Stagekid's Dissertation on Disillusionment

20-Week Baby Tweet Appointment!!

blakeneven@gmail.com (Blake C.) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:29:00 +0000

Today we had our 20-week Tweet appointment! We've been anxiously awaiting this day for about seven weeks now and we're happy to report all is perfect on the Tweet front: she's growing beautifully; her heart couldn't be healthier (!!!); her little arms, legs, and baby body parts are all in place :)

The picture below takes a little while to figure out. She's the most perfect creature I've ever seen: precious nose, smiley lips, flailing right arm. More importantly, if you focus closely she looks like she's wearing George Washington 's wig :)

(click on picture for higher resolution)

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A frothy Guinness to you for stopping by and another for coming back,
Stagekid

Article: "Why Most Transportation Should Be Public and How That Could Help Private Enterprise"

blakeneven@gmail.com (Blake C.) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:15:00 +0000

We need a complete paradigm shift when it comes to infrastructure and transportation. While I know that I need to continue educating myself on the current auto bailout crisis, my initial reaction is to support the bailout only if strict conditions--based on green technologies and a total re-education of the workforce--are met. We have a real opportunity, here, to completely transform the American landscape. The opportunity is now for green job creation, infrastructure reestablishment, and (most importantly) education.

"Why Most Transportation Should Be Public and How That Could Help Private Enterprise"

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A frothy Guinness to you for stopping by and another for coming back,
Stagekid

Video Vault: Charlie Rose and the Emanuel Brothers

blakeneven@gmail.com (Blake C.) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 02:49:00 +0000

I'm adding Charlie Rose to my daily fix--this is a fantastic interview (but I would definitely recommend the full November 7th show here)

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A frothy Guinness to you for stopping by and another for coming back,
Stagekid

Trailer Vault: Pixar's Up

blakeneven@gmail.com (Blake C.) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 01:21:00 +0000

Time for me to (1) catch up on my Disney classics and (2) scope out the next big Pixar gems. Oh the joys of preparing for dadhood:

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A frothy Guinness to you for stopping by and another for coming back,
Stagekid

Article: "Obama's Washington: The O-List"

blakeneven@gmail.com (Blake C.) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 03:46:00 +0000

There is a lot to learn and, as always, no time to waste. I found a nice article over at The New Republic that provides an informative summary of players in the upcoming political transition (with a great Introduction by Noam Scheiber):

"Obama's Washington: The O-List"

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A frothy Guinness to you for stopping by and another for coming back,
Stagekid

Politico 44 Website Launches

blakeneven@gmail.com (Blake C.) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:28:00 +0000

A minute-by-minute "Living Diary" of the Obama presidency--Politico has once again changed the game in terms of political information management and communications. Transparency, transparency, transparency! They even have a daily schedule of our 44th president:

Politico 44

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A frothy Guinness to you for stopping by and another for coming back,
Stagekid

Full Steam Ahead for California's High-Speed Rail

blakeneven@gmail.com (Blake C.) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:42:00 +0000

Finally!! Great job California!!

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A frothy Guinness to you for stopping by and another for coming back,
Stagekid

Essay: Obama & America Look Forward

blakeneven@gmail.com (Blake C.) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:37:00 +0000

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A frothy Guinness to you for stopping by and another for coming back,
Stagekid

President Barack Obama

blakeneven@gmail.com (Blake C.) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 20:58:00 +0000

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A frothy Guinness to you for stopping by and another for coming back,
Stagekid

"Barack Obama for President" by Andrew Sullivan of The Daily Dish

blakeneven@gmail.com (Blake C.) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:30:00 +0000

A new chapter in the American story begins tomorrow. Sullivan's post, below, is a fantastic summation of the last 7+ years and a great narrative of why he thinks Obama is the right person for this moment in history. The post ends with--what I thought to be at the time and still think today is--the single greatest artistic contribution in the history of American politics.

Source: The Daily Dish
Post: "Barack Obama for President"

"On a spectacular September morning more than seven years ago, our world changed. I remain one of those who believe that that day remains indelible, and its lesson unforgettable. The civilized democratic world came under attack from a small but lethal band of religious fanatics bent on destroying free societies, and, more terrifyingly, eager to get their hands on weapons of mass destruction that could make 9/11 look like a dry run..." (full post)

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A frothy Guinness to you for stopping by and another for coming back,
Stagekid

Palin Gets Pranked: "French President Nicolas Sarkozy is on the Line, Governor"

blakeneven@gmail.com (Blake C.) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 16:53:00 +0000

Incredible how they got through:

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A frothy Guinness to you for stopping by and another for coming back,
Stagekid

McCain, "Palin," and "Olbermann" on SNL

blakeneven@gmail.com (Blake C.) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 15:52:00 +0000

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A frothy Guinness to you for stopping by and another for coming back,
Stagekid

Hiking in the Washington Cascades

blakeneven@gmail.com (Blake C.) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 22:57:00 +0000

Hike- Washington Cascades

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A frothy Guinness to you for stopping by and another for coming back,
Stagekid

Video Vault: John McCain- Prisoner of War

blakeneven@gmail.com (Blake C.) — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:00:00 +0000

An American hero who deserves nothing but respect for his service to our country. This is a powerful video--especially the closing moments. I thank John McCain and all those who have fought and are fighting for America.

I support Barack Obama for President:

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A frothy Guinness to you for stopping by and another for coming back,
Stagekid

Video Vault: Culture War!

blakeneven@gmail.com (Blake C.) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 22:04:00 +0000

The power of unfiltered rhetoric (hey, that's a pretty good book title):

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A frothy Guinness to you for stopping by and another for coming back,
Stagekid

Video Vault: The Second Wave of Second Life

blakeneven@gmail.com (Blake C.) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 21:47:00 +0000

The future of the workspace; get on board or get out of the way:

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A frothy Guinness to you for stopping by and another for coming back,
Stagekid

Video Vault: Colin Powell Endorses Obama

blakeneven@gmail.com (Blake C.) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 15:07:00 +0000

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A frothy Guinness to you for stopping by and another for coming back,
Stagekid

Film Trailer Vault: Marley & Me

blakeneven@gmail.com (Blake C.) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 02:30:00 +0000

Everything Jennifer Aniston does on screen bothers me--can't really pinpoint the reason why. Other than the casting--which, for most movies, seals the deal for me--and the fact it looks a little lite, I'm game for Marley and Me (I think I'm going to read the book, though, first ). I absolutely love dogs:

Firstshowing.net also has a nice post for those interested.

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A frothy Guinness to you for stopping by and another for coming back,
Stagekid

Film Vault: Crawford

blakeneven@gmail.com (Blake C.) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 05:21:00 +0000

Just finished watching Crawford, a new documentary about George W. Bush's Crawford, Texas. Certainly a unique lens by which to view the last eight years:

Also see a Crawford review at The International Herald Tribune

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A frothy Guinness to you for stopping by and another for coming back,
Stagekid

A Note on Unity

blakeneven@gmail.com (Blake C.) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:43:00 +0000

McCain's recent terror tactics is unacceptable. We need to remember what separates us from them. Today, at a rally, McCain instigated the racism and hatred that he vowed to rise above; today I am embarrassed by some of my fellow Americans. Obama's vision of hope and unity are strong ideals, but I have no interest in uniting with ignorant fools who think the hatred drenched in our past is the ideal for our future.

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A frothy Guinness to you for stopping by and another for coming back,
Stagekid

Spain - On the Road Again

blakeneven@gmail.com (Blake C.) — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 02:54:00 +0000

There is no better place on earth than Spain; having lived there, gotten married there, and figured a ton out about myself there, Spain is that place where, once you leave, you start immediately trying to get back. The nostalgia hurts in way that hurting feels good:

Spain - On the Road Again

(higher resolution)

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A frothy Guinness to you for stopping by and another for coming back,
Stagekid

I'm Going to be a Dad!!!

blakeneven@gmail.com (Blake C.) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:37:00 +0000

Yes, as some of you may have heard, I'm going to be a dad!!! Emilia and I found out--on July 31st-- that we are going to have a baby (due date: April 8, 2009!!)!! Emilia will start her 13th week in a few days and is feeling great: no morning sickness, no moodiness (seriously, no joke!), and is just flat-out being a superstar.

You want more news? Okay, fine. Today we found out the baby's gender (on Thursday we went through some of the normal genetic screening tests--with an extra doozie on Friday--and the doctor called this morning to tell us the baby is healthy as can be... in addition, she asked if we wanted to know the sex of the baby...yes please). So without further ado... we are having a GIRL!!!!! I am beyond excited to have a daughter. I get to be the daddy in the "Daddy's Little Girl" equation :)

Ultrasound (September 2008) from Stagekid on Vimeo.

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A frothy Guinness to you for stopping by and another for coming back,
Stagekid

Film Trailer Vault: The Lucky Ones

blakeneven@gmail.com (Blake C.) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 02:21:00 +0000

Three solid actors--should be a recipe for some good chemistry:

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A frothy Guinness to you for stopping by and another for coming back,
Stagekid

Film Trailer Vault: Synecdoche, New York

blakeneven@gmail.com (Blake C.) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:48:00 +0000

When it comes down to it, we need to start being honest with ourselves; we need to start asking one simple question: is there a better actor working today than Philip Seymour Hoffman? As of today, I am officially announcing my two favorite actors: Robert Downey Jr. and PSH. Hoffman is a brilliant actor; it is a privilege to watch him work to master his craft.

Synecdoche, New York may be a bit out there for most people's taste, but there is little debate about the genius of Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind):

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A frothy Guinness to you for stopping by and another for coming back,
Stagekid

A Must Read: Sean Penn: Country First (Or How the Media Loves a Lipstick Rumsfeld)

blakeneven@gmail.com (Blake C.) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 02:55:00 +0000

Every American should read this piece from Sean Penn. Make your own judgments about Penn and stop relying on the media's portrayal. Take the time to educate yourself on what's at stake in this election. If you are feeling unmotivated to vote, think about your kids, your grandkids: vote for them. Vote for hope; vote for change; vote for choice. If this article doesn't get your blood boiling, then you need to hop on a raft and float away. Seriously, just go:

Sean Penn: Country First (Or How the Media Loves a Lipstick Rumsfeld)

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A frothy Guinness to you for stopping by and another for coming back,
Stagekid