Los Caballos

Let's take a look back at how well things have been going:

My bike broke down at a studio in Burbank last Friday. It was stranded there for several days until I was able to U-Haul it to a, at the time, closed bike repair shop. Frank took it in for me early on Tuesday, as I was at work, only to discover it is broken and beyond my fiscal repair. I have to sell it for parts.

Without a vehicle, this was no good. Jeremy was kind enough to loan me his car a few times and drive me to work a few times. I went looking quickly for a new bike and ended up spending $80 on a mechanic taking a look at one that I didn't end up purchasing. Instead, I bought a 2008 Honda Rebel in near perfect condition. The bike set me back a few bucks, but I'm good monetarily for now thanks to a little loan from the rentals (to be paid back ASAP).

Along with that, I've been doing a bit better at work, but still mess up a fair share and feel like a chotch for doing so. I was also not allowed to go on runs because I'm an insuranceless pile of drile for the time being (to be changed this weekend).

On the positive side, I finally saw two films that I've been itching to watch for a while. Pictured above: Fan Boys. The movie was not as good as I was hoping it would be (as I'd anticipated it's release for about 3 years now), but there were some funny moments and it didn't lick ass. The premise of the movie is a group of star wars geeks, the two leaders of which are in a tiff about growing apart as they grow up, decide to drive across the country to break into the Lucas Ranch and watch Episode 1 before it's released. Silliness occurs frequently and Seth Rogan makes several cameos as several different characters.

Also, I saw the director's cut of Watchmen (though I already saw the theatrical release). There wasn't all that much different from what I could tell, to be honest, but it was still sweet.
I did have a bit of fun yesterday, though. Jeremy, Tim Roberts, and I went to the Hollywood Improv and saw an alright group of comedians perform. We got to say hey to Doug Benson (DNP) when we first got there. Most notable performer, who I've met a few times and seen perform a few times, was Owen Benjamin. His self-declared favorite joke is an impression of a gay Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino:
"Get off my land...and show me your dick." (It works better if you do the voice).

Je M'Appelle....je m'appelle - je m'appelle

While looking for information on the release date of "Whip It!" (Drew Barrymore's directorial debut, as well as the first movie I worked as an extra one), I not only confirmed the date to be October 9th, but found a few shots from the set as well. There are seven pictures out right now, and, as luck would have it, yours truly is in one of them. See if you can locate me.

Today winds up my first week as a working man with consistent hours. I have to admit, it's a bit freaky to think that I will no longer have any long breaks or vacation for the rest of my life (or at least until I retire). It's a weird feeling.

While I finally got the oil filter I needed for my bike, I unfortunately got screwed in the process. The bolt that I'm to remove from the bike to replace the filter is made out of a very soft metal and is totally stripped. It is un-removable without an extraction kit or a drill. I'm going to have to put the oil in it and just replace the filter at a later date, meaning I'll have to buy even more oil. It was a frustrating discovery last night, to say the least.

He's a Magic Man

I am now almost fully adjusted to life away from family and all that is familiar to me (with the exception of Jeremy). There are still a few things I need to take care of before I can fully relax (pay back some loans, locate an elusive oil filter for my bike, get more involved in the stand up comedy scene), but for the most part, I'm doing well.

I started my new job on Monday. I'm a PA at mOcean; which means I make runs, clean up, move/organize shtick in the office, answer phones (fml), deliver mail, and all that jazz. The only part proving to be difficult thus far is remembering everybody's names. I know a lot of people in the office based on their extension numbers, but not by their faces. Today's day 3, though, and I feel like I'm starting to get somewhere, so no worries. As long as they keep me working 5 days/week, I should be fine monetarily.

Moroz Flicks is going through yet another change. This style, I think, will probably be the most aesthetically pleasing. Let me know what you think when it comes out (ETA end of this week).

Uh...Boo Yat

I got selected for that comedy competition (as shown above). There are a bunch of details about what happens if I win and what not, but the important thing here is that I'm back on stage, July 29th at the latest. If you're in town or can afford to be in town (do I even have any friends that wealthy?), you should really come and see some comedy. It'll be fun. I'm going to contact a few more comedy clubs and bars to try and find some open mic time or get booked (preferable) in the mean time.

If my work with the movie trailer company becomes steady enough, I will officially be fully situated and a lot less worry free in Los Angeles. I've been getting progressively calmer over the last few weeks and I'd like to keep my blood pressure down as much as possible (from factors that aren't Burger King's two Whopper's for $3 deal, because that is too good to pass up; I've had 10 since leaving, and that doesn't include Whopper Jr.'s).

Our attractive and young lady neighbor moved out this week, which was somewhat sad. We now have a young dude who just graduated from Stanford living there. We met him today and he seems pretty cool. He also seems interested in NHL '09, for which we have a third controller. Baller.

The other two video games that have been getting a lot of attention from Jeremy and I are Left 4 Dead, which is fucking sweet as a multiplayer online, and Worms, which Sklut can vouch for as sweet. Jeremy just bought Left 4 Dead, so I'll probably be the one buying that eventually purchases Worms....2 ARMAGEDDON.

The only way I'm sayin "grande" is if a Mexican pimp busts in here right now, points at me, and asks me what size titties I like

The above is the end part of a joke I heard Dov Davidoff tell on stage last night. His motions live were even more exaggerated than they are in that video. Jeremy declared him to be, "A combination of Joe Rogan and the drunkest man I've ever seen in my life." He, along with about six other comedians, spent the night entertaining me and Jeremy at the Hollywood Improv (free tickets whaaaaaaaaaat). All of the comedians were good; I felt that Davidoff and two others were great. It was an absolute blast.

Last night, I, too, participated in stage performance. I had an audition for a stand up comedy constest that, hopefully, I at least make it to the first round. It'd be nice to get on stage again and do a show for an audience of more than 6 who aren't all comedians. I tried out a new joke (a follow up to an old joke) and it got a pretty decent reaction, so I am pleased with it. There were a few freak shows at the audition, which made it pretty sweet. There were only 7 comedians there total, and I was sandwiched right in between the two that flew over the cuckoo's nest. It wasn't an ideal spot to go, but no worries.

I got a job freelancing for mOcean. I'm pretty geeked (and geeky for using the word geeked after 1989) to start working on Monday.

Also, with a bit of help from Brandon Flohr, I've got my motorcycle up and running. Fixed up and shit. Hell yes.

Watching PSH, Crusin the PCH

Last night, Jeremy and I watched "Synecdoche New York" at Brandon's place. It was the directorial debut of producer/writer Charlie Kaufman (Adaptation, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Being John Malkovich), and, I got to say, this was a pretty ridiculous movie. This and "Magnolia" are the only two movies that have left me as stunned and confused and deep in thought as I am. It's about a play director, who has a ton of problems with his family, is unhappy, and has a debilitating illness that you can't really figure out. He recieves a grant and creates this play that is absolutely ridiculous; it's essentially a re-creation of everything that is going on in his life starring actors playing actors and every day individuals he meets and has any sort of reaction to.

There is so much symbolism in the movie, I would have a hard time listing it all. Two major symbols are his disease (which gets progressively worse as he can't figure out his life, or better as he gains any form of closure), and a house that a love interest of his purchases that is perpetually on fire. My theory on the house is that it burns more and more over time because it represents inevitable destruction and death when she finally gets what she really wants (which is both the house and Phillip Seymour Hoffman's character). She purchased the house at the time at a time when she thought she was going to be able to steal PSH from his wife, so she envisioned that it would be their house and they would be together, but that dream was set for destruction from the start (which is why it is in flames). I could easily be completely wrong, but that's what I got out of that specific aspect of the film.

There are too many crazy, fucked up parts to put into text and, while it wouldn't ruin the movie for you non-seers, it's better to be surprised than not.

Watch the movie, tell me what you think, we'll discuss it then.

In other news, I got a new battery for my motorcycle and will hopefully have it running today or tomorrow (I should also know if I'm going to have a job tomorrow, so it will be an exciting day).

psych, found my phone.