Meaningless Vikings Game
As with most coincidences I document, there's a bit of back-story involved with the significance of the events. This morning was a late late start for me. The band had a gig last night, so it was 3am or so when I got home. Today, I was heading for the meaningless Vikings game at the Metrodome, courtesy of band-mate Dirk. My initial plan was to hop on my bike and ride up to the gate (a free parking spot closer than anyone gets for $25.00). But the weather was nasty. Sleet and thick winds meant the slush would stick to all parts of your body. The backup plan was to hop on the bus that stops just a few yards from my house, and dash over to the game via light-rail. The game started at noon, I woke up at 11am. I had just missed the last bus that would've got me there on time (it runs limited on Sundays).
Fire Engine and Flat Tire
I devised a new 'get it done' plan, with the objective getting there on time, but not paying for parking. I tossed my bicycle into the backseat of my car, and wore some water resistant clothing. Time was still the essence, since Dirk was already in the dome and heading to Gate H to meet me and give me the ticket. My hastily devised plan was to park on the other side of the Mississippi river across from the dome downtown. The drive to the parking spot had a number of obstacles placed in my path. First was a fire engine blocking the street in front of the firehouse. It had just returned from a call and was slowly backing into the garage. Then another dilemma was presented before me. The car in front of me was driving with a flat tire. What should I do? Get out and tell him he's an idiot to drive his car with a flat tire? I abstain, thinking he could be nursing it to a service station. After he continues to drive on for several blocks, it is obvious this man is driving in denial. I know people out there who live paycheck to paycheck, and are unable to save enough money to repair or buy a new tire. But there comes a time when you have to face reality and suck it up. Same goes for those who drive around with one of those tiny temporary tires. There are some fundamental parts to an automobile necessary to engage in vehicle transport, this includes 4 wheels.
Gate H
By now, I become amused at the obvious trend going on here. The late start, the crappy weather, the oddball driving obstacles. However, I easily find a free parking spot about 2 blocks from the stone arch bridge. The bike ride is far from delightful. Cold sleet is pelted into my face and everywhere else for the roughly 1-2 mile bike ride to the Metrodome. It is about 11:45 am as I coast up to gate H. I give Dirk's cell phone a call, but just get his voicemail. I left a message telling him I was at Gate H and was in the line for security. How was this going to play out? Did he know I called and was on my way in? Would he be able to find me? Would I even get close enough inside for him to see me? Then I hear someone say "free ticket". Then some laughter. It is two guys directly behind me in the security line. I figure they are just joking. Then he says "This is the second time in a row I can't give away an extra ticket". I turn around and ask "do you have an extra ticket?". He was holding it in his hand. I told him that I didn't have a ticket yet and could use it to get in and find Dirk. So my fate changed just like that.
Happy Crappy New Year's Eve
Dirk found me within a few seconds (he literally just showed up at the gate the same time I got in). He asked me how I was able to get in. At first I lied and said "I told the ticket taker I was FBI and she let me right through." Then I gave him an almost equally implausible explanation, the truth. The last time I ever went to a Vikings game was a few weeks prior when I got a free ticket from my former employer. In that game the Vikings played the Patriots, and it was the beginning of Brad Johnson's downfall. In that game, by the 3rd quarter, it was just too embarrassing to stay and watch our team fumble around like they were amateurs. I left early in that game, even though it was a thrill to watch a game in the Metrodome with pretty decent seats. Today, the Vikings played the Rams, with a faint hope that maybe the Rams were bad enough to lose today. Tavaris Jackson was the starting QB, and is the future of the Minnesota franchise. But he was making rookie mistakes, throwing an interception on the third play of the game. So it went, another humiliation that was just too shameful to witness, even though the Vikings cheerleaders staked out in front our seats (row six) had nice looking outfits. We left in the middle of the 3rd quarter. The final turned out to be Rams 41 Vikings 21.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Thursday, December 14, 2006
I Can't Do The Same Thing I Did Yesterday
It's A Curse.
Believe me, it's not because I lack discipline. I used to have to practice the piano for two hours a day when I was a child. It's because I have a constant need for original stimuli. I dare to allow that part of my mind to find it's fulfilment.
That's why:
The TV is always on in my house. While I am in the midst of multitasking throughout my day, I like to take a peek at the news or something.
I take a Bike Ride somewhere I haven't been. I need new scenery, I can't stand staring at walls in a fitness club.
I need to perform some original Act of Creation. Be it writing new music, editing a new video piece, or making a blog entry.
It's A Blessing.
For me it's about living your life to the fullest. When I give an idea a couple days before I revisit it, it is fresh again. The new song I wrote will now have been bouncing around in my head and I have a better idea where to go with it. The bike ride gives my imagination some time to wander, but also to scout locations for a possible photo shoot. The fact I am 42 and not burned out as an editor is a testament to my lifestyle, where I deliberately break up the monotony by doing other things.
I travel, see movies, surf the web, read magazines,stimuli, stimuli, stimuli.
All of this new experience is enriching. Working in the world of film and television is a great way of life. When working on a film, the circumstances change everyday. You are moving from location to location, or resetting for a different angle at the same location. TV is all about immediacy. Non-Linear editing enables you to spit out edited pieces as quick as you can digitize it into the computer.
One of the great rewards of pursuing something new all the time, is that you do the things that you would regret not doing later in life. I have a hard time sticking to any 9-to-5 full time routine. I come into work late everyday. I need to burst out of the office over lunchtime to be in the outside world. I've had periods in my life where I didn't have full-time work (like right now), and enjoyed the freedom.
Even though I am new to blogging, I have been writing a journal since I was in high school. Over time, I will post some of these journal entries that help to make these variety of experiences into a more coherent whole.
Believe me, it's not because I lack discipline. I used to have to practice the piano for two hours a day when I was a child. It's because I have a constant need for original stimuli. I dare to allow that part of my mind to find it's fulfilment.
That's why:
The TV is always on in my house. While I am in the midst of multitasking throughout my day, I like to take a peek at the news or something. 
I take a Bike Ride somewhere I haven't been. I need new scenery, I can't stand staring at walls in a fitness club. 
I need to perform some original Act of Creation. Be it writing new music, editing a new video piece, or making a blog entry.
It's A Blessing.
For me it's about living your life to the fullest. When I give an idea a couple days before I revisit it, it is fresh again. The new song I wrote will now have been bouncing around in my head and I have a better idea where to go with it. The bike ride gives my imagination some time to wander, but also to scout locations for a possible photo shoot. The fact I am 42 and not burned out as an editor is a testament to my lifestyle, where I deliberately break up the monotony by doing other things.
I travel, see movies, surf the web, read magazines,stimuli, stimuli, stimuli.
All of this new experience is enriching. Working in the world of film and television is a great way of life. When working on a film, the circumstances change everyday. You are moving from location to location, or resetting for a different angle at the same location. TV is all about immediacy. Non-Linear editing enables you to spit out edited pieces as quick as you can digitize it into the computer. 
One of the great rewards of pursuing something new all the time, is that you do the things that you would regret not doing later in life. I have a hard time sticking to any 9-to-5 full time routine. I come into work late everyday. I need to burst out of the office over lunchtime to be in the outside world. I've had periods in my life where I didn't have full-time work (like right now), and enjoyed the freedom. 
Even though I am new to blogging, I have been writing a journal since I was in high school. Over time, I will post some of these journal entries that help to make these variety of experiences into a more coherent whole.
Monday, December 11, 2006
The Bermuda Triangle of Friendly Fridley (and some junk mail)
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Sunday, November 12, 2006
Random Memories #001
These entries are based on totally random moments in my life. The objective for me is to see if there is any repercussions to the timing of this memory on my current situation. The objective for any blog reader is to see if the memory sparks anything in your own life.
Breaking a tent in neighbour's backyard Age: aprox 6. Playing with other friends, running through neighbour's backyard. They had a tent set up, and I was running alongside or running into it. Somehow I bent one of the support beams, damaging the tent. Impulsively, I ran home to avoid getting caught. The owner of the tent came to our house not long after and explained to my Dad that he thought I had done the damage. I did not put up any resistance when confronted and did not receive any harsh punishment.
Analysis: The urge to flee I believe is a basic animal instinct. I believe that is why you see idiots on those Cops show being chased down the road, despite the fact they are riding on their rims and a dozen cops are surrounding them. I saw this very incident myself last week while driving down interstate 35-W.
Breaking a tent in neighbour's backyard Age: aprox 6. Playing with other friends, running through neighbour's backyard. They had a tent set up, and I was running alongside or running into it. Somehow I bent one of the support beams, damaging the tent. Impulsively, I ran home to avoid getting caught. The owner of the tent came to our house not long after and explained to my Dad that he thought I had done the damage. I did not put up any resistance when confronted and did not receive any harsh punishment.
Analysis: The urge to flee I believe is a basic animal instinct. I believe that is why you see idiots on those Cops show being chased down the road, despite the fact they are riding on their rims and a dozen cops are surrounding them. I saw this very incident myself last week while driving down interstate 35-W.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
The Best Things: October 2006
The Best Music on Radio Ken (my iTunes library):
Futureheads – “News and Tributes”. 2006. Sure, it's an homage band resurrecting early XTC power pop. But hey, it takes talent to write smart and snappy tunes, and their vocal antics set them apart. Area is an instant hit, a high energy rouser.
Ride – “Going Blank Again”. 1992. Somehow I missed out on this gem from the 90s. Strong vocal melodies with insistent guitar riffs carry you into psychedelic era atmospheres. But once again for me, it's all about the power pop, and Ride has a few classics.
My Bloody Valentine - “Glider” & “Tremolo” EPs . 1990 & 1991. I was watching VH1 Classic's “The Alternative” music video block, playing videos originally seen in the 80's on MTV's “120 Minutes”. They recently played My Bloody Valentine's “Only Shallow”, a haunting collage of Kevin Shields' shimmering psychedelica guitar and Belinda Butcher's soothing vocals. Their album “Loveless” is for certain the greatest forgotten album of the 1990s. I thought it was a shame that the band never did a follow-up. It occurred to me that there may be some B-Sides or other extra tracks from that era. These two EPs contain similar yet standalone tracks. “Off Your Face” from Glider presents hard driving pop reminiscent of “What You Want”. “Swallow” fits right in with the slightly detuned strum “Loomer”, but with a Middle Eastern flavour. For me, these two EPs provide a “Loveless: Part II” that somewhat compensates for the lack of any newer album.
Psychedelic Furs – Should God Forget: A Retrospective . 1997. This 2 disc set features some of the long lost B-Sides and live tracks. It also has a decent collection of their hits like All That Money Wants. The last time I heard the excellent “I Don't Want to be Your Shadow” was something like 1983. The live version of “Heartbeat” rocks as well.
The Best TV Shows on Ken's DVR:
Hawaii 5-O . (Syndicated). For me, Book 'em Danno is all about the hot looking cars with lush backgrounds. It's also about how Jack Lord's hair never moves an inch no matter how fast he runs toward his car. But it's the outrageous plots that keep you coming back. Who knew that Honolulu was a cesspool of Mafia families dealing drugs and weapons, and having gang wars with other rival Hawaiian Mafia families. Every week the tropical paradise was inundated with serial killers, kidnappings, and crazed ex-military nutcases playing deadly cat-and mouse with their arch rival McGarrett. The cardboard cutout Five-O team had the thankless job of pouring over piles of police files, or calling up experts on the mainland in the middle of the night. Each episode finishes off by concealing the final actions of McGarrett to track down and nab the villain right before the credits roll. Jack then gets to look the bad guy in the eyes, “You would have gotten away with it Rocko, if you only remembered not to drop this”, as he shows him some unlikely evidence like a crumpled candy wrapper.
The Office . (NBC). No laugh track and humour that takes a couple Steven Wright beats to sink in. Such as when Mike recounts for the billionth time the one-timer with his flustered boss: “I'm so lucky that Jan and I only got to second base”.
Robot Chicken . (Cartoon). The jokes fly by quickly in this hardcore doll comedy series, similar to “Team America”, my guilty pleasure puppet action film. Robot Chicken is a commercial free barrage that features the likenesses of many celebrities and comic book characters as dolls acting very badly.
The Colbert Report (Comedy Central). Here it is, I try to comprehend the Republican mind and my brain loses touch with reality (or more like motion sickness). Colbert dares to follow all the redneck arguments about Iraq, immigrants, homosexuals, and the rest of their fact-challenged positions to their logical end. It's nice to know that there is one true patriotic American that will dare to stand up in public and call b*llsh*t on the lies perpetuated by the current people in power.
The Best Current Movies on Ken's movie list:
Borat . (Opens Nov 3). Such as The Colbert Report, Borat personifies the ugly part of our culture. His declaration to an unsuspecting rodeo crowd “I support your War of Terror” had me ROTFL. I'm so there.
The Departed . Scorsese does Sopranos does Scorsese with big name stars and gut-splitting raunchy language. Marky Mark gets to rap, Matt Damon gets to intellectualise, Alec Baldwin gets to go over the top, Dicaprio gets to act, and Nicholson gets to channel Lucifer. The scene where Baldwin congratulates Damon on having a kid had me ROTFLOL , “Others know you're not a fag, and that your (pecker) works.”
The Best Movies in Ken's Collection:
Black Rain . 1989. I was in Japan around the time Ridley Scott was shooting this film. I underwent a bit of culture shock while I was visiting my girlfriend, who was part of an English teaching program. We eventually broke up while I was there, and Japan remains a cold and alien memory. Ridley's “Blade Runner” is the father of Asian Neon Sci-Fi worlds that were perpetuated later in Japanese Anime. Ridley would put slowly revolving fans in shots, something that became a fad after Blade Runner came out. Jan de Bont added cinematographic touches by putting fluorescent lights in the shot. The new Collector's Edition DVD sheds a little more light on why the production was pulled halfway through shooting on location. One only needs to be reminded the arrogance Japanese business had over American business back then. They had such an orderly society that they efficiently manufactured electronics and cars better than us. America was judged almost solely by TV shows and movies (Tom Cruise and Sylvester Stallone). The order imposed by the Japanese authorities upon a travelling circus of a movie company caused ridiculous confrontations. The plan given to the authorities would show a light placed in a precise position, but would not be permitted to move it when adjustments were required. I was stunned by the lack of originality. Nobody wore their hair differently or dressed outlandishly. This film represents some of that alien feeling I felt when I was there. Michael Douglas gets to do some strutting and there's a few spurts of action, but this is not a cookie cutter machismo flick.
Tokyo Drifter . 1966. A companion to “Branded to Kill”, shot with bold colours , is one of the few landmark Japanese art films. Another art film I cherish is the long lost “Pastoral Hide and Seek”. Tokyo Drifter has send-ups of gangster films, with humour that makes it Japan's own version of “Whats Up, Tiger Lily?”
The Parallax View . 1974. Warren Beatty is a reporter who infiltrates an assassin recruiting agency. Seeing it now after 9/11 opens your mind. But really, this is a fun action thriller. I have always loved the soundtrack, a juxtaposition of patriotic music and dissonant tones, a very unnerving and striking arrangement. The other memorable scene is the Parallax Test , a manipulative slideshow with music, meant to gauge your reactions: Love, Mom, Home, War, Me. The piece assaults you with Life magazine images of war, poverty, and Hometown USA. Watching the Parallax Test yourself while watching this film screws with your head.
The Best Food on Ken's Meal List:
Mesquite turkey sandwich with pepper jack cheese on onion bun. With a touch of Famous Dave's Devil's spit BBQ sauce for a kick.
Pei-Wei Pad Thai . Que Viet doesn't serve this, and the only other place nearby is this small chain restaurant in the Silver Lake shopping area. Call ahead and it's ready in 5 minutes. Price is reasonable ($7) and portions are large. It's not Seattle, but it'll do.
Ginger Snap Wings. One part Ginger and Sesame marinade with one part Garlic Chili Sauce (LeAnn Chinn's works well). Soak chicken wings in marinade (add a few squirts of Sriracha HOT Chili sauce for extra snap). I lay the wings on the grill while the coals are still hot to char the outside. Then I cover the grill to let them finish, adding a final topping of the marinade near the end. For dipping, there's Daddy Sam's Ginger-Jalapeno BBQ Sawce.
The Best Things To Do in Ken's Spare Time:
Mountain Bike in the Winter . Put on layers like you are cross-country skiing. I bike on trails down by the mighty Mississippi, or go for distance on the old railway lines. The Southwest LRT trail takes you down the valley toward Shakopee, and is especially scenic in the fall.
Explore Saint Paul . I have lived in Minneapolis for almost 30 years now, and still I am unfamiliar with areas in St. Paul, the simpleton brother of hip Minneapolis. Life is more quirky in this overgrown small town, where your odd Curling club or authentic Vietnamese restaurant can be discovered.
Collect 80s Music Videos . Many 80s bands did their “Anthologies” soon after the Beatles did theirs. Along with them, a few bands released collections of their music videos. Back then, MTV prompted any and all new wave bands to put something down on film to get exposure. Many were dumb, many were strange, some were inspired, a few were works of genius. The reward from collecting these videos is I get a small amount of insight to bands that I know little else about. But they are also time capsules, revealing the look and attitude of bands like Ultravox , XTC, YMO, Cocteau Twins , The Jam, and dozens more. I also save choice videos from VH1-Classic's “The Alternative”, but I relish having a copy without the VH1 bug plastered down in the corner.
Futureheads – “News and Tributes”. 2006. Sure, it's an homage band resurrecting early XTC power pop. But hey, it takes talent to write smart and snappy tunes, and their vocal antics set them apart. Area is an instant hit, a high energy rouser.
Ride – “Going Blank Again”. 1992. Somehow I missed out on this gem from the 90s. Strong vocal melodies with insistent guitar riffs carry you into psychedelic era atmospheres. But once again for me, it's all about the power pop, and Ride has a few classics.
My Bloody Valentine - “Glider” & “Tremolo” EPs . 1990 & 1991. I was watching VH1 Classic's “The Alternative” music video block, playing videos originally seen in the 80's on MTV's “120 Minutes”. They recently played My Bloody Valentine's “Only Shallow”, a haunting collage of Kevin Shields' shimmering psychedelica guitar and Belinda Butcher's soothing vocals. Their album “Loveless” is for certain the greatest forgotten album of the 1990s. I thought it was a shame that the band never did a follow-up. It occurred to me that there may be some B-Sides or other extra tracks from that era. These two EPs contain similar yet standalone tracks. “Off Your Face” from Glider presents hard driving pop reminiscent of “What You Want”. “Swallow” fits right in with the slightly detuned strum “Loomer”, but with a Middle Eastern flavour. For me, these two EPs provide a “Loveless: Part II” that somewhat compensates for the lack of any newer album.
Psychedelic Furs – Should God Forget: A Retrospective . 1997. This 2 disc set features some of the long lost B-Sides and live tracks. It also has a decent collection of their hits like All That Money Wants. The last time I heard the excellent “I Don't Want to be Your Shadow” was something like 1983. The live version of “Heartbeat” rocks as well.
The Best TV Shows on Ken's DVR:
Hawaii 5-O . (Syndicated). For me, Book 'em Danno is all about the hot looking cars with lush backgrounds. It's also about how Jack Lord's hair never moves an inch no matter how fast he runs toward his car. But it's the outrageous plots that keep you coming back. Who knew that Honolulu was a cesspool of Mafia families dealing drugs and weapons, and having gang wars with other rival Hawaiian Mafia families. Every week the tropical paradise was inundated with serial killers, kidnappings, and crazed ex-military nutcases playing deadly cat-and mouse with their arch rival McGarrett. The cardboard cutout Five-O team had the thankless job of pouring over piles of police files, or calling up experts on the mainland in the middle of the night. Each episode finishes off by concealing the final actions of McGarrett to track down and nab the villain right before the credits roll. Jack then gets to look the bad guy in the eyes, “You would have gotten away with it Rocko, if you only remembered not to drop this”, as he shows him some unlikely evidence like a crumpled candy wrapper.
The Office . (NBC). No laugh track and humour that takes a couple Steven Wright beats to sink in. Such as when Mike recounts for the billionth time the one-timer with his flustered boss: “I'm so lucky that Jan and I only got to second base”.
Robot Chicken . (Cartoon). The jokes fly by quickly in this hardcore doll comedy series, similar to “Team America”, my guilty pleasure puppet action film. Robot Chicken is a commercial free barrage that features the likenesses of many celebrities and comic book characters as dolls acting very badly.
The Colbert Report (Comedy Central). Here it is, I try to comprehend the Republican mind and my brain loses touch with reality (or more like motion sickness). Colbert dares to follow all the redneck arguments about Iraq, immigrants, homosexuals, and the rest of their fact-challenged positions to their logical end. It's nice to know that there is one true patriotic American that will dare to stand up in public and call b*llsh*t on the lies perpetuated by the current people in power.
The Best Current Movies on Ken's movie list:
Borat . (Opens Nov 3). Such as The Colbert Report, Borat personifies the ugly part of our culture. His declaration to an unsuspecting rodeo crowd “I support your War of Terror” had me ROTFL. I'm so there.
The Departed . Scorsese does Sopranos does Scorsese with big name stars and gut-splitting raunchy language. Marky Mark gets to rap, Matt Damon gets to intellectualise, Alec Baldwin gets to go over the top, Dicaprio gets to act, and Nicholson gets to channel Lucifer. The scene where Baldwin congratulates Damon on having a kid had me ROTFLOL , “Others know you're not a fag, and that your (pecker) works.”
The Best Movies in Ken's Collection:
Black Rain . 1989. I was in Japan around the time Ridley Scott was shooting this film. I underwent a bit of culture shock while I was visiting my girlfriend, who was part of an English teaching program. We eventually broke up while I was there, and Japan remains a cold and alien memory. Ridley's “Blade Runner” is the father of Asian Neon Sci-Fi worlds that were perpetuated later in Japanese Anime. Ridley would put slowly revolving fans in shots, something that became a fad after Blade Runner came out. Jan de Bont added cinematographic touches by putting fluorescent lights in the shot. The new Collector's Edition DVD sheds a little more light on why the production was pulled halfway through shooting on location. One only needs to be reminded the arrogance Japanese business had over American business back then. They had such an orderly society that they efficiently manufactured electronics and cars better than us. America was judged almost solely by TV shows and movies (Tom Cruise and Sylvester Stallone). The order imposed by the Japanese authorities upon a travelling circus of a movie company caused ridiculous confrontations. The plan given to the authorities would show a light placed in a precise position, but would not be permitted to move it when adjustments were required. I was stunned by the lack of originality. Nobody wore their hair differently or dressed outlandishly. This film represents some of that alien feeling I felt when I was there. Michael Douglas gets to do some strutting and there's a few spurts of action, but this is not a cookie cutter machismo flick.
Tokyo Drifter . 1966. A companion to “Branded to Kill”, shot with bold colours , is one of the few landmark Japanese art films. Another art film I cherish is the long lost “Pastoral Hide and Seek”. Tokyo Drifter has send-ups of gangster films, with humour that makes it Japan's own version of “Whats Up, Tiger Lily?”
The Parallax View . 1974. Warren Beatty is a reporter who infiltrates an assassin recruiting agency. Seeing it now after 9/11 opens your mind. But really, this is a fun action thriller. I have always loved the soundtrack, a juxtaposition of patriotic music and dissonant tones, a very unnerving and striking arrangement. The other memorable scene is the Parallax Test , a manipulative slideshow with music, meant to gauge your reactions: Love, Mom, Home, War, Me. The piece assaults you with Life magazine images of war, poverty, and Hometown USA. Watching the Parallax Test yourself while watching this film screws with your head.
The Best Food on Ken's Meal List:
Mesquite turkey sandwich with pepper jack cheese on onion bun. With a touch of Famous Dave's Devil's spit BBQ sauce for a kick.
Pei-Wei Pad Thai . Que Viet doesn't serve this, and the only other place nearby is this small chain restaurant in the Silver Lake shopping area. Call ahead and it's ready in 5 minutes. Price is reasonable ($7) and portions are large. It's not Seattle, but it'll do.
Ginger Snap Wings. One part Ginger and Sesame marinade with one part Garlic Chili Sauce (LeAnn Chinn's works well). Soak chicken wings in marinade (add a few squirts of Sriracha HOT Chili sauce for extra snap). I lay the wings on the grill while the coals are still hot to char the outside. Then I cover the grill to let them finish, adding a final topping of the marinade near the end. For dipping, there's Daddy Sam's Ginger-Jalapeno BBQ Sawce.
The Best Things To Do in Ken's Spare Time:
Mountain Bike in the Winter . Put on layers like you are cross-country skiing. I bike on trails down by the mighty Mississippi, or go for distance on the old railway lines. The Southwest LRT trail takes you down the valley toward Shakopee, and is especially scenic in the fall.
Explore Saint Paul . I have lived in Minneapolis for almost 30 years now, and still I am unfamiliar with areas in St. Paul, the simpleton brother of hip Minneapolis. Life is more quirky in this overgrown small town, where your odd Curling club or authentic Vietnamese restaurant can be discovered.
Collect 80s Music Videos . Many 80s bands did their “Anthologies” soon after the Beatles did theirs. Along with them, a few bands released collections of their music videos. Back then, MTV prompted any and all new wave bands to put something down on film to get exposure. Many were dumb, many were strange, some were inspired, a few were works of genius. The reward from collecting these videos is I get a small amount of insight to bands that I know little else about. But they are also time capsules, revealing the look and attitude of bands like Ultravox , XTC, YMO, Cocteau Twins , The Jam, and dozens more. I also save choice videos from VH1-Classic's “The Alternative”, but I relish having a copy without the VH1 bug plastered down in the corner.
Friday, October 20, 2006
The Random Booth at Dangerfield's
Typical with my friend Debora, our trip down to the Corn Maze (or is it maize?) was an offbeat script with a couple David Lynch-ian moments.
Now, since I have a particular perspective of my world, when I collude with certain friends, cinematic things occur around us. In this case, I nagged to Debora that her supporting characters were predictable as I viewed myself not as a visitor to an attraction based in a farm field, but as film director Ridley Scott. I was critiquing the location and the need for a crane shot. I wanted to try astral projection. I imagined mothers having to extract kernals of corn from their child's ears and nostrils after they jumped and crawled around 100 tons of cornseed. The design of a Sphinx was made out in the corn, which according to movie reality was created either using a computer system, or alien-like crop circles. I wanted to get to the head of the Sphinx ("I'm inside your head, man" said Debora). We missed the pig races, skipped the soup-on-a-stick, and headed for dinner.
The original destination for dinner was a diner in downtown Shakopee (with a vintage "Eat" sign). I approached it from behind, and we were ready to just park without seeing the front. But I knew I had to circle around. The front of the restaurant revealed that it was obviously closed (despite many lights on and the neon "Open" sign blaring). Debora found this to be a perfect subject for her photography. The next restaurant of choice was Dangerfield's. It was more like a supper club, catering to older and affluent clientele. We were seated next to a booth with an old couple. Within a few minutes, the man started yelling at the waitress "we're leaving!" and stormed out toward the exit. We were center stage of the entire scene from our booth. The old man badgered the manager about how all the employees needed to reprimanded for screwing up his order.
I was impressed. I asked Debora how many times she re-wrote that dialogue to get the right nuances, casting was well done too. She was having a serious flashback to a time when her Dad helped her buy a car, with the same lines, same storming out. Later I noticed a couple with their child gathered in front of the grand piano. There was nice light dinner music, and all three of them spent a few minutes watching nobody play the keyboard (it was a MIDI system). I ordered a Greek Salad with blackened chicken - no mushrooms. Of course, I knew what was coming and announced to Debora "If there is ONE mushroom on that salad, I'm leaving!" Sure enough, it arrived with the fungus. I was humoured by the fact that I can be two steps ahead of myself after living through this over many decades (I hate mushrooms). The salad situation was rectified and assured the waitress that I wouldn't storm out.
Now, since I have a particular perspective of my world, when I collude with certain friends, cinematic things occur around us. In this case, I nagged to Debora that her supporting characters were predictable as I viewed myself not as a visitor to an attraction based in a farm field, but as film director Ridley Scott. I was critiquing the location and the need for a crane shot. I wanted to try astral projection. I imagined mothers having to extract kernals of corn from their child's ears and nostrils after they jumped and crawled around 100 tons of cornseed. The design of a Sphinx was made out in the corn, which according to movie reality was created either using a computer system, or alien-like crop circles. I wanted to get to the head of the Sphinx ("I'm inside your head, man" said Debora). We missed the pig races, skipped the soup-on-a-stick, and headed for dinner.
The original destination for dinner was a diner in downtown Shakopee (with a vintage "Eat" sign). I approached it from behind, and we were ready to just park without seeing the front. But I knew I had to circle around. The front of the restaurant revealed that it was obviously closed (despite many lights on and the neon "Open" sign blaring). Debora found this to be a perfect subject for her photography. The next restaurant of choice was Dangerfield's. It was more like a supper club, catering to older and affluent clientele. We were seated next to a booth with an old couple. Within a few minutes, the man started yelling at the waitress "we're leaving!" and stormed out toward the exit. We were center stage of the entire scene from our booth. The old man badgered the manager about how all the employees needed to reprimanded for screwing up his order.
I was impressed. I asked Debora how many times she re-wrote that dialogue to get the right nuances, casting was well done too. She was having a serious flashback to a time when her Dad helped her buy a car, with the same lines, same storming out. Later I noticed a couple with their child gathered in front of the grand piano. There was nice light dinner music, and all three of them spent a few minutes watching nobody play the keyboard (it was a MIDI system). I ordered a Greek Salad with blackened chicken - no mushrooms. Of course, I knew what was coming and announced to Debora "If there is ONE mushroom on that salad, I'm leaving!" Sure enough, it arrived with the fungus. I was humoured by the fact that I can be two steps ahead of myself after living through this over many decades (I hate mushrooms). The salad situation was rectified and assured the waitress that I wouldn't storm out.
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