Hump Day

Pushing through the week. Our training for the acting/merchandising job brought us to El Cajon today. My first time there and it is closer than I thought (about half an hour). There are 3 other guys in the training group, all actors slash something else out of necessity. I like them all and I enjoy being trained and coached as an actor, for me there's something very comfortable and liberating about that environment. Plus, we all get to talk about our creative pursuits and receive support and knowledge as opposed to blank stares.

On the way home tonight, I heard an incredible tune by Faithless/Dido on the radio. Faithless is one of my favorite groups and I don't think I've ever heard them on US radio before, so that was pretty bitching.

In other news:

This damn script memorization has kept me away from playing any instruments, so I'm looking forward to the arrival of the weekend for some more time. In addition, my main iPod is still on strike, so my music selection has been limited.

Is it me, or does this witch need to find something better to do with her time?

Finally put up a couple new posts on The Examiner.

California is in dire straits. Stratospheric unemployment, bankrupt, political gridlock. And here are our choices for governor: Meg Whitman and Jerry Brown. The former is a self-absorbed corporate slickster who never even voted until recently deciding on a career in politics to add a feather to her own cap, she'll lower taxes, help the corporations and increase the divide between the rich and the poor. The latter is an overcaffeinated crackpot who is overly liberal and has a prolific career in public service that unfortunately has a great number of potholes. He'll raise taxes and I doubt he has the answers to improving our economy.
Still, I think he's the lesser evil. But I'm not an official resident and won't be voting. You can watch this video if you want, but skip up to minute 17, when Matt Lauer asks about stopping the negative campaigning, which has been intense and demoralizing. Clearly, the people are weary and tired of it. Meg Whitman doesn't get it. We are far too negative these days, but rather than focus on her own vision, Meg Whitman can only point out the flaws of another and complain about the (unfair and inappropriate) comments made about her by the Brown campaign. The real highlight is Governor Schwarzenegger simultaneously buoying the spirits of the citizens and crushing Meg Whitman's campaign promise to make California golden again. I praise Schwarzenegger for stating, rightly, that California is a golden state.

Happiness With Sis

So great to have Amy out here the last few days. The playoffs, The Lamplighter, The Patriots, great food at the best places all over town, and just pure fun and comfort. Can't wait for her next visit. Love you, sis...

Good Times At The Lamplighter

We walked into the Lamplighter with nary a soul there. Could this really be place that is known for being one of the best karaoke bars in San Diego? 45 minutes later, an active and attractive crowd began to fill in and line up their songs. 45 minutes after that, it was standing room only and so loud you couldn't hear the person 12 inches away from you. Great songs, awful songs. Good singing, terrible singing. A wonderful amount of unbalanced exhibitionism, reckless abandon and good cheer. We didn't even have to pay a cover. It was a good night in Mission Hills.

Deja Vu

As I sat down to write this post, everything about my setting and subject flashed back to me from previous dream. I have no idea how long ago I had that dream, and before I sat down I had no indication that this situation was familiar. But there it was in a flash.

Wild.

So, the car has recently passed 121,000 miles. A cake will be forthcoming. I needed an oil change and was referred to EconoLube down by an In 'N Out Burger near Route 5. Went down this morning and saw that they indeed offered a $10 oil change, but then listed subsequent services in this fashion:

Better Oil Change $25
Premium Oil Change $45
Best Oil Change (Synthetic) $55

This reminded me of lap dance pricing and I was immediately sketched out and hit the road. I pulled into a Valvoline for a synthetic oil change, then was told to replace the filters and the spark plugs, $270 later the car is running great.

It's chilly and intermittently cloudy here. My sister is flying down now from Salt Lake City. Should be a good weekend.

Some Time Between Worry, Sleep, and Tomorrow's Fresh Start

And for that verbose title, it's just a link to a really awesome song:
http://www.4shared.com/audio/KavoUnzx/07_-_Faithless_-_Love_Is_My_Co.html

Hunter's Moon

Tonight at around nine thirty marks the Hunter's Moon, the one that is bright enough for the farmers to reap their crops under the moonlight. Full moons bring strange dreams and odd things, and this one is fulfilling its role. I thought being out here, under the sun, next to the water, I could somehow stave off darkness. Not so.

Here in Southern California, Halloween is promoted like Christmas, because it heralds a change, a moment, a day, a mood, a sentiment. Maybe I should say mindset. Halloween is a big holiday, but you can't go ten feet out here without seeing decorations, a store that has changed its entire inventory to costumes, or a promotion for a party. It is all consuming. I've already had a couple Halloween plans fall through. I expect this is in preparation for some fantastic last minute party. We'll see.

This morning, everything seemed bright and gleaming. Somehow, something in the afternoon turned it all to gloom, confusion, and doom. When that happened I went to the bay, which was a good move. A pelican flew right by me, the thing was really moving out, that's unusual. I saw lots of dogs. I was down there for two hours as the sun set, unfortunately obscured by clouds. I walked into the ocean which was wonderfully warm. I discovered the filling moon, which explains the dreams and the precipitating mood. Not just for me but for many. I came out here in order to break from the life I saw unfolding for me without a change. Now I have no clue what lies in store. Just have to keep going and realize what will be. Which cannot be determined.

At a second interview today astutely pointed out that I was at a crossroads. He was at a similar one when he was 32, except he'd been working in a fish cannery at the time. John Sayles worked in a fish cannery after graduating from Williams. 10 years ago I saw him as some sort of role model, and my life right now could not be farther from that type of success. Funny how life twists and turns and goes astray. I'd much rather write movies than be a financial planner. Have a movie idea at the moment, but that's not going to pay any bills in the immediate future. Music seems to perk people's interest. My singing and playing are really improving, but I need to get better at keys and programming. And that's not going to pay any bills any time soon either. But I'm going to keep doing it.

All my eggs are in this basket. I put 'em there. Can't let 'em break.

Full moons bring weirdness in their anticipation, but they also herald new beginnings. So that means a new door opening. May it lead to brighter days for one and all.

Songs for the day, both are worth it:

Orange Crush

Sat outside last night looking at intermittent lightening (about 20 seconds apart) and listening to slow rolling thunder. The temperature cooled five degrees in the space of an hour. This morning, I saw sun streaking through the window for the first time in a week. Within twenty minutes it was gone. I walked down to the bay and saw a heavy presence of dark clouds, but also a few strokes of blue in the sky. I figured the clouds would move out and we'd have our first sunny day since the Sunday of Columbus Day weekend. Instead, the skies opened up just after 12:30. I doubted there was any way the rain would last more than a few moments. Nine hours later, it is still raining steadily. However, for a brief stretch around dusk, there was a magnificent sunset. As I put away my laundry and re-arranged my closet, I caught a glimpse of neon orange and electric violet sky. I couldn't believe it. Stopped what I was doing and went straight out to the bay. These pictures don't do it justice. For about 15 minutes this evening, the sky was vibrant and inspiring. The rain must have been on break, but it returned to take center stage. Didn't expect days like this out here, but I'm very grateful for it. I love weather. I love the changes. I couldn't live out here full time, but I would be thrilled to have an international lifestyle, or at least a bi-coastal one.

Hope everyone had a wonderful day and I wish you a pleasant tomorrow.