January 30, 2004
My musing yesterday regarding the origins of the Indiana Jones franchise/character elicited this response from Dan Buck of Washington DC:

“George Lucas's Indiana Jones was inspired not by an actual person but by the Saturday matinee serials of his youth, among them "Don Winslow of the Navy," “Spy Smasher," and "Zorro's Fighting Legion" -- all products of Republic Studios in the 1940s and 1950s. Art imitating art. A reporter today who writes a feature about an archaeologist shoveling sand in just about any far corner of the globe feels obligated to make a reference to Indiana Jones. Life imitating Indiana Jones imitating Don Winslow.” More here:
http://www.theraider.net/films/raiders/making_1_theidea.php

There has been some talk in the TW offices about a perceived “extreme casualness” among the employees. Perhaps it has something to do with my own wardrobe (see photo of me in my office with Abby Pearson).

Actually, this photo is from Halloween and I can’t remember who I was supposed to be (an aerobics instructor?), but it definitely belies the poster message behind my head.

My final postcard mailed from Spain (on Dec. 28!) showed up yesterday. It took a month. The odd thing is a batch were mailed from the same location and they obviously meandered their way here by different routes. I’d love to know how they made it thru, but who knows?

Going home for lunch today so I can take the dogs to the creek and gather my ten daily stones. I really enjoy the exercise and I’m getting quite a pile. And of course, Peaches and Buddy Boze Bell run and jump all over the place, as if we have never, ever been there.

“I think dogs were put in this world to remind humanity that love, loyalty, devotion, courage, patience, and good humor are the qualities that, with honesty, are the essence of admirable character and the very definition of a life well lived.”
—Dean Koontz, "Seize the Night"