evan

no country for old men?

2008-02-25T18:40:00.004-05:00

This year's Oscar ceremony is being reported to be the lowest rated one...ever. That makes me sad. And, I have some opinions about it.

Saturday night, my gf and I decided to go watch one of the Oscar nominated films before the big show. (It's no longer a movie once it gets nominated. It becomes a film.) So, we were at the movie theater (Or, "film complex", since they had more than the usual number of nominated films.) trying to decide what to watch.

Wow. The choices were dismal. Atonement. No Country for Old Men. Juno. Now, we already saw Juno. I confess, I liked it. But, the other choices just looked so depressing! How do you choose between deep depression (Atonement) or sordid disturbing violence (No Country For Old Men)? Reluctantly, we decided to watch No Country For Old Men. Little did we know we were about to see the "Best Picture". Keep in mind, this movie won many of the top honors like Best Director(s), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Picture. So, you would expect this to be an incredible movie that simply blows you away....right? Um...not exactly.

First, the movie ambles along, taking you in one odd direction after another. Certain events happen that have no discernible meaning and no resolution. Sure, there are some tense and/or exciting moments. Yes, the acting is above-par. Yes, it is artfully made. There were a few points when I actually got bored. that NEVER happens to me! I can sit through almost anything. I've seen lots and lots of obscure movies. And this one BORED me at times!

And then...the ending. I won't ruin it for you. But, let me say...what an incredible let-down. I left the theatre thinking "there's NO way this movie is going to win anything." And, it won all the big ones!!! No wonder this year's Oscars didn't connect. No one cares.

I appreciate the movie. I understand that it's based on a good novel. But, this movie isn't even a satisfying one. A nomination? Sure. Best Picture? HA! No way.

But I'm not even done yet. The Coen brothers accepted Best Director(s), Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Picture. WORST and LEAST GRACIOUS Oscar acceptances I've ever seen! (except Michael Moore). I mean, they seemed drunk, or something.

As for the rest of the show, it felt as if everyone was simply going through the motions. Maybe Hollywood is still trying to recover from the strike, and recovering from the untimely death of Heath Ledger. Maybe Hollywood just wasn't in the mood this year. And, it shows.

Oscars official site

Andrew Jackson

2008-01-15T15:39:00.000-05:00

Early in American history, the "people" didn't really decide the Presidency. Washington DC was a self-sustaining political machine that promoted and elected their own. Henry Clay was a powerful political figure in the 1800's. As Speaker of the House, he schmoozed and corroborated with politicians. Clay basically got John Quincy Adams in office. Back then, general concensus was basically ignored in Presidential races.

Enter Andrew Jackson. He was rough. He was headstrong. And, he was somewhat insane. He was a tough military leader who didn't have any formal education. He went down to Florida and basically went on a rampage, killing and executing Brittish soldiers without warrant. he owned slaves, and he was known for being quite savage and cruel to them. So, when Andrew Jackson's name came up as a possible Presidential candidate, the big wigs (literally) in Washington just shook their heads in disgust. They probably even laughed at the idea. But, Jackson's name technically was on the ballot during the election of John Quincy Adams.

When Adams was elected president, the people at large (the American public, made up of gritty rough farmers and hunters), revolted. They were angry that Jackson had been ignored as a viable Presidential candidate. But, Henry Clay and John Quincy Adams hadn't even given that a thought. Andrew Jackson hadn't even managed a general store, much less worked in an office. Much less the highest office in the country. John Quincy Adams was much better equipped (on paper, anyway) because he had so much political experience in Europe. He was a soft, intellectual type who was accustomed to "the good life." He was the polar opposite of Andrew Jackson in many ways.

context
This was during a time when Napoleon had recently conquered France. So, the well-to-do politicians in Washington feared that Andrew Jackson had enough support from the public and military power to overthrow the American government! it's hard to imagine today, but that's what they feared. Jackson had acrued quite a following over the years.

Low and behold, the people of America stood up for themselves and elected Andrew Jackson to President of the United States. He turned out to be pretty good. His extreme stubborness proved useful in DC. Jackson fired tons of beauracrats on the Fedreal level (some of which had been in their cushy jobs since George Washington was Pres!) He cut the size of the Federal Government and established the Democratic party over the course of his Presidency. He was strong. He had convictions. I want a President like that. He was a man of the people.

Yeah, he was half-crazy. Yeah, he did things that were appauling in today's context. But, it's important to understand where America comes from, ugly or not.

full spouse

2007-07-21T11:44:00.000-04:00

Okay, I admit, I ripped off the title of my blog from a news headline I found on the internet. But, I thought it was funny enough to use.

Remember that dorky little kid "Stephanie" on Full House? Sure. We all do. A couple of days ago, she got married (for the second time). And, she has made it public that she, after Full House, spiraled into a black vortex of drugs and alcohol. Doesn't this sound familiar? For the sake of sparing you, dear reader, I won't list the long and depressing roster of child stars that have fallen into this pit. But, supposedly, Jodie Sweetin (Stephanie Tanner) has emerged, fully recovered.

I was always interested in Jodie Sweetin from the time Full House went off the air. Out of all the cast members, she flew under the radar more than any of the others. The Olsen Twins have been saturated with attention, and all the other cast members already had careers in "The biz" before Full House.

Anyway, I think it's sad. I would like to think that her recovery is full, but somehow I doubt it. Something tells me I'll be hearing more stories in the coming years of Jodie Sweetin's struggles with a wreckless lifestyle.

And underneath it all, I continually ask myself why I care. And, I can't really answer that. I guess most of it deals with the fact that I feel like I know this poor girl personally. I mean, I feel like I've known her for like 15 years,...in the background,...in the living room telelvision.

Here is a clip of Jodie Sweetin talking to students at the University of Pittsburgh back in March.

Dollywood and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

2007-07-17T15:43:00.000-04:00

I finally made it out to Dollywood the other day. The weather was warm, crisp, and the humidity was extremely low. I know this East Tennessee draught is causing some problems, but the weather is fantastic if you want to go to Dollywood! Tiffany and I had a great time.

Also, I finally got to watch my friend Doug's remake of the 1919 film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. The new film is written and directed by David Fisher. Certainly, the new movie was made on an independent film budget. However, that doesn't prevent this strange and brooding story from entertaining. It is a fun Halloween film made with great style. And, it's one of my favorite Doug performances. There's a really nice official web site for the movie.

2007-07-10T00:00:00.000-04:00

Well, Tiffany and I made it to the Sunsphere on Saturday. It was fairly fun. (and free!) We got a great view of Knoxville from the Observation deck, after riding up the clunky, overcrowded, sweaty industrial elevator.

The set up inside the Sunsphere is really awesome, and newly rennovated. They have a flat screen displaying highlights from the 1982 World's Fair. And, they have information kiosk things that give you history about the Sunsphere. I recommend it to any Knoxville visitor!

2007-07-07T12:19:00.000-04:00

i've got saturday and sunday off from work this weekend. This is not typical in my job. So, I'm planning to enjoy it.

First, today, I'm planning on visitng the Knoxville Sunsphere, which is open to the public (again) after 25 years. It's kind of the main symbol of Knoxville, after the '82 World's Fair. Here's another site about the Sunsphere.

Then, there's a locally owned Produce store (don't remember the name) that's been open since the 1800's. Might go there.

Then, I'm going to Fandango to score tickets to the Transformers movie. That's my saturday, hopefully.

Independence Day

2007-07-04T21:05:00.000-04:00

John Adams, our second President, wrote this to his wife on July 3, 1776:

"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."

Alright, so the guy was off by a couple of days. Cut him some slack.

Incidentally, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826.

Today, President Bush said:

"Two hundred thirty-one years ago, 56 brave men signed their names to a bold creed of freedom that set the course of our Nation and changed the history of the world. On this anniversary, we remember the great courage and conviction of our Founders, and we celebrate the enduring principles of our Declaration of Independence."

This is how I reflect on this July 4, 2007. Our country reaches farther, and we have to bind together to get through these next few years. We have a rich history in America that I deeply respect. America is the greatest nation on Earth.

You can click one of the thumbnails on the right to watch some fireworks. Yeah, I know. I'm a nerd.

Presidential Race 2008

2007-06-25T10:51:00.000-04:00

Hey, loyal blog readers! I've been doing some research on the internet lately, just for this blog post.

Even though the 2008 Presidentail election is over a year away, the media is already buzzing. Candidates are hitting the campaign trail, and the ads have already begun.

YouTube is a great resource for listening to each candidate, and finding several clips of each candidate.

And in THIS corner we have: The DEMOCRATS!

Here are links to the official sites of each major candidate:
Hillary Clinton Official Site
Hillary Clinton's YouTube page

Barack Obama Official Site
Barack Obama's YouTube page

John Edwards Official Site
John Edwards YouTube page

Joe Biden YouTube page
Joe Biden

And in THIS corner we have: The REPUBLICANS!

Rudy Giuliani Official Site
Rudy Giuliana YouTube page

Mitt Romney Official Site
Mitt Romney YouTube page

John McCain Official Site
John McCain YouTube page

Fred Thompson Official Site

You can research all the past Presidents at the official white house site here.

With the advent of the internet, no one has an excuse for being uninformed anymore. Check it out!

where do you stand?

2007-06-12T22:12:00.000-04:00

In today's politically turbulent climate, it's hard to know where you stand. I found some useful political quizzes online. These quizzes evaluate your personal politics.

This one looks low budget, but the quiz is thorough and accurate.

This one is funnier, with a more entertaining format.

I found both useful in evaluating my personal politics. Everyone should have their own opinions!

Memorial Day

2007-05-27T23:24:00.000-04:00

On national television not too long ago, I heard someone say: extreme Christianity is just as dangrous as extreme Islam.

I also heard a prominant news anchorman, on a prime time news (commentary) show, say how much better the European political system is than the American system.

For the cynics who scorn and mock the heart of this country, I truly grieve. I do not understand how someone could enjoy the fruits of this country while simultaneously tearing it down. The arrogance and ignorance prompts me to ask how anyone could be shortsighted enough to hate the place that gives them life. I have a message for those who reap the benefits of this country, yet they hold vengeful and bitter attitudes about the values of this country: be careful. You are on dangerous ground. As the poison of political correctness continues to seep deeper and deeper into pop culture, America's great voice of character is inevitably being silenced. Through the mediocrity of spiritual and political ignorance, the United States of America is brought to a painful place.

I know many democrats are eager to pull our troops out of Iraq. I do not know the full breadth of their political motivation for wanting to leave the middle east, but I have a message for them: I know this war is tough, and the price is high. I know it hurts to have family overseas, giving their lives. i know it is a costly war, and these terrorists have put us in a terrible position. And I also know that you, as democrats, believe in open dialouge. In the spirit of listening to open dialouge,please hear my plea: Please consider the stakes. Please support this war. These terrorists have to be stopped. They are fueled by evil, and the threat they pose to us is real. Please consider the Gulf War of the early 90's. Please consider the bombings of '93. Listen to their threats. These people are cold-blooded, suicidal killers. And most of all, remember 9-11-01. If given the chance, these horrid terrorists will bring an attack upon this country even worse than the twin tower collapse. Don't degrade our War on Terror into political squabblings. These terrorists haven't gone away, they are just waiting and planning. Take this message for what it's worth.

I have said it before, and I will say it again: America is the greatest country on earth. We enjoy privilege, freedom to worship, great wealth, a rich and fascinating history, and the power to change the world for good. America is founded on principles of optimism and hope. While struggling to solve our own problems, we reach out to other parts of the earth to give a helping hand. In compassion, we strive to rid the world of injustice.

This Memorial Day, I am reminded that thousands have fought (and many died) for our precious freedom. I am thankful for their sacrifice, and reflect on it with respect and gratitude. If it weren't for them, this country could not exist. And, the freedom that we enjoy every day could not be ours. Thank you, men and women of America's military. Because of you, we are the greatest nation on earth.

I know I don't speak in such blunt political terms on my blog very often, but I have been inspired this Memorial Day to speak my mind. Isn't that a freedom we have? I want to exercise that freedom.

The story of America is the story of expanding liberty: an ever-widening circle, constantly growing to reach further and include more. Our nation's founding commitment is still our deepest commitment: In our world, and here at home, we will extend the frontiers of freedom. - President George W. Bush

"The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism.... It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself, and to bear in mind that his conduct will not only affect himself, his country, and his immediate posterity; but that its influence may be co-extensive with the world, and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn." -George Washington

my personal finances

2007-05-19T22:08:00.000-04:00

in a meager and desperate attempt to pinch pennies, I've been cutting back on bills lately. I cut my Netflix service down a notch, cut my cell phone plan down a notch, and I made a personal comittment to myself..."I, Evan, will not turn on my thermostat for the entire month of May."

The good news about the thermostat thing is that the month of May is usually a mild month. And, my apartment is on the first floor. So, it's kind of like a cave. It stays 71 degrees all the time.

All month, I've had various temptations to turn on the thermostat. Whenever I feel warm, or cool, I check the temp. It never fails. It's always between 71-73 degrees in my apartment. Absolute perfection. So, I've stuck with my pledge to keep the AC and heat OFF.

Today, I got my electric bill for the last half of April and the first half of May. When I saw the amount, I laughed out loud. 26 dollars. My plan is working!!

Jerry Falwell

2007-05-15T23:52:00.000-04:00

I felt a very strange mix of emotions yesterday when I heard about the death of public figure Jerry Falwell.

As leader of the "Moral Majority", Falwell spearheaded a unique political movement. He had distinct and uncompromising spiritual and political views. These views fueled intense controvery.

When I was in college, I began to question the dogmatic authority of this man. I slowly began to regard his views as narrow, stuffy, and irrelevent. Especially when he blamed gay people for the tragedy of 9/11. (Sounds insane, but it's true. Falwell later retracted that statement, partially.) It was the statement of a bitter man out of touch with society.

But now, in retrospect and upon his death, my view is different. Yes, his views were what I consider ultra-conservative. And yes, he made mistakes. And yes, he had an exterior shell of superficiality, but no more than any other public figure. My view is different now because I see Falwell's torrid and varied legacy as that of a well-meaning, spiritually conscious, passionate man. I imagine that he was headstrong, determined, and deeply emotional about his beliefs.

My most distinct memory of this man was when I met him in high school. I was on a summer church camp with my Baptist youth group. The camp was on the campus of Liberty University. One morning, Falwell spoke to us about how great Liberty U was. Afterward, I went up front and shook his hand. I remember, he seemed fairly pudgy. And, his face looked more elderly and round from up close. Almost scary looking. He signed my dad's Bible. I know, it's weird. But, I felt like I had to have some excuse for going up front to meet him. And, he was signing stuff. So, I had him sign the inside cover of my dad's Bible. Weird.

Through all the controversy, and disagreements I had with the man, I still respect his legacy. And, I respect a man who will stand up in the face of what he perceives as injustice. He was probably a caring man under his stuffy exterior. I'll pray for that campus, and for his family. And I'll pray for future leaders, that they may be able to immulate his courage.

glorious drive-in

2007-05-14T13:06:00.000-04:00

My girlfriend Tiffany and I have been going to drive-ins for the last year. We have been to three now, and they are quite wonderful.

Many people associate the drive-in with 50's nostalgia. However, considering that I was not alive in the 50's, I personally associate the drive-ins more with the 1980's. The drive-ins are incredible. The one Tiffany and I went to this last friday featured a Galaga stand-up arcade game, Ms PacMan, and a pinball machine (also from the 80's) called "Heavy Metal Meltdown."

The drive-ins these days are not the romantic getaways for teens to makeout. They no longer have the broken little fuzz speakers that you attach to your driver's side window. Now you tune your radio to an AM channel. No, the drive-in has come a long way.

The reasons I love the drive-in are varied. For one, East Tennessee is incredibly beautiful. The audience is basically in the middle of a field surrounded by woods. This last friday, around sunset, a cool mist settled over the trees. It was about 71 degrees outside, and everything was lush and green. We were in the front row, and sat out on lawn chairs. During the movie, when it got colder, we got in the car.

Another reason I love it is because it's cheap. 5 dollars for a double feature.

The drive-ins here in Tennessee are also a lovely myriad of rednecks. Many have redneck trucks and cigarrettes. They smoke frequently, and have bleached hair. Many of the rednecks have Looney Tunes attire, and drive Chevrolet Camaros. it's a lot of fun.

Click here to see the official web site of the ring of drive-ins here in East Tennessee.

California love

2007-04-30T18:41:00.000-04:00

My girlfriend Tiffany and I went to Los Angeles to meet with old friends and feel the California sun. I've posted some pics on my myspace page. And, I've temporarily disabled restricted viewing on my myspace page so that others can look at them.

Click here to see them on my myspace page.

superbowl commercial part 2

2007-04-15T00:32:00.000-04:00

So, I have a new idea for a Superbowl commercial that's going to blow the advertising industry away! the new commercial goes something like this:

The image is black. Slowly, we see a desert scene fade into view. A scruffy bearded "traveler" man in shabby brown clothing staggers into frame. He is carrying a satchel. He opens it, and pulls out a bag of Pampers diapers. He takes in a deep breath and mumbles "The diapers." He begins to stagger, growing faint from the heat. His limp body collapses. When his thin frame hits the ground, it bursts into hundreds of mini basketballs, which scatter and bounce all over the ground.

Our view raises to an arial, and we see the mini basketballs bounce and roll, forming an image of former President Ronald Reagan's face. The face begins to talk, "Get the best rates on the internet time. Have peace time. Find more former time members, and laugh more often."

The brown sandy desert ground fades to black, but the Ronald Reagan face remains. In the black backround, stars form, and we find ourselves in outerspace. The Ronald Reagan face catches on fire and disperses. It forms the image of a flaming hawk, and soars deep into the realms of outer space. We fly past colorful quasars, undiscovered galaxies, and a group of bright red golden retriever puppies floating aimlessly across the face of infinite space.

Then, we see the Pepsi logo.

I think Pepsi would go for it. Of course, it doesn't feature any celebrities except the late President Reagan. I still know it has the potential to be the best.

my thoughts

2007-04-13T23:40:00.000-04:00

Well, blogs are designed for people to spill their guts, so here goes.

I am going to Los Angeles in a couple of weeks for a brief visit. I'm only staying for a couple of days, but I'm really looking forward to it. As you may have noticed, this very blog was inspired by my adventures out there. I used to call that place home. (Or, at least "the place I lived." Never really considered it home.)

I'm a bit anxious because this will be the first time I've seen the place since I moved away two years ago. I'm almost afraid I may get "the bug" again. No, I'm not talking about a 24 hour flu. I'm talking about the warm sunshine, lattes, trendy cafes, starving actors, beautiful people, Southern California, crowds, fashion, headshots, agents, transvestites, absolute Hollywood weirdness. What if I get the bug to move there again? i won't know what to do with myself.

Why is the grass always greener on the other side?

My girlfriend and I are going...ALONE! Originally, someone else was going with us. But, his plans fell through. I feel kind of bad for the guy. So, it's just me and my girlfriend. But, don't get the wrong idea. It's not like that.

I will blog as updates continue.

Pepsi Protection Ninja Squad

2007-04-12T19:00:00.000-04:00

Earlier today, I saw that lame Chevy commercial where the guys are getting paid dollars to wash the Chevy truck "in a provocative manner." It took me back to the night of the Superbowl, where everyone waits in anticipation to see the latest Superbowl commercials. And I thought, this was actually a Superbowl commerial? LAME! What about the days of the crazy IBM commercial, or those amazing overblown Pepsi ads? Are those days long gone? Not if I have anything to do with it!

I have an idea for a Superbowl commercial that will change the advertising industry forever. It should go down in history as the greatest Superbowl commercial ever conceived.

It goes something like this:

A young guy is sitting outside at a coffee shop reading a newspaper. he has a Pepsi sitting next to him on the table. An older gentlemen walking his golden retriever walks by, and notices the Pepsi sitting there unattended. While the guy is distracted with the newspaper, the older man decides to swipe the Pepsi!

Quickly, he begins walking down the sidewalk with the Pepsi, giggling.

Suddenly, a helicopter descends from the sky, and a group of ninjas repel from it.One of the ninjas does some back handsprings toward the older gentlemen who stole the Pepsi. The ninja grabs it, and leaps back to the table from which it was stolen.

Tom Cruise enters frame in a three piece suit, with mic in hand. "Has this ever happened to you? Then allow the 'PEPSI PROTECTION NINJA SQUAD' to protect YOUR Pepsi!"

Okay, so it's a work in progress. But, it has potential, right? I think it's better than some Superbowl commercials I've seen.

stand-up

2007-03-14T17:00:00.000-04:00

A local comedy club here in Knoxville called "The Comedy Zone" holds an open mic night every few Thursdays. On one such Thursday, a couple of weeks ago, I happened to have the night off from work. I immediately knew, despite my terror, that this was something I had to do.

My only other experience doing anything that could be considered genuine stand-up comedy was something I did a few years ago in college. It was an open mic night at a coffee house. I did about 5 minutes of improvisational rambling, which was nothing to write home about.

This time, I knew crap was different. This time it actually meant something.

The first night I did it, I had prepared a few minutes of material about my apartment. The place was dark, smoky, and some of the other comedians there were scary. I mean, genuinely brink-of-being-homeless-I-sell-drugs scary. But, once I talked to them for a minute, my fear was eased.

I felt like an amateur idiot on the stage, shaking like a leaf. No years of theater experience can prepare you. I bumbled nervously through the painfully unfunny set, stumbling over my words, talking a mile a minute. Then, about three minutes in, they turned on my microphone. Yes, I was living a genuine nightmare.

That was my introduction. Luckily, the next Thursday, I went back to open mic night. I had a much more polished set of jokes. I wasn't as scared. I got my GAME face on! It was a lot of fun, and I got a lot of positive feedback.

I want to try it again. My friends have been supportive, and this may be the beginning of a wonderful and bizarre new hobby for me!

Doug is still out there!

2007-02-28T12:05:00.000-05:00

I recently got an Email from Doug Jones about his recent Academy Awards experience. He got to grace the ceremonies with his presence, and he was very excited about it. Congratulations, Doug! Go here to see Doug on his official web site.

Find Your Spot

2007-02-23T13:09:00.000-05:00

I thought I would tell you all about one of my favorite web sites.It's called Find Your Spot.Com, and it's a lot of fun. You take a questionnaire about your personal preferences in living environment. Then, out of thousands of cities, it tells you the top ones that fit your criteria. And, it's free. I've gone to the site several times over the years, and it never gets old.

woody allen

2007-02-16T14:16:00.000-05:00

Netflix has afforded me the luxury of going through a Woody Allen phase. With the ability to watch many films throughout the week, I have broadened my horizons.

I used to be turned off by Woody Allen's quirky style and odd choices. In the last year, however, I have truly developed an appreciation of his work. Bold, different, and often eccentric, Allen explores new territory in every film. He almost always writes and directs everything he makes, thus adding his signature to every movie.

When I was younger, I made the mistake of trying to watch Don't Drink The Water. I was in the stage version in college, so it made sense to do the research. Or, so I thought. I was already predisposed to not like Woody Allen, so I wasn't looking forward to sitting through this schlock. Boy, was I right. I couldn't sit through the whole mess. Disheveled and rambling, it's obvious that Woody Allen gave his film cast full improvisation freedom. They constantly deviate from the script, on long weird rants that are simply unwatchable.

But enough negative. That was a few years ago. Recently, I've watched Annie Hall, Crimes and Misdameanors, Scoop, and Matchpoint. These films are my favorites out of what I've seen. unpredictable. Filled with rich characters, twists, and a unique approach to filmmaking, these films stand out. Woody Allen himself is funny and gifted with improv.

I'm still watching more of his films, but these are my favorites to date.

2007-01-30T23:40:00.000-05:00

Doug Jones of Pan's Labyrinth

doug jones...some more

2007-01-30T22:53:00.000-05:00

Loyal blog readers will remember my gushing over Doug Jones a couple of years ago. He's a fantastically talented actor I met about three years ago. You can read that blog entry by clicking here.

Recently, a new film came out called Pan's Labrynth. It is adorned with critical aclaim, and has created a huge buzz. Awesome! You can go to the official Pan's Labrynth web site and check it out. Click on the "behind the scenes" gallery in the upper right. Doug plays the title character, "Pan"! He does a commentary about his physical transformation into his character.

Even though I, sadly, haven't talked to Doug in a long time, I'm proud of him. I can't wait to support him and watch this latest Doug Jones extravaganza. I've loved Doug, and I want other people to love him, too! I can't wait to see this exciting and imaginative film. Congrats, Doug.

oscar

2007-01-25T13:43:00.000-05:00

Well, the latest Oscar nominees have been announced. This is always one of my favorite pop culture events of the year. No big surprises this time around.

I was happy to see Pan's Labrynth nominated for a few awards. My old pal Doug Jones is featured in that one. Rock on, Doug.

My favorite nominated film is The Departed. On the negative side: What about Jack Nicholson for best supporting actor? He was really good. I guess we're taking him for granted now. On the positive: Amazing script, great direction (Marty's got it in the bag), and Mark Wahlberg is certainly deserving. The rest of the cast is great, too. It's very suspenseful, upbeat, action packed. One of my favs of the whole year. Good job, Academy.

I have my work cut out for me, too. This time every year, after the nominations are announced, I get to work trying to catch up on the nominated films I missed. I can't wait to see Little Miss Sunshine, Pan's Labrynth, Monster House, and Blood Diamond. One film that caught me a little off guard this year is Babel. I guess there's been hype around it, I just haven't been paying attention. I guess I'll see that one, too.

Check out the entire list of nominees here at the offical Oscar web site.

Want to catch up on Oscar nominated films, too? Netflix is the best way to do it.

Watch past nominated short films for free at Atom Films.

miracle

2006-12-11T11:16:00.000-05:00

Last night I saw "Miracle on 34th Street"...for the first time.

I know. I should've seen it, like, 18 times a year, right? But this one escaped me somehow. Until now. It's a glorious black and white film that is very charming. The message is simple and beautiful. I know everyone reading this has probably seen it too many times to count, so I won't bore you.

2006-11-18T12:15:00.000-05:00

So, I've become one of those people that updates their blog, like, once per month. Shame on all of you slackers for doing that.

There is a hurricane of event happening right now in American pop culture. There are several things I would like to address. For expample, The dems taking over. Or the Britney K-fed train wreck. Or, the overblown Katie and Tom Cruise wedding. ("TomKat", as coined by the media.) Or, there's the PS3 and the Nintendo Wii. The PS3 is creating a big stir.

However, I choose to use this particular entry to voice my opinion about one horrendous pop culture event that's happening. OJ Simpson.

I have vague memories of sitting in my public school classroom watching the verdict announcement in '95. Now, it's over ten years since it occured, and these new turn of events are disturbing.

OJ is cashing in on his wife's death. And the name of the project? "If" I had killed them, here's how I "would" have done it. This is ridiculous. I think it's obvious he killed two people. No, slaughtered two people. And he got away with it. This appauls me. It's an injustice. It's disgusting, and I think OJ is a psychotic scum. He should rot in prison.

Hi! Meet my inner child

2006-10-13T15:26:00.000-04:00

Wondrous of all Halloween wonders. Disney has decided to release Tim Burton's beloved The Nightmare Before Christmas in theaters this Halloween. Only, the glorious thing is, it's going to be in 3D!!!

Now, I'm assuming this is going to be the modern "full color" 3D. This excites me to no end. There are but a few things in this world that bring up an inner childlike joy for me. They are as follows:

1. Halloween
2. Puppies
3. The Nightmare Before Christmas 3D Theatrical Rerelease

Read a review of the movie here.

happy halloween, or something

2006-10-09T22:55:00.000-04:00

My girlfriend and I went to an amazing Amish restaurant this weekend. We had to wait nearly an hour to get in, but it was well worth the wait.

Outside, in the "front yard" (the restaurant was made to look like a house), a man was making Sorghum. Another two women were making apple butter over an open fire. They would pour the apple butter from buckets into jars in order to sell it. I bought some barbeque sauce made with sorghum.

The food in the restaurant was good. The style was very quaint, and it was a bit like travelling back in time to the 1800's.

Afterwards we went to a "haunted" corn maze a few miles down the road. It was intense, bizarre, and somewhat fun. There was a short hayride to the entrance to the "haunted barn." We then went through the barn, corn maze, and then a weird "3-d" maze. There was a tractor transport from the corn maze to the 3-d maze, in which my girlfriend and I had the pleasure of being uncomfortably close to some local drunk teenagers. (or maybe they were in their early 20's.)

Yesterday I watched "Ernest Scared Stupid." Yeah. You read that right. The one where Ernest has to stop the evil trolls. I actually made it through the whole thing, and I only dozed off once.

I really enjoy many of the asthetic and imaginative qualities of Halloween. However, the actual holiday is always anti-climactic (for me). I never go to any Halloween balls, or put on a haunted house or anything. I don't really have the time or resources.

Anyway, that's my blog. Sorry I've been away for so long. I have renewed, my children.

farewell old friend

2006-09-14T15:01:00.000-04:00

I finally did it. I traded in my ghetto fabulous country trekker CRX. I drove a black '91 Honda CRX for about eight years. A month or so ago, I rolled over 200,000 miles!

Yes, it didn't look like much to anyone else. But for me, that car had some true meaning. I drove that heap all through college, across the country (twice), and I hardly ever had problems with it. That car was my companion when I lived in California. That car and I saw Vegas, Hollywood, and the Grand Canyon together. I drove friends, family, and some animals along the way. She was good to me, that's for sure.

I got a slightly newer, slightly less beaten Honda Civic. A much needed improvement. Farewell, old friend.

American arrogance

2006-09-07T12:54:00.000-04:00

The following is an excerpt from The Chicago Tribune. It's from an article written by sports writer Andrew Bagnato.

SAITAMA, Japan -- As they warmed up before Friday's semifinal against Greece, the U.S. players put on a jam session for the fans. Dwight Howard dunked emphatically. Dwyane Wade bounced the ball off the backboard, caught it and stuffed. Elton Brand jammed an alley-oop pass. Finally, LeBron James flew down the lane for a tomahawk. As the crowd roared, the Greeks lined up at the other end and shot free throws.

The moment foretold Greece's 101-95 victory in the semifinals of the world championships. The U.S. has dazzling skill; the Greeks are a dazzling team.

At first, I was going to use this article as an example of American arrogance. You know, the big world superpower arrogantly sweeping in and assuming every win. A sort of tortise and hare story. But upon second glance, the article only reveals humanity. These American guys play hard on the team, and maybe I shouldn't rush to that kind of judgement. It's bordering on cynical.

Anyhoo, that's about it. I don't have anymore deep insights into life. I'm still holding on to my job, trying to keep up with a bizarrely demanding schedule.

superman

2006-07-11T19:41:00.000-04:00

The scene: Superman is hovering above the earth, leaning back, listening intently to all humanity. The eternal and haunting dialouge of Superman's father echoes in the background: "They can be a good people, if they choose to be." It is the original chilling Marlon Brando performance.

Later, Superman is hovering above the Earth's atmostphere, arms spread helplessly in a crucifix form. His body plummets limply to the earth. It is an image of the Savior giving himself, and dying for the sake of saving humanity.

In yet another scene, Superman is talking with Lois Lane. He is commenting on an article she wrote about him some years ago (I won't give details of the article in order to preserve the movie, if you haven't seen it!) Superman tells her he sees humanity crying out for a Savior.

These are the types of allusions to God sending Jesus to the earth in the new Superman Returns blockbuster. Despite the movie's pitfalls, there were thought-provoking themes throughout. Such as, the need for a Savior among humanity. And, the symbolism of Superman as a sort of Christ-figure, bestowed to humanity by a loving father.

Weird stuff. But, I liked it. I also find it worth mentioning that some of the action scenes were vaguely alluding to the 9/11 scenerio. That's a personal interpretation, of course. But, the thought made those scenes extra chilling.

Check out the trailer here.

I've had the last two days off. It's a nice break. I'm also still trying to wrap my brain around my new job. It's so consuming, and demanding. The learning process is draining. But hopefully it will even out over time.

emotional detail

2006-06-29T22:40:00.000-04:00

My life has been consumed by selling used cars. The hours are nuts. 50 hours+ per week. I'm still getting used to the whole idea. It is a traumatic shift from working at Target. I'm trying not to let the pressure get to me.

They're opening an Apple store here in Knoxville. Congrats, Knox county, on being four or five years behind the curve.

I need a new car. Mine has like 198,000 miles on it. But, hey, still runs.

I've got a lot of things on my mind, and a lot of brewing sentiment in my soul. When I get my own computer, I desperately want to go into more emotional detail about things.

uh...

2006-05-18T18:53:00.000-04:00

Sorry I've dropped my blog lately. (Another tactful apology!)

If you haven't seen Mission Impossible 3, you should. Even though Tom Cruise has a reputation for being insane, this is the best MI movie so far. Very awesome.

Even though it's nearing the end of May, the last few days in East Tennessee have been like 60 degrees. Too cold.

I bought a new TV.

I hope Taylor wins American Idol.

time of change

2006-05-10T12:36:00.000-04:00

As I write this, I'm sitting in an office at my new apartment complex. Things have drastically changed in the last two weeks. I wish I'd had more time to blog, but I couldn't manage it! I have a new job, new apartment, and a whole new me! (Okay, maybe not the last part.)

I will spill my soul more on this later. It is a time of great change.

Blak

2006-04-18T14:19:00.000-04:00

About ten years ago, when I was in high school, a wondrous new product came out. It was called Pepsi Kona. My friend Tim and I quickly became fans of this..."unusual" new drink. It was a blend of Pepsi and coffee. At first, that sounds kind of disgusting. But, trust me. It was good stuff. We drank it as often as we could get our hands on it. Unfortunately, they only sold it in the Northeast United States. So, Tim's family in Pennsylvania would send him cases of the stuff. Soon, they quit making the experimental Pepsi Kona. My life hasn't been the same since.

Now, dear reader, there's a new drink on the market. Coke has come out with their own take on a cola/coffee mix. It's called "Coca-Cola Blak." I was excited when I first learned about it. Ah, the nostalgic days of the mid 90's Pepsi Kona!! So, I bought a six pack of the stuff to try it. Surprisingly, it's good. It has a nice chocolatey taste to it. It's not something you could drink every day. It's sort of a specialty drink. But, it's interesting enough to at least try.

There's a Blak web site here.

easter

2006-04-16T12:20:00.000-04:00

1After the Sabbath, as the first light of the new week dawned, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to keep vigil at the tomb. 2Suddenly the earth reeled and rocked under their feet as God's angel came down from heaven, came right up to where they were standing. He rolled back the stone and then sat on it. 3Shafts of lightning blazed from him. His garments shimmered snow-white. 4The guards at the tomb were scared to death. They were so frightened, they couldn't move.
5The angel spoke to the women: "There is nothing to fear here. I know you're looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. 6He is not here. He was raised, just as he said. Come and look at the place where he was placed.
7"Now, get on your way quickly and tell his disciples, "He is risen from the dead. He is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.' That's the message."
8The women, deep in wonder and full of joy, lost no time in leaving the tomb. They ran to tell the disciples.

cat and the fiddle

2006-04-13T21:42:00.000-04:00

I did some voiceover "acting" a few years ago for a friend of mine. (Jason). He was working on a senior animation project with his friend, and he asked me to be one of the voices in it. How often does that chance come up? So, of course I jumped at it.

Now, for the first time, this glorious short film is available on the net. Jason is incredibly talented. This is an older project, but it's still awesome.

I am the voice of the cat playing the fiddle.

Click here to see it.

Catalyst 06/Benchwarmers

2006-04-09T23:06:00.000-04:00

Wow. I just rolled home from the Knoxville airport, and I'm quite exhausted. I just had a most incredible weekend in Savannah, Georgia!!! My friend Josh Hawk is a youth minister at a church in Georgia called Calvary in Savannah. Josh invited me down to do some comedy, and "acting" in some drama stuff for a youth retreat. Well, of COURSE I wanted to do it! It was a blast.

From wednesday until today (sunday), we worked and did various things to finish the process of getting ready. The theme was Catalyst. It was great. Often, these youth retreat things can be so draining and testing on the patience and/or emotions (and this one certainly had its moments!) But, overall, I think it was the most fun I've ever had working with youth. The group there is awesome, and Josh did a great job. We had a fantastic praise/worship band called Solomon's Porch. Chris Brooks was the youth pastor. (I know Chris from my Student Life days! Is it a small world, or what?!)

It was an incredible time. I made many many new friends, and God truly spoke to me.

By the way, I'm really excited about the new "The Benchwarmers" movie. My old pal, Doug Jones, is in it. For those of you who have heard my whacky stories about this man, but never saw what he looks like, then here's your chance!!! Doug has an interview online. (When you watch the interview, imagine this man petting my face like i'm a puppy.) DOUG I LOVE YOU!!!!! Click here to see the interview with John Lovitz and Doug Jones.

ear candle

2006-04-04T21:36:00.000-04:00

I am officially an idiot.

On two or three different occassions, I've had various friends and/or aquaintances tell me about a "revolutionary new" ear cleaning treatment. They described the process. You take a candle-like object, that you can purchase at most drug stores. You stick one end in your ear, and light the other end. It then, according to my friends, creates a vaccum that pulls all the "impurities" out of your ear.

The gross part is, after this process, you can (allegedly) cut the candle open to see how much impurity has been extracted from your ear. Then, you can see just how effective it has been!!!

So, today I went to a local CVS drug store. I looked around, and saw no such "ear candle." I asked the woman behind the counter about it. She replied, (imagine thick country accent) "Oh, well, you'll have to go down to that 'all natural' place down the road. They might have 'em." So, off I went. To the "all natural, herbal" medicine place.

Sure enough, they had these ear candles. I took them home, and used them.

The experience was pleasant enough. There was a weird crackling sound. I didn't feel much going on in my ear, except a light crackling. Afterward, it certainly appeared as if many, many impurities and ear wax had been extracted from my ear. But, could this really be? My ears didn't feel any cleaner.

So, I got on the net and searched for the truth about these ear candles. As it turns out, I am a first class idiot.

I can't believe I fell for this idiotic scam. What made me believe that lighting a candle and lodging it in my ear would somehow magically suck out all the "dirt" and "impurities"? I'm an idiot. The truth is, the wax from the candle melts, and appears as ear wax on the inside of the candle. So, what you're looking at is NOT your ear wax, but candle wax.

In order for a vacuum to suck out impurities from your ear, it would have to be incredibly strong. Strong enough to destroy your eardrum. Ear cleaning should only be done by doctors, and trained professionals.

This is the part that makes me angry. Not only is the candle thing a scam, but it's dangerous. I read testimonies on the net of people who burned their ears. Hot wax dripped into their ears, and one woman even reported having a damaged ear drum. She had to go to the hospital and have the wax removed.

The OPPOSITE of what she was trying to do! I can't believe I feel for this snake oil. What kind of idiot am I? I'm like one of those people who buys the super-vegetable-steamer-metal-polisher at 3 AM from some infommercial.

I'm warning you. If you hear your friends raving about this new product, stay away. My ears still ache. And, so does my pride.

functional tree house

2006-03-30T18:51:00.000-05:00

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.

day off

2006-03-23T00:25:00.000-05:00

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.

bike/school

2006-03-17T16:06:00.000-05:00

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.

different stuff

2006-03-12T12:09:00.000-05:00

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.

mountain

2006-03-09T22:22:00.000-05:00

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.

CRASH!!!

2006-03-04T14:01:00.000-05:00

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.

Oscar schlock 2006

2006-02-27T12:10:00.000-05:00

There's less than one week until the Academy Awards airs this sunday. Certainly, I will be watching the ceremony. But, it seems like an off year for the Oscars. It feels like the Academy is off base this year. Not only that, but 2005 was a fairly weak year for movies.

I've done a fair amount of complaining about this in the last month, since the nominations were announced. Since that time, I'm not quite as cynical about the Academy's intentions. But, the outlook is still not that great. Let me explain what I mean.

What message, exactly, is the Academy trying to send by nominating Brokeback Mountain for 8 awards? This is a movie that they're obviously trying to promote by lavishing it with praise and attention. I have no doubt that this movie is probably artistically high quality. But, it's an obvious ploy by the Academy to boost ticket sales and push propoganda. Politically, it's the same with George Clooney and Good Night and Good Luck. And, Woody Allen's nomination for Matchpoint. Allen has been an "Academy darling" for many many years. So, anything he touches turns to gold. It's all political. This is the most highly political Oscar year in recent memory. And as a result, it's mediocre.

But enough of my political griping. Among the heap of schlock, there are a couple of gems. I'm vaguely interested in The Squid and the Whale. Regrettably, I missed it when it was playing here in the Knoxville region. I am also fascinated by Phillip Seymour Hoffman's performance in Capote. (Another one I missed.) These nominated films are half-interesting.

Now, my predictions:

Phillip Seymour Hoffman - Best Actor He will win. By a landslide.

Reece Witherspoon - Best Actress She will probably win. (she did her own singing, alright?)

I don't care about the supporting actor/actress awards.

Brokeback Mountain - I predict it to win Best Picture.

I'm not so certain about any of the others, so I'm afraid to make guesses. I will be watching, and noting political statements that come from the ceremony. Expect a politically charged show this year!

Iraq war

2006-02-26T15:44:00.000-05:00

The war in Iraq is an odd and touchy subject. Personally, I think it's sad that we have troops over there fighting and dying daily. It is a nasty battle field, and the line between good and evil may not be so clear. I, as many Americans, am unclear on many issues facing the war in Iraq. I am sadly uneducated on the matter.

That being said, there are many things I believe strongly about the war in Iraq that anti-war people should consider:

1. It seems to me that we have been engaged in conflict with "terrorists", and middle eastern terror cells since the early 90's. So, this war in Iraq has been coming for a long, long time.

2. Terrorist attacks struck U.S. soil before 9/11. The Oklahoma City bombing happened. During the Clinton administration, President Bill Clinton was soft on terrorism his whole 8 years. Read a fantastic article about it here. And, you can read another article about Clinton's failure with terrorism here. This second article is a bit more biased against Clinton. Yet, fairly accurate nonetheless.

So, you can criticize the Bush administration where you want as far as their reaction to terrorism. But here's the important thing to remember: At least they're an administration that has a reaction to terrorism. At least they're looking out for American people's best interests, rather than their own political glory. (Ok, that last sentence was a cheap shot. Sue me.)

With these opinions stated, I still feel somewhat "out of the loop" on the whole war in Iraq. I still feel like I'm not fully informed on what's going on, or how the war is going. I vaguely think we're winning. I vaguely understand that it may take a long time.

I also feel torn from a theological standpoint. Can God approve this war? Didn't Jesus say He who lives by the sword dies by the sword? Is God using this war, or is it an instrument of evil, and death? I don't know, and it bothers me.

tortured artist

2006-02-26T12:59:00.000-05:00

Working at Target has afforded me the opportunity to see many "old chums" from former lives that I haven't seen in years. For example, the other day I saw a married couple with a small child. I vaguely recognized them from college, but couldn't remember their names. I probably hadn't seen them in nearly eight years. As I observed this completely typical, stable, normal couple with a beautiful baby, it was hard to fathom that they are my age! I felt a little embarassed to be standing there in the Target uniform, with my low budget name tag.

I also saw, just the other day, a woman I went to high school/college with. She just finished law school in Memphis, and now she's visiting her family after taking the bar exam. There were moments of awkwardness and struggle when, upon asking me what I had been doing since I graduated from college, I stammered for a cohesive answer. This woman, and her mother, seemed understanding. However, the sting of pride was still very clearly on my face.

With every development in my life, I continually fight to find a balance between materialism and responsibility. Responsibility, being that I make a certain amount of money, pay the bills, work hard and avoid laziness. On the other hand, I have to fight materialism in the sense that I can't measure success based on a cookie cutter idea of career success.

And, please allow me to be corny. I feel, in part, like I have many tendancies/characteristics of an artist. And, most artists I know are not inclined to pursue material gain (unless they're in Hollywood!) Rather, they're more interested in creating, expressing, letting themselves be true to who they really are. (Yeah, all those cliches!) Though I haven't completely bought into a starving artist lifestyle, I am constantly on the brink of giving in to these romantic flights of whimsy. The artist lifestyle beckons, tempts, and calls to me in a deep emotional way. At the same time, I don't buy into it completely because of urges to be financially responsible.

But don't get me wrong. I don't walk around all day with my head low, like a "tortured artist." I really love interacting with people, and I want to do something that impacts the people around me.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, you have gotten your blog money's worth today. I wasn't really planning on whining on and on like that, but, what can you do? Sometimes blogs get away from me. Plus, it's therapeutic. Sue me.

On a side note, check this out: MC Hammer has a blog. No, seriously! It's really him. Check it out,but I warn you: you can't touch it!

fairly boring

2006-02-23T23:19:00.000-05:00

Sorry I've neglected my blog for a while. That tends to happen. I go through phases, and sometimes my poor li'l blog takes a back seat.

Today I watched Corpse Bride. I put some things on sale on E-Bay. I watched American Idol. Overall, it was a fairly boring day. I didn't work. I find the internet is becoming more and more a source of wasted time. But, I'm working on a script just for fun, and I'm trying to stay creative.

path of potential?

2006-02-15T14:08:00.000-05:00

I type on this keyboard, searching careerbuilder.com for career opportunity. Blankly, I browse numerous jobs for which I am not qualified, nor interested in. Emotionless, irritable, and without a single stirring in my soul, I continue to go through the motions. Like a child swimming aimlessly through the rolling waves of the ocean, my meandering search continues.

It's not a job I'm searching for. This, I've learned recently. Being offered a job, I am second-guessing myself now. It's something more. I guess I'm searching for a career with meaning. Something I'm genuinely good at. Something I can be proud of. Weary from the pressure I put on myself, I am ready to lay down this heavy sceptor of mediocrity and plunge into something passionate. And, if it leads me to the path of destruction and humiliation, then I can say hello to my sincere destiny. Punching through, and forcing this big thing to happen is simply not working. I need to let go, and allow the tide to take me where I should go. Maybe that will start me down the path to reaching my potential.

2000's continued

2006-02-11T18:55:00.000-05:00

Thank you, everyone, for responding to my "I love 2000's" blog entry. It seems to be a subject that strikes a chord with people, because I've gotten quite a wide response. And, that has provided for a lot of good and interesting conversation. It's probably the most response I've ever gotten from one other singular entry.

Here's an exerpt from an e-mail a friend of mine, Matthew, sent me on the subject. I thought it was blog-worthy, and could be added as a comment:

"...One thing that's happening right now is indie music going mainstream. These bands have music that seems so tangible, because it sounds like anyone can jump in their garage and do it. As appealing as that is for some people, it also may be its downfall. We need music that is created by musical geniuses so we don't get bored. Don't get me wrong. I'm digging a lot of new music that's out there, there just seems to be so much to sift through..."

I wish I could be as insightful about our present decade as some of my friends.

Another thing to keep in mind is that this decade is barely half over. So, the next few years could bring any kind of change in pop culture. We may encounter the next George Lucas, or new Michael Jackson (you know, early 80's Michael Jackson!!!) that may usher in a new pop culture era. I'm sitll optimistic that our music can improve.

I also thought of some new distinctly 2000's trends:

1. Some of you have already mentioned reality TV. More specifically, I think American Idol and Survivor will be distinctly 2000's.

2.I think automotive Satellite directonal systems (GPS) will become more previlant, and we'll wonder how we lived without it. Already, car DVD players are more and more common.

3. I-Pods are definitely a 2000's trend that we will look back on and laugh about.

4. Eminem may be remembered as a 2000's thing, even though he started gaining popularity in '99.

5. Build-A-Bear (existed in the 90's, gained popularity in the 00's.)

6. Blogging

7. new Star Wars trilogy (maybe...?)

I don't know, it's an interesting subject I can't help but ponder it. At the end of the day, though, it's probably healthiest to just enjoy the decade and not spend too much time analyzing. (As I tend to do!)

Thank you for your insights!

I Love the 2000's

2006-02-09T12:58:00.000-05:00

So, I had a discussion with a friend of mine a few months ago about the present state of pop culture.

If you look back at the past few decades, a few things stand out in light of pop culture. For example, the 60's brings distinct images of The Beatles, the type of rock that was popular, political upheaval, and a certain type of television. The 70's, it was more of the hippie decade. Things got happier in pop culture, the music is very distinctly 70's. Star Wars came out in '77, Saturday Night Live started in the mid 70's.

Then, of course, you have the wondrous 80's. We all know, thanks to VH-1, the details of this decade. Saturday morning cartoons, cable television, MTV, Michael Jackson, Atari, and the list goes on and on. Music, movies, television are all distinctly 80's in that decade.

Enter the 90's. Grundge, Nirvana, Beavis and Butthead, Gangsta rap, Bill Clinton, Starbucks, the dot com boom, etc, etc, etc. So many things are distinctly 90's. Great changes and movements in the 90's gave that decade a distinct personality, in pop culture terms.

Now, you may be wondering what the point of this blog is, but hang with me. Now, enter the 2000's. Um...I don't quite understand what differentiates the 2000's from the 90's. To me, it just seems like (strictly from a pop culture stance) the 2000's are just a mediocre continuation of the 90's. Nothing has really happened in pop culture to push things forward.

Politically, this decade has been HUGE!!! Beginning with the whacky 2000 Presidential election, the Bush presidency, Sept.11, 2001, the Iraq War. These political shifts are very distinctly 2000's.

But, come on! Where's the FUN stuff of the 2000's? Is it going to be the XBOX 360? Playstation 3? Blogging? Gay cowboy movies? Advances in CGI effects in movies? What movies have come out this decade that are even worth mentioning? Where's the good music that will define the 2000's? It's 2006, and I haven't seen anything really defining this decade. Everything that's come out so far just seems like stuff that could've come out in the 90's. Maybe I'm just missing it. Maybe you can help me out. Maybe I'm just getting older, and I'm not as in tune with pop culture. Any ideas?

weird sales

2006-02-08T12:30:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I woke up and climbed out of bed. After a quick shower, I put on a shirt, tie, and dress pants. Quickly, I ate a peanut butter sandwich. Then, I headed out the door and piled into my low budget CRX. I began buzzing down the road, toward Nashville, music city.

I had a job interview at a Honda dealership, to be a car salesman of all things. Now, I have absolutely no experience in commissioned sales. So, I had no idea what to expect.

For three and a half long hours, I rumbled down the four lane road through the fields of Tennessee. As I grew closer to Nashville, the nerves started in. Did I really want this job? What was in store for me? I had no idea.

Finally, I arrived in Nashville. So, following my low budget internet directions, I located the Honda dealership. I walked through the double doors confidently, hoping this could be the opportunity I was looking for.

The interview process was fairly quick. I rambled on about sales, how I see the job as a good fit, and etc. Most of it was sincere. The man interviewing me had no qualms telling me how it really was. "Your boss ever yell at you?" A strange interview question. But, apparently, they like to yell. But, probably not a big deal.

Mike hired me on the spot. I guess I look like good sales material. Who knows? But now, I'm formulating a plan to move to Nashville in the next couple of weeks.

I met a friend of mine for dinner, then I headed back to Athens, three and a half more hours of driving. I guess the trip was worthwhile.

Oscar Nominees

2006-01-31T11:07:00.000-05:00

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

2006-01-30T17:09:00.000-05:00

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

2006-01-27T14:25:00.000-05:00

"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

2006-01-20T23:49:00.000-05:00

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

2006-01-16T13:31:00.000-05:00

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

2006-01-13T15:24:00.000-05:00

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

2006-01-10T21:52:00.000-05:00

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

2006-01-07T15:50:00.000-05:00

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!!

2006-01-06T13:30:00.000-05:00

favorite movies 2005

2006-01-04T14:15:00.000-05:00

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

2006-01-02T12:01:00.000-05:00

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.

Yay! Christmas!

2005-12-30T22:14:00.000-05:00

Here's what I got for Christmas:

1. electric razor

2. Nintendo Gamecube

3. DVD

4. Carrie Underwood album

5. various clothing

What'd you get?

impulse Christmas

2005-12-22T14:29:00.000-05:00

I just got back from Birmingham, AL last night. Some friends of mine at Student Life invited me to participate in some video making for youth camp. It was a blast, and just what I needed. We had fun.

I know a person shouldn't impulse buy things this close to Christmas. (especially useless stuff!!) But, earlier I bought the Garfield Holiday Celebrations DVD. So, if anyone got me that for Christmas, I apologize! But, it's one of my favs of all time!!!!

I also finished up my Christmas shopping. It's never what I want it to be. But, I guess my gifts will be acceptable. There's nothing like celebrating the birth of our Savior by buying each other 80's movies on DVD.

Christmas time

2005-12-18T13:43:00.000-05:00

Well, kids, Christmas is one week away. It is hard to believe the last two months have gone by so fast. My stint at my retail store may soon be over! And, with family holiday plans being in shambles, it's none too soon. I'll be glad to be done with that place.

That being said, I reflect on the meaning of Christmas. It's tough to continually push myself to make this a Christmas about giving. In a bitter world of complainers, it's hard to be the one who is optimistic. It's easy to see the 1000 reasons to be dissatisfied, without noticing the things that make it wonderful.

But, don't get me wrong. This blog entry is not a sermon by any means. I'm just trying to make it a Christmas of giving. And, that's a lot easier said than done.

sick day

2005-12-16T20:07:00.000-05:00

I was driving to work today, up the redneck interstate. I began to feel a queasy spasm in my abdomen. The chinese I ate earlier? Probably. The weight of my job? That, too.

I pulled over on an interstate exit, and pulled out my cell phone. I dialed my retail store of employment, and asked for the manager. I explained, simply, that I felt sick and didn't think I could work today. I felt somewhat guilty, but also resolved about not working. Was I just flaking out? Partially. But, I was also searching myself. I do that a lot lately. She was understanding and kind about it, and told me to feel better soon.

Now, I sit in my house, tired. Tired, but relaxed. I feel better, like a kid who stayed home from school. I've been putting too much pressure on myself to meet the expectations of others. I think that's my biggest problem. Sometimes it's hard to just be you. So often I allow outer forces to push me around. Well, not today. And, if I'm lucky, not any other day. Too much exhaustion makes Jack a dull boy.

hilarious schlock: 2005

2005-12-13T15:50:00.000-05:00

Well, another surreal year of pop culture is coming to a close. And, wow, has the mediocrity hit a whole new high.

We saw Michael Jackson dancing like an idiot atop an SUV, while being charged for serving up Jesus Juice to the kiddies. How did he get aquitted? That weird white-haired guy must be a good lawyer after all. A really, really good lawyer. I guess Michael's ending up the year prancing around Switzerland or some place, having snowball fights and eating chocolate with midgets and whatnot.

Thankfully, Ben Aff-FLOP didn't churn out any more unbearable schlock because of his new baby. Guess we'll have to wait til next year for "Daredevil 2", or "Christmas with the Kranks 2." Hm. Can't wait.

While we're on the subject, Ben's old buddy Matt ain't doin' so hot, either. I don't care what anybody says. The last couple years have been rough. Brothers Grimm? Seriously. He must've taken advice from Aff-FLOP about that film choice. And, "Bourne Supremecy"? It would've been better if it hadn't been filmed with a home video camera. Would it have killed them to give Damon's character some dialouge? It should've been called Bourne Stupidity. Or, Bored Supremecy. And this new oil movie? I'd rather watch a movie about carburetors, or something.

Rappers have been about their usual business: being platinum, and telling us all about it. Ok, we get it. You make a great deal of money. Yeah, we know. You own guns.

George Lucas presented us with the last Star Wars ever! At least, until they make the next one. The dialouge still sounds like it was written by an 8th grader for a class project, but at least it was the best one of the new ones.

And, we get to end the year with a new Jim Carrey flop, and a bizarre Peter Jackson King Kong. I liked it better the first time, when it was called...well, King Kong.

Once again, Hollywood has proven they have little or nothing to offer except the same old schlock in new packaging. And, even the packaging isn't that new anymore.

It's a Wonderful Life

2005-12-12T18:11:00.000-05:00

Well, it seems like poor George Bailey can't quite get out of Bedford Falls. He knows he's too good for this little town, and he has big plans and a bright future. He wants to move to New York and design expansive city buildings, and make millions. He's bright, ambitious, and everyone in the town knows he's going places.

But, he just can't seem to break free of his Bedford Falls roots. Just before he leaves for college, his father falls ill and dies. The poor people of the town desperately beg 'ol George to salvage his daddy's broke "building and loan" business. Reluctantly, George helps them out, and gets mired in the local politics.

A few years later, he's still stuck in the same old mediocre town. The same poor people live there, and he's still running the same broken down building and loan. Meanwhile, his friends have moved on to bigger and better things. Their lives are progressing, and some of them are making lots of money. George's younger brother, having fought in the war, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, and met the President.

Mean old Mr. Potter is out to get George Bailey, because the Bailey Building and Loan is the only entity left in town that he doesn't run. He's a cruel old man with lots, and lots, and lots of old money.

Mr. Potter gains the opportunity to steal 8000 dollars from George's savings and loan, and he does. He stops at nothing to scrape together every penny for himself. This puts George in a terrible position. Groveling, like a begger, he desperately attempts to hold the savings and loan together that his father held so dearly.

Reaching the breaking point, and knowing he will probably go to jail, he realizes that his life insurance policy is worth more to his family if he's dead. He's living in a shack, with mouths he can't feed. He stands at the edge of a bridge, on a cold dark Christmas eve, fully prepared to end it all.

Then, Clarence the angel shows up. He shows George how much good he has brought to the town. And, he explains that it is ridiculous to end your life over a matter of 8000 measly dollars. (worth more in 1946). George sees the terrible reality that would've existed if he'd never been born. His younger brother would've drown, because George wasn't there to save him. George's wife would grow up cold and alone. His old boss goes to jail. The list goes on and on.

George re-enters reality, with new fervor for his life. The townspeople, in a Christmas eve scramble to save the building and loan, raise thousands and thousands of dollars. One of George's old friends sends $25,000. The love of the town is overwhelming, and George learns and important lesson. If a man has friends, he can not be a failure. His friends and family make him the richest man in Bedford Falls.

links

2005-12-10T14:31:00.000-05:00

Check out some of the links on this blog. I've put links to things I think are interesting, and/or things I am personally connected with.

Also, browse the blog links as well. My friends write fascinating blogs! And, don't forget to check out my movie review blog, which is brand new!

Dempseys

2005-12-09T13:49:00.000-05:00

Last night I went to see a musical group called The Dempseys. I was reluctant at first, but it turned out to be fairly interesting. Of course, they must have been charged up on Red Bull, because they played two hours without stopping. I don't know how they did it, but I couldn't stay focused for that long.

They were kind of like a cartoon rockabilly band, playing an endless string of cover songs. At first, I found their energy infectious and endearing, until I finally couldn't take it anymore. (After almost 2 solid hours of standing up.) They are certainly full of humor and whacky antics. It was definitely different.

I reviewed Broken Flowers on my movie review blog. Click here to read it! And to clear up any confusion in the last blog entry, this blog is not going anywhere! I will continue to faithfully update this one, as my own child.

new blog!

2005-12-08T12:25:00.000-05:00

Greetings blog readers! I have finally bitten a certain bullet. I have been contemplating starting up a new movie review blog. While my personal blog is demanding (in internet terms), I decided it would be worth it to start up this new creative outlet. Here is the address:

http://evansilverscreen.blogspot.com

Check it out and let me know what you think!

Christmas stress

2005-12-06T12:30:00.000-05:00

December 6? Can it be true? This first week of December has drifted by too fast. I have been trying to enjoy the Christmas season, in my own ways. It's so easy to get bogged down in all the commerialism that goes on around us. It's easy to grow cynical about the Christmas holiday. It's also a temptation to mourn for the lost days of childhood nostalgia (even though those childhood memories are idealized!)

The key is to approach this Christmas as a brand new opportunity. There has never been a Christmas 2005, so it's a new time. Don't put too much pressure on yourself to feel a certain way about Christmas. Just plan out things you want to do in celebration of Christmas, and don't sweat it! Get creative with your celebration ideas. Me? Well, I've got a collection of Christmas favorite movies in my Netflix queue. Home Alone, It's a Wonderful Life, and the hilariously cheesey Jingle All the Way, just to name a few. And, I blogged recently about watching the ALF Christmas special, and actually crying. Funny, and touching to cry while watching ALF.

I've also been listening to some fantastic Christmas music. You know, "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer", and whatnot. All the Bing Crosby classics, as well as Burl Ives. And, yes, The Chipmunks. But, I don't overload on Christmas music. I listen to it until the moment passes, then it's back to Busta Rhymes. (Just kidding.) But, the point is, Christmas in moderation is healthy.

And finally, whatever your family situation is this year, whatever your financial situation is, however your emotional state, just remember the most important thing: The point of this whole celebration! Don't lose touch with the roots of Christmas. It's an old, old story that dates back 2000 years. A baby, born in unlikely circumstances, with you and me on His mind. It's also about giving. Maybe a Christmas charity donation will lift your spirits, and help someone in need!

Bottom line: I'm working in retail this Christmas. That's right! And, that has the potential to kill any joy Christmas may hold for me, if I let it. That's why I have to keep a healthy perspective about Christmas, and remind myself that it has nothing to do with people fighting over Furbies.

frail body

2005-11-30T20:48:00.000-05:00

A murky vision appeared before me. A bright, light brown desert. The wavy heat rose from the earth as I began to feel my body. I was shirtless, and was clothed in tattered pants. I didn't have any shoes, and my feet began to feel the intense heat of the desert sand.

As I stumbled wearily through the desert, the bright sandy horizon grew clearer in my vision. The blinding light of the sun scorched my skin into a red sweaty layer of leather. My wobbly legs finally gave out, and my frail body stumbled involuntarily, then crumpled to the soft ground.

The heat was painful, and my breath drew in shallowly, rhytmically, as my heart beat weakly. I wiped sweat from my brow with my bare hand. The sand beneath me was blistering hot. The pain seared through me like electricity. My throat was as dry as desert bones. I had grown accustomed to the taste of sand over the course of my listless wandering.

"Rise." A loud, solid, confident bass voice bellowed. Startled, I raised my head to see the source of the command. That's when I saw the thing.

Looming nine feet above me, this great warrior gazed down upon my frail body in disgust. Covered in tarnished silver armor, his face was shielded. His black deepset eyes stared at my pathetic limp body. I was almost too close to the brink of collapse to bother being afraid.

But I was afraid.

"I command you to rise." His voice once more blasting down at me. With adrenaline awakening within me once more, I feebly pulled myself up, feeling lightheaded and inadequate.

"What? Who are you?" My voice quivered, sounding unusually thin and powerless.

"Look before you. Survey this land." He gestured with his metallic hand toward the panoramic landscape of endless desert around me. "What do you see?"

I gasped a couple of times, choking on sand. I coughed, and thought there might be a wrong answer. Surely this giant warrior was going to kill me, and that would be the end. "I...I see a lot of nothing."

"Fool!" Blinding pain struck my head as his backhand swiftly and gracefully smashed the side of my face, sending me sprawling on my back. The world began to fade, as the agony weighed my conscience into blackness. Briefly, I passed out on the hot sand.

"Rise." The voice snapped me back to the reality of bright hot sun, and his looming warrior body. "Rise, or be destroyed." My head throbbed painfully.

I forced myself to my feet. "You answer like a simple-minded fool," he corrected. "See all that is before you. Gaze upon it, and remember the days of your childhood. This is the very place you grew up. This is the place of your youth, simpleton."

"No." I began crying. "This is not my childhood home. This terrible, wastful desert is not familiar to me. I grew up in lush gardens."

"You sicken me. You cannot recognize your own surroundings?" The great warrior reached out to me, and grabbed my arm tightly. He lifted me up toward his flat, metallic face, and pierced into my soul with those deep black eyes. "This is your childhood home. What do you remember of it?"

I offered my true memories."It was beautiful. It was serene." He was squeezing my left arm so hard, I thought it was going to crush under the pressure. "So...magical."

"You are blind by your shortsighted ignorance." Apathetically, he tossed my frail body to the ground. I landed harshly, and I curled into the fetal position. His deep voice bellowed, "You will remember that time once more. I grace you with a second chance."

"May I die?"

"NO!" He retorted, angrily. "You will live, fool!" His finger pointed accusingly at my pathetic body. "You bring this draught upon yourself. In your selfishness, you have forgotten where you are." From his shoulders, magnificent wings of reds and browns sprawled open against the blue sky. Flapping powerfully, the great warrior slowly rose into the air. Then, with three forceful beats, the warrior rose upward into the clear sky. I watched with weary eyes as his body appeared smaller and smaller as he flew higher and higher.

Then, I was alone again. My mind drifted into the memories of my childhood. They were calm, vivid memories of carefree existence among the trees of the lush green gardens. Images of brightly colored flowers, bushes, and exotic plants freely flooded my tired mind.

A dark grey cloud covered the sun, and the sweet shadow cooled my dry body. The entire sky became grey cloud. Soft, cold rain began showering down in light drops. The air grew cooler, and my breath was deeper. I watched as plants and trees grew right before my eyes, in thick undergrowth. It was the familiar garden of my childhood.

Stumbling through this newfound terrain, a cold blue body of water rested before me. I bathed my body, and drank heartily from its flowing wells. I knew this was the beginning of a new era.

The End

Alf

2005-11-29T13:20:00.000-05:00

Some of you may remember the obscure 80's hit comedy, ALF. (ALF stands for "Alien Life Form".) I rented one of the discs of the second season, because it had the ALF Christmas Special on it. I watched it at home one morning, before I had to go to work.

Admittedly, the only reason I wanted to rent ALF was for the cheesey humor. I mean, the acting is hilariously cheesey, and some of the one-liners about eating cats, and ALF's home world Melmac are unbelievably bad. However, when I watched the Christmas Special, ladies and gentlemen, I actually cried. It was one of the most tender and heartfelt Christmas specials I've ever seen in my life.

ALF goes up to a cabin with his adopted family to spend Christmas in a cabin that Willy (the family's low budget Dad) stayed in when he was a child. ALF starts trouble when he opens all the gifts, ruins the food, and complains nonstop. Willy gets enraged and yells at ALF, telling him to leave the cabin to "take a long walk." ALF climbs into the back of a delivery truck, and ends up in a pile of toys. These toys were being delivered to needy children in a hospital. ALF gets handed out as a stuffed animal to a young girl with a terminal disease. She is a kind-hearted young girl, who discovers that ALF is a real, living creature. ALF is moved by her story, and connects with her feelings of fear and loneliness.

Later, ALF stops an elderly man from jumping off a bridge. The man's wife has died, and he does not want to continue in this cold uncaring world alone. ALF gently explains that he makes a difference in the world, and that he needs to stick around to continue his mission of helping people.

One of the reasons I love going back and watching obscure pop culture gems from the 80's is because every so often you uncover a treasure of value. I hope your Christmas season this December is filled with true giving. Remember those who have less, and who are genuinely needy. Don't turn your back on those who ask for help. As a cheesey 80's puppet has reminded me, Christmas is about love and giving, which is more blessed than receiving.

War of the Worlds

2005-11-25T12:13:00.000-05:00

With my recent newfound delight in Netflix, and so many strange and exciting holiday films hitting theatres, I've considered starting up a movie critique blog. I've found that I thoroughly enjoy commenting and reviewing films for my friends to read. And, since I enjoy more obscure films at times, (thanks to Netflix), I would love to review them for people to read.

However, I find it trying at times to manage one blog, much less two. But, keep checking back in the near future for this new blog development.

That being said, I had the privelage of watching Steven Speilberg's brand new version of War of the Worlds last night. Unfortunately, I had to rent it through Blockbuster. But, I guess that's another blog entry entirely.

We all remember the weirdness that happened when this film came out. Tom Cruise began going insane, going crazy on Oprah and embarassing Speilberg. He got into a verbal fight with Matt Lauer on Good Morning America, or one of those morning shows. I actually got up early to watch that one. People were actually worried about Cruise's mental well-being, and everyone was asking questions about his feirce loyalty to the Scientology cult. And, Cruise was squirted in the face with a water gun at the London premiere of War of the Worlds, and handled it with surprising grace and poise. Then, who could forget the whole Katie Holmes publicity mess? I got sick of hearing about it. With Tom Cruise providing a one-man walking circus, it seemed like War of the Worlds was sabatoged and upstaged from the beginning. Even near the end of the publicity run, Steven Speilberg expressed concern for Cruise's over-the-top Scientology rants. Speilberg was hesitant to continue supporting Tom, even though WOTW was about to hit theatres.

What an introduction for a summer blockbuster. With all of that said, I don't think the movie itself got a fair shake. People were so distracted and preoccupied (and rightfully so) by all the strange things going on, most people didn't even care about War of the Worlds by the time it came out. However, when I saw it on a giant big screen Sony, the dust had long since settled with the "real life" soap opera surrounding it. So, I felt that I could fairly evaluate this film, and enjoy it for what it was.

Tom Cruise, like him or loathe him, gets a solid B- from me for his performance in this one. I don't always like him, but when the right role comes along, he's perfect. The character of Ray seems like it's almost on the outer fringes of Tom's ability at times, but the performance is delivered nicely. Dakota Fanning is good. The guy that plays Ray's son is great. I have mixed feelings about Tim Robbins in it. He plays a semi-crazy ex-cab driver who fled to the country to escape the alien attacks. Robbins' character is vaguely similar to the one he played in Mystic River, which is why I sort of feel mixed about it. Overall, he's great, though.

The story focuses on this one family unit, as the world comes under attack by aliens. There is not the same grand scope as, say, Deep Impact, or Independence Day. The characters are darker, and more personal. To me, I enjoyed that aspect of it.

The writing is fairly good. It's not weighed down with too much pointless dialouge, and there are no cheesey one-liners that often plague "end-of-the-world" films like this one.

Now, about the direction. Speilberg has created some weird ones his last few times out of the gate. Minority Report, in my opinion, is the worst Speilberg film ever. Many people didn't like A.I., but I was interested in it. With that being said, I think Speilberg sort of had something to prove to himself with War of the Worlds. (Even though he surpassed having anything to prove to the general public after E.T. !!!) I think he wanted to prove to himself that he's still culturally relevant. He wanted to prove to himself that he can still crank out giant blockbusters, with style and unique vision. In those regards, War of the Worlds is successful.

It is also beautifully filmed. Speilberg seems very specific about the type of imagery in every scene. I was taken by the colorful tones and sweeping landscapes. Also, the special effects are truly spectacular.

There are a few things that weigh this film down, however, and keep it from being a real classic. First, it lacks a feeling of being truly epic. The focus is on one family, which was the obvious intent. But, it tends to hold back the full potential. Another thing that weighs it down is the neverendingly dark tone. It could've stood a little more humor, a lighter note here and there. It was just such a downer. Personally, it wasn't too dark for my taste. But, for a mass audience, I can understand how it's a bummer. And, the ending. I won't give it away, but the way it ends had me asking, "So,...what's the point?" And, that may be the biggest flaw of this film. What's the point?

pirates

2005-11-25T11:47:00.000-05:00

About a year ago, I had the chance to be an extra in Pirates of the Caribbean parts 2 and 3. Disney is filming both sequels at once. It would've meant being transported to the Caribbean for about six months, and very little pay. My friend and I considered this prospect very seriously. The prospect of being in these movies and being in the Caribbean was very tempting.

Ultimately, however, I made the decision to move back to Tennessee around that time. So, no extra work for me!

Today, on the radio, I heard that the cast and crew filming in the Caribbean has been attacked by actual pirates. Looters, or some kind of random thugs, have been stealing, breaking things, and threatening lives. A few actors (extras, I'm assuming) have quit and left the island for fear of their lives! I'm glad that gig didn't work out.

class is in session

2005-11-21T14:04:00.000-05:00

Well, Thanksgiving is mere hours away. It's that wonderful time of seeing family, stuffing your face, and sinking into a deep abyss of mindless stupidity as you doze in front of the television watching football.

I gained a Bachelors degree from a quality private college institution. I've had years and years of school growing up. My intelligence may be in question, but the years of sitting in the classroom are without dispute. Yet, sadly, my knowledge of Thanksgiving history is limited. If I wrote a chapter in a History textbook about Thanksgiving, it would go as follows:

Some people in England were tired of being pushed around by the church of England. So, compounded with a general weariness and disdain for their lifestyle, they climbed aboard three ships: The Mayflower, Santa Maria, and the...uh...it'll come to me in a minute.

So, after months of sickness and hardship, they reached America. They all had hats, and buckles on their shoes. Most of their outfits were black. After fighting Native Americans (or, "Indians"), and teaching them how to scalp people, things kind of settled down.

At some vague point, the "pilgrims" had an outdoor picnic kind of thing, where they had turkey, dressing, and cranberry sauce. I think they invited some Indians.

I hope your Thanksgiving is full of joy, family togetherness, and a vague misguided ignorance about its history, just as mine will be.

Jim Henson

2005-11-17T13:46:00.000-05:00

Jim Henson's story is one of destiny. Having an interest in television in the mid-50's, he was involved in theatre at the University of Maryland. A local NBC affiliate there invited Jim and a friend (Jane, who he later married) to perform a five minute segment on a late night news show. The show lasted for a few years, and during that time Jim crafted and experimented with the Muppets concept. He coined the term "Muppet" during those years by combining the word puppet with marionette.

As these bizarre late night puppets gained popularity, more characters were created. The Muppets world also expanded, reaching to television shows, TV special appearances (including the first season of SNL in the 70's), and eventually becoming a giant enertainment conglomerate.

There are several things that inspire me about the Muppets. First, Jim Henson genuinely added depth, emotion, and creativity to his characters. They seem to have so much life! I feel as if Kermit and Miss Piggy are real living people! Secondly, there is a true gentleness and kindness to the whole Muppet world. Jim Henson, quite deliberately, strove to create an optimistic world that reflected love, caring, and humor. Thirdly, Jim Henson's creations are totally original. He did not create these characters in order to "break in" to show biz. He was interested in television, but he was not greedy or power hungry. He did not follow a formula in creating the Muppets. It was a true artistic creation rooted in his genuine passions and imagination.

I think that's why his lovable creatures connect with so many millions of people. Jim Henson has made a big impact on the culture of the world, with pure imagination and passion. That is inspiring, and worth commemorating.

Gameboy Micro

2005-11-16T13:20:00.000-05:00

Have you heard of the new Nintendo Gameboy micro? It's the latest from Nintendo. With Gameboy sales in somewhat of a slump lately, and with the holidays coming up, they released this little bad boy.

I played one yesterday in a video game store. I knew it was going to be small, but seriously, the thing is tiny. It's the same size as my cell phone. It could easily fit in my shirt pocket. And, the graphics and screen quality are amazing. They're only $80, which is relatively cheap for a piece of brand new video game hardware. They look like a lot of fun. They take Gameboy Advance games. Which means, you could play Super Mario Brothers 3 on it! Or, old Atari games. It's mindblowing, really.

netflix, I guess

2005-11-14T12:19:00.000-05:00

It's a rainy day here in East Tennessee. Nothing too eventful has happened lately. At least, nothing I could articulate in my presently groggy state.

I am somewhat enjoying Netflix. If you're not familiar with it, it's video rental over the internet. After my friend Mike preached it to me for a few years, and my friend Andy gave me a free month, I finally broke down and decided to try it. So far, I am fairly satisfied. On a scale of 1-10, I guess I would give it a 7.

The upside:
1. Well-designed web site.
2. Fantastic selection.
3. Convenience of not leaving my house to go to the video rental place.
4. It's cheap (10 dollars per month).
5. I'm fighting the corporate beast. (I think we all know which video rental beast I speak of.)
6. I can brag to my friends that I have Netflix, so my social status goes up a couple of points.

The downside
1. Sometimes it takes the DVD's several days to arrive in the mail, even though it's only supposed to take one day.
2. Video renting is not as spontaneous.
3. No more weird, smelly video rental stores!!!
4. I only get one DVD at a time.
5. I often have to watch the movies at awkward or inconvenient times in order to get them back in the mail.
6. I'm wasting all my time watching pointless schlock.

Overall, though, I'm satisfied with it. Click here to see their site.

southern cuisine

2005-11-12T11:18:00.000-05:00

Living in the south certainly has its ups and downs. There are things to love and things to loathe, like any place. One of the biggest down sides of living in the region I live in is that it is fairly boring most of the time. I have great friends and family, but staring at empty cow fields takes a toll after a while.

One of the greatest things about living in the south is the quality of food. Southern cuisine is unapologetically decadent, and sometimes over-the-top. Much southern food is also really good for you. The south has certainly come along way with technology in the last twenty years ago, what with our e-lectricity and shoes and whatnot. With cell phones and the internet, it's truly turning into a global community.

Today I was reminded of my southern roots. My parents recently joined a little Baptist church in the small town of Athens, TN. The people there are wonderful. However, they are certainly extremely southern. My parents told me the story of their experiences in their sunday school class. Before the "class" started, the members of the class sat around and "chewed the fat" for a few minutes. One older woman was telling everyone how beautiful her new shotgun was. She was telling them all about the pearl handle. No, really.

My mother also recently got a church cookbook. If you're not familiar, most churches in the south have cookbooks filled with recipes submitted from women in the church. My mom was quite impressed with the East Athens Baptist Church cookbook, until running across one entry of particular interest.

Now, I know some of you faithful blog readers are not as familiar with the south. And, in fact, you've probably already cracked up at this blog entry at some of the absurdities described in small town life. Indeed, it is a de-light. However, this one takes the cake. For you see, there is an entry in this cookbook for Baked Possum. That's the point where I may lose some of you. But, trust me, it's real. This is NOT A JOKE. It is in this cookbook, submitted by a man named Jerome.

Baked Possum

Catch a live possum. Put it in a pen for 7 days. Feed it cornmeal dough and fresh water. Kill, skin, and dress it. Wash thoroughly. Place in a roaster pan, sald and pepper thorougly inside and out. Place 7 or 8 medium-sized clean sweet potatoes around meat. Cover with roaster lid or aluminum foil, bake in oven at 350 degrees for 3 hours or until done.

Wow. Most times, I'm proud to be from Tennessee. There is a rich history here. And, the roots of American pop culture in Tennessee are amazing. There is also a lot of beautiful scenery and wonderful natural landmarks. However, when I read about baked possum, it puts things back into perspective for me!!

I want my MTV!

2005-11-08T21:08:00.000-05:00

I am a young guy. 26 years old. I don't really feel old, and in fact I feel younger than my age most of the time. However, there are a handful of things that make me feel the perspective of my age. One of these things is MTV.

It seems like MTV used to be for all ages when it first came out. Crusty old rockers, as well as young teenagers were captivated by the new music video format. Now, when I watch some of those old early 80's videos, they're so incredibly cheesey, I can't believe they were on TV. They seemed so fun and charming. At the time, they were "edgy". And, as a kid, I used to watch MTV when I wasn't supposed to! I remember watching Michael Jackson videos when they were new! I know, it seems like an eternity ago.

Then, there was the middle school phase. This was the phase when MTV got much darker. They were showing Metallica, and grundge hit the scene. Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, Green Day, and a whole host of heavy metal and early 90's alternative videos ruled MTV. Late night MTV was filled with an array of low budget, and absolutely bizarre animated shows and theme shows. Not the least of which was Beavis and Butthead. Then, Dr. Dre made a little video called "G Thang", and the world was changed forever. (Or, at least pop culture changed!) Now, the gangsta rap video was mainstream. All of these developments seemes monumental to my young mind. In retrospect, it seems impossible that my parents, and my friends' parents, were pretty much completely oblivious to these giant shifts in pop culture.

I enjoyed MTV when I was in high school, somewhat. It got a bit stale to me my junior and senior years of high school. I never got into "Puff Daddy" videos, and rock never recovered from the loss of grundge.

Now, at age 26, MTV seems quite foreign to me. I mean, I enjoy "Cribs", I vaguely liked "Ozzbournes" during its prime. And now, I have to admit, I have occassionally watched (and laughed at) Laguna Beach. But, for the most part, most MTV shows are really boring to me. What was once edgy has now swelled into a worldwide corporation. There are no real shows on MTV anymore that are that bold, or dark, like the early 90's. I guess I'm just getting old.

Everyone on there looks so young. TRL, a show that screams "after school entertainment", is filled with a studio audience of fifteen year old screaming girls. And, I'm pretty sure I'm older than every VJ on there. Exit Carson Daly, enter new generation of mediocre MTV puppets. They're all fairly bland, and their clothes look more like costumes than "cool" hipster rock clothes. I don't know any of the bands on the countdown, and I rarely know any of the guests that visit the show. Truly, the MTV train has left without me in recent years.

Gone are the days of home video camera quality videos, and obscure late-night shows. Am I getting old?

eat your vegetables

2005-11-07T20:01:00.000-05:00

I recently read a fascinating article in the latest issue of National Geographic. In the article, Dan Buettner visits three different countries, with three different communities of people who have unusually high average life spans. The communities varied from Loma Linda, California to Sardinia, Italy, and, finally, Okinawa, Japan. Three communities that are literally worlds apart, yet they each hold a longer-than-average life span.

Even though these three cultures vary greatly, there are a handful of common traits. First, emotional, physical, spiritual, and financial support from family is a common binding trait. Each community values their elders, and extended families look out for each other. They each encourage a healthy work ethic. Not too much workaholic attitude, not too much laziness. Just enough.

But what's the biggest common factor? You guessed it. In each of these three communities, the diet of their cultures is made mostly of vegetables. Each community also eats vegetables they grow themselves. And, the gardening itself provides physical exercise, mental fulfillment, and spiritual satisfaction. And, good old fashioned healthy vegetables. Here is an exerpt from the article:

"When she's not watching sumo wrestling on TV, Yasu Itoman, 100, gets her own exercise by growing onions, tomatoes, carrots, and other herbs and vegetables in her garden. They give her natural antioxidants that may help prevent cancer."

In the Adventist community of Loma Linda, Caifornia, where one community of extra-old people reside, Marge Jetton (101 years old) had this to say about her diet and long-life:

"I haven't eaten meat in 50 years, and I never eat between meals."

There is a somewhat interesting online page on the National Geographic site about this article. Hopefully it will convince you to eat your vegetables! It has certainly inspired me.

Click here to check it out.

more blog adventures

2005-11-04T13:17:00.000-05:00

Faithful blog readers! An apology is certainly in order. I have neglected my blog for several days now. In fact, I think it has been almost two weeks since I wrote on this blog. There are several reasons for this.

I got a new job at a Super Target, and I have been working crazy hours. And, in my off time, I seem to be trying to squeeze in every amount of errand-running I can manage. And on my days off, I have successfully found other diversions from blog writing.

Another reason, and the main reason, for neglecting my blog is simply an old-fashioned lack of inspiration. Sure, several things have happened that are probably blog-worthy. I started a new job, I went to a Halloween party, I may be auditioning for a professional show, and I've gone through changes and introspective phases that are more than blog-worthy. However, I've found that my drive, and my motivation for blog writing has been dried up. It has been dried up by wrestlings with my self-esteem, and emotional confusions. Sometimes digging around the extra and distracting thoughts and feelings in order to draw out the real meaning or feeling behind something proves to be far too much work for a blog entry. But, it may be a healthy exercise nonetheless.

Since I started this blog, the idea was to relay exciting stories to my friends from afar. To that end, my blog was very successful and emotionally cathartic. But, now honesty seems to painful.
I feel like a sheep that has wandered from the flock. And, for far too long, I've been trying to find my way back. There are occurances and developments in my life that are pulling me toward that end, but in the mean time, I feel confused and discouraged. I'm sure you can relate.

A friend of mine from college once wrote a play called "Wading Through Peanut Butter." A funny name. But, also an apt description of how my own development feels most of the time.

I hope you'll forgive my frank honesty, and indulge my emotional pleas for reassurance. I don't mean to be the perpetual martyr. Or, the constant complainer. My goal is to simply be baringly honest and straightforward. But, enough. I think I've made my point.

Stay tuned for more blog adventures!

Proud to be American?

2005-10-20T16:14:00.000-04:00

Being an American, it can be really easy to take it for granted. I'm not one for making others feel guilty. I don't think anyone should feel guilty for living in America. But, we should certainly appreciate living here.

A little while ago, I took an online test. It was the American citizenship test. I guess people who are trying to become American citizens are given various tests, and this is one. You can take it here, for fun, to see if you would pass! Sadly, I only got half of them right the first time I took it. I kind of rushed through it, though. But, these are things any clod should know.

studio city web site

2005-10-18T14:29:00.000-04:00

Finally, Studio City has an official web site. I applaud the Chamber of Commerce for finally making one. I don't know what took so long, but I'm glad they did it. It's got a nice layout, and some great links. Also, the historical information about Studio City is of particular interest. Click here to check it out!

short attention span

2005-10-17T10:20:00.000-04:00

I have more horror recommendations! Today is one of my favorite categories. I like to call it short attention span. These are the films that are diced up into three or four separate short stories. These are my favorite to watch, and to recommend to friends.

Short Attention Span

Creepshow 2
This little delight offers a story called "The Raft", based on a Stephen King short story of the same name. It also has a really cool story about a run-0ver hitchhiker. I also like the in-between segways of animation. Don't expect good acting, or even particularly good writing, even though Stephen King wrote one of them. But, it's still a winner. Click here.

Campfire Tales
This overlooked mid-90's gem has some really great moments. It features Ron Livingston from Office Space. It's about a group of teens who wreck their car on this woodsy back road. Then, they have to wait for help, since they're "in the middle of nowhere." So, to pass the time, they share ghost stories. There's a story about newlyweds attacked by "something" in their RV. Then, the story of a derranged internet killer. And last, the legendary ghost story of the guy who stays in a farm house overnnight. It's moderately low budget, and loads of fun. Click here.

Waxwork
This one is a little different from the other two in this category. However, I think it deserves a place in the short attention span category. It's the fantastically 80's tale about a group of college students who are invited to the grand opening of a wax museum. Of course, the wax museum party is at midnight, on a strange neighborhood street. When they show up, they are greeted by various freaks. Then, of course, the different wax exhibits prompt the different episodes of horror, including all the classics. Vampires, werewolves, and zombies await these hapless teens. Click here.

seriously scary

2005-10-12T20:38:00.000-04:00

A couple of days ago, I made some horror recommendations under the "college crowd" category. Well, I've got some more coming your way!

Seriously Scary
This category is for those of you who enjoy watching movies that are purely for the scare factor. Maybe you like getting with your boyfriend/girlfriend, and turning out the lights with one of these terrors. Many people disagree on what really, really scares them, but these three are some of the scariest I've ever seen.

Carrie
Sissie Spacek is really great! And, freaky. She can sort of set stuff on fire with her mind. But, the weirdest and scariest part of this film is the mom. Ooh, boy, is she freaky. Scares me every time.
Click here to read more about Carrie.

The Exorcist
I declare this the single scariest film I have ever seen. In fact, I'm not even really sure why I'm recommending it. In fact, I'm never going to watch it ever again. It gave me nightmares. You have to respect what it is in order to be scared by it. I once attempted to watch it with a group of college students. So, we all got distracted with talking to each other and chit chatting. So, when really scary parts came up, no one really knew what was happening. But, trust me. It's terrifying. Click here for the official web site.

The Sentinel
This story of a young woman moving into a new apartment is a rather obscure little gem from the 70's. I'm recommending it because, even though it's not super-terrifying, it's still pretty cool. Click here to read more about it.

nature

2005-10-11T21:31:00.000-04:00

Like an old friend, nature can embrace us. Being still and quiet in nature can remind us of what's really important. As we slow down, and truly observe our surroundings, physical changes begin to happen. We breathe deeper. Our hearts slow. We feel, hear, and see things around us in more detail. We begin to reflect. Things come to the surface in the mind that we can sort through. Overall, getting alone in nature is a healthy meditation that we should all try.

Horror recommendations

2005-10-10T21:27:00.000-04:00

As the bewitching hour of Halloween grows near, you may already be preparing for the Hallow's Eve festivities. October is a wonderful time to celebrate the weird, obscure, freaky, and of course scary, side of life. One of the best aspects of Halloween is getting together with a group of friends to watch scary movies. Sadly, however, most people don't know the best scary movies out there. Or, even where to begin. Most people are greatly misguided by pop culture when it comes to horror films. And, most people will just watch whatever is most popular at the time. (A.K.A.-"Boogeyman", "Ring 2.") Now, these aren't necessarily bad movies. But, there is a wondrous archive of horror films out there that most people don't know or care about. So, I wanted to write this blog in dedictation to one of my favorite art forms: The horror film. And, in most cases, the 1980's horror film.

You might say I've already been doing research in this area for quite some time now. I am, by no means, an expert on horror films. But, I have seen tons of them. It sort of became a hobby of mine. There is a certain humor in laughing at bad horror, and that's the allure for me. Another allure is discovering rare and obscure treasures that you could never discover without doing some serious searching. With this research, I will attempt to guide you to the best horror films to watch this October. And, don't worry. I won't steer you wrong. There are different types of horror films you may want to watch, depending on the situation. I am only all too aware of this. I'm sensitive to the disdain the average person may hold toward horror films. But, don't worry. There's something for everyone.

Here are my top picks for this year's Halloween fright fun:

The College Crowd:
The college crowd is a category I'm creating for people who want to watch horror for the campy value. You know, they get a kick out of bad acting, low budget special effects, etc. You don't literally have to be a college student to enjoy these picks. But, "college crowd" simply describes the type of film. These tend to be a bit more crude at times. Maybe a bit more violent. So, if you're not into that, college crowd films aren't for you. However, if you want to see something different to watch with your friends, and you want a good laugh, then look no further.

Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn
Hilarious slapstick that could rival the Three Stooges. It's also a Bruce Campbell classic. Click here to read about the movie. Click here to visit Bruce Campbell's official page. Roger Ebert sums it up best in his review.

Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
It's important to note that I'm talking about the original TCM here. If you've seen the newer 2003 verison, please don't judge the original based on it. The original is a genuine work of art. In fact, you can click here to read a blog I wrote on it back in the summer. Click here for the rotten tomatoes TCM page.

The Lost Boys
An incredible 80's vampire flick, featuring Corey Feldam AND Corey Haim! Thoroughly entertaining, and overly "cool." It's one of my favorite 80's horror movies, and it's sure to be a hit with the "college crowd" who have never seen it. Click here to read about it.

More recommendations for Halloween coming up soon, with other categories!

best birthday ever

2005-10-09T14:12:00.000-04:00

I think my greatest birthday celebration would have to be my 11th birthday party. Why, I remember it as if it were yesterday. (This is the part where the wavy lines take you back to 1990.)

A group of my guy friends (No icky girls) met, with my Dad, at Pizza Hut. It was a wondrously late 80's way to begin the festivities. Pizza Hut, being 80's as it is, was a wonderful post-Chucky Cheese, pre-"I don't care anymore" restaurant of perfection for young boys. It's got the atmosphere, it's got the caffeine-charged Coke. And, of course, it is the prime spot to gorge your young body on greasy pepperoni pizza. (Cowabunga, dude!) Then my Dad handed out 2 dollar bills as party favors. (Brilliant, Dad!)

After a dinner of bliss, we left the Pizza Hut and headed to the movie theater. For you see, this was no ordinary day. This was the friday that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles debuted on the big silver screen. That's right. And, we would be the first to witness its glory. Being intelligent as we were, my Dad and I had already purchased the tickets earlier that day. We purchased enough tickets for the whole rowdy goofy group of us young boys hungry to see some cinematic violence.

Upon reaching the theater, the parking lot was packed. The line at the ticket booth was unbelievable. As we strolled through the entrance, I encountered a friend of mine from school, Will. His face seemed astonished when he saw us walking past the line. "How do you already have tickets?!" He asked, amazed. I simply told him, quite proudly, that we had purchased the tickets earlier that afternoon. So, the whole horde waltzed in, unscathed by the fact that the 7:00 PM showing of TMNT was sold out.

The cinematic glee that ensued was unforgettable. The theater was already jam packed, so we couldn't all sit together. We had to seperate, in different rows. As the movie extravaganza began, I soaked it up like a dying desert wanderer slurps up a puddle of cold water. My excitement level and caffeine level reached new heights as the ninja turtles "kicked butt" onscreen.

After the movie, we headed back to my house to finish up the night with more traditional ceremony. I tore open an array of gifts. (mostly TMNT paraphernalia.) Then, we gorged our young bodies once again on sugary birthday cake.

Ah, don't we all sometimes wish times could be simpler? Those days were fantastic. Of course, being an adult is fun, too. But, random childhood memories are a de-light. As far as birthday celebrations, this one is in the top three I guess.

A great place to live

2005-10-08T13:26:00.000-04:00

I had some friends over for dinner last night and it was great. We watched Ed Wood, and followed that with Glen or Glenda. (Ed Wood is considered by many as the "worst director of all time." I kind of agree.) We had chicken, corn, and rolls. A delicious, very hearty southern meal. We followed it up with pumpkin pie for dessert. Yummy!

I discovered this really cool web site a few years back. My friend Tim told me about it. If you've ever wondered where the best place in country to live would be, look no further. This web site provides a completely free test that evaluates your personal preferences in a town. Then, it gives you quite a comprehensive list of cities/towns based on the criteria you specify in your test answers. It's a great learning thing, and can be eye opening.

Click here for the "Find Your Spot" site.

Hurricane victims

2005-10-06T18:21:00.000-04:00

As we all know, hurricane relief continues. And, as far as we all know, it will most likely continue for years to come. And, I also know that there are varying views and opiniong about how this crisis was handled by the government. In my low budget opinion, there are political leanings on both sides that could stand to benefit from putting political spin on the situation. One thing we almost all agree on, however, is how the government, both on local and federal levels, botched things up. I won't go into detail about my opinion about Mayors and such, but we all know what happened.

Now that some time has passed since this tragic hurricane Katrina, the relief continues for the victims who lost their homes. We all have things we can do, whether we help rebuild firsthand, or give financially to the Red Cross. Me? I was considering going on a trip to Mississippi with my alma matter college, Carson-Newman, to help out. Now, I'm reconsidering. I may not logistically be able to get all the elements together in order to go. But, I've been left with questions. How much comfort am I willing to give up for others? How much actual work am I willing to do for others? Am I not serving people, just because I'm not going on a trip? As I look out my window at this dreary rainy evening, which has been blown in by the latest hurricane, these heavy issues weigh on me.

Even if you only give a few dollars to the Red Cross, at least we can all contribute in one way or another.

Garbage Pail Kids

2005-10-05T14:20:00.000-04:00

I, along with many other children in the 1980's, collected those disgusting little Garbage Pail Kids cards. I think they were .50 cents per pack, and contained two or four cards and a piece of gum. The cards featured creative and overtly disgusting children with odd "pun" names, and graphic depictions of their "special feature." Little did I know, as an 8 year old, that they had actually created a live action Garbage Pail Kids movie.

So, nearly twenty years later, I have caught my first glimpse of the liva action schlock. And let me tell you, it's incredible. They released this movie on DVD just this year (don't ask my why) so many people will probably see it for the first time. Or, the second time, if they saw it at some obscure time in their childhood.

As a fan of 80's schlock horror, I soaked in every scene of this low budget masterpiece with giddy enchantment. It has a lighthearted humor, and an edge of 8-year-old-boy grossness. I gawked in disbelief when the bizarre live-action Garbage Pail Kids broke into a musical number. I laughed out loud in awe of some of the hokey one-liners. Some of the visual gags stunned me with their over-the-top cheesiness. The 80's fashion of one of the movie's main characters, ("Tangerine" is her name) nearly had me rolling on the floor with laughter. And, her boyfriend and "main bully" looked a lot like Steve-O from MTV.

The low budget and clunky puppetry of the Garbage Pail Kids is almost embarassing. Yet, near the end, I caught myself actually believing that these bizarre little buggers were real. Talk about suspension of disbelief! I had to laugh at myself. Overall, this movie is an 80's B-movie joy, and you should do yourself a favor by watching it.

Click here to read about The Garbage Pail Kids movie on rotten tomatoes.

the tortured existence of an extra

2005-10-03T22:22:00.000-04:00

When I lived in L.A., I signed up with a couple of different extra casting agencies. These companies cast extras for movies and television shows. In these situations, you pay a small upfront fee, and they add you in their databanks. They take a picture of you, driver's license style.

The main casting company is called Central Casting. When I signed with them, I was new to California. I went down on a Wednesday or Thursday morning to register. Once I finally found the place in Burbank, I was startled to find several hundred people, all shapes and sizes, waiting in a crowded room. The whole process of paper work and picture taking took a couple of hours.

More recently, I signed up with Sandy Alessi Casting. It was a much smaller boutique in a random office space in Studio City. It seemed more personable, so I reluctantly signed up. My friend and hero, Benj, talked me into it. He was quite successful with Central Casting, and he told me he heard about Sandy Alessi through the extras circuit. (Yeah, there's an extras circuit.) So, I registered with them expecting never to get extra work. Of course, they always give you the "Hollywood", "Oh, we'll call you." Of course, the idea is that you have to call them. Usually, if they call you, there's been some kind of mistake.

Two times, in the past month, Sandy Alessi Casting has called my cell phone and offered me extra work. Being in East Tennessee, I kicked myself for misssing out on cool opportunity. But, what are you gonna do? If I was in Cali, I would literally be on the set of Fast and Furious 3 right now. Weird, huh?

Of course, I can't continually beat myself up for leaving that place. With all the excitement and cool opportunity, there are equal amounts of hardship, danger, and disappointment.

lemonade stand

2005-09-30T17:41:00.000-04:00

Looking for hours of internet fun? There's this pointless, but addictively fun game I discovered a number of years ago called Lemonade Stand. Yeah, creative name. But, you can play it for free online. Click here for it.

You get to decide how much lemon to put in each cup of lemonade, and how much ice and sugar you put in each cup. You also have to balance the price of the lemonade with the temperature. It may sound lame, but it's a fun game. And, it's a nice li'l lesson in the basics of economics.

I'm a nerd, ok?

traffic schmaffic

2005-09-29T12:16:00.000-04:00

latraffic
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

Upon first moving to Los Angeles, one thing that struck me was the local attitude about traffic. Most complained about it being the worst in the world, and they hated driving anywhere. True, there are a lot of cars on the road. And, I suppose some people consistently get stuck in traffic on their work commutes. I, however, never really encountered bad traffic.

Except once.

I used to work late hours at Universal, and I was sometimes exhausted in the summer schedule, getting home at 1 or 2 in the morning. On one such morning, I was not feeling particularly "up to speed." When I got home from work, I lugged my achey body upstairs to the bedroom, and took a hefty chug of nighttime cold medicine. If you know anything about nighttime cold medicine, you know that it pretty much knocks you unconscience for at least eight solid hours. So, after my medicinal dose, I laid my frail body down on my wonderful soft bed. I drifted away into a blissful drug-induced sleep, and it was beautiful.

In the early morning hours, before the world is awake, around 5:30 or 6:00, I have a vague and dream-like recollection of my roommate Doug barging into our shared bedroom. Being halfway in another deminsion, I can barely recall him frantically explaining to me that he had driven our mutual roommate, Andy, to the Burbank airport. Andy was supposed to leave that day to get home to his family for a week or so. Doug explained that they had gotten their a couple minutes late, so Andy's seat on the flight had been given away. If you're familiar with Los Angeles airport ritual, it should come as no surprise. So, in desperation, Doug asked me if I could go get Andy from the airport.

Groggily turning my cell phone on, I heard about three desperate messages from Andy, at the airport, explaining how everyone else he knew was either out of town, or at work. So, I was the only human on the earth who was available to come get him at the airport. Laying in my warm fuzzy bed, in the dark hours of the early morning, exhausted and sedated on cold medicine, I reluctantly agreed to come get him at the airport.

Dragging my bones out of the sheets, I drearily clothed myself and draped a hat over my messy head. I couldn't believe I was awake, much less driving to the airport! The Burbank airport was a good fifteen to twenty minutes away. I drove their in the cool morning air, meeting a grateful Andy at the airport pick-up place. Climbing into the hatchback, he explained that the airport explained to him that there was one chance for him to catch a flight. In two hours, a flight to Seattle was leaving,...in Orange County.

Orange County is a solid 45 minute drive, through the heart of Los Angeles morning rush hour traffic. But, out of love and devotion to my roommate, I did it. I drove there. And 45 minutes back, which actually took nearly two hours because of the traffic. I mean, it was like a parking lot driving up the 405. It could've been the 101. They were both terrible that morning.
But, Andy made his flight. We were both thankful for that.

When I got back to the apartment, I crashed happily on my bed and sank back into my slumber.

The Cabinet of Dr.Caligari

2005-09-27T13:04:00.000-04:00

I wanted to take an opportunity to tell everyone about my friend Doug's upcoming project. It's one that I'm excited about, and it looks very interesting. Doug is excited about it.

I remember Doug telling me about this projecet repeatedly, because he knows I like campy horror. Only, this horror film is darker, and cooler than the typical 80s camp I rave about. It's called The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, and it is a moderately budgeted independent film. It is a remake of a thirties horror film. ( At least, I think it's the thirties.) They used some of the original footage juxtaposed with modern imagery to create a clean, glossy, yet classic looking scenerio.

Doug plays a sideshow psychic named Cesare. You can check out the film's official web page here. It's a highly technical page, so it may take a minute to load. But, it looks really cool.

The film opens in mid-October. I'm not sure if it will hit every major cineplex, but if you keep your eyes open, you may get lucky. I wish I could've been in L.A. for the premiere, but that's just how the proverbial cookie crumbles. Apparently, this film has gotten a lot of buzz from the German independent film crowd, as well as American horror fans. It's been nominated for some Screamfest awards. i don't know if it will be good or not, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I love Doug Jones! He also has a pretty cool web page here. There is much love to go around, my friend.