WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2002 - But where's my print edition, Mr. Editor?
Sweet Fancy Moses {an art space} opens to the public June 1.

Related:
Art of Chicago
Art of the Central Coast

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I've been spending my lunch hours for the last month inhaling internet fiction and essays along with my take out and subs.

Here's what's tasty:

Harpold 500
Sweet Fancy Moses
Serial Text
Manual

MONDAY, MAY 27, 2002 - Memorial Day Weekend

FRIDAY
Cuchi Cuchi for Laura's Birthday
Lizard Lounge for Drinks

SATURDAY
Rock climbing at Quincy Quarry
Spider-Man at Fenway
Dinner at House of Tibet
Candle-pin bowling

Sunday
BBQ at Dennis' and Laura's place

Monday
Rock Climbing at Crow Hill

MONDAY, MAY 20, 2002 - Yeah, I saw it too

In May of 1999, George Lucas relieved a 16 year case of blue balls with the release of Episode I. Personally, I didn't think it was as bad as it got panned. It's science fiction, man. It's supposed to be bad. I think any film maker would be hard pressed to make a film that both adults enjoyed and satisfied the boyish glee it produced at age eleven.

However, there were some pretty disappointing things about Episode II. Lucas could have dispensed with the entire middle half composed mostly of a romantic development between Amidala and Anakin. It looked like an Herbal Essence commercial; they, rolling in flowered meadows and sharing tender moments near waterfalls.

As expected, there was no shortage of space porn. In this arena Lucas has no equal. The colliseum battle between the droid army and the Jedis was a pretty good time. The adrenaline level escalated a couple notches when all those Jedis in tight space pants started flipping and twisting and slashing, but I digress. Also, the only disappointing thing about the final "show down" was its brevity. It's always too short for my liking.

Lucas really ought to consider hiring a screen writer who writes dialogue, knows how to pace a story, and knows how to coach actors because he's not very good at any of those things. The Empire Strikes back was his only movie that comes close to doing any of those things.

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Elsewhere: Flak Magazine review

SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2002 - Graduation Day

Jen made the transformation today from candidate to Master of Arts of Law and Diplomacy. In light of her brother's death last month, I'm amazed and quite proud that she accomplished her goal on time.

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BTW, Maldeline Albright, this year's speaker, is even shorter than you think. I got a little too close with my camera and a secret service guy had to give me the grimacing head shake: "I don't think so, friend." You should have seen my horror in his reflective glasses.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2002 - Red Sox vs. The Athletics

Fenway Park is a great place to see a ball game. The fans, no less exciting than the players, must be among the most expectant--and obnoxious--in all of baseball. They hang on every pitch, know the ramifications of each count, and erupt on every base hit, hoping against hope to finally lift the Curse of the Bambino. As my friend Andy puts it, you can feel the stadium's collective tension as the pitcher releases the ball.

These are all things whose understanding elude me. I watch the drunk Southie guys yelling "Nomaaaaah!" as the superstitous shortstop patiently goes through his pre-hit routine--each time.

At the top of the 7th, we decided to sneak into the luxury boxes where another colleague was being entertained by a radio station. Though somewhat modest by today's corporate ball park standards, it's still pretty cush to have a bathroom and catered food within feet of your seat overlooking the peasants.

The hosts were incredibly welcoming, graciously offering us all kinds of food and drink. However, it was a while before we realized that no representatives of EEI were present. It worked out nicely.

The game ended with a double play tag at second followed by a cross-body throw to first; perfectly executed. Score: 8 - 2, the good guys.

MONDAY, MAY 13, 2002 - Cuchi Cuchi review

If you're looking for a new place to get your eat on, and you happen to be in Cambridge, MA, give Cuchi Cuchi a whirl. It's a five minute walk from Central Square on the Red Line.

They offer decadent tapas with all the Spanish flair. However, it differs from traditional offerings with dishes that incorporate international flavors- not strictly Spanish. The prices are reasonable and the servers pay close attention to detail. We're going back with gluttony in mind when there's time for a four hour meal.

Before you hit the head, give a wink to the autographed picture of Charo. She winks back. Cuchi Cuchi, baby!

SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2002 - Mutual imposition of values

I'm told that sometimes I focus too much on the details. Fair enough. However, as a resolution, the dispensed advice reads: "getting it done" is better than "getting it done right".

I can not agree with this assessment. What's worth doing is worth doing well. People that think this way contribute to a mediocrity that I find unforgivable. And yet I find myself surrounded by such folks, and this is not comforting at all.

FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2002 - Action, adventure... a Jedi craves not these things

Last Sunday I went rock climbing in Rumney, NH. I'm still a little bruised, a bit torn, and my shoulder feels like bloody hell. Can I have some more, please?

A short slide show can be found here. The cave area, called Darth Vader, bears a striking resemblance to the Dark Lord's helmet. Individual climbing routes include every play on Star Wars characters imaginable; thought up by idiots that derive pleasure by hanging from granite. Indeed...

Three things I ought to mention: I suck at taking pictures, I suck at having pictures taken of me, and I suck at scanning. Draw your own conclusions.

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Entertain yourself with the wit of Chicago's own Claire Zulkey. She's smart. She's funny. It's discouraging.

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2002 - The global chillicide campaign

During a phone conversation with Carla today, she sang the praises of Zoloft, going so far as to suggest its addition to the water supply. It sounded like pretty good stuff to me. Maybe it can be weaponized and retrofitted for Tomahawk Cruise Missiles.

Think of the possibilities. We could diffuse the Israeli-Palestinian situation in an instant. Tense rivalries between African warlords, and India and Pakistan could be prevented. America, itself, would never be the same.

However, extreme cases, like that passive-aggressive freak in your office, require stronger measures. Sprinkling a little weapons-grade hash on her Healthy Choice Szechwan Chicken outta do the trick. Pick out the baby corn for yourself.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2002 - Cafe seat

The season's most formidable words are close at hand: "strappy" and "sandals". Using them in combination packs a deadly wallop as pedicured perfection struts down the very posh Newbury Street.

People watching is mesmerizing. Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of places to do it without getting your ass kicked.