Category: entertainment

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social media addiction?

Do you need Twitter-Craig?
Do you need Twitter-Craig?

A little known subject for study is the threat of social media on the very fabric of western civilization…. or so they tell us. This goes along with the supposed threat of video games turning our children into ninja assassins and the supposed wonders of bike helmets saving our lives when we run into a semi tractor trailer hitting us at 45 mph. There have always been folks who like to ruin what most of us call ‘fun’  … including making us wear stupid bike helmets which may help you if you run into something no larger than a bee.

Social media has been a wonderful way to communicate with others as well as following the activities of those who wish to share what they do. As a fan of sports and communication, it has been fun to follow the ‘tweets’ of SC football coach Pete Carroll or Twitter’s “Ev”… although these two energized folks make coffee nervous. The truth is that you better like what folks say if you follow them… because they might send you 13 tweets in one day! Besides, like all things …you learn to manage your world.

On a personal note, it is really nice to communicate with family and view their lives ( as they communicate with others and post photos) discretely.

So my advice to fellow Boomers, get on Facebook and slowly — in a phenomenological way — expand your universe to include that which otherwise you might miss in your busy lives. It’s worth the effort.

Let the kid in you never grow up.

Roger Freberg

PS. remember on this diet, you can have all the ‘tweets’ you want!

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have a great 4th

remembering those who make the 4th possible
remembering those who make the 4th possible

Well, I am planning to have a great fourth of July… especially when it comes to food. Laura has asked me to fix something very exotic…. American Hamburgers! Oh yeah! Now, science has shown us that this interesting cuisine goes down especially well with Greek Beer so I will have plenty on-hand ( I have some left overs from my corned beef curing process).

Thanks to the men and women who make this celebration possible.

Have fun!

Roger Freberg

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movie critics got no game

I have written about this before but it is worth repeating. Few if any movies that have won an Oscar or have rave reviews by esteemed movie critics are worthy of the ticket price.

Why is this always the case?

Each critic views potential movies through a filter of their own set of social and political values that seldom are in sync with the needs and wants of the viewing public. Looking back, who can remember the commercial  flops so propped up by critics like ‘the English Patient” or “Brokeback Mountain”? As I remember it, even the first “Star Wars” was panned by movie critics Siskel & Ebert … They were so often wrong ,they became my bench mark of what NOT to see.

The obvious truth is simple. People want to be entertained ….and in troubling times, lighthearted, amusing  films that produce admiration, a smile and a good belly laugh are wanted the most. You can witness this yourself at the box office as folks vote with their feet and their scarce cash.

So, as ‘Transformers’ sets new box office heights while universally panned by the critics… I have to ask, ” do these critics just have a job-for-life, because they need new blood and a different perspective.”  So as a tribute to having a little fun, here’s a tongue-in-cheek look at the making of Transformers:

Roger Freberg

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my life in ruins — the movie

00aTearJerkerThere is a scene in this wonderfully fun movie that… has romance, a bad guy, action and genuine sentiment. The scene pictured above is of Richard Dryfus  ( Irv) kissing his wife’s hand and as corny as it might appear out of context… it was moving and sweet.

Here’s a link to read about the movie.

They have a nice quiz on Facebook, which interestingly enough told me I was the goddess “Hera”… oddly enough, there were no god choices! 🙂

See it with someone you love.

Roger

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Skype me baby, part deux

Here's looking at you kid!
Here's looking at you kid!

Here I am in our little computer room designed as though it is a fast food operation… which means, if you are not bumping into the other person cheek to cheek, well… you have too much room. Let’s just say it is cozy.

With my family often off in far flung places it’s nice to have a way to see and communicate with them. I do remember the old days of video communications that would update a ‘picture’ of the person you were speaking to every 15 seconds… this is far more fun. I still wish that it would show multiple videos than just the one-on-one that is currently available.

I updated to something that has a nice resolution. Isn’t technology fun?

Roger