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!
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
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!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Vacation Part 2
Hey all!
Thought I would update the second part of my vacation today, The San Diego Comic Con. This was my 14th comic con, I've been attending since 1993, only missing one since then.
I love the comic con, its really one of the few times in the year were you can totally immerse yourself in so many aspects of different things that you like. Comics are just a part of it, new movies, video games, art displays, meeting celebrities, interacting with other convention goers, discovering cool toys or books you didn't know about before. There are just so many things going on its very easy to fill up four days of floor time.
Thursday was a short day for me, as I flew in to SD in the afternoon, after getting zero sleep the night before in Vegas and still a little drunk, working the floor that day was a very draining experience. Still, the highlight of my entire trip, Vegas and the con, was getting to see Tara McPherson again.
The tattoo I got was of one of her pieces, and her reaction to seeing it and the positive feelings I got was totally overwhelming. She was super excited to see it and was really impressed with how it looked, and even by the fact that I'd chosen to get her work tattooed. Coupled with the fact that I went so big with it and it was my first, I think she was appreciative. I know it made my trip. She asked me to email her a picture, and I need to get on that soon. She signed her art book and even did a really cool sketch in it, which was totally unexpected.
She is a big influence on my writing and helped me to identify my subject matter in my poetry. Looking at her art really inspires me, and whenever I get stuck on something, I pull out her book, Lonely Hearts: The Art of Tara McPherson, to get back on track.
The rest of the con was a lot of fun too! I got to meet Warren Ellis, a great writer who just published a really good, albeit really bizarre book called Crooked Little Vein. I finished it in about a day. I also got to meet James Jean, another really good artist and pick up some cool prints from him. He also did a little drawing in his art book, Process Recess, which was cool.
Friday night we all hit the Eisner's awards. Sort of the Oscars for comics. That had to be the longest ceremony ever running well over 4 hours long. Jason and myself have hit the Eisner's before, but as this was Autumn's first time, I am afraid she may not have enjoyed it. It really ran far too long and wasn't the best year for nominations. Beside my comic shop, Atomic Comics, was up for the Eisner of best retailer and lost. I think out of 20 catagories, I only predicted 3 wrong winners.. apparently I know my useless comic crap eh?
Saturday was defiantly highlighted by the bizarreness of the annual Masquerade, 51 contestants who compete in a costume contest. This one always provides some good laughs, as apparently its okay for me to throw stones as these geeks from my glass house. Just the sheer ridiculousness of the costumes and the overacting of the contestants is always a ripe bit of fun, especially after a few pitchers of beer! My only complaint was the hour long fucking play they put on to give the judges a chance to deliberate. It was a play put on by a Kung Fu society about pirates fighting ninjas. It was long, it was bad and it was poorly scripted. It literally ran for an hour. God it was awful. Cheesy choreographed fight scenes, sort of a Wushu version of a Lloyd Kaufman or Ed Wood movie. Terrible. Have I mentioned how long it was? Seriously, it was long.
Sunday was for the last minute stuff, you know, the stuff you don't need but end up buying as you haven't spent all of your money yet. We cut out a little early to get a jump on the ride home.
I didn't have any buyer's remorse over anything, I usually do on the way home but not this year. The worst year was 2005 when I paid $300 for a custom made lightsaber. Its totally awesome... but I paid $300 fucking dollars for it! My big purchases this year were a Gentle Giant mini bust of a Clone Trooper from Star Wars. I paid $50 for it and I have already seen it resaling for $200. It was only available at con so I am cool with that. I bought a few books, Warren Ellis new novel, a Phil Noto Art book, and I plugged about $25 worth of good reads out of the dollar and $2 bins, getting almost complete runs of the Vertigo series Moonshadow, White Tiger and a Dr. Strange mini that were all worth it. I also bought David Mack's new children's book The Shy Creatures.
Next to Tara McPherson, David Mack is a huge influence, at least tonelally with his work. He is such a great writer and artist her images really are beautiful. I have been following his stuff for years and support everything he creates, even a children's book. Hey.. maybe one day I'll need it.
Perhaps the nerdiest thing I did was to make arrangements to get a Jayne hat. For those of you out of the know, Jayne is a character on the great show Firefly, and in one episode her mother sends him a knitted hat which he proudly wears. It's terrible and nerdy.. and I had to have one. It was the same feeling I gt when I paid for that lightsaber.. I knew as soon as I saw it that I would own one. +1 nerd point to me.
The meals on this trip were great too. We typically have a few place we hit every year. Hooters, as the San Diego Hooters is chock full of good looking ladies and is a great primer for getting toasted and hitting the Masquerade. We also hit a place called the Strip Club, which lets you cook your own steaks, and boy are they good steaks. Jason probably eats the rarest steak I ave ever seen, I swear to you it still moo's a little when he cuts it. We also hit a pub called the Elephant and Castle, a place that serve authentic English food, and every year I get the bangers and mash. Sausages with mash potatoes, baked beans and a apple chutney. We changed it up a little and hit Anthony's Fish Grotto this year on Sunday. I like seafood, and so does Autumn, but Jason doesn't so most years we skip out on the seafood. This year Autumn wanted some so we got to override him. Anthony's is one of San Diego's most popular fish eateries and it was no wonder why. I had a wonderful Tuscan stuffed swordfish, which was a fist time experience for me. for dessert I had spumagio, a weird sort of Italian flavored ice cream, green with cherries in it. It was great! Something I definitely want more of.
What was without a doubt the most important thing to happen at con didn't happen to me, but to my best friend Jason. He made some serious headway into gaining some actual published work. Viper comics and Penny-Farthing Press seem to be really interested in publishing him, and there is a possibility that his friend Matt may line up some work for them at Dark Horse. Jason is a talented creative person, and his dedication to his craft are are real inspiration to me. Him getting published would mean just as much to me as to him.. well maybe him a bit more as he is the creative force. I have known he was great since 8th grade. Seeing him improve and polish and continue to push himself and really dedicate the time to his craft, his work, his girlfriend, and his friends is really awesome. I don't know how he does it. I am honored to say that maybe I had a little hand in helping him along the way. He is a much better friend that I deserve. I have a really good feeling that this is his year.
Anyway, that about sums up the vacation. I hope to post my next poem tomorrow after work. I have to work 1 day before I can finish out my vacation. Thanks for reading.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Thought I would update the second part of my vacation today, The San Diego Comic Con. This was my 14th comic con, I've been attending since 1993, only missing one since then.
I love the comic con, its really one of the few times in the year were you can totally immerse yourself in so many aspects of different things that you like. Comics are just a part of it, new movies, video games, art displays, meeting celebrities, interacting with other convention goers, discovering cool toys or books you didn't know about before. There are just so many things going on its very easy to fill up four days of floor time.
Thursday was a short day for me, as I flew in to SD in the afternoon, after getting zero sleep the night before in Vegas and still a little drunk, working the floor that day was a very draining experience. Still, the highlight of my entire trip, Vegas and the con, was getting to see Tara McPherson again.
The tattoo I got was of one of her pieces, and her reaction to seeing it and the positive feelings I got was totally overwhelming. She was super excited to see it and was really impressed with how it looked, and even by the fact that I'd chosen to get her work tattooed. Coupled with the fact that I went so big with it and it was my first, I think she was appreciative. I know it made my trip. She asked me to email her a picture, and I need to get on that soon. She signed her art book and even did a really cool sketch in it, which was totally unexpected.
She is a big influence on my writing and helped me to identify my subject matter in my poetry. Looking at her art really inspires me, and whenever I get stuck on something, I pull out her book, Lonely Hearts: The Art of Tara McPherson, to get back on track.
The rest of the con was a lot of fun too! I got to meet Warren Ellis, a great writer who just published a really good, albeit really bizarre book called Crooked Little Vein. I finished it in about a day. I also got to meet James Jean, another really good artist and pick up some cool prints from him. He also did a little drawing in his art book, Process Recess, which was cool.
Friday night we all hit the Eisner's awards. Sort of the Oscars for comics. That had to be the longest ceremony ever running well over 4 hours long. Jason and myself have hit the Eisner's before, but as this was Autumn's first time, I am afraid she may not have enjoyed it. It really ran far too long and wasn't the best year for nominations. Beside my comic shop, Atomic Comics, was up for the Eisner of best retailer and lost. I think out of 20 catagories, I only predicted 3 wrong winners.. apparently I know my useless comic crap eh?
Saturday was defiantly highlighted by the bizarreness of the annual Masquerade, 51 contestants who compete in a costume contest. This one always provides some good laughs, as apparently its okay for me to throw stones as these geeks from my glass house. Just the sheer ridiculousness of the costumes and the overacting of the contestants is always a ripe bit of fun, especially after a few pitchers of beer! My only complaint was the hour long fucking play they put on to give the judges a chance to deliberate. It was a play put on by a Kung Fu society about pirates fighting ninjas. It was long, it was bad and it was poorly scripted. It literally ran for an hour. God it was awful. Cheesy choreographed fight scenes, sort of a Wushu version of a Lloyd Kaufman or Ed Wood movie. Terrible. Have I mentioned how long it was? Seriously, it was long.
Sunday was for the last minute stuff, you know, the stuff you don't need but end up buying as you haven't spent all of your money yet. We cut out a little early to get a jump on the ride home.
I didn't have any buyer's remorse over anything, I usually do on the way home but not this year. The worst year was 2005 when I paid $300 for a custom made lightsaber. Its totally awesome... but I paid $300 fucking dollars for it! My big purchases this year were a Gentle Giant mini bust of a Clone Trooper from Star Wars. I paid $50 for it and I have already seen it resaling for $200. It was only available at con so I am cool with that. I bought a few books, Warren Ellis new novel, a Phil Noto Art book, and I plugged about $25 worth of good reads out of the dollar and $2 bins, getting almost complete runs of the Vertigo series Moonshadow, White Tiger and a Dr. Strange mini that were all worth it. I also bought David Mack's new children's book The Shy Creatures.
Next to Tara McPherson, David Mack is a huge influence, at least tonelally with his work. He is such a great writer and artist her images really are beautiful. I have been following his stuff for years and support everything he creates, even a children's book. Hey.. maybe one day I'll need it.
Perhaps the nerdiest thing I did was to make arrangements to get a Jayne hat. For those of you out of the know, Jayne is a character on the great show Firefly, and in one episode her mother sends him a knitted hat which he proudly wears. It's terrible and nerdy.. and I had to have one. It was the same feeling I gt when I paid for that lightsaber.. I knew as soon as I saw it that I would own one. +1 nerd point to me.
The meals on this trip were great too. We typically have a few place we hit every year. Hooters, as the San Diego Hooters is chock full of good looking ladies and is a great primer for getting toasted and hitting the Masquerade. We also hit a place called the Strip Club, which lets you cook your own steaks, and boy are they good steaks. Jason probably eats the rarest steak I ave ever seen, I swear to you it still moo's a little when he cuts it. We also hit a pub called the Elephant and Castle, a place that serve authentic English food, and every year I get the bangers and mash. Sausages with mash potatoes, baked beans and a apple chutney. We changed it up a little and hit Anthony's Fish Grotto this year on Sunday. I like seafood, and so does Autumn, but Jason doesn't so most years we skip out on the seafood. This year Autumn wanted some so we got to override him. Anthony's is one of San Diego's most popular fish eateries and it was no wonder why. I had a wonderful Tuscan stuffed swordfish, which was a fist time experience for me. for dessert I had spumagio, a weird sort of Italian flavored ice cream, green with cherries in it. It was great! Something I definitely want more of.
What was without a doubt the most important thing to happen at con didn't happen to me, but to my best friend Jason. He made some serious headway into gaining some actual published work. Viper comics and Penny-Farthing Press seem to be really interested in publishing him, and there is a possibility that his friend Matt may line up some work for them at Dark Horse. Jason is a talented creative person, and his dedication to his craft are are real inspiration to me. Him getting published would mean just as much to me as to him.. well maybe him a bit more as he is the creative force. I have known he was great since 8th grade. Seeing him improve and polish and continue to push himself and really dedicate the time to his craft, his work, his girlfriend, and his friends is really awesome. I don't know how he does it. I am honored to say that maybe I had a little hand in helping him along the way. He is a much better friend that I deserve. I have a really good feeling that this is his year.
Anyway, that about sums up the vacation. I hope to post my next poem tomorrow after work. I have to work 1 day before I can finish out my vacation. Thanks for reading.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Monday, July 30, 2007
A Company of One
Hey all.
Here is the first poem I wrote on my vacation. I wrote this on some scrap paper that I had in my pocket. I was alone, in the gardens in front of Ceasar's Palace in Las Vegas late on Tuesday night, just as it was raining. I sat under an overhang in the garden and wrote this. I am directly transcribing the poem from the paper without any modifications, other than the notes I made on the paper itself to keep the moment alive as it were. I took the title from another line in a previous poem which seemed to carry a special resonance in the moment I was writing. Hope you don't think it a cheap tactic. I can already see places where I could make it better, but that wasn't what I wrote at the time and would be cheating, at least to me. Hope you enjoy.
A Company of One
In a sea of white,
I don the black.
When everyone joins the herd,
I stray from the pack.
A company of one,
One more moment found undone.
When all my friends gather,
I hold myself back.
While the world reads Stephen King,
I relate to Kerouac.
A company of one,
This solitary race left to run.
As you follow the path,
I avoid the beaten track.
For when you fufill your dreams,
I'm just another selfless hack.
A company of one,
My emptiness long since begun.
A relationship hold possibilities,
Yet I have not skill or tack.
To avoid all opportunity,
Can yield no target to attack.
A company of one,
A battle fought that can't be won.
While you fill your life with love,
I hold this empty sack.
Every time you kiss your lover,
I'm reminded of what I lack.
A company of one,
All that matters now outdone.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Here is the first poem I wrote on my vacation. I wrote this on some scrap paper that I had in my pocket. I was alone, in the gardens in front of Ceasar's Palace in Las Vegas late on Tuesday night, just as it was raining. I sat under an overhang in the garden and wrote this. I am directly transcribing the poem from the paper without any modifications, other than the notes I made on the paper itself to keep the moment alive as it were. I took the title from another line in a previous poem which seemed to carry a special resonance in the moment I was writing. Hope you don't think it a cheap tactic. I can already see places where I could make it better, but that wasn't what I wrote at the time and would be cheating, at least to me. Hope you enjoy.
A Company of One
In a sea of white,
I don the black.
When everyone joins the herd,
I stray from the pack.
A company of one,
One more moment found undone.
When all my friends gather,
I hold myself back.
While the world reads Stephen King,
I relate to Kerouac.
A company of one,
This solitary race left to run.
As you follow the path,
I avoid the beaten track.
For when you fufill your dreams,
I'm just another selfless hack.
A company of one,
My emptiness long since begun.
A relationship hold possibilities,
Yet I have not skill or tack.
To avoid all opportunity,
Can yield no target to attack.
A company of one,
A battle fought that can't be won.
While you fill your life with love,
I hold this empty sack.
Every time you kiss your lover,
I'm reminded of what I lack.
A company of one,
All that matters now outdone.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Vacation Part 1
Hey all!
Finally back from my vacation and I thought since so much was going on I would split the updates into two columns. The first column will deal with my time in Las Vegas, tomorrow the Comic Con. I also wrote 3 poems on my vacation that I will update over the course of the week.
Las Vegas was not as much fun as I wish it was. Vegas is about getting wild and partying all the time, and that's not really an option when you are there for work. I have never really considered myself a loner or solitary person by nature, but I found myself mostly on my own in Vegas. All the managers sort of fell into cliques, which I guess I am not really part of. There is one manager, Ramon who I would consider a good friend, but the rest are really just acquaintances. I don't really hang out with work people all that much, I mean the last thing I want to do most of the time after I get off work is sit around and talk about more work with people that I have to see all the time. It doesn't feel like my own time then.
Anyway I ate a lot of solitary meals Monday and Tuesday. I did try something new to eat, something I like to do when the opportunity presents itself. I ate Veal Sweetbreads, which is the thymus gland of a baby cow. Sounds gross... but tasted good. My boss thought it was pretty gross, but that made me like it more.
The convention stuff was pretty tame, I didn't take a whole lot away from the booths that I didn't know, but I did get a few ideas on tome things I will use to build some sales.. I am gonna try to do a reading hour at the store. Should be good for the community and good for the kids and hopefully build some sales. The learning events were at least more interesting this time, we did one where we got to build welcome baskets for struggling families who are living in the Ronald McDonald house. Any you look at it it beats going to real work.
Tuesday I got so pissed at the rest of the team that I told them all to fuck off and quit calling me. We were supposed to meet at a bar across the street from Ballys. I was staying at the Paris and those bastards had me crossing the strip like 3 times, and its raining and I am getting pissed off and finally I told them off. I find out the next day they were next door to Ballys in a little shitbox casino bar down a side street. None of which was ever told to me.
Wednesday was better. After the convention closed and we ate dinner as a division, we went to closing services. They had a few bands, one was made up off members of Santanna and Journey and they did Santanna's big hits, I think they were the Greg Rolie Band. After that the main act for closing ceremonies were Earth, Wind, and Fire. This would have been great if I was like 45 or 50 i guess, but I didn't really get into it.
After the session a bunch of the supervisors and store managers got together in one of the Paris bars and proceeded to get drunk. We started at 11:00pm, and I didn't stop drinking until 8:30 am. Rusty Nails, my drink of choice (scotch and Drambuie)and various shots led to us getting pretty trashed. Everyone starting cashing in about 5:00am, except for the director of Phoenix, Chris (whom has been making our life a bit of hell and is a big reason I am looking for work), Sherry, and operations expert, Roxanne, a fellow restaurant manager, and myself. I don't have the clearest recollection but I do remember dancing with them and the girls exchanging lesbian encounter tales, and Chris and myself talking music and movies and generally getting along. We capped it off with beer and crepes at 8:30 for breakfast and then I showered and changed, packed my bags and hit the airport for my 11:00am flight to the Con. I didn't sleep for like 48 hours straight As I conned all day Thursday after the flight!
I'll update more soon!
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Finally back from my vacation and I thought since so much was going on I would split the updates into two columns. The first column will deal with my time in Las Vegas, tomorrow the Comic Con. I also wrote 3 poems on my vacation that I will update over the course of the week.
Las Vegas was not as much fun as I wish it was. Vegas is about getting wild and partying all the time, and that's not really an option when you are there for work. I have never really considered myself a loner or solitary person by nature, but I found myself mostly on my own in Vegas. All the managers sort of fell into cliques, which I guess I am not really part of. There is one manager, Ramon who I would consider a good friend, but the rest are really just acquaintances. I don't really hang out with work people all that much, I mean the last thing I want to do most of the time after I get off work is sit around and talk about more work with people that I have to see all the time. It doesn't feel like my own time then.
Anyway I ate a lot of solitary meals Monday and Tuesday. I did try something new to eat, something I like to do when the opportunity presents itself. I ate Veal Sweetbreads, which is the thymus gland of a baby cow. Sounds gross... but tasted good. My boss thought it was pretty gross, but that made me like it more.
The convention stuff was pretty tame, I didn't take a whole lot away from the booths that I didn't know, but I did get a few ideas on tome things I will use to build some sales.. I am gonna try to do a reading hour at the store. Should be good for the community and good for the kids and hopefully build some sales. The learning events were at least more interesting this time, we did one where we got to build welcome baskets for struggling families who are living in the Ronald McDonald house. Any you look at it it beats going to real work.
Tuesday I got so pissed at the rest of the team that I told them all to fuck off and quit calling me. We were supposed to meet at a bar across the street from Ballys. I was staying at the Paris and those bastards had me crossing the strip like 3 times, and its raining and I am getting pissed off and finally I told them off. I find out the next day they were next door to Ballys in a little shitbox casino bar down a side street. None of which was ever told to me.
Wednesday was better. After the convention closed and we ate dinner as a division, we went to closing services. They had a few bands, one was made up off members of Santanna and Journey and they did Santanna's big hits, I think they were the Greg Rolie Band. After that the main act for closing ceremonies were Earth, Wind, and Fire. This would have been great if I was like 45 or 50 i guess, but I didn't really get into it.
After the session a bunch of the supervisors and store managers got together in one of the Paris bars and proceeded to get drunk. We started at 11:00pm, and I didn't stop drinking until 8:30 am. Rusty Nails, my drink of choice (scotch and Drambuie)and various shots led to us getting pretty trashed. Everyone starting cashing in about 5:00am, except for the director of Phoenix, Chris (whom has been making our life a bit of hell and is a big reason I am looking for work), Sherry, and operations expert, Roxanne, a fellow restaurant manager, and myself. I don't have the clearest recollection but I do remember dancing with them and the girls exchanging lesbian encounter tales, and Chris and myself talking music and movies and generally getting along. We capped it off with beer and crepes at 8:30 for breakfast and then I showered and changed, packed my bags and hit the airport for my 11:00am flight to the Con. I didn't sleep for like 48 hours straight As I conned all day Thursday after the flight!
I'll update more soon!
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
I Feel So Far Away
Hey all!
I don't know if this poem is a success or not. I really wanted to do something different and have a returning verse in a poem, sort of a chorus or something. I tend to think that this wasn't my best attempt. I took 2 long cracks at this before I finished it. This isn't my favorite, but I gotta post the good and the less than good, though maybe someone will like it. Eh either way enjoy.
I Feel So far Away
Forgotten once again,
Nothing ever stays the same.
Yet here I am now,
No more lives left on the game.
All by myself left here to play.
While I feel so far away.
So many years have come and gone.
Everything seems to have changed.
Time may move on,
But I'll be left estranged.
It doesn't matter anyway,
Cause I feel so far away.
A lonely path I walk,
Surrounded on all sides,
No one seems to care.
They wash out with the tides.
A sea of people that never stay,
But I feel so far away.
Tired of the same old grind,
And I know all these familiar places.
Everyone is so far lost.
I can't remember all their faces.
Left alone with my dismay,
Now I feel so far away.
Now i find myself again,
In this company of one.
Remember better times,
For I'm on a journey long begun.
All affection did I betray.
Still I feel so far away.
Isolated by design,
The only thing left is all the pain.
I can't keep it all inside,
And yet here I remain.
All that's left is this cliche.
And I feel so far away.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
I don't know if this poem is a success or not. I really wanted to do something different and have a returning verse in a poem, sort of a chorus or something. I tend to think that this wasn't my best attempt. I took 2 long cracks at this before I finished it. This isn't my favorite, but I gotta post the good and the less than good, though maybe someone will like it. Eh either way enjoy.
I Feel So far Away
Forgotten once again,
Nothing ever stays the same.
Yet here I am now,
No more lives left on the game.
All by myself left here to play.
While I feel so far away.
So many years have come and gone.
Everything seems to have changed.
Time may move on,
But I'll be left estranged.
It doesn't matter anyway,
Cause I feel so far away.
A lonely path I walk,
Surrounded on all sides,
No one seems to care.
They wash out with the tides.
A sea of people that never stay,
But I feel so far away.
Tired of the same old grind,
And I know all these familiar places.
Everyone is so far lost.
I can't remember all their faces.
Left alone with my dismay,
Now I feel so far away.
Now i find myself again,
In this company of one.
Remember better times,
For I'm on a journey long begun.
All affection did I betray.
Still I feel so far away.
Isolated by design,
The only thing left is all the pain.
I can't keep it all inside,
And yet here I remain.
All that's left is this cliche.
And I feel so far away.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
This is SPINAL TAP!
Hey all.
Just a quick update today. One of my favorite movies is This is Spinal Tap, which if you haven't seen is a must. A great send up of 80's rock excess and really one of the first mockumentry style films. What makes the movie so good is that the three main characters, David St. Hubbins, played my Michael McKean, Nigel Tufnel, played by Christopher Guest, and Derek Smalls, played by Harry Shearer, really play thier own instruments and sing thier own songs. The kicker is that the songs, as a parody on 80's rock excess, are actually really good and catchy, Like Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight, or Big Bottom.
Anyway Spinal Tap has kind of taken on a cult status since the 1984 film and they reunited for Live Earth this past week. I caught the performance on MSN and I really wish i could have gone to England to see them perform. They did Stonehenge, their mock rock opera, A new song called Warm as Hell, which wasn't bad, and Big Bottom. Big Bottom, which all three characters play bass guitar on was great! Funny too, as they had all the bassists playing the UK Live Earth come out and play bass on the song, like 15 guys playing bass. Members of Foo Fighters, Metallica, James Blunt, Beastie Boys, Madonna's band's bassists/.. everyone!
It's really awesome that they reunited, and I gotta hope for a US show! I seriously would drive to wherever they were playing just to say I saw the Tap. Check out the MSN feed on Big Bottom and sample the album for the original movie. You won't be sorry!
You have to turn that performance to 11!
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Just a quick update today. One of my favorite movies is This is Spinal Tap, which if you haven't seen is a must. A great send up of 80's rock excess and really one of the first mockumentry style films. What makes the movie so good is that the three main characters, David St. Hubbins, played my Michael McKean, Nigel Tufnel, played by Christopher Guest, and Derek Smalls, played by Harry Shearer, really play thier own instruments and sing thier own songs. The kicker is that the songs, as a parody on 80's rock excess, are actually really good and catchy, Like Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight, or Big Bottom.
Anyway Spinal Tap has kind of taken on a cult status since the 1984 film and they reunited for Live Earth this past week. I caught the performance on MSN and I really wish i could have gone to England to see them perform. They did Stonehenge, their mock rock opera, A new song called Warm as Hell, which wasn't bad, and Big Bottom. Big Bottom, which all three characters play bass guitar on was great! Funny too, as they had all the bassists playing the UK Live Earth come out and play bass on the song, like 15 guys playing bass. Members of Foo Fighters, Metallica, James Blunt, Beastie Boys, Madonna's band's bassists/.. everyone!
It's really awesome that they reunited, and I gotta hope for a US show! I seriously would drive to wherever they were playing just to say I saw the Tap. Check out the MSN feed on Big Bottom and sample the album for the original movie. You won't be sorry!
You have to turn that performance to 11!
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Monday, July 16, 2007
Vacation Update
Hey all!
Not a whole lot to update on today, though I want to admit how excited I am getting for my vacation next week. First off, work is sending me to National Convention for 4 days in Las Vegas. This should be excellent as work is picking up my flight, hotel, and food bills for the 4 and a half days I am there.
McDonald's is putting me up in the Paris hotel, and supplying me with like a $100 spending money. We will spend Monday flying in and going to one meet and greet/ rally then have a free night. After that Tuesday and Wednesday have us attending different seminars and booths in order to help us learn new techniques in management and equipment. Tuesday night will be a free night by about 9pm so plenty of time to do stuff then. Wednesday night will see me at a beach cookout type thing until 11 or 12 at night so I don't think that I will be getting to crazy that night.
I am sure we will do some drinking and such, last time I went to convention I was partying with the regional director of the Rocky Mountain area( Vegas, Phoenix, Denver) until 5 am one night. Hell I only spent like $200 of my own cash last time work put me up. If you now the right people you can coast most of the trip without buying your own drinks.
I gotta be honest, my last Vegas trip with Bill was AWESOME, but I spent way to much money and partied WAY to hard. I am really going to be on guard for 2 reasons, one I am representing work and I don't want t be the bad apple, no matter how much I ate my job, and 2 I want to have plenty of cash left over for my vacation which starts immediately following Vegas.
After Vegas, I fly straight to San Diego for Comic -Con. I even got work to pay for my ticket to San Diego instead of me flying to back to Phoenix. I'll catch a ride home with Jason and Autumn so that will work out nicely. Comic Con is really gonna be HUGE this year and my inner nerd... well and my outer one can't wait. I defiantly will give you the full rundown on my return.
I will really try to get another poem up in the next few days, and count on a post or 2 before my week long departure.
Oh and a small bit of TV news.. If you get the G4 network which covers video games and pop culture stuff, they are running an excellent preview of Comic Con. Well not so much as excellent but pretty insightful. Man There are a bunch of nerds going to this con... oh wait.. I'm one of them.
Ahh well... let your flag fly free.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Not a whole lot to update on today, though I want to admit how excited I am getting for my vacation next week. First off, work is sending me to National Convention for 4 days in Las Vegas. This should be excellent as work is picking up my flight, hotel, and food bills for the 4 and a half days I am there.
McDonald's is putting me up in the Paris hotel, and supplying me with like a $100 spending money. We will spend Monday flying in and going to one meet and greet/ rally then have a free night. After that Tuesday and Wednesday have us attending different seminars and booths in order to help us learn new techniques in management and equipment. Tuesday night will be a free night by about 9pm so plenty of time to do stuff then. Wednesday night will see me at a beach cookout type thing until 11 or 12 at night so I don't think that I will be getting to crazy that night.
I am sure we will do some drinking and such, last time I went to convention I was partying with the regional director of the Rocky Mountain area( Vegas, Phoenix, Denver) until 5 am one night. Hell I only spent like $200 of my own cash last time work put me up. If you now the right people you can coast most of the trip without buying your own drinks.
I gotta be honest, my last Vegas trip with Bill was AWESOME, but I spent way to much money and partied WAY to hard. I am really going to be on guard for 2 reasons, one I am representing work and I don't want t be the bad apple, no matter how much I ate my job, and 2 I want to have plenty of cash left over for my vacation which starts immediately following Vegas.
After Vegas, I fly straight to San Diego for Comic -Con. I even got work to pay for my ticket to San Diego instead of me flying to back to Phoenix. I'll catch a ride home with Jason and Autumn so that will work out nicely. Comic Con is really gonna be HUGE this year and my inner nerd... well and my outer one can't wait. I defiantly will give you the full rundown on my return.
I will really try to get another poem up in the next few days, and count on a post or 2 before my week long departure.
Oh and a small bit of TV news.. If you get the G4 network which covers video games and pop culture stuff, they are running an excellent preview of Comic Con. Well not so much as excellent but pretty insightful. Man There are a bunch of nerds going to this con... oh wait.. I'm one of them.
Ahh well... let your flag fly free.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Friday, July 13, 2007
A Thousand Painful Stings
Hey all.
I wrote this poem drawing my inspiration from all those break up type moments you have in life. Though I am not the expert in such matters, I wanted to try to put some different levels into this poem, something i don't always like to do. Poetry should be subjective to the reader and they can draw what they will. I hope I conveyed some different undertones, I felt like I rambled a little on a verse or two, I didn't want it to get away from me. I wanted a good ending line, and my first shake at it wasn't what I liked.
I've said in the past that I like poems to be done in one sitting, two at the outside, more than that and I think you lose your original thought process on the poem and that whatever you were subjected too in between sittings can change your view. I want the poem to encapsulate what that moment in time was about. I don't know that any of my poems are any good, but I like writing them and its very liberating. Anyway, hope you enjoy.
A Thousand Painful Stings
It's happened once again,
Walked straight out the door.
Packed up all her bags,
I'm left here wanting more.
Called me vile names,
Said many hurtful things,
Though some did I deserve,
Like a thousand painful stings.
We argued so much more,
Not as happy as we use to be.
If only she'd come back,
I even miss the misery.
I made a few mistakes,
Should have tried so much more,
She always knew the truth.
A hard way to even the score.
I would trade most anything,
Just for one chance.
Anything she asked,
To rekindle lost romance.
I'll wait here by myself,
For as long as need be,
Hoping that the door will open,
And end this lonely agony.
I promise here to you,
That I can really change,
It's not like it was before,
Who I was is out of range.
No more broken promises,
And no more empty lies.
We can light the ash of passion.
Like a phoenix reborn to rise.
This isn't the first time,
But it feels like it's the last,
Waiting in the dark,
The end just came to fast.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
I wrote this poem drawing my inspiration from all those break up type moments you have in life. Though I am not the expert in such matters, I wanted to try to put some different levels into this poem, something i don't always like to do. Poetry should be subjective to the reader and they can draw what they will. I hope I conveyed some different undertones, I felt like I rambled a little on a verse or two, I didn't want it to get away from me. I wanted a good ending line, and my first shake at it wasn't what I liked.
I've said in the past that I like poems to be done in one sitting, two at the outside, more than that and I think you lose your original thought process on the poem and that whatever you were subjected too in between sittings can change your view. I want the poem to encapsulate what that moment in time was about. I don't know that any of my poems are any good, but I like writing them and its very liberating. Anyway, hope you enjoy.
A Thousand Painful Stings
It's happened once again,
Walked straight out the door.
Packed up all her bags,
I'm left here wanting more.
Called me vile names,
Said many hurtful things,
Though some did I deserve,
Like a thousand painful stings.
We argued so much more,
Not as happy as we use to be.
If only she'd come back,
I even miss the misery.
I made a few mistakes,
Should have tried so much more,
She always knew the truth.
A hard way to even the score.
I would trade most anything,
Just for one chance.
Anything she asked,
To rekindle lost romance.
I'll wait here by myself,
For as long as need be,
Hoping that the door will open,
And end this lonely agony.
I promise here to you,
That I can really change,
It's not like it was before,
Who I was is out of range.
No more broken promises,
And no more empty lies.
We can light the ash of passion.
Like a phoenix reborn to rise.
This isn't the first time,
But it feels like it's the last,
Waiting in the dark,
The end just came to fast.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Order of the Phoenix Review
Hey all!
Before I get to the Order of the Phoenix review, I just read that the four day pass for the San Diego Comic Con that I am hitting up this month is already... SOLD THE FUCK OUT!!! Comic Con has NEVER sold out in the close to 15 years that I have been attending and I am genuinely shocked at this happening. Not that people want to attend of course, its the biggest comic / pop-culture / genre movie in the country, but that so many people pre-registered! I have only pre-registered one or two times in the past and certainly not in this millennium, so the sheer fluke that Jason and myself thought to pre-register this year was certainly anything but superflurrious!! I am super excited to see all the cool swag and events going on, this truly will be the biggest San Diego Con of all time, surpassing the early 90's speculator boom that almost crushed comics as we know it.
There are still 1 day and 3 day (non Saturday) passes available, so its not a total loss to anyone still looking to attend, but a helluva lot of people are gonna get stuck buying 3 day and then a 1 day pass to hit everything when they try to buy at the door. I also know that Saturday will be a very GOOD day to cut short. It will be all elbows and assholes end to end in there. Gonna have to really hit James Jean on Friday.
Anyway, onto my review for the Order of the Phoenix. I should point out that this was my least favorite book of all 6 so far, and the one that I thought would make the best movie. There are a lot of scenes, that in the book really flesh out and develop characters, really don't advance the bulk of the plot. This movie really capitalizes on that and keeps the films pace fast enough to hit all the key points, but allows the moments from the book that you like to really flow out. My only minor complaint would be wishing that the had more scenes with Gary Oldman. The Siruis / Harry relationship isn't as polished as would have liked. Or maybe I just wish Gary Oldman had more screen time, one of my favorite actors as my favorite character in the series couldn't hurt. For me, the pacing was the one area that I though The Goblet of Fire got hurt the most one. As my second favorite book, I thought Goblet was the poorest of the films, moving to quickly and not finding the right moments or sub-plots to slow down on. Don't get me wrong, I liked the movie a lot, just wasn't the best one.
Anyway, back to Order of the Phoenix. Casting in the Potter movies is always top notch, Alan Rickman, Ralph Finnes, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Gambon, Emma Thompson, the list goes on, each actor really brings to life the character they are playing. Alan Rickman especially makes these movies for me. He has that ability to make even the worst of people so generally entertaining... see his work in Die Hard for example. The three leads continue to show their range and I really hope that they continue to find work after the series concludes in 2010. I would also say that expansion on the older Weasly Twins was a welcome bit of comedy in what is probably the darkest Potter yet.
Special Effects are phenomenal as always, and I don't want to drop any spoilers, but the final fight scene is awesome!
I belive this movie has trumped Live Free or Die Hard as the best movie of the summer, and with little competition to comes against it I think that you can count on this being he best. Hell.. its already on its way to breaking box office records with a 40 plus million Wednesday haul.
I'll try to post another summer movie update when I catch The Simpsons, Captivity, Evan Almighty, and the Transformers when I catch them, along with the Bourne Ultimatum which looks t be the best of the lot remaining.
Looking for a topic for my next poem and hope to post soon. Thanks!
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Before I get to the Order of the Phoenix review, I just read that the four day pass for the San Diego Comic Con that I am hitting up this month is already... SOLD THE FUCK OUT!!! Comic Con has NEVER sold out in the close to 15 years that I have been attending and I am genuinely shocked at this happening. Not that people want to attend of course, its the biggest comic / pop-culture / genre movie in the country, but that so many people pre-registered! I have only pre-registered one or two times in the past and certainly not in this millennium, so the sheer fluke that Jason and myself thought to pre-register this year was certainly anything but superflurrious!! I am super excited to see all the cool swag and events going on, this truly will be the biggest San Diego Con of all time, surpassing the early 90's speculator boom that almost crushed comics as we know it.
There are still 1 day and 3 day (non Saturday) passes available, so its not a total loss to anyone still looking to attend, but a helluva lot of people are gonna get stuck buying 3 day and then a 1 day pass to hit everything when they try to buy at the door. I also know that Saturday will be a very GOOD day to cut short. It will be all elbows and assholes end to end in there. Gonna have to really hit James Jean on Friday.
Anyway, onto my review for the Order of the Phoenix. I should point out that this was my least favorite book of all 6 so far, and the one that I thought would make the best movie. There are a lot of scenes, that in the book really flesh out and develop characters, really don't advance the bulk of the plot. This movie really capitalizes on that and keeps the films pace fast enough to hit all the key points, but allows the moments from the book that you like to really flow out. My only minor complaint would be wishing that the had more scenes with Gary Oldman. The Siruis / Harry relationship isn't as polished as would have liked. Or maybe I just wish Gary Oldman had more screen time, one of my favorite actors as my favorite character in the series couldn't hurt. For me, the pacing was the one area that I though The Goblet of Fire got hurt the most one. As my second favorite book, I thought Goblet was the poorest of the films, moving to quickly and not finding the right moments or sub-plots to slow down on. Don't get me wrong, I liked the movie a lot, just wasn't the best one.
Anyway, back to Order of the Phoenix. Casting in the Potter movies is always top notch, Alan Rickman, Ralph Finnes, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Gambon, Emma Thompson, the list goes on, each actor really brings to life the character they are playing. Alan Rickman especially makes these movies for me. He has that ability to make even the worst of people so generally entertaining... see his work in Die Hard for example. The three leads continue to show their range and I really hope that they continue to find work after the series concludes in 2010. I would also say that expansion on the older Weasly Twins was a welcome bit of comedy in what is probably the darkest Potter yet.
Special Effects are phenomenal as always, and I don't want to drop any spoilers, but the final fight scene is awesome!
I belive this movie has trumped Live Free or Die Hard as the best movie of the summer, and with little competition to comes against it I think that you can count on this being he best. Hell.. its already on its way to breaking box office records with a 40 plus million Wednesday haul.
I'll try to post another summer movie update when I catch The Simpsons, Captivity, Evan Almighty, and the Transformers when I catch them, along with the Bourne Ultimatum which looks t be the best of the lot remaining.
Looking for a topic for my next poem and hope to post soon. Thanks!
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Everyday a Little More
Hey all!
I'm posting this from work, while I wait for specialist cleaners to get done with our chimney stacks. I have completed everything I both need to do and have the slightest desire to do, so I thought it was a great oppertunity for a post. Hell, I've already missed last call.
Here's a poem that basically comes out of my self reflection that I posted about in the last update. Hope you like.
Everyday a little more,
Desires rise to change the score.
But words die cold on the tongue,
A shameful silence since begun.
No volume breaks from my lips,
With burning intention at finger tips.
A proclamtion for all to hear,
Failed statement made to dissappear.
If only pen could be what voice cannot.
To hearken loud what heart's begot.
Lead or type, ink or brush,
Scripted words so full and lush.
A parchment judges not what's meant,
Nor suspicion raise at what verse intent.
It cannot hurt with words or tone,
It's contents you dictate alone.
To give those words life with voice,
To expose your own deep rejoice,
Can be such a thing of fear and dread,
For what if the answer is best left unsaid?
It's easy so to write these thought,
Harder now when eye to eye are brought.
Courage dim and self esteem defeat,
When face to face again we meet.
But change must happen, either ill or good.
To conquer my fears like a man should.
For to stay the same within in my heart,
Will tear the walls of this soul apart.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
I'm posting this from work, while I wait for specialist cleaners to get done with our chimney stacks. I have completed everything I both need to do and have the slightest desire to do, so I thought it was a great oppertunity for a post. Hell, I've already missed last call.
Here's a poem that basically comes out of my self reflection that I posted about in the last update. Hope you like.
Everyday a little more,
Desires rise to change the score.
But words die cold on the tongue,
A shameful silence since begun.
No volume breaks from my lips,
With burning intention at finger tips.
A proclamtion for all to hear,
Failed statement made to dissappear.
If only pen could be what voice cannot.
To hearken loud what heart's begot.
Lead or type, ink or brush,
Scripted words so full and lush.
A parchment judges not what's meant,
Nor suspicion raise at what verse intent.
It cannot hurt with words or tone,
It's contents you dictate alone.
To give those words life with voice,
To expose your own deep rejoice,
Can be such a thing of fear and dread,
For what if the answer is best left unsaid?
It's easy so to write these thought,
Harder now when eye to eye are brought.
Courage dim and self esteem defeat,
When face to face again we meet.
But change must happen, either ill or good.
To conquer my fears like a man should.
For to stay the same within in my heart,
Will tear the walls of this soul apart.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Introspection
Hey all.
Went out with my friends Jason and Stefanie to Old Chicago. Had a lot of fun, did some drinks, coupled with the fun to be had from shots, which I will elaborate more on in a minute, got some dinner, and had some good conversation. I even busted out my karaoke skills on a little Dynamite Hack, Boyz in the Hood style.
We ordered a round of shots, starting with Irish car bombs, Stefanie couldn't even drink hers and Jason pretty much didn't care for it either. Next up was a blowjob. The point of a blowjob was to not use your hands when you drink it, and let me point out that this was hours of hilarity on end here. Stef couldn't get her whole mouth around the shot glass, Jason choked on his first attempt and spitted it out all over the place. I had to cheat a bit to get the glass positioned the first time but by the second round I did it no problem. Jason even managed to get him all down the second time, with a little help from his hands. it was fun!
We also had a lot of fun rating the level of smugness at the table. Its well documented that Jason likes the the better things in life, Steve Madden shoes, Ben Sherman wallet, anything San Francisco.. ect.. It was fun to tease a bit. Stef got caught on a few things, but either proudly or sadly my geekness overpowered any smug attempts sent my way. The fact that I ordered a Harry Potter book from England to get the Philosophers Stone title is NOT smug... just really sad.
Anyway, the point of this post was where the conversation turned to after the fun. Mainly me.
I really want to change how I am around women. I understand that I have some self esteem issues among other things. But I feel so uncomfortable talking about them to people. Any people. Typing words and saying them are different. When I am writing I don't have to see the reaction, I don't have to know what you felt about what was said unless you decide to say something. When I am talking to someone, regardless, I have a hard time letting down the shell. Its been such a practice to make a joke or cut myself to quick to diffuse an awkward or tense moment that I am afraid of what might happen if I don't.
Jason asked me what I would say to a girl that showed interest in me. I honestly had to say I don't know. He asked me what was the part of the body that I was attracted to the most. I didn't know. It's such an improbability in my mind that someone could like me for who I am that I don't usually let myself think about it. That's probably why I started writing poems, at least writing them I can articulate what I feel with what I want to say, even when I don't have the courage to say it. I want so much to change, I want to meet someone and not feel like a cripple, I just can't seem to get past the hump.
I've spent the last few hours dwelling on the things that were said, and I still don't think I have the answers I want. I did come to one conclusion though, I told Jason that the legs were the most attractive part of a woman for me, but I don't think that's right. I think its the face, not just physical beauty, but the whole face. The way an eye can frame the face, the curve of a cheek, the way their hair falls, her smile. A smile can say a lot without needing words.
I have to find a way to accept myself so I can lower my guard. Just open the door and take that first step. But it's the first step that's the hardest. Because I know one thing for absolute certain...
I spent an awesome evening with a great person, and I can't even bring myself to ask her the one thing I want to.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Went out with my friends Jason and Stefanie to Old Chicago. Had a lot of fun, did some drinks, coupled with the fun to be had from shots, which I will elaborate more on in a minute, got some dinner, and had some good conversation. I even busted out my karaoke skills on a little Dynamite Hack, Boyz in the Hood style.
We ordered a round of shots, starting with Irish car bombs, Stefanie couldn't even drink hers and Jason pretty much didn't care for it either. Next up was a blowjob. The point of a blowjob was to not use your hands when you drink it, and let me point out that this was hours of hilarity on end here. Stef couldn't get her whole mouth around the shot glass, Jason choked on his first attempt and spitted it out all over the place. I had to cheat a bit to get the glass positioned the first time but by the second round I did it no problem. Jason even managed to get him all down the second time, with a little help from his hands. it was fun!
We also had a lot of fun rating the level of smugness at the table. Its well documented that Jason likes the the better things in life, Steve Madden shoes, Ben Sherman wallet, anything San Francisco.. ect.. It was fun to tease a bit. Stef got caught on a few things, but either proudly or sadly my geekness overpowered any smug attempts sent my way. The fact that I ordered a Harry Potter book from England to get the Philosophers Stone title is NOT smug... just really sad.
Anyway, the point of this post was where the conversation turned to after the fun. Mainly me.
I really want to change how I am around women. I understand that I have some self esteem issues among other things. But I feel so uncomfortable talking about them to people. Any people. Typing words and saying them are different. When I am writing I don't have to see the reaction, I don't have to know what you felt about what was said unless you decide to say something. When I am talking to someone, regardless, I have a hard time letting down the shell. Its been such a practice to make a joke or cut myself to quick to diffuse an awkward or tense moment that I am afraid of what might happen if I don't.
Jason asked me what I would say to a girl that showed interest in me. I honestly had to say I don't know. He asked me what was the part of the body that I was attracted to the most. I didn't know. It's such an improbability in my mind that someone could like me for who I am that I don't usually let myself think about it. That's probably why I started writing poems, at least writing them I can articulate what I feel with what I want to say, even when I don't have the courage to say it. I want so much to change, I want to meet someone and not feel like a cripple, I just can't seem to get past the hump.
I've spent the last few hours dwelling on the things that were said, and I still don't think I have the answers I want. I did come to one conclusion though, I told Jason that the legs were the most attractive part of a woman for me, but I don't think that's right. I think its the face, not just physical beauty, but the whole face. The way an eye can frame the face, the curve of a cheek, the way their hair falls, her smile. A smile can say a lot without needing words.
I have to find a way to accept myself so I can lower my guard. Just open the door and take that first step. But it's the first step that's the hardest. Because I know one thing for absolute certain...
I spent an awesome evening with a great person, and I can't even bring myself to ask her the one thing I want to.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Friday, July 06, 2007
Beneath My Own Stained Moon
Happy June Folks...
Sorry for the gap in posting, another long week at work and I haven't been home all that much. Thought I would treat you to another poem. This one turned out really dark.. Umm really dark. I am not sure what really inspired it.. it started out a lot different than how it actually came out. Originally it was supposed to be just another sort of heartbreak poem... but I guess it changed. But that's okay.. it does that sometimes.
Beneath My Own Stained Moon
I've been sitting here,
Waiting for the quiet to end.
An impossible task,
There's no use to pretend.
I watch and stare at myself,
Trying to find the man I used to be.
Instead of the burned out reflection,
Looking back at me.
Tomorrow comes a day too late,
Yesterday came a day too soon.
I'm trapped once again,
Beneath my own stained moon.
Caged within in a prison,
Of no bars or band.
A glass walled cage,
Held within my hand.
Trapped by this demon,
Who won't let me free.
Thrust the Angel of my God,
To fly so far away from me.
Drowning myself,
One lonely cup at a time.
Dwelling on chances missed.
Of my own self-wrought crime.
The curtains have pulled shut,
From a life once full.
Now held in a shallow grave,
Of empty promise and ritual.
Blind away the pain,
Telling myself more hateful lies.
To bury the truth in the dark,
And gouge out these fucking eyes.
Withered so far into the numb,
This heart so made of black.
Tear it from my chest,
Never too look back.
Drink deep one last time,
And cut a smile on my sleeve.
A fitting end,
To leave away what I believe.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Sorry for the gap in posting, another long week at work and I haven't been home all that much. Thought I would treat you to another poem. This one turned out really dark.. Umm really dark. I am not sure what really inspired it.. it started out a lot different than how it actually came out. Originally it was supposed to be just another sort of heartbreak poem... but I guess it changed. But that's okay.. it does that sometimes.
Beneath My Own Stained Moon
I've been sitting here,
Waiting for the quiet to end.
An impossible task,
There's no use to pretend.
I watch and stare at myself,
Trying to find the man I used to be.
Instead of the burned out reflection,
Looking back at me.
Tomorrow comes a day too late,
Yesterday came a day too soon.
I'm trapped once again,
Beneath my own stained moon.
Caged within in a prison,
Of no bars or band.
A glass walled cage,
Held within my hand.
Trapped by this demon,
Who won't let me free.
Thrust the Angel of my God,
To fly so far away from me.
Drowning myself,
One lonely cup at a time.
Dwelling on chances missed.
Of my own self-wrought crime.
The curtains have pulled shut,
From a life once full.
Now held in a shallow grave,
Of empty promise and ritual.
Blind away the pain,
Telling myself more hateful lies.
To bury the truth in the dark,
And gouge out these fucking eyes.
Withered so far into the numb,
This heart so made of black.
Tear it from my chest,
Never too look back.
Drink deep one last time,
And cut a smile on my sleeve.
A fitting end,
To leave away what I believe.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Live Free or Die Hard
Hey all!
Caught the new Die Hard tonight and I can say with absolute resonance that the summer doldrums are broken. Live Free r Die Hard was everything I was hoping to get out of this movie. Tons of great action sequences, the best man vs woman fist fight I have EVER seen, and plenty of the old John McClane witty banter. Don't get me wrong, Die Hard 4 is TOTALLY over the top, but its presented in such a way that they never take it to far out of the realm of possibility. Sure they stretch the boundaries of the realm, but not much more than With a Vengeance did with the semi truck water tunnel sequence. I am sure you saw in the preview with McClane taking out the helicopter with his car and fighting the F-35 jet, they pushed a little more CG than we may come to expect from the gritty old school style of the previous films, but considering today's movie market place, I feel they did an excellent job on the movie.
Willis is great even in his 50's really making us remember why McCLane is such a great character, and remembering why it was Bruce Willis that created the action genre we know today. You get all the good and all the bad in one wisecracking package, and its definitely worth your $9.00 for a ticket.
I also had worried that the PG-13 rating would take away from the movie, but honestly I didn't really notice the language (or lack hereof) in the movie, and they toned down some of the more gruesome images of McClane killing the bad guys, but nothing I would comment to have a negative impact on the film.
The supporting cast was good. Justin Long as the nerdy tech guy (not too much of a stretch) and Timothy Olyphant as the bad guy was a perfect bit of casting. A guy like Olyphant, who is criminally underrated, can pull of the more traditional bad guy role of the Die Hard films, thief covering his own intentions with a bigger picture. This film isn't breaking new ground, but it doesn't need to.Its great the way it is.
My only complaint would be the god-like powers the hackers have, though it's a minor one. Precedence is pretty much set that a hacker in any movie can do anything in just a few seconds and Live Free is no exception. Once you accept that.. just enjoy the action as Bruce Willis does what he does best, get the shit kicked out of him kill some bad guys and crack some wise.
I really hope that this film does well, I'd love to see Willis reprise the role one more time and take the franchise full circle. Each movie has opened the field of play a bit more, Die Hard was just 1 guy in an office building, Die Harder was opened up to a full airport, With a Vengeance sees McClane all over NYC, and Live Free finds McClane all over the upper eastern seaboard. I'd love for them to strip down the film 1 more time and rekindle the one man against the odds in a small space again. But let's face it, as long as the movies re well made I am gonna keep watching.
I'll try to hit another update tommorrow with a rundown on my quick trip to Flagstaff.
Yippee-ki-yay mother fucker!
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Caught the new Die Hard tonight and I can say with absolute resonance that the summer doldrums are broken. Live Free r Die Hard was everything I was hoping to get out of this movie. Tons of great action sequences, the best man vs woman fist fight I have EVER seen, and plenty of the old John McClane witty banter. Don't get me wrong, Die Hard 4 is TOTALLY over the top, but its presented in such a way that they never take it to far out of the realm of possibility. Sure they stretch the boundaries of the realm, but not much more than With a Vengeance did with the semi truck water tunnel sequence. I am sure you saw in the preview with McClane taking out the helicopter with his car and fighting the F-35 jet, they pushed a little more CG than we may come to expect from the gritty old school style of the previous films, but considering today's movie market place, I feel they did an excellent job on the movie.
Willis is great even in his 50's really making us remember why McCLane is such a great character, and remembering why it was Bruce Willis that created the action genre we know today. You get all the good and all the bad in one wisecracking package, and its definitely worth your $9.00 for a ticket.
I also had worried that the PG-13 rating would take away from the movie, but honestly I didn't really notice the language (or lack hereof) in the movie, and they toned down some of the more gruesome images of McClane killing the bad guys, but nothing I would comment to have a negative impact on the film.
The supporting cast was good. Justin Long as the nerdy tech guy (not too much of a stretch) and Timothy Olyphant as the bad guy was a perfect bit of casting. A guy like Olyphant, who is criminally underrated, can pull of the more traditional bad guy role of the Die Hard films, thief covering his own intentions with a bigger picture. This film isn't breaking new ground, but it doesn't need to.Its great the way it is.
My only complaint would be the god-like powers the hackers have, though it's a minor one. Precedence is pretty much set that a hacker in any movie can do anything in just a few seconds and Live Free is no exception. Once you accept that.. just enjoy the action as Bruce Willis does what he does best, get the shit kicked out of him kill some bad guys and crack some wise.
I really hope that this film does well, I'd love to see Willis reprise the role one more time and take the franchise full circle. Each movie has opened the field of play a bit more, Die Hard was just 1 guy in an office building, Die Harder was opened up to a full airport, With a Vengeance sees McClane all over NYC, and Live Free finds McClane all over the upper eastern seaboard. I'd love for them to strip down the film 1 more time and rekindle the one man against the odds in a small space again. But let's face it, as long as the movies re well made I am gonna keep watching.
I'll try to hit another update tommorrow with a rundown on my quick trip to Flagstaff.
Yippee-ki-yay mother fucker!
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Assorted Nuts...
Hey all.
Haven't gotten a good read on my next poem yet but I thought I would relate a few small items.
Registered for the San Diego Comic Con yesterday. I have been to every con in San Diego except one since 1992. I am a huge comic book buff and my pal Jason and I make it a point to go every year. This year especially will see some peopel in attendance that I haven't had a great chance to really meet. James Jean, Kent Williams among others. I also want to show Tara McPherson my tattoo of her work, hopefully she will like it. The tatttoo , by the way, is coming along. Most of the redness has faded and its peeling. The sading is really light and despite the need of a few touch ups, its looking pretty good.
Back to the con, autographs have been a low priority at the con the last few years, though I have a few art books and trades that I will probably take. Mostly I will be on the lookout for new trades or art books that I don't have. Also pehaps a few foreign trades of interest. I picked up a great looking western book called Angela from Olivere Vatine and Daniel Pecqueur from France. It has really great visual story telling and flow, and I find it a good tool to help with pacing and flow. If you can convey a story without the words, its a really good feat. I'll be on the lookout for more.
Jason, who is close to signing a deal to do some inking, has let me do some more fills for the next project he is working on. I am really appreciative of him trusting me enoough to help out. I am not fool enough to think that I am doing something that he couldn't do with greater aplomb or skill, but that he lets me help is awesome. To be imvolved, even slightly, in the process of creating a comic book, something that has been a big part of my life for so long, is really awesome. I can't wait to get some more work.
Been trying to fill the rest of my time reading, bought a large cache of science fiction books and the like and have been belting through them. I can speed read and sometimes I can plow through a book too fast. Of the 10 books I have picked up over the last three weeks, I am down to 2, a couple of Hellboy novels that I wanted to save for San Diego next month, I just underestimated how quickly I would get through the other 8. I know that I am not so foolish as to think that I won't have the 7th Harry Potter finished ( I already pre-ordered it) within the first day. (It ships on the 21st...yeah.. geek) I do recommend checking out James Rollins if you are a Dan Brown or Clive Cussler fan of action adventure.
My brother and Jason also signed me up for a MySpace account. I don't know if I should keep it up as I don't think I have the desire to maintain two websites.. Anyone have any suggestions?
That about sums up these quick hits.... look forward to posting again soon.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Haven't gotten a good read on my next poem yet but I thought I would relate a few small items.
Registered for the San Diego Comic Con yesterday. I have been to every con in San Diego except one since 1992. I am a huge comic book buff and my pal Jason and I make it a point to go every year. This year especially will see some peopel in attendance that I haven't had a great chance to really meet. James Jean, Kent Williams among others. I also want to show Tara McPherson my tattoo of her work, hopefully she will like it. The tatttoo , by the way, is coming along. Most of the redness has faded and its peeling. The sading is really light and despite the need of a few touch ups, its looking pretty good.
Back to the con, autographs have been a low priority at the con the last few years, though I have a few art books and trades that I will probably take. Mostly I will be on the lookout for new trades or art books that I don't have. Also pehaps a few foreign trades of interest. I picked up a great looking western book called Angela from Olivere Vatine and Daniel Pecqueur from France. It has really great visual story telling and flow, and I find it a good tool to help with pacing and flow. If you can convey a story without the words, its a really good feat. I'll be on the lookout for more.
Jason, who is close to signing a deal to do some inking, has let me do some more fills for the next project he is working on. I am really appreciative of him trusting me enoough to help out. I am not fool enough to think that I am doing something that he couldn't do with greater aplomb or skill, but that he lets me help is awesome. To be imvolved, even slightly, in the process of creating a comic book, something that has been a big part of my life for so long, is really awesome. I can't wait to get some more work.
Been trying to fill the rest of my time reading, bought a large cache of science fiction books and the like and have been belting through them. I can speed read and sometimes I can plow through a book too fast. Of the 10 books I have picked up over the last three weeks, I am down to 2, a couple of Hellboy novels that I wanted to save for San Diego next month, I just underestimated how quickly I would get through the other 8. I know that I am not so foolish as to think that I won't have the 7th Harry Potter finished ( I already pre-ordered it) within the first day. (It ships on the 21st...yeah.. geek) I do recommend checking out James Rollins if you are a Dan Brown or Clive Cussler fan of action adventure.
My brother and Jason also signed me up for a MySpace account. I don't know if I should keep it up as I don't think I have the desire to maintain two websites.. Anyone have any suggestions?
That about sums up these quick hits.... look forward to posting again soon.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Saturday, June 23, 2007
New Concepts
Hey all.
Wanted to leave a quick update tonight. When I started this blog it was with the intention of getting myself writing again, and creating some stories, if only for me at least. That has been something I have not focused on and I am making efforts to repair that matter. I started working on a story bible, just a notebook where I can keep notes and jot down story ideas when they come to me. My goal is to start taking it with me where I go so when something i like comes to me, I can commit it to paper before I forget.
I have three story ideas right now. A World War 2 story, a classic western tale, and a concept I am thinking about revisiting. A while back my roommate Jason and I started to kick around some story concepts to potentially self publish a comic book. Well, with him close to getting contract work with a comic company, I think I need to start to develop this idea on my own. Take what I worked out then and meld it forward. Its an amalgamation of all the things I really enjoy, westerns, science fiction, and fantasy..with a little steampunk. I like that it gives me a broad range of story ideas and can keep things interesting. I can go epic in scope, or keep a simple gritty western revenge tale. A combination of swords, guns, technology and magic will keep for a variety of character and story ideas. I am excited to get started.
It starts with the bible though.. getting characters and locations at least roughed out before actually getting to the meat. Anyway that's what's going on with me. As I start to develop some more concrete ideas I'll post some updates on them. I also will try to get to another poem on my next post. Thanks for reading.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Wanted to leave a quick update tonight. When I started this blog it was with the intention of getting myself writing again, and creating some stories, if only for me at least. That has been something I have not focused on and I am making efforts to repair that matter. I started working on a story bible, just a notebook where I can keep notes and jot down story ideas when they come to me. My goal is to start taking it with me where I go so when something i like comes to me, I can commit it to paper before I forget.
I have three story ideas right now. A World War 2 story, a classic western tale, and a concept I am thinking about revisiting. A while back my roommate Jason and I started to kick around some story concepts to potentially self publish a comic book. Well, with him close to getting contract work with a comic company, I think I need to start to develop this idea on my own. Take what I worked out then and meld it forward. Its an amalgamation of all the things I really enjoy, westerns, science fiction, and fantasy..with a little steampunk. I like that it gives me a broad range of story ideas and can keep things interesting. I can go epic in scope, or keep a simple gritty western revenge tale. A combination of swords, guns, technology and magic will keep for a variety of character and story ideas. I am excited to get started.
It starts with the bible though.. getting characters and locations at least roughed out before actually getting to the meat. Anyway that's what's going on with me. As I start to develop some more concrete ideas I'll post some updates on them. I also will try to get to another poem on my next post. Thanks for reading.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Summer Movies
Hey all.
Thought I would finally post about the summer movie rundown. Boy, what a bunch of turds.
It actually pains me to say that Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer was the best one I have seen so far. My expectations were low going in and that may have helped, but considering its family based market approach, it wasn't that bad. I could have done without the scene with Mr. Fantastic in the club dancing with the girls, but it stayed solid and short, something many of the movies this summer have gotten away from. They could have beefed up the Thing's role too, but I thought they did a good job in developing the Torch, Invisible Woman, and Mr. F. The Silver Surfer was solid and Doom was much better this time around, closer to the Doom of the comics and not the first movie.
Pretty much everything else has been low average to disappointing. Pirates 3 was better than 2, but too long and too over the the top. The story rambled and it felt like they were trying to tie both Orlando Bloom and Kiera Knightly into a story that didn't really need them. Ocean's 13 was ALSO better than 2, but that's not saying much. Sort of 2 hours of watching a bunch of actors try to look cool and be suave, and Pacino chew through scenery like Orson Welles at a buffet. All te actors seemed bored with the movie, just like I was.
Spiderman 3 was the biggest disappointment so far. Raimi has been so solid in his first 2 I thought he had this in the bag. The film comes across like it was 2 separate movies spliced into one. The movie Raimi wanted with the Sandman, and the movie the studios wanted with Venom. The films villains needed to be fleshed out more, like they did with the Goblin and Doc Ock in the first 2. Really give them motivation behind their reasons. Venom needed to be its own movie. Peter's descent to the darker impulses should have taken a lot more time and been better built up. Not with a terribly cheesy Saturday Night Fever montage and a bad dance off at MJ's work. I expected more. Here is hoping the right the ship with 4.
Shrek 3 seemed very average too. It didn't have the range of appeal the first one had, nor and influx of really great characters like the second one. It was a movie made on coast power. People will watch it because the first 2 were good. I do know that I won't be getting it ob DVD (Yeah yeah.. I will own Spidey and Pirates 3.. I'm hoping further sequels will pay off.)
I am really hoping that Live Free or Die Hard pays off. I love the first 3 and the trailers look pretty kick ass so far. I am really ready for a shoot'em up action flick right now. I also feel that Harry Potter 5 looks strong. The Bourne Ultimatum also looks good, the first 2 in that franchise looked good. Transformers continues to plummet in stock for me, but I guess we will see.
Hope you liked the recap.
End of Line.
Gerrad
Thought I would finally post about the summer movie rundown. Boy, what a bunch of turds.
It actually pains me to say that Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer was the best one I have seen so far. My expectations were low going in and that may have helped, but considering its family based market approach, it wasn't that bad. I could have done without the scene with Mr. Fantastic in the club dancing with the girls, but it stayed solid and short, something many of the movies this summer have gotten away from. They could have beefed up the Thing's role too, but I thought they did a good job in developing the Torch, Invisible Woman, and Mr. F. The Silver Surfer was solid and Doom was much better this time around, closer to the Doom of the comics and not the first movie.
Pretty much everything else has been low average to disappointing. Pirates 3 was better than 2, but too long and too over the the top. The story rambled and it felt like they were trying to tie both Orlando Bloom and Kiera Knightly into a story that didn't really need them. Ocean's 13 was ALSO better than 2, but that's not saying much. Sort of 2 hours of watching a bunch of actors try to look cool and be suave, and Pacino chew through scenery like Orson Welles at a buffet. All te actors seemed bored with the movie, just like I was.
Spiderman 3 was the biggest disappointment so far. Raimi has been so solid in his first 2 I thought he had this in the bag. The film comes across like it was 2 separate movies spliced into one. The movie Raimi wanted with the Sandman, and the movie the studios wanted with Venom. The films villains needed to be fleshed out more, like they did with the Goblin and Doc Ock in the first 2. Really give them motivation behind their reasons. Venom needed to be its own movie. Peter's descent to the darker impulses should have taken a lot more time and been better built up. Not with a terribly cheesy Saturday Night Fever montage and a bad dance off at MJ's work. I expected more. Here is hoping the right the ship with 4.
Shrek 3 seemed very average too. It didn't have the range of appeal the first one had, nor and influx of really great characters like the second one. It was a movie made on coast power. People will watch it because the first 2 were good. I do know that I won't be getting it ob DVD (Yeah yeah.. I will own Spidey and Pirates 3.. I'm hoping further sequels will pay off.)
I am really hoping that Live Free or Die Hard pays off. I love the first 3 and the trailers look pretty kick ass so far. I am really ready for a shoot'em up action flick right now. I also feel that Harry Potter 5 looks strong. The Bourne Ultimatum also looks good, the first 2 in that franchise looked good. Transformers continues to plummet in stock for me, but I guess we will see.
Hope you liked the recap.
End of Line.
Gerrad
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Inked In...
Hey all!
This will mark my 11th post for me this month. I'm much happier with my consistency this month... let's hope that I can keep up the tradition into July.
The big update is that I finally broke down and got a tattoo! I know my brother thought that I was all talk and would never go through with it. Yet here I am. I got a great image from Tara McPherson that I mentioned in my earlier post. I attached the basic picture here on the blog so that everyone can see. It's on the right side of my right leg and stretches from just under the knee to the top of my ankle.
I'll admit I was a bit concerned as to the amount of pain that it would cause.. and I think my estimation was about right.. it didn't feel good! But I think I did okay. Well okay, I did probably yelp and curse more than I would have cared to admit. Though no tears! My friend Bill made a good point, as I figured that if a girl could do it without crying.. I should be able too.. I'm a man for God's sake! Bill said that men are built for blunt pain.. punching impact injuries.. By nature of well nature girls are built better or sharp pains.. i.e. child birth, something I have often referred to as containing sharp pains. One thing that seemed strange to everyone is that I found the opposite things to be true in regards to what hurt more. The outline (what I was told would be the worst) was okay.. I flinched a few times around the top of the ankle and let few expletives out. The shading, which mos people told me wasn't bad, sucked the most. Lots of quick sharp pains. They also said that it would hurt over the next few days but it really hasn't unless I hit it hard against something.Bill didn't get one, though he has an appointment next week to take care of his in Flagstaff.
My tattoo artist was really excited by the subject matter and the chance to do the piece. I really can't wait for the redness to go away so I can see what it will really look like. We added some shading (something my art major friend Jason was against) as the tattoo looked incomplete without it.. not quite right. Here's hoping that I am 100% right as time passes on. Hell.. let's hope that I don't regret it as time goes on!! So the attached image is pretty much dead on with the little bit of light gray shading. It's too red right now to really notice any of it though!
Caught a few more movies that I hope to hit up on the next post along with more info on a possible new job. Thanks.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Sunday, June 17, 2007
True Story Time: Father's Day Edition!
Hey all and a Happy father's Day to everyone.
I thought I would post a true story about my dad... one of my favorite stories to tell about him because its damn funny.
My father had gotten engaged to my step mom and decided that he was going to sell his house. That was the house that for the most part my brother and myself had grown up in and he had been reticent to sell it until then. But as he was starting a new life with his fiance you can't live in the house that your ex-wife picked out. Too much baggage.
So the two of them, with help from my brother and myself when we could started fixing the place up to sell. My Dad had agreed to rent it out for like a year or so before he came to this decision and the renters really ran the place down. Especially the backyard. It was overgrown with weeds that were five feet tall at least. It was a jungle of weeds, untrimmed trees, and dog shit. My Dad was gonna tear up the back yard.. seed it with grass and clean out the area where he had put rocks in when he was still living there.
So he and my step-mom, Sherry, were in the back yard tilling the ground and my Dad was using a pickax to turn up the soil. At some point Sherry looked over at my Dad and blood was streaming down his leg and out of a puncture would through his pant leg. My Dad had stabbed himself in the leg with a pickax... and HE DIDN'T EVEN FEEL IT!!
Sherry freaks out and tells my Dad that they are going to the hospital... here is where I should mention that Sherry lives on the east side of town in Tempe and my Dad's about as far west as you can get (at the time ) on the outskirts of Peoria. So she is in such a panic my Dad had to drive himself to the hospital. He took a towel and tried unsuccessfully to stem the blood flow. So they hopped in the car and headed out.
My Dad walks into the ER and the nurse on duty goes a little pale and rushes him in. Everyone starts going over to help him. Now my Dad is wondering why everyone is so concerned but he goes along with it, even stopping the on Duty nurse from cutting his pants off as he," Needs to wear them again tomorrow to finish yard work." Those were the rattiest jeans even before this incident. He actually got up and took them off. The doc gets in there and by the time they are ready the wound has closed up on itself... they didn't give hm stitches or anything.. just cleaned it off and told him to get dressed.
Now my Dad walk to hit the restroom and sees himself in the mirror. His whole body is covered in blood, face arms, head, hands, everywhere. It looked like he fucking killed somebody. He figures as he was driving he got it over himself while smoking and smoothing his hair out. Probably wiping sweat off too. He also figured that was why everyone was freaking out when he walked in... looking like an extra from Reservoir Dogs.
Damn who stabs themselves in the leg with a fucking pickax and doesn't notice. Only my Dad.
Dad... You are the greatest man I have ever known and I hope to one day be even a fraction of the man you are. I love you Dad.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
I thought I would post a true story about my dad... one of my favorite stories to tell about him because its damn funny.
My father had gotten engaged to my step mom and decided that he was going to sell his house. That was the house that for the most part my brother and myself had grown up in and he had been reticent to sell it until then. But as he was starting a new life with his fiance you can't live in the house that your ex-wife picked out. Too much baggage.
So the two of them, with help from my brother and myself when we could started fixing the place up to sell. My Dad had agreed to rent it out for like a year or so before he came to this decision and the renters really ran the place down. Especially the backyard. It was overgrown with weeds that were five feet tall at least. It was a jungle of weeds, untrimmed trees, and dog shit. My Dad was gonna tear up the back yard.. seed it with grass and clean out the area where he had put rocks in when he was still living there.
So he and my step-mom, Sherry, were in the back yard tilling the ground and my Dad was using a pickax to turn up the soil. At some point Sherry looked over at my Dad and blood was streaming down his leg and out of a puncture would through his pant leg. My Dad had stabbed himself in the leg with a pickax... and HE DIDN'T EVEN FEEL IT!!
Sherry freaks out and tells my Dad that they are going to the hospital... here is where I should mention that Sherry lives on the east side of town in Tempe and my Dad's about as far west as you can get (at the time ) on the outskirts of Peoria. So she is in such a panic my Dad had to drive himself to the hospital. He took a towel and tried unsuccessfully to stem the blood flow. So they hopped in the car and headed out.
My Dad walks into the ER and the nurse on duty goes a little pale and rushes him in. Everyone starts going over to help him. Now my Dad is wondering why everyone is so concerned but he goes along with it, even stopping the on Duty nurse from cutting his pants off as he," Needs to wear them again tomorrow to finish yard work." Those were the rattiest jeans even before this incident. He actually got up and took them off. The doc gets in there and by the time they are ready the wound has closed up on itself... they didn't give hm stitches or anything.. just cleaned it off and told him to get dressed.
Now my Dad walk to hit the restroom and sees himself in the mirror. His whole body is covered in blood, face arms, head, hands, everywhere. It looked like he fucking killed somebody. He figures as he was driving he got it over himself while smoking and smoothing his hair out. Probably wiping sweat off too. He also figured that was why everyone was freaking out when he walked in... looking like an extra from Reservoir Dogs.
Damn who stabs themselves in the leg with a fucking pickax and doesn't notice. Only my Dad.
Dad... You are the greatest man I have ever known and I hope to one day be even a fraction of the man you are. I love you Dad.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
True Story Time!
Hey all,
Time for my last really good bathroom tale. This happened after the Wal-Mart grope job that I talked about and after the incident in the bar with the guy telling me to check out his junk. I am down in Tempe at some kind of Chuckie Cheese place, it had an indoor cart racer course and a kiddie rock wall.. along with a ton of games. My step niece was having a birthday and my step mom had flown in from Ohio to celebrate it with her and I went down to meet them after I got off work. We were all having a good time when i had to go the bathroom.
I looked around for a bathroom and didn't see one. I continued looking until I finally saw a little boy, maybe 8 or so head into the toilet. I followed him and went directly into the stall as per normal for me. The stall was like right beside the entrance. I took a piss and came out of the stall. NOW is when I noticed something was amiss. There certainly seemed to be a lot of women in this bathroom. It immediately hit me that I entered the wrong restroom and my only thought at the time was to loudly swear," SHIT!" I quickly cut bait and left the bathroom.
About 5 minutes after the incident I was still feeling embarrassed when the manager came up to me requesting that I leave as several of the women had registered a complaint against me. I told him my excuse for doing so. Which I think I should mention here to help somewhat give cause for entering the wrong room, if not forgiveness. First off, it didn't have a door.. it was one of those open hallway type of entrances. In fact it was situated on a corner in a cut out fashion, so there is an opening like a square cut into the corner of the wall where to walls meet. Damn I hope that makes sense.
That's the best way I can describe it. Now i came in from the left side. The label from the bathroom was on the right wall, completely around the corner. I also explained that I only use stalls, though I didn't feel that this was a good time to explain exactly WHY I did. I also didn't confess to following a young boy into the toilet as I didn't feel that would help my case either. I think the manager understood where I was coming from, or at least he said he did, but I still had to leave. I told him I understood, I just needed to tell my step mom. He said okay. So I go over to my step mom and this is exactly how the conversation went.
(BTW my step-mom's name is Sherry)
"Hey Sherry!"
"Oh my God Gerrad, did you hear about that pervert in the women's restroom?!"
"Yeah that was me, Listen I gotta go."
Ahhh the look on her face made it almost worth it.
Anyway.. kicked out of a kiddie pizza joint for pissing in the girls toilet. How does so much shit happen to one guy in a fucking bathroom?"
Hope you enjoyed that one.. its one of my favorites.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Time for my last really good bathroom tale. This happened after the Wal-Mart grope job that I talked about and after the incident in the bar with the guy telling me to check out his junk. I am down in Tempe at some kind of Chuckie Cheese place, it had an indoor cart racer course and a kiddie rock wall.. along with a ton of games. My step niece was having a birthday and my step mom had flown in from Ohio to celebrate it with her and I went down to meet them after I got off work. We were all having a good time when i had to go the bathroom.
I looked around for a bathroom and didn't see one. I continued looking until I finally saw a little boy, maybe 8 or so head into the toilet. I followed him and went directly into the stall as per normal for me. The stall was like right beside the entrance. I took a piss and came out of the stall. NOW is when I noticed something was amiss. There certainly seemed to be a lot of women in this bathroom. It immediately hit me that I entered the wrong restroom and my only thought at the time was to loudly swear," SHIT!" I quickly cut bait and left the bathroom.
About 5 minutes after the incident I was still feeling embarrassed when the manager came up to me requesting that I leave as several of the women had registered a complaint against me. I told him my excuse for doing so. Which I think I should mention here to help somewhat give cause for entering the wrong room, if not forgiveness. First off, it didn't have a door.. it was one of those open hallway type of entrances. In fact it was situated on a corner in a cut out fashion, so there is an opening like a square cut into the corner of the wall where to walls meet. Damn I hope that makes sense.
That's the best way I can describe it. Now i came in from the left side. The label from the bathroom was on the right wall, completely around the corner. I also explained that I only use stalls, though I didn't feel that this was a good time to explain exactly WHY I did. I also didn't confess to following a young boy into the toilet as I didn't feel that would help my case either. I think the manager understood where I was coming from, or at least he said he did, but I still had to leave. I told him I understood, I just needed to tell my step mom. He said okay. So I go over to my step mom and this is exactly how the conversation went.
(BTW my step-mom's name is Sherry)
"Hey Sherry!"
"Oh my God Gerrad, did you hear about that pervert in the women's restroom?!"
"Yeah that was me, Listen I gotta go."
Ahhh the look on her face made it almost worth it.
Anyway.. kicked out of a kiddie pizza joint for pissing in the girls toilet. How does so much shit happen to one guy in a fucking bathroom?"
Hope you enjoyed that one.. its one of my favorites.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Erasure
Hey all,
I know I promised another true story time, but I promise to get to that on my next post. I wrote this poem in a splurt of inspiration tonight. I have noticed a trend melancholy and broken heartedness in my last few poems. It's a different sort of perception for me as I haven't really felt broken heartedness, but I think the topics of loneliness or sadness are pretty universal. Some of it is definitely stemming from my reflections on my unhappiness at work and in my personal life choices, some of it I think in my recent studies of some of Tara McPherson's work in her Lonely Hearts art book. Those things are common subjects in her art, and it's always a plus to go with feelings and instincts that motivate you strongly.
I tried to do some different things with structure and measure in this poem than in many of my other attempts. The reading of this poem in my mind (and I feel that each poem should be read in a measure that the reader determines) had a definite rhythm that affected how I wrote it. The commas are an intended pause in reading of the poem, sort of a tool to lend more weight to the words. It also just helped with what I feel is how the poem is presented.. to me at least.
Hope you enjoy.
Erasure
Fading further from my mind.
It's getting harder to remember, all the time.
Searching for a thought I just can't, find.
I can't recall the way you, felt.
Or the fragrance of how you smelled.
It's a bitter hand I've been dealt.
I just carry on alone.
An unknown path, left to roam.
You were all I'd ever known.
These moments that we once, shared.
A hollow space devoid of all my cares,
Left wide open, every thing's been bared.
The calendar marks another day's, pass.
The memories keep tumbling out way too fast.
Like falling grains of sand in the hourglass.
I'd give anything to be back with her,
Hearken back to the way things were.
But now I'm just a victim, of erasure.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
I know I promised another true story time, but I promise to get to that on my next post. I wrote this poem in a splurt of inspiration tonight. I have noticed a trend melancholy and broken heartedness in my last few poems. It's a different sort of perception for me as I haven't really felt broken heartedness, but I think the topics of loneliness or sadness are pretty universal. Some of it is definitely stemming from my reflections on my unhappiness at work and in my personal life choices, some of it I think in my recent studies of some of Tara McPherson's work in her Lonely Hearts art book. Those things are common subjects in her art, and it's always a plus to go with feelings and instincts that motivate you strongly.
I tried to do some different things with structure and measure in this poem than in many of my other attempts. The reading of this poem in my mind (and I feel that each poem should be read in a measure that the reader determines) had a definite rhythm that affected how I wrote it. The commas are an intended pause in reading of the poem, sort of a tool to lend more weight to the words. It also just helped with what I feel is how the poem is presented.. to me at least.
Hope you enjoy.
Erasure
Fading further from my mind.
It's getting harder to remember, all the time.
Searching for a thought I just can't, find.
I can't recall the way you, felt.
Or the fragrance of how you smelled.
It's a bitter hand I've been dealt.
I just carry on alone.
An unknown path, left to roam.
You were all I'd ever known.
These moments that we once, shared.
A hollow space devoid of all my cares,
Left wide open, every thing's been bared.
The calendar marks another day's, pass.
The memories keep tumbling out way too fast.
Like falling grains of sand in the hourglass.
I'd give anything to be back with her,
Hearken back to the way things were.
But now I'm just a victim, of erasure.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Monday, June 11, 2007
True Story Time!
Hey all..
I promised to post another true story, so I thought I should spread the wealth on a few more tales from public bathrooms. In a post some time back I commented on how I got felt up in a Wal-Mart bathroom when I used the urinal. Needless to say its really turned me off the concept of the urinal and I stick to the stall.
About seven or eight months after the incident, I was at one of my favorite watering holes, Old Chicago in Peoria. My friend Bill and myself were having a few beers and generally enjoying ourselves. I get up to use the head after having five or six beers. Now I always go to the stall.. but I walked in and the bathroom was empty. There were three urinals along one wall.. and the far left urinal was boxed in by the wall and the partition door to to the stall, so there was only one path to the urinal and you were protected on three sides. So I opted for the urinal.. I figured, "What are the odds that something will happen again?"
As soon as I start relieving myself another drunk patron barrels in the room and uses the urinal next to me.. totally ignoring the unwritten rule about leaving an empty toilet between yourself and another guy when applicable. As soon as he starts relieving himself he uses his free hand to start slapping my shoulder.. and I swear on a stack of Bibles, to "Check out my dick man. Check this shit out. Its so small.. how am I gonna work with this?"
Now I am trapped in the corner with this guy blocking the aisle and repeatedly asking me to check out his junk. Mind you this is the first time I have used a urinal since the Wal-Mart incident. Finally I tell him, "Yeah man that sucks." Then I sorted squeezed by him and bolted for the door. Seriously.. what kind of guy his this kind of luck in a bathroom?
I got one more true bathroom tale that I'll post in my next update, about the time I got kicked out of a Chuckie Cheese (or at least a Chuckie Cheese type restaurant.)
Remember, always lock the stall door.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
I promised to post another true story, so I thought I should spread the wealth on a few more tales from public bathrooms. In a post some time back I commented on how I got felt up in a Wal-Mart bathroom when I used the urinal. Needless to say its really turned me off the concept of the urinal and I stick to the stall.
About seven or eight months after the incident, I was at one of my favorite watering holes, Old Chicago in Peoria. My friend Bill and myself were having a few beers and generally enjoying ourselves. I get up to use the head after having five or six beers. Now I always go to the stall.. but I walked in and the bathroom was empty. There were three urinals along one wall.. and the far left urinal was boxed in by the wall and the partition door to to the stall, so there was only one path to the urinal and you were protected on three sides. So I opted for the urinal.. I figured, "What are the odds that something will happen again?"
As soon as I start relieving myself another drunk patron barrels in the room and uses the urinal next to me.. totally ignoring the unwritten rule about leaving an empty toilet between yourself and another guy when applicable. As soon as he starts relieving himself he uses his free hand to start slapping my shoulder.. and I swear on a stack of Bibles, to "Check out my dick man. Check this shit out. Its so small.. how am I gonna work with this?"
Now I am trapped in the corner with this guy blocking the aisle and repeatedly asking me to check out his junk. Mind you this is the first time I have used a urinal since the Wal-Mart incident. Finally I tell him, "Yeah man that sucks." Then I sorted squeezed by him and bolted for the door. Seriously.. what kind of guy his this kind of luck in a bathroom?
I got one more true bathroom tale that I'll post in my next update, about the time I got kicked out of a Chuckie Cheese (or at least a Chuckie Cheese type restaurant.)
Remember, always lock the stall door.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Sunday, June 10, 2007
TV Guide
Hey all!
thought I would do a quick post on the end of the regular TV season. There are so many good shows that without a DVR i don't think anyone could keep up with them all.
Let's start off with the good.
Heroes- That's how you build a series. A solid stretch of episodes in the season. It gave us both questions and answers and kept you wanting more the entire time. I did feel the that the final battle with Sylar was a little weak, I was really looking for a powerful showdown, like the hinted in the Days of Future Past episode a few weeks previous. I still thought though that they set up next season with just enough to keep you amped for more, but gave you enough closure that you feel sedated by it. I can't wait for the next season. Coupled with that the Heroes: Origins mini series that is supposed to take place this summer, that should significantly increase my anticipation with a slate of new characters that may get added to the ongoing show. That's a great ideas swiped straight out of the comic books!
Lost- I came to Lost late, I didn't get into the series until about a month before season 3 started. I watched all of season 1 and 2 on DVD, and I personally think that season 3 was the strongest. It gave you much needed answers, why Locke was in the wheelchair, where those fucking polar bears came from, who the Others really are, Ben's secret origin. As well it posed more questions, who is Jacob, what is the smoke monster, how can Locke heal so easily on the island, is Juliet really a good guy, how is Walt back? All great questions. And the killer season ending with the island sequences being flashbacks and the scenes with jack being real time.. WOW that threw me for a loop.
I was sad to see so many character losses this season, Charlie, especially as he had really become a great character. I think I understand why they wrote him out though.. he had come full circle and found redemption on the island.. just like Eko. They really couldn't take his character anywhere but backwards. Besides thsi opens up the exploration of these new characters, Juliet, Ben, Desmond. 2008 can't come to soon!
I also thought that BattleStar Galactica had a great season finale. In sitcom news I really want to see more of My Name is Earl (good cliffhanger!) The Office (most painfully funny show on TV) and How I Met Your Mother.
The bad.
The series ending of my beloved Gilmore Girls. Such a bold and well written show that really transcended its CW stereotype. I am truly sad to see it end.
Veronica Mars. As I last read it was cancelled and unless the network goers with the flash forward to Veronica's CIA days.. I think the shows done. That's a damn shame too.. its smart, witty, and so acerbic... they don't make shows like this on TV.. for me it was a better version of TVs Buffy the Vampire Slayer.. less fan boy and more real life appeal.
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip- A smart show brought to you by the guy who makes smart shows, Aaron Sorkin... this should have been a success, smart scripts, good actors, a good time slot.. and its failed... I have been enjoying the finals episodes that they are airing on Thursdays now.. but it just seems like they paid good money for the episodes and they are airing them as they have nothings better on then. Oh well.
I've also bitched enough about Fox cancelling Drive. Fox has so little that appeals to me anymore.. without the Simpsons or Family Guy I don't think I'd watch the network at all. I must be one of the few who really HATES American Idol..
Anyway that's my TV update....
Hope to post another True Story Time in a few days....Oh and I added a link to Penny-arcade.. a really funny webcomic that I enjoy.. I am gonna add a few other website s that are part of my daily routine...keep an eye out.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
thought I would do a quick post on the end of the regular TV season. There are so many good shows that without a DVR i don't think anyone could keep up with them all.
Let's start off with the good.
Heroes- That's how you build a series. A solid stretch of episodes in the season. It gave us both questions and answers and kept you wanting more the entire time. I did feel the that the final battle with Sylar was a little weak, I was really looking for a powerful showdown, like the hinted in the Days of Future Past episode a few weeks previous. I still thought though that they set up next season with just enough to keep you amped for more, but gave you enough closure that you feel sedated by it. I can't wait for the next season. Coupled with that the Heroes: Origins mini series that is supposed to take place this summer, that should significantly increase my anticipation with a slate of new characters that may get added to the ongoing show. That's a great ideas swiped straight out of the comic books!
Lost- I came to Lost late, I didn't get into the series until about a month before season 3 started. I watched all of season 1 and 2 on DVD, and I personally think that season 3 was the strongest. It gave you much needed answers, why Locke was in the wheelchair, where those fucking polar bears came from, who the Others really are, Ben's secret origin. As well it posed more questions, who is Jacob, what is the smoke monster, how can Locke heal so easily on the island, is Juliet really a good guy, how is Walt back? All great questions. And the killer season ending with the island sequences being flashbacks and the scenes with jack being real time.. WOW that threw me for a loop.
I was sad to see so many character losses this season, Charlie, especially as he had really become a great character. I think I understand why they wrote him out though.. he had come full circle and found redemption on the island.. just like Eko. They really couldn't take his character anywhere but backwards. Besides thsi opens up the exploration of these new characters, Juliet, Ben, Desmond. 2008 can't come to soon!
I also thought that BattleStar Galactica had a great season finale. In sitcom news I really want to see more of My Name is Earl (good cliffhanger!) The Office (most painfully funny show on TV) and How I Met Your Mother.
The bad.
The series ending of my beloved Gilmore Girls. Such a bold and well written show that really transcended its CW stereotype. I am truly sad to see it end.
Veronica Mars. As I last read it was cancelled and unless the network goers with the flash forward to Veronica's CIA days.. I think the shows done. That's a damn shame too.. its smart, witty, and so acerbic... they don't make shows like this on TV.. for me it was a better version of TVs Buffy the Vampire Slayer.. less fan boy and more real life appeal.
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip- A smart show brought to you by the guy who makes smart shows, Aaron Sorkin... this should have been a success, smart scripts, good actors, a good time slot.. and its failed... I have been enjoying the finals episodes that they are airing on Thursdays now.. but it just seems like they paid good money for the episodes and they are airing them as they have nothings better on then. Oh well.
I've also bitched enough about Fox cancelling Drive. Fox has so little that appeals to me anymore.. without the Simpsons or Family Guy I don't think I'd watch the network at all. I must be one of the few who really HATES American Idol..
Anyway that's my TV update....
Hope to post another True Story Time in a few days....Oh and I added a link to Penny-arcade.. a really funny webcomic that I enjoy.. I am gonna add a few other website s that are part of my daily routine...keep an eye out.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Black
Hey all.
Wanted to post this poem that I finally finished today. I have been working on it on and off for truthfully a few years, the colors and concepts at least. I finally came up with a workable pattern using the couplets instead of trying to make every line feature a color. It was important for me to use as many colors as i could, to at least give the poem some measure of frame, though I did cut out a few colors that I feel didn't progress anything of merit.
Anyway I hope you like it, I am really happy with the way it turned out.
One more quick thing, on my last few posts the spellcheck is still buggy, so please forgive any errors I may have made. Thanks.
BLACK
I saw in colors everywhere.
Now shades of gray stain all that's fair.
Your rose red lips did passion kiss,
Now thier gentle brush will go amiss.
Those yellow locks of hair bound tress,
Here brushed away with last caress.
Deep blue eyes once filled with life.
Now find me here left arife.
That favored soft dress, pale purple with pleat.
Under crossed hands lie still heart beat.
An orange tined sky at sun's set,
Here your gathered friends have met.
Green of grass and brown of Earth
Soon will covet all that's worth.
Words scribed 'neath white marble slate,
To meet again at saintly gold gate.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Wanted to post this poem that I finally finished today. I have been working on it on and off for truthfully a few years, the colors and concepts at least. I finally came up with a workable pattern using the couplets instead of trying to make every line feature a color. It was important for me to use as many colors as i could, to at least give the poem some measure of frame, though I did cut out a few colors that I feel didn't progress anything of merit.
Anyway I hope you like it, I am really happy with the way it turned out.
One more quick thing, on my last few posts the spellcheck is still buggy, so please forgive any errors I may have made. Thanks.
BLACK
I saw in colors everywhere.
Now shades of gray stain all that's fair.
Your rose red lips did passion kiss,
Now thier gentle brush will go amiss.
Those yellow locks of hair bound tress,
Here brushed away with last caress.
Deep blue eyes once filled with life.
Now find me here left arife.
That favored soft dress, pale purple with pleat.
Under crossed hands lie still heart beat.
An orange tined sky at sun's set,
Here your gathered friends have met.
Green of grass and brown of Earth
Soon will covet all that's worth.
Words scribed 'neath white marble slate,
To meet again at saintly gold gate.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Daily Grind
Hey all....
Another post in a quick span, doing much better this month. My goal was at least 8 posts this mnth to make up for the lack of posting in May so I think we are on a good track.
Dropped of my resume the other day and was hoping for an interview, but Bed, Bath and Beyond said they would pass my resume along. Carmen, my good friend Bill's wife, manages one in Flagstaff and she really likes it. My thinking is that its less hours with better money then I'll like it too. I also know that worse case scenario once I'm out of McDonalds for 6 months I can go to work for McDonalds product distributors. I have an in there with my former boss who said he would take me in an instant. I just need to get the hell out. I really hate my job right now.
I am also going to check out a tattoo parlor today. A tattoo is something that I have thought about for years but I could never committ to anything that I want to have on my body forever. If I had gotten a tattoo 10 years ago I would probably have a Dragonball Z or terrible late 90's comic book tattoo, things I would hate today. Looking now, my tastes have changed and I realized that art, or a piece of art you like would probably maintain its appeal years later. I have really been digging on an artist named Tara McPherson the last year or so and she has a great piece called Tree Girl that would look killer as a tattoo. I'm definately going with it on my leg, as it provides a postion to conceal or display itself by whatever pants you wear.
I think i'm having an early mid-life crisis. I drive a sports car, I'm changing jobs, getting tattoos, going to concerts.. all a big change of pace from the last few years of rested docility.
Anyway thats about it for today...
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Another post in a quick span, doing much better this month. My goal was at least 8 posts this mnth to make up for the lack of posting in May so I think we are on a good track.
Dropped of my resume the other day and was hoping for an interview, but Bed, Bath and Beyond said they would pass my resume along. Carmen, my good friend Bill's wife, manages one in Flagstaff and she really likes it. My thinking is that its less hours with better money then I'll like it too. I also know that worse case scenario once I'm out of McDonalds for 6 months I can go to work for McDonalds product distributors. I have an in there with my former boss who said he would take me in an instant. I just need to get the hell out. I really hate my job right now.
I am also going to check out a tattoo parlor today. A tattoo is something that I have thought about for years but I could never committ to anything that I want to have on my body forever. If I had gotten a tattoo 10 years ago I would probably have a Dragonball Z or terrible late 90's comic book tattoo, things I would hate today. Looking now, my tastes have changed and I realized that art, or a piece of art you like would probably maintain its appeal years later. I have really been digging on an artist named Tara McPherson the last year or so and she has a great piece called Tree Girl that would look killer as a tattoo. I'm definately going with it on my leg, as it provides a postion to conceal or display itself by whatever pants you wear.
I think i'm having an early mid-life crisis. I drive a sports car, I'm changing jobs, getting tattoos, going to concerts.. all a big change of pace from the last few years of rested docility.
Anyway thats about it for today...
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Concert Time : Social Distortion / Buck-O-Nine & Mustard Plug
Until this year it had been .. well a long time, my guess is around 2000 or 200, since I went to a concert. I've never been a big music guy. Oh sure,,, I mean there are tons of songs that I like and I use the hell out of my IPOD, but I have never been big on buying music or owning CDs and other than a few college years in the late 90's, I never really attended that many concerts. The last concert I went to before 2007, was Weird Al Yankovic with my brother and Dad at the AZ State Fair after my folks bitter divorce.
This year though, my friend Bill talked me into attending a show, The Swingin' Utters. A small punk rock band that has a few songs I like.. though admitedly they don't come up on the IPOD that often. I feel I should point out for reference sake that about 95% of my IPOD music came from Bill or my brother, both big CD guys. (Hell I don't even own a real CD.) Anyway we went to the show and I gotta say... I had an excellent time. A few beers and some fun music really made me glad I went.
Stemming from that incident, early in May Social Distortion was playing a show up in Flagstaff, where Bill lives. I really like Social Distortion.. they have a ton of great songs and I have always heard they tear down the house on a live show. So I drove up there for a 2 day weekend (in the middle of the week to be sure.. but it was my work weekend!) Social D put on a fucking great show playing almost all thier big hits.. though not I Was Wrong... but it was still cool as I got to hear Prison Bound and Ball and Chain.. my favorites. Hell, thier rendition of Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire was GREAT! I am really glad I saw them and the next time they are coming through I am 100% gonna hit that show again. Its the only time I felt justified spending $25 on a knit hat just so I could have some reminder of when I was their,
The last show I saw was also in May, 5 bands for $12.00. The three openers were pretty boring, Mingus Dew, Captain Squeegee and the Soap Suds, and another band that escapes me now.It was just more music to drink to. The final 2 acts were Buck-O-Nine and Mustard Plug. Two great ska bands back on tour after a long hiatus. Punk and ska are typically my music of choice.. and the ska scene is pretty dreary right now so any oppertunity to support these acts were welcome. I really like Mustard Plug.. they have a huge array of songs I really like and they hit most fof the big ones.. though not my favorite.. You. Buck-O-Nine were incredible. They stuck to thier bread and butter album 28 Teeth. Peppering in other great jams like my two favorite songs,,, Water in my Head and Irish Drinking Song. The consensus was that Buck should have closed with thier energy and stage presence.. they electrified the crowd. Though don't get me wrong, Mustard Plug was awesome too.
Anyway.. there is a look at the concerts I have hit this year. Next month is Reel Big Fish and Less Than Jake. Shoould be fun!
Oh.. one two more things.. it was pointed out by Jason that he actually got a replica 9mm.. not a 45 as I mesntioned in my prevous post. Also blogger spellcheck seems to be acting up right now and I can't get it to work. I am going to proofread it carefully but I don't want to retype this later so please give me a break on any spelling errors. Thanks
End of Line.
Gerrad!
This year though, my friend Bill talked me into attending a show, The Swingin' Utters. A small punk rock band that has a few songs I like.. though admitedly they don't come up on the IPOD that often. I feel I should point out for reference sake that about 95% of my IPOD music came from Bill or my brother, both big CD guys. (Hell I don't even own a real CD.) Anyway we went to the show and I gotta say... I had an excellent time. A few beers and some fun music really made me glad I went.
Stemming from that incident, early in May Social Distortion was playing a show up in Flagstaff, where Bill lives. I really like Social Distortion.. they have a ton of great songs and I have always heard they tear down the house on a live show. So I drove up there for a 2 day weekend (in the middle of the week to be sure.. but it was my work weekend!) Social D put on a fucking great show playing almost all thier big hits.. though not I Was Wrong... but it was still cool as I got to hear Prison Bound and Ball and Chain.. my favorites. Hell, thier rendition of Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire was GREAT! I am really glad I saw them and the next time they are coming through I am 100% gonna hit that show again. Its the only time I felt justified spending $25 on a knit hat just so I could have some reminder of when I was their,
The last show I saw was also in May, 5 bands for $12.00. The three openers were pretty boring, Mingus Dew, Captain Squeegee and the Soap Suds, and another band that escapes me now.It was just more music to drink to. The final 2 acts were Buck-O-Nine and Mustard Plug. Two great ska bands back on tour after a long hiatus. Punk and ska are typically my music of choice.. and the ska scene is pretty dreary right now so any oppertunity to support these acts were welcome. I really like Mustard Plug.. they have a huge array of songs I really like and they hit most fof the big ones.. though not my favorite.. You. Buck-O-Nine were incredible. They stuck to thier bread and butter album 28 Teeth. Peppering in other great jams like my two favorite songs,,, Water in my Head and Irish Drinking Song. The consensus was that Buck should have closed with thier energy and stage presence.. they electrified the crowd. Though don't get me wrong, Mustard Plug was awesome too.
Anyway.. there is a look at the concerts I have hit this year. Next month is Reel Big Fish and Less Than Jake. Shoould be fun!
Oh.. one two more things.. it was pointed out by Jason that he actually got a replica 9mm.. not a 45 as I mesntioned in my prevous post. Also blogger spellcheck seems to be acting up right now and I can't get it to work. I am going to proofread it carefully but I don't want to retype this later so please give me a break on any spelling errors. Thanks
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Pop Culture Palooza!
As promised, I'm posting today on the pop culture tournament I entered yesterday. I had a lot of fun with the contest. It was done in the vein of the World Series of Pop Culture, with 3 man teams competing with each other for a grand prize of $250.00. Our team consisted of my friend Bill, who drove in from about 2 hours away from Flagstaff, Autumn, my roommates girlfriend, and myself. My brother was going to entered but backed out at the last minute.
I was given a late start time by the employees at the comic book store that I go to so we were the last ones there, and I think that's why we had to play two times in the first round. Autumn bailed us out on the first game where I got eliminated early, pulling cast members of the TV show Cheers out of the depth of her knowledge. She also owned the second player on both boy bands AND 80's fashion. She was great.
Bill decided as the member with the most limited amount of pop culture trivia he would take the bullets on categories that we didn't feel confident on. He had some tough categories in sports, admittedly the weakest area of our collective game. I did pretty good the second game of the first round until we got to the final tiebreaker, members of Van Halen's real name. I knew 4 of the 7 known members, unfortunately my opponent knew 6.
I'm okay to losing on a music category, I wanted Autumn and Bill in there t handle those rounds but fate didn't have it set up that way. We STILL had a great time and I am really looking forward to trying again in a few months when they start the next round. Our team, The Wizard's Sleeve will ride again!
They also had a Guitar Hero 2 tournament the same night that I entered. There was a $5.00 entry fee, with the proceeds going to the Hero Initiative, a program that helps some of the Golden and Silver Age comic book creators financially, as many of them didn't have the same benefits and royalty agreements that today's creators do. Skill wasn't the only category to take into consideration, as the ability to "Rock Out" could add much needed points to your total. Things like rock stance, jumping, behind the head playing and kicking over chairs all added points, as well as power slides and apparently Prince-style phallic gestures all added points. I hit second place, getting beat by a REALLY good player. I suck on expert and he was doing sections of the song ONE HANDED!!! Hell he had tracks so memorized that he would turn his back to the screen and play them. The grand prize was a Fender Strat guitar, but it was fun to just play.
The only other thing of note that we did yesterday was to buy Airsoft Guns on our lunch break. Somehow shooting each other in the parking lot of a mini mall with air pellets seemed like a good idea. Bill bough was is essentially the gun from the video game Metal Gear Solid, complete with attached flashlight and laser sight. Jason got a replica 45, which definitely has the most punch of the three. I got a sawed off pump action shotgun, complete with laser sight, flashlight and scope, grand total for all three was about $40. Not bad for some stupid fun. Jason thinks that if anything they will make for good reference material.
Well that about sums up my Saturday. Hope to have another post up real soon!
End of Line.
Gerrad!
I was given a late start time by the employees at the comic book store that I go to so we were the last ones there, and I think that's why we had to play two times in the first round. Autumn bailed us out on the first game where I got eliminated early, pulling cast members of the TV show Cheers out of the depth of her knowledge. She also owned the second player on both boy bands AND 80's fashion. She was great.
Bill decided as the member with the most limited amount of pop culture trivia he would take the bullets on categories that we didn't feel confident on. He had some tough categories in sports, admittedly the weakest area of our collective game. I did pretty good the second game of the first round until we got to the final tiebreaker, members of Van Halen's real name. I knew 4 of the 7 known members, unfortunately my opponent knew 6.
I'm okay to losing on a music category, I wanted Autumn and Bill in there t handle those rounds but fate didn't have it set up that way. We STILL had a great time and I am really looking forward to trying again in a few months when they start the next round. Our team, The Wizard's Sleeve will ride again!
They also had a Guitar Hero 2 tournament the same night that I entered. There was a $5.00 entry fee, with the proceeds going to the Hero Initiative, a program that helps some of the Golden and Silver Age comic book creators financially, as many of them didn't have the same benefits and royalty agreements that today's creators do. Skill wasn't the only category to take into consideration, as the ability to "Rock Out" could add much needed points to your total. Things like rock stance, jumping, behind the head playing and kicking over chairs all added points, as well as power slides and apparently Prince-style phallic gestures all added points. I hit second place, getting beat by a REALLY good player. I suck on expert and he was doing sections of the song ONE HANDED!!! Hell he had tracks so memorized that he would turn his back to the screen and play them. The grand prize was a Fender Strat guitar, but it was fun to just play.
The only other thing of note that we did yesterday was to buy Airsoft Guns on our lunch break. Somehow shooting each other in the parking lot of a mini mall with air pellets seemed like a good idea. Bill bough was is essentially the gun from the video game Metal Gear Solid, complete with attached flashlight and laser sight. Jason got a replica 45, which definitely has the most punch of the three. I got a sawed off pump action shotgun, complete with laser sight, flashlight and scope, grand total for all three was about $40. Not bad for some stupid fun. Jason thinks that if anything they will make for good reference material.
Well that about sums up my Saturday. Hope to have another post up real soon!
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Shallow Little Heart
Happy June!
Wow.. May was a crazy month for me. Its no excuse not to post regularly I know, and I don't want to cite the usual suspect in my 70 hour work week, so let's get down to business.
May saw a lot of really cool things happening, along with a big bad.
Let's get the bad thing out of the way. Work. This month has been especially had as we got a new regional manager and the two of us don't see eye to eye on too many things. The big problem I have is with his people skills, or his lack thereof. My boss, this new regional manager and myself were all in my store and with the three of us standing together, he would tell my supervisor to tell me how he wanted things, instead of saying things to my face, despite the fact that we were right beside each other. There are about 50 other reasons we don't get along, mostly because our styles are so different. I could deal with prick bosses, I've done it before, what I don't like is the disrespectful way he talks to my managers and my crew.
We argue so much that I started looking for anther job. I just realized I really hate coming to work, hate it so much that anything else would be better. I have my first job interview on Tuesday and I gotta say that I am a little nervous. Its been almost 15 years since I interviewed for a job and its going to mean a big lifestyle change going into a new environment. But I am really excited and I am looking forward to an opportunity to try something fresh, hell I figure that I could probably make some more cash at it too. I'll keep you posted.
I have a lot of other things that I am going to work into columns this month, just a few are the end of the TV season, summer blockbuster results so far (I have hit the big three so far but I want to wait a little into June before commenting) the summer concerts I have seen this year, and tomorrows column on the pop culture trivia contest I entered today.
I thought though for the rest of the column I would post another poem.. this one has been sitting in the banks for about a month or so and I just capped it today. Hope you enjoy.
Shallow Little Heart
It's a long way home,
And I hate the way I feel.
Left abroad these roads I roam.
Holding back from all that's real.
I want so bad to make this change.
But can't let myself go this far away.
When every target seems out of range.
I can't live or die this same old way.
Along this path there must be a way out.
To find leave from these fears new found cause.
With bravery unbound to survive once fatal rout.
And to finally leave behind all of me that once was.
To wade from that favored shore.
No more alone to find that new start.
Away from that which once did whore.
And plunge to depth this shallow little heart.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Wow.. May was a crazy month for me. Its no excuse not to post regularly I know, and I don't want to cite the usual suspect in my 70 hour work week, so let's get down to business.
May saw a lot of really cool things happening, along with a big bad.
Let's get the bad thing out of the way. Work. This month has been especially had as we got a new regional manager and the two of us don't see eye to eye on too many things. The big problem I have is with his people skills, or his lack thereof. My boss, this new regional manager and myself were all in my store and with the three of us standing together, he would tell my supervisor to tell me how he wanted things, instead of saying things to my face, despite the fact that we were right beside each other. There are about 50 other reasons we don't get along, mostly because our styles are so different. I could deal with prick bosses, I've done it before, what I don't like is the disrespectful way he talks to my managers and my crew.
We argue so much that I started looking for anther job. I just realized I really hate coming to work, hate it so much that anything else would be better. I have my first job interview on Tuesday and I gotta say that I am a little nervous. Its been almost 15 years since I interviewed for a job and its going to mean a big lifestyle change going into a new environment. But I am really excited and I am looking forward to an opportunity to try something fresh, hell I figure that I could probably make some more cash at it too. I'll keep you posted.
I have a lot of other things that I am going to work into columns this month, just a few are the end of the TV season, summer blockbuster results so far (I have hit the big three so far but I want to wait a little into June before commenting) the summer concerts I have seen this year, and tomorrows column on the pop culture trivia contest I entered today.
I thought though for the rest of the column I would post another poem.. this one has been sitting in the banks for about a month or so and I just capped it today. Hope you enjoy.
Shallow Little Heart
It's a long way home,
And I hate the way I feel.
Left abroad these roads I roam.
Holding back from all that's real.
I want so bad to make this change.
But can't let myself go this far away.
When every target seems out of range.
I can't live or die this same old way.
Along this path there must be a way out.
To find leave from these fears new found cause.
With bravery unbound to survive once fatal rout.
And to finally leave behind all of me that once was.
To wade from that favored shore.
No more alone to find that new start.
Away from that which once did whore.
And plunge to depth this shallow little heart.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Movie Time!
Happy May Folks..
Another month sailed past already. Hard to believe.
I thought i would dedicate this post to all the great (and not so great) upcoming movies this summer. Compared to last years abysmal summer releases, there is a helluva lot coming out the next few months. I was thinking earlier about what good movies came out last year and there weren't that many. Pirates 2 was fun, but not better than the first, X3 was okay as well, but not better than the previous, Superman a disappointment. The only drag out flick I loved last year was V for Vendetta... a fist quarter release.
Aside from what I believe will be a smash hit in May, Spider man 3, we also get Pirates 3 (and with 2 breaking all those box office records you know it will do well, and Shrek 3 (with both previous flicks doing very well) coming in as the first great family film since Cars maybe, My is shaping up nicely. Spider man 3 by far I am looking forward to the most, but I will certainly see all three. I also look forward to 28 weeks later as I really liked the first one, and Captivity, a horror flick starring Elisha Cuthbert. I generally dislike horror movies, but I have a weak spot for Cuthbert who is just uber-hot. I am also intrigued that ads alone got NC 17 ratings (which is why you don't see too much on the film, so I gotta check it out.)
Looking farther down the line you get Harry Potter and the Order of The Phoenix, Fantastic Four 2, Transformers, Oceans Thirteen, Live Free or Die Hard, Evan Almighty, and the Bourne Ultimatum. Personally next to Spider man 3 I am eagerly awaiting Harry Potter 5. The books are great and all 4 movies have been super solid. Any film with Gary Oldman, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Rickman AND Ralph Fiennes... please its gonna rule.. and continue the trend of darkening and maturing Harry's world. (Yeah.. I am a Potter fan.. Cant wait for the last book too in July!!)
The rest of the films on the list I feel can be hit or miss. Die Hard 4 I want to be good so bad as I feel that it is one of the top series of all time... I just hope Bruce has one more yippe-ki-yay in him. The Bourne movies were good action flicks with decent plots.. and budgetarily it shouldn't be to bad. FF2 and Transformers both have big budgets and the possibility of bombing larger. Hell I think Transformers will bomb based on the fact that Bumblebee is a frickin Dodge Charger.... and those terrible flames on Prime... forget it.
I hope Evan Almighty does well.. Steve Carell is one of the most fearless comedians I have ever watched and Lauren Grahem (his wife in the flick) also gets the same pass as Elisha Cuthbert...I'll see it for her alone.
Anyway, my big picks are Spidey 3, Pirates 3, Shrek 3, and Potter 5.
Losers- Transformers, and FF2.
Hopes- Live Free or Die Hard
Also a few quick hits on the television front-
Fox canceled Drive... which royally sucks as I was really into that show.. I swear Nathan Fillion cant catch a break from FOX. It never even had a chance to develop. I hate it when shoes I like get canceled.
On the bright side.. Deadwood season 3 June 12!!!
Take it easy.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Another month sailed past already. Hard to believe.
I thought i would dedicate this post to all the great (and not so great) upcoming movies this summer. Compared to last years abysmal summer releases, there is a helluva lot coming out the next few months. I was thinking earlier about what good movies came out last year and there weren't that many. Pirates 2 was fun, but not better than the first, X3 was okay as well, but not better than the previous, Superman a disappointment. The only drag out flick I loved last year was V for Vendetta... a fist quarter release.
Aside from what I believe will be a smash hit in May, Spider man 3, we also get Pirates 3 (and with 2 breaking all those box office records you know it will do well, and Shrek 3 (with both previous flicks doing very well) coming in as the first great family film since Cars maybe, My is shaping up nicely. Spider man 3 by far I am looking forward to the most, but I will certainly see all three. I also look forward to 28 weeks later as I really liked the first one, and Captivity, a horror flick starring Elisha Cuthbert. I generally dislike horror movies, but I have a weak spot for Cuthbert who is just uber-hot. I am also intrigued that ads alone got NC 17 ratings (which is why you don't see too much on the film, so I gotta check it out.)
Looking farther down the line you get Harry Potter and the Order of The Phoenix, Fantastic Four 2, Transformers, Oceans Thirteen, Live Free or Die Hard, Evan Almighty, and the Bourne Ultimatum. Personally next to Spider man 3 I am eagerly awaiting Harry Potter 5. The books are great and all 4 movies have been super solid. Any film with Gary Oldman, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Rickman AND Ralph Fiennes... please its gonna rule.. and continue the trend of darkening and maturing Harry's world. (Yeah.. I am a Potter fan.. Cant wait for the last book too in July!!)
The rest of the films on the list I feel can be hit or miss. Die Hard 4 I want to be good so bad as I feel that it is one of the top series of all time... I just hope Bruce has one more yippe-ki-yay in him. The Bourne movies were good action flicks with decent plots.. and budgetarily it shouldn't be to bad. FF2 and Transformers both have big budgets and the possibility of bombing larger. Hell I think Transformers will bomb based on the fact that Bumblebee is a frickin Dodge Charger.... and those terrible flames on Prime... forget it.
I hope Evan Almighty does well.. Steve Carell is one of the most fearless comedians I have ever watched and Lauren Grahem (his wife in the flick) also gets the same pass as Elisha Cuthbert...I'll see it for her alone.
Anyway, my big picks are Spidey 3, Pirates 3, Shrek 3, and Potter 5.
Losers- Transformers, and FF2.
Hopes- Live Free or Die Hard
Also a few quick hits on the television front-
Fox canceled Drive... which royally sucks as I was really into that show.. I swear Nathan Fillion cant catch a break from FOX. It never even had a chance to develop. I hate it when shoes I like get canceled.
On the bright side.. Deadwood season 3 June 12!!!
Take it easy.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
True Story Time!
Hey all,
Thought I would drop a quick true story for you all. It's funny knowing how close this actually came to happening.
I have the very bad habit of chewing on plastic. Whether it's a straw or the little plastic ring around the gallon milk container or whatever. Its a habit that I have had for a long time and I do it without thinking about it really. I think its because I have a lot of nervous energy, like bouncing my leg or whatnot, its an activity to do while I am sitting still. Now that the background is filled in lets get to the story.
I am watching TV the other day and I notice a plastic-like ring sitting on the couch. I pick it up and look at it wondering where it came from, and what it was. I probably fiddled with it for like 30 minutes or so, and i remember putting it back down so that I didn't chew on it as I didn't know what it went to and it might be something someone wanted.
Later that night my roommate comes home and comes into the living room. He immediately asks me where the little ring is. I pick it up and give it to him. He asked me, " Dude, you didn't chew on this did you?"
I said no, but that I thought about it but since I didn't know if it went to something important I stopped myself.
Jason (my RM) then tells me that its the birth control ring that his girlfriend was using and that he took it out when they were having sex on the couch last night! Apparently its some new for of birth control that releases the chemicals from the ring over a 3 week period and that it just kind of rests up in there.
He starts laughing because he told his girlfriend on the phone when she called him to tell him that she left it there, he said that Gerrad better not find it because he is gonna chew on that shit.
Kind of wonder how bad it would have been to ingest those chemicals now that I think about it. I will say that this incident has really curtailed my desire to chew on anything plastic now.. except maybe straws. You can't expect me to go cold turkey can you?
Pop Culture Watch.
Drive continues to heat up and Lost is still solid in my book. (Hell I like it better now that we are actually getting some answers.)
Also Heroes and my guiltiest of pleasures Gilmore Girls are rocketing towards their final episodes for the season so hopefully you are tuning in.
I think my next post may have my rundown on the big movies coming out this summer. Take it easy!
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Thought I would drop a quick true story for you all. It's funny knowing how close this actually came to happening.
I have the very bad habit of chewing on plastic. Whether it's a straw or the little plastic ring around the gallon milk container or whatever. Its a habit that I have had for a long time and I do it without thinking about it really. I think its because I have a lot of nervous energy, like bouncing my leg or whatnot, its an activity to do while I am sitting still. Now that the background is filled in lets get to the story.
I am watching TV the other day and I notice a plastic-like ring sitting on the couch. I pick it up and look at it wondering where it came from, and what it was. I probably fiddled with it for like 30 minutes or so, and i remember putting it back down so that I didn't chew on it as I didn't know what it went to and it might be something someone wanted.
Later that night my roommate comes home and comes into the living room. He immediately asks me where the little ring is. I pick it up and give it to him. He asked me, " Dude, you didn't chew on this did you?"
I said no, but that I thought about it but since I didn't know if it went to something important I stopped myself.
Jason (my RM) then tells me that its the birth control ring that his girlfriend was using and that he took it out when they were having sex on the couch last night! Apparently its some new for of birth control that releases the chemicals from the ring over a 3 week period and that it just kind of rests up in there.
He starts laughing because he told his girlfriend on the phone when she called him to tell him that she left it there, he said that Gerrad better not find it because he is gonna chew on that shit.
Kind of wonder how bad it would have been to ingest those chemicals now that I think about it. I will say that this incident has really curtailed my desire to chew on anything plastic now.. except maybe straws. You can't expect me to go cold turkey can you?
Pop Culture Watch.
Drive continues to heat up and Lost is still solid in my book. (Hell I like it better now that we are actually getting some answers.)
Also Heroes and my guiltiest of pleasures Gilmore Girls are rocketing towards their final episodes for the season so hopefully you are tuning in.
I think my next post may have my rundown on the big movies coming out this summer. Take it easy!
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Current Events
Hey all
Thought I would leave a post about what's been going on lately. Started my third week of vacation for the year this past weekend, and have been trying to relax some. Unfortunately I have plenty of housecleaning ahead of me and I am hoping to prolong It a bit by posting. I took a weekend trip up to my good friend Bill's house in Flagstaff, AZ. As usual we had a good time, drinking beers, watching movies and playing video games.
Of course there was a serious amount of Guitar Hero, but we also tried out a slightly older game, X-Men Legends 2, which we found sadly lacking. As both of us are BIG fans of Marvel's Ultimate Alliance, this precursor had similar game play, with a horrible roster of X-Men characters. We didn't play it that long. His neighbors invited us over to play some 360, but when we got there we spent the whole night going old school with some classic NES games, with Tecmo Super Bowl, Duck Hunt, Chip and Dales Rescue Rangers (A certified classic!) Tetris, TMNT Arcade and Battletoads.. Along with some sweet Contra action which I owned at. All in all we had a pretty sweet time.
We also caught a bunch of flicks, like the Descent, which was pretty good for a horror movie but I thought had a crappy ending, and Casino Royale. Bond started off good with that great footrace, but quickly went downhill. The movie was unnecessarily long with not enough driving the character. Bill's wife, Carmen, said that Daniel Craig was a terribly wooden actor, worse than Keanu Reeves, whom she had complained was the worst actor she had ever seen since watching Sweet November the night before. My only response was that somewhere, a paper bag lay in defeat, as Keanu had just acted out of it.
My brother and I also watched Blades of Glory last night. Sadly it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Not to say that it was good as it wasn't... I was just expecting it to be excruciatingly horrible. My brother and me love seeing bad movies together, I don't know why really, we just love adding our own commentary to them. I will say this for Blades of Glory, Jenna Fischer, Pam from The Office, looked super hot in a garter and lace lingerie number. It was almost worth admission for that alone.
One more thing of note this past weekend was the premiere of Drive on Fox. I really enjoyed this show.. sort of a drama Cannonball Run, plenty of fast driving and action... you should check it out.
Hope you all take it easy.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Thought I would leave a post about what's been going on lately. Started my third week of vacation for the year this past weekend, and have been trying to relax some. Unfortunately I have plenty of housecleaning ahead of me and I am hoping to prolong It a bit by posting. I took a weekend trip up to my good friend Bill's house in Flagstaff, AZ. As usual we had a good time, drinking beers, watching movies and playing video games.
Of course there was a serious amount of Guitar Hero, but we also tried out a slightly older game, X-Men Legends 2, which we found sadly lacking. As both of us are BIG fans of Marvel's Ultimate Alliance, this precursor had similar game play, with a horrible roster of X-Men characters. We didn't play it that long. His neighbors invited us over to play some 360, but when we got there we spent the whole night going old school with some classic NES games, with Tecmo Super Bowl, Duck Hunt, Chip and Dales Rescue Rangers (A certified classic!) Tetris, TMNT Arcade and Battletoads.. Along with some sweet Contra action which I owned at. All in all we had a pretty sweet time.
We also caught a bunch of flicks, like the Descent, which was pretty good for a horror movie but I thought had a crappy ending, and Casino Royale. Bond started off good with that great footrace, but quickly went downhill. The movie was unnecessarily long with not enough driving the character. Bill's wife, Carmen, said that Daniel Craig was a terribly wooden actor, worse than Keanu Reeves, whom she had complained was the worst actor she had ever seen since watching Sweet November the night before. My only response was that somewhere, a paper bag lay in defeat, as Keanu had just acted out of it.
My brother and I also watched Blades of Glory last night. Sadly it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Not to say that it was good as it wasn't... I was just expecting it to be excruciatingly horrible. My brother and me love seeing bad movies together, I don't know why really, we just love adding our own commentary to them. I will say this for Blades of Glory, Jenna Fischer, Pam from The Office, looked super hot in a garter and lace lingerie number. It was almost worth admission for that alone.
One more thing of note this past weekend was the premiere of Drive on Fox. I really enjoyed this show.. sort of a drama Cannonball Run, plenty of fast driving and action... you should check it out.
Hope you all take it easy.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Monday, April 16, 2007
The Silence of Heaven
With the tragedy surrounding the Va. Tech massacre I thought that I should finally post this poem. It's another attempt to do a love poem and I am okay with how it turned out..I don't like to over think these poems.. if it takes more than two attempts to complete.. I usually scrap the idea, I don't feel you get the emotional intent after more than a crack or two at it, for time tends to fade the original intent of the poem. I actually finished this last week, just didn't post it.
I'll throw up another post tomorrow with what I have been up to, but hope you enjoy the following.
With my pen I wait to fill these pages to your praise,
To sing you a song of my heart's raise.
But any verse that follows cannot be as good.
To express how you make me feel like it should.
As I lay awake not knowing
The destination of where I am going
The path you lead is where I shall follow
For one without you would leave me hollow.
I could be a thousand miles away from you,
But how you make me feel is not more true.
Whether your near or far its all the same.
For my heart is yours to lay this blame.
No path you tread could be to long,
For in my eyes you can commit no wrong.
On the day you finally see the truth of me.
You will see what I have known for an eternity.
It's your smile that gives the early morning sun its shine,
And all your words whisper to the winds that you are mine.
The flowers smell so much sweeter when you put them in your hair,
The world would be so empty if you were never there.
All is silent in Heaven when you pass by,
The only sound is angels breathing up upon on the high,
When you are near all other things don't shine with the same light,
A paler glow around the world whenever you are not in sight.
You are my everything.
I'll throw up another post tomorrow with what I have been up to, but hope you enjoy the following.
With my pen I wait to fill these pages to your praise,
To sing you a song of my heart's raise.
But any verse that follows cannot be as good.
To express how you make me feel like it should.
As I lay awake not knowing
The destination of where I am going
The path you lead is where I shall follow
For one without you would leave me hollow.
I could be a thousand miles away from you,
But how you make me feel is not more true.
Whether your near or far its all the same.
For my heart is yours to lay this blame.
No path you tread could be to long,
For in my eyes you can commit no wrong.
On the day you finally see the truth of me.
You will see what I have known for an eternity.
It's your smile that gives the early morning sun its shine,
And all your words whisper to the winds that you are mine.
The flowers smell so much sweeter when you put them in your hair,
The world would be so empty if you were never there.
All is silent in Heaven when you pass by,
The only sound is angels breathing up upon on the high,
When you are near all other things don't shine with the same light,
A paler glow around the world whenever you are not in sight.
You are my everything.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Quick Hit
I posted a new poem, but its under the last post, I think because it was from a saved draft that I started earlier.. I'll fix that before I do the next one. Also hope the new look is a bit nicer for everyone. It's nothing fancy, just one of the blog templates, but it definitely helps the overall flow. Thanks for reading!
End of Line.
Gerrad!
End of Line.
Gerrad!
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