Back from the beyond
Phone conversation
My mother: Hello, Nana! Happy Birthday! How are you feeling?
My grandmother: I’m terrible. I want to die. And why haven’t I heard from you since you were here?
Mom: We’ve all been trying, Nana. I’ve tried to call just about every day, and I know the boys have been trying to reach you today. We never get an answer.
Nana: Well, I haven’t been answering my phone.
Mom: …That would explain it.
Blowing my own horn
When I get into periodic frenzies of commenting on other people’s weblogs, like now, I wish that more comment systems (like Movable Type’s) had a feature that John and I programmed into ours: a “notify me” checkbox that sends an email when someone else comments on a post you’ve commented on.
It’s great for the commenter, because it helps you keep track of where you’ve left comments and what else is being said. And I think it’s good for the weblog author too, because I bet it increases both traffic and comment participation.
Word of the day: inchoate
Random acts of philosophy
My friend Mike is going through something of a transition period in his life right now, and last week we got on the subject of life lessons, things you would do differently, etc. As for me, the last few years have taught me that you learn something important from every interaction you have with people, and everything that happens to you. In fact, probably my most positive lessons in life have come from negative experiences, especially with other people. Most of them I wouldn’t go back and change for anything, because they’ve made me the person I am today. And for all my problems, I’m pretty happy with that person.
I am now officially a card-carrying member of the American Civil Liberties Union. Too bad the card is just flimsy paper, unlike the plastic credit card my dad got when he joined the Republican National Committee just so he could get their mailings.
I’m probably going to write a rather lengthy post about “Matrix Reloaded,” but it’ll be for people who’ve already seen the movie. It’s one of those things that shouldn’t be spoiled by other people’s opinions.
One hint: Go see it twice. Trust me on this.
It’s strange to think that Gloria Foster died way back in September 2001, after she completed her part in “Reloaded” but before “Revolutions” began. I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say that the Oracle’s scene with Neo in “Reloaded” is the best part of the entire movie. She’s phenomenal, and we’ve lost something precious with her death.
Great stuff by Rich Procter on SmirkingChimp.com, complete with a TV ad script I’d love to see. Let’s go on the attack for once. Bullies don’t like it when you fight back. Let’s fight back.
Lunchtime conversation
“‘The King of Queens’ has become the first lesbian sitcom since ‘Ellen.'”
The other night I had a dream that I was a Secret Service agent guarding First Lady Stockard Channing. As usual, not sure what this means.
Celebrity Quote of the Week
“He’s dead-on gorgeous and down-to-earth. He deserves everything that has happened to him.”
-Colin Farrell on Ben Affleck, in People Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People” issue.
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