OOW Studios

Yesterday I attended the funeral of my friend Brian Moore.  He was a talented magician, comedian and an all-around great guy.  

At one point in the open forum portion of the ceremony, one of Brian’s friends stood up and said, “I think we can all agree that Brian deserves one final standing ovation.”  Imagine the scene as 200+ people all stood up in front of a flag-draped casket and clapped incessantly for what seemed like forever.  It was cathartic at first, then powerful and ultimately, perfect.  A moment I won’t soon forget.

I have recently been thinking about a friend of mine.  We have known each other for a long time, reaching back to our reckless Eastside Tucson lives, where the only danger was arriving at the Jack in the Box late and missing the caravan of party bound teenagers.  We never spent a great deal of time with each other, but I know him so well from other close friends and the good times we had when we were given the opportunity to hang out together.  Quality superseded quantity.  At one time I remember saying to myself, “I want to spend more time with this guy, he makes me laugh.”

Life happens to us all and we begin to go our ways, but there are always a group of people with whom time seems to stop.  It’s almost as if our brief interactions are one long consecutive event that has spanned our years of friendship.  We gather for special occasions here and there and I can tell you that I always enjoy his presence.  He’s the goofy guy with no fear, the brother who doesn’t follow your advice and the friend who always has your back.

Sadly, my friend has left us.

I heard the news only a few days ago and I was taken back.  First, by my immediate inability to acknowledge that it was the truth, “How can he be gone, he’s young, he’s a father, he has too much life to leave behind.”  Second, by my sobering reaction.  I must confess that I was unsure of how to respond.  I had known him for so many years, but never really considered him a great friend.  Sure, we always had a good time together and we both valued those moments.  But, we rarely spoke on the phone and our paths seemed to be crossing less and less as the years had gone by.

In lieu of my reaction, I was having a difficult time making a decision about attending the funeral.  Life got in the way and I was looking at this situation through the lens of a shrewd businessman.  I was trying to rationalize to myself why I could not attend amid the weight of emotion and guilt that I was choosing to ignore.  I was sick with myself.  And then it came to me; I was resisting the idea of his funeral because if I were to attend, it would be the finale to all those good times.  In essence, I would be closing a chapter of my life that I had not finished writing.

…a revelation…

Finally, the tears have come.  However late, yet laden with sincerity.  I embrace them, because I know that I need to do so; to honor my friend, to remember the good times and because he would do the same for me.  Brian…forgive me for the delay.

I find myself, quite recently, in a cleverly balanced cultural triangle.  I am now living in Los Angeles in the Los Feliz Village and my apartment shares corners with residents of Thai Town, Little Armenia and (those that are not Thai or Armenian) Latinos. Surprise, surprise.  Let me tell you I am finally using my Spanish on a daily basis. Thank you Sra. Lopez, Sr. Gamboa and Sr. Carruthers.   Andale pues.

To cap off the diverse cultural setting of my surroundings, I will add one more interesting group of persons; Scientologists.  You see, I live within throwing distance of the L. Ron Hubbard Dianetics Center.  Crazy.  Late at night, I can hear Xenu offer prime directives to his waiting throng of Sea Org fanatics from the roof of their obnoxious blue building.  It looks like something out of Gotham City and I half expect to see Batman atop of its spire, ready to deal vengeance to this modern day Hydra symbiote.

Parking is atrocious, especially since my neighbor uses two of his ‘beater’ cars to secure a parking space for his running ‘beater’.  Yep, this schmuck takes up all of the space in front of the building with his three cars.  Needless to say, there are plans in the works to foil his treachery.  Once he loses one spot, I will give my life to keep all of them away from him.

So, things are good.  Life has squeezed in on me a bit since leaving Tucson, but I find the pressure more of an embrace than an attempt to suffocate.  

/afk is proceeding well, with a solid editing script underway.  We got the footage, we got the story, we got an amazing editor, we got a great team.  Like a good friend of mine says, “curtains.”

No Country For Old Men, matinee, me and my brother Chris.  I tell you it was Chris and I amongst a throng of senior citizens and the room was packed.  Throughout the first twenty minutes of the film more elderly movie-goers kept coming in and their very loud attempt to find a seat was comical.  A more apt name for the film may have been, “No Seats For Old Men.”

Anyways, I finally had a chance to see this movie.  Wow.  No Country For Old Men offers a powerful look at the age-old conflict between youth and their elders (a facsimile of our movie experience).  You witness the emergence of disturbing new ideas and their attempt to usurp the way that things have always been.  The emotion of the film is palpable and there is no break in the action.  Go see it. 

EDIT:  Now that is has won an Oscar for Best Picture, there is even more reason to check it out.  Avoid the matinee.

For those of you who are in the know, Spore stands to reinvent the world of gaming. It ushers in the age of the MSO, Massively Single-player Online game and will redefine the concept of simulation games. Will Wright, the creator of the Sims, has been working feverishly on this game for many years and we will get to see the results of his handiwork later this year. Take a look at the Release Promo Video. I can’t wait.

If you want to take a closer look at the procedural tech behind this game, visit the Spore site and take a tour. This will be one of those fun games that everyone will be talking about for years to come. Mark my words.

I think we often take our comfort for granted. Physical discomfort can often be a direct result of emotional discomfort. In short, I miss my comfy chair; my respite in times of discomfort. It was always easy to come home and kick up my feet and allow my back to enjoy a bit of relaxation. Pillows can be used and pills can be taken, but there is no way to replace something comfortable that is a part of your life. It’s only a chair, but is it only a chair?

The good news is that I can move the chair and bring it with me wherever I go. So, while I may be uncomfortable right now, that will not always be the case.

I find myself in the heart of Los Feliz on another beautiful day in Los Angeles.  I sit in a local coffee shop and peer out from my comfy armchair.  There is a steaming cup of coffee within reach as I begin the nonverbal battle for a much-coveted electrical outlet.  Victory.  Another day.

The journey that was once more of a pilgrimage is nearing its conclusion.  Only a few days ago, the sight of downtown LA inspired an uncertain anxiety within me.  It was saying, “You, again?”  At the time, I could not muster any response.  But, as the days have gone by, we find ourselves in negotiations.  I have offered words of passion and dedication, but have been refused an outright commitment on her part.  Her blessing is elusive, but her presence is always welcoming.

There are always things to be considered with such a drastic change to one’s way of life.  But, I find myself capable, excited and confident in my ability to woo her to my side.  And if her favor can’t be won; well, we’ll just see about that.  

There is no better way to be inspired than to plop down on a comfy sofa and watch Runnin’ Down A Dream, the quintessential documentary about Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.  It might just be the best rock n’ roll documentary I have ever seen, and I have seen a lot of them.  The film is fantastic, full of tons of archival footage and rare interviews.  Plus, their story is nothing short of an inspirational wonder.  You may be able to catch it on IFC or pick it up at Amazon.

I have always loved their music, but I saw it only as great music.  As I watched the film, I recalled more of their music and realized how much their music has catalogued my life.  There is a passion in their music that is so tangible and accessible that I think everyone can apply its emotion to their own lives.

They are playing at the Super Bowl this year so catch the half-time show.