Hello to my followers.
I am currently working on creating a blog that will be associated more with my web activities.
I will post when the new blog is up, and where.
Thanks!
5.20.2009
2.07.2009
I'm all out of bubble gum.
The other night I watched John Carpenter's They Live for the first time since I don't even remember when. I remember it being somewhat frightening back then, but now it's just a crazy fun movie. And it is such a beautiful comment on Reagan's America, that became Bush's America, and Clinton's America, and then the perverse insanity that was the Bush America Redux: our consumer culture is unprecedented in the history of mankind. The Romans in their orgies would have looked at the average Joe with his widescreen TV, beer and bible, myriad gadgets and doodads, and multiple gas guzzling automobiles, and wondered at the wastefulness of it all.
That great scene where Roddy Piper and Kieth David slug the crap out of each other over and over again for ten minutes is the perfect metaphor for our inner spiritual selves trying hard to wake up the fat, lazy, apathetic, consumerist, imperial bastards we've all become.
And on some level all of this struggle, all of this suffering we're experiencing now, is a relatively easy way to be let down, for the hot air balloon to pop.
1.21.2009
We are the makers of music, we are the dreamers of dreams.
Just thinking a bit about the nature of artistic creation in this world, and how much of an effect it has on who we are as a people. Art gives our lives some perspective with which to make some kind of sense of it all. I for one do not know where my life would be without Matisse, Hesse, Radiohead, Fellini, and the Cremaster weirdness.
Plus there's all the paint, the cameras, the typewriters, crayons, paper, clay, wall space, sculptures, figurines, movies, all of it. Cave paintings. Imagine a world where there is naught but mathematics and engineering. I for one would go crazy.
And our results oriented society does not value art as it should. Art is the celebration of the rituals of the process of living, and should thus be given a more important place in our politics. If you haven't already, perhaps you should sign this petition, created by Quincy Jones, to recommend to President Obama that there be a cabinet level position for Secretary of the Arts.
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/esnyc/.
That is all.
Wait. The picture. My beloved pickup truck went over 100,000 miles recently. Thanks Travis. Congratulations Grizzly!
1.11.2009
Building Amusement Parks in the Desert
I have been building an amusement park in the desert. And I sit back and wonder, confused, why no one comes to play there.
It's not a particularly amazing one, there's very few amenities, it's hot, dry, and the corn dogs are too greasy. The roller coaster ride is about 30 seconds long, and it's rickety as hell. The Ferris Wheel is powered by mules, who need a ten minute break every hour. There's a burlesque show in a tent, a guy just got beat up in the parking lot over a few stolen cans of beer, and everything is coated in dust.
But the interesting thing is, it's actually a pretty fun place to spend a day. There's something about it that really appeals to the Right Brain, the side not dedicated to the Larger Organizing Principle. There's a heartbeat to the place, and somehow, though you're tired, dusty, confused, and dizzy, it works. And you felt you've just done something positive, though you can't quite explain to your friends what in the hell you just did.
This is basically a metaphor for the making of El Segundo, and what it means in my life, and what it is on its own.
I built an amusement park in the desert, and I wonder why no one shows up. "If you build it, they will come," seems to apply mostly to ghosts. I have no regrets, I learned a lot, but lord knows I can't do that again. People will think I'm crazy. I suppose I should start caring about that.
Here's the thing, I spend hours these days staring at the computer, trying to learn new things, hoping this machine will show me the way to where I need to go, to supply me with the necessary programs to survive in these turbulent times, and somehow come out ahead of the game. But nothing comes, and I close the thing and look at it in disgust.
If you're with me say "holla!" As quietly or loudly as you see fit.
Well, if you want to see what this amusement park is like, go to
www.elsegundomovie.com
and order yourself a copy, or just click on the movie poster to your right===>>>
I built an amusement park in the desert, and I am grateful to all those who came and helped me build at one point or another. And I ride that pathetic rickety little roller coaster, alone, at night, shining in a state of grace. Res Ipsa Loquitur. The thing speaks for itself.
It's not a particularly amazing one, there's very few amenities, it's hot, dry, and the corn dogs are too greasy. The roller coaster ride is about 30 seconds long, and it's rickety as hell. The Ferris Wheel is powered by mules, who need a ten minute break every hour. There's a burlesque show in a tent, a guy just got beat up in the parking lot over a few stolen cans of beer, and everything is coated in dust.
But the interesting thing is, it's actually a pretty fun place to spend a day. There's something about it that really appeals to the Right Brain, the side not dedicated to the Larger Organizing Principle. There's a heartbeat to the place, and somehow, though you're tired, dusty, confused, and dizzy, it works. And you felt you've just done something positive, though you can't quite explain to your friends what in the hell you just did.
This is basically a metaphor for the making of El Segundo, and what it means in my life, and what it is on its own.
I built an amusement park in the desert, and I wonder why no one shows up. "If you build it, they will come," seems to apply mostly to ghosts. I have no regrets, I learned a lot, but lord knows I can't do that again. People will think I'm crazy. I suppose I should start caring about that.
Here's the thing, I spend hours these days staring at the computer, trying to learn new things, hoping this machine will show me the way to where I need to go, to supply me with the necessary programs to survive in these turbulent times, and somehow come out ahead of the game. But nothing comes, and I close the thing and look at it in disgust.
If you're with me say "holla!" As quietly or loudly as you see fit.
Well, if you want to see what this amusement park is like, go to
www.elsegundomovie.com
and order yourself a copy, or just click on the movie poster to your right===>>>
I built an amusement park in the desert, and I am grateful to all those who came and helped me build at one point or another. And I ride that pathetic rickety little roller coaster, alone, at night, shining in a state of grace. Res Ipsa Loquitur. The thing speaks for itself.
1.08.2009
Hellboy 2
Disclaimer: Before I begin, a note on my film reviews. As a filmmaker who has made movies in the long and short form, I have the utmost respect for the process of filmmaking, and those who have the huevos to follow it through. So I try and look for things I like in every movie, and my criticisms are merely my own aesthetic opinions about artistic decisions made, not a reflection on the merits of the filmmaker in the main.
Hellboy 2 is a pretty great looking movie, and Guillermo del Toro is clearly a visionary of the first order, but the story is absolutely preposterous. It's a comic book movie, so there is certainly a lot of latitude for such things, but the characters are terribly unmotivated, and the humor falls pretty flat. There is a nice scene where the merman and Hellboy drink a bunch of beer and listen to Barry Manilow, but the rest doesn't really catch the imagination.
But the visuals, my goodness. Utterly fabulous. If only they were in the service of a much more interesting story.
Selma Blair is quite good, however. She has grown up into quite a good presence. And Ron Perlman is one of my favorite actors.
I know this review is quite a bit late, but having two young kids doesn't allow me to see things in the theaters.
And what are blogs for, if not to be able to express the opinions one has on things like movies and politics, but that no one wants to hear about in person?
Hellboy 2 is a pretty great looking movie, and Guillermo del Toro is clearly a visionary of the first order, but the story is absolutely preposterous. It's a comic book movie, so there is certainly a lot of latitude for such things, but the characters are terribly unmotivated, and the humor falls pretty flat. There is a nice scene where the merman and Hellboy drink a bunch of beer and listen to Barry Manilow, but the rest doesn't really catch the imagination.
But the visuals, my goodness. Utterly fabulous. If only they were in the service of a much more interesting story.
Selma Blair is quite good, however. She has grown up into quite a good presence. And Ron Perlman is one of my favorite actors.
I know this review is quite a bit late, but having two young kids doesn't allow me to see things in the theaters.
And what are blogs for, if not to be able to express the opinions one has on things like movies and politics, but that no one wants to hear about in person?
1.04.2009
Thoughts on the Minnesota Vikings playoff loss.
I'm a lifelong Minnesota Vikings fan, and these are my reactions to their first round playoff loss to the Eagles (I'll post more about myself at a later date):
The way this team was built this year they had to play a perfect game in order to win, or near perfect.
my thinking going in to today was that the over/under on turnovers was 1.5, below, vikings win, more, vikings lose. I believe there were two, both very costly.
and as you say, this is not an offense that can come back in a game. there needed to be a defensive score. the game really turned on that play early in the 3rd when they had McNabb in the endzone for a safety, but he managed to elude and hit avant. it set the tone, and it seemed they kept doing it for the rest of the game. would have tied the game, and given the d a rest.
the westbrook play was caused by jackson not being able to keep the offense on the field. so the defense was gassed, a step slow, and westbrook gets away. it's the same reason games one and two were lost, and yes, frerotte would have given them a much better chance. that second half seems to be the default tarvaris, and that will never win a playoff game. this league is much too tough, you need a qb with a winning attitude and some real intelligence to go along with the cannon and the mobility. if the 4 td effort vs. the cards won him back the starting job, the second half should lose it for him for good. i like the idea of him coming off the bench, and possibly using him as a sort of wildcat formation type guy, receiver/back/qb to mix up the looks.
first: fire the special teams coach. should have happened after the saints game.
second: do what you must to keep frazier from getting the lions job. he can do better in a year or two. keep that d growing and gelling.
third: fire bevell or whoever is running the offense. bring in somebody who understands and can teach clock management. why they just burned the last minute of the first half rather than throwing down the field to try and get 3 is totally beyond me. risk-averse bullshit.
fourth: new qb. mcnabb may want to leave philly. cassel is the only one on that list i would want. warner is too old, and i think the cards give him another year if he don't retire. farve needs to get his ass down to mississippi and shut the fuck up. the vikes need a rookie like ryan or flacco, who can win games against good teams who play defense, or they need to find some kind of project qb from another team who may be able to come in and be great.
fifth: don't be stupid, re-sign matt birk. great, smart centers are hard to come by.
in the draft, i think that with a pick in the mid 20s we could get the best right tackle available. later in the draft shore up the both sides of the line, grab tebow if he's around in the 3rd round. maybe matt grothe from usf?
sharper will be gone, but I like tyrell johnson and madieu. another shut down corner would never hurt anyone.
childress deserves another season, but there's a lot of holes to plug. good to have gotten into the tourney, but went out with the same questions we had going in to the season.
The way this team was built this year they had to play a perfect game in order to win, or near perfect.
my thinking going in to today was that the over/under on turnovers was 1.5, below, vikings win, more, vikings lose. I believe there were two, both very costly.
and as you say, this is not an offense that can come back in a game. there needed to be a defensive score. the game really turned on that play early in the 3rd when they had McNabb in the endzone for a safety, but he managed to elude and hit avant. it set the tone, and it seemed they kept doing it for the rest of the game. would have tied the game, and given the d a rest.
the westbrook play was caused by jackson not being able to keep the offense on the field. so the defense was gassed, a step slow, and westbrook gets away. it's the same reason games one and two were lost, and yes, frerotte would have given them a much better chance. that second half seems to be the default tarvaris, and that will never win a playoff game. this league is much too tough, you need a qb with a winning attitude and some real intelligence to go along with the cannon and the mobility. if the 4 td effort vs. the cards won him back the starting job, the second half should lose it for him for good. i like the idea of him coming off the bench, and possibly using him as a sort of wildcat formation type guy, receiver/back/qb to mix up the looks.
first: fire the special teams coach. should have happened after the saints game.
second: do what you must to keep frazier from getting the lions job. he can do better in a year or two. keep that d growing and gelling.
third: fire bevell or whoever is running the offense. bring in somebody who understands and can teach clock management. why they just burned the last minute of the first half rather than throwing down the field to try and get 3 is totally beyond me. risk-averse bullshit.
fourth: new qb. mcnabb may want to leave philly. cassel is the only one on that list i would want. warner is too old, and i think the cards give him another year if he don't retire. farve needs to get his ass down to mississippi and shut the fuck up. the vikes need a rookie like ryan or flacco, who can win games against good teams who play defense, or they need to find some kind of project qb from another team who may be able to come in and be great.
fifth: don't be stupid, re-sign matt birk. great, smart centers are hard to come by.
in the draft, i think that with a pick in the mid 20s we could get the best right tackle available. later in the draft shore up the both sides of the line, grab tebow if he's around in the 3rd round. maybe matt grothe from usf?
sharper will be gone, but I like tyrell johnson and madieu. another shut down corner would never hurt anyone.
childress deserves another season, but there's a lot of holes to plug. good to have gotten into the tourney, but went out with the same questions we had going in to the season.
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