Music for the moment - "Bodies" by the Sex Pistols
Z did this post where she mentioned the searches that brought visitors to her site. It's a pretty enlightening thought, wondering what people are looking for on the Interwebs that inadvertently bring them to where you post your thoughts.
You'd hope it would be wonderful uplifting keyword searches - people looking for inspiration by way of well thought out keywords. In the end, you'd have a boon of wonderful visitors as well as inspirational words to offer them. It would be a wonderful world for all, the lion would lie down with the lamb, and chimps would get the full rights they deserve as citizens - the chimps that wear pants anyway - because monkeys in people clothes are people too.
So, with all this hope in mind, I checked my search strings - the keywords that bring folks to my site.
Guess what the two most popular searches that bring folks to my site are?
"Corpse disposal" and "Proper corpse disposal"
They both point them to this post, which comes in rather high on Google when one searches those words.
Great. Who are you people?
Never mind, don't answer that.
Another popular search is for the words "official end of summer," where I come in at #1 on Google. That is a much tamer post, and indeed one which marks Z's first visit to this space.
Two other popular searches that lead to my visitors are:
Boobstock - that one surprised me a bit, but apparently people are looking for it
On this day I will marry my friend - that's a sweet thing to search for, but I have a feeling you kids may be a bit outnumbered and overwhelmed by the corpse disposal folks
Additionally, I get a wide range of people looking for cyst-related medical advice that leads them here, as well as ton of people looking in various ways for photos of the woman who allegedly posed nude on the Dodge Challenger at the 2006 Auto Show, which points them here.
Hey, however you end up here, I hope you stay. Even you corpse disposal people are welcome - mainly because you scare me too much to say anything.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Safe Haircare
I’m picturing the Mother/Son conversation that precipitated this.
“I know you’re growing up, and you’re starting to make big decisions. While I wish you would just abstain, I know that may not be realistic.
So I want you to be careful, and if you decide that you’re ready to rock a ‘hawk, use protection.”
That’s a sign of good parenting.
“I know you’re growing up, and you’re starting to make big decisions. While I wish you would just abstain, I know that may not be realistic.
So I want you to be careful, and if you decide that you’re ready to rock a ‘hawk, use protection.”
That’s a sign of good parenting.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Living in Fear
Music for the moment: "Heatseeker" by Valient Thorr
I have to say I absolutely love this band. Their music rocks in a hardcore meets Lynyrd Skynyrd sort of way, and they have one of the most energetic and entertaining live shows ever. The frontman, Valient Himself, is so charismatic that his only choices in life would have been to either front a rock band or to become a cult leader. I think he made the right choice.
On top of it all, he's a really cool guy. He always takes time to talk with his fans (we are called "Thorriers" by the way, and TFN and I are members of the Great Lakes Thorriers chapter). He's a genuinely good guy.
Oh, and the band is from Venus, by way of NC. They are here to spread a message of positive thinking and brotherhood through the power of rock. I hope they succeed.
The reason I bring them up is that I've seen them four times, including a show in Austin with Wayne Kramer of the MC5. Tonight will be the fifth time I see them, and I'm stoked.
If you weren't too grossed out by the injury photos I posted yesterday, then I have an even more gruesome tale to relate... and it's about living in fear in one's own house.
The day TFN returned from Oregon, I got home from work and we left to go out with a bunch of friends at the aforementioned nice place that had the poor judgment of allowing us free access to the jukebox. After we had our fun, we went home.
Upon arrival at the house, things seemed normal. We went through the various rituals of getting ready for bed, not noting anything out of the ordinary. Shane was lying on his dog bed, happily chewing on one of his toys... no he wasn't.
What was the dog chewing on so happily? I got closer to him, but couldn't tell, so I took it away to investigate.
It was a crusty chunk of material.
After we left, Shane had opened up TFN's luggage, gotten into her dirty laundry, and found one of her socks. It happened to be the sock that she had been wearing when she fell through the cattle grate and sliced her leg to the bone. It was the sock that became soaked with blood in the ensuing ride down the mountain in search of medical attention.
It was a sock that had been soaked in blood.
Human blood.
Now I don't know what to do. I don't feel like I can trust this dog anymore. He's tasted human blood. Can I safely turn my back on him now? Can I sleep safely knowing he's lying on the floor next to the bed, possibly dreaming about that taste that he'll never forget?
Could you trust this beast?
I have to say I absolutely love this band. Their music rocks in a hardcore meets Lynyrd Skynyrd sort of way, and they have one of the most energetic and entertaining live shows ever. The frontman, Valient Himself, is so charismatic that his only choices in life would have been to either front a rock band or to become a cult leader. I think he made the right choice.
On top of it all, he's a really cool guy. He always takes time to talk with his fans (we are called "Thorriers" by the way, and TFN and I are members of the Great Lakes Thorriers chapter). He's a genuinely good guy.Oh, and the band is from Venus, by way of NC. They are here to spread a message of positive thinking and brotherhood through the power of rock. I hope they succeed.
The reason I bring them up is that I've seen them four times, including a show in Austin with Wayne Kramer of the MC5. Tonight will be the fifth time I see them, and I'm stoked.
If you weren't too grossed out by the injury photos I posted yesterday, then I have an even more gruesome tale to relate... and it's about living in fear in one's own house.
The day TFN returned from Oregon, I got home from work and we left to go out with a bunch of friends at the aforementioned nice place that had the poor judgment of allowing us free access to the jukebox. After we had our fun, we went home.
Upon arrival at the house, things seemed normal. We went through the various rituals of getting ready for bed, not noting anything out of the ordinary. Shane was lying on his dog bed, happily chewing on one of his toys... no he wasn't.
What was the dog chewing on so happily? I got closer to him, but couldn't tell, so I took it away to investigate.
It was a crusty chunk of material.
After we left, Shane had opened up TFN's luggage, gotten into her dirty laundry, and found one of her socks. It happened to be the sock that she had been wearing when she fell through the cattle grate and sliced her leg to the bone. It was the sock that became soaked with blood in the ensuing ride down the mountain in search of medical attention.
It was a sock that had been soaked in blood.
Human blood.
Now I don't know what to do. I don't feel like I can trust this dog anymore. He's tasted human blood. Can I safely turn my back on him now? Can I sleep safely knowing he's lying on the floor next to the bed, possibly dreaming about that taste that he'll never forget?Could you trust this beast?
Monday, July 21, 2008
But does it taste anything like chicken?
Z wrote a post recently about rumors that the Chinese practiced fetal cannibalism. I won’t really recap what she had to say, as you can read it here, but it made me want to talk about a book I read recently – Dinner With A Cannibal, by Carole A. Travis-Henikoff (Yeah, that's the kind of stuff I read for fun...).
Travis-Henikoff has researched the cannibalistic traditions of various cultures throughout the world, with some fascinating discoveries.
For one, and accept this as the truth, odds are that cannibalism has happened in your bloodline. It has been practiced by so many different cultures for so many different reasons that you probably have a level of flesh eating in your genes.
But getting back to the actual meat of the book (pun intended), when you look at the legends and histories, so many cultures viewed the “taboo” in so many different ways. In some, it was the way to assure loved ones a peaceful rest and allow them to remain with the family at the same time; in others it was considered a way to vanquish and insult enemies as well as to absorb their strength. In some, it was even an honor to be chosen for sacrifice and consumption for one’s religion.
But to back up Z’s post, simply based on this book, there is no mention of the Chinese indulging in fetal remains or serving them at restaurants. There is a history of cannibalism in Chinese culture, but not in this way. The Chinese have a long history, and therefore have been recorded to practice almost every form of cannibalism known, but they also practice one that has never been recorded elsewhere.
It’s called ko ku, or gegu, and it involves a family member cutting off a piece of one’s own flesh, usually from the thigh, and boiling it into a broth to be served to a dying family member.
I don't think it's practiced any more, though; maybe it tasted just like chicken soup, and they later discovered that chicken soup did the same thing?
As much as that may skeeve you out, the symbolism is heavy and kind of beautiful. I have to ask, if it were either part of your religion where you believed it to be 100%, or if science were to prove it to be true, would you cut off a piece of your flesh to save a sibling, child or parent? I think most of us would. And really, I think my parents have sacrificed much more than a hunk of flesh over the years for me my brother and sister.
It’s just what you do when called upon.
At any rate, this is just a theory, but I have a definite idea that once lab-grown cruelty-free meat becomes a reality (and it really is in the works), you’re going to at least find some cutting-edge trendy places serving lab-grown people meat on the menu, and maybe it will spread to all forms of dining. Family dining? Eating at a mom and pop? Kind of creepy.
Travis-Henikoff has researched the cannibalistic traditions of various cultures throughout the world, with some fascinating discoveries.
For one, and accept this as the truth, odds are that cannibalism has happened in your bloodline. It has been practiced by so many different cultures for so many different reasons that you probably have a level of flesh eating in your genes.
But getting back to the actual meat of the book (pun intended), when you look at the legends and histories, so many cultures viewed the “taboo” in so many different ways. In some, it was the way to assure loved ones a peaceful rest and allow them to remain with the family at the same time; in others it was considered a way to vanquish and insult enemies as well as to absorb their strength. In some, it was even an honor to be chosen for sacrifice and consumption for one’s religion.
But to back up Z’s post, simply based on this book, there is no mention of the Chinese indulging in fetal remains or serving them at restaurants. There is a history of cannibalism in Chinese culture, but not in this way. The Chinese have a long history, and therefore have been recorded to practice almost every form of cannibalism known, but they also practice one that has never been recorded elsewhere.
It’s called ko ku, or gegu, and it involves a family member cutting off a piece of one’s own flesh, usually from the thigh, and boiling it into a broth to be served to a dying family member.
I don't think it's practiced any more, though; maybe it tasted just like chicken soup, and they later discovered that chicken soup did the same thing?
As much as that may skeeve you out, the symbolism is heavy and kind of beautiful. I have to ask, if it were either part of your religion where you believed it to be 100%, or if science were to prove it to be true, would you cut off a piece of your flesh to save a sibling, child or parent? I think most of us would. And really, I think my parents have sacrificed much more than a hunk of flesh over the years for me my brother and sister.
It’s just what you do when called upon.
At any rate, this is just a theory, but I have a definite idea that once lab-grown cruelty-free meat becomes a reality (and it really is in the works), you’re going to at least find some cutting-edge trendy places serving lab-grown people meat on the menu, and maybe it will spread to all forms of dining. Family dining? Eating at a mom and pop? Kind of creepy.
She was asking for it.
While I can't really condone the criminal actions that took place recently, you do really have to consider the way she was dressed.
If you're going to try to cutesify the fact that you're driving a massive gas-guzzling beast by putting her in a little sexy outfit...
You've got to accept the fact that we're going to take advantage of her when nobody's looking. Look at the way she was all gussied up! She was practically begging for it.
To the person who drives this pink beast...
We humped your Hummer.
If you're going to try to cutesify the fact that you're driving a massive gas-guzzling beast by putting her in a little sexy outfit...You've got to accept the fact that we're going to take advantage of her when nobody's looking. Look at the way she was all gussied up! She was practically begging for it.
To the person who drives this pink beast...
We humped your Hummer.
Scarred for Life
Music for the moment - "Bandages" by Hot Hot Heat
Because some of you (Z) have asked, I do have a photo of the damage on TFN's leg in all its grisly glory. For the squeamish, I'll just post a link to the laceration. You can see it in all its majesty here.
Good weekend. Saturday we went to see my niece in a summer theater play. She's only 10, and had a bit part with a handful of lines, but I was really impressed. She didn't seem at all nervous, and I could clearly understand all of her lines. She spoke clearly and enunciated, not mumbling at all, which is more than I can say for some of the older kids. The girl has a career ahead of her in acting, advertising, PR or politics for sure, you know, should she want to sacrifice her soul for one of those careers.
The only problem was that the playhouse is OLD, and it was packed to the brim with a couple hundred people, and was sans AC. Brutal, and not in a sweet death metal brutal way. Baby No Name was stripped down to a t-shirt and skivvies, and I was quite jealous of his ability to do so and avoid arrest in that heat.
Last night, we saw the latest Batman flick. Without giving anything away, it was great, easily the darkest yet. It's not a feelgood film, and Ledger's Joker is one of the darkest yet. It was thoroughly twisted, but we really dug it.
Also, if you're looking for more gruesome grisliness, check out this photo of Coder's contusion, incurred in a bicycle incident.
Because some of you (Z) have asked, I do have a photo of the damage on TFN's leg in all its grisly glory. For the squeamish, I'll just post a link to the laceration. You can see it in all its majesty here.
Good weekend. Saturday we went to see my niece in a summer theater play. She's only 10, and had a bit part with a handful of lines, but I was really impressed. She didn't seem at all nervous, and I could clearly understand all of her lines. She spoke clearly and enunciated, not mumbling at all, which is more than I can say for some of the older kids. The girl has a career ahead of her in acting, advertising, PR or politics for sure, you know, should she want to sacrifice her soul for one of those careers.
The only problem was that the playhouse is OLD, and it was packed to the brim with a couple hundred people, and was sans AC. Brutal, and not in a sweet death metal brutal way. Baby No Name was stripped down to a t-shirt and skivvies, and I was quite jealous of his ability to do so and avoid arrest in that heat.
Last night, we saw the latest Batman flick. Without giving anything away, it was great, easily the darkest yet. It's not a feelgood film, and Ledger's Joker is one of the darkest yet. It was thoroughly twisted, but we really dug it.
Also, if you're looking for more gruesome grisliness, check out this photo of Coder's contusion, incurred in a bicycle incident.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Path of Destruction
Music for the moment - "Angel of Death" by Slayer
When it was announced that TFN was leaving town, Z had made a comment that at least she knew she'd not be on call to bail us out of jail for a while. For the most part that was true. When TFN was gone, I maintained a relatively subdued existence. Granted, I was out nearly every single night because A.) I hate cooking for one and B.) I get cabin fever very quickly without any human interaction, but my hijinks were minor if not nonexistent.
When TFN got back into town, I remembered one of the best/worst qualities of our relationship - aside from all of the great qualities that we exhibit; best friends, in love and all that, we are also perfectly attuned partners in crime.
Within a few hours of being back together, we found ourselves in a minorly upscale cocktail lounge with friends. Being a Thursday, the special at this particular place was free Internet jukebox after 9 PM.
Right at 9 PM, we stormed the box and loaded it with the aforementioned Slayer, Public Enemy, and indeed any punk, thrash or speed metal song we could find that was fast, loud and preferably over-loaded with f-bombs and patently offensive.
Much headbanging ensued. But only at our table.
Within an hour, we had mostly emptied the lounge, aside from our party of eight.
It was humorous, and no guilt was felt as the waitress knew some of our party and seemed rather entertained as well. We tipped well as well.
So everyone, take note - TFN is back, and we are now intent on ruining your evening. Thank you, we'll be here all week. Try the veal.
When it was announced that TFN was leaving town, Z had made a comment that at least she knew she'd not be on call to bail us out of jail for a while. For the most part that was true. When TFN was gone, I maintained a relatively subdued existence. Granted, I was out nearly every single night because A.) I hate cooking for one and B.) I get cabin fever very quickly without any human interaction, but my hijinks were minor if not nonexistent.
When TFN got back into town, I remembered one of the best/worst qualities of our relationship - aside from all of the great qualities that we exhibit; best friends, in love and all that, we are also perfectly attuned partners in crime.
Within a few hours of being back together, we found ourselves in a minorly upscale cocktail lounge with friends. Being a Thursday, the special at this particular place was free Internet jukebox after 9 PM.
Right at 9 PM, we stormed the box and loaded it with the aforementioned Slayer, Public Enemy, and indeed any punk, thrash or speed metal song we could find that was fast, loud and preferably over-loaded with f-bombs and patently offensive.
Much headbanging ensued. But only at our table.
Within an hour, we had mostly emptied the lounge, aside from our party of eight.
It was humorous, and no guilt was felt as the waitress knew some of our party and seemed rather entertained as well. We tipped well as well.
So everyone, take note - TFN is back, and we are now intent on ruining your evening. Thank you, we'll be here all week. Try the veal.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
It's like waking up...
Music for the moment: "First Day of my Life" by Bright Eyes
It's really one of the most perfectly written love songs - the sort that sums it all up perfectly. And I've been listening to it nonstop today.
TFN is coming home today.
It's a few weeks early, but she's home for good now, if a little worse for wear.
She got into a confrontation with a cattle grate, and the grate won.
The result was 20 stitches.
She'll be OK, but while I've yet to see the damage firsthand, from what I understand her career has been effectively ended. Her career as a shin model, anyway. She's still going to do the other stuff she does, just no shin modeling. Shin modeling never paid well anyway.
I think she'll adjust OK, though. It's not the first time she's run into this sort of setback. A few years ago a surgery ended her career as an ankle model.
She's still got a perfect pair of elbows, though. Anybody know a good agent who handles elbow models?
So, yeah, I of course didn't getany of all of my projects done, but I missed her and she's coming home today.
It's really one of the most perfectly written love songs - the sort that sums it all up perfectly. And I've been listening to it nonstop today.
TFN is coming home today.
It's a few weeks early, but she's home for good now, if a little worse for wear.
She got into a confrontation with a cattle grate, and the grate won.
The result was 20 stitches.
She'll be OK, but while I've yet to see the damage firsthand, from what I understand her career has been effectively ended. Her career as a shin model, anyway. She's still going to do the other stuff she does, just no shin modeling. Shin modeling never paid well anyway.
I think she'll adjust OK, though. It's not the first time she's run into this sort of setback. A few years ago a surgery ended her career as an ankle model.
She's still got a perfect pair of elbows, though. Anybody know a good agent who handles elbow models?
So, yeah, I of course didn't get
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Wishing you smooth sailing
Mike and Paprika moved away a few days ago.
They just arrived in Austin a few hours ago.
I don't know why they'd pick Austin, as it's nowhere near the water, but here's to the two kids on their new adventure!
They just arrived in Austin a few hours ago.
I don't know why they'd pick Austin, as it's nowhere near the water, but here's to the two kids on their new adventure!
Something to believe in...
With all of the messages being shoved at you all the time, it's nice to hear a message that is pure, positive and inspirational to me.
I miss my bike, and going for rides. On a positive note, I have been sans crutch since yesterday afternoon, and while it's still wrapped in a bandage and a little sore, recovery seems to be coming along nicely. Maybe next week I'll go for a bike ride.
TFN is doing very well on her extended voyage. She had a verified encounter with a rattlesnake yesterday, and everyone walked/slithered away with no serious confrontation.
The world keeps turning.
Dogs and cats continue their strained alliance.
C'est la vie.
I miss my bike, and going for rides. On a positive note, I have been sans crutch since yesterday afternoon, and while it's still wrapped in a bandage and a little sore, recovery seems to be coming along nicely. Maybe next week I'll go for a bike ride.
TFN is doing very well on her extended voyage. She had a verified encounter with a rattlesnake yesterday, and everyone walked/slithered away with no serious confrontation.
The world keeps turning.
Dogs and cats continue their strained alliance.
C'est la vie.
Sunday, July 06, 2008
The Honey Do List
Music of the moment - "Such Great Heights" by the Postal Service
"And when you scan the radio, I hope this song will guide you home."
That song is for TFN, who I dropped off at the airport this morning as she heads off for a 24-day business trip.
We've never been apart for that long before, but in preparation of this trip, I made a list of items that I wanted to accomplish, including, but not limited to:
1. Cleaning my office
2. Putting trim around the front door
3. Cleaning the basement
4. Staining the deck
5. Writing a story I've had in mind
6. Cleaning the basement
7. A lot of biking
And several other things, too. A lot of stuff, but not too much to accomplish in a month.
Instead, while helping TFN pack last night, I slipped carrying some clothes down the stairs. Sprained ankle. Now, in a house all by myself, all I can do is read and watch movies with my foot propped up.
Hopefully I won't be laid up for too long.
And hopefully I'll be able to bike soon.
For now, I'm just happy that TFN has safely reached her destination, and that I have wine in the house.
"And when you scan the radio, I hope this song will guide you home."
That song is for TFN, who I dropped off at the airport this morning as she heads off for a 24-day business trip.
We've never been apart for that long before, but in preparation of this trip, I made a list of items that I wanted to accomplish, including, but not limited to:
1. Cleaning my office
2. Putting trim around the front door
3. Cleaning the basement
4. Staining the deck
5. Writing a story I've had in mind
6. Cleaning the basement
7. A lot of biking
And several other things, too. A lot of stuff, but not too much to accomplish in a month.
Instead, while helping TFN pack last night, I slipped carrying some clothes down the stairs. Sprained ankle. Now, in a house all by myself, all I can do is read and watch movies with my foot propped up.
Hopefully I won't be laid up for too long.
And hopefully I'll be able to bike soon.
For now, I'm just happy that TFN has safely reached her destination, and that I have wine in the house.
Friday, June 27, 2008
It wouldn't be the same without you...
Music for today: "Party, My House, Be There" by MXPX
I love this song because it does a great job catching the excitement of what will hopefully be a great party.
It's benefit weekend, and that's always fun and stressful, doing that things for a good cause that can't possibly end well.
At four or five am tonight/tomorrow morning, the guys from Jesus & the Devil are rolling into town - to my house. They're on tour and we're putting them up for the weekend. It's the least I can do for them for helping me out - feed them, beer them, and give them a place to sleep until Monday, when they head toward their show in Lansing.
So now do you understand the gist of the song? Yep, if you're looking for the party, you know where it will be.
TGIF, folks. TGIF.
Have a great weekend everyone, and wish me luck as I'm saving the breasts!
I do want to share the flier again, just 'cause:
It seems like it will never stop raining. I don't know when I'm going to get out on my bike again. The knee has recovered, now I just need cooperative weather.
I really feel for TFN, though, whose going to miss her bike. Actually, I'm going to miss her. She just got the dates for her business trip - and it's a 24-day trip. It's an awesome opportunity, but that's a pretty long time.
But no worries - for now, it's about time for a party at my house.
I love this song because it does a great job catching the excitement of what will hopefully be a great party.
It's benefit weekend, and that's always fun and stressful, doing that things for a good cause that can't possibly end well.
At four or five am tonight/tomorrow morning, the guys from Jesus & the Devil are rolling into town - to my house. They're on tour and we're putting them up for the weekend. It's the least I can do for them for helping me out - feed them, beer them, and give them a place to sleep until Monday, when they head toward their show in Lansing.
So now do you understand the gist of the song? Yep, if you're looking for the party, you know where it will be.
TGIF, folks. TGIF.
Have a great weekend everyone, and wish me luck as I'm saving the breasts!
I do want to share the flier again, just 'cause:
It seems like it will never stop raining. I don't know when I'm going to get out on my bike again. The knee has recovered, now I just need cooperative weather.
I really feel for TFN, though, whose going to miss her bike. Actually, I'm going to miss her. She just got the dates for her business trip - and it's a 24-day trip. It's an awesome opportunity, but that's a pretty long time.
But no worries - for now, it's about time for a party at my house.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Gliding like a whale
While in Provincetown, we took a whale-watching trip. Up until that point, we hadn’t done anything “touristy,” hanging out with locals. We came to a quick realization – tourists are annoying obnoxious out-of-towners with no respect for anyone else or their personal space. I can totally understand why people in a tourist destination rely on them for revenue, without ever really taking a liking to them. The ugly American is annoying enough, but the ugly American on American soil is arguably worse.
Even so, all of these minor annoyances faded away by the time we got to the refuge. We were about four miles out in the ocean, but the sea was like glass; a flat plane of blue that spread infinitely in all directions. It was so calm that the humpbacks were just hanging out on the surface.
I took this photo over TFN’s shoulder to show how close the boat was to the whales, who were simply lounging. We drifted up to them, and they just hung out there for a few moments, before slowly and methodically arching their backs. They stretched on forever, and then suddenly, with a small tail slap, they disappeared for 8-10 minutes before resurfacing on just the other side of the boat.
We probably saw 50 whales that day, including the humpbacks who lounged around, a ton of smaller minkes who were playing and constantly on the move and one massive finback whale – bigger than the humpbacks - who was just passing through.
To be this close to such massive animals is Рdespite sounding clich̩ Рvery spiritual. They are so beautiful, and so big, and yet they glide smoothly and gracefully through the water, delicate despite their size.
Being this close to them is a memory I will cherish.
Even so, all of these minor annoyances faded away by the time we got to the refuge. We were about four miles out in the ocean, but the sea was like glass; a flat plane of blue that spread infinitely in all directions. It was so calm that the humpbacks were just hanging out on the surface.
I took this photo over TFN’s shoulder to show how close the boat was to the whales, who were simply lounging. We drifted up to them, and they just hung out there for a few moments, before slowly and methodically arching their backs. They stretched on forever, and then suddenly, with a small tail slap, they disappeared for 8-10 minutes before resurfacing on just the other side of the boat.
We probably saw 50 whales that day, including the humpbacks who lounged around, a ton of smaller minkes who were playing and constantly on the move and one massive finback whale – bigger than the humpbacks - who was just passing through.
To be this close to such massive animals is Рdespite sounding clich̩ Рvery spiritual. They are so beautiful, and so big, and yet they glide smoothly and gracefully through the water, delicate despite their size.
Being this close to them is a memory I will cherish.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Manuel
While in Provincetown, we were kidnapped/adopted by Manuel, one of the locals, who made it his civic duty to ensure that we had a good time.
A lot of walking ensued.
In the process of all that walking, though, we saw a side of Provincetown that the tourists don't see - and only part of it was a seedy underbelly.
I really think that we got so much more of an experience out of it this way, and we came home with a new BFF.
We're already talking about heading back out in the fall to hang out with him again.
Thanks for taking us under your wing.
A lot of walking ensued.
In the process of all that walking, though, we saw a side of Provincetown that the tourists don't see - and only part of it was a seedy underbelly.
I really think that we got so much more of an experience out of it this way, and we came home with a new BFF.
We're already talking about heading back out in the fall to hang out with him again.
Thanks for taking us under your wing.
Only a dollar?
While I am not exactly sure what the going rate on S&M is, I think this is pretty good deal.
One of the fabulous sites in downtown Detroit.
One of the fabulous sites in downtown Detroit.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Breakfast of Champions
Espresso and Jameson and the Jameson distillery in Dublin. That's how you start the day out right.
Then again, it's always a good time for whiskey. It's not just a breakfast drink!
This is me enjoying a glass of Paddy at a pub in the country just outside of Dublin.
Appropo of nothing, I have the telly on right now. Did you know that a kangaroo can't walk backwards? Amazing. That's called learning...
Still waiting for TFN to get home so beach day can begin... Hooray! She's here!
Then again, it's always a good time for whiskey. It's not just a breakfast drink!
This is me enjoying a glass of Paddy at a pub in the country just outside of Dublin.
Appropo of nothing, I have the telly on right now. Did you know that a kangaroo can't walk backwards? Amazing. That's called learning...
Still waiting for TFN to get home so beach day can begin... Hooray! She's here!
Photos from 5ive: an exhibition
TFN's gallery show was a great success! She sold several pieces - a rarity in Detroit right now, as our economy is in the crapper - and we all had a great time. Here's a sampling of the exhibition.
It's amazing how much work she put in to bring this all together, not to mention how much work I put in helping with the framing.
I'm kind of glad the purple girl didn't sell; I mean it would have been nice for it to sell, but it's also the centerpiece in our living room!
A portrait of the artist as a young woman.
I'm pretty proud of her.
It's amazing how much work she put in to bring this all together, not to mention how much work I put in helping with the framing.
I'm kind of glad the purple girl didn't sell; I mean it would have been nice for it to sell, but it's also the centerpiece in our living room!
A portrait of the artist as a young woman.
I'm pretty proud of her.
Busted knees - the end of slacking?
So I spent this morning getting photos from Dublin, TFN's gallery show, Race for the Cure and Provincetown up on Flickr. Of course, one of the penalties for putting this off is that they went up in a jumbled up order, so if you're browsing, they are all over the place. Oh well.Today is the first day of summer. How does one celebrate the first day of summer? In a few hours a few of us will be heading north for a bonfire on the shore of Lake Huron. It works.
This would normally be accompanied by biking, except that Thursday night my knee had a collision with the handlebars of my bike, and swelling and pain have convinced me to take a few days off - the reason that I'm home, packing the cooler, blogging and washing the dog's blanket, getting ready for a road trip while Nick is out biking the morning away.
At any rate, I'll get them organized and start posting on them this week, but if you want a sneak preview, you know where to find photos...
Friday, June 20, 2008
It's all about the feet.
Apparently, foot #6 was a hoax. But that does nothing to explain feet #1-5.
Also, who goes to the trouble to hoax a severed foot, anyway?
Something smells here. Aside from old feet.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Another way to help...
A few people have asked how they can donate to the Breast Fest cause if they’re not coming to the show. I do have a way.
My sister- and brother-in-law will be doing the 3 Day Breast Cancer walk in Chicago, from August 8th-10th...and they need support.
Her words:
Jen's site
Chip's site
My sister- and brother-in-law will be doing the 3 Day Breast Cancer walk in Chicago, from August 8th-10th...and they need support.
Her words:
As you know from your support over the last few years, it's a 60-mile walk over the course of three days that raises funds for Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. Last year, we had an incredible experience together participating in this event.
Walking 60 miles was hard, but we will keep walking until breast cancer is no longer. We walk because everyone deserves a lifetime. We walk because we can.
Please make a donation to support our fundraising efforts. To make a donation, just follow the link below to visit our personal fundraising webpage. (If you don't want to donate online, you can download and print a donation form from that page that you can mail in with your donation.) Please also forward to anyone that you think might be interested in supporting this cause.
We appreciate your support. We will add your name (and the names of all of our donors) to our T-shirts that we will wear on the walk, so we won't forget you as we set out on our journey.
Warm regards,
Jen & Chip
Jen's site
Chip's site
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Like Winter in July
I really need to get my photos off my camera onto the computer so I can share the P-Town trip and our new BFF, but as it hasn’t happened yet, I want to make one shout out before I forget – and that’s the fact that one of TFN’s pieces took honorable mention at the New England International Erotic Art Festival, the whole reason we were there. So yeah, I’m way proud of her.
Music of the moment: Peter Murphy
We’re going to see Peter Murphy tonight! We catch him pretty much every time he’s in town, whether it’s with Bauhaus or solo, but I really prefer his solo performances. The guy is a consummate showman, and going to see him is not a “Peter Murphy concert” so much as it’s “an evening with Peter Murphy.”
On the day job front, we just relocated within our building. Not only do I have a window for the first time in years, but it also faces a 150-year-old church. It makes the day much more pleasant.
How’d you like this on your finger?
I just read a Smithsonian article about manufactured diamonds, and found this little factoid:
The article was pretty fascinating, and among other things, pointed out that diamond manufacturers can already make a diamond that jewelers can’t tell came from a lab. Hopefully, they’ll flood the market with them, and drop the bottom out of the De Beers Empire. It would be best for the people of the world if that whole monopoly were no more.
Also, foot #6 just turned up on the beach in Vancouver. Ummm… what the hell?
Music of the moment: Peter Murphy
We’re going to see Peter Murphy tonight! We catch him pretty much every time he’s in town, whether it’s with Bauhaus or solo, but I really prefer his solo performances. The guy is a consummate showman, and going to see him is not a “Peter Murphy concert” so much as it’s “an evening with Peter Murphy.”
On the day job front, we just relocated within our building. Not only do I have a window for the first time in years, but it also faces a 150-year-old church. It makes the day much more pleasant.
How’d you like this on your finger?
I just read a Smithsonian article about manufactured diamonds, and found this little factoid:
The largest diamond so far found in the universe is the size of a small planet and located 50 light-years away in the constellation Centaurus. Astronomers with the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics discovered the gigantic stone a few years ago, and they believe the 2,500-mile-wide diamond once served as the heart of a star. It's ten billion trillion trillion carats. The astronomers named it Lucy in honor of the Beatles' song "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds."
The article was pretty fascinating, and among other things, pointed out that diamond manufacturers can already make a diamond that jewelers can’t tell came from a lab. Hopefully, they’ll flood the market with them, and drop the bottom out of the De Beers Empire. It would be best for the people of the world if that whole monopoly were no more.
Also, foot #6 just turned up on the beach in Vancouver. Ummm… what the hell?
Friday, June 13, 2008
Completely irrelevant on LP and compact disc.
So it seems that 34 years ago a woman endured the herculean effort of bringing a baby into this world. I know, I was there.
I don't exactly remember it, but I am here now, so it all adds up.
Thanks, Mom! The real work was on your part. All I did was keep breathing.
I'm not sure at what age it's appropriate to have a crisis. I didn't have one at 30, even though TFN and I were both unemployed at the time, and it would have been appropriate.
34 would be a good time for a crisis. Up until now, I have spent much of my professional career seeking ways to market widgets and baubles to the 18-34 age bracket. Now it seems I am entering my last year in that bracket.
I'm not really having a crisis, though. I am definitely undergoing a serious change, though. Recent events have me reevaluating certain aspects of my life. There is a slight revision in goals coming up - more than I feel like giving voice to just yet - and I hope things continue to go the way I want.
TFN got me a theremin for my birthday! If you're unfamiliar with the theremin, it's a musical instrument played by manipulating electrical fields. The Beach Boys used one on "Good Vibrations," and the original "Star Trek" theme was done with one.
And here's a cat playing one:
The one that TFN got me is much nicer than the mini job being played by the kitty, but I couldn't resist.
The guys from LMDD made this up for me. It's quite nice I think...
Man, I can't believe that Breast Fest is in two weeks! Where is this summer going?
I don't exactly remember it, but I am here now, so it all adds up.
Thanks, Mom! The real work was on your part. All I did was keep breathing.
I'm not sure at what age it's appropriate to have a crisis. I didn't have one at 30, even though TFN and I were both unemployed at the time, and it would have been appropriate.
34 would be a good time for a crisis. Up until now, I have spent much of my professional career seeking ways to market widgets and baubles to the 18-34 age bracket. Now it seems I am entering my last year in that bracket.
I'm not really having a crisis, though. I am definitely undergoing a serious change, though. Recent events have me reevaluating certain aspects of my life. There is a slight revision in goals coming up - more than I feel like giving voice to just yet - and I hope things continue to go the way I want.
TFN got me a theremin for my birthday! If you're unfamiliar with the theremin, it's a musical instrument played by manipulating electrical fields. The Beach Boys used one on "Good Vibrations," and the original "Star Trek" theme was done with one.
And here's a cat playing one:
The one that TFN got me is much nicer than the mini job being played by the kitty, but I couldn't resist.
The guys from LMDD made this up for me. It's quite nice I think...
Man, I can't believe that Breast Fest is in two weeks! Where is this summer going?
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Sometimes, I love this city.
When taking a long lunch includes walking to the ballpark for a day game, and watching the Tigers win 2-1 with a home run into the stands at the bottom of the ninth while having a brat... that's a reason to love summer in the Motor City.
We're back from P-town. More soon.
We're back from P-town. More soon.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
On Writing...
Ange posted an amazing post. A quote:
The whole post is here, and it's all perfectly true.
The nature of being a writer - a full-time writer - implies a lot of solitary time. That's actually true for any artist. Channeling the muse involves a lot of social introspection. I guess that's why so many writers and artists are odd ducks. It also explains why so many of them are self-involved. You can't spend that much time with yourself without being in love with yourself.
"Wendy" took over a year to write. Your average professional writer could have probably crafted something similar much more quickly. To be fair, "Wendy" was written in a week, and shaped for 51 more, but the premise still stands.
Mookie sequestered himself for most of the past year finishing a manuscript. I have mad respect for him over that; I lack that discipline. Even in my solitary time, it's hard to commit myself to writing. Rather than really write books, I choose to blog and to go out. I love to write, but even more so I enjoy riding my bike and hanging out with my friends. The life of the solitary eccentric is not for me, and I'm happy with my choice.
That being said, it looks as if TFN may be taking an extended business trip, and including some home projects I want to finish, I have a few stories burning holes in my brain right now.
So, I guess there is a time and a place to be the solitary writer. It's just never going to be my first choice.
Because you really do need to be incredibly selfish to be a writer.
"Don't speak to me right now! I'm channeling a plot! And turn that music off. It's spoiling the tone of the scene!"
I don't blame my family.
I blame the nature of writing.
The whole post is here, and it's all perfectly true.
The nature of being a writer - a full-time writer - implies a lot of solitary time. That's actually true for any artist. Channeling the muse involves a lot of social introspection. I guess that's why so many writers and artists are odd ducks. It also explains why so many of them are self-involved. You can't spend that much time with yourself without being in love with yourself.
"Wendy" took over a year to write. Your average professional writer could have probably crafted something similar much more quickly. To be fair, "Wendy" was written in a week, and shaped for 51 more, but the premise still stands.
Mookie sequestered himself for most of the past year finishing a manuscript. I have mad respect for him over that; I lack that discipline. Even in my solitary time, it's hard to commit myself to writing. Rather than really write books, I choose to blog and to go out. I love to write, but even more so I enjoy riding my bike and hanging out with my friends. The life of the solitary eccentric is not for me, and I'm happy with my choice.
That being said, it looks as if TFN may be taking an extended business trip, and including some home projects I want to finish, I have a few stories burning holes in my brain right now.
So, I guess there is a time and a place to be the solitary writer. It's just never going to be my first choice.
On The Road Again, but hopefully not for the last time...
Music of the moment: The Vines
Astroman just forwarded me a great article from Wired, bearing the title Secrets of the 7 Basic Blog Posts. It's quite funny, because in a nutshell, it breaks down what 99.86735% of all blog posts are about.
For example:
This is the part of the post where I get mad at his attempt at humor, and point out that he is mocking all of blogdom, then give you the link to go read it, thereby increasing our interconnectedness. Seriously though, go read it, it is entertaining.
Tomorrow is the day that I skate off to Cape Cod - actually, we'll be driving, no skating will be involved - and I am more than a little bit stoked, for multiple reasons.
First off, it's always fun to go elsewhere for TFN's gallery shows; her shows in Detroit are a lot of fun, and this latest one was quite successful, especially for Detroit's art market - or lack thereof - but I love going elsewhere to do them.
Also, I can't wait to see Provincetown and Cape Cod. We're taking the bikes with us, and it should be a lot of fun. The area is supposed to be very bike friendly, including many bike trails.
Also, I'm getting away from the Red Wings. Don't get me wrong on that one, I love my Red Wings, but their inability to put an end to this series has made my day job hell. If they'd just win it, I could move forward with normal life.
I'm looking forward to the road trip, too. It's been a few years since we've been on a good old-fashioned road trip. The last time the two of us took a lengthy road trip was when we drove to NC. TFN had just bought me the Vines album, and we listened to it incessantly both on the drive and in our little cabin in the mountains. Totally fell in love with that perfect little rock record. It will be making this trip with us as well, but I bet another CD may emerge as the long player from the trip, too.
I love road trips, it's sad we don't do them more often, and sadder still that the price of gas makes them more prohibitively expensive. If the price of gas kills something horrible, it will be the sense of adventure that causes Americans, young and old, to pile into a car a simply drive for the sake of seeing something new.
Late at night, driving down a lonely highway, the conversations are amazing and soul-baring. And during the day, simply seeing things down stretches of road that you've never been on and likely never will again? This is the stuff that wonder is made of.
Fortunately for now, we have TFN's little XB, which gets good mileage and is roomy enough to have two bikes in the back, so for now, we'll be out there, seeing the world outside our doors.
Astroman just forwarded me a great article from Wired, bearing the title Secrets of the 7 Basic Blog Posts. It's quite funny, because in a nutshell, it breaks down what 99.86735% of all blog posts are about.
For example:
1. Be upset!
Terrible things are happening in one of the following: the world, the web or a television show you really like. Make a blog post about it! People will comment about how much they agree with you. Then they'll make their own blog posts about the subject, and other people will comment about how much they agree with them. If we all work together we'll learn that we can make a real impact on our pageviews.
This is the part of the post where I get mad at his attempt at humor, and point out that he is mocking all of blogdom, then give you the link to go read it, thereby increasing our interconnectedness. Seriously though, go read it, it is entertaining.
Tomorrow is the day that I skate off to Cape Cod - actually, we'll be driving, no skating will be involved - and I am more than a little bit stoked, for multiple reasons.
First off, it's always fun to go elsewhere for TFN's gallery shows; her shows in Detroit are a lot of fun, and this latest one was quite successful, especially for Detroit's art market - or lack thereof - but I love going elsewhere to do them.
Also, I can't wait to see Provincetown and Cape Cod. We're taking the bikes with us, and it should be a lot of fun. The area is supposed to be very bike friendly, including many bike trails.
Also, I'm getting away from the Red Wings. Don't get me wrong on that one, I love my Red Wings, but their inability to put an end to this series has made my day job hell. If they'd just win it, I could move forward with normal life.
I'm looking forward to the road trip, too. It's been a few years since we've been on a good old-fashioned road trip. The last time the two of us took a lengthy road trip was when we drove to NC. TFN had just bought me the Vines album, and we listened to it incessantly both on the drive and in our little cabin in the mountains. Totally fell in love with that perfect little rock record. It will be making this trip with us as well, but I bet another CD may emerge as the long player from the trip, too.
I love road trips, it's sad we don't do them more often, and sadder still that the price of gas makes them more prohibitively expensive. If the price of gas kills something horrible, it will be the sense of adventure that causes Americans, young and old, to pile into a car a simply drive for the sake of seeing something new.
Late at night, driving down a lonely highway, the conversations are amazing and soul-baring. And during the day, simply seeing things down stretches of road that you've never been on and likely never will again? This is the stuff that wonder is made of.
Fortunately for now, we have TFN's little XB, which gets good mileage and is roomy enough to have two bikes in the back, so for now, we'll be out there, seeing the world outside our doors.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Today is the day!
I love my Red Wings but the fact is, when they are in contention for the Stanley Cup, it makes my life on the day job front hell... even so, here's to hoping they (and the Pistons, too) take it all the way, even though it's extra work for me.
I just wanted to take a second to say:
TODAY IS THE DAY!!!
Read By Dawn 3 is out today!
If you never pre-ordered it, it's available here. I'm actually not sure when it will be available in the states, but you can order it from the UK now.
I just wanted to take a second to say:
TODAY IS THE DAY!!!
Read By Dawn 3 is out today!
If you never pre-ordered it, it's available here. I'm actually not sure when it will be available in the states, but you can order it from the UK now.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Service-minded...
We all know I'm not judgmental... Ok, that's a blatant lie, but we'll roll with it for the sake of my point. Nothing rankles my limpets quite like being poorly treated by those whose job it is to provide me service. By that, I'm talking about bartenders, servers, sales staff, etc.
I'm not asking them to kiss my feet, I'm asking them to treat me as an equal. I promise to not condescend, in fact, I have the utmost respect for you.
I spent many years bartending, waiting tables and working retail. I know it often involves working long hours for low pay, dealing with customers who think you're beneath them. In fact, it's for this reason alone that I'm a very generous tipper even when the service is less than great, and the reason that I exchange pleasantries with sales staff at stores, and part of the reason that all of the people at my favorite bars and stores remember TFN and I - we're friendly people, genuinely happy to see and deal with other friendly people.
If you think you're better than the person taking your order or helping you at the store, you deserve shitty service. You deserve to get your order screwed up. You see, when you think you're better than the people you need to provide you with a service, they are dutybound to prove you wrong. I know, I've been dutybound to provide bad service to people who felt that way, including one very annoying, up-until-recently quite famous standup comedian who felt that he deserved VIP treatment to the point of not needing to wait his turn for a drink at the bar over the "ordinary" patrons. He may still be standing there waiting for that drink. I know I never got it for him.
On the opposite side of the coin, if that is your job, and your customer is simply you are obligated to provide a service. If you can do it, and do it courteously, then life goes and the world keeps turning.
BUT:
Mr. pimply obnoxious video gamestore clerk, I can do without the attitude.
All I did was ask if you had any copies of Wii Fit in stock.
I didn't need or deserve the condescension or derision.
I didn't need to be made to feel stupid for possibly thinking that, if I hadn't reserved a copy, that there might be one or two copies in stock.
I personally didn't realize that the average video gamer cared that much for fitness. You obviously don't. You also don't appear too concerned about hygiene for that matter.
I could have said that. I could have said what I really wanted to say, which was something implicating that you had probably never, and probably would never, lay hands upon actual female breasts unless money had been exchanged. I didn't say that, either.
I simply said "Ok," and walked out, with you feeling smug and self-important in some way.
It's probably the best you'll feel all week.
I pity you for that.
After I left the store, I went to another game shop, where I was treated better, by a person with a higher self-esteem and better social skills. He didn't have it either, but he wasn't derisive about it. Guess where I'll go to buy video games from now on?
After that, I met my friends for beer and pizza. It was fun. I told the story about you. We laughed about it, remarking again, that whatever gets you through the day, that was probably your high point.
It wasn't mine, though. My high point happened some way into the middle of my second pint, with a big greasy slice of pepperoni and green olive pizza and the Tigers winning on the TV, and somebody probably said something funny, and it was all right. The fact that I can't put my finger on the exact moment means it was a generally fun evening that didn't revolve around attempting to demean anyone.
Just you. And it was behind your back.
I'm not asking them to kiss my feet, I'm asking them to treat me as an equal. I promise to not condescend, in fact, I have the utmost respect for you.
I spent many years bartending, waiting tables and working retail. I know it often involves working long hours for low pay, dealing with customers who think you're beneath them. In fact, it's for this reason alone that I'm a very generous tipper even when the service is less than great, and the reason that I exchange pleasantries with sales staff at stores, and part of the reason that all of the people at my favorite bars and stores remember TFN and I - we're friendly people, genuinely happy to see and deal with other friendly people.
If you think you're better than the person taking your order or helping you at the store, you deserve shitty service. You deserve to get your order screwed up. You see, when you think you're better than the people you need to provide you with a service, they are dutybound to prove you wrong. I know, I've been dutybound to provide bad service to people who felt that way, including one very annoying, up-until-recently quite famous standup comedian who felt that he deserved VIP treatment to the point of not needing to wait his turn for a drink at the bar over the "ordinary" patrons. He may still be standing there waiting for that drink. I know I never got it for him.
On the opposite side of the coin, if that is your job, and your customer is simply you are obligated to provide a service. If you can do it, and do it courteously, then life goes and the world keeps turning.
BUT:
Mr. pimply obnoxious video gamestore clerk, I can do without the attitude.
All I did was ask if you had any copies of Wii Fit in stock.
I didn't need or deserve the condescension or derision.
I didn't need to be made to feel stupid for possibly thinking that, if I hadn't reserved a copy, that there might be one or two copies in stock.
I personally didn't realize that the average video gamer cared that much for fitness. You obviously don't. You also don't appear too concerned about hygiene for that matter.
I could have said that. I could have said what I really wanted to say, which was something implicating that you had probably never, and probably would never, lay hands upon actual female breasts unless money had been exchanged. I didn't say that, either.
I simply said "Ok," and walked out, with you feeling smug and self-important in some way.
It's probably the best you'll feel all week.
I pity you for that.
After I left the store, I went to another game shop, where I was treated better, by a person with a higher self-esteem and better social skills. He didn't have it either, but he wasn't derisive about it. Guess where I'll go to buy video games from now on?
After that, I met my friends for beer and pizza. It was fun. I told the story about you. We laughed about it, remarking again, that whatever gets you through the day, that was probably your high point.
It wasn't mine, though. My high point happened some way into the middle of my second pint, with a big greasy slice of pepperoni and green olive pizza and the Tigers winning on the TV, and somebody probably said something funny, and it was all right. The fact that I can't put my finger on the exact moment means it was a generally fun evening that didn't revolve around attempting to demean anyone.
Just you. And it was behind your back.
RIP Robert Lynn Asprin
I just found out that Robert Lynn Asprin died yesterday. When I was much younger, he was one of my favorite writers, especially for the Thieves World series that he edited.
Thieves World was a really innovative concept. Essentially it was a series of fantasy novels (11 of them) full of interconnected short stories all written by a ton of great authors. The innovative thing was that as each writer created a new character, other writers would use those characters to expand the story and move forward. It was an entire world created by a bunch of different authors, held together by Asprin overlooking it as editor/god.
Once I heard he had passed, I remembered how much I enjoyed the summers I spent with his books, and went on Amazon and ordered the set (used, it was around $20 for all of them - shipping included). I want to see if it holds up to my memory.
Thieves World was a really innovative concept. Essentially it was a series of fantasy novels (11 of them) full of interconnected short stories all written by a ton of great authors. The innovative thing was that as each writer created a new character, other writers would use those characters to expand the story and move forward. It was an entire world created by a bunch of different authors, held together by Asprin overlooking it as editor/god.
Once I heard he had passed, I remembered how much I enjoyed the summers I spent with his books, and went on Amazon and ordered the set (used, it was around $20 for all of them - shipping included). I want to see if it holds up to my memory.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
On U.S. Soil Again...
I'm safely home. Ireland was wonderful.
I'll probably have more to say of it soon, after my jetlag wears off and my life gets back together. For now, though, I wanted to mention that we're going to see TFN's boyfriend Nick13 again tonight.
Also, her gallery show is going swimmingly. I have many photos to share with you soon. Just not now.
Cheers.
I'll probably have more to say of it soon, after my jetlag wears off and my life gets back together. For now, though, I wanted to mention that we're going to see TFN's boyfriend Nick13 again tonight.
Also, her gallery show is going swimmingly. I have many photos to share with you soon. Just not now.
Cheers.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Oh Kwame...
So yeah, Detroit is famous enough to get mentioned on Jon Stewart.
Kwame has helped make Detroit, and Michigan by proxy, a big joke. At a time when the city and state are hurting, this is one of our main figureheads.
The latest scandal in a nutshell:
Kwame allegedly had a party at the mayoral mansion - with strippers. His wife allegedly showed up at the party and allegedly put one of the strippers in the hospital. The girl in question was Tamara Green, AKA Strawberry. She ended up killed in a drive by.
Allegedly, police chief Gary Brown was investigating this, as well as some other alleged wrongdoings on the mayor's part. He was fired. He sued, and got a large settlement.
Allegedly, part of the terms of the settlement involved a wrap being put on the text messages that came out in the case - messages that revealed that Kwame had an affair with his chief of staff, and also had Brown fired. (All of this is alleged - one more time - alleged).
It's not just the scandal (of which this is not the first), it's the pure idiocy that he presents when he attempts to defend himself. When the latest was first revealed, he simply stated that it was an illegal media smear campaign. When the papers presented their evidence as well as the evidence that they followed the freedom of information act, he apologized, but then later came forward to imply that the messages could have been sent by anyone who got hold of their phones.
This is a guy who also travels with a security entourage of his old buddies, who get treated very well on the city's dime. They do serve him a purpose though; they shove reporters out of the way while he can hurl juvenile insults at them rather than answer questions.
Incidentally, countless groups have called for his resignation, and there is a petition being filed with the governor to remove him from office right now. Despite all that, the one thing he is unwavering about is that he won't resign.
Oh, he also dropped the N-bomb at the state of the city, and is currently conjuring up Coleman Young-era "Black Detroit vs. the White Suburbs" propaganda. He's also stated that he's getting death threats, although when the FBI came forward and asked for information to go after those delivering the threats, the mayor's office apparently did not respond.
So, the latest development today involved this photo:
It's (allegedly again) a photo of the mayor in a junior high play. It was sent to a DC paper, and published with a humorous caption. Kwame, you see, is the one in the red dress next to the central figure.
The mayor's office attacked the paper, saying it's not him - even though his name is on the playbill, he attended the school, yada yada. They are so extremely paranoid and on such a hair trigger that a little silly photo from a junior high play that involved a bunch of boys in dresses is enough to get them worked up again.
Seriously, it's time the governor's office steps in and cleans house - just push them all out and start fresh. Kwame cares more about glamor and image that the city he elected to look after.
Man, he really makes me worry for the fate of the city. If things like this go on, it'll be a long time before the situation improves (on a side note, if anyone has a job offer that includes buying my house, I'll entertain the idea... :)).
Then again, on a plus side, the gallery show will be all hung tonight, so at least one good thing will be going on in the city.
Kwame has helped make Detroit, and Michigan by proxy, a big joke. At a time when the city and state are hurting, this is one of our main figureheads.
The latest scandal in a nutshell:
Kwame allegedly had a party at the mayoral mansion - with strippers. His wife allegedly showed up at the party and allegedly put one of the strippers in the hospital. The girl in question was Tamara Green, AKA Strawberry. She ended up killed in a drive by.
Allegedly, police chief Gary Brown was investigating this, as well as some other alleged wrongdoings on the mayor's part. He was fired. He sued, and got a large settlement.
Allegedly, part of the terms of the settlement involved a wrap being put on the text messages that came out in the case - messages that revealed that Kwame had an affair with his chief of staff, and also had Brown fired. (All of this is alleged - one more time - alleged).
It's not just the scandal (of which this is not the first), it's the pure idiocy that he presents when he attempts to defend himself. When the latest was first revealed, he simply stated that it was an illegal media smear campaign. When the papers presented their evidence as well as the evidence that they followed the freedom of information act, he apologized, but then later came forward to imply that the messages could have been sent by anyone who got hold of their phones.
This is a guy who also travels with a security entourage of his old buddies, who get treated very well on the city's dime. They do serve him a purpose though; they shove reporters out of the way while he can hurl juvenile insults at them rather than answer questions.
Incidentally, countless groups have called for his resignation, and there is a petition being filed with the governor to remove him from office right now. Despite all that, the one thing he is unwavering about is that he won't resign.
Oh, he also dropped the N-bomb at the state of the city, and is currently conjuring up Coleman Young-era "Black Detroit vs. the White Suburbs" propaganda. He's also stated that he's getting death threats, although when the FBI came forward and asked for information to go after those delivering the threats, the mayor's office apparently did not respond.
So, the latest development today involved this photo:
It's (allegedly again) a photo of the mayor in a junior high play. It was sent to a DC paper, and published with a humorous caption. Kwame, you see, is the one in the red dress next to the central figure.
The mayor's office attacked the paper, saying it's not him - even though his name is on the playbill, he attended the school, yada yada. They are so extremely paranoid and on such a hair trigger that a little silly photo from a junior high play that involved a bunch of boys in dresses is enough to get them worked up again.
Seriously, it's time the governor's office steps in and cleans house - just push them all out and start fresh. Kwame cares more about glamor and image that the city he elected to look after.
Man, he really makes me worry for the fate of the city. If things like this go on, it'll be a long time before the situation improves (on a side note, if anyone has a job offer that includes buying my house, I'll entertain the idea... :)).
Then again, on a plus side, the gallery show will be all hung tonight, so at least one good thing will be going on in the city.
Friday, May 02, 2008
I want it to be easy to change the world - but just for me.
This is Spark is a Diamond, my current favorite flavor of the day.
I can understand if some people are put off by them a little, bit, but I happen to love them. Spark is a Diamond is made up of old hardcore musicians who decided to take their hardcore roots and mix them with a dancey sound. I think it's great, but to see her voice tear in like that is a little disconcerting at first, especially when most vocalists with guttural sounds like that sport t-shirts, crusty jeans and dreads.
The song is called "Check Your Lease, You're In Fuck City," and it's also a little appropo because I'm talking about a F-town right now.
In F-town, there was a little, family-run Italian restaurant that TFN and I loved a lot. You almost always needed to make reservations because the food was wonderful and they only had 10 tables. We went there for our Anniversary, and just about anytime we wanted to take someone out for something "nice." It wasn't fancy or expensive, it was just cozy and intimate and had amazing food. It was our version of the Italian restaurant in that Billy Joel song.
They closed a couple weeks ago. We're going to miss them very much.
It's indicative of what's going on all around us right now. Steffie is a local here in F-town - all in all, she's a sweetheart and a royal character - who publishes and delivers a local publication called Ferndale Friends (She's also a musician, a Green Party Activist and a transgender activist, but we're focussing on the paper right now). In the latest issue, there was simply a photo page of all the closed businesses here in F-town, with a simple headline that read something like "What are we going to do about this?" It was simple and gutsy, but true.
F-Town does seem to be in a little bit of a dilemma here, though, and it's indicative of what's going on in Detroit and in Michigan as a whole. F-town is a progressive and hip little island populated by a population made up of young DINK couples and a large gay population. There are some random white trash holdouts from Ferndale's older days, but for the most part, we're on the upswing. We have bike lanes and a passion for supporting local business. F-town has the state's first openly gay mayor, too, who is also a really cool guy that I've spoken with at a few city council meetings... where am I going with this accolade of my town? Oh right, but in the last several months, we not only lost Maria's, but also our record store, the Old Navy, a fancy-schmancy Italian place )that I didn't like anyway because it was expensive and the chef they're thought that more salt was called for in every case), and a ton of other types of businesses.
Our little boutiquey downtown is getting peppered with vacant storefronts.
Last night, in our quest to find a good Italian meal, TFN and I ended up in Royal Oak. Where we went was nice: the food was good, as was the wine (if a little pricey), and there was a jazz band that did a great cover of "Purple Rain." It was no Maria's, but it was nice, and they did a killer (but also expensive) Spanish coffee. As we walked to the place, though, we saw that the ice cream place that we always ride our bikes to on hot days was also closed.
It makes me a little sad right now. What's going to turn things around?
On a happier note, yesterday kicked off National Bike Month. Get out on your bike! There are host of events scheduled throughout the country, but the best way you can observe the month is to just ride. I won't bore you with all the stats or the activist talk, I'll simply say riding bikes is fun!
Ooooh, also, the hole in the ozone layer is up for auction. I'm warning you, though - if you buy it, you better fix it up.
I can understand if some people are put off by them a little, bit, but I happen to love them. Spark is a Diamond is made up of old hardcore musicians who decided to take their hardcore roots and mix them with a dancey sound. I think it's great, but to see her voice tear in like that is a little disconcerting at first, especially when most vocalists with guttural sounds like that sport t-shirts, crusty jeans and dreads.
The song is called "Check Your Lease, You're In Fuck City," and it's also a little appropo because I'm talking about a F-town right now.
In F-town, there was a little, family-run Italian restaurant that TFN and I loved a lot. You almost always needed to make reservations because the food was wonderful and they only had 10 tables. We went there for our Anniversary, and just about anytime we wanted to take someone out for something "nice." It wasn't fancy or expensive, it was just cozy and intimate and had amazing food. It was our version of the Italian restaurant in that Billy Joel song.
They closed a couple weeks ago. We're going to miss them very much.
It's indicative of what's going on all around us right now. Steffie is a local here in F-town - all in all, she's a sweetheart and a royal character - who publishes and delivers a local publication called Ferndale Friends (She's also a musician, a Green Party Activist and a transgender activist, but we're focussing on the paper right now). In the latest issue, there was simply a photo page of all the closed businesses here in F-town, with a simple headline that read something like "What are we going to do about this?" It was simple and gutsy, but true.
F-Town does seem to be in a little bit of a dilemma here, though, and it's indicative of what's going on in Detroit and in Michigan as a whole. F-town is a progressive and hip little island populated by a population made up of young DINK couples and a large gay population. There are some random white trash holdouts from Ferndale's older days, but for the most part, we're on the upswing. We have bike lanes and a passion for supporting local business. F-town has the state's first openly gay mayor, too, who is also a really cool guy that I've spoken with at a few city council meetings... where am I going with this accolade of my town? Oh right, but in the last several months, we not only lost Maria's, but also our record store, the Old Navy, a fancy-schmancy Italian place )that I didn't like anyway because it was expensive and the chef they're thought that more salt was called for in every case), and a ton of other types of businesses.
Our little boutiquey downtown is getting peppered with vacant storefronts.
Last night, in our quest to find a good Italian meal, TFN and I ended up in Royal Oak. Where we went was nice: the food was good, as was the wine (if a little pricey), and there was a jazz band that did a great cover of "Purple Rain." It was no Maria's, but it was nice, and they did a killer (but also expensive) Spanish coffee. As we walked to the place, though, we saw that the ice cream place that we always ride our bikes to on hot days was also closed.
It makes me a little sad right now. What's going to turn things around?
On a happier note, yesterday kicked off National Bike Month. Get out on your bike! There are host of events scheduled throughout the country, but the best way you can observe the month is to just ride. I won't bore you with all the stats or the activist talk, I'll simply say riding bikes is fun!
Ooooh, also, the hole in the ozone layer is up for auction. I'm warning you, though - if you buy it, you better fix it up.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Karma for the Car-ma
Let it be noted that I did my good deed for the day early this morning, so I am therefore excused from being nice the rest of the day.
I arrived at the office, and it was raining. As I walked across the parking lot, I saw a coworker's car with its lights on. I walked back to my car (in the rain, did I mention?), and got a pen and piece of paper. I then wrote down the license plate and turned it in at the front desk.
Somebody will be able to get home without complication tonight.
The cold rain is a stark contrast to the weekend's weather. We were able to get out on the bike trail Saturday and Sunday, logging about 20 trail miles. It's going to be a good season; surprisingly, I have not lost as much stamina as in years past. I also have a fun little helmet cam that TFN got me for Christmas this year. I'm looking forward to sharing a Rat's eye view with you as the summer progresses.
This weekend we also went to the roller derby, where we were able to watch the Motor City Disassembly Line (with our very own Paprika as a blocker - although she goes under a different name on the court) thoroughly trounce the Killamazoo Derby Darlins by something like 80 points. It was a very satisfactory weekend.
I replaced my hazardous water bottle with a BPA-free bottle this weekend as well, so I will be safe from BPA, and will use this bottle until it's declared hazardous. At this point, I have consumed about 36 ounces of water from the bottle with no immediate ill effects. I'll keep you posted.
I arrived at the office, and it was raining. As I walked across the parking lot, I saw a coworker's car with its lights on. I walked back to my car (in the rain, did I mention?), and got a pen and piece of paper. I then wrote down the license plate and turned it in at the front desk.
Somebody will be able to get home without complication tonight.
The cold rain is a stark contrast to the weekend's weather. We were able to get out on the bike trail Saturday and Sunday, logging about 20 trail miles. It's going to be a good season; surprisingly, I have not lost as much stamina as in years past. I also have a fun little helmet cam that TFN got me for Christmas this year. I'm looking forward to sharing a Rat's eye view with you as the summer progresses.
This weekend we also went to the roller derby, where we were able to watch the Motor City Disassembly Line (with our very own Paprika as a blocker - although she goes under a different name on the court) thoroughly trounce the Killamazoo Derby Darlins by something like 80 points. It was a very satisfactory weekend.
I replaced my hazardous water bottle with a BPA-free bottle this weekend as well, so I will be safe from BPA, and will use this bottle until it's declared hazardous. At this point, I have consumed about 36 ounces of water from the bottle with no immediate ill effects. I'll keep you posted.
Friday, April 25, 2008
We just came to party down...
Yeah! It's Friday!
The proper thing to have done on Earth Day would have been to put an environmentally-themed post here. I didn't feel like it, though. It just so happens that today, I do.
We're throwing out our Nalgene bottles. It turns out that they're made with bisphenol A. We bought them to be environmentally sound, but the latest studies suggest that they might be linked to cancer, schizophrenia and a host of other conditions. While it's still a might, I think its best to err toward caution. It's a shame, too. I liked those water bottles.
For Earth Day, we joined a CSA. Now, with the talk of food shortages and prices through the roof, it seems like it was an economically sound choice as well as an environmentally sound call. I'm just looking forward to fresh organic produce.
I also have two little tiny tomato plants growing in my kitchen right now. As bad as I am keeping a garden, I'm trying again, because I love fresh tomatoes.
Also on a whim, while we were at Holiday Market, we picked up a book on homemade cheeses. The thought of fresh mozzarella, and tomato salad coming from my own house is a good thought.
OK, I think that's all the green talk you'll get from me right now.
Things are dropping into place around here. TFN just got the flyers back for her exhibition - it will be her first solo show, and she's stoked. I'll post the flyer here when I have a jpeg of it.
It now looks as if I will be traveling for three days in Dublin. It's a business trip, but it seems like they'll have several fun things planned - plus, when the business involves going to see bands, you can't go wrong, can you?
We've been spending a lot time outside lately. Almost every night since it got warm has involved eating dinner, then going for a walk or bike ride to downtown F-town, stopping for cocktails, than heading home. In the years since we've moved here, it's gotten amazing in F-town to the fact that one can always call a friend to walk up and meet you for a cocktail, and if you can't reach anyone, odds are 75% that you'll run into someone you know when you get to a pub. F-town has gotten very close that way, I think. Or everyone I know is a drunk. Either way, it works.
So this weekend's projection? I would like to get about 30 miles in on my bike, because we're in for cold next week. Again.
That's really all I got at this point. If you've made it this far, you've realized I have little to say, but rather than keep it to myself, I've opted to project it at you.
Thanks for playing.
The proper thing to have done on Earth Day would have been to put an environmentally-themed post here. I didn't feel like it, though. It just so happens that today, I do.
We're throwing out our Nalgene bottles. It turns out that they're made with bisphenol A. We bought them to be environmentally sound, but the latest studies suggest that they might be linked to cancer, schizophrenia and a host of other conditions. While it's still a might, I think its best to err toward caution. It's a shame, too. I liked those water bottles.
For Earth Day, we joined a CSA. Now, with the talk of food shortages and prices through the roof, it seems like it was an economically sound choice as well as an environmentally sound call. I'm just looking forward to fresh organic produce.
I also have two little tiny tomato plants growing in my kitchen right now. As bad as I am keeping a garden, I'm trying again, because I love fresh tomatoes.
Also on a whim, while we were at Holiday Market, we picked up a book on homemade cheeses. The thought of fresh mozzarella, and tomato salad coming from my own house is a good thought.
OK, I think that's all the green talk you'll get from me right now.
Things are dropping into place around here. TFN just got the flyers back for her exhibition - it will be her first solo show, and she's stoked. I'll post the flyer here when I have a jpeg of it.
It now looks as if I will be traveling for three days in Dublin. It's a business trip, but it seems like they'll have several fun things planned - plus, when the business involves going to see bands, you can't go wrong, can you?
We've been spending a lot time outside lately. Almost every night since it got warm has involved eating dinner, then going for a walk or bike ride to downtown F-town, stopping for cocktails, than heading home. In the years since we've moved here, it's gotten amazing in F-town to the fact that one can always call a friend to walk up and meet you for a cocktail, and if you can't reach anyone, odds are 75% that you'll run into someone you know when you get to a pub. F-town has gotten very close that way, I think. Or everyone I know is a drunk. Either way, it works.
So this weekend's projection? I would like to get about 30 miles in on my bike, because we're in for cold next week. Again.
That's really all I got at this point. If you've made it this far, you've realized I have little to say, but rather than keep it to myself, I've opted to project it at you.
Thanks for playing.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Rockstar Sis
This is not my Rockstar Sis, it's Ange's, but I wanted to give props to both RSS and Ange.
It's not easy to shoot a drummer. Well, I guess it would be as easy to shoot a drummer as it would be to shoot anyone else with a large caliber weapon, but it's not easy to take photos of a drummer. TFN will attest to that.
First off, drummers are afforded some sort of instantaneous protection by their kit. Hi-hats block their faces from view, which is sometimes for the best, as a drummer in a really intense song often gets the look of a deranged psychopath on their face. That can frighten the kids.
Second, your typical club has a stage that puts the drummer immediately behind the rest of the band, so a photog must finagle to get shots of the drummer.
At any rate, I saw these photos, and thought of the old song "Hillbilly Drummer Girl" by Young Fresh Fellows.
"She came down from the Ozarks
To the big city Memphis world
She's a legend and a landmark
Hillbilly drummer girl."
Not that RSS is a hillbilly, but its the only chick drummer song I know.
You can see all of Ange's Rockstar Sister photos here, and RSS's band, Chemcoma, is located on the MizzleSpizzle here.
It's not easy to shoot a drummer. Well, I guess it would be as easy to shoot a drummer as it would be to shoot anyone else with a large caliber weapon, but it's not easy to take photos of a drummer. TFN will attest to that.
First off, drummers are afforded some sort of instantaneous protection by their kit. Hi-hats block their faces from view, which is sometimes for the best, as a drummer in a really intense song often gets the look of a deranged psychopath on their face. That can frighten the kids.
Second, your typical club has a stage that puts the drummer immediately behind the rest of the band, so a photog must finagle to get shots of the drummer.
At any rate, I saw these photos, and thought of the old song "Hillbilly Drummer Girl" by Young Fresh Fellows.
"She came down from the Ozarks
To the big city Memphis world
She's a legend and a landmark
Hillbilly drummer girl."
Not that RSS is a hillbilly, but its the only chick drummer song I know.
You can see all of Ange's Rockstar Sister photos here, and RSS's band, Chemcoma, is located on the MizzleSpizzle here.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Quotable Headline
Ok, so I just read this news story that made me laugh. It was about three dogs that discovered a baby that had been abandoned by her mother in India, and barked until people came and discovered her.
It's a case of a sad story with a (somewhat) happy ending, but that's not what made me laugh. It was the headline:
Dogs "rescue" girl abandoned by mother
Dogs "rescue" girl abandoned by mother
It was that use of quotes around "rescue". In my crazy mind, I finished out the headline as such:
Dogs "rescue" girl abandoned by mother
(and by "rescue", we meant "eat")
Sick and twisted I know, but I wasn't the one who decided quotes were necessary.
Dogs "rescue" girl abandoned by mother
(and by "rescue", we meant "eat")
Sick and twisted I know, but I wasn't the one who decided quotes were necessary.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Comics and Meat
My good friend TheChrisBrown opened up his own comic book shop about a year ago ( or more accurately, he took over an existing one, but whatevs), and we've all been way proud of him. Not only is he you know, like independently employed, but he's doing it in a business that speaks to his geekier tastes.
Anyway, he produced a series of commercials for the store, for local TV. These are all full of geeky comic book superhero humor, and acted by a bunch of people I know. For instance:
Comics and More/Spiderman vid.
TheChrisBrown is the guy with the mohawk behind the counter.
He has another one in production that he told me about the other night. It should be the best yet.
In other, meatier news:
I don't always approve of the ends, means or methods of the folks at PETA, but this time they seem dead on.
All I know is this: once they perfect the art of lab meat, I need somebody to grow me a meat sweater.
Anyway, he produced a series of commercials for the store, for local TV. These are all full of geeky comic book superhero humor, and acted by a bunch of people I know. For instance:
Comics and More/Spiderman vid.
TheChrisBrown is the guy with the mohawk behind the counter.
He has another one in production that he told me about the other night. It should be the best yet.
In other, meatier news:
I don't always approve of the ends, means or methods of the folks at PETA, but this time they seem dead on.
It seems that they are offering a $1 million prize for the "first person to come up with a method to produce commercially viable quantities of in vitro meat at competitive prices by 2012."
It's a really gutsy move for PETA, essentially they are saying that they are willing to give up their war against meat, should a way be discovered that meat can be grown in a vat, having never been a breathing creature that could feel pain. It's apparently causing huge rifts in PETA's ranks, as many of them object to eating flesh, even if it was never really an animal.
It's an interesting dilemma that we may need to consider. What if, in the future, meat were able to come from a lab? Theoretically, it would be healthier; all organic, as the controlled environment wouldn't need chemicals, hormones or antibiotics to grow big vats o' beef.
But then again, the result would still be a slab of meat from a vat. Sort of like Spam.
It would be cruelty free, no animal would ever feel pain. It could also revolutionize the culinary field. Gourmet cuts like veal and filet mignon could be grown en masse, as could, conceivably, cuts like shark fin that the Japanese black market goes after. Many taboo meats from other cultures would be available, like dog or horse, and even whale meat would be obtainable in this fashion.
It's a really gutsy move for PETA, essentially they are saying that they are willing to give up their war against meat, should a way be discovered that meat can be grown in a vat, having never been a breathing creature that could feel pain. It's apparently causing huge rifts in PETA's ranks, as many of them object to eating flesh, even if it was never really an animal.
It's an interesting dilemma that we may need to consider. What if, in the future, meat were able to come from a lab? Theoretically, it would be healthier; all organic, as the controlled environment wouldn't need chemicals, hormones or antibiotics to grow big vats o' beef.
But then again, the result would still be a slab of meat from a vat. Sort of like Spam.
It would be cruelty free, no animal would ever feel pain. It could also revolutionize the culinary field. Gourmet cuts like veal and filet mignon could be grown en masse, as could, conceivably, cuts like shark fin that the Japanese black market goes after. Many taboo meats from other cultures would be available, like dog or horse, and even whale meat would be obtainable in this fashion.
Hell, why not human flesh? If it could be grown in a lab in this way, why not? What's the harm? Would you want to try it, even just for the sake of seeing what it tastes like? I mean, I tried Haggis, chicken feet, tripe, sweet breads... what if vat-grown people became available, even as a novelty? Would there be harm?
All I know is this: once they perfect the art of lab meat, I need somebody to grow me a meat sweater.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Quarantine
More Mountain Goats Lyrics:
In the cold clear light of day down here everyone's a monster
That's cool with all of us - we've been past the point of help since early April.
It was a beautiful weekend; temperatures were in the 70's, and the trails are finally ready for us to take our bikes out - in fact that's what we planned to do all weekend.
That is, until the CDC showed up and declared our home a biohazard and placed us under quarantine.
Or to put it more accurately, until we woke up Saturday morning to discover our eyes were... I'll spare you the gross details and simply tell you the diagnosis is pink eye. We ventured out long enough to get to an urgent care clinic, where we were diagnosed, sent home and told to stay away from others until Monday morning.
When we walk out in the sunlight we tell every we know it hurts our eyes
When the real reason we don't like it is that it makes us wonder if we're dying.
Our first really nice weekend, and we're fricking ebola threats. Fortunately, we have enough supplies to last until we're released - just in time to go back to work. Actually we're doing very well, I've got babybacks in the oven because I've got the time for slow cooking. In fact, I've got a lot of time.
Then again, it's not like I've managed to get anything done with my time at home, though, because I am also too exhausted from just being sick to do much more than sleep and watch movies. In fact, I will sign off now. Just know that the seclusion has not been self-imposed.
Yeah we're all here, chewing our tongues off, waiting for the fever to break.
In the cold clear light of day down here everyone's a monster
That's cool with all of us - we've been past the point of help since early April.
It was a beautiful weekend; temperatures were in the 70's, and the trails are finally ready for us to take our bikes out - in fact that's what we planned to do all weekend.
That is, until the CDC showed up and declared our home a biohazard and placed us under quarantine.
Or to put it more accurately, until we woke up Saturday morning to discover our eyes were... I'll spare you the gross details and simply tell you the diagnosis is pink eye. We ventured out long enough to get to an urgent care clinic, where we were diagnosed, sent home and told to stay away from others until Monday morning.
When we walk out in the sunlight we tell every we know it hurts our eyes
When the real reason we don't like it is that it makes us wonder if we're dying.
Our first really nice weekend, and we're fricking ebola threats. Fortunately, we have enough supplies to last until we're released - just in time to go back to work. Actually we're doing very well, I've got babybacks in the oven because I've got the time for slow cooking. In fact, I've got a lot of time.
Then again, it's not like I've managed to get anything done with my time at home, though, because I am also too exhausted from just being sick to do much more than sleep and watch movies. In fact, I will sign off now. Just know that the seclusion has not been self-imposed.
Yeah we're all here, chewing our tongues off, waiting for the fever to break.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Twin High-Maintenance Machines
As is the case with all too many of my posts as of late, let's begin with a song of significance to me. This is The Mountain Goats...
The first time I heard this song was at a solo performance by the lead singer at the Magic Stick. TFN and I were both unemployed, and had been for a while. We were really splurging on a show and a few beers, because I'd always wanted to see him. The chorus really struck home.
The first time I heard this song was at a solo performance by the lead singer at the Magic Stick. TFN and I were both unemployed, and had been for a while. We were really splurging on a show and a few beers, because I'd always wanted to see him. The chorus really struck home.
Since then, the chorus is line we often invoke, whether things are bad or really good, but very chaotic, which is the case right now. Case in point:
- Read By Dawn comes out next month.
- TFN has her first solo exhibition in Detroit next month.
- I may be going to Ireland next month.
- TFN was accepted to an art exhibition on Cape Cod in June. We will be attending.
- Breast Fest 3 is also in June.
This is a series of a few weeks here. All great things, but the type of things that leave one physically, mentally and emotionally wrecked... I'll make it though.
Speaking of wreckage, Mr. Shane woke me up at around 4 this morning. He was pacing around the house, whining and crying. He didn't want to go out, didn't want food, and REALLY didn't want me to go back to bed. I sat up most of the night, well I slept sitting up next to a nervous dog most of the night.
This morning, I found out we had an earthquake last night - just before the dog woke me up. It actually hit by Chicago, but could still be felt here.
My dog doesn't like earthquakes. I apparently sleep through them.
Things are back to normal though, he was passed out in his bed when I left for work.
So, we have the final two bands for Breast Fest now. First up is Jesus and the Devil. They are based in Chicago, but sound like a combo of the Stooges, the MC5, and a host of other Detroit greats.
The opener is a band that I'm really excited about as well. We saw them open up for Girl In A Coma last week, and they are buckets of awesome. The band is called Toxic Shock Syndrome, and it's composed of four women who know how to rock, and so they do so in a snotty, raunchy way. They play songs like "Kill Yourself," "Fuck Your Life" and "Fuck The Government." It's pure punk rock, and even purer fun.
So, that's the state of things at the moment. I should be back in touch in a few days, when I adjust to the speed things are spinning at right now.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Trash Day
Press play and let's meander, shall we?
The song is "Garbage Picker" by Blanche, and we'll get back to it, I swear.
Today was trash day, and it was a particularly windy one. As I stepped out onto the front porch to have my cup of coffee, I noted that someone, blocks away for all I know, had apparently thrown out a large amount of styrofoam packing peanuts, not bothering to secure them very well. They were drifting down to street in the wind. We just finally managed to get past all of the snow from a particularly painful winter, and somebody puts out garbage that replicates it.
Spring seems to have finally arrived - I hope. Monday, we walked downtown for dinner and drinks. It was so nice, and so easy to slip back into the routine. What I wouldn't do to live in a temperate place where it's rarely too hot or too cold to wander or bike to go have some food or a beer.
Last night, at Punk Fitness, that was the prevailing commentary, too - how everyone is so glad that spring appears to be here, and how this was a particularly bad winter for everyone. It was brutally cold, and snowy, and it turned everyone into hermits and recluses. It was not fun, but hopefully it's over, and for a few months we can focus on the things we like.
There are some big projects happening at the Alpharat's nest, it would appear. Hopefully, the next month will see us putting on a new roof (that's needed to happen for a while), and even more hopefully, we will be gutting and replacing the kitchen. TFN and I cook a lot, and for too many years now we have worked with a little galley kitchen that is really poorly laid out. I can handle the galley kitchen if the space is used decently. This one isn't even trying, though.
Back to trash day... I know that when we are gutting the kitchen, a lot of our stuff will be taken to the curb to be gathered up by the scrappers and garbage pickers who patrol the hood on the night before garbage day, and while that may be an appropriate enough reason to include this song, it's only half of the story...
The band performing the song is called Blanche. The singer is a guy named Dan John Miller. He's known for many things in Detroit - not only does he sing for Blanche, but he was also the lead singer for a band called Goober and the Peas, a band in which Jack White was his drummer.
Nationally, Miller is better known for playing the part of Luther Perkins, Johnny Cash's guitarist in I Walk The Line. In the too much information vein, he's also the one who lived in my house before we moved in.
As if that weren't enough of a claim to fame for our little house and our little neighborhood, but the song "Garbage Picker" was written about our neighbors.
So there you go...
The song is "Garbage Picker" by Blanche, and we'll get back to it, I swear.
Today was trash day, and it was a particularly windy one. As I stepped out onto the front porch to have my cup of coffee, I noted that someone, blocks away for all I know, had apparently thrown out a large amount of styrofoam packing peanuts, not bothering to secure them very well. They were drifting down to street in the wind. We just finally managed to get past all of the snow from a particularly painful winter, and somebody puts out garbage that replicates it.
Spring seems to have finally arrived - I hope. Monday, we walked downtown for dinner and drinks. It was so nice, and so easy to slip back into the routine. What I wouldn't do to live in a temperate place where it's rarely too hot or too cold to wander or bike to go have some food or a beer.
Last night, at Punk Fitness, that was the prevailing commentary, too - how everyone is so glad that spring appears to be here, and how this was a particularly bad winter for everyone. It was brutally cold, and snowy, and it turned everyone into hermits and recluses. It was not fun, but hopefully it's over, and for a few months we can focus on the things we like.
There are some big projects happening at the Alpharat's nest, it would appear. Hopefully, the next month will see us putting on a new roof (that's needed to happen for a while), and even more hopefully, we will be gutting and replacing the kitchen. TFN and I cook a lot, and for too many years now we have worked with a little galley kitchen that is really poorly laid out. I can handle the galley kitchen if the space is used decently. This one isn't even trying, though.
Back to trash day... I know that when we are gutting the kitchen, a lot of our stuff will be taken to the curb to be gathered up by the scrappers and garbage pickers who patrol the hood on the night before garbage day, and while that may be an appropriate enough reason to include this song, it's only half of the story...
The band performing the song is called Blanche. The singer is a guy named Dan John Miller. He's known for many things in Detroit - not only does he sing for Blanche, but he was also the lead singer for a band called Goober and the Peas, a band in which Jack White was his drummer.Nationally, Miller is better known for playing the part of Luther Perkins, Johnny Cash's guitarist in I Walk The Line. In the too much information vein, he's also the one who lived in my house before we moved in.
As if that weren't enough of a claim to fame for our little house and our little neighborhood, but the song "Garbage Picker" was written about our neighbors.
So there you go...
Monday, April 07, 2008
Another Band Added to Breast Fest 3!
I am deathly ill this week with one of those little illnesses that sneaks quietly up from behind and punches you right in the back of the skull, leaving you laid out and trying your best to recover.
Poised somewhere between the Residents and Skinny Puppy, Los Minstrels Del Diablo are a two-piece industrial multimedia show, complete with music synchronized to video and light effects. For several years, they have been a mainstay at the Theatre Bizarre, and now we are fortunate enough to bring them to Breast Fest.
Take a peek:
Even so, life goes on.
We are really happy to announce that we've added another band to the Breast Festivities!
When this band performs, it's not just a performance, it's an experience. I am talking about Los Minstrels Del Diablo.
Poised somewhere between the Residents and Skinny Puppy, Los Minstrels Del Diablo are a two-piece industrial multimedia show, complete with music synchronized to video and light effects. For several years, they have been a mainstay at the Theatre Bizarre, and now we are fortunate enough to bring them to Breast Fest.
Take a peek:
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Haunted
I read somewhere that the vast majority of blog posts relate to people apologizing for not having blogged in a while. I can believe it. I get wrapped up in stuff - work, trips, the benefit, life in general - and blogging is one of the last things on my mind or fitting in my agenda. Instead you get the occasional mini-thought and a video link.
Meh. Today won't be much better.
Last night we went out to eat, college student style, and by that I mean cheap. First it was off to Lily's for $10 all-you-can-eat fish and $2 drafts, then over to Gusoline Alley for a couple $1 beers.
Gus's has the best jukebox, and after we hung out there for a while, I decided to throw some money into it. I was really surprised to discover that my and TFN's wedding song was in there.
Today, I decided to see if a video was ever made for it. I doubted it, guessing it was a little obscure, being a remake of a song that was pretty obscure the first time around. Happily, I was wrong. So that's the little bit of video I'm throwing at you today; the song that we first danced together to on our wedding night.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Breast Fest Band #1
It seems like things are coming together very quickly with the benefit this year. I'm currently talking to several bands to see who wants to help make this happen, but I am really pleased to announce that I have a band added to the bill already. These guys are a great band, and a really cool bunch of people...
I give you the band that put the "Sex" back in "Sex, drugs and rock and roll."
It makes me happy to present to you - Haf/Life!
I give you the band that put the "Sex" back in "Sex, drugs and rock and roll."
It makes me happy to present to you - Haf/Life!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Breast Fest 3
It's just been formalized that Breast Fest 3 will happen on June 28.
I am currently speaking with bands, and I'll update as I know more.
I am currently speaking with bands, and I'll update as I know more.
Monday, March 24, 2008
To the confusion of our enemies
In light of recent events, anniversaries, birthdays and etceteras, I offer up an unoriginal post. It's just a song by a band I really admire, whom I've met and chatted with. It's probably one of the best-written songs about this sort of thing.
If this song is about you, you'll know it, and for those of you that I'm not writing this post about that take this song to heart, blessings at you too.
To all the given ups, the special needs crew.
To all those who were told "we didn't need you."
To all the people who are eating all alone,
you know something fucked that kid up good.
To all those who wake up at dawn,
underpayed and then shit upon.
To all my friends who never had a chance.
To those who closed their eyes,
thinking they'd be better off...for now.
To those who felt that the gods kept them from getting out,
this town.
To spite as a reason.
To clothes out of season.
To those stuck in caskets as nails hammer in.
Just keep screaming out...I'm still not dead.
To the ugly ones with the bad teeth,
staring at the pretty people that they can't meet.
Staring at the magazines on the endcaps,
that fuck your head up good.
To all those buried in the ground,
God knows I wish you were around,
to laugh and cuss about what's going down.
To those who stand watching the last bus as it drives away...again.
Those those who see that by not playing and not giving in...they win.
To have no good reason,
To no cuts and lesions.
And to the confusion of our enemies.
Just keep screaming out...I'm still not dead yet.
Don't bury me yet.
If this song is about you, you'll know it, and for those of you that I'm not writing this post about that take this song to heart, blessings at you too.
To all the given ups, the special needs crew.
To all those who were told "we didn't need you."
To all the people who are eating all alone,
you know something fucked that kid up good.
To all those who wake up at dawn,
underpayed and then shit upon.
To all my friends who never had a chance.
To those who closed their eyes,
thinking they'd be better off...for now.
To those who felt that the gods kept them from getting out,
this town.
To spite as a reason.
To clothes out of season.
To those stuck in caskets as nails hammer in.
Just keep screaming out...I'm still not dead.
To the ugly ones with the bad teeth,
staring at the pretty people that they can't meet.
Staring at the magazines on the endcaps,
that fuck your head up good.
To all those buried in the ground,
God knows I wish you were around,
to laugh and cuss about what's going down.
To those who stand watching the last bus as it drives away...again.
Those those who see that by not playing and not giving in...they win.
To have no good reason,
To no cuts and lesions.
And to the confusion of our enemies.
Just keep screaming out...I'm still not dead yet.
Don't bury me yet.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
We made it back from SXSW safe and sound, and had a wonderful time meeting some wonderful people and hearing some amazing bands.
In honor of St. Patrick's Day, I offer up the guys from Steer Clear. These kids are from Belfast (and I mean kids, they're all like 17), and they played their hearts out. It was great to see and meet you guys, and I wish the best for you guys and I'll offer up more coverage on this on my site I do for a job...
We're feeling pretty low-key from Austin, but we'll be out tonight to hoist a glass for a very special friend whose birthday was today and is no longer with us.
Cheers.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Balsamic Explosion
This morning, I am all packed for my trip to Texas. I brushed my teeth, and went to get a baggie out of the pantry to throw the toothbrushes in the suitcases...
CRASH!
I smashed an entire bottle of balsamic on the top step leading to the basement. It exploded, sending a geyser of sticky thick vinegar down stairs. It landed next to thee cat, who had just eaten breakfast. She jumped three feet in the air, hit the floor, and immediately started throwing up.
I was left with a horrible mess to clean up, and a nearly depleted can of carpet cleaner.
Hopefully, all that's out of the way, and the vacation can go on without major catastrophe...
Off to Austin!
Friday, March 07, 2008
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
We're praying that the taps will keep the holy water flowing...
Eight inches of snow last night. Eight inches on the walk. Eight inches in the driveway. Eight inches on the porch. Eight inches everywhere, EXCEPT for the three-foot snowdrift that had blown and piled between the two cars in the driveway.
That’s what I shoveled this morning.
I also used a giant push broom to clean off the cars.
Then, there’s the driving out here. The roads are bad, and will continue to get worse because the county is out of salt for the year. That’s it, there’s a salt shortage, and that’s one of the dumber things I’ve ever heard.
I wish I could blog about more than the snow and the weather. I’d like to blog about biking, and bikes. I’d like to tell you about the sweet ‘70s neighborhood cruiser bike that I just bartered for from a friend (price? A fifth of bourbon and a vintage punk rock pin), but the truth is, I haven’t even been able to visit the bike, because it’s snowed in!
So, yeah it’s all about snow. Snow and music. Tomorrow night we’re going out with Yoda to see NOFX.
Here’s some NOFX. It’s actually a song about being snowed in at a bar, which is where I’d rather be snowed in than anywhere else. Yep, snow and punk rock.
Sorry if the religious symbolism offended you, but if you can’t handle that sort of humor, odds are this is the first time you’ve visited this site.
Yoda’s one I’ve not mentioned before. He’s our spiritual leader/bike guru rolled into one. He taught us to mountain bike, and continues to supply guidance. We call him Yoda for that matter, despite the fact that he’s well over six feet tall, long-haired, bearded and tattooed. He’s really more of a Qui-Gon Jinn, but that’s more of a mouthful than Yoda.
It’s a rarity to see him in the winter. He, like the rest of us, hibernates all winter. We usually won’t see him from, say November to April. No bikes, no Yoda. It takes something rare like an appearance from NOFX to bring us all together when there’s snow on the ground.
I love NOFX. Their singer, Fat Mike, is the biggest jerk in the world, but somehow he makes it work. He’s a drunken idiot, yet strangely charismatic. I worship the guy, yet I can’t figure out why I relate to him so… no comments please.
He’s also the guy behind some amazing political movements. He’s the guy behind Punk Voter, an organization created to mobilize American punk rock youth into a political force, by signing them up to vote and informing them of the issues. He put out the Rock Against Bush albums, and basically has tried to get an apathetic youth motivated to do their share.
On a side note, it will probably never happen. You won’t be able to get the American teen population politically motivated unless the draft is reinstated - which the government knows, and won’t do. Instead, they’ve instituted the Stop-Loss Policy, which says that the government can send its soldiers back whenever they want, even after they've fulfilled their commitment.
Which they’ve made a film about. I saw the trailer before Juno, and I want to see this. It’s about time stuff like this is getting said.
Sorry about that political segue. I honestly didn’t see it coming.
Must be snow blindness.
That’s what I shoveled this morning.
I also used a giant push broom to clean off the cars.
Then, there’s the driving out here. The roads are bad, and will continue to get worse because the county is out of salt for the year. That’s it, there’s a salt shortage, and that’s one of the dumber things I’ve ever heard.
I wish I could blog about more than the snow and the weather. I’d like to blog about biking, and bikes. I’d like to tell you about the sweet ‘70s neighborhood cruiser bike that I just bartered for from a friend (price? A fifth of bourbon and a vintage punk rock pin), but the truth is, I haven’t even been able to visit the bike, because it’s snowed in!
So, yeah it’s all about snow. Snow and music. Tomorrow night we’re going out with Yoda to see NOFX.
Here’s some NOFX. It’s actually a song about being snowed in at a bar, which is where I’d rather be snowed in than anywhere else. Yep, snow and punk rock.
Sorry if the religious symbolism offended you, but if you can’t handle that sort of humor, odds are this is the first time you’ve visited this site.
Yoda’s one I’ve not mentioned before. He’s our spiritual leader/bike guru rolled into one. He taught us to mountain bike, and continues to supply guidance. We call him Yoda for that matter, despite the fact that he’s well over six feet tall, long-haired, bearded and tattooed. He’s really more of a Qui-Gon Jinn, but that’s more of a mouthful than Yoda.It’s a rarity to see him in the winter. He, like the rest of us, hibernates all winter. We usually won’t see him from, say November to April. No bikes, no Yoda. It takes something rare like an appearance from NOFX to bring us all together when there’s snow on the ground.
I love NOFX. Their singer, Fat Mike, is the biggest jerk in the world, but somehow he makes it work. He’s a drunken idiot, yet strangely charismatic. I worship the guy, yet I can’t figure out why I relate to him so… no comments please.
He’s also the guy behind some amazing political movements. He’s the guy behind Punk Voter, an organization created to mobilize American punk rock youth into a political force, by signing them up to vote and informing them of the issues. He put out the Rock Against Bush albums, and basically has tried to get an apathetic youth motivated to do their share.
On a side note, it will probably never happen. You won’t be able to get the American teen population politically motivated unless the draft is reinstated - which the government knows, and won’t do. Instead, they’ve instituted the Stop-Loss Policy, which says that the government can send its soldiers back whenever they want, even after they've fulfilled their commitment.
Which they’ve made a film about. I saw the trailer before Juno, and I want to see this. It’s about time stuff like this is getting said.
Sorry about that political segue. I honestly didn’t see it coming.
Must be snow blindness.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
We won't stop until somebody calls the cops...
Music of the moment: Kimya Dawson
Kimya Dawson makes me happy, even when the world is frozen.
I feel like this winter simply isn’t planning on ending for us. Ever. The winters that are cold, yet relatively free from snow, here in the Southwestern Michigan Tropics seem like they have never happened, as we keep getting pummeled by snow to the tune of 3-4 inches per week (that may not seem like much; but it’s more than enough to grind this city to a halt due to our lackluster city services and people who, despite living in the Motor City, show a certain reluctance toward driving like a sentient being.)
I think this general cold is causing a general malaise as well for me, as it regards things like writing. And physical activity. And anything that would require any level of ambition or motivation. I really just want to hibernate.
At least there is only a week left until I head out to SXSW, and I am really gearing up for it. I will wear sandals, and I will go swimming, and I will sit outside in shorts and a t-shirt and I will be warm and happy.
Wonderful moment worth recapping as of late:
Last week, down in Greektown on a rare, sunny day, scoping out the gallery where TFN will be hosting a solo exhibition of her works in May, we stopped into a little convenience store. We bought Cokes in glass bottles, and the Greek man behind the counter opened them with his bottle opener, smiling and saying a thickly accented “Just like old times, ah?”
Walking through the streets of Detroit on that rare sunny winter day, glass bottle of Coke in my hand was a total flashback to childhood Saturdays, and as we went by Comerica Park, what did we see? People taking photos, sightseeing in our city! That felt good. Even if Detroit’s mayor is corrupt, and won’t resign despite being discovered to have committed perjury on the stand regarding using city money to facilitate an affair with his chief of staff, and despite the fact they are still investigating his possible connection in the murder of a stripper… yep, this is all going on… at least people are still sightseeing down here, and maybe one day it will recover.
OK, one more from Kimya.
“They think we’re disposable. Well, both my thumbs are opposable.”
So that’s where I’ve been lately, I’ve been cold. Eventually I will be warm, and then I’ll be more active. Activity would be nice.
Oh, also, as of this year, Iceman went to a lottery, meaning that the slots for the race don’t simply go to the attentive that sign up when it opens. The nice thing was that the lottery was open to teams as well, meaning that if you signed up as a team, and one name was drawn, you all get to go. And this year, Team Angry Monkey made the cut, so we’ll be heading up to Zillaville once again!
I want to ride my bike. We made it so far as to plan a ride on Sunday, but at zero hour it was decided that going to breakfast would be more prudent, so as to not risk an icy accident on the trail and start out the year with a fractured clavicle.
Later that day, after attending B’s second birthday and showing a pair of toddlers how to perform medical procedures on a cat (it was stuffed, and part of a children’s pretend-we’re-a-vet kit) we were driving home and saw an ambulance loading up a cyclist who spilled on an icy sidewalk. It reaffirmed our decision.
Sometimes I make the right decisions regarding risking injury.
Kimya Dawson makes me happy, even when the world is frozen.
I feel like this winter simply isn’t planning on ending for us. Ever. The winters that are cold, yet relatively free from snow, here in the Southwestern Michigan Tropics seem like they have never happened, as we keep getting pummeled by snow to the tune of 3-4 inches per week (that may not seem like much; but it’s more than enough to grind this city to a halt due to our lackluster city services and people who, despite living in the Motor City, show a certain reluctance toward driving like a sentient being.)
I think this general cold is causing a general malaise as well for me, as it regards things like writing. And physical activity. And anything that would require any level of ambition or motivation. I really just want to hibernate.
At least there is only a week left until I head out to SXSW, and I am really gearing up for it. I will wear sandals, and I will go swimming, and I will sit outside in shorts and a t-shirt and I will be warm and happy.
Wonderful moment worth recapping as of late:
Last week, down in Greektown on a rare, sunny day, scoping out the gallery where TFN will be hosting a solo exhibition of her works in May, we stopped into a little convenience store. We bought Cokes in glass bottles, and the Greek man behind the counter opened them with his bottle opener, smiling and saying a thickly accented “Just like old times, ah?”
Walking through the streets of Detroit on that rare sunny winter day, glass bottle of Coke in my hand was a total flashback to childhood Saturdays, and as we went by Comerica Park, what did we see? People taking photos, sightseeing in our city! That felt good. Even if Detroit’s mayor is corrupt, and won’t resign despite being discovered to have committed perjury on the stand regarding using city money to facilitate an affair with his chief of staff, and despite the fact they are still investigating his possible connection in the murder of a stripper… yep, this is all going on… at least people are still sightseeing down here, and maybe one day it will recover.
OK, one more from Kimya.
“They think we’re disposable. Well, both my thumbs are opposable.”
So that’s where I’ve been lately, I’ve been cold. Eventually I will be warm, and then I’ll be more active. Activity would be nice.
Oh, also, as of this year, Iceman went to a lottery, meaning that the slots for the race don’t simply go to the attentive that sign up when it opens. The nice thing was that the lottery was open to teams as well, meaning that if you signed up as a team, and one name was drawn, you all get to go. And this year, Team Angry Monkey made the cut, so we’ll be heading up to Zillaville once again!
I want to ride my bike. We made it so far as to plan a ride on Sunday, but at zero hour it was decided that going to breakfast would be more prudent, so as to not risk an icy accident on the trail and start out the year with a fractured clavicle.
Later that day, after attending B’s second birthday and showing a pair of toddlers how to perform medical procedures on a cat (it was stuffed, and part of a children’s pretend-we’re-a-vet kit) we were driving home and saw an ambulance loading up a cyclist who spilled on an icy sidewalk. It reaffirmed our decision.
Sometimes I make the right decisions regarding risking injury.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)