Month: April 2006

Gorgeous day. Ferris Bueller would cut school again on a day like this. Ariel and I took Caroline to the local playground where Caroline ran around like a nut for close to an hour. Went out to lunch, then got a sitter for Caroline. Took Ariel to see “Take the Lead,” which is kind of a combination of “To Sir with Love” and “Strictly Ballroom” if both films were kinda dull. Then again, I’m not the target audience for the film.

Going out bowling tonight. Kath is already over at the lanes for her Monday night league. She showed me the doll she made at the Froud class; very cool. Looks like something Wendy Froud would have made.

PAD

Was awoken this morning by a rapping, a gentle tapping on my chamber door. ‘Twas more than the wind; ’twas Caroline looking for Kathleen, who had already headed out to the Froud class. Once Ariel was up and around, we headed over to a massive kiddie play area called “Fun4all.” The moment we got to the outside of the place, Caroline shouted joyously, “Ballpit!” She made a beeline for the aforementioned pit where she spent much of her time.

Took the kids out to lunch, then came back and watched the closing match of the PBA season. Chris Barnes won, in case anyone is interested.

Then I brought them over to a local carnival and they had a great time going on assorted rides (including a gigantic slide.) Playing some of the typical midway games, I won a doll of Dora the Explorer (dressed as a pirate) for Caroline and a huge penguin from Madagascar for Ariel.

Came home, ordered in pizza. Watched “West Wing,” and will do a Cowboy Pete about it tomorrow once folks have had a chance to watch it.

PAD

With Kathleen in the city for the next three days attending a doll-making workshop being given by Wendy Froud, I’m on kid patrol.

Took Ariel to her morning bowling league while our house keeper (who comes every Saturday, so how’s that for timing) kept an eye on Caroline. Then, as rain poured down, I packed the kids off to go see “Ice Age” at the local multiplex. We had lunch there and then saw the film. Caroline was fairly well behaved after we made it clear to her that she couldn’t go running around in the theater. The film itself was technically superior to the previous one, although once again the story itself was no great shakes (actually the preceding one was better.) But there were enough action set pieces to rivet Caroline’s attention, as well as most of the kids in the fairly packed theater. And, hey, how can you resist a film where Queen Latifah voices a mammoth who’s convinced she’s actually a possum.

PAD

I have no thoughts on this one way or the other in terms of its religious impact. It’s just that, every time I hear about this, I keep thinking, “Piltdown Man” or “Hitler Diaries.” It just always seems that when some fascinating historical discovery comes along that’s too good to be true…it turns out to be just that.

PAD

Apparently the following e-mail is making the rounds:

“Please,
My name is MR.PETER DAVID,the Director of a Security Company.
There is an Investor,former governor of Bayelsa state the richest oil
state in Nigeria, DSP Alamieyeseigha lodged some fund cash for
safekeeping, he reliably told me to look for a foreign partner/investor
who can receive and manage the fund for him until he is clear with the
problem currently in the state.

For him, his arrest and detention was
politically motivated because {this man supports the presidential
aspirant vice-president Atuku for the next election come 2007 while
Obasanjo the president of Nigeria is planning to rule for the third
term against the constitution;however the money $58,600,000.00 USD
originated from contracts and gratification from multi national oil
companies in the state.We must move the money out from African shores
due to the letter sent to Financial Institutions in Nigeria last week
by Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) requesting her
assistance to trace all money lodged in her bank/Security Companies by
government officials.

His family recently arrived Ghana for safety due
to the problem. Now can you receive the money or find an investor whom
I will offer to give 15% of the total sum for your assistance,5% have
been mapped out for expenses made by both parties,Your role to this
proposal is strictly to receive the fund and provide suitable account
that can receive and hold the money until my physical arrival to your
country.

MR.PETER DAVID.”

No matter where you go…there I am. Apparently with this site under unceasing spam assault, someone decided to go one better by incorporating my name into one of the longest-running scams around.

Notice they don’t post as Neil Gaiman. Nor Harlan Ellison. They ain’t writing, “My name is John Byrne,” nossir. Just me.

What an honor.

PAD

Marvel has now made public the news that I’ve been sitting on for quite some time: I’m going to be doing the scripting for the Stephen King “Dark Tower” comics that Marvel will be producing. I’m tremendously excited about the opportunity, not to mention jazzed that King was willing to entrust his baby to me. Plus it’s great to be working with Jae Lee again.

PAD