Does Oprah Actually Know Something I Don’t?

OK, so, I gotta reel it in. No more stopping by the Carl’s right when I get off the freeway at 1am to “take care of business”. I can’t wake up in shame to the wrappers on the floor and the knot in the gut.

I mean, maybe if I was riding the range with Tom Selleck and shootin’ up Tin Horns and wrastlin beeves to the ground on a daily basis I could go a little higher on the calorie/protein index. But, I am not. I would like to say my workouts put Bruce Lee to shame but, Bruce Lee would just be ashamed to see me in his yellow track suit. Looking like Bumble Bee Man from the Simpson’s (Aye! Tengo una Cabeza Grande!).

There IS something else to do and I learned about it on Oprah’s web site. It is called Calorie Restriction. Basically you tease your boddy by giving it 80% of what it needs daily. Then your body tries to give you the finger by re-adjusting to really take that 80% and do just fine with it. So obviously, you need to eat like a goddamn goat all day long but, the end result is not only a leaner, more self rightous but, they say this formula could add a dramatic amount of time to your life.

So, if you want to live to an even older, crankier, more decrepit age where you look like the Preacher from Poltergiest 2 on his worst day, This may be the plan of attack for you. For me? I don’t care about the living longer part, I just want to be healthier while I am alive, even if only but for a moment. Also, I would like to take a crap sometimes. This would help with that too. Check the video, here, there MAY be something to this and I will update you on my own progress toward being slimline Jaba the Hut!

http://www.oprah.com/media/20090305b_tows_calorie-restriction-video

ANVIL ROCKS!

Documentary: Anvil, the Story of Anvil!

OK, I am sure you have heard me say this before but, Anvil (insert band name here) ROCKS! There is a movie that is in art house style distribution right now that really is compelling, funny and most importantly entertaining. It is a documentary about the Canadian heavy metal outfit, Anvil. They came out in the “big hair” era of the 80s and put out an album ( Metal on Metal) that had a huge and direct influence on the next wave of metal which was essentially Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax and Megadeath. When they came out they actually got some cred and went on tour with the likes of Bon Jovi, Twisted Sister, The Scorpions and other big name metal outfits of the day. They put out 3 albums which were fairly popular and got them attention and then, just as quickly as they came up, they were gone. NOT gone but… forgotten.

Director Sacha Gervasi has put together a wonderful documentary about the phenomenon that WAS Anvil and is still Anvil and may one day again BE Anvil! It shows them on their way to Heavy Metal Heaven (Hell?) as young Turks coming up and then, instantly brings you into the reality of now which is, the two founding members working day jobs and having families and living in suburban Ontario Canada (where they are from) and STILL playing in Anvil. There is a scene showing Lipps’ (Steve Kudlow) 50th birthday party with Anvil playing and showing several OG fans and family members singing along to every tune and acting like they are 18 again even though they are 50 also. It is a sublime and exceptional way to link the past to the present where we learn that not only is Anvil still alive and rocking but they are still holding on to the dream of being famous rock stars.

From there we follow them on a European tour that comes out of nowhere and shows them missing trains and playing to gigs of 8 people and then back to Canada for more reflection and talk of making a new album. Their wives and relatives are interviewed and the right questions and answers are lined up so, you feel you get a real sense of their passion about Anvil without being incredulous. Rob Reiner’s (the drummer and other founding member) sister continually is talking about how it is over and they need to hang it up while his wife who still wears her hair like she did when they were married 21 years ago…so you can imagine….. talks of HER dreams too which is for Anvil to make it big. Through various scenarios and situations, you see them actually hit the studio in England to make a new record, tour Japan and practically break up the band several times. The film really peels back the veneer on these guys and shows them as real people who, maybe because they DIDN’T make it big, are still pretty healthy raising kids, not divorced and ripped on drugs, and close to their families. Maybe NOT making it big saved them? They are not about to be on celebrity rehab, they are alive, they have this dream which keeps them young and they have each other. The bounds of their friendship is so genuine and long-lasting and simple without being stupid, that it is actually INSPIRING.

I think one of the main things this film illustrates is that you SHOULD hold onto your dreams. These guys were always within fingertips of grasping that golden ticket and never threw it all away. No documentary about rock can be complete without interviews with piers and admirers and this one is no different with Lars, and Tom Arraya and Slash all talking about their admiration and confusion about Anvil. But, no one points out that maybe NOT moving to LA is what kept them from the big time but also may have kept them sane and STILL cool, one way or another. This film has a TON of heart and if you play an instrument or have ever been in any kind of band before… heck, or have ever chased a dream this one is a MUST. Go see it NOW!!!

http://anvilmovie.com/