Mailing in that unemployment form!

Film Greatness.

Film Greatness. On the Eve of Our Endeavor, I celebrate an american classic -- or possibly all of them.

Hi Pumpkins, joss here.

Tomorrow we start shooting (I THINK I'm legally permitted to say that). Day one. That's right. We'll be shooting the pivotal death/betrayal/product placement/setting up the sequel/coming out scene, at the following address:

[Marvel Lawyers rush in, take Joss's keyboard, blowtorch a picture of his family like in "Stormy Monday", drink his milkshake, leave the seat up, fluff his pillows, violently unfluff his pillows, leave]

Went too far. My bad. Anyhoo, it should be a fun day, followed by the eighty thousand other fun days it will take to finish this. I'll be checking in from time to time, if there's news or I crave attention (i.e. am awake) . None of it will be Avengers news -- I have some very denty pillows to remind of that -- but I may have tidbits. (They're not about Firefly. I should say that up front, if only to protect Sis Mo from the HATORZ.)

Some of you may be saying, Joss! Why this link, here, now, why, huh, howcum? My friend Allyx turned me on to these guys, and I'll tell you, they've gotten me through this intensely pressurized, preply time. I strongly recommend checking out their other vids -- I've watched them many many times, and I have a very special place for "Teamwork" in my heart. These guys are the guys. And IS there a better movie title than "Eagles Are Turning People Into Horses"? I thought not.

So wish me luck. DO IT! LUCK! NOW! I'm off to finish some Buffy pages, and then figure out what the movie is about already. I'm pretty sure it's about the Justice League [Marvel Lawyers re-enter, unspeakability occurs] or possibly something else. I'll get it. I've been looking forward to this. For about 46 years.

Catchphrase!

-j.

joss | Purple prose | 18:26 CET | 64 comments total | tags: joss post, catchphrase, avengers, greatness, me, britanick

via whedonesque.com

Sir Richard Branson launches Virgin Oceanic: deep-sea exploring submarines

Sir Richard Branson launches Virgin Oceanic: deep-sea exploring submarines

Xeni Jardin at 12:35 PM Tuesday, Apr 5, 2011 

[ Video link | image: click for large]

Today, Sir Richard Branson, American sailor, pilot and explorer Chris Welsh, and submarine designer Graham Hawkes launched Virgin Oceanic, a project to explore "the last frontiers of our own Blue Planet: the very bottom of our seas." .

The project includes a partnership with Google: "Using their mapping technology, Google hopes to chronicle the dives as they happen and share discoveries, footage and record breaking achievements with the world."

Full launch announcement follows, along with more artist's conceptual images of the submarine and accompanying catamaran. Click each image for large.

"Virgin Oceanic will expand the reach of human exploration on our planet. By promoting and utilising new technology Virgin Oceanic will aid human kind's ability to explore our Oceans, assist science in understanding our eco system and raise awareness of the challenges facing our Oceans."  Sir Richard Branson April 2011  

Tuesday 5 April, Newport Beach, CA:  

Sir Richard Branson and explorer Chris Welsh today announced plans to take a solo piloted submarine to the deepest points in each of the world's five oceans - the first time such a feat has ever been attempted.   

More men have walked on the moon than have explored the depths of our planet - many more men.  Virgin Oceanic will see the world's only submarine capable of taking a human being to such extreme depths make five dives over a two-year period, set up to 30 Guinness World Records and, by working with leading scientific institutions, open the eyes of the world to what lies in vast areas of the oceans for the first time in history. The Virgin Oceanic Submarine and her pilots will travel deeper and explore further than any one in history.

Each dive will be piloted by different commanders with Chris Welsh diving to the Mariana Trench (36,201ft) with Sir Richard as back up pilot, and Sir Richard piloting to the Puerto Rico Trench (28,232ft) - the deepest trench in the Atlantic, which has never been explored before - with Chris Welsh acting as back up.  The Virgin Oceanic sub has the ability to 'fly' underwater for 10km at depth on each of the five dives and to fully explore this unknown environment. 

Five Dives, Five Oceans, Two Years, One Epic Adventure
Mariana Trench                   Pacific Ocean                        11,033m     36,201ft
Puerto Rico Trench             Atlantic Ocean                         8,605m      28,232ft
Diamantina Trench             Indian Ocean                           8,047m      26,401ft
South Sandwich Trench      Southern Ocean                      7,235m      23,737ft
Molloy Deep                        Arctic Ocean                           5,608m      18,399ft

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration believe that the deepest point of the Mariana Trench is 36,201ft - a depth not yet reached by humankind. Some experts believe that it will be impossible to reach a depth much below the current record of 35,911ft (set by a submersible that didn't have the capability to manoeuvre or explore) because of millions of year's worth of biological 'soup' at the bottom of the trench.  They may well be correct but we simply don't know - with Virgin Oceanic's submarine's capability to explore at the bottom of the trench we aim to find out and, if possible, go deeper.  The Puerto Rican trench is the deepest point in the Atlantic and no one has attempted to explore it before now.  

The Virgin Oceanic submarine represents a transformational technological advance in submarine economics and performance. The submarine provides the currently unequalled capability to take humans to any depth in the oceans and to truly explore. It utilises the latest in composite technology and a completely unique flying wing to literally fly within the Ocean environment; creatures living here such as dolphins, whales and rays have shown us this winged approach is the best and most elegant way to range the seas. The submarine is many times less expensive to manufacture and operate than any of its less capable counterparts and is in harmony with its environment.

The submarine was originally commissioned by Sir Richard's close friend and fellow adventurer Steve Fossett who had intended to complete the first solo dive to the depths of the Mariana Trench. Sir Richard intends to finish what his friend started and then go on to help explore and unlock the wonders of the Oceans still unknown to humankind or science. 

Sir Richard Branson on the launch of Virgin Oceanic:  "What if I were to tell you about a planet, inhabited by 'intelligent' beings that had, in the 21st Century, physically explored 0% of its deepest points and mapped only 3% of its oceans by unmanned craft, when 70% of that planet's surface was made up of water.  Then I tried to convince you that only 10% of the life forms inhabiting that unknown world, are known to those on the surface - you'd think I'd fallen asleep watching the latest sci-fi blockbuster!  Then you discover that planet is Earth...   

With space long ago reached by man, and commercial spaceflight tantalisingly close, the last great challenge for humans is to reach and explore the depths of our planet's oceans.  The submarine will travel to the deepest trenches in our oceans and will allow its pilot not only to reach these depths but to explore for 10 kilometres on each of the dives.

Virgin Oceanic is working with some of the most eminent scientific institutions in the world to collate data and catalogue life forms that will never have been seen before by human eyes and are unknown to science. The ability to go deep and then explore has been a dream of these great Oceanic Institutes - that dream is now close to becoming reality.     

We are also proud to be partnering with Google.  Using their mapping technology, Google hopes to chronicle the dives as they happen and share discoveries, footage and record breaking achievements with the world.

We may well set a few Guinness World Records while we're at it - up to 30 I believe!  Each dive will be the world's first solo dive to the bottom of the five deepest trenches in the world.  So there's 5 just to start with!  We will discover a whole new world.  A world full of undiscovered species and for those who dream, a world where Spanish galleons have lain unplundered for centuries!"

Chris Welsh:
Sir Richard Branson's partner in the venture and Virgin Oceanic's chief pilot is Chris Welsh, an American sailor, pilot and explorer: "The submarine is a unique design made from 8,000 pounds of carbon fibre and titanium. The pressure at the bottom of the deepest trench is 16,000 PSI or over 1,000 atmospheres - the quartz dome alone is under 13 million pounds of pressure, the weight of three space shuttles. No leak is tolerable; a leak would cut through stainless steel or human flesh and mean certain death. The depth is beyond the capabilities of any other craft, so rescue is impossible. It's like being on the dark side of the moon. Full pressure testing is to be carried out over the coming months and should it fail the mission will obviously have to be re-evaluated.

"Why go? Why not send a robot? Pictures of the top of Everest or, for that matter, the Moon are all interesting - but no substitute for actually going there!  The view from the sub is extraordinary, like a fighter pilot's view. This gives the ability to truly explore. The Virgin Oceanic sub is a game changer for undersea exploration - with the ability to venture anywhere in our Oceans, with a modest mother ship and a fraction of the resources normally needed to explore regions like this."

I've had a personal interest in the oceans and enough understanding of science to appreciate the chance this gives for oceanographers everywhere to learn, examine, and prove theories they have been working on for years. We can do this for them. We've created a unique program of going to all of the institutions and offering our capabilities for all to share. They've told us what to seek out, where to go, and what results will have the most value.  The HD video alone will add dramatically to the little knowledge of the deep that we have. It's exciting that the Virgin Oceanic Expedition will make this kind of difference."

About the Virgin Oceanic's Submarine:
Virgin Oceanic's Submarine, designed by Graham Hawkes, is the only piloted craft in existence that has 'full ocean depth' capability. The one person craft has an operating depth of 37,000ft (7 miles) and is capable of operating for 24hrs unaided. Once fully descended, the submarine's hydroplanes (the equivalent of wings for submarines) and thrusters will allow it to 'fly' up to 10km over the ocean floor whilst collecting video and data, something submersibles could only dream of.  

At these depths, each individual part of the sub must be able to withstand enormous pressures, 1500 times that of an aeroplane, and protect its pilot from the extreme conditions just inches away. As Sir Richard and Chris each pilot the sub to the bottom of our planet, they will be aware that should anything go wrong, there is no rescue team that can reach them; whilst backed up by a mission crew, once at depth, the pilot and craft are alone.

Full pressure testing will be conducted over the next three months. 

The craft will cruise at a max of 3 knots and can dive 350ft per minute, with a dive to the bottom of the Mariana trench and back estimated to take five hours.

Scientific understanding:
As well as offering the chance for human endeavour and exploration, the Virgin Oceanic Expedition offers an unprecedented opportunity to conduct scientific research and to expand our knowledge of the unique conditions, ecosystems and geology that exist at the bottom of the oceans.

Virgin Oceanic will be working with a range of internationally renowned scientists, researchers and institutions to offer monitoring, data and sample collecting opportunities during the five dives.

Tony Haymet who has been Director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Vice Chancellor for Marine Sciences, and Dean of the Graduate School of Marine Sciences at University of California, San Diego, since September 2006. Scripps will be one of VOE's key science advisers. Tony says:  "It is high time that the ocean community return to the exploration of the ocean depths and the abyssal plains, the largest ecosystem on our planet.  Scripps Oceanography looks forward to working with all the ocean community to marry our new generation of robotic ocean explorers with exciting new emerging technologies that will restart regular deep ocean exploration. We honor Jacques Piccard and Don Walsh by continuing the exploration they started at the Mariana Trench on January 23, 1960."

Another member of the team is Dr Katrina Edwards, the director of the Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) at the University of Southern California (USC). Dr Edwards' work is primarily focused on geomicrobiology and microbal life; the study of how, and what type, of life survives and thrives in sediments and rocks at the bottom of the ocean.

Dr. Edwards commented on the opportunities Virgin Oceanic provides: "From the scientific perspective, my view is that this endeavour offers the opportunity to observe and make measurements in an environment that is otherwise not accessible to human exploration.  This expedition offers a lens into microbial and other species' diversity at depth in our oceans, the most poorly accessible habitat on earth."  

Further researchers and scientific partners involved in the Virgin Oceanic Expedition include:

Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego - Microbiologist Dr Doug Bartlett is hunting for novel microbes and DNA present in the deep trenches and deep sea engineer Kevin Hardy is designing the lander vehicles that will help sample and bring back the microbes, water and possibly other small creatures from the depths. Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) / University of Alaska, Moss Landing Marine Labs and University of Hawaii - Dr Geoff Wheat, Dr Sam Hulme and Dr Patricia Fryer respectively studying how tectonic plates interact through examining the rocks, mud flows, gases and liquids that are released on the floor of the trenches. Ocean Research and Conservation Association - Senior Scientist and MacArthur Fellow Dr Edith Widder, a specialist in bioluminescence (the light produced by many ocean organisms) and novel ways to quantify and observe this activity unobtrusively.

The Future:
Virgin believes that the Oceans offer exciting possibilities for human exploration and scientific research.  Our vision through Virgin Oceanic is to explore the possibilities of enabling adventurers and pioneers to participate in oceanic exploration.  

If we are successful in our mission with this innovative design of submarine, then we will have proven that a vehicle can be built to withstand the extreme pressures of the oceans and that it is possible to take humans at far reduced risks to the bottom of our Oceans. The submarine we unveil today will likely finish its days on display in a museum here in the US but if we can prove the design, Virgin may explore the possibility of future missions involving other submarines that can collect samples and operate tools or equipment to facilitate science and research. When we have developed the ability to explore, we will shortly afterwards require the ability to study, learn and innovate, reacting to the lessons and the opportunities that we discover in vast areas of our planet that we currently have no knowledge of. This is our vision.

About Virgin Oceanic's partnership with Google 
"Our mission for Google Earth is to create an interactive virtual globe and enable users to visit places they've never explored, including the world's oceans," said John Hanke, Vice President of Product Management at Google. "More than 70% of the planet's surface is made up of water, yet only 5% of the world's ocean has been explored. We're excited to support Virgin Oceanic's plans to travel to parts of the planet where no one has gone before and be able to share their discoveries using Google Maps and Google Earth."

About Virgin Oceanic:
Virgin Oceanic was formed by the Virgin Group to act as a sponsor of and partner on the Five Dives Expedition.  Chris Welsh, though his company Deep Sub LLC, owns and will operate the submarine.  The expedition will require various regulatory approvals, including export licenses, which Deep Sub LLC will obtain.

About Graham Hawkes sub designer:
Graham Hawkes, has designed and built over sixty manned submersibles and over 350 Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs). Hawkes is known for his forward-thinking solutions and his innovative use of materials and systems. His underwater vehicles include the innovative Atmospheric Diving Suits (ADS) and ROVs, which dominated the offshore oil industry segment in the 1970s; the Deep Rover series for science and exploration, most recently used by filmmaker, James Cameron in the IMAX film, "Aliens of the Deep;" the Deep Flight series of submersibles; and the design/build of the experimental protoype DeepFlight Challenger, the only full ocean depth manned vehicle. He is recognized world-wide as a pioneer in innovating state of the art solutions for ocean access.

Key dates and timings:
Virgin Oceanic's first dive will be to the Mariana Trench later in 2011, and a further four dives are scheduled over the next 24 months, subject to receipt of all required regulatory approvals.

http://www.virginoceanic.com/

via feeds.boingboing.net

This is so cool. If we're not flying into space, we might as well be diving into the deep!

Heroes: Teacher Saves 42 Students from Tsunami

Incredibly touching, heroic stories keep emerging from Japan's earthquake and tsunami disaster, and the latest comes from the coastal town of Ofunato. A courageous high school teacher named Robert Bailey saved the lives of his 42 students—and he only had eight minutes to do so.

The 27-year-old British national has lived in Ofunato for four years with his wife, Mai. In a twist of fate that may have saved his life, Bailey wasn't scheduled to be at school last Friday, but went in anyway on his day off to teach a fun cricket lesson. He told Sky News that when the earthquake struck, he and his students "first heard a weird cracking noise, then came the violent shaking."

When the tsunami warning sirens sounded, the quick-thinking teacher knew he only had eight minutes to act. Thankfully, he hustled and was able to guide his class to safety on top of a nearby hill. He says he was "terrified" but could only think about keeping the kids safe.

Once at the top of the hill, Bailey says the students cried and huddled together, waiting for the massive wave to approach. "We didn't know whether we were safe. All we could do was to watch it come towards us and pray we were high enough above it to be okay," he said. As you can see from the photo above, the village is completely devastated and Bailey and his students are lucky to be alive.

The dedicated teacher is movingly humble about his life-saving actions. As his mother told the Daily Mirror, ""We're proud of him but as far as he's concerned, he's no hero. He was just doing the job he was meant to do." Bailey also has no plans to evacuate to the United Kingdom. Instead, he's staying in Ofunato, helping his community and trying to find friends and co-workers. Sadly, the school's 137 other students are still missing.

via feedproxy.google.com

Ceelo's all female accoutrements

Who Is JR?

Who Is JR?

February 17, 2011 |  by heatherd53  |  Share  | 

There’s a new street artist in town.

Meet JR.  He’s the 27-year-old Parisian artist/activist who has been graffiting up (not an expression) LA.  Like Banksy, his identity is all hush hush.  I do know however, that his name comes from a character in one of my favorite old TV shows… Dallas!   As in who shot JR?

The concept for his LA street project, “The Wrinkles of the City,” is pretty interesting.  LA Weekly: “JR chooses his subjects and locations carefully, spending time with the locals shooting black-and-white portraits and then mounting his city-sized, albeit illegal, exhibits on the buildings his subjects inhabit.  Conceptually, he believes his work gives the people in his photos a voice not normally recognized in the world or city in which they live.”

LA Weekly will reveal all 20 super secret locations every day at 2pm.  His most recent popped up in Venice.

When is JR coming to your hood?  Read more about it here.

-HD

via thesmogger.com

Childhood

Show me a kid who never did this and I'll show you a kid who didn't dream.

Sometimes you've just got to use a little force.

 

POTD: Banksy Begins Street Art Oscar Campaign? Or Is This The Work of Mr. Brainwash?

POTD: Banksy Begins Street Art Oscar Campaign? Or Is This The Work of Mr. Brainwash?

Posted on Monday, January 31st, 2011 by Peter Sciretta

Last week it was announced that Exit through the Gift Shop is one of five films nominated for the Best Documentary Oscar at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards. This week we’ve begun to hear reports that Banksy (the credited director of the street art documentary) is beginning his award campaign the only way he knows how to — street art. Or could this be the work of Mr. Brainwash? This looks a bit too sloppy to be a Banksy production, and MBW has been using Stormtroopers in his work recently. What do you think?

After the nomination announcement, Banksy issued the following statement:

“This is a big surprise. I don’t agree with the concept of award ceremonies, but I’m prepared to make an exception for the ones I’m nominated for. The last time there was a naked man covered in gold paint in my house, it was me.”

Photo thanks to LAist

View commentsComments 

.

Please Recommend /Film on Facebook

Related Posts

• Banksy Swears ‘Exit Through The Gift Shop’ Is 100% True; Hints at Another Film
• Exit Through the Gift Shop Review: Who Needs Truth? This is Art
• First Five Minutes of Exit Through The Gift Shop – Peter’s Favorite Movie of Sundance 2010
• Release Date and Info on Banksy’s Film Exit Through the Gift Shop
• Sundance Review/Video Blog: Exit Through the Gift Shop
• Exit Through the Gift Shop Movie Trailer: Street Artist Banksy Toys with Sundance

Tags

/Tweeted, Academy Awards, Awards, Photo of the Day, Banksy, Exit Through the Gift Shop, Mr. Brainwash

Jacktherabbit

I didn't doubt for one second that this is made by Mr. Brainwash. It's just a bunch of shit thrown together. No message, no idea. Stormtroopers? Why? Why Stormtroopers? It doesn't make sense.

Meezee

Everyone who comes from Los Angeles knows this is Mr. Brainwash's piece.

And people, please, Mr. Brainwash and Banksy are not the same person or work together on their pieces. I know people who know Banksy and that argument is so laughable.

Wolvy

a empire of clones gathered around their much adored golden idol, perfect metaphor for the ceremony. not a long time ago and and not in a galaxy far, far away.

Dan Revill

MBW for sure.

Daniel Nicolas

This looks like Mr. Brainwash. I think banksy will do something BIG if his film wins though.

costantino

it's to cheesy to be a banksy. Mr. brainwash works sucks anyway

Mr.Blonde2010

anyone else start humming the empire theme when they saw the pic?

also i think mr. brainwash is Banksy's creation, the name is too ridiculous

helarrys

That's Mr. Brainwash's work... this is a picture of his studio on La Brea near Pico, in LA. I live nearby.

sanyo

I wonder if it wins, will Thierry be accepting the award?

petethepanda

Banksy is the tramp stamp guy from Catflsh =O

FMVorenkamp

Not into artists campaigning for themselves in any capacity, but I do admire his art.

dagreenman18

Is it wise to give the stormtrooper the camera? They can't shoot anything.

Trollmaster69

Greedo shot first......stormtrooper comment five!

King Jimbo

That is genuinely funny. Well done sir.

Malcolm Tucker

They're making propaganda films for the Galactic Empire?

trip9

I was going back and forth over whether or not MBW was Banksy's way of punking everyone, this really convinced otherwise:

http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/c.../

Mikey

Wtf? A Mr.Brainwave doesn't exist....OR DOES HE?!?!

kencosgrove

What are you even saying? It's Mr. Baconwash.

pigmerlin

Bacon is magical...

Sketch

Hogwash!

tony5787

By Mr. Brainwash you of course mean the artists paid by Thierry Guetta that collectively make up that which is "Mr. Brainwash."

Wesley Emblidge

Oh Banksy. You are so witty.

Ryanguzdzial

Definitely Mr. BrainWash....because I drove by as he was painting it. Actually, he was on his phone as someone else painted it.

This is located on La Brea going south just before Pico on the right hand side.

alex lodermeier

totally Mr. Brainwash piece...funny as shit dude on his phone while others painted it. It's too vain and sloppy to be banksy. stop givin' MBW so much press...the hack doesn't deserve it.

Jeremy Caesar

Banksy himself gave MBW press with the documentary that's now up for an Academy Award.

vinith

lol on his phone as someone else painted it. you sold me with that detail.

Colonel_Kurtz

I can definitely believe this. Banksy's art always makes a clear statement. All this says is, "Let's do Banksy as an Oscar, and throw in some stormtroopers and stuff." Very MBW.

Matt_Bacon

Banksey IS Mr. Brainwash... at least that's what I hope we find out after the film hopefully wins an Oscar!

SilentTommy

Just watched Exit again the other day and would love to see it win. One of the best documentaries of the last few years.

Anonymoose

Really?

Cornelius

YES. But it's probably just because I've in to this stuff for years

Wamsankas

isnt mbw, banksy....

Geoff Simons

Have you seen Exit Through The Gift Shop?

blog comments powered by Disqus

via feedproxy.google.com

Google Launches Voice-to-Twitter Service To Help Protesters in Egypt

A group of engineers from Google, Twitter and SayNow (which Google acquired last week) were hard at work building a speak-to-tweet service for protesters in Egypt this weekend.

The service, which is already live, enables users to send tweets using a voice connection. Anyone can tweet by leaving a voicemail on one of three international phone numbers: +16504194196 or +390662207294 or +97316199855. Tweets sent using the service will automatically include the hashtag #egypt.

People can also listen to the messages by dialing the above numbers, and by clicking on the links posted to @speak2tweet.

“We hope that this will go some way to helping people in Egypt stay connected at this very difficult time. Our thoughts are with everyone there,” Ujjwal Singh, co-founder of SayNow, and Google product manager Abdel Karim Mardini wrote in a blog post.

via feedproxy.google.com

Where have all the Bananas gone?

No bananas in the office this week.  Good thing I grabbed two to let ripen last week!

The Kitchen is Home

The kitchen is where I thrive on weekends.  Cooking, cleaning, mixing drinks; I love my kitchen.  This weekend, after a quick trip to IKEA I've begun to make this kitchen my own.  Ironic? Maybe. 

I've started all this change because of the chaos that's settled upon my shoulders.  My family's recent troubles, the realization that my daughter and goddaughter live thousands of miles away, and the constant close quarters that are my home life have all formed a pressure on my chest that just won't go away...until I start cooking.  I love the feeling of control that cooking allows me.  The smells, consistency, and taste; they all are something that I control (for better worse) in entirety.

It's so refreshing to have that few hours a week where I am in control of an hour my life, no questions asked, no explanation required.

I'm looking forward to more hours and hopefully more peace in the new future.  Until then, the kitchen is my domain and there I rule, unencumbered.

Alone in the Dark

I lay in my bed tonight, staring at the ceiling.  I couldn’t identify this feeling that’s been gripping me all week.  There’s been something, a muscle, a residual electrical impulse lost in a synaptic cleft somewhere, something that’s been keeping me on edge.

And I lay there, ceiling in sight and I wondered, “Why the fuck can’t I fall to sleep?”

What is that feeling that’s so desperately trying to force its way to my attention?  Did I turn the oven off?  Did I send that last work email?  Why haven’t I been able to get all my work done in the office this week?

Wait.  Haven’t I completely sucked at my job all week?  Yes.

What’s distracting me?  Could it be the pressure of work, but I can’t concentrate at work because something else is bothering me.  Maybe it’s from the lack of exercise this week.  Maybe it’s the feeling that my dreams are further away than they were a year ago.

More than likely, it stems from upcoming move 30 days from today.  I have no plan, no place and no guarantee I’ll be able to afford an apartment on my own.  Terrifying, but that’s a new development, not something that explains my lack of game all week.

I think it’s because I haven’t been going to the gym.  Yeah, that’s it.  I’ve got extra energy to burn or possibly some embarrassment about how I’ve let myself go over the last two years after a year of dedicated and hard work.  That sounds plausible.

Although, it could also be the fact that roughly two months ago I cut someone out of my life without much abandon, expecting that I’d just adapt as I always have in the past.  All wounds heal, but it’s the ones that leave a scar that you remember.

But while we’re on the subject of pain, I have a nephew I’ve never met that’s apparently very sick and no one knows what’s wrong with him.  He’s less than two months old and at the moment, they know what’s wrong, but not why or how.  A mystery to some and a battle to the death for others.

And then there’s that thought again.  In the dark, as my mind rapidly moves from one thing to another my mind resonates with the word that has defined me at every moment of my life; the singular, “You.” 

“How are you going to deal with this?  What can you do?  What’s your plan?  What the hell are you doing?”

It’s the usted, not the ustedes, to make it clear for my Spanish 101 graduates.  That’s a singular you and not a y’all for my midwestern cow-tippers.

It seems that in my moment of crisis, even my mind has taken a step to the other side and left me subject to my own interrogation.

Me.  Alone.

I started to tremble.  I was literally shaking beneath the covers.

I had to get up, had to escape from that moment.

In a moment of weakness, I searched my phone contacts.  Who can I call at 1 in the morning?  Who’s awake?  No one.  Just me, like always.

I look to my friend Jamison to take the shakes away, to comfort me in a singular, human moment.

I sit in my one chair and think…then stop.  Stop thinking, stop planing, just be.

I’m not blaming myself for my exile, but I have some responsibility to the yolk.  I moved to Los Angeles, knowing full well that it’s a difficult town.  I moved away from friends and family, placing myself outside my comfort zone and into the dream-scape; I’m at least on the game field, I just have the score the goal.

I have no answers.  I’m going to finish my whiskey on the rocks and pour myself a second before bed.  I’m going to sit and listen to music while I promise myself that it’ll be ok; while I pray for the strength to wake up and make tomorrow mine.

I’m only human.  I can only do so much, but I’m going to do my best.  Who knows where I’ll be in four weeks?

Quit F**king Calling Christina Hendricks Fat | Celebrities Are Better than You

Quit F**king Calling Christina Hendricks Fat | Celebrities Are Better than You: "

We need to have a talk.

Obviously, the overwhelming majority of the Pajiban world would stab a kitten if it meant they could be in the same room as Christina Hendricks. That's fine. Then there are those who find her overrated. And that's fine, too. Then there are the dickwaffles who insist on calling her fat every single time she's mentioned.

Now I expect this from your I Don't Like You In That Way's, or from that dumb twat at The Skinny, but this is Pajiba. We're supposed to be better than that. And when it happened in the Emmys post, I decided it needs to be discussed.

Christina Hendricks is not the typical Hollywood beauty. This is an understatement. She is curves and boobs and her thighs touch, and when she wears a strapless bra while riding in the car she probably feels backfat rolls (I'm not the only one, right?). And that is why those who love her, love her. She's different. She's not January Jones, thank fucking God.

If you look at her, she's not fat. She suffers from decepti-tits. I have friends who suffer from this same condition. When a girl has enormous breasts, the illusion is given that she is proportionate, whether or not she really is. If you look at Hendricks's collar bones, they are very prominent, meaning she's certainly not overly fleshy.

This is my opinion, but let's ignore it, because making excuses and explaining why she isn't fat is a) implying there's something wrong with how she looks, b) there's something wrong with being 'fat', and c) that the word fat has come to mean 'not thin.'

Sadly, point C is certainly true. I wear a size 8 jeans (6 at the Gap - little victories) and usually small shirts. I am 5'2''. I'm basically built like a wine bottle; small up top, then things get a bit out of hand. But I like this. I'm comfortable with this. And I've gotten few complaints.

My fiance works with this guy. God, I don't even know how to explain him. He's a walkin' talkin' stereotype. He is a Jersey Shore person. He has spiky stupid hair, and he's orange, and he's all muscles and Facebook statuses about benching shoulders or whatever. He called me fat. And he said it like I truly disgusted him. And I realized that if I were to run into one of those Jersey Shore chode garglers, they'd probably call me a grenade or whichever word they say that means 'horrific fat pig lady of 130+ pounds.' And that sucks.

Sure, we smart people can look at Christina Hendricks and say 'of course she's not fat,' but look at the shit people say about Jessica Simpson. Britney Spears. Kelly Clarkson. Yes, they are gurthier than their fellow celebrities. But they're not exactly Gilbert Grape's mom.

We are living in a world in which the youth culture has been born of the Weight Watchers generation. Many of us grew up with our moms or other women in our lives obsessing about points and counting calories, we had no choice but to become fixated. And when we watched people hate themselves for not being perfect, we learned new words that could hurt ourselves and others. Fat, ugly, these are hateful words that have become so commonplace that they've lost whatever meaning they are supposed to have, to everyone but the person they're being said about.

Call her thick. Call her not your type. But she's not fucking fat.

Follow Courtney Enlow on Twitter, and read her other stuff at HoboTrashcan.com.

"

Unemployed, but not out of work!

I've been back in Los Angeles for a few weeks and unemployed for a majority of that time, BUT THAT'S OK!

I've spent the time trying to put my life back on track.  Four months across the country has an ability to really take you out of the loop.  So what did I do when I got back in town, I worked on a commercial thanks to one 'Hammer'.  Two days of P.A. work made me realize I had to buckle down and put myself back on track for what I want to do for the rest of my life.

Since then, I've thrown myself into production office frenzy.  I have called more than fifty production offices and pretty much offered a full list of services (with a happy ending) to no real avail.  I'm still focusing on a few, but I have yet to hear back from them, so that automatically counts as a non-win.  I had some promising developments in the past week, including an interview for a 2nd AD position on week-long shoot in the dum-dum-duuuuuuuuuuuuum VALLEY!

Now, listen here.  I don't judge anyone that lives in the valley, I don't respect our friends to the north any less than the guy on my street corner that nods vigorously at trees and howl after the birds, but, suffice to say, the valley's not for me.  More on that to come...maybe tomorrow.

I'm helping some friends with an Indie film they're shooting next week and believe me, these guys are working their asses off to make this thing happen.  Apartments are turned into P.O.s, personal cars are production vehicles, coffe cups strew the floors, cats and dogs living together, but I digress.  This is everything I love about indie production and then I hit that ceiling we call a budget, and I remember it's an indie production.  Good times.

All said and done, I'm having a blast.  It's the first time I've been doing something I'm excited about in a while, and I just hope the good energy keeps coming.

All the best, martyrs.  See you in the funny pages.

Summer '10 Mix

Alrighty, I'm a few days early, but I wanted to post my summer mix, so I'm jumping the gun.  Hope you all enjoy.

Leave any comments or thoughts!

Miami at Oh Six Hundred Hours

Netflix now has Buffy 1-7

I watched an episode of Buffy as I fell asleep this morning and realized that I used to want to be a part of something creative, epic and truly great at one point.

I've put aside my creative aspirations for two years too long and find that the desire and dream have atrophied.

I'm really wanting to start writing agin, and I think that an acquaintance, Sarah Fain, has inspired me to do so.

Check out her blog: Sarah Fain has Starfish Envy.

I'm going to start writing again. Fiction, non-fiction. I don't really know, but I look at this entry as a start.

Wish me luck!

The Mayor

NEWS FLASH: LAST DAY IN LA (for awhile)

I'm packing up and shipping out to Miami tonight to start a new adventure.

And I'm back to a 'normal' life

Two and a half months later and I've officially submitted my application to the DGA Training Program.

Things are going pretty well for me at the moment.  I have a job (for the next month) and I'm apparently a decent guy to work with.

I'm excited about what the future has to hold and look forward to all it's challenges.  Bring it on.

Finding a Home In 4 A.M.

So it's happened.

I've become a citizen of 4 AM.  I often find that my stride is reached right around 3 or 4 AM and then I'm home.  Driving the nearly empty streets of L.A. has become a lifestyle, a piece of time that I share with no one else.

Taco carts closing shop, homeless crowded around 7-Eleven or sleeping on benches, neon glowing darker than NY; this city is a mirror of itself at night, a doppleganger.  I find that it's easy to sit back and enjoy the ride.  Point A to Point B, this city is a maze of empty streets waiting for the slep of feet and tread of tires to wake it up and bring itself to live again.

I often find myself out, listening to music as I go about my tasks.  Imogen Heap, 'First Train Home' is an excellent companion.