cgm13.net :: the boy wonder: February 2005

Back to Blogger ... For A Bit

Grrrrr. Here I am back on Blogger for just a bit. I need to become a code geek. Figure out why the css isn't reading in Safari on a Mac like it should. It's way wack. I gonna go toddle with Word Press for a bit.

And Now ... Word Press

Finally. The site will be switching to something new. After using Blogger for the past couple of years I am gonna switch. I want to have everything under the same roof andMyke was kind enough to sing the praises of Word Press to me. It's gonna take a few to get everything back in order as I have to import entries from Blogger and comments from Haloscan. Catch ya on the flip side.

Weekend Wildlife, Part III

Here's Franki and I post Super Bowl. Notice how bleary-eyed I am from having just watched the mind numbing shit that was "American Dad."

Weekend Wildlife, Part II

Tomjones gets her drink on at the ~~Stupid~~ Super Bowl festivities.

Weekend Wildlife, Part I

I was hoping for raccoons on Friday, but all I got was this lousy possum.

Tuesday Blues

Seems like most of these posts are about the blues, eh? Feeling kinda tired. Feeling kinda cranky. I got the joy of dropping work yesterday to deal with my sister for a bit. Ugh. It's starting to wear me out. What can I say or do? Nothing really. She's the one who has got to want to change. I have some friends that are headed for a melt down. Ugh. I can feel it coming and it's gonna be messy. I just want to slap 'em and say "be adults, dammit." I want to keep my nose clean on this one because it's not my problem. The things we do to make life more complicated. Last night's rehearsal for "Antigone in New York" went way longer than anybody wanted it to. Ugh. It ended around 11:30 p.m. After 10:00 my brain cut out leaving me feeling unfocused and untalented. Certain cast members are stressed out about the show. I feel like things are going well and the show will be good. But, I have the least amount to do so I have that luxury.

Tattoo You, Part II

Saturday, Franki and I went around scouting tattoo parlors. We went to three out of the 20 or so in the Asheville area. We focused mainly on the ones downtown. Prices for what I want ranged from $70 to $100 which I didn't think was too bad. I was expecting them to say $200+ but what do I know (having never set foot in a tattoo parlor before). It was quite the experience. Especially when we were at Pit Bull Tattoo looking through the stock art and I ran across a tattoo you could have done that was a nun with something inserted into every orifice. Fun! We also saw some interesting folks too. I have picked the one that I will probably end up going to ... Forever Tattoo. I thought the place had a really nice vibe and the client portfolio had some nice looking work in it. Word on the street is that the artist is very good. It's still gonna be a few weeks before I have the time to have it done. Rest assured that there will be photos before, during and after. Franki, by the way, is still looking.

Dress You Up

One of the things that happened the past weekend was my purchase of a suit. I have never owned a nice suit before and need one for the wedding I am going to be in at the end of May. I dropped into the local Men's Wearhouse on Saturday just to look around and price them ... and, bingo! I found one I really liked and decided to go ahead and get it. Having never suit shopped before, I was a bit take aback at how involved the whole process was. First the pants had to be measured to fit me. Then I had to decide whether I wanted cuffs or not. Then there was the parade of sales girls with shirt and tie combos that I could use. Then they tried to sucker me into a sports coat or two. Whew. I was quite the experience. I get to go back and pick up my spankin' new duds this coming Saturday. Whoo!

"Cellular" [An Appreciation]

Maybe saying "An Appreciation" is putting it a little too strongly ... but "Cellular" is a pretty decent little action movie. The plot is a little silly, but who cares. We get to watch our plucky and reluctant hero run around L.A. trying to save the damsel in distress from the baddies (including Jason Statham!). Worth seeing when you wanna put you brain on hold for a couple of hours. Plus, it's so great that Chris Evans is shirtless for his first scene. It gratuitous and oh-so-nice! That you, David Ellis, for making teenage girls and gay men everywhere so happy.

Weekend Plans

So, after having really done nothing last weekend, this one has shaped up to be pretty busy. Whee! I head out tonight to hang with friends and watch "Shaun of the Dead." Tomorrow I have rehearsal in the morning. After that I am gonna trip to A-ville and price suits, tattoos and hang with Mr. Messer for the evening. Sunday, of course is the ~~Stupid~~ Super Bowl which will be celebrated at the house of Mr. Ross. At some point during all this I have to watch "Cellular" which I have rented for the sole purpose of lusting after Mr. Evans and his hairy chest.

Blast From The Past

Dr. Phibes sent through some photos from that trip I took to KCMO near the end of 2003. This is me hanging out with one of the "Shuttlecocks."

Mmmm ... Leather!

There. Is that better for you?

Words I Never Want To Hear Again

1. Amendment
2. Values
3. Condoleezza
4. Privatization
5. Democracy
6. Faith-Based
7. Marriage
8. Freedom
9. Compassion
10. Reform
11. Insurgents
12. Cheney
13. Bush

Chas. on "The Grudge"

After having seen "Ju-On" a couple of months ago, I have been dead curious to see the American remake. It boasts the same director and story with the add in of American actors. Does it live up to the original?

Yes ... and no. I personally felt that some of the enhanced "visual" scares were pretty sweet. But the trade off is a movie that is way more polished than its predecessor. Gone is all subtlety ... all the mystery. I guess the filmmakers felt that there had to be an explanation for everything that happens in the story ... which does take some of the edge off. I don't care why the house is haunted. Just scare me. The addition of American actors was distracting as well. It seemed way too contrived that so many Americans would be involved in the same chain of evens.

Sam Raimi says in the "making of" footage that the reason he was interested in producing a remake was that many people would be so turned off to seeing a Japanese film. He loves the original and wanted to bring it to American audience. So, what you ultimately end of with is a pretty redundant movie in terms of story and visuals. Some shots are almost exactly the same as shots in "Ju-On."

So, if you have seen "Ju-On" you can skip "The Grudge" and you won't be missing anything. If you haven't seen either, definitely pick up "Ju-On" for a viewing.