The 2002 James Bond movie (Die Another Day) is on tv right now. Did I mention how great the new Bond movie was? How refreshing it was with Daniel Craig playing a tough James Bond, one that could actually take a "licking and keep on ticking". My apologies for the hokey Timex one liner. But that aside, Casino Royale was great. I think a lot of it had to do with Craig's ability to be tortured (i.e. brutally hit in the nuts, over and over again, while tied to a chair naked) and make it believeable. His Bond was tough. Pierce Brosnan would have had a heart attack just filming the scene. And there were no gimmicks in the new Bond movie. Maybe just one minor one. Mostly it was just guns, babes, and guns. And that makes a great movie. I heard Brosnan is making a new Mrs. Doubtfire movie (film with Robin Williams in drag as a nanny type). That's probably more his speed anyway.

Damn, I hate feeling alone. Maybe it's cuz of the holidays and all, but I think I'm depressed. I need a girlfriend (and a good one at that). Plus fall is over. Which is always sad. There's no better season than fall. Summer is too hot (unless you're at the beach, girl watching). Winter is too damn cold. And spring? Over-rated! It's rainy and shitty and no good. Fall is the best. Fall is a time for hope. And I guess I'm feeling Old Man Winter settling into my bones.

My first short story (Twin Blue Oceans) was workshopped today. It went pretty well. Most people liked it and all that stuff. High praise followed by some minor critisism. It feels like a hollow victory though. I don't know why. Oh well. Top of the world one moment. Shit hole the next.

Found out tonight that they're turning Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy into a movie, starting with The Golden Compass. Daniel Craig is playing Lord Asriel (who did a good job being James Bond--probably the toughest Bond ever, including Connery). Nichole Kidman is in it as well. The director is this guy I've never really heard of, but he did the American Pie trilogy. So I'm hoping there aren't any dick-in-the-apple-pie jokes mysteriously stuck in the film. All in all, I'm excited about it. Hopefully some previews will follow soon.

Since times have been sad in Pitt. for my sis and bro (in-law), I decided to repost this picture. It has been poorly modified. But may it remind us all of better times, of the mission of U-Haul and the Escape from Queens. Those were better times indeed.

Old work from my poetry workshop last semester. More to follow if I find them!

Land of the Free

I was feeling fit. Physically. It was always good to feel that way. Nothing against being mentally fit, but maintaining a physical fitness was a lot easier. I felt so good, I started punching things. I punched the couch, the mailbox, the city bus. I was about to punch a sand crab on the beach when an old lady stopped me. “You shouldn’t punch living things,” she told me. “Why,” I asked. “Because of the laws of nature,” she said. I had never heard of such a thing. I pulled out my law degree, folded up in my wallet and showed it to her. “It’s from Harvard,” I pointed out, “and I’ve never heard of these laws of nature.” She explained that it had something to do with creation and Coke bottles, the slaves on Jefferson’s plantation and an old Paris whorehouse. “Have a great morning,” she said, walking away. I headed back home. The wind had been taken out of my sails. It was a significant downer. On the sidewalk, a shiny new bicycle was practically begging to be punched, but my heart wasn’t into it anymore. Caution would have to be taken in the future. I didn’t want to break any of the laws of nature. The prison was tired of housing and feeding me.

Chef Reg has some pix for da kiddie's to view!

What a beautiful cake! Shame I didn't make it. But that badly scribbled message of "Ha, ha, U R 60, Love U". Yup, all me. Don't be a playa hater! The pizza was made by your's truly. It looked better in person and tasted GREAT! Totally cost around $4. Feed two.

We have begun workshopping short stories in my creative writing class. I've got to hand it to my friend, Andy. His story kicks ass. It's got great action, great description, great dialogue. He really paints the story well. I'd have to say, at this point, that his story would take first place. And mine would be second. Cuz no other story has come close to mine. And mine falls a bit short of Andy's. So there it is. 2nd place. And I think I'm okay with that. Last night as I read his story, I was a bit threatened. But I've gotten over that. Different stories and all. His is an apple and mine an orange. His apple is a bit better than my orange, but fuck it. I like oranges better.

When you find yourself on Myspace trying to figure out the insights of teenage relationships, that's when you know you're getting old. Has it been so long that I don't remember the shit I'd say to a girl? High school (for me), a galaxy far, far away. And Little Bean, you don't count! Your numbers may be more than mine, but don't forget, you drank from the fountain of youth, while I drank none. And guys, I didn't mean in a perverted way. I just can't remember how the whole boy likes girl thing used to go.

I hate this fucking short story of mine. This stupid shit with the buffet and the taking over the world. How in the hell am I supposed to write this shit? I should have written about something else. I don't think I can write scary fiction.