The Usual Susspects

The trailer is out for the movie I was an extra in – and I’m in the trailer! The movie was named “High, Wide, and Handsome” but has been renamed “Talladega Nights”. The lead character played by Will Ferrell is named Ricky Bobby and hence the name of the official movie website is RickyBobby.com.  Check out the movie trailer  and you’ll see me in the opening sequence, playing Tony the 1976 convenience store clerk.

The local classic rock radio station in Charlotte, WRFX, had a contest for tickets to the sold out U2 concert. The 10th caller after they start a 2nd consecutive U2 song (a “U2 2-fer”) wins. I had my coat on and was about to turn off my office radio when I heard the first U2 song, so I decided to wait a few more minutes and call in. Lucky I did because I was caller #10. Patty heard me on the radio and said that I didn’t sound excited enough, but U2 is one of only two concerts I would ever want to go to! (The other concert I would want to go to is Billy Joel.)

A major motion picture is being shot here in the Charlotte area. The film is a comedy starring Will Ferrell as a Nascar driver. The production company held open auditions for extras and I went expecting that I may get to be in a large crowd in the stands for a race sequence. To my surprise I was chosen by the Director as an extra for an individual role. This Thursday I took a vacation day to shoot my scenes. I played Tony the Convenience Store Clerk. My scene takes place in 1976 and was with actress Jane Lynch who comes in to my store to buy a quart of milk. I wasn’t sworn to secrecy but I don’t want to spoil what happens next so you’ll need to see the movie to find out what exciting thing happens next. The role is small and I had no lines. My scene may end up being cut or I may not be in the camera shot. At best I’d only be in the film for a few seconds, but it was lots of fun no matter what. Remember to look for me. The movie is scheduled to be released on August 4th, 2006.  

Patty and Dee had been best friends since high school. Although Patty went to college far away from Dee, they remained close through college too. Then for no particular reason they simply lost touch after college. Years later Patty tracked down Dee by telephone. Since they last saw each other, Patty and Dee had both gotten married. Patty was now living in North Carolina and Dee had moved to Massachusetts. It was just like old times and they stayed in touch by phone, but a visit was well past due. Now some thirteen years after they had last seen each other, Patty flew to New England this past weekend and finally reunited with Dee! This photo is from the airport in Providence, Rhode Island.  

Amy took a trip to Africa… where she was mauled by a lion. Okay, it was a baby lion and it was just a scratch but there was blood.

Boomer recently made his television debut, when he was featured in a television spot to promote a canine event called “Bark In The Park.” The 10 second spots will be airing from now until the day of the event on April 9th. Boomer follows in Bear’s footsteps. Bear was featured in a television commercial in New York for a dog walk event. Sadly I have no copies of that spot.  

Maegan finally lost her first tooth. She is the last person in her first grade class to lose her first tooth. She now has a small space in the bottom half of her smile. The tooth fairy is expected to pay Maegan a visit overnight.