Staying in Dallas at the Hotel Lawrence, a "European-style boutique hotel" with a history dating back to 1925. Lovely but definitely old and a little too similiar to the old Hilton Chrissy and I stayed at when we came to Dallas for an EPA training a few years ago. One of the elevators is broken, but hopefully that's where the similiarities end.
when we got off the elevator we joked about the decor being reminiscent of "The Shining" - until we noticed that there was no room number for Sean's room. "1408!!!" I exclaimed.

Should I check on him in 60 minutes?

Going to a special screening of "The Mist" with a dinner and the director Frank Darabont in the house. The "tendrilicious" menu?

I) Seaweed and Cucumber Salad in a citrus and sesame vinaigrette

II) Linguine with a squid ink cream sauce with sautéed calamari and green lip mussels

III) Coconut Mango Milk Tea with Tapioca Pearls

yum yum.

I've been away from my computer for the last couple of weeks - having a Crackberry actually keeps me off a bit since I can read all of my emails instantaneously.

Just an overview for now, but more later here and in my blogspot.

I worked in Artists Transportation for the ACL Fest this year, for four straight 14 hour days. It was a blast, good pay and food, and all the artists and folks were nice. Which included: My Morning Jacket, Queens of the Stone Age, Peter, Bjorn and John, Bela Fleck, Ian Ball, and Britt Daniel of Spoon. Loved the tips I received from a promoter, who handles Billy Joe Shaver and David Allan Coe.

Than it was one day off for rest, and then three days later the Fantastic Fest. This year was amazing - I saw some really awesome films, sang in two drunken karaoke sessions, drank more Stella than I ever thought I could stomach, hung out with British film festival organizers, German and Spanish directors and a Chilean martial artist/actor. My favorite movies included "La Hora Fria" (The Cold Hour), "Mirageman", and El Orfanato (the Orphanage). I loved "There Will be Blood", and spoke with director Paul Thomas Anderson afterwards about West Texas, where much of the film was shot.

I'm not a big fan of slasher/survivalist movies, but Severance is definitely my #1 favorite! I had the pleasure of seeing this last September during Fantastic Fest.

Not just your usual horror flick, it's funny and intelligent. I wouldn't recommend watching the American trailer solely because one of the best lines in the movie is revealed. Best to experience it firsthand....Anyone want to see it with me soon??

You know who you are!

I'm not joking -
Tim and Harry came up with it at the end of another fun but long night of QT Fest. Since there will never be another November Butt Numb-a-thon at the original Alamo Drafthouse Downtown, it was decided to have one during closing week. And the name they came up with? Half Ass-a-thon!!

Too much fun, sad that sweetcheri couldn't stay. I got to talk to Quentin. A friend who is a car geek wanted to know more about the car I'd seen QT driving whenever he'd be in my neighborhood. Part of Grindhouse was filmed at the Omelettry, so I saw QT several times in a yellow and black Ford Mustang Shelby GT-500.

It turns out it was a rental, but he liked it driving it so much that he bought one when he got home! My friend will be glad to hear that, he's buying one soon.

I wouldn't mind this one myself.

Help! My digital camera is on its last legs, and I'd like to replace it before my New Zealand trip. Unfortunately, I leave on Saturday so buying online is not the best option. My biggest concerns:
Decent size screen, good at low light for shooting bands in clubs, as well as outdoor shots. Durability over "slim and sleek", but preferably not too heavy. Something that I can put rechargeable AA batteries in instead of disposable Lithium batteries. I don't care about any editing in camera features, but want something with image stabilization.

I've scoured CNet reviews and dpreview.com, but want your opinions. Preferably something I can pick up at Circuit City/Fry's/Precision for around $300, since it's a belated bday present from my dad.

Thanks!!

Remember the Grindhouse trailer contest I mentioned awhile back? Here's one my fellow Special Venues Crew Chief, Thorr, did with his brother. I fell out of my chair laughing....This is so going out to all of our crew volunteers!

I liked the original version of Garden State, but look forward to the recut version. Check out the trailer!

Once in a great while, I've been fortunate to experience an artistic event so visually stunning and emotionally captivating that it bears a lasting impression. At the top of that list is Cirque du Soleil's "Quidam", which I saw live in San Jose years ago. The performances were wonderful, but the story and music was also impressive. Now another event has taken the #1 spot. I was fortunate enough to see Pan's Labryinth as a special screening at the Fantastic Fest.

Visually stunning and emotionally captivating, this fairy tale for adults is not to be missed! Definitely the top movie I saw in 2006, and I am excited that it is opening in Austin on January 12th. The Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar presents Pan's Labyrinth, and opening weekend will feature Spanish tapas and a Spanish wine flight. I'm getting together some friends to see it opening night, because I'd like to see it again on the big screen. Plus I want to see what effect it will have on others. More on the movie -

"Beautiful and Exhilarating, a fairy tale for Grown-ups" - Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

"The year's True Masterpiece, the best movie of the year" - The New York Post



PAN'S LABYRINTH is a fanciful and chilling story set against the backdrop of a fascist regime in 1944 rural Spain. It's Alice in Wonderland for grown-ups, with the horrors of both reality and fantasy blended together into an extraordinary, spellbinding fable. The film centers on Ofelia, a lonely and dreamy child living with her mother and adoptive father; a military officer tasked with ridding the area of rebels. In her loneliness, Ofelia creates a world filled with fantastical creatures and secret destinies. With post-war repression at its height, Ofelia must come to terms with her world through a fable of her own creation.

Thanks to friends who asked I make this more accessible to those who want to support this project. Hopefully my webpage will be up soon! Love, snax

My film project will follow the personal stories of a few volunteers in the Austin community. My intent is threefold:

1) to create awareness of the diversity of people involved, what they do, and what motivates them.
2) educate on the opportunities available in our community and how they impact others.
3) empower people to get involved on a personal level, and understand that one person CAN make an impact.

There are countless people and organizations available to feature, but part of what makes this such a personal story is that I want to feature those volunteers who truly inspire and amaze me - whether through their dedication, addiction, creativity - and the organizations that are close to my heart - Capital Area Food Bank, Blue Dog Rescue, Girlstart, South by Southwest, and Reggae/Hot Sauce Fests. I realize the caveat of making an "Austincentric" film, but I want to recognize how Austin has a uniqueness in the grassroots volunteer network.

How you can help!:

I'm accepting donations towards this project. Any amount would be welcome, and can be made via Paypal by clicking the button below -

Please contact me if you have any questions. Thanks to all my friends for their constant support!!

I have seen 204 out of 250 of IMDb's top 250 list (thanks for the screen suck, sweetcheri!) My list:( Read more... )

Observations:
- I've got an earworm, The Man who Shot Liberty Valance theme song. Great.
- A lot of people really like Robert Mitchum.
- I've got a shopping list for my Dad because he'll like a lot of the ones I missed (WWII/Western)
- Borat already?? Come on, people, it' can't be THAT good, can it?
- I've watched entirely too much TCM in my life.
- Prefer period Kurosawa to office life Kurosawa.
- Time to watch chris2342's copy of Requiem for a Dream and Netflix's Crash I have sitting on my TV console.
- I've got some movies to see!

I love Lasse Lol's videos, but this one's the best I've seen so far.

I missed voting in Week 2 of SciFi Channel's Exposure Film Contest, but the winner was well-chosen in my opinion. This video was not quite what I expected, and heartwrenching.

Now I have to go wash my face again. :(

When the consumption of cookies is controlled by the government...
C is for Cookie

Anyone going to Fantastic Fest? Miracle Mile is one of my favorite apocalyptic movies, and of course I'm going to see the "A Scanner Darkly" special presentation. I didn't buy a pass yet, and don't know if there are any still available....Let's see, how many movies would I have to see to make it worthwhile?

*wanders off to view schedule*

check out the funny Star Wars parody Store Wars. Quite funny, I especially like Tofu D2 and Chewbroccoli.