The Real Jesus

Bless Her Heart

In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Reba McEntire was asked...
"Who's a bigger redneck woman: you, Gretchen Wilson, or the always-popular write-in vote Britney Spears?"
Reba replied...
"I'm gonna vote Britney Spears. Bless her heart. All the tabloid stuff I've been reading..."

Bless her heart. That just says it all, doesn't it. In the south, that's the nice way to say, "She's an idiot, " or "she's just not playing with a full deck." I love it.
And I keep forgetting that Britney is from Louisiana. That explains alot.

Mean Creek

Sarah and I watched a cheery little movie last night called "Mean Creek." In it, a group of teen boys plot revenge on a school bully with a silly prank. Later things go terribly wrong and someone dies. It was a pretty good flick...nothing awe-inspiring to report. What I want to talk about is consequences.
Last year, the script we wrote for Summersalt has similar tones as "Mean Creek." In the script, several high school students want to make a mark on their home town before they leave for college. They plan a harmless prank but, as pranks go in these situations, it goes horribly wrong and someone dies. Now, here's where it gets interesting. We flashforward 10 years to see how the event has affected the lives of those teens in their grown-up years. The picture isn't pretty.
This is where I wish "Mean Creek" had gone. In the end, the kids do deal with the consequences but we never see how that affects their future. What we do today affects what we will do tomorrow and so on and so on and so on. I know you all know that. I'm just reminding myself. So..."Mean Creek" is a little indie film with a big message...if you so desire to look for it.

The Invasion is Over

Warning: This entry has a geek factor of 9.5.

Rewind to the beginnings of the new '05-'06 TV season. After several years (too many) of reality tv overload the networks decide to put some dramas on the air, shows that actually tell a story. I am not one to sit around and watch alot of tv unless it's a movie on DVD but several shows for the new season intrigued me. There was "Night Stalker," "Threshold," "Surface," and "Invasion." I watched or taped all but "Surface." The other three hooked me just like "Lost" had the season before. "Night Stalker" being the weakest of the bunch, bit the dust first. Soon after, "Threshold" joined the choir invisible. But "Invasion" seemed to be hanging on. I was a little sad about "Night Stalker" and just a tad more for "Threshold" but I still had my favorite.
"Invasion" has been extremely fun to watch. I love the story and the characters and it's a joy to watch them unfold. The first couple of episodes freaked me out because they bore a striking resemblance to a novel I want to write but then the story took off in different directions. And good directions they were. Argue with me if you want but this has been one the finest alien invasion stories I've ever read or seen.
So, to make a long story short, Sarah and I both got hooked on "Invasion" and what good did it do us? Nada. The show is cancelled. The networks don't care but perhaps they should. In the future, I will not be investing my time in watching new shows. If I am truly interested, I will await their release on DVD. (as I have done with "Deadwood")
ABC, if you're listening, it's not too late to change your mind.

Theatre This Week

It's been a busy theatre week for me around here. Taproot is opening "The Foreigner" on Friday night so I'm having to get the theatre in spic and span condition. I watched the invited dress rehearsal on Tuesday night and it's a funny show. I could tell they still had some tweaking to do but, all in all, it was very entertaining. I am going to make my debut on Taproot's stage during student matinees of the show as a Klansman. Yep, white hood and everything. My family would be so proud. So, I have to come back to the theatre tonight to go over what I have to do for that. I'll be glad when this week is over (So will Sarah) so we can have some down time together...and not be at the theatre for what seems like 24 hours a day.
Last night I got a comp ticket to see the Reduced Shakepeare Company perform "The Complete History of America Abridged" at the Moore Theatre in downtown Seattle. Sarah had to work so I went alone. We had seen "The Complete Works of William Shakepeare Abridged" in Asheville and it was hilarious so I thought I would give this a look. It wasn't as hilarious as the Shakespeare show but it was darn funny. I am so glad I went. They also have a show called "The Bible: The Complete Word of God Abridged" that I would like to see. It's not on DVD like the other two but there is a CD. Perhaps I'll try to snag a copy of that somewhere.
So, like I said, it's been a busy theatre week here for me and my spouse. Here's to a restful next week.

Bill and Jane Reese

Some of you may have noticed the "Bill Reese Update" link that I've recently added and wondered, "What's that all about?" Well, Bill has liver cancer and isn't doing too well so my good friend Jon has created a website for updates so that those of us near and far can keep up with Bill's progress.
I met Bill and Jane at seminary. They were, as was I, a part of The Company, Southwestern Seminary's touring drama team. They were coming in as I was moving out so we never travelled together and shared that close bond that is called the seminary van. But I love Bill and Jane. Even though I haven't seen them since 1995, I will always consider them friends. They are the kind of people that you want to be around all the time. They are loving and kind and fun and just all around "good folks." They are in my thoughts and prayers daily.
So, that's the situation. I have meant to write about them sooner but it was hard to figure out what to say. It was difficult to figure out what to put in the card I sent them. I mean, what do you say? I've never been good at this stuff. I just hope that even through the awkward scribbles that I wrote in their card, my concern showed through. If I were there, I could help in a tangible way. As it is, I am stuck in Seattle watching and praying like so many other long distance friends. God, heal Bill. Amen.

Spring has Sprung

Although the weather is still a bit here and there, Spring has definitely sprung here in Seattle. Everything is in bloom and it's just beautiful. Sarah and I took a walk around the neighborhood and the zoo this past week and there are just so many unusual plants here in the NW. Because it's so temperate, everything grows here. And blooms...flowers bloom here like I've never seen. Giant tulips that look like they might be related to the Audrey II plant in "Little Shop of Horrors." I saw an azalea the other day. Now, we have azaleas in the south but not like this. This thing was covered in blooms and they were the brightest colors I've ever seen. Puts those Florida azaleas to shame. (but who can blame them...it's dang hot down there) So, if you want to see a wonderful sight, come to Seattle in the Springtime. It's pretty spectacular.

Booklist

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling - This is a second read for me. I enjoyed it even more than the first time. I picked up on things I didn't see the first time. If there's someone out there writing as enjoyable stories as J. K. Rowling, please let me know. I want to read them.
Boneyard Volumes 1-4 by Richard Moore - A strange little comic book collection that I discovered in the library a while back. The basic jist is this: Michael Paris inherits a cemetary that is inhabited by all sorts of benevolent monsters. The town wants it destroyed but Paris finds that the monsters are quite nice so he decides to save it so that they will have a place to live. Madness ensues. Among the many adventures so far...a monster swimsuit calendar to raise funds to save the cemetary, Lilith (yes, that Lilith) attacks Abbey (the vampire chick), and Nessie (sexy swamp thing) is bitten by a zombie. It's all quite bizarre and a lot of fun.
Grafitti World: Street Art from Five Continents by Nicholas Ganz - This is an art book so there aren't many words but oh, the pictures. I love grafitti art. Um...let me clarify that. I love great grafitti art. There's a difference between that which defaces and that which beautifies. I like the stuff that is so good it's gorgeous. There are some talented grafitti artists in the world and this book covers them all. I checked this one out of the library but one day a copy of it will be mine.

Broadway's Originality

There seems to be a trend in musical theatre that's going a bit overboard. It seems instead of coming up with unique ideas, folks are basing their musicals on popular films. Examples include Footloose, Saturday Night Fever, The Wedding Singer (we saw this one), and on the bill for next year at the 5th Ave. Theatre in Seattle - Edward Scissorhands? You've got to be kidding me. What's next? Well, I have a few ideas.

Flower Drum Kong - The premise here is that Kong didn't really die. He merely faked his death so that he and Faye could run away together and get married. The move to Japan where Faye meets and falls in love with a Japanese businessman. Kong is so enraged that he destroys Tokyo and Godzilla has to come to the rescue. Featuring the songs "I Enjoy Being a Gorilla" and "Like a Godzilla."

War of the World's Fair - Elvis impersonator Teddy Baer must protect himself and his family from the ultimate red menace - Martians! Teddy's act is interrupted as the extraterrestrials attack Seattle during the World's Fair. You've never seen action like this! The songs! The action! The love scene between an alien tripod and the Space Needle. This one has it all!

The Fantasticks Four - Reed Richards and Sue Storm are tricked into falling in love by their fathers, who pretend to feud. The mysterious Dr. El Doomo is hired to stage a phony adventure in which Reed saves the girl and reinforces her love. But Dr. El Doomo bombards the couple and their fathers with cosmic rays in the hopes of killing them and ending this sickening display. But instead of death, the rays give each person extraordinary powers and with these powers, they battle the evil and insipid Dr. El Gallo.

I'll add to these as I come up with them. If you've got one, let me know about it.

Pippin

"Pippin," Stephen Schwartz's "anti-war, find yourself" musical, debuted on Broadway in 1972. The time machine at the 5th Ave. Theatre couldn't bring it back. Sarah and I attended last night's opening and I can't remember ever being that bored or annoyed in the theatre. The music is strictly early 70's with not much of an attempt to update it. The story is vintage late 60's hippy. Young Pippin, Charlemagne's oldest, attempts to find his purpose in life. Throughout his journey, he tries many different things. In the end, the circus troupe who lure him along his experiences fail to lead Pippin to his death but they are left with another innocent victim to tempt as the show ends.
There is the seed of a great story here. Finding purpose, temptation, this is the stuff of life and spirituality. This show doesn't succeed in bringing the seed to life. The performances were fine for the most part. The costumes were nice. The sets were eye-catching. But there was a lackluster lifelessness to the show. The pacing dragged. There were dead spots. Tech problems galore. (microphones kept cutting in and out) And the audience? I have never seen such a strange audience in my life. During the first act, many got up and left. By the second act, there were many empty seats. To our right was an obnoxious group of women/girls who giggled and guffawed and made asses of themselves throughout the whole performance. When applause was appropriate, the audience complied but only half-heartedly. On the way back to the car, Sarah and I were subjected to the inane behavior of a group of twenty-something theatre goers.
All in all, not a good night. Although, P. F. Chang's was marvelous as always (Jasmine was the best waitress yet) and I found a decent anatomy book at Borders for my collage. At least that part of the evening wasn't a bust. Glad I didn't pay for the show. That would have been a waste of money.

Welcome to my Nightmare

Woah! Did I have a doozy of a nightmare last night. I usually don't dream. Well, I know everyone dreams but I don't usually remember mine. Anyway, in the dream I witness a plane crash. It falls out of the sky and sticks in the ground standing straight up. (tail in the air) The next thing I remember is me and a bunch of old friends from Pensacola are in a room at the airport awaiting word about our loved ones that were in the crash. One old friend, David, comes in alive and jabbering up a storm. This gives us all hope that the others are alive. Eventually, an airport representative enters the room and, at this point, I know it's bad news. There are three dead in the crash that I know. My dad, Russell, and someone else I can't remember. And that's it. Really, really strange. I woke up this morning feeling like a truck had run over me. The alarm woke me which is unusual because I usually wake up before the alarm and turn it off.
I hate nightmares. And I didn't even eat pizza last night.

Creative Constipation

Okay, we moved and now we have a bunch of space including an art studio for Sarah and I to be creative in. It will also double as a writing space as soon as I can get the computer set up. Well, I haven't had any time to spend in there due to a script revision I've been doing for Summersalt. Yesterday, I finished the script and decided to go into the studio and work on art for a while. When I got there and sat down at my table...nothing. Nada. Zip. The muse has forsaken me. Nothing flowed out of me. Last week was such a good week of meaningful creative time and now I've got nothing. Arrgh! That's so frustrating. I guess I should do one of my creative unclogging exercises. Usually, I just pull out a bunch of stuff and just start slapping it down in collage form with no previous thought. Just brainless cut and paste. That usually frees me up. I guess you could say it's a cure for creative constipation.

I Don't Understand!

I recently heard from another friend in ministry who is getting canned. When I hear about stuff like this, it makes my blood boil. Mostly, I sympathize because I've been there, done that, got the Christian t-shirt, and burned it in anger. Why does it have to be this way? I don' t understand.
- I don't understand a friend who is a youth minister getting canned because he was reaching out to the "wrong kind" of kids.
- I don't understand ministers who walk into their offices one day and, with no warning, get canned. No excuse, no reason, just, "Get out of here...now!"
Is that Christian behavior? I don't think so. Here are some other things I don't understand.
- I don't understand a Christian camp that changes lives getting personnel and weeks taken away because they didn't make enough money.
- I don't understand an entire creative department at a Christian school getting dissolved because the new President doesn't think creativity and ministry belong together.
- I don't understand a church that has a Family Life Center (with gym, game tables, etc.) that is never open and especially not available to the youth of the church because they might "tear something up."
- I don't understand a church that tells people that if you are living for God you will be financially rich...and people believe that!
Yes, there's a lot I don't understand. I don't understand how money and personality and ego and materialism and power became more important than preaching Jesus. I don't understand how this stuff and more continues to go on day by day, year by year and God does nothing about it. God, I'm asking you...where are you and why don't you do something about all this.
I don't understand.

The Lion Sleeps Tonight

Some of you may have noticed that I've changed my site description. Well, it was time for a change. I have changed. Don't get me wrong. I feel just as rebellious as ever. It's the righteous part that I have a problem with. The description used to say something like "Random rants from the reigning ruler of righteous rebellion." Geez. What a load of sh---aving cream!
You see, in the past, I've been on a warpath against the church. They swear up and down that they want to change and they want to be relevant and they want to reach people...but...try to change something or be creative and you're treated like you've built another Golden Calf. I've been run over, chewed up, and spit out more times than I care to mention and I am tired. I still don't agree with the church and the directions it's going (It doesn't know where it's going) but I just don't care enough anymore to try and be a catalyst for change. I'm so full of doubt about everything that has to do with my faith I'm basically a toothless, clawless lion in the fight. So, I have decided to back off from my "righteous rebellion" and address my faith issues. Perhaps in this "search" the lion may return but for now...the lion sleeps tonight. Believe me, he needs the rest.

Moved and Moved!

The big move has happened. We got all our stuff moved across the expanse of the great hallway and into the new apartment. It is so big compared to our old place. We have lots of room. We are most excited about the studio. We've turned our extra bedroom into an art studio. Sarah has broken it in more than I have. I've been busy revising the Summersalt script while she's had a little time to work on art. There are still some things to tweak in the apartment but most stuff is in it's place. It's so nice to have some elbow room.
This past Sunday night (we slept in Sunday morning - GASP!) we went to Northwest Church. Since meeting with Jeff's artist group over there, we've been curious about church. We enjoyed it. Sarah said she felt like she had been to church and that she felt free to worship the way she's comfortable. I enjoyed the music (after a rocky start) and especially enjoyed the message. This pastor served up his sermon with a little more "meat" than some of the others we've encountered. It was basic enough to understand but there were plenty of ideas thrown out that one could chew on. They presented a drama (refreshing) that was well written and well performed. (Thanks Jeff and Allan) All in all, I believe we'll return but we are also going to visit some other churches in the area. Sanctuary has been more than good to us and we love Randy and all the guys but it's just not clicking. Plus, Sarah and I are at the theatre way too much as it is. I don't know where we'll end up but I hope it feels like home.