3/9/2010 11:27:47 PM

Jeff Bridges outright mentioned Lebowski Fest, yes - this very Lebowski Fest, in the Oscar press room! (link to CNN.com)

In my opinion, the best "Dude" moment from all of Bridges' acceptance speeches was not on Sunday night.
It was the night before, at the Independent Spirit Awards... specifically at the 1:48 mark of this video:



That's marvelous.[TQ]

3/8/2010 12:30:54 AM

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]

3/4/2010 8:10:22 PM

"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]

2/18/2010 12:19:01 AM

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]

2/15/2010 10:47:41 PM

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]

2/6/2010 12:58:14 PM

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]

2/3/2010 11:24:04 PM

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]

1/31/2010 11:06:25 AM

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]

12/23/2009 11:22:35 PM

All of us Achievers were spoiled in 2009.
Never before have there been as many Fests.
We don't know if a year like 2009 will ever be repeated.

It's a natural, zesty feeling, to want more...
In that free spirit, are my top ten Lebowski Fest wishes for 2010.

10. I remember the ticket that I want, avoid the ticket I don't
So I was about four and half hours into my six hour drive last July when I realized I left my tickets back at home... Oh, and this was after I had already received a ticket - for speeding - from an Indiana State Trooper.

9. The Garden Party moves back to the garden
I think I can rationalize why the 8th Annual Garden (a.k.a. pre-bowling) Party was held in the parking lot instead of where it was held the year before... Both locations have their advantages, but I just personally prefer to have grass under my feet than asphalt.

8. Michael Jackson, again, at the After Party dance
It was very apt for the time. Jacko was reckently gone and we were all justly wacko. Even though his passing will be well over a year old, I hope there is still a healthy amount of Michael Jackson (we're talking Rock With You, not just Billie Jean and Thriller) fueling our awful dancing well past 2 am.

7. I meet, and hang out with, "The Bereaved"

One of the best parts of attending a Lebowski Fest is the post-party photo debriefing. It's impossible to catch all that is going on, and you must rely on the photos posted from other perspectives. Of all that I missed, it was the foursome that I regretted the most not meeting. (For the record, I think there is a Dude missing in the above picture - I think it was two girls and two guys) Not only did they show up as "The Bereaved" for the Movie Party, but one of them became one of the most photographed Bunnies in recent memory. (Probably due to her bikini and penchant for having others blow on her toenail polish) And from what I gathered from the pictures they posted, they hit the fest running and were long term thinking marathon party people. I will be trying to introduce myself to them soon.


6. Achiever "Marty" makes the Final Round in Lebowski Trivia

Now this guy I did meet, and spoke to (although briefly) at the 8th Annual. I was very impressed with his knowledge of all things Lebowski and sensed his disappointment when he didn't advance as far as he wanted to in the Trivia competition. It was his first Fest, and it's always difficult for rookies to predict what kinds of questions are thrown at them in a competition not for amateurs. I hope he shows up again, and I think he'll be more ready than most to tackle the competition. I'll be rooting for him.

5. A perfect game is rolled at a Bowling Party
It's going to happen, eventually. It has progressively taken a better score to win the "Best Bowler" trophy at a Lebowski Fest. Yes, the conditions are far from perfect to yield a perfect score. There will be lane overcrowding, frequent distractions, copious amounts of Kahlua. When it happens, the roller will become an instant Legend.

4. Lebowski Fest ventures to Las Vegas

I don't know why the Vegas stop of the 2009 Speed of Sound Tour was canceled. Las Vegas will always be a historically important locale for Lebowski Fest - it hosted the first non-Louisville Fest. It's also the most likely destination that yours truly will fly to in order to attend a Fest.

3. Vaughn returns to exact revenge

With all due respect to the Best Costume winner at the 8th Annual, it has to be considered an upset. This man Vaughn is a living legend when it comes to complex high quality thought provoking costumes at Lebowski Fests. No one can predict what his next costume will be - we can only hope we can see it with our own eyes.

2. Lebowski Fest hits SXSW

Welcome to the first of two utter fantasies, to call them a "wish" is an understatement. Lebowski Fest was at 2009's Bonnaroo. The Fest has also been to Austin, Texas multiple times. Is it too far outside our frame of refrence to think they might one day end up at the SXSW festival? (A festival, like Bonnaroo, that has also added a movie/cinema element?)

1. John Turturro reunites with Jim Hoosier


If Jeff Bridges was able to make it to a Lebowski Fest, why not Mr. Turturro? Although I also would love to see a John Goodman or a Julianne Moore at a Fest - a special piece of my heart wants to see "Liam" (a frequent, beloved, guest at Lebowski Fests) partnered up again with "The Jesus." Doesn't the thought of it bring a smile to your soul?

Just so everyone knows: I have zero authority with any Lebowski Fest decision making. I'm just a lowly Achiever who asked the Founding Dudes if I could aimlessly write on their website. Obviously some of these wishes are very possible, and some are extremely unlikely... But that's my list. 2009 shattered everyone's expectations on what Lebowski Fest can produce - let's not have our dreams as constrained. Our dreams and wishes should be as limber as possible.

Happy Holidays Achievers! I wish you more strikes than gutters in the upcoming New Year.[TQ]

12/20/2009 10:19:07 PM

Did a vagrant sleep in your car?
Maybe use it as a toilet?

The newest item at Lebowskifest.com's pro shop can help you.

I haven't been able to confirm this - but I'm suspecting the Research and Development for this item came from the LAPD Crime Lab.[TQ]

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