I...I really don't know what to say about this, honestly. I just...think people should read it.

as anyone who has known me for more than five minutes can attest, I am a devotee of all things brideshead revisited. the book is magnificent. the bbc miniseries is a gem. now there's the new film from miramax, which--judging by the trailer--glosses over the religious symbolism of the text and bbc version in favor of sensation, scandal, and even more homosexual overtones.

I can't frigging wait to see it. I am now officially a heathen.

in my years of psychological study I never remember hearing about the capgras delusion. granted it sounds terrible, but what a band name!

okay, so I'm a year late on this one but somehow I missed it until now. if you've been living under the same rock you have to watch this. prepare to have your mind blown.

several times a year I get this insatiable urge to move to pittsburgh; eventually I might have to fulfill this. unfortunately this particular urge coincides with the 'burg's being named the sootiest city in the US. sootiest. eh, I like soot. love me some soot. soot, soot, soot. no problem. I think I've finally decided on what neighborhood I'd like, too: chatham village. it's mostly populated by older folks, but $80k for a two bedroom townhome on mount washington? bring on the golden agers.

gripe: the other day I was getting coffee in starbucks (which is what I tend to do there) and noticed a policeman sitting down enjoying his beverage. nothing wrong with that. in fact, I'd go so far as to say that cops deserve coffee more than many people. however. this one had left his cruiser running outside. yep. hanging out with his coffee while the old crown vic sucked down the taxpayers' money and helped thin out the ozone layer. was he planning on being able to make a quick getaway? sure didn't look like it. and it really doesn't take that long to start a car. this would have irritated me enough without gas prices being what they are. grr.

I'm don't usually drool over daniel radcliffe the way most people seem to. but...um...well...um...







okay, that's as good a place to leave off a post as any.

strangest portent ever: barbara fritchie coming up twice in one day in two unrelated contexts. not that I should mention it. I talk way too much about omens and portents, especially when...well, actually they usually DO signify upcoming events in my life. only with me the events are usually good. great, now I've probably jinxed whatever it was. I'm way too superstitious for a Presbyterian/raised Baptist/deemed honorary Reform Jew/turned pseudo-Quaker.

regardless of how inflated or minute our egos, I think we all see ourselves as the stars of the sitcoms that are our lives. do you ever wonder if maybe you're not even on the air anymore? that maybe you're really just a supporting cast member on someone else's show? or could it be you're only an extra?

too much shep does stuff to my brain.

speaking of my brain, though, this is the second straight day I've been in a genuinely good mood. I literally cannot remember when this last happened. I'm just not going to question it.

I can't even laugh when I read this. it's way too close to being straight truth.

weirdness alert: I should really be in bed by now.

thanks for all the well wishes, all. we just might lick 'em yet.

have finally started watching "30 rock" and am unable to stop. it's not quite the greatest show ever *cough*the office*cough*, but if you like tina fey it's impossible not to enjoy it.

food for thought: in both the original ending AND the book upon which the film was based, ducky won. eat that. hint for the clueless--80s flicks, anyone?

the official wording on something that I tend to misquote...

francis: does it turn into a bed?

ida: yes, it becomes a bed. it's a special, magic sofa. it opens up for magic, lazy boy, and angels come and feed you grapes, and sing to you while you sleep, and it flies around the room granting wishes for boys who are stupid.



I've discussed with several people just what "loretta switt's automobile" should look like. I researched it and have decided it's an auburn boattail speedster. I should add that this has nothing to do with what she actually drives. just go with it.






and just for esses and gees, here's a picture of dad and I in my old wheels. I miss her.

so I have this idea. if you read this blog regularly (har har, brave soul that you are) you may have gathered that the past few months have been a really rough time for me. in fact, I'd call them the most difficult period of my life. I've deliberately skirted the reasons why here, and I ain't gonna get into them now--sorry to disappoint. not important for our purposes now, anyway. I've done everything that I can to try and set my life to rights. nothing seems to be working. every time I think I've made some progress I get knocked back to square one. and I'm not sure how much longer I can keep going unless things look up.

maybe this is crazy enough to work. if you pray, pray for me. if you don't, well darn it hope for me. this is a plea for good vibes. an appeal for a little luck. I need some positive karma. grab people on the street and say, "do you know jeremy ball? doesn't matter. think him some happy thoughts."

I'm effing desperate, friends. all joking aside.

fie on't! only had him a year and there goes my resale value.

this article answers a question I've pondered for years. yeah, this is the kind of thing I devote my precious brain cells to.

for the second time--the first being in high school--I find myself obsessed with any and all things nick drake. his music just compliments my own past few months so well, which doesn't mean that I've been hopelessly depressed or any of that rot. just very...inwardly focused, how about that? the problem with being a nick drake fan is that his catalog is so sadly limited. so I think, "better find a similar artist to get myself into." well, there isn't really anyone who compares (with all due respect to elliott smith fans. excellent stuff, close but no cigar).

this brings back so many great memories. I've been looking for it for some time, since they don't keep it in their archives.

even though I haven't been feeling maudlin enough to go about it properly, I've been perusing a.e. housman this afternoon. I'm not impressed by all his stuff, but this little number...well, strikes a chord:

Shake hands, we shall never be friends, all's over;
I only vex you the more I try.
All's wrong that ever I've done or said,
And nought to help it in this dull head:
Shake hands, here's luck, good-bye.

But if you come to a road where danger
Or guilt or anguish or shame's to share,
Be good to the lad that loves you true
And the soul that was born to die for you,
And whistle and I'll be there.

--XXX, from housman's "more poems"

on the lighter side, hoppy Easter ladies and gents!

today, a quote:

"I want to stab him with his own stupid haircut."
--nadine "two sheds" wilson

also, an endorsement:

audioshell. I've been looking for something like this for ages. right click on any of your mp3s, go into "properties," and edit your id3 tags right there and then. and it's free. don't know why windows hasn't integrated this feature already. it's a lifesaver. is only listed as supporting xp and 2000, but works with vista just dandy.

just a quick update: attended kalani's birthday bash last night, and it was fabulous (except for the fact that I slept through several hours of it). pics are here. by the way--I get a lotta complaints that my posted pictures aren't big enough. one more time, folks: in webshots, after you click the thumbnail you also have to click the magnifying glass under the photo to get the full size. believe me, they're plenty big.

hate to say I told you so, but this is what I've been trying to tell people. well, more specifically, but same gist. I'm all for alternative energy sources, just like anyone with any sense. but jumping at anything that ISN'T dependent on crude oil is not a good idea.

a link to the blog of a friend of mine with even better (?) taste in movies than I have:

the trashy horror charlie show

he's also working on a book on the subject. man, I'd propose marriage if he wasn't a breeder.

whatwhatWHAT?

must remember to post about castle carnevale when I'm not headed to bed.

I'm sorry if this makes me immature, but speaking of my personal cardinal truths:

"that's what she said" jokes are always funny.