Love and War

Oh dear. Looks like TomKat is on the skids. Yes, while we talk of happy weddings, it seems the fairy tale is over for Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. It's been about six years since TC was jumping up and down on Oprah's couch... I know this because that's when War of the Worlds came out, and people began talking about their relationship. Yes, he was acting very strange indeed... like a man in love? Perhaps... I tried to offer my own advice during my audition tape for the movie's red carpet contest. 

I remember back in late high school being impressed by Cruise--I sort of tried to copy that super-confident, charming manner... he was the guy who could do anything on screen... fly planes? No problem... play a perfect set of pool? You rack 'em, I'll smack 'em... Make a mean martini? Gotcha covered... I also kind of admired his hairdo (especially in Cocktail)--when I read in an article that one of his biggest pet peeves was his "bone-straight hair," I felt an instant kinship. I'm not sure at that time I ever imagined I would one day be standing next to him on the set of a major Hollywood picture. 

I had promised before to post some of my personal photos from my time as an extra on the set of War of the Worlds, so here you go... even one of me on top of the ferry (we did several takes, and I made it to the top on the last try). 

All photos by Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

It was a wonderful, surreal experience... there was even a stunt double for Cruise walking around--he had a bit of an attitude, even bad-mouthed the extras while waiting for a drink in the small cafe near set-- I kept my mouth shut... I knew the real TC would never talk like that... no, not Tom with the perfect hair. When I stopped in the cafe, I saw a sign that said "All drinks paid for by TC"-- well, I think this was intended for the major players of the movie who had taken over the restaurant, so I had to take him up on it. I ordered a latte... named it the "Top Gun" special. 

So I'm sorry to hear about all these recent developments, TC--the next latte is on me.

You're Mine Now, But You're Not...

It's been another exhausting week... but as I drove into work, I heard this long forgotten song on the radio, and it sure did give me a kick!




Once again, the power of music−this one takes me back to late high school... memories of skateboarding, alternative music, and a growing fascination for California (I had just visited the West Coast for the first time with my family, and fell in love with the "exotic" land of palm trees and surf). Oingo Boingo was one of those bands that just fit my tastes perfectly at the time: quirky, offbeat, and leaning towards the theatrical/scary (I was a big monster fan as a kid). They made music perfectly tailored for Halloween, but also some sparkling pop songs as well... including this one: 1987's "Not My Slave" was an infectious, endearing look at maintaining a healthy relationship, backed up by a great chorus. The band was huge on the West Coast, but never quite caught on beyond sort of a cult status nationally... maybe they were just a little too quirky. Of course lead singer Danny Elfman would go on to become a hugely successful scorer of motion picture soundtracks, including Batman and Edward Scissorhands. It's interesting to see how an artist can fall into a parallel line of work that might better share their talents... but I still have fond memories of Boingo's energy, and these lines:


"You're missing the whole point, you're not my little pet
Don't throw away your life, the game's not over yet
I do not own your soul, don't want you in a cage
I only want your heart to find a special place..."

Slave to fashion, for sure. Photo by SK for JC.
All rights reserved.

In a way these lyrics became relevant to me again later in the day, as Sarah and I spoke with my friend Tom on the phone for our first pre-marriage counseling session. Separately, we had both filled out an online relationship assessment called Prepare & Enrich, and after tabulating the responses, Tom (one of our co-officiants) would discuss the results. I found it both healthy and revealing, pinpointing some of our strengths as a couple, and areas that could use some work. Overall, it seems to encourage listening and assertiveness, which will be good for both of us in different ways. 


So the wedding planning continues−I also looked at tuxes and photographers today, and we have some other things lined up for this weekend. Above all, I think I could use some more down time with Sarah... to recharge, renew, revisit some new wave love songs...