hypgnosis

2001-04-06T02:39:00.000-04:00

statue (a haiku)

a diligent man,
waiting so quietly for...
well, i don't know what

2001-04-05T02:01:00.000-04:00

just a slip of the tongue--

a lapse in alertness, miss,
just a slip of the tongue--
a misbegotten kiss;
just a nymphet that stung.

2001-04-05T02:00:00.000-04:00

after miles of mazes,

after miles of mazes,
and myriad phrases unuttered;
after acres of haze,
and hundreds of ways that i sputtered;
after gallons of gray,
i fin'ly found the words to say.
~~~~~~~~

too often i have problems finding something to talk about with someone that i would like to talk to more. this is the story of how, despite ample opportunity, i could manage to not talk to a particular person in one of my classes until 2/3 of the way through the semester. but i did, at least. maybe it gets easier from here on out. i sure as hell hope so.

mourning my misplaced creativity (i need introductory lines that don't sound cheesy. "nice weather, huh?" just doesn't seem to cut it),
J

2001-04-05T01:59:00.000-04:00

the day that daddy drove away

silence underscored the theft,
for no more words were left to say
the day that daddy drove away;
darkness dug at those he disavowed,
but silver lined the clouds of gray
the day that daddy drove away;
finally our lives were right--
we waved good-bye to trite decay
the day that daddy drove away.
~~~~~~~~

there you have it, my best attempt at an everclear song. just kidding. really, don't be worried about me or anything. the whole poem just sprouted from the refrain, which randomly popped into my head (i liked the alliteration); it's not based on a true story or anything. it's just a sad and hopeful poem about the breaking apart of an imaginary family. don't read too much into it. :)

love and light courseloads,
J

2001-03-30T14:07:00.000-05:00

Bush pokes fun at his fumbled words

Share and share alike. Though he may not be the smartest cookie in the jar, I do give G.W. mad props for not taking himself too seriously. It makes sense, since hardly anyone else takes hhim seriously anyway. Being entertaining isn't exactly a requisite quality for a president, but it's better than nothing.

2001-03-29T14:56:00.000-05:00

Unconscionable.

There won't be any economy when the Earth is unlivable (or when the rest of the world gets fed up with our crap and declares an all-out embargo, whichever comes first). Absolutely unconcscionable. There are pacific island nations that will be submerged if we don't do something about global warming soon, not to mention the other unknown effects that crap like this could cause. America would be better off without being so reliant on fossil fuels anyway. If it weren't for the oil lobby (and our incredibly corrupt legislative system), this wouldn't even be a problem. Harumph. Idiot.

Actually, I shouldn't be so hard on Dubya, since he almost certainly isn't making these decisions. Dick Cheney and the rest of the "Brain" Trust, however, deserve the Idiot tag and then some.

Say what you will about Clinton, but the man isn't stupid. Immoral, by most people's definition, sure. But not stupid. Give me immoral over stupid anyday (in a president, at least). Of course, I think nearly every politician is immoral, and the things they do are much more damaging to the country and the world than, say, selling nights in the Lincoln Bedroom, or having an overactive libido.

Anywho, I've got to go take a nap or something.

love and SPF 100 sunscreen,
J

2001-03-28T01:04:00.000-05:00

diamonds, cloaks and corsets

the lords and ladies dance around me
with problems primly painted over;
their words may echo twice as loudly
off the cloth that gleams like gold,
but diamonds, cloaks and corsets
only insulate the cold.

2001-03-27T18:00:00.000-05:00

"Things Have Changed"
by Bob Dylan

A worried man with a worried mind
No one in front of me and nothin' behind
There's a woman on my lap and she's drinking champagne.
Got white skin, got assassin's eyes
I'm looking up into the sapphire tinted skies
I'm well dressed, waiting on the last train.

Standin' on the gallows with my head in a noose
Any minute now I'm expectin' all hell to break loose.

People are crazy and times are strange
I'm locked in tight, I'm outta range
I used to care, but things have changed.

This place ain't doing me any good
I'm in the wrong town, I should be in Hollywood
Just for a second there I thought I saw something move
Gonna take dancing lessons do the jitterbug rag
Ain't no shortcuts, gonna dress in drag
Only a fool in here would think he's got anything to prove.

Lot of water under the bridge, lot of other stuff too
Don't get up gentlemen, I'm only passing through.

People are crazy and times are strange
I'm locked in tight, I'm out of range
I used to care, but things have changed

I've been walking forty miles of bad road
If the bible is right, the world will explode
I've been trying to get as far away from myself as I can.
Some things are too hot to touch
The human mind can only stand so much
You can't win with a losin' hand.

Feel like fallin' in love with the first woman I meet
Puttin' her in a wheel barrow and wheelin' her down the street.

People are crazy and times are strange
I'm locked in tight, I'm out of range
I used to care, but things have changed.

I hurt easy, I just don't show it
You can hurt someone and not even know it
The next sixty seconds could be like an eternity.
Gonna get low down, gonna fly high
All the truth in the world adds up to one big lie
I'm love with a woman who don't even appeal to me.

Mr. Jinx and Miss Lucy, they jumped in the lake
I'm not that eager to make a mistake.

People are crazy and times are strange
I'm locked in tight, I'm outta range
I used to care, but things have changed.

2001-03-27T01:18:00.000-05:00

"There is no such thing as Paranoia in this world. Anything you suspect will turn out to be true if you pursue it long enough. Paranoia is just another word for Ignorance.
--Hunter S. Thompson (aka that guy who wrote Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas before Terry Gilliam made it into a movie).

Speaks for itself. Great quote.

love and tacos,
J

2001-03-26T02:21:00.000-05:00

Another OD cross-post. Enjoy.

I Went To A Party, And A Music Video Broke Out

[fade in]

Singer/Band/Rapper begins performing in an ordinary (and unlikely) location, such as an apartment, a city street, or a rooftop.
Performance continues for a little while; before long, a few random (attractive, scantily clad) passerby hear the music, forget about wherever they were headed, and start to BOOGIE!

[close-up of singer]

Zoom out, showing a party in full effect surrounding the performance. What was once a fledgling shindig is now worthy of the title "Groovin'-est Party Ever". All because of the magical, wonderful music of {insert artist here}.

The party continues for a minute or two. As the song winds down, the party hits a fevered pitch. Then, even more suddenly then it began, the party vanishes, leaving only the artist, as the last chord/beat/word echoes.

[fade out]

That, my friends, was the latest ultimate music video cliche (following in the grand footsteps of the smoke machine): the Spontaneous Party. You can hardly turn on a music video channel (other than MTV itself, that is) without seeing an example of this most terrible of trends. The message is clear: buy this music, and your life will be a party. I also see an underlying message: musicians are lonely people, except when they're playing (or perhaps it's the directors who are lonely...).

So how did this trend start? I have traced the roots all the way back to the summer of 1999, when the Evil collaboration of Santana and Rob Thomas first hit MTV, VH1, MuchMusic, Univision, the BBC, and the cable access station nearest you. That video also spawned the Latin Revolution (which, like most well-mannered revolutions, has now died a timely death) and the somewhat less pervasive sweaty spandex craze.

But the ultimate question that we all must ask ourselves is this: When will the madness end? It is imperative that America as a whole reject this sickening phenomenon, which I have dubbed The Curse of Rob Thomas, and eliminate (like a good acne medication) any and all breakouts of spontaneous parties.

This has been a message from People for the Ethical Treatment of the Television Audience (PETTA).

Thank you.
~~~~~~~~

La la la. Sometimes I make myself happy. Happier than normal, that is.

love and Hunan chicken,
J

2001-03-24T17:53:00.000-05:00

(cross-posted with OD; click the link to go there)
shortcut to pluto
polish up that old rocketship,
'cause you're in for a wait;
there's no shortcut to pluto,
but at least the path is straight.

2001-03-24T02:47:00.001-05:00

Cripes, that title is hideous. That was not supposed to be nearly so large. It was supposed to be 16 pt. Oh well. This will all be archived before anyone sees it anyhow. :)

love and Guster,
J

2001-03-24T02:47:00.000-05:00

Cripes, that title is hideous. That was not supposed to be nearly so large. It was supposed to be 16 pt. Oh well. This will all be archived before anyone sees it anyhow. :)

2001-03-24T02:32:00.000-05:00

One Man's (Horribly Innacurate) Oscar Picks

Why, you ask, am I making oscar picks? I, the man who has seen approximately 2.3 of the movies nominated in the major categories ("Gladiator", "Cast Away", and parts of "Erin Brockovich")? Because I can, that's why.

Look, don't go betting the farm (or betting at all, you little rascal) on these picks. They are sure to be wrong. But, I just thought I'd make some semi-random choices, and compare my results to those of the so-called experts that get paid inordinate sums of money to do this. My guess is that I do reasonably well. We'll see.

Anywho, on to the picks...
Best Picture
I'm tempted to go with "Traffic:, based on the near-orgasmic response it received from critics. But the pick is "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", thanks to slightly more movie-wise friends who have been raving over it for weeks. I really should see it soon, before it leaves theaters altogether.

Best Actress (ladies first)
This is probably the easiest category, if only because I can tell that the Academy is going to reward Julia Roberts for being a movie that didn't actually suck. What I saw of "Erin Brockovich" was entertaining, though not exactly riveting, which compared to her past work ("Conspiracy Theory", "My Best Friend's Wedding", "Notting Hill", "Mary Reilly", "Pretty Woman" etc. etc. etc.. ugh.) is really something. Actually, I shouldn't be so harsh. She was good as Tinkerbell in "Hook". But I digress...

Best Actor
Tom Hanks in a runaway. Anybody who can make a 2 and a half hour movie where the primary co-stars are a volleyball and Helen "Eternally Forlorn" Hunt not just entertaining, but very much so, gets my vote.

Best Supporting Actress
In a pick based solely on looks, Kate Hudson. Before you castigate me, remember that I have seen none of those movies, and I do know that my parents loved "Almost Famous", so there's outside affirmation for my pick, too.

Best Supporting Actor
Benicio Del Toro. Damn, this guy can act. I haven't seen "Traffic", but from what I hear he's excellent. Which is no surprise if you've seen "The Usual Suspects", "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" or "Snatch". Plus, he's got a kick-ass name. Blessing of the Bull is a rough translation. Very rough.

Best Director
Ang Lee for "Crouching Tiger...". Just the promos have convinced me that Lee is deserving. Crikey, that's some amazing stuff.

Original Song
This category is included only so I can pick Bjork (for "I've Seen It All", from "Dancer in the Dark") to win an Oscar. I don't really think she'll win, but she's just so cool, I had to do it.

And thus wraps up my prognostications. You'll notice I didn't pick "Gladiator" to win any awards. That isn't because I didn't like it; I enjoyed it immensely. But in each category, there was just a better option. So my apologies to Russell Crowe and company, although if they are worried about my picks, they need to go back to the Betty Ford clinic.

love and frisbees,
J

2001-03-23T13:53:00.000-05:00

w00t!

Okay, now that I finally got my template to work, I can start the blog in earnest. As of right now, I'm not exactly sure what it will be, but I will try to stay away from the trivial trials and tribulations of life, and stick to things that the Loyal Reader (is it too early for that?) might find a tad more interesting.

But what exactly that entails, I haven't the slightest clue. I will most likely be cross-posting my poetry here and in my OpenDiary (the OD link above), as well as some probable other cross-posts involving my philosophical ramblings. As far as exclusive blog content, I'm thinking mostly just weird stuff I find on the 'net, plus my photoshop experiments, and possibly some rants and recommendations (music, movies, books, etc.). It should be entertaining, at any rate.

If you can't wait any longer, go check out my OD. It's got lots of goodies for you to gnaw on.

love and gingerbread men,
J

2001-03-23T11:25:00.000-05:00

Second post.

Why are you so sloooooow?

Love and patent leather shoes,
J

2001-03-23T00:12:00.000-05:00

First Post!

So I'm a dork. Sue me.

love and biscuits,
J