Ushering in the Weekend

Austin has written posts on blogs and mentioned pursuing , but remember when he was a writer in a film. Roderick Usher had quite interesting writing rituals.

And well a lot other interesting things going on in the House of Usher.


Austin has mentioned picking part that he finds interesting. And as an English major you can imagine Austin would be interesting in reinterpreting the Edgar Allen Poe classic. Going a little Southern gothic way before meeting up with Hil, Nick and Kelly. And when you think about it Poe was about as Southern Gothic as you could get in a real Goth sense. (While Poe was born in Boston, he was raised in Virginia, and he spent his college days, many of those gambling, at UVA before getting kicked out )

Working on a small independent film like House of Usher it makes you think that Austin had the chance to put a lot of input in his character and his role.


What do you think he brought to the role of Roderick? The hair? The coat? The earmuffs? The shirtless scenes? The heat shield visor sunglasses? Or the hoodie? ; )


Did anyone else think that the silk scarf around his neck was Maddy's?

Smaller world file: Beth Grant who played Kitty Farmer in Donnie Darko plays the housekeeper Mrs. Thatcher in House of Usher.

And a little OTH update: Hilarie talks about leaving OTH , staying in Wilmington and plans for Southern Gothic with EW.com. And check out Southern Gothic for updates about their projects and Pedestrian.

Few words, Deep Thoughts

Austin has posted again, this morning on Southern Gothic

GO EAST


By not exalting the talented you will cause the
people to cease from rivalry and contention.

By not prizing goods hard to get, you will cause
the people to cease from robbing and stealing.

By not displaying what is desirable, you will cause
the people's hearts to remain undisturbed.

Tao Teh Ching
-Lao Tzu


I have only just begun to read this work.
This is the beginning of the third chapter.

I have nothing really to say about it,
except that it has, in a very brief period,
already had quite an impact on the way I
treat people, myself, how I understand my
beliefs, concerns, and convictions.

The way I organize my life, or un-organize it,
the way I hurl myself through space, or just
let myself be hurled.

I think everyone could take away something
from this writing. :)

your faithful servant,
wild turkey


The way I organize my life, or un-organize it,
the way I hurl myself through space, or just
let myself be hurled.

Something about this sentence that connected, there is something strangely freeing and wonderful when you allow to be un-organized and letting yourself go with the whatever happens. In both the process of doing it, and after you've done it. Maybe it is naive and presumptuous for me to interpret that sentence.

While there are things in your life you must organize and plan and have goals, there are other things that giving up control and allowing them to happen let you find something even greater than you ever imagine. And the first word that comes to mind is love.

Can love be control? Organized? Planned? Maybe I just the spout the words of a hopeless romantic but I say no. Love is ultimate expression being unorganized and allowing to be hurled around by it and surrendering to it. There is no rhyme or reason to who we love or why we love them it just is what it is. But it is not just eros love, but storge (affection), philia (friendship), agape (unconditional) as well.

But the sentence also shows a creative approach to life as well. There is something creative in the way your let life and patterns find their own way to you. Some of the best thoughts I've ever had were when in what some would come from the randomness of two or three things that coming together in a way I or no one else has ever thought before. Like creating art or creating a performance. Ok, well maybe I am now just justifying my disorganized ways. ; )


Again, another post from a man who uses few words that speak volumes.



The Tao Te Ching is fundamental to the Philosophical Taoism and strongly influenced other schools, such as Legalism and Neo-Confucianism. This ancient book is also central in Chinese religion, not only for Religious Taoism but Chinese Buddhism, which when first introduced into China was largely interpreted through the use of Taoist words and concepts. Many Chinese artists, including poets, painters, calligraphers, and even gardeners have used the Tao Te Ching as a source of inspiration. Its influence has also spread widely outside East Asia, aided by hundreds of translations into Western languages.


* Dào/Tao 道 literally means "way", or one of its synonyms, but was extended to mean "the Way". This term, which was variously used by other Chinese philosophers (including Confucius, Mencius, Mozi, and Hanfeizi), has special meaning within the context of Taoism, where it implies the essential, unnamable process of the universe. Tao also means god, and peace.

* Dé/Te 德 basically means "virtue" in the sense of "personal character", "inner strength", or "integrity." The semantics of this Chinese word resemble English virtue, which developed from a (now archaic) sense of "inner potency" or "divine power" (as in "healing virtue of a drug") to the modern meaning of "moral excellence" or "goodness". Compare the compound word dàodé (道德 "ethics", "ethical principles", "morals," or "morality"). Te also means love.

* Jīng/Ching 經 as it is used here means "canon", "great book", or "classic".

Red Carpet Recluse - No More

It's Austin Friday and it looks like it was an Austin Thursday too.

The Informers Premiere was last evening in Los Angeles (Dest - you were right, I was misInformed) and Austin was in the the red carpet in his snazzy suit. And how great is to see him on a red carpet. Austin doesn't normal do the walk except for his own projects, and occasional ESPN party, but most just for his own stuff. Here' hoping that Southern Gothic does their own version of the red carpet (may we suggest Red Velvet (How Very Southern) carpet, or heck just Red Velvet Cupcakes for the cast and crew)

Is Austin trying to get his Spandeau Ballet / New Romantics of the 80's look going there?

Or is he the guy who would tap his retro Mod Italian 60's for an 80's film?

Is it just me picturing him in that suit riding up on a Vespa.

You will notice no music today. Why?

Today is the Day of Silence

The National Day of Silence brings attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. Each year the event has grown, now with hundreds of thousands of students coming together to encourage schools and classmates to address the problem of anti-LGBT behavior.

How to observe the Day of Silence?
Be silent
Talk
Wear red
Wear rainbow
Wear any color
Tweet the Silence
Silence your tweets
Blog the silence
Silence your blog

Whatever you do, be respectful, especially of others who are observing the Day of Silence, but bring attention to the issues of anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harrasment in schools.

National Day of Silence

Thanks again to Spooky and Vesperlynd from AJN for the Austin pictures.

Bird in the Hand

So Nick over at Southern Gothic described Lincoln's hand. Well his left hand.
But didn't give a reading. And the gauntlet was thrown. But this wasn't well.... hands down complete.


Assuming as Austin say ... "I am Lincoln Booth " that Nick described Austin left hand. But then again you know what happens when you assume.


So after a crash course of how to read palm from a couple of hours and a whole lot of googling, I'm going out on a limb and going for broke and try my first reading.

What is there to lose? Well expect some cred and few hours of sleep.

First we know it is his left hand, he's less dominate hand and in palmistry that means the hand that shows who are, what you were born with. This hand does not show his past or his future. It shows who the person is, how you feel about things, it is the emotional hand, the subconcious hand.

But Nick is kind of sneaky and didn't give a whole picture of the hand, and more about the life and head than of the heart. Well, sometimes you just need to keep things close in hand.

*each of his fingertips are different.
A personality that combines creativity and practicality.

*his pinky is short.
If the little finger is shorter than the normal length, it shows that you lack the ability to influence others.

*his ring finger is long.
If the ring finger is long the person will have a creative nature.you may tend to have an artistic talent, as well as a reckless and wild nature.

*his knuckles are noticeable.
People with both top and bottom pronounced joints are referred to as philosophical thinkers. They tend to analyze information and think before they act.

*the flesh beneath his thumb is greatly raised, and is home to many small weak lines.
It shows strengths/gifts of love, sympathy, music and passion.

*the flesh at the bottom of his hand below the pinky is greatly raised, and is home to a deep X, and another mark that resembles a whirlpool.
Travel Lines are a major indication of the trips taken throughout your life that have had a penetrating impact on your life. The deep X show one that had big impact.

*there is a good amount of flesh beneath his pointer finger.
Sign of creativity

*the middle of his palm sinks low.
Less aggression to others

*his head line is deep.
Deep head line means likely to have a sharp mind and better memory.

*his head line starts below his pointer finger and extends with a slight downward curve below the ring finger.
Says that you're creative and a romanticist. A head line that starts under the index finger indicates a brilliant mind.

*his head line sits far from his heart line.
The higher the heart line is, the more passionate, and oftentimes jealous the person is.

*his heart line is also deep.
Deeper heart lines equal deeper emotions within the person.

*his life line begins above his head line and crosses through it.
Often, the head line is joined with the life line at inception. Palmists generally interpret the head line to represent the person's mind and the way it works, including learning style, communication style, intellectualism, and thirst for knowledge. It is also believed to indicate a preference for creative or analytical approaches to information.

*his life line and head line are intercepted by several Xs.
Signs of major decisions

*there is a deep semi-circle that extends from the left of his middle finger to the right of his ring finger.
A line in the Girdle of Venus (the area between the two fingers) sensitivity and a jealous nature. If it is is crosses with x's can denote creativity as well

*the lines at the base of his thumb are broken.


*his destiny line starts from across his life line, and while broken twice along the way, proceeds straight up to the middle finger.
You will find that most fate lines end at the heart line. However if the fate line runs all the way almost to the middle finger these people tend to be active right up into old age. The breaks are major changes in direction.

*there is a star on the fingertip of his pointer finger.
a star means success the index finger is the symbol of position, wealth, happiness.

Please remember this is all done in good fun, and by a first time palm reader. ; )

There is one person who knows those hands, according to Ted.

"who extended his hands flat on the marble table (yes, that's a hint) until they were intertwined with Tile's. Massive smiles then appeared on both daring dudes."

"Then, the whole block before they got to West 12th Street," said the onlooker, J.G. & A.N. did a little digital dance. "Oh so cute!”

One who now keeps his hands in his pockets. Is he afraid of renegade palmists?


















The Other Lincolns Hands, yup that's Abe.

24 Carrot Garden

How does your garden grow?

Jake's talked about gardens, his parent's, his friend's, and even doing some gardening of his own. He's visited famous gardens, like the Jardin Marjorelle. You kind of bet he's been to Roland's gorgeous garden in LA too.

And he's talked about gardening himself. And it looks like he's grown up with and has now landscapes created by one of the most celebrated landscapers in LA, Jay Griffith of Griffith & Cletta. "Jay Griffith's work is fit for a Hollywood movie, his landscapes are dressed sets in the best sense. So it is only fitting that many of his clients are Hollywood types as well. Jay's firms have always produced stunning visual compositions of color, material and space that unfold in carefully scripted sequence."

A couple of examples of his work.





Yeah, would say you would to want hang your garden chimes in something this beautiful.

You could say that Jake's a gardening fan boy. Who else wears hats of some of their favorite landscapers?


or these ?



And as for Southern (Gothic) Exposure, no trip to the garden is complete without a drink in hand.

For a Toothy Tile and a Grey Goose a

Red Rabbit
1 1/2oz Grey Goose
1 1/2oz Lillet (French citrus flavored aperitif )
1 1/2oz burgundy carrot juice
splash of Grand Marnier
splash of ginger simple syrup

Combine the ingredients together in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a rocks glass with ice. Spritz with Jasmine essence (if available). Garnish with a curl of burgundy carrot

A carrot in a garden
And a rabbit in the wood.
Said the rabbit, “Beg your pardon,
But you’re surely meant for food;
Though you’ve started in to harden,
You may still be very good.”

And for Harvey and one tall man who was slim, a

Jack Rabbit

1 1/2 oz Applejack
1/2 oz maple syrup
1/4 oz fresh lemon juice
1/4 oz orange juice

Shake in iced cocktail shaker & strain
Serve in a cocktail glass

And here's another picture from the most famous garden in Savannah, Georgia (have fun Tom)

April Showers bring .....

Not only May flowers but a lot more Austin.

Some big things this month for Austin.

There's Informers (premiere April 11th and opening April 24th)







there's a birthday - does 29 mean the same thing to guys?
And how do you celebrate this one?

there's Lincoln (check out a little more about Pedestrian and Lincoln)







and if Hil's hints on Southern Gothic are what they seem maybe he will be her co-star in their little love story short that has a fake moustache, a gator, name tags, sparklers, a rat, tuba, a jack knife, a sword, a cherry pie, a note, lipstick and a dollhouse. So if she's playing the BF then.....

Will the gator and the rat get name tags too? And why do I keep hearing Poison in my head? And seeing Twin Peaks? Agent Cooper, cherry pie , Log Lady, Lincoln ... Lincoln logs

and of course book club
by now he's got finished The Fountainhead and onto the next, maybe he's reading their next pick The Pillowman a 2003 play by Irish playwright Martin McDonagh. How about Walker Percy's The Moviegoer - a little Southern existentialism, if he hasn't read it already.

There have been great pictures of Austin lately and thanks to Spooky and Vesperlynd over at Austin Nichols Journal who keep finding new ones.

The shirt reminds you of anything?



Maybe some dejavu?


???? Fingers crossed for May?

And for the mini OMG get together in DC a picture from the backside of the U.S. Capitol in spring from the Special K cam.

Black 'n Tooth?

Austin gives the motivation for this Austin Friday with his post yesterday over at Southern Gothic.

He talks about music and music that inspires. Music And he's writing a song with his post. (It's been ages since music theory, so I am apologizing in advance to all you musicians and songwriters if I miss the mark on the structure)

First verse:

We got married in a fever
Hotter than a pepper sprout
We've been talkin' about Jackson
Ever since the fire went out

I'm goin' to Jackson
I'm gonna mess around
Look out Jackson Town

-Rodgers, Wheeler

I feel some connection to the man in black. Johnny Cash.
J.C. Jesus Christo. I usually wear black myself.
Every car I ever owned was black. I like fast cars and
faster women.

Guitars slung around the back.

And women named after months.

Mr. Cash has become incredibly inspirational to
me for Lincoln Booth.


This is all stinkin' Lincoln, and Austin is Lincoln Booth. Lotsa' Lincoln.

Music helps round out the character he's inhabiting. Austin's used music before when approaching a role. The impression you get after watching him tackle various roles in the last few years is that he slips into a new body an inhabits the person becoming them from the inside out.

Now as James Brown says - take it to the bridge

I don't know why.

It doesn't really make sense. And it doesn't have to.
People often ask me why I feel a certain way.

Why? Why? Why? And nowadays, my answer is...

"IT DOESN'T MATTER. I JUST DO!!"

"How do you know?" That's my other favorite
question these days. My answer...

"I JUST KNOW!!!!"

This is all Austin - pure simple passionate

Second Verse

But something about that song JACKSON,
when John and June sang it, there is something in
there that knocks me out. It's like a bolt of lightning
struck my skull and penetrated straight to my heart.

Did a song ever do that to you?

What is it?

Name it.

It makes me want to cry and scream and laugh
and love a woman real real hard. All at once.

It makes me want to scream from the rooftops.
I hope everybody's been doin' some of that lately.

This is about the artist. How music affects him, what it does, what music brings out in him. And wondering if anyone else feels that about music.

Then the coda:

Get to it.

But more and more, people ask me questions and
I have learned to not answer them. Cause I can't
really speak the answer. But I feel it. And I do know it.

When something inspires you, it just does.
You don't have to describe it. In fact, I say, DON'T!!!!!

And it 's built to this. And it says everything he will not say. What is it that more and more people ask, what is that he can't describe?

It's the two sentences "But I feel it. And I do know it."

No more questions.

Thank you Mr.President


Join us today for the OMG Movie Club at 5:00pm EST through tomorrow as we discuss cult classic movie Harold & Maude from director Hal Ashby. As in we've done before we will leave this post open for all other posts, not related to the movie. Hope to see you stop by and join us.

And yes we are coming late the party on this one but we want to say we added Southern Gothic to our list of Places We Go.

So to celebrate, here's a little Southern Gothic - from my camera to you.

Dancing about Architecture

BIG OOPS! Forgot about the JFC discussion starting tonight.
Look for the discussion to start tomorrow. Thanks guys! 6:06EST

They say that writing about music is like dancing about architecture, but I think that talking about art can fall into the same category.

But what about writing philosophy using architecture ? Are you dancing in pairs then?

And what the hell does it have to do with Austin Fridays?

Well it leads us to the Austin's SoGoprah book club pick of The Fountainhead.

Austin says introducing the book says that it's about "Idealism and the price of compromise." And in one sentence. Austin wrote a whole book about dancing about architecture or the story of Hollywood.

The Fountainhead is the story of Howard Roark, an idealistic young architect who chooses to struggle in obscurity rather than compromise his artistic and personal vision. The book follows his battle to practice modern architecture, which he believes to be superior, despite an established practices.

Why architecture? The reason Rand used architecture is because it unlike other professions it combines art and science. Were the main character Howard Roark an artist of another sort (canvas painter, illustrator, author, etc.), any study he did of materials and any knowledge he had of cutting expenses without compromising durability, would be inconsequential to the price customers pay for the artist's product. However, shelter being vital to human survival and comfort, and it being the most expensive financial outlay for the majority of people, Roark's ingenuity has repercussions for all of society. Roark's need to feel aesthetic satisfaction toward his work synthesizes his art with his knowledge of science, and with it, unifies art and science as such in the book, and so too merges Roark's character with the two key aspects of his profession.

Austin is no different. As an actor/artist he needs to feel aesthetic satisfaction toward his work, synthesizing his art with his knowledge of the science of success in Hollywood. Because it is a science, there is a formula, there is a method, there are outcomes. Do you compromise your art for success or do you not follow the method/system for your art? A rock and a hard place.

But here's the deal, it's obvious that he's reading it (most likely again), you can tell from recent pictures he's almost half way through it.

But why is he letting others know he's reading it? What is he trying to tell people? Is it about himself? Is he letting fans who are unsuspecting that there is a system to Hollywood? Is trying to say something else about Hollywood? (To those who have read it think the character Gail Wynand and his tabloid, The Banner)

Or is he saying that he is trying to find his balance and doing to so he can have both on his own terms? Trying to impart some wisdom other, that all of us do the same, trying to find the balance.

An Austin Friday about architecture, or art, or Hollywood, or finding the balance in life, or maybe just dancing.



Photos: Austin Nichols Journal, OTH forums, RileyCat12 Thanks bunches!

Like a thief in the night

Austin is a smooth criminal. He steals scenes, hearts and you know, sometimes outerwear.

But from this interview, it seems Mark Schwahn, creator and Executive Producer of One Tree Hill, likes this kind of criminal element and not just the usual suspects.

Sounds like there was stating the case, providing persuasive arguments, review of the exhibits, and going with your gut for ruling of Austin on OTH.

Here is an excerpt from a interview with him at 411mania.com .


Al Norton: Adding a cast member in a show's 6th season can be tough but Austin Nichols has jelled really quickly. Did you know right away that he was going to work so well?

Mark Schwahn: The funny thing about Austin is that there was initially much resistance from the folks who have to OK our casting choices. Which is not rare, by the way. When that happens, I pick up the phone and try to rationalize with everyone, or pout or bitch or whine and eventually I get my way (and probably get called an ass****) and this leads to Austin Nichols killing it as Julian, just as I suspected he would in the first place. This is not to say that there aren't good people and good allies working on my show at both the studio and network, just that the fans would be surprised at how things work behind the scenes. Remember too that Austin was not being hired as a series regular for One Tree Hill, but was coming off being the lead in John From Cincinnati on HBO. So first I had to meet with Austin and convince him that he was perfect for this part, and that I had a very clear vision of where I would take his character and how we would write his storyline. Then we had to work out all the financial stuff – which can be challenging. Then I had to fight for the right to hire him. But this is what producing is and this is why you follow your instincts and also humbly learn from those instincts when they're wrong. But to answer the question, yes, I knew that Austin was going to jell with this cast. I sincerely felt as though he was a perfect fit. And I think he's proven my instincts to be correct with his talent and professionalism and performance.

As for hearts, well it looks like he's stealing the on and off the screen. Fans, forums, blogs are falling for his charm, and he's a repeat offender. Looks like in tonight's episode he may have really stolen Brooke's. And then of course there's that one heart he stole a few years ago and still has.

And jackets? It is known that Austin has fondness for coats from his past projects. But lifting this one of Julian's and it could be could considered grand larceny , $695 from Neiman Marcus, but it's just petty in North Carolina.

Another Mug Shot - This one from Southern Gothic ....
And check out the video clip of Austin back in Carolina.
And check out Spooky for a great screen cap.

Austin rode 45 minutes on a scooter, all the way across the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles to eat eggs and split a crazy big 47 grain (exaggeration) pancake with Lis and me. He knew more than a couple people in the restaurant. He's been taking meetings out west with agents and managers, doing really solid work to get this project rolling. He's going to make this movie great. But he's not a slick LA man. This is a southern creature we are talking about. He belongs in our sleepy little town, rocking on front porches and sipping on sweet tea.

So after all the mayhem of freeways and too many coffee meetings in one day and drinks that are too expensive, it was so good to return to Wilmington and have our leading man back out here.

He raced right up to the ocean's edge, to get as far East as possible.

We spent some time shooting fun stuff this weekend. Here's just a taste of what is to come. Help me in saying, "Welcome Home Cowboy."
Now let's get down to work.
xoxo hilarie

Is Austin channeling his La Dolce Vita? Cause a Texas Cowboy on a Italian Scooter to go eat eggs and grainy pancakes, gives Fellini a run.

What's the bet it's a Vespa. Just picturing him buzzing down the street with a sly grin on his face. Funny how he knows so many people and never gets seen in LA.

Don't think a cowboy on a scooter would work for most of Texas, but for Austin it fits right in. (Both the buckaroo and the city)


And Lincoln's Continential ?

Looks like familiar friend is in hand.
A little bit of home to help with the "all business" trip?


OMG Movie Club for March

The votes are in and we will be discussing the cult classic Harold and Maude, directed by Hal Ashby on March 27-28th.

The film is number 45 on the American Film Institute's list of 100 Funniest Movies of all time, number 69 in its list for most romantic and number 42 on Bravo's 100 Funniest Movies. In 1997, it was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress as being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant"

Qué Onda Guero

An artist takes their medium and creates art. And Austin's latest creation over at Southern Gothic says so much. The picture is painted some how in my mind is of him is driving with Beck blasting throwing and grabbing, grinning, yelling and singing.

But just can't help myself as I read it.

I got my hair jelly. PO made. Not Fop.

I'm a Dapper Dan Man. Three different hair
styles and three costume changes in one day.
Thinking Everett? Or this Dapper Dan?


Throw an apple in the car. A tangerine. A Clif Bar. Cashews. Anything in the pantry to munch on while en route.
Pantry? Cute like a grandpa

I'm also piloting a car on the 405 freeway,
Think of hands on the wheel and wishing he could fly

Throw the jeans in the back seat. Grab the black slacks.
Slacks...like an old man in Boca

Oh shit, I'm not wearing underwear.
joining the club?

I wonder if anyone can see me. I look to my right. Two girls in a Prius. Both in stitches. Chuckling like hyenas.
Shenzi and Banzai
Hybrid Hyenas. Good band name.

They can see everything God gave me.

I turn bright red. No. That's a lie. I smile. (broad as a barn)
I loved it. Nudist. Exhibitionist. I hit the gas. They gave me a farewell honk.
A Tobias Fünke he's not.

Thank you, Joan Didion.
Lit Man do you read The White Album and listen to it too?

I drift back to unexpected driving nudity.
What would have happened if I was driving
through West Hollywood when
I had to switch trousers?

Brilliant! --
Agree with everyone. Saying more than what is said and the delight in doing so.

Arrive at destination. No place to park. Shit, I'm late.
Drive around until someone leaves. Pull in.
Don't pay meter yet. Will pay in a second.
Quick rehearsal.

A small Korean woman walks by my car.
Inside the car, she sees a tall, naked man,
crying and yelling intenesely[sic] into the rearview mirror.


I was just about to pay...
almost lyrical, don't know why


(smiles wide) Good mornin, sugar. I am so sorry. I was
just about to throw a couple quarters in your meter.
I apologize for my semi-nudity. I've had a crazy
morning. You know how it is.
Smooth like Southern Sweet Tea or is that Bourbon?

Meter Maid
If you think you're gettin out of this, you are sorely
mistak... Wait a minute... Were you in The Day After Tomorrow?

Grinning.
But grinning because
He got out the ticket?
He got recognized?
Or is there just something about that movie that make him grin......alot?

Hey Guero
Yeah Bro?
Hehehe, footlong?
Beck