October 31, 2008
Boo!
What a treat. Halloween falls on a Friday night this year and I feel like the city is in for a bit of mayhem. Of all the holidays I celebrate, this one has to be the most fun. I certainly love spending Thanksgiving and Christmas with my families, but Halloween is truly special, offering an valid excuse to wear ANYTHING and encouraging creativity in a way no other day does. I have always enjoyed my last minute rush to find a costume or make some art. Some of my past favorites: "Stack of Boxes", "Live-Video Projector", "Mop" and "Girl Ghost". This year I have assembled a "Keytar" from a small casio keyboard and a Wii Guitar Hero neck and will be rocking out all night... Polyester/Triacetate sweat suit courtesy Grandpa Irv.
October 20, 2008
Rays!
Unbelievably, the Tampa Bay Rays have undergone a serious transformation from perennial doormats of the American League (as The Tapma Bay Devil Rays) to pennant winners. Unfortunately, they had to beat the Red Sox to do it. And so last night, after game 7 of a great series, we said goodbye to our warriors and walked away. It was the first postseason battle of a potentially epic rivalry between the two clubs and the Sox went down hard. It's always just a little harder to get up the next morning after a season-ending loss, but every time I am reminded that it's just a game. It is entirely in my head and does not actually affect my life AT ALL. They win I get high, They lose I get down. Nothing else changes, except maybe now I don't go to a World Series game... Patriots are beating the Broncos.
October 18, 2008
Sox!
On the brink of elimination, trailing the Rays 3-1 and down 7-0 in the 7th, these zen masters summoned the strength to comeback and emerge victorious forcing a game 6. It was almost completely unwatchable at first as the energetic Rays jumped out to an early lead on their raw speed and power, but after a DVR break, I returned and witnessed the epic reversal. It was inspiring to watch them, and although they still trail in games and are headed back to Tampa, I can't help but feel some enthusiasm for their chances. I actually took their model and played it out on the tennis court against Eric, who has beaten me every time we've played. He dominated early and jumped out to a 4-0 lead. I then had a revelation: Win This Point. My deficit, I reasoned, was completely irrelevant. It did not change the number of points I would have to win and so I just needed to focus on winning each point as it occured. It was simple, but it provided huge mental strength. I played each point as the only one that mattered and began winning more of them. I also channeled my dad, a fantastic tennis player who returns everything. He makes so few mistakes and although he is not aggressive, he is relentless. Hit the ball in and let your opponent make mistakes. We played to a tiebreaker and after the first 3 points, Eric was up 3-0. I considered all I had learned during the course of the set and, knowing that I still only had to win seven points, I won them all. Victory!
October 8, 2008
The Dark Crystal
Last night I entered a time machine and was transported back to age 5 watching this Jim Henson classic. It is puppets, but this ain't no Sesame Street. I remember being pretty freaked out by so many aspects and a total wave of panic swept over me as the Skeksis opened the portal to drain the Gelfling's essence... It's intense for me now and scared the hell out of me 25 years ago. The story is classic fantasy, an epic battle between the "Mystics" and "Skeksis" that ends when (spoiler alert!) the crystal is healed by our hero and good and evil join together to become the ultimate Truth.
Maybe Obama and McCain will similarly unite and expose the light of Truth.
October 3, 2008
Biden
I can't deal with Sarah Palin. Is she real? Having been awed by her inability to answer Katie Couric's questions this week, I watched the VP debate last night (hilariously at Jay-Zs 40/40 club) and was once again cringing at her chosen words and (gasp) winks. I am sure there are folks out there who love her for her "folksiness", but underneath it, I think she is dangerous and I can't believe she might even get away with it. Why will she refuse to acknowledge man's contribution to global warming? Because it contradicts her narrow focus on money and power and oil. Why would she "counsel" a 15 year old raped by her father to keep the baby? Because her life and her political support begin at conception. Why does she insist that homosexuality is a wrong choice? She has no empathy...
On the other hand, Joe Biden is a friend. I know he's a politician and he plays some of the same games, but I believe him when he says he wants to make this country a better place for everyone. He speaks passionately about what matters and seeks the truth. Not to mention he's the running mate to a guy who inspires us like no politician I've ever seen. Obama is a leader and he's leading us to a better time. We are in some serious trouble right now and we need someone who can positively turn us around. Yes We Can.