Q: So how's the end of the semester treating you?
A: Just as busy, though it's winding down. There's been some nice surprises, new oppertunities. Basically, I break for Thanksgiving weekend, come back from two more weeks of preparations and final projects and then it's time for a well deserved holiday break.
Q: You say "well deserved holiday break" but don't you think break are for people doing real work, not escaping reality by going to film school?
A: ...
Q: Pardon me, I'm just bitter about my station in life.
A: Quite alright.
Q: So aside from school, what's new with life in Los Angeles?
A: Just that I'm getting out!
Q: So soon?
A: And moving to Culver City!
Q: Isn't that a few blocks from your current apartment?
A: Yeah, so it's still essentially L.A. Only I'll be in a house, with real couches. It's going to be sensational!
Q: Seen any good movies lately?
A: Slumdog Millionare, Quantam Of Solace and Doubt.
Q: What about Twilight?
A: Angsty teenager girl romance with a vampire? It's called Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 2- Brilliance and it's even more tragic, she's a slayer and he's a vampire with a soul! Until of course they finally "get together" and he loses his soul and becomes pure evil. Oh and then the end when she "kills" him just as his soul is returned. By Zeus's beard, I love that show!
More of this interview to be published in coming days...
Monday, November 24, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Change Has Come To America
Four years ago, I sat on the floor of my housemate’s room, clutching a Killian’s, praying for Ohio to go blue, and sulking in dismay as it inevitably went Red. Maybe the Irish Red was the wrong beer to go with that night. It was a shock then, but now, I understand why that candidate failed to overturn the tide of disturbance the administration of the last 8 years has helmed. He wasn’t the person who could rally the excitement and need for change. It was obvious that the failure of Democrats would mean that next time, new blood would have to shine, they’d have to find the people, the candidates who were of a different breed from what was being rolled out against a Republican administration built on greed, ideology and fear. Green Day’s American Idiot had come out that fall, and I remember loving the message the album built, about this “Jesus” of Suburbia and how maybe my generation would step up to the wrong and make it right. But four years ago, it felt like that change was far, far away.
As I was working at the bookstore in those days, the day after Election Day was still one of buzz. There were discussions of disgust, rationalization, and even one friends hope for terror and horror taking over the streets. I do remember one woman, coming in and asking for the new senator from Illinois’s book. The name Barak Obama had created some buzz, and I talked with this woman about how he’s the rising star in the Democratic Party. She said, just wait, he’ll be running in 8 years. In the midst of my disgust and cynicisms, I noted the name, and over the next year or so listened when it came up. I never got to read that book, but late in 2006, Obama’s second book came out, The Audacity of Hope. I read it, expecting it be essential a doctrine announcing Obama’s views and plans to help bring needed change to this country. I read through it quickly, both impressed with his view points, especially on economics, education (as I was teaching at the time) and foreign policy. Mostly I was affected by the voice. I loved the personal anecdotes about his life now in the senate, his relationship with his wife and children, where he came from, and how this politician could so elegantly write this book, in the midst of his rising political career. I had forgotten what it was like to have someone who could express his or her views and ideas with such natural control over the language.
I say I’m not a Democrat, as I do want to be open to argument and my own instincts about who will represent my own views in hopes in the bigger picture that is our country. As the primaries raged on, I knew I was going to vote for Hilary or Obama, but as he was given more exposure, and I saw that elegance in his speech, his ability to stand in front of people and feel like a leader, I began to be more sure he was the one I wanted to see take the lead. I saw someone who was what I idealized my president to be like. Obama only proved this further to me during the presidential campaign. Though I was trilled to hate Sarah Palin as I never could demonize McCain that much, I always felt in his more candid moments, at another time (8 years ago?) he would make an honest President. I think Saturday Night Live was more relevant and funny these past few weeks than I’ve ever seen, mostly thanks to Tina Fey’s renditions of Palin. But in the end, at Hofstra, when McCain tried to be on the offense, trying to rattle Obama, he stood stoic, as an intellectual, as someone who could remain calm. This only emphasized how he could turn, look into the camera and honestly explain the financial crisis we were in, Obama again showed why his platform of change, his breaking of the Washington as usual candidate mold, shined. He seemed to be able to look beyond his own historical implications, and keep the campaign about the issues, that our country needs a new track, a return to greatness. He proved that he might just be the type of person we need to lead us down this path.
Today, I woke earlier, registered to vote in California (since my first tries in New York didn’t work out too well). The line was long, but being in a city, I was content to wait for almost two hours. The people on line were of all backgrounds, many around my age. My favorite moment was when an elementary school bus stopped at the corner light, and the children inside pressed against the window of us voters in wait, and they shouted “OBAMA!” and held up little signs they made with his name on them. All week, I had that confidant feeling it was going to be a landslide, but it was then that I knew, this wouldn’t be anything like the last two elections.
I voted. I didn’t jump up and shout “USA USA!” as I’m apt to do when I’m feeling patriotic. I simply received my “I VOTED STICKER” went to Starbucks for my free tall coffee (Christmas Cups are already out!) and headed to school.
I was waiting for 7:00 pm to head over to my friend’s house to watch the conclusion of the election. Just before I left, Ohio was called Blue. Redemption four years later. I knew it was only a matter of time. At my friends house, for fun we though on Comedy Central to see Jon Stewart and Colbert. We flipped back to regular news channels, but it felt like, we should be watching Stewart and Colbert, somehow the change in our country has to do with how important these comedic news shows have come to our political landscape. At around 8:00 pm, after a comedic rant by Colbert, Jon Stewart casually informed Stephen that Barak Obama is officially the president elect. There was a pause amongst my friends and me. I asked is he joking? We quickly switched to a news channel to see the cameras in Chicago, prepping for Obama’s speech. He won. He actually won.
The next hour of footage seemed dreamlike. McCain’s speech was gracious and honest, showing the McCain that had been missing the last month or two. He reminded us the historical implications, and how important this election was. It never felt like he was angry, but rather proud of how Obama caught the excitement of so many voters. Because that’s what happened. It was a landslide. It wasn’t just Obama barely squeaking by, but instead it was a exclamation from the country, that they want the change Obama has promised, and they want him to lead them to it.
Obama’s speech was presidential. I felt every other noise in my life silence. He spoke in his elegant way, and talked about what this means, and about the hope we as a country are reaching for. I had forgotten what it was like to look at a politician, a new president-elect, and see someone who I believed in, admired, and felt like was capable to represent my ideals, and me in the bigger picture. At least tonight, I felt part of history, and I hope everyone can feel this, even a little. Most night’s we can find so much to by cynical about, we have so few chances to give in and feel what hope can do. At least for tonight the future feels like it can be bright. We are merely parts of the whole, but I’m going to sleep proud tonight. I’m proud of my country. I’m proud of Barak Obama. And I’m proud to be able to see how this night of hope will unfold.
As I was working at the bookstore in those days, the day after Election Day was still one of buzz. There were discussions of disgust, rationalization, and even one friends hope for terror and horror taking over the streets. I do remember one woman, coming in and asking for the new senator from Illinois’s book. The name Barak Obama had created some buzz, and I talked with this woman about how he’s the rising star in the Democratic Party. She said, just wait, he’ll be running in 8 years. In the midst of my disgust and cynicisms, I noted the name, and over the next year or so listened when it came up. I never got to read that book, but late in 2006, Obama’s second book came out, The Audacity of Hope. I read it, expecting it be essential a doctrine announcing Obama’s views and plans to help bring needed change to this country. I read through it quickly, both impressed with his view points, especially on economics, education (as I was teaching at the time) and foreign policy. Mostly I was affected by the voice. I loved the personal anecdotes about his life now in the senate, his relationship with his wife and children, where he came from, and how this politician could so elegantly write this book, in the midst of his rising political career. I had forgotten what it was like to have someone who could express his or her views and ideas with such natural control over the language.
I say I’m not a Democrat, as I do want to be open to argument and my own instincts about who will represent my own views in hopes in the bigger picture that is our country. As the primaries raged on, I knew I was going to vote for Hilary or Obama, but as he was given more exposure, and I saw that elegance in his speech, his ability to stand in front of people and feel like a leader, I began to be more sure he was the one I wanted to see take the lead. I saw someone who was what I idealized my president to be like. Obama only proved this further to me during the presidential campaign. Though I was trilled to hate Sarah Palin as I never could demonize McCain that much, I always felt in his more candid moments, at another time (8 years ago?) he would make an honest President. I think Saturday Night Live was more relevant and funny these past few weeks than I’ve ever seen, mostly thanks to Tina Fey’s renditions of Palin. But in the end, at Hofstra, when McCain tried to be on the offense, trying to rattle Obama, he stood stoic, as an intellectual, as someone who could remain calm. This only emphasized how he could turn, look into the camera and honestly explain the financial crisis we were in, Obama again showed why his platform of change, his breaking of the Washington as usual candidate mold, shined. He seemed to be able to look beyond his own historical implications, and keep the campaign about the issues, that our country needs a new track, a return to greatness. He proved that he might just be the type of person we need to lead us down this path.
Today, I woke earlier, registered to vote in California (since my first tries in New York didn’t work out too well). The line was long, but being in a city, I was content to wait for almost two hours. The people on line were of all backgrounds, many around my age. My favorite moment was when an elementary school bus stopped at the corner light, and the children inside pressed against the window of us voters in wait, and they shouted “OBAMA!” and held up little signs they made with his name on them. All week, I had that confidant feeling it was going to be a landslide, but it was then that I knew, this wouldn’t be anything like the last two elections.
I voted. I didn’t jump up and shout “USA USA!” as I’m apt to do when I’m feeling patriotic. I simply received my “I VOTED STICKER” went to Starbucks for my free tall coffee (Christmas Cups are already out!) and headed to school.
I was waiting for 7:00 pm to head over to my friend’s house to watch the conclusion of the election. Just before I left, Ohio was called Blue. Redemption four years later. I knew it was only a matter of time. At my friends house, for fun we though on Comedy Central to see Jon Stewart and Colbert. We flipped back to regular news channels, but it felt like, we should be watching Stewart and Colbert, somehow the change in our country has to do with how important these comedic news shows have come to our political landscape. At around 8:00 pm, after a comedic rant by Colbert, Jon Stewart casually informed Stephen that Barak Obama is officially the president elect. There was a pause amongst my friends and me. I asked is he joking? We quickly switched to a news channel to see the cameras in Chicago, prepping for Obama’s speech. He won. He actually won.
The next hour of footage seemed dreamlike. McCain’s speech was gracious and honest, showing the McCain that had been missing the last month or two. He reminded us the historical implications, and how important this election was. It never felt like he was angry, but rather proud of how Obama caught the excitement of so many voters. Because that’s what happened. It was a landslide. It wasn’t just Obama barely squeaking by, but instead it was a exclamation from the country, that they want the change Obama has promised, and they want him to lead them to it.
Obama’s speech was presidential. I felt every other noise in my life silence. He spoke in his elegant way, and talked about what this means, and about the hope we as a country are reaching for. I had forgotten what it was like to look at a politician, a new president-elect, and see someone who I believed in, admired, and felt like was capable to represent my ideals, and me in the bigger picture. At least tonight, I felt part of history, and I hope everyone can feel this, even a little. Most night’s we can find so much to by cynical about, we have so few chances to give in and feel what hope can do. At least for tonight the future feels like it can be bright. We are merely parts of the whole, but I’m going to sleep proud tonight. I’m proud of my country. I’m proud of Barak Obama. And I’m proud to be able to see how this night of hope will unfold.
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