All-Star Game

Wow, an All-Star Game that's actually good. I was rooting for the National League but am not really that disappointed their losing streak is up to 10 now, just because it was such a good game. Also, I'm happy my Padres pitchers Jake Peavy and Trevor Hoffman both did well and gave up no runs. I'm actually really tired, as I've been up pretty late the past two nights and had a couple pints at a bar while watching the game. Have to get up tomorrow to give blood so I won't stay up late tonight.

In other "news," I'm halfway through the latest Haruki Murakami novel--novella, really; just 192 pages--and it's very good and a bit spooky. I finally got through (well, there are probably a few pieces I skipped) the Best Nonrequired Reading of 2006. There was a great Kurt Vonnegut piece in there, and for that matter, a very good Murakami short story and Gipi's Wish You Were Here in a smaller format, naturally. Speaking of comics, I began the Fell hardcover, which I'm liking although the second issue has a hilariousl bad bit of deus ex machina where a supporting character tells our lead exactly the right obscure bit of Vietnamese superstition he needs to solve his mystery; said Vietnamese practice being just what's going on in his town that's got him puzzled. It's still fun so far, though. I ordered a pretty cool Wilco lithograph that's a red claw and a blue claw framing a white dove, sort of a war and peace image, and I believe profits go to one of their charities. It will look good either in the office or my bedroom once it's matted and framed. I've decided that rather than waiting for that perfect, huge piece of art to appear so that I can define a room, I'll just put up what looks and feels good and replace or reposition as needed, and if it's a rock litho or Jordan Crane print instead of an oil painting or old Italian liquor poster, so be it.

I saw Ratatouille with the kids the other day; not sure if I mentioned that. A very good Pixar film. I wouldn't say I was moved but it was involving and smart enough for adults with its "follow your dream" theme. The voices were well-cast, animation excellent though used mostly for a heightened realism rather than a lot of really dazzling effects, and I liked that the main character, Remy, didn't go through the usual arrogance or stubbornness that most of these characters do before they get their head screwed on right. He was always doing pretty much the right thing in trying to make his two worlds meet; it's more the human supporting character, Linquini, who goes through the arrogance thing. I really enjoyed the Anton Ego food critic character and his turnaround--that was a lovely flashback, and in fact the peasant dish, ratatouille, that is prepared, really looked delicious. As something of a critic, I thought he was treated fairly--it's true that it's fun to write the negative stuff at times, but it's usually more fun to champion something great and/or new.

I actually think I'll be skipping SDCC this year. Not entirely sure, but it appears I will have my kids that weekend. They'll be just back from Maui and probably tired, and I honestly don't think SDCC is a great place for young kids, ironic though that may sound with it being full of comics and cartoons and toys and whatnot. It's also full of moving, sweating, smelling people and with a lot of walking required. We'll see. It's not the end of the world if I miss it; most of my enjoyment comes from seeing friends, and I probably should just be more active in keeping touch with them throughout the year. And vice-versa, fuckers! :)