My Dad

My Dad at Schooner or Later Restaurant on the waterfront, Long Beach, CA, May 2008

I have heard and used this phrase, "put it out in the universe and you never know what will happen." If you have stopped by to visit my blog, please send positive thoughts out for my Dad. If you pray, please say a little prayer for him. I am putting this out in the blogosphere universe in the hopes that my Dad makes a full recovery and gets to go home to his own place. Not some assisted living situation that I think will kill him.

My Dad at El Torito Restaurant in Long Beach, May 2008

My Dad is 81. He is the wisest man I know and also the most compassionate. He is funny as hell. He can be stubborn and has a lot of the old school in him. However, he rolls with the changes.

My Dad taught me how to drive, how to take chances, how to travel to foreign lands without fear.

My Dad served in Vietnam. He asked my mother to send care packages which he distributed to the orphanages in Vietnam.

He told me that many of the members of the armed forces were racist towards the Vietnamese. It sickened him and hit close to home since he suffered his own share of racism as a young man.

My favorite Vietnam story is when he had some young enlisted man come up to him to complain about a Vietnamese man who he was helping refuel a plane. The young kid called the Vietnamese man a "zipper head." So my Dad with clipboard in hand, taking notes to report the complaint, stopped, looked at the kid, and said, "how do you spell zipper head." Can you just see the look on the kid's face now?

My Dad in the garden of my home, Long Beach, CA May 2008

He had gall bladder surgery. We thought he would be home in a few days. It is seven weeks now. He developed a urinary tract infection that was so bad he has suffered kidney damage. He has arthritis and not walking has made walking again extremely painful. He is using a walker and getting physical therapy. He has excellent insurance so is in a good rehab, but man does he want to get home. Who wouldn't?

My Dad in the garden of my home, Long Beach, CA, May 2008

Anyway, I could go on and on about my Dad, but feeling a little emotional right now. So will ask again, if you pray, do yoga, meditate, please send positive thoughts my Dad's way. His name is Albert. He is in Tucson.

My sister is there and has been doing an excellent job acting as his advocate in terms of making sure his needs are being met. There are so many stories about elder abuse that having my sister there is a comfort. I am thinking of moving back home to assist in his transition home.

I am driving home this weekend. I will be spending Valentine's Day with my Dad and his lady friend in the rehab center. Can't think of a better man to spend my Valentine's Day. He's a good egg.

Che: Part One and Part Two

Movie Poster uploaded on Flickr by Cine Fanatico

If you are hoping to learn everything about Che Guevara from these two films, you will be disappointed. If you read about Che on Wikipedia or the most excellent book by Jon Lee Anderson, Che Guevara, A Revolutionary Life
before coming to watch these two films, you will love what you see.

Che Guevara, uploaded on Flickr by Ray Cunningham

I was hoping for more history other than how they took Cuba and what happened when Che went to Bolivia. However, if director Steven Soderbergh and producers Benico Del Toro and Laura Bickman, who produced Traffic, would have taken us on a journey beyond Cuba and Bolivia, I believe they would need to make a 10 part series.




Che Guevara, photo uploaded on Flickr



To see Che in Africa, his relationship with the existentialists Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, also his relationship with his second wife, Aleida, who he met on the revolutionary trail in Cuba, and a more developed view of Che's complex relationship with Fidel would have been intriguing as well.



Che Guevara in Africa with President Nasser of Egypt, Pan-African News Wire


Instead, the films takes place primarily in the mountains of Cuba and the jungles of Bolivia.

There is some footage of Che's trip to the United Nations in New York, the interview with a journalist played by Julia Ormand, and the party he attended at her apartment full of New York intellectuals later that evening.

Che Guevara on Meet the Press, 1964, Pan-African News Wire



I did stay long enough through the credits to see that they did indeed use Jon Lee Anderson as their chief consultant. Excellent choice. I wonder if Soderbergh read the 754 page book and then decided to make this film.

The Anderson book is a thoroughly researched biography that reads like great fiction. I knew what happened to Che in the end, but cried all the same. The book gives such great little insights I never knew. Like how Che was banging the maid in the kitchen when he was very young in his upper class home.



Che's motorcyle

How the motorcycle trip he took through South America is what turned him away from his bourgeois existence and into a revolutionary. He could have easily finished his studies and lived a comfortable life as a doctor, married with children, and mistresses.

A side note, if you have not seen the film, Motorcyle Diaries, I highly recommend you rent it. The film is a perfect depiction of this defining time in Che's young life.

After his trip through South America, Che returned to Buenos Aires to finish his medical studies in record breaking time of three years. He took another trip up through South America into Central America and ended up in Mexico City. This is where he met Fidel. They spent many a late night discussing poetry, philosophy, and the revolution.

Che Guevara and Fidel Castro in Cuba after the revolution

As a matter of fact, they start the film in Mexico City at a dinner party.

And near the end of the film there is a flashback of the boat ride to Cuba. Fidel and Che managed to buy an old fishing boat and convince 80-100 recruits to join them on this revolutionary journey. Che looks at Fidel standing at the other end of the boat. A look to me that said he wasn't sure he trusted Fidel.

Fidel and Che in heated discussion

Many think Che was betrayed by Fidel and abandoned in Bolivia. We get some indication of this in Part Two when Che is in need of funding and asks a journalist to get a letter to Jean-Paul Sartre and Betrand Russell telling them he needs more financing for his revolution.
Benicio Del Toro, photo uploaded on Flickr

Benicio Del Toro does a great job in his film. Fidel is played by the actor who plays the mayor of Tijuana in the Showtime Series Weeds. It is shot in a docudrama style by Soderbergh. He often shoots his own films under the name Peter Andrews.

I am glad this film was made. I hope it sparks an interest in Che Guevara's life other than his image on t-shirts and posters that adorn many a college dorm room. It is an important part of history that sadly did not make my high school history books.
Movie Poster uploaded by Cine Fanatico on Flickr

Australian Open 2009 Men's Final: Rafael Nadal Defeats Roger Federer in Thrilling Five Set Match

Rafael Nadal wins Australian Open, photo uploaded on azzurri_nr1

Roger Federer was hoping to tie the Pete Sampras record of fourteen major titles. Rafael Nadal was hoping to win his first major title on a hard court. The rivalry between these two champions is legendary. This was destined to be an absolutely thrilling match. Tennis fans were not let down.


Roger Federer, photo uploaded by azzurrri_nr1





Federer showed an unusual vulnerability in this 4 hour and 23 minute five set slug fest. There were double faults normally not seen from this former number one in the world.






Rafael Nadal, photo uploaded by azzurri_nr1 on Flickr







Rafa and Roger during trophy ceremony, photo uploaded by azzurri_nr1 on Flickr

Rafa showed his usual class after defeating Roger. When Roger lost his composure during the trophy ceremony, it looked as though Rafa was going to cry as well. Roger had to be led from the podium. After Rafa was given his ,he backed up and let Roger come back up to the podium and try again.
Roger Federer at trophy ceremony, photo uploaded by azzurri_nr1

Both players are class acts. Rafael Nadal is solid gold. As a musician friend of mine, Pete Fahey, says, "solid gold, with a lion's heart and a gentle soul."
Roger and Rafa, photo uploaded by azzurri_nr1



Rafael Nadal celebrates his win, photo uploaded by azzurri_nr1 on Flickr

One last thing, the commentators asked the drivers for the driving service that shuttled players back and forth to their hotels how the players behaved in the cars. The drivers said the nicest player all the time is Rafael Nadal. Of course he is.


Here are some more photos I found on flickr that tell the story of this amazing match.




Roger Federer after his loss to Nadal, photo uploaded by azzurri_nr1 on Flickr








Rafa drops to ground after winning Australian Open, photo uploaded by azzurri_nr1



Rod Laver, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, photo uploaded by azzurri_nr1

Jimmy Carter on Peace in the Holy Land, NPR Interview

Menachem Begin, Jimmy Carter, and Anwar Al Sadat, 1979, uploaded on Flickr by Jeff Kubina

NPR's Renee Montagne interviewed Jimmy Carter this morning on Morning Edition. Carter discusses his new book, We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land. Carter suggests a return to the 1967 borders before the Six Day War as viable solution.

President Obama and special envoy George Mitchell have spoken to Carter twice to discuss peace in the region. Good news, since Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Jimmy Carter, has been working on peace in the region for over thirty years.

Probably been thinking about it since the 1972 Munich Olympics when Palestinians took Israeli athletes hostage. It did not end well when German commandos botched the rescue attempt and all athletes were killed.


1972 Munich Olympics, photo uploaded on Flickr by ciatjj5


The tragic events and trial are covered in a great documentary, One Day in September, narrated by Michael Douglas. During the trial, one of the surviving Palestinians looks directly at the camera and says, "Before this, no one knew about Palestine. Now they do." Absolutely chilling to say the least.

Here is an excerpt of the NPR interview:

Morning Edition, January 27, 2009 · Nearly 30 years ago, Israel and Egypt signed a peace treaty that holds to this day. Much of the credit for that treaty goes to former President Jimmy Carter.

In the decades since, Carter has pursued a much more elusive goal: a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians. And he says there have been three recent developments that could help achieve it.

The first development was the election of Barack Obama as president, he tells NPR's Renee Montagne. For the Middle East, Carter said, that should mean "a balanced and aggressive commitment to bring peace. That's quite a change."

The former president also cited progress in his meetings with members of the Palestinian parties, Hamas and Fatah, in April and December of 2008.

"For the first time, the Hamas leaders pledged that they would accept any peace agreement negotiated between the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Israel," Carter said — as long as Palestinians approve the agreement in a referendum.

And the recent violence between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which Carter called an "evolving tragedy," adds what he said is "another element of urgency to bringing peace to Israel."

Carter has written a new book on that topic, titled We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land. It follows his 2006 analysis, Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid, which sparked protests from supporters of Israel.

His latest book is subtitled, "A Plan That Will Work." And that plan, Carter said, is no secret: a two-state solution in which Israel's right to exist is recognized by its neighbors — within its pre-1967 borders.

Noting that those borders could be altered by negotiations, Carter said, "By the way, that's also what's been espoused most recently by the prime minister of Israel at this moment — that is, Ehud Olmert."

Carter said Olmert also realizes that Israel must withdraw from the West Bank, that Palestinians must be allowed to return to their land and that Israel must share Jerusalem.

I encourage readers to read or listen to the whole interview with Jimmy Carter on NPR.

Here is the link to the whole story on NPR:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99870908

Obama Grants Al Arabiya TV Excluxive Interview

Al Arabiya Interview, Part 1

Obama discusses peace and mutual respect in this interview aired last night on Al Arabiya Muslim TV. Yet another powerful move by Obama to show the Arab world we are serious about a solution to the conflict in Palestine and Israel.

Obama discusses a new era of mutual respect and how the region is interrelated. This sends a message to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria, and Iran to name a few, that he is indeed interested in listening.

As a mattter of fact, he says in his interview that he has advised his ME envoy, George Mithcell, to listen and come back with a report on what was said. Mitchell leaves today to talk with leaders in Egypt, Palestine, and Israel.

Al Arabiya Interview, Part 2

Obama Talks Fuel Efficiency With EPA

Photo uploaded by staticbob on Flickr

President Obama would like stricter emission standards in California for trucks and cars. Trucks leaving the Port of Long Beach, the second largest port in the nation, spew toxic fumes in the air every day. Consequently, this has caused a rise in respiratory problems for residents in the area.

The issue has become quite serious and receives very little press. A friend lost his mother a few years back from lung cancer. She lived in an ocean front condo about a mile or two from the port. Never smoked a cigarette in her life.


President Barack Obama, photo uploaded by jurvetson on Flickr

This president continues to do exactly what I was dreaming he would do once he took office. I hope to hear something about his plan for health insurance next.

Australian Open 2009 - Tennis Anyone?

Rafael Nadal, photo uploaded by azzurri_nr1 on Flickr



Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, photo uploaded by azzurri_nr1 on Flickr







Fernando Gonzales, photo uploaded by azzurri_nr1






Gael Monfils, photo uploaded by azzurri_nr1






Four very good reasons to follow tennis (see photos above).

My favorite match so far was the one between Gonzales of Chile and Gasquet of France. Gonzales was down two sets, but with the help of the Chilean fans in the stands, he came back to beat Gasquet. That match felt more like a Davis Cup match. Fans were waving the flags of Chile and France like crazy.

I am looking forward to the match between Gonzales and Nadal, and Tsonga and Blake. If interested and in the USA, check it out on ESPN2.

Obama's New Envoy, Mitchell, Asked to Talk to Ordinary People in Gaza

Middle East Envoy George Mitchell, photo uploaded on Flickr by mashget

Even though Israel did not allow journalists into Gaza during the recent incursion, the world was watching. Bloggers were posting photos of women and children murdered, schools blown to smitereens, and mayhem in the blood drenched streets.

Child in Gaza awaiting medical treatment, photo uploaded on Flickr by pink turtle 2

The video uploaded on YouTube of the doctor who called the Israeli journalist when his house was attacked put a human face on this war. It allowed people from around the world to see that Palestinians are ordinary people. Not all are extremists with a mission to destroy Israel.

Dr. Abuelaish lost three daughters and a niece asks why, photo uploaded by mashget

This incursion undoubtedly boosted extremists inside Gaza and in the rest of the Arab world. Extreme behavior in any situation is usually born out of feelings of injustice or unfair treatment.

In order to stop the extremists, we must openly discuss why they are angry. It is time to open up dialogue between both sides without fear of being labeled an anti-Semite.

Obama's new order to stop the all powerful stranglehold lobbyists have had on how government is run is an excellent beginning. AIPAC has always had a hold on decision making concerning the question of Palestine. Now, without their influence, maybe, just maybe, we will see real dialogue and possible diplomatic solution to this conflict.

Young woman protests in Paris to end war in Gaza, photo uploaded on Flickr by looking 4 poetry

And again, instead of being labeled an anti-Semite, we will be viewed as people or a government with a genuine concern for fair and just treatment for all people.

George Mitchell negotiated peace in Northern Ireland. Moreover, he worked with the Clinton Administration on issues concerning Palestine and Israel. His experience in the region will help expedite the process for real diplomacy and dialogue.

Here is an excerpt of an article filed by Stephanie Nebehay of Reuters yesterday:

War boosted extremists in Gaza, says U.N. official
By Stephanie Nebehay
GENEVA (Reuters)

John Ging, head of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza, called for new U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell to talk to ordinary people in Gaza as part of a "new track" in diplomacy.

Ging, who is Irish, welcomed Mitchell's appointment.

"An individual of his experience and ability coming now to this conflict gives me cause for more than hope, it actually gives me cause for optimism that we will move on to a new track where we will see real progress," he said.

"What we hope will happen is that the U.S. administration will listen to the people. There has to be a rebalancing of the focus," he said.

(Editing by Jonathan Lynn and Elizabeth Piper)

Obama's First 48 Hours Cause a London Train Station to Erupt in Spontaneous Dance

London train stations are usually crowded with people rushing to work, looking tired and forlorn. However, on this particular morning at 11 o'clock, it was a different story.

News of Obama's plan to close Gitmo and end torture caused this busy Liverpool train station in London to erupt in spontaneous dance.

Just kidding. Although it is a rehearsal for the actual advert, the impromptu crowd reaction and participation are priceless.

I love the old grannies who participate and the guy with the funky mod hairdo.

Obama Signs Executive Order to Close Gitmo

Amnesty International protest against torture and human rights violations at Guantanamo Bay prison, photo uploaded on Flickr by damonlynch

President Obama just signed an executive order to close down Guantanamo Bay prison (a.k.a. hell on earth). He is listening to Amnesty International. He is listening to all ordinary citizens around the world who have expressed concerns about human rights.
Photo uploaded by mashget on Flickr

More importantly, the Arab world is listening and watching. This is sending a powerful message and perhaps will be the beginning of the Muslim world believing and trusting that our new president does indeed want to engage in dialogue and diplomacy, not in war and destruction.

I have never been so full of hope as I am right now. I love this man.

Open Letter to Obama in New York Times (Full Page Ad)

2004 Billboard in Times Square, photo by brian glanz uploaded on Flickr

Here is an excerpt of the speech Obama gave on election night, November 4, 2008:

To all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright --tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope."

Here is an excerpt from the open letter to Obama in today's New York Times:

"With your historic inauguration as the 44th President of the United States, we share our sincerest congratulations and hope that you will uphold your commitment to change.

"As American citizens we are deeply concerned that our nation's one-sided approach to the Middle East crisis compromises America's ability to act as a fair negotiator. Our foreign policy has upheld the interests of Israel, but has failed to do the same for the Palestinian people. Israel the fourth largest military power in the world has devastated a population of 1.5 million people, one without an army, navy, or air force.

"As the attacks in Gaza demonstrated, the outgoing administration chose to defend Israeli aggression even though the violence resulted in the disproportionate deaths of more than 1,300 Palestinians, including 300 children, as compared to 13 Israelis. Indeed, the loss of all of these lives cannot be justified."

The letter continues with solutions for ending the violence and concentration camp-like conditions the Palestinians have been forced to live in for so very long.

The signatories of the letter include prominent Muslim and Jewish groups such as the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, Jews Against the Occupation, L.A. Jews For Peace, Pax Christi Metro New York, U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, United for Peace and Justice, the Muslim Finance Professionals Association and the Muslim Bar Association of New York.

This is what I am talking about, an open dialogue. Dialogue and diplomacy, not bombs and destruction. And you know Obama and his team have read this letter. I am posting a URL for the full page ad. If that doesn't work for you, just type in google "Open Letter to Obama in NY Times," and you should be able to find it.

http://files.e2ma.net/2785/assets/docs/ny-times-ad-obama-gaza.pdf

President Obama's First Day on the Job

Obama street art, Atlanta, Georgia, uploaded on Flickr by brianmanley

And some people thought Obama wasn't ready to run the country. President Obama has done more in eight hours for peace and justice, freedom and ethics than Bush did in his whole eight years in office.

Palestinian children, uploaded from Flickr by shimriz

President Obama called the leaders of Palestine, Israel, Egypt, and Jordan. In the simple act of picking up the phone in his office, this president sent out a strong message, not only to the leaders on the other end of the phone line, but to all of the Arab world that he is serious about opening up a dialogue and engaging in diplomacy toward a peace process in the Palestinian/Israeli conflict.


Wrapped present, uploaded on Flickr by altered angel

Obama also signed an executive order banning gifts to staff from lobbyists. Also, if staff members are former lobbyists, they are not allowed to engage in in any activities to promote the lobby they were involved. He also plans to limit access of lobbyists to the White House. No more revolving doors. With these acts, we are definitely going to get a more just government without the stranglehold of the all powerful lobbyists.

President Obama plans to comply with the Freedom of Information Act. The FOIA holds the government accountable by allowing access to public records. No more massive blacked out pages like in previous administrations.

The president said to staff, "Transparency and the rule of law will be the touchstones of this presidency."

President Obama also held meetings with economic and military advisers.

And as mentioned in my post yesterday, he has suspended all hearings at Guantanamo Bay prison for 120 days. This is a step toward closing down this torture and absolute hell on earth. Obama is expected to sign an executive order by Thursday that will call for the closing down of the prison within a year.

Lastly, he has imposed a pay freeze on staffers making more than $100,000 in an effort to ease the economic crisis.

I would say a most productive first day. Please remember that his website is up and running. It is interactive and I have heard the Obama will be blogging there. This president welcomes comments and suggestions. Check it out and get involved. We are one, we are the change. Here is the website: www.whitehouse.gov
Art by Koolhats, uploaded on Flickr by seetwist

Obama Family on Inauguration Day

Photo by H Darr Beiser, USA Today

I just love this photo of Barack Obama listening to what his young daughter Sasha has to say moments after he took the oath of office.

An exciting time in history. I heard last night that he already made a move on Guantanamo Bay prison. Obama has signed an order to suspend all war crimes trials for 120 days. I believe this is a step toward closing down this torture chamber of a prison.

I hope he sends out an apology and monetary compensation to those who were wrongly confined in this hell on earth.

Hope: The Inauguration of Barack Obama

I have been ashamed to be an American at various points in my life. But for the last eight years, my shame has not abated for even one day.

I am hopeful on this day, in this place, at this time, for my country.

I set my alarm for 3 o'clock in the morning to watch all the coverage of this historic event. I just heard on CNN that aides and staff will be getting to work right after the swearing in at noon today.

On the agenda are closing Guantanamo Bay prison, torture, and ending the international gag order for birth control funding around the world. Excellent start.

I only wish Martin Luther King Jr. was alive to see this.

Former Israeli IDF Captain Denounces Attacks on Gaza

In this BBC News interview, former IDF Captain, Yonatan Schapira. says that the Palestinians have been forced to live in ghetto-like conditions and are treated like animals. Please watch this 3:25 minute interview. At about the 2:00 minute mark he talks about the horrible treatment of the Palestinians at the hands of the Israel government and IDF.

Gazan Doctor and Peace Advocate Attacked Asks Why

Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish in waiting room of hospital, photo uploaded from NY Times by mashget on Flickr

I wanted the world to see what happened to this doctor and my wish is coming true. There is a most excellent article on Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish in the New York Times.

My only complaint with the article is that it did not make the front page which is where this story belongs. Here is an excerpt of the article by Dina Kraft:

TEL HASHOMER, Israel — Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish is a Gazan and a doctor who has devoted his life to medicine and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians. But on Saturday, the day after three of his daughters and a niece were killed by Israeli fire in Gaza, Dr. Abuelaish, 53, struggled to hold on to the humane philosophy that has guided his life and work.

As he sat in a waiting room of the Israeli hospital where he works part time, he asked over and over, "Why did they do this?"

And listen to this, Kraft reports in her article that the doctor recently lost his wife to leukemia. One tragedy caused by disease, and another by the disease of war inflicted by man, namely the IDF.

Please read the full article by Kraft in the New York Times. Here is the URL to the article.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/18/world/middleeast/18doctor.html?_r=1&scp=1&

Gaza Doctors and Medics Attacked

Found this on YouTube from Al Jazeera. A doctor's family was attacked just as an Israeli television journalist was about to interview him to discuss casualties and the situation at the hospitals.

It is a moving video. The journalist breaks down not just because he knows this doctor, but as a fellow human being hearing the screams of a man in distress. The journalist does manage through his contacts in Gaza to get an ambulance to the doctor's house. By the time he reaches the doctor, three of his daughters are already dead. One is still alive.

I have seen footage of medics bringing in wounded on foot. One medic said he walked two kilometers because the Israeli soldiers would not allow his ambulance to drive to the hospital. This medic said that their vehicles are clearly marked as ambulances. They also wear vests that show they are medics and they still come under fire while trying to rescue the wounded.

This simply must qualify as war crimes and crimes against humanity. Sadly, I doubt we will ever see any member of the Israeli government standing trial in the Hague.

Please help spread this blog post and video so the world, that is seemingly turning a blind eye to the continued violence and massacres in Gaza, see the reality of this incursion.

US Airways Plane Crash Lands in Hudson River

US Airways crash lands in Hudson River, photo uploaded
by truthislove_org on Flickr

I think all survivors should buy lottery tickets today. Depending on how you look at it, they are all so very lucky. And especially lucky they had Sully at the helm. He is a hero for landing that plane like he did.
Chelsey B Sullenberger, Pilot of US Airways
Ft 1549, photo uploaded on Flickr by Jennster

Movie Review: The Wrestler

Marisa Tomei and Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler, photo by Niko Tavernese

Mickey Rourke's performance in this film absolutely deserved the Golden Globe he was awarded Sunday night. He was this broken down wrestler. His character is so touching and sad, you just want to take him home and tell him everything is going to be okay.

From the opening scene until the end, you heart is breaking for this man who obviously has seen better days. I have heard Rourke say in interviews that he could relate to the character he was playing.

Rourke was the bad boy of Hollywood who gave killer performances in Barfly and 9 and 1/2 Weeks. Then poof... he was gone. I don't read the tabloids, but always wondered what happened to him. And now I wonder if he ended up living in a trailer or some rat trap off Hollywood Blvd.

Rourke thanked his dogs in his acceptance speech. He said they were the only friends he had for a long time. Must have been horrible to live on the fringe of Hollywood when you were once in the spotlight.

Mickey Rourke, photo by Niko Tavernese




Marisa Tomei plays an old stripper with a heart of gold. Tomei's character seems to mirror Rourke's in terms of the stage they seemingly love to be on and the cold reality staring them both in the face; their days on stage are numbered.

Rourke tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter played by Evan Rachel Wood. She plays her part perfectly. The scenes with the two of them are exactly what it might be like for the abandoned daughter and the guilt-ridden absent father trying to make amends.

Evan Rachel Wood and Mickey Rourke, photo by Niko Tavernese


Darren Aronofsky directs this film. While trying to get financing, Aronofsky was turned down left and right with Rourke in the lead. Aronofsky made the film on a very low budget. Seven million is what I heard. I am glad he kept Rourke in the lead. A very good call.

Robert D. Siegel wrote this screenplay. I do not know anything about this writer, but wonder if he is an old wrestler. Or maybe he lived next door to an old wrestler in some trailer park in Anytown, USA. If not, he did one hell of a job with his research.

Without giving the film away, I just want to say that I love when we are shown Rourke's character, Randy the Ram, fiddling with his hearing aid, playing video games with neighbor kids in his trailer, and when he is working at the deli. His interaction with the customers are priceless.

Mickey Rourke, photo uploaded on Flickr by robiffic

Also love when he is at a convention of sorts where wrestler's are signing autographs. Rourke is in a room with other old wrestlers. At one point he looks down the leg of one guy and sees his urine bag sticking out of his pant leg. Made me weep.

I am torn between three stellar performances this year for the upcoming award season; Mickey Rourke, Sean Penn, and Frank Langella. Although all performances are great, I think I want Rourke to win. Rourke's career desperately needs a win for the SAG and Academy Awards.

Sean Penn and Frank Langella will continue to work until the day they die if they want. However, Rourke may end up on the fringe again when he deserves the spotlight. This man is a truly talented artist and deserves our forgiveness for whatever he did. Everybody deserves a second chance.



Mickey Rourke at the Golden Globe Awards, photo uploaded by mashnet on Flickr


One last thing, Bruce Springsteen said in his acceptance speech at the Golden Globe Awards for best song that Rourke called asking if he might do the song for the film. Rourke briefly described the character to Springsteen. Springsteen said, "I know guys like that."

I have always loved Bruce Springsteen. And love him even more for doing the song for this film. Bet he did it for peanuts too. Guess Springsteen also believes everybody deserves a second chance.
Bruce Springsteen, photo uploaded on Flickr by nachocorreanet