Mezzanine Mark

Sample Best 5 list

2010-11-04T18:41:00.002-05:00

The five best Dallas Stars hockey players of all time

1) Mike Modano - Franchise leader in every statistical category imaginable and a hearthrob face of the franchise to boot!

2) Ed Belfour - Won 2 Vezina awards as best goalie in the NHL while with the Stars and was the starting goalie in 1999 the year they won their only Stanley Cup

3) Brett Hull - Future NHL Hall-Of-Famer who scored the Stanley-cup Winning goal

4) Jere Lehtinen - Won three Selke awards for top defensive forward in a Dallas Stars uniform

5) Sergei Zubov - Perennial all-star who quarterbacked the Dallas Stars' lethal power play units for years

Obamacare....

2010-08-04T16:04:00.001-05:00

Couldn't have said this any better myself..

I'm now post-wedding day and post-honeymoon...

2010-07-27T14:16:00.001-05:00

and I'm here to say I love my wife...

Awesome goal.. and the music says it all

2010-01-25T15:00:00.001-06:00

Corrine has Conversations with Birds

2010-01-21T17:09:00.003-06:00

VID00058
Originally uploaded by MarkWett

Corrine has conversations with birds

2010-01-11T11:57:00.001-06:00

I'm 30 years old tomorrow. I believe the expression is UGH". But you know what? I'm actually looking forward to it. I'm getting married this year and supposedly doing the proverbial "settling down". Wedding plans are coming together and I can't wait to get this new life started!

I am the Heritage FOundation's Featured Fan!

2009-10-14T15:37:00.000-05:00

Check it out! http://www.facebook.com/heritagefoundation?v=app_4949752878&viewas=5227703

We're Engaged! - Eiffel Tower July 19, 2009

2009-07-30T15:05:00.005-05:00

Vote for European Art Galllery for Best Art Gallery in North Texas

2009-05-22T16:39:00.001-05:00

We have been nominated by WFAA Channel 8 for best art gallery in North Texas. We are deserving of this awrd, however unfortunately it is not judged purely on popular vote.

Please my dear readers, take two seconds of your time to vote for us online by clicking the link, and tell your friends to as well. It is a two-horse race any the competition has only been around for a few months, but they have managed to get out the vote. I would be INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL.

http://alist.wfaa.com/european-art-gallery/biz/7253

Police Use Taser on Fake Cougar...

2009-05-19T10:40:00.001-05:00

Sounds like something out of Monty Python....

Bunch o' Bulky Body Builders Flee from Skinny Dorks in LabCoats at Competition...

2009-05-18T14:52:00.001-05:00

I bet it was hysterical to watch....

Blog I hath Forsaken Thee....

2009-03-10T00:34:00.006-05:00

It's true.....there is no excuse that after seven years of diligence, I have forsaken thee recently. My explanations are tenfold and legitimate..but that is no excuse.

Perhaps the #1 reason for the neglect is that, through Facebook, I seem to have found a more efficient means of accomplishing what this blog was intended to accomplish back in January of 2002: namely giving people a way to stay in touch with me, and vice versa. Facebook didn't exist back then....heck Joe the Plumber didn't even exist back then.

Much like our country's economy, this blog will have its heyday again....it's gone on too long for it not to. It also serves as remarkable time capsule and a great way to remind myself of woo the seemingly urgent matters of the moment seem to meld away in time. It gives great perspective.

Like most everyone else's, my life is hectic right now. It is a tumultuous time for sure. People in general are having a hard go of it, and realistically, there is more of it to come. But when people talk about this being the end of the world, it makes me laugh. I mean heck my grandparents endured worse than what anyone I know personally is facing. They came out ok and are about celebrate the 66th wedding anniversary.

However I have much to be thankful for. I have a wonderful girlfriend (you really should meet her). We recently celebrated our six month anniversary since our first date. I know it may not seem impressive for a 29 year old to be dating someone for a whopping six months, but believe me, with the way I'm romantically hard-wired , that is a SIGNIFICANT milestone. Tara is a fantastic, supportive, loving, smart, (and did I mentioned, sexy?) girlfriend and I am very lucky indeed to have her in my life.

----------------
Now playing: The Finn Brothers - Last Day Of June
via FoxyTunes

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Now playing: Paul Simon - St. Judy's Comet
via FoxyTunes

A Peddle Stool?

2008-12-15T22:44:00.006-06:00

Was doing some web browsing on yahoo to pass the the time and I came across an article called THE TOP TEN REASONS WOMEN CHEAT with the following from the Yahoo Female Love Guru who posts under the name "Vega Love" . FYI THIS IS POSSIBLY THE WORST ARTICLE EVER WRITTEN...check the link.

When the man she loves is spending too much time and attention on himself or his other interests, it is a complete turn-off for women because we want to be the center of his world, and when we aren't, we know that someone else will place us on a peddle stool.

Mark's immediate reaction is to laugh and think "What on god's green earth is a peddle stool and why would this woman or any other desire to be placed on one? It sounds like a torture device!"

I inexplicably continue reading the article, and am flabbergasted when I come across this...

Women just want a guy to make her feel like a princess, so if you've got other things on that peddle stool, you better make room for her because if she isn't your number one, she will belong to someone else in no time. It's not just about people either, it is also habits and addicitions, like drugs or video games, if you spend more time on the Playstation III or getting high, she will find a more mature man that will place that crown on her head and slip on that glass slipper.

Not only has the peddle stool made an encore performance, but now I learn that there re such things as "addicitions", such as "getting high". WHO APPROVED THIS? WHAT PERSON THINKS THIS ARTICLE IS HELPFUL? SINCE WHEN IT GETTING HIGH NONCHALANTLY REFERENCED IN AN ARTICLE LINKED TO YAHOO'S FRONT PAGE???/

Finally I implore you al to click the link, and if you don't have time to read the whole thing, scroll to the bottom and read "reason #1". It is absolutely hilarious...

Why is this woman employed? Are there no editors at Yahoo that catch peddle stool? AAAAAARGH!

American Airlines Now Charging Fees To Non-Passengers

2008-12-01T13:35:00.001-06:00

Genius satire from The Onion

Copernicus is Unearthedicus

2008-11-20T22:48:00.001-06:00

This is just flat out cool and freaky....they have found Copernicus' remains....and it is proven.

Osama vs. Obama Round 1!

2008-11-19T09:51:00.002-06:00

Complete with the obligatory "Obama wearing a Jewish skullcap" attack, because what Al Qaeda message would be complete without a gratuitous attack on the Jews...

Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State?

2008-11-19T09:37:00.002-06:00

Once you read the article, you will see there are whisperings within the Democratic party that she is not qualified for the position, having had little to no foreign policy experience.

While I don't necessarily disagree with the whisperings, it is amazing that Democrats think she may not be qualified, when she was the front runner for the most powerful person in the free world as recently as a few months ago.

Another former presidential candidate, John Kerry, of whom I am definitely not a fan, actually makes a lot more sense because at least he has significant experience in the Senate Foreign Relations committee. I don't agree with his policies, and I am happy he didn't become president (give me Obama over Kerry or Hillary any day), but at least hge can put a check mark next to experience.

Unvetted immediate post-election thoughts....

2008-11-05T09:07:00.002-06:00

Good luck to Barack. I don't agree with the vast majority of his policies, and I am scared shitless of his suggestion of playing nice-nice with Iran, but his eloquence will undoubtedly come in handy as long as he can write the speech beforehand and doesn't have to deliver anything off the cuff, where he seems to struggle mightily. .

I am conservative, but I realize conservatives can't win every election cycle....and this was a landslide (and perhaps deservedly so). What's more many of the so-called "conservative" Republicans in the legislature have not been acting according to the principles of conservatism, and have been spending recklessly. I am displeased with the Republican party, but hold steadfast to to fiscal (as opposed to social) principles of conservatism

If a Democrat had to win, I am happy it is an eloquent and non-vindictive one (Hillary, Reid, Pelosi, etc.), and I am much happier with Obama as president than Hillary. Obama's policies are about as far left as this country allows...and they admittedly scare me. For someone who claims to reach across the aisle, he was arguably the most liberal member of the entire Senate, but give me him over Hillary any day of the week. I hope my sincere reservations about his policies prove false and our country can move forward.

On the other side of the aisle, McCain ran a horrifically bad campaign, and with the incumbant Republican with a 29% approval rating, it would have taken a monumental effort from someone with a presence like Ronald Reagan to have given the Republicans the remotest of shots. McCain is not Reagan, and so he, or any other Republican candidate, was doomed from the start.

However I do think Sarah Palin was subject to an INCREDIBLY disgusting and unfair lynch-job by the media. I challenge you all to find any such instance in which a vice-president was scrtutinized as much as she has been. Compare it to Biden ?? We as a country seemed to be much more concerned about the "experience" of our potential vice-president and chose to conveniently gloss over the even less executive experience that our now incoming President has. It's just ridiculous given how much more important the presidency is than the vice-presidency; it makes no logical sense, and thus screams of intellectual dishonesty....shame on us for that.

In an election season when we broke through an incredible racial barrier and made history,it is unfortunate that, based on the way Palin was treated, we showed that the gender barrier is still alive and well.

Here's hoping Palin remains a stalwart in Republican politics. One of my friends and I have a bet (a fancy dinner) over whether Palin will remain a prominent figure in the American political system during the next presidential term. Good luck to incoming President Obama...let's double the budget for the secret service because I fear that his life will be at risk on a daily basis due to the bigotry of a few....

Great weekend

2008-11-03T10:52:00.002-06:00

After recovering from strep, had a bloody good weekend. Full of relaxation and sprinkled with 40th birthday parties, engagement parties, my bro's birthday, watching spooky people on Greenville Ave. Halloween night while Tara and I shared a yummy cheese plate at The Grape.

Then perfect weather for tennis on Sunday.... my scheduled match, was at all places, The Four Seasons in Colinas...so I even got a little resort-style action...

What more can a guy ask for?

Happy Halloween! And Ruby says "Boo!"

2008-10-31T16:35:00.002-05:00

My niece Ruby on her first Halloween!

German Police Seek British Muppet Speeding in Audi

2008-10-27T18:44:00.005-05:00

Dear readers, I am, in fact, a British muppet who drives an Audi, but as far as I know, I am not an official suspect. However I fear Animal might be...as evidenced by this damning footage.

Rumor has it, that Germany's own 'Evil Bert' (seen below) is the ruthless high-ranking inspector assigned to the case...

The brokers with hands on their faces blog

2008-10-24T12:14:00.002-05:00

In these tough times, it's nice to know that even the experts have "WTF" looks on their faces....

Lawsuit Against God Thrown Out Over Lack of Address

2008-10-16T15:56:00.003-05:00

Thanks to Jonty K. for alerting me to this. You'd think this is a satirical article, and you'd be WRONG!

Best part of the article in my opinion?

Chambers, who graduated from law school but never took the bar exam, thinks he's found a hole in the judge's ruling.

"The court itself acknowledges the existence of God," Chambers said Wednesday. "A consequence of that acknowledgment is a recognition of God's omniscience."

Therefore, Chambers said, "Since God knows everything, God has notice of this lawsuit."

Happy New Year

2008-09-30T14:23:00.001-05:00

L'Shanah Tova

New York Times, or Nostradamus?

2008-09-30T12:39:00.000-05:00

NYT Article - 9/30/99 - Mortgages
By STEVEN A. HOLMES

Published: September 30, 1999

In a move that could help increase home ownership rates among minorities
and low-income consumers, the Fannie Mae Corporation is easing the
credit requirements on loans that it will purchase from banks and other
lenders.

The action, which will begin as a pilot program involving 24 banks in 15
markets -- including the New York metropolitan region -- will encourage
those banks to extend home mortgages to individuals whose credit is
generally not good enough to qualify for conventional loans. Fannie Mae
officials say they hope to make it a nationwide program by next spring.

Fannie Mae, the nation's biggest underwriter of home mortgages, has been
under increasing pressure from the Clinton Administration to expand
mortgage loans among low and moderate income people and felt pressure
from stock holders to maintain its phenomenal growth in profits.

In addition, banks, thrift institutions and mortgage companies have been
pressing Fannie Mae to help them make more loans to so-called subprime
borrowers. These borrowers whose incomes, credit ratings and savings are
not good enough to qualify for conventional loans, can only get loans
from finance companies that charge much higher interest rates --
anywhere from three to four percentage points higher than conventional
loans.

''Fannie Mae has expanded home ownership for millions of families in the
1990's by reducing down payment requirements,'' said Franklin D. Raines,
Fannie Mae's chairman and chief executive officer. ''Yet there remain
too many borrowers whose credit is just a notch below what our
underwriting has required who have been relegated to paying
significantly higher mortgage rates in the so-called subprime market.''

Demographic information on these borrowers is sketchy. But at least one
study indicates that 18 percent of the loans in the subprime market went
to black borrowers, compared to 5 per cent of loans in the conventional
loan market.

In moving, even tentatively, into this new area of lending, Fannie Mae
is taking on significantly more risk, which may not pose any
difficulties during flush economic times. But the government-subsidized
corporation may run into trouble in an economic downturn, prompting a
government rescue similar to that of the savings and loan industry in
the 1980's.

''From the perspective of many people, including me, this is another
thrift industry growing up around us,'' said Peter Wallison a resident
fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. ''If they fail, the
government will have to step up and bail them out the way it stepped up
and bailed out the thrift industry.''

Under Fannie Mae's pilot program, consumers who qualify can secure a
mortgage with an interest rate one percentage point above that of a
conventional, 30-year fixed rate mortgage of less than $240,000 -- a
rate that currently averages about 7.76 per cent. If the borrower makes
his or her monthly payments on time for two years, the one percentage
point premium is dropped.

Fannie Mae, the nation's biggest underwriter of home mortgages, does not
lend money directly to consumers. Instead, it purchases loans that banks
make on what is called the secondary market. By expanding the type of
loans that it will buy, Fannie Mae is hoping to spur banks to make more
loans to people with less-than-stellar credit ratings.

Fannie Mae officials stress that the new mortgages will be extended to
all potential borrowers who can qualify for a mortgage. But they add
that the move is intended in part to increase the number of minority and
low income home owners who tend to have worse credit ratings than
non-Hispanic whites.

Home ownership has, in fact, exploded among minorities during the
economic boom of the 1990's. The number of mortgages extended to
Hispanic applicants jumped by 87.2 per cent from 1993 to 1998, according
to Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies. During that
same period the number of African Americans who got mortgages to buy a
home increased by 71.9 per cent and the number of Asian Americans by
46.3 per cent.

In contrast, the number of non-Hispanic whites who received loans for
homes increased by 31.2 per cent.

Despite these gains, home ownership rates for minorities continue to lag
behind non-Hispanic whites, in part because blacks and Hispanics in
particular tend to have on average worse credit ratings.

In July, the Department of Housing and Urban Development proposed that
by the year 2001, 50 percent of Fannie Mae's and Freddie Mac's portfolio
be made up of loans to low and moderate-income borrowers. Last year, 44
percent of the loans Fannie Mae purchased were from these groups.

The change in policy also comes at the same time that HUD is
investigating allegations of racial discrimination in the automated
underwriting systems used by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to determine the
credit-worthiness of credit applicants.

I know I know...

2008-09-26T14:02:00.003-05:00

I suck... I haven't posted in eons. No excuses...life has just been busy. Recapping would take forever, but I will say a few thing...

First and foremost, I am happy. Life is good.

The economy has gone to hell.. I, like so many others, have lost money, and yet after a brief foray into "panic world 101" I am now past it, and thanking my blessings.

My family is doing well; I have a lovely thriving nephew and a gorgeous heartbreaker of a niece. My grandfather agreed to give a breathtaking first person account of his monumental life in front of a video camera, and now it iwll not be lost in the annals of our family history but instead can be an inspiration.

My knee is doing well.... I had surgery in June on it...but not I am moving about again, playing tennis, and with significantly less paint than before.

My friends are doing well. I had a little Monday Night football party a few weeks back to watch the Cowboys play the Eagles. Turn out was fantastic and a good time was had by all.

My ten year high school reunion is coming up next month, and after flirting with hosting it at my place, I received an acute reminder of the nuances of the Greenhhill PAC. I am no longer the host, and I am happy about it.

I was nominated for, and subsequently accepted into The Dervish Club

This week, once the very busy work day is over (I don't talk much work on here) I have done the following:
Monday: tennis drill session

Tuesday: Tickets to see the famous rock opera "Tommy" by The Who at the Dallas Theater Center with Tara.

Wednesday: Lunch with Jonty and Jeff for Jonty's birthday, followed by a meeting of the Entrepreneurs Organization that lasted till 10PM

Thursday: Dinner and the Ben Kweller concert at House of Blues with some of my favorite people.
Friday: (aka tonight) Lunch with my grandparents, sister, and niece. Dinner with the beloved Smitha in town from New York

Tomorrow: : Playing in The Dallas Cup tennis tournament. and seeing Oleg and Tracy who are in town from Houston.

Sunday: USTA league tennis match, Cowboys game, hopefully see a combination of people in from out of town, and play some poker, and see T and see Ruby.

Somewhere in there I want to look into the vocal group that Jeri was raving about. Jeri has amazing vocal talent, and she knows a good group when she hears one, so since she has chosen to take part, I am very intrigued., But when will I have time?

There are worse problems in this world than having busy days.....

As for the upcoming election of the most important person int he free world.... I spare the onset of venom by keeping my vote secret ballot..at least for the time being.

Hope all is well with my readers..or more specifically... those i happen to have left

Hooray for Britons!

2008-08-27T10:56:00.000-05:00

Fancy the British to be the thorn in the side of the resort world.

Ah The Naked Gun,,,,so many gems...

2008-08-20T11:06:00.000-05:00

"I'd known her for years. We used to go to all the police functions together. Ah, how I loved her, but she had her music. I think she had her music. She'd hang out with the Chicago Male Chorus and Symphony. I don't recall her playing an instrument or being able to carry a tune. Yet she was on the road 300 days of the year. In fact I bought her a harp for Christmas. She asked me what it was. "

The next Episode of ridiculous art.....now with Comedic Undertones!

2008-08-14T23:11:00.003-05:00

Yes my readers, a giant poo disguised as art was carried 200 meters, leaving a trail of destruction, and breaking windows at a children's home. No I am not making this up....the actual headline you ask? Ok...

Inflatable feces raises a stink From BBC News:

A giant inflatable dog turd brought down a power line after being blown away from a Swiss museum.

The artwork, entitled Complex Shit, was carried 200 metres on the night of 31 July, reportedly breaking a greenhouse window before it landed again.

The sculpture, by American artist Paul McCarthy, was equipped with a safety system that should have deflated it.

The fake faeces has been returned and will remain on display at the Zentrum Paul Klee in Bern until October.

McCarthy is well known for his inflatable artworks, two of which - Blockhead and Daddies Bighead - were displayed outside the Tate Modern in London in 2003.

The Zentrum Paul Klee, which opened in 2005, houses a collection of about 4,000 works by the noted Swiss painter.

F. Scott Fitzgerald knew how to write...

2008-08-12T23:23:00.003-05:00

"He had become a coward in earnest - completely the slave of a hundred disordered and prowling thoughts which were released by the collapse of the authentic devotion to Gloria that had been the chief jailer of his insufficiency." -

F.Scott Fitzgerald, The Beautiful and Damned, Book Three

Poor Macca!

2008-07-25T18:27:00.001-05:00

"We took the MLS game because we wanted to come to America. We wanted to show people what we're about."

2008-07-22T10:47:00.002-05:00

Thanks to Jonty for finding this one. Blogger Alex and I had toyed with the idea of going to Toronto to see West Ham play the MLS All-stars, but we couldn't make it happen. Probably a good thing we didn't because with our West Ham scarves on, we may have been in for a fight.....

Fans Clash as West Ham United Beats Columbus Crew....

Up You Hammers! Way to show America what English Soccer is all about....Thuggery!

I Don't Have Time For Noncontroversial Art Exhibits By Keith Dans July 16, 2008 -The Onion

2008-07-16T10:04:00.001-05:00

Thank you Thank You Thank you to The Onion. This is BRILLIANT satire that is near and dear to my heart.

Ralph Wiggum For President. (links to his genius TV AD)

2008-07-15T09:46:00.002-05:00

genius... Ralph I'll vote for you.

How Can People Fall for this Crap?

2008-07-01T11:54:00.003-05:00

Latest entry in in the "Giving Art a Bad Name" contest. Paying to have a bunch of people run around the Tate Museum during showing hours. You think I' joking...you're wrong. What a bunch of bollocks...

From the linked story....

Stephen Deuchar, Director of Tate Britain, said: "Martin Creed has responded to the historic Duveen gallery spaces with a compelling, simple and lyrical project.

"In lifting an everyday activity out of its usual context and dropping it into the central galleries of Tate Britain, it upsets any preconceived ideas of how to move appropriately through an art space."

"If you think about death as being completely still and movement as a sign of life, then the fastest movement possible is the biggest sign of life. So then running fast is like the exact opposite of death: it's an example of aliveness," added Creed.

Or as one person in a newsgroup said :

Translation:

"I knew I had to do something stupid and pretentious to top my last stupid and pretentious show. What's more stupid and pretentious than having sprinters run past you in an art gallery? Not many things, so I justified it with lame reasoning. Hopefully it's just stupid and pretentious enough to be taken seriously by stupid and pretentious art critics. Such is the business these days."

Euro Cup Finals Will Be Held In A Prison That Was Used In WWII

2008-06-29T11:44:00.001-05:00

If you book the National Press Club to announce your gay tryst with a presidential candidate, try not to have an outstanding warrant for your arrest.

2008-06-19T22:29:00.004-05:00

This is pretty high up on the absurd-o'-meter but it's a pretty funny read.

Best quote....

Sinclair was accompanied by his kilt-clad lawyer, Montgomery Blair Sibley. Sibley has had his own problems: a Florida court struck him off for vexatious litigation, most of it directed against his former wife.

"I don't mean to be impudent," said one reporter, "but why are you wearing a kilt?"

Sibley explained: "It has to do with genitalia. If you are on the smaller side, then pants are not uncomfortable."

2008-06-15T14:27:00.002-05:00

happy father's day everyone. I am on the mend and doing well. Just got back from Possum Kingdom Lake where I was boating with Tim, Bob and Frank, and then went straight to a Father's Day lunch with the family.

Tired now, but good times. Hope everyone's day is fantastic. My knee is on the mend after what appears to be successful surgery. Go to the doctor next week. I've learned through this process that Vicodin really jacks me up. I heard that it was great; I heard wrong.

Happy Anniversary...

2008-06-14T09:19:00.000-05:00

a Happy anniversary to Matt and Jamie. And a happy anniversary to Andrew and Stephanie. Four of my dearest friends married on the same day. Wishing many more happy years to come.

2008-06-02T17:41:00.002-05:00

Tomorroweth I goeth Under the Knifeth. Kneeth surgeryeth. i WIL BE FINETH I SAYETH, But nevertheless, wish me lucketh.

By George by Wesley Stace

2008-05-27T01:10:00.004-05:00

Finished Wesley Stace's second novel " By George" tonight. Stace (aka the fabulous folk musician John Wesley Harding) has set his standard impossibly high with his debut novel "Misfortune", which my biases aside, was a simply incredible novel, made even more amazing by the fact it was his first. It was Charles Dickens recreated...

And so while I had been enjoying By George, It wasn't proving to be quite as good as "Misfortune". Blame it on setting an impossibly high standard in a debut novel.

However I was mistaken in my earl assessment. While By George was a little slower to develop and doesn't contain quite as much humor or action as Misfortune, it is still a carefully orchestrated story of a family and its secrets, and it has a truly stunning conclusion which makes the whole thing worthwhile. My inferential ability had figured out some of the climax (perhaps by Stace's design via foreshadowing?) but there was also a piece of the puzzle I had never considered, and some truly fantastic multi-generational parallels between the two main protagonists in the novel, whose stories are separated by forty+ years.

I am thoroughly impressed yet again, and would recommend either of Wesley Stace's two books to any serious readers who appreciate truly well-orchestrated, intelligent, and thought provoking novels which evoke some of the best works in the British literary tradition.

Well done Wes!

Radiohead last night...

2008-05-19T10:34:00.002-05:00

...totally blew my frigging mind. Simply incredible show...gave me chills. They played tons of amazing songs, and did so very well. Many highlights, but one in particular that stood out for me was "Exit Music". And the special effects on "You and Whose Army" were also ground-breakingly cool.

If you have a chance to see them....DO IT! With all the amazing songs, it's a reminder of just how much depth is in their catalogue. For example, even though I knew it was a long shot, I found myself hoping for songs like "Life in a Glass House", (no luck), "Spinning Plates" (no luck again) and "You Never Wash Up After Yourself" (no chance in hell). And yet when the likes of "Pyramid Song" and Idioteque" were played, it was a reminder of just how amazingly intense those songs.

Bloody good show! And shout outs to Alexis, Alvaro, and Sylvia who shared the experience with me. Wish Michy, Ho, Alex, Sonnet, Andrew Sudduth, Courtade, and Jared could have been there as well. Was thinking how much they would have dug the show.

Knee Trouble Update

2008-05-19T10:30:00.004-05:00

partial tear of the lateral miniscus int he left knee. Doesn't require surgery, but won't fix itself either...so if I want to play tennis with any sort of effectiveness at the level to which I am accustomed, then it's surgery is the way to go.

Though surgery is never fun, it's still a no-brainer for me, I'm having surgery...shouldn't be too bad though. The rehab is child's play compared to the two ACL tears I have sustained on my right knee int he past. Just happy to finally have this thing diagnosed, since it had been nagging me for so long.

Tentatively scheduled for June 3rd.

Man USes Gun as Backscratcher...shoots himself

2008-05-15T10:12:00.000-05:00

01:43 PM CDT on Tuesday, May 13, 2008

By KIMBERLY DURNAN / The Dallas Morning News
kdurnan@dallasnews.com

A Fort Worth man trying to scratch an itch on his back used a revolver and accidentally shot himself.

Jorge Espinal, 44, was drinking beer and playing poker around 3 a.m. Sunday in his home in the 3500 block of Montague Street, when he got up from the table and walked into another room, said Fort Worth police Lt. Kenneth Dean.

“He told officers he had an itch on his back and grabbed the first thing he could get a hold of, which was a revolver,” Lt. Dean said. “The gun went off."

Mr. Espinal went back and told his buddies that he shot himself. “They didn’t believe him until they saw the blood coming down his back,” Lt. Dean said.

Mr. Espinal was taken to an area hospital, where he was treated and released with non-life-threatening injuries.

Please welcome Ruby Ofelia Garza into the world

2008-05-10T22:41:00.002-05:00

My sister Blogger Michelle gave birth to a beautiful baby girl yesterday. My niece Ruby weighing in at a hefty 4 pounds 12 ounces. What you say? 4 pounds 12 ounces isn't hefty; in fact it's on the small side?

Au contraire...compared ot her cousin Linus, whoch checked in at 1 pound, six ounces at birth, Ruby is downright beefy! She's also got some lungs on her, though she was niceand palcid today.

Proud mummy Michy is doing fantastic, and proud papa Joel is happily coming to grips with fatherhood.

I'd want to get permission before I post any pictures online in such a public venue, but if you wanna see drop me a line and I will get you a flickr pass.

Man accused of trying to cash check for $360,000,000,000

2008-05-02T09:51:00.001-05:00

07:59 PM CDT on Wednesday, April 30, 2008

From Staff Reports

A man has been accused of attempting to pass a $360 billion check, which he claims was given to him by his girlfriend’s mother to start a record business, Fort Worth police said.Charles Ray Fuller, 21, of Crowley, was arrested on April 22 on an accusation of forgery, police said.

Police responded to a report of a man attempting to pass the check about 4 p.m. that day at the Chase bank in the 8600 block of South Hulen Street, Fort Worth police Lt. Paul Henderson said.The personal check was not made out to Mr. Fuller and when the bank contacted the check owner, the woman said she did not write a check for $360 billion.

Mr. Fuller was also accused of unlawful carrying of a weapon and possession of marijuana, Lt. Henderson said. He may also face a theft charge in Crowley. Lt. Henderson said he did not know if Mr. Fuller and his girlfriend were still together.

Really...I Can't Make This Crap Up...

2008-05-01T16:50:00.004-05:00

My latest entry in my ongoing series of "ridiculous emails encountered while working in the art world" is below.... I have edited out proper names and replaced with parentheses to protect the guilty....May the lord have mercy on their souls..

This May "X" Gallery presents Art Biologic. The group exhibition, which runs from May 2 - 24, examines the varied interpretations of the biological world. The twenty artists in the exhibition explore all realms of the biologic, from the living to the dead, the real to the imagined.

On the imaginary end of the spectrum (artist's) graphite drawing, "Something Other", shows us a strange creature, a weird octopus-like alien vacuum cleaner with giant eyeballs. In (another artist's) oil painting, "Beetle Breakfast", two beetles sit at table in a pleasant country setting eating breakfast. Contrasting this are some realist works, like (artist's), beautifully rendered Oil on Linen of a Grey Parrot.

Also in the show are some very strange works that are reminiscent of biology experiments. (Artists') installation, Contained, with rows of larva suspended in ball jars, appears to be a cross between a lab and a larva jelly factory. Some works have a particularly morbid bent, such as (artist's), "Corvus Deflatus", a six foot long sculpture of a dead crow made of a roadside tire rubber and (artist's) digital photograph, "You Are What You Eat", depicting a formaldehyde preserved piglet superimposed over a ring of thick sausage.

In all the artists in Art Biologic pass their brush widely through the spectrum of biology, making this a very interesting exhibition that can't be passed through quickly. The show runs the gamut of styles and media and the artists approach to the theme are at times in stark contrast--some works can only be described as odd and out of place--but as a whole the show holds up well. I could have done without (artist's) "Catsnake". it is a well executed piece, but something about a hissing cat head on a furry snake body just gives me the creeps.

knee trouble

2008-05-01T00:24:00.001-05:00

getting an MRI tomorrow on the left knee after the pain I've experienced on the tennis courts hasn't subsided for over a month....already had two surgeries on my right knee..let's hope the left isn't trying to play catch-up.

Every Day

2008-04-27T19:42:00.007-05:00

So I found myself getting chills whenever I hear the gorgeous classical piano music in the background of this year's NBA basketball playoff commercials. I couldn't identify the song, but was sure that it has to be famous..probably Igor Stravinski, since whenever I hear classical music I love but can't identify..it always seems to be Stravinski.

So I went out to find it...and was very surprised to learn that it is an original piece by a living composer (albeit one blessed with "perfect pitch", something that, as a vocalist, I would die for). What's more, it wasn't composed for the NBA commercials, but perhaps even more amazingly, specifically to be the accompaniment for a YOUTUBE VIDEO from a lad named Noah Kalina, who starting way back in the year 2000, (pre-September 11th...just think about that) has made it a project to take a photo of himself every day.

It's a pretty incredible video, and the composer of the music, Carly Comando, has entitled the song "Every Day". She has never transposed it, because with perfect pitch, she has it all in her head. Amazing. But the song has prompted accomplished pianists everywhere to play the song..and so presumably it has been transposed at this point.

Here is the video: apparently I am very late to the party on this one, since the video already has over 9 million viewings. Not sure how this fell through the cracks for me. The music is stunningly gorgeous and inspired by Noah's project, which is in itself incredible, if somewhat narcissistic. Here see for yourselves my dear readers.

2008-04-27T14:00:00.002-05:00

Very fun weekend so far, and there's still a day left...Hurrah!

Owned!

2008-04-25T17:19:00.001-05:00

Time Stands Still

2008-04-25T17:15:00.001-05:00

Maud Miller by John Greenleaf Whittier (1807 - 1892)

2008-04-23T15:36:00.000-05:00

Maud Muller, on a summer's day,
Raked the meadow sweet with hay.

Beneath her torn hat glowed the wealth
Of simple beeauty and rustic health.

Singing, she wrought, and her merry glee
The mock-bird echoed from his tree.

But, when she glanced to the far-off town,
White from its hill-slope looking down,

The sweet song died, and a vague unrest
And a nameless longing filled her breast, --

A wish, that she hardly dared to own,
For something better than she had known.

The Judge rode slowly down the lane,
Smoothing his horse's chestnut mane.

He drew his bridle in the shade
Of the apple-trees, to greet the maid,

And ask a draught from the spring that flowed
Through the meadow, across the road.

She stooped where the cool spring bubbled up,
And filled for him her small tin cup,

And blushed as she gave it, looking down
On her feet so bare, and her tattered gown.

"Thanks!" said the Judge, "a sweeter draught
From a fairer hand was never quaffed."

He spoke of the grass and flowers and trees,
Of the singing birds and the humming bees;

Then talked of the haying, and wondered whether
The cloud in the west would bring foul weather.

And Maud forgot her brier-torn gown,
And her graceful ankles, bare and brown,

And listened, while a pleased surprise
Looked from her long-lashed hazel eyes.

At last, like one who for delay
Seeks a vain excuse, he rode away.

Maud Muller looked and sighed: "Ah me!
That I the Judge's bride might be!"

"He would dress me up in silks so fine,
And praise and toast me at his wine.

"My father should wear a braodcloth coat,
My brother should sail a painted boat.

"I'd dress my mother so grand and gay,
And the baby should have a new toy each day.

"And I'd feed the hungry and clothe the poor,
And all should bless me who left our door."

The Judge looked back as he climbed the hill,
And saw Maud Muller standing still:

"A form more fair, a face more sweet,
Ne'er hath it been my lot to meet.

"And her modest answer and graceful air
Show her wise and good as she is fair.

"Would she were mine, and I to-day,
Like her, a harvester of hay.

"No doubtful balance of rights and wrongs,
Nor weary lawyers wtih endless tongues,

"But low of cattle, and song of birds,
And health, and quiet, and loving words."

But he thought of his sister, proud and cold,
And hsi mother, vain of her rank and gold.

So, closing his heart, the Judge rode on,
And Maud was left in the field alone.

But the laywers smiled that afternoon,
When he hummed in court an old love tune;

And the young girl mused beside the well,
Till the rain on the unraked clover fell.

He wedded a wife of richest dower,
Who lived for fashion, as he for power.

Yet oft, in his marble hearth's bright glow,
He watched a picture come and go;

And sweet Maud Muller's hazel eyes
Looked out in their innocent surprise.

Oft, when the wine in his glass was red,
He longed for the wayside well instead,

And closed his eyes on his garnished rooms,
To dream of meadows and clover blooms;

And the proud man sighed with a secret pain,
"Ah, that I were free again!

"Free as when I rode that day
Where the barefoot maiden raked the hay."

She wedded a man unlearned and poor,
And many children played round her door.

But care and sorrow, and child-birth pain,
Left their traces on heart and brain.

And oft, when the summer shone hot
On the new-mown hay in the meadow lot,

And she heard the little spring brook fall
Over the roadside, through the wall,

In the shade of the apple-tree again
She saw a rider draw his rein,

And, gazing down with a timid grace,
She felt his pleased eyes read her face.

Sometimes her narrow kitchen walls
Stretched away into stately halls;

The weary wheel to a spinnet turned,
The tallow candle an astral burned;

And for him who sat by the chimney lug,
Dozing and grumbling o'er pipe and mug,

A manly form at her side she saw,
And joy was duty and love was law.

Then she took up her burden of life again,
Saying only, "It might have been."

Alas for maiden, alas for judge,
For rich repiner and household drudge!

God pity them both ! and pity us all,
Who vainly the dreams of youth recall;

For of all sad words of tongue or pen,
The saddest are these: "It might have been!"

Ah, well ! for us all some sweet hope lies
Deeply buried from human eyes;

And, in the hereafter, angels may
Roll the stone from its grave away!

2008-04-21T22:48:00.002-05:00

Had a great time in San Antonio.... did the riverwalk thing... met a ton of interesting people, started Wesley Stace's (aka John Wesley Harding) new book, and got back just in time to see my Dallas Stars destroy the Ducks to move on the the second round. Life is good.

Time to get back to work......

For J.B. - Balloon Man. by Robyn Hitchcock

2008-04-15T09:43:00.004-05:00

Forward the video to the 4 minutes, 30 seconds mark to see the origins of Bruce the Balloon Man. .....yeah Robyn Hitchcock is weird, but also funny and good. A major part of the psychedelic scene...he's played with some big-time people like REm and Elvis Costello. First time i ever saw him live was opeing for REM on their "Green" tour in 1989. I was a dorky kid...

Check out the crazy lyrics below:

I was walking up Sixth Avenue when Balloon Man came right up to me
He was round and fat and spherical
With the biggest grin I'd ever seen
He bounced on up toward me
But before we could be introduced
He blew up very suddenly
I guess his name was probably Bruce

And I laughed like I always do
And I cried like I cried for you
And Balloon Man blew up in my hand

He spattered me with tomatoes, Hummus, chick peas
And some strips of skin
So I made a right on 44th
And I washed my hands when I got in

And it rained like a slow divorce
And I wish I could ride a horse
And Balloon Man blew up in my hand

I was walking up Sixth Avenue when Balloon Man blew up in my face
There were loads of them on Bryant Park So I didn't feel out of place
There must have been a plague of them On the TV when I came home late
They were guzzling marshmallows and then jumping off the Empire State

And I laughed like I always do
And I cried like I cried for you
And Balloon Man blew up in my hand
Balloon Man blew up in my hand

2008-04-12T23:59:00.002-05:00

Congratulations to Blogger Lori on the release of her book. BUY IT TODAY MY DEAR READERS. YOU CAN FIND IT ON AMAZON.COM

2008-04-12T15:31:00.003-05:00

Were you really in love? [Anna] said to Yashvin

"Oh heavens! Ever so many times! But you see, some men can play, but only so that they can always lay down their cards when the hour of a rendezvous comes, while I can take up love, but only so as not to be late for my cards in the evening. That's how I manage things" he replied.

Part seven, chapter 24 of Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy

2008-04-12T15:29:00.002-05:00

Respect was invented to cover the empty place where love should be

-Part 7, Chapter 24 of Anna Karenina

2008-03-31T14:28:00.001-05:00

2008-03-30T19:57:00.002-05:00

He knew that Vronsky could not be prevented from amusing himself with painting; he knew that he and all dilettanti had a perfect right to paint what they liked, but it was distasteful to him. A man could not be prevented from making himself a big wax doll, and kissing it. But if the man were to come with the doll and sit before a man in love, and begin caressing his doll as the lover caressed the woman he loved, it would be distasteful to the lover. Just such a distasteful sensation was what Mihailov felt at the sight of Vronsky's painting...

-Leo Tolstoy , Part Five, Chapter 13 of Anna Karenina

The Green Spot

2008-03-24T19:39:00.003-05:00

Everyone should check this place out. It's Blogger Alvaro's newest venture, and getting your gas here will make you healthier in the long run. title links to the Dallas Observer article about it where Alvaro is quoted!.

2008-03-23T14:37:00.001-05:00

CONGRATULATIONS MATT AND JAMIE!

This is genius.... an honest R & B song

2008-03-22T10:06:00.000-05:00

2008-03-20T18:16:00.004-05:00

Well my long awaited trip to Mexico officially kicked my ass. I traveled to Puerto Vallarta, already sick with a cold. I come back having

1) a cold
2) a painful ear infection which has made me hard of hearing in my left ear
3) a sunburn
4) tendinitis in my left knee
5) an expensive bill for crashing my rented all-terrain vehicle into the side of a mountain at a high speed
6) Various bumps and bruises due to being thrown from said vehicle
7) an antibiotics prescription which is making all the food I eat go straight through me.
8) Out of vacation time, and yet feeling as if I need one.

and the good...

9) an admiration of Leo Tolstoy...My book for Mexico is Anna Karenina, in what amounts to my latest attempt to "Chekhov" (get it?) the list a book that I should have read that I haven't.

I had a good time with friends to be sure, and the weather was perfect, but I confess the trip didn't recharge the batteries in the way I had hoped. if anything, it's going to keep me off the tennis court for a good while while I heal up. bummer.....

Balloon Man came right up to me. He was round and fat and spherical with the biggest grin I'd ever seen...

2008-03-02T22:40:00.004-06:00

The Scene: Albuquerque, New Mexico, 6:45AM Mountain Standard Time, March 1, 2008

The Stunt: Yours truly, along with Dr. Sam Lam, and the rest of the Peleton Forum of the Entrepreneurs Organization of which I am a part, embark on the highlight of our annual retreat....the hot air balloon ride. Yes I can officially cross it off the list of "to do's" Don't believe me my dear readers? Don't think I was really there? well then check it out...

2008-02-28T09:40:00.001-06:00

I have every confidence that she'll dismantle mine, given time.

2008-02-25T14:15:00.002-06:00

New York was a blast. Enjoyed seeing old friends and family while admiring the snow-lined streets . Mission accomplished...but now I am happy to be back in Dallas. I have people I care about here too...

I'm in New York and it's snowing!

2008-02-22T11:18:00.000-06:00

Sure, my plane to La Guardia was canceled, and so I had to pull some strings and then rush to the airport to catch a flight leaving an hour and a half earlier to NEWARK friggin New JErsey. Then I had to get a train from Newark to Manhattan and arrive at Penn station, and try to catch a taxi to mid-town right when a friggin Linkin Park (they suck) concert was flowing out of Madison Square Garden. And sure it took me seven half hours all being told to get my Dallas to my final destination..but that's all ok because I am in New York and it is snowing.

Last time I was here I tried to take an Amtrak from NY to Philadelphia and the train DERAILED! Not sure what it is about this place and transportation nightmares, but despite the inconveniences, it's hard not to like it. When I was riding the midnight train in New Jersey I was playing that Shins song that was on the Garden State soundtrack....made me smile. And this morning I have been playing "New York City" by They Might Be Giants and " Marching Bands of Manhattan" by Death Cab For Cutie so I can start gettin' the New York vibe. Thank the lord for Ipods.

There are glacier-sized chunks of ice routinely falling off higher floors of the high rise and making "clump clump" noises as they hit the window sill. There is an enigmatic fog lingering over the East River, and my Dad pointed out that there is a curious smoke billowing out of one of the windows of the UN building..but no fire trucks or anything..so it's can't be anything too bad.

Only here for a couple of days, and there is a lot to do, but I'm ready to get started.

BUNNY BALLOON UPDATE!!!

2008-02-15T10:12:00.000-06:00

BRACE YOURSELF READERS....THE RESULTS ARE IN. THE BUNNY BALLOON HAS SOLD. YESTERDAY WAS VALENTINE'S DAY...BUT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN APRIL FOOL'S DAY BECAUSE SOME BOOB BOUGHT THE BUNNY BALLOON....AND HE/SHE SPENT

2,035,000! 2 MILLION, 35 THOUSAND DOLLARS.

THE APOCALYPSE IS HERE. GET INTO YOUR BOMB SHELTERS IMMEDIATELY.

How Much is that Balloon Bunny in the window?

2008-02-12T14:16:00.000-06:00

Many thanks to Michael S. for alerting me to this. Sotheby's and Christie's are ripe with ridiculous modern art sales with items that range from the insane, to the ridiculous, to the disgusting, but this one has become a favorite. For sale this week at Sotheby's New York as part of their Valentine's Day "Red Sale" (a theme! how cute!) is Lot #70.

Lot #70 is entitled "Balloon Rabbit Wall Relief" by 20th Century "artist" (note the quotes) Jeff Koons. The condition report on little Binky here is silly as can be. It reads "The colours are fairly accurate in the catalogue illustration, although the red tends more towards fuchsia in the original. This work is in very good condition."

Well it had better be in good condition, otherwise it would have popped! Better yet, imagine if the balloon-popping dog from a few posts ago got a hold of this thing!

Stop my readers..before you proceed any further...what is your estimate for the value of this sucker? The answer is revealed below. All I am saying is that there are gonna be some very pissed off party clowns on February 15th if this sells.

And the answer: The estimate is $800,000 - $1.2 million!!!! Let the clown strike begin. Whoever buys this has the inside track on Darwin Award winner of the new millennium.

Major Art Heist.....

2008-02-11T09:53:00.000-06:00

Well, as you can see on the right column of my blog, I have just finished reading The Art Thief. The book is a fictional account of an art heist featuring a Caravaggio, and a Malevich. This real heist which took pace in Switzerland yesterday might just beat it.....SPOOKY! Pierce Brosnan unavailable for comment....

I hate it when this happens...

2008-02-03T10:07:00.000-06:00

I'm with ya kid...I'm with ya...

Beatles ' Across The Universe' to be Broadcast through Outer Space by NASA

2008-02-01T16:20:00.000-06:00

Limitless undying love which shines around me like a million suns, It calls me on and on across the universe ...... -Lennon & McCartney (but in this case, more Lennon...clearly)

2008-01-25T10:52:00.000-06:00

Check out this video: Balloon Popping Dog

Add to My Profile | More Videos

2008-01-18T17:18:00.001-06:00

This goal by that Rick Nash scored last night with less than thirty seconds left to win the game for Columbus is one of the sickest hockey goals I have ever seen.

HMMM

2008-01-06T22:37:00.000-06:00

some people have said they have had a hard time reading my 2007 recap post and that it cuts off halfway. three people have said it, and yet when i try to view it in firefox or internet explorer i see everything fine so i dunno what to do to fix it. it's exasperating! i am hoping that this post fixes it. please let me know if you guys can see everything now. annoying!

happy 2008 everybody!

2008-01-03T23:13:00.000-06:00

This year has been perhaps the most tumultuous one that I can recall. We (myself, family, friends, and loved ones) have been forced to endure some very difficult things, and we have also had the fortune of countless blessings, one could even go so far as to classify some of them as miracles. Rightly or wrongly, we have a tendency to label the passing of each new year as a checkpoint in our lives….we reflect…we analyze whether the year has been a good one or a bad one, one in which we progressed, or regressed. I haven’t thought this post through at all; it is basically a brainstorm applied to page, but I have thought about some of the events of this year, and frankly, it is exhausting.

The year of 2007 had a very ominous start, as during the first week, my Uncle Mick passed away. Though the last six months of his life in Dallas has been infinitely better than the previous few years he had spent in England, and his health had been declining steadily for years due to complications from a severe case of Multiple Sclerosis, it still made for a miserable beginning. The one major consolation was that he had spent Chanukah with his family, including his parents, and within a day or two of his death, he learned that my sister in law Sonnet and my brother Alex were expecting their first child in 2007.

I neglected my recent Jan. 12th birthday tradition of gathering at The Old Monk Bar with friends because I simply was not in the mood to celebrate. However, I was amazed how friends tried to help me overcome the sorrow. Upon learning that I would not be holding my birthday gathering, Michael S., who himself lost his father earlier that year, called me up and offered to rent out a bar on my behalf. He didn’t; expect or want any sort of repayment, he just wanted me to focus on the good rather than the bad,. He told me to invite a few close friends to celebrate in an appropriately low-key manner this year. When I respectfully declined, he continued to coax, trying his best to inject some happiness in me. I will never forget that showing of support from a relatively new friend.

As it happened, something momentous did occur on my birthday: I signed a contract to buy a high-rise condominium in the Turtle Creek / Uptown area of Dallas. In fact, I am writing this entry on the balcony while watching the sunset light up the downtown skyline. Tonight I am going to Ariel and Yamit’s for a Shabbat dinner and to meet Ariel’s mother, before I hop on to two parties. It was on this very balcony earlier this year, that Ariel and Yamit, of whom I had no knowledge in 2006, were married. This year they have become wonderful friends, just two of many I have made this year as a result of my moving from Plano.

February was tough. The family was reeling from the aftermath of Uncle Mick’s death. Meanwhile, my girlfriend at the time, “H”, was and continues to be a wonderful,, beautiful individual, and for reasons that only scientists know, I was cursing the misfortune of knowing that, inexplicably…the relationship just didn’t; feel right to me. If you had asked me to describe the type of person I am looking for, “H” fits it to the tee, and I was lucky enough that she liked me too! Yet to this day, I can not explain why it just didn’t feel right Our split was painful and frustrating, and entirely my fault…but I don’t see what other choice I had. And Feb. 14th was especially tough….I think it always will be until a point where I am settled and happy, it is hard enough being on your own on Valentine’s Day, but when you add the fact that the day marks the anniversary of one of the most difficult days of my life, it doesn’t make things easier. “H” deserves the world, and I think she will get it…but no thanks to me. I still haven’t figured out myself yet.

Things began to settle down a bit, and we received first bit of good news…My sister Michelle and bro-in-law Joel were moving to Dallas from Houston and would be looking for a house. That went swimmingly well. Then I learned that dear friend Joanna would be moving into my building! "Guess what, we can have dinner whenever we wantz1" was her introductory line. And Michelle was in the room with me when I received the phone call, much to my utter disbelief, that I had won a Porsche Boxster in a charity raffle that I had bought one ticket for months ago.

However I was on my own driving home from work when I got the call from my father. I was excited to know I would be the uncle to Alex and Sonnet’s child in August, but I got the call in May “Congratulations you are an uncle”. WHAT!!?? Little Linus was born in an emergency delivery thre months premature, and weighing just over a pound…a necessary action due to complications that put Sonnet’s life at immediate risk. Had they waited a moment or two longer, disaster could have struck, and as it is, the baby would have a long road ahead of him. And that is the miracle of this year……hands down. Linus, after some very scary moments early on, is now THRIVING. THIS IS THE HIGHLIGHT OF 2007 HANDS DOWN!

Shortly thereafter, I learned what the highlight of 2008 will be. Michelle and Joel snuck me away from the Pete Sampras tennis match we were attending to inform me that Michelle is pregnant. I will NEVER EVER forget the look on Michelle’s face when she told me the news. Joel, of course, was also glowing, but my goodness..,Michelle’s expression...it was something else. Now I know the gender of the child, but I dunno if I am allowed to tell anybody yet. .

In June I traveled to Los Angeles to see Blogger Duncan put on a one man show, and also to see Blogger Lori, and Blogger Jared. I had the time of my life while I was there, as all three of them proved to be wonderful hosts. The weather was perfect (not 1000 degrees like in Dallas); Jared took me to the place where Elliott smith shot the cover of Figure 8, Duncan took me out to one of his favorite restaurants after his show, and Lori and I did a number of things ranging from whale-watching, to chilling on the beach, to checking out the cool architecture, to walking the grounds of Donald Trumps’; golf course. The whole thing was a blast and a large highlight of the year.

Another escape came in the form of a family trip to Manhattan for July 4th. Mich, Joel, Mum, Dad and I (older bro and wife couldn’t make it) watched the Macy’s fireworks from a highrise condo in mid-town and we really let loose during this time. Through Michelle, and Joel I learned of the genius that is the clothing store H & M, and also found time to catch up with a number of New York friends. I would make a return trip t NY later in the year to visit my parents, Smitha, Michael S, and Lee & Stephanie Prosenjak. Lee, Steph and I dined at Robert Deniro’s restaurant which was pretty cool, and I even met some new people at a Dallas Cowboys watching party. However my planned trip to Philadelphia to see Blogger Lori was LITERALLY derailed as the Amtrak train fell off its track.

Some good things occurred. I won two tennis events this year….. Rebecca Clemens and I teamed up to win the Mixed Doubles event of the Dallas Cup charity tournament. And the first week in December I managed to win the Flextennis league championship at the highest skill level. I confess to be proud of both accomplishments, since it had been awhile since I had won a tournament. I also learned that one of my closest friends in the world, Blogger Matt, and his wife Jamie were expecting their first child. Little Nolan is going to be one heck of a kid with parents like Matt and Jamie. Learned in September that Michael W's girlfriend would be moving to Dallas from England, meaning they would both be staying here and even buying a house! Such a thrill to know that during a time when dear friends like Paul may be leaving town, that an influx of new ones will be coming in.

Thanksgiving was spent with the family, Linus included, which made for an extra special thanksgiving. We had Linus to be thankful for, and the Christmas holidays saw some of the stresses of the year begin to subside, which was a welcome sight. Over Thanksgiving I also befriended a wonderful girl named Krystal whom I met randomly at a bar over the holidays. I also met up with Brittley around this time after months and months of phone conversations. The bonds one can form on the internet are an amazing thing.

All in all the somber events of the first week of 2007 cast a long shadow over the rest of the year. Knowing this, it is my determination to make the first week of 2008 overwhelmingly positive, in hopes that the positive vibes will parlayed throughout the year. THAT';S WHY I'M THROWING A PARTY!

I said at the the beginning that this is a free flow of thought, and not a very well structured post. I stand by that comment ( as I am sure you will, my readers) but despite the relative lack of eloquence, I am still pleased I wrote about this and got it all off of my chest. Yet I have left a number of important occurrences out...just being selective in which stories I share today.

Here is hoping 2008 proves to be the best year yet for all of us.

Best wishes,
Mark

more proof that modern art critics are a joke...

2007-12-03T01:00:00.000-06:00

wow...this pretty much says it all

Ordinary Weekend

2007-12-02T10:18:00.000-06:00

In this weekend of ordinary dreams, everything is not as it seems. Take a look around at all the faces in the crowd and you'll see where I've been -John Wesley Harding

I have had a really weird weekend so far. It has actually been fun, but the events have left me feeling a bit inadequate at the moment.

Friday was Jo's birthday party and so we all went out to Gloria's. We had a table reservation set for 8PM and yet by 9:45PM we still had not been seated. So while Christie took the lead in bitching out the manager, I hopped over to Blue Mesa and secured us a table. At dinner I learned that Michael attended Haber Dashers in London and, being a mere two years younger than my bro Alex, who also attended Habs, I realized what a small world it truly is. It was nice to see Jo so happy, and it was nice to see Corinne for the first time since she dropped everything, adjusted her carefully constructed life path, and moved to America to be with Michael. They make a lovely couple.

I canceled some long-standing plans yesterday with Sarah and Andy because I am fighting a bit of a cold and cough and didn't want to get them sick. (but skipping Jo's party would have been unacceptable). Canceling left me free to randomly run into my high school sweetheart during a quick late night run out to Village Burger Bar before returning to my illness-induced isolation. She's engaged and is literally sparkling because of it. She looked simply incredible (of course)...like a supermodel.

And while I am honestly truly happy for her, and I have known for a long time now that we are no longer the good match we once were, I have found that it is always a bit of a jolt to the confidence meter when an old flame gets engaged. Believe me I know...it's already happened to me a couple of times now. It has brought on a strange, somewhat illogical sensation: I feel as if I had an appointment with life, but I am stuck in traffic and running a few minutes late.

Thankfully, due to the advent of technology, Blogger Jared, and Joanna were there for a inpromptu late-night Instant Message counseling session...made me feel better. Meanwhile life goes on and I have a busy day today, with both lunch and dinner plans...maybe this was good...maybe this weekend needed to happen. Let's see what today has in store....after all, the weekend isn't over yet. Always time for the congestion, both figuratively and literally, to clear.

Gonzo's Ridicuously Dangerous Stunt Game

2007-12-01T12:31:00.000-06:00

I am embarrassed i am having so much fun with this, but amused at the same time.

2007-11-17T21:23:00.000-06:00

I am complicated...

MIKE MODANO, THE BEST HOCKEY PLAYER IN USA HISTORY!

2007-11-08T00:06:00.000-06:00

MIKE MODANO- THE BEST PLAYER IN USA HOCKEY HISTORY...SHORTHANDED GOAL TO SET THE RECORD...ASSIST BY JERE LEHTINEN. SO PERFECT BECAUSE HE IS A TWO WAY PLAYER AND SELKE TROPHY FINALIST FOR BEST DEFENSIVE FORWARD.

CONGRATS MIKE!

Britain's most stupid laws

2007-11-07T14:33:00.000-06:00

typical England...

Andrew and Obama

2007-11-04T23:13:00.000-06:00

My dear friend Andrew Sudduth is featured on Barack Obama's official website due to his amazing story. Recognition well deserved for Andrew. I am very proud to have called him my friend since we were teenagers. Good luck and continued success Andrew!

Austin Rules

2007-11-02T18:39:00.000-05:00

Dear friends, beloved family, gorgeous weather, capital of texas highway, Holy Guacamole burgers at Shady Grove, and birthday dinners at East Side Cafe. and of course aMusic festival on the weekend. John Wesley Harding giving a book reading at Book People at 6th and Lamar. God I love Austin, Texas.

Happy Birthday Alex.

2007-10-23T23:21:00.000-05:00

I saw Clarence Thomas speak today. That man is truly remarkable, and, in a surprise to me, proved to have an excellent sense of humor. Clarence Thomas overcame such amazing adversity, was given a terrible deck of cards, achieved success, faced the wrath and defamatory personal attacks of rigid, backward, high-rank politicians who fought his confirmation out of spite and disdain for his status as a Black Conservative, and somehow managed to do it without becoming bitter. For the past sixteen years he has been an exemplary judge int he sense that he forms his own opinions based upon the laws set forth int he constitution, and not out of petty self-interest. I am planning to buy his new autobiography at D/FW tomorrow before embarking to Las Vegas on business.

I Spotted some celebrities amongst the 1500+ people in attendance today.

Former Supreme Court Nominee Harriet Miers
Chad Hennings & John Gesek of 1990's Dallas Cowboys fame
That superfamous amazing basketball dribbler form the Harlem Globetrotters whose nae slips my mind (Haynes?....someone help me out)

Meanwhile, last week I saw Newt Gingrich....he's a pretty smart feller himself. And he was pretty blunt, since he isn't running for office he doesn't have to be to concerned with sound bytes. Good stuff. Didn't do any celebrity spotting for Gingrich....I was too engrossed in the people at my table.

----------------
Now playing: Rufus Wainwright - Peach Trees
via FoxyTunes

2007-10-22T00:21:00.001-05:00

Yeah, I think I'm going to go for it...

god i hope marriage isn't really like this..

2007-10-14T20:40:00.000-05:00

So I was flipping though the channels just now and I came across a show called "you're not the man I married".

the basic premise of the show is to "rekindle romance" by having a husband "reprove" how much he loves his wife by hving him go through a number of tasks.

In reality, it is a show featuring a bunch of whiny, selfish, unappreciative, spoiled brat women complaining about being forced to grow up and deal with grown up responsibilites and not being coddled anymore now that their lives are not as carefree as they once were. The show's hostess encourages this behavor. A number of ridiculous, patronizing stunts ensue while these helpless men who are caught completely off-guard on live television have to agree to every humiliaitng stunt on live television or face the wrath of the american public and face being labeled a bad husband.

These stunts include being dressed up in a jousting uniform and perform a joust on a horse to win her love. They include bringing in some real juvenile delinquents as sacrificial lambs in an attempt to get the husband to take charge by ordering them around. When a juvenile rebels, the wife, watching on a hidden camera..laughs and mocks her husband's ability to control them. Another husband has one husband WALK BAREFOOT OVER HOT COALS.... LITERALLY! (and by the way..the wives do nothing but watch and chuckle during these escapades) What the hell is this supposed to prove?

my guess is every one of these husbands divorce their wives within two years. They are being humiliated on national television and I fail to see how this will be the spark that rekindles their desire to be romantic.

This show is wrong on SO MANY LEVELS and is a farce if it truly is intended to be an indicator of what a marriage is about.

Cow in custody after traffic accidents | Mercury - The Voice of Tasmania

2007-10-09T20:42:00.000-05:00

This cow is udderly despicable....

Police recover stolen Leonardo painting

2007-10-04T14:20:00.000-05:00

Police recover stolen Leonardo painting

Hurrah!

September Update

2007-09-25T14:14:00.000-05:00

So much has happened.. and i have neglected my readers (if there are any left) . It sounds cliche, but it really is due to being busy or having lots of things to focus upon.

While I may not have time o recap the whole fortnight, I will say that this has been an awesome week. I am very happy today. Some wonderful things have happened involving my family: my nephew Linus is finally home and thriving. There are other good family tidbits which I won't choose to divulge at the moment.

I have seen some dear friends including Marielle, truly one of my all-time favorite people whom I barely ever get to see. Marielle and I have one of those hard to find awesome connection where when we see each other, we can simply pick up where we left off, no matter how long it's been. She;s smart, and cool, and beautiful, and cheeky, and seems to know what i"m thinking without me saying it out loud. She's very cool indeed and I wish we lived int he same city.

In other news, my newest friend Victoria and I went to Jason and Michelle's charity fund-raiser for Love For Children and it turned out, not surprisingly, to be a very classy affair. We had a great ime, and afterwards Victorian introduced me to The Wine Therapist in Lakewood. I had been to the one on Lovers before, but I liked this one on Skillman MUCH better. Really cool vibe...

In other news I have gained entry into the Dallas Cup tennis tournament. I will be playing mixed doubles with Rebecca Clemens, a girl I trained with at Fretz Park when I was boy....we went to tennis tournaments together,and she had a high state rank as well as a national rank as a junior. It's neat that we have managed to resuscitate some of that childhood camaraderie now. I got to see Pete Sampras play tennis live on Saturday against current #15 in the world Robby Ginepri in the presence of my family...sistah Michelle, Joel, my parents, and my buddy Michael Watkins. Speaking of Michael, I learned that his girlfriend will be moving here from England instead of him returning to the UK next year as had been originally planned. I am thrilled at this news, as it means he is sticking around.

My friends Jeff and Margie had a beautiful housewarming party last weekend, and Jonty and Wheels came up for it, so we all went to the Texas Rangers game on Friday night. I took a couple hours off so that we cold all tailgate and enjoy the nice weather before game time. And Joanna and I caught a speech by Nando Parrado about his survival after the 1972 Andes flight disaster which was so mind-boggling amazing, that one might go so far as to call it life-altering.

And oh yeah..the Cowboys are 3-0 and well on the way to 5-0...and oh yeah..the Dallas Stars are starting up again and I went to my first pre-season game this week. There were eight fights.... EIGHT! life is good... well I'm off to a meeting now..catch ya later peeps!

2007-09-10T12:33:00.001-05:00

Good Days are Infectious...

2007-09-06T13:29:00.000-05:00

So yesterday was a pretty ho-hum day for me. Nothing terribly bad happened..nothing terribly good either, and yet for a number of friends and family, it proved to be an excellent day. As such, it became an excellent day for me. It's amazing how hearing happy news from loved ones can make you happy through osmosis.

So thank you to Alex, Sonnet, Linus, Lori, Andrew, and Dad for all brightening my day with exceptionally good news. Let the good times roll......

My Nephew is coming Home!

2007-09-05T16:50:00.000-05:00

It took three months of the ICU, but my nephew Linus will be seeing the house of his parents for the first time today. This is a very happy day. Thanks to everyone for their support and check out Linus' Blog for latest pictures and details!

And in my passing... I leave $12 million to the dog..

2007-08-29T11:43:00.000-05:00

This dog now expects "grade A" kibble...Kibbles n' Bits just won't cut it anymore...

2007-08-26T02:02:00.000-05:00

Listen and watch Miss Teen South Carolina answer the question "One fifth of Americans are said to be unable to find the United States on a map....why do you think this is? " and proceed to cringe....

Miss South Carolina

Pet Peek™ - The Window For Your Fence

2007-08-22T00:44:00.000-05:00

Now I can finally get a dog without feeling guilty - oh wait..i don't have a fence...

You'd think the makers of this product wouldn't use an image of a dog who looks so beaten down and melancholy and incarcerated. It looks like he is pining for the fjords...

Boris Becker was the man...

2007-08-13T09:39:00.000-05:00

When I was a kid, I friggin LOVED Boris Becker... I would wake up super early on weekends to watch him play at Wimbledon on tv. I would actually be giddy with excitement before his matches would come on. I 'd watch him warm up with an excited look on my face....so I have was happy to get a reminder today while reading a story about Novak Djokovic... Boris Becker was the friggin man!

With wins over Andy Roddick and No. 2 Nadal in his previous rounds, Djokovic also became the first player to beat the world's top three players in the same tournament since Boris Becker defeated No. 3 Michael Stich, No. 1 Pete Sampras and No. 2 Goran Ivanisevic in succession in 1994 in Stockholm.

From the "To be perfectly fair, that sheep was a slut." Department....

2007-08-06T10:33:00.000-05:00

A man who was accused of having sex with a sheep has walked free because the animal was unable to testify.

Lost Vincent Van Gogh work found under Boston painting

2007-08-03T14:13:00.000-05:00

How ear-ry

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/entertainment/13814403/detail.html