Uh...Huh...Hey Babeh....Uhhh....Huh...Let Me Buy You Some RAM...Uhhh...huh huh

I'm a big proponent of using the internet for communication provided you have a fundamental understanding of what communication means. According to Merriam-Webster's Online dictionary:

Main Entry: communication
Pronunciation: k&-"myü-n&-'kA-sh&n
Function: noun
1 : an act or instance of transmitting
2 a : information communicated b : a verbal or written message
3 a : a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior communication>; also : exchange of information b : personal rapport communication between old and young persons>
4 plural a : a system (as of telephones) for communicating b : a system of routes for moving troops, supplies, and vehicles c : personnel engaged in communicating
5 plural but singular or plural in construction a : a technique for expressing ideas effectively (as in speech) b : the technology of the transmission of information (as by print or telecommunication)

I'm gonna go with the third definition. I read this article about people going out physically on dates just to converse and hook up online. WTF?! Are people that socially inept that we can no longer talk to each other face-to-face?

As much as I am dismayed by the thought of our social interactions being reduced to mere 0's and 1's, I've been accused of the same behavior by the use and referencing of this blog . My rule of thumb for the usage of this blog is that if there is time for me and another person to play catchup on a face-to-face level, let's do it. Otherwise, I would rather forgo the attempt to sum up months/years of activities/thoughts in a 5 minute instant messaging chat and just say, "Hey! Check out a place where you can read at your leisure the goings ons of Nelson V!" I've received complaints that even that approach is too informal. Oh well.

To the lonely people out there, you've got your avenue to at least be talking to a real person. The problem is, it doesn't get you any further than where you are in actually having some real-world intimacy with them. *sigh* At least this provides us a sure fire way of combating STDs...unless you get a virus from that other person! DOH!

Currently listening : The Marshall Mathers LP By Eminem

The Road Warrior As Mad As Max

Mel Gibson. Got a DUI. Everyone in the media was shocked. He said some stuff about Jews controlling Hollywood and running the world while he was drunk. He asked the arresting officer if he was a Jew. Mel made a movie about a famous Jew that died for our sins and got in trouble then. Everyone was shocked. Mel has apologized for his actions and is now in rehab. The world made a realization. Mel Gibson is human and makes mistakes.

Why do we hold celebrities at a higher standard than the rest of us?

Currently reading : Dark Force Rising (Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy, Vol. 2) By Timothy Zahn Release date: By 01 February, 1993

Note: This was originally posted on MySpace with comments at:
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Don't Stop Till You Get Enough

One of the reoccuring topics I touch on in my stand up is Michael Jackson. I make analogous references to him when talking about stuff going on in my life and need a little zinger to keep people interested in the story I'm telling. It's weird because I was with him all up through the Dangerous record then him and his career all went to hell. I've tried sticking up for him but he makes it difficult for me.

In his littany of lawsuits over the years (and especially in the last few months), this article once again reminds me of just how INSANE MJ has become! All these people are trying to represent his interests but Michael is too bad to let them. This isn't 1983 Michael! You haven't had a thriller in years! Yourcash flow has been weak for quite some time so I know that your last record going platinum a few years ago still can't afford to buy Bubbles a washrag. Billie Jean, a.k.a, Debbie Rowe, is your babymomma asking you for custody and child support, you beat it to Bahrain for a while and now to England to get away from the ranch and the controversy, the man in the mirror looks more like a ghostly jack-o-lantern skull head than Tito's little brother, grown-ass people from 25 years ago keep saying you freed Willy and they've never been the same since, like a smooth criminal you either showed up late or never showed up to your own court cases...Ma ma say ma ma sa de ma coo sah! C'mon Michael ! The way you make me feel sometimes, I wanna be startin' somethin'...like beating you down and jam some damn sense into you! You're completely off the wall! Black or White, if you don't stop till you get enough, you'll end up broke, in jail talking to a rat named Ben in Emerald City! You'll be someone's bitch...they'll call you The Whiz...they're gonna rock with you...all night.

I like the music. Question the man. Ah hee hee!

Currently listening : Our Live Album Is Better Than Your Live Album By Reel Big Fish Release date: By 15 August, 2006

Stashin' The Middle East Away!

I went to shoot my scene today for an upcoming indie film where I am in a room of recovering addicts. They asked us to bring clothes to the shoot that they can pick from. Due to the last time I was asked to do this and came up empty handed, I decided this time to load up a suitcase full of my clothes along with a carry-on bag for my shirts and rolled out in the 90 degree weather (it was 9 AM!). I figured better be safe than sorry.

I showed up in a room of about 20 other actors and grabbed the pace as near to the box fan as I could. The place was air conditioned, however, the air flow had yet to be tamed, so, some parts of the room were muggier than others. I came dressed in shorts and a t-shirt and allowed the universe to dress me for the role. After the wardrobe director gawked at the number of clothes to choose from, she picked an ensemble that I've worn many times before - A black/red bowling shirt, green khaki's and black shoes Cool, I know I look good in this outfit, so, I am sure the camera will show it

As we sat around, "Hello! My Name Is" tags were handed to us with predetermined names. I got "Nelson". How orginal! I accepted my name while other people got "Paco", "Bob", "Dick", "Fillipe", or "Chasity" (no misspelling there). I reintroduced myself to one of the executive producers, i.e., the money men, and he seemed to remember me from the audition I did for the lead roles. In fact, the director himself also remembered me from the audition. I figured it's a good indications of things to come The EP was looking at me and said, "you know...you look more like a Middle Eastern guy with that beard. You could pass for someone from there!" Mind you, I have already been cast three times in a row for a terrorist/Middle Eastern in different productions! So, instead of freaking out because of my fear of getting typecast, I smiled and said, "You know, you're absolutely right!" and proceeded to bust out my best Arabic/Middle Eastern guy, which he couldn't stop laughing at. He allowed me to name myself, hence, "Mohammed" has been born into the production! I kept character a lot through out the day and people seemed to dig it (lots of "72 virgins" talk, some oil tycoon braggardy, and Ahkmed Suave flirtation with the older women in the cast).

We shot our two scenes together one of which featured heavily the assets of a young lady (can't wait to get the directors cut! *giggity* ). So, sitting in a hot, unconditioned room doing take after take was handsomely rewarded! I was told after the takes that everyone could hear my character's voice cut through the group chants we were performing as recovering addicts. A few times I could hear them giggling at my chracter's despair to avoid all debauchery at any given cost. The EP and the director came up to me and said, "We are doing more movies and we have your resume. We're definitely going to call you." I left walking away pretty content in the near 100 degree weather (It was 1 PM).

So, typecasting is working in my favor for now. I'm having fun doing it and making new opportunities out of it. Now, when my character dies, does he get 72 scripts?
Currently listening :
Rage Against the Machine
By Rage Against the Machine
Release date: By 10 November, 1992

A Time To Reflect

I got to hang out with both of my ensembles this week at Corcoran's Grill and Pub across the street from Second City (If you ever get a chance to check it out, I highly recommend their burgers. Talk about finger lickin' good! I walked out of that place with nubs!). So, I got to kick it with my fellow actors where we espoused our philosophies on just what the hell we all think we're doing. I figured out that the path I am taking with it is a very balanced approach. I am doing this all to be a better performer/entertainer while acheiving something greater than myself. I promised myself I wouldn't be looking for the usual pitfalls everyone seems to go into at some point in their life when doing something creative like "making it", being "successful", getting "paid", or being "famous". I told myself I was going to do all of the acting/comedy stuff while it was fun and exciting for me. At the same time, I want to be skilled at the craft I am performing, hence, all the training, plays, improv, stand-up, music, and occasional dance routine I am into now. When I was playing music, I was in it for all the reasons that burned me out on it. Now that I've seen a new path for creativity, the love for all of it is coming back.

Currently listening : The Eminem Show By Eminem Release date: By 26 May, 2002

Note: This was originally posted on MySpace with comments at:
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