:: Captain's Personal Blog ::

Stardate: Thursday, May 20, 2004

Open Letter To Amy Acker:

As that our other blog, Jossolalia has been out of publication since the end of last year, I am posting this here. While I'm sure that this message will probably not be read my Amy herself, it will contain points which I would like to share with all. I would also like to post about the series finale of ANGEL, but that will wait for another time.

Of all the actors on ANGEL, and there was some phenomenal acting on display on that show, AMY ACKER stands as the greatest of them all. Now, with any critique of an actor's work, you have to take into account the work of the writers. I have done that. The writers on ANGEL are also excellent, but again, there are some things that just aren't written and these are the things that are attributable to AMY.

Examining the character of FRED over time, she started out as a true acting exercise. Compressing manic fear and paranoia with humor and a serious sense of intelligence, cunning and even a bit of self-control into one personality is hard. Especially when you have to maintain such a delicate balance. Over the slow process of FRED's growing into a more 'normal' person (the trademark 'take-your-time' growing process we have come to know and love in all of JOSS WHEDON'S shows) this cacophony of mixed emotions and desires began to become tempered by a sense of security and belonging.

FRED'S relationship with GUNN was a pivotal part of this 'coming-of-age' and was again played with execptional attention to these layers. J. August Richards was certainly good in providing his share of emotional angst, but AMY still had to keep up a small mix of that 'earlier FRED' which made it all the more challenging.

AMY kept her acting skills sharp during the continuing run of ANGEL, and then truly began to shine in this, their last season.

Being thrust into a position of greater responsibility was a little awkward for FRED, but she slowly grew into the position, even winning the favor of the new kid on the block, SPIKE. AMY again balanced the shyness of FRED with a sense of growing responsibility to stunning effect. But even this was miniscule compared to what was to come next.

AMY had the opportunity to do something which has been a bit rare in the BUFFY-VERSE. She had a proper death scene. One in which her character could say good-bye (even if she didn't ACTUALLY say that.) In that final episode, AMY ran the emotional gambit, and brought us into the sadness of FRED'S final moments. To me, it ranks among the most emotional moments in the history of the BUFFY-VERSE. Again, kudos go to the writing staff, but it was AMY who brought those words to life and gave them their true emotional core.

Then came the coup de grace. ILLYRIA. In that one character, AMY was able to show us how she had us completely fooled. Most people believe that Sarah Michelle Gellar is a lot like Buffy. That Alyson Hannigan is a lot like Willow. That David Boreanaz is a lot like Angel (well, not so much with the biting, but that there are at least SOME similarities.)

AMY's performance of ILLYRIA was mesmorizing beyond compare. Granted, she looked great with the blue-ish hair, the outfit and those cool eyes. But just when you thought THAT was what made our FRED seem to be completely different, AMY shocked the truth into us. In "THE GIRL IN QUESTION," AMY returns to more familiar ground as FRED. Every once in a while, however, she reverts back to the ILLYRIA personality. For once, there is no CGI eye-changing or even a morph to give her head the blue hue. Nope, not for this girl.

Instead, with a cock of the head and a change of voice (and a myriad of other intricacies) AMY brings ILLYRIA across loud and clear. It was incredible. The performance was flawless, and kudos isn't even a remotely strong enough word to convey the praise that should be heaped upon our AMY ACKER. A credit to the profession, she has raised the bar of acting (in this genere in particular). I wish her well on all her future pursuits.

J

P.S. For some reason, this entry has taken 3 days to get together, if that should give you any indication of how busy I have been.

J
:: J 6:03 PM [+] ::
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An Open Letter to the FCC

To whom it may concern:

There is a hope that this letter will be read and taken into consideration by someone in authority, but given the recent spate of e-mail being sent by zealots on either side of the indecency issue, I tend to doubt it. Regardless, I sent this e-mail as a plea from a concerned citizen.

I am about to mention two words which I believe will make you disregard this letter. I beg of you to give me a chance and read on. I hope you find what I have to say different from what you have undoubtedly read over and over again.

Those words are "Howard Stern." Let me give you some background on myself first. I have never met the man. I listened to him as a much younger child, and spent many years as an avid listener. When I went to college, I left the state of New York, and listening to Mr. Stern at the time became impossible. Not being too obsessive, I was forced to stop listening. Past that, I rarely took an opportunity to listen anymore. I had no desire to. The humor had become a bit to childish for me, and it just was not the same anymore.

I grew up in a reasonably moral household. Not particularly religious, and rather free in allowances. I was never truly protected from watching films which had profanity, or even a small amount of nudity in them. As it turned out, I knew what was bad and what was good and obstained accordingly. To date, I have never done drugs (nor do I have a desire to,) I am not a sex fiend, and I never use profanity (not because I find it offensive per se, but simply because I feel that when you use profanity, you use it because you can't think of anything more intelligent to say.)

I realize that it may just be that I am an anomaly. I accept that. Despite that, I still wonder about the recent backlash against what is deemed as "indecency." The Super Bowl stunt was wrong. It shouldn't have happened and those responsible should be held accountable. I don't dispute that.

What happened happened during what is accepted as a family show. It was not done for the sake of art, as much as it was for shock value. The validity of something as art, however should not be debated here as that it opens up another can of worms entirely which I feel that I am ill-equipped to tackle at this moment.

Howard Stern has been on the air for as long as I can remember. It has always been my understanding that his radio program has been on "the cutting edge" (if you'll pardon the cliche) of what is acceptable on air. For close to 20 years (give or take) the public has accepted what he has done. He has been consistently one of the highest rated programs in almost any market that he is in. This being the case, the issue should be reduced to simple democracy. The public has voted him number one, so he should stay. Simple as that.

The indeceny issue should be fought at home. If you want to trace the breakdown of the family, look back to when parents decided to let radio and television act as babysitters for their children. Those who do not have time for children should not choose to have children. I realize that that is a harsh choice to make, but truly it becomes the responsibility of the parent. If a parent leaves a child alone in a room and the child hurts himself/herself on a sharp object left in the room, the parent is responsible. It is called negligence. Why should the standard be any different for a radio or television?

The issue has been fought for as long as men have been self aware:

"A snake is lying on the ground, injured. An elephant walks by. 'Please, elephant. I need help crossing the river. Will you help me?'' asked the snake. The elephant agrees and carrys the snake to the other side. Upon reaching the other side, the snake bites the elephant. 'Why did you do that?'' asked the elephant. 'I can't help it. I am a snake. It is what I do.'"

Now, I know I didn't get the story quite right, but I am sure you've heard it. The same is true here. If you don't want to be bitten, the solution is to stay away from the snake. The solution is not to kill all the snakes. That would be A solution, but not the right one.

Howard Stern has been accepted by the masses. If he hadn't, he wouldn't have been 'The King of All Media.' Sure, he's crass and sometimes vulgar, but that is what we have come to expect. He is, in truth, no worse than Jerry Springer or half the other things on television, which are easily seen. He has become an artifact of popular culture. It is undeniable.

I ask you to set politics aside for a moment, because I don't believe that they should be the central idea behind what is happening here. Instead, go with what you know to be common sense. Personally, it doesn't matter to me if I turn on the radio and hear Howard Stern. What matters to me is that I live in a country that knows it's limitations and refuses to deny the liberties that have been set out for it's citizens.

Please take this under consideration before forcing Howard Stern off the air. Not because I want him on the air, but because you may soon have to decide how far you are willing to go, and just when you are going to stop.


:: J 5:22 PM [+] ::
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THANK YOU

Thank you to the many concerned citizens (tee hee, I always wanted to say that) who wrote regarding my recent kidney episode.

Here's some info on my stone and what I plan to do about it:

The stone was what's known as a Calcium Oxalate stone. For some reason, this means that while I do not have an over abundance of Calcium, I do have an overabundance of oxalate in my diet. According to the doctors, though, this would suck because I would have to avoid many of the things that I eat on a regular basis.

Now, for those who do not know me very well, let me be clear on this one point. I have vowed from the beginning of time that I would not let any sort of "condition" prevent me from eating the things that I love. Is this stupid? Monumentally so. However, it is also a choice that I have made......for now. It is easy to have the strength of one's convictions when they are not writhing in the pain of pre-stone labor. However, I feel firm in my convictions now. People have lived for many a year, eating much worse than I have, and living much better. I do balance my unhealthy diet with healthy things, so I am already that much ahead of the game.

Don't laugh, all you people. I do eat apples and peppers and bananas and strawberries and other fuit/vegetable type stuff. It's true! Besides, would I lie about eating peppers? I like the yellow ones best.

I've never been a big fan of the medical profession. My grandmother's ill-fated bout with cancer is mostly the cause of that. As such, I have only put a passing amount of stock in what doctor's say. If they say 'don't stick your finger in the electrical socket' or 'don't jump out a window,' I say 'RIGHT-O, Doctor sir!' However, too much past that, and I have to wonder.

Bottom line, my body has enjoyed what I have been pumping into it for the past 27 years. As such, I have no reason to believe it would rebel now.

On the whole, I also stay away from many of the negatives to the body, for various reasons:

1) SMOKING - Can't stand it
2) COFFEE - Don't really like the taste and caffeine puts me to sleep
3) ALCOHOL - For the MOST part, can't find any I like the taste of
4) DRUGS - Never really had much of a desire in this area

So, again, I feel like I am ahead of the game on the health front. As such, I will go a *little* easier on my diet, but not by much. I refuse to give in to this thing. So, lots of candy, junk food and soda for me!!!!! And, every now and then, a little bit of water to keep things going :)
:: J 3:02 PM [+] ::
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