Low Fidelity

Did we write blogs because we had something to say? Or did we come up with something to say because we had a blog?

Why do I have a blog? I'm not working my way through a cookbook of Julia Child's. I'm not sharing my adventures in dating (that would be awkward for Heather to read). I'm not sharing super deep insights about fatherhood. I suppose I could, but I'm not sure I have a whole blog's worth of insights...
So, what do I have to write about? I suppose I'll probably write about pop culture. I have a strange affinity for all things hollywood and whatnot. I haven't seen more movies than my friends. I don't listen to more music. And yet somehow I have a great awareness of what's going on where. Name an actor or two, maybe a notable scene - and I'll probably be able to at least tell you the name of the movie and possibly an odd bit of trivia about it. I'd probably be much better off if I put the same effort and focus on world events. Take Egypt - sure they just had an uprising  in which the people overthrew a government. So, why is the idea of the government switching off the internet a bigger blip on my radar than WHY they're revolting in the first place? Should I be ashamed? Probably. Am I? Only if asked about it... :)

So yes, this blog will likely be filled with inane blathering. I'll try to make it amusing at least. And there may be the occasional self-reflective gem about parenthood or life in general. But you'll be more likely to see a Top 5 Movies To Watch Just Cuz than Top 5 Reasons Lebanon Is On The Edge...

To kick things off (in no particular order), the Just Cuz list:
1) The Mummy - mock it if you must, but this is our Indiana Jones. Brendan Fraser is no Harrison Ford, but until Indy is out on blu-ray, this'll most likely be the movie Heather and I go to for a night of mindless dashing adventure and derring do.
2) The Rundown - again, mindless and enjoyable action. You can throw it on in the background and be rest assured that whenever you choose to pay attention to it, The Rock will likely be doing something awesome or Sean William Scott will be doing something funny.
3) High Fidelity - not sure why I love this movie so much. I'm not as hip or emotional as Rob, and yet I like to pretend I am. Had I never met Heather, I'd like to imagine I'd be the movie store version of his record store owner. I'm far too normal and practical to do so, but that's why movies rock - they let you live vicariously. And Laura has got to rank WAY up there on my Most Desirable Movie Chick list (but more on that some other time).
4) Best In Show - cuz sometimes you just gotta laugh. Being a 'dog person' just makes this movie even funnier. Toss in the best mockumentary crew around and you have a recipe for laid back, laugh-out-loud humor.
5) Serenity - one of the most entertaining all-round movies. It's got sci-fi, boatloads of humor, sass and action - and just a kickass movie all around.

Honorable Mentions:
- S.W.A.T. - Colin Farrell being charming. Awesome people being awesome. Guns n stuff - it's heavy on the cheese, but still a good time. The training sequences are the reason to watch the movie. The actual plot is take-it-or-leave-it, but the plane assault sequence is just cool. Tough to bring this one up in public without being mocked mercilessly though...
- Princess Bride - this used to be number one on this list. It still holds a special place in my heart, but isn't as high any more. I suspect it'll gain rotation again once Fynn is old enough to appreciate it.
- Evolution - I'll freely admit that the acting is horrendous (everyone sounds like they're mocking the movie as they're making it), the effects goofy (competent, but ludicrous CGI) and the story mind-bogglingly stupid. But yet, this movie was watched so often in our household that we actually got tired of it. It's been a while. Maybe I'll break it out again this weekend...