Why I Love Spies

So if anyone hasn't noticed the current trend in t.v. shows or movies, the spy shows have us surrounded. Whether it is Burn Notice which is now on its fourth season or Covert Affairs on its first, or even Chuck, I am more than happy to say that spies have wormed their way into network television and the movies. I am sure that you could trace the spy fascination back to James Bond, but now it appears that Americans are taking over the covert scene.

For me, the true fascination with spies began with Michael Westin of USA's Burn Notice. I mean, Jeffrey Donovan isn't inherently sexy or anything, but his character's skills certainly are. I could probably write an essay or a novel on why I love spies, but I will try to keep my admiration to a shorter amount of text. So, I will begin with a list:

Why I love Michael Westin

1. His tactical skills and all of his spy training (this pretty much covers everything he does)
2. His ability to carry off complex operations with grace and ease
3. His facial expressions
4. And if you have seen the show, you know pretty much everything else.

Watching Burn Notice and other spy shows and films makes me want to join the CIA and start my training, but I cannot help but think they make it too easy. I mean, I would love to have the ability to fight someone off with a spoon or know how to assemble a flash grenade, but for now I am stuck with what little self-defense I know (go for the groin or the shins) and some pepper spray. So I have given this issue much thought and have decided the pros and cons of my becoming a spy. I will start with my abilities:

Why I would be a super terrific spy

1. I am smart and could handle training
2. I have an interest in mechanical work
3. No one would expect me to be a spy if they met me
4. I am good at organizing and making plans
5. I like to travel

And now here are my reasons against being a spy, in addition to my family and friends laughter at the ambitious career alternative (as opposed to my being an English teacher or journalist)

Why I would be a super crappy spy

1. I like wearing bright colors which could give me away
2. I smile too much
3. I'm probably too lazy to pass physical training tests
4. I've told everyone I am going to be a spy so they might know that by now...oops
5. I have no technical skills unless writing essays count
6. I could probably only land a desk job at the CIA
7. I don't like guns

So I am not sure what this means for my own pursuits of being a secret agent, but it is never too bad to keep it in mind. As far as the spy craze and the general public, I would say that it is much preferred to the Vampire fad that will hopefully fade away soon.

After all, who doesn't love a spy? Who wouldn't kill to have the ability to kill and not have to use it because you are a good enough spy to have other ways to take someone out? Whether it is out of love for the spy (the physical entity) or not, it is hard not to admire or envy the skills spies possess to solve problems.

Ultimately, spies are just risky problem-solvers who can eliminate threats to their plans with tactical force and intelligence. Who wouldn't want those abilities in everyday life? I am not forgetting the menial duties that accompany spy work, but after everything, a good spy knows how to handle their self on a very practical level that I truly envy.

This love hate relationship I have toward spies is of course a product of the shows that I am watching, but I cannot help but slip into that world of excitement and capability, and neither could anyone else who is addicted to the USA Network's lineup. So while I might just graduate an ordinary English major, I will live to write another day and that will be my relationship with spies: I can write about them.

"Collar" me Dazzled

If anyone has either seen or heard of the USA Network series White Collar, then they must have been introduced to the wonderfully handsome Matt Bomer. While you might have seen him in Chuck, Bomer now dazzles viewers with his witty charm and mischievous intentions as the classic con Neal Caffrey.

Not only is Bomer's beautiful face available to gawk at Tuesday nights on USA, but he can also be found on DVD, which is the explanation for my belated fascination with him since I have just purchased the show's first season.

But don't let Bomer's good looks distract you from his charismatic acting skills. It is hard not to feel charmed when watching Bomer on screen. Of course, some of the credit must go to the character he is portraying, but Bomer infuses his role as Caffrey with a delicate sense of refinement, loyalty, paradoxical honesty, and a killer smile.

This may sound like gushing, but upon observing Bomer's character traits, it is hard not to admire the work of art that is Caffrey's character. In fact, it is one of my personal beliefs that USA Network has chosen the perfect fit for its shows, whether it is Jeffrey Donovan for Burn Notice, James Roday for Psych, or even Piper Perabo for Covert Affairs, I must credit USA for knowing how to use an actor to fill a nitch.

As a USA Network addict, I find that Bomer stands out for his gorgeous bone structure, striking eyes, and impeccable wardrobe--but Bomer is not meant to be judged by looks alone as he offers much energy and skill to his role. Bomer earns his way as a leading man, and it is refreshing to see a talented pretty face (even though pretty is an understatement).

My Netflix Queue

I believe that you can tell a lot about a person by examining their Netflix queue, or lack thereof. For those who have not yet adapted to the technologically advanced age, Netflix offers a variety of services for the avid movie-watcher. I myself enjoy the ability to watch movies instantly on my laptop on a whim, except when the internet connection fails, that is.

But more importantly, my Netflix queue reflects my summer goals. I have ambitiously added six different television series with hopes of watching pretty much all of them. Now this either reveals my lazy summer lifestyle or my ability to go through t.v. shows at an alarming rate, the latter of which I consider to be the lazy-man's superpower.

In addition to my addiction to t.v. shows, I have also decided to enrich my movie experience with what I like to think of as "educative" films. These include A Single Man, The Last Station, and even some of the classic films like The Graduate that I have somehow managed to not watch. Any films that have won an Oscar I consider a must see--yet they sit at the bottom of my queue waiting to make it up to the top.

The worst part is, I feel guilty about not wanting to watch the movies that are truly well-made classics. Instead of having truly touching and moving films at the top of my queue, I have movies like Shooter and The International. Maybe it is just the summer craving for action and adventure that puts me off watching films like Kramer vs. Kramer, but I know that I should be a better movie-watcher and have more refined tastes.

To me, the cheesy comedies or romantic movies like The House Bunny or Baby Mama find their way onto my queue just the same as easy-read novels make their way into my reading list. Instead of reading the rest of Jane Austen's novels, I find myself reading cheesy fantasy books, the titles of which I am often embarrassed to admit to people who are not my sister. Even though I should prefer high-class novels, especially as an English major, I still find myself choosing the fun, easy reads over the classic literary works.

Come to think of it, I have the same issue with music, except for me it is the reverse: I always listen to classy music and only occasionally indulge in what I consider trashy mainstream. While Sinatra is a regular on my iPod, other artists like Lady Gaga, and countless others that I enjoy dancing to at a party, somehow don't make the cut.

I guess it all comes down to what we want to surround our lives with, and for me, how I change with the season. For, once summer ends, I will most assuredly be watching better movies, reading better books, and listening to crappier music in the Fall, most likely attributed to being back at school. Therefore, while Netflix will only last this summer, (as my parents will end it when I am gone) my current queue is an empire constructed by my personal habits, obligations, and guilty pleasures toward film.