Postcard From Mars

We've Moved Locations!

2012-01-08T18:46:00.001-07:00

I'm sorry to say that Postcard From Mars is no more... But I have relocated virtual spaces. Try visiting me here.http://www.ashleycabulagan.com/category/blog/

Raw Denim

2009-11-18T15:54:00.002-07:00

Not that you should take my advise on whats cool or fashionable, because I get made fun of at work for tucking my shirt into my underwear, but I think raw denim is hot. I also think Elijah Wood as Frodo is hot.

Problem is it’s hard to find raw denim for girls. I guess there’s not a huge market for women who want to wear their jeans everyday for six months with out washing them. But I think the product is worth the six months. I heart the idea of a custom wash. What it really is is something like performance art. It’s unique to you and your body and what you put in your pockets and the way you sit and walk. Your denim tells the story of your life. I am in love with raw denim. It's the best way for your denim to define you and that's cool.... Says the girl who owns full body, drop-bottom flannel pajamas.

"Anna Lee" Pablo Blaqk

2009-11-18T12:10:00.003-07:00

Here's some new stuff from my very talented and very funny friend Pablo, who currently resembles another friend of mine, Che Guevara. You should check out his stuff, if you want to.

This is his latest. You might recognize the awkward figure in the background attempting to throw in some harmonies. Cheers.

Guns Don't Kill People...

2009-11-08T15:01:00.003-07:00

This picture was taken in the state I am currently located in. Hurray! Nothings classier than drinking shirts. And nothings scarier than knowing this guy is armed. I just became pro-gun control.

"Damn Everything But the Circus!"

2009-11-06T12:18:00.005-07:00

Here you go Mom. This is my new favorite thing, walking on an inch wide line. It's really more fun than it sounds. I need a lot of practice but the goal is to someday do this a lot higher off the ground. I feel like maybe I missed my calling in life, the circus. I also feel like now that I'm practicing being a tight rope walker, if I were to trip walking down the sidewalk, it would be unacceptable.

Severe Swine Flu Symptoms: Metal Confusion

2009-10-27T13:47:00.007-06:00

Yesterday my new phone was wigging out and making up a bogus time/date. If you're like me, this is a big deal because my cell is my only source for the time. Without my phone I wouldn't know which ways up. It's authority and I abide by what it tells me is truth. If it says its 930 AM Oct 3 2010 then it is 930 AM Oct 3 2010 (when its really 10:05 AM Oct 26, 2009 and I'm late to pick up my roommate from the airport).

The worst part of this story is this: when I reset the date and time I was bewildered at what year it really was. Not for a brief second but for long enough that I had to type in the google search engine "what year is it?" And when the Google Gods told me I didn't go "oh yeah duh," I questioned it all day long. True story.

The moral of this story is: I don't know a lot of things, like what year it is but I do know its Halloween (don't ask me what month that's in) but you can ask me what my pumpkin looks like. It looks like the JOKER.

...or it did look like the Joker but the sun melted his face.

Teach Me How to Jerk

2009-10-22T16:59:00.001-06:00

How about my two new favorite dances....

(go to about 20 seconds in)

"What the Hell Kinda Picture's That?!"

2009-10-15T13:57:00.004-06:00

I went to Mexico a while back with my friend Jennie and her family. One evening we were walking along the beach, the sun was disappearing into the silvery sea, palm trees were perfectly framing an ideal shot. I think dolphins were jumping out of the water. And Jennies mom asks “Why is Ashley taking pictures of the garbage?” And that’s when I discovered something was wrong with me. Everyone's camera was pointing westward and I had mine pointing at a pile of trash and a rotting fish.

So I like decaying, rusting, rotting things. I’d hang that fish carcass on my wall and everyday I'd wake up and think "How beautiful!"

I took this picture just the other day and some crazy old construction worker walked by and said, "What the hell kinda picture's that?!" Its my favorite kind.

Well I don't think I'm alone. I walked into F-Stop Cafe the other day and was blown away by this artist. Kelly Larsen. He's incredible. He uses industrial objects as well as decomposed, putrefied and oxidized materials from the earth. Check him out.

A Revival

2009-10-14T14:31:00.004-06:00

Never before have people been more concerned with my well being than after my disappearance from the blog world. Sometimes I feel like my internet existence is more substantial than my real one. That’s no way to live. I’m a real girl! I’m 3-dimensional. And sometimes on really strange and difficult days when the moon is full in the sky I feel like I’m more dimensional than three.

And yet even though the internet world is so abstract, you can’t see me and I can’t see you. And my pictures and words don’t exist on anything concrete like paper, just invisible space, I still feel empowered, connected and illuminated with it. In this context I am Queen slash scholar on anything I feel like discussing/lying about. My blog philosophy is my biography. This is my only public account, my desperate attempt to not be forgotten.

And that’s why Postcard from Mars has been resurrected from the dead.

If politicians don’t destroy us in a nuclear hail storm and the internet still exists in our earths future I will have this virtual biography to account for my existence which will be grossly exaggerated and photo-shopped. Hurray!

The first of many updates from months past. Played a couple songs in an acoustic show in Las Vegas that my friend Stephanie put together. Very terrifying and in the end satisfying.

2009-07-30T01:41:00.003-06:00

2009-07-30T01:41:00.001-06:00

This message has been sent using the picture and Video service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, Quicktime@ 6.5 or higher is required.

The Amazing Race

2009-06-15T09:59:00.008-06:00

I love cities that start with San. That would include one of my all time favorite cities San Francisco.

I signed up with my friend Rob for something like the Amazing Race in which we were given clues and had to run with a bunch of crazies all over the city.

It was so hot and we were on foot the whole day walking up and down the hills of S.F. At one point I almost called it quits but we finally finished.

I decided the real Amazing Race would be way too hard and I probably couldn't do it but I still want to be on WIPEOUT.

Hola: A Quick Spanish Tutorial

2009-06-12T12:02:00.005-06:00

On my way up through the Golden State I stopped in Huntington Beach. My friend Mr. Mike was Mr. Connections this trip with the hook up at 910 in La Jolla and then he got us all third row tickets to an Angels game from the President himself. (Not Obama President-though Mike really wishes they were tight-but Angels President).

There I am. Third from the right. I'm the one whose wearing the sun.

Allison took us to Taco Loco in Laguna Beach (which means Crazy Taco gracias). I can't even look at that picture with out salivating. In Mission Beach I tried a famous fish taco place that was on "Diner's Drive-In's and Dives" and I'm real sorry Guy Fieri but this place was muchos better.

Then we went to Magic Mountain with all the vato's and Jr. High kids. We rode all sorts of crazy rides like the one shown below. I'm the one who looks handicap.

San Diego

2009-06-11T12:42:00.005-06:00

San Diego’s Eucalyptus and humming birds. And the ocean breathes salty. In San Diego time moves maybe more like dream time. One day was three weeks. I woke up and it was time to go.

Mission Beach and Coronado. La Jolla and 910. Ran everyday at Mission Bay, it was so beautiful it tricked me into liking it (running that is). Made a trip to the zoo.

This guy was my favorite, I'm pretty sure he was dancing for me.

I could barely take my eyes off my rear view mirror as San Diego faded into the smog of Los Angeles.

H1N1 Cruise

2009-06-05T09:06:00.012-06:00

Some friends and I found a 4 night Baja Mexico Cruise for only 130 bones! I figured that's about how much it costs for gas and food for four days regularly and Carnival might as well have payed us to board their ship so we all signed up and crossed our fingers we weren't spending four nights on a fishing boat.

Unfortunately, the rendezvous of some poor child and an infamous pig caused something of an epidemic and the cancellation of our Mexico Port. For a mother like my own and a hypochondriac like myself it turned out to be good news.

So we boarded the ship (that's me celebrating that we weren't on a fishing boat)

We went to Catalina instead and drove around the island.

Then we took a boat on the water.

...which was terrifying because we were going para sailing.

I went through with it... See! There I am nothing but dust in the wind. Soaring 335 feet above shark waters. Hurray for terrifying experiences and almost peeing my pants 35 stories high!

And then their was dancing...

And yeah I dropped it like its hot.

Gypsies and Truck Drivers

2009-05-28T11:16:00.007-06:00

I had nothing but time and money to kill and an itch to scratch. So I packed up my new traveling companion who had only 43,000 miles on it (I added another 5,000) and I hit the road like a gypsy.

I stopped in a little city where the sun don’t set called The Vegas and visited mi amigo Stephanie, who moves like a jelly fish and used to drink a teaspoon of soy sauce before bedtime. Her roommate Mindy, who called me "Ash" and I liked that, came bearing gifts.

All along my trip I filled my car with gifts, collections from my travels and half an Asian market. My car got heavier. My soul got lighter and started to smell like Korea.

I’m in love with the open road. Nothing but dust and burning desert to distract me from finding things I’ve lost, like peace of mind. An abandoned highway and the red and orange of dusk gives me clarity from the jumble and routine of our modern day lives. I'd left behind the numbing of everyday, the red-yellow-green, the assault of irrelevance.

On the road the sunset is mine to own. I don’t have to share it with anyone else, except Earl that creepy truck driver who seriously gives me the willies. Even though Creepster McGee probably had some poor soul duct taped in his passenger seat, maybe he found my same clarity. And so someplace between Provo and Sin City Earl and I shared a fleeting and soon forgotten sunset.

Future Posts:

Seattle The Emerald City

2009-05-27T10:20:00.008-06:00

What you’ve heard is true, it rains a lot there. The cities skies are gray, the color of thought and for me contentment, and for some depression. But I love it. It’s unique and it has character. See…

Seattle, where the ground is paved with... Sponge Bob figurines and GI Joes, broken gold watches and heart shaped glasses.

I purchased this gem for $1 from a guy selling his past on the street in Broadway.

Trolls under bridges

and I agree..

Back on the Information Highway

2009-05-27T00:24:00.004-06:00

[That’s me in my most primitive condition. Living in a cave]

So many days without internet. I know I started devolving. I started communicating in grunts, drew prehistoric elephants on stone in the dark. I’m grateful to be back in the 21st century. For access to unlimited irrelevance. And fire for light and warmth. To walk upright again like the modern woman I am. Now, if you’ll excuse me I need to go find my house on google earth and then tweet about it.

…

“That’s it?!” my internet audience wonders in discontent.

“Think I’d leave you high and dry without updates as to where I have been for six weeks?” I say.

“Don’t flatter yourself. Like we care,” the few occasional readers actually think.

But see, I’m going to tell you anyways because here at Postcardfrommars.blogspot.com we do what we want.

To be cont…

Sneak peak of entries to come...

My Swine Flu Adventure 2009

2009-05-06T13:38:00.006-06:00

I know you all have been curious about my where-abouts, definitley feening for an update on my life, your fix, because my lives details are a hot commodity. Postcard From Mars might as well be US Weekly. No? Not so much?

Well maybe some of you thought I caught the Swine Flu, or am in Mexico City in the trunk of a Caddilac full of cocaine stuffed toy dolls. Well dry your eyes I just took off with my new wheels on my first grand adventure, in which I'm calling "My Swine Flu Adventure 2009."

Made it to The Vegas, then to San Diego, went on my Swine Flu Cruise (Catalina and into International Pirate Waters) and now off through California... Hurray!

Lots of pictures and stories to come when my adventure comes to a close...but for now...

Roger and the Dodger

2009-04-23T00:12:00.005-06:00

I’ve mentioned before the Dodger’s days were numbered. Well the inevitable came when The Dodger left me in a cloud of smoke that poured out of its rattling exhaust pipe as Roger the car salesman (and aspiring photographer) stole it away. It took me all morning to clean out my little Neon. When I opened up my trunk I found all the things I’ve been looking for for years. The junk in my trunk could tell the story of my life.

As the blue smoke cleared from Roger and the Dodger I was left standing next to my new traveling companion, whose trunk would soon tell all my lives stories, now empty and unwritten.

Currently, I feel the Passat is a little mature for my tastes. I almost can’t take myself seriously in it. It has all sorts of crazy doodads I should be super stoked about, like that my engine is as fast as a rocket missile and that these computers on my dash calculate and crunch all sorts of equations things- like how long till I’m on the side of the dusty highway thumbing my way to a gas station. But truthfully, I’m just grateful for the simple things. Simple things such as when somebody outside of my passenger side window wants to talk to me I don’t have to put my car in park, lean across the seat and roll the window down while my arm cramps up.

The time is now yours to share a few thoughts slash memories about The Dodger (or claim any of your belongings that may haven been in its trunk)

Creatures From the Blue Lagoon

2009-04-13T13:32:00.002-06:00

I've been helping Garrit and Rachel out with their wedding announcements. They wanted them to look like old Film Noir movie posters. We modeled it after the poster "Creatures from the Blue Lagoon." Glad to work on some announcements that look totally different.

Unemployment or Early Retirement?

2009-04-13T00:25:00.008-06:00

Something about St. George makes me act like either a ten year old boy or a 60 year old man, but never my own age..or my own sex? St. George makes me want to hit rock off of cliffs with bats.

Or long board down roads I'm usually scared of.

Or rock climb, hike,explore, chase lizards, and play in the dirt.

At the same exact time St George makes me want to hit a bucket of balls, read the morning paper out on the patio with a glass of orange juice, eat breakfast at the local diner, take afternoon naps. (These are all things I decided old people do).

I think me and my old man knees are ready for early retirement right in the heart of old people land!

Garrit and Rach's Photo's

2009-04-06T01:00:00.008-06:00

Shot my first engagement photo's for my friends Rachel and Garrit. They were taken at the old Heber Creeper Train Station in the snow (PS why is it still snowing? My soul's in hibernation right now waiting for warmer climates.) This is what the three of us put together.

I had two really grand ideas that didn't end up happening 1)Garrit and Rach wearing just old wooden barrels and nothing else 2)to dress them up in old B&W striped Burglar outfits. Both would have been so cool around the train station. But where do you find old wooden barrels and burglar outfits?

This guy below is my own indulgence (THE SPIRIT!)

I Shouldn't have to ask for an Intervention!

2009-04-01T01:54:00.006-06:00

It started off seemingly innocent, with a harmless little blog called "Postcard from Mars." Four blogs, a myspace, a facebook, a twitter, a youtube, and a flickr account later... That's right FOUR blogs. (How self-indulgent can one person be?!) Yeah, this entry is really just about a new page called "Take Me Away Astroplane." This isn't about an internet intervention.

I just want to plug tumblr.com, the site that hosts my page. It's rotten COOL! And easy. I can text blog entries! It posts my twitter account and my youtube account! And if i see a video, a picture, a quote or a link I like I click on it and its posted! Its the fastest, simplest way to express/ represent yourself.

Take Me Away Astroplane is more just things that inspire me slash projects I'm working on. Its a quick lay out of whats going on in my life.

Sunshine Cleaning

2009-03-31T11:32:00.003-06:00

I saw Sunshine Cleaning last night and stinking loved it. Both Amy Adams and Emily Blunt are my new favorite. At the end of the movie I felt like maybe we were friends.

The reason this film is so great is because it's both hopeful and honest. Life doesn't always work out the way we imagine and sometimes it gets pretty dark but we can find sunshine in even the saddest and darkest places. When we have no money, no husband, and we clean up after dead bodies. When we feel like a total loser. When someone we love dies. This movie is all about finding hope when terrible things happen and life doesn't provide us with the happy ending we expected. I just loved it, so go see it!

Where the Wild Things Are..

2009-03-30T12:52:00.002-06:00

Oh boy oh boy! Stinking excited for this movie to come out October 16th. I know in many ways I'm a child in a bad way. But I'd like to think, maybe sometimes, I'm a child in a good way.

Where's the Fiesta?

2009-03-23T01:44:00.009-06:00

I completed my Fiesta Movement Film. Almost all of the videos I saw that were uploaded looked a lot more like video resumes than anything else. Not really my style. I believe in less is more, (unless we're talking about one of my many indulges, in which I can't help but practice the principle more is never enough).

The dilemma: in a short film how can I prove I have an internet audience, that I know how to put together an entertaining video, and I like road trips without it looking like shameless self-promotion?

This is what I came up with....

The open road, our life journey, all the random, strange people we pick up along the way and the places we go. And the people along the road will do all the promoting for me.

Fiesta Movement

2009-03-23T01:05:00.006-06:00

Ford is giving away 100 2011 Ford Fiesta's before their official release in America. The catch is that you promote the Fiesta for six months. It seems brilliant to me that Ford caught onto the potential of the new world wide web (twitter, blogging, facebook, myspace, youtube). Before the internet meant the world was at your fingertips, these days a blogger is at the world's fingertips. And Twitter has allowed anyone to be mass produced and distributed.

I'm sure Ford's marketing department thought, "why put all this money into advertising ourselves when we can have a diverse group of 100 do it for us?

For six months gas and insurance is paid for. You just go on these special trips in your Ford Fiesta, then talk about them to your internet audience. To apply all you need to do is upload a clip on youtube proving you can make a video, you're entertaining enough, and that you have an internet audience. I think it's genius. So I jumped on board immediately.

I told my friend Tyler at work I wanted to win this Ford Fiesta. He paused for a second, looked at me and said, "Why don't you just buy a car?" I felt like a freeloader for a minute... Now I say to you Tyler... "Whats the fun in that?"

Anywhere But Here...

2009-03-20T14:19:00.016-06:00

This past month I've rediscovered all the things I forgot I loved to do. Been crazy busy working on a short video project (further details on the project later).

My Film in the Making:

That's Paul in my opening shot. Paul helped me brainstorm the idea and is writing an original song for me which I'm excited about.

Justin is my camera genius and pretty much helped me figure it all out from the beginning. That's his battle wound after a tragic barbed wire accident.

These shots we got of Bekah were really incredible and she looks so great.

This shot cracks me up, because I told her, "throw the sign but don't throw it in the lake please" so she dramatically throws it and then watches it till it drops.

Some more shots and people who helped me out.

Found this abandoned road right next to the train tracks. Such an incredible spot. Justin risked his life on a skateboard next to my car for this shot.

I have to have it done by Sunday. So check back in a couple days!

How Do you Make an Unmake-able Movie?

2009-03-09T12:44:00.006-06:00

This will be my last blog about WATCHMEN. Cross my heart.

It seems as though a lot of people went into Watchmen expecting another superhero movie, polished and triumphant, those people came out disappointed.

Aside from a few moments, Snyder avoided dumbing down Moore’s masterpiece to win over the public. Watchmen was made for fans.

This isn’t another comic book movie. It exposes the paradox of the superhero genre. In this reality Superman doesn’t care for humanity, Batman’s a nut, everybody else’s damaged, paranoid, narcissistic, sadistic, sexually deviant. Got goosebumps when Dr. Manhattan says if there is a God, I’m nothing like him.

Watchmen imagines a reality universe. It’s the possibility of what could have been if we had superheroes. We wouldn’t let superman just rescue cats from trees or fight crime in Metropolis. He would help us change history! If Superman existed and he was American, we surely would have won the Vietnam War and what would that have meant?

Watchmen was less plot driven and more character based. Generally, the movie medium doesn’t need to worry about character development and they don’t really have time to. The book is addicting and emotional because you get attached to characters, especially Rorschach whose character is heartbreaking.

I think just as the graphic novel redefined the comic book genre, the movie redefined the comic book movie genre. Comic book movies aren’t just for kids anymore. Watchmen hit theatres at a time when superhero movies are growing tiresome. How about something new, refreshing and serious?

I loved the movie from the very beginning when Bob Dylan’s “Times they are A’Changing” played through. It got me feeling all “Watchmen-y” (which is a word, Zach Snyder used it).

Dylan....or Bowie?

2009-03-02T20:25:00.006-07:00

So many things I say I'll do tomorrow then tomorrow comes and goes. One of those things was painting. Tomorrow turned into six or seven years with out even picking up a paint brush. Well I dug up my paints and set up a studio down in the basement. Its a perfect set up. I have my record player, my speakers, my studio lights and now my easel and paints.

For a rough and first attempt at painting, I'm okay with it, however its supposed to be Bob Dylan. But maybe it kinda looks like David Bowie? The other work in progress is....THE JOKER. How geeky am I? Did I mention The Watchmen comes out Thursday night?

A Birthday Fiesta and a Brief Venting...

2009-03-01T16:14:00.010-07:00

Glad to know some things never change. Some things stay consistent which is hopeful for a girl as hopeless as myself. I mean specifically my friend Lori never changes. And such consistencies make me happy. What a ridiculous human being. And I mean the finest quality of ridiculous.

Last week I participated in a Girl’s-Night-Out, which is a rarity for me. A guy at work once asked me to set him up with my friends, another friend butt in “All Ashley’s friends are guys.” Which is not completely true, however all my girlfriends are in relationships. So Girls Night was foreign but refreshing to hang out with a whole table full of people who had their reproductive organs on their insides. Even more refreshing, spending the evening with friends.

some thoughts…

How underrated are our friendships? Our relationships get put on the backburner for whatever we feel is more urgent. We have resorted to a more convenient way of maintaining friendships, texting, blogging, facebook. There are friends I haven’t seen in years, no worries though I know that “JOE is…just finished my calculus exam!!!” via all the ploys of virtual friendships that make us feel like we aren’t living alone in this world. We have replaced quality with quantity, as our facebook friendships stack up and the intimacy of relationships dwindle. Technology, modernism, self-promotion, individualism destroy intimacy, community, value. And now we wonder why we feel more and more alone when we're surrounded by masses in the Lonesome Crowded West (Modest Mouse).

One of the few things that matter at the end of the day are the relationships we have with other people. One of my fears is that approaching the end of my life I’d look back and regret a faded relationship. And surely when my bones are arthritic (I think they already are) and I have to blend my food up into mush (which I also kind of have to do cuz my wisdom teeth are rearranging my face and I have no dental insurance) it will be the things I cherish most.

NOTE: This however doesn’t mean I’m ready to delete my facebook and surely not my blog. IM JUST A ROBOT IN THE SYSTEM.SYSTEM> STYSME sddkkkkk...a broken system.

Haley Baby

2009-02-22T13:22:00.009-07:00

I can't say enough about Haley. She's only 16 and already has hundreds of songs. She has an incredible voice. Music aside she is the sweetest person, has the brightest smile and the most charming personality. Check out some of her songs (M&M, San Francisco, For You). And expect to see her in the future.

Listen To Haley Hendrickson

Does it Make you Happy you're so Strange?

2009-02-20T01:30:00.005-07:00

I got tickets to the first showing (11:59 PM Thursday night) at the IMAX to the unmakeable movie...WATCHMEN. It's like waiting for Santa.

Movies I Can't Wait to See in 2009

2009-02-17T11:16:00.004-07:00

1. Watchmen 3.6- third blog about this movie, enough said

2. The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Winter - Heath Ledger's unfinished movie with Depp, Law and Farrell. Gonna be so COOL!

3. Where the Wild Things Are 12.11 - Just my fav childrens book ever

4. Inglorious Bastards 8.21 -Tarantino, Pitt and...Mike Meyers?? A totally new Nazi movie.

5. Sherlock Holmes 11.20 - Guy Ritchie, Jude Law, Downy Jr.

6. Public Enemies 7.3 - Depp, Christian Bale, Billy Crudup.

7. Synecdoche, New York 5.15 - Hoffman

8. The Wolfman Nov - Del Toro, Emily Blunt, Anthony Hopkins. Werewolves are eternally cool.

9. Let the Right One In 4.17 - Vampire movies freak me out!

10. Fifty Dead Men Walking 5.8 - Jim Sturgess

11. Sunshine Cleaning 4.9 - Another 2008 Sundance Film. Love Amy Adams and Emily Blunt.

Honorable Mention:
Lets not forget about 2009's release of Fast and the Furious....four? And if that isn't exciting enough, Paul Walker and Vin Deisel are returing for old time sake. Oh boy!

Viva Che!

2009-02-12T13:29:00.009-07:00

I finally saw the movie “Che.” Soderbergh and Del Toro did a great job. But more than anything the movie had me inspired by Che himself.
I have wondered why Che has become resurrected? It’s been over 40 years since his assassination and he has come alive again as a pop culture icon. I’m sure the socialist would turn in his grave if he saw the T-shirts, ash-trays, posters and pins being sold across the capitalist market. I was most shocked to see his popularity with white, return-missionaries at BYU. Wondered if they knew he was a Marxist, a guerilla war lord, an executioner, on the right hand of Fidel Castro. I couldn’t understand his appeal. But even still it was very clear that as of lately Che’s legend was being romanticized.

I think more than anything his popularity reveals the world’s desperate need for a hero. Coming from the ultimate hero enthusiast, America is begging for a hero of their own. (Maybe Obama will step up to the plate and be that.) How can one not respect Che’s undaunted revolutionary idealism? How can one not appreciate his belief in and love for humanity? Or be inspired by his passion? When his troops betrayed him, his asthma almost killed him, while he was fighting despite his obvious failure he never wavered from his principles. He walked away from power, fame and money. Whether you agree or not with his politics one can’t help but recognize Che as a hero. Or at the least, acknowledge the potential of a better grade of individual if we shared his same dedication for a cause and for human kind.

During times of change like today, whether you’re hopeful or anxious we all need assurance that we can control our own destiny.

And in all honesty, I can’t help but find the warlord pretty attractive. VIVA CHE!

DEXTER's pulsing through my veins

2009-02-01T22:53:00.004-07:00

A quick thought....before I start Season Two

When I have time to sit down and watch a movie I sit down and watch four movies at once. Next thing I know its 5AM. When I get hooked on a TV series, which never happens, but when I sit down to watch a T.V series I watch the season in one sitting. I don’t get up to use the bathroom, eat, change or leave the house for a whole day and night! This is consistent with my personality. Like Steinbeck I’ll have days of sleep or no sleep for days. I’m like Bukowski I want the whole world or nothing at all!

Anyways, today I failed to celebrate America’s greatest and most symbolic holiday, the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl, idolizing all the ideals of our country (advertising, consumerism, potato chips and football), and I feel guilty about that. Why? Because I’m currently addicted to a new T.V series. I’ve been shooting DEXTER into my veins for a whole night and day. True story.

Thanks to DEXTER, I’m living my life thinking everything’s a puzzle and everyone’s a serial killer. I’m questioning everything. Did I leave that cookie there? Or is it message? I think this guy standing behind me in the line to rent season two of DEXTER is a serial killer. I can tell. I think I’m the stinking serial killer expert!

Quick thoughts: We’re all freaks trying to live ordinary lives trying to fit into social norms that seem to not have room for us.

Now back to DEXTER

Watch Out Here I Come: Zoom Party 2009

2009-01-27T00:43:00.002-07:00

I’m having the post break-up depression that comes full throttle when the Film Festival ends. I have nothing more to look forward to except the warmth of spring. Though I don’t think my body could have taken another day. I’m burnt out and I’m starting to feel the symptoms of something terrible, something I could only diagnose as a brain tumor in my head and bubonic plague everywhere else. I’m not certain though, I’m no doctor. I’m just a humble waiter with nothing to offer this world except fine cuisine.

Time to update my imaginary Postcard from Mars audience of the events of the Festival, which will be unraveled in a series of posts. We’ll start with the big Zoom Party thrown by Cinetic Media.

The reason why this party is our favorite event of the year….80’s dancing! Dear D.J.- The quickest way to get me on the dance floor acting ridiculous is to grab the most terribly cliché neon pink album from the 80’s. Thank you John Melloncamp for the good times. He makes it hurt so good.

I would do anything for love….but I won’t do that

I come from a land down under..

Two American kids growing up in the Heartland…

why can’t I find a woman like that…

You can Dance if you want to…we can leave your friends behind cuz your friends don’t dance and if they don’t dance they aint no friends of mine.

Brooklyns Finest: Sundance Film Festival 2009

2009-01-17T13:49:00.004-07:00

I don’t want to sound too star struck by saying it was kind of exciting being in the same movie theatre as Wesley Snipes, Don Cheadle, 50 Cent, Cuba Gooding Jr.,Russel Simmons, Spike Lee (who was wearing the most absurd fur baseball hat. I guess when your Spike Lee you do what you want.) and, of course, Antione Fugua, the director of Training Day and the movie we were about to see.

The theatre was filled with actors, directors, producers, the Sundance Institute, publicists, advertisers. At the very last second, after all the important people got in and the theatre was almost full, Mike used his charm to get a ticket from a female publicist for the movie Brooklyn’s Finest and I managed to score a ticket from a product advertiser. We were nobodies in a room full of somebody’s, trying our hardest not to stick out terribly.

Brooklyn’s Finest has taken a lot of criticism. However, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t get choked up watching it. It was dark and tragic. Ethan Hawke’s character was heartbreaking. And though I can identify some points of underdevelopment, especially with some characters, I’m still struck by what Antoine Fuqua said about the film afterwards “Like Rembrant we are all living our lives in light and dark.” This was another good cop bad cop story that explored the blurry line between black and white and that enormous gray area in which we all reside.

Taking it back to the Old School

2009-01-08T13:20:00.005-07:00

Today was an extension of Christmas. I bought the Blitzen Trapper album on vinyl and white converse.

Anyone who knows me knows I’ve never been one for fashion. Being trendy for some strange reason embarrasses me (Note: I admire people who are fashionable and up-to-date with trends. I think this quirk shares its roots with the same quirk that prevents me from dancing "sexy" at clubs. I just get embarrassed okay?!) I don’t usually buy things for fashion sake, and if I bought these converse to be trendy I would surely be a day late and a dollar short, even I know that. What I'm trying to say is I bought these because Gabriel Macht looked so cool in his black converse in the movie The Spirit! It’s pitiful to admit but as soon as I saw them I thought “I want to look like the Spirit.”

This is the only picture I could find of The Spirits converse. Don’t ask me why in the infinite fountain of internet trash there isn’t one picture of his shoes. Did nobody else think that was the coolest part of the movie?

Who Watches the Watchmen?

2009-01-06T21:38:00.003-07:00

As I have mentioned before Zack Znyder is directing the movie screenplay of one of my favorite graphic novels The Watchmen. I’ve been waiting for almost a year for this movie, whose release date was supposed to be 3-6-09. However, there have been some complications in one of the most anticipated comic book movies ever made. There is some disagreement between Fox who bought the rights to the movie back in the late 80’s and Warner Brothers who just spent a lot of money filming and advertising for the movie and its release in March. Read more. I would be one disappointed child if the movie doesn’t ever make it to the big screen.

The Watchmen is so incredible because it asks all the questions super hero stories should ask. It’s the reality of the super hero genre. What would super heroes look like in the real world? What should the world look like with super heroes? And of course what in reality would the world look like with super heroes? Who watches our superheroes? Who watches America? Where are we headed? SO COOL!!

Homage to 2008

2009-01-02T16:56:00.002-07:00

2008 wasn’t really full of all the accomplishments I had expected back with naivety in 2007. But that’s the beauty of life. It’s not scripted. Happiness and accomplishment are self-defined. We create our own paths and we write our own endings. And I imagine my path or my book will be marked with all the peculiarities that could only define me.

If I could write a brief synopsis, of a potential chapter out of a series from my life under the section “2008” it might go something like this:

There I was 365 days ago, ringing in 2008 on a Boeing 757, accelerating through tropical rain, away from tropical places, toward snowy places and the new year. As the flight attendant counted down to midnight I had wished we were actually counting forward, flying backwards in space and backwards in time, that I was actually spending the rest of 2008 in Kauai. But we can only move forwards.

Memories flash like the flicker of the big screen. There I am. Thom Yorke, Ray LaMontagne, Robert Redford, Luke Wilson. There all there in my 2008 synopsis, I doubt I’m on theirs. Las Vegas, San Francisco, Seattle, San Diego, Hollywood. The big screen flashes The Sundance Film Festival and I remember feeling like the center of the universe. 2008 gave birth to self-discovery. I discovered I love dancing funny. I discovered cheese is better than chocolate. I discovered Batman and that I am him.

(Thats my Bat mask.)

Push Play Please

2008-12-19T14:55:00.005-07:00

You didn't understand the extent of what I meant when I said I was going to flood imaginary internet skies with blog thoughts. I'm not really afraid to admit I'm addicted to blogspot. So many things I should be sitting in a semi-circle for..."Hi my names Ashley I have a problem with blogging." "Push Play Please" is a music blog and the link is here and on my sidebar.

Diamond Necklaces that say...BALLA

2008-12-15T03:56:00.004-07:00

The other night I checked my voicemail and there was a message from a man named Bill stating that recently I had entered a contest to win a 2007 Lincoln Navigator and that he was looking at MY entry form.

Now I’m no fool. (That statement is not up for debate). But I was raised by a mother who believed anyone and everyone was the next Ted Bundy. Naturally, my first thoughts were this has got to be some kind of scam or this guy wants to feed me to his dogs. If there’s one thing I know in this world it’s never trust a man named Bill. But see, this other part of me, the part that still believes Ground hogs are how we predict the seasons, thought “Dude I just won a Lincoln Navigator!” Maybe some of you have heard but my high school sweetheart “The Dodger” (name accredited to Stephanie Copie) is on life support so if this contest is indeed real it would be a very merry Christmas for me!

So I call Bill. Turns out I’m a finalist. Didn’t realize I was competing but now I’m feeling quite competitive. I will find out at the end of the month if I’m a fool or if I’m a Balla. So folks….stay tuned.

Can’t wait for that to be me smiling with my shiny platinum grill in front of my new getaway car.

My Christmas Wishlist: For A Little Understanding Here

2008-12-01T18:22:00.004-07:00

My parental unit was wondering what I was asking Santa for this year. So I concocted a wishlist for them. Like I said before I’m a girl of humble needs. I don’t ask for much in this bankrupt world. Just cloths on my back, food and shelter, maybe a nice platinum grill for my top teeth, some foie gras and an artisan cheese basket, a little sashimi and those nice warm little hand towels. I listed some things off for my mom then the conversation ended like this:

Me: “What I really want is just some comic books. It’s what I spend most of my money on.”

Mom: “Comic Books?”

Me: “Yeah like anything DC, Batman, Frank Miller, Alan Moore”

Mom: “We’re not getting you comic books. That’s….geeky.”

Silence.

In defense of all the four- eyed, acne plagued losers in basements across America, comic books are cool. These kids are not just a bunch of virgins salivating over some half naked sketch called Catwoman. They’re not! (hesitate) And even if they are, they’ll soon be the guys who write or sketch the next great Joker story and in turn get paid lots of money when it gets made into a movie.

In my defense, underneath the violence of comic book stories is a sort of prevailing morality. The superhero world is a world of absolute values. What was good was never doubted and what was evil suffered a fitting punishment. It’s our modern bible. A glimpse of a world of absolute justice, where morality worked the way it was meant to. I’m sorry that I want to live in a world of superheroes, instead of this day in age when the cowards hide in the shadows.

You'll Shoot Your Eye Out

2008-11-28T15:04:00.001-07:00

Due to my overzealous, and at times self-righteous, idealism, there are a lot of things in this modern day world I openly loathe. I can’t help it. At times I can be irritatingly opinionated about popular culture, mass producing and consumerism, television, etc. And during most of the year I am a total Grinch about a lot of things that a lot of people love. And I feel bad about that.

However, during this time of year I openly contradict myself. I love with all my heart… Christmas. Christmas and everything that goes along with it. Yes I betrayed myself. I’m into all the festivities. Mistle toe, warm apple cider, Christmas trees and Christmas lights, Santa Claus, Christmas music, and all the ploys and gimmicks that the geniuses behind Christmas marketing have concocted. I love Christmas and all the trimmings.

Anticipate this month being full of lots of Christmas Blogging Cheer. And I’d like to announce the release of “A Very Ashley Christmas Mix edition four.” Swing by and pick up your copy.

I'm a Girl of Humble Needs

2008-11-25T01:23:00.010-07:00

While you all thought I was in the trunk of Ted Bundy's car, I really was in one of the greatest places in America, Seattle. We explored the whole city, and we ate like Kings, fattening up like prize heffers, thanks to my parental unit. Some notable and unforgettable events:
A lot of thrift store shopping.

We may have tried on every hat in Seattle.

We gave the Post Alley Gum Wall our stale Peppermint Orbit and in return it offered us this piece of advice...

Then went to a place that was barely shy of heaven. Comic book heaven.

We found the troll under the bridge.

Then we went to an 80’s Dancing Freak Show where I was attacked by a strange man in a full body spandex suit, though he was the best dancer in the world!

We sang Karaoke…:)

Seattle is such a quirky cool town. I wish I lived in a quiet loft above the market. Where I could walk down grab a comic book, a chai latte and some fresh fruit. Maybe even get some Salmon for dinner. I’m a girl of humble needs, and I think that’s all I would ever need. In the end, the trip was stinking fun slash funny.

Heart in a Mayonaise Jar

2008-11-24T01:24:00.004-07:00

Yes I still exist. As much as one can exist in this imaginary web space. So hold your horses and wait patiently for my next blog that will, honestly, be absolutely average and at best only mildly comical. I'm writing this post with only hopes that people actually even care that I disappeared for a month from blogging, or that there even is a "Postcard from Mars" audience since I can't even see you. I just pretend you laugh at my jokes or care what I'm doing.... But thats messed up if you don't care that i disappeared for a month. I could be in the trunk of some guys Caddillac with rope around my ankles and duct tape over my mouth! I could be cut up into little pieces with my heart in a mayonaise jar! Well anyways i still dig blogging for those of you blogging-non-believers who thought this was just a phase....PEACE in the Middle East (and i mean that) see you next blog whether your into it or not.

To the Voiceless Trees

2008-10-29T12:09:00.002-06:00

Last night was a glorious night. I saw Ray Lamontagne. For two years I’ve been dying to see him. He finally made it out to good old Salt Lake City. He played at Alladin’s Palace, the Great Salt Air. He filled that place and successfully silenced it with his wailing and saddening, pleading melodies. He played a song I had never heard and it broke my already heavy and dying heart.

Ray sings the mythologies of my soul. I think I was supposed to be a traveling gypsy or maybe an old hound dog. This was clearly a mistake. I’ve been given the wrong life.

Rumors have been spreading that he went to high school in Morgan for two years. Confirmation?

Boots to the Moon

2008-10-15T11:18:00.003-06:00

Joe Castor, from Mathematics Et Cetera, released his first solo album. I've been waiting forever for it. And I love it.

You should check him out here and buy his album (CD or vinyl).

Sigur Ros

2008-10-02T00:18:00.006-06:00

Sunday I saw Sigur Ros at the Great Saltair, which I guess is supposed to be something like Alladin’s palace right on the Salt Flats but it's more like an empty warehouse where cocaine was once stored and distributed. Though, when the sun is setting it really is kind of incredible.

Even more incredible... this Icelandic band that played at the magical-drug-warehouse-palace called Sigur Ros. I have had a number of friends, whose musical palates I completely trust, recommend them to me. One friend actually weeped at a Sigur Ros show. I went to the show and was nothing less then amazed and one of my friends I went with actually did cry.

I couldn’t imagine in my most absurd dreams four cooler looking dudes. I covet his jacket.

Yes he is playing his guitar with a bow.
And this fellow is playing his bass with a drum stick.

The drummer is wearing a crazy crown/tiara and that makes me happy.

Check them out right....here

My Zen Sunday

2008-09-29T15:58:00.007-06:00

Sometimes I forget that SLC is a cool city. Spent last Sunday up there taking pictures, eating and walking all over the city. I need to spend more time up there and less time Provo, since this town has owned my heart and soul for seven years. Wouldn't even mind moving up there.

more photos

Never Never Land

2008-09-26T14:04:00.003-06:00

It was like Christmas Eve for me, as I waited for the man in the brown UPS shorts to deliver my new full body, grip foot, drop-bottom plaid pajamas. Merry Christmas to me! Sometimes I need to reward myself for good behavior. This was my present to myself even though I’m broke and have been eating cardboard for breakfast. Some girls buy themselves designer jeans or diamond ear rings. I buy myself drop-bottom pajamas.

Nothing’s harder then taking full body pictures of yourself…except trying to take pictures of your backside.

I’m stuck in this Never Never Land. Against my parent’s wishes, I’m afraid I’ll never grow up. I’ll wear drop bottom pajamas and green tights the rest of my life

ihatemylife.com

2008-09-08T13:07:00.004-06:00

Another (much more ridiculous) blog of mine:
ihatemylife.com

Everything in its Right Place

2008-09-02T12:45:00.006-06:00

Like I had previously predicted, Radiohead changed my life. The whole purpose of my wandering across the desert all night was to see Radiohead play at Golden Gate Park. Besides a few audio issues the show was incredible. We got there early and camped out all afternoon so that we could be second row in front of 60,000 people.

One of the highlights of the night,IDIOTEQUE. And Johnny in the background doing his wizard magic tricks.

From the very beginning Thom was in a dancing mood. This is him going crazy to IDIOTEQUE.

Thom was looking so cool in his tight, bright red pants. I'm in the process of purchasing my own red pants.

And Johnny going crazy playing "There There"

That San Francisco fog had rolled in during the show and made the whole concert that much cooler but also made my hair curly, blah.

This City Saved My Dying Soul

2008-08-31T22:37:00.007-06:00

We wandered through the desert all night, so when we finally got to the city Friday morning we fit in perfectly with all the stinky, homeless people in this cool park Drew wanted to show me we both later learned was…Golden Gate Park.

Homeless people love me, even when I'm well bathed and don't stink like stale fast food and public bathroom handsoap.

This guy told us he was Betty from the Grateful Dead. He also said he couldn’t be joining us at our concert because he would be busy shoveling coal on the fire.

We spent a lot of time exploring cute vintage clothing shops. I don’t know who Ronnie Milsap is but it was quite the temptation for me to buy this shirt.

Our asi frio boat ride around the bay.

And then we pretended we were models

You can check THESE pics out too

50th Wedding Anniversary

2008-08-14T01:01:00.002-06:00

I went to San Diego for my Grandparents 50th Wedding Anniversary a couple weeks back, and it made for an entertaining trip. Plus I came home with some pretty great footage.

My grandma dancing...

My Grandpa singing...

and dancing..

I Couldn't Resist...

2008-08-13T20:37:00.006-06:00

Today is the celebration of my Father’s birth. Truth be told, I can’t keep track of how old he’s getting. I know my life is nearly over so he’s got to be getting up there. He may look really scary, but this big Hawaiian guy's pretty harmless. He’s also my number one fan and seems to always support everything I do, even if it's absurd. Happy Birthday Dad, here’s a little birthday gift from your daughter.

[This video was taken at my Grandparents 50th Wedding Anniversary. Dancers: Grandpa, Grandma and Dad]

This is Really Happening...

2008-08-05T14:46:00.005-06:00

August 22nd will be a day to remember. Going to "Outside Lands" enormous music festival in San Francisco. Radiohead, Beck and then all these guys will be playing. Radiohead will be the first night show at Golden Gate Park ever!

I'm excited to see this:

This is a story about how a glass of Coke ruined my life...

2008-07-28T21:14:00.002-06:00

These pictures are deceiving. It doesn’t look like a night in which my life fell apart. It actually looks like were having fun. And we were. Got work off, went to the Roots concert with a bunch of friends. It was so crowded and so funny! Then went to the Pie Pizzeria afterwards with everyone. Started off as the “Funnest Night Ever!!!”

But as this picture was being taken, in all the ruckus, my glass of coke got spilled all over my lap and then into my purse. And consequently, on my phone.

For the next week I was dead to the world. You only exist in this cruel, cold modern day world if you have a cell phone. And I did not so I was a phantom ghost, who didn’t mean anything to anyone.

Verizon, who is a terrible company run by terrible people, tricked me into buying a new phone and then they shipped my phone to Seattle. So I ceased to exist for another four days. Saturday night was an all time low for me as I walked around the lonely streets of Provo at 1:30 AM by myself in a thunderstorm trying to get service.

And that is the story of how a glass of coke ruined my life.

Why So Serious??

2008-07-18T14:44:00.002-06:00

All week I’ve been dreaming of costumed super heroes and Heath Ledger. This morning at 9 AM I finally got to watch The Dark Knight at the IMAX. It changed my life. Only one regret, that I didn’t get my friend Stephanie’s 8 yr. old boy Batman costume to wear.

Reasons why this movie was incredible:

1. Heath Ledger. Top Five Favorite performances ever.
2. Favorite line “Either you die a hero or live long enough to become the villain.” (The foreshadowing of Harvey Dent.)
3. The relationship between The Joker and Batman. One couldn’t exist without the other. They are social outcasts. Neither could ever live normal lives and that is the great sacrifice Batman makes.
4. The preview for “Watchmen.” The greatest graphic novel ever written. It’s the only graphic novel in “Time Magazine Top 100 Novels.” Can’t wait for this movie!

Watchmen Trailer http://teaser-trailer.com
by teaser-trailer

Am I the geekiest person you know?

It's a Small Crime...And I've Got No Excuse

2008-07-15T22:02:00.003-06:00

No, I realize its a crime posting so many Youtube videos of myself (and then linking my Youtube page in the same sentence). And I really don't have an excuse...uh but here's another one? My friend Drew suggested we cover this:

Not only is Drew incredibly talented but he's stinking funny. Check out his new bloggy blog.

The Life & Times of Harvey Ralph

Mr. Shiny Shoes

2008-07-09T10:56:00.001-06:00

I like golf, because I’m an old man. But I don’t really fit into the golfing crowd. I realized this at the driving range recently. I stroll in wearing flip flops and my “Obama for your Mama” T-shirt. I’m dragging my battered golf bag from 1981 past these white, rich Utah Valley republicans strutting around in their collared Tees and shiny shoes, drinking vitamin water. They get a look at my Tee and one guy goes “heh Obama” accompanied by a grumpy old man snort. I arrive at my little golf turf cubical and start swinging away. I have my ear phones in and I’m rocking out to electronic scream-face music, occasionally singing out loud. Since it was the season’s first attempt at golfing, things were surely going to get ugly. But I don’t have much patience for sucking. So I have a rage black out. I kept whacking my clubs into the ground, possibly grumbling profanities. I can’t remember though I blacked out. It would’ve been a funny site if I could’ve been watching from a bush. I just don’t fit the golfers mold.

But what my point of all this hibbity-jibbity hee-haw is, is that I bought a new golf bag today and its pretty slick. That’s really all I wanted to say. I can’t wait for Mr. Shiny Shoes to see me roll by with my new bag.

The Good Times Are Killing Me - M.M.

2008-07-07T15:57:00.005-06:00

A pre-fourth celebration. Turned out to be all-time. Lots of funny stories, including one in which I was trying to find something in one of the tents and heard a threatening growl. I took off running like a frantic woman. Screaming “Bear! Bear!” running for my life! I've never run faster. I ran for about 100 yards. Everybody jumped up. “Bear! There’s a Bear! I heard it growl!” Then Brett was like, “It was my dog.” And then I felt stupid.

Ghosts of Overdoses…Not Dust…Blog Entries (and you can die from that too)

2008-07-07T14:57:00.002-06:00

Whoa talk about an anxiety attack. No internet for over two weeks. And my cell phone died one day too. I can barely remember the days before cell phones. I can barely remember the days before blogs. I really wish I could though. I should re-prioritize my life, live the hippy dream like I’ve always wanted. Move to India with just a guitar, camera, and a…rug? (Hey Drew). But for now I’m going to overdose the virtual world with blog entrys, Morrison style. And I apologize, but I have a lot of worthless things to litter the world wide web with. Like this…

Sick Day and Modest Mouse

2008-06-11T20:56:00.003-06:00

I was on my death bed yesterday. And today I felt like moping around. This is what I accomplished. As you can tell brushing my hair wasn't one of the days accomplishments. SORRY!

This song is cool cuz:
1. This band is from Seattle
2. It says "eunichs"
3. Favorite line: "Henry you dance like a wooden Indian" like my friend Steph

AND...
Yeah I'm wearing a Transformers shirt

Dungeons and Dragons

2008-06-08T00:26:00.003-06:00

I was rummaging through my computer and I came across this old photoshop file. I have moments when I think I’m kinda cool, this was NOT one of those moments. Why did I try and turn myself into an Elf?! I am a step away from Dungeons and Dragons, dangerously close. Confession: One of my greatest temptations (and guiltiest) is a strange and undeniable urge to buy those dragon or fairy statues. HOT or NOT?? Definitely NOT!

This should bring all the boys to the yard!

Deion and All His Wisdom

2008-06-03T23:43:00.002-06:00

I went home to Seattle for my Mom’s birthday. My Mom seems to act more youthful with age. While I was home she showed me her new fav trashy reality show. Deion and Pilar. As in Prime Time Deion Sanders. I don't watch much TV, can't believe I've been missing such quality programming. It's pretty stinking funny. The silliest thing about it is that Deion drives around his house in one of those powered wheel chairs for seniors. I think that’s pretty great. He’s inspired my investing in a powered wheel chair/scooter for seniors.

Gypsy Music

2008-05-28T14:51:00.004-06:00

My friend, Joe, showed me this song. I told him I loved it because it sounded like gypsy music. He was like, "no". I guess Joe doesn't like gypsy music, or calling it that somehow soiled its artistic, musical and political significance. Anyways, I think this song is really cool...And that it sounds like gypsy music.

All them vulgar kings on their dirty thrones....

Things We Lost in the Fire

2008-05-26T11:53:00.004-06:00

Confession: I weeped like a baby when I watched this movie. Weeped. I could have just been hormonal. Watching the preview made me cry again. PLEASE! Somebody else watch this movie and tell me they weeped too.

On a serious note: [I hate getting this way on my blog, but I can't help it! I'm still crying! I'm sorry.] This movie exposed that feeling of inadequacy. Inadequacy in our ability to find strength to cope with overwhelming trials. Sadness, loss, loneliness, addiction. But it also inspired strength to deal with things we thought we couldn't, one day at a time.

Putting Home Makeover Reality Shows into Action...SEE!

2008-05-24T14:45:00.003-06:00

I don’t usually disappear from the comfort of my virtual world (which is sad to say) but for a week I got a life. Don’t be mad, be proud. I’ve been busy moving and fixing up the cute little house I’m moving into. It’s my friend Lacy’s home. She has completely redone the upstairs and it’s stinking cute. It has a backyard, a fire pit, a hot tub, and trees!! I miss trees. I miss grass! I’m moving into the basement. So I spent all week ripping out carpet, stripping paint, sanding eternally and soon I will start staining. To be honest I’m not really made for this kind of stuff. Home depot and power tools generally scare me. And my body isn’t really built for hard labor. Because I didn't somehow kill myself I’m thinking I’m pretty cool right now.

Next project is with that retro wood paneling and the old halogen light. Any suggestions?

"Comic Books, There Not Just For Kids, Ryan. There Not!" Seth Cohen

2008-05-14T17:14:00.005-06:00

My most recent indulgence has been comic books. I have spent a lot of money and time on this new addiction. Batman is my favorite and anything Frank Miller, like Sin City. (After I say this you will think "Get a life," but here goes anyway.) I have been creating my own Sin City style comic art out of my pictures. Cool? Yeah, well cool never was my style.

Why am I too old for comic books? Why can't I imagine a world with superheroes?

Word of the Month: Moderation

2008-05-14T02:02:00.006-06:00

This is similar to the manner in which I have lived my life, (observed and spoken so eloquently by Steinbeck in Travels with Charley):

“For I have always lived violently, drunk hugely, eaten too much or not at all, slept around the clock or missed two nights of sleeping, worked too hard and too long in glory, or slobbed for a time in utter laziness. I've lifted, pulled, chopped, climbed, made love with joy and taken my hangovers as a consequence, not as a punishment.” (Steinbeck)

Though it is a poetic and romantic way to live our all-too short lives, I decided some modifications should be made because it's not a mentally or physically healthy way to live a life.

Moderation. The word of the past month. I have forgotten the meaning of that word. I have forgotten how to practice the definition of that word. So in an attempt at practicing my word of the month I have made some goals.

Daily vitamin
Joined 24 HR Fitness
Walk more places
No more Coke
No more fast food
Get up earlier-and by that I mean nine or ten
More Fruit and water
And all unhealthy things I love that are not on this list must be consumed with moderation

The Monkey Circus

2008-05-05T15:28:00.006-06:00

Like most things, I have procrastinated the date of my graduation yet another 3 months on top of the 2 years of its original expected date. It seems like a long pregnancy, and I just want the thing to be out! Knowing my Mom and Dad will be reading this post I must honestly admit, graduation seems very anticlimactic at this point. And I have thought of various ways to make the whole pregnancy just go away. Including speeches such as this:

“Mom, graduation is just another hoop we light on fire and jump through to make some people feel more important than other people. It’s a circus and I don’t want to be the monkey you come and clap for.”

I doubt my parents would buy it. Which is good because it doesn’t make any sense, yet poetic right? Though a week ago, April 25th, the day I was supposed to graduate, the herds of monkeys in matching garb did look pretty silly.

My mom said in one of our many conversations about graduation, “It’s not for you! Graduation’s not for you! It’s for your senile old Mother!”

FINE!

Bitter Sweet

2008-04-30T13:32:00.003-06:00

It has been the longest and snowiest winter. These last cold months and icy drives to work have made me wish for nothing more than spring. And so it became spring…and now I am having an allergic reaction…to the universe. My face is swollen, my eyes are red and my lungs are asthmatic. It was 79 degrees outside and I had to lock myself in my room like an ogre. And like the ungrateful wretch that I am, I’m wishing for summer. But then again, the old Dodger doesn’t have any A/C, it just blows out hot air and a loud screeching sound accompanies it. And so my life goes.

Yippy!! I Got to the Castle!!

2008-04-30T10:49:00.003-06:00

This may explain my past Halo addiction. And possibly my spazmatic behavior.

PS I think this was me when I was around six-ish.

My Favorite Married People

2008-04-24T13:44:00.004-06:00

Yes. It is true that Lori and Devin got married in August. And yes, it is April. But I finally finished their wedding. This is the last third of the video. Thought I’d post it so everyone could take a gander.

It is also true that Lori and Devin are my favorite and I’m in love with them. Happiest wedding ever! Look marriage isn't so scary after all.

Sorry its so small. My apologies. I'll try and post the next two tonight.

Click To Play

American Teen

2008-04-16T15:19:00.007-06:00

High School usually seems like it was million years ago, but some days it doesn’t seem that far away at all. “American Teen” was my favorite film I saw this year at the Sundance Film Festival. I was nervous it was going to look too much like MTV’s high school reality shows. But it was totally unique. It seemed like a movie. The characters were so natural. The resolutions were so perfect. And they all were so cool I wanted to be their friends. I was told they were all at a party I went to but I didn’t see the movie till the next day! Too bad because I think me and the “rebel” would have been best friends. After watching this, it felt like high school wasn’t that far away at all.

So question is: Who were you?

Comes out in select theatres (probably only Broadway Theatres in Salt Lake) July 25th

Nothing Works Out the Way it Gets Planned

2008-04-13T01:33:00.010-06:00

[In addition to the previous post]

I saw Palomino and Band of Annuals tonight. It was great. Check this song out: Butter For Burns.

Decades: And all Its Trickery

2008-04-12T14:15:00.004-06:00

Vintage clothing stores are a dangerous thing. They get you thinking you need things you don’t really need. As soon as you walk in it seems so necessary to own a Napoleon hat and a jacket with metallic epaulettes instead of an A/C that doesn’t squeal and blow hot air.

I went to Decades up in Salt Lake the other day. Two hours later I had found the kimono of my dreams! And my friend had found the suit and vest of his dreams- it dated 1940’s. We both were positive our outfits were absolutely functional and we were sure we would wear them all the time!

Instead, he walked out with a pair of old cowboy boots and I left with an old faded cowboy belt. But I still envision myself in that kimono and I can barely stand the temptation.

Whats Cooler Than Being Cool?!!

2008-04-06T01:51:00.003-06:00

....Silly hip hop songs redone as folk songs??? I know I'll regret this.

I Heart Earth

2008-03-30T11:46:00.005-06:00

Bet you didn’t know that it was Earth Day yesterday. Neither did I, till I showed up at work and my boss was like P.S. its Earth day and Bob, Robert Redford, is into it which means we’re into it. On Earth day the whole world is supposed to turn off all electricity for an hour and love the Earth. Which is totally radical and all but imagine this: seven waiters, a hostess and a manager all running around a candle lit cramped restaurant with steaming hot plates of 45 dollar entrees, pouring expensive wine in glasses we couldn’t see, trying to avoid tables and the big “tree” we run into even when the lights are on. Imagine the awkwardness of the lights and music being off. And the added bonus of that strange phenomenon that when the lights go out people talk in whispers. It was awkward like one big long prayer. Awkward and disastrous! But FUNNY because I like awkward and disastrous!! Bob is cool though and I’m glad he’s on his environmental crusade. Makes me wish I was on some sort of crusade- but not the kind where people die.

Yukiyo and Fredrick

2008-03-28T09:35:00.005-06:00

Growing, flowing, hanging pots of green, and my Grandma is the medicine woman. Pots and pots everywhere with a dictionary of names. Something moss and something flower. “Pua” is the Hawaiian word for flower, my grandma tells me as she hula dances around the room and my Grandpa sings along strumming his guitar. My grandma grows it. My grandma makes it. My grandma sows it. Imagine being so self-sufficient. Imagine a time when you had to be. She gets her eggs from her friend up the street who has chickens. They wash their dishes in the sink. And they pick vegetables from the ground. When did we get too proud to bend over and pick up the food we eat? Now it’s a job for those of a lesser social standing. Is two generations really that far apart?

My grandparents are the greatest. They are not too old to dance or too embarrassed to sing. Not too tired to stay up and talk. They love to laugh but mostly they just make me laugh.

Things that remind me of my Grandparents:

My Grandpa's huge Bonzai tree in the front yard.

Plumerias.

Hanging laundry and beach towels.

This Tree.

BBQ and pancit.

Asian slippers lined up by the front door.

Miniture BBQs. Everything is miniature.

Single Cool Female Seeks Single Cool Male

2008-03-25T17:26:00.006-06:00

Spent Easter Sunday driving around San Diego Bay as my Mom showed me places for my wedding. My Mother is so subtle in suggesting its time to get married. Found a nice little Beach House next to the Hotel Coronado. (It's not fancy but neither am I, as I sit here typing this in my basketball shorts and Batgirl shirt).

Location…Check!
Groom…uh er

Does anybody in my blogging audience want to volunteer themselves as a sacrifice? It's for a good cause, so people stop asking why I’m not married. I promise we don’t even have to live with each other or talk to each other, we just have to have a reception, at this place!

My family might be willing to pay. Please contact me if interested :)

I Don't Want My Final Jig in the Belly of a Squid!!

2008-03-17T14:52:00.007-06:00

It's St. Patricks day which means:

A) Everyone in the world is matching which is...precious
B) AND!! I can blast Flogging Molly as loud as I wish which is...COOL!!

AND!!! Flogging Molly is cool too and silly, so listen to them, very loudly.[featured below]

Interesting Fact about Ashley and Flogging Molly: Ashley was punched in the face at a Flogging Molly concert. Cool!!

HAPPY FLOGGING MOLLY DAY!!!!

In Addition to Todays Post

2008-03-13T12:51:00.003-06:00

Please listen to "Heavy Metal Drummer" on my side bar. I can already tell this is gonna be my spring song. You might love this song.

Symptoms may include Fever, Nausea, Fatigue, and Body Aches

2008-03-13T10:51:00.009-06:00

I have been accused of a being a hypochondriac. Maybe I am a hypochondriac, on top of the many other illnesses I have been self-diagnosed with. So I found an “Are you a Hypochondriac” test online, (the internet holds all answers to the universe). And here is my self-evaluation:

You don’t feel well or normal. OMG I’ve never felt normal! And my family and friends reassure me of my abnormalities.

When you get the flu you worry it is something worse. Last time I had the flu, I told everyone I had malaria or small pox (this is because I was breaking out so badly I assumed my pimples were an outbreak of the pox).

You worry you have a tumor or cancer. Once I went to the doctor because I thought I had tumors in my neck. The doctor said they were just swollen glands.

You feel faint at least once a month. I feel faint when I get up too fast, when I get out of bed, when I eat something gross, when I see blood, when somebody talks about blood, when I see people eating canned green beans, when it goes from dark to light too fast, when I’m having an asthma attack, and if I don’t eat every couple hours.

Even when you are just a little under the weather you see a doctor just to be on the safe side. I once saw the doctor because I had bumps on my tongue and I thought I was losing my tastebuds.

Not only do I diagnose myself with fatal illnesses I also diagnose myself with hypochondria. I’m aware that is quite contradictory. I blame my hypochondria on my mother.

On a serious note: My right eye has been twitching like mad for a month now. I’ve become the freak with the crazy eye! I looked it up and apparently it can cause serious vision problems. I’ve been preparing myself by walking around my room with my eyes closed.

That [pictured above] is the possibility of me with an eye patch. You might wanna try and get used to it.

Secrets of a Hair Stylist: Girls, Hair and Rock and Roll volume IV

2008-03-08T14:35:00.011-07:00

Today I took a big step (those who know me understand this). Change is not something I eagerly embrace. And when I get my hair cut it’s always an anxiety attack. But today, with the help of Chelsi, I finally decided to embrace a change. After it was over I still felt insecure until Nicole, my hair stylist, said "You look Rock and Roll.” And then I realized my life wasn’t ending and I said, “huh Rock and Roll? Say it again.”

[yes that is Batgirl on my shirt]

Notes on getting your hair done: What is it about a woman with a pair of scissors and a blow dryer that makes us reveal all our deepest secrets and fears. It could be the fact we feel incredibly vulnerable at that moment. And they hold the scissors and therefore the power. Or maybe it’s the fact we are starring into the mirror for so long, we really are starring into our souls. And the hair stylist gets to share that honest and defining moment you have with yourself as you start venting all the things you keep secret. Whatever the reasoning (probably neither of these) nobody knows more about a girl then her hair stylist.

Another observation: At the end there is that awkward moment when you have to compliment your hair stylist because they did a good job and you want to reassure them of that. So you thank them with your flattery. But it’s a tricky situation if you do the math. Because when you take a peek into the mirror and say, “Oh my Gosh! It looks so cute! I love it!” What you’re really saying is “Oh my Gosh! I’m so cute. I love me!” It’s one of the many ways girls compliment themselves while believing they are complimenting others.

Under Pressure

2008-03-02T13:16:00.009-07:00

There is something about 80’s dancing that is naturally intoxicating. The things you’ll do on a dance floor to that genre of music. Why? I am not sure. I suppose its one of the great mysteries of the 80’s. Because of this phenomenon I went crazy the other night 80’s dancing for Rachel's Birthday.

Justin (back center) is my number one favorite dancer in the world!!

That is Mike's signature dance move!

Pressure. Pushing down on me, pushing down on me.

I love myself. I want you to love me.

But lately somethings changed and its hard to define. Jessies got himself a girl and i wanna make her mine...

Lets dance in style, lets dance for a while.

Let us die young or let us live forever... (Can you name all these songs?)
But really though, I want to be forever young.

Listography: My Life in Lists

2008-02-24T19:56:00.009-07:00

Lists! Lists! Lists! I have been carefully crafting, shaping, listing lists my whole life. A list for every aspect of my existence. Listography. I can measure my life out in lists. And like a living organism they are constantly changing, growing and dividing to create new little baby lists that grow and do the same. When I say this song is top 25, you better believe it’s been documented. So here is this latest concoction: a list of my Top 10 Favorite Movies. (Know that it is liable to change tomorrow for this is the nature of lists).

1. Moulin Rouge
2. Royal Tennenbaums
3. Big Fish
4. Snatch
5. Almost Famous
6. Fight Club
7. Cold Mountain
8. Into The Wild
9. Juno
10. The Big Lebowski

(Please note that this was very difficult. Some were left out and it broke my heart. Here are the next five)

11. Malcolm X
12. Hero
13. I’m Not There
14. Eagle vs. Shark
15. Lord of the Rings

Blast from the Past

2008-02-19T14:14:00.007-07:00

I was watching a band play up at the Owl Bar this weekend and this guy across from me catches my eye. For some reason I feel like I know him but I can’t figure out how. My friend who knows him tells me he used to be on the 80’s TV series China Beach. Then I freaked out and realized he was Boonie, the surfer bum, Brian Wimmer! I got so excited because I grew up on China Beach and had the biggest crush on Boonie. I’m positive nobody my age or even ten years older has ever heard of China Beach. But there I was sitting across from a guy who shaped my childhood in the same way Sesame Street shaped normal children's childhoods.

This series was the best. Emmy winning even. Every episode was a mini movie, as close as TV came to film. I remember watching China Beach with my mom when I was a little kid. I’m sure I was too young to understand what it was about, but I loved it. I still can remember this episode perfectly.

For all you China Beach fans and for my mom who was the biggest fan Click Here

(sorry I can’t embed the video you’ll have to go to the link)

Funny Story...

2008-02-14T01:04:00.006-07:00

My family and I went Kauai for Christmas. After we got back my mom was reading US weekly and there was a section of all the celebrities that went to Hawaii for Christmas. She sees that Sarah Jessica Parker (my mom loves Sex and the City), her husband Matthew Broderick and their son were in Kauai the same time as us. So she shows my dad. My dad, who could care less about celeb gossip, looks at the picture of the kid and is like “I saw that kid!” So my mom looks at the caption and realizes they were at the same beach the same day as us. Apparently, we were just chilling right next to SJP and the fam! My dad was watching that kid play in the sand all afternoon.

The American City

2008-02-12T01:39:00.003-07:00

Through out American history there has always been a city that has exemplified the American spirit of the times. In the 18th century it was Boston, representing political radicalism. In the mid 19th century it was New York, the symbol of the melting pot. The 20th century Chicago, American dynamism. And today….our very own Las Vegas the symbol of our national character and aspirations. A city devoted entirely to entertainment! A city of billboards, of consumption, of mass production. They have even successfully mass produced Elvis. Where things are quick and ready to sell, like McDonalds, even marriage has a drive through window in The Vegas. It’s the American way!

So I spent a couple days in the American City. And Las Vegas, the “Kingdom of If” always convinces me, with its trickery, I was intended for something better. Where people roll the dice and hope to change a decade of bad breaks and an unhappy life with an eight. "Gimme an eight! Dang! Screw it how about some whiskey straight and that all you can eat seafood buffet for 9.99!"

Vegas the Goddess of Luck, with all its neon and glitz, was not smiling kindly on my friend Mikey on the roulette table. If only he wagered on red!

A few days down there gives me a false sense of importance. Oh boy but it feels kinda nice.

Went to L’atelier, Chef Robuchan's famous restaurant. We did the nine course Chefs tasting menu. It was incredible everything was like a painting.

Then I finally saw a Cirque du Soleiel show, “Ka.” I was shocked at how good it was. It was incredible! Collapsing stages and crazy monkey trapeze artists and falling sand. It was like Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon meets Lord of the Rings slash Narnia. Except that it didn’t really have a story. But that didn't matter cuz you were too busy being like "Whoa."

In the Vegas you can always wear shades cuz the sun never sets in Vegas.

Get Stupid

2008-02-01T19:31:00.002-07:00

Watch me Crank It
Watch me Roll
Watch me Crank Dat Soulja Boy

I'm worried Tommies "crunking" is starting to interfere with his schoolwork..

Best of Fest 2008!!

2008-01-29T11:42:00.002-07:00

Pretty much I have been received into the celebrity circle. Pretty much I walk on the red carpet now. And pretty much I know everyone in Hollywood. I danced with Chandler (Matthew Perry) against his will. He and his girlfriend didn’t like that very much. Tried talking to Luke Wilson, apparently he’s gay, because he talked to my friend Garrit instead. Clearly gay. I talked to Meg Ryan. I asked her, “Can I get this out of your way?” as I cleared her dinner plate.

Matt, Luke, Meg (we’re on a first name basis) Emily Blunt, Amy Redford, Rachel from Saturday night live, Jeff Lebowsky ,the owner of Lions Gate Entertainment, producers, directors, distributors.

They’re like Ash, Ash come party with us. I’m busy but I’m like ok. For the first time in my life I held V.I.P status. Actually not really at all but I was getting snuck in back door to V.I.P parties and I think I’m gonna hold on to the bragging rights to that one for a while.

Saw a couple films. One of my new friends got me into one of the bigger films he is selling called American Teen. It was so eternally awesome. Look for it this summer. Turned out to be the funnest week.

Boarding at the Dance

2008-01-21T10:56:00.001-07:00

D-I-S-A-S-T-E-R is what is spelled when a group goes snowboarding that doesn't know how to snowboard. At one point Lori was just dangling from the ski lift, we were all screaming slash laughing as we pulled her to safety. And Matt was M.I.A for about 45 minutes. Apparently he was lost on the mountain then stuck in the ski slalom section where a group of kids and instructors of some ski school were screaming at him while he was stuck in the snow. The day made for good stories and was really fun slash funny slash painful slash awesome.

Jimmy and Monica...Myheritage is Legit

2008-01-14T10:40:00.001-07:00

Spent an afternoon laughing alone in my room, while my roommates were confused and curious, at this website called myhertiage.com. It has a generator that lets you upload pictures and it will tell you which celebrities you look most like.

And the results…

I look like Adriana Lima because of our huge front teeth...same with Julia Roberts. It gets better..

It is true I have too much time. Honest to blog, I have hobbies.

Illusion is Where my Mind has Been Lost

2008-01-10T11:31:00.002-07:00

(Excerpts from Chasing the Green Faerie: Riddles and Such)

It’s no secret I am in love with Green Fairies. For my Christmas party I created a character, the French writer, whose imaginary first book was Chasing the Green Fairies: My Time with the Pixies. And of course you know that I’m forcing all my friends into this fairy obsession by asking them to each write a short story under the same Green Fairy title. I dream about fairies, along with hobbits. But to top it all off, the frosting on my fairy flavored (and chocolate) cake, I have decided, after a lot of debating in my head and brainstorming for years, that I want a tattoo. The big dilemma has always been what, it couldn't be just anything. It had to be eternally awesome. But I finally decided! My tattoo will be…you got it! A Green Faerie.

This is what I want. (Some have vetoed the skull.)

Jk-ing ya! I probably will never get it. Or maybe I will and not tell anyone and my shirt will slip up slightly and there She will be, The Green Faerie.

A Spoonful...

2008-01-08T10:24:00.002-07:00

It seems maybe I have a complex. Maybe we all do. An unadvertised side effect of modern day is the fear we are barely existing. Barely existing in a system that forces us to memorize nine numbers and deny we have souls (Bright Eyes). We find ways to deal with this dilemma. Myspace and Facebook pages and blogs that scream out “I existed.” Here’s my favorite song, listen it’s playing! This is my sexual orientation and my picture! I took it with my cell phone with my shirt off. Aren’t my muscles big? And I love chocolate! Do you love chocolate? Radical, then comment on my page. Look aren’t we totally existing?

Jokes aside, I have my ways of dealing with it too. A couple months back an older man came into my restaurant all by himself. He was really interesting, as most people who come in by themselves to dine and drink expensive wine are. He was a writer. He told me I should write for an hour everyday, even if it is garbage and it usually is. It’s usually vomit on a page, that’s what I call it. But I have noticed a difference in my writing and how clear my mind gets. I think everyone should write for an hour a day.

The next step: My friends and I are all writing individual short stories. Each story has to be written under the same title: Chasing the Green Fairy. Then we’ll bind them in a book. I think its going to be one of the coolest things I own. I’m really looking forward to the final product.

Moral of the Story: (besides my friends and I are working on the coolest project ever!) Everyone should write for one hour every day. Docs orders (well actually the writer on table 9).

Dream Places

2008-01-03T11:03:00.002-07:00

Went to Kauai for Christmas and it was awesome. I think Kauai is the most beautiful place on the earth.

Kauai is one of the few islands that have fought the tourist plague that has washed through other quaint Hawaiian towns and replaced them with ABC stores, coconut bras and hula girl bobble head dolls.
Side thought: Tourists are terrorists with cameras. Terrorists are tourists with guns.

Hananlei, a stubborn town that has fought the plague as well. It seems to been winning, but money talks and always wins. I’m dreading the day the quaintness of Hanalei meets the ogre of tourism.

In Hanalei Waterfalls spring up at random down the green canyon walls into taro field valleys. Floods close rivers and bridges and nobody cares. And when it rains its stays 80 degrees.

A hammock, a camera, a notebook and pineapple juice is all I’d need for the rest of my life in Hanalei. I could go there and never come back.

People are lazy here, and why not? Words in sentences are taken out if they are not absolutely necessary. Hawaiians have taken out the western mans need for excess and corpulence. It’s called pigeon. One of the few things the Hawaiians hold on to.

In Kauai there are more roosters than people. They are beautifully colored like the island.

Even the dirt is deep red. And it paints everything it touches like my shoes. My Hawaiian souvenir: my red, once white, shoes. With all the hurricanes the locals build their houses on stilts. It looks like a circus of houses balancing carefully.

Kauai is a treat for my senses. Fresh fruit from the tropical garden. I had banana macadamian nut pancakes with coconut syrup almost every morning and pineapple juice. Everything is spectacular and breathe taking. Summer dresses are always in style and sweaters are always out. And it rains and washes the red dusty roads and the trade winds chase the sun westward. Kauai is a dream place not just because of its price tag.

Last thought:
There are four ways to make something (a place) yours. Or I guess, four ways men feel like a place can become more than a place to them:

1. Build on it, fence it off, put a flag in the dirt (modern man, western mans mind set)
2. Paint it, photograph it (the artist)
3. Hike it- defeat it in some way
4. There is one last one but I wont say what it is here

I tried to make Kauai mine by taking an excess of pictures check it out.

My Kauai Photos