Thursday, October 27, 2005
Slouching toward Key West
Well, it looks like the island will be open sometime this weekend, and that Meeting of the Minds will happen! As long as Avis doesn't screw me on my rental car reservation (I'm calling to check tomorrow), I should be good for the trip. I called my hotels yesterday; they're open and expecting me.
This will be my first sojourn into a disaster area in a while. If I thought I'd be in the way, I wouldn't go. But the Keys are very dependent on tourism, they've lost Fantasy Faire until December, and the least I can do to support the wonderful Conchs is to spend some of my money there.
This will be my first sojourn into a disaster area in a while. If I thought I'd be in the way, I wouldn't go. But the Keys are very dependent on tourism, they've lost Fantasy Faire until December, and the least I can do to support the wonderful Conchs is to spend some of my money there.
Jimmy Buffett, Las Vegas, and me
Wow...I went to Las Vegas last weekend to see Buffett play at the MGM Grand, and I have to say that I haven't had this much fun out of bed since my first trip to Key West.
I stayed at the San Remo/Hooters, where one set of Parrothead parties were happening. I had a blast...hanging out with folks from Idaho, Utah, Arizona, and various parts of my own California. I got to open for Stars on the Water on Saturday morning; that was a fun gig.
Over at the Margaritaville street party Saturday afternoon, more good drinks and revelry. Dodging beach balls in the air is getting to be like dodging rice and toast at Rocky Horror, but in a fun way.
One of my friends from the Las Vegas Parrothead club dragged me off to a tailgate party on the roof of a parking garage. Those folks were downright hospitable.
The concert was fun too. It's always a joy to see Jimmy work a crowd. Amazingly, I think I would have had an extremely fun weekend even if I *hadn't* gone to the show.
Parrotheads are phun pholks to party with. I am *so* looking forward to hanging out with more of 'em in Key West next week.
I stayed at the San Remo/Hooters, where one set of Parrothead parties were happening. I had a blast...hanging out with folks from Idaho, Utah, Arizona, and various parts of my own California. I got to open for Stars on the Water on Saturday morning; that was a fun gig.
Over at the Margaritaville street party Saturday afternoon, more good drinks and revelry. Dodging beach balls in the air is getting to be like dodging rice and toast at Rocky Horror, but in a fun way.
One of my friends from the Las Vegas Parrothead club dragged me off to a tailgate party on the roof of a parking garage. Those folks were downright hospitable.
The concert was fun too. It's always a joy to see Jimmy work a crowd. Amazingly, I think I would have had an extremely fun weekend even if I *hadn't* gone to the show.
Parrotheads are phun pholks to party with. I am *so* looking forward to hanging out with more of 'em in Key West next week.
Sunday, October 09, 2005
Big Damn Movie
If you haven't seen Serenity yet, go see it.
This story started out life as the little-known and vastly underappreciated TV series "Firefly" back in 2002. A victim of frequent preemptions and schedule changes, "Firefly" lasted less than half a season on Fox. To make a long story short, it found a cultlike following among many, and there was enough stated demand for Universal to gamble on creator Joss Whedon's (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel) vision and to let him make a movie that continues the story.
And an excellent story it is. Starting out with enough background material to get the late arrivals up to speed, the movie is very well done, with believable and sympathetic characters - including the bad guy - and a plot that careens through the last hour like a spaceship on reentry with a blown converter. The San Francisco Chronicle gave it their highest rating; other reviewers have also liked it.
It's a good way to spend nine bucks and two hours. Check it out.
Get more info on the official movie Website.
This story started out life as the little-known and vastly underappreciated TV series "Firefly" back in 2002. A victim of frequent preemptions and schedule changes, "Firefly" lasted less than half a season on Fox. To make a long story short, it found a cultlike following among many, and there was enough stated demand for Universal to gamble on creator Joss Whedon's (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel) vision and to let him make a movie that continues the story.
And an excellent story it is. Starting out with enough background material to get the late arrivals up to speed, the movie is very well done, with believable and sympathetic characters - including the bad guy - and a plot that careens through the last hour like a spaceship on reentry with a blown converter. The San Francisco Chronicle gave it their highest rating; other reviewers have also liked it.
It's a good way to spend nine bucks and two hours. Check it out.
Get more info on the official movie Website.
