Food, Family, and Hospital Visits: The Christmas Weekend Wrap-Up

Wednesday:

I got off work early, met up with the podcasting crew at Comics and Collectibles, and gave Ben his b-day present, which was The Lookout on DVD. I also gave Justin Vactor his present, which was the debut CD by my favorite rap group, Little Brother(www.myspace.com/littlebrother). The CD is called The Listening. It is an awesome CD, and if you like real hip-hop, you should purchase it.

After that, I went over my Aunt Mary's house. My family celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve. I gave my stepfather his gift, a Western DVD called Posse. This is the one with Kirk Douglas, not the 1990s western directed by Mario Van Peebles. I gave my mom her Christmas present, Stormy Weather on DVD. Her b-day is Dec. 31, but I don't think she's doing anything that day, so I gave her that present as well. I bought her season 1 of Beauty and the Beast. This was a short-lived '90s series with Ron Perlman(Hellboy)as Vincent (The Beast) and Linda Hamilton(Terminator) as Katherine, his beauty. Every woman I know who has ever watched this series has loved it. Mom was pleased. My gift-giving game is awesome, son!!! I gave my cousin Randy a Booker T wrestling action figure. I gave my cousin Anwar a wrestling DVD about the Road Warriors. Later, I followed my parents home and they gave my some new socks and undergarments and a DVD about the wrestler Triple H. Good times. I did get a little lost traveling from Aunt Mary's house to my parents. I hadn't traveled that way in a while, it happens.

Thursday:

On the actual Christmas day, I chilled out until about 1 PM. I visited my cousin Cameron in the hospital. Cameron is three, and he has a cancerous tumor on his kidney. He was not doing so good that day. They had a lot of tubes coming out of him. I just tried to support his parents, Chris and Kaci. Afterwards, I went over my friend Denna's house, and we exchanged presents. I had bought her a Barbie doll that looks like Rizzo from the movie Grease, and she had bought me a DVD about wrestler turned actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. After that, I went home. Later, I decided to try and get some food. NOTHING was open, not even Pizza Hut. I had to buy some microwaveable dishes from the local Circle K and call it a night. The Poor Man's Christmas, there's nothing like it!!

Friday:

I got out the house around 1 PM and visited my good buddy Rod Pitts. He had a light stroke and he's staying at Methodist Healthsouth Rehabilitation in Raleigh. He's doing pretty good. He says that his rehab is like boot camp. He's getting around in his wheelchair pretty good. I told him that he was like Professor X. If you've ever seen the X-Men movie, you get that joke. We chitchatted, talked about movies, and what movie he plans to film next. I really hope and pray that he gets better. After that, I went home.

Saturday:

I got off work, then I went to Comics and Collectibles for our podcasts. We recorded the Geekland Podcast (www.geeklandpodcast.com)and the Entertainment Overload Podcast(www.fusedfilm.com). After that, I went to McAlister's and had soem nachos, then I ate some yogurt at TCBY. After that, I went over my friend Courtney Wright's house. She had a small gathering. I exchanged gifts with her boyfriend, "Angry" Nick Jones. I bought him a Ring of Honor DVD. They're an independent wrestling organization(www.rohwrestling.com). He bought me the debut CD from this hip-hop group EMC. The group consists of four excellent underground rappers. I've liked the few songs that I heard from them, so I am confident that I will love the CD. I was sleepy from my long day, so I didn't stay long. However, I did get to watch comedian Kat Williams' latest DVD It's Pimpin, Pimpin. Kat Williams may currently be in a psych ward(supposedly), but that dude is funny. He's hilarious!! He even made fun of himself and his mishaps after buying his first motorcycle. Good stuff. Shortly after that, I had to get home. Daddy was tired.

Sunday:

I left the house around 6:35 PM. I ate some Quiznos, and then I went to the Cordova Cinema to watch The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Brad Pitt plays a man who was born old and ages in reverse. Cate Blanchett plays his love interest, and Taraji P. Henson(Hustle and Flow)plays the African-American woman who takes him in after his dad abandons him. The film is a bit long, but it is a good film. Pitt, Blanchett, and Henson play each other at different ages. Their talents combined with makeup and special effects made for a very interesting movie. It really seemed like you were seeing moments out of these character's lives. I will probably give it a 4 or 4.5 on flixster.com.

Monday:
I am back to work now. I saw little kids outside playing with their Tonka trucks while I drove to work. I envied them. Grown people need playtime and naptime,too, darnit!!! Be easy readers!!!

Shopping, Obnoxiousness, and a Good Movie:The Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday:

I got off work, got my hair cut, and I called my buddy Rod Pitts who is in the hospital (www.saverodpitts.blogspot.com). He was sleeping, so I decided to try to visit him on Saturday. I bought a cool used DVD at Hastings for $13.49. I bought PWG Sells Out,a DVD about a good independent wrestling organization called Pro Wrestling Guerilla(www.prowrestlingguerilla.com). They have matches out in California, and they have very funny segments and characters on their shows. I also bought a used graphic novel. It was a Catwoman story entitled Selina's Big Score . That graphic novel ruled!!

Saturday:

I got off work, and my plans for podcasting were cancelled because my buddy Justin Vactor was sick. Still, feel free to listen to previous podcasts at www.geeklandpodcast.com and at www.fusedfilm.com. Me and my fellow podcasting and interwebbing brethern would greatly appreciate it. I called Rod, but he was giving blood. I went home, fell asleep for a few hours, and then I FINALLY finished watching the three-disc wrestling DVD set Rey Mysterio: The Littlest Big Man . I kept watching it inbetween watching things on the DVR. It was cool,I'm glad I finished it.

Sunday:

I called Rod, but he was asleep. I called my cousin Kaci to get my cousin Cameron's new room number at St. Jude, but I got now answer. I decided to go to Comics & Collectibles and get some old 50 cent comics. I chitchatted with the owner C&C, Ron, and I also chatted up longtime store employee Brian. Check them out at www.memphiscomics.com.

Later, I went to a Blockbuster near them on Poplar in the 4000 block. They had 50% off previously viewed DVDs. I decided to purchase Be Kind, Rewind. They also had a sign that said certain DVDs were 2 for $15, or one for $7.99. I picked up House Party 3 from this stack. However, when I get up there, the employee refused to give me the discount for the House Party 3. His manager joined in with him. His manager was being a jerk, and to make it worse, I think I worked with him on a movie before. I saw no signs that said I couldn't take advantage of both deals. I just left both DVDs there. I was angry, but I kept my cool until I left the store. Some people, I tell you. That Blockbuster just lost my business for a while.

Next, I went to TCBY for some frozen yogurt goodness (yay!!), then I went to the Ridgeway Four to watch Slumdog Millionaire. This film was directed by Danny Boyle, who directed Trainspotting and 28 Days Later. A boy from the slums of India is winning big on the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and is suspected of cheating. While being interrogated by the police, he explains the events in his life that caused him to know the answers. It is a great, clever movie. It is a very enjoyable underdog tale. This is my favorite film of 2008. I really hope this film does well at the Oscars. Here is a synopsis of the film: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slumdog_Millionaire I will give it 5 stars on flixster.com. Look for a review soon.

Later, I stopped at the Blockbuster Video in Poplar Plaza. I did not find Be Kind Rewind, but I did find another previously viewed film that will be Rod Pitts' replacement Christmas gift. His original gift, Blackula on DVD, was an Ebay purchase that may not get here until after Christmas. Later, I went to the Blockbuster on Germantown Parkway. There, I found Be Kind Rewind and bought it used for about $5, as well as Romance and Cigarettes. This is a musical directed by John Turturro (Transformers, Do the Right Thing). It stars Kate Winslet, James Gandolfini, and others. It cost me a little over $3 used. I decided to roll the dice. Finally, I got some groceries at Wal-Mart and headed home.

I would like to take this moment to wish everyone a happy, safe and joyous holiday season. PLEASE don't eat too much (myself included), and appreciate your friends and family. You never know how much long people will be in your lives, so treasure every moment. Be easy, readers!!! And God bless us every one!!!

Tim Robbins to play Tony Stark's dad in Iron Man 2

Check it out:

http://fusedfilm.com/2008/12/tim-robbins-to-play-tony-starks-dad-in-iron-man-2/

Best and Worst Casting Decisions of 2008

Enjoy:

http://fusedfilm.com/2008/12/yahoos-best-and-worst-tv-casting-decisions-of-2008/

RIP Majel Barret Rodenberry, wife of Star Trek creator

Read about it here:

http://fusedfilm.com/2008/12/majel-barrett-roddenberry-passes-away-at-the-age-of-76/

Please help Rod Pitts

This is a repost for friends of my good buddy Rod Pitts:

Hi Everyone,

As many of you may know, Rod Pitts, dedicated filmmaker, editor and director of photography (What Goes Around, Just the Two of Us, Tricks, 100 Lives, The Right Questions) has been in the hospital for a little over a week with high blood pressure, blurred vision and motor problems. We just got word that he had a mild stroke. While this is scary to know, we do feel relieved that the problem has been identified and his rehabilitation has started immediately.

However, due to his sudden health scare, he has been unable to work and but still has pressing financial obligations (mainly his rent and medicine).

We ask that you spare whatever you can. As fellow artists, we can imagine how disheartening we may feel to lose the very things we need to do what we need to do what we love to do and are passionate about. Please spread the word so that when Rod gets out of the hospital, the very last thing he has to worry about is where to live or buying medication to support his health. We are asking everyone if you can make a donation to please click on the "very long" link below. If it's not already highlighted, just copy and paste it in your browser:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=2NUZZPN4T9LZA&lc=US&item_name=Save%20Rod%20Pitts%21%21%21¤cy_code=USD&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF%3abtn_donateCC_LG%2egif%3aNonHosted


OR you can go and visit Rod and donate directly to him at:


HealthSouth Methodist Rehabilitation
4100 Austin Peay Hwy
Memphis, TN 38128
Room # 202
(901-213-5400)

OR mail a check addressed to Rod Pitts to:

P.O. Box 1733
Memphis, TN 38101

Thank you all for your continued support.

Sincerely,

DeAara Lewis, Phil Darius & Keenon Nikita

St. Jude, Parties, and Laziness: The Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday:

I got off work and visited my cousin Cameron at St. Jude. He has cancer, and he's only 3 years old. That's heavy. He was not in a good mood. They were giving him a blood transfusion. Also, I think the medicine is making him sick. His mom, Kaci, was laying in the bed with him. I hung out in the adjoining room with his two brothers and one sister while the medical people showed Kaci and her husband Chris the shots that they will have to give him. Not fun. So, I hung out in the other room and watched a lot of Disney channel. I still think I want a job with Disney. The plots are very childlike and simple, and it's a steady paycheck. Shoutout to Cameron and the rest of the Cox family. It was good to see my family, even though the circumstances were crappy.

Saturday:

I got off work, and then I went to White Station High to film my scenes for "That's What I Love About Concrete". I think that's the working title. Shoutout to Katherine and Alanna, the directors. I was a little tired, but we got through it. After that, I went to Dan Baker's house. Dan is a filmmaker in town that I met. I watched people play the Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe videogame. It's a cool little game. We also watched this short that Dan directed, Plain Jane.
It was cool. I also met this guy, I can't remember his name, but he was into hip-hop. We talked music. They were cool people. A lot of the people there were Christians, and I need some good, moral people in my circle of friends.

After that, I went to a party in Midtown at the home of Chris McCoy and Laura Hocking-McCoy. Laura Jean is always nice to me, God bless her. Shoutouts also to Don Myers, Patrick Cox, Sarah Fleming, Christopher Reyes, Adam Remsen, McKenzie Stonis, Danna, Bess, and others that I talked to. I was enjoying myself, but then I got sleepy, so I left. I also think I whined to enough filmmakers about not working enough this year that I should have some roles next year. No, I have no shame. Not any. At all.

Sunday:

I hung around the house all day. I watched the Titans lose to the Houston Texans. Hey, we're 12-2. I didn't think we'd do that well. I think we are an overachieving team. I fear that the rug may be pulled out from under us. Later, I ate mexican food at the restaurant My Favorite Place, then I went to Hastings. I bought a used graphic novel that collected issues of Savage Dragon. I like that book. At the price of $7.49, it was quite the bargain, readers.

Monday:

There are ice storm warnings and all sorts of craziness. I'll deal with it if it happens, I guess. Lawd (Lord) knows, I could use some time off. Be easy, readers!!!

Pray for my cousin Cameran

My cousin Cameran (I'm probably spelling it very wrong) has a cancerous tumor on his liver. It hurts me to even type this. Cameran is a tough little guy, sometimes quiet, but full of life. My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his mom, my cousin Kaci. I also pray for his dad Chris. The thought of him not being able to grow, to learn, to one day fall in love, get his heart broken, to learn what it is to be a man, to not be.....I don't want to conceive it. He's at St. Jude, so I know he's getting the best medical care possible. I wonder why this would have to happen to him, but it's not for me to know why. I am asking for all prayers, positive thoughts, positive energy, whatever you believe in. I am asking my online family to support me and my blood family right now. Thank you.

Waiting Rooms, Podcasts, and Dorm Rooms: The Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday:

I got off work, went to the doctor (I've gained a few pounds, not so good), then I went back to work for a few hours. It was cool.

Saturday:

I got off work, went to the Vactor-Cave, which is the home of my good buddy Justin Vactor and his parents. Me and the podcast crew actually recorded three podcasts. The first was Entertainment Overload. We had people who weren't physically there take place in the conversation using Skype. Skype is some kind of phone service through the internet. Look it up. Shout out to Jeff W., Emily from Ohio, Katarina, Wonder Rob, Daz, and the regular EO Podcast crew: Kevin Coll, Ben Songer, Willie Gillis, and Justin Vactor. Then, Emily stayed with the regular crew for the FusedFilm Factor podcast. Those two podcasts can be found at www.fusedfilm.com. Next, we ate lasagna. Shoutout to Mrs. Vactor for the bomb lasagna. Finally, the regular crew minus Kevin but plus Chris Eaton (through skype)recorded the Geekland Podcast (www.geeklandpodcast.com).

After that, I went out to Collierville. My friend Terra Hollis celebrated her birthday at the Bonefish Grill. It's located near the new mall in Collierville. It's an outside mall, meaning you have to walk outside and go into another building as opposed to being housed inside, but it's pretty cool. Terra likes smiley faces and horror movies, so I bought her an action-figure two-pack of the characters from the Body Bags comic. One character, Clownface, is a mercenary that wears a smiley-face mask. The other character in the two-pack is his daughter Panda. I may not be a rich man, but I'm thoughtful. Shout out to Denna, Paul West, Courtney, Laila, Terra, Shomari, Mario, Jamaica, Terrence and his wife Jill, and everybody else in attendance. After that, I went home.

Sunday:

I gave my buddy Rod Pitts his belated birthday present. I bought him the classic O'Jays album Backstabbers on CD. He seemed to like it.

Next, I picked up my buddy Chris Eaton and we went to Comics and Collectibles. Shoutout to C&C's owner, Ron, and C&C employee Brian. I bought comics, we talked comics, it was cool. Later, we went to Wendy's and ate food. Finally, we chilled out in this other guy's dorm room. His name was Chris, but he went by Mars. We watched wrestling DVDs on Eaton's laptop and joked around. Chris is a cool dude and he is very spiritual. Lord knows I need postive spiritual influence in my life.

Monday:

I got a little bit of bad news. My cousin Kaci's youngest child, Cameran, is in he hospital. They think he may have a tumor on his kidney. Please send positive thoughts and energy and prayers his way. Thank you, and be easy, readers.

Dressing, Solitude, and Karaoke: The Extra-Special Thanksgiving Day Edition of the Weekend Wrap-Up

Thursday:

I chilled out with my family. We tripped out, discussed politics, and I learned some things. My cousins Lee and Sam tried to give me pointers on the opposite sex, and I also learned that my cousin Anwar with the speech impetiment is also doing pretty well with the ladies. Yes, people, my cousin with the speech impetiment has more game than me. My life is one very sad Charlie Brown cartoon. Later, I went to Karaoke Smackdown at the Vault. It was cool. Shoutout to Chris Haley, David H., Joe, Lauren, Andrew, Natara, and the rest of the crew.

Friday:

I was a hermit most of the day, watching films and such. I watched Bird. It's a biopic about jazz musician Charlie "Bird" Parker directed by Clint Eastwood that came out in 1988. Forrest Whitaker played "Bird". John Witherspoon (the dad from the Friday films), Tony Todd (Candyman), and Tony Cox (Bad Santa) were also in the film. It was okay, but it was a bit long. I will give it 3.5 stars on flixster.com. I took the film back to Blockbuster night, and I bought 2 used DVDs, The Great Debaters and How She Move. I bought the second one because of the dance moves, not because of the acting. After that, I called it a night.

Saturday:

I went to Comics and Collectibles, then I went to McAlister's. Next, I went to a Memphis Grizzlies game. The usher was very mean. I moved a few seats down when a couple sat beside me to give them room. NO ONE else was on my row. This lady insisted that I move back to my correct seat. It was real silly. I moved back, because I didn't feel like the drama. Of course, we lost. Come on, Grizzlies!! You were playing the Oklahoma Thunder,a team that only had 1 win!! You have to play defense and get aggressive!! Afterwards, more karaoke goodness at The Vault.

Sunday:

I was in the house again until the evening. I got a little bit to eat, then I went to Hastings. I purchased Son of Rambow for $5.99, then I purchased Equilibrium for $3.99, and I wound up getting The Doors for one dollar. The deal used to be buy 2 used DVDs, get a third for a penny, but now it's a dollar. I really liked Son of Rambow when I saw it theatrically. It's about some little kids in England in the 1980s who shoot their own sequel to Rambo entitled Son of Rambow. It's a cool little film. As an indie film actor, I was inspired by it.

Monday:

Back at work, but you know what? It beats living on the street. The Bible says that if a man don't work, he shouldn't eat. I like eating. I will endure. Be easy, readers!!!