Not that I want a war, but it seems to me that Iraq is like those rich brats that live in my building and the UN is the fat, lazy security guard sitting downstairs. Yeah, they will go up and talk to the brat but as soon as he leaves they go back to doing whatever they want because the guard poses no threat. The UN just doesn't garner the same respect it once had. My biggest fear though is if we do attack Iraq, what kind of terrorist retaliatory action is it going to cause throughout Europe and the Americas. No matter what happens either way we lose. If we do not do anything about Saddam he will build and stockpile more weapons, because he can, and harbor terrorists, arms dealers, etc. If we do we cause more trouble for ourselves, Politically, on the world arena, economically, and we jeopardize our's and other western country's safety.

I'm glad to see the Registry of Motor Vehicles is becomng more open-minded. If you check out this license renewal form, about halfway down the first page, ther's a check box to change the sex on your license. But be careful, additional documentation may be required.

I think the IRS is getting a little out of hand.

What A Loooong Weekend

Friday, February 14th, Valentine's Day I left work early to get home to get ready to take my valentine to dinner at Top of the Hub. Reservations were at 5:30; we made it just in time. I had to swing by Shaw's to pick up a card before I met PeggyAnn. It was my idea to go to Top of the Hub, because I've lived in this area all my life and had never been and always wanted to go. Dinner was absolutely delicious, if not pricey, and the view was fantastic. After dinner we went to the Brattle to watch Casablanca, which is a wonderful movie. We retired at home to champagne, strawberries, the City of Angels soundtrack, and soft conversation.

Saturday, we woke up, went to breakfast at the fantastic Grecian Diner on Harvard Ave. where I had a incident with the ketchup. It was rather amusing, even our usual melancholy waitress cracked a smile and made a joke. After breakfast we headed to my humble abode to get a change of shoes and say hi to Jason. After which we headed to Watertown so PeggyAnn could pick up her paycheck. We had nothing else to do and I was driving (which PeggyAnn loves) and I decided to go to the Arsenal Mall because I've never been before. It was an interesting little mall. PeggyAnn did a bit of shopping, bought a new purse, a bunch of books and a couple of CDs. We didn't know what to do and I wanted to drive so I hopped on US20 west till I hit MA128 south. I headed on that till I got to Canton and went to the Blue Hills Reservation. I stopped to look at the animals and then we decided to hike up to the old observatory. We didn't fall once and it was pretty cool to hike up through the snow. We came back down and I headed home via 138. Stopped at Shaw's and picked up Diet Coke and water and dropped it off at her place. We headed to the Joshua Tree in Davis Square to hang out with a bunch of friends. I drove everybody home and PeggyAnn, Batson, and myself went to Beckett's to finish off the night.

Sunday, we woke a little late and I had to hustle PeggyAnn off to Hingham to assist her friend in wedding dress shopping. I headed back the long way (up 3A) and hung out at my place and did a bit of homework. PeggyAnn came over and we took a nap. PeggyAnn woke up evil. I had to call Jason to perform an impromptu exorcism. We had a slight dinner and headed to my friends Kristen's house for a small gathering before a show. The show was at The Middle East in Central Square and featured in order Five Second Flat, Kristen's friend's band, The Deafening, The Hissyfits, and The Beatings. The sets went by very fast and it was a lot of fun to go see a show again. It had been a long time. Five Second Flat was very hard and punky, but what was really cool was the band members rotated instruments between each song. The Deafening was Weezer-esque with a little Asian man in a blue sweater and big glasses, their songs more or less sounded the same and the didn't quite know how to play their instruments to their full potential. The Hissyfits were really cool. A New York based band with three girls playing drums, guitar and bass, and a young man, playing viola. The viola really accentuated the voices of the young women, who were hot. Their songs were varied and sounded great. The Beatings were really good, too. The band consisted of four members, two guitarists, which sang, a drummer, and the cutest, littlest girl bassist, who also sang. Their songs were also varied and well played. We left during their show. We headed back to PeggyAnn's to sleep.

Monday, PeggyAnn called into work, and we headed to my place to via Shaw's to make breakfast for Jason and Gena. We made potatoes and ham, egg and cheese sandwiches. We hung out at my place watched the snowfall and some movies. We made dinner for them also, consisting of BLT's with nice fresh produce. After trekking to PeggyAnn's, which was a really cool walk up Commonwealth Ave. in a blizzard, we went sledding down her street, which is a huge hill, on an air mattress. Loads of fun, I felt like I was a kid again. We went upstairs and watched Multiplicity and went to bed.

Tuesday, we woke up and PeggyAnn called work and told them she'd be late and I called in a personal day. We trekked back to my Pathfinder via the hardware store to buy a shovel. After, digging myself out I took PeggyAnn to work, and was damn lucky to get back to find my spot still there. I did my homework and played some video games. I went to pick PeggyAnn up and upon returning found my parking spot taken. I parked at a meter and we went upstairs to make dinner. After eating I gathered my work and some clothes and we headed back out to go dig myself another spot. I helped these two guys dig themselves out and I took their spot. We went back to her place to sleep.

Wednesday, back to work as usual. Had a productive meeting (is there such a thing?) with my boss and did some calls and finished my homework. Now here I am at T's Pub watching the Duke game with friends and enjoying a cold one. Life has kept me pretty busy lately and my wallet a little thin but I love every minute of it. Viva le vie!

Congratualtions to Micheal Moore on Oscar nomination. The man is an excellent filmmaker but more importantly, he grabs a lot of attention to critical domestic issues that tend to get brushed under the political carpet and forgotten about.

The snow is coming down and it's beautiful. We have about six inches in Cambridge right now. As I gaze down on the Yard it reminds me of a Norman Rockwell painting. I prepare for a long, fun weekend.

Last night, I went to see Henry Rollins at Avalon. He was good. He did almost all comedy. I was actually hoping for a mix between some of his old style, mid-nineties, intense spoken word and some of his newer comedic styling. He was very funny and talked about a lot of American society; how gluttonous we are, how greedy we are, how vain we are. I had agreed with almost all he said. He is still intense, even at age 40-something.



My only complaint was that he sounded extremely self-righteous. He sounded like a fresh convert preaching to a new congregation. Which is not far from the truth. The place was packed with people half his age who only of his legacy. I was next to five guys who laughed and repeated him every time Henry said, “fuck”, like Beavis and Butthead. All of this people are just going, wake up tomorrow and buy their latte from Starbucks and get their cheeseburger from McDonalds at lunch. Henry also lives in Hollywood, California, the capitol of sex, gluttony, vanity, sloth and greed, and he has lived there for quite some time. Henry also challenged the congregation that if any of us supported the war in Iraq “to go fuckin’ enlist!” This statement was immediately greeted with a raucous cheer from the audience. I have to ask you, Henry, did you ever enlist? I did. What were you doing when you were that age (18-24)? I believe you were drunk, high as a kite, and you caring for society extended to how many fans would get to your shows.



I agreed with almost everything you said, you’re a good man with a genius brain and a large heart.

Today I received a gorgeous white bouquet of flowers at my office from my girlfriend. I was delighted and surprised to receive this gift. I had mentioned to her the previous night that no one has ever bought me flowers. I can definitely understand why woman like to receive said vegetation so much. They are beautiful, make my entire office smell pleasant, and just brings a spark of life to my dreary computer filled office.