DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Anthony At The Griffith Park Observatory

Q: So her name is Candy, huh? Why Candy?

A: That was what my wife called her. It was the first car that we bought together right after we got married. She was like, "This is Candy," and I was like, "Yeah, Candy."

Q: Excellent, like the green M&M?

A: Yeah, exactly. She's a very sexy car.

Q: There you go. So you bought Candy, your Honda Civic, new?

A: Bought her new in 2002. We actually bought it in Atlanta, which was where we were living 10 years ago. At the time, it was the most affordable, most safe thing we could do with our budget. Because you know, we were young and married. We didn't want to spend too much on a car. We also wanted something we could depend on a hundred-and-some-odd thousand miles later.

Q: Then is Atlanta to L.A. the farthest drive you've done in this car?

A: Yes, it is. We listened to a lot of music and lot of show tunes. Les Mis. I do theater sometimes, so I've been in a bunch of plays. My wife and I actually met doing "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" in high school. So there's a lot of different show tunes we listen to. We did the drive over three days, so we had a lot of time.

Q: What is your car's main use?

A: We have two cars now. This car's main use is just anytime we have to go on trips around the city--like usually I'm going to meetings or am driving around looking for locations for different shoots when I'm shooting little shorts here and there. So, you know, it gets us around town. If she ever starts acting up, then my wife takes the subway to work.

Q: How does she act up?

A: We've been very good with maintenance. We've been doing regular checkups and regular maintenance and stuff. We're not using her as much because we got a second car, but every once in awhile, she starts coughing a little bit. She starts drying up a little bit. So then, you know, we give her some oil.

Q: Candy needs a cough drop.

A: Candy needs a cough drop from time to time.

Q: If Candy had a theme song, what would it be?

A: Candy would probably like a Marvin Gaye type of song. Not "Let's Get It On" because that's a little freaky. But like she's kind of soulful and old school. She's got an old heart.

Q: So if you were to associate a human emotion with Candy, would it be soulful?

A: I think so. We've gone through a lot of things together, Candy and I.

Q: I don't know, I think "Let's Get It On" with Candy kind of works.

A: I can tell you some stories!

Q: Do you ever get caught rocking out at a red light?

A: Oh yes. I hate when I look over and someone is staring at me like they don't do it. You do it! Don't look at me like that.

Q: And what do you do in response?

A: I just kind of nod at them. Usually they'll either turn away, afraid that I caught them looking at me, or they'll give me an appreciative nod like, "Yeah."

Q: Candy looks like a really soulful car and it seems like you've had an awesome run together over the years. Is there anything else you'd like to tell us about her?

A: I'm just proud that we've taken such good care of it over the last 10 years. I've seen a lot of 10-year-old cars and think to myself, "Wow, Candy looks nice for her age."