What?

Do not let the title scare you, it's not about "other" head. Time to step back and take stock. Another turning point and of course some outside noise to make the occasion all the more entertaining. I have a new job, yes, this time I was only out of work for 2 days (last year it was 5 months). The economy must be getting better because it is a full time position with benefits and travel. A nice salary and I am based from San Francisco so I guess it time to re-think "the whole career is a waste of time, I just need to worry about money" outlook. The people I interviewed with were very nice and they seemed to have a great sense of humor. Humor is very important to me at work. If we can't laugh what's the point? Anywho I am going to spend the rest of the year having every dental procedure I am eligible for done. So today I head out to get back to the basics. I received an email last week that made me stop. I was a little shocked that someone was so upset at me that they wrote me an email to tell me what a dick I am. Masturbatory and ego pumping, meaningless and frivolous, to all these charges I plead guilty. Hello, this is a self produced website created for the sole purpose of amusing myself and maybe a friend or two. I have never tried to be a fair or balanced. What I say is only what I think, yo dillweed you are the one who thought this website was any kind of serious endeavor. I never promised anything other than my particular point of view.

My friend Don pointed out that this email was indeed a milestone. He told me that no one is an artist until they are attacked for their art. Well I was attacked alright, the email I received was loud and angry and it made me think that maybe I have been wrong to do this. Poooh! I paid for this ticket and, like TV, if you don't like the program change the channel. Yes, I have a big head and it will only get bigger. That's the whole point. I want to get a response, I want to know that something I said is making you think or feel something. I write stale and stiff prose for a living, this is my outlet, my surfing, my meditation, I get satisfaction in completing a page. If I can get my thoughts somewhat organized and I have a few pictures that accent my piece then I am happy. It's not easy putting your thoughts into a format that other people can share and feel. I guess if my website has caused this person to sit down and write then I have done my job. So keep the email coming, good bad or indifferent I want to hear it all. That being said, let's get into this.

I was up late the other night. I saw that the Disney Channel was running two hours of "Growing Pains". I was in. The episode I was treated to had the death of Mathew Perry. Pre-Friends and Mathew was dating Carol. I watched as he did basically the same self-deprecating shtick he delivers now. His hair was a little different and he seemed a tad awkward but I was hardly prepared for the plot twist. After taking Carol out for an evening of frat parties and bar-hopping he wrecks the car and eventually dies. I am surrounded by death these days, Johnny Cash, John Ritter, Warren Zevon and now Chandler. Stop it please! The cable age gives us the ability to see stars now and then all in the same evening. I love it. "Growing Pains" is a guilty pleasure of mine. I watched it back in the day, and I still watch it now. I wanted to be like Mike. I was in many ways but I lacked the natural good looks. I know I'm not fugly but I am hardly movie or TV star quality. I also like to see current stars in old shows. It reminds me that even they had to pay their dues. Bad small roles as throw away characters in other people's shows. There are always exceptions but it is nice to know that hard work eventually pays off, even in the fake world of entertainment. For more details see the sidebar below.

Sidebar:
Growing Pains Episode Number 90
NOTE: Guest Perry's third appearance as Sandy.

First Aired: April 12, 1989

Carol and her boyfriend, Sandy (who has been the butt of recurring jokes from her brothers), attend a college fraternity party, where alcohol was served. The next day, Carol frets as Sandy is apparently late for their date. The phone rings, and Mike and Ben are yukking it up as they expect Sandy to offer an excuse. But the jokes end quickly as Carol learns that Sandy was injured in a car accident. At the hospital, Sandy tells Carol he had driven drunk and was likely facing charges. Jason is furious when he finds out, though Maggie is a little more understanding. Carol tells Sandy she'll see him later ... but later never arrives. When they arrive home, Mike breaks the news that Sandy had died (apparently from internal bleeding that had not earlier been detected). Carol is at first in angry denial, but as Mike lets the family in on more details, it's obvious Carol is about to learn a painful lesson about drinking and driving.

New movie alert. Bill Murray is back and I am so glad. I have always felt that his talent was underappreciated. It was his performance in "Stripes" that made me join the Army. I thought if Bill Murray could do it and have fun then I could too. I have followed his career and while "The Royal Tenenbaums" was great, this film secures Bill as one of my favorite actors of all time. This is an art film, make no mistake, but it is an art film that can reach out and touch a larger audience. The setting and cinematography accentuate the metaphor spelled out in the title. It is hard to explain or describe this film. I have tried below but I suggest that you just go.

But be warned, no neat story, no car chases, no topless dancers, that's why this movie is great. It made me forget that I was watching a movie. I was absorbed into the emotion and I could feel the story without it being spelled out. In short this is a great film with a huge heart.

Synopsis: In her second feature, Sofia Coppola proves herself a gifted filmmaker with this delicate, beautifully observed study of impossible romance. Bill Murray plays Bob Harris, a middle-age movie star who goes to Tokyo to earn a quick $2 million on a whiskey commercial. Scarlett Johansson is Charlotte, the bored wife of a photographer who finds a kindred soul — and fellow insomniac — in doleful, disaffected Murray. Coppola has a wonderful sense of dramatic rhythm, impeccable taste in music and an eye for quiet, surprising details. A winner in every way, with great performances by the two leads

Finally today I have some pictures and thoughts. I was spending the day hanging out with Alexis and she and I captured some great pictures that made me think. There is a statue in the park behind my building. It is called "Shaking Man" and it gives me a different experience each time I see it. At a distance it appears to be a business man with a briefcase. As you get closer you can see that the image is fragmented and broken. The image appears to be moving.

Alexis reached out and the picture that resulted is art. It shows the personal connection you can have with art, it shows the human component, it also shows the desire to understand or make a connection with the object. Finally she hung her handbag off the statue. The art has now become interactive. I thought the leopard purse added a bit of irony and balance to the sculpture. This rebel act of art also spoke to me on a different level.

Alexis reached out and made a difference. Granted it was only a statue but it illustrates the power of one person. We were able to appreciate, communicate and alter a piece of art, all without causing any permanent damage to the art or ourselves. Really isn't that all we can do? Make a statement and try to be heard above the roar of the world. There is so much noise and I have hard time listening sometime. But I do try. There is beauty in the moment. Look and appreciate.

To my critics, thank you, and to everyone else, thank you. I have only respect for those who take the time to listen to me and respond. More to come as tomorrow is free comedy day in Golden Gate Park.

Peace,
Sean