Two Days Past Groundhog's Day
And so, if he sees his shadow, there's more Winter to come, and he goes back underground. If not, he stays out because winter is over. Just not good science. There sure was no sun that day, it was close to a blizzard, and today the temperature is about 5 degrees and the snow is firmly packed.
But it's an ancient holiday, the marker of mid-season, like its cousins Halloween and May Day. It is about breaking light and lengthening days, a confirmation that Spring will come. I hope he did go back underground, it's freezing out there, but I'm on board.
Friday, February 04, 2011
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Land Ho
I left my old firm yesterday and joined a new one today.
The story of how I got here is long and occasionally fierce. I can't think how to dress it up in metaphor, so I won't, and I won't tell it straight, so that's that. Maybe there will be later musings on lessons learned and vengeance. But nothing really, at least nothing for now.
Today what matters is that I have sailed into Plymouth, the Indians are friendly, and under the watchful eye of the Big Guy the landscape looks well lit and promising.
I left my old firm yesterday and joined a new one today.
The story of how I got here is long and occasionally fierce. I can't think how to dress it up in metaphor, so I won't, and I won't tell it straight, so that's that. Maybe there will be later musings on lessons learned and vengeance. But nothing really, at least nothing for now.
Today what matters is that I have sailed into Plymouth, the Indians are friendly, and under the watchful eye of the Big Guy the landscape looks well lit and promising.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Among the Stars
Everyone should have the kind of close encounters with movie stars that we had at Sundance. Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Irons, Demi Moore, Stanley Tucci, Zachary Quinto, and Simon Baker were among the cast, and were all beautiful and talented and probably extremely wealthy. But at a gathering after the premiere they were also genuine and perfectly willing to engage in friendly, normal (if you consider the movie business normal) conversations with us, the in-laws. It was probably a testimony to JC and our daughter, whom they had befriended. But it also challenged the idea that fame and fortune inevitably corrupt. These were just our kids' colleagues. It was as if we had gone to their office party.
I happen to the think the movie, Margin Call, is spectacular. Of course I'm biased. But I do think this, and to hell with anyone who disagrees.
Everyone should have the kind of close encounters with movie stars that we had at Sundance. Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Irons, Demi Moore, Stanley Tucci, Zachary Quinto, and Simon Baker were among the cast, and were all beautiful and talented and probably extremely wealthy. But at a gathering after the premiere they were also genuine and perfectly willing to engage in friendly, normal (if you consider the movie business normal) conversations with us, the in-laws. It was probably a testimony to JC and our daughter, whom they had befriended. But it also challenged the idea that fame and fortune inevitably corrupt. These were just our kids' colleagues. It was as if we had gone to their office party.
I happen to the think the movie, Margin Call, is spectacular. Of course I'm biased. But I do think this, and to hell with anyone who disagrees.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Sundancing
Proud to report that my son-in-law, JC Chandor, wrote and directed Margin Call, which premieres tomorrow night at Sundance. We are here to cheer him on.
Proud to report that my son-in-law, JC Chandor, wrote and directed Margin Call, which premieres tomorrow night at Sundance. We are here to cheer him on.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The East Side
Here in St. Louis, across the river, there is Illinois, the world of East St. Louis, our Other. Old industrial plants like this, and strip bars, and wrecked buildings. A torn-up history. This place was free when people held slaves in St. Louis; but also the scene of some of the bloodiest race riots in American history, in 1917.
Here in St. Louis, across the river, there is Illinois, the world of East St. Louis, our Other. Old industrial plants like this, and strip bars, and wrecked buildings. A torn-up history. This place was free when people held slaves in St. Louis; but also the scene of some of the bloodiest race riots in American history, in 1917.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Still Crazy?
I'm hearing some concern that the last post suggests/indicates/confirms that I have lost it.
Nope. It's all about phonetics and memory. We remember sounds better than thoughts. It's why tunes stick in your head but slogans don't. The post was a tribute to a phonetically-based memory that is some 50 years old.
Another example - I think this is all part of the same mental mechanics - as I leave the parking lot I nearly always wonder if I've locked the car. If I did so with a beep or a honk I am certain that I did - I remember the sound. If not, less certain. I think it's harder to remember an action than a noise. Definitely in the short term, and who knows, maybe for 50 years.
I'm hearing some concern that the last post suggests/indicates/confirms that I have lost it.
Nope. It's all about phonetics and memory. We remember sounds better than thoughts. It's why tunes stick in your head but slogans don't. The post was a tribute to a phonetically-based memory that is some 50 years old.
Another example - I think this is all part of the same mental mechanics - as I leave the parking lot I nearly always wonder if I've locked the car. If I did so with a beep or a honk I am certain that I did - I remember the sound. If not, less certain. I think it's harder to remember an action than a noise. Definitely in the short term, and who knows, maybe for 50 years.
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