#NerdsUnite: In loving memory of the man who changed my life

This post isn't going to be easy. I've honestly been dreading it all week but now that I am fully fueled on a pot of coffee and a double gulp of Diet Dr. Pepper from 7-11 ... I feel more than ready to just get this all out of my head and onto paper ... er, onto the interwebz. 

Here's the song that goes with this post ... omg, I'm already tearing up just hearing the intro. 

BAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!! 

As you guys know, I had a gnarly childhood. This doesn't make me special, only awesome, since 80% of people all come from some sort of trauma (and even those that don't sit and fester over being in the 20% that weren't fucked up). The people my dad grew up with were some of the nastiest people I have still to this day come across. 

<tangent> In part of my healing with the shaman I sent my uncle a message on Facebook a few months ago and was genuinely so confused how ANYONE could be okay with being that cruel to a child. I was a BABY and these people were DOWNRIGHT CRUEL. Shocks me. At 27, I'm STILL shocked. Fucking assholes. </tangent>

Either way, they didn't like me - they all thought I was this weird little bundle of energy that made no sense to anyone since I was so outside of the "Connecticut mold." 

I was a tomboy growing up, and SUPPPEERRRR passionate and driven for storytelling and adventures. I was always playing in my backyard building elaborate forts and spent hours at my little school desk in my room drawing out designs for my tree house.

I was just a weird ... weird ... kid. I had one friend who was equally weird, but we were both so weird and awkward that we spent a lot of time just doing our own things. 

I lived in Bristol, CT up until the 7th grade, and school for me was pretty easy. Bristol schools weren't that competitive and because I was one of the only kids in the class that ALWAYS handed my homework in on time and ALWAYS offered to stay after class to help - the teachers freaking loved me. 

::cough cough teachers pet:: 

I was an A/B student ... however, the scholastic side of my life always always always took a back seat to the entertainer side of my personality. I might not have said much in class to my peers, but on stage I felt at home. I grew up as a dancer (I started at age 2, the same year that I got into typing) and there was always something that sparked in me when I was in the spotlight. 

Obviously now, after a lot of soul searching, I realize that I sought the validation I got on stage because I didn't get it from my extended family - but who cares! That was my constant and that is still to this day the only thing I knew how to do. No matter whatever was bothering me, or whoever was mean to me during that time - the stage became my outlet. It was this place where I was up there, and they were over there. No one can hurt you when you are on stage, and you have this chance and opportunity to express yourself in this crazy awesome way which is GREAT because I'm filled with all this creative energy that it had to go somewhere. 

In 7th grade at Chippens Hill Middle School we were all given teams. If memory serves me correct, it was the Green Team, Blue Team, and Purple Team. 

I had so desperately wanted to be on the Blue Team because my brother was on that team, and he LOVED his teachers. My mom put in a request to get me on the Blue Team, but it was denied. 

NOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I said crying. I want to be on the Blue Team!! Why can't we make this happen?? 

I don't know Jen, replied my mom. Just go to the Green Team and if there are any problems I'll take care of it. There's nothing more that I can do for you right now. 

FINE! I screamed stomping my feet upstairs to my bedroom and slamming my door. (I was pretty bratty during that time.) 

I then went to school that first day, and got into my social studies class. I want to be on the Blue Team, I thought moaning and groaning to myself. This team sucks. 

My teacher then walked in. He was so tall, with glasses and a mostly bald head. 

How many of you don't want to be here right now? he said. 

The students then looked around at each other wondering if this was a trick question. 

I'm not here to talk down to you, he said. I'm not here to tell you what to do, or teach you things you don't want to learn. I'm instead here to excite you, and open your mind. 

I sat up in my chair a bit and listened closer. I had never had a teacher talk to me before with so much ... respect. 

Yes, we're going to learn some history, but it's only because history repeats itself and these skills will be VERY important to you all moving forward in life in whatever field you choose to go into. 

I stare at this tall human being stunned. This guy is speaking my language, I thought!!! 

I then went home after that first day and my parents asked me how my classes were. 

They're fine, I replied. 

Do you want me to move you, asked my mom?

No. I think I'm okay. I said coy but confident in my decision. 

After the first week, my social studies class quickly became my favorite. My teacher's name was Mr. V. and he was so gregarious and entertaining. He wasn't just teaching us history, he was teaching us skills for LIFE!!! 

I remember so vividly staring up at him from my desk so surprised that someone like this existed. Yes, I had teachers that I liked before, but Mr. V was inspiring and CAPTIVATING!!! He loved teaching so much, and he was so aware that we weren't "just kids" we were little people that hungered for knowledge. 

I wanted to be around this human being more than anything I had ever felt in my life. I volunteered for EVERY after school activity he taught. 

My favorite being the talent shows our team would put on. I was not only a dancer growing up but would also choreograph my own dances in my spare time - so I finally had an outlet outside of dance class that I could perform in. 

Mr. V was always SOOOO encouraging. You're really talented, Friel. I want you to know that. You're sharp, and you sparkle on stage. You don't find that very often in people. 

I then confessed something I had yet to share with a single adult outside of my parents - I want to be an entertainer, I said. I don't know if it's acting or dancing ... I just have all of this energy, and I know I was born to be on a stage. 

The words escaped my 11 year old mouth and I immediately froze up wondering if he was going to ask me "what my fallback career was" - he instead replied with, I already knew that about you. 

You're a star, Friel. I knew it the day you came into my class. You have this energy around you, and people are naturally drawn to you. 

Yeah, but I said, I don't have a lot of friends. 

But people respect you, he replied. And you're a leader. You'll figure out the friend part later - but for right now you need to keep leading and keep doing what you're doing. It will pay off one day, that much I am sure of. 

I then shined my mouth full of braces back at him as he high fived me and told me to go home and do my homework ... even stars have to do their homework. 

A few weeks later we had parent teacher conferences, and I remember anxiously awaiting my parents to return so I could hear what my teachers had to say. 

I was SO FREAKING NERVOUS that Mr. V was going to tell my parents what I had confided in him and that he was going to be honest with them and say that I should really be steered in another direction. 

I remember hearing the front door open as I LEAAAPPPEEEEEDDD down the stairs wondering what was discussed. 

How'd it go? How'd it go? I said jumping on my parents. Literally. Jumping. 

It was great, Jen, my parents said. Your teachers love you! They both replied. 

We then sat down at the dining room table. Let's talk for a minute though. 

Okay, I said ... nervous ... 

Mr. V really believes in you, Jen. 

What do you mean? 

He told us that you said you wanted to work in the entertainment industry and he told us we needed to encourage you to do so. He said you were really talented. 

I then looked at them ... shocked. 

He told you that? 

Yes. 

<tangent> Mr. V himself was an actor and a producer for various stage companies in Connecticut. </tangent>

Would you like to start auditioning for local plays? What can we do to help you, asked my parents? 

I'm literally shocked at this point. My parents KNEW my entire life I was a performer but they had never actually spoken to me about breaking down the next doable actions. 

Well, I'd like to just keep doing what I'm doing with Mr. V if that's okay, and then we can figure the rest out from there. 

Wonderful, said my parents as they hugged me.

The year went by, and that Christmas we were assigned to do a one act play. 

Mr. V. pulled me aside as we were split up into groups. 

Friel, he said, you're going to want to be the actor in this, but I want you to write the story and produce it. I want you to learn how to work with actors and work with the director. You're smart, and you're a natural producer. 

What's a producer, I asked? 

You're the glue. You help the director execute his/her vision in addition to getting the actors going and helping them try out new things and see what works. You can do this, he said. 

I looked at him confused having heard of the term "producer" before - but honestly never understanding who those people were or what they were doing. 

I then wrote out my first one act play, a take on the popular Scrooge - and I knocked it out. of. the. freaking. park. 

A+ ... my first one in Mr. V's class. 

I had SO MUCH FREAKING FUN getting to be behind the scenes and writing the story out. I didn't necessarily need to be in the spotlight to enjoy being a part of everything. (I actually preferred it even more as the spotlight was my "go to" and producing was outside of my comfort zone.) I was in the spotlight because I knew nothing else - that was the place where I could express myself. But PRODUCING was the place where I found my jam ... my home. I've always been someone who is quick at making decisions and always trusting my gut, so there I was 11 years old saying we're cutting this, moving this around, wah wah wah. I took my skills as a dancer and could feel the rhythm and the movement of a story, and all I had to do was choreograph how to make it all work.

It. Was. Awesome. and still to this day one of my happiest school memories. 

The year then went by in the blink of an eye and before I knew it - June was upon us. 

I was sad that my time with Mr. V was coming to an end but I was excited to take the lessons he had taught me and apply it to my future. 

On one of the last days of school I got a piece of mail saying that I had qualified to be the "Student of the Year." 

Say whhaaatttt, I thought as I handed the note to my parents. What is this?? 

Wow, they said - it looks like you've been nominated by your teachers to be the Student of the Year. 

Now, I had been Student of the Month at some point during the year my ENTIRE life in school - but this was new. Student. Of. The. Year. Wow wow wow! 

I then went to the ceremony held in a conference room in our school, and Mr. V walked in with a big trophy a few minutes later. 

I stared out at my peers. There are so many of us, and all of these kids are so smart ... there's no WAY I am going to get this, I thought, but at least it felt good to be here. (And I truly, truly meant that btw. I was not a straight A student ... and I was literally with the best of the best.) 

Mr. V begins talking ... 

I remember on the first day of school this year seeing this little kid walking into my class and knowing he or she had something special. This person not only worked hard on their grades, but was also an active ear to his/ her peers. This person has helped out above and beyond what was required and displays leadership skills that makes us all confident that he or she will go far in life. 

He then raises the trophy - this is why this year our 1997 Student of the Year goes to Miss Jen Friel. 

I heard my name come out of his mouth and my jaw dropped. 

But but but, Tommy is so much smarter than me!! But, but, but Hans is going to be a SUPER famous musician ... what?!?!? ME??!?!?!!!! Why ME?!!??!!? 

I was literally shocked ... again ... but I stood up as the audience started clapping. I was then handed the trophy as one of the teachers came up and took a polaroid picture of me. 

I couldn't even smile ... I couldn't BELIEVE I was selected. 

I then started tearing up as I hugged Mr. V. I had never felt special growing up being so tortured emotionally by my extended family. They ASSURED me over and over that my brother was the special one, and I was merely dead weight. To get this kind of recognition from someone I cared SO MUCH FOR absolutely changed my life. 

This means so much to me, I said holding back the tears. Thank you, I'm going to do everything to make you proud. 

Later that year my family then moved to West Hartford, but Mr. V and I still kept in touch. I would send him letters in the mail thanking him for all the reassurance that I was doing something right with my life, and that I meant something ... to someone. 

I then finished high school early and in June of 2002 decided to move to NYC to study at the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute. Was moving to NYC to live alone in a studio apartment at 17 nuts? Sure! But Mr. V assured me and my parents that I was going in the right direction - I just had to let go and see what was out there. 

Before I left my parents threw me a going away party. At that point I was completely estranged from my dad's side of the family, and most of my mom's - so the "family" side of things was pretty slim. 

I have a surprise for you, my mom said on the day of my party. 

What is it, I asked?

I don't know, she said. Why don't you go answer the door! 

I then ran down the hall as the doorbell rang. 

I reach the front door as I open it. 

I then see Mr. V standing in front of me. 

OHMYGOD! I scream as I go in for a bear hug!!

Mr. V!! I can't believe you're here and so stylish as usual, I say referencing his eye patch.

He laughs (he had the best laugh ever btw) as he tells me he has eye cancer, but it was no big deal.

I don't even register the "c" word as I was just SO FREAKING EXCITED that he was here to see me off on my journey that he encouraged me to take!!!

All throughout the party I would look over at Mr. V dominating the room. Everyone was always so drawn to him, and  he had the entire room captivated with his stories. 

Nothing has changed, I thought. 

Over the last 10 years I had kept in touch with Mr. V - even skyping him in November of 2010. I told him all about my adventures, and how I finally found my "niche" in entertainment. 

I started a website, I told him. Social media is a great way to not only get to tell stories but I can combine my love for entertainment and technology. It's everything that I've ever wanted to do with my life!!! 

You're doing it, Kid! I'm so proud of you Friel. 

I smiled knowing that his 1997 Student of the Year had made him proud. 

He then told everyone about my website and suddenly I was flooded with Facebook messages from his friends and family. 

That Skype call was the last time I talked to Mr. V. 

On Tuesday of this week, as I was just starting a campaign to get the attention of Virgin America, I saw this message on Facebook ... 

I stood up from my computer and went into the kitchen sobbing. 

And not just sobbing ... crying. from. my. soul. Like Steve Jobs, this man was SO wonderful and SO larger than life, you start to believe someone like this could actually never die. The man had cancer for TWELVE YEARS and still lived to tell the tale. 

I was inconsolable. I focused on executing the campaign - but I was emotionally just gone. 

A piece of my childhood died today, I thought. No going back, only moving forward with the lessons I learned from Mr. V. 

It took me two days, but on Thursday, I finally messaged his wife and his daughter expressing my condolences. His wife's response back broke my heart ... 

It has been 15 years since I sat in Mr. V's class - but he was right. I DID go into the entertainment industry, and while acting came naturally to me, I found my calling when it came to writing and producing.

Social media may not have been around in 1997 but my devotion to storytelling within the medium did get the attention of some TV peeps, and I am currently pitching my first scripted TV show with the help of the people responsible for Wedding Crashers, Elf, and Meet the Fokers. 

You know no big deal. 

I am who I am today because of this man. Given my low self esteem and lack of confidence in middle school it would have been SO easy to succumb to the peer pressure of drugs or alcohol. Instead, all I wanted to do was make Mr. V proud and prove to him that he was right, and that I COULD make it and make him proud. 

In honor of his memory I devoted our last Tuesday Trivia Night to him ... 

For the record, we won. 

#thatisall

So much love to his friends and family during this time. He touched so many lives, and will be missed forever. xoxoxo

#Zombies: Rule 1 - Cardio (a nerd's baseline approach to fitness)

<editorsnote> Nerds, meet my buddy Adam. I met him when I ousted him as mayor of his apartment building on Foursquare during my loverly couch surfing adventures. Really great dude, and SUPPEERRR pasisonate about all things fitness. He's here today to give you some tips and tricks on how to get your body in tip top shape. I only have one more thing left to say ... HIT IT ADAM !!</editorsnote>

#TalkNerdyToMeLover's @thekerp

Fitness is important to me on many levels. Sure it’s about physical health, but there so much more to it. It’s about mental health, it’s about poise, it’s about a physical reminder of things that aren’t always so simple to grasp, and above all it’s about preparedness for the zombie apocalypse. It’s also an undeniable part of my past as an athlete. Either way, game on.

My approach to fitness is a bit bewildering to people, sometimes it comes off as stubbornness, or maybe just craziness, and as I try to explain my mindset this doesn’t always get much better. Mostly this consists of me trying to explain that the crazy things I’m doing, plan to do, or have done in the past “aren’t that hard.” That’s about the point I lose people. I suppose it comes off as false modesty, but it’s this reaction that’s made me realize the problem. It’s a problem of understanding how the body works, how the mind works, the relativity of the idea of a “workout”, and really the idea of fitness in general. So I hope can chip away at some of that here, and send you away with a little homework.

Question 1: What’s the point of fitness?

In my mind maintaining a level of fitness is not only relative, but also a matter of understanding the actual meaning of “fitness”, and what that means about your goals. To most people working out, or maintaining some level of fitness, is a chore. I tend to suspect this boils down to a question of “what’s the point?” Going to work out is kinda of monotonous, and it makes sense that it’d be hard to motivate yourself if the idea is just, well, the world says I should do it, so there must be a point. So… What’s the point? Here it is…

The point of general fitness is to keep the body and mind ready for the chaos of life. It’s not about having a lower time in some race, or the number on the weight you lift, or any of that bullshit that people compare to try make one person better than another. It’s about being able to get out of the way of the skateboarder flying at you on the side walk, or bend over and pick up your backpack without having to think about how you pick it up in order to avoid injury. When was the last time you saw any animal in the wild carefully lifting with it’s legs. If you went down to your local gym right now you’d see a number of people that you might think of as “in shape” but their “fitness” is probably pretty poor. That dude may be able to bench press 400lbs, but if he can’t do it standing on one leg then it’s not much use, because most of walking is standing on one leg or the other, never-mind running. So, sorry bro, unless I need you to move a boulder from a cave entrance, you’re probably not much help to me.

Question 2: What is “Baseline Fitness?”

I joke about the Zombie Apocalypse, but that is actually sort of a valid way of thinking about it. If you suddenly had to fend for yourself, while occasionally escaping a predator, how would you do?That’s your fitness level. Believe it or not this is exactly the physical dynamic that the body is built to withstand. This, of course, brings up the first mismatch that makes this stuff so tricky. Society has progressed past what our bodies are built to deal with, we don’t have to run from beasts, and climb trees, and so on, but we still have a body built to store energy when it gets it, run from the predators, and chase down and kill prey. This is why it feels like a chore, because it’s really not that important for actual survival anymore. Unfortunately the physical systems in our body haven’t re-calibrated for this, and they won’t, so if you want to keep the body happy and functioning you have to fake it. This is a fundamental difference between athletes and your average person. Athletes have found a replacement. Whatever they’re training for has replaced running from a bear.

So here’s your first assignment: Find something to run from. Zombies, dogs, your mother-in-law, whatever. But if the shit hits the fan, can you get away from it? Want to get trickier, what supplies can you carry while you’re running? Want to get more Rambo with it, also pick something to fight. A shark, a bear, your mother-in-law, whatever. Whatever you think you can handle now, that’s your baseline, the point of working out is try and make the things you can fight, flee and carry a bit bigger than they are now. But for now just think about it. Think about it when you go up the steps, when you bend over to pick something up, whenever.

Question 3: How do I raise my baseline?

Well, this is the essence of the idea of “training”. But for now don’t sweat where your baseline is. We’ll get there later. First there’s some more stuff to think about…

Here’s the thing: any one human can only ask so much of the body at one time. The ability to adapt from one day to the next is finite. Yet people tend to look at goals they want to reach that, when look at in the face of this look pretty damn demoralizing. To say you want to do 100 pushups, when you can only do 10, 100 seems really far away. Demoralizingly so. We also make the mistake of comparing ourselves to athletes. The point of thinking of baselines is to try and diffuse this frustration.

The important thing to remember is that your baseline is yours only. The idea of ” a workout” is measurement relative only to you. I used to be a competitive swimmer, a sprinter, and our average workout was somewhere on the order of 7-8 thousand meters. That’s roughly 300-400 laps in a 25 meter pool. Sounds batshit crazy right? Well it’s really not. For one, we took years to build the ability to go that far, and once that baseline is there it’s only the last 1000 or so that’s actually hard. I mean, it takes time, calories are burned, it’s work, but it’s not really difficult, it doesn’t really hurt. It’s that last bit that’s causing adaptation. It might still sound nuts, but that’s how baseline’s work, and how awesomely the body can adapt. If it’s used to doing 7 thousand every day, then the workout is only really the 1000 that gets you to 8. It’s that little % extra that will make you stronger the next time. What’s a workout for you might not be for me, and what’s a workout for me is nothing to Lance Armstrong, but that doesn’t mean shit. The point is to push yourself to adapt, the point isn’t some number, it’s that push. And this is the problem with the normal view of fitness. We shouldn’t be looking at where we want our baseline to be as a goal, we should be looking at achieving that extra percentage relative to whatever we’ve got as the goal. If you’ve hit that, then you’re done for the workout, pat yourself on the back. Keep at it long enough and the further goals fall in line.

So we’re back to the thing I mentioned earlier, how much we can ask of the body? It’s actually easier to think of in terms of volume, or water. You’re a jug, and your “baseline fitness” level is the size of your jug, which is also going to control how much water you can put in it. The way our body and energy systems work, and once that jug is full, we can only add a couple more shot-glasses to that jug with every workout. But guess what, that 2 shot glass limit applies across the board. This is the fun thing. You can only add two, I can only add two, and Lance Armstrong can only add two. We can only exert ourselves a certain amount past max, but it’s that little bit that will stretch the jug.

The point is always to look at your baseline, and to make the goal to push just a bit past it with every workout. When you think about it this way you realize that you’re already on a level playing field with Lance Armstrong. Maybe he can ride 100 miles in a day and you can ride 20. But if he rides 100, you ride 20, and join him for the the last 10 it’s going to hurt just as much for both of you. And you’re both going to wake up better the same amount relative to where you were yesterday. And only focusing on that, and knowing that you can only reasonably adapt so fast is how we bring the baseline up.

So here’s your second assignment: I’m still not even going to give you a workout to do. It’s another mental exercise. This one is about reframing your goals. It’s about looking at whatever picture you have on the wall, whatever weight you want to get down to, whatever distance you want to run, and remind yourself that we can only adapt two shotglasses at a time. Me, you, and Lance Armstrong can only do a tiny bit each day relative to the goals our imagination (or our fucking doctors, and that’s a whole different discussion) can dream up. Think about those goals, but focus on the two shotglasses, and think that once you get started those two shots aren’t optional. They’re life.

That’s it for today. See…the homework isn’t even that bad, it’s all in your head for now. Keep doing what you’re doing, but try to think about those new things. Just trying to shift your perspective on those two is extra workout enough. It’s that mismatch of mind and body I alluded to earlier. We don’t give ourselves enough credit for the effort mental tasks take. You might not sweat, but doing these two things will be a hell of a workout for a week.

Any questions!?  Hit me on Twitter (@thekerp).

Good luck!

#nerdsunite

click here to follow Adam on twitter!

#Nerdsunite: A Return to Black Mesa

<editorsnote> Nerds, meet my buddy Sean. He has a really rad site called Violent Gamer, and he's here today to talk about some of the latest and greatest in the gaming industry. I only have one more thing left to say ... HIT IT SEAN !!</editorsnote>

#TalkNerdyToMeLover's @violent_gamer

It's still alive! That's the big news. Black Mesa Source is a complete modification that is recreating Half Life 1 in the Half Life 2 source engine. The developers have been working on this mod since 2005, often with a dozen or so people working on the mod. Back in 2008 they released a trailer that looked fantastic and showed an expected release date of 2009. They didn't release Black Mesa Source in 2009 and since then most people assumed that mod had died, especially since news and updates for it ended sometime in 2009. Nathan Grayson Rock Paper Shotgun did an interview with the project lead of Black Mesa Source, Carlos Montero, earlier this week and he explained what has happened since then. Most importantly he explained that they are still working on the mod and they are hoping to have something out for it in the near future. Before I go over some of the really interesting parts of that interview let me show you the trailer that got everyone so hyped up for Black Mesa Source back in 2008.

Looks pretty spectacular right? Well they wanted to release the mod back in 2009, but they have had very many difficulties. There has been numerous problems with quality control, meaning parts of the mod were not up to snuff with the level of quality that other parts, so they have spent a long time trying to keep the quality of everything consistently high. They have also had problems with internal communication and dealing with their team of developers who are located all around the globe. In the interview Carlos explains that one of their biggest problems has had to do with balance. They've had to a lot of work trying to make Half Life 1 meet the modern standard and trying to keep make it not too challenging for modern gamers. If you want to see how the Black Mesa Source has been developing they have a nifty Time Line available that shows what has been publicly released for it. On that timeline it is interesting to see where they implemented their media blackout. Since 2009 they felt quite bad about hyping up the game and then not releasing it, so that's why they haven't been hyping it up anymore in anyway. Now that it's nearing release, again, we may start to see a lot more on it.

Black Mesa Source still doesn't have a solid release date and the only thing Carlos was willing to say, with some prodding by Nathan, was that they are working very hard on getting something out to fans soon-ish. The game is entirely custom at this point and had thousands of custom textures, sounds, dialogue and models. Hopefully someday we will see the fruit of their labor. It looks to be a splendid trip back to Black Mesa and Half Life 1. If you would like to read all of it head on over to Violent Gamer. Thanks for checking it out.

Black Mesa Main Website: http://www.blackmesasource.com/

#nerdsunite

click here to follow Sean on the twittah!

#NerdsUnite: New Network Fall Lineup Shows Worth Watching

<editorsnote> Nerds, meet my buddy Aaron ... he's a writer, and goth nerd. For reals, he's got some crazzyyyyy ass stories from some of the peeps he's met online, and is now here to share those crazy ass stories with you all. I only have one more thing left to say ... HIT IT AARON!!! </editorsnote>

#TalkNerdyToMeLover's @aaronflux

I'm a bit of a television geek.  I watch a lot of shows.  A LOT.  

That being said, it's Up Fronts season, which basically means we get announcements from every Network showcasing their upcoming fall lineups.  With this announcement, begins the real buzz of new shows that will be hitting the television airwaves in the fall.

While I tend to mostly watch programming on AMC and FX, I have noticed in recent years the Networks have been scrambling to bring more cutting edge programming to the masses to keep up.  Looking through the list of new shows being announced, I am a bit intrigued.  Below is the list of shows that sparked my interest. 

First up is CBS.  There are two shows announced that had me scratching my head because I never watch CBS.  Ever.  That just may change. 

 ELEMENTARY

My first reaction here was, 'A little late America'.  With the Guy Ritchie movies and the amazing BBC program "Sherlock", it seems that the concept of another Sherlock Holmes program would be a bit overkill.  But, one must take a moment and breathe.  Each take on the concept can work on their own much like the numerous shows about vampires that seem to grace our TVs now.  Plus, look at this cast!  Jonny Lee Miller is a brilliant actor and with Lucy Liu's recent stint on Southland, it's only right to have her in a show like this.  I'm just hoping it's as great as it looks and audiences take note.

 VEGAS

Ok seriously?  It's like this show was made for me.  60's Vegas? Check.  Dennis Quaid as a cowboy sheriff? Check.  Michael Chiklis? Yeah...I'm sold.

Next up is NBC.  Now, I have been having a bit of a love/hate thing with NBC recently.  It seems like whomever has been bringing in the shows there recently has been sniffing the funny stuff.  I've lost interest in The Office, haven't been able to really get into Parks And Rec, 30 Rock hasn't been funny for some time, and Community is going to be ending after a short final Season.  But, the list of new shows look intriguing and maybe someone over there is trying to throw everything against the proverbial wall to see what'll stick.  

 ANIMAL PRACTICE

I know what you're probably saying.  Really, Aaron?  Well, yeah, the concept seems a bit silly to me as well. But, I'll pretty much watch anything with Tyler Labine and Bobby Lee in it.  And that Justin Kirk ain't half bad either.  Plus the appearance of Matt Walsh in the trailer clinched it for me.  I'll watch this.

 GO ON

I will watch anything with Matthew Perry.  Anything.

 THE NEW NORMAL

Ryan Murphy has a new show and it's gay!  Ok, well so is Glee...and I suppose American Horror Story...but yeah GAY!  I'll give this show a chance because honestly, we need more gay themed sitcoms on mainstream TV.  Plain and simple. Plus, Ellen Barkin!

DO NO HARM

Honestly, I'm not too sure about this one.  It seems like a modern day TV telling of the Jeckyll and Hyde story.  And honestly, BBC's Jekyll was so fucking amazing, it'll be difficult to not compare the two.  I liked Steven Pasquale in Rescue Me, so I'll give this show a chance.

CHICAGO FIRE

Speaking of Rescue Me, here's a new show about firefighters!  The cast doesn't look half bad.  Plus it's from Dick Wolf, so we know it'll have some good procedural elements to it.  It's nice to know Chase has left working for House to become a fire fighter...but he probably needs to stop doing the American accent.  It's a little distracting.  Also some details to take note: it's nice to see Monica Raymund back on TV.  After Lie To Me was canceled, she was one of those actors I had hoped to see on some sort of screen again soon.  Also, Eamonn Walker has seemed to be a very underrated actor.  I first took note of him in Cadillac Records playing the legendary Howling Wolf.  He appeared in FX's Lights Out last year and he delivered such a great performance, I'm excited to see how his role in this pans out.

REVOLUTION

Probably the number one show debuting on NBC in the fall that I'm excited about.  Of all the shows listed here, this one looks like it's the closest in bringing the buzz and excitement that TV has been missing since Lost.  The heavy weights behind this will make this a sure fire hit.  JJ Abrams (Lost, Star Trek), Jon Favreau (Iron man), Eric Kripke (Supernatural), Bryan Burke (Fringe, Star Trek)....if this show doesn't deliver, NBC is fucked.  Having JJ Abrams' name attached looks great but as we've seen from Alcatraz, having a name attached isn't everything. Still... if it does succeed, it'll probably put NBC back on track with the ratings numbers they've been lacking in recent years.  

I never used to watch The CW.  The channel seemed to me like it was just The WB all over again.  The network's branding gives off a very cheesy feel so I just wrote off their programming.  That was until a friend turned me onto Supernatural.  Seriously, that show is great and I admit I was wrong.  Still, I've only watched that one show on The CW but that might just change very soon.

ARROW

Another super hero themed TV show.  When they work, they work.  Heroes was great during its first season. Then there was the cheesy failure that was The Cape. But super heroes have made their home on television before and The CW is bringing their version of DC's Green Arrow to the small screen. This trailer makes me think someone finally has gotten things right, maybe? We'll see. 

And while that's the only new show slated for the fall that I'll check out, they have also announced some interesting mid-season replacements for 2013 including Cult which'll star the always engaging Robert Knepper (that's Tea Bag from Prison Break, if you don't know).

ABC seems to be bringing some goofy new shows to their fall lineup.  I suppose they are trying to bank on their comedy successes Modern Family and Happy Endings, to name a few.

THE NEIGHBORS

Ok, this is bizarre.  Last year, ABC brought us the horrible show Work It, which was canceled in it's 3rd or 4th episode (I honestly don't remember).  Now they're bringing us The Neighbors.  The trailer has this Arrested Development style narration which makes me wonder if the whole show's story will be told in that fashion. And let's be honest here, the concept is simply bizarre.  Not a safe bet for network TV but I like weird and bizarre so I'll definitely tune in.

click here to watch

LAST RESORT

From the creator of The Shield, Shawn Ryan, comes back to television with Last Resort.  One of my favorite films is The Hunt For Red October and whether this show succeeds or not, it'd be nice having a submarine actioner on prime time.  It's always a plus to have a show take place on a tropical island, right?

666 PARK AVENUE

Goddamn this looks cheesy.  The only reason I even clicked to look at the trailer was because Terry O'Quinn stars as...Satan?  I'll give the show a shot just because he's in it.  The show is based on the book by the same name but after viewing the preview, it'll be hard to not be reminded of The Devil's Advocate upon watching.

Finally we are at Fox.  With the 8th and final season of House in the bag and Fringe's final season being announced for next year, I've been wondering how Fox is going to move forward.  There was a time when 24 was their legacy show and I feel like the Kiefer vehicle Touch hasn't really hit like they were expecting.  Plus, there were the major disappointments Alcatraz and Terra Nova (which I'm still pissed at for causing the cancellation of Human Target and Lie To Me).  There are three shows scheduled for the fall that look worth my time.

THE FOLLOWING

Alright, so maybe this one is scheduled for a mid-season replacement but still.  Immediately, I get a 24 vibe from this trailer.  Kiefer Sutherland reignited his career from film to tv as the world was introduced to Jack Bauer. And in the first minute, we're introduced to former FBI agent Kevin Bacon.  Oh and the subject matter here is about a serial killer network.  I'm so in.

THE MINDY PROJECT

I like Mindy Kaling.  A lot.  She was great in her small role in The 40 Year Old Virgin.  She has been amazing in The Office.  And now she is branching out to focus on her own show which she has a hand in as writer and producer as well as star.  The trailer comes off guy friendly while ultimately looking like a chick show.  Which means, I'll be able to watch this with my girlfriend.

THE MOB DOCTOR

I like medical procedural shows and I like mob stories and it looks like this just might be both.  It's your basic story about a surgeon who owes a debt to the mob and thusly begins working for them.  What makes this look worth-while is the writing as well as the cast which includes Jordana Spiro, Michael Rappaport, William Forsythe, and Zeljko Ivanek.  

So there you have it!  Those are my picks of new Network shows to look out for.  I didn't even begin to cover the upcoming Fall lineup for USA, AMC, and FX.  A man needs to stop typing eventually, you know!

#thatisall

click here to follow Aaron on the twitter!

Fun with #OkCupid: A dude in the OKC corral (Sex, Love, Or Dating: What Do You Want?)

<editorsnote> Nerds, meet my buddy Kenny. We e-met through OKC and although we've never gone out on a date, he was inspired by my documentation of my online search for love, that he wanted to come on board and provide male insight into OKC. So here you go ... and now we're here ... HIT IT KENNY!!</editorsnote>

#TalkNerdyToMeLover's @KennethArthurS

Do people really like to get in the bone zone or what?

This week on my blog I experienced an unusually high spike in activity and page views.  I had posted an article on Monday about casual sex on OKCupid and I thought to myself “Yep, people really seem to like this whole penis-into-the-vagina or however-you-prefer-to-do-it business!”  I mean, it makes a lot of sense.  People enjoy sex, they enjoy thinking about it and talking about it but because it can be a taboo subject sometimes it’s best to just read about others experiences on the internet.  I have basically no qualms talking about my sex life, as embarrassing as it may be, so I hope that my honesty can help others too and realize that you may not be the only pathetic one.  (Even though the majority of my readers are female, and I think that has its own effect by giving the opposite sex a male’s honest perspective.)

However, when I dug deeper I realized that it wasn’t my casual sex article that was giving my page views graph a boner.  It was an article I wrote weeks ago about Love and Science.  I guess through the Google, people were searching hard for love this week.  It was not sex that they craved but a more in depth retrospective on love, chemicals, and romanticism.  I guess that surprised me somewhat.  Why now?  Why love?  Why not the other articles where I talk about boobies and dongs?

Not that I’m complaining.  I’ll write about Bieber Fever if it triples my page views.

What I found myself pondering however was “What is it that people want and do they even know what they want?”  Do you want to find someone to date and not have it be serious?  Do you want to just rub sensitive parts against someone else for 5-15 minutes at a time?  Or are you “wookin’ pa nub”?  (Reference that maybe makes me sound very old.)  I think that’s part of the reason that people have such a hard time in the world of romance, because you either don’t know what you want or you’re lying to yourself.

Can you have casual sex if you’re desperately looking for a life partner?  Can you date someone if you don’t want to get serious right now?  Can you love someone that only wants to have sex?  The differences between dating, loving, and sexing are immense and confusion over what you want and what your partner(s) want will only leave you in want.  We can’t lie to ourselves and hope that people will change or that we will change because in the end you’ll be left with perhaps a broken heart or with someone else’s beating heart in your hand.  This is how people get hurt.

And then I have to ask myself that most important question: What do I want?

Do I just want to lay in the boneyard?  I think most men want that on some level, spending much of our adolescence thinking of nothing other than sex and then feeling like we’ve got some mission to do until we get married.  What happens after marriage, well, I can’t speak to that.  But do I only want to get it in or do I want to find love?  If I want to truly find a special girl, I have to stop thinking like a deviant and start thinking and feeling like it’s time to find the right girl.  People can see right through you if you pretend like you want to be in a relationship when in the back of your head you’re thinking “I wonder what she’ll look like naked.  And I wonder what the waitress will look like naked.  And I wonder what my boss will look like naked.” Until she finally stops you and says, “Hey, are you paying any attention to me?” because you’ve been staring into space for fifteen minutes.

You’ve got to be focused, you’ve got to be true, and you can’t lie to yourself about what you want.  Figure out what it is and stick with it and when it’s time to change, your heart will tell you.  Until then, stick with what you feel and go with it and that’s where you’ll find peace, serenity, and success.

Oh shit, this article just got super serious so I’m going to end with this:  Butts.  That is all.

#thatisall

Want some more from Kenny? Follow him on twitter over yonder!

and don't forget to check out his blog!! <----- good shit!