Paris gets out!

What the fuck is this bullshit? Paris gets out due to medical reasons? What, her herpes are totally untreatable in the lock up? Are there no other sick people in prison? The people with AIDS, cancer, blah blah blah who are in prison aren't as sick as Paris?

Whatever the reason, she shouldn't have been pulled out. Her money, celebrity and name surely got her out. What, did she blow Sheriff Baca? I hope he caught her medical condition! Fucker.

I whipped something up real quick to show off her new accessory -

Paris can Rot for all I care

Has anyone read the following?

---
Take a Look at the Petition Available Through Hilton's MySpace Page

To:The Honorable Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

Paris Whitney Hilton is an American celebrity and socialite. She is an heiress to a share of the Hilton Hotel fortune, as well as to the real estate fortune of her father Richard Hilton. She provides hope for young people all over the U.S. and the world. She provides beauty and excitement to (most of) our otherwise mundane lives.

Hilton is notable for her leading roles on the FOX reality series The Simple Life and in the remake of the Vincent Price horror classic "House of Wax". In addition to her work as an actress, she has achieved some recognition as a model, celebrity spokesperson, singer, and writer.

As most of America now knows, Ms. Hilton was just charged in a Los Angeles court with DUI and sentenced to 45 days in Century Regional Detention Facility in California beginning on or before June 5, 2007.

We, the American public who support Paris, are shocked, dismayed and appalled by how Paris has been the person to be used as an example that Drunk Driving is wrong. We do not support drunk driving or DUI charges. Paris should have been sober. But she shouldn't go to jail, either.
As depicted on Friday night's episode "Nancy Grace" on Headline News (May 4, 2007), countless celebrities have been "slapped on the wrist" for similar incidents recently. Nick Nolte, Mel Gibson, Tracy Morgan, Wynonna Judd, to name a few, were arrested and never did a day in jail after their initial arrests for drunk driving /DUI /DWI charges. Rappers Busta Rhymes and Eve still walk free after both being arrested for the same charges as Ms. Hilton just this past week. Brandy's California Highway accident, although no proof of DUI was evidenced in her accident, resulting in the death of a young wife and mother in California, yet Brandy walks free as of today, never doing any time and A WOMAN HAS BEEN KILLED most likely due to her reckless driving!

Yet, Paris Hilton did not hurt, injure, or kill anyone or anything, and yet she must do jail time.
This petition is to ask Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to pardon Paris Hilton for her mistake. Please allow her to her return to her career and life. Everyone makes mistakes. She didn't hurt or kill anyone, and she has learned her lesson. She is sincere, apologetic, and full of regret for her actions as she explained tearfully to the Judge handling her case in court yesterday.She is distraught and understandably afraid.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT to save our Paris from ending up at the Century Regional Detention Facility! Please sign to tell The Honorable Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of the State of California, to think about the welfare of this young woman who has made a mortal error and deserves a second chance like so many others in our great nation have been served with after a mistake they have made . If the late Former President Gerald Ford could find it in his heart to pardon the late Former President Richard Nixon after his mistake(s), we undeniably support Paris Hilton being pardoned for her honest mistake as well, and we hope and expect The Governor will understand and grant this unusual but important request in good faith to Ms. Paris Whitney Hilton

Source: ipetitions.com

One word for you people -- BULLSHIT.

Why should Paris be given a "pardon" for her drunken stupidity? She had been given all the chances before. And simply because she doesn't take care of her own affairs (she relies on assistants, lawyers and other incompetent people it seems) doesn't give her a hallpass. If the average Joe Schmoe used those excuses, he or she would be laughed out of court and into their own 6x6 County Chamber of Hell. Just because she's a rich socialite bitch doesn't give her a Get Out of Jail Free card. Fuck her. She should go to jail just for acting stupid and without regard for the rest of us "mundane" people.

Paris may be a savvy PR goddess. She may have a portion of the general public's sympathy. Hell, she may even be genuinely sorry.. but those aren't reasons for her to be given carte blanche to do what she pleases. Go to jail bitch. And like it! If Martha Stewart can do it, you can too.

Classic!

Watching the latest Tiki Bar TV ep, I came across their brilliant new drinking game...

The Bunny Toss! And through the Royal League of Bunnies, you, too, can become an expert Tosser.. (oh the double entantes!)

Visit the official Royal League of Bunnies blog here.

Mind you - stupid people need not apply. The rules are pretty.. lengthy.

Anna Nicole??

So we finally find out how she died.

Who the fuck really cares? I mean, really -- who cares? I certainly don't. And we really didn't find out anything we already didn't know - she was one fucked up person. Mentally and physically. But again, do I care? No. I don't care.

And you shouldn't either. There are people out there that have more issues than she'll ever have (of course.. she's DEAD!). Do we care about them? No.

It should have come as no surprise what cocktail of drugs were found in her system. Methadone.. HGH... Probably some TrimSpa in there, too.. God.. what a fucking moron.

Computers Suck

I'm really pissed right now.

I did an interview with Guy Pearce this afternoon. It was a good interview and speaking to Mr. Pearce was really nice. He's a good guy, funny and not at all a dick like some celeb's I've spoken to. It was around 15 minutes long - I asked maybe 12 questions. After the interview, I saved the file as an MP3, exited the software and was done with it. I knew it saved because I saw the file on my desktop. It WAS there.

Now it's gone.

I can't find it anywhere. I downloaded an undelete utility to see if I deleted it - it's nowhere amongst the deleted files.

I searched the hard drives for every MP3 file. I just found shit from the Killers to the MP3 files the other programs use.

I double-checked all the directories - twice - three times - that I could have saved/moved/stored the file.

No luck.

I am now pissed to the point of tears. I can't just call the publicist up and say, you know what? * Chuckle * I kind of lost the interview with Guy and was wondering * Chuckle * if I can get in another 15 minutes with the guy.. well, because my computer somehow lost the interview.

It doesn't work like that.

I have all my other interviews from Tobin Bell to Hugh Dancy to Gretchen Mol to all the fucking interviews I've done and I can't fucking find this one interview. WHAT THE FUCK!!?

"What's that? Is that... is that you? Mr. Mark? Mr. Maker's Mark? Yes! Yes, I'll be right there. Please save a shot glass for me!"

Yep, it's time to break out the alcohol.

Boredom Hath Overcome Me

It's hard to write in script form. I'm doing the best I can.

EXT. HOTEL FIREPLACE NIGHT

A YOUNG COUPLE, in their mid 20’s, are sitting in front of a large FIREPLACE outside their luxury hotel. They carry on as boyfriend and girlfriend and sit next to each other in front
of the raging fire. She is wearing a NICE DRESS. Both are carrying drinks they got from the hotel bar.

GIRL
Hey, did you have a good time tonight? I did, though I didn’t like the music the DJ was playing. What was he thinking? I didn’t see any black rapper people. There wasn’t even any crunk juice. C’mon!

BOY
Baby, just let it go. The music was fine. Did you see Jen? She’s such a whore. Did you see that outfit? Rob so wanted to just take her out back and do her. But, whatever.


People are start shuffling out from various areas of the hotel. They gather around the fireplace to catch some warmth, tell a story or just lament about the hotel prices. A COCKTAIL SERVER walks by asking for orders.

BOY (flirtatiously)
Hey, sweety? Can I get a gin and soda with two limes? Yeah, two limes. I like a lot of lime taste. Can you do that for me? Thanks, hon.

GIRL
I’ll have a Cosmo. Thanks.


The Girl looks at her boyfriend with a contemptuous eye. If a look could be interpreted it would say she was jealous.


The girl, a little tipsy from her previous few drinks, is beginning to feel a little uninhibited. She hikes up her dress to her thighs. Her milky white skin is bare and inviting.


BOY (whispers)
Whatcha doin’?


The Boy leans over to put his hand on her bare thigh. The Girl doesn’t do anything to stop him.

GIRL (whispers)
What are YOU doing?

She smiles WRYLY.

So I was bored. I was out tonight.. at this bar that happens to be at this hotel in the area.. and I was actually sitting outside by the fireplace when this couple walked over. The only thing I could think of was.. Was the girl wearing panties? I bet she wasn't! She kind of looked like a skank - I'd certainly do her.. but hey.. I'm a guy who'd probably have no qualms about doing any semi-attractive girl wearing a skirt and no underwear. So, as I watched this couple, sipping on my bourbon and smoking my cigar, all I kept thinking was.. Dude, why don't you just ride your hand up her skirt and bang her right here? I won't mind. I don't know what the other patrons would have thought but I certainly wouldn't have complained.

I certainly need a better social life.

Catching up and Looking Back..

I was out tonight with some old friends whom I hadn't seen in years (some, in months).

It was great catching up with them and looking back to the past. The stories we had.

I got to thinking about all the good times we had and how every story I had began with -- I WAS SO DRUNK. It was rather funny.

But now, I'm kinda depressed because all of those times were so great and now all of my friends have gone on to produce their own families (you know.. get married, have some kids and get a job) whereas I'm still single, living like the bachelor that I am. Life has passed me up. I'm too old to reproduce those times and it sucks. I wish I were 20 again.

Let me point out that I NEVER WANT TO GET MARRIED and I NEVER WANT TO HAVE KIDS. I've realised this and I'm good with it. Hell, I'm even considering the permenant single lifestyle. Seriously.

Oh well.. I'm not too old where I can't go out and party. I'm still a decent drinker.. just yesterday, I drank a whole bottle of wine in one sitting. Didn't hit me.. too badly!

A thought on Suicide...

Someone I know committed suicide this week. He was a co-worker, someone I worked with for over 5 years. Our desks were next to each other. I heard the news from a friend of mine who was hysterically crying - they were very close. She told me he had killed himself.

I was shocked.

Those words - 'committed suicide' or 'killed himself' strike me. Strike me in a way that a ball would strike a pin. He and I weren't friends, just aquaintances. Yet, the notion that someone I know took their own life is just.. well.. strange. Sure, I've known people who have died, friends that were killed but never anyone who had taken their own life.

Though he and I weren't buds or bros or whatever, I still feel some sense of loss. Fuck, I worked with the guy for half a decade. In that time, he made me laugh, think, learn. I learned a lot from him. His humour was so spot-on, dry and full of wit, yet it was dark. His timing was perfect. He threw political correctness into the wind.

I knew he was emotional, he got angry a lot. Things just didn't go his way sometimes. At least not at work. We often joke about the things that bother us - we do it as a defense. He joked a lot about things I knew bothered him. But we all do it and it's a normal part of being ourselves. I knew our boss upset him a lot at work. And rightfully so. In those days before I left the company, a lot of things changed and job descriptions became more vast. He ended up doing something that just didn't suit him. It made his life even more stressful. Ultimately, he left the company, too. But I guess the stress didn't stay where it should have. I understand his life just spiraled down and things became even more stressful. He shut people out and he didn't want his friends to see him the way he was. He didn't take advantage of the friendships he had to help himself. I'm sure we'd all have obliged.

I understand, because for awhile I thought of suicide. Not just one of those fleeting passes when one gets overwhelmed and thinks - gosh, I can just end it. When my heart was ripped out from a past relationship (if you dig back enough in my blog, you can read all about it) it overtook my thoughts like a cloud of smoke. It enveloped me. Consumed me. I was looking for a way out. I toiled at ways I could do it. Crash my car into a wall, steal a friend's gun, take a lot of sleeping pills. I wasn't concerned with how I would affect other peoples' lives. I wasn't concerned that hurting others would happen. The only reason why I'm still here to type this is simple. I'm afraid of the pain I might suffer and I'm also afraid of the last few seconds of mystery our bodies go through before we die. That's the only thing that stopped me. I'm not a man of god - I'm an atheist. I don't believe in heaven or hell. Anyway, the thought of suicide hasn't left me - I think about it all the time. I'm glad I never told my therapist as I'm sure he would have had me committed.

But, that's all I'll ever do.. just think about it. The realisation of its affects have hit me, just by one man who I wasn't even close to. His actions will hurt many for years, whereas he is out of his misery. People around him now must clean up his mess. He will be a burden upon others for the rest of their lives in one way or another. Though the financial, logistical burdens may subside soon, the emotional ones will last forever. I could never do that to my friends or family. So, the thoughts will stay thoughts and when the times get tough I'll remember that nothing is worth killing one's self over. It's a permenant solution to a temporary problem.

One thing I can say about Jim, and I know he'd appreciate this (cos he'd say the same thing), is that his photographs are now worth a lot more. I tip my hat to you and may you rest peacefully now.

100th Post

Wooo hooo!!! 100th post!!

[cheer] [scream] [fireworks]

Okay, now that the celebrations are over and the crowd subsided, we can move on.

I think sundays are going to be my 'out to the bar' day. This time, it was Hero's in Fulleton, CA.

It's a nice bar, very cozy. Peanut shells on the floor (as they serve 'em oldstyle, from those cool red, white and blue bags) and the drinks very good.

As you may know, I like to go it alone to the ol' bars and taverns.. unless I'm hanging with the few friends I do have, it's all about experiencing the activities solo.

Other than the bartender not being able to serve a decent martini, it was all good. The beers on tap are numerous (over a hundred, I believe) and the food is top-notch (beef brisket sandwich for me this time).

The next time a girl starts talking to me at the bar, I'm going to ask for her number. Damn it - being the shy type doesn't help me in social situations. I could tell she wanted to talk but I wasn't really paying attention. It was the San Diego/Cleveland game, which was going pretty good.

But back to the martini. Gin martini, STIRRED not shaken VERY dry. Was it dry? No. Too much vermouth. The girls next me kept saying I should have a dirty martini. This, my friends, is sacreligious. And, I will NEVER have a dirty martini again. EVER. Between now and the day that I die I will not purposely ingest a dirty martini. There is a reason for this.

And why stirred? Because I heard it's better for gin not to be shaken as the complexity of the spirit is broken up when shaken.. so was it stirred? No. It wasn't stirred.

I couldn't drink it all, especially after the barkeep added more gin. I just couldn't. I would have fallen over if I had. But, I liked his style, his courtesy. He was a funny guy. Just enough conversation without being bothersome. That's a good bartender.

Bill came out to thirty bucks. I gave him a 10 dollar tip.

Are you still stuck on that reason? None of your business. :-)

McDonalds, You Are My Foe!

McDonalds be damned. Oh, you fiend, it is not your french fries or your pathetic Big Mac. No! It's not your stupid parfait or chicken McNuggets or your worthless salads or even your health conscious fare.

It's your goddamned McRib. The McRib sandwich that has a pre-processed pork..whatever..drenched in BBQ sauce and placed between two buns with a few pickles and onions. It is this thing you call a 'sandwich' that has me fevered.

Why, you ask? Oh, I'll tell you why.

It's because it's sooo fucking good. Have you tasted one of these gems?

I, like many millions of people, avoid the Arches like the plague. They are the symbol of an obese nation, a beacon of unhealthy choices and a gateway to the land of gluttony. But it is this time of year that the satan of foods brings upon me temptation that cannot be denied.

The McRib.

Oh the juicy, processed pork. You cannot just eat one. You have to eat two. And if you're really hungry, you can probably scarf three. This must be a ploy by McDonalds. A ploy to say, "yes, I still control you. I STILL HAVE YOUR STOMACH WITHIN MY POWER." And they do. Without even a commercial (which I've now seen, by the way), we know where these delightfully forbidden morsels are and when to expect them so that we may devour them without remorse.

If I were a god-fearing man, I would pray for forgiveness. I would repent my sin.

The only thing even close to this on any scale is, of course, McDonalds' green Shamrock shakes. And Saint Patty's Day is quickly approaching.

Oh, you have once again made life unbearable. But you will crush me, like a girl with my heart who has decided that the girl she met in yoga class is the one for her. How, you may ask?

When those delicious little sandwiches cease to be sold, again, as they are only for a limited time. And once again, I will be left in withdrawl only to have to go through this again next year.

DAMN YOU McDONALDS! DAMN YOU!

The girl who just broke up

I have to wonder -- would have I gotten laid yesterday if I had just said yes?

I'm hanging out at my local House of Blues bar cos.. well, I like it there (even though their drink prices are just attrocious). The bar was getting full and I was sitting alone but the stool next me was empty.

In walks a girl and she asks if the seat next to me was taken and, of course, I said no. There she sits, with vibrator in hand (one of those notification vibrators, okay?) and the first words out of her mouth was "this was the only bar in the area I could find.. I needed to get out NOW THAT I JUST BROKE UP". (Okay, it's a paraphrase, but I think it's really close)

I'm watching the Tigers/Cardinals game on tv and couldn't be bothered, but I asked if she was alone. And she said yes.. "I thought coming out by myself would take my mind off of BREAKING UP".

Now, she wasn't that bad.. I would give her a 6 (an LA 3). I mean, I wouldn't brag if I bagged her or anything. But, she kept repeating the fact that she just broke up.. Now, that's a major flag. I may be single, may be looking but I'm DEFINITELY not looking to be someone's little after break up fuck. Or, worse than that, the ear that has to listen to someone who's going through it -- I have my own problems. That's what friends are for - not strangers at a bar.

Her vibrator went off and she asked if I wanted to come sit with her and I declined. But, I wonder... would I have gotten laid? I betcha I would have...

Attention Deficit Disorder anyone?

I just finished reading Arianna Huffington's interview (Playboy Interview: Arianna Huffington) in the latest issue of PLAYBOY (Nov 06).

First, let me say that I don't like Ms. Huffington. I just don't. Maybe it's that accent of hers, or that I find her to be the most conservative Democrat (in fact, I thought she was a Republican - I found she was ten years ago to my suprise) alive. Even worse than Hillary Clinton.
With that said, I have to admit that I was in agreement with much of what she said in her interview. It was enlightening, telling and I do admire her stance that President Bush must be impeached.

What I want to address is not her accent, her political slant or her "blogosphere". It's her idea that mainstream media has ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder).
Why does the main stream media have Attention Deficit Disorder? Because the PEOPLE have attention deficit disorder.

Huffington's opinion is that we need to stick on top of a story so that the people will know and, thus, do something about the situation. The problem is that the people don't care.
Yes, the people of this nation don't give one rat's fucking ass what the government does. And what's worse -- they trust the government blindly.

She brings to point many serious situations that have occurred in the Bush Administration; the war in Iraq, Hurricane Katrina are two. She wants the Dem's to take over power in the two Houses as well as the Executive branch but it's the People that have to do that.
And the People don't care. Or should I say -- the young people don't care. Just look at the last Presidential Election's percentage of people actually voting? 215 Million people registered to vote in 2004. Of that 215 million, only 115 million voted (source: 2004 US CENSUS BUREAU). The US population is roughly 293 Million. Less than 50% of the people voted (give or take). The people that did vote were older. 55 and over were more likely to vote than those 18-24, even though there were just as many 18-24 who registered as there were 55 and over (again, US CENSUS BUREAU).

The poeple of yesteryear were more in tune with current events. And they knew - it was best because they were the ones to keep the powers that be in check. That's why the older generation is so adamant to vote. However, as you delve more into the MTV generation, there are less and less voters from them. Why? Their stance is - "it doesn't affect me." And all the while, it does affect them. They just don't see it. And they don't care.

Their attitude is why vote when it won't affect their lives. Their not scared enough or they just don't care about what goes on in the world. If it doesn't have anything to do with Nick Lachey or Jessica Simpson; or Brangelina or the newest Coach bag, they could give a shit. Neither are they voting or getting involved with what's going on in the world. Why should they?

Cos they can't be bothered. "Let someone else worry about that... give me another Redbull and Vodka please."

It's this attitude that will allow the powerful-yet-in-the-minority groups grab a foothold in the political ring (like the Jesus Camp, bible-thumping NeoCon Christian right).

When someone like Jerry Fallwell or Pat Robertson or even Ingrid Newkirk finally makes it to office and makes wild and crazy changes that will affect everyone, those of you who were too stupid to keep tabs on your world will wonder -- what the fuck just happened?

I vote - do you?

The.. bald kitty

I've noticed something rather interesting. I think it must be a trend that is more popular than I thought.

It's...

The shaving of the pussy hair.

I've noticed in all of the previous issues of Playboy that I have that most of the women presented to us in their splendor are actually either fully shaven or have very little hair left on their nether-regions.

This is... HOT.

The thing that got me thinking about this was a recent viewing of a 70's era porn. Now, you gotta love the 70's porn. They actually have much better storylines, the acting is much better and they're actually filmed on.. well.. film. None of this home video look. Of course, they didn't have home video cameras back then so, of course they look like film. I'm sure production values were much more expensive back then.

Anyway, back to the subject -- if you've seen a porno from the 70's, you'll notice that the muff on the women are sooooo full (they're like.. small trees or other foliage) and untrimmed. Whereas, looking at porn today you'll notice neatly trimmed bush or non-existent bush. Airstrips, little patches and the like are there and they're equally hot.

There's actually a need for pubic hair - it's like a filter or catcher of "stuff". It's needed for hygiene and I think it's used as an insolator. The latter I'm not sure about.

But the bald, shaven stuff is awesome and I applaud any woman who has taken a razor to their mound of happiness and taken it off. It makes for easier access, less hassle and man.. it's just good to look at.

So, pick up a Playboy and a few razors... or, go get a Brazilian wax. It might itch for a bit after shaving but hey.. it's just the cool thing to do.

Just passing through...

Something I was thinking about today while I was taking a shower --

Do chicks pee in the shower? I mean, I know guys do. It's easy, convenient and hey.. we can point the spout towards the drain and not worry about it getting all over the shower floor.

But women, it's a different story. It'd just run down their leg or something and maybe puddle around their foot but, I bet you there are girls out there that pee in the shower. Just get the hot water to spray along the tummy area and let that pressure go.

Something to think about the next time you're getting Zestfully clean.

Where I'd rather be..

Sigh. There are places I find more exciting than where I’m at now. Las Vegas. Seattle. San Diego. Chicago. Dallas. San Antonio. But not Los Angeles (and the surrounding areas). Granted, I love the Getty, MOCA, select areas of Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Downtown. But, as a whole, I can’t stand LA. When I was in San Diego last weekend, it just felt so much more tolerable. More… entertaining. More, peaceful (even in a clubby, downtowny place like the Gaslamp district) even. And when I was in Dallas or San Antonio, those cities just rocked. My favourite though is Chicago.

See, if I wanted to, I could just pick up and leave. I have enough money to move my ass half-way across the country, find an apartment, and live for three months looking for a job. I’m sure I could find something in that period of time.

But..

I don’t. And I don’t know why I don’t. Well, I do, kinda. There’s the fear factor, which of course plays a big role in my daily decision making activities. Then there’s the website that’s being developed for the entertainment publication I produce. If that were to become successful, there’s no telling where I can go.

In downtown San Diego, the Hard Rock is building a hotel and condos. I’d love to live in one of those condos. I’m not saying that the website will make me millions, but I’m hoping that it will generate something worth the hell that I’ve put myself through for the last year.

Anyway, just a few more months. And then we’ll see what happens. I’m sooo close. Hell, I even got a screening DVD from NBC for a new show that’s coming this fall. It screened at Comic Con but how many people can say they have a copy IN HAND? Not many. Only a handful of people got to see it this thing, which by the way kicks ass. It should be NBC’s LOST. And, I request copies of movies that HAVEN’T EVEN BEEN RELEASED IN THE THEATRE yet and I get them. How cool is that?

Anyway, I digress. It isn’t about what I do anyway. It’s about where I want to be. And how much longer do I have to be here before I can move on to there. Day by day, that’s what they say. And who’s “They” anyway?

San Diego, man. San Diego. (on a side note – they’re building some cool condos in Vegas, too…!)

COMIC CON 2006

If I had to describe, in one word, Comic-Con - it would be OVERWHELMING. For the next four days, Downtown San Diego will be filled to the brim with geeks, nerds, comic book nuts and Sci-Fi guru's from around the world. Comic-Con is the largest Comic book convention on the West Coast, but it isn't just about comic books. It's also a haven for movie and television studios to launch their new releases.
One thing that ALL the studios have realised is that the comic book fanbase is HUGE. And so they're catering to this fanbase by sending in their big guns to do press, show pilots, sign autographs and woo bigtime to try and harvest the boatload of money that is within this demographic.
Besides the costume-draped kids in their Naruto and Wonder Woman costumes, the Star Trekkers and Battlestar Galacticans, you'll find a plethora of comic books for sale, software that will catalogue comics, software that will create comics and, yes, toys based off comics. But, you'll find more than that.
You'll find Lions Gate, Miramax, Sony, WB, IFC, and a host of other movie studios there to push their latest (albeit comic-related) movies. Booths to see while there - pretty much the aforementioned.
Upstairs, above the convention hall, you will find exhibit rooms showing new fare from the likes of the Sci-Fi Channel, NBC, ABC and anyone else coming out with a Sci-Fi story. Look for a show called HEROS from NBC. Looks to be a hit. But that's just my opinion. Also, from Sci-Fi Channel, EUREKA.
I hit the exhibit rooms to see the director of Azumi, Ryuhei Kitamura, talk about his influences and the filming of Azumi. Before that, I hit a discussion by David Arquette (and others) about his new movie The Tripper. There was supposed to be a film clip, but he lost it, so he pretty much told the whole plot of the movie, including the ending. Due to respect and the fact that he asked - I will not spoil it for my readers.
The highlights of the first day was the screening of RENAISSANCE. A Noirish story baed in the distant future, this ALL COMPUTER-DRAWN film is the shit. I will post up a review later. I was pretty captivated by this. Think SIN CITY meets ..hell, I don't know what else to compare it to. Completely realistic, right down to the movement of the eyes. It's black and white. And I mean, just black and just white.
But the gem was a 10.15p screening of THIS FILM IS NOT YET RATED by Kirby Dick. If there is but one documentary you need to see, it would be this one. It will be released September 1st and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you see it. It is the story of the MPAA and how their control over the ratings system make or break films and their success in the box office. A group of directors speak on film about their feelings of the MPAA and how they censor, ruin or even kill movies being made today. On a side note, the MPAA gave this film an NC-17 rating. It's something you HAVE to watch if you are even remotely a fan of going to see movies. Review will be posted later.
Well, I must sleep as the next day for Comic Con is soon coming up.

Things I miss

• Bicycling down the Strand from Redondo Beach to Hermosa and Manhattan. Then ending up in Santa Monica.
• Working a job without actually working (Disneyland).
• Having lots of people to go to Vegas with.
• Being 25
• Sitting at a bar in Wellington NZ and getting piss drunk off my ass. Then walking back to my friend's flat.
• My mum.
• Driving just to drive, with a bunch of friend's crammed in the car.
• Hanging out at coffee shops.
• Being in a band.
• Not worrying whether I'll be poor or worthless or a failure.
• Not worrying that I've gotten too old.
• The touch of a woman's soft skin against my own.
• Tender kisses.
• The anxiety of seeing a girl's tits for the first time.
• Chinese food on prom night.
• Childhood friends.
• Only 7 channels on television.
• 25 cent coin op games
• Snow cones.
• The feeling I got when I watched Xanadu for the first time.
• 1982.
• Waking up next to someone I love.
• Not throwing up after drinking all night.
• Staying out late on a school night.
• Gecko's on Wednesday Nights.
• Live Bait on Thursday Nights.
• The Lighthouse on any night.

There are so many things I miss. Sometimes I wish I could relive just a few.

Should Tom Selleck be Magnum in the Movie?

Simple answer - no.

I found a blog that wants him to reprise his role in the movie.. http://selleckismagnum.blogspot.com/

Here's the comment I made (just in case he gets all 1984 and deletes it):

The problem with your proposal is that Selleck is too old to play the role; not because he can't be an action hero but Magnum P.I.'s premise was that he was young, a PI and a lady's man. Sure, he can prolly get away with the lady's man part be he ain't no spring chicken anymore. And, sure, he IS Magnum P.I. but then the story would have to change to accommodate his being older and then if you bring in Selleck, you'd have to bring in the original T.C. and the original Rick and then the original Higgins. And since they're thrown in, the original Dobermanns, too (and, speaking of dog-years, they'd be ancient by now).

I mean, have you seen those Mastercard commerials that brought back old tv characters (esp. the one with MacGyver's Richard Dean Anderson? I thought that was extra cool but, man, he's OLD!)

Then, what about the A-Team movie? Are we going to petition that they bring in Mr. T as BA Barracus? Cos NO ONE should be able to play BA other than Mr. T. And Miami Vice - Colin Ferrell as Sonny? Only Don Johnson should be Sonny Crocket. Seeing Colin in one of those suits just made it.. wrong.

But, they did it anyway.

It's time to let the new generation have their own Magnum PI. We had Selleck - they can have... hmm.. who'd make a good Magnum?

Guy Pearce?
Jake Gyllenhaal?
Yeah, I can see Ben Affleck as Magnum...
David Hasselhoff? (Just kidding!)

And don't get me started on the whole Knight Rider movie.

Sorry, but no vote here.

Customer Service Sucks!

When I was younger, the people working in the stores were definately older, more respectful and, shit(!), they actually knew what the hell they were doing. Fast-forward 10 years and bam! You have Screech, only 10x more stupid, asking you, "what would you like in you Happy Meal, sir?"

Where I am leading this debacle of an entry is here - Where did my customer service go? Did it just up and leave when NAFTA was passed? Did it decide to go to the EU because there were better paying jobs? Or was it that the French were just better at treating Customer Service with respect? I don't know but I want some decent customer service back.

When you have a Mickey D's filled to the brim with kids running around trying to make burgers and another kid not much older supervising this Three Stooges display of sadness, you have to wonder -- how do businesses stay.. well.. in business? I am a great proponent of HS kids getting a summer job at Disneyland or Knott's Berry Farm but if you give them a flame broiler or a cash register - forget about it (I think I'll exempt both Disney and Knott's on that - their training is actually pretty good).
I think I'm rambling a bit - let me try to focus.

Take this story - I was in a McD's and the place was just packed. Kids after school congregating in their new place of loiter. Yet, there are kids behind the counter trying to make orders as well. Unfortunately, they are unable to service the kids wanting food because they cannot figure out their priorities. Stupid.

Another example. I'm at this thing in Pasadena - held at the Rose Bowl - and I'm actually VIP (or at least I thought I was), and I'm looking to get my VIP wrist band thingy so that I can get my two free water-downed beers and a pretzel. Asking the stupid security guy (in his late teens, maybe.. maybe early 20's) who I talk to to get this wrist band thingy and he straight up says, "I dunno". "Maybe it's that woman over there with the big hat."

Thanks Sherlock. Why don't you go fill up your pipe and stick it up your ass.

Or going to Wendy's and not getting what I asked for. Then having to go back and yell at the manager because his crew is utterly useless to the general public.

Or going to Borders Bookstore and asking for a video game that I can clearly point out but the chick who probably started oh.. two minutes before (it seems) can't get the friggin' key right and then has to ask six-dozen times after the first.. "Which one again?"

You want to know who has great customer service? IN-N-OUT burger, for a fast food chain. Besides having the best burgers in Southern California (and I dare say anywhere in the contiguous US, Hawaii and Alaska), their top-notch service is rather swell.

Other than that, service at dining joints like MORTON'S is the only place you'll find EXCELLENT customer service. They're smart enough not to hire stupid kids (or people for that matter).
Now, I'm sure there are places that have great service and employ HS'ers and young adults. They're just few and far between. And it's not limited to food joints and record stores.

Hot Topic - stupid kids AND wanabe goth's.Game Spot/EB - Stupid kids AND geeks (that's almost an oxymoron even).The GAP - Stupid kids who are actually STUPID AND STUCK UP.Blockbuster Video - ...yeah, I wish they actually hired people that knew a turd's worth of movie info. They can barely rub their head and pat their stomach's.

Now, don't take this as being racist - but what's worse than kids working to serve the public is minority kids who wreck the English language asking you if you vant flies wi dat? NO! I don't want flies with that.

Maybe, the problem is that these people have NO CLUE what work ethic is. Maybe they're leisurely passing the 4 long hours they have to be on their lame ass shift just to make $25 (before taxes) a day so that they can blow it on the next AFI or HIM CD. Who cares that they're what makes their establishment look like ass.

With customer service plunging at an alarming rate, it's no matter why the internet is a better option to purchase everything from DVDs to Twinkies.

Poker Stars, babe-EE

It's been awhile but.. I've been too busy. But not busy enough for :

I have registered to play in the PokerStars World Blogger Championship of Online Poker!

This Online Poker Tournament is a No Limit Texas Holdem event exclusive to Bloggers.

Registration code: 2485533