theocat

Let the Sun Shine! And Other Matters

The sun has finally shown itself again. The last month in Boston has been fairly miserable. Record rainfalls, below seasonable temperatures. I've had enough of this New England weather. My brother moved to Austin, Texas last month. Perhaps I should join him.

As you already know, SGs has made some changes to their web site. I think for the most part they are positive. The site is easier to navigate and they added a chat room that handles web cameras. I used my web camera for the first time. It's actually my video camera that has web capabilities but it interfaced with site just fine. The only problem is that I experienced difficulties using Netscape and had to switch over to Internet Explorer. I don't know why.

I've been spending a considerable amount of time reading the message boards and contributing to a number of groups I've joined. It's quite revealing to read people's totally uncensored comments. It's refreshing. The anonymity of the web really allows people to speak truthfully and more openly than they would in face to face conversations. The level of discourse is much higher on a site like this than I've found at MySpace.com. I've very much appreciated frank discussions of sexuality, dating, depression and other matters. It reminds one that one is not alone in their thoughts. I wish something like this had existed when I was growing up.

One of my new goals is to be more socially active again. I've spending too much of my time home alone. To that end I went to see some music with a woman friend on Saturday night. We saw K.T. Tunstall at the Avalon. It was an excellent concert. Ms. Tunstall played what I call smart pop. Music with catchy hooks and melodies but is not dumbed down. The concert was sold out. I believe Ms. Tunstall is a rising star. "KT celebrates classic singer-songwriting in the tradition of Rikki Lee Jones, Carol King and Fleetwood Mac with an articulate, accessible, immediate brew of rootsy sass, wistful quandary and after-hours atmosphere. " (from bio).




Afterwards we went out to one of my favorite jazz bars in Boston, Wallys. Wallys is a little hole in the wall but has some of the best free jazz that can be found in Boston. There is music there every night of the week. Students from nearby Berkeley School of Music sit in and play sometimes with more experienced musicians.

Today, Sunday, I went to the Dragon Boat Festival on the Charles River. I was going to volunteer my services for two hours through an organization I just joined called Boston Cares, howevert I was unable to find the contact person when I got there. I wondered around for a little while in took in the traditional Chinese performances and cuisine.



Tomorrow is another work day. Back to temping at M.I.T. I finally starting getting out some resumes again after taking a month's sabbatical from job hunting. Wish me luck.