This is the way
As they say
As to what happens tomorrow
And the following days
But who am I
Be that as it may
Just a nobody
Who’s tired of their game
So when the time comes and you see
That truth is not what they say
Don’t reach out to me
Because I no longer give a damn
This is the way.
He only loves you
When you're a fan of his.
Walking barefoot in the kitchen
Spreading mayo on the sandwiches.
Deep down you always know.
That this was always
Just a plan of his.
I know it hurts to hear,
Because this person is
Who you made your future plans with.
But you spread love from love,
Not from taken advantages
Relationships should be
Simpatico
Not just in a dream
or theoretical
or hypothetical
Even though they're words
eventually they can become medical
On the ninth of September 2017, my
daughter and I had the opportunity to visit the Doctor Who Experience in
Cardiff, Wales. For those “Who” are unaware of what that is, it’s an
interactive exhibition that showcases Doctor Who with various costumes and
props from the show. It starts off with a short film starring Peter Capaldi,
recorded specifically for the Experience. A guide takes you through a 30
minute(ish) adventure following the Doctor’s instructions and takes you to the
Tardis console and other sets including awaking Daleks. Your goal, obviously,
save the planet and save the Tardis. Once the day is saved, a door opens to the
museum and you are free to roam and look at the costumes, props, etc. from
various series of the show. You were able to see costumes and props from just
about every Doctor, companion, & villain. There is also (as there is
always) a gift shop (You have a little shop. I love a little shop. ) that
offers a variety of Doctor Who souvenirs you can purchase. Since the day my
daughter and I attended was the last day it was open, souvenirs were slim
pickings. I was able to buy an official companion guide (Program) and an
autographed print of Camille Coduri (aka Jackie Tyler).
There were also a multitude of costumed people walking around the
inside as well of outside of the Experience, which made it even more
interactive. It was really cool to see live Cybermen, Whisper Men, and even one
of Mrs. Rossiter’s Peg Dolls (And it was actually Nathalie Cuzner in the
costume) walking around the exhibit. Since the last day was sold out, the
Experience asked to limit your time within to only 2.5 hours. So my daughter
and I made sure we had seen everything in triplicate. A friend of
mine (who actually bought our tickets to the DWE) messaged me saying that there
was someone I had to meet before I left. Well we were already downstairs. He
told me I had to meet Jamie Hill. I knew that Jamie played the Foretold in
the Doctor Who episode Mummy on the Orient Express, and the
Monk in Extremis, The Pyramid at the End of the World and The Lie of the Land.
Well to my surprise Jamie was also a manager at the Experience. I asked the guy
in the gift shop if Jamie was around. He told me he should be right inside the
exhibit. I told him I couldn’t go back in because of the no in and out policy.
I also told him where we hailed from. He was really shocked and excited that we
traveled all the way from Texas. He said follow me. And he proceeded to take me
back in the exhibit to Jamie. Jamie was actually giving an interview with
Christel Dee for the Doctor Who Fan Show. So I waited until he was through and
the guy introduced me to Jamie and told him where I was from. We spoke for a
couple minutes. I didn’t want to take up too much of his time as technically he
was working. But he was a really cool guy. He took a couple photos with me and
signed a photo for me with no problem.
So I headed back downstairs to my daughter and we stopped and had
a snack in The Blue Box Café’ downstairs. I had seen Christel in the lobby downstairs.
We chatted for a couple minutes (just an extremely nice person) and we took a
couple photos together. As my daughter and I were sitting there my friend Tom
had messaged me saying that he just had seen on tv that Nick Briggs was inside
doing an interview. Nick does the voice of the Daleks. Well unfortunately as I
said before the Experience is a no in and out policy. So I couldn’t go back in
and get him. But…I could go back into the gift shop which happens to be where
the exit is. Lol. My daughter and I went back to the shop and not two minutes
later he came out. I got his attention and he signed a photo for me as well and
took a photo with me. I told him where we came from and he asked if any of my
family were affected by Hurricane Harvey and he expressed deep concern for
Texas. We spoke for about five minutes and he was on his way. And so was my
daughter and I. We went outside to take a walk around Cardiff
Bay to see some of the filming locations of Doctor Who. Before we left, we
kept hearing that there was going to be a big sendoff of the Experience. Actors
and actresses and writers and directors who frequently visited the Experience
would be making an appearance. Just a few that were rumored was Peter Capaldi,
Pearl Mackie, and the hilarious Matt Lucas. It was going to have a proper
farewell. So we waited and waited and waited. After the last tour went in, they
had everyone make their way outside and they locked the doors. Everyone hung
around outside expecting something to happen or someone to show up. But alas
nothing happened. The crowd kept getting smaller and smaller. Finally we
decided to leave and take in the sites and grab a bite to eat.
This was just an all-around great Experience. From the
actual Doctor Who Experience to the BBC Studios across the street to the sights
and everything. But I am glad I was able to spend the time and share the
“experience” with my awesome daughter Sydnie. And though it’s been some time now since we’ve been there, it still seems like yesterday. And I’m sure
the memories will stay like that forever.
Just wanted to share. Many might remember actor Larry Storch from his performance as Corp. Agarn in the hilarious 60's comedy F-Troop. Larry also guest starred in many other wonderful productions. A few being Gilligan's Island, Gomer Pyle, and Married with Children. Larry also did a wide variety of voice over work. A few being Underdog ,Tennessee Tuxedo, The Groovie Ghoulies, and also in Scooby Doo meets Batman where is voiced The Joker. Some may not know (Some will) that Larry also did voice over work for McDonalds. He was the very first voice of The Hamburglar as well as the long gone character Captain Crook (which I remember from my youth). Sadly we lost Larry last year at the age of 99. Larry always cared about his fans. He along with his friend Matt would sell his autographed photos and other items (Including the occasional Funko Pop) A couple years before Larry passed I was able to get a Hamburglar on signed. Well, after Larry's passing, Matt got with his family and closest friends with the remaining items Larry had signed. He had them take what they wanted and he was going to continue selling the rest until they were gone. I always wanted a Captain Crook one signed in red. Matt told me he thinks there was one left that was signed in red. And I claimed it. I wanted red so it would pair well with my Hamburglar one signed in yellow. As Ronald McDonalds clothes are mainly red and yellow. Well it made it in today and it looks awesome and looks really good with the Hamburglar one. I'm glad I was able to get this. I love it.
Though there’s some discrepancy about the reason of the departure of original Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock from the band. There will be always two things that was true. Glen and Johnny didn’t get a long. Which was fueled by the late piece of shit Malcolm McLaren trying to grow tension between the band members to create animosity to solidify that image he was creating. The second thing is there is how much Glen contributed to the Never Mind the Bollocks albums recording. If memory serves me right. Glen only performed bass on one song, Anarchy in the U.K. But he is a credited songwriter on 10 out of the 12 tracks on the album. Glen was replaced by Sid Vicious. Who, because he couldn’t play to save his life, only appeared on two tracks. Guitarist Steve Jones actually did most of the bass work on the album.
Regardless, no matter what you think, Glen was a very important part of the Sex Pistols history. I agree with something that Steve Jones’ once said in an interview. “ Jones said that the group would have recorded more albums if Matlock had stayed in the band and they had not participated in the television interview with Bill Grundy" I believe that to be true. But I believe that Glen was just one of many catalyst of the Sex Pistols history. Glen had a part in the writing of the songs and the music. If Glen wasn't railroaded out, then there would have been no Sid. And who knows what would have happened. Honestly, I don't know if they would have had the legendary future success. Because like it or not it was all the trouble, the replacing Glen with Sid (Though as a musician he sucked), to only one album. Then of course the abrupt break up (You ever get the feeling you've been cheated?) But that's an entirely different story.
As most who know me, know I am pretty much a lifelong fan of the Sex Pistols. My friend Dave is no different. He was able to obtain a signed copy of an EP of Glen's called Sexy Beast. It was released in 2018. It featured Earl Slick on guitar and the Stray Cats Slim Jim Phantom on drums and Jim Lowe on bass. Dave gave this to me as a gift. It is also signed by Earl Slick. To say this is awesome would be an understatement. Now I have autographs of three of the original Sex Pistols. Thank you my friend.
A conversation with my four year old and wrestler Gideon Vane.
Back in December, I took my son to his first wrestling show. Prior to the show he had only briefly seen wrestling on tv. But we went and he met Mick Foley and he signed his Mankind action figure and he was really psyched about that. I also introduced him to "Gideon Vane" and I purchased a skull mask from him for my son. Then the show started. He was having a great time. As I have said before I think he liked the "good guys" coming over and giving him fist bumps or high fives than the actual wrestling. His face really lit up when Fuego came out and took a photo with us and even jumped over and stood next to us. He quickly became a favorite of his. Then Gideon came out. "Hey that's the guy I got my mask from" he said.
Fast forward to the "Have a Nice Day" show. I bring my son back as well as my nephew for his first show. Well my little guy wanted to talk to Gideon after we met Mick Foley. So we walked over and spoke with him. I had purchased a small photo for my son and nephew and Gideon signed them for the kiddos. He also took a photo with them. After he took the photo with them, my son started talking to him. It was hard to hear (especially a four year old) but that didn't stop my son. He started talking about the last time he had seen him wrestle in December. He was saying that Fuego was fast and did flips. "Yea Fuego is really fast" Gideon replied. "He was doing a lot of flips too" my son responded. " Yea, little man, I can't do that"/ Then straight from my sons mouth, "Well maybe you should practice" I damn near pissed myself. Gideon thought it was funny and said to him it was nice meeting you etc. I have always told my son that no one is good at everything. Most things take practice. So I can see why he said that. But it was hilarious to me.
I think most people who know me on a personal level know that I ride skateboards. I don't ride them as often as I did. But I still ride them when I have the time. I started back when I was in the sixth grade. I remember my first board was a Sims with blue Bullet wheels. One thing I quickly learned in riding skateboards is that there was a respect with each other. Most of the skaters I skated with (I won't say all, because there were some definite a-holes. As there is with everything) would look at and help others that weren't as good as you. I will admit, there were tricks I could only do back in the day because a fellow skater would take the time and show me. And vice versa. I remember one time back in the day I had never skated a bowl before (well properly). Jeff Phillips Skatepark had just opened up. At the time, I didn't know Jeff personally. But during one lock in ( for those that don't know, a lock in was where kids would stay the night at the skatepark. Essentially being locked in) Jeff saw me struggling with the bowl. I couldn't quite get carving the corners. But after his advice, I was carving with the best of them. Would even rail slide the entire end of the bowl.
But like I said there was the occasional a-hole that would pop up. Someone who would get frustrated at a kid that was maybe just starting out. That didn't know ramp etiquette. Maybe taking too long getting off the ramp or snaking someone, or even being on the ramp at the same time and running into someone. Now I will admit, back then, some of the anger was warranted. Now there wasn't any violence or anything. Just a lot of yelling. Especially when their inexperience could cause harm to someone else. It would start with just telling them to wait or don't do this or that. But they didn't listen and someone would end up getting hurt. I will be lying if I say that I didn't get upset from time to time. But I would also try to help as much as I could. Sometimes they have to figure it out themselves. Sometimes (like everything), proper guidance goes a long way. But the ones that would actually listen would gain the most. I know it did for me.
A few years later Jeff started allowing roller blades and bikers into the park. Now that's an entire other can of worms. I remember one time at Jeff's a biker was on the spine and he didn't land the trick. Bike went flying in the air almost taking out everyone on the deck. Then it falls down the transition and the pedal just shreds the Masonite up. Back in the day from what I can remember, bikers, bladers, and skaters rarely mixed well. At least from my perspective it seemed that way. But like I said, that's a different story. I've seemed to get off topic.
Most skaters were always supportive of each other. Which is the way I think it should be. Why shouldn't you be? You like the same thing. Every skater learns from each other. In my opinion, you should always try and help those who aren't as good as you. It reminds me of a time many many years later. Actually ten years ago, my son and I were skating a free city skatepark in Dallas. It was made from that weather proof material. To be honest I don't know the name of it.
But anyway, my son and I were skating that day. When we got there, my main spot was the mini ramp. I go and get on the deck and wait my turn. There was a little kid there, maybe eight/ten years old. He would put it board up on the coping and then take it off. Put it on, take it off. He looked scared shitless, but he really wanted to do it. We were like just go for it little dude. If you fall, get up and do it again. That's how you learn. It won't hurt forever. You got it. He backed off, stood back, and said you can go.
So I started talking to him and walking him through the process. Put this foot here, put this one here and lean forward. But not too much, just kind of balance yourself out. So I said just like this. I dropped in fast, grinded almost the entire mini came back the other side and grinded the entire thing as well. As I was coming back down the transition, my board fish tailed and I flew the entire length of the flat drilling my elbow into the other transition. I jumped up immediately, hopped on my board and dropped in again. I got through and waited on the deck. Elbow hurting like a mofo ( I didn't tell him that).
I'm talking to my son and we notice that he puts his board back up on the coping, thinks for literally a second and drops in. The look on that kids face. Absolutely priceless. And it made it all worth it. Afterwards, I got to looking on the coping where I fishtailed out. Apparently some kids that were there before us sprayed something on the coping and it dripped down the ramp. I thought my elbow was just bruised so I didn't go to the doctor straight away. It was a bout a week later, when the bruising started spreading. Long story short, I broke it.
But even though it hurt like hell. It gave that little kid the confidence to accomplish something he was scared to do. Which IMO is awesome. Does he still skate? Who knows. Will he remember that moment? No idea. I know I will. But long story short, always try to help those who need it. In any capacity. Will this one thing change the world? Hell no. But we all need that boost of confidence once in a while. Now get out there and skate.
Having been a fan of his since I was really young. I first started listing to him play when Z-Rock was played here in Dallas (94.5 before The Edge was there). Those who knew me in jr high and high school knew how big of a fan I was. Being a friend of Glenn Danizig, he was the official photographer of the Misfits. At the time, he was also the drummer of Rosemary’s Babies. Glenn also invited him to become a drummer for the Misfits, but he declined to stay with Rosemary’s Babies.
After the Misfits disbanded, he and Glenn formed Samhain. Eerie was originally the drummer before quickly switching to bass. In 86 Samhain was signed by Rick Rubin. After London and Pete was replaced by John Christ and Chuck Biscuits, Samhain would be no more. The name would then change to Danzig. Eerie would stay with the band for the first four albums as well as the EP Thrall: Demonsweatlive. Those four albums and that EP were the best that Danzig ever put on tape. Glenn, John, Eerie, & Chuck were IMO the best lineup that Danzig ever had. I have only seen Danzig play live once. It was here in Dallas at the Bomb Factory during the Thrall tour. I also had the chance to meet Eerie back in 2008 in Arlington. He was so cool to meet and would answer any question you had. Recently I had the rare opportunity to obtain Eerie’s autograph. Eerie graciously signed my photos of he and I. Thank you so much Eerie. I truly appreciate it.
Over years I have met a handful of people whose work I really admire. Most times I try to get an autograph or a photo with. Then there are the very select few that I have met, been a fan of all my life, and don’t get either one. But the one thing that I do get is the memory. There’s only few things that I like to do more than share those memories. Let’s go back to Riley’s childhood. Most of my positive memories involve my Granny. During the Summer, holidays, & sick days. Pretty much anytime I was out of school. I was at my Granny’s house. She had her “shows” and we had our “shows”. And my favorite out of “our” shows, was The Addams Family. Even though it came out a little before my time, I sat and watched it and loved every second of it. Even though I loved pretty much every character on the show, at the top of my list was Cousin Itt. Cousin Itt was portrayed by the great Felix Silla . Mr Silla has been in so many of my favorite productions it’s not even funny. From Bakshi’s Lord of the Rings, Buck Rogers, Spaceballs, & Jedi to name some.
Though he was born in Oklahoma City, he was raised here in Dallas from an early age. He was as Texan as any of us. For me personally I became a fan of Jimmy's (as he's known by his friends) at a young age. From his appearance on the Dukes of Hazzard and the awesome movie Hangar 18. Not to mention watching reruns of F-Troop with my Granny. My fandom only increased from there. I personally have never met anyone that hasn't seen a production that Jimmy has been a part of. About 20 years ago, I wrote a letter to Jimmy asking him for his autograph and telling him about my love of Hangar 18. He sent me a wonderful photo of he and Gary Collins signed to me. To which I still have. A few years later I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Jimmy and his wonderful wife Mary at a local convention. After lengthy conversations over the years a friendship was formed. Every year Jimmy, Mary, and I would exchange Christmas cards. We would always keep in touch, either by email or FB if in person wasn't possible. A while back, I was advised of Jimmy's health and him not being able to attend conventions anymore. But I still would check in to see how they were doing. Though Jimmy, Mary, & I weren't as close as others, I still considered them good friends. Sadly Jimmy passed away yesterday. I would be lying if I say I didn't start crying when I found out. He was a wonderful person and he will surely be missed. It was an honor to know him in the time that I did. My best to his family. His family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
I'm flying blind...
Talking about....
Nevermind….
What's going on???
I can't see....
In front of me....
Is anyone there???
Hear my plead!!!
Help me!!! Kill me!!!
What do I do???
While flying blind....
I see you....
Losing my mind....
Crumbling down....
My life unfolds....
Permanent frown....
The story goes....
Clouded thoughts....
Fill my head....
Serenity sought....
The truth is said....
One of the things that I love is helping righties see the world ( as much as they can ) through the eyes of a left handed person. Like I've said in my blog that I wrote ( https://fromthemouthofavoicelessactor.blogspot.com/2018/05/always-in-my-right-mind.html ) like most things in the world, if it doesn't personally effect you, then you most likely don't think about it as much. Over the years I have had conversations with my wife about the struggles left handed people go through in a right handed dominated world and she has seen it as well. So the other day, without speaking about it, she starts a conversation that I have never thought of before. She said, " I wonder how many people who claim to be ambidextrous, are truly left handers that at some point in their lives had some sort of negative influence to make them also righties. Now before you say, that doesn't happen anymore, I'll stop you right there and say "Yes, yes it does". Thoughts? Be safe everyone.
