Yay...it's almost Monday!

You may think I'm crazy but I look forward to Mondays -- because '24' is on Monday nights. Helen and I are addicted to that show - we've seen every episode since the series began.

It's hard to maintain a suspense-filled series from episode to episode, much less from season to season, so I've got to tip my hat to the series' writers. This season they've written even more twists and turns into the plot - starting by killing off 2 of the main characters from previous seasons (President David Palmer and former CTU head Michele Dessler).

In the last episode, Agent Jack Bauer, played by Keifer Sutherland, had to extract information out of a former boss by threatening to shoot him in the knee. Leave it to the dudes at Television Without Pity to come up with the funniest online poll.

A rant about fortune and fate

I am saddened and shocked by the news story about a 24-year-old grad student who was brutally raped and murdered in New York. A random act of unspeakable and unimaginable violence that I normally try to block out of my life and my thoughts. It is the type of story which really hits home (literally) for me, since before moving out to Washington I spent most of my life in New York City, grew up in Brooklyn where her body was discovered, and used to play volleyball and basketball at John Jay College where she was getting her masters degree in criminology.

It is the type of news event that most tugs at my feral fears and disturbs my cloak of contentment. This is the stuff that shouldn't happen here, that shouldn't exist period. But when the objective nature of my mind is forced to contemplate this, it is obvious that this heinous event is not so rare on this planet of ours. Things like this happen every day around the world - it just doesn't usually happen here. If we look for it, we can find evidence of senseless suffering in Somalia, Bosnia, Cambodia...it can go on and on...and for most of us, we could not even begin to imagine, much less stomach.

As sad and maddening as this horrible tragedy is, what saddens me more is the knowledge that so many people who are as fortunate as I seem so oblivious to how lucky they are. For instance, there's a former colleague who seems unable to come to the realization that he's not the center of the universe, the cat's meow, or the most unique and creative individual on the face of the planet. And that it's okay to be just ordinary like the rest of us. It's not that he's lacking in intellect or talent, and it's not even that he seems to be "holding out" for the clear recognition of said talent and intellect careerwise. It's that he's been holding out for 5 years, AND totally unwilling to accept perfectly fitting work. We're not talking about flipping burgers at Mickey D's, although there's certainly no shame in that if it pays the rent.

What's probably the saddest part about this friend's state is that he continues to hold the same sanctimonious attitudes about the most silly things. For example this guy

• Refuses to wear anything other than jeans and sneakers, even wielding this personal preference as an excuse to avoid obligations to attend weddings and formal events
• Holds in disdain anyone who wears khakis, because in his view they are all corporate lackeys - even if they genuinely prefer this style of dress
  
• Thinks that if you don't live in New York City or London you can't truly be cool
• Sneers at anyone who professes a love for family and children

All the while, my friend seems oblivious to the fact that while he's been adrift for 5 years, the rest of the world has moved on.

Looking forward to Beijing 2008

Courtesy of Getty Images

Sadly I watched the close of the Torino Games last night. Don't know why but the end of any Olympics (or other sporting culmination) always brings out the nostalgic side of me. Maybe it's just the cathartic release of spectator tension and adrenaline.

I've always been this way. I love the drama of sport: the intensity, the oscillation of emotions, the developing storylines of individual players, the pressure of winning and losing. Sport is my theater, and the Olympic Games are the top of the Broadway heap. [Sigh] Two more years to the Beijing Olympics. I'm really looking forward to the 2008 games because I recently watched a show on the Discovery Channel about the construction of the new olympic venues. They look amazing. I recorded part of the show on my DVR but forgot to save it so it got bumped when new programs were recorded. Anyone happen to have a copy of that show?

Amazing full court shot

Beautiful Lake Wenatchee

Reasons to visit the Blogsphere - #84

I am an observer by nature. Many times at parties I'm perfectly content to sit amongst a group of interesting folks and just listen to them espouse their views. The world of blogs has opened up many thousands of these conversations for my voyeuristic enjoyment. I can happily and unintrusively "listen in" on conversations between people, and even participate if I so choose.

Just like in the real world, cyber conversations range from the trivial and moronic to the cosmic and philosophical. The great thing is that both acquaintances and complete strangers can share opinions and learn about each other, and you don't have to be in the same physical place. Nor do the conversations need to take place in real time. Best of all, for someone like me, I can be in on these exchanges as they happen or even after they happen. It's like little bits of people's minds floating in the digital galaxies that I can examine any time I want. It's the combination of a time machine, a mind reader, and a cosmic telephone.

One of the more interesting blogs I've come upon is Stella Nole. The posts are not always significant or deep (and not that they have to be mind you) - often it's just about a daily event. What I admire about Stella's writing is its honesty and intention to offer full exposure of her thoughts and feelings. Her writing is often funny, entertaining, and very much "in-the-moment." I'm also jealous of the relationship she has with her cadre of readers, who respond frequently and with like honesty in dialogue. An example is a recent entry about a topic which I'm sure we've all struggled with.

I've enjoyed listening in for the past few months, even though I don't really know Stella or any of the people who frequent her blog. Her willingness to share her mind, heart and soul makes me feel as if I know her. Stay well, Stella, and stay in touch.

Return of the sun

Jack enjoying a beautiful day on the "Ridge."

The agony of defeat

Almost a week has gone by and Seattle's healed enough for me to update my fair readers on the happenings around here for SB XL. Our party was a lot of fun - until the end. We had a pretty good turnout and lots of food and drink. Helen's sweet potato and shrimp fritters were a big hit.

The game was like an Olympic wrestling match - long stretches of tense, grunting exertion with short bursts of explosive action. With so many die-hard 'Hawks fans in da house, eyes were glued to the action on the screen. There were 6 kids at the party, so they scampered around creating minor distractions for their parents, but only barely. Each time the 'Hawks made a good play, the room would fill with whoops and cheers. Plenty of high fives and "Go Hawks" passed around. Too many times though, they'd be followed by groans as questionable calls or devastating penalties would pop the bubble of excitement.

When it became clear during the last 2 minutes that the Steelers were going to be the champs, an awful empty feeling joined our merry little party. Our friends Hunter and Heidi were probably the most devastated, although pretty much everyone left within 15 minutes after the game concluded. No one wanted to watch the post game. I can imagine many parties in the Seattle area that probably ended the same way as ours.

I can only imagine the scene wherever "Corndawg" Cornwell happened to be. The week leading up to the Super Bowl, Corndawg had been psyching up for the game, even entering into "The Wager" with our colleague and Steeler fan Michael Byrd. Details of "The Wager" are depicted below, in a photo of the actual contract. Basically the loser would have to provide 20 donuts and 4 apple fritters, along with the painful and ignominious dishonor of decorating his cube with the opponent's colors, wearing the opposing team's jersey for the day, and using the tagline "Seahawks suck" or "Steelers suck" for their IM.


Here is the ugly aftermath of "The Wager" - Poor Jeff had to skulk around the office all day in a Steeler's jersey. Of course, I took a picture to properly document the whole thing for posterity. Hey Jeff, at least you guys didn't go with my suggestion for face painting. Go 'Hawks in '06.

Here he is - India's answer to Usher!

Scouring the corners of the earth to bring you talent like you've never dreamed!

Spelling bee fainting

A kid faints at a pressure packed spelling bee. But watch as he not only recovers, but actually spells the word correctly. Most of us couldn't do what this kid does. Keep your eye on this kid - he's going to do great things some day.