Everyone loves a tourist.

We visited the San Diego Zoo this morning, typically we spend our free days engaged in errands, chores, napping, running or swimming. I forget that San Diego is the home of a world class menagerie. We played the role of out of town tourists - purchased zoo ephemera, enjoyed the mild winter temperatures, wore shorts and t-shirts. I think Seb enjoyed the day, he made quite a bit of noise at the primate exhibits.

Cog Sci 101

"Theory of Mind is the ability to attribute mental states—beliefs, intents, desires, pretending, knowledge, etc.—to oneself and others and to understand that others have beliefs, desires and intentions that are different from one's own." - Wiki

My little guy has not developed Theory of Mind. It was made apparent this morning at daycare. When we arrived the newest member of the daycare was crying. Immediately Seb pointed at the crying child and began to laugh. Even though the response was incongruous to the event, I began to laugh at his response thus positively reinforcing his socially inappropriate response.

(photo credit: Chris Ritchie)

12 months

The last 12 months have passed ever so quickly. Happy birthday son!

Today and forever

I received a short e-mail from a friend today. His cousin was hit by a truck riding her bike to work. She had just graduated from Yale (as all Binghams do) and was working for a non-profit in Cleveland.

I met her when she was fourteen at the friend's wedding. The day after the wedding we went to Powell's Bookstore. She recommended the Tin Drum to me, while I recommended Absolute Beginners to her. We kept in touch after the wedding. We lost touch eventually, but I occasionally wondered where she ended up.

My first impression of her was that she was very bright, well read and a brilliant conversationalist. She was destined for great things.

Home renos starting again ...

1. Water heater conversion to tankless
2. Master bedroom closet
3. Kitchen patio

Starting in two weeks.

Office

I am tired of seeing my brother's blog entry, I decided to post a picture of my office door instead.

Video of the month.

A Haunting at the Last House on Haunted Hill

A Haunting in Connecticut: So the movie pitch to the studio heads probably went something like this:

"Ok, we're gonna get Casey Jones, the wine-taster from Candyman, Slimer, and a bunch of extras from 13 Ghosts. The movie is barely based on real life events, but who gives a fuck? We'll scare the audience roughly once every five minutes."

So that about sums up this movie. There are effective, but predictable scares at every corner. But I couldn't help but be reminded that I've seen this somewhere before...House on Haunted Hill! Creepy house that used to be an insane asylum or mortuary? Check. Old operation room? Check. Bitter dead people? Check.

Nothing so much as an original bone in this movie...until Casey Jones crashes in. He puts on his hockey mask, does his best Powder impersonation, and kicks the ectoplasm out of the Foot Soldiers aka dead people. The turtles, not used to taking on zombies that have been Banksy'ed in blood, take a back seat to that woman chanting Candyman in the mirror until Bloody Mary comes out to rip shit up. Christopher Walken, who was not available to play an arch-angel to Jones's vigilante, commented "come join me for champan-ya at The Continental." And then Forrest Gump shows up and is like "well shit man!."

The fat guy beside me, who was hard of breathing, sounded like he was gonna have a heart attack during the movie. In this day and age, I think that counts as being entertained.

I give this movie 1.5 shriveled balls in a room full of gay people wearing angel wings...meaning I don't know if I was scared or had a good time.