impact

Since I began this blog, I have appreciated all the positive feedback from friends and family. I love writing in this blog, and I'm glad to see many friends also starting blogs. Upon moving to Hollywood, so many strange and exciting things happened that I knew I could never tell my friends the stories to do them justice. I also knew mass emails simply weren't enough. So, the blog has been a perfect outlet.

Recently, I wrote a blog about an actor I met named Doug Jones. Apparently, someone read the blog, and word reached Doug's publicist. Eventually, Doug Jones read the blog and loved it! I was told that he shed a single tear. I'm very thrilled that it could have an impact. So, I decided to make this post a mention of my favorite past blogs. Maybe you missed them, or would enjoy re-reading them.

1. Doug Jones

2. 2004

3. Groundlings classes

4. plight of the homeless

5. Emmy party

And, once upon a time, I asked the question which was the most rad: The sitcom Growing Pains, the movie Harry and the Hendersons, or the album Bad by Michael Jackson. It was a tie between Bad and Growing Pains. Three votes each.

Again, thank you for faithfully reading my blog, all 7 of you. *wink*

whacky world of extras

Getting your foot in the door in Hollywood is no easy task. There is also no exact formula for getting into the industry. There are many books and guides from “successful” people who give meaningful advice. One of the many methods of getting in the biz is by enlisting into the whacky world of extras. This means you can be in the background of television shows, feature films, and even music videos. And, entering this world is as simple as going to your local Hollywood extras casting center. You stand in line (on tuesday or thursday morning) with hundreds of other wannabe actors, fill out the paperwork, and get your photo taken in a DMV-style booth. Then, you’re in the system. There is a number you call daily to see what type of extras are needed for whatever projects. If you fit the description they’re looking for, you can call the number they give you and book a gig. Usually these gigs are one day, but can be three, or five days on average.

That’s where my old chum Benj enters the picture. He moved to Hollywood from Washington, and he took the extras universe by storm. American Dreams, Summerland,a
random Bruce Campbell Disney film, and several others. He has been on set with David Spade, Carmen Elektra, the mom from Full House, and many other lovely celebrities.

There is also quite a strange sub-culture of extras. These people tend to be cynical, and somewhat odd. My friend Benj actually encountered a group of motorcyclists who go to extra gigs as a group. (A group of motorcycling extras? Who knew?!?) Benj is my hero.

Unfortunately, I never booked anything through extras casting. I just didn’t have the drive. I tried to be a zombie in a low budget zombie film, but it didn’t work out. I had brushes with greatness, but I sadly never graced the big screen with my blurry obscured background face. I congratulate my friend Benj for his success.

If you want to see what I look like, just click here. Then, you can rate me a 10!

art philosophy? I love ted danson

The artist is a receptacle for the emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider's web. - Pablo Picasso

Some gaze at an obscure piece of modern art, and proclaim, "BRILLIANT!" There is legitimate passion in their appreciation. Not that I can even judge that. However, I observe their passion as an outsider. Don't get me wrong, I love art. But, many people instantly become disinterested upon the very mention of the word "art". However, I think that's an injustice to the word.

Art is anything that holds within it value of beauty or reflections of true feeling. It can be anything, really. But, you can see some things that claim to be art, but are undoubtedly not art. I can't define it, and any attempt to encapsulate that truth into a Webster's definition is a waste of time. I can only verbally hint at what I think of as art.

Just as one may observe an obscure sculptor in a stuffy museum and observe true art, there are other legitimate forms. A twelve year old watching Army of Darkness on a home theatre system can be equally engaged in an artistic endeavor, though motivated differently. I agree with C.S. Lewis that if art loses a certain pop culture appeal, then it has lost a certain sencerity.

All I know is what inpsires me. And, the things that inspire me are weird. I can't explain it. I try to rationalize, articulate, and justify it. But, I can't. I think Vincent Van Gogh was a brilliant artist. I think Mart Twain was a brilliant artist. I even love Russian novels, for crying out loud. But what I can't explain is that I think the latest Freaky Friday starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan is true art. The writing, the acting, the set design, the acting. I can't explain it. I don't think that all films are necessarily art, but that one is. I think some films actually qualify as poetry. They have a certain rhythm, and tone. They unfold and develop like John Keats, or something.

Check out Mark Ryden, for some interesting art philosophy.

Read some John Stuart Mill.

career quest

East Tennessee is kind of hot and humid today. I'm kind of hungry. I haven't eaten much today. Breakfast was a few bites of "original" flavor cream of wheat. Lunch was a grilled cheese sandwich and a few sips of tomato soup. Why soup on a hot day? I felt like it was pleasing to the stomach.

I have been searching for a full time job for almost two months now. The search is arduous, and so far unrewarding, and disappointing. No one told me that looking for a job was so strange or demanding. It's sort of like having a job, only you don't get paid and there is no reward, as of yet.

Job searching on the internet is interesting. It's a series of sorting through jobs that I don't want, I'm not qualified for, or they're too far away. I'm getting to the point of desperation where I am actually considering following up on a job lead in Jacksonville, Florida. Could there be a more deplorable place in the country to live? (Well, ok, Ohio.)

I have even begun applying at various Blockbusters in the area, in the attempt to do something different and begin getting a paycheck. Oh, man, this is no fun. However, free rentals would be nice.

a real thriller

michael jackson peace
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

I would like to begin this blog on a serious note. As many of you are aware, there is a terrible genocide happening in Darfur, Africa. If you want to learn more, click here to visit the official web site. They explain it in more detail and show how you can help. I encourage a financial donation. In the ultimate scheme of things, what's ten dollars? It could greatly impact the world for good.

Last night, I was dining in the classy Pizza Inn establishment in Jefferson City, Tennessee. My friend Joe and I were discussing the Micheal Jackson trial. Our friendly local waitress brought us some refills, and impulsively, I asked her, "Ma'am, do you think Michael Jackson is a robot?"

She huffed, and with mild disdain, replied "The fact that you even mentioned his name ruined my night." She was only half-joking, I imagine.

And, kids, I've fought this blog for a long time. I didn't want to mention Michael Jackson on my blog. However, I can't fight the forces anymore. Almost everyone I've spoken with has an opinion of the current molestation trial. Most people I've asked assume he's guilty. I would love to know how my blog readers feel about this trial, the media's behavior, and your feelings on Michael himself.

You see, I'm torn. I remember, as a kid, watching the "Bad" video on MTV. I'm all too familiar with the Thriller album and video. I like all his videos, in fact. I think Moonwalker is, on different levels, an astounding and creative artistic achievement. So, as someone who has appreciated Michael's music, dance moves, short films (or videos, or whatever you want to call them), I feel that I have a personal investment in what's happening with this Jackson trial. I suspect many people feel the same.

I want him to be innocent, but I have a deep disturbing feeling that there's too much circumstantial evidence for him to be totally clean. Even if he's found innocent in this trial, his bizarre image is mauled even more, permanently. At least, in my eyes. Please, feel free to comment your opinions. Be open and honest, because even admitting my admiration for MJ makes me feel awkward. Is there any separation anymore between his "art" and his public image?

Here is an exciting web site that follows the Jackson trial day by day. Thanks, E! Entertainment!

pearls to pigs

Recently, a new poem was discovered by playwright Tennessee Williams. At the time the poem was written, Williams was 25 years old, and still an undergraduate at Washington University. He wrote a play for an English class contest, which failed miserably. He was also failing his Greek course. The seventeen line poem, called "Blue Song", is about Williams' dispair.

This story resonates with me, and I find it oddly inspiring. So, here is some poetry directly inspired by Tennessee Williams' "Blue Song".

pearls to pigs
hours drift to days
like the haze of the morning fog
so deathly still
so mournful is the morning tree shadow
in the hills, their mystery remains
cold shadows remain
in the heart of one who gazes
gazing at transitional woes
troubling failures whispering consequences
staring at the walls
all the while
hours drift to days
like the afternoon clouds
drifting slowly like giant blimps against
blue sky in no hurry
clouds drift like hour hands on a clock

I wrote some poetry in an earlier blog called soul poetry, in case you missed it.

Doug Jones

Doug Jones
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

Artist
1.One, such as a painter, sculptor, or writer, who is able by virtue of imagination and talent or skill to create works
of aesthetic value, especially in the fine arts.
2.A person whose work shows exceptional creative ability or skill: You are an artist in the kitchen.
3.One, such as an actor or singer, who works in the performing arts.


I clearly remember the first time I met Doug Jones. My roommate and I met Doug for breakfast at a trendy L.A. cafe called The Aroma. I had only been in L.A. for three or four days, so meeting a real life working actor was a real treat. The only thing I knew about Doug before I met him was that he had been in a series of McDonald's
commercials in the 80's. (Remember the McDonald's commercial where that crescent-moon-head-guy plays the piano? That was Doug.) I had to think about the 80's commercial for a minute to remember it.

The Aroma is in Studio City, next to a quaint little residential neighborhood. (Quaint little suburban homes in Studio City are in the neighborhood of $500,000 to 3 or 4 $million). Anyhoo, we parked there on the curb for convenience. My first sight of Doug was the gangly 40 something man emerging from his brown 80's Porsche, a warm smile on his face and his arms wide open.He embraced me tightly, his soul bursting with love. It was instant destiny. I loved this man.

We sat, ate lunch, and laughed. Doug asked me about my goals in Hollywood, and he told me a bit of his legacy. To my delight, I learned that he had been in a string of 80's horror films. He was in Night Angel and NewlyDeads just to name a couple. Doug has a niche in the science fiction film market. He usually plays ghouls, monsters, or alien creatures. Think that's a bad thing? He's actually my hero. He's quite a contortionist. He has a whacky imagination, and he can adapt to almost any role.

I was also delighted to learn that Doug has been under Tim Burton in the film Batman Returns. He has parts in Adaptation, Mystery Men, and was in a number of sketches on In Living Color. He's also Abe Sapien in Hellboy. He would probably be embarassed if he read this, because he's very humble. He works consistently, and I'm constantly learning new projects he played a part in. It may be in poor taste for me to recite part of his resume, but I feel oddly connected to Doug. I appreciate his quirky style, and his optimistic work ethic.

I went to a party at a friend's house. Her name is Hunter. I wish I could tell you how gorgeous (she) and her house are. When I first went there, Doug gave me a piggy-back tour of the whole place. I love making Doug laugh, and he also seems to crack me up most of the time. In the get-togethers, he is gracious enough to invite groups of struggling twenty-somethings to socialize, and get connected in such a disconnected society. We watched short films, ate, laughed, and had terrific times. Doug's wife is an angel.

Being an artist seems like an elusive thing to me. Someone can paint a tree on a canvas, but they're not necessarily an artist. An artist, to me, is someone who creates things that I feel a connection to. There may be something subconscious, or emotional that creates a kinship. I feel that the title "artist" is handed out far too loosely in our pop culture. To me, an artist is genuinely inspiring, and inspired themselves. They create because they are creative. They have something to say, with art. And, you feel that magic. To me, Doug Jones is truly an artist.
He's creative, and he's brimming with sincere love and humility. I appreciate that he reached out to me and shared some adventure with me in Los Angeles.

a second chance

A few weeks ago, I saw a film called "Sideways" and wrote a review of it, of sorts, on this site. I was quite harsh on it, calling it "mediocre schlock", stating that these characters were broken and empty. And, this is exactly the kind of trash Hollywood loves to shower with critical praise. (As if "Hollywood" is a person.) Well, I have to say, I saw this film again a couple of nights ago, and my opinion has shifted. Maybe I was too hard on it.

Upon a second viewing, I realize that the characters are endearing. They are broken. But, that's how real people are. The second time around, I didn't take the characters so seriously. That was my mistake the first time. I think I took the characters too seriously because the acting is so good. And, the writing is good. But, if you remember that it's all for play-pretend, it's not so offensive. And, it's hilarious in places. I laughed out loud multiple times. In fact, I bought it on DVD. I've never flip-flopped on a film like this. But, the packaging is beautiful and the extra features are great. Check it out, but remember: Don't take it too seriously.

Guero

beck make-up
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

It's hard to believe that Beck is 34 years old now. It's tough to believe that Beck's first big hit, "Loser", was over ten years ago. That song put him on the map, and made me a fan.

The appeal of Beck for me is found on albums such as "Mellow Gold", "One Foot in the Grave", and "Stereopathetic Soulmanure". Parts (or most) of these albums sound like Beck dug a guitar out of the trash can and recorded an album on a run-down cassette tape. There are bizarre sound effects, dialouge, and trippy musical twists. Lyrically, he's hilarious and visual.He's got a great mellow voice, and dance moves that will wake the dead.

Overall, "Odelay" is probably the most solid Beck album. It showcases almost the full range of his creativity, and style. The Dust Brothers transformed Odelay from an acoustic exploration into a beatbox deejay 70's/80's explosion. If you're not very familiar with Beck, I recommend "Odelay" as the perfect introduction.

It's also important to understand that every Beck album is completely different. Creatively ambitious, you never know which direction Beck will go with his sound.

The "Guero" album comes in the wake of the "Midnite Vultures" dance album, and the dark "Sea Change" soul exploration. Going back to the Dust Brothers, "Guero" has a similar sound to "Odelay." However, the tone is more consistent than "Odelay" throughout the album. Rather than covering the whole genre map, Beck sticks closer to a mid-tempo, blues/rock vibe. But, it is unfair to try to categorize it.

Influenced by life in L.A., the title track, "Que Ondo Guero", the song opens with rapid lyrical descriptions of Hispanic and homeless men. There is vague Hispanic dialouge happening in the background, behind the "Odelay"-style beat.

Lyrically, "Guero" is looser than "Odelay." Beck seems to be addressing deeper, more adult feelings of life. He still retains the appeal of an artist taking chances and exploring new ideas. As cheesey as it sounds, "Guero" says to me, "Hey, I'm Beck. I'm 34. This is where I am right now in life." And, I love it.