Gaelic Storm

Mystic River and More
I just got back from my screening of Clint Eastwood's new film Mystic River. And... I am at a loss for words. It's kind of hard for me to stand back and look at this film objectively, simply because I was the cast's unofficial bartender.

Despite my current confusion, Sean, Tim, Larry, Kevin, and Clint all did a wonderful job!

I agree with the critics, it is a wonderful film that stirs up a lot of different issues and emotions, but it was not what I expected... especially after my dealings with the cast. But then again, it makes sense of some of our conversations.

I have a had a good run with movies lately... some of my favorites include:

Second Hand Lions: Fun and Sweet... sometimes I feel like a second hand lion or tigress.

Lost in Translation: Very funny and heart warming... just see it, Bill Murray redeems himself.

Dirty Pretty Things: A very good take on the immigrant lifestyle, although Amelie (Audrey Tatou?) is not the sweet little thing that you remember. And people that have worked in the hotel industry might start to wonder.

The Whale Rider: Centered on an unfamiliar culture and the struggles of it's people to carry on their traditions... a very sweet Sundance film.

So that's all of my half-attempted film criticisms for now. Back to work.

Thoughts from 30,000 Feet

For the first time since my flight home from Australia, I was able to look out of the plane window while descending into Atlanta. The cumulus clouds were golden blue pillars that were reaching toward the stars, and the green tops of the Appalachians were barely breaking through the lower clouds. It was a beautiful sight that I had forgotten about since my fear of heights developed.

Anyway, during these moments I had a few thoughts about the things that I have learned thus far in my life. While they may sound like things your mother told you, they are important to me because I actually know their meaning now and respect the wisdom that they convey.

These things I know:
~expect nothing, except the unexpected
~accept the unexpected
~bad occurrences have their reasons
~You should always have faith, no matter what form or religion
~when it rains, it usually pours
~love never dies and rarely changes form
~Do not accept an apology from someone who does not know for what they are apologizing
~no one else can make my success, but they can take it
~I should savor serendipitous and coincidental moments (No they are not the same)
~Love is like dancing, there are so many turns and dips that I can easily lose my balance.
~and finally, Never trust a doctor that smokes!

Whilst it is a short list, it is all that I could think of before we hit the runway.. Oh yeah, one more
~never try to write when your plane is landing!

On Monday it became official: I have lived in Boston for 1 year. In this one year I have taken notice of the things that I cherish about my home in the south, as well as the things that I despise. Yet for the sake of remaining positive I will just post what I like about both the South and North.

Things That I Miss About the South
~Family
~Friends
~Boiled Peanuts
~Sweet Tea (not from the fountain or with raspberry flavor)
~Sweetwater Beer
~Good Bar-b-que and I mean GOOD (mainly Brunswick stew)
~Good Mexican Food
~errr Waffle House (or just anywhere to eat past midnight NOT in
Harvard Square)
~Chick-fillet
~Foggy morning drives on country roads
~Actually moving while in my car (you think that ATL has
bad traffic try moving to Boston!)
~People waving as you pass them even if they don't know you
~People saying 'please' and 'thank you'
~OK, so just overall politeness
~Intense thunderstorms

and now to balance the scales:

Things That I Like About the North
~New Friends
~Good Seafood
~Good Bagels
~Easy access to the ocean and nice, yet cold, beaches
~A plethora of interesting people with even more interesting
life stories
~A lot of intelligent or semi-intelligent people, which in
turn bring:
~A lot of interesting seminars and speakers open to the public
~A 45 minute flight, 3.5 hour drive to NY City
~Snow and Ice (my first white Christmas that I can remember), but
yes, there is only so much that I can take.
~And last but not least, Simpsons on 4 times a day!

This in not a complete list, but just things that I have thought about in the last few days.

Kinda looking forward to school starting, but really looking forward to stinking up the plane with boiled peanuts! he he

Rocky: Beneath the Garder Belt
I went to my first show of the Full Body Cast's performance of Rocky Horror in Harvard Square last night and was blown away! First off, the entire theater was sold out, hence there were a few disappointed people outside. According to the director, the show has been selling out for the last couple of months.

Secondly, I have never seen a cast more energetic and crowd pleasing. Granted, I have only seen a few, this cast topped any show that I have seen in Atlanta or New York. No offense to the LDOD cast members... I haven't seen your show since before you moved to the LeFont ages ago. I hope you show them up at Dragon Con.

I was absolutely blown away. I remember when my cousin first told me about Rocky when I was ten or so and I listened in amazement about people throwing toilet paper and men dressed in drag. I imagined a crowded theater much like the one on the Muppet Show (maybe not as fuzzy, but every bit as colorful). By the time I actually went to see a show it seemed that the Rocky fad had died out. For years I frequented Atlanta shows and gave up when I went to college. Now, after all of this time, I had the Rocky experience that I dreamed about. But wait, there's more.

I have had the opportunity to experience the behind-the-scenes drama of three different casts.. the Hilltop cast in ATL, when I was a member, the NYC cast, and now the Full Body cast. All three of these casts each have a different dynamic and provide different stylistic elements to their performances (although NYC cast's pre-show got old after the second time). So my idea for a third proposal for my thesis (since I need at least three) is to fly around the country and maybe even a couple of European countries to film behind the scenes and interview cast members for a "Rocky: Underneath the Garter Belt" documentary. (working title)

Or maybe I could just add it to the other proposals and make one big film, like a friend recommended... the junkyard dealing, Haitian zombie, Rocky cast member. Anyone know any people that meet this criteria???

My official future oscar acceptance speech.
(Work in progress)

I would firstly like my parents and the forces that guide us for bringing all of this into being.

My family, including close friends: C. Bean, M. Faiz, P. Davidson, Glenn L., and Brian H. who have experienced life by my side.

Anyone who ever taught me, including teachers, friends, and classmates. Thank you for making me a more well-rounded person.

And last, but not least, the academy for bestowing this wonderful honor upon me.

Thank You for making me the person and documentarian that I am. This is a result of your influences in my life.

From the bottom of my heart, Thank You.