"Catch and Release"

Sunday was a busy day.
After getting home from Chicago, I watched the Iowa basketball team lose, watched a disc of "24" Season Three, watched the Pacers lose to the Pistons, then went out to catch a movie by myself.

I've been wanting to see "Catch and Release" for a good amount of time. I first heard about last summer, when Kevin Smith blogged about working on the film. Then, they screened it at Vulgarthon last year, and it got some good reviews. Finally, the trailer actually made it look like a good flick. These days, if I don't see something before it comes out - thanks to my awesome friends - then I generally never go to see it. I'm not a fan of watching films in crowded theatres - "Inland Empire" at the Music Box was NERVE-WRECKING, but I survived. Anyways, I was afraid if I didn't force myself to see the flick this weekend, then I never would. Finally, I convinced myself that on a cold Sunday night, the theatre would probably be close to empty. And I was right. Two couples, a single lady, and myself populated the theatre.

The film is pretty good. It takes some turns that I didn't expect from this type of genre, and it stayed away from most stereotypical plot devices that I did expect. So, it was a pleasant surprise on many levels. The dialogue was pretty good, and fairly funny. The story worked in a slow revealing type of fashion, however a couple of events felt a little too rushed. With a run time a little over 2 hours, it was odd for a flick to feel like it was forcing things to happen. But, a lot does happen in the film.

It was my kind of film. Now, it didn't hit on my same emotional level as "The Last Kiss" did, but it didn't need to. It still opened my mind, and forced me to think about and address things in my own life.

First, it reminded me that in love, we don't always get what we want. No matter how close we come, it can always be taken away. Also, when we have feelings for someone, more often than not, they do not return those feelings - which only hurts the heart. Love is an interesting thing, and the things we do for love, and because of love, might not always yield the greatest results. It shows how difficult it is to move on with your life. And I know I related to that - I'm still stuck at the apex of a hill, wanting to go forward and get as far away from this hill as I can, but then I think about the trip up the hill - and how much I enjoyed it. And it makes me want to go back down the hill, and climb it again - even though the hill just wants me long gone. Moving on is tough - well, at least for me. I can only hope that one day, someone comes along who helps me down the hill, and onto the next one. Because, I've lived. I've learned. And the next hill is going to be much easier, and more fun.

Second, it reminded me that life has to change. It's evolution. It's life. It's constantly moving and changing. People make decisions, and no matter how close of friends you are, they make the choices that are best for them. Things change. People change. It all changes. And to sit around and think that your perfect life, with friends, family, and everything else is always going to be around is a facade. It's a mirage. Life, overall, is a let down. And the highs are always ruined by the lows.

Third, it has confirmed in my mind that I don't mind kids. I think I'm not a fan of babies - but like a four year old, I think we would rock out together. The kid in the film is awesome. And while I've spent a good deal of my life living in fear of having a son, I think it would be a wicked good time. Someone who would want to hang out with me (because I'd be THE MORE WICKED COOL father) and someone to play with - because let's be honest, I'm still a kid at heart. Throwing the football. Playing catch. Shooting hockey pucks in the driveway. I can't do those things, if I don't mentally grow up and prepare myself for it. And now, I think I want it to happen. I'm still scared out of my mind about it - but I also see it as a lot of fun.

I guess I'm just finally hitting that point. I've lived a good and fun life. I've done a lot of things. And there's a natural progression to achieve. A place to arrive at. And begin 50 when my kids are in high school is NOT something I'm interested in. I want to be there for every sporting event, play, musical, whatever they decide to do with their lives.

Interesting how a flick about relationships and a kid can make you re-evaluate your entire life.

And after the film, while driving home, I was thinking about everything I've been writing about - and some things that I didn't write about - and I thought about my "promise" to Heidi, that I'll write a new script. And I think I've got the basis and beginnings of a new storyline, that I hope to develop. It's rough. It's going to need a lot of thought, love, and work - but I think in few weeks time, if I give it some serious time - I might be working on the next script. I don't know how I'm going to make it - I don't know who is going to help. I don't know how I'm going to come up with all of the money to pay my actors, but I'm going to start with the script. And I'm going to see what kinds of reactions I get.

Because, Heidi reminded me of one thing: I love to tell stories. With words. And with pictures. So, I should keep doing what I love...

Intrepid, eh?

I often refer you my readers over to Peddie's Blog. And today, while reading it for myself, I noticed something "new" to me - I don't know how long he's done this, but I just noticed it today.

Peddie has given nicknames to most of the bloggers that has links to. There's "The Random Blogger", "The Sports Blogger", "The Baking Blogger", "The Weekend Blogger", etc...

Then, there's what he calls me: "Shane White - The Intrepid Blogger".

Now, I consider myself a very intelligent person, but I will admit when I have to look into something. Aside from knowing the automobile, I wasn't completely sure what "intrepid" meant, so I looked it up. And here's the definition I found (www.m-w.com):

"Characterized by resolute fearlessness, fortitude, and endurance."

Again, I came across a word I wasn't 100% sure of the meaning. So, I looked up "fortitude":

"Strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage."

This statement is so true, in many ways that most of you don't know about. But, if you stick with reading this blog, in the future - you will understand.

I think I am going to have to take this as a compliment, I don't know if it was meant to be - but it's an interesting way to look at myself, and one that I wouldn't have done without having to look into the meaning of these words.

Peddie, if I ever get word "Intrepid" tattooed on my body - I want you to know it's going to be a direct result of you putting the word (and definition) into my mind.

I guess I'm just taken back by learning the definition. It's probably the only positive adjective anyone has ever used to describe me...

I was supposed to go check out "Smokin' Aces" tonight - a flick I've been pumped about all week. But, my buddies decided to watch "Epic Movie" first (a flick I have NO desire to see), and were going to be starting "Smokin' Aces" too late for me. Doesn't this suck? "Back in the day" I wouldn't care how late I had to stay up to watch a movie I wanted to see - but now, 8am comes REALLY EARLY!!! But, to have my nights and weekends off - I'm willing to deal with it. So, I'm going to be in Chicago all weekend - maybe I'll try to catch it while I'm there - if there's time.

The other film I really want to see this coming week is "Catch and Release". I hope to catch it soon. Here's the trailer:

The Spot

The Spot is the new bar that has replaced P.S. O'Rourke's.

My first statement is a tough one: Everything that I never got out of O'Rourke's, I can get out of The Spot. I love Sloan and Flea to death, they are some important people in my life. But, they didn't want a sport bar - and I kind of always did. The Spot is very much a sports bar.

The Spot is very much a hybrid. It still feels like O'Rourke's, it still feels like home. It still feels like the bar that I have so many wonderful memories from. O'Rourke's is where I met Kristen. O'Rourke's is where I filmed a lot of scenes from various films of mine. O'Rourke's was were I was guaranteed to have a friend at. Sloan and Flea didn't care about having a hugely popular bar, they wanted a place for themselves and their friends to hang out, and they treated the regulars better than I've ever seen people treated. P.S. O'Rourke's was a Speakeasy, a Watering Hole, and place for friends to sit around and just talk. On the weekends, they made their money with live bands - which Sloan never really cared for, but needed the added revenue on the weekends. But, no matter what time of day, or what day, Sloan or Flea would be there, and the waitresses treated us like no one else ever did. It was a special place, and always will be - I've got so many wonderful memories from there.

But, it's in the past. It's gone. I can't have it again. But, the other day, when we learned The Spot had opened, my friends and I found time to go there and check it out. That time turned out to be tonight. And tonight, I learned something wonderful: A former waitress, Jamie, and her husband - along with two of their friends - are the new owners of the bar. And they have done an AMAZING job with the place.

It's brighter. It's not so dark anymore. There's a sports theme, with various mid-west team banners hanging all over the place. There are HD Plasma TVs all over the upstairs, and four HD projection screen TVs on the main level. There is even a private room with it's own HD TV. The biggest improvement is the bathrooms, which have been completely redone. They look nothing like before, and are BEYOND amazing!

As I was leaving the bathroom, it happened:

"SHANE!!!"

I was told that Jamie left before I got there, so I wasn't expecting it. But, it turns out that she was just sitting at the bar. She ran up and gave me a hung, and I spent the next 45 minutes talking to her and her husband and finding out all the details about how she/they got from the closing of O'Rourke's to opening the building as their own. It was an interesting story - and I am REALLY proud of Jamie. If you read this regularly, you know one of my life-long ambitions is to own my own sports bar. So, this will be the next best thing. Jamie introduced me to the entire staff, and introduced them to me. They are all really cool, and very much like the "family" that was lost when O'Rourke's closed. Also, one of the former waitresses (and former love of my life) is supposed to come back and start working there. So, it will be awesome to see her again.

They have removed a lot of the couches. Most of downstairs is all tables and chairs. They have done a lot of tile-work on the downstairs, as well as added the big screens. Upstairs has lots of brand new leather love seats, which are very comfortable. Tonight, the NFL Network was re-airing the Colts/Patriots game - in condensed format - so we watched that and talked about the game and the Super Bowl. There is a chance that we are going to end up having our Super Bowl Party at The Spot. We talked to Jamie about it, and she made some suggestions to us. So, we're going to see how everyone feels.

It's so cool. It's still got the vibe of O'Rourke's, but with a different feel. Jamie told me she felt the same way I did when the bar closed - that she was missing a part of her life - and that was part of her motivation to buy the building and get the place re-opened, but make it a little more hip and appealing than Sloan and Flea. So, it's a nifty hybrid. It's got the old vibe for people like me, combined with the new appealing sports bar theme.

I finally have somewhere that I feel comfortable going again. It feels like home again already.

I highly recommend it, if you're looking for a cool place in Castleton - and if you actually like sports.

"Primevil" SUCKS

Yeah, F.Y.I. - IT SUCKS!!! DO NOT SEE IT.

I thought "Lake Placid" was bad.
I thought "Anaconda" was bad.

Those two films are OSCAR-WORTHY compared to this.

I saw it for one reason: Dominic Purcell. He had his moments, but it was NOT worth sitting through. Orlando Jones has two good one-liners. And there is ONE "surprise" that I didn't see coming. Other than that, BAD, BAD, BAD. And I'm NOT being my typical critical self. I went in with NO expectations, and wish that I wouldn't have wasted my time.

I hadn't hung out with Justin and Phil since Christmas, so that was another reason I went. We had lots of laughs, but it was still a HORRIBLE flick.

Probably the WORST FILM I've seen in 2007. Granted, it's the ONLY film I've seen in 2007 - but that's BESIDES the point. At the end of the year, I'll guarantee it's in my BOTTOM FIVE.

Don't waste you time, you will regret it...

Inland Empire

Sibley and I have made plans to attend a special screening of "Inland Empire" (Official Site) in Chicago on the weekend of the 27th. David Lynch is distributing the film himself, and according to the website, he's going to be at the screening that night.

It's going to be an awesome trip, but it got better when my buddy Heidi found out I was coming into town, and sent me this, in an email:

"I'm totally down for it. At the very least, though, we TOTALLY have to hang out. So let's keep in touch about it. You can't come to my city and not hang out with me - that would be illegal."

It's always nice to have someone act like they actually WANT to hang out with you. As cool as the weekend was going to be, it's looking like it's going to be even more fun than I hoped for.

I'm REALLY getting excited about the trip. I LOVE Road Trips, hence my East Coast drive. We're spending the night in Chi-Town, so it should turn into a really fun 48 hours. I'm hoping to some more road trips this summer. I'm trying to talk Zach into hitting Rondeau in Canada again. I have a feeling that multiple Weekend-Get-A-Aways are in store for 2007. Maybe some more to go back to Chicago?

Also, related to Sibley, is THIS ARTICLE from the Indy Star. Sibley is supposed to be in charge of the IMAX, when it opens. CONGRATS, bro. You know I'll be hitting you up for IMAX tickets, right???

2006: A Year in Shane

So, here it is: 2007.
And with that, I've taken some time today to think back over the past 365 Days - the year that was 2006. It was interesting. Lots of ups. Lots of downs. Lots of stuff happened. And I'm taking the time to list (with some pictures) some of the Top Threes of 2006, in various categories. So, here's a recap of 2006 - from Shane's eyes and mind.

Top Three Places I Visited in 2006

1. The Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center in New York City.

One of the last places I got to visit this year, but also one of the best. A place I'd been dreaming about seeing for so long, and thanks to Letha and Jason, I finally got to see it. It sure was amazing.

2. The Pier at Santa Monica, at Sunset.

The family trip to Los Angeles back in March was an amazing trip, filled with lots of fun times, but the night we spent in Santa Monica, and saw the sun set over the ocean was just beautiful.

3. The Campground at Rondeau State Park in Canada.

Zach's Bachelor Party took Zach, Jason Romberg, and myself into the heart of Canada to spend four days in the woods. Camping is always an awesome time, and since we haven't made a trip to Brown County in a couple of years, this was an awesome time. Three guys in the woods, talking about life under the stars. It was such a great trip.

Top Three Films I Saw in 2006

1. "The Last Kiss"
Probably the best film about relationships I've seen in a long time. So many different perspectives and concepts of love and relationships, you're sure to identify with one of them. Perfect flick.

2. "The Prestige"
Probably the best storytelling of any film I've ever seen. Non-linear editing results in so many questions before answers, and allows three different time lines to intertwine with each other. This film also has THE BEST ENDING of any film since 1999 - PERIOD.

3. "Thank You For Smoking"
Just a flat-out hilarious film, that is wonderfully written and acted. Yes, some scenes are a little outlandish, but overall I think it's a wonderfully fun time, and Aaron Eckhart does an amazing job.

Top Three Albums I Bought in 2006

1. "Commit This to Memory" by The Motion City Soundtrack.
2. "Let Love In" by The Goo Goo Dolls.
3. "How to Save a Life" by The Fray.

All great rockin' albums, which I still constantly listen to.

Top Three Singles Released in 2006

1. "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol (from "Eyes Open")
2. "Lips of an Angel" by Hinder (from "Extreme Behavior")
3. "Feel the Silence" by The Goo Goo Dolls (from "Let Love In")

Top Three Concerts I Went to in 2006

1. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra
2. Pearl Jam
3. The Goo Goo Dolls

Top Three Sports Moments in 2006

1. Reggie Miller's Jersey being retired.
2. The Eastsiders Basketball Team winning the ISSA Class B Championship.
3. Big Al Harrington returning to the Indiana Pacers.

Top Three T.V. Shows I Watched in 2006

1. "Lost"
2. "Prison Break"
3. "How I Met Your Mother"

Three Biggest Surprises of 2006

1. The Divorce.
Yeah, this one takes the cake. One year ago today - I never would have seen it coming. I knew we were having problems, but I honestly believe some separation and time apart would help us figure out our feelings for each other. I guess she figured out her feelings - which wasn't a good thing for me, and it was a pretty big shocker when I got the paperwork in the mail.
2. Jason Moving.
When Jason and I were into film together, the guy told me he didn't think he would ever move to Los Angeles, because he didn't want to leave his family and friends in Indianapolis. So, when he was presented with the opportunity to move to Boston, I was first surprised that he was thinking about it - and more surprised with his final decision. I can still remember the night he told Annette and I that he was going to stay here in Indy, and turn the job down. It wasn't more than two hours later I was hanging out with him, when he told me he was going to take the job. I quickly went from "happy Jason was staying" to "bummed Jason was leaving". Another surprise to my life in 2006.
3. Dad Goes to Iraq.
I never would have imagined, until I was told, that my Dad would be going to Iraq. He's not exactly a 20-year-old infantryman. So, the government sending him over to Iraq to do some work was Out of Left Field, in my opinion. Luckily, he went and made it home safe - but it was still kind of a surprise to find out he was going.

I'm hoping for a good 2007.
I've got some life plans in order, and hope they work out.
I'm holding off on going back to school - so that I can spend the next few months getting my living arrangements worked out (finding an apartment downtown) and getting a new job. I plan to start talking to a counselor at IUPUI in the next few weeks, so that they can start setting me up and enrolling me in the classes I want to take in the fall. This will also give me a chance to save some money and start applying for financial aid.

I've only made one resolution for 2007.
And I think I'll be able to keep it. I've already started on it, and I think I can keep up with it. My resolution for 2007 is to get myself into better shape (which includes losing some weight). I've been riding 10 Miles a Day on the bike for five days a week, for the past three weeks - so I just need to keep that up. I've been lifting free weights and just need to continue doing that as well. Finally, no more soda. Juice, Water, Gatorade, Powerade, anything but soda. By the Spring, I want to be regularly running the canal downtown (hopefully living close enough to jog to the canal, and then jog the whole thing).

Well, 2006 sure changed my life.
Lots of ups.
Lots of downs.
Lots of good times.
Lots of lonely nights.

Somehow, I have a feeling 2007 is going to be a lot of the same...

...but I guess that's life.

I'll see you again in 365 Days, with another list. I hope you all have a WONDERFUL 2007.