...equals a cluttered mind?

My current computer desktop...

Nothing much is going on 'round these parts...

I had a fantastic time on Tuesday night listening to a bunch of John Williams' music played live at the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro at a rehearsal. It was epic.

It was really helpful for me to be there as a composer, especially after a long day of fighting with my computer so that I could attempt to write in that same genre. It reminded me of WHY I love music, and why I want to be a film composer...errr...am a film composer.

For real, it was SO inspiring. I need to go back.

In other news, there was a big debacle about a rug we bought from IKEA that was shedding wool all over our house--we returned it but did not have the receipt, so we only got store credit.  This means that the boys finally got a big dresser for their clothes...and also that I spent about 9 hours last night assembling the darn thing.  I think the name of the dresser was Blerg.

Speaking of 30 Rock, I found this blog on another blog linking me to a blog about how 30 Rock is really just a remake of The Muppet Show. The comparison is actually stunning...

Work is coming in steadily--really steadily, which is a huge blessing. 
And I STILL haven't decided on a business name, but I think I'm just going with something generic and professional like "Semsen Music"

I know, original, huh?

Currently writing music for Travelscope (India show) and starting orchestration for a Curious George show on Monday.

Pressing on...

...but I'm sure you've already heard alllll about it, dear readers (all seven of you).

BUT THEN I SAW THIS:

Heaven help us.

And a snake in your crotch, Adam? Really?!

REALLY?!?!

I wish Danny Gokey would have won (or, at least come in second).

Well, back to the iPhone. I'm not getting a new one because for me it would cost $399.00 to upgrade (like all other current iPhone 3G owners) and I'll be able to download the 3.0 update like everyone else in the world, so I have no reason to upgrade right now.  Not to mention, I don't have an extra 400 smackers just lying around that I need to burn...hardly.

I've tried to figure out for a long time why I like to bake so much.  I've thought about the fact that I also love to make music...and I think it ties in somehow. It FEELS like it should.

...so the logical answer is that both baking and composing are CREATING something.

But it's more than that.
I also like the results.

I know for certain that I would not like to bake or cook only for other people...there is something about actually EATING the thing you worked so hard to make that is utterly fantastic. And the same applies to music for me--my most favorite kind of composing is when I get to hear the music I've made right away. There are jobs that come along all the time where I write something and ship it off to another group to rehearse and perform, and this is just not quite as fulfilling as putting that music in front of a bunch of musicians and hearing the music come to life.

So, I guess I finally figured it out...

Now, I'm going to go make some hot dogs and eat 'em.

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!?!?!

GO GET IT!

I was skeptical about Disney/Pixar's new movie, UP, mostly due to it's nebulous marketing.  I had no idea what the movie was going to be about. The posters were minimalist, the trailers were short, and the ads didn't reveal much...

But you know what?

It was a brilliant choice!! I finally went to the theater to see a movie from which I hadn't previously seen all the best punchlines in the ubiquitous trailers and billboards. It was great!

And the movie UP was fantastic. Seriously, it was soooooo amazing.
Go see it.

Saw a few movies this weekend. Here's the scoop:

Night at the Museum 2: Battle for the Smithsonian

I like it a lot. There were some fantastically funny parts, and it is a GREAT family movie. Maybe I liked it more because my 7 year-old was sitting next to me laughing his heart out, or maybe it was just funny. I don't know--but I LIKED it. Hank Azaria stole the show as the Pharaoh-bad-guy-Kamunrah or whatever. He is hilarious!! I highly recommend it...good for all ages.

Terminator: Salvation

I'm trying to figure this one out all the way...but this movie kinda stunk. It has all the special effects you need (plus some more) and a great franchise behind it, but what do we need, people? What MUST be good for a movie to be a winner?? PLOT, PLOT, PLOT!! If the script stinks, the movie stinks. No amount of special effects or great actors can pull you out of a poorly written script.
Bummer, cause I liked the first 3 movies A LOT.

Then Mike came over and we watched TAKEN on DVD.

A complete surprise.  This movie came out of NOWHERE and earned somewhere around $145 million at the box office...and has received stellar reviews.
And you know what?
IT'S AWESOME.

It's PG-13, so it doesn't have the gore of an R rating...and all the ingredients are there for a fantastic "Bourne Identity"-type thriller/action movie.  And Liam Neeson brought all the KickButtJackBauerness that was necessary for this secret-agent-dad-on-a-manhunt role.  In fact, if Keifer is arrested (again) and thrown into the slammer, Liam should replace him at CTU...hmmmm...

I loved it. 

Coming soon?
UP

ATTENTION BLOG PEEPS:

Just one more week until the best album in the universe is released! (ooo--iTunes link here)

Yes, it's true that me and a few of my friends are singing in the choir on here...in the background...way...in the background. AND it's true that I orchestrated half of the songs on here--but that's not why I think it's great. If I had never been involved with it at all, it would still be my NEW FAVORITE ALBUM.

Travis has a unique and wonderful way of making art with music.  His artistic choices are genuinely passionate and heartfelt.  I could tell when I heard his early albums "Unashamed Love" and "Alive Forever" way back in the early 2000's (HAHAHA the early 2000's...I know that just sounds ridiculous!) and honestly, the album "Alive Forever" completely changed the face of worship in our church.  God used that music to spark something in the hearts of our worshippers, and I've reaped the benefits with my choir and worship teams in the years since.  If you've heard any of his music, you probably know exactly what I mean.  If you haven't, you are missing out.

In these days when the pressure is ON from all sides to have a product that is marketable, an instant hit, and produced with less time and money than is reasonable--it is refreshing to hear an album that is full of artistry, passion, and heartfelt worship. 

I can't wait.

(P.S. - the Live DVD comes out in October...)

A few weeks back on American Idol, Simon Cowell told Kris something along the lines of, "Now is not the time for humility...we're looking for a star".  (I'm paraphrasing, of course).

Hm. Guess you were wrong, Mr. Cowell...cause...um...Kris won, if you didn't notice.

It gave me hope that America isn't always taken with the person that is most sure of themselves, and in a culture where confidence and bravado often leads to success--whether you're in the entertainment industry or looking for a promotion at Burger King--this time the HUMBLE one wins. Bravo.

Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with being confident in who you are or what you do.  The issue arises when you become too sure of yourself, and grows exponentially when you feel the need to make fun of others in order to make yourself feel better.  The people I respect the most are the ones that are gifted and talented at what they do, have a quiet confidence and a teachable spirit, and don't tear others down. This attitude shows tremendous character, imho, and I like to be around these people...

Congrats, Kris on your win. And this time it just so happens that America wins too.

It's May, and you know what that means--it's time for all of our favorite TV shows to wrap it up for the year, and for those not-so-bad-but-below-par summer TV shows to begin! (The only summer show that might be an exception to this is Wipeout...which is awesome....as aforementioned).

Here are the season finales of the 2008-2009 year...going in order from my most favorite to least favorite.

1) BATTLESTAR GALACTICA
This aired back in March, but it was still the best season finale of the season finale season. An amazing end to the series, and fulfilling to all of us patient and loyal fans. When it comes to the art of TV and filmmaking, this was the Mona Lisa...err something.

2) LOST
What can I say? It was brilliant storytelling. From the first scene of the finale to the last, it kept me on the edge of my couch. It is unequaled in every way.

3) 30 ROCK
This show is super funny consistently in a way that has you laughing at a joke for so long that you're still laughing while they're telling another one...it really clips along...and there is no end to the amount of HUGE guest stars. This year we had Oprah, Jennifer Aniston, a re-occuring character played by Salma Hayek, and many, many more. But this episode catapults to the top of the comedy-finale-food-chain due to the old-90s style finale song, "Kidney Now" (which is available for download on iTunes, btw) AND due to hilarious lines like, "Clay Aiken, your cousin Kenneth Parcell already told me you'd do it..." HAHAHAHA. Kenneth Parcell's cousin is Clay Aiken...HILARIOUS.

4) SNL
Ingredients for a hilarious SNL finale are as follows:
Host: Will Farrell
Musical Guest: Green Day
Sketches: Celebrity Jeopardy, Lawrence Welk Show, etc...
Guest Stars: (a billion of them) Tom Hanks, Norm MacDonald, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph...and SO many more...
It was the best show of the season, NO doubt...just fantastic entertainment and laughss. What makes SNL a never-ending phenom? It was all there on this night.
PS--did anyone else notice that it looked like Darrell Hammond's last show? NO!!!! And word out is also that Don Pardo (the announcer) is retiring as well. Nothing is confirmed about either of these things, but I'll be sad if either happens.

5) THE OFFICE
Loved seeing all the branches together for the company picnic, not to mention the reuniting of Holly and Michael. PLUS, meeting Dwight's new friend, Ralph was a DELIGHT! "Ralph is my best friend. We met in a shoe store. I heard him asking for a shoe that could increase his speed, and not leave any tracks." HAHAHAHAHA. Of course...
Oh, and there was a pretty cool moment at the end, too.

6) BIG BANG THEORY
Nothing much to say, except that I liked it more than the ones listed below...

7) HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
Eh. It was OK. If Neil Patrick Harris weren't on the show, it probably wouldn't be worth watching. That dude has amazing comedic timing.

8) SURVIVOR TUCANSAMTEENS
HAHA. I will never know that actual name of that place, no matter how many times I hear or see it. No matter. It's over. And let me say this about Survivor--it's the best--but the only part of the finale that you really need to see are the challenges and the final tribal council. I always fast forward through the walks where they remember all their former tribe mates. I just don't have time for that nonsense. But it is always great to have a winner! Yipee...the "achiever" part of me is quite satisfied to have it over and to move on to next season. I feel so accomplished now that someone finally won...

9) 24
Sorry, Jack Bauer. But it didn't feel like it was all the way done...like...I needed another ten minutes to see you come out of your coma or something. Blarg. The Tony thing was a nice surprise, and added great depth to his character, but the ending just left me going, "What?! That's it??"

10) AMERICAN IDOL
What's that? It hasn't aired yet? OH WAIT. IT DOESN'T MATTER.
Danny Gokey is out, therefore, it's gonna be a LAME finale. End of story. (Period, Paragraph).