Hey all,
I thought it was about time to do another true story, this one about how I used to be friends with a murderer.
It should stand without question that I am a pretty big nerd, and being said nerd I used to play Dungeons and Dragons. Not much of a surprise considering my love of the fantasy genre. I was turned onto the game by my boss at the time, who used to have a few people over and play the game. After I moved out and got my own place, we started playing there. At one point I think there were 10 people or so making up our party.
Rather than regale you with more tales or nerdity, let me get back to the point in question. Since my boss and myself were playing (and were really good friends) we had invited another friend from our McDonalds days in, my friend in Flagstaff, Bill. With the three of us playing once a week, eventually other people at work found out what was going on. One of them was named Scott. We liked Scott, he was a hard worker and joked around a lot , generally having the same interests as all of us. We invited him to join, along with his D&D friend Brian.
Brian, nicknamed Smelly Brian to differentiate from the other Brian in the group, because that guy had the worst BO ever. Really solidified the smelly nerd cred that we are so often saddled with. Scott, though, is the point of this story. He had a pretty hard life early on, but he had been taking steps to get his life on track. he was only 17 or 18 at the time we had met, dropped out of school to work. We invited Scott to our house, many times over the months, and we all felt really comfortable around him.
That's why it was such a surprise when my boss, Kurt, and myself were at work and Scott walked in, immediately being arrested by the police for attempted murder. We were in shock, that had to be a mistake right? It turns out he had agreed to be a part of an attempt to kill his roommates aunt (or mom.. i don't really remember) who was laid up in a sickbed. Apparently his RM was in line to inherit a bunch of money and promised Scott $10,000 to be an accomplice. He alleges that he was only a lookout, though the police have evidence of him buying a knife, gloves and a mask. It got even more serious when his charges were upped to 1st degree murder after the victim died in the hospital from the wounds suffered in the attack.
We didn't believe that he was capable of such an act, even visiting him at the county jail once, before his sentencing. In the face of such undaunting evidence, and the fact that Scott agreed to testify against his RM and his RM's wife, we came to the conclusion that this wasn't somebody we really knew. I didn't write him or anything, and we never visited him after that. I did get a letter in the mail about 6 months afterwords where he called me several names and was very angry that I didn't contact him anymore because he was in jail. It wasn't jail, it was the fact that he was a fucking murderer!
I decided to retell this story as I received a very surprising guest in the drive thru at work the other night, one Smelly Brian. He was driving a cab and was looking pretty haggard. I'm not a thin man by any means, but I felt pretty damn svelte looking at him, he was huge. He recognized me and mentioned that Scott is out of jail and working as a manager at McDonalds in Chandler. Let's hope he's still not mad eh?
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Friday, August 31, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Movie Time: Rewind: The Magnificent Seven and North by Northwest
Hey all,
Thought I would add a new semi-regular feature to the blog by recommending some films made before 1976 (my birth year) to perhaps expand some horizons. As much as I talk and write about movies, as well as bitch about the current state of films, I thought it would be fun to recommend some films that many people may have heard about, but never taken the time to see.
I really enjoy classic movies, channels like AMC and TCM are a real treasure trove of great movies and great acting. Movies with style and substance that are just really well made. I started thinking about this the other day when some co-workers were asking me about who my favorite actors were, and I sadly realized that most of them were dead. Actors like Steve McQueen, Cary Grant, John Wayne, Audrey Hepburn, Gene Kelly, The Marx Bros.. the list goes on, and I think many people don't know about how truly great some of these movies are.
This weeks recommendations are The Magnificent Seven and North by Northwest.
First, The Magnificent Seven. I started with this for two reasons, one, it's my favorite movie of all time, and two, it starts my favorite actor of all time, Steve McQueen.
The Magnificent Seven is a western, and it is well documented that I have a soft spot for that particular genre. First off the casting is just spectacular. At the time, the only established star was Yul Brenner, whose bald head and gravelly voice made for an intimidating presence on screen. The rest of the cast were unproven commodities at the time, almost all of whom would go onto to bug screen success. McQueen, arguably the biggest star of the 60's (along with John Wayne) Robert Vaughn, James Coburn, and Charles Bronson can credit this movie as their big break.
The basic premise is that a village of poor Mexican Farmers hire Brenner to assemble a team of hired guns to protect their homes from a group of bandits. It being cheaper to hire men with guns, than to buy guns itself. The movie is a western version of the Akira Kurosawa film, Seven Samurai.
What I enjoy about the film is not only the messages that it sends, that being a hired gun gets you nothing in the end and that true wealth is holding to your responsibilities; but the acting involved in the film. All seven characters really try to steal the camera whenever its on, though McQueen does the better job. Brenner was the bankable star, but every time McQueen is on screen, he does little things with his hat or gun to steal the limelight.
Directed by John Sturges, who would go on to make The Great Escape two years later, it has a memorable score by Elmer Bernstein and a sharp scrip. I love this movie. Until I watched this movie, I hated westerns, and this really opened my eyes.
Now a film that I would also put on my list of all time great films, North by Northwest starring Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint, with director Alfred Hitchcock. In my opinion, this is Hitch's best film. He pushes Grant to a great performance, as an advertising executive who is mistaken for a spy and is sent on a cross country chase to survive. This film is the precursor to the James Bond franchise, without the success of North by Northwest, they would not have made those movies. The most famous scene of Grant being chased by a bi-plane, has been reused in many films, one of the most memorable film scenes in history.
Not only do you have probably the greatest director of all time in Hitchcock at the height of his game, you have Cary Grant doing what he does best, being Cary Grant. I am astonished to think that neither of these men won Oscars for their work during the active years, winning lifetime achievement awards years later. Grant is what I consider to be the classic movie star, an actor adept at suspense, action, drama, romance, and comedy. There was nothing he couldn't do.
North by Northwest is a sure guarantee from me. Iconic and sharp, the perfect blend of suspense and thrills.
Hopefully you liked this feature, I really love movies, and the thought of great films going unwatched really saddens me, so hopefully you are willing to give one a try.
Thanks for reading.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Thought I would add a new semi-regular feature to the blog by recommending some films made before 1976 (my birth year) to perhaps expand some horizons. As much as I talk and write about movies, as well as bitch about the current state of films, I thought it would be fun to recommend some films that many people may have heard about, but never taken the time to see.
I really enjoy classic movies, channels like AMC and TCM are a real treasure trove of great movies and great acting. Movies with style and substance that are just really well made. I started thinking about this the other day when some co-workers were asking me about who my favorite actors were, and I sadly realized that most of them were dead. Actors like Steve McQueen, Cary Grant, John Wayne, Audrey Hepburn, Gene Kelly, The Marx Bros.. the list goes on, and I think many people don't know about how truly great some of these movies are.
This weeks recommendations are The Magnificent Seven and North by Northwest.
First, The Magnificent Seven. I started with this for two reasons, one, it's my favorite movie of all time, and two, it starts my favorite actor of all time, Steve McQueen.
The Magnificent Seven is a western, and it is well documented that I have a soft spot for that particular genre. First off the casting is just spectacular. At the time, the only established star was Yul Brenner, whose bald head and gravelly voice made for an intimidating presence on screen. The rest of the cast were unproven commodities at the time, almost all of whom would go onto to bug screen success. McQueen, arguably the biggest star of the 60's (along with John Wayne) Robert Vaughn, James Coburn, and Charles Bronson can credit this movie as their big break.
The basic premise is that a village of poor Mexican Farmers hire Brenner to assemble a team of hired guns to protect their homes from a group of bandits. It being cheaper to hire men with guns, than to buy guns itself. The movie is a western version of the Akira Kurosawa film, Seven Samurai.
What I enjoy about the film is not only the messages that it sends, that being a hired gun gets you nothing in the end and that true wealth is holding to your responsibilities; but the acting involved in the film. All seven characters really try to steal the camera whenever its on, though McQueen does the better job. Brenner was the bankable star, but every time McQueen is on screen, he does little things with his hat or gun to steal the limelight.
Directed by John Sturges, who would go on to make The Great Escape two years later, it has a memorable score by Elmer Bernstein and a sharp scrip. I love this movie. Until I watched this movie, I hated westerns, and this really opened my eyes.
Now a film that I would also put on my list of all time great films, North by Northwest starring Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint, with director Alfred Hitchcock. In my opinion, this is Hitch's best film. He pushes Grant to a great performance, as an advertising executive who is mistaken for a spy and is sent on a cross country chase to survive. This film is the precursor to the James Bond franchise, without the success of North by Northwest, they would not have made those movies. The most famous scene of Grant being chased by a bi-plane, has been reused in many films, one of the most memorable film scenes in history.
Not only do you have probably the greatest director of all time in Hitchcock at the height of his game, you have Cary Grant doing what he does best, being Cary Grant. I am astonished to think that neither of these men won Oscars for their work during the active years, winning lifetime achievement awards years later. Grant is what I consider to be the classic movie star, an actor adept at suspense, action, drama, romance, and comedy. There was nothing he couldn't do.
North by Northwest is a sure guarantee from me. Iconic and sharp, the perfect blend of suspense and thrills.
Hopefully you liked this feature, I really love movies, and the thought of great films going unwatched really saddens me, so hopefully you are willing to give one a try.
Thanks for reading.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
New Link
Hey all,
I added a new link to the page, one of a really cool illustration site that I caught off the blogger home page.
Also, I read that Owen Wilson tried to take his own life. That really makes me wonder what is going on so bad in his life that suicide sounds like a viable option. I know that money can't buy happiness or love, but something is really wrong when someone who is pretty universally well liked as Owen Wilson is tries to kill himself. You really have to think that maybe something else is going on. He's got a pretty good box office record, so he can't be short for work, and as a Frat Pack(er) we know he has plenty of friends, I am wondering if addictions or something darker is involved.
Who knows if we will ever find out.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
I added a new link to the page, one of a really cool illustration site that I caught off the blogger home page.
Also, I read that Owen Wilson tried to take his own life. That really makes me wonder what is going on so bad in his life that suicide sounds like a viable option. I know that money can't buy happiness or love, but something is really wrong when someone who is pretty universally well liked as Owen Wilson is tries to kill himself. You really have to think that maybe something else is going on. He's got a pretty good box office record, so he can't be short for work, and as a Frat Pack(er) we know he has plenty of friends, I am wondering if addictions or something darker is involved.
Who knows if we will ever find out.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Monday, August 27, 2007
Assorted Nuts
Hey all,
I just realized that I posted 3 poems in a row, not a normal activity for me. I like to change the pace up a bit and provide a bit of variety. Sometimes I even hold a poem or two in the que to use when I am unable to write one. Since that bout of writers block though I have been on more of a roll. I am defiantly far more happy with my output of late and wanted to run over a few assorted topics.
Firstly, I actually responded to an online listing for a relationship. I don't know if it will be successful or not, but its progress. I always talk about making a change to my situation, at least this time I am trying something. If I am unsuccessful I am no worse off than before, if I am... well its a start in the right direction.
Two, caught Rush Hour 3 over the weekend, and while I don't feel it was a good movie, certainly the weakest of the three, it did make me laugh more times than I imagined it would. Jackie Chan, in the outtakes had me rolling with different takes of him asking to rent a dirty movie, especially when he said, I like the ones with the hairy women, Burt Reynolds taught me that." I feel it a point here to admit a certain weakness for the movie Smokey and the Bandit, terrible and great and I watch it every time its on TV, despite owning the DVD.
Finally finished season 3 of my favorite TV show, Deadwood. While the season finale was a tad anticlimactic, I am always in awe of the shows writing. I never feel more privileged and stupid than when I watch the show. Each character, even the more throwaway ones, are ripe and complex. A mix of veteran character actors and underrated talent, I will pray that the create the 2 movies to wrap up the show. HBO always cuts the most promising ones first. Besides, there are not enough Westerns on TV anymore.
That about covers the odds and ends of this post. I also posted above a final pic of my tattoo, as I realized I posted the image it was based on, but never the real thing. Tara McPherson actually posted the pic on her MySpace page under her tattoo bulletin. An honor to be sure. As always, thanks for reading.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Casts A Shadow Great And Tall
Hey all,
I sent this poem off for my Dad's birthday with his card. I am not sure how he is going to take it. I am pretty sure he doesn't read my blog but he was one of my influences in restarting this blog and putting poetry on it. He is a pretty good poet, far better than I, who has had a few published, both online and in poetry compilations. He taught me the value of words, both writing and reading very young and I really admire him. Hopefully he likes the poem, and hopefully so do you. Thanks for reading.
Casts a Shadow Great and Tall
I may not be the greatest son
And I've lost more battles than I've won.
The mistakes I've made are more than few.
But in my life there's one thing that holds true.
I'm blessed by a father who is always there.
To help me through my worries and care.
Never quick with an unkind word.
Who'd rather listen than be heard.
Lessons learned to teach me right,
Didn't fault or feel contrite.
Our interests shared and humor found,
His influence on me is so profound.
He casts a shadow great and tall,
That affects everyone where it may fall.
Lucky am I that he's my Dad,
If I am half the man he is count me glad.
As a Father you sure raised the bar.
I just want you to know how important you are.
One day I hope to measure to you.
Until that date I hold this to be true.
I hope you understand what I want to allay.
You mean more to me than these words can say,
Holding tight my respect and adulation.
Dad, you're always my inspiration.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
I sent this poem off for my Dad's birthday with his card. I am not sure how he is going to take it. I am pretty sure he doesn't read my blog but he was one of my influences in restarting this blog and putting poetry on it. He is a pretty good poet, far better than I, who has had a few published, both online and in poetry compilations. He taught me the value of words, both writing and reading very young and I really admire him. Hopefully he likes the poem, and hopefully so do you. Thanks for reading.
Casts a Shadow Great and Tall
I may not be the greatest son
And I've lost more battles than I've won.
The mistakes I've made are more than few.
But in my life there's one thing that holds true.
I'm blessed by a father who is always there.
To help me through my worries and care.
Never quick with an unkind word.
Who'd rather listen than be heard.
Lessons learned to teach me right,
Didn't fault or feel contrite.
Our interests shared and humor found,
His influence on me is so profound.
He casts a shadow great and tall,
That affects everyone where it may fall.
Lucky am I that he's my Dad,
If I am half the man he is count me glad.
As a Father you sure raised the bar.
I just want you to know how important you are.
One day I hope to measure to you.
Until that date I hold this to be true.
I hope you understand what I want to allay.
You mean more to me than these words can say,
Holding tight my respect and adulation.
Dad, you're always my inspiration.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Friday, August 24, 2007
Shade Of My Heart
Hey all,
Last night I struggle to even finish that poem, yet this night this poem practically flew from myself to the keyboard. I actually reread last nights poem, and its not as bad as I felt it was last night. I don't know that its as poetic as some of my others, but it definably has its own merits. This is a poem based those times where you tell someone how you feel and they don't reciprocate. Something I think everyone has experienced in their lives. Thanks for reading.
Shade Of My Heart
Underneath the sounding beat,
The hurt now found in full replete.
Can't take back what was said.
Opened soul now left to bled.
Told you things I felt so deep.
That truth inside I could not keep.
Laid bare to your perfect ways,
To honor you 'till end of days.
Every moment spent with you,
Find passion's growth to greater accrue.
You fill me full of warmth and light,
I ask that you provide the spark's ignite.
This final plea I now impart,
To nestle deep in the shade of my heart.
For now until the final call,
I'll give of you my heartfelt all.
And once I said what I had held repose.
Shed this armor now to lay expose.
You looked at me with sadder eyes,
What you would tell me now was easy to surmise.
How flattered you were by this admission.
But what I felt was solely of my own volition.
You'd never seen me quite that way,
How sorry you were if I'd been led astray.
You claimed you never meant to hurt,
But that's the only feeling left to assert.
If only I had held my tongue.
To prevent the end before it begun.
Now I'm left here by myself,
Store again my heart on the shelf,
And when next I feel this love to burst,
I can know I've already faced the worst.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Last night I struggle to even finish that poem, yet this night this poem practically flew from myself to the keyboard. I actually reread last nights poem, and its not as bad as I felt it was last night. I don't know that its as poetic as some of my others, but it definably has its own merits. This is a poem based those times where you tell someone how you feel and they don't reciprocate. Something I think everyone has experienced in their lives. Thanks for reading.
Shade Of My Heart
Underneath the sounding beat,
The hurt now found in full replete.
Can't take back what was said.
Opened soul now left to bled.
Told you things I felt so deep.
That truth inside I could not keep.
Laid bare to your perfect ways,
To honor you 'till end of days.
Every moment spent with you,
Find passion's growth to greater accrue.
You fill me full of warmth and light,
I ask that you provide the spark's ignite.
This final plea I now impart,
To nestle deep in the shade of my heart.
For now until the final call,
I'll give of you my heartfelt all.
And once I said what I had held repose.
Shed this armor now to lay expose.
You looked at me with sadder eyes,
What you would tell me now was easy to surmise.
How flattered you were by this admission.
But what I felt was solely of my own volition.
You'd never seen me quite that way,
How sorry you were if I'd been led astray.
You claimed you never meant to hurt,
But that's the only feeling left to assert.
If only I had held my tongue.
To prevent the end before it begun.
Now I'm left here by myself,
Store again my heart on the shelf,
And when next I feel this love to burst,
I can know I've already faced the worst.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Always and Forever
Hey all,
I have definitely been struggling with my newest poem, looking for a fresh take on the subject matter. I really don't know how successful this attempt is. It feels like I forced it a bit, but since I really haven't written that much poetry since coming back from Comic Con, like 1 poem I think, I thought it was time for another. My thoughts lately have been turning to maybe try my hand at some fiction, debating between several story ideas. I'll drop a separate post on what I'm thinking there. I'm hoping I can find a good subject for my next poem. I've creatively been in a bit of a poetic funk since returning to work. Hopefully with a bit more balance in my life the creative spark will rekindle a bit.
Anyway, hope you enjoy this attempt. Thanks for reading!
Always and Forever
My heart may be broken.
Though what I offered was far from token.
You may have moved on.
Newfound affection to dote upon.
But I'll keep you in my mind.
I just can't listen to your warning.
Despite that you left me in mourning.
I can't tell you goodbye.
Got to save you from those tears you cry.
To this fate I've been resigned.
I know you don't love me anymore.
But I made a promise one just can't ignore.
To always be at your side.
Any mistreatment won't abide.
Though what we had is now maligned.
You don't see what we've lost.
A price you paid without looking at the cost.
And your new love may treat you right.
Should he hurt you he best prepare to fight.
A part of us is forever intertwined.
I'll be there for you always and forever.
Connected by this bond you just can't sever.
Hold true to my belief,
And protect you from this grief.
Even after you've left me behind.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
I have definitely been struggling with my newest poem, looking for a fresh take on the subject matter. I really don't know how successful this attempt is. It feels like I forced it a bit, but since I really haven't written that much poetry since coming back from Comic Con, like 1 poem I think, I thought it was time for another. My thoughts lately have been turning to maybe try my hand at some fiction, debating between several story ideas. I'll drop a separate post on what I'm thinking there. I'm hoping I can find a good subject for my next poem. I've creatively been in a bit of a poetic funk since returning to work. Hopefully with a bit more balance in my life the creative spark will rekindle a bit.
Anyway, hope you enjoy this attempt. Thanks for reading!
Always and Forever
My heart may be broken.
Though what I offered was far from token.
You may have moved on.
Newfound affection to dote upon.
But I'll keep you in my mind.
I just can't listen to your warning.
Despite that you left me in mourning.
I can't tell you goodbye.
Got to save you from those tears you cry.
To this fate I've been resigned.
I know you don't love me anymore.
But I made a promise one just can't ignore.
To always be at your side.
Any mistreatment won't abide.
Though what we had is now maligned.
You don't see what we've lost.
A price you paid without looking at the cost.
And your new love may treat you right.
Should he hurt you he best prepare to fight.
A part of us is forever intertwined.
I'll be there for you always and forever.
Connected by this bond you just can't sever.
Hold true to my belief,
And protect you from this grief.
Even after you've left me behind.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Sunday, August 19, 2007
True Story Time!
Hey all!
Thought I would update you all with another true story. First off I would be remiss if I didn't point out that the inspiration to tell this particular story stems from a current condition in the house. We have no fucking air conditioning. It's like 95 degrees in here, I just feel hot and sweaty and fairly gross.
When I first moved out with my good friends Jason and Jeremy, we had a little dumpy 2 bedroom apartment, over in Glendale. It was probably 1997 or so. Jeremy and myself had gone to a movie and came home late on night. We walk into the door and are assaulted by a sweltering hot living room. The AC was blowing out hot air and had been doing so for quite some time. We look to the couch, to find Jason, clad solely in boxers, eating a pizza he cooked in the oven. its a hundred fucking degrees and he uses the oven....He looks at us an says a line I will never forget, or let him live down, "It's fuckin' hot in here huh?" No fucking shit.
Anyway Jerms gets pissed because Jason didn't turn off the AC as it was blowing hot air. In Jason's defense, neither he or myself were allowed to touch the AC as we couldn't be trusted to regulate the temperature, so Jason just left it alone. I swear it was so hot in their. I looked to the two of them and said I wasn't sleeping there, I was heading to my parents house to sleep in the cool. They could have came, but neither would. Jerms uttering the phrase, "I pay my rent here, I'll sleep here." Fuck that.. I was getting some sleep.
I knew they were kind of pissed I was dumping out, but I didn't care.. it was to hot. I got to my parents house and woke my dad, told him I was gonna sleep on the couch. I'll never forget in the morning he cried out aloud as He thought I was a burglar, not remembering that we talked .. I guess while he was still asleep. I asked him what kind of burglar sleeps on the couch.
Jerms and Jason later professed to me that it was probably the worst night of sleep either of them had ever had. Laying straight on the mattress with all the fans blowing. Horrible.
Real quick note, Saw Superbad last night and I would definitely recommend it. There is not one super funny scene, like in 40 Year old vergin or Old School, but its consistently funny thought the film. A little bit of the Judd Apatow (the director of the films) heart at the end, but it wasn't overly played like in Knocked Up. Very funny stuff.
Here's hoping I can post again soon. It's so hot I can't even use the can let alone stand it in the computer room for to long. Both places I want to sit back and enjoy whats going on. Here's hoping my friend can get the ac fixed by tomorrow and things be back to normal by Tuesday.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Thought I would update you all with another true story. First off I would be remiss if I didn't point out that the inspiration to tell this particular story stems from a current condition in the house. We have no fucking air conditioning. It's like 95 degrees in here, I just feel hot and sweaty and fairly gross.
When I first moved out with my good friends Jason and Jeremy, we had a little dumpy 2 bedroom apartment, over in Glendale. It was probably 1997 or so. Jeremy and myself had gone to a movie and came home late on night. We walk into the door and are assaulted by a sweltering hot living room. The AC was blowing out hot air and had been doing so for quite some time. We look to the couch, to find Jason, clad solely in boxers, eating a pizza he cooked in the oven. its a hundred fucking degrees and he uses the oven....He looks at us an says a line I will never forget, or let him live down, "It's fuckin' hot in here huh?" No fucking shit.
Anyway Jerms gets pissed because Jason didn't turn off the AC as it was blowing hot air. In Jason's defense, neither he or myself were allowed to touch the AC as we couldn't be trusted to regulate the temperature, so Jason just left it alone. I swear it was so hot in their. I looked to the two of them and said I wasn't sleeping there, I was heading to my parents house to sleep in the cool. They could have came, but neither would. Jerms uttering the phrase, "I pay my rent here, I'll sleep here." Fuck that.. I was getting some sleep.
I knew they were kind of pissed I was dumping out, but I didn't care.. it was to hot. I got to my parents house and woke my dad, told him I was gonna sleep on the couch. I'll never forget in the morning he cried out aloud as He thought I was a burglar, not remembering that we talked .. I guess while he was still asleep. I asked him what kind of burglar sleeps on the couch.
Jerms and Jason later professed to me that it was probably the worst night of sleep either of them had ever had. Laying straight on the mattress with all the fans blowing. Horrible.
Real quick note, Saw Superbad last night and I would definitely recommend it. There is not one super funny scene, like in 40 Year old vergin or Old School, but its consistently funny thought the film. A little bit of the Judd Apatow (the director of the films) heart at the end, but it wasn't overly played like in Knocked Up. Very funny stuff.
Here's hoping I can post again soon. It's so hot I can't even use the can let alone stand it in the computer room for to long. Both places I want to sit back and enjoy whats going on. Here's hoping my friend can get the ac fixed by tomorrow and things be back to normal by Tuesday.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Summer Movies Part 2
Hey all,
Thought I would post on the second half of the summer blockbuster season. Managed to catch Transformers, Stardust, The Bourne Ultimatum, and The Simpson's Movie. I already posted on Harry Potter 5 and Die Hard 4, and I have to be honest, with what I thought would have been the strongest summer movie seasons in history has been disappointing to me. I haven't caught Rush Hour 3, but by no means do I feel like that film will be burning down the box office.
The Bourne Ultimatum, which I thought would be good, was the weakest of the trilogy. It basically the same as the first two films, stretching the concept of the thinking man's action movie, but for me it got bogged down by the heavy plot and despite a really good fight sequence, I don't feel that the movie improved on what they did in the first two. I also feel like you wee missing the female lead in this film, in Identity it helped humanize a very stoic character in Damon, and in Supremacy it provided him with a purpose after her murder. In three the stoicism is just a bit heavy handed for me.
The Simpson's Movie was pretty good. For me it was just like the series, always fun to watch, but not something that you have to see. After 16 or 17 seasons of the show, its an institution now and you really can't push the envelope in ways that the South Park movie did, though they did try, adding come cartoon wang and curse words, albeit mild as they were. It's like a long episode, you are gonna see it at some point, why wait.
Stardust I caught Sunday and I was a bit disappointed. I felt they really changed the story a bit to much for my liking. I am sure that if you hadn't read the book then you will like it. A fantasy love story that they popped up for the big screen. I was really missing the longer introduction provided in the book and the really well written ending of the book. The intro in the book really set up the ending of the book with some good character twists and a provided what I thought was a great twist ending. In what I am assuming was an effort to trim time they cut all that and simplified those chapters to add a cross dressing sky pirate in Robert De Niro, who while being a character in the book, was nothing like is on screen counter part. I suppose I am a bit to much of a curmudgeon, I just wanted to see the story I read, and I was disappointed that they changed it so much. Jason and Autumn, whom I went with, both said they enjoyed it immensely, so this film may just be my taste.
Transformers I accept is entirely on me. I hated this movie. It just wasn't the Transformers that I grew up with. I hated that they all had CGI faces, trying to give them lips and expressions... their freakin robots! It came across poorly, and Optimus needed that face guard that he has in the series. Bumblebee as a Camaro was a shameless attempt to make him more relevant and cool looking (and product placement). Somehow Soundwave became a Gremiln or a munchie or something, I don't know what was up with his character. Why was one transformer a giant scorpion and all the rest vehicles? Why was there so much plot development with Shia Lebouf and next to none with the actual transformers? What exactly did Megatron transform into, a jet with a tail? I couldn't tell. I undertsand that everyone but me liked the movie and I can accept that, I just really hated it.
All in all i was really disappointed this summer. So many lackluster movies.
My top 3:
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Live Free or Die Hard
Fantastic Four 2: Rise of the Silver Surfer (yeah I'm, surprised too)
(if you count all year I'd put 300 and Pan's Labyrinth up there as well)
Bottom 3:
Transformers
Oceans 13
Spiderman 3
Here is hoping that the fall and winter releases came pull some of the doldrums out of this season. Definitely on my list is 3:10 to Yuma, a remake of a really good western with Christian Bale and Russel Crowe, and the Golden Compass looks to be good, at least the best of the Harry Potter clones coming out this year.
There are a few others that may turn out well enough,
Resident Evil: Extinction, I liked the first two well enough. I am Legend, sci-fi Will Smith, The second Chronicles of Narnia film, Brad Pitt's Assassination of Jesse James western, 30 Days of Night, vampire horror. Personally n the terms of no plot action films, I gotta see Shoot'em Up with Clive Owen and War wit Jet Li and Jason Statham, both movies look like pure action, my kryptonite.
Not sure if I am alone in my estimation of these films, but that's my two cents. What's the point of a blog if not to bitch about stuff. I mean they got me to still go see these movies, right? You know that I would totally go see more of many of these franchises should they make another, all in the hopes that they would be better. Maybe not the Oceans movies, as I didn't like 2 or 3, but Certainly Spidey 4 or Pirates 4. Ah well, no one to blame but me.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Thought I would post on the second half of the summer blockbuster season. Managed to catch Transformers, Stardust, The Bourne Ultimatum, and The Simpson's Movie. I already posted on Harry Potter 5 and Die Hard 4, and I have to be honest, with what I thought would have been the strongest summer movie seasons in history has been disappointing to me. I haven't caught Rush Hour 3, but by no means do I feel like that film will be burning down the box office.
The Bourne Ultimatum, which I thought would be good, was the weakest of the trilogy. It basically the same as the first two films, stretching the concept of the thinking man's action movie, but for me it got bogged down by the heavy plot and despite a really good fight sequence, I don't feel that the movie improved on what they did in the first two. I also feel like you wee missing the female lead in this film, in Identity it helped humanize a very stoic character in Damon, and in Supremacy it provided him with a purpose after her murder. In three the stoicism is just a bit heavy handed for me.
The Simpson's Movie was pretty good. For me it was just like the series, always fun to watch, but not something that you have to see. After 16 or 17 seasons of the show, its an institution now and you really can't push the envelope in ways that the South Park movie did, though they did try, adding come cartoon wang and curse words, albeit mild as they were. It's like a long episode, you are gonna see it at some point, why wait.
Stardust I caught Sunday and I was a bit disappointed. I felt they really changed the story a bit to much for my liking. I am sure that if you hadn't read the book then you will like it. A fantasy love story that they popped up for the big screen. I was really missing the longer introduction provided in the book and the really well written ending of the book. The intro in the book really set up the ending of the book with some good character twists and a provided what I thought was a great twist ending. In what I am assuming was an effort to trim time they cut all that and simplified those chapters to add a cross dressing sky pirate in Robert De Niro, who while being a character in the book, was nothing like is on screen counter part. I suppose I am a bit to much of a curmudgeon, I just wanted to see the story I read, and I was disappointed that they changed it so much. Jason and Autumn, whom I went with, both said they enjoyed it immensely, so this film may just be my taste.
Transformers I accept is entirely on me. I hated this movie. It just wasn't the Transformers that I grew up with. I hated that they all had CGI faces, trying to give them lips and expressions... their freakin robots! It came across poorly, and Optimus needed that face guard that he has in the series. Bumblebee as a Camaro was a shameless attempt to make him more relevant and cool looking (and product placement). Somehow Soundwave became a Gremiln or a munchie or something, I don't know what was up with his character. Why was one transformer a giant scorpion and all the rest vehicles? Why was there so much plot development with Shia Lebouf and next to none with the actual transformers? What exactly did Megatron transform into, a jet with a tail? I couldn't tell. I undertsand that everyone but me liked the movie and I can accept that, I just really hated it.
All in all i was really disappointed this summer. So many lackluster movies.
My top 3:
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Live Free or Die Hard
Fantastic Four 2: Rise of the Silver Surfer (yeah I'm, surprised too)
(if you count all year I'd put 300 and Pan's Labyrinth up there as well)
Bottom 3:
Transformers
Oceans 13
Spiderman 3
Here is hoping that the fall and winter releases came pull some of the doldrums out of this season. Definitely on my list is 3:10 to Yuma, a remake of a really good western with Christian Bale and Russel Crowe, and the Golden Compass looks to be good, at least the best of the Harry Potter clones coming out this year.
There are a few others that may turn out well enough,
Resident Evil: Extinction, I liked the first two well enough. I am Legend, sci-fi Will Smith, The second Chronicles of Narnia film, Brad Pitt's Assassination of Jesse James western, 30 Days of Night, vampire horror. Personally n the terms of no plot action films, I gotta see Shoot'em Up with Clive Owen and War wit Jet Li and Jason Statham, both movies look like pure action, my kryptonite.
Not sure if I am alone in my estimation of these films, but that's my two cents. What's the point of a blog if not to bitch about stuff. I mean they got me to still go see these movies, right? You know that I would totally go see more of many of these franchises should they make another, all in the hopes that they would be better. Maybe not the Oceans movies, as I didn't like 2 or 3, but Certainly Spidey 4 or Pirates 4. Ah well, no one to blame but me.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Monday, August 13, 2007
Mike Wieringo
Hey all,
Sunday marked the passing of Mike Wieringo, a very talented comic book artist, of a heart attack. While I didn't know him, I did get the oppertunity to meet him several years ago at Comic Con, when he was marketing his creator owned series Tellos. He was an unbelivably nice guy in those few moments that we talked, and I find it a shame that he was taken at the age of 44.
Mike was the kind of comic book artist that I admire, not the greatest or the flashiest, but the guy who was good and could keep his commitments. So many artists today can't maintain their deadlines, but he was dependable and gave you quality work on a consistant level. I hope he is in a better place.
Thanks for the work Mike.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Sunday marked the passing of Mike Wieringo, a very talented comic book artist, of a heart attack. While I didn't know him, I did get the oppertunity to meet him several years ago at Comic Con, when he was marketing his creator owned series Tellos. He was an unbelivably nice guy in those few moments that we talked, and I find it a shame that he was taken at the age of 44.
Mike was the kind of comic book artist that I admire, not the greatest or the flashiest, but the guy who was good and could keep his commitments. So many artists today can't maintain their deadlines, but he was dependable and gave you quality work on a consistant level. I hope he is in a better place.
Thanks for the work Mike.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Sunday, August 12, 2007
FTM
Hey all,
Here is my latest poem. I tried some different techniques with this one and I am actually pretty happy with how it turned out. It's sort of my thank you to those that inspire me to create and write these poems. Hope you like it.
FTM
From the many you are the one.
Who leads me to do what i have done.
Formulate this mind which you've lead to thought.
I thank you for showing me what I once sought.
Finding the means to convey from my heart.
In your work I have found that missing part.
Few things motivate like your skill,
In your work I find a desire to fulfill.
Forging this matter with the fires of passion.
Has shown me the means to my expression's fashion.
Forming this missive of which I create,
Pairing these words for which to conjugate,
Free to manufacture my thoughts into word,
With your images I find my abilities stirred.
For that manner your pictures always inspire,
Your imagination and talent will I always admire.
Favor this message for you are the cause.
To lay soul to public both my good and my flaws.
Forever this moment shall carry my appreciation,
Everyday you provide me with such inspiration.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Here is my latest poem. I tried some different techniques with this one and I am actually pretty happy with how it turned out. It's sort of my thank you to those that inspire me to create and write these poems. Hope you like it.
FTM
From the many you are the one.
Who leads me to do what i have done.
Formulate this mind which you've lead to thought.
I thank you for showing me what I once sought.
Finding the means to convey from my heart.
In your work I have found that missing part.
Few things motivate like your skill,
In your work I find a desire to fulfill.
Forging this matter with the fires of passion.
Has shown me the means to my expression's fashion.
Forming this missive of which I create,
Pairing these words for which to conjugate,
Free to manufacture my thoughts into word,
With your images I find my abilities stirred.
For that manner your pictures always inspire,
Your imagination and talent will I always admire.
Favor this message for you are the cause.
To lay soul to public both my good and my flaws.
Forever this moment shall carry my appreciation,
Everyday you provide me with such inspiration.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Saturday, August 11, 2007
True Story Time!
Hey all!
First off thanks for the words of support to that next to last column. I appreciate it it very much.
I realized that I have told a lot of true stories about things happening to me, but never one I myself did. Now I am going to change that. What follows is what I would categorize as the worst thing I have ever done. This is pretty bad and I hope that you realize it was stupid and immature... but its still kinda funny...
Several years back, I would say around 1997 or 1998, I attended the Vans Warp Tour. Here in Arizona, Warp Tour being an outdoor concert, and it being July, well it was fucking hot. A good size group of us were hanging around as the performers were coming to a close, there were probably a good 3 or 4 bands left, but the bulk of the "house" bands had completed their sets. We were drinking some water and were pretty dehydrated, when one of my friends, Luke (whose own adventures with us will be a true story column in the future) said that one of us should piss in the empty bottle and throw it into the crowd. Now there is no way (NO WAY) that any of us should have said yes to this, the kicker was myself and my pal Bill said okay. I took the bottle, but being so dehydrated, couldn't fill it up.
Bill, picking up my slack, managed to squirt the other half out, into the same bottle as me and I carried the warm plastic bottle of piss in my pocket until the final act came on stage, Bad Religion, came on.
What proceeded next I will never forget. Perfectly screwing the bottle cap on about halfway we arced it high into the crowd. At the apex of the throw, the cap flies off as the precursor to a golden spray arching from the bottle. It windmills all the way down spraying until finally hitting a girl in the head. Seeing her do the "I just got dunked head slouch" and arm raise was at the time hysterical. We unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, lost her in the crowd and did not see the actual realization that she had just received a group golden shower.
Part of me after all these years feel I should be more ashamed than I actually am. I mean their is not a chance I would think to do that again, but when your like 20 or so many stupid things seem like good ideas.
There you have it. The worst thing I have ever done. Think about the worst thing YOU have ever done. Could you admit it publicly? I did what I did and there is no changing that.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
First off thanks for the words of support to that next to last column. I appreciate it it very much.
I realized that I have told a lot of true stories about things happening to me, but never one I myself did. Now I am going to change that. What follows is what I would categorize as the worst thing I have ever done. This is pretty bad and I hope that you realize it was stupid and immature... but its still kinda funny...
Several years back, I would say around 1997 or 1998, I attended the Vans Warp Tour. Here in Arizona, Warp Tour being an outdoor concert, and it being July, well it was fucking hot. A good size group of us were hanging around as the performers were coming to a close, there were probably a good 3 or 4 bands left, but the bulk of the "house" bands had completed their sets. We were drinking some water and were pretty dehydrated, when one of my friends, Luke (whose own adventures with us will be a true story column in the future) said that one of us should piss in the empty bottle and throw it into the crowd. Now there is no way (NO WAY) that any of us should have said yes to this, the kicker was myself and my pal Bill said okay. I took the bottle, but being so dehydrated, couldn't fill it up.
Bill, picking up my slack, managed to squirt the other half out, into the same bottle as me and I carried the warm plastic bottle of piss in my pocket until the final act came on stage, Bad Religion, came on.
What proceeded next I will never forget. Perfectly screwing the bottle cap on about halfway we arced it high into the crowd. At the apex of the throw, the cap flies off as the precursor to a golden spray arching from the bottle. It windmills all the way down spraying until finally hitting a girl in the head. Seeing her do the "I just got dunked head slouch" and arm raise was at the time hysterical. We unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, lost her in the crowd and did not see the actual realization that she had just received a group golden shower.
Part of me after all these years feel I should be more ashamed than I actually am. I mean their is not a chance I would think to do that again, but when your like 20 or so many stupid things seem like good ideas.
There you have it. The worst thing I have ever done. Think about the worst thing YOU have ever done. Could you admit it publicly? I did what I did and there is no changing that.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Leggo my Lego!
Hey all!
Okay this is just one of the most bizarre things I have ever read about.
An 8 foot tall LEGO man was fished out of the ocean in the Netherlands wit h the words "No Real Than You Are" inscribed on his blue shirt.
Nobody knows where the LEGO Man came from or what the shirt means. An 8 foot tall LEGO man in the fucking ocean.
If that's not the first sign of the apocalypse than I don't know what is.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Okay this is just one of the most bizarre things I have ever read about.
An 8 foot tall LEGO man was fished out of the ocean in the Netherlands wit h the words "No Real Than You Are" inscribed on his blue shirt.
Nobody knows where the LEGO Man came from or what the shirt means. An 8 foot tall LEGO man in the fucking ocean.
If that's not the first sign of the apocalypse than I don't know what is.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Moving On
Hey all.
(edit)One quick note before I begin, I fixed the double rhyme in the last post that I missed somehow during the poems proofread. Sorry about that.
I seriously don't know what to think right now. There is some serious craziness going on in my family.
First off there is the issue with my brother. While I was away in Las Vegas he packed up all of his shit and snuck out of the house. Maybe a little back story first, eh? My brother had broken up with his GF last year and it was really ugly. She had a daughter from a previous marriage and Gregg was really close to her. When his GF left him, it really tore him up. Both emotionally and financially as she ran up a lot of debt on him. She actually paid the bills the bills in the house in Gregg's name and was in charge of his finances. She stopped paying bills and such kept the money with her so she would have money when she left him. It was really ugly and my brother was hurt bad. After this happened I convinced my brother to move in with me for a little while to get his shit straight, catch up on his bills and whatnot. He agreed to pay a little rent while he stayed here too, $300 a month for everything, utilities, cable, Internet, ect.. you know not much so that he could get things straight and a little to help me out too.
When he moved out he didn't tell me or anything. He just left. I was very hurt that he didn't even call me or anything, I have to hear about it from Jason, who came home and said that his stuff was gone. I feel I should point out too that Gregg had no furniture or anything, stuff he was supposedly going to buy. He moved in with his new GF of like a month and then last week he proposed to her.
I don't begrudge someones happiness but I think my brother is rushing things. I don't want to see him get hurt again. I have to wonder too about his financial situation as he owes money on 2 cars, skipped out on the last 2 months rent to me, stole $25.00 from me, and was still dealing with issues from his credit card after his old GF left. I hope I am wrong and everything works out for him.
To top it off my Mom came by work last night and dropped a bombshell. She is getting engaged and moving to Las Vegas with some guy she barely knows. I should be surprised by this but I am not. This will be the third time she has done this since leaving my Dad. When things start to take a tough turn my Mom looks for an easy out and this is it. She is loosing her job as a home care provider (all under the table of course) next week and now she feels like she is going to be screwed. So she is falling back to old ground, the easy out. By brother and her are a lot alike. I guess my Mom knew this guy a few years ago when she was in the Goldwings motorcycle club (yeah my Mom a biker...*sigh*) and they reunited in Las Vegas last week when my Mom took a solo vacation there, something I now find a little circumspect. Apparently he charmed the pants (insert uncomfortable pun here) off her her and now my Mom is leaving in 2 weeks.
I don't know what to feel. On one hand I think that this is some crazy shit, but then I think, am I just jealous that they have what I want? I am not saying I want to get married as soon as possible, just that maybe I don't seem to have the same opportunities. My brother and I are estranged over his leaving, (not by the actual leaving but by how he sneaked out and didn't talk to me about it) and now my Mom dumping out of town. It seems that everyone I care about is moving on, and I am still right here. You know, maybe its just that I don't see how rushing a relationship will fix problems in the now, I guess maybe I am too long term investment minded. Anyway thanks for lsitening (reading) to my rant.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
(edit)One quick note before I begin, I fixed the double rhyme in the last post that I missed somehow during the poems proofread. Sorry about that.
I seriously don't know what to think right now. There is some serious craziness going on in my family.
First off there is the issue with my brother. While I was away in Las Vegas he packed up all of his shit and snuck out of the house. Maybe a little back story first, eh? My brother had broken up with his GF last year and it was really ugly. She had a daughter from a previous marriage and Gregg was really close to her. When his GF left him, it really tore him up. Both emotionally and financially as she ran up a lot of debt on him. She actually paid the bills the bills in the house in Gregg's name and was in charge of his finances. She stopped paying bills and such kept the money with her so she would have money when she left him. It was really ugly and my brother was hurt bad. After this happened I convinced my brother to move in with me for a little while to get his shit straight, catch up on his bills and whatnot. He agreed to pay a little rent while he stayed here too, $300 a month for everything, utilities, cable, Internet, ect.. you know not much so that he could get things straight and a little to help me out too.
When he moved out he didn't tell me or anything. He just left. I was very hurt that he didn't even call me or anything, I have to hear about it from Jason, who came home and said that his stuff was gone. I feel I should point out too that Gregg had no furniture or anything, stuff he was supposedly going to buy. He moved in with his new GF of like a month and then last week he proposed to her.
I don't begrudge someones happiness but I think my brother is rushing things. I don't want to see him get hurt again. I have to wonder too about his financial situation as he owes money on 2 cars, skipped out on the last 2 months rent to me, stole $25.00 from me, and was still dealing with issues from his credit card after his old GF left. I hope I am wrong and everything works out for him.
To top it off my Mom came by work last night and dropped a bombshell. She is getting engaged and moving to Las Vegas with some guy she barely knows. I should be surprised by this but I am not. This will be the third time she has done this since leaving my Dad. When things start to take a tough turn my Mom looks for an easy out and this is it. She is loosing her job as a home care provider (all under the table of course) next week and now she feels like she is going to be screwed. So she is falling back to old ground, the easy out. By brother and her are a lot alike. I guess my Mom knew this guy a few years ago when she was in the Goldwings motorcycle club (yeah my Mom a biker...*sigh*) and they reunited in Las Vegas last week when my Mom took a solo vacation there, something I now find a little circumspect. Apparently he charmed the pants (insert uncomfortable pun here) off her her and now my Mom is leaving in 2 weeks.
I don't know what to feel. On one hand I think that this is some crazy shit, but then I think, am I just jealous that they have what I want? I am not saying I want to get married as soon as possible, just that maybe I don't seem to have the same opportunities. My brother and I are estranged over his leaving, (not by the actual leaving but by how he sneaked out and didn't talk to me about it) and now my Mom dumping out of town. It seems that everyone I care about is moving on, and I am still right here. You know, maybe its just that I don't see how rushing a relationship will fix problems in the now, I guess maybe I am too long term investment minded. Anyway thanks for lsitening (reading) to my rant.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Love's Lost Lorn
Hey all.
Here is my latest poem. I was thinking about all those unhealthy relationships people have in their life when you try to recapture what you once had. I definitely wanted to do something a little longer while staying succinct enough to get my meaning across without getting to repetitive. Hope you like.
Love's Lost Lorn
You called me up on the phone.
It's been a year since you left me alone.
You said you were sorry to atone,
That I was everything you'd ever known.
You'd left your old boyfriend behind.
The way he treated you was less than kind.
When you left you weren't in your right mind.
You claimed are hearts are forever entwined.
So sorry that you done me wrong.
You thought of me when you heard our song.
He's made you so unhappy for far to long.
Now you want to come back to where you belong.
You sobbed aloud that I'd been missed.
Reminded me of the first time we kissed.
Those old feelings you had to hard to resist.
That without me you didn't truly exist.
You say that things were bad.
Want to rekindle what we had.
That not having me makes you so sad.
But when you left me I felt so bad.
Without you I cried out all my tears.
Why did you leave me after all those years?
There is no way the damage just disappears.
And none of your reasons can soothe my fears.
I always wondered what I did to make you leave.
Was its something that I couldn't perceive?
Now your return is to hard to believe.
Is this another lie in the web you weave?
Broken love left me with this pain.
To much time has passed to complain.
I know now what you want to obtain.
But there's nothing left here to sustain.
You want our love to be reborn.
When all our ties have been cut shorn.
After all the time that I did mourn.
Now what's left is love's lost lorn.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Here is my latest poem. I was thinking about all those unhealthy relationships people have in their life when you try to recapture what you once had. I definitely wanted to do something a little longer while staying succinct enough to get my meaning across without getting to repetitive. Hope you like.
Love's Lost Lorn
You called me up on the phone.
It's been a year since you left me alone.
You said you were sorry to atone,
That I was everything you'd ever known.
You'd left your old boyfriend behind.
The way he treated you was less than kind.
When you left you weren't in your right mind.
You claimed are hearts are forever entwined.
So sorry that you done me wrong.
You thought of me when you heard our song.
He's made you so unhappy for far to long.
Now you want to come back to where you belong.
You sobbed aloud that I'd been missed.
Reminded me of the first time we kissed.
Those old feelings you had to hard to resist.
That without me you didn't truly exist.
You say that things were bad.
Want to rekindle what we had.
That not having me makes you so sad.
But when you left me I felt so bad.
Without you I cried out all my tears.
Why did you leave me after all those years?
There is no way the damage just disappears.
And none of your reasons can soothe my fears.
I always wondered what I did to make you leave.
Was its something that I couldn't perceive?
Now your return is to hard to believe.
Is this another lie in the web you weave?
Broken love left me with this pain.
To much time has passed to complain.
I know now what you want to obtain.
But there's nothing left here to sustain.
You want our love to be reborn.
When all our ties have been cut shorn.
After all the time that I did mourn.
Now what's left is love's lost lorn.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Concert Time: Ska is Dead Tour!
Hey all!
Saturday night my pal Bill and myself hit a really good concert. At a packed house at the Marquee in Tempe, Against All Authority, Streetlight Manifesto, Less Than Jake, and Reel Big Fish played a scorching set. This was basically a ska coming out party as everyone in attendance went nuts. Kind of nice to see the ska scene kicking and screaming a bit.
Against All Authority is an okay band in my estimation, not one of my favorites but I have a few albums on my IPOD, and they played a pretty good 40 minutes, no complaints.
Streetlight Manifesto was a band that I have never heard before and they were great! They are defiantly an up and coming ska band deserving of some wider recognition. Its good to hear some new ska bands making music as the ska scene has been DOA the last few years. The house went crazy for Streetlight too. Bill, whom I consider an authority on all things ska had never heard of them and was disappointed in myself to find a popular ska band he didn't know about. We both agreed to hit them up on I Tunes later.
Less Than Jake played a good set too. They chose people from the audience to come up and play Price is Right style games to determine the set lists. You played Plinko and whatever slot the chip fell in designated what album they would base the set list off of. They also spun the big wheel to determine the second part of the set list. I thought it was a very novel idea and it really got the crowd into the music. They played my favorite Less Than Jake song, The Science of Selling Yourself Short too so I had to give them a positive review.
Reel Big Fish tore the fucking hose down. They played all their great songs, the whole crowd was singing and skanking, myself included! They did great covers of Boys Don't Cry by the Cure and Take on Me by A-Ha. They even did Enter Sandman by Metalicca all horned out. It was awesome. It was just great show. I was left completely drained by the end of the night. Just an excellent live act. They also played some stuff off their new album was had some songs I was diggin. Bill picked up the album and he's cutting me a burn copy.
We swapped burned CD's this week, him giving me some new ska and punk bands to check out, like CIV and Animal Chin, two bands I know nothing about except Bill's insistence of excellence, as well as the new Dropkick Murphy. I cut him a copy of Social Distortions last studio album, Sex, Love and Rock and Roll along with their new song Far Behind. I also got him some Journey and some assorted I tunes downloads. I also gave him one of my favorite new Cd's, Vagiant. A Boston based grrl rock band, I ordered their CD from the website. Sort of a sloppy loose angry rock, I really did the whole CD. They had a song on Guitar Hero 2 called FTK and that turned me onto them You should check out their music on their MySpace page, under Vagiantboston.
Anyway that's my concert update. I have a lot of late night shifts this week so I will try to finish of my next poem for another update, as well as a rundown on the second half of the summer movies rundown.
Thanks for reading.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Saturday night my pal Bill and myself hit a really good concert. At a packed house at the Marquee in Tempe, Against All Authority, Streetlight Manifesto, Less Than Jake, and Reel Big Fish played a scorching set. This was basically a ska coming out party as everyone in attendance went nuts. Kind of nice to see the ska scene kicking and screaming a bit.
Against All Authority is an okay band in my estimation, not one of my favorites but I have a few albums on my IPOD, and they played a pretty good 40 minutes, no complaints.
Streetlight Manifesto was a band that I have never heard before and they were great! They are defiantly an up and coming ska band deserving of some wider recognition. Its good to hear some new ska bands making music as the ska scene has been DOA the last few years. The house went crazy for Streetlight too. Bill, whom I consider an authority on all things ska had never heard of them and was disappointed in myself to find a popular ska band he didn't know about. We both agreed to hit them up on I Tunes later.
Less Than Jake played a good set too. They chose people from the audience to come up and play Price is Right style games to determine the set lists. You played Plinko and whatever slot the chip fell in designated what album they would base the set list off of. They also spun the big wheel to determine the second part of the set list. I thought it was a very novel idea and it really got the crowd into the music. They played my favorite Less Than Jake song, The Science of Selling Yourself Short too so I had to give them a positive review.
Reel Big Fish tore the fucking hose down. They played all their great songs, the whole crowd was singing and skanking, myself included! They did great covers of Boys Don't Cry by the Cure and Take on Me by A-Ha. They even did Enter Sandman by Metalicca all horned out. It was awesome. It was just great show. I was left completely drained by the end of the night. Just an excellent live act. They also played some stuff off their new album was had some songs I was diggin. Bill picked up the album and he's cutting me a burn copy.
We swapped burned CD's this week, him giving me some new ska and punk bands to check out, like CIV and Animal Chin, two bands I know nothing about except Bill's insistence of excellence, as well as the new Dropkick Murphy. I cut him a copy of Social Distortions last studio album, Sex, Love and Rock and Roll along with their new song Far Behind. I also got him some Journey and some assorted I tunes downloads. I also gave him one of my favorite new Cd's, Vagiant. A Boston based grrl rock band, I ordered their CD from the website. Sort of a sloppy loose angry rock, I really did the whole CD. They had a song on Guitar Hero 2 called FTK and that turned me onto them You should check out their music on their MySpace page, under Vagiantboston.
Anyway that's my concert update. I have a lot of late night shifts this week so I will try to finish of my next poem for another update, as well as a rundown on the second half of the summer movies rundown.
Thanks for reading.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Friday, August 03, 2007
Assorted Nuts
Hey all!
Not a whole lot to update today, just wanted to drop a few quick lines about a few odds and ends.
Picked up the expansion for Guitar Hero, Rock the 80's Encore. This is definitely the weakest installment of the series. For $50.00 I want more out of the game. On the previous games you had like 35 to 40 songs, plus another 20 or so unlockable songs. This one has a flat 30 songs with limited unlockable content, no new songs or outfits or alternate characters to unlock.I am threw the medium set list and I pretty much bought what I wanted. When you consider that the earlier games shipped with our without a guitar controller, buying it at $50.00 without still got you more songs. I know that it is supposed to be a game to tie you over until the big releases this Christmas in GH3 or Rock Band, but it is still kind of a rip off.
I thought I would also take a moment to wax a bit about the summer television time. As things are pretty dry right now I must suggest tuning into what has quickly become one of my favorite programs, Ninja Warrior on G4. Its basically an Iron Man version of American Gladiator with real people competing in impossible obstacle courses. I get so into whether or not my favorite competitors finish, I can't wait for the new tournament to air in the fall. Basically its held in Japan twice a year and its amazing to watch. A better example is a serious MXC challenge, its totally awesome.
In fact, G4 on a whole is a great channel to watch something on when there is nothing to watch. Attack of the Show is a painless way to spend an hour updating you on things that I tend to like, like games, technology, movies, comics... all sorts of stuff.
That's about it. I have heard through different channels that people are actually reading this blog, which to me is a great honor. I appreciate anyone who takes some time out of their day to read my stuff. Thanks!
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Not a whole lot to update today, just wanted to drop a few quick lines about a few odds and ends.
Picked up the expansion for Guitar Hero, Rock the 80's Encore. This is definitely the weakest installment of the series. For $50.00 I want more out of the game. On the previous games you had like 35 to 40 songs, plus another 20 or so unlockable songs. This one has a flat 30 songs with limited unlockable content, no new songs or outfits or alternate characters to unlock.I am threw the medium set list and I pretty much bought what I wanted. When you consider that the earlier games shipped with our without a guitar controller, buying it at $50.00 without still got you more songs. I know that it is supposed to be a game to tie you over until the big releases this Christmas in GH3 or Rock Band, but it is still kind of a rip off.
I thought I would also take a moment to wax a bit about the summer television time. As things are pretty dry right now I must suggest tuning into what has quickly become one of my favorite programs, Ninja Warrior on G4. Its basically an Iron Man version of American Gladiator with real people competing in impossible obstacle courses. I get so into whether or not my favorite competitors finish, I can't wait for the new tournament to air in the fall. Basically its held in Japan twice a year and its amazing to watch. A better example is a serious MXC challenge, its totally awesome.
In fact, G4 on a whole is a great channel to watch something on when there is nothing to watch. Attack of the Show is a painless way to spend an hour updating you on things that I tend to like, like games, technology, movies, comics... all sorts of stuff.
That's about it. I have heard through different channels that people are actually reading this blog, which to me is a great honor. I appreciate anyone who takes some time out of their day to read my stuff. Thanks!
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Among A Dream
Hey all!
I took at a stab at the second poem I wrote on the plane. I used the majority of the stuff I did write, I just moved a lot around. I think I kept the same inspiration for the poem, my intent. I do know that at some point I rhymed the word beacon with the word concrete. I don't know WHAT that was about. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this poem, something a bit more upkey than my last few. I wanted to do something positive when I attempted this one. Hope you enjoy.
Among A Dream
I find myself among a dream,
Things are not what they seem.
For all is not as appears,
When waking life interferes.
Walking with what went unseen.
To find a change in this routine.
Stagnate life may find me awake,
But sleeping visions can soothe this ache.
Hope is now given chance.
Possibility no passing glance.
When every thought can come concrete,
All meaning becomes complete.
Hidden desires lose their disguise.
When impulse can overrule the wise.
We don't always know what we seek,
Though unbidden dreams may offer a peek.
Pay close heed to slumber's thought.
When tension's grip has you fraught,
At the time you feel so ashen,
Your dreams are the beacon of passion.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
I took at a stab at the second poem I wrote on the plane. I used the majority of the stuff I did write, I just moved a lot around. I think I kept the same inspiration for the poem, my intent. I do know that at some point I rhymed the word beacon with the word concrete. I don't know WHAT that was about. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this poem, something a bit more upkey than my last few. I wanted to do something positive when I attempted this one. Hope you enjoy.
Among A Dream
I find myself among a dream,
Things are not what they seem.
For all is not as appears,
When waking life interferes.
Walking with what went unseen.
To find a change in this routine.
Stagnate life may find me awake,
But sleeping visions can soothe this ache.
Hope is now given chance.
Possibility no passing glance.
When every thought can come concrete,
All meaning becomes complete.
Hidden desires lose their disguise.
When impulse can overrule the wise.
We don't always know what we seek,
Though unbidden dreams may offer a peek.
Pay close heed to slumber's thought.
When tension's grip has you fraught,
At the time you feel so ashen,
Your dreams are the beacon of passion.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Slow The Day
Happy August folks!
Here is the second poem that I wrote on vacation. Well technically its the third poem but I can't really read the second poem to well. I wrote it on the plane from Vegas to San Diego. Cramped seat plus drunkenness equals some really bad handwriting and some rhymes that don't even.. well rhyme. I will work on that one and try a polish, it will technically fall in my 2 attempts or less rule so hopefully I can get something out of it.
I wrote this poem in the car ride home from San Diego. Hope you enjoy.
Slow The Day
Left behind once again.
No regards to consequence.
A decision fraught with regret.
For all must one day render recompense.
The same mistakes are made again.
Always seeks the quicker route.
But the easy path you take at last,
Can never subset that feeling of doubt.
Future days will come to pass,
Those choices made to soothe the present,
In your hurry to fill the day,
You can't see what is truly absent.
Slow the day and see the stars,
Moonlight night or summer sky.
The world will turn around this night,
And new opportunities ahead will lie.
Take heart the words here said.
Can't see what you've left.
Selfish days leads distress,
Forgotten friends found bereft.
But here I must let you go.
I can't be the one always there.
Though it still hurts sometimes,
To think that you don't care.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Here is the second poem that I wrote on vacation. Well technically its the third poem but I can't really read the second poem to well. I wrote it on the plane from Vegas to San Diego. Cramped seat plus drunkenness equals some really bad handwriting and some rhymes that don't even.. well rhyme. I will work on that one and try a polish, it will technically fall in my 2 attempts or less rule so hopefully I can get something out of it.
I wrote this poem in the car ride home from San Diego. Hope you enjoy.
Slow The Day
Left behind once again.
No regards to consequence.
A decision fraught with regret.
For all must one day render recompense.
The same mistakes are made again.
Always seeks the quicker route.
But the easy path you take at last,
Can never subset that feeling of doubt.
Future days will come to pass,
Those choices made to soothe the present,
In your hurry to fill the day,
You can't see what is truly absent.
Slow the day and see the stars,
Moonlight night or summer sky.
The world will turn around this night,
And new opportunities ahead will lie.
Take heart the words here said.
Can't see what you've left.
Selfish days leads distress,
Forgotten friends found bereft.
But here I must let you go.
I can't be the one always there.
Though it still hurts sometimes,
To think that you don't care.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
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