the semicolon

I've linked you to an interesting article in the New York Times about people getting excited about the proper use of the semicolon on a NY transit sign reminding people to throw away their newspapers rather than litter the place with them.

Huh? Yeah, really. People are getting excited about a semicolon. But of course this is interesting and reason to get excited because so few people use proper grammar anyway, let alone know what to do with the esoteric semicolon. I've always been partial to the punctuation mark, and according to some hokey OkCupid test, that's the punctuation mark I resemble most. I'll wear that as a badge of pride; what have I got to lose?

Good writing is so elusive these days that I find myself being complimented by people I don't really know on how well I write. Don't get me wrong, I don't think I'm a crappy writer, but I'd never describe myself as a writer; I actually spend most of my time procrastinating on the large amount of professional writing I have to do. I'm very good with the technical aspects, because I remember and follow grammar rules. I occasionally turn a very clever phrase (mostly exploiting some sort of irony), but I wouldn't say I am some fabulously gripping writer. I'd rather just give you the information than go on and on in some eloquent description. I'm actually a far superior editor than I am writer, but that's not a talent you can easily showcase. It's also my editing skills that lead me to despair over the state of writing, especially in this age of quick, electronic communication.

hot hot heat

My weather widget says the temperature peaked at 103 degrees this afternoon in my zip code. No big deal. Unless the power goes out and the air conditioning you rely on isn't available on the hottest day of the year.

Originally I was planning to run some errands and then see Rocket Science at the $3 theater at Beverly and Fairfax. Then when I saw that it was supposed to be 100 degrees I decided I could just lay in bed and watch movies until late in the afternoon. When the power went off just after noon I had to get out and went with my original plans. When I returned just after 5:00 p.m., the power was still out and my apartment was just approaching oven status. I was really annoyed since I saw no signs of powerlessness elsewhere in my travels.

Luckily, Miriam rescued me. I basically invited myself over to enjoy some air conditioning and a BBQ by the pool. A very nice evening indeed. I was glad to find the A/C had already cooled down my apartment when I returned a half hour ago.

I was worried my cantaloupe sorbet was ruined, but I think it's ok. I'll dig in again tomorrow.

rip tony wilson

Last night, Anna told me that Tony Wilson died. I couldn't believe it. Both because he's so young (I didn't know anything was wrong) and also because I hadn't heard about it! Searching for obituaries was also difficult. This morning I decided to look through Manchester newspapers, and I came across this tribute.

I weeped a little as I read it. He was not just a force in music history, but his passion for Manchester, its history, and its grand future (in his head) really gets to my core with my intense interest in cities and those that make them. This comes through in 24 Hour Party People but it is even more poignant to read it from a friend.

regrets of a misspent youth

Today I attended the first of a two-day conference at the Huntington Library called "Rocket Science and Region," which is about the history of the aerospace industry in Southern California. This is something I know nothing about, and I'm always excited to learn new things.

But sitting there all day made me yearn for a path not chosen. Growing up I was equally as good in math/science as I was in English/social studies. I even remember when I was a kid wanting to be a chemist. I loved doing proofs in geometry! I did computer programming all throughout high school, but I realized that while I excelled in the classes I didn't have the innate drive and creativity that all the guys around me who were barely passing (because they were designing anything but class assignments) had. In college I quickly took the humanities path and intended to prep for law school.

Now I wonder how things would be different. I can see that the adult me, had I continued in the appropriate content courses to keep up those math--not just logic--skills, would be well suited to science. My intense interest in learning, research, and sharing my results along with big-picture thinking completely anchored by the sharpest eye for detail just made for observation is what a scientist really needs. I'd also probably have my pick of any job I wanted considering the shortage of women in all sciences.

And just think! It'd be so much easier to meet men, especially the scientifically inclined (remember, it's a bit of a fetish of mine).

total mindblower

Southwest no longer flies nonstop between LAX and BWI. I went to check on their sale for fares around the Superdrag show. I can get there, but not without stopping first. For years they've been the cheapest direct flight between the two places.

Wow.

Oh well, I hate flying Southwest anyway! Seat assignments, please!

i want more than two days in paris

It's dangerous to watch movie trailers for movies you really want to see. I was really anticipating 2 Days in Paris this afternoon. I stood in a stand-by line for more than an hour, but didn't get in. Damn. I wasn't truly heart broken until I watched the trailer when I got home (you can see it here). Oh my god I really want to see this movie! Before watching it, I didn't even know who was in it besides Julie Delpy; I just had the plot outline. Adam Goldberg (the Hebrew Hammer himself) looking sexy (I'm really coming around on beards), butchering French, and playing the neurotic boyfriend. How could I not want to see this? The Bible also reports Daniel Brühl is in it, but he's not in the trailer. And, of course, it takes place in my beloved Paris. Had I been able to see it today that would have made three Parisian movies in four days. Not bad.

It opens in limited release on August 10. You know I'll be there.

r.i.p. noho dq

This evening I spent some time in North Hollywood. Before meeting a friend I was planning to stop at the Dairy Queen, because I couldn't bear the thought of being near it and then not enjoying it! Especially since I complain about how inconvenient they are, and this is the only real DQ I know of in these parts (the rest are ones that share space with Orange Julius in malls).

Well, guess what. I get there and find that DQ is no longer. In its place is one of those damn overpriced yogurt shops. My heart was too broken to even bother giving them a chance, but I have to say they had more interesting flavor choices (including raspberry-pomegranate) than the other places I've seen.

very quickly because i have a zillion papers to grade and two books to read...

I hate the redesign of the IMDB. They fool you because the main page is the same, but try looking up a movie. Ugh. They made it look like they were pressed for space.