Monday, March 31, 2003

Kathy and I went to Boone this weekend to see my dad. He's feeling better, but he's having to monitor his O2 intake. I'm just glad I never got seriously hooked on tobacco.

While we were there, we hired a photographer, got the last of our readers lined up and picked up a few more things for the wedding. It looks like we've gotten pretty much all of the arrangements done. Now comes the hard part: paying for it all. It looks like I'm gonna have to hustle up some freelance/wedding work in the next few weeks. I think I can do it, though. There is a dearth of wedding photogs in this area, and I think I have enough sample stuff to show that I can land some jobs. Even if I shot "only" 4 weddings between now and July, I could make enough to cover my end of the wedding costs. Cross your fingers.

As for the Kathy/her dad and stepmom situation: I got on the phone and talked with her dad Saturday. We talked for a bit on this whole situation, and Dale seems as confused as I am about it. I told him that the two of them needed to talk one-on-one, and he said he would be receptive to a call from Kath. I then asked Kathy to call her dad to do this, and she agreed. I think they will talk, and once they do, I think they will get to a common ground that will let everyone enjoy this wedding.

Wednesday, March 26, 2003

I just found this link on the web, about fallout from the "damn hippie" who dared to topple the Bush regime and bring chaos to America by wearing a t-shirt on the mall:

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/doc_o_day/doc_o_day.shtml

Now if I could just post the article our paper's resident curmudgeon wrote about God Bless the USA.

Tuesday, March 25, 2003

This Tuesday, with some That mixed in...

1. Poetry or prose?
Poetry. Not that I don't like prose, but a well tuned verse goes straight to the heart.

2. Funky modern art or the older, "classic" variety?
It's all good, but I find myself drawn to modern a bit more. BTW, did you know that Cubism is almost a hundred years old? It's interesting to think that the art style that most people associate with "modern art" has been around for almost a century.

3. Sculptures or paintings?
Paintings

4. Theatre: exuberant musical or serious drama?
Depends on my mood. As an actor, though, I prefer to act in comedies.

5. Ballet or modern dance?
Gimme modern. Lots and lots of modern. It's easier to perform, too.

6. Movies: major studio or indie?
Again, it depends on mood. But I do tend to gravitate towards the "little guy" spirit of the indie. :)

7. Authors: Shakespeare or Dr. Seuss?
Is there a way we could combine the two?

8. TV: PBS or A&E?
PBS, although I do like me some "Biography".

9. Music: Beethoven or Beatles?
Arrrrgh! Don't make me choose. WAIT! I choose "Because" by the Beatles, which is actually Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" played backwards! HA!!!

10. Thought-provoking question of the week: You are a contributing member of your favorite art museum, and visit on a regular basis. They announce a new, temporary special exhibit by an artist surrounded by controversy...this person's work and/or political views offend you. Do you stop supporting the museum, or just stay away during the time the exhibit is there?
Actually, I'd go out of curiosity. I tend to take in other people's opinions, even if they don't jibe with mine. Who knows, I might even grow to like this artist.

Monday, March 24, 2003

I just finished watching the Oscars a couple of minutes ago. Nice show, with several surprises (good thing I didn't run an Oscar pool at work!). The thing that got me the most excited was Michael Moore's win for Bowling for Columbine.

After he was snubbed for Roger & Me several years ago, it was great to see him finally win for Best Documetary. I thought it was also a great gesture that he brought all his fellow nominees up with him in a show of solidarity. In case you missed it, this was the point when the sparks really flew. Moore then went on to criticize the Bush administration, essentially calling it a fallacious presidency engaged in a fictitious war. Several in the audience booed him as he made his statement, but I didn't care. On a show where (allegedly) the producers had urged winners and presenters to refrain from making waves with their statements, he more than made up for the silence.

On to more localized news...

I went to Boone (and back in one day) Saturday to meet with our probably videographer. The man and I talked about his background, his process, and of course, his pricing. He even showed me a montage of some of his past work, which I have to say was very well done indeed. I just hope we can actually afford to pay for his services. Here's why:

Kathy is currently more than a bit angry at her father at the moment. She had wanted him to pay for the documentation of the wedding, since her mom was taking care of the reception, and my parents were paying for the rehearsal and dinner. We are taking care of the ceremony proper. Well, when Kathy discussed it with them last night, they balked. Then tonight, her father offered $1500 for the video and photography in lieu of a wedding present. Kathy is more than a little steamed about this, since her father paid out for the rehearsal and a wedding present for her brother at his wedding.

I'm hoping that this can be resolved fairly and peacefully, but just in case, Kathy has already made plans to have her mother walk her down the aisle. We'll have to see how this pans out. But just in case...

Can anyone tape a wedding and/or photograph it for a ridiculously low amount of money?

Friday, March 21, 2003

Just got back from seeing Frida at the local art house. Excellent movie. Salma Hayek gave a great performance, though I think Nicole Kidman will probably win best actress for The Hours. However, this is not the crux of my blogging.

Before the movie began, on of the people in charge of the Troubador announced that they would be selling the posters in their lobby for $10 apiece. Usually, once they've shown a film, they mount the poster on fibreboard and display it out in the lobby. Thus the lobby was choked with all kinds of cool posters. When Kathy and I heard the announcement, we were determined that we were gonna get the posters for Amelie and Monsoon Wedding.

Unfortunately, they were gone when we got there, so we assuaged ourselves with copies of Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Boys Don't Cry. It took us to the point where we reached my car before we noted the interesting juxtaposition of those two posters. Plus we're not entirely sure where we're gonna put them. Oh well. :)

The Kitten Pile continues...
I douby if anyone but former Neopets Club 21ers will know what I'm talking about here, but dammit, I need one of these right now. I'm calling...

aaaaaaaaaa...

KITTEN PIIIIIIILLLE!!!!!
At the corner of Friday and Five...

1. If you had the chance to meet someone you've never met, from the past or present, who would it be?
I'd want to meet the guy who invented the pop-up ad, so I could kick him in the jimmy.

2. If you had to live in a different century, past or future, which would it be?
Different century? I'd like to live in the 17th century. Just seems like a fascinating time.

3. If you had to move anywhere else on Earth, where would it be?
Canada or New Zealand. I can't decide between the two.

4. If you had to be a fictional character, who would it be?
Arthur Dent.

5. If you had to live with having someone else's face as your own for the rest of your life, whose would it be?
Albert Einstein's.

Wednesday, March 19, 2003

And so it begins...

I didn't find out about the beginning of the war until about 10:30 tonight. I'd been watching South Park when the President went on TV to announce that we... THEY had started bombing Baghdad, so I missed what I'm sure was a "stirring" speech.

Frankly, I'm deflated. Oh, I'm sure that the government will find a way to make this a short and (for our side) bloodless war, and that Iraq would be better off without Saddam Hussein holding sway over the country, but I still feel that this could have been avoided.

It seems as if the President and his administration have been completely set upon taking Iraq out, consequences be damned. after 9/11, nearly every nation in the world sent their condolences to the US, with the exception of Iraq and Afghanistan. Even then, the Iraqis sent their condolences to the people rather than the government of the United States. We could have used this goodwill to truly form a coalition to wipe out international terrorism.

Instead, the people we almost elected have chosen to waste all that goodwill in an effort to remove a man who, though evil and despotic, has not gone out of his way to harm or threaten any other nation since 1991, when the world bloodied his nose a little. I have so many questions about the validity of the administration's claims that they're hiding weapons of mass destruction, but I don't think I could ever get a straight answer from anyone.

So what happens now? If we go in and Iraq uses WMDs, it could set off a chain of events that I fear could result in the first wartime detonation of a nuclear device since 1945, and NOT by the Iraqis. If we go in and we find that Iraq never had WMDs in their possession, then this will have been all for nothing; just a 21st century snatch and grab for lebensraum. Would our government be so devious as to plant phony evidence in Iraq just to show that they did have something to fight for?

I'm sick of it all. I'm sick of the countdown clocks, I'm sick of the war experts, I'm sick of the front-line journalists on aircraft carriers and at secret locations with America's soldiers, I'm sick of the parading and the shouting down of anyone who dares mention the five-letter word (p-e-a-c-e), and I'm sick of the news networks acting like this is the gonna be the world's biggest episode of The A-Team.

The economy's in the toilet, the skyline of our largest city has been forever altered, we're now the second most hated nation in the world (with a bullet), and we're going to invade another country with or without the power of NATO, the UN, or reason behind us.

Then again, isn't it great to have a president who never had sex with an intern?

Christ, I miss the late '90s.

Tuesday, March 18, 2003

This or That Tuesday time...

1. Cold frosty ski slopes or warm sandy beach?
The beach!

2. Chevy or Ford?
Hmmmm, we drive Toyotas 'round these parts.

3. Mac or PC?
PC at home, Mac at work

4. Dial-up or high speed internet access?
High speed all the way!

5. Small *family-only* wedding or large 200+ guest wedding?
Can I shoot for something in the middle? Thanks!

6. Would you rather be the bridesmaid or the bride? (if you are a guy, substitute best man or groom)
The groom, and I will be soon. :)

7. AC/DC or ABBA?
AC/DC!!!!!

8. Roses or daisies?
Daisies.

9. Trashy romance novels or classic literature?
Classic lit. Can't beat it.

10. NEW! Thought-provoking question of the week...If you had to choose one...would you rather be blind or deaf? Why?
I'd rather be... hmmmm, I don't know.... I suppose I'd rather be deaf, if nothing else than for the fact that if I were blind, I'd never see Kathy's face again.

Monday, March 17, 2003

We've had a productive weekend as far as planning the wedding goes. Kathy and I went to Boone Friday and spent Saturday arranging a room for our wedding night, looking at tuxes, making appointments for rehearsal dinner, meeting with our officiant to discuss the ceremony, and ordering the cake. At one point, we looked at one another and said "This wedding is gonna kick ass!" And at the risk of sounding conceited, I think it will. :)

We also lined up nearly all of the readers for the ceremony. Kathy's sister-in-law backed out, saying that she'd be too nervous. That's understandable, but it would've been nice to have her read. We have a band that we're thinking of hiring, but we're gonna listen to them first. They have a webcast they're gonna do Friday night. If you'd like to listen to them, also, and give your esteemed opinion, I'll have the URL here tonight or tomorrow.

One thing I'm worried about is potential conflicts. I've already decided not to invite an aunt because of potential conflict between her and one of my brothers. I'm also worried about a couple of my friends, who dated one another once, potentially making a scene. I'm trying to contact at least one of the parties to discuss it, but so far, no dice.

More later.

Wednesday, March 12, 2003

Been a busy week, so lemme gloss over the details...

Kathy and I sang in the RCS's Israel in Egypt. It was great both nights, as was my Honey Bunny Bear. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to sing the first part last night. We ran late getting the paper to bed, and I got there just in time to hear them starting the first act of IiE. Ah well.

The wedding plans are progressing. We have a marryin' place, a receptin' place, and a honeymoonin' place. We're even traveling by train (rrrRRRrooowww!) to our destination, New Orleans. In a private sleeper. Guess, if the train's a-rockin', don't bother knockin. :D

The job is going well. I just wish I had a more convenient place to park in the mornings. I've done a couple of shoots in the past few days. It's just a treat going to a job and not having to put on a name tag or ask if they want fries or baked potato with their newspaper.

In any case, more later, on this CBS station.

Meantime, go here and see our in-progress wedding site.

Friday, March 7, 2003

I've got my spine, I've got my Friday Five:

1. What was the last song you heard?
It was a live version of "Porch" by Pearl Jam, from the New Orleans 8/14/2000 concert

2. What were the last two movies you saw?
On video, Amelie and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
In a theatre, The Fast Runner and Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

3. What were the last three things you purchased?
A can of Coke, some AAA batteries, and some milk.

4. What four things do you need to do this weekend?
1. Rehearse Israel in Egypt for Monday and Tuesday's performances/
2. Clean up around the house.
3. Wash the cars.
4. Spend time with Kathy.

5. Who are the last five people you talked to?
(in reverse order)
Michelle (at the print shop)
Gaylea (our advertising director)
Sherry (assistant editor)
Kathy (my one and only)
Mom

Thursday, March 6, 2003

OK, the domain name hasn't gotten installed yet, but click here and see the beginnings of...

clintster.com!

Wednesday, March 5, 2003

This or That Wednesday... er, Tuesday:


1. Soup or salad?
Hmmmm, I'm more of a soup man, but I do appreciate a good salad. :)

2. Hot or cold sandwiches?
Hot! HOTHOTHOT!!!

3. White or whole wheat bread (or rye, etc)?
Ooh, gimme a couplea slices of white bread.

4. Pack a lunch for work/school, or buy it?
Buy it, though packing leftovers has a certain charm to it.

5. If you eat out...fast-food chain, or mom & pop type place?
Mom and pop. ;)

6. Tuna or chicken salad?
Errrr, neither, although I did have some pretty good chicken salad once. It was from Publix.

7. Cheese: Swiss or cheddar (or American, etc)?
If we're talkin' sandwiches here, Swiss.

8. Mustard or mayo?
Mustard forever. Particularly anything spicy brown, or Dijon.

9. Sandwiches: wrap/pita pocket, or regular bread/roll?
Regular bread.

10. Sweet stuff: cookie/cake or fresh fruit?
Mmmmmm, nothin beats a chocolate chip cookie!

Tuesday, March 4, 2003

OK, I have an announcement to make...

Mind you, this is not set in stone, but we have been working on the stones and we're mixing the mortar as we speak.

I will take Katherine Truett's hand in marriage (and vice versa) on Saturday, July 19, 2003, in Boone NC, at 3:00pm. More details are forthcoming.

*sits back and waits to see if anyone responds*
1 MINUTE AGO: I brought a 4-pack of toilet paper to my honey.

1 DAY AGO: I was getting ready for bed after a full day of singing and cleaning.

1 WEEK AGO: I was listeining to Kathy rehearsing for her upcoming recital.

1 YEAR AGO: I was working two waiting jobs, and getting accustomed to living with my fiancee.

Current Clothes: A black "Neostyle" t-shirt and striped boxers.

Current Mood: Comfortably contented.

Current Music: Kathy singing art songs from the bathtub "The Lord is my strength and my song..."

Current Taste: Chocolate Oreos (shhh!)

Current Hair: Touseled, somewhat graying, and in need of a trim.

Current Annoyance: Michael Savage

Current Smell: An interesting balm Kathy brought home from Murfreesboro, TN

Current thing I should be Doing: Getting some Z's. I'm shooting the paper tomorrow, which means a 10-12 hour day.

Current Desktop Picture: Lovecat, being very Zen.

Current Favorite bands/singers: Well, I've been singing Joe Jackson today for some reason.

Current Book: Top Ten Signs a Movie Character is Doomed, by Richard Roeper

Current Movie In VCR: None, but the DVD most recently hosted Amelie. THe VCR was last home to a tape of Mystery Science Theatre 3000 episodes.

Current Refreshment: Vanilla Coke

Current Worry: money, and planing for the approacing wedding.

Current Crush: Same as it's been since July 28, 2001; Katherine Ann Truett

Monday, March 3, 2003

Taken from Crink, who got it from Darcy:

Pick a band or artists with good lyrics. Answer the questions with lyrics from their songs.

1. Are you male or female?

Don't call me daughter. Not fit to.
The picture kept will remind me.

2. Describe yourself.

I wish I was a sailor with someone who waited for me.
I wish I was as fortunate, as fortunate as me.
I wish I was a messenger, and all the news was good.
I wish I was the full moon shining off a Camaro's hood

3. How do others feel about you?

And he still gets his love he just gives it away.
The love he receives is the love that is saved.

4. How do you feel about yourself?

Don't it make you smile?
Don't it make me smile? Yeah.
When the sun don't shine, it don't shine at all. Yeah.
Don't it make me smile?

I miss you already. I miss you always.
I miss you already, yeah. I miss you all day.
This is how I feel.

5. Describe where you live?

Drive down the street can't find the keys to my own fucking home.
I'll take a walk so I could curse my ass for being dumb.
I'll make a right, after the arches, stinking grease and bone.
Stopped at the supermarket people stare like I'm a dog

6. Describe how you live?

Got a car. I got some gas.
Oh, let's get out of here. Get out of here fast.
Ah, everyone's confused so I stay in my room.
If I go, I don't want to go alone.
I hope you got this message. Oh, your not home.
I could be there in ten minutes, or so.
Oh, I got my things.
We'll make it up as we go along.
Oh, with you I could never be alone.
Never be alone.

7. Describe how you love?

There's a light, when my baby's in my arms.
There's a light, when the window shades are drawn.
Hesitate when I feel I may do harm to her.
Wash it off cause this feeling we can share.
And I know she's reached my heart in thin air.

8. Share a few words of wisdom?

I changed by not changing at all.
Small town predicts my fate.
Perhaps that's what no one wants to see.
I just want to scream, "Hello."
My god its been so long. Never dreamed you'd return.
But now here you are and here I am.
Hearts and thoughts they fade away.

9. Describe your best friend(s)?

Know a man. His face seemed pulled and tense.
Like he's riding on a motorbike in the strongest winds.
So I approach with tact.
Suggest that he should relax, but he's always moving much too fast.

10. Describe yourself as a friend?

There's a token of my openness.
Of my need to not disappear.
How I'm feeling, so revealing to me.
I found my mind too clear.
I just need someone to be there for me.
I just want someone to be there for me.