01/31/2001:
Well, I finally took the manga plunge. I’ve read the first two volumes of Lone Wolf and Cub and plan to pick up the third later today. I also just finished The Four Immigrant Manga, which was pretty rough, but really interesting from a historical perspective. It got me thinking about the Japanese-American experience, which is something I’ve never given much thought. I few of my friends caught Japan-fever a few years ago, so I’ve been trying to avoid it, but now I’m starting to show some symptoms. If I start to lust after young girls in school uniforms, then I’ll kill myself.
If I can find a copy of Nuovo Cinema Paradiso, then I’ll finish my first movie challenge. I’ve already selected the movies for my second movie challenge, so I doubt I’ll feel much satisfaction after watching the movie, since I’ll already be thinking about watching the first movie of the second challenge.
01/28/2001:
A lazy Sunday to go with my lazy Saturday.
I finished Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth. It really got to me near the end. I got choked up. I'm glad I'm not alone.
Ran was really good. I can't wait to see more Kurosawa films. Only two movies left on my self-inflicted movie challenge.
01/27/2001:
Today was a lazy Saturday. I slept in late and didn't do much. Xander came over and we started the Hellers and Schillings demo. It sounds pretty good. Later, I started watching Ran. So far, so good. I wish I had gone to see it when it was at the Dobie a few weeks ago.
My allergies are still out of control. It sucks!
01/25/2001:
My allergies are killing me today. Damn genetics!
It was another weird day at work. Someone got fired and it was a big surprise. I doubt I’ll ever get to know why.
I read some more of Jimmy Corrigan. I can’t believe this comic. It’s super complex visually. I’m not so sure about the characters or storytelling.
01/24/2001:
Stressful day...I had to fix someone else’s problem at work. I hate being thrown into a situation where I don’t know what’s going on, but everyone expects me to do something. It was a hassle. Unrelated happy work experience: my boss took some of us out to eat after work. It was tasty.
I miss my girlfriend. Her damn schoolbooks have stolen her away from me.
I started Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth. It’s insane.
Got comics from Joe Chiappetta, plus I nice little note. The inside cover of Silly Daddy #20 has a jam with James Kochalka, Matt Feazel and Shane Simmons, which is a nice bonus. I don’t know what to make of Jesus the Radical, yet.
Time for bed.
01/22/2001:
Well, I’ve only got four movies left in my self-inflicted movie challenge. I’m trying to decide how I should compile my next list. My brother sent me a list of great foreign films, which I’m considering, but I just don’t know, yet.
I had a pretty good weekend. I went to see two movies in the theater, which I don’t seem to do much any more. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was great, although the dramatic elements were not has well developed as I’d hoped, but the action was amazing. Next was Charlie’s Angels at the Discount Cinema. It was ok, but the action sequences looked pretty shitty compared to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and the actual story was pretty silly. It had enough moments to get me through it and I’d even consider watching again, if someone else rented it or it was on cable.
I’m not looking forward to this workweek, but I am looking forward to the paycheck on Friday, so I guess I can make it.
01/19/2001:
I had a nice yesterday. I got my comics I’d ordered from Fantagraphics, so I spent most of my evening reading hilarious Sam Henderson gags. I also finished watching The Quiet Man. It was interesting, but I was having trouble getting into it. I think it was more my fault than the movie’s. I was being impatient. The movie features the Irish landscape and a few times I was blown away by the rolling bright green hills, but most of the time I was wishing it would just get on with the story...which is really lame of me.
Anyhoo, I also took a walk to get some exercise (and pick up Witness for the Prosecution and Stalag 17). I managed not to drink any sodas yesterday, even when Somer and I went to Trudy’s for lunch. Now I’ve just got to kick the caffeine and I’ll be happy with my eating habits.
01/17/2001:
I’ve been working on the Quetalby section for a few days now. It’s not quite done yet, but you should still check it out.
I tried to take it easy at work yesterday, so now I’ve got to make up for it today. I know, boo hoo, right?
Anyhoo, last night I read some comics, played a little Breath of Fire 2 and watched That 70s Show and then ended the night by washing dishes. Exciting stuff! Tonight will probably be more of the same. Out of sight!
01/15/2001:
Well, I had an action packed weekend. Andy was in town, so Xander came over and we had a hard rockin’ Quetalby session. We put Andy in the closet, so he could scream his head off, while Xander shredded on electric guitar and I pounded the drums. Then Xander created some spacey guitar sounds, I placed a funky groove and Andy did what he does. Then Xander and I switched instruments and we played a few more songs, then we moved out to the living room where I played electric piano and Xander played acoustic guitar. Andy sang, of course. We really started cookin’, but the tape ran out, so we decided to call it quits. It was a good session, though. I’ve listened to it twice, now, and it’s still holding up. Some of these songs are definitely going on the next Quetalby compilation.
Doug was also in town, so he and Somer and I went out to Crown on Friday and had a few beers. Saturday, we stayed up late and watched SNL, which was pretty good. Yesterday we did a little shopping. Hopefully, we'll go out to lunch today before he heads back to Arlington.
Right now I’m listening to Aimee Mann singing Harry Nilsson's "One." That's some good stuff.
01/12/2001:
I’m listening to the Shaggs’ Philosophy of the World. What a weird album! What a weird group!
It looks like this could be a busy weekend. Hopefully I do a little recording with Andy, hang out with Doug and maybe get to meet and hang out with one of Somer’s old friends.
I’m going Silly Daddy crazy. I bought the two books, plus a few of the comics. I’ve seen the stuff on the bookstore shelf for years now, but something always kept me from picking one up. I guess I figured it would be the rantings of some granola-hippie-goofball. It turns out I was right, but my tastes have change, so I’m enjoying his worldview (even though I don’t agree with it).
01/10/2001:
I’ve really been listening to music lately and I mean listening as in analyzing. It’s inspirational.
I started playing the SNES game, Breath of Fire 2, the other day. It’s pretty cool. Kind of weird, but fun. I read a review that said the Japanese to English translation is not very good and I can believe it, ‘cause sometimes the game is sort of confusing.
Anyhoo, Somer and I did some rearranging around the house and it looks much better. We boxed up her computer (‘cause we only use mine) and stuck it in the basement. It really opens up the room. We also moved Michael's organ to the basement and replaced it with Xander’s electric piano. Hopefully having the piano around will help me work out some new music I’ve been working on, plus the Hellers and Schillings stuff I should’ve finished months ago.
01/08/2001:
Before Haircut |
After Haircut |
01/04/2001:
Well, the holiday season is finally over. I had a lot of fun and got some nice stuff, but traveling two weekends in a row is just not any fun for me. I like the comfort of my own house and my stuff. I guess I’m just a shallow materialist. I’d like to think I don’t have expensive tastes, but I do end up spending a lot of money on comics, books and music. If someone spends a lot of money on clothes, then it’s probably because they love clothes the way I love music, so I guess I shouldn’t frown upon it as much as I do.
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