Demon Barber of Fleet Street

There's a hole in the world like a great black pit
and it's filled with people who are filled with shit!
And the vermin of the world inhabit it!

And with those lines, the movie version of Sweeney Todd began. If movies are judged by how they affect you, then this movie should win every award and be elected the next President. This movie rattled me to the core. I had a difficult time speaking for about 30 minutes after the movie ended. My feelings had nothing to do with the gore. I like horror movies and the gore in this was comparable. But unlike a movie like Saw, I felt mentally ill when I left the theater.

All that said; Todd was an amazing movie. Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Alan Rickman were beyond stellar. You'll forget about Borat when you watch Sacha Baron Cohen sing and act. Would I recommend this movie? Absolutely. Will I see it again? No way.

Now with more Interweb meming

Another YIR meme. This one stolen from Oob.

1) Where did you begin 2007?
The Biltmore hotel finishing a gig, loading out and getting several inebriated people back to my house. Then punching a wall out of frustration. Not my happiest New Year.

2) What was your status by Valentine’s Day?
Still very angry at the wall. Of all the places I could have taken out my aggression, I choose a spot of sheet rock that was hiding a wooden stud.

3) Were you in school (anytime this year)?
No, and Zenu willing, never again.

4) How did you earn your money?
Turning tricks and slapping hos.
The 9 to 5 job, gigging, putting together events in Vegas, playing poker. Lots and lots of poker.

5) Did you have to go to the hospital?
Not for me.

6) Did you have any encounters with the police?
Yes.

7) Where did you travel this year?
Las Vegas, NV; Nashville, TN; Athens, GA; Milwaukee, WI; Chicago, IL

8) What did you purchase that was over $1,000?
A 42 inch LCD television. It is sexy.

9) Did you know anybody who got married?
Elizabeth (not the blogger)

10) Did you know anybody who passed away?
I don't think so.

11) Biggest surprise?
Still not gay.

12) Did you move anywhere?
No

13) What concerts/shows did you go to?
Spamalot, Sweet Charity, All Shook Up, Disney's HSM, Dream Girls, Stomp, The Wedding Singer, West Side Story, The Rat Pack, Beatlemania Now

14) Are you registered to vote?
Yes.

15) Who did you want to win Dancing with the Stars?
What is Dancing with the Stars?

16) Where do you live now?
The Mainsail. East Snobb. Georgia. USA. Third rock from the sun.

17) Describe your birthday?
Not going to Boston as previously planned. Instead, I picked up family members that were stranded on the side of 285 after being in a horrific car accident. Then I hung out in the hospital for 6 hours as they got checked out. Then I ate delicious wings and beer with a few friends.

18) What's one thing you thought you'd never do but did in 2007?
I don't think there was such a thing.

19) What has been your favorite moment?
The birth of my niece.

20) What's something you learned about yourself?
I will to whatever it takes to be heard by corporations or news organization.

21) Any new additions to your family?
Yes. See #19

22) What was your best month?
January, February, July, August, September, October, November, December.

23) What music will you remember 2007 by?
The soundtrack to Legally Blonde: The Musical. Don't judge me.

24) Who has been your best drinking buddy?
Too many to list.

25) Favorite night out?
Any night in Vegas, any quiet night at home

About three hours ago I completed my final Christmas gig of the season. It was a total run of four rehearsals and eight performances. Not overwhelming, but one of the busier holiday seasons I've had in a while. Especially when you combine it with a full time job that has nothing to do with a horn touching my lips.

In the process of cleaning out the closets and packing boxes of stuff for the impending (knock on wood) move, I've found all of my college trumpet literature. There are two pieces I was genuinely pleased to come across that I can't wait to work up. This is not a New Year's resolution, (I don't like resolutions), but I'm going to start practicing more "legit" music. Part of me misses it.

Back to playing for Jesus. This Methodist church paid fairly and the staff and majority of the musicians were very nice. (There are always a few that act like you're invading their turf and that just bugs the hell out of me.) But you have to like a church where the priest cues the drummer for a rim shot after delivering a joke. The staff never took themselves too seriously, but pushed their volunteer members for their best. It was a very good mix. If I was looking to attend a church for the sake of attending a church, this one would be high on the list.

Part of me feels bad for taking their money in exchange for playing. They are very nice and well meaning congregation. But our beliefs are so far apart (read: God/no god) that I can't justify my time there without receiving something in return.

Regardless of my religious opinions, I do enjoy this time of year. I love the lights and sounds and will be sad to see them get boxed up. I hope everyone I know enjoys their time with friends and family. Peace and safe travels to all.

Go watch this

Charlie Wilson's War

Written by Aaron Sorkin (West Wing, Sports Night) and directed by Mike Nichols (Primary Colors and The Birdcage)

A really good film.

Thankful for this

Living.
The wonderfully small family we've built together. (Savannah and effin' rabbits included)
Parents that love me despite probably disagreeing with me on everything.
2 brothers. (Even though both of them drive me to drink with worry.)
1 sister in law.
1 new niece.
1 girlfriend of my brother.
My closest friends and you know who you are. (You are the ones the mold my decisions, outlooks, and attitude. You keep me sane, grounded and level.)
A job that I love going to each and every day. Despite having to recently learn Ebonics.
The University of Georgia. (Fuck teams that wear orange.)
Delicious new beer to put in my mouth. (I've fallen in love with porters and stouts all over again.)
The interwebs. (I love you interwebs.)
Your Mom.
The ideas of tolerance and acceptance.
The marketplace of ideas.

I had the privilege of buying a beer and shaking the hand of a very young Marine that had just completed one tour in Iraq and was going back after the holidays. I wish I had his courage. You can have your opinion on the war, but you can't tell me that these men and women don't deserve our respect. The men and women in uniform deserve more.

Despite what the media tells us, the world is getting better every day.
Here's to a year of love, fellowship, and fun.

Now with more unrealted bullets

The notorious D.A.D. made a video that accurately depicts life here in the O.T.P.

That's exactly how we roll.
(HT: Metroblogging Atlanta)


Then I found this awesome flow depicting how I feel about bacon.

(HT: boingboing)


THEN, there was this article from AOL Food listing the top eleven foods they think bacon would taste great on.

Then in the spirit of the holidays here's the UGA Accidentals performing a version of the 12 days of Christmas. SFW.

Happy Holidays!

Never trust a fart.

Thanks Dwight.

In a van....

Chris Farley died ten years ago. Does it seem that long ago? David Spade was relevant at the time so I guess it kind of does.

Fun moments to remember him by;
Da Bears, The Chippendales audition, Fat guy in a little coat, and Schmitt's Gay.

Random bullets of love

-I love the holiday season. Especially the sights, sounds, and smells. Putting the ideas of peace, love, and joy center stage doesn't hurt either.

-I have two more services and my run of Christmas gigs for 2007 will be complete. I've enjoyed the work, the people and the paychecks, but I'm ready to go back to sleeping in on Sundays.

-The schedule for the 2008 World Series of Poker was released recently and I'm seriously entertaining the thought of entering one of the events. Specifically, Event 32, starting on Tuesday, June 17th. Not that I'm making plans or anything. But if I was, I would say that I've made a list of books to read, people to talk to and specific bad habits that I must break before I think about doing this. I'm not doing this without preparing, so we'll see how much preparation I get done. I'll also go ahead and say this; if I do go through with this, (70% sure) I will be selling pieces of myself if you're interested.

-Ron Paul continues to impress me with his and his supporters tenacity.

-At the risk of sounding like a redneck; I'm going to cry when Larry Munson dies. I'm probably not alone in this, but I'm just throwing it out there now so there are no surprises.

-As with most books or articles he authors; Christopher Hitchens gets it right.

-Whoever had the brilliant idea to shut down a lane of Peachtree St at rush hour so that the workers could dig up most of 7th street should be drug behind my car everyday for the next year. It took me 25 minutes to go 3 blocks.

Russell 2007

Even though there is still 15 days left, I figure I'll get a jump on Russell 2007. (HT Penn Jillette)

Here is my year end for 2007

Movies
I saw 27 movies this year although none of them in a theater.
In as close to chronological order as possible.

Jesus Camp
America: from Freedom to Facism
Borat
Saw 3
Little Miss Sunshine
Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest
The Langoliers
Clerks 2
Casino
Casino Royale
This Film is Not Yet Rated
Happy Feet
Pursuit of Happiness
Farce of the Penguins
Spiderman 3
The Good Shepard
Ghost Rider
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Live Free or Die Hard
Hostel
Bourne Ultimatum
Transformers
Blades of Glory
Resident Evil 1
Resident Evil 2
Knocked Up
Superbad

Music

I saw more than this, but these are the bands I can remember. Here are the few I remembered to jot down. (Note to self, do a better job of notating these for next year.)

Modern Skirts
Radio Cult
Second Shift
Centro-matic
De Nova Dahl
Trances Arc
Squat

Travel

I traveled to the following cities in 2007. (Note to self, must travel more in 2008, currently on the possible list, Vegas (again), The Florida Keys, New York City, and if I can squeeze the vacation San Deigo)

Las Vegas, NV
Nashville, TN
Athens, GA
Milwaukee, WI
Chicago, IL

Theatre

I saw 10 musicals/theatrical events this year.

Spamalot
Sweet Charity
All Shook Up
Disney's HSM
Dream Girls
Stomp
The Wedding Singer
West Side Story
The Rat Pack
Beatlemania Now

Literature

My Book list is very lacking.

The Fair Tax Book
Somebody's Got to Say It
Online Ace
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Caro's Book of Tells

Music - Purchased

Cake, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, The Youngbloods, Bob Dylan, The Beach Boys, The Monkees, American Breed, The Soul Survivors, Tommy James & The Shondells, Herman's Hermits, The Turtles, Johnny Rivers, Donovan, Sonny and Cher, Scott McKenzie, The Graduate (Music from the Broadway Comedy), Procol Harum, The Doors, Sam & Dave, Sara Bareilles, Peter, Paul And Mary, Willie Nelson, Amy Winehouse, Avril Lavigne, Gilbert Gottfried, Butch Walker, George Carlin, Ryan Shupe & The Rubberband, R.E.M., KT Tunstall, Billy Idol, Blue Man Group, Ok Go, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Keith Urban, Fatboy Slim, Green Day, George Carlin, Janis Joplin, P!nk featuring James T. Moore, Richard Dawkins, Daughtry, Katharine McPhee, Martina McBride, Kelly Clarkson, Dennis Miller, Three Dog Night, Harry Connick, Jr., Chick Corea, Stan Kenton, Buster Poindexter, The Cranberries, Steve Martin, hey, revolution!, Ray Parker Junior, Toto, Steely Dan

I'm currently sore and I don't see that changing anytime soon. I've been jogging/walking about two miles for the past few days. But I'm not (knocking on wood) stopping. And hopefully five days next week and the week after, and so on and so on. Hopefully the distance will increase as well, but right now, it's just something getting off the couch.

The four items that led to this; in a particular order:
1) While helping Keith last Saturday, I was sweating more than I should for the work I was doing.
2) Chip Reese died last week.
3) I want to lose ten pounds.
4) I'm not sharing.

I feel very motivated about this and I'm feeling optimistic that this is a life change, just like quiting smoking was this past August. Of course, it wouldn't surprise me if I was hit by a truck tomorrow while out for my post work jog. (Please let this not not be my last post.)

I'm writing this while watching the Petrino press conference. I don't think it's possible for him to kiss more ass. I give him three years before he bolts for somewhere else and I think that's generous.

DeAngelo Hall just laid the wood to the floor.

"He lied to a great man in Arthur blank...He lied to Rich McCay. He told us he was signing up to be a part of this thing for the long haul."

"It's Coach Petrino's loss. He can go down to...Arkansas and you know they're not a great team in the SEC anyways. They got to go through a lot of things and... a lot of other teams like LSU and Georgia and you know teams that are established in the SEC so like I said; If I saw him in the street I would't have anything to say to him. (I) don't have any respect for him."

Watch this

This is brilliant.
Safe for work if "Baby Got Back" performed in the style of Gilbert and Sullivan is safe for your office.

And this is why I'm not allowed to fly anymore.

Tonight at 8:25 PM Airtran flight 856 out of Orlando landed at Hartsfield-Jackson International airport. It did not follow what you or I would call a "normal landing procedure" by going directly to a gate. Instead it sat on the tarmac between terminals B and C for about 30 minutes, surrounded by police cars, federal agents, and firetrucks. During this time the passengers were told nothing.

Then Airtran Flight 856 taxied to what can only be described on the Hartsfield Jackson property map as "East Bumble-Fuck". From this location, none of your standard airport landmarks including the tower and concourses could be seen. This was as far away from other people as this flight could get and that was the point. This is where the passengers of Airtran flight 856 sat for an extended period of time. During this time passengers were told stay buckled, stay seated and open their belonging for possible inspection. And the passengers were told nothing as to what was going on.

After sitting wondering and waiting, the cops boarded the plane and very gingerly removed a female passenger. There was still no explanation given as to why they were there, who the woman removed was (and she looked as shocked as anyone) and most importantly, when they would be released. After being confined for another hour, the passengers were told that they would be deboarding the plane without their carry-on belongings.

Then they were told they would be deboarding with their carry-ons but not their checked luggage and they would get their bags back "sometime" in the future. THEN they were told they would be deboarding the plane with their carry-ons, they would be going through security and their luggage would be returned once it had been searched. Still no answer as to why all of this was going on.

Georgia Girl was on this flight texting me updates of what she saw and heard since she had landed. We realized early on that this situation was indeed something and we wanted to know what the hell was going on. Being on the road to the airport at the time, I called two people: Brett to watch the internet and the newsroom at WXIA-TV. (Your NBC station.) After an hour of relaying what little pieces of information I had to the newsroom, I received the answer. A bomb threat had been called in on this flight. The Airtran media rep that had gotten around to returning the newsroom's phone call said she was (and I'm paraphrasing the newsroom that was paraphrasing the media rep here); "Fairly certain it was not a credible threat." For the safety of everyone on board I did not pass on this information to GG as she sat on the plane.

But this pissed me off. Why was I finding out about this from the media and not from Airtran? I opened the phone and had Airtran customer service on my cell and was speaking with the check in clerk at the same time, to see if anyone could tell me something. I was given nothing by Airtran. Even the information I already knew. When I asked to speak with a member of on site management, I was told that the corporate office was on the other side of security and I wouldn't be allowed to go there. Well, isn't that convenient. Because I have no problem creating a ruckus when it comes to customer service, I choose dive into a battle of wills I was determined to win. About the time I was making some headway in getting someone to talk to me, my phone buzzed and I was told that everyone was off the plane and on buses heading to a security check point to be searched. Then they would be released.

Three hours later we were walking out of Hartsfield Jackson with all of our belongings. All of this happened because a disgruntled husband called in a bomb threat to scare his wife that was on the flight. She was the person removed from the flight and her husband is currently in custody. We tried one more time to get some answers on the way out. After all, all of our information had come from the local media. Airtran still wouldn't talk, saying that it was a Homeland Security issue and that they couldn't comment. No apology for the inconvenience, no thank you for your patience. Not one word that would acknowledge there was even an spot of turbulence. Letters and phone calls tomorrow.

Weekend wrap

Friday after work I met Dave for a few rounds at a pub/restaurant near his house. The beer choices were good and the appetizers we split were tasty. but I can't remember the name of the place to save my life. Afterwards, I came home, had dinner and then slid by Kit's house to share a few rounds of drinks with him.

Saturday I woke myself up in a panic at 8 AM thinking I had overslept for work. Then I realized what day it was and proceeded to cuss at myself. I was up for an hour until I realized a mid-morning nap would be great. And it was.

About lunchtime I traveled over to where Odyssey was rehearsing. I met up with Keith and caught a little bit of everyone's sectional rehearsal. After lunch we figured out how to turn tenor bays into hand drum bays and made a few repairs to the carrier racks.

After some wings and beer around the corner, I came home and watched Knocked Up and Superbad with Fred and Will.

Nothing of note happened today until I left to go to my Christmas gig. The gig itself was fine. At 7:00 tonight, when the last bow was taken and the orchestra stood to receive its applause, I thought my run of Christmas gigs was over for the season. A few minutes later, I was thanking the Music Minister and the Orchestra Director for the two week run of gigs and rehearsals, knowing that a nice check would appear in my mailbox this week. Then I was asked to come back and play next Sunday and for a Christmas Eve service. Woot! I love holiday gigs.

But jumping back to Saturday. While I was away from the house, I knew a friend's marching band would be performing their competition halftime show as a part of the football playoffs at the Georgia Dome. I set the DVR while I was away so I wouldn't miss a moment. While keeping the band director and his school anonymous, I would like to offer up my opinion on his performance. And while other might be tempted to judge his band, I choose to pass judgment on the interview he gave during the performance to the PBS sideline reporter.

Pros
-Professional appearance
-Confident speaking posture
-Solid hair cut
-Good complexion
-The solid fake smile never left his face.

Cons
- 9 - occurrences of the the thinking syllables of ah/uh/or uhm
- He (like myself) blinks often on camera
- Quote "This was a piece of music I was familiar with, written for piano, and I found someone that set it (arranged it) for marching band and they did a really good job with it."
What? you couldn't through the arranger a bone? Damn, that's cold.

By the way, I thought the band's performance was executed very well. But I didn't know if I should score it. I just assumed they were going for comments only.


Side note: None of the above should be taken seriously. I am having some good natured fun at someone else's expense that I would expect would do the same thing to me if the tables were turned.

Say this

Just said in my house:

"I would fuck the Disney out of her."

Fred, while looking at the cover of Cosmo with Hillary Duff on the cover.

Comments

In my settings I have clicked the option to have a copy of any comment left to be forwarded to my email. I haven't received any notifications in the last 24 hours despite comments being left. There is a Google chat room going about this and blogger is supposedly working on it, but I'm curious. Is anyone else having this issue?

Color me this

Rules for speaking to me on the phone.

1) Stop mumbling and enunciate.

2) I don't read minds, you MUST USE VERBS.

3) Use English. The urban version of English does not count.

4) "Axe" does not have the same meaning as the word "ask". Learn the difference and see rule 1.

And and BCS this...

"But the BCS isn't what's wrong with college football. The problem is trying to overlay any kind of rational framework onto an irrational sport. College football's design makes it nearly impossible to compare teams."

— Josh Levin, Slate.com

That is the most sane thing I've read about the BCS.

But Missouri still got hosed.

I don't feel that Georgia should have been in the title game, but I would have enjoyed every minute leading up to the game. I would like to know what part of the SECCG made so many voters think that LSU was such an impresive team jumping us five poll slots and into the National title game. If not for Ainge's pick 6, UT might have squeezed out the win. But I said I wouldn't bitch, so I won't. I'll root on our SEC representative, LSU, and hope they kick the hell out of OSU.

But I will point out the big 'ol middle finger that the USC Bowl gave Georgia. Instead of selecting Georgia and the better match up, the Rose Bowl selection committee made sure that John David Jinglehiemer Schmidt Booty and co. faced a lesser opponent and a better opportunity to end its season with a win. Their excuse? "Tradition." Keep your tradition. Turn it sideways, polish it up reaaal nice. And you know the rest.

And speaking of dry anal rape with a cactus. Why would the Orange bowl pick Kansas over Missouri? Just yesterday, Missouri was ranked number one. They've only lost twice this season, both losses coming to the to the same team and the latter coming in their conference championship game. And they just finished wiping the field with Kansas just last week. I normally pull for every SEC team to win their bowl game, I hope Mizzou CRUSHES Arkansas. (Please note that while I prefer every SEC team to win their bowl game, I never actually root for UT or UF. Orange is still orange no matter who their playing.)

I just viewed the complete bowl schedule and someone needs to have a talk with the heads of the GMAC and International bowls. The entire run of bowl games is supposed to grow with bigger and bigger games leading up to the title game. Whomever thinks that Rutgers/Ball State and Bowling Green/Tulsa are the best two games to be played right before the title game needs to have their heads examined.

I'll start acting more reasonable as I should as bowl season gets underway. But right now, I am disappointed in going to the Sugar Bowl and I know I should never EVER feel that way.

Everyone going to have an opinion and here's mine.

If LSU jumps us and goes to the title game, I'm not going to bitch. They won a conference title and we didn't. They have two losses and we have two losses. But they have one more victory and a conference title.

But if it's not LSU, then the voters should do their job and vote as they have all season and Georgia goes to the title game. The system sucks, but it's what it is.

Finally. Last week Kirk Herbstreit said that UGA should be in the title game if number one and two lose. Tonight he changed his tune with no explanation. I'm ok with someone changing their opinion, but no explanation irks me. So I called ESPN and asked. I obviously didn't reach Mr. Herbstreit, but I got someone and that was enough for me. Feel free to call and voice your opinion. (860) 766-2000. Yeah. I called. It's what I do.