Blog Archives
Something From Nothing
“We don’t like him/her/them.”
This pretty much (though not entirely) sums up the 2014 midterm election messaging strategy from both Republicans and Democrats. That, and the convenient amnesia of whether Democrats voted for President Obama and the audacious weight that comes with asking such a prying, personal and Constitution-violating question (at least in Kentucky…apparently). The conventional statistical analysis currently points towards the Republicans gaining the majority in the Senate, improving their legislative power and influence. It would be, undoubtedly, a partial result of the relentless incompetence of President Obama and his administration and the continuous stream of national scandals and terrible foreign policy decisions (Romney…Romney), plus the current Senatorial gridlock led by Sen. Harry Reid. However, it would potentially be achieved without any clear, inspirational policy initiatives for the 21st century American worker: employed, unemployed and underemployed. This is a major problem, but also the key opportunity for 2016 and the 21st century from a governing standpoint. The political party that can develop, articulate, implement and defend broad and specific economic policies for the ever-changing globalized economy in a “turn-of the-century” kind of way that proves compatible with the many challenges facing white and blue collar workers today and tomorrow will take the future.
It’s really that simple. Be true to your convictions and do so with intelligence, purpose, composure and sympathetic awareness.
That will, in a macro sense, be the 2016 election (well, should be). Which candidate and political party can produce the most competent, innovative yet simple, inspiring and inviting economic message for a second American century? Whoever it is, this person will be sitting in The White House in January of 2017.
Returning back to the 2014 midterm election today, many of whom have declared it the “Seinfeld election,” as it’s basically about nothing with regards to specific policies and the consequences of these invisible policies. But that can only be partly true because the Senate will likely flip control, indicating it’s at least about something/someone.
Although, Seinfeld was a brilliant television show with engaging characters, talented actors and a surprisingly original, intelligent premise that endured and happily entertained and satisfied its audience for nearly a decade (not counting syndication).
On second thought, maybe this isn’t the “Seinfeld election” after all. What the country wouldn’t give for a dramatically energetic Kramer entrance right about now, declaring the next wildly imaginative invention to solve the world’s problems.
That would really be something.
Happy Monday!
We try, day in and day out, but to no avail.
Insanity is, of course, doing the same thing over and over again, yet expecting different results. But changing routine can be a trying experience, and this is especially true when our alarms ring so discouragingly loud on Monday mornings. Can we really muster the energy and mental strength to alter our seemingly predetermined life trajectory?
So, what do we do?
Just remember the inspirational figure featured in the video below. Okay, not inspirational, but so confused by the tendencies of basic human interaction that he, by the lightning strike of Zeus, concocts a new and successful outlook on life…however brief.
George Costanza: The man, the myth, the something else.
Happy Opposite Day/Week!
Is This a Joke?
I was watching the end of a rerun yesterday and this correlation instantly popped into my head.
Remember Pharrell’s infamous hat from The Grammy’s? Of course you do. It was that awkwardly tall, straight-brimmed brown detective/cowboy hat of sorts. Does it look at all familiar?
Maybe this will refresh your memory:
(The sound may not be synched correctly, but the focus should be on Elaine)
Is Pharrell is playing a year-round April Fools’ joke on all of us by sporting the modern “urban sombrero?”
Either way, well played Pharrell…well played.
A Picture About Nothing?
Worlds are colliding!
Yes, that is Jason Alexander (ie-George Costanza) and Jerry Seinfeld walking into Tom’s Restaurant in New York City, which was renamed “Monk’s Cafe” for the sitcom favorite Seinfeld. Not only were they spotted at this Upper West Side eatery, but they did so in classic George and Jerry attire.
For the record: this photograph is real and it’s fantastic!
But why the nostalgic get together with cameras filming inside?
That appears to be question on everyone’s mind. That, and where are Kramer and Elaine!?
Here are a few ideas to ponder…just imagine you’re sitting on a bench on a quintessential New York boardwalk one peaceful afternoon with beautiful white birds ready to part like the Red Sea upon reaching a conclusion with the internal soundtrack of Lionel Richie’s “Hello” playing with precision and purpose:
- It was for an episode of Jerry’s web series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee
- Jason and Jerry discussed a play that Larry David has reportedly written to bring Seinfeld to Broadway
- Jason and Jerry met to arrange a Seinfeld reunion movie
- Or, perhaps, this was ultimately a get together about nothing.
Except, as fans of the ’90s sitcom know too well, the show was never really a show just about nothing.
Whatever the reason for bringing George and Jerry back together in public, it was well worth it. It’s very likely the meeting had something to do with the recent announcement that Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David are collaborating on an exciting new project.
Jerry and George got some food at their sitcom hangout, they talked a little bit, something amazing happened, yada yada yada, the world will never be the same again.
