Greetings all! I decided that since my good friend, Captain Chambers, used Blogger for his updates, that it might work for me as well. I'd been using standard HTML code for the old Nightly News, and needed something simpler than saving documents in Notepad, uploading to FTP, etc., etc., so here goes. (Insert deep breath here.)
I was moved to do this by Captain's departure from the Tulsa scene. Few figures have been as fascinating, or have made as much of a mark on me, as Captain has.
I first met him several years ago at a local film company's office that shall go unnamed. Here was this hippie-looking cat with a book of poetry under his arm. He gave me his card. It listed his title as "Eccentric Creator" and "Cosmic Navigator of the Inner Mind," or words to that effect.
I immediately knew I would work with him at some point.
Flash-forward to 2002, maybe 2003? We met again at the Gypsy coffee shop, which in spite of my essentially outgrowing the place, still holds very fond memories for me, and I like to visit occasionally. I had just moved to Tulsa, and was doing the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the time, playing the role of Brad (if you didn't go, dear reader, you were spared the sight of me in lingerie). I was introduced (re-introduced, I suppose) for some reason relating to that. I mentioned the card, and he laughed. I'd like to go into an exact timeline of how things occurred after that, but it's like trying to describe a carnival ride while you're still on it--you just sort of go with the flow.
And that wonderful, creative, lifeblood flow has birthed two shorts, various re-edits and side projects, a feature film currently in progress, and the Best Damn Film Festival in Tulsa. These are all subjects that can be tackled at another time, however, as they pale in comparison to the real thing that has happened here--the finding of a good friend and kindred spirit.
Since I have known Captain, he has inspired me to maintain my art. It gets so difficult, you see, to create something, anything, with all the distractions of the modern world ready to poke you in the eye at any given moment, and they've been poking at me in an excessive way lately. Work. Life events. Various and sundry difficulties that spring forth from nowhere, and it happens to us all. Captain, however, is one of the few individuals I have known who has had the perseverance to dig in his heels, so to speak, and continue to do that very basic act of being human that is yet so difficult to achieve--he has continued to create. In spite of bad reviews from people that don't quite "get it," fake people surrounding him, and the general apathy of the area in which we live. This has made me realize that I will continue--I must continue--to create on my own. I have many ideas yet, and one of the things life cannot take from me is my patience. I will win by attrition. You'll see.
And I will win in Tulsa. The city has its problems with art--mostly just not understanding what it's about, the turmoil and often agony in bringing an original creation into the world, the soul behind the piece. People here don't seem to be able to take the time to truly understand something (or at least allow themselves to be enraptured by it), even though they would be immensely rewarded in the process. My thought is, the people just need a little kick in the pants to wake up to the art scene, and realize something wonderful. In case anyone's wondering, I'm polishing my boots for just that purpose.
So, with this in mind, Captain, here are some final thoughts for your trip to the Pacific Northwest:
The festival will continue. I have no idea how I am going to pull this off. But I'm usually pretty good at figuring something out, so we'll see how it goes. I went through the Box of Festivals Past tonight, and was flooded with memories of the festival, and not-quite-so-clear memories of the afterparties. It was, as they say, a halcyon time, and I'll be forever indebted to you for allowing me a part in it. I had some great times, and made some great friends as well.
SOLID will be completed. This, I think, will test the limits of our connection speeds. As you well know, I tend to be fairly nuts-and-bolts about the whole editing process, so it's going to be very interesting to see how this shakes out. Just remember, I have unlimited long distance on my cell, and am also the proud new owner of a P.O. box. Hint, hint.
And the last thing you should know is that I drank all the beer. The Old Peculier was drained a couple of paragraphs ago, and I'm now nursing the Murphy's. Damn, it's good beer, and the cascade is just to die for. The Killian's perished first, followed by the Shiner (during the trip down festival memory lane). I appreciate it greatly. My head does not, or at least won't tomorrow. The first one was in honor of Fae, the second one was for you, the third was for Geddy Lee, 'cause I have a Rush CD on, and the fourth was Beacuse It Was There. I'm amazed that I can type, not to mention using big words and cohesive paragraphs and stuff.
And finally, a quick "You bastard! Why are you leaving?!? I'm GLAD I drank your beer!" just to get that out of the way. Really, though, I am glad I drank the beer. At least at the moment.
Seriously, man, safe travels and myriad blessings from the Goddess to both of you. May your journey be long and rich with friends, love, and happiness, but I doubt either of you will face a shortage of those things. And if you even wonder what it's all for, what is the meaning, whether you have made any kind of an impact on this sorry planet--rest assured that you have, at least on one fortunate soul.
I realize I sound like I'm gushing. I don't care. DID YOU NOT READ THE LAST PARAGRAPH?!? I'VE HAD FOUR BEERS! JEEZ!
Anyway, it's five in the frigging morning, and I gotta crash. My writing style is going down the toilet faster than an unwanted pregnancy on prom night. So, to steal a line from Murrow...
Good night, and good luck.
--ßret
P.S. Damn! I forgot to put in "May the Force be with you!"
P.S. Um... well, I guess I just did. Cool. Peace, guys.
