Monday, June 30, 2008

John Spiker Interview

I got the chance to interview John Spiker, the bassist from Filter and Tenacious D. Let me tell you, this guy's a cool dude. You check out the published interview here.

But since you all are my loyal readers, I'm gonna give you the EXCLUSIVE questions and answers that didn't make the final cut. Enjoy!

GC: What are the differences between the two frontmen: Jack Black and Richard Patrick?

JS: It’s fun to be around Jack, because he’s a crazy man. He’s always making you laugh and its always a great time. With Rich it’s a different story.

There’s no question there’s a political, environmental message to the record and when I joined this group, I wasn’t really hip to all of it and I was like, “Yeah, I don’t really pay attention to that kind of stuff.” But we met with soldiers in Washington D.C. where troops come after coming back from Iraq and it’s unbelievable being with these people. It’s undeniable that this war is a real thing and people are actually dying. We watch it on TV and say ‘Oh that sucks”… it seems fake, until we went and met these people.

Filter did this show in Kuwait a few months ago for the troops. And we met a guy at Walter Reed who was at the show in Kuwait, and was a huge filter fan. And a week after the show was deployed right into action. He lost both of his legs, one of his arms and his hearing. He was talking to us via this chalkboard that he had to write on because he couldn’t hear. And he was like, “yeah I saw your show in Kuwait, you know, when I was an entire person.” And you know, in that two months time, a lot has changed for him.

Even the kid that “Soldiers of Misfortune” was for. This kid said, “Yeah, I’m gonna go do whatever they tell me to do. I’ll serve my time, and I’ll come out with some money in the bank, so I can pay for college.” And ten days later he died.
That’s one of the biggest differences. Although we have a blast out here, and the show is certainly light-hearted, we’re not on stage yelling at the crowd…

GC: So it’s not an Anti-Flag show?

JS: No. Exactly. We’re here to have a good time for sure. It’s really interesting to take the opportunity when you have a platform that Rich and we do with our band and do a little bit of something with it. He’ll be the first to tell you that he’s not trying to change the world. It’s the sort of thing like,“Hey, let’s talk about this. Let’s just all at least be aware of what’s going on.”

GC: You’ve done some international dates this month with two shows in Germany and one in London. How are they reacting to the political message, and are you hesitant to offer that to them?

JS: Any political views and beliefs are about the United States, and directed at the United States. This country definitely doesn’t need any help spreading anything bad about us. The record isn’t just about “this a crap war,” there’s a song on the record called “The Take” which is all about our impact on the environment.

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I Hate Baseball

I played baseball when I was in high school...at least, I was on the team. I was a pitcher, so I got to play maybe once every couple of weeks. And since I was pitching, I usually got DH'd, so my plate appearances were few and far between.

I do, however, remember one of my at-bats that lingers in my mind that changed the way I look at things.

I stepped up to the plate, and I can tell you that the sun was bright. Not in my eyes, like I should have complained...just oddly bright. I went through the same motions I have done since my t-ball days: tap the far and near corners of the plate, and wind the bat around a couple of times. I know I stole the moves from someone, but who it was didn't matter at that point, because the wind up came sooner than expected. The first pitch was a fastball right down the center, and I didn't even flinch. 0-1.

Now I'm a professional kinda guy, so I shrug it off as if I am just giving the other team a fair chance at this game by allowing the first pitch to sit prettily in the middle of the plate without doing anything about it. To this, the pitcher smiles at me. (Yeah, he actually grins like an idiot at me not swinging.) So I straighten my back out, and wiggle the bat around, then comes the next pitch: a fastball...in the exact same spot. 0-2.

At this point my coach is probably going mad inside. Instead of shouting out some encouraging tid-bit, he chucks a few more sunflower seeds in his mouth and checks his watch. Now , at this point, I was honestly expecting something different. No idiot is going to let two fastballs right down the middle fly by him without swinging away at them...

So the third pitch WAS something different. A curve in the dirt. 1-2.

Finally something went my way, and I felt more in control. The next pitch, the pitcher shakes off 3 signs, and guess what he throws...that same fastball...in the same spot. I'm locked on at this point, but get cocky in trying to decide where I want to place it in the field...so I end up being late and foul it off. Still 1-2.

What a battle. Only 4 pitches and it feels like we've been at it for days. Never before had I experienced such a battle of wits in which I had come upon such a worthy competitor. Part of me didn't want it to end, but with the next pitch, it did.

He hung is curveball up and inside and I casually directed my elbow at it. Hit by pitch.

We both stood in disgust. I was about to get a hit. He was about to strike me out. I trot to first base and stand there in disbelief. I realize that I will probably never see this kid again. Our battle is over, and though it is something he and I won't forget soon, everyone else on that field would say, "just another at-bat."

I have the mentality that I should have no regrets, only mistakes. And everytime I think of that at-bat, I get frustrated at my mistakes. But of course, I made something positive out of the experience.

I learned that hits are meant to be, and all you have to do...is swing.

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Sunday, June 29, 2008

Basketball

So...it's been a while. Since my last post, and since I last laced up the Nikes and ran for my life.

I can tell you that I'm not in high school anymore. But if anyone saw me in high school, they wouldn't say that that is a bad thing. I'm bigger...not by a lot, but I'm definitely pulling more weight across the floor. Anyway, what does this have to do with anything?

Well, when I played in high school, I was so overwhelmed by everything that was going on that I couldn't do anything but freak out. But now after playing for a few years, I'm starting to see everything a lot better. So when I played today with the same people that I played with in high school, I saw things a lot better. It really does move in slow motion.

So I was wondering if this applies to other things in life. When we are faced with something and aren't comfortable with it, we tend to freak out and not see the "whole court." It's take time and experience to be able to relax and have good court vision.

But sometimes experience isn't always necessary. I've never had this problem, but there are people that get super stressed at the smallest things. They are freaking out so much that they are making the task more complicated for themselves.

So, when I become a boss...which I will. Everyone needs to chill. There's no way you can do a good job at anything if you are wiggin out. Just relax, take a breath, and open your eyes.

Like Lebron here.



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Friday, June 27, 2008

Waaaaaaaaalleeeeee

OH MY GOD! If I have ever underestimated a movie prior to watching it, this is it!

The previews make it seem like it’s just another slapstick kid’s movie that employs cute robots only capable of a few syllables, a la R2-D2. Yet the plot of the movie was far deeper and intrinsic than what I expected, not only from this movie, but of any Disney movie ever.

Trust me, this won’t spoil it for you, but the movie plays with our future in ways that the audience is uncomfortable with the reality of the portrayal. Granted, this takes place 800 years in the future, but it hints at our current track of pollution, laziness, and the economy’s forfeit to big business. And remember, this is all in a DISNEY MOVIE!

I looked around the theater and there wasn’t anyone under the age of 12. Instead of childish laughs at the helpless fat bodies, there were instead shaking heads of disgust. Even tiny scenes that involved the children of the future tugged at our mental strings.

I know it made me think, and I’m sure everyone that has seen it will be compelled to re-think their lifestyle…at least for the few moments in the car on the way home from the theater.

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Rothbury

..I'm going.
For free.
And blogging.
For free.

Initiate jealousy sequence.

ps- anyone have a tent i can borrow? or a summer home in rothbury?

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Wimbledon

I've been wanting to go to London for about the last year or so. Considering I've never been to Europe at all, I'm still convinced that I want to live in the U.K. Is it the accents? The history? Or just because it's something different?

It's more or less a mix of all of those things, but I've had the feeling that the U.S. won't be the superpower that it is for much longer. Part of me wants to get out and watch it crumble, but there is a feeling that I can help do something about it. I think that the reason things have changed so much is that people have lost faith in the system that is in place here. People don't want to vote anymore because they don't feel like it would make a difference.

To be honest, I don't know enough about things to make an educated opinion about it. All I know is that I want to move to London...and Serena Williams is a beast. I like Wimbledon.

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Thursday, June 26, 2008

Dark Knight Preview (Sorry WoWer's, not that Dark Knight)

We’ve all been waiting for this. Hopefully all of the hype and sickening amount of praise for this movie will come to fruition when it hits theaters July 18. To be honest, I’m looking forward to this movie, not for the sentimental value of Ledger’s untimely death, but because I have thoroughly enjoyed every movie that matches Christian Bale with Michael Cane (Batman Begins, The Prestige) just because I like the chemistry that exists between a dude with a funny mouth and a sarcastic Brit.

In all fairness, Ledger’s performance in this film will be what solidifies him as a diverse and memorable actor in a generation of Adam Sandler movies and Wayan’s Brother spoofs. I’m sad to say that his best roles were still to come, but I hope that this role will prove that he was a capable talent. Granted, he does have titles like “10 Things I Hate About You,” “The Patriot,” “A Knight’s Tale,” and “Brokeback Mountain,” which is undoubtedly a diversified group. But for the Rolling Stone critic to suggest that he would receive an Oscar might be a little…I don’t know…premature?

Of course, we haven’t experienced any movies on the verge of transcendence yet this year, so it could be possible. Though Kung Fu Panda might get some mentions…

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Wednesday, June 25, 2008

.neely

It was only a matter of time until the world started to expand the Internet. My prediction is that everyone in the United States will be online within 20 years. Most likely connected with hand held multi-function devices, i.e.- iPhone, Blackberry. But it doesn’t matter what I think.

This article talks about just the beginning of the expansion of the Internet as we know it. We all might not be aware of it now, but we are in an age where we should be taking advantage of the tax-free, fee-free Internet that we are connecting to. There is a lot of money to be made with this tool in years to come; especially if 100% of Americans are carrying around the Internet in their pockets.

Of course, by that time, this blog will have been bought out by a Fortune 500 company, and I can work from home writing snippets of comedy while making six figures…but that’s a long time from now.

What's not so far away is the reality this discussion. Though I love Barack Obama, this would fit the liberal Democrat line of thought, with a national service that everyone needs and uses obviously needs to be taxed thoroughly.

So enjoy your free views of your Facebook page while they last.
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I love Internet

Ok, so it seems that we have some international readers, which is awesome!

Add me on Facebook or Myspace so that we can at least stalk each other...

Whether you're in Plano, TX or Northern Ireland...we should still talk.

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It's patient, and so am I

It makes the world go round, and time stand still.
It makes hearts pound, and voices shaky.
It brings out the best, and exposes the worst.
It’s love. It’s love. It’s love. It’s la la la la la la.

Girls think it’s cute, guys say it’s alright. But can we really put a definition on love? I don’t think so.

Love feels different all the time with different people, which makes it too complex and flexible to define.

You love your mom. Even if you hate your mom, you still love your mom. ( I know I love your mom.) But everyone loves their mom a different way. So we can’t even define a “mother’s love.”

I love my mom. I love my dad. I love my brothers, and everyone in my family. I love all my friends. I love some people I don’t even know. And every one of those loves feels different. I consider myself a loving person and can find something good about someone to love, no matter who they are.

Don’t even get me started on girlfriends…or even ex-girlfriends. (Ok, get me started if you want.) Every girlfriend feels different…in a loving way. Some love is rough, some is so easy, and some you can’t get enough of. But it’s all good enough to stay with someone.

Which is why some people are “blinded” by their love. They love something about someone so much that they ignore the bad parts about that person. That’s why you see couples yelling at each other in the grocery store, or a really cute girl with a butt ugly dude. There’s something so good about that person that they get over their choice of cereal…or their face.

But what happens to that love that is misplaced? A love for a friend that is usually for a mate, or you love your roommate like your brother or sister. This gets confusing. ESPECIALLY, when you aren’t getting that love back.

After some time on Wikipedia, I learned that this is called “unrequited love.” Guys probably are more familiar with this than girls. You see that girl and you say, “She’s the one.” I’m guilty. Maybe even currently. But I’m not embarrassed by it. It’s part of the love spectrum.
This guy sure as heck isn’t embarrassed either.

Then there’s this whole getting married thing. And I have to say, I’ve talked about this before in my Myspace blog. But some things are worth repeating.

I’m at that age where everyone around me is getting engaged, and married, and pregnant. And I still can’t do anything but feel left behind. But should I be down on myself for waiting for it to be perfect? If it’s the kind of love that lasts forever, what’s another couple of years?

There’s not enough room in the world to talk about this. But I strongly encourage you to reply to me about this. I’ve gotten more e-mails than expected about my topics, so feel free to let me know what you want to hear, and what you think. I love you.

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Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Oh Wow.

It's called "controversial commercial" advertising.
Most effective, in my opinion.

I'll never think of mayonaisse the same again.

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We Have the Technology

Ok ladies...and gentlemen too, I guess.

Now you can make babies with me on Facebook!

This is the closest all but one of you will be to seeing the face of our love child.

I don't mind having casual babies with no intent of a relationship in this case, so feel free to use my face! Just let me know about it, so I can document them and stuff.

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Monday, June 23, 2008

Finally some satire

McCain Vows to Campaign in All 13 Colonies
Andy Borowitz
Sat Jun 21, 3:00 AM ET

Creators Syndicate - Republican presidential nominee John McCain officially kicked off his general election campaign today, promising to bring his race for the White House to “all 13 colonies.”

At a campaign stop in the Dominion of Virginia, Sen. McCain said that if his Democratic opponent, Sen. Barack Obama, takes any of the 13 colonies for granted, “he doth so at his peril.”

Sen. McCain made his remarks in the Dominion of Virginia, which many McCain advisers concede will be a key colony in the fall election. But in announcing his 13-colony strategy, Sen. McCain appeared to give notice that he intends to contest such traditional Democratic strongholds as the Province of Massachusetts Bay.The Republican nominee gave his audience a sneak preview of the fall campaign by introducing what he clearly believes to be the dominant issue of the 2008 election: the high cost of tea.

“The American people cannot and should not tolerate the exorbitant prices they are paying for tea,” Sen. McCain said, adding that in some states tea had risen to as high as four dollars a gallon.

He said that as president he would propose a number of measures to provide relief to tea consumers, including a “tea-tax holiday,” and that he would crack down on the big tea companies: “It's time for their tea party to end.”

In the conclusion of his remarks, Sen. McCain vowed that his campaign would employ “the latest technology” to spread his message across the 13 colonies.“We will use the telegraph key, the carrier pigeon, and the pony,” he said.

COPYRIGHT 2008 CREATORS SYNDICATE

If I have a future in writing...this is it!

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Sunday, June 22, 2008

Special Request

So I was surprised to find a message to me about my "Space Camp" blog which asked if I could explain my reference to my "lame" lifestyle. Then I got a nice lecture that I shouldn't be settling for a "lame" lifestyle, but to do what I think is best and not worry about others' opinions.

Well, first, thanks for the e-mail, you know who you are. It's nice to see that someone is paying attention to my posts. So thank you.

Second, the term "lame" is not a word that I myself use, which is why it is in "quotations." I am not the kind of person that would settle for something that I thought was lame, especially if it's the way I live my life. The things I do have just repeatedly been called "lame," so I figured that by referring to it as such, more people would understand my reference. Savvy?

The fact that I don't drink, smoke, swear, or have sex out of marriage is frighteningly boring to some people. I've been told that I'm not "living my life" and that I should "just forget it for just one night." And I have trouble taking that sort of thing. I appreciate that my friends are trying to make sure that I am living my life to the fullest, but I also don't like how they think they know what's best for me.

I'm comfortable being me, and doing the things I do...or don't do. It's what makes me the person I am. I've been blessed with a personality that is stubborn enough to endure such suggestions, but also electric enough to enjoy myself without partaking in these activities.

And I am glad that I am around people that are accepting of these choices. I was dreading going anywhere at Central because I didn't want to deal with people shoving drinks in my face. Luckily, I found out who those kind of people were, and made sure not to go anywhere with them. But everyone else has been cool and understanding...and eventually ask me for a ride, which is fine.

...then there's this whole "being a virgin" thing. Which gets more shocks than the drinking thing. Apparently guys aren't supposed to go this long without getting laid. And I say that that, my friends, is "lame." I've seen too many people from my hometown, my high school, my myspace, that are altering the rest of their lives by making such decisions. That's not something I'm interested in just yet.

So I'll deal with being "lame" if that means I won't have kids until I want them, won't die of emphysema, get caught swearing in front of a 5 year old, or deal with a hangover. I'm fine.

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Saturday, June 21, 2008

Adults are FINALLY catching on...

I was reading this and was kind of shocked at how long it has taken authorities to figure out how useful a tool social networking sites are.

I know at CMU they have students working for the police to scan the "Events" section for a pretty decent sized list of parties, including the location and time, and of course, everyone attending. And I think everyone knows that the photos you post are going to be searched by important people like employers, parents, and now, authorities. But disciplinary action for these photos? That's a line that should be crossed with hesitation.

I'm familiar with the rule that you can walk up to a police officer and tell him, "Hey, I ran a red light, going 20 miles over the speed limit yesterday. Sorry you missed it," and you can't get in trouble. But Facebook photos are a different animal...CUZ THEY'RE PHOTOS!

Though they would hold up as evidence, we might be getting ourselves into a whole new generation of "framing people." Do you know how easily I could take a picture of you at church and turn it into a drunked rave with you taking Ex and sippin on Sex on the Beach? And since I do such a good job, the only one who knows the truth is you...and that sucks when it happens.

Should this go on? Sure. Hopefully I'll get a chance to post about my theories of "population control" including the prison system and the like. Fining kids for underage drinking from a Facebook photo will produce revenue for the state, great. But are we gonna hunt these people down that are in pictures from the '70s burning flags? Seems only fair to me.

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Get Smart...Good Stuff

I thought I would take a stab at a movie review, so don’t be upset if it isn’t like any other review you’ve ever read.

“Get Smart,” starring Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, and Dwayne Johnson was actually surprisingly amusing. I am a HUGE fan of “The Office,” so I’m pretty on-point with the style of humor that Carell brings to seemingly every role he has ever had. I was expecting some Mr. Bean moments, or a couple of Leslie Nielson bits, and though there were some, I think Carell has created his own breed of ‘awkward secret agent.’

Hathaway was an interesting choice, and I have to admit I am curious to find out if she was the first pick for that role. There were moments where I would have preferred a Jessica Alba, or even Jessica Biel…but then again, who wouldn’t prefer those two?
The Rock…I’m sorry…”Dwayne Johnson” finally picked a good role after some interesting choices in kids’ movies and, of course, there was the attempt at Doom. I liked his character to a certain point, and once you see it, you’ll know what that point is, but it’s not the one that’s getting all of the attention…

If I can spoil anything, I think it will be one of the love scenes. Word on the street is that Steve Carell is a good kisser. So good, in fact, that his colleagues beg writers to include some sort of physical encounter with him. (Remember when he made things right with Oscar?)
All in all, it was a good movie. I watched it with my friend, Jason, who has one of those laughs that adds to any film, yet annoys practically everyone around him. There were 3 old ladies in front of us and some younger people behind us, so it didn’t take long to get the feeling that they were a bit distracted…

My next movie will be Kung Fu Panda. I’ve been trying to go see it at the theater in town, but I just can’t get the times right. Hope you enjoyed. Feel free to post your comments on the movie as well.

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Thursday, June 19, 2008

Space Camp Cool Now?

I was reading this and was reminded of my time in middle school when I wore a certain shirt I found at a thrift store. Now my family is big on thrift stores, so I got pretty good at sorting out the good shirts from the bad. Which is hard to master considering the massive amounts of racks that are being constantly filled by 4 or 5 intimidating ex-convicts...

Anyway this shirt was dark maroon (one of my favorite colors, write that down) and had a white space ship on the front. There was white text around the ship that said "Cape Canaveral Space Camp."

Now I've been made fun of a lot in my life: I have a large abnormally shaped head, high maintenance eyebrows, and a "lame" lifestyle.. But I have NEVER gotten as much flak about ANYTHING, especially an article of clothing, than I got for wearing this shirt. What's funny is that the usual question that I was asked was, "So you believe in aliens then?"

I just wish this had been written out when I was a kid, so I could refer my nay-sayers to my blog...and that the movie "Signs" would have been made sooner too. Then they wouldn't have to ask if aliens existed or not. They would just know.

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It's my first time...

It's the evolution of thought, these blogs.
Things you should "really keep to yourself" are becoming things "you should really write about."
So...here I am.

Sharing with you thoughts and feelings that lack the "Pre-Speak Process."
As only I can do it...with class, charm, and a touch of humor.
Though my syntax might be the only thing making you read time and time again,
hopefully I spark enough engines to encourage some sort of feedback.
I am always excited to "hear another voice" (even though my voice is my favorite.)
Really, I'm just looking forward to sharing my ideas with you all, and even though I will see most of you in real life and not say anything...this seems to be a more comfortable and forgiving medium.
Eventually I'll get past that though. Be excited.

(for those of you that caught it, no, not every post will include a hidden message. consider it coincidence)

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