When I was in my early-20’s, my aunt once told me, don’t dick around while you’re young because once you turn 25, time goes by fast and the next thing you know, you’re already 30. I know, right? I can’t tell the difference between 2005 and 2006. I used to identify the years and seasons within by who I was dating at the time, but since being in a stable relationship, the years just run together.
I just finished Suspect Zero which dealt with two of my favorite subjects — serial killers and parapsychology (in this case, remote viewing). Ben Kingsley plays an ex-FBI agent seriously disturbed by his stint as an agency remote-viewer used to track down serial killers via psychic empathy. First of all, Ben Kingsley is brilliant and probably nuts. You have to be to be able to get that deep into a character, and he has my full respect and admiration. His commitment as an actor is beyond words. The movie was shot very artistically and had some great dialogue (check out Kingsley’s monologue when he’s got the movie’s protagonist tied up). The DVD has a really interesting featurette about remote viewing and its scientific background, though since it’s a featurette to promote the movie, it doesn’t go as in depth as I had hoped for.
I got rear-ended on the freeway on Friday on the way to the gym, which sent me right back home. Woke up this morning feeling like I’d played 6 hours straight of basketball, which led me to the doctor’s as a precaution. Having been rear-ended before (in my car, I mean), I expected that I would probably have a sore back and shoulders this morning, but I’ve got these back spasms that have me predicting another round of chiropractic visits and physical therapy. I was really irritated about the accident…we’re in stop and go traffic in the slow lane of the freeway, and this guy still manages to hit me hard enough to bash up the left back side of my car. He got out and suggested we not report this to insurance and he would give me $200 for the damages. I didn’t feel like telling him that $200 would only pay for the taillight that was completely shattered. Hell, my sideview mirror that this lady tore off while trying to park her car had cost $600. I hate dealing with the logistics of a car accident. The bonus was that I was prescribed Vicodin, but I’m not really big on pills so the score of this is lost on me.
Shik Do Rak is my favorite restaurant right now. It’s Korean BBQ, except you wrap the meat with some grilled onions & mushrooms, lettuce, kim chi and chili sauce in this wrapper that’s like a wonton wrapper, but made with rice and with the consistency of a large panel of pho noodle. If you bring more than 2 people and get the larger combo meals, it comes with a bottle of Soju. The food is incredibly messy, but for about $20 a person, you get a really unique and filling twist on Korean BBQ. The host (owner?) Roger, is the cutest little guy who will make you feel like you’re a guest in his home. I saw countless guests thank him with a hug when they left. I can’t say I wasn’t tempted.
Why aren’t more people watching 30 Rock? Alec Baldwin is genius (on being sold a pager by Tina Fey’s loser boyfriend: “Excuse me, I’m expecting a call from 1984”) and the show is really quirky and hilarious. I love the writing. I’m hoping the show stays on for a while so it makes it worthwhile for me to write a spec, as I would prefer not to go through another Andy Richter Controls the Universe disaster.
The use of cellphones while driving is now a ticketable offense. Don’t know if that includes bluetooth use, but watch that cellphone use when you’re behind a wheel, and if you see someone else doing it, feel free to call 911.