James Burke is a genius.

I’m kind of obsessed with a show he did for the BBC called Connections, which had its first incarnation in the 1970′s, but had two later incarnations in the 1990′s as well.  I saw the 90′s versions when they originally aired, and was mesmerized by them, so today I went back and found the original series online, and I’ve been slowly but surely watching them.

They’re all about various inventions that have changed the history of civilization as we know it, but his masterful storytelling makes each episode like a mystery, where we only know have as much information to go on as people at the time did.   He starts by showing us the modern invention, and takes us clear back to the beginning, showing us the salient points of progress that happened along the way.

It’s really brilliant.

Here’s the first part of the first episode of the first incarnation of the series.  I have no doubt that you’ll find them riveting as well.

I had a strange weekend, in both good and bad ways.  Last night, I felt kind of tied in knots (still do, quite honestly), so I watched an episode of Six Feet Under to help me relax.  The episode I watched happened to contain one of my favorite scenes, which encapsulated everything I’d been feeling lately, and also gave me some advice which turned out to be exactly what I needed to hear.  Incidentally, it involves a bit of ‘adult’ language (which I only use judiciously in my blog), so if that’s something you’re sensitive to. . .well, you’ve been warned.

If you’re not familiar with the show, Nathaniel is the dead father (That’s not a spoiler, don’t worry; his death happens in the very first scene of the very first episode) and David is the younger of his two adult sons.  Nathaniel’s apparition appears to David after a particularly traumatic experience that David endured in a previous episode, which would be a huge spoiler if I revealed it here.

Nathaniel Fisher: You’re missing the point.
David Fisher: There is no point, that’s the point.
[pause]
Isn’t it?
Nathaniel Fisher: Don’t give me this phony existential bullshit, I expect better from you.  The point’s right in front of your face.
David Fisher: Well, I’m sorry but I don’t see it.
Nathaniel Fisher: You’re not even grateful, are ya?
David Fisher: Grateful?  For the worst fucking experience of my life?
Nathaniel Fisher: You hang onto your pain like it means something, like it’s worth something.  Well, let me tell ya, it’s not worth shit.  Let it go.  [to himself] Infinite possibilities and all he can do is whine.
David Fisher: Well, what am I supposed to do?
Nathaniel Fisher: What do you think?  You can do anything, you lucky bastard, you’re alive!
[pause]
What’s a little pain compared to that?
David Fisher: It can’t be so simple.
[pause]
Nathaniel Fisher: What if it is?

What if it is?  What if it is that simple?  Nice to be reminded every once in a while.

Riding my bike home from work at night:  check.
Riding without lights of any kind:  check.
Riding without a helmet:  check.
Riding home at night, without lights or helmet, while wearing a black hoodie:  check.
Riding home at night, no lights or helmet, with said black hoodie, carrying a bag of groceries:  check.

Yup, I’m officially an idiot.

In other news, IrishBand is doing a write-in interview for MessengerGodAlternativeNewspaper.  I need to somehow get enough energy tonight to whip up some compelling, insightful, and hopefully witty and intelligent answers to their questions, many of which are political in nature, rather than just musical, so they’re not ones I can just answer automatically.

First of all, dinner.  I’m going to attempt stuffed bell peppers, but I only have energy for chips and salsa.  Perhaps some chips and salsa while I’m making the stuffed peppers.  Hmmm. . .I like the sound of that.

It’s been quite a year, I have to say.  Going through and choosing entries was particularly difficult this time around.  I always enjoy looking backwards.  So much has happened this year that it had become a bit of a blur, quite frankly, and it was fun to revisit some of those experiences.  Others, however, weren’t nearly as much fun.  I could have made this entry about twice as long as it is.  There will be another separate entry for the ‘best pictures of 2008′ coming soon.

accordions, Decemberists, and EmeraldCity – This involves a night when I made a noticeable transition from fan to equal participant.

shock – This was one of the worst days of my entire life.

good news and truth – This was the end of said time.

Yakima trip, part one – This was quite possibly the worst Yakima trip ever, in which I lost a friend.

Tinkle – Tinkle is the name of a fictitious product; this entry describes a hilarious parody my friends and I made of sports drink commercials from the early 90′s.

on tour, day 3 – This was one of the best and most memorable days of my entire life.

my dinner with Andre – We read the screenplay in the play-reading group, and there are also some ruminations about why this movie meant so much to me.

‘six-six-five and one fucking half’ – This is a rock ‘n’ roll story from way back in the day.

errrr. . .hi, mom – I have to be honest; I really like this particular entry.

O, the hilarity ensues – ‘Good luck driving around with my dead, pregnant wife!’

please ban more books – The school district in the town in which I grew up turns out to be responsible for upholding a ban on a very famous book.  Glad I left that town.

litany – This was a hilarious repartee my friend and I shared.

Thank you for reading, and thank you for your support throughout this last year.  In case this somehow wasn’t enough for you, here’s the entry for the best entries of 2007.

Have a great new year!

OneYearAgo

“Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward together in the same direction.”

–Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, “Wind, Sand, and Stars”