Monthly Archives: November 2003

Here are some amazing pictures from the California fires. Thanks to Anji for the link.

I’m working on a new look for truetech.org. I really liked this design when I first came up with it, but I don’t think it’s aging well. I’ve worked up a couple scratch designs since then, including one based around a Mac Classic. But I believe that last night, I hit upon the look I want. Here’s a hint:

Last night, Jen and I went back to The Mill for the first time in probably five years. Steve Bridgeman, formerly of the Rainchildren, had a release party for his long awaited solo CD. Rainchildren broke up in 1998 (same year as Anonymous Joe and countless other local acts); we’ve been waiting on Steve’s solo work ever since.

It was worth the wait. Steve is a Jam Master and one finger away from being the next Phil Keaggy. If you know me and my affinity for Keaggy, you know that this is not a compliment I give lightly. Steve is that good. On top of his amazing talent, he has a gentle and humble spirit that many people could learn from. On stage, he’s shy and silly, making jokes and saying the nicest things about his friends, other performers, even the audience. I’ve had the pleasure to talk with Steve several times, and he’s a great guy.

The show also featured acoustic sets by Michael Ferrari of Unsettled and Marty Shaughnessy, also formerly of the Rainchildren. Marty fronted the Rainchildren and handled the vocals, rhythm guitar, and the bulk of the songwriting. Also a great guy. It was good to see and hear him again last night.

Michael would probably never admit this, but he was Anonymous Joe’s lead guitarist for about a month back in 1997. He played one show with us, then moved on to other projects. He was 18 at the time, I believe. Michael is a tremendously talented guitarist and songwriter, and a genius to boot. At 18, he impressed me as one of the brightest people I’d met (also not a compliment I give out lightly).

The last time we were at The Mill, it was for a private show that Anonymous Joe had been hired to do. It was toward the end of the band’s time together, but it wasn’t our last show. Jen and I seemed to remember that it was a good show, but we may be biased.

At any rate, the show was great; it was wonderful to see people and hear music that brought back memories of a time in our lives so long ago that it seems like another life. If you like instrumental guitar music, pick up Steve’s CD from his website. You won’t be disappointed.

I need to start playing again.

OK, here’s the deal. The focus is not on technology and geekiness, but on snide, sarcastic comments and links to other connected movies and television shows. Although we certainly wouldn’t shy away from poking holes in ideas/theories/plot elements that are not technically feasible. Bill, you would fit right into this stuff. You, too, Josh.

Perhaps Tech Theatre wouldn’t be the best name.

Some examples.

During Sleepy Hollow, there were many references made to Constable Crane’s earlier assignments in local urban high schools (reference to 21 Jump Street for those who are keeping score). Of course, several times, it was also assumed that Constable Crane would neatly dispose of the horseman with his scissor hands.

Fellowship of the Ring: Welcome to Rivendell, Mr. Anderson (Hugo Weaving rules).

During 28 Days Later:
Brad: You know, I liked this better the first time I saw it… when it was called Night of the Living Dead.
Nicole: You can tell this is a European film, becuase most of these scenes aren’t doing anything to move the plot forward at all. Like that one. They’re just driving in a car and staring out the window. They wouldn’t have that scene in an American movie.
Brad: Or if they did, there would have been a kickin’ song playing in the background.
Nicole: Exactly.
Dave: That’s what’s better about non-Hollywood films. They have these character moments that just…
Mike: Suck?
Dave: No. They don’t have to be like American movies, which are…
Mike: Interesting?

Mike provided a play-by-play during Transformers, The Movie, most notably the scene toward the beginning of the movie where most of the good guys are brutally and rather inexplicably killed. “Oh, Ironhide’s tough. He’ll take them out… Oh, maybe not. I guess he’s dead. Well, here comes… Oh, never mind. He’s dead.” Although, truth be told, we were all at a loss for words during the scene that was accompanied by Weird Al Yankovic’s “Dare To Be Stupid.” That was just weird.

During Koyaanisqatsi: Life Out of Balance, well, actually this is a bad example. Mike and I could only stomach about three minutes of this nightmare. It’s awful. It’s worse than playing Myst, which, interestingly enough, also took me about three minutes to tire of.

And finally, the off-color example I don’t think I should post but I will anyway. In Attack of the Clones, when Anakin and Amidala are reunited, Anakin says, “I thought about you every day.” Mike added, “Sometimes twice a day.”

These are just the ones that spring to mind. Hopefully my Tech Theatre costars will provide more examples.