Inside Milwaukee Post

Susan Kerns, a Film Professor I had in the early 2000's wrote a fun piece on the milwaukee film festival. A dream I had made it in; here is the link.

http://www.insidemilwaukee.com/Dine/2787

The Terminator Is Back!

And he's making marijuana decriminalized in the entire state of California.

here is a comment left by someone that pretty much says what I believe and does it very eloquently.

"Prohibition is a sickening horror and the ocean of censorship, hypocrisy incompetence, corruption and human wreckage it has left in its wake is almost endless.

Prohibition has decimated generations and criminalized millions for a behavior which is entwined in human existence, and for what other purpose than to uphold the defunct and corrupt thinking of a minority of misguided, self-righteous Neo-Puritans and degenerate demagogues who wish nothing but unadulterated destruction on the rest of us.

Based on the unalterable proviso that drug use is essentially an unstoppable and ongoing human behavior which has been with us since the dawn of time, any serious reading on the subject of past attempts at any form of drug prohibition would point most normal thinking people in the direction of sensible regulation.

By its very nature, prohibition cannot fail but create a vast increase in criminal activity, and rather than preventing society from descending into anarchy, it actually fosters an anarchic business model - the international Drug Trade. Any decisions concerning quality, quantity, distribution and availability are then left in the hands of unregulated, anonymous and ruthless drug dealers, who are interested only in the huge profits involved. Thus, the allure of this reliably and lucrative industry, with it's enormous income potential that consistently outweighs the risks associated with the illegal operations that such a trade entails, will remain with us until we are collectively forced to admit the obvious.

There is therefore an irrefutable connection between drug prohibition and the crime, corruption, disease and death it causes. Anybody 'halfway bright', and who's not psychologically challenged, should be capable of understanding that it is not simply the demand for drugs that creates the mayhem, it is our refusal to allow legal businesses to meet that demand. If you are not capable of understanding this connection then maybe you're using something far stronger than the rest of us. So put away your pipe, lock yourself away in a small room with some tinned soup and water, and try to crawl back into reality A.S.A.P.

Because Drug cartels will always have an endless supply of ready cash for wages, bribery and equipment, no amount of tax money, police powers, weaponry, wishful thinking or pseudo-science will make our streets safe again. Only an end to prohibition can do that! How much longer are you willing to foolishly risk your own survival by continuing to ignore the obvious, historically confirmed solution?

If you support the Kool-Aid mass suicide cult of prohibition, and erroneously believe that you can win a war without logic and practical solutions, then prepare yourself for even more death, tortured corpses, corruption, terrorism, sickness, imprisonment, economic tribulation, unemployment and the complete loss of the rule of law."

Insanity

This oil spill seems to be the only thing on my mind lately; actually losing sleep over the images I see and the articles I read. The thought of 500,000 gallons of oil and other gases pouring into a precious ecosystem, a day, makes me ill. Containment hasn't worked, Top kill hasn't worked and now, an option that IS on the table, is the detonation of a nuclear weapon to try and seal off the leak. Russia has done it 5, FIVE times and has worked relatively well (at sealing the leak). What hasn't gone so well are the side effects of detonating a nuclear warhead in the oceans. It kills life, life that we depend on to keep ours. It poisons the water that we drink and the air that we breathe. With the dead zones (areas where there is no oxygen for life) spreading across the gulf, some as big as New Jersey, something has to be done and fast. Already 90% of the fish in oceans of the world have been fished and the recent spill threatens extinction of Blue Fin tuna not to mention complete death of coral reefs if a nuclear warhead is detonated.

This spill MUST be a WAKE up call, a FUCKING environmental fire alarm to the humans that WE are killing ourselves, FAST! The temperatures are getting warmer, oil is flowing in the water and almost no fish are left in our water. It is estimated that between 70% and 80% of the oxygen in the atmosphere is produced by marine plants. Now we are thinking about NUKING the ocean floor?

Put the pieces together.

It is time to realize what is important.

We are part of this earth and all that keeps us alive IS what we get from the earth so we should STOP poisoning it.

A meteorite took out the dinosaurs and WE are going to take ourselves out...

This is really scary because, unlike a fairy tale, things don't always end with a happy ending.

National Prayer Day

As I go to read the paper, there on the front page of the Fox Cities Post-Crescent, is the headline "Turning to Prayer" Can it help? My answer? Yes and no.

Let me digress.

Yes, Prayer helps if you are religious, even slightly, the "power of prayer" will give you some comfort and peace of mind. As in the way of getting results, NO, prayer doesn't do anything. In my humble opinion, prayer is but wishing for better things to come and knowing deep down that you are being superstitious.

"But Brendan, I really believe in the "power of prayer." "Praying really works!"

okay, PROVE IT! until then answer me these questions and ponder my statements below.

Why doesn't BP and the Federal Government save themselves billions of dollars by stopping efforts to contain the oil spill and pray that it stops. Pray that all the fragile wildlife and ecosystems survive the tragedy?

Why is it that when people pray for ill ones to heal they die, die faster than if treated by science?

Why don't more poor devout Christians win the lottery?

Why does it cost money to have some guy on satellite TV pray for me?

Why isn't the economy better? It seems people are always praying for more money, better jobs more industry.

Why do people keep praying, instead of doing?

The answer to all of these questions is easy when critical though about.

Prayer isn't going to do shit. If you want to get a job or to have success in your life you are going to have to work for it. Get an education or have a skill that will get you paid. Maybe you are talented or lucky, some people do have good fortune but most have to work hard, not Pray for it.

If you are sick, there is medicine and science on your side. You can pray too if that makes you feel better, but without treatment prayer won't heal you.

Everything that is prayed about can most likely be solved by taking action.

If there is a GOD he in no way, shape or form gives a shit about capitalism and our economy, domestic or global. I imagine GOD dislikes religion as well; anything man made for that matter. All of the things developed by man have done nothing but separate culture over time by colors. GOD doesn't care if you want more money, especially if slave labor and raping of the planet are the means to our "growing" economy.

Let's look at our situation critically and think about how naive and selfish prayer really is, even if it is for other people in dire situations. Why should GOD listen and help you? Why are you so privileged?

GOD gave us this place to live and it has afforded us with everything we need to survive and prosper. If used correctly we (all people under the sun, not just Christians) can get closer to GOD. By creation of religion we've been playing the who's right who's wrong game and trying to obliterate nations and spread what is believed to be the truth. In order to do this, wars must happen and weapons are needed. Weapons and churches cost money. Money is made by owning what has true value. Resources that were placed here for all not just those who can afford them. The environment then is squeezed of natural resources to make money to make weapons to make war to take more resources to spread the freedom and truth and when all is said and done nothing of value (oil, freshwater, fish, clean air, forests) will exist and we will all die.

So instead of praying for more money and a better life. Why don't you start creating a better life by living more responsibly. Start doing so at a local level. Stop buying cheap things from China. Grow some of your own food. Don't drive so much. Don't consume plastics or things not compostable. Support the local Mom and Pops and not the big box stores. Compost don't throw away. Recycle, reduce reuse. Instead of going to church go on a mission trip or volunteer in a 3rd world country. Turn off cable news and listen to NPR & BBC. Donate to save coral reefs and rainforests. Don't build obnoxious homes. Eat less sushi and red meat.

I don't think I know it all but I do know that we are destroying the good that was given to us and for whatever reason have lost the focus on what is important to keep the human race around. We are all organic matter and mankind is losing touch with that. Synthetic fertilizers, GMO foods should wake us up and realize that we are losing the very things that have given us this voice. The voice for the planet. Let's not screw it up by relying on prayer.

let's start taking action.

(Not So) Happy Earth Day!

Sunlight, Oxygen and water sustain our precious life. Without these we die. The value of these items far exceeds all the dollar bills in the world. Why then, does economic policy always take precedent over environmental? Wouldn't science tell us that no economy, society or life can exist without the resources to make them.

Sadly, most people care more about the stock market then the farmers market. The earth is always changing, always creating. Things that have taken millions of years to develop have been wiped out by humans in a about 1 percent of that time. Oil has peaked, China has cut all of its trees, destroyed its water, the rain forests are vanishing, Coral reefs are being bleached, fish overfished and suburban sprawl destroying ecosystems all over the US.

These are things that you won't see on MSNBC, FOX NEWS, USA TODAY, or talked about in CHURCH.

We as people need to protect what we still have while we still have it. We need to realize that our gift of life has been supplied by the energy that the sun, water and air have made possible. We are of organic matter and need the earth to keep us alive.

I was watching an episode of VANGUARD on Current TV and was disturbed to see what urban development and suburban sprawl have done to the Florida Everglades; one of the main resources in Florida.

Here are some articles of interest regarding the situation in Florida and eastern USA.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11097869

http://www.grist.org/article/fortune-and-flame/

Here is the dim news in Nevada:

http://www.lasvegasnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=6943263

Read about China's environment hell:

http://notesfromthebartender.wordpress.com/2009/11/20/hell-on-earth-the-unseen-side-of-chinas-modernisation/

What can you do to help your earth?:

http://www.uga.edu/srel/ecoviews/ecoview060326.htm

http://www.saveourenvironment.org/

Most importantly, people need to educate themselves and lead by example.

You Are What You Eat

Many people tease me for wasting my money at places like Whole Foods, Outpost, Trader Joe's and Farmers Markets or for eating at local restaurants that are going to charge more than their big corporate counterparts. There are obvious reasons (to me) why I prefer buying grass-fed beef that is humanely raised at 5.99 a pound versus 2.99 a pound and that is because not only are the animals treated better during their existence but also for what goes into their bodies while being raised.

There are major issues in the Department of Agriculture and the money that subsidizes the farms that make our food. Check out these videos below and start thinking about what you buy at the grocery store. Try to buy local and spend the extra cash. Some will say, "Brendan, its easy for you, you don't have a family to feed, we just can't afford it." I'll say, you can't afford not to. The fact that the majority of the food in big retailers and chain restaurants is making you lethargic, fat and in the long run will cost your overall well-being.

Don't buy over processed food. BUY real food.

Educate yourself and buy smarter and costs WILL go down.

Please avoid products with PALM OIL (this destroys rainforest and is NOT good for you)

Please avoid High Fructose Corn Syrup (this makes you FAT)

Don't eat $1 double cheeseburgers at fast food (Nasty beef raising standards and destructive environmental behaviors)

FOOD INC TRAILER:

http://www.foodincmovie.com/

Peter Jennings presented this great piece in 2004:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXAZ_7JO7EA Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEAJTgosdo0&feature=related part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6ksPAEGLgk&feature=related part 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqcrQixAKJc&feature=related part 4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUQOjGq3wRE&feature=related part 5

Easy Tiger

Today Tiger Woods apologized for putting his penis in over a dozen different vaginas while married with children. That's not a very respectable thing to do Mr. Woods but then again it's your penis and your life. I feel bad for your wife and children. Your kids will eventually learn what you did to mommy and probably have quite a bit of contempt for you. You do have over a billion dollars so I'm sure your kids would be fucked up no matter what and you'll be able to buy them whatever they need to get over the fact daddy likes sex.

The apology on national TV angers me. This is a private situation and the apology should be all about those close to you, not the fans and the sponsors. Do you think steve in Charlotte, watching ESPN in his boxers eating a hungry man really cares if your rich ass wants to put it in random girls vahjayjays? No, we expect that! Steve wants to watch the highlights of his Bobcats!

Athletes that make millions and millions of dollars as young men are gonna have a lot of sex with a lot of strangers. Kobe Bryant is still hittin up the hot coeds and just about every athlete has a girl in every major market. Fact, men with money will use the women that want their money by having sex with them; Don't be angry at these guys.

Woods was married though, and as much as I understand how sex in professional sports works, once your married, you've decided to live with one woman and grow old with her; the casual sex must stop when you say I do.

Now go golf! Sitting at your mansion golfing alone will not create more sympathy from your fans. They don't care about your personal life, they want to see majors won. Hell, I'd have more respect for Tiger Woods if he, got a divorce and embraced his sexuality and started bringing scores of different women to his tournaments. Knowing woods is gonna go home with a trophy, a million dollars and have an orgy in the clubhouse makes me forgive him all the faster.

Go get 'em Tiger!

I can't believe its been 2 weeks

2 weeks since my last posting! WOW!

I guess its cause I've been very leisurely lately.

I decided last second to go to New Orleans for the Super Bowl with my friend Nic Hanson. It was a blast but next time I don't think I will drive there...Milwaukee through Chicago to Memphis, even Jackson Mississippi up until the bayou, everything looks the SAME. it's flat, winter death, ugh. I though I was going to drive off the road several times to spare myself the sight of one more Cracker Barrel.

While down there it was like Mardi Gras on steroids, with all the anticipatory Super Bowl parties and Carnival parades, they gave a nice vibe to the overall party atmosphere. Super Bowl Sunday was too intense to ever conjure up a proper description worthy of equalling the moment. I will just say it was sheer drunken bliss, as if the whole city had won the lottery.

After some car troubles and traffic we returned to dull, drab Milwaukee where the most exciting thing happening was measuring how much snow had fallen...

unemployment is boring the hell out of me so I bought some tickets to San Francisco in April with my good friend John Busch. We are gonna hit up SF for a few days and then head to LA for a few more. If I can get a job out there I'd love to be able to sign a lease while I'm on vacation. I can wait awhile before april though, as I will be turning 29 on the 11th and the last 5 years have gone WAY too fast.

Some great jams

slightly inspired and still annoyed

President Obama had me cracking up on CBS college basketball! About time he gets some swagger back. Solid SOTU, and then extending a bipartisan arm, not seen in some time...Hell, he's got the majority and he wants to govern with both sides!!! haven't seen that in decades. About time someone talks about this childish banter from both sides.

Yes, Bush left this country with a 8 trillion dollar debt over the next decade. Now we have to find a way to pay for the 2 large tax cuts, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and create jobs. None of that will get done by rejecting every bill that comes to the house and senate. Time to have constructive committees and see some votes from the right, need to work TOGETHER D's and R's. And all you hardcore lefties and righties, time to re-evaluate the way you look at politics. Start thinking about issues and not party lines.

Not everything the Dems do is right and of course not everything they do is wrong either. Same with the republicans. Both parties HAVE to stop worrying about polls and campaigning and get to WORK...

Stop watching Glenn Beck if that man isn't a McCarthy cancer I don't know what is...

barefoot running

So I went out and bought some Vibram 5 fingers, the shoe that simulates running barefoot. It looks strange but is supposed to help prevent injury and create a more proficient workout. Read more about them here:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123031997&ps=cprs

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/07/barefoot/

I have never tried these before but have read enough about them to give them a try. They've been sold out or on back order for nearly half-a-year so they must work, right? I know some people that have used them with much success. I will see how the next few weeks go with them!

Cabin Fever

When it feels like 5 degrees, with the sun shining, I don't have much motivation to walk out the front door, let alone leave from under the blanket on my couch. This has allowed me time to re-connect with my TV. I usually only watch the "idiotbox" when the local sports teams are playing BUT, recently I've been drawn to Current TV's "Infomania" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwA7oFXjePY).

"Infomania" is a great program and has influenced me to view some of pop cultures finest broadcasting. Programs like "Little Miss Perfect" where bat-shit crazy Mom's (who have enough body fat to produce copious amounts of soap that could bathe a third world country or better yet eat enough Golden Corral in one sitting to feed dozens of starving African children) take their cute, innocent 5-8 year olds and put them through pageants that award them for being more perfect than the other girls. Pretty much a contest that awards the girl with the best spray tan, fake-teeth and hooker boots a trophy and some cash. These Moms are pretty much supplying future "intervention" candidates, ensuring their daughters some sort of addiction, when they stop being pretty enough...UGH!

I also have been watching all those paranormal shows, shows like:

Ghost Adventures
Paranormal State
Ghost Lab
Teen Psychic

I love this shit SO much. It sometimes creeps me out enough to where I walk to my bedroom with my eyes closed talking to myself like I'm 10 again. Good TV...

ok, well I'm on my way out-the door to get some new running shoes. The gym is calling my name. Don't worry, the gym has TV's on every machine, I won't miss any action...

Seriously, the TV is almost as addicting as facebook! And now Apple inc comes out with the Tablet, a huge iphone thing...Damn you technology, give me my life back!!!!!!!

LA thus far...

This past weekend in LA was full of new, fun experiences. LA unlike NYC doesn't intimidate me, or leave me awestruck. I see it as a place that I could live and work and survive. I can't stand the traffic that never ends or the uber-rich out-of-touch people that spend, spend, spend leaving me wonder how in the hell someone can be that rich...I kinda like the dingy areas, the seedy folks that are a result of broken dreams being swept like a heap of debris to the dark corners of the city, bodies hunched over the celebrity star studded sidewalks with a slight glow of the 24 hour fluorescent lights splashing from their bloodshot eyes, allowing me to see the endless possibilities of what could be.

After a night of drinking and dancing found us at a spot in Santa Monica, a hip, retro diner called Swingers that had amazing food and even better scenery. Our both was scrunched next to another where the most beautiful girl I have ever seen in my life was sitting. Literally she was less than a foot away only separated by half a wall 2 inches wide, sitting closer to me then my booth-mate. She was a 10 out-of 10 hot. As I was making a derogatory remark about Ed Hardy over my juevos rancheros, she laughed and told me she agreed 100%, we spoke for another 10 minutes or so, her laughing at every quip I had, every joke I said. I've seen some amazing looking women in my short lived life but this one had my heart racing and adrenaline flowing. Unlike most instances with beautiful women, I wasn't nervous or self conscious at all. She was digging me and the girls I was with were joking that she was my soulmate and insisted that she was really into me. How could this blonde with perfect skin, long blonde hair, green eyes and perfect teeth, with a body to boot be so into me? How could a software engineer that lives in Beverly Hills think this small town Wisconsin nerd be so hip? I didn't care I just kept ignoring my delicious meal to talk to her, eventually her friend wanted to go and they left. I said my goodbyes and said I'd see her around. I was flying high! As soon as she left, my friends were teasing me about how much she was into me and then asked if I planned on seeing her again. I'd love to! Of course! BUT...Lost in the excitement was the obtaining of a phone number or a last name. This beautiful blonde who lives in Beverly Hills and eats grilled cheese at Swingers in Santa Monica will never realize how much my heart pounded for her and I will most likely never see her again. A fleeting moment of happiness and infatuation lost in second.

I was really pumped for Pee Wee Sunday. So excited that I left 3 hours early to assure that I got my tickets at will call and had the best standing room spot available. Paul Ruebens did not let me down. Seeing Pee Wee Herman live was a dream come true to a man who as a boy wanted nothing more than to be Pee Wee some day; to never grow up and to always have fun. Pee Wee was my favorite show and still is one of my favorite movies. Pee Wee had me smiling for the whole 90 minutes he was on stage. Making me laugh with some old gags, like the foil ball which is now 20 feet high, the secret word, chairy and of course cowboy Curtis and Jambi. Much of the humor was intended for the adult audience and the show made commentary on Gay marriage, Pee Wee's past indiscretions, Pee Wee's sex life, Sham Wow's, and a whole slew of made for TV items. I loved it so much I might go see it again this week. I don't want to forget how special sunday afternoon was for me. I was so happy and with I could go see Pee Wee all the time. I hope that this show leads to a new series, or Movie. Pee Wee has been away far too long and it's time for a bigger comeback. I wish I could explain better about my experience but it was just too magical to explain here.

Go (home) Pack Go

Man was that a game for the ages or what? The Green Bay Packers find themselves down 21 points in the 3rd quarter to comeback and lose in OT against an equally defenseless opponent. The worst part about losing in the playoffs is the finality; 7 months until I can get back into it again. It was a fun season and I couldn't ask for much more out of such a young team. Looking forward to the next couple of years of Football in Wisconsin.

Last night I went to play some basketball with my brother and his friends. It wasn't too long ago that I was in High School and Trefor and his buddies were 10/11. I would always play all time QB in the backyard football games and those guys thought I was pretty awesome. I mean I am a pretty good QB for being 5' 7" and 142 lbs. I could block almost all of their shots on the b ball court as well...

Now they all are SUPER DUPER tall. Taylor is 7'0" and Jared is 6"1. They now dominate me on the court and thankfully my outside shot hasn't disappeared completely! I intimidated them with my uniform as no one wanted to get too close which was good for me driving to the lane with authority. I've always loved the assist more than the basket. I guess I am a "team" player. After 10 minutes on the court my lungs were stinging and burning from the lack of shape I'm in and made me realize that I really do need to remain active otherwise I'm gonna get old fast and regret not taking advantage of my prime years.

Ah, a few days until I head out west for some R&R and employment search.

Boring

I can't wait to get away from the snow. Today was a nice snow day because I have absolutely no where to go and I walked everywhere. Shoveling was nice too. It was warm enough to not wear a hat or gloves, but cold enough for snow to accumulate. Tonight I'm staying in and making some Crab Legs with some wild mushroom risotto and broccoli. I plan on being in LA tuesday night but now I might have landed a crew gig on a commercial in Madison Wednesday...If so I have to buy a whole new plane ticket but at least the gig pays well :)

Now just waiting for the call back with the details. This producer has a tendency to say, I'll call you right back and then two days later calls and acts as if nothing is wrong with that. Also has a tendency to push last second and reschedule at the most inopportune of times.

Tomorrow night I'm headed to the bucks game with my friends Kyle Nelson and John Busch. The game is almost sold out since it's Chicago who will be in town and somehow I was able to get the ticket rep to get me row A behind the Bulls bench for a super great deal. Those tickets are $121 a game for season tickets and I'm getting them for $40 a pop....I can't wait, I love me some NBA basketball.

Pretty boring blog day.

Lazy Bones

It seems if I have nothing to do I will do just that, nothing. I'm unemployed and have been laying around the house for the last 4 weeks and the fun has worn off. I think about going to the gym or volunteering or being proactive and looking for a job ( I booked a trip to LA to do just that) but as soon as that sub-zero temperature hits my face I run back upstairs and decide it's not worth leaving the house. I feel like it might be a touch of depression, which makes sense. The prior 3 months had been so action packed and busy that a few weeks of boredom feel like an eternity. It doesn't help when the monies made are draining fast and employment in this industry has no guaranties. I'm optimistic, as with most things, it all works out just when I'm about to go get a "real" (boring) job.

I'm going to steal an idea from my friend Chris Hinton over at http://cphinton.blogspot.com. Every week he gives a progress report as to how he is doing on the goals that he has set. He doesn't do it to "show-off" his amazing follow through, rather than have a format in which he feels held accountable for his decisions throughout the week. It has worked for him. My goals will be different than his but I like this idea he came up with.

Now yes, I could lie and say I do certain things but because of good parenting I have a pretty solid conscience and tell the truth almost all the time...anyway here are my little goals for this winter/spring and hopefully I'll be able to follow through on them (they're not resolutions either).

1. I really want to get into race shape and run some 5k's this spring/summer. My goal is to run at least 4 times a week and lift weights twice a week. I used to be a good runner but injury and laziness have kept me down. A few years back I had run for 4 months straight and then got tendinitis in my big toe and after 8 weeks of rehab I said fuck it. I hope I can start slow and work hard and avoid any real injuries this year.

2. Save some money! When I work I work really hard and then I spend just as hard. I don't mind spending on vacations because that is worth it. It's this going out and partying money that has been draining me too much. I want to at least save 20% of every check this year and put it towards a down payment on a house as I am sick of pissing away so much rent money every year.

3. Volunteer in my community. I have let myself down over the past couple of years and haven't been as involved in community service as I should be. As long as I'm not on a film working I plan on volunteering at least twice a month. If I don't I will donate $50 for every month I fail to hunger task force or other reputable local programs.

So, once a week I will post my accomplishments or my struggles and I don't want any pats on the back, this is just a nice place to hold myself accountable, nothing more.