Those crazy college kids: two hauled off from football game for shouting profanities at the marching band "and making fun of their uniforms," according to local campus police blotter; another issues a public apology for excessive verbal abuse of a police horse.
Oct. 18
So. Adieu, Red Sox season, hello, endless invocations of The Curse. But not here, thankuveramuch.
Oct. 16-17
New England Indian summer at its zenith, with visit from sis-in-law � bringing footage of our little niece � adding to the pleasure. Pizza and Chinese food are the weekend motif, along with baseball playoffs (delight Saturday, disaster Sunday) and football (pretty much the same). The idyll ends, alas, with, a fatigue-induced homework meltdown Sunday evening.
Oct. 15
For no other likely reason other than self-indulgence, I have made a few changes to this section, the most conspicuous a listing of tapes and CDs adorning the shelf in my office. Feel free to inquire about any sparking your interest or ridicule.
Oct. 14
*Book completed: "Lake Wobegone Days," by Garrison Keillor � this being print instead of family-hour broadcast, Keillor is able to be a bit more, um, risque (considering the territory). The most fascinating part, however, is the chapter where he juxtaposes the yarns, reminiscences and observations with a long series of footnotes detailing one man's bitter diatribe of his closely-watched, circumscribed upbringing. It's a tension he's rarely explored on "Prairie Home Companion."
*Recent musical acquisition: "Muzsikas," by Marta Sebestyen � must be the latent Hungarian royalty Grandma swore ran in our family, but I do love this Eastern European stuff. My friend and former band-mate Margy once described traditional Hungarian music as among the most sensual from that part of the world, and it's hard to argue, especially with Sebestyen's power and lilt.
Oct. 13
Here's hoping the next millennium will be an easier ride for the more acutely sensitive of us:
*Canadian officials ban an agricultural research center and museum from using female names for its cows, after a woman visiting the facility was offended when she discovered her Christian name was the same as one of the bovine residents. Apparently, the designation of male names for certain animals � Tom Turkey, Wilbur the Pig � are also under review.
*Parents in South Carolina, and a few other scattered locations, are trying to initiate an anti-Harry Potter campaign, in the belief that the books are excessively violent and full of disrespect and unvarnished evil. Yep. See Columbine, censor contemporary family literature.
Oct. 9-11
*Dad. He would've been 69.
*Perhaps it's wrong to let a silly old sporting event color an entire weekend. So prosecute me: I thoroughly enjoyed the unprecedented Red Sox turnaround in the AL Divisional Series, throwing them pell-mell into a Last Battle of the Millenium with the Yankees, which guarantees that for at least the next week or so I will (A) be wearing my Red Sox cap daily, and (B) be a nervous wreck.
*Other Columbus Day Weekend activities included: a kid-less computer-shopping trip, where we nearly took home a new unit until we received some disquieting, and as we later learned, incorrect information about the warranty; a family shopping excursion that netted me a replica Atlanta Knights (minor league hockey team) jersey � yes, it's ungainly polyester, but there's something wonderfully absurd about the picture of a knight on ice skates.
*And, lest I forget, a happy 30th birthday to Monty Python.
Oct. 5
And just think, we've still got more than a year 'til Election Day 2000:
*Campus police report that a student was approached by a suspicious-looking man who said he was "looking for college-aged males to run for political office." Not sure if this might be considered a graver threat than cult recruiters.
*In interview with Boston Globe editorial board, Al Gore credits Janis Joplin for the phrase "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose," thereby losing him the valuable Kris Kristofferson vote.
Oct. 1-3
A good start to weekend, with a family viewing of MST3K's "Eegah!" episode. But Saturday sees the kids descend into their worst combination of civil disobedience, procrastination, overgoofiness and clueless inconsideration � although, I must confess, their recreation of a Blair Witch shrine on our front porch is quite well-done. As a remedy, I bike a circuitous route to Weston and back, a trip which affords plenty of exercise and glorious sights but comes to somewhat of duff ending with a blown rear tire. Sunday generally better, and evening homework session actually peaceful.
Sept. 30
A decidedly bittersweet event: < A HREF=http://www.mit.edu/people/jcb/Middlesex/Middlesex.html>Middlesex Morris, owing to low numbers (and equally low prospects for increasing them), decides to pack it in after some 15 years. But we are exploring a merger with another team -- more on that in subsequent weeks -- so I think it's not yet time to pack away bells and hanks. 'Bye, Middlesex, and thanks for being you.
Sept. 27
Post-Ryder Cup sniping between Europeans and Americans over fan behavior during the competition inevitably references English football hooliganism. I would hope some astute commentator might note the quite different socioeconomic and cultural factors surrounding these events, but perhaps I shouldn't hold my breath.
Sept. 25-26
*Relatively nondescript week (except for interview with three young Irishwomen attending local college as Fulbright music and dance scholars) leads to weekend of shifting plans: Scheduled family outing to Boston Folk Festival becomes afternoon visit with YD and friend, followed by a child-free overnight. Sunday includes brief bike ride by the Charles and watching Mystery Science Theater's "I Accuse My Parents" � and thereby cultivating another round of one-liners and in-jokes for the girls and me.
*Viewing: "Rushmore" � the strength of this, undoubtedly, are the characters, who tenaciously skirt easy categorization and stereotyping. Yet there's something off-putting about it: Perhaps because, as much you might sympathize with Max, you start to find his chutzpah wearing thin after a while.
Sept. 18-19
Another patently gorgeous weekend on the heels of a deluge, this one courtesy of a shell-of-himself Hurricane Floyd. Not as much activity, but did head out Sunday for our first Dairy Joy trip in ages (chocolate ice cream soda for yours truly). Then it was off to Hannah Williams Playground for a round or two of Hide-n-Seek Tag, with a couple of cheapo walkie-talkies found at a local park. Something strange about hearing "Dad's heading over to your position, do you copy?" right after "Ready or not, here I come."
Sept. 17
Recent musical acquisitions:
*"Long Roads," by Four Men And A Dog � their sort of honky-tonk Irish folk feels more cohesive, and blends the contemporary and traditional stuff better than on "Shifting Gravel" [see 1/7/98], even on the outrageous stuff like their rendition of Issac Hayes-David Porter's "Hold On I'm Comin'." Good sample track: "Nancy," with a devil-may-care Gino Lupari vocal spiced by Cathal Hayden's capering fiddles.
*"La Mistrine," by La Bottine Souriante � an emphatic "Merci" to Sheldon Brown for giving me this CD. I can't understand any of the liner notes, so I don't know what any of the songs are about, but in any case this is rollicking good time: brass-enhanced Quebecois which seems to reference any number of Francophone entertainers, Charles Aznavour included.
Sept. 15
Viewing: "Bulworth" � the phrase "dark comedy" would be more than appropriate here. Some great scenes � his beserko Harold Hill-like rant during the TV interview, Halle Berry's 186,000 miles-per-second socioeconomic analysis � and performances (especially the tragically stoic Oliver Platt), plus its almost-sneering tone serves as an anti-pathos device. But somewhere along the last 10 to 15 minutes, in spite of the wicked King assassination reference, it loses its footing.
Sept. 13
A couple of things I forgot about this memorable weekend:
*One other yard-sale item I found was a used Hockey Club Torpedo Yaroslavl jersey. Don't know who it is out there who might've originally purchased this, and then decided they were done with it, but thanks. (Pictured here)
*Passing through Government Center whilst Kibologizing, I stopped at the station concession stand for a quick bite. Handed Nice Lady at the Counter a buck for my treat. Non-plussed, she began rummaging through her handbag in an attempt to find change. When that proved unsuccessful, she brought a second handbag and disassembled that, as well � to no avail. So she pursued her third option: handed me a blow-pop, and said, "You buy this, too, OK?" What is this world coming to when one is forced to purchase snack items?
Sept.10-12
Walk home in absolute downpour of Biblical proportions Friday night is assuaged by viewing of Pedro Martinez's masterful dispatching (1 H 17K) of the Yankees, setting the stage for a most satisfying Sox sweep. Other weekend highlights include:
*Yard Sale Saturday, wherein we visit nearly half a dozen, netting OD a bike, assorted clothes and paraphernalia, and, yes, new fodder for The Dumb, Stupid Baseball Hat Page.
*The alt.religion.kibology Party-Like Event, Pts. 1 and 2. Pt. 1 begins at Kibo's salt mine, involving improv episodes with such characters as rubber nuns and evil NASA directors, and gravitates to a mall food court. Pt. 2 (the next day) begins with excursion to Brigham Circle to shoot whacky, early-Richard Lester-style footage for Kibology remake of ill-fated TV series of same name (i.e., "Brigham Circle"), and thence to the New England Aquarium, where we make fun of Boston Harbor sewage exhibit and penguin indolence.
Sept. 7-9
Still engulfed in tropical rainforest-type weather, as we begin a new school year. Not as major a production, really, as in past � did the traditional "before you head off" photos the first morning, but (partly owing to scheduling conflicts) accompanied neither OD or YD to class. Leave us face it, by 5th and 7th grade, the shock of the new has quite subsided.
Also had first < A HREF=http://www.mit.edu/people/jcb/Middlesex/Middlesex.html>Middlesex Morrispractice of the year, with a few alums from
Banbury Cross in attendance.
Well, when you've got a humidity level sent straight from Fulton County, everything seems to be a labor. Started the weekend by getting broiled in Alumni Stadium (temperature estimates there were in triple figures) and watching BC edge Baylor, 30-29. Monday was Labor Day, indeed, as I went on a surge of house-cleaning to prepare for the first day of school. Even just thinking about which project to undertake had me sweating. More ceiling fans? Central AC?
Sept. 4
Semi-political reading�:
"Why Not Me?," by Al Franken � wickedly, self-deprecatingly funny, a sort of very perverse "The Candidate" and the notion of his "stealing" the 2000 presidential race somehow doesn't seem all that far-fetched.
�and viewing:
"Primary Colors" � sure, playing the name game is part of the fun of watching this ("Oh, that must be James Carville. And that has to be Linda Thomason."), as is following John Travolta's dead-on Clinton. Fact is, outside of a few wrong turns (especially the Kathy Bates PI character), it's just a very well put-together story.
Aug. 30
How Boston drivers are made? Shooting hoops at the playground, I am sideswiped twice by little fella learning to ride without training wheels, and learning to steer as well. He politely apologizes, but after the second collision, he says "You shoulda just run!"
Aug. 29
A Happy 12th Anniversary � well, happy if somewhat muted, owing to a bout of something which kept me bed-ridden for most of the morning. But I recovered sufficiently in time for a now-traditional Chinese food feast, and a couple of viewings:
*"Practical Magic" � unevenly paced, which is a pity because it is eminently likeable, a "'Witches of Eastwick' for the '90s" (if that hasn't already been said elsewhere).
*"Shakespeare in Love" � the intertwining of art, commerce, identity and real life. Great chemistry between Joseph Fiennes and Gwyneth Paltrow (rivaled only by Lisa Kudrow in the swan's-neck department), but the apparently inexhaustible supply of supporting performers (Geoffrey Rush to Judi Dench) make this work at top-level.
Aug. 28
Another Dad-chauffeured venture for OD and friends, this time to Harvard Square. Again, typical pre-teen conversation, giddiness alongside some fairly spirited sociological analysis (regarding characteristics, similar and otherwise, of street musicians and street people). Bargain findings for music collection � to be noted at later date � and for The Dumb, Stupid Baseball Hat Page.
Aug. 25
Viewing: "Mr. Holland's Opus" � sure, it's sappy, and (as the missus pointed out) no high school orchestra ever sounded that good. But Richard Dreyfus' discovery of his metier, his vocation, even as he struggles for connection with wife and son, makes for a nice bit of tension. Highlight: "Beautiful Boy."
Aug. 24
Book completed: "Archangel," by Robert Harris � splendid mix of pop-adventure trash and serious historical-political-philosophical meditation, with the main character, Fluke, suggestive of a dissipated George Smiley. It's not hard to guess the "Secret of Stalin" well before anyone voices it, but this doesn't spoil the whole effect. But it would appear Uncle Josef was extremely fortunate in the genetics department�
Aug. 21-22
Pleasantly cool and damp weekend begins with family excursion to the Children's Museum (for their $1 Friday evening admission special), and ends with another to see "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace" (more of which later). In between are walkies and socializing with canine neighbor Tasha, and a Dad-chaffeured trip to Arsenal Mall for OD and two chums.
Okay, the viewing: "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace" � it's going to do good business if for other reason because people will watch it again to pick up on all the stuff happening at the fringes, i.e., the various cute little critters and 'bots. But the story is so consciously a set-up for the sequels to come that it might as well have carried a "Reserve your tickets now" message at the end. Liam Neeson (AKA The Man With the Largest Hands In Contemporary Cinema) does fine, though.
Aug. 20
Quite a week for Boston. The director of a major state agency resigns in disgrace after he's caught by the Boston Herald boozing it up in the middle of the day on a taxpayer-funded harbor cruise with several politicos, lobbyists and hangers-on � one of whom, a stunt actress named Gidget Churchill (!), flashes the Herald photographer. Pedro Martinez frothes at the mouth before a game over his relationship with Jimy Williams and the Boston media, then is all smiles afterwards. And our favorite local con-on-the-run, Whitey Bulger, makes the FBI's Top Ten. Sports. Politics. Revenge.
Aug. 19
Both kids now have their own e-mail addresses. And they now have reserved two of the five automatic settings on the car radio for their favorite stations; a third, an oldies station, is by mutual parent-child agreement. Something is going on.
