January 2006 Archives
I was another year older yesterday, bringing my time on this here planet Earth to a grand total of twenty-four years. So today, all my hair fell out, I gained 20 pounds, and I think I broke a bone somewhere...
Ha! It's funny to make old jokes, right? Except that at work, I am definitely the youngest person there, so instead of old jokes I got young jokes. I'm not sure which extreme I like better. I'm just hoping the even-numbered years work out like the even-numbered Star Trek movies... not that twenty-three was a bad year or anything.
It was cool to see a bunch of people this weekend. I didn't plan anything official, so it was even nicer to randomly have a bunch of friends be available to hang out at the same time. Saturday night, that included Gerritt & Mel, Matt & Brittlea, Josh, and the recently-employed-in-Northern-Virginia Stephen. After dinner at Famous Dave's (for the second weekend in a row - I sense a trend here), we came back to our place to play Pirate's Cove, one of Gerritt's newer games. It's complicated to figure out, but loads of fun to play once you get the rules right. It just needs more Sarsgaard.
Sunday morning, I got a surprise visit from Gina, which was unexpected and welcome. We spent a few hours having lunch with her mom and hanging out here before she and Sarah had to head back to the 'burg. (Thanks for driving her, Sarah!) And finally, that evening, the boys and I had dinner out in D.C.
It was a weekend Chuck Norris would have been proud to be a part of. And I just ended a sentence with a preposition.
Thanks to everyone who wished me a happy birthday through IM, e-mail, phone calls, Facebook, carrier pigeon, dancing telegrams, smoke signals, and other means. You all rock.
Mom, Dad, and Annie came Friday, and I showed them around the local area that evening, driving through Fairfax and showing them the roads around here. We ate at Famous Dave's, a place I knew they'd like (and a place I love, being one of the few restaurants around here that serves quality sweet tea, in addition to the awesome meat and cornbread muffins). Saturday, however, was the Big Day In The Big City. I have to say, this tour guide thing is getting easier every time I do it. Maybe I have a future in the tourism business? Maybe I should record my own Newbie's Guide to D.C. as a podcast, sell it, and let you do your own Bret-guided tours? Maybe that's already been done, but not by me. Blast.
Regardless, I tried to pack in as much as possible for them to see, especially Annie, because we just don't know when she'll get to visit next. I started the tour from the Foggy Bottom Metro, going south to the Lincoln Memorial. We then visited the Vietnam War Memorial, a natural next stop. I learned something here: a man from my hometown died during the war, and Dad was a pallbearer at his funeral. He knew him in school. A couple of my uncles also served back then, so the connections run strong. It had been a few years since I had walked past the wall, but I was glad we did. I could write an entire short story just on that experience alone.
After lunch at the Old Post Office (where Annie got to pose at one of those digital-camera acts that superimpose your head on a picture so it looks like you're shaking hands with the President), we spent a few hours in the Museum of Natural History, a staple for any first-time D.C. visitor. It was close to getting dark by the time we'd seen what the Museum had to offer, but since the National Archives are so close and none of us had ever been there, we decided to make a quick stop to see nothing less than the founding documents of freedom and democracy in America. I think my parents were most impressed by this, and Annie enjoyed visiting the same building that was featured prominently in National Treasure. She even pulled a Nicholas Cage and bought a replica Declaration of Independence, although I don't think it has any secret maps printed on it in invisible 3-D ink made by Benjamin Franklin.
By the time we exited the Archives, the sun was fast setting, but everyone seemed to want to keep going. I suggested that the last best thing to do would be to walk to the Capitol and take a few pictures there. I'm glad I did. When we arrived, the wind was easily washing away any hope of a true reflection in the Captiol's pool, instead leaving a faint trace of a ghostly outline. I inspected the Capitol itself for a few moments, while Mom took a few pictures of Annie standing in front so she could add them to her scrapbook and show them off to her classmates. The setting sun had begun its light show against the reflective marble of the Capitol, casting the entire building in a glow. The real scenery, however, came when I turned around and saw the Washington Monument and the Smithsonian buildings silhouetted against a fiery orange sky. I nearly filled my camera trying to capture this moment.
We eventually made it to the Capitol steps, when Annie rushed forward and hugged a cornerstone, thrilled to simply be touching such an important building. Mom finished up her roll of film, while I maxed out my memory card - two photographers in the same mold. A nice man took a group picture for us, then remarked on the beautiful sunset before walking away. A couple of lovebirds stood in a tight embrace, kissing in a cradle of marble. Even Annie was slightly subdued, in awe, though she did her best to take even more pictures on her camera than before. Dad stood silently, for the most part, looking out onto the Mall. He'd tell me later that he never would have ended up coming to DC at all if I hadn't moved up here and been able to give a personal tour. I could tell that he was thankful for getting the chance, but frankly, I was just returning the favor, since they've given me the opportunity to receive the education that led me here.
It had been a long time since I'd been together with my family when nothing else had to be going on, when we were all enjoying the same experience at the same time. It felt good.
The sun went down, and the wind began whipping into a frenzy. We decided it was time to finally head back toward Fairfax, and we were all thankful for the nearby Capitol South Metro.
I was thankful for a lot more than that.
Today is a wonderful day for me. Sure, I just belatedly found out that BNL has recorded another album, which will probably mean they will tour again this summer, which will probably mean I'll get to see them for the first time since 2002 or so. Sure, my parents and Annie and I had a great time this weekend, which I'll talk about later. And sure, the new seasons of my TV shows are in full swing. And yes, I do enjoy a nice song-and-dance number at times.
But the best news, which I just accidentally found out about yesterday, is this: The Adventures of Pete And Pete is on DVD now. I was thinking about the show the other day, and I figured I would have to send a petition to Nickelodeon to get the show published to DVD at some point, when I found that apparently Nick has heard the people's cry for Pete, Pete, Ellen, Endless Mike, Artie (The Strongest Man In The World), and others to find a home on those little silver discs we all love so much.
The reason I'm so pumped is because this show was no doubt the best product Nickelodeon made in the 90's. Are You Afraid Of The Dark? and Ren & Stimpy are both strong showings, but they didn't spark an entire summer of goofy fun like the Petes did. Stuart and I got hooked on episodes like "Cold Lazarus" pretty quickly, and it didn't take long for us to start making our own sketch shows with his cousins, based in part on the zaniness that was Pete & Pete. And of course, those of you in the know will realize that it was an episode of this show that inspired me to first have the idea for The Hour That Doesn't Count.
The only bad thing is that I'm a few months late in finding this out, so I could have already had the DVDs for weeks now!
If you look up at the sky tonight and squint really hard, there's no chance at all that you'll see the New Horizons space probe as it speeds along on its nine-year journey to Pluto. I mean, it's already passed the moon, and it will reach Jupiter in a little over a year. Every time I hear of the length of these exploratory missions, it always makes me take a step back and think about just how enormously big space is. This is the fastest probe Earth has ever launched, and it's still going to be nine years before it reaches the end of our solar system. This is mind-boggling, but compared to how long it took Voyager to get where it was going, this is also a great advancement in technology.
Who knows, one of these days, humans may be taking a three-o'clock flight to Pluto just to check it out. That would be fun, I think. Ever since my brother got me hooked on Star Trek as a kid, I've thought it would be cool to be in space. Maybe one day, we'll have most of the problems down here taken care of, so we can turn our collective eyes upward. What have we got to lose? Even if it's decades before it happens, think of the scientific advancements that we use in everyday life that came because of the moon missions. Having a seemingly impossible goal is a good thing for mankind.
All of this talk is making me want to go visit the Air & Space Museum, which I think I'll be doing this weekend, mainly because my parents and Annie are coming to visit later today. Another excuse to go into the city. Yes!
Chalk up another point toward living where I currently do: a Guitar Center is a scant five minutes away. Man, I love this store. About the only prior dealing I've had with Guitar Center was on Tour last year, when my bass was in sore need of some adjustments. We had some free time in Fredericksburg, so I stopped at the one in Central Park. They did all the necessary work free-of-charge, which instantly won them cool points with me. That was also the store where I was playing "Fantastic Voyage" on a pretty awesome Warwick and one of the employees started rapping Coolio as he walked into the storage room.
But I digress.
I'm actually surprised it took me this long to actually go to the Center, but last week I waltzed in to do a little research on digital recording units. Hopefully, my research will lead to a good deal on said recording unit, but in the meantime, I was again impressed by the easygoing attitude and knowledge of the employees there. And it also doesn't hurt that there are dozens of gorgeous guitars and basses there that I can try out. Like Rocket Music before in Blacksburg, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful partnership.
Well kids, when a guy travels a lot on the weekends and has a lot of fun doing it, that makes for a double-edged situation: lots of stuff to talk about and long gaps between entries on his blog. It also causes an unexplainable urge to write in the third person, and the only way to get rid of that is to do a ... MAJOR RECAP! This major recap may well span over several entries, so strap yourselves in for the fun ride, kids.
First off, hello to all of you Blacksburg kids who are reading this now that you're back at school! I'm sure my hits will go up by at least 56% during the semester, like they always do. It also seems like most of the other regulars on my blogroll are back to regular posting. Looks like balance has been restored to the Force.
Over the weekend, I returned briefly to said Blacksburg to hang out for a little while, mainly with Gina, since this begins another semester away for her. One highlight from the weekend was 24's return to the small screen, accompanied by Katie's video of all of those in attendance at the 24 viewing party. As is usually the case when Katie breaks out her video camera, we made a pretty hilarious little documentary. Everyone chipped in over the two-night premiere, including both Gina's and Katie's mom, and Josh and I both got to do a phone interview over the different nights (since I was actually there for Sunday night).
Some quick reflections on this season of 24 (including vaguely-veiled spoilers if you didn't see the premiere, which you should try to track down very quickly): Just like everyone else who is a fan of the show, I can't believe they killed them! They sure weren't kidding about changing the flow of the show within the first ten minutes of this season. Killing off two of your most beloved characters, one of whom has survived through the first four seasons no less, is a sure-fire way to either alienate all of your fanbase or raise the stakes to exciting levels all over again. I'm still planning on watching the rest of this season, so I guess my opinion falls into the second category. It's excitin'!
I feel like I've been talking a lot about TV here lately, so I'll point your mouses to other cool things. First, check out the first installment of TSPN Radio, Tom's podcast. It's a big download, but since these things take a lot of work to put together, check it out (my roommate makes a guest analyst appearance early on, as well). Good job, Tom and Ben.
And, for a dose of new year's goodness, check out the list of 2005's banned words. Banned because they were overused. Maybe you can coin your own slang term. Great idea. I'll make that one of my resolutions.
That's all for now, folks!
Who's glad that Lost is back showing new episodes? This guy. I've been watching episodes from the Season 1 DVDs I got for Christmas just about every evening since I got back up here, in preparation for the second half of this season. I have to say, watching everything this close together really makes me appreciate the details the writers put into this show. I also have to say that Mr. Eko is pretty much the one guy on the island I'd want to have on my side.
At any rate, I'm continually impressed with this series, and as I've watched some of the bits and pieces I missed from last season, I'll take back at least one of my nitpicky rants: in a couple of episodes, we actually do see some of the guys shaving, thereby laying the whole facial hair issue to rest for me. I could mention that this doesn't explain why Jack is the only one whose hair doesn't seem to get longer, but that would just be getting anal about it.
If you don't watch the show, don't worry, I'm not turning this into a TV blog. I just felt like I had to get all this out there for the kids.
One last thing, though, for those of you who do watch: what's with the smoke stuff? Too cheesy? Too cool?
I was away for the weekend, so I didn't have a chance to post my feelings about the Marcus Vick debacle as it was going down. I was, however, closer to the source of the action, since Gina and I were in the Tidewater area visiting some of her family, so I got to hear a couple of conflicting news reports about just how defiantly and ingratefully Vick the Second was taking the whole situation.
Though I was going to write about this anyway, leave it up to Marcus to provide brand new material that makes this entry all the more timely. In addition to the direct fallout from Vick's Gator Bowl stomp, which when coupled with his speeding-and-driving-without-a-license combo got him kicked off the team, Marcus today continued riding his Escalade into even more trouble. So, now he's waving around a gun in front of teenagers and possibly facing serious jail time.
Ladies and gents, it's obvious that Marcus has lost it and is showing his true colors now, and that he very clearly doesn't think that any of his actions will have any lasting effects on his life. Get caught speeding? They may take your license, but they can't take your car keys. Kicked off the team? Just go pro...
...but not if you're warming the bench in a jail cell.
I was at first mildly defensive of Vick this year, wanting to believe that he'd matured. I looked past the one-finger salute during the WVU game. I thought that the stomp was uncalled-for and deserving of a hefty suspension, but otherwise I still felt good about the Bowl. But now, like every other Hokie I've talked to over the weekend, I'm tired of defending him, and I'm quite frankly glad he's gone. And now that he's thrown all good behavior to the wind and embraced the thug life, I feel embarrassed knowing he ever put on the orange and maroon.
Finally, looking at him as a person, I just hope someone (Michael, perhaps, or his mother) can whip some sense into him before he turns into another Maurice Clarett.
Today, a great radio station was laid to rest. Those of you in the D.C. area that still listen to FM radio probably noticed it at some point during the day, but I didn't flip on Z104 until the evening commute home. When I was greeted to the soothing tones of some classical music instead of the usual mix of modern rock and pop rock hits that I've grown used to over the last few months, I knew something was up. Steve and I assumed that perhaps it was just a commercial, or an overriding signal from a brand new station. But, alas, as time went on, we heard the DJ welcome us to his new home on 104.1/103.9. The realization that it was a permanent change sunk in as I pulled into my parking lot, and it was solidified when I hurriedly checked the station's website, which only days ago held a plethora of playlist and artist information. It now hangs like a black and red memorial, thanking us all for listening. Wiki wasted no time in updating its related entry, giving us a little bit more insight into the whole situation.
I didn't move up here in time to enjoy the true power of WHFS before it turned into El Zol, but when Gina gave me the rundown of all the DC radio stations, Z104 quickly landed on my favorites dial. It always seemed to have the right mix for me, broadcasting songs over the waves from artists that I love but would never have expected to hear on the radio back home. The live Lounge broadcasts were amazing, too. What really makes me sorry is that I had just begun to discover what else the station had to offer on the weekends, like their block of brand new music on Sunday nights that cheated the usual radio rules. I might even go so far as to say that Z104 made me think that commercial radio could actually be good again.
I'm going to miss ya, Z. I'll try my hand at listening to some of the other stations some more, but I can't imagine they'll be exactly the same. I guess I'll have to wait until something else eventually comes along to take its place, assuming Clear Channel doesn't take over the entire universe. Either that, or it's time for some satellite radio.
I figure it's about time for a 2005 retrospective. I'm looking forward to what 2006 will bring. There are still many things that are less-than-perfect in the world, but now we've got another year in which to strive to make them better.
I thought it would be neat to do something a little different this year and compile a list of "things I've learned in 2005." Bear with me, folks, because it's time for:
Bret's Big List Of Lessons Learned In 2005
1. D.C. Metro Area Geography. Learning how to get around in Northern Virginia and D.C. has been one of the most challenging-yet-gratifying tasks presented to me since I moved up here. It's been fun settling into a new area in this respect. It remains to be seen whether I'll be assimilated into the Northern Virginia drivers' club in 2006.
2. The Virginia/Maryland Divide. Why yes, there is some sort of rivalry between the states up here, as a few longtime residents have displayed to me several times. It's never more prominent, however, than when you're on the road. Look for a future entry - or an entire book - on the nuances of Virginia drivers vs. Maryland drivers. At least both sides can agree that D.C. drivers are terrible.
3. The Real World Zone. New job, new apartment, new car, new responsibilities, and a new source of income - huzzah! New bills, new financial management, and a sharp uptake in the cost of living - boo.
4. Traveling Is Fun Again. From New Orleans to Albuquerque, I visited more new places last year than I usually do. This included a detour to Detroit's airport on my way to Lancaster for a job interview. Next stop: the west coast, and then... the WORLD!
5. Hokie Pride. Over half a year since graduating, I still miss Blacksburg and Virginia Tech. But, I've been lucky to have met many alumni while I've been up here, and the consistent coolness of them all have proven to me time and again that we have among the best alumni out there. And naturally, all my Tech friends in the area have helped make me feel that much more welcome. Thanks, all ya'll.
6. Innertube Water Polo Is The Greatest Sport Ever. I played my senior year as a rookie, but I was still part of a championship team. It was my first intramural championship, and it helped Wesley get the Hokie Grail for 2004-2005! My only regret is that I didn't play the sport my first four years. Go Wesley!
7. I'll Miss Wesley. Though I thought I was probably crazy for accepting my second Wesley presidential term, I ended up having a lot of fun. Beyond the intramurals, I paticipated in my last Tour, helped make a final Tour CD and DVD combo, and helped design the shirts. I won't go so far as to say anything about a "legacy" (other than random props from the Bretcave that still haunt the Residents' rooms), but I know that I'll remember my four years in the basement fondly.
Well kids, I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea.
I am smart enough to realize that I am a very lucky guy, and 2005 was one of my best years all around, even though it brought so much change. I couldn't have made it through, of course, without all of you. And I mean you! And you, too. Don't ever change, I mean it.
I'll close with an idea from Gina. Her motto for this year is that 2006 will be "a year to be proud of." I like that motto. She's a smart woman (and yes, I'm lucky to have her, and she didn't pay me to say that!). I think we've all got our own reasons and ideas on how to make this a year to be proud of. Just remember, you don't have to do it alone!
Tonight's Gator Bowl marked the end of a somewhat tumultuous Virginia Tech football season. I have to admit that the depression that engulfed me in the middle of the ACC Championship game returned for the first half of the bowl, and it seemed like the same Tech team that lost to Florida State showed up to play in the first half today. However, I think we finally started playing up to our potential in the fourth quarter, and everything finally started rolling our way.
Like Coach Beamer, I want to just plain forget about the first half, from the bad officiating to the unnecessary Jimmy Williams ejection to the infamous "Marcus stomp" incident that's gotten so many people riled up. I think that Vick has a lot of learning and maturing to do next year, both on and off the field, and I certainly don't condone behavior like that. Whether it was intentional or not, and whether Marcus' forced apology to Dumerville seemed sincere or not, is somewhat moot now. I just like to think of the Hokies as a classy team, and hopefully by next year all of our players will learn to display that class at all times.
With all of that craziness aside, this win felt really, really good. The senior class deserved a season-ender like this. And of course, It made me happy to see another Jeff King touchdown. Now we can look forward to watching what will hopefully be another promising football season, as well as seeing where some of our seniors will end up in the NFL.