Laughter is the best medicine
I was just listening to the late great Mitch Hedberg and he is by far one of the funniest comedians of our time. His rapid fire jokes, voice, and witty delivery make him so entertaining to listen to and watch. He died a few months ago, before everyone really got a chance to hear his stuff. If you haven't I really insist on you sampling some of his mp3's or buying his cd's (Mitch All Together, Strategic Grill Locations).Some of his jokes:-Have you ever seen the size of Pringles' containers? They look like tennis ball containers. I think Pringles' initial intention was to make tennis balls. But on the day that the rubber was supposed to show up, a big truckload of potatoes arrived. But Pringles was a laid-back company. They said "Fuck it. Cut 'em up."-I was in downtown Boise, Idaho, and I saw a duck, and I knew the duck was lost, 'cause ducks ain't s'posed to be downtown. There's nothin' for 'em there. So I went to a Subway sandwich shop, I said, "Let me have a bun." But she wouldn't sell me just the bun, she said that I had to have something on it. She told me it's against regulations for Subway to sell just the bun. I guess the two halves ain't supposed to touch. So I said, "Alright, well, put some lettuce on it," which she did. She said, "That'll be $1.75." I said, "It's for a duck." And they said, "All right, well, that is free." See, I did not know that. Ducks eat for free at Subway! Had I known that, I would have ordered a much larger sandwich. "Let me have the Steak Fajita Sub - but don't bother ringing it up, it's for a duck! There are six ducks out there, and they all want Sun Chips!"-I like the FedEx guy, 'cause he is a drug dealer and he don't even know it! And he is always on time.-This product that was on TV was available for four easy payments of $19.95. I would like a product that was available for three easy payments and one fucking complicated payment. We can't tell you which payment it is, but one of these payments is going to be a bitch. The mailman will get shot to death, the envelope will not seal, and the stamp will be in the wrong denomination. Good luck fucker.-All McDonalds commercials end the same way: "prices and participation may vary." I want to open my own McDonalds and not participate in shit. I want to be a stubborn McDonalds owner. "You got Big Macs?" "Nope ... we got spaghetti! ... and blankets."-I had a box of Ritz crackers and on the back of the box of Ritz crackers it had all these suggestions as to what to put on top of the Ritz. It said "Try it with turkey and cheese." "Try it with peanut butter." Oh, c'mon man, they're crackers. That's why I got 'em — I like crackers. There ain't no suggestion: "Put a Ritz on top of a Ritz." I didn't buy 'em 'cuz they're little edible plates.There's just so much more. He definitely will be missed.
posted by psychobabbler @ 11:46 AM
Knee deep in trouble
I haven't been updating this blog as much as I would like to. The other day I re-injured my knee and it's been draining me of any energy and motivation. About 5 or 6 years ago when I was in my last year of high school, I was playing basketball and someone ran straight into me, causing a large pop in my left knee. I couldn't walk for a few weeks, and it was so painful. The first doctor looked at my x-ray and said it was just a sprain, but when it didn't heal I decided to get an MRI. The results showed I had a severely torn ligament. The doctor said it's a fairly long recovery process and if you can manage to live without the surgery right now, then try. I had graduation coming up soon and I didn't want to postpone college or anything. I decided to put it off, and I started walking slightly better. I reinjured the knee twice in my four years of college, just by walking on it the wrong way, and another time when I stumbled on a few stairs.I hadn't thought about the knee for a while and so I wasn't trying to be careful with any activities that I'd do. A few days the worst happened again as it severely locked up on me when I was walking. I couldn't bend the leg at all, and had to lie in bed all day. It was extremely stressful as I'm in graduate school and I still can't postpone my education. I panicked thinking my summer was doomed. I wasn't going to let that happened, so I started trying to straighten the leg, even with the excruciating pain it put me through. After doing this throughout that day, I heard another weird sound. It felt like something inside the knee went back in place. I slowly tried to straighten it out and to my surprise it felt fine. It was as if it didn't even happen.The leg still feels a little unstable at times, and isn't perfectly well, but at least I don't have to limp or anything. I really wonder if there ever will be a time when I can actually postpone my life and get this surgery done. After grad school, I'll most likely have to get a job, and so that really limits my options. I don't know why, but the injury really has taken away some of my energy and I've just felt a little apathetic about everything lately. I'll try to get back to blogging on a daily basis.
posted by psychobabbler @ 11:44 AM
Ever have a dream where everything seems perfect. It's the type where you feel like it's too good to be true, and you never want it to end. Suddenly someone interrupts you, and you wake up to the sad realization that it was just a dream. You then spend the rest of your time trying your hardest to get back to that dream. You hope and you pray that it will happen again; that your head feels free without a worry in the world, and your heart has a reason to skip a few beats. But it doesn't happen, and the harder you try, the fewer chances you have of this dream ever coming back.
This is what my life feels like right now.
posted by psychobabbler @ 3:12 PM
The flowers are wilting, she forgot to water them again. She'll be home any minute now and I know just what she'll do. She'll greet me at the door, put down her things, and run herself a bath. It became her tradition as of late, and it wasn't growing on me. I asked if she'd like some dinner, and she'd make one of her trusted excuses. "Oh I had a huge lunch, and I can't think of eating anything else tonight!" I barely recognize her anymore, she's gotten so thin and her face feels so cold.
After her bath, she'd get in her nightgown and just lie in bed till she fell asleep. I often asked what was wrong with her, and she'd just give me half a smile and say everything's just fine dear. It wasn't fine though, and it was driving me crazy. I felt trapped inside with a stranger. Some that know me, might say I deserved this. I've done her wrong in the past, but she'd forgiven me, she just hadn't forgotten. There hasn't been an incident like that for over 9 months, yet the effects of it are lingering every day in this house. We're separated by these invisible walls, and I see no way of breaking them down.
A letter was affixed to the mirror when I woke up. I skimmed through it quickly, and fell to my knees crying. She left me, and this time there was no way of bringing her back. I knew it, I started swearing under my breath,. "Goddammit I knew it!" She ended the letter by saying "Your flower has wilted". I didn't look after her like I should've. Everyone had a breaking point and hers was reached. I watched the petals fall one by one, until there were none left. I looked down in horror as the blood trickled from the bathroom floor onto our bedroom carpet...our...bedroom carpet.
posted by psychobabbler @ 3:25 AM
The Japanization of American Cinema
It's no secret that Hollywood has run dry with original ideas. Take a look at most of the movies coming out of major studios. They're either superhero movies, historic epics, or remakes. Hollywood has been the epicenter of filmmaking for decades. Countries around the world have been inspired by America's movies. One of the best examples is Japan. In the 1940's filmmaking gained great momentum and has been a successful venture for Toho Studios and others. Akira Kurosawa was the most prominent film directors from Japan. With the release of Rashomon, many Americans finally got to see his genius and creative storytelling abilities. Three years later he made Seven Samurai, one of the best films ever made. Kurosawa was inspired by John Ford, an American filmmaker who did westerns. In this reciprocal relationship between the two countries, America adapted Seven Samurai into the class Magnificent Seven. This remake was accepted by all, yet after thinking about it more I find it wrong. Films like Casablanca or Citizen Kane are two examples of American cinema at its best, yet you won't ever find another country trying to remake it.
Fast Forward to today, and we have a growing epidemic of America stealing film ideas from Japan and other Asian countries. Most of these movies have come from the horror genre. Japanese directors really know how to tell a scary story because of their many folklores and culture. There have been a flood of movies that seemed perfect in their Asian form,which are being remade, and it makes me sick. The Ring series and The Grudge are the most salient examples when looking at this genre, but this is just the beginning. Later this year, America will be remaking horror movies such as The Eye, and Dark Waters, which were both very well done originally.
What really angers me is the news of a 2006 American release of a film called Oldboy. The Korean version was released in 2004 in Korea, and just this past January here in America (limited release). This is by far the best film of the year and that title will be hard to beat. It's the type of film that is scene for scene perfect. It's gritty and has a twisted plot. It does not need to be hacked up and remade.
What is this saying about Hollywood? That they can disrepect any other film markets whenever they want. America's imperialistic methods have been disgusting in every aspect of life, but films are my area and it really bothers me. The sad thing is people may not even get to see the originals because they heard it's the same as the remake. These remakes need to stop, does Hollywood think people can't read subtitles? just release the originals. I bet it would be a huge controversy if Japan decided to remake Gone with the Wind scene for scene, but it's okay if we do it with their films, because hey, this is America. Fuck you Hollywood.
posted by psychobabbler @ 5:07 PM
Batman Begins
The dark knight is back, and better than ever. I saw this movie on Saturday and it was one of the best super-hero movies ever done. When I first heard they were re-doing the batman series from the beginning I couldn't be happier. I felt there was so much more that needed to be done with this character that was obviously lacking with those of the 80's and 90's. Those movies were a spectacle, that I can only reflect on with laughter. Batman Begins is an intense action film, that has a very serious mood about it. I loved watching the origins and development of this character. Christian Bale seemed perfect for the role as well; having the good looks for Bruce Wayne, yet still having a dark mysterious aura about him. The supporting cast were also great. Michael Caine as Alfred seems like a natural fit, providing humor and inspiration for Wayne. I also enjoyed Cillian Murphy (28 days later) in the role of Scarecrow, although it would've been nice to see more of him. I got to see this on IMAX, which is just something you have to see to know how great of an experience it is. This movie left me feeling incredibly satisfied and is definitely the movie to beat for this summer. Overall it's one of the best of the year and I can't wait to watch it again. Go See it!!!
****
posted by psychobabbler @ 11:34 AM
Photos by Michael Peartree (me)
posted by psychobabbler @ 7:07 PM
heehee
From the local paper:
posted by psychobabbler @ 11:28 PM
The High School Syndrome
Every so often, when in social situations, I say to myself "Man this is just like high school." High school is probably one of the most influential social institutions of our society. It comes at an age, where you are maturing and ready to form relationships with others. In my high school and many others, there seemed to be an unspoken hierarchy. You knew where you stood amongst your classmates. Cliques were formed, and determined your popularity status. Belonging to a minor group usually meant and increased likelihood of being teased, looked down on and so forth, etc... I personally ranked somewhere in the middle, at times feeling like I could be placed on one of the two polar paths.
These types of group patterns existed during elementary school, and college as well, but I feel they are their most salient and crucial during the years of high school. I look at high school as a critical period for a person's life that may determine how they behave in future social encounters. Much of the relationship patterns I've observed over the past few years both in my city and on the internet (especially here), social networks that mirror those of high school. Groups are divided in life, and although an adult won't outright tease you, they'll be say things that show they are of a higher social ranking.
The High School Syndrome as I call it here, is the tragedy of society. It isn't always exhibited, but it is felt by those of differing statuses. It isn't the type of thing that one can easily remedy either. We live in a competitive environment similar to the micro version found in high school. When a person belongs to a certain group, they feel this need to validate this group, and thus lash out at an out-group. I wish I could be optimistic about resolving these social boundaries, but I feel this will continue as part of the flaws of being human.
posted by psychobabbler @ 8:25 PM
Serpico
I watched this movie last night, and it was really well done. It stars Al Pacino as a NYC police officer named Frank Seripico. The movie takes place in the 1970's and that's apparent by the amount of crime in the streets and of course the wardrobe of the day. Serpico just came onto the force and right away he's flooded with scenarios of cops not doing their jobs. He sees them beating up criminals, robbing people and just about every other thing that they themselves should be arrested for. The movie shows his struggles to be a good cop in a bad environment. The film has really great acting in it from all actors, and is a true display of human drama. I feel Serpico's anger when he struggles to get out of the corruption, but no one will listen to him. The film was real powerful and was directed by the well respected Sidney Lumet. The film received a lot attention when it was released in 1973, and was fairly controversial at the time. It really raised eyebrows on the amount of crimes that police officers were getting away with. I highly recommend it.
****
posted by psychobabbler @ 7:23 PM
The Dream is Dying...
About two or three years ago I started seeing people around my city wearing NYC2012 t-shirts. I got really excited, thinking we were going to have the olympics in my hometown. I found out that we didn't win it yet, but are one of the four or so candidate cities (others include London, Paris...). I thought it was way too early to start talking about something that was still a good nine years away.
Still I saw great hope and possibilities for the games being showcased here. Our city really hasn't been the same since 2001. I always feel like something's lacking when I travel. News came of an Olympic stadium/New York Jets stadium to be built on the west-side. Immediately there were tons of commericials both for and against the plans. As time got closer to the present, there was increased support to build the stadium.
Governer Pataki supported it. Mayor Bloomberg supported it. There were just two men in the way of approving the stadium Their names are Sheldon Silver and Joseph Bruno. Silver was against the project because he believed it would mean less attention and opportunities for his district of lower Manhattan. Even with promises by the mayor to look after this district, Silver voted this past Tuesday against the stadium.
The Olympic commitee praised NYC, and were actually in support of having the olympics here. It took one man's selfish reasoning to end the dreams of new yorkers and our supporters. The final decision for the olympics has not been decided yet, but with a lack of a stadium (a prerequisite for the games), it's almost a done deal. How could you think of your little district, and not of your city? I pity you Mr. Silver, just know Karma is a real bitch.
Update: The Mayor devised a new plan the other day to build a new stadium for the New York Mets in Queens. This stadium could also be the olympic stadium. In a letter I recieved via email from the executive director:
The plan includes construction of a new stadium for the New York Mets, which will be converted in 2012 into a modern, state-of-the-art, 80,000 seat Olympic Stadium. This plan is totally consistent with the Olympic X and is within the Olympic Park cluster, which was already planned for use for five Olympic sports - tennis, archery, water polo, rowing and canoe/kayak. The IOC Evaluation Commission toured the Olympic Park during its visit here and has seen all the arrangements for transportation and security, which remain in place.
The Olympic Stadium will be just 16 minutes from the Olympic Village and 24 minutes from the main hotels. In effect, we have moved the Stadium from the Olympic Square sports cluster to the west of the Olympic Village to the Olympic Park sports cluster east of the Village, so that all our detailed transportation plans remain in place. And, of course, there are existing highways and mass transit serving this site.
The cost of conversion for the Mets Stadium to the Olympic Stadium is projected at $250 million, exceeding the $142.5 million included in the Olympic budget for the Jets conversion. The State government, including the Governor, Speaker Silver and Majority Leader Bruno, have agreed to share the additional costs with the City.
In addition, the City will proceed with the development of the adjacent Willets Point area, which will include the Main Press Center and International Broadcast Center, just across the street from the Olympic Stadium.
We believe this is an outstanding plan made possible by the agreement just this week of the New York Mets to fully fund their new stadium, consistent with the Mayor's policy, then to allow it to be converted to an Olympic configuration and to play elsewhere during the 2012 baseball season.
A historical footnote: In 1946, the City's bid to host the UN fell apart. In just four days, a plan was developed to acquire the land in Turtle Bay, to pass the needed legislation and even to provide a temporary home for the UN in this very same park in Queens. Now, 59 years later, we hope that in a similar few days we have put together another remarkable plan that can again bring the world to New York in 2012.
We are enormously grateful to Fred Wilpon and the Mets, Mayor Bloomberg and Deputy Mayor Marc Shaw, who were tireless and resourceful, and so many others who have made this possible. Of course, Dan Doctoroff and his staff, especially Michael Kalt, led this whole effort, and our planning staff under Andrew Winters, was exceptional. The USOC, through Peter Ueberroth and Jim Scherr, have been enormously supportive.
We thank all of you for your encouragement and staunch support during this difficult week. The bid is strong.
Jay Kriegel
I'm going to keep my fingers crossed on this one.
posted by psychobabbler @ 5:15 PM
If only things were different...
Ever wonder what you'd look like if you were a different race? or what you may look like as you progress in age, or perhaps if Boticelli could paint you?
Find out these answers and more through this neat face transformation
linkExamples:
I turned M. Good into P. Diddy (well not really):
Raymi thru the eyes of Modigiliani (c'est magnifique!)
posted by psychobabbler @ 2:09 AM
The King of a Conquered Land
Creative writing. I often start writing stories and poems without any clue what the next line will be. Most of them are based off of one line or word in my head that I now have to build upon. It's quite fun to work this way, as I never know how it'll turn out. I get a sense of satisfaction from doing so, just like I get from painting etc... I urge everyone to be as creative as possible, as you'd be surprised how much stress it can actually relieve. I'm not saying I'm a good writer or anything like that, I'm just saying I truly enjoy writing freeform/creatively.
Sometimes my freeform writing acts as a template for a movie idea, on which I can build depth. It'd be fun to take a writing class one day. I've had the thought "A blind man once ruled the world" in my head for the past few days, and my brain won't let it go until I do something with it. So here we go (I won't edit anything):A blind man once ruled the world. His enemies once watched in the shadows, waiting for him to make that one mistake. He was a careful man, always taking small steps walking across the cracked sidewalks, of the deserted city. He wasn't built for the world he helped destroy. He lived amongst giants, yet he feared no one. Looking into his pale grey eyes, clouded by cataracts, you'd see nothing. No compassion, no hate, just apathetic gestures on an aged exterior. He lived alone, yet had a presence about him that kept everyone away. His enemies wouldn't dare come into the city anyway, let aone the country.
It was the middle of September, and the snow gently fell to the ground. It left a thin layer of frost, stil allowing the gravel and debris to be visible. Snowfall came even earlier than last year, but they said this would be expected. Besides, there was much more to worry about than that. The land was flat, you could see the horizon from any point in the city. The blind king usually walked all day throughout his kingdom. He was a proud indvidual, who depsite all warnings stayed in what was left of his home. The city was completely evacuated twelve years ago, during the Third Great Revolution.
In his earlier days, he led the strongest of rebellions against the former king of the land. His strategical mind, and enthusiam attracted followers. They began to worship him, as if he were a God. When he took over the land, he changed. All the good he promised, was overshadowed by his unending desire for power. He waged the most violent wars against his closest allies. Seeing the devastation of those lands, other countries quickly surrendered their land.
His enemies grew in numbers. They planned their first revolutionary attack on Christmas day, the day he chose as observance for his monarchy. The attack lasted only four days, and by the end 60% of his men were lost. It was the victory that was the momentum and motivation for all future wars. The king quickly rebuilt his army, but the damage was done. His enemies grew exponentially now. The Second Revolution was won in three days. For the king was not so careful with recruiting. He made the mistake of unknowingly letting the opposition on his side. He was surrounded by enemies. They were not a violent group, they only asked for their land back. The king, feeling vulnerable for the first time, allowed this to happen.
Years went by, and peace ensued throughout the lands of the world. Whispers started to be heard of a new army deep underground. Few people saw the blind ruler after the Second Revolution. He went into exile, ashamed of being defeated. The rumors were true, he was building a secret army, and along with it, a secret weapon. He obsessed over it, till it drove him to the boundary line between reality and fantasy. In preparation for any attack, the lands of the world united their armies and headed towards the blind mans kingdom.
Seventy thousand strong arrived ready to put an end to his reign of terror. They searched high and low for the king and his army, yet found nothing. Then one day, while searching the sewers of the city they found what they were looking for. It was no army. It was a group of scientists, surrounded by a large metal device. A man in the background yelled "It's a nuclear bomb!" The reactions to this outburst were mixed. Nuclear weapons of all kinds were said to be extinct. This was the age of progression, not destruction. Before they could even attempt to figure out what it was, a beeping sound started to be heard. It was a large screeching noise that paralzyed the few men down below. The whistling sound could be heard for miles around the city, and in the next moment it stopped. It was a strange quietness throughout the land, unlike any the world had heard. The Third Revolution was over.
The king's land lay in ruins. He had killed his own people. His greed, his madness, his demise. The pacifists tried to help those that survived the nuclear attack. All the cities were evacuated, most of them finding new lives in neigboring countries. No one ever found the king, and it was assumed that he had died with the rest of the unknowing souls that day. He emerged from seculusion in an island many miles from the site of the bomb. He knew he had no citizens to govern, ye the still believed he was king. Everyday until he died, he walked up and down the plains of city, defending his domain, if only in his head. It was a beautiful place till he decided to bury it in dust. If only his eyes could have seen, how he turned New York City into a desert wasteland.
That was longer than I thought, I was hoping for like 2 paragraphs. I don't know if anyone wil actually read through it. I just did it for fun, and it feels good. Now i'll get to read it. I'm sure I could develop it into a better story, but for a continuous writing experiment it turned out pretty decent.
posted by psychobabbler @ 2:23 AM
Boredom makes you do crazy things...
This shall be my random toy character photoshoot. You never know where you'll find the little plastic devils, but here we go:
Taz was trying to sneak out of my window, in order to wreak havoc across the city!
Yoda's quite the digital p.i.m.p. He's says to the ladies online: "See my lightsaber, you must"
Here we see batman (in pez form), probably using his pointy ass ears to eavesdrop on my calls!.
Patrick saying hello in his beefmobile, take that batman!
I spotted Fred Flintstone in all his John Goodman likeness, chowing down on some of my ice cream!, look at that fickle bastard grabbing his stomach in glee.
Finally we ended our day with a tux only party. Woodstock won for best dressed (as always!)
Come back next year, where we'll see the likes of roadrunner, bullwinkle, and spiderman (the dancing gay version)
posted by psychobabbler @ 4:47 PM
Whoa I just realized my blog looks crazy messed up when using Internet Explorer. If you want to see my blog how it's meant to be seen, please do yourself a favor and download firefox. I'm going to work out a few things, then hopefully it'll look better.
posted by psychobabbler @ 2:10 AM
las memorias del iluminado
I felt the heat get stronger, the closer you came to me. Your face lowered slowly, as you prepared to leave again. I couldn't look you in the eyes, for the pain was too much to bare. I stood by my window watching your shadow fade from my vision. The trees danced in your absence; their swaying motion inviting me to join in. I closed the curtains and lied in bed, thinking of all the people you'll be sharing your gift with next. I drifted off to sleep and smiled contently knowing i'd see you again. I can't put my finger on it, but there's just something about you, that brightens up my day.
posted by psychobabbler @ 3:55 AM
The Little Things
Photo by Michael Peartree(me)
I spotted you from the corner of my eye. You stood out amongst the crowd of look-alikes. My hands picked you up, and I felt happy to have found you. I smiled as though I had in my possession, the biggest secret known to man. Your colors have faded now, just like you knew they would. I took a picture of you, just so I could preserve the feeling of knowing a dying flower once made my day.
posted by psychobabbler @ 3:28 AM
Trapped inside, Going in circles
You wake up....
You're in a room, and you don't know how you got there....
The door is locked....
All the items needed are in this room, you just have to find them....
Try to escape
The Crimson Room (click link)
It took me a while, but I finally escaped. Try to do it without looking up the answers. It's pretty satisfying. You'll probably need shockwave to play it.
posted by psychobabbler @ 4:40 PM
Nineteen Eighty-Four
Last night, I started reading George Orwell's classic 1984 again. This summer, i'll finally try to write a screenplay based on it. This was the first book I read that inspired me to make movies. I envisioned every scene, and the camera angles, etc... Although I haven't really followed this far fetched dream of mine, I believe I have a lot to contribute. I started writing the details of the script last night, and I wrote about 5 pages based on the first page alone!. It's going to be really difficult to accomplish, which is probably why i've been putting it off for so many years.
There's already a
1984 movie, that was actually released in 1984. When I first heard about it, I was really dissapointed, since it was my dream to make it. I recieved the dvd for christmas about two years ago, and it refueled my motivation to make it. That movie made a good portrayal of the main characters, and had a haunting environment, but it just didn't feel like the book. It didn't have the depth that I'd add to it. With technological advances that were lacking in 1984, a newer version would make it that much better.
I have a lot of screenplays in my head and some started on paper that need to be completed. Not really for the world, but more for me. I love movies a bit more than the average person (take a look at the amount I've watched so far in 2005 on the side-panel). Most of the movies I love, aren't your typical movies. I like the style and stories of many foreign directors including Kurosawa, Ozu, Renoir, and Fellini. The more I watch, the more I study them, analyzing the little elements that make them masterpieces. For the most part, this has been lacking from Hollywood for years. I don't know if there's even an audience for these kinds of films anymore, but there ought to be.
posted by psychobabbler @ 4:49 PM