Love, Bailout, and Canes... Oh My!

Hello folks,

Here on the day of gankings... I spread love. Funny how these little traditions get started. However, for the sake of children... it's good that they give each other Valentine's and not weaponry.

My wife's birthday was on the 4th. Good times. She's never been to the Japanese restaurant around here, and she thoroughly loved it. Got to see Mike and Matt there, too... another bonus.

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School is studious, but captivating. The instruction is fantastic, and the books are even good to read. One class requires 3 books...

...but as any good Dr. Porter student knows, busting your ass is part of the deal. The syllabus is the contract which states "you show up, you work hard, and you bust your ass. In return, you get a good grade." I really like it.

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Speaking of reading, I'm rigorously taking to audiobooks again. How much of a boner kill was the ending of "The Historian?" All that Conan Doyle detective work, and that otr suspense...

...at the end, it was as if the author decided to go on a creative vacation. "The Appeal" is good so far. I haven't took up a Grisham book in months, and have yet to read "The Associate."

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My car is a total mess. For those not in the know, Kristen and I were in a wreck. No injuries, thankfully. I got rear-ended by someone following too close. In the midst of this, I was finishing a Defensive Driving course required for all state employees. I actually learned a few things, and was applying them when my little car got spanked.

I drive with different eyes, as some may expect. I think requiring drivers to take such a course is an excellent measure, and would vote for such an idea instantly.

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I voted for Obama (after my first and second choices dropped), and I think he's doing a pretty good job thus far in repairing our international reputation, and making descent headway in technology. But can someone explain how this bailout package is going to affect those who really need it... the poor?

I know, I know. Poor first, but who can blame me? At least this President appears to be sympathic, as demonstrated in the town hall meeting. Despite John Edwards being an absolute prick to his spouse (and what good elected official isn't), he did at least provide a plan to attack poverty.

Comments, please.

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Miami did another good job with the 2009 class. I really like Armstrong and Dye. Bryce Brown coming or not, Randy Shannon did another exceptional job.

So, this is where is pays off, right? Maybe.

After two new coordinators, a transferred quarterback, a suspension, one bloviated drama involving an assumed phenom freshman, and a partridge and a pear tree... we're in the 2009 preseason.

Miami improved from 5-7 to 7-6. Not bad, and a bowl game appearance to warrant that. Yet already Cane Nation is ready to throw Shannon on the hot seat after a few losses late in the year. Keep in mind, that many of the big names were freshmen and sophomores. Miracles can't happen overnight.

So, what's it going to take for Shannon to keep his job? More wins. I don't expect Miami to win 11-12 games. I don't delude myself into believing that like other fanbase bases (WVU, FSU, and Notre Dame). Miami's early schedule is brutal. Check this out.

• Sept. 7 at Florida State (W)
  
• Sept. 17 Georgia Tech (L)
  
• Sept. 26 at Virginia Tech (?)
• Oct. 3 Oklahoma (L)
  
• Oct. 10 Florida A&M (W)
  
• Oct. 17 at Central Florida (W)
  
• Oct. 24 Clemson (W)
  
• Oct. 31 at Wake Forest (W)
• Nov. 7 Virginia (W)
  
• Nov. 14 at North Carolina (?)
• Nov. 21 Duke (W)
• Nov. 28 at South Florida (W)
  

8 wins would be a good year, and probably the magic number Shannon needs to save his job... then kicking all sorts of ass (10+ wins) in 2010. I see 8 wins, 2 losses, and 2 toss-ups. The team is still young, so I see 8-4 and a nicer bowl game. It wouldn't take much to winning the ACC, but I'm being real. Miami still a year away from torching the national stage.

Should Miami end up with another 7 wins, fans will be calling for Shannon's head. I don't buy that. 6 wins? I'll buy that. Should Miami somehow beat Oklahoma... LOOK OUT.

The crystal ball:

A brutal and tough start. A kickass finish due to the experience gained from the rough start.

Lowest record: 7-5
Highest record: 9-3

Prediction: 8-4

Update Shots, 7/13/2008

- I love wedded life.

- I am still Office Manager at DEP's AML. The romantic edge is off, which leads me to...

- I'm starting film school in the fall. I'm also going to work full-time. Call me insane if you wish.

- Yes, I have my tickets to go see TDK at midnight. I'm waiting until the end of August to go to Cincinnati to see it in IMAX.

- We may be spending Christmas in Rancho Mirage.

- The institution of government is still a mess. Democrats and Republicans yell about everything, and solve nothing.

- I still have yet to find a state after denouncing my citizenship to the state of West Virginia.

- I've dropped another 20 pounds since June 1st.

- A few good books have come my way, and they were each a pleasure to read.

- Kristen has taken it upon herself to integrate me into her musical tastes. Depeche Mode has been the most effective strategy thus far.

- Many notable names have passed away in the past 12 months. I'm not necessarily implying deeper meaning.

- The election coverage is ridiculous. When are these idiots going to debate? Then again, I'm not sure if I care.

- I have officially mastered the art of cooking great spaghetti. My own concoctions are the best I've tasted. I would love to have some test dummies to further this theory, and further perfect my craft.

- How in the blue fuck can I still play drums after not touching them since 1996?

- I'm interviewing employees for a short-term assignment (6 months). I haven't been that impressed thus far.

- I really haven't spent time with my friends lately, which is disconcerting.

- 2008 has been a good year to go to the movies. Cloverfield, Iron Man, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, the Incredible Hulk, and Get Smart were all worthwhile. Call me crazy, but I like the Incredible Hulk the best of that bunch.

- Why are folks surprised when they read shit like this?
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/07/business/media/07carr.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=all&adxnnlx=1215439354-/AN7gATdi5/k3AS4ww/AEw

- And this? http://www.wvgazette.com/News/200807120355 The aforementioned articles is yet another testament to the effectiveness of West Virginia and its programs.

- Yesterday, there were four channels with NASCAR on them at the same time. Fortunately, I had enough restraint not to cut myself.




LB

Kicking Bird (2005)

A little different from my normal layout. I reviewed this film after I got a chance to screen the DVD after a meeting with Mr. Baker in October of 2005; my last semester at WVSU.

KICKING BIRD

Independent filmmakers get very little credit. By chance, I received the opportunity to screen a some of the film "Kicking Bird" by Kelley Baker in duration of my final semester at WVSU. I purchased the DVD, and was overall pleased with the film.For those who don't enjoy the technical language of my normal review, the following is a watered down (as it took place before my refined system). Enjoy.

Kelley Baker's "Kicking Bird" is a thought-provoking look into the troubled life of a seventeen year old boy. The story is interconnected with the community, as if the viewer were observing it with a small looking glass, all the while knowing the story doesn't exist. The story is heightened reality—an enjoyable ride, but an almost overtly fictional one. Kelley Baker does an excellent job of planning his shots. He conveys his messages well in each frame. The central theme of the film is the foot-ward flight from danger.

Though Baker tends to push the point a little too far (Martin Johnson sleeps under the bridge, and perhaps has run away many of the friends he could have made), the themes are well drawn out and easily identifiable.

In a recent lecture, Kelley Baker conveyed the idea that his characters go through hell. The script exhaustively agrees. Baker uses harsh language to convey his harsh messages. Again, Baker shoves this down the viewer's throat (not in seductive and suttle intelligent banter). He uses the word "F*ck" as a comma (no, I'm not being prudish). As such, it isn't used for emphasis anymore. The language numbs the story to a point where the audience is no longer a participant of the story, but an observer. Baker's characters seem to be proving themselves and their "cool" to the audience. In this state, his characters are dehumanized and the believability is damaged. At times, the lines are flat-out ridiculous (a girl, after giving the coach oral sex, rises up, lifts her hands gleefully in the air, and asks "So, do I get an A?").

However, the general strength of the story tends to drown out the droning dialogue.The cast is above-average and enthusiastic (at times, too much: see girl/coach oral sex reference above). Ian Anderson-Priddy's "Martin 'Bird' Johnson" is a joy to view every time he makes an appearance. He gives a realistic, painful take on his role. His image undermines the character's intelligence—wherein shows his character's brilliance. "Bird" can outthink and outperform anyone he chooses, despite what the other characters may believe. The supporting cast is good, but they seem to be winking at the camera.

Danny Bruno's "Grandpa" is overplayed. His character and dialogue are good, but his affliction seems to bring out the worst in his character. However, it is hard to believe that his character is as physical as he tends to be (the believability of such takes away from the story a bit). Andrew Ox's "Digger" is numbed to stupidity. Unlike Bird, the script and story tend to make him dumber than what he truly is. The coach (Don Alder) is also a bit unbelievable. He sleeps with students, and is manipulative beyond comprehension. He also seems to manipulate beyond the scope of the performance. As such, the part comes across as silly rather than pitiful (in the modern setting of schools… one would think that the coach would have gotten caught in his sexual misdeeds).

The bright spots in the supporting cast are Stephanie Sidney's "Shelley" and Meriwether Snipes "Mandy." Unfortunately, the two are grossly under-used. They are not much more than filler, though they are representative of the "real world" trying to reach out to Bird and Digger. Furthermore, as Bird is lacking in other relationships, one would think he would at least attempt to cultivate one with Shelley (however, this may be one of the "points" Kelley Baker is trying to make—Bird is a human, and as such, makes a lot of foolish mistakes).

The lighting and sound are superior. The environment is portrayed in a film-noir like sense of dreariness and hopelessness, which speaks louder than the dialogue or performances. The characters blend in with the background, as if they are infused with the lackluster existence. The character's lines are clear and crisp (but this is a given, taking Baker's experience with previous large-budget films).

Despite the inadequacies of performance and dialogue, Kelley Baker presents an intense, immersing story. Each frame makes a statement. Baker does not divert from his central theme—when all else fails (people or events), running is the ultimate solution. The main character displays a multiplicity of brilliance and talent, despite his surroundings. The film works. Unlike other independent films, I recommend it to those who want to see a satisfactory independent motion picture. My final score: 8/10.

P.S.: Mr. Baker is a very, very cool fellow. I highly suggest meeting him.