Illumination

Take 1.

6am...i should have stayed overnight in philly...i'm not a morning person...why do i do this to myself?...damn alarm...if i hit snooze, i can get another 8 minutes of sleep, but is it worth it?...my cat's awake and he's already asking me for food...has he been fed already?...i need to eat before i leave but i'm not really hungry...damn, i don't have enough time to shower!...what am i going to wear...great, my shirt is fraying on the front...will i find a cab at this time?...i arrive 20 minutes before my train...i could have hit snooze at least one more time...i'll sleep in the quiet car...great, i sat on the sunrise side...and the curtain doesn't block the light!...WHAT IS THAT DAMN RATTLING NOISE?!?!?...it must be the food tray next to me...no, maybe it's the foot rest...IT WON'T STOP!...i'll ignore it...oh man, now the sun is really in my eyes...i can't sleep...i might as well check my email...

I feel so irritated.

Take 2.

6am...it's early but at least i'm in my own bed...i am so lucky to wake up to my favorite music on a mobile device that fits in my pocket...snooze is a great way to ease into the waking world...my wonderful cat always waits until i'm awake to greet me with a morning song...i hope i get to see his expression when he gets his first food of the day...i am so lucky to get food whenever i want it, however i want it, wherever i want it...i am so lucky to have access to clean water whenever i want it, however i want it, wherever i want it...i am so lucky to never have to worry about clothing...i have more pairs of shoes than most people in the world have sets of clothes...i can either take a cab or take the university shuttle...the shuttle is just pulling up in front of my house...i'm here in plenty of time so i can sit and relax...maybe i can sleep on the train...the sun is rising...color, light and warmth return to the world...there's a rattling sound...i can't sleep...there's no new email...why would there be so early in the day?...i'll listen to music...as i close my eyes, i can feel the sunlight on my face...

I feel so blessed.

The rattling sound has ended. What could have eliminated it? It couldn't possibly come from me...I know it's true.

Firefly

Even though I've seen every episode of Firefly, I'm watching the DVD set that includes the "added features" that provide greater context and background. I think of DVD sets as another interpretation or instance of the original creative act. Firefly is another example of the unfortunate trend of intelligent, creative, thoughtful television series that usually die a quick death. Especially the ones that focus on "unorthodox" characters (think "Freaks and Geeks").

If these studio executives want to engage an audience that seems to be deserting them, perhaps they should tap into the passion and enthusiasm that continues--perhaps even grows--for Firefly. Instead of producing "geek TV" that ultimately results in the same offering, these folks should cultivate shows like Firefly, with television as one of the various channels for consumption. Or maybe television isn't even part of the equation anymore. I wouldn't be surprised if Firefly rises from its ashes without formal studio support. Firefly is an exemplary example of a mashup in concept, design, and music. Television is still a medium for homogeneous content offered through a one-way exchange. Clay Shirky, someone who's much more articulate and insightful about such matters offers a provocative and insightful view on this idea. One of my favorite lines from Firefly might be appropriate (albeit in a very different way) for the TV industry as they think about their audience:

"Ya'll gonna be here when I wake up?"

Spring Breeze

Over the past few months, I've experienced some of the most demanding and challenging times of my life. Today as I was walking, I felt the warmth of the sun and the spring breeze on my face in a moment of serenity. At that moment, I was convinced that breezes are whispers from God.