Once

I just sat down and watched this movie for the first time. I have to say I was moved. Not blown away as I was hoping I would be, but it was a wonderful movie. Definitely in my top 5 of the year. The music was so powerful. Mainly because the main guy (Glenn Hansard), his voice is so emotional that it really drives all the songs home. (He reminds me of Thom Yorke or Maynard from Tool in that regard.) Here is the main song from the film:



What I really loved about this movie is that the main relationship was never taken it past the platonic phase. It was just this perfect thing that was emotional, but not overly so. It's the same reason that I love Lost In Translation.

Anyway, I would say that if you have yet to watch it, take the time to do so. It's a wonderful film.

Insomnia #1

What you will soon find out is that with working the night shift mostly, but having to work one day shift, is that on Tuesday nights into Wednesday (my day shift) I do not tend to sleep well. Tonight is a great example. I went to bed at 1030 and woke up at 1am and haven't been able to sleep since. Now it is 420... hehe... and I have to be up at 545 in order to make into work on time. Yeah. It's going to be a rough day.

Speaking of rought days. How was your Christmas? Mine kind of blew. Actually it was pretty decent for the most part. Got up early. (For me, 11am) Played some video games. Dom and I opened our Stockings. (I get one every year from my father and Sarah, and I bought Dom a new Superman Tshirt as his old one was all ragged.) Played some more video games. Saw AVP:R. Came home and watched The Incredibals on TV. Went to bed. Not bad. Well except for the middle part.

Dom and I live about a mile and a half from the movie theater and I thought that it would be good exercise to walk down there and back. We were going to go to the 210pm show and we left at 135pm. Now I have done this walk a few times since moving here as the theater is in Downtown Glendale, but yesterday I couldn't do it. We got about 4 blocks out and my shins just about gave out on me. So we had to turn around and get the car. I have never felt this out of shape in my life. I mean I couldn't walk 4 blocks. The weird thing is that I wasn't out of breath or anything. It's not like I was exhausted, I just couldn't go through the pain. (Later, since we missed the 210 show and had to bum around till 4pm for the next, we walked around Glendale at least 6 blocks and I was fine...) It was just a sad wake up call for me. How fat and out of shape have I become that I couldn't even make it 4 blocks?

Next time I reach for a slice of pizza or a soda I need to remember that horrible pain and the humiliation that I felt having to turn around and walk back to get a car to go less then two miles. That was more of an ego blow then any sort of failed interaction with a woman.

Happy Holidays!!!

This message of peace and love comes to us from a Geekscape listener and friend: Ralph!



My goodness Santa is a Ho Ho Whore!

Meow-Dorable!

Please Writers. Please AMPTP. Please come to an agreement soon. If not for the countries need for less Game Shows and Reality TV...

Do it for the interents need for adorable animal videos!!!

And Now For Something... Different?

Stumbled across this little piece of random brilliance tonight:

Things I love about this video:

• The 80's styling.


• The amazing karaoke typeness of it all.


• The IT Crowd guys!!!

So for those of you who are unfortunate enough (or is it lucky, because you can now indulge in it for the first time?!) to have experienced The IT Crowd you must! It is truly brilliant. I don't know if it is out on DVD in the States, but if it is watch it. If it isn't, just do a search for it and I am sure that you can find some episodes online. (Not that I am condoning internet piracy, but it is totally worth it for these shows!)

From what I understand, NBC was planning on bringing it Stateside next season, but who knows if that will happen with the strike on. Besides, they will probably ruin it. I don't think the show will be half as funny without the main cast anyway.

Here's a taste for you all. Enjoy!

(And for the slight irony of it...)

The Crazy Wacky World of Dreams

So in order to start off this amazing dream I had last night a few things in my life recently must be explained. The teacher I have for improv right now really stresses me out. Everything he has to say about what I do is negative. (Granted, everything he has said is true, but for some reason it leaves this weird not fun feeling in the class and makes me feel like I perform all that much more horribly) Yesterday, which was our last class before registration had me super super nervous. You see, it's up to him whether or not people move on, and I was certain that he was going to hold me back. So this attitude totally psyched me out for the whole of class... and into the night, even though class came and went and he didn't pull me aside to tell me that I couldn't sign up for L3. (Though we still have one more week... but after seeing a really inspiring show last night I know what I want to play with next week and fuck him!) This leads me to my dream.

We start off with me being back at Cornish and on Cry Day. Cry Day is the last day of school when the descision on whether you progress or not is handed out to each student. (You see, you have to reaudition each year to stay in the school. It's how we went from 65 students freshmen year to 24. Though I don't think they do it anymore since they need all the money that is brought in... which sucks because it is totally diluting those kids experience.) And I was really worried because I was sure that I was going to be kicked out. So I am called up to my councelor and she asks to be put on the loud speaker. (Because even though I know that this is Cornish, it's actually taking place in a huge cafeteria with way more students then were ever at Cornish. So this is the moment that I know that I am going to be kicked out. Instead though she goes on to compliment me in front of the whole school and say that I was the most improved student of the year and that it was and is a pleasure to work with me. And everyone claps and cheers and Jonah Hill is sitting at a table as I walk away and I flip him off.

It continues with me going home and wanting to tell my mom about what happened. Everytime I try to tell her about it, she starts talking about something else not wanting to hear about it. After trying so many times to tell her and her not listening, I yell at her about how she doesn't care about the major things in my life and as I storm off I hear her cry, and I hurt really bad because I made my mom cry. Then there is a jump and I am living with my best friend from college. (who incidently did not make it past the first Cry Day, but we stayed in touch and I am still good friends with him today) And he brings home these two gorgeous girls, one of whom is drawn to me. We go outside and I apparently live on the beach. There is a big squid in the surf and we try to save it, but it looks like it is dead. Then a Mercedes Mibach drives up and she gets in and becons me inside. The dream ends with me discovering how many window shades there are on one window of this car. (The answer is 17)

There was also some other disjointed parts featuring this guy in my class now stealing candy from a CostCo and trying to smuggle himself away in an open car trunk.... and something about my sisters room.

All in all, dreams are crazy, especially if you go to bead an hour after eating pasta and watching Angel.

The End...?

Accidents Aren't Funny!

Wanted: New Time Killer

I need something new in my life. Something that I can pickup whenever I need time killed. Something that is challenging, something that feeds my creativity. I think that I want to pick up guitar. I need to find a place to get a cheap acoustic guitar.

New Obsession!

I downloaded The Orange Box earlier this week. (It's a video game package.) In it is a game called Portal. Very fun, witty game. Though the best part is the song at the end. I have not been able to get it out of my head since I heard it.



After some research I found that this song was actually written by Jonathan Coulton. You might recognize his other hit song Codemonkey...



Amazing!

Ode To One

I'm just going to come out and say it. I am completely infatuated with Zooey Deschanel. This will come as no surprise to anyone who knows me. And can you blame me?

Not only is she very easy on the eyes, but she's great to watch perform... and listen to this voice!

Zooey Deschanel and Samantha Shelton Perform on UPRIGHT

Add to My Profile | More Videos

My goal, now that I am in LA, is to try and go to one of her bands shows. So if you see any dates for a performance of If All The Stars Were Pretty Babies... let me know.

K. Thx. Bai.

'Nuff Said

Sometimes writers just get it right.

Not just book authors, but writers for all mediums.

Film, Stage, Radioplays, Musicians, even Comic Books.

In fact, it is a comic book writer that really hit home today. (Yes, I should have posted a warning that this is going to be an INCREDIBLY geeky entry... but now you know so keep reading.)

Right now there is a story line going on in the Spiderman series that involves Aunt May being shot and Peter dealing with it the only way he knows how, by fighting to keep her alive. He has gone to everyone he knows and no one can help. Well, where does he turn in this issue? The only entity that can make anything happen for a price. That's right. The Devil. (Well, Mephisto to be specific.) Of course the Devil can fix everything, but what is the price? He will heal May, but in return he will wipe out the entire relationship that Peter has with Mary Jane. What will he choose! (to be continued...)

Now with that geekiness out of the way I get to my point.

It was very elegantly stated by Mephisto... (and I am going to butcher it as it is not in front of me at this time.) He said that he thrives off of pain, misery, torment. And what he will do is erase their relationship clean from their memories, except for one little piece of their souls will remember forever the connection that was lost. And it will be that little piece that will forever be in agony and torment. And he will savor it.

That really hit home for me when I read it. Because that's what I feel right now. Completely healed for the most part, but with one little piece that is forever going to be missing something. (If you don't know what I am talking about, then you need to go back and find my very emo postings from a year ago... I don't want to restate.) It's fine for the most part, but there are days when the pain goes from imperceptible, to a dull ache, to a full on fire in my chest. It eventually dies down, but I know that it will be there for a very long time. Perhaps not forever long, but at least until I have something to fill the void again. (Which seems like a very long time off.)

To Gym or Not To Gym?!

One of the things that I was going to do when I moved was to find a gym and sign up. This was never in question. It is now, since I am paying about $100 more a month in rent then I thought I would be, so I don't know if it is still viable to shell out an additional $40 (at least.) I don't know what I should do. On one hand, I do need to get back into the habit of working out at least 5 days a week like I was before. I do have a whole weight rack to use, but I have difficulty making myself use them. I need to get more cardio in, which I have no machines, but I do have a pretty nice neighborhood to walk around in.

Maybe I will try this. I will ask Dom if he will walk with me for at least 30 minutes a day, just around Glendale. Or walking to the store which is about 1/2 a mile away (maybe less). See how that goes for the next few weeks.

Great. Glad that's settled. Break!

Cool Ryder, Smooth Talker

Say what you will, but there is no doubt in my mind that there is such a thing as karma in this world. Plus, there is a some truth to this whole "put it out there to the universe and it will answer" stuff.

I submit for your approval...
Exhibit A:

This morning on my ride home I was planning out my day. I figured that since I have a bit more cash then usual in my bank account I was finally going to go and finish the paperwork I started with my car about 4 months ago. I have already paid the horrible amount of money that it costs to get new plates in this state, but still needed to get my smog check done before I could submit it fully. I have been putting this off and off and off... Well today I thought, I need to do it since there is a smog check place, a car wash and a DMV right next to my new place I have no excuse. Well I got home and passed out. I woke up an hour or two later as the cable guy was there and instead of going and doing what needed to be done, I went back to sleep and by the time I woke up it was already 5pm and the DMV and SC place were closed. I knew in the back of my mind that this was going to be bad... and I was right. As I was driving to work today I pass a police officer turning onto the street. He looks to be turning onto the next street but then stops, gets in my lane and speeds up to my rear. Never a good sign. We are stopped at a light waiting to turn onto the street that my work is on, and sure enough, when the light changes on goes his blue and reds and we pull over. Now I am freaking out because, for one, I knew this was going to happen, and two, I had just bought a new fridge that cost me most of my extra cash and I knew I could not afford this very large ticket coming my way. Well here's how it pans out... (You might want to write this down...)

He comes out of his car, I have my car turned off and lights still on with my window rolled down. As he is writing my plates and walking up to the car I have my license pulled out and my Washington and California registrations ready. He asks for the info. I explain the situation calmly and apologize just enough to not sound too guilty. He asks for my proof of insurance, which I know I don't have, but look through my wallet anyway. He then goes back to his car. 5 minutes later he comes back and explains what he is going to do. Instead of giving me the HUGE ticket I deserved, he only cited me for the expired tabs, out of state license and missing proof of insurance... all of which will be dropped if I show up to court by Jan 10th with all of them rectified. He even let me off with a warning about the dead tail light, which was the original reason he pulled me over. So Monday I will absolutely get the smog check and DMV thing done and over with, print out my insurance card and set up a court appointment. This is the 5th ticket I have gotten out of so far. Here's the steps I take to avoiding it:

1. Never be in a rush.
   
2. Always keep your cool. Never EVER raise your voice or act like an asshole, even if the officer is acting like one... you will never win.
   
3. Always be gracious. "Yes Sir/Ma'am", "No Sir/Maam", "I apologize Sir/Maam" etc.
4. If all else fails, show some skin...
5. And always let them drive away first!

Plus, if you just follow those rules in general you will find that it makes most of the dealings with other people in your life that much easier.