Tag Archives: philosophy

Limitless

Dear Time Warner Cable:  Two is not enough.

(As in the number of HD shows I can record concurrently per DVR.)

I have always been aware of this restriction.  But there will come a night — like tonight, Sunday night — when I have three shows in one given time slot that I want to watch and/or record.

And I’m forced to make Sophie’s Choice.

Yes, I know some or all of these programs may be available online. But call me old-fashioned — I like watching my favorite shows on my big ol’ LCD TV.

Not on my laptop or iPad.  Unless forced.

And this ‘two program limit per DVR’ is forcing me to not watch television in the comfort of my own living room.

Harumph.

Bird brain

If you’re looking for the first robins of spring where you live…

They’re all in Central Park.

I noticed a large gathering of robins on the Great Lawn when I was walking Rory this morning.  They were spaced out in an almost geometric pattern, standing very still.

It looked much like the start of some sci-fi films, just before the aliens land…or creatures burst through the earth after being buried in pods for centuries.

Perhaps they were exhibiting the bird behavior that mathematician John Nash studied as a student at Princeton, which was dramatized in the movie A Beautiful Mind, starring Russell Crowe.

Of course, there is one other reason the birds could have been standing there on the Great Lawn in the early morning –

Breakfast.

 

 

Double time

 

 

Holidaze

TAKE COVER

Truly bizarre holidays are colliding!!

It’s Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent on the Christian calendar, so you’ll be hearing — and seeing — a lot about that today.

It’s also National Margarita Day.  So those of you who are thinking about giving up liquor might want to pause and reconsider.

Actually, it’s International World Thinking Day, Be Humble Day, and Walk the Dog Day, too…

Might I suggest the following order of events?

  1. Walk the dog.
  2. Think hard about what you’re giving up for Lent, if anything. (Hey — Downton Abbey is off the air for months…isn’t that penance enough?)
  3. Be humble about your decision. (Translation: no need to mention it every day.)
  4. Have a drink.

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Rain day

Guess who was waiting to greet me at my front door this morning?

Surly little devil.

And rumor has it he plans to hang around all day.

Uninvited.

Now, I have two possible responses to my unwelcome guest.

First, I can let him ruin my day.  Get nothing accomplished.  Eat too much.  Get depressed. Perhaps shed a tear or two for no particular reason.

Or I can chose the far healthier response…

Go see a movie.

I still may not get as much work done as originally planned.  I may — okay, I will — eat junk food.  And if I end up crying, that simply means…

It was another great day at the theatre.

Where there’s smoke

For people who celebrate Chinese New Year — or just heart Chinese food — today marks the official beginning of the Year of the Dragon.  According to legend, the dragon is a symbol of good fortune, intense power and authority.

That’s so hot.

But I have to wonder – what kind of dragon will 2012 be?

Will it be like the dragon in the first Shrek movie — ferocious and fire-breathing one moment, then a puddle of mush the next, all because of the attentions of a wise-cracking yet lovable Donkey?

(And how many months of the year will be fire-like, and how many mush?)

Or will 2012 be a dragon with a temperament more in keeping with the three beasts in the Tri-Wizard Tournament in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire?  They also breathed fire and brimstone, but were initially restrained by bars and chains.  When they finally broke free, they fought till the death to vanquish their enemies.

Not sure I want to go up against a year like that.

No, I would prefer the Year of the Dragon to be more like Toothless in How to Train Your Dragon.  He was first misunderstood and underestimated, but man oh man — didn’t he end up being exactly the kind of dragon you wanted on your team when the going got tough.

Yep.  That’s the 2012 I’d like to see.

Something new

“Do something that scares you everyday.”

Well, today I am doing just that.

Something that I’m sure will be fun…but that kinda scares the bejeezers out of me!

I promise to tell you all about — as much as I’m allowed, anyway — in Thursday’s Egg.

Any guesses on what it might be?  Leave them in the comments section.  (Family members and friends who already know, please refrain from spoiling the fun.)

I don’ t think I look quite that frightened.  (Here’s hoping my poker face is a bit more convincing.)

Wish me luck, guys!

Say…

As I sat down to write this post, I happened upon a quote:

The finest command of language is often shown by saying nothing.” – Roger Babson

Made me wonder if I should write at all.  (Obviously, that didn’t happen.) Instead, I vowed to follow the direction of architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe:

Less is more.”

Such a wonderful philosophy.  It’s probably why blogs first became popular (and are being rapidly replaced by the even briefer tweets and text messages).

It’s why one bold accessory works best.  Why you do either a bright lip or a smoky eye (but not both).  Why minimalist home design will always endure.  Why classic jeans and a tee will always be the perfect outfit, no matter the occasion.

And why just a kiss of chocolate is always enough.

Something’s a’foot

Last month Jennifer Aniston’s 15-year old Welsh Corgi-terrier mix, Norman, died of old age.

The two were often photographed together walking, and she always took him with her to set on long movie shoots.

“He’s just a person in a dog suit,” she once said.

I get that.

This week the tabloids were full of the news that Jennifer got her first tattoo.  What did it say?  Was it new boyfriend Justin Theroux’s name?  Or some mid-life crisis bit of philosophy in Chinese characters?

None of the above.  The ink on her right foot simply says “Norman.”

Now, I’ve never even remotely considered getting a tat.  I’m notoriously commitment — and needle — phobic, and permanent body art requires both.

But a tattoo dedicated to my dog Rory?  Perhaps his name in the simple sans serif font that I favor?  Or a tiny artist rendering of his amazingly expressive face?

Oh yes, I could commit to that.