Monday Moan: Nothing to Moan About...

I could complain about the snowfall, I could complain about being stuck in the driveway because of said snow. I could also complain that it's still winter; gloomy, dreary, overcast winter. But sometimes you come upon something that reminds you that all isn't so bad:

Friday Film Review: Blood in to Wine

Maynard James Keenan (of Tool, A Perfect Circle, and Pucifer fame) has recently made a go in the wine business. He's not just putting his name on a bottle and lending his face to a marketing campaign... he's actually tilling the soil in Arizona, growing the grapes himself, and creating his own line of wines through sweat, tears, and rock and roll.

With the help of wine mentor Eric Glomski, the documentary follows Maynard through the trials and tribulations of turning a patch of desert into a fertile oasis perfect for growing. From the choice of grapes to finalizing Maynard's favorite wine ("Judith," named after his mother) you follow along through the ups and downs of wine making and understand beyond a doubt that wine is no passing fad for Maynard, but rather a life long passion.

I thoroughly enjoyed this documentary (with a nice glass of Malbec in hand, thank you very much). It was refreshing to see, dare I say it, a softer side to the music maker as he pours himself so completely in to this new venture. While Maynard is the focus of the documentary, he owes all he knows to Eric Glomski, who effortlessly (and very simply without a hint of condescension) explains the process of wine making; the pitfalls and the victories. I found myself cheering Keenan and Glomski on, and hoping against hope that their business becomes successful.

Fantastic documentary all the way around.

So now I'm on the hunt for a bottle of Judith. Let me know when that becomes available at The Pig. :)

~Bishop

Random Idiot Thursday: Sukaniya is Flemmish for Facepalm

Wednesday Whatever: Fashion Police Call for Backup

If you know me, you know that I have NO business calling in to question anyone's fashion sense... that is, until they do this:

And, yes, if you are wondering - it's old underwear.

***blech***

Tuesday News Day: Subway and Their Quest for Copyrights

According to an article that I found from The Washington Post, Doctor's Affiliate, Inc., the company that owns Subway, has entered in to a fast food war. They want to copyright the word "footlong," as used in their famous, and very successful, "$5 Footlong" campaign. The Iowa based convenience store, Casey's General Store, has unwittingly been caught up in the linguistic battle with the sandwich giant, after they used "footlong" to advertise a submarine sandwich at their stores.

Subway wants to be the only fast food franchise to be able to use the word.

Now, many fast food chains have been able to copyright their menu items; anything with "Mc" in front of a word (McNuggets, McFlurry) obviously belongs to McDonald's, if you order a Whopper, you must be at Burger King, and if you're enjoying a Frosty, a cute girl with red pigtails is on the cup.

I understand that every establishment wants something that is expressly it's own. You want the "Kleenex," the "Band-Aid," the "Windex" of the fast food industry, but...

"Foot long" is a measurement, and a has been a word, since measurement (and sub sandwiches) began. "Kleenex" isn't a word, it's a product, and the same goes for the McDouble, the Whopper Jr., and the Baconator.

Is it acceptable to copyright a measurement? I find no problem with Subway copyrighting "$5 Footlong." That phrase is already undeniably theirs! But to copyright a measurement means I will have to order a 12-inch hot dog when I'm at the ball park the next time. That just doesn't sound right...

Final summation; Subway didn't invent the sub sandwich, nor did they come up with the first foot long sub. For them to be able to use that word (or words) exclusively seems a little strange, and frankly, sad.

What is next, Subway? Taxing overweight people named Jerrod?

:P

~Bishop

Monday Moan: Valentine's Day

It's Valentine's Day; a day when lover's shower each other with chocolates, flowers, candles, and other such nonsense. A day when it's acceptable to sit on the same side of the booth as your significant other making googly eyes at each other and simultaneously making everyone else in the world throw up in their mouths a little bit. A day to remember that you actually are in the love with that person you share a couch and American Idol with.

I've always had a problem with Valentine's Day. Why is it that we have a specific day on the calendar to celebrate love? If you're in love, shouldn't you celebrate it every day? I don't mean that a card, a dozen roses, and a heart-shaped box of chocolates should be given every day, but come on - why save it all up for one day? Why stifle your inner cupid until the aisles of stores run red and pink, until every stuffed animal on the shelves says "I love you" when squeezed, or until those really gross, chalky hearts show up at the checkout?

Maybe I'm just jaded. Love is ups and downs. Love is good times and bad. Love is getting so stupid angry at that person in the room you just want to strangle them, until they make you laugh and then you forgot why you were angry in the first place. It isn't hearts. It isn't flowers. Those aren't symbols of love!

We need NEW symbols for Valentine's Day! We need a symbol for dishes having been done without having to ask! We need a symbol for the movie that we know we will hate, but we'll watch it anyway because it makes them happy! We need a symbol for looking and feeling like hell and having a bowl of chicken soup right there waiting for us.

That's love.

So, cheers, Friends! May you have all the clean dishes, terribly great movies, and chicken soup on this Valentine's Day.

~Bishop

Coming soon...

Hey blog fans! Look for a new, revised, shiny blog coming at ya starting Monday, February, 14th!

Look for:

Monday Moan: an opportunity to vent about every little thing in this crazy world. (feel free to email your Monday Moans to me at sbishop@gkbradio.com)

Tuesday News-Day: What's going on in the world and what I think about it.

Wednesday Whatever: I've come upon some pretty fantastic articles, pictures, and stories along the way - my time to share my findings!

Random Idiot Thursday: a day when I celebrate a person who has made the news based simply on stupidity.

Friday: Film Review; what I've seen, and if it's even worth the price of admission... or rental, since I'm too broke most of the time to see a movie in it's initial release!

Hope you like it, Friends!

~Bishop