VeganWorld Blogs

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Great one.  Actually the whole series has been impressive.  I haven't read any of the books yet, but I'm really glad this whole story is out.  At first, I didn't get why this sort of thing is so special.  We've had plenty of books and movies about wizards and magic and evil sorcerers and potions and castles and just the general English Medieval-Times feel, so what's all the hubbub about Potter?  Well, first, this is made for kids but is easily enjoyable for adults as well, and it has a cool quality where you can "grow up" with the characters and the events taking place.  Next, although it has the feel of the Old World, it is very much a modern story; a nice mix of old and new, actually.  Third, the special effects.  This kind of film wouldn't have been possible 15 years ago.  Lastly, the story is remarkable.  This installment fell right in line with all of that, and I was looking forward to the next chapter.

Remarkable film!  My favorite one of the Harry Potter bunch by far.  It was more adult, more forceful, more beautiful, and more passionate than the rest, and a lot darker overall.  Basically, it stopped being just a kids' series and started becoming a bad-ass series for anyone to enjoy.  As usual, the pace is quick but you never feel rushed.  You get into the minds and hearts of the characters even more and the rewards for doing so are great.  By this point, I suppose, you are firmly believing that this world exists and that these events did, or currently are, taking place.  That allows for any feeling to be tapped into.  Big ups to the Potter production!

Okay film.  One of those one-and-done flicks for me.  Pleasant, but not anything to write home about.  The cast is great, and you get a lot of "that is so me!" moments (or at the very least, you get the "I know someone JUST like that!" moments), but it wasn't really anything more than people talking about life.  I do that with my friends and family.  I can appreciate that kind of film, but I'm just not a fan.

One of the best comedies out today, which is odd because it didn't really get a whole lot of hype.  Jason Segal and Paul Rudd (I'm an unofficial member of BOTH fan clubs by this point) should do about 100 movies together for us before they die.  Can't get enough of the stuff.  I'd have to say that Paul Rudd makes this film his, and he does it in a way that is so subtle and awkward that it's hard not to love the guy.  Liked the small role given to Lou Ferigno (sp?).  One of those movies you can also watch with your sweetie, better half, in-the-meantime partner, or one-nighter.

Didn't like it.  Liked the performances of just about every actor that played Bob Dylan in this pseudo bio-pic, and the photography was pretty cool, but I just felt the movie lacked everything else.  Maybe if I knew more about the life of Dylan and listened to any of his music, I would have enjoyed it more, but since I didn't, it left me out in the cold a lot.  For the record, my favorite Dylan was a tie between Heath Ledger and Cate Blanchette.

Although very obviously amateurish, it was this kind of low-production value feel that gives this documentary on the forgotten children of Uganda even more power.  Three young guys set out to do a story on the troubles in the Suden, but they get pulled to a more compelling story of the orphaned children who flee the Sudan and go to neighboring Uganda.  How they manage will bring a tear or two to your eye.  Again, one of those films that I wish was required viewing for everybody in the United States.  Thank you to Bruno for the loan of this DVD

A pleasant surprise from Jean-Claude Van Damm.  Don't really want to get into it, but I'll say that this is a film that is extremely interesting.  Van Damm plays himself in a story that is all about him... but not really.  Some acting chops are revealed and the Muscles from Brussells shows us that he can do more than just kick your ass and take your girl.  I especially loved the color of the film.  I might use that for something I'm thinking of...

I read the book years ago and loved it, and I now love the movie.  Outstanding film-making, just outstanding.  It's a little bit rough for some in the subject matter, dealing with a man approaching middle-age having a relationship with an underage girl, but the story is well worth it.  As monstrous as the main character may be to some, you side with him, especially at the end (which I won't give away, but there is a really interesting showdown that I honestly don't remember from the book).  Oh, and Dominique Swain is sexy as hell in the movie... and I don't care what you think about that.

Very good movie.  The story will draw you in but it's Christian Bale that will maintain your interest the whole time.  I have to mention the unbelievable commitment he made to lose weight for the role, an unhealthy amount of weight, to look the way he did.  I didn't recognize him at first.   And then once you're into the plot, it's off and away until the credits role.  An excellent film.  One of those I'm going to have to add to my collection, for sure.

Not a good film at all, but a cute concept.  The only reason I own it is because I'm a huge Jackie Chan fan and I think that Claire Forlani is one of the most beautiful women in the history of our species.  Those two together are good enough reasons for me not to trash this film, but not too much else.

Much better than I thought it would be, but still not a great film.  It covers a lot of ground in the life of the late-great Biggie Smalls, but because of that it feels very rushed.  The music, of course, is brilliant.  And the movie did a good job of showing how little Biggie became B.I.G., revealing a little of the internal struggle that made him who he was.  Loved the funeral scene at the end, which is ripped directly out of real life when Notorious' body was being driven in a procession down a street in Brooklyn and everyone broke out with radios playing the same song, "Hypnotize" to honor him.

Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn and Jimmy Stewert.  Great film!  I have seen very few old black and white films.  In fact, without sounding too dramatic, I don't remember seeing ANY except for Casablanca (which I saw last year finally, thanks to Laura Evans), the Maltese Falcon (where I only remember bits and pieces), and the Caine Mutiny (which I saw in preparation for a play I was going to do).  Weird huh?  In any case, this was my first Hepburn film for sure, and I was really impressed with her.  The man who stole the show, however, was Jimmy Stewart.  He had a style all his own.  I can't think of anyone today that reminds me of him, except maybe Jeff Goldblum.

What started out as a bad film ended up being a really good one.  I can see why there was all the hoopla about it when it came out.  It is raunchy, sexy, funny, childish, violent, and in some cases offensive, but the story and characters work their way into your heart so that by then end you kind of feel that these are your best friends or even some cousins of yours.  A very unique film.  I liked seeing Kim Cattrall in an earlier role for her, too.  Her scene in the upstairs room in the gym is the one that I remember as a kid.  I think that and the womens' shower room scene are the only ones that I saw as a kid.  That might explain a lot about me.

Despite being panned by critics, I thought this was a very good movie.  I admit that the main reason I checked it out from Blockbuster was because Jessica Biel (my number one celebrity hottie... with Kim Kardashian a close second) gets naked in it, but I was rewarded with a fine story, brilliant acting by other contributors to the cast like Lisa Kudrow, Forrest Whitaker, and Ray Liotta, and gorgeous photography.  I honestly have no idea why some reviewers of this movie hated it so much.  To me, it was one of the better ones of this bunch that I'm reviewing.

Good film.  Nothing outstanding about it, though, except Johnny Depp and Christian Bale (what else is new about these two, right?).  I got into it, but I suppose the payoff at the end was a little bit cheesy.  It was still nice, but it didn't really hit me like I thought it would because of the build-up.  I felt that there was a large love-story in this movie, but a couple of my buddies who saw it didn't see ANY love-story.  I guess you'll have to check it out for yourself.  Overall, I liked it and would see it again.  Don't know if I'll buy it, though.

Really, really great film.  Really damn good.  Everyone was great: Tom Cruise, Dustin Hoffman, and that Greek girl from Hot Shots.  Well written story, cleverly shot, and moments taken with plenty of time without losing the pace of the film.  Yeah, I know it's a classic but I had bought it and never seen it.  One night, when I couldn't sleep around 3:30 am, I put it in my DVD player and couldn't go to sleep until it was done.  Easily one of the better films on my list.

One of the best films of all time.  It's as complete of a movie as you'll find.  Probably the original "Step Up" movie with the whole club dancing thing, and John Travolta may be the best cinema product to ever come out of the United States.  There is one particular dance scene that Travolta does in the middle of the movie that blows me away every time.  I'm going to start watching that scene every morning when I wake up to jump start my day.   Highly recommend to everyone, even with the rough language and gang style of behavior.

Sucked.  It really sucked.  Not a complete waste of time for only two reasons: the musical numbers are wonderful, and you get to see a lot of your favorite actors in an early role.  I'm sorry to the fans of this film, but this was one of the stupidest movies I've ever seen.  I gave it a chance, had been hopeful for some kind of redemption as the movie went forward, but then the ending just killed any hope I had.  Yes, I "got" the ending and I "got" the movie, but I thought it could have been done about 100 times better.  It was strictly a message movie, and the message was messy because of the bad story it was encased in.  Too bad, 'cause I like Spike Lee.

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Part Three coming up next...

The following films are reviewed in alphabetical order and represent all the movies I've seen for the first time in the past 6 months or so.  Yes, I'm sure a bunch of them will surprise some readers when they find out I haven't seen them before this year, but that's why I'm making the effort to catch up with them.  Also, these reviews aren't as in depth as I'd like them to be, mainly because there is fifty of them!  Actually, these may not be able to be defined as reviews since I'm not really talking about the films but instead just giving my reaction to them.  Consider it Mini-Reactions by me with no spoilers; I don't want to ruin the experience for anyone.

So, again NO SPOILERS.  YOU CAN READ ON WITHOUT FEAR.  And scroll to the ones you want to read most if you don't want to read the whole thing.

Cheers.

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Good film that doesn't pretend to be anything it isn't.  An excellent sequel and a film that excites me about cars, a topic I normally have little interest in.  Paul Walker, Tyrese, and the too-hot-2-b-true Eva Mendez all have great screen presence and chemistry and the introduction of Ludacris was a pleasant surprise.  Story was believable, although slightly predictable.  Action was awesome, cars beautiful, and the pace was fantastic.  I liked the little bonus short movie that the DVD had as an intro, where the main character made a brief stop in San Antonio as he made his way from LA to Miami.  This is a great film for car lovers, and good film for everyone else.

Disappointing.  Not a horrible film, but I think I can safely label it as "bad."  And my harsh critique has nothing to do with the subject matter, believe me.  I've seen a lot worse and am not shocked by anything they brought up.  I just felt that the story sagged, the direction of the film was about as plain as you could get, and the overall acting was ok.  The bright spots were Nicholas Cage, Joaquin Phoenix, and James Gandolfini.  Besides that, it pretty much sucked.  

I'll give my book review on this in a future blog, and it will be a very positive one, but the film was so frustratingly average it almost angered me.  In fact, I saw it twice in the theaters to give it every chance to be a good film and it just didn't do it for me.  The movie's prequel, the DaVinci Code (a sequel in the book world), was so much more interesting and original.  A&D isn't bad, but the typical kind of formula plot it has can't allow it to be good.  Ron Howard really pissed me off, ESPECIALLY considering how much great material he could have drawn from the book.  Boo.

A lot of fun.  Good movie.  Mos Def, one of my few admitted man-crushes, and Jack Black are freakin' brilliant.  They make this movie.  The story is okay, but it's these two (plus a cute young lady who joins them as they get into the meat of the story) that drive it home.  Danny Glover is a nice touch.  My friend Lawrence Scott recommended this one to me, and he didn't fail me.  It even has a couple of touching moments.  The director did a fine, fine job.  Kudos.

Documentary of the blood diamond trade in Africa.  The unique angle was in sending a few jeweled out rappers down there to see where their diamonds come from and how it went from the earth to their wrists, neck, and teeth.  Excellent work.  Some parts are even too much for Raekwon, and you get to see other realizations from Houston's own Paul Wall and his jewelry-making buddy he brought along.  Definitely worth seeing for anyone, but perhaps a little more enjoyable to those who follow hip-hop.

Silly.  Fun.  Okay.  And that's pretty much it.  The big reason I didn't regret seeing it was Anne Hathaway.  I find her to be gorgeous and sexy simultaneously and it's hard to keep my eyes off her.  Too bad for her I'm taken now because it would be ON between us!  The character she plays allows her to prove she's more than just a pretty face, but don't get me wrong: there is NO depth here.  One of those films you'd watch with your girl as she is relaxing from a long day at work or school.  Oh, and Kate Hudson was good too.

A classic that I've seen bits of before as a kid but never sat down to watch the whole thing.  Was amazed at the star power in this film: Ted Knight, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, and the lovely Cindy Morgan (speaking of Tron earlier...).  No one cares about the main character, but that's kind of the point.  One of the funniest movies I've ever seen, and it has such a unique feel to it, it's really hard to put into a category.  I definitely recommend it to anyone with a pulse and some lungs.  Favorite part?  Bill Murray biting into the candy bar after clearing the pool out.

The ultimate "who-gives-a-shit-about-the-story" movie.  It's all about the cast and the absurdity of an across country race that everyone wants to win until the end when they reveal that they really don't care.  It may sound like I'm bashing this film, but it's the complete opposite.  I loved it!  Again, one of those I've seen in parts while growing up, and remember liking it even then, but it's an absolute hoot (yes, I said 'hoot'... I'm in Boerne, TX as I write this).  How can you go wrong with a cast that includes Burt Reynolds, Dom Deluise, Farrah Faucet, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Roger Moore (during his James Bond years), Jackie Chan, Jack Elam, Terry Bradshaw, Peter Fonda, Jamie Farr (the crazy guy from M.A.S.H.), Bianca Jagger (former wife of Mick), and Bert Convey?  Good times.

Great movie.  Made me realize how much I idolize Guevara.  It's more of a history lesson than an entertaining story, but if you are in the right frame of mind, you will get so much out of this experience.  A long project.  I watched it in two DVDs from Blockbuster.  The first part has to do with the Cuban Revolution, and is easily the best part to watch.  The second disc is the failed revolution in Boliva where Che is captured and unceremoniously executed.  Steven Soderbergh (sp?) does what he does so well, and that is put you RIGHT THERE.  You are IN the room or tent as they talk strategy, you are IN the jungle as the guerrilla fighting commences, etc.  And I can not say enough of Benicio Del Toro's performance.  One of the best of any actor I've seen in an epic like that one.  

With all the hype of this film, I expected more, to be honest.  Not more film, because it definitely is long enough, but more of a mystery or something that just was more than an reverse-aging gimmick.  I like the basic structure, the acting was phenomenal, but in the end I guess I couldn't get that emotionally involved because of the absurdity of the plot.  I might be willing to try again, though.  I did find moments in there that were beautiful, and those moments provided me with a little inspiration.  So, in that sense, I got something wonderful from the film.  Oh, it was really nice to see Juila Ormond in a film again.  She was a hottie that my college roommate and friend Sean Palen fell in love with in Legends of the Fall.  I have to admit my own crush on her as well.

Okay film.  One of the better ones to come out of San Antonio.  Now, just because my girlfriend was one of the stars of this project and I was privileged to walk down the red carpet at the premiere doesn't mean I'm going to go easy on the film.  It was very amateurish in its directing and overall production value, the acting (aside from a few exceptions) was mediocre, and the pacing was very slow.  I liked the plot a lot, and I felt that this film (once cleaned up) could go somewhere, but in the end it is still a San Antonio-quality movie.  Now, when I start making feature films, I'm completely open and expectant of criticism, so feel free to dish it.  :)  Regardless, this is a great, GREAT effort by Dora Pena.  Kudos to her for getting this film completed and out there.  I look forward to her next work.

Documentary of the making of the original Star Wars Trilogy.  I think that this has been on cable TV for years, but I still wanted to see the whole thing from beginning to end, and I'm glad I did.  Learned so much about not only George Lucas and the Star Wars story, but about film-making and the business of getting films out.  It really, REALLY inspired me.  So much so, that after watching it, and reflecting it, and discussing it, I made the firm decision that I will become a film-maker myself.  I've been flirting with the idea for years, but this was that last little push for my mental state to accept that reality of mine.  So, thank you to the director of this film.  And thank you to George Lucas, too, as well as every great film-maker out there.

Freakin' brilliant film!  A crown jewel in this collection.  Jason Segal is brilliant, but so are the usual suspects like Hill, Hader, Rudd, and the ladies of the film.  Oh, and the British dude, Russell Brand, was perfect for the role he played.  It was my first Segal film and it made me an automatic fan.  The film has an Apatow-feel, but I don't how involved he was in this one.  Funny in so many ways, check this out anytime and you'll love it every time.

I like Hugh Jackman.  I like Rachel Weiss.  I like the concept of the film.  But I just barely liked the film.  I liked it, but I didn't LIKE it if that makes any sense.  I can't quite explain why that is either, but maybe I felt that it was trying too hard to be a "smart" film, and films that try to do that rather than just being that are less impressive to me.  The acting was some of the best in this collection of films I'm reviewing, and the visual beauty of this movie is second to none.  I could feel everything from the look of the film, and that is one sign of a great film, but I can't quite put this in the "best" category of movies for me.

Wow.  Really good movie.  I know most of you are like "duh," but I just saw it recently and I was really impressed.  Tommy Lee Jones deserved all the press he got for the role he played, and Harrison Ford continues to be one of the hardest working actors in movies.  I can't really say anything bad about this one.  Great from beginning to end, and now I have a better appreciation for U.S. Marshals, a film I saw long ago with Jones and Wesley Snipes.  I still have never see "The Fugitive" TV series.  Would like to check that out someday.

A dramatization of how the Italian philosopher, mathematician, and scientist battled the Catholic Church because he suggested a silly idea that the Earth wasn't the center of the universe.  What a whack-job!  I mean anyone who truly believes that the entirety of existence doesn't revolve around the Vatican should be burned at the stake.  That's what I say.  Who's with me?!  Oh, and the movie is very good.  You can learn your history and feel the emotion of a man from hundreds of years ago as he changed the world with his mind.

Good, not great.  I expected more.  Will Smith was Will Smith (nice to get paid millions of dollars to be yourself on camera... sounds like something I might do someday :) ), and Jason Bateman is one of my new favorite supporting actors (still love his performance in Smokin' Aces).  Story was interesting, and it kept me interested throughout the film.  I thought the ending was weak, but I've seen worse.  Special effects were great.  Always nice to dream of having super powers.  Guess why there so much material out there about those who have them.

One of the most difficult movies I've ever had to watch.  In fact, I'll put this at #2 behind Audition.  Ellen Page was wonderful in this pre-Juno role, but I hated her character.  Yeah, I know she wasn't supposed to be the bad guy, but I wasn't liking her little plan, and how she executed it.  So, I can admit that the subject matter for me was a little rough, but I don't think I'm the only one who would say that.  Still liked the film, but it's not one I can watch over and over.  If you have a strong stomach, nerves of steel, and a hate for men at the time, go rent it.  If you buy it, then I'll be a little scared of you.   Thanks to Rick Carrillo for loaning me his DVD of it.

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And we'll stop there.  Part Two, coming up soon.

In August I...

-Starting keeping a journal... for the last time.

-Researched Che Guevara a little more and realize that the dude is my idol.  Maybe not in every way do I want to emulate him, but in most.  I might dedicate a separate blog to him later.  I even have a family connection to the man.

-Got a full-time job.  First time in nearly two years I've had one.

-Couldn't pay my own rent (probably having something to do with the previous item listed).

-Had my third bank account close on me because of being overdrawn too long.

-Visited Austin a couple of times, primarily for food, but also because it's a perfect getaway.

-Discovered a restaurant named Pho San Antonio.  Great Vietnamese food and service.

-Visited with my friend Eric Contreras for the first time in a year.  Met his son for the first time.  Reconnected with my good, good friend Sean Palen too.

-Started my six-month probation with the City of San Antonio.

-Ran at the Medical Center track more consistently (of course didn't keep that up once I started my job).

-Finished reading Angels & Demons.  Will review it on here later.

-Met one of my bodybuilding idols, Flex Wheeler, in person at the GNC in Huebner Oaks.

-Went to the Dreamhealing premiere and walked down my first red carpet.

-Celebrated a few birthdays of my Express friends at Dolce.  First time I went there.

-Attended an SA Food Bank fundraiser at Leapin' Lizards.  Trying to get more involved.

-Attended the 48-Hour Awards ceremony and afterparty.

-Attended the grand opening of SA Filmworks.

-Spent a great evening at Copa Wine Bar with Megan.  That might just be my favorite hang-out in town right now.  The hummus is awesome.

-Got a girlfriend.  The lovely Evie Armstrong.

-Started getting hit on at work the next day.  Doesn't it always work that way?

For those that care, I'm well.  Very well, actually, considering I've turned this freight train called LIFE in the direction that I want now.  It isn't going really fast, but it's inching along and picking up speed.  About damn time.

Big news, especially to those who have known me for a while: I officially have a girlfriend. Yes, it's been about 5 years since my last relationship, and in the 31 years of my life on this planet I have been in a committed relationship for a grand total of 3 years.  I take commitment very seriously, and to those who feel that a guy who loves the single life is always a guy who is afraid of commitment, take heed from what I'm about to write.  Let go of the social constraints for one moment, if you can, and you will be open to understanding that happiness and fear are very individual and personal items.  I love being uncommitted but I also love being in a great relationship.  I also love learning more about both, and learning more about myself in the process.  In other words, IT'S ALL GOOD.  So, even though I completely understand the "congratulations" that people have been giving me, it's not really necessary or accurate.  Very few have congratulated me on being single, so I don't see why I need any congrats now.  Also, those who indicate that I'm now "growing up" or maturing" or taking "baby steps," c'mon... just try to accept that not everyone views life in the same pattern.  I did not grow up or mature because I became a boyfriend to someone.

Now, to the introduction of the wonderful woman who I call girlfriend.  Her name is Evie Armstrong and she is a beautiful girl who I met about four years ago through the theatre.  We started seriously dating three months ago, after she separated from her husband, and we made it official early in the morning on August 31.  She is now divorced and legally "single," and we are really excited to see where it goes from here.  I might put up some pictures of us, but I generally don't like to take pictures, so we'll see how that goes.  And no, Evie, doesn't have a presence online at this time (in case you were curious).

With all that said, a lot of you are probably wondering what the hell I'm doing writing all this stuff out here publicly.  I don't see most people writing about their significant others except in passing.  That's fine.  I have no problem in announcing it to the world because that's who I am and because I'm very happy about it.  If I can write about all the other stuff I've written about on here, then I can write about being a lucky bastard to be able to share a bed with Evie almost every night.

In other news, I've started a new job.  It's a call center position and I'm training for eight months.  The work schedule during training is 3:00 pm to 10:30 pm and when I actually hit the floor it will be 5:30 pm to 2:00 am.  I'd be lying if I said I was completely happy with that schedule, or the pay, but I paid rent this month for the first time in three months, so hooray for small victories.  

Lately I've also been fortunate to slowly reintegrate myself into the film community.  I attended the premiere of Dreamhealing a few weeks ago, where Evie was one of the main characters, and I got to walk down my first red carpet.  Evie and I also attended the awards ceremony for the 48-Hour Film Competition as well as the opening of A.J. Garces' film institute called SA Filmworks.  I have also been finishing up my bit role in Travis Thomsen's web series called 1-800-TECH-SUPPORT and providing the voice for a character in Eric Fonseca's animated short "The Fall of the House of Usher."  I am also cast to play a monster-type of creature in Michael Cantu's forthcoming feature entitled "Primal."  Most exciting, at least to me, is the fact that I've got a couple of ideas of my own for films that I'd like to write and direct.  This is the first month where I'm setting aside time to dedicate and work on it.  

In the sports world, I'm looking forward to David Robinson's enshrinement in the Hall of Fame, I am happy to see Bruce Bowen retire on his own terms (but of course sad to see him go), I am juked about the upcoming NBA season... especially the new and improved Spurs, I've thrilled that the Angels are in the think of it again this year in the major leagues, I'm gearing up for the beginning of the NFL season and the rebuilding process of the Rams (and yes, I completely support Michael Vick and his efforts to mount a comeback with the Eagles), I'm getting into college football now and took in the OU/BYU game and was excited to hear that the Longhorns are going to be rolling this season and maybe bring another national championship to Austin, I am also excited about the college basketball season and will primarily support UT but have other allegiances also like my alma mater UTSA (and I also still like Rick Pitino in Louisville, despite recent events), I am going to try to follow college volleyball a little more (which shouldn't be hard since watching tall and athletic women jump around in swimwear-looking shorts is always an easy thing to make time for), I'm finally getting into NASCAR and golf, and I might pay a little attention to bowling... or at least play a little more often.  Oh, and the track & field thing, the swimming, the boxing, the MMA, and the cycling is pretty cool too.  I think I'll sit out on the shuffleboard championships this year.  OH, and GO SILVERSTARS!  Get in the playoffs!!

I miss Michael Jackson.

Um, I have lots more to update, but this should be enough to chew on for now.  I've got better things to do, like kiss my girlfriend who's sitting next to me now.  ;)

Way too much news for me out there.  This seems like a hallucination where every day you turn on a radio, tv, or web browser, there is something major happening.  Just look at this list of items: Michael Jackson dies unexpectedly at 50; Farrah Fawcett finally succumbs to cancer; Ed McMahon's long and plentiful life ends; the most sweeping environmental bill in our nation's history is making its way through Congress; the first military coup in a Latin American country in 30 years took place when the Honduran president was replaced by the military down there; the 8-month legal process in Minnesota is over and Al Franken (former comedian and SNL writer ... think Stuart Smalley) is the new Senator; thanks to the Franken win, the Democrats now have a filibuster-proof 60 seat majority in the Senate; the Spurs made one of the biggest trades in their history by acquiring Richard Jefferson and still maintaining a good chance of getting Bruce Bowen back; the Spurs then got lucky and had the best draft night out of all 30 teams without even having any first round picks; the Williams sisters and Roger Federer are still kicking ass at Wimbledon; Iranian citizens explode after controversial election and government crack-down on demonstrations; Republican Governor Mark Sanford from South Carolina admits to having an affair (although this isn't really a surprise or shocking) and may be stepping down; Yao Ming's career may be over; and the biggest shocker... according to a recent study, two thirds of Americans are too fat!  Okay, I'm kidding about that last one being a shocker, but it's still sad and I bring it up so we can do something about it.

Personally, I've had way too much news to handle as well.  The biggest of which I won't go into detail but I will say that the state health system that has taken care of my mother for years has shown that it is exploiting her for her monthly income and trying to place the blame on me.  I have a bit of a legal battle brewing ahead and I'll need all the help I can get, so if anyone knows of a good lawyer... or IS a good lawyer... and can help me out even though I don't have a dime to pay, please contact me.  I'm already doing the research I need to get an idea of how I'm going to defend myself and protect my mother, but it's basically me against a huge and powerful state system that does this on a regular basis.  Yes, I'm asking for help.  I need it.

Besides that, it's the typical money woes, but now that I have freed up my time, I can dedicate all day, every day, to looking for work.  I'm very optimistic about things and feel that the worst is over.  I had an excellent time this past weekend at the San Antonio Film Festival and was pleased to learn that my friend Eric Fonseca had his animated short film win not only best in his category, but the best film in the entire event!  Very proud of him!!  He is not only very talented but also very deserving.  Another good friend, Rick Carrillo, starred in a feature length film that won the People's Choice award at the festival, and I'm very happy for him as well.  Also, last but not least, my friend Evie starred in a short film by first-time director Sylvia Rincon and did very well.  All three folks are people who have helped me out in life, and have worked with artistically as well, and I am grateful to be in their company.

One more note.  Saw the BET Awards and liked the tributes to the late great Michael Jackson.  I, like most everyone, owe a great deal to the man.  And although he isn't a member of my family, it doesn't matter because a void now exists in my heart that was just always filled before because of his work.  No man gave more to charity, and no man gave more of his soul when he performed.  Let's remember that the next time you hear an MJ joke.

Before I get to basketball, please check out this link below.  It provides further evidence of something that should already be obvious.  Thanks.

http://gayrights.change.org/blog/view/of_gay_penguins_and_lesbian_fruit_flies

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Now, if you're not a fan of basketball, the NBA, or the Spurs, you may want to skip reading this piece.  If you're still interested, then congrats and read on.

The good news is this: even if the trade stands as it is, this was a coup for the Spurs.  The only more lopsided trade in recent memory was Pau Gasol going to the Lakers for nothing (don't even get me started on that one, the WORST trade in the history of the league, and evidence that the "higher-ups" are working at keeping the Lakers successful artificially.)  What Richard Jefferson provides is something the Spurs haven't had since the days of Sean Elliott: a scoring small forward who plays an all-around game, including defense, and is capable of creating his own shots and taking over a game.  This is huge for the Spurs because it now gives the team four major and DIFFERENT threats for defenses to worry about, as well as providing an athletic wing defender; the number one concern for the Spurs has been met... getting younger and more athletic without sacrificing talent and experience.

The GREAT news is this: the Silver & Black will probably get Bruce Bowen, and maybe even Fab Oberto, back in a couple of months.  So, even though one can understand the logic of losing a 38-year old Bowen, who doesn't score consistently and has lost a step defensively, for an All-Star type of player in his prime (RJ just turned 29 on Sunday), the reality may be that we still get to keep Bruce.  Milwaukee, who put together this trade strictly for financial reasons because their payroll was too bloated, is expected to waive Bowen so they don't have to pay him the full amount of his contract.  Thirty days after that happens, he can re-sign with the Spurs if he chooses to.  I expect this to happen.

Bruce Bowen, although 38 and not AS good as he was maybe 4 years ago, is STILL a better defender than 90% of the league TODAY.  If you noticed last year during the course of the season, with Coach Popovich electing to play Bowen less, the defense of the Spurs went from being one of the top three in the league to being right in the middle of the pack.  An average defense had a direct correlation with the lack of playing time for Bowen.  If Popovich didn't play Bruce because he actually saw his skills and athleticism deteriorate in practice, then maybe I can understand this decision.  Otherwise, I don't get it.  Whenever I saw Bruce play last year, he looked like his old self and the team played better with him.  In short, I don't think Bowen is a victim of age.  I think he is a victim of a change in philosophy by the coaching staff of the Spurs.  Translation: he still has it!  You may challenge that by saying that once you're that old you can't contribute regularly at this level.  I would counter by offering the examples of Kareem Abdul-Jabar and Kevin Willis.  The retort to that would be "Yeah, but those are big men.  It's easier for them to extend their careers."  True, but have you seen Bruce Bowen play?  And have you seen his body?  He has a wiry, quick kind of body, as athletic as many of the rookies coming into the league, and his performance has been consistent.  

In any case, with or without Bruce, the Spurs are the team to beat this coming season.  I actually feel that even without this trade, if the Spurs were healthy, they would STILL be the team to beat.  The Lakers' two year run in getting to the Finals coincided with a Ginobili health issue both times.  If Ginobili is healthy, and most of the time he is (contrary to the BS you hear in the breeze about him being "brittle"), then the Lakers wouldn't have even made it to the Finals the past two years, let alone win a championship a couple of weeks ago.  The fact remains: when the Spurs are healthy, the Lakers don't win championships.  Now you throw in RJ to the mix, with a fully recovered Manu and Tim Duncan, a Tony Parker in his prime, an improved Roger Mason Jr and Matt Bonner, solid role players like Michael Finley, Ime Udoka, George Hill, Jacque Vaughn, and the impending re-signing of Drew Gooden (or even a shot at Rasheed Wallace), and I don't even think this will be a dramatic season because San Antonio will be the distant favorite going into the playoffs.  The only hole left that needs to be addressed is the center position.  Ian Mahinmi hasn't proven a damn thing yet, and even with Oberto back, we would need a mobile and athletic shot blocker that could take some of the pressure off of Duncan in the paint.  Now, with Mahinmi healthy this year (finally) he could provide that missing piece, but I'd like more insurance.  Tiago Splitter from Brazil is a possibility, if the Spurs can buy out his contract.  This will be the last bit of work that R.C. Buford and the rest of the Spurs management need to finish before trainer camp opens in September.

As for the rest of the league, I am juiced!  With this blockbuster move by the Spurs yesterday, the 2009-2010 season officially begun.  Tomorrow is the 2009 NBA Draft, and it always feels like New Years to basketball fans.  I'll be watching tomorrow, and I'll continue to look at what every single team is doing to make themselves better... all 30 of them.  Last night, I wrote out a list of all of them, just to see if I could, and it was pretty easy.  I'll copy it below for you just for fun (and no, I didn't go to NBA.COM to get this).  The "West" and "East" next to the team represents what conference they belong to.

Ah, Summer.  First day.  This is completely a calendar thing because it's felt like summer for months already.  A week or two of 100 degree temperatures will quickly erase the whole "but it's still Spring!" idea from your mind.  I love SA, but it gets freakin' hot for looooong periods of time.  Yes, you do get used to it, but it would be nice not to walk outside and not get instantly baked... and I don't mean the good "baked" either.

The first day of a new season is always a great time to turn over some kinda leaf for yourself.  Go start learning that language you've always wanted to learn.  Go for a run (when it gets cooler tonight).  Go start lifting weights, or doing pilates, or go for a hike or a swim.  Go sign up for those dance lessons you've been thinking about taking.  Go talk to someone you haven't spoken to in forever.  Go visit your parents or other family.  Go start on that project you've been meaning to tackle.  Go eat a bowl of fruit.  Go get that protein powder and vitamins.  Go to that place you've been meaning to go to.  Go apply to that job you've dreamed of.  Go do something kind for a random stranger.  Go volunteer for that cause you've been wanting to help with.  Go get a new man or woman... or both.  Go start getting your groove back.  Or just continue what you've already started.  Just go.

By the way, I updated my resume on here (a previously posted blog/note) with my latest gig: freelance writing.  I finally DID get paid for the articles I wrote on the McNay and UTSA.  Of course, that was after the original check I got from the publisher BOUNCED and caused my account to go nearly 700 bucks in the NEGATIVE.  Yeah

The Last Day of Spring had me and my friend Megan at our first vegan Meet-Up (if you don't know what a "meet-up" is, Google it).  It was a special little event where two people competed with each other in a cooking competition.  Franklin and Scott were the contestants and the rest of us were the judges.  They were judged on quality, originality, and presentation.  Since it was my meeting with the group, I was pretty quiet most of the time, how I usually am when I'm feeling people out initially.  Stella was the de-facto mistress-of-ceremonies and provided a huge bowl of fresh fruit, Jennie supplied us with a beautiful house near Smithson Valley as well as great guacamole,  Andrea assisted the chefs and brought her garlic carrots, and Joel showed up with a plethora of goodies including wine, tabooleh (sp??),  and a delicious chocolate cheesecake.  We were represented with Megan's chicken mole; very good stuff... the first time I ever had any kind of mole.  The two chefs made veggie & tofu, some rice pudding kind of stuff, a fruit and coconut milk mix, and something spicy and really good but I couldn't tell you what it was.  Franklin was the narrow winner, but it didn't really matter who "won."  We all ate really well for four hours, had a great time getting to know each other and chatting about whatever, exchanged ideas on delicious vegan dishes, played with a cute one-year old baby (Jennie's), got some financial investment advice (from Franklin), and felt at ease because we didn't have to answer the usual questions about if we were getting enough protein and calcium in our diet and that didn't we know that plants have feelings too.

I put in my two-weeks notice at Express last Thursday.  I've been thinking about it for months but now that it's going to be a full-year there since I started, I realize that I'll be holding myself back if I continue to work there.  I have had such a positive experience there, and consider it one of my favorite jobs on my resume, so I wanted to be very sure about my decision before informing them.  My conclusion was this: since I don't have any desire to advance in the company, I'm not making any real money, and I could use the hours I put in there (limited as they may be) to better use, it was time to move on to something better.  Besides, I never use my discount because I never have money to shop.  I really enjoy the new friends I've made, but I don't have to keep working with them to maintain those relationships.  Also, it would be nice to have my weekend evenings free now, since when I do work I usually close on Thursday, Friday and/or Saturday night.  Considering that I made more in one day by selling a couple of items on CraigsList than I do in a two week paycheck from Express, it was an easy decision.  

Other things I've had to pull out of because of my current situation include a play at the Cameo Theater and a short film written and directed by a friend of mine.  The Cameo production, entitled The Fourth Wall, was something I was really looking forward to being a part of.  It would have been the first time I'd acted on stage in two years (Tuesdays With Morrie being my last show), it would be the first time I would have performed at the Cameo Theater, and it would have been the first time I had been given as much freedom to do what I want to do with the role as I wanted... a dream for any actor.  It was really a great role, and after a few rehearsals I began to fall into it.  However, after a week I knew that putting in 80 to 90 hours of time into this production was impossible because of my money problems.  The same thing killed my chance to produce and star in my friend's short film.  It was my first opportunity to be THE producer of a movie and I was prepared to make this little film into something memorable.  However, both myself and the director might have bit off a little more than we could chew at this time, and both of us had to withdrawal from the project.  I feel comforted knowing that these sorts of things happen all the time in the arts.  Actors and directors get switched out, stories get revised, productions get postponed or cancelled, and this happens usually in Hollywood and on Broadway.  It would be foolish to think that it couldn't, or shouldn't, happen here in San Antonio.  As soon as I'm making enough money to actually pay rent on a regular basis, I'm getting back into the arts fold.  Before then, however, it would dumb to try again.

Forgetting about holidays that tell us that we should honor certain people on certain days, I'll use the opportunity that this day provides for a brief comment on fathers.  If you're going to be one, be a good one.  Simple.  Not easy, but simple.  You can choose not to be a father.  Hey, just because you provide the sperm doesn't make you a dad.  And, providing you fulfill your monetary/legal obligations, you don't HAVE to be a father at all.  Ever.  However, if you do choose to have some kind of involvement in your kid's life, be a role model.  Do everything you can for it  Teach, entertain, love, discipline, and make sure that your child grows into the best person that they can be.  Then, at a certain time only you and your child will know, let go and let them come to you when they need to.  Fatherhood is so often put secondary to motherhood, and I so disagree with such a notion.  No pecking order exists in parenting, at least not a preordained one.  Love.  Just love, no matter who you're loving and no matter what your "role" is, just love.  That's  not only good advice for fathers, but for everyone.   A Happy Father's Day to Tre, Eric C, Lawrence (who just became a dad for the second time this past Tuesday), Matthew, George, Christopher, Joe, Eric L, Jared, Michael, and my brother Dennis.  Of course my father, whom I might visit today at Ft. Sam's Cemetery today, would get a shout out too.

Your job as a father is to make sure that your kid grows up to be better than you.  Anything short of that is failure to me.  Harsh?  Maybe.  I can admit that.  But I can't accept anything else.

Give props to the 2009 NBA Champions.

You KNOW I am not a fan of the team, the coach, and most definitely its superstar, but I always give credit where credit is due.  The Lakers had an outstanding season.  They overcame obstacles, like other teams did, and even got pushed to the brink against the Rockets.  Yet, time and time again, they prevailed.  Kobe Bryant, at times, carried the the team on his back.  Pau Gasol showed why it was such a steal to get him from the Grizzlies last season.  Trevor Ariza finally grew up.  Even Derek Fisher showed why he is so relevant to the Lakers' winning ways this decade.  And Phil Jackson, the arrogant bastard himself, showed why he may be the best coach this game has ever seen.  It hurt to see my team overcome by injury this year, but since that is what happened, at least we got some things checked off the list: Kobe wins his first championship without Shaq, Jackson wins his 10th ring and breaks Auerbach's record, Gasol wins his first NBA championship after already winning the World Championships with Spain and getting silver at the Olympics, and the NBA gets its cash payday for now... maybe making it a little easier for a small-market team to win another championship soon. :)

Also, we found out that LeBron James is a sore loser, Dwight Howard isn't quite Superman yet, and that Manu Ginobili is just as important to his team as any other superstar is.  It was a productive year, and telling on how the NBA is changing in that the league is very strong across the board now.  Ot is more difficult now than before to repeat as champions.  So many good teams are out there, and a few are on the cusp of becoming great.  In the west, for next year, we have Denver, Houston, San Antonio, and the Lakers that are considered "great" teams and title contenders, with teams like Portland and New Orleans still in the hunt.  The east has Cleveland, Orlando, and Boston as the "greats" with Atlanta and Philly making some hay.  My apologies if I've forgotten any other contenders.  With the NBA Draft coming up in 4 days, the new beginnings for the 2009-2010 are already under way.  Now we can let the Lakers fade off into the sunset with their latest triumph, their 15th overall.  Since 2000, they have been to the NBA Finals 6 times, winning it 4 times.  That is amazing, and they should definitely be congratulated for their work.  Yippee.  Now, go away and let teams like the Spurs and Celtics kick your ass like we normally do when fully healthy.  You can't just depend on your major rivals always being injured.  Enjoy your short-lived time on top of the mountain.

The lady cop who pulled me over gave me a card which is supposed to have instructions on it on how to get your car back from being impounded.  It said that in order for my vehicle to be released I need to have three things: either the title or registration, auto insurance, and a valid driver's license.  And the fourth, but obvious, item is the money needed to get the car out.  Tuesday, I called up a random company I found in the phone book (Remco Insurance) to get some cheap car insurance and got that done, so then when I went back home I had all the necessary documentation needed to get my car.  I didn't have the registration, but the instructions were clear about that.  Before I, and my friend Megan, went to go get my car (on the other side of town, of course), I checked the website to find out how much I needed to pay to have my vehicle released... the website also was on that little instructions card... and it said $162.  Great.  I had $170 with me in cash, the car title, car insurance, and my driver's license.  With Megan giving me a ride, that was all I needed.

Or so I thought...

After the 40 minute drive, we get there and they are closed for a half hour break "due to shift changes."  We were not made aware of this previously, but this place is open 24 hours and three times a day they close for 30 minutes.  Naturally, we get there at 2:30 pm and their break is from 2:30 to 3:00 pm.  So we wait.  A line has already formed in front of us and an even longer line has formed behind us.  Don't forget, it's a hundred million degrees outside while we're waiting.  Shade helped, but it's still freakin' hot!  Had we known earlier what their hours were, we would have planned differently, probably come in the middle of the night when there wouldn't be a line and definitely no sun.

Three o'clock rolls around and they let us in, and we wait.  And wait.  And wait a little more.  Folks working there are in no rush whatsoever.  I kind of expected this, but the company now being a privatized entity, you'd think they would be a little more efficient.  No, that's not the case, but that's not even a major complaint from me.  My initial problem was that when I finally got to the window, and the guy looked at what I brought, he asked if I had a wrecker with me.  "Huh?"  He said that they can't release the car unless it had current registration or a tower to tow it out.  "But that's not what the instructions said?"  Well, the car can't be released unless it has registration or a tow truck to take it where I want it to go.  "Why?"  We can't have people driving off in a car that has no registration; it's illegal.  Fine, I won't drive it, but at least move it outside the gate so I can come back later, when I have the registration, and THEN drive it home.  No, they wouldn't do that.  I have to call a wrecker and have them go in and get the car.  WTF?!  Wish I knew this before I got down here.  And the guy wouldn't even tell me how much it would cost to get the car out; I wanted to confirm what I saw online.

So, I get out of line, go to a wall covered with business cards of tow companies, and try to find one near where I'm at (near Lackland AFB).  A gentleman who was waiting in line and overheard my situation, passed me a card of someone he knew.  I looked at the card and it read "Lupe's Towing."  Good enough for me.  So, I call Lupe, have him come out, and find out that it's going to be $65 for the service.  Great.  Money, I don't have.  Fortunately for me, Megan was kind enough to offer her debit card for me to use.  Unfortunately, she had to go to work at this time and couldn't wait any longer.  So off she goes, along with any hope of transportation back home in case this doesn't work out so well, and back into line I go.  And wait again.  For over an hour more this time.  Halfway though this period, Lupe calls me to tell me he's here and waiting outside.  Okay, we're finally set: I've got my title, insurance, driver's license, money to pay to get my car, my tower, and money to pay the tower.

Or so it seemed...

I finally get to the window again, and the fellow working there gathers my papers and is informed by me that I have a wrecker waiting for me.  Everything is cool...  until he gets to the amount I have to pay him: $183.25.  Um... come again?  He repeated the amount.  I thought it was $161.68?  That's what it said online, at the website I was instructed to check out, before I left my apartment.  He said something about how there is a fee for just having the car brought in, and an additional fee for every day it's in there.  But I just had it impounded last night!  He mumbled something about once it's brought in there is an additional charge after 12 more hours.  What??  I just checked before I left to come out here and it was $160 something, and now it's jumped in cost in the time I've been waiting in line??  Nothing changed. The price was still $183.25.

I was stuck.  I asked if they did split payments, taking the $170 I had in cash and the remaining amount on a card, and they couldn't do that.  Then I asked if they could put it all on the card, and he said yes... until he looked at the card and saw it wasn't mine.  No, I didn't have her ID, and no, she's not here because she had to leave for work about an hour and a half ago.  Nothing worked.  I had come this far, and was going to be stopped by $13.25.  I couldn't get my car out and I didn't have a ride home for a while.  I just stood there, looking down, thinking of magical places in my bag or on my person where money might be.  I checked pockets, my wallet (like ten times) and nothing turned up.  It was then that I turned to the crowd of people in the line behind me and asked if anyone had a few bucks they could spare.  A few of them smiled and shook their head, a few more stared on blankly.

I looked back to the guy working the window and asked if there was anything else that could be done. No, there wasn't.  I paused for a few seconds, almost refusing to move on, but was thinking that I had better move out of the way so the rest of the people could attempt to get their business done.  It was then that a man tapped me on my elbow to get my attention.  I turned and saw that he was offering four dollars.  I said he didn't have to do that, but he insisted.  I took it and thanked him and handed the money to the attendant.  The man next to me gave me a couple bucks too, and it was at this moment that hope sprang back into me.  A lady further back in line, handed me a dollar.  I had a rush of warmth inside me, an excitement that usually accompanies a really good dream.  A guy in the back handed me a couple more.  I'm funneling dollar bills to the guy at the window and he's actually cracking a smile for once.  I asked how much was all that, and he says $179.  Damn, still short.  I ask if anyone else could help out, we just need 4 more bucks.  The guy next to me gives me his last two dollars.  $181.  And then nothing for a few seconds.  People are tapped out, the good feeling almost fades, until a wonderful lady in the back comes up and gives me a twenty.  "I want change" she asks.  No problem!  I had the money to the guy and while he works out all the change, I personally thank and shake the hand of everyone who helped me out.  

The guy actually has one dollar too much, and as I take it from him and hold it up for someone to claim it, that last lady comes back and says "I'll take that!"  Everyone laughs at that, the tension of hours of waiting and haggling diffuses a bit.  I am now able to go get my car.

I go outside and Lupe is still waiting.  He gets my car, I ride with him out, we go all the way home (I stop and draw the money using Megan's card from an ATM to pay him), and my car is safely back at my place.  It took about four hours, and a lot of drama.

To me, although this could easily turn into a bitchfest regarding how the process is set up, I wanted to highlight the beautiful people of San Antonio.  Those waiting in line with me were just about in the same boat with me, broke and trying to figure out how to get home with their stuff... waiting long hours in less than ideal conditions... but they found it inside them to help someone who they will never see again.  It was like a movie, the way it ended.  When all hope was lost, you get a tap on the elbow or shoulder and someone you don't know comes in to save your ass.  I had to write about it.