Feb 28 2003: Big Sleep (again)

Started The Way We Were but couldd't get more than twenty minutes in. Apparently the way they were was boring!

Have been reading a lot of Hemingway since returning from Florida. Seeing the man's house really got me thinking about how much I loved his writing. Finished The Son Also Rises in a day, read a handful of short stories; am currently a few chapters into To Have and Have Not.

In recent months I've had trouble remebering the plot points of movies I've seen in the past year or two. This is particularly upsetting as I've alwasy prided myself on a near-photographic memory when it comes to film. I can usually remeber whole sections of dialogue on a single viewing, but lately I find myself remembering slight, vague details but can't recall which film they occur in. It's annoying. One possible way to battle this problem is to keep better track of the films I've seen. Then I at least have a list from which to work with.

So here we go:

Feb 13 2003: 8 1/2
Feb 23 2003: Shanghai Knights

1. Has anyone ever told you that you needed to lose weight or change something about yourself physically? Who told you and what impact did it have on your life? Your perception of yourself?

Ocassionally I get comments about my weight, which I'm very senstive about. Whenever people use the word "fat" in regards to me I get all flustered. I'm not fat; I know that. It just bothers me.

2. Do enjoy the snow and cold weather?

No! I was in Florida last week and if it wasn't for my wife, I'd be there still!

3. Visualize the perfect winter evening. Are you alone or with someone? How does the evening start? How does it end, and everything in-between.
With someone. Starts with dinner, wine, a movie and then whatever.

4. I've noticed that people I work with, even no more than 6 feet away, would rather e-mail me a message than turn around and speak to me. Same goes for voice mail, I find I get more calls when I am away than when I am available to speak to someone. So many things that could be said face-to-face are now accomplished electronically. Do you think that technology has had allowed relationships and human interaction to become less personal? Is this a good thing?

In some ways technology has made communication easier - for example, it's much easier to write things than to say them face to face. I write people I might never talk to, and find it easier to talk about more person things. At the same time, because technology makes that easier, talking face to face has become harder. It's easier NOT to talk, but to write.

5. One thing I've always wanted to learn is how to juggle. I'm pretty good with my hands, so I am
sure I could do it. Yet, I've never made the commitment to sit down and learn how. Is there anything you've been meaning to learn, that you can learn, but haven't? (or maybe you have?)

Be a better person... (haven't had time)

6. On the other side of the coin, there is photography. As much as I'd like to, I will never be as great at it as others. And I am OK with that, still I wish I had the gifts that others have. What skills or talents have you wished that you possessed that you most likely never will? Are you content with that?

I don't know.

7. "AudioBlogs" are a twist on text blogs, where the blogger posts audio files instead of writing their entries. Not far behind the curve are VideoBlogs. While I've tinkered with Audio posts before, I think it excludes too many people and personally, I feel the written word has a deeper impact. What do you think of the concept of "AudioBlogs?" Would you like to hear the voice of your favorite bloggers occasionally? Would you rather listen to or read your favorite Blogs?

I don't know. It might be fun to listen/watch a blog, but there's something about reading a well written entry.

BONUS: How deep is your love?

Why? Do you want to go swimming in it?

Today's Comment Question: How many hours of sleep do you usually get each night?

As many as I can!

Why post original commentaries when the fan DEMAND the Monday Mission? Hang on, what fans?

1. In the states, every citizen is expected to perform their civic duty and serve on a jury at some point. This week, I am on jury duty. Have you ever had to serve on a jury?
No.

2. If you were to ever serve on a jury, would you be able to give someone the death penalty?
Maybe - it would depend on the circumstances

3. One thing that concerns me about jury duty is what my life would be like if I had to convict someone. I'd always be worried about some sort of retaliation from the convict, or their family. Has fear of negative consequences ever kept you from reporting a crime or voicing your opinion?
I think you watch too many movies. I don't think so... well, there was that Gambino double murder thing a few years back.

4. When it comes to convictions, I've never even been convicted of speeding (accued yes, but heh, never convicted). Have you ever been accused of or convicted for breaking any laws? What's the real story there?
No...

5. It looks like I will have a lot of time on my hands this week in the jury pool. I may get called, I may not. If not, I go back tomorrow. Rinse, wash, repeat. How would you pass the time if you had to sit and wait around from 8am-5pm for 5 days?
You get to hang out in a POOL? That rocks. I'd spend my time going off the diving board.

6. One thing I do like about this "civic duty" is that it will be at the downtown courthouse. I LOVE downtown. There is just so much life there. What part of your town is your favorite to visit? Why? What makes it so special?
I like the Exchange. It's old (the city passed a by-law a little while ago that prevents "newer" looking building or signs from going up). It's cool - except for all the bums begging for change.

7. I'm not that outgoing around strangers, so I doubt I will be meeting many new people this week. Do you have any problems striking up a conversation with someone you don't know? Have chance encounters with strangers ever led to interesting new relationships or opportunities?
I have trouble striking up conversations with people I do know. Every once and awhile I'll go outside my comfort zone and talk to strangers, but only on very special occasions.

BONUS: So if I tell you that you're really something baby, will you stay or will you go away ?
I will go... far, far away.

Today's Comment Question: What toppings do you like on your pizza?
ground beef, green peppers, extra cheese.

Alright, kiddies, Monday Mission Time!!!

1. Do you remember the first LP, 45, CD or CD single that you bought? Recreate the scene for me.
As a matter of fact, I do. The first LP I bought (as opposed to the ones my parents purchased FOR me) was Fat Boys Crushin'. I was about 12 or so and rap was just starting to become really popular. My friend Shawn and I hit the local mall - taking the bus by ourselves, another first for me - and each bought the record at Sam the Record Man.
The first CD I bought was probably Summertime by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince - not nearly as cool as the Fat Boys.

2. What was the last CD or song that you actually paid money for?
Tenecious D. I have since sold it.

3. It is my personal opinion that "Munchos" and "Funions" are the most perfect snack food ever. What do you think is the best snack food ever?
Nachos. Lots and lots of nachos.

4. Comedian George Carlin once pointed we consider the things we like to keep around us to be our "stuff," whereas other people's stuff is just junk to us (ok, he used more colorful language, but you get the idea). What "stuff" do you have that someone else might just throw away if they were cleaning out your house?
Old Star wars toys, comics and sports cards. If it wasn't for my watchful eye, my wife would have thrown the whole lot out years ago.

5. Do you think it is wrong for people to rush to e-Bay and start selling Space Shuttle Columbia collectibles?
What do you mean by collectibles? Do you mean little pendants or key chains? Or a steamin' chunk of hull? Pendants and keychains, while tacky, aren't "wrong", but pieces of the wrechage would be questionable.

6. Does it bother you when President Bush speaks about God and invokes scripture quotations from the Bible during his speeches?
Yes, but the Bible says that even the Devil himself will quote Scripture to try to dup people.

7. I have a friend who think's she's being photographed in public restrooms. What paranoid delusion do you have?*
I think people are laughing at me.

Bonus: Can't you feel the weight of my stare?
Yes, and I've been meaning to speak to you about it.

Super-Fun Survey Time - a big thanks to my ever-loving sister who gave me this one which allowed me to wile away the hours at work!!!

1)Full name: Michael William Boyce, Esq. Well, okay. Not esq.

2) Single or taken: taken

3] sex : Yes please. Oh my, that joke NEVER gets old.

4) Birthday: May 23

5) Star Sign: Gemini, I believe.

7)Siblings: one sister (who stole question #6), on brother in law

8)Hair color: Brown

9)Eye color: Brown

10)Shoe size: 9

11) height: 5'11

R e l a t i o n s h i p s

1) Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?: No

2) Did you send this to your crush?: I'm not sending it to ANYONE!

F a s h i o n S t u f f

1) Where is your favorite place to shop?: HMV, Chapters, Gap

2) Any tattoos or piercings: Nope

T h e E x t r a S t u f f

1) Do you do drugs?: No, I won't even take aspirin.

2) What kind of shampoo do you use?: The kind in the bathtub when I'm showering. I don't know.

3) What are you most scared of?: The number of questions missing from this survey

5) What car do you wish to have: the kind with a cd player

6) Who is the last person that called you?: called me? I don't remember.

7) Where do you want to get married?: Am married.

8) If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?: I'm too damn nice.

9) What was your first car?: 1986 Chevette - Clearisol Brown. Oh Seymore!

F a v o r i t e s

2) Number: The missing ones.

3) Food: Nachos, Spagetti

4) Boys name: Cedric

5) Girls name: Don't have one.

6) Subjects in school?: english and history

7) Animal?: dogs, I guess

8) Drink: diet pepsi

9) Movie: Casablanca

10)Celebrity: Don't really have one.

11)Sport: Tackle football

12) Sport to watch?: Football

H a v e Y o u E v e r

1) Given anyone a bath?: Just me.

2) Smoked?: Yup

3) Bungee jumped?: No but I want to

4) Broken the law?: Of course, the law of the jungle.

5) Made yourself throw-up?: I think so.

6) Gone skinny-dipping?: No

7) Been in love?: Mmmm, I guess

8) Done the Deed: What deed? Is that a euphemism?

F i r s t T h i n g T h a t C o m e s T o M i n d

1) Red: blood

2) cow: moo

3) Greenland: big

F i n a l Q u e s t i o n s

1) Do you like filling these out?: So much it's scary

2) Gold or Silver?: Gold, it'd worth more

3) favortie weapon of choice in a fight: I prefer a mid-sized pool cue wrapped in barbed wire and set on fire, or a steel folding chair.