my brother is a fundamental part of the universe

Hi fans friends and flavinoid-induced blog readers,

Today my little brother turns 23.

Now, 23 has always reminds me of Michael Jordan, a boyhood hero. Later in life, I noticed some of them comics I was a reading seemed to have that number show up in all kinds of places. I even entered a raffle at work for some hockey tickets because the row was the number 23 – and yet had to give them to someone else because I couldn’t find a friend who liked hockey… I was even tempted to see the Jim Carey movie - - mostly because I like Jim in serious roles, though I believe I dodged the bullet by missing that one.

Finally, as I was perusing the new Tank girl series of comic-type books (I love it when Ash Wood draws more than just naked girls and robots) I hit the answer it’s the 23 enigma! A quick cross-reference at the infallible wikipedia gave me the scoop on this most mysterious number.
The 23 enigma is akin to Bokonan’s religion in Kurt Vonnegut’s Cat’s Cradle. it’s a lie that describes the universe, in this case that the number 23 is a fundamental part of the fabric of the cosmos. Take a look around – the harder you search, the more you’ll see! It works with the number 42 too. Especially well with the letter “E”

Now, as a member and founder of the First Church of Common Sense (it’s been a while since I brought up that one, eh?) I must point out that much like Ta’ver’en, Granfallons and the liberalness of the Democratic presidential candidates – the 23 enigma is a head game. Yes, you can convince yourself that 23 is the meaning of everything (perhaps tomorrow I may try – but don’t hold me to it) I have, and it’s been swell – but really, will it get you any further than taking the passing milk truck as an icon that you should buy a lottery ticket?

As a side note, if the number 2323235 ever won the power ball, it’d prolly have to be split at least 23 ways – better stick with your cat’s birthday like you always do.

Really – if you can play head games with yourself, why not play ones that allow you to focus on some of the more useful parts of life? For example – If you dislike stupid people, focus on the lie that states that stupidity is the natural chaos-state of the universe and that intelligence, prudence and silence is a sign of an enlightened being who knows that focusing on the stupidity of the unwashed masses during a sporting event is as useful as despairing at the muddiness of your backyard after a rainstorm.

How about something more simple (simplicity leads to profoundness)

Your cat has special POWERS.
Comic-type books will lead to enlightenment.
Television is educational – even after Fred Rogers died

It’s that easy. Brainwash yourself! Save the government and entertainment networks the trouble!

Happy birthday Rob, I hope that 23 is as wonderful as a doughnut filled with illuminated Bavarian Crème.

Fritters.

april if for the lovers of foolish deeds

Happy New Year!
As my resolution, I am going to try to exist on more than one channel.

So I transmit this to you on all channels of the electric subconscious. I am not a ghost, I will see you soon, life has been so nifty-thrifty lately that I haven’t scheduled a writing session in the wavelengths beyond my monitor for a long, long time.

Woof. Clearly it’s a bit rusty. Perhaps you all should come back in a week, and see if it’s any better.

I don’t much care for April fool’s pranks. I’m too gullible and usually to cautious. For me and my tomfoolery, April fools should be like an unbirthday – one day where everything in my life is dead serious.

Of course, that would just be silly.

Saw the Eels last night. Nice. Listening to Novocain for the soul, I started to ponder that here I was viewing an event that happened half my lifetime ago. A couple of weeks ago – the brightest supernova ever recorded lit up the night sky. The astronomers realized that it went kablam 7 billion light years away – the most distant viewing of any astral body ever – we were viewing an event that happened half the universe’s lifetime ago.

Life is good, and I feel great. Time for work.

Waffles – with blueberry syrup for the holiday