philosophy 101 in 108 minutes and the saddest movie ever made

Waking Life is incredible. For those who are interested, watch it. The best way to describe it is my post title. The visual style is amazing as well, but I'm not going to tell you why it's amazing. You'll get it. Fast.

In a related story, this essay is extremely fascinating, and extremely trippy. They talk about this essay in one of the final scenes of Waking Life, and it got me thinking, so I looked it up. Read it and tell me that you don't believe every word he says.

Lost in La Mancha is probably every filmmaker's worst nightmare. A documentary about Terry Gilliam trying to make a movie about Don Quixote, and failing miserably. The shit he goes through man...Fucked up. And it would have been so good too. Johnny Depp would have been in it.

when i had eyes

This has been one helluva week. No papers due, but for some reason I've been busting my ass with homework everyday since Sunday. My first midterm went well. Oceanography is such a joke. 50 scantron questions, mostly mult choice with a few T/F thrown in to "confuse" us. I studied for it, of course, since I had no idea what I was going in to, my first college midterm and all. But I still think it was pretty easy.

So my scene for screenwriting tomorrow is as follows: EITHER a teenage girl just found out she's pregnant and has to tell her mom, who is preoccupied with some other activity OR a guy is going to his girlfriend's father's house to ask for her hand in marriage, but for some reason, he had too much to drink and he's completely shit-faced. Actually he doesn't have to be shit-faced, but he's drunk enough as to where it's gonna make a difference. Pretty cool assignment. Too bad Thematic Option has forced me to put it off until the day before it's due, as usual. Oh, and also for tomorrow I have to have a 2-3 page character biography about someone who is unable to love. We're supposed to have been working on this from the beginning, but again, fucking TO. I have maybe half a page, but that shouldn't be all that hard.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes, they are much appreciated. I ordered some t-shirts and got some CDs and Gosford Park all in the name of my birthday.

Shirts:


CDs:


I got another CD that doesn't show up on allmusic.com, which is odd because I trust allmusic.com with my life. Frog Eyes - The Bloody Hand. Don't know why it's not there, and it's kinda freakin' me out. Overall good birthday presents from myself. I probably spent more money than I actually got, but hey, it's my birthday leave me alone.

Lost: Season One still hasn't gotten here yet, and it's pissing me off. Next time I'm shelling out the extra bucks for faster shipping because Amazon obviously has its head up its ass when it comes to "Standard Shipping."

I passed my Campus Cruiser training and got me a fancy polo shirt and everything. Technically I'm Cruiser #113, but after Saturday afternoon, all the numbers change, and my first day is Saturday night, so there was no real point in giving me my number to begin with. My first night is from 11:00 pm to 3:00 am. How's that for a shift? Fucking hardcore is what it is.

Lots of pretty pictures for you guys today. I figured you were sick of me just linking to stuff, so I brightened it up a bit. As for me, I have to go register for Selective Service.

Currently enjoying:

See above.

Next ish: Assuming I don't get drafted, I'm looking forward to October.

happy birthday to me

Yes, we all know that little Andrew McNally is now legal. Songs were sung, shots were taken, Mallrats was watched. Nothing too special last night but that's alright. On the semi-downside, I have to work for 4 hours tonight, but that's not all that bad. I really like work so far, the people over at Campus Cruiser are fucking awesome. It seems like lots of stuff has happened since September 23rd, but for some reason I can't really think of anything to write about. 'SC was sucking ass in the first half of yesterday's game, but of course they came back to win 45-13. I never doubted them.

I actually got good and wasted on Thursday, but that's not all that important, and nothing all that cool happened while I was, but whatev. I had a relatively stress-free weekend. Not too much homework, outside of some reading, which is good because it's my birthday weekend. So I just kinda kicked back. Except for Friday night, when some FUCKER set off the sprinkler systems on the first floor. At 2:00 AM. So the fire department came and had to go through all the rooms and stop the sprinklers. We were outside until 4:30, and it was cold. There's a 24 hour Subway near campus, and I was jonesing for a meatball sandwich, so we trekked it over there. Guess what? No meatballs. So I settled with a chicken teryaki. Overall, a C+. Okay, not great. The sandwich that is. The whole night gets a D- and a note to it's parents for poor classwork. It sucked.

But it's my birthday today, so nothing like that's gonna happen. I was feeling a little surreal not being home for my birthday for like the first time ever. Surreal doesn't really describe it. I wasn't really sad (well maybe a little), but it felt funny. Nostalgic almost. It felt weird having my friends call me and tell me happy birthday instead of us doing something about it. A happy birthday to Kristen back home, who shares my birthday. Love you sweetie, can't wait to see you.

About that Mallrats we watched. Cam met Kevin Smith at The Secret Stash, and got it signed by Jay, Silent Bob, Willam (both from Clerks and Mallrats, Scott Mosier and Ethan Suplee), Trish the Dish, and Jason Lee. It seems like everyone got cool shit on my birthday except for me, but I'm not complaining, since we're all a big melting pot here. Daren got a car for my birthday (sure it's his car, but I'm the one who's celebrating). Early birthday present, a brand new Toyota Matrix. Yes, brand new. It's pretty fucking sweet, so we're gonna try and get to Amoeba today and enjoy ourselves. We might as well, since it's a celebration. Bitches.

Currently enjoying:

Birthday parties, happiness, and whatever music I get at Amoeba.

Next ish: First midterm on Wednesday. October starts next Saturday, so that's exciting...I guess. Don't forget to check out the "This Day in History" link. I have the same birthday as Luke Skywalker! Whee!

it's so easy

I had a paper due today at noon. So yesterday, after classes were done, I worked on it some, got about halfway through. Then what do I decide to do? Get wasted. Now thanks to some heads up planning, I got it done this morning, but that could have been disastrous. But now the paper's over and I can get legitimately wasted. Third day of Campus Cruiser training tonight. I'm thinking a birthday bash tomorrow maybe? And by "bash" I mean do the same thing we do every weekend. Watch movies and not find anywhere to drink. Maybe it'll be different this weekend, since, you know, I was born 18 years ago. I had more to say for this, but I'm totally blanking out. So I'll keep this one short and do a bigger one once I'm not still residually wasted.

it's a rainy day

Yes, you read correctly. No, your eyes don't deceive you. It's raining in Los Angeles today. Thunder's rumbling, lightning's flashing, it's great. This is my only break in a projected 13 hour day. 13 hours from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM. But I woke up at 8:30. So I have Avid training for Trojan Vision from 2:00 till about 6:00, and Campus Cruiser training from 6:40 till about 11:00. So I got me some Carl's Jr., sat down, and I'm blogging. I should be doing homework for tomorrow, but I'll just not sleep tonight (as usual).

Speaking of homework, I might as well go home now, since I'm never doing homework again. I've discovered NPR, and all of my time is now devoted to listening to concerts and interviews in their free (yes, free) archive section. This shit is incredible. So far I've listened to a Secret Machines concert and a Decemberists concert, with a Kings of Leon one waiting in the wings. Sadly, it is radio, so it's just audio, but since Secret Machines don't have a live album, and they're not coming my way anytime soon, this is pretty good.

I'm itching for a trip to Amoeba, and I wanna see Everything is Illuminated really bad. But I'm friggin' busy for the next week. Campus Cruiser training is cool. I get to learn 10-codes (10-4, and such) and take phone calls, and be a dispatcher, along with actually driving people around. Lost: Season 1 is in transit, so that'll take some time out of my life. And I'm fucking pissed that I have to miss the Nip/Tuck premiere tonight because I'm getting trained. Super fucking pissed.

On the positive side, the White Sox are choking like that one guy who smart-mouthed Darth Vader, I watched Garden State last night (and it was as good as always, if not better), and the A's are right on the edge. They're totally gonna break out now and dominate the AL West. Just watch.

Currently enjoying:

All Songs Considered on NPR

Next ish: Lots of work today and tomorrow and the next day. Friday is pretty tame, but I'll find something to fill up space. Maybe watch some Pulp Fiction, yes? 10-23. That means stand by.

final: 70-17

It almost takes the fun out of it. I can almost guarantee I'm not going to stay for an entire football game because they're all going to be pretty similar to what we've seen in the two games we've played so far. Maybe the Notre Dame game will be good, but that's at Notre Dame. UCLA will just be intense, so I'll probably stay for that, but that's the last game of the season.

I've realized that this ain't Boylan. I can't sit in the front row anymore, since I have no authority. God knows I want to be right up front, in a toga and face paint, screaming at Matt Leinart to look at me. But here the fraternities send their little minions (read "pledges") to save entire sections for them. Not cool, man. The whole bottom section is taken by frats. I was more than a little pissed that I had to sit in *gasp* the second section up. I sound like a little bitch I know, but damn, I want to be involved.

Saw Corpse Bride on Friday, and it was really good. Go see it as soon as you can. On a very good side note, they show the new Harry Potter trailer in all it's big-screen glory before it. That alone is worth the 12.50 admission I paid. We saw it at the Grove theater, which is in the middle of this mall kinda thing. We ate at Johnny Rockets (read "Steak N Shake" for all the Midwest kids) which was enjoyable. But seriously, things out here need to stop being so hyped up. When people heard I hadn't been to In 'N Out, they flipped. I could flip on them for never having been to Beef-a-Roo, but do I? No, because they're from California, and there's no Beef-a-Roo in California. Come on, guys. I'm from Illinois, so I don't know shit about all this stuff that's supposedly amazing, but in reality is pretty good, but nothing to freak out about.

Did anyone see me on TV? I was one of those 90,411 fans, so I thought maybe someone picked me out. No? Too bad.

Currently enjoying:



Next ish: All my big stuff happened this weekend. If anything exciting happens, you can bet I'll think about writing about it.

back with a vengeance

Procrastination is like that friend who calls you when he's two minutes from your house and tells you to get your ass in the shower because he's picking you up to go to a massive party. So you shower in record time, and you needed it since it's Saturday and you hadn't showered since Thursday because you don't have class on Friday, and Procrastination shows up and takes you to this sweet ass party. But then you end up drinking too much, and you think somebody slipped eye drops in your drink because you are puking up a storm. In between puke sessions, you still try to have a good time, but the girl with the Secret Machines t-shirt just isn't giving up the goods, and you're working your two minute offense because you know that when time expires, you're gonna be puking again. And all the while Procrastination isn't even there, because he's getting laid upstairs. He doesn't even take you home. You gotta call your ex-girlfriend who you're sorta friends with now that it's not awkward anymore since she got all her CDs back that she had left in your car. You call Procrastination the next day, but he doesn't answer. He finally calls you back at like 1:30 in the morning and gives you some bullshit about being at work all day (despite the fact it's Sunday) and he asks you if you want him to pick you up and go to another party, but you flip on him and tell him that it's fucking Sunday and you have 10 o'clock class the next day. You end up hanging up on him and wondering how the fuck he has so much time to party and you have to struggle your ass off to get a shot of Skol.

So, to interpret this incredibly long metaphor, Procrastination seems like a cool guy, but believe me, Procrastination's a bitch. But no matter how many times he screws you over, you know in the back of your head that he knows where the best parties are and you keep hanging out with him anyway.

I gotta stop putting off my screenwriting homework. I got it done, but it wasn't too quality. So I'm gonna start telling Procrastination to fuck off because I got other shit to do. Of course, I say that now, but I'm not gonna do my homework for Monday until Sunday night. We all know it.

The Decemberists are playing in Pomona tonight for 15 bucks. I want to go, but it's probably too late. I should have told people about this earlier in the week, but I didn't think about it until today. More concert potential for the rest of the month:

• 9/20 - Bloc Party at the Hollywood Paladium in Hollywood, CA for 22.50
• 9/20 - Interpol at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, CA for 35.00
• 9/21 - The Black Keys at the Galaxy Theatre in Santa Ana, CA for 15.00
• 9/23 - The Kills at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles, CA for 15.00
• 9/24 - Dave Chappelle at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, CA for 28.25-48.25
• 9/30 - My Chemical Romance (the only reason I care is because Bradley told me the Secret Machines were playing a show with them in Milwaukee so I'm hoping maybe they show up here too) at the Los Angeles Sports Arena in Los Angeles, CA for 25.00

Check this out:

i have a mission of sorts for anybody who attends santa monica city college. actually, its a big favor and i don't know how i'd repay for it, but if you go to santa monica city college and happen to see alex m from "laguna beach" there. you know, the tall blonde skinny girl thats in love with kirstin. yeah if you see her at santa monica city college, for me, tell her that you love the character she plays on "laguna beach."

skeet on mischa is one of my favorite blogs. The guy (I think) goes to Pepperdine and is studying film, so he knows a lot of shit that I'm interested in. I hear about a lot of bands from this dude. LCD Soundsystem would be a mystery to me if it weren't for him. He's funny too. I thank you, Doug Reinhardt, for being so fucking cool. I missed the OC last night, but I more or less know what happens. If you read the whole post on that blog, he talks about why the OC has gone downhill, and I want to learn more about this. Apparently the first season was amazing, and the second season just disappointed. I liked what I saw of the second season, but I guess I'm not really qualified to say it's good.

I completely lied on Christina's blog. Check the comments about the international Harry Potter trailer (which is fucking incredible by the way). But I'm not lying when I say that you guys have to wait a week to see Corpse Bride, while I'm seeing it tonight (I hope, at least that's the plan). But back to the Harry Potter trailer. I always thought it was gonna be fucking incredible since Goblet of Fire was my favorite book, but I wasn't sure about a few things. Brendan Gleeson as Mad-Eye Moody just didn't look right to me, or at least not what I had imagined. But then I heard him talk in the new trailer and he works just fine. More than fine I'd say. John Williams isn't doing the music for this one, but that can be forgiven, just as long as they use what he's already done for the last ones in this one. The CG on the mermaids looked sketchy in the first trailers. They look better now. Hermione has definitely gotten cuter since Sorcerer's Stone too. The only thing that still bothers me is Ron's "worried face" or whatever fucking emotion he's getting at. It just bugs me, he looks like a whimpering puppy. So Ron, you're supposed to be 14 now. Let's get out of the "whiny bitch" stage and get into the brooding teenager that we all know you're going to become. Once Hermione cockteases the shit out of you, you'll be brooding alright. Trust me, I know. But other than that, I metaphorically shit myself when I watched this trailer and it's a goddamn shame I have to wait TWO MONTHS to watch the damn thing. Maybe they're polishing the CG even more.

Job training starts Sunday. That's all I have to say about that. Alright well I think you guys are about up to speed. Wow, I just had a brilliant idea. I think I'm gonna start posting some of the stuff I write for screenwriting. Feedback always helps me out, and you guys were always my best critics. I don't know when I'm gonna start doing that, but it sounds like a good idea right now. I'll sit on it for a few days and see if it hatches.

Currently enjoying:

The music video for LCD Soundsystem's "Tribulations." Incredible.

Next ish: Read this. Now, I'm not trying to start anything, but I thought it was funny. If you wanna bitch to someone, bitch to the Onion. I'll have a lot to talk about soon. My job, Corpse Bride, the development of my comic book, so keep checking, I'll probably put something up again before the end of the weekend.

google earth

The greatest invention of mankind. What is it? The Internet? Easy Mac? Pornography? No. Well, yes, probably. But one of the coolest things I have seen lately is Google Earth. I sound like I'm selling it to you, but I'm not (because it's free). If it wasn't free, I would be selling it to you, because it's that cool. If you've got a half-decent computer (i.e. one that was made in the past two or three years, or updated in that time) you can get it. It definitely gets Ra's Seal of Approval (copyrights be damned!).

That's the highlight of my day. There's a good story on how I found it too. I was on Facebook (who isn't when they're not in class?) and I was searching groups. I search "baseball" and I come across the "Baseball Team" which apparently consists of four varsity baseball team members. Not sure if it's legit, not important. I look at the common groups of the members and all four of them are in a group called "420" and in the announcements of this high-class group there was a suggestion to check out earth.google.com while inhaling some herbal substance. Well, with or without the herbal substance, it's worth the 2 second download (if you've got wicked fast 'Net powers like I do).

Tuesdays are fast becoming my easiest day. And I don't even go to class on Fridays. Sure, I have class on Friday, but I don't have to go, since it's a lecture, and the notes are posted online, and it doesn't matter. But back to Tuesday. I have Oceanography lab at 10. It's so easy, and it's sorta fun, and it never goes all the way to 11:50 like it's supposed to. It makes me feel like I accomplished something. Gives you a feeling of satisfaction, you know? So I'm not being completely useless on Tuesdays like I am on Fridays, and that makes me feel a little better. So Tuesdays are tops in my book.

Nothing much more to say at the moment. I was just so inspired by the beauty of Google Earth that I had to get the word out. Just like I (following in Ryan's footsteps) did about Suburban Tumbleweed. What? None of you watched it? Well, we'll see if I ever do anything nice for you again. So much for me telling you about the best porn ever downloaded...Your loss.

Currently enjoying:



Next ish: This was so spur of the moment, I'm all confused now. My big workload begins tonight so it might be a few days. Bear with me.

repent, the end is extremely fucking nigh

I can't sleep, I can't write, I might as well go home. It's 2:30 on a Sunday night, and I have shit due tomorrow that I haven't done. That damn comic book is killing me. I think I'm just so excited about the assignment that I'm trying to make it un-fucking-believable from the get-go, and that just don't roll that way. These things take time. Of course, I'm more typing this for my own benefit than yours. But whatev.

Hope the new layout is thumbs-up from everyone. I don't know how much I like it yet, and I may end up changing back. But I needed something new to look at for the time being. If you don't like it, tell me. If you do like it, tell me. I don't think I like it too much. It's too compact. I don't like the frames. Blah, blah, just me complaining to myself again.

I let a guy borrow a shot glass (I'm so trusting), and he stumbled in a while ago and said "Thanks man, I got fucking trashed thanks to you." I'm just doing my part, good sir, just doing my civic duty. I admit, as soon as I handed it to him I was like "Uh oh, I don't know if I shoulda done that," but the man came through in the drunken clutch. I got my Montreal shot glass back, smelling of beer (I'm pretty sure they were doing a Power Hour), and that man left happy. You're welcome Mike. You're welcome indeed. I know that they did a Power Hour because I could hear them outside shouting things like "Hour of Power, motherfuckers!" and singing the USC fight song, complete with boom box blaring the marching band. Lots of alliteration, I love it. But I made someone happy tonight, and you know how that makes me feel? Fucking pissed that's how. No just kidding. I'm actually pretty indifferent over the whole thing.

This title is from 28 Days Later. It's actually written on the wall of a church in the movie. Classic. But my end is fucking nigh, because it's freakin' late and I have class tomorrow, and the less sleep I have, the more belligerent I'm gonna feel tomorrow. I'm probably keeping Charles awake with all the clicking of the keyboard and glare of the monitor, but I really can't sleep. Guess I'll just wrap it up for Charles's sake. Sorry Charles.

Currently enjoying:

Next ish: Pending feedback, I'll decide whether or not I like what I've done with the place. It'll take some getting used to if the feedback is positive. I really liked that old skin. It just worked so well. Class is gonna be pretty hectic this week, so I don't know when I'll be back. If you're gonna hang out, just make sure you don't break anything, and clean up before I get back.

cemetery screening

I saw my first Woody Allen movie last night, in a cemetery in Hollywood. Needless to say, a very surreal experience. Annie Hall is a really good movie. Although all the stereotypes and caricatures of Woody Allen that you see on the Simpsons and Family Guy are dead-on, he's still a damn good filmmaker. That movie made me realize that I'm more or less Jewish on the inside. I am Woody Allen, though I don't claim to be anywhere near as talented as him. I think I talk in a manner very similar to his character in Annie Hall. And his character is pretty much himself. He talks to women like I do (only he's much more successful with it), he makes jokes like I do (although his are much funnier and wittier than mine), he complains like I do. I hate to say it, but in admitting this, I'm pretty much confirming my reputation as McNegative. Guess it's just inevitable. That movie made me a little depressed for some not-so-obvious reasons, but if you see it, think about why it might make me depressed, and you'll probably get it.

This blog has turned into a forum for movies that I've seen. That change of pace is looking mighty fine right about now. I've got a lot of other work to do today though, so today's not the day.

I refuse to go to MySpace. I fucking hate MySpace. I use it for posting pictures that I can't find online. That's all. It's just a gross version of Facebook, even though it was around before Facebook. So don't worry about me changing websites. I'll think of different ways to change pace.

Went to a crew party last night. Nothing really that great. Just long lines for a little bit of alcohol. I'm sure if we had shown up earlier than we did, it would have been a bit better, because there was a band playing and stuff to mix drinks with. By the time we got there, all that was left was the shitty vodka and a bit of Hawaiian Punch. Believe it or not, I actually preferred beer last night, which is saying something, coming from me. But I still had an okay time, since I got to finally drink something. And it being my first real college party (and thank God it wasn't on the row) I think it went well. I say that about the row because I imagine the row as a bunch of horny dudes trying to dupe girls into coming into their houses. If I was a part of one of those houses, I don't think I'd have as much of a problem with it. But I think a party at a regular house is a good intro to the scene.

My birthday is in two weeks, our first home football game is this coming Saturday, and if I can stay healthy, I plan on going to some more parties soon. The cold bug is going around the floor, as I'm sure it does on all floors everywhere, and I think I'm next. I'll just have to take my vitamins and drink lots of fluids (Jack Daniels included). The Cubs are fighting their way back to .500 which is really all anyone expected from them this season. Way back in the beginning, everyone was saying 81-81, and it's looking like that could be the case. But is it just me or does every team in baseball suck this year? I mean, look at the wild card standings. When the Brewers and the Mets, two teams with sub .500 records, are only 5 1/2 games out, there's something wrong with baseball. The Cubs still have a legitimate chance of getting the wild card, though I'm not holding my breath. I'll root for the Cubs until the last game of the season, then it's Oakland all the way. And that's not blasphemy, so fuck off.

So I'm keeping an eye out for interesting things to write about, but I'm really just telling you what I've been doing. It's not even that interesting half the time, but I just need to write something. This is the only place I can just write without thinking about it. If I write a damn paper without thinking about it, then my teachers are on my ass about it and I can't just say I wrote the damn thing "stream-of-consciousness" style because they're not down with that. That was a rant if I ever heard one. I'm gonna go write a comic book.

Currently enjoying:



Next ish: I'll get around to reformatting soon, I promise. I already pretty much know what I'm gonna do, so it's coming soon. If something cool ever happens to me (not everyone can have stories like Bradley) I'll tell you.

suburban tumbleweed

I'm totally going against my principles posting twice in one day, but everybody out there has gotta set aside a half hour and watch this. I can only hope to write something as interesting and original in my career. Props to Mr. Packer for turning me on to it.

trey shoulda died

Goddammit Josh Schwartz, I fucking hate Trey and he shoulda never woken up from that coma. Watch the goddamn OC if you don't know what I'm talking about. I'm really not that pissed off, since I expected it to happen, and it's really not that big a deal. But I do hate Julie Cooper-Nichol with a freakin' passion. Major bitch. But overall, I did enjoy the season premiere and I look forward to putting off partying on Thursday nights to watch.

So the sign up sheet for the Emmy's filled up faster than Kirsten's shot glass. There's a massive waiting list, if I really cared, but it's no biggie. It would have been super cool, but there will be plenty of other opportunities to go to shit like that. I've heard that some of the cinema kids get to go to the Oscars. Not just the red carpet, but GO to the Oscars. But I am going to the Dodgers/Padres game tonight. Yes, it is the Dodgers and the Padres, and you must be asking "Why the fuck would you want to go to that? Derek Lowe isn't even pitching!" and the answer is, "I know that, but it's fucking baseball and I want a Dodger Dog." That's it. I need to get off campus tonight, and this is my ticket. It'll be fun, even though Woody Williams is pitching for the Padres and I hate Woody Williams because he used to be on the Cardinals.

Saw another zombie movie last night. Shaun of the Dead was thoroughly enjoyable and I'm glad I waited to see it until after I saw a few "actual" zombie movies, because this thing is chock-full of references and fun little tidbits. It's like a box of Lucky Charms. The little brown cardboard pieces are okay, but the marshmallows make the cereal. Think about that one, take it home, chew it, it's delicious.

Hmm, I feel like there was something else I wanted to talk about. Oh, a bunch of people from my floor went to a gay bar last night. Interesting. I did not join them, since I did not feel like dancing. I don't want to be the jerk who ruins every girl at the bar's night because they had planned on going out to dance at a bar where no one would hit on them and I show up and think "What the hell else am I gonna do? I didn't come to a club just to dance." So yeah. Like I said before I stayed here and watched Shaun of the Dead. Good enough for me, I had a little liquor in me, so I was satiated.

I've been thinking about going halfsies on a Netflix subscription because we really need it. Nobody has Dawn of the Dead and it's pissing me and Daren off. So if anyone has any experience with Netflix, I'd like to know a little more about it. What subscription is actually worth it? Should we do one at a time, two, or three? I've heard that three is the best deal but with next day delivery, I can't really see the use in getting more than one at a time. Help me out here.

I still think there's something else I wanted to say, but it'll wait. I'll tell you how the Dodger game goes, even though you don't care, because honestly, who cares about the Dodgers? No one, that's who. At least no one who matters. Is Mark Prior a Dodgers fan? Fuck no. So do I care about the Dodgers? No, because Mark Prior is my hero. Maybe he'll come to the football game next week...

Currently enjoying:



Next ish: I'm still thinking about those changes, and I'm coming up with some ideas. Now all I gotta do is get my fat ass in gear and do it.

failure

So even when I have wicked writer's block, and I can hardly get through my screenwriting assignments, I still make time for you. I had sorta hinted at a change of pace in the preview for this post, but you know what? I'm all creative-ed out. So a radical new post is going to have to wait till another day.

We had an impromptu performance of "Bohemian Rhapsody" on the Cinema Floor tonight. It's funny how loud music and an open door can attract a crowd. Very surreal experience, sitting in a dark room with ten other people singing Queen. You should try it sometime.

I mentioned writer's block. It may have been that I was just really tired today, but I was struggling hardcore today trying to punch out a couple scenes. I got most of it done though, and it turned out alright. Nothing great, but alright. Enough to pass, which is all I'm looking for.

James says that Mr. Johnson is reading blogs. If this is true, I also agree with James when he says "Where are the comments, Doug?" I'm totally serious. Hopefully I've done him proud, since he was always very supportive throughout the college application process. Us kids are all growed up now, Mr. Johnson! College kids do crazy stuff sometimes, and I like to write about it, so be prepared, if you're out there. If not, then I'm just talking to myself, which I've actually been doing a lot of lately. Sometimes it feels like this whole blog is just me talking to myself. Not because, you guys aren't reading, because I know you are, but in the actual writing process I feel like I'm doing it for my own benefit sometimes.

Anyways...enough about adults and their suspicious nature. Back to the antics of college life. Actually I don't really have any. Oh wait. My floor gets to go to the Emmy's. That's cool. And I'm probably going to a Dodgers game on Friday. My floor kicks so much ass. We just get to go to the Emmy's and stand on the red carpet. Well, not on the red carpet, but around it. In the vicinity of it. Okay, so we're around the block, what of it? No, I assume we'll be like behind the ropes or whatever. We have no reason to be there, but we get to go. How cool is that? I plan on telling Rachel Bilson how fucking hot she is using an extremely loud and obnoxious voice. Maybe I'll see Merry on the red carpet, since he kicked so much ass in Lost. I'm bringing a camera, and I'll try and get the pics online somehow. Otherwise, you'll just have to take my word for it.

Shit, I have to storyboard a graphic novel by Monday. Wasn't that the coolest sentence concerning homework ever? I love that fucking class. Comics are freakin' sweet, and you all know it. Revis especially. Holla back Revis. God, I'm turning into such a prick. The dangers of living in California:

• Forgetting how to drive, since everyone else here seems to never have learned.
• Succumbing to styles of clothes, music, speech, etc. that you would normally despise (no, I haven't become a Dave Matthews fan, keep dreaming).
• Lung cancer from breathing second-hand smoke even when no one around you is smoking (smog isn't just an urban legend you know).
• Sunburn.
• Realizing that your hometown sucks ass compared to all the cool shit you can do in California.
• Becoming gay (only applicable in San Francisco).
• Becoming a prick (like that gay joke I just made. That was in bad taste, I'll try to do better).
• Not knowing when anything is on TV because of that damn Pacific Standard Timezone.

So there you have it. Yet another bulleted list. I like doing those, they mix things up a bit. But I'm still in a bit of a rut, so sooner or later, things are gonna change 'round these parts. But when, you ask. When you least expect it, that's when.

Currently enjoying:



Next ish: Will I change things up? Will things be different? You'll just have to wait and see. But the answer is probably not next time. Damn. Now you're not going to come back and see.

for those of us in the know

I don't know if anyone has noticed, but I've added a movie section on the sidebar. Being in California, at USC, on the Cinema Floor, you can guarantee I'm going to see a lot of kickass movies, so I decided to keep y'all in the know movie-wise. Forget The Brothers Grimm though. I'll be putting up every movie I see, but I'll have to think of a way to differentiate between the good and the bad, and the just plain ugly (like Showgirls). If you guys haven't heard already, there's a straight-to-DVD Family Guy movie, which is easily available for download online. Check BitTorrent, that's where I got it. I know how you guys love your Family Guy and this definitely does not disappoint. In the first 10 minutes there are at least three "oh my God, I can't believe that said that" moments that Family Guy is so famous for. It's a damn good time, check it out. And Lost Season One came out on DVD, and I really want it. Crash just came out too! Damn, there goes the bank account...

I've become obsessed with Miami Ink on TLC. Pair that with my already existing desire for another tattoo, and you've got trouble. My 18th birthday is coming quick, and I'm gonna blow some cash. So for those of you reading this, a task. Keep an eye out for sweet designs of stuff you think I might like, and send it my way. Email, a comment on a post, AIM, whatever. I'm definitely interested though.

I'm getting greedy for comments. I've even toyed with the possibility of implementing a "2 drink minimum" concept. Maybe like 6 comments before I post again. But I'm not gonna do that, I'm just being a selfish asshole. But I like knowing that you're all reading and enjoying and talking about it. I've also noticed that a lot of comments on other people's blogs concern me and my Californian nature. What's the deal here? I'm in Kalifornia. You're in Illinoise. Maybe it's just a jealousy thing, but I'm not going to touch that issue with a 10 foot pole. I do like the attention that I get, even on blogs that aren't mine. I don't know why this is even an issue. Disregard this entire paragraph. It's just full of my idiotic, jerk-off thoughts that I can usually filter through to give you the juicy, chocolate-y goodness that you're used to.

Homesickness has been coming and going, but I'm not whining about it anymore. It's a natural part of college life, and it's not even like it's a bad thing. I miss you guys, is there anything wrong with that? Of course not. I know you'll be there at Christmas, so what the fuck am I so worried about? I don't know. I'm just getting anxious, I guess. But no worries. Don't pity the blogging idiot.

Currently enjoying:



Next ish: Everyone has to see Night of the Living Dead before they can post on my blog again. Well, there's no real way I can enforce that, but seriously, you gotta see it. It rocks. Next time, I'll probably talk about movies some more...and music...and California...am I sensing a rut? Something has to be done about that...

back for more

I guess that last post was completely useless since I'm now doing this one before anyone had a chance to read it. But whatev. What's up with me? Not much. San Diego was the right choice I think. The slide was great, the beach was awesome, and I had some really good burritos. Being from Illinois, I've never had anything that is apparently "essential" out here. For example, In 'N Out. I imagine that In 'N Out is kinda like Beef-a-Roo in Rockford, except Beef-a-Roo is actually the best possible fast food you can get (outside of Arby's of course). There's nothing special about In 'N Out, just another burger joint in my opinion. Maybe I had a subpar Double-Double, or maybe it's just an average burger, I don't know. All I know is that all these "essential" California foods are gonna make me fat. Good thing I don't have a scale in my dorm room. I don't want to worry about my weight when there's TV to watch, I mean, homework to do.

The beach was completely amazing. There are some beautiful beaches down in San Diego, much better than those in LA (at least from what I've heard, since I've only been to one LA beach, and it was kinda dirty). Now I want to learn how to surf. Really bad. Because it looks really fun. I felt bad being a "shoobie" (for those of you who understand, I pity your TV watching habits) who got in the way of the surfers, but I had fun in the waves, man. Body surfing can fuck you up good. And by body surfing, I mean more or less trying to swim with the wave. I got worked a couple times doing that. But it's all good. But then I fell asleep laying on my stomach and my back got all red. Not really sunburned though, since it doesn't hurt, but red. It sucks because my front side didn't get that much sun, and now I sorta look like a minnow. Dark on the dorsal side, light on the belly. I can't complain though, I had fun.

I'm still in danger of running out of money. I keep finding CDs that I need to buy (Phantom Planet and the new Death Cab, among others), and concerts that I need to see. There was one this weekend actually that sounded awesome. The Black Keys, Spoon, Radar Bros., and Cat Power were all playing, and it sounded incredible. But I'll live to see another day, despite missing the concert. Tomorrow (according to a Facebook announcement) there will be a Labor Day Zombiefest at Trojan Hall. They're showing three zombie movies, and I'm totally there. Speaking of Facebook, what the fuck is this shit about a "high school Facebook." That's not cool with me. Obviously the people at Facebook shoulda consulted me and then I coulda told them that it's the worst idea I've ever heard in my life. Make the kids wait until senior year when they actually get a college acceptance letter like I had to do. Waiting builds character, bitches. And without character, you're never going to make friends in college. So Facebook is more or less destroying these poor high-schoolers' chances of getting laid in a smelly freshman dorm room after a night of excessive drinking during their first week of college. I'm not sympathizing with those bastards though, since that didn't happen to me my first week of college. Maybe I'm missing the point of "high school Facebook" completely, but I can't see any good coming from it in any way, shape, or form, so why don't we just scrap this shitty idea and get back to stealing my free time, you addictive piece of HTML glory that is known as facebook.com, huh? You already threw me a loop by taking out the "the" in your URL, so let's not push it, okay?

The Brothers Grimm kinda sucked. I was expecting so much more from Terry Gilliam and Matt Damon (who can be good when Ben Affleck isn't being an anchor by dragging from Matt's coat tails) and Heath Ledger (yes, Heath Ledger, I enjoyed A Knight's Tale, fuck you). But it just wasn't doing it for me. There were definitely some parts that kicked ass, but the whole first half is completely incomprehensible. See it for yourself if you don't believe me. I'll bet this was just like Brazil and the Weinsteins totally fucked up Terry's vision for this movie. At least that's my hope. We'll wait for the DVD.

Anyone see USC stomp the shit out of those pussy Rainbows? I sure did. And Matt Leinart is all the greater for it. That bitch Carson Palmer can kiss Mr. Leinart's cleats, because there's a new all time touchdown pass leader at USC. Next up: Arkansas. We got two weeks to prep, so do your job boys, I trust ya. Oh yeah, nice job by the Illini pulling away with that OT win. My props go out to you. Rutgers couldn't handle the heat.

Had some severe homesickness at points over the weekend, especially because of a couple of phone calls I got. You guys back home gotta watch what you drink, because I'm not going to want to stay out here if I keep getting drunk phone calls like that. Other things spurred on some homesickness, but I won't go into them, because I don't like being all girly like that. Just know that I'm still jones-ing for home every once in a while, so you guys haven't totally lost me yet. Two weeks into the semester already! Only like ten or so left to go!

Currently enjoying:



Next ish: Word to the wise, beware the 38. See if the schizophrenia sets in now. I don't know what's next, but when it comes, I'll tell it to come see you.

my bad

Sorry for the lack of updating, but I've been in San Diego for Labor Day weekend. But I'm back now. Only stayed for two days, but it was pretty fun. Went to the beach, got to try In 'N Out, saw Daren get extremely happy at Border's when he found his Minus the Bear album. Very enjoyable. Anyway, hope y'all had fun back at home this weekend. This weekend is the barometer for Christmas, so I hope it was good. If not, we'll just say it was because I wasn't there. We all know I'm the life of the party. At least I like to think so...

So we're in my room watching Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Gary!) and then who knows? I'm back to updating so don't worry, you'll all find out soon enough what I'm up to. I kept this post pretty short, so no currently enjoying or mp3's this time. Next time, I promise.

what to do, what to do

So I've got some time before class, and I've got a decision to make. Over Labor Day weekend I have basically three in options. San Diego, Tarzana, or the USC Campus. All three have perks; San Diego has a house with a pool (and a slide!), really close the beach, and it's just freakin' San Diego. I've never been there. But I've never been to Tarzana either. It's more or less in LA, but there's a really nice house (with no parents!) that we would stay at. If I stay on campus, there's a trip to the beach on Sunday. So far, we've sorta decided that we'll go to both houses over the course of the weekend. Any suggestions are more than welcome. I gotta go turn in a paper, so I'll post more later, if I think of anything to say.