You like me. You really like me ..

. barf

I love movies. I watch far too many of them because I connect to rich characters and well-written stories that have meaning to each of us.

But I'm really not that big of a fan of the actors and actresses who make the art I enjoy.
Or at least not the ultra-wealthy quacks, who seem to take the mic at Oscar night to espouse the usual egocentric insecurities, political posturing, general oddness and eccentricities that makes up the people who we as a society consider celebrities.
That's why it was so refreshing to watch Forest Whitaker's brilliant, humble and moving Best Actor acceptance speech last night.

The site had a copy of it.

Thank you. Thank you.

Just a second, just a second. OK. Take it.

OK. I wrote something down, because I thought if it would happen that I would be a little overwhelmed and I am. So, OK.

When I was a kid, the only way that I saw movies was from the backseat of my family's car. At the drive-in. And, it wasn't my reality to think I would be acting in movies, so receiving this honor tonight tells me that it's possible.

It is possible for a kid from east Texas, raised in South Central L.A. in Carson, who believes in his dreams, commits himself to them with his heart, to touch them, and to have them happen.

Because when I first started acting, it was because of my desire to connect to everyone. To that thing inside each of us. That light that I believe exists in all of us.

Because acting for me is about believing in that connection and it's a connection so strong, it's a connection so deep, that we feel it. And through our combined belief, we can create a new reality.
So I want to thank my fellow believers in The Last King of Scotland.

I want to thank Peter, Jeremy, Andrea, Lisa, Charles, Kevin, James McAvoy, Kerry, Stephen, Fox, DNA, Channel Four. I want to thank the people of Uganda, who helped this film have a spirit. And finally, I want to thank my mom and my dad.

I want to thank my wife Keisha, my children, my ancestors, who continue to guide my steps. And God, God who believes in us all. And who's given me this moment, in this lifetime, that I will hopefully carry to the end of my lifetime into the next lifetime.

Thank you.

"Remember: every time you eat a steak, a hippie's hacky sac gets lost under the couch."

--My friend Bret Wallace, formerly of Mount Shasta, after e-mailing me article today

"I hate hippies!

I mean, the way they always talk about "protecting the earth" and then drive around in cars that get poor gas mileage, wearing those stupid bracelets...

"
"A Sabalow wedding without booze would be like a campus free speech area without hippies. Sorry. Just aint gonna happen.

"

--Ryan Sabalow, in response an e-mailed inquiry from a friend asking if booze will be served at his wedding

"A hippie is someone who walks like Tarzan, looks like Jane and smells like Cheetah."
Posted by at February 26, 2007 08:00 PM The scanner will not shut up today. Seriously, it's like a friggin' bumper car/roller derby out there.

Seems like every three minutes SHASCOM dispatchers are sending firefighters, traffic cops and paramedics out to yet another car accident.
So far no one's gotten killed, but people sure are trying. Just check out Redding.

com. Three Web update car crash stories so far and it's only 1:30.
It's getting to be one of those days where I want to wear a helmet .

.. better yet: a full on bomb squad suit before getting behind the wheel to go home for lunch.

OCONOMOWOC, Wisconsin - A man says he broke into an apartment with a sword because he thought he heard a woman being raped, but the sound was from a pornographic movie his neighbor was watching. "Now I feel stupid," said James Van Iveren. "This really is nothing, nothing but a mistake.

"

(The 39-year-old) Van Iveren, who lives with his mother, said he did not call police because he does not have a telephone.

Took a tour of the new Redding Library today with a gaggle of Record Searchlight reporters.
I probably shouldn't be telling you this, but the lady who gave the tour told us the off-the-record scoop as to who they hired to be Redding's new chief librarian.

To find out who, continue reading below the fold.
Ah..

.Reminds me of the old librarians at the Carnegie (like Marc blogged about). I was a little older, and have scary memories of them.

Or was it my 4th grade teacher at Cypress?
Posted by Life without clots..

. at February 20, 2007 09:10 PM and on topic of the library..

. I AM keeping tabs on how many confrontation with the homeless occur there. did they think it wouldn't happen?

? South City "park" is right there, and we all know what a nice place that is to use the can or let the kids play..

..