Happy 76th, Dad!

 

76 years. Happy Days, Jimmy! Click on READ MORE! to enjoy a walk down memory lane. No one I know lives life more simply than my father - and for that I worship him.

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The Many Faces of Brian Wilson. Happy 71!

Much has been said and written about the The Beach Boys co-founder. What's been said has been said and I won't add to it. All I can say is that his music - their music - has been one of the most influential forces in my life. Ask me to name my favorite Beach Boys tune - or Brian tune or Dennis or Carl tune - and I can't. I won't.

 

Happy Birthday, Brian! I love you. Here's one favorite song of mine - a masterpiece. Listen and be transported to your idyllic place. Wherever that may be. Surf's Up!

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A celebration of 50 years! To Jim & Dee Dee....Huzzah!

My mother and father met while my dad's band, the Glen LeMar Trio, was playing at Jolly's Supper Club in Greendale. 50 years ago, Saturday, June 15, James Anthony Ircink & Dolores Regina Datka were wedded at Sacred Hearts Church in Franklin (now St. Martin of Tours), with the reception following at Clifford's Supper Club in Hales Corners. Or they met at Clifford's and the reception was at Jolly's. They remain wedded today and Brother Jas & I are very, very happy for them.

I made the corsage and boutonnière from flowers in my garden - a personal touch my parents loved. Here's a very quick video of my mom "pinning" my father, to "their song", "She Wears My Ring" .

We had a lovely time at Glen Mar - my place in Greendale - with music, stories and drinks - followed by dinner at Joey Gerard's Supper Club in Greendale. An evening very special for all of us.

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A Golden Anniversary for Jim & Dee Dee!

My parents - James Anthony Ircink & Dolores Regina Datka - were married 50 years ago today, Saturday, June 15. The wedding ceremony was at Sacred Hearts Church (now St. Martin of Tours) in Franklin and the receptions was at Jolly's Supper Club (now Carl's Catering) in Greendale.

Quite a feat - 50 years. I wish Jimmy & Dee Dee peace, God's blessings...and much love.

Me, Brother Jason (right) and Mom & Dad last fall at Cousin Joe Nowak's wedding.

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"The One That Got Away". The Civil Wars' new release

Finally some new material - though the entire album won't be available until August. This song is a sampler of what to expect. Listen here.

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Datka family reunion!

The Datka's - my mom's side of family - were firmly planted in the Hales Corners, WI farm fields (across from Menard's where the Hales Corners Speedway used to be) for...I don't know, many years. Grampa Myron & Grama Helen raised 9 children there and I spent many youthful days with my family and cousins doing what kids do on farms, I guess. Very happy times. Grampa passed away when I was 5 so my recollection of him is faint. Grama passed in 1976 (don't quote me on that).

 

Tough, hard-working, salt-of-the-earth. And dear people....

 

Cousin John and wife Cheryl hosted this little shindig last Saturday at their home in Dousman. Wonderful time. Uncle Ronny and Aunt Karen couldn't make it and Uncle Jerry and Uncle Ralph have passed. 

 

Left to right:  Uncle Rocky, Uncle Butch, Mom (Dolores), Uncle Bobby and Uncle Kenny.

 

Left to right, top:  Uncle Bobby, Uncle Ronny, Uncle Kenny, Uncle Jerry, Uncle Ralph. Bottom:  Mom (top), Aunt Karen, Uncle Rocky, Uncle Butch.

 

 

First cousins. There were 15 in attendance. Now - double that and add 9 and you have the total number of Datka first cousins. Impressive. Let's see if I can do this:  Top row - Me, Brother Jason, Sarah, Julie, Matt, Susie, Kenny, Glen. Middle row - Myron, Diana, John. Bottom row - Theresa, Billy, Elizabeth, Ralph. ;)

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Siberian Iris in bloom @ Glen Mar.

It's June! Where did May go to?

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DRINK FILMS. WATCH BEERS.

 

The 2nd Annual Really Funny Horny Goat International Short Film Festival hits the BFT (that's "Big Fuckin' Tent") @ The Horny Goat Hideaway in Milwaukee this Saturday, May 4 @ 7:30 pm.

Everything you need to know about this shindig is here. Come out & play with us.

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TGIF! presents...."Mayhemesque" video #14, Nine Inch Nails' "I Wanna..."!

 

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"Soon Shall the Winter's Foil Be Here".

It's true when they say that the simplest things in life sometimes bring us the most joy.

"Soon Shall the Winter's Foil Be Here"
By Walt Whitman

Soon shall the winter's foil be here;
Soon shall these icy ligatures unbind and melt—A little while,
And air, soil, wave, suffused shall be in softness, bloom and growth—a thousand forms shall rise
From these dead clods and chills as from low burial graves.
Thine eyes, ears—all thy best attributes—all that takes
cognizance of natural beauty,
Shall wake and fill. Thou shalt perceive the simple shows, the delicate miracles of earth,
Dandelions, clover, the emerald grass, the early
scents and flowers,
The arbutus under foot, the willow's yellow-green,
the blossom- ing plum and cherry;
With these the robin, lark and thrush, singing their
songs—the flitting bluebird;
For such the scenes the annual play brings on.

(Video shot at Good Hope Cemetery in Greenfield, Wisconsin)

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HASHTAG MAYHEM! "Well-paced, well-crafted, well-executed".

(Left to right:  Bryan Damske & Jeffrey James Ircink in CHOKING THE CHOAD IN BEL AIR.)


I've been away from my blog for a bit. Busy producing/acting/directing a series of short, dark plays I wrote under the collective title, HASHTAG MAYHEM! Reviews have been great and I'm extremely proud of the production. This is the first time I've produced my own work - fully-staged - and it was quite the task. The overwhelming satisfaction, for me, is not just the people who attended or the reviews, but it is the reality that what I had envisioned in my head while writing these 6 plays is what I'm seeing on stage. For that, I thank the directors, actors and Aaron Kopec of The Alchemist Theatre. Without their efforts and hard work, my words remain on the paper.

Our 3-week run closes this Thursday-Saturday, April 4-6 at The Alchemist Theatre in Bay View, Wisconsin. You can check out the review which appeared in the paper edition of The Shepherd Express here - as well as an in-depth review by the same author is his theater column. Curtains.

For production photos and detailed information you check out two sources - our production blog, and our Indiegogo fundraising campaign page. And you can still contribute and share the Indiegogo page. 7 days left.

If you're in the Milwaukee area, you can purchase tickets at the door but I advise you to get them online here. I have about 40 people attending on Friday and Saturday (total) and the show may be packed.

Everyone has a dark side. What's yours? Come play with us - or I'll find you. You can bet on it.

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Irish "seisiún".

The pub Tig Coili in Galway - from my trip to Ireland in 2009. Also, here's famous musician, Alec Finn, performing for us at his home, Oranmore Castle in Galway.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Slainte!

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a half-minute of snow.

Go away, bad dream...

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Support HASHTAG MAYHEM!

HASHTAG MAYHEM! - 6 short, dark plays by Milwaukee playwright Jeffrey James Ircink, runs March 21-23, 28-30, April 4-6 @ The Alchemist Theatre in Bay View, Wisconsin.

Support us TWO ways: 1) by getting a ticket here, AND/OR by contributing to our Indiegogo fundraising campaign here - including details on the production.

Everyone has a dark side. What's yours?

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Contribute to HASHTAG MAYHEM!

Everyone has a dark side. What's yours? Click here and find out how you can help. SPREAD THE WORD!

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TGIF! presents...Support HASHTAG MAYHEM!

#sordid#wicked@immoral#graphic#nasty#disturbing#filthy#dark.

We need help. If you'd like to align yourself with a creative endeavor (theater), check out this link for all the details. And remember:  EVERYONE HAS A DARK SIDE. WHAT'S YOURS?

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Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey.

Ever since Showtime aired THE TUDORS, I've been fascinated with Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, descended from English kings on both sides of his family and condemned to death by Henry VIII on trumped up charges of treason (by the way, I think Henry VIII was a fat fucking asshole).

Anyway, David O'Hara portrayed Henry Howard in THE TUTORS and he was magnificent. After doing some research, I come to find that Howard, along with Sir Thomas Wyatt, are considered the "Fathers of the English Sonnet".

Indeed! Here's one of Howard's sonnets:

"The Means to attain Happy Life"
by Henry Howard (1516 – 1547)

 

Martial, the things that do attain

The happy life be these, I find:—

The richesse left, not got with pain;

The fruitful ground, the quiet mind;

The equal friend; no grudge, no strife;

No charge of rule, nor governance;

Without disease, the healthful life;

The household of continuance;

The mean diet, no delicate fare;

True wisdom join'd with simpleness;

The night dischargèd of all care,

Where wine the wit may not oppress.

The faithful wife, without debate;

Such sleeps as may beguile the night:

Contented with thine own estate

Ne wish for death, ne fear his might.

 

 

Check out my favorite scene with O'Hara as Henry Howard in THE TUDORS. Henry tried to escape from the Tower of London where he was being held on suspician of treason. Begin viewing at the 4:07 mark through the end. These two scenes....they are passionate and if I could be any tragic historical figure it would be Henry Howard.

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TGIF! presents....our HASHTAG MAYHEM Indiegogo campaign!

Cool, huh? For more information and to contribute, click here. And share/tweet/email! BECOME A BACKER! We can't do it alone!

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HASHTAG MAYHEM! Indiegogo campaign.

6 short, dark plays by Milwaukee playwright Jeffrey James Ircink. Become a backer. Or share this link. Or both! And watch the promo video - it's cool!

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Indiegogo crowdsourcing campaign for HASHTAG MAYHEM! is LIVE!

I'm producing an evening of my original short plays. Dark, sordid stuff. HASHAG MAYHEM! Our Indiegogo fundraising campaign began this evening. If you're not a particulary creative person but are interested in aliging yourself with a creative endeavor, this is your opportunity. Or maybe you are creative...and you understand what if means to a playwright like myself to get his work produced.

Contribute. Or share this link with other people. Maybe they'd be keen to supporting our production and the only way they'll find out about it is if you tell them.

Click here for all the details and our promotional video. It's a hoot. Everyone has a dark side. What's yours?

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SI Swimsuit 2013 cover. Kate Upton.

Sneak peak. I have nothing else to say.

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TGIF! presents....Favre on the NFL Network: Super Bowl Sunday!

The best of Brett Favre pre-Super Bowl XLVII.

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sneachta. oighear.

Snow. Ice. Wisconsin/Gaelic-style.

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Carl Wilson.

Today marks the 15th anniversary of the passing of The Beach Boy's co-founder, Carl Wilson. You'll know Carl by his lead vocals on "God Only Knows", but to us BB fans, he was so much more. Certainly the glue that held the band together for much of its history.

In 1998, Carl recorded an album with Gerry Beckley (America) and Robert Lamm (Chicago) called, Like A Brother, which was released in 2000, two years after Carl's death. You can check the album out here - Beckley Lamm Wilson – Like A Brother. "I Wish for You" is my favorite.

One other Carl solo you might not have heard is "Heaven". Simply gorgeous.

We miss you - and love you, Carl.

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TGIF! presents...Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way"!

Fleetwood Mac is reissuing Rumors (1977), their 11th studio album, and some of their best stuff. This is the band playing, "Go Your Own Way", in 1997 - my favorite Mac song. Here they are in 1977 playing live.

Fleetwood Mac – Rumours

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Hashtage Mayhem. The Alchemist Theatre. Spring 2013.

 

 

#EVERYONE#HAS#A#DARK#SIDE. #WHAT'S#YOURS? The ball is in play. Director's meeting this weekend. Audition dates to be set. Venue picked. Promo video shot. HASHTAG MAYHEM - an evening of 6 short, dark plays by Jeffrey James Ircink. @ The Alchemist Theatre in Bay View, WI. March 21-23, 28-30, April 4-6. You'll laugh. You'll wince. And a nerve will be struck.

Produced by Babbling Bohemian Productions and The Horny Goat Hideway. Mark your calenders now. More sordid info to follow.

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No photogin' the foie gras!

 

Apparently some chefs in restaurants are getting skiddish with you snapping pictures of their food. Thankfully - I took this one in my own kitchen.



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Antique storm...something.

Thought is was a storm window. Then I was told it was a stormer for a door. Small door. For a hobbit, maybe. Course the inside of the door would be smaller. I don't know. It's from an 1890 farmhouse in Greenfield. I'll make some use of it.

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"What difference does it make!?!?"

If you'd just answer the question, Madam. Secretary of State (Hillary Clinton), we wouldn't have to look at you grimace so!

Dodging. Deflecting. Hillary Clinton's theatrics at a House and Senate Intelligence Committee hearing. Dodging. Deflecting. That's what the right says. The left thinks she so cool, so tough. "When asked about the claim that the (Benghazi) attack was sparked by a protest over a video, she (Hillary) responded, 'I did not say . . . that it was about the video for Libya.' "

Yes you did, Madam Secretary. When she stood by the caskets of the four Americans killed in Libya, she directly blamed an "awful Internet video that we had nothing to do with."

You can defend her all you want. But she lied. Period. And when Secretary Rice and President Obama stated MULTIPLE times that the incident was related to a controversial anti-Muslim film, they were "misinformed". Terribly misinformed. For 9 days - misinformed. The timeline is indisputable. Look it up. Nine days after the attack, President Obama finally says the attack was "terrorist-related". Until then, protestors reacting to the controversial film were being blamed.

But Hillary never said this. The timeline - from Mother Jones, no less. But - what difference does it make, right?

Hillary's kiniption fit begins at 1:20. You will never be president, Madam Secretary. Ever.

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Calling all vampires! PTSP heads to Transylvania.

The last film festival screening of our award-winning short film. PASS THE SALT, PLEASE will be at the ShortsUP! Film Festival in Bucharest, Romania. We screen Sunday, January 27 at 8 p.m. As I'm not able to access the ShortsUP! website, I have no other information to share. There is a Facebook page but it's in Romanian.

34 film festivals around the world and 5 awards. Thanks to the cast & crew, those who contributed to our Kickstarter campaign and those of you who weathered all my blog and FB posts. What a ride!

Watch here for your personal greeting to Transylvania.

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TGIF! presents..."Glengarry Glen Ross": The Short Fucking Version.

Great film. Even the highlights version.

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"Now is the Aaron of our discontent?"

NOOOOOOOOOOOO! Not AR! Not the heir to Brett Favre! Not Aaron Rodgers! He's not like this, is he?

Rob Reischel, Packer Plus writer, has some not-so-nice things to say about AR. Check it out here.

For the record, I have nothing against AR. It's the 3 Monkeys who run the Packers that I take issue with. And every hypocritical fan who lectures me to "drop it - it's over", yet continues to throw Favre under the bus. If you're unfamiliar with the beef I have with the Packers (my former team), feel free to peruse this blog by category (scroll down, right panel) and look for BRETT FAVRE. It's pretty self-explanatory.

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Op-ed piece on ACT 10 devoid of point.

The collective bargaining reform law that Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker signed into law in 2011 has come under harsh criticism since it was first introduced into the Wisconsin legislature. It was the underlying cause for Walker's recall election - which he won - and has been debated ad nauseum. A federal appeals court recently upheld the law and, barring any other setbacks (the Wisconsin Supreme Court is set to hear one more case regarding a Dane County judge's decision on Act 10), further debate will finally be put to bed.

In today's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, retired teacher Rose Locander wrote an opinion piece on why Act 10, in the long run, will be detrimental to the Wisconsin education system.

However, Locander never gets around to giving reasons how Act 10 will actually hurt schools. She simply says that "it will" and makes various analogies regarding having your house burn down or health care but NEVER says how Act 10 will effect schools.

That's it. I have no other point...because Ms. Locander doesn't have a point. Read her opinion piece here. Tell me what I'm missing. Better yet - tell Ms. Locander what she's missing. Her email is listed at the end of the article.

For more information on Act 10, read here.

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Happy Birthday, Seymour!

You know character actor Seymour Cassel. Come on...Faces (Oscar nominee), Coogan's Bluff, Minnie and Moskowitz, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, Tin Men, Dick Tracy, Honeymoon in Vegas, Indecent Proposal, Rushmoor, 61*, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Flight of The Conchords - and, our short film, Pass the Salt, Please.

78 years young today. Watch this clip from PTSP at the Wisconsin Film Festival in 2012. Seymour was a hoot. That pic above? Seymour recounting (to me) his experiences working with friend, John Cassavettes.

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Happy Birthday, Shelley Fabares!

I love her! I love her! The only actress to star in three Elvis Presley films - "Girl Happy", "Clambake" and "Spinout". Matter of fact, watch Shelley and Elvis here in "Girl Happy"! Watch from the 1:50 mark.

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Long hair. 1996.

 

 

Theater days in Cedar Rapids. Circa 1996.

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TGIF! presents...The Making of "The Atheist"!

I've got a small role in this short film. Check out the fundraising video and link to the Indiegogo campaign.

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TGIF! presents...Favre & Co. & there is your dagger, San Fran!

Good luck on Saturday, Packer fans. Perhaps you too will beat the 49'ers like Brett Favre & Co. did back in 2009. SKOL!

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Eanáir oighear.

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Happy Birthday, Elvis!

Probably my most favorite "Elvis look". The King in 1972. Listen....to "Mystery Train"!

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American Apparel. Part Huit. Meet Nadine. Men's Flannel.

 

"Meet Nadine. She is a textile designer from Frankfurt. She loves pretzels and dreams of becoming a air hostess for Lufthansa one day."

 

Now read what someone else interjected when they reblogged this photo:

"Meet Nadine. She is a whore who was hired by American Apparel to appear in their soft porn magazine. She loves puppies, and dudes who wear condoms. Nadine is wearing an unbuttoned flannel shirt and a pair of cotton panties, in what we like to call, the just got fucked up the ass look.
Honestly American Apparel, cover up a little."

Really? I've seen much worse in a shitload of women's fashion mags. 

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Vikings. Packers. NFC Wildcard Saturday!

Now, do I think the Vikings have a chance in this one? Sure I do - they beat the Packers last week. The Vikings, however, are not as talented as Green Bay. They have Adrian Peterson (above), but AP alone can't beat the Packers.

 

We'll see. I hope it's a good game. I hope the Vikes don't get thrashed if they lose. And I hope AP runs the ball down the Packers' fucking throats. Any given Sunday, man. Or Saturday. Enjoy! SKOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLL! 

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TGIF! presents...Graham Chapman's eulogy!

If you are a Monty Python fan, enjoy!

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TCM Remembers....

For some reason the embed feature is not working off YouTube. Click here to watch the video.

Jack Klugman and Charles Durning, who both passed away Christmas Eve, as well as other notables who died after this was filmed, will be featured on next year's tribute.

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