Passion = Truth? How Jeffrey James Francis Ircink Sees The World? I love when people are passionate about something. That surging of emotion is the one honest measure of what truth is. It's a truthful display of how a person really feels about something or someone at that particular moment. That passion IS truth.



About me...

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Greendale, Wisconsin, United States
Ex-producer of THE REALLY FUNNY HORNY GOAT INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL, playwright, actor, singer, outdoorsman, blogger, amateur photog, observer & bitcher, Beach Boys groupie, Brett Favre fanatic, lover of everything Celtic and forever a member in the Tribe of HAIR. Spent most of my life in the Village of Waterford, a small town just outside of the Milwaukee suburbs. After 12 years in North Hollywood, Bel Air and Culver City, Cali, I moved back to Wisconsin in September 2009. No regrets - of moving to LA OR moving back to WI. Have traveled to Belfast, Ireland, Dayton (OH), Manhattan, Seattle, Cedar Rapids, New York, Miami and Sydney, Australia with my plays. Moved back into the Village of Greendale where I was born. Life is good.

Celtic!

Sunday, May 31, 2009

"Grace Notes from a Bohemian in Wanderlust".

I returned to Los Angeles today after a three-week sojourn to Milwaukee, Irving Park, Chicago, Wheaton, Cedar Rapids and Miami (4 days in Seattle just prior to that). I am weary. Look for posts on my adventures - in no particular order, called, "Grace Notes from a Bohemian in Wanderlust". I stole "grace notes" from a song by Lowen & Navarro called, "The Grace Notes". I'll explain it later.


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Thursday, May 28, 2009

Sour grapes is very unbecoming on you, Mr. Tarkenton.

I don't need to hear this shit while on vacation.

Hey, you don't have to like Brett Favre. You can have a negative opinion about Favre. That's fine. But hypocrisy I have no patience for. Or misstated "facts".

Former Minnesota Viking QB Fran Tarkenton and former co-host of "That's Incredible", ripped on Brett Favre yesterday.

"I kind of hope it happens, so he can fail," Tarkenton said, in response to Favre potentially coming out of retirement (though NFL Commish Goodall says he's not sure Brett did, in fact, retire from the New York Jets after last season) to play for the Vikings this season.

"I think it's despicable. What he put the Packers through last year was not good," Tarkenton told 790 The Zone radio. "Here's an organization that was loyal to him for [16 years], provided stability, provided players...It just wasn't about Brett Favre. In this day and time, we have glorified the Brett Favres of the world so much, they think it's about them."

First Tarkenton comments on what Brett "put the Packers through" the season before last. Then he says "it just wasn't about Brett". Well which is it, Fran? Had the Packers just released Favre as soon as he unretired, the PR debacle that ensued would've been a non-issue. Packer management is just as much to blame for all that as Brett is.

Tarkenton, 69, played for the Vikings from 1961 to '66 and from 1972 to his retirement after the 1978 season. He went 0-3 in Super Bowls with the Vikings but finished as the NFL's career leader in several categories, including passing yards (47,003) and touchdown passes (342). Favre now holds both of those marks.

Tarkenton said Favre has "made more stupid plays than any great quarterback that I've ever seen"; has stayed away from teams' off-season programs; and had his own area in the locker room to dress as a member of the Packers and Jets. "Playing quarterback is about the relationships you have with your coaches, with your players, with your trainers, with your managers," Tarkenton said. "How can you do that if you show up on game day and you haven't put the time in? And now he's trying to do it again in Minnesota. And if Minnesota bites, God bless them. . . . He's been a great player, there's no question about it, but it's all about him. It is supposed to be all about your team."

"If you're going to be the quarterback of your team, you need to be there in the off-season workouts in March and April. Peyton Manning's there. Tom Brady's there."

Ah...Fran, Brett didn't get traded to the Jets until late in the preseason. That's why he was sequestered - so he could learn the playbook, you dumb bitch. And Favre has made more great plays than stupid plays, you dumb bitch. I used to like Tarkenton. But he just made my "list".


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TGIThursday! presents...Landon Pigg's "Falling In Love At A Coffee Shop".

I enjoy this song.

I know it's not Friday yet, but I've been remiss in posting my "TGIF! presents..." posts. Don't always have Internet access or I'm visiting with friends. I fly to Miami early Friday morning. My short play, "Pass the Salt, Please." , is performing this weekend in a 5-week run at City Theatre's Summer Shorts Festival.

And I'll be alone. Never been to Miami before but I wish I had someone with me. Anyone. My brother. Justyna. Janelle. Nina. Nick. Tom. Maria. Marisa. Anyone. Back in LA Sunday evening.

Did I mention that I enjoy this song?


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Monday, May 25, 2009

Happy Memorial Day. 2009.

Irving Park - Chicago. Lest we forget. Visiting my high school friend, Justyna. It is peaceful here.


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Saturday, May 23, 2009

3 weeks flies.

In Wheaton, IL today, then to Irving Park tomorrow, back to WI on Wednesday, then to Miami Friday thru Sunday and back to LA. Three weeks flies when you're having fun.


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Friday, May 15, 2009

Ircink returns from Frozen Tundra!

No - not Green Bay, Wisconsin. Lake Tomahawk, WI and the Rainbow Flowage. My annual walleye fishing trip. Got home to Waterford (WI) today. Tired. Weather was all over the place - 40 degrees, then 60, raining then sunny. Fishing was a "C", but the fun was an "A". More to follow.

Headed to Cedar Rapids, Iowa tomorrow morning for more fun with theater-folk. Then to Chicago, more visiting in Wisconsin, and Miami at the end of the month for my play, "Pass the Salt, Please.", which in performing at City Theatre's Summer Shorts Festival.

(And I hope Brett Favre decides to play with the Minnesota Vikings this season. I'm sick of the media acting like the world depends on what Favre does with his life. WHOSE LIFE IS IT ANYWAYS???!!! GO FAVRE IN 2009!)


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TGIF! presents...the Original Broadway cast of "HAIR!"!



This video is from 1967 or 1968 when the original Broadway cast performed on The Smothers Brother's Show. The co-creators, James Rado (blond wig) and Gerome Ragni (brunette) performing "Hair" together (which is the 2nd song on this video), performed in the show Off-Broadway and on Broadway and are the two singing lead on "Hair" in the video. "Aquarius" is sthe first song - you have to fast-forward to the 3:45 mark for "Hair".

I interviewed James Rado last year for the 40th anniversary of "HAIR!'s" Off-Broadway debut - very nice gentleman. Ragni has since passed. if you search "HAIR!" on this blog (right panel, scroll down for topic list), you can find the Rado interview and other posts on this historic musical. I performed in "HAIR!" in 1995 and I'll be attending the production of "HAIR!" at my old theater stomping grounds tomorrow evening - Theatre Cedar Rapids.

To my fellow Iowa tribe members I say, "Let the sunshine in!"


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Thursday, May 7, 2009

Gone fishin'.

Today through Friday, May 15, I am AWOL - on my annual walleye fishing trip back home with family and family friends. "In the bush". Away from the Internet, my blog, FB, etc. Underground. Tradition for over 20 years. Up to the Rainbow Flowage in Lake Tomahawk, Wisconsin. A "true" vacation...nothing to do but fish, drink, eat, horseshoes, cards, golf and sitting around the campfire shootin' the breeze.

More important than the fishing is the camaraderie and fellowship I share with my dad, brother, Uncle Fran, Gary, Dave and Bruce. To experience the beauty of Nature that God created is 2nd to nothing. Wish you were here.

Sort of. :)


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Wednesday, May 6, 2009

"Pass the Salt, Please." to be published.

Just got the contracts in the mail from my publisher. I'll deal with that when I get home from my fishing trip. Sweet.


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Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel asks, "From idol to enemy?"

Nothing better to write about, eh? Arrived home for my annual walleye fishing trip and was greeted at the door by my mother holding the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel sports page. This was on the front cover - an artist's rendition of what Brett Favre would look like in a Minnesota Viking uniform.

The Vikings - along with the Bears and the Lions - have been the Packers' division rivals in the NFC North (formerly Central division) for decades. But right away, before anything is final and based solely on heresay and gossip, the media (in particular, the WI media) jumps the gun on the Holy Grail that is Brett Favre and makes him out to be "the enemy". Honestly, before anything is set in stone, I think this rendering of Favre is borderline libelous.

Read the post on Favre below where I stated my opinion. Who cares what Favre does? Everyone needs to just shut up and worry about matters that affect them. The media can suck my lingum.


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Tuesday, May 5, 2009

#4 a Viking?

I blogged last week about Brett Favre's release from the New York Jets' roster. Now it's all over the news that Brett might be getting the itch again and that the Minnesota Vikings might be the team that might be interested.

I'm not gonna say whether I think Favre will unretire again and end up a Viking this season. But being a Favreophile, I have to comment to some extent. And I'll look at a few quick reasons why events might be headed in the Favre-to-Minnesota direction.

1. The Jets' release. Apparently Favre and his agent Bus Cook asked for it twice. Regardless of that, the Jets' released Brett, making him eligible to unretire and play for any team that has an interest in him.

2. Various sources reported that Brett has hired or is planning to hire a personal trainer.

3. The torn bicep. Favre was playing well last season until he injured his bicep - 8-3 to 1-4. But the Jets' demise wasn't all his fault (the media will tell you differently 'cause it's convenient to blame a future Hall-of-Fame QB). Brett had the same tear in his other arm once before and it healed on its own. This injury is to his throwing arm; however, doctors have said Favre could either let the bicep heal on its own OR opt for minor arthroscopic surgery. No one knows the status of Favre's arm except Favre.

4. Multiple sources say a private jet from Minnesota landed in Mississippi last Wednesday - and only five flights landed there all day.

5. Minnesota Coach Brad Childress told the press he WILL be talking to Favre. What about? Who knows - or do we?

6. Favre admitted Minnesota would've been his first choice to play for last season but that scenario was never in the cards - not if the Green Bay Packers had anything to do with it.

7. Favre had his troubles playing in the Minnesota dome during the 16 years at Green Bay. Not sure what his record is there, but it would be interesting for him to end up playing 8 games there in a season as opposed to just the one.

Lots of reasons pointing to Favre's possible interest in Minnesota. Probably lots of reasons why this is all rumor. But if Brett Favre wasn't proclaimed by the media and non-fans as a "liar", "waffler", "ego-maniac" and just unable to make up his mind about retiring, the press would have nothing to talk about. For such a "shit" (all these negative connotations came after Brett's off-season debacle with the Packers prior to the start of last year's NFL season), the press just loves to feed off Brett, doesn't it?

My thoughts? I'm a Favre company man. Whatever he chooses to do, I support. If he wants to play and feels he can, then so what? My issue is and always has been with the media. Why the media makes a big deal whether Brett unretires or not is beyond me. It has no affect on anyone except Favre, his family and team he plays for. And the assholes he keep saying Favre is tarnishing or has tarnished his image are - assholes. I mean, it's news - but they beat it like a dead harp seal. If you know me or read this blog then you know I hate the media like I hate the Bel Air bitch. And face it, if Favre wasn't perceived as a threat, we wouldn't be having this discussion. But he is - and we are. He has every major NFL QB record...and then some. Whenever Brett takes the field, he IS a threat.

My only issue would be stomaching cheering for the Vikings - or buying a purple cap. But I would - for Favre.

PS - The number "4" is already taken by a 3rd string QB for Minnesota. I suppose if Brett did sign with the Vikings, QB John David Booty would get the "boot"...and the number "4" would be available. Interesting.


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Play-doh man.

The subject of my short film Rick and I shot today. That's all I can say right now. More information to follow. "Imagination takes place"!


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Seattle's (and Miami) a-buzzin over "Pass the Salt, Please."!

Me and the cast at The Little Red Studio in Seattle - Michael Blum and Heather Ward.


* "Saw the show at Little Red Studio last night. The whole evening was wonderful, but "Pass the Salt, Please." was utterly brilliant. There was so much going on in it, and just when I thought I had the couple figured out the ground shifted underneath me and I started seeing it from a different angle. Donn's right that there's a reason it closed the show - t would be a very tough act to follow." - Patti Beadle, patron, performance artist

* "It went beautifully! Your play was a total hit!"Kerry Christainsen, artistic director, The Little Red Studio, Seattle

* "I GOT it" - Michael Blum, actor in "PTSP.", The Little Red Studio, Seattle

* "...there's a reason it was placed at the close of the show."Donn Christiansen, director/actor, The Little Red Studio, Seattle

* "It was GREAT! I love your script. Michael and Heather had the audience in hysterics... It seems that the three of us make a great team in making your words come to life the way you intended (i hope)...It was from what I heard from audience the *hit* of the night!"Cherilynn Brooks, director of "PTSP." at The Little Red Studio's Erotic Shorts Festival, Seattle

* "We're all pretty excited about the play."Clayton Hibbert, director, Seattle Erotic Art Festival

* "I love the play."Stuart Meltzer, Artistic Director, City Theatre, Miami, where "Pass the Salt, Please." will have a 5-week Equity run as part of the Summer Shorts Festival (specifically, the "Undershorts" program) May 28 - June 28.

* And let's not forget about the couple who sat across the way from us Friday night and didn't bat an eye or smile the whole night. Actually thought they may have come to the wrong festival. Once "PTSP." got underway, they were grinning from ear-to-ear.


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Monday, May 4, 2009

First dumb thing Arlen Specter has said since becoming a Democrat.

"Sen. Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania Democrat, said part of the reason he left the Republican Party last week was disillusionment with its healthcare priorities, and suggested that had the Republicans taken a more moderate track, Jack Kemp may have won his battle with cancer. " - Newsmax. Read here.


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"Pass the Salt, Please." big hit at The Little Red Studio's Erotic Shorts Festival.

"Pass the Salt, Please." - performed at The Little Red Studio's Erotic Shorts Festival in Seattle for a two week run. I was able to see it the 2nd weekend and caught Friday and Saturday's show.

Well, it went off without a hitch. Packed houses. Audience loved it. The artistic director's (Kerry Christianson) husband, Donn, said to me, "there's a reason it closes the festival". That was nice. It's a bit odd seeing your own play performed in front of you. Actor's interpretations may vary slightly in certain areas of the script as compared to your own. The director's interpretation my vary somewhat. The main thing is they "got it" and then made it their own.

There was this couple sitting directly across from us on the other side of the stage Friday night. They never crack a smile or laughed - emotionless. I turned to Lisa and said, "you'd think they didn't know they were at an erotic arts festival". Then "Pass the Salt, Please." came up.

And that couple was laughing up a storm. :)

The cast - Michael Blum, me and Heather Ward. They were excellent. Blum recently moved to Seattle from Texas and this was his first theater piece in Seattle. Heather was also in the short, "...In Bed" (Act I). I was sitting less than 10 feet from her (she looked like she does above) and I didn't realize that was the same actress that was in my play. For more pictures, click on READ MORE!

The director, Cherilynn Brooks (left) and her twin. She's a spitfire, that Cherilynn. According to my friend, Lisa, Cherilynn is beginning to make a name for herself in the Seattle theater circles.

Things were a bit discombobulated in the lobby area as the studio is in the midst of an expansion. The docents were wonderfully pleasant. The theater is huge, with several working spaces. The last short before intermission was a voyeuristic piece, so the audience was invited to congregate in a different space in the theater where we peeked in on three different couples in bed and their bed-talk. All-in-all, the shorts were great - particularly, "Flame in Your Heart", "On the Line", "Party of Two", and "Flowers by the Side of the Road".

The main theater space. We sat in those little red cubicles. Pardon the orbs in the picture. Like I've said all along, interior shots and my camera do not mix well.

Clowning.


One thing I forgot to mention. They had interpreters for Saturday night's show as there were some deaf people in the audience. If you could've seen the signers during my piece you wouldn've shit. Very funny - especially if you're familiar with my play.







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Sunday, May 3, 2009

Back from Seattle.

Just got back to LA from my Seattle trip. Let me gather my thoughts...I'm tired.


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Friday, May 1, 2009

TGIF! presents...Brian Wilson LIVE at Glastonbury (2005)!



Since 1970, the Glastonbury Festival in the UK is the largest greenfield music and performing arts festival in the world. Since 1970, the festival has hosted a who's who in music - this year's festival will include Bruce Springsteen, Franz Ferdinand, Blur and Neil Young. I thought this 2005 video of Brian singing "Surfin' USA" and "Fun, Fun, Fun" illustrates how popular he and The Beach Boys' music is overseas. I also wanted you to see the excellent band Brian has backing him - The Wondermints, Taylor Mills, Jeff Foskett among the musicians. Paul McCartney referred to the band as "the best touring band in the world".

I initially "met" Taylor through Facebook but then actually met her not too long ago in Manhattan Beach where her husband, Todd Sucherman (drummer for Styx) was performing. She's been working with Brian for - ohhhh...7, 8 years maybe. I just listened to her new album, Lullagoodbye, and it's good. I've met Jeff Foskett several times through the Carl Wilson Cancer Foundation.

Anyway, I'm in Seattle right now checking out the Seattle Erotic Art Festival and my play, "Pass the Salt, Please." which is performing in The Little Red Studio's Erotic Short Festival. Ta-Ta & enjoy the tuneage!


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