More times than I want to admit, my workday mornings are spent not doing much work. What steals the time away? Usually Google Reader. I have far too many subscriptions to realistically keep up with on a daily basis.
This morning, it was a particular post over at Pokerati, or rather what was contained in the post, that had me glued to the computer screen for about an hour and a half, interrupted a couple of times by phone calls and, oh, my boss wanting me to hear some rare praise from the the grand poohbahs who were here from the state office. I smiled, said "thank you" then rushed back to my desk.
What had captured me was a You Tube film made by a poker player. A poker player who put his winnings and financial viability on the line to make a film about - himself. Or rather - his name.
The film is Google Me conceived and directed by a fella and poker player named Jim Killeen. Jim was inspired to do the film after Googling his name and wondered who were the other Jim Killeens who popped up on the computer screen. He managed to convince six other Jim Killeens to agree to meet with him and be filmed for the documentary.
What could have become a completely self indulgent ego stroke, instead blossoms into a uniquely introspective and relatable journey into self and exploration of identity.
The film has only a few rough spots, straying from it's purpose in some brief moments. At it's core, though, are the one on one's with each of the six Jim Killeens - from priest to trannie chasing swinger - each Jim Killeen's story is a fascinating portrait of diversity and individuality.
Several times I was moved to tears - a ballad in an Irish pub; a farewell on bridge with a son, mother and a father - as well as times that had me laughing out loud.
But, don't take my word for it - I've taken the liberty of embedding the film below. Watch for yourself - I'll darn near guarantee you'll enjoy it.
