Anklo blog

I’m convinced that being a parent is the hardest job you’ll ever have. Well, being a good parent. I suppose that it’s not particularly difficult to be a crappy parent. The stress comes with caring about the task, and more importantly, the outcome. You try your best every day. Sometimes you know you had a good moment and other times you know that you failed the immediate challenge. But the work continues, and you keep trying to improve, and in a few years you find out how you did. Wish me luck.

We spent last evening at the theatre and the whole family enjoyed The Lion King. The whole show was very impressive. I particularly like the hyena costumes.

Aaron Sorkin has created another great TV show in Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. This isn’t unexpected since his previous efforts, Sports Night and The West Wing, were excellent. There is witty, intelligent dialog with interesting, imperfect characters.

In Studio 60 I’ve noticed some autobiographical elements. Partners doing a TV show (Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme), one with a substance abuse problem (Sorkin), one burning out by doing it all himself (Sorkin again), and maybe more. I haven’t researched Schlamme’s history to know if there is more of him in the characters. Maybe I’ll dig a little and see what I can find.

The show is great on it’s own and these personal elements are icing on the cake.

I used to be interested in sports. It used to entertaining. Now, with few exceptions, it’s just boring. The outcome is inconsequential because there will be another game tomorrow. And the day after, and again after that. For me the worst offender is NASCAR. The 2006 Nextel Cup schedule has 36 races, plus special events, starting in February and ending in November. Hockey is almost as bad, and the NBA and MLB are close. Only the NFL schedule is close to reasonable and even it is too long.

The reason for the long schedules isn’t a mystery. Just follow the money. As long as there are butts in the seats, then they’ll play the games. I still enjoy a game here and there. I try to watch the F1 races (there are only 16) and catch the Hurricanes when I have a chance. If not, wait a day or two and tune in then.

I’m happy to say that I have other things to do with my money and my life.

Woke up with a bit of a hangover this morning. Not happy about it, but I know the cause so I don’t have a right to complain. I did a quick search for a relevant quote and found one that I liked.

I think a man ought to get drunk at least twice a year just on principle, so he won’t let himself get snotty about it.

~Raymond Chandler