Hey everybody, 2010 is right around the corner and a change of decade is a great opportunity for a change of pace. And one of those changes is changing my name.

Here's the deal: "Tom Lommel" is problematic. It's nine letters long, but only uses five keys on the keyboard. Also, NO ONE knows how to pronounce it. "LOH-mel? Lum-MEL? LUH-mo?"

So, to ring in 2010, I'm looking for a new stage name. After a little brainstorming, I've narrowed it down to the top ten. Please help me pick from the following short list, or feel free to add you own.

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I spent most of last month doing some extra work -- or to use the politically correct term, "background."

Background work occupies this weird nether-space where you have to act, but you don't have to audition. Think about what that means: the level of competence required is so low, they expect anyone can do it. SIGHT UNSEEN.

Needless to say, this attracts a variety of people. Some are legitimate actors filling in a paycheck. Some are gawkers who like to see how the movies are made. And some of them... are nutjobs.

This blog is about the latter category.

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As I mentioned last week, I'm working background on a movie.

What's it like to work as an extra on a big budget feature?

Well, Thursday went a little like this...

(And keep in mind, I can't tell you specifics about the movie because they are pretty stringent about leaks. --Unless you're the hosts of Entertainment Tonight. Those a-holes can go anywhere they want.)

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Well, it had to happen: someone finally created a Wikipedia entry for me.

As usual, there are a few inaccuracies.

I don't know who does this stuff, but they have a lot of time on their hands.

-Tom, who's a little ticked they forgot the credit for that role on Heroes.

Three weeks ago marked the premiere of A Don't Hug Me County Fair and I have to say we've been playing to some pretty good houses.

("Pretty good" -- That's the Minnesotan in me leaking out.)

It's been fun to experience that weird, watch-winding process of staging a play. You rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. You think it's never going to come together. Then it gells, and you open, and from there the show evolves and starts to dance to its own rhythm.

Now the show is up, and the reviews have begun to come in. Here's a round-up, with links to the full articles.

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What is the cause of global warming? CYBER-PENGUINS!!!

My final entry in the Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog DVD contest.

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Led by Bad Horse, the Evil League of Evil is the most prestigious cadre of super-villains on the planet.

But The Gentleman Caller does not want to enter into the full league, just one very specific part of it.

Another entry in the Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog DVD contest.

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The cult internet hit Doctor Horrible's Sing-Along Blog is holding a contest in preparation for the show's release on DVD. Fans have been encouraged to create their own super-villain and submit an application video for membership in the Evil League of Evil. The winning entries will somehow be included in the DVD.

Following the jump is my first entry: Todd Hawkins, VAMPIRE!

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You know you're not working a regular 9-5 job when you're getting ready to leave the house and have to think, Hmmmm... where did I put my Speedo and those tear-away track pants?

-Tom, who -- yes -- owns a Speedo and tear-away track pants.