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Full Moon

Marcus — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 06:57:45 +0000

I got back from seeing Slumdog Millionaire to find the moon had risen, full and brilliant. The movie was terrific, but just a little oppressive, along with its soul-stirring story. I had to sit outside on the cold concrete and stare at the moon above me, thankful that I’ve had a relatively easy life so far, and live in a place where I have room to breathe and opportunity to pursue my happiness.

Superless Sunday

Marcus — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 07:57:59 +0000

Last Sunday was the Super Bowl, but I don’t follow pro ball, so I didn’t realize until a couple days before that the big day was upon us. I was planning to go to West Hollywood anyway, to meet up with a few friends, but everybody ended up going to parties, Bowl and otherwise. So Dennis, not having a dog in the Super Bowl fight either, and I, decided to go for drinks anyway. It was a bizarre scene, places were either packed, or completely dead.

Dennis is still recovering from his ankle surgery, so the crowded clubs were out. We stopped at Java Detour for a laugh, since they had the neighborhood’s smallest bar. It’s really a coffee shop, but maybe they had a liquor license left over that would otherwise have gone to waste. We met up with his fellow ankle survivor, Betsy, who was rocking a pair of wicked cool Sam Adams earrings.

We moved to St. Felix’s to chat, and whiled away a couple of hours in pleasant conversation. I thought Dennis was moody at first, but I think he was just impatient with the amount of time it took for the iPhone app I was using to snap the photos (Darkroom). It works great in low light, but can take long seconds to set itself up. We laughed it up until after 11:00, and parted ways.

So who won?

Hail and Well Met

Marcus — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 23:24:11 +0000

It’s hard not to give credence to climate change alarmists when we went from near-90 degree days just last week to last night’s weirdness, when the temperature dropped so fast I could feel it in my stomach. Just a few hours earlier, it was sunny and mild.

And then, just after bedtime, the rattle of frozen ice balls.

The hailstones came in waves, and when they started getting bigger, I got a little nervous.

The storm passed quickly, but with several costly plants in the yard, it was a bit of a restless night. Yo, Spring, hurry up.

Obama and I Remake the Country

Marcus — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 07:00:36 +0000

Although, my remaking is on a much smaller scale. Also, I’m already done.

I get a sense of accomplishment, and to know that what I planted will grow for a long time and be enjoyed by the people who own and visit the area. The new president has no such luxury. He faces enormous tasks, and shoulders unfathomable responsibility. I’m glad he believes he’s up to the task. But I will try to be understanding if he fails, or at least fails to reach the far off goals he’s set for himself and his administration.

For my part, I believe we will both faithfully execute our obligations this year. To the best of our abilities.

Gay Bingo

Marcus — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 07:27:55 +0000

Did I mention? Last Saturday? I guess I didn’t because we dropped $20 and didn’t win squat. The bartender was nice and all, but I don’t know if he was 20 bucks’ worth of nice. Yes, I know, it’s all for a good cause. But when we first played at Stonewall Coffee in West Hollywood (now a Quizno’s), we were the kings of luck. We won probably 20% of the prizes over two successive weeks.

For some odd reason, the prizes are now mostly porn, and I don’t think the donors have a handle on who comes to the things, because it’s also mostly straight porn (not that there weren’t a few heteros representing). Isn’t it a bit presumptuous to give away something as idiosyncratically tailored as pornography? Does this assume we’re all just sex crazed perverts who will accept it just because it’s prurient? Or is it just funny?

Gas Gets No Cheaperer

Marcus — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:58:09 +0000

Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

Hanging With Your Parents

Marcus — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 06:46:39 +0000

I know most people aren’t down with the idea of hanging out with their folks. But I kind of like it. We stayed an extra three days in Vegas (well, Vegas-adjacent) just to spend some quality goof-off time. My parents are pretty great, and always have been. They support my dreams and my creativity, they encourage me, and they’re there when I need them. I regretted that my final breakfast was my last meal for a while there. Which, I suppose, is how you should always leave someone else’s house as a guest.

Getting My Hands Dirty

Marcus — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:54:00 +0000

I’m temporarily engaged in manual labor. It’s an interesting return. My delicate fingers are getting filthy with soil.

Maybe they aren’t quite so delicate, after all. But I have been getting some nice landscaping done, even as the freezing winds of Granada Hills blow straight up the back of my shirt and make me think of Admiral Byrd.

Not that I miss this, but every once in a while, it’s good to do something physical for your money. I expect my karmic bank account to increase a bit for this, if it exists.

The Simpsons House in Henderson, Nevada. Meh.

Marcus — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:29:39 +0000

I finally remembered this thing was in my parents’ neighborhood, and we drove over just after Christmas to check it out. I know it was a decade ago and all, but it was still disappointing that the house had been repainted the same bland neutral as the rest of its fellows on the street.

And I know it’d be a stretch to have the street named “Evergreen Terrace,” but was it impossible to get the lot for 742? 712 is just close enough to be insulting.

Grass & trees are gone, but it is the desert, after all.

Some things are best left as memories.

Happy New Year

Marcus — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 06:42:48 +0000

I spent New Year’s Eve in West Hollywood, tired of staying home every year. I called up a friend who said he had no plans, and three of us trooped out to festive it up. First stop, Fiesta Cantina, and a giant-sized Corona. We walked up the road to Fubar, admittedly longer than it should have been. Next time, maybe a cab.

I continued to drink, which helped, because the place was dead until after 10:00. Switched to greyhounds, my fave. Unfortunately, it was way too dark for flashless photos.

There were lots more revelers by countdown time.

The music was way too loud, but it was nice to be in a crowd for the turn of the year. I finished with a shot of bourbon, which was probably a bit much. You know that line you try to keep on the other side of, when you cast all restraint aside and just keep drinking? I was so close.

Come on in, 2009, it’s about damned time.