Marcus' World

Fit and Fidgeting

I always drive Helen crazy with my fidgeting about.   I never really sit still, which first became a problem at church years ago when they made the kids sit through the entire service.   Now I always fear that I am being rude at the movies or a play.

But it turns out that this is just a sign of my incredible health.  As reported in the Times on Friday ("The Fit Tend to Fidget, and Biology May be Why"):

"Overweight people have a tendency to sit, while lean ones have trouble holding still and spend two hours more a day on their feet, pacing around and fidgeting, researchers are reporting in findings published today."

So there, sweetheart.   If anyone ever challenges my fidgeting at a nice evening out, I'll politely say, "It's not boorishness, it's biology."

The Threat of SpongeBob Squarepants

Although it already seems like ancient news since it happened last week, I must comment on the lunacy of some people in the Christian right.

As President Bush was being feted in Washington, his base informed us that SpongeBob Squarepants is an essential part of a homosexual conspiracy.  After all, SpongeBob holds hands with his star friend and also appeared in a cartoon for the We Are Family  Foundation.   This outfit  espouses a tolerance pledge that includes respect for homosexuals.   Horror of horrors!

James Dobson and Co. believe that kids will watch the cartoon, go to the foundation web site, stumble upon the tolerance pledge, and come out gay.  These are the same people who said that John Kerry used convoluted logic...

Movie Madness

Ever since we've moved to New York City, I've loved going to movies.   This doesn't make economic sense, as Manhattan prices are outrageous.   I must just like the feeling of having three theaters in walking distance.   Side effects of this craze include feverish perusals of the Friday reviews in the Times, as well as ponderous reflection about the New Yorker's reviews.

Helen is more rational than me, so the mere proximity of theaters doesn't alter her behavior.   She's both teased and expressed frustration at this craze.   But as always she supports me in the end.   One of my Christmas presents was a nice set of movie gift certificates.