Home Sweet Home

Hey yo! Friday night! About to go pick up the bros and go have some fun, get into some trouble! Hope all is well with everyone!

Saw "Takers" (good), "Resident Evil Afterlife 3D" (alright), "Piranha 3D" (awesome), and "Machete" (disappointing) this week at the movie theater.

Dealing with a broke laptop, cell phone, and dying Prius! Ahhhhh!
Had a fun time driving around haunted spots in the LB w/ Karen last night...Had a fun time last weekend in San Diego w/ Spangie at a Hippy Party...Had fun with my bros (Terence, Craig, Jole, Aaron) at Deli News on Wednesday.
9/11 was last week! 9 years ago man....God bless America.
VMA's were good. Trueblood & Entourage finales were cool...My kitty is good.
Been a better week than last week, lemme tell ya!

Elbow still rough, though. Injuries!

Rockin out to Motley Crue right now. Party hard!

I Sunburnt My Knees Somehow!

 “Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world.”
--Ada Louise Huxtable, writer

What a beautiful day it was...Walked down by the bay and saw lovely ladies in bikinis partying on boats...Summer is awesome in So Cal. There is this one corner on the Bayshore beach where sorority girls always kick it...Oh boy, I need to get back in shape!

Had fun yesterday at the beach with Karen (I almost tossed her in the ocean, but instead ate her sandwich), later the hanging out with my boys Nick & Greg (got Chipotle, watched Monday Night Football pre-season game), and finally kicked it with Spangie (ate Panda Express, got her hooked on How I Met Your Mother, snuggled with her puppy Lilu). You know, I am blessed to have such a great family, and friends. Karen is very impassioned, and I love talking to her about world affairs, and venting to her about my problems! Nick & Greg are like my brothers, and they always have my back, no matter what. They consistently cheer me up! Some of our conversations are sitcom-worthy, for sure. And Spangie is just hilarious. When she isn't wrestling with some bureaucratic nuisance, she's entertaining me with her endless energy and spirit.

Spoke to my artist, Winford, for a while about our next comic strip...He is having some computer difficulties, but I hope it still turns out good. (The concept art is to the right, these are characters I developed in 1993. This is will the 2nd strip of "Jumbo & Hoppy" by Winford & myself.)

This weekend was fun...movie w/ Karen (the Spanish version of "Quarantine" called "REC", which came out first, and was slightly better than the remake) & had a fun dinner w/ her fam, BBQ block party for cousin's bday, then a bday party at a bar for my homegirl Steffani (saw lots of old school faces from high school. was the ultimate designated driver again), kicked it with Spangie, kicked it with Danny...Good friends and good times!

Looking forward to reading new comic books tomorrow and getting my latest script done!

Okay, I'm off to a late dinner and a movie! Keep fighting!

The Unread Safeword

The Unread Safeword

Composed on 8/19/10

God forgive me for this life I’ve led

And all the blood and tears I’ve shed

The battles continue with frightful raging

My own content, a front I’m waging

Staged the combat seen so freely

With nerves quite calm, a look so steely

Deep the hurt goes in scenes so often

Where I die, then arise from my own coffin

Each day’s a chance to live it brighter

But I feel the Tempter’s grip grow tighter

Fighting for my best performance

The pressure builds till it’s too enormous

And maybe I’ve grown a comfort for it

A life so wretched that I deplore it

Stored in my own heart’s locked compartment

Is a word so soft, etched on a parchment

In a language long dead and ancient

In my translation, I’m not ever patient

So I do not bother to read this secret

Buried, forgotten is where I keep it

But maybe you can guess this codeword

That would propel me up and forward

It might be reason, or maybe hope

The truths in love for my sorrow’s cope

Yet without it, I commence in warring

Not concerned by what my heart is storing

And in each death, I find rebirth

Missing the essence of what life’s worth

Though I would not allow myself to free it

Just say I could release this note to see it

The word is not for my understanding

While I give in to my foes’ demanding

My eyes are shrouded by the World’s illusions

So I dwell in conflict’s endless confusion

God, I give thanks, for You remain so kind

In spite of all my choices, my eyes so blind

Reluctant Smile

"The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire; the size of your dream; and how you handle disappointment along the way."
-Robert Kiyosaki, author & investor

In an odd mood today, need to remember to smile despite any adversity in my life, and focus on moving forward and being positive. I am blessed in so many ways, regardless of any tiny snags or obstacles that come my way.

I had two possible acting gigs recently, one fell through because my hair has been cut (they wanted my long hair for a 70's role). The second was for a detective, which would have been great, but the tallest guy they could take was 6'3", so I am 2-3 inches too tall. Darn, those are the breaks! Acting involves constant rejection, and you have to remain thick-skinned and diligent.

Debated a friend today, did some reading, worked on a script, ate Subway for lunch. Nothing too exciting. I have to go lift and then figure out what I'm doing with myself tonight. Might have to work a premiere tomorrow.

Last weekend was lots of fun (clubs, fights on TV and in real life, movies, friends). Danny & Jason are two of the craziest guys there are, but both of them are exceptional human beings! Had a nice lunch in Hollywood with Karen the other day. Had a great time getting sushi with Greg last night, and found my camera! Yes! Look forward to seeing "The Expendables" soon. I have a couple interesting films to blog about that I saw on Netflix. Back to the grind, trying to sell a script...Gotta make 2010 remarkable!

"Inside of every problem lies an opportunity."
-Robert Kiyosaki, author & investor

(Here is a sample of artwork of a comic strip that my friend Francis Dulguime and I working on. Its called "Animabies" and its about Anime characters as little tykes. Finished product will be done before the end of the month...)

What's up there, Chief?

"If you obey all the rules you miss all the fun." -Katharine Hepburn

When I go out of this world, I'll be able to say I had a helluva time in it!

The roar of the speed boats sounds in the Marina, and a strange banging sound raps at my window...What is it? I'm too tired to investigate. Just got invited to Laughlin by my cute homegirl. Do I go? My latest assignment is up, so I will have some free time. Hmmm. I did get jealous when Snate and the boys went last time without me. And I love to Jet Ski!

Oh man, still recovering from last night. I need to go feed some animals, then feed myself, and lift weights...I've done some epic partying lately. Seen some great movies recently, too. Will have to explain in more detail later. Thank goodness for good back rubs. Can't find my camera. Is at Greg's, the Shorehouse, at a bar, or lost? Karen needs her BP photo! Uh, I have heartburn.

Okay, my screenwriting is calling me, and I have texts and phone calls to return, but much love to my people, and stay happy!

Living is Trying Everyday

"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent van Gogh

There is a lot of truth to that quote. I know times can get you down, heck I feel it too. The economy, the world, self-imposed pressures, expectations of family, friends and society can all be daunting... But I hope you have the courage to try new things, go for your dreams, and live the life you want. This is your book, your movie...You are the hero, so be courageous and make it happen!

Ah, enough with the pep talk. I need to knock out because I have to wake up early for work, but I wanted to post something.

My back is feeling better, even though I moved some heavy boxes today. On Monday, I saw "Date Night" (Carell & Fey had great chemistry) with Spangie and ate amazing Chinese food. We walked around her neighborhood with the pups. Later watched 2006 Korean horror film "The Host" with my broken buddy Nick. He didn't like the movie; more importantly, his neck is getting better slowly but surely. On Tuesday night, went and saw "Dinner for Schmucks" (so hilarious) with Karen. We got lost looking for a Taco Bell. She had a headache all evening long (I have that effect on people. LOL), so we had to call it an early night (we were going to pull a double feature). Good times. I hope to see a cool movie Wednesday night with great friends (more on that later).

I just ate a piece of apple pie with vanilla ice cream and watched a "How I Met Your Mother" episode. Love that show. Speaking of shows I love, I can't wait for "Smallville" to come back on. I need my SUPERMAN fix! 2 or 3 comics featuring The Man of Tomorrow a month is not enough. Wish there was a new Supes cartoon series airing nowadays!

The neighbor 3 cats I'm cat-sitting are doing good. Gotta feed them early before work. My cat is good. He is large and fluffy and violent, as usual. My life is good.

But, I'm old. I have several injuries. My scripts haven't sold yet. I don't have the budget to direct an indie feature. I'm not married yet. All my romances turn out to be failures (in the sense that none end happily, although many great memories are formed). It's all good though. Why?

Because I'm going to keep trying. Keep working. Keep living. Keep loving. Keep laughing. My life is great, in spite of and because of the failures. It makes the victories even better!

God bless, and take care!

No Sex in My City w/ Back Pain and a Missing Kitty!

I've been working on comic strips (writing) with my artist bro's Winford and Francis, and I'm excited to see how they turn out!

Man, this weekend was fun, and rough. Saw "The Crazies" w/ my friends Greg & Karen on Thursday (it was a fun horror flick). Then on Friday night, I enjoyed watching my boom operator/associate producer & fellow cinephile Chad Gleason's Dance/Musical show with our movie-watching gang: Mikey, Chris, and Sharon. Chad was brilliant and funny as usual! In celebration, we went to Paul's Place in Los Alamitos and the Long Beach Town Center afterward. But then sadly on Saturday, I was tore up with back pain and stomach problems. No bueno! Couldn't even go wild w/ high school buddies Danny and Jason because I felt so bad (although, last time I was their designated driver, Danny tried to kill me while I was driving by putting plastic bag over my head and I had to punch him in the face!). And I don't appreciate drunken idiots peeing in a water bottle in my backseat, either (but karma caught him when Danny had to break into his own house, and he scared his dog, causing her to pee on the floor, ha!). Anyway, Sunday was low-key. Fed my neighbors cats in the early AM--I was missing one of the three until this evening when he was found in the bushes! I was stressing the last day and a half over that missing cat! After cat duty, I went to church, which was rejuvenating, then knocked out a nap, and woke up and watched some "How I Met Your Mother" episodes. Hung out with my sister, later had delicious ribs and chicken for dinner and watched the always awesome "True Blood" and "Entourage". Oh, then sadly, I also saw "Sex and the City 2" this weekend. My review is below! Hope all is well with you good people out there, and stay strong!

SEX AND THE CITY 2 REVIEW---There are some cool visuals (especially in the Middle East settings, and Alice Eve from "She's Out of My League" going around bra-less was nice, too). The ladies do have some charm left in them, even with their cheesy one-liners ("Lawrence of my labia!"). The actresses appear to be having fun, so it in turn lets us enjoy the ride. But that alone cannot carry the film. Perhaps a movie so heavy on fashion, furniture, alcohol, and style is lost on someone like me, but I imagine that its merely candy-coating for their demographic. It at times felt like porn for middle-aged women addicted to the Travel Channel. And as much as I appreciate feminist criticisms of the way women are poorly treated in the Middle East, S.a.t.C.2 was so soft and polite with their social commentary that it made their valid points toothless. Instead of something important, we got a lot of scenes often showing the aged gals acting spoiled, complaining about their jobs or hard-working men (except Kristen Davis, she's hot!) and pretending to be perhaps more attractive and fashionable than they really are (sorry, they are all beautiful in their own way, but maybe not in the sex-glamor way they're portrayed as). I don't know if I'm so used to the show ENTOURAGE (w/ good writing and interesting characters) that I've been tainted to not favor these girly exploits that seem of lesser substance than Vinnie Chase's cheap Hollywood thrills. So much of the dialogue seems forced, as does the conflict between Carrie and Mr. Big (their separation seemed awfully contrived in the first film as well). There were some nice character moments exploring the humanity behind stressful motherhood & marriage, but those got buried by the glitz and confetti. The film also has so many shameless product placements (Suzanne Summers' book, Ruffles, Rolex, etc.). Cameos were prevalent throughout the film: Penelope Cruz was refreshing, Miley Cyrus was frivolous. Liza Minnelli's cameo was funny at first (singing Beyonce's Single Ladies) until it became a painful metaphor for the whole film: older women past their prime faking youth and trying to be sexy and modern (sorry if that's harsh, God bless them!). I don't know if Gossip Girl is like a young S.a.t.C. (I didn't/don't watch either show), but I'd say its probably more relevant, considering these cougars are way past retirement age. The film wants to "sparkle" and it does, but not like a diamond, more like a cheap bedazzled jewel.

July Poetry

Thrill Alive

7/1/10

The jeopardy of it all

And in the thunder of my thinking, it seems…

Seems to me that I had lost certain words to say such things

In the ever-being of weeks

The fault all around me is present

In resentment and misunderstanding

And I see I have done the same

I forgive the missteps of others in anger

Due to my own aching flaws

And hope that blessings come to all

See, the danger of life

Is the conquest that is a promise

You keep to yourself each morning

That drifts into the afternoon, muddled

And remembered while saying your nightly prayers…

Because of a love I once had

For direction and focus and accomplishment

I seek that thrill of victory

Laughing in the face of failure

A smirk on my face

The Uncertain Doorframe

7/26/10

An indescribable description is what I want to write

Despite my simple mind and my complex life

But it’s not in the art of these days that I find solace

Nor the beauty of nature

Nor the comfort of friends

I lend my mind to yesterday

A play that stays in a half-finished outline

And it both enlightens me and tortures me

For the past was great and tragic and bittersweet

And my present is blessed and cursed

And the future: UNCERTAIN

Certainly, I know my path

I know my destiny pre-written, unpublished with errors

Yet, it is re-written in my writing

My soul and pen always in-fighting

It saves the pathway to a door locked and open

The knob is both keyless and broken

And beyond it is the life for which I was hoping


Thanks for reading my poetry!
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Saints & Vigilantes

THE FORTRESS OF DEREK SAYS, "LET THEM EAT CAKE!!!"

The weather hasn't been as hot lately, so that's a good thing. Kind of a medical day...Keeping tabs on my sister's doctors visit, and I myself was the vet for Ares the Cat getting vaccinations (he gets freaked out by the dogs at the hospital---a dog fight broke out in the other room and there was blood on the floor). Both my sis and cat are alright, though.

Let me just throw this out here: Max von Sydow is an amazing actor. My bros (Nick, Greg, & Rick) are watching "Shutter Island" right now (currently my 3rd favorite film of 2010). Max plays the creepy doctor in this flick, and I grew up loving him in movies like "Flash Gordon", "Dune", and "Needful Things". His best movie though? "The Exorcist". Frightening to this day!

We watched "Boondocks Saints 2: All Saints Day" earlier. Wasn't nearly as good as the first one, which I just dig thematically; religious vigilantes slaying the wicked. This new chapter didn't get compelling until the last thirty minutes. Glad they did throwbacks and cameos for lovers of the 1st film, but a lot of the film was too jokey and the dialogue was bad. Director Patrick Duffy needs to focus on a better screenplay for his next film (there were some interesting visuals in the movie, though). Once the story was fully fleshed out in the 3rd Act, it was pretty cool, but they should of revealed it earlier on. A documentary about Duffy called "Overnight" (a cautionary tale for any new blood breaking into Hollywood, and what NOT to do!) is a fascinating picture.

Saw the new DC Universe animated film "Batman: Under the Read Hood" yesterday and it was a very fun thrill-ride flick. Lots of villains, good action, nice voice acting, and good moral dilemmas for Bats. If I wrote Batman, he'd be a little more hardcore. He would have killed Joker a long time ago! Batman shouldn't share Superman's morality. He doesn't need to be The Punisher, but he should be angry and vicious, vengeful to an extent. Yes, he is brilliant, composed, but also a little nutty, on edge, living in the darkness and within the pain of his tortured soul...

My favorite DC Animated might be "Justice League: Crisis of Two Earths". Had a good time hanging out with my buddy Terence on his bday on Wednesday, along with my new film buddies Jole, Aaron, and Julian (who have some awesome YouTube content) at one my favorite Italian spots, The Deli News. I baked a bday cake for T, Max, and Stephanie from Pulp Fiction Comics (it was their birthdays earlier this month), and it was bomb, if I say so myself!

Look forward to a fun party tomorrow night. Will post again soon!

Subway Kinda Day

My cat has to hang out in the shower to stay cool. And he bites me to show his affection. What a sweetheart.

About to eat my 3rd Subway sandwich today...All my meals were from Subway...Who am I, Jared?
Some of them weren't even as good as normal. I hate when you get the Subway guy who just doesn't wanna help you...The happier the sandwich-maker, the better the food tastes!

Back hurtin'...Its a daily struggle. Hot again today. Didn't get much screenwriting done. Bad me. Need to write a new poem, too. Gotta write a comic strip with my artist Winford for my buddy Chris's website...A lot I gotta work on.

Watched two movies, "Law Abiding Citizen" and "Brooklyn's Finest". Both had cool parts, but I didn't enjoy either movie's ending. Good hanging out with recovering bro, Nick.

Hopefully I can go to a cool movie screening tomorrow. And I hope my cat does better in this heat. Poor Ares!

Tuesday Today

Hot day today, but loving it! Went on two nice walks...Worked on some writing. Falling behind on my movie-watching! My homie Max is totally kickin' my behind in 2010 movies watched (he's seen over 50 of this year's films, I've seen over 30). Need to schedule my days better...New comics tomorrow, so I have an early morning at the shop.

Sadly, my poor sister had to go the hospital today, but thank God she's fine...They ran some tests, she had stomach issues...I appreciated all the prayers from my friends! She's back at her home now, will have to do follow-ups later this week.

Had an awesome time at a bonfire last night with my buddies Greg (my bro of 15 years), Karen (my little activist spitfire), and Terence (my production manager). Nothing says summer like a beach and a firepit! We had burgers and 3 separate fires going! Still a lot of rusted nail and spider covered wood leftover too in the truck...Here's a pic from Greg's iPhone.

Can't wait to go see "Inception" this week. Had a crazy bday filled weekend couple days ago, will blog about that later...I have some In 'N Out calling me right now!

The Wounded Hunter (poem)

The Wounded Hunter
By Derek-Aron Van Easley
Composed May 4th, 2010

Forsaken for what I truly know
My shining quiver accompanied by bow
The arrows pining targets yonder
And oft I ache my heartless ponder
I wonder if my bow and arrow, my quiver
Give me reason to quake and shiver
Delivered in a narrow spurning
This time is fickle with the hands-a-turning
Distant in this suffered longing
All along, not quite belonging
Singing songs off key and shocking
The hunter’s set, the prey he’s stalkin
Gawking at his stealthy trappings
He’s checked his plans and drawn his mappings
But napping was I, while still awake
My arrow’s shot with a purposeful mistake
I take in my wounds, this hunter’s gaming
And in myself I find the blaming
A taming feature of a deranged bullseye
For in exchange, one creature shall die
The crying howling is not unheard
For pain is growling in muffled words
And hearts that are pierced from arrows shot
Are memories adrift in nets, still caught

Hot in July

It's hot! Cannot believe it is July already. My folks just had their anniversary, America is having her birthday, my best friend is turning 30, then my Pops has his bday...I'm happy, listening to "Karma Chameleon" by Culture Club right now. How I love my 80's music!

Hope all is well out there for everyone is the universe. Had a nice refreshing walk, had a delicious Subway lunch compliments of my Sis, and got a nice phone call later, bittersweet, but good all the same. Also got some good writing done (new poem, which I will post here soon)...Reading the latest issue of JUSTICE LEAGUE of AMERICA, and wishing my friends well who are going to the Anime Expo!

Finally watched "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" on DEMAND, and it was good! The animation was different and bright, and the voice actors (Bill Hader, Anna Faris, Bruce Campbell, James Caan, Andy Samberg & Mr. T) did a great job. (I want to get into voice acting!) The story was also original and refreshing. Sony Animation Studios turns out some nice flicks.

Favorite movie of the summer, and perhaps the year, is still "Toy Story 3". Absolutely loved that film. So much humanity from animated plastic figures. Amazing. Almost saw it for a second time the other day, but my friend was too tired to do a double feature (we saw "Jonah Hex" after we DIDN'T make it into the screening of "The Last Airbender" that we had passes to). The Twihard fanatics were out in full force that night! On Wednesday, they broke midnight opening night box office records! Loving summer movie season!

I'm feeling good about my book, my partnership with my producing friend, and some of my poetry getting published in my friend's online magazine. Very nice.

Check out my Twitter page, of the same name,
http://twitter.com/fortressofderek. Follow me!
Enjoy this beautiful summer!