Memories, Movies, and Movements:
The Origins of Paulsbasement.org
Some things in life just feel right: meeting the one with whom you know you will spend the rest of your life; pulling a double-stuff Oreo out of the milk and eating it just before it falls apart; sitting in a chair on a hot day and sucking down an icy beer even though your supposed to be at work, only you called in sick. Maybe even two beers. Moments like these are at the core of a good life, and they simply fall into place, as though the entire universe was spiraling through time just to make that cookie hold together just one more second…
Such was the feeling when I conceived of Paul’s Basement. It came to me on a foggy night as I was walking Chipper, our Aussie Shepherd/Great Dane/Dachshund mix. Don’t ask—it isn’t funny. Anyway, Chipper was doing his usual thing in the grass, and it made me think about how many times I had seen him do this. I realized there were many things I had seen over and over in my life and, like Chipper’s business, I never shared any of these experiences with anyone but my closest friends. Among these were movies, commercials, the undersides of barroom tables, you get the idea. Then, not unlike the moment Albert Einstein hit upon the theory of relativity, it came to me: why not start a website to share some of my experiences with the cyberworld? Maybe not about the tables, or Chipper’s activities, but movies. And perhaps commercials. Heck, while I’m at it, why not throw in music and concert reviews? I could see the whole concept just falling into place.
I soon realized two things: first, Chipper was done with his activities and was patiently (for a dog) waiting for me to get moving; and second, this would probably be far too big a task even for me. I would need some help. The first part to take care of was to acquire and to set up the actual website. For that, I knew I could count on Paul DeCamp (literally, “of the camp”). He was a true wiz on computers, playing computer games for over twenty years now. Besides, Paul always had movie parties over at his place when we were growing up. (Hence the name of the website—it was one of his requests I felt was acceptable; besides, it would help deflect some of the attention from me.) Paul was very enthusiastic. After so many failed attempts at financial security, why not do this? He could add it to the list.
Of course, whenever Paul enters into a plan, his ol’ buddy Clint Hill—the only man in a house of five women (not counting the dogs, cats, hamsters, and fish)—would have to be included. That was fine with me. Although I never email him, I think he knows how much respect I have for his abilities. I don’t exactly know what they are, but I sure do respect them. So Clint was in.
Another problem was simply the sheer volume of movies I would need to go through to set up this site. That, plus the music reviews, and concert stories, oy veh! So, I dug out my “old high school buddies” files to see who might be interested. Matt Terry first came to mind. He always wanted to be a film maker, and actually hired him to make a conceptual video for my band, Fifi, years ago. He was a true film buff, and could add lots of interesting and amusing anecdotes.
Then there was Jason Toews (pronounced “Taves,” believe it or not). He was in my band, and could come up with some good ideas now and then, when he worked with me.
Granted, I would probably have to oversee the whole project, and that would mean giving out credit for different aspects to my various friends. That’s fine, I thought. Again, it would keep me from sticking out from the rest. So, I gave out my various tasks to each individual, and they set out to work. Paul and Clint managed to get the website going and, after a little motivation every few days, Matt and Jason were able to come up with a couple ideas that were palatable.
Naturally, putting all this together was not as easy as I thought. Soon, the other guys started talking like they, too, had come up with this website idea. Next thing I know, they’re wanting to include stories from their kids, girlfriends, wives, other friends, you name it. Desperately trying to keep my investments from completely going down the drain, I conceded to these wishes. It certainly didn’t help when I came in for a brainstorm meeting only to discover it was a storm on my brain: attorneys, contracts, threats. It felt like John Fogerty all over again. (If you don’t know the story, look it up yourself.) I finally decided to give in, but time will show all…
So here it is, Paulsbasement.org. I hope you enjoy my latest brainchild. It will continue to grow as I (or anybody else in the group—contractual obligation fulfilled, guys) come up with more articles and ideas. By the way, I hope you enjoy the other guys’feeble attempts to give their stories on the origins of Paul’s Basement—they’re some of the funniest things I’ve ever read.
Eric Creery
Creator, Paulsbasement.org
