So... the passage of time, about that....

My day at work went surprisingly smooth. I got out at 6:30, which wasn't too bad, however tomorrow may be a bit more intense. Of course luckily I can draw a line in the sand because Wednesday is my wonderful midweek rendevous in Central square with Kate.

We always meet by 6:45 (give or take five minutes... lately "give") and have a nice supper. In the more pleasant weather it is usually accompanied by some extensive walking, however since it is cold we've been finding creative ways to take nearly 2 hours to eat. It is a fantastic hobby, and it really is something to look forward to. I'm hoping for Italian tomorrow. I've had enough more than enough meat lately. I always enjoyed spaghetti as a kid, and I'm really pining for some nostalgia. It will be like the meal equivalent of my mother rocking me to sleep. Really I'll settle for anything tomato sauce based with the exception of pizza. And of course I can probably be convinced to waiver on this whole craving as well as I tend to employ "equal opportunity" when it comes to food items intended for consumption.

I saw Tucker Carlson interviewed on Conan O'Brian last Thursday and was heavily amused by his two cents on lesbians. For those who don't know or have not heard me both bitch and laugh at this guy previously; Tucker Carlson is a conservative mouthpiece with a very Gen X style delivery. The guy is an elitist and out of touch with reality despite his youthful demeanor. I'm certain this guy is very likely a head case but hey who isn't now days.

I enjoyed watching him uncomfortably sit next to Johnny Knoxville. I guess an interview he did got him in trouble over at CNN back when he was on crossfire. I googled it so I could get it all just right... here's the juice:

Tucker Carlson in Elle magazine: "One area of liberal phenomenon I support is female bi-sexuality - this apparent increased willingness of girls to bring along a friend. That's a pretty good thing." Women "want to be listened to, protected and amused. And they want to be spanked vigorously every one in a while." On arguing, "most of the time you can beat a woman in an argument. But what do you win? Nothing. You get short-term pleasure followed by a lot of pain." If he could be any woman, he would be Elizabeth Birch of the Human Rights Campaign because "you'd be presiding over an organization of thousands of lesbians, some of them quite good-looking." (Geez, Tucker. Obsess much?) Carlson would go to bed with Hillary Clinton: "Every time I see her I think I could, you know, help. She seems tense." (What a humanitarian.) He would pick Laura Ingraham over Ann Coulter because "with Ann you could get bruised on the angles."
I actually swiped that from wonkette.com's gossip columnist ala' google. It was complete with the included witty comments.

Well lets look around at the news....

Here's the latest in "We are all doomed" news. Just in case you are looking to feed any self destructive urges/vices etc., here, some fuel for the fire.

Climate study predicts big thaw

The good news is this might make it easier to drill through the Artic tundra. It will be less wear and tear on those really big drill bits. Perhaps less fossil fuel will be used to drill through the soft muddy earth? :D

Gregoire's homely distant relative passes away
Gregoire you are much prettier, but there is some sort of uncanny resemblance. Hey who knew this guy was a cook! And also, he was only 57 and died of lung cancer. For all of you with fondness of cancer sticks, smokey treats, nicotine fixes or what have you, may this be your umpteenth warning. Yes umpteenth, you read correctly.

Old Harvard Sq. faces brand-name onslaught
This is a bit about the changing face of Harvard square and how the bohemian element is being replaced by the glitz of corporate America. To put this in perspective, two of the filming locations from Good Will Hunting, which were Harvard Square main stays, no longer exist. The Brattle theater is now in danger and hobbling on its last legs. (You'd think Harvard with its Billions might just step in... but apparently not)

In some regards this is very sad and disappointing, in other regards I think other areas are filling the shoes that Harvard Square once wore. Davis Square boasts a theater that shows independent and second run movies for low prices, not to mention has the occasional live show. Coolidge Corner shows Indy and art films, as well as classics. The Kendall, a multiplex in "Kendall square" of course two stops away on the red line from Harvard, shows nearly exclusively art & independent films. Even Arlington, Stoneham, and Lexington, which are pretty much the suburbs boast small second run/ independent movie theaters where they probably did not previously. I read in an editorial once that Arlington is the new "Cambridge". I'd probably argue the case for Somerville first but hey, regardless things change.

In large metropolitan areas there will likely always be havens for artists and bohemians, and in most cases, they will almost always eventually get "priced out". It is cyclical, and part of the beauty of the ever changing urban environment. New memories for new generations. I think we are lucky that Harvard square has had its character preserved as well as it has despite its current Formica franchised demeanor.

I can't believe Good Will Hunting is almost nine years old. Yesterday I was speaking about stopping to reflect on the passage of time. I remember going to see it in the "new" theater in Windham with Tim, John, & Jim. I can't believe we've known each other that long let alone that a movie which still seems "recent" in my mind is nearly a decade old.

A long December...

And there's reason to believe
maybe this year will be better than the last....

OK, so here is where I'm supposed to write something really profound. I went and saw relatives and old friends and the changing home town. So this, this is where I'm supposed to write about how I've put it all in perspective, and I stand in awe at life and how time flies and such drivel, but honestly I don't feel like it... and this year despite rather obvious changes in the world around me, I feel rather numb to the passage of time. (Wait... is that profound? I'm not quite sure)

Thursday night I slaved away at MLNM (work) until 11:00 pm. I couldn't sleep when I got home, wasn't prepared to leave on Friday for Maine... and ended up not arriving till late afternoon Christmas Eve. I'm going in to work tomorrow which is officially supposed to be a day off (lovely).

The holidays weren't too rough, and for the most part I was actually looking forward to them for a change. I will say Friday I was in limbo. I didn't want to stay in Massachusetts, yet I didn't want to drive to Maine. Essentially I was feeling like nothing in the moment could please me or capture my attention. I was really burnt out, and admittedly I'm not even close to being recovered, although for the most part it was a relaxing holiday.

Today I closed the holiday weekend by visiting with Jason Chaloux at his parents, where he had Alexia, his baby girl. She had grown quite a bit since the last time I saw her. Eric Labelle, another old friend also was there.

Following this my Uncle Fritz treated my father and I to a few beers and some lunch at the new "Gritty's" brew pub in Auburn. It is a great addition to the area, and for the most part looks almost exactly like the Old Port location on the inside. I hung around my parent's till 6:30 or so before ultimately heading out in mixed precipitation for my trek down south. The roads weren't too bad. It probably only took me an extra half hour or so.

I'm tired... yet I don't want to go to bed... because I know time will pass quicker and suddenly I'll be on my way to work.

I wonder what the chances are that I could actually work a 9-5 day tomorrow?

Perhaps tomorrow I'll post some humorous links or political rants, today however I'm a little too melancholy. If nothing else the Patriots are winning.

Happy Holidays!

Hello All!

I don't have much to say tonight.
Work has consumed me lately. I did manage to get out tonight and Kate & I had a bite at UNO's in Harvard Square. We felt the mood for some wonderful franchised grub I suppose. We've become talented at milking our meal time and making it last a couple of hours in this cold weather. It was quite easy tonight because Cambridge is sort of deserted. All of the students have gone away for break, and everyone else is probably out busy preparing for the holidays or trying to meet those year end deadlines.
Anyway... I will be heading on break Friday through Monday. The following weekend will be another long one. So I apologize for irregularity in my posting schedule. I will try and resume the routine in the new year, and post when I can until that time arrives.

-Have fun!