Random Sputterings: 12/30/2001

[elSicomoro]

More TV: I've been bouncing between VH1 and PBS. VH1 is currently showing all their "Behind the Music" shows in alphabetical order. When I turned on VH1 at 3:30 this morning, they happened to be starting the Depeche Mode one, so I had to watch it...for the 9th time. Neil Diamond and Celine Dion followed afterward. I must say, as much as her music irritates me, the story on Celine Dion was very good.

About 15 after 6, I happened to turn on WHYY (Philadelphia's PBS station) and started watching a movie that was on. The movie happened to grab my attention...at first, I thought it was "The Great Gatsby." Unfortunately, I had missed the first part of it. It was about this architect who had apparently been blacklisted, later rose again, and found himself in a battle for his individuality. It was really bizarre, but intriguing. We had no idea what the movie was since we didn't have a TV guide. After looking at WHYY's site, it turns out it was "The Fountainhead," based on the novel by Ayn Rand. I've heard much about her, but have never read any of her books. I may have to head up to the Free Library tomorrow.

Then, NJN (the New Jersey PBS affiliate) was showing "Jazz," the series by Ken Burns. I had seen most of it before, but couldn't help watching it again. This lasted most of yesterday and today. Some of it gets hokey, but overall, I think it's brilliant. Jazz is such a great art, and the story behind its roots is fascinating. I definitely want to get the boxed set of the music featured in the series.

Miles Davis recorded 4 albums in 2 days...2 days! Man, it takes some artists 2 YEARS to put out one record.

The Joys of Swiffer: I think Swiffer is one of the greatest creations ever made. It's not perfect, but it beats a broom anyday.

Ringing in 2002: So, what's everyone doing for New Year's? Rho and I aren't doing jack shit. We'll probably just sit at home, watch the ball drop, and that will be it. For some reason, since the whole millenium extravaganza 2 years ago, New Year's just seems blah.

The last time I did anything "exciting" for New Year's was 3 years ago. My friend Ryan and I decided to drive to Chicago after I got off work on New Year's Eve. This was 6pm. We got to Chicago about 11. We picked up Mimi, drove around, got shot at, and crashed at a hotel, where we proceeded to drink and eat White Castles.

We headed back around 3pm on New Year's Day...a major winter storm was headed for the midwest at that point. We hit it in Bloomington, about 90 miles southwest of Chicago. And it just came down...and became a blizzard in no time. A 5 hour drive wound up taking 8. Tons of cars were stalled either in the median or on the side of Interstate 55. My friend Ryan was higher than a kite on pot. It was a mess.

My vices: Other than the Playstation, I've been drinking more soda than I normally do (which is almost none). I used to be the biggest soda jerk going through high school. A 2 liter bottle of Dr. Pepper a day was not out of the ordinary. I finally got out of that phase and brought it down to almost none 2 years ago. But every now and then, I get a taste for it. In these soda attacks, I promptly rush to Rite Aid and buy 2-liters of Dr. Pepper, Sunkist, and Canada Dry Vanilla Creme soda. After this, the craving subsides.