Evil Jim...Diary of a Madman

2010 Oscar Nominations

2010-02-02T06:09:00.000-08:00

The Following are the 2010 Oscar Nominations (well, the big ones). My Predictions are in Bold:

Actor in a Leading Role:
Jeff Bridges in “Crazy Heart”
George Clooney in “Up in the Air”
Colin Firth in “A Single Man”
Morgan Freeman in “Invictus”
Jeremy Renner in “The Hurt Locker”

Actor in a Supporting Role
Matt Damon in “Invictus”
Woody Harrelson in “The Messenger”
Christopher Plummer in “The Last Station”
Stanley Tucci in “The Lovely Bones”
Christoph Waltz in “Inglourious Basterds”

Actress in a Leading Role
Sandra Bullock in “The Blind Side”
Helen Mirren in “The Last Station”
Carey Mulligan in “An Education”
Gabourey Sidibe in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”
Meryl Streep in “Julie & Julia”

Actress in a Supporting Role
Penélope Cruz in “Nine”
Vera Farmiga in “Up in the Air”
Maggie Gyllenhaal in “Crazy Heart”
Anna Kendrick in “Up in the Air”
Mo’Nique in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”

Animated Feature Film
“Coraline” Henry Selick
“Fantastic Mr. Fox” Wes Anderson
“The Princess and the Frog” John Musker and Ron Clements
“The Secret of Kells” Tomm Moore
“Up” Pete Docter

Art Direction
“Avatar” Art Direction: Rick Carter and Robert Stromberg; Set Decoration: Kim Sinclair
“The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” Art Direction: Dave Warren and Anastasia Masaro; Set Decoration: Caroline Smith
“Nine” Art Direction: John Myhre; Set Decoration: Gordon Sim
“Sherlock Holmes” Art Direction: Sarah Greenwood; Set Decoration: Katie Spencer
“The Young Victoria” Art Direction: Patrice Vermette; Set Decoration: Maggie Gray

Cinematography
“Avatar” Mauro Fiore
“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” Bruno Delbonnel
“The Hurt Locker” Barry Ackroyd
“Inglourious Basterds” Robert Richardson
“The White Ribbon” Christian Berger

Costume Design
“Bright Star” Janet Patterson
“Coco before Chanel” Catherine Leterrier
“The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” Monique Prudhomme
“Nine” Colleen Atwood
“The Young Victoria” Sandy Powell

Directing
“Avatar” James Cameron
“The Hurt Locker” Kathryn Bigelow
“Inglourious Basterds” Quentin Tarantino
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Lee Daniels
“Up in the Air” Jason Reitman

Documentary (Feature)
“Burma VJ” Anders Østergaard and Lise Lense-Møller
“The Cove” Nominees to be determined
“Food, Inc.” Robert Kenner and Elise Pearlstein
“The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers” Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith
“Which Way Home” Rebecca Cammisa

Film Editing
“Avatar” Stephen Rivkin, John Refoua and James Cameron
“District 9” Julian Clarke
“The Hurt Locker” Bob Murawski and Chris Innis
“Inglourious Basterds” Sally Menke
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Joe Klotz

Sad day for Jim.

2010-01-05T06:01:00.000-08:00

After reviewing all of the local websites, there are no hotels in Punxsutawney, PA available for Groundhog Day...

My dream will have to wait another year.

:-(

Upcoming 2010 films and how Jim feels about them,

2009-12-28T05:35:00.001-08:00

I like to make stupid lists...Here is the following:

15 movies I am looking forward to in 2010 and why (in no particular order)

Iron Man 2 - Are you kidding me? Worship Downey Jr. WORSHIP HIM!!!
Clash of the Titans - Looks like a fine remake. Trailers is great, and Neeson is Zeus. Noff said.
Harry Potter 7/1 - Yep, I enjoyed the books and I like the films. Call me a sheep. Bah..
Kick @$$ - Looks like and incredible amount of fun.
Daybreakers - Killing Vampires who don't sparkle...Thank you.
Tron Legacy - It's got Bridges and Boxleitner. I'm there!
Legion - Bettany as a Angel...Did you need a futher explantion?
The A-Team - Really clever cast and a mindless enough property to provide a good blank slate for a story.
Jonah Hex - Good Comic + gnarly concept + Brolin = fine movie.
The Expendables - Greatest action cast ever...
Priest - Bettany fighting evil - See #7.
The Sorcerer's Apprentice - Cool Trailer. Even Cage looks like he is having fun.
Rapunzel - Disney seems to be back on the traditional animation train. So am I.
B!tch Slap - Just awesome...
Shutter Island - Scorsese. I am a fan.

15 movies that should just die in 2010 and why (in no particular order):

Tooth Fairy - Oh, Rock. Go back to wrestling...please!!!
Cop Out - I know, it's Kevin Smith. I should be bowing at it's alter. The trailer is completely uninspiring. This movie will blow.
Alice in Wonderland - My antipathy for Tim Burton's later work is well know. If I have to hear that this is perfect Burton material one more time, I swear I'm gonna... Let me say, the Mad Hatter is NOT a central character in Alice in Wonderland, but appears to be in this film. Tim, if you have such a hard on for Depp, just have him play Alice. Not that's a movie I'd go see!
The Runaways - The broad from Twilight (Kristin Stewart) is, without a doubt, the least convincing, laziest actress I have seen on film since Kirsten Dunst in Spider man 2 and 3, and at least Kirsten looked stoned. This broad just looks horribly vapid and deserving of midget porn.
Tyler Perry's Why did I get Married Too - Just pry my eyes out with a fork right now. Do people of color really think this guy is funny!?!?!
Shrek Forever After - really? I just don't see why another one is necessary. But then again, I didn't see why the first sequel was necessary either.
Sex and the City 2 - Gays and put upon ladies, unite against this film!!! They are trying to cater to your lowest common denominator. You are better than this drek!
Marmaduke - Why does Marmaduke talk in this film?
Twilght: Eclipse - See #4 for my opinion on Kristen Stewart. Add Robert Pattinson, the worst source material on earth, and inept directing, and you get the teen sensation of the moment. Go I can't wait until this series ends and is forgotten. I can only dread what the vapid tween market will embrace next...
Little Fockers - Die, just die...
The Karate Kid - If they called this the Kung Fu kid, and marketed it as it's own film instead of a remake, possibly citing inspiration from the original, maybe I'd be OK with this.
Killers - Kutcher + Heigl = Kill me
Saw VII 3D - Didn't the killer die like four movies ago???
Jackass 3D - Somethings don't need theatrical releases, or 3D.
Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Undead - Enough with the freakin' Zombies, already!

15 movies that I could care less about in 2010 and why (in no particular order):

Green Hornet - I like Seth Rogen. I like Kung Fu. I could care less about Green Hornet.
Book of Eli - Beat em up, Denzel!!! Looks like The Road with Kung Fu.
The Wolfman - This movie has been in development so long, that I have completely lost interest at this point.
Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps - Another example of a movie that doesn't really need a sequel.
A Nightmare on Elm Street - I like Jackie Earle Haley. This will probably be good, It may even end up in my NetFlix cue, but I am not clamouring for it.
Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief - I have absoultely no connection to this source material, although my wife says it's fun.
The Last Airbender - I also have no connection to this property. Trailer looks cool.
Predators - I am so burned on this series that normally it would end up on the list above. But Robert Rodriguez is involved in the production of this films, so there might be hope.
Red Dawn - Another needless remake.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time - Believe or not, I have never played this game.
Narnia: Dawn Treader - The preceding movies were meh. This should be as well.
Death at a Funeral (2010) - Didn't Frank Oz make this movie in 2007? WTF?
Knight and Day - I am a Thomas Cruise Maporther IV fan. I admit it openly. I don't give a damn if he is crazy. I don't give a damn if his wife is a Scientologist comfort woman. I also don't give a damn about this movie.
Dinner for Schmucks - I know nothing about this film. But it's called Dinner for Schmucks. It must be on this list.
Hairspray 2 - Sure, make a sequel. Who cares? I give up...

Your comments are appreciated...

Post Party thoughts...

2009-12-14T05:33:00.000-08:00

After Saturday Nights successful Elmwood Holiday Christmas Party, I have taken away a few thoughts:

Captain Morgan is my good and trusted friend. Captain Morgan 100 proof is my Lord and Savior.
I made too much chicken.
My friends are many and varied, and I am very lucky to have such a motley array of people in my life.
Note to self - Next time, start Strings earlier, that way there is a chance that I will be sober enough to watch it. Fortunately, Jon left it at the house, so I will be watching it...
Christmas isn't about gifts, or stress, or commercialism. It's about togetherness, peace, and a mutual hope that we as the Human Race can strive to be better than what we are...

Yeah, and I am sober typing this :-)

Merry Christmas

Ya know what I hate...

2009-12-08T05:27:00.001-08:00

...I hate it when people misspell things on Internet posts when they are telling other people that they are stupid or uneducated.

Another installment of Jim's medical woes...

2009-12-02T11:56:00.001-08:00

...is actually a positive one!

My hip has been bothering me for about 6 months now. In August, I was diagnosed w/ Bursitis and painful but non threatening inflammation of something or other. Well yesterday I got a Cortisone shot in my hip and, much to my surprise, the hip feels better. I am sore, probably from the shot, but the hip itself is better.

Yipppeeeee!!!!

And now, back to our regularly scheduled complaining.

2009-11-16T05:47:00.001-08:00

So,

I have no health issues today, no earth shattering home issues, no bouts of crushing depression (at least not yet today).

Therefore, I can now return to bitching about my favorite subject...

...Have I mentioned how much I hate my job lately?

Well...it could have been worse.

2009-11-04T05:59:00.000-08:00

Had Band Practice last night. I wasn't 100%. Hell, I wasn't 50% last night. I was however, aware of where I was vocally and am confident that I will be able to put on a good show Saturday Night.

Ahhhh Illness...let me be enveloped by your phlegmy embrace...

2009-11-03T05:21:00.000-08:00

I have been sick a week, progressively getting better, but slower than I would like.

Tonite is a big test for me: I have band practice.

I will let you know how I do...

Where the Wild Things Are...

2009-10-12T05:42:00.000-07:00

When was the last time a movie TRAILER made you well up with tears? Well, for me it was the trailer for Spike Jonze's Where the Wild Things Are. The movie looks incredible and I cannot wait to see it.

And now, the reviews come pouring in, and they are everything one could hope for...

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/42679

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/42677

http://chud.com/articles/articles/21103/1/REVIEW-WHERE-THE-WILD-THINGS-ARE/Page1.html

See this freakin' movie.

The little things that make me happy...

2009-09-11T05:48:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid, I loved the Lone Ranger. I didn't love the lame 1981 movie, but I loved the Cartoon with the Lone Ranger and Zorro. I don't know why, but it was just something that really affected me as a child. Ever since then, I loved the finale of the William Tell Overture. As I grew older and gained an appreciation for music, I came to love the entire piece and Rossini in general.

Anyway, I have been cruising around the movie sites and watched a script review on Latino Review. In case you don't know, this website has turned into a definitive and fairly accurate source of info about upcoming films. Today they covered the Lone Ranger film that is coming out. They talked up the script, about how it will more closely follow the old radio stories and what have you. It sounds like a lot of fun.

Here's the weird thing, I have had the damn finale from the William Tell Overture in my head all week anyway, before I read or heard anything new on the Lone Ranger film.

Weird...but nifty.

I think my job is killing me...

2009-09-09T05:33:00.000-07:00

...and yet I still try to make the best of this place. I seriously try to hang on to this miserable existence here. Thank God my life isn't my job; I would need to be euthanized. What kind of situation is it when the best thing you can think of happening right now is to get fired? Maybe that's the impetus I need to start anew. I always seem to do my best and most effective work when my back is against the wall, as they say. Curse of the criminally clever, yet perpetually lazy, I suppose.

I just take a look at my situation sometimes and think "is this what I left my insurance job and went back to school for? Simply to find myself in another insurance job?" This was specifically the kind of situation I went to school to avoid, and yet here I am. Seven years after graduation and what the hell happened?

Believe me, I know that most people hate their jobs. Many don't do anything involved with what they went to college for and even fewer can say that they honestly do what they love. But dammit, I have to take a stand! I cannot let this place define me, nor can I let myself grow complacent and discouraged. This place feeds on that. It needs it. Its the only way it keeps hold of the miserable bastards who hate their jobs but have to stay here: feeding into their hopelessness...

I can't spend much more time in this cube...

Rock N' Roll?

2009-09-04T05:32:00.000-07:00

Last night I sang so much at Band Practice (auditioning new bassists) that when I got home, I spit up blood. Only once, and then it didn't happen again. I can't figure out why, but I guess I will let it go, for now, and chalk it up to Rock N' Roll...

Self - Sufficiency...or lack thereof

2009-08-17T05:56:00.000-07:00

So,

I like to think of myself as a fairly self sufficient person. I cook for myself, clean for myself, do my own laundry, stuff like that. But then something happens that shows me just how ridiculously helpless in life I am.

My wife, Jaime, is going into work an hour early this week. Now usually, we carpool in together everyday (one of the myriad advantages of working at the same office). But, as she is going in a hour early, and I am not giving up an hour of sleep, she is driving in by herself this week. This, of course, throws off my entire morning routine, which is very important, considering that I am on Auto Pilot for about the first 1 1/2 of my day.

So this morning, I was quite impressed with myself when I got up on time, got dressed, remembered my lunch, and was at work in a reasonably punctual manner. And then I realized, I forgot to take my pills. Like so many other Americans, I am on a few medications for a couple of medical conditions that I am suffering from. Usually, Jaime gets downstairs first and lays the pills out for me with a glass of water. This morning, I didn't even check to see if she did that. Those pills could be sitting longingly on my kitchen island right now, next to an increasingly tepid glass of water, both waiting to be consumed, but to avail...

This got me thinking of the other stuff that I rely on my wife for. I seriously do not know how I would get my bills paid if it weren't for her. When we first moved in together, we had separate bills, but there were so few of them, it was fairly easy to keep track of. Once we got a joint checking account, though, I told her that from then on, she was in charge of finances, as she is much more responsible in that respect than I am.

Not that she doesn't rely on me for things. Hell, she would be eating Mac & Cheese and the house would look like her dorm room if I didn't cook and get her to help me clean up once in a while. Not to mention the fact that she would live in fear of every bug, animal, or strange noise she encountered if I wasn't there.

In the end, I am not complaining; not at all. I think that actually I am very fairly thankful to have her. And I would venture a guess that she doesn't mind having me...

Ok, then...

2009-08-14T11:48:00.001-07:00

So, people have indicated that they still check. Well, if that is so, I will post.

Life has been a little goofy lately. I have had some random health problems pop up all at once, all of which turned out to be a little benign but still inconvenient as hell. Money, as always is tight; it looks like Jaime and I won't be able to go to the Cape for vacation. I guess we'll have to try to make the best of the time at home. Work is a mess. I need to find a way to advance in my non insurance career plans. Elmwood is busy busy busy. I am editing every monday, shooting on some weekends, and writing in the evenings. I have quite a bit written, but none of it any good. It seems to be the only way to get over Writer's Block; just write whatever, even if it's crap, and hope the block will clear and let you get back to work.

The Summer has just flown by, with little oppurtunity to enjoy it. I am going to make a point of working as hard as possible to truly enjoy my Autumn this year. It is the time of year when I am at my physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual best. I am looking forward to it.

So, until next rant...

Helloooo

2009-08-13T07:59:00.000-07:00

Does anyone even read this blog anymore?

Wow...So this band thing is really working out, huh?

2009-04-13T05:20:00.000-07:00

The band is alot of fun! We had an awesome gig Friday Night @ Harbor Park. We did so well that they have booked us for another gig in May, and they want to us to play the 4th of July! This is a fairly big deal, with some good money coming in to boot! Now, add to that the other gigs that we have been hired for, and it stands to be a very busy spring and summer!

It was nice to be able to come into something that was already established and just pickup where the last guy left off. I have had the opportunity to talk to alot of people VERY familiar with the history of the band, and they have deemed me the band's best singer and the current incarnation the tightest and most talented of the lot. I have to admit that I get a little swelling of pride when I hear that, and I am really psyched that people are enjoying what we do.

Well, that's about it for today.

L8r

Watchmen

2009-03-10T05:20:00.000-07:00

Nope - Haven't seen it yet.

I have found myself completely unexcited about the prospect of a Watchmen movie since I first read the book many, many years ago. I feel there are somethings that shouldn't be made into film, and no matter how "good" they are, they seem somewhat cheapened by the prospect of transferring them to celluloid or, in this case, a digital medium.

I am certainly not being pretentious on this, please be assured. I am sure it is a fine film, and I am glad people have enjoyed or hated it. This is one of those moments on geekdom where we as "Genre Enthusiasts" (What a great euphemism, like calling a Garbage Man a "Sanitation Engineer...") can argue about something other that ridiculous minutiae and actually talk about what worked in the film and what didn't or, in my case, about why some of us are still not ramping up to see it.

I suppose that I WILL catch it eventually; I don't feel like Mark will allow me not to see it and, as a result, enter the verbal fray of varied opinions and such...

But for now, I am in the minority. I have not seen Watchmen yet, by choice. And I still have my geek card.

L8r!

It's 3 am and I can't sleep...

2009-03-04T23:48:00.000-08:00

...I shouldn't have gone to bed at 9. I fell asleep in my chair, and I decided to be responsible and proactive, so I went to bed...It's what you're supposed to do when falling asleep at night. So I slept about 4 1/2 hours, and now I am awake. I have had some cold like symptoms that may either be an actual cold or a side effect to the new meds, who knows?

Anyway, life is looking up, I hope. Hat Trick's got a gig this month, and we're sounding good. Jon and I have begun working on the preliminaries of a project that I started writing late last year. I feel like I am finally getting out of my writing funk, and hope to get back on that horse pretty soon.

Generally, I am trying to have a positive outlook for this year. We'll see how I do...

State of the Jim

2009-02-27T05:53:00.000-08:00

I havent been posting a whole lot lately, as my mind has been focused elsewhere, but I thought I would give an update...

Life is generally good. Like everyone right now, my main source of stress is due to finances. It is a sad state of affairs when something as empty and meaningless as money can have such an impact on one's life, but alas, such is our society.

To help supplement my income and to get out of the house and do something I enjoy, I have joined a band. Unlike my last band experience, this is an established, locally gigging band who was looking for a new singer on Craigslist. I answered the ad, auditioned, and here I am. If any one has frequented any of the live music watering holes about the state, you may be familiar with them. They are called Hat Trick, and they have been playing around the state for a couple of years. They are a very solid band, and their set list is very silly. It promises to be alot of fun.
My first gig with them is Thursday, March 19th, 2009 at the Hardware City Cafe in my ole stomping grounds in New Britain. I'll have more info soon...

A Random Train of Thought...

2009-02-02T08:43:00.000-08:00

Some days I just can't justify my getting out of bed. I think today is one of those days. Sometimes I just look at myself and where life is going. Often I feel compelled to kick my own ass for the decisions made, or rather the lack there of, allowing my fear to hold me back and not let me take the chances that not I regret not taking. And days such as this, I find myself standing at that precipice, pondering if today is the day that I will take the plunge and do something, not about the regrets of the past, but working to prevent the regrets of the future. Usually, I just shrug my shoulders, put taking the leap off for another day, and move on with life as it is. But every now and then, a decision is made to do something. The realization that you are what you do, after all, not what you what have done, pops into my head, and I take that deep breath as I step from the cliff into unknown waters.

Will today be one of those days?

Probably not...

Josh And Todd Tease!

2009-01-03T00:01:00.000-08:00

I Hate Fanboys

2008-12-30T12:06:00.000-08:00

"George Lucas raped my childhood."

There are few words that boil my blood more. Ok, maybe "There was no Holocaust" or "Pepsi is better than Coke" are a bit more dire, but people who are seriously mad at Lucas for the prequels, or who bitch that Optimus Primewas adorned with flames in the movie just need to get off of it. I realized it a long time ago, and wrote a monologue about it. It was called I Hate Fanboys. I performed it in college, and it got some laughs. I later distilled it into an article for another blog. Again, more laughs.

This year, I read an article by Devin Faraci over @ CHUD.com (I prefer this site to AICN, mostly because Harry Knowles frightens me physically and socially.) call I am not a Fanboy!

The Link to it is below. It is quite long, but correct.

Enjoy!

http://chud.com/articles/articles/14136/1/THE-DEVIN039S-ADVOCATE-I-AM-NOT-A-FANBOY/Page1.html

2008-12-11T05:25:00.000-08:00

This was taken from Jon’s Blog. Evidently someone sent an Email concerning their thoughts on the State of Elmwood and the work we do.

So everyone is "working" on stuff, but when Jon says bring what you have no one does...
Elmwood seems to be moving like a snail... People are using filming "Josh and Todd" as an excuse to sit around and do nothing until whatever, not everyone, but some, and it's not like filming is five days a week. What the fuck are you people doing the other days? Writing? Making puppets? Networking? Nothing, at least that's how it looks.... I bet the day a real penny is made everyone will suddenly have work for Jon and Elmwood to do, so they can make a penny too.... Maybe I'm wrong, I don't know. All I see is a lot of talk and no filming...Unless you force it on people...I say this about Elmwood, not Jon, Jon is the only one that cares about Elmwood. Everyone else has Elmwood as what they do second or third, even fifth priority. You included...People get mad at Pete when he says it's Jon's company...But it is...He started it, he brought all of you together, and without him you would all be doing nothing originally creative...You all owe it to him to be the best or get the fuck out and let him do it his way again... More was done on that Plink show in a year when it was him and Russ than since all the others have come in in the past three years... Get out of Jon's way or follow his lead, man... Just be up front with him... If you're not gonna help and do it right then say so... I know he has a meeting with producers, whatever that means, this month and I hope he gets you all in line or fires all of you... He doesn't then all of you, and most of all you man, better be ready to work.

I could start by saying "Just who the fuck are you, buddy!?!" and take it from there. But instead I will repsond in a more mature fashion...

I take it very personally when I am told that Jon is the only one who cares about Elmwood, that Jon is the only one who does anything for Elmwood. I have put the last five years of my life into Elmwood, with Elmwood being one of the only creative conduits that I have explored. I have opened my life and opened my home to these people, and all I ever hear is how much Jon does and how little everyone else does. It is extremely upsetting.

In the end I had an extremely long post detailing exactly what it is that I do from Elmwood (mostly writing, conceptualizing, trying to get in touch with people who will give us money (didn’t known that, did ya??) and just trying to figure out where we are going to go next after each project. Instead I decided that to be angry and attempt to defend my work would give credence to this post by a person that obviously doesn’t have any idea what I do. Now, this individual, whomever you are, said that “Not everyone” is doing nothing. But, as I was not specifically named as one of the not everyone, I am going to assume that the derisive nature of this post was pointed at me; mostly because I am egocentric…

Do I build puppets? No. I have not the attention to detail or the patience to take that activity seriously, although I do dabble from time to time. I just don’t have the hang of it. The more Jon and I work at it, the better I get, but it is not a passion for me, as it is for Jon. It is not my role in the company, and I do not foresee myself taking on the role anytime soon. I will build more, but I will never specifically be a puppet builder.

So, what do I do? Well, when I am not directing Josh & Todd, and believe me, up until last week, that DID take five nights a week, with coordinating actors, locations, crew, and script, not to mention hours spent of me stressing over the script, trying to pre-visualize the shots and taking notes…and then memorizing them (it’s just how I work), most of my nights were spent on Josh & Todd. So, when that is not happening, I write, research films, and basically try to come up with new ideas or make old ideas better. I do a bit of bad sketching, trying to visualize characters and ideas, and also try to coordinate the work that we have. Is it interesting? Well, yes, it is to me. Is it fun? Well, again for the most part, yes! Does it yield tangible results? Not as much as I would like, to be honest. I also try to spend time with my wife. This is my first priority…

This mystery individual mentions how much work we got done doing Plink. I will be the first to say that I LOVE Plink. I miss Plink. I can’t wait to return to Plink (I have 10 episodes plotted and ready for scripting…bet you didn’t know I did that either, did you??) Let’s face it, though. Plink was wretched. None of us knew what we were doing; we had to learn as we were going. And we did. One of the reasons that we don’t put stuff out in the volume or speed of Plink is because the pieces we are working on are FAR more ambitious, FAR more work intensive, and FAR less amateurish. This stuff takes time. And when Jon, Russ, and I (not to mention the others…) have to work 9 to 5 jobs, and only have the evenings and weekends to work on it, it takes longer to come out. If we were filming every other week or every week, we would have a huge amount of material, amateur looking, poorly scripted, busch fucking league looking material. I would love to be filming more, but trying to use Plink as an example is a bad idea...

You know what, sir or madam, whomever you may be, the day that we do make enough money to quit our jobs and make this our career and not have to worry about how we are putting food on our tables or roofs over our heads, or any of the other mundane crap that I wish wasn’t necessary, but sadly is, then I will gladly agree with you 100%. But until then, please be reminded that there are people who work every day to make Elmwood what it is, as well as what it could be.

I am sure I had more, and I am sure I am an asshole for this post, but this is how I feel.

Thanks,

Jim

Jim's Chinese Democracy Review

2008-12-02T06:28:00.000-08:00

Ok,

So, last week, Chinese Democracy, the new Guns N' Roses Album, came out. I know people have been curious as to my opinion of the album. So, as a service, I have review the album, track by track.

Chinese Democracy - Good Tune, wish it had more of a straight up hook, but a good, simple riff. A rocker to say the least. Still a little too produced...

Shakler's Revenge - Hard to follow. Reminds me of badly done Eurotrash, but with vocals by Axl. I hate this song.

Street of Dreams - Sounds like a cross between Gn'R, Queen, and something from the musical Rent. I like it alot...alot.

If the World - Starts with the weird Casbah guitar and piano part right into an AWESOME funk riff. A HUGE departure fromGuns N' Roses. In many ways, the bravest track on the album...something COMPLETELY different...even once the crunchy guitar layers into it...What a good freakin' track!

There was a Time - I mean, really... the choir was a bit much, especially since it sounds like the choir was done on a casio...Over produced... Beside that, interesting song...I really like the strings. Interesting transition into the chorus... Unsurprisingly grandiose...It sounds like BOWIE... alot. And that's a good thing.

Catcher in the Rye - Queen meets Bowie...No wonder I like this album. This song really shows how much Axl has grown as an arranger.

Scraped - Annoying intro. Once it starts, the riff sounds like Soundgarden, or some other 90's Seattle band. I don't think I like it...

Riad N' the Bedouins - The intro sounds like it should be from Blade Runner...Kinda cool. Another very 90's sound. Like Chili Peppers or even Jane's Addiction. Very catchy. I like this song alot.

Sorry - Good Tune! A little Bowie-esque.

I.R.S. - Damn Drum Machine!!! Thank God it's only for eight measures. A Very 90's era Guns N' Roses song, once the techno babble ends. A really good song, that has nice transitions fromcool acoustics to crunchy guitars, to some soulful solos... All around, the best composition on the album. Probably the most straight forward song on the album...

Madagascar - Opens with some orchestral work, or is it a synthsizer??? You see, I know the answer, but that's only because I have read alot about making this album. A Really good tune WAY too produced (Yes, it's a theme for this album for me...) Awesome vocals...Axl almost sounds like Tina Turner, which, in case you are wondering, is a really good thing. The guitar work is very Gn'R. I really had no issue with the sound clips in the song...I like it, actually.

This I love - Need a razor, anyone??? Sounds like it should be the tragic centerpiece to some kind of Jim Steinman rock opera. A really good song. The Orchestra sounds...like an orchestra. The Orchestra and lone Piano opening the song is very effective. When the guitar does chime in about 2:25 into the song, it's muted and dark, very cool, until a really solid, bluesy solo. And when the drums kick in??? NO DRUM MACHINE!!! The song I have been looking for on this album!!!

Prostitute - Pretty good song. The opening verse seems a little all over the place, with the melodic guitar soloing behind the verse, which I hate for the most part. Good hook on the chorus. And wait, what is that, right behind the Drums, staring at about 3:15??? Could it be?? Could it??? Of course it is...IT'S A FREAKING DRUM MACHINE...Behind the live Drummer!!!! WHY?!?!? It's not like you have Steven Adler playing the drums on this album, and he can only play with the non stroke ridden half of his body, so he needs help!!!

Good Things
1. Fresh, new arranging. The songs definately show Axl's different influences. A Very telling album. I feel like i know a little more about Axl as a musician after listening to this album.
2. Axl's voice - Still spot on...If you liked his vocal stylings in the past, this album will not disappoint.
3. Departure - there are some really interesting departures from the Gn'R sound. And yet, with the exception of a few tracks, it sounds like it could have been a Gn'R record with the original members.

Bad Things
1. Drum Machine...Too often, there is a transition from drum machine to drums...It's annoying and not effective at all. And it's on almost EVERY FREAKING TRACK! Either that, or Axl and his engineers of doom have so over produced the drum tracks on this album, that they are made to sound synthsized. I don't know which would be sadder...It really draws away from some truly epic sounding music at times...
2. Too Many guitars. Alot of these songs are really good compositions. I feel like Axl felt bad for hiring so many guitarists and had to make sure they were put into every song. Songs like Catcher in the Rye would have benefited from less guitar layering, for example.
3. Shakler's Revenge - Have I mentioned that I hate this song???

In Closing
A Very Solid Album. Like all Gn'R Albums that followed it, there are a few songs I could do without. Was it worth the wait? Well, that really depends on how long you waited for it...

American Pride - What does it really mean???

2008-11-05T10:20:00.001-08:00

One of the great things about living in this country is that we have the freedom to criticize it. We have the freedom to disagree with what our leaders say and what actions they take. And most importantly, we have the freedom to institute change when we disagree. There are those blind nationalists who would tell you that having pride in your country means accepting its faults and loving it anyway, simply because it’s America. I couldn’t disagree more. I would tell you that having pride in your country means loving your country for the freedoms it provides you and taking action to change it’s faults, to better it’s problems, and attempt to reverse its mistakes.

The presidential race this year was a showcase of that dichotomy; not of the two Americas, of Real America and somehow Less-Real America, as Sarah Palin would put it; but of two philosophies on how we as a People should view our country and the challenges we face. One side would tell you “Love it or Leave it” while the other side would say “Love it or Change it”.
Last night we as a People voted to change it. Last night we showed our American pride.

I am prouder than ever to be an American. And I am proud of my country.

I don't want to be over dramatic, but...

2008-10-13T06:32:00.001-07:00

This weekend was one of the most important in my life, I think... On Saturday, I shot the first scene of Elmwood Productions' first full length feature film, Josh and Todd: The Story of a Man and his Puppet (check out the blog!!!) It was one of the most stressful, hectic, and incredibly satisfying Saturdays that I can remember. Once the shoot was finished, I was left thoroughly exhausted and completely satisfied with my little place in the world. I felt at home behind the camera, setting up shots, directing actors, and generally running the show.

I have to say that Jon, my co-director and general partner in crime, having my back was a tremendous confidence booster for me, though. He was awesome! He helped me get comfortable with the equipment (thanks to Russ for the tutorial) and with my role, giving me a lot of freedom and latitude with shots and performances. This was really a test to see whether or not the Jon Bristol and Jim Williams directing team that we has envisioned for so long would actually work in a practical setting. I think we were able to prove to ourselves and to those we were working with that not only did it work, but it was extremely effective and all around awesome.

Thanks to Jon, Stegmaier, Mark, Ron @ Central, as well as the lovely Michelle behind the bar, for making Saturday such a personal success.

Stress and the demons it breeds...

2008-10-07T05:25:00.000-07:00

So, things have been pretty stressful as of late. With a movie slowly but surely in production, finances forever tightening, changes in family, and my quality of health all over the freaking place, not mention other items currently not being commented on, I have had what could probably be considered a lot on my plate. When things like this start to rear their ugly heads, I have two choices, persevere and try to work through it, or wallow in my own self pity and wonder why all of this is put on me…

Today I have opted for the latter. I feel that I have as much of a right to bitch and moan as the next man. I know that I am often looked to for a bit of stability, but today I think I will declare myself the victim, and blame the world for the weight pressed upon me…

Ok, who am I kidding? Just writing this has made me feel at least a little better… And with that, I declare my catharsis concluded.

Thank you for your time…

The Beginning of something...

2008-09-18T12:23:00.000-07:00

This is the first two paragraphs of something I am working on...Tell me what you think.

Glenn looked down at the pistol in his hands, and wondered for the tenth time how he had gotten to this point. He shifted slightly in the battered cheap motel chair and again stared grimly at the door, vainly wishing for it to disappear; lest he be released from what he knew had to come. His eyes moved from the door to the pistol again, laying cold and dead in his hand, squeezing the grip tightly. He followed the veins that appeared when he did this up his arm, his eyes stopping on the track marks that marred his smooth pale skin.

Glenn chuckled at the poetic symmetry of it: the way the tracks led to the gun, and the gun to the tracks. He thought back to his childhood, remembering Nancy Reagan and her telling us to “Just Say No” in those insipid commercials. If only he had just listened. Hell, even a year ago, he never would have considered touching smack. Christy had changed all of that. She came out of nowhere and carried Glenn away on a wave of sex and drugs. The two of them became inseparable, a team, a gang; loyal to each other to the very end…

…And now he was going to have to kill her.

Well, that was fun!

2008-09-02T05:50:00.000-07:00

I will not go into the details of my time off (I refuse to call it a vacation, since I went nowhere) but I will say that I had a couple of things that I wanted to get done this week.

I accomplished nothing...

It was glorious!

I don't even know what to post...WARNING!!! RAMBLING ENTRY!!!!

2008-08-21T05:16:00.000-07:00

...I havent updated in a few, so I feel like I should, although I will be completely honest, I have no idea what to say.

I am looking very forward to the week ahead, as I will be "on vacation". I honestly have no idea what we will be doing or where we will be going if anywhere, but it will be nice to not have to go to work.

I have been dealing with some vaguely psychological things lately, and have had to look at myself differently than I have for a long time. I don't even know what that means, but it's true.

We have lived in the house for 2 years now, and only recently have I begun devising ways to spread out a bit more in the house. I have a tendency to hole up in one or two rooms and be content there. I think it's being used to living in an apartment for so long that I forget that I have more space to utilize.

I have a tendency to make a list of things I want to get done on my time off. I also have a tendency to end up not doing any of those things. So let's just say I have a few projects in mind and leave it at that.

Sorry for the rambling...perhaps I will leave a more coherent post later...

An open invite to my friends in the area...

2008-07-30T19:23:00.001-07:00

Hey Friends,

As you may or may not be aware, I am a partner in a small production company here in Central CT, Elmwood Productions. Based out of Plainville, CT, we are focused mostly on comedy short-film making involving puppets. This fall, we will be filming our first feature length film, Josh and Todd: A Story of a Man and his Puppet. This will be a "hybrid" film, consisting of live actors interacting with foam and fleece, "Muppet-Style" puppets of our own creation and manufacture. We are very excited about this project, which promises to be a lot of fun for all involved.

This is where you, my many creative friends and associates, come in. We will be holding auditions and screen-tests in the next few weeks, and I would love to extend to each of you an invitation to come and try out. We are looking for actors and actresses aged 18-35, with varying ranges of experience and/or training. While, at this point in time, no compensation is being offered, we are offering points to cast and crew for future compensation in the event that the film gets picked up by a studio (This is fairly standard for most truly independent films.)

As stated previously, we will be scheduling the auditions/screen-tests in the next few weeks. These auditions will be by invitation only. If you are indeed interested, or if you have questions, please give me a call at 860-538-3320 or drop me an Email at EvilJim@elmwoodproductions.com .

We are really excited about this project and look forward to hearing from all interested parties.

Thanks,

Jim Williams

Countdown to Insomnia...

2008-07-30T07:12:00.000-07:00

I am getting ready…In a day or two I will be sending out an audition invite for Josh and Todd. At that point, there will be no turning back as we will be involving outside individuals, even if just for screen testing. This is a project that I am very attached to, as I have worked very hard on the script, really worked on developing the characters, and tried very diligently to put my vision onto a page. All of this coupled with staying within the parameters of the original work made this a very involved work.

I have to say that I am really excited. It’s a great script, some great characters, and some great moments throughout the piece. I think that with some hard work and real attention to detail, this could really be a leap forward for the work we do. I think this could be a great independent film, accessible to many different people.

Very soon, the work will begin…

Stop with the horns already!

2008-07-07T05:54:00.000-07:00

Have you watched TV lately? I don't even mean MTV or any other music station, but just regular TV. Has anyone else noticed the preponderance of people throwing up the horns who shouldn't be throwing up the horns?

From Miley Cyrus on the left here, to Paris Hilton to some Country Star bimbo I saw at the movies the other night, the horns have become something that they were never meant to be...mainstream. They don't even symbolize metal anymore. They are some weak attempt to show "how much you like to party." These people are throwing up horns at Toby Keith concerts, for chissakes! Toby Keith, I say!!!

I still think it's funny when people half ass the horns and throw up the "I love you" sign instead because they are afraid that the real horns will propagate the devil or something. You know that they are not throwing up "I love you". They are trying to throw up the posuer-horns.

I have decided to make it my personal mission to educate people on the use of the horns. I have decided to no longer use the horns in a frivolous manner, thrown them up here and there, all willy nilly. No, I will be responsible in my horn useage, and unleash them only when appropriate.

In case you are wondering...

Ronnie James Dio, father of the horns.

Goodbye to a friend...

2008-06-24T05:23:00.001-07:00

George Carlin died yesterday, and I have decided to say a few things.

I was one of those kids who grew up on those HBO Comedy specials. My favorites were Rodney Dangerfield specials, with 4 or 5 up and coming comedians and a few short sits by Rodney. Comedians like Sam Kinison, Dice, Jerry Seinfeld, and even Roseanne Barr were on. They were awesome. They taught me much of my filth.

The other favorites of mine were George Carlin's HBO specials. He did a total of 13 over a 20 year period. They were very smart, very introspective at a time where a kid wouldnt usually be looking at the world around him, and most of all, they were funny. He was a genius. I will miss him.

Thanks George. Thanks for helping to teach me not to let look at the world they way it wants me to, but instead the way I should...

Well, huh!

2008-04-21T05:36:00.000-07:00

So I have been reading this book: My Boring Ass Life: The Uncomfortably Candid Diary of Kevin Smith, which is a collection of his day to day blog entries on the View Askew site. As it turns out we geeks all live the same life, whether we are uber successful or not. In the end, it's wake up, eat, work a little, eat, work a little more, hang out at home, watch cartoons/movies, eat, watch more TV, and then sleep. Lather, Rinse, Repeat.

Of course, I am tyring in earnest not to LOOK like Kevin Smith, so I also add in daily exercise of some sort, healthier eating, and such. But still, it's nice to know that my life won't change THAT much once I get rish and famous :-)

Ok, something to post...Lyrics!

2008-04-10T10:36:00.000-07:00

This is one of Jaime's and my favorite U2 songs...

The sea it swells like a sore head
and the night it is aching
Two lovers lie with no sheets on their bed
And the day it is breaking

On rainy days we'd go swimming out
On rainy days swimming in the sound
On rainy days we'd go swimming out
You're in my mind all of the time
I know that's not enough
If the sky can crack there must be someway back
For love and only love

Electrical Storm
Electrical Storm
Baby don't cry

Car alarm won't let you back to sleep
You're kept awake dreaming someone elses dream
Coffee is cold but it'll get you through
Compromise that's nothing new to you.

Let's see colours that have never been seen
Let's go places no one else has been
You're in my mind all of the time
I know that's not enough
Well if the sky can crack there must be someway back
To love and only love

Electrical storm
Baby don't cry

It's hot as hell, honey in this room
Sure hope the weather will break soon
The air is heavy, heavy as a truck
We need the rain to wash away our bad luck

Well if the sky can crack there must be some way back
To love and only love

U2 - 2002

Nothing Really to Post...

2008-04-10T05:33:00.000-07:00

Jon Yells at me when I don't post often enough. (Well, maybe he doesnt yell, but he gives me a hard time, and not in the good way...) So here, I posted!

Maybe I will think of something to post later...

A manifesto...The names (and certain other things) have been changed to protect the innocent...

2008-03-31T08:45:00.000-07:00

Danny was good at what he did at the bank. Unfortunately for Danny, he hated it. Danny was an artist at heart. He was a good artist, but not a great artist. Great artists were great because that’s all they did: made art. That’s what they did for a living, and if they made money, they did well, and if they didn’t, they starved. And while that lifestyle sounded romantic, Danny knew it to be otherwise.
Danny had gone to school and honed his craft there. Paying for school on his own, Danny worked at the record store full time, while pulling down full time classes, and rehearsing at night. It was a grueling schedule, both physically and mentally. But spiritually, he was alive!
Danny married a very nice girl he met at school, in the theatre. Tess was her name, and Danny loved her more than life itself. The two of them dreamed of going to New York and working and living and starving and succeeding and dying together, at least for a little while. They moved in together made the best out of the meager apartment they had found, right near school.
Somewhere along the way something changed…Through no one’s action but their own, they decided to give up their dreams and settle down together, get married, get normal jobs, buy a house, and have kids. They thought it would be everything they ever wanted.

Now, Danny’s having second thoughts. He would still tell you marrying Tess was best decision he had ever made and that he has no regrets there. The rest of it, though…

Now Danny sits at his cubicle at the bank, staring aimlessly at a blank computer monitor, loathing it, and despising it; hating the fact that it is his only source of human contact for 8 hours a day…
The trappings of his normal life are great. Danny and Tess have a great house, a couple of great cars and some really tremendous neighbors. Danny still loves Tess more than life itself; there are times that the only things keeping Danny from drinking a bottle of Tequila and going on a shooting spree, or drinking a bottle of bleach and calling it a day for that matter, is his love for Tess. But neither of them is happy. Both have jobs they hate, and Tess has lamented on several occasions that she never got to figure out what she wanted to be when she grew up. Danny had figured that out, but decided that it would be better to have given it up, without ever giving it a chance…

Now he has second thoughts.

Looking at his life, the only thing Danny has worth keeping is Tess. Everything else is unimportant…Danny can see himself giving it all up…Except Tess. Danny would never give up Tess.

But that’s all…

What a weekend!!!

2008-03-24T05:16:00.000-07:00

Wow, after this weekend, I am almost glad to be sitting back in my familiarly miserable cubicle. What, with all of the time spent with cherished friends, all of the pampering by professionals in a relaxing but completely masculine setting, the thrill of winning and the agony of having to leave the table cause your friends and wife NEED to sleep, not to mention all of the freaking EATING done this weekend, I ALMOST forgot my high stress, often seemingly futile existence.

Almost...

it was nice to be reminded what I do all of this for, sometimes...

2008-03-19T05:12:00.000-07:00

Right now, life, work, and people are just running me ragged literally and figuratively.

How I feel can be summed up in the following lyrics by David Byrne:

I cant seem to face up to the facts
I'm tense and nervous and I can't relax
I cant sleep cause my beds on fire
Dont touch me I'm a real live wire

Psycho killer
Quest que cest
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away
Psycho killer
Quest que cest
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away

You start a conversation you cant even finish it.
Youre talkin a lot, but youre not sayin anything.
When I have nothing to say, my lips are sealed.
Say something once, why say it again?

Psycho killer,
Quest que cest
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away
Psycho killer
Quest que cest
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away

Ce que j'ai fait, ce soir-là
Ce qu'elle a dit, ce soir-là
Réalisant mon espoir
Je me lance vers la gloire ... OK

We are vain and we are blind
I hate people when they're not polite

Psycho Killer,
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away

OH OH OH

Psycho Killer,
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away
OH OH OHAY AYA AY AY
umoh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh....

Talking Heads 1977

Sometimes, I should keep my mouth shut...

2008-02-28T05:46:00.000-08:00

So, in the course of 12 hours, I have signed myself on for two things that I have practical knowledge of, but not a whole helluva lot of practice in. Professional level puppety and web design.

And I pretty much volunteered for both!

::sigh::

I guess I better start practicing...

Jon is a weiner

2008-02-22T05:26:00.000-08:00

I think he got me sick thru the phone, or maybe the computer. I have the plague now.

Damn yous...Damn yous all to hell!

All I have to do is make it thru today...

Jon's not the only one with a song or two!

2008-02-11T06:24:00.000-08:00

I feel like I should post lyrics today...This is a silly song, a visual song, if there is such a thing...A Song that makes me think...

We know of an ancient radiation
That haunts dismembered constellations,
A faintly glimmering radio station.

While Frank Sinatra sings stormy weather,
The flies and spiders get along together,
Cobwebs fall on an old skipping record.

Beyond the suns that guard this roof,
Beyond your flowers of flaming truths,
Beyond your latest ad campaigns,

An old man sits collecting stamps
In a room all filled with chinese lamps.
He saves what others throw away.
He says that hell be rich some day.

We know of an ancient radiation
That haunts dismembered constellations,
A faintly glimmering radio station.

While frank sinatra sings stormy weather,
The flies and spiders get along together,
Cobwebs fall on an old skipping record.

Cake-1996

A Job worth doing!

2008-02-11T06:12:00.000-08:00

So, Friday Jon, Russ, Jaime, and I spent the day teaching puppet building to some kids from Bridgeport Central High School. I must say that the day exceeded every single one of my expectations. From the moment we walked in, everyone was very friendly and helpful.

The kids were great! Everyone was really enthusiastic about puppets and very excited to build there own. They were all extremely creative! It was a really great session that left the kids wanting for more.

It also left us wanting for more. Doing this job left me feeling physically tired, but spiritually invigorated. I found myself looking forward to the next time I could do this. I can't remember the last time I looked forward to work!

I want to do more...

Drama and other assorted parts of my day

2008-02-01T05:19:00.000-08:00

SO...

Yesterday was a very tense day for me. Alot of miscommunication leading to a bunch of hurtful/false things being said by a bunch of people who love each other. It reminds me, though, that we are all individuals and that sometimes were not all going to see eye to eye on stuff. Sometime not everyone has every part of the story, and in the case of Us, that is something that I hope will be remedied from now on.

I just hope everyone who reads this who was involved in the unpleasantness remembers something: we're all friends and we all love each other.

Today is a brand new day...

Heath Ledger

2008-01-23T06:01:00.001-08:00

So,

I didn't follow his work too closely. I had seen a couple of his films, and he was quite good in all of them. But I can't help but compare Heath Ledger's death to that of River Phoenix almost 15 years ago (wrap your heads around that...15 years). A fine actor in his prime, ready to give us probably decades of great film.

But alas...'tis not to be...

DAY OFF!!!

2008-01-22T10:31:00.000-08:00

So yeah, my wife is sick today, so I decided to take the day off and take care of her, which pretty much consists of her sleeping and me checkig job postings and applying.

Oh well...

It's DONE!!!

2008-01-21T10:46:00.000-08:00

So...The script rewrite for Josh and Todd: A Story fo a Man...and his Puppet is finished. Clocking in at 60 pages, it's the largest screenplay I have ever written. I was able to really flesh out the characters and come up with some very compelling situations. Jon has read it and wants to film it as is.

Now then...On to more Steve the Vampire scripts!!!!

I think the time has come...

2008-01-08T05:18:00.000-08:00

...to seriously consider finding a new job.

t's not that the one I have is particularly bad, it's just that I think I am at the point now that I have done about all I am going to do here...

Oh well! We'll see...

Made my first check!

2008-01-07T12:35:00.000-08:00

Elmwood Productions did a community workshop with a Wolcott Girl Scout Troop Friday night. I have to say that everything went incredibly. I was not feelin 100% healthwise, as I have been sick for the past week or so, but once we started going with the kids, I was firing on all cylinders. The program consisted of me and Jon performing a lecture and hands on workshop with about 50 or so Girl Scouts, aged 7 - 13. Really a great group, very enthusiastic, full of great questions...just a pleasure to work for!

It also marked a real milestone for us as a company as it was our first community job as a company, not just an individual. We also got paid...This is a big deal. I find a sense of verification in doing this. I am very excited and am looking forward to the next job in February with the Bridgeport Public Schools.

Awesome!

Getting geared up...

2007-12-27T07:11:00.000-08:00

...for 2008!

2008 promises to be a banner freakin' year for Elmwood, and I, for one, am excited as hell!

The first quarter of 2008 looks to be jam -packed full of work.

Here is my list of stuff for the first quarter of 2008:

Finish Betty and Me
Finish the Simon Sinister Video
Do a Rewrite and begin casting for Josh and Todd: A Man and his Puppet (Yes, it's gonna happen!!!)
Finish writing the four Steve the Vampire scripts that I have half finished and begin arranging their filming and performance
Rewrite of the fourth Steve the Vampire (The LARP episode) and planning of some Reshoots.
Working with Bridgeport Public Schools in a community outreach program that Elmwood is involved in.
Other Secret Projects that I could tell you about...but then I would have to kill you.

And that's just the stuff the I have to work on!!! I am sure that there another half dozen things that Jon and Russ have planned for me, as much as I am sure that there are things on my list that they hadn't though of.

It's gonna be a great year...Stay Tuned!!!

Christmas is...

2007-12-26T06:38:00.000-08:00

Over! Thank God!

I dunno, but I had a really hard time getting in the spirit this year. It's funny though, I seem not to be only one. Everyone I talk to seemed to have had a hard time getting into it this year.

I was curious what you people out there think...

Is anybody out there???

2007-12-18T05:25:00.001-08:00

Anyone still reading this blog???

It's a celebration, bitches!

2007-10-23T06:22:00.000-07:00

So,

I have been watching alot of Chappelle lately. Some of the Chappelle-isms have been popping out lately. I just wanted to get that out of the way, in case I offend anyone...

Have a wonderful day, bitches!

This weekend's shenanigans

2007-10-01T07:46:00.001-07:00

I have to say that this weekend, for the most part, went relatively well.

Friday, my co-workers and I, along with some good friends, had a little get together @ Central Cafe to celebrate my new position at work. It was fun, I was a bit drunk.

Saturday was Players Day/Night and the Jesters. We got to show Steve the Vampire in it's current entirety. It seemed to go over very well.

Sunday was a very chill day with some of my homies...

Word...

Thanks to all who spent the weekend with me!!!!

2 of my heros in one pic!

2007-09-06T06:47:00.000-07:00

And now my day is complete.

It's Baaaaack!!!!

2007-08-29T09:53:00.000-07:00

Due to numerous fan request, well, mostly Jon and Tricky, the blog is back and ready to go!!!!

Word...

So, what am I going to talk about???

OW! I mean, REALLY...OW!

2007-01-16T05:05:00.000-08:00

I am not one to get too descriptive when it comes to my medical issues, etc, on LJ ormy Blogger Blog (Unlike some people on my lists.) But I thought I might share with some people, in case I have to disappear for a few days. I have been experiencing some moderate tooth pain for the last few weeks. This was usually alleviated with couple of Advil...no big deal. Um, Yeah,,,so Friday night, I started feeling what cannly be described as the most excruciating pain in my entire life.

Now, I have broken bones, had puncture wound, been badly badly burned by the fat f a myriad of animals (duck being the worst), but this is, without a doubt, the worst pain I have ever felt. So I went to the dentist yesterday, and unsuprisingly, I have to have my wisdom teeth out. Now this in of itself is not really the cause of the pain. No the actual cause is the massive cavity, and subsequently, the enitre exposed nerve in my back right wisdom tooth.

Needless to say, I was a bit perplexed. I brush daily, floss when I can. How did I miss it? My dentist simply replied that it is a really hard to reach tooth and not to sweat it.

So, I find myself actually looking forward to oral surgery. Will it hurt? Most certainly. Will it hurt this much? Not a chance in hell. Right now, even the Percocets aren't making a dent. If anything funny or interesting comes from the experience, I will let all know.

I thought that this was particularly funny, especially since I despise Evanesence

2006-12-22T06:24:00.000-08:00

So, in reading my morning Web News, I happened upon MSNBC and looked at the Top 10 list of annoying Songs on the radio. Now, to be honest, I really don't listen to the radio, so most of these songs are lost on me, although Fergie and Gwen Stefani's singles made the top five of the list (These are two women for whom I would like to see nothing but abject failure, fading into obscurity, and eventual employment in really bad, really violent, midget porn.)

Anyway...(Sorry; Rant) an Evanesence song was also on the list, and the comments by the writer about the song/band in general was REALLY funny:

Call Me When You’re Sober," Evanescence

You know that one girl from school who was absolutely certain she could sing, but really the only thing going for her was a powerful set of pipes capable of blotting out all other sound on the choral risers? And mean boys would make fun of her, but that didn’t stop her from bellowing every song on the radio? Well, now she’s in Evanescence, a sadly misguided group that thinks it’s rock or goth or something, but really it would make a great Heart tribute band. And apparently she’s mad at some guy.

That last sentence is magic! I love it so.

Merry Christmas!

A Song about Love? Yes. But also a song about someone I love.

2006-12-20T07:06:00.000-08:00

Every now and then I think about my life; where I am, what I am doing. I realize that there has really only been one constant in the whole thing: my wife. And while it's not the most romantic song in the world, this is the song that comes to mind right now.

Think About You

I Say baby you been lookin' real good
You know that I remember when we met
It's funny how I never felt so good
It's a feelin' that I know
I know I'll never forget

Ooh it was the best time I can remember
Ooh and the love we shared - is lovin' that'll last forever

There wasn't much in this heart of mine
There was a little left and babe you found it
It's funny how I never felt so high
It's a feelin' that I know
I know I'll never forget

Ooh it was the best time I can remember
Ooh and the love we shared - is lovin' that'll last forever

I think about you
Honey all the time my heart says yes
I think about you
Deep inside I love you best
I think about you
You know you're the one I want
I think about you Darlin' you're the only one

I think about you
I think about you
You know that I do
I think about you
all with love- only you
I think about you
Ooh, its true
I think about you
Ooh, yes I do

Somethin' changed in this heart of mine
An' you know that I'm so glad that ya showed me
Honey now you抮e my best friend
I wanna stay together till the very end
Ooh it was the best time I can remember
Ooh and the love we shared - is lovin' that'll last forever

I think about you
Honey all the time my heart says yes
I think about you
Deep inside I love you best
I think about you
You know you're the one I want
I think about you
Darlin' you're the only one

I think about you

Lyrics/Music - Stradlin

Really Sad Day

2006-12-13T09:32:00.000-08:00

Peter Boyle died today. Now, while many of our younger crowd know him as the Dad on Everybody Loves Raymond, I will always remember him from Young Frankenstein and Johnny Dangerously, two comedies that figured pretty heavily into my youth.

He was really good at what he did, whether he was playing a bit part, or a featured role.

I will miss him.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/TV/12/13/boyle.obit.ap/index.html

Another Love Song

2006-12-12T08:56:00.000-08:00

Yes, this is a bit of a departure from the more subjective theme, but I like this song.

"Thank You"

If the sun refused to shine,
I would still be loving you.
When mountains crumble to the sea,
There will still be you and me.

Kind woman,
I give you my all,
Kind woman,
nothing more.

Little drops of rain whisper of the pain,
Tears of loves lost in the days gone by.
My love is strong,
with you there is no wrong,
Together we shall go until we die.

My, my, my, an inspiration is what you are to me,
Inspiration, look see.

And so today, my world it smiles,
Your hand in mine, we walk the miles,
Thanks to you it will be done
,For you to me are the only one.
Happiness, no more be sad,
Happiness....Im glad.

If the sun refused to shine,I would still be loving you.When mountains crumble to the sea,There will still be you and me.

Somebody Else Gets It...

2006-12-12T08:00:00.000-08:00

...A review of the Chicago Guns N Roses show where an old fan realizes that he was in the presence of something special...

http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=1741

Back!

2006-11-29T06:05:00.000-08:00

Wassup Wassup my peeples out there in blogger land.

Sorry I took some time off. Life has been hectic as of late.

I promise to have more song lyrics/thoughts on life and love out to you soon.

In the meantime,

PEACE!!!!

Aftermath...

2006-11-13T10:19:00.000-08:00

I am seldom at a loss for words. Such moments are events. This weekend was such an event.

Thank you...that's all I can say...Thank you.

Another good song about love.

2006-11-03T06:21:00.000-08:00

Let Love Rule

Love... is gentle as a rose
And love... can conquer any war
It's time to take a stand
Brothers and sisters join hands

We got to let love rule
Let love rule
We got to let love rule
Let love rule

Love... transcends all space and time
And love... can make a little child smile
Can't you see this won't go wrong
But we got to be strong
We can't do it alone

We got to let love rule
Let love rule

A Song for when Love Goes Wrong

2006-10-30T11:54:00.000-08:00

Well I heard that youre leavin (leavin)
Gonna leave me far behind (so far behind)
cause you found a brand new lover
You decided that Im not your kind (aahh..)

So I pulled (I pulled)
your name out (name out)
of my rolodex (oohh..)
And I tore all your pictures in two
And I burned down the malt shop where we used to go
Just because it reminds me of you (dippity dippity doo)

Thats right (thats right)
you aint gonna see me cryin
Im glad (Im glad)
that you found somebody new
cause Id rather spend eternity eating shards of broken glass
Than spend one more minute with you

I guess I might seem kinda bitter
You got me feeling down in the dumps
cause Im stranded all alone in the gas station of love
And I have to use the self-service pumps

Oh, so honey, let me help you with that suitcase
You aint (you aint) gonna break my heart in two
cause Id rather get a hundred thousand paper cuts on my face
Than spend one more minute with you

Id rather rip out my intestines with a fork
Than watch you going out with other men
Id rather slam my fingers in a door (yah)
Again and again and again and again and again
Oh, cant you see what Im tryin to say, darlin...Id
rather have my blood sucked out by leeches (leeches)
Shove an icepick under a toenail or two
Id rather clean all the bathrooms in grand central station
with my tongue
Than spend one more minute with you

Yes, Id rather jump naked on a huge pile of thumbtacks
Or stick my nostrils together with crazy glue
Id rather dive into a swimming pool
filled with double-edged razor blades
Than spend one more minute with you

Id rather rip my heart out of my ribcage with my bare hands
And then throw it on the floor and stomp on it till I die
Than spend one more minute with you

Oh Yeah, Boooyyyyyy!!!

2006-10-30T06:20:00.000-08:00

Who bought a new car this weekend, you ask?

THIS GUY!

Word

Not a love song

2006-10-25T08:06:00.000-07:00

I think about the state the world is in right now, and I think of the role that our country has in it. It makes me think as to whether or not there will be a world worth living in when my children are my age. It makes me think of the lyrics to one of my favorite songs.

It also gives me an excuse to post Sabbath Lyrics:

"Children Of The Grave"

Revolution in their minds - the children start to march
Against the world in which they have to live
and all the hate that's in their hearts
They're tired of being pushed around
and told just what to do
They'll fight the world until they've won
and love comes flowing through

Children of tomorrow live in the tears that fall today
Will the sun rise up tomorrow bringing peace in any way?
Must the world live in the shadow of atomic fear?
Can they win the fight for peace or will they disappear?

So you children of the world,
listen to what I say
If you want a better place to live in
spread the words today
Show the world that love is still alive
you must be brave
Or you children of today are
Children of the Grave

More on Love Later

What didn't get done this weekend

2006-10-23T06:10:00.000-07:00

Put up Shed - No this didn't happen. Prefab sheds look like crap. I will be having one built.

Fill Shed with stuff from the Basement/Yard - Well obviuously this didn't happen.

Mow Lawn (Possibly) - Nope.

Clean Office, including moving the bookshelf - Never even got up there.

Put up pictures in house - Got them all out of the boxes and organized, I will say 50% done.

Empty Alcove in Living room, prepare for more furniture there. - Done, and new desk/chair bought. Very nice. This took us most of the weekend.

Organize/Clean Kitchen - about 50%

Begin working on spare room - Again, never even got up there.

Oh well, I guess we'll have to try again.

2006-10-20T06:22:00.000-07:00

Some times, the old songs get it right. And there is no "righter" love song than this:

All You Need is Love

Love, love, love,
love, love, love,
love, love, love.

There's nothing you can do that can't be done.
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung.
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game
It's easy.

There's nothing you can make that can't be made.
No one you can save that can't be saved.
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be in time
It's easy.

All you need is love,
all you need is love,
All you need is love, love,
love is all you need.

There's nothing you can know that isn't known.
Nothing you can see that isn't shown.
Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be.
It's easy.

All you need is love,
all you need is love,
All you need is love, love,
love is all you need.

Lennon/McCartney

This weekend

2006-10-19T06:23:00.000-07:00

Readers of my blog have expressed interest in reading more about my actual life. Well, I am hardly one to disappoint.

This weekend, my wife and I have plans to work on the house, with two specific interruptions.

Friday - By a Shed and Hardware for the weekend. Possibly more tools. Begin work on list (See Below.)

Saturday - I am getting my hair cut off @ 9:30. Should be home by 11 to put up the shed. Will probably work continuously on that and the house until sometime around midnight when I collapse.

Sunday - Will continue to work on the house. Will stop to spend time with our friends Josh and Jenn to buy pumpkins, will then return home and, if everything is done on the list (see below) I will carve my first Jack o Lantern in 10 years. If not, back to work. The Jack o Lantern can wait.

List:

Put up Shed
Fill Shed with stuff from the Basement/Yard
Mow Lawn (Possibly)
Clean Office, including moving the bookshelf
Put up pictures in house
Empty Alcove in Living room, prepare for more furniture there.
Organize/Clean Kitchen
Begin working on spare room

I will update on monday to let people know how we did.

Another post on love

2006-10-19T06:17:00.000-07:00

Love - Sometimes people over think it. And in this day and age, love just ain't what it used to be, unless you want it to be.

That's what the following lyrics are about:

Modern Love

I catch a paper boy
But things don't really change
I'm standing in the wind
But I never wave bye-bye
But I try, I try

There's no sign of life
It's just the power to charm
I'm lying in the rain
But I never wave bye-bye
But I try, I try

Never gonna fall for
Modern love - walks beside me
Modern love - walks on by
Modern love - gets me to the church on time
Church on time - terrifies me
Church on time - makes me party
Church on time - puts my trust in god and man
God and man - no confessions
God and man - no religion
God and man - don't believe in modern love

It's not really work
It's just the power to charm
I'm still standing in the wind
But I never wave bye bye
But I try, I try

Never gonna fall for
Modern love - walks beside me
Modern love - walks on by
Modern love - gets me to the church on time
Church on time - terrifies me
Church on time - makes me party
Church on time - puts my trust in god and man
God and man - no confessions
God and man - no religion
God and man - don't believe in modern love

David Bowie

More Lyrics on Love

2006-10-17T06:45:00.000-07:00

I am going to post a number of lyrics as I find them concerning this subject. Once I have enough put together, I will burn a disc for anyone who wants it.

"Ring of Fire" Cash

Love is a burning thing
and it makes a firery ring
bound by wild desire
I fell in to a ring of fire...

I fell in to a burning ring of fire
I went down,down,down
and the flames went higher.
And it burns,burns,burns
the ring of fire
the ring of fire.

The taste of love is sweet
when hearts like our's meet
I fell for you like a child
oh, but the fire went wild..

I fell in to a burning ring of fire
I went down,down,down
and the flames went higher.
And it burns,burns,burns
the ring of fire
the ring of fire.

This weekend, I was a paper doll

2006-10-16T07:59:00.000-07:00

So, my wife and I went shopping this weekend.

It seems that whenever we find a place that has clothes in my size, Jaime decides it's time to play dress up Jim.

As a result, I have a BUNCH of new clothes. I mean, alot.

Saw The Departed on Saturday with Jaime, Jonnie B and the Nice Lady. I have haven't see that many shots to the head since Bukkake Marathon 2004!

Eww!

Jon isn't the only one who posts lyrics!

2006-10-13T06:25:00.000-07:00

I was thinking about love the other day, real love. The kind that two people find once in a lifetime,if only because it is unique to them. Then I thought about my own love, and I realized that the love in my life is as vital to me as food or oxygen.

I think these lyrics best explain:

Like a desert needs rain
Like a town needs a name
I need your love
Like a drifter needs a room
Hawkmoon
I need your love
I need your love

Like a rhythm unbroken
Like drums in the night
Like sweet soul music
Like sunlight
I need your love

Like coming home
And you don't know where you've been
Like black coffee
Like nicotine
I need your love (I need your love)
I need your love (I need your love)
I need your love (I need your love)

When the night has no end
And the day yet to begin
As the room spins around
I need your loveI need your love

Like a Phoenix rising
needs a holy tree
Like the sweet revenge
of a bitter enemy
I need your love

Like the hot needs the sun
Like honey on her tongue
Like the muzzle of a gun
Like oxygen
I need your love (I need your love)
I need your love (I need your love)
I need your love (I need your love)

When the night has no end
And the day yet to begin
As the room spins around
I need your love
I need your love...

Like thunder needs rain
Like a preacher needs pain
Like tongues of flame
Like a sheet stained
I need your love
I need your love

Like a needle needs a vein
Like someone to blame
Like a thought unchained
Like a runaway train
I need your love
I need your love...

Like faith needs a doubt
Like a freeway out
I need your love

Like powder needs a spark
Like lies need the dark
I need your love

"Hawkmoon 269" U2

Band

2006-10-12T08:09:00.000-07:00

Tonite's the first practice since a brief hiatus. I guess we'll see how it goes. I know that the five of us really need to sit down and decide what the next step is. It's officially been over a year since we got together. We need to play out...Soon.

This ain't Rock N' Roll!!! This is...Genocide!!

2006-10-09T09:09:00.000-07:00

The Plague slowly lifts from my body, and I begin to feel as myself again. But not quite.

Events in life and in my mind have caused me to observe my life as an outsider. And such observation caused an epiphany, to say the least.

Changes are soon to come, changes that will mean little to most, but alot to a few.

Fear not, for no harm will come to anyone, especially myself.

It's just that the time has come for me to love myself again. I forget this sometimes, and in my quest to please others, I neglect myself.

No longer. My mind, body, and soul have suffered long enough.

I love you all. Know this fact and know that it will never change. I will continue loving you. I will just begin to love myself again.

I am not going anywhere, although you may see more or less of me, depending on who you are. Please know that nothing you may or may have not done has caused me to make these decisions. This entire tirade and the decisions that preceded it are due to what I have and haven't done.

If you are my friends, you will understand...If you don't understand, then I am sorry to see you go. I wish we could have made it work.

I have the plague...

2006-10-02T06:18:00.000-07:00

I am getting really sick...And don't have much in the way of time off left.

Meh...

Sleep and good hair days

2006-09-29T06:15:00.000-07:00

I like it when I wake up in the morning and actually feel like I got some sleep. Today is one of those days.

I also like it when I only need to run my brush thru my hair once and it all falls into place. (Jon, I know you have no idea what I am talking about.) Maybe I won't cut it all off.

This weekend is the kickoff of my month of geek. I am very excited.

And whatever announcement some one had to say to some one or another...I didn't leak anything!

There! I blogged. Are you Happy, Ricardo, you effeminent rump tyrant!?!

Food Poisoning...

2006-09-28T10:52:00.000-07:00

...is the suck.

That is all.

Food Poisoning...

2006-09-28T10:51:00.001-07:00

...is the suck.

That is all.

Food Poisoning...

2006-09-28T10:51:00.000-07:00

...is the suck.

That is all.

Things are not as bad...

2006-09-27T10:57:00.000-07:00

Yeah, well, Monday was my bad day.

Don't get me wrong, I really have to find a different job, but I am less gloom and doom today.

Oh, Well.

Jim should not think at work.

2006-09-25T09:15:00.000-07:00

So, I sit here at my cubicle, thinking. This in of itself is a dangerous thing, but the subject as of late is even more dangerous…

I realize that I have to quit this job.

This job has resulted in more mental, physical, and spiritual decay than I had ever though possible. I look at my physical self. I am fat, tired, sore, and growing far too old for my actual age. My mental state is similar. I am bored, angry, overly critical and overly sensitive. My stress level is phenomenal. Spiritually, I am empty, lost, floundering, grasping for those rare moments of spontaneous creativity. I used to be a creative, educated, mildly cynical person, always ready to give insightful, life educated advice, laced with an acerbic wit. Now I am a dull, boring curmudgeon wallowing in his own ineffectiveness with little more to offer than angry criticism or ridiculous self pity.

Has any good come from this job? Sure…I have been able to afford a house and pay my bills on time. For these things I am grateful for my job. But is this where it ends for me? Is this what my life has become? Am I really going to allow financial security to replace happiness in my life?

I know these aren’t new questions, and that everyone asks them at some point in their lives. I have just decided to as them now. I want more. I want success. I want to look at my life and know that I have determined it’s course.

I think I get frustrated because I see us (Elmwood) succeeding. I see us making it. I just don’t see it happening quick enough. Every day it gets harder to show up to work and not lose my grip on reality. Every day I get closer to going Office Space on this place.

I am trying to hold on…I just don’t know how much longer I can.

Wehrle-Bird, Winning Puppets, Tricky Rock and the Trickette and other post dinner observations, basically, yesterday...

2006-09-25T06:18:00.000-07:00

So,

To recap the day.

Got up yesterday morning at 10 after going to bed at 4AM. I really need to review my hobbies and see if it is necessary to be out all night. Showered, shaved, etc. Headed to Lyman Orchards with the wife, Russ and Liz. After nailing down directions, we got there, shopped for a few minutes, we attacked by bees wanting my cider, and proceeded to leave.

Headed to the puppet house. It wasn't what I expected, although I don't know why. Everything made perfect sense. The place was old, the puppets older, and the people...well, let's just say that we definately are the future, cuz the past ain't living much longer. We proceeded to sign the log book, where I made every Elmwood member put Elmwood Productions after their name, cuz I'm obnoxius like that. We then proceeded to watch stuff.

Needless to say, we won puppets. I think one of the ladies, in complementing Jon, made a crack that the puppet wasn't a great puppet but that didn't stop it from being brought to life. I had to call BS on that. I am sure Jon wasn’t offended, but I was a little. I think our puppets look great, and that the focus of our puppet work doesn’t require life like, Bill Cosby puppets that, while they look realistic, are less able to project facial expression, etc. We like exaggerated features and exaggerated ideas. That’s how we roll, it’s too bad she missed that. Anyway, F her, we won the day!

Went to dinner afterwards, and that was an adventure of it’s own. Michelle tried to call the Chowder Pot and ask for a reservation, or a call ahead, as we were to have 6 to 8 people coming. She was told it wasn’t necessary, as there was no wait. We waited, awhile, almost a half hour. We blame Gabe. Damn you Gabe, Damn you to hell. We all sat down to dinner, ate too much, and really enjoyed our company. Every day, Elmwood Productions is feeling less like Jon’s sole endeavor and more like an extended family. I will leave the dinner and discussions vague, as this post is far too long, but we had a very nice long discussion with Tricky and Michelle. I think she finally may like me…no probably not J

Drove home to Billy Idol, and got home at 8, I was asleep by 8:30. My wife was not amused; I think we had stuff to do around the house. Oh well…

Sorry for the length, but this is what I do at work…

Well now, that's a surprise!

2006-09-25T06:15:00.000-07:00

So yesterday was great fun. After winning puppets (and those of you there know goddamn well we did.) I was informed by several people that they were dissapointed that my blog was deficient by means of posting, so here we are.

I am sorry to say that my blog will not be half as interesting as Jon, as my life is currently not a debacle. I will endeavor to post more often for my apparently burgeoning group of blog fans.

Jim is tired and sad!

2006-09-20T11:55:00.000-07:00

Look at my pitiful day to day existence. God, I need to lose weight!

Why...

2006-09-20T06:27:00.000-07:00

What the hell am I doing??? Did I just find yet another device to waste time at work with.

I have no idea what I will be posting about here, or whom will read this, but here it is, out in the open, I guess...