The Odd Life of Timothy Green

Tonight Robert and I went to a pre-release screening of Disney's new movie, The Odd Life of Timothy Green.

Here's a brief synopsis;

Cindy and Jim Green, a couple residing in Stanleyville, are told they are unable to conceive, so they dream up their ideal offspring and write the child's characteristics and life events on pieces of paper, including "scoring the winning goal." The Greens place the notes in a box and bury the box in their backyard. After a stormy night, a 10-year-old arrives at their doorstep, claiming the Greens as his own. Soon they realize that the child, named Timothy, is far more special than they originally thought.

I LOVE THIS MOVIE!!!!  First few minutes and I was in tears. Watching this couple, who want a kid so badly and not being able to have one broke my heart. I've been thinking about having a kid myself recently and I think it made these scene double heart breaking. I really enjoyed the fantasy/whimsical aspect of this film. There isn't a lot, most of the film is based in reality but the bits that were there were perfect. The kid, C.J. Adam is ADORABLE!!! He steals ever scene he's in. He's has the sweetest look and you just melt.

This movie is sweet, funny, sad, dramatic, whimsical, and just about perfect. The two parents Jennifer Gardner and Joel Edgerton were wonderful and give some amazing performances. The supporting cast was great as well. It's beautifully shot and the has a nice pace. This isn't an all out action crazy fast pace movie. It's this lovely story that unfolds in front of you that is just so beautiful.

I can't say enough good things about this movie. It comes out on August 15th and I plan to see it again. It's a great family film. I give The Odd Life of Timothy Green a solid A.

After the screening there was a Q&A with writers, producers and actors. Joining us were producer Jim Whitaker, writer/director Peter Hedges and actor Joel Edgerton. And added at the last second  actress Jennifer Garner and producer/writer Ahmet Zappa.

It was a fun panel that lasted about an hour. They talk about how this story came to be and how the actors came on board. They talked about filming a movie set in the fall but filmed in winter and how they had to create Autumn looking leaves and tress.. thousands and thousands of them. You could tell that this movie means alot to them as the writer/director was brought to tears talking about the experience. It was a fun and very informative evening. I hope this movie does well.. it deserves to be a success.

Podcasts, Post Office & Pollo

Got up early today because I had to edit several podcasts this weekend and when I say this weekend I meant half of the day today as I was booked doing other things this evening and all of tomorrow. So as soon as I got up I got to work editing my next Alien Nation Podcast. Had a really good time editing this one. It's one of my favorite episodes of the series and it come across in the recording. I finished around 2pm. I was really hoping to get both Alien Nation and My Gimpy Life podcasts done but that didn't happen. I went out and grabbed a bit to eat before converting and uploading the podcast and prepping it for release on August 10th.

Once that was done I needed to head to the post office to drop off some donation "rewards" that I had promised people a month ago as well as sending off my best friend Chris' posters and pictures that he got from SDCC. Got to the post off about 4:15 and was out by 4:30pm. I really wanted to get new glasses but I just didn't have time. I now had to leave the post office and head down the Mar Vista to meet up with my buddy Robert. He and I were going to a pre-release screening of The Odd Life of Timothy Green. But before that we wanted to pick up some dinner and decided to grab some grub from La Salsa. We had a nice dinner and when we were exiting a gentleman asked if we could help with purchasing his food. He only had a few dollars and change. Both Robert and I pulled out $5 dollars each to cover his meal. I'd rather buy a meal for someone then give them money. The man in return gave us both a huge and very tight bear hug. It was a very odd situation. After that we headed to the theater and got in live around 6:45pm, they left us in at 7pm and the movie started at 7:30. Blog about movie will follow this blog.

Once the movie was over we headed back to Robert's place where I crashed for the night as we were both going to Disneyland tomorrow for our buddy Anthony's birthday. Though I didn't get everything done that I was hoping I still feel it was a very productive day.

Will I Ever Be A Daddy?

Read a tweet earlier today that mentioned the fatherhood of my best friend and though the thought of him becoming a daddy makes me happy beyond belief I actually started to tear up as it hit me that fatherhood might not be something that I will have the pleasure of in the future.

As long as I can remember I have wanted to be a Dad. And as the years went by and I struggled with my sexuality that hope never died. When I finally came out of the closet at 27 I realized that having a child just got a bit more difficult. I know there is adoption, as there are a ton of kids who need a good home and I would do that in a heartbeat but for my first kid I've always wanted a biological child.

As a gay man, to have a biological child can be done but it takes patience and more importantly money. I've never been a rich man. I struggled in my 20's, was comfortable in my 30's and back to struggling in my 40's. Another factor was my long term partner Harry. When we first got together we both talked about having kids, but as the years went by and our battle with immigration issues continued, we never pursued anything. I guess that's a good thing as after eight years the relationship ended.

Now I'm 41 years old (almost 42) with no prospect of a partner. I've come to ask myself... am I done, is it too late for me to be a father. Part of me thinks... yes... it's too late. I want to travel and enjoy the latter part of my life. But then another part of me, the part that's longs to be called Daddy, still holds out hope that one day my dreams of fatherhood will become reality.

I guess all I can do is wait and see what the fates have in store for me.

The Bourne Legacy

Tonight after work I went to a PGA (Producers Guild of America) pre-release screening of The Bourne Legacy. I was able to bring one guest and that was my buddy Robert. He swung by my job and picked me up and we headed to the Writer's Guild theater. Traffic was horrible but we manage to get there with 15 minutes to spare. When we got into the theater it was packed. I was not looking forward to sitting in the far corner so we headed to the back and fortune was upon as as there were two seats in the second to last row in the middle section.

Both Robert and I were starving and because traffic was horrible we weren't able to pick up any food. Besides there is no food or drink allowed in the theater. Anyways with all PGA screening Kyle (PGA member who runs these things) gets up and does her speech and tells us which producers worked on this film. Then the movie starts, Robert made a comment that it's weird not having any preview before the movie.

(Gonna try and keep this a spoiler free as possible) I've seen all the previous Bourne movies and really enjoyed them so I was looking forward to this one even thought the main character Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) was replaced by another agent Aaron Cross played by Jeremy Renner. Over all I really enjoyed this movie. Lot's of set up for this new character but I liked the whole story idea and how they tied it in with the other three movies. Someone asked me if you needed to see the first three movies to enjoy this movie and I would have to say yes. You could watch this film as just a cool action movie and it works but you wouldn't get half of the plot without info from the other three movies. The action sequences were pretty awesome (as are all Bourne movies). You get to see some of the same characters from the previous three movies, which is always cool. If you enjoyed the previous Bourne movies then you'll enjoy this movie.. it's a great addition to the Bourne franchise. I give this move a B

After the movie Robert drove me back to my work so I could pick up my car.. but first we grabbed some noms from Taco Bell. It was a nice way to end a busy day at work.

Being Self Conscious

Today I wore my Dudes Marry Dudes shirt and of course I got stares but no hateful comments (thankfully). But after a while having people make eye contact with me and then move to my chest I started to get self conscious. Soon as someone would do that I would fold my arms in front of me. Or when I had to use the restroom and another person was in there I would make sure to obscure my shirt from them.

Now I'm not ashamed to be a gay man but I'm cautious as I've had a few run in with those who feel that I am an abomination. When I choose to where this shirt I really do think out my day. Where am I going, who will I be interacting with. And I hate that I do that but to me it's a necessary thing.

Today there was an unexpected lunch with my buddy Robert. We didn't plan to have lunch but he asked and it's always great seeing him so I said yes. We went to El Pollo Loco and it's in a "lower' income part of town and normally there are a ton of High School kids there.. but lucky for me it's still summer and we went a bit after lunch time so there were no run ins.

Part of me asks why I wear this shirt if it makes me uncomfortable at times but then the other part of me says why not wear it. I'm a proud gay man and I want marriage equality... who gives a f*ck what others think. I don't have to prove anything to anyone but myself. But still there's always that fear of being attacked (verbally or physically) and/or killed. Luckily I've only been called a fag or faggot a few times in my life and have never gotten into any physical altercation.

It's a constant internal battle but one of these days I'll be able to walk down the street with this shirt on and truly not care about the stares and name calling. I hope that day is soon..

My Gimpy Life Podcast Episode 101

Download from Itunes ow.ly/cFHMs or Listen or get a direct download from mygimpylifepodcast.com

Show Notes:

Here it is.. the premiere episode of My Gimpy Life CompanionCast

This CompanionCast covers Season 1 Episode 1 - Accessible

If you haven't seen the episode yet, You can see it HERE

My  CompanionCasts for The Guild were a huge hit so when Teal was putting together My Gimpy Life she asked if I would do some for her series and of course I said yes!!


I was on set almost everyday while they shot Season 1. As actors and crew were finished with scenes I would try and speak to them. Get some inside info about the scene they just shot. I also interview Teal Sherer (creator/star) and  Sean Becker about the directing. Each one of these CompanionCasts will be episode specific and will vary in length depending on how much bts goodness I am able to gather.

In this CompanionCast I interview Teal Sherer, Sean Becker, Leah Mann, Gabe Uhr, Gary Anthony Williams, Kim Evey and Eric Acosta

I hope you enjoy a look behind the scenes of Season 1 Episode 1 - Accessible
Kenny

MASH 4077 Podcast Episode 36

Download from itunes http://tinyurl.com/MASH4077itunes or listen/direct download http://MASH4077Podcast.com

Show Notes

Kenny Mittleider from Knights of the Guild, Alien Nation: The Newcomers Podcast & Confessions of a Fanboy Podcast, Simon Meddings from Waffle On Podcast, & Al Kessel from Tales from the Mouse House, Fast Forward & Just Because Podcast discuss one of the most successful and longest running television series in history.. M*A*S*H

Today we cover Season 2, Episode #12 - The Incubator 36th Episode Overall

Directed by Jackie Cooper
Written by Larry Gelbart & Laurence Marks
Production code K412
Original air date December 1, 1973

Set during the Korean War in the 1950’s

Plot Summary: Hawkeye and Trapper John decide they need an incubator to help diagnose infections and have to fight the bureaucracy of the army to get one. There are three incubators available in Seoul, but the supply sergeant and base commander want more than the 4077th can afford..

Hope you enjoy it,
Kenny

Shaved Head, Stress & Gimpy Life

Got up this morning and decided to I wanted buzz cut my hair. I like having long hair but it go to a point where it just looked crazy. This would be the first time that I would be cutting my hair by myself. Got the clippers out and grabbed two blade guards. I couldn't remember which one I used.. one looked too large and one looked too small. Instead of going with the large one first I went with the small one and did one pass on my head and realized it was the wrong one. I used a #1 clip for my beard and the #3 clip for my head.. well it was too late and I had to continue to buzz cut my hair off. This is the shortest I've ever cut it.. I mean it's almost bald.

Oh well it's only hair and most of it will grow back in a matter of weeks and be the length I normally have it at. I came into work and got a lot of compliments so I guess it looks better then I thought. As the day went on I got use to it and now it doesn't bother me so much.

Speaking of work, about midday I had such a massive headache that I actually had to take 3 Advil's. I rarely take anything but the stress was so horrible here at work that my head felt like it was going to explode. Luckily for me because I don't take alot of medicine it works fast on me and it was gone in a matter of an hour.

It was a long day and I couldn't wait to get out of work. I had to get home and work on My Gimpy Life Podcast since the first episode of this new webseries came out yesterday and I'm suppose to have a companioncast come out a few days later. So when I got home I jumped right editing the first episode of My Gimpy Life podcast and by 11pm I was done and it was ready to be released. Won't post it until tomorrow morning though. So that's three of the five podcasts done. Two more to go Alien Nation due by Aug 10th and Confessions of a Fanboy due asap. I'm also working on getting this new The Geek Roundtable podcast up and running. And I'm still working on the Secret Project. Lot's going on but I'm having fun and that's all that matters.

No Shirt But More Hobbit

I was so tired from this past weekend that I drove to work without a shirt on. Now let me explain my routine. I have an hour and a half commute one way everyday sitting in traffic with the hot sun beating down on me. So I've started wearing white undershirts as I drive and then when I get to work I change into the shirt I am going to wear for the day. So like every morning I picked out a shirt and set it on my bed. Gathered up all my stuff and headed to my jeep, at this time I am normally shirtless because my white tees lives in my jeep. I normally put on the tee but I was so tired that I just got in my jeep and didn't realized I wasn't wearing a shirt until about halfway through my commute. Not only did I realize that I wasn't wearing a shirt.. but I also realized that I didn't bring the shirt that I was suppose to wear today. I quickly reached in the back and grabbed my balled up white tee. It was a bit wrinkled but it would do the job.

While driving to work I got a text from theonering.net informing us that Peter Jackson just announced that the Hobbit movies are going from two to three. Instead of splitting into two movies they are going to split it in three movies. I know some folks are upset thinking that it's just a way for the big companies to make more money and I'm sure that's some of it.. but with all the appendix stuff I'm sure they can add enough to the Hobbit movie to make a third movie, there is so much great story in there. So now we have part one coming out in December of this year, part two coming out December of next year and part three coming out Summer of 2014. I can't wait for this movie/trilogy.

Family Scare, Podcast Woes & Grease is the Word

Again today was suppose to be a catch up on podcast but that wasn't the case. My best friend Josh is in a stage rendition of Grease and today was the final performance. I missed him in Hello Dolly and Beauty and the Beast so there was no way I was going to miss this. It was at 4pm and out in Riverside, which is close to where my family is so I figured I'd go visit them before hand and then go to Josh's play and that's what I did.

I got up early once again (not a fan of doing that on the weekend) but I wanted to leave early so I could spend a fair amount of time with the family. Got there around 11ish and Dad, Brother, Sister-in-law, nephew and niece all went to lunch at Shakey's pizza. It was fun just hanging out with the family. After lunch my Dad and I went over to Walmart so I could pick up an SD card reader as the built in one on my computer died yesterday. While at Walmart I was with my Dad looking through dvd's when he started coughing and the next thing I knew he was falling to the ground. I managed to catch him mid fall and slowly lay him on the ground. I heart started racing as I kept talking to him but he wasn't responding. It was probably like 30 seconds but it felt like an hour, he finally came too. Of course we had some spectators and even a woman who I assume is a nurse as she asked if he was diabetic and if he recently ate.. and of course he did and he had a root beer and drank too much of it. After a few minutes he was okay to stand and we continued shopping. It was scary moment and I was just seconds away from calling 911. He knew he shouldn't have drank that entire soda..

I watched him closely for the next few hours and everything seems to be good. At 3 I left so I could get to the theater at a decent time and get a great seat for Josh's play. Got there around 3:30 and went to buy my ticket and met up with Nicole (Josh's ex). Got to catch up with her for a few minutes. I could have gotten a complementary seat but instead decided to pay a bit and get a front row seat... great choice.

Josh was playing Roger, who is one of the T-birds and isn't in the movie. It was fun watching him perform, dance and sing. They really had some great actors. I loved all the pink ladies and several of the T-birds. I wasn't a fan of Danny but Sandy was great. Doody, Frenchy, Jan and Rizzo were my favorites.. besides Josh's Roger (of course). After the show Josh and I got to hang out for a few minutes before he had to go and help tear down the stage (this was there last performance). I headed home around 7:30pm and wouldn't get home until a little after 9pm. I was tried but I still had to get more podcasts done. So far this weekend I wanted to do five and I manage to do one. I stayed up the next few hours recording and editing the next Knights of the Guild podcast. By the time I went to bed it was in the wee hours but I had finished my 2nd podcasts.. not the five that I was hoping for but two of the most important ones. Just wish there were more days in the weekend.

Knights of the Guild Ep 42

Download from itunes - http://bit.ly/KotGCast or listen, get direct download at http://bit.ly/2CrYxk
 

Show Notes:

• Guild Season 6 News
• Vork Comic Book Review by Eric Hargus
• Fan Interview with Guild of Extra's co-founder Jen
• Interview with the Bui Brothers who did the behind the scenes for Season Five.

Enjoy,

~Kenny~