We're off...

Dublin
Originally uploaded by alpharat

In a just a few short hours, we'll be making our way to Ireland for the big adventure.

I'll post pictures and stuff when we get back, provided the whole driving on the wrong side of the road thing doesn't kill me.

Teaching the cat to read

Teaching the cat to read
Originally uploaded by alpharat

When teaching a cat to read, it's easier if you focus on a topic they are interested in, like fish.

My understanding is that the process with children is similar, but not as easy.

Laying an old friend to rest...

I said good bye to a dear friend and traveling companion this weekend.

Paris:



Seattle:



Dublin:



Provincetown:



Siena:



Traverse City:



Detroit:




Old Blue, my favorite hooded sweatshirt, was put to pasture this weekend. He'll still be assuming the role of "designated bonfire sweatshirt), but his deteriorating condition will prevent him from traveling with me anymore. I got a new traveling sweatshirt this weekend, who'll be traveling with us to Ireland next week.

Watch for photos of us in action!

The Monkeys Are On The Move...

Another reading from the gospel (the first reading was here):

And so it came after many years, that the monkeys got much older.
They tired and slowed.
The ways of the world weighed them down.

They went to home of the monkey who stood in front of all other monkeys.
They stood outside the home, so afraid were they to enter.
They called out, “Master! Master! Come outside!”

And the monkey who stood in front of all other monkeys called back to them, “come in my children. Come in and drink wine with me.”

But the monkeys were afraid.
They were afraid that they had aged too much, and lost their anger.
They were afraid that their master, the monkey who stood in front of all other monkeys, had also aged and become infirm, and that they may be greeted with sadness.
So they called out again, “Master! Master! Come outside!”

At great length, the monkey who stood in front of all other monkeys came out to see them.

To their surprise, the monkey who stood in front of all other monkeys had not aged, but seemed to have grown younger, bigger, more powerful and even angrier.

Again He said in a booming angry voice, “come in my children. Come in and drink wine with me.”

But the monkeys were afraid, and they cried out and beat upon their chests.

Angrily, the Master asked, “why do you cry so?”

“We cry master, we cry because the world weighs us down, because we grow older, we grow weaker, we have lost sight of the ways of the two-wheeled beast, and of anger. We feel that you will not love as before.”

“Fear not,” said the Master. “You are monkey. You will always be monkey, and as such I will always love you.”

“You are monkey, and as such you will always be angry, even when you fear it is not to be.”

“You are monkey, and as such will always rock the world. Now come in, and drink wine with me.”

And so all the monkeys entered the house of the monkey who stood before all other monkeys and drank of his wine. And the monkeys felt young again. And angry.

And the monkeys did once again rediscover the love of their Master, and the love of the two-wheeled beasts, and were set upon the world again.

And this time, the people of the world were not afraid.

They knew that they were angry, but were also monkey, and that there would be no need for fear.

So long as wine flowed, there would only be much rejoicing, and much rocking of the world.

From The Book Of The Church Of The Rotating Mass

Best luck to all the Angry Monkeys this weekend.

Overheard at the polls...

"What do we do with the ballot that the baby got sick on?"

This will be one of my most vivid memories from the day.

Yes We Did!

So today, the mantra has changed from “Yes, we can!” To “Yes, we did!” And I have to say I’m quite happy about it.

Last night, TFN and I and voted (30 minutes in and out the door), then went to our favorite little Cajun place for some wine, food and to watch the polls. After a few drinks, we went home.

At some point on the five-minute drive home, Obama was declared the victor. We watched McCain concede, then went to bed.

This morning, nothing has changed really. The economy is still in the crapper, and everyone I know lives in fear for their jobs.

Still, at the same time, there is something hanging in the air. And, dare I say it? I think it’s hope.

I think that we all really made a difference yesterday, things are on their way to getting better. It won’t happen immediately, but it feels so good to have hope for the future again.

Everybody is walking around in a happy daze. Not only have we elected a man who will be soon beginning a historic presidency based on his race, we have elected a man who embodies ideals for us that we can end this war, that we can turn this economy around, that we can… do anything.

Quoting a text I received last night: “We so FUCKING CAN!”

This weekend marks the annual pilgrimage of the Angry Monkeys to a place not to far from Z, for our Polar Assault known as Iceman. We are all suffering from an extreme lack of training this year, and our performance will be dismal. Even so, in the interest of the theme of today, we can do this. Yes, we can.

And until we head up north, if you’re looking for us, we’ll be dancing to Joy Division.

So vote already, dammit!

Madness today, but I'll take a second to remind you, although I doubt you need it.

Despite the fact that it could mean a longer line for me, just make sure you get out and vote if you haven’t already.

And I'll say it again - remember what you’re voting on. (Hint: it doesn’t really have anything to do with one politician vs. the other…)

As an additional side note: no matter who walks away as the new boss, at least it will be the end of these political ads.