Natural Mystic

Yesterday, I finally got some new headshots done. They should be back from the lab next week.
I’ve been using the same headshot for years, and it’s really been time for a new one for quite awhile…but the thing is, I absolutely hate having my picture taken.
I bet that seems weird, what with me being an actor, and all, but it’s true. I’d much rather be holding the camera than posing for it. Unless I’m posing for some midget porn, so I can get on the Kevin and Bean Show.
But yesterday was different. The photographer was really awesome, and we approached it from a more creative place, and it was more like working on a short film. I’m very excited to see the results next week.
Guess what I got in the mail? A whole buncha CDs! Some old blues records, and some amazing Bob Marley records. If you listen to reggae, you owe it to yourself to pick up the deluxe edition of Exodus! A big thank you to the cool guys who sent me awesome music.
Speaking of awesome music, I have gotten tons of emails today about WILLIAM FUCKING SHATNER’S Blog. The general tone of the emails is that he’s ripping me off…but I don’t think that’s the case, at all. I mean, I wasn’t the first person to write a weblog, and I’m certainly not the best.
If he really wrote it, I think it would be really cool…but I doubt that it’s really him. If it is, I suspect that it’s heavily edited. Tsumo at metafilter said, I really can’t imagine Shatner overtaking Wil in popularity any time soon. There’s just a completely different… feel… to Shatner’s site. ‘Overproduced’ would the be word that comes to mind. Wheaton’s is just down-home fanboyish and a lot more fun to read. Shatner’s entry felt so polished and professional that I can’t help it was passed by half a dozen copy editors on its way to the website.”

On the other hand, Michael Moore (who is going to be in Los Angeles from today until Friday! I get to see him on Friday! Weeeeee!) is keeping a weblog, and he really does write it, and I think it’s awesome.
One final thing, before I head off to work: A friend of ours, Amanda, occasionally babysits for Ryan and Nolan. Amanda is incredibly smart, very driven, honest, caring, and just an all-around good person, who really deserves all the good things in life. Well, I heard last night that she got accepted into USC, and maybe even into Occidental, too. Congratulations, Amanda! You deserve it!
Oh! I taught Ryan how to juggle last night, because they’re doing a medieval day at his school, and he’s dressing up as a court jester. It was really awesome. My relationship with Ryan has always been at arm’s length, because I haven’t ever wanted to force myself into his life…but in the last 2 months or so he’s really made major efforts to come to me, and close that gap. It’s wonderful.
Thought for today:

“If we wish to secure peace for ourselves, we must start by championing it for others.”

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171 thoughts on “Natural Mystic”

  1. hmmmm… I wonder if Shatner has the same people writing his weblog that he has writing his books…? I suppose I’ll check it out at some point, but even having been a die hard ST fan when I was little, it just doesn’t appeal to me… I mean, if I want to read old people’s letter, I’ll get my folks to write… 😉

  2. Congrats to Amanda!!
    Congrats to all the HS grads of 2002!
    Including my little sister who is going to sign her letter of intent at Wheeling Jesuit!!!
    and to top it all off-
    I’m getting my bass amp tommorow.
    happy day!
    can’t wait to see the new headshots

  3. I can understand about not liking getting your pic
    taken. You must’ve gotten photographed a million times? Languishing in a Russian Gulag huh?
    Hilarious. jbay to cool.

  6. kids are sponges, wil. they absorb everything around them and the amazing thing is, there’s no limit to their impressionable minds. what a great thing for them to have you in their lives. it’s obvious you care about them and their mother, wil. even better, though, is that your love is unconditional. they will shine, wil, they *do* shine.
    just another morning of overcast gray here in the pacific northwest, a damned gorgeous wonder of the world, if you ask me.

  7. I’m glad things between and Nolan are progressing. It can’t be easy being a step parent. Me Mam divorced when I was very young and I don’t remember him at all, and I can’t imagine getting a step father, I mean I can’t even see the point in having a father, I can’t see their role within a family unit and Yet I get envious of my friends with their fathers and I don’t want to bring up my kids (when I finally get there) with out a father, and yet I have no idea what their role is. Is that completly dumb or what?!
    Spike
    6.01pm
    6th March 2002

  8. I got the 4 CD Marley box set. It’s awesome. Has some unreleased versions of him with his guitar playing. It has the extended exodus on it also. You should look into Black Uhuru and Steel Pulse Raggae.. good stuff!

  9. Just watch out for when he decides to add flaming torches to his juggling act… (;
    Kudos all around, to the aforementioned individuals, as well as anyone else who deserves ’em!

  10. Shatner’s site is lame. Also, why would you put a picture up with you so red faced you look like a lush???
    Congrats to Amanda!

  11. I remember my mom trying to teach me how to juggle when I was a kid. She handed me three oranges and we stood in front of the couch so that when I inevitably dropped them, they’d land on the cushions in front of me and I didn’t have to run around the living room chasing rolling fruit. (although that’s kind of fun when you’re nine years old) I never got the hang of it. But, oh, how I love oranges now!

  12. Yeah, been to WFS site – way too flamboyant. Trying too hard.
    Read his post about being in Seattle for a convention too. Definitely had the edited feel to me.
    Congrats Amanda! Way to go!
    And congrats to you with Ryan. Kids are hard to figure out. Could be that he really does want a relationship with you and a close one at that, but he’s afraid he will be betraying his father by doing so. Kids are people pleasers and want everyone to be happy. They just don’t know how to do that. I think it’s great he’s starting to come to you more. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

  13. My husband walked into my life with me already having a son. My son just called him Don for the first two years; but, one day, he started calling him Dad. Right out of the blue. Niether I or, my husband, corrected him. It was his choice to call him Dad, and he still does 7 years later. My husband thinks it’s just so cool. If the boys were to ever call you Dad, would you let them?

  14. oh please, WFS’sblog is a total ripoff. I’ll bet he got the idea after word of “Willian Fucking Shatner” got back to him and he read your blog.
    But then… HE’S the original *cough* so he must have just gotten the idea for a BLOG out of thin air, probably some time ago.

  15. OK, I had to go at least peek at Shatner’s site… and I gotta admit, if he’s using people to edit his writing, he needs new editors. Maybe he is really writing it himself… It felt bland to me. Then again, maybe he’s writing it and has someone edit out the good stuff. The man has a wicked sense of humor, he needs to let it pop through on his web page.

  16. I read some of Shatner’s stuff as well, and I got the feeling that it’s basically a detailed PR page.
    I mean, he’s trying so hard to please everybody at the same time that tapioca pudding would seem like exotic spicy food next to his site.
    BTW, any midget porn forthcoming?

  17. I will say this for Shatner: he’s not afraid to make fun of himself. Has anyone seen that commercial for the “Showtime” movie? Shatner awkwardly slides over the hood of a car, falls off, and Robert DeNiro asks, “You okay there, T.J.?”
    Now that’s funny. 🙂

  18. Hey Wil, WFS can kiss my ass. There is no way that Blog is going to do much. And as far as ripping you off, I don’t think that’s much of a concern since you aren’t a drippy, mock-self-deprecating, name dropping ass like WFS is. So no worries mate.
    As far as whether he writes it himself, it’s hard for me to picture that Neanderthal splicing more that a couple coherent words together to create something that even remotely resembles a sentence. Why do you think he’s been spewing the same garbage on Larry King, etc. for the last 10 years? Can you tell that us Aussies hate WFS?
    Congrats to Amanda, and way cool teaching Ryan how to Juggle. It’s bonding experiences like that, that kids will remember for a lot of years to come.

  19. What is this? Pick on Bill Shatner Day? His site is fine and I’m sure his fans will appreciate knowing what’s going on in his life. All this talk about whether he wrote the blogs — what makes people here think he’s illiterate? He is of another generation and isn’t going to write like a 29 year old… so saying he didn’t write his own entries because it doesn’t have a gen x feel to it doesn’t make sense to me.
    I just think Wil has a terrific site here on its own merits, so there’s no need to trash anyone else’s site to raise up this one.
    Dan

  20. Dammit, Wil. yo uneed to stop making me cry at work, people are starting to think I’m insane. Reading what you writ about your kids with such pure honest emotion and love just gets me every time. I can’t wait until my husband and I start a family and I can experience thos emotions first hand.
    ~Lorraine

  22. This website rocks! I can find anything I want to look at and it’s not hidden away on page 9,999 of 10,000 pages. I can even tell who the author of the site is! It’s not someone named “webmaster@______”. I only wish my websites were this good! :-p

  23. People can deffinately relate better to your weblog because it is more human and that is always refreshing to see in an actor. And as far as i’m concernd, Old Willy is just plain evil for even agreeing to do “T.J Hooker”. I was actually forced to watch that god-awful show today as i was off sick (*ahem* – not that I am a skiver/waster u must understand) and couldn’t reach the remote to change it! The acting is sooooo wooden it’s just one big ol’ fire hazzard.
    But slagging aside – there is a tottally different take on your site (ie. the addition of humour!) and it is slightly unfair to compare your site to WS’s just cos u guys were in the same show.

  24. Hey, even if Shatner *WAS* copying Wil’s Style on his Blog, think of it this way … imitation is the most sincerest form of flattery.
    ;-D
    Way to go WIL!

  25. Where’s the Wil F*(#ing Wheaton T-shirts?
    Not even a Shats Gots a Posse T? A mousepad with a picture of him and _his dog_?
    What’s this about buy a “Live Long and Prosper” rock being funny?
    Okay, now I want a Shats Gots a Posse T. Or, even better, Wheats Gots a Posse.
    O

  26. Wil,
    I clicked the link from “awesome music” and almost choked on my tasty beverage. A friend of mine gave me a copy of “Spaced Out” It’s great for removing troublesome earwax. And it makes a great coaster for whatever tasty beverage you may find yourself indulging in.
    A quick question: If Star Trek has Trekkies, does this mean we’re all “Wheaties?”

  27. When I was into the 3rd sentence about Amanda, I was hoping it was going to finish with, “so if any of you guys are looking for a girlfriend, send me your list of credentials along with 5 personal references”. But of course it didn’t.
    Darn, missed out again.

  28. Wil,
    Congrats on your progression with Ryan. I commend your efforts, and your willingness to be a part of his life, but not to be overbearing. Few people can balance that out, and it seems like you are doing a wonderful job.
    Congratulations Amanda! USC is a wonderful school and I am sure you will have a wonderful time making new friends and learning and broadening your horizons.
    Will Shatner’s site is interesting enough. I had the feel that it was trying to connect with people while still being kinda PRish. Its cool that he has a blog though, and I wish him luck on whatever endeavors he does next.
    Wil, Good luck with everything, and I am sure I will come back to the site later today when I have more time to read all the new comments.
    ~Frank

  29. Wil is so much better than shatner at blogging. Seriously, the Shat’s blog are so businessy where as Wil’s are more personal.

  30. My wife (who in her previous marriage had two stepsons) said much the same thing–you don’t want to try TOO hard to be in their lives.
    You’re at an awkward point–they’re old enough to grasp who you are (that you’re not their father) but young to the extent that they still need some parenting.
    I think its best to let them come to you–and be as open as possible when they do.
    Now for some fun, go to the “Death To Smoochy” website (http://deathtosmoochymovie.warnerbros.com/splash.html) and find the song “My Stepdad’s Not Mean (He’s Just Adjusting)” for some cheap laughs.

  31. You are hysterical! lol. seriously.. I had no idea you actually “blog”.. right on.. a friend here at work just told me to check you out so here I am.. oops time to get back to work!
    Thanks! xoxo

  34. I love that you juggle. There was juggling on last night’s Buffy and it filled me with giggly joy.

  35. Wil, I still like your blog better. 🙂 And guys, don’t be so hard on shat… i mean do you know how rare it is that a celebrity or actor or other person in the public view does something like this? The fact that Shatner writes a blog at all (even if it might be edited) is a rarity. We’re just spoiled cuz Wil’s site is so damn cool. Think of your favorite performer (actor, musician, whatever) and try to find their website. Nine times out of ten, they don’t even visit it. they have “people” for that. My point? Let’s not turn this into another “wil’s site is better than yours!” flame war like the one with Roxanne Dawson in November/December. Didn’t we learn our lesson back then?
    But I still think it would be cool if you stopped by and said hi on his bulletin board, Wil. See what kind of responses you’d get 🙂
    And congrats Amanda!!!

  37. Wil,
    Great web site! Never really read any blog until I was exposed to it from Fark. Admired your work on STNG, I used to teach Navy leadership courses and would use examples from STNG of rights and wrongs in leadership. Always kept the students interested.
    Cheers from Maryland,
    Dawg

  38. Chicago: Good question. I’d say that the normal are Wheaters. The Wheaties are the wierd ones.
    Har.
    Har.
    Har.

  41. I’m not going to bash WFS’s site – I think it’s great that he’s trying to join the 21st century, but I have to say that part of the appeal of coming here is the knowledge that Wil maintains this site himself. Shatner’s page looks like it’s up there strictly for it’s PR value, and you KNOW he’s not doing any of the maintenance.

  42. The posse shouldn’t feel threatened by the WFS site. I agree there’s no reason to bash it. But I guess we’re all feeling pretty protective of WWDN and that makes some of us lash out at the competition (such as it is). And great point Jess Lat… let’s not repeat the Roxanne Dawson debacle.
    Wow, 3 Star Trek alumni mentioned in one post. I suddenly feel like I need to shower or something. Get this Trekkie fandom goo off me!!! Aggghhh! 😉

  45. Play nice kids. There’s plenty of room on the internet for everyone!
    I’ve watched Shatner’s site for awhile now, an it’s definately more “professional”. Not that professional is better than this Blog, just different. IMHO, Shatner’s site is a marketing tool put together for business purposes. It’s about making money and moving the Shatner “franchise” into the online world. I don’t see anything wrong with that, and accept and enjoy the site for what it is.
    Wil’s site is more about a guy wanting to connect with his posse. Because of that, I enjoy Wil’s site more. I like the idea of just hearing how another human being gets through the day and not about his “franchise”
    I accept each site for what it is. I just enjoy Wil’s more.

  46. Man…I refuse to even waste perfectly good words on William FUCKING Shatner, his crappy forged Blog, his bad acting or his horrible hair.
    Oh wait…I just did.
    Damn!
    Wil’s is still the best Blog…I have yet to find anything better.

  47. The marketplace was alive with color and activity, and we took full advantage of it. We had a wonderfully delicious halibut sandwich at one of the outdoor stands that specialize in the local fresh fish.
    –from WFS’s blog
    ..does ANYONE really talk like this, let alone Shatner?

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