Why Basket Gods? Why? :-?

If anyone knows me; they know that I hate life right now.
John's total missed laker games this year = 5
John's total watched laker games this year = 41
GODDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!! Really? Seriously Really?

Light Bright Stop Motion Experiments

Reusable Bags saving the environment?

Question: If I consistently keep forgetting my reusable bags when I go to the grocery store (and buying new ones out of guilt) am I saving the environment or hurting it? :-/

Cartoon Club = Amazing

The 1st official meeting of David Brown's Cartoon Club was spectacular. I had no idea that this many people would show up to the event. It was a great time. The club consisted of watching an episode of a cartoon series and then followed with cartoon trivia. My team, "The Super Friends" won the trivia competition. As the winners we get to pick the type of cereal served and the first cartoon showed at the next meeting.
Our choice: Count Chocula and Disney's workout shorts.
Cartoons watched: Gargoyles, The Tick, Home Movies, Thunder Cats

Teaser Trailer

For those of you who missed the album release show and teaser last night at the Echo...
The Voyeurs - Things that People Say Music Video Teaser

Production

Thing That People Say Music Video Production Slideshow

Pre-Production

What to never buy your Valentine for Valentine's Day


What to never buy your crew for Kraft Service. Nasty


Hummers are not compacts >:-|


Why the economy sucks.


Mental note for a western themed video.


Obstacles when trying to pick up a camera


Landing the skeleton!!!! YES!!!

I heart Venice

Sundance Film that I want to watch, THE COVE

Poor Flipper :-(

Synopsis and excerpt from the article...

Luckily, my faith in filmmaking was restored when I saw what may have been the most powerful documentary in the festival, The Cove. As the film opens, we met Ric O'Barry. He is the man who almost singlehandedly introduced the notion of keeping dolphins in captivity when he helped popularize the television show, Flipper. Barry, in fact, captured all of the dolphins used in the show and ultimately became the first real dolphin trainer. Ever since then, though, he has waged war against dolphin captivity.

The cove of the film's title is in Taiji, Japan and is the world's most notorious dolphin capture site in the world. The cove lies along the dolphin's yearly migration path and every September fishing boats line the cove ready to catch and kill dolphins. Their methods are crude but effective. Because dolphin's rely on their acoustic sense so strongly, the fisherman literally sink metal poles into the water and bang on them repeatedly, creating a wall of sound that the dolphins flee from right into the cove.

Once there, dolphin trainers from around the world wade into the water, examine all of the specimens and choose the ones they want to take back to their aquariums. Of course, not all of the dolphins are chosen. What happens to the remaining dolphins is almost unimaginably horrifying. They are herded into a separate, more hidden cove and butchered for meat. At the time of the filming, there was no video evidence of this slaughter. That is exactly what the filmmakers intended to get.

Their method for doing so is ingeniously complex. Because the local Japanese authorities rigidly enforce all access to the hidden cove, the filmmakers decide to go undercover. They actually go to Industrial Light & Magic and have their fabricators create video housing units that look just like rocks. They also hire two of the world's best freedivers to secretly dive into the cove and plant acoustic microphones on the floor of the ocean. With military precision, they eventually get the footage they need.

Needless to say, the evidence they ultimately acquire is grotesque. So many dolphins are killed in the cove that the water actually turns a deep shade of red. Not even baby dolphins are spared as the fisherman gleefully spear them and wrest them aboard their ships. And watching it all is Ric O'Barry, the man who first helped capture dolphins in the wild. Throughout the entire movie, his eyes constantly seem rimmed with tears as if he cannot escape the pain that constantly lives with him.

The Cove makes many other salient points about the issue of the dolphin slaughter--the mercury toxicity of their meat, the corruption of the International Whaling Commission, the duplicity of the Japanese in refusing to acknowledge the trade in dolphin meat. The main crux of the film, though, is expressed in those moments when we can hear the dolphins screeching in the water as they are killed. The film ends on a small note of hope, but concludes with the fact that the dolphin hunt will begin again soon.

link to story

Sarah Palin is for Sale on eBay

Click on the picture for a link to the story

Skunk Attacks and Speeches

As you all know, yesterday was an amazing day for politics. Barry O became our 44th president and delivered an inspiring speech.

Locally and later that night in Venice, our next great political leader, Kristopher Valentine, delivered another brilliant speech to the Venice Neighborhood Council in hopes of being appointed to the newly vacant seat on the council board. He gave by far the best speech of the night. I like his chances of being appointed. The VNC meeting was such an educational experience. Despite my difficulties getting there, ie. avoiding an attack by a skunk on the way to the meeting, I had an enjoyable and memorable time. I can't wait until next month's meeting.

Would "Valentine's Day on Inauguration Day" be a better title for this post?

Bonus Picture of Obama's New Caddy

Good or bad?

Is it good or bad that I eat one of these almost every day? (sometimes 2 a day :-/)

My brain is getting put into a robot at age 80.

Who's in?

Mar Vista Farmer's Market

After biking west and figuring out the Venice farmer's market is on Fridays, Kris and I biked back east to the Mar Vista Farmer's Market. We would not be denied a farmer's market on this beautiful sun shined filled Sunday morning.


Blue skies, smog free air, and 80 degree temperatures. 2009 does not do Winter.


We bought a bag of locally grown Tulare County Oranges!



After countless samples, I ended up buying dried out mango, cranberry soy nut mix, and lime covered almonds. Yes I did. Picky eating John. CGB you should be proud of me. Slowly, but surely I am conquering the fruits and vegetables food group. New things I sampled today: white grape fruit, cranberries, mango, and banana chips. I enjoyed all! Yes!!!!

P.S. Blood Oranges freak me out. Baby steps.

Valley Outing

No matter how much I hate driving to the valley from Venice. The outings are always (well most of them) a pleasant reminder of how unique this place is.


Fox and the Hound within walking distanced from Mike and Kevin's place.


Random Old School Rock Cover Band. Bizarre, yet fitting. Browntown was their number one fan.


Across the street Bar #2 has free popcorn. Nice gimmick. After two bowls it was time to go home and reflect on why that second bowl was a bad idea.

Governator's State of the State: 'California is in a State of Emergency'

...As usual, he alluded to a movie he starred in. This time, the classic, Conan: "It is not that California is ungovernable; it is that for too long we have been split by ideology. Conan's sword could not have cleaved our political system in two as cleanly as our own political parties have done."

Bonus Hipster Runoff Picture!

11 am on a Friday

So I went to play basketball at Clover Park in Santa Monica. The parking lot was full and there were 30 guys out. Is everyone unemployed like me?

A night of Side Walk Chalk, skateboarding, Obi Best, and stealing cars.

So I just got back home from a marvelous night. Despite everyone and their mother flaking on me I still decided to go to Hotel Cafe to watch the Wonder Wendy Wang play with Obi Best. I had been secluded all week long working on the Voyeurs music video and told myself I deserved some social interaction. I really had a great time. Flying solo to shows is sometimes really sad and pathetic. There's those times you end up people watching and talking to yourself the whole night. (which to me is not that bad of a night) Tonight was a bit different. I met so many new people and they all seemed to have a great vibe. I even exchange numbers with Cartoon Editor Jeff and Science Tutor Aimee. Back stage I listened to this old man talk about guitars with Wendy. It sounded like he was talking about car engines. My brain and I laughed silently. We even had a disneyland chat. I feel very lucky to have such a good friend in Ms. Wang. I feel like the social circle I have met through her and all these other musicians has been such a blessing. These people are genuine good and friendly. Cheers to you LA indie band social circle. :-)

P.S. Today I figured out 2 great ways to steal cars.
1st great way - I went to Costco to pick up my car, I had the tires rotated. When I picked up the car all I said is, "I'm here to pick up my yellow car." The guy looked at me, gave me a piece of paper, and handed me the keys. I didn't show him ID or any sort of paper. Basically if I'm in need of a vehicle I'm going to Costco. I mean you just look at the car you want, tell them you're here to pick it up, and boom you got yourself a ride.
2nd great way - So I cleverly park in the Novastar/ CNN parking lot whenever I go to Hollywood. I got myself a life time parking pass from Nav and Banana. Thanks guys! Anyhow they had valet services. On my way home tonight I noticed the guy had everyone's key just laying on the floor. All I needed was one decent distraction or a bat and bam I got myself another ride. I feel like I should be in the sequel to "Gone in 60 seconds" Remember that movie? haha Oh Nic Cage.

P.P.S. So on the way to Costco I skateboarded for the first time since college. Brett just got a new long board skateboard so I took it instead of walking. I swear those things build your confidence and make you feel like you're way better at skateboarding than you really are. By the time I got to the shopping center parking lot I thought I was a hot shot. I was shifting left to right as if I was riding a wave. Then, of course, reality set in as the front wheel of the board grabbed onto a rock and sent me flying off. As I made sure I didn't rip my favorite new red hoodie (man would Joanna be angry if I had) some old lady said to me, "young man are you okay?" I looked at her and smiled. I than looked at the skateboard as if something was wrong with it. You have to act like it was your equipment's fault. Obviously nothing was wrong with the board. It was me. So I'm 26, am I a young man? Should I be skateboarding? When are you too old to skateboard? play hockey? play basketball? color? wear a red hoodie and a mickey mouse shirt?

P.P.P.S. My brain won't turn off tonight, sorry CGB. So I went to Target before the show to get a chalk board and chalk for a scene in the music video next week. I searched the entire store. Turns out the dry erase board has replaced the chalk board. So sad. I hate when things get replaced. I love new technology, but why can't there be a small section dedicated to vintage items? (ie. Chalk, Polaroids, Pogs, Marbles, 90210 Trading Cards) I mean sidewalk chalk is part of growing up. Is sidewalk chalk graffiti? When was the last time you Chalked Tagged something? Am I too old for sidewalk chalk? Okay, I'm going to attempt to sleep now, even though I got more materiel that involves the target elevator and another story about my IRS visit today. Good night blog world.

todays InterNATS

Go Trader John's!!!! Who side are you on?


Coconut Records - Davy, the new album. :-) Who knew Max Fischer had it in him?


Only the iPhone would have an app like this.


Doogie Howser!!!!


Star Wars: Retold (by someone who hasn't seen it) from Joe Nicolosi on Vimeo


Pineapple Express Alternate Ending...okay, worth watching

Neat Band Discovery - "The New Year"

The New Year - Self Titled Album 2008

Just downloaded their album. Highly recommended. Love Track 6, "Seven Days and Seven Nights"

Here's the music video for it, which is also pretty sweet.

Obama's Portuguese Water Dog

Just when I thought I couldn't heart Obama more, he gets a Portuguese Water Dog.

Obama loves Portuguese People!

***Update Obama has not got a Portuguese Water Dog yet! He has narrowed it down to a Portuguese Water Dog or a labradoodle. I say SCREW labradoodles and go water dogs!*****

I heart the Jews of my life.

Today I was reading an article on Hipster Runoff about hipster Jews and it made me think of all the wonderful Jewish people I know. Before moving to the great city of Los Angeles I had never met a Jewish person. For some reason my home town, Tulare, wasn't a popular place for the chosen people. I don't blame them for not wanting to dwell in the central valley. LA is so lucky to have these amazing people. Thank Jesus for them! haha get it, Jesus Jew Joke. Anyhow, this blog is dedicated to all the wonderful Jewish people I know. Here are some photos of them... (thank facebook for the photos and don't hate me, I heart you guys and mean no harm)


This is Josh. The 1st Jewish person I ever met.



This is Sara. Freshly cut.


Becca is to the right of the ghost.


Gil isn't all business (blue shirt)


Shelly is not afraid of getting messy.


Ami Cohen, the man, the myth, the legend...


No matter if he is in NOHO or NYC, Zana is the real deal.
How did he make this photo? I want to know!

Bonus Josh Photos!

Skinny Rocker Josh

Happy Grown Up Josh


****WARNING*****

Evil Jew Hating German Wiener

link to Hipster Runoff's article about Hipster Jews
http://www.hipsterrunoff.com/2009/01/altjews.html