Written by Ken Patterson, Thursday, 25 June 2009 22:41
Okay... It's been widely believed that famous deaths always come in threes. It's just apophenia - the tendency of human minds to see patterns where none exist. That being said, however, these three came fast and furiously: Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett (nee Majors) and - as a complete shock - Michael Jackson. I say complete shock because Ed was old and Farrah had been in hospital for a while (and was on everybody's death watch) where as Michael - while a freak of plastic surgery - had big concerts planned (though, as it's already been joked about, he will honor his London dates, but as a Thriller zombie - @serafinowicz on Twitter got to that one first!) and with no whisper of illness - except mental.
Oops, shouldn't speak ill of the dead, but for those of us not devoted to the one time King of Pop (and I sincerely believe him to have been completely dethroned yonks ago) his later years will always be linked to jokes about his "body work", dangling children off of balconies and his "love" of small boys. While Ed may have fallen victim to hard economic times, and Farrah may have had her nutty moments, at least they both had some sort of dignified reputation still intact. Still, there are legions of followers for Michael - possibly to religious standards - and there will be the not too unusual comparisons to Elvis, especially both having the "King" title associated with them (and Michael marrying Elvis' daughter) we might start hearing of "Michael Jackson sightings" and theories that he faked his death.
Sadly Michael's death will completely overshadow the passing of Farrah, who really deserves more "ink" than Michael. At least Ed got a few days in before hand, so that he could have proper tributes.
Written by Ken Patterson, Tuesday, 02 June 2009 00:27
It doesn't really reveal much, and the wife-unit's initial reaction was "They obviously don't have much to show, so they're not showing much..." But then again, it is a teaser trailer and at least tells us that November is the date we're waiting for...
NSFW Video #2: How Long Until You've Memorised This Song???
Written by Ken Patterson, Thursday, 28 May 2009 23:23
This one is a music video for Make the Girl Dance called "Baby, Baby, Baby". Lyrics are provided on screen in a more modern version of the bouncing ball - though in French...
Written by Ken Patterson, Thursday, 14 May 2009 05:34
Your result for The Director Who Films Your Life Test...
Sofia Coppola
Your film will be 64% romantic, 21% comedy, 28% complex plot, and a $ 30 million budget.
With few films under her belt (The Virgin Suicides, Lost In Translation, Marie Antoinette) as a writer/director, she's already highly respected and connected -- her dad, Francis, directed all The Godfather movies and Apocolypse Now. Sofia's good at making the romantic drama that is your life with poignant sullen moments of introspection. You saw how she stylishly handled Marie Antoinette's life, no? And who didn't have at least a lump in the throat at the end of Lost In Translation? She's already won one Academy Award for her writing, now she'll be the first woman to receive one for directing -- YOUR FILM!
Written by Ken Patterson, Tuesday, 05 May 2009 05:59
On this Star Wars Day (May the Fourth be with you...) I realize that I have now been unemployed for a full quarter of the year - 13 whole weeks. I've had some highs recently (a face to face interview) and some lows (a temp agency had no interest in seeing me, but instead wanted me to operate wholly on line) plus the "cabin fever" has hit a little bit.
I really think that I'll start to panic in another 13 weeks; but until then it's hitting the bricks, leveraging my contacts, and getting noticed.
Written by Ken Patterson, Thursday, 09 April 2009 20:19
Two months on, and still nowhere. It's early days yet, and with the first month having been a sort of vacation we're not worrying yet. Learning that you need to know people - or at least know people who know people. So if you know me, and you know other people who can potentially help me in getting me reemployed, please drop by LinkedIn and add me to your network.
I've been in broadcasting/entertainment for over two decades, but I am looking at moving over to the computer industry - as the two industries have merged in recent years. I'm also looking to stay in the Silicon Valley, but seeing as many (if not most) of the big tech companies are here that shouldn't be an issue.
Written by Ken Patterson, Monday, 30 March 2009 22:42
Dionysis
Gods! You scored ###!
You are most like the God Dionysis! Dionysis is the god of wine, intoxication and creative ecstacy. In short, a party god! He was often having drunken orgies with both men and women, as well as with helpless maidens his centaurs would carry off for him. he had a large following of women who had fallen into a frenzy or "mania". These women were taken by a madness that compelled them to run around in a craze and often times become violent. Many of these frenzied outbursts had a strong sexual content. Just don't forget while having all this fun that there is more to life than getting off!
