Dude. Oscar. Far Fucking Out!

It's going to be all over the Internet: appreciation that the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences finally recognized Jeff Bridges as Best Actor.

Here are my few strands that are in my head from this important night...

For the past couple years, the production has included compeers expressing personal antidotes. Yes, the telecast is way too long - but I for one appreciate this new gimmick and hope it continues. Shortly after the Best Actor montage the 5 people walk out on to the stage and I try to instantly guess which person has which nominee.

I was expecting the producers of The Oscars to peg Colin Farrell, co-star of Crazy Heart, to share a story about our Dude. Much to my surprise, it was Michelle Pfeiffer who shared a story from the making of The Fabulous Baker Boys. I guess it's asking too much for ABC to abide us Achievers and have Julianne Moore share a story about borrowing the robe...

But don't put her up on the stage to taunt us.
And don't have Maude share a story about ONLY SPENDING THREE DAYS on the set with Colin Firth to rub salt in our White Russians.

Regardless, it's a great day for the alumni of The Big Lebowski.
Although one could credibly argue that the year No Country For Old Men won Best Picture, including Best Directing and Writing Oscars for both Coens was a more landmark night, tonight had a few highlights:
* Win by TBL alum T-Bone Burnett
* A very Dude-like acceptance speech (Bridges' copious use of the word "man")
* Nominated Coens

Brandt was the first to break the Oscar barrier. Who will be the next? Odds would say Maude is bound to finally get recognized, but don't count out Walter, Donny or even The Stranger as the next likely candidates.

We all agree how Jeff Bridges should celebrate:
Lebowski Fest Los Angeles is less than a month away! Tickets are on sale now. I was at the first Chicago Lebowski Fest in 2008, which was shortly after the before mentioned Oscars of the Coens and remembered an Achiever who wore an Anton Chigurh costume. I expect to see some "Bad" costumes in Los Angeles.[TQ]

You Never Went to College?

"Well, yeah I did, but I spent most of my time occupying various, um, administration buildings-"

Achiever Becca sent this link to The Founding Dudes a couple weeks ago. It's from the Oxford University Press blog - chronicling the high quotient for quoting us fans of The Big Lebowski exhibit. The post also thankfully illustrates how many Achievers intentionally misquote (or alter the original lines) to suit specific purposes... Such as, "Dude, uh, tomorrow is already the day LEBOWSKI FEST 2010 TICKETS GO ON SALE!"



More fun with near-quotes: You don't go out and make a living scheduling Fests like that in the middle of a weekday?

With the exception of the New York event (which appears to be an all-in-one bargain Thursday night affair) all of these Fests are set up to hit their targets in a Friday-Saturday fashion.

For links to each respective 2010 location, please visit the Upcoming Fests page.

Before I run out of here to stand in virtual line to buy tickets, thanks again to Becca for clicking her way over to the CONTACT US page and sent in a note... You'll have a higher success of being heard through that channel than if you'd cut out magazine letters to compose your demands (no funny stuff!).

It's only 19 weeks until the next Fest (9th Annual in Louisville) I intend to attend. I hope to see you there.[TQ]

First Vietnam, Now this Blog Post

Are you familiar with the holy trinity of Walter Sobchak?

It's widely recognized that the fictional character immortalized by John Goodman is a based from three actual people: John Milius, "Big" Lew Abernathy and Peter Exline. Earlier today [founding dude] Will Russell sent me a note bringing my attention to the blog of a former Exline student.

Peter Exline, although known for many things, is a notable professor at the University of Southern California.

The former student, Carrie, deserves your best Liam bellyshake for her role in helping connect Exline with Lebowski Fest. Her story is a must read by all Achievers (if you click one link on this entire post, make it this one).

Speaking of must reads for all Achievers, "I'm a Lebowski, You're a Lebowski", contains interviews with all three key inspirations for Walter.[TQ]

What day is this?

Achiever Extraordinaire Bunnie found something very interesting on TMZ today:

I really wish the paparazzi could have gotten the dates right: Lebowski Fest is in Los Angeles the first weekend in April. Tickets are available now, but I'm rather confident Mr. Bridges wouldn't need a ticket.[TQ]

9th Annual Dates Come to Light

The big news out of Lebowski Fest World Headquarters remains the Los Angeles announcement. I'm confident more news of that event will be revealed in the upcoming weeks.

In other Lebowski Fest news, the Founding Dudes announced the dates for the 9th Annual Lebowski Fest in Louisville. It might have flown under the radar to most of you - it was buried, almost as a post script, in their latest e-mail:



I won't be making the voyage to the City of Angels, but I am planning on making it to Louisville in July.[TQ]

LF in LA

Doesn't a Lebowski Fest in Los Angeles just make perfect sense?
Of course you have the "tradition" of Louisville...
And my personal selfishness of having it in Chicago...
But let's not forget that The Big Lebowski is one of the most "L.A." films ever.

Today news broke that tickets go on sale Feb. 12.
No doubt this is just the tip of the iceberg as far as details on LA's LF.
I'll try to keep you somewhat updated as quickly as I can
But best start making www.lebowskifest.com a frequent stop on your laps around the Internet.

It appears the Founding Dudes came out yesterday and saw more than just the Groundhog's shadow - they saw the future of 2010 Lebowski Fests.[TQ]

...On a personal level...

There's a new product available from Lebowski Fest.
Go see for yourself over in the Shop on the site.
I would've loved to have overhead:
-the pitch to the Founding Dudes to start selling these
-the brainstorming of what quote to use
-if they every considered "Vagina?" as a choice

I'm assuming that it's no coincidence that V.D. is soon.
(Valentine's Day) for those without a frame of reference.
(If you're a pederast - you might have thought different)
Get it today - now - to make sure you get'em in time.

In my last LEBLOGSKI post, I listed a few wishes for LF'10.
Allow me to add one more: Get Tara Reid!
Yes, that's asking a lot.
But if this item won't get that party girl out to Louisville in July?
I'm just saying this might be the best shot we've got at getting Bunny.
The LF Ball Polisher has already gotten Liam excited.
Maybe it's wishful thinking that Ms. Reid would appreciate the humor

[REALIZATION!]

Yeah, my thinking about this item, man, it had become uptight.

Maybe I've got the wrong idea.
Maybe this item would be best served in getting - dare I say - Asia Carrera to a Lebowski Fest?[TQ]