Who Watches The Watchmen?

Los Angeles is a hard city. It's hardens people and sharpens them to a razor edge. Sudden movements become more noticeable. Foreign smells become mysteries floating through the air. And a clear night of stars becomes a special occasion.


I love this city. I love the grit and the grime. I love the stories that are around every corner. I love the fact the everyone here is looking for something. Which isn't much different than anywhere else in the United States, or the world for that matter, but here the history and the hopes mix and clash into a collage that makes up the city.

My job requires me to be on the road a lot. The freeways of Los Angeles will humble a man. It is a greater analogy for life, no doubt about it. No matter how fast you are driven, you are constantly surrounded by others who determine your speed.

Being hopelessly late on the 405 can make you anxious and unnerved but in comparison to chasing a greater dream, a little traffic can seem like a welcomed break.

I hate getting coffee and I hate taking orders from people who I have a difficultly time respecting. But I do love to put things into perspective.

Traffic hits us all the time. Holds us up from the destination that we are trying to reach. It's annoying and it's unavoidable. It's a part of life.

I was on my way to see "The Watchmen" last night in Santa Clarita with a some people that I work with when I experienced some traffic. When you are left in a sea of blinking tail lights and honking horns, you are left to your own thoughts. You are left to find your own place in mix of unassociated humanity around you.

I just wanted to see the movie. A little too much to be honest because I didn't even bother to get gas after I got off work. It was shortly after I got past the Sunset Blvd. exit on the 405 when I heard the "ding-ding-ding" of my gas gauge going on empty.


It's hard times in America. I don't like to admit it but there have been times while being tied to a fixed budget and being and irresponsible young man, have made some mistakes. Like going out chasing girls, getting drunk and not worrying about who is picking up the tab. These days that kind of behavior can have you missing meals and running your gas tank empty.

Our culture is a forgiving one however. Nobody roots for the underdog, the come-back kid or the once disgraced public official now born again great person like America! The feeling that we can do pretty much whatever we want without having any repercussions has landed our country in the worst economic crisis since The Great Depression. Yet I feel hopeful. For various reasons but, the main once is drift, coast or just running on fumes. You can get a lot farther on fumes than you think.

I had just got on the 5 and was going to run out of gas at any minute. I was terrified at the thought of running my car dry in the middle of grid-locked traffic.

Cough. Cough. Cough.

That's the sound of my car ingesting the very last drops of gasoline before dying rolling without any life blood.

I coasted down the off ramp towards a Chevron. Touching the brakes was out of the question. If I was going to get my car gassed up and back on the road to catch "The Watchmen" I had to coast it right up to the pump.

The lane was open and hope was for sale at $2.09 a gallon just a head of me. As I pulled into the gas station a large truck was coming from the side trying to grab the spot I was rolling towards.

I didn't hesitate. Because if I would have the car would then only be capable of rolling not driving.

I cut the couple off to get to the gas pump. I got out of the car and slide my debit car into the pump quickly. A surprised look was pasted on my face as the Latino woman and her not-so-friendly-looking boyfriend complained about me cutting them off.

It's a tough city and where maybe I would of once walked over with a smile and casually explained my predicament, I turned my shoulder on them. I ignored how they felt to concentrate on what was important to me.

What have I become?

The film was fantastic. Much was cut out from the graphic novel but it's easy to see why once screening the much anticipated adaption of the original novel.

A major theme throughout the film is "Who Watches The Watchmen?" It's painted on the walls and kept in the back of your minds constantly asking the question if masked avengers of justice are needed. Even when the heroes themselves are very flawed and tragic figures.

There are constantly authoritative figures and the threat of authoritative figures shaping our decisions and behaviors. It's my belief, even though it may be contradicting to my mid-west values and upbringing, that in these difficult times it's best to turn your shoulder and concentrate on what you are doing.

As much hope as President Obama has given myself and our country as a whole, I'm not convinced they have my back yet. I've worked at a TV show for a year that you would think produce significant connections and opportunities. Not true at all.

I'm a road man looking for employment. The Lords of Karma filed chapter 3 bankruptcy when they were taken by Bernie Madoff for millions of dollars.

So tragic.

I'll land on my feet though, I'm not worried about that. I am worried that my new position with The Queens of Circumstance may not work out. I'll keep you posted friends.

With Love & Respect,


Mike James