This post has very little to do with 2009, but it does have to do with something that many nerds, including seemingly everyone around me, is anticipating--The "Watchmen" movie.
For anyone who hasn't read the book, I recommend that they do; not because I think it's the greatest comic book ever written, but because I want people to understand what spawned the sorry state of modern mythology today.
When "Watchmen" came out, it was part of a small movement to rethink heroics (along with the equally misguided works of Frank Miller) and re-allign them with the Charles Bronson revenge-mindset of 1980s American pop-culture. Unfortunately, the book did well. The book did so well that everyone writing superheroes decided that all superheroes need to be grim, tragic figures with chemical addictions or psychotic obsessions. If any of you happen across the book "The Greatest Science Fiction Films NEVER Made" you'd find a wonderful interview with Alan Moore, in which he regrets that he'd written Watchmen because everyone completely missed the point. At least he can admit it.
But I'm not angry at Alan Moore. I'm angry and movie studios and the fans who blindly believe them. The "Watchmen" trailers declare that the story is "the most celebrated graphic novel of all time." Recently converted comic book fans, converted no-doubt by "sin City" and other "adult" stories (as if hookers running around with katana is adult or mature) are actually believing the hype. The are reading Watchmen as if a new testament to the Bible has appeared from the skies. They sit around applauding it as the greatest story anyone could tell in this art-form.
Anyone who has actually read comics for more than a year will no that Watchmen is not "the most celebrated" anything. Watchmen, for all its supposed innovations, is simply a darkening of the superhero genre. That's it. The only truly literary thing about it is Alan Moore's ability to weave in and out of interlocking themes and styles of the same story. But the 1908s also saw the release of another comic book series, one that is actually "adult," and that is Art Speigelman's "Maus." Speigelman's book is the only comic to ever win the Pulitzer Prize. Ever. It was the first book (apart from Will Eisner's 1970s books that are just NOW being embraced by the new "fans") to do with adult stories and a truly mature storyline.
Anyone wishing to see comic books be viewed as equals to "normal" literature (as if being equal to "Twilight" is a compliment) should help these poor souls, these new "fans" of comics, and introduce them to better things before Hollywood convinces the entire populace that the greatest gem the comic world has to offer is more dark anti-heroes throwing people out of buildings.
And for god's sakes, do it before they actually start believing "The Spirit" is in anyway related to the source material.

So...James Bond has completed his transformation into Jason Bourne.

So...this is my new favorite video on YouTube, not JUST because Preston is in it...
For everyone who hates Soulja Boy, check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiqJ61z0rDg

I've been reading essays by Tesshu, a zen practitioner from the 1800s, lately. Lots to offer about the world....

To all of you who are looking for a movie that will actually deliver on the promise of entertainment to take you somewhere else delightful for two hours then you need look no further than "Speed Racer." What even I will admit looks like an absolute piece of crap in advertisement is actually the greatest experimental film ever. It doesn't just settle for silly (say, Adam West Batman) no no no. It pushes through that barrier and a few others to the realm of the sublimely ridiculous. There are VIKING RACE CAR DRIVERS! These people have maces on chains that fly out of their bumpers and drink "Grog Lite."

You won't be disappointed.

This weekend I ended up in Raleigh acting for Preston in his first year student film, "My Zombie and Me." I think it went pretty good, actually. He went out of his way to hire people who could actually act (for free, anyway) and the end result should be something festival worthy, though not necessarily festival winning.
Whenever I get ahold of some pictures I'll try and put them up here.

Your Score: Androgynous

You scored 66 masculinity and 50 femininity!

You scored high on both masculinity and femininity. You have a strong personality exhibiting characteristics of both traditional sex roles.

The Mixed Messenger Deliberate Brutal Love Dreamer (DBLD) Just...take...the...fucking...flower...darling. The Mixed Messenger apologizes again. You're looking for love, but you'll always maintain your independence. You're prepared for a real commitment, but it's also likely that you're ambitious, which creates a certain romantic tension and ambivalence within you. So although you can be very affectionate to someone, you are also capable of pulling some dubious shit. Your exact male opposite: The Playboy Random Gentle Sex Master In a relationship, you're usually the emotional leader. With your friends, you're a little bit more part of the pack. You're well-liked but you're not the uninhibited type, so the spotlight's often on someone else. In both social and romantic situations, however, you almost always get what you want. Influencing people is something you do very well. ALWAYS AVOID: The Playstation (RGSM), The Peach (RGLM) CONSIDER: The Priss (DBLD) Link: The Online Dating Persona Test @ OkCupid - free online dating.

So...with nothing else really working out at the moment, and taking into account what few options I have open in terms of careers with dignity, and what relatives of mine have been able to do, I put my name in as an applicant for the Firefighter's Training Academy.

Yes. I said that.

I got into UNCC's Teaching Program. Hurray.
I also move into my (and Brittany's) new apartment tomorrow. More hurray!

Anyone with the free time should come and see the play that I'm directing, "Posers."
It's part of the NOUVEAU evening of four new one-act plays at Theatre Charlotte. It performs on April 12-15 and tickets are $12 or $10 for student types. I can't promise what the other plays are like, I haven't seen them, and unfortunately mine runs last so I can't promise that you can watch mine and then run out, but I'm been pouring my energy into this after being away from directing for so long.

Honestly, what else are you going to come to Charlotte for? The Bobcats? They're on a losing streak!

HowManyOfMe.com

There are: 0 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

You know what tastes really awesome after five months? A Cinnabon.

I quit my job and am now back in Charlotte trying to figure out what to do next. It's a bit more liberating than being FIRED from a job, but it's leaving me with a confusion about a lot of things and I need to take the holidays (if longer) and sort it out.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

I went to see "Rocky Balboua" last night, which I have to say was pretty damn enjoyable, and had half the audience (including me) cheering along with it.
The point is that while waiting in line to buy tickets, I noticed that all the local "dudes" look, act, think and dress alike. I attribute it to what I call the rich, dumb beach culture. Which I then immediately thought "Well that's stereotyping, something that I need to work on." I was about to keep an open mind about them when one of the "dudes" read the markee.
"Rocky? Does that have boxing in it?"

My beliefs have been confirmed once again.

So, this news will only matter to me, but I want to say it somewhere.
Japan, for the first time in history, lost the World Championship Kendo
Tournament. Not only that, they lost to the USA team, who then lost to
Korea.

Koreans and Japanese can now hate each other even more.

I am broke and have no job prospects.
Not really an entry. Just a purging.

http://www.ew.com/ew/report/0,6115,1558880_1_0_,00.html

I'm surprised that no one's done this before.

Your Element Is Air

You dislike conflict, and you've been able to rise above the angst of the world. And when things don't go your way, you know they'll blow over quickly. Easygoing, you tend to find joy from the simple things in life. You roll with the punches, and as a result, your life is light and cheerful. You find it easy to adapt to most situations, and you're an open person. With you, what you see is what you get... and people love that!

You've Changed 76% in 10 Years

Compared to who you were ten years ago, you've changed a great deal. In fact, you're probably in a completely different phase of your life - and very happy about it!

You Are 40% Sociopath

From time to time, you may be a bit troubled and a bit too charming for your own good. It's likely that you're not a sociopath... just quite smart and a bit out of the mainstream!

You Are a Fun Flirt

You just can't help yourself... you flirt with everyone you know. Guys, girls, crushes, and friends. They're all victims to your charm. You're into silly innuendos, sexy jokes, and playful touches. You are a huge flirt, yet you never make anyone (too) uncomfortable!