Okay, it wasn’t exactly ick, but the new version of “Peter Pan” (which the now fairly healthy Ariel and myself went to see this afternoon) just somehow didn’t engage me as much as it should have.

I’d have to attribute it largely to the casting. Jason Isaacs as Hook had the singular misfortune to follow the recent cinematic piracy of Johnny Depp and Geoffry Rush, and pales in comparison. Peter Pan himself is inexplicably the only American and is certainly handsome enough to look at but just doesn’t capture Pan’s arrogance. The only truly magical presence in the film is the mercurial Tinkerbell, who infuses every frame she’s in with boundless energy that no one else approaches (which is ironic considering presumably she shot all her scenes by herself against a green screen.)

Nor am I ecstatic over the subtext of budding maturity being brought so completely over the top. While in the book literally no one touches Peter (which can be interpreted so many ways that it’s a thesis-writer’s dream), in the film the sexually awakening Wendy lays a timely kiss on Pan that sends the entirety of Neverland into orgasmic spasms.

There’s moments. There’s tons of moments. Some great visuals. But somehow it just didn’t make me stand up and crow.

PAD

…because I’m pìššëd øff.

So I’m watching this “TV Guide Best of 2003” show for no particular dámņ good reason, and they’re talking about how shows like “Queer Eye,” “Boy Meets Boy,” “Will and Grace,” etc., have caused America to understand and embrace the gay lifestyle. What a spectacular load of crap, as evidenced by the poll which indicated that 70% of Americans are opposed to gay marriages.

Americans laughing at the Fab Five no more translates to an actual acceptance of homosexuality in this country than a hundred years ago when audiences laughing at Minstrel shows translated to a belief that blacks and whites should be able to drink at the same water fountain. “South Park” absolutely nailed it in the episode where all the men in town “embraced” the gay lifestyle but were simultaneously horrified by the notion of actual homosexuality, and that was before the poll came out.

If anyone thinks that the ratings of gay-oriented TV shows provides anything remotely approaching acceptance, just wait until the 2004 Prez race heats up. When that poll hit, the GOP must have been peeing themselves with excitement since Dean’s Vermont supports civil marriages. The Clinton administration being sandbagged in its first six months by the gays in the military issue will be, I suspect, just a warm up for this go-around. The GOP would be crazy not to take advantage of it. I can just see the adverts now: “With George W. Bush in charge, our armed forces captured Saddam Hussein. If Howard Dean were in charge, our soldiers would have been too busy marrying each other to get anything done.”

This may well be the final nail in the Dean’s Un-electable coffin.

PAD

Oh, it’s been an enchanted Xmas here. Ariel is getting over her cold but at this point I feel like I have an elephant sitting in my sinus cavities. I have taken absolutely everything that everyone has recommended, and at this point it’s just laughing it off. Kath is supposed to come home with the baby today after spending Xmas down in Atlanta with her family. I begged her to stay down there and the heck away from the house of germs, but she’s determined to come back. At least Caroline had a flu shot before they became scarce.

We did manage to get our act sufficiently together to go out to a movie, which we traditionally do on Xmas. We saw “Big Fish.” It’s easily Burton’s best film since “Scissorhands,” but it was about a dying father who’s always making up stories so, y’know, it was just the thing to put me in a good mood.

PAD

If familiarity breeds contempt, but we’re not supposed to talk to strangers…doesn’t that mean we’re pretty much screwed?

PAD

Pretty hectic. Been working to bring Ariel’s fever down and keep it there, plus she’s had a cough that seems to laugh at cough medicines, even prescription ones. Today, though, her energy level is up and she’s not coughing near as much (although her fever jumped back up to 101). Plus I feel the dámņëd virus rooting around in the base of my throat, trying to get a toe-hold. So I’m scarfing Vitamin C, orange juice and other fluids as fast and frequently as I can, hoping to stave it off because I just *so* don’t have time to be sick.

On the plus side, finished several projects including “Fallen Angel #11,” the conclusion to the five part storyline entitled “Down to Earth.” Personally, I was rather pleased with it, which is saying something since I’m my own worst critic. And Dave and Fernando’s pencils and inks are just getting better and better, as you’ll see starting with next issue. They’re definitely in the groove now.

PAD

…and since the usual suspects haven’t, I will:

May 1st:

Showered! King! Go me!

The weekend of uninterrupted working/partying/bowling has been cut short as Ariel made an early return from her mom. What started as simply a nagging cough (pronounced as a mere virus at a doctor’s visit on Friday) has blossomed into a full-blown something nasty. The cough is still dry, but she had a fever of 103. In the long run, this could just simply mean she’s hot-blooded (check it and see). In the short run, though, the best place for her to be is back home. Advil is bringing the temperature down to manageable levels, but nevertheless I’m keeping a close eye on her. Kath now feels bad that she’s down in Atlanta and I’m handling this solo, but I think it’s preferable: Keeps the baby out of germs’ way.

On the other hand, the neighbors are relieved, since I’ve shut down the searchlights, disconnected the disco ball, and sent the strippers home.

PAD