In this article, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35857447/ns/world_news-washington_post which I must say that the more I read the faster I read, which means I was getting upset, the question on whether the Marines have too much autonomy than other units. All military units have a chain of command. They have orders. The marines have always done things their way, the marine way, and they are good at what they do. Witness the success they have when they are allowed to do it. If this doesn't scream that the powers to be; be they republican or democrat, although I am betting dem, since the comment from the Obama rep., doesn't like it when the military wins, I don't know what does.
When it comes to politics I have only 2 hot buttons. One is gun control. I am a lifetime member of the NRA and have owned many many many guns in my time. I know the First Amendment is possible because of the 2nd Amendment. The other one is the military. Let them do what they have to do. There are no rules in war except one: win. The reason that people can complain openly, loudly and often against their own country is because brave men and women gave their life, so other could spit on what they did. THAT pisses me off. No amount of debate will ever change my mind; and this crap about 'not supporting the war but supporting the troops..' sorry. You support the troops because of what they do.
I have had the privilege of knowing many men and women from all branches who served. And many who served in Viet Nam. Had the politicians allowed the military to do what they Had to do, it would have been different. But you see what happens when you try to please everyone. WW II didn't have that problem. Patton, MacArthur, Murphy didn't have those problems.
So I say; good luck to the U.S. Marines. As their toughest enemy is not the one they prepare to fight over there, but the ones who don't want you to succeed. And unfortunately, that enemy is over here.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Before My Heart Finds Out
Title: Before My Heart Finds Out
Artist: Gene Cotton
Well, you woke me from a dream about you
Just to say that you were leaving
I'm sleepy but I thought that you said
That our love that will last forever is endin'
Well before you walk out of my life
Would you be especially quiet
And don't let my heart know that you're leavin'
Don't you say another word about it darlin'
Don't you let my heart hear your footsteps walkin' out
The door of my hopes and dreams
And don't you let my heart know that you're leavin'
Don't you say another word about it darlin'
Leave me now before my heart finds out
Well, I see you writing something down
And leavin' it on the dresser
And the tears in your eyes look a lot like mine
But I guess it's all for the better
Well before we say our last goodbye
Baby won't you hold me just one more time
(repeat chorus)
To me this is the sound of the 70s. I loved this song and it will always remind me of those times. Today's music just doesn't tell the story any more.
Artist: Gene Cotton
Well, you woke me from a dream about you
Just to say that you were leaving
I'm sleepy but I thought that you said
That our love that will last forever is endin'
Well before you walk out of my life
Would you be especially quiet
And don't let my heart know that you're leavin'
Don't you say another word about it darlin'
Don't you let my heart hear your footsteps walkin' out
The door of my hopes and dreams
And don't you let my heart know that you're leavin'
Don't you say another word about it darlin'
Leave me now before my heart finds out
Well, I see you writing something down
And leavin' it on the dresser
And the tears in your eyes look a lot like mine
But I guess it's all for the better
Well before we say our last goodbye
Baby won't you hold me just one more time
(repeat chorus)
To me this is the sound of the 70s. I loved this song and it will always remind me of those times. Today's music just doesn't tell the story any more.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Excited
I got a very nice e-mail from the creator and star of Linked about my review. I really did like it and hope that there is a Season 2. Never made me think about being a film producer...who knows. First I guess I need to come up with something original and fresh first, huh? Besides, I maybe getting too long in the tooth.
Another great thing that happened today was I saw an old friend. hadn't seen him in about 6 months; he was down here at the college with his daughter as she was checking out the J-School. First time I had really gotten to talk with her and told her what her dad meant to me. we have known each other over 30 years now. And as I said, I don't see him the way he is now, I still see him like he was all those years ago. Greg was a bit of a wild man in his day, but he has settled down to be a good man and it is reflected it his daughters. Kudos my friend.
You know, as I write, I have no idea who is reading my blog. I'm just some guy in the mid-west, ok Missouri, with a eclectic tastes. I should write a book on what I have gone through; of course I would have to label it fiction as I want to add what I think went on behind the scenes and other things to make a good read. I could entitle it something like, 'Oh How the Mighty Have Fallen.'
I am glad that what has been happening of late has gotten me through whatever writer's block I have had for a while. My problem I was always concerned with writing something fresh, or trying to make stories with twists and turns that keep people guessing even though the clues were there. I was once accused of thinking too much and I think that was it. So maybe by writing 'snapshots' of what happened in my life is the best way. And a blog is as good as any.
If nothing else I can always use what I write her as rough drafts and memories to keep me going.
Another great thing that happened today was I saw an old friend. hadn't seen him in about 6 months; he was down here at the college with his daughter as she was checking out the J-School. First time I had really gotten to talk with her and told her what her dad meant to me. we have known each other over 30 years now. And as I said, I don't see him the way he is now, I still see him like he was all those years ago. Greg was a bit of a wild man in his day, but he has settled down to be a good man and it is reflected it his daughters. Kudos my friend.
You know, as I write, I have no idea who is reading my blog. I'm just some guy in the mid-west, ok Missouri, with a eclectic tastes. I should write a book on what I have gone through; of course I would have to label it fiction as I want to add what I think went on behind the scenes and other things to make a good read. I could entitle it something like, 'Oh How the Mighty Have Fallen.'
I am glad that what has been happening of late has gotten me through whatever writer's block I have had for a while. My problem I was always concerned with writing something fresh, or trying to make stories with twists and turns that keep people guessing even though the clues were there. I was once accused of thinking too much and I think that was it. So maybe by writing 'snapshots' of what happened in my life is the best way. And a blog is as good as any.
If nothing else I can always use what I write her as rough drafts and memories to keep me going.
Web Series - Linked review. Highly Recommended!
Highly Recommended!
OK, one of my dreams has never been to be a movie director or producer. Maybe a writer. People say I am such an actor (but I don't know if they mean that in a good way or bad). What I have been is a professional freelance photographer with a studio and all the gear. But that was pre-divorce. And it was all film; not digital. 35mm and 4x5 (medium format) and I was trying to get into video and wanted to do large format. I always know that you have to diversify to survive. I did that when I had my stores and I am doing that in life. So when I saw an ad for a Sony video camera, it didn't do much for me, except there were 2 elements that caught my attention: a pretty girl and that she made a sci-fi net series called Linked.
We all know you can find anything online, and I clicked the link, to Linked. Now, a pet peeve of mine is that I will not usually click on a video of something that is not the pilot or first in a series. I HATE trying to figure out what is going on and who is what. So I was glad to see the pilot was there along with what looked liked the whole series. I watched them all and that included the bloopers and message to fans. Went to the web site and read about all the principles.
I am now ready to do my review on Linked.
One thing I do want to say before I start: I was in a low budget movie called The Detail. I had 10 seconds on screen shooting someone, but I was also the official still photographer a personal assistant and many other behind the scene jobs in that film, besides being a small investor. So I know what it takes to make a movie. I saw it first hand. I also know camera shots, lightings, etc. from my time as a photographer and I have been writing, like the creator of Linked, since I was a kid. I hone my writing style sometimes at work (I work for a newspaper) and on other blogs. And I know a good story. So all that being said, here goes.
Linked is sci-fi. Plus there, as I am a sci-fer. It also has what I would say is a "Lost" slant. But unlike that series which has gotten too weird even for me, it doesn't hit you over the head with it. The main character is a guy named Gabriel. That caught my attention, as we all know from our bible studies about Gabriel. And though in one of the descriptions he was classified as a slacker, I think that is doing him a grave mis-service. Either they wanted to show him as one and then he gets caught up in this and proves he isn't, or they mis-used the term. I think from little pieces of him he was not supposed to be the typical slacker, as he has a job (hes a doorman), had a girlfriend (we never saw) a nice apartment, so I would not say he is a slacker. Or he is just very bad at being one. Then another blurb has him as a typical guy; that I can go with. Now his friend, a law student drop out, and who, come on, is comic relief at times, would be more of a slacker than Gabriel. The actor they have playing him is very good. And even the side-kick isn't bad. As the series went on, they got more comfortable with their roles and really did develop.
The premise is that Gabriel has had these unique dreams. Since he was little. Once he dreamt of a woman and then she was found dead. He has had a few others but these have been the first he had in a while. As he tells his friend this and about what happened in the dream, his friend, initially reacts like any guy does when another tells him he had a dream about two girls. Insert crude sex joke here. But, to his friend's credit, he gets on board and actually pushes Gabriel to delve deeper. This is where it diverges from Lost as they become detectives. The dreams, in the later episodes aren't coming. They do come back though. To interesting results.
The very first episode is very strong. Very well done, and has that hook you need to keep people interested in the characters and what the story is about.
As the first season progressed, there were some leaps of faith in this. Like when the mom calls the detectives who are also looking for her missing daughters when Gabriel and side-kick come over so they can go to a possible leads house. Its typical tv/movie stuff, and not uncommon so raises no 'dis-belief.'
All in all very good for a new comer, and a perfect medium (The Net) for the series. The episodes are no more than 5 minutes, which at times is frustrating when the story and acting is good, and relieved in those places where the actors are two-dimensional stereotypes.
Being a gamer, and always trying to breath life into characters I understand the difficulty she had in this and is in no way a slap. We need bad guys for our good guys; supporting characters. And it makes the other ones stand out.
As I said, the main character Gabriel is very well done. We have had some back story, shown him that he does care about people and is a nice guy. Someone we all would like as a friend.
His friend, Jason, is another typical guy. As I said, he is more of a slacker, but thats not bad. We know he doesn't have a job, but must have money saved or something as he also has a nice apartment; must be into movies as we see a film clapper, some photography equipment and even a Michale Myers head. We find out that he is a law student drop out, but remembers enough to know what the penalty for breaking and entering is. A nice guy and a good friend. Very supportive of Gabriel, and a plucky side-kick. So Jason you got your nick-name as Plucky, even though you are trying to hang one onto Gabriel. Personally I like Sleeper. Yeah I know, Dreamer is more what he does, but I don't think it carries a punch.
Then you have Lynn. Besides being the creator/writer of this, she does a good job in this. As I mentioned, some things are moved along for the film's sake; like when Gabriel tells her this is a dream. And after token resistance, believes him. Part of this is the movement of the story, but another I would say, or maybe its the romantic in me, that the chemistry is there between them, that she trusts and believes in Gabriel. I will also give credit to Gabriel; hes smarter than I was thinking about the dream bit and then telling her to wake up. I would never have figured that out.
Like I said, her and her sister's back story about who one worked for and the other being a investigator/journalist is pretty good. But they are used more for why the girls are in this situation than anything else. Like a secondary profession in the old D & D game. Its there, but rarely acted on. Still, they are important points as that's the cause of the calamity that the girls are in.
Then there is Ray, Lynn's boyfriend. Initially he might have been considered a prime suspect. His actions were suspect. And then when Gabriel saw him flirting with another woman, made him even more suspicious. He is a heavy, and does a good part at it, though he needs a little work. Though he does have a presence, doesn't raise him out of a stereotype.
Finally, the guy that the sister's 'adopted,' Randy, was very good. But he still needs some work too. I will say that when he 'disappeared' in front of Gabriel, you didn't know if he actually had, which would have been great or did he just hide. The problem I found was that he just disappeared after he was arrested. The actor did a nice job, but still needed a bit more. Playing someone who has developmental problems, is a challenge. I am glad to see someone with that trait in a movie, as it roots us to real life. Some of the dialog and acting was a bit stilted, but again, for 5 minutes of air time and moving a story along, it can be forgiven.
Bravo with the trench coat and red sweat hoodie though!
Forgettable characters: the other sister, Angel, even though she is the first one we really see/know on screen. We do see a little more of here, but definitely a secondary character. The mom, needs work. And all the others.
As I mentioned, in a role play game, these people are the NPCs and are not as fleshed out. And in short 5 minute webisodes, it shows.
And finally the mystery man at the season ender. The girls are saved. But its not over for Gabriel. Great way to end the season. And makes me want to see more. I want to see more.
This series is fresher than a lot of others on network TV. I can imagine a movie out of the first season verses a series. In that case, more character development would be paramount. I would keep the principle people playing, Gabriel, Jason, Lynn, Ray and Randy. The story is solid. And the ending, though notlovey-dovey is upbeat. And then just when you thought it was over, Mystery Man enters.
Bravo!
All in all, I highly recommend this. The story is very good. The acting is good for the most part. And while its not The Guild, another web series, has potential. It would be great if these two female creators; from The Guild and Linked could get together. These two have great futures and I am interested in anything they do.
I give this 4.5 stars out of 5!
Here's the link: http://www.getlinkedtv.com/Home_Page.html
OK, one of my dreams has never been to be a movie director or producer. Maybe a writer. People say I am such an actor (but I don't know if they mean that in a good way or bad). What I have been is a professional freelance photographer with a studio and all the gear. But that was pre-divorce. And it was all film; not digital. 35mm and 4x5 (medium format) and I was trying to get into video and wanted to do large format. I always know that you have to diversify to survive. I did that when I had my stores and I am doing that in life. So when I saw an ad for a Sony video camera, it didn't do much for me, except there were 2 elements that caught my attention: a pretty girl and that she made a sci-fi net series called Linked.
We all know you can find anything online, and I clicked the link, to Linked. Now, a pet peeve of mine is that I will not usually click on a video of something that is not the pilot or first in a series. I HATE trying to figure out what is going on and who is what. So I was glad to see the pilot was there along with what looked liked the whole series. I watched them all and that included the bloopers and message to fans. Went to the web site and read about all the principles.
I am now ready to do my review on Linked.
One thing I do want to say before I start: I was in a low budget movie called The Detail. I had 10 seconds on screen shooting someone, but I was also the official still photographer a personal assistant and many other behind the scene jobs in that film, besides being a small investor. So I know what it takes to make a movie. I saw it first hand. I also know camera shots, lightings, etc. from my time as a photographer and I have been writing, like the creator of Linked, since I was a kid. I hone my writing style sometimes at work (I work for a newspaper) and on other blogs. And I know a good story. So all that being said, here goes.
Linked is sci-fi. Plus there, as I am a sci-fer. It also has what I would say is a "Lost" slant. But unlike that series which has gotten too weird even for me, it doesn't hit you over the head with it. The main character is a guy named Gabriel. That caught my attention, as we all know from our bible studies about Gabriel. And though in one of the descriptions he was classified as a slacker, I think that is doing him a grave mis-service. Either they wanted to show him as one and then he gets caught up in this and proves he isn't, or they mis-used the term. I think from little pieces of him he was not supposed to be the typical slacker, as he has a job (hes a doorman), had a girlfriend (we never saw) a nice apartment, so I would not say he is a slacker. Or he is just very bad at being one. Then another blurb has him as a typical guy; that I can go with. Now his friend, a law student drop out, and who, come on, is comic relief at times, would be more of a slacker than Gabriel. The actor they have playing him is very good. And even the side-kick isn't bad. As the series went on, they got more comfortable with their roles and really did develop.
The premise is that Gabriel has had these unique dreams. Since he was little. Once he dreamt of a woman and then she was found dead. He has had a few others but these have been the first he had in a while. As he tells his friend this and about what happened in the dream, his friend, initially reacts like any guy does when another tells him he had a dream about two girls. Insert crude sex joke here. But, to his friend's credit, he gets on board and actually pushes Gabriel to delve deeper. This is where it diverges from Lost as they become detectives. The dreams, in the later episodes aren't coming. They do come back though. To interesting results.
The very first episode is very strong. Very well done, and has that hook you need to keep people interested in the characters and what the story is about.
As the first season progressed, there were some leaps of faith in this. Like when the mom calls the detectives who are also looking for her missing daughters when Gabriel and side-kick come over so they can go to a possible leads house. Its typical tv/movie stuff, and not uncommon so raises no 'dis-belief.'
All in all very good for a new comer, and a perfect medium (The Net) for the series. The episodes are no more than 5 minutes, which at times is frustrating when the story and acting is good, and relieved in those places where the actors are two-dimensional stereotypes.
Being a gamer, and always trying to breath life into characters I understand the difficulty she had in this and is in no way a slap. We need bad guys for our good guys; supporting characters. And it makes the other ones stand out.
As I said, the main character Gabriel is very well done. We have had some back story, shown him that he does care about people and is a nice guy. Someone we all would like as a friend.
His friend, Jason, is another typical guy. As I said, he is more of a slacker, but thats not bad. We know he doesn't have a job, but must have money saved or something as he also has a nice apartment; must be into movies as we see a film clapper, some photography equipment and even a Michale Myers head. We find out that he is a law student drop out, but remembers enough to know what the penalty for breaking and entering is. A nice guy and a good friend. Very supportive of Gabriel, and a plucky side-kick. So Jason you got your nick-name as Plucky, even though you are trying to hang one onto Gabriel. Personally I like Sleeper. Yeah I know, Dreamer is more what he does, but I don't think it carries a punch.
Then you have Lynn. Besides being the creator/writer of this, she does a good job in this. As I mentioned, some things are moved along for the film's sake; like when Gabriel tells her this is a dream. And after token resistance, believes him. Part of this is the movement of the story, but another I would say, or maybe its the romantic in me, that the chemistry is there between them, that she trusts and believes in Gabriel. I will also give credit to Gabriel; hes smarter than I was thinking about the dream bit and then telling her to wake up. I would never have figured that out.
Like I said, her and her sister's back story about who one worked for and the other being a investigator/journalist is pretty good. But they are used more for why the girls are in this situation than anything else. Like a secondary profession in the old D & D game. Its there, but rarely acted on. Still, they are important points as that's the cause of the calamity that the girls are in.
Then there is Ray, Lynn's boyfriend. Initially he might have been considered a prime suspect. His actions were suspect. And then when Gabriel saw him flirting with another woman, made him even more suspicious. He is a heavy, and does a good part at it, though he needs a little work. Though he does have a presence, doesn't raise him out of a stereotype.
Finally, the guy that the sister's 'adopted,' Randy, was very good. But he still needs some work too. I will say that when he 'disappeared' in front of Gabriel, you didn't know if he actually had, which would have been great or did he just hide. The problem I found was that he just disappeared after he was arrested. The actor did a nice job, but still needed a bit more. Playing someone who has developmental problems, is a challenge. I am glad to see someone with that trait in a movie, as it roots us to real life. Some of the dialog and acting was a bit stilted, but again, for 5 minutes of air time and moving a story along, it can be forgiven.
Bravo with the trench coat and red sweat hoodie though!
Forgettable characters: the other sister, Angel, even though she is the first one we really see/know on screen. We do see a little more of here, but definitely a secondary character. The mom, needs work. And all the others.
As I mentioned, in a role play game, these people are the NPCs and are not as fleshed out. And in short 5 minute webisodes, it shows.
And finally the mystery man at the season ender. The girls are saved. But its not over for Gabriel. Great way to end the season. And makes me want to see more. I want to see more.
This series is fresher than a lot of others on network TV. I can imagine a movie out of the first season verses a series. In that case, more character development would be paramount. I would keep the principle people playing, Gabriel, Jason, Lynn, Ray and Randy. The story is solid. And the ending, though notlovey-dovey is upbeat. And then just when you thought it was over, Mystery Man enters.
Bravo!
All in all, I highly recommend this. The story is very good. The acting is good for the most part. And while its not The Guild, another web series, has potential. It would be great if these two female creators; from The Guild and Linked could get together. These two have great futures and I am interested in anything they do.
I give this 4.5 stars out of 5!
Here's the link: http://www.getlinkedtv.com/Home_Page.html
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Shes on another ONE!
Ok, Jeri Ryan. Loved her in Trek, but she has certainly been making the rounds of other shows. Leverage and now Psych? I should have caught that when Spencer was making the joke that Gus needed to see the season finale of "Leverage." Please, its like watching Kate Mulgrew in Mercy. Shes playing an alcoholic mother and not the best mother either. OMG, she had a starship for fricking sake! Man I must be getting old if I am complaining about that crap on TV. But seriously; I liked 7 of 9, but these others... just don't do it. Maybe I am that big of a Trekkie (I am) but still... once you find something that you are good at... stereotype or not, it can outlast any other thing you try to do. Look at Shatner. He tried TJ Hooker, but you don't see big 'TJ Hooker' conventions. So point there for Trek!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
That Was Then This Is Now
When I was younger I chose music that I liked from hearing the song. Sometimes it was where I heard the song or what I was doing or it was recommended by a friend. Now, because of the Internet I have can find 90% of those oldies somewhere - there are some that are gone forever, but I have forgotten them. Anyway. Now a days, if I like a video I like the song. Only a very few songs have I heard that I liked because I heard them verses seeing the video. Steve Buble is one that I heard the song and liked it before seeing the video. Another would be Sade's Soldier of Love.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
What Happens in Vegas...
Ok, this is not something I would not normally watch, as I can figure out the plot real easily. But, like any movie its always interesting to see how they get there and what the message is going to be. And I must say I have always liked Cameron Diaz since I saw her in The Mask. And Ashton Kutcher has come a long ways since Thats 70s Show. And of course there is Vegas! Love that place. It wasn't a bad movie.
But there was something in the movie that I had to think about; it talked about the last time being happy. And in the movie Cameron was very specific. I could say Kemper or 14 years ago; and while true is vague. I'm not sure. I mean I have had good times and things, but they were taking about a state of being and mind. One thing I know that I swore I would never do was be nervous-like my dad was later in his life. I never understood then; but I do now.
Another thing that I have learned is that I wish I was part of something. Ok, let me explain that-at Kemper, in the military, you are part of something. The closest thing I am part of is Starfleet. And it is taking it tolls. People are moving on, as it should. They get married, kids, career... so its not like the way it was. There are only a few of us left that are still like we were. And after us there ain't any more. We are truly a dying breed. Dinosaur.
I need to be a part of something, people I respect, and to have their respect. Its not something that can be handed to you. You don't earn that which can easily be just given away. It took me 6 years to get some people's respects and its been taking me the rest of my life to make sure that they know, that respect was not misplaced. How I feel, how to feel like it was...to feel safe? I have learned that safe is boring and stagnant. A combination of what Titus said and how the US was before WWII. For when the shit hits the fan, you aren't prepared. You freak. I freaked for a while after all the crap that happened. I wasn't truly prepared. But I learned. Now I am better prepared for almost anything. The family battle. Kemper shutting down. Twice divorced. Doing a lot of things that I never thought I would. Doing things that I didn't know I could do. And for being 47 now; I think I have surprised some people. But surprise is not respect.
What to do what to do? Well I do what everyone does-I breath in, I breath out. I get up to go to work. I do what I can. And that last time I felt safe and free and all that stuff? I can't remember. But I work for that everyday.
But there was something in the movie that I had to think about; it talked about the last time being happy. And in the movie Cameron was very specific. I could say Kemper or 14 years ago; and while true is vague. I'm not sure. I mean I have had good times and things, but they were taking about a state of being and mind. One thing I know that I swore I would never do was be nervous-like my dad was later in his life. I never understood then; but I do now.
Another thing that I have learned is that I wish I was part of something. Ok, let me explain that-at Kemper, in the military, you are part of something. The closest thing I am part of is Starfleet. And it is taking it tolls. People are moving on, as it should. They get married, kids, career... so its not like the way it was. There are only a few of us left that are still like we were. And after us there ain't any more. We are truly a dying breed. Dinosaur.
I need to be a part of something, people I respect, and to have their respect. Its not something that can be handed to you. You don't earn that which can easily be just given away. It took me 6 years to get some people's respects and its been taking me the rest of my life to make sure that they know, that respect was not misplaced. How I feel, how to feel like it was...to feel safe? I have learned that safe is boring and stagnant. A combination of what Titus said and how the US was before WWII. For when the shit hits the fan, you aren't prepared. You freak. I freaked for a while after all the crap that happened. I wasn't truly prepared. But I learned. Now I am better prepared for almost anything. The family battle. Kemper shutting down. Twice divorced. Doing a lot of things that I never thought I would. Doing things that I didn't know I could do. And for being 47 now; I think I have surprised some people. But surprise is not respect.
What to do what to do? Well I do what everyone does-I breath in, I breath out. I get up to go to work. I do what I can. And that last time I felt safe and free and all that stuff? I can't remember. But I work for that everyday.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)