Thug Life

2008 is looking to have a ton of incredibly fantastic movies come out. The Dark Knight, new Indiana Jones, Iron Man, the Curious Case of Benjamin Button, etc. This is going to be a great year. But none of those are what I am most excited about.

Pineapple Express is going to be the most entertaining movie of the year, and this redband trailer is everything I could possibly want from a preview. Tons of great lines, obviously great chemistry between leads Seth Rogen and James Franco (Freaks back together again!), top notch character actors (Gary Cole? Bill Hader? Danny R. McBride? Craig Robinson? Count it.), awesomely inventive camera work and editing, plus the bonus of M.I.A's standout track Paper Planes playing throughout the second half.

I am so excited, and I don't even smoke pot.

That line makes more sense after I announce that its the story of a guy and his drug dealer on the run from a crooked cop and a drug lord - much hilarity and awesomeness of course ensues. It's directed by pseudo-auteur David Gordon Green (George Washington, Undertow, Snow Angels), written by Superbad scribes Rogen and Evan Goldberg, and produced by the prolific Judd Apatow (Forty Year Old Virgin, Superbad, Freaks and Geeks, Knocked Up). It arrives in theaters August 8th, and watch the red band trailer at the top - although Columbia has been taking those things down like crazy.

#6 - The Goon: Chinatown by Eric Powell

#6 - The Goon: Chinatown by Eric Powell

If you ever step foot in this town again...I will kill you.

As I continue to read through my current book (Lamb by Christopher Moore), I read the occasional graphic novel to keep me somewhat near the mammoth 52 book pace I'm aiming for. Truth be told, I'm still way back, but I'm going to keep trying!

Up now? Eric Powell's first graphic novel version of his comic, the Goon. Chinatown is a massive departure from the comic series, but it's one that only makes sense. Here's a quick rundown of what the series is all about before I get into Chinatown.

The Goon is a noir stylized story of a character, shockingly named the Goon, who is the main enforcer for a gangster named Labrazio. The ongoing story is about how the Goon and best pal Franky continue fighting over rule of the city they live in against a number of foes. These foes include everything from primary villain Nameless Zombie Priest and his horde of zombies, a one eyed alien who has come down to Earth to enslave the planet, and all kinds of other ghouls, ghosts, and creatures that get in the Goon's way.

The comic is more often than not sheerly comedic, using the range of enemies the Goon fights and bizarre situations they get themselves into to get many, many laughs. Every once in a while, Powell pushes the plot further by incorporating serious plot points, but those stories are few and far between.

In Chinatown, that type of storytelling is the norm. It tells the story of the Goon's former love Isabella, his old enemy Xiang Yao, and how exactly the Goon's face became so heavily scarred. It's a tragic love story, and one that gives the character of the Goon far more depth than he used to have. Mostly absent from the story are the bizarre monsters, the irreverent and quite often intensely raunchy humor, all replaced with a story of loyalty, friendship, and betrayal. The dialogue still has the traditional snap to it, but most of the lines bite emotionally instead of with the typical levity they have.

It's a stunning departure by Powell, and one that he pulls off with every bit of success as he does with his equally great "fun" stories. Even better? This is where Powell begins incorporating a watercolor esque color scheme to his art, which he continues to do in the monthly series and has really stepped up the overall quality of the art since. Chinatown is one of the best looking graphic novels I've read since Brian K. Vaughan and Niko Henrichon's Pride of Baghdad. It's truly exceptional work by the two way comic star.

Now here is the question: with Silver Surfer: Requiem and Wanted getting full recommendations from me, will Chinatown get the same? Sadly no. Not because of quality, but because Chinatown works so well as a counterpoint and continuation of Powell's already 9 year old series. For a first time reader, it likely would not work as well.

But for those looking to pick up a bit of an unheralded and underappreciated comic series, the Goon is a great way to go. It's hilarious and constantly surprising, and it even picked up a bit of buzz after last summer's Superbad, in which character Seth (Michael Cera) had Goon posters up in his bedroom. Amazingly enough, that was plenty to spike sales a bit, but it still has a rather small audience. After you read into the series a bit, its definitely worth it to check out Chinatown.

Big week coming!

Writer Rory Stewart plus Harry and the Potters

One constant theme of my blog is a yearning to do more - to go to more events and get out and experience more...which is seemingly very difficult because of the inherent nature of Alaska. People don't come up here to speak, writers rarely come here to do book signings, bands hardly ever come up to play - we're in the middle of the nowhere, and they treat us as such.

However, this week there are a few very cool events coming up.

First up, tomorrow evening at the Wendy Williamson Auditorium, writer and diplomat Rory Stewart will be speaking. I've never read either of his books, nor had I heard about him before last week, but when I read the little snippet about him in the Anchorage Press I immediately knew I had to go. At 34, he's a twice published author and as well traveled as Indiana Jones. He's served as a deputy governor for Coalition Forces in the Maysan province of Iraq, and is the CEO of the Turquoise Mountain Foundation.

Essentially, he has accomplished about as much in thirty four years as 99% of the world does in a lifetime.

I'm really looking forward to getting some inspiration from him, as he seems like a tremendous man.

My other big day this week is going to be Friday. Kim and I are planning on attending a bit of First Friday, which is a monthly event in Anchorage that local artists are displayed in bars and restaurants around town, and then that evening we're going to go to the late performance by Wizard Rock pioneers Harry and the Potters at the Loussac Library. It's pretty much going to be amazing, and I can hardly wait. Thanks to Will from Bosco's for notifying me of this, as I would not have even heard of it without him.

On Wednesday, H and the P's are performing at a local house party, and I may attend that as well because that sounds awesome as well. The way I see it, my life can always use more wizardry, and I rarely pass up the opportunity to dress up as Harry Potter.

So its looking like a good week for events, and the week hasn't even started yet. Best of all? These events come at the low introductory rate of free. Fun is great, but its always better when its free.

Ferrrr Rondy

Amy and I living the high life

Saturday was a hell of a day. I say that, even coming from the standpoint that I am typically fairly busy. It was also very, very fun, and cool in the regard that I did a lot of things I don't do that often.

First up, Ice Bowling. Amy had asked me earlier in the week if I wanted to go Ice Bowling (a Fur Rondy event) with her parents and some of their coworkers at the Peanut Farm, and I said yes, pending other events arising of course. Here we are on Saturday, and there was Amy calling to confirm that I was going. Begrudgingly I agreed, as it seemed like one of those uncomfortable situations I tend to dislike, not to mention it was located right on the border of my spacial bubble.

Amy's Dad picking up the spare

Now when I thought of Ice Bowling, I wasn't really sure what to expect. Well, I should have, because it was pretty much exactly like it sounded - it was bowling on Ice. And it was really, really fun. Amy's parents were great, their coworkers were cool, Peanut Farms chicken strips pretty much rocked the house, and my Hot Chocolate with Bailey's was pretty much delicious.

Even better? The intense duel that took place between Amy and I for the championship - the little girls inside told us this was for fun, but we begged to differ. This was for honor and for glory - and I beat Amy by 2 (as you may be able to tell from the image to the right). Of course, she was photographed by a freelance photographer while bowling and will likely end up in some newspaper or magazine, so she gets the net win, but I still feel pretty triumphant.

Of course, I also ate it really bad in one of my attempts to throw a power shot, and I pile drived my elbow into the ice. That sucked badly, but at the same time, it was one of those funny moments and was definitely worth the pain.

Amy and her Mom

Because the fun we had with that Fur Rondy event, Amy and I decided that we needed to get people together to do some more Fur Rondy related things - namely go down to the Carnival, ride some rides, check out the Ice Sculptures, and bar hop that evening. You know, very Alaskan things.

That evening, Kim, Amy, and I got together and watched some OC in preparation for the night, drinking some coffee (with creamer and peppermint schnapps!), and went down to meet up with Nick, who was down at the Carnival. Sadly, by the time we got there it was already closed, but that didn't mean we couldn't still have a good night!

Amy, me, and Kim (who was looking rather surprised)

So throughout the rest of the night, we barhopped between three particularly sweet bars - McGinley's (cool bar, overly crowded but AMAZING potato skins), the Avenue (quickly becoming my favorite bar - great people, fooseball, great drink prices, couches), and the Anchor (reggae band playing, plus bunches of ridiculous dancing and cool people). In between the Avenue and the Anchor, we ran into my BFF and Amy's new coworker Cate Schmid.

Amy, BFF Cate, and me

The rest of the night was dancing and partying with good friends. The amazing thing was this all started at 8:30, and I was already home by 1 am, which is amazingly early for me. Because it was Fur Rondy time though, the places were packed with people out to have a good time (besides Willie Nelson, who tried starting a fight with Nick) very early.

I've never been a big Fur Rondy person, but days like that make me wish I would get more into it. It was a great day of fun and festivities, and I'm very glad I listened to Amy and actually went out and did all this.

I need more hellos

Lacey and me at her going away party

Don't be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetime, is certain for those who are friends. - Richard Bach

Friday night, our dear friend Lacey Landt left Alaska.

As part of the celebration of her departure, everyone (Amy, Lacey, Hannah, Jason, Jon, Julie, Nate, and Olena that is) came over to my place for a get together that included present giving, some wine and beer, and some serious rocking for old times sake.

The fearsome fivesome (Jason, Hannah, Amy, Jon, and Lacey)

It was a really amazing night, and it was a proper sendoff for Lacey. I'll call it the last date for Hey Hermano's (our Rock Band band name) World Tour, and in a fitting bit of life, Amy made Hey Hermano World Tour t-shirts as a gift for the three core members of the band. They pretty much rocked. Touring drummer Jason did not get a shirt, but we of course did not want to mess with his sleeveless AC/DC shirt, shorts, and tube sox ensemble.

That just seemed like the nice thing to do.

Serious faces only, please

Additionally, we all contributed to a photo album for Lacey. This photo album had individual pictures and messages from us, and pictures (in chronological order of course) that encompassed her time in Alaska - complete with captions. It was a pretty amazing present, and Jason, Amy, and Hannah deserve massive kudos for filling that little guy up with captions, as I was pretty much useless in that regard.

I'm not sure why we're doing this, but I love it

After the rocking and presentation of the gifts, we all piled into our respective vehicles and took Lacey down to the airport. This was very fun because I got to go out in public wearing my Hey Hermano shirt, torn shorts, and fantastic tube sox that Jason so graciously let me borrow, along with my orange shoes. I got more than one look.

It was also very fun because the entire drive there was a big catchphrase convention, with everyone in the car constantly yelling out the catchphrases that have been developed in the short amount of time Lacey was up here.

Mostly though, it was very sad and bittersweet. We all got our goodbyes (although that is only temporary, as we are planning to attend Lacey's wedding in August) and Lacey left us. The rest of the weekend was full of "what now?" and "I miss Lacey." It really is a testament to who Lacey is, as she is such an amazing person and a person that everyone will truly miss on a day-to-day basis. I mean, I saw her 9 days in a row recently, and now I won't see her until August at best.

That makes me a truly sad panda.

From me, and from everyone else, we're going to miss you Lacey. You're the glue to the group as Jason so succinctly put it. Good luck in Minnesota, and see you soon.

Hey Hermano, Last Stop of the World Tour

Dumpster Divin' 4 Lyfe

On Friday, I took the day off from work to help Lacey wrap up her move, meaning I helped her clean her place, pack, take her car down to the transportation place that was taking her car down to Minnesota, etc. Mostly, I went because there was the promise of Snow City (I had two entrees - Pesto Pasta with Chicken AND a half order of Eggs Benedict - I love food) and because it was Lacey's last day.

But this is not a tale about Lacey's last day (more on that later), no. This is a far more sordid tale. This is one of dirt, grime, and morally reprehensible actions (at least in terms of sheer cleanliness).

To help clean her place, I was taking things from Lacey's that she didn't need out to the dumpster near her place. I'd carry the big load out, toss it in the dumpster, move on to the next one. No big deal. One particularly big load, I had Hannah help me carry it out. We walk out, and about half way to the dumpster a man yells at us from the apartment complex nearby.

Guy: "Hey! Are you guys tossing that stuff out?!"
Me: "Yeah."
Guy: "Can you leave it by the dumpster? I want it."
Me, quietly to Hannah: "What the hell?"
Hannah, quietly to me: "Is this guy serious?"
Me: "Ummm....sure."

The guy quickly runs over to check out his new found treasures. These included a step ladder, a mirror, and random other things that I was carrying. Perfectly useful stuff to the right person, but Lacey was leaving and Hannah and I needed none of it. No big deal, right?

Well, as we were going back to the apartment I'm walking along when Hannah, who was behind me, makes an exclamation of shock. For the next 5 minutes, we stand inside, hiding and watching this guy as he used the step ladder to climb inside the dumpster and take whatever he deemed useful. What did he take?

• A fan
• Moisturizer
• Soap (the irony!)
• A Luffa (by far the most disgusting thing taken)
• A shelving unit
• Many other things

After this went on for quite some time, we went back inside to excitedly tell Lacey. Sadly, there was nothing else for us to take out, so we moved on to carrying stuff out to Lacey's car to pack. At this point, the apartment manager was outside watching as the man had been joined by his buddy, who was sorting through their loot excitedly, with the man nowhere to be found.

The man was quickly found again of course, as he jumped up trimphantly with his arms raised, holding what could only be some sort of majestic scepter or some other seemingly priceless find (it was the long stem of the fan he took). Never, ever, has a person been more excited about ordinary things found in the dumpster.

I really wish I had photographic evidence of this, but needless to say it was one of the stranger things I've ever seen. I can say one thing, I really hope I never reach the point where dumpster diving seems like a possible solution to a given situation. It was an awfully bizarre situation.