The Kool Tour Concert

Okay, I've got some time, so I figured I'd post about the Kool Tour concert featuring The Roots.

First of all, I ran into a lot of old friends up in there. I ran into Rodney Lomax, whom I met through my brother. Also, actress Tiffany Pemberton (Delusions, Divine Manipulation of the Threads) was working behind the scenes. I was glad to see her again. I came between 8 PM and 9 PM, so I got in for free (Cool, or should I say Kool...heh heh). They had a little sheet up where you could "tag" your name. That's graffiti slang for writing your name. I had writer's block, the most I could come up with was "Markus, Kool Tour, M-town!!!" Yes, I know. Hemingway's got nothing on me, right? I met an up-and-coming rapper/aspiring label head who is planning on releasing his album on his own label, Tibbit Records. Tibbit stands for "This is better because it's true" music. I wish him much success. We were in line to get free airbrushed t-shirts. I got one with a little turntable on the front and a big turntable on the back. I am so hip-hop right now...kinda. While I was in line, the group Blackalicious took the stage. They were cool, but their performance was kinda laid-back. I ran into Jason Harris, a member of the Iron Mic Coalition (www.ironmic.net). We chilled out, talked about hip-hop. I also ran into Shaka, another hip-hop fan who was an extra in What Goes Around (www.pittstopproductions.com). My good buddy Paul "P-Dub" West was in the place, as was his buddy Richard Jones. I even ran into Leroy Brewer's son. Leroy Brewer is a former coworker of mine from when I worked at the University of Memphis many moons ago. I also ran into spoken-word poet IQ, who plans to drop two albums this year. Finally, I also chatted with actor/spoken-word poet J'Malo Torriel, one half of Brotha's Keepa, a poetry/hip-hop group (www.innercitysouth.com). He was talking about how he wants to be like me when I grow up. Shoot, I don't have an album available at Spin Street and Cat's! I appreciated the support, though.

The next act was Miri-Ben Ari. She is a hip-hop violinist. She had a DJ play some of the vocal parts of different hip-hop/R&B songs while she played the melody or the beat. She played some Jay-Z, "Poison" by Bell Biv Devoe (one of my favorite songs), and other hits. The last song she played was from her next album (She has one out, by the way...Google her). It was a song that had vocals from a Martin Luther King speech. Real cool.

The last act was THE ROOTS!!! The Roots consist of Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson on drums, Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter as the lead rapper, Captain Kirk on guitar, Hub on bass guitar, Kamal on the keyboard, and Knuckles on percussion, I believe.

They rocked from beginning to end. They did their new single, "Don't Feel Right", and they performed their classics like "Don't Say Nuthin", "Dynamite", "Love of My Life", and others. The covers were crazy, too. Being a hip-hop band (ie actually playing instruments), they can really get creative. They performed Ray Charles' "Every Word I Say", and Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal". The drummer started singing on "Smooth Criminal" at first. They also played hip-hop covers. I recall hearing some 2 Live Crew, Tupac ("I Get Around"), and Notorious B.I.G. ("One More Chance"). They also played Ray Charles' "I Got a Woman" which they then turned into Kanye West's "Gold Digger", which samples that song. They also covered Kool and the Gang's "Jungle Boogie", Stevie Wonder's "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thang", and then they got into a few popular Down South hip-hop tracks. The younguns call it "crunk" music. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The crowd was live, people were dancing from beginning to end. I wish I could've chatted with the band, but I had to go to work in the morning. I was tired yesterday, but it was worth it. You gotta enjoy yourself sometime. For more info about the Roots, go to www.okayplayer.com or www.myspace.com/theroots . Be easy, readers.

Saturday and Sunday: Some Holiday Weekend

Saturday:

I was a mallrat for a little bit, then I went over my boy Shomari's house for his birthday party.
It was cool, we ate pizza and chocolate and all kinds of unhealthy foods. We watched a kung fu movie named Shinobi. Shomari likes the old and new kung-fu movies. It was interesting, nice story, cool fight scenes. I ducked out during the second feature, Wedding Crashers, because I was tired.

Sunday:

My plans to assist Rod Pitts (www.pittstopproductions.com) fell through, so my dawg(good friend) Bryan and I went to see X-Men 3. It was cool, but it left me wanting more. Also, it deviated further from the comic than I thought it would. A word of advice: Stay until the closing credits end, there's an extra scene. Afterwards, I joined my dawg Paul Briggs and some of his friends at The Half Shell on Mendenhall. It wasn't the most pleasant experience. They moved them to a little room in the corner because some of the females complained about the cigarette smoke. By the time I got there, that's where they were. We also had about four gigantic roaches crawling on the walls. We eventually got free desserts because several people voiced their outrage. I will be leaving The Half Shell alone for a while. I did get to talk to Walt, a fellow hip-hop music fan. We chit-chatted about music for awhile. That was cool. The Half Shell has got to get its act together. Those gigantic creatures made my flesh crawl. Maybe cooking is underrated. The people I met were cool, though. I guess that's what really matters.
Monday, I went to a pretty god concert. That'll have to be a post by itself. Maybe tomorrow. I'm tired. Be easy, readers.

Running in Place

We didn't film on Spin Cycle yesterday. I need to do something! I need to film or create in some type of way. We won't film today, either. I guess I will try to attend my good buddy Shomari's birthday party. He always orders wrestling pay-per-views and makes good food and only charges $5.00. That's beautiful! Hopefully, Rod and I will be able to film on Sunday. Hopefully. Be easy, readers.

Making Up For Lost Time

Rod Pitts (www.pittstopproductions.com) and I had planned to rehearse with our lead actors, but due to scheduling conflicts, it didn't happen. It's frustrating, and I guess it's nobody's fault, but it gets to me sometimes. The arts are my outlet, a brief escape from my daily grind and corporate servitude. Sometimes I get tired, but then I remind myself that God gave me these talents and abilities for a reason. I shouldn't hide my talents, they are meant to be shared with the world. Also, it is my best chance at not punching a clock and wearing a suit and tie for the rest of my life. Hopefully, I'll be wearing a tuxedo at every film premiere! Some days can be frustrating, but when it all comes together on screen, it looks great. Hopefully, we will film tonight. Hopefully we will FINALLY film my scene Saturday night.

Monday night, however, I plan to see the hip-hop band The Roots (www.okayplayer.com). They are an actual band with a rapper (Black Thought) as the frontman. I am told the opening acts will be Blackalicious (www.okayplayer.com), a "positive" rap act from the Bay Area (San Francisco), and Miri-Ben Ari, a hip-hop violinist. They perform Monday night at the Premiere nightclub for $15.00. What a bargain! Hopefully they'll attract more of the "good music" crowd as opposed to the "shoot 'em up" crowd. Be easy, readers.

Random Stuff

1.Okay, I'm driving down Stage, and I see a man talking on his cellphone and brushing his teeth with a cordless electrical toothbrush. I'm all for multitasking as much as the next man, but c'mon, people, isn't that dangerous?

2.I should be assisting Rod Pitts in shooting scenes for Spin Cycle. That's the plan. It should be groovy. Be easy, readers.

More Random Thoughts

1. What's up with killing people off or shooting people on season finales? Can we be any less creative?! A doctor was murdered offscreen on ER, James Caan's character may (or may not) be shot on Las Vegas, Dennis Haysbert gets shot on The Unit, and Marisa (Mischa Barton) is killed in a car crash on The OC. And on Alias, the deaths keep coming. First, they bring back Sydney Bristow's (Jennifer Garner) sister who has been in a coma all season, only to kill her in the same episode. To make matters worse, on the series finale last night, they killed her father, her mother (who was a crazy assassin), and her archenemy Sloane. Okay, Alias might get a pass because it is a show about the espionage game, and many spys tend to leave that game on their back...and in bodybags. But they even had a shooting on freakin' Grey's Anatomy. Dr. Burke (Isaiah Washington) was shot, but they were able to save him. It just looks very desperate and unoriginal for so many shows to resort to deaths or shootings. They couldn't even be creative! Where are the plane crashes, mysterious illnesses, and freak accidents of decades gone by? Nope, when in doubt, have them get shot. I'm surprised Scrubs didn't end its season with a shooting, the way things are going. I know it's shocking, and I know it makes people watch or stay interested until next season, but please, writers, try to be creative. Leave the guns alone!!!

2. This is a public service announcement to African-American mothers. Make sure that your child's clothing isn't too ignorant. My running buddy Bryan Newcomb (Mail Call, Just the Two of Us) and I tend to frequent the hip-hop clothing stores on American Way. You know, I have to say fly-y-y-y-y.....etc. I see these "Stop Snitching" t-shirts all the time. There's even one now with a fictional number, 1-800-no-snitch or something like that. Yeah, that's smart, let's promote refusing to cooperate with the authorities. Like there aren't enough young brothers and sisters in prisons. And what's up with eight-year-olds in "Stop Snitching" shirts? Little dude, you're eight. What would somebody snitch on you for? Stealing an ice cream cone? Run along and learn some timetables or conjugate some verbs or something. What are you selling, little one? Bubble gum? It just looks bad. Teach your children some form of respect, please!!

3. Boo to the Nashville legislature for shooting down the bill that allowed for provisions for film companies. I fear that the progress we have made in terms of luring productions to Memphis and Tennessee will be halted. I pray that I'm wrong, but I have an uneasy feeling. Boo to Fox for not picking up Southern Comfort. We have a shot in the dark at being a midseason replacement. Okay, it's better than a snowball's chances in Hell, but I can't tell you how much more better. Looks like I might have to make a trip to Louisiana. Be easy, readers.

I'm a Travelin' Man:The Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday:

Rod Pitts (www.pittstopproductions.com) and I shot scenes for Spin Cycle with our lead actors Derrick Engleberg (Alex) and Nataki Caver (Emma). We filmed at a laundromat in Whitehaven. I was a little uncomfortable in an unfamiliar "hood". I liked the store next door, though. They had nachos for $1.50. That was cool. What was uncool was everybody looking through the window and stopping and walking up in the place. There were more idiots driving their motorcycles and bumping their music in the parking lot. We persevered and got some darn good scenes. Shout out to Arnita Williams (What Goes Around, The Tank) for helping us secure the location and to her cousin who owns the laundromat for letting use use it after hours.

Saturday:

I worked on Curbside Confessions. I am sworn to secrecy, but I will say this: Arnold Edwards is a very good director. He worries that we get tired of shooting scenes, but I understand the need to be thorough and have a lot of shots to work with. Dedrick Bullard is a really cool dude with a great attitude and positive outlook. I enjoyed working with him. We are both in the film Eat, but we were in different scenes. Last but not least, Amy Weatherford. Amy is a vegan, and longtime readers may remember the post where I went off about an actress who wouldn't let me kill a moth and tree huggers and Greenpeace. I didn't know she read that blog and I felt like a jerk when she made mention of it on Saturday. I am now humbly apologizing to her in cyberspace. I have to learn to respect people's opinions and view even if they drastically differ from mine. If she wants to be a vegan, that's cool. I don't think I have the willpower right now, but I respect her choice. Also, Amy is a cool person. She's very witty, is a bit of a ham (what actor isn't), and we had fun (you'll see the outtakes) and got a lot of work accomplished. I would love to work with her again. Hardy, Dayna, and the rest of the Cowboy Up Crew are talented and professional and I am grateful for the opportunity to use my talents and abilities in conjunction with theirs. This is some of the most intense acting I have done in my brief career. I was challenged, and I think it has made me a better actor. Thanks again to everyone involved with this project.

Sunday:

Rod and I planned to shoot a scene for Spin Cycle with a fake darkroom that we set up. Scheduling conflicts reared their ugly head, so it didn't happen. We wound up rolling to a certain department store chain to shoot a little footage guerilla style. Remember, it is better to ask forgiveness than permission. The management admonished Rod once. We didn't stop. We got more footage in the parking lot, then we rolled out to a park and got more footage with Derrick and Taki. Next, we moved to the Winchester area and shot a scene with them outside of the Winchester Court walking past the doors of the shopping center. Afterwards, I made it to my friend Shomari's house and watched the end of a WWE pay-per-view. Not a bad day of filming. It can be frustrating when things don't work out as planned, but Rod is good at backup plans, as every filmmaker should be. I don't know if I have the patience to direct. We got usable footage. I guess as long as you get usable footage, you're making progress. It is a marathon and not a sprint.

Today, I plan to rest. Daddy's tired. Plus, I need to watch a few season finales; The OC, The Unit, and Desperate Housewives. God bless the inventor of the DVR. That is the only way I can live my film dream and satisfy my TV watching habit at the same time. Be easy, readers.

Return to Red West

I returned to Red West's class last night (first time this year). It was almost like I never left. We were doing scenes from the Fantasia (of American Idol) movie. The film has a lot of African-Americans in it, but their dialect is rural (country). It was fun watching my Caucasian peers (Jon Sparks, Joseph Smith, Lina Fritsche) portray country African-Americans. Of course, I had my turn at it. I also tried my hand at improv. Lina was the interviewer and I was applying for a position at a male strip bar. When she asked me to dance, I did a goofy dance and got laughs. I was glad to see some new faces.

Afterwards, Joe, Lina, Forrest, and myself went to Flashback's. Of course, Joe and I did "Nuttin' But a G Thang". Joe performed some Elvis (no surprise), Lina performed some Sarah McLachlan and a few more songs. I also performed "Walking in Memphis". I was okay, I messed up some of the lyrics. Had to chance it. It's a darn good song. I cut out a little early because I was tired.

Today, Rod Pitts and I plan to work on Spin Cycle. I shall be the ever-faithful boom person aka sound man aka the guy who keeps showing up. Gotta keep moving. Sleep is the cousin of death. Be easy, readers.

Just Some Thoughts...

1. Has anyone seen the car commercial that goes "What if we took a trip and only made left turns?" Oh, I have the answer: They'd be gigantic dorks! I'm sorry, but that commercial annoys me almost as much as bad acting (For examples, see the film careers of most rappers). Had to get that off my chest. I feel much better now!

2. What am I gonna watch on TV this summer? Most shows I like will be replaced with crap reality shows or reruns. Guess I'll actually have to read more, or, God forbid, communicate with the outside world more. Maybe I'll start writing again..maybe. No promises.

3. Whenever I tell people that I am an actor, why does this almost always lead to a porno joke? It was funny the first ten times, now it's getting annoying. My new comeback is "Yeah, I was in Debby does Arkansas. It had an all-banjo soundtrack." Gets them every time!

4. Yeah, I know this blog isn't what I usually do, but, hey, every day can't be a magical journey into the world of film...especially when you're sworn to secrecy (Arnold Edwards, please stand up). These questions have been on my mind for a minute.

5. You know I gotta say it...Be easy, readers.

Random News

1. I had a discussion about Curbside Confessions last night. Can't talk about it, sworn to secrecy. Afterwards, we watched Aqua Teen Hunger Force on DVD. It's starting to grow on me.

2.Shout out to my good friend Lavita Brooks, who is now listed on IMDB. I know that this will be the first of many credits for this phenomenal talent:

http://imdb.com/name/nm2235079/

That is all. Be easy, readers.

Musicians, Acting, Church, and Meetings: Weekend Wrap-Up Plus One

Friday:

I watched a performance by Empty Shell. The GREAT Travis Stone (Ray, Delusions) is a member of the band. I was joined by Jon Sparks (Just the Two of Us, Across The River) and his lovely wife. Joe Smith (Arrogant Dead People, Divine Manipulation of the Threads), Lina Fritsche (upcoming: Curbside Confessions), and Forrest Pruett (Behind the Eight, Forty Shades of Blue) Keenon Nikita (Poor and Hungry, Just the Two of Us) popped in to wish Stone luck. The guys rocked it. It was loud, rowdy, and energetic, the way rock should be. Later, Forrest, Christin Ackerman (Divine Manipulations, Delusions) and I went to Flashback's. The band was cool, but I was tired. I cut out, went to Perkins, and then headed home.

Saturday:

I FINALLY got a haircut. I had been growing my hair for a scene in Spin Cycle(www.pittstopproductions.com), but we had scheduling conflicts. I had to cut my hair for Curbside Confessions (www.cowboy-upproductions.com). Later, I went to an open call for the next Many Hands Production, American Parable, as well as an untitled horror feature. I read a small paragraph different ways. I felt good about the audition. Next, I met up with Rod and we rolled out to the callbacks for Tricks, DeAara Lewis' next production. DeAara's website is www.theforgottenonesmovie.com. I was glad to see my fellow PSP (Pittstop Productions) Allstars in attendance. Kim Skipper, April Hale, and Lavita Brooks all had the same role at callback: A woman who discovers a disturbing secret about her ex-lover. Each of them brought different nuances to the character. I was proud of them, and also shocked to hear April, Kim, and Vita use such language!!! It's acting, I know, but it was shocking. Speaking of shocking, blogmaster supreme Jon Sparks (www.jonwsparks.blogspot.com) was also there. He read for this corrupt police chief. I actually stood up on his read. I almost cheered. Sparky kicked butt!!!! I was proud of my actors that day. Having talented people around me makes me push harder. That's about it for Saturday.

Sunday:

My brother and I surprised my mom and attended our home church in Oakland, Tennessee, Brooks Chapel Church of God in Chirist, pastored by my uncle Elder Eugene Anderson. I enjoyed myself. They presented roses to the mothers in the church. Very nice. I bought my mom a plant and a card. I also had some western DVDs and a card for my father because I had missed his birthday while I was "on the shelf" (sick). After church, we ate at my parents house and watched some NBA basketball. After I made it back home, I went over my boy Shomari's house and watched a wrestling pay-per-view. Shout out to future superproducer Paul West (no relation to Kanye), his girlfriend Denna Greer (What Goes Around), blogger and jack of all trades Paul Briggs (www.acydic.bebo.com), "angry" Nick Jones for the free CDs, and the rest of my people.

Monday:

I attended a meeting about the production A Cop, A Snitch, and a Stripper Named Shane. Learyn (Across the River, What Goes Around) was there, as was Trent Dee (21 Grams, Divine Manipulation of the Threads), Juan Corrigan (Delusions, Mail Call), Keenon Nikita (Just the Two of Us), and the star/writer/director, Vincent Moore. It was a very good meet and greet. I met the female lead, Cherina. She will be Shane. She is a hungry young actor. I also caught up with Fred Mans, my fellow soundman on Just the Two of Us. John Still (Hustle and Flow, Shutter) is also in the production. I feel good about the cast, and my character. Officer Blue is a corrupt cop and a jerk! I finally get to be nasty on camera! I know my comedic talents are strong, but every so often, a brotha's gotta spread his wings.

Today, I have no plans, but something always comes up. I hope to buy the new edition of one of my favorite movies ever (Napoleon Dynamite) on my lucnch break. Be easy, readers.

Karaoke: This Time It's Personal

Once again, I made my way out to Flashback's for some good ol' fun with my acting friends: Joseph Smith (Delusions, Almost Made), Lina Fritsche (upcoming: Curbside Confessions), and Forrest Pruett (Glorious Mail, Forty Shades of Blue). We were also joined by Candace, who's not an actor but is very photogenic. Joe performed some Garth Brooks, Lina perfomed some Evanescence, and she broke out a new song on me: Norah Jones' "Come Away With Me". Forrest popped in and out. I wanted to see him rock out, so that was a bit of a bummer. Joe and I performed our infamous rendition of Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg's "Nuttin' But a G Thang". That one always gets the place rockin'. The place was packed, so I was able to do one more song: The Beatles' "Come Together". Hey, variety is the spice of life! It was cool, I was glad to take the stage with Joe again, it had been a minute.

Tonight, I plan to support my good buddy/fellow actor The GREAT Travis Stone, who is performing as part of the band Empty Shell. Here are the particulars:

'Empty Shell' is:Terry Fry - lead vocal and rythm guitar
Travis Stone - lead guitar, background vocal
Matt Hipp-bass
Andy Parrish-drum
They are playing @ Newby's Friday May 12th (Tonight), 8pm$7 cover
I've never seen these guys before, so I'm excited!

That is all. Be easy, readers.

What We Filmin'?

I named this post after one of the questions that I frequently ask Rod Pitts, my good buddy and film mentor. Last night, we shot two scenes for Spin Cycle. We got off to a rocky start. We had borrowed glasses and candles from Keenon Nikita (Poor and Hungry, Just the Two of Us). I broke one of the glasses. Don't give me any of that seven years bad luck crap, I got God on my side. So, I called Keenon and drove back to his home to get another glass. By the time I got back, Derrick Engleberg (Hell's Kitchen) and Nataki Caver (Just the Two of Us) were in place, as was another young actress, Martina Igbaraese. She was an extra in What Goes Around and Just the Two of Us, and I was glad to see her get a speaking role. Martina is always pleasant and always easy to work with. If you are willing, Rod tries his best to use you. I wound up being an extra. I sat at a table with my back to the camera. Rod made me take my hat off. A brother's missd the last few trips to the barber because of illness. Oh, well, it's a credit. After that scene wrapped, we lugged our equipment over to the water fall on the U of M campus. The waterfall made a cameo appearance in What Goes Around, but didn't make the cut for Just the Two of Us. It should be a cool scene. That's two more scenes taken care of. The film business can be a pain sometimes, but when it comes together, it's a thing of beauty. Rod has a great vision. And he definitely knows how to use lighting and lens to make the scenes look real purty. We are slowly inching towards the finish line. We will finish. We just have to keep our eyes on the ball. Be easy, readers.

Guess Who's Finally on IMDB

My good friend Rod Pitts (www.pittstopproductions.com) informed me that I am now on www.imdb.com, the Interner Movie Database. Here's the link:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2235007/

Hey, it's a start. Be easy, readers.

Weekend Wrap-Up Plus One

Okay, I'm finally getting back to normal. Back at work (better than being broke) and back to blogging. I'd like to thank Morris Chism (The Tank) and Jon Sparks (Across the River, Just the Two of Us) for their well wishes. Sparky said that the indie film industry would collapse without me. Okay, that made me smile at first, but c'mon, Sparky, I'm just one guy! We have a good community. It would survive without me. But, hey, it sounded cool. Let's recap recent events:

Friday:
At home. sick. Sick is no fun. At all.

Saturday:

Sick yet again. I was even sicker after the Suns eliminated the Lakers in seven games. Who blows a 3-1 lead?! Are you kidding me!! And I thought I was feeling bad. Hey, Lakers, sucks to be you, huh?! That was mean, but it felt good!!!

Sunday:

I thought I would be back in action. Went to the comicbook store and bought my good buddy Martheus Wade's comic Jetta. It was cool. He and I graduated from the University of Memphis on the same day (I've probably said that before). He's a good guy. Check out more at www.toshigawa.com, the home of Jetta and MAW productions. I met up with Rod Pitts and we thought that we would film something, but it didn't quite come together. So, we rolled out to my hood, the Dirty Dova (Cordova what?!), chilled out at the Wal-Mart on Germantown Parkway (G-Town, don't play!!!), and we went to my favorite discount theater, the Bartlett 10. We saw 16 Blocks. It was pretty interesting. I couldn't tell where the story was going, and that's a good thing. Some films are too predictable. Bruce Willis was good, and Mos Def, my favorite actor/rapper, was awesome!!! He plays this character and he has this goofy voice...you just gotta see it, or wait for it to come on DVD. After that, I went back to the U of M area and picked up my buddy Bryan Newcomb's (Mail Call, Just the Two of Us) birthday gift at Spin Street. He wanted T-Pain's CD "Rappa Ternt Sanga". It includes the smash hit "I'm in Love With a Stripper". I wouldn't normally buy such a CD, but I promised him that if he hadn't bought it before his birthday, I would purchase it for him. Don't say I ain't never gave you nothing, Bryan!!! Then, I dropped Rod off and went to the crib.

Monday:

Curbside Confessions rehearsal. I can't talk about the script, but there was an incident where this female got angry with me for attempting to swat a moth. A moth that was in my personal space! C'mon, people, I'm all for touchy, feely moments, but it's a moth! They don't live long anyway! Next thing you know, I won't be able to knock down spiderwebs in my home! I'm just not used to people admonishing me for swatting little creatures. I think we're all getting a bit too sensitive. People, we have to get over some stuff! I'm not really the tree-hugging, whale saving type. Okay, I hugged a tree. once. Ask me about it when you see me. I decided to rant in this space since I couldn't talk about the rehearsal. End of rant. I hope I didn't offend any of the vegan, Peace Corps, Greenpeace-loving people in my audience. Don't throw tofu at me when you see me, and I promise not to eat chicken wings in your presence. Unless it's a holiday.

Today:

I honestly don't have any plans. Lately, my "movie playtime" has been restricted to the weekends. I may see Madea's Family Reunion. It's only $2.50 at the Bartlett 10. Hey, times are hard. It's no Paradiso, but it's close to my house, and it allows me to catch up on movie for the cheap. Be easy, readers.

Hello...Is Anyone out There?

I have not fallen off the face of the earth. I've been sick...actually, I still am sick. I decided to "tough it out" and show up at work today. I'm not quite 100 percent. Hopefully, regular blogging will resume shortly. Bear with me. Be easy, readers.