The Same Time

The people you're sneaking away from, they don't want you to be enlightened. They want to know what to expect. You cannot be the person they know and the great, glorious person you want to become. Not at the same time. My life might be little and boring, but at least it's mine.

A Great Day For America...

The End Of The Beginning 07'

Greetings! Enjoy my "BEST OF" list...I know I have missed something but I'm not sure what it is? Be sure the check out http://factsoflife.wordpress.com/ as well. Facts knows his ISHT...

Best Movies Of 2007:

1) The Bourne Ultimatum- I don't like to use the term "EVER" that much (or "NEVER" for that matter). However, some of the best foot and car chases EVER filmed are in here. Such a well made action film (The movie went by as almost as fast as the camera work. I've never thought of Matt Damon as a legitimate action star or even a good actor until he stepped into Jason Bourne's shoes. The slam bang conclusion to one of the most unique and adult action franchises EVER made.

2) Zodiac- A righteous epic about San Francisco's Zodiac killer. Fincher offers a cathartic "close to the exact" spectacle that made his name into an "A" lister. Not just another serial killer movie, but the LAST one.

3) The King Of Kong- On the surface, a documentary about the world record of Donkey Kong. In the end, it's not just about two guys who play video games but about the nature of competition. Hilarious flick and Billy Mitchell is still a douche bag.

4) Once- A film that reinvents the "Hollywood" musical. Simple without being simplistic. Everything about this film seems unforced and natural. The first jam in the back of the music store is a GEM! Wins you over without appearing to even try.

5) 300- Story holes? Yes…Stupid at times? Maybe…A Throwaway Epic? I wouldn't go that far. It's impossible not to be moved by "300"'s nonstop visual assault. Zack Snyder is going to ROCK "Watchmen"…I hope.

Honorable Mentions:
Oceans 13- The fun is infectious and possibly the best of the 3? Make your ears happy and pick up the soundtrack.

Ratatouille- An animated film that doesn't resort to fart jokes or pop culture wisecracks? One of the best Pixar features.

Sicko- A movie that demands you think and feel.

Michael Clayton- A throwback to trim, intelligent moral thrillers. It creeps up on you.

Transformers- Big and loud…the effects are put to brilliant use. No sound wave? And Megatron doesn't transform into a hand cannon? I'm sure there will be a zillion sequels to get it right.

I haven't seen the following and I'm sure I'll get a RASH of crap from it: No Country For Old Men, Atonement, Gone Baby Gone, There Will Be Blood, I'm Not There, The Assassination Of Jesse James, Juno, Into The Wild, Eastern Promises…I need to frequent the Broadway Cinemas a little more in 08'.

Best Hip-Hop LP's of 2007:

Jay Z "American Gangster"

Jay-Z doing what he does best. Vintage lyrics and a fresh approach to the idea of an "Hip Hop Concept Album". An expansion of rhythm and poetry and the return of the king! Oh yeah…if the rumor of Apple launching a record deal with Sean Carter is confirmed…good night Music Industry.

Styles Of Beyond "Razor Tag"

A set up for the long awaited "Rocket Surgery" and one of the best releases of 07'…and it' a mix cd? Hip Hop music the way it should be done. I still blast "It's Us" at least once a day. Good for the mind, body and soul.

Kanye West "Graduation"

Sounds a lot like the electro-rap movement of the early 80's but with a more finished touch. I get a little bored with the constant reminders of his past successes and keen fashion sense. I have HIGH expectations for this guy…he is a unique persona in hip hop and has the drive to keep pushing the boundaries. "Drunk And Hot Girls" sucks.

Honorable mentions: Common "Finding Forever", Brother Ali "The Undisputed Truth", Evidence "The Weatherman LP", Talib Kweli "Eardrum" & Percee P "Perseverance.

Best TV Moments of 2007:

1) The flash "forward" on LOST ("Through The Looking Glass").
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82_kBlUEP-4

2) The Sopranos "Fade To Black" ending ("Made In America").
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnT7nYbCSvM

3) Robot Chicken "Star Wars Special"
http://www.adultswim.com/shows/robotchicken/stuff/rcsw/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i90uLziCXC0

4) Any scene with Leon from Curb Your Enthusiasm (Season 6)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ewr4BSTr8Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8u9Oco3hCg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfaY9ewvpzk

5) Flight Of The Concords "Hiphopopptamus VS Rhymenoceros"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FArZxLj6DLk

Best Comic Books & Moments Of 2007:

1) The Immortal Iron Fist: The current arc, The Seven Capital Cities Of Heaven, exceeds expectations as the kung fu tournament to end all tournaments unfolds. Fat Cobra, Heroes For Hire AND the wicked Bride Of Nine Spiders (oh, the web she weaves). I salivate when I see this in my hold each and every month. Side note: Marvel…"Iron Fist" should be your next straight to DVD Animated Feature. But have Brubaker and Faction write it. "Young Avengers" looks awful.

3) Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born. "The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed." A mini-series that IS better than the source material? One of the best mini-series released by Marvel…ever? A focused masterpiece.

3) Madman Atomic Comics: The Allred's and Frank E. find their mojo again. Madman was Adult Swim before cartoons were cool.

4) Criminal: Noir? Heist stories? Revenge tales? Crime fiction and character exploration? Up it's own ass? Hardly…Criminal nails dark and genius.

5) Numbs Invade Comic-Con 2007. Panic attacks, Long HOT lines, wall to wall fan boys (and girls) & getting the geek on'…a MUST do at least once in your lifetime. If I go next year and dress up like Darth Maul, Spock or any other Sci-Fi Douche Bag…bitch slap me back into reality, delicious.

*Extra Bonus*
Skrullektra! A.K.A. New Avengers #31. The shape of things to come in 2008! Let's hope Bendis delivers. We don't need another "Civil War" on our hands.

Best Video Game 2007:

1) "BioShock" (Xbox 360)
A first-person shooter turned morality play, a thinking person's action game, a piece of electronic fiction with a soul. There are many positive ways to describe this gripping game and they're all true. There's just nothing else like this eerie vision of an undersea social experiment gone horribly wrong. The elegant controls sold me on this one. However, in my opinion…not much payoff at the end.

2) Mass Effect (Xbox 360)
RPG's aren't the hip thing in gaming these days, but Mass Effect brings back some of that old-school, story-driven, single-player magic. Set in a rich, original science-fiction universe, it approaches the long-sought-after ideal of game-as-interactive novel. You play a kind of galactic 007 agent on a mission to deal with another agent gone rogue. Bio-Ware build on their trademarked morality-focused gameplay but the skee-woomp-is controls of the "MAKO" almost made me drive off a cliff. I'm ore of a renegade than a paragon these days.

3) Ratchet And Clank: Size Matters (Sony PSP)
Yeah, I don't own a PS3. R.A.C.S.M. matches it's console inspiration almost exactly. It's packed with fantastic single-player content, has a strong multiplayer element, boasts a great visual and thematic presentation, and excels with razor-sharp gameplay mechanics. It's one of the few PSP titles out there that really shows off the system.

*Extra Bonus*
God Of War 2 (Playstation 2)
I haven't played "God Of War 2" or "God Of War 1" for that matter. I am told (by MANY of my peers and villains) GOW2 got overlooked. It's an amazing game that builds upon and goes beyond the original. A must and one of best PS2 games of all time. GOW2 is the only game this year that next-gen console owners should envy.

Assassin's Creed (PS3, Xbox 360)
An amazing blend of free-roaming action, stealth and platform jumping, Assassin's Creed sets a medieval hitman in a large world that feels wholly alive thanks to the stunning graphics, subtle detail, and the player's ability to interact with nearly every living and non-living thing in their environment. Epic, broad and sweeping. I cannot believe that this concept (they give away the big "turn" within the first minutes of the game) has not been used before (Maybe it has?).

BLANK Of The Year for 2007:

1) Drama Prairie Dog: 5 seconds in length and hundreds of parodies. I'll never listen to the "DUN DUN DUNNNNN" the same way again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHjFxJVeCQs

2) Keith Olbermann: Who knew that an ex-Sportscenter anchor could drop knowledge like this. His "Countdown" show on MSNBC is a must watch!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSo33qBDFV0

3) Brittany Spears: The VMA's, Chris Crocker and other meltdowns…rehab to courtroom to nightclub to jail. The word "train wreck" doesn't even scratch the surface.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5dW-hp8wH4

4) Don't Tase Me Bro!: Let's be honest here…this Joker should have been tased when he stepped up to the podium. It has NOTHING to do with Skull and Bones but more to do with being a Douche Bag.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3FFnpS-eYA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzkd_m4ivmc

5) Mario: An Italian plumber who resembles my uncle Vicenzo has turned the Wi from a Nin-Ten-Don't to a Nin-ten-do. "Super Mario Galaxy" is atop many lists as the BEST GAME of 07'. It wasn't on mine, I don't own a Wi. However, an Icon is an ICON. What's next…Super Mario Bros on Ice? I'd buy that for a dollar.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdbs9N7x_3w

Reasons to LIVE for 08'
-Elektra and the privilege of being her father
-Living and loving life with K
-Traveling (NY/NJ? MN? CA?…I'm sure I will be to all three this year)
-The Sundance Film Festival
-The Year Of The Rat
-The Utah Jazz in the NBA FINALS!
-The Dark Knight
-New Rotten Musicians and Numbs EP's
-Dr Dre "Detox"
-LOST season 4 (at least 8 episodes)
-Obama and CHANGE

Break Bread or Play Dead in 08'...
PEACE, DAG!

Happy New Year

What is not started today, Is never finished tomorrow.
Happy New Year! DAG.

Music...

"Without music life would be a mistake." ~Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

Lies, lies...LIES!

I'm putting my "Best Of" together and K. O. might be "Person Of The Year". Awesome stuff here.

Fun Again!

Let’s make Nihilism fun again. We need to bring out our angsty best. Make the most disgusting words beautiful. Creativity sometimes comes from without instead of within. All the effort in the world won't matter if you're not inspired. In your mind you have complete privacy. Here there's no difference between what is and what could be. But remember…It's easy to attack and destroy an act of creation. It's a lot more difficult to perform one.

My new apprentice...

I was not aware of this force practitioner.

1-13!

Jingle Bell ROCKED!

I heard the BESTest version of Jingle Bells this morning via the 1st graders of C.R.A. I had no idea they could elevate such a tried and true tune. Bravo! PS. Elektra's hair is LONG.

As-Santa's Letter

Kelli and I took Elektra to see the South Towne Mall Santa the other night. Elektra told me that she wanted to write him a letter as well as go over her Christmas list with him. What you see here is THE letter. When she showed me this I responded with "Do you want to do it again on and bigger piece of paper?". Elektra liked it the way it was and Kelli gave me the "Awesome" smile. I hope "AS-Santa" has some thick skin.

Pro/Con?

I can't tell if this is serious or a joke? either way...DAMN funny. I assume that they are in the oval office or something since Abe and Washington have "hats in hand". Nice touch with that little "Statue Of Liberty" at the bottom left. DAG!

Fine Line

I can understand where they're coming from a little, but there's a fine line between trying to show support for a friend and defending acts that are morally indefensible.

Cool Kids - Black Mags official music video

Ok. I got on this bandwagon NOT to long ago but I'm ridin' I'd like to see a "87 Mongoose Decade" remix.

The Dope

The Sneak

Most people you try to sneak away from, they don't want you to be enlightened. They want to know what to expect. You cannot be the person they know and the great, glorious person you want to become. Not at the same time. The difference between how people see themselves and how they really look is enough to kill most people.

Sacred Fett

http://www.theforceintheflesh.com/topten/

A representation of the divine love for Star Wars? Or The Force? I can't tell...

FANDOMness

OK. Morgan Spurlock is DOPE and he is pissing A LOT of people off. The word is…in his new film…He FOUND Osama Bin Laden??? His agent (or someone) is referring to this project as “The Holy Grail”. Can you imagine if this is true? ALL the $ being pumped into “Homeland Security” and a film maker actually finds him and interviews him...I think it’s playing up at Sundance this year.

Ray Park as Snake Eyes? Works for me…because he doesn’t even have to say…one fucking word!

This is THE film to see in ‘08. Can it top “Begins”…so far the BUZZ is living up to the hype.

‘Ironman’ looks good. Let’s hope that stale dialog and insipid chatter doesn’t ruin it. STICK to the story Marvel.

What type of dinosaur would Jesus ride? Well, here is the answer. 65 million years old? He doesn’t look a day over 32.

Giving Him The Business!

SHOGUN

Identify some fallacy in life. Make fun of it by exploring and unpacking...this is just why I'm sort of automatically thrown to be a certain way. It’s honest and people admire that. They can see themselves in that kind of really brutal honesty. They see a sort of permission to acknowledge a part of themselves that they've been in denial about for most of their lives. Your life is nothing if not a slippery slope.

KICKS

Starbury Crossover LE
$14.98 ($16 total) @ Steve & Barry‘s in Salt Lake City
Three tone upper with all patent action leather
Dark grey/Light Blue/Grey/Bleach White
…WORD! I’m going to wear these SILLY…

Things I Rock...

Assassins Creed: So far a clairvoyant experience. Ambitious and beautiful.

The Immortal Iron Fist: A CLASSIC in the making. This is the BEST comic on the shelves currently. Pick up a trade if you can get one, I'm not kidding it is THAT good.

"Daniel", "Gary" & "Sade": New instrumental tracks by Fischer. These will be new Rotten Songs but I am NOT revealing the "REAL" titles or anything. The journey is the reward.

Yo Gabba Gabba: There is nothing quite like doing "The Puppetmaster" with Elektra.

My NEW DAGOBOX: My 2 gig Nano pushed up da' daises BUT the good peeps at Best Buy honored my service agreement and I got one of those 8 gig VIDEO ones. It's fresh to death. Now, if only we could start those PODcasts we always wanted to do. Arcade something or other? That's right, Shanty! I'm talking to you.

Black Shirts: I was a ninja in a previous life. I just love them.

Craigslist: BABA GANOOSH is still relevant. Use your mind like a mirror: accept all, reflect all. Receive, but do not keep.

Jay-Z "American Gangster": Doing what he has done before, What he does best. The more you listen to it, the more powerful it becomes.

Thanksgiving: Exposing the MYTHS enjoy (I'm still down with Pumpkin Pie!) http://hnn.us/articles/406.html

Obama: Kucinich is a close second but I dig this guys honesty...http://www.rawstory.com/news/mochila/Obama_I_tried_drugs_as_a_teen_11202007.html

Welcome Back Ricky!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3111806

Let's put that Yoga to use and get at least one win this year!

The Page

The idea that this fantasy life on the page can be so much more exciting and fulfilling than real life can ever be. On the page you can do things that are impossible in the world, because the world is so regulated and structured anymore. On the page you can make those mistakes and have those adventures. I just get a little worried that I'll stop having those “real” world adventures. And I won't even bother with the physical world because the fake world is so much nicer, so much more satisfying.

The Vote

-No on REF 1
-Becker for Mayor
-Luke Garrott for council District 4
-Yes on PROP 1

and on Beards...Mandatory!

Childhood Parts 1 & 2

A childhood is full of great defining stories, these moments in which you make enormous decisions about how the world is and how you will be in reaction to that world for the rest of your life. And you forget that you did that. You just become that reaction, but you can't remember why you became that.

The moment when you make that that decision and become that reaction is freeing. Suddenly you have the choice of either being that thing that you've always chosen to be, or being something totally different that's not a reaction to the fact that no one showed up to one of your birthday parties. You're free from that tragedy of the past. You don't have to be a reaction for the rest of your life.

Blue Magic Haiku Review

Quasi-Epic Flick
Double Character Study
As Good As It Wants To Be