Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Ha! Ha! Screw You, Dick Cheney!
So you're not part of the executive branch? oh well then, you don't need the funding we give you
as part of the executive branch!
"Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., sponsor of the de-funding amendment, noted that five years ago Cheney claimed executive privilege in refusing to release details about his meetings with oil industry executives to discuss energy policy.
"Now when we want to know what he's doing as it relates to America's national security in the lead-up to the war in Iraq and after the fact, the vice president has declared he is a member of the legislative branch."
What a colossal flip flopper...what a, dare I? dick.
as part of the executive branch!
"Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., sponsor of the de-funding amendment, noted that five years ago Cheney claimed executive privilege in refusing to release details about his meetings with oil industry executives to discuss energy policy.
"Now when we want to know what he's doing as it relates to America's national security in the lead-up to the war in Iraq and after the fact, the vice president has declared he is a member of the legislative branch."
What a colossal flip flopper...what a, dare I? dick.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
You Suck Dick Cheney
You suck Dick Cheney.
You suck, Dick Cheney.
Dick Cheney you suck.
Dick Cheney, you suck.
No, dear reader, this does not apply--
You, suck Dick Cheney...or You! Suck Dick Cheney.
www.nydailynews.com/news/wn_report/2007/06/23/2007-06-23_cheneys_secret_pass_.html
Stop Dick Cheney now.
Stop, Dick Cheney now.
Dick Cheney stop now.
Dick Cheney, stop now.
Clearly Sunday finds me both bored and outraged. I even wrote my congressman.
You suck, Dick Cheney.
Dick Cheney you suck.
Dick Cheney, you suck.
No, dear reader, this does not apply--
You, suck Dick Cheney...or You! Suck Dick Cheney.
www.nydailynews.com/news/wn_report/2007/06/23/2007-06-23_cheneys_secret_pass_.html
Stop Dick Cheney now.
Stop, Dick Cheney now.
Dick Cheney stop now.
Dick Cheney, stop now.
Clearly Sunday finds me both bored and outraged. I even wrote my congressman.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Fountains of Wayne, Variety Playhouse 6/19/2007
So Stacy was there. Lots of her. Her moms were there, too. I even saw Stacy's grandma, but decidedly, she hasn't "got it goin' on."
Strangest Variety Playhouse crowd ever. Teens in braces. A guy that looked like me or my friend Brad in say, 10 more years. Yuppies. There were no patterns to this crowd. I reckon FOW does have rather a universal appeal.
At the back corner of the playhouse where we sat, there were at least two categories --three counting us--the "overworked 30 something commuters"--the hit song dancing gay guys, who were having a lot of fun as they ran down to boogie with the masses during the top hits ("Stacy's Mom", "Mexican Wine"), and the "I'm in a band" guys, including the alleged drummer who sat behind me, pretending to be maxing the bass drum pedal (in completely out of time fashion) throughout the show and shaking the entire row around him-- mostly my chair...
The show was enjoyable--FOW writes and plays pretty pop that's almost authentic, as they carefully skirt the borders of novelty and genius. Strangely, my favorite song surrounding the band isn't one they wrote or perform themselves (and I'd lose any of the remaining street cred I have since my favorite band just whored themselves out to Volkswagen, ja, and if I didn't mention this--every so called FOW reviewer does, it'd be a problem) but is instead Robbie Fulks "Fountains of Wayne Hotline," with its tongue-in-cheek admiration for the layered pop perfection that FOW so often achieves.
They have a good stage presence and tight performance skills. Most hilarious to me in terms of their overall stage 'tude is their lead guitarist, who is a mash up of the following:
Jiimmy Page in "Song Remains the Same" duh, even down to the color of his Les Paul
David Cassidy (it's the vest)
and Jackie Earl Haley's Kelly Leek from the original "Bad News Bears" film.
Anyway, I wouldn't have picked it--the same Volkswagen whores mentioned earlier were playing just down the street this same night--but given the rare rain and the crappy yuppies cum infested outdoor venue ("Chat"stain") I was perfectly happy being at Variety once I got there and got settled--settled= getting to L5P late and braving the side streets in search of parking because the opening act is going to suck and we're old and tired-- and finally finding a space.
As concerts go, its nice and refreshing to see a band that embraces and plays their pop hits without any whining or teasing about it....no Michael Stipe-esque "we're just not playing "Stacy's Mom" because, that's just not who were are anymore." Whatever.
Play "Superman" so we can go home, ninny!
Thank you, and good night.
Strangest Variety Playhouse crowd ever. Teens in braces. A guy that looked like me or my friend Brad in say, 10 more years. Yuppies. There were no patterns to this crowd. I reckon FOW does have rather a universal appeal.
At the back corner of the playhouse where we sat, there were at least two categories --three counting us--the "overworked 30 something commuters"--the hit song dancing gay guys, who were having a lot of fun as they ran down to boogie with the masses during the top hits ("Stacy's Mom", "Mexican Wine"), and the "I'm in a band" guys, including the alleged drummer who sat behind me, pretending to be maxing the bass drum pedal (in completely out of time fashion) throughout the show and shaking the entire row around him-- mostly my chair...
The show was enjoyable--FOW writes and plays pretty pop that's almost authentic, as they carefully skirt the borders of novelty and genius. Strangely, my favorite song surrounding the band isn't one they wrote or perform themselves (and I'd lose any of the remaining street cred I have since my favorite band just whored themselves out to Volkswagen, ja, and if I didn't mention this--every so called FOW reviewer does, it'd be a problem) but is instead Robbie Fulks "Fountains of Wayne Hotline," with its tongue-in-cheek admiration for the layered pop perfection that FOW so often achieves.
They have a good stage presence and tight performance skills. Most hilarious to me in terms of their overall stage 'tude is their lead guitarist, who is a mash up of the following:
Jiimmy Page in "Song Remains the Same" duh, even down to the color of his Les Paul
David Cassidy (it's the vest)
and Jackie Earl Haley's Kelly Leek from the original "Bad News Bears" film.
Anyway, I wouldn't have picked it--the same Volkswagen whores mentioned earlier were playing just down the street this same night--but given the rare rain and the crappy yuppies cum infested outdoor venue ("Chat"stain") I was perfectly happy being at Variety once I got there and got settled--settled= getting to L5P late and braving the side streets in search of parking because the opening act is going to suck and we're old and tired-- and finally finding a space.
As concerts go, its nice and refreshing to see a band that embraces and plays their pop hits without any whining or teasing about it....no Michael Stipe-esque "we're just not playing "Stacy's Mom" because, that's just not who were are anymore." Whatever.
Play "Superman" so we can go home, ninny!
Thank you, and good night.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
More stickers...
I saw the strangest thing on the west expressway as I was driving out of Atlanta yesterday after work--
A rather average looking truck, and on one side of its back window--a "W '04" sticker, and on the other side an "Obama '08" sticker.
That doesn't even make any sense. It does, however, make me hopeful.
A rather average looking truck, and on one side of its back window--a "W '04" sticker, and on the other side an "Obama '08" sticker.
That doesn't even make any sense. It does, however, make me hopeful.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
In Loving Memory...
Why on Earth would I choose to display my feelings for a departed loved one with an "In Loving Memory" sticker on the (tinted) window of my car or SUV?
I theorize that this all began tragically with the demise of Dale Earnhardt, Sr. Suddenly, there were"3" stickers on the windows of vehicles everywhere. Then, just as suddenly there were 8's as a memorial to the living but grieving son who was also busy risking his life driving around in circles at 200 miles an hour...then it evolved and now the windshield is secondly only to the graveyard as a memorializin' locale.
I wouldn't feel right about offering up my feelings about any dearly departed person with a sticker on my car. I rarely wash my little Nissan. It's not a very holy place, as I drive in Atlanta traffic and yell profanity (often at SOB's with "In Loving Memory" stickers on their cars who cut me off), and I just wouldn't want me dear Grandmother, even in sticker memorial form, to be anywhere near me when I'm like that. I also consider the things the things that get yelled back at me! Not for the ears of anyone's dearly departed mother or grandmother...
Keep these feelings in your heart, or maybe on your sleeve--use a black ribbon or get a tattoo of your loved one's initials on one buttock or the other so I'll never see, but please, stop these stickers. Please? People are already doing enough to turn America's freeways into graveyards.
If you're considering this as part of your car decor and find that, for you, this is a must-- first, consider your car. Is that memorial sticker for your dead golfing buddy really going to look good on the back of that 85 olds Cutlass you've wrecked a couple of times now? Will others, with whom, I assume you wish to share your grief, going to be able to see it through the smoggy discharge of that olds tail pipe?
Also consider the relative location of your memorial sticker to the things you already have on display there-- of Calvin peeing on something, NRA membership stickers, your hoochie mama mudflaps, supporting stickers for ANY and all republican presidential candidates, and that "If the van's rockin' don't bother knockin" thing that's almost peeled off since you put it on back in '73.
I hope that, one day, we'll see...
I theorize that this all began tragically with the demise of Dale Earnhardt, Sr. Suddenly, there were"3" stickers on the windows of vehicles everywhere. Then, just as suddenly there were 8's as a memorial to the living but grieving son who was also busy risking his life driving around in circles at 200 miles an hour...then it evolved and now the windshield is secondly only to the graveyard as a memorializin' locale.
I wouldn't feel right about offering up my feelings about any dearly departed person with a sticker on my car. I rarely wash my little Nissan. It's not a very holy place, as I drive in Atlanta traffic and yell profanity (often at SOB's with "In Loving Memory" stickers on their cars who cut me off), and I just wouldn't want me dear Grandmother, even in sticker memorial form, to be anywhere near me when I'm like that. I also consider the things the things that get yelled back at me! Not for the ears of anyone's dearly departed mother or grandmother...
Keep these feelings in your heart, or maybe on your sleeve--use a black ribbon or get a tattoo of your loved one's initials on one buttock or the other so I'll never see, but please, stop these stickers. Please? People are already doing enough to turn America's freeways into graveyards.
If you're considering this as part of your car decor and find that, for you, this is a must-- first, consider your car. Is that memorial sticker for your dead golfing buddy really going to look good on the back of that 85 olds Cutlass you've wrecked a couple of times now? Will others, with whom, I assume you wish to share your grief, going to be able to see it through the smoggy discharge of that olds tail pipe?
Also consider the relative location of your memorial sticker to the things you already have on display there-- of Calvin peeing on something, NRA membership stickers, your hoochie mama mudflaps, supporting stickers for ANY and all republican presidential candidates, and that "If the van's rockin' don't bother knockin" thing that's almost peeled off since you put it on back in '73.
I hope that, one day, we'll see...
In Loving Memory
In Loving Memory stickers
Dale, Sr to 2007
In Loving Memory stickers
Dale, Sr to 2007
May they rest in peace next to scratch n' sniffs and garbage pail kids in sticker heaven.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
A Horse is a Horse...Barbaro
It's a sad state of affairs when the American health care system is in the toilet, 46 Million or so Americans don't have health insurance, and suddenly, the attention of our country drifts to a dead horse who got better treatment than any of the rest of us....
Barbaro
I wish I got this kind of attention from my doctor!
And I know there's a horse joke here somewhere, given our doctor's pose.... but it's a solemn moment in our nations history so...I'll just...let it...(grits teeth) go... s i g h.
And I know there's a horse joke here somewhere, given our doctor's pose.... but it's a solemn moment in our nations history so...I'll just...let it...(grits teeth) go... s i g h.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Vote for my profile photo!
Which picture shall become my new featured blog, profile picture?
You, dear readers, will decide. Simply post a comment as to which photo you prefer:
The same old dog....
...The newest, latest dog
Or...neon Sign?
Or me standing under a 50's style neon sign somewhere in the dark mountain depths of Franklin, NC?
Top 5 Records, 2006
I couldn't think of ten that came out this year that were really worth a damn:
5. Dixie Chicks, yeah, you heard me, what of it? --Taking the Long Way
4. Johnny Cash--American V, a Hudred Highways
3. Tom Waits--Orphans (probably only as low as 3 because I haven't actually gone out and plunked down the 45 bucks yet)
2. Neko Case, Fox Confessor, Blah blah blah
1. Garden Ruin, Calexico
Engaged!
Dawn and I took a positive step forward toward the rest of our lives together this weekend.
On the lift hill of the world's greatest wooden roller coaster, I asked her if she might be interested in gettin' hitched up with me. I gave her the length of the ride to think about it, and at the end of the ride, she said yes, and then I gave her a ring.
We had a lovely trip into the Smoky Mountains. We enjoyed Dollywood, we rode the rides, saw the shows, including my favorite, "A Hokey Mountain Christmas" aka Randy Jackson's "A Very Pitchy Christmas."
On the way back yesterday, we went to the "lowest place on earth" Tallulah Gorge. It's actually the deepest Gorge East of the Mississippi. So our travels have now taken us to the ultimate geographic highs and lows. At least the ones in the Eastern U.S. , since last year we went to the "highest place on earth" or, Mt. Mitchell, NC, the highest peak east of the Missisippi.
Highs, lows, ups, downs, curves, dips, drops, loops.
More to come. I'm sure we'll handle them just fine.
Interstate Update, or cringe. Body?
The morning traffic reporter nonchalantly announced that there was a body in the road at I-75 this morning.
The body's condition was later upgraded to...alive. Last I heard, it was observed from the air that the body was, in fact, moving on the stretcher.
There was also a giant, hot air balloon floating over I-85 this morning.
This place is getting so very, very strange.
The body's condition was later upgraded to...alive. Last I heard, it was observed from the air that the body was, in fact, moving on the stretcher.
There was also a giant, hot air balloon floating over I-85 this morning.
This place is getting so very, very strange.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Interstate Update, or, Shop Vacs and Truck Fires
The newest item to add to the strange list of things seen in interestate highways comes from co-worker Cal, who had to avoid a shop vac on interstate 75 South of Atlanta.
I myself yesterday saw a full set of four fairly nice looking wicker chairs on the side of I-20 eastbound, and right next to those a wheel barrow.
I don't know what's up with the rash of fires on Atlanta's interstates. Clearly, most truck drivers can't drive worth a damn--some asshole truck driver cuts me off at least twice a day....
So lets hitch 'em up to something flammable to boot? Just this morning, a tanker truck caused lane closures on the downtown connector, which is essentially the heart that pumps Atlanta traffic. Last week, there was a bus fire, a shooting, and a grass fire that negatively impacted traffic well past the regular rush hour hours.
Let's just all stay home?
Or, better yet, let's get big trucks around the outside of the city and charge 'em to use 285?
Ban them between 6 am and 9 am, 3 pm to 6 pm?
I myself yesterday saw a full set of four fairly nice looking wicker chairs on the side of I-20 eastbound, and right next to those a wheel barrow.
I don't know what's up with the rash of fires on Atlanta's interstates. Clearly, most truck drivers can't drive worth a damn--some asshole truck driver cuts me off at least twice a day....
So lets hitch 'em up to something flammable to boot? Just this morning, a tanker truck caused lane closures on the downtown connector, which is essentially the heart that pumps Atlanta traffic. Last week, there was a bus fire, a shooting, and a grass fire that negatively impacted traffic well past the regular rush hour hours.
Let's just all stay home?
Or, better yet, let's get big trucks around the outside of the city and charge 'em to use 285?
Ban them between 6 am and 9 am, 3 pm to 6 pm?
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Ten Songs I Never Need to Hear Again
Rock and Roll radio in the Atlanta area has changed and morphed in strange ways over the past 30 years. I can rely on the major FM radio stations in the area to play the same sort of stuff, and in some cases, the same stuff--over...and over...and over and over again.
99X--Atlanta's "alternative" radio. I think they have three CD's, and two of them are Red Hot Chili Peppers records. 99X reliably plays at least 7 Red Hot Chili Peppers songs an hour, 24/7. The other CD is some crappy emo compilation. Reliably plays alterna-rock from the same albums that were popular when I was in college, in spite of 14 new releases from bands like, say, Pearl Jam since then. Stop...playing...Ten.
Dave FM--Ok, a bit better--but its a bit as if I took all the "Greatest Hits" albums from my personal collection and made them into a giant playlist.
96 Rock--Hm. The longest running radio station in its current format--blasting cock rock, metal, a lot of Southern rock and occasional songs from the list I intend to generate. I can go here when I need some good, reliable 3 chord rock for driving/reliving high school/ or for getting the catchy hook of the whiny Emo song I tried to listen on 99x as a means to "grow" in my appreciation for young artists out of my head, hopefully forever.
97.1. The River. Ok, before 92.9 changed formats and became Dave FM, they played the same 14 late 70's-early 90's songs--and the River was a great radio station, playing tuneful "oldies" (which brings me to the...what is an "oldie" anyway question?!?) from the 50's-70's. Need to hear "More than a Feeling" again? Give the River 10 minutes.
Yay for college radio. WREK out of Georgia Tech, the Georgia State radio station--both have good programming even if it proves a little noisy for my taste at times, it can be really fun.
and now...the list:
10. "Bohemian Rhapsody" by queen-play instead...well, anything really, except Boston, I want to continue to like listening to the best of queen so please stop playing it on the radio for ten, maybe 12 years--but if you have to play a Queen song, play "Fat Bottom Girls" 'cause it rocks.
9. "Fly Like an Eagle" Steve Miller--play instead "Take the Money and Run" clap clap clap clap clap.
8. "Hotel California" the Eagles-play instead "Ol' 55" at least they had enough taste to cover Tom Waits
7. "Cocaine" Eric Clapton--play instead "Spanish Castle Magic" Jimi Hendrix--a better guitarist that doesn't get nearly as much play.
6. "Another Brick in the Wall" Pink Floyd--play instead "Shine on you Crazy Diamond"
5. "Stairway to Heaven" Led Zeppelin--play instead the longest, most guitar dripping, drum solo laden live version of "I Can't Quit You Baby" possible.
4. "Money for Nothing" Dire Straits--play instead..."Romeo and Juliet-Live"
3. "Foreplay/Long Time" Boston--play instead "Watch the Sunrise" by Big Star--tuneful, poppy, but tough and well, it doesn't have that grinding prefab silicon "I'm an MIT student" sound.
2. "Peace of Mind" Boston--play instead "Let my Love Open the Door" by Pete Townsend--for some reason, they stopped playing that song.
1. "More than a Feeling" Boston--play instead "the Seeker" by the Who
I want classic rock to wear out the Who the way they have been wearing out Boston for what seems like an eternity. They were a much better, more rockin', more intelligent band. I'm quite sure that the Who could beat up Boston, and well, pretty much any other American band.
As far as American bands go, Creedence is arguably the greatest American band of the sixties. play more of their songs--"Bad Moon Rising" and "Proud Mary" are great songs, but how fantastic are "Midnight Special" and "Cotton Fields?"
Please Mr. Radio Clear Channel conservative guy, stop making them play the same ten songs from the same four records. Please?
Honorable mention:
Black Crowes-"She Talks to Angels"--play instead "Hard to Handle"
Bob Seger-"Turn the Page"--play instead "Nutbush City Limits (live)"
Aerosmith--"Dream On"--play instead "Big Ten Inch Record"
Deep Purple--"Smoke on the Water"--play instead "Cinnamon Girl" by Neil Young
Yes--"Roundabout"--play instead "When the Heart Rules the Mind" by, well, Yes, but, GTR
See, I don't even have to work in extreme obscurities to get some mix in the mix.
Ok, I'm stopping now.
Rant over. I could go on. and on. done.
fin.
99X--Atlanta's "alternative" radio. I think they have three CD's, and two of them are Red Hot Chili Peppers records. 99X reliably plays at least 7 Red Hot Chili Peppers songs an hour, 24/7. The other CD is some crappy emo compilation. Reliably plays alterna-rock from the same albums that were popular when I was in college, in spite of 14 new releases from bands like, say, Pearl Jam since then. Stop...playing...Ten.
Dave FM--Ok, a bit better--but its a bit as if I took all the "Greatest Hits" albums from my personal collection and made them into a giant playlist.
96 Rock--Hm. The longest running radio station in its current format--blasting cock rock, metal, a lot of Southern rock and occasional songs from the list I intend to generate. I can go here when I need some good, reliable 3 chord rock for driving/reliving high school/ or for getting the catchy hook of the whiny Emo song I tried to listen on 99x as a means to "grow" in my appreciation for young artists out of my head, hopefully forever.
97.1. The River. Ok, before 92.9 changed formats and became Dave FM, they played the same 14 late 70's-early 90's songs--and the River was a great radio station, playing tuneful "oldies" (which brings me to the...what is an "oldie" anyway question?!?) from the 50's-70's. Need to hear "More than a Feeling" again? Give the River 10 minutes.
Yay for college radio. WREK out of Georgia Tech, the Georgia State radio station--both have good programming even if it proves a little noisy for my taste at times, it can be really fun.
and now...the list:
10. "Bohemian Rhapsody" by queen-play instead...well, anything really, except Boston, I want to continue to like listening to the best of queen so please stop playing it on the radio for ten, maybe 12 years--but if you have to play a Queen song, play "Fat Bottom Girls" 'cause it rocks.
9. "Fly Like an Eagle" Steve Miller--play instead "Take the Money and Run" clap clap clap clap clap.
8. "Hotel California" the Eagles-play instead "Ol' 55" at least they had enough taste to cover Tom Waits
7. "Cocaine" Eric Clapton--play instead "Spanish Castle Magic" Jimi Hendrix--a better guitarist that doesn't get nearly as much play.
6. "Another Brick in the Wall" Pink Floyd--play instead "Shine on you Crazy Diamond"
5. "Stairway to Heaven" Led Zeppelin--play instead the longest, most guitar dripping, drum solo laden live version of "I Can't Quit You Baby" possible.
4. "Money for Nothing" Dire Straits--play instead..."Romeo and Juliet-Live"
3. "Foreplay/Long Time" Boston--play instead "Watch the Sunrise" by Big Star--tuneful, poppy, but tough and well, it doesn't have that grinding prefab silicon "I'm an MIT student" sound.
2. "Peace of Mind" Boston--play instead "Let my Love Open the Door" by Pete Townsend--for some reason, they stopped playing that song.
1. "More than a Feeling" Boston--play instead "the Seeker" by the Who
I want classic rock to wear out the Who the way they have been wearing out Boston for what seems like an eternity. They were a much better, more rockin', more intelligent band. I'm quite sure that the Who could beat up Boston, and well, pretty much any other American band.
As far as American bands go, Creedence is arguably the greatest American band of the sixties. play more of their songs--"Bad Moon Rising" and "Proud Mary" are great songs, but how fantastic are "Midnight Special" and "Cotton Fields?"
Please Mr. Radio Clear Channel conservative guy, stop making them play the same ten songs from the same four records. Please?
Honorable mention:
Black Crowes-"She Talks to Angels"--play instead "Hard to Handle"
Bob Seger-"Turn the Page"--play instead "Nutbush City Limits (live)"
Aerosmith--"Dream On"--play instead "Big Ten Inch Record"
Deep Purple--"Smoke on the Water"--play instead "Cinnamon Girl" by Neil Young
Yes--"Roundabout"--play instead "When the Heart Rules the Mind" by, well, Yes, but, GTR
See, I don't even have to work in extreme obscurities to get some mix in the mix.
Ok, I'm stopping now.
Rant over. I could go on. and on. done.
fin.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Robert Altman, 1925-2006
Bonanza Episodes, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Maverick
He forged his trademark style and brought unique storylines and style to television
M*A*S*H, Nashville, McCabe and Mrs. Miller
He cut genre wide open, and established himself as one of the world's best
Tom Waits, Lyle Lovett, Lily Tomlin, Sally Kellerman, Bud Cort
He developed an ensemble and blended our best actors, comedians, and musicians with harmonic grace.
The Player, Short Cuts, Gosford Park
For the second decade in his life, he made three films of a quality that most directors strive to achive just once in a lifetime.
Robert Altman, you've earned your rest.
He forged his trademark style and brought unique storylines and style to television
M*A*S*H, Nashville, McCabe and Mrs. Miller
He cut genre wide open, and established himself as one of the world's best
Tom Waits, Lyle Lovett, Lily Tomlin, Sally Kellerman, Bud Cort
He developed an ensemble and blended our best actors, comedians, and musicians with harmonic grace.
The Player, Short Cuts, Gosford Park
For the second decade in his life, he made three films of a quality that most directors strive to achive just once in a lifetime.
Robert Altman, you've earned your rest.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Been a long lonely, lonely, lonely....time
Sorry dear readers, it's been awhile. I've a had a lot on my plate as the new job has finally moved into full swing. I really dig it, even the travel--though I'm still at that stage with a job where there are good weeks and bad weeks, and any time you are putting yourself out there the way you do when you train, you are bound to run into a buzz saw or three from time to time.
There are the "I'm going to ask you this, just to see if you know people."
There are the angry "I haven't taken any of the pre-requisites for this class, but why doesn't what you are presenting make sense to me?" people.
There are the "Hmm, what if I need to know this obscure and useless detail, let me ask hoooaahhahaha" people.
Largely, however, this job brings me to good people who I enjoy working with.
So that's enough about the job.
In other news, I've started playing drums with a little alt-country music band with a few friends in Atlanta. I'm feeling pretty lost with it at this point, but it's been a pretty fun Sunday afternoon activity for me lately. I know I'm a mediocre drummer, but Troy, Mike, and Aaron have been supportive and kind to let me play along.
I'm excited about the holidays. Thanksgiving is just in a few short days, and I'm looking forward to a fun and restful couple of days of cooking with mom, dad, and Dawn, seeing family, and of course, eating the goods!
Then we're off on a road trip through the lower midwest and into Chicago for the Christmas holidays.
Fun in the car.
We discovered our local public library branch this week. They have lots of CD's and books on tape, so, that'll help with the long trip into the great big open flat 0f Indiana and Illinois.
And that's about it for now. I appreciate your patience. I've made road trips to Raleigh, NC and Johnson City, TN since you heard from me last on the Travelblogue, so look for more there soon.
There are the "I'm going to ask you this, just to see if you know people."
There are the angry "I haven't taken any of the pre-requisites for this class, but why doesn't what you are presenting make sense to me?" people.
There are the "Hmm, what if I need to know this obscure and useless detail, let me ask hoooaahhahaha" people.
Largely, however, this job brings me to good people who I enjoy working with.
So that's enough about the job.
In other news, I've started playing drums with a little alt-country music band with a few friends in Atlanta. I'm feeling pretty lost with it at this point, but it's been a pretty fun Sunday afternoon activity for me lately. I know I'm a mediocre drummer, but Troy, Mike, and Aaron have been supportive and kind to let me play along.
I'm excited about the holidays. Thanksgiving is just in a few short days, and I'm looking forward to a fun and restful couple of days of cooking with mom, dad, and Dawn, seeing family, and of course, eating the goods!
Then we're off on a road trip through the lower midwest and into Chicago for the Christmas holidays.
Fun in the car.
We discovered our local public library branch this week. They have lots of CD's and books on tape, so, that'll help with the long trip into the great big open flat 0f Indiana and Illinois.
And that's about it for now. I appreciate your patience. I've made road trips to Raleigh, NC and Johnson City, TN since you heard from me last on the Travelblogue, so look for more there soon.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Good Songs...
Deliciously poppy:
"Girl, Inform Me"--the Shins
"You Get What You Give"--New Radicals
"It's Only Natural"--Crowded House
Completely badass:
"Have Love, Will Travel" the Blue Van AND the Black Keys
"Seven Nation Army" the White Stripes
"Girlfriend" Matthew Sweet (counts in both catagories)
Discuss.
"Girl, Inform Me"--the Shins
"You Get What You Give"--New Radicals
"It's Only Natural"--Crowded House
Completely badass:
"Have Love, Will Travel" the Blue Van AND the Black Keys
"Seven Nation Army" the White Stripes
"Girlfriend" Matthew Sweet (counts in both catagories)
Discuss.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Classical Thunder
Overheard piano player crankin' on Ozzy's "Crazy Train" in the highest classical style on the second floor of the Atlanta Airport near the USO.
It took me awhile to figure out what it was. I recognized it, but it just wasn't...quite right. I was both impressed with myself and had a snazzy giggle after that one.
It took me awhile to figure out what it was. I recognized it, but it just wasn't...quite right. I was both impressed with myself and had a snazzy giggle after that one.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Peeling Grapes
I haven't the foggiest notion about what I'm going to write about, but I've decided to write for a few minutes. I generally try not to let myself into the blog unless I have something definite to consider or well, something to bitch about, but here I am. It seems an endless day and I intend to waste a bit of it.
Peeling grapes. I looked up at a picture of us with a cider bottle on the table. That made me think of apples, and I thought of my mom and dad, who went to Georgia's apple capital this week, Ellijay, to fetch more apples for eating, drying, storing, etc. I thought of how they'd be peeling them, and then I thought about other things that get peeled. Then I thought of how its supposed to be a sign of great honor, love, respect, etc. etc. if someone peels a grape for you--since they're little and slimy-ish--not the easiest fruit to peel.
"There's an appealing fellow...there..a-...peelin' him off the sidewalk!"
There was an amazingly powerful fall thunderstorm that took hold of the Atlanta metro area last night. We were just relaxing and suddenly noticed that the power was out, and sirens were wailing all over the place. We found batteries for a little radio Dawn had stashed and we were finally, around tired rhetoric from some conservative AM Radio talk show host, able to get a weather update.
A couple of tornado warnings, some even louder sirens, and some amazing steel blue clouds with serious lightning later, the power came back on, and temperatures fell radically as a cold front pushed through.
Ok, that's all I've got. If I think of anything else interesting, I'll come back and tell you.
As for now, consider your grape peeled.
Relaxing?
Peeling grapes. I looked up at a picture of us with a cider bottle on the table. That made me think of apples, and I thought of my mom and dad, who went to Georgia's apple capital this week, Ellijay, to fetch more apples for eating, drying, storing, etc. I thought of how they'd be peeling them, and then I thought about other things that get peeled. Then I thought of how its supposed to be a sign of great honor, love, respect, etc. etc. if someone peels a grape for you--since they're little and slimy-ish--not the easiest fruit to peel.
"There's an appealing fellow...there..a-...peelin' him off the sidewalk!"
There was an amazingly powerful fall thunderstorm that took hold of the Atlanta metro area last night. We were just relaxing and suddenly noticed that the power was out, and sirens were wailing all over the place. We found batteries for a little radio Dawn had stashed and we were finally, around tired rhetoric from some conservative AM Radio talk show host, able to get a weather update.
A couple of tornado warnings, some even louder sirens, and some amazing steel blue clouds with serious lightning later, the power came back on, and temperatures fell radically as a cold front pushed through.
Ok, that's all I've got. If I think of anything else interesting, I'll come back and tell you.
As for now, consider your grape peeled.
Relaxing?
Not even close to a theater near me any time soon
I'm intrigued by the forthcoming film, Shortbus.
http://www.shortbusthemovie.com/
It was conceived, written, and directed by John Cameron Mitchell, of Hedwig and the Angry Itch
fame.
Apparently, there's some sex involved.
http://www.shortbusthemovie.com/
It was conceived, written, and directed by John Cameron Mitchell, of Hedwig and the Angry Itch
fame.
Apparently, there's some sex involved.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Random Thoughts about Traffic, Baseball, and Intellectuals
First of all, if you're driving down the highway smoking, I'd ask that you please use your ashtray instead of flicking. When you flick, random sparky looking things spread across the road in front of the car behind you, and this can induce panic, especially when you just dropped $360 bucks on new tires.
I post a lot about driving, but this is random, I just finished driving, and it's what's on my mind.
Secondly, shovels are the new ladders. I've heard a couple of "shovels in the hov lane" comments on the traffic report lately.
Third, we should start barcoding individual nails, staples, tacks--anything sharp--so that I can trace it back to the source and charge them for tire repairs--twice in the past 3 months I've had to repair or replace tires.
That's enough about the whole driving thing. It's my choice to commute, but still, have some manners.
It's all a big corporate conspiracy. The automotive industry and the auto repair industry are linked up with the construction, nail, tack, and shovel industries in order to create road hazards, increase the number of repairs people have to have, and the rapidity with which people have to replace their cars.
And Sean Hannity is doing this big GM giveaway, so I'm sure that rat bastard is involved, too.
Ok, ok, enough already.
Fall weather is on its way back today. That makes me really happy. It was almost 90 yesterday, so 76 today and woo hoo! upper 40's this evening (with a trip to Six Flags for Fright Fest planned) really makes my day. I'm looking forward to cool and exhilirating night time rides and being attacked by random out of work actors dressed as zombies.
Will I eat the cockroach to get upsies in line? I'll let you know, dear readers.
I've found a new pop culture addiction. I rented the first 4 episodes of the HBO series "Rome." Wow. I only allowed myself to watch the first one, but ...wow. I'm no ancient Roman historian, but I've read a lot about the series and it lived up to my expectations in a big way. The production team worked very hard to get every color, fabric, and building to be as authentic as possible. It is all just explosive with color. So many first episodes of a show bore you with tiresome exposition--not this one--the action moves from the first moment, and the dialogue is snappy, fresh, and believeable--there's no LACK of exposition though. It's very well written and the first episode (and at least a few others) beautifully directed by Michael Apted (Coal Miner's Daughter). There's sex and violence and blood and manpipulation & intrigue. I can't wait to re-watch the first episode and move on from there.
The baseball playoffs hold little interest for me this year. It seems the teams I'd like to win are incapable of it, except maybe the Detroit Tigers. They won a great game against the Yankees yesterday to send the series to Detroit knotted at a game a piece. The Dodgers, Twins, and Padres seem incapable of beating the Mets, A's, and Cardinals respectively though. I've watched bits and pieces of games--and even though I hate the Mets I enjoyed watching former Brave Tom Glavine pitch such a wonderful game yesterday. I usually hate watching him pitch, but now that he's with the Mets he throws more strikes and he comes inside occasionally, making him a more interesting pitcher.
That's a pretty hefty paragraph about something that holds "little interest" for me, but if there were teams in I liked better or could get behind, I'd be a little more intrigued and watching a good deal more.
I've gone on and on about baseball before. My profession sometimes has a bit of snobbery about sports--and I do, too sometimes. Sports, like music or movies, is a part of our culture and popular culture. Whether or not its "good" or "bad"--it brings people together. I find it intriguing that some of the best respected artists and liberals in the world are interviewed at baseball games' or are shown on the broadcast--John Cusak loves his Cubs. Woody Allen and Spike Lee are often at Nicks games; Jack and his beloved LA Lakers, Jimmy Carter and the Braves; true well-rounded American intellectuals have an appreciation for a game well-played.
I post a lot about driving, but this is random, I just finished driving, and it's what's on my mind.
Secondly, shovels are the new ladders. I've heard a couple of "shovels in the hov lane" comments on the traffic report lately.
Third, we should start barcoding individual nails, staples, tacks--anything sharp--so that I can trace it back to the source and charge them for tire repairs--twice in the past 3 months I've had to repair or replace tires.
That's enough about the whole driving thing. It's my choice to commute, but still, have some manners.
It's all a big corporate conspiracy. The automotive industry and the auto repair industry are linked up with the construction, nail, tack, and shovel industries in order to create road hazards, increase the number of repairs people have to have, and the rapidity with which people have to replace their cars.
And Sean Hannity is doing this big GM giveaway, so I'm sure that rat bastard is involved, too.
Ok, ok, enough already.
Fall weather is on its way back today. That makes me really happy. It was almost 90 yesterday, so 76 today and woo hoo! upper 40's this evening (with a trip to Six Flags for Fright Fest planned) really makes my day. I'm looking forward to cool and exhilirating night time rides and being attacked by random out of work actors dressed as zombies.
Will I eat the cockroach to get upsies in line? I'll let you know, dear readers.
I've found a new pop culture addiction. I rented the first 4 episodes of the HBO series "Rome." Wow. I only allowed myself to watch the first one, but ...wow. I'm no ancient Roman historian, but I've read a lot about the series and it lived up to my expectations in a big way. The production team worked very hard to get every color, fabric, and building to be as authentic as possible. It is all just explosive with color. So many first episodes of a show bore you with tiresome exposition--not this one--the action moves from the first moment, and the dialogue is snappy, fresh, and believeable--there's no LACK of exposition though. It's very well written and the first episode (and at least a few others) beautifully directed by Michael Apted (Coal Miner's Daughter). There's sex and violence and blood and manpipulation & intrigue. I can't wait to re-watch the first episode and move on from there.
The baseball playoffs hold little interest for me this year. It seems the teams I'd like to win are incapable of it, except maybe the Detroit Tigers. They won a great game against the Yankees yesterday to send the series to Detroit knotted at a game a piece. The Dodgers, Twins, and Padres seem incapable of beating the Mets, A's, and Cardinals respectively though. I've watched bits and pieces of games--and even though I hate the Mets I enjoyed watching former Brave Tom Glavine pitch such a wonderful game yesterday. I usually hate watching him pitch, but now that he's with the Mets he throws more strikes and he comes inside occasionally, making him a more interesting pitcher.
That's a pretty hefty paragraph about something that holds "little interest" for me, but if there were teams in I liked better or could get behind, I'd be a little more intrigued and watching a good deal more.
I've gone on and on about baseball before. My profession sometimes has a bit of snobbery about sports--and I do, too sometimes. Sports, like music or movies, is a part of our culture and popular culture. Whether or not its "good" or "bad"--it brings people together. I find it intriguing that some of the best respected artists and liberals in the world are interviewed at baseball games' or are shown on the broadcast--John Cusak loves his Cubs. Woody Allen and Spike Lee are often at Nicks games; Jack and his beloved LA Lakers, Jimmy Carter and the Braves; true well-rounded American intellectuals have an appreciation for a game well-played.
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