hold the proverbial press

eleanor cook
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

Whoa! I heard recently on the news that two jurors in the Michael Jackson case regret their acquital! I can't handle this. In my soul, I was settled with the verdict. I was somewhat surprised that Jackson had been found innocent of all those charges, but the court of law was good enough for me. I mean, any respectable person is going to have OJ Simpson-like doubts about the verdict, but nothing too incriminating.

But NOW...these two schmoes step out into the public eye and claim they regret the acquital. All these weird "behind-the-scenes" stories are coming to the surface. And it also happens that both these jurors are going to write books. Hm. How coincidental. Eleanor Cook's book is going to be called "Guilty as Sin, Free as a Bird." And, Ray Hultman's book will be called "The Deliberator."

So, why would they acquit Micheal Jackson, then write scandalous books revealing the "truth" of his guilt? Something doesn't add up. They both claim that they were sort of pressured into the acquital. But, come on. They knew how big a deal this trial was. I mean, it was child molestation. It was Michael Jackson's life on the line. It was the life of a child on trial. Not to mention, this child's whole family was affected. Why would anything persuade a person against their belief in a trial of that magnitude? To me, it could be a huge stunt to sell books.

But there's always two sides to any story. Watching 79 year old Eleanor Cook on the news, I was confused. She seemed genuinely moved by the fact that a "child molester" had been set free. She was brought to tears as she talked about the weight of her guilt. I'm tempted to say that a 79 year old is not going to be a good actor, but Christopher Lee proves that wrong.

The bottom line is, now all my suspicions of Michael are drudged back up. I mean, how could a grown 45 year old man not understand that having small children in your own bed is not okay?!? You can say "eccentric" this, and "lost his childhood" that, but it doesn't seem right. Any grown adult should understand that. That's why Michael was tried as an adult, and not as a child. He's responsible for his actions. Now I don't know about his innocence anymore. Are they creating a publicity stunt to sell books, or getting the truth off their conscience?

super size me

burger
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

Today I watched a fascinating documentary entitled Super Size Me. Now, I know the power these documentaries have to skew the truth in favor of something biased. But, much of the "facts" of this documentary rang true to me. If you've ever read a book called Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser, then this doc isn't such a stretch.

The basic premise is, this guy eats NOTHING but fast food for 30 solid days. 3 meals per day, every day. As he does so, he documents the physical changes in his body. And, he interviews many doctors and nutritionists along the way.

It will be a long, long time before I can bring myself to eat fast food again. Even foods containing partially hydrogenated fats, and monohydro-whatever fats, are so bad for your body.
In California, I ate fast food frequently. I mean, I love a good burger as much as the next guy. But, I was hooked on the NoHo diner. Fast food just ain't my bag, baby.

I would encourage anyone to check out this documentary. Not only is it informative, but entertaining. I really got emotionally involved with the "main character" of this documentary. By the end, I was really begging him to stop eating junk food! I was in his corner. And, I found myself checking every label of everything I ate today.

The documentary also had some things to say about the way we feed kids in public schools. Now, public school beauracracy is already an issue that interests me. Especially with all the "intelligent design" nonsense that's happening. Well, politics doesn't end in the classroom. It gets carried over into the cafeteria as well. They showed these middle school girls eating french fries and cola for lunch. And, that was it. Some kids had potato chips (filled with fat), Gatorade, and candy bars. And, that's all they ate. The teachers seemed to be conveniently ignorant about what the kids were eating. Everyone seemed to pass the buck to someone else. They also addressed the condition of physical education classes. Which, if it's anything like it was when I was in school, is just appauling.

I'm not saying I'll never eat another fast food burger ever again, but I'll sure think twice. And, it's going to be a while.

Check out the Super Size Me web site here.

Play the official Super Size Me game (free!!!) here.

happy halloween

happy halloween
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

I just had a magical experience. I was watching Boy Meets World on ABC Family. And, of course, it was a Halloween episode. This holiday fascinates me. The imagery, history, imagination, and customs of this night are enthralling.

Check out this web site to visit some ghosts from my past.

summer 2002

In the summer of 2002, while I was still in college, I worked at a youth camp called Student Life. Now, for all of you who may have certain images of summer youth camp, let me tell you: times have changed. No longer are kids bunked up in musty log cabins, roasting marshmallows, and (you guessed it) singing kum-ba-ya around the fire. Youth camp is all high-tech now. I was on the acting team.

We had an elaborate set, with high budget lighting. There were two giant screens on either side where films and various footage could be shown. And, graphics and animations made my Student Life.

Yesterday I had the privelage of going up to Covenant College, my old camp stomping grounds. I was visiting my friend Les. (The guy I moved to Cali with. I met him at camp.) We were on the same team that summer.

It was fantastic walking across that campus. There were teenagers running around, and camp was in full swing. I was struck by how much the culture has changed in just three years since I did camp. There are now pink Student Life shirts for the guys! I guess that's the cool thing for the kids these days, guys wearing pink.

The culture among teenagers may always be changing, but the energy does not. Having several hundred or a thousand teenagers together in one place still provides the same supercharge of electricity. I enjoyed it.

I got to see some old faces, and meet some new ones. I bumped into a youth minister I haven't seen in years. I first met in back in 1996 or so, when he was in college. He was excited to see me (and I him). He had many questions for me and the 'ol gang. It was refreshing and unexpected to suddenly be connected with my past in such an obscure way.

There is a weird tower on campus. The school is literally on top of a mountain, so from the inside of this tower, you can see an amazing panoramic of Chattanooga. At the end of summer 2002, a group of us were taken up into this tower. There, in this hot wooden room, we signed our names. Gazing up at that tower last night brought back the crazy memories of signing my name with many others in years past.

I also want to say congratulations to my friend Les. I can't say details now 'cause it's a secret. But, I can elaborate later.

P.S.- The tail lights on my car went out during the trip. So, I had to drive an hour in the dark, on an interstate. But miraculously, I wasn't pulled over by the 50. I want to send a shout out to the public serving and protecting of America's transportation outlets. I'm glad somebody wants to do it!

christopher lee

christopher-lee
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

Last night I was watching a VH-1 show called Best Week Ever. The show takes the most important weekly pop culture events and analyzes them. It's a funny show. Last night's episode picked actor Christopher Lee as having the best week ever. Which is incredible, because I'm going through a Christopher Lee phase right now! With Lord of the Rings, Star Wars III, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, this 83 year old dude is on a roll! And, he deserves it. His rich deep bass voice delivery harkens back to the days when British Shakesperean acting was revered and practiced by the best.

One of my favorite "horror" movies is called The Wicker Man. The leader of the village was, of course, Christopher Lee. This movie was made in the early to mid seventies, so it's a very different version of the actor. But, his demeanor and delivery are the same. Christopher Lee's style is eloquent, classy, and graceful. That's why it's even better when he has to deliver lines like, "Lollipop? Might as well be called 'cavity on a stick'." And, "As you see, my Jedi powers are far beyond yours." I hope Lee continues acting in films 'til he's 90! Click here to check out his profile, including all the movies he's been in.

tree 37

Yesterday I went to a Tennessee Smokies baseball game with my friend Tim and his family. I'm not the biggest baseball fan on earth, and I couldn't tell you any players' names on the team. However, the experience turned out to be blog-worthy.

We turned out to be sitting right next to a moderately obscure Christian rock band called "Building 429." We had a couple of good laughs at the name, and Tim's sister semi-met them. They seemed really friendly. I wasn't sure who they were, so I didn't want to be one of those people talking to them, or something.

After the game, a truck pulled out onto the field. A crew set up the stage and equipment, and the band began playing. There was a definite Switchfoot thing happening, but I liked it. The lead singer was like, "Hey, we sort of met you!" And waved up at us.

I suppose the thousand-something teenage youth group boys and girls at the game really enjoyed it. And, I did, too.

life in Athens, Tennessee

I don't really know what I want to say. Too much happens to process it all. We all have obligations to fulfill that keep us occupied. Sometimes it's difficult to communicate that with others. My life isn't really that interesting here lately. But, maybe others think it is.

Athens, Tennessee is where I've been for the last few weeks. It's a small town, but there's something about it I like. There are lots of lush green trees, hills, and plants all around it.

I could have been an extra in a Will Ferrell movie that's filming in Birmingham, Alalbama. However, I just found out about it yesterday. And, they had an open casting call this last weekend. It would have been fun, but I was a little too slow. Blast me, dear reader! Have I blown the opportunity of a lifetime? That's what I've been living with today. But, I don't think it's as dramatic as that. However, it would have been nice to be able to go to that casting call.

I am actually considering substitute teaching this fall. Am I crazy? I must be insane. Maybe for some combat pay and a new car, or something. Then I'll think about it. I don't know, maybe it would be fun to interact with teenagers. And, I would only be working one day at a time.

I feel the inevitable low budget job slowly approaching over the horizon. I don't want to get some mediocre job just to pay bills, but it looks like my circumstances are drifting that way. Oh, well. What can you do?

rolling stone rambling

Life is funny. None of us can predict where we will go, or how we'll get there. It doesn't matter how much money and influence you have, you can never be completely secure. From Donald Trump to the scuzziest grocery cart pushing homeless bum on Hollywood Boulevard, we're all sort of in the same boat. We just plod along, moving toward the best life possible. If "best life possible" sounds too vague, well, it's a big can of worms. It can be different for everyone.

The other day I was watching "Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star" starring David Spade. Yeah, I didn't have much else to do. Or, actually, I had a lot of other things I should have been doing. But, the whole movie is about a failed Hollywood acting career. The interesting thing about it was the portrayal of life as a Hollywood actor. It was sad and funny, all at the same time. The life of a starving artist. Starving, yet blessed. Because, not many Americans are genuinely starving. I was just starving according to my spoiled suburban roots. Actually, I gained weight in California because there were so many fantastic places to eat in Cali.

So, where am I going with all this? I don't know. I feel like I'm grasping in the dark to articulate feelings of a past life in Hollywood, that now feels like a dream of distant people and images. Could I have done more? Did I miss meeting the right casting director by five minutes one day? Could I have worked harder while I was there?

I can't answer most of those questions. All I know is, I did what I could when I was there. I worked the smartest way I knew how. And, while I didn't become the next Ted Danson, at least I was successful in the sense that I kept my wits about me. And I ate. And I learned a lot. And made life-long friends. And saw Eric Estrada. And transvestites. And a Kiss cover band. What more could you ask for? I would be spoiled and foolish to consider my time in L.A. a failure.

he's still got it

burton
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

This weekend I had the joy of seeing Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on its opening night. One thing you have to understand up front: I'm a huge Tim Burton fan. I'm a fan of his style, but not so much any specific work he's done. Although, I do enjoy his movies.

Over the course of the last few years, Burton has churned out a few movies that are of interest. Big Fish is a good, in-depth and mature work by Tim Burton. Much of the playful humor is exchanged for a darker tone. Before that, there was Planet of the Apes. It was another summer "blockbuster" release. And, well, it wasn't Tim's best, let's be honest. In fact, it was awful. I only watched it one time. Then, the one before that, waaaay back in 1999, was Sleepy Hollow. A cool, atmospheric film, but not my favorite by a long stretch.

So, what was the deal? With so many classics I loved like Batman, Beetlejuice, Nightmare Before Christmas, Ed Wood, and Edward Scissorhands all being way back in the early nineties, were Tim Burton's best days behind him? I was beginning to think so. Big Fish, while good, and somewhat interesting, lead me to believe Burton was going in a more grown-up direction. Thus, leaving behind the childish joys of pure imaginative expression.

Alas, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory changes all that. I know comparisons to the original movie are inevitable, but let's set that aside for a minute. In fact, the very theme of the movie is holding on to childhood imagination, and embracing family and creativity. Visually, it was incredible. Even as a Tim Burton fan who knows what to expect, this movie was still rich with unexpected surprises. Christopher Lee, one of my favorite actors, is fantastic. The Oompa Loompas are hilarious, and the songs they sing are brilliant. And who can forget; the accompanying Danny Elfman contributions.

A few scenes that stuck out to me are as follows:

1. There is an animatronic puppet show that Willy Wonka created. It catches on fire accidentally, and the puppets begin to burn and melt, obscuring their voices. It was deliciously Burton. Very poetic.

2. Tim Burton managed to wedge in a wonderful Halloween scene, with Christopher Lee at its center. I reveled in the joy of it.

3. Every song the Oompa Loompas sang was cryptically lyrical, and hilariously dark.

Though dark, the movie manages to be funny and charming. I loved this movie. A warning for all you moviegoers: you may not share in that love. Many reasons I love this movie are because of obscure personal preferences that others may not share. So, don't be angry with me if you're disappointed! But, if you've already seen the other summer blockbuster schlock, and you want to see something creative and unique, check it out. Don't take it too seriously, though. Just sit back and enjoy.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory official site

stand-up

I am scared, ladies and gentlemen. I'm scared to try stand-up comedy. But, I want to. It's just so scary. I could be a disaster. Plus, I only know one joke, and this is it:

Q: What kind of a drill does a dentist use on a dragon?
A: A fire drill.

How far am I going to get with that?

The only time I've done stand-up comedy was an impromptu episode in a Knoxville coffee house. They had an open mic night, and I took the opportunity to stand up there and muddle through some "stand-up". It was stuff I just made up on the spot. Kind of weird.

Nearly all my peers in my Groundlings classes were stand-up comedians. They're a strange breed of people. The times I went to see stand-up comedy in L.A. proved to be truly disturbing episodes. I've blogged on that subject before.

If you watch Pauly Shore's new series about The Comedy Store, that's where I saw stand-up. And met people that operated the place. A weird, weird breed, let me tell you. I'll never forget seeing Andrew Dice Clay...well:

You can read the whole story here. When you click on the link, just imagine blurry waves taking you into the past, like they used to do on Saved By the Bell when they did a flashback.

the new man

I have a confession to make. I kind of enjoy shopping. I know, it's not the most "manly" thing I could admit, but hey, it's a new era. Friday, I met someone at the mall. I pretty much went crazy because they were having all these end of summer, beginning of fall clothes kind of sales. I wasn't planning on buying anything, I just wanted to meet my friend there. But, I went crazy with a new pair of shoes, pajamas, pants, sandals, and a new shirt. I was racing frantically from store to store, dragging my friend along.

Maybe most men are not as savage as they once were. Most of us are not catching animals in the forest with our bare hands, or hauling giant rocks around like cavemen. We work in offices, and shop in malls. We drive sedans and drink morning coffee. I mean, I like theater, for crying out loud. And I admit, I enjoyed Fever Pitch, with Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon. But, the baseball part was the best. Not the love story.

Wow, this blog took a weird turn. Excuse me, I'm going to go reevaluate my life.

grateful baptists

grateful baptists
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

During my first two years of college, I was a part of a drama ministry group called "OOMITS". It stood for "Out of Mind, in the Spirit." Cheesey, I know. Our uniforms were light blue denim shirts, and kakhis. We travelled to area churches and performed a whole slew of skits and dramatic musical interpretations. On a scale of 1-10, 10 being Mozart genius, and 1 being low budget schlock, our skits and performances were a solid 2.6. We performed in sunday night services. Sometimes sunday morning. Often times we performed for youth services. Oh, we were serious.

Travelling to so many services afforded us the opportunity to meet many fascinating people and have many interesting and strange encounters. The following is one of my favorite "OOMITS" tales.

One sunday morning we headed off to a small Baptist church in the middle of nowhere. We travelled so much, I didn't know where we were half the time. This church building was very old, dark, and ornate. Most of the few hundred congregation members were of the "elderly" persuasion, if you know what I mean. They were friendly, though. And so was the pastor. He was a shorter, middle-aged guy. He sported a nice dark blue suit and a black mustache. A really nice guy.

After we performed our hand full of skits, we sat through the rest of the worship service. Music, sermon, standard fare. At the end of the service, we (the entire congregation) were instructed to stand and join hands as we sang the final song. The words were printed in the program. It was a nice tune about joining together, and loving each other. Whatever.

Afterward, our small acting troupe was invited to eat lunch with the pastor and a handful of moderately elderly church members who had made food. So, we sat in the basement in the "fellowship hall", enjoying our meal and chatting with the pastor.

"So, did any of you recognize that song we sang at the end of the service?"

We were blank. I had never heard it before.

"Well, I probably wouldn't want to tell any of my members this, because I know they wouldn't like it. But, that's a Grateful Dead song. Tune and all."

Um...excuse me? You are actually rad enough to, first of all, be familiar enough with their music to pick a song to sing in church? And secondly, you don't tell your members because you're afraid they wouldn't like it? So, we're standing in a church service, standing, hands joined, singing a Grateful Dead tune and only one sicko in the room knows what's happening? Brilliant.

America: Greatest Country Ever

I wish I was in L.A. these days. I miss the weather. July 4th, my parents and I saw some fireworks in a town called Etowah, Tennessee. Population: 3,639. It was a drizzly muggy night, but the show was great.

America is the greatest country. Now, I have friends that freak out when I say that, because they say, "Oh, other countries have rich cultures, ancient customs and wonderful history..." Well, that may be true, but it ain't America. We are free. And, to love America means you love freedom. That isn't limited to one country. To have disdain for love of America is to have disdain for freedom. Loving America isn't narrow-minded. In fact, it's one of the widest-minded loves there are. The love for people to be free, for society to experience justice, and the power for people to self-govern.

Some other countries seem great on the surface. The average income seems high. The quality of life appears to be okay. But, if you look below the surface you begin to realize that those countries are basically communist. And, they come begging America for help when they get in trouble, like whiney children.

Some of you are probably irritated by those words. Maybe infuriated. Well, sorry. I love liberty and freedom. I like John Stuart Mill. And, freedom of religion. (the seperation of church and state was drafted in part by a Baptist, mind you.) When people credit Thomas Jefferson for the actual phrase "separation between Church and State", he was basing that phrase on a statement by famous historical Baptist, Roger Williams. Thomas Jefferson was writing a letter to a Baptist church, which is why I guess he used the Williams terminology. Here is what Roger Williams said:

When they have opened a gap in the hedge or wall of separation between the garden of the Church and the wilderness of the world, God hath ever broke down the wall itself, removed the candlestick, and made his garden a wilderness, as at this day. And that there fore if He will eer please to restore His garden and paradise again, it must of necessity be walled in peculiarly unto Himself from the world...(2)

Enough sermon. The point is, I like the government to have its grubby hands off the church. And, I like baseball. And hot dogs. I love Coca-Cola. And Johnny Cash. I wish I owned a Corvette. Some other countries are nice, but I love America. It's the best country ever.

Billy Graham at the Rose Bowl

Billy Graham at the Rose Bowl
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

Last fall, Les and I discovered that Billy Graham was going to speak at the Rose Bowl in L.A. Knowing his age, we wanted to take advantage of the opportunity. We knew it was most likely one of his last speaking engagements, so we drove down there on sunday night.

I'm not sure what I was expecting. I thought it would be emotional, super-spiritual, or a life-shaking experience to watch this legendary man speak. But, it wasn't, really. It was just what it appears to be: a frail old preacher speaking from the pulpit. He was hunched over, holding the sides of the pulpit. His voice was soft and elderly. The simplicity of that was moving.

Les and I had no direction when we got to the Rose Bowl. We had to walk about a mile or so to get there after finding a parking spot. When we entered the actual Rose Bowl, we had no idea where to go. There were no signs or anything. We entered, and found ourselves surrounded and bombarded by Koreans. We were in the Korean vector of the Rose Bowl! We had to stand, and got repremanded by a Crusade worker who didn't want us to stand in that particular spot.

People flooded the field during the altar call, and it was an odd thing. It was surreal to hear Billy Graham up close, calling to the masses. I'm glad I got the chance to do it, especially in light of his recent announcement that his speaking engagements in New York will probably be his last. I deeply respect him, and God has used him tremendously.

forced retreat

I have been living in a trailer for the last week and a half. As in, mobile home. It's in a town called Ten Mile, Tennessee. There is no cell phone reception for miles, and it's right on the lake. My parents are moving into a house, and while I look for a job, I'm with them. So, that means I'm in the trailer for now.

Being on forced retreat has its pros and cons. The down side is, I feel removed from all society. There may be things I could be doing for my career out there in the world somewhere, but I don't have access to it. And, I'm losing touch with friends. And maybe reality.

The up side is, there can be spiritual benefits to such a retreat. Especially if it's forced. Being on the lake provides a heavy dose of up-close nature. It's always interesting to confront nature.

I went fishing with my dad. Standing out on a pier, in the afternoon sun, I quietly cycled through the process. Squeezing the line, whipping the rod, and casting the lure. The brightly colored lure whizzed through the air with a whrrr, and quietly splashed into the water. Methodically, rhythmically, I reeled it back in, watching the ripples. As the lure was reeled back to its resting place, I started over. The lake looked so serene. It's not going anywhere. It doesn't have any appointments. Off in the distance, clouds were silent and still. Steam slowly rose from a nuclear power plant (no joke) and blended into the white puffy clouds above it. Birds fed, chirpped, flew. Turtles swam, creatures splashed, ducks floated. And, I fished. Over and over and over, the cycle of the cast and the reel. Of course, I didn't catch any fish, but that's hardly the point, is it?

I also saw a snake one night. Brown and black stripes. It was slithering in the shallow water next to the shore. Over rocks, under a tree root. It was fast, smooth, and quiet. It stopped for a prolonged time, several minutes. Then, continued its slithering, disappearing.

Several times, while taking an evening stroll, I've startled a bunny from its hiding place. Bursting from undergrowth, it darted across the field. I don't know if I've seen the same bunny more than once, but it looks like the same one. It stopped some distance away, facing me, and remained still. Motionless, it sat in the grass, watching me. Then, it darted away into the trees. Innocent, and so full of life.

One night I took a stroll down to the lake. I found myself picking up rocks and throwing them at fish! I would stare into the water until they swam around. Then, I would launch the rock at fastball speeds straight down, shocking the fish and sending it zig zagging away like a bolt of lightning. The rock splashed explosively, sending a burst of waves and bubbles. I don't know why I found this so funny. I guess violence toward small fish is always funny. But it also reveals something inside me. Something I can examine. Feelings, thoughts, swirlling about in the subconcious, brought to the surface through the meditative act of communing with nature.

evil dead

evildead
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

Ah, where to begin? How can I begin to describe this legacy in my life? I suppose I'll just start at the beginning.

I grew up in Morristown, Tennessee. For many years of my young pre-adolescent/post-adolescent life, I had heard of a film that was made in Morristown called Evil Dead. Of course, I wasn't curious enough to watch it. I'd seen the VHS case in the video store every time I skimmed over the horror section. I always hated that section. Gross VHS covers of ghouls, vampires, and other various twisted images. And, Evil Dead was no different. I turned my nose up at the thought of actually watching this schlock.

That was a long time ago.

When I hit college, and began getting interested (no, fascinated) with 80's horror, I remembered the Morristown, TN movie. So, one night I rented the VHS of Evil Dead with my friend Tim. My life, really, was changed.

"Evan, as your loyal blog reader, I'm wondering...how can a chintzy, low-budget, VHS 80's horror movie change your life?" Where, loyal blog reader, do I even begin?

First, I'll start with the film itself. Instantly, the fact that it was filmed in Morristown, TN, my alma matter, was the first big plus. Later, I was to find that it was filmed off the very road I lived on. "Really, Evan?" Absolutely. Literally one minute from where I lived. That's where it was filmed!

But, I'm getting ahead of myself. First, the film itself. It opens up with a band of miscreant college students riding in a car, as many 80's horror films do. The acting is bad, the writing is bad, and the cinematography is brilliant. It was like a spoof of an 80's slasher film. But, oh no, this was the real deal! These college "partiers" have rented a cabin up in the woods somewhere. They discover, I think in the basement, a "book of the dead" (original film title) with cantations, and some such nonsense. Unwittingly, they bring forth the evil in the woods, thus turning them into zombies, etc.

There are parts of this film where I had to stop the tape and rewind it. It wasn't because I was scared. It's because I was literally laughing so hard, tears were streaming down my face, and I missed chunks of the movie. ("chunks of the movie"...how true. It's quite gory.) I can safely say that almost nothing in my life, much less a movie, has ever made me laugh that hard. I don't even like most comedies, unless it's Will Ferrell. But, this one did it for me. Evil Dead is the funniest movie I have ever seen in my entire life. This film transcends the actual film genre into a new realm of genius. I won't go into the details of why, but you get the idea. The sequences of bloodshed are so over-the-top, yet so sincere. The filmmakers were obviously trying so hard to make something over-the-top scary, but instead, they made it over-the-top bloody, absurd, and beyond all reason. But, the creativity and candor of it really make it worthwhile.

Reason 2 that I love this film so much is because of the lead actor. I noticed him when I first watched Evil Dead. His acting bad, yes. His screen presence...something endearing, and so hilarious came through. He sort of ends up being the hero of the film. (or, at least, the only one who survives.) As I watched the end credits (after a brilliant final scene, I must add), I saw that his name was Bruce Campbell. He couldn't have been more than 22, or 23. Oh, I was so naive, loyal reader.

After that initial magical Evil Dead experience, I learned that this film had a cult following. And when I say cult following, I don't mean 30 people in a van wearing homemade Evil Dead patches in Nebraska. Nope, I'm talking about real cult following. They have conventions. Fan clubs. Web sites. Everything. The whole nine yards. There are people obsessed with this little film made in my neck of the woods.

And Bruce Campbell? He has become the hero, cult icon, of this film. He shows up at the conventions, oh, yes. He signs autographs. He caters to fans for hours and hours. In fact, he's made a living for the past 20 years doing it. And, he still does. He has even written a couple of books. I own If Chins Could Kill, and it's one of my favorite books. He recently came out with a new book called, "Making Love the Bruce Campbell Way." Yikes. Bruce also still acts and directs. He directed several episodes of Xena: Warrior Princess. (yeah, I know.) And, he has appeared in several films and tv shows. I won't bore you by listing them. My friend Benj, who is the king of movie extras, was an extra in a scene with Bruce Campbell! And, he even spoke to the man, the legend, himself!

Evil Dead has spawned two sequels. Evil Dead 2 (duh) and Army of Darkness. You may be wondering, who directed Evil Dead? A young man named Sam Raimi. He is now one of the most prominent directors in Hollywood. He directed The Quick and the Dead, For Love of the Game, and both Spiderman films. He has also produced a whole slew of tv shows and feature films. There is also speculation that there will be new Evil Dead sequels.

Here are some sites for hardcore fans. Even if you're not hardcore, these sites are still interesting:

Bruce Campbell Online - the official web site

Deadites - official Evil Dead fan site

Ladies of Evil Dead - official site of the women stars of Evil Dead (no, really.)

spin cycle

You ever feel like your life is on spin cycle, and you don't have much control over where it goes? I certainly do.

I also feel paralyzed by fears of failure, being "stuck", and drifting into miserable situations. I can't say everything I want to say in this blog right now, because it would come across as being far more bitter than I mean it. I will say, however, that my fears usually become self-fulfilling. That's the catch 22 of it. I know I'm being vague, but I don't want to beat dead horses.

INNOCENT: my initial reaction

michael jackson trial
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

I can't believe it. Micheal Jackson has been found NOT GUILTY on all 10 charges against him. That includes, giving intoxication agents to a minor with the intent to commit a felony, and conspiracy.

As I was watching the trial, I had several initial reactions. First, I found the crowd outside the courtroom hilarious! A middle aged white woman was releasing doves. They had to put one person on a stretcher and haul them away in an ambulance. There was cheering, and it was crazy. I was laughing out loud.

I was also shocked by the verdict itself. I expected Michael to be found guilty on at least one count. Even if it was a minor offense, it seemd like too much smoke for no fire. But, no. Innocent on all ten counts.

I also felt sad when I saw how somber Michael was as he walked out of the courtroom. Or, I should say, groggily shuffled out. They said on the news that if there was an outburst in the courtroom when the verdict was read, then there would be consequences. So, maybe The Gloved One was down playing his emotions. Weird, weird, weird.

My hope is that Michael is truly innocent. I feel odd about the verdict. On one hand, I celebrate it, as a fan. The cynical side of me, however, feels suspicious that this could be another...dare I even type this name...OJ Simpson situation. We'll see. We'll see what happens as the next bizarre chapters in Michael's saga unfold.

wading through peanut butter

I am a stout believer that people accept the consequences of their actions. I also believe that people don't end up in their station in life by accident. I believe in hard work, determination, intelligence, and all the things that drive a person.
My position in life right now, however, has me scratching my head and asking questions. How come I can't find a job? What's the deal with my family? Why are we moving? Where did my new girlfriend come from? How is it that all these things are happening to me, and I'm not doing anything? It's all just an odd sort of whirlwind. I'm caught in a storm. And, the goals I'm working toward?...Well, it's like trying to wade through peanut butter to get there. Neck high. And, I'm apparently doing something wrong.
I don't consider myself a very good actor. But, I haven't been in a play in a long, long time. And, I'm beginning to miss it. Times are strange. I'm desperately searching for a balance in my life, but the storm is rocking my little boat too much.
While it's out in the open, I do have a new girlfriend. It's incredible. But, maybe I'll blog more on that later.

make a difference

Brad Pitt in Africa
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

proverbs 22:9
A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

I have a desire. The desire is to talk about my deep impressions of seeing poverty, sickness, and starvation in Africa without sounding preachy. After seeing the special on television tonight, I have a deep compassion for the poor people in Africa.

It is encouraging to see platinum celebrities such as Bono and Brad Pitt genuinely reaching out for such a worthy endeavor. Hopefully their celebrity status will get attention to the problems of starvation and poverty in Africa, and prompt people to do something about it.

My friend Les has sponsored and African child for a small fee every month. I was always curious about it. Now, after seeing the film Hotel Rwanda, hearing about the genocide in Darfur, and seeing Brad Pitt's passion for Africa, I have made a concious decision. When I have the means, I want to give money to African aid, and sponsor a child. It's a staggeringly small amount of money that can change someone's life. Click here to find out more about the effort.

NoHo Diner

As you may or may not know, I left California in misery. I felt that my adventures there ended on a high note with a fantastic two day excursion to fabulous Las Vegas! (another blog for another time) But, with all the reasons for moving back to the lovely southeast, I am beginning to miss things about California.

One such thing would be a fantastic little diner a couple of minutes from my apartment called the NoHo Diner. (North Hollywood Diner.) This place had a lot of character. The waitresses were women who were mostly close to the "senior" phase of their lives, if you get my drift. The setting of this diner had a lot of character, and a lot of regulars. I went there, on average, at least once per week. And, every time I would order the burger and fries. It was one of the best burgers I've ever had.

My friend Travis introduced me to this eighth wonder of the world. He was a big fan. He always got the #12, one waffle, bacon, and orange juice. It was the real deal.

This diner was an intrical part of my social life in L.A. Travis took me there one of the first days I was in Hollywood. My friends and I would frequently meet there, since it was open 24 hours per day. It was a weird solace area where we could absorb the strangeness of the environment, have a quality cup of coffee, and have a center of reference for our social meetings.

I've met some interesting people in the diner. A homeless man, a couple of transvestites, and the guy who played Chekov in the original Star Trek. I used to sit out in the outside seating area, that was sort of outside, but it had a roof over it. I loved the fresh air breeze, and the frequent blaring car alarms. Such a strange thing to miss, but there was just nothing like it.

texas chainsaw massacre

tcm
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

I am a big 70's/80's horror film fan. They are usually clunky, low-budget, saturated with bad acting, and filled with wonderful "special effects." I sometimes wonder how these films get made, and all these elements are part of the appeal. These movies are rarely scarey, but it's kind of fun when they are.

I'll start by telling you my favorite of all time: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

I always go into these films expecting them to be really bad. That's the fun. So, I rented the ancient VHS copy of TCM, popped it in the VCR, and my life was changed. Yes, the acting is bad. Yes, it's low budget. And it is a rare cinematic genius.

The film takes place in Texas (duh). Many of the shots are hot open road, blazing in the sun. The opening scenes of the sun, and the voice over by John Larroquette, are stunning. The sound effects are great. It is revealed that a group of unknown grave robbers have stolen some corpses from a local graveyard.

Then the action begins. A group of somewhat miscreant teens/early 20's kids is traveling to vacation at one of their grandfather's old houses. The dialouge is hokey, and the "performances" are clearly amateur. The first third of this film has some fantastic shots, creative angles, but other than that it's kind of slow. I was wondering why I had heard about this movie so much, and why some considered it classic. I was assuming it would probably go over my head.

Gradually, this film's true persona unravels. Like poetry, the pace of the film draws you in and scares your pants off! Surprisingly, there is very little, if any, blood. There is a bit of gore, but clearly would be PG-13 by today's standards. No, this isn't a slasher film. This is a suspenseful and psychological horror. By the time you're introduced to Leatherface, the notorious TCM killer, the pace of the film picks up, more ultra-bizarre freaks are introduced in the film, and the ending is simply unbelievable. I don't want to ruin it by explaining details, but I'll just tell you, it's wondrous. This is one of the most demented films I've ever seen, but not really offensive. Just bizarre, and a little scary. There are a few films I would actually consider poems. Most of them are Stanley Kubrick films. But, Tobe Hooper's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is truly a cinematic poem. Rare, and artistically pure.

new challenges

So, the other day I was watching TV. A Clearasil commercial came on, and I thought the girl in the commercial was familiar. Alas, I knew her! A wonderful moment! And, I was watching (yes, I admit) the Disney show That's So Raven and I saw another guy I auditioned for once. I saw a sitcom tonight that I went to a taping of, and I also saw 'ol Uncle Chuck Norris on the tube tonight. Friendly and strange reminders of a life I once lived. A life that only a handful of people know much about. It kind of makes me sad to have this year of life that's kind of a blank spot for so many friends and family. I wanted to bring more people into that world, but things had a way of working out differently. I still find that tough to accept. But, I soldier on in this new world. These new circumstances call for a different mindset. I struggle with the challenge, but I welcome new challenges. I don't believe in predestination (if you're not familiar with predestination, do yourself a favor and don't even ask), but I do believe that we all meet our destiny in one way or another. We have a responsibility to make choices. That is our power. We humans don't have much power beyond decision making. That's why I fight myself inwardly every day to make the right choices, and so often fail. But, I know the road to my ultimate destiny will inevitably be fulfilled. Uh,...I hope.

John 3

jesusnicodemus
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

1After dark one evening, a Jewish religious leader named Nicodemus, a Pharisee, 2came to speak with Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are proof enough that God is with you."
3Jesus replied, "I assure you, unless you are born again,[a] you can never see the Kingdom of God."

4"What do you mean?" exclaimed Nicodemus. "How can an old man go back into his mother's womb and be born again?"

5Jesus replied, "The truth is, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.[b] 6Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven. 7So don't be surprised at my statement that you[c] must be born again. 8Just as you can hear the wind but can't tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can't explain how people are born of the Spirit."

simply astounding

E.T. is going home
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

When Universal and NBC merged, every employee got a gift package. It included highlights from NBC, as well as Universal. The E.T. The Extra Terrestrial DVD was included as the Universal contribution. Here is the official E.T. web page.

I must say, E.T. is still one of my favorite movies of all time. If you haven't seen it in a while, it's worth another look. Most films I watched when I was a kid are just unbearable now. But, this one stands the test of time.

To me, this is a beautiful story about true love. It is an homage to the beauty and mystery of science. It is also about friendship, and unconditional love. Even if other people misunderstand, or stand in judgement. It is a moving film. The music is fantastic. And, watching it now, it transports me back to my childhood in a nostalgic bliss. However, it's not too syrupy sweet. It is a strange and wonderful tale of the possibilities of the unknown, and the bonds of family in tragic times.

In my 26 year journey, I have met some interesting people. I have had conflict and pain, jealousy and misunderstanding. There have been fights, abuses, wrongdoings, and unforgiveness. I have experienced failure and disappointments.

But, I have also had the privelage of meeting people from all walks of life. Strange people, driven people. Creative, misunderstood, beautiful people. Business people, professors, street prophets, celebrities, and rejected members of society trying to survive. I have been in the middle of a pilgrimage that has brought me through fires, valleys, and fears. Yet, I continue to endure and preservere. I am thankful for all I have been given. Because, faithful reader, we earn nothing. Earning is an illusion. We are privelaged with gifts of life and love. We don't deserve them. I don't know about tomorrow, but I am thankful for what I have today. Right now. This moment is the only moment that has or ever will exist.

And, I also really enjoy watching Top Gun. That's another classic 80's movie.

the jury is out

michael jackson suv dance
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

After pajamas in public places, suv dancing, Gary Coleman, an insane prosecution Mom, and a bizarre array of celebrity witnesses, Michael Jackson's defense team rests. There is (or was) a rebuttle from the prosecution, and now we wait. There could be a decision as early as next week.

To you this question is posed, loyal reader. What will the verdict be? I'm thinking not guilty. And then, new album. And THEN...(be still my twittering heart)...LIVE CONCERT TOUR?!? Just my prediction. And hope.

And, while I'm on the subject. I would love to take this opportunity to confess something. This whole blog of mine is about the struggling life of a starving artist. Sort of. Along with that, I love providing weird and crazy stories of yesteryear, when I resided in Studio City, CA. Once upon a time, up at Universal, my friend Cindy and I thought we saw Michael Jackson. He was going up an escalator. It certainly looked like Michael. Mid-90's attire, (something like a Victorian suit of armor), and several Secret Service-like security guards surrounding him. People were yelling, and screaming, and waving, "MICHAEL! MICHEAL!" I thought it was him. Oh, how I thought it was him.

A couple of months later, one of the managers of the club he was going into came down to the pizza place where I worked. I told him about the incident, and he promptly explained that it was a hired impersonator. Well, shuck my corn and call me Carlos. I'd been scammed.

She did it!

carrie underwood
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

I was scammed. The reality TV machine sucked me into its entertaining web of deceit. I knew months ago that Carrie was going to win American Idol. The judges pushed for it, she was never in the bottom three, and everyone knew.

In the last two or three weeks, however, I began to have my doubts. Say what you will about American Idol, but there was a lot of talent in the top ten. As the competition intensified with each eliminated contestant, Bo Bice somehow rose to the top. I already knew that Carrie was going to win. Why did I believe the hype? The producers and promoters hype it up on purpose to add drama and raise the stakes of the show. So, in the finale last night, I was actually shocked when Carrie Underwood won. I was a clod who got caught up in the hype. But, I knew she would win! Why was I surprised?

It was still a fairly entertaining show. Lynard Skynard performed with Bo, which was the highlight. There was a moderately humerous, if not watered down, sketch where the judges Paula, Randy and Simon made fun of the allegations against Paula Abdul. I thought the Aerosmith number that Constantine, Jessica, and Nadia did was a terrible bomb. And, Kenny G is still crappy. I don't care what anyone says.

I'm going to buy Carrie's album when it comes out. I also want to go see a concert of the top ten finalists. Overall, I admit: I was entertained by the giant reality machine last night. Sue me.

Elmer Ave

Elmer Ave
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

My friend Ward is beginning to create somewhat of a buzz in Hollywood these days. He and his friend have begun a grassroots fashion design company called Elmer Ave. It's a rock high-fashion sort of deal. They've been "debuting" their stuff at various fashion shows in L.A., and they're beginning to sell in more stores. You can check it out at Apparel News. Just scroll down to the "fashion" section, and click on Elmer Ave.'s recent party and fashion show." Not to drop names or anything (hehe) but, members of the Black Eyed Peas, and Rascal Flatts have worn their apparel. There are other bands and whatnot who have sported their clothes. I guess they just picked them off the rack at a store in Hollywood where Elmer Ave. was available.

If you've ever seen the Clay Aiken video for "Invisible", then you probably know Ward. He's the guy in the background who's one of the fake guitar players. (But, Ward really plays the guitar. But, not for Clay Aiken.) He was also an extra in Sweet Home Alabama. It's his claim to fame. Hilarious, and wonderful, all at the same time.

The guy in this picture isn't Ward. Simply a random model. But, he's stylin' the Elmer Ave.

That's my news from tinsel town for now.

Yoda discipline

yoda
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

After seeing Star Wars, I began pondering Yoda's spirituality. He gives Anakin some wise words: you must train yourself to let go of all you care about. Then, you will find freedom from jealousy and pain. It's a very ancient and Eastern Philosphy, rooted in Buddhism and probably further back in Hinduism. It's no surprise to me that George Lucas deliberately incorporated Eastern Philosophy into the latest Star Wars film, as he did in the original trilogy. Most famously, in The Empire Strikes Back, With other Buddhist words of wisdom from Yoda about letting go of earthly desire.

So, where am I going with this? Well, glad you asked. I am reminded of one of my favorite spiritual guide books (outside the Bible, duh.) It's called Celebration of Discipline. Now, I know what you're thinking. "Oh, yeah! I LOVE to celebrate discipline! Why didn't I realize there was a BOOK about it?!?" Well, it's better than it sounds.

It's written by Richard Foster. A Quaker, nonetheless. I love this book. Because, we don't often think of our spiritual lives as something that actually improves by cultivating discipline. But, this book has helped me probably more than any other single devotional book. Don't get me wrong, Celebration of Discipline is not a devotional. It's more like a guide of spiritual cultivation for your life. He ties together meditation, study, and prayer. They are seperate disciplines to be sure, but they all contribute to your overall spiritual unity.

The Jedi would like this book. I wouldn't be surprised if you see it on Obi-Wan' s bookshelf in Star Wars: A New Hope. Seriously, if you spot this book in your local used bookstore, or even if you feel enclined to purchase it on Amazon, it's a good read.

Revenge of the Sith

Alas, the epic saga is complete. For nerds everywhere, the Star Wars circle is finalized. Not just nerds are into Star Wars, though. Many, many people love it. It's a magical cinematic genius that transports you to other worlds. The original trilogy is special, and I believe they're better than the prequels.

With that introduction, the real bit of news for this blog is my reaction to the final installation in the six film heroic opera, Revenge of the Sith. I saw it last night with some friends in a sold-out show.

The film hits the ground running. The opening shots reveal Anakin Skywalker and Ob-1 hurtling through an extraordinary panoramic space battle in an attempt to save the kidnapped Chancellor Palpatine. The action is very, very intense, fast-paced, and the tone is dark. As the plot unravels, we slowly watch Anakin get seduced by the lies of the dark side. The action sequences are frequent, and incredibly ambitious. George Lucas seems to have honed the abilities of Industrial Light and Magic.

The actual plot is much more interesting than that of Episodes 1 and 2. The murky and overwrought political dialouge that overburdened Episode 1 is finally replaced with pure payoff. Watching "Lord Sidious" increase his ever-strengthening grip over the political structure was very, very exciting. I think the strength in the writing of Revenge of the Sith is the poetic language Palpatine uses to draw Anakin to his side.

Some are uncomfortable taking their kids to see this Star Wars, and rightfully so. It's quite violent. It was disturbing, in a way, to see such a violent Star Wars film. After five other PG ratings, the sixth is finally PG-13. There are many light sabre battles, which makes it immensely entertaining.

Thumbs Up: Breath-taking special effects, intense fighting, The Emperor, Wookies, good pace, lots of fun action. We get to see how Anakin becomes Darth Vader. Natalie Portman is good, Ewan McGregor is fantastic. The Emperor is genuinely evil and seething. Hayden Christenson is much better in this one than in Episode 2. We get to see R2-D2 fight! The emotional tone is deeper than the first two prequels.

Thumbs Down: Mace Windu is under-utilized. General Greivous is sickly and didn't live up to the hype of all the promotion. Not enough Chewbacca! Some Yoda fight scenes were a bit tedious (maybe a bit too long). Despite the 2 1/2 hour time of the film, some plot points seemed to be skimmed over. For example, Mace Windu, Wookies, Padme, and the conclusion of the film seemed to be crammed with all the tying up of loose ends. It was almost as if George Lucas realized all this stuff had to be crammed in there somehow, and had to make it work.

So, what do I think over all? Come on. It's Star Wars. I absolutely loved it. I'll be watching it several more times before it leaves theaters.


Sidenote tidbit:
Samuel L. Jackson (Mace Windu) said that he knows he must die in this film, so he told George Lucas that he'll only do the film if Mace Windu goes out in a blaze of glory and not "like some sucka". On an American late-night talk show, he confirmed that he did indeed have a meaningful death scene, and did not go out like "some punk."

Dear Corporate World

Yesterday I had a job interview in neighboring metropolis, Nashville, Tennessee. It's with a carrot company that makes various fruit and vegetable drinks, all natural. I have been in talks with these people for three months now. There's a good chance a job may come of this, eventually.

The interview yesterday was the first time I've met anyone from this company face to face. Daunting? You betcha. I was already self-conscious enough after four grueling phone interviews with various strangers. Was I interviewing for four different jobs? What's going on here? How excited can I make myself sound about being a go-getter after the 11th question? After all that, it was finally time to face the piper.

The first 4 HOURS driving to Nashville with no A/C wasn't so bad. Then, literally just as I got into Nasvhille limits, my engine began to overheat. I mean, overheat. The gauge red-lined, there was a bit of smoke. Already nervous about not knowing my way around Nashville, and meeting people that could potentially change the course of the rest of my life, my jitters were promoted to full-blown panic. Not fun. I pulled over, and luckily there was a body shop guy nearby.

[insert southern accent] "Yeah, it looks like you ain't gonna get all the way back t'Knoxville on that."

Well, awesome. Twenty minutes until my interview. My car was overheated, I was somehwere in downtown Nashville far from the Starbucks, and I had no idea how to get there from where I was. Great times.

I called the woman I was supposed to interview with, and she seemed very understanding. My car came limping into the parking lot twenty minutes late for the interview. I had car coolant all over my hands, I was sweating, and totally out of it. "Hey, I'd be a great asset to your company. I'm a REAL PEOPLE PERSON!!! DID I MENTION I LOVE PEOPLE?!? GEEZ, I FREAKIN' LIVE FOR OTHER PEOPLE!! DID I MENTION THAT?!?" (Then I break down into tears.)

"Thank you, Evan. We'll call you."

Okay, so it didn't go that rough. But, another strike out was that she expected me to have this powerpoint presentation ready. Um, I had no idea. I'm sure I've got this job in the bag.


Dear corporate world,

I'm not a robot. I'm doing the best I can, but I can't be perfect. YES, I made mistakes in college. YES, I moved to California in pursuit of a dream. YES, I want to sell carrots! NOW, HIRE ME!!!

Most Sincerely,
Evan

miracles happen

atari2600
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

A miracle happened in my life today.

I was driving home, after eating lunch. I had just finished a phone interview, and my mind was winding down from answering point blank questions about my college history, career goals, and where-I-see-myself-in-five-years type lingo. I was happily listening to Beck and enjoying the summer sun.

Then, the miracle happened. I saw, on the side of the road, a little table. This road is about a four lane, fairly busy vein of highway. The house was a little one story house, set back a good chunk from the road. What did I spot on the little table? An Atari 2600, amidst a scattered bunch of old junky electronics. I pulled into the driveway, and examined this treasure. There were about 20 vintage Atarti cartridge games, and two paddle controllers. I eagerly rang the doorbell of the little house.

"Yes?" A timid, rather intimidated looking elderly white woman in a night gown answered the door. She eyed me suspiciously.

"Ma'am, I see that you have an Atari from what looks like a yardsale. Still interested in selling it?"

"Well, I suppose. It's my grandson's."

My heart rate quickened. "How much would you take for it?"

"Well, honey, I don't know. 4 or 5 dollars."

4 or 5 dollars. I was having an out-of-body experience. I promptly handed her a $5 from my wallet, and thanked her for her time. I scooped up the Atari, the wires, the controllers, and the bag full of games, and plopped them into the passenger's seat of my wondrous hatchback.

You may not believe this, ladies and gentlemen, but the Atari actually works. I took it home, dusted it off, and was utterly stunned when it worked perfectly. My mother was just somewhat puzzled by my glee. But, learn this lesson: miracles do happen. Wondrous miracles. My Atari 2600 is living proof.

shopping is a feeling

davidbyrne2
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

You know him as the lead singer of 80's band The Talking Heads. But, David Byrne has gone on to do amazing things as a solo artist. He has a series of critically successful off-beat pop albums. Feelings, The Forest, Looking Into The Eyeball, and more recently, Grown Backwards just to name a few.

And, he even wrote and directed a feature film in the 80's called True Stories. It's one of my favorites, based on a Talking Heads album by the same name. It's a comedy, quite bizarre.

George Jones

georgejones3
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

Congratulations are in order for country singing legend George Jones. He recently celebrated 50 years in the music business. Also known as "The 'Ol Possum", and "No-Show Jones" ,(because he was notoriously absent for studio and concert appointments), George Jones has sealed a place in the halls of country legend alongside Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton.

If you're not familiar with his music, I recommend any one of the variety of "greatest hits" collections Jones has, and one of his most recent albums, The Cold Hard Truth. Every song on this album is a winner, my personal favorite being the title track. Another classic worth mentioning from this album is the song Choices. It's graceful, genuine, and beautiful. One of his classic hits, He Stopped Loving Her Today, was recently voted the #1 country song of all time.

His rich and grandpa-like voice grace the presence of many a sad tune. Lyrics of lost love, honky tonk, empty bars, and broken hearts accompany sad fiddles and whining steel guitars. Incredible.

Known for hard drinking and irresponsible revelry back in his prime, Jones sails gracefully into a senior legendary status as a bigger-than-life country icon. Congratulations, George!

An L.A. Daydream

I spend my days here in East Tennessee trying to balance a social life, a career search, and a family identity. Things sure have changed since the 'ol days of Los Angeles survival. I find my daydreams more and more frequently drifting to my times in L.A. Obscure memories are coming to the surface that tend to be forced to the back of my conscience. Most of them are about Universal Studios, since that's probably where I spent the most hours. However, so many other good and weird things happened.

Probably the second or third day I was in Studio City, my roommate Doug drove me down to his management office, called CA Talent. They weren't really "agents", so to speak. But, they basically were. They represented a great deal of people, and sent headshots and resumes out to various casting calls. Different casting directors would fax or email them little blurbs, describing what they needed, then CA Talent would send in the people right for the job. Then, if the casting directors for whatever shows liked some headshot CA Talent sent them, that actor would get called in for an audition.

Doug parked on the street, and we walked up to the gate and buzzed in. It was a little one story place, nice and clean. Very California style. Doug introduced me to a beautiful "young" woman, (don't remember her name), and she stretched a smile over her botox face. California actors are energetic, upbeat, and...unique. I loved it on one hand, but it could also be creepy.

I actually got to help them for an hour or so, reading blurbs, then sifting through files and files of headshots to find people who matched the descriptions. "casting call for: JAG We need a middle aged white man who's willing to shave his head to look military. SAG preferable. Must be staunch, very tough, and no taller than 5'8". Grizzly voice is better." Um...okay.

Then, a guy came in the office, an actor named Stan. I began talking to him about comedy and whatnot, and he had done some extra work on CSI and whatnot. It turns out that he's from Atlanta, and he had played Carson-Newman College in basketball. (Carson-Newman is my alma mater) Small world, huh?

Everyone has Favorites

The definition of a movie star has changed somewhat over the years. It seems to me that back in the "golden age" of Hollywood, movie stars like Cary Grant, Clark Gable, Doris Day, and Bela Lagousi were bigger-than-life royalty. With the advent of cable television, satellite television, movieplexes with 20 theaters, behind-the-scenes DVD features, and the internet, our culture is super-saturated and overexposed to media.

In the Jackass and reality tv era, where are the true "movie stars"? Even the term "movie star" has all but lost it's glamour in my book. Well, the true movie stars are still there. They're just somewhat overwhelmed with all other media images.

Here are my top five favorite (current) film actors. These are the ones who are the most compelling, most consistently good acting, and have the most "movie star" factor, in my opinion. They're not just "actors", but movie stars.
(These are just the males, I'll save the starlets for a different blog.)

5. Samuel L. Jackson
Okay, so maybe the new Shaft movie was sort of a flop. But, Samuel L. Jackson has proven himself over the years as a man who transcends "actor" status. With a legendary performance in Pulp Fiction, he became instant A-list. I don't think I've ever seen a Sam Jackson performance I didn't like. His aura is bigger than the silver screen. Remember Unbreakable, Coach Carter, Changing Lanes, and The Negotaitor? He also spread his talents to animated features with The Incredibles, and became a new pop culture icon in the new Star Wars films. Samuel L. Jackson is platinum.

4. Johnny Depp
When The Pirates of Caribbean launched Johnny Depp to a new level of platinum, he won critical acclaim and the hearts of so many moviegoers. The character of Captain Jack Sparrow has become something of a pop culture icon in and of itself. However, my love for Depp spans back to the days of Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, and Blow. Depp has earned the label of being the outlaw movie star with the heart of a beatnik. But, those labels are true. Depp is an artist who has become one of the biggest movie stars alive by following his heart. You can't beat that. And, he's probably in the top three film actors of all time, in my book. He is in the same realm as Peter O'Toole, Marlon Brando, or James Dean.

3. Wilem DaFoe
Beginning his career in experimental improvisational groups, Wilem DaFoe developed a work eithic that drives him to do anything for his art. He is also an actor who brings to mind the word "imagination". His characters are distinct, bold, and DaFoe openly takes risks. His performance in Shadow of the Vampire is one of my favorites of all time. He was also born to play the Green Goblin in Spiderman. He continues to choose unique and fascinating films. He strikes me as the modern day Peter O'Toole. Eccentric, unique, and brilliant.

2. Bill Murray
This one is a no-brainer to me. Begining as a funny man in the early years of Saturday Night Live, Murray proved himself an endearing and lovable goofball. In recent years, however, he has gained the credibility he deserves for being a wonderful actor and a compelling screen presence. Ghostbusters, Scrooged, What About Bob?, Groundhog Day, Ed Wood, Charlie's Angels, and Wild Things were only the beginning. He has gained a whole new status in films like Rushmore, Royal Tenanbaums, Hamlet, and of course Lost In Translation. Lost In Translation is one of my favorite films, due in large part to Bill Murray. Want to see a fun-loving goofball? Watch What About Bob? Want to see brilliant and subtle technique? Watch Hamlet. Bill Murray is a platinum movie star.

1. Will Ferrell
This guy is one of the best. Don't be surprised if he earns Oscar recognition one day. How can every single word that comes out of someone's mouth be so honkin' hilarious? Whenever Ferrell is on the screen, I'm captivated and laughing incontrollably. Another Saturday Night Live alumni, he has successfully earned an A-list status. And, he's got the talent to last for many years. I look forward to watching him continue to make teriffic choices. I could list all his upcoming and current films, but you get the idea.

Honorable mentions: Tom Cruise, Al Pacino, and Robert DeNiro. I mean, come on.

impact

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

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

1. Doug Jones

2. 2004

3. Groundlings classes

4. plight of the homeless

5. Emmy party

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

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

whacky world of extras

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

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

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

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

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

art philosophy? I love ted danson

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

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

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

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

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

Check out Mark Ryden, for some interesting art philosophy.

Read some John Stuart Mill.

career quest

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

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

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

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

a real thriller

michael jackson peace
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

pearls to pigs

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

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

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

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

Doug Jones

Doug Jones
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

a second chance

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

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