I was reading about the Civil War on Wikipedia today. Here's a bit that I really dug. Re: STONEWALL JACKSON
Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson was a Confederate general during the American Civil War. Confederate picketsaccidentally shot him at the Battle of Chancellorsville on May 2, 1863, which the general survived, albeit with the loss of an arm to amputation. However, he died of complications of pneumonia eight days later.His death was a severe setback for the Confederacy, affecting not only its military prospects, but also the morale of its army and of the general public.
Finally finished You'll Never Eat Lunch in this Town Again by Julia Phillips. Phillips was a producer in the 70s/80s/90s. She did The Sting, Taxi Driver and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. She really liked drugs, namely freebasing cocaine. Time to move on to another book. Cold Mountain, step right up. I am ready to read about the Civil War. I think it would be cool to sit down for a glass of moonshine with Bob Lee. Yes. Robert E. Lee. Or father Abraham. History digs. Whatever works. Work time. Happy Wednesday, Global Citizens.
No sermon today, just some quick thoughts on the importance of preparation. Moons ago, I was awarded my Eagle Scout award after years and years of scouting. During my tenure in the Boy Scouts of America, I never really dug scouting, but looking back - I realize how that experience was a vital part of personal growth. One of the key messages of the scouting program is "Be Prepared." What a simple, yet crucial concept.
Yesterday, when I got to work, I realized I had left my pen in the car. Having made a point to bring a pen in to work, only to leave it in the car, left me greatly infuriated. I had wanted to be prepared but I wasn't, leaving me scrounging for a pen before the work day started (It's a total ass pain to walk back out there and get it). I eventually found one, but today - I shall walk in to my office strapped with multiple Bic pens.
Last night, I went out for beers with a couple of friends and ended up having 4-5 dark, hoppy glasses of sudulation. It was a Monday Night. Obviously, Monday Night beer drinking has little to no point, but when I came home - Being Prepared kicked in to overdrive. I filled my Nalgene up with water and made a point to conquer the indestructible water bottle before bed. I did a pretty damn good job, leaving me feeling refreshed this morning. Preparation.
In the above picture, I am wearing a Frankenstein mask. When I was living in Chile, I got in to the habit of drinking yerba mate - which is essentially the coffee of South America. I decided that my Frankenstein mask could double as an exterior for my thermos in order to protect my palm sensors from the scalding surface. I wasn't exactly prepared for the heat of the thermos, but I was prepared to give up my Frankenstein mask in order to keep my thermos nicely shelled.
Good things to have for preparedness: Spare tires, tire gauge, bike rack, large music archives, canned food, water storage units, fire-lighting skills & materials, books, beliefs, pens, guitars, condoms, hidden cash, batteries, flashlights, headlamps, rope, knife, floss, river sandals, brown & black belts, dress socks, razor & cream, a cell phone charger for both car and home, tampons, cigars, jumper cables, inner strength.
Here is a little short film I have had tucked away in the archives for the past few weeks. It has no narrative, just showcases my friend Eric's God-given ability/talent to smile. Years ago, I decided that his nickname should be Thunder, but had that not been the case - it would have been Smiley, Cheeky or Happi. We had a pretty good time filming this in the West Campus area at UT.The feature track is a remix done by the Apple Juice Kid of Louie Armstrong's "Smile." Lee Fields' "Expressions Theme" was also an option. In other news, Orcas is in post-production on Comedy Doc and pre-production on The Social Jogger. Orcas is also working on a micro-music-film for the talented Austin Lloyd Fallin. That's all for now. Bacon in the microwave, not the skillet --
Saw Michael Cera playing bass in a band called Mister Heavenly the other night. He plays that bass well. In other news, I Hope we can all all take a percentage of our paychecks/allowances/whatever and send it to Give To Japan
