THURSDAY, JAN 31, 2002
Ideas for yesterday's... eh hem... episode. I'm going to try a new approach. I'm going to explore things that are completely outside of my comfort zone.

1) Learn to dance a scandalous Tango with Jen. I'm talking about the one-footed body drag en embrace; a single rose in her mouth.

2) Take a trip to either Savannah or New Orleans.

3) Study Tai Chi at the Buddhist monastery near my house. Learn Ch'an (Zen) meditation techniques.

4) Learn something new that isn't related to computers, MBA, or my industry.

I've got an acupuncture appointment tonight. My chi is definitely not centered.

WEDNESDAY, JAN 30, 2002
Born. Eat. Shag. Die. (via Meg) OR My Little Existential Crisis

Do you ever get the feeling that there's more to life than this?

I mean, I do stuff. I read pretty good books. I rock climb a few times a week. The dude at the Fenway 13 theater gives me a nod, now and then. I frequent restaurants in the $$ category. I go to Chicago and Montreal a few times a year, and occasionally NYC. I see a lot of live shows. I can cook. I can play guitar. My friends are the best and smartest a man can ask for.

It's not enough, though. I want the momentum of wide-eyed optimism of early post-graduation; sans the naivete, of course. I'm thirsty for intellectual, creative, and spiritual growth.

These are journey-not-the-destination types of things. They're difficult to achieve; sometimes, emotionally exhausting.

Above all, I think that I'm really, really bored. I don't think, or learn enough. I mean really think about what's going on. When I used to live an hour from my office, I dedicated my commute in for NPR and my commute home to pure uninterrupted thought. It could have been a problem I wanted to solve or a goal I wanted to set. I don't miss the grinding 16 miles, but I sure as hell miss "thinking time".

Anyhow, I had these thoughts around 11pm last night and it really scared the shit out of me- enough to pull me out of bed at 2am and run to the open arms of my new DVD player.

* * *

This morning when I got up, I figured sunlight deprivation and cabin fever didn't help the situation. BTW, I go through this EVERY winter.

MONDAY, JAN 28, 2002
Guess what I bought tonight? That's right, friends, the Sony DVP-NS400D.

[Cue AC/DC album of your choice]

Let me tell you what Melba Toast is packin' right here, alright. We got 411 Positrac outback, 750 double pumper Edelbrock intakes, bored over 30, 11 to 1 pop-up pistons, turbo-jet 390 horsepower. We're talkin' some fuckin' muscle.

I didn't find it in the back of a comic book with the Sea Monkeys either.

Though I already had four, *wince* I even bought the obligatory starter DVD: The Matrix.

Me likey.

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Like the new header graphic?

SATURDAY, JAN 26, 2002
It's down to a few coughs and momentary fevers- the final throes. Mr. Cold, I've got you licked. The plegm from this week will be recycled to seal my drafty windows.

* * *

Holed up in my living room for most of the last 36 hours, I watched some stuff from my To See List:

Waiting for Guffman - This movie had the potential to be a real stink-bomb, but Christopher Guest co-wrote and acted brilliantly in this little gem. I've been told to see this one for years. What was I waiting for?

Blade Runner - Sadly, I thought this one stunk. Both the characters and story were too disconnected. The director was trying to get too much stuff accomplished by the end of the film. It had one thing going for it, though - it was really cool to look at. Classic Ridley Scott.

The Virgin Suicides - Sophia Coppola's directorial debut was a success. The script was strong and also a bit edgey. It's also pretty clear that she likes her Pop.

Moulin Rouge - Pleasantly surprised. I really got into the music, and I'm not a big fan of musicals either. Brav-O on the sets and cinematography. Ewan McGregor's got some pipes, gang. He'll make you swoon.