tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50012077925149181072024-02-08T03:05:32.465-08:00Life is 'That' RandomA theatre professor once said in a class: "Life is that random." And he was right. Here are my, mostly random, thoughts, on mostly random things. You'll no doubt find a emphasis on events, and reviews of events in Los Angeles, CA. Some movies, some theatre, and, of course, some genuinely random things.Travhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14637817138823530310noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001207792514918107.post-41568222073206865212012-03-11T01:39:00.001-08:002012-03-11T01:39:13.128-08:00Mild Mannered: Issue #2 "Party Monster"<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZrF2jpPaWGg?fs=1" width="480"></iframe>Travhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14637817138823530310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001207792514918107.post-34395347599368872992012-02-04T18:16:00.000-08:002012-02-04T18:16:46.248-08:00Mild Mannered: Issue #1 "Secret Origins"<iframe width="480" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0R_t6kkPkzQ?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Travhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14637817138823530310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001207792514918107.post-13888135023523790982011-05-19T02:13:00.000-07:002011-05-19T02:13:55.051-07:00What the Wednesday featuring 'The Piano Guys'<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rR94NDIfGmA" width="560"></iframe><br />
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I know it has been about 100 years since I blogged here but I'm gonna get the dust off of the old keyboard and try to give it a go again. (Try to hold back your excitement.) If you've been to the blog before you know that Wednesday if for random stuff that makes me say 'What the...!?!?' For example this crazy awesome video by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Waterfall/dp/B000ZJKUYW?ie=UTF8&tag=TravLCox&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">John Schmidt</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=TravLCox&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000ZJKUYW" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> and Stephen Sharp Nelson. One <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-NP30-Portable-Grand-Piano/dp/B000VVW9JI?ie=UTF8&tag=TravLCox&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Piano</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=TravLCox&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000VVW9JI" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />, Two Guys, and 100 Cello Tracks. Crazy Awesome.<br />
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</span></span></h1></span>Travhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14637817138823530310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001207792514918107.post-72265638429683645372011-02-24T20:49:00.000-08:002011-02-24T20:49:20.564-08:00Mild Mannered BTS Day 2<iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TVlamHO9VHk?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Travhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14637817138823530310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001207792514918107.post-61093439943126954262011-01-02T21:27:00.000-08:002011-01-02T22:21:48.193-08:00Dear 2011Dear 2011, <div><br /></div><div>It's really great to finally meet you... welcome to my life. I have to say I've been looking forward to meeting you for quite a while, and if I'm honest, I have really high expectations for you. Hopefully by the time we part ways we'll have some really amazing stories to tell. Together (and I mean this in the cheesiest, yet sincerest way possible) we can make some dreams come true. </div><div><br /></div><div>I plan on stepping it up this year, and really doing all I can, so all I ask of you is that you open a few doors for me, and throw me a bone now and then. If you could keep the tragedies to a minimum and let the good times roll for my friends and family that would be great as well. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks a million, let's have a good one-</div><div><br /></div><div>-Travis Lincoln Cox</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>"The List"</i></b></div><div>* Exercise (a lot)</div><div>* Blog (more)</div><div>* Write (a lot more)</div><div>* Act (as much as possible)</div><div>* Organize my Life (easy peasy)</div><div>* Budget ($$$)</div><div>* Take More Pictures (of everything)</div><div>* Live with No Regrets</div><div><br /></div><div><b>**As for this Blog**</b></div><div>I am going to revive the old Blog schedule. So, if you care to read... this is what you can expect:</div><div><br /></div><div><i><b>Movie Monday</b></i><b>-</b> I'll lend my opinion on a random movie that I will have watched that week.</div><div><i><b>Tough Guy Tuesday</b></i>- This is really just me using the public eye as motivation to exercise. you can expect weekly photo updates on my (not sexy yet) body, and any random workout tips I might feel are useful. </div><div><b><i>What the Wednesday<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">- <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">There are a lot of crazy videos on the internet. On Wednesday, I'll post a good one. </span></span></i></b></div><div><b><i>Theatre Thursday</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">- This could be anything remotely related to Theatre and/or acting. ie: a play review, a something cool I learned in class, a script I read etc... I'll try to keep it interesting.</span></b></div><div><b><i>Photography Friday</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">- I have a not so secret passion for photography. On Friday, I show off. I post one of my favorites from my collection. </span></b></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Thanks for taking the time to read! Happy New Year! </div><div><br /></div><div>-Travis</div>Travhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14637817138823530310noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001207792514918107.post-31043833981985194242010-04-28T22:30:00.000-07:002010-04-28T22:36:41.079-07:00What the Wednesday!! OK GO.I love OK GO videos. I love them all of them. We all know the legendary <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTAAsCNK7RA&a=TiZt97E5boQ&playnext_from=ML">treadmill video</a>, and the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qybUFnY7Y8w">uber domino effect video</a> directed by Rube Goldberg is catching on quickly. But this is one that I saw recently that I think is every bit as awesome. If not more so. Congrats OK GO, you made say What the awesome videos!? How do they keep the awesome going? <div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 11px; white-space: pre-wrap; "><object style="background-image:url(http://i2.ytimg.com/vi/EltW4w2W_Ys/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EltW4w2W_Ys&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EltW4w2W_Ys&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; white-space: pre-wrap;">-TravLCox_</span></span></div>Travhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14637817138823530310noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001207792514918107.post-1371372205921396422010-04-27T22:25:00.001-07:002010-04-27T22:32:40.321-07:00Tough Guy Tuesday - Week 3<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2p-blM7N2nM/S9fIQrDP8_I/AAAAAAAAADU/i8ejJL9zA1w/s1600/Photo+33.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2p-blM7N2nM/S9fIQrDP8_I/AAAAAAAAADU/i8ejJL9zA1w/s320/Photo+33.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465056861597201394" /></a><br />I know it's technically the forth week, but I was in DC the third week and I didn't work out at all... so this counts as the third week of working out. I've kind of abandon the program. Now I just work out as much as I have time to whenever I have time to. I've added protein shakes, and some various dumb bell exercises when I get a chance. I feel better... and I think I look better. Maybe not much better than <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2p-blM7N2nM/S8Vb-SO2Z4I/AAAAAAAAADM/peKTppDv8aE/">week 2</a>. But definitely better than <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2p-blM7N2nM/S7viX7bv84I/AAAAAAAAACk/rAy9ni9orjs/s1600/Photo+28.jpg">week 1</a>. Onward and upward! <div><br /></div><div>-TravLCox_</div>Travhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14637817138823530310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001207792514918107.post-59611506094691341532010-04-26T23:06:00.000-07:002010-04-26T23:42:34.461-07:00Movie Monday - Raging Bull<div><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081398/">Raging Bull</a></b></div><div><br /></div>I have to preface this review with the awareness that I couldn't give this movie my full attention. I was doing laundry / doing push-ups. That said I think I was paying enough attention to write an accurate review. The movie of the week is none other than <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081398/">'Raging Bull.'</a> <div><br /></div><div>I was introduced to this movie by my wife. Believe it or not I had never heard of it, I've never seen a preview, and I didn't know anything about the plot. What I did know was that it was directed by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000217/">Martin Scorsese</a>, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000134/">Robert De Niro</a> won an Oscar for it... and that's about it. I love going into movies blind. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's because of movies like 'Raging Bull' that we respect Scorsese so much. It is a beautifully filmed piece of theatre. The editing is brilliant and the black and white stylization is superb. The small splash of color right in the middle of the film is refreshing and excellent. </div><div><br /></div><div>Let's just talk about the acting for a minute shall we? I want to use a word like succulent, or divine, or astonishing, but really 'great' is just the word I need. Everyone was great. De Niro was genius. And the rest of the cast was right up there with him. Excellent job all around. </div><div><br /></div><div>The story was solid. Triumphant and tragic all in one swoop. The story of the great boxer Jake LaMotta. We love him we hate him. We cheer for him and we curse him. A complex character to say the least. My only complaint is that it runs a bit long. Other than that it was a really fantastic film. I definitely recommend it. </div><div><br /></div><div>One of these days I'm gonna watch a movie I don't like... until then I give 'Raging Bull' an 8/10. </div><div><br /></div><div>__________________</div><div><br /></div><div>On a side note I've been invited by <a href="http://www.7tavern.com/index.php">this website</a> to publish my reviews. It's pretty cool. If you're looking for a great place to read movie reviews I recommend it. </div><div><br /></div><div>-TravLCox_</div>Travhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14637817138823530310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001207792514918107.post-28933767491024105292010-04-23T11:31:00.000-07:002010-04-23T11:45:31.061-07:00Fotography Friday - Calgary, AB<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 11px; white-space: pre-wrap; "><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/traviscox/2329246715/" title="Calgary Sunrise by TravLCox, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2342/2329246715_f7bf0fb32e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Calgary Sunrise" /></a></span></div><div><br /></div>This weeks photo will always be one of my favorites because it was taken while I was on my mission for the <a href="http://bit.ly/b43Mhm">LDS (Mormon)</a> Church. I had been out barely over a year when I was made Zone Leader and transfered to this area. Downtown Calgary. A missionaries heaven... or hell depending on how you looked at it. Our days were filled with crazy amounts of street contacting (almost no tracting) and preaching to people on the street. Most of our contacts we were able to make ended up living outside of our area because they just came into town to work. Which meant few investigators in our pool. Our ward was always shifting with new young couples coming and going almost weekly. And I was serving with an amazing companion who was called as a Mandarin speaking missionary. We taught an English as a second language class, met with several Chinese families (who spoke little to no English) and had some of the busiest days I can remember. Unfortunately I was only here for one transfer. But it was one of my favorite six weeks of my whole mission. This picture was the view from the balcony of our 17th floor apartment. It was taken with a simple point and click camera, and needed no color boosting at all. It really looked like this. Not to shabby eh?<div><br /></div><div>For more photos of mine visit my <a href="http://bit.ly/dhBrER">flickr</a> page. </div>Travhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14637817138823530310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001207792514918107.post-18670125474275270572010-04-22T13:11:00.000-07:002010-04-22T22:28:14.531-07:00Thespian Thursday - The Amazing WhitneySorry I have been away for so long. Life caught up to me. But I'm back... sort of. This will be a very rushed blog. <div><br /></div><div>Anywho, it's Thespian Thursday again and of course I have to talk about my amazing incredible wife Whitney Morgan Cox and her awesome scene partner John Dodart. For those of you who haven't heard Whitney is officially the Nations best collegiate actor. She is one of two 2010 Irene Ryan Scholarship winners. For Whitney it was a week of intensive workshops, connection making, and good times with great friends. A truly amazing week. In her words the actual competition became kind of a side note. Until she won of course. </div><div><br /></div><div>Let me just give you a run down of the competition was like for me. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was a Saturday afternoon in Washington D.C. on one of the many Kennedy Center stages. I had arrived an hour and a half early to ensure that we got the best seats possible... right behind the judges. We trickled in, took our seats, and waited anxiously for things to get started. The program was in two acts. Eight nominees in the first half, and eight nominees in the second half. Whitney and John were second in the second half. </div><div><br /></div><div>After watching the first half I was very very impressed. There were maybe one or two nominees a small step above the rest, but everyone was amazing. It was a blast to watch. When the first half wrapped up we were treated to some entertainment by a very talented Morgan Reynolds singing some hilarious tunes from the new musical 'Standardized Testing.' </div><div><br /></div><div>After a ten minute intermission act two began. I can't remember if the first nominee was good or bad because I was so nervous for Whitney and John to be coming up next. They came out and owned that stage. John nailed the tricky balance of pausing enough without going over time, in addition to some excellent acting, and Whitney stole our hearts from the moment she began her slate. I think I held my breath for the full six minutes of her set. As soon as she finished I new she had an excellent shot of winning this thing. We saw her cry, then she had us rolling with laughter, and she finished with an extremely solid Chekov monologue. I couldn't have been more proud. The rest of act two was just as impressive as act one. So many talented people who all deserved to be there. I was never bored once. </div><div><br /></div><div>That said, act two ended and I was still fairly certain that Whitney was one of the front runners. Although, I was slightly nervous that my love for her skewed my perception of how amazing she was.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anywho, while the judges deliberated we were again treated to some some high quality entertainment. We listened to beautiful voices while we paced back and forth in our minds and counted the seconds. Eventually the moment came. First some of the judges awarded nominees and partners with scholarships and internships etc... Whitney's name wasn't being called and I was getting nervous. Finally they got to the Irene Ryan winners. The first winner was a guy named Paul... and I might add that he deserved it. He was very good. Now I was really nervous for Whitney. The second Irene Ryan goes to... Whitney Morgan Cox! </div><div><br /></div><div>I literally jumped to my feet and screamed like a little girl. Whitney stumbled on stage like a deer in the headlights. When she realized what was going on she didn't walk or run, she leaped across the stage and tackled the guy who had just read her name. After jumping up and down for a few seconds she waved thank you to the audience and skipped back off stage as the nations top collegiate actor. It was amazing. I wish I could describe it in words... but I'm not sure if that would be possible. </div><div><br /></div><div>To say the least. It was an incredible moment in Whitney's life, and in mine. If this is the rock in the pool, I can't wait to see where the ripples take us. </div><div><br /></div><div>If I might add a small plug for myself I am very proud to say that the first scene Whitney and John performed was one of my own. A screenplay that I wrote called Angels Landing. It was very cool to see my work on the Kennedy Center stage. She listed me, the author, as Travis Lincoln, instead of Travis Cox, so that there would be no distraction from her scene. On the small chance that anyone is looking for the full script on Angels Landing by Travis Lincoln you're in the right place. Feel free to e-mail me at TravLCox@gmail.com. </div><div><br /></div><div>Things worth mentioning:</div><div><br /></div><div>There are some talented actors in this Nation.</div><div>I met most of the other nominees and they were nice, humble, and a lot of fun. </div><div>Morgan Reynolds is going places. </div><div>John Dodart worked his butt off. </div><div>My wife really is as amazing as I have known all along. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for reading! </div><div>-Travis_</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Travhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14637817138823530310noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001207792514918107.post-30728858374016078372010-04-16T19:53:00.000-07:002010-04-16T21:30:08.396-07:00Fotography Friday - Arlington Cemetery<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://hphotos-sjc1.fbcdn.net/hs510.snc3/26784_431502805448_563390448_5656307_7814269_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 604px; height: 467px;" src="http://hphotos-sjc1.fbcdn.net/hs510.snc3/26784_431502805448_563390448_5656307_7814269_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Because I've been in DC this week I really wanted to use a picture taken here for this weeks Photography Friday. I've decided to use a photo from <a href="http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/">Arlington Cemetery</a>. Not because it's the best picture I've ever taken, but because I enjoyed my time there so immensely. No picture, especially not this one, can capture the feeling of reverence and awe that is felt as one walks those grounds. I loved it there. <div><br /></div><div>There is a strange type of beauty there. Even though it is tragic that these men and women have fallen. What they fell for is beautiful. And that makes them beautiful. I thought that the beautiful Cherry Blossoms that have fallen to the ground were, at least somewhat, symbolic. </div><div><br /></div><div>-Travis_</div><div><br /></div><div>To see this, or last weeks photo, full size visit my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/traviscox/">flickr</a> page. </div>Travhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14637817138823530310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001207792514918107.post-52666721411757990502010-04-15T20:53:00.000-07:002010-04-15T21:39:36.287-07:00Thespian Thursday - Anton's UnclesWell, I would love to review DSC's production of '<i>Miss Saigon'</i> on here tonight... but I really just have to review the production of <a href="http://www.lacitycollege.edu/">Los Angeles City College's</a> production of '<i><a href="http://www.lacitycollege.edu/public/news/antonsuncles.html">Anton's Uncles</a>'</i> I saw here in DC first. I can't help myself. For those of you in '<i>Miss Saigon</i>,' I promise I'll get to you next week. Sorry! <div><br /></div><div>Anywho, as you know I'm in DC and loving it. My wife competes in two days and so far she has been LOVING all of her workshops. It makes me happy to hear that. We (my mom, mother-in-law, and myself) had some free time tonight after some sight-seeing and I thought it would be nice to spend some time with Whit and catch the production of '<i>Anton's Uncles'</i> hosted by the <a href="http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/?fuseaction=showEvent&event=TKANB">Kennedy Center</a> tonight. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now, I could just say "it was amazing" and go to bed. Because it was. Amazing. Really. Absolutely brilliant. That said, I will take a few minutes to tell you why. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>[I sincerely apologize to the director/playwright/choreographer and also to the actors because I don't know anyone's names... if you stumble across this blog and you do know their names please let me know so I can praise them shamelessly.]</i></div><div><br /></div><div><i>'Anton's Uncles'</i> is a 'deconstruction' of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anton_Chekhov">Anton Chekhov's</a> '<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncle_Vanya">Uncle Vanya'</a> </i>which is an extremely hard thing to explain and I'd be lying to you if I told you that I completely understood it. The point is this: it was a piece of theatre unlike anything else I have ever scene before. '<i>Anton's Uncles'</i> literally takes every theatrical element available and interweaves them together seamlessly. Humor, passion, music both in song and dance, costuming, lighting, set, sound, etc... This production is an excellent example of what paying attention to detail can do. All of the elements are incredibly strong.</div><div><br /></div><div>As I am going through all the thoughts in my brain I'm realizing how hard this is to explain. '<i>Anton's Uncles'</i> is very... artistic. It has very specific, usually unrealistic blocking. Not so much blocking, but choreography... Even during the moments where there is no music I would still call it choreography rather than blocking. And when there is music it becomes something so fantastic! Without warning, the lights shift into a deep, saturated, almost club-like, very stylized look, and all of the characters break out into huge energetic dancing that is such a joy to watch, and then, again without warning, everything is jerked back into the subdued "Chekhovian" type of acting. </div><div><br /></div><div>Some moments of the production even became beautifully absurd. With the stage manager dancing with the actors, a Justin Timberlake reference, and hilarious dance numbers whose sole purpose was a set change. Even a moment when the actors pulled an audience member on stage with them... and it worked! Everything was just so tight. So tight! I can't imagine the hours that must have gone into that production. Everything was so crisp and clean and perfect. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anton's Uncles is really one of those shows that you come out of with a whole new perspective on what theatre is and what theatre can be. I commend the actors for their incredible dedication and talent. I haven't laughed that hard in quite some time. And to the incredible lady who wrote, directed, and choreographed this piece... there really is only one word to describe you: genius. </div><div><br /></div><div>Well done to everyone involved. I hope this isn't the end of the road for this script... if somehow you get the opportunity to see it. Do. </div><div><br /></div><div>-Travis_</div><div><br /></div>Travhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14637817138823530310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001207792514918107.post-31045843156688423972010-04-14T20:59:00.000-07:002010-04-14T21:02:21.875-07:00What the Wednesday? - Awesome Barking GuyWhat the Wednesday!?<div><br /></div><div>It's that time again for me to share something that made me go 'What the..." this time I'm in awe. This guy is amazing. He goes flawlessly from his normal speaking voice, into rabid dog, and then back to normal again. Well done sir... you made me say 'What the barking old man?'</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; white-space: pre; "><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5qEFFR8gX6k&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5qEFFR8gX6k&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;">-See you next week.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;">-Travis_</span></span></div>Travhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14637817138823530310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001207792514918107.post-87758148308815098792010-04-13T23:02:00.000-07:002010-04-13T23:10:56.325-07:00Tough Guy Tuesday - Week 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2p-blM7N2nM/S8Vb-SO2Z4I/AAAAAAAAADM/peKTppDv8aE/s1600/Photo+36.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2p-blM7N2nM/S8Vb-SO2Z4I/AAAAAAAAADM/peKTppDv8aE/s320/Photo+36.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459871248860735362" /></a><br />Well it's been another week, and for the most part I stuck to the game plan. I started last Tuesday doing 75 push-ups, 10 pull-ups, 50 sit-ups, and 50 lunges. With each new day I added 5 push-ups, 1 pull-up, 5 sit-ups, and 5 lunges. Which means today I did 105 push-ups, 15 pull-ups, 70 sit-ups, and 70 lunges. The only thing I haven't had time to get around to is the running... I did jump rope for about 10 minutes one night. <div><br /></div><div>As you can see from the picture there is no drastic change in my appearance from <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2p-blM7N2nM/S7viX7bv84I/AAAAAAAAACk/rAy9ni9orjs/s1600/Photo+28.jpg">last week</a>. I think there's a<i> smal</i>l improvement though, which makes me feel like this might be worth it. I know I feel a lot better, and I can tell that working out is getting easier. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm worried about next week cause I'll be on vacation. It's hard to exercise on vacation. But I'm determined to make it work. The only thing is that I can't pack my pull-up bar. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anywho, that's all. See you next week. </div><div><br /></div><div>-Travis_</div>Travhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14637817138823530310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001207792514918107.post-84128764765219419012010-04-12T23:54:00.000-07:002010-04-13T00:34:08.498-07:00Movie Review Monday - Alice in Wonderland<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1014759/">Alice in Wonderland</a> Review</b><div><br /></div><div>I have to be honest with you. I waited a long time to see this movie because I was very very skeptical. When the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2013562880/tt1014759">screen shots</a> were first released a million years ago I was pretty excited. From what I could tell all of the design elements were really clicking, and everything looked super interesting. But then I remembered <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0408236/">Sweeney Todd</a>. The <a href="http://www.imdb.com/media/rm693606400/tt0408236">screenshots</a> of that movie also looked awesome. But I did not enjoy the film at all. Also adding to my skepticism was <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000318/">Tim Burton's </a>take on <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367594/">Charlie and the Chocolate Factory</a>; Big disappointment in my book. Anywho, what I'm saying is that I was very worried that I would not like this movie one bit... I went and saw it anyway. </div><div><br /></div><div>Honestly, it was quite good. As I expected visually it was stunning. I'm not sure if Tim Burton is a great director, but as far as I'm concerned he's one of the best designers in the business. The 3D element was not abused and I didn't feel like it took over the story, but simply added to it. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>The greatest success for this film, in my opinion, is the casting.</b></div><div> I, for one, can't blame Tim Burton for casting the same people over and over again ie Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Timothy Spall, Alan Rickman, etc... if they consistently do a good job. </div><div><br /></div><div><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000136/">Johnny Depp's</a></i> Mad Hatter had this great duality to him which was wonderful to watch. I loved the Scottish war hero that popped out now and then, even if there were some Jack Sparrow traces mixed in their somewhere. </div><div><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000614/">Alan Rickman</a></i> was perfect for the Blue Caterpillar, and <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0524240/">Matt Lucas</a></i> was, well, adorable as Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. Of course <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000307/">Helena Bonham Carter</a></i> and <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001758/">Timothy Spal</a></i><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001758/">l</a></i> were great, respectively, as well. </div><div>My favorite character, though, was <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000410/">Stephen Fry</a></i> as the Chesire Cat. I don't know what it was, but something about him was extremely like-able. In a freaky, not quite sure if I should trust you kind of way... </div><div>If I'm honest I wasn't really bothered by <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1985859/">Mia Wosikowska</a></i> as Alice, but I also wasn't extremely impressed. Her choices seemed obvious and safe. I was never taken out of the story by her... I just think she could've gone further is all. </div><div>The only casting choice I didn't agree with was that of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004266/"><i>Anne Hathaway</i></a> as the White Queen. Not that I don't like her as an actress because I do. I can't even pin down what it was that I didn't like about her in this role. There was just <i>something</i> that I didn't like about her in this role. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>The biggest failure for this film is the script.</b></div><div>Right from the beginning we know how it's going to end. We know she's the real Alice, we know she's gonna kill the Jabberwocky, and there are no great surprises along the way. Even the obstacles Alice had to overcome seemed conveniently easy to surpass. Particularly the whole get the magic sword mission. "Here's your eye back big creepy thing, thanks for the key." </div><div><br /></div><div>The one nugget of unexpectedness that I liked was the little romantic sub-plot between Alice and the Mad Hatter. That was fun for me. </div><div><br /></div><div>Other than that, the dialogue is fine, it's just the arch of the story that is unoriginal and predictable. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>To wrap it up.</b></div><div>Beautiful visually. </div><div>Great casting, and acting. </div><div>Lacking in the script area. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>I give it a 7 1/2 out of 10. </b></div>Travhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14637817138823530310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001207792514918107.post-39053114568316315532010-04-11T20:47:00.000-07:002010-04-11T21:10:29.480-07:00Surprise Sunday?What better way to cap off each week of blogging with a totally random post about whatever I feel like? And thus, Surprise Sunday. <div><br /></div><div>I don't have a whole lot to blog about tonight, I'll post a few highlights of my current life and be done with it. </div><div><br /></div><div>-Whitney leaves for D.C. Tuesday morning! So excited!</div><div>-Got new headshots this week. Love them.</div><div>-Loving the Off the Cuff. </div><div>-Loving my wife more than anything in the world.</div><div>-Trying to figure out the whole Twitter game... not sure why.</div><div>-Waiting to here back from <a href="http://www.tsbtc.org/">these guys</a>. I submitted two scripts. One about a guy who just died. And one about a musician about to die...</div><div>-Also waiting to hear back from <a href="http://www.walnutstreettheatre.org/">these guys</a>. Crossing my fingers for a paid internship. They only pick four actors every year. Supposed to hear from them by next week.</div><div>-Finally finished my taxes! Thanks H&R block. </div><div>-Stoked about the<a href="http://www.simonfest.org/"> Neil Simon Festival</a>.</div><div>-Getting ready to move. </div><div>-Got a casting call e-mail looking for tan guys. Went tanning. Currently searching for casting calls looking for lobsters.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not sure why I think someone might care about any of that. But hey, it's surprise Sunday. I can write about whatever I want... maybe I'll start taking requests. Find me on <a href="http://twitter.com/">Twitter</a> and make a request.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for reading!</div><div><br /></div><div>-Travis_</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Travhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14637817138823530310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001207792514918107.post-55210515720568699622010-04-10T07:37:00.000-07:002010-04-10T08:28:47.594-07:00So Funny SaturdaySo Funny Saturday - Off the Cuff and other funny things. <div><br /></div><div>Many of you know that I play in an amazing improv troupe called <a href="http://otccomedy.com/default.htm">Off the Cuff</a> and they are great! The shows are usually Friday and Saturday night. So every Saturday I will post highlights, things I learned, and some great one-liners from the show before. If you were at the show before I'd love to hear your favorites of the evening as well. </div><div><br /></div><div>Because this is my first week I'll give you my brief journey into <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/TheOTCComedy?feature=mhw5">Off the Cuff</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>It all started last summer when I was in <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5437106&op=1&o=global&view=global&subj=563390448&id=563390448">Biloxi Blues</a> with three members of the troupe. Wendy, Rev, and Bodily. They were awesome actors and just great people so when they told me to come to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/offthecuffcomedy">Off the Cuff</a>... I did. And I LOVED IT!!! Then I started going to Improv University (which is a free class they teach every Friday at 4:00. You should go to it.) Then I became an alternate and now I'm a full time member of Off the Cuff's touring team. </div><div>Great story right? </div><div><br /></div><div>Moving on! </div><div><br /></div><div>Last night was one of the best Off the Cuff show's I've ever seen. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Some Highlights:</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The entire 'Hecklers' scene. Hecklers is similar to Mystery Science Theatre 3000 where there is a serious scene taking place on stage (last night it was a son (Wade) telling his dad (TJ) that he was eloping) while three hecklers well... heckle. It was three minutes of non-stop laughter. Absolutely brilliant. </div><div><br /></div><div>Wade's light bulb character. Two of our characters (Wendy and Loren) were in grave danger when they couldn't change the light bulb in the dark. But then our blind hero (Wade) stepped in to save the day. The best moment was after the triumphant replacement and the switching on of the light he asked blindly... did it work?</div><div><br /></div><div><b>What I learned.</b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">I'll keep this to one new thing per week. Though there are always more things I have learned.</span>I</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm noticing that most of my favorite players end up taking on some sort of character in a scene and sticking with it. (Rev and Dave's casting buddies, Wendy's Mrs. D etc...) I have a tendency to simply play myself in Improv. I'd like to try more characters. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>The One-Liners.</b> </div><div><i>My favorite part. Remember that if you were at the show and you had some favorite moments please post them here!</i></div><div><br /></div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">"I <i>will </i>Cracken you if you don't shut up." - TJ</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">While describing 'Over Actors Anonymous' </p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">"It's like a really bad soap opera... or a Keanu Reeves Movie." - TJ</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Classic Sunny D reference that only six people got: "Sorry, all we have is milk, soda, and purple stuff." - Wendy</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">The Notebook Spoof:</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">"I'm sorry but I was kind of in love with him a long time ago... and look! He wrote me all these letters! I mean seriously, look at these! (grabbing stacks of letters) You can't expect me to marry you now! I mean I know we've had a really great time together, and you're a really great guy, and you gave me this ring, and I kind of said yes, and you've been nothing but nice to me... I'm kind of a ho, sorry." </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">-Wendy</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">"Just like my dreams, it shattered."</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">-Loren</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">"Good thing I'm blind!! Squeaky, Squeaky, Squeaky..." -Wade</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">"...well she took me killing John pretty well." - Me</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">"I hate T9 word because when I try to type my friend Brian's name it spells Asia, and when I try to spell Jordan it spells Korea." </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">-Loren</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">"If we melt the ring down into the pancake mix we can have one pancake to rule them all."</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">-Rev</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">(Later that night.) </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">"So... you want two 'One pancakes to rule them all..."</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">-Me</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">"It's because of LeRoy Jenkins I lost my arm... well, not my whole arm. Just my ability to use it for casting."</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">-Rev</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"> </p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">"I was talking to the Kindergartners and they told me that your son was lightbulb poop."</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">-Dave</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">"He was like an ice cold bottle of Coke with little droplets of sweat all over his buxom body."</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">-Bodily</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">And there were so many more! I realize that if you weren't there most of these won't make sense. But if you were there you can remember with me how freaking funny they were! </p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">If you're free tonight come check us out at Saturday Night Cedar at The Pizza Depot in Cedar City. It's a whole different show with Long Form improv, sketches ala SNL, and much much more! The show starts at 9:30. Be there or be square! And being square sucks. </p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">-Travis_</p><p></p><p></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p></div><div><br /></div>Travhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14637817138823530310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001207792514918107.post-19995333747995507962010-04-09T10:52:00.000-07:002010-04-09T11:17:24.693-07:00Fotography Friday - Ireland<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2281/2431842433_a80e877147_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 1024px; height: 706px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2281/2431842433_a80e877147_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />It's Fotography Friday here at Life is That Random. What does that mean you ask? Well, in my spare time I like to pretend that I'm a photographer so I thought that this would be a good place to post some of my favorite pieces. <div><br /></div><div>Todays picture comes from my first trip into Ireland. I was 17 or 18 years old and we were traveling along the western coast trying to get to our B&B before it got too dark. I kept watching this amazing sunset getting darker and darker begging my dad to stop the car. Finally, he did stop just in front of a bridge that had a pretty clear view of the ocean. But I didn't really like the shot from their so I grabbed my tripod and went running down a short path towards the water, and there was a sailboat. I was so excited. With great haste I pulled out my camera strapped it on the tripod and took a picture. (This was back before I had a digital camera so I had to wait three weeks to see if it turned out alright.) The skies were completely dark about five minutes after this photo was taken. </div><div><br /></div><div>To see the un-cropped full scale picture just click the image. Or go to my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/traviscox/2431842433/in/set-72157604832928187/">flickr</a> page.</div><div>Thanks for reading. </div><div><br /></div><div>-Travis Cox_<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Travhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14637817138823530310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001207792514918107.post-65731673582254191072010-04-08T09:42:00.000-07:002010-04-08T10:04:24.770-07:00Thespian Thursday - KCACTF and Miss SaigonThespian Thursday<div><br /></div><div>The lame and cheesy themes continue. Thursday will be the day that I blog about theatre stuff. Be it locally, or nationally, or otherwise something theatre will take place on this day. Today it's a double header. </div><div><br /></div><div>Firstly, I want to give a shout out to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=107523389277952">Dixie State Colleges production of 'Miss Saigon'</a> which opens tonight. My wife has been involved throughout the rehearsal process first as a cast member then as dance captain/choreographer. And from she has told me the cast has been working their butts off to put together a great show. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is directed by one of my all time favorite people Mr. Matt Neves. He directed me last year in the Neil Simon Festivals Biloxi Blues and he helped me create one of my best characters ever. I was truly proud to be a part of that show. From what I hear the cast of Miss Saigon feels the same way. Based on comments from the people who have seen preview nights I can tell that this is going to be a must see show. My wife even said it made her cry.</div><div><br /></div><div>There's a catch, however. It's set in the Black Box Theatre (so as to make it so much more the intimate) which should be awesome, but there are only about 80 seats... Most of the run is already so if you plan on seeing this show, get your tickets now!</div><div><br /></div><div>Part two of this Thespian Thursday is a shout out to my amazing, beautiful, and talented wife <a href="http://lifeisthatrandom.blogspot.com/2010/02/angels-landing-by-travis-cox.html">Whitney Morgan Cox.</a> She leaves ON TUESDAY to fly to Washington D.C. and compete in the Nations largest collegiate festival; <a href="http://www.kcactf.org/KCACTF.ORG_NATIONAL/KCACTF.html">KCACTF.</a> She will be acting on a stage in the <a href="http://farectification.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/kennedy-8.jpg">Kennedy Center.</a></div><div><br /></div><div> I can not begin to tell you how proud I am of her. Think about it, I am married to one of the <b>top 16</b> collegiate actors in the Nation. Unbelievable! She gets to go to workshops with the big wigs, audition for several companies, network like crazy, and ultimately be judged by major industry casting directors and actors! I'm asking everyone to think happy thoughts for her, pray for her if would, and if you see her wish her luck. Not so much that she will win, (at this point does it really matter?) but that she will be calm enough just to enjoy the trip. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am flying out there to watch her so I'll keep all of you posted on how everything goes. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for reading!</div><div>-Travis_</div>Travhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14637817138823530310noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001207792514918107.post-23560256850522329972010-04-07T12:30:00.000-07:002010-04-07T12:38:02.763-07:00"What the? Wednesday" - Crazy Awesome Bike Tricks!You may be noticing that I'm giving everyday of the week a really lame and cheesy theme. Well, Wednesday is no exception. This is the day where I will be posting stuff that makes me go 'What!?!?" For good or for bad. Today it's for good. I stumbled across this video on youtube... and it's amazing. This guy makes this stuff look so easy. I'm amazed at how he really uses the environment of Edinburgh, Scotland... backflips off of trees, riding sideways on walls... he should be dead. But he's not dead. He's awesome. His name is Danny MacAskill... enjoy.<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; white-space: pre; "><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z19zFlPah-o&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z19zFlPah-o&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></div>Travhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14637817138823530310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001207792514918107.post-36433078684767878272010-04-06T18:32:00.000-07:002010-04-06T18:42:42.252-07:00Tough Guy Tuesday - Week One<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2p-blM7N2nM/S7viX7bv84I/AAAAAAAAACk/rAy9ni9orjs/s1600/Photo+28.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2p-blM7N2nM/S7viX7bv84I/AAAAAAAAACk/rAy9ni9orjs/s200/Photo+28.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457204274208437122" /></a><br />I've began to notice that my arms are getting smaller and smaller while my pants keep getting tighter and tighter. I've decided to use public embarrassment and shame as my motivation for getting into better shape. Every Tuesday I will post a picture of my shirtless self to track my progress. It's also kind of an experiment to see if an average guy, with a hectic schedule, and no gym membership can still find enough time to make a difference in his appearance. <div><br /></div><div><b>This Weeks Stats:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Push-Ups</i>: 0</div><div><i>Pull-Ups:</i> 0</div><div><i>Sit-Ups</i>: 0</div><div><i>Lunges</i>: 0 </div><div><i>Minutes Ran</i>: 0</div><div><i>Current Weight</i>: 196.8lbs</div><div><br /></div><div><i><b>Other:</b></i> I think it's important to have a plan. As of now my only plan is to focus on the previous five categories and improving in them everyday. ie do 75 push-ups one day do 80 the next and so on. I also eventually want to gain wieght... bulk up if you will. But first I want to lose my little cushion around my belly... So my first goal is to lose ten pounds. </div><div><br /></div><div>As you can see I've got some work to do. So, here's to hoping for a better week next week! Wish me luck!</div><div><br /></div><div>-Travis Cox_</div>Travhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14637817138823530310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001207792514918107.post-65809744609504279682010-04-06T01:28:00.000-07:002010-04-06T02:08:29.046-07:00Movie Review Monday - Men Who Stare at GoatsI know it's no technically Monday anymore... but it's close enough. I'm going to start reviewing a random movie here on this blog every week. If you have a movie you'd like me to review let me know. I'll be rating on a scale of One to Ten. This weeks movie is:<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.themenwhostareatgoatsmovie.com/#home">'</a><b><a href="http://www.themenwhostareatgoatsmovie.com/#home">Men Who Stare at Goats.'</a></b><div><br /></div><div>From the moment I saw <a href="http://blog.80millionmoviesfree.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/the_men_who_stare_at_goats.jpg">the poster</a> for this movie I could not wait to see it. It is chalk full of actors whom I love. ie: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000313/">Jeff Bridges</a>, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000191/">Ewan McGregor</a>, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000123/">George Clooney</a>, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000228/">Kevin Spacey</a>... you have to love them. Then I saw <a href="http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2987721241/">the trailer</a> and wanted to see it even more. Witty dialogue, quirky humor, and truly unique premise. I thought I was in for a treat. Then it came out in theatres. I wasn't able to see it... and I didn't hear much about it. Then I forgot about it... for a while. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then I walked past a <a href="http://www.redbox.com/?cid=PS:Google:Core%20Terms:CoreTermsBrand:redbox:16839&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=redbox&utm_campaign=Core%20Terms&tracking_ID=72138afc-2b24-3e88-8b47-000025725cc3">redbox</a> and saw it there, then I rented it, then I watched it. Now I'm reviewing it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Overall I'm going to say that it's a good movie. Maybe not quite as good as I had hoped, but still quite excellent. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Here are the reasons it is good: </b></div><div>1) <i>Great low stress acting</i> - No super amazing acting moments, but beautifully simple and honest reactions.</div><div>2) <i>Incredible dialogue</i> - The dialogue is very honest and believable. It never feels forced or contrived. </div><div>3) <i>Jeff Bridges</i> - This man can do no wrong in my book. He is amazing and then some. </div><div>4) <i>Everyone else</i> - No weak links in the actor line-up. Great to see these guys playing characters they don't normally play. </div><div>5) <i>The Announcement at the Beginning</i> - "More of this is true than you would believe." So awesome. </div><div>6) <i>The Dancing</i> - You just have to see it. It's fantastic.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Here are the reasons I probably won't watch it again for a while:</b></div><div>1) <i>The Story is About the Reporter</i> - I understand why it had to be that way... but, (no fault of Ewan McGregors) he's not the interesting one. I was more interested in the psychic powers of the soldiers not the journey of the reporter. </div><div>2) <i>It's Fairly Slow Moving</i> - Don't watch this while<a href="http://twitter.com/"> twittering</a> or playing pacman... you'll get bored. Make sure there are no shiny objects to distract you. </div><div><br /></div><div>That's about it! Other than that it's a fantastic movie. I think I have to give this movie a 7ish out of 10... If you haven't seen it yet, do.</div><div><br /></div><div>-Travis_</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Travhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14637817138823530310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001207792514918107.post-87997317993756585922010-04-03T13:45:00.000-07:002010-04-03T13:57:02.945-07:00Out of TownersInspired by the desire to blog more frequently I give you the following: <div><br /></div><div>Many of you know that I work at <a href="http://www.texasroadhouse.com/">Texas Roadhouse</a> and last night I was seated with to people from Nottingham, England. And for some reason I love getting sat with foreigners. Most servers hate it because they are notorious for ordering small plates (they did) and <a href="http://lifeisthatrandom.blogspot.com/2009/12/restaurant-etiquette.html">tipping badly</a> (they did) but I love talking to people who think that my world is strange. I asked the lady if she wanted marshmallows and caramel sauce on her <a href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/82/272934416_a5315256a0.jpg?v=0">sweet potato</a>... she almost fell out of her chair. </div><div><br /></div><div>They were incredibly friendly and talkative and open. And when their food finally came they used adjectives like proper: "This is the first proper food we've had in America." and inspired: "Do you like the marshmallows?" said I. "Yes. This is really inspired." </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway. They were cool people. That is all. </div>Travhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14637817138823530310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001207792514918107.post-61826072646720777792010-02-14T09:04:00.000-08:002010-02-14T09:28:29.872-08:00Angels Landing by Travis CoxIt has been one crazy week! <a href="http://www.dixie.edu/">Dixie State College</a> hosted the biggest annual theatre festival in our Region: <a href="http://www.kcactf.org/">The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival</a>... and it was awesome. The highlight of the week was most definitely when my wife, Whitney Cox was named as one of the Regions Winners and told that she would be traveling to Washington D.C. to compete in the National competition. That moment is still pretty surreal in my mind and I don't think that Whitney has come back to earth yet... I don't blame her.<br /><br />A small part of what made that moment so awesome is that she took her scene from a play that I have written called Angels Landing... part of my script will be performed in the Kennedy Center. Wow.<br /><br />Because I've had several people since then ask for the full script and a friend pointed out that some people might be trying to find it on line I'm going to tag this blog with as many possible google search ideas as I can... hopefully if anyone wants it, they will find this post.... if you're one of those people please e-mail me at TravLCox@gmail.com and I will happily e-mail you the script.Travhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14637817138823530310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001207792514918107.post-18650695305413185102009-12-18T11:35:00.000-08:002009-12-18T14:29:17.145-08:00Restaurant Etiquette<div>I've been trying to be a more positive person lately. I think that in my past I've been fairly positive, but for some reason, be it the stress, or work, or whatever, I've been a little less forgiving and slightly more judgmental of other people. </div><div><br /></div><div>Like I said I'm working on being better, but when one is a server at a restaurant certain people make it... difficult to be positive. For example, I've tried to be more understanding of small tippers lately. I know that times are hard for a lot of people and that leaving a big tip might seem like an avoidable cost. I understand that. (Although we in the restaurant business have a saying: <i>"If you can't afford to tip, you can't afford to eat out."</i>) But some people just really get my goat. Last night I was working at Texas Roadhouse and I had a party of four come in. They were nice people, apparently wealthy, and they were ordering big. (Servers love it when people order big.) In the end their total came to around $90.00. So, fifteen percent on ninety bucks is about $13.00 but they seemed generous so maybe twenty percent, $18.00. What did they actually leave me in the end? Zero dollars. So I'm trying to be positive and not hate them without knowing them. And I know that there are a lot of factors that could've gone into their decision. Maybe the guy paying picked up the check (to be nice) before he knew how much it was and he didn't have enough to cover a tip. Or maybe they thought I had already added gratuity, or maybe they thought I was making an hourly wage so I didn't need a tip or something. So as I was thinking about slashing their tires I thought of all the things that we as servers wished that our tables knew. So, I'm going to make that list right now. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Things that your server wants you to know about</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>1. <b>In many states servers get paid less than minimum wage.</b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">For example. In Utah most servers only get paid $2.13 an hour by the restaurant. We make ALL of our money from tips. The paycheck I picked up from the restaurant yesterday for two weeks of work was $13.00. I kid you not. </span></b></div><div>2. <b>Many restaurants have a 'tip share' system.</b></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>What is a tip share? Many restaurants require the server to 'share' a percentage of his/her gross sales. For example if I sold $1,000.00 worth of food and my tip share was a three percent. At the end of the night I have to 'share' $30.00 out of my pocket with the buss boys, the hostess', and the kitchen. Now lets look at this $90.00 ticket I had last night. Three percent of ninety is $2.70. That means I actually <b>lost</b> money on that table. <i>When you 'stiff' your server, the person who just got all of your refills, brought you your food, and six baskets of rolls, just lost money. </i></div><div>3. <b>Our tables are out money makers.</b></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Many restaurants today have three table sections. This means that I can only make as much money as those three tables produce. What's my point? Please don't linger at your table long after you've paid. The longer you're there the longer I'm not making any money... that said <i>It's totally fine if you want to stay and chat with your friends. As long as you make up for it in the tip. </i></div><div>4. <b>You are not our only responsibility, and we only have two hands.</b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Please be patient with us. If we don't bring your refill back in ten seconds it's probably because we're busy doing something else. We may have other tables to greet, food to run, floors to sweep, garbages to take out, glasses to restock, ice to refill, specialty drinks to make etc... the job description of a server includes many more tasks than just waiting on you. <i>We're trying our hardest to please you. I promise. </i></span></b></div><div>5. <b>It's not our fault your food is: burnt, cold, late, wrong, gross, etc...</b></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>We didn't make it. We put the order in, and when it was done we brought it to you. We will certainly do what our part to make it better, but <i>don't take it out on us if something is wrong.</i> On that note, it's also not our fault that you had to wait an hour, or if you didn't get a seat where you can see the TV.</div><div>6. <b>Fifteen percent should be the minimum. </b></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>We as servers understand that times are hard. Because times are hard for us as well. For some reason many people seem to think that a fifteen percent tip should only go to reward excellent service. Not so. Fifteen percent should be for any service. If you feel like your server was a good one, and you can afford it, tip them more. But please,<i> if you can't afford to tip fifteen percent then don't order the Big Steaks and the expensive combos.</i> Because we have to pay three percent of your bill. When ordering, and when tipping, keep in mind that three percent of that bill comes out of your servers pocket. </div><div>7. <b>We Appreciate a Thank You but...</b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">There is a phrase that is dreaded in the restaurant world known as "the verbal tip". It comes when the table is so gracious and kind and full of compliments to the server that the server is certain that they will be tipped well only to find a six to seven percent tip. We love it when you are nice to us, but it doesn't make up for a bad tip. </span></b></div><div>8. <b>Servers believe in Karma</b></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>If you're good to us then we will think happy thoughts for you all night. If you're bad to us we'll curse the day you were sat in our section. <i>Treat your server as if he/she was your favorite child. Be patient, forgiving, and generous. </i></div><div><br /></div><div>This is already getting too long so I'm going to wrap this up with <b>a list of things to keep in mind when decided how much to tip. </b>(Please remember that you should start at 15 percent and go up if these things are good. Not start at 15 percent and go down if they are bad.)</div><div><br /></div><div>* The amount of your bill. </div><div>* The quality of service. </div><div>* Effort required to serve you. (lots of refills, and extra things etc...)</div><div>* Time spend at the table. (Time is money.)</div><div>* The amount of people at the table. (Kids meals are cheaper, but don't require any less effort to serve. They also take up just as many seats as rich <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> adults.)</div><div>*<b>It is never acceptable to stiff your server.</b></div><div><br /></div><div>If you actually made it through this one servers everywhere thank you! </div><div><br /></div><div>-Travis Cox_</div><div><br /></div>Travhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14637817138823530310noreply@blogger.com3