A KFC Christmas

During the Christmas season, as at any time, communication is important.

Let me take you through yesterday's events.

I was with my wife, not near my computer or phone. Suddenly my sister shows up at the door. Didn't I know that my dad, sister, and brother-in-law were coming over for a Christmas feast today?

I thought it was actually on Christmas!

So we wait for Dad, who was coming by bus, and was arriving at 11:30.

He showed up at 1:00, saying that he thought he had to leave at 11:30.

So the feast is gotten at KFC.

Chicken, corn, fries, coleslaw, 7-Up.

But no cutlery.

Or plates.

Sister has meltdown when none of the three convenience stores visited have plates.

Brother in law suggests cups.

Cups are gotten.

Three-times folded paper towels substitute for plates.

I carry leftover chicken home at my feet.

Leftover pop at my back, stuffed down my T-shirt.

Can't wait till next year!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Your Partner In Life

About Cary Dean, or What's In A Name

I am obviously not Cary Dean. I picked that handle because I wanted to pay tribute to two of the coolest guys of yesteryear, Cary Grant and Dean Martin. Although on second thought, I have trouble picturing Cary as a "guy's guy" type, at a barbecue with a beer in his hand, turning to the guy on his left, with that accent of his, and saying:

"Hey Phil! How's it hanging bud? Want another cold one?"

Just can't picture it. But I don't think he'll haunt me, because I love the air of refined sophistication he brought to all his movies that, except for George Clooney, just dosen't exist anymore.

I also want to take a moment to apologize to anyone actually named Cary Dean born in 1965 who has just realized that that particular address is not available for their blog or email. I've felt that pain, people. Years ago, I was known as Mike At The Movies on Edmonton radio station Power 92 (now JOE FM) and although I love Mikey The Movie Guy as a screen name, I desperately wanted to use my former handle for my blog. But it was gone, taken by another blogging movie critic in another town. It stings a little, kind of like a flu shot. But you move on. And if you're Cary Dean, I want to hear from you. We could probably have an interesting chat.

My full name is Michel Hebert. Michel is French for Michael, so for years I've gone by Mike. I've always felt like a Mike, but at first it was a defense against schoolyard taunts of "Michel's a GIRL'S NAME!!!" Special-needs schools, where diferentness should be embraced, are always the worst for that crap, for some reason. I've never understood it. And if my mom spoke French to me in public, I would instantly go twelve shades of red, due in part to the folks at the special-needs school, who told my parents that my brain could only handle one language. Total merde, by the way.

But as I've aged, I've learned to tell anyone who's still talking that trash, "I am who I am, a proud French-Canadian. And if there's a problem with that, it sure isn't mine." Because whoever you are, if you choose not to embrace your heritage. you are missing out, and will probably wind up feeling pretty miserable. And that's not a good place to be.

Have a great day!

Your Partner In Life

Hello And Welcome

Hello there.

It's Mikey The Movie Guy. You may ask: Why the heck am I starting another blog when I just hit the 100 milestone on my main one? The answer, ladies and gentlemen, is deceptively simple.
It may come as a shock to you, but movie critics, especially a well-rounded one like I try to be, have lives outside movie theatres, premieres and the like. They arrived at their style and opinions through all kinds of life experiences. That's why we love to read them.

And I am no different. And it hit me, when I was typing my 100th post at MTMG, that I had many such stories, but that people expecting to read about movies might not appreciate them in that context.

More to come, promise!