A Real-Life Justice League?
Category: News and Politics

ACTUAL NEWS STORY - AS CLOSE TO THE JUSTICE LEAGUE AS WE MAY EVER SEE:

(Who = whom?)

Richard Branson forms a band of 'Elders' with Mandela, Carter, Tutu and others
By Michael Wines
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
JOHANNESBURG: Melding serious statesmanship and a large slug of audacity, the former South African president Nelson Mandela and a clutch of world-famous figures plan to announce on Wednesday a private alliance to launch diplomatic assaults on the globe's most intractable problems.

The alliance, to be unveiled on Wednesday during events marking Mandela's 89th birthday, is to be called "The Elders." Among others, it includes the retired Anglican archbishop Desmond Tutu; Jimmy Carter, the former U.S. president; the retired United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan, and Mary Robinson, the human-rights activist and former president of Ireland.

Many, including Mandela, have been early and harsh critics of President George W. Bush and American foreign policy, particularly toward Iraq and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The group's members and backers insisted in interviews, however, that they are guided neither by ideology nor by geopolitical bent.

Mandela states in remarks prepared for Wednesday that the fact that none of The Elders holds public office allows them to work for the common good, not for outside interests.

"This group can speak freely and boldly, working both publicly and behind the scenes on whatever actions need to be taken," the remarks state. "Together we will work to support courage where there is fear, foster agreement where there is conflict, and inspire hope where there is despair."

Whether governments that become the objects of The Elders' freelance diplomacy will agree remains to be seen. One of the group's founders and principal sponsors, the British tycoon Sir Richard Branson, said that those leaders whom he had briefed - including Prime Minister Gordon Brown of Britain and the South African president, Thabo Mbeki - "very much support the initiative."

"There will always be skeptics of any positive initiatives, but these are people giving up their time for nothing," he said of The Elders. "Most individuals in the world would welcome a group of people who are above ego, who, in the last 12 or 15 years of their lives, are above partisan politics."

Precisely what problems The Elders will tackle is unclear; none have yet been selected.

A spokeswoman said the group would jointly decide where to step in, based in part on the seriousness of an issue and their ability to contribute to a solution.

In interviews, Branson and Carter offered two quite different hypothetical situations: The Elders might be able to help resolve regional crises like the wave of guerrilla fighting and kidnapping in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger River delta, Branson suggested.

For his part, Carter said the group might address problems like the waste and lack of coordination among aid organizations providing health care in developing nations. "The Elders won't get involved in delivering bed nets for malaria prevention," he said. "The issue is to fill vacuums - to address major issues that aren't being adequately addressed."

If the concept and the name seem a bit outsized - a diplomatic league of superheroes, one might say - that may stem from their ties to Branson, who rarely does anything in a small way.

In a telephone interview, Branson said that he began thinking about a the notion in 2003, after he sought to persuade Mandela and Annan to travel to Baghdad to ask Saddam Hussein to relinquish power in Iraq. The two agreed, but war broke out before arrangements were completed.

Later, after working on a concert for one of Mandela's charities, Branson flew home with Peter Gabriel, the British rock musician and human-rights activist. "I was talking about the need for a group of global elders to be there to rally around in times of conflict," he said, "and Peter said he'd had a similar idea, but using the global Internet to help elders relate to the world community."

Thus was born The Elders, named after the preeminence of elders in African village societies. Over the last year or so, Branson held a series of meetings at his Caribbean base, Necker Island, at which potential members and backers were recruited to the cause and asked to contribute their own ideas.

Carter said the meetings were a tightly held secret. "Before we went I didn't know what the meeting was all about," he said. "I went because of Sir Richard. We'd talked earlier about the possibility of a biofuels plant in my town, Plains."

Branson and Gabriel contributed funds to begin the project. Asked how much it would cost, Branson replied, "Obviously, it's not cheap." But enough donors have given money to finance The Elders' first four years of work, he said, and he anticipates that raising still more will not be difficult.

8:03 AM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

A moment to boast

  I do a lot of stuff.  Show stuff, comedy stuff, writing stuff.  But honestly, I don't know if I have been as deeply gratified by anything as much as this show now (Love is Dead).   The experience was inspiring, and everyone - everyone - involved made it so much better by putting in their all. 
  Is it perfect?  No.  Are there things I want to change?  Tons. 
  In due time.

  The reviews have run a huge spectrum.  The Reader loved it, wonderful things-with-a-few-qualifiers were given by Time Out and a few review websites, and the Tribune was angry that we weren't a grotesquely offensive Annoyance show.  But hands down, our favorite review was from an older, self-employed reviewer from ChicagoCritic.com.  He HATED us.  He hated the show, the performers, the theater, the audience, the air...  Well it's best to read it.

http://www.chicagocritic.com/html/love_is_dead.html

  But from looking around this guy's site, I determined that based on what he LOVES ("Peter Pan", "CATS!") if he hates my show, we're doing something right.  I don't want to create populist entertainment.  If I did, I'd be making television, not theater.  But the people I wanted it to hit with, have been really positive - and this guy walked out.  So I feel like I'm barking up the right tree.
  To those of you who have come to see it, thank you very, very much.  This is the closest thing I've done to "What I Want to Be Doing".  And it means the world to me to share that with you. 

++james 

PS
 If we get to develop the show in the future (which we're trying to) I'll be adding and doing re-writes.  So, feel free friends if you saw it, to share what hit with you, what didn't, what you want more of, etc.  I may ignore your thoughts completely, but it could be very helpful.  And trust me, I'll respect your opinion, even if it's not where I'm gonna go with this.

1:39 PM - 5 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

The Dictatorship Will Not Be Televised. Only Blogged.
Current mood: scared

  So a few people sent me or posted an article that is incredibly disturbing. 

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=ROG20070521&articleId=5721

On May 9, Bush (King George II), issued a Presidential Directive as an amendment to the National Security Act as well as the Homeland Security Act.  Essentially, in the wake of anything the President determines is to be a crisis - he can assume dictatorial control over any and all aspects of federal, state, city, local, and tribal governments - as well as private sector interests.  And in case that's all too technical for you, I'll clarify.  THIS IS FUCKING INSANE.
  As the double speak prattles on, it's put forth that the purpose of all this is to insure the continued supremacy of the Constitution.  The problem is that by completely subjugating the Legislative and Judicial branches (which it does), stripping all checks and balances (which it does), and demolishing the autonomy of American business (which it does), this is actually the single greatest violation of American Constitution ever put to law.
    I admit, I didn't even believe this was true.  It is.  But it has failed to surface in most media.  It has yet to be tackled in Senate. 
    Take two minutes.  Plug your zip code.  Find your representative.  Write.  Or paste, if you don't have time.  Light a fire.  (And of course, fill in the blanks.)

                               www.senate.gov           www.house.gov

Senator/Representative___________,
   I am profoundly disturbed by the May 9th Directive issued by President George W. Bush .  NSPD-51 / HSPD-20 clearly and reprehensibly oversteps the boundaries of his office, and violates the very Constitution it proposes to uphold.  With the document's disregard for our system of checks and balances, this issue stands as a pressing threat to the well being of our government.  I assure you, it is an utmost concern to me, and one that I trust you will work to resolve.
   Thank you for your consideration of my concerns.

Sincerely,
  ______________

4:17 PM - 3 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

the Craziness of Hank
Category: MySpace

Copied from Hey You Millionaires Blog:

Hi everyone.
    Well, if you didn't log on here on May 15th you missed our Hank video as one of the ubiquitous "Cool New Videos".  This wasn't anything we knew was going to happen, so we were ridiculously happy about it.  Almost 40,000 views in one day?  Previously, I couldn't even get my roommate to watch the fucking thing.  But I did wanted to say a coulple things the morning after... 
    
On the promotional side: Now that it's not in front of everyone - if you really liked it, please send the link to your friends who might dig it (i.e. - they don't have a dead child).  Or if you LOVE it...you could always post it on your profile.  I'm just sayin'.

On the personal side:  I wasn't too surprised to see that most of people who posted comments were either trying to promote their band/webcam or just posted to say they hated us.  Here are some good ones:
- sicko.
- creepy.
- Disturbing on multiple levels.
- this video is gayer than michael jackson having sex with richard simmons on a rainbow being pulled by unicorns.
- who do u tink u r idiot? american borat?
That last one is made greater by the fact that is was posted by Gollum from "Lord of the Rings."
    But still, I was surprised that Myspace posted a video that makes jokes about dead kids.  And some people were understandably upset.  What was more fascinating was the range of reactions to our other video, Catching the Gay.  We got replies that ranged from people who got it and loved it, to people who thought it was gay-bashing, and gay-bashers themselves telling me it was hillarious. Just to clear things up - it's a mockery of people's ignorance, paranoia, and unrecognized homoeroticism.
    It's really tricky terrain in comedy. You want to find that border of what people can handle.  And we are definitely not looking to hurt anyone. But the things people are uncomfortable with, the things people pull away from - that's a big fascination for me.  And I know Jim and John with me, are going to keep digging around there.

thanks.

BONUS FACT for my blog:  The video was supposed to just be called "Crazy Hank", but Jim Fath uploaded different versions under different names - then couldn't change them!  Hank Ketchum was the creator of Dennis the Menace, and a convicted killer of children.*

2:56 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Show TIME
Current mood: excited

WOW!  Hot holy damn!  I have a lot of shows coming up.  (one of many reasons I'm more scarce than normal these days.)  It's been a blast, and I'm actually really proud of all this stuff.  And trust me, I've done stuff I wasn't psyched about, but if anyone wants to catch any of these I'd be greatful.  Plus I really do believe they're worth it AND all of them have bars!  So we can kick it with drinks afterwards and catch up!  Everyone's a winner!


Did I mention I like what you've done with your hair?

THURSDAYS
Oct. 19 - Nov. 15 @ 8:00
The Leading Brand presents The Unbearable Lightness of Death
a sketch show slanting at theater about a young man's last days.  written and performed by myself, Jim Fath, & John Bohan.  at the Apollo Theater.
mo' info:  myspace.com/theleadingbrandcomedy

FRIDAYs & SATURDAYs
now - till - Nov. 4 @ 10:30
SPLATTER THEATER
a slasher comedy at the Annoyance with a great cast and a LOT of blood
mo'info:  myspace.com/splattertheater

(almost) WEEKLY
although at different times every week at iO Theater, Clark & Addison
(the) WASHINGTON GENERALS
I am so proud to be one.  Did I mention we won an award?

SPECIAL SHOWS!!

PRESIDENT BUSH IS A GREAT MAN
Oct. 13 (F), 21 (S), and Nov. 4 (S) @ 8:00
the Critic's Choice sketch and music review at the Annoyance gambles with plugging me in for one of the cast members.  Please come and share the experience...or they'll never use me again.  Directed by Mick Napier
mo' info:  myspace.com/annoyance_productions

UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS of DEATH ...in Cleveland!!
CLEVELAND's House of Blues - Sunday, Oct. 15 @ 8:00
we're doing 1/2 hour of our sketch show as an opener for Last Call Cleveland.  It's only $5, and I'm only in town for about 8 hours, so I would love for you hometown kids to catch what I've been up to, and for us to steal some time at the bar.

11:28 AM - 4 Comments - 1 Kudos - Add Comment

ROAD HEAD part one: Training in LA
Category: Travel and Places

Hi.  For those who don't know, I'm spending seven weeks in seven cities promoting Hampton hotels.  8 of us are traveling (two groups of four) as the 'Bed Heads'.  It's street improv & web video stuff that falls somewhere between being a comedian and dressing up like a hot dog to pass out coupons on street corners.

Los Angeles:

Both teams came out here for training on Thursday. Actually, everyone else flew out on Wednesday, but I had a show with the Washington Generals at iO.  So I was flying in the morning of training.  I got in just in time catch the shuttle from the hotel to the PR office.  This may not have been the best thing. 

Very quickly, it becomes obvious that our driver thinks he should have been a comedian himself.  He interrupted every conversation we were having to share his hee-sterical views on strippers, mexicans, and 'Hollywood duche-bags'.  And once he found out none of us had the credit card to be billed, he stopped the car in the middle of an intersection, and ran to our handlers' car behind us. 

His generally reckless and terror-inducing driving lead some to ask he never be our driver again.  But at the end of the day, there he was.  And I must have missed something, but in the front of the van his relentless comments cracked somepeople's conversation and he started calling one of the girls a 'stuck-up bitch' and freaking out.  In the haze of my raging discomfort I missed as much of how it ended as why it started, but everyone apparenly wanted to call the company and see about this man finding a new line of work.  We didn't have to, though.  Within fifteen minutes of dropping us off, our driver had provoked some stranger into a screaming match in the parking lot.  Then punched him.  Repeatedly, and in the face.

Training itself was fine, uneventful. I've been seeing friends of mine and staying in my own hotel room.  This beats the hell out real work.  As long as I don't blow all my money on whiskey and in-room movies, I should really come out ahead.

Oh, which reminds me - I mentioned to the marketing people that while acquainting myself with every nook-and-cranny of the Hampton experience and ammenities, I discovered that they carry a gay porn movie...called "Bed Heads".   Maybe I should find out more about what these tour videos entail....

2:43 PM - 3 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Like a freight train in my chest. It's great.
Current mood: awake

At work today.

Made hot chocolate-of-sorts with a powder, only used coffee for the hot water.  My body is abuzz and thundering blood.

From what I understand, I could just do cocaine. 

But this is cheaper. And chocolate-y.

I fear the crash.

10:00 AM - 3 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Summer in Bed with James
Category: Travel and Places

SUMMER in BED with JAMES

Los Angeles 5/25 - 5/28

Memphis 5/29 - 5/31

Minneapolis 6/1 - 6/7

Chicago 6/8 - 6/18

DC 6/19 - 6/27

NYC 6/28 - 7/9

Toronto 7/10 - 7/13

I'm taking suggestions on 'must see' spots in all cities.

I've also been asked where I want to fly to when the tour's done.  I'm thinking of going to Vegas, and putting all the money on 'black.'  Any other other destination suggestions? 

OTHER NOTABLE SUMMER DATES:

Aug 9: my 25th birthday

Aug 18: Snakes on a Plane

1:19 PM - 5 Comments - 1 Kudos - Add Comment

Faux-hawks

You know what one of my absolute favorite things about Chicago?  

The Metro.  Not the club itself, but the post-show ritual.  

Most weekday nights at about 11, you can watch a deluge of pierced, dyed, spiked, and brooding punk-and/or-goth teenagers...wait in McDonalds for their parents to pick them up.

THERE IS NOTHING LESS PUNK ROCK THAN WAITING IN A McDONALD'S FOR YOUR PARENTS TO PICK YOU UP.

If you were really punk, you would make your friends punch you in the face in front of a bar, so while the bouncer breaks it up, everyone else can slip inside for post-show underage drinking.  You would drink only whiskey.  Then you would break your glass over the bouncer's face as you cut out on the tab and hitchhike home.

Currently listening : Pure Mania By The Vibrators Release date: 29 December, 1990

6:59 AM - 4 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Now say it to my face! (sort of)

So I'm working on this show, and I have to deveop myself as a persona.  You know - highlight somethings, focus in on the major parts of my personality. (Conan OBrien doesn't go on about recently reading Proust.) 

So tell me my major faults!  (also an interest of mine in general)

Conveniently and, if you feel the need, anonymously. HERE:

http://kevan.org/nohari?name=ShimmyJames

If you want to balance things out, you can do the 'nice' one HERE:

http://kevan.org/johari?name=ShimmyJames

And if that's not enough thinking about me (God knows I can't get enough), feel free to message me with any major personality flaws not available to choose from ('vain', 'overly-sarcastic', etc).

And while I play these up for the show, I will try to work towards redressing my shortcommings in real life.  For at least a few weeks.

xo + either/or

+j

Currently listening : Archeology (1967-1977) By The Troggs Release date: 22 September, 1992

1:18 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment