Wall

It's two weeks until May wraps up and I haven't read a word. I waiver between a few books that just don't get me too excited. And and my mind is constantly shifting towards music again.

But worthwhile things aren't easy. This is simply the wall I have to push through. I do fully intend to read one fiction work a month. You know, I had been buying an accompanying cd with each book... maybe this time I'll pick the music first and let the written selection follow.

Work

Blogging has been the last thing on my mind, primarily due to how busy it has been at work. The big show is at 2pm today. I'll be relieved when it is over.

Babies Everywhere!!!

All these cute babies everywhere I look. Lone Star Californian and her partner are the proud parents of Emma Carolyn! It was wonderful to follow all those belly pictures.

Essential Mikaela

This looks to be the photo. Sweet and serene works for me.

Family

Congratulations to James, Yang Sze and Colin! New addition Mikaela has arrived. I hope she gets her own website soon...

Wilde

I can't get Oscar out of my head. The Picture of Dorian Gray wasn't necessarily more enjoyable to read than The Big Nowhere. And while I'm certainly more attached to poor Detective Danny Upshaw than the insolent Dorian and his pie in the shy mentor Lord Henry Wotton, I still think about Wilde and the ideas behind his classic novel.

What is the purpose of art? Indeed, what is the purpose of life? What is the difference between those who talk a philosphy and those who live it out?

Wilde as a person is fascinating too. Here's a quote from near the end of his life:

I let myself be lured into long spells of senseless and sensual ease. I amused myself with being a flaneur, a dandy; a man of fashion. . . . Tired of being on the heights, I deliberately went to the depths in the search for new sensation. What the paradox was to me in the sphere of thought, perversity became to me in the sphere of passion. Desire, at the end, was malady, or a madness, or both. I grew careless of the lives of others, I took pleasure where it pleased me, and passed on. I forgot that every little action of the common day makes or unmakes character, and that therefore what one has done in the secret chamber one has someday to cry aloud on the house-tops. I ceased to be lord over myself. I was no longer the captain of my soul, and did not know it. I allowed pleasure to dominate me. I ended in horrible disgrace.

Has anyone made a movie about him yet?

MLB

Yesterday a friend turned me on to MLB.com Gameday, which is has some pretty impressive features. In addition to the usual box score, pitch by pitch run down, the live action also has pitch speed, the path of the pitch, and the amount that each pitch breaks. You've got to see it. Even with the game on tv, he has his laptop on to follow the details.

Handy

I'm quite pleased this morning. Last night, I busted open my car and installed a component that allows my unused ipod to be played through my car stereo. Taking things apart and putting them back together feels good. Of course, the screw I dropped under the cup holder compartment will start chain reaction that ultimately self destructs my beloved car.... but until then, my commutes will be podcast and commercial free.

Plans and plans

There are plans with a 'P' and there are plans with a 'p'. One of them is coming together nicely. If things work out, I'll be going to Loyola law school this August! I hope to learn lots about maritime and planning law for four years while I continue to work at the Port of LA. I'm excited and a bit intimidated. It's going to be great. It's going to be awful.

My weekend was pleasant. It's the kind of time I won't be having quite as often once school starts. And I didn't see Spiderman 3. My internal hype meter is already waning, which bodes well for how much I ultimately enjoy it.

Finished!

April was The Picture of Dorian Gray. Oh I finished a few days late but I'm so glad that I picked this new year's resolution. Bravo to Oscar Wilde! His book is a wonder.

I'm not sure what May will be. It might be a graphic novel but that's cheating isn't it?

Fun

Curbed LA posts on a home in Redondo that is made of containers.

Movies

Seems I never get out to the movies anymore, even when I'm really excited about them(INLAND EMPIRE, 300). This James Franco interview spoiled some plot elements to Spiderman 3 but who cares. More importantly, it whet my appetite for some butter loaded popcorn and a big screen. Maybe I will try to find time this weekend after all...

Homeless Center Rumor

I was told that there was a rumor that Mr. Sterling had nefarious intentions in proposing the homeless center. The story goes that he had done the same before, knew that it would be controversial, and then conveniently decided to develop a commercial project instead.

While I certainly love a good conspiracy, I don't tend to believe them and I doubt this one too. The "time before" was in 2006 and was at the same site that is proposed today: 600 Wall Street. I was looking at some LA Observed and LA Business Journal Daily references to the project and just don't see it. Still, wouldn't it be funny if Mr. Clipper had some Lex Luthor style plan? Time will tell...