inspiration strikes - a break from the monotony

Friday, March 21, 2003

SEVEN DAYS...

...ago tonight, I watched The Ring on DVD. Now, I'm headed off to the wilderness (skiing in Vermont). If I'm not back by Monday, alert the authorities.

In the meantime, have a great weekend!
.

mattchun 3/21/2003 03:49:00 PM [+] ::
...

POETRY

A Thursday evening full of drinkin'
has impaired my Friday thinkin'
.

mattchun 3/21/2003 11:59:00 AM [+] ::
...

I'M HERE TO HELP

To the person who arrived at my site by searching for "nucular by Bryan Adams," it's actually "Nuclear" by Ryan Adams. You can find the lyrics here and the album there. I hope that helps.
.

mattchun 3/20/2003 04:09:00 PM [+] ::
...

GOODBYE LB, GOODBYE

It will be difficult for me to say goodbye, and our time together now is short. Has it already been six months? The days and weeks have flown by.

The way we met seemed innocent enough, a chance encounter. Do you remember? I spotted you at that counter, and almost instantly, like magic, I knew you would be mine. Things happened so quickly after that.

Do you remember what it was like the first time? Almost absent-mindedly, I took hold of you. With a flick of my fingers, sliding off your top, I brushed you against my lips. Like a slow, sumptuous kiss, you soothed me, body and mind.

Our's was a life of adventure. Do you remember? Within days, we were flying off to Costa Rica, exploring the mountains, jungles and beaches together. Even a few scant weeks ago, we were gliding down the slopes together, skiing the snowy mountains of Vermont.

But lately things haven't been the same. I've changed, you're not what you once were and it seems that all good things must come to an end. We both knew this day would come.

Yes, another will take your place but I will never forget you. You were the first tube of lip balm I ever finished.
.

mattchun 3/20/2003 11:01:00 AM [+] ::
...

HOWARD DEAN HAS A BLOG

Thanks to Bryan for the link.
.

mattchun 3/20/2003 11:01:00 AM [+] ::
...

VIEW OF BOSTON HARBOR

With towering pillars of steel and glass as bookends to the view, the sea wraps its teeming blue expanse around and through both light and shadow, lapping gently against the shore. South to North, ripples glide across the surface like wind across the bowing grains of a flaxen hillside, like the tousled heads of children chasing that same breeze. Yes, the wind is different now, no longer the icy breeze that cuts through frozen streets. These gentler gusts are warmer, more flirtatious. The ocean and the drifting wind have their fun, murmuring, spreading rumours of Spring. "You've waited patiently," they seem to say. "You've endured the snow, the ice, the cold."

As the not-yet balmy breeze and its friend the shining sea gossip with the shore, the stone gray facade of the Custom House clock tower marks the passing time. Stoic, standing silently with gleaming gold hands and upright in posture, the rigid sentry is both witness and accomplice to the hours; the waterfront's royal guard. Ever erect, the tower feigns a deaf ear, but I suspect otherwise. Spring's secret is out and even that stern face is cracking the hint of a smile.
.

mattchun 3/19/2003 05:14:00 PM [+] ::
...

MAKING THE BEST OF GRAVE CIRCUMSTANCES

At times like these, a little humor to break the tension is sometimes an appropriate defense mechanism, so here are three brief Onion-esque articles that I've penned (after exhaustive research) for your edification:

Gas Mask Lauded by Enlisted Man
ANKARA, Turkey - PFC David Adams, 21, has found a new use for his military-issue gas mask, the Pennsylvania native reported Wednesday. "This mask is approved for protection against chloracetophenone, chlorobenzylidene and many of the dangerous contaminants from human ingestion of refried beans," said Adams, exiting a steaming field latrine. Adams suggested the dual-canister mounting position allows for "easy plunging," especially after burrito night.

Smart Bombs Experience Difficulty in the Field
QATAR - High-tech, laser-guided incendiaries, or so-called "Smart Bombs," are often bullied by their less advanced counterparts, sources say. "Now outnumbered, conventional bombs feel threatened by the complexity of these new devices," a Pentagon spokesman said. "Smart-bombs, despite their efficacy in battle, are given wedgies and swirlies on a regular basis."

General Franks Inspects M1A1 On-board Equipment
KUWAIT - Paying a visit to US troops amassing along the Iraq-Kuwait demilitarized zone, General Tommy Franks took the opportunity to inspect an M1A1 battle tank. "I'm eager to see how this thing performs in the field," said Franks. Recent additions to the M1A1 include a 120mm smoothbore gun, improved armor, and a cappucino maker, complete with milk frother. "The sabot [kinetic energy] and chemical [heat energy] warhead rounds really complement the french roast."

All joking aside, like many Americans I have mixed feelings about this war. Even so, those feelings are now overshadowed by the decision to invade, which has already been made. As tensions continue to mount and the US military amasses forces along the Iraqi border, it's time to put reservations aside and support our troops. Sitting here stateside, my thoughts are with those brave men and women who will soon risk their lives to overthrow the regime of Saddam Hussein.
.

mattchun 3/19/2003 11:30:00 AM [+] ::
...

...AND ON A MUCH LIGHTER NOTE: "SOUTH-PARKING" SADDAM?

I wonder if Saddam Hussein has seen South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut. If so, does he find it amusing that he is having homosexual intercourse with Satan in the film? Is he disappointed that he doesn't get more screen time? These are the questions Dan Rather should have asked.
.

mattchun 3/18/2003 11:07:00 AM [+] ::
...

ON WAR

"Never, never, never believe any war will be smooth and easy, or that anyone who embarks on the strange voyage can measure the tides and hurricanes he will encounter. The statesman who yields to war fever must realize that once the signal is given, he is no longer the master of policy but the slave of unforeseeable and uncontrollable events." -- Sir Winston Churchill

On a somewhat unrelated note, I just finished reading See No Evil, Robert Baer's expose on the CIA. In his autobiographical account, the former field operative describes how back-room politics and beltway bureaucracy have led to a severe decline in the effectiveness of the agency. Baer strongly advocates a back-to-basics intelligence program that shifts the emphasis of the CIA away from Langley desk jockeys, satellite imagery and detached intelligence, and back to agents in the field. It's at once a fascinating and frightening tale that also chronicles the rise of terrorist cells and the reasons why United States intelligence agencies are currently ill-equipped to deal with them.
.

mattchun 3/18/2003 10:23:00 AM [+] ::
...

MISCELLANY: TALLYING UP A GOOD WEEKEND

Today, the mercury is expected to hit 60 degrees Fahrenheit here in the Hub. Spring is in the air! Even so, Old Man Winter is still lurking...

I caught up with a number of friends this past weekend, which made for a very entertaining couple of days. Here are some of the highlights:

watched The Ring; was unable to resist the urge to whisper, "seven days..." every time the phone rang;

was treated to dinner with college buddies by dad & stepmom of college buddy, Jeb; took dinner as opportunity to share myriad tales of embarrassment with Jeb's family and fiancee, with hilarious results;

won every game of darts in which I participated (4-0);

went to the driving range and swung the old wrenches for the first time this year; surprisingly, only cursed a couple of times;

enjoyed beautiful Boston sunshine and (relative) warmth;

I'm feeling a bit hungover today but it's not from the alcohol, it's from the grease. After Sunday's copious consumption of fried chicken, fried bacon, fried cheese, french-or-freedom-fried potatoes, fried broccoli, and fried ham-and-cheese-sandwiches, approximately one-fifth of my body is now composed of fried batter. My cholesterol is getting worried about it's level of poly-unsaturated Matt.
.

mattchun 3/17/2003 11:02:00 AM [+] ::
...

HALOSCAN

You get what you pay for.
.

mattchun 3/16/2003 08:53:00 AM [+] ::
...