Be still, my heart!

So as of two weeks ago, I've got a girl crush! Don't act so surprised; they DO happen from time to time (contrary to popular belief)! In true Curtis fashion, however, the crush is one of the current Hollywood It-Girls of the Moment, Rachel McAdams. She is drop-down-dead gorgeous and an incredible new talent! Thus far I've loved her in "Mean Girls," "The Notebook," "Red Eye" and "Wedding Crashers," but I'm REALLY looking forward to seeing her in "The Family Stone," starring two of my other top favorites, Sarah Jessica Parker (natch) and Dermot Mulroney. I somehow missed this film when it was in theaters and I've been kicking myself ever since.

Let's hear it for the tragically un-hip

As someone who prides himself in knowledge of useless pop cultural facts, I came to a realization the other day: I'm tragically and hopelessly un-hip. For all of my fascination with fashion trends and the creative world, I consistently miss the cultural zeitgeist -- by the time I arrive at the party, only a faint outline remains and everyone has moved on to more substantial material and newer themes. A friend recently suggested that my personal tastes were like the musical, literary and cinematic equivalents of cotton candy: sweet and instantaneously satisfying, yes, but not quite 'filling,' i.e. politically driven, thought-provoking or semiotically dissectible. Somehow, he suggested, this was indicative of a shallow, immature mindset. The truly artistically-inclined, intelligent and trendy folk steer clear of what's in the clubs or pre-packaged for the masses, he said. While I did little in retaliation, I reacted by pondering said sentiment and taking personal inventory long after the conversation ended. Was he onto something?

At first meetings, I've found that you can tell a lot about a person simply by browsing their CD collection. This can be somewhat off-putting for some people (there's not a discreet way to ask someone to snoop through their music), but I've found it to be a dependable tactic. However, glance through my music and -- in addition to film soundtracks and scores -- you will find a myriad of dated material (typically released in the '80s) alongside a variety of current, albeit conventional, selections. It might only be considered 'edgy' or 'fashionable' if we were living in 1987. Ask me who or what 'the kids' are listening to these days and I'll be forced to declare ignorance. Consider, for example, the two best known albums I purchased this past year: "X & Y" by Coldplay, a rock band whose credibility has receded since its front man's decision to grant his offspring a produce-aisle moniker, and "Confessions on a Dancefloor" by Madonna, a venerable pop icon who seems to be struggling -- in often unflattering ways -- with middle age. While I take pleasure in listening to both of these selections, neither exactly grants me a much-sought aura of trendiness or arthouse sensibility.

When I find myself enjoying something off-the-radar, it's typically through word-of-mouth or by way of a friend's generosity, e.g. a personal mix CD. I am never going to be the one to say, "Check out this amazing band whose gig I caught while they were touring in southeastern Bohemia," or, "I learned about so-and-so before he got signed to Warner Brothers when he was still playing coffeehouses in San Diego and driving his father's 1986 Chrysler LeBaron." By the time I get a listen, their album's had a stellar review in Entertainment Weekly and the world is buzzing about their upcoming Irving Plaza gig which sold out in six minutes.

The same applies to my taste in literature and cinema. Among my more recent book/film selections: epic dramas, High School Confidential-style satires and, of course, the romantic comedy. Upon viewing or reading said material, I won't be able to defend a religious doctrine or critique political theory. There is, however, one consistent theme: pure escapism. I enjoy retreating to a world where the men are witty and dapper, women sassy and astute and all is set against a background of glamour and sophistication in some bustling metropolis or exotic locale. The right man always wins, no relationship goes unconsummated and lives are devastated only following a series of steamy rendezvous. By focusing on escapism, am I unconsciously telling myself that present realities have nothing to offer? Or that consuming oneself in fictional love affairs is better than pursuing a real, flesh-and-blood one of your own because of the consequences? Do I truly place more emphasis on style than substance? At the very least I've learned to save many of these movies for rainy day rentals and I'm past the dreadful "chick-lit" phase of 2003, during which I pored through such literary classics as "Wedding Season" and "The Devil Wears Prada," only to hate myself for wasting so much time in doing so. Sometimes *Curtis* even embarrasses Curtis.

So is there a way to up my 'cool, hip and trendy' factor, and if so, will there be a significant benefit? My conclusive thoughts on the subject: OK, so I'm hardly riding the cultural zenith. I've no right to classify myself as an artistic snob, not that I ever did so in the first place. While cultural tastes become part of one's character, I can't subscribe to the notion that subjective matters can truly be a basis for judgment. As I wound up telling my friend, it might be another thing altogether if I wasn't willing to ask questions or expand my thought. This is something I definitely strive to do.

In other news, I attended a special screening of "Trembling Before G-d" at Kino Svetozor this past Thursday. Talk about missing the cultural zeitgeist: the documentary got its American release in 2001! Regardless, I found the film -- about gay and lesbian communities of hasidic and orthodox Jews -- truly fascinating. I'm not sure why I've always found Jewish customs so intriguing -- perhaps, as someone who felt little to zero connection with organized Christianity since the age of 12 (much to the chagrin and dismay of my mother, mind you), I find those willing to dedicate themselves so rigidly to matters of faith pretty remarkable in their own right. Since I've just finished reading a book about an orthodox Jewish family with its own series of problems, the film made a suitable companion piece. Following the screening, there was a special Q & A session with the film's director as well as the "world's first" openly gay orthodox rabbi. While much of his spiel leaned towards the self-congratulatory, the rabbi made some interesting theories. It was interesting to witness his ongoing dilemma, to see that he's still torn between religious philosophies and the quest for his own personal happiness even after coming to terms with his sexuality. "Well, my boyfriend and I have made a beautiful life for ourselves in this world," he said. "Whether or not we'll be able to do the same thing for ourselves in Paradise...well, I don't know." Wow.

Familiar faces, unfamiliar places

If it seems like it's been a while since I've written, it's only because I've had a week-long encounter with a mysterious someone from my past. For the past week, we laughed, we talked, we ate, we drank. Oh, yeah, and we slept in the same bed.

Intrigued yet? Teehee :)

For those who don't know -- my dear friend Melissa made her first venture across the Atlantic to visit me during my stint in the Old Country! It was a complete blast - it was soooo great to catch up with an old and honored friend! Of course, I also got to play tour guide for a large part of the week, a role that (as many of you know) I've always enjoyed. We covered a good bit of ground the first day, hitting the major tourist sights (Charles Bridge, Stare Mesto, Mala Strana and the like). The evening was spent at U Sudu, a medieval wine cellar bar in Karlovo Namesti, followed by dancing at Lucerna Music Bar, where they have their weekly retro party night. My little-seen "club-goer" persona came out in full force. Melissa wound up enjoying the company of a British stag in town for the weekend. I couldn't have been happier for her!

Unfortunately on Sunday, we had to forgo our planned venture to Kutna Hora because of timing (neither of us is exactly the most punctual) and inclement weather (a late-season snowstorm...would've made travel tough...ugh). So instead we grabbed the great brunch at Fraktal, a tour of Strahov Monastery and the Czech Literature Museum. I dragged her to see "Brokeback" -- which I've nicknamed "Gay-tanic." It was my second screening, her first. Incidentally, the only other times I'd ever seen a film more than once in the cinema was for Kate and Leonardo and the famous sinking boat. Oh, yeah, and "Chicago." What can I say...once a sap, always a sap!

Given my new super-busy teaching schedule, she was on her own for sightseeing for most of the week, but that didn't stop us from hitting some of my favorite restaurants and pubs around town. However, on Saturday we made our weekend venture to Cesky Krumlov, one of the most beautiful places I'd ever seen on the planet. One the one hand, it's sort of a living testament to the Nazi regime...it came under German rule shortly before World War II and remained a part of Germany until 1945. From the food to the morale, a strong German influence remains throughout. On the flip side, however, it's one of Europe's best-preserved medieval towns, with gorgeous baroque and gothic architecture and an amazing fairy-tale castle atop a craggy bluff overlooking the city. We couldn't help making up medieval-themed fantasies involving courtiers and unlaced peasant garb (I'll just leave it at that). We spent the weekend in an amazing hostel (one of the best I've experienced) and bar-hopped about town in the evening. Two of the more memorable stops: the Horor Bar (done up like a medieval dungeon, right up my alley) and a Gypsy bar with fantastic live music. The food was fantastic as well. In keeping with the medieval theme, we sampled an Old Bohemian feast the first night and then a grilled meat platter for lunch. I can't recommend this place enough!

Better than any of the sightseeing, however, was just spending time with a familiar face and cherished friend of many years. It didn't feel different, but so many things have changed since we last saw each other. She had just moved and was just getting re-established in Florida; I had remained but was barely treading water emotionally/socially/financially in New York. Now the tides have shifted somewhat, but we still have as much in common as ever. Of course I miss having her around all the time, but I think each of us is happier with our current circumstances. Being abroad, I've started to worry a bit about that whole "out of sight, out of mind" mentality that seems to happen with people you'd once thought you'd be friends with forever. There's no sense in complaining about it because it's just a natural cycle of life - it already happened at the end of high school and at the end of college...sadly, I can already feel it happening with several friends of mine in the States. I think it is necessary to sometimes be taken away from the things you are most comfortable with to see if they are truly worth your time. Those that are truly worth the effort survive, and those that aren't...well, go figure.

The verdict is in!

So, decades after the rest of the civilized world, I finally saw THE movie. When I say *THE* movie, of course I mean "Brokeback Mountain," which finally got its European release last week. Without access to my US Weekly subscription here, I missed much of the insane hype surrounding this film in the United States, so it was a pleasant surprise. Incidentally, the difficulty in accessing quality celebrity news here has made me start to lose my touch! Case in point: last year I held an Oscars' party -- this year I had no idea when the Oscars were even airing until this weekend! Last year I would've had my nose pressed against the screen.

Anyway, so back to "Brokeback." It was AMAZING -- the first gay-themed film that I've ever seen that wasn't too issue-driven or cliche-ridden for its own good. It didn't strive to be overly political -- in all honesty, the story would've been almost as compelling if it had depicted a heterosexual relationship. I haven't gotten so consumed with cinematic characters since the end of "Sex and the City" two years ago. Contrary to popular belief, I never cry at movies -- but I sobbed unashamedly during the final scene (which is especially surprising because the ending had been ruined repeatedly for me). Unfortunately, all movies can't end the same way as "When Harry Met Sally."

So I woke up to the news that my sad cowboy boyfriends didn't take home as many Oscars as had been initially predicted. What -- are Oscar voters not keen on seeing the cinematic quality of broad-shoulder men?? Some cry 'homophobia,' but I haven't heard anything but critical accolades otherwise.

Despite the fact that I worship at the altar of Sir Jake almost daily, I thought Heath Ledger was the more impressive of the two, and Michelle Williams was great! You really feel bad for her character even though your sympathies should be aligned with Ennis and Jack most of the time. That's not an easy task in a movie starring two of the sexiest men on the planet! I'm half tempted to move to Wyoming when I get back to the States so I can have great scenery and hot cowboys on my doorstep, ha ha :-)