Blahg

25 December 2009

This afternoon I was told I'm the "ideal man." While that comment (a statement of the obvious, really) came from my mom, who has Alzheimer's, it's still nice to hear and mighty damn meaningful. It was the nicest Christmas present she could possibly give me.

Having been called a "white Jamaican," "Berberman," "Fish & Chips," among other things during my travels, I have to say that one ranks right up there.

And it's in stark contrast to the drunken arse who called me a "shady bastard" back in Cambridge, England, once upon a time.

But that's a story for another occasion.

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7 December 2009

Here are perhaps the coolest words ever spoken by a sitting President:

"On days like this, remember: I'm the President, but he's the Boss."

Oh yeah. That's cool. And that was a comment from President Barack Obama about the Rev. Bruce Springsteen prior to the Kennedy Center Honors, during which The Boss received a lifetime achievement award.

Read more at Time.com.

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25 October 2009

While munching on some pizza and admiring a nice, cozy fire at stately Matt Manor I had a "belated epiphany." Yesterday I purchased tickets to Billy Joel & Elton John at the Pepsi Center via TicketHorse. They offer a new option called Flash Seats. It's basically a ticketless admission; I simply need to show up at the Can with my credit card, which will be scanned at the door as verification of my ticket purchase.

If I want to sell the tickets, I can do so through the TicketHorse Flash Seats site, simply transferring ownership via the site in a process similar to StubHub.

It's occurred to me Flash Seats could have much happier implications in regard to scalping, or more precisely, the squashing of scalping.

The next time Bruce Springsteen comes to the Pepsi Center, for example, surely he could say tickets must be sold through Flash Seats and no secondary sales are allowed, or at least no secondary sales more than face value. This would eliminate scalping altogether.

Let's not forget the Boss' legendary anti-scalping stance during the Tom Joad tour. For that, people had to line up at McNichols arena (now demolished and replaced by the Pepsi Center). Tickets were sold ONLY at that one location. Purchasers were given a voucher for up to two (and only TWO) tickets. They then showed up at the Paramount day of show, presented their voucher and ID, then were immediately ushered into the theatre. No chance for those tickets to change hands.

Heck. This Flash Seats technology, in the right hands, could effectively stomp out scalping, or at the very least the obscene prices scalpers try to sucker people into paying.

Just a thought.

Peace out.

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24 September 2009

I enjoy watching Ghost Hunters (particularly episodes with the lovely Kris Williams) and now I'm hooked on Destination Truth. But I do have to interject about last night's trip to Egypt.

I was in Cairo and Luxor in April 2008. It was absolutely awesome. Some 18 months later, my online journal is still languishing in the editing room at the Mattsonian.

But here's the thing: They made big drama out of some random noises, a faint shadow, heartburn and a sandstorm.

Before I went to the Valley of the Kings (by bicycle, mind you; I've gotta get that video clip online), I spent time in Cairo and thoroughly enjoyed spending my birthday at the Pyramids of Giza. But after a full day in the sun and a few beers, my tummy was giving me fits.

And while I was checking out Luxor late one evening, a major sandstorm blew through. It's called "weather" and I was caked over with dirt by the time all was said and done.

Also, let's not forget the whole point of the tombs was not to house the spirits of the pharoahs, but rather to provide a space to put the body and all the gear the soul would need to make the journey into the afterlife. The ancient Egyptians had things down pretty pat, so I don't see these minor incidents as encountered by Josh Gates and his crew as a sign that the tombs are haunted.

Saying King Tut's curse is back sounds fantastic, don't get me wrong.

But I don't buy it.

The next time Destination Truth heads to Egypt - heck, anywhere for that matter - I'd be willing to lend a voice of reason. What do you say, Josh?

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3 July 2009

Happy anniversary to the online edition of the People's Republic of Mattopia!

It was nine years ago today the domain Mattimus.com was registered and a whole new world opened up to the PRM.

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18 March 2009

I've had the distinct privilege of meeting both Natasha Richardson and Liam Neeson in New York in 1998. I met Natasha after a performance of Cabaret, Liam after a performance of The Judas Kiss. Both were as nice and pleasant as could be. Both incredibly talented. Natasha, an absolute stunner. Liam, rugged and handsome.

At that point I had already been an admirer of Liam's work in movies for years. But Natasha? Wow. Sally Bowles. What a performance, what a show. It was such a knockout production, it ranks second only to Les Miserables in my book. It was the kind of mind-blowing experience one always hopes for on Broadway, but rarely does a show go to the heights that revival so deftly reached.

I remember thinking back then what a cool couple they were. Liam was there to pick up Natasha after Cabaret. I didn't see him, but he was waiting for her. That was 11 years ago already.

When the news broke today Natasha had died, I felt a shot of pain. For Liam. For theatre. For movies. For her kids.

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