Read A Book. See A Movie. Maybe These Ones.

Hey MonDavers. Things have been getting a mite serious on the ol’ blog here lately, and I have very much appreciated your indulgence while I’ve been working through some of my thoughts and feelings here in this space. Y’all are the best.

When I started this blog a few years back, the intention was to bring a little smile to what is otherwise a bummer of a day. This is supposed to be a place to escape from Monday (or whatever else is going on), even if just for a few minutes. I’ve gotten away from that recently, but let’s see if we can’t start getting back on track.

Speaking of escaping, I’d like to share with you a few of the ways I have been escaping lately, by sharing a few good books I’ve been reading (two rather new and one not so new), and also one movie that’s just absolutely bonkers. First, the books.

“GOD’S COUNTRY” by Percival Everett (1994)
-How this book and its author have managed to elude my consciousness for so long is surprising to me, almost embarrassingly so. Still, there’s never a bad time to discover a good book, and that is what’s happened here. I may be a latecomer, but I’m all in!
“God’s Country” is a Western that is both comic and gravely serious, often at the same time. It follows a man (I hesitate to call him a “hero”) named Curt Marder, a gambler, drunkard, liar, cheat, and all around no account character who is, of course, oblivious to all of these traits in himself, though keen to point them out in others. His obliviousness also extends to the world around him and, often, the true meaning of the situations he is in. The book opens with Marder’s house and farm being burned by marauders, resulting in him losing his home, wife, and dog in one swell foop. Sorry. Fell swoop. I like that though, “swell foop”, I think I might keep that one.
Anyway, Marder decides that the only thing a man in his situation can do is to go after the group, save his wife, his pride, and what little social standing he may have had. To do this, he hires the best tracker in the land, a black man named Bubba, who fits the traditional Western hero mold far more than Marder does, but being an African American in the old west…well, I don’t have to paint you that picture.
This is where you are likely to think “Oh, it’s like “Blazing Saddles”, but no. Sure, the book deals largely with race and social status, but the humor in the writing is much darker than anything Mel brooks (who is a genius) would have ever come up with. While it’s easy to laugh and smile at Curt Marder and his pathetic shenanigans, I couldn’t do so without feeling a twinge of (Guilt? Shame?) uncomfortableness. See, sometimes comedy has a lot of truth in it, and all smiles have teeth. Sometimes they bite.
The drama in “God’s Country” hits so intensely that the humor can’t quite soften the blow. This is what sets the novel apart from any other in the genre that I have read. It really is a fantastic read and highly recommended, whether you like Westerns or not.

“THE SPAMALOT DIARIES” by Eric Idle (2024)
-This book is exactly what the title says. Eric Idle (of Monty Python and The Rutles fame) kept a diary of his experiences in bringing the show “Spamalot” to the Broadway stage. Kind of like “The Producers” but in real life. Huh. Another Mel Brooks reference. Wild,
For those who may be unaware, “Spamalot” is a Broadway musical version of the film “Monty Python And The Holy Grail”, adapted for the stage by Eric Idle and John Du Prez, Eric’s long time musical partner. While it does help to have some knowledge about both the movie and the musical, I don’t believe it’s totally necessary for the enjoyment of this book.
Yes, this book is a diary, but it’s hardly boring. Being a comedian, Idle has a natural way of writing that is very funny. It is also honest, emotional, and charming. Being a diary, we don’t get too much technical gobbledygook to bore someone who knows nothing about the theatre world, but we do get a behind the scenes look into the arguments, egos, difficulties, breakdowns and breakthroughs it takes to bring a big time show to life.
If you are a fan of Monty Python, or just of the theatre itself, I believe there is much here for you to enjoy. I also believe that even if you’re not a fan, but you are interested in the creative process, or perhaps you are a project manager looking for a different perspective on how to get things done, this may also be for you.

“YOU LIKE IT DARKER” by Stephen King (2024)
-I know, I know, a lot of people don’t like Stephen King for a lot of different reasons, and many of them are justified. I’ve read a large majority of his work, and although I consider myself a fan, I have issues with a lot of his stuff too. Especially when you get into the longer novels.
That’s why I’m always excited when I hear there’s a new King short story collection. I love short stories of all kinds, horror and fantasy doubly so. When done right, the short story can encompass everything that’s great about the novel in a way that quickly cuts to the chase and doesn’t get bogged down in too much detail, less than interesting side stories, or it’s own self-righteousness. For my money, Stephen King is one of the best when it comes to short fiction.
Sure, some of the stories hit the mark better than others, but that’s the nature of these types of collections and you know that going in. There are some longer tales in this book that I could tell really wanted to be novels, but just couldn’t quite hit that mark. That’s assuming, of course, that a story is a living, breathing thing. Which it is. There are also a few that go by in a flash, stinging quick as a hornet, but leaving a mark that lasts much longer.
Favorite stories here include “The Turbulence Expert”, “Willie The Weirdo” (shudder), “The Fifth Step” (double shudder), “On Slide Inn Road”, “Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream” and “Laurie”. I’ll tell you though, there was nothing here that I didn’t like and I quite enjoyed the ride.

Okay, now that that’s in the books (sorry), I now have the unenviable job of trying to figure out how to describe the out and out comic insanity that is the film…

“HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS” (Self release 2002-streaming/home release 2004)
-Let’s start with the official synopsis from the movie’s own website. “In this 19th century, supernatural epic, a drunken applejack salesman must go from zero to hero and become North America’s greatest fur trapper by defeating hundreds of beavers”.
That barely begins to cover it.
“Hundreds Of Beavers” is a slapstick comedy film that feels like one of the old Warner Brothers cartoons has come to life. Well, at least the first half feels this way, Comedy aficionados will also notice the influence of Buster Keaton, The Three Stooges, and Charlie Chaplin as well. Each gag lands with accuracy, and even the repeated gags don’t get old.
Then the movie takes a slight tonal shift into Dudley Do-Right territory with a little bit of “Return Of The Jedi” thrown in for good measure. There is also a brief parody of a courtroom drama, and what begins to feel like a video game play through, while still keeping the story together and not losing any slapstick elements.
Let’s face it folks, this shouldn’t work. But it does. Wonderfully.
“Hundreds Of Beavers” is a modern take on some old formulas, so it is self aware, but without being obvious or pompous about it. There’s lots of cartoon violence, but nothing overly disturbing. Unless you’re one of those. In which case you probably won’t like this film. For the rest of us though, it’s a blast.
Otherwise, there’s no profanity (apart from one well timed bleep), the sexual humor is mild, few references to smoking are made, and as far as alcohol goes, well, that’s what started our heroes problems to begin with-and he learns his lesson. My only complaint is that the movie is a little bit too long. I think trimming a few minutes here and there could have helped the flow overall and brought us to a quicker resolution. I feel that comedy movies work best at around 90 minutes, and this one clocks in at 108. Not bad, mind you, but the third act felt a little long. Still, if the only bad thing I can say about the movie is that it’s too much of a good thing, then how bad can it be? Also there are a few gross jokes, but nothing worse than an 11 year old boy would come up with so let’s let that slide.
Let’s see, what else? Oh, did I mention this was all shot in black and white? And that the Beavers (and other animals) are all played by people in Mascot type costumes? The physical and digital effect mix make the whole thing feel like the 30’s while being a masterful achievement of today’s technology.
And that’s the key to the success of this movie, I think. It’s all about the juxtaposition of ideas and styles that don’t go together, but do. “Hundreds Of Beavers” also pulls off one of the hardest things a comedy can, in that it’s stupid, yet smart. This in and of itself is a lost art these days, and it is refreshing to see. Quality stuff.
I’d recommend seeing this with a like minded friend (or more) for maximum fun and laughs. But even if you see it all by your lonesome, see it! “Hundreds Of Beavers” is on Apple tv, Amazon Prime, and Blu ray.

Aright. Well. That’s what’s been keeping me entertained. If any of these pieces sounds good to you, check ’em out, and tell me what you think.

See you next time!

Happy (?) 2025

Well, here we are. The calendar has turned another page-or your device updated itself, whatever you’ve got happening, and 2025 is upon us. As usual, there are many who are excited about the new year and/or really happy to see the past one go.

Not me.

I am heading into 2025 with much apprehension. While every year has its ups and downs, some have more potential for greatness or disaster. This one has already had its share of the latter.

Everything kinda sucks right now. Look around at what’s happening. Be it the national stage or the world at large, pretty much everything has become a dumpster fire.

As a nation, we are more divided than at any time since the 1960s. Frustratingly, we’re mostly arguing over the same stuff as we did back then. War. Human rights. Sexism. Racism. It’s the SAME STUFF, people. Let’s face it, as much as we tend to view the past with rose colored glasses, the late ’60s were pretty ugly. And we are reliving them. Just with better clothes and crappier music.

I have heard quite a few people talking of unity for our country in the past few weeks. That’s a beautiful thought, and I’d love to join in on it. Except for the fact that most of the politicians, radio hosts, and “celebrities ” I’ve heard preaching unity were preaching vile, hateful, divisive rhetoric just a few months ago. Miss me with that. Come back when you mean it.

As for the wars brewing around the world, there are, of course, two major ones going on. One is so complex and terrible that anyone picking a side is alienating a large number of people, many of whom they know personally.

The other is a case of big country invading a small country, and we can not even agree on which side the USA should be helping. This is partially due to potential global consequences but has much more to do with which political party you favor, where the money is (which is all wars come to think of it), and people believing what they are told to believe by the loudest talking heads. Which is the new American way, no doubt.

As a Christian and a Pacifist, I have no choice but to condemn all wars, no matter the reason for the conflict. I read something about “thou shalt not kill” back in Sunday school. Seemed fairly important. But hey, what do I know? ‘Murica, right?

Okay, that got a little off track. Sorry/not sorry. Anyway, when the state of the country and world at large gets me down, I try to look for good in what is around me, in my own little bubble as they say. There are some good things going on, yeah.

But.

So far in 2025, I have attended a funeral, and someone else I know passed that same morning.

We’ve also just come through Snowpocalypse 2025. We got 12.5 inches from Saturday night through Monday morning. While that may be business as usual for some areas of the country, here it’s a lot. The storm shut down the city, and I have shoveled and salted my drive several times in the last 48 hours.

I hate snow. And cold. The temperature is not supposed to be above freezing for the next week, so there will be very little melting of the snow that I hate. I don’t like driving in snow, looking at snow, walking in snow, or anything. Even as a kid, I didn’t join in the neighborhood snowball fights or building snow forts or snowmen or anything of the sort. I did go sledding a few times and enjoyed that somewhat, but the unpleasantness of temperature and snow in my boots and britches outweighed the momentary fun of skidding down a hill.

So the snow is here, and I’m stuck with it for a while, with more to possibly come this weekend. I find the whole snow thing depressing to deal with, and it makes me cranky. Not that you can tell, of course.

To top it all off, I have seen many people on social media circulating a meme that says the following: If you choose not to find the joy in snow, you will have less joy in life, but the same amount of snow”.

Yeah, well, the same can be said of farts. If you don’t find farts funny, you will have less humor and the same amount of farts.

So we can more or less dismiss that argument right?

Alright, I know, I’m rambling. Normally, these posts are a little more light-hearted or positive or goofy or whatever. Sometimes, though, I get to vent. Maybe that’s selfish. Maybe it’s the opposite of why you read these things.

Or maybe it helps you realize that you’re not alone, and that makes you feel a little better, and it turns out to not be such a negative thing after all.

Well, what do you know? That MonDave magic strikes again!

Thanks for indulging me, MonDavers. I’ll be back with more of the normal fare soon. Promise.

See you next time.

Christmas 2024

It’s been a few weeks, apologies to all.

Normally I do multiple Christmas/holiday related posts during the month of December, but this year I jut didn’t have it in me. I touched on this last time, how I was having trouble getting into the spirit of things this year. Some years the Christmas Spirit is upon me right around mid October, sometimes it takes a little longer. Some years I’m full of it. Many would say I’m always full of it, but they usually mean something else.

Then there are years when the spirit is a little more elusive, and I have only a little bit to share. This is rare for me, but it happens sometimes. This is one of those years, but it almost wasn’t.

I’ve been working on getting my Christmas spirit going, and it was beginning to work. I began enjoying the old songs again, and discovering some new ones. The old reliable films and tv shows began to work their familiar magic, and the Advent services at church were making their way into my being too. It was a slow process, but I was getting there.

Then, last week, I got the sad news that a friend and co-worker (whom I have known for the better part of 20 years) lost her life in a terrible car accident. Right before Christmas. I am heartbroken for her family, friends, children, and all who have been impacted by her presence. I know many of these people, and I can’t imagine the depths of what they are going through. For them, this will not be a joyous Christmas holiday. It’s affected mine as well. It’s going to be tough for a lot of people.

Yet, it’s still Christmas. I still believe in it. I believe in the hope of the Christmas story. I believe in the togetherness Christmas brings-even in our lowest points. Even when there are less filled seats around the dinner table, we can still surround ourselves with those we love, and we are not alone. Sure, Christmas can make us sad, but it can also help heal us. In the depths of our despair there is hope. There is love. There is light. These are the things that Christmas is made of.

I believe in this to my core. I believe that the day will work its magic (at least some of it) for me this week, and it is my genuine hope that it does the same for all of you. It may take a bit of work, but Christmas, and its glorious promises, are there if you look for them.

So look for them. Embrace them. My Christmas wish is that we all feel the beauty of Christmas-even if it’s only a little bit. As Pete Townshend once sang, sometimes a little is enough.

Merry Christmas to you, MonDavers, and many more.

The Season’s Upon Us

It’s the Holiday Season!

So whoop-de-doo…and flippity-flop…and don’t forget to put on your socks.

Or, you know, something like that.

Yep, it’s that time of year again folks. Anyone who knows me even a little knows that Christmas is my favorite holiday. Most years I am in the spirit well before Thanksgiving, and I have been known to sing Christmas songs and watch Christmas specials on and off throughout the year because it makes me happy. Most years are like that.

But not this one. Not yet.

Sure, we put up the decorations, both inside and out. The tree is lit up. I even got a new standing Santa gnome decoration whom I have dubbed “Santa Gnomi”, which is a joke for like three people, one of whom has already heard it. I have started incorporating Christmas music into my daily commute. I’ve started buying gifts and have already knocked a few things off my annual Christmas Watch List.

I’m just not there yet. I’m trying to be. I’m working on it. I’m just not feeling that Christmas Spirit yet.

But you know what? That’s okay. There’s a lot going on right now. Apart from the dumpster fire that is the political arena right now (both foreign and domestic), I’ve just got a lot going on right now personally. It’s getting super busy at work right now, so that adds a little bit of stress to the day. Then on the physical side, I did something to my neck/shoulder area early last week-I don’t think it’s serious but I tweaked a muscle, or pinched a nerve, or I don’t know what. This is one of those nagging injuries where I didn’t know I did it at the time. It hasn’t slowed me down a whole lot, but trust me, it’s there. It’s all right though, I’ve got my Advil and heating pads on stand-by.

I’m also just feeling overwhelmed in general. It’s not any one thing, just a general feeling of slight panic. Okay, not panic, maybe, but…franticness? Is that a word? Yeah? Cool. Anyway, apart from an increased work load, there are multiple events I need to attend, some involving the kids, others social engagements I have to keep. With Thanksgiving being as late as it can possibly be this year, it gives us less time to participate in the Christmas season, so there seems to be more pressure to get all the gifts bought and do all the things. Which is not what this holiday is about, of course, but it’s an unavoidable part of the whole thing nonetheless.

That’s probably where my problem comes from. I don’t feel I have the time to enjoy the season, and when I do get some time I am neither physically or mentally in a state to relax and be in the moment.

But again, it’s okay. Not every holiday has to be the Norman Rockwell, picture perfect dream we all have in our heads. It’s okay to be a little stressed, and a little run down. It’s okay to be overwhelmed by everything we have going on, holiday related or not. I’m not sure how this works for you, but I have to be okay with where I am and how I feel in the now before I can get over the hump and feel better later.

Speaking of you, how are you? Is everything going hunky-dory into the holiday? Is this shaping up to be a great one? Or are you overwhelmed and struggling? Maybe you’re trying to get in the spirit like me, or maybe this is your least favorite time of year and you just want it all to be over with. However you’re feeling, it’s absolutely valid. Feel what you need to, and let’s come out the other side together, stronger, and with a little more self acceptance and peace.

Christmas is coming, fam, ready or not. So let’s all take a deep breath…and let it. It may feel rushed, but there’s still a few weeks left before the big day. Perhaps if we’re mindful of the good stuff, if we are honest with ourselves and those around us, and if we stop trying to force the season and just let it happen…well, we just might get a Merry Christmas after all.

I’m confident that I’ll get to that place yet this year where Merry Christmas is not just a saying but a feeling, a wish, and a state of being. I hope you do too.

Oh, and if you celebrate a different holiday, then I hope that’s great for you as well, whatever it is you celebrate.

Unless you celebrate Yak Shaving Day. Stop it. Y’all are weird.

Hang in there, MonDavers. See you next time.

The Whole Godzilla Thing

I’ve been thinking a lot this week, about many things.

Mostly Godzilla, though.

Not the new Godzilla movies, cool as they are. I mean the original run of movies that started back in 1945 (!) and ran for, well, pretty much ever. As a kid, they were staples of the afternoon and/or late night movie shows on local tv. As a young boy, I loved tuning in to see the monster mayhem. As an adult, however, I find myself more interested in Godzilla as a character and the overarching story and lore connecting the many, many films.

It’s interesting to me, because in Godzilla’s first appearance he was a fearsome monster. In the original story, Godzilla basically served as a stand in for the atomic bomb that devastated Hiroshima and brought not only destruction at levels hitherto unseen, but a new level of fear to Japan and the world at large.

Godzilla was the cinematic embodiment of fear and senseless destruction. He was truly a monster, in every sense of the word.

Then, something happened. The filmmakers began to add more creatures and violence and mayhem into the mix. Over time, Godzilla transformed into a hero. The people of Japan (both in the movies and in real life) began to see him as a hero.

But here’s the thing, he was still a monster. Quite definitely so. He was still capable of mass destruction, but people didn’t care. In time, they even called upon Godzilla to save them.

So, from about 1964-1975 Godzilla was portrayed as the hero that the people needed. Then, in 1984, things shifted. Suddenly, Godzilla was a bad guy again. The monster came back, in all his ranging, fire-breathing glory. Fear, destruction, and chaos followed.

Because that’s what happens with monsters. They lay dormant for a while. They may even show their friendly side. In the end, though, a monster is a monster and it will do what monsters do the best.

Fear, destruction, and chaos.

Godzilla was always a monster. Even when the people didn’t see it. When they didn’t care.

He was-and is-still a monster.

Just something I’ve been thinking about.