Oscar Nominees

The Oscar nominees were announced, early this morning. I suppose I'm one of the only people in the country nerdy enough to anxiously await this day.

There are no big surprises.

1. Brokeback Mountain recieved all the accolade that was expected, including Best Picture, Best Director, and two acting nominations for the two male leads. It's kind of disappointing to see a film like this get so much attention because of the Oscars. It almost seems as if they (the academy) just want to stir up controversey and attention by nominating a "controversial" film. Blah. It's all politics.

2. I was quite surprised that Star Wars Episode 3 wasn't nominated for Best Visual Effects. Yet, Chronicles of Narnia was nominated? Huh? Oh, well.

3. I was also surprised to see Tim Burton's Corpse Bride get nominated for Best Animated Feature. I guess they didn't have much to choose from this year.

4. No surprise that Joaquin Phoenix and Reece Witherspoon are both nominated for their acting. I am surprised, however, that Walk the Line didn't recieve any other nominations.

5. I'm somewhat surprised Jeff Daniels wasn't nominated for his performance in The Squid and the Whale.

6.And, finally, I was surprised that Broken Flowers got nothing.

Overall, this feels like an offbeat year for the Oscars. I'm fascinated to see how things will unfold. I sense there will be backlash to the Academy for honoring Brokeback Mountain to such a degree. It is one more step the Oscars are taking toward alienating themselves from a mass audience. Oh, well. It's their funeral.

Click here to go to the official Oscars web site and read about the nominees.

Slackerpage

Hi loyal blog readers. I have made a wonderful discovery this afternoon on the 'net. It came to me as somewhat of an accident as I was "surfing." ("surfing" is an internet term meaning "to browse around various internet sites.") Ok, just kidding. I know, I know. I know you know what "surfing" means.

Anyhoo, I looked up an old web page I created.I called the the "Slackerpage." As I typed the URL in the address bar of Explorer, the rhythm and pattern of typing this old URL flowed from my fingers like a locker combination that's been entered thousands of times. Somewhere, somehow still buried in my subconcious was this URL I have not entered into the keyboard in years.

In the late 90's, during the budding rennaissance of creating web pages, I decided to start my own little page on a free hosting server called Angelfire. I had a few pictures I had scanned into the computer with a scanner. (Hm. How quaint and primitive.) And, I had put "links" on my site to interesting places. Hey, this was big stuff for a high schooler in the mid to late 90's.

Well, friends, I discovered that old web page. It's still floating somewhere in cyberspace. (Cyberspace is a great 90's term for the internet.) I actually updated it once in college, very briefly, in order to post new pictures on it.

I would love to share this page with you.

To go to the main menu of the Slackerpage, click here.

To read some bizarre poetry I posted on the Slackerpage, click here. You have to follow the links at the bottom of each page to continue through it. Very...uh...interesting.

now

"The tasks are done and the tears are shed. Yesterday's errors let yesterday cover; Yesterday's wounds, which smarted and bled, Are healed with the healing that night has shed." - Sarah Woosley

A new day is dawning, and a new chapter in my life begins. It is said that endings are always beginnings. And, that nothing begins without an ending. As I enter this new beginning, I do not know what to expect. I do not know what turn of events will unfold. But, I do have the experiences from the past. That's what we take with us. We take what we have gained, accumulated, and stored in our collection. It is this precious experience that leaves open possibilities for the future. Some would call it wisdom.

There is a cliche, but it contains a profound truth. That cliche is that the past is done, the future isn't here yet, so all we have is the present. At first glance, it seems like fodder for refridgerator magnets. However, a lesson I take from this is a deep and altering one. The past, as I dwell on it, is nothing more than a collection of things that happened in the moment. The future I worry about so much is nothing but an experience in the moment that I am anticipating.

So, that leaves me with reality. The reality that the only thing that exists is right now. Right now, in this moment, is the only true reality. This very second of breathing, heart beating, and being alive is the only second that is real. As seasons change in nature, we are all riding along in the moment, experiencing it second by second.

That being said, I suppose I should use the moment to push forward. I can plan, anticipate, and concern myself with the future. At the same time, I can worry about the past. I can beat myself up over it. I can dwell on its mediocrity. But, I must actively force myself to be aware of the moment. In this moment, I learn who I am. I learn why I feel. Many truths can be brought to the surface if one slows down to a place where they may contemplate this profound "now".

I don't know what the future will bring in the coming months. But, I am more dedicated than ever to making the "now" better.

it's just wonderful to be nominated

With the Academy Award nominees to be announced at the end of this month, I thought I would go ahead and compile a list of my favs from the past. These are nominees that weren't necessarily winners. But, they're winners in my book. Do yourself a favor and check them out.

Mystic River
I'm not sure how much of an impact this one had at the box office. But, it was the most incredible cinema experience I had in 2004. Sean Penn's best work. Tim Robbins' best performance. And, dear old Clint Eastwood at the top of his game. Not to mention, the script is simply mind-numbingly incredible.

Nominations:
Best Picture
Best Direction
Best Actor- Sean Penn (winner)
Best Supporting Actor- Tim Robbins (winner)
Best Supporting Actress- Marcia Gay Harden

Lost In Translation
Such a beautiful and offbeat classic. Bill Murray is so endearing and genuine. Japan is a beautiful backdrop for this interesting and fun love story. And, who can forget Scarlett Johansson? What do you think Bob whispers at the end?

Nominations:
Best Picture
Best Actor- Bill Murray
Best Direction
Best Screenplay

The Straight Story
Based on the true story of Alvin Straight going across the country. Richard Farnsworth is perfect as the sensitive old man who makes the trek to visit his long lost brother. A decidedly different style from director David Lynch.

Nomination:
Best Actor-Richard Farnsworth

whacky weekend

I had a weird, amazing weekend. Friday the 13th, I pulled out of the driveway in my ghetto hatchback. I just spoke to my Mom, telling her I felt apprehensive about the 4 hour drive to Nashville. I told her if I were to have a flat tire, I didn't have a jack to change it or anything. She replied with a, "Well, don't have a flat."

After 4 hours of rainy dark roads, I reached my Nashville destination. Then, wouldn't you know it, I got a flat tire. I was never a believer in Friday the 13th magic until this past weekend. It was quite an ordeal to fix it. Luckily, there were people to help me.

I went roller skating with middle schoolers. We also went to a dance club called "Red Iguana." We lived the good life.

I stayed with some friends in their apt. Then, my friend Tara got a new puppy.

The End

Happy Friday 13th

Sorry I've been a blogging slacker lately. I'll be out of town. But, hopefully, I'll be back to blogging shortly thereafter. Peace.

Penguins

There's this guy at work who's kind of dirty. He has scruffy hair, and he smells like dirty clothes and sweat. I'm pretty sure he never showers. It turns out this guy, who's probably forty years old or so, has 21 kids. Some are biological, but most are adopted. I think he lives out on a farm somewhere. It's somewhat insane.

I saw an incredible film tonight. If you haven't seen March of the Penguins, you should do yourself a favor. It's a beautiful story of love, and survival. It is a testament to God's majestic creation. I found myself being emotionally moved at the strangest moments. It's such an earnest and profoundly simple story that pulls at the heart strings. Watch it with your family, or a group of friends.

Click here for the official web site.

So Are The Days of Our Lives

Well, folks, I'm off to work. In fact, writing this very blog entry will probably make me late. But, it's okay, because no one really notices.

This late afternoon, I go off to my retail job. Then, I close up shop, and I have to be back there in the morning. Crazy hours. So, 24 hours from now I'll be able to come home and take a rest. It's strange.

I don't know if this job is a good thing or not. It keeps me minimally productive, while bringing in a little money. Yet, when I get home at the end of the day, I come home to a house full of empty questions. There are no answers offered throughout the day. It is a means of existence. I don't know if it really changes when a career starts. I don't know if anyone can honestly say, "Oh, don't worry, it gets better." Aren't we all always existing in an in-between place? It's that in-between place where you're vaguely waiting for the future, while trying to hold the present together. Making ends meet, fulfilling duty. Is there any answer beyond this career existence? Is that my contribution to society? That's it? What a rip off.

Listen to my audio post about In Good Company below.

audio blogging is here!!

favorite movies 2005

With Oscar nominees being announced at the end of this month, I've been contemplating. What are my favorite movies from 2005? Despite lots of hype, I think 2005 was a sparse year for movies. But, amongst the ruins, a handful of gems shine. Here are my favorite movies from last year:

Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith
Sitting in a crowded theater opening night, my expectations for the final Star Wars installments were not too high. After Episodes 1 and 2 were kind of odd curveballs, falling short of expectations, I thought this one would be the same. However, that proved to be wrong!

George Lucas eased off the CGI effects in exchange for old-fashioned model making. And, the results show. Also, with the experience of directing the first two, Lucas seemed to hit a new stride with Revenge of the Sith. It was also obvious that he was much more passionate about this story than the first two episodes. Leading performances are great. Despite the exceedingly dark tone, it's still a fun Star Wars movie that is worthy of the original trilogy.

Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith Official web site

Broken Flowers
Director Jim Jarmusch wrote this offbeat film, and released it to staunch mixed critical reaction. This is definitely a love-it-or-hate-it film. I happen to be one who loves this one. I saw it again recently (It was just released on DVD), and it was just as magical as the first time I saw it. Bill Murray glues the whole thing together with a brilliant and subtle performance. And, of course, a wonderful cast of supporters (including Jeffrey Wright, Sharon Stone, and Julie Depley) really enhance this movie. I don't know if there are Academy Awards awaiting this movie (I think probably not), but it doesn't matter. I love it. It is gentle, poetic, heartfelt, and funny.

Broken Flowers Official web site

Super Size Me
Okay, so this one technically came out in 2004. So, sue me. Its effects spilled over into 2005. And, I still think about it every time I see the golden arches.

Morgan Spurlock went on a crusade to unveil the terrible truths of McDonalds fast food. Eating nothing but McDonald's fast food for 30 days, this documentary follows the bizarre ups and downs (mostly downs) of his journey. Developing really serious health problems, Morgan shows the reality that fast food is really, really, really bad for you!

Super Size Me Official web site

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Okay, folks. I know this pick sounds flakey. But, hang with me here. I went into this film with flimsy expectations. I thought it may be interesting to see a new Tim Burton film. But I thought this remake was going to be half-baked, overwrought, and maybe even boring to sit through. However, I was very pleasantly surprised by the neverending creativity, charm, and fun of this popcorn movie. Johnny Depp is a bit of an odd pick to play Willy Wonka. But, I love him as an actor. And, what do you expect from Burton? This is a great one.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Official web site


Admittedly, there are several films that will probably get showers of accolade that I simply missed this year. For example, Walk the Line somehow slipped by me. And, Pride and Prejudice will probably get some Oscar attention. Brokeback Mountain, which I am not particularly interested in, will also probably get some props. LuGood Night and Good Luck is probably fantastic. But, I missed it, too.

On top of that, there are films which I should have liked more, but simply didn't. They had the potential to be favorites, but didn't quite make the cut. For example, the Chronicles of Narnia is certainly interesting. But, not really one of my favs. Also, Corpse Bride proved to be an interesting new release by Tim Burton and Danny Elfman. Which, by all accounts, could have been a classic. But, was just so-so in my book.

Also worthy of honorable mention is the new King Kong film. It is fun, different, epic, and exciting. It is worthy of mention.

Click here for the IMDB official "Road to the Oscars" web site. There is a poll there which you can fill out, to vote for your favorites of 2005.

Reaching for an Unknown Future

Yesterday morning, January 1 2006, I went to church here in Athens, Tennessee. I went with my parents, and my three year old neice. The church was crowded and stuffy, and the pastor spoke of the future. He made an analogy to writing pens. He said he'd rather have a cheap, frayed pen that writes, as opposed to a fancy, expensive pen that doesn't work. So, I suppose it's much the same way if we bury our talents. He also spoke of God's protection and guidance for our lives in the new year. In that light, there are definite changes that need to be made in my life.

Later that day, I worked a mediocre shift at Target. I goofed off quite a bit back in the toy/sporting goods department with a co-worker. I was riding a Schwinn bike around in the back room, ignoring the basic requirements of my arbitrary job. Then, when we closed up shop, I impulsively went to IHop with a small group of fellow employees. We were an eclectic mix of various college students, and a middle aged guy. We laughed loudly and obnoxiously, eating pancakes at midnight. It was a vague throwback to my early college days. I haven't laughed that freely in a long, long time.

A couple of my co-workers told me that I should consider doing cartoon voices, or starting my own web site dedicated to...well, whatever. Little do they know of my little blogging world! I guess my co-workers and I don't really see the real sides of each other in the work environment. Most of my time at work is spent in a half-sedated state, in which I'm intoxicated by boredom and mediocrity. I have become a clock watcher. A weekend junkie. I constantly live for my next few minutes of freedom, rather than living completely in every moment.

Does that sound too romantic? But hasn't God called us to be free all the time? I mean, I'm not anti-responsibility, but I'm certainly anti-slavery. I actually feel a heavy sense of responsibility in my life. To the point where it's dibilitating sometimes.

2006 certainly holds many changes for me. There is a fire that I am attempting to recapture. If you've ever held that fire, you know what I mean. It's the fire of existing, in the moment. The fire of knowing you are in your zone, being 100% who you were born to be. If I can capture that in 2006, my new year's resolution will be fulfilled.