The internet is an amazing thing!! I can't put enough exclamation points on it to do it justice. There are so many facets to the internet and being online. I have been consistently online for almost 11 years now, and it has change my life in innumerable ways. Additionally, it has changed the world in incredible ways. And as with all new inventions and developments, there are strange and quirky phenomena that are unique to that invention.
One of those things is the internet message board and the resulting message board culture. I won't begin to get into the history and beginnings of the internet message board. Mostly because I don't know its history and am not really interested in researching it. I am vaguely aware of some sort of computer bulletin boards when I was younger, but whatever.
I go to a few different message boards. The main reason...or the one I would like you to believe...is for news. There are people online who have little to do in life and so they spend their time scavenging for news that relates to their interests. Then they try to one up each other by being the first to post it. I like to take advantage of that to get the news.
So in my years of "observing" the posters in their natural environment i have noticed a few things. First, everything that happens in the world is RIDICULOUS. It doesn't really matter what the theme of the board is, or what side of the topic they are on. They are pretty darned mad about it. A person with less internet experience might be fooled into thinking that these people are very unhappy in their personal lives and have no other means of relieving themselves.
Another thing that Stephanie and I both have noticed is that after awhile, they begin to divide themselves into distinct groups. Stephanie pointed out to me recently that this occurs on Celebrity Baby Blog. As I understand it, there is a big divide between the fans of Shiloh Jolie-Pitt and those of Suri Cruise. In fact they even refer to themselves as Team Shiloh and Team Suri. (actually, the moderators at that site have since made them stop doing that.)
This seems to occur everywhere, but I like the Baby Bloggers organization the best. On the Star Wars board we have Team Prequels and Team Originals. On the Gamecock Messageboard its about Quarterback...Team Mitchell and Team Smelley. But the newest one to develop is on the Sopranos messageboard. Where the discussion is all about the ambiguous season finale, and whether Tony lives or dies. That argument is amongst the self named Lifers and Deadheads.
The truth is...its all a big freaking distraction from real life, and a cheap means of feeling smart or important. In all of these cases, it is based on deconstruction of whatever it is they are talking about. And it is just that. Deconstruction. It doesn't build anything. Which means its worthless.
-T
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
I just had a Genius Idea!
As we know, the Writers strike in Hollywood has been a big topic lately. The networks are frantic trying to figure out what to do. How will they make ends meet? How will they fill out their weekly lineups?
The thing they have going for them now, that they didn't have the last time there was a strike is Reality TV. Reality TV does NOT (and this should be pretty obvious to all) use writers. So they will not be affected by the strike. So the networks may want to create even more Reality based shows to fill in for the others.
Thats where my idea comes in. I have created a few new Reality competitions that will help the Networks in two ways.
1. So you Think You can Write for Television
2. America's Next Top Television Writer
3. Who Wants to be a Television Writer
and my favorite one...
Television Writing with the Stars
where 10 Writing Professors from Prestigious Film Schools team up with 10 Superstar Actors and Talk Show hosts and attempt to teach them to write their own material.
C'mon Networks, this could work. At the very least, this post could make a decent monologue joke. I'm available.
-Tom
The thing they have going for them now, that they didn't have the last time there was a strike is Reality TV. Reality TV does NOT (and this should be pretty obvious to all) use writers. So they will not be affected by the strike. So the networks may want to create even more Reality based shows to fill in for the others.
Thats where my idea comes in. I have created a few new Reality competitions that will help the Networks in two ways.
1. So you Think You can Write for Television
2. America's Next Top Television Writer
3. Who Wants to be a Television Writer
and my favorite one...
Television Writing with the Stars
where 10 Writing Professors from Prestigious Film Schools team up with 10 Superstar Actors and Talk Show hosts and attempt to teach them to write their own material.
C'mon Networks, this could work. At the very least, this post could make a decent monologue joke. I'm available.
-Tom
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
The Complete Series
I have a new obsession of late. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, it is something that I won't be able to take advantage of.
We are apparently living a Golden Age of "The Complete Series" Dvds for television shows. I want all of them. I don't really know what it is. I feel some kind of Power from owning an entire television series from Start to Finish. Especially because they come in these really clever packages. I admit, I am a sucker for cool packaging. I'm also a sucker for the idea of a "complete collection."
I found out today that an X-Files complete series set came out today. Now, here is a show that I know is pretty good. In all, I have seen around 15 episodes total. To be honest, I don't know when the last time I even thought about that show was. However, now, its all I want.
In addition to that, the entire series of King of Queens, Seinfeld and Full House came out today. Seinfeld comes in a Box Shaped like a big refrigerator. (though that may be a Best Buy exclusive.) King of Queens in box shaped like an IPS delivery truck. Full House comes in a House Shaped Box, much the same as the House Shaped Box that the Everybody Loves Raymond Complete Series set came in a couple of weeks ago. Golden Age Indeed.
What really got me pumped up was the Six Feet Under set that came out last year. Very cool. It comes in a grave-like package with fuzzy grass on top. That did it for me. I immediately realized that a Complete Sopranos Set must be in the works. I then sold all my existing single season sets of Sopranos. (I got a very good return on them to considering it was right before the final season aired.) So I am patiently waiting for it, and waiting to see what it looks like.
Stephanie bought the complete Friends set earlier this year, and it has been awesome, and well worth the cost. Which leads me to the problem. I really don't have a lot of room in the budget for 100 and 200+ dollar DVD sets. It has honestly worked out really well with Friends, because we have gotten a great deal of viewings out of it. All things considered, these sets are certainly worth the money in theory. However, they aren't exactly worth it in practice. Not for me right now at least.
So for now, its just a lot of me looking, dreaming and lusting for the Power that comes with owning every single episode of the Andy Griffith Show.
-Tom
We are apparently living a Golden Age of "The Complete Series" Dvds for television shows. I want all of them. I don't really know what it is. I feel some kind of Power from owning an entire television series from Start to Finish. Especially because they come in these really clever packages. I admit, I am a sucker for cool packaging. I'm also a sucker for the idea of a "complete collection."
I found out today that an X-Files complete series set came out today. Now, here is a show that I know is pretty good. In all, I have seen around 15 episodes total. To be honest, I don't know when the last time I even thought about that show was. However, now, its all I want.
In addition to that, the entire series of King of Queens, Seinfeld and Full House came out today. Seinfeld comes in a Box Shaped like a big refrigerator. (though that may be a Best Buy exclusive.) King of Queens in box shaped like an IPS delivery truck. Full House comes in a House Shaped Box, much the same as the House Shaped Box that the Everybody Loves Raymond Complete Series set came in a couple of weeks ago. Golden Age Indeed.
What really got me pumped up was the Six Feet Under set that came out last year. Very cool. It comes in a grave-like package with fuzzy grass on top. That did it for me. I immediately realized that a Complete Sopranos Set must be in the works. I then sold all my existing single season sets of Sopranos. (I got a very good return on them to considering it was right before the final season aired.) So I am patiently waiting for it, and waiting to see what it looks like.
Stephanie bought the complete Friends set earlier this year, and it has been awesome, and well worth the cost. Which leads me to the problem. I really don't have a lot of room in the budget for 100 and 200+ dollar DVD sets. It has honestly worked out really well with Friends, because we have gotten a great deal of viewings out of it. All things considered, these sets are certainly worth the money in theory. However, they aren't exactly worth it in practice. Not for me right now at least.
So for now, its just a lot of me looking, dreaming and lusting for the Power that comes with owning every single episode of the Andy Griffith Show.
-Tom
Monday, November 05, 2007
Tom Andrews and the Quest for Truth
In a world where things are not always as they seem. In a land where people aren't always who they say they are. Comes a man on quest to discover secrets of himself and the truth about his life. I have in the last year come to the conclusion that I am not always who I thought I was. And that truthfully I don't know how I feel about a lot of things.
I will be using this blog over the next weeks to work out some truths about myself. Most specifically, how I feel about certain things, what I like, and what I belive.
Tonight's question is a big one. Sports.
I am a Sports guy, and I have been for as long as I can remember. In college, I was one of "those guys" who painted his face, drank a lot and yelled and screamed at every football game. Its true. Looking back at that guy. I'm not quite sure who that was. I'm not embarrassed at all. But I wonder if I did that because I really wanted to, or if there was something more.
In college I suffered with some issues. Specifically depression, confidence and identity. In fact I have spent a lifetime struggling with identity. I'd like to look back and chuckle at my face painting days, but there is something about it that seems fishy. A little too comfortable with the knowledge that people knew me as a guy that painted his face. A little too concerned with what people thought about me and if they were looking my way. A little too conscious of how it made me feel about myself. And a little too quick to accept football as the most important thing in my life to the detriment of everything else.
Now, I don't act that way anymore. And here is the question. Was I unhealthy before and have become more healthy? Or was I fine before and have simply evolved and changed, grown and matured? I'm not yet sure.
I'm not saying that there was anything wrong before. I'm not ashamed. But I have questions about myself and that requires a closer look.
This is just one small area of the Sports World According to Tom that needs exploration. One Step at a Time.
Peace...
-T
I will be using this blog over the next weeks to work out some truths about myself. Most specifically, how I feel about certain things, what I like, and what I belive.
Tonight's question is a big one. Sports.
I am a Sports guy, and I have been for as long as I can remember. In college, I was one of "those guys" who painted his face, drank a lot and yelled and screamed at every football game. Its true. Looking back at that guy. I'm not quite sure who that was. I'm not embarrassed at all. But I wonder if I did that because I really wanted to, or if there was something more.
In college I suffered with some issues. Specifically depression, confidence and identity. In fact I have spent a lifetime struggling with identity. I'd like to look back and chuckle at my face painting days, but there is something about it that seems fishy. A little too comfortable with the knowledge that people knew me as a guy that painted his face. A little too concerned with what people thought about me and if they were looking my way. A little too conscious of how it made me feel about myself. And a little too quick to accept football as the most important thing in my life to the detriment of everything else.
Now, I don't act that way anymore. And here is the question. Was I unhealthy before and have become more healthy? Or was I fine before and have simply evolved and changed, grown and matured? I'm not yet sure.
I'm not saying that there was anything wrong before. I'm not ashamed. But I have questions about myself and that requires a closer look.
This is just one small area of the Sports World According to Tom that needs exploration. One Step at a Time.
Peace...
-T
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Packing it up again
In the last couple of years, Steph and I have moved quite a bit. From Columbia, SC to Los Angeles, to Salt Lake City, to Austin to Boston and then to New Jersey. "What a long strange trip its been." Now we are preparing to move again. This time, we really aren't sure where just yet.
Its narrowed down to a couple of scenarios, and we will be finding out pretty soon. We are getting everything ready now so that we will be ready to go on short notice. We are doing a lot better at managing our stuff I have found this time. Having a car that can carry more has been a plus.
Adding to that comes this....Stephanie's brilliant idea for space saving. We purchased some of these vacuum bags for clothes storage. I would say I was skeptical. That might be an overstatement. I was taking a wait and see attitude as far as how well this would work. I must say, early results are in and they are all positive.
We essentially reduced the space taken by a large amount of clothes by 50 percent. All I can say is Whoa! We have 2 large suitcases and about 4 other small suitcases and it actually looks as if we might get all of our clothes into the two big ones. Technology is grand.
We should be able to get our stuff to a very manageable 2 Explorers worth of stuff. We have only 1 Explorer of course, but at least we know 2 trips would be the absolute max.
Anyway, we will be in a holding pattern for a bit. But if we can get one more long term assignment, I think we will be able to finally work toward the big settle down. We'll see.
-Tom
Its narrowed down to a couple of scenarios, and we will be finding out pretty soon. We are getting everything ready now so that we will be ready to go on short notice. We are doing a lot better at managing our stuff I have found this time. Having a car that can carry more has been a plus.
Adding to that comes this....Stephanie's brilliant idea for space saving. We purchased some of these vacuum bags for clothes storage. I would say I was skeptical. That might be an overstatement. I was taking a wait and see attitude as far as how well this would work. I must say, early results are in and they are all positive.
We essentially reduced the space taken by a large amount of clothes by 50 percent. All I can say is Whoa! We have 2 large suitcases and about 4 other small suitcases and it actually looks as if we might get all of our clothes into the two big ones. Technology is grand.
We should be able to get our stuff to a very manageable 2 Explorers worth of stuff. We have only 1 Explorer of course, but at least we know 2 trips would be the absolute max.
Anyway, we will be in a holding pattern for a bit. But if we can get one more long term assignment, I think we will be able to finally work toward the big settle down. We'll see.
-Tom
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Busted my Head
A weird thing happened to me today. I busted my head falling out of the shower. Seriously. I have been out of shape for a while now, and I'm really ready to get back into shape. So I was actually exercising today, which was nice. Steph and I were going to go out, so I jumped up really fast to take a quick shower. I hopped in the shower and turned on the hot water. But really quickly I got light headed and felt a little dizzy. So I leaned forward in the shower and rested my head against the front wall of the shower. I was catching my breath. The next thing I know, I was dreaming that I was walking down the hall at the public storage where we have put some of our stuff. Then I here Stephanie yelling "are you alright?" Then I realized my face was on the floor.
I snapped to, pretty quickly but was pretty freaked out. I had passed out in the shower. Very strange. I remember thinking, man I'm out of shape, I can't believe I'm so winded. Then....Whap! I was on the floor.
I worried for a minute that it could be something serious. I've been thinking about it all day, and I'm pretty sure its not. I know what its like to be winded and to be out of shape. Its not an unfamiliar feeling. I have been an athlete for most of my life. I have been in and out of shape from time to time and I know how it feels to push myself hard and to feel like that. I have never been this out of shape though, and this is the extreme of what happens.
Thats the end of that. This is a wake up call for sure. I'm tired of being tired. Tired of being out of breath. Tired of feeling like a fatso. So starting tomorrow, its no more cheese and eggs every morning and no more NOT exercising.
Its time to go back about 15 years. 6'2' 195. Lean and Strong. 200 lbs by Christmas. Mark it Down!
-T
I snapped to, pretty quickly but was pretty freaked out. I had passed out in the shower. Very strange. I remember thinking, man I'm out of shape, I can't believe I'm so winded. Then....Whap! I was on the floor.
I worried for a minute that it could be something serious. I've been thinking about it all day, and I'm pretty sure its not. I know what its like to be winded and to be out of shape. Its not an unfamiliar feeling. I have been an athlete for most of my life. I have been in and out of shape from time to time and I know how it feels to push myself hard and to feel like that. I have never been this out of shape though, and this is the extreme of what happens.
Thats the end of that. This is a wake up call for sure. I'm tired of being tired. Tired of being out of breath. Tired of feeling like a fatso. So starting tomorrow, its no more cheese and eggs every morning and no more NOT exercising.
Its time to go back about 15 years. 6'2' 195. Lean and Strong. 200 lbs by Christmas. Mark it Down!
-T
Friday, November 02, 2007
American Gangster
So while I am continuing to knock the dust off of my blog, I will stay in the shallow end. So a movie review.
So Stephanie and I saw American Gangster today. This is a movie I have been wanting to see for a while. Mostly because of Denzel Washington. He's about as powerful an actor as there is, and I'm a big fan. Secondly, I like movies with 2 strong characters on opposing sides. Heat comes to mind historically, and more recently 3:10 to Yuma. And speaking of Russell Crowe, here is a guy making a big come back for me. LA Confidential, The Insider, Gladiator. Loved him, but after that, he just seemed to disappear. But, I'm ready to love him again.
Simply put, this is a very good movie. Unlike the other movies I mentioned, these two characters don't really meet until the end. Not just that they don't meet, but don't know about each other. Washington is the criminal, but doesn't know he is being chased until he is caught. Crowe is the cop who is chasing someone, but doesn't know who it is until nearly the end of the chase. On the surface, this might not be good. We don't get the Cat and Mouse aspect of Dinero and Pacino in Heat. We don't get the Battle of Wills of Crowe and Bale in 3:10. So what does that leave us with? It leaves us with 2 separate movies on a collision course with one another.
I'm not sure if thats good or not, and maybe thats what keeps this movie from being Great. Everything around that however is superb. The drugs, the violence, the action, its awesome. Flying to Vietnam. The undercover cops, corruption. Its all so complex and sophisticated. Its an incredibly textured film and it has some tragedy on a few different levels.
I want this to be a really Great movie and it just doesn't quite go the distance for me. It lacks a certain thing. I don't quite know what to say. The difference between a Hall of Famer and one of the best ever. Some movies just go that extra mile, they add that extra unexpected layer or quality. This one is amazing, but never quite gets to that top level.
Its an A though.
Tom's rating 84
So Stephanie and I saw American Gangster today. This is a movie I have been wanting to see for a while. Mostly because of Denzel Washington. He's about as powerful an actor as there is, and I'm a big fan. Secondly, I like movies with 2 strong characters on opposing sides. Heat comes to mind historically, and more recently 3:10 to Yuma. And speaking of Russell Crowe, here is a guy making a big come back for me. LA Confidential, The Insider, Gladiator. Loved him, but after that, he just seemed to disappear. But, I'm ready to love him again.
Simply put, this is a very good movie. Unlike the other movies I mentioned, these two characters don't really meet until the end. Not just that they don't meet, but don't know about each other. Washington is the criminal, but doesn't know he is being chased until he is caught. Crowe is the cop who is chasing someone, but doesn't know who it is until nearly the end of the chase. On the surface, this might not be good. We don't get the Cat and Mouse aspect of Dinero and Pacino in Heat. We don't get the Battle of Wills of Crowe and Bale in 3:10. So what does that leave us with? It leaves us with 2 separate movies on a collision course with one another.
I'm not sure if thats good or not, and maybe thats what keeps this movie from being Great. Everything around that however is superb. The drugs, the violence, the action, its awesome. Flying to Vietnam. The undercover cops, corruption. Its all so complex and sophisticated. Its an incredibly textured film and it has some tragedy on a few different levels.
I want this to be a really Great movie and it just doesn't quite go the distance for me. It lacks a certain thing. I don't quite know what to say. The difference between a Hall of Famer and one of the best ever. Some movies just go that extra mile, they add that extra unexpected layer or quality. This one is amazing, but never quite gets to that top level.
Its an A though.
Tom's rating 84
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Dusting off the Blog.....
Ok, its time to start writing again. I found out about NaBloPoMo from Steph So I decided to get on it again. I haven't been blogging in what has clearly been a long time.
Most days I spend a lot of time wrestling with thoughts in my head. A million different things swirling around. I have thought getting back to blogging would help me to keep them all straight, but I haven't made the time to get started again. Sometimes, I just need a little push. So the challenge to write a blog once a day for a whole month seems like a good enough challenge.
So here we go.
-T
Most days I spend a lot of time wrestling with thoughts in my head. A million different things swirling around. I have thought getting back to blogging would help me to keep them all straight, but I haven't made the time to get started again. Sometimes, I just need a little push. So the challenge to write a blog once a day for a whole month seems like a good enough challenge.
So here we go.
-T
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Superman
Tonight, Steph and I saw Superman. Honestly, I have been pretty interested in this for some time now. I have not cared much for any of the big Superhero movies that have come along lately.
I saw Spiderman in 2002 and I liked it pretty well. Especially the first half of it. The second half was somewhat lacking. Really though, it wasn't very good over all, and the more I watched it the worse it got. There was Hulk, and that was just flat out dreadful. And I mean bad. Then there was Daredevil. And that was lousy. And I love Ben Affleck. Then there was Spiderman 2, and it was better than the last. But by that time, I really didn't care. Last year was interesting. First there was Batman Begins. Now this one was good. Really, very good. But I had a little bit of ill will toward it, because I still didn't think it was THAT good. I mean, as good as everyone was trying to say. There was also Fantastic Four. Which I actually kind of liked. On a low standard sort of scale. Oh, and then there was X-Men. Pretty cool in 2000. Pretty cool in 2003. And Pretty cool in 2006. But to be honest. The only one that I honestly like is Batman Begins.
At this point, the Superhero genre is in full swing. I honestly feel like Superman and Batman are a little above the trend of superhero movies being popular. So I wasn't thrilled about them coming out during this time. But we got a pretty good one in Batman, so I was cautiously optimistic about Superman Returns.
One thing I loved was that this was going to be a sequel to Superman II. For two reasons. One, it kind of wipes out the crap that is Superman III and IV. Two, it does not wipe out the excellence that is Superman and Superman II. While Batman Begins is kind of like a prequel to the others, it really didn't feel like it fit with the others. But this one does. Superman Returns is a straight up direct sequel to Superman II. Not just stylistically. It looks and feels just like the old series. The credits are the same, the music is the same. The mannerisms of Supes and Clark and Lois and everyone are still the same.
I'll tell you what. I loved this movie. Straight up loved it. Its not without a problem or two, but it was really really good. And now, I'm kind of glad that it came out now. Because it deserves to be the best of the bunch. As Superman is clearly the best of all Superheros. I now see a little battle starting, and it could be good, and it could be bad. But no matter what, it will be interesting.
We have a franchise of Batman movies on the way. All trying to be the darkest and grittiest.
We have a franchise of Superman movies on the way. All trying to be the brightest and classiest.
We have a franchise of Spiderman movies that are already here and still coming. All trying to be the most fun and silliest.
Who's going to come out on top? I don't know. But in the end. I think Batman and Superman will crush Spiderman. Or at least I hope so. Right now, box officially speaking. Spidey is cleaning up. But he clearly sucks.
We shall see. But for now.....Maybe I will Lois.....Maybe I will.
-T
I saw Spiderman in 2002 and I liked it pretty well. Especially the first half of it. The second half was somewhat lacking. Really though, it wasn't very good over all, and the more I watched it the worse it got. There was Hulk, and that was just flat out dreadful. And I mean bad. Then there was Daredevil. And that was lousy. And I love Ben Affleck. Then there was Spiderman 2, and it was better than the last. But by that time, I really didn't care. Last year was interesting. First there was Batman Begins. Now this one was good. Really, very good. But I had a little bit of ill will toward it, because I still didn't think it was THAT good. I mean, as good as everyone was trying to say. There was also Fantastic Four. Which I actually kind of liked. On a low standard sort of scale. Oh, and then there was X-Men. Pretty cool in 2000. Pretty cool in 2003. And Pretty cool in 2006. But to be honest. The only one that I honestly like is Batman Begins.
At this point, the Superhero genre is in full swing. I honestly feel like Superman and Batman are a little above the trend of superhero movies being popular. So I wasn't thrilled about them coming out during this time. But we got a pretty good one in Batman, so I was cautiously optimistic about Superman Returns.
One thing I loved was that this was going to be a sequel to Superman II. For two reasons. One, it kind of wipes out the crap that is Superman III and IV. Two, it does not wipe out the excellence that is Superman and Superman II. While Batman Begins is kind of like a prequel to the others, it really didn't feel like it fit with the others. But this one does. Superman Returns is a straight up direct sequel to Superman II. Not just stylistically. It looks and feels just like the old series. The credits are the same, the music is the same. The mannerisms of Supes and Clark and Lois and everyone are still the same.
I'll tell you what. I loved this movie. Straight up loved it. Its not without a problem or two, but it was really really good. And now, I'm kind of glad that it came out now. Because it deserves to be the best of the bunch. As Superman is clearly the best of all Superheros. I now see a little battle starting, and it could be good, and it could be bad. But no matter what, it will be interesting.
We have a franchise of Batman movies on the way. All trying to be the darkest and grittiest.
We have a franchise of Superman movies on the way. All trying to be the brightest and classiest.
We have a franchise of Spiderman movies that are already here and still coming. All trying to be the most fun and silliest.
Who's going to come out on top? I don't know. But in the end. I think Batman and Superman will crush Spiderman. Or at least I hope so. Right now, box officially speaking. Spidey is cleaning up. But he clearly sucks.
We shall see. But for now.....Maybe I will Lois.....Maybe I will.
-T
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
I think it's time for me to fly
I turned in my two weeks notice tonight. I'll tell you what. I was actually a little nervous, and this surprised me. I have, of course, expected this day would come for quite some time. I have, of course, been ready to be done with this line of work for a while. I have, of course, no real regrets or sadness over leaving Texas. I have, however, a strange and urgent desire to make sure people don't hate me. Sometimes, this desire can be a problem. Most times I'd say. I honestly though that my current supervisor would be fine with me leaving, but on the way over I got really nervous that he might be mad. He wasn't. He reacted how I generally expected him to. Supportive and generally cool, all the way around.
So now I am free. I am ready to give up all this. My 23 dollar an hour job. My food per diam. My free housing. Everything. I'm ready to be an artist. Preferably not the starving kind, but an artist anyway. I'm ready to go! I can't wait. California here we come, right back where we started from. California.....Californyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
And Stephanie realized that my last day will be July 12th 2006. My first day ever working for Dataline in Utah was July 12th 2004. 2 years to the exact day! Thats freaky.
-T
So now I am free. I am ready to give up all this. My 23 dollar an hour job. My food per diam. My free housing. Everything. I'm ready to be an artist. Preferably not the starving kind, but an artist anyway. I'm ready to go! I can't wait. California here we come, right back where we started from. California.....Californyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
And Stephanie realized that my last day will be July 12th 2006. My first day ever working for Dataline in Utah was July 12th 2004. 2 years to the exact day! Thats freaky.
-T
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Finally!!!
Ha ha....after weeks and weeks of problems, I finally saw a good movie that didn't lose the critics. Cars is the movie, and the critics finally get it.
This movie was first, very very funny. Second, it was very clever. Third, it was quite touching. As we know, Disney/Pixar movies have become kind of a Genre on its own. Mixed in with a couple of notable cartoons from other studios (Dreamworks' Shrek and New Line's Lord of the Rings Trilogy), the world of computer animated features has completely replaced the hand drawn animation of the past. Toy Story and Toy Story 2 are, without a doubt, the best of the bunch. Cars is next on the list for me.
One thing the Pixar does well is cleverness, and this movie is full of it. Lots of good humor that adults can appreciate a long with kids. Tractor Tipping is funny. SUV boot camp for SUVs that have never been offroad is hilarious. And Jeremy Piven in the role of Lightning McQueen's agent is the funniest thing ever. And if you don't know why... YOU BETTER RECOGNIZE. All that mixed with typical pixar heartwarming story about people and relationships that helps kids learn good lessons and reminds adults that they should remember whats important.
All that said, the critics liked it too. Good for them. Maybe they're not as dumb as I thought.
-T
This movie was first, very very funny. Second, it was very clever. Third, it was quite touching. As we know, Disney/Pixar movies have become kind of a Genre on its own. Mixed in with a couple of notable cartoons from other studios (Dreamworks' Shrek and New Line's Lord of the Rings Trilogy), the world of computer animated features has completely replaced the hand drawn animation of the past. Toy Story and Toy Story 2 are, without a doubt, the best of the bunch. Cars is next on the list for me.
One thing the Pixar does well is cleverness, and this movie is full of it. Lots of good humor that adults can appreciate a long with kids. Tractor Tipping is funny. SUV boot camp for SUVs that have never been offroad is hilarious. And Jeremy Piven in the role of Lightning McQueen's agent is the funniest thing ever. And if you don't know why... YOU BETTER RECOGNIZE. All that mixed with typical pixar heartwarming story about people and relationships that helps kids learn good lessons and reminds adults that they should remember whats important.
All that said, the critics liked it too. Good for them. Maybe they're not as dumb as I thought.
-T
Friday, June 09, 2006
Finally!!!
Ha ha....after weeks and weeks of problems, I finally saw a good movie that didn't lose the critics. Cars is the movie, and the critics finally get it.
This movie was first, very very funny. Second, it was very clever. Third, it was quite touching. As we know, Disney/Pixar movies have become kind of a Genre on its own. Mixed in with a couple of notable cartoons from other studios (Dreamworks' Shrek and New Line's Lord of the Rings Trilogy), the world of computer animated features has completely replaced the hand drawn animation of the past. Toy Story and Toy Story 2 are, without a doubt, the best of the bunch. Cars is next on the list for me.
One thing the Pixar does well is cleverness, and this movie is full of it. Lots of good humor that adults can appreciate a long with kids. Tractor Tipping is funny. SUV boot camp for SUVs that have never been offroad is hilarious. And Jeremy Piven in the role of Lightning McQueen's agent is the funniest thing ever. And if you don't know why... YOU BETTER RECOGNIZE. All that mixed with typical pixar heartwarming story about people and relationships that helps kids learn good lessons and reminds adults that they should remember whats important.
All that said, the critics liked it too. Good for them. Maybe they're not as dumb as I thought.
-T
This movie was first, very very funny. Second, it was very clever. Third, it was quite touching. As we know, Disney/Pixar movies have become kind of a Genre on its own. Mixed in with a couple of notable cartoons from other studios (Dreamworks' Shrek and New Line's Lord of the Rings Trilogy), the world of computer animated features has completely replaced the hand drawn animation of the past. Toy Story and Toy Story 2 are, without a doubt, the best of the bunch. Cars is next on the list for me.
One thing the Pixar does well is cleverness, and this movie is full of it. Lots of good humor that adults can appreciate a long with kids. Tractor Tipping is funny. SUV boot camp for SUVs that have never been offroad is hilarious. And Jeremy Piven in the role of Lightning McQueen's agent is the funniest thing ever. And if you don't know why... YOU BETTER RECOGNIZE. All that mixed with typical pixar heartwarming story about people and relationships that helps kids learn good lessons and reminds adults that they should remember whats important.
All that said, the critics liked it too. Good for them. Maybe they're not as dumb as I thought.
-T
Saturday, June 03, 2006
5 Weeks in a Row!
Its great. Apparently, I am the dumbest movie person ever. Every Single Saturday, for 5 weeks in a Row, I have gone to see the Hot movie of the week. Whoa. Actually, 4 weeks. The first week I saw Stick It, instead of Mission Impossible III. But for 5 straight Saturdays, I have gone to the movies, and come back pleased. More than pleased. My reactions ranged from Very Pleased to Really Excited. And, for 5 weeks in a row, the same movies that I saw have been slapped across the face by the Film Critics. First it was Stick It, the Posiden, then DaVinci Code, then XMen 3. The latest entry to the list is The Break Up.
The Break Up, coming in at a dismal 33% Fresh Rating , was a good movie. In fact, it was a very good movie. First things first. It was as funny as a comedy should be. As funny as the trailer implied it would be. But more than that. It was pretty darned good. Romantic Comedies tend to be blown off by people anyway, as summer fun for girls. So it should surprise no one that it would have as difficult a time as summer action movies have in getting respect. This movie is better than that. It had real drama without ever having to try too hard. A well-made movie that perfectly blended comedy and drama. Almost every man in the world has a relationship or two, so its not just for women. It plays on the very obvious themes of Men and Women are different. But it does not rely on that. We are presented with the facts that its really not about the differences between men and women and the various aspects that are unique to gender. Its really just about these two people. We are given to outside characters that react to the stars. Joey Lauren Adams plays Jennifer Aniston's sister, and Jon Favreau plays Vince Vaughn's friend. John Favreau points out to Vaughn that he is not just a dumb guy, but that he specifically is kind of selfish. Selfish to all his friends, not just his girlfriend. Adams tells Aniston that she specifically is handling this situation all wrong. That she is acting crazy, not that women just do that. This is what I liked the best. It showed us some things that TEND to be common amongst typical guys and typical girls, but explained that they don't have to be that way. And that most people can get over that and work together.
However, I read reviews of people who clearly didn't watch this movie. They come in with their catchy little catch phrases. The ones they clearly had in mind a week ago and were just hoping to get to use. Like Just another Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus retread. No it wasn't. And if you had actually watched, instead of writing in your little notebooks through the whole movie, you would know that. Its a shame, but I say again: Film Critics have the most power in influencing people to see a movie yet they are clearly the least qualified people on earth to give their opinion about a movie.
Sad But True.
-T
The Break Up, coming in at a dismal 33% Fresh Rating , was a good movie. In fact, it was a very good movie. First things first. It was as funny as a comedy should be. As funny as the trailer implied it would be. But more than that. It was pretty darned good. Romantic Comedies tend to be blown off by people anyway, as summer fun for girls. So it should surprise no one that it would have as difficult a time as summer action movies have in getting respect. This movie is better than that. It had real drama without ever having to try too hard. A well-made movie that perfectly blended comedy and drama. Almost every man in the world has a relationship or two, so its not just for women. It plays on the very obvious themes of Men and Women are different. But it does not rely on that. We are presented with the facts that its really not about the differences between men and women and the various aspects that are unique to gender. Its really just about these two people. We are given to outside characters that react to the stars. Joey Lauren Adams plays Jennifer Aniston's sister, and Jon Favreau plays Vince Vaughn's friend. John Favreau points out to Vaughn that he is not just a dumb guy, but that he specifically is kind of selfish. Selfish to all his friends, not just his girlfriend. Adams tells Aniston that she specifically is handling this situation all wrong. That she is acting crazy, not that women just do that. This is what I liked the best. It showed us some things that TEND to be common amongst typical guys and typical girls, but explained that they don't have to be that way. And that most people can get over that and work together.
However, I read reviews of people who clearly didn't watch this movie. They come in with their catchy little catch phrases. The ones they clearly had in mind a week ago and were just hoping to get to use. Like Just another Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus retread. No it wasn't. And if you had actually watched, instead of writing in your little notebooks through the whole movie, you would know that. Its a shame, but I say again: Film Critics have the most power in influencing people to see a movie yet they are clearly the least qualified people on earth to give their opinion about a movie.
Sad But True.
-T
Monday, May 29, 2006
A new Look at an Old Movie
First let me say how much I love Boogie Nights. This is one of my favorite films ever. I saw Boogie Nights for the first time in May of 1998. I immediately thought it was fantastic. I rented it two or three times that summer and tried to copy it to a tape of my own. Yes, that was wrong. The only reason I didn't buy it on tape of course was that I was going to be getting a DVD player that Christmas. My friends also liked Boogie Nights. We did, or course, get the film on DVD and watched it again and again. It was pretty much a full year of Boogie Nights in our Apartment. Along the way came a liking for the film's director, Paul Thomas Anderson. Since the film was conceived, written and directed by him, we considered ourselves P.T.A. fans. And so we eagerly awaited his next movie.
Magnolia. aka PTA's I can do whatever I want film.
After Boogie Nights, PTA got pretty close to blank check and free reign to do what he wanted with his next movie, and thats what he did.
The Trailer was very promising. And I admit, expectations were high.
Then we saw it. My feelings were all over the place. Watching the movie I was engrossed in all of the Hoffman/Robards scenes, but not so much in the others. When the Frogs came at the end, I really loved it. My first reaction was that I really liked it a lot. Though I talked with Brian that night about it, and the more I examined it, the more I was dissappointed. Then I watched the trailer a few more times. I love this trailer. And I started remembering all the things I loved about the movie. I went back to see it again, and was dissappointed. Brian, on the other hand, loved it the second time.
Thus began a 6 year debate over what is or is not wrong with this movie. For years we have talked about this thing, and for years I have been frustrated about how the movie isn't what seems/claims to be.
My problems with the movie. First, it's too long. Say what you will. Call me a low-brow Joe Six-Pack if you want. It's TOO DAMN LONG. It's not even that there are unneeded scenes, its just that scenes go on too long.
Second, it doesn't really work as well in the coincidence department as it wants too. They set up the film with a series of interesting though not really relevant urban legends. At least two of which are untrue. They use them as a way to set up the idea that strange things happen all the time. The film's characters are all somewhat interconnected and are all experiencing harrowing and bizarre events on one day in a small area of Los Angeles. This never comes through as well as it should or could. I read recently that initially there was a scene where it is explained that all of this is happening within a one square mile part of town, but it was cut for time reasons. THREE HOURS LONG and this is what they cut out?
I have watched this film a few times since the first time. Probably 4 or 5 now. And one thing is true. Generally I have been more and more happy with it each time. Last night, I watched it again. And a something occurred to me. I really like this movie. A lot. And I really always have. And what I realize, after dealing with the DaVinci Code movie reviewer debacle last week, is that I am grading this movie unfairly.
I still generally feel about its problems, the same way I have always felt. Actually its not its length that as much as the pacing. Its plods along in the end, when it really should pick up the pace. The idea of the freakishness of the situations linked by a freak of nature event still does not come across as well as it should. But the movies is really good. It could be great. I mean really great. But its only very good. I have been treating it like it could be good, but instead is bad. I've been giving it the DaVinci Code treatment. Like I think it should be an 85 but its so its a 35. The truth is, it IS an 85, but it COULD BE a 95.
So let it be said. I like Magnolia. If I ever said I didn't, I take it back. I like it. Its a very good movie. Its a great movie. I love it. I really like it. Its not even that it has some problems any more. I can think of some things that would have made it better, but that does not detract from what is there.
Magnolia. aka PTA's I can do whatever I want film.
After Boogie Nights, PTA got pretty close to blank check and free reign to do what he wanted with his next movie, and thats what he did.
The Trailer was very promising. And I admit, expectations were high.
Then we saw it. My feelings were all over the place. Watching the movie I was engrossed in all of the Hoffman/Robards scenes, but not so much in the others. When the Frogs came at the end, I really loved it. My first reaction was that I really liked it a lot. Though I talked with Brian that night about it, and the more I examined it, the more I was dissappointed. Then I watched the trailer a few more times. I love this trailer. And I started remembering all the things I loved about the movie. I went back to see it again, and was dissappointed. Brian, on the other hand, loved it the second time.
Thus began a 6 year debate over what is or is not wrong with this movie. For years we have talked about this thing, and for years I have been frustrated about how the movie isn't what seems/claims to be.
My problems with the movie. First, it's too long. Say what you will. Call me a low-brow Joe Six-Pack if you want. It's TOO DAMN LONG. It's not even that there are unneeded scenes, its just that scenes go on too long.
Second, it doesn't really work as well in the coincidence department as it wants too. They set up the film with a series of interesting though not really relevant urban legends. At least two of which are untrue. They use them as a way to set up the idea that strange things happen all the time. The film's characters are all somewhat interconnected and are all experiencing harrowing and bizarre events on one day in a small area of Los Angeles. This never comes through as well as it should or could. I read recently that initially there was a scene where it is explained that all of this is happening within a one square mile part of town, but it was cut for time reasons. THREE HOURS LONG and this is what they cut out?
I have watched this film a few times since the first time. Probably 4 or 5 now. And one thing is true. Generally I have been more and more happy with it each time. Last night, I watched it again. And a something occurred to me. I really like this movie. A lot. And I really always have. And what I realize, after dealing with the DaVinci Code movie reviewer debacle last week, is that I am grading this movie unfairly.
I still generally feel about its problems, the same way I have always felt. Actually its not its length that as much as the pacing. Its plods along in the end, when it really should pick up the pace. The idea of the freakishness of the situations linked by a freak of nature event still does not come across as well as it should. But the movies is really good. It could be great. I mean really great. But its only very good. I have been treating it like it could be good, but instead is bad. I've been giving it the DaVinci Code treatment. Like I think it should be an 85 but its so its a 35. The truth is, it IS an 85, but it COULD BE a 95.
So let it be said. I like Magnolia. If I ever said I didn't, I take it back. I like it. Its a very good movie. Its a great movie. I love it. I really like it. Its not even that it has some problems any more. I can think of some things that would have made it better, but that does not detract from what is there.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
The Davinci Code
So I went to see the Davinci Code today. First off, I'm glad to finally know what the heck all the fuss is about. And I must say, its pretty darn cool, and I'm glad to finally be in on it. And as of right now. It just posted a 29.5 million dollar opening day. Which puts it pretty darned high up in the all time rankings. Sitting in the Star Wars weekend, a week before Memorial day, this movie could potentially a pretty big grosser.
Now, here is the first issue that needs touching on. The reviews for this movie are pretty bad. Actually, the reviews seem to be only slightly bad. Its just that there are a ton of them. Rotten Tomatoes gives it a fresh rating of 16!! Thats extremely low. But it calls out the inherit problem with the rotten tomatoes system. In this case, its seems that most reviewers don't think its THAT bad, but just that 123 out of 150 think its kind of bad. So it makes it look worse than it is. That said....Are they NUTS!!!!
This movie was very good. VERY GOOD. Its now three weekends in a row where I am left to deal with the ridiculous fact that reviewers are morons, and I don't understand what it is they are looking for in a movie. What's different about this movie from Stick It and Posiden is that I feel they were waiting to love this movie. The Reviewers (calling them writers would give them too much credit at this point) are continuing to bring too much baggage into the movies with them. They clearly went into Stick It and Posiden chomping ready and eager to pounce on them. Armed with catch phrases and pithy remarks already written just waiting for the opportunity to use them.
It would seem that Davinci Code was different. It seems to me that they are all desperately dissappointed by a film that they inexplicably assumed would be the next Schindler's List. When it turned out to be just another very good film, they couldn't handle it.
I am pretty much done with movie reviewers at this point. We will go ahead and add most of them to ESPN personalites on the list of people with the most power but the least understanding of what they are talking about.
The second thing of interest about this film is the religious aspect. I know there have been protests. I met a person recently who said he wouldn't see the movie because he "was a Christian." I told him I consider myself a Christian and I can't wait to see it.
Having seen the movie I can now examine my thoughts on the subject. I thought it was great. And from a religious point of view I thought it was interesting. First things first, it's fiction. It does not mean that Ron Howard or Tom Hanks or anyone involved believe what it says. Its fiction. Its just like Star Wars or Superman. Its a story, fabricated to excite people. Furthermore, the movie never really claims to prove that its story is true. They say that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalen and that she gave birth to a daughter after the Crucifixion. In the end, characters in the movie assert that this is true and that one character in the movie is a descendant of Jesus. They are searching for the final resting place of Mary Magdalen which is essentially the big mystery. They mention doing DNA testing to verify. However that would only prove that she was related to Mary. In the end, the very best that they could do was prove that all of this was about Mary Magdalen and her descendants. There is still no definitive proof that her unborn child was that daughter of Jesus.
In addition to all that is this. I am speaking of myself. If I were to find that this is true. If I were to find out that Jesus was a man. Had a wife, and a child. Would this change how I feel about God and my religion. The answer is no. I would not feel different. I have always believed in God. I have always felt the power and comfort of my religion. And I have always been aware that things in the bible are stories that are designed to illustrate the best way to live life. I could believe that the story of Jesus could fit that discription as well. What the Davinci Code is about, in my opinion, is plausible. But it would not change how I live my life and how I practice my faith.
I do, however, understand why some people will be upset. I do not know much about the Catholic Church in general, but I understand why many would feel that they had been living a lie if this were to be true. I just know for myself, it would not affect me that way.
-T
Now, here is the first issue that needs touching on. The reviews for this movie are pretty bad. Actually, the reviews seem to be only slightly bad. Its just that there are a ton of them. Rotten Tomatoes gives it a fresh rating of 16!! Thats extremely low. But it calls out the inherit problem with the rotten tomatoes system. In this case, its seems that most reviewers don't think its THAT bad, but just that 123 out of 150 think its kind of bad. So it makes it look worse than it is. That said....Are they NUTS!!!!
This movie was very good. VERY GOOD. Its now three weekends in a row where I am left to deal with the ridiculous fact that reviewers are morons, and I don't understand what it is they are looking for in a movie. What's different about this movie from Stick It and Posiden is that I feel they were waiting to love this movie. The Reviewers (calling them writers would give them too much credit at this point) are continuing to bring too much baggage into the movies with them. They clearly went into Stick It and Posiden chomping ready and eager to pounce on them. Armed with catch phrases and pithy remarks already written just waiting for the opportunity to use them.
It would seem that Davinci Code was different. It seems to me that they are all desperately dissappointed by a film that they inexplicably assumed would be the next Schindler's List. When it turned out to be just another very good film, they couldn't handle it.
I am pretty much done with movie reviewers at this point. We will go ahead and add most of them to ESPN personalites on the list of people with the most power but the least understanding of what they are talking about.
The second thing of interest about this film is the religious aspect. I know there have been protests. I met a person recently who said he wouldn't see the movie because he "was a Christian." I told him I consider myself a Christian and I can't wait to see it.
Having seen the movie I can now examine my thoughts on the subject. I thought it was great. And from a religious point of view I thought it was interesting. First things first, it's fiction. It does not mean that Ron Howard or Tom Hanks or anyone involved believe what it says. Its fiction. Its just like Star Wars or Superman. Its a story, fabricated to excite people. Furthermore, the movie never really claims to prove that its story is true. They say that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalen and that she gave birth to a daughter after the Crucifixion. In the end, characters in the movie assert that this is true and that one character in the movie is a descendant of Jesus. They are searching for the final resting place of Mary Magdalen which is essentially the big mystery. They mention doing DNA testing to verify. However that would only prove that she was related to Mary. In the end, the very best that they could do was prove that all of this was about Mary Magdalen and her descendants. There is still no definitive proof that her unborn child was that daughter of Jesus.
In addition to all that is this. I am speaking of myself. If I were to find that this is true. If I were to find out that Jesus was a man. Had a wife, and a child. Would this change how I feel about God and my religion. The answer is no. I would not feel different. I have always believed in God. I have always felt the power and comfort of my religion. And I have always been aware that things in the bible are stories that are designed to illustrate the best way to live life. I could believe that the story of Jesus could fit that discription as well. What the Davinci Code is about, in my opinion, is plausible. But it would not change how I live my life and how I practice my faith.
I do, however, understand why some people will be upset. I do not know much about the Catholic Church in general, but I understand why many would feel that they had been living a lie if this were to be true. I just know for myself, it would not affect me that way.
-T
Monday, May 08, 2006
A new attitude
I woke up this morning and decided one thing. I'm going to be in control of myself. That may seem a little over the top. After all, its not like I grope people in public or cuss and spit in church or anything. However, I do have some problems with letting my brain run wild on me. I guess that comes with the territory of being a genius. LOL
Sometimes I get a little wired up. I'm in my own head. I work a job that is juuuuuusstt brain occupying enough to keep me from thinking about anything important, but not nearly complex enough to keep my brain stimulated properly. Its been like this for just about 2 years now and I think it has taken a considerable toll on my intellect.
Its hard to explain, but I sometimes feel that this job is making me stupid. And the funniest part is this. It makes me more stupid than when I pushed carts at Wal-Mart. More stupid than when I hustled burgers at McDonalds or Fries and Sodas at the In-N-Out Burger. mmmmmmm In-N-Out Burger. When I worked Fast Food I was normally too busy working to think about anything other than what I was doing. Chop Chop, quick quick you know? When I worked the carts at Wal-Mart, it was easy breazy. Just me and my thoughts and generally pleasant phyisical outside sunshine work. I kept a notebook in my pocket and wrote down ideas all the time.
This job though leaves me stuck in brain limbo though. By the end of the day, I find that my brain has been racing all day trying to shoehorn in thoughts and ideas into every available free moment. And its all easy, low-brow, crap too. Mostly consisting of Barry Bonds and various other sports topics. Sometimes its more heady stuff like how to build high-density neighborhoods that are still family friendly. While there will certainly be a time and place for this line of thought, its not exactly helpful or productive given my current goals and objectives. Anyway, by the end of the day, I'm exhausted. All I want to do is vege out in front of re-runs. I used to think that it was the job that wore me out, but its not.
So what to do about it? Control myself....and remain calm. Another by-product of this behavior is that I tend to panic in easy situations. So I got up, I sat on the couch and I calmly collected my thoughts. I made sandwiches, I got dressed I went to work. I spent the majority of my day just listening to my Ipod and staying conscious. Staying in reality and out of my crazy world of racing thoughts.
Breath in Breath out. Remain Calm.
Reggie Bush wants to wear number 5 in the NFL (not allowed for Running Backs by rule)
...nope. Not interested. Relax, clear your mind.
Barry Bonds is just one Homerun from tying Ruth
well, its not really tying since he.........Shhht. Quiet your mind Tom and you'll hear the midi-chlorians talking to you.
And so it went most of the day. Know what? Surprisingly easy. Even easy to avoid the pitfalls of entering conversations with my co-workers about Paris Hilton and Jager Bombs.
After doing....whatver I'll name this new discipline....all day, I came home and went to the Gym. I burned 500 calories and felt pretty darned good. I read some of a filmmaking book, I read some filmmaking articles and actually felt like blogging. I feel rested, mentally rested. And it feels great!
Day 1: A success. Lets see how this works out the rest of the week. Til Then....
answers will come when you are at peace, placid.
-T
Sometimes I get a little wired up. I'm in my own head. I work a job that is juuuuuusstt brain occupying enough to keep me from thinking about anything important, but not nearly complex enough to keep my brain stimulated properly. Its been like this for just about 2 years now and I think it has taken a considerable toll on my intellect.
Its hard to explain, but I sometimes feel that this job is making me stupid. And the funniest part is this. It makes me more stupid than when I pushed carts at Wal-Mart. More stupid than when I hustled burgers at McDonalds or Fries and Sodas at the In-N-Out Burger. mmmmmmm In-N-Out Burger. When I worked Fast Food I was normally too busy working to think about anything other than what I was doing. Chop Chop, quick quick you know? When I worked the carts at Wal-Mart, it was easy breazy. Just me and my thoughts and generally pleasant phyisical outside sunshine work. I kept a notebook in my pocket and wrote down ideas all the time.
This job though leaves me stuck in brain limbo though. By the end of the day, I find that my brain has been racing all day trying to shoehorn in thoughts and ideas into every available free moment. And its all easy, low-brow, crap too. Mostly consisting of Barry Bonds and various other sports topics. Sometimes its more heady stuff like how to build high-density neighborhoods that are still family friendly. While there will certainly be a time and place for this line of thought, its not exactly helpful or productive given my current goals and objectives. Anyway, by the end of the day, I'm exhausted. All I want to do is vege out in front of re-runs. I used to think that it was the job that wore me out, but its not.
So what to do about it? Control myself....and remain calm. Another by-product of this behavior is that I tend to panic in easy situations. So I got up, I sat on the couch and I calmly collected my thoughts. I made sandwiches, I got dressed I went to work. I spent the majority of my day just listening to my Ipod and staying conscious. Staying in reality and out of my crazy world of racing thoughts.
Breath in Breath out. Remain Calm.
Reggie Bush wants to wear number 5 in the NFL (not allowed for Running Backs by rule)
...nope. Not interested. Relax, clear your mind.
Barry Bonds is just one Homerun from tying Ruth
well, its not really tying since he.........Shhht. Quiet your mind Tom and you'll hear the midi-chlorians talking to you.
And so it went most of the day. Know what? Surprisingly easy. Even easy to avoid the pitfalls of entering conversations with my co-workers about Paris Hilton and Jager Bombs.
After doing....whatver I'll name this new discipline....all day, I came home and went to the Gym. I burned 500 calories and felt pretty darned good. I read some of a filmmaking book, I read some filmmaking articles and actually felt like blogging. I feel rested, mentally rested. And it feels great!
Day 1: A success. Lets see how this works out the rest of the week. Til Then....
answers will come when you are at peace, placid.
-T
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
My Date With Drew
Tonight I watched a great movie called My Date With Drew. The story of a guy who won 1100 dollars on a gameshow and set out to get a date with his lifelong crush Drew Barrymore. Furthermore, he wants to make a movie out of it. Here is a guy I can relate to.
While Drew is a personal childhood/early adulthood favorite of mine, I admit to not being quite as enthralled with her as this guy. He has daydreamed about this for his whole life. He was even a member of the Drew Barrymore fan club as a kid.
He gets a video camera from Circuit City. One of his buddies buys it because his credit card is declined. The plan is to return it in 30 days on Circuit City's no questions asked 30 day return policy. So he has 30 days to make the date happen.
What follows is a fantastic film about following your dreams. Its a film about being, not just persistant, but relentless. It is about being childlike, full of hopes and dreams. It is about reaching for the stars and proving that you can reach them. Yes, its also about how cool it would be to get a date with a movie star you have loved for 20 years.
This is going on my buy it list. Put it down as inspirational. Plus, at 40 minutes in, you can see the main character drive by the Burger King on Van Nuys Blvd across from our old apartment. Steph and I used to get breakfast there a lot.
-T
"If you don't take risks, you'll have a wasted soul." - Drew Barrymore
While Drew is a personal childhood/early adulthood favorite of mine, I admit to not being quite as enthralled with her as this guy. He has daydreamed about this for his whole life. He was even a member of the Drew Barrymore fan club as a kid.
He gets a video camera from Circuit City. One of his buddies buys it because his credit card is declined. The plan is to return it in 30 days on Circuit City's no questions asked 30 day return policy. So he has 30 days to make the date happen.
What follows is a fantastic film about following your dreams. Its a film about being, not just persistant, but relentless. It is about being childlike, full of hopes and dreams. It is about reaching for the stars and proving that you can reach them. Yes, its also about how cool it would be to get a date with a movie star you have loved for 20 years.
This is going on my buy it list. Put it down as inspirational. Plus, at 40 minutes in, you can see the main character drive by the Burger King on Van Nuys Blvd across from our old apartment. Steph and I used to get breakfast there a lot.
-T
"If you don't take risks, you'll have a wasted soul." - Drew Barrymore
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Study?--oh, and Not without Buck
I have to Study tonight. Seriously. Study for a test tomorrow. Weird huh?
I'm not really going to. Its an open-book open-note 70 question multiple choice test that I have 4 hours to take. Basically. I spent the night streamlining my notebook so I know where to look for everything.
Also, I watched 8 Men Out today. About the 1919 White Sox throwing the World Series. Its a very good movie. Made by John Sayles, who Steph and I saw at SXSW a month ago. Its pretty sympathetic to the players and I don't think that is an unreasonable stance to take.
Brian and I have talked off and on about Shoeless Joe Jackson and the movement to get him in the Hall of Fame. There is a few things to consider.
Was Joe Jackson good enough to be in the Hall of Fame? Almost definitely. However, his career stats don't really measure up. That puts him in the Kirby Puckett/Sandy Koufax category. Puckett was hit by a ball and went blind. He never played again. Koufax had 6 of the most dominant seasons in the history of the game. He was unbeatable for 6 years. He retired at 30 because of an arm injury. Both would most certainly have had numbers that ranked very well amongst HOFers had they been able to complete their careers. Jackson fits in that category as well, though the reason for his career being cut short is considerably less understandable.
The other thing is to determine just how guilty he is. Was he just a "dumb hick" that didn't really know any better? Well, he did know something. We know he got 5000 dollars and we know he knew why he got it. There are some plays he made in the field that were marked "questionable" by writers at the time. So it comes down to this. Do we think he was just too weak minded to resist the pressure put on him by his fellow teammates? I'm not sure.
I do know this. There is no way Jackson should be reinstated before Buck Weaver. Based on the movie, as well as research, Buck was guilty only of knowing about it. One of his buddies came and got him and brought him to a meeting. At the meeting the team pitched it to Weaver and Weaver told them to go to hell. He wasn't interested. He didn't tell anyone, because he thought they'd come around. This is all he is guilty of.
So I can say this. I'm ok with Joe Jackson being reinstated, and therefore being eligible for the Hall of Fame. However, there is no way I'd support Jackson until after Buck Weaver is allowed back.
-T
I'm not really going to. Its an open-book open-note 70 question multiple choice test that I have 4 hours to take. Basically. I spent the night streamlining my notebook so I know where to look for everything.
Also, I watched 8 Men Out today. About the 1919 White Sox throwing the World Series. Its a very good movie. Made by John Sayles, who Steph and I saw at SXSW a month ago. Its pretty sympathetic to the players and I don't think that is an unreasonable stance to take.
Brian and I have talked off and on about Shoeless Joe Jackson and the movement to get him in the Hall of Fame. There is a few things to consider.
Was Joe Jackson good enough to be in the Hall of Fame? Almost definitely. However, his career stats don't really measure up. That puts him in the Kirby Puckett/Sandy Koufax category. Puckett was hit by a ball and went blind. He never played again. Koufax had 6 of the most dominant seasons in the history of the game. He was unbeatable for 6 years. He retired at 30 because of an arm injury. Both would most certainly have had numbers that ranked very well amongst HOFers had they been able to complete their careers. Jackson fits in that category as well, though the reason for his career being cut short is considerably less understandable.
The other thing is to determine just how guilty he is. Was he just a "dumb hick" that didn't really know any better? Well, he did know something. We know he got 5000 dollars and we know he knew why he got it. There are some plays he made in the field that were marked "questionable" by writers at the time. So it comes down to this. Do we think he was just too weak minded to resist the pressure put on him by his fellow teammates? I'm not sure.
I do know this. There is no way Jackson should be reinstated before Buck Weaver. Based on the movie, as well as research, Buck was guilty only of knowing about it. One of his buddies came and got him and brought him to a meeting. At the meeting the team pitched it to Weaver and Weaver told them to go to hell. He wasn't interested. He didn't tell anyone, because he thought they'd come around. This is all he is guilty of.
So I can say this. I'm ok with Joe Jackson being reinstated, and therefore being eligible for the Hall of Fame. However, there is no way I'd support Jackson until after Buck Weaver is allowed back.
-T
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Another Day in Arkansas
Boy o boy its boring here. Third night in this hotel room. Third night all by myself. I like being by myself a little bit. But really, I miss Stephanie and the pup. Oh man I love that pup.
Work was ok. Today was a real hands-on day. Which made it 10 times better than yesterday. Though still 100 times worse than a day off and 1000 times worse than hanging out in Santa Monica. Still obsessed, as you can see.
I had Waffle House for dinner tonight. Man was that good. Best Grits I've had in a long time.
Today is just plain blah. I don't have much on my mind I guess. Waiting for the Dodgers to start and avoiding watching the Sopranos.
peace
-T
Work was ok. Today was a real hands-on day. Which made it 10 times better than yesterday. Though still 100 times worse than a day off and 1000 times worse than hanging out in Santa Monica. Still obsessed, as you can see.
I had Waffle House for dinner tonight. Man was that good. Best Grits I've had in a long time.
Today is just plain blah. I don't have much on my mind I guess. Waiting for the Dodgers to start and avoiding watching the Sopranos.
peace
-T
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Blah Blah Blah
Arkansas is sooooo boring. I don't think that is really a fair statement. I don't really want to be here. I'm stuck in a hotel room. I don't much feel like going out with these guys here. I really didn't feel much like coming and I want to just put my time in and get back to Texas. So, in fairness, Arkansas may be great. I just wouldn't know.
I did make this though
I did make this though
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