It is the year of the Rat in Chinese Astrology. The Rat doesn’t have quite as bad a reputation as they have here. They are the first in line, pioneers, leaders and many other good traits. Some famous “rats” are Claude Monet, Hugh Grant, Shakespheare, Alan Alda, Marlon Brando, George Washington, Louis Armstrong, Buddy Holly and many others.

Hopefully the trends hold true and this will be a prosperous and peaceful year.

It reminds me of one of my favorite music videos, Badly Drawn Boy’s “Year of the Rat.” I like the idea that hugs can bring peace and joy to the world. Watch the video and you will be inspired to care about your fellow humans (and dogs).

Here it is on YouTube:

Working with Andrew on a sketch show that he has written. It will be called We Get to Be Canadians. I’ll be Co-Producer and Stage Manager of the show. We decided on Chris DeRose for the director. I think that he will do a great job in that position. Also had our first read through with most of the cast. Most of them are from Chris’ conservatory class. I was really impressed with all of them. We’ve got the Gorilla Tango theater reserved Monday nights for 5 weeks in March and April. Only 6 weeks until the first show. It is an exciting time. It is going to be some work, but it is going to be a blast. Still need one more male cast member, and finalize what sketches we are going to use.

It’s voting time in Illinois. As I have stated before, I am a supporter of Barack Obama. I am inspired by the simple message of “Yes We Can.” There are a lot of troubles in the world right now, but I feel like something great can come from it. I feel like Barack Obama can be the man to lead us there. Please vote for him.

will.i.am and some friends put this together with Obama’s words to create a wonderful video.

Good Version at Dipdive.com

Here is a copy on YouTube:

I am starting some experimentation with making soups. I started with a simple broccoli soup. It was actually pretty good. Simple, strong broccoli flavor with an intense green color. I’ll definitely have it again.

Stop by sometime and I’ll make some soup for you.

Can you believe it? NY Giants win the Super Bowl 17-14. Patriots perfect season down the drain. At least it was a good game.

I’m Fucking Matt Damon.

January was a good month for me. I got some good things started. A lot of things needed to be prepared in order to get things going. That went well and now a lot of projects are coming to fruition. It is a slow process, but everything is coming along. Here’s to another good month to come.

Right now it is snowing outside. We got a few inches tonight. It is kind of a mess out there. The weather should be getting better in a few weeks.

Not the rabbit out the hat sort of thing, but the true magic. Connecting with the energies of the Universe and interacting with them. This is the question that I have been faced with lately. I do believe that there is something that we don’t understand. There are connections between people, and between us and nature. I guess that I’ve always kind of felt this way, but do I really believe it. My early education was grounded in the physical sciences. This is how I see the world. Everything can be explained through science, and if we don’t know something that just means that we have to search further. If it can’t be measured it isn’t real.

Then there is this other side of me, which makes decisions on instincts, trust in dreams, believes in the healing nature of the universe. These are things that can’t be measured. Some people would use the word faith and call upon religion or love or magic. This battle has been going on for centuries in society, but right now it is a very personal struggle. There are many questions that don’t really have good explanations. It is interesting when you see the macrocosm of the world playing out in the microcosm of your life.

The only answer that I’ve come up with so far is that I love The Lovin’ Spoonful.

Walked to the train stop tonight after class. It was 1 degree and windy as hell. I felt like my face was going to freeze. Too cold for anything.