things are positively joygantic



			Viva Las Xmas Seattle Friday May 29, 2003 Last night I talked for hours with Cecelia, who's was in town to give a talk at UW. She's one of the many wonderful people my life collided with thanks to grad school and having time with her is always a gift. At some point the discussion veered toward Burning Man and an essay--Viva Las Xmas--that I sent her last December. Cecelia told me she used the essay to great effect to teach her Lewis & Clark undergrads about civil society and social capital. Burnign Man was the centerpiece of a week's worth of class discussion. Once more my worlds collide unexpectedly. Bouncing Off the Walls Seattle Wednesday May 28, 2003 I've been polling people. The majority opinion is that the entirety of Seattle has undergone an attidude adjustment in the past couple of weeks. People are planting gardens, camping, writing songs, getting their book published, writing articles, cooking, making things, climbing mountains, and all sorts of other things. The cork has popped off the bottle. We're bouncing off the walls. It's sunny and light and nice out. This Just In: We're Going to Hell Seattle Wednesday May 28, 2003 Please disregard the picture of me below in angel wings. Trevor was so kind as to pass on the definitive explanation of how we spend our summer vacation: "In a new age Mecca where anything goes, people can get creative in an evil way." Enjoy the cheery music. <blushing> Seattle Tuesday May 27, 2003 Angelica & Scott sent this. Memorial Wrap-up Seattle Monday May 26, 2003 An excellent three day weekend is coming to an end: Learned how to make things out of electroluminescent wire. Attended the Tribal Joiurney premiere and after party--large crowd, great reception for the film, and a chance to celebrate Scott's birthday, Angelica's literary accomplishments, and decorate a cake with grilled salmon. [pix here]. Discovered a new Mexican chicken preparation that involves a delicious garlic rub and the poaching and then grilling of half chickens. (The technique has similarities to Peking duck). The resulting poaching liquid is perfect for tortilla soup. Watched 24 Hour Party People and a remix of Dr. Strangelove with no dialogue and a Thievery Corporation/Zero Seven soundtrack. The former prompted me to spend morning Saturday listening to New Order, Happy Mondays and other Manchester bands from my, uh, youth. This Time of Year Seattle Saturday May 24, 2003 Yesterday was gorgeous--light, warm, a bit humid--a perfect May day. And a reminder of how pleasant life in Seattle can be. I fired up the grill for the first time this year and Dia and I ate dinner illuminated by a mix of candelight and that 9pm twilight you get in the run up to the summer solstice. It's well known that Dia's temperment is effect by the seasons and the absence/abundance of light, but I'm realizing I'm in the same boat. As the days get longer I find myself energized, writing lists of projects that I think I can actually accomplish or, more to point, am actually motivated to accomplish. So much of the fall and winter seems bracketed by work and fatigue while spring and summer burst with energy and possibility. I fear that my family may think I'm a workaholic since I do so much of it (see below). In the gloomy months when that's all I seem to do I empathize with their perspective. But spring hass sprung, summer is around the bend, and stuff's in the works. About Work Seattle Saturday May 24, 2003 I try not to write about work. I spend enough time staring at computer screens working, that don't have any desire to use creative energy to mull over work. Besides, work is boring to read about. Making it an exciting read would violate all sorts of confidences, standards of professionalism, and legal agreements. So largely, when I mention "work" it's a big black box to people who imagine, well, I have no idea what anyone imagines I do. I will share that I am completely engaged in what I do, that I sometimes have to pinch myself when I think of what we're working to create, that I frequently want to pound my head into a wall because the problems I have to solve are generally hard, but then I think that is a good thing. I'm never bored, sometimes (increasingly less so) overwhelmed, have to be tuned into a workday that spans multiple timezones and doesn't recognize weekends (which has forced me to cultivate the skill of just unplugging from it all), and never, ever make it even a third of the way down my daily To-Do list. But I like it a lot. Hope that clears everything up. Good News, Bad News Seattle Thursday May 22, 2003 The good news is that despite increased eye strain, my eyesight has improved by a 1/2 diopter. The bad news is that this is a function of the less flexible eyeballs that come with aging. This was crushing; I thought for sure I could avoid aging. Apparently my current prescription is superior for looking in the distance, but I need weaker glasses for staring at computer screens, something I do occaissionally (about ten hours a day). The other good news is that they now have disposable contacts that correct for astigmatism. The other bad news is that this picture clearly suggests I need to lose the thirty-something facial baby fat and shave more than once a week. As an added bonus, yesterday's eye checkup was conducted by a truly eccentric optometrist who interrupted the glaucoma check (AOK!) to answer the phone thusly: "Dr. Gay's office . . . no, she's with a patient at the moment." I recommend her. Hook. Line. Sinker. Seattle Thursday May 22, 2003 I'm generally a skeptic, but I spent my youth watching zealous Christian fundamentalists take over my hometown school board through a stealth campaign that consisted soley of campaigning in churches and then watched them make all manner of incredibly offensive pronouncements and horrible decisions. So when it comes to "Crispies" (as my brother would say), I'm fairly gullible in terms of believing that those of fervent faith will do or say just about anything. My guard down, I fell hard today for a terribly elaborate parody site. It wasn't the cartoony front page that got me, but rather the compelling story of creation scientists venturing to Africa to prove the "contemporality of humans/dinosaurs." Even that seemed a stretch until I Googled their supposed turncoat animal tracker, Nigel Stubbingwicke, whose resume notes "2002 - Led expedition into the Congo to examine rumour of living dinosaur. Found nothing but forest elephants." I fell for it. Apparently (according to the all-knowing collective mind that is MeFi), brilliantly done by the same folks who brought us the Landover Baptist Church, which I always knew was a parody. Really. Advertisement Seattle Wednesday May 21, 2003 Grace Monkeys Seattle Monday May 19, 2003 In line with the "Beyond Belief" art theme and building on the modest success of last year's camp, we can now unveil our concept for Burning Man 2003: The Spiritual Service Station is your rest stop on the highway of belief. Leaking karma? Chakras out of alignment? Need your penance topped off? Stop by the Spiritual Service Station for a full service tune-up today. Our skilled Grace Monkeys are certified to work on all spiritual makes and models and if you're not satisfied with your current ride to the spirit world, just spin the Faithomatic wheel and put yourself back on the road with a brand new religion! Check in for a body wash and detailing or shop at the SiniMart to pick up last minute items on your way to heaven, hell, nirvana, or wherever it is you're traveling. We don't care where you're going, we just want to help you get there. Jampacked Enjoyment Seattle Monday May 19, 2003 Is how I'd characterize our weekend. Up early each day, hustling, bustling. Doing errands. Drinking beer while watching people walk by on the sidewalk. Enjoying a new friend's art. Watching the Matrix Reloaded (a so so must see) and, most significantly, getting our Burning Man act together over Sunday brunch. Delightful. Jet Lagged Seattle Thursday May 15, 2003 My soul is still enroute. My body is in Seattle, tingly with fatigue, dried out eyes, knotted neck and back. My mind is fuzzy, slow synapses, packet loss. Worst Song Lyric. Ever. Flying over the Atlantic Ocean Wednesday May 14, 2003 "You're playing harmonica/I'm reading erotica" --Patty Larkin Packing my Bags London Wednesday May 14, 2003 It's rare that I'm in a place for a full week at a time, Seattle, excepted. That fact has made this business trip more enjoyable than most. When it comes up in conversation and I tell friends "oh, I'll be in Helsinki next week" or some such, I always notice the blase tone in my voice and sometimes think: jeesh they must think me a pretentious prick for being so cavalier about such travels. The truth is that, generally, business travel sucks for reasons that are not comprehendable unless one has done it. Key factors involve too many airplane rides and the email/mobile phone tether to home base which, for example, has led me not to seek dinner the past two nights until after 11pm. And then there's the fact that while uncomfortably ensconced in a coach airplane seat one needs to type a proposal or clear a bloating email inbox rather than watch a Jennifer Lopez movie. OK, bad example. But this trip, while filled with the usual work that was it's raison d'etre, and the unavoidable firedrills that occur on a weekly basis, had sparkling moments of pleasantry: some good meals, good art, a wonderful musical, a funky WiFi enable hotel (St. Martin's Lane), regular workouts, a growing fondness for London, and of course the fact that I only had to unpack my bags once. "And in this corner. . . London Tuesday May 13, 2003 . . . weighing in at 7.10 punds and measuring 19 inches welcome Nikko Eliana Valentine Macklin to this ring called life at 8:49 pm on May 12! She and mama are doing great. Nikko has a thick head of black hair...looking a little like De Niro did in Raging Bull---she is a Taurus after all." 104 Days From Now London Monday May 12, 2003 Burning Man swirls about my brain every day. For some--and I have a certain envy of these folks--Burning Man is merely the apex of a year of creative expression. I find myself (generally) happily immersed in all other sorts of creativity, though none quite so vibrant as a week in the desert without a cell phone. So for me Burning Man assumes more of the role of a creative destination. Our camp, which I've dubbed Camp Everyone's So Busy We're Not Even Thinking About Burning Man Yet, may be having its first organizational meeting/bloody mary extravaganza this Sunday. Good timing, as I'm intoxicated by the possibilities created by the just unveiled art theme. NBAs London Sunday May 11, 2003 That's short for "New British Artists," of course. Yesterday I went to the newly opened Saatchi Gallery and it was stunning. Located in the County House on the Thames--a magnificent example of stately British bureaucratic architecture studded with room after room of what used to be the offices of civil servants all linked by massive expanses of parquet floors--the building is now home to a giant box of flies sustaining themselves on the severed head of a cow, a messy bed, and of course a lamb in formaldehyde. It is, as one news article aptly put it, "a temple for controversial art." The thing that most stunned me, I suppose, was how good much of it was. Like many, the NBAs hit my radar screen when Sensation opened in Britain and continued to populate my awareness when Guliani caused such an unneccessary stir over public art funding, ostensibly because of Chris Ofili's beautiful painting. Without seeing the work, Rudy opined that "The idea of having so-called works of art in which people are throwing elephant dung at a picture of the Virgin Mary is sick." Other standouts were Myra by Marcus Harvey, Jenny Saville's magificent nude paintings, and Richard Wilson's oil tank installation 20:50. With Charles Saatchi as their patron, the NBAs couldn't help but have spot on marketing, but it's the physicality, immediacy, and provocation of the collection that makes it a collection of great art. Bob & Margaret London Saturday May 10, 2003 The first TV I watch in a week is brilliant, and as I type this I hear the cartoon character Margaret say "fucking" on TV, which makes me suddenly like Saturday Morning Cartoons, especially the ones being broadcast at 4am. All the Rage London Friday May 9, 2003 I was told today by a colleague that the latest rage among women in London is "Loss Gloss"--lip gloss with appetite inhibitors. And it's SPF 25! It will not, however, whiten your teeth. No I am not making this up. Tribal Journey Premier! London Thursday May 8, 2003 As previously reported, Tribal Journey: Celebrating Our Ancestors is premiering this month: Sunday, May 25th, 4:00 pm at the Egyptian Theatre. The SIFF 2003 website is now up so I guess that makes it official. Later that evening, a co-worker (who I don't really know but who is a friend of a Burning Man friend) premieres his film, Dominoes at the Egyptian (and what is up with all these "Egyptian Theatres"?). It's raining filmakers! In other art news, I may just have to go see The Madness of George Dubya while I'm in London as it's playing around the corner, but only for another week. Placebo Effect? London Wednesday May 7, 2003 i I wonder if there really is an experiment underway? I would think announcing it to the participants would make it, uh, less than experimental. Cuddly Geeks Seattle Monday May 5, 2003 Timing is everything. Dia had her jacket/keys/phone stolen yesterday, which sucked, but fortunately her shiny new 3650 arrived today. So after I packed for my trip we ended up cuddling in bed while I showed her snazzy phone features and with my 3650 took this picture of us taking a picture of us with her 3650. Isn't she cute? (And yes, I mean Dia, not the gadget, though it is also adorable and life enhancing). Seattle is Funny Seattle Saturday May 3, 2003 To Do Seattle Saturday May 3, 2003 A list of things I'm thinking about, working on, and want to accomplish this year, though available time and resources might seem to argue otherwise (I will not be deterred): Dia . . . give her a gift everyday, whether it's a compliment or a foot massage, or recognition of something she's done, play footsie under the covers, go to sleep and wake up together as much as possible, be understanding, love her the way she loves me . . . Health . . . get my eyes checked, get new glasses and contacts, get a physicial, continue with the gym routine, and generally shore up my physical being as I approach 40 . . .Home . . . get people to tear down and cart away decaying fence, build vegetable beds and grow food, get worm bin and compost pile operationals . . . Finances . . . develop solid budget that adequately funds projects and plans for future, including a move to SF and that compound we've drawn a picture of . . . Music . . . putting rock star ambitions on hold for another year, simply get CD collection under control and create digital music system which will aprovide for the effortless enjoyment of music wherever I am, perhaps get an iPod . . . Connections . . . consolidate the three incomplete and out of date contact databases I have with the hundreds of random bits of paper and card with contact info, and get my act together so that I can email and send snail mail to the many people I know and love, or even just like a lot . . . Fabulousness . . . some concerted thrift store shopping, fabric purchases and sewing machine utilization to create mind-twisting outfits (see: Burning Man) Joygantic . . . figure out Moveable Type, complete half-finished projects, continue to write (almost daily), turn this in a platform for something. . . Family . . . be ever more vigilante in placing phones calls, start sending cards and letter again, visit . . . Burning Man . . . help organize our camp, go to the El-Wire workshop, spend time dreaming up ideas and make them happen, create a performance art project, make my gift containers, deal with the considerable logistics . . . Work . . . get my arms around dozens of moving parts, be increasingly methodical in my approach to managing projects, of which there are many, increase efforts to acknowledge the great work of my colleagues, retain a focus on the rest of my life while continuing to kick ass, get better at knowing when I just need to step away and rejuvenate myself . . . I Owe You All Email Seattle Saturday May 3, 2003 I am remiss and generally a bad person for not sending email to Steve, Vince, Steve, David, Annie, Genie, Kathleen, Lara, Sylvia, Scott, Bill, Steve, Bradshaw, Peter, Lance, Don, Robin. On the road next week which will (cross my fingers) mean some catching up while hunkered down in a gorgeous WiFi enabled hotel in London. marginwalker.org Seattle Friday May 2, 2003 It was kinda of odd. A MeFi link led me to a new community weblog that aims to be a forum for 'cyber futurism,' which I must admit is the sort of label that conjurs up a mixture of hope and dread. It might just end up being prentenious, I think to myself, but the fact that it's being run out of Tokyo and Las Vegas tilts the scales toward hope. An email to one of the founders confirms that membership is by application. So with an email composed at midnight that to me reads like personal ad, I apply, am accepted, and now we'll see what happens. A key issue, of course, always, is time which funny enough was the first topic (more or less) that greeted me when I logged in. My post was cut short by a phone call from Europe, a parking meter about to expire, and the need to get to a meeting. Not good omens, but I'm holding out hope for participation. Overheard at the Gym Seattle Friday May 2, 2003 Voice1: Did you see Bush on the aircraft carrier? Voice2: Yeh! Ya know, he really knows how to salute well. Voice1: Well you know he was in the military--it's in his blood. Voice2: He sure looks like he's having more fun than he has the past couple of years, doesn't he? Voice1: Absolutely. It's Raining Goodness Seattle Thursday May 1, 2003 Scott called me tonight to report that his film has been accepted for the Seattle International Film Festival. SIFF has tentatively scheduled the Seattle premier of Tribal Journeys (RealVideo Clip) for Sunday May something or another (I've lost the scrap of paper I noted this on). In other pleasant developments, I met a delightful woman last night who happens to live with her husband a mere two blocks from us and who instantly seemed like someone I want to get to know. Annie is a massage therapist working exclusively with (often terminal) cancer patients. I want her to meet my mom. May Day Seattle Thursday May 1, 2003 "Workmen, let your watchword be: No compromise! Cowards to the rear! Men to the front! The die is cast. The first of May, whose historic significance will be understood and appreciated only in later years, has come." —Albert Spies, May 1886 And with that, I'm off to work.	. . . . INFO. . . . FAQ Email Mark Email Dia . . . . STUFF . . . . Vista Happy 2003 Tickets . . . . WHEREABOUTS . . . . Mark Los Angeles 8.4-8.5 (maybe) Dia Las Vegas 7.31-8.3 Mark & Dia Cancun 6.12-6.19 Solstice Parade 6.21 Salt Lake City 7.3-7.6 San Juans 7.24-7.26 Mary & Kerry Visit 8.11-8.13 Black Rock City 8.22-9.5 ~~Brazil~~ ~~11.16-12.3~~ CA 12.23-12.30 (maybe) . . . . ARCHIVE . . . . April 2003 March 2003 February 2003 January 2003 December 2002 July/August 2001 April/May/June 2001 January/February/March 2001