The last few days have been terrible, because of this cold i have. At least one a year, i come down with a cold which knocks me out for a few days, and it's happened. On Sunday, i decided enough's enough and dragged myself to the annual meeting of AICA. I went for the full four hours. The first half was a panel discussion on the whole issue of the Web, the internet, blogging, and how these are changing the parameters for criticism. How print journalism is changing and (in many cases) shrinking, and how people are turning to the Web, etc.

Then there was the annual meeting, and then the reception. It was pleasant, actually, the panel was quite informative and lively, but it was really underattended. A pity. Anyway, by the time i got home, i was really feeling feverish.

Yesterday, i di hack around. I did watch all of the shorts for the IFP; amazing to think how many are so derivative. This becomes a question: if the filmmaker is "talented" and skillful, if the filmmaker shows exceptional craft, but the work is utterly unoriginal and empty, is this to be commended? In short: is craft enough? Or do you still look for signs, not just of talent, but originality?

Checked the MIX site on eBay, and now a lot of people are bidding on the cameras. Jim's camera is now past $50. I'll check back and see if i can still afford it in a few days.

On Michael Solano's website, there's a whole portfolio of pictures of Brett. In some shots, he looks so amazingly beautiful. There's one shot of him on the beach, a close-up of his face, and he's smiling. It's a really nice shot of him.

Anyway, yesterday the Keyspan guy came about the new boiler. Of course, there were problems! Larry wasn't here, so i had to be the one. Larry went ballistic. He's always getting worried about things. I don't know. I think things will work out....