New Movie Poster and Trailer

The teaser trailer is here.

Thanksgiving in Buffalo

Spent thanksgiving with the Vaughns up in Buffalo, New York.

ELV's parents hosted a massive dinner, inviting many friends and family. Thus, they needed a giant bird. What a bird it was: using a salt rub that kept the meat juicy and tender, the centerpiece delighted the palate and reduced me to a quivering weeper with a belly full of meat.

The food was spectacular.








Gorgeous bird!









The perfect post thanksgiving sandwich. The BIG SANDWICH, in all of its glory.






Below, random pictures of ELV, Toby the dog, and Niagara Falls.


ELV with the pooch. The dog, though a bit ornery in his old age, cuddled up with ELV on the living room couch. Love the way the sunlight spotted on ELV's face.








Cat avec turkey drumsticks.












Jayson, the roomie, in a movie scene "It Happened in Niagara."











Longer exposure of the right side of Horseshoe Falls part of Niagara Falls.

Thanks

So, we've only got a month before the end of 2006 (what's the plans for ringing in the new year? Will it be talking with the Baltimore people congregated around the keg? Will it be searching for the perfect spot to ring in the New Year in NYC? Will it involve D.C.? Who knows, we shall see.). Before I leave for Buffalo, where I will make my traditional big sandwich in the company of ELV's family, I think I should make a list of thanks:

• An interesting year of writing, reading, watching, and seeing.
• Another great year with ELV, who is the epitome of kindness and support. Thanks for being there when I need you, and for all the great memories thus far.
  
• Another year of good health, though I've gained way too much weight. When you break two belts in a calendar year, you really need to start thinking about drastic lifestyle changes.
• The speedy recovery of Andrew's dad from a devastating illness. I'm sorry to those who've had life altering illnesses and accidents to their loved ones.
• The marriage of many good friends: Vini, thanks for giving me a reason to see Europe; Kid W, who has been a great friend and I'm glad we've bonded; Tobes, who has taken more abuse over his choice of dietary restriction than should be allowed; JK, ye of continuing 4am phone calls even with a wife...and congrats to all those who have become betrothed.
• The continuing success of all of the Na family: Sis with her future as a PA, Dad with a booming successful ministry, and Mom who continues to be brave and loving.
  
• The passing of my grandmother was a blessing. She's finally free from pain.
• All the great people I've met through comedy writing and screenwriting. Thanks for the ideas and kinship.
• To my roomie J, who, though he gets sick and passes out, is a great dude to share an abode with.
• The poker crew, though I'm not fond of them taking all my money.
• All the great places I've gotten to visit over the calendar year. France, Buffalo, Annapolis, Berkeley Springs...
• The great movies of this year, for inspiring and delighting me.
  
• The album of the year for me: Sufjan Stevens Illinoise
• The books I've enjoyed most this year: Homicide by David Chase and Love in the Time of Cholera by Marquez.
• The overthrow of the Republican control of the legislative branch.
• The discovery of eBay and my entrance into selling stuff.
• The gadgets: Sirius satellite radio, my Sony DVD burner, HP's PSC 1610 All in One scanner/printer, my new iPod screen, PS2's wireless controllers, my cell phone, which allows me to answer KG's phone calls to the ringtone of Johnny Cash's "The Man Comes Around."
• My penguin t-shirt which features a penguin with a rocket pack.
• The knowledge that whatever happens in life happens and ranting about does absolutely nothing good.
• The wonder of forgiveness through time (Thanks to DF and JK for letting bygones be bygones)
• Second City experience, awesome.
• The fact that the Ravens are still performing well, though I hope this posting doesn't jinx them.
• Seeing an awesome Built to Spill show.
• Pearl Jam at the MCI Center.
• Being able to sleep without extreme worries about bills and money.

Thanks to all those who made this year a year to remember. Happy turkey day, folks (to Sopers, enjoy the blanched veggies).

The Michael Richards Explosion

If you haven't heard by now, Michael Richards (Kramer from Seinfeld) had a tirade while performing a standup set where he used the N word repeatedly. There's been an outrage that's been brewing from the incident, inflamed by his half-hearted apology on the Letterman show. Sure, Richards said some nasty things, using the N word, which is inappropriate and shocking. However, I think there are some things that should be stated in review of the situation.

• The African-Americans were heckling a comedian. There were some terribly hurtful things being hurled by the two audience members and Richards reacted. Overly reacted...
• During the initial outburst, the audience members laughed. Only when outrage was directed back toward Richards did the audience walk out. There's still a huge enjoyment of racism on stage.
• The African Americans threated Richards immediately following the tirade. When is it right to fire back racist comments and threats of violence to some words?!! Should I fight someone because of a derogatory asian comment (often hurled toward me from black people)? Why is it allowed for blacks to call other people names without threat of violence? There is a stupid, ignorant double standard implimented by African Americans where the N word is completely verboten while other words directed against other races is alright, chuckled off. If the injured party took the high road, then this outrage would be alright, but there's attacks from both ends.
• Attention comedy club attendees, don't go to a show if you plan on heckling throughout the set. Don't go. It shows very low class and stupidity. A comedian can suck, but just shut the f up and don't laugh.
  
• Richards apology, though rooted in the Mel Gibson routine half-hearted apology, is interesting in that he looks like he's in shock.
• The one guy makes a good point: Richards is washed up.

The only way to fight racism is to embrace Lenny Bruce's assertation that words only have the power that a society gives them (thus words can be meaningless and should not be the basis of censorship and provocation). They're just words, and our PC world's getting really out of hand.

Either that, or let's just be consistent and ban all race slurs, including cracker.

Notes

The Ohio lottery winning four numbers were the score of the big game between Ohio St. and Michigan.

My birthday was great. ELV made a great b-day book, especially "Penguins Eating Dessert."

The roomie got the new Madden game. Tough.

Tired.

Turkey day approacheth. Prepare for the big sandwich.

Chris Ware

Bought a few things from Atomic Books. Most excited about Chris Ware's Acme Novelty Library collection. Encased in a beautiful red folio with elegant gold foil details, the loneliness obsessed creations of Ware are featured in strips such as "Rusty Brown." I've been fascinated with his simple art matched to some verbose diatribes. However, the best thing about Ware's work is his use of font and layout. Here's the wikipedia entry about Ware. For some representative artwork, click here.

Also, have you seen the website "Stuff On My Cat" (or Stuff + Cats = Awesome)? I think it rivals Hitler Cats for feline hilarity, so check it out.

Writing in the A.M.

Walking to the mail box, at 6am, inspired by a Murakami short story and events in recent days. The main theme of the story has no reflection on my life right now, so lest you worry, ELV and I are happy as two peas in a pod.

An Unlikely Proposal - 11/13/2006

I never would have suspected that such enlightenment came from a bowl of spicy ramen. Sure, for a person who looks for the folds in the cosmic vapor that portends the events to be, the configuration of the noodles would have indicated a certainty. How depressing, if you ask me, to think that some rehydrated carbs meant that I had to make this phone call to you. Yes, I did call urgently, but believe me, there is a greater logic working here than simply my food made me do it.

First, if you don’t mind, let me explain my mindset, which means that I need to delve into the events that transpired before my dialing of your number. It was another one of those days where nothing seems to be just right. The alarm didn’t ring on time, though I’m quite good at rolling over into waking without the jarring buzz, but my forgetfulness bothered me. That kind of self-reproach clung to me as I jumped into the shower, bathing in lukewarm water because my roommate took a lengthy shower. He is inconsiderate, but what can I say, we’ve been friends for such a long time.

If you remember, the latch on the front door always had that bent corner on the metal faceplate near the handle. That one time, as we were going to the movies, you caught your pashmina scarf, the one that we got on our trip to India. Well, this morning, that damned corner scratched me on the hand. Its alright, luckily I still carry that little kit in my messenger’s bag, so I put some anti-bacterial ointment on the cut during the subway ride.

Work, as always, put me into an awful mood. I don’t have to go into it, the same old humdrum soul sucking events around the water cooler. One thing, do you remember that guy in accounting, Akima from that one party at McKee’s? Yeah, the one with the spiky hair, well he got a strange promotion today, which really wasn’t progression, more like a sideways shift to another location. Anyway, we were working on a project, but now, he won’t have time to help me with the financial figures. I got a new partner from his department who looks like a promising candidate for insipid worthlessness. I shouldn’t be so harsh, but it’s unlikely he’ll be able to just show up and leap into a project that’s been in the works for six months.

I’m sorry, I know that I’m harping about work, and I’ll digress. Upon arrival at the abode, I decided to make some ramen that I got at the Asian market. Remember the spicy ramen that you liked so much, the ones with the dried fishcakes? Yeah, but without the extra hot sauce that you craved. I’m still amazed that you could handle so much heat, but your palate was too delicate to handle wasabi. Taste buds are a funny thing, aren’t they?

So, there I was, adding all the ingredients into the pot of bubbling water. I turned away from the stove to get a drink. Right you are, my post-work scotch because I still am prematurely old, but one thing has changed, I add a little drambuie, thus giving me a post-work rusty nail. So, I’ve got my drink, and the ramen’s done, so I pour the contents into a bowl and sit in the living room, ready to watch a little television. Well, here we get to the crystal ball moment; I look down at the noodle, ready to dig in with chopsticks in hand, when I notice that they spelled a word. The noodles, yes, they spelled out a name. Right you are, ding ding, she’s correct, the orientation of the plump strings floating in the red broth formed a conspicuous representation of your name.

Well, of course, I look at this with disbelief, so much so that I let out a little chuckle of surprise. Then, the flood of memories, a deluge, and my heart felt heavy. I knew what I had to do. I had to call you and rehash the past.

But wait, I had the doubts, the logical arguments that this might be a horrible idea. There are so many twists that a phone conversation, without the guide of a face-to-face meeting, is a treacherous undertaking, especially given the nature of our current relationship. How would I react if you had called with such an absurd premise, I asked myself. Even more, maybe you wouldn’t answer the phone when my name popped up on the display, much like those days after the fight. Perhaps a letter, one explaining everything that swarm my mind, articulate and thorough, would have been a better choice.

I’m still impulsive, as you can see, or hear, I guess. So, here’s the reason I called, how about we meet up somewhere, for a cup of coffee or something, and just talk. There’s so much to talk about, and I’m quite sure that I’ve learned so much in the time that has passed. I think I’m ready. No, I know that I’m ready. A place of your choice for the intention of a meeting of the minds, with no pressure at all…

So, what do you think?

…

Um, fuck it; the noodles made me do it. Goodbye.

Music, or Making Melodies Is Easy

As we held our guitars, my roommate and I butchered a song. Discussing chord progressions and arpeggios, we were in awe of the development of melodies by a song writer.

How do they do it?

Additionally, how did Marvin Gaye come up with the unique singing on "Let's Get It On?" Singing off the beat slightly, yet creating a cohesive rhythm...not easy to create, but fun to ape.

Quick Hits:

• The Ravens continue to roll. They come from behind and beat the Titans, giving McNair a fond F-you to his former team. Good times.
• Have you ever sat down to watch a movie on AMC or TCM, then looked up and realized that you've been watching cable for four hours?
• Tenacious D's Wonderboy is now in my song repetoire. I'm happy to note that I can play solos, though choppily.
• Ate at a place called Dionysius. Nice bar, but the food was lacking. Overall note: a disappointing C-.
  
• I hate Michael Vick. He's fantasy kryptonite.

Mid-Term Election Fun

Quick Hit Thoughts:

• The Dems now hold majority in the house, while the senate swings on the results of two close races. The key for the Democrats is not to squander the congressional leadership in order to ride the wave into the White House in two years.
  
• Hillary Clinton spent alot of money...to win 66-33. Not bad for NY, but really, you can't win your state handily, and yet you think you've got a shot for the presidency?
• Anyone else see Bill standing behind Hillary as she gave her victory speech? Just doesn't seem right to have the less charismatic speaker standing mute.
• Ford, the loser in the Tennessee senatorial race, gave an excellent consolation speech. The guy, who is only 36, has a bright future in front of him. Too bad racist campaigns can beat good candidates (at the same time, what was Ford thinking when he crashed the opponent's press conference?)
• Mostly watched MSNBC coverage, though their reliance on "wobbly cam" technology gave me sea sickness. Sadly, CNN and Headline News both overused the slowly moving camera shot. Only fair and balance Fox News was able to keep a shot focused and still.
  
• Comedy Central's Midterm Midtactular was entertaining, but the highlight was Dan Rather's appearance. He deserved better than the ouster provided by the evil CBS empire.

More Thoughts to Come?

Sunday

The wedding was a success. Here's some snippets: no errors for the wedding party, excluding the groom with an early turn during the adoration of the holy family toward the end of the wedding service; one best man, two matrons of honor, equals a girl on both me arms...pimp; ELV backstage at the wedding getting a view of the emotional bride, fighting back tears...of joy, hopefully; the mansion house at the Baltimore Zoo is a lovely venue for a reception; an excellent DJ, one who played tasteful music and did not annoy the guests with their presence; introduction of the wedding party while playing the Iron and Wine version of "Such Great Heights"; dancing with the groom...very nice; dance with ELV...very nicer; a tray of spanakopita to take home...extreme niceness. Altogether, an excellent wedding: best wishes for the bride and groom...enjoy the Keys.

Borat the movie. GO SEE IT. Funny stuff.

Go Ravens. 6-2. Couldn't watch it, though.

Very tired. Thus, no full sentences. Goodbye.

On the approaching weekend

In order of importance in the grand scheme of things:

• The wedding: going to the rehersal and accompanying dinner tonight. The Sop's pop and mom are cool people as are Grit's parental units. There's going to be load of people at the dinner (something upwards 30+) elegantly crammed into the Soper chalet, so I'm expecting sweltering conditions and (hopefully) a fist fight. The wedding, tomorrow, should be a tear-jerking moment as my very good friend walks down the aisle to matrimonial oblivion. The happy couple are doing all the decorating (including the preparation of 100 dozen roses for decorations...that's alot of thorns, people), and I'm hoping that there will not be a nervous breakdown for anyone involved. Best wishes to the event!
• Borat: the movie...tonight, after the dinner, I'll be attending a late night showing of the Borat movie. The critical buzz behind this comedic behemoth is so large that I'm afraid that it will fail to meet up with my expectations. However, looking at this as the lost Andy Kaufman film, I'm sure that entertainment will be had by all.
• The Bengals/Ravens matchup: yes, I know, T.J. Houshmanzadaabndgohadsh always destroys the Ravens secondary. Sure, ocho cinco has called out Ray Lewis. Of course, Rudi Johnson is a better back than the decrepit Jamal Lewis. However, I'm fairly sure that this will be tight contest that will come out in the Ravens favor. Without the ability to stop the run, the Bengals will not have the ball on offense enough to threaten the Ravens...yet, if the Ravens suddenly catch a case of fumblitis or interceptococcus, it'll be over quicker than a down orchestrated by Kyle Boller. Please stay healthy, McNair, please stay healthy.

On Video Games

There is a station on the cable television, called G4, that focuses on the world of video games. "Really?!!" you say, shaking your cooler than thou head with a dismissive panache, "so its all RPG all the time, hosted by greasy guys with pizza bellies, right?"

"Absolutely not," I reply earnestly, "the shows are all hosted by smarmy nerd-chic skinny guys and ridiculously hot women who actually seem to enjoy gaming."

Yes, that's right, a world of pretty people who actually enjoy the anti-athletic activity of mashing buttons.

"Huh, so you're doing an advertisement or something," you dismissively utter between sips from a vente mochaccino.

No, that is not the point of this blog. Rather, I'm curious, how much further can graphical quality improve in the future of video game design?

Here's a graphic depiction of the evolution of graphic capabilities (in other words, how pretty the pictures are...)

ATARI

Nintendo

3DO

Playstation 2

Playstation 3

Isn't it entirely possible, like the dramatic development of other technological advances, video graphics is approaching the apex of exponential growth? There's only smaller improvements that can be made, in my opinion. Look at the video graphics of PS3 and Xbox 360 games. How much improvement is there to be made?

Can't wait to get my hands on the "tres."