Sep 13, 2004: Silent Nights
Carina took the twins to Michigan this weekend to visit two old friends of her's, leaving me home alone. The twins were extremely interested to learn what I might be doing with my free time, and rather than bore them with the realities of yard work, I told them I'd be sitting around in my underwear drinking beer. In hindsight, this perhaps was not the best choice, but both girls howled with laughter, and took great delight in asking if that's what I was really going to do....
Aug 16, 2004: Arlington Rd.
Carina and I watched Arlington Road last night. Mike had tentatively recommended it to me, upon learning that I like complex plots and that I'm a sucker for conspiracy theory films. I felt that this movie was just a little slow, although well executed -- Tim Robbins gave a terrific performance. Although I did have a really hard time watching Jeff Bridges without adding "man" to the end of everything he said, a la The Big Lebowski....
Jul 1, 2004: Magnetic Fields
I first heard of The Magnetic Fields on WCBE, when their 69 Love Songs was released. I immediately purchased all three discs, and have enjoyed listening to them. Many of the songs are silly, a few are weird, but they're all pleasing to listen to musically and lyrically. Stephen Merritt has this wonderfully deep voice, unlike anything else in the collection of music to which I generally listen. Brannon gave me their latest album, i, as a birthday gift. It continues the tradition of thought-provoking silliness (Carina's favorite song, for example, is "I Wish I Had an Evil ...
Jun 21, 2004: Watching History
When I was a little boy, I dreamed of being an astronaut. I longed to experience weightlessness, and to see the disc of the earth framed in the black void of space. I wanted to wear a spacesuit and bounce on the moon and be a part of something important. I remember with fondness the excitement surrounding Space Shuttle launches, devouring books on all things space, and being insanely jealous of my friends who went to Space Camp. As I grew older the realities of space travel became appearent, and in the last few years the crushing slowness of beauracracy ...
Jun 13, 2004: Three Decades
I celebrate my thirtieth birthday today. That's 10,950 days on the planet. I did what most people do to mark such an occasion: I put on a big silly hat and went bowling! I had a great time, and was truly touched by the friendship and love given to me by my friends and family. I am who I am today because of them, and their continued participation in my life....