Labor Day & FB Political Status Updates

Well, Labor Day is over.  I looked up the definition on the web just to see what it said and it read that Labor Day “is the celebration of the creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.”

Having read that, it’s a badass holiday.  Let me re-phrase that.  Any day where you get a four-day weekend is a badass holiday. It’s also fitting that the elections are coming up, adding to the patriotic spirit. Every Labor Day, instead of cookouts, Americans should grab a shotgun, drink a 40 and go shoot a deer.  U.S.A baby!

However, what we should NOT do, in my opinion, is use our free time to put up Facebook status updates every 5 seconds about how much Obama sucks or how much Romney blows.  I must have read 50 political status updates yesterday.  I swear, people are setting their alarm clocks to wake up and go on Facebook.  “OMG, I haven’t posted anything about XXX politician in two hours! Must… type… now!”

I joined Facebook for the same reason that everybody else did -- to be a creeper and check out underage slutty girls.  I miss the days of going through Facebook and seeing people post videos of cats playing keyboards or people taking pictures of the scrambled eggs that they ate for breakfast. Now I’ve got to read about everyone’s lame political beliefs and how horrible a person I am if I'm not on your bandwagon to nowhere.

I’m pretty sure my opinion has zero effect on the actions of others, but whenever I see a status update about politics, I click “hide” and then select “all updates” so I never have to hear from you again.  Wouldn’t it be great if you could do that to every annoying person you encounter?  Just hit a button, and they can’t talk to you FOREVER.  They just magically disappear. Someone invent an app for this.

Again, these are just my thoughts.  You don’t have to take it seriously, or please do so if it makes you feel better. I don’t care because I’ve said my peace and will write more, probably on Oct. 9^h, the day after Columbus Day.

Paging Nick Stahl

Today, Nick Stahl the guy from Terminator 3 was reported missing.  My first reaction was that the T-X got him or maybe the robots finally succeeded in killing John Connor. 

Of course, reality is that this is Hollywood and people go crazy all the time.  I read this off my friend's Facebook wall,

“I put my heart and my soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process.”  –Van Gogh

Let’s think about this.  Van Gogh thought he was nuts, and he never had to drive to Ocean Park Casting in Santa Monica in 4.pm traffic to play Man #3 for a Taco Bell commercial.  (Yes, I realize this is an inside joke for L.A. actors, and I don’t care.) 

I don’t know Nick Stahl and certainly have no idea what would bring a man to bail on his family.  I do know that from a commercial standpoint, he was relatively successful and had done some notable past work.  Point being, all this stuff means jack if your personal life is not aligned. 

To everyone in L.A. -  you’re screwed because you’re probably already brainwashed.  If you don’t believe me go see what people are writing for FB posts.  However, if you don’t live here, there’s still time.  Go buy a dog and live in the woods.   If I didn't have an audition tomorrow, that’s what I would do. 

--tarun

Things Happen Blah Blah Blah...

I was at an audition today and the guy sitting next to me goes, “Things are meant to happen the way they are supposed to happen.” Pretty poignant statement coming from a guy auditioning for a non-union soap commercial.

   

I’m not a fan of that saying.  What if I get into my car right now and crash into a grocery store. Was that meant to happen?  Since I’m just ranting here, there are some other things I don’t buy into that I’m going to list in no particular order: The Secret, P90X,  Family Guy, James Cameron, Cheescake Factory, and every movie Jonah Hill is in.   Actually, wait. Put Family Guy at #1. 

My cousin visited me recently and said there were five things in the Hindu scripture that were definite: When you were born, when you die, how much fame you have, and I forget the other two.  (3 out of 5 ain't bad) Rather than being a complete atheist, I think this is much simpler notion to grasp rather than thinking every little thing is part of some grand design.

I saw this Youtube video where Steve Jobs is addressing a graduating class at Stanford.  He studied calligraphy in India or something, which later became the foundation for the Apple computer typefont. I’m paraphrasing here, but he was like “I didn’t understand it back then, and now it all makes sense.” Give me a break. I’ve been to India like 15 times, and the only thing I learned was not to drink the water or I’ll puke in the bathroom for two days straight. 

My point is that people need to stop following goofy expressions and start taking initiative in life.   Things happen when you make them happen contrary to what my fellow actor said to me this morning.  By the way, soon after he said that, I got up and moved to the other side of the room.  It’s already working.