2.27.2002

Nothing I say can make this story any funnier.

Key West

Photos from the trip to Key West and my brother's wedding. More to come over the next few days.

(mouseover thumbnail image for description)

Chris, Tommy's best man.The groom.The hotel pool.Tommy with his flower girls, including Hannah on the left.The happy couple, Tommy and Stacey.

The woman's name alone is reason enough to link to this story.

This is just tragic. No one is to blame, really, and I feel for those parents; how do you sit and watch your child grow, enduring agonizing years waiting to see if they have inherited a degenerative brain disorder? Hopefully the number who do inherit the disease will be lower than 50 percent.

See what I mean? You gotta hand it to that guy - Georgie gives good pics.

Someone needs to check George's reflexes.

2.26.2002

A Repair.

I performed my very first plumbing-related household repair tonight. My father will be so proud.


I hope those hats were worth it. Lesson learned from this article: Never rebuff an autograph seeker.

"Microsoft has released patches for two security holes in its Internet software that could allow hackers to read files off a user's computer or information in Web pages that they visit. "

You can download the patch here.

2.25.2002

I am my favorite Monkee:



Take the Hey Hey, Which Monkee Are You? Quiz.



[link courtesy snarkcake]

The Amazing Exploding Card Trick. Damned if I know how it works!

[link courtesy opinebovine.com]

LOL, this guy's lucky he was as big as he was or he might not have been found at all.

A wonderful behind-the-scenes look at the Salt Lake Olympic Winter Games by someone who worked security at the speed skating venue. Start at the January 30 post and read up to follow him as he travels to Utah, deals with polite Chinese politicians and parties with the crazy Dutch. Great site.

But for the grace of God and a fear of getting my ass kicked, there go I.

2.24.2002

Speaking of Silliness.

I watched Primetime Glick on Comedy Central last night. If you have never watched Martin Short as Jiminy Glick, there is no way I can convey to you just how funny he is as the rotund, self-absorbed and suspiciously effeminate Glick as he interviews (and embarrasses) celebrities. Comedy Central will air last night's episode, featuring a riotous Tom Hanks and somewhat dumbfounded Ben Stiller, again early Tuesday morning, 2/26, at 1:30 and Saturday morning, 3/2, at 8:30 AM. And X-Files fans, you can watch David Duchovny get Glicked in the new episode airing Saturday, 3/2, at 10:00 PM.

2.23.2002

More sad news: Chuck Jones has died. The news is sad in the way that Charles Schulz's passing was sad: he lived a long, full life, during which he shared his art, his humor and provided this writer with countless hours of Saturday morning silliness. And so we are sad to see him go. And lucky to be able to enjoy his wacky legacy for many years to come.

2.22.2002

John Thaw, the BBC's Inspector Morse and a Mystery favorite of mine, has died at 60.

The key to the "24" puzzle? Not anymore.

2.21.2002

IFOCE

OK, I am thoroughly disgusted, repulsed and flabbergasted. Ever hear of the International Federation of Competitive Eating? Well, neither did I, until I read today that FOX would be airing a piece of crap called the "Glutton Bowl", (I refuse to tell you when it will air, on the grounds that that would help to promote such garbage) during which individuals compete to see who can stuff the most crap into their faces. One of the objectives of the IFOCE, as set out in their organization's mandate, is "to promote interchange of information on training for the sport." Training for the sport?? My God. We are a lost cause.

Happy News.

David Duchovny has reached an agreement with FOX and will be returning to The X-files for the 2-hour series finale and will direct an episode that he co-wrote with Chris Carter and Frank Spotnitz. My heart is near to bursting with anticipation - could they actually end this to the fans' satisfaction? They just might.

2.20.2002

Liberal education has finally gone too far. Give me a freakin' break.

When I first read this, my eyes rolled so far back into my head, I could see my brain. Then I thought to myself, "Wait a minute. How can launching a member of 'N Sync into space be a bad idea?"

"I pinned them down -- between noon and 5 p.m.," said Liljenquist.

Visitors from Planet CableCo, perhaps?

Now you see her, now you don't.

Sorry for the disappearing act. I came down with a mild case of spontaneity and left town for a few days to visit friends in Massachusetts. One of the benefits of being single and unemployed: the ability to come and go as you please. Of course, you can't go very far with no money. And that's where the benefit of having friends within driving distance who allow you to crash at their house comes into play.

2.16.2002

Sometimes you feel like a nut....sometimes you don't.

"Forget about taboos, forget about conservative ideas with respect to what you should tell young people about it. It's the lives of young people that are most at risk by unsafe sex, therefore protect yourself."

High marks to Secretary Powell, I say. Now I hope he sticks to what he said and doesn't backtrack under conservative pressure.

Oh, this is horrific. Not to put too fine a point on things but, didn't anyone notice the smell?

(registration required, but free)

2.15.2002

Romantic Retraction

I really shouldn't have put Witness on a list of romantic movies, huh?

How embarrassing! Thankfully, he wasn't hurt. Unlike the fellow playing Judas in a performance of "Jesus Christ Superstar" on Broadway that I went to a year or so ago. Judas was so caught up in his betrayal of and bitterness towards Jesus that he stepped right off the edge of the stage and plunged into the orchestra pit, hitting his head on a railing on the way down. The show, however, did indeed go on and soon afterward Judas returned to the stage with an egg on his forehead that makeup could not cover. I don't know how he was able to belt out his songs with the crashing headache he must have had.

A love story.

[link from the man himself]

2.14.2002

I added a couple of blogs to the navigation bar at left. Davezilla.com can always be counted on for a belly laugh (see his current Bob Vila post for proof). Diary of a mad monk is just exquisite (try and read some of the archives so you can get a better feel for what he's talking about).

Cake or death?

A British vicar is giving up preaching on Sundays for Lent. I wonder if Eddie Izzard's heard about this?

Scientists have successfully cloned a domestic cat. I'm not beating that dead horse, don't worry - I just want you to see how freakin' cute she is. What a little chunk!

Invisibles

I've missed quite a few of these!

Invisibles #60: Musical Numbers - 5 outta 8
Invisibles #61 - 7 outta 8!
Invisibles #62 - 4 outta 8

Have fun!

The Onion has thoughtfully put together a page of valentines that you can print, cut out and give to that special person.

And finally, my Onion horoscope is particularly relevant:

Cancer: (June 22—July 22)
Dating isn't always easy, but you've got to either dust
yourself off and get back in the saddle or stop dating horses.
Now they tell me.


Love at the movies.

My favorite romantic films, in no particular order:

Falling in Love
Casablanca
An Affair to Remember
Strictly Ballroom
Sense and Sensibility
The Philadelphia Story
Now, Voyager
Doctor Zhivago
Witness
The Princess Bride
Pride and Prejudice
(A&E) (I know, this is a miniseries, but it's my list and I can put anything I want on it)
How about yours?

What is your Love Story?

This Emode quiz is pretty long, and I had to fudge a couple of answers, but my results aren't too far off:

At its core, the Love Conquers All story is very romantic, triumphant, and full of courage to face yourself with honesty. The catalyst for change in your love story is usually a pivotal event, circumstance, or reevaluation of yourself.

Where should you look for these pivotal moments? Challenges may come from family and society — even yourself. Do loved ones disapprove of your partner, raise concerns you hadn't previously cared that much about? Turning points may also stem from previous obligations at work, or in promises you've made to others. Do you reschedule or delay plans with your partner because you feel the need to honor responsibilities at the office? Do you prioritize taking care of a friend in need over the needs of your mate?

These themes are echoed throughout history and recorded in diaries, novels, television and films. In Jane Austin's novel "Emma" for example, the protagonist put everybody else's romantic needs before her own. Had she not stopped to question herself, she would have missed a chance for love altogether. Was she just looking after her friends? Or was she guarding herself from the potential hurt of a relationship or unrequited love?

I'm giving in.

I wasn't going to acknowledge today's "holiday", for reasons I am sure most of you can figure out and maybe even sympathize with; I mean, who needs to be reminded of what they don't have by those who are wallowing in it? Right?

Well, I caved. I'm in a good mood today, and no matter how vehemently I may try to deny it, I am a romantic at heart. So, herewith I shall commence with the Valentine's Day posts. Let's start with my wish to you, via my new webcam :-).



2.13.2002

It's a bird! It's a plane!

aauuuugghhhhhh!!!!

Big news from vacation: I went skydiving! Yes, I jumped from a plane at 10,000 feet, with a free fall for 40 seconds, and I loved it. I was not under the influence of drugs, illicit or otherwise. I paid extra for photos and video of the jump and I've posted some of the images for you. They came out so great, and the video is awesome (with post-production including U2's Elevation and Beautiful Day). I was strapped to Mike (a wonderful guy) and Shelly (a wild woman) was the photographer.

I hemmed and hawed about doing it but finally gave in at breakfast that morning. My 2 sisters, Sheila and Mary, my brother Tommy, and his best man Chris also jumped that day. What a great time. I still can't believe I did it. It's difficult to describe the experience - the assault on your senses; the adrenalin rush; the gorgeous view of the Keys; the simple, quiet beauty of floating down through a cloud. I've certainly never experienced anything like it before.

I want to give a shout out to the folks at Sky Dive Key West (Mike, Shelly and Christian) - if you're ever in Key West or any of the lower Keys and you want to experience a major rush, stop by Sky Dive Key West - I highly recommend it!

(If you look closely at the last image, of Shelly, you can see my face on the video monitor behind her, lol!)

NY Times quote of the day:

"You're perhaps the most accomplished confidence man since Charles Ponzi. I'd say you were a carnival barker, except that wouldn't be fair to carnival barkers."

Senator Peter G. Fitzgerald,in comments to Kenneth L. Lay, former chairman of Enron.
Good one.

A cranky critic talks about Oscar nominations. I haven't seen Mulholland Drive so I'm not with him on that point, but I do agree with his description of the Academy as "a small, conservative (aesthetically, I mean) group of Hollywood insiders". I'm really tired of worthy individuals being looked over while the same four people get nominated every so often. Just because a movie wasn't mainstream does not mean that it was not good, nor that the performances within them were not Oscar worthy. But then again, what does "Oscar worthy" mean anymore?

2.12.2002

Isn't that illegal in some places?

My brother Tommy is 12 years younger than me (he's 25 - you do the math). It was his wedding that brought us all to Key West. His sisters and best man took him out on the Thursday before the wedding for an alcohol-soaked evening of, well, alcohol comsumption. A great band (Shack Daddies) was playing at Sloppy Joe's, and as one of the bandmembers was returning to the stage after a break, we stopped him and told him how great they were, blah blah blah, and would they give a shout out to Tommy and Stacey, who were getting married on Saturday. Being nice guys, the Shack Daddies did indeed give that shout out; they then invited Tommy and Stacey to dance to a song they were dedicating to them. Since Stacey was not amongst our group, Tommy grabs me and takes me out to the dance floor, where we slowdanced as an engaged couple. Soon others joined us. After about two minutes of barely suppressed hysterics, I said to Tommy, "We'd better get off this dance floor before they ask us to kiss." Sufficiently grossed out and laughing, we rushed off the floor and back to our beers. Or shots.

The nominations are out. No big surprises, I suppose. Maybe I'll go to the movies today; I'd love to see LOTR again, but Gosford Park is beckoning as well...

I've been working on scanning some vacation photos and putting them into gallery pages for you and I expect I'll be able to post something tomorrow. I know you're all on the edges of your respective seats. ;-)

What the....?

It's late and I'm half asleep, so please correct if I'm wrong...this is a joke, right? If so, it's very funny. If not, well, it's very weird.

[link from wilwheaton.net]

2.11.2002

Oh Jesus, now she really is dead.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has successfully sued to halt the production of "anatomically correct" Oscar statues. Why Oscar, is that a big sword in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?

This line had me rolling my eyes: The academy has long taken a dim view of unauthorized commercial exploitation of the Oscars, which it sees as tarnishing the image of Hollywood's most prestigious award. Authorized commercial exploitation, from all appearances however, is perfectly OK. Who do they think they are? the Nobel Prize Committee?

"He told me ... she suddenly moved and opened her eyes and he jumped back, startled," she said.

"Under the instructions of counsel, Mr. Lay will exercise his Fifth Amendment rights at the hearing Tuesday."

Kenneth's Lay's attorney fears the congressional hearings may become "too prosecutorial" for his client. What a spinless, gutless coward.

2.10.2002

We can rebuild him; we (almost) have the technology.

We saw this ship just off the coast of Key West last week and were wondering what it was.

A public television customer service rep goes ballistic on a viewer. I gather it wasn't pledge week.

[link from tvbarn]

2.09.2002

Back.

We returned from Key West late Wednesday night. What a wonderful vacation. It's taken me a while to get back into the swing of things, and now I think I may be coming down with the flu. I should be able to get back to blogging some time tomorrow, if not earlier. I took a shitload of pictures so you can expect to see some of them soon.

I hope you all had a good week.