Halloween is over!   I can breathe again!

Looks like I survived another one, so how did I do?

This year has been a tough one.  I can easily say that it was the hardest year I've had.  Shortly after Halloween last year I got the call that I was moving to Virginia.  And I did not want to go.  I was happy in Florida, comfortable.  I was branching out in new creative ways and now everything was threatened.  I had no friends or family there... I'm going in cold.  And that's just what it was.  I spent Christmas and New Year's alone.  An extension of the punishment that Disney sentenced me to.  I was miserable and depressed for the first few months.  I had joined Rocky hoping to get some friends but encountered mostly closed groups and cliques.  But I am nothing if not persistent.  Eventually, they got used to me and slowly through frisbee golf and group movies I became part of the group.  It wasn't long before I started hanging out with Soph.  Thank God I found a real partner in crime up here.  Just like Logan in Florida and Dalles in New York, I've got another creative person to plot with.  And what if all 4 of us pulled power together one day...  shudder....

Just about the time I was getting some social success, work began closing in.  I found that people were complaining about me.  I don't want to get to into it, but I was threatened with being fired.  Nothing that happened,  do I believe is my fault.  I've had little to no instruction on the way particular people like things and they get mad when I can't read their minds.  The whole thing was ridiculous and I'm still suffering the effects of all the needless petty blackballing.  Fortunately I've been surviving the constant 'tests' they keep throwing at me.  Not fun for someone to tell you to do something 'or else' every week.

Other stresses include sinus infections, dates that lead nowhere, losing a hard drive, and of course a rent that has slowly drained any remaining savings I had.  Ughh....  Arrghhh...  AAAAHHHHH!!!

Enough of the bad stuff.  I want to talk about the good.   Work is getting better.  I got word that I could be working at the pentagon on an actual project, not proposals, soon.  And best of all I'd get a clean slate with the new team.  I hope this actually happens because I'm tired of the games.  Plus, I'd get a chance to work in one of the most famous buildings ever.  That would be cool, and a huge plus on the resume'.

Friendwise, things are better too.  If I threw a party, people might actually show up now.  Getting to know folks at Rocky better.  I'm not so awkward and can act more like myself.  I also got to direct two preshows for Halloween this year.  That alone shows that I'm more accepted, and hopefully it showcased a bit of my talent to them.  Being able to do the occasional preshow can help fill the hole I got when I found out that Tranzies don't do callbacks up here.  Yay for creative outlets!  The preshows went well by the way.

I'm also finally getting the Stuart Woods monkey off my back.  $1437 a month for a 2 bed 1 bath.  That is just short of outrageous.  Well, 5 min away I found another place for $1070.  Same size.  So yeah, it'll be nice to save almost $400 a month.  Pay off some bills, maybe leave the year with more money than when I start.

Other things that happened, include seeing a friend star in a play in Manhattan, vacations back to Florida and Indiana, my most popular costume ever (Barf at Dragoncon, thanks Soph), and finding a horror loving movie group.

So what's ahead for next year?

Well of course I'm going to throw out the usual.  I'm going to get fit and get a girlfriend.  Sad how those seem to go together.  I'm also going to love living at the new place and working the new job.  I want to do a lot of writing this year.  I'm going to finish up my current script and attempt to complete 2 more within the year.  1 horror and 1 with a strong leading lady role.  I'm also going to more actively pursue getting my other script read by an agent.  Acting wise, I'm going to push forward with my friend Soph in trying to create some shorts.  Internet videos.  Help us improve our skills and perhaps make something great.  I think we're going to lean towards horror and comedy since it's what we do best.  I'm also going to start a weekly dancing / exercise group with some Rocky kids.  It'll help me lose some fat and also get some good rehearsal time for future Rocky preshows.  Not enough for you?  Well, I'm also going to try and get a podcast up and running.  I've had some interest from various friends in getting one started.  It'll be mostly movie based and I will of course get to talk horror.  Yay!  But a crashed computer, divorced friend, trip to China, and Halloween have slowed it up.  I'd really like to get at least one episode taped this month.  Gotta see if I can heard those cats.

Well, I think that's enough for now.  In short, it took a year to find my place here but I think I may finally have it.  Let's hope everything turns out as good as I think it can.

And yes Mom, I will find a permanent church.

Current Mood: accomplished

So after you get done watching the new Michael Jackson movie you'll probably want to watch some actual scary movies this Halloween.  Have no fear, ZomBart is here to help you make sure you get a good one.  And just to prove the point to those that say horror is dead, I'm going to mark the movies that came out straight to DVD.  Unlike most genres, DVD is the BEST place to find horror now-a-days.

Onto the list!

Halloween Party Movies:

1. TRICK R TREAT - Straight to DVD anthology movie.  A mix of horror and comedy, this movie takes you through some classic scenarios including the disgruntled trick-r-treater, the creepy old guy on the block, the local urban legend, and of course trying to get some at a Halloween party.  Great movie, Brand new, my number one pick this year!

2. MURDER PARTY - Straight to DVD.  A group of artists have gotten together to capture the ultimate life experience, the end.  Hilarity ensues as a helpless nerd awaits a bloody end at the hands of his incompetent captors.  Cardboard suits of armor, extreme truth or dare, and making fun of bohemians is a great way to spend a night.

3. DANCE OF THE DEAD - Straight to DVD Zombie movie.  Another Zombie Comedy that absolutely belongs next to Zombieland and Shaun of the Dead on the list of Zom-Com Royalty.  Zombies have taken over the prom and it's up to losers and cheerleaders to blow up the school.  Zombies Making out, shooting out of their graves and hitting the ground running, and of course dancing to the sappy prom ballads.  Extremely likable unknown cast and some great dialog.

4. THE MONSTER SQUAD - An 80's classic recently released on DVD.  This movie is basically The Goonies of horror.  A group of Universal style monsters are on the loose with Dracula in the lead.  It's up to a group of young kids and a creepy old german to perform the proper ritual and send them all back to limbo.  This movie has my favorite portrayal of Dracula.  My apologies to Bela and Christopher, but none of them ever threw around sticks of dynamite or called a 4 year old girl a "bitch".  He's nuts.

5. THE MACHINE GIRL - It wouldn't be me if I didn't put a foreign movie on this list.  There isn't much you need to know about this one except that a Japanese Schoolgirl is under attack by ninjas and thugs and she has a Gatling Gun for an arm.  Yeah, it's ridiculous, bloody and simply amazing.


If none of those float your boat  here are some other high recommends broken up by genre.

Zombie Flicks:
CHILDREN SHOULDN'T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS - classic that has grown on me.
DEAD AND BREAKFAST - Comedy with line dancing Zombies and David Carradine
DEAD GIRL - Disturbing movie about boys molesting a zombie girl. Not for Everyone.
REC - Spanish movie that takes first person zombies movies to scary great places.
RE-ANIMATOR - Lovecraft meets Frankenstein.  Classic gore film with my fave horror actor.

Ghost Flicks:
1408 - John Cusack is stuck in a haunted hotel.  Some great visual gags.
THE ORPHANAGE - The last movie to really scare me before Paranormal Activity.  Perfect acting and script.  Intensely scary.
A TALE OF TWO SISTERS - Two girls move in with their new stepmom but they aren't alone in the house.  This place is haunted by more than secrets.  Terrifying.
THE EYE - Get the original!  Not the American remake!  A girl seeing unexpected ghosts and trying to prevent a disaster.
THE RING - Although she has been parodied a lot.  Samara still scares the hell out of me.

Monster Flicks:
JACK BROOKS MONSTER SLAYER - A plumber uses his inner rage to fight goofy looking monsters in this awesome horror comedy.
THE DESCENT - A group of girls goes spelunking and finds horrible monsters lurking in the dark.
SPLINTER - Something is taking over our bodies and adding our flesh to its own.  Plays out like a freaky zombie movie, just grosser.
BLACK SHEEP - Monster Were-Sheep are scaring up fun down under.  As good as it sounds.
BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF - French movie with a team of badass hunters going after a local monster legend.

Vampire / Werewolf Flicks:
GINGER SNAPS - My favorite wolf movie.  Highschool goth uses her werewolf skills to terrorize the school.  Only her sister can stop her before she kills everyone.
LET THE RIGHT ONE IN - Slower Foreign movie that spins traditional movies.  Vamp girl makes friends with a boy and they help each other deal with life's little problems.
DOG SOLDIERS - Group of soldiers find themselves surrounded by wolves in this British Comedy
FRIGHT NIGHT - Classic 80s movie about the vampire that moves in right next door.
THE LOST BOYS - I miss the 80s when Vampires really were vampires.  You've seen this before, watch it again.

Serial Killers:
ALL THE BOYS LOVE MANDY LANE - Above average slasher with hot teen cast
AMERICAN PSYCHO - Is both hilarious and Horrifying.  Great send up of 80s culture.
INSIDE - French movie about a lady trying to cut the baby out of another woman.  Gross and intense.
MAY - Awkward girl decides she prefers parts of people more than the whole thing. Funny and cool.
SEVERENCE - It's toted as THE OFFICE meets Friday the 13th and it basically is.  Funny stuff.

There you go.  More than enough to keep you busy over the holiday season.  And if you are hitting the theaters I give both ZombieLand and Paranormal Activity 2 big thumbs up.  Still waiting to see Cirque du Freak and Saw 6.  You can wait on Sorority Row, Jennifer's Body, and Final Destination 4.

notes? comments?

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Hello everyone!

So my phone finally died.  And I don't think I can get any of the old numbers out of it.  Can you all send me your phone numbers and perhaps the numbers of any mutual friends and family we have?  It would be greatly appreciated.  And if you don't want to talk to me again, now is your chance to run away!

Bart

1. I’m more impressed by a good piano player than any other instrument or singer.  I think the people that play in piano bars and can just whip out almost any tune are some of the most talented people on Earth.

2. I don’t find accents sexy.  I never did.  When people swoon over a southern or French accent I don’t get it.  Sure it can be cute.  But it can also be annoying if the accent is thick.  I’m not saying that accents are bad or a deal breaker but they aren’t something to send my heart fluttering.  Ironically, Asian girls that don’t have an accent do seem to have a little extra something I can’t explain.

3. When it comes to Christmas lights, I think only cool colors should be used outside.  Save all your warm reds and yellows for inside.

4.  I sleep with a CPAP mask on (continuous positive air pressure) this means that I never look sexy when I’m asleep and I wake up with lines on my face.  It also means I no longer snore and I’m dutch oven resistant.

5.  My two favorite sounds in the world are snow compacting under a foot and when a large pile of bricks slowly shifts.

6.  I get extremely nervous and guarded around religious people, especially family.  I’m always scared that if I act like myself they’ll be offended.  I’m not very confrontational and people don’t change so there is no point to me stirring up trouble.  Path of least resistance or maybe I’m a coward.

7.MASH is one of my comedy roots.  It is where I got my timing and my quick wit.  I later learned that the style is based on Groucho and the Marx brothers.  I’ve only seen 1 Marx brothers movie and like 5 full length 3 stooges movies.

8.  I changed more in my 3 years in Florida than I did in the 10 years prior in Indiana.  Some changes were painful and not for everyone but I think they all made me a better person.

9. I still pray before I go to bed each night.  And also right before take off and landing.  My standard prayer is a variation on the Lord’s Prayer.  First I ask for protection of myself, my friends and family.  Then I ask for forgiveness and forgive others as well.  Then I thank for the day and request for a good day tomorrow.  Then I do specific things, like praying for help, guidance, a miracle, or even a break.  When I was a kid I used to sing happy Birthday to Jesus during my prayer on Christmas night.

10. My most embarrassing moment was when I couldn’t get on a rollercoaster at Six Flags because I was too big.  It scarred me pretty good and I hope nobody else ever has to go through that.  Huge props to Universal for installing bigger seats.

11.  I talk to Nala (my dog) like she is a normal person.  And sometimes when I look in her eyes I think I see intelligence.  And then she does something stupid like walking into a wall.  When I take her to the bathroom I call it checking her P-Mail.

12.  My greatest and most overpowering fear is dying alone.

13. I want to have 2 kids of my own and then adopt a 3^rd.  The 3^rd will not be white.  I think I’d like either an Asian girl or a black boy.  Not sure why.  And all my kids will be fearless. 

14.  I believe that 90% of my problems are based around my terrible body image.  All my failures in love and friends and entertaining go back to lack of confidence.  And the number 1 reason I have a bad body image is because I’m fat.  And the reason I’m fat is that I have no portion control.  So the solution to my problems is to blind myself.  That way I won’t know there is food left.  On second thought… I did just get a blue ray player.  And Warcraft is tough when you can’t see.  And sunglasses make me look conceited.  I’ll have to think of another solution.

15. I don’t believe in Ghosts.  But I really like the idea and I’m hoping they do exist.  I’m fascinated with ghost movies and TV shows about ghost hunting.  But I’ve never tried a Ouija Board or done an actual ghost hunt or séance.  Even the slight chance of something contacting me is terrifying.  I also worry about getting a demon in ghost clothing.

16.  When I sing karaoke and do it well, I get a high that is beyond anything.  It’s my favorite thing to do on stage.  Doing something great at Rocky is fun, but I’ve yet to get that wave of recognition like you get when you sing.  I used to sing every weekend and would do everything from Rap to Country to Heavy Metal.  I was good and even had fans.  I have not gone much in the last few years and it really bums me out.

17. I’ve been in the following costumes: Pirate, Transylvanian, Dentist, Zombie, Shark, Jason, Alien, Cat, Vampire, Werewolf, Terrorist, Santa Claus, Preacher, Player, Rapper, Plant, Mad Scientist, Crack Whore, Serial Killer, The Brown Knight, Indiana Jones, Ghostbuster, Cop, Leper, Red neck, Blues Brother, Greaser, Clown, Demon, Evil Santa, Man in Tights, Executioner, Warden, Radio Show Host, Masochist, Bounty hunter, Ninja, Jailbird, Leatherface, Mime, Princess, General, Gorilla, Indian, Witch, Darth Vader, and bum.

18. QUEEN is the first band I fell in love with.  GUNS N’ROSES was the second.

19.  When I retire I’d like to sink my money into opening a specialty horror store.  Selling books, movies, toys, shirts, posters, etc.  It will be aimed at the horror culture with mostly non-mainstream things.  It will be a place to hang out and discuss things and locate rare pieces.  It will not be a place for Halloween costumes or other things you find at Spencers or Hot Topic.  Although when I franchise it might put a few of those out of business.  I want to have crazy theming in each section like a spooky library for the books and a dungeon for the clothing.  Think Disney store style figures except evil.

20. I don’t like engineering.  I’m just good at it.  If I had a chance I would much rather move into a creative career.  Movies, art, writing.  I was just always scared to try and now I’m stuck.  I’m secretly hoping that one of my scripts will earn me enough money one day that I can go into that full time.

21.  I automatically love anything with Pee Wee, Ernest or Pauly Shore.

22. I’m sick of unicorns.  I’ve dealt with them for far too long.  I’m going to ask Darkness to take them away for good.

23.  On video games I prefer to play the female characters.  Now most would think that this means I want to be a girl.  I think it means I’d rather stare at a girl character over a guy.  And yes, that means choosing a male character makes you gay.

24.  I haven’t always been into horror movies.  In fact I only saw a handful before college.  In college I got into movies in general and started to watch all the classics and familiarize myself with Kurosawa and Wells.  I was out of college and working when I joined a horror snob group online called the Axis of Very Evil.  We talked horror constantly and I rented everything I could get my hands on.  This is when I was exposed to the culture and I fell in love with it.  Then I started hitting conventions and things just clicked.  Never looked back.  But Bart in high school was basically about action and comedies so there is hope for all of you.

25. I voted for President 4 times.  The first time was for Perot, the next two times were for Bush, and the last time I switched to Obama at the last second.  So I’ve voted Independent once, Republican twice and Democrat once.  That should be enough to outrage almost everyone I know.  Of those 3, I still like Perot the best.

I should never have been Ofir’s friend.  He’s everything I was told was bad.  He’s gay, he’s a foreigner, he’s very liberal and worst of all he’s an atheist.  14 years ago I would’ve told this guy to go pray for forgiveness because he wouldn’t get any from me.  It’s amazing how much a belief can change with a little perspective.  Today I’m a different person, a better person, and I owe a large part of it to this man I was supposed to hate.  I can honestly say that Ofir changed my life and he’s one of my best friends.  I didn’t see it coming. 

When I joined the Rich Weirdoes I looked around for people I’d like to know and become friends with.  A few jumped out right away, but Ofir was different.  He was less a peer than an, oh dear me, an adult.  It seemed that most the cast looked at him this way too.  He’s a teacher, director, sometimes mother, but never an equal.  Never just a friend.  This bugged me and I decided that I wanted to get to know him on a different level.  I started hanging out with him more and through a lot of long conversations and fun nights I started to see what only a couple have seen.  Ofir is really an all around great friend.  Just a bit older and with money.  He’s funny, he’s clever, he comes up with interesting schemes, and I found myself wanting to hang out with him more and more.  Over the next few years we did the friend thing, we went to concerts, hit the restaurants, a few comedy shows, some great walks, trips to Disney, etc.  And during this time I was always impressed with what a nice guy he was. 

Respect has been a problem with me lately.  As I grow up and become jaded,  the world has fewer and fewer people I can respect.  I see so many people who just don’t care about anyone, never try to accomplish anything or who still hold ridiculous discriminatory views.  So it really means something when I say Ofir has my respect.  My respect and my trust.  He holds people to who they are, not what they are.  How else would a Christian become a close friend with all the current animosity between gays and religious groups?  He’s a hard worker and so vastly underappreciated.  I know playing on guilt is a game for him, but he really is.  I admire Ofir for the things he has accomplished.  I could never run a cast of people.  I could never take in so many transients.  I could never tolerate all the late nights working.  And yet he does it all.  He takes care of himself and all around him and he does it, mostly, with a smile.  Can we stop and think about that for a second?  When was the last time you helped someone with rent, or threw someone a party, or played baby/dog sitter, or performed a wedding, or financed a play, or catered an event, or organized a parade float, or ran a Rocky cast including rehearsals… how about doing all of that at once while still working a full time job with overtime!  No wonder he doesn’t have time for himself.  We should have an Ofir appreciation week or something where everybody does all his chores and errands for him (including paying for things).  But don’t do it till I’m down there so I can help.

I hear my past self still yelling at me at times.  And see those ignorant beliefs in lots of people I know still today.  But he’s an atheist, he shouldn’t have any morals.  And still he’s one of the most moral people I know.  But he’s foreign; he just wants to milk the system.  And yet he volunteers for voting and tax support.  But he’s a liberal; he must be a self centered idiot.  And still he can back up all his beliefs and talk intelligently about all the issues of the day.  But he’s gay, what does he know of family?  And yet I can say I’ve received as much support and encouragement from him as any member of my family.  He’s selfless and extremely caring.  Ofir was a shock to my system.  A very welcome shock.  I guess that even though we became friends he did become a teacher for me after all. 

So I’d like to thank him.  For helping me to see the world in a few more shades.  And even though I don’t think I convinced him that all Christians mean well (a little help Huckabee, you are killing me) I hope I managed to enrich his life a little as well.  See we aren’t all bad. 

I miss you my friend.  And I hope we can get together and party again soon.  Until then you’ll have to settle for me giving you bad movie reviews when I call at all hours of the night.  Stay the great guy you are and let me know when you finally convert to Christianity and want me to witness the baptism, after all both Jesus and I love you.

Current Mood: thoughtful

http://www.flickr.com/photos/56192610@N00/sets/72157611584589265/

enjoy!

It's all starting to come together. 

I got through the first week of work.  It really isn't that bad.  So far I like the office and the guys I work with.  I think it could be an interesting place to be.  And there seems to be some pretty 'important' projects coming up.

I've started to explore the area and I'm happy with what I'm finding.  Yeah it doesn't have all the water parks and glitzy lights of Orlando, but it has plenty of shopping.  Now I just need to find the entertainment.

Here's the big news... I signed a lease today.  I have an apartment.  Its a 2 bed/ 1 bath.  It's in a beautiful area and I love it... The only thing I don't like is the price. $1437 a month.  yeah, you read that right.  but it includes utilities.  There are 45 miles of trails running nearby so Nala will love it.  Here is the address... note that it's only 13 and a half hours away.  wink wink.

705 Tamarack Way apt 2C, Herndon, VA 20170

Now don't send anything there yet.  I don't officially take over till the 15th.

Last Saturday was one of the best days ever.  Thank you everyone that went to Universal.  I had a great time.  And it kept going through the show that night.  I'm hoping next Saturday at Disney is just as good and that I can see more people.

Here is what the schedule looks like now...

WED (3rd): Return to Orlando
THURS (4th): Godspell
FRI (5th): Goodbye Dinner at Imperial Dynasty
Horror movie night
SAT (6th): Farewell Disney trip
SUN (7th): Return to Virginia

WED (10th): Return to Orlando
THURS (11th): Packing
FRI (12th): Final Rocky performance
SAT (13th): Move prep
SUN (14th): Drive to Virginia
MON (15th): Unpack in new home


So there it is.  Only 2 weeks left.  So I need EVERYONE THAT BORROWED SOMETHING FROM ME (dvds, clothes, masks, etc) GIVE IT BACK IMMEDIATELY!  I need things or I'll lose them.  If I have something of yours please remind me and I'll make sure you get it.

One last thing, time is running short so if you want to say something to me, do something with me, tell me how much you hate me, tell me how much you love me, get a picture with me, or even spend a night of passion (yeah, I don't want to take everything to Virginia) now is the time.  No day but today.

Love you guys, see you in a few days.

Here is my schedule:

FRI: Nov 21 - Tri County Comic Con Rocky Show
SUN: Nov 23 - Leave for Virginia

WED: Nov 26 - Return to Orlando
THU: Nov 27 - Orphan Thanksgiving at Ofir's
FRI: Nov 28 - Rocky horror
SAT: Nov 29 - Last trip to Disney
SUN: Nov 30 - Leave for Virginia

WED: Dec 3 - Return to Orlando
FRI: Dec 5 - Goodbye Dinner
SAT: Dec 6 - Last trip to Universal
SUN: Dec 7 - Leave to Virginia

WED: Dec 10 - Return to Orlando
FRI: Dec 12 - Final Rich Weirdo Show
SUN: Dec 14 - Leave to Virginia

I'll return at some point after I have an apartment to get my car and dog.

Well, it finally happened.  The moment I've dreaded and anticipated for the last 3 months.  I'm leaving Orlando.  I was offered a job in Dulles. Virginia and I'm going to take it.

I want to say goodbye to everyone but I'm afraid that there isn't enough time.  I start work on Monday.  They want me to fly out and work 3 days a week till mid December.  If you want to spend some time with me, we'll have to arrange something.  I do want to have another Disney and Universal day.

The area I'm living in is supposed to be really nice, with lots of theaters, theme parks, and places like Washington DC, Philadelphia and New York within 4 hours drive.  So there is no reason for you not to visit me.  And I'm going to look into joining the Rocky Cast, Transylvanian Concubines, and enter shows into the Metro Fringe fest.

Despite the area being great, and the job presenting amazing opportunities (they did work on the Pentagon and the Smithsonian) I'm extremely sad right now.  And frankly it's all your fault.  The people that I've met in the last 3 years have been some of the best ever.  I can't believe how much you've helped me grow and how much you all mean to me.  This move will be harder than when I left home.  I'm just so close to everyone.

I think one of the things that hurts most is that I don't feel my work here is done.  I just started on my career in writing, I just did my first MC.  I still have 47 years more work at Disney i had planned on.  And now, I'm starting over.  Ugh.  It's hard to start again when you are over 30.  Friends will be a challenge.  Particularly after the bar being set so high.

So yeah, that's it.  Life is moving on and I have to follow.

I love you all and wish you all success.  There's so much I want to say, but I can't put it in words.  Just know that I'm taking you with me in spirit. 

I wonder how Virginia feels about Zombie Marches.

Current Mood: sad