So I was thinking it might be fun to put a list together to take a glance at how I faired throughout the year…

- I started Planet Reverb Feb 4. This is the 121st entry I have written and at the time I am writing this entry, I have had 11,232 visits

- I attended my first NBA and NFL games

- I recapped my first TV show, “Family Business,” and hope to do it again during its second season

- I had intelligent correspondence with an actual adult film star

- I saw some incredible concerts (Phish, moe, Grateful Dead, North Mississippi All-Stars, Dream Theater, Queensryche, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, etc.)

- I was awarded second place in our heat for a short film I directed and produced

- I was laid off from my first job out of college and lost my TV remote control on the same day

- I started a new job 5 weeks later before the time off work stopped feeling like vacation

- I lost enough weight to look good naked

- I received double paychecks for three and a half months

- I studied for the professional engineering exam

- I studied for the law school admissions test

- I decided to attend law school full time next fall

- I caused my first car accident

- I spent my first Thanksgiving away from my family

- I received some praise from the editor of McSweeney’s for some of my writing

I’d say 2003 was a damn good year for me (even with the whole being laid off saga).

So tonight, some friends and I are going to the moe concert at the Tweeter Center in Camden for the NYE show (front row, baby!). And we have conspired to become immortal. Our grand plan consists of having the band wish me a happy birthday, thus recording my name to the CDs of the concert for sale following the show, ensuring my immortality in the bootleg collections of moe fans everywhere. It’s not much of a plan, I know, but it’s something.

Wait, did I say “we” would become immortal? Sorry, as always, it’s all about me.

So I was flipping through the channels (manually, because my remote control is still MIA), and happened to see a commercial for the “Inside the Actor’s Studio” featuring Naomi Watts, and I couldn’t help but feel that the show has run its course.

Seriously, the show is clearly going down hill, and relying on actors/directors/show biz people who are hardly the cream of the crop.

I remember when the show first started, they hoped to preserve the advice and experiences of professionals at the top of their game. People like Paul Newman, Sally Field, Mike Nichols, etc. Then, as the show began to catch on they began throwing in certain guests for sensationalism. Sylvester Stallone comes to mind.

I’m sure GE, who owns Bravo, is putting huge pressure on the show for ratings, and so they are booking less than stellar artists to have their asses kissed by James Lipton. Now, I didn’t see the Naomi Watts show, and although her recent work is quite good, I don’t think she has the body of work that would merit having her advice shared with others. Hello? “Children of the Corn IV”, anyone?

When I first started thinking about writing/directing an independent film, this is the show I turned to for advice, to see what lessons I could glean from top actors and directors. Now, if I catch it while it’s on, I may watch five minutes of so.

Some guests that will air in 2004 include Barbara Streisand, Jay Leno, and Hugh Jackman. I don’t understand what these people could possibly share with the students in attendance that would give them better insight into the craft.

I’m holding my breath for the day James Lipton interviews Pauly Shore.

So as the year draws to a close, I leave you with the immortal words of 50 cent: “Love ya like a fat kid loves cake.”

Happy New Year, everyone.

READ THESE JOURNALS Uncle Bob SaraH

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