2003-01-30 
 

calm

Last night G and I went to Taize at Trinity Church. Haven't been to a service in a very long time and allowed myself to forget how soothing it is. I let it seem as if it's a very hard thing to do; carving an extra hour or so out of our busy lives in order to go. The truth is that my reluctance to plan a visit has much more more to do with my negative associations with Church as a place of intolerance and rigid conformity to human law, than from some hidden desire to avoid communal spiritual experiences and acknowledge the universal truth that all you need is love.

It was so peaceful last night, sitting in the candlelit sanctuary and chanting along with the other folks who had gathered there. I especially love that it's an experience I can share with G and I'm making a special point of having us do it again soon, instead of waiting as long as we did this time.

Addendum: Last night's service included a wonderful translation of the Lord's Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer of New Zealand. Internet rumor has it that it's a translation of the original King James version into Maori and then back into English. I know, I'm a hopeless romantic, but I liked that story and would let it stand. However, I'm also a writer who respects ownership and it could also be attributed to Jim Cotter. Prayer at Night by Jim Cotter, Cairns Publications, Sheffield, England

Eternal Spirit

Earth-Maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,

source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all.
Loving God, in whom is heaven.

The hallowing of your name echoes through the universe!

The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the earth!

Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!

Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.

With the bread we need for today, feed us.

In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.

In times of temptation and test, spare us.

From the grip of all that is evil, free us.

For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever.

Amen.

More cool versions, and the alternate attribution for the above, written out here. I like them all.

* posted by me at 8:47 PM

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2003-01-29 
 

press play

I hadn't realized how much I'd gotten used to having two computers at home. With mine still needing serious updating in order to hook into the DSL line, G and I have been getting by sharing his and it isn't easy to get time on there during the weekdays when I'm only home (and awake) for about 4 hours. It is, after all, a bit of an isolationist activity and I do like to try and spend some q time with G.

Nonetheless, I actually feel guilty when I don't get a blog in at least every other day. Not so much because the world can't live without my bon mots for a few days, but because I made a promise to myself that this would help me write a bit more than a paper and pen journal has in the past. It is true. Sunday will mark the one year anniversary of this blog and that's the longest I've ever been able to consecutively keep any form of journal. Yay!

Besides, it's nice to pop online now and again to point out odd sites like this.

* posted by me at 6:50 PM

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2003-01-25 
 

coffee boy

The weekend has finally arrived. G and I went for a little walk about last night and ended up grabbing a bite at Burgermeister across from the Safeway at Church and Market. Friendly service, Niman Ranch beef and the best turkeyburgers in SF. Yum.

Also watched About A Boy which, I have to admit, was much better than I thought it would be. High Fidelity dissapointed me and I think I blamed in on the source rather than thinking that it might have had something to do with the transition from book to screen. (I think it must've been a mistake to take Fidelity out of Nick Hornsby's England.)

Gotta go. G is harrassing me for being on the computer when we could be out walking in the beautiful day. He's right.

* posted by me at 4:26 PM

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2003-01-23 
 

oceans of fun

Took Lena out to dinner for her birthday last night...better late than never! She picked Blowfish Sushi, which is just as yum as everyone says it is. The appetizer we chose was amazing. It's called Punch and is basically melt-in-your mouth strips of filet mignon on a bed of spinich and nestled inside potato ring with garlic soy sauce. (There's little dots of wasabi around the edges of the plate in case you want to spice it up a bit, bu I didn't think it needed it.) The sushi itself was also quite good, but pretty pricey. Not someplace I can afford to go everyday.

Got home and caught the end of Celebrity Mole. Why do I keep getting sucked into these things? At least the celeb version is only half as many episodes as a regular run. My addiction can be shortlived.

In other news: This sounds like a truly cool experience. I love it when people approach art as a total experience instead of living within the frame.

* posted by me at 4:05 PM

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2003-01-21 
 

frozen pipes

Dude's down the Cape right now and the pipes into the house have frozen because it's so cold. Very glad to be in SF right now, even with the rain and the fog.

Hmmmm. Can I say down the Cape being all the way out here in California? Do I have to say "back there on the Cape" instead. I guess it doesn't really matter much, but geographic space has always fascinated me and I tend to think about it quite a bit. I just don't feel it should have quite such permanent direction labels on it (geographic space that is.) It seems, that if I could just remember how, there should be a way to simply teleport myself where ever I needed to be instead of using one of the pollution causing, stress inducing methods of travel that exist as alternatives. I feel the same way about telekinesis. Someday I'll be doing something random and want to jot down a note and reach for the pencil with my mind instead of my hand. I'll be surprised for a moment and then say to myself,"Of course! How can I have forgotten how to do that?"

I used to think I was alone in this feeling, but after a recent conversation with m, I found that others feel the same way. Strange comfort in numbers has caused me to suddenly want to share it with everyone and see what they think. If I had a comment box, I'd want one after this post, but I haven't gotten around to that yet.

In other news: Strange wonderful site here. (Although it wears thin after the first minute or two, I managed to figure out where it was coming from. Once you've checked out the site, click here and then click on Explanation in English. It's quite amusing and reminds me of something G, Dude and I did to a Sigur Ros song.)

* posted by me at 11:17 PM

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2003-01-19 
 

hedwig

excellent, excellent, excellent

I was a bit afraid that my repeated viewings of the movie would color my experience of the stage version, but it was all for naught. The power of live performance really lends itself well to the story of Hedwig and I'm very happy MP thought to take me along with her. THANKS! I know it's playing at various venues across the country, but seeing it at the Victoria in SF was everything it should be. What better place than a theatre that has seen everything from Vaudeville to Burlesque? Another very good thing about the SF version is Kevin Cahoon as Hedwig. He's able to play with the audience in an unforced way that really helped make us part of the performance. (Being her second time at the show, MP mentioned that last night's weekend crowd had much better energy than the weeknight audience she saw it with the first time.) Since it's just been extended through March, I'm thinking that G and I will go on a Friday or a Saturday night. Yip, it's that good. It almost has a Rocky Horror type of feeling with the audience really willing to play along. (the 60something hetero couple who eagerly volunteered for the carwash reminded me of why I love living in this city...I don't quite see that happening in Boston)

In other news: I've begun the framework for the art page. Thanks to M for pointing me to a great site for that!

Still bored? So was this person. Singing Horses! Just goes to show what wonderful things you can do with too much time on your hands.

Labels: linkage, random review, san francisco, shout out

* posted by me at 6:01 PM

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2003-01-17 
 

put on my makeup...

SO excited! My friend Michelle just offered me a ticket to tomorrow night's performance of Hedwig at the Victoria. Not only do I love the movie, but the SF performance has been getting rave reviews. (Including one from John Cameron Mitchell himself.) THEN, as I'm reading up on the show, I note that one of G and my favorite groups, Sigur Ros, and Mitchell are friends. There was momentary sadness when I read that Sigur Ros had played the Warfield in November and we missed it, but joy when I found out that they'll be back in Oakland this April. YAY!

In other news: Anyone doubting that Jesus was a cool dude should check out this article.

And now for something completely different:
Are you tired of the internet? Well then, shut it off!

* posted by me at 10:37 PM

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2003-01-16 
 

in brief

Well, I was going to write a lovely little entry this evening, but Blogger was down for some reason and I couldn't get in, so I'll leave you to check out this interesting site for the man who already has everything else. (Might not be a good one to open up if you're at work.)

What will they think of next?

* posted by me at 2:57 AM

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2003-01-13 
 

home

Spent a lovely day on Saturday wandering NYC with M. Realized that it's been quite some time since I've just "hung out" in a city and made a promise to myself that I'll get to do that more often.

Saw Simone on the plane yesterday and it surprised me by being pretty good. Going to put the DVD onto our Netflix queue so that I can see it as originally intended. Hate the way they chop things up and water them down for consumption by the masses. Not sure why I'd pegged it as a nogo when it came out in the theatres, but it might've been Al Pacino. Even though I think he's a very good actor, I have him typecast as always being in the sort of gangster/gritty movie that I don't really go for. This may inspire me to see some of his other movies, which I may have unjustly avoided for much the same reason.

Yesterday was a good day all around. A whole row of seats on the plane to myself, a good movie and I came home to find G waiting for me at the airport. For me, there's something so right about being met at the airport by one's lover, but I know that it's not a prerequisite to a good relationship and often doesn't make sense from a financial/timing space, so I don't demand it and often insist on taking alternate transport home. Over the past few years though, I think he's figured out that it's one of my "things" and made a point of being there for me yesterday. Love.

* posted by me at 2:45 PM

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2003-01-10 
 

no left turn in jersey

Ate at TOWN Wednesday night with work folk and found it to be SUPER yum. Also one of the nicest atmospheres I've seen in quite some time. Wish the company would get a rate at the Chambers hotel so that we could stay there. If the restaurant is any indication, this hotel is comfortable and fabulous, something NY hasn't been too good at in my experience. (I mean the Soho Grand is exquisite designwise, but the bed's left a bit to be desired during my last visit.)

Spent Thursday day catching up with CPC and hearing about his latest script idea, which I must say sounds pretty interesting. Not that I'm surprised...always liked his one-man show. Gotta thank him for helping me avoid getting screwed by yet another greedy cabby. If he hadn't been hitching a ride back to Brooklyn with me, I'd probably still be stuck somewhere all the way up Long Island. Got to spend that evening with Stacia and L. I've got three words for you two. PLEASE MOVE BACK! Miss spending time with you.

Took the ferry to NJ this morning to meet up with M and e. e grows up so much every time I see her! The nice thing is that she knew exactly who I was and we got to spend the afternoon playing together. Then it was off to double D so that e could get a snack with sprinkles and M and I could have a nice little chat over a cuppa. Oh sure, I had a jelly and a chocolate, but we really went there for e...really. Then, (Buddah's gonna love this one) after a quick trip around a jughandle, we stopped to get this pic of me in front of the actual store where Clerks was filmed.



Just call me Silent Mike. (hee hee G and Silent Mike Strike Back...that's my new movie adventure....ok, really tired.) I stayed up way too late last night reading, but how could I not when it's a great book like The Secret History? Sure this is about the fifth time, but spending all this time with college friends is making me nostalgic.

* posted by me at 10:47 PM

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2003-01-08 
 

new york! new york!

I feel like running through the streets singing as if life were a musical! Maybe it's because I finished my presentations yesterday and they went really well. Maybe it was all the positive feedback I received. Maybe it was the wonderfully relaxing evening I spent with B last night catching up and drooling over the way too young guys in the Boiler Room. (was I ever only 21...it seems so long ago) Maybe it was seeing Stacia for the first time in too long. Maybe it's the energy of this city in the evening as everyone leaves work and starts to live life. Maybe it's a little bit of all those things

Definitely, it has something to do with the Grande Nonfat Latte that I just chugged down as I walked crosstown to get back to the hotel.

Speaking of hotels: one thing I used to love, love, love about them was the neverending supply of towels, always fresh and clean. Always so many. You could use a separate towel for every arm and leg and still have fresh, clean towels left over. Now they still give you towels, but they put out little cards explaining how nasty to the environment all the washing of those towels is. Damn my environmental consciousness, I'll have to settle for the free bottles of shampoo as my reason for loving hotel bathrooms from now on. They are kinda nifty and the size makes me feel like I'm a giant in a little person's world. Same thing with the tiny bottle of vodka in the minibar. Yum...vodka.

* posted by me at 6:14 PM

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2003-01-05 
 

Just a little note: All of the NY entries are in SF time because I'm too lazy to go into the proper place to fix the clock. (It's actually 11, not 8 like the timestamp says.) Lazy AND crazy. What a catch I am! Speaking of which...I really miss G.

* posted by me at 11:01 PM

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still tired

Yes, even after a good 8 hours sleep last night, I'm still feeling tired. Going to bed now, but wanted to tap in a quick note to say, WHY must people be so crazy. Heard about the guy with the plane in Frankfurt while helping set up for the meeting and immediately ran to an elevator to find out what was going on. (they have CNN in the elevators here...I guess it's pretty common in NYC, whatever.) Point being, I was quite relieved to find out that no one was injured. Much of mom's family is over there, and while they wouldn't likely be downtown on a Sunday, who knows?

New Rule: People need to not be crazy if they have access to a plane. Which is sad because that would probably stop me from getting my pilot's liscense. Thing is, at the rate I'm going, I don't know if I'll actually be able to afford it (monetarily or timewise) during this lifetime. Hmmm. That's crazy talk right there. After all, I've got half my life in front of me...at least!

OK, officially babbling. Time for bed.

* posted by me at 10:59 PM

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2003-01-04 
 

late

My flight takes off at 8:45, which means I need to be at the airport by 7 at the absolute positive latest...though I'm planning on 6:30 because of the new bomb laws. If they really have to search every piece of luggage, there's no telling how long it'll take to get from sidewalk to gate.

It's 5:23 now, but I'm not going to sleep this eve. Every once in a while I have to take a little break from the mundane and party it up as if it's still 1999. Tonight is one of those times. No actual work until Sunday around 11 and only a 6 hour plane ride tomorrow. I might as well stay up late and sleep later. I'll leave it to your imagination.

In other news, I've set up the back room. Just not sure if I'm going to be able to get it to work satisfactorily. Please be patient.

* posted by me at 8:22 AM

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2003-01-03 
 

later, that same day

Wow, didn't realize it was past 2 a.m. when I wrote that entry. Had a good sleep and woke up to make my first batch of pancakes in the new apartment. G's still asleep, but I know he'll appreciate them once he wakes up. He was in a bit of a quiet space last night and I want to do something to make him extra happy before I take off for the east coast. Speaking of, I think we're getting together with Hugs later today/tonight, so I really oughtta be packing, but I'm procrastinating it. It's not like the old days when a trip to New York meant a chance to get laid and every outfit had to work as hard as possible. Now that I'm an old married guy, the only thing I have to worry about is looking good for my presentations on Tuesday. Ugh. I dread the thought of looking cheerful about the state of business today, but somebody's got to keep the masses calm. We'll be feeding them high sugared sweets and having them play games. The bread and circuses of the modern business world.

In other news: DUDE SOLD ANOTHER PAINTING! This one was entitled American Woman. I've GOT to get my own computer up and running again so that I can access my photofiles and post some more of his art before he becomes too famous and I look like a Mikey-come-lately.

* posted by me at 3:39 PM

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yawn

We saw Star Trek: Nemesis tonight and I have to admit that I'm a bit dissapointed. While the movie itself wasn't awful, it didn't quite live up to my expectations. It may have been due to the mood of the evening since I was hoping for a relatively empty theater and it got a bit more crowded than I like...and with some odd people too. The sort that don't allow you to give your full attention to the movie because a tiny bit of yourself needs to be alert in case they go off. I've spoken of dough people before, but these aren't them. These are people who couldn't quite make it as dough and aren't happy about that fact.

OK, it's late and I'm tired. NYC in just over 24 hours. Wishing it could wait another week or two. I'd really love a chance to just settle in here for a while...

* posted by me at 5:16 AM

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2003-01-01 
 

happy happy

It's two in the afternoon and I'm, amazingly, not that hung over. G and I did the quiet thing last night. Had some fondue, wine and other yummy goodies then walked up to Buena Vista Park to watch the fireworks. On the way up there, a couple of kids popped out of one of the houses and shouted,"Happy New Year!....almost" It sticks in my mind.

* posted by me at 5:00 PM

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