Competitive, intense battle between Kentucky and Utah draws to close the NCAA men's hoop tournament. As I gaze at my bracket diagram, I seem to see a helluva lot more red than in previous years.
March 29
More surrealistcally gorgeous weather inspires bicycle trip with kids along Charles, where we encounter a pet South African tortoise named "Gamera," among other things. Afterwards, a well-received viewing of MST3K's "Pod People" episode. Wonder how many other elementary school kids quote Crow, Tom Servo and Joel?
March 28
Lovely drive into countryside segues into outing to see dear family friend, dancer and playmate Tova in high school production of "Fiddler On the Roof." Truly, these are the times of your life: zeal, camaraderie, but best of all, a general unpretentiousness about the whole business of stagecraft combined with a budding professionalism. YD's heartfelt, provocative complaint: "You don't know what happens to everybody" -- as we explain, the story's still being written, dear.
March 27
This is nuts. Seventy-plus degrees in late March. The great annual Kids' Clothing Dilemma rears its ugly head, far too early.
March 26
Reaction continues to Arkansas school slayings, desperately trying to find signs and portents where there may be none -- notice is made, for example, of the general decrease in violent crimes -- even in schools -- and suspects' nuturing, supportive family and community environment. Only parallel I can come up with at present is Leopold and Loeb.
March 23
Recent musical acquisitions:
*"Tenterhooks" by Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies -- still a keen sense of unsentimental nostalgia, but also able to glance ahead ("Sons of the Century"). A generous helping of catchy, singable choruses as always, and somewhat more wry commentary ("Aloysius," "The Guilts").
*"Atlantic Bridge" by Allan Carr and Jane Rothfield -- makes me curious to find out if they did anything more. One of those too-rare blendings of British Isles-American sensibilities, and would be interesting to see how (if) it developed. Fine song-writing on "Six O'Clock" and "Freedom."
March 22
*Happily, the kids seemed to rather like "Mystery Science Theater" (the "Manos: Hands of Fate" episode). Geez, should I try Firesign Theater while I'm at it?
*NCAA update: projected championship game scenario still possible, but a superior Rick Majerus coaching effort or epic rebounding from Stanford and all is doomed.
March 21
Belated birthday party for the Missus (after rather hectic hours spent getting replacement water heater and back door window) features Lobster Wedding, presided over by youngest daughter -- a brief, tragic marriage, if one wants to further anthropomorphize. And speaking of tragic marriages...
*Viewing: "Breaking the Waves" -- falls somewhere in the intersection of theology and psychology, and enough material for a conference workshop. The emphasis on facial close-ups takes a bit of getting used to, but ultimately compels you into the proceedings. Emily Watson, meanwhile, may have the most expressive face around; a troubling girl-woman in the tradition of Mia Farrow in "Secret Ceremony." The ending is out of left field, perhaps, but lovely.
March 19
Sick day! Author slogged by sinister sinuses, stays semi-somnolent! Good excuse for a couple of viewings:
*"Traffic" -- with Jacques Tati, you shouldn't expect fall-on-your-back, gasp-for-air type laughs. His is/was the most gentle form of visual comedy, and this is no exception. A pleasant enough lark, although you couldn't help wishing for the pushy PR lady to get her comeuppance.
*"The Changeling" -- ah, the days when ghost story movies showed some restraint. While the political thread in the yarn probably reflects more on its Watergate-era year of birth, it by no means dates the proceedings. But George C. Scott should never grow his hair any longer than his ears.
March 18
Happy Birthday, dearest! (She knows who she is)
March 17
St. Patrick's Day ceilidh in the Conte Forum Zamboni Room, at which I meet two sisters from BERMinhum ("Birmingham," for those disinterested in accented phonics exercises). So. An American with modest yet significant Irish heritage, and two native-born Brits. Which of us ended up playing Irish music, and which of us went off to do morris dancing that night?
March 15
*Sorting through the wreckage that was my NCAA tournament scenario:
--I bet when the guys from Princeton were little kids, they were told to chew their food slowly and thoroughly -- and they _did_.
--I used to overvalue Big East teams. Now I don't give 'em much credit. Apparently, I amWestVirginia wrongSyracuse to UConndo so, since there's three of them in the Sweet 16.
--Have to say, I always wonder if Rick Majerus is just a few inches shy of Having the Big One when I see him get excited.
*Viewing: "Ground Zero" -- a conspiracy movie with a real conscience to it; witness the memorial in the closing credits. Interesting way to end the film, with the idea that merely finding what it was you were looking for is enough, more so than deposing the powerful.
March 12
Astronomers say a mile-wide asteroid may pass close enough to Earth in 2028 to warrant something more than putting tape across one's windows. Expected date of arrival, Oct. 26, falls one day after the anniversary of 1986 World Series Game 6. Some might consider this disturbingly appropriate.
March 11
Viewing: "Cape Fear" -- goes under the repelling yet compelling heading, I guess. DeNiro's scene with Juliette Lewis enough to make skin crawl. Guess the message is, lawyers, no matter how you feel about your client, do your DAMN JOB!
March 8
Recent musical acquisition: "Loose Connections," by Niamh Parsons -- the next Dolores Keane? Superb renditions of "Streets of Forbes" and especially "Red-Headed Anne," which sits comfortably between drawing room, folk club and pub session.
March 7
Viewing: "Spice World" -- OK, OK, yes, I've contributed to the dubious prolongation of the Spice Girls Empire, but YD liked it (as did the quartet of pre-teens behind us, who sang along at every opportunity) and that's what counted. Besides, how many movies have cameo appearances by Elvis Costello _and_ Bob Hoskins?
March 6
Scientists think there's water on the moon! Go! Colonize! Have picnics!
March 5
Recent musical acquisition: "Eyes Closed and Rocking," by the Cock and Bull Band -- fits neatly into the Albion Band-Brass Monkey sequence. Quite clever arrangements and instrument combinations.
March 4
Book completed: "Celia, A Slave," by Melton McLaurin -- very admirable effort of pulling together law, sociology, history and political science to relate a story with only the barest of original documentation. Points up whole other area for potential research: long-term, intergenerational impact of sexual exploitation of female slaves.
March 1
Car-less journey to Computer Museum proves well worth the machinations to get there. Have to confess one of my favorites was the "sampling" booth, and switching back and forth between "Tom's Cafe" and "I Am Stretched On Your Grave."
Feb. 27
Excursion to Kenmore and Harvard squares turns into more-than-bargained-for adventure, as Subaru's alternator gives out on Nonantum Road. Tow truck operator turns out to be obliging, secrets-of-the-trade sort: A guy with a tow lines his pockets by jump-starting cars belonging to A) people who come home drunk from parties and forget to turn off their headlights B) little old ladies who don't quite shut the car doors all the way, leaving the interior light on.
Feb. 25
Viewing: "Zebrahead" -- if Spike Lee had done this, it would've been tempestuous, vibrant and self-aware -- not, mind you, necessarily _bad_. As it is, the film is fairly sedate, restrained even, almost too much for its own good. But there are some terrific scenes spread throughout, and the racial coexistence theme is not facile.
Feb. 23
Local middle school newspaper notes that at recent dance, "MMMBop!" was roundly "booed by the students." Zack, Ike, Taylor -- watch your backs.
Feb. 20
Olympic salute: Surya Bonaly. Ah, that Gallic temperament -- nothing like cocking a snook at les judges with a back flip. At least she didn't squeal.
Feb. 19
Book completed: "A Cab Called Reliable," by Patti Kim -- somehow, it begs for at least 100 more pages. But thankfully, Kim avoids the more predictable immigrant's-epiphany storyline, and builds the wonderfully complex father-daughter relationship.
Feb. 18
Concert: Black '47, at BC. First rock show I attended since, er, gad this is embarrassing. Impression from CD (see entry in late Nov. '97) affirmed: goodly amount of passion, and the mix of Irish reels and rap works -- somehow.
