Fried Onions and the Oscars

This evening I enjoyed watching the Academy Awards. Truthfully one of the primary reasons I watched was because Jon Stewart was hosting. I probably caught a portion of last year's ceremony but I generally find Chris Rock tired. His jokes seem to be about 80% derivative of race based themes, and I find it unoriginal, HBO, not the Oscars, is the proper venue for such laughs. I've enjoyed Steve Martin & Letterman in the recent past, and I've been luke warm on Billy Crystal. (Notice I've forgotten Whoopie... well not really) Stewart did a good job. His humor was a bit muted and more conservative for the broader audience. My favorite joke of the show was when they did a montage of clips from films that addressed social issues, and Stewart followed it by saying "And because of these films these issues are no longer problems, thank you us!".

In light of the Academy Awards subject, I wanted to take a moment to address a related issue. I feel for many, especially some members of our elder generations, that a major deterrent from watching the Oscars is the often blatant political overtones. For all of the critics of this, (I must admit that I myself have been) I believe that it is misplaced. Nowhere is there a more appropriate forum to air political statements than through these outlets of art and entertainment. In a bit of hypocrisy those who may critique outspoken artists on the other hand criticize them for not setting a good example with their role model stature. So which is it? Should they speak up or shut up? I can say without hesitation that this is an impossible choice to make. Regardless of their opinions I commend those willing to speak up and try to make a difference.

I think many of the nay-sayers who shutter out these American cultural events, are just afraid of certain truths that may be revealed to them.

Politics aside, I was pleased regarding several of the awards. Reese Witherspoon was very deserving for her award portraying June Carter. Walk The Line was one of my favorite films of the past year. Reese accepted the award with great poise and I believe that she is one of the stand up individuals and intellecutuals to come out of Hollywood in recent times. Then of course, "Wallace & Grommit" is officially oscar material! A few of us dorky fans perhaps will now get some more respect (yeah... I know, unlikely :D ). I was surprised by "Crash" winning best picture. I'll have to rent that one. I'll also have to see Brokeback Mountain to officially see what all the hype is about and develop a fact based opinion. I respect the universal theme of love that the movie addresses, I've heard however, that the nominations are more "political" based, rather than on the actual quality (comparitively speaking) of the film. I'll let you know what I think once I see it.

My weekend was good, I did a little spring shopping... Filenes is looking really sad now days, RIP. Kate & I went to Bugaboo creek in Burlington. It is much smaller than the one in South Portland & seems to be more of a favorite for children than the Maine location. But the food was the same delicious hearty grub. We had a bunion onion for an appetizer followed by our main course, which we could hardly eat after stuffing ourselves with bread and fried onion.

Anyway, I hope everyone's Monday starts off the week well!

Yep.....

After work tonight I headed over to Porter Square in Cambridge. There is a Bally's there, and I'm quite certain after visiting that I'm going to transfer my membership. I'll probably do it officially tomorrow night and work out for the first time in an millennia. It is quite a bit nicer than the one I currently go to in Woburn. It has a pool and a large jacuzzi, not to mention significantly newer equipment. It will be quite convenient after work, and as it turns out, there is a parking lot across the street, so I could drive there on the weekend rather than taking the train. The subway is convenient when I have to work, but when I'm not already there it will be much quicker to drive since you have to take the train all the way into Boston on the Orange line, then all the way back out into Cambridge on the Red line. For me it should be a quick 20 minute drive.

I'm up too late again and didn't get chores that I need to do done. Tomorrow I must do laundry.. Exciting huh? This is the grade A sh*t that keeps my readers devoted.

Oh get this:

Beijing starts campaign to end spitting

China thinks spitting is their biggest problem... must be a really great place. Nuff said.

Red Sox's Ramirez Arrives At Spring Training
And there was much rejoicing. ahem, whoopee....

Images from the "Before time"

Due to a lack of time and creative energy I've decided to post a couple old pictures from the college days.


This first image taken in Wyoming on a visit the year after I graduated kind of invokes the whole "band" pose and is quite cheesy. It is definitely good for a chuckle. On the left, moi of course.. sporting one of my more unconventional looks. Center is Jens Fehn, and to the right, Chad Dixon. The bad lighting in this photo actually added a nifty effect.


Myself and Tim Hayes are seen here striking a pose in our Saint Joseph's College Junior year. This is in the notorious Caprio/Blouin room.


Also in the infamous Blouin/Caps room, here can be seen from left to right, Jim Musson, Michael Caprio- the man him self, and Chris Pike. Jim steps out of character and looks at the camera with conviction and confidence, perhaps invoking reference to such chiseled beauties as "The Marlboro Man", "The Cisco kid (one of Jim's many alter egos)" and "Tall, beardless, Caucasian Jesus". Meanwhile Caprio and Pike, who are well aware of the evils of modern day photography, close their eyes in order to prevent the permanent loss of their souls.

Anyway, that was good fun... lets do the time warp again, some other time.