"Mission Impossible: Fallout" (2018)

Man this series just gets better and better.
There is some real dark shit in this installment. Starting with Ethan Hunt's haunted nightmares of a woman he let go years ago. They answer the fundamental question of what happens to spies when the enemies who do come close spin their personal lives into business. Because after all bad guys don't follow rules.
Ethan and gang are on the hunt (punt intended) for some plutonium some organization is using to make bombs. A new world order type of group who are desperate to start a new civilization that don't have grey areas anymore. While crazed and terrorists driven, they do still have a valid point. We no longer know who our friends are, nor do we know who our enemies are, and quite frankly that changes by the minute. A great deal of peace comes from wiping this slate clean.
Unfortunately a relic like Hunt and gang don't agree. And neither do some of their allies.
C.I.A., I.M.F. MI6...the Syndicate, the Apostles...it's all such a blur. And we aren't safe no matter who we decide to trust. The bottom line is everyone is looking out for the greater good, even if it means sacrificing millions of lives. And that is the core question James Bond movies attempted to touch. Would you sacrifice millions to save billion lives? Would you sacrifice one to save millions? What if that one person happens to be the person you loved the most? The answer is a complex one that Hunt skate through in his attempts to not wipe life off the planet.

What is worth fighting for is in question as well. The organization that Hunt operates under is incredibly suspect in its methods. Not known for subtlety but mired in spycraft. Spy vs. Spy to be more accurate. What gets raked into the pile are people Hunt has left behind for their own good. The words "...the mission, IF you choose to take it" never seemed like an option. They address that. And it makes one think that for his own sanity, he should turn a mission down at some point.
So go see this film. I'm going to catch it again, as I feel I missed some nuances.
Good on Christopher McQuarrie. I sort of lost faith in the guy after "Way Of the Gun" (awful) but he is perfectly suited to make these types of films.
A throwback flick with fun. A lot has been said about Tom Cruise and his training to do the stunts he does. All I can say is...damn man...great GREAT job. Thank you for taking one for the team.

Orwellian World Is Here

First off, FUCK YOU, Yahoo!
Fucking sack of shit fascist fucks. These stupid fucks who are attempting to guide free speech on the internet. Today's lesson, using the "n-word" Nope, not the word itself but literally writing "N-word" to replace the offensive one. Meanwhile, they quote Kathy Griffin's F-bombs. That's next by the way. Griffin say say "fuck" all she wants uncensored, but we can't even use the replacement "n-word."
That would shut Seth MacFarlane down. Since he had an episode of "Family Guy" that address Tom Sawyer. Speaking of which, there goes Mark Twain.

Yahoo has no clue what free speech is but desperately wants to squash all words they feel are offensive and control our speech. You what that is when a handful of people control the words of society?
Ask George Orwell.

Anne Hathaway Is Dumb As Fuck

“White people — including me, including you — must take into the marrow of our privileged bones the truth that ALL black people fear for their lives DAILY in America and have done so for GENERATIONS,” she wrote. “White people DO NOT have equivalence for this fear of violence. Given those givens, we must ask our (white) selves — how ‘decent’ are we really? Not in our intent, but in our actions? In our lack of action?”

She wrote this after the murder of a Black teen by a White man on the BART in Oakland.
Should we be listening to an idiot cooze who was about to marry a man who is a felon? Look it up. Hollywood celebrates it. And what exactly does White privilege have to do with the guy being caught and in prison. You mean, versus being shot on sight?
The other dumb thing about Anne Hathaway...SHE'S lived a privileged life, including the cushy one she had with the felon. How about if she steps down from that princess castle and live her White ass in Van Nuys without entertainment dough. Think she'd still feel privileged?
Didn't show this much outrage when Katie Steinle was murdered not far from where this incident occurred. By an illegal alien. But that's White privilege. Think this White killer will get same treatment as the illegal? Because that dude found not guilty by Bay area dickbags who have a hard-on for sanctuary.
Nope. Where is that White privilege now? 

Demi Lovato Overdoses

Good.
Die.
Okay that was harsh. But it's funny when people have zero sympathy for her but love Heath Ledger, the colossal junkie who accidentally o.d.'d. Why? I because he has talent acting. I'm laughing as I type.
Addictions...addictions...addictions...
I think the celebs who came out and showed their Twitter support said something to the sense of "...it's not your fault" In other words, you have no free will and you can't control yourself.
The general public don't give a flying fuck, because you're rich and pretty and famous. But you're also a spoiled idiot. So grow the fuck up, and get help. Sick of coddling junkies.
Anyway...stranger that we find out she even had a drug problem. Figured she'd drink herself post-Disney fat and disappear. So her music sucks and she's reached the end of her career. Seems the best thing she can do now is get into some rehab center and mellow out. She's got many years ahead now. And it's not going to be easy.
Life isn't easy, lady.

The Biggest Loser In The World

I found out who the biggest loser I've ever met in my life is...
...it's my neighbor.
What makes him a loser?
For one thing, he got on my case about me giving my recyclable cans to a homeless person citing this is the reason more are coming into our neighborhood.
Second, and the most telling, I asked him "What is it you want to do with your life?"
His face contorted...then he spat out "I'm a little old to be asking that question." In other words, you're waiting to die.
There is no curiosity with this guy. Though he doesn't hold me in contempt, I find him incredibly narrow-minded and foolish. His opinion and "lessons learn" are typical of the Conservatives. They ask questions they already know the answer to so they can give you the correct answer. Annoying, yes. But for a guy who has no job, very confusing. No income I can see. So I believe he's dipping into the government as well. Somewhere.
Then it occurred to me...if you have no direction in life and nothing interests you...game over. There is no purpose to live your life. This man, whom I'll quote here "did not ask to be on this planet" curses his own existence. Seriously. He holds the person who gave him life in contempt. That he was put on this planet to suffer until he is no longer here. He, is, waiting, to, die. And that is the saddest thing I've ever experienced. My guess, a LOT of people in my complex are. They're old and White and the world scares them. Hmmm...it must be contagious.
The point being, the man does nothing, wants nothing, expects nothing and wants to be nothing. And he's okay with it. I think a LOT of people are like that. And I'm not sure if you're born this way or he gets beaten into you. Whatever the case, for the love of God, if any of this applies to you, please seek help.

James Gunn Got Hosed By His Own People

Remember Trump hatin' James Gunn, director of "Guardians Of The Galaxy." LONG before that Disney shit, he wrote for Troma movies. I knew this from reading Lloyd Kaufman's (co-founder of Troma) book and was surprised when he took the leap to make big budgeted kiddie flicks. Oh wait, that's what he was busted for making light of pedophilia and...homosexuality and pretty much everything else.

I have friends who send texts that are far worse, and show me big dick photos. These people think they're clever or funny or that your outrage is what makes it funny. Not really, it means they don't have wit enough to be funny themselves. Also...it probably staves off boredom to see what they can get away with.

Wait a minute, that was James Gunn's excuse as well. To push and be provocative. Much like...pretty much everyone in entertainment. And now...it's a problem with Disney? Gunn got yanked from "Guardians of the Galaxy 3" as punishment for something he wrote 10 years ago. Bitch, why the fuck would ANYONE want to be successful in entertainment at this point? The Rat Pack thrived on bad behavior...behind the scenes. Bill Cosby, though guilty as fuck, thrived in being a famous celeb to do shit to women as well. He wanted to be famous SO he can be a dirtbag. Most of the people in the entertainment biz that I know are scum sucking shit heels and NOW...NOW they are pumping the brakes. Okay, essentially self-policing before they give the Conservatives any more ammunition. Those days sounded like a party, these days...having money or fame paints you into a smaller corner.

I feel bad for Gunn, because he was young when he wrote that. Young when he wrote a successful franchise, BUT I don't feel TOO bad for him. He was a very vocal person that was anti-Trump. Not that he doesn't have the right to be, but...can Gunn not see the very "Liberal" idea of free speech has been gutted by the very people he desperately defends. He is a casualty despite how noble he was to fight a bully like Trump and they still do him like that.
That's horrible. And, quite honestly, the definition of fascism. If we don't like what you say, we ruin you. Ouch.

I'm sure he will bounce back, but I certainly hope he learned a lesson about the Left and that he came to the same conclusion I've come to...they're full of absolute shit and full of incredibly shitty people that can't take a joke.

You Out'Cho Mind

You know what really makes me laugh at the Left. I, mean the Right have WASPy country club wusses, but...man the Left...
every once in a while I'll check in with the Dan Rather readers. He's the dude who vamps about how awful Trump is and how we're all gonna die under his regime. Sure, Dan...Sure. I mean, he may due to age, but then I guess he wouldn't be lying.
But when you read the responses of directionless Left it's "We miss you Obama!! We love YOU! Come back!!" And so forth.
People...this is why people are jumping ship from the Left. On one hand, you have people desperately trying to distance themselves from being slave owning Whites. Patronizing the Black community. One dashiki short of a full wardrobe. Eating bean pies and looking like some head shop from "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka." White people talked more about "Black Panther" than Blacks. Truth.
So...it got me thinking about how where and when in history has there ever been a President of This Here United States where people said that?
You want to fucking know why'?
Because we've never been THIS big of pussies. Yes, you Democrats who loved Obama are colossal fucking pink raw pussies. You folded when his time was up. Cried like bitches (to this day) that he left office. I mean...I can understand if it were Thomas Jefferson. That slave-fucker contributed to the Declaration of Independence, dawg. But fucking Obama? Grow the fuck up. He's a mid-level president notable for being Black. Otherwise...he might as well be Millard Fillmore. Perhaps you're just sticking it to the Trump victory (I feel ya, watching a rich White dude win is vomit inducing). But let's not lose perspective. Let's face it, when you cry over a temp job employee, it's time to re-evaluate your focus in life.

Chicago Shooter Got Owned By Lady Cop

37 year old Black dude Harith Augustus was blasted out of his Nikes in the middle of street in Chicago on a stop when police suspected he was armed.
He was.
And as they were attempting to detain him, he wriggled free and attempted to go for his sidearm. As he spun, a lady cop blasted him. Talk about quick draw!
Also, why isn't THAT the news. That a woman cop outdrew a man. He went down like a sack, probably the last thing he saw was lipstick and the last thing he smelled was Pert plus. Because that's what I think lady cops smell like.
Wouldn't this be a great woman's march thing. Where women can do anything. That was badass.

The lady cop is a bad ass in my opinion.

The Race Relations Within A Steam Room

I can sum up the race relations in America simply by what I heard in the steam room.
A Mexican guy and a White guy were chatting about the welfare system in America as I entered. They both were fed up with the way people want free things and that they were taxed beyond belief. The White guy was done with California. He stated that he had a few more years to work before he retires and gets out of California because of the issues with California. The Mexican guy, in his thick accent, was considering the same, but saddened because it is a home he made since the 90's. Those were better times for both of the guys.
The Mexican guy and the White guy were sick and tired of the homeless problems. People who've parked their motor homes on the street for YEARS. And that these are also the ones who choke traffic when it gets rough. They're both sick of the drugs. The food stamps. In short, they were both sick of the Leftist/Liberal agenda. Both were working men (as far as I could tell). And both agreed California cannot sustain itself with continual handouts.
Then...
...
...the Mexican guy told a story of a blonde hair white lady who was pregnant. She was standing by the side of the road, with a sign begging for money.
Let me repeat for you gringos...A blonde haired blue eyed White lady was pregnant and begging for money. The White guy grew quiet. It occurred to me, he was probably thinking to himself the Mexican guy is completely full of shit, because as we've learned (or now must unlearn) Mexicans get pregnant at the rate of cockroaches and steal from American systems. Look at them right now crossing the border illegally. The White guy bit his tongue. Didn't want to get into this debate. The Mexican guy's perspective is that White trash is stealing from our taxes. The White guy's perspective is that Mexicans are. One is a legal citizen, the other...perhaps not.
Then it REALLY dawned on me...neither of these two even remotely asked one single question to the other.
In other words "Why?"
In civil society we don't lecture or gripe or whine. We are suppose to be listening. Instead, NO ONE listens. People have told me I'm a great listener. And I'll take that as a compliment. Because it's the Midwest in me. Which is...ask questions. Why? Why? Why?
If I were involved in this conversation the first question I'd ask the Mexican is..."how do you feel about people crossing the border illegally"? Perhaps this would lead to an accusatory line, but you soften that with..."I see your point." Questions leads to understanding. The Mexican guy never asked "what would it take to turn you around about the conditions of California?" "Why is it you feel you need to leave instead of change the system?" These types of questions show interest. Interest means you care about the thoughts of another. People consider this...kind. Being curious is what got my friend Chris a high power C.E.O. position at his company. Got my friend J.C. far in life as well. Gotten everyone I know a better position in life. But instead, the ones I see fail miserably at life are people who are so focused on themselves, they forget that other people have thoughts too.
This girl I went out with once, during the date she asked so many questions about myself I was winded from answering as many as I could while batting them back. She recently produced a musical. How the fuck is THAT for powerful.
People just aren't curious about others anymore. THAT is the issue with race relations today. Figure that out you will be successful. Because you will have a better understanding of people, no matter what walk of life.

"Whitney" (2018)

There was a time in American history where every American regardless of race or religion could agree on what good music was. And that was Whitney Houston.
She was a feel good pop force unleashed in the early 80's and tragically passed in 2012.
There is nothing about this movie that tells you anything new that you couldn't have read in some tabloid. Or Wikipedia. But, this is just so entertaining. The same theory I hold for stupid movies like "Pitch Perfect" that ride the coattails of catchy pop from bygone era, Whitney's tune are super addictive. And curiously, none of which she had written herself. She was a singer. Not a musician.
Thru her early days as a gospel singer under the watchful eye of former Aretha Franklin back up singer Cissy Houston, I learned a few new details I never researched back in the day. For instance, it's implied her father John Houston was a questionable New Jersey government employee. Let's say corrupt. Nothing new for Jersey. And that her shot to stardom was so fast, she barely had time to digest her popularity. It's never seen that she appreciated her fans, if not for one sentence...in the entire 2 hours 20 minute expose. The movie isn't...it's pretty superficial but really entertaining. I suspect this was purposefully done by director Kevin MacDonald. The typical tropes are here. "She was fighting her demons" "she trusted the wrong people" What isn't known...despite how much recorded conversation with her, is her own turmoil. You learn so much less about the true pain that haunted her. Only to see that it is rooted in her childhood (nothing new). Or her relationships with her closest family or friends who all seem to point fingers at one another.
Even more curious is an appearance by ex-husband Bobby Brown who squashes any real insight into Whitney's real hard drug or alcohol binges. You hate the bloated idiot now, but...there have been many accounts, he may have been more like everyone else who held onto the fame of Whitney.

Blessed with an amazing voice, some are gifted beyond this world. And as her career and life gets yanked from her, it's hard to know when she ever appreciated life. It leaves one with an awful empty feeling, probably the same as Whitney's full life. The cautionary tale you take from this...isn't really effective. It's hard when all we see is natural talent. Born talents don't seem as earned. Perhaps that's how she felt. Also, I find it uneasy that one of the producers on it also happened to be her former film agent (Nicole David). Seems even in death, people still wonder what they can bleed from her.

Interpersonal Relationships In Hollywood

I was listening to a podcast today where these standup comedians are asking themselves what makes L.A.'s entertainment industry so distasteful to...normal people. The answer they come up with are that the people who come out here to make it aren't very deep. They've no tolerance for intelligent conversation and don't have time or energy (sometimes brains) to go any more deep then a question inherent in all broken people "what can you do for me?" "how long should I cultivate this relationship that would benefit me?" That's survivors. Most of my actor friends are survivors. They do whatever it takes. So cultivating meaningful relationships only open themselves up to be betrayed by...people who look at them as one of the two questions above. Too many people consider these relationships a liability. Much like their past life.

This led the podcasters to laugh at how hermit like they've become in Los Angeles. One simply understood that this industry speaks differently than others. And that language is to give out your resume so people take you seriously. Or ask enough questions to know if the person you're talking to is important. It's surprising how little people ask about...simple things. The one person was confuses as to why "what are you working on?" is always within the first five questions of working with anyone. It's on every level. I have a few director friends, but the one that had the most talent asked SO many questions about everything BUT the project at hand. I'm not sure why this is. If you are our here, and working to get into Hollywood, pay attention to that and report back. Look and listen at all the people who have a hustle. Very few listen. Even in a facility like the post-production place I work at that has blue collar technicians. No one chats like people I made lifelong friends with. Then ask, a person who their longest friendship has been. This is the most telling. People who have majority of "friends" within this town don't have friends at all. These are people who would bail them from anything. Who know their family. Who are concern about them. Think about all those people who came from small towns that did speak to people like human beings, then to this. Automatons trying to push to fame in any capacity. This is why people (real human beings) can't stand "Hollywood types." They're self-absorbed (awards show AGAIN?) and self righteous and sanctimonious about their career. How and why Harvey Weinstein thrived. Look at Meryl Streep. Incredible actress, gives passionate speeches about loving people and so forth (written by a writer). Full of shit. So is Robert DeNiro. He can't stand human beings. They're too genuine. Genuine people don't care about your fame. I doubt either of these people have childhood friends. DeNiro of all people who spent the first half of his life making movies about lifelong friendship. Phony.
This podcast really reinforced what people will find out about Hollywood. This industry is meant for people who can shed these real relationships. It needs that toughness that goes with making decisions that most people can't make. It's ugly that they will end up living in this limbo and not even realize it. Most develop an addiction of some sort. I did. But there are little things you start to get back your life. I help people make films shot on films. Most of these people are reaching for that ring. Hyper, smart, ultra-creative experimental, bold...that classic example of why we started making movies before it became commerce. People who are happy to make something tangible.

I wish you well as you navigate this pursuit.

Papa Johns Is Done

That dude who runs Papa Johns, John Schnatter, decided to step down as the Chairman and face of the pizza kingdom because of being recorded in some conference call using the word "nigger" to illustrate what word NOT to use.
This happen to some guy up in the Bay area recently too. They were using the word to teach what is not okay to say. I can safely say, we don't need to be saying it to not know not to say it. But the University of Louisville that Papa Johns had their name on decided to erase all connection before the outrage police start their bull.

Okay, people...We've straight up lost our minds over this. First off, you will NEVER stop people from being un-politically correct. You won't. We live in a world where, for our own safety, HAVE to judge. If you don't, you open yourself for terrible things to happen. Society cannot hold the arms of the people back so that criminals can do what they please. What's being trained is that we second guess our instincts. Sorry, White people have crossed the street when they've seen me. Was I offended? Yep. Is it worth putting up a stink? Fuck no. They did the right thing. They sensed I was a piece of shit and no telling what a wide eyed yellow guy is capable of. This is for their protection. Without it, they open themselves up for the next person to NOT consider their instincts and could get hurt. Sorry, a few of us will have to eat shit. I'm willing to take a piss so that others are safe.

Speaking of advertisements at major stadiums, has a Black founded Black owned company ever corporately sponsor a sports team? You could say that is the issue alone. I'd say a corporation with a Black icon...No Uncle Ben's Arena. Or Aunt Jemima Downs? To me, what there needs to be more of, is public Black venues. Like the Darlie Toothpaste Forum (look it up).
Could also draw light to the fact that most Black owned/run companies would rather not put money into promoting sporting events that show young Black men paraded around like cattle. Perhaps. I think it's just because they know how hard it is to earn the money, and don't want anything, like an offensive Tweet to sink them.
The world we live in.

Hollyweird Is Over

It's official...no one gives a fuck about Hollywood anymore.
Know why?
The celebrities today are retarded.
Every one of these assholes have an opinion and they turn half their audiences off. Back in the heyday celebs were probably devout...something, but they didn't broadcast that shit. Instead, these loudmouth shitheads have to get on social media and...express themselves.
What does that do to America. Makes them hate them with the fires of Hades.
To be fair, it's always been like this. Jane Russell was a massive Republican, and Katherine Hepburn a massive Democrat. In fact, the history of Hollywood, Republicans/Conservatives ran it. Now...the extreme Left do. I wouldn't even call them Democrats, because they're too dumb to be Democrats. I grew up Liberal Left and they at least had SOME common sense (read up on the rats leaving the sinking ship). They took on some unsavory dumbfucks, which is when I ditched them. Seriously, it's like having a really nice apartment...in the worse neighborhood in the city.

I don't think anyone respects any celebrity now. They know too much. But that's the catch. You have to know too much otherwise, they disappear.

Think about the last celeb we collectively liked. Johnny Depp? Look what happened to him post Amber Heard. Poor bastard.
Oh that's another thing. It use to be fun to be rich and famous. Now? MeToo will fuck your days up.
Enjoy chasing that.

Beware The Liberal Woman

They're phony.
Because they broadcast their compassion but, as humans are, we aren't fighting for brown/black folk, they're fighting for brown/black people to regard them as saviors. Blech.

Most liberal women have deep resentment towards their fathers. Because they're neglected or abused (perception). Any authority regardless of gender, seems to be the target for these women. They come off as kind and with deep moral values (hi, Hollywood), but it comes from a deeply resentful place. Most liberal women I know (every woman in Los Angeles) could care less about the 1 on 1 level. For instance, if I brought up how I'm getting screwed in rent. Oh no, the liberal woman flips a switch and sees the "man" side instead of the brown side and decides I'm an able bodied male that should stop complaining about paying high rental costs and taxes.
Meanwhile, they will march for the same brown faces that are desperate for lower income housing AND possibly section 8 housing. So which is it you really despise? You aren't helping brown people like me.

The answer...they're phony. When no one is watching, they ignore the minority. Turn on a camera a few lights and get a YouTube station, she's fucking Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

The phoniness is what gets to me. By the way, you know who hates liberal women more than white men? Other liberal women.

The Trump Experiment

Are we done yet?
The good thing about Trump as President is that career politicians HATE it.
What does that mean? That lawyers (scum-sucking animals) and community organizers (Obama) are no longer viable choices for Presidents. It's actually a guy who says he going to do what he says he's going to do. Even Tweets it.
The thing with him though, he's a numbskull. Had he been more cordial or diplomatic, life would be grand and his critics would soften. But maybe he knows more than we realize. For instance, that the media NEVER backs down.

For Trump, he blasts through like a steamroller with not much heart. As my German co-worker has told me, this is more the German way. Oops. Nazi!
No seriously, it's the working way. In other words, fucking work. Stop fucking marching or protesting. He's doing it despite you. Not because he doesn't hear the criticism, but you almost think he's doing some things a certain way to illustrate why it DOESN'T work. But people are too dense to absorb that. The guy to replace Trump in 2020, if you're really curious, is a person who also puts American first. Doesn't hobknob like a global puppet (like Clinton). Americans vote for your ass. Also, get more jobs back to America. If the unemployment rate hasn't improved dramatically, and there are more jobs, guess what America...you're fucking lazy.
For all the bluster and silliness, Trump's plans seem to be working. Not leaps, but crawls. The sideshow which is...immigration and family separation, transgenders, et al. shouldn't be our focus. It's making Americans happier first. That is the key to the next person to get into the office. And also, follow through. Maybe not as bombastic as Trump, but the combination of compassionate and follow through is going to be gangbusters. Left or Right, that's who we really need.

Christianity (or Moral Core) In Hollywood

Surprised?
I am.
My director friend recently had three different people bail out on three different projects because...they're keen on Jesus.
Maybe not Jesus but maybe because of morality.
Here's the wild thing...
...they join these projects already knowing what type of movies he makes.
I get if they turn it down prior to accepting. And, in terms of the actors, sometimes you don't want to be seen in a project that a family member would object to. Or in some of these cases, spouses who object to the project. But a fucking cinematographer? Bud...who cares? Shoot it if not to get away from the house.

Then it dawned on me...religion is the perfect excuse to get out of something you don't want to do. Think about it, who questions God?
The other theory...maybe they really are religious. There are a TON of born agains. More than we realize who won't deal with Satanic imagery. Or violence or sex. I get that actually, because...you're associated with it forever. I know for the most part, no one gives a shit about you. But say your work is seen by someone who wants someone who is wholesome? Yeah, that door would be closed. We're all pigeon holed.

I thought we all got into this business to not have limts, but the truth is, we're more conservative than people realize. And the new group of filmmakers are falling into religion to offset bad behavior.
Just so you know...

Friends Are So Important

On one of the crappiest days I've had, I reached out to a mysterious social media follower. The screen name was one I didn't recognize. There was no indication based on wording of any of their post.
I finally had to ask...
And the person gave me clues. On the 2nd one, I realized, it was a friend I hadn't seen in years. A high school friend whom I've kept in touch with. She was my best friend in high school. And when I mean best friend I mean...inseparable. Though she was dating my friend, I was closer to her. I have no idea. Other than, I don't filter myself the least. I think it's a comfort level. She came from a wealthy family, owned horses. But, in spirit, she is an amazing person. Her pragmatic outlook on life made life tolerable. I think she liked the fact that I was emotionally open. Sort of a shell of that now. Because of possibilities. When I think of her, I recall the painful years  throughout our first years in college. That was when I still hand wrote letters. I'd write her daily, much like my journal here. Jesus feels like a lifetime ago. Her memory was of me accompanying her to the hospital when her grandfather was dying. I don't remember much of it, other than it was cold. I'm sad that I don't.

We never...grow apart, just grew old while apart. There are very few people in this world that you are lucky to call lifelong friends. I spoke to a co-worker in his 50's who I mentioned this to. He was perplexed. Some people move forward and shed the past quickly. Which is really healthy when it comes to bad relationships. Though in their wake, they leave behind lifelong friends.
I feel scummy in Los Angeles. I talk down to people. Snap and snark. Get really impatient. It dawned on me...what a different person I am in Los Angeles.
Three other past friends contacted me recently to share memories we've had. One where I use to drive to the vintage guitar shop and pawn shops to hang out reading "Guitar World" magazine. Then eat at a greasy spoon diner. Or record our in my friend's basement. I don't remember it as vividly. My other friend was my college resident advisor. I've written incessantly about him in the past. He's seen the absolute drunkest I've ever been. Never judges. Never needles. He is the embodiment of Mister Fred Rogers. Kind, spiritual and what I think every immigrant coming to America should see, a man who loves his family, works hard and takes vacations with them. That's how my family was. Then my friend  who reached out today. It was at the ass end of day...call me a pussy, but...I get choked up that they shared their memories with me. That I made some difference. That it meant something to them that I passed through their lives. I think about this daily in Los Angeles. Not that these relationships don't exists. We just don't have the emotional maturity to appreciate one another because lives are incredibly fleeting.

I recall taking frequent road trips to Fairmount Indiana. The birthplace of James Dean. A simple two hour drive from Cincinnati, Ohio changed many of our lives. We needed to clear our minds. To feel the open road. Way before social media, we did things. We saw the small parts of the world. I marvel at the simplicity. The only people who truly appreciate it nowadays are people from other countries. Anyway, I love the road trips, and sadden that I've not heard of the younger generations want to see America.
Friendship is so important. They remind you you were worth something. That you effected them. I hope to do more for others. Something I've forgotten. I'm grateful for friends who remind me who I was.

Not Smoke Dawg!!!

Another rapper cut down in his prime.
I have no idea who this guy is, but a few curiosities, he's the third rapper to have been murdered recently. This occurred in Canada, and Yahoo seems to love putting rapper deaths in headlines.
Who fucking cares?
Seriously.
They apparently lived the gangsta' life that ends early, then what? To be added to the list with Tupac and Biggie as a statistic. And people are upset with police brutality. Gotcha.
Listen Dummies, stop printing their deaths like it means something. I know I'm doing it here to illustrate a point. Media needs eyes. And, well I, at least, have something to mock.
I change my mind. Thanks for the laughs.
and by the way, rap isn't music.

News Is Entertainment

Is it any mystery why every story you read about...puts the new administration into poor light? Didn't for the previous one.
Because Liberals do control media. And it's all about entertainment. The less you pander to these people, the less eyeballs you get. How do you explain Chrissy Teigen in every fucking story. She's a fucking retard who married a rich musician. The fuck does she know about the general public. Much like Oprah, she really panders to middle aged suburban White people. An Aunt Tom sort of speak.

The more you realize the true divide of the nation, it's simply that the news loves to zap the social injustice warriors. Are police corrupt? You better hope not. But in the Left narrative, every cop all the time are against you. A few ramifications come from this...you don't trust authority period. Good luck with that. I don't particularly like cops, but they are the go-between you and bad things. Also...this leads to less checks on incoming police. Means with whom they have to draw from, the pool isn't the best and brightest. The L.A.P.D. are the dumbest and the laziest. I've so far had two issues having to call the police. Both times the officers could barely put together a sentence. The movies aren't remotely valid. They aren't military straight of trained. They're borderline retarded. These are the ones who end up shooting people.
So, take the news with a grain of salt. Seriously, these "families stay together" rallies are the dumbest use of time ever. Doesn't do shit. Thankfully it means some fat middle age White women get exercise (mostly their mouths). But it's something to do. Hobbies are getting less and less now. I'd hope they take up knitting or learning how to cook. You know, women shit.

Just joking, ladies. Hope you haven't lost any sense of humor. Maybe I'll catch you guys again on the way down.

"Sicario: Day Of The Soldado" (2018)

As the sad eyed Alejandro gets drawn into American politics, Josh Brolin's Matt Graver is giddily doing what he does best...kill some south of the border baddies.

If there is anything to be learned from this movie, even drug cartels live with consequences.
The set up is simple, get one slimy cartel mule to fight the other one in hopes of stopping terrorism, since that is the new commodity. Cocaine isn't the crop it use to be. But scaring America is. And so caught up in the crossfire are personal attachments. Specifically, the ruse to kidnap the precocious self sufficient daughter of the one person who've changed the course of one hitman's life.

Yes, bodies pile up. And they are very dismissive of the value of 3rd world life. But that's the grim cruel reality. Except when our lead Benicio Del Toro's Alejandro has to face. What's at stake isn't America, though that's for you to decide. It's really about how, at the ground level, the bureaucrats will continue to see saw as the winds change. There is no steady ground. Which makes it solid. Looking forward to the third installment.

REAL News

I don't believe in fake news. Or even the term "fake news." It's spun news. Everyone can spin anything to mean something else. And while they wouldn't be lying, it's frustrating to fight their logic. Commons sense isn't common.
So much of the press has Leftist leanings. For instance, Busy Phillips (whomever that is, I think actress) lambasted Delta airlines about attempting to separate her child on a flight. The reality was that her itinerary changed, or something changed where they offered her the choice of having her child fly on a different plane due to some airline issue or maybe overbooked or something. Happens to everyone. But, apparently she's famous, so...because it happens to her...the outrage.
Yeah, she could chalk it up to not wanting to feel superior to the rest of us...civilians. But the truth is, she wants preferential treatment. Why publicize it? Could she not simply complain, like the rest of us to the airlines then escalate? Nope.
So the media ran a story about how they wanted to separate her from her child. Yep...ties in nicely with the Mexican border.

Spin spin spin. That's all we are. To antagonize now. Read the fine print of any news stories now...it's all about how the Left are victims. And the Left are lapping it up. Because it's comforting to know someone understands their menial slights. But, truth, it helps no one. Creates bigger problems because now you've created a society that plays victim CONSTANTLY. I really want to play this card. I'm not a victim. Nothing that didn't happen to me, I didn't cause. IF I've done others wrong, I've apologized to a fault. Today...that is seen as weakness. In the press anyway. Look at Roseanne Barr. She apologized and her critics double down. They don't want her to suffer, they want to end her.
Read internet news carefully.