THIS IS PHI BULANI
Sept. 30th, 2009 marks the 54th anniversary of the passing of James Dean. I know he was influential for many actors, performers, and musicians alike. Phi would certainly include himself in the mix. 
Here's are some strung together notes from a conversation we had about James Dean some time ago. Just to set the stage, it was a balmy summer night, maybe 2:30 going on 3am, we were in Prince Albert's Diner, one of Phi's favourite haunts in his hometown of London, Ontario- we we're finishing off some garlic chicken burrito's... and poutine, the conversation was all over the place... integrity, art, and music, i was writing down stuff on diner napkins, we we're talking film vs movie, arguing commerce vs art/ film... and we had totally opposing ideas...actor's and acting, and the films of James Dean came up for Phi, coupled with the reasons why he wanted to be an actor... I told him it could only ever be about money... and as we we're talking... and as he was defining his sense of purpose, he grabbed some poutine off my plate and screamed"Your tearing me apart" as he squished the poutine between his fingers... (talking to the french fries) first you, then you, and then you change it all back again"
followed by another impeccable Dean impression "I got the bullets." Then, we couldn't stop laughing- then Phi got all serious on me as he wiped his hands clean, and said, "it's like Dean though- I mean when I think of Dean,
I' m reminded of a quote from that... thinker/philosopher...guy; Erich Fromm, who said;
"Integrity means a willingness not to violate one's identity." I mean, I think that this is one of the reasons why art endures, on one hand, it sets us on this path of discovery... leading us to the mystery of the infinite with-in our finite experience, with Dean; his way as an actor, set him on this path of discovery... and it was captured on film, and it was a discovery not fully realized 'cause of it's brevity, never the less it still maintains it's integrity, all the while holding court with the great mystery of what might have been in the other... hand... ahhaha... I don't know man... I think I'm overstimulated and undercaffienated- He was magic though... anyways... to Jimmie"
Phi almost always comes across as if he knows the person, when he starts talking like that...
Thanks for the story.
admin@outofthenorm.biz
Hey, thanks man, I never thought you were listening! I'm actually trying to locate a photo of me at Dean's gravesite... but that's another story!
Phi Bulani
Here's are some strung together notes from a conversation we had about James Dean some time ago. Just to set the stage, it was a balmy summer night, maybe 2:30 going on 3am, we were in Prince Albert's Diner, one of Phi's favourite haunts in his hometown of London, Ontario- we we're finishing off some garlic chicken burrito's... and poutine, the conversation was all over the place... integrity, art, and music, i was writing down stuff on diner napkins, we we're talking film vs movie, arguing commerce vs art/ film... and we had totally opposing ideas...actor's and acting, and the films of James Dean came up for Phi, coupled with the reasons why he wanted to be an actor... I told him it could only ever be about money... and as we we're talking... and as he was defining his sense of purpose, he grabbed some poutine off my plate and screamed"Your tearing me apart" as he squished the poutine between his fingers... (talking to the french fries) first you, then you, and then you change it all back again"
followed by another impeccable Dean impression "I got the bullets." Then, we couldn't stop laughing- then Phi got all serious on me as he wiped his hands clean, and said, "it's like Dean though- I mean when I think of Dean,I' m reminded of a quote from that... thinker/philosopher...guy; Erich Fromm, who said;
"Integrity means a willingness not to violate one's identity." I mean, I think that this is one of the reasons why art endures, on one hand, it sets us on this path of discovery... leading us to the mystery of the infinite with-in our finite experience, with Dean; his way as an actor, set him on this path of discovery... and it was captured on film, and it was a discovery not fully realized 'cause of it's brevity, never the less it still maintains it's integrity, all the while holding court with the great mystery of what might have been in the other... hand... ahhaha... I don't know man... I think I'm overstimulated and undercaffienated- He was magic though... anyways... to Jimmie"
Phi almost always comes across as if he knows the person, when he starts talking like that...
Thanks for the story.
admin@outofthenorm.biz
Hey, thanks man, I never thought you were listening! I'm actually trying to locate a photo of me at Dean's gravesite... but that's another story!
Phi Bulani
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