December 27, 2003
Christmas
I spent Christmas Eve and Christmas day at my parents place in Wetaskiwin. They hosted Christmas dinner for 16. It was nice seeing everybody. It was a bit sad because my Grandma is pretty sick. But it was good she got to see everyone.
December 20, 2003
Masked and Anonymous
Just got back a little while ago from seeing Masked and Anonymous, staring and co-written by Bob Dylan. I've been a huge Dylan fan since I was twelve, so I've been looking forward to this film for a wihle.
The film is set in an unnamed war torn country. Dylan plays Jack Fate, the son of the country's dying president, and a former rock star who has faded into obscurity. Jack is bailed out of jail by his former promoter, Uncle Sweetheart (played by John Goodman) to play a benefit concert, which is actually to pay off Uncle Sweetheart's debts.
Along the way Fate encounters many memorable charachters - the cast also includes Jeff Bridges, Jessica Lang, Penelpe Cruz, and Mickey Rourke. There's also cameos by Cheech Marin, Val Kilmer, Ed Harris, Fred Ward, Angela Bassett, Christian Slater, Bruce Dern, Chris Penn and Giovanni Ribisi.
The reviews havn't been favorable and it's certainly not a movie for everybody, but I enjoyed it. The story was a little hard to follow in places, but there was some great dialog, superb acting (maybe not by Dylan, but his part didn't really require it), and I loved the soundtrack - which was a combination of Bob Dylan and Dylan covers. .
December 05, 2003
Lisa McPherson
Today is the 8th anniversary of the death of Lisa McPherson.
On November 18, 1995, Lisa, a longtime Scientologist was involved in a minor automobile accident. Lisa did not appear to be physically injured, but at the scene of the accident she removed all her clothes and proceeded to walk naked through traffic. She told ambulance attendants at the scene that she wanted them to think she was crazy so she could get help.
Lisa was taken to the hospital and was examined by a psychiatric nurse who felt that Lisa should stay for observation. However, several Scientologists turned up at the hospital and convinced Lisa to refuse care, as Scientologists are opposed to psychiatry. So Lisa was released against doctors advice and taken to the Scientology owned Fort Harrisson Hotel.
At the hotel, according Scientology's own logs, Lisa was held against her will for 17 days, while she deteriated both mentally and physically. On Dec. 5, 1995 she was driven to a hospital a 45 minute drive away (because there was a Scientologist doctor working there), passing 4 other hospitals on the way. Lisa was pronounced dead on arrival.
There is an excellent article about Lisa McPherson in the current (Dec/Jan) issue of Razor Magazine. You can also read more about her Here and Here
You can also watch a television program about her in RealVideo.