The Weblog of Daniel Tashian

Just kidding, folks. But seriously, isn’t he just so bright and presidential? When compared to certain people, it’s like he’s a completely different animal! I was not as impressed by Hillary, who came across as shouting the whole time. But Carter, on the other hand, is a genuine saint. What a dignified and intelligent man. The main points: You gather more flies with honey than with vinegar, and as the world gets smaller, the U.S. may need some friends some day. That day may be sooner than we think, if not now! I think it is an absolute shame what the Bush administration has done to our reputation among the rest of the world. He’s working for somebody, and I don’t know who, but it’s not me. But even Kerry pales next to the charismatic dynamo that is Bill Clinton. Not in terms of intention or policy, but sheer star power! (which is what we want from politicians, right?) Cross your fingers folks. This is going to be a knock down, drag out battle. More here on Wednesday.

Bryan Beckett is preparing to build some bulit in shelves in our living room.
I wanted to do some before and after pics today. So here is the “before”. You can tell by the way his full concentration is on the task at hand that this is going to be good. I asked him if he wanted some coffee. “Black. ” he said.

Just finished reading The Life and Death of Peter Sellers. Wow. What a tragic life. The man was, unfortunately for those who worship at his shrine, a Karmic black whole of negativity. Roger Lewis basically just sums the book up by saying he was evil. After 1200 pages of evidence supporting this claim, it’s hard to argue with him. Isn’t it ironic (to quote Alanis), that a man who brought so much misery and heartbreak to those he loved, was also the same man who brought so much laughter and happiness to millions of people all over the planet! (Including the Prince of Wales, and the 7 year old Daniel Tashian!)
I was riveted by this book, however, as it contains desciptions of the making of so many films I love. The anecdotes would be interesting to anyone who loves comedy and specifically, comic films. It’s sad that he never recieved an Oscar (he was nominated for one of the Panthers, and for Hal Ashby’s Being There, although my mom seems to think it’s because he misbehaved so much, nobody felt like honoring him). When I told John Deadrick I was reading “The Life and Death”, and that I would be happy to pass it on to him when I was finished, he recoiled, saying “I don’t think I want to read it, he’s one of my heros!”
I understand the desire to leave the glossy sheen of one’s idols “un-sullied”, but this was too riveting to pass up. So what happened? Am I unable, now that I know so much about the man’s negligence as a human, actor, parent, spouse, or friend, to still enjoy watching his films? I was worried this would be the case, but fear not, brave biography hounds! The book has only made these films more interesting! One looks for traces of humanity in his beady eyes…and wonders:”Is he really that evil? Or is there some kind of soul in there?” Of course there is! All the anecdotes of his cruelty and unprofessionalism sort of meld into a blurry portrait of a haunted man, a man unable to be still or kind. This nervous cruelty, he brought to his films, and this is precisely why he is so fascinating to watch! The overall result this book had on me, was to make me feel sorry for a man who, despite what happened to his family, ultimately hurt himself more than anyone.