April 29, 2003

London Calling

I've been getting the travel itch lately, so I'm considering a trip to London next spring. My brother and sister will both be studying abroad, so the plan would be to spend five or six days with them in London and maybe take a day trip to Paris. Yeah, you rednecks heard me, Paris. Anyway, I haven't been out of the States since I was a kid, so the idea is pretty exciting to me. I also have never traveled abroad with a ventilator, so this could be interesting. But a year to plan should be sufficient.

Posted by wintermute2_0 at 10:47 PM | Comments (0)

April 26, 2003

Porn and Prejudice

Yesterday, I went to see my new my primary physician. He was a nice enough guy, but as he was looking over my chart he said, "Well, you're definitely one of the more severe cases of SMA I've ever seen." Now, there's nothing really wrong with that statement. Most people who pass me on the street would probably think to themselves, "Wow, he's pretty fucked up." But I never really think of myself as ill or decrepit. Most of the time, I feel pretty vigorous. But I can't tell you the number of times people have said to me different variations of "My God, how can you live like this?"

Has anyone seen that reality series on Showtime about the guy who produces adult films? I think it's hilarious and just a bit creepy. The guy has aspects of the nice Jewish kid mixed in with LA slickster. And some of the women are portrayed as little more than beautiful bodies with deer-sized brains. Like most guys, I've seen one or two porn films and my attitudes regarding porn are moderately liberal (I draw the line on snuff and child pornography). But it just seems like working in this industry would make sex seem rather banal and mechanical. But then again, if I got to work with women with names (and bodies) like Briana Banks and Jenna Jameson, it might take me a while to come to that realization.

Posted by wintermute2_0 at 02:25 PM | Comments (0)

April 20, 2003

Hey, Mr. Blue Skies

I'm starting to forget what the sun looks like. It's been overcast around here for a few days and I'm feeling Vitamin D deficient. But it can stay cool for another couple weeks, as far as I'm concerned. I need to replace the air conditioner in my unit and I'm not eager to shell out $600. Ah, the joys of home ownership.

The Timberwolves begin their playoff series against the Lakers today. I'm not a huge basketball fan, but I'll be rooting for them just the same. One of these days, they have to get out of the first round.

For the past few weeks, I've been using the new version of my on-screen keyboard called WiViK. It's been long overdue for an upgrade, but it was worth the wait. The word prediction function is much improved and it's definitely made writing faster and easier. By the way, a little over 5,000 words and counting on my story.

Bought the new Evanescence album. I'm usually not one to give into hype, but the lead singer has a marvelous voice that I can't resist.

Posted by wintermute2_0 at 12:13 PM | Comments (0)

April 15, 2003

Le Bon Mot

I'm sorry, but the chick got in the way.

A U.S. Marine after shooting an Iraqi woman at a checkpoint.

Yes, many of our troops are brave and honorable men and women. And some are brain-dead semiliterates who joined the military because the mill wasn't hiring.

I saw Far from Heaven last night. A great film, both visually and thematically. And a wonderful use of 1950s film conventions to tell a modern story.

Posted by wintermute2_0 at 07:28 PM | Comments (4)

April 11, 2003

How Appropriate

You like the new subtitle?

Posted by wintermute2_0 at 05:36 PM | Comments (1)

It's A Beautiful Day

I've been busy getting my next story started, so I've been neglecting my blogging duties. The weather here in Minneapolis has finally turned nice, and as I type this late-afternoon sunshine is streaming through my windows. I have a corner unit, so my windows face south and west. It can get pretty warm in here if I leave the blinds open. In the summer, it can sometimes be like walking into a sauna.

I saw this article stating that Apple may purchase Universal Music. Um...wow. It's certainly an interesting possibility. After all, Apple's tagline for their computers was once "Rip, Mix, Burn." Free MP3s for iPod owners? PowerBooks conspicuously placed in music videos?

And this has a got to be the dumbest idea for a television show that I've ever heard.

Oh, and just a reminder: Republicans are still stupid. From the Washington Post:

Yesterday's debate suddenly veered from guns to race when Cubin criticized a failed Democratic amendment that would have banned gun sales to drug addicts or people in drug treatment. After noting that her sons, ages 25 and 30, "are blond-haired and blue-eyed," she said: "One amendment today said we could not sell guns to anybody under drug treatment. So does that mean that if you go into a black community you can't sell any guns to any black person?"

Posted by wintermute2_0 at 05:22 PM | Comments (0)

April 03, 2003

The Disappeared

You know, adults who try to "connect" with kids by using their lingo in a painfully self-conscious manner are just pathetic. Especially politicians.

I mailed my story on Monday, which means I should get my first rejection slip in five to eight weeks. But I already have an idea for my next project and I'll probably start writing it this weekend.

And this story is just another example that our government does things that we think only happen in other countries. Sometimes, I'm really embarrassed to be an American.

Posted by wintermute2_0 at 10:28 PM | Comments (0)