July 17, 2004

I love reading stories about people who do extraordinary things. A Michigan dentist named Dr. Jim Payne (I kid you not) is one of those people.

In his spare time, Dr. Payne fixes and rebuilds old computers. He then donates the machines to needy people, schools and members of the military. In the past few years, his nonprofit organization, JDS Computer Donations, has given away more than 1,000 refurbished machines.

* munching on ice cubes
* gazing at the horizon
* talented jugglers
* cheesecake - plain, chocolate or pumpkin
* my Greenman T-shirt

July 16, 2004

A tattoo is mostly permanent, but a name can always be changed. Just ask Mitch Maddox. After streaming his every move on the Internet for a year, Maddox legally changed his name to DotComGuy. This week, he asked a judge for his old moniker back.

Blog of the Day is ... well, a self-explanatory site. Featured blogs tend to be personal journals with a focus on technology, politics and photography.
 

July 15, 2004

Jason Love experienced the joys of a bikini wax for an article assignment. See? Even male writers suffer for their art.

* moonlit beaches
* sailboats
* gooey fried egg sandwiches
* sudden thunderstorms
* bonfires

July 14, 2004

A new Jaded Writings column has been posted. This week, I encourage the creation of new holidays.

* Isaac Bashevis Singer - 7/14/1904
* Woody Guthrie - 7/14/1912
* Clement Clarke Moore - 7/15/1779
* Iris Murdoch - 7/15/19
* Kimberly I. Bundy - 7/15/61
* Andrea Forbing-Maglione - 7/15/73
* Erle Stanley Gardner - 7/17/1889
* William Makepeace Thackeray - 7/18/1811
* Hunter S. Thompson - 7/18/39
* Stephen Coonts - 7/19/46
* Jayne Anne Phillips - 7/19/52
* Cormac McCarthy - 7/20/33
* Ernest Hemingway - 7/21/1899
* John Gardner - 7/21/33
* Tess Gallagher - 7/21/43

July 13, 2004

In the immortal words of Will Smith in "Independence Day":
"I have GOT to get me one of these!"

There are three types of movies:

* Movies I won't see (boring story, gross-out humor, most westerns).
* Movies I can't wait to see (at the theatre).
* Jade Movies™ (movies that seem to be made just for me).

Let's ignore the first category, shall we?

In the second group, I'm looking forward to ponying up $10 to see "The Bourne Supremacy." I loved the first Jason adventure and the second one looks like it will be a respectable sequel. "Ocean's 12" is another film I will see on opening night. With that cast, how could I not? It's almost too much beauty on the screen. Have you seen the trailer for "The Incredibles" yet? Absolutely hysterical.

If you're into Jade Movies™ -- which tend to be romantic, terrifying, sexy, heartbreaking, dark or writerly -- keep your eyes peeled for "Finding Neverland," "The Village" and, of course, "The Phantom of the Opera" (Helloooooo Gerard Butler!). These are the movies that fill me with anticipation.

July 12, 2004

Two Afghan athletes will represent their country at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens -- two female athletes. They will be the first women to ever represent Afghanistan on the world stage. Robina Muqimyar will run in the 100-meter race, and Friba Rezihi will compete in judo.

You go, girls!

* gray, rainy days
* cherries
* the smell of new leather jackets
* pale pink nail polish
* pumpkin pie

Past Afterthoughts