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Back from Paris last night. Exhausted. Nothing like a taxi strike to make one's trip to Charles De Gaulle interesting. Schlepping our luggage through the Paris metro is not something I enjoyed doing. It set the tone for the day.
I took over 500 pics so we'll be setting up the flicker thing this weekend.
Off to work this morning. C took the rest of the week off. Fucker. At least I don't have to do laundry.
I'll begin posting a summary of each day shortly. I know you are all bursting with anticipation.

Paris

We have arrived in Paris. Actually, as I write this we are beginning day three. Getting here was a total pain in the ass. We took British Air and the flight to Heathrow sucked big time. First of all we were stuck in the center seats - never a good thing. Then a big muscled German guy sat in the seat in front of me and insisted on moving his seat back so far that he was practically in my lap. Throw in the screaming kids to our right and well, you get one of the suckiest flights I have been on. And the food was heinous. Never again will we fly BA. After our flight home that is.
But we arrived safe and sound. Get to our hotel and we can't get into our room until 2. It was 10:30. At this point I had been up the entire time. I cannot sleep on airplanes. So, we have to wander around town until our room is ready. I seriously started hallucinating I was so tired. We had coffee and lunch, walked around Bon Marche and killed some time in an Irish pub. We finally got into our room and crashed for a couple hours. Around 7 we roused ourselves and took a walk over the river looking for a place to get a drink. We ended up at the Hotel Normandy bar. We both ordered a cocktail and tried to relax. Not ten minutes later the local chanteuse began singing cabaret songs. I had my back to her and honestly couldn't tell if it was a man or a woman singing. She began with "Misty" and got the lyrics completely wrong. In her version it was not a kitten up a tree but a chicken. Something got lost in translation. She then began scatting and wringing her hands not in a jazz-like manner but more tourettes-esque. It was a wonder to behold. By the time she began channeling Carol Channing we decided it was time to go. I thought that C should get his picture taken with her but alas he didn't got for it. We wandered around a bit taking photos and ended up in the Latin Quarter right at dinner time. We picked some ubur trendy restaurant (unbeknownst to us) and I proceeded to have the rarest hamburger I have ever had in my life. Apparently this place is known for it's steak tartar. Everyone around us was eating it. We decided to call it a night. Had a glass of wine in the hotel bar and proceeded to crash. We both ended up sleeping for 12 hours. It was so nice.

Vacation...all I ever wanted.

The day is finally here. Tonight we get on a plane and head to Paris. I am dreading the trip for several reasons, none of which have anything to do with reality.
1. started new job - feel kinda guilty that I am leaving so soon. But they knew that when they hired me. They just finished training me on some big reports that I had to spend the past three days training someone else on so it gets done for me.
2. Missing a recitation section. They also knew this when they hired me to teach it. Still feel guilty having another instructor cover for me. I'm compensating by grading papers on the plane.
3. Leaving the children home alone - our neighbors are gonna watch them. A is going to come over and do schoolwork so they will have someone present (probably more then usual as we are out so often). I realise they are just cats but still...
4. Instead of taking Air France and having a non-stop trip we are going British Air and laying over at Heathrow. It has been several years since I went through there but I do recall it being a complete pain in the ass. All at five in the morning. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.
This is all made up for by actually being in Paris for a week. I must admit I am a new convert to the joys of Paris and France. I am much more of a Germanic-phile having studied German language & films along with traveling to Berlin many times. I love it, love it, love it. Paris is growing on me. I love Berlin but it was such a freaking pain to find good food - I gather this has changed quite rapidly. Several friends who have been recently have raved about new restaurants etc.
Anyway, we bought a new camera and our hotel has wi-fi so I'll be posting from Paris. If...blogger actually works this time. I tried doing it last year but couldn't get blogger to load. We'll see.
peace out y'all.

Today is just going to suck...I know it.

The first week of work has come and gone. Nothing very exciting to report. I am still waiting on several pieces of software to come through so I can do the things I was hired to do. Of course by the time this occurs I will be leaving for a week in Paris. A shame I know.
I had my first recitation class last Thursday. Only a few student showed up which is to be expected. The actual first class isn't until today, this afternoon in fact. My Tuesdays will run 6:30 AM to 10 PM. I am already exhausted and I only just got out of the shower.
The reason for this is mainly because I went to a going away party for my friend K last night. She is moving to Hawaii. I am psyched for her but sad to see her go. Also I was a little peeved at C for not remembering to open her evite so the party came as a complete surprise to me. I got off work, went to the gym and then met him at Davio's only to discover that the "short" evening I thought we were having was going to turn out to be much longer. We didn't get home till after midnight and here I am getting up at 6:30 still a little drunk. Blech. I don't like this feeling. I didn't like it when I did it at 23. I don't like it now that I am much, much older. To top it all off we ended up at McD's for late dinner. I'm pretty sure that is contributing to my ass-y feeling.
Lame-ness all around.

Australians

You can always count on the Australians to give Americans a bunch of shit.
I was glad to hear that they are also willing to stand up to Bush in a way that Americans could never even consider.
Sydney locals are pushing for the largest ever mooning. And our president, ass face Bush gets to be the recipient.

Work...again

I just wanted to catch up on my blogging. It is 2 AM Monday morning and I got home about 40 minutes ago. I spent my evening serving food, drinks, and a dinosaur cake to about 200 people out west of the city. I have reached the end of my catering run and I am fuh-kin exhausted. I never thought that I would long for the comfort of my office chair (big ass factory that it is). Unbelieveable. If I don't cater for a long, long time I will be happy. I had completely forgotten how brutal it can be. And I am so fucking out of shape it isn't funny. I think the only reason I survived is because I finally started going to the gym again three weeks ago! The one thing that got me through the night was Paris. Granted it wasn't as bad as last week's wedding when I worked in 102 degree heat. Once I got home that night it took me over three hours to get my temp back to normal.
The people tonight were great. Extremely nice and laid back. I worked their rehearsal dinner last night. It is always odd when entering a complete strangers home and taking over all of the public spaces they have created. You enter the house and begin looking around for art (well that is what I do). This simple reason is that, I went to art school, but I also think that people in the Boston area tend to have a great deal of art in their homes. It is important to them either personally or professionally. Having art hanging in a home denotes a certain intellectual curiosity or knowledge that carries a great deal of cultural and social weight.
When I was catering in Rhode Island the art in clients' homes was rare. It was there but often notable for that fact. Degrees of weath perhaps? Social scenes? The people this weekend actually were artists, at least the mothers of the Bride and the host of the rehearsal dinner were. I didn't really get a sense of the grooms family. The brides family were so much more social and present (personality wise).
I'd like to write more but I am so fuckin tired I'm not going to.

Hurst's Diamond Skull finally sells.

It appears that Damien Hurst's diamond encrusted platinum skull has finally sold.
An investment group has paid $100 million dollars for it.
What was that I posted earlier about the possible collapse of the high end art market? I guess we can disregard that. Apparently those hedge fund people still have plenty of cash to throw around. This is on top of the over $300 million that Hurst's show in June brought in. He has apparently strong armed his gallery into a 30/70 split.

Things, gorgeous things!

Perhaps I should have clarified my new position mentioned in the previous post.
The investment bank that I used to temp for came chasing after me with a job offer. I gave them a figure which they matched and added a bonus on top of. I start on the 4th. Unfortunately, as I mentioned earlier, I agreed to cater for a few weekends doue to our impending jaunt to Paris on the 19th. This company has agreed to give me the vacation time as part of my hiring package. it is a win-win situation. I really like the people I will be working with. They are not the group of 12 year olds I currently have to deal with at my present place of employment.
I have also been asked to TA an undergrad film class at MIT. This company has also graciously allowed me to do so even though it is technically against corporate policy.
I'll have more on this later.

shit happens

It has been a few days since I have posted. I feel like I should put something up here.
News: I got a job offer - finally - and I took it, good money and vaca and a whole lot of free time. I am honestly quite confused by it.
I've really got nothing to say. I just wanted to post this clip from Mr Show.



cheers!

Sobriety? Nah!

Not a whole lot happening this weekend. I am trying to enjoy the free time before I lose my weekends. Starting next Sat I beging a three week catering marathon. I need some extra money (like there is such a thing) as we are leaving for Paris in a few weeks. I will lose weekends but gain some loot. I suppose it is better then sitting on my ass drinking all weekend.
Speaking of drinking I have given up beer for the duration. I thought it would be difficult but now I don't really mind. I had a couple of Guinness' on Friday and, yes they were tasty, but I know they will be waiting for me when I return to beer.
I need to lose twenty pounds or so and as a wise friend once told me "no one ever lost weight drinking beer." Now I've not gone totally crazy sober! I'm still enjoying my old friend alcohol. Instead I have a diet cocktail. Vodka, soda, and a splash of Cran. It is about 80 calories vs. 200-300 in a beer. I don't really like it that much either which means I drink less of them. It is all part of my scheme. That and I have started going to the gym 4 or 5 times a week again. I should be back to my old weight by maybe...next summer?

Stupid aging! Damn you sedentary lifestyle!

Eruption

I think I was in a game design class with this kid.

Michel Gondry

I had the pleasure of meeting and having lunch with Michel Gondry. I subsequently participated in a Q & A with him at a university event. He is one of the nicest, most amazingly talented people I have ever met. He is so frickin cool and a kick ass artist. I love him.
He has a new film coming out called Be Kind, Rewind. It looks so fun and smart. It is due December 21st.
I am psyched.

Movie Madness

So C and I have been in a bit of a movie blitz.
We went to see Harry Potter and the Simpson's Movie. Then watched a couple of horror things On Demand - Silent Hill, Dawn of the Dead (remake), I still have to see Transformers before it leaves the big screen.
Harry Potter - just okay. the novel was pared down quite a bit, many characters removed yet it still felt like it was burdened by a cumbersome narrative. There were times when I thought I was watching a TV mini-series or perhaps Degrassi on the N. Action scenes were done fairly well. Ending felt rushed. Overall I'm glad I saw it but it was one of the more lackluster of the series. Alas. That said, Daniel Radcliffe was very yummy to watch (thankfully now past the age of consent).

Simpson's - Started off with a bang. Great series of jokes that was quickly derailed by a narrative built for a feature film. I wished that they had carried over the TV programs tradition of multiple narratives all unraveling at the same time. But no. All the great secondary characters were represented but relegated to either cameos or quick flashes as background filler. Still liked it though. Two words: Spider-pig!

Silent Hill - Fun, cheesy, gory horror film based on the video game. They managed to carry over the mood and tone of the game. Several scenes were taken directly from the game. Unfortunately the storyline devolved to a rather annoying hell/damnation scenario. I was disappointed.

Dawn of the Dead remake - made by Zack Snyder (300) who will now be helming the Watchman. This film is awesome. I love the fact that the zombies run not shamble.
Kick ass. Best scene: chainsaw accident in the van. This movie rules.

names...

And another one bites the dust

I just got another rejection letter. It would have been distressing if I hadn't written the job off ages ago. Once again I shred the letter and throw it in the bin. I add it to the psychological resume heap that is my application process. I have resigned myself to my current position as an administrative assistant. That is what $140,000 of education gets me. I can decypher French postmodernist thought and analyse the fuck out of a film or piece of art. I have two essays being published this year, one by MIT Press, but the only fucking thing I am qualified to do is answer phones and arrange someone elses travel and calendar. Lucky me.
Bitter much? You bet your fuckin ass. There are many miles and years between my life as a restaurant person and as an admin but honestly I could have saved myself many thousands of dollars and years of intellectual labour by just diving into administrative work. Like everyone around me.

God damn it.

Yikes!

Well, it has been some time since I have posted. I keep falling into the trap of thinking that nothing is really going on in my life and then! Two months or more have passed and I haven't written a damn thing.
Things have gotten better. I have begun temping at a new company. I started on May 23rd. I like the company. They have streamlined the entire admin job. it is all software based. I do almost nothing. It is good and bad at the same time. I am fuckin bored a whole lot! But I do have time to read and have been studying for the GREs. I hope to take them in the fall or winter. I'm in no hurry. I may take them a couple of times.
They have begun asking me if I want to be hired. I got nothing else going on. I haven't gotten any responses from the 20-30 resumes I have sent out. Honestly I am making more money than I ever have in my life(as a temp). Like I said before I do practically nothing. They will pay me the same or slightly more if I take the job. On top of which I will have benefits, vacation, etc. Nice. I am so looking forward to a trip to the dentist!
That is really all I have to add. It is nice to be back. I am still contemplating creating a separate blog for "intellectual/work" type stuff. I hope to get it completed and ready soon. I have also been trying to find time to create my website. Finally.
I have begun writing a script as well. it gives me something to do besides sit in bars and drink.

names out.

The Golden Compass.

Turns out that I have a tiger for a daemon.
Sweet.
They have yet to post a trailer online for this film but some of the pictures look interesting. I like the books so it will be interesting to see how the film comes out.

work, papers, shit like that.

jeez, it feels like ages since I posted here. I believe it has been about two months.
There really hasn't been much to talk about. I had nothing.
Things got a bit more interesting last week. My company has decided to actually hire me! Moving me out of the temp world to the world of exciting things like health insurance (and just in time really. As of June or July all Mass residents must have insurance regardless of employment status), dental insurance, vacation, 401(k) all that good shit. I'm not sure how I feel about this. I love the company and the people I will be working with but it is so not what I saw myself doing when I went to grad school. I have to keep thinking that in the end I will make more in the investment banking world than I ever would have in the art world.
Anyway on to more interesting things. I gave a paper at a conference at MIT this weekend. I talked about appropriation and queer cinema. People seemed to like it. I had lots of nice film clips.I showed a short piece of my friend Peter Spears called "Ernest and Bertram." This film was a huge success until it was pulled when the Children's Television Workshop threatened him with a lawsuit. It is a retelling of Lillian Hellman's "The Children's Hour" only with Bert and Ernie from Sesame St. It is pretty fucked up.


I think that is all for now. Work calls.

Names out...

Scorpions

The Scorpions were my favourite band for quite a long period of time in my life. I would say from about 13 till 18, 19. I liked them. They had their annoying "love" songs that got chicks to go to their concerts but they also had mad music ability that got the rock guys to go as well. I loved them alot. I lost touch with them, as most of us did, in the great grunge transition years of 91-94. Scorpions who? we all asked. they were gone. They gave me my first glimse of San Fran:


They also gave me my first tranny song "He's a Woman and She's a Man!" (warning! this video is hella old and rather poorly transfered to digital) oh, and the narration is in German:


But now they have this song and video which I find odd and yet extremely attractive and disturbing if only for the fact that John Corbett is killed by a vampire. sadly a woman vampire. and the fact that Klause Meine is bald with a scalp tattoo. when the fuck did that happen? What the fuck is wrong with German people?


I don't know but I'd move to Berlin in a mutha-fuckin heartbeat.
Bitches.

VD and More

Here are some recently posted clips of 300.

I stand by my advocacy of this film.
oh and happy VD day.
I offer up this email exchange between my friend Cat and myself today as evidence of how much this "holiday" resonated in my psyche.

CAT: So, did you figure out your VD plan?

ME: first off: penicillin for that VD.

CAT: It's all 1952 in here and shit.

this was preceded by the following exchange will also serves as an example of our mutual disdain for this day. Read and be enlightened.

CAT: Valentines Day sucks on the train. This afternoon a bunch of skinny bitches will be toting giant things of flowers.

ME: Seriously annoying. One of the admins got a large thing of roses from her husband. I accused her of sending them to herself just to make the rest of us feel like losers.

CAT: Nice.

and so it goes...

names out.

300

Two words: Fuckin awesome!
I can't wait to see this film. The early word is that it truly kicks ass.
This movie has several things going for it.
1. Frank Miller created the graphic novel on which it is based.
2. Created by the same peeps who made Sin City
3. Ninjas
4. lots 'o male nudity...



Finally! A film that I cannot wait to see!