The most recent short film I worked on has been posted on line. Nice little production, which I attribute to the writer/director Kael Elliott.

http://vimeo.com/41922691

Winnipeg, Manitoba

I worked on a music video recently - "Winnipeg, Manitoba," by The Guns of Navarone. They wanted a Grandpa type. See it at: gonavarone.com.

Not a bad band, them Guns
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Also, look way in the background behind Meat Loaf and Edward Norton in the photo from Fight Club below.
That's yours truly in the support group scene. Six days hugging each other was enough, thank you.

The Few, The Proud, The Loud

I had an opportunity to speak with a representative of the Marine Corps earlier today. I tape recorded the conversation.

============================================

--Good afternoon. R.O.T.C.

(MZ)Hello. Are you involved with the group doing calesthenics in Pease Park this morning?

--Yes, we have Marine ROTC here. Yes, I do believe they were out at Pease Park this morning.

(MZ) I went outside during the drills this morning at about a quarter to six. And, non-confrontationally, I said, “You know, people are trying to sleep here.” And one guy got up in my face screaming, “We have provided the freedom that allows you to sleep. I suggest you get back in your house.” Now, this is not the kind of behavior that I think appropriate in dealing with the public.

--Mm hmm.

(MZ) Do you know who is involved in that at all? Is there someone around who is in charge of that exercise drill?

--Um, yes. What is your name, sir?

(MZ) Michael Zagst.

--Just a moment.

Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto played while I was on hold.

--Hello, sir? Thanks for holding. I’m going to transfer you to Major Kopke, and he can help you now.

(MZ) Major who?

--Kopke.

(MZ) Thanks.

--Sure.

(Major Kopke) Good morning. This is Kopke.

(MZ) Hi, Major. This is Michael Zagst. I live across the street where the Marine R.O.T.C. has been doing their morning calesthenics. Do you know anything about them being out there this morning?

(Major K.) I do, sir. I know that they were out there this morning.

(MZ) I went out there about six, after they had been out there awhile, and just wanted to, I don’t know, to see who they were, for one thing. What I said was, not confrontationally, to one person was, you know, people are trying to sleep here. He got inches away from my face, shouting, “We provide the freedom for you to be able to sleep. I suggest you get back in your house.” And they were all carrying assault rifles, and I thought, I don’t want to be arguing with this guy out here. I just don’t think that’s appropriate behavior in dealing with the public, and wanted to see if y’all are going to continue to exercise out there, or what the deal is.

(Major K.) I agree with you one hundred percent, sir, and that’s been tended to this morning, after the fact. You’re right. It’s inappropriate. We do plan to continue out there infrequently. I think we probably exercise out there once or twice a semester.

(MZ) It’s been three times in the last six days.

(Major K.) Three times in the last six days? Really?

(MZ) Last Thursday and Friday, and this morning, Thursday. So, eight days.

(Major K.) That’s news to me.

(MZ) I just wanted to see…I don’t understand, really. I could have been a veteran of Hill 935 in Vietnam, but why even argue the point? Why bring it up? I could have been nobody. I could have been a janitor for the past fifty years. It shouldn’t matter.

(Major K.) Sir, absolutely.

(MZ) So, I hope you take appropriate measures to where it doesn’t disturb the neighborhood, at least.

(Major K.) I don’t think that’s going to happen again. I met this morning, and we’ve definitely dealt with that. And I absolutely understand your concerns. You are one hundred percent right. That’s not supposed to happen, and that’s not the right way to handle business.

(MZ) Thanks for letting me know.

(Major K.) Oh, absolutely. And if there’s anything else you need, please give us a call.

(MZ) I will. Thanks.

(Major K.) Have a good day. Bye-bye.

Michele Bachmann Turns Into Pillar of Salt!

After claiming her run for the Republican nomination was on instructions from God, Michele Bachmann has pulled herself from the race. She thanked her supporters and staff, stepped outside into the fresh Iowa air, and promptly turned into a pillar of salt.

Rick Perry, finishing just ahead of Bachmann in the Iowa caucus, and also claiming to be God's candidate, has decided after witnessing Bachmann's divine punishment, that fifth place was strong enough to continue on to South Carolina.

The Lighter Side of Dick Cheney

Now that Dick Cheney’s memoirs have been published, he’s back at home, devoting himself to house training a new puppy…twenty more water board sessions ought to do it.

Call Me Shecky

Not everything leaned toward the grim on that last expedition of the Pequod. One of our favorite jokes involved hiding Ahab’s artificial leg. Then one of us would scoot up to the crow’s nest and shout, “The white whale! He breaches, by God! It is that demon Moby Dick!” It never failed. Ahab would come hopping out of his cabin on his good leg, and fall on his keester every time.

Of course, the voyage didn’t end all that well…

Park Story

On my walk in the park this morning, a couple with a small child had staked out a picnic table. The man’s got the cell phone jammed to his ear, talking, on the bench with his elbows on his knees, his back against the concrete table, the child off to the side. The woman wants something from the car nearby. He turns, mid-conversation, aims the keys at the car, and beeps the door lock mechanism. But it doesn’t open, even as she’s walking toward the vehicle. She tells him that. He throws the keys to her, continuing his phone chat. She misses, has to pick them up from the ground. She walks toward the car. This might be her once chance to get away, just go, drive off. Leave him. Let him deal with it. Maybe he’ll notice her when she’s gone. Mama’s sorry. One day you’ll understand.

By the time she reached their car, I had moved on. I like to think that the least she did was to take a few moments for herself.