Faces in the Hall

Much like milk, everything in life eventually expires; even life itself. Since I can remember, I've had friends come in and out of my life. I have had a few that I would like to consider "life-long" friends, but even that becomes difficult to do. Sometimes "life-long" friends slip away. But whatever right? Hopefully this isn't too much different from what you have experienced in your life.

In high school there are so many faces in the hallway and then there are your best friends; your inseparable entourage.
And then over time you spend more and more time not talking to the point where it seems normal. Then you go to college and you don't speak to each other at all. It doesn't even faze you. And the world keeps turning.

Sometimes friendships burn like a white flame for a few years, and then some of them sort of dissipate, not disappear, just put on the back burner for a while; while others completely die off. But like in the movies, sometimes they come back.

I had a few very close friends of whom I sort of lost touch with more than a couple years ago (one or two was my fault; I have a problem with distancing myself sometimes.) But anyway, I was thick as thieves with these guys (like the kids in Stand By Me or Sandlot.) And all of a sudden, I wasn't. Everyone went their separate way. Sometimes life gets in the way, and I guess we accept it.

Recently I have reconnected with some of them and we talk frequently. And now that I am older and I understand this stuff a little better, it is all easier.

All along the way, I have made friendships that will last a lifetime and some that won't last until Christmas. I'm being honest: I have friends at work and at school, but when I'm done there, I probably will never see them again. It's weird the way life works, but I'm ready for it and everything that comes with it.

It's one of those bittersweet things we go through as we get older: to wonder about old friends. What are they doing now? Why did we lose touch? Better yet, when did we lose touch? Is it even worth trying to reconnect?

Take it for what it is. Eventually, they all become some more faces in the hall.

Funny People; self explanatory

So I went to see Funny People on its opening weekend and was not disappointed. I must admit I was a bit skeptical at first. The trailer did it no justice. It was a hysterical and unbelievably long two and a half hours.

As it implies, Funny People is a film about how the the people who make a career out of making us laugh are miserable and alone. Apatow was able to go to a more mature level while remaining the same hilarious and obscene guy we know from The 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up.

The dramatic themes combined with his usual trademark obscenities make this Judd Apatow's best film yet.

Adam Sandler puts on an incredible performance (perhaps his best since Punch Drunk Love) in a film in which we see him go to darker places compared to his previous films. It was well shot throughout its entirety. Apatow and his cinematographer Janusz Kaminski use some of Sandler's video footage from their college days, and the stand-up performances in the film are shot in front of an actual live audience.

Sandler plays George Simmons, a well known comedian suffering from a rare blood disease who hires Ira Wright to be his companion and write his jokes. Ira Wright (played by Seth Rogen) is an up and coming comedian trying to find his own (with women and his profession).

And I'm not going to lie: it was a shock to see Eric Bana feature in something and not be bored to the point where I just want to get up and walk out of the theatre. Maybe he should go "Aussie" more often.

The first half of the film is fast paced and concentrates on the "bromance" relationship between George and Ira. It would have made for a great hour and a half film. However, as the second half begins the story turns and we see George in pursuit of the one that got away (Leslie Mann), which makes a bit too long for comfort. Jonah Hill and Jason Schwartzman make it easier to get through with their scene stealing performances.

A bit long? eh.. Funny? Hell yea!

Overall, I really enjoyed Apatow's latest film. Funny People; it's self explanatory.

Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory

Season 2 premiers August 27th on MTV... and Bobby Light is making a comeback.

Excuse my "Chester French"

Let me tell you about this band I like.
First off, they are Harvard graduates.
Don't get it twisted. These Harvard alumni know a little more than just musical theory. Vocalist and songwriter, D.A. Wallach along with multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Maxwell Drummey make up the American pop band known as Chester French.
This group's sound is simply amazing; fresh and inspiring. What I like most is their declaration to not devote themselves to one particular music genre. Instead, everyone is relevant.



The two met in their freshman year in a dining hall, naming their band after Daniel Chester French, sculptor of the statue at the Lincoln Memorial as well as Minuteman statue at Lexington/Concord battlegrounds in Massachusetts. Maxwell Drummey graduated with honors in social anthropology, while D.A. Wallach graduated at the top of his class in African American studies. The duo's sound is influenced by different genres of music including 60's-accented pop, jazz, soul and hip-hop.
"As we thought about how to present ourselves and make the music, it's always been with the intention of making something that a lot of different kinds of folks can get into and understand [and] be welcome," says the Milwaukee native D.A. Wallach.



Upon the completion of their senior year at Harvard, the group's demo tape slipped into the hands of various music execs including the likes of Jermaine Dupi, Kanye West, and Pharrell Williams. A bidding war lasted briefly between 'Ye and Skateboard P before the group eventually signed with Williams' Star Trak label. Since gaining fame, Chester French has collaborated with a plethora of artists: Solange, N.O.R.E., Bun B, Pusha T of the Clipse, Diddy, Jadakiss, Wale, Common, Twalib Kweli, Cassie, Mickey Factz, Lady GaGa, Kardinal Offishall, and Jermaine Dupri. The songs can be found on Jacques Jams Vol. 1: Endurance, the mixtape in which the group teamed up to make with DJ Clinton Sparks.



Chester Frech's first studio album entitled, Love the Future was released by Star Trak/Interscope Records on April 21, 2009, featuring the singles "She Loves Everybody" and "C'mon (On My Own)". The entire album was produced by Drummey and Wallach in their dorm room at Harvard.
I've got a feeling Chester French will be making good music for quite a long time... and if not, at least they have that Harvard education to fall back on. Pretty fly for some white guys!

Sucker for a Shawl

With Autumn/Winter 2009 upon us. It's time to go shopping... again. You can't go wrong with a cardigan. Check out these Shawl Collar Cardigans by Oliver Spencer.

Celeb Look-a-like???

Apparently I look like Rosario Dawson. Check this out... it's pretty crazy.

MyHeritage: Celebrity Morph - Family search - Family tree research

I Have a "Suite" Tooth

Dolder Grand Hotel - Zurich