As I was driving home from work yesterday evening, I was listening to the Boston classic rock station just in time for the daily rock n’ roll diary (a great feature). As the DJ was signing off, he mentioned that the next day was freak ass Friday. I thought that was strange. Very strange. But I was intrigued. The DJ quickly ran through the prize giveaways blah blah blah, and how you you have to call in when you hear some sound blah blah blah. I couldn’t pay attention to all that because I was just wondering why they would dub today freak ass Friday. The mystery was solved later that night when a more elocutionary DJ identified the prize giveaway day as free gas Friday. Naturally, I was disappointed.
Archive for March, 2006
Say what now?
March 24th, 2006The man with secret identities
March 23rd, 2006On my way home from work last night, I was walking to the train and I spoted something off-kilter about a man walking towards me. I tried to figure out what it was, and then I noticed that he had two cellphones, a blackberry, and a pager attached to his belt. I thought to myself “Who is this guy, that he needs to have so many devices to keep in touch with people.”
Then I chuckled at the thought that he must have three secret identities, where each one has seperate contact information. Perhaps he’s a super-hero.
A letter to Mitch Hurwitz
March 21st, 2006Dear Mr. Hurwitz:
I consider myself a very enthusastic fan of your show “Arrested Development” that has unofficially been given the axe by the Fox Network. I have read the rumors flying around the Internet lately about Showtime making an offer to pick up the show. These rumors are also reporting that the future of the show lies in your hands — whether you decide to bring it over to Showtime, or call it quits with A.D.
I can understand your predicament. The past few years must have been very trying — between winning awards for a wonderfully written and produced show — but not having the fan base that it deserved. At the same time, the Fox Network did an extremely pitiful job marketing your work — which has brought us to where we are now. Being nearly cancelled, only to be revived for a dozen episodes must be extremely frustrating.
If you look at the number of shows that are coming out now, though (“The Loop” or ABC’s new show “Sons and Daughters”) these are all copies of your genius. Every review I have read of these shows has made a comparison to your show. If everyone is trying to copy Arrested Development, why would you want to throw in the towel now?
» Read more: A letter to Mitch Hurwitz
What’s with the Beard? Redux
March 20th, 2006After four glorious months, the Cool Jesus beard has been packed away until November. Sure, it might make a brief appearance before then, but since it brings with it nearly two weeks of itchiness, once it’s gone, it’s usually gone for good. You may remember from the original What’s with the Beard?, that I was secretly waiting for comments from friends, roommates, or co-workers and they eventually came raining down upon me. The big VP in my office even called me “Honest Abe,” despite the fact that I did not have a chinstrap beard (nor a stovepipe hat, but that’s a whole other sartorial rant).
Swedish Girl had informed me that I resemble Jason Lee’s character, Earl Hickey, on one of my new favorite TV shows, My Name Is Earl. Not exactly what you want to hear from your special lady friend, but at least she didn’t say I resemble his brother Randy (portrayed by the legendary Ethan Suplee). At any rate, on Saturday morning I initially shaved the beard into a tribute to Earl, but even I couldn’t allow myself to leave the house looking like that with the floppy mustache and lampchop sideburns. I was worried I’d set off an Amber Alert in my neighborhood, so it all came off – using my two-blade Schick Tracer FX, I might add.
Roommate Petro noticed right away, so he at least guaranteed a return of What’s with the Beard? I guess it’s a two-part game, with this flip side named something like Oh, You Shaved? However, either my co-workers haven’t noticed or they’ve finally learned to respect my space and pretend I’m invisible. Either way, it’s a relief.
Learning how to run
March 19th, 2006Early in the summer of 2000, I became a runner. By this I mean that I used running as a means of stress relief, and did it several times a week. This continued up until the spring of 2003 at which point I injured myself riding my bicycle, two weeks before the Boston Marathon, for which I had been training for all winter long.
Since this time, I’ve found it very difficult to get back into the routine of running. I’ve tried many times, and sometimes I’d stick with it for 4-5 runs. I’d set small goals for myself, and would start to break into a rhythm, but it would never stick. Until now.
I think it had something to do with a New Years resolution, followed by the winter olympics (such a great motivator). And since the first of February, I’ve managed to log a around 80 miles. While this isn’t record-shattering, it’s still proof to myself that I’ve managed to keep it up. Moreso, however, is the past two weekends when I’ve even managed to get a long run in — and try to improve my endurance and overall weekly mileage.
As I’ve strugged to get back into the habit, I’ve begun to remember all of the little tips and tricks that I had during my “years as a runner.” While this probably isn’t the most useful for you, dear Diatribe readers, it could be for someone out there — so I thought I’d share my tips on learning how to run.
» Read more: Learning how to run
Blogs are like beer…
March 19th, 2006I happened to stumble upon a review of a book on the Economist about the changing media marketplace entitled An Army of Davids written by Glenn Reynolds, and found the review very intriguing.
His theory:
JOURNALISM is like making beer…. Without formal training and using cheap equipment, almost anyone can do it. The quality may be variable, but the best home-brews are tastier than the stuff you see advertised during the Super Bowl. This is because big brewers, particularly in America, have long aimed to reach the largest market by pushing bland brands that offend no one. The rise of home-brewing, however, has forced them to create “micro-brews” that actually taste of something.
He does go on to say that “many blogs are awful” — and I resent that as he clearly has not read The Diatribe — but, even to that point. True, I’m sure to the mainstream population many blogs are awful — however to the writers and followers of said blogs, they’re still a community.
I can’t speak to my fellow Diatribe columnists, however, I’m not trying to change the world with our little corner of the Internet. I’m merely trying to create a community for our friends and family, where we can joke, share thoughts, and carry-on in a “public” sort of way. It’s a way of communicating that didn’t exist a 10 years ago.
I think back to New Years Eve 2005 (2004-2005), when sitting outside on the front stoop smoking cigars. Jeremul says to us “Can you believe that the Time person of the year is George W. Bush — only second to some group called Boggers [sic]. Who are these Boggers?”
» Read more: Blogs are like beer…
THERE!
March 18th, 2006Is everyone happy? I’ve changed my icon. It was between this classic photo and Bob Ross. It must have something to do with the hair, not sure. In any event — I hope this will shut y’all up for a little while.
