Remembering Carlin and Hoping Hollywood Don't Fuck Up His Story

Now that George Carlin has died, Hollywood no doubt has begun scripting the comedic genius' life to be immortalized on the silver screen. The big question is, who's going to be the shithead in Hollywood who has the balls to pretend to be the George Carlin in a movie?

I do concede his story is and would make for really great cinema. It's an American story! His start as a suit and tie comic for the suit and tie/tuxedo late night television crowd to the guy we knew, that longhaired, foulmouthed, jeans wearing abrasive man. His plight to succeed as a comic who wanted nothing more than to be able to express himself using his own words that some people in some office somewhere in this country claimed were way to offensive for the rest of America to hear. That's the government's version of protection, so we could all be saved from sin thank you mighty Jesus!!!

It's obvious I admire him and his work, but I only began to because of my parents. They are how I first learned about Carlin. My mom and dad had his records and would often play them while they accompanied his raspy voice with the dispersal of a thick haze of marijuana smoke into the air. [That happened with a lot of classic rock records. It also happened the first time I saw The Shining, which really really tripped me out because not only did that part with the twins summoning Danny from down the long hallway in The Overlook fuck me up, but I think I got touched by that fuckin weed in the air. That's a whole nother story.] I particularly remember the blue cover of Class Clown, with that chalkboard in the background. The one element that stuck out the most for me was that there's this guy on the cover of a record with his finger shoved up his nose.


Growing up, I found other friends and family enjoyed his antics and matter of fact in your face style of truth telling. There are many people who would rather not come to terms with realities and actualities of this, our American society [Insert all his routines here.] George Carlin told us how it is and we all know he is right. He harshly faced us with our silly realities and we laughed at the nihilism of all his jokes. Who else but Carlin could do this feat?!
It's what made him so likable, admirable, lovable. Because he was honest. He never lied to us.

---dan

Francis E. Walter Dam

. This past weekend I stopped by an old place we used to visit and one that many a NEPA-dweller is familiar with, the Francis E. Walter dam in the Mount Pocono/Bear Creek area (White Haven to be exact).
Its about 20-30 minutes from where I grew up, and about 5 minutes from where a good friend of ours used to live. Also up the road from a huge waterfall that we used to camp near. The dam and the surrounding area is pretty cool and makes for some good photos. Here are a few I selected(stole) from Flickr. - Jug Y. Are

Blue Ice

Packaging: Koool. Taste: Blech(tastes like melted blue raspberry slurpee, can barely taste the taurine) Energy: Works pretty well. Got me back to Philly with ease. Reflux factor: Medium. So long as you have spring water to follow up, you'll be good to go. DO NOT drink with cheap pizza. -Jag

Above: Rock N' Riot Sleazy party 6/21/08. Below: Pawloski on the set. -Jag

If You're in Northeast PA this Weekend...

A few Images from the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.

Took a trip to D.C. this past weekend to visit my sister and celebrate my birthday. Here are a few photos from one of the Smithsonian's most newly renovated buildings.
The National Portrait Gallery shares with the Smithsonian American Art Museum one of Washington's oldest public buildings, a National Historic Landmark that was begun in 1836 to house the U.S. Patent Office. One of the nation's finest examples of Greek Revival architecture, the building has undergone an extensive renovation that showcases its most dramatic architectural features, including skylights, a curving double staircase, porticos, and vaulted galleries illuminated by natural light. The Lunder Conservation Center, the only fine-art facility of its kind, is an innovative new space that allows visitors to look through floor-to-ceiling windows as conservators care for the national treasures entrusted to both museums.

The museums are collectively known as the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture, in honor of the museums' largest donor, the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation.

Photo Gallery: ROBES

We caught up with Philadelphia's ROBES last week during a practice session before they left for their show in Brooklyn. We've really been diggin their music lately and the new EP is a must have and a great way to start off the summer. They have a website coming soon but for now you can visit them on their Myspace page where you can download the EP....yes, for free! So check them out live if you're in Philly or when they play in your city... you won't be disappointed. Go here ROBES and contact them at robesmusic.gmail.com. Enjoy some of the photos we snapped at their practice session. -Jag

Slipstream

I just saw a film that is an Anthony Hopkins project called "Slipstream." I read a couple of reviews online by some critics who despised the film. I imagine these people also have a hearty dislike of David Lynch films and Oliver Stone films a la U-Turn and Natural Born Killers. (If you like those directors, I believe Slipstream may be a film you may enjoy viewing.)
Slipstream is a film in the class definition sense, except it contains super fast editing making it, in my opinion, a modern classic.
The film is a difficult one to get through but the film as a whole is a great piece of cinema.
Hopkins, who both wrote and directed the film, had initially received some funding from a studio. The studio wanted to put their own fingerprints on the film, Hopkins wholeheartedly disagreed, and funded the entire thing himself. I like that. It makes the film more genuine for me as I am one who has always respected Hopkins work. I am in particular a fan of "The Remains of the Day."

View the trailer here.

-- dan

p.s. There is a Henry Darger show at Andrew Edlin gallery in NYC, 529 W. 2oth St, until June 14. The gallery's site has more info on the show at www.edlingallery.com. I have never seen his work in person but am eagerly looking forward to it.