Man, I never use this site as much as I used to lately.  Sorry for anyone that depended on updates about me from here.  Most of you may or may not know that Dana and I decided to get back together shortly after that blog.  There were a lot of unspoken issues, and once we had the nerve to speak them, we solved them, and continue to be a rocking couple even after a year and a half almost!

I also lost a dear friend to me.  Kris Bristow.  The man meant a lot to me, and I had known him for some 13 years.  He was a marvel and a dervish to know.  A lot of people are going to miss this bright light.  I could speak more of this, but so much has already been said.  I miss him, and I will never forget him.  Soon, my friend.

I have been working at an excellent office for almost a year.  Doing Help Desk work may not be glamorous but it puts money in my pocket and that keeps things rolling along.

I really am at a loss for words these last few days.  Tell your loved ones just how much you tell them, and share that with the world.

Dragon Con is in two weeks, and it is going to be FUCKING AMAZING!  Who all am I going to be seeing there?

:)

Dana & I just parted ways in the most mutual & perfect breakup I have ever seen; agreed we make better roomies and best friends than lovers. To say it doesnt hurt is a lie. I am so happy for the both of us, but it still hurts a lot. We love each other and nothing will change that. For now, living arrangements will go on as normal, until after the holidays, at the least. We are going to be there for each other in this. Also, her family sounds like they completely understood and still expect me to be there for all of the holidays like family.

Please, everyone, there is no reason to find any of this awkward and we will each smack any of you that do! :-)

*edit* Just so those of you know, that don't, we were finally able to be open about our issues, and resolved them, and decided to get back together middle of January.  So... ignore this, mayhaps? :)

Repo! will be starting next Wed. at the Plaza! They loved having all of us at the Road Tour show they ordered it for a week for now!

Here is the skinny:

A one week run, $8, no presale, showtimes tbd so check the site: http://www.plazaatlanta.com/

Get to these shows and fill the seats as often as we can! Spread the word and TESTIFY!

Ladies and Gentleman,

I present unto thee, PG Porn, starring Nathan Fillion and Aria Giovanni.

PG Porn

Coming most Fridays in October (the 10th, 17th and 24th), Mr. Friskett will be doing three 9pm shows to count down to the most anticipated holiday in October, nay in all of autumn: United Nations Day! Time to dust off the old Boutros Boutros-Ghali costume and get ready to go door to door negotiating peace with the neighbors! Come to one or all of our shows in October and you'll have that great United Nations Day feeling all October long!

We are talking to the band Kamayacha about playing at various points in the shows as the house band (a real treat if it comes through! More details as they become available) as well as introduce you to the Friskersons.

Tickets will be $10 at the door.

Go to http://mrfriskett.googlepages.com
and
http://www.kudzuplayhouse.org/
for more information.

PS. Friskersons is gonna be some kinda awesome.

Today is The Day. Everyone, as every year since 2002, has been posting the usual where they were, what they were feeling posts. In one of those posts today, a friend made note of the fact that this is our Kennedy Assassination, or our Pearl Harbor. But there is a major difference between those two events, and this one. I hope what I say here does not offend anyone, because it is not my intention to do so.

With Pearl Harbor, we have photos, and stories of those that were there. We live those moments with the person telling the story. We feel their compassion, and pain for fallen comrades. The Kennedy Assassination takes that up a step, or down one could say. There is a video of the assassination, and anyone can go back and witness it unfold for themselves. So many people hurt for the death of one man. A country united in mourning the loss of their leader. Now, onto 9-11. A majority of people turned on the tv that morning (myself included) after reports came of the first plane striking the building. We all sat there, glued to the events we were witnessing, on live tv. Shortly thereafter, the second plane crashed into the structure and almost everyone, from friends to news media, at that moment thought we were just watching a replay of the first, but from a different angle. Sadly, we were not. We witnessed first-hand together, on live television, the crashing of the second plane into the World Trade Center.

It was really the first time anything like this had happened. Sure, we've all had video of other events floating around. Heard stories about what friends and family did in other wars. But this was really a defining moment for us as a culture/civilization. I suppose being able to have news spread so quickly is a blessing, but at the same time, when we are witnessing events unfold as they happen it terrifies me. I think the fact that it happened live is why we, as Americans, are still bothered by this event to our core. The other events bring feelings of sadness back when you recall them. Pearl Harbor was such a personal event, because of the lack of coverage, that those few still alive to remember it are the few who are still haunted by it. With Kennedy, those who watch it still get rilled up a great deal, I am sure, but those who were there when it happened will always be changed. However, at the same time, that was one man who pulled the trigger, one man from our own country.

What happened on 9-11 was a global-scale event, being witnessed by the world. And the greatest emotion we, as Americans, felt was not sadness, at least not entirely. Yes, we still look back and feel the loss of those we lost that day. I never want that to be confused with what I am saying. We feel the loss, and miss our loved ones terribly. However, we watched our people come together to try and save those we were losing, and in the process we lost a number of those that were sent in to save. Determination. Frustration. Anger. Watching it unfold, we became enraged. Without getting too political here, it was no wonder that when it happened everyone said, yes, let's go to war and strike back now! And it was that very moment that has defined our country ever since. Since then, we have witnessed live war on television for years, and no one seemed to mind at all.

I remember that day, and I will never forget the sight of those people dying in front of my eyes, while I sat by not being able to do a thing about it. I live to help people, and that was the day I realized no one person can save the world, but one person, alone, can change it for the worse. One person can inspire others to do better, but that one person cannot make the world a better place without help from others. Those are tough odds to face. Sure, I could've joined the military and struck back with the rest of them on the "front" lines, but that is not the person I am. There has to be another way to make our world a better place to live, and we have to find something to unify us to do so. I look eagerly to the day that we just look back to the dark event that was that day, and no longer let it cast its shadow on our future. I will always remember, but I also look forward.

EDIT: Dwiv pointed out a fact in this. The Challenger. While it was not as *mainstream* as something as 9/11, it did happen live on tv, and saddened those that followed it's progress. I feel foolish for forgetting an event like this, especially one that happened on my birthday. I was young, and those memories were buried deep.

Alright, con update time!

Twas an excellent year, all be it, a busy one.

Wednesday night we welcomed some of our Alabama crew into the area, and spent some of the evening with and watched the moon-landing episode of Mythbusters. Watching it with a "legit" Rocket Scientist made it all the more better. After that we ran over to GeekFarm and met up with Duckie and Jiggy. After a good bit of winding down, we all passed out.

Thursday we had Dana's dad drive us into town, so we did not have to pay for any parking. Hooray saving $60+! Got there around 10am, and once the video crew got there, we started to rock out and run cables and get DCTV as live as we could. As the day progressed into the evening, I had my first real taste of what the con would be like. WTF... the Marriott is the party hotel? Honestly, I kinda expected this, but was not ready for how empty the Hyatt would be Thursday night, especially compared to last year. Caught video of many assorted things, and rode in an elevator with Alan Tudyk. Really nice guy, and a pleasure to have back.

Friday... let's see. It has already been a week since then, so the details get a bit fuzzy. Most of the day into the afternoon was spent trying to get DCTV to work in China the Sheraton. At some point during the day, Brian and I hit up the Walk of Fame to get the layout this year and get a feel for interviews. Basically as soon as we got in there, JCFB found us and told us that maybe her clients would be available for interviews on Monday. If you don't know who she is, then you are lucky! While there we interviewed Yancy Butler (Witchblade) and when Brian wasn't around she started ti hit on me. It was hillarious endearing but no thanks. Friday night was the costume contest and then my friends bands played in the new Atrium ballroom: The Protomen and Peelander Z!!!!!! I am so glad that both the bands I tried to bring to con actually made it. They both had a blast and wanna come back! After that was some meandering, trying to get good shots for footage, but with everyone spread out, it was pretty damned sparse.

Saturday was one of our bigger days. Pretty much it was much of the same. Do random errands throughout the day, ensure panels are being recorded, and try to snag the occasional interview. That night was the Dawn contest, and we implemented a backstage came during the time of the winners and that turned out to be pretty cool until the last shot I had! That night, Dana and I wandered down to the Sheraton to catch The Colonial Fleet party. We walked in to discover those guys throw a really solid party given the right setup. At the back of the room we found a stage, and a mass of people on it. Well, thanks to my access and people I know, I just walked up on it, along with Dana, and found myself standing next to Aaron Douglas. He was on his way to murdering his liver as always. I glanced around, and who else did I see partying up here, was Edward James Olmos and Michael Hogan! This being their first con (mostly), they were having a blast metting their fans and drinking with them. Those guys really went out of their way to listen to all the fans that wanted to say thank you! My favorite story from the con, though, was when we noticed Hogan (Colonel Tigh) he had a Heinekein in each hand, and thus the phrase Two-fisting Heine Hogan came about. One fan asked him to speak to his friend on the phone from California, and Hogan jumped right into character and started to cuss the guy out (Gods-damn it, why the frak are you in the brig and not here, etc.) and it was awesome! We wandered for awhile longer, but honestly, there was no way to top that.

Sunday, ahh, Sunday. We had our WhatTheCast Panel that afternoon, and it was great! I actually had random people recognize me from the show that I had never met come up to me and tell me the show was awesome. It was really cool to be on that side of things, even on a small scale. Shortly after that, Brian and I got the only interview from Hayden Panettiere for the whole con. The interview execution was a bit problematic, but still, we got it. She was pretty sweet, but it took talking Kingdom Hearts to get her talking. After that we packed up for the afternoon and prepped for the big event, the Masquerade! Overall, it was a pretty lackluster year for costumes, so the show itself seemed a bit tame. Nonetheless, Ethan Phillips hosted it, and he was a stellar guy with which to work! After that was over, Dana and I hit the con to get footage. We had some issues with access since people were being a bit controlling. Not staff, mind you, but people throwing parties in our ballrooms where I have access to everything. Then, after a bit of wandering, I headed back to the MSI show, where their manager and I got into a bit of verbal argument as to whether or not I was allowed backstage to do my job. He tried to kick me out, but security wasn't having it. Regardless, after dealing with him, I just said fuck it, and headed up to one of the balconies to get shots of the show. I know better than to record the show for the show's sake, but I was looking for good footage for the Dragon Con Highlight DVD. I got this great shot of the Predator crowd-surfing, jumping on stage, and then back into the crowd.

Another reason I wanted to record this show, was to have proof of anything crazy that happened, and the only issues there were, was with MSI's manager/stage security. I know you gotta get people off the stage during a show if they get up there. And I have been to enough rock shows to know that sometimes you just gotta use a little force to get them off the stage. But honestly, is it really neccesary to throw people who got up there for about a second into a set of metal stairs off-stage face first? Or better yet, to drag someone back out of the audience after they got off-stage and then throw them back on the floor beside the stage face first? Yeah, the show itself was great, and the band was really cool I hear, but the other people around the show we're fucking assholes. I'm sure they've had a history, but damn. A couple of times during the show, I saw the manager point up to me in the balcony where I was recording footage, and I expected him to send one of his minions to attempt to tell me to leave. None came. I found out after the fact that when the manager asked Thomas what the hell I was doing up there, Papa Smurf responded with,"He is doing his job." Thanks again for pre-empting what would have not been a pretty scene. After dealing with that ass-hat, I was on edge the rest of the night and it kinda fouled the mood for me. But, I did run into the Right Reverend Andy during his show, and chatted it up with him for a bit. Seriously, buddy, having a dance-party was a breath of fresh air. It was great to walk into a room with music and not have it be a rave.

Monday was mostly interview day, and we bagged some really great ones: Eddie Olmos, Michael Hogan, Dean Haglund, David Gareth Lloyd, Robert Llwellyn, James Hong and Peelander Z to name a few. I honestly don't even remember who all we interviewed. Throughout the run of the show I got to han gout backstage and meet Sean Astin, Brad Dourif, Michael Rosembaum, Robert Englundand once more run into and chat it up with Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk, Jewel Staite, Morena Baccarin, James Marsters, and the usual Sunday night drinks with Voltaire. I am sure I am missing some of my famous person checklist, but really I don't get into the con for that, though it is a nice perk! It was great to run into friends, old and new, at the con, and look forward to next year already!

So yeah, that seems to be going well.

Wait, wrong blog.

Hello everybody! I have not had what one would call a real blog since January, right after my birthday. I am sure you all have been anxious to see my twitter cuts, movie/tv announcements, and the general randomness. But, I also figure, some of you that I have not seen in a good minute, might be curious as to what is actually going on in the life of Crispy. And those that don't I ask why are you even subscribed to this blog... Oh, right, free movies from my friend. Got it.

So, birthday was excellent. We performed that improv show, and it was a hit. Afterwards we came back to the Sketch Pad, where we enjoyed home-made cake and many rounds of the werewolf game we love so much. The night ended with everyone passing out watching Roger Rabbit, and good times were had. Let's see... after that was the TN trip to roast my very good friend, Lucas, and it went off wonderfully. One day, Lucas will post the video from that, but hopefully not as long as it took me to get MTAC photos to him. :) Speaking of, MTAC was, as always, a great time. I was able to incorporate more of the Atlanta-area photographers, and we all had ourselves a nice low-key time.

Around MTAC was the GA Ren Fest, GARF. A lot of you locals came out, and supported your friend Crispy, who was in all of his foppish glory. For those who missed it, I played the King's High Lord of Fashion, Lord Debrick O'Naire, along with my very wonderful sister, Amelia O'Naire. Dressed in an amazing costume, made by my friend Christina (whom I am very behind in paying her for it!), I was basically Lord of the Peacocks! From parasol, to hanky, to a girlish scream, I was a hit and voted Best Newcomer in the cast. Thanks again to my GARF family for thinking that! I had a great time doing it, but then remembered why I opted out of them so long ago. Especially with a two month run, if this kind of gig isn't your life, you have a hard time balancing your time. Though, if I am offered a chance of coming back next year, I think I would like to work on a different character. I had a great time as the fop, but being on court is very time consuming, and coupled with being in the scenes/sword fighting, it was my day, my life at the faire. Keep in mind, that isn't a true complaint, as everyone on court was amazing to work with, and I would not have traded the experience! Many thanks to you all for allowing me to be a part of it, and maybe next year!

Around the time that faire ended, I parted ways with Mellow Mushroom, because the new location's manager was, well fuck-tard sums it up since I cannot think of anything eloquent for this guy. Was he a bad guy? Maybe not at his core, but on his surface he was all ass. *shrugs* But, a couple of weeks after faire ended, I started with Walgreen's in their photo lab, and after me being there for a month, they want to promote me to their head photo lab position. All kinds of awesomeness. Walgreens is really a great company to work for, if you don't mind retail. Sadly, I do, and last week thanks to Thomas, I, too, had an interview with CBeyond. He just told me today that the interview was well received and after the next head count they will be offering me a position in the company! Sweet! So, as soon as I know a start date, I will let work know officially. Almost everyone knows about the new job at work, and though they would hate to lose me, they know they cannot compete with the offer from CBeyond. Plus, CBeyond is a 7 minute walk, door to door, from my new apartment!

I moved, and this is where I look to be for an indefinite time. Sketch and his wonderful wife Steph wanted to go out and start a family. So, we all at the Sketch Pad found other living situations. Lucas (the 4th roomie at the Sketch Pad) and myself obtained an apartment in the complex next door, and I couldn't be happier. I like to think Lucas is as thrilled as I am with the new place. We have this wonderful scene view out back, and despite the creek having a crappy name, it is nice to sit out and relax on our big ole patio in my sky chair once more! Ah, I have missed them, and even if I only have room for one, it is the first time I had the chance to use them since I left TN. Sketch and Steph also moved into the same complex, right across the parking lot. Just before we moved in to our place, Jill and Tito moved into the same building as me, and are our awesome new neighbors! So, once more Nerdhalla has been reborn, and anyone is welcome to come hang out with us.

Oh, but I did not mention my third roomie in Nerdhalla.

See, back on the day of my birthday three things happened that shaped the life I have right now. One, it was my birthday and the start of a new year for me. Two, that very same day I auditioned for the Ren Fest. Three, I met someone who is now very, very special to me. We chatted up online, and arranged to meet later that week. We met, and at first while we found the other person interesting, neither of us were looking for anything. But, her relationship was on the outs, and I was there to talk her through all the problems. I admit, at first I felt she was a bit smothering and over-demanding of my attention, but after the trip to TN, I realized that I would be a fool to not want this person in my life, in the capacity that she is now. A lot of you have already met Dana, from TN to Atlanta. Back on July 4th, while at dinner at her parent's place, we talked about it, and I asked her to move in with me. She had a job near my house, and practically lived with me anyways. We both agreed to not discuss moving in together for at least a year, but we are mature enough and aware of all of our situations and in the end she said yes. Honestly, I couldn't be happier. In the time that I have gotten to know her, she has become one of my closest friends, and the girl I love. I foresee a lot of amazingness coming from her and I together. Right now, she is starting her first day at CBeyond, as well. I miss her, but we are both on the road the financial recovery and CBeyond is the first step to that!

Well, I think that summed everything up from the last six months. I am sorry I don't update more. I have just been blogged out this year. Next up for me is Dragon Con, and both my girlfriend and my best friend (Drew from TN) will be working in videography with me, so I am very excited. See you all then!

So there is this movie coming out later this year that I am incredibly stoked to see.

First of all, I am going to let the main trailer just tell you what film it is.



When we at WhatTheCast were doing our movie predictions at the start of the year as to what would rock and what would suck, I was the only person in the show that showed any amount of enthusiasm for Repo! The Genetic Opera. I saw some early images early on, thinking myself it would be more of a joke than a film, but still had an interest. Then I got to see that gem of a trailer, and I was floored, as everyone else that has seen it. It is a simple plot: People rent organs like car loans, and when they miss a payment, the company (GeneCo) sends out their Repo Man to collect the organs, and kill them. Also, the head of said company is dying and his children want to take over. The Repo Man's daughter has a rare blood disease and he keeps her locked up for her safety, as well as his identity of Repo Man, hoping she never discovers it. There is a blind opera singer and she has refused to pay the company any more, and they allow her one final opera before they send in the Repo Man. She just happens to be godmother to the daughter of the Repo Man and a friend of the family. Ouch. All of these stories converge upon the opera at the climax.

Plot aside let's discuss the cast. I know, right out of the bat a lot of you are going, but Paris Hilton is in this and anything she touches is trash. Well, the director agrees with you. He did not even want to give her an audition fearing people would not want to see it because of her. Eventually, she did land an audition and supposedly she showed up, dressed for the part, and rocked it. In this other trailer, you get to hear her sing at the start and middle:



Might not be amazing, but at least she does look the part. *shrug* But her aside, this cast is just filled with amazing performers. The titular character, if you have not figured it out yet is played by Giles of Buffy fame, Anthony Stewart Head. Back when we first got a listen to this guy's voice in early Buffy episodes, we were just amazed at the fact this guy could sing, and really well to boot. Later when they did their little musical episode, he was showcased a lot. So, if you have yet to see/listen to it go out and find it. It's rather adorable, which is why it is going to be amazing to see him in such an opposite role from his most well known work, here in the states. Second in big name casting is Sarah Brightman. Love her or hate her, she is most well known for being the original Christine in the stage production of Phantom of the Opera. With credentials like that, she is playing the operatic singer, who is the focus of the piece when she stops paying GeneCo.

Another rather large name in this is Paul Sorvino, who plays a dying head of GeneCo. You have seen this guy in a number of things, I am sure, ranging from mafia to family man. His character has three children who are fighting over who gets control of the company. One of them is Paris's character, and the other two are rather interesting casting choices indeed, Bill Moseley and Nivek Ogre. The former you might recognize thanks to Rob Zombie's House of a Thousand Corpses and The Devil's Rejects, where Bill played a murderous, maniacal member of the Firefly family, Otis B. Driftwood. Seems very appropriate for this film. Ogre is famous for being the lead vocalist of a little band named Skinny Puppy. You might have heard of them. Trust me; this guy's talents are perfect for this. Plus the look they have given him for this film is just amazing. Also, the last major name in the main cast is Alexa Vega, who plays the daughter of the Repo Man. But, who is Alexa Vega you might be asking? Well, did you ever see a movie franchise by Robert Rodriguez by the name of Spy Kids? She was the female lead in all three films, though much younger back then. So, there you have a full break down of every major player in the film.



Add in that fairly rocking cast, with some kick ass music (some songs are already on iTunes for sale) and twisted visuals (The director is the guy who did the first two Saw films, by the way, so expect lots of gore.) and there is a recipe for something amazing. It is something I know I can groq on. The film has been pushed back to an August 8th release it looks like. So, go watch it, or not. I know where I will be come opening day.

Add another great mind to the list of those we recently lost. George Carlin. This is a man that heavily influenced my style of comedy growing up. Vulgar, shocking at times, and often poignant. The first real glimpse I ever got of the man, was during that epic film, Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, and it was just that to me.



I remember my first real introduction to his comedy, though, other than my father quoting him all the time. My father and I were sitting back on a friend's porch in the Boro. I was in middle school, maybe, no more than sixth grade. He had brought over this album of comedy by a guy my father praised, George Carlin. We sat back, and laughed at a wacked out weather man, and guffawed at the sex in advertising. Maybe I did not know it then, but that was one of those defining moments that shaped me into the kind of entertainer I am now. The album was FM & AM, for those that were wondering. A true classic, and do yourself the favor and find a way to listen to it if you have not already.



George Carlin was arguably one of the greatest stand-up comedians ever. Even if some times you found his jokes a little too out there for you, or political, the man had something to say, and he sure as hell said it, such as his most-famous routine Seven-Words You Can Never Say on Television. There is really a lot I could say about this man, and how he influenced not only me, but generations of comedy. I think though, I will leave it to Carlin himself to say, "I think it's the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately."


George Carlin 1937 - 2008