The crowd hushes as he mounts the box...

I know. I stated earlier that I didn't want this blog to become a soapbox of sorts. So, in order to justify this post, I will rephrase what I said: I do not want this blog to become a political soapbox...Okay, there.
So, let me tell you all about a little show that I love. First off, let us imagine the best movie you've ever seen.
Can you see it? Good.
Now, this movie probably has deep characters, a great story, and a plot that keeps you into the story throughout, right?
Now, lets mess with this image a bit...what if this beloved movie of yours just happened to be 24 hours long? What if, each and every week for 24 weeks, you had the enormous pleasure of revisiting these characters, deepening the story, and consistantly being entertained? You'd tune in, right?
Well, sadly, you aren't.
No one really is.
This show does in fact exist, and it needs love.
It needs you.
Sadly, this world is governed by how successful you are, and not how good you are on the inside. Television shows like this go ignored often, for various reasons, but that doesn't make them any less than what they truly are.
Take "Firefly", a brilliant show, from the same mastermind behind "Buffy, The Vampire Slayer", Joss Whedon. This show was axed by the good folks at Fox (who, as it so happens have managed to kill more quality shows than any other network...But, in a sense, I can forgive them, cause they did bring back Family Guy), all too early into it's splendid run. The ratings sucked. Fox had no faith in the show. It got ignored. It got cancelled. But, as some of you may know, the story doesn't end there for "Firefly", because come September 30th, "Firefly" gets resurrected, in the form of Serenity. Be sure to check that out.
Anyway, sub-soapbox aside, television is a much more difficult wasteland for quality television. Even if a great movie doesn't do well at the Box Office, it'll still get awards. The same does not ring true for TV. If the show fails in the ratings, it won't get any recognition.
Every so often, you get a hit show, that's also very good, like "Lost" or "Gilmore Girls", but those shows don't need support. This one does.
So, without any further adieu, I present to you one of the best TV shows to come along in a quite a long time, and the BEST show, that you're not watching:

Veronica Mars

The inquisitive looks do not surprise me. This show, hands down, garnered the most critical praise this past season, even more than "Desperate Housewives" and "Lost." And, like those two shows, the critics didn't get it wrong with "Veronica Mars." The show is dripping with genius, from the amazing, amazing writing, to the inpeccably acted characters, this show can't help but be great.
I mean, look at this snippet of dialogue from the show:
"You want to know how I lost my virginity? Yeah, so do I."
The show, on the outside, looks like every other teenage/high school show to grace our sets. Sure, I thought the same thing too. While I love a good juicy episode of "The O.C.", it took a lot for me to get into that show. It's easy to pass quick judgement on the show. In fact, its very easy, cause it airs on the UPN. Yes, the same network that brought us such classic entertainment as "The Parkers", "The Mullets", and "Jake 2.0." It's a shame, honestly, to see such brilliant entertainment be put on a network who's biggest hit is "America's Next Top Model." But, that shouldn't keep us from tuning in. Besides, both Roswell and Buffy made UPN their home after the WB got tired of them. But, those shows aren't enough to get an audience to an unwatched network.The show on the inside is a smart, funny, touching, thrilling story of teenage life and how its full of triumphs and tragedies. If anything, this show is an allegory for what we all go through. Just watch it, and you'll see what I mean.
"Veronica Mars" concerns a teenage girl, who in the past year of her life, has had to do a lot more growing up than any normal 17-year old should: Her best friend, and sister to her boyfriend, was brutally murdered. Her mother abandoned her and her father. She believes she was raped after waking up after being drugged, with her underwear off. Her father, the town sheriff, becomes the laughing stock of the town (Neptune, CA) in which she lives, after pinning the murder on the parents of the murdered girl, and with that, Veronica loses all the friends she once had. But, for most teenage shows, this would lead to just one angsty episode after another, but this is where "Veronica Mars" is unique: her father is a private investigator, and in a sense, so is she. She takes it upon herself, after her father closes her friend's murder case to find out the truth herself. She doesn't believe the man currently sitting on death row for her friend's death really did it, and she sets out to find out who did. Veronica doesn't let her angst drive her to whine and complain about how miserable her life is...She's taking control of it, and for sure, she speaks to millions of people who feel they're so picked on, but continue to believe that for the rest of their lifes. This story makes up the entire arc of season 1, but there's more to it. Veronica begins to gain a reputation around Neptune High, where she attends, for her knack at solving cases, from petty to big...So, that's the first season. Each episode is a new case for Veronica to solve, and each one is as compelling as the last. Each episode contains a bit of the puzzle in solving the mystery of her friend. The mystery is resolved in the season finale, and is quite a nail-biter.
But yeah, I've gone on long enough, I believe. I hope this little preview is enough to get you all to check it out starting Wednesday, September 28th, at 9/8c. Sadly, for all of you Losties, this may prove difficult, but remember, its for predicaments like this that TiVo was invented. Or, if you're cheap like me, make a FauxVo, with your VCR, a cable splitter, and and extra cable...Just attach one cable end to your TV to watch Lost or Veronica, and then record the other using the other cable. It should work.
Oh, and by the bye, The Complete First Season of "Veronica Mars" will be available on DVD October 11...Pre-order it here.
Anyway, I'll leave it at that. Don't miss this one. Don't let more great TV be thrown away because we just don't know where to find it. We're constantly saying there's nothing good on TV, but I just think we just don't know where to look.

ciao
parker

Wonder of Wonders...

It seemed, as of yesterday evening, that my life was on a downward spiral of bad luck and even worse misfortune. Well, the gods have smiled upon me this very afternoon, when I, being the idiot that I am, decided to look in my desk drawer, and low and behold, there it was, my shiny, Wal-mart printed key, complete with my apartment number on it. Now, I'm not saying it wasn't there before, but I certainly didn't see it. Last night, even, I managed to place my newly acquired ticket stub from Mr. and Mrs. Smith in this very same drawer, and I managed to miss the very item that I'd been frantically searching for all day long. I was stunned, and the only words that could come out of my mouth (quoting a certain Mr. Jeffrey Osborne) "Oh My Dumb." A seemingly fitting phrase, wouldn't you think?
In any case, I'm in much brighter spirits. I now plan to head out again to those cheap seats, and watch me a little Cinderella Man, cause frankly, I can! And, isn't that, my friends, the only reason to do anything?
So, rejoice for me. Rejoice with me, for I have found my own personal Holy Grail. *sigh*...Now, if I could just get a hang of this homework thing...

toodles!

parker

A Time to Rant...

More often than not, rants aren't justified. They're usually written in the midst of a really bad situation, and the ranter feels that the rant will help his situation. However, sometimes, rants are justified, like when things really do suck, and they seem to want to keep sucking, and there's no hope whatsoever of the sucking ever to end. That is my story. My life sucks, at this point, and my life just wants to keep on sucking, and there seems to be no hope whatsoever of it ever ceasing to suck. Here's why:
Since the last time we met, I managed to, after much tribulation (more on that later, like, tomorrow, or something), move me and my stuff up to Undisclosed Location* to attend Undisclosed College**. Well, upon arriving at Undisclosed Location, I've come to find my living situation a lot less desireable than I'd hoped. I have never felt so weird in my life. Just being here, in this apartment, makes me feel like the worst person in the world, and I can't quite figure out why. I'm constantly being introduced to new people, whose names I instantly forget, and everything (yes, everything) that comes out of my mouth sounds like I'm fluent in Moron. Also, I've come to understand what the Pennsylvanian Dutch feel like, cause we have no TV. While, to some, this is no big deal, but to the Lost/VM/GG addict, this can be a very very very dire situation, indeed. And the worst part? I don't feel like my roommates even WANT a TV!!! I feel like, if I bring that "cursed" box into these holy walls, that I'll be eternally scorned. Condemnation doesn't look good on your transcript, I'll tell you what! So, all in all, this has proved a dire situation indeed. I need solace. I need release. I need TV. I feel trapped in my bedroom, ashamed to show my sinful head in the front room. I just feel terrible here. I don't feel good. Its a very bad feeling. Really, it is. And, on top of all of this, I've managed to lose my key to the apartment, so I'm stuck. I wanted to check out a movie tonight down at the local cheap seats theater, but noooooo! I'm not guaranteed to be let in cause everyone's asleep by 11:30!!! I can't live like this. Honestly, and this is saying a lot, I almost prefer my last roommates...Whoa, I know, but at least they left me alone, and I didn't feel like the Prince of Darkness around them (well, that's probably because they were doing worse things than I was). So, I pray, in the next couple of days, things begin to change for the better, but I'm not holding my breath on that one.
I miss Veronica...*sniff*
Okay, so in order to balance the obvious negativty in this post, I will proceed to introduce this weeks Song and Movie of the Week. Here we go!

Song of the Week (Aug. 29th, 2005)
Nickel Creek's Doubting Thomas

Okay, I'm a sucker for a song that contains Biblical allusions (I mean, who doesn't love Rufus Wainwright's Hallelujah?), and this song has one that moves throughout the song, and judging from the title of the song, I'm sure you can figure out which that is. The cryptic lyrics (a Nickel Creek staple) speak of a man who is doubting the things he's come to believe in. Now, I read this two different ways: One, is obviously religious, considering the allusions, and the other is love related. Combined with a simple and yet bittersweet melody (take a listen here), it creates musical magic, and it evokes strong emotions from me each and every time I listen. Here are the lyrics for your reading pleasure.

what will be left when i've drawn my last breath,
besides the folks i've met and the folks who know me,
will i discover a soul cleansing love,
or just the dirt above and below me,

i'm a doubting thomas,
i took a promise,
but i don't know what's safe,
oh me of little faith,

sometimes i pray for a slap in the face,
then i beg to be spared 'cause i'm a coward,
if there's a master of death i'll bet he's holding his breath,
as i show the blind and tell the deaf about his power,

i'm a doubting thomas,
i can't keep my promises,
'cause i don't know what's safe,
oh me of little faith

i'm a doubting thomas,
i can't keep my promises,
'cause i don't know what's safe,
oh me of little faith,

can i be used to help others find truth,
when i'm scared i'll find proof that its a lie,
can i be lead down a trail dropping
bread crumbs,
that prove i'm not ready to die,

please give me time to decipher the signs,
please forgive me for time that i've wasted,

i'm a doubting thomas,
i'll take your promise,
though i know nothin's safe,
oh me of little faith

Honorable Mention
Nickel Creek's Why Should The Fire Die?
This is the title track of their album, and it's one that has proven to never escape my head, which is why I'm giving it honorable mention. I love the idea behind it, and especially the line "Why should the fire die? My mom and dad kept theirs alive" I don't know. There's just something cool and evokative about that line. Neato torpedo.

Movie of the Week (Aug. 29th, 2005)
Doug Liman's Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Okay, so this is not quite in the same league as Spellbound but it is worth mentioning (and also cause it's officially the only movie I've seen this week, so it works). The film is very entertaining, with some expected turns and what not, but funny when it needs to be, and a bit touching at some parts. I was surprised at some moments, mostly because I did expect something a bit more formulaic. Enjoyable to the last frame, with some pretty cool action sequences. Angelina Jolie, despite being a certified nut job in real life, is an amazing specimen of a woman, no doubt about that. However, on a sad note, my heterosexual man-crush on Brad Pitt has officially come to an end. I no longer want to be him, like I used to, and I realized this sadly as I watched the movie, and remembered that he was with Angelina now, who despite being an amazing specimen of a woman, is a certified nut job in real life, and not with my beloved Rache..I mean, Jennifer Aniston. Anyway, all women aside, this movie entertained me, which is all it set out to do. See it if you have the chance. It's tons 'o fun! 7.9/10

Okay, that is all...Take care, my little ones, and enjoy your dreamless nights! I'm gonna watch Les Visiteurs! ;)

ciao
parker

*This is undisclosed for fear of offending those who have a great affinity for these various locales. I will repeatedly bash them in a loving, yet sarcastic manner, so keeping it unknown just helps me not feel so bad about what I say concerning it. Trust me on this, and if you don't believe me, just come here to visit, and you'll understand why I just prefer not to tell people where I am. It's just sad.
**Ditto to the above...

CORKY!!!!!

All I have to say today is this...In this crazy world of ours, there are those who have seen Christopher Guest's ode to community theater, Waiting for Guffman, and there are those who have not. If you, sadly and pathetically, belong to the latter, your life has officially been declared meaningless, and you will not receive your monthly "Meaningful Life" check until you do.
Thank you.
The Management

*wink-wink*

parker

Something new...

Hmmm...what to post...After yesterday's fantastic spree of posting, I just don't have much to say today...I managed to finish an interesting book, State of Fear by Michael Crichton. To explain the story, it would require me to go on and on...Anyway, the book has convinced me that most environmentalists are a bit on the extreme side, and the threat of global warming is a bunch of bull. That's all I'll say. I don't want this blog to become a soap-box, so I'll stand off, and just let you decide for yourselves. Fascinating book, for all groups.
Dang, our Padres are losing, to the Astros...I guess they're good this year, the Astros, but so are we...We just have some rough spots...We'll get there, though...Someday... *siiiigh*

Okay, that is all!!!

ciao
parker

Bored, bored, bored...

As you can see, this if my 4th post today, which is mildly pathetic. Hence the title of this post, I'm bored. I needed some self-gratification, and this was the only way I could get it! Also, I didn't want to turn away friends who I've invited to see it once they saw the French post...Relax...English is well spoken here :D
Okay, so what do I have to offer this blog, besides random posts every 5 hours or so...
I know! How 'bout a Song of the Week?

Song(s) of the Week (Aug. 21, 2005):
Natasha Bedingfield's These Words

A friend of mine from France sent me this song over IM one day awhile back, and I didn't think much of it (mostly cause it didn't finish, so I never heard the whole song), but it's catchy melody stuck in my head. A week or so ago, I saw her on Jay Leno, singing this song, and I recognized it immediatly as the song that I'd heard a few months prior. Apparently she was big in Europe before debuting here. I really love this song, mainly because the chorus is catchy, and I love her voice. She reminds me a lot of Joss Stone, who I also love, but that's okay. The more the merrier, in my opinion...

Nickel Creek's When in Rome

This song rocks. As a long time Nickel Creek fan, this album is a welcome change for an already excellent band, and When in Rome stands out as the most intriguing of the songs from their newest album Why Should The Fire Die?. Love the beat they put in the back, and the lyrics are so cryptic. I love that. And, the fact that they hail from the greatest city in the West (San Diego, silly!) doesn't hurt...Honestly, if you haven't experienced them before, they truly are a cut above most accomplished rock bands...Even if they are bluegrass :D. Check it out here. Its only about 30 seconds of the song, but its still a good listen...They're available at iTunes for purchase (what isn't these days!?!) Check out their official site for more songs, and info on a great band that needs to be heard!!!!!

Oh, and I guess a Movie of the Week would also be appropriate...

Movie of the Week (Aug. 21, 2005)
Alfred Hitchcock's Spellbound

I'd been dying to see this forever since a friend recommended it, and I must say, its one of Hitch's best films. I usually don't feel that many films from the 40s have much real tension in them, but Hitch manages to create odd yet palpable tension throughout this film, something that should be applauded. In an era of over-the-top acting and sometimes overly daunting scores, Hitch keeps things solid, with Gregory Peck and Ingrid Bergman doing excellent in their respective roles. While the movie is in glorious black and white (don't be fooled, ladies and gents! Your TV isn't not broken! Its supposed to be that way! And, get this...Sometimes, they used black and white OVER color!!! Imagine that!!! I mean, this was 1945! Color was well apart of American cinema at this point...), there is one flash of color towards the end, that I found rather fitting, and an interesting choice. I think some thought on the matter would further explain why Hitch used it, but that's for another post...Solid film, with a great mystery inside...9.3/10


That is all...

ciao
parker

Un peu de français...

J'ai décidé, ce matin, d'ecrire quelques "post" en français, pour tous les gens qui le parlent. Donc, voilà quoi! Je ne sais pas en ce moment de quoi j'en parlerai, mais je sais que je vais ecrire les choses que je ne veux pas que les anglophones comprennent. He he...Le pouvoir d'une langue secondaire! HA! C'est magnifique, non? Et de plus, puisque j'ai des ami(e)s français(es) (et tahitien(ne)!), il y aura des gens qui peuvent me comprendre! C'est bien...Pour tous les francophones qui sont en train de lire ce post, Salut! et, j'espère que mon francais ne fait pas de mal aux oreilles! :D

D'accord, a + mes ami(e)s!

ciao
parker

Ahem...About the above...I mean, below...

Hi!
Wow, last night was a blur. I believe, but am not quite sure, that I wrote the above post in a less than sane state, meaning, I'd just finished watching Her Majesty Mrs. Brown with the incomperable Dame Judi Dench, and I believe, but am not quite sure, that her presence in my mind altered my state, making me feel as if it was neccessary to write as if I was monologuing from a Henry James novel (oh wait, wasn't he American? Hmmm...Well, I have read Turn of the Screw...He does sound British...Ah ha! Wikipedia tells me he spent much of his life in England...There you go...). Let it be known and perfectly clear that I am not British, nor was I born in 1824 to wealth and privilage on the East side of London. In any case, while this post is almost entirely unneccessary, I seem to have caught the blogging bug, and just couldn't wait another second to write something completely pointless for no one to read but myself! Strange, how that is.
So yeah, ignore me, and my rantings. Yeah, but honestly! Just saying the name "Dame Judi Dench!" Doesn't that, in some strange way, make you feel noble and British? I mean, I can't help but say her name with my faux accent! It's insanity, I tell you!
Okay, that is all...Man, this was pointless...

ciao
parker

A New Beginning Awaits...

This here blog, the first of its kind to be authored by yours truly, doth hereby commence this very night/day, the twenty-first of August, two-thousand and five. I haven't the slightest clue what I shall write, nor what I shall do with this blog, but, I intend for it to be a deep, personal, if not scandalous look at the life in which I lead. Granted, not much of interest has, or probably will happen, however, I am convinced that in order to give my life some meaning, I must document my triumphs, my tragedies, my follies and my foibles. I don't intend for many to read this. This is mostly done for selfish reasons alone, with the possibilty that I might share it with the masses in the near future. Until that day comes, I wish myself good day, and hope the best for my future.
In any case, enjoy my first posting. It may be the last, if I succumb my laziness, but I dare not think that to be the case.
Here's to the day, and let us all pray for a better tomorrow.

ciao
parker