Xchoboomer

Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable.

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I just heard the news about Dennis Hopper ’bout a couple hours ago and we’ve lost a great artist.  I can’t say that I (we) didn’t see this one coming though. It was only a month or two ago that he was getting his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He looked so frail and it was evident that the time was near.

Nice to see George, err, I mean Jack out there seeing an old friend off.  To bad they didn’t light one up for old times sake. I’d like to think they did behind the cameras but that was the thing about Easy Rider, written and directed by Hopper. It was all in front of the cameras like a big middle finger to the “man” a.k.a, the  “establishment”!

Dennis Hopper was the embodiment of  “coolness”. Even in his early days of Rebel without a Cause he was banging Natalie Wood off-camera. Now that’s cool!  I wonder if she tasted like peaches too? (True Romance reference if you didn’t get that.) Cultivating his skills in the Actors’ Studio payed off in roles as a photojournalist in Apocalypse Now,  Easy Rider, Hoosiers, and even in the last few years with his hit series “Crash”, a Stars original series, he always came across with that aura of coolness. Heck, I even thought he was cool in Red Rock West and Speed! Plus did you know he directed “Colors” too? He probably came up with the name Pac-Man for Sean Penn!

Well, it just so happens, and probably not by accident either, that Dennis Hopper stars in one of the greatest scenes in cinematic history, in my mind at least, in one of my all-time favorites, True Romance. Starring opposite Christoper Walken playing a Siccilian mafioso, who was also phenomenal in this scene I might add, Dennis Hopper, with the help of  Tony Scott I’m sure,  just nails it with the language and tone as he insults the Sicilian as he realizes he is facing certain death whether or not  he gives up his son. In true Dennis Hopper fashion he verbably and intellectually  sticks a middle finger in the Sicilian’s face, choosing not to give up his blood and savoring his Chesterfield before the inevitable.

His method acting was is a beautiful thing to watch. He had a thing about that middle finger. He was the counter-culture before their was a counter-culture. He was cooler then cool. Let’s hope he finds his “Freedom” now. R.I.P.

		PHOTOJOURNALIST
"Do you know what the man is saying? Do you? This is dialectics.
It's very simple dialectics. One through nine, no maybes, no
supposes, no fractions -- you can't travel in space, you can't go out
into space, you know, without, like, you know, with fractions -- what
are you going to land on, one quarter, three-eighths -- what are you
going to do when you go from here to Venus or something -- that's
dialectic physics, OK? Dialectic logic is there's only love and hate, you
either love somebody or you hate them."

Kurtz throws a book angrily at him :

		PHOTOJOURNALIST
"This is the way the fucking world ends! Look at this fucking shit
we're in, man! Not with a bang, with a whimper. And with a whimper,
I'm fucking splitting, jack!"

Photojournalist leaves :

As I sit here and watch Niel Young sing a classic and closing the 2010 Olympics, I cant help to feel the sentiment of the moment. After weeks of hearing some amazing stories, people overcoming tremendous adversity, watching some amazing athletes live a dream, and triumph or fail, its always inspiring.  Now I’m not any under any illusions. I will never win an Olympic medal. But hearing the national anthems and watching these athletes receive their medals it always makes me wonder how can I reach my full potential. How can I feel that triumphant feeling instead of the stresses of day to day life?  How can I overcome the adversity of the world trying to break me down at every corner? And then something takes me back to my childhood and puts it into perspective. Watching Michael J. Fox closing speech, battling his Parkison’s at every syllable, it makes me realize how insignificant some of my adversities are compared to what he is dealing with. Everyone faces challenges and adversities. How will I overcome mine? How will you overcome yours?

I awoke this morning to hear the tragic news of a beautiful young actress dead at age 32. Brittany Murphy. I am bewildered by this as many of us are. For myself, Brittany Murphy had a cultural significance and an impact on me.  She came from the  same generation as I, an xchoboomer, caught between two generations. In 1995, I fell in love with her as Tai, the refreshingly herself, grunged out, fowl-mouthed, pot smoking ugly duckling taken under the wing by the popular Cher, played by Alicia Silverstone, also amazingly beautiful in her own particular and unique vegan ways.  Murphy’s grittiness in 8-mile and particularly and ironically, The Dead Girl,  really stood out in my mind as how much she has matured as an actress, along with my tastes I suppose. As a fan I’d like to pass along my condolences to her family.

2009 has brought us the deaths of many culturally and personally significant individuals, many of whom continue to have an impact on my life. I would like to acknowledge them here.

Michael Jackson arguably the most significant from a cultural perspective. His impact on music and dance will influence generations. His music will always have a personal affect on me as many of his hits still bring back childhood memories.

Ted Kennedy, the most significant loss from a political perspective was admired by many, even those who despise politicians. There was a humbleness and determination about Ted that resonated with me. Last year, I got a chance to visit Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. and I visited the graves of his brothers John and Robert. The legacy of these three individuals will never die!

Walter Cronkite – Although first hand memories of this anchorman are non-existent, as a former student of the profession, I can appreciate his contribution to the craft. So many important events of American history are intertwined with his voice. He has manifested himself in so many others I’ve watched and admired. Some whom have left us in spirit like Peter Jennings, and Don Hewitt – another one we lost this year – and some that have left us by choice such as Ted Koppel.  FYI,  Nightline just isn’t the same.

Don Hewitt – 60 minutes has been a staple throughout my life. Thank you!

Dom Deluise – Your zest for life will always be an inspiration to me.

Chuck Daly – You were our bitter rival, but I’m sad to see you go.

Robert Mcnamara – I admire your strength and courage in acknowledging that you were wrong.

John Hughes – Many xchoboomers would be shells of themselves if it wasn’t for your movies. Who can forget the Breakfast Club, Ferris Beuller’s Day Off, Wierd Science, National Lampoons Vacation and the many others. The 80′s get a bad rap but you were the shit!

Les Paul – The impact you had indirectly on my life is unmeasurable by the music of so many. It’s the music that keeps my soul grounded!

Ed Mcmahon – I may be young but I still can remember a time when it was Johnny Carson and his sidekick Ed Mcmahon every night. And Star Search, the original American Idol, was a childhood favorite. Not to mention the posterchild of the millionare’s sweepstakes I was sure my parents had won and urged them to mail it in… haha. I was sad to see the grim financial reality of your last days. Have these people no shame?

Adam Goldstein ( DJ AM ) – Although I’ve never seen DJ AM  live his work has had personal significance. Most notably the Crazy Town single “Butterfly” as the song seemingly referenced a lover of mine at the time of its release. Also the work with Papa Roach, Dilated Peoples and most recently N.A.S.A as these are all influences of mine. This whole final destination situation freaks me out.

Fafrah Fawcett – Who could forget this angel?

Charles “Mask” Lewis – From the UFC world an unforgettable character.

Patrick Swayze – From a cult classic and favorite of mine… “Valle con dios!”

UPDATE: Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan – Drummer of Avenged Sevenfold and only 28 years old. Óg agus saor go deo (forever young and free)

Others I’d like to acknowledge. Jim Carroll, Eunice Shriver,  Steve Mcnair,  Billie Mays, David Carradine, , Bea Arthur, Marilyn Chambers, Nick Adenheart, Jeremy Lusk of Metal Mulisha, Jett Travolta, Socks the cat, and The taco bell dog.

This blog was meant to be an outlet for me to express my views on culture, life, politics, and current events. This was not meant to be an obituary but due to my busy schedule leading to a lack of commitment of posting on a regular basis, it seems that is what it has become. Because culture is such an important theme in this blog, I felt I couldn’t write without acknowledging some of those whom we have lost that have had such a significant impact on our culture. I’d like to extend condolences to all the families and may they all rest in peace.

Iwould like to make a commitment here and now that I will post as often as I can.

Sometimes it just doesnt matter!

I think we were all shocked this week when we heard about the death of David Caradine and the bizarre stories surrounding his passing.  Now I just want to say a few things about this. I didnt realize how someone like David Caradine had influenced my life until the other day when I heard the news and I was so upset about it.  I grew up watching reruns of Kung Fu and was glad to see the rebirth of David Carradine in Tarrantino’s Kill Bill Series. I’m a fan. And frankly I’m upset by some of  the misinformation, incompetence, and handling of this case by the Thai Authorities. Sometimes the details just dont matter.  Let me illustrate this with a story. An old friends sibling past a way a few years ago from tragic circumstances. Although I attended the funeral in support of an old friend, I still dont know what the cause of death was, I didnt ask, as I could see the pain in their eyes and I realized that was of little relevance. Sometimes it just doesnt matter! RIP Mr. David Carradine, aka, the snake charmer, aka, Kwai Chang Caine!

He will live on in the spirit of us all!

w/ Conan O'brien

Who would of thunk it seventeen years ago when us stoned night owls first started watching Conan Obrien in the early nineties, that he would take over a staple in American culture, The Tonight Show.  For those of us who can remember Johnny Carson and the transition to Jay Leno we can appreciate the huge deal this is. I was lucky enough to catch the tail end of the Johnny Carson era and I remeber it being a huge deal. Jay Leno taking the reigns after three decades of Carson was like passing the torch to a new generation. And this week the torch was passed again to Conans generation, us.  I know hes not for everybody, but for those of us who enjoy and appreciate his offbeat sense of humor, the self deprecation, the wittiness and sharpness of his mind, the seemingly naturalness and flow of his conversations with his guests,  its like the torch was passed to us, the target market, right, but hey, isnt everthing in life a tradeoff? Ill trade some laugh for a few minutes of commercials, and I think Johnny would too, although I’m sure he would of had some witty remarks for the new Angelino.  Its great too see that he brought everyone along for the ride, Max, the band, and especially his old sidekick Andy. I hope they can make it work…