This guy I know, who lives in North Hollywood, lives in this...compound. He's lived there with a group of friends for a year or so now. (Maybe longer. Not sure.) He's in a band called The Scene. You can visit their myspace page by clicking here. Anyhoo, Ward wrote me this email today:
"Hmm..I live in a gated, 2 house duplex-type spot we call The Compound,nestled in the mexican ghetto of North Hollywood. We run askateboarding company, two clothing lines, 3 bands, wardrobe stylingand set construction companies out of it. 2 houses, one garage, skateboard halfpipe in backyard, screenprinting press room with a dude that built a shed above it to live in, dude used to live IN the ramp, oneguy in the attic, one in the old laundry room, 2 guys in the loftsabove the garage.. and 3 in real rooms. I used to live in the garageloft room. About 6 months ago, another of our buddies needed a placeto stay so i got the crazy idea to fulfill a childhood dream and builda treehouse.. to live in.WELL.. the link below will show you pictures of me and some budsbuilding it from scratch in a huge tree in the front yard of the gatedCompound. I apologize for myself and other friends lacking qualityappearance and/or having fatrolls but fight through it.. its worth it"
Click
here for the link to see the pics of Ward's tree house.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Thursday, March 23, 2006
day off
Well, in staying true to the blog "journal" form, I suppose I'll tell you what happened today.
I rolled out of bed this morning. I came downstairs, ate breakfast. I watched the first 45 minutes or so of Back to the Future 2 (part of one of the best movie trilogies ever made!!!) Then, my dad came home for lunch. I watched George W. on Fox News, live. It was very interesting. Then, I ate a small lunch.
I took my bike out of the garage and rode it a few miles around Athens, TN. I wish I could somehow document how many miles I go on that thing. I need to get one of those measure things that tells you how many miles you've gone. Anyway, I went down this windy backroad until I got to this small brick Baptist church. It was in the middle of a cow field, pretty much. I looked around for a minute, then continued down the road. The scenery was nice. By the time I got home, my legs were definitely feeling the ramifications. I'm kind of out of shape.
I watched the rest of Back to the Future 2. I went to Wal-Mart and bought Capote on DVD. I want to read some of his books. I came home, ate dinner, went to church. There was a woman there tonight talking about missions in Brazil. It was very informative. Did you know women outnumber men 5 to 1? Or so she said. I knew some Brazillian guys in high school, and they were kind of crazy.
Then, I came home and watched American Idol. (I think Chris is going to win the whole thing.) Then, I got on this evil box and sent a couple of emails. Now, I blog.
Hm. That's about it. That's my day off. I'll try to be more productive in the future.
Overview:
1. Watched Back to the Future 2
2. Watched W
3. Got a great deal of exercise
4. Bought Capote
5. Learned a little about Brazil/missions
6. Watched American Idol
7. Blog
8. Watched a few more hours of my life slowly drain down the toilet
Okay, everything except number 8.
I rolled out of bed this morning. I came downstairs, ate breakfast. I watched the first 45 minutes or so of Back to the Future 2 (part of one of the best movie trilogies ever made!!!) Then, my dad came home for lunch. I watched George W. on Fox News, live. It was very interesting. Then, I ate a small lunch.
I took my bike out of the garage and rode it a few miles around Athens, TN. I wish I could somehow document how many miles I go on that thing. I need to get one of those measure things that tells you how many miles you've gone. Anyway, I went down this windy backroad until I got to this small brick Baptist church. It was in the middle of a cow field, pretty much. I looked around for a minute, then continued down the road. The scenery was nice. By the time I got home, my legs were definitely feeling the ramifications. I'm kind of out of shape.
I watched the rest of Back to the Future 2. I went to Wal-Mart and bought Capote on DVD. I want to read some of his books. I came home, ate dinner, went to church. There was a woman there tonight talking about missions in Brazil. It was very informative. Did you know women outnumber men 5 to 1? Or so she said. I knew some Brazillian guys in high school, and they were kind of crazy.
Then, I came home and watched American Idol. (I think Chris is going to win the whole thing.) Then, I got on this evil box and sent a couple of emails. Now, I blog.
Hm. That's about it. That's my day off. I'll try to be more productive in the future.
Overview:
1. Watched Back to the Future 2
2. Watched W
3. Got a great deal of exercise
4. Bought Capote
5. Learned a little about Brazil/missions
6. Watched American Idol
7. Blog
8. Watched a few more hours of my life slowly drain down the toilet
Okay, everything except number 8.
Friday, March 17, 2006
bike/school
Last night I bought a Schwinn mountain bike. Today, just now, I took it for its first test-spin. It was awesome. It's fantastic exercise, and it gets me out of the house. I'm looking forward to finding some bike trails in the Smokeys this spring/summer.
I recieved a very special delivery in the mail today. It was an application to Graduate school at the University of Tennessee. As I looked the information over, I realized this is the perfect time of year to begin the application process for next year. As I looked everything over in my living room, a very happy feeling came over me. This step in my educational progression could be just what I've been hoping for all along.
I recieved a very special delivery in the mail today. It was an application to Graduate school at the University of Tennessee. As I looked the information over, I realized this is the perfect time of year to begin the application process for next year. As I looked everything over in my living room, a very happy feeling came over me. This step in my educational progression could be just what I've been hoping for all along.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
different stuff
Last night, I saw a wonderful film called Capote. I was stunned by Phillip Seymour Hoffman's performance. I've never been a big fan of his. And, since Jack Black came along, I lost total interest in P.Hoffman. However, I gained new respect for him with this film. It's an enthralling story, and I recommend it for everyone. I didn't know much about Truman Capote before I saw this film (I'm an ignorant clod!) But, it was very enlightening.
The weather here in East Tennessee has been very favorable lately. Finally, it has warmed up, and the sun has come out. Also, it's beginning to get dark later in the evening. Personally, I love it in the summer time when it gets dark at 9:30, even 10:00. I like day light!! And, I like this weather we've been having lately. It's reminiscent of California.
The weather here in East Tennessee has been very favorable lately. Finally, it has warmed up, and the sun has come out. Also, it's beginning to get dark later in the evening. Personally, I love it in the summer time when it gets dark at 9:30, even 10:00. I like day light!! And, I like this weather we've been having lately. It's reminiscent of California.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
mountain
The way I feel right now used to inspire thorough and thoughtful blog entries. These days, however, the emotion just sort of draws me into an awkward blank. My mind is kind of floating, with inspiration, but without the means to grasp the right words. It's kind of an outline for how my life in general is going.I have actually begun the process of applying to be a mailman!! Isn't that weird? You never know where life may, or may not, take you.
I went hiking a week or so ago in the Great Smokey Mts. It was a beautiful trail that led to an equally beautiful waterfall. The whole experience was very wonderful. The view from the top was expansive, panoramic, and humbling. I felt so small in the face of the hills and mountains. I went with my friend Tiffany. And, yes, I'm wearing a Michael Jordan shirt from 1990.
Saturday, March 04, 2006
CRASH!!!
There has been quite a buzz about this film, Crash. One of the overarching critiques of this film is that it is a "love it or hate it" film. I have been reading and absorbing every critical review of this film I can get my hands on, as I had the opportunity to watch it yesterday, for the first time.
I have to admit mixed feelings about this film. One element that no one seems to contend is that the acting is fantastic. Terrance Howard, Matt Dillon, Sandra Bullock, Branden Frazer, Ludacris, and others have churned out fantastic performances.
The controversey, however, is in writer/director Paul Haggis. This film is ultimately his brainchild, and born of his imagination.
I know I didn't grow up in Los Angeles or anything. However, I did live there for a little over a year. I was somewhat surprised to see the resaurant, Carney's, that Matt Dillon's character is in near the beginning of the film. This restaurant was less than a mile from my apartment, and I remember seeing the sleazey-looking payphone in the corner that his character uses.
That being said, I feel that Paul Haggis' interpretation, and/or atmosphere of the L.A. region is far too dark. I mean, I know that bad things happen in L.A. (Prostitution, crime, racism, etc.) However, I didn't feel that his dark atmosphere was realistic, but rather manipulative. And, some of the dialouge/situations were so absurd that I nearly laughed out loud.
Now, I know what you lovers of this film are immediately thinking. "But, Evan, it's not supposed to be realistic! It's a parable, it's just a story that makes a point!" But the problem is, if it's not realistic, then anyone can make up anything to make a point, and it doesn't have to be rooted in reality.
Another title for this film could've been "Dumb People Doing Dumb Things". What?!? Oh, no, he didn't! Oh, yes. Yes, he did.
Then, we have the other side of the coin. The positive side. I've already mentioned the acting. But secondly, the film's characters, and their ideas, genuinely made me think. I thought about it a great portion of the day yesterday. Every character was guilty of racism, but equally a victim. That aspect was interesting. Many of the thoughts Ludacris' character had about "conspiracy theories" against black people were thought-provoking, and similar to things I've heard people say. I had a very productive, and interesting conversation with a co-worker yesterday night about this movie. And, it was well-worth the viewing just to have that conversation.
Bottom line? I recommend that you see it. But also, I warn you to watch it with a grain of salt. I mean, look: I lived there for a year. I met all races of people. I met all religions of people. The ideas of this movie are relevant. I just don't know if that instantly qualifies it to be a fantastic movie. So, I'm kind of on the fence about it.
I have to admit mixed feelings about this film. One element that no one seems to contend is that the acting is fantastic. Terrance Howard, Matt Dillon, Sandra Bullock, Branden Frazer, Ludacris, and others have churned out fantastic performances.
The controversey, however, is in writer/director Paul Haggis. This film is ultimately his brainchild, and born of his imagination.
I know I didn't grow up in Los Angeles or anything. However, I did live there for a little over a year. I was somewhat surprised to see the resaurant, Carney's, that Matt Dillon's character is in near the beginning of the film. This restaurant was less than a mile from my apartment, and I remember seeing the sleazey-looking payphone in the corner that his character uses.
That being said, I feel that Paul Haggis' interpretation, and/or atmosphere of the L.A. region is far too dark. I mean, I know that bad things happen in L.A. (Prostitution, crime, racism, etc.) However, I didn't feel that his dark atmosphere was realistic, but rather manipulative. And, some of the dialouge/situations were so absurd that I nearly laughed out loud.
Now, I know what you lovers of this film are immediately thinking. "But, Evan, it's not supposed to be realistic! It's a parable, it's just a story that makes a point!" But the problem is, if it's not realistic, then anyone can make up anything to make a point, and it doesn't have to be rooted in reality.
Another title for this film could've been "Dumb People Doing Dumb Things". What?!? Oh, no, he didn't! Oh, yes. Yes, he did.
Then, we have the other side of the coin. The positive side. I've already mentioned the acting. But secondly, the film's characters, and their ideas, genuinely made me think. I thought about it a great portion of the day yesterday. Every character was guilty of racism, but equally a victim. That aspect was interesting. Many of the thoughts Ludacris' character had about "conspiracy theories" against black people were thought-provoking, and similar to things I've heard people say. I had a very productive, and interesting conversation with a co-worker yesterday night about this movie. And, it was well-worth the viewing just to have that conversation.
Bottom line? I recommend that you see it. But also, I warn you to watch it with a grain of salt. I mean, look: I lived there for a year. I met all races of people. I met all religions of people. The ideas of this movie are relevant. I just don't know if that instantly qualifies it to be a fantastic movie. So, I'm kind of on the fence about it.
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