November 24, 2004

• NEWS & NOTES: The day before Thanksgiving: 2004

  
  

  Well, I haven’t posted a lot lately on this Xanga, and I have noticed since I’m not actively posting comments on my readers’ blogs, I haven’t received that many on my last few posts, but what I have received has been especially nice, so I’m happy. I updated and changed some of the graphics on the main page to AllThingsMike last weekend, and the weekend before of course I completely redesigned the MikeVideo section and added another MikeVideo internet movie with footage from one of the older works, Moviola Dance. I’ve begun the video captures for the new version of the Renaissance Day video, and last weekend I actually went to the movies, although with my financial situation right now (which is horrendous, but it’s all my fault) EIGHT BUCKS for a matinee is especially steep. I watched “Ray”, finally, the biopic about Ray Charles, by Taylor Hackford, which was a “must see” and is now the second film, after “The Passion of Christ” by Mel Gibson, on my “Best Picture” list for the 2004 Oscars. “Ray” is absolutely fantastic, and Jaime Fox deserves Best Actor for his portrayal of Ray. He completely disappears into the role, and the only time he even looks like Jaime Fox is in a fantasy sequence when Ray can “see” his mother and his little brother near the end of the film. I want to write a full blown review for the Reviews section here on the blog, but since I haven’t done it yet, probably won’t get around to it.

  
  

  Since the films are $8.00 in the theater, and there are 20 of them at the multiplex, I caught a “second feature” called “After the Sunset” with Pierce Brosnan, Woody Harrelson, and Salma Hayek. Directed by Brett Ratner, who did “Red Dragon” and the “Rush Hour” films, it is a VERY enjoyable caper flick about heisting a rare diamond from one of those magnificent new hotel-like cruise ships. The photography by Dante Spinotti is beautiful beyond compare. It was nice going to the flickers again. “Ray” gets a 10 of 10 on the Mikometer and “After the Sunset” gets a 7 of 10.

  
  

  My DVD player in the media room crapped out on me. It’s giving a “moire” pattern on the HDTV when playing DVDs (through the ridiculously expensive component video connectors at that) so I’m taking it into Circuit City for repairs this afternoon. We’re having a “Thanksgiving Breakfast” at work today. The gal who arranged it hopes we can go home early for the holiday, but I doubt this will happen. Usually, our CEO lets everyone go at 2 or 3 pm, which is “early” for most folks, but since I’m in at 6am, and usually go home at 3 anyway, it’s a normal day for me. Well, at least there’s four days off. I haven’t any plans this Thanksgiving. Last year I spent the holiday with my ex-girlfriend, Pat, at her mother’s, but this year will probably be another holiday meal at Mimi’s restaurant. All they serve on holidays is turkey dinner, and it’s a good one.

  
  

  Cancerboy keeps getting his last chemotherapy session postponed. He’s spitting mad at this, as he should have been done with the treatments in October. It looks like his last is scheduled right before Christmas, and of course, then we wait to see if he has to go through this again, or if the cancer has finally been tamed. My prayers are with the poor guy, and I haven’t even had to be too much of a “caregiver” while my roommate has been going through this, because he hasn’t gotten too sick at all, and still has all his hair. It’s remarkable to think he’s been going through this most of 2004.

  
  

  What happened to 2004? I’m glad the “Election Show” is finally over, even though the results were not what I (nor half the country) wanted. The latest “Show” on the news concerns fan violence in professional sports after last Friday’s melee on the court of the Pistons-Pacers game where Ron Artest and some of his teammates have been suspended for violence against the fans. There’s a lot of talk on the news shows about this unfortunate incident lately, but I can’t help but think that again, this is a case where the USA seems to now be in lock step with the rest of the world. There have been soccer riots in other countries for many years.

  
  

  I shudder for humanity, but give thanks this holiday that these things do not affect me personally.

  
  

  Well, the clock at the right of the screen is telling me it’s time to go to work. I can almost smell the “Thanksgiving Breakfast” I’m about to devour.

  
  

  

  • 8:18 am
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