elan.org - News Entries - December, 2000 to Now

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elan.org > Writing > News Entries - December, 2000 to Now

Saturday, May 3, 2003
Tonight: Wowowowowow!

1:04 AM

Tuesday, April 29, 2003
"We only become what we are by the radical and deep-seeded refusal of that which others have made of us."
- Jean-Paul Sartre

1:58 AM

Thursday, April 24, 2003
The story of my life is resisting my life.

6:03 AM

Monday, April 21, 2003
I'm flying down to L.A. tomorrow for the day to shoot a commercial. Should be tons of fun and excitement. I'll be singing. :)

10:36 AM

"Anger as soon as fed is dead
'Tis starving makes it fat."
- Emily Dickinson

2:37 AM

Friday, April 18, 2003
I want to help search engines find some stuff I've been working on out there. First of all, someone in my singing class is starting to sell handwritten greeting cards. Plus, I just updated my dad's live band's web site with videos and pictures. My headshots have been working so well for me that I want send a shout out to my headshot photographer. Rick decided my headshot was worth sharing on his web site (click Men then the picture on the bottom row). Oh, and one more site I need to mention (a sexy, young vocalist named brooke lyn). That's it for now. Gotta go memorize some lines for the shoot tonight.

1:42 AM

Woah, someone has to follow up on this one.

2:48 AM

Thursday, April 17, 2003
Matzah, avocado and lox is the way to go.

11:03 AM

Wednesday, April 9, 2003
"As he thinks in his heart, so he is."
- Jewish Proverb

9:23 AM

Monday, April 7, 2003
"If there is no wind, row."
- Latin Proverb

2:18 AM

Thursday, April 3, 2003
I'm getting rid of some my books. I have two paperback copies of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Anybody want one for free? :)

11:38 AM

Wednesday, April 2, 2003
I just ran across this article discussing something I designed six years ago. I was 20 at the time and still in college. It is weird to read about myself in third person, especially six years after it happened.

10:57 AM

"Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped."
- African Proverb

12:55 PM

Read news entries:

All News Entries
December, 2000 to Now
November, 2000
October, 2000
September, 2000
August, 2000
July, 2000
June, 2000
May, 2000
April, 2000
January to March, 2000
September to December, 1999
May to August, 1999
December, 1998 to April, 1999

Wednesday, March 26, 2003
One of the girls in my acting class creates custom greeting cards and stationary. She wants to make this into her next career and I helped her scan in some of her cards yesterday. Take a look at A Spoonful of Poetry.

10:14 PM

Brooke passed this on to me last week: Funny interpretations of the new U.S. government emergency signs.

4:29 PM

Wednesday, March 19, 2003
Interesting: Who Really Wins the Oscars.

9:27 AM

"One rotten beam can make a whole house collapse."
- Russian Proverb

12:13 PM

Monday, March 17, 2003
Bush, you have 48 hours to resign or your life will be threatened.

10:23 AM

This is the beauty that comes from war.

10:23 AM

Tuesday, March 4, 2003
Please sign the emergency petition asking the U.N. security council not to allow war in Iraq.

9:24 AM

Monday, March 3, 2003
What a freaking weekend. I moved in on Saturday after hell packing the four days prior. I have a lot of stuff. Most of it is in boxes in my new apartment all around me right now. I'm using AOL 1025 hours free dialup to get online from a laptop. DSL won't come for another week, not that I have time to do anything on the computer until I unpack all these boxes. In the midst of all this I auditioned yesterday for 70+ bay area theater casting agents. Nothing quite like singing for your first time in front of an audience as an adult to casting agents. Actually, it was tons of fun and too bad it was all over in two minutes. My first adventure today was trying to find a spoon. I think I moved 8 boxes and opened six of them. They are labeled. Okay, better not use up my 1025 free hours by next week.

12:14 PM

Thursday, February 27, 2003
Packing is a bitch. Unpacking is more fun. I signed a lease on a new one bedroom apartment in San Francisco. I will be living one block from the USF gym, two blocks from Golden Gate Park (where I play volleyball and can run) and two blocks from Geary where there are plenty of Korean restaurants, supermarkets, Russian food stores and an express bus line going downtown to my acting and singing classes. Not only that but I got a great deal and it includes parking. I'm moving in tomorrow and Saturday. I have even more stuff now than before because I inherited stuff that Jason left. I will be selling a bunch of stuff once I move out. It will be nice to lighten the load (when you have little storage space it makes you question what you really need) and make some side cash for things to purchase that the apartment really needs. I'm excited to live alone. It's the definite next step.

3:36 PM

"Art is the illusion of spontaneity."
- Japanese Proverb

10:37 AM

Wednesday, February 26, 2003
The Bagel Dance for all the Jews out there. Wait for the music to load, it's funny.

11:34 AM

Has anyone ever tried using tea leaves to color and scent the water in their toilet?

11:33 AM

Laura shares this in her away message: Super Mack Daddy Mario (funny stuff and good music).

12:28 PM

Friday, February 21, 2003
"Any fine morning, a power saw can fell a tree that took a thousand years to grow."
- Edwin Teale

11:57 AM

Tuesday, February 18, 2003
I don't think wireless live power is possible (safely). But, apparently, charging mobile devices is (very cool, very convinient).

3:12 AM

Monday, February 17, 2003
Some away messages from my friends and family back east:

It would be nice if I could get out of my damn driveway! CALL ME!!!
shoveling....
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HOLY SH*T IM ABOUT TO FLIP THE FU*K OUT!!!!!!!!! I can't stay home any longerrrrrrr!! STOP SNOWING ALREADY!!!!

You pour souls. I miss being part of the snowy fun. My parents are stuck in New Orleans. They have to spend two extra days there cause they can't get a flight out until Wednesday.

3:04 AM

Read news entries:

Friday, February 14, 2003
This came across my email (from Brooke Lyn) and I haven't been able to find a web page that contains this full version anywhere. This is sung to the tune of "If you're happy and you know it":

If you cannot find Osama, bomb Iraq.
If the markets are a drama, bomb Iraq.
If the terrorists are frisky,
Pakistan is looking shifty,
North Korea is too risky,
Bomb Iraq.

If we have no allies with us, bomb Iraq.
If we think that someone's dissed us, bomb Iraq.
So to hell with the inspections,
Let's look tough for the elections,
Close your mind and take directions,
Bomb Iraq.

It's pre-emptive non-aggression, bomb Iraq.
To prevent this mass destruction, bomb Iraq.
They've got weapons we can't see,
And that's all the proof we need,
If they're not there, they must be there,
Bomb Iraq.

If you never were elected, bomb Iraq.
If your mood is quite dejected, bomb Iraq.
If you think Saddam's gone mad,
With the weapons that he had,
And he tried to kill your dad,
Bomb Iraq.

If corporate fraud is growin', bomb Iraq.
If your ties to it are showin', bomb Iraq.
If your politics are sleazy,
And hiding that ain't easy,
And your manhood's getting queasy,
Bomb Iraq.

Fall in line and follow orders, bomb Iraq.
For our might knows not our borders, bomb Iraq.
Disagree? We'll call it treason,
Let's make war not love this season,
Even if we have no reason,
Bomb Iraq.

Ahhhh.... music.

1:14 AM

Wednesday, February 12, 2003
Tomorrow night the play I have been working on for the last month goes up. It's a one-act about three people that work in the Alice in Wonderland unit of Disneyland. It is called The Alice Unit. The play is part of the second annual Bay Area One Act festival. I am on stage wearing a white rabbit suit Thursday through Sunday (Feb. 13-16). You can buy tickets on ticketweb. It is a fun piece, as well as the other three one-acts that you will see in the show. If I make reservations for you, you get a discount!

4:39 AM

I forwarded an email to my law-school-graduate-political-science-major-friend Dave about the massive anti-war grassroots campaign that moveon.org is spearheading. His response:

Actually, I hadn't seen that one. Kind of cool. I'm not really sure anything domestically will make a difference right now. The Bush Administration has yet to give any indication that its actions are meaningfully shaped by what the people think or want. The Bushies want this war with Iraq. They want it bad. They're making stupid logical connections like "Osama bin Laden thinks the US bombing a Muslim country is a bad thing and wants Muslims to resist. Therefore, there is clearly a link between Iraq and al Qaeda." And the American people are buying it. I'm not sure billboards and signs will help, but I hope they do.

Rogue leaders...

2:12 AM

That fact that he didn't win his position as a leader of his people makes it even more bitter that he is making the world hate us. Leaders serve those that elect them, not themselves. God, if only Mrs. G. W. Bush gave better head. This culture rewards too many people that lead with their brain instead of their hearts.

12:27 PM

Tuesday, February 11, 2003
Compassion is more important than being right.

5:57 AM

Your mere existence is a tease.

4:21 AM

Saturday, February 8, 2003
The sky has been incredibly clear over the Bay Area the last few nights. Driving by the ocean today on the way back from watching a classmate in a musical play, I could see so many stars. The perceived serenity up there was a beautiful contrast to the fear and ferocity in the hearts of so many on planet Earth.

12:26 PM

I can do anything.

12:24 PM

Friday, February 7, 2003
Today's links come from Jason and Perry:

Smurfette gettin' down (with Papa smurf waiting in the wings, something we've all wanted to see)
Bush's explanation of the why and what for going to war in Iraq.

It's up to you to figure out who sent me which.

12:10 PM

Thursday, February 6, 2003
Watch what could happen if we go to war in Iraq. The ramifications are huge and all for some money, maybe.

12:01 PM

Tuesday, February 4, 2003
I don't drink carbonated beverages, but I feel so cool drinking coke out of a glass bottle. I've found that I can drink the coke that is bottled in Mexico (and is sold in the a bunch of Burrito joints in the Mission) because it is mildly carbonated has a high content of real sugar.

3:32 AM

Monday, February 3, 2003
An earthquake got me out of bed this morning. It didn't physically knock me out, but it was as though someone put a quarter in a slot next to my bed. Once I found out where it was, I found it strange that I felt, because I'm not that close to where the epicenter was.
Okay, so there have been two more while I was sitting around writing this. It's been a very active morning and my instinct is that there will be one or two bigger ones, but that could just be the unknown fear cells in my body talking.

10:45 AM

Saturday, February 1, 2003
Spicy curry causes the most intense dreams. I was having a nightmare last night about Mel Gibson playing an insane character who thinks he is secret agent in the 1800's. He was being changed by the government. I was doing the things he does and he was trying to convince me that I was sane. Bad curry is bad. Questionable curry is bad. Don't eat it.

11:33 AM

Tuesday, January 28, 2003
You know you're making the right choices when your life brings you to new emotionally adventerous things everyday.

12:38 AM

"We use the Middle Ages as a time of horrors so as to convince ourselves, despite modern atrocities, that we live in a much better time."
- Patricia Ingham, associate professor of English at Lehigh University

12:36 AM

Read news entries:

Monday, January 27, 2003
"The impersonal hand of government [or media] can never replace the helping hand of a neighbor."
- Hubert H. Humphrey

9:51 AM

Sunday, January 26, 2003
My tendency to give love in inappropriate places (or where it won't be returned) is pretty hard-wired. I mean, it is scarier to give love where you will receive it. I think my emotional association with love is overwhelming and I hate being overwhelmed. In a sense, that is how I learned to feel it in my early years. Time for another big change.

2:37 AM

Friday, January 24, 2003
This is intense. 12-month old babies learn emotional cues from television. Becareful what they watch...

7:07 PM

Thursday, January 23, 2003
Oh God this is a hard one for me to learn: "Do not rejoice over what has not yet happened."
- Egyptian Proverb

3:30 AM

Wednesday, January 22, 2003
Kirk Cameron all grown up.

1:23 AM

"He that lies on the floor doesn't fall down."
- Norwegian Proverb

1:12 AM

Friday, January 17, 2003
I was browsing Fray tonight. I landed on the New Year resolution question. I decided to finally express in words what I've been mulling over the last month.

12:30 AM

No matter how much I try to force myself, ice cream doesn't taste good anymore. My tongue is becoming more and more anti-sugar. That's okay, because I think I've had 40 years worth already.

12:00 AM

Wednesday, January 15, 2003
Not only are the bagels not so good at Noah's, but the people that work there can't follow directions either.

2:08 PM

Prevent this, hire interaction designers.

11:39 AM

What happens when everyone's cell phone has a camera in it? Now everyone can gather evidence of wronged behavior and privacy becomes a bigger issue. Cellphones are now banned in the locker room of a fitness center in Hong Kong.

11:16 AM

Monday, January 13, 2003
I sent 3,622 messages in 2002. That averages almost 10 a day. Hmmm.

11:47 PM

Saturday, January 11, 2003
Marines and various special forces are being shipped out. Some are going to Iraq. Now some are staying in Asia to be near North Korea. Apparently, we'll be fighting two (if not more) countries simultaneously. I have some friends that have contacts in these various groups. The sad news is that those young, dedicated and loyal humans serving us in these wars don't believe in them. They see it for what it is. You know what happens when soldiers fight without believing? There are more casualties on the side that doesn't believe. War and death are horrible on a large or small scale. War fought with principles behind them is sometimes necessary, but greed isn't a principle.

10:36 PM

I know we are just starting the third year of this decade, but I would like to give it a name. We are in the Decade of Carnage.

10:33 PM

Friday, January 10, 2003
Now that's a couple with balls: Luggage bomb hoax lands couple in jail.

7:12 AM

Read news entries:

Thursday, January 9, 2003
Courtesy of Jason: Blogs and camera phones. I say duh! Pictures emailed to friends or your own web site are the killer phone app for 2003.

7:53 PM

This is insane. I no longer have any cravings for ice cream. It just sits there in my freezer growing little ice jaggies. How far I've come from my ice cream as oxygen years.

6:09 PM

Time to you have your entire music collection available anywhere in your house with no lose of sound quality: SLIMP3. The only problem is you need to run an ethernet wire to the remote location. The next version of the product should just run it over the electrical lines. You can probably use it with products like Neverwire 14 or Homeplug Powerline, but they are not cheap options. You could always do wireless: Linksys Ethernet to Wireless Bridge
This is the feature that will hook me:

Can I use the SLIMP3 as an alarm clock?

The SLIMP3 shows the current date and time when not in use. A more sophisticated alarm clock feature will soon be available, which will allow you to set up daily alarms with music of your choice.

I was going to buy a new alarm clock that allowed me to wake up to something more pleasant, but this will work even better.

4:22 PM

Last night I truly found something that is easier done than said.

1:37 AM

"The beginning of sin is sweet; its end is bitter."
- Japanese Proverb

1:37 AM

Tuesday, January 7, 2003
Top 10 taboo topics for first dates. A few months ago I was on a first date during which this older woman covered three of the taboo topics during our first two hours together. Let's just say while sitting near the fireplace in the french restaurant I did not need to hear about her irregular pap smear.

10:16 PM

There is a smoked salmon shortage in the Bay Area and it's seriously affecting my ability to be happy in the morning.
Did you know that farmed salmon have lower Omega-3 acids than free roaming salmon? That's what ecologist, designer, musician, mac(intosh) daddy Chadster says. I suspect they also taste better. For free roaming good tasting salmon, Nikki recommends sockeye.

10:01 PM

Monday, January 6, 2003
"After the game, the king and pawn go into the same box."
- Italian Proverb

9:09 AM

Saturday, January 4, 2003
San Francisco is the 3rd fittest city in the country.

1:39 AM

Thursday, January 2, 2003
You can't compare our love to a lollipop.

6:59 PM

Imagine your best friend coming to you with that deep look of need in their eyes. You sit, you focus, you give with your heart and entire self and listen and engage like there is no tomorrow. You were there. He needed and you gave. He is better for it. How about treating your body (or entire self) with that much time, respect, and love when it calls out to you?

12:52 AM

Wednesday, January 1, 2003
Cam read and linked to an article with a very inticing title (for me at least): What Should I Do with My Life? It is a wonderful article. Apparently, Po Bronson who has written a slew of great books has been interviewing "successful" folks for the last two years and cultivating what works. His latest book debunks many popular myths of what to do with lives and how we define success. He goes into it in the article which I would recommend taking the time to read. Bonus for me was the last few paragraphs where he has interviewed the person (a complete suprise to me) I have been seeing for bodywork for the last two years. Her passion for her work comes through and gives me life. I'm ecstatic to see her discovered.

11:05 PM

I just saw Zoolander. My first movie of 2003. May it serve as a wonderful example of how to live this year.

10:45 PM

Monday, December 30, 2002
I like open spaces. I like being alone only when I have places to go. I like to sing streams of conciousness to the tune of Johnny Comes Marching Home. Charlie and Julia went to Europe for a month. Their absence has made the apartment a quiet place. I've also given them notice that I'm moving out March 1. Time for eboy to become cityboy.

12:09 AM

Tuesday, December 24, 2002
A must must must read: Coffee, Tea, or Should We Feel Your Pregnant Wife’s Breasts Before Throwing You in a Cell at the Airport and Then Lying About Why We Put You There? Our freedom is already gone. The terrorists are winning.

2:17 AM

Sunday, December 22, 2002
Why is everyone running around saying we're not at war yet when we're already at war and have been for a while? What a selfish governement we have.

12:42 PM

Friday, December 20, 2002
"Many people lose their tempers merely from seeing you keep yours."
- Frank Moore Colby

10:26 AM

I figured it out tonight while talking to a close friend. These days I want to share more with less people.

1:36 AM

Read news entries:

Wednesday, December 18, 2002
In other news: Elan apartment hunting in Noe Valley, Pepsi dumbs Britney, Elan's classes and performances are over til 2003, Richard Gere opens an AIDS care home in India, Elan lacks enough sleep, Burger King employee assaulted with milkshake, Elan deems everything newsworthy.

11:49 PM

I got called hippie last night. That was my first.

9:38 AM

Wednesday, December 11, 2002
My hair is longer than I usually let it be. It'll be cut on Friday, but for now, I'm actually enjoying running my hands through it.

11:28 PM

Saturday, December 7, 2002
An adorable computer case created from legos covered in little lego people.

6:36 AM

Thursday, December 5, 2002
Mom gave me some clementines to eat. I'll go have one now. Life is quite busy now. Nikki and I are working on a project for Proficient Networks. I have an improv show coming up a week from Monday. You are all invited. I've been busy with improv class and rehearsals. By rehearsing, I mean we are practicing improvising together and playing improv games. Nothing you will see performed has ever been performed before. I'm TAing another Improv class and I've just started taking singing lessons. On top of that I'm having fun with new friends in my life. Then there are holiday parties. Of course, sleep is my favorite activity. Busy, blah, blah, blah. The point is, I'm doing what I like, I'm confident about my choices, I trust my actions and I'm having fun. What the hell else do you want in life?

11:14 PM

Tuesday, December 3, 2002
I'm back home in California. Wow. I missed it.

12:12 PM

Saturday, November 30, 2002
Yodels aren't sold in California. I want things I can't have. I was in a Krause's market tonight and saw some on the shelf. Just because you can doesn't mean you should.
I just discovered Hometown Treats. You can order food from all the major regions of the U.S. I can order Yodels online. Just because you can doesn't mean you should. I also just found the yankee blogger. It's written by a former New Yorker who moved to California for 11 years and just moved back to Jersey. We agree on a lot. His list of reasons to be thankful for Jersey is pretty dead-on. I could always move back to Jersey. Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

11:00 PM

Friday, November 29, 2002
You will be objectified and have my utmost respect.
You will be abused and loved unconditionally.
You will be my mediocrity and extremes.
You will be my hate and my love.

Come.

11:31 PM

Wednesday, November 27, 2002
Currently spinning: Na Na Na Na Re by Daler Mehndi. Go download your favorite Bhangra today.

8:56 AM

So, who knows something about dream interpretation or how to learn about it? I'm at the point where I am seem to be regularly remembering what they are now. I feel like there are consistent themes and I don't seem to be getting the message. Any pointers? Please email.

Hmmm.... maybe the quote that just came across email means something: "A clear conscience sleeps during thunder."
- Jamaican Proverb

2:49 AM

Sunday, November 24, 2002
Fresh bagels are just so damn good. My mom mails me Fair Lawn bagels to California. I freeze them right away and toast them before eating. Those frozen bagels are better than any fresh ones I can find in the Bay area. But, in the end, nothing beats fresh bagels. I flew in on the red-eye today and we picked up bagels at 7AM in Fair Lawn and they were just da bomb. I'm in Jersey for a week.

11:30 PM

Monday, November 18, 2002
I'd love to see ketchup or salt advertised in the U.S. like soy sauce is in Asia: SoySauceMan (aka Kikkoman)!

6:43 PM

We are now one BIG step closer to a useful and efficient digital organizer thanks to FranklinCovey.

11:39 AM

"Craftiness must have clothes, but truth loves to go naked."
- English Proverb

10:44 AM

Read news entries:

Saturday, November 16, 2002
Chad is right. Kim has written a good article on Persona creation. As I know it, this is the first time some of this information has been shared in public written form.

2:08 PM

Friday, November 15, 2002

I am incredibly inspired by Alanis. The world needs to see more of her. That includes me.

6:07 PM

Hey designer boys... Cooper has launched a new web site. They even put up a case study of a project I worked on.

5:27 PM

When did rap start being called hip-hop? Why does Celine Dion make herself look like she's 45 when she's in her early 30's?

12:46 AM

Wednesday, November 13, 2002
It sucks trying to feel an emotion that you really want to, but because of your body's habits of not letting you feel it, you can't. It also stinks sending a strong emotion to somebody and not getting it in return. But, that's 1st grade in emotional school. Unfortunately, being animals we're always in 1st grade.

12:33 AM

Tuesday, November 12, 2002
Dave found a great article: Bush Seeks U.N. Support for 'U.S. Does Whatever It Wants' Plan,

2:48 AM

Feeling alone is the theme these days. I think I finally understand why people have pets.

2:41 AM

"The art of pleasing is the art of deceiving." - French Proverb

There is the French for you.

2:40 AM

I was at the Rangers game tonight. I went with a stranger who responded to my ad on Craigslist. I think she enjoyed it even more than I did. We sat in the second row behind the Sharks' bench. We could count the hairs (or lack there of) on the coach's head. The Rangers kicked butt. That was the closest I've ever been to the action. The sound of checks and the puck hitting the boards by us was thrilling. I don't think I could see a game again without seats like that.

2:36 AM

Monday, November 11, 2002
Is there not a strangeness to this one: "In bad things be slow; in good things be quick." - Afghan Proverb

11:35 AM

Friday, November 8, 2002
Okay peeps, you have two and a half days to see my minor role in a very funny Moliere production. Tonight at 8pm, Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm. Details are about halfway down the page on Foothill's home page (look for Moliere! Moliere!).

5:17 PM

Wednesday, November 6, 2002
I like to give.

8:46 PM

I have no doubt that the appearance of Charlton Heston Presents the Bible infomercials is a direct response to the PR nightmare his existence in Bowling for Columbine presents. After all, Heston recorded it almost 10 years ago. See the movie, will ya?

1:52 PM

I'm sorry, but this is incredible funny. The first one you watch is funnier than the rest, but they all have their moments. Thank you Janna for pointing them out.

12:55 AM

I saw Bowling for Columbine. It should be required viewing for anybody breathing in this country. It will undoubtedly piss of a lot of people, but those people need to look at their anger as a sign of reflection. Of course they won't, but meanwhile we can laugh at them. We also need to take a hard look inside to see how we contribute to the whole fear/consumption factor.

12:35 AM

I'm on a total high because I helped teach an Improv class tonight. It was the second time I taught and I was much more relaxed tonight. I think that because I was relaxed it turned out to be a much better experience. I think the student learned tons and I learned tons teaching. In fact, I think expressing what I had in my head helped me solidify it for myself and I know when I need to show it in a scene I'll be more confident doing it. I got tons to learn, but it's nice to feel that I've learned enough of something to help others find a way to enjoy it.

12:33 AM

Does anybody know why older people walk with a cane? Is it because there they have a bad leg and they need a mini-crutch or is it because they are a look stool and the third leg provides more stability? I need to know so I can improvise correctly. :)

12:32 AM

Monday, November 4, 2002
I'm still looking for someone to accompany me to the Rangers vs. San Jose Sharks game next Monday (Nov. 11). I have tickets for the 4th row behind the Sharks bench (for two of three periods). They aren't cheap, but they are hard to get. Let me know if you may be interested or know someone who is...

11:16 PM

"An age is called Dark, not because the light fails to shine, but because people refuse to see it." - James A. Michener

11:28 AM

Saturday, November 2, 2002
Airline water ain't safe.

9:09 AM

Friday, November 1, 2002
Christina pointed out Courture (fashion with women's body parts sketched on the outside of the clothing). I find it incredible ugly. Anyone's imagination is better than reality in such regards.

5:07 PM

ELAN: the magazine for successful women.

12:12 PM

"A little help is better than a lot of pity."
- Celtic Proverb

2:47 AM

Read news entries:

Thursday, October 31, 2002
Canceling "girls club" isn't a bonus for the acting business in SF.

5:14 PM

Wednesday, October 30, 2002
Danielle sent this over. It's a great game to learn: get it in the condom.

10:43 PM

Monday, October 28, 2002
"A man cannot sleep in his cradle: whatever is useful must in the nature of life become useless."
- Walter Lippmann

9:36 AM

Sunday, October 27, 2002
The shoot was the da bomb today. The director and DP (director of photography) were really professional. They took really good care of us. Plus, I'm glad I liked the leading lady. It was important considering how intimate the scene was. Post-production should take until January. Then I came home to news that someone liked something I wrote enough to make it part of their AIM profile.

9:16 PM

Good morning! These film people really like to get up early. We have our shoot today at the beach. This is a first for me. We'll see how it goes. Only one nick shaving today. So, I may actually look 18.

5:23 AM

Thursday, October 24, 2002
Ever have the urge to run around and say I love you to somebody and it really didn't matter to whom?

2:54 PM

Tuesday, October 22, 2002
Cam pointed to this primer for visiting New York. It's dead on.

11:51 PM

Since I don't have the time to write a long explanation, I'll just blurt it out. I'm really busy this week because I'm in tech week for a Moliere play. I have a very very small part. The play opens Friday. More on that later (maybe). Plus, I just got cast as a lead (playing a 18-year old Jewish boy experiencing youthful love) in a Independent Film workshop/trailer. Someone has a full-length feature film they want to make and they need more money, so they are paying two of us (this other adorable girl and me) to do an all day shoot at the beach on Sunday. We also have two rehearsals this week. I think that will be my first official paycheck for acting. No, wait, I just remembered I got $20 a show for an off-off-broadway musical I did as a 12-year old. Anyway, life is fun and I'm meeting tons of new cool people. Back to living...

11:32 PM

Jason, Ryan's subtle advice is good for anybody, not just world travelers.

11:28 PM

Monday, October 21, 2002
Green onions are my new best friend thanks to my favorite Greek, Nikki.

11:25 PM

Something I read on a plane recently:

Psychologist Sidney Jourard monitored casual touch among couples in cafes throughout the world and found that U.S. couples scored among the lowest, touching only twice per hour, while Puerto Rican couples touched 180 times. French parents and children touch one another three times more frequently than their American counterparts, which could have important societal consequences.

Just touch 'em.

2:10 PM

I have an extra ticket to a New York Rangers vs. San Jose Sharks game. I think it's the fourth row. Who wants to go with me? I need protection because I'll be wearing my Rangers jersey. The ticket isn't cheap, but the company is. :)

1:40 PM

Sunday, October 20, 2002
Baseball has an all California final this year. It is clearly Northern California vs. Southern California. If it was New York vs. New Jersey there would be all sorts of trash talking about the other team. But, San Franciscan's are so self-restrained.

10:14 AM

Friday, October 18, 2002
I feel for Winona. Someone really has it in for her and she so doesn't deserve it.

8:23 PM

Thursday, October 17, 2002
John Perry Barlow always hits things on the nose. The whole anti-bombing Iraq issue is a wonderful example of all-talk and not a lot of action.

4:55 PM

I've been dancing at the nightclubs in Kuta, Bali. There goes tourism for that town. I definitely don't trust their ability to keep it secure.

3:07 PM

Evening at the Improv: a Time Magazine article on how sitcoms are using Improv to entertain their audiences and keep the actors' energy up on the set.

2:52 PM

Read news entries:

Wednesday, October 16, 2002
I'm on a kick to unsubscribe from every mailing list that fills up my Inbox and every time I get a message (SPAM) that I don't want I create a rule so it automatically gets deleted next time. We'll see if any of this works so I can actually see personal messages that need responses.

11:42 PM

Friday, October 11, 2002
Some part of me feels bad for leaving up such a message of sadness with no other comments for so long, but part of me is like, if I feel sad, then why rush to cover up, right? Anyway, I haven't been sad the last four days, just away in Las Vegas. More on that later, but first I wanted to share that I came home to a power surge in the house and a fried power supply and motherboard in my computer. This makes me without computer and email for a while. I'm not sure how long, but this means I can't work as well as catch up or communicate. Plus my cell phone is on it's way out. I'm at the place that I bought my computer from hoping to get it fixed cheaply.

2:38 PM

Monday, October 7, 2002
Depeche Mode lyrics that hit me deep tonight:

I'll be fine
I'll be waiting patiently
Till you see the signs
And come running to my open arms
When will you realize
Do we have to wait till our worlds collide
Open up your eyes
You can't turn back the tide

Don't say you want me
Don't say you need me
Don't say you love me
It's understood
Don't say you're happy
Out there without me
I know you can't be
'Cause it's no good

This song used to be bring up someone else in my mind.

11:23 PM

I like being sad. It is comfortable and familiar. Something about it is close to home. So I like sitting with it. Even talking about it, sharing it, trying to understand it and using it. It's a peaceful feeling, too. Sometimes I still don't let myself feel it, but I am now and it is what it is.

11:20 PM

"Enjoy yourself; it's later than you think."
- Chinese Proverb

9:31 AM

Sunday, October 6, 2002
The present moment is best when you're not laying old expectations on it. Shutting off this habit can can sometimes be achieved by not sleeping enough.

6:45 PM

Sometimes just honesty and stepping through the fear of saying something personal is more than enough to make a wonderful evening. Other times, just two right people coming together makes whole night perfect. It's an illusion that isn't in our control. All we can do is feel along with the ride.

4:47 PM

Even the students at my alma mater's school paper are smart enough to spread one of Reuter's articles about a second Persian Gulf war hurting the economy.

4:41 PM

Saturday, October 5, 2002
My friend Lucero (who I met earlier this year in a Physical Acting class) just moved back to Mexico to be a clown. She works with kids in hospitals like Patch Adams. I'm planning on going to Mexico with some other San Francisco clowns in January and touring around Mexico City putting on shows.

2:36 PM

What exactly happens when a fish drowns?

2:33 PM

Wednesday, October 2, 2002
Cam points to this today: Masturbate for Peace.

12:15 AM

Tuesday, October 1, 2002
How long has Arafat been lying? Why doesn't W. Bush go kill him? Oh yeah, Arafat hasn't tried to kill W. Bush's father. Wait, wasn't W. Bush's father trying to kill Saddam? Why are we allowing the President of our country run around like a vengeful teenager in pursuit of a personal vendetta that's clearly in line with the policy his Texan oil boys want? Why is he allowed to undue years of good foreign relations with selfish action? Why am I wasting my emotional energy on him?

11:42 PM

For those in the Bay Area, you must go see Dreams of the Salthorse. It isn't light entertainment. It is the best live acting I have ever seen.

11:21 PM

There is a fun article in the New Yorker on the theory of what it means to be busy. It's not online, but in the September 30, 2002 issue. The author spends a lot of time talking about his three-year old daughter and her imaginary friend, Charlie Ravioli. The main issue with Charlie, is that he is always too busy to spend any time with the author's daugther. In fact, she's always calling him on her toy cell phone and leaving him messages. Sometimes she runs into him on the street and they do lunch, but usually she's complaining about how he is too busy to spend any time with her. It gets worse, later she starts talking to Laurie about Charlie. Later the author realizes, Laurie, is the imaginary assistant to Charlie, and she is now taking messages for Charlie and telling her Charlie is in a meeting or too busy to play. The author's sister is a child psychologist in California. She recommends the author's family move out of Manhattan. (In fact, it looks like Peter just read the same article.)

1:59 PM

Google has a new news service. I doubt an automated method will be better than one involving many experience humans. But, I know their service will provide a more balanced and wordly view on news than typical U.S. news services.

1:07 PM

I don't know where I picked up the phrase "I miss your ass." I only say that to men, of course. There is something primal about adding the word ass that makes it okay to express the missing emotion to male. At the same time, there is something about adding "ass" that makes expressing that very not okay to a male.

12:28 PM

I wonder if Jason is aware that he's already starting to write like a foreigner. He used the word "que" instead of "line." I wonder if he knows he spelled it wrong. (elan's note: damn, he just fixed it.)

10:49 AM

Thursday, September 26, 2002
I had film and theater auditions today. I had to dust off those monologues from this summer. The stage audition was for two Moliere plays. They kept some of us of two and half hours. I'm tired. I think I cold-read for every male part. I'll know if I got the role on Saturday night. Tomorrow I am waking up before 6 to do some unpaid extra work for a film. I'll be jogging the same 30 ft over and over under the Golden Gate Bridge tomorrow morning. Plus, I'm reading the screenplay to Swingers for Film Acting class. All this makes me feel like I live in L.A. and am a struggling actor or something.

10:38 PM

Project a keyboard on a flat surface and type away (via Jesse). So, the technology is possible. This is great. Like all new virtual technologies, the first thing to do is fully replicate a physical device. Once they've mastered how to project a keyboard, they'll finally think to create other interfaces. How about modifications or additions to the keyboard depending on what software you use. I could see the same device projecting sliders and dials for use with a music application. Projecting a toolbar or any interace and making an interaction similar to a touch-sensitive screen (but with larger targets for your fingers than are possible with a PDA). Lots of possibilities...

11:23 AM

Tuesday, September 24, 2002
I found a little piece of paper that has a smiley face on it. It says underneath "You're fun & I love you Elan." Fearful that you may be reading this, I admit that I don't remember who the paper is from. It was given to me in the last three weeks. That said, I find it interesting trying to remember. But, what's even more revealing to me is who I hope it's from.

10:24 PM

Monday, September 23, 2002
People are people no matter the package.

8:03 PM

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Friday, September 20, 2002
The 'rents have been dropped of at the airport. My freezer and fridge is full. No hinges squeak in this house. We have a working dryer and dish washer. The doorbell now rings. This is what my parent's do on their vacation. I'm cross country so they can't help me with life on a daily basis, so that pack it all into the week they had here. The spa in Napa was a nice break in the middle. My mom taught to make two more of my favorite dishes and I played the longest card game ever with my dad. After I dropped them off I felt the need to buy lotto tickets. So I did.

1:30 PM

Monday, September 16, 2002
Nelson Mandela has some harsh, but what I believe to be accurate words about how the United States is portrayed in the world (via Brad). I don't enjoy living in a country where the leader constantly chooses the path opposite of what I would choose.

11:48 PM

You know fasting is getting to you when the paper pages of your prayer book smell edible.

7:06 PM

Saturday, September 14, 2002
There are not enough hours to express the things I feel. I really really really miss Jason. He is already having a wonderful time on his journey to school and I know it's going to get even more interesting. Besides, he's a great writer, knows what he's feeling and isn't afraid to share his most human moments. Perhaps that is why I really enjoyed his company.

12:21 AM

The parents are here. I'm on the couch. First Film Acting class tomorrow. I can't wait to see Tad. Life will be an adventure while they're here for a week, especially with Yom Kippur and the trip to Napa.

12:11 AM

Thursday, September 12, 2002
Sometimes I do learn:

Needy girls look at you with different eyes. I will decrease my attraction factor to those eyes.
I have always striked pre-emptively to protect myself.
Love is for real. Nothing hurts or pleasures more.

Space left intentionally not blank.

11:51 PM

Freedom comes freeing your emotions. Let them out of your intellectual jail cell.

1:07 AM

Wednesday, September 11, 2002
Someone isn't falling asleep easily.

2:12 AM

Tuesday, September 10, 2002
What's the point of going to the dentist if it hurts more after the visit?

12:15 PM

Monday, September 9, 2002
I changed the image at the bottom of this page to a picture of people I really miss.

11:26 PM

One of the reasons I love Improv is because it is practice for real life. You get to be in abnormal situations as different characters with different dispositions. You play and explore another part of yourself in another world. Then in your life when the opportunity presents itself to approach life with a different disposition you do it. At least, that's the theory. But I can't seem to do it in moments when I need it most--the ones where I am most me. But, then maybe those are the moments right as they are. These days I just don't know anymore.

10:42 PM

My new car has a repeat function for CD songs (not just entire CDs, like the old car). This is a double-edged sword. Tonight it was what I wanted, but not necessarily what I needed. I played (and sang along with) Aimee Mann's One on repeat all the way home after a great dinner and a beautiful time on the beach watching the moon shine on a beautiful face. Though, we were sure the moon was setting (I didn't know that was possible). Sometimes I just need to accept who I am. I don't know why I let my head get in the way of my entire self. I want to play. I like to play. Playful is what I am as deep as can be.

10:30 PM

Sunday, September 8, 2002
New condom wrapper invented in Africa to speed application to increase use and prevent spread of disease.

1:02 AM

It's not just the U.S. Weather across the world isn't behaving as it has been for recorded time (via brig). Thank you short-term thinkers.

12:59 AM

Saturday, September 7, 2002
I'm not sure if this Harry Potter vibrating toy is for adults or kids.

5:13 PM

Damn! Girl. The Thomas Crown Affair.

3:35 PM

I found an explanation of how to create your own car tape audio adapter and what makes it work (magnetic fields).

1:19 PM

This thing is cool: Digisette. It is an MP3 player in the shape of tape cassette. You can use with headphones and walk around with it, as well as pop it into a car or any tape deck and listen to the music on it. Clever.

1:14 PM

Friday, September 6, 2002
Someone wants to name their kid Osama bin laden.

4:50 PM

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Thursday, September 5, 2002
There *are* some unhappy people in San Francisco. I was dropping Nikki off at the post office a few minutes ago and I stopped at the bus stop to do it. I was leaving and the bus drove up. This forced the bus to stay on the street and hold up traffic. The bus moved and I got in the lane behind it. Then it moved over again to the right lane. I was speeding up as was the car in front of me at the green light and all of a sudden the driver in the car in front of me slams on his breaks right at the intersection. I had to slam on my brakes to avoid hitting him. I, of course, was like "stupid ass driver, the light is green" in my head. Now I realize he did it on purpose because he wanted me to hit his old red car.
How do I know? Well, at the next light, which was red, he got out of his car, turned around and yelled at me "Next time you stop at a bus stop I'll kick your ass, you and your fucking Lexus!" Then he got in his car and I just gave him my passive aggressive tilted head focused "you need to breathe" look. He then put the car in reverse and drove backwards slowly into me. I wasn't too worried because I had my 3M Clearguard bumper covers. :) Then he quickly turned right on red and sped off.

3:18 PM

Your life's experience truly is a function of your attitude. I had an Improv class for three hours tonight. The first half I was really focused on doing well, learning, coming up with something clever and being entertaining. It sucked. I didn't enjoy it and accomplished little of what I wanted. I ate a few cream puffs that a classmate brought during break and suddenly I just wanted to have fun (like girls). That made all the difference and I was able to accomplish everything I didn't try to. Just have fun, man. The best of yourself will come out.

2:06 AM

Tech Circus is place I need to send both my resumes (Design and Performance) to get the job.

2:05 AM

Wednesday, September 4, 2002
Thanks to today's WSJ I came across two sites that allow you to order Japanese gadgets directly from Japan (with English translation and modifications) before they come out in the U.S. if they ever do. Check out Dynamism and Japan-Direct.com.

3:28 PM

I'm hanging out in the Apple lobby and everybody is walking by with a smile on their face.

12:08 PM

Tuesday, September 3, 2002
I'm home and exhausted.

10:25 PM

Monday, September 2, 2002
Being in the moment and having fun in it really is the best thing in the world. Being lost in learning, sharing or play with wonderful human beings is wonderful and that's what my last few days have been. Happy Labor Day! May your celebration of not working give you insight into the true beauty of living.

2:50 AM

Friday, August 30, 2002
I've been waiting for it for about three weeks. I got my headshots taken today. I'm still wearing a little bit of touch up makeup. I can't wait to see how they come out; it should take about seven days for the contact sheets. I highly recommend the photographer. I don't need to see the prints to be sure. Now I'm off to Napa for Labor Day weekend. I'm meeting a group of 25 volleyball players that I play with on and off in Golden Gate Park. I look forward to the change of scenery and relaxing at the spa in St. Helena.

3:34 PM

Thursday, August 29, 2002
Does everybody run around believing they give more than they receive?

10:14 PM

After dinner at Strait's Cafe for our last night out before Jason heads east to Edinburgh I convinced him to watch Blue Crush with me. The movie was all bikini's, moving water and insight into the life of a hotel maid. The sexy side of it all wasn't really spelled out in the movie until the very last frame before credits. They put up a magazine cover that with the headline: "Girls Lay Pipe."

12:16 AM

Monday, August 26, 2002
Your dreams are more intense when you live your life fully in the moment with a constant flow of emotions.

1:01 AM

"If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm."
- Yiddish Proverb (those clever Yids, I tell ya.)

12:45 AM

Sunday, August 25, 2002
Being famous in a potentially negative is quite the hassle.

3:51 PM

Friday, August 23, 2002
I'm sorry, these banner ads are hilarious.

6:34 PM

My cheek, half my tongue and part of my lower lip is numb. Dentists do that to you when they drill holes just to fill them up. I hope I will be back to normal before Shabbat dinner starts at the Rabbi's house tonight. The Rabbi that lent me a hat and siddur for the school play asked me to come by in return. Then like the good Jewish boy I am, I'm headed to the Russian Lounge with some nice strangers I met on Craigslist. The rest of the weekend will be filled with Improv! I promised myself on Monday I'll decide what my next vehicle will be. Either the IS 300 or the RX 300. They are two completely different cars and I have to decide what my next few years are about: fun, alphamale, and paying less or comfort, quiet, unrestrained driving and paying more. It's not exactly the lesser of two evils. Opinions are welcome. Either way I win out. Note, the last three years have been about the latter.

5:45 PM

Thursday, August 22, 2002
I made pudding.

8:03 PM

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Tuesday, August 20, 2002
Some good Improv advice from Julie's improv teacher: " "Improv is like Buddhism anyway. My Improv teacher suggested I work on being present in the moment. Concentrate on receiving offers instead of advancing the narrative."

9:28 PM

Monday, August 19, 2002
That's right ladies. Have two beers then come on over. Well, maybe to be safe, you should come over then have two beers.

11:44 PM

Thursday, August 15, 2002
Go Maggie! Way to set the confused 20 (and 30) somethings straight. I wish more women read your columns.

12:09 PM

Tuesday, August 13, 2002
Lawrence Lessig is the man. One of his final keynotes has been passed around the Internet like mad. He is taking a year off from speaking to focus on the Eldred v. Ashcroft case. His words combined with a simple Flash presentation explains the history of copyright and how our freedom has slowly been taken away over the last hundred years. I recommend it for those who want to understand exactly what we are losing and why. View the presentation!

11:56 AM

The men's bathroom at the Bayfront Theater in Fort Mason lost two urinals. There is a big space between the two left. Now we can't play Choose the Right Urinal (tm) during intermissions.

12:10 AM

Friday, August 9, 2002
Everyday there is a fork in our minds where we can choose to have a real relationship with someone or an imaginary one in our heads. Choose well and becareful trying to merge the two.

4:19 AM

Thursday, August 8, 2002
"If there is bitterness in the heart, sugar in the mouth won't make life sweeter."
- Yiddish Proverb

10:40 AM

Monday, August 5, 2002
I get a good feeling when I search for Jewish singles that live near me on JDate and I get so many results that I can just keep hitting next. But, when I go to the victim's of terrorism in Israel page, that same freedom to keep hitting next creates a completely different sensation in my stomach.

10:33 PM

Sunday, August 4, 2002
Dave was kind enough to bring roses for me after our open class (showing the scenes we've been working on). I went on my first audition for a play today. I think I'll take what I can get for the near future just to fill up my resume. Probably the next move is to get professional headshots and take some film acting classes. The upcoming week is the last week of the program and just the mention of it makes me very sad. I'm going to miss the regiment, all the friends I made and the giving teachers. Life will be different after school. Different than it's ever been for me. I can feel it in my body.

10:26 PM

Saturday, August 3, 2002
Royksopp created a very information dense music video. One that you can watch over and over and over again and still see something new. Definitely a song created for a video as opposed to vice versa.

7:29 PM

Thursday, August 1, 2002
I'm tired. Tomorrow is the show. I just submitted the bio and headshot for Christina's book. I think that means the technical editing is done. Dave Grossman is visiting. He says, "Hi Megan."

11:18 PM

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Wednesday, July 31, 2002
I own jewsinthehouse.com. It expires on Friday and I can't think of a good use for it. If you can think of one let me know and maybe I'll keep it, or just transfer it to you.

9:50 AM

Tuesday, July 30, 2002
One of my acting teachers made an interesting point that I don't think most people are aware of. If you see a friend or someone in a play, and you really love or hate something they did, you may have the urge to tell them. It's okay to tell, but do be general in your comments. You may want to say something specific, like, "I loved the way you screamed with anger after she told you that she cheated." It's best you don't do that because just know that every time that actor does it after that, they'll be thinking about what you said and wanting to deliver it exactly the same, which will make it fall flat. If you have feedback like that, save it until after the run. Your mileage may vary because different people will do different things, but you don't know the intricacies of the actor's thoughts so tread lightly.

9:37 PM

I'm sick again. This weakness in my body is getting annoying, but I know I'll be able to recover after school is over. It would be nice to figure out how to be healthy when I don't have a completely open schedule.

9:36 PM

Monday, July 29, 2002
"Vision without action is a daydream.
Action without vision is a nightmare."
- Japanese Proverb

8:09 AM

Sunday, July 28, 2002
Eventually we reach a point where we really know who we are, what we are, and what we want. Even what we need to get to where we want to go. Then the final stumbling block is rising to the responsibility challenge of living life that way. You know, getting up everyday and living with freed