kevin barnett

The one thing I love about terrible Hollywood films is that they always get entertaining reviews. Stealth is definitely no exception as so brilliantly illustrated in Roger Ebert’s review of the film.

I was just listening to Boards of Canada - 18 18 Happy Cycling

Am I envious of today’s Lollapalooza attendee’s? Absolutely not. Maybe it’s because of the lack-luster lineup for today or because of the current weather conditions:

I was just listening to Grandaddy - The Crystal Lake

You bet it does.

Then again, so does “taking breaks”, “eating lunch” and “going to the bathroom”. The nerve of some people to suggest that every job should be performed as if it’s assembly line work…

There’s more to life than work and productivity. And this is an appropriate rant for me since I’ve been working long, long hours all week and will be giving up my weekend for my day job.

I don’t think The Economic Machineâ„¢ will ever be satisfied, even when workers are replaced with robots.

I was just listening to Fischerspooner - Never Win

I am going to have to pass on pretty, anti-aliased, tricked-out, rendered in Macromedia Flash headings until the transparent background feature doesn’t render as green in Safari (Mac OS X comes first around here) - or until I redesign my blog to have a solid color background (hmm, don’t see that happening).

But I have mastered sIFR (and by mastered, I mean somehow got it to work) for another project which will be launching soon. So sIFR is nice, when it makes sense to use it.

Right now, it’s not making sense for ye ol’ blog. Still, I might have a use for it for another project I have in the works.

It’s called a photoblog. And it’s going to be very anti-climatic.

I was just listening to Placebo - Where Is My Mind

Tim Burton = Visual Genius/Mastermind Director
Johnny Depp = Down Right Odd, But Very Appropriate

I loved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I loved the OG Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory but I had to embrace the new one just as much. I will say that I was extremely reserved about it from the trailers, specifically because of Depp’s Wonka. Now I realize that I just didn’t “get it”.

I get it now…and it’s brilliant. I’ve read a lot of nay-sayer, book purists flaming the back story on Willy Wonka. But for me, it was a welcome addition to the story and something that makes it truly different and special as compared to the Gene Wilder film.

But limiting my praise to just Johnny Depp does an injustice to the rest of the cast - who absolutely delivered spot-on performances. Grandpa Joe, Mike Teevee, The Oompah Loompahs (Deep Roy rules) and Charlie were fantastic to watch as well.

This film also marks, at least for me, the “Return of Burton”. He hasn’t been this good since Ed Wood/Scissorhands.

I was just listening to Yann Tiersen - Comptine D’un Autre Été: L’après Midi

I always believed Hunter S. Thompson did it his way - and you gotta admire that even if he was really out of his mind. I enjoyed his writing and escapades but I think I will remember him for how he chose to die. At first, it sounds morbid - then, after thinking about it and then reading his family’s response - I believe HST was just staying true to himself. Doing it his own way and not conforming to the plans that society or even nature had for him. I admire that. Consistency. Backbone. It’s a rare breed in today’s world.

His take on this game we call life will truly culminate when his family, friends and Depp are there to blow his ashes out of a cannon. That will be a beautiful experience in my book - and I’m glad the arrangements are being made to HST’s spec and detail.

So to prevent any confusion in the future, I’d like to offer a poor man’s will - living will - and testament:

1. If I am incapicitated from a terminal illness or unconciousness - options have been exhausted - and death or even life in a permanent vertical position is immenent - pull the plug.

2. At my funeral, I want a live reggae band (covers of Marley, Maytels, etc. are okay). Obviously the service will be outdoors - some place scenic - like a beach or a mountain top.

3. I’d like the mood to be as light as possible. Jokes and embarrassing stories are encouraged. Casual dress.

4. Closed casket, please.

5. And the most important detail: I want to be CREMATED. No gravesite - no marker - no permanent resting place, because…

6. I want my ashes thrown into an active volcano. Preferably Kilauea in Hawaii, but really any active volcano will do.

There it is in plain english, spelled out and the world as a witness - to my last wishes for my body here on Earth.

I was just listening to Erlend Oye - The Talk