Even If We're Short on Holiday Glee, At Least We Have Glee… on Fox

Contrary to what the video and headline above may suggest, I'm actually NOT short on holiday cheer or glee or feelings of good will toward all of mankind this year. Shorter on funds than I'd prefer, perhaps, but I'm actually rather enjoying the excitement in the air right now.
Glee fits in to all this -- beyond the oh-so-clever holiday pun certain to show up in blog headlines around the globe -- because there is SUCH a Rachel inside me. If, therefore, I weren't 'feelin' it' this holiday season, it would be advertised on my sleeve in neon letters. I'm glad to report, however, that I just happen to have acquired a healthy shot of Puck over the years. Like Mark Salling's character, if I'm not in the mood then I'm not in mood… totally okay with it… not looking to fix it… not looking for you to, either.
Still, I have to admit that my heart consistently goes out to Lea Michele's Rachel character. And therefore to all those across the land who are also relating on a very deep level.
I know all about being so passionate about a hope and a dream that it feels like your insides are gonna explode. I know all about wanting that prize so bad that panic ensues when it seems like you might get it. Then don't. And you're terrified it'll never pass your way ever again. I know all about feeling, feeling, feeling. Wanting, wanting, wanting. Getting, getting, getting. Tasting, tasting, tasting. Losing, losing, losing.
It has taken me a freaking lifetime to get clear that my feelings and reactions can be so completely off the charts that everyone cringes when I come near. It has likewise taken a lifetime to wrestle that outta control teenager into submission and get it to see how much easier life can be if we try things a different way… including not being so convinced it's all about us.

I must say the Rachel in me is just busting at the seams with glee that Glee is not only on the air but that it's one of the most watched, most talked about, and most loved shows broadcast today. I love that Glee is ABOUT finding that "glee" inside. I love that every single character fromCory Monteith's what'll-they-all-think-of-me-now Finn

to Kevin McHale's let's-just-find-a-way-to-roll-with-this-wheelchair Arty

to Matthew Morrison's yes-I'm-sensitive-but-I-stand-up-for-what-I-believe-in-so-it's-okay Will

are all so human, so flawed, so pure of intent, and therefore so beautiful. I love that if anything on TV represents a raising of consciousness, it's Glee. AND WE'RE ALL TUNED IN!!
For me, big, sweeping, inspiring movements like this eclipse a few weeks designated at the tail end of each year to be happy and giving. This is the sort of phenomenon that makes me wanna be that way all year long.

Sayin' Thanks - Free Holiday Celebrity Tree Postcard or Free Snowflake Postcard

As I mentioned in my last video, I'm taking some time during the holiday season to focus on a few other things. But my entertainment-related blogging will be picking right back up quite soon. Besides, blogging about Top Chef, Project Runway, the latest inspired-by-reality faces, as well as those majorly in the spotlight turns me completely on.

So lookie here… the images here are full-on print-sized postcards ready to download and print. Click to go to the full size image then right-click, click-hold, drag them to your desktop, or do WHATEVER to download the Snowflake Montage, the Celeb Tree, and/or the formatted card back. Then print the mofos and you're good to go!


The next post and video are actually right around the corner so check back soon. Oh, and I just added the "follow this blog" box to the right over there… if you like what you're seeing here, I'd LOVE to find you clicked the box and are following along.
Till next time… Happy Holidays!!

Gee, Thanks, Top Chef and The Next Iron Chef - How Bravo and Food Network Are Helping Thanksgiving Along

There's perhaps a more serious note running through this post than in recent times but I wanna see some actual gratitude pumping through the pipeline this Thanksgiving season... even if it's because you're NOT one those mentioned here!
Waaaaaaaay back on Season 4 of Bravo's "Top Chef" they started to turn up the volume on exactly HOW all kinds of meat are transformed into something suitable for our plate. Dramatic stuff, seeing an entire pig be disassembled piece by piece right before our eyes. Which is no doubt why they aired it. As did all the other edgier food shows like Food Network's "Iron Chef America" and its counterpart "The Next Iron Chef".
With Thanksgiving upon us, my mind turns to these caught-on-tape moments. These now rarely seen activities are a fundamental part of the process of being genuinely grateful for what's on the dinner table. We've all had in our faces in recent times just how out of control corporate-sized greed had gotten over the decades and the food industry did not escape those claws. As a result, gratitude for morsels of food on the plate began to be replaced with indignity as images of chickens crammed up next to each other in cages took over. Having grown up on a farm fueled instead by deep respect for each and every animal roaming those grassy hills, I can tell you -- with great pride -- that wall-to-wall, chemically-altered cattle was not on our menu. My father knew every single freaking cow, calf, bull, and steer just by looking at them. And we're talking hundreds of animals here.
Seeing a "Next Iron Chef" Nate Appleman prepare a suckling pig or a "Top Chef 5" Stefan skin a live, wriggling eel brings it all home for me. Though a horror show for some, it's a humbling truth brought up to the light from where I sit. Those 1800's women with that upside down turkey are demonstrating the "ordeal" of harvesting, cleaning, and preparing a meal in those days as I discuss in the video. I sincerely doubt these gals had been out there all day machine-gunning down fields of birds all over the place with an eye to raking it in and moving to the East Side. In all likelihood, this was a very special and self-sacrificing event for them. Including the sacrifice of feelings for the animal in the interest of nourishment. Cuz, please... there was no Whole Foods to go to and pick up a package of veggie burgers. Something the "Top Chef 5" contestants demonstrated briefly during their Stone Barns visit.
Similarly, both Food Network's "Iron Chef America" and Bravo's "Top Chef Masters" featured the use of "offal" -- or the crazy parts of an animal we've decided only starving families ate during the Dust Bowl. Hey, I'm not from the "Meat Is Murder" camp but I AM from the "Use All You Take" camp and I'm glad to see this return to putting this chuck-it-over-the-fence fair to good use. Chris Cosentino, currently of FN's "Chefs vs. City", has apparently made quite a name for himself in this rather humble arena.
I mention my article "Appreciate" in the video because I really do see the importance of actually triggering the feeling of gratitude to pave the way for FUTURE things to be grateful for. And one of the sure-fire ways we get to gratitude is through physical, humbling, and sometimes emotional experiences. Like disassembling a pig for our own nourishment. And using the entrails, too. Yeah, okay... or whatever the equivalent of that is for you.

From Prince Harry to Josh Peck to Josh Flagg, The Passage of Time Can Be A Beautiful Thing

It's generally expected that gorgeous kids will be gorgeous adults. However, it's also common sense that physical beauty loses its luster and fades over time. Even the cutest of those kids loses a certain "spark" as they mature.
Anyone who has clicked around this blog or visited even the front page of MooreToConsider.com can see I'm fascinated by paradoxes, dualities, and the exception to the rule. Well, this post is no exception... to that rule... of mine. It's all about guys who have broken out of those molds. We're talkin' ducklings, once not so easy on the eyes, pulling the head-turning swan trick. We're talkin' nubile youths turning the tables and busting out the incredible looks after the accepted "prime". George Clooney is overwhelmingly the poster child (or poster person, perhaps) for having it all come together later in life. So this post is all about seeing who else out there is basically "pulling a Clooney" to one degree or another.
Ten years ago, what the young Princes William and Harry were up to was very much the buzz. I always felt a little sad for Prince Harry, though, because he just didn't have the same dreamy Tiger Beat looks that the Britney-Spears-embroiled Prince William had. He sort of got deemed the prankster and I always questioned whether his actions were out of fear of being lost in his brother's gorgeous shadow. Then something happened. A MAJOR something. Prince Harry grabbed the baton and ran with it. And still is running! Woooooo, man... run, Harry, run! What a testament to waiting for all the pieces to fall in place. What concrete evidence of the futility of projecting ANY outcome. Prince Harry is truly form following function. Because of the way his path unfolded, I believe he's one of the few high-profilers whose inner landscape comes to mind first BEFORE the physical beauty clouds it all up.
Okay, before it looks like I'm totally wild about Harry or something, let's look at a few others:

Like Anthony Michael Hall. Not without his appeal as the lil' squirt from a host of movies like The Breakfast Club. But WHOA! I don't think too many us saw what was up ahead that long, winding physical development road of his.

























I must say I hesitated a bit before including Josh Peck. I suspect being cast originally as "the fat kid" on "Drake and Josh" may have instilled an urgency in him to turn that image on its ear. Well, whether by shear willpower or what, every single pleasing attribute has since taken over.















It's because people searching the term "Josh Flagg weight gain" have recently been led to my site that I include yet another Josh. Yes, he has filled out... and I think it's an asset! He was still a kid before. Now looks like a man. Sure, one that wears fuzzy slippers and takes bubble baths but... you know... MORE of a man.

















From what I can tell Ryan Gosling was never really aesthetically challenged. In his younger years, though, he leaned more toward what I call the "pretty" spectrum. But not these days... YOWSA!!










As tabloidy as this may all come off at first glance, there really is a HUGELY valuable principle at work here: what looks so concrete today can wind up taking on a very different shape a little further down the road. And that includes situations, too. Like I mention in this week's video.

Project Runway's Logan Neitzel - The Power of Just Being Present

First off, there's no secret about it... Logan is a great looking guy. Although, how SUCH a great looking guy can come off looking so unappealing in so many photos is beyond me. The exhaustive search I had to go through to find accurate representations to work with here was... well... exhaustive. (This coming from the unshaven, underlit, and unflattered face in that video.) Anyway, the photo search was a labour of love... obviously... given the ever-growing collection of thoroughly searched male figures in this blog.
I've wanted to include a post about Logan for a while now but I never could find any significant reason for it. Regardless of how it may appear at first glance, simply being hot isn't quite enough for this mission. But the more I've watched this oddly hollow season of Project Runway and the more I've observed the interactions and dynamics at play -- on the show and in life out here in the world -- I suddenly realized what it is that Logan brings: a serene, grounded presence. Period. Simple as that. Yeah, sounds kinda like nothin' at first. And it is nothin' to Logan, most likely, but not something just anybody can pull off.
Week after week I've watched the models and cast mates all aquiver with desire for Logan while he does very little else than focus on his design or whatever he happens to be stitching. Quite the diligent and sincere seamster, that Logan. But that's just it: coupled with his pleasing appearance (of which I have no doubt he's well aware) that kind of unwavering commitment to ANY task at hand is a very appealing thing. It's why we fall for certain bartenders or certain front desk guys or certain trainers at the gym... they're busy being themselves and nothing else! They're just doing what they came there to do. They're not thinking about him, her, you, or me right now. And they're not thinking about themselves, either. They are completely in the moment with no agenda other than the task at hand. This is the beauty of just "being".
If you browse through this blog, you'll find some of the more memorable inspired-by-reality show figures who have grabbed my attention and spoken deeply to me. People like Carla Hall from Top Chef 5 who delivered all sorts of arm-flailing quirkiness while so actively demonstrating a higher answer. Or even more high-profile types like American Idol's David Cook who showed signs of someone focused on things beyond the big prize... things like genuine compassion and generosity. Yes, I love the character. (I mean, hey, I am one myself.) And I love the hero. Who doesn't? But Logan Neitzel represents something less tangible that I love just as much if not more: a still, solid, serene, powerful presence. No antics to try and steal the show... he just does. No moves to try and be all sexy... he just is. In a setting where so much is chaos, I'm seeing some much needed calm and hard-to-find steadiness. And from where I sit, something beautiful to behold. Oh, and if you're interested in that article titled "Silence" I mention in the video, it's right here.

Time For Macintosh To Release Mac Guy 2.0?

I'm a Mac. I'm sooooooooo a Mac. I was a Mac when the only reason to BE a Mac was because you absolutely had to have the art-field-friendly programs and platforms only "Apple" offered. If precious little else, the video above will give you a glance at the cornucopia of ways I use my Mac. But it's also there to let you know there's a cornucopia of creative things just bursting to head your way soon!
I've been with Macintosh through one metamorphosis after the next. From its earnest, task-driven incarnations to its present day Bow-Trembling-Before-These-Unparalleled-Aesthetics lust-driven tactics.
Being such a dedicated Mac, when I saw that first "I'm a Mac" ad in 2006, I was rendered speechless by the absolute PERFECTION of casting Justin Long. He had that Am-I-A-Skater-Or-Not kicked-back, casual, free-thinker look. Like a Mac, he had understated confidence. Like a Mac, he was that kid that knew his shit yet had a pile of way more intriguing things to get to in about a second.
Then as time marched on, things started to change. Like in a not-so-good way. In a way that has made The Mac Guy come off kinda... well... blah. And I don't really think it's Justin's fault, either (though I fear the Drew Barrymore stigma isn't helping).
For instance, those '06 slip-on Vans he was sportin' stopped getting slipped-on at all by most of us. The flared-leg jeans got traded in for skinny legs. And preppy cardigans pulled the wool over the whole zip hood thing. Unfortunately, what's on the rack at Banana Republic leaves Justin Long without that close-to-being-too-cool-for-school factor he had going on before. And even MORE importantly, The Mac Guy has become a little too coy and compliant in recent ads: "Oh, wow... you're gonna pick me and not what is now a cast of cartoon characters on the left of the screen? Golly whiz, thanks."
No, no, no, no, no. Just no. Macintosh is FAR too cunning and insidious at this stage in the game to pull off the toe-in-the-sand, blushing cheek routine. I mean, the guys who unleashed the iPhone unto the clutching grasp of the world? Please. And let's not forget that little pack of gum strapped to your arm, the iPod. Mac? Demure?? And ever so humbled by our patronage??? Not today. Not at this point. Not by a long shot. I think Mac needs to get back to calling it like it is and bring the punch back to The Mac Guy:

My first knee-jerk candidate is someone younger like Drake Bell. A little cocky, a little nerdy (if you've seen him in recent times), tasty looks, hip, and full of life.

I thought about Michael Phelps for a minute... when I saw this slicker side of him. But I think that lovable goofiness of his is bit too pronounced to qualify as a computation device persona.

The more I think about it, though, I don't see why The Mac Guy necessarily has to be younger... just very "with it" in an offbeat way. Like John Krasinski... it's kinda workin' for me!

I actually think Seth Rogen is PERFECTION as a Mac. Including the fact that half the people out there can't seem to grasp why he's so adored by the other half. But come on. He's writing for Simpsons, even! Perfection, I tells ya.

Okay, okay, if Seth bugs too much, what about Paul Rudd. Huh? HUUUHHHH??? Confident with just a hint of humility. And he's FOR SURE got the saliva-oozing aesthetics covered.

Just look at him pull nerd on us!

Or, hey, just look at him. Hmmmph.

Think a little more sophistication needs to be mixed in? Tim Kang would bring it. Just keep the scruff, Tim, pleeeezz!

And I couldn't let this go without one more energetic, quirky, handsome, slightly geeky, cocky contender: Seth Green. He's DEFINITELY got that quick-witted edge I think The Mac Guy's lost somewhere along the way.

Believe me, I could go on and on AND ON with the possibilities and you're certainly invited to comment below with YOUR candidate. Bottom line here, everything changes and morphs. Fashion, technology, faces, and most certainly Macs. Maybe the Mac Guy really will be updated one of these days. But you know... if Justin Long merely struck this sort of pose a lot more often... hmmmmmm...

Top Chef's Tatted Arm Variety Platter Apparently Comes With a Generous Side of Integrity

From episode one of Top Chef 6 it was apparent that the casting crew was directed to round up as many chefs with full sleeve tattoos as possible. Whatever the case, it sure seemed like those bare-armed, tattless few were in the minority. But as the season has gotten well underway, I've come to focus on something else among several of the contestants which I find even more appealing and even more edgy than any number of tattoos: integrity.
In this week's episode in particular, I was deeply impressed with Bryan Voltaggio's stand to not participate in ripping apart the other chefs' dishes... a retort he gave during their extended hang in the stew room. Though one could argue this is because things were inching close to ripping on his brother Michael, I've gotta side with the ingrained character trait team on this one.
One of the realities I have struggled with in recent years is that a life which really, really, truly, truly reflects ultimate truth and unwavering integrity is a life largely devoid of humor. That statement may seem a little over the edge at first but in the purest form, if someone is to be relied upon completely and without question, any horsing around or leg-pulling would make it impossible to trust them implicitly 100%. If there's anything Bryan and Michael have demonstrated, it's that they are utterly HUMORLESS about their cooking. Here's Bryan being humorless about his cooking now.


And here's Michael being utterly humorless on the beach...
and on his tight bike...

But I digress... kinda. Whereas Michael definitely seems to have at least one of his toes dipped in the magical pool of sex-appeal, as far as Top Chef goes, both brothers are demonstrating loud and clear that they say what they mean and do what they say. And give their all to doing it. Petty gossip is of zero interest. Tearing others down to make themselves look good is nowhere on their menu.
I love seeing this. The unrelenting pressure of reality-inspired shows so easily brings out the worst in people so it's encouraging to see people like Bryan Voltaggio and Michael Voltaggio rise above the sludge and demonstrate something admirable.
And while I'm at it, I have to hand it to another couple of contestants who seem dedicated to high standards of work and high standards of living. Jennifer Carroll sort of made herself out to be a hard-ass in the kitchen. While she does maintain a laser-like focus on the task at hand, she has that same brand of humorless dedication that the Voltaggio brothers do. She keeps it all about her and being her personal best. I think any hard-assery that comes from her might be more suitably tagged "motivational assertiveness".
Then there's Kevin Gillespie. Time and again a shining example -- from the show and his real life success -- of how being the very best we are certain we can be is really what satisfies us. Not material wealth. Not winning. Not coming off looking good. A blurb on the Bravo site in which Kevin is describing his most irritating restaurant request is a flawless example of the kind of integrity I'm talking about and the self-esteem required to demonstrate it: "We had a famous musician demand that we not make contact, address her directly, or engage her in any way. We told her that once she could go out to dinner like normal people, she could eat at our restaurant." You go, Gillespie.