Mad Lifestyle

Season one was in my stocking from my Sister-in-law. My first reference to this award-winning television series was from my editor at Indianapolis Monthly, who also is an avid fan. So I figured I'd put it on my Christmas list and give it a shot.

After watching season one, I'd have to agree with him.

The concept revolves around the lifestyle of the glitz and glamour of Madison Avenue in the 1960s. Madison Avenue, the Mecca for the advertising world, birthed this American Cultural idea of 'success.' What intrigues me the most is all the ins-and-outs that connotes this image of success.

There is a lot of things that impress me. Historically speaking, Mad Men has won various awards for it's historical authenticity. In other words, it really does depict the social mores and ideals of that era, an era that seems to continually fascinate me.

But just like a good book or speech, there are things that you take away from it, and things that you can do without. The philandering and chain smoking (which every character does both of, constantly) doesn't quite fit this ideal guild. But that's what I choose to overlook and on the other hand, there are a lot of things that do impress me.

I admire how well put together the male characters are. It was a time when men dressed their best. They knew what looked good, and what 'looking good' meant and they implemented it to perfection. For example, Don Draper keeps a stack of the same staple-white-oxford shirt in his office. Why? Because it's the perfect shirt. So he keeps a couple spare (always ironed and ready to wear) in his office.

These creative minds at Sterling and Cooper keep their office bars with ample supply. Whether it's the rye in the Old Fashioned, the cognacs of the Brandy Alexander, or Betty's simple Tom Collins. Each character has their preferred drink, and that's pretty much all they will settle for.

These men were constantly trying to learn more, to achieve more and to be the best at what they did. They read book after book, they wrote articles, they contacted anyone that seemed to be remotely successful. Their daily goal was to improve.

The men of that era knew what they enjoyed and they settled for nothing else. Don Draper, the protagonist of the whole concept is the quintessence of that era. He is a class act. The way he carries himself, his brilliant ideas and just his entire aura.

Somewhere along the path, we, as in my current generation and those on either end of it, have lost that concept. We seem to settle for a lot less. Faded jeans, baseball hats, Polos, Bud Light, the only literature around is Sportscenter. Catch my drift?

Of course, he's not perfect. But there's a lot about him that my peers and I can take notes from.

Now on to season two.

conspiracy theory

I'm out to get a copy of the Lost Symbol. I'm a fan of Dan Brown's creative writing. I admire how he wades through myth, tradition, and fact, all to provide a breath-taking plot that will test the validity of our collective belief system. Yes, I do have a small passion for history and the secrets and lies that it all entails.

Brown is no Salman Rushdie, but his magic realism does test some very fragile waters.

Constantine, the Opus Dei, the Priory of Sion, the history of the catholic church: all parts of history that Dan Brown's words weave through. Of course, Brown crosses the line of fact and imagination, and the extent of which is for the reader to determine. But that's all part of telling a good story isn't it?

There is a lot of hoopla to his writing, but since his conspiracies strike a nerve in most readers, it influences one to delve deeper into their own understanding of the topic. That is what i find fascinating.

After successful productions of the Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons, I'm glad that the trio of Dan Brown, Ron Howard and Tom Hanks have signed on to produce another such thriller.

The Lost Symbol was released on September 15 and sold one million copies on its first day. This is the fastest selling adult novel in history! So I'm definitely not alone in my admiration for a good historical-suspense-thriller.

The story focuses on symbologist Robert Langdon's quest to unveil the secrets of the Freemasonry. Arguably the oldest and largest world wide fraternity, there is a lot of hidden glory and speculation about this group whose roster boasts of names that we have all read about. So let's have it Dan Brown, I'm ready to see what this is all about.

The root of all things

I came across an old tune today. This song, Sunchyme by Dario G, was a favorite of mine back in the day. Remember - I grew up in the UK, and lived in Asia, so for all you Americans, we actually do appreciate electronic beats! Either way, this song brings back a ton of memories.

The video is extremely cheesy, but I'm sure you can look past the body paint to get the jist of Dario's song. Personalize this video, look at it as an allegory, and the bottom line is the same: we all come from the same place, we are all made by the same God.

Proverbs 22:2 - the rich and poor have this in common: the Lord made them both.

Image Control - Role Models?

Gilbert Arenas: The latest addition to recent celebrities who have disgraced themselves in the eyes of the public. I’m sure Chee-tah Woods feels good to be forgotten about for a while right?

Bill Clintons and Barry Bonds aside, the world’s collective “I am holier than though” attitude has turned focus on A-Rod, Kanye West, Chris Brown, Tiger Woods and now, Gilbert Arenas. These celebrities have all become the new targets to criticize. I find myself wondering why so much negative attention is smothered in their direction, or why we spend so much time pointing out their flaws.

I agree, they made mistakes. Some of which are a lot more severe than others. However, it irritates me that all their faults have now become water fountain
conversation at work. Does that seem weird to you as well?

It’s the question of being a Role-model. But I think there is a huge misconception in what that means. Is Tiger Woods a role model? Is Ron Artest a role model? Is Brittney Spears a role model? Of course they are. But to whom? And for what reasons?

Tiger Woods is a role model to golfers. Ron Artest is a role model to ballers who want to improve their intensity on defense. Brittney Spears is a role model to wannabe teenie-bops, well, kind of.

Now, are they role models for your children, or my future children? Absolutely not.
I find it absolutely pointless to label celebrities as role models. Most of the athletes I admire were raised in single-parent homes and surrounded by poverty and corruption. They then were given multi-million dollar contracts, strapped with their own personalized Nikes and flavor of Gatorade while watching themselves on ESPN’s highlight reel every other morning.

All that money, all that fame, all that alcohol, all those clubs and all those women. What’s worse is that it’s all being flaunted at them on a silver platter.

Are they really role models to everyone? Yeah, for the naive and absolute optimist. But for the rest of us, no, they’re just entertainment.

I mean, seriously, would you approach Tiger Woods with a concern about your 401K? Would you ask Lindsay Lohan what she thinks of world hunger?

My point is: I don’t care how many women John Mayer slews through at the after party because I will continue to listen to Gravity because that’s an awesome song. I don’t care who Ray Lewis chooses to leave in a black bag next. But I sure hope my Colts don’t have to play him in the playoffs because he’s that good at what he does. Lady Gaga can be a hermaphrodite, that’s just weird, but she puts out some good tunes and I’ll still nod my head to them. Who cares about how much marijuana George W. Bush smoked at Yale, because he was a great leader right? …… Haha, just joking.

A lot of people confuse a ‘role model’ with a religious bias. It then wasn’t a mistake that Kobe, Jack Nicholson or David Letterman were sleeping around, but it was a terrible ‘sin’ that they committed.

Well, aren’t all sins equal in god’s eyes? If you break one of the ten commandments doesn’t that still bring the wrath of God? (Romans 6:23 “The wages of sin is death.’) Hmm, so have you cursed, been jealous, idolized beauty or position, lusted, been vane, or put your trust in yourself before God today?

If so, you just pulled a Tiger Woods.

Man, me too, because I’m gossiping right now. That’s a sin as well.

The point of this post is to remind myself to stop judging others. I’m a sinner. Everyone is. Celebrities will be celebrities: they will win our hearts and then make mistakes. But we do the same. Whose your best role model? Whose your kid's best role model? You are. As a society, we need to stop worrying about others faults, and live to the best that we can. Amen?