Dream a Little Dream

So, being a product of my family, coupled with the fact that I live smack dab in the TMZ, it's really a foregone conclusion that my eyes might happen to partake of the occasional tabloid fare. As I outlined early on in my Buhlogic history, I feel it almost my local civic duty to keep tabs on the haps. My latest guilty pleasure revolves around "The Two Coreys" season two, on A&E. For the uninitiated (or those who won't fess up to knowing), the show centers around Corey's Feldman and Haim, two former teen superstars from the 80's, who's careers spiraled downward such that it was basically the template for every "E True Hollywood Story." All of the requisite cliches are present, so I needn't recap them specifically.

Anyway, I wasn't really feeling season one. It was a bit too canned for my tastes. "Let's put Haim in Feldman's house with his wife and let the hijinx ensue!" The first four episodes of season two on the other hand, I must admit, have piqued my interest. In a nutshell, the two Corey's are trying to salvage their friendship, while Haim simultaneously tries to resurrect his career. Add in the fact that Haim's apartment is spitting distance from where I live, and I'm all in.

I don't know if it's my "old" age, but I've definitely noticed a seismic shift in my outlook on this. Historically, Haim would be nothing but fodder for my snide, sarcastic barbs I'd spew to anyone within earshot. I find myself surprisingly compelled by his saga. He's clearly floundering, and rife with visible insecurities. But he's trying. The odds are stacked that he'll never remotely reclaim any type of a-list status again. He's much more likely to be on "The Surreal Life" than the Oscars. But he's trying. Having been around the block enough in my life, both creatively and just life in general, I have a healthy respect for the ongoing trial that life fundamentally is. As such, my days of cynical hating are largely over. I have respect for anyone that perseveres. Be it the greatest overlooked talent, or the most ridiculous half-wit, I ultimately have respect for anyone that keeps on trying. To try is the true challenge, not the results. To get back on the horse after getting dumped and bucked is the measure of someone.

And so I never thought I'd possibly say this, but I actually have some degree of a new respect for Corey Haim. In tonight's episode, he made an ill-fated attempt at a public reconciliation with all of Hollywood in the form of a full-page ad in Variety. Just not well thought out. But you know what, he tried. He tried foolishly, but he tried. And I hope that dopey sonofabitch keeps trying.

...And Justice for All

Ok, so I've been absent again, after a brief surge in productivity. Well, the reason is two-fold. Number one, I've had a little flare up with my hands, such that I have to minimize excess typing. Number two, Bubba and I were embroiled in a long-standing dispute that finally came to a head with our day in court.
Being a product of the O.J. generation, my expectations towards a day in L.A. court were, er, SORELY misguided. There was no media circus. We did not have a team of lawyers. There was no Judge Ito. I also doubt that I have a book deal in the works. Alas, the good news is, my faith in the justice system has been restored until futher notice.
Anyway, I don't want to divulge the particulars of our situation, but I DID want to pop my head up for air, and let my "public" know that Buh Logic is back on the radar.
Buh

DEFCON 5

So, I'm still debating the merits of a recap of my trip home. I'm not sure if it's too specific or not. I mean, I COULD tell you how great Hubert Wong looked at my reunion, but how much would it really mean to you, unless you know him? In the meantime, I CAN tell you about a disturbing development in the world of Orville, that started while we were away.

In the post 9/11 world, we've all gotten familiar with the color coded, terror alert measuring system. You know, yellow means all is well, red means the end of mankind, or whatever the actual gradiations are. Well, here at Chez McCampbell, we've reached a code red. Our worst fears have been realized. Seems young Orville has figured out how to....wait for it.......OPEN THE REFRIGERATOR. You heard right. Fat boy has taken that snout of his, and learned how to help himself to the lower level of "that place where all my food comes from," as I imagine he thinks of it. This, my friends, is a problem.

Worse yet, he's done it several times since we've been home. In his most recent episode, I was typing away at the computer. I had one of those war movie moments. "It sure is quiet.....TOO quiet." As in, "why don't I hear Orville?" I go to the kitchen, and there he is, knee deep in, well, everything. In the most disturbing aspect of the equation, when I caught him, he was on his first bites of his SECOND helping of uncooked chicken breast, and washing it down with a few sips of Rockstar energy drink. Now, I hasten to remind you, pigs are supposed to vegetarian. Guess not. The end result is, now our fridge is secured with velcro straps. Time has yet to tell if he can penetrate that yet.

Growing up, I was a huge fan of the "Little Rascals." There's one of my favorite episdoes that has become even dearer to me since we got Orville. In the episode called, "Roamin' Holiday," Spanky, Alfalfa, Buckwheat and Porky all run away from home. In the middle, Buckwheat and Porky play on the good-nature of an older couple who run a bakery. Having essentially kidnapped the couple's dog, they parlay it into a bag full of goodies. Buckwheat explains how the dog is hungry, and that he likes cakes, pies, cream puffs, and even chewing gum. Everytime I walk into the kitchen these days, no matter WHAT I'm about to eat, when I look down at Orville's longing eyes, all I can do is hear him talking to me like Buckwheat, with this sweet, sing-songy voice, explaining to me how he's sure he'd like a piece of WHATEVER it is I'm eating. "I like pizza, Dad!" "I've never had it, but I'm SURE I'd like ice cream!" That sort of thing. And just like the kindly couple in the "Little Rascals," it's hard to resist.