Here is a rundown of Audible Flux's Oscar picks (the bigins anyway). These are what I thought Oscar voters would choose, not what I would choose (if I had a vote, there would be way too many comic book inspired picks...WAY too many).
CINEMATOGRAPHY: I chose Robert Richardson for The Aviator--W.
EDITING: The Avitor wins and I picked Avitator--W.
SOUND MIXING: Ray takes it but I chose The Aviator--L. (I chose Ray first...really!)
COSTUME DESIGN: I took The Aviator and I chose wisely agian--W.
ANIMATED FEATURE: I wanted The Incredibles and so did the Oscar voters--W.
ORIGINAL SONG: "Learn To Be Lonely" is what I chose but they chose "Al Orto Lado"--L.
VISUAL EFFECTS: We both chose Spiderman2, finally my geek-boyness pays off--W.
SCREENPLAY (ORIGINAL): Again, the voters and I are the same: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Charlie Kaufman is a Genius!--W.
SCREENPLAY (ADAPTATION): I wanted Sideways but Chose Million Dollar Baby. Voters chose Sideways..Doh--L.
SUPPORTING ACTOR: At the last minute I changed from Morgan to Hayden Church--dumb move, they picked Morgan Freeman--L.
SUPPORTING ACTESS: Cate Blanchett takes Oscar just as I thought--W.
ACTOR: Big suprise, we both chose Jamie Fox--W.
ACTRESS: Hilary Swank is what Oscar voted for and what I picked (would've liked Kate to win though)--W.
DIRECTOR: I thought they might finally throw Martin a bone but Clint gets the bone--W.
BEST PICTURE: Million Dollar Baby...baby--W.
AUDIBLE FLUX'S RECORD: 11-4. If I only would've gone to Vegas and picked the right one for a parlay. I did get a "Heat" special edition DVD out of it though--thanks Trent, I'm waiting at my mailbox right now.
2/28/2005
2/17/2005
Pay Me No Mind
Crap crap crap, I am just spinin' my wheels.
Crap crap crap, can't write something meaningful.
Crap crap crap, this is just being lazy.
Crap crap crap, just good at writing a load of nothing.
Crap crap crap, do I really not have enough time?
Crap crap crap, always feel like I should be writing something else, something that isn't CRAP!
Crap crap crap, can't write something meaningful.
Crap crap crap, this is just being lazy.
Crap crap crap, just good at writing a load of nothing.
Crap crap crap, do I really not have enough time?
Crap crap crap, always feel like I should be writing something else, something that isn't CRAP!
2/06/2005
A Geeky Scene
Yet another draft of the scene I posted from a short I'm trying to write "Ready Eddie". It's now back to being called "Geek" and is still creating way to much work, for very little results. Please feel free to leave me some comments, GOOD AND BAD, so I can then go back and waste more time on it.
FADE IN:
INT. ED'S GUEST ROOM
Two guys, ED (a hip-geek in his twenties) and his friend SAM,
are looking at Ed's walls which are filled with comics and
action figures (all still in their original boxes).
SAM
This has to be the dorkiest room on
the west coast.
ED
Come on, you have action figures.
SAM
Had, had them when I was eleven.
Sam takes a hard look at a Star Wars action figure of Natalie
Portman.
SAM
You do realize that it won't be
long till Val makes you take this
shit down?
ED
No she won't. When she moved in, I
told her she could do whatever with
the house, just as long as I had my
room still. She was fine with that.
SAM
Dude, just give her time.
ED
She's not like that.
SAM
They're all like that. And once
you give in and she has control of
the house, then, soon after, she
will get control of you.
Ed rolls his eyes at Sam.
SAM
I'm serious, it will happen. I
speak from experience.
ED
Yea, you are pretty whipped.
SAM
Maybe so, but it's not too late for
you. You can still stop it, keep
control.
ED
I'm not worried.
SAM
(in a Yoda voice)
You will be.
FADE IN:
INT. ED'S GUEST ROOM
Two guys, ED (a hip-geek in his twenties) and his friend SAM,
are looking at Ed's walls which are filled with comics and
action figures (all still in their original boxes).
SAM
This has to be the dorkiest room on
the west coast.
ED
Come on, you have action figures.
SAM
Had, had them when I was eleven.
Sam takes a hard look at a Star Wars action figure of Natalie
Portman.
SAM
You do realize that it won't be
long till Val makes you take this
shit down?
ED
No she won't. When she moved in, I
told her she could do whatever with
the house, just as long as I had my
room still. She was fine with that.
SAM
Dude, just give her time.
ED
She's not like that.
SAM
They're all like that. And once
you give in and she has control of
the house, then, soon after, she
will get control of you.
Ed rolls his eyes at Sam.
SAM
I'm serious, it will happen. I
speak from experience.
ED
Yea, you are pretty whipped.
SAM
Maybe so, but it's not too late for
you. You can still stop it, keep
control.
ED
I'm not worried.
SAM
(in a Yoda voice)
You will be.
2/02/2005
Zero Miles To The Gallon
Not that any of you regular readers need reminding but I am a big geek. Comics, movies, sports, the list goes on and on. Even with normal things I can find a geeky angle. I have the "geek gene".
So in keeping with that, I came across a video clip (courtesy of a poster on the ViewAskew message board) of the Batmobile roaming around town and being filmed for the upcoming Batman Begins movie.
It's a home movie from a couple guys standing around watching the filming.
Click here:batman.mov and check it out. Give it a few minutes to download.
You have now filled your "geek quota" for the day.
1/26/2005
SpongeBob SquareChristian
The recent crazy-nuts-insane claims, by conservative Christian groups, that SpongeBob SquarePants is promoting "gayness" to children, has got me thinking about the " gay danger" that is all around in cartoons and their characters.
I'm thinking that there are some other, dangerous to children, cartoon charters out there. Number one on that list....ELMER FUDD.
Yes that's right, Elmer. He is never with a woman, he sounds gay because he can't pronounce his R's (Wasskely Wabbit and Wabbit Twacks, to name a few) and when he goes out "huntin' Wabbit", do you think he really wants to shoot a rabbit? No. He wants a male-cross-dressing rabbit to "hook-up" with.
The only time you see Elmer get aroused (or awousd) is when Bugs has lipstick, a wig and a dress on. When Bugs takes off his get-up and reveals himself, Elmer acts surprised but he is always a little pissed too. I think because he knows it's Bugs the whole time and is wanting Bugs to take the "game" a little further.
After the groups take on SpongeBob and Elmer, I've got another cartoon couple to take a good look at: Shaggy and Scooby. I think Shag spends a little too much time with Scoob, if ya know what a mean.
1/11/2005
Are you READY for this? (second draft)
In my spare time, I do some screenwriting (along with a trillion other people) so I thought I would start posting a scene or two and see if I can get some feedback from anybody...that means you anybody.
This is the set-up for a short I've written entitled "Ready Eddie". It's about a dork named ED who, for the first time, is having a girlfriend, VAL, move in with him. I'm using the word "ready" as some sort of a gimmic in this scene. It begins with Val and Ed's friends debating if the two of them should be moving in together:
INT. PATI'S BACKYARD - DAY
VAL, girl next door type, 21 years old, is laying in a lounge chair by a pool with her friend PATI. Pati's eight year old boy TEDDY is on the diving board.
PATI
NO WAY are you ready to move in.
VAL
I am too ready.
TEDDY
Mom are you ready to watch me dive?
PATI
Yes honey.
Teddy leaps off the diving board as Pati only watches for a second then focuses her attention back on Val.
PATI
Does Ed seem ready?
Val ponders this question.
VAL
Yea. He's ready...
EXT. ED'S BACKYARD - DAY
Three GUYS in their twenties are playing Wiffleball. ED, (a stylized geek) DAVE and SAM.
Ed is at home plate holding a bat. Dave is pitching. Sam is hanging out watching the guys play.
SAM
...You're not ready Ed.
ED
It's not like we're getting married. It's just moving in together.
SAM
Wow. Just moving in huh? You're definitely not ready.
Dave pitches to Ed and throws the ball into the dirt. Ed takes a big swing and misses.
ED
Look, there comes a point when you just have to go ahead and do it. Find out what it will be like. For gods sake Sam, you should know what the hell I'm talking about, you're fucking married.
SAM
Hey, fucking and married have nothing to do with one another.
Ed has stopped waiting for Dave's next pitch and is standing with his bat resting on his shoulder, looking at Sam.
Dave throws a pitch by Ed, right down-the-middle.
DAVE
Strike two.
ED
Speaking of fucking: Have you and that Alex chick done it yet Dave?
Dave winds up and hurls the Wiffleball directly at Ed. Ed "bails out" but the ball still hits him in the head.
Ed lies on the ground rubbing his forehead.
ED
I wasn't ready for that.
This is the set-up for a short I've written entitled "Ready Eddie". It's about a dork named ED who, for the first time, is having a girlfriend, VAL, move in with him. I'm using the word "ready" as some sort of a gimmic in this scene. It begins with Val and Ed's friends debating if the two of them should be moving in together:
INT. PATI'S BACKYARD - DAY
VAL, girl next door type, 21 years old, is laying in a lounge chair by a pool with her friend PATI. Pati's eight year old boy TEDDY is on the diving board.
PATI
NO WAY are you ready to move in.
VAL
I am too ready.
TEDDY
Mom are you ready to watch me dive?
PATI
Yes honey.
Teddy leaps off the diving board as Pati only watches for a second then focuses her attention back on Val.
PATI
Does Ed seem ready?
Val ponders this question.
VAL
Yea. He's ready...
EXT. ED'S BACKYARD - DAY
Three GUYS in their twenties are playing Wiffleball. ED, (a stylized geek) DAVE and SAM.
Ed is at home plate holding a bat. Dave is pitching. Sam is hanging out watching the guys play.
SAM
...You're not ready Ed.
ED
It's not like we're getting married. It's just moving in together.
SAM
Wow. Just moving in huh? You're definitely not ready.
Dave pitches to Ed and throws the ball into the dirt. Ed takes a big swing and misses.
ED
Look, there comes a point when you just have to go ahead and do it. Find out what it will be like. For gods sake Sam, you should know what the hell I'm talking about, you're fucking married.
SAM
Hey, fucking and married have nothing to do with one another.
Ed has stopped waiting for Dave's next pitch and is standing with his bat resting on his shoulder, looking at Sam.
Dave throws a pitch by Ed, right down-the-middle.
DAVE
Strike two.
ED
Speaking of fucking: Have you and that Alex chick done it yet Dave?
Dave winds up and hurls the Wiffleball directly at Ed. Ed "bails out" but the ball still hits him in the head.
Ed lies on the ground rubbing his forehead.
ED
I wasn't ready for that.
- I know there isn't much to work with but if you have any comments, good or bad, please feel free to leave me some. I don't care if you know nothing about screenwriting. Don't be nice about it if you see a problem. I'm trying to use this as a motivational tool to get more writing done. Thanks!
1/03/2005
DONATE, YA CHEAP BASTARDS!
If you have been thinking about donating to the Tsunami relief effort but have been to lazy to do it, here is your chance. Just click the Red Cross Link to donate online.
If you go and donate then maybe it will help stop you from feeling guilty about buying all of those comic books over the weekend. Oh no wait, that was ahhh...that was just me...nevermind.
DONATE NOW BIZNITCH!
(If ya think about it, I would like to here from you [in comments]if you used the above link to make a donation. It will make me feel all warm and fuzzy-tingle like.)
If you go and donate then maybe it will help stop you from feeling guilty about buying all of those comic books over the weekend. Oh no wait, that was ahhh...that was just me...nevermind.
DONATE NOW BIZNITCH!
(If ya think about it, I would like to here from you [in comments]if you used the above link to make a donation. It will make me feel all warm and fuzzy-tingle like.)
12/27/2004
The Big Wheeling Seventies
It’s inevitable that every Christmas, while wrapping gifts or tearing them open, you reminisce about gifts you got as a child. This year, for me, it was the Big Wheel.
The Big Wheel was an orange, red and I want to say…blue, plastic tricycle. It was the first “vehicle” that I owned. My first little bit of freedom, a cool way to go down the sidewalk. Not like the lame, bike with training wheels or holding your mommies hand way.
The best part was skidding. You get up a full head of steam, pick a driveway of somebody you didn’t like, and slam that front wheel sideways as hard as you can. If you left a nice black mark and got the old man in the house to glare at you from his front window, you’ve done your job.
I thought I was pretty damn cool with my Big Wheel—but then came the Green Machine. It was bigger and had a hand brake and well…it was green. It seemed like the most expensive piece of equipment ever engineered.
It was the bike for the “elite” neighborhood kid, who was better known as the asshole or “poop-head” of the block. Or the kid compensating for a small penis even though he didn’t know about the whole big penis envy thing yet. It’s now called “Humvieitis”.
Even after I learned how to ride a bike, I still rode my Big Wheel more often times than not. One of the last memories I have of my Big Wheeler was riding it when I was probably fifty pounds over the recommended weight for a rider. So basically it was last year.
I guess I would say that the Big Wheel was the greatest toy of the seventies, if not OF ALL TIME! Wait, Electric Football came out then didn’t it?
The Big Wheel was an orange, red and I want to say…blue, plastic tricycle. It was the first “vehicle” that I owned. My first little bit of freedom, a cool way to go down the sidewalk. Not like the lame, bike with training wheels or holding your mommies hand way.
The best part was skidding. You get up a full head of steam, pick a driveway of somebody you didn’t like, and slam that front wheel sideways as hard as you can. If you left a nice black mark and got the old man in the house to glare at you from his front window, you’ve done your job.
I thought I was pretty damn cool with my Big Wheel—but then came the Green Machine. It was bigger and had a hand brake and well…it was green. It seemed like the most expensive piece of equipment ever engineered.
It was the bike for the “elite” neighborhood kid, who was better known as the asshole or “poop-head” of the block. Or the kid compensating for a small penis even though he didn’t know about the whole big penis envy thing yet. It’s now called “Humvieitis”.
Even after I learned how to ride a bike, I still rode my Big Wheel more often times than not. One of the last memories I have of my Big Wheeler was riding it when I was probably fifty pounds over the recommended weight for a rider. So basically it was last year.
I guess I would say that the Big Wheel was the greatest toy of the seventies, if not OF ALL TIME! Wait, Electric Football came out then didn’t it?
12/14/2004
IT'S A DEMOCRATIC CHRISTMAS
Have you ever wondered, (when holiday shopping in Target, buying socks from grandma and a new Playstation game for yourself) "What political party does this Target donate to the most?"
What's that? You haven't? Yea me neither. But if you are curious, go to choosetheblue.com .
There you can find out if your favorite store, car maker, utility company, porn producer or even restaurant, contributes to your party more than the other.
I do warn you though, you may become very disappointed to find out that some of your favorite places donate to the wrong party. Like, I found out that Taco Bell donates 83% to the Republican Party. So now I guess I'm going to have to get people to buy me my Taco Bell. Would that still count?
Sonic Drive-in donates 100% to the Democratic Party though. Think there is any chance Sonic will start making Gordita Crunches?
What's that? You haven't? Yea me neither. But if you are curious, go to choosetheblue.com .
There you can find out if your favorite store, car maker, utility company, porn producer or even restaurant, contributes to your party more than the other.
I do warn you though, you may become very disappointed to find out that some of your favorite places donate to the wrong party. Like, I found out that Taco Bell donates 83% to the Republican Party. So now I guess I'm going to have to get people to buy me my Taco Bell. Would that still count?
Sonic Drive-in donates 100% to the Democratic Party though. Think there is any chance Sonic will start making Gordita Crunches?
12/07/2004
Is Santa Outsourcing Jobs?
Zogby International did a pole involving what political party people think the Grinch, Santa and Ebenezer Scrooge are in. Here is what they thought:
Ebenezer Scrooge.........Republican. That one is obvious--an old white guy with lots of money. But what is he after he changes into nice and giving Ebenezer on Christmas morning. A flip-flopping damn liberal that's what!
Santa Claus.......Democrat. Okay, I get it. He is a giving guy, no matter if you are poor or not. But he does run a monopoly type business. And I don't know how much he is paying those elves but I get the sense that it's next to nothing. At least he isn't outsourcing work overseas...or is he? I called the 1-800 Santa customer service center the other day and I got an "elf" that called himself "Steve" but had a real think Indian accent.
The Grinch......Republican. This just shows how two-party-happy we are. It's so obvious he is a Libertarian. He's got that "Everybody do what they want but be quiet about it and just leave me the fuck alone!" thing down.
*Check out the full details of the poll here.
Ebenezer Scrooge.........Republican. That one is obvious--an old white guy with lots of money. But what is he after he changes into nice and giving Ebenezer on Christmas morning. A flip-flopping damn liberal that's what!
Santa Claus.......Democrat. Okay, I get it. He is a giving guy, no matter if you are poor or not. But he does run a monopoly type business. And I don't know how much he is paying those elves but I get the sense that it's next to nothing. At least he isn't outsourcing work overseas...or is he? I called the 1-800 Santa customer service center the other day and I got an "elf" that called himself "Steve" but had a real think Indian accent.
The Grinch......Republican. This just shows how two-party-happy we are. It's so obvious he is a Libertarian. He's got that "Everybody do what they want but be quiet about it and just leave me the fuck alone!" thing down.
*Check out the full details of the poll here.
12/02/2004
SOMEBODY GIVE ME A RIDE TO AA!
This is a message that was on my machine last weekend. Keep in mind I don't know this person or George and my number is stated on my out going message:
1:00 a.m.(Slurring)
"Georgie, it's Cheryl. Give me a call back at the number you see across your phone or just come pick me up....or just come down or do something god-dammit....now...bye."
Okay, so 'Cheryl' is drunk, needs a ride home from George and called the wrong number; no big deal right?
THIS IS LIKE THE FIFTEENTH TIME SHE HAS CALLED MY HOUSE FOR GEORGE, OVER MANY MONTHS.
It's always late and she is always looking for George and she always sounds drunk. The times I've talked to her, I just say you have the wrong number. At first I didn't think she had the wrong number. I just thought this George guy met Cheryl at a bar and gave my number to her as a fake. But now I just think George's number is really close to mine and Cheryl's drunk ass can't dial correctly.
The best calls are when she has called earlier asking for a ride and then calls back at 4:00 a.m. pissed off at George because he hasn't shown up. Poor old George doesn't even know she has called. I just wonder what she says to George the next day, "Hey ass-hole, why didn't you pick me up last night?" George says "I didn't get any calls last night." Cheryl replies "Bullshit, you were screening last night."
I figure this Georgie guy must be her brother because I don't know any guy who would be letting his girlfriend go drinking without him, every weekend, and then come pick her stumbling booze hound ass up.
Maybe one night, I'll pick up the phone and pretend I'm George, ask where she is at, and come pick her up.
I'll bet George would really appreciate it. And Cheryl will have a story to tell when she enters AA.
1:00 a.m.(Slurring)
"Georgie, it's Cheryl. Give me a call back at the number you see across your phone or just come pick me up....or just come down or do something god-dammit....now...bye."
Okay, so 'Cheryl' is drunk, needs a ride home from George and called the wrong number; no big deal right?
THIS IS LIKE THE FIFTEENTH TIME SHE HAS CALLED MY HOUSE FOR GEORGE, OVER MANY MONTHS.
It's always late and she is always looking for George and she always sounds drunk. The times I've talked to her, I just say you have the wrong number. At first I didn't think she had the wrong number. I just thought this George guy met Cheryl at a bar and gave my number to her as a fake. But now I just think George's number is really close to mine and Cheryl's drunk ass can't dial correctly.
The best calls are when she has called earlier asking for a ride and then calls back at 4:00 a.m. pissed off at George because he hasn't shown up. Poor old George doesn't even know she has called. I just wonder what she says to George the next day, "Hey ass-hole, why didn't you pick me up last night?" George says "I didn't get any calls last night." Cheryl replies "Bullshit, you were screening last night."
I figure this Georgie guy must be her brother because I don't know any guy who would be letting his girlfriend go drinking without him, every weekend, and then come pick her stumbling booze hound ass up.
Maybe one night, I'll pick up the phone and pretend I'm George, ask where she is at, and come pick her up.
I'll bet George would really appreciate it. And Cheryl will have a story to tell when she enters AA.
11/26/2004
FASTBALLS ARE FASCIST
I first thought about fascism when I saw the movie "Bull Durham". Crash Davis said that fastballs are "Boring and besides that they're fascist." I wasn't absolutely sure what fascism was, I just thought it had something to do with politics and telling everybody 'This is how it is, you have no choice in the matter.'
Now, you would think I learned about fascism in high school or something but I was to preoccupied with worrying that, at any moment, I might have to get up in front of the class while I still had a boner.
So with all of my worry over 'random wood', I think I missed the fascism lesson. So now I have found --thanks to Trent (still somehow single ladies). Email me and I will send you his picture-- a great piece on how we (America) have become a fascist country. No matter what your political view, read it with an open mind by clicking HERE!
Did you read it? No? Ahhh, come on, you can't look at porn 24/7. Take just a minute and learn something. Okay, if you read the fascism PDF, you can take a look at these two hot porn stars here!
Now, you would think I learned about fascism in high school or something but I was to preoccupied with worrying that, at any moment, I might have to get up in front of the class while I still had a boner.
So with all of my worry over 'random wood', I think I missed the fascism lesson. So now I have found --thanks to Trent (still somehow single ladies). Email me and I will send you his picture-- a great piece on how we (America) have become a fascist country. No matter what your political view, read it with an open mind by clicking HERE!
Did you read it? No? Ahhh, come on, you can't look at porn 24/7. Take just a minute and learn something. Okay, if you read the fascism PDF, you can take a look at these two hot porn stars here!
11/18/2004
AUDIBLE FLUX TALKS TO HOWARD STERN
Well, I kinda talked to Howard. But as it turns out, I am one of the last.
Being the geek that I am, I go on a few web-site message boards. My favorites are http://www.viewaskew.com (Kevin Smith's) and http://www.howardstern.com . Every once in a while, Howard and Kevin will go on the boards and answer some stuff and talk to people.
The other night Howard got online (the message board's front page will tell you who is online) at the same time I was. He was on-line to check if people had questions for him to address, during his Letterman appearance, about his move to satellite radio.
I quickly wrote something out that I was wondering about and that I thought he would answer. And to my amazement, he replied to my message. Here it is: (I'm wifflefresno...duh)
Howard Stern
The Howard Stern Show
Reply Options
Yesterday, 5:16:53 PM
Quote
Originally Posted by wifflefresno
When you are on Letterman (if you aren't goin to already) lets us in on what your sirius channel will have. Will you keep replaying that day's show on the channel so you can hear it if you can't listen live?
GREAT SHOW HOWIE AND GOOD LUCK!
Howard Stern
I am developing the three channels...the channel I am on will repeat my show (not sure how many times) and have other original programming...I am so anxious to get it all going.. it is so the future...I have Sirius on in my apartment 24/7 and the thing fucking rocks...lots of great stuff...cool listening to the jet game and watching the scores roll across...that technology will be put to good use...
The King Of All Media talking with the King Of All Geeks. What a country...a dorky, sick, perverted, run by Christian families country, but a country none the less.
UPDATE:
Howard's board has now been shut off. If you have ever been on there, you can kinda see why (some poster's got pretty twisted). But I think it might of got shut down because Howard just didn't want to deal with the shear volume of people on there.
Too many people on the website; I wish I had that problem...(sigh, tear).
Being the geek that I am, I go on a few web-site message boards. My favorites are http://www.viewaskew.com (Kevin Smith's) and http://www.howardstern.com . Every once in a while, Howard and Kevin will go on the boards and answer some stuff and talk to people.
The other night Howard got online (the message board's front page will tell you who is online) at the same time I was. He was on-line to check if people had questions for him to address, during his Letterman appearance, about his move to satellite radio.
I quickly wrote something out that I was wondering about and that I thought he would answer. And to my amazement, he replied to my message. Here it is: (I'm wifflefresno...duh)
Howard Stern
The Howard Stern Show
Reply Options
Yesterday, 5:16:53 PM
Quote
Originally Posted by wifflefresno
When you are on Letterman (if you aren't goin to already) lets us in on what your sirius channel will have. Will you keep replaying that day's show on the channel so you can hear it if you can't listen live?
GREAT SHOW HOWIE AND GOOD LUCK!
Howard Stern
I am developing the three channels...the channel I am on will repeat my show (not sure how many times) and have other original programming...I am so anxious to get it all going.. it is so the future...I have Sirius on in my apartment 24/7 and the thing fucking rocks...lots of great stuff...cool listening to the jet game and watching the scores roll across...that technology will be put to good use...
The King Of All Media talking with the King Of All Geeks. What a country...a dorky, sick, perverted, run by Christian families country, but a country none the less.
UPDATE:
Howard's board has now been shut off. If you have ever been on there, you can kinda see why (some poster's got pretty twisted). But I think it might of got shut down because Howard just didn't want to deal with the shear volume of people on there.
Too many people on the website; I wish I had that problem...(sigh, tear).
11/16/2004
METAL AND MOSH, LIKE P. B. AND JELLY
A mosh pit can be a beautiful thing; whether you are in it or not.
I was recently at a KORN/CHEVELLE concert. It was a general admission show which is increasingly rare nowadays, given all the mayhem, injuries and even death they can cause.
If you are at a G.A. show and the band is at all hard rock or metal, a pit or two will always break out. When I was in my concert going hey-day, pits were a big thing. I always thought that pits would kinda be a passing concert fad. But Fresno Korn/Chevelle fans showed me that pits are alive and well.
I went to the concert with my friend Aaron. We are too old to be getting in pits anymore. But due to our late arrival to the show (pre-concert drinking) they wouldn't let us down on the floor anyway. I guess our old 90's concert reps preceded us.
With the floor being too full, we were forced to the second level on the side of the stage. Terrible spot to hear the show but it's a great vantage point for watching the crowd.
Mosh pits had already been happening prior to Korn, but once the boys hit the stage--it was on! The crowd was immediately at fever pitch. Several 'pits' were in full swing and the rest of the crowd was in full metal moshing mode.
It really is an amazing sight. A flood of people, looking like ants after their nest has been disrupted. It made me long for being in the mosh pit.
You may think that mosh pits just consist of big dudes just looking to flatten people. And though there are a couple of those guys, most moshers are just looking to have a good time. There is even a etiquette in 'the pit'. Even when somebody gets knocked down, somebody else picks them up and nobody trys to step on them. And much of the time, a good hit is followed by hugs at the songs end.
Maybe one day, even in my older age and small stature, I'll try getting in a pit again. Just so I can feel, even for just a night, like a young, beautiful, ant-metal-head at fever pitch.
I was recently at a KORN/CHEVELLE concert. It was a general admission show which is increasingly rare nowadays, given all the mayhem, injuries and even death they can cause.
If you are at a G.A. show and the band is at all hard rock or metal, a pit or two will always break out. When I was in my concert going hey-day, pits were a big thing. I always thought that pits would kinda be a passing concert fad. But Fresno Korn/Chevelle fans showed me that pits are alive and well.
I went to the concert with my friend Aaron. We are too old to be getting in pits anymore. But due to our late arrival to the show (pre-concert drinking) they wouldn't let us down on the floor anyway. I guess our old 90's concert reps preceded us.
With the floor being too full, we were forced to the second level on the side of the stage. Terrible spot to hear the show but it's a great vantage point for watching the crowd.
Mosh pits had already been happening prior to Korn, but once the boys hit the stage--it was on! The crowd was immediately at fever pitch. Several 'pits' were in full swing and the rest of the crowd was in full metal moshing mode.
It really is an amazing sight. A flood of people, looking like ants after their nest has been disrupted. It made me long for being in the mosh pit.
You may think that mosh pits just consist of big dudes just looking to flatten people. And though there are a couple of those guys, most moshers are just looking to have a good time. There is even a etiquette in 'the pit'. Even when somebody gets knocked down, somebody else picks them up and nobody trys to step on them. And much of the time, a good hit is followed by hugs at the songs end.
Maybe one day, even in my older age and small stature, I'll try getting in a pit again. Just so I can feel, even for just a night, like a young, beautiful, ant-metal-head at fever pitch.
11/14/2004
VADER LIVES!
When you are a 'geek', 'fanboy', 'madchild' like myself, you worry about different things than most people.
When I first learned that George Lucas was going to film the first three movies of the Star Wars series, or the "prequels", this is what I worried about; Is James Earl Jones (voice of Darth Vader)going to live long enough to make it to the last movie, where his voice will be needed?
I didn't think about if his family will miss him or that the acting community will be losing a great talent, I thought; "That would really FUCK UP Star Wars III (now titled "Revenge Of The Sith")." Well I no longer have to worry because James Earl is still around and 'Revenge' is "in the can".
"Revenge of the Sith" will feature how Anikian Skywalker "dies" and resurrects himself as Darth Vader. I have been waiting to see this ever since Luke was told --a long time ago in a galaxy far far away -- that Vader "killed" his father.
Below is a link to the latest trailer for Episode III. If you are a Star Wars fan and this trailer doesn't get friggin hyped as hell, well then aaahh, I guess you are not a Star Wars fan.
PUNCH IT CHEWIE
Give it a few to download and then come back and tell me what you think in the comments.
When I first learned that George Lucas was going to film the first three movies of the Star Wars series, or the "prequels", this is what I worried about; Is James Earl Jones (voice of Darth Vader)going to live long enough to make it to the last movie, where his voice will be needed?
I didn't think about if his family will miss him or that the acting community will be losing a great talent, I thought; "That would really FUCK UP Star Wars III (now titled "Revenge Of The Sith")." Well I no longer have to worry because James Earl is still around and 'Revenge' is "in the can".
"Revenge of the Sith" will feature how Anikian Skywalker "dies" and resurrects himself as Darth Vader. I have been waiting to see this ever since Luke was told --a long time ago in a galaxy far far away -- that Vader "killed" his father.
Below is a link to the latest trailer for Episode III. If you are a Star Wars fan and this trailer doesn't get friggin hyped as hell, well then aaahh, I guess you are not a Star Wars fan.
PUNCH IT CHEWIE
Give it a few to download and then come back and tell me what you think in the comments.
11/12/2004
Don't Blame Me, Blame Kevin Smith
If anybody, unrelated to me, reads this blog on a regular basis -- What is wrong with you? There must be better ways to waste your time. Maybe re-setting your automatic sprinkler timer or something.
And if you actually enjoy my writing (or don't enjoy -- more likely) you have Kevin Smith to blame.
I only got interested in writing, mostly, because of Kevin. I really connected with his writing (screenwriting and comic book). I also thought it was really cool how he would use his friends in all his movies (wink wink Derek).
So one day, I got fired up and started writing unfinished screenplay's, lame blogs, and various stalkerish letters. I have only looked back like a couple dozen times since.
Speaking of Kevin Smith, here is a link to some really funny PSA's on registering and voting, that Kevin directed. They played on Comedy Central. If you missed them, check them out by clicking Kevin Smith PSA's.
And if you actually enjoy my writing (or don't enjoy -- more likely) you have Kevin Smith to blame.
I only got interested in writing, mostly, because of Kevin. I really connected with his writing (screenwriting and comic book). I also thought it was really cool how he would use his friends in all his movies (wink wink Derek).
So one day, I got fired up and started writing unfinished screenplay's, lame blogs, and various stalkerish letters. I have only looked back like a couple dozen times since.
Speaking of Kevin Smith, here is a link to some really funny PSA's on registering and voting, that Kevin directed. They played on Comedy Central. If you missed them, check them out by clicking Kevin Smith PSA's.
11/09/2004
Wal-Mart Sells Evil...But It's Cheap!
The next time you go to Wal-Mart (or Sprawl-Mart as The Simpsons appropriately call it) and you are looking to get some paint ball equipment or a new spare tire, think about this;
Wal-Mart couldn’t give a damn about their employees.
Here is just a small example of the politics that Wal-Mart gets involved in. Wal-Mart contributed $650,000 to the campaign against California Proposition 72, which would have required employers (Sprawl-Mart) to pay for their workers’ health insurance. Wal-Mart helped defeat it by the way.
Wal-Mart has donated $153,000 to the Californian Republican party in the past two years, spent more than $1 million in March to convince Contra Costa County voters to kill an ordinance that would have effectively banned Wal-Mart supercenters—that’s their grocery store/regular Wal-Mart (beer, motor oil and bullets all in one trip).
Actually, Wal-Mart lost one recently after it spent $1 mil to pass a measure that would permit Wal-Mart to build a supercenter in Ingelwood without undergoing the usual environmental reviews.
All this and they pay their employees some of the lowest in wages and benefits in the industry.
So when you are in Wal-Mart sometime soon, think about how you are getting that 50 cents less on the latest Tim McGraw disc or car battery (Is there a Tim McGraw endorsed car battery?).
Hopefully that "thinking" stuff will stop you from buying that Tim McGraw album all together.
Wal-Mart couldn’t give a damn about their employees.
Here is just a small example of the politics that Wal-Mart gets involved in. Wal-Mart contributed $650,000 to the campaign against California Proposition 72, which would have required employers (Sprawl-Mart) to pay for their workers’ health insurance. Wal-Mart helped defeat it by the way.
Wal-Mart has donated $153,000 to the Californian Republican party in the past two years, spent more than $1 million in March to convince Contra Costa County voters to kill an ordinance that would have effectively banned Wal-Mart supercenters—that’s their grocery store/regular Wal-Mart (beer, motor oil and bullets all in one trip).
Actually, Wal-Mart lost one recently after it spent $1 mil to pass a measure that would permit Wal-Mart to build a supercenter in Ingelwood without undergoing the usual environmental reviews.
All this and they pay their employees some of the lowest in wages and benefits in the industry.
So when you are in Wal-Mart sometime soon, think about how you are getting that 50 cents less on the latest Tim McGraw disc or car battery (Is there a Tim McGraw endorsed car battery?).
Hopefully that "thinking" stuff will stop you from buying that Tim McGraw album all together.
11/03/2004
What Would Yoda Do?
Hypocrite. That’s what I am. I think of the “Right” as being closed minded, uninformed and just plain wrong. Maybe I am the one who is closed minded, who is uninformed and, dare I say, wrong.
I‘ve always felt like the Republicans are the “Dark Side” and I (a Democrat) am on the good side of "The Force" (Is "the force" supposed to be capitalized?..Who knows). Democrats with Luke and Chewie, Republicans are with Darth Vader and the Emperor. Actually I am probably more like a Ewok but think I’m Han Solo.
The problem is, even though we Dems may truly believe we are on the good side of the Force, so do the Republicans. Right or wrong, that is what we both believe. Now, for the next four years, it is up the Democrats to convince the American public that they are right. But how do you pull somebody back to the good side of “the force”?....
•Show Americans how bad the Republicans are with the environment. I just hear Dems talk about it, give me specific examples and keep at it. Republicans aren’t going to look at this for themselves, if it isn’t in front of their face, they assume everything is fine. Don’t just say we are going to have a 10% fossil fuel reduction in 2038 or some other meaningless number, say we demand 10% now and 50% in two years. Go big!
•Keep out of big corporations pockets. Even if Democrats are in socially better pockets than Republicans, you can’t be hypocrites on this. Don’t give the “Dark Side” ammo (don’t give in to hate).
•Explain to everybody, plainly, how the deficit is adversely affecting us. It’s very easy for Republicans to ignore because they don’t see it being a problem. “Give me my tax cut, I don’t care how you do it.”
•Somehow people have to be reminded that we have a separation of Church and State in this country. We have somehow forgotten. Even Senator Palpatine (Star Wars character) didn’t call upon the Force when running for the Senate.
•Stop trying to be like a different version of the Republicans. You have to go your own way and show why it’s the best way (light sabers good, blasters bad).
Democrats must change. We can’t show up in 2008 with the same game. If we do, there may never be balance brought back to the Force.
I‘ve always felt like the Republicans are the “Dark Side” and I (a Democrat) am on the good side of "The Force" (Is "the force" supposed to be capitalized?..Who knows). Democrats with Luke and Chewie, Republicans are with Darth Vader and the Emperor. Actually I am probably more like a Ewok but think I’m Han Solo.
The problem is, even though we Dems may truly believe we are on the good side of the Force, so do the Republicans. Right or wrong, that is what we both believe. Now, for the next four years, it is up the Democrats to convince the American public that they are right. But how do you pull somebody back to the good side of “the force”?....
•Show Americans how bad the Republicans are with the environment. I just hear Dems talk about it, give me specific examples and keep at it. Republicans aren’t going to look at this for themselves, if it isn’t in front of their face, they assume everything is fine. Don’t just say we are going to have a 10% fossil fuel reduction in 2038 or some other meaningless number, say we demand 10% now and 50% in two years. Go big!
•Keep out of big corporations pockets. Even if Democrats are in socially better pockets than Republicans, you can’t be hypocrites on this. Don’t give the “Dark Side” ammo (don’t give in to hate).
•Explain to everybody, plainly, how the deficit is adversely affecting us. It’s very easy for Republicans to ignore because they don’t see it being a problem. “Give me my tax cut, I don’t care how you do it.”
•Somehow people have to be reminded that we have a separation of Church and State in this country. We have somehow forgotten. Even Senator Palpatine (Star Wars character) didn’t call upon the Force when running for the Senate.
•Stop trying to be like a different version of the Republicans. You have to go your own way and show why it’s the best way (light sabers good, blasters bad).
Democrats must change. We can’t show up in 2008 with the same game. If we do, there may never be balance brought back to the Force.
11/02/2004
I Can't Stop Looking At The Monkeys
Not that anybody has been waiting for it, but I will give a rundown on the Election results later.
I like to try and interject humor (I did say try) with my observations and I am just to bitter and afraid of what this country is going to be like after another four years of Bush polices, to interject humor--except for this...
LISTEN UP NETWORKS! For the love of all that is un-annoying TV watching, stop having news sets with windows that look out to the street where people are gathered around, looking to get on TV.
These people stand back there looking like jack-asses and I can't help but watch what they are doing. I start drifting away from what is being talked about and just look at the dorks in the back.
Why is this necessary? Are the ratings better when you have people in the background looking like monkeys as opposed to a non-monkey background?
I think the only way to stop this is if somebody does something real vulgar. I'm not sure if flipping the bird would be enough.
We need some full frontal nudity. While watching CNN, I saw a girl lift up her top enough to show some writing on her midsection. That was a step in the right direction, but I think maybe we need (and it pains me to say it) some slongs to peak out. Nothin that would make me feel inadequate mind you, just big enough that it could be seen on camera.
Maybe monkey size.
I like to try and interject humor (I did say try) with my observations and I am just to bitter and afraid of what this country is going to be like after another four years of Bush polices, to interject humor--except for this...
LISTEN UP NETWORKS! For the love of all that is un-annoying TV watching, stop having news sets with windows that look out to the street where people are gathered around, looking to get on TV.
These people stand back there looking like jack-asses and I can't help but watch what they are doing. I start drifting away from what is being talked about and just look at the dorks in the back.
Why is this necessary? Are the ratings better when you have people in the background looking like monkeys as opposed to a non-monkey background?
I think the only way to stop this is if somebody does something real vulgar. I'm not sure if flipping the bird would be enough.
We need some full frontal nudity. While watching CNN, I saw a girl lift up her top enough to show some writing on her midsection. That was a step in the right direction, but I think maybe we need (and it pains me to say it) some slongs to peak out. Nothin that would make me feel inadequate mind you, just big enough that it could be seen on camera.
Maybe monkey size.
10/31/2004
I'm Gambling On America's Future
Being a "social" gambler (whatever the hell that means), I always find it interesting what odds Vegas has for non-sport events and what not (the sporting odds are pretty interesting too). The only thing they left out is a line on Florida screwing this whole election up.
Courtesy of americasline.com.
2004 PRESIDENTIAL ODDS
October 31 , 2004
By BENJAMIN ECKSTEIN, President & DAVID SCOTT, Senior Analyst
Americasline.com
ODDS TO WIN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
ODDS TO BE ELECTED
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES IN 2004
Name Party Title Odds
*George W. Bush (R) President -120
John Kerry (D) Massachusetts Senator EVEN
ODDS ON POPULAR AND ELECTORAL VOTE RESULTS
Bush wins popular vote and electoral vote 4/5
Bush wins popular vote, Kerry wins electoral vote 8/1
Kerry wins popular vote and electoral vote EVEN
Kerry wins popular vote, Bush wins electoral vote 20/1
ODDS OF AN ELECTORAL VOTE TIE
Bush and Kerry each get 269 electoral votes 20/1
HOW MANY STATES WILL BUSH CARRY
over 29 1/2 -110
under 29 1/2 -110
JOHN KERRY STATES WON VS
TOTAL POINTS BY CARMELO ANTHONY
(Tuesday, November 2 game)
John Kerry + 2 1/2 -115
Carmelo Anthony -2 1/2 -115
GEORGE BUSH STATES WON VS
TOTAL POINTS BY KOBE BRYANT
(Tuesday, November 2 game)
George Bush +1 1/2 -115
Kobe Bryant -1 1/2 -115
*I hope Vegas is wrong but, unfortunately, they usually aren't.
If you are registered to vote and you don't want Bush Jr., please get your ass out there and vote Tuesday--I've got a 'hundy' on it.
Courtesy of americasline.com.
2004 PRESIDENTIAL ODDS
October 31 , 2004
By BENJAMIN ECKSTEIN, President & DAVID SCOTT, Senior Analyst
Americasline.com
ODDS TO WIN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
ODDS TO BE ELECTED
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES IN 2004
Name Party Title Odds
*George W. Bush (R) President -120
John Kerry (D) Massachusetts Senator EVEN
ODDS ON POPULAR AND ELECTORAL VOTE RESULTS
Bush wins popular vote and electoral vote 4/5
Bush wins popular vote, Kerry wins electoral vote 8/1
Kerry wins popular vote and electoral vote EVEN
Kerry wins popular vote, Bush wins electoral vote 20/1
ODDS OF AN ELECTORAL VOTE TIE
Bush and Kerry each get 269 electoral votes 20/1
HOW MANY STATES WILL BUSH CARRY
over 29 1/2 -110
under 29 1/2 -110
JOHN KERRY STATES WON VS
TOTAL POINTS BY CARMELO ANTHONY
(Tuesday, November 2 game)
John Kerry + 2 1/2 -115
Carmelo Anthony -2 1/2 -115
GEORGE BUSH STATES WON VS
TOTAL POINTS BY KOBE BRYANT
(Tuesday, November 2 game)
George Bush +1 1/2 -115
Kobe Bryant -1 1/2 -115
*I hope Vegas is wrong but, unfortunately, they usually aren't.
If you are registered to vote and you don't want Bush Jr., please get your ass out there and vote Tuesday--I've got a 'hundy' on it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)