaxed from having a late brunch with the beautiful red-head. We went to Finer Diner at Cleveland and Minerva (if you haven't been there, go -- now) and I had the prime rib eggs benedict and yeah it's as tasty as it sounds. And you have to say "tasty" like Cartman (from South Park) might, drawing it out .... taaaaaaastyyyy. Yeah, like that.

And in case you might have been wondering -- the thing that had me so ruffled the other day...well, let's just say that rumors are bad and I'm glad I was vague about it. Much ado and all that. No worries.

Gotta jet. I've got a resume to work on. Thanks, KL, for the heads up on that job...here's hoping.