Facet 35- The Maltese Falcon

Regular readers of this space know that I love movies. And I have different criteria for evaluating the flicks. In other words, different films are good for different reasons. However, there are a few set rules that I have. One of them is this: Any flick with Bogart in it is automatically good. And 1941's "The Maltese Falcon" is one of the best.

I first watched this movie a few years during my year off form the Sem. I fell in love with it instantly. Sure, there are plot holes. But the story, the dialogue and especially the performances are stellar.

Even though I own this film on DVD and watch it regularly, I always stop watching whatever else is on if I find it on TV. I only do this with a couple of other movies.

Facet 34- "Help Me" by Johnny Cash

This could probably be filed under 33A, since it's the first track on the "American V" album. This songs has actually come to mean a great deal to me since I bought the album. It was written by Larry Gatlin.

The song is actually kind of a prayer. I've recently been looking at various biblical texts (outside of normal Bible Study, devotions, and sermon prep) and other resources dealing with certain issues and questions I've had. This song kinda helps clear my head.

Help Me (Larry Gatlin)
--as performed by Johnny Cash

Lord, Help me walk
Another mile, just one more mile;
I'm tired of walkin' all alone.

Lord, Help me smile
Another smile, just one more smile;
You know I just can't make it on my own.

I never thought I needed help before;
I thought that I could get by - by myself.
Now I know I just can't take it any more.
With a humble heart, on bended knee,
I'm beggin' You, please, Help Me.

Come down from Your golden
And throne to me, to lowly me;
I need to feel the touch of Your tender hand.

Remove the chains of darkness
Let me see, Lord let me see;
Just where I fit into your master plan.

I never thought I needed help before;
I thought that I could get by - by myself.
Now I know I just can't take it any more.
With a humble heart, on bended knee,
I'm beggin' You, please, Help Me.

Facet 33- American V (A Hundred Highways)

As friends, family, and regular readers of this intermittent blog know, I'm HUGE Johnny Cash fan. I love the man's music.

This was his last album, and was released posthumously. You can tell that his famous deep baritone voice is fading. But you really do feel the passion in his aging voice. Every song on here just seems to fit, and serves as a decent farewell.

As some of you may know, I've been kinda lonely and down recently. This album articulates some of that very well. The parenthetical title should have been "The Saddest Music in the Known Universe." It is a sad album. But it captures my recent mood. (Which is improving lest any of you faithful readers worry.)

Facet 32- Everybody Loves Raymond

I've watched this show from the beginning. I've watched a ton of it recently, and it's quickly becoming my "go-to" thing when I need a laugh. And laugh at it I do.

Everything about it is gold. The writing, the acting, the cast itself. The only thing that makes me laugh as hard as this is The Simpsons.

Facet 31- Cadbury Creme Eggs

Many of your faithful readers know that I don't eat regular eggs. But I've enjoyed these Eastertide treats for as long as I can remember. They look kinda like real eggs, but they're made of chocolate. I'm not sure how they make the soft filling, but it's really good too.

As much as I love them, Cadbury really rocked my world a few years ago when they introduced the caramel-filled eggs. Those, I think are my favorite ones. But, I'll never turn down one of the regular ones.

Facet 30- Live To Win

I got this album in exchange for a 6-pack of beer from Nik. he didn't really care for it. I, on the other hand, love it. Just about every track on the album captures what I have been feeling at some point in my life. Kudos to the KISS frontman!

If I'm not mistaken (and if I am please correct me), this is Paul's first solo effort since the one he released with KISS back in the 1970s. That one was OK. Basically, it proved that Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley need each other write songs.

But this effort is just fantastic. My fave tracks on the album are the title track, plus "Wake Up Screaming", "Lift", and "Second to None."

Facet 29- Buffalo Bills

As fans of this site already know, I am deeply committed to my beloved St. Louis Rams. However, since I now live in the Buffalo area, I decided that it was cool to root for the Bills, since they're in a different conference (AFC).

What impresses me most about the Bills is this: I know in St. Louis, we have the Cardinals (MLB). And I know fans of other teams in other cities enhance their civic pride. But with the Bills, it's different. I've never seen a team that was such a part of that city's identity. It's just mind blowing to come up here and experience it. It really is impressive.