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"the happy man is aiming at what he can not attain, while the angry man is aiming at what he can attain" ~Aristotle
"There are only two things that matter, what a man can do and what I man can do" ~ Jack Sparrow
Is it bad that modern charater line cross my mind while reading Aristotle.
I wonder what it is like being from a state that gets to vote in elections. You see I am from California and Oregon. In elections we get to know who wins before we vote so politics on the national level is somewhat a mute point. It has gotten better in the last couple of years. With network TV being better about not announcing exit-polling numbers until some of us west coasters get to vote. That and I have moved to Texas. Last night was the Iowa caucuses and it struck me I do not remember Oregon having a primary. Then I remember yes we do but by that time the winner of the nomination is usually all but wrapped up. This is why I think politics are so different on the west coast. We do not have the same kind of in fighting or corruption, not that we do not have infighting and corruption, it is just that it is different. We protest more, and vote less and use our emotions more. You see this is the other side of democracy. Democracy is not just being able to vote, but also being able to speak out and rebel when the vote does not go your way. The West vs. East mindsets are very different about these things and it is not just the warmer weather. On the west coast we watch so much of the political process happen with out us we look at it defiantly. With that I say, so what we last to get counted, we are the fists to over though a governor to elect a guy we thought was cool.
Deep Elm live hosted Henry Rollins on his speaking tour Friday night. The Carbonated Girl took me as a X-mass present. (have to find something very nice to do for that girl). After seeing the show I have but one thing to say. That man speaks very well. Ok so he uses somewhat offensive language, he speaks well. He has thought was he wants to say though and does not use rhetoric or humor to make his points. He is smooth and his opinion is charged with emotion. He is in effect a storyteller with a political view.
You probably by now know I think Henry Rollins rocks! Former black flag front man Rollins speaks from the heart about his feeling about America. For three hours straight without a pause and barely a breath, he rattled off material ranging from an impassioned plea against war in Iraq and his resent USO tour to support our troops there to a hilarious story about an attempted burglary at his home. He told story about the last time he was in Dallas, what he thought of Texas, both good and bad.
Now the strange part… no music… deep elm live sold full if not sold out on a night that’s weather would have keep people away from a free Britney Spears concert. To hear this guy talk… not joke or act, just talk about stuff he thought was useful. Now Henry Rollins is not a rock star or some political intellect. He is just this guy who speaks very well. Thanks Henry… good luck.
Karen Liea and I got to see Pirates of Penzance at the Bass Hall on Tuesday. It was great and made me think about two things.
One I really like Vaudeville the popular entrainment of the late 1800's and early 1900's. Comedy acts, dancers, music, magicians and a host of other just simple quick acts. This is my most loved art form.
The second is that local artists get the shaft when the arts in a city get large donors. Pirates of Penzance was put on by the Fort Worth Opera, a very nice and well supported Opera company. So well supported they only auditioned leads from New York. Local actors were relegated to the chorus. This disturbs me. While I understand the lack of full time actors in Dallas and Fort Worth, one of the reasons I go to local arts is to see local artists. … I went right out and bought a subscription to Theater 3, a local theater that uses local artist. This is the best why I could think of to help. So get out and help… go see something local.
When we win this fight, we will start to take on Actor Unions. We can do it.
Ok so I have not updated much so far this year. Time has been a very fluid thing moving much faster then it has in a long time. I have so much to do and time is slipping away fast.
QOD
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.
-Benjamin Franklin
Ok so we are 9 days into the New Year and things are still going really well.
I went and saw one of the best movies I have seen in a very long time. Really Big Fish, a movie by Tim Burton. If you have any amount of time right now… stop what you are doing and see it. Imagine a Wizard of Oz with real emotional content. The story is simple; it is a story of a man who told tall tails and the son who grew up listening to them. The father is now old and his son is trying to know him. Looking back on his father though the tall tails he told and griping to find the reality in them the son traces his father’s life. The truth he finds is that he is a lot like his father. The end will have you crying with both sadness and joy. This movie is one of my favorites of all time, now.
And great quotes
"I found those things you think are wicked are only lonely and lack social skills."
All right, so far 2004 is good. New years eve was a good time. We snuck Mark into town as a surprise for his girlfriend. Though it would have been better if everyone had not known… My friends cannot keep secrets. This was the first New Years Eve I have gone out with friends on in a long time. Went to a party and had a very good time. New Years day Zoo tour was a great success, had 20 people show up this year. Wow. Then went to dinner and watched my favorite movie. This morning I slept in… and tonight going to see a play with a cute girl. Yeah, so far this 2004 thing is alright.
Some of the fun had on the zoo tour.