cgm13.net :: the boy wonder: June 2003

In anticipation of my annual "everyone get falling down drunk on July 4th" cookout, I get to repair my gas grill tonight by replacing the burner. The process looks like it will be pretty easy ... but you never know with that crazy 'ol propane. There is the possiblity of blowing myself (and the house) up. Should be fun.

I have been looking over the posts from the last month or so and realized just how devoid of any good content this site has become. Geez. I wish that I has something more exciting to say. So, what do you all want to hear about? Do you want to hear about how most days are filled with food, work, beer, sleep and not much else? Do you want to hear about how I was a lazy bastard this weekend and now how about three freelance jobs that need to be done tonight? Do you want to hear about how my dvd buying has really skyrocketed in the last couple of weeks (this tends to happen when I fell ill-at-ease or unhappy with myself or life in general)? Do you want to hear about how I developed a warped fixation on my Talking Bart Simpson Doll? Geez. September needs to hurry and get here because I need a change of scenery. September will be the start of several trips to various cities (NYC, Kansas City, Seattle) and chances catch up with some good friends and perhaps meet some new ones in person.

Movie Update:
Man, oh man!!! 28 Days Later ... what a great film. It is, by turns, a fascinating character study and sudder-inducing horror film. Foreign filmakers (read: non-American) really know how to pace a movie. Under the direction of an American, 28 Days Later would have probably been nothing but a bad, fast food mentality splatter-fest. Danny Boyle is savy and lets the story unfold at its own pace so that the violence suddenly sneeks up on you with absolutely no warning ... and thus delivers more an impact. I think this will go down as one of the great horror films of this decade. Go see it now!

So, in honor of "Supreme Court Strikes Down Texas Sodomy Law," you can can click here for some .... well ... sodomy!

Geez! How could I almost forget to mention that I finished Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix last night. All I can say (since, hopefully, many more of you are reading it as I speak) is that it is a fantastic book ... funny, thrilling and totally devistating.

So, while many American will be enjoying the cock-teasing thrills of Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle this weekend ... I will be in a darkened theater getting the shit scared out of me.

I wonder how many of my fellow (straight) North Carolina residents know they have been breaking the law as well. Hooray for "unnatural sexual intercourse." Yeah!

Jesus! They actually did it!!! I must say that this is a shock ... a good shock.
[Thanks to BJ for the "heads up" on the news.]

Have I mentioned that I am madly in love with Paul Thomas Anderson?

Oooooo. I finally been switch over to the new Blogger and the interface is pretty sweet.

I finally switched over the cds that I have carrying in my case. So, here's a list of those discs to occupy you while I get some much needed work done:
Goldfrapp: "Felt Mountain"
Tori Amos: "Scarlett's Walk"
A Perfect Circle: "Mer de Noms"
Concrete Blonde: "Bloodletting" & "Group Therapy"
Supreme Beings of Leisure: "Supreme Beings of Leisure"
Radiohead: "Hail To The Thief"
Steely Dan: "Everything Must Go"
Sugarcubes: "Life's Too Good"
Sting: "Ten Summoner's Tales"
Electronic: "Electronic"
Michael Penn: "Resigned"
U2: "Pop"
Garbage: "Garbage" & "Beautiful Garbage"
Bjork: "Debut" & "Vespertine"
DJ Shadow: "Endtroducing" & "The Private Press"
Culture Club: "Colour By Numbers"
Sade: "Love Deluxe"
Rupublica: "Republica"
Dust Brothers: "Fight Club Soundtrack"
Soundtrack: "The Best of James Bond"

And ... I am still carrying around the "Duran Duran: The Singles 81-85" Box Set ... 'cause it is super, super sweet!

Living in the mountains is kinda misleading. Everyone thinks that since we have no major cities nearby that the air is clean and crisp and clear. Well, that is pretty true in the winter. But, in the summer, all that wonder pollution from various parts of the country makes it's way here and camps over us (especially on the really hot days). Ground level ozone on the ridges and high peaks is supposed to be in the "orange" today. That ain't too good.

I now own a copy of the best movie from last year. Ah, yes. Material Goods = Happiness.

I am not ignoring you all. It just been a busy day ... what with work and having my nose buried in Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix any free moment I can get.

Movie Update:
Anyone that has a chance (and an iMax theater near you) should go and see Ghosts of the Abyss while it's still playing. It's a fantastic film. And it's in iMax 3-D, too!

That older (and wiser) fella in NYC brings up a good point ... seems like "unhappiness" is what has become so heavily linked with that other person. Forgive me. I am letting the little things get to me. I take personal offense at what has no meaning at all, and that makes me feel stupid and irrational. I'm gonna be quiet and go listen to some Duran Duran for a while.

~~That last post was ... yeah ... I think someone kicking my ass is required this time.~~

~~Amazing how one's happiness can become so heavily linked with another person's actions.~~

And since my man BJ is sharing ...
This should further "seal the deal" that the Au Pairs really kick ass:
The Au Pairs: Armagh [3.3MB]

The Duran Duran Singles Box Set 1981 -1985 is now in my hot, little hands ... and it is SO FUCKING SWEEET!!! I think I could wet myself at this very moment. Ah, yeah.

Yow! With the release of Order of the Pheonix, a trip to Chattanooga, TN to the Tennessee Aquarium and IMAX 3D Theatre to see Ghosts of the Abyss and rehearsals for the next show I am in ... this weekend is going to be busy, busy, busy.

This past week have been re-reading "The Amityville Horror" ... the first horror novel I ever read. Amazing how time (and age) can chage your perspective on certain things. I first read this book when I was about 11 or 12 years old and it scared the shit out of me. This book is one of the reasons that I love "horror" so much. So, I must confess that I am disappointed to find out just how overdone and silly the writing is and just how ludicrous the "actual events" that take place are. I love a good shost story and I hate that this one hasn't stood the test of time. And, no. I don't believe that anything described in the book ever happened (except that the Lutz family did live in the house briefly).

But, no matter how scary "The Amityville Horror" was the first time I read it ... it never equaled the shock to the system that Stephen King's "Salem's Lot" gave me just a few years later.

So ... if anyone has any idea where to find a reasonably priced copy of the Au Pairs album "Playing with a Different Sex" I will kiss the ground you walk on. Sure you can find it Amazon but $100 for a used copy is a wee bit ridiculous isn't it. C'mon it's a cd for Christ's sake. Plus, none of the file sharing networkers seem to be big on obscure early 80's British punk. So drop a line if'n you can help me out!

Oh yeah ... that last post was just an observance. No kicking of my ass is required ... yet.

Amazing how one's happiness can become so heavily linked with another person actions.

And in my quest to acquire as many material goods as I can before I die ...
The Duran Duran Singles Box Set 1981 -1985 is now on its way from the Amazon.

So ... I have decided to start wearing earrings again.

And for geeks eveywhere ... yeah, I mean folks like me ... you can watch a Flash animated episode of Dr.Who written by Douglas Adams. Check it out here.

It's nice that the Indiana Jones films are going to finally be released on dvd later this year. I think that "Raiders of the Lost Ark" is one of the top five action/adventure films of all time. But why the hell have they renamed it for the new dvd release?!?! Sorry, folks. It's supposed to be "Raiders of the Lost Ark" not "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark." Jeez. I'd like to kick that marketing executive right in the ass.

Dang. The price on that 1990 Data East Simpsons Pinball Machine certainly skyrocketed today. Oh well ...

Only 5 hours left ... should I be really dumb and bid?

All this damn work is starting to cut into my blogging time. Argh! Plus, the weekend is already here. Yeesh. Does anyone else remember that the theme song to the movie "Weird Science" was performed by Oingo Boingo?

In the last month, I have become very hooked on Peanut Butter and Honey sanwiches. Mmmmm. Peanut Butter. Mmmmmmmmm. Honey!

I will be bold and say that I think Radiohead's "Hail To The Thief" is every bit as good as "OK Computer." It's nice that they have given us another classic album.

How about a vintage 1990 Data East Simpsons Pinball Machine?

Occasionally, I get the urge to blow a large amount of money on something really stupid and useless ... and what could be more excessive than owning a Simpsons Pinball Machine.

So, to lighten the mood around here, the CGM13 World News staff offers:
The Best of Ralph Wiggum! [1.6MB]

Eeeeeep! I have been publicly reprimanded. So, no more Joy Division, Pet Shop Boys or The Smiths for a while. I promise!

Presently, my life is one big unrequited love song.
~~Pet Shop Boys - I Want To Wake Up~~

Oh, yeah. For those of you who care ... the final three of "Rope" went well. Saturday and Sunday were the best shows of the entire run, which was really nice to end on a high note. Tim was late (long story) and so I got to do a "Hitchcock Cameo" yesterday and play the dead body at the beginning of the show. The thing about doing shows is that those weekends usually turn into alchol-soaked and sleep-deprived blurs. We did lost of partying this past weekend. Mmmm. Beer. Mmmmm. Gin. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was up to his usual tricks. Seems like I would have learned by now ... doesn't it?

Good grief ... I feel like my brain is going to start leaking out of my ears. Too bad it's gonna be at least August before I can do anything about it. Must. Take. Vacation.

It's a photo of Nick and myself from last month. Babies are so damn cute, especially when you can hand them right back to the parents.

Hmmm. The Tony Awards seemed to be unusually gay soaked last night. It was so, so nice to see Scott Wittman and Thomas Meehan kissing on CBS prime time within the first 15 minutes of the broadcast.

Well, we are down to the last three performances of "Rope." I must confess that I will hate to see this one go. As a directing gig, this show went together will little stress and hassles. Plus, I don't think that I could have gotten and better cast to work with. Viva-la-Rope!

In home-improvement news:
The new 33" wide x 7' tall dvd rack was finally finished and installed in the house yesterday. It only took three weeks to complete the job. Ultra-picky me had to have the right color of stain ... which meant a coat of pre-stain conditioner, a coat of cherry-colored gel stain and then two coats of regular oak-colored stain. It fits perfectly in the space I planned it for and has more than enough space for my ever expanding dvd collection (see yesterday's post for details). Ah! Working with wood makes me feel all manly. Plus it can be fun and satisfying ... I am talking "pine" and not "cock" for those of you with dirty minds.

I was just in a psuedo-political discussion with my boss. It amazes me that anytime you bash Dubya to a staunch Republican the first thing they do is say Clinton was the worst President this country has had. I think it speaks volumes that most Republicans can't defend their golden boy.

The wait is almost over. Only two weeks, baby! Only two, freakin' weeks left!!!

August and September are shaping up to be a really, really sweet months for us horror/sci-fi film collectors. Some of the genre's classics are finally making their way to dvd. Looks like I will be going broke on August 5th and 26th. Here's the list ...
The Brood - 8/26
Burnt Offerings - 8/26
Comedy of Terrors/The Raven (1963) - 8/26
Die! Die! My Darling! - 8/12
The Haunted Palace/Tower of London - 8/26
The Haunting (1963) - 8/5
The Hills Have Eyes - 9/?
House of Wax/Mystery of the Wax Museum - 8/5
The House That Dripped Blood - 8/?
The Howling (New Special Edition) - 8/26
The Omega Man - 8/5
Soylent Green - 8/5
The Thing From Another World (1951) - 8/5
Wait Until Dark - 8/5

The Haunting (1963)

The Fog

Night of the Living Dead

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Boo! Another local paper has been less kind to "Rope." Read it here.

Yea! One of the local papers has reviewed "Rope." Check it out.

Yep. It's all my own damn fault.
Choosing to love is risking a lot and trying to change and to give all you've got. But don't pretend it comes out of the blue. You take a chance and see it through and if it's refused what can you do? Continue hopefully? Start anew? Lick your wounds. Buy your booze. You won't get drunk by accident. You'll choose. Don't blame him for refusing your bid. He didn't decide to love. You did. Learn the lesson. Take the blows. You didn't fall in love by chance. You chose. Play the sad songs. Sing the blues. You don't fall in love by chance. You choose.
Words: Neil Tennant

For those geeks (like me) who are into the pseudo pop/jazz styling of Steely Dan, you can now hear a full stream of the new album "Everything Must Go" at the Steely Dan Confessional. It hits stores next Tuesday.

I usually don't go in for getting all political ... but this site has lots of interesting information. I just hope that Dubya isn't gonna give evil a bad reputation.
[via Sparky]

"Your Days Are Numbered."
Wow! The new Danny Boyle film "28 Days Later" keeps looking like it could be one of the better horror films made in the last 15 years. Get over to the official site and you can see the first six minutes of the film.

Argh ... who's kidding who? I am feeling a very neurotic today.

Been listening to Tanya Donnely's "Lovesongs for Underdogs" this morning. Feelin' a little neurotic today. Feelin' like an underdog.

Yeah ... P.T. Flea for President.

Ugh ... starting to feel tired and unfocused. I wish that I could go back and redo the weekend. It will definately be "early to bed" tonight.

So, "Rope" was finally put in front of a paying audience on Friday and the reaction seems to be good. We ended up having to start the show 40 minutes late because an accident on Interstate 40 (in which a local state trooper was killed) shut down both the east and west bound lanes. This, of course, snarled traffic for hours and made Michael (who drives from Asheville) very late. Otherwise things with the show went fine. So, we drank lots after the show to celebrate.

Saturday brought about a trip to see "Finding Nemo" with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. What a fantastic film. Those Pixar guys can do no wrong in my book. The show on Saturday night was good ... if not a little sluggish like all second nights are. Certain events during the evening brought out the obsessive, self-loathing inner beast. Need I even say that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was invloved? So, I went home feeling like a total, complete dumbass and drank a lot.

Sunday's matinee went real well. I was very, very pleased with the performances that the cast gave. Afterwards, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named came over to the house and we order pizza, got beer and drank until late. After he left I started feeling like a total, complete dumbass again. I gotta stop having weekends like this past one ... way too alcohol soaked and angst ridden.

I know you all have heard the other news from the area. A lot of people are having to pay up. We all thought he was dead.