To have a good 24th birthday,

I recommend that you try any one of the following...

1. Take the day off of work

2. Go for a leisurely run through Great Hills Trail

3. Buy yourself an orchid.
4. Find yourselves some great friends and family to send you birthday love through messages like:
"Happy Birthday Brooks! I hope you have a party the size of TEXAS!", "HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY OH HAPPIEST OF HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!Love you to bits--", "Happy Birthday! Here's hopin' that you were able to rock that candy shop.", and "Hey Cate. So glad you were born...Love you."

5. Of course I would recommend getting some great cards that have lovely double layer birthday cakes on them dreamy beautiful cake stands, or cards that actually say happy birthday when you open them...you get the idea

6. Take some generous donations to your "Road Bike Fund" (only if you have one of course)

7. Try a Hut's burger and most importantly their cracked pepper onion rings.

8. Eat a slice of La Madeleine's "Sacher Torte"
Yep. That about does it. You are bound to feel pretty dern special if you do any one of these things. Happy birthday to me! Thanks everbody!

Who is this guy?

From left to right, actress Amy Poehler, actor Will Arnett, an unidentified man, and actress Drew Barrymore at the HBO Golden Globes after-party on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009, in Beverly Hills, Calif., U.S.A.

Kudos for the stealthy insertion of yourself with a bunch of famous people. Nice hat.

One man's trash is another man's junk.

This is treasure of a place Matt, our friends the Costellos and I stumbled upon while trying to get some ideas for our new "Johnson Film Fest" movie. Indeed it is called the Cathedral of Junk and it is not too far from our beloved Austin. Just head a little West of South Congress and you will find yourself all kinds of junkie treasures. I would recommend taking the time for a visit as there is nothing quite like this anywhere I've been. All you do is show up the and pay what you feel the experience is worth - it's worth more than you might think. The guy who started this whole thing in his backyard must be the creative kin to Mr. Smith and Mr. Edwards.

And just so you know, the sight really lives up to its spiritual name. Truly the Costellos and us Sweeneys received great inspiration for our upcoming film. More to come on that shortly...

To Look at Any Thing

To look at any thing,
If you would know that thing,
You must look at it long:
To look at this green and say
'I have seen spring in these
Woods,' will not do - you must
Be the thing you see:
You must be the dark snakes of
Stems and ferny plumes of leaves,
You must enter in
To the small silences between
The leaves,
You must take your time
And touch the very peace
They issue from.

-John Moffit