bierkergaard

Today, for most, movie  theaters  are the cathedrals of America. We go there to be inspired, to be shown big themes, to live life through the big screen and surround sound with fellow  parishioners .  There is no doubt that James Holmes imbued deeply in film. For him to put himself on the stage of the murderous cinematic altar suggests that the world of movie and film was a place where he spent a great deal of time, energy, and imagination. So, in some macabre mash-up, the religious formalism of his background ( I had a premonition that the Colorado killer had a church background)  and where he worshiped (film) merged into a horrific and destructive drama. Good and Evil, with evil prevailing. He fashioned himself the Joker. Holmes is a highly intelligent young man, unusually bright even. Also, quiet and reserved. Monsters raged silently within years and finally busted through in a ferocity that is beyond frightening and frankly satanic. How  he was ...

The Magnificent Mile is the upscale shopping and residential district on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. There, affluent native and visitors shop, eat, and live in a manner that would make even Marie Antoinette enviously desire some of their opulent cake. By definition, since I was there walking around--and boy did I walk while in Chicago --I qualify as at least an adjunct member of that class, if not more. One thing about walking around, is that interaction with the street is continuous 24-7. While walking Michigan Avenue, it is impossible to miss the wealth and privilege. Yet even there--whether it is a whiff of sewage from some under-ground pipe or the beggars on the sidewalks--it is not possible to be blinded by the gold. I am not much of a shopper but I did eat well while in the Windy City. After a long and hot day of walking up and down Michigan Avenue, I  stopped by a 7/11 to buy some green drink plus a quart of cold water like Aquafina. After guzzling down the green drin...

OK, so I had access to a full assortment of cable channels while out at the Hyatt in Chicago. See my recent previous post about cable to get some back story about the fears I have about getting entwined with television if I have more cable channels besides the minimum allowed by plutocratic Comcasticism (like the other isms). Kinda lame to be watching TV while in world-class city but I had to get out of the heat at times and didn't want to become a bar lizard. Hyatt also offered those porn channels (for an extra fee) and I steered clear. But I was seduced by HGTV. Home and Garden Television. "Y'know, you are a dude, why not ESPN or one of those History Channel shows about ice truckers?" I hear my brethren ask. As the lame meter climbs upwards. Hear me out, at least some of the people on the network are real he-man dudes. Carpenters, electricians, bricklayers. Then, there are some guys that are real estate agents who pass the he-man dude test. Then, there are gu...

Ah, the life of a philosopher. It is approaching 100 degrees outside. Rather than walk around and have the sun stalk me all day with his hot and harsh stare, I have decided to dodge the sweltering weather here in Chicago and hit a coffee shop on Michigan Avenue called Cafe Descartes and write. The Midwest is scorching with little rain. Although it is hot in the Northeast, we have had consistent rain to offset the scorched earth. No St. Arbucks for me this morning. I was thinking of heading to Intelligentsia Coffee but don't feel properly coiffed. It is a high-class crowd there. Starbucks marketing genius was making the common man feel aristocratic. Intelligentsia Cafe is for the real cuff-link crowd. Not a dude like me with a ball cap and unshaven. No matter that I have a Ph.D. It is the look man. Cafe Descartes doesn't offer decaffeinated coffee. Have to appreciate the proprietor's commitment to authenticity. Coffee without caffeine is like a book with no ...