Evan Dando, style

"A Public Service Announcement followed me home the other day..."

Too often I reflect on the idea that I don't "suffer fools." It's true to a point, but not accurate, as I myself am a fool. When you look for quotes or famous lines about fools or foolishness, it's typically something that suggests that fools are those who talk too much and/or have nothing meaningful (or of any value) to say. Instead, these 'fools' ramble, babble, and drone on about whatever they choose without enlightening or adding anything to a conversation. I can do that quite well. I have, as the saying goes...diarrhea of the mouth. (Not a pleasant visual, is it?)

But those aren't the fools I can't suffer. It's the change-averse, the status quo, and the 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' crowd that drive me mad. These are the fools I can't suffer and lately it's become increasingly harder to keep quiet about it. (hence this blog post) 

"broadcast me a joyful noise, into the times, Lord..."

Maybe I need to steer the ship into a different direction. I'm not going to affect change just whining about it, and I'm sure as hell not making it any easier by wallowing in self-pity. Maybe I should get stoned? Nah...

Don't wanna get stoned

Don't wanna get stoned
But I don't wanna not get stoned
I don't wanna not get stoned

Don't wanna get high
I don't wanna get high
But I don't wanna not get high
And I don't wanna not get stoned

Wanna knock things down
I'm not gonna knock things down
But I don't wanna not get stoned
So I'm not gonna not knock things down

Don't wanna think twice
I don't have to think twice
But I'm not gonna get high
I I'm not gonna get stoned

Style-The Lemonheads (Come On Feel)

Andy Did You Hear About This One

"All of this has happened before, and will happen again..."

   So, I've entered the world of theater once again. It has been some time since my triumphant performances as a British army vet, a child rogue sidekick to the 'Artful Dodger, and an ethnic gang member named Shark #5. It's my first foray into acting as an adult, and I approached it with caution and an open mind. Turns out, I had nothing to worry about. Sure we're a month away from our first performance and all manner of hell could break loose, but for now, "I got this."

"No reason to get excited", the thief he kindly spoke"

   Rolled into the auditions to find that instead of an audition, it was a cold script read-through with certain people who had already been cherry-picked for parts. I spent 3 hours getting line readings from a director who had yet to decide if I would be cast and who exactly I would be in this production. I went in with a cursory knowledge of the story, only to have it completely up-ended when I realize that I based my knowledge on the screen adaptation rather than the play which has greatly altered roles.

"the play is the thing.."

   Still, I wanted the part of "Ed, the Cab Driver" and Ed is who I became. In the film, Ed's role bookends the story, adding comedic relief and allowing me to dip my toes in the proverbial acting pool without actually diving in the deep end. The play's Ed Perkins? He comes and goes throughout some of act 1 and most of act 2. So much for dipping my toes, now I'm in it up to my chin! 

   This is nothing like my time as Shark #5. Ed has feelings and motivations as well as an object of his affection. All is not lost, dear friends, as I get to be the "normal" one in the play. Just a dumb kid who takes the right person to the wrong place in his cab, and then gets a gun pointed at him. Should be fun to watch.

    Allons-y!

Thirteen and Three

“The major problem—one of the major problems, for there are several—one of the many major problems with governing people is that of whom you get to do it; or rather of who manages to get people to let them do it to them. 
To summarize: it is a well-known fact that those people who must want to rule people are, ipso facto, those least suited to do it. 
To summarize the summary: anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job.” 
― Douglas Adams, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe


This is not a condemnation of the current administration. It is, as I'm sure Douglas Adams intended, simply a comment on the political machine and/or the wanton desires of those who crave power and all the trappings that accompany it. 

Good ol' Plato, at work through the man who brought us The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy? I think so too. With apologies to Paula Cole, where have all the Philosopher Kings gone? I'll tell you. Well, actually, I'll let George do it. No, not that "George", or that other one either. No, I 'm talking about the man who could seamlessly transition from one side of the celestial coin to the other, all while smoking a cigar. Oh God, You Devil's George Burns:


“Too bad that all the people who know how to run the country are busy driving taxicabs and cutting hair.” 
― George Burns

Do I want my barber or the guy who picks me up at the airport to sit in the oval office? Hell, no. But does George's sentiment allude to the idea that every person with an opinion, seems to think they can "armchair quarterback" their way into the White House? Laws, yes. M-O-O-N, that spells democracy (Tom Cullen from The Stand. Look it up) The thing is, our dear ol' Uncle Plato doesn't think that's such a good idea. He thinks that the ones who think they should, well, shouldn't. And I am in agreement there. I mean, really. Would a legislature full of people who would rather not be there get any less done than our current roster? Would the laws and regulations created by the "rather not's" be any more detrimental to the common good? Would the desire to end all the partisan posturing destroy the system that we've come to expect and loathe?

Nope.

At least I don't think so, but then again my fantasy league team has Arian Foster, Peyton Manning, and Megatron....

Bartleby and James

What if Mephistopheles was bored? Yearned for more than just collecting the souls of the inevitably  doomed deal-makers. Everybody needs growth for fulfillment, right? Imagine a guy who, after a millennium of guiding people to their fiery doom, wants more. Imagine that same guy (who dreams of a Scottish farmhouse)  finally gets a chance…to love. Sure, it’s a trite and oft-used device to make a bad guy look good, but what if this bad guy made a deal of his own with the other side? Or better yet, what if he just quits? Turns in his horns and calls it a day. No severance package, no gold watch, nothing. Would his employer be mad? Would he hire a replacement? Would he even let him stop? I’m curious about all of these things. Again, it’s not new territory, and it’s not exactly a substantial story but it might make for an interesting tale…I’m going to have to ruminate on that awhile and see what happens.

Just a man, with a man's courage...

Flash....aaaahhh!

Is there a better combination of film and soundtrack than Queen's power-anthem for Flash Gordon? Not so fast Kenny! Sure your proven track record of amazing movie music cannot be denied, but nothing you've provided has the hard rock drive that Freddie and the boys lent to the second-rate sci-fi classic Flash Gordon. That poor movie. It's not that it's terrible, far from it, but it's lacking in so many ways. I guess you could say it's all Flash and no substance. (yuk, yuk, yuk)

Good ol' Flash Gordon. Not only was he a hero of the 10 yard-fight, but he proved his mettle amongst te stars as well. Not even a perverted game of inverted whack-a-mole could stop Flash from his goal. Now that's a man!

That's all I have for now. Perhaps this should be a more regular and thought out process...

Said no one who changes history ever

It's gonna happen anyway...