January 2004- Not much to report really.
I installed a new shower head that has great massage features, but you don't care about that, do you? (although I highly
recommend it for everyone). Most of my time
has been spent studying After Effects, DVD Studio Pro, trying to pack on muscle, and working on a 3D animation
(FYI - at any given point in my life, I'm working on a 3D animation). I recommend the movie
Big Fish.
February 2004- I turned 35. It's that time of year - the time of year
where I shell out over a grand for auto repairs (has it been a year already?!).
I do have some good news though - I just saved a ton of money by switching to Geico. No, not really.
It just sounded funny to say.
Those silhouetted ipod commercials are so cool, don't you think? I switched to a new martial arts school.
The primary reason was to save almost $70 a month.
I'm now no longer studying Shaolin Kung Fu, now I'm studying Jeet Kune Do and kick boxing
(with lots of submission wrestling thrown in for good measure). It doesn't
make me any less cuddly though. Went skiing finally. seriously, I can't tell you how much I love that.
I would do it every day of my life if possible. Very very little makes me happier than zooming down the slopes
at breakneck speed with a nice view of the surrounding mountains in the distance. It's the closest thing to zen
I've found yet.
March 2004- Saw The Passion of the Christ.
Although it's often difficult to watch, I recommend everyone see this movie (well, not young children).
Don't believe all the "anti-Semitic" hype; go decide for yourself. It's a very moving and thought provoking
film.
Saw Primus again. This tour, they're playing the entire Sailing the Sea of Cheese
album all the way through. I had a blast in the mosh pit. (it definitely helps having some martial arts background).
April 2004- Saw Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
An interesting acid trip of a movie. I had a three hour bo staff (5 foot staff) workshop. Very cool.
It's tax time again, and once more I'm screwed. I gotta get out of the restaurant biz ASAP!! The new batch of Clone Wars cartoons are even cooler than the first.
Check out the new Spidey trailer!
May 2004-
Took part in a three hour knife defense workshop. Saw Kill Bill Volume 2.
I liked it better than the first, (but then, I was never one for blood and gore, even on a comic level).
A lot of you have asked to see my old i.d.'s
and licenses, so here you go.
Somebody had a lot of time on his hands: Super Mario Reloaded!
The courtyard scene recreated blow by blow in perfect 80's Super Mario pixelated glory! Click "Watch this movie" on the right. Then click the Play button. You probably want to
skip the beginning and go straight to the fighting, and you can click that option in the upper left.
Enjoy!
I went to see Rush. It was their 30th anniversary tour (and my 6th Rush show). They rocked the house!
June 2004- Shrek 2 is better and funnier than the
first.
Got my ticket to see The Cure, in July! (pretty swanky seats too)
They're only my favorite band.
Went to Atlanta to see my friend Bryan's new daughter.
Attended an all day kick boxing/ submission wrestling seminar with world reknowned Bas Rutten.
July 2004- Went to the beach (Wilmington) for
the 4th. Saw some movies: Spidey 2 (better than the first), I, Robot (very cool), and Fahrenheit 911.
Originally, there was a lot I was going to write about this movie, but instead, I'll only say make your own decision about it, and there's no good
reason for you not to see it, regardless of your political affiliation.
Painted another room (but, everybody I know is painting rooms now!), and I installed some new
hipper light fixtures (Thom Fellicia would be proud).
Drove to Atlanta (again),
this time to see the Cure (along with about 5 other bands). A good show overall,
but not enough old stuff.
I've noticed a lot of girls wearing white ruffled mini skirts lately. Ladies, please stop. This trend will be like the mullet,
where you look back years from now in shame and denial.
August 2004-
Saw The Bourne Supremacy and The Village.
I came across another picture from the "home defense" photo shoot. It occurred to me you kids
might like to see how it's all put together from
start to finish.
Saw more movies. The two most noteworthy are Collateral,
and especially Garden State.
Took my second kick boxing test. I'm now level two, which may not sound like much, but I've only been
there 6 months (and you start at level zero).
September 2004- The summer olympics are over for another four years. How 'bout those outfits on the women's
volley ball players?
October 2004-
I've been reading Scar Tissue, the new autobiography of Anthony Keidis (of Chili Peppers fame).
Although there's lots of vintage photos including a very young Anthony, as well as a couple
topless ones of former girlfriends, strangely, there are none of Chad Smith (drummer).
I got the new Duran Duran cd. All five original members back together again!
I recommend it. I know, I know, you're thinking I'm biased, but there's stuff by them
that I wouldn't recommend.
Paid my car off this month!
Rest in peace Christopher Reeve (1952-2004).
November 2004-
Here's a couple Halloween photos for ya: pic 1, and pic 2 I've decided to stop mentioning every movie I see, partly because it gets tedious, and partly
because no one really looks at this web site anyway. Having said that, I do have to say that The Incredibles
was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen.
The Christmas music started awhile ago. I've decided not to be so bah humbug this year, and just
sort of ride the wave. But my car and my home will still be a safe refuge from holiday music,
nonetheless.
Ah yes, the election. I'll refrain from going on too much about that here. I mean, everyone knew
W was going to win again. Even so, millions of us waited in line to voice our protest. You know it's bad when other
countries are saying things like "What Are They Thinking? I mean, c'mon people, this man still
says "nucular". And what about that Patriot Act? Sigh.
December 2004- Bought myself a new suit (you can never have too many).
Despite the unavoidable holiday music and crowds, it doesn't really seem like Christmas. Perhaps that's because I've totally
missed all the classic specials like Rudolph and A Christmas Story.