the pod bay door

:: Yesterday, while having dim sum with Taras, someone tossed a rock through the window on the front passenger door of my car. The only items missing were coins, which were sitting in the coin slots by the emergency break. With today a holiday in Alberta, I’ve been unable to do anything about this since it happened. Tomorrow morning I will drive to an auto glass repair shop and hope the window can be replaced asap. A police report was filed, and my insurance company was informed accordingly. What a mess, and for less than five dollars in change. The rock used to break the window was in the driver’s seat.

Depending on the cost of the repair, I may not file with my insurance company. Ironically, the day before, I saw My Summer of Love. There is a scene in the movie in which one of the characters tosses a garden gnome through the front passenger-side door window of a car. The next day the same window in my car is smashed. Coincidence or are mysterious forces at work?

:: My Winnipeg homies are cyclemaniacs. A typical week will find Mike, Steve and Tony on one or more 70-100 km bike trips. I, on the other hand, have no cycling friends close by *sniff*. Today I went for a short bike ride with my shadow, took a self-portrait on 34th Ave, and stopped at Keith’s for a short visit before returning home. I have a guest in my house for two weeks, her name is Polly.

:: One of the mothers-of-all-thunderstorms is nearing its peak in south Edmonton as I type this.

A number of people have written asking what’s happened to PBD, where are the entries, why is the screen blank? Thank you to all who have written. I’m taking a short break, waiting for two things: a) Moveable Type 3.2, to see if the new features make it worth sticking with it for a while longer, and b) WordPress, and the knowledge and comfort zone to use it as the new blogging software for PBD and STLQ. STLQ, in any event, will become a WordPress blog sometime soon, as it will be moving to a server on campus that uses WordPress for its blogs.

I’ve also been busy with conferences, vacations, and visitors. Yesterday I finally finished some correspondence, and today am trying to catch up on 160+ e-mails. In a few days I’ll be working backstage at the EFMF. So…please be patient with me, PBD will be back soon.

I do want to mention that I spent the last six weeks watching all three seasons, 37 episodes in total, of HBO’s The Wire, a police drama set in Baltimore. It is a brilliant series, no surprise, given the pedigree of its creator, David Simon. Simon wrote the book on which my favorite series of the 90s, Homicide: Life on the Street, was based. Each of the three seasons of [b]The Wire[/b] follows a small number of story arcs, and features an ensemble cast of some of the best character actors on screen, many of whom I recognized by face, but not by name. Each season focused on one major issue: drugs, working class, and city hall. Highly recommended.

The storm is over, skies are clearing. Maybe we’ll see this tonight.

:: My Winnipeg trip is coming to an end. I’ve had a nice time, despite the scorching temperatures, high humidity, and the occasional torrential monsoon-like downpour. I have had good visits with close friends, comparing notes, bbq’ing burgers, and sharing laughs and stories. For the most part, I’ve tried to forget about work and other things in Edmonton. Tony and his daughter Claire opened their home to me, where I stayed for a few nights. I’ve spent time with my parents, who are always good to me and make me feel welcome in their home. We went for dim sum last Sunday, and will do so again tomorrow morning.

Steve, Mike and I also visited Chester Cuthbert, legendary Winnipeg book collector, at whose home many of us congregated regularly in the mid-1970s. A mutual love of science fiction had brought us together, resulting in lasting friendships to this day. Chester will be 93 this year, and remains in good health and spirit. He hasn’t eaten lunch since the 1920s or so, which could be the key to a long and healthy life.

I return on Monday morning, have a band practice scheduled for Tuesday, a play on Wednesday (after which I hope to meet this guy and tell him how much I enjoy his work), and on Thursday afternoon, my cousin Joanne and her family drop by from Winnipeg for a four-day visit before heading off to Drumheller and the Royal Tyrell Museum (which I have never visited since moving to Alberta in 1978…my bad.) Theoretically, life should slow down a bit afterwards, but I have my doubts.

I will not return to Edmonton rested. I’ve stayed up late watching episodes of The Wire, and it’s been difficult to get much rest in this heat, even with air conditioning.

I’m giving consideration to withdrawing from blogging on PBD for a short time, similar to what Heavy G did last year. I’ve been maintaining two blogs since March 2003; perhaps it’s time for a bit of a break.

:: Time’s 50 Coolest Websites 2005.

:: Interesting article from The Guardian Unlimited, called Riddle of the Bands, in which the question is asked: “Is there any point trying to get meaning from the wishy-washy lyrics of bands such as Coldplay, Keane and Snow Patrol? Or have musicians just run out of things to say?”

:: First, thanks to everyone who wished me a Happy Birthday via e-mail, comment, phone, card, etc. Much appreciated, thank you kindly. Today I begin a few days off from work, returning on July 12th. I’ll be in Winnipeg late tomorrow night. Posts may be few and far between. Enjoy the summer…

:: Happy Birthday to me.