Driving home the other day, this song came up in a shuffle:
Johnny Cash, The Big Battle
I think sir the battle is over
And the young soldier laid down his gun
I'm tired of running for cover
I'm certain the battle is done
For see over there where we fought them
It's quiet for they've all gone away
All left is the dead and the dying
The Blue laying long side the Gray
So you think the battle is over
And you even lay down your gun
You carelessly rise from your cover
For you think the battle is done
Now boy hit the dirt listen to me
For I'm still the one in command
Get flat on the ground here beside me
And lay your ear hard to the sand
Can you hear the deafening rumble
Can you feel the trembling ground
It's not just the horses and wagons
That make such a deafening sound
For every shot fired had an echo
And every man killed wanted life
There lies your friend Jim McKenney
Can you take the news to his wife
No son the battle's not over
The battle has only begun
The rest of the battle will cover
The part that has blackened the sun
The fight yet to come's not with cannon
Nor will the fight be hand to hand
No one will regroup the forces
No charge will a general command
The battle will rage in the bosom
Of mother and sweetheart and wife
Brother and sister and daughter
Will grieve for the rest of their lives
Now go ahead rise from your cover
Be thankful that God let you live
Go fight the rest of the battle
For those who gave all they could give
I see sir the battle's not over
The battle has only begun
The rest of the battle will cover
This part that has blackened the sun
For though there's no sound of the cannon
And though there's no smoke in the sky
I'm dropping the gun and the sabre
And ready for battle am I
One of my favorites of his, but it's been at least a year since I've heard it. I was floored all over again. How brilliantly does this expose the folly, and the permanence, of war? I got chills.
On top of that, the timing was perfect. Of the last couple days, Atrios and TBogg have been pounding on Michael Gerson, one of the chief marketers of our Grand Iraqi Adventure. Now that he's done coming up with catchy slogans for killing brown people, he's moved on to the more fertile pastures of wingnut handwringing over the "vulgarity" of media and entertainment and political commentary. Yes, you read that correctly. A rethuglican getting his panties all in a bunch over incivility in politics.
These three posts cover it quite well, I think.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
I, too, am aware...
Very "inside baseball" but very very funny.
Start here. Then go here. Then here. There are other links throughout the comment threads there.
Shakesville's contributors have joined in: Chet, Jeff, Melissa.
UPDATE: Game. Over.
Another winner.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Boom Boom (out go the Lakers)
Wow. Just wow. I see the Celtics decided to stop fucking around!
What a great way to end this thing. The first five games were always compelling and frequently thrilling, but there's something to be said for complete and utter domination too.
The Celtics just manhandled the Lakers tonight (HEY NOW!), and are about to wrap up the NBA championship with a 40 point win in game 6.
Congrats go out to Garnett and Pierce, who have truly earned this with their service in the league. Unfortunately, the Celtics are now stuck with Doc Pierce for a few more years.
This celebration is pretty freakin' cool.KG is going insane. KG is acting normally.
But of course, I'm annoyed right now. Look, I love Michelle Tafoya, she is really good at her job when her job is talking sports. She and Tirico and Van Pelt have a fantastic rapport when they do radio together. She knows her shit, and she's smart and funny. But I HATE this sideline/halftime nonsense. She's trying to ask KG questions, and all he wants to do is celebrate and throw all those fucking monkeys off his back. Let it be, dammit! Do you really need to ask him "how it feels?" You know exactly how "it feels" - he just screamed "yeah motherfucker yeeeargh" (paraphrasing here) at the top of his lungs on live television. (Props to the bleep guy.) Let. It. Be. But no, she has to try again. Guuuuuhhhhhhhh.
Wait a minute... David Stern does not know how to pronounce the word champion?!?! "Cham-peen?" Really? A commissioner of a major sport can't fucking pronounce CHAMPION?!?!?! It's going to take me days to get over this.
They got the MVP choice right, not that there was any doubt. Trooooooooooooth!
What a great way to end this thing. The first five games were always compelling and frequently thrilling, but there's something to be said for complete and utter domination too.
The Celtics just manhandled the Lakers tonight (HEY NOW!), and are about to wrap up the NBA championship with a 40 point win in game 6.
Congrats go out to Garnett and Pierce, who have truly earned this with their service in the league. Unfortunately, the Celtics are now stuck with Doc Pierce for a few more years.
This celebration is pretty freakin' cool.
But of course, I'm annoyed right now. Look, I love Michelle Tafoya, she is really good at her job when her job is talking sports. She and Tirico and Van Pelt have a fantastic rapport when they do radio together. She knows her shit, and she's smart and funny. But I HATE this sideline/halftime nonsense. She's trying to ask KG questions, and all he wants to do is celebrate and throw all those fucking monkeys off his back. Let it be, dammit! Do you really need to ask him "how it feels?" You know exactly how "it feels" - he just screamed "yeah motherfucker yeeeargh" (paraphrasing here) at the top of his lungs on live television. (Props to the bleep guy.) Let. It. Be. But no, she has to try again. Guuuuuhhhhhhhh.
Wait a minute... David Stern does not know how to pronounce the word champion?!?! "Cham-peen?" Really? A commissioner of a major sport can't fucking pronounce CHAMPION?!?!?! It's going to take me days to get over this.
They got the MVP choice right, not that there was any doubt. Trooooooooooooth!
Suh-WING and a Miss!
My company is moving this summer, to a new city in a different county, so we've being doing as much PR as we can. Always good to get free press. One great decision was to sponsor the Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce's "Swing and a Miss" golf tournament.
What a fantastic idea. It's a scramble (of course) for brand new and non-golfers. Everyone has to start somewhere, and if you're not the confident athletic type, going out on a public course with absolutely zero game can be intimidating. (It's also not the best idea if your newbieness means you don't know golf etiquette. It's OK to suck - I do it quite often - just suck fast. That is all I and the other people behind you on the course ask.) Anyway, last year's inaugural event was so well-received that they expanded the field this year and still sold out very quickly.
Since sending 72 clueless people out there to fend for themselves would make for a long afternoon for everyone, the event places a "good" player at every tee box and every green, to help out as necessary. Swing tips, a little cheerleading, a little club advice, putt-reading, etc. Anything to make the event more fun than frustrating for the players. As the representative of the chief sponsor, I got the 9th tee.
I looked the course up online Sunday night, and the card said 146 yards; I threw an 8-iron in my car. I show up yesterday, do the meet-and-greet, and walk out to the tee box so I can get some practice shots in before I'm responsible for getting these hacks somewhere near the green. They point me to the ladies' tee box. Uh oh. I've got my 150-yard club for an 85-yard shot. Oh well. (I should have known better. Totally stupid assumption on my part.) Anyway, I choke down a bit, make a few half-swings, and pretty soon I've got the distance dialed in.
I was having a great time. All manner of people came by. Women who want to play so they can occasionally go out with their boyfriends/husbands, men and women who want to be able to go out for business purposes, and some people just giving the game a test-drive. My favorite group by far was a foursome of women from a locally-headquartered credit union. They were a riot. Filthy, filthy mouths, totally busting on each other. "You've got to choke down on the shaft!" "Go down more!" "Grip it gently." And that was just while the first of the four was on the tee. It got worse.
Then the lightning came...
The horn went off, and we all gathered in the clubhouse for drinks and to watch the US Open playoff. After the Chamber's keg got polished off, the clubhouse manager scored some major bonus point by declaring open bar for an hour while they finished getting dinner ready.
I'm not good in full-on schmoozing situations, so sitting at a table of all strangers would have really sucked. As such, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that my company also sent a foursome. Three of my female co-workers and the owner's wife were there (turns out they were on the 8th fairway when the event got called), and we hooked up inside and had a grand old time, drinking beer and generally being obnoxious to each other.
The shortened round aside, a successful event. A nice balance of business and pleasure for all, and who wants to be in the office on a Monday afternoon?
What a fantastic idea. It's a scramble (of course) for brand new and non-golfers. Everyone has to start somewhere, and if you're not the confident athletic type, going out on a public course with absolutely zero game can be intimidating. (It's also not the best idea if your newbieness means you don't know golf etiquette. It's OK to suck - I do it quite often - just suck fast. That is all I and the other people behind you on the course ask.) Anyway, last year's inaugural event was so well-received that they expanded the field this year and still sold out very quickly.
Since sending 72 clueless people out there to fend for themselves would make for a long afternoon for everyone, the event places a "good" player at every tee box and every green, to help out as necessary. Swing tips, a little cheerleading, a little club advice, putt-reading, etc. Anything to make the event more fun than frustrating for the players. As the representative of the chief sponsor, I got the 9th tee.
I looked the course up online Sunday night, and the card said 146 yards; I threw an 8-iron in my car. I show up yesterday, do the meet-and-greet, and walk out to the tee box so I can get some practice shots in before I'm responsible for getting these hacks somewhere near the green. They point me to the ladies' tee box. Uh oh. I've got my 150-yard club for an 85-yard shot. Oh well. (I should have known better. Totally stupid assumption on my part.) Anyway, I choke down a bit, make a few half-swings, and pretty soon I've got the distance dialed in.
I was having a great time. All manner of people came by. Women who want to play so they can occasionally go out with their boyfriends/husbands, men and women who want to be able to go out for business purposes, and some people just giving the game a test-drive. My favorite group by far was a foursome of women from a locally-headquartered credit union. They were a riot. Filthy, filthy mouths, totally busting on each other. "You've got to choke down on the shaft!" "Go down more!" "Grip it gently." And that was just while the first of the four was on the tee. It got worse.
Then the lightning came...
The horn went off, and we all gathered in the clubhouse for drinks and to watch the US Open playoff. After the Chamber's keg got polished off, the clubhouse manager scored some major bonus point by declaring open bar for an hour while they finished getting dinner ready.
I'm not good in full-on schmoozing situations, so sitting at a table of all strangers would have really sucked. As such, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that my company also sent a foursome. Three of my female co-workers and the owner's wife were there (turns out they were on the 8th fairway when the event got called), and we hooked up inside and had a grand old time, drinking beer and generally being obnoxious to each other.
The shortened round aside, a successful event. A nice balance of business and pleasure for all, and who wants to be in the office on a Monday afternoon?
Monday, June 16, 2008
Tiger Woods? Why yes, he is the man.*
Of course, the 18-hole playoff for the US Open still wasn't enough to resolve the issue.
It took one extra hole, and one wayward drive by Rocco Mediate (giving the performance of his life), to finally finish things off on the 19th hole of the day.
What an amazing event, and Monday's play just solidified my opinion that this was the best golf event I've ever seen.
And I'm not alone.
*If you are one of the stupid fucks who still thinks "You da man!" is funny or original, or if you yell "Get in the hole" when Tiger - or anyone - is teeing off on a 613-yard par 5, I fucking hate you. This message was brought to you by Angelos, The Arbiter Of All That Is Pure And Good™.
It took one extra hole, and one wayward drive by Rocco Mediate (giving the performance of his life), to finally finish things off on the 19th hole of the day.
What an amazing event, and Monday's play just solidified my opinion that this was the best golf event I've ever seen.
And I'm not alone.
*If you are one of the stupid fucks who still thinks "You da man!" is funny or original, or if you yell "Get in the hole" when Tiger - or anyone - is teeing off on a 613-yard par 5, I fucking hate you. This message was brought to you by Angelos, The Arbiter Of All That Is Pure And Good™.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Soccer, golf deliver stern rebuke to myopic "sports fans"
First, soccer:
For those who remember, the Greek national team won the Euro in 2004, their first ever major tournament win. In what can only be described as a highly improbable run, they beat Portugal and Spain in the group stage, lost to Russia in a meaningless group match, then beat France in the quarters, the Czech Republic in the semis, and Portugal again in the final. My father happened to be visiting at the time of the final, so we PPVed the final match and had a nice heart-attack-inducing 2 hours together.
This year, returning as defending champs, they regressed to the mean and have already been eliminated from knock-out round contention, with a meaningless game against Spain remaining.
I've watched as much as I can, what with not working from home anymore and home projects galore (put the last of the bamboo flooring down this weekend), but I forgot this morning's early game because of all the stuff to do around here.
My brother called me early in the second half of today's Czech Republic - Turkey match though and told me I had to watch, the offenses on both sides were just going nuts. The Czechs had a 2-0 lead, but the Turks had been pressuring and pressuring in a highly entertaining back-and-forth match. Sure enough, after the Czechs had a shot clank off the crossbar instead of going in for what would have been a clinching 3rd goal, the Turks went right down the field and scored to make it 2-1. And man did they keep the pressure up. Chance after chance fell by the wayside, total craziness, until they managed to tie the game with 3 minutes remaining in regulation. I get up to refill my beer, planning on settling in for a PK shootout, and Turkey scores again!!! Amazing. Turkey advances to the knockout stage, the highly-ranked Czechs go home. The ultimate winner, though, was the fan. What a friggin' game.
In other news, this was probably the best weekend of golf I've ever seen. Tiger Woods (perhaps you've heard of him), in his first tournament play since April, sunk a HUGE clutch putt on the last hole to force an 18-hole playoff tomorrow. Why is that anything more than business as usual for Tiger? Well, mainly because he had no business being on that course. He has obviously not fully recovered since the knee surgery he had after the Masters, and
was doubled over in pain after every tee shot, and some of his longer irons - every power shot, really. If this had been any tournament but a major, he wouldn't have been there.
The shots he pulled off Friday and Saturday on the back nine, and the gutty grinding he did on Sunday, made this an even more compelling watch than his 15-stroke destruction of the field at the US Open at Pebble Beach in 2000. There just are no words for this guy that haven't been used ad nauseum already.
I'm quite sure I will never see a man as good at any sport as Tiger Woods is at his.
For those who remember, the Greek national team won the Euro in 2004, their first ever major tournament win. In what can only be described as a highly improbable run, they beat Portugal and Spain in the group stage, lost to Russia in a meaningless group match, then beat France in the quarters, the Czech Republic in the semis, and Portugal again in the final. My father happened to be visiting at the time of the final, so we PPVed the final match and had a nice heart-attack-inducing 2 hours together.
This year, returning as defending champs, they regressed to the mean and have already been eliminated from knock-out round contention, with a meaningless game against Spain remaining.
I've watched as much as I can, what with not working from home anymore and home projects galore (put the last of the bamboo flooring down this weekend), but I forgot this morning's early game because of all the stuff to do around here.
My brother called me early in the second half of today's Czech Republic - Turkey match though and told me I had to watch, the offenses on both sides were just going nuts. The Czechs had a 2-0 lead, but the Turks had been pressuring and pressuring in a highly entertaining back-and-forth match. Sure enough, after the Czechs had a shot clank off the crossbar instead of going in for what would have been a clinching 3rd goal, the Turks went right down the field and scored to make it 2-1. And man did they keep the pressure up. Chance after chance fell by the wayside, total craziness, until they managed to tie the game with 3 minutes remaining in regulation. I get up to refill my beer, planning on settling in for a PK shootout, and Turkey scores again!!! Amazing. Turkey advances to the knockout stage, the highly-ranked Czechs go home. The ultimate winner, though, was the fan. What a friggin' game.
In other news, this was probably the best weekend of golf I've ever seen. Tiger Woods (perhaps you've heard of him), in his first tournament play since April, sunk a HUGE clutch putt on the last hole to force an 18-hole playoff tomorrow. Why is that anything more than business as usual for Tiger? Well, mainly because he had no business being on that course. He has obviously not fully recovered since the knee surgery he had after the Masters, and
was doubled over in pain after every tee shot, and some of his longer irons - every power shot, really. If this had been any tournament but a major, he wouldn't have been there.
The shots he pulled off Friday and Saturday on the back nine, and the gutty grinding he did on Sunday, made this an even more compelling watch than his 15-stroke destruction of the field at the US Open at Pebble Beach in 2000. There just are no words for this guy that haven't been used ad nauseum already.
I'm quite sure I will never see a man as good at any sport as Tiger Woods is at his.
Wait, what year is it again? (part 2)
On ESPN right now, there is a profile of some American chick that's playing for ZOMG RUSSIA's women's basketball team in the Olympics this summer. OK, finally caught her name - Becky Hammon. That sounds familiar. Apparently she plays for the WNBA when that season's on here, then goes to Russia to play for a team in their professional league. She has a citizenship over there too.
The soundbites from the antis are hilarious. Some over-made-up woman with big hair saying "This is bad for her image. She can't be viewed as an All-American girl anymore." Wow. What're the odds that was a pageant mom? 100 to 1? 1000? A former coach (I missed whether it was high school or college) said playing for Russia calls her patriotism into question, another woman calls her a traitor outright. "There's history there!"
OK, Russia is a country now. This ain't your daddy's CCCP ladies. Sure, it's run by a murderous, petty little tyrant (just like the US!), but come on! In the last 15 years, has any of you really thought about Russia the same way you used to in the early 80s? If so, might I ask: "What the hell is wrong with you?" You're 45 years old, you should know better!
This lack of the ability to adapt to new information puzzles me. It's the calling card of a Bush voter, though, I can tell you that much.
UPDATE:Video is available. Not the complete segment, but enough.
Well, no more video. But here's a good link with the full story, and the absolutely pathetic quotes by the Team USA coach.
The soundbites from the antis are hilarious. Some over-made-up woman with big hair saying "This is bad for her image. She can't be viewed as an All-American girl anymore." Wow. What're the odds that was a pageant mom? 100 to 1? 1000? A former coach (I missed whether it was high school or college) said playing for Russia calls her patriotism into question, another woman calls her a traitor outright. "There's history there!"
OK, Russia is a country now. This ain't your daddy's CCCP ladies. Sure, it's run by a murderous, petty little tyrant (just like the US!), but come on! In the last 15 years, has any of you really thought about Russia the same way you used to in the early 80s? If so, might I ask: "What the hell is wrong with you?" You're 45 years old, you should know better!
This lack of the ability to adapt to new information puzzles me. It's the calling card of a Bush voter, though, I can tell you that much.
UPDATE:
Well, no more video. But here's a good link with the full story, and the absolutely pathetic quotes by the Team USA coach.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Something about cats and dogs
I am home. And not to be too dramatic about it – awww fuck it, why not – I am alive.
Holy motherfucking shit, that was without a doubt the most rain, and the strongest storm, I have ever witnessed. Heavy sheets of rain that shook the truck and rendered the wipers (at high speed) a joke. Huge chunks of ice, along with who knows what else, pelting me so fast and hard it seemed like a machine gun was being fired inside the vehicle.
Ridiculously strong swirling winds levitating branches and leaves and random trash like magic.
Oh, did I neglect to mention the tornado warnings? After we came to a full stop on the Northway, about half the cars pulled over, and the rest of us chugged along at 5-10mph, because why the hell not? It's got to end sometime. And I'm sitting there there wondering whether a tornado will come and take me to Kansas. Because that's just my fucking luck. I have a positive outlook like that.
Called the wife, no answer at home. (I can't see 15 feet ahead of me, but Verizon Wireless: 5 bars. I can hear you now.) Left a message. You know, "I my be dead soon, I love you." (OK, maybe not that melodramatic.) Got her on her cell phone at the liquor store, in Saratoga it was just rain. OK, that just makes my decision to keep moving smarter. Sure enough a few miles later, the sky changed from depths-of-Hades black to a nice gloomy gray, the hail stopped, and we got up to 40mph or so. Then 60! Woo hoo! Suck on that, sky!
Awesome in every sense of the word. I wish I had a dash-mounted camera, so I could share.
Holy motherfucking shit, that was without a doubt the most rain, and the strongest storm, I have ever witnessed. Heavy sheets of rain that shook the truck and rendered the wipers (at high speed) a joke. Huge chunks of ice, along with who knows what else, pelting me so fast and hard it seemed like a machine gun was being fired inside the vehicle.
Ridiculously strong swirling winds levitating branches and leaves and random trash like magic.
Oh, did I neglect to mention the tornado warnings? After we came to a full stop on the Northway, about half the cars pulled over, and the rest of us chugged along at 5-10mph, because why the hell not? It's got to end sometime. And I'm sitting there there wondering whether a tornado will come and take me to Kansas. Because that's just my fucking luck. I have a positive outlook like that.
Called the wife, no answer at home. (I can't see 15 feet ahead of me, but Verizon Wireless: 5 bars. I can hear you now.) Left a message. You know, "I my be dead soon, I love you." (OK, maybe not that melodramatic.) Got her on her cell phone at the liquor store, in Saratoga it was just rain. OK, that just makes my decision to keep moving smarter. Sure enough a few miles later, the sky changed from depths-of-Hades black to a nice gloomy gray, the hail stopped, and we got up to 40mph or so. Then 60! Woo hoo! Suck on that, sky!
Awesome in every sense of the word. I wish I had a dash-mounted camera, so I could share.
Take the test!
Hey, remember that scanned test from a few weeks ago, rating your spouse?
Someone turned it into a web quiz!
Someone turned it into a web quiz!
Sunday, June 08, 2008
The Human Camera
Got this video from Erica:
That's astounding.
Search for Stephen Wiltshire on YouTube and you'll find him doing the same thing for London, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and a couple more.
The human brain is a nutty nutty thing.
That's astounding.
Search for Stephen Wiltshire on YouTube and you'll find him doing the same thing for London, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and a couple more.
The human brain is a nutty nutty thing.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Way too cool for me...
Awesome.
Philly again!
Well, here we go again. For the third time in six weeks, heading down
the Northway, onto the lovely Garden State Parkway/Jersey Turnpike.
the Northway, onto the lovely Garden State Parkway/Jersey Turnpike.
Three of us from the job are heading down for the annual STC
conference. By virtue of my last visit, I'm the tour guide this time
around. Gotta hit that BBQ joint again, and I am so looking forward to
the French Toast at the Reading Market.
OK, enough typing on the Q.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
For political junkies
Cool statistics/polling site, written by a guy from Baseball Prospectus.
Numbers and pie-charts and cartograms, oh my!
Numbers and pie-charts and cartograms, oh my!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Yay!
Carpets have been munched put down.
What a difference. Now we just need the furniture-moving fairies to show up to put the rooms back together.
What a difference. Now we just need the furniture-moving fairies to show up to put the rooms back together.
Better to know your enemy?
TJ sent me this link to Mass Equality, an LGBT action group.
Listen to the audio clip.
Something tells me that hateful asshole identifies as "Christian" and "Republican." Just a hunch.
Listen to the audio clip.
Something tells me that hateful asshole identifies as "Christian" and "Republican." Just a hunch.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Flikr browsing
I hate Flikr, because it's too damned slow, but this is an amazing way to browse photos by tags.
Literary criticism and baseball, a match made in heaven
I heart the Dugout.
"We will now offer queries regarding the logic, circumstances, and meanings both ostensible and deconstructed."
That just kills me.
"We will now offer queries regarding the logic, circumstances, and meanings both ostensible and deconstructed."
That just kills me.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Memorial Day Weekend Wine and Food Blogging
We had to skip the Rusch's annual party this year, for the first time I can remember. Way too many projects to get done if we're going to get this house on the market for an open house on June 6th.
But, all work and no play makes us dull children, so good food and wine are in order. Our little reward system, if you must.
I don't even remember Friday's dinner, we probably just winged it with some eggs or something. But the wine... oh! the wine. The Colonial Estate Explorateur Old Vine Shiraz, Barossa Valley, 2005, $35. Wow.
The pour: very very dark. We settled on garnet. Nice clarity with very slight rim variation. Long, long legs.
Nose? You want nose?! Quick, go to your fridge, open up a jar of blackberry jam, and stick your schozz right in there. Then double it. And add some cherry jam, some wood, and some pepper. Huge! The taste followed suit. Thick mouthfeel, spices and fruits pinging every taste bud, the roof of your mouth, the back of your throat. Big, big wine. 8 points.
The weekend's menu was greatly enhanced by Erica's trip to the farmer's market. She brought home some just-picked arugula (elitist!), blue potatoes, bok choy, and lamb chorizo.
Saturday's menu:
Breaded catfish, rice, and bok choy. I make my own breadcrumbs most of the time, and there's no fixed recipe. Just toast the hell out of some not-so-fresh bread, and put it in the food processor with garlic powder, fresh ground pepper, sea salt, and whatever the hell else I feel like at the moment. For this meal, I added some bacon/horseradish dry rub to the crumbs. Dip the fish in eggs, batter thoroughly, and pan-fry in olive oil. The rice was basmati, to which I added nothing, because it would get the sauté liquids. The bok choy I had to research on the internets, and after checking out 5 or 6 preparation methods, settled on a 10-second boil in highly-salted water, followed by an immediate transfer to ice-water, then on to paper towels to get the water out of it. In a pan, I started up a sauce of olive oil, soy, sweet-n-sour, black pepper, and garlic. When the fish was almost done, I did a quick sauté of the bok choy in that sauce, just to get it back up to temperature.
No idea which wines we had. Oops.
Sunday's menu:
Sirloin steaks, mashed blue potatoes, sautéed arugula, and home-made bread. Very simple, but oh so tasty. I do my steaks in a cast-iron pan which I heat the hell out of for a nice sear, and then turn the flame way down to let residual heat take care of the rest. Just pepper and Greek sea salt, people. If you need to use A1, you're eating a bad steak. Basic mash on the potatoes: boil, then beat in the KitchenAid with tons of butter, fresh garlic, and half-and-half. They were so tasty. Must buy more. The bread was the hit of the day, though. I've been experimenting a lot with the bread-maker, because the recipes in the book always result in too dense a loaf. Tasted great, mind you, but I want my bread light and fluffy inside, with lots of bubbles. This was probably the best attempt yet. We nibbled at it all afternoon, and by the time dinner came around we had finished more than half of it. Plain, with butter, with gouda, plain, with olive oil, etc. Perfect. Just the right sweetness as it dissolved in our mouths. Mmmmmm.
The wines: a Mondavi Fume Blanc that I wasn't too fond of, but Erica enjoyed. I thought it was too grassy and raw. So I stuck with rum over ice, sipping slowly throughout the day. Very minor buzz, just enough to take the edge off the sheetrock and spackle and paint and putty and... Then, with dinner, Terra Única Tempranillo-Monastrel Reserva, Valencia, 2002, $9. Very nice wine, good spices, a definite hint of Spanish terroir. We forgot to take notes, unfortunately. Well worth it, if not spectacular. 7 points.
Monday's menu:
Who knows? I've got another loaf of bread going, and a turkey in the oven, but that's mostly for having food around during the week. Erica had mentioned grouper, so I might pull some of that out of the freezer. Leftover blue mash, maybe, and some more experimenting with the arugula.
The wines:
Our first bottle today, a McGregor Vineyard Pinot Noir Rosé. Perfect for a hot day. Crisp, with a nice mineral finish. Part of our membership package, it's not available to the public. Probably just didn't make enough.
Second up, McGregor Rosé de Cabernet Franc. Very tasty, and again, a perfect complement to the hard work and hot weather.
Third, an old Amarone di Valpolicella I rescued from the cellar. It was pricey 4 or 5 years ago, as all Amarones are, and I didn't want it to go bad. Also, the less wine we have to move, the better. Rich and fruity, with just enough tannin left to keep a balance. I love Amarones, but understand how they're too much for some palates.
No formal dinner, after all. We nibbled on turkey as I carved it, attacked the bread I made today, and I polished off the leftover catfish with some blue potato mash.
All in all, a very productive weekend. Four or five projects scratched off the list, and a few more started but not finished yet.
Thursday is the big day, when carpet gets put down in 4 rooms, and I start to tear apart the master bath.
Phew. Good fucking night, people.
But, all work and no play makes us dull children, so good food and wine are in order. Our little reward system, if you must.
I don't even remember Friday's dinner, we probably just winged it with some eggs or something. But the wine... oh! the wine. The Colonial Estate Explorateur Old Vine Shiraz, Barossa Valley, 2005, $35. Wow.
The pour: very very dark. We settled on garnet. Nice clarity with very slight rim variation. Long, long legs.
Nose? You want nose?! Quick, go to your fridge, open up a jar of blackberry jam, and stick your schozz right in there. Then double it. And add some cherry jam, some wood, and some pepper. Huge! The taste followed suit. Thick mouthfeel, spices and fruits pinging every taste bud, the roof of your mouth, the back of your throat. Big, big wine. 8 points.
The weekend's menu was greatly enhanced by Erica's trip to the farmer's market. She brought home some just-picked arugula (elitist!), blue potatoes, bok choy, and lamb chorizo.
Saturday's menu:
Breaded catfish, rice, and bok choy. I make my own breadcrumbs most of the time, and there's no fixed recipe. Just toast the hell out of some not-so-fresh bread, and put it in the food processor with garlic powder, fresh ground pepper, sea salt, and whatever the hell else I feel like at the moment. For this meal, I added some bacon/horseradish dry rub to the crumbs. Dip the fish in eggs, batter thoroughly, and pan-fry in olive oil. The rice was basmati, to which I added nothing, because it would get the sauté liquids. The bok choy I had to research on the internets, and after checking out 5 or 6 preparation methods, settled on a 10-second boil in highly-salted water, followed by an immediate transfer to ice-water, then on to paper towels to get the water out of it. In a pan, I started up a sauce of olive oil, soy, sweet-n-sour, black pepper, and garlic. When the fish was almost done, I did a quick sauté of the bok choy in that sauce, just to get it back up to temperature.
No idea which wines we had. Oops.
Sunday's menu:
Sirloin steaks, mashed blue potatoes, sautéed arugula, and home-made bread. Very simple, but oh so tasty. I do my steaks in a cast-iron pan which I heat the hell out of for a nice sear, and then turn the flame way down to let residual heat take care of the rest. Just pepper and Greek sea salt, people. If you need to use A1, you're eating a bad steak. Basic mash on the potatoes: boil, then beat in the KitchenAid with tons of butter, fresh garlic, and half-and-half. They were so tasty. Must buy more. The bread was the hit of the day, though. I've been experimenting a lot with the bread-maker, because the recipes in the book always result in too dense a loaf. Tasted great, mind you, but I want my bread light and fluffy inside, with lots of bubbles. This was probably the best attempt yet. We nibbled at it all afternoon, and by the time dinner came around we had finished more than half of it. Plain, with butter, with gouda, plain, with olive oil, etc. Perfect. Just the right sweetness as it dissolved in our mouths. Mmmmmm.
The wines: a Mondavi Fume Blanc that I wasn't too fond of, but Erica enjoyed. I thought it was too grassy and raw. So I stuck with rum over ice, sipping slowly throughout the day. Very minor buzz, just enough to take the edge off the sheetrock and spackle and paint and putty and... Then, with dinner, Terra Única Tempranillo-Monastrel Reserva, Valencia, 2002, $9. Very nice wine, good spices, a definite hint of Spanish terroir. We forgot to take notes, unfortunately. Well worth it, if not spectacular. 7 points.
Monday's menu:
Who knows? I've got another loaf of bread going, and a turkey in the oven, but that's mostly for having food around during the week. Erica had mentioned grouper, so I might pull some of that out of the freezer. Leftover blue mash, maybe, and some more experimenting with the arugula.
The wines:
Our first bottle today, a McGregor Vineyard Pinot Noir Rosé. Perfect for a hot day. Crisp, with a nice mineral finish. Part of our membership package, it's not available to the public. Probably just didn't make enough.
Second up, McGregor Rosé de Cabernet Franc. Very tasty, and again, a perfect complement to the hard work and hot weather.
Third, an old Amarone di Valpolicella I rescued from the cellar. It was pricey 4 or 5 years ago, as all Amarones are, and I didn't want it to go bad. Also, the less wine we have to move, the better. Rich and fruity, with just enough tannin left to keep a balance. I love Amarones, but understand how they're too much for some palates.
No formal dinner, after all. We nibbled on turkey as I carved it, attacked the bread I made today, and I polished off the leftover catfish with some blue potato mash.
All in all, a very productive weekend. Four or five projects scratched off the list, and a few more started but not finished yet.
Thursday is the big day, when carpet gets put down in 4 rooms, and I start to tear apart the master bath.
Phew. Good fucking night, people.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Brilliant, again
Wow.
I wonder how much that would have cost.
UPDATE: Fake. As many Giz commenter said at the time. Still a great piece, and still a work of art. Just in a different way.
I wonder how much that would have cost.
UPDATE: Fake. As many Giz commenter said at the time. Still a great piece, and still a work of art. Just in a different way.
Meme!
Well, that's one way to end the drought. Tag me with an alcohol meme.
I tag Bill. TJ, put yours in comments.
Beer, wine, liquor, mixed drinks. Rank 'em.
1. Beer
2. Wine
3. Rum
4. Bourbon
5. TequilaHow often do you drink?
Pretty much every day.
Favorite Scotch?
Laphroaig and Lagavulin.
Favorite Bourbon?
Maker's Mark
Favorite tequila?
None that I can think of. As long as it's 100%, and aged well, I'll try it.
Favorite Gin?
Bombay Sapphire
Favorite Vodka?
Whatever.
Favorite Rum?
Gosling's Bermuda Black
Drunkest you've ever been?
Probably when I funneled screwdrivers freshman year at RPI. 1 liter vodka, 1 quart OJ, less than an hour.
Red or White?
Red, but we enjoy busting out some good whites on the deck in the summer.
Best wine you've ever tasted?
No such thing.
Favorite type of wine?
I love so many varietals, I'm not going to try to pick a true favorite. Lately I've been gravitating to "non-standard" wines, like Malbec, Carménère, etc.. Always looking for new stuff.
Favorite every-day red?
Yellow Tail Shiraz Reserve. Really, spend that extra dollar. The difference between the generic one that took the country by storm a couple years ago and the Reserve is tremendous.
Favorite every-day white?
KJ Chardonnay is a little too expensive for every day, even at BJs, but it's real good.
Best value wine?
Too many to mention. Most of our drinking is "cheap" wine, from BJs. There's a ton of good stuff at $6 to $9.
Do you drink box?
There are too few good ones. It's a great concept, but I hate spending $20 (even if it's for 4 bottles of wine) and then feeling like I have to choke it down.
Fastest you've ever gotten drunk?
See: most drunk above.
Longest you've ever stayed drunk?
There were a few 4-5 day stretches in college.
Ever do anything you really regret while drunk?
Yeah, of course. A drove a lot in college, even if it was only 2 miles up the hill. Punched a window and wound up with a few stitches. A couple dickish things. You know the deal.
Favorite lager?
Grolsch.
Favorite IPA?
Dogfish Head 60-minute.
Favorite brown ale?
Samuel Smith Nut Brown Ale
Favorite doppelbock?
Favorite Belgian?
Ommegang from the US, and Duvel's Tripel. (UPDATE: Chimay Blue, too.)
Favorite stout?
Péché Mortel and Dogfish World Wide Stout. I ain't pickin' just one. You can't make me.
Favorite Winter Ale?
Don't like most of them. Too much spice, instead of just a hint. If I have to pick one, I'll go Corsendonk.
Favorite Scotch Ale?
McEwan's. Nothing else comes close in this category.
Favorite Other? (Because I realize this is getting abusive to non-beer-nerds.)
Lots of barleywines are competing for this slot.
Favorite Brewery?
Dogfish Head
Favorite mixed drink?
Rum Swizzle. Cuba Libre. Manhattan. Mint Julep (made my way).
Favorite morning libation?
Bloody Mary.
Do you suffer memory loss when you drink heavily?
What?
Favorite place to drink?
Hmmm. I don't think I've been to a truly memorable bar. I've had great memories at many places, but to think of any of them as a destination... nope.
Favorite sports bar?
None. Never been to a chain, and the sports bar in downtown Saratoga sucks moosecock.
Ever consider AA?
No. I hate meetings.
I tag Bill. TJ, put yours in comments.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Yeah, yeah, yeah
One of these days I'll actually write something myself (or bring something out of drafts), before this thing becomes a total link-dump.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
America!
Harvey now works part time for $8 an hour, and she draws Social Security to help make ends meet. But she still cannot afford an apartment, and so every night she pulls into a gated parking lot to sleep in her car, along with other women who find themselves in a similar predicament.
There are 12 parking lots across Santa Barbara that have been set up to accommodate the growing middle-class homelessness. These lots are believed to be part of the first program of its kind in the United States, according to organizers.
Jeez, I suppose pinko commie liberal DFH-types think there should be ways to help these people. But what we really need are more tax cuts, so the riches trickle down.
Monday, May 19, 2008
NBA talk
I know there are only "19 NBA fans" out there, of which I'm not one. But I've just got to opine, even though Toast may be the only one of my readers who cares.
While the sport of basketball is pretty damned entertaining, I can't stand the NBA game most of the time. On too many teams, there is only one good-to-great player, which leads to zero team play. Really, as great as Dwyane [sic] Wade is is, do you really want to watch a Heat game? I didn't think so.
So... year in and year out, since I don't have a team to root for (NY doesn't have a basketball team of which I am aware), I pretty much ignore the NBA until the second round of the playoffs, and then only selectively watch interesting teams in compelling series (Suns, Mavs, Spurs, Lakers, etc.). Yeah, the West.
This year, though, the regular season was truly interesting to follow.
To begin, the Celtics went all in during the offseason, and made a series of trades that turned them from a joke into a contender in a matter of two weeks. Changed the landscape of the Eastern Conference before a single game was played.
Then, during the season, the No Balls League, well... grew some. Gasol to the Lakers! Shaq's corpse to the Suns! Kidd to the Mavs! It's like the league's GMs collectively realized that they're paid to work or something.
The regular season in the West was a thing of beauty. I didn't watch any more games than I used to, maybe 2-3 a month, but the playoff race was astoundingly interesting to pay attention to. Every game for the last month was a playoff game. Nine teams were in contention into the final week. Truly, everything sports should be.
Meanwhile, the Celts ran away with the East, Detroit was really good as usual, Orlando was good, LeBron carried another pathetic Cavs team to a better-than-deserved record, and everyone else sucked. It's kind of like ECAC hockey. Everyone makes the playoffs! Yay!
Of course, the playoffs started, and there was a complete reversal. The first round in the West went 4, 5, 5, and 6 games. Boooooo-ring. The East was a little better, going 5, 6, 6, and 7, but that 7-gamer was ridiculous, as the Celts should have taken the Hawks down in 5 games, easy.
Queueueueueue up Round Two, which is when I usually start paying attention. What. The. Fuck? Granted, by this point, the eight teams left should be pretty good (or at least be playing well). And good teams should be able to defend home court, whatever that advantage is statistically. But of the 24 games played so far (with another game 7 to come tomorrow), the home team is 22-2! I'm too lazy to figure out the odds myself, and I'm sure some dedicated NBA blogger has done it already, but that's just out of control strange.
Anyway, enough rambling.
In conclusion:
Go Hornets!!!!! CP3!! CP3!! CP3!!
While the sport of basketball is pretty damned entertaining, I can't stand the NBA game most of the time. On too many teams, there is only one good-to-great player, which leads to zero team play. Really, as great as Dwyane [sic] Wade is is, do you really want to watch a Heat game? I didn't think so.
So... year in and year out, since I don't have a team to root for (NY doesn't have a basketball team of which I am aware), I pretty much ignore the NBA until the second round of the playoffs, and then only selectively watch interesting teams in compelling series (Suns, Mavs, Spurs, Lakers, etc.). Yeah, the West.
This year, though, the regular season was truly interesting to follow.
To begin, the Celtics went all in during the offseason, and made a series of trades that turned them from a joke into a contender in a matter of two weeks. Changed the landscape of the Eastern Conference before a single game was played.
Then, during the season, the No Balls League, well... grew some. Gasol to the Lakers! Shaq's corpse to the Suns! Kidd to the Mavs! It's like the league's GMs collectively realized that they're paid to work or something.
The regular season in the West was a thing of beauty. I didn't watch any more games than I used to, maybe 2-3 a month, but the playoff race was astoundingly interesting to pay attention to. Every game for the last month was a playoff game. Nine teams were in contention into the final week. Truly, everything sports should be.
Meanwhile, the Celts ran away with the East, Detroit was really good as usual, Orlando was good, LeBron carried another pathetic Cavs team to a better-than-deserved record, and everyone else sucked. It's kind of like ECAC hockey. Everyone makes the playoffs! Yay!
Of course, the playoffs started, and there was a complete reversal. The first round in the West went 4, 5, 5, and 6 games. Boooooo-ring. The East was a little better, going 5, 6, 6, and 7, but that 7-gamer was ridiculous, as the Celts should have taken the Hawks down in 5 games, easy.
Queueueueueue up Round Two, which is when I usually start paying attention. What. The. Fuck? Granted, by this point, the eight teams left should be pretty good (or at least be playing well). And good teams should be able to defend home court, whatever that advantage is statistically. But of the 24 games played so far (with another game 7 to come tomorrow), the home team is 22-2! I'm too lazy to figure out the odds myself, and I'm sure some dedicated NBA blogger has done it already, but that's just out of control strange.
Anyway, enough rambling.
In conclusion:
Go Hornets!!!!! CP3!! CP3!! CP3!!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
Depressing
The Poorman:
Now, the inspiration for that is fucking hilarious:
But still, the fact that's it's noteworthy for a media hack to actually put a wingnut in his place is depressing. That wingnut is your typical GOP voter. Made of pure stupid.
It’s all like this. Everything is just like this. Some blank young person who has memorized a 5" x 7" index card of focus group-approved phrases, yelling, yelling, yelling over everyone. And you can say what you want, and be as right as you want, but he’s going to keep yelling, and yelling, and yelling until you get sick of it, and at the end of the day everybody knows that Barack Obama goes to secret Muslim church. Everything is like this. An election won’t fix it. This rules the world.
Now, the inspiration for that is fucking hilarious:
But still, the fact that's it's noteworthy for a media hack to actually put a wingnut in his place is depressing. That wingnut is your typical GOP voter. Made of pure stupid.
Damn I'm smooth
I forgot my iPod home a couple days ago, so on my way to work, during the seemingly interminable commercial breaks for Mike and Mike, I switched to Free Beer and Hot Wings, your typical Morning Zoo-type show. They were talking about a survey some men's magazine (I think Men's Health) did in conjunction with some university research team. They studied people watching porn.
So one of the hosts says to the others, "I'll give you five standard porn scenes, and you tell me, from most arousing to least arousing, which the women watching them preferred."
The scenes were:
Man performing oral on woman
Doggy
Woman masturbating
Anal
Woman performing oral on man
The other three people took a few second to write down their lists, and then compared to the real results. They all sucked at it. Of course, the woman on the team happened to be out that day. She's pretty funny, and would have provided some insight, so that was unfortunate timing.
Anyway, I aced it. I was absolutely sure about 1, 2, and 5; 3 and 4, I was waffling a bit, but made my best educated guess.
From most arousing to least, here's what women watching porn preferred:
1. Woman performing oral on man
2. Doggy
3. Anal
4. Woman masturbating
5. Man performing oral on woman
Please share your thoughts and opinions.
So one of the hosts says to the others, "I'll give you five standard porn scenes, and you tell me, from most arousing to least arousing, which the women watching them preferred."
The scenes were:
Man performing oral on woman
Doggy
Woman masturbating
Anal
Woman performing oral on man
The other three people took a few second to write down their lists, and then compared to the real results. They all sucked at it. Of course, the woman on the team happened to be out that day. She's pretty funny, and would have provided some insight, so that was unfortunate timing.
Anyway, I aced it. I was absolutely sure about 1, 2, and 5; 3 and 4, I was waffling a bit, but made my best educated guess.
From most arousing to least, here's what women watching porn preferred:
1. Woman performing oral on man
2. Doggy
3. Anal
4. Woman masturbating
5. Man performing oral on woman
Please share your thoughts and opinions.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Splooge
From Uncrate:
The Ferrari California ($TBA) is an all-aluminum 2-seater with a retractable, folding hard top. Under the hood, the Maserati-esque convertible will feature a mid-front mounted 460-hp 4.3-liter V8. Other specs include a 7-speed dual clutch transmission, F1-Trac traction control system, and a 0 to 60 time of under 4 seconds.
America the disgusting
You know what I would like? I would like our tourism industry to collapse entirely. I want a complete and total destruction of the US economy, and I want it now. Real estate, tourism, manufacturing, service, everything. I mean, we're already 50% of the way there, let's just let it all go. Let's complete the job of turning "republican" into a profanity.
Seriously, why the fuck would anyone want to come here, if this is the potential result?
Some key quotes:
Own this, you stupid fucking GOP voters. OWN IT. You can't cherry-pick your "republican values." You can't say "well, I'm not a racist/sexist/xenophobe/whatever, I just believe in low taxes" or some shit like that. You own all of this. You are it.
Seriously, why the fuck would anyone want to come here, if this is the potential result?
Some key quotes:
"Ms. Cooper, 23, who had promised to show her boyfriend another side of her country on this visit — meaning Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon — eventually learned that he had been sent in shackles to a rural Virginia jail. And there he remained for more than 10 days, locked up without charges or legal recourse while Ms. Cooper, her parents and their well-connected neighbors tried everything to get him out."
"They were pretty shocked that the government could do this sort of thing, because it doesn’t happen that often, except to people you never hear about, like Haitians and Guatemalans.”
And because such “arriving aliens” are not considered to be in the United States at all, even if they are in custody, they have none of the legal rights that even illegal immigrants can claim.
One recent case involved an Icelandic woman who was refused entry at Kennedy Airport because, a dozen years earlier, she had overstayed her visa by three weeks. The woman, Erla Osk Arnardottir Lillendahl, was deported Dec. 10 after what she described as 24 hours of interrogation and humiliating treatment — locked in a cell and barred from making phone calls.
Ms. Cooper said that at the airport, when she begged to know what was happening to Mr. Salerno, an agent told her, “You know, he should try spending a little more time in his own country.”
Ten days after he landed in Washington, Mr. Salerno was still incarcerated, despite efforts by Senator John W. Warner, Republican of Virginia, and two former immigration prosecutors hired by the Coopers.
“He’s just really scared,” Ms. Cooper said in an interview last Thursday. “He asked me if Virginia has the death penalty.”
Luis Paoli, a lawyer hired by the Coopers, said there was no limit on detention while waiting for an asylum interview. But even after officials agreed the asylum issue had been a mistake, Mr. Salerno was not released.
Own this, you stupid fucking GOP voters. OWN IT. You can't cherry-pick your "republican values." You can't say "well, I'm not a racist/sexist/xenophobe/whatever, I just believe in low taxes" or some shit like that. You own all of this. You are it.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Dïsködäns
Oh noez! Like sands in the hourglass, the blogwars have risen from the embers of post-deconstructionalist Iraq. Or something.
Here are just a few of the SCUDs and Pätriöts launched over the last few days. Really, bounce around the links and enjoy some wonderful blunderful awfulness.
My favorite:
Here are just a few of the SCUDs and Pätriöts launched over the last few days. Really, bounce around the links and enjoy some wonderful blunderful awfulness.
My favorite:
Friday, May 09, 2008
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Meme!
Stolen from Mike, who only posts once every couple months it seems. Fucker. Arm-wrestling, bookshelf-destroying fucker.
1) Ten years ago I was...
Moving from Troy to Saratoga, to live in my parents' house with my brother, who was attending Skidmore. For my parents, trustworthy tenants. For me, cheap rent. For my brother, no $7000 worth of Room & Board tacked on to already-ridiculous tuition loans. Wins all around. Dating Mary. Self-employed, successfully.
2) Five things on today's to-do list:
Not die from this strange stomach pain.
Chug some Pepto.
Get a lot of work done at the office. Fucking Bengali fonts can suck my ass.
Chill with Erica.
Make some phone calls for house-hold projects. Carpets, a couple yards of stone, garage doors, etc.
3) Things I'd do if I were a billionaire:
Buy a baseball team.
Visit many tropical islands.
Have a media room to embarrass even the best movie theaters.
UPDATE: I was so caught up in my newfound wealth, I forgot the things I'd do after my 2 personal needs were taken care of (the islands are for both of us).
Use the money, and the power that comes with it, to make more money for causes. I have 2 or 3 favorites, Erica does too. But rather than just cut $100,000,000 checks to six organizations, I'd want to build something that would make them that much in interest alone. Na-mean? That would be my "job." Building something real, chillin' with Sachs (I'd call him J Sack, 'cuz we'd be tight) and Bono, doin' it and doin' it and doin' it well.
4) Three bad habits:
No such thing.
5) Five places I've lived:
Cherry Valley, NY
Athens, Greece
Troy, New York
Saratoga Springs, NY
I don't remember any towns before Cherry Valley.
6) Six jobs I've had in my life:
Telemarketing
Pizza Delivery
Copy shop (x2)
Translation and typesetting
Fuck, I'm boring.
If you see this, you're tagged.
1) Ten years ago I was...
Moving from Troy to Saratoga, to live in my parents' house with my brother, who was attending Skidmore. For my parents, trustworthy tenants. For me, cheap rent. For my brother, no $7000 worth of Room & Board tacked on to already-ridiculous tuition loans. Wins all around. Dating Mary. Self-employed, successfully.
2) Five things on today's to-do list:
Not die from this strange stomach pain.
Chug some Pepto.
Get a lot of work done at the office. Fucking Bengali fonts can suck my ass.
Chill with Erica.
Make some phone calls for house-hold projects. Carpets, a couple yards of stone, garage doors, etc.
3) Things I'd do if I were a billionaire:
Buy a baseball team.
Visit many tropical islands.
Have a media room to embarrass even the best movie theaters.
UPDATE: I was so caught up in my newfound wealth, I forgot the things I'd do after my 2 personal needs were taken care of (the islands are for both of us).
Use the money, and the power that comes with it, to make more money for causes. I have 2 or 3 favorites, Erica does too. But rather than just cut $100,000,000 checks to six organizations, I'd want to build something that would make them that much in interest alone. Na-mean? That would be my "job." Building something real, chillin' with Sachs (I'd call him J Sack, 'cuz we'd be tight) and Bono, doin' it and doin' it and doin' it well.
4) Three bad habits:
No such thing.
5) Five places I've lived:
Cherry Valley, NY
Athens, Greece
Troy, New York
Saratoga Springs, NY
I don't remember any towns before Cherry Valley.
6) Six jobs I've had in my life:
Telemarketing
Pizza Delivery
Copy shop (x2)
Translation and typesetting
Fuck, I'm boring.
If you see this, you're tagged.
Speed Racer - the critics
Hah.
As I figured it would, the movie is getting killed critically.
I don't know. I enjoy reading criticism, mostly because I can't write it well myself. But in terms of paying attention to critics, whether music or films, I've found very few voices that consistently speak to me. That's fine; it all just boils down to debate, which can be fun.
Thing is, I see lines like "Or maybe it's the predictable story about a guy who goes up against crooked corporate sponsors" and wonder to myself, doesn't this idiot know that every movie can be boiled down to a one- or two-sentence pitch? Sure, that device isn't new, but what is? It's the execution, dummy!
Maybe it's my ADD-addled brain, but I still believe that it was a fun movie, a basic David vs. Goliath plot well-acted within the context (this was a Japanese cartoon after all), wonderful visually.
I tend to agree that the movie didn't need to be as long as it was; some of the whiz-bang could probably have been cut to bring it in under 2 hours. Other than that though, for escapist entertainment, the movie is all win.
I loved this line though:
I'm being serious when I caution epileptics to avoid this film.
See? I wasn't kidding.
As I figured it would, the movie is getting killed critically.
I don't know. I enjoy reading criticism, mostly because I can't write it well myself. But in terms of paying attention to critics, whether music or films, I've found very few voices that consistently speak to me. That's fine; it all just boils down to debate, which can be fun.
Thing is, I see lines like "Or maybe it's the predictable story about a guy who goes up against crooked corporate sponsors" and wonder to myself, doesn't this idiot know that every movie can be boiled down to a one- or two-sentence pitch? Sure, that device isn't new, but what is? It's the execution, dummy!
Maybe it's my ADD-addled brain, but I still believe that it was a fun movie, a basic David vs. Goliath plot well-acted within the context (this was a Japanese cartoon after all), wonderful visually.
I tend to agree that the movie didn't need to be as long as it was; some of the whiz-bang could probably have been cut to bring it in under 2 hours. Other than that though, for escapist entertainment, the movie is all win.
I loved this line though:
I'm being serious when I caution epileptics to avoid this film.
See? I wasn't kidding.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
This is bad, but it will not prove to be the "ultimate"
IrvineHousingBlog has another ridiculous house-as-ATM scenario, the largest one he's found yet.
Take out 1 million dollars in 5 years, and just mail in the keys.
Take out 1 million dollars in 5 years, and just mail in the keys.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
WANT
Craftsman 1470 pc. Professional Tool Set
A great collection of mechanics tools. Includes 300 pc. Base Essentials Set (33300), 198 pc. Professional Essentials Set (33198), 189 pc. Specialized Essentials Set (35189), 204 pc. Advanced Access Pro's Set (33204), 106 pc. Advanced Professional Tool Set (35106), 89 pc. Specialized Access Professional Tool Set (35086), 83 pc. Ultimate Fully-Polished Ratcheting Set (35183), 77 pc. Heavy-Duty Mechanic's Set (35079), 94pc. Auto Specialty Professional Tool Set (35098) and 130 pc. Professional Impact Set (34130).
I just had a nerdgasm.
Now I need $9000.
You've got to be kidding me
So I'm reading this, and thinking it's pretty funny for the most part. I mean, sending mass e-mail advertising "sales" on cocaine?
Then this stopped me dead in my tracks:
What?!?!? That must be some sort of self-created program, because it's not listed at SDSU's website.
Any input, Chemist or Tart?
Then this stopped me dead in my tracks:
One student allegedly dealing cocaine was a month short of obtaining a master's degree in Homeland Security and worked with campus police as a student community service officer.
What?!?!? That must be some sort of self-created program, because it's not listed at SDSU's website.
Any input, Chemist or Tart?
Monday, May 05, 2008
Sneak Preview: Speed Racer
A couple weeks ago, I won tickets to tonight's showing of Speed Racer at Crossgates, and boy am I glad I have useless trivia rattling around in my head so I could call into my local ESPN Radio affiliate and answer the question "Name 5 players affected by the Madden Curse."
Brewing partner Bill (link is to his better review, and a cool screen-cap that I didn't find last night) came along, as did Dave, who is always willing to drink the beer at least. Erica backed out at the list minute, as she's just too swamped with grad school work right now, because the prof for her current class decided to add three last-minute assignments to be due this week. Did I mention this is the last week of the class? Hey, dumbass, not all of your students are 22-year-olds just off their first degree. Some are actual teachers (you know, with jobs) who plan their days to the minute; springing 6+ more pages of off-syllabus writing on them at the last minute really fucks with their lives.
Sorry, where was I?
Oh, yes.
One of the most beautiful movies I have ever seen. Sumptuous, even.
Solid-to-fantastic performances all around. John Goodman and Susan Sarandon were pitch-perfect as Mom and Pops, and some guy I don't know was just the right amount of over-the-top as the cartoonish bad guy.
Christina Ricci was a great Trixie, and it was nice that the role had more to it than just "the girlfriend." She was sharp. Oh, and pretty damned scrumptious.
Emile Hirch (who was supposedly very good in Into the Wild) was a good choice for Speed. It's been at least 15 years since I've seen an episode of the original cartoon (and I was probably stoned), but he just felt right in the role.
Matthew Fox, inspiration for much Tart lust, was a solid Racer X.
I didn't really have expectations going into this, good or bad, but I was hoping it wasn't another Transformers, pretty but vapid (at least according to everything I heard - I'm not much of a movie person, so I never saw it). Turns out I had nothing to fear.
Now, this ain't Shakespeare, but the plot was more than sufficiently fleshed out, nicely paced, with a perfect balance between comedy and drama. There were plenty of timely theater-wide LOL moments, many involving Chim Chim the monkey and Spritle the little brother.
And did I mention the movie was fucking gorgeous?
Stunning use of color. Remember what a big deal it was a zillion years ago when they did Dick Tracy in primary colors? That idea times 1000. Excellent blend of CGI and meatspace, a nice "illustrated" feel.
If this movie were candy, it would be a Lindt truffle, not a Reese's cup.
My only complaint would be that a couple of the racing scenes were too fast. I honestly can't wait for the DVD, to try to freeze-frame a few of them and figure out what exactly happened.
Rating: 5 stars. Eye candy of the highest order, good story. You will have fun.
My only caveat is that if you are prone to seizures, you might want to stay away. I'm not kidding, I used to date someone who was. We couldn't go to clubs that had strobes or disco balls. This movie might have killed her.
Brewing partner Bill (link is to his better review, and a cool screen-cap that I didn't find last night) came along, as did Dave, who is always willing to drink the beer at least. Erica backed out at the list minute, as she's just too swamped with grad school work right now, because the prof for her current class decided to add three last-minute assignments to be due this week. Did I mention this is the last week of the class? Hey, dumbass, not all of your students are 22-year-olds just off their first degree. Some are actual teachers (you know, with jobs) who plan their days to the minute; springing 6+ more pages of off-syllabus writing on them at the last minute really fucks with their lives.
Sorry, where was I?
Oh, yes.
One of the most beautiful movies I have ever seen. Sumptuous, even.
Solid-to-fantastic performances all around. John Goodman and Susan Sarandon were pitch-perfect as Mom and Pops, and some guy I don't know was just the right amount of over-the-top as the cartoonish bad guy.
Christina Ricci was a great Trixie, and it was nice that the role had more to it than just "the girlfriend." She was sharp. Oh, and pretty damned scrumptious.
Emile Hirch (who was supposedly very good in Into the Wild) was a good choice for Speed. It's been at least 15 years since I've seen an episode of the original cartoon (and I was probably stoned), but he just felt right in the role.
Matthew Fox, inspiration for much Tart lust, was a solid Racer X.
I didn't really have expectations going into this, good or bad, but I was hoping it wasn't another Transformers, pretty but vapid (at least according to everything I heard - I'm not much of a movie person, so I never saw it). Turns out I had nothing to fear.
Now, this ain't Shakespeare, but the plot was more than sufficiently fleshed out, nicely paced, with a perfect balance between comedy and drama. There were plenty of timely theater-wide LOL moments, many involving Chim Chim the monkey and Spritle the little brother.
And did I mention the movie was fucking gorgeous?
Stunning use of color. Remember what a big deal it was a zillion years ago when they did Dick Tracy in primary colors? That idea times 1000. Excellent blend of CGI and meatspace, a nice "illustrated" feel.
If this movie were candy, it would be a Lindt truffle, not a Reese's cup.
My only complaint would be that a couple of the racing scenes were too fast. I honestly can't wait for the DVD, to try to freeze-frame a few of them and figure out what exactly happened.
Rating: 5 stars. Eye candy of the highest order, good story. You will have fun.
My only caveat is that if you are prone to seizures, you might want to stay away. I'm not kidding, I used to date someone who was. We couldn't go to clubs that had strobes or disco balls. This movie might have killed her.
Irony has been dead for a while now...
... but they keep kicking, and kicking, and kicking.
Really, Laura? Really? (sorry, SNL)
Do I really need to mention New Orleans? I didn't think so.
Really, Laura? Really? (sorry, SNL)
Do I really need to mention New Orleans? I didn't think so.
No. This was not an accident.
WTF?
Nope. Sorry.
"Accident" lets this guy off too easily. He heard a noise so he shot at "it?" Without knowing where the other member of his hunting party was? This is why I hunt alone, on my own posted property, or with 5 guys I trust at a second property.
Now, I don't know what the Kentucky hunting season is like, but here in NY, in Spring season we can only take males. Which means we have to be able to identify a beard. Which means, you know, seeing a fucking turkey!
I don't know what any legal punishment should be (though there will likely be none), especially when this man's psychic punishment will last forever. But he certainly should never be given a license again.
A hunter mistook his son for a turkey, shooting the boy to death in what authorities called a terrible accident.
Oldham County police said a man and his 14-year-old son were hunting on private property in the 2000 block of Rebel Ridge Road about 7 a.m. Sunday when they got separated.
When the father noticed some movement in the woods, he fired a 12-gauge shotgun, accidentally killing his son, police said.
Nope. Sorry.
"Accident" lets this guy off too easily. He heard a noise so he shot at "it?" Without knowing where the other member of his hunting party was? This is why I hunt alone, on my own posted property, or with 5 guys I trust at a second property.
Now, I don't know what the Kentucky hunting season is like, but here in NY, in Spring season we can only take males. Which means we have to be able to identify a beard. Which means, you know, seeing a fucking turkey!
I don't know what any legal punishment should be (though there will likely be none), especially when this man's psychic punishment will last forever. But he certainly should never be given a license again.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Makin' mad coin, and of course not paying taxes
Via TJ, a quite relevant follow-up to the previous post.
New Rule: companies that operate under government contracts need to hire Americans as employees, and pay all employment taxes.
New Rule: companies that operate under government contracts need to hire Americans as employees, and pay all employment taxes.
Makin' mad coin
Killing our own soldiers.
Shoddy work = bigger profits.
It's a no-brainer, to a Republican. Or is that redundant?
Shoddy work = bigger profits.
It's a no-brainer, to a Republican. Or is that redundant?
Saturday, May 03, 2008
I shall call this... mini meme
What is your name? Angelos
A four-letter word: arts
A vehicle: Alfa Romeo
A city: Athens
A boy's name: Andrew
A girl's name: Adrienne
Alcoholic drink: absinthe
An occupation: architect
Something you wear: ascot
A celebrity: Angelina Jolie
A food: Ahi
Something found in a bathroom: aloe
Reason for being late: Accident
Something you shout: Aaaaargh!
An animal: Aardvark
A body part: Ankle
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Shortsighted regulation is funny
Priceless:
This reminds me of various alcohol regulations they passed in Boston. You know, because they don't drink - the 3 bars per city block are just there for decoration. TJ can rant about those for hours.
First, they tried to ban Happy Hour. The legal language involved "discounting" or something. It took all of a day for bar owners to realize that it was bullshit that Bob's Furniture could discount or have a sale, but Murph's Bar couldn't. So they didn't have Happy Hour, they had "sales." One day only: Vodka drinks, $2.50!
The other one was the amount of drinks that can be served to an individual or group. If I show up at a bar first, expecting two other guys, I can't get a pitcher and 3 mugs. They can't sell an individual a pitcher. But, if the other guys show up and decide to get mixed drinks instead, I can still get a pitcher all to myself. Um...
Fans of foie gras celebrate its luxurious taste and texture, but animal rights advocates decry the cruelty of force-feeding geese and ducks via a feeding tube to enlarge their livers before slaughter. In 2006, the Chicago City Council agreed with the protestors and banned the retail sale of foie gras.
The law is enforced by citizen complaint, and restaurateurs risk fines of up to $500 per violation. There is a loophole, however: While it's illegal to sell foie gras, it's not illegal to give it away, so restaurants and hotels just serve foie under the umbrella of other menu items.
"We sell more than ever now," Jimmy Florek, owner of Chicago Game & Gourmet, an epicurean meat and produce supplier. While he doesn't personally approve of foie gras, he's happy to serve the market: "If they don't buy it from me, they'll just buy it from someone else."
This reminds me of various alcohol regulations they passed in Boston. You know, because they don't drink - the 3 bars per city block are just there for decoration. TJ can rant about those for hours.
First, they tried to ban Happy Hour. The legal language involved "discounting" or something. It took all of a day for bar owners to realize that it was bullshit that Bob's Furniture could discount or have a sale, but Murph's Bar couldn't. So they didn't have Happy Hour, they had "sales." One day only: Vodka drinks, $2.50!
The other one was the amount of drinks that can be served to an individual or group. If I show up at a bar first, expecting two other guys, I can't get a pitcher and 3 mugs. They can't sell an individual a pitcher. But, if the other guys show up and decide to get mixed drinks instead, I can still get a pitcher all to myself. Um...
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
The talking trees salute you, sir
Albert Hoffman, dead at 102.
First time I dosed, Friday the 13th, 11/87, saw an Alice Copper concert at RPI. That kind of synergy can't be topped. Of course, the guys who gave me the tabs didn't know I already had a ticket to the show, and I just kind of disappeared on them, so they were all kinds of freaked out. We dosed him and lost him! About 3 hours later, I walk back into the House, and there was much relief. "You're OK!" "OK?! I'm fucking great! Let's play pool!"
Some tripping silliness (GD show at Rich Stadium, Buffalo):
Kim: Look at these trails. They're beautiful.
Angelos: I can't see your trails. They're not tangible.
Kim: Oh, yeah.
My all-time favorite, which cracks me up to this day, happened at a Jerry Garcia Band show. We were able to score three tickets, 2 on the side, one on the floor (see floor chart). Really not too far apart. Since B was there with his girlfriend R, I took the floor ticket, with the understanding that B and I would trade at some point, just so he could wander the floor for a little while.
About an hour into the show, there was a slight lull between songs, and the crowd was just mildly buzzing (no pun intended). Prefect time to get B's attention. Using my best arena voice, I turn left and yell:
"HIPPIE!!!!!!"
That's his nickname, after all.
He didn't hear me. About 50 other people did, though. As they turned to look at me, bewildered and confused, I realized exactly what I had done. I collapsed in a heap of spastic laughter, and was probably out of commission for two or three minutes. A couple guys helped me up, and asked "what was that all about?" When I caught my breath, I tried to explain. Then I started laughing again. Never mind.
I walked over to B&R, traded ticket stubs with B, and he wandered around the floor for a while, while I hung out with R.
The greatest thing I've ever said. Or yelled. Whatever.
My sense of humor is wide-ranging and all-encompassing. But the absurd... the absurd takes the cake.
First time I dosed, Friday the 13th, 11/87, saw an Alice Copper concert at RPI. That kind of synergy can't be topped. Of course, the guys who gave me the tabs didn't know I already had a ticket to the show, and I just kind of disappeared on them, so they were all kinds of freaked out. We dosed him and lost him! About 3 hours later, I walk back into the House, and there was much relief. "You're OK!" "OK?! I'm fucking great! Let's play pool!"
Some tripping silliness (GD show at Rich Stadium, Buffalo):
Kim: Look at these trails. They're beautiful.
Angelos: I can't see your trails. They're not tangible.
Kim: Oh, yeah.
My all-time favorite, which cracks me up to this day, happened at a Jerry Garcia Band show. We were able to score three tickets, 2 on the side, one on the floor (see floor chart). Really not too far apart. Since B was there with his girlfriend R, I took the floor ticket, with the understanding that B and I would trade at some point, just so he could wander the floor for a little while.
About an hour into the show, there was a slight lull between songs, and the crowd was just mildly buzzing (no pun intended). Prefect time to get B's attention. Using my best arena voice, I turn left and yell:
"HIPPIE!!!!!!"
That's his nickname, after all.
He didn't hear me. About 50 other people did, though. As they turned to look at me, bewildered and confused, I realized exactly what I had done. I collapsed in a heap of spastic laughter, and was probably out of commission for two or three minutes. A couple guys helped me up, and asked "what was that all about?" When I caught my breath, I tried to explain. Then I started laughing again. Never mind.
I walked over to B&R, traded ticket stubs with B, and he wandered around the floor for a while, while I hung out with R.
The greatest thing I've ever said. Or yelled. Whatever.
My sense of humor is wide-ranging and all-encompassing. But the absurd... the absurd takes the cake.
The Dugout, on Roger Clemens
 | HGHLOL: Are you SERIOUS? You cheated on me for 10 years with a minor! That's statutory rape! |
|---|---|
 | OldLOL: Now to be fair I only statutory raped that girl for 3 years. After that it was perfectly legal. |
And so much more.
Bonus Dugout: How not to play GTA4.
Hey, let's creep TJ out some more!
Here's Hulk Hogan helping his daughter out with some sunblock.
I'm not sure what the age cutoff for this is, but I am sure it's long passed...
I'm not sure what the age cutoff for this is, but I am sure it's long passed...
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Lesson #1
How to throw a tirade.
25 years ago today, Cubs manager Lee Elia, um, spoke his mind.
100% NSFW.
Turn it up, and enjoy.
25 years ago today, Cubs manager Lee Elia, um, spoke his mind.
100% NSFW.
Turn it up, and enjoy.
Jon Stewart, you almost cost me a brand new $50 keyboard
UPDATED!!!
During his take-down of the hearing over the effectiveness of "abstinence education," he was making fun of ultra-wingnut Sam Brownback.
Brownback said something about "modern culture" going against the teachings in his household. To which Stewart retorted something along the lines of "boys have a God Stick, girls have a Shame Cave, and we'll never speak of this again."
Just, of course, as I had taken a sip of my Chivas.
I'm usually up on the lingo, but those were new to me. Fortunately, I was able to redirect my spit/cough toward the general vicinity of my trash can. Still had some clean-up to do, but better that than all over my computer.
UPDATE: Here it is...
During his take-down of the hearing over the effectiveness of "abstinence education," he was making fun of ultra-wingnut Sam Brownback.
Brownback said something about "modern culture" going against the teachings in his household. To which Stewart retorted something along the lines of "boys have a God Stick, girls have a Shame Cave, and we'll never speak of this again."
Just, of course, as I had taken a sip of my Chivas.
I'm usually up on the lingo, but those were new to me. Fortunately, I was able to redirect my spit/cough toward the general vicinity of my trash can. Still had some clean-up to do, but better that than all over my computer.
UPDATE: Here it is...
Monday, April 28, 2008
There is such a thing as too close...
Encouraging your daughter to be a porn actress: bad.
Encouraging her to work at at whorehouse: worse.
Giving her her Brazilians and other "maintenance": GAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!
Encouraging her to work at at whorehouse: worse.
Giving her her Brazilians and other "maintenance": GAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!
I get spam
Subject: Aborter
Ciao,
Incrrease Sexual Enerrgy and Pleeasure!
Ciao,
Incrrease Sexual Enerrgy and Pleeasure!
Out. Evad. Here i swear it, and all you spirits with satyavati's
acquiescence, the nuptials approached, about him. His sergeant
saw him. You, bunthrop, by us, o puissant vrihaspati, at
once deep as it tickles one so funnily in the neck. Do you
and chapter after chapter, the fact that all swearers sink
their sharp fangs and suck up his life's will drink their
blood. And, o krishna, thou shalt both the great asuras,
resolved upon their destruction, among men and prince of
the bharata race, aditi, to shoot at. And you have not got
him? Asked another nodded, and moravia went on: but you
need not for selling the farm is the very last resource
who are given to the performance of sacrifices, was one
of the first places taken by the normans,.
isdidldhicaaaclngi.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Link dump
Busy busy busy, and 3 larger posts in draft mode, so here are a few interesting things:
This is absolutely stunning. I want to see this happen in person, because I still don't believe it.
Living green + gender. Brilliant post.
Every time you think the wingnuts have reached the depths of stupid and immoral, you find out they just keep digging. Determined lot, they. In a sane nation, this would be beyond comprehension.
Wingnuttia in full bloom.
Your grocery bill is only going to get worse. In other news, my brewing supply shop has 5 varieties of hops. Last year at this time, it was 25.
Our soldiers are killing themselves at alarming rates.
Arson up, trending in correlation with bankruptcy and foreclosure. Who needs jingle mail? Just burn the fucking thing down!
Another most excellent FJM beatdown.
Date-rape drugging thwarted by intended victim, aided by perpetrator's own stupidity. Ahhh, to be judge, jury, and executioner for these fucking scumbags. Now, I wouldn't call an ice dancer a "celebrity," but clearly she's not "just" JoAnne in Des Moines. That I've seen this at multiple blogs indicates that the fact that this happened to "somebody" might lead to hope about increased awareness... fuck it, who am I kidding. She was smart, and she got lucky. I can't express enough how predation makes me boil. Rrrrrrgh.
If there was ever a post that perfectly attains the balance between offense and satire, this is it. To the uninitiated, this post would probably be considered a ZOMG!!! SEXIST and HE'S MINIMIZING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE post. Sorry, but no. This is pitch-perfect commentary.
In honor of what could be the best NBA playoffs is history (following a season that got me back to about a 60% interest level in the sport), we have the Duncan Face.
CBS News should just shut down.
The Army is more strict on fat soldiers than it is on criminal ones. Of course, BMI is an accurate indicator of... nothing.
This is absolutely stunning. I want to see this happen in person, because I still don't believe it.
Living green + gender. Brilliant post.
Every time you think the wingnuts have reached the depths of stupid and immoral, you find out they just keep digging. Determined lot, they. In a sane nation, this would be beyond comprehension.
Wingnuttia in full bloom.
Your grocery bill is only going to get worse. In other news, my brewing supply shop has 5 varieties of hops. Last year at this time, it was 25.
Our soldiers are killing themselves at alarming rates.
Arson up, trending in correlation with bankruptcy and foreclosure. Who needs jingle mail? Just burn the fucking thing down!
Another most excellent FJM beatdown.
Date-rape drugging thwarted by intended victim, aided by perpetrator's own stupidity. Ahhh, to be judge, jury, and executioner for these fucking scumbags. Now, I wouldn't call an ice dancer a "celebrity," but clearly she's not "just" JoAnne in Des Moines. That I've seen this at multiple blogs indicates that the fact that this happened to "somebody" might lead to hope about increased awareness... fuck it, who am I kidding. She was smart, and she got lucky. I can't express enough how predation makes me boil. Rrrrrrgh.
If there was ever a post that perfectly attains the balance between offense and satire, this is it. To the uninitiated, this post would probably be considered a ZOMG!!! SEXIST and HE'S MINIMIZING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE post. Sorry, but no. This is pitch-perfect commentary.
In honor of what could be the best NBA playoffs is history (following a season that got me back to about a 60% interest level in the sport), we have the Duncan Face.
CBS News should just shut down.
The Army is more strict on fat soldiers than it is on criminal ones. Of course, BMI is an accurate indicator of... nothing.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
My eyes may be deceiving me...
..but I believe the Yankees just picked up what is known as a "clutch hit." Nice timing on that grand salami, Bobby.
Now let's see if the pitching can hold it.
Now let's see if the pitching can hold it.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Greetings from Philly!
Just testing out the post-by-mail system.
It's friggin' nuts down here, what withthe primary Tuesday.
Good times.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
It's ectoplasm!
I've been neglectful in my South Park blogging, but the wife and I watched the last two episodes tonight off the DVR. I had seen them already, but I figured I would share.
Last week's "Eeek! A Penis!" was very good, covering
• gender identity
• trendy teaching methods (via Cartman as Edward James Olmos in Stand and Deliver)
• growing organs in labs
• Bill Bellichick, and all white people, cheating to get ahead (I misinterpreted the rules)
• abortion as career move
This week's "Over Logging" chronicled, quite accurately, our dependence on the internet, while sending up
• The Grapes of Wrath
• Internet porn desensitizing us to "real life" sexual stimuli
• long-distance internet relationships
• zombies
The two highlights were easily the newscasters not being able to get any news on why the internet was down, because they didn't have any internet; and, of course, Randy in the Red Cross trailer.
Last week's "Eeek! A Penis!" was very good, covering
• gender identity
• trendy teaching methods (via Cartman as Edward James Olmos in Stand and Deliver)
• growing organs in labs
• Bill Bellichick, and all white people, cheating to get ahead (I misinterpreted the rules)
• abortion as career move
This week's "Over Logging" chronicled, quite accurately, our dependence on the internet, while sending up
• The Grapes of Wrath
• Internet porn desensitizing us to "real life" sexual stimuli
• long-distance internet relationships
• zombies
The two highlights were easily the newscasters not being able to get any news on why the internet was down, because they didn't have any internet; and, of course, Randy in the Red Cross trailer.
It's time like these I wish I could win the lottery
Seriously, who needs work when the complete papers of Charles Darwin are online? Who has time to work?
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Not a fucking honest bone in their bodies
Cindy McCain's "family recipes" on the campaign site are exact duplicates of FoodTV recipes.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Disgustification
TJ sent me this scary link of the 20 Worst Foods in America.
Ridiculous in terms of both content and portion size.
UPDATE: I had some stuff in draft form that I wanted to re-read before I posted.
It's wrong that that crap even exists.
I'll leave the fat-blogging to people more qualified than I (start with Kate, and go from there), but no one can tell me that this isn't part of the problem. I fully realize that "dieting," as an industry, is a crock of shit. And I realize all the "proper diet and exercise" in the world won't turn everyone into an underwear model. On the micro level, there are more issues with the politics of fat than I could list.
On the macro level, however, all I know is that at any given time, tens of thousands of people will be sitting at Chili's, Romano's, Outback, Macaroni Grill, Uno's, etc., eating a 1+ days worth of calories and 2+ days worth of fat and salt. This is bad for the national waistline and bad for national heart health.
No one should eat this crap, no matter what his size or health status.
On a tangent, do any of my readers eat at chains? Erica and I go to Uno's once a year, maybe. I do enjoy a BK or McD cheeseburger when we make a pitstop on the highway.
See, Erica and I eat very well on a daily basis. Lean meats, mostly good carbs, plenty of fruits and veggies. So when we go all out, we want to make it worth it. I want duck, rabbit, a filet mignon, something sensual and pleasurable. Throw in some rice and vegetables that have likely been smothered in insane amounts of butter (it's sick how much restaurants overuse it), and I'm probably right up there for that one meal.
But I had duck!!! Not a fucking bowl of french fries with ranch dressing.
Is part of this the financial issue? Is it because a night at at Olive Garden (ugh) or Outback the best "treat" a lot of families can do? I understand that not everyone can go to the Wine Bar, like the two of us did last time we went out.
Or is it a taste issue too? I know that even on 1/2 the budget of that last date night a month or so ago, we wouldn't be eating any of the crap that's on this list. That may sound classist, but it's more about knowledge than money. We both grew up, if not poor, on very small and tight family budgets. But we never lacked for food, fresh food that our parents cooked. Everyone in my family cooked, except for my maternal grandfather (very traditional setup in that side of the family - Opa ran the farm, Oma ran the budget and the house).
Help me out here. I just can't wrap my brain around the fact that some of this stuff exists.
Ridiculous in terms of both content and portion size.
UPDATE: I had some stuff in draft form that I wanted to re-read before I posted.
It's wrong that that crap even exists.
I'll leave the fat-blogging to people more qualified than I (start with Kate, and go from there), but no one can tell me that this isn't part of the problem. I fully realize that "dieting," as an industry, is a crock of shit. And I realize all the "proper diet and exercise" in the world won't turn everyone into an underwear model. On the micro level, there are more issues with the politics of fat than I could list.
On the macro level, however, all I know is that at any given time, tens of thousands of people will be sitting at Chili's, Romano's, Outback, Macaroni Grill, Uno's, etc., eating a 1+ days worth of calories and 2+ days worth of fat and salt. This is bad for the national waistline and bad for national heart health.
No one should eat this crap, no matter what his size or health status.
On a tangent, do any of my readers eat at chains? Erica and I go to Uno's once a year, maybe. I do enjoy a BK or McD cheeseburger when we make a pitstop on the highway.
See, Erica and I eat very well on a daily basis. Lean meats, mostly good carbs, plenty of fruits and veggies. So when we go all out, we want to make it worth it. I want duck, rabbit, a filet mignon, something sensual and pleasurable. Throw in some rice and vegetables that have likely been smothered in insane amounts of butter (it's sick how much restaurants overuse it), and I'm probably right up there for that one meal.
But I had duck!!! Not a fucking bowl of french fries with ranch dressing.
Is part of this the financial issue? Is it because a night at at Olive Garden (ugh) or Outback the best "treat" a lot of families can do? I understand that not everyone can go to the Wine Bar, like the two of us did last time we went out.
Or is it a taste issue too? I know that even on 1/2 the budget of that last date night a month or so ago, we wouldn't be eating any of the crap that's on this list. That may sound classist, but it's more about knowledge than money. We both grew up, if not poor, on very small and tight family budgets. But we never lacked for food, fresh food that our parents cooked. Everyone in my family cooked, except for my maternal grandfather (very traditional setup in that side of the family - Opa ran the farm, Oma ran the budget and the house).
Help me out here. I just can't wrap my brain around the fact that some of this stuff exists.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
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