U.S. Troops Make Video Parody

My brother served for a year in the Middle East and I know from him that during the "down times" soldiers are always looking for a way to keep themselves occupied. I discovered this video today and completely enjoyed it. I really don't "get" Lady Gaga, but it's nice to see troops using their down time to create Art, even if it is parody. Pray for these men.

Keep Your Eye On the Ball and Not the Hand That Moves It

GM is playing the video below all over the place. I've seen it on broadcast tv, cable tv, in a pop-up internet advertisement, and heard it as an ad on the radio. It's a really slick and well-made ad. However, it's also mostly lies.



Early last year GM received an $8 billion loan from the federal government. In addition, it also received nearly $59 billion in TARP funds. GM is operating in the red right now, so essentially what they did was take part of the TARP funds they received and used those to "payback" the loan they received. Make no mistake GM is in trouble, but with the U.S. and Canadian federal governments owning more than 50% of the company, expect to see lots more slick advertising like this to make you believe all is well.

March 2010: Media Consumed

Books Read
*Young Jesus Chronicles by Spencer Smith & Mark Penta
*Children at Play: A Cul de Sac Collection by Richard Thompson
The Skinny on Willpower by Jim Randel
Three Frenchmen and a Goat by John Goldsmith
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
* The Complete Peanuts 1973-1974 by Charles Schulz
+The Dark Tower: Treachery by Robin Furth, Peter David, et al.
Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce
+The Dark Tower: The Fall of Gilead by Robin Furth, Peter David, et al.
+Heroes: Volume Two by Various
*14 Years of Loyal Service in a Fabric-Covered Box by Scott Adams

* = denotes a collection of comic strips
+ = denotes a graphic novel or trade paperback of comics

The best book I've read all year, so far, is Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Written by the guy who wrote Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, and the creator of an entire new sub-genre of literature, the book is fascinating not only because it's a great fictional story, but because the amount of research that went into the book to make the real historical people, events, places, and writings match up with the fictional world that is created. I learned more about Abe Lincoln and his associates reading that book than I did the rest of my life.

Cosmic is a great young adult novel written by the man who wrote the book Millions. It's a great little story and I highly recommend it, too. Three Frenchmen and a Goat is a self-published work that still remains as the authoritative volume about the DeMoulin Brothers Company and their early history manufacturing fraternal initiation devices.

I was really excited to read the latest collection of comics in The Gunslinger comic series as well as finishing off the 1973-1974 collection of "Peanuts" strips. One of these days I'm going to actually go back and read King's entire Gunslinger storyline as well as get and read all of the "Peanuts" reprint books.

Movies Watched For the 1st Time
A Perfect Getaway
Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure
Alice in Wonderland (2010)
The Crazies (2010)
Shutter Island
How to Train Your Dragon

Of the movies I watched for the first time this month, there weren't any that I thought were terrible. A Perfect Getaway is a good yarn with Steve Zahn in a role he doesn't usually get to play. I thought was a good continuation/reviving of the original stories by Lewis Carroll. The Crazies was chilling. Shutter Island was a great adaptation of the book (and it's one movie that the book and movie are almost identical) and How to Train Your Dragon was much better than I expected it to be.

Interesting Facts About Food

Here are some interesting facts I learned today from reading the book 1,001 Facts That Will Scare the S**t Out of You.

*According to government and industry estimates, almost 40% of bottled water is ordinary tap water, often with no additional treatment.

*Red-colored grocery items like fruit punch and strawberry yogurt are often dyed with carmine, which is made from ground-up cochineal beetles. For some, carmine can case severe allergic reactions and can even lead to anaphylactic shock.

The Muppets and "Stand By Me"

"Stand By Me" is my favorite song of all time. I'm also a huge fan of the Muppets. I came across this video today and loved it. It's hilarious. The Muppets are back and it's good to see.

This Would Sell Millions

Came across this video today. Thanks to Jack Hager for posting it on his site.

Watch This Movie.

My friend, Joel Hager, made a movie not long ago. It's a documentary about some very talented people recording an album in an old grain silo. The film is fairly short (a little over an hour) and looks gorgeous, so even if you don't enjoy watching documentaries you might actually enjoy this because it is short and the visual images are so beautiful. I think everyone should check it out. Also, if you like the movie you should buy the album.

Go here:

http://www.stukenbergsucks.com/index.php?pg=store

The oPad

Came across this video today. Provides an excellent analogy of the iPad and health care in the U.S.A.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN VAMPIRE HUNTER

I read this book last month. I have to say it was one of the most enjoyable reads I've had in a long time. There's a movie version coming out in 2011. Enjoy.

Wait Times Under the Health Care Bill

I posted this video last year, but with things being on the edge of the precipice I thought it would be good to post again.

Health Care and the Fate of the Republic

This Sunday the U.S. House of Representatives will convene (other than times of war--when has Congress ever been specifically called together on a Sunday?) and "vote" on whether or not the U.S. Senate's version of health care reform should be "deemed" worthy as passing. Though this maneuver is often done, it's supposed to be for something small, e.g. a few words of difference between two bills. This procedure of "deeming" has never been used and was never intended to be used for a piece of major legislation. This process will allow Representatives to "vote" for the bill without actually voting for anything.

Should the procedure pass this Sunday, I fear it will be the beginning of the end of our Republic. Should the procedure pass, I think it will be used time and time and time again in the future by whatever party that has the majority. I don't believe the procedure is Constitutional in this matter, but I have very little faith left in the judicial system to believe that it will be overturned and ruled unconstitutional and even if it is, the damage done will be tremendous. I haven't had time to read the entire bill (it's over 2,000 pages long), but I do know that there are lots and lots and lots of new taxes. For instance, do you ever buy soda, juice, or flavored water from a vending machine? As part of this bill beverages (except for water, I believe, though I'm not sure because the language is a bit confusing) sold in vending machines will have a tax levied on them. Those things typically cost between $.50-$1.00 now but if this current health care package passes those things will cost between $1-$2 more.

Those in support of the bill say that according to the Congressional Budget Office, this bill will reduce the federal deficit $130 billion in the first decade, and by by $1.2 trillion in the second. This makes no sense whatsoever. You cannot create a massive entitlement program and expect it to actually reduce the deficit. Every single entitlement program the government has ever offered has only further increased the federal deficit and debt. Even those Congresspeople in support of the legislation say that the initial cost to just start the new program will be around $1 trillion. Let's see, it'll cost $1 trillion dollars just to start but in ten years if everything goes right, it'll cut $130 billion from the deficit. You don't have to be very good in math to see the numbers do not add up. The U.S. has already been warned that our AAA credit rating is in jeopardy (unless we stop our reckless spending) and this health care overhaul will only add to that. I don't have any children right now, but when I do, I don't want them to have to speak Chinese because that's the national language.

I've been working as a temporary office employee for over 20 months. There isn't much chance the company I work at will bring me on as a regular employee. However, there is a chance. Should this pass, I won't ever have a chance of being a regular employee. Several smaller businesses have already gone on the record as stating if the health care package passes, they will be making all of their employees contract workers. What that means is that all of those workers will be like me, they will be working on their own without any sense of job security or any benefits (no insurance or perks) and in some cases it will mean a pay cut. Let me tell you something, though I'm thankful to have a job, being a contracted worker doesn't allow one to make much gains in ones financial situation. I've been poor and living near the poverty line most of my life. Should this health care legislation pass on Sunday, I'm afraid there are going to be a lot more people who will be living like me. They say that misery likes company, but not me. I'd rather not have others experience any of the misery I've known. Unfortunately, Congress seems to think you should.

The U.S.'s AAA Credit Rating and Health Care

Today (Monday, Mar. 15, 2010), Moody's Investors Services, an institution that despite having come under criticism in recent years (most notably for firing analysts at the company that had warned of the 2007 housing market collapse and promoting those responsible for helping to bring about the collapse) has a tremendous amount of influence in the financial world, released a report stating that the U.S. and Britain are in greater danger of loosing their AAA rating with than Germany or France. Should the U.S. lose its AAA rating, interest rates on outstanding debt would skyrocket, making it even more difficult to pay down the debt and stop deficit spending.

Most reports I've read and seen on the usual news source (Yahoo and Google News, ABC, NBC, CBN, the New York Times, etc.) have emphasized the part in the report where it's stated that, "the U.K. and the U.S. don't face an immediate threat to their AAA ratings because they are still able to service their debts." However, the report also states that the U.S. will face a huge amount of downward pressure on its AAA rating unless the country reduces its spiralling federal deficit.

It's not a coincidence that this report was released at the beginning of a work week where some in the U.S. Congress are trying to ram down a health care "reform" package through, despite major opposition from the U.S. people. The report from Moody's today was a warning to Congress. The company made a major mistake in 2007 and they don't want to make another. They know how much the health care package is going to cost, how it will skyrocket the debt and deficit, and damage the chances of any major recovery in the U.S. economy. Moody's gave Congress a warning today. Sadly, it doesn't seem that Congress is listening. Instead of being leaders who steward the Republic through troubled times, they are more interested in trying to leave a political "legacy" that will ultimately destroy not only the Republic, but their precious political legacies as well.

No one denies that health care in America has problems that need to be addressed. I've read a part of the legislation (about 300 pages worth of a bill that is over 2,000 pages long) and from what I've read and gathered, the current bill as it now stands before Congress does very little to address the real problems with health care in America.

If you haven't already contacted your Congress person, I plead with you to do so and give your opinion. Perhaps you think the legislation that Congress will be voting on very soon is a good thing. Then let your Representative know. This is still a republic and you're concerns still matter even if I might disagree with them. However, if you are like me and you believe that this legislation is not a good thing, please contact your Representative and let them know. The fate of our country, everything that the founders of our country were willing to sacrifice (their honor, lives, and fortunes) is at stake.

Ok Go--"This Too Shall Pass"

I recently was introduced to the band OK Go by my youngest brother. I like the music, but I like their music videos even better.  Below are two different music videos they've made for the same song.  The first version has the band as a part of a massive marching band.  The second is a giant Rube Goldberg device that was filmed without any cutting or editing in one shot. Simply amazing.

OK Go - This Too Shall Pass from OK Go on Vimeo.

February 2010: Media Consumed

Books Read
The Skinny On Success Jim Randel
*Star Trek: Countdown Mike Johnson & Tim Jones
The Skinny On Time Managment Jim Randel
*The Twilight Zone: The Big Tall Wish Mark Kneece & Chris Lie

* = denotes a graphic novel or TPB

I really enjoyed reading Star Trek: Countdown is a comic book prequel to 2009's Star Trek movie, but it's really the movie that Star Trek: Nemesis should have been.

Movies Viewed For the First Time
The Wolfman (2010)
The Hurt Locker

Both The Wolfman and The Hurt Locker were good movies. The Wolfman is the only 2010 movie release that's worth watching in theatres right now (other than Shutter Island). I found it be a really fun movie that did a pretty good job of updating the original Lon Chaney film. The only problem with the movie is Benicio Del Toro. The guy is a very talented actor, but he's terribly miscast in the movie. He just doesn't fit the part and there is absolutely no chemistry between him and any of the other actors in the film.

The Hurt Locker is looking to be the film that might beat Avatar in the Best Picture race for 2009's Oscars. It's a very good movie, too. The acting is superb, the directing solid, and the overall scenery and sets do a great job in helping to set the film's tone. The movie was made with a smaller budget and didn't do very well at the box office. It's garnering a lot of attention and is now available on DVD. However, as much as I enjoyed the film, it's not the best movie of 2009 either. It's worth seeing, but don't expect to be awed.

By the way, for those who want to know, the Real Best Picture of 2009 is Up. Pixar hit gold with that film. It's a completely original story that gives nods to famous actors and movies of the past and has a little bit of something for people of all ages. It's just as beautiful as Beauty and the Beast, but with a playful sense of wonder that is lacking in that movie. The first 15 minutes of the film are really a movie all of themselves, because it tells the life story of two people who love each other very much, all with the lead character of speaking a few words. Avatar will always be significant because of the technological breakthroughs the film developed, but the story and plot are rehashes of countless movies before. The Hurt Locker will probably be looked at as a how-to piece, as in how-to make a movie on a small budget that becomes an Oscar favorite. However, it is Up that will be looked upon and revered by movie lovers of every stripe and character for generations to come.

January 2010: Media Consumed

Books Read
*The Twilight Zone: Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up? Mark Kneece, et al.
+Tundra Chad Carpenter
**Midlife the Crisis Musical Bob & Jim Walton

* = denotes a graphic novel or TPB
+ = denotes a book that is a collection of comic strips
** = denotes a play

In all honesty, I didn't read anything that was completely outstanding in January.

Movies Watched For the First Time
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
Daybreakers
Avatar
Moon
The Book of Eli
Up in the Air
You Can't Take It With You
Santa Buddies

I enjoyed most of the movies I watched in January, but there were a few that I found disappointing. Daybreakers was pretty well done. The Book of Eli was a movie that took me completely by surprise; it's a really well done film that reminded me a lot of an updated version of The Pilgrim's Progress. Moon, starring Sam Rockwell and Sam Rockwell, is a rather simple movie that starts off slow but then gathers steam and doesn't stop until the end. Avatar was good and the effects are nothing short of amazing, but the movie doesn't deserve near the praise it's been lauded or money it's taken in; it's definitely not the best picture of 2009.

Up in the Air is kind of a simpler movie, too that was mostly filmed in and around St. Louis. However, I found it incredibly depressing in addition to be overrated, too. Beyond the acting, there's really not much there, especially the story. You Can't Take It With You won Frank Capra a Best Picture Oscar, but it's not as good as much of the rest of Capra's work.

Book Review: The Skinny on Time Management

THE SKINNY ON TIME MANAGEMENT is a part of “The Skinny On…” books from Rand Publishing. The series uses the unique format of using stick figure drawings to better illustrate and visualize key concepts and important information. Interspersed with these illustrations are quotes, cheesy jokes, and critical pieces of information that (as claimed in the book’s introduction) the author has culled from over 100 different sources.

This book is a bit different from other “The Skinny On…” books I have read because instead of following a story of one or two individuals, it is presented as being a two-part class than can be completed within an hour’s time. The first part of the book is devoted to forcing you the reader to evaluate how you use your time. It mainly focuses on awareness, goals, and choices.

The second part of the book focuses on what a person needs to do to actually make the most of one’s time. Specific time management strategies, such as utilizing one’s time and avoiding procrastination are discussed. What one needs to do in order to successfully implement these strategies, such as making to do lists or unplugging the television, are also given. I really liked how the author pointed out the myth of multi-tasking. People can multi-task, but when they do they loose efficiency and effectiveness in not just one area but all areas.

Much of what I read in THE SKINNY ON TIME MANAGEMENT is material I have already heard or read before and, therefore, didn’t really learn anything new. However, because of the unique format of the book, I enjoyed reading it. It wasn’t as entertaining as other titles I have read in the series, but it was still enjoyable and I read the entire book in about 40 minutes. My only complaint about the book is that unlike the other books I’ve read in the series, there is no bibliography given. I realize that the information is taken from a lot of different sources, but it would have been nice to see a bibliography.

THE SKINNY ON TIME MANAGEMENT is a very easy-to-read book and can be read in about an hour’s time. If you’re someone who doesn’t have a lot of time to devote to reading lots of self-help books about how to improve your time management skills, then I recommend THE SKINNY ON TIME MANAGEMENT. I particularly recommend it for high school and college students.

Book Review: THE SKINNY ON SUCCESS

Part of a relatively new book series from Rand Publishing, THE SKINNY ON SUCCESS takes information from over 60 different books and condenses it into an extremely easy-to-read format that can be read between an hour or two.

There’s a 1-page introduction followed by a 1-page note from the publisher. Then the stick man version of Jim Randel, the author, introduces himself and explains what the book is about and what you should be able to accomplish by reading it. Oh, yes, this book is filled with stick people illustrations. Stick people are one of the benchmarks of “The Skinny On…” books. They are used to tell a story that illustrates the main points of the lessons in the book. In THE SKINNY ON SUCCESS in addition to narrator stick person Jim, we follow Billy and Beth, a happily married couple who are both seeking a change in their careers. Billy wants to be a comedian and Beth wants to get into politics. Through the lessons learned in the book the reader sees how Billy and Beth approach their different dreams.

Much of what I read in THE SKINNY ON SUCCESS is material I have already heard or read before. Therefore, I didn’t really learn anything new. However, because of the unique format of the book, I completely enjoyed reading it. It was very entertaining.

THE SKINNY ON SUCCESS is a very easy-to-read book and can be read in about an hour’s time. If you’re someone who doesn’t have a lot of time to devote to reading lots of self-help books about finding success, but who is trying to find some key things to help you realize your potential and discover success, then I recommend THE SKINNY ON SUCCESS.

Valentine's Day

"I get about as many Valentine's as a dog."
--Charlie Brown

I used to enjoy Valentine's Day. I used to get candy and little cards and it was like a bonus gift day between the celebrations of Christmas and the joy surrounding Easter. That lasted until 6th grade.

I went to school where K-8 classes are all held in the same building. It's a small school, but one with a very strong sense of community. From kindergarten until 5th grade we had to make Valentines boxes or bags and pass around Valentine's every year to everyone in the class. We also had Valentine's Day parties with lots of cookies and cakes and drinks.

In 6th grade that all stopped. Valentine cards were optional and instead of a party there was an "upper pod" dance held on Friday night. I didn't get any Valentines that year and I didn't get to dance with any girls at the dance.

For the longest time, I tried to be upbeat about Valentine's Day. I researched the history of the holiday and tried to keep the "true spirit" of the holiday alive. Until about my sophomore year in high school I bought gifts for my Mom. I'm not sure any of that helped how lonely I felt every year Valentine's Day came around. It got worse the older I got. I attended a few "Single Awareness Day" celebrations in college and just after. For the longest time, I meant what I said and I said what I meant that if I was ever in a relationship there really shouldn't be a reason to celebrate Valentine's Day because I would want to treat my partner that way every day of the year and not just on one particular one. Still, even though I know that most people don't know anything about St. Valentine and that the holiday itself was one that was kidnapped by card and candy companies to make up for the lull in sales between Christmas and Easter, I can't help but feeling alone on Valentine's Day.

I was semi-busy this year, but today was worse than in the past. My Dad always got my sister a card for my Mom, sister, and Grandma and every year he always had a special gift for my sister and Mom. Last Thursday I was thinking about that and decided I should get them something, too. I was in the middle of the candy aisle at Wal-Mart looking for something for my sister when I started crying. I couldn't help but think that I really shouldn't be doing this. My Dad was supposed to be doing that, not me. I love my sister, but she's Daddy's little girl. To me she's just my sister and my Mom is my mom. But, my Dad isn't here. He's gone on to his reward and I'm here trying to keep things together, trying to keep a bit of normalcy for my family. I am so inadequate. Of course, this is all on top of how alone this stupid holiday makes me feel, especially now since all of my close friends who care to be are involved in relationships are.

I hope that one day I can enjoy Valentine's Day again. But right now, I don't.

Men and Romance

Many people think men are less romantic than women. Yet men fall in love faster (because they are so visual); men tend to be more dependent on their girlfriends or wives for intimacy; men are over two times more likely to kill themselves when a relationship ends; and men show just as much activity in brain regions associated with romantic passion.
— Helen Fisher, Ph.D., anthropology professor at Rutgers University

Thanks to http://oryoucouldbiteyourtongue.blogspot.com/for first posting this.

THE SILO PROJECT in St. Louis

It's been over a year in development, but THE SILO PROJECT (the film and the album) are finally here. Two of the artists will be in St. Louis next weekend. Information listed below. If you're in the area, come on out!

Everett Thomas @ The Gramaphone in St. Louis

Type:	Music/Arts - Concert
Network:	Global

Date:	Saturday, February 20, 2010
Time:	7:30pm - 10:30pm
Location:	4243 Manchester Ave. Saint Louis , MO.

Description

Hey! I am having a cd release show here in St. Louis and i would love to see your face!

www.everettthomas.com
www.myspace.com/everettthomasmusic

Also playing are :
Liza Day : www.myspace.com/lizaday
Stukenberg : www.myspace.com/stukenberg
The Blind Nils : www.myspace.com/theblindnils

The Curtain Falls.

I just finished acting in another play. It was a production of the classic American comedy, YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU. The show was a hit on Broadway when it was first written nearly 80 years ago and for a time it was the longest running show on the Great White Way. I don't know if there's been a revival or not, but the show has since gone on to be produced quite often by college and community theatre groups. The show is really funny with just the right mix of sight gags, one-line zingers, intellectual humor, and physical comedy. However, I think the main reason that the show is such a favorite is because, as our director quite rightly pointed out, it's all about family. Some of us are lucky and have great families. But, I think for those of us who don't there is still something within us that longs for a family like the Sycamore clan.

Speaking of families, I've acted in more than thirty different full-length plays (not including ones I've helped with, directed, etc.). I've only had a few occasions where I was very much glad the show was over. Usually, the close of a show is bittersweet with just the perfect balance of "glad to be done" and "sadness that the group of people I've worked with for the past 6-9 weeks will now be parted forever." However, every once in awhile I've been involved in a show that when the last curtain has fallen and the set has been struck I'm left feeling very sad and more than a little depressed. YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU was one of those. The cast was a very eclectic mix of individuals, but in this show that is all about family, we became a family. The past couple months have been rough for me and this particular theatre family (probably unbeknownst to most of them) was a surrogate support group for me. I looked forward to rehearsals and to the time we spent together. I had old friendships strengthened and made some new ones. Rehearsals were a joy and an incredible amount of fun.

And now, it's over. Most of the people in the show are friends of mine and I know I will see them again, but there are a few that I may not. And even if I do and even if we are able to all work together again in another show or by some miracle the same show, we'll never all be together again as we were. The fellowship is forever broken and it cannot be rebuilt no matter how hard we wish or try.

It seems that most of us have grown accustomed to this. We grow close to people and then for one reason or the another they leave. People move away. They die. We get in arguments and hold grudges. And when it happens we move on and tell ourselves, "That's life." Yet, deep down inside we know that's at least a little white lie because even though it is the nature of things and the way of the world and this life, we know that it's not how things are supposed to be. When God created the world, he didn't intend for us to experience fellowship and community and then have it ripped away. We might be accustomed to it and even expect it, but it's not the way things are supposed to be.

Therefore, I say without any shame that, even now, I miss the YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU clan. They helped me through a difficult period of time, provided me with countless hours of laughter, and gave me lots of memories that I will treasure in my heart. When things get difficult again and the days are dark, I will look back and take some of the light from those things to help me keep pressing on.

YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU.

In case you aren't aware, I'm in another play. The show is YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU. It's about this crazy, zany, lovable, and very funny family set in the Great Depression.

7:30 p.m. January 29 & 30 and February 5 & 6, 2010 and 2:00 p.m. January 31, 2010

Highland Elementary Auditorium, 1600 Lindenthal Avenue, Highland, IL

Tickets available at the door or at First-Mid Illinois Bank & Trust (Highland)

Adults $8.00 Children $7.00 Seniors $6.00

Put Greg on Survivor (And Me, Too).

I'm a huge Survivor fan. I've seen every episode but two or three and have sent in an application for every series except for three (two of which were All-Star type versions). However, Greg Insco is a bigger fan than me. Last year he walked across America to hand in his Survivor audition application only to be told the day after by the producers that they thought he was "too nice" for the show. However, like all true Survivor fans Greg wasn't discouraged and is doing it again. Follow him on YouTube under PutGregOnSurvivor and watch his daily videos. You can also visit his website at www.putgregonsurvivor.com.

2009 Graphic Novel Challenge

Give graphic novels a shot! This challenge is very flexible: choose a level of participation:

Minor: Read 6
Major: Read 12
Masters: Read 18
Doctorate: Read 24

Below are the list of graphic novels (and TPB which can be included) I read in 2009.

1. Superman, Inc.: 1999 Annual Report by Steve Vance, et al.
2. Superman: Last Son of Earth, Books 1 & 2 by Steve Gerber, Doug Wheatly, Chris Chuckry, et al.
3. Batman: In the Darkest Knight by Mike W. Barr & Jerry Bingham
4. Gotham by Gaslight by Brian Augustyn, et al.
5. Son of Superman by Howard Chaykin, David Tischman, et al.
6. The Twilight Zone: Walking Distance by Mark Kneece, et al.
7. The Twilight Zone: The After Hours by Mark Kneece, et al.
8. The Twilight Zone: The Odyssey of Flight 33 by Mark Kneece, et al.
9. Star Trek: The Next Generation, "The Gorn Crisis" by Kevin Anderson, et al.
10. Superman: Last Stand on Krypton by Steve Gerber, Doug Wheatly, Chris Chuckry, et al.
11. Red Son by Mark Millar, et al.
12. Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? by Neil Gaiman, et al.
13. Superman & Wonder Woman: Whom Gods Destroy (Books 1-4) by Chris Claremont, et al.
14. Outlaw: The Legend of Robin Hood by Tony Lee, et al.

I had set out to finish a "doctorate" with this challenge, but after the first part of October, I lost most ambition. So, I finish with a "major" and if you count the extra books in a particular title, I got a "masters".

December 2009: Media Consumed

Books Read
The Governor by Rod Blagojevich

Yes, the only book I read was this one by the former Governor of my homestate. The writing was atrocious and it wasn't organized very well. There were a few interesting points, but for the most part it's not worth reading (unless you really, really enjoy Illinois politics).

Movies Viewed for the First Time
The Blind Side
Sherlock Holmes
The Goods
Alvin and Chipmunks
The Hangover

I loved The Blind Side. It's very inspiring. Sherlock Holmes was a great action picture. I really enjoyed Alvin and the Chipmunks, too. That was a movie that could have been completely messed up, but worked really well (I grew up watching some of the cartoons in the 1980s). As for The Hangover, there were funny moments but I once again felt like it was more like a drama than a comedy.

November 2009: Media Consumed

Books Read
*Confessions of a Swinging Single Sea Turtle by Jim Toomey
My Shorts R Bunching. Thoughts? by G.B. Trudeau
+Wait Until Dark Frederick Knott

* = denotes book of comic strips
+ = denotes a play

Not much to say about this month. There just wasn't much book reading going on.

Movies Viewed for the First Time
Blood Mania
Van Nuys Blvd.
2012

None of these movies are really worth mentioning. However, for whatever reason, I cried during part of 2012.

October 2009: Media Consumed

Books Read
The Twitter Book by Tim O'Reilly & Sarah Milstein
The Box by Richard Matheson
How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas Foster
*To Kill a Mockingbird Adapted by Christopher Sergel

* = denotes a play

October began a downturn in reading for me for the rest of the year. My Dad died on Oct.2 and I'm still not sure if I've recovered. I haven't been able to enjoy reading as much. I really enjoyed some of the stories in The Box. If you would like to know how to get more out of your reading, you should read How to Read Literature Like a Professor. It was a bit redundant for me, but I majored in English. Lastly, To Kill a Mockingbird is a magnificent play. Perhaps one day I will get to direct it.

Movies Viewed for the First Time
Zombieland
Year One
Falling Down
War of the Colossal Beast
Where the Wild Things Are
Paranormal Activity
Capote
The River Runs Through It

Zombieland was a great escape for my brother and I during the days following our Dad's death. It's a great, fun action movie. Where the Wild Things Are was a movie I enjoyed, though it is a bit dark. The River Runs Trough It is a solid film that made me cry, but it ended to abruptly. Capote was bizarre (though Phillip Seymour Hoffman was brilliant). Paranormal Activity is the most overrated movie of the year. It's not scary at all!

Desires That Seem to Defy

"Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun." Psalm 37:3-6

As long as I can remember, I have striven to follow Jesus and delight myself in him. I was raised by two loving, Christian parents, but unlike many children raised in similar circumstances my faith became my faith at a fairly early age (around 8). I'm not sure exactly what the catalyst was but almost as long as I can remember, I wanted to follow God and do the right thing, not because that's what my parents and family wanted but because it was the right thing and it was what I wanted to do. I'm not sure how to describe it, but at a young age I realized and understood that I was nothing outside of God. I read about the young prophet Samuel and though I hadn't heard God's audible voice, I knew that he had created me and called to me. I read with vigor Paul's letters to Timothy. I discovered that there were many other people in the Bible who God called and used at a young age.

This connection to the spiritual along with an above average intellect made me a bit of an outsider and outcast. I didn't have too many friends growing up and I tended to enjoy the company of grown-ups instead of my peers. It wasn't until I got to college that I found people around my age that I felt a real strong connection with. Of course, since graduating from college I've discovered that I often enjoy the company of children and young adults better than adults: I work well with kids and there is just something about their playfulness and spirit that brightens my weary soul. And weary my soul is.

I had such high hopes for 2009. 2008 was one hell of a crappy year. I had hoped that 2009 would be better. There were some good things that happened this year (directing my 1st play for instance), but the negative things have overwhelmed those positive things and in some instances tainted them forever with tragedy. Overall, 2009 has been a very shitty year.

I used to believe the words of Psalm 37:4, "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." I used to believe in it fervently. It was something I clung to in my earliest trials. I sought God with a complete abandonment to everything else. No, I have never been faced with the threat of death because of my faith, but there have been many other sacrifices, challenges, obstacles, trials, and tribulations. But, I used to feel it was worth it because if nothing else I had the hope that God would give me the desires of my heart. After the past few months, I honestly don't know anymore. I feel more discouraged than I have ever felt in my life. I've lived more than a third of a century and have been a devout follower of Jesus for most of that time, yet I've experienced none of the desires of my heart. I know God is good and he loves us, but why do the desires remain unfilled.

So, as darkness surrounds me this battered and beaten warrior continues to press forward, but with a heavy and weary heart, pleading to God: when, Father, when?

September 2009: Media Consumed

Books Read
Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
Pearls Sells Out by Stephan Pastis
*Outlaw: The Legend of Robin Hood by Tony Lee, et al.
Either You're In or You're In the Way by Logan & Noah Miller
*What the Duck by Aaron Johnson
*Old Farts Are Forever by Lee Lorenz
*Lio's Astonishing Tales From the Haunted Crypt of Unknown Horror by Mark Tatulli
+Plaza Suite by Neil Simon

* = graphic novels or book of comic strips
+ = play

Shutter Island is a great piece of fiction that also makes for a very fast read. Pearls Sells Out is the latest anthology of "Pearls Before Swine" strips and is hilarious. Either You're In or You're In the Way is a great memoir of two twin brothers and their journey in making their first movie,Touching Home.

Movies Viewed For the First Time
Inglourious Basterds
Nightmare on Elm Street
Logan's Run
An American Werewolf in London
Half Nelson
The Natural
Evan Almighty
An American Werewolf in Paris
God Grew Tired of Us

Inglourious Basterds is probably the best all-around Quentin Tarantino movie I've seen. The first Nightmare on Elm Street was a rather original piece of filmmaking. An American Werewolf in London is both incredibly funny and very sad. Half Nelson is a great drama that not only illustrates the destructive nature of drugs, but also the strong, healthy relationship that can develop between a teacher and student. The Natural is a great baseball movie that's really not about baseball at all, but redemption and second chances. God Grew Tired of Us is a documentary that wasn't as interesting as I thought it would be.

Merry Christmas (With the Muppets)

Last night Jimmy Fallon had the Muppets make a guest appearance on his show where they sang "The 12 Days of Christmas".  What many people may not realize is that this singing sketch is done almost exactly as it was with the Muppets back in a 1979 tv special with John Denver. The only differences being that some of the parts are sung by different Muppets and instead of John Denver, there's Jimmy Fallon. You can see the original sketch on Youtube. The Jimmy Fallon version from last night is below. Enjoy and have a very merry Christmas!

Pearls Before Swine

love "Pearls Before Swine". Not sure how many people read the comics anymore, but you really should take time to read this strip. Saturday's (12/5/09) is a great example of why I love it so much. I have to admit, though I've never taken things as far as Pig, I can sure relate to his trouble in finding a girl.

Return of the Muppets

I grew up on the Muppets and Jim Henson is only one of two public figures I have ever mourned for after their death. THE MUPPET SHOW, SESAME STREET, FRAGGLE ROCK, and JIM HENSON'S THE STORYTELLER were all shows I devoured when I watched them. Other than a short show on the Disney Channel, however, the Muppets have basically been nothing more than merchandise pushing machines hocking everything from Pizza Hut pizza to fancy jewelery.  About a week ago, a Muppet version of "Bohemian Rhapsody" was posted on YouTube and it went viral almost instantly.  The video is the supposed to be the first of a series featuring the Muppets to be released between now and the end of 2010. A new music album is supposed to be released next year as well as a new Muppet feature length film, THE CHEAPEST MUPPET MOVIE EVER MADE. That makes me happy.

I Hate Winter.

It's raining/snowing/freezing outside right now. I hate it. I used to like the snow, but other than on Christmas I could do without. I wish I could move to a warmer climate. Winter is the discontent of my soul.

Broken and Beaten or the New Normal

“I'm tired of all the pain I feel and hear in the world everyday. There's too much of it. It's like pieces of glass in my head all the time.”--John Coffey in THE GREEN MILE

"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies."
--Andy Dufresne in THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION

I can’t put into words how I have been feeling the past several weeks and for a lover of words such as myself that is a difficult thing. My emotions have crossed the spectrum from moments of great joy and hope to moments of great sadness and sorrow where I have felt completely and utterly alone. In those dark times, I know that what I feel is only temporary and that it is caused not necessarily because of who I am, but because of the sin in the world in which we live. I know that I am not alone. I have a great support network of friends and family. Yet, those negative feelings are there. I give it up to Jesus and try not to let the darkness steal the joy and hope that surrounds us all if we will only see it. I know that I am not the only person to feel what I feel and that helps to a small degree. I remind myself of friends who have gone through and are going through more difficulties than I. I remind myself that I live in America and despite my poverty (by American standards) I am rich and live a blessed life. I remember that joy is all around and latch on to hope. But even with this knowledge and as strong as my faith is, I am human. I am not infallible. There are times that the darkness slips in and I am overwhelmed.

I’m not exactly where I would like to be in life. The temp job that I took after leaving teaching has turned into a permanent temporary position of sorts with no benefits and no security. I was once an itinerant substitute teacher. Now I’ve become the poster figure for the long-suffering temps of the world. No major works I’ve written have ever been published and I’ve yet to be involved in a motion picture where I get paid for my work. In matters of the heart, well, so far things haven’t turned around for me there either.

Due to my Dad’s rather recent death, I now have a whole series of obligations and duties that I wasn’t expecting. I’ve been doing my best to fulfill those, and though I am my father’s son, I am not my Dad. There are some who have a difficult time realizing and accepting that.

I have friends and acquaintances who because of a recent death or an illness or something are all hurting just as much if not more than I. Most of my closest friends live far away and though we keep in touch and see each other from time to time, I miss them. I want to see them, but can’t. Perhaps it’s because right now I’m so close to sorrow and sadness, but I’ve been noticing a lot more stories of great tragedy in the news, e.g. a young local girl who died from the Mexican swine flu or the little child who was killed after her mother sold her into prostitution and slavery.

As John Coffey said, “I'm tired of all the pain I feel and hear in the world everyday. There's too much of it. It's like pieces of glass in my head all the time.” I hear and feel much of that pain. Sometimes, I just try to block it. Then I realize that is probably the worst thing I can do because I don’t want to just exist. I want to live. So, I open myself up and though there are fantastic moments of joy and a few rare moments of happiness, there is also great pain, sorrow, and sadness and with those comes the threat of the darkness.

Yet, though the darkness threatens, it never conquers. There are times that it feels like it is overwhelming, yet it never completely overwhelms. There is always, always, always a glimmer; a flicker that shines out. In that flicker is hope, and in hope there is peace and joy and through them I find strength.

We live in a crazy, mixed-up, topsy-turvy world. Yet, there is the imprint of the divine still here. The Creation has been forever altered by sin, yet it doesn’t forget. It remembers. We remember. We know that though this is the way things are, it’s not the way things are supposed to be and that it doesn’t mean things have to always be this way.

Therefore, though I’m so very far from where I would like to be, I will not give up. I will trudge forth and continue fighting. The darkness will threaten to overwhelm and sometimes succeed, but I will not let it defeat me. I might be a beaten, broken, and wounded warrior, but I am a still a knight and there is always hope. It took almost half a century, but Charlie Brown eventually hit a homerun. Someday I will, too.

A Scene from THE GREEN MILE

Paul Edgecomb: On the day of my judgment, when I stand before God, and He asks me why did I kill one of his true miracles, what am I gonna say? That is was my job? My job?
John Coffey: You tell God the Father it was a kindness you done. I know you hurtin' and worryin', I can feel it on you, but you oughta quit on it now. Because I want it over and done. I do. I'm tired, boss. Tired of bein' on the road, lonely as a sparrow in the rain. Tired of not ever having me a buddy to be with, or tell me where we's coming from or going to, or why. Mostly I'm tired of people being ugly to each other. I'm tired of all the pain I feel and hear in the world everyday. There's too much of it. It's like pieces of glass in my head all the time. Can you understand?
Paul Edgecomb: Yes, John. I think I can.

I've never killed anyone, but I can relate to both John Coffey and Paul Edgecomb.

Hope

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love." I Cor. 13:13a.

This evening I went to a visitation service for one of my former teachers, a man who had a huge influence upon me; he cast me in my first play ever. My Dad died just over a month ago and, as I expected, as I try to adjust to life without him around, the real trial begins. I have good friend who's father had a heart attack about a week ago and my friend has spent over week watching his father repeatedly being tortured unproductively as medical officials attempt to force his father to begin breathing on his own. There's a lot of pain and suffering in this world. We are all in a crucible.

Yet, despite the storms and fires of testing, hope remains. As a younger person, hope was something I knew in my heart of hearts was good, but I really had no understanding or idea what it was or why it was good. I remember watching THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION for the first time and hearing the line, "Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies." When I heard that I agreed with it and knew it was true, but I didn't really know why because I really didn't know what hope is. I have a much better understanding now.

This world is a mean and messed-up place. There's pain, sorrow, and suffering all around. But that's not all there is. There is love. There is joy. There is peace. And there is hope. Even amidst the fires of testing in the crucible, hope remains.

Slow and Steady or the Actor Prepares

Three months ago I was having dinner with my Grandma. It was a few weeks after she had seen one of my performances in one of the musicals I was in this summer. We were talking about the show she had seen, what she enjoyed, and what she thought of my performance. During this conversation my Grandma made the comment, “You should look into that Christian theme park in Florida. I saw an ad on tv and they were looking for actors a couple months ago. You’re really good.”

This comment might not seem like much but coming from my Grandma to me, this comment was huge. I’ve known since I was in the first grade that I wanted to be an actor. That’s when I was cast in my first show. Since that time I’ve struggled with my desires and the gifts I have, and tempering those with other conflicting interests I have, as well with trying to remain a “productive” member of society. It’s not easy. It’s been a long journey for me and though I’ve taken a few detours, I have no regrets. I know who I am and though I can’t see the specifics and things rarely turn out as I expect, I have a general direction of where I’m headed. To the standards of the world, it might not seem like much, but for me it is enough.

Along this journey there have been a great many people who have stood in the way. Most of these people are loving family members and friends who just can’t understand me or the path I’m following. I don’t exactly fit any patterns or stereotypes very well and this confuses them. Over time, most of these people have come around to an understanding or at least an acceptance of the path I’m on. Until that night at dinner, my Grandma was not one of those people. She knew about my desires to entertain, knew I was talented, knew acting, or writing and now directing, were something that provided me great joy and fulfillment. However, to her it didn’t seem to make any sense that a person would want to do those things as opposed to “living a normal life”.

That night at dinner I realized that my Grandma had finally come around. It took years, but after the umpteenth show she saw, I guess she finally realized that I had what it takes given the opportunity I might one day succeed at it, even according to the standards of the world. That meant the world to me.

I’m not exactly where I’m headed, but that’s okay. The tortoise beat the hare by being slow and steady and it took almost fifty years but Charlie Brown eventually did hit a homerun. I’m just going to keep plugging away and taking advantage of those opportunities when they present themselves. Until then, the actor prepares and the writer writes.

The Prayers of the Saints

There is a weariness that affects one’s heart and soul that is more draining to oneself than any illness, unhealthy diet, or lack of sleep can cause. ‘Tis a weariness that sucks the marrow of life right from one’s bones without a person even recognizing it. Today I have felt that weariness.

The challenges that faced me were many. Burdens too heavy for one to bear. Expectations unable to live up to and meet. Matters of the heart gone wrong. Longings that never seem to be filled. Confrontations against injustice. Missing my Dad. All of this and more is what my morning contained and it was too much. There was a pain in my heart and soul that just wouldn’t stop aching and with each passing moment the aching intensified. Darkness threatened to sweep over me and I wrestled with the darkness to gain control.

Too much, too much, except for the prayers of the saints. They were with me today. The prayers of the saints lifted me. They carried me to safety.

I see dark clouds coming. I know there are many storms, tests, and challenges yet to face, but I can stand with a bit more confidence now because of the prayers of the saints.

Thought For the Day

"Opera is where a guy gets stabbed in the back, and instead of dying, he sings."
--Robert Benchley

Idiocy and Banality @ Work

I’m tired of the idiocy and banality that surrounds me at work. I was sitting at my desk this morning and overheard a conversation between two co-workers. One woman was complaining to the other about snakes and how she hated snakes and wished that all snakes were dead. As soon as she finished ranting about how evil snakes are she then told a story about a mouse that was running around her kitchen counter this weekend. She started to complain about how disgusting mice were, how they carried diseases, and how she wished that all mice were dead. I wanted to stand up and tell her, “You idiot, don’t you know snakes eat mice!” Instead I sat quietly and wept inside. I really need to find a new job.

An Eulogy For My Dad

For those of you who don't know, ten days ago my Dad died. It was very sudden and he died in his sleep. There's a whole lot I could write about all that's happened, but for now I'm going to save most of it until I can figure a way of getting it out in a productive and useful way on paper. Anyway, at my Dad's funeral last week I delivered the eulogy. What follows is the speech I had prepared. The actual delivery was a little bit different, but it's pretty darn close.

“An Eulogy For My Dad”
Tom Varner
Wednesday, October 7, 2009

During my junior year in high school, I was looking at colleges to attend after I graduated. It was the biggest choice I faced in my life up to that point. No one in my family had ever attended college and the application process was completely foreign to my family; I felt very much alone. For months I sent out letters, looked through brochures, and watched promotional videos. I had two or three notebooks filled with the pros and cons of each and every school. Offers ranged from Ivy League schools out East to major universities in California. I narrowed them down to five schools and was seriously considering either a school in Iowa or one in Tennessee. I don’t remember if I showed my final list to Dad or he looked through it one day while I was at school. But one evening he told me this.

He said, “You know, if you end up going to the Evansville, the University of Evansville, it’s close enough to home that if you get in a play or something we can come see it. It’s far enough away to be away, but close enough that if anything happened you could get home.” I hadn’t thought of that before and reconsidered Evansville as a possibility. It was ultimately the school I would attend and it was one of the best decisions of my life. All because of that one simple comment from my Dad.

That’s how it often was with Dad. Ask anyone and they’ll tell you he was a man of few words. He was scared to death of speaking in front of people. He didn’t like to talk to strangers and even if you were a close friend or family member you would be lucky to get more than a few sentences out of him at a time. He just didn’t like to talk very much. But often when he did there were either words of wisdom or some kind of joke.

The only exception to that is when Dad told stories. My Dad liked good stories. When I was younger he used to read to me or make up stories to tell. At Christmas, our family gets together and the highlight for us isn’t the presents or the food, but the stories that Dad, Uncle Bill, and the rest of the family tell about growing up and times past. Our favorite story is the one about my Uncle Bill peeing on my Dad’s head. They were at a train trestle and my uncle was on top of the trestle and had to go to the bathroom. My Dad comes walking under the trestle and lifts his hands up, surprised to see it’s raining. Then he looks up to see his brother peeing on his head. My Dad was on a bike and my Uncle was running and Uncle Bill barely beat Dad into the house. He locked himself in the bathroom until Dad’s anger subsided. Now, you might think that story is unusual, but there are all kinds of stories about my Dad that are just as entertaining: there’s the time he got chased by a wild boar, the time he and some friends tried to roll a car over at the school, the time he hit a buffalo, the time he got shot with a bullet at work, and you get the picture.

I loved my Dad. All of us did and I know he loved us. Unless he was working, he never missed one of us kid’s baseball, softball, basketball, football games or soccer matches. He came to almost all of my plays, even the musicals and he didn’t like musicals very much. I know Dad had his faults, but we all do. As the Bible says, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Rom: 3:23).

I am extremely grateful to Dad. He showed me what it is for a father to love his son, his children, his family, his friends. I don’t know if he ever realized it, but in doing so he also showed us all how God loves each of us.

Jesus said that, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34b-35). There can be no question of my Dad’s love for us and though he was a quiet, simple man, he lived a life that Paul commanded believers in Thessalonica to do, “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody (I Thes. 4:11-12). That is how my Dad lived. He lived a quiet life. He tried to mind his own business and he did win the respect of outsiders as apparent by all the people who were here last night and today to pay their last respects. He loved us and though he didn’t speak about it much, he loved God.

As I think about my Dad, I think his greatest regret is the pain that his unexpected death has caused everyone. Dad never wanted to cause anyone or anything any pain, be it a person or animal. Dad was full of life and if he had his druthers he would have stuck around a lot longer so there wouldn’t be so much pain and sorrow for us. But as Solomon wrote, “no man knows when his hour will come,” (Eccl. 9:12a). Only God knows that.

I know that my Dad is in a better place. He’s partying with Jesus now. I also know that it is partly because of my father’s love for me, his family, his friends; that I was able to meet Jesus. And I will, therefore, see my Dad one day again.

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O’death is your sting?...But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Cor. 15:56-57). Amen.

Radios In Heaven

"Radios In Heaven"--Plain White T's

Your time has already come and I don't know why
The last thing that I had heard
you were doin' just fine
It seems like just yesterday
I was laughing with you
Playing games at Grandma's house
well you taught me well, didn't you?
I hope I'm just like you

Do they have radios in heaven?
I hope they do
'Cause they're playing my song on the radio
And I'm singing it to you

You left before I had a chance to say goodbye
But that's the way life usually is
it just passes you by
But you can't hold on to regrets and you can't look back
So I'll just be thankful for the times that I had with you
I hope I'm just like you

Do they have radios in heaven?
I hope they do
'Cause they're playing my song on the radio
And I'm singing it to you
If they don't have radios in heaven
here's what I'll do
I can bring my guitar when my time is up and I'll play it for you

Tell me can you hear me now
if not, then I can try to sing real loud
What's it like up on the other side of the clouds?
I hope I'm just like you
I hope I turn out to be as good as you

2016 Olympics

I have to admit, I'm really glad that Chicago lost their bid for the 2016 Olympics. I live in downstate Illinois and even though I enjoy visiting the city, the politicians of the city think they are royalty and that Chicago is the State of Illinois. Being from downstate, it's nice to see them have to eat some humble pie for a change. I was rooting for Rio de Janeiro to win (South America has never hosted an Olympics). I'm glad they did.

12 ANGRY MEN Teaser Preview

Here's a teaser preview of one just one of the tension-filled dramatic scenes from Hard Road Theatre's production of 12 ANGRY MEN.

Today's Trivia

The first fruit eaten in space was a peach.

12 ANGRY MEN

Just a reminder, if you're in the Highland, IL area this weekend or next (Oct. 2, 3, 9, & 10 @ 7:30pm and Oct. 4 @ 2:00pm), come on out to the Upper Elementary School, 1800 Lindenthal Ave. and see a great American piece of dramatic theatre, 12 Angry Men. The cast is outstanding and have worked really hard. The show also marks by directorial debut. This really is a show you won't want to miss!

The Government Can

Here's a funny video I found. So true. So true.

August 2009: Media Consumed

Books Read
Schooled     Anisha Lakhani
Extreme Animals  Nicola Davies
*Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?     Neil Gaiman, et al
The Boy Who Dared    Susan Campbell Bartoletti
One in a Hundred Million     Marion Urichich
*Superman & Wonderwoman: Whom Gods Destroy     Chris Claremont, et al
+#12 Angry Men     Sherman Sergel
+Night Must Fall     Emlyn Williams
+Lil' Abner     Norman Panama & Melvin Frank
+Flowers for Algernon     David Rogers
+The Rainmaker     Richard Nash

* Denotes a graphic novel or TPB.
+ Denotes a play.
# Denotes a previously read work.

Of the books I read in August, there's only two I wish to mention. The first is Schooled. The novel has gotten some mixed criticism, but it's really not too bad of a debut novel. It's about an Ivy League graduate who enters the teaching profession and becomes sucked into the world of private tutoring. It's not a book that everyone will enjoy, but if you have an interest in education or teaching, I think you would enjoy it. The other book is the play Flowers for Algernon. It's based on the novel of the same name. I read a short story version of the novel when I was in 8th grade and it remains my favorite short story of all time. The play is an incredible drama and the best play I've read in the past five years. I highly recommend it and if you ever get a chance to be in or see the show, then do it.

Movies Viewed for the First Time
Green Lantern: First Flight
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
District 9
The Last Mimzy
Judge Dredd

In August, I got to see both the worst and best film of 2009 that I've seen so far.  The worst is G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. My brother treated me to this film. He had been eager to see the movie. Even he said it was BAD. Terrible dialogue.  Awful special effects. They take G.I.Joe from being an American special ops force and turn it into a global initiative.  In fact, the only thing worth seeing in this movie was the 2 minute cameo from Brendan Fraser.  The best movie so far in 2009 is District 9. It's fresh and original and has just the right mix of drama and action, with a good dose of sci-fi mixed in. Highly recommended.

Kristin Chenoweth Wins an Emmy

Just so everyone knows, this grand dame of the theatre, Kristin Chenoweth, just picked up an Emmy to go along with her Tony. I bet Oscar won't be all that far behind.

Congratulations, Kristin!

A March on Washington

Over a million people were marching on Washington last Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009. Hardly anything has been reported about it in the old media. Why?

Hard Road Theatre Delivers the Drama With 12 ANGRY MEN

Beginning on Oct. 2, Hard Road Theatre Productions, in association with the Highland Arts Council, and sponsored by Tom Hill and Burroughs, Hepler, Broom, MacDonald, and Hebrank of Edwardsville will be presenting the classic piece of American drama, 12 Angry Men.

The show is directed by Tom Varner, with assistance from Sarah Connor. The cast includes Jami Hirsch of St. Jacob, Philip Herlitz of Maryville, Adam Betz of Alton, Gentry Herlitz and Megan Rauh of Collinsville, John Goldsmith and Linda Collman of Greenville, and Highland residents John Volker, Elaine Guillot, Jeff Eye, Bill Sullivan, Rob Bowman, and John Taylor.

Varner said that, “One of the great things about this play is that it really shows what a great system we have in this country and how wise the founders were in establishing the 7th Amendment in the Constitution. It might not be a perfect system, but most of the time it works.” A former English teacher, Varner used the play as part of the curriculum in some of his classes. “The original teleplay for 12 Angry Men was written in 1954. When I first taught it in my classes I thought most of the students would be turned off. Instead, it ended up being one of their favorite things we studied. A lot has changed since 1954, but the show is just as relevant now as it was then. It really speaks to people no matter where they come from or where they are in life.”

Performances of 12 Angry Men are scheduled for 7:30p.m.on Oct. 2, 3, 9, & 10 and for 2:00p.m.on Oct. 4. All shows will be held at the Highland Elementary Auditorium at 1800 Lindenthal Ave., Highland, IL.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $6 for children. Tickets are available at the auditorium one hour prior to each performance. All seating is general admission.

Adapted by Sherman Sergel from the Oscar-nominated movie by Reginald Rose and starring Henry Fonda, 12 Angry Men is an intense drama set in July 1959. A jury gathers after a murder trial to deliberate and decide the verdict of an accused teenager. The case appears to be open-and-shut as most of the jurors seem convinced the accused is guilty. However, one juror isn’t convinced beyond a reasonable doubt and begins to open the others’ eyes to the weakness of the case. The jury room soon becomes a tense and heated place as each of the jurors face their own prejudices, failures, and shortcomings as they struggle to reach a unanimous verdict.

Hard Road Theatre Productions is a non-profit theatre organization committed to providing the larger Highland area with high-quality, affordable, live productions. For more information about 12 Angry Men , Hard Road Theatre, or further ticket information, visit the Hard Road website at www.hardroad.org or call 618-654-7748.

July 2009: Media Consumed

Books Read
Common Sense Glenn Beck
Common Sense Thomas Paine
Wrapped-Up Foxtrot Bill Amend
Thinking Like a Director Michael Bloom
#Red Son Mark Millar, et al
*+12 Angry Men Sherman Sergel

# Denotes a graphic novel or TPB.
* Denotes a previously read work.
+ Denotes a play.

Out of the works I read in July, the two I highly recommend are Thomas Paine's Common Sense and the graphic novel Red Son. Paine's work should be required reading of all high school students that are juniors or older. The language, though a bit more flowery than what is casually used today, is actually fairly easy to follow and understand and the logic of the text is flawless. Also, many of the ideas are just as relevant today as they were over 200 years ago.

Red Son is an Elseworlds story that has Superman landing in the Soviet Union instead of the United States. I was a bit disappointed by the end, but the overall story, how it is imagined, and how it ties real history into the history of DC is brilliant. It's probably the best Elseworlds story ever written.

Movies Viewed for the First Time
12 Angry Men (1997 Cable Version)
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon
Beowulf & Grendel
Reefer Madness: The Musical
Orphan
Superbad

The only movies I found that I really enjoyed from July were Behind the Mask and Reefer Madness: The Musical. Behind the Mask is a deconstruction of the horror genre that instead of being a full out parody is actually a homage to the genre that ends up adding a new dimension to it. It's filmed as a documentary about a real life serial killer (ala Mike Myers) named Leslie Vernon who has allowed a film career to document his life as her prepares to make the transition into the big time. There are a lot of funny bits in the film, but the heart of the movie are in the personal moments and conversations with Leslie and the director of the film.

Reefer Madness: The Musical is a parody of a 1930s film about the dangers of marijuana.I have yet to see the original movie, but the musical is hilarious plus it has Kristen Bell in a starring role.

Girls in Bikinis and 12 ANGRY MEN

This parody of a classic scene from 12 ANGRY MEN isn't quite as entertaining as the Sesame Street one. But, there is some humor there. Also, it applies to a completely different demographic than the Sesame Street clip from a couple of weeks ago and as I begin ramping up the publicity for my show (which opens in 3 weeks), the exposure might do us some good.

Health Care and the 800 Pound Gorilla

Another great video from PoliticalMath illustrating a major problem with President Obama's recent proposals to health care reform.

On Stealing Liberty and Being Presidential

Tonight (Wed. Sept. 9, 2009), President Obama delivered an address on health care reform to both Houses of Congress that was televised and broadcast around the country. The President spoke for over an hour, clearly illustrating that even though Lincoln is one of his political heroes, he definitely didn't learn anything about speaking from him (President Lincoln was often ridiculed for delivering short speeches). There's a lot that I could say about the President's speech. However, there are two things I wish to address.

The first is in regards to this part of the speech: "That's why under my plan, individuals will be required to carry basic health insurance — just as most states require you to carry auto insurance. Likewise, businesses will be required to either offer their workers health care, or chip in to help cover the cost of their workers."

I am completely opposed to such an action. To begin with, the comparison between auto liability insurance and health insurance is not a valid comparison (not to mention that statistically most accidents that occur where a driver is uninsured that driver is an illegal alien). Sure, they are both types of insurance, but that's where the similarities end. It's like saying that people who raise bananas and people who raise chickens are both farmers because they both raise things. They might both be farmers, but they are completely different types of farmers. However, besides the fallacy of this argument there is the more important and critical issue of the President seeking to take away more of our freedom and liberty. It's bad enough that in my state to drive a car you're required by law to have liability insurance. However, at least that's on a state level. It's not a national thing. President Obama wants this to be national. To do so is an infringement of the 10th Amendment of the Constitution. We've had enough of our liberties and freedoms stolen by the federal government in the past five years. It's time that it stopped.

The other thing I can address from the speech regards this statement: "Some of people's concerns have grown out of bogus claims spread by those whose only agenda is to kill reform at any cost. The best example is the claim, made not just by radio and cable talk show hosts, but prominent politicians, that we plan to set up panels of bureaucrats with the power to kill off senior citizens. Such a charge would be laughable if it weren't so cynical and irresponsible. It is a lie, plain and simple."

Apparently neither the President or his advisers have read H.R.3200 (a massive 1,000+ bill that is the only one available for public scrutiny). Now, though I'm not a lawyer, I am trained in English. I know how words and phrases work, even a lot of legalese. I've only read about 20 pages of the bill, but it's so full of bullshit that's all I could handle. However, I made it a point to read the "death panel" parts. Though it is true that the bill doesn't set up a direct "death panel", persay, it does make a point of "advanced care planning" and "end of life care" which, "may range from an indication for full treatment to an indication to limit some or all or specified interventions." In other words upon implementation one of the "physicians" that has been approved by the government can choose to deny treatment to someone. Though the wording of opponents of H.R.3200, especially in regards to this part of the bill, is a bit hyperbolic, it is not cynical, it is not irresponsible, it is not a lie. That statement in and of itself is completely unPresidential and doesn't bode well for a man who campaigned upon being above the political fray.

Employment Blues

I've been working at an office temp job for over a year. It's been made clear to me that the company has no desire to ever bring me on as a regular employee, nor is there any chance for advancement or a raise. I've been pretty diligent and thorough in looking for a better job, but there really isn't anything out there. The few things that are open or either things that I'm "overqualified" for or the company has no interest in me. Anyway, two weeks ago I was informed that I was being downgraded to working two days a week "until things pick up". This despite the fact that the company hired a new high school graduate on full time. Nothing against her, but I could do all of her work probably in half the time she does it in. But I digress. This Thursday I go in to work. It was one of the two days I was scheduled. I woke up earlier than normal and there were no trains, or tractors, car problems, or unusually long waits at the stoplight at the construction zone so I actually got to work five minutes earlier than I normally do. There wasn't any orders on my desk, but that's no big deal because there's not always something there on my desk, so I immediately begin filing some paperwork in the to-be-filed tray. About ten minutes later, my supervisor walks up and says, "Tom, didn't anyone contact you?"

I said, "No. Contact me about what?"

She says, "Well, we called the temp agency yesterday afternoon and this morning, but we don't need you today. There's nothing for you to do." As she saying this the recent high school graduate is sitting behind me stuffed up to her eyeballs in envelopes that need to be stuffed to be mailed out.

"No. No one contacted me," I say.

"I'm sorry," she says and turns around and disappears.

What I wanted to say was, "No. No one contacted me. What the $*?#! If anyone contacted me and told me that I wasn't needed here today, do you think I would be standing here right now? Do you think I would have gotten up at 6am and taken the time to drive over here just so I could $*?#/$% stand here for ten minutes to have you tell me I wasn't needed today?"

I've got the almost unemployment blues.