Letters From The Future

The Next Big Thing

2010-03-06T08:15:00.001-08:00

Brandon Reierson is a friend of mine from College. He runs a blog to showcase his art called Lactose Intoler-Art cause just looking at milk might kill him. I’ve seen it.

But every super guy has a Kryptonite, and a POWER. Brandon’s power is ART, and you just gotta see it. Brandon gets his inspiration from his many trips to Tokyo, Japan and from his wild imagination! So check it out, say hello for me, and buy some pins!

Image courtesy of Brandon Reierson.

Technorati Tags: Art,Lactose Intoler-Art,Brandon Reierson,Tokyo,Japan,Friends

AVATAR

2010-03-03T23:00:00.001-08:00

I wear some big glasses. When I grabbed my 3D specs from the friendly staff at the Warren Theatre in Moore, Ok, I was worried they would interfere with my experience. When the curtain went up, and the lights went down – for the next two and a half hours I would be wholly unaware of the two sets of big plastic resting on my face – because I was on Pandora, the setting of James Cameron’s Avatar.

The film is centered around Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a wheelchair-bound Marine, selected to take his deceased twins place on Pandora – the source of the most valuable material known to man. He must step into the shoes of one of the natives, known as the Na’vi, in order to gain an understanding or their entirely majestic way of life. Torn between his deep sense of duty as a Marine, and his newfound home, Sully must stand between his job and the destruction of a peaceful society.

Worthington starred alongside Christian Bale in the successful sequel to one of Cameron’s first franchises – Terminator Salvation. Zoe Saldana brings sorely needed new meaning to the phrase “lights up the screen.” Both stars deliver performances so raw, one forgets they’re part of hands-down the best effort in special effects history.

Sigourney Weaver, from Cameron’s Aliens, joins the cast as a civilian researcher desperately searching for a way to protect and understand the Na’vi – Dr. Grace Augustine. Stephen Lang’s character Colonel Miles Quaritch is now the new model for the archetype of the tough-as-nails badass, hell bent on making sure something gets blown up. Giovanni Ribisi, Joel Moore, Michelle Rodriguez and Laz Alonso flesh out the rest of the principle cast perfectly.

I could write all night about the stunning visuals the talented people behind this movie were able to achieve, but truly there are no words that can do this movie justice. Not in this department. Go watch this movie. From the very first moment, it will ease you into a new world and take you on a journey I promise you, you will not be ready for.

As a filmmaker, I am equally stunned, humbled and ecstatic. It is a very exciting time for movies – because the bar has been set once again. Not only visually, but dramatically. The first filmmakers wanted to take the viewer into another world and a good story, and they succeeded. It’s happening again.

If you’re ready for something special, if you want your money’s worth, or if you’ve just got a sweet tooth for epic action between dragons and awesome robots – go see Avatar. Forget the hype – heck, forget this review – but whatever you do, go get a ticket, and pick a good seat up front. You will be so glad you didn’t miss this one.

Trailer - Avatar from jadorelecinema on Vimeo.

Technorati Tags: Avatar,movie review

SWEET & SAVORY

2010-02-24T18:05:00.000-08:00

Chili - Sweet & Savory from Chili on Vimeo.

WHAT'S UP DAN?

2010-02-18T10:28:00.000-08:00

Oh, you know, not much - Just writing on the blog, reading about Japanese history, and listening to Explosions In The Sky. You?

LET’S SEE IF THESE BASTARDS CAN DO 90

2009-12-14T22:32:00.001-08:00

Here is a site I found called Soul Pancake. It’s run by Rainn Wilson who plays one of my favorite television characters ever – Dwight Schrute from The Office. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Rainn is a very involved, informed person who strives to help people openly discuss spirituality and creativity in an extremely unique forum called Soul Pancake. I now check and comment every day. I just know you will love it.

Speaking of The Office, season 6 is well underway, and if you’re not “into” The Office – you should be. You should also check out Office Tally, your one-stop-shop for everything Office.

[The Office can be seen on Thursdays at 9:00 PM on NBC]

L0v3

The Worst Day of My Life

2009-12-14T22:21:00.001-08:00

…is the title of the screenplay I finished today. It’s for a short film I’m going to start shooting early next year. I finally have a plan.

10 films of 10-20 minutes

5 films of 20-45 minutes

2 films of 45-60 minutes

1 film of 90-120 minutes

Get ready world, cause Dan’s about to start his film career. ^_-

[PS: The Venture Bros. season 4 started. This makes Dan very happy.]

[The Venture Bros can be seen on Sundays at 12:00 AM on Cartoon Network]

Rainy Day

2009-09-13T22:08:00.000-07:00

I think I broke a toe. I’m not sure how it happened, but I’m pretty certain that it’s broken. It’s the middle toe on my right foot. I’ve been walking a lot these days. Some for the exercise, mostly for lack of car. Could it have happened walking to work? Not sure.

In May, my friends and I went to Dallas to see the Broadway tour of RENT. That was a blast! I’m going to New York for New Year’s Eve this year. Though I’d rather be back in Hong Kong.

I finally have a job that I like. I also started freelance writing for a publication called the Edmond Outlook. You can check out my first article here.

I am writing a play. It’s about the cast of a 1930’s adventure radio play. It makes me laugh. I’ve taken a break from work on 20 Rules For Tipping, another play I am writing with James.

I am also trying to narrow down some screenplay ideas.

We’ll see.

[Sparkey died this summer. My best friend of 18 years.]

[Fireworks were beautiful this year.]

[Double birthday fun.]

The summer was amazing – met several new friends, had adventures, and for the first time in a long time I have a plan for the future and I’m self aware.

Things are just fine. Amazing actually! I can’t complain, I’m overwhelmed by a newfound sense of purpose and clarity. A peace goes with me most days.

Listening to: Blümchen – Ich bin wieder hier

CHANGE SOMETHING, ANYTHING

2009-03-12T10:07:00.000-07:00

"YOU must BE the CHANGE you wish to SEE in the WORLD." -Mahatma Gandhi

Get informed. Get involved. Get active.

I USED TO BE FUNNIER

2009-02-17T21:27:00.001-08:00

Good evening! Last night I was reading over my old blog. You can check it out HERE.

I realized a few things. I used to be funnier. I was more optimistic. I was full of hope. It got me thinking about what may or may not be wrong with me.

I'm almost twenty-four. My life is not what I thought or hoped it would be by now. I'm not sure if it's any worse. But, it's definitely not what I was expecting, or even hoping for.

Our experiences and choices make us what we are.

Since then, I've lost a lot, I've had my heart broken, people have let me down, I've failed. On the other hand, I've gained, I've loved, I've been inspired by people, I've won.

I just miss hoping for things. I want to hope again.

Things were a lot simpler when I was young. When you haven't been let down, or had your heart broken, you find it easy - life that is. I want to have a reckless enthusiasm and optimism that scares the people around me! Haha.

Ok, no more complaining. I'm done with that.

I determined three things that are going to help me get back to where I was in my younger days.

I am going to get plugged into a church again.

I am going to get into the best shape of my life.

I am going to get out of debt.

Reckless enthusiasm, here I come.

Hi, I'm a douche bag

2009-02-16T22:53:00.001-08:00

Hi, I'm a douche bag.

I have a nice, bronze tan. Ask me how much it cost.

I like to wear pink button down shirts. No under shirt for me thank you. Please direct your attention to my necklace. It is a tribal design.

That's how you know I'm culturally intuitive and concerned, because my necklace is a tribal design. Aren't I deep?

It's impossible to tell that I got it from a mega-chain retail store in the mall. Right across from the little boutique where I get my seven dollar protein drinks - enhanced with B-12 and ginseng, of course.

My necklace is located in the area at the top of my pink button down shirt. You can't miss it, because I have the top three buttons undone. See my tan?

Oh, you noticed my hair cut. Well thank you, yes, yes it did cost a lot of money. I think it makes a statement.

I wear khaki's. They came with some holes in the leg, so I might trick you into thinking I got them in a fight, or rock climbing maybe. Sometimes you gotta pay a little extra for holes. I like to give complete strangers dirty looks as I walk by them. It's a hobby of mine. Oh, I also like to stare at people.

People who cut their own hair in their bathroom with a five year old pair of clippers, people who wear gray hoodies, people who didn't pay extra for the holes in their pants, shirts, shoes, underwear, and socks. I like to stare at these people and hate them. I don't know why. Who do they think they are?

Sometimes I wonder if I have a soul.

Then I remember that I drive an Escalade. So who cares?

I also have a goatee.

I remember when I was young, someone brought to my attention how chiseled my features are. I got into sports. I used to like art and playing the guitar, but you can't get laid with drawing.

Secretly I hate myself, and I question my sexuality. Oh well, I'll just hit my wife later.

Oh, my wife, right. I'm sitting here at ihop with my trophy wife.

She taught me the dirty looks thing.

We have a newborn baby. He or she is going to go to a school that is way too expensive, and get an education that will one day go on a resume, so he or she can go on to become a over privileged douche junior.

Now I'm going to make damn sure that everyone in this dirty place knows that I'm tipping my waiter twenty dollars.

Sometimes I wonder if I have a soul.

Then I remember, I'm a douche bag.

LIVING IN THE LIGHT AT TUNNEL'S END

2009-01-12T16:35:00.001-08:00

It's 2009. How in the world did we let that happen?

I can't believe I graduated high school six years ago. Turning twenty three was difficult for me. I think this year will be greeted with much more optimism than the last.

You see, things have been changing for me - in really good ways. I've been on a journey for twelve days now. I'm trying to learn discipline. I'm trying to rely on something beyond myself to fill my cup, to restore me every moment of every day.

It's an understatement to say that things never turn out exactly how we think they might. I could have never predicted how my test of faith would go. I'm learning that there has to be time for everything - happiness, suffering, anger, joy.

It's all necessary.

The trick is to not set monumental goals for yourself. At least not until you have a good idea of who you are, and what you are capable of. Anyway, more on all of this later.

The band is back. Eric bought drums. Clark's back in the mix. We practice usually a few times a week. It's a slow start, and it's a long time coming, but it's something.

I've written a lot of new music. We're working out all the music. I've already been talking to Hank Charles about booking a week in the studio to record a full length album. I'm hoping that will happen sometime over the summer. If things keep going at this pace, we'll have an album out and be on the road touring by next fall or winter.

Band names are sill up in the air, I'm leaning toward The New West. Let me know what you think.

LET IT BEGIN

2008-08-25T21:57:00.001-07:00

Well here we are. Where to begin?

I've had an interesting summer. I've been too busy, or too lazy, to write anything in a while.

A few months ago I was at IHOP with my roommates. We met a nice young man named Mikhail. As it turned out, he was here in the states from Russia with three of his friends - Alexi, Victor, and Artem. We have had the honor of showing these guys a good time this whole summer.

A few weeks ago, Mikhail caught a bus to New York and grabbed the next flight back to mother Russia. And last Saturday I had the grim duty of taking Victor to get another bus, so he could go home as well. And then there were two.

Alexi and Artem will be leaving in October back to their homeland. They will be missed dearly.

About a month ago I went to Louisville, Kentucky to audition for American Idol. I hit the road with my mom and brother, waited in a line for ten hours with twenty thousand people to sing for ten seconds. Well at least I can say I did that now. Go me. It was a great time, I got to spend some much needed time with my family. I love both of them. Very much.

When I got back, my friend James almost tore off my little toe nail with his shoe, by accident. This was mere days before I was to head off to Mexico for about nine days. When I got to Mexico, I got sick. Very sick. Despite my illness, Mexico was amazing. I got to spend a little time with some old friends, and I got to lead worship in Spanish with some locals.

I was sick for four days after I got back to the states. About two weeks in total.

When I got back to my house in Oklahoma City I re-injured an old knee injury - hyper-extending my LCL and ACL.

Imagine blinding, nightmare pain. Like blinding white light.

So, there I was on my crutches, in my knee immobilizer, juiced up on twenty-four hundred milligrams of pain killers a day, when I lost my keys.

Things just kept getting better.

So then I found out I couldn't go back to Hillsdale, my college, this semester due to financial and other reasons, so I decided to go to the local community college for my tenth semester toward a bachelor's degree. I'm taking a second victory lap. In the long run it's a good move because I will be able to knock out the gen-ed courses that I've been putting off for a long time.

My friend Sonja agrees to give me a lift to the school so I can get enrolled. The day we were supposed to go, her back left tire is destroyed.

If anyone is noticing a pattern here, let me know, because I have yet to figure it out.

And here I am, a week after I finally got up there, and I'm still fighting through the endless web of red tape keeping me from moving forward with anything productive in my life. I'm just now to the point where I might be able to get back to work - standing on this leg is harder than I let on.

So there you go. That's the what's what with Dan. I sort of lied when I said I hadn't figured it out yet. I'm beginning to. Someone is testing me. I'm trying to endure. You know me, I'm looking for the lesson to be learned, but this one is proving to be most elusive.

I'm slowly becoming the man I want to be. The one I need to be.

This has been one of those summers. I couldn't have predicted it. I couldn't have planned it. It just happened. Relationships started. Relationships ended. I recorded new songs. Deas Vail and Coin Laundry Loser played in my dining room. These are the days you live for. Each one of them.

My hot summer blood comes in floods and in waves.

I want to inspire people. With music. With acting. I want to be strong enough to shoulder the burden of my friends lives on my back - although I will always need people to support me. I'm learning that.

Ok, that's all I have to say right now.

If you haven't seen The Dark Knight yet, do that tomorrow. I don't think I put anything on here about Heath Ledger when he died, I was busy grieving. I saw a biography about him recently. I have truly been inspired. I want to take some things more seriously.

If I ever leave this world alive, I'll take on all the sadness that I left behind.

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

2008-06-29T17:17:00.001-07:00

Things are good.

As things generally seem to go, nothing turns out exactly how you had thought it might. Now, this is not necessarily a bad thing, in fact it often is something very positive. Either way, it's almost never the way we imagine things going.

Not better. Not worse. Just, different.

You may hear me say that I am a work in progress. This is because I am growing up, still. I make mistakes, and I learn things every day.

I learn these things through trial and error, you know, the scientific method.

This point is most readily illustrated by a recent reunion with an old friend. This friend is, and always has been very close to me, I would say she knows me better than most people, save a few. Due to circumstances and choices, it had been nearly two years since I had seen her.

As often happens, the distance and time you put between two people can make it more difficult to bring them back together, despite how badly you might think you want it. This is one of the great mysteries and paradoxes of life.

In my experience, there are many, many more.

Finally, the day had come. We met up for some coffee and some talk. To be honest, I was very nervous. But there she was, just as if we had never parted. Thankfully, the awkwardness left us quickly, and the entire experience was great.

It is difficult to see someone who you have not seen in nearly two years. As I later found out, I wasn't the only one who was nervous. And I must admit, the distance you put between yourselves tends to be nurtured and strengthened by the separated. Perhaps we are afraid we have changed or they have changed, and we won't recognize each other. Perhaps we are afraid that the idea of the other person that we hold in our minds doesn't have their flaws - that we have remembered them incorrectly.

Perhaps we are afraid.

Well, lesson learned. If you want something, don't let your fears get in the way. I did it, and I'm glad I did.

This brings me to the second lesson I've learned recently.

So, one year ago, some friends and I went to Rhema to listen to some music and watch some fireworks.

As many of you know, last summer was amazing. Every day was spent waking up late from the night before, finding out what the plan for the evening was, and setting out into the unknown. That was the summer.

Today is the day. Exactly one year ago, to the day, was one of those landmark moments in an era - one of those occasions that you will later reminisce about, no matter how certain you are that you shouldn't ever reminisce but rather look forward.

Live in the moment.

That's why I'm going to stop writing about what happened a year ago, and focus on what I can do today that will make this summer more memorable than last.

Sometimes you just have to learn these things the hard way. But if you make it stick, it's worth it.

QUARTER LIFE CRISIS

2008-06-19T00:42:00.000-07:00

The other night at about two in the morning, I found myself in the back yard. I was in my black shorts with the huge hole in the crotch, holding the raging water hose above my head with my thumb over the top to make it rain down on me, saying "I am the master of my fate. I am the ruler of my own destiny. This is my life. And right now is the beginning of the rest of it. I claim this as my own."

God, I must have looked insane.

Sometimes you have to be able to laugh at yourself.

I'm on the verge of something. Something big. Really big. I won't go into detail right now, but I will say this: I need your prayers, and I need your encouragement, no matter how vague.

More to follow.

SUMMER READING

2008-06-02T18:15:00.000-07:00

" There was something formless and perfect
before the universe was born.
It is serene. Empty.
Solitary. Unchanging.
Infinite. Eternally present.
It is the mother of the universe.
For lack of a better name,
I call it the Tao.

It flows through all things,
inside and outside, and returns
to the origin of all things.

The Tao is great.
The universe is great.
Earth is great.
Man is great.
These are the four great powers.

Man follows the earth.
Earth follows the universe.
The universe follows the Tao.
The Tao follows only itself." -Lao Tzu

From "Tao Teh Ching", 500BC

CURTAIN CALL

2008-04-13T20:43:00.000-07:00

This afternoon was bitter sweet. The curtain opened, we did a little song and a little dance, and the curtain closed, figuratively. And that was the story of my eighteenth stage performance.

I recall sitting backstage and thinking "how many people get to be doing this today?" "is there anything I would rather be doing this Sunday afternoon?" "How lucky am I that I get to take part in something like this?"

Only three weeks ago, I walked into a basement dance studio to begin rehearsal for "Merrily We Roll Along." I took my shoes off and walked in, script in hand, ready for whatever. I met a lot of new people who would be like a second family for the next three weeks. The work was hard. The nights were long. The music was difficult. The choreography was intense. But, in the end it was all worth it.

Now I'd like to recount my experiences on stage so far. Some of this stuff is so old, I actually had to find my resume to remember the names of some of the characters. So, here goes.

How Santa Got His Groove Back.
In the 4th grade I played Santa Claus in a school musical. This was my very first experience on the stage, and I have to say, that play really stuck with me, no matter how embarrassing it was to me for a while.

The Wizard of Oz
In high school I played the Cowardly Lion. This is where I met my best friend James Reza. We always joke about this show. He really wanted the role of the lion, and was certain that whoever got cast as the Tin man was going to have to be a "total fruit." Ironically he was cast as the Tin man.

A Typically Atypical Day
This was my very first straight play. I played a wannabe-terrorist from the fictional land of The People's Republic of Puerto Nino named Carlos Ortega. This was the first time to be joined on stage by my cousin Eric Harris.

David and Lisa
While I was in high school, Eric, James, and I joined a local theater troupe called Youth Onstage. This was a great chapter in my life. This was my first experience in theater outside the school walls. I played David's Father.

Curtain Going Up
This was the second production with Youth Onstage in which I was involved. I played a janitor named Tony. This show was in danger of not happening, as one character was never cast. Luckily Eric came along and saved the day.

Quoth Ms. Raven, 'Nevermore'
Youth Onstage did a mystery dinner theater with this little show. I played The Gardener. This show was written by the director's mother.

The Sound of Music
Back at the good ol' high school, I did another musical. I played Max Detwiler. I really had a great time with this role. I always loved the movie, and specifically I loved the character of Max. I always thought he was interesting - devious yet lovable, mysterious yet harmless. I had a great time playing with the on-stage chemistry between him and the captain played by James.

Annie
I played Daddy Warbucks in a production of Annie. This was a mixed cast of junior and senior high students. I was probably the first incarnation of Oliver Warbucks to not sport a shaved head!

The Playroom
This show signaled a huge step up for me. This would be my last production with Youth Onstage. For this show, Youth Onstage was approved for a grant, and we got to do this show at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. For me, this was HUGE. I finally felt like I was doing some real theater. This show was a very heavy drama about a kidnapping. I played David Michaels.

Heaven or Hell (2 seasons)
During high school, I did this church play in which I played the character Satan two years in a row. It sounds very simple, but I actually learned a lot, had a good time, and got to wear awesome makeup which I designed myself.

Arsenic and Old Lace
College. I moved to Oklahoma City and enrolled in a small private college called Hillsdale. I didn't waste any time and jumped right into the theater department as Reverend Harper in this play. This was my first production to work with director Joshua Harris, who I would go on to work with on six more productions.

Our Town
This was the second production at Hillsdale I did. I took one semester off and jumped right back in as Dr. Frank Gibbs in this show. During this show, I really started growing as an actor, this is where I started taking my craft seriously.

The Odd Couple
Still at Hillsdale, this was my very first lead role in college. I played Oscar Madison. I had a great time working with a great ensemble and working with my counterpart, a Canadian named Colin Miles.

All In The Timing
This show was a new experience. It was a collection of one-acts by David Ives. This was the first show I did made up of separate comedic scenes. I played characters named Joe, Charley, and Pablo.

Improv
Once again, I had a new experience and set of acting skills under my belt. This time I took the stage as myself in an improv scenario. In this show I, along with my fellows, played improv games using information contributed by the audience.

Twelve Angry Men
This was my sixth play at Hillsdale under Josh Harris. I stretched myself to portray the roll of Juror Number Three.

Merrily We Roll Along
I took the stage alongside Eric Harris and under Josh Harris as a big shot Broadway producer named Joe Josephson. This was my first musical in five years. This also marked an important transition in my acting career, in very much the same way I felt being in the Tulsa Performing Arts Center for the first time, because we did this show at Lyric Theatre at the Plaza. That was the closest I had been to professional theater.

I realized today that I really like acting. It's hard work, no matter what anyone says, it's very hard work, but it's totally worth it. I've grown to accept that whatever I end up doing with my life, be it music, acting, writing, or film making - it will be something that I day dream about.

I stood in awe as we were striking the set. I realized the amazing thing about theater is this - it's life, it's real, it's raw, it's always new, and if you weren't there in the moment, if you weren't there to experience it when it happens the first time, then you can never really know what it was like. It's not a movie, you can't just pop it back in and watch it again. It captures a story and a moment the same way we capture the moments in our lives that we want to hold on to forever.

It's something beautiful.

23

2008-02-29T23:40:00.000-08:00

I felt for sure last night
That once we said goodbye
No one else will know these lonely dreams
No one else will know that part of me
I'm still driving away
And I'm sorry every day
I won't always love these selfish things
I won't always live...
Not stopping...

It was my turn to decide
I knew this was our time
No one else will have me like you do
No one else will have me, only you

You'll sit alone forever
If you wait for the right time
What are you hoping for?
I'm here I'm now I'm ready
Holding on tight
Don't give away the end
The one thing that stays mine

Amazing still it seems
I'll be 23
I won't always love what I'll never have
I won't always live in my regrets

You'll sit alone forever
If you wait for the right time
What are you hoping for?
I'm here I'm now I'm ready
Holding on tight
Don't give away the end
The one thing that stays mine

You'll sit alone forever
If you wait for the right time
What are you hoping for?
I'm here I'm now I'm ready
Holding on tight
Don't give away the end
The one thing that stays mine...

AM? WHAT?

2008-01-16T07:56:00.000-08:00

Over the past four weeks, my average bed time was somewhere in the neighborhood of 5:00 AM. This morning I got up at 7:00 AM to get ready for my Greek IV class. Greek, for me, has not been at 7:30 since Greek I and II.

My alarm went off this morning, and I literally almost screamed. Then when I realized that it was my alarm, I almost cried.

I have a 7:30 and an 8:30 class, but no 9:30. So I have a big stupid break at 9:30. This semester is going to be rough.

I decided a long time ago that the AM is supposed to be at the end of the day and not at the beginning of the day. I have no idea what's going on right now. I feel drunk, and I'm just waiting for LOST season 3 to start. THE END.

WINTER NIGHTS

2008-01-11T20:10:00.000-08:00

This winter break has been interesting. My hopes were very high. It seemed that my expectations were a little too optimistic for a moment. Yet here I am. I'm finally experiencing some life again. This break has been both disappointing and completely surprising at the same time. It's not that it turned out bad, it just simply turned out much different than I thought it would.

Christmas was great. So many years had been earmarked by materialism and jealousy over gifts, friendships, and family ties. But this year was somehow different. This year was authentic and beautiful. It seemed that my parents spent less money on gifts this year, and somehow the entire day was more fulfilling. Everyone seemed to be genuinely connecting and enjoying the company of those around them. It was refreshingly simple and authentically merry.

I've been spending time with friends these days. For the first few weeks, I was basically flying solo. Tonight was great for instance. Josh and Jaclyn came over to my house. Josh did impressions of comedian Todd Barry doing Star Trek characters and Jaclyn wowed us with her recitation of the Greek alphabet which I had only taught her the night before.

Eric met up with us and we were off. We went to Josh's house to get some things and talked about the idea of getting another tattoo tonight. He didn't. We left there and listened to some Explosions In The Sky and Josh Ritter. I would strongly recommend checking out those artists.

We met up with James at Starbucks and proceeded to Paddy's. Paddy's is one of those immortal anomalies which will remain in my heart forever. It's a hole-in-the-wall Irish pub. We started out with some stew. Amazing. James ordered some Curry Chips. Equally amazing. I got bagers and mash, which is sausage, mashed potatoes, squash, cherry tomatoes, and a roll. This food is so heavy you could sink the Titanic with it, again. Since the waitress, who has waited on us many times in the past, forgot to put my order in at first, so she offered us free desert. We ordered the bread pudding. Titanic, prepare to sink once more.

Now we are at Nordaggio's coffee house. I absolutely love this place. The night is close to perfect, and yet, I know somehow that it's only beginning. I'm feeling that feeling again. You know the one. Love is in the air and I'm gonna go get my coffee.

Dan

Listening to: Explosions In The Sky

DON'T FORCE IT

2008-01-03T17:24:00.000-08:00

Trying to force artistry is like trying to get the really annoying girl at the party to not talk - You might get a few sympathy points for trying, but it just aint happening.

For several days now, I have been in a creative drought. I've been listening to a lot of good music these days. I've been surrounding myself with all the things and people that inspire me on a regular basis. All those familiar faces and places, I've got them all. Yet for some reason, when I sit down with my guitar and a notebook, all I can seem to do fake my way through some uninspired lick or generic recycled line.

Sometimes I get cold feet. I listen to all this great stuff, look at all this great art, read all these great books, watch all these great movies - and then I find myself saying "you're not gonna make anything as good as that." I keep comparing myself to other people, wondering if I'm gonna stack up. Sometimes I foget that I do my best stuff when it's just me and my head is clear and I couldn't possibly care less what people think - when I've got something personal to say, when it strikes me.

I guess I've just been trying to force it. I feel all these amazing songs just sitting in my brain, and I can't find the way to get them out of there and onto the page. Maybe I've been too wrapped up in execution and the process. Maybe I need to let myself be submerged in circumstance. If I just let life happen and make the most of every day, maybe I'll observe something worth writing about along the way. Maybe instead of resorting to the things which, until now, have been sure fire inspirations - maybe I should give something unexpected the chance to be inspiring.

That's what I'm going to do. I'm going to put the guitar up and stop looking over at it. I'm going to stop looking at the empty page. But as soon as life happens, I'll be there to take notes.

-dan

CHRISTMAS PARTIES

2007-12-07T19:24:00.000-08:00

Joy to the world, it's time to party.

The Delta-EBB Christmas party is tonight. It should be a ton, or possibly more, of fun. I'm bringing marbles, cards, and dice as a gift. Thanks to Dakotah.

There was a basketball game tonight. Both the girls and guys teams won by like thirty points. That was fun.

I'm thinking about starting an online radio station.

DR. QUIROZ

2007-12-07T07:51:00.000-08:00

So, it's 10:00 A.M. on Friday, and I don't have class today. So why the heck am I awake so early? I'll tell you.

Last night was the Choir concert here at Hillsdale. It was actually really good. Afterward, I ran into Dr. Shaw, my Greek professor among many other classes, who told me I was looking sharp. I believe his exact words were "almost dressed up." He then asked me if I wanted to teach his 8:20 Greek I class for him in the morning.

Now, there was no way I was going to turn this down, so I said yes. He informed me the chapter they are going over is the chapter over "liquid verbs" which is just any other verb who's stem happens to end in lambda, mu, nu, or rho. So, I sat down with my old Greek book, brushed up on liquids and hit the proverbial hay.

Four hours later, when my alarm was going off, I must admit I was pretty close to just rolling back over and going straight back to bye bye land. However, I did not. I got up and walked proudly down to the classroom ready to teach. When I got there, Dr. Shaw was slightly surprised to see me, but relinquished the class to me.

Class went very well, and now I am in the library writing this. I hope to be back to sleep within the hour. Night.

A STORY ABOUT...

2007-12-06T12:12:00.000-08:00

This week is neat so far.

I've been working on editing the rough cut of the film this week. Monday night I went to the basketball game. We lost. Then I went up to the editing lab and got to work. I worked on it for about four hours that night, I didn't leave until 1:00 A.M..

Tuesday I got up and went to lunch. Barbecue chicken, yum. Then I went straight up to work on the film. I worked on it until 5:30. I went to dinner. Pizza, yum. Then I went right back up and worked on it for about four more hours.

Well anyway, long story short - I finished the rough cut of the film. Wednesday during class we watched the finished product. It was very good. Travis, our teacher, said "that was the best film I've ever seen from beginners." I was pretty happy about that.

After that I went to pay the electric bill with Stacie. Then we went to the dollar tree to get some wrapping paper and such. We had a really good talk about life and death and everything in between.

When I got home I took a nap. But it wasn't one of those awesome naps where you're just out cold for hours. It took forever to fall asleep, and then I kept waking up. But it wasn't so bad.

Mike Dee has been sick for several days now, he's had to miss work and stuff. I felt really bad for him, when I woke up, Dakotah was gone to the store to get some medicine for Mike. Once Dakotah got back we met up with Stacie and Brandon and we headed out to Pizza Shuttle to get some ZZA's.

Everyone was pumped up about the adventures we might have. We all piled in Stacie's VW bug. The tooshie warmers were on, very toasty. We left the school and set out for Norman country.

We were about to get on the highway when it all happened.

A big nasty purple van came tearing around the corner, totally in our lane. Stacie hit the breaks and swerved toward the ditch, she handled it very well. Some how the van still managed to SMASH across the left side of the tiny bug.

We came to a stop and made sure everyone was alright. And just as we are gaining our composure, we look over and lo and behold, the van is driving away.

"Oh screw that! Go go go! Get him!" I start yelling. Everyone agreed, and we turned around and tried to chase the guy down, but by the time we were turned around and on the right path, the van was gone forever into the night. We went back to the scene of the crash and got out and inspected the damage. Stacie's front left fender, hub cap, left door and mirror were all messed up. But the good thing was that everyone was fine.

I called the police to come out, not that they would be able to do ANYTHING, but we called anyway. The nice officer came out and looked at the car and told us what to do and everything and we were on our way. Stacie said "well we're still going to Pizza Shuttle, I'm not gonna let this ruin our night!" What a great philosophy.

So we went and, as always, the Shuttle was a delight. We played pinball and Mrs. Pac-Man as usual. The food was awesome, and it was just exactly what we all needed to get our minds off the wreck. Unfortunately, no one brought a camera, so I've posted pictures from the last time we went, which was exactly a week prior.

The last time was the night after Andrew's funeral. Now that's twice the Shuttle has served us by lightening the mood after a heavy day.

After that we went to Borders and looked at some books and stuff. Brandon showed us this book about 100 interesting American teens or something like that. He had a chance to be in the book, but thought it was a scam so he didn't pursue it. Whoops. Dakotah bought a poetry book and a book by Tolkien. We looked at some design magazines and left. We headed back for the school.

I noticed that all night Brandon had looked just like Marty McFly from Back To The Future. So I did what I usually do, I made a picture about it. And that was basically the conclusion.

I went inside, worked on the pic, watched Batman The Animated Series on DVD, and ate some leftover ZZA. Then I went to bed.

Now I'm awake, writing. I'm going to go get some hot wings for dinner and then take a Systematic Theology test. And then tomorrow night is the Delta-EBB Christmas party, AND Tiffany's birthday party. I'm gonna have to make some tough choices.

Oh my crazy life. Until tomorrow.

Stacie cannot make a mean face to save her life!

Brandon McFly

Going for the high score

Oh those boys of mine!

Pinball

ZZA

GOING HOME

2007-12-02T21:56:00.000-08:00

Now and again, we come across chapters in our lives which force us to step back and take a look at things, objectively. These parts, from an outsider's point of view, might seem indistinguishable from any other part in one's life. Yet, you - you are in it - deep within the trenches of life and living, which are surprisingly seldom the same thing.

My friend Andrew died about a week ago. This ongoing chapter is, so far, one of the harder to bare. Though it has been difficult, I find myself growing weary of the sound of my own complaining. I miss him very, very much. The pain is hard to hide.

I am going home for Christmas break in a few weeks. More and more the ever present knowledge that winter is the season for love comes knocking at my door. While, I do keep my mind occupied, it is difficult to ignore that things are always in motion in the winter. Lives are changing. Snow is falling. It is the perfect season to hold a loved one in the falling snow, and share that one perfect moment - or perhaps many. I fear I might be all out of love. Or maybe I'm just scared. Sadly, I find myself not caring anymore. At least for now.

ANOTHER DAY

2007-10-29T08:01:00.000-07:00

Last week was rough. We started principle photography on our film for film class on Wednesday. I am the director of photography which means I work with the director on deciding what the film will look like visually. Then I get with the gaffer, who is in charge of lighting, and work with him on the technical side of making the vision happen.

We started in the early afternoon on Wednesday. We had a professional actor named Jerome Bethea come out to be in our little movie. He will be playing a supporting role, his character's name is 'Mosh.' We went out to our first location which also happens to be our second largest. Our largest being a soccer field with a full game being played. From there I blocked the action with our lead characters and Mosh. This is our big paintball scene.

We took a break and got back together at around nine o'clock. We started shooting right away in a downstairs apartment. This was an emotional scene. It sent chills down my spine seeing a scene which I had written weeks prior being played out in front of lights, camera, sound, crew, and directors. We wrapped that day and went straight to bed after a few hours of filming that night.

The next day we got up bright and early. We went back to the apartment to begin filming another scene which also takes place in the apartment. This shot was fun, the atmosphere on set was laid back and optomistic.

We took a break for lunch and returned to the paintball location.

Once we got it all blocked out we started setting up the shots which the director and I had already decided on during a location scout and blocking trip. We got out the boom mic, and no lighting would be needed for this since it was so bright outside. Normally the gaffer would set up all sorts of lighting with difussion. I checked through the view finder to make sure everything looks good. It's really bright and the film is getting over exposed so I close the iris on the lense a bit.

So, I got behind the camera with my headphones on, totally pumped by the way. The first assistant director shouts out "roll sound!" Then he shouts again "roll camera!" I start rolling film and yell out "camera rolling! Speed!" The director waits a moment and then calls "action!"

The next thing I know, and for the next couple of hours, I am running, ducking, and covering trying to get the best possible shots during this awesome and action packed scene.

We wrapped on the paintball scene and took another break for dinner.

We got back together that night to begin filming a scene which takes place in the student center. As far as lighting goes, this was the most complex scene by far. There were lighting rigs and par cams everywhere. But it really paid off because when we were watching dailies, the shots really looked amazing!

We wrapped on this set and called it the end of a very long day. That was last week, we got several scenes in the bag. And we are only about one eighth of the way through this film.

Stay tuned. ^_^

IMPACT

2007-09-16T21:20:00.000-07:00

I had a dream.

Danielle and I are at the ocean. It's late. Real late. We spent the day here, having fun, doing whatever it is that friends do. Anyway.

While leaving, she decides she wants to go look at the shore one last time. So we do. We get into her car and drive over to the dock to get that last look.

As we approach the dock, something happens. She gasps. "Oh God!" she cries. We can't stop. "Are the brakes out?" The car just keeps speeding up, speeding toward the dock. "Hit the brakes!" She starts screaming, slamming on the brakes in futility. We're on the dock now, racing closer and closer to the edge.

This is not going to end well.

I tell her, we're going to be fine, "Danielle look at me... we're going to be fine."

A promise.

"Okay" she says.

She's my friend, I can't let her down. The car is rattling over the wooden planks of the dock. I can't help but wonder if this dock was designed for cars to be on it. Or for that matter, was this car designed to speed over a wooden dock, toward tragedy? Never mind.

The edge is coming. It's coming fast. There's no escaping it now. I try to keep my cool. Suddenly my instincts kick in. Get ready. I put my foot up on the dashboard. Brace yourself. I stretch my arm across her chest and grab her seat belt to protect her from flying forward. She grabs my hand and I take a breath. Liftoff.

The feeling of weightlessness grips me for a moment. We are free falling off the edge of the incredibly high dock. That sick, heavy feeling you get on a roller coaster. The dark roaring ocean is right below us, getting closer and closer. The waves glisten in the moon light, preparing to devour us. The moment seems to last forever. Floating, frozen in time. She looks over at me. I can see a mix of fear and trust on her face.

"It's okay" I whisper. For a moment, it's quiet. Almost peaceful.

Brace for impact.

Crashing, violent and horrible. We lunge forward from the incredible force. The sharp shrieking sound of bending steel and breaking glass. Everything that was once in the back of the car flies soaring past our heads, cracking the wind shield. I hold on to her firmly, I'm not going to break my promise. I hold on with all my might. The force of the impact seems endless.

I imagine this is what everyone who has ever been in a horrible accident must have felt like.

Danielle is screaming. The warmth of blood streams down my forehead. I look over at her, she is comforted briefly by my composure. The warmth is contrasted by the sudden rush of freezing cold water now pouring in through the cracked wind shield. She is gasping for air, panic has set in. Tears streaming down her face.

Now the rage of the impact has subsided, look out the window and realize - we are sinking very quickly. We are now completely under water, and the surface is getting further and further away. I think how funny it is that I am now longing for the surface, where as only seconds earlier I had been dreading it's arrival.

I must act quickly. Keep your cool.

"I need you to listen to me. We're gonna have to swim now."

"Okay."

"We're gonna open these windows, and it's gonna be cold. Really cold."

"Okay."

"I need you to trust me."

"I do."

"You can do it, I know you can." She is in shock, she peers over at me and nods her head.

I reach down to undo her seat belt before mine. The water is now up to our knees. I undo mine. I say "on the count of three I want you to take the deepest breath you've ever taken and roll down your window." We're gonna be fine.

One. Two. Here we go. Three.

I pull in air until it hurts. Then I pull in some more. We look at each other for a moment, and then begin rolling the windows down.

We are instantly covered in water cold as ice. Within seconds, the entire car is flooded. I look at her, and point to my window. I guide her up, over my lap, and through my window. It's getting darker, and everything is upside down and backwards. Down is up, left is right, in is out. Once I know she is safely out, I climb out and race for the dim glow that I can only imagine must be the surface.

I grab her hand, and we swim together. A feeling of hope sweeps over us both. We're going to make it. We're going to make it. Here we go.

Strange, we should be at the surface by now. Why haven't we surfaced yet? Oh no. We are farther down than I thought. My lungs are beginning to burn. I must keep going. Just keep swimming. Swim through the burn. Don't black out.

Several feet from the surface, I grab her hand and push her ahead of me. I have to make sure she gets to the surface, no matter what happens to me. She's my friend. Her feet pass my head, and I give her one final push. I watch her soar to the surface, swimming faster than me. The freezing water is slowing me down. The icy bath makes my muscles lock up. I can't die down here. I look up to see how far hope is. I can see she's made it. She's safe.

Alright, my turn. Get ready to breathe, almost there. Don't give up now old man. There's the light. Almost there. My fingers feel her hand as she's grabbing for me. Trying to find me in the black water. The cold blast of night air sweeps across my hair and face. I'm out. Once again, I breathe until it hurts. We're safe.

"Are you okay?" She's crying. "Yes! Oh my God! Thank you! I thought you were dead!"

We both look up and see the dock towering over us, at least thirty feet. And again, we look down. We can vaguely make out the glow of the headlights of her car, sinking endlessly into the blackness.

I look at her, and she looks at me. I have kept my promise, we are okay. I can't believe we're alive.

I take her by the hand and swim for the shore. We are both shaking from the freezing water and air. We crawl up onto the sand and stretch out. We just try to breathe. She turns over, shaken, but alive. I pull myself up, and we sit there quietly on the sand - looking out onto the ocean. The night is perfectly quiet except for the crashing waves. The moon is gigantic tonight.

I say "Well, at least we got that last look."

She laughs and says "yeah."

"One hell of a view."

ONCE MORE UNTO THE BREACH, DEAR FRIENDS

2007-08-29T22:50:00.000-07:00

Today was the first day of class.

I had Greek III. I was the only person in the class. Colin will be joining me on Friday. Chapel was really great. We finally have a campus pastor again. For this, I am grateful. Finally, a consistent voice. After chapel was my Church History class. Again, Dr. Shaw. One of my fondest mentors. I am in that class with Ryan and Colin. I am going to enjoy that class very much.

A few days ago I went to dinner at Chili's. While there, I filled out an application. Five minutes later I was interviewed. Two minutes after that, I was hired. Thirty minutes later, I was working. Five hours later, I was off work. By the way, I work at Chili's now. I wash dishes. The money is good.

Looks like I'm growing up. I suppose it was inevitable. I'm staying up on all my homework and studying. I'm feeling really good about everything.

I am grateful for my friend Danielle. She goes to NSU now. We talk a few times a week. It's a nice getaway from the stress here. She's one of the best friends I've had over the years. We've been through much. I am lucky to know her.

I guess I should go, I have an assignment to work on. Go me. I just got through cleaning the apartment. Cleaning makes me happy. Sometimes.

Oh yeah, I cut my hair and beard. Sorry everyone.

Here's one of my favorite pieces of Shakespeare. It's from Henry V, Act III, Scene I.

"Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage;
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect;
Let pry through the portage of the head
Like the brass cannon; let the brow o'erwhelm it
As fearfully as doth a galled rock
O'erhang and jutty his confounded base,
Swill'd with the wild and wasteful ocean.
Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide,
Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit
To his full height. On, on, you noblest English.
Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof!
Fathers that, like so many Alexanders,
Have in these parts from morn till even fought
And sheathed their swords for lack of argument:
Dishonour not your mothers; now attest
That those whom you call'd fathers did beget you.
Be copy now to men of grosser blood,
And teach them how to war. And you, good yeoman,
Whose limbs were made in England, show us here
The mettle of your pasture; let us swear
That you are worth your breeding; which I doubt not;
For there is none of you so mean and base,
That hath not noble lustre in your eyes.
I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start. The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'"

IT BEGINS

2007-08-17T21:22:00.000-07:00

I haven't trimmed my beard in four months. Nor my hair. I decided a few weeks ago that I'm going to let both grow throughout the winter. So, by the time I cut either, it will have been about a year.

Tonight, I went in the bathroom. I looked in the mirror. There, nested in my beard, was a piece of popcorn. And so begins the great beard adventure.

ONE LAST CHANCE

2007-08-17T01:19:00.000-07:00

Met you overseas and
bought you coffee on the beach.
Held you in the rain,
what's the chance we'd ever meet
in this movie magic way?

One hundredth floor, a breakfast for two
glowing in stars and candle light.
We laugh and talk till the sunrise
I guess I'll just have to miss my flight.
And we don't care who knows.

One last chance to say goodbye.
One last chance to see your eyes.

Walking hand in hand down
streets where poets dream of how
life might be so far away
but they can't see what I see now.
The poem that's in our hearts.

Our dance is slow the air pulls us in
music fills the cold midnight.
Our troubles are gone and world's standing still.
Now we know time is on our side.
Lost in this moment in your eyes.
How could this moment become goodbye?

One last chance to say goodbye.
One last chance to see your eyes.

© Dan Quiroz 2007

LOSE CONTROL

2007-08-17T01:08:00.000-07:00

I spent so much time pimping out my heart for free.
I thought I'd figured it out, I was so complete.

But now that I know
how my story ends
what will I have to show
for all this wasted time?

Say that I am good enough, I'll take your word and never let it go.
If I try to hard to understand, then I'll give up, but never lose control.

Take a look deep inside and find out where life starts and ends.
Then begin to realize that someday everything will burn.

It's only when
you've lost everything
you can begin
to do anything.

Say that I am good enough, I'll take your word and never let it go.
If I try to hard to understand, then I'll give up, but never lose control.
The measure of a man today will buy my soul and leave me wanting more.

lose control...
hitting bottom is not enough...
lose control...
hitting bottom was never enough...

© Dan Quiroz 2007

NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE

2007-08-15T00:35:00.000-07:00

I'm tired. I think.

I keep yawning. I don't know why. Maybe it's my medications? No. Surely not. More and more, sleep concerns me. It's not that I'm afraid to go to sleep, necessarily. It's just, I wonder what I'm missing out on while I'm unconscious.

If I can just hold out a little longer. I think to myself. Could I stay awake forever?

What happens if I never sleep?

Or what about sleep? Could I sleep forever, and never wake up? There is, honestly, something unsettling about the concept of sleep. Suddenly weak. Unable to keep motor functions running properly. Your eyes are getting heavy and dry. The way you think of a desert as dry. You are compelled, no, drawn to lay down. What function does this serve? Why can't I just stay standing? But you give in. Every time.

And then it happens.

It's comfortable. Really comfortable.

Suddenly the stress of the body, the weight of it, everything is lifted. No matter how hard you fight to keep your consciousness, to keep your free will. You can't. This thing sneaks up on you. Some sort of great violator. Invader. A wolf in sheep's clothing perhaps? You find yourself thinking, less. Much less. Suddenly, you're hardly making a conscious effort to analyze the situation at all. Sinking into oblivion. Into that, deep, warm nothingness. That place children seem to find so easily.

Sleep.

Am I dreaming? What is happening to me as I sleep? How is this ritual helping me regain my functionality? Is there anything I could have done to avoid it? What is my body doing while I am in this place? Or, am I really here? How do I define myself. Am I my body, or am I my consciousness?

So, like I said. The idea of sleep doesn't necessarily frighten me. Not in the way that heights or big fireworks frighten me. Yes, I said fireworks. It frightens me in the way the afterlife frightens me. In the way God frightens me. It's intangible. It's nothing. It's not definable. So what is "it?" We take it for granted, but for most of us, it's the closest thing to a spiritual experience we will have for a while. And the strange thing is, it is something we all have in common. Much like the afterlife, none can avoid - falling asleep. Goodnight.

THOUGHS BECOME WORDS

2007-08-13T00:58:00.000-07:00

I'm reading again. This time I'm reading Choke. Most of my friends know that I am fond of Fight Club, written by Chuck Palahniuk. Choke is also by Chuck. So far it's everything I was expecting, and nothing at the same time. Interesting how that can happen.

I'm writing again as well. Somehow I've forgotten how much I used to love these things. I've been thinking a lot about being a writer. Maybe not professionally, but just try my hand at it. It's a thought. And thoughts have the power to change the world. Am I that kind of vessel? We'll see.

I spent most of today reading my old blog. You can see it at woeboy.livejournal.com Somehow I think I used to be funnier. Does that mean that I'm sadder these days? I hope not. I think I've grown up a lot in the past two years. But I'll never be done. None of us will. I loved reading all my old thoughts. It was intense to say the least. I cried at some parts, and others had me laughing out loud, really hard. I impressed myself. I guess we all have the ability to do that to ourselves sometimes. Keep it up.

At some point today I watched Seraphim Falls, a western starring Pierce Brosnan and Liam Neeson, two very British actors. It was very good. I also watched Ocean's Thirteen with Eric and Assan at the dollar movie. Not bad.

I was talking with Mandie the other day about growing up. It's a strange thing. It's one of a very short list of things that we will all, one day, do. Kind of like dying. I was thinking about how all of my friends are getting married and signing thirty year mortgages. And I get worried. I begin to wonder 'am I normal?' Is it normal, that those things do not sound appealing to me right now? Does that make me immature? And if so, who defines growing up? My friends? My family? Society? God? I read something startling in my old blog today. In one of the entries, I had filled out a survey. One question read 'at what age do you want to be married?' And I had answered '22.' This is a strange feeling to me. Love. Dan.

THE WORLD'S LAST NIGHT

2007-08-11T11:59:00.000-07:00

This is how it feels. The turn of a page, the end of a chapter... the closing of a book. Last night was the unofficial 'last night of summer.' It began much like any other summer night.

Mike met me at my place, and then I threw on some clothes. Then we had our usual discussion about who would drive. I told my mom bye. "I'll be back late" I said. And we were off.

Getting into mike's car was a beautiful thing in itself. It just felt like summer. Cruising. No great plan, no final destination. Just a compass and the stars to guide us. But there were no stars. Not yet. No, at this hour the sun was still making it's presence known. It was hot. Real hot. So we cruised on. Two dudes, blasting rock through the stereo that barely works... windows down. Now this is summer.

We show up at Woodland Hills mall. We're supposed to meet up with Mandie, but we have no idea where she is inside the mall. So I call her up. No service. Long, long story short, we meet up. Mike and I are still baking from the oven on wheels. We do a little looking around. We joke about how the Apple store is what everything will look like in the future. Clean and white. I'm sure that will make some people very happy.

Now it's time to hook up with James. We head over to his place. It's not far. We pile in his car. "Now this is summer" I think to myself, again. Tragically, Mandie forgot to bring the RENT karaoke mix I made for her on her birthday. But, this does not stop us from yelling it out a cappella style. It's time for Bueno.

We hit Bueno. I get a number three. No guacamole, plus queso. My stomach thanks me. So, here we sit. Four friends, eating Bueno. "Now this is summer." We're all thinking it. No one is saying it.

Good friend M.C. Jimmy shows up to join us. What a pleasant surprise. Old friends, with new friends, with much newer friends. It's all good.

We started joking about all the things we would do if any of us had any money tonight. We're all broke. We, talk about the things we wanted to do this summer, but didn't. But, better than any of that, we talk about the things we did do. The nights, the perfect moments.

Mandie suggests we go for a walk. Mike and I strongly disagree. You see, we had made enemies with the sun earlier that day, and there were still some hard feelings in the air.

So what do penniless college kids do on a Friday night? We went to a bookstore. Mike listened to some music. James looked at some obscure magazines. Mandie pointed out future gift ideas. Now this is summer. And as for me. I spent money I didn't have. But I really did need a new sketch book and another novel by Chuck Palahniuk. You bet I did.

I'm realizing something. It's impossible to really capture the feel of it. This isn't just a list of events. There were sights and sounds. Jokes and feelings. It was a simple, perfect, ordinary summer night.

We find ourselves back at James' place. His messy, and yet, organized bachelor pad. Which, in James' words "doesn't need a woman's touch." Go figure. So there we are. Mandie is sitting in her chair. Mike and I are on the couch. M.C. Jimmy is asleep, probably, on the love seat - which is hers by the way, because she was the first person to change it from a shelf to a loveseat, she claimed it, it is hers. James is on the floor. Now this is summer.

Just like countless summer nights before, this one came down to slow end with James, Mike, Mandie and I in our designated places. Talking. The TV is glowing blue. No one has any expectations, and no one has to impress anyone. We just talk. Perfect. It's close to Four AM.

Now we're outside, in the parking lot. Trying to say good night. This is a bit harder than any of us anticipated, but I don't think any of us expected it to be easy. This is the unofficial last night of summer. The world's last night. The end of the chapter. But definitely not the book. We make plans and promises. Good ones, with good intentions. I have faith in our bond. We take a picture, to catalog the scene. To immortalize the moment in history. We hug heads and love on necks. The sun has definitely given up the fight, and now the night is cool. Bye sun. Bye James. Bye Mandie. Bye Mike. Bye summer. Now this is summer.

THE DREAM

2007-08-10T13:43:00.000-07:00

I was running really fast throught a trail in the woods. I think I was chasing a car. It was very joyful and happy. I got to a really long incline and I stopped. On the side of the road there was a really steep dirt wall. For some reason I started trying to climb up that wall instead of continuing my run up the trail.

At that point there were a few people standing around watching me climb. Suddenly, without warning, a lion came up the trail. He seemed peaceful. No one was afraid, because we knew he wouldn't attack, but we knew that deep down he had enormous power.

I stopped climbing when I saw him. Then I turned away and took another step up this wall. The sound on the dirt and branches broke the silence. Right then, the lion attacked me. I fought him, trying to keep his mouth shut. But he wounded my hand. Once there was a huge gash taken out of the top of my hand, he stopped.

After that, I stopped climbing. I then found myself in a store that was going out of business and everything was on sale. I was looking for gloves to cover up my grossly wounded hand.