Hello, Kitty
I'm getting worried about Sam. He seems to have lost almost all interests in sitting on laps. That can't be good. Please don't die, Sammy.
Est. 2002 | "This was a Golden Age, a time of high adventure, rich living, and hard dying… but nobody thought so." —Alfred Bester
Monday, January 31, 2005
Colin Powell sez "You're a loser!"... But What Does the Lovely Dr. Rice Say?
I received the registration forms for the 2005 Foreign Service Written Examination in today's mail. Odd, that, since I haven't gotten around to requesting them yet. I can only assume it is standard precedure to send the materials to all failed applicants from the previous exam. Well, I hope I fare better on this year's exam. The exam is April 23 and the results won't be known until late July; so, you have plenty of time to shudder at the thought of me being an official representative of the United States of America.
B.A.P.F. Lives
Since I don't count October's Flogging Molly propaganda debacle as a show, before last night I hadn't been to a rock show in which I was not performing since, jumpin' Jehosephat, June! That's so sad. Fortunately, these things happen in bunches. So, in addition to last night's tsunami relief benefit show at The Local, on Wednesday I am going to see Mu330 in Detroit. After that, I intend to see Mustard Plug twice, at The Local near the end of February and at the Blind Pig in early April. All are invited to attend; it's not the case of "the more the merrier" as it used to be, now it's more that I hate having to go to shows by myself. Still, I'm willing to pay that price for the unrivaled joy of a good ska show. "Rok! Rok! Rok!"
The commentary on ABC and NPR about Sunday's election in Iraq has been very disheartening. I hate to say it, but it seems as if many in the media do not view liberty and democracy as inherent goods.
I received the registration forms for the 2005 Foreign Service Written Examination in today's mail. Odd, that, since I haven't gotten around to requesting them yet. I can only assume it is standard precedure to send the materials to all failed applicants from the previous exam. Well, I hope I fare better on this year's exam. The exam is April 23 and the results won't be known until late July; so, you have plenty of time to shudder at the thought of me being an official representative of the United States of America.
B.A.P.F. Lives
Since I don't count October's Flogging Molly propaganda debacle as a show, before last night I hadn't been to a rock show in which I was not performing since, jumpin' Jehosephat, June! That's so sad. Fortunately, these things happen in bunches. So, in addition to last night's tsunami relief benefit show at The Local, on Wednesday I am going to see Mu330 in Detroit. After that, I intend to see Mustard Plug twice, at The Local near the end of February and at the Blind Pig in early April. All are invited to attend; it's not the case of "the more the merrier" as it used to be, now it's more that I hate having to go to shows by myself. Still, I'm willing to pay that price for the unrivaled joy of a good ska show. "Rok! Rok! Rok!"
The commentary on ABC and NPR about Sunday's election in Iraq has been very disheartening. I hate to say it, but it seems as if many in the media do not view liberty and democracy as inherent goods.
Sunday, January 30, 2005
The Iraqi people have voted. Woot! Let the counting begin! Man, I can't wait to see what kind of a constitution the Transitional National Assembly comes up with. President Jimmy has said that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is the Iraqi equivalent of our Founding Fathers; that's an odd statement even for Jimmy, since Zarqawi is Jordanian, not Iraqi. (President Jimmy is the personification of "the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.") I can't wait to see who will be the real Iraqi James Madison.
Name Dropping
I was at The Palace on Wednesday for a Pistons game. Once again, the grotesqueness of man compelled me to feel sympathy for that musical abomination commonly known as Kid Rock. People all but shoved each other aside for the opportunity to touch him, get his autograph, wrap a meaty arm around him and have a picture taken with a cellular phone. If I live for a thousand thousand years, I shall never understand the impulse. But this day, fortune smiled on me; the celebrity in question was wearing a hooded sweatshirt with the words "Kid Rock" written across the chest. Dude. Unless you are a spandex-clad superhero, you may not have your name written across your chest. Ye gods. I hope more slobbering, dull-eyed twats haunt his every waking moment. I hope he never again experiences a moment of public privacy. I feel about him the way I did before the madding crowd ever inspired my sympathy. So, my thanks to you, Kid Rock, for being every bit as vile as I had unfairly assumed you to be.
*** ATTENTION MOUNTAIN OF LOVE - Episode III SPOILER ALERT! ***
Episode I - The Phantom Menace
Darth Sidious (Senator Palpatine)
Darth Maul
Viceroy Nute Gunray
Episode II - Attack of the Clones
Darth Sidious (Chancellor Palpatine)
Darth Tyranus (Count Dooku)
Jango Fett
Separatist leaders (Trade Federation, I.G. Banking Clan, et al.)
Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
Darth Sidious (Chancellor Palpatine)
Darth Tryanus (Count Dooku)
General Grievous
Anakin Skywalker
Episode IV - A New Hope
Darth Vader (Anakin Skywalker)
Grand Moff Tarkin
Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
Darth Sidious (Emperor Palpatine)
Darth Vader (Anakin Skywalker)
Boba Fett
Episode VI - Return of the Jedi
Darth Sidious (Emperor Palpatine)
Darth Vader (Anakin Skywalker)
Jabba the Hutt
*** ATTENTION MOUNTAIN OF LOVE - Episode III SPOILER ALERT! ***
May 19, 2005, six years to the day after the release of The Phantom Menace. This is going to be the greatest thing to ever happen to me.
Name Dropping
I was at The Palace on Wednesday for a Pistons game. Once again, the grotesqueness of man compelled me to feel sympathy for that musical abomination commonly known as Kid Rock. People all but shoved each other aside for the opportunity to touch him, get his autograph, wrap a meaty arm around him and have a picture taken with a cellular phone. If I live for a thousand thousand years, I shall never understand the impulse. But this day, fortune smiled on me; the celebrity in question was wearing a hooded sweatshirt with the words "Kid Rock" written across the chest. Dude. Unless you are a spandex-clad superhero, you may not have your name written across your chest. Ye gods. I hope more slobbering, dull-eyed twats haunt his every waking moment. I hope he never again experiences a moment of public privacy. I feel about him the way I did before the madding crowd ever inspired my sympathy. So, my thanks to you, Kid Rock, for being every bit as vile as I had unfairly assumed you to be.
*** ATTENTION MOUNTAIN OF LOVE - Episode III SPOILER ALERT! ***
Episode I - The Phantom Menace
Darth Sidious (Senator Palpatine)
Darth Maul
Viceroy Nute Gunray
Episode II - Attack of the Clones
Darth Sidious (Chancellor Palpatine)
Darth Tyranus (Count Dooku)
Jango Fett
Separatist leaders (Trade Federation, I.G. Banking Clan, et al.)
Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
Darth Sidious (Chancellor Palpatine)
Darth Tryanus (Count Dooku)
General Grievous
Anakin Skywalker
Episode IV - A New Hope
Darth Vader (Anakin Skywalker)
Grand Moff Tarkin
Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
Darth Sidious (Emperor Palpatine)
Darth Vader (Anakin Skywalker)
Boba Fett
Episode VI - Return of the Jedi
Darth Sidious (Emperor Palpatine)
Darth Vader (Anakin Skywalker)
Jabba the Hutt
*** ATTENTION MOUNTAIN OF LOVE - Episode III SPOILER ALERT! ***
May 19, 2005, six years to the day after the release of The Phantom Menace. This is going to be the greatest thing to ever happen to me.
Thursday, January 27, 2005
Tsunami
It's been a month and a day since the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. Over 200,000 people are dead. I know a lot of you reading this don't have much spare income, and I'm not asking anyone to donate their rent money, or even give up a few nights at the bar, but ask yourself: what can I give to tsunami relief? If you have already donated to any one of the numerous charitable organizations involved, you have my thanks, for you have sided with the better angels of Man's nature. If you haven't, and it is within your means, please do so.
I drink Guinness, usually $5 a pint. Can you give up four beers? $20 is not too small a gift. Every bit helps. And remember, the Lord teaches us to give quietly; so, no bragging. Thank you.
It's been a month and a day since the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. Over 200,000 people are dead. I know a lot of you reading this don't have much spare income, and I'm not asking anyone to donate their rent money, or even give up a few nights at the bar, but ask yourself: what can I give to tsunami relief? If you have already donated to any one of the numerous charitable organizations involved, you have my thanks, for you have sided with the better angels of Man's nature. If you haven't, and it is within your means, please do so.
I drink Guinness, usually $5 a pint. Can you give up four beers? $20 is not too small a gift. Every bit helps. And remember, the Lord teaches us to give quietly; so, no bragging. Thank you.
You know what came to me this morning in the shower? Tim McVeigh is dead! We are coming up on the ten anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, a horror that, though rightly overshadowed by 9/11, we must always remember. Americans murder Americans every day, but vatos on the streets of LA are not the same as the methodical placement of an enormous bomb outside a preschool. It's nice to see that in this one case the wheels of justice turned at a decidedly non-glacial pace. Rot in Hell, Timmy, you aren't missed.
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Just remember, kids, be sure not to mistake parity for parody.
A Confederacy of Dunces
As you may have read in the news, the president of Harvard University, Lawrence Summers, made a controversial speech in which he hypothesized women may simply be inferior to men when it comes to math. Thus, women are not as suited as men to careers as mathematicians and scientists. Wow. While Summers has apologized and said he was merely summarizing some preliminary research, you would have to be an incredible jackass to say what he said under any circumstances. It is disheartening to know such chauvenism still thrives, and as now be dressed up as "science." (It reminds me of those racist bastards who wrote The Bell Curve in the '90s. Remember that? It was Aryan pseudoscience all over again.) In any event, the most shocking aspect of this whole mess has been some of those who have risen to defend Summers, including Newsweek's George F. Will and Fareed Zakaria. Also, Meine Vater, who says that we should not silence intellectual debate, no matter the topic. So, hurray, in addition to being a religious bigot and a paranoid (from the frequency with which he talks about the threat of Communism, you'd think it was 1948), he has now established himself as a misogynist, too. I really should send him and Summers some Eminem CDs as presents....
I've wanted to read Keith Bradsher's High and Mighty - SUVs: The World's Most Dangerous Vehicles and How They Got That Way since it was first published in 2002, because I hate SUVs as much as the next guy. But Bradsher has so villified everything about and everyone around SUVs that I'm almsot feeling sympathetic to SUV owners. (Note that I said "almost." All SUV owners are assholes, most truck owners, too.) Basically, he's a sanctimonious s.o.b. who fawns over Bill Ford to such an extent that I'm shocked he didn't dedicate the book to him. Still, the book is greatly informative and a valuable read.
A Confederacy of Dunces
As you may have read in the news, the president of Harvard University, Lawrence Summers, made a controversial speech in which he hypothesized women may simply be inferior to men when it comes to math. Thus, women are not as suited as men to careers as mathematicians and scientists. Wow. While Summers has apologized and said he was merely summarizing some preliminary research, you would have to be an incredible jackass to say what he said under any circumstances. It is disheartening to know such chauvenism still thrives, and as now be dressed up as "science." (It reminds me of those racist bastards who wrote The Bell Curve in the '90s. Remember that? It was Aryan pseudoscience all over again.) In any event, the most shocking aspect of this whole mess has been some of those who have risen to defend Summers, including Newsweek's George F. Will and Fareed Zakaria. Also, Meine Vater, who says that we should not silence intellectual debate, no matter the topic. So, hurray, in addition to being a religious bigot and a paranoid (from the frequency with which he talks about the threat of Communism, you'd think it was 1948), he has now established himself as a misogynist, too. I really should send him and Summers some Eminem CDs as presents....
I've wanted to read Keith Bradsher's High and Mighty - SUVs: The World's Most Dangerous Vehicles and How They Got That Way since it was first published in 2002, because I hate SUVs as much as the next guy. But Bradsher has so villified everything about and everyone around SUVs that I'm almsot feeling sympathetic to SUV owners. (Note that I said "almost." All SUV owners are assholes, most truck owners, too.) Basically, he's a sanctimonious s.o.b. who fawns over Bill Ford to such an extent that I'm shocked he didn't dedicate the book to him. Still, the book is greatly informative and a valuable read.
Sunday, January 23, 2005
Michigan's Tom Brady is going to kick Syracuse's Donovan McNabb's ass. I remember being in the Big House on that awful day in September 1998 when the Orangemen defeated us 38-28. Really, it wasn't that close; then, as now, we had no answer for a mobile quarterback. (Defensive coordinator then: Jim Herrmann; defensive coordinator now: Jim Herrman. Coincidence?) The Eagles don't stand a change against the Patriots.
I woke up early intending to go to 10 o'clock Mass, but instead found that the plow-jerks had buried the Mousemobile. Lousy bottomfeeders. I changed clothes and spent nearly an hour digging my automobile out of the snow. I love snow and I love Winter; so, i would be a hypocrite to now bellyache about having to shovel my way to freedom. That's not what I'm doing. I am railing against the indiscriminate use of plows to clear the streets. From the disposition of the snow, the plow had approached the Mousemobile nose-to-nose and pushed as a mountain of snow right up to the front bumper and beyond. Had I not seen it for myself, I wouldn't have believed how much snow was under the Mousemobile. She hadn't been driven since Friday, and I know how much snow was under her before the plows wrought their havoc; those dicks basicaly injected snow under her. In any event, after the successful shoveling I took a second shower and made it to the noon Mass with plenty of time to spare. Father Bill baptized a tiny, tiny baby. The moral of our story? Plow drivers are a cancer.
The (Second) Most Wonderful Time of the Year
See, this is what I've been talking about. What is the big deal about Michael Vick? HE CAN'T PLAY QUARTERBACK! The Atlanta Falcons had a good record this year, but I'll be damned if I know how. Prior to today's contest against the hated Eagles (I hate those guys), I'd only seen the Falcons in their loss to the Lions early in the season. They lost. To the Lions. And Vick didn't look like anything special. Against Philadelphia, he looks less-than-adequate. The man simply cannot throw the ball with the proficiency required of an NFL quarterback. He would be one of the greatest running backs in the League, but as a QB... let's just say I'm less than impressed. It's too bad, too, because I really wanted Philly to go down in flames for a fourth consecutive time. Drat!
The (Second) Most Wonderful Time of the Year
See, this is what I've been talking about. What is the big deal about Michael Vick? HE CAN'T PLAY QUARTERBACK! The Atlanta Falcons had a good record this year, but I'll be damned if I know how. Prior to today's contest against the hated Eagles (I hate those guys), I'd only seen the Falcons in their loss to the Lions early in the season. They lost. To the Lions. And Vick didn't look like anything special. Against Philadelphia, he looks less-than-adequate. The man simply cannot throw the ball with the proficiency required of an NFL quarterback. He would be one of the greatest running backs in the League, but as a QB... let's just say I'm less than impressed. It's too bad, too, because I really wanted Philly to go down in flames for a fourth consecutive time. Drat!
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Friday, January 21, 2005
My mom woke me up at 7:02 a.m. this morning to tell me my grandmother is in the hospital. It's nothing life threatening, she didn't have a stroke or heart attack, but it's serious enough that shortly thereafter Mom left for Dayton, where she was raised and where Grandma still lives. I would be lying if I said I held any particular affection for my grandmother, and vice versa; during our Christmastime trip to Dayton, she recoiled when I hugged her. Nevertheless, she is my last surviving grandparent. Between December 1999 and July 2003, Grandpa Wilson, Grandpa Little, and Grandma Wilson died in that order. The world will be a better place when my grandmother dies, but it will make my mother quite sad; so, I hope she endures for many years to come.
Last night I watched the first half of Ken Burns's new documentary Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson. I highly recommend it and look forward to watching the second half this weekend. Among the many enviable features it boasts is narration by Keith David. I cannot imagine how, but I hope this brings us one step closer to my dream project: a movie co-starring Keith David and David Keith. And once that venture come to fruition, I know it will be easier to see Daniel Day Lewis and Daniel Dae Kim side by side.
Last night I watched the first half of Ken Burns's new documentary Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson. I highly recommend it and look forward to watching the second half this weekend. Among the many enviable features it boasts is narration by Keith David. I cannot imagine how, but I hope this brings us one step closer to my dream project: a movie co-starring Keith David and David Keith. And once that venture come to fruition, I know it will be easier to see Daniel Day Lewis and Daniel Dae Kim side by side.
Hello, Kitty
Sam's creeping dementia is increasingly annoying. I'm assuming he's demented since he has food, didn't want to eat the cheese I offered him, refused to sit own on my lap or on the hassock once I moved my legs, and yet he still sat there meowing at me. Dude, what in Bog's name do you want me to do? I'll do it, but right now I've done everything I know to do for you. So, what do you want? Poor kitty, so old, so crazy.
Hey, neat, the inauguration is on C-SPAN! I listened to it on NPR and saw clips earlier on ABC, but I haven't seen most of it. Cool. Thanks, C-SPAN!
2005
It's 2005. We're living in the certifiable future. So, why haven't robots tried to enslave the human race, and where is my jetpack, dammit?
Sam's creeping dementia is increasingly annoying. I'm assuming he's demented since he has food, didn't want to eat the cheese I offered him, refused to sit own on my lap or on the hassock once I moved my legs, and yet he still sat there meowing at me. Dude, what in Bog's name do you want me to do? I'll do it, but right now I've done everything I know to do for you. So, what do you want? Poor kitty, so old, so crazy.
Hey, neat, the inauguration is on C-SPAN! I listened to it on NPR and saw clips earlier on ABC, but I haven't seen most of it. Cool. Thanks, C-SPAN!
2005
It's 2005. We're living in the certifiable future. So, why haven't robots tried to enslave the human race, and where is my jetpack, dammit?
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Vote For Kodos - Inauguration Day
The rhetoric in President Bush's speech, that's why I voted for the man and why over the last four years I have become convinced that he is a great president. Where we have "interfered" - Western Europe, Japan, South Korea, contemporary Afghanistan - the people have benefitted. Where we have not, or we have failed - Russia, Vietnam, Cuba, Taliban Afghanistan - the people have suffered. In ten days, the people of Iraq are going to go to the polls and vote. Vote! If you believe in democracy, you have to think that free election are an inherent good. Had we not told the corrupt UN and many of our valued allies to shove it, the Iraqi people would not now be voting; therefore, we did the right thing. Liberty. Freedom. If we stand by idly as these things are denied to much of the world, how can we call ourselves men?
The rhetoric in President Bush's speech, that's why I voted for the man and why over the last four years I have become convinced that he is a great president. Where we have "interfered" - Western Europe, Japan, South Korea, contemporary Afghanistan - the people have benefitted. Where we have not, or we have failed - Russia, Vietnam, Cuba, Taliban Afghanistan - the people have suffered. In ten days, the people of Iraq are going to go to the polls and vote. Vote! If you believe in democracy, you have to think that free election are an inherent good. Had we not told the corrupt UN and many of our valued allies to shove it, the Iraqi people would not now be voting; therefore, we did the right thing. Liberty. Freedom. If we stand by idly as these things are denied to much of the world, how can we call ourselves men?
All for the love of R. Dorothy Wayneright. Is it wrong to love a robot girl? Maybe. Is it wrong to love a cartoon robot girl? Probably.
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
I clipped my fingernails last night and I clipped my left thumb nail too short. Ow, it's sensitive!
Learning to Love the Things You Hate
Sometimes I really find my principles in conflict with my impulses. Two examples:
Thanks to the reckless overdistribution of antibiotics, infections that were previously treatable are once again lethal. We've jump-started evolution by killing off the weak, thus encouraging the strong to be fruitful and multiply. We've created superbugs! On the one hand, it's sad that people are once again dying of consumption. On the other hand, you really have to admire Darwinism in action. The bugs were threatened with extinction and changed so that they could survive. That's awesome! So, while I don't want people to die as a result of drug-resistant infections, I find myself quietly rooting for the bugs to keep evolving, to stay one step ahead of us.
I believe in capitalism, I really do. I don't just enjoy the benefits of living in a capitalist society, I really like capitalism. The other side of that coin is my hatred for socialism. Not just Communism, I hate socialism. (Fucking Swedes.) Anywho, I also hate SUVs and the idiots who drive them. But, as a capitalist, I hasve to admire the ruthlessness with which the auto makers have marketed them and convinced people of their superior safety when, in reality, they are deathtraps. That's awesome! I hate not being able to see around those monstrosities, but I love the way Detroit duped the whole world. Caveat emptor, my friends.
Vote For Kodos - Madame Secretary
Hyperlink. Man, I have the biggest crush on Dr. Rice. Senator Biden is just upset because he wanted to be Secretary of State and Senator Kerry is upset because he really, really, really wanted to be POTUS.
Learning to Love the Things You Hate
Sometimes I really find my principles in conflict with my impulses. Two examples:
Thanks to the reckless overdistribution of antibiotics, infections that were previously treatable are once again lethal. We've jump-started evolution by killing off the weak, thus encouraging the strong to be fruitful and multiply. We've created superbugs! On the one hand, it's sad that people are once again dying of consumption. On the other hand, you really have to admire Darwinism in action. The bugs were threatened with extinction and changed so that they could survive. That's awesome! So, while I don't want people to die as a result of drug-resistant infections, I find myself quietly rooting for the bugs to keep evolving, to stay one step ahead of us.
I believe in capitalism, I really do. I don't just enjoy the benefits of living in a capitalist society, I really like capitalism. The other side of that coin is my hatred for socialism. Not just Communism, I hate socialism. (Fucking Swedes.) Anywho, I also hate SUVs and the idiots who drive them. But, as a capitalist, I hasve to admire the ruthlessness with which the auto makers have marketed them and convinced people of their superior safety when, in reality, they are deathtraps. That's awesome! I hate not being able to see around those monstrosities, but I love the way Detroit duped the whole world. Caveat emptor, my friends.
Vote For Kodos - Madame Secretary
Hyperlink. Man, I have the biggest crush on Dr. Rice. Senator Biden is just upset because he wanted to be Secretary of State and Senator Kerry is upset because he really, really, really wanted to be POTUS.
Monday, January 17, 2005
Zero, One, and Seven
The numbers zero, one, and seven are very important to me. 701 is the number of all things BTW, from it's discovery inside the mechanisms of Disaster Transport to Murky Transport Disaster to the motto of Real Can of Yams, "Seven hundred and one ounces of terrible." My favorite book in all the world is The Stars My Destination. The first words of chapter one are, "He was one hundred and seventy days dying and not yet dead." Zero, one, and seven, my friends, zero, one, and seven.
I watched Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle last night. Holy wow, it was incredible. What's wrong with American cinema is that we don't have more movies starring John Cho and Kal Penn.
The numbers zero, one, and seven are very important to me. 701 is the number of all things BTW, from it's discovery inside the mechanisms of Disaster Transport to Murky Transport Disaster to the motto of Real Can of Yams, "Seven hundred and one ounces of terrible." My favorite book in all the world is The Stars My Destination. The first words of chapter one are, "He was one hundred and seventy days dying and not yet dead." Zero, one, and seven, my friends, zero, one, and seven.
I watched Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle last night. Holy wow, it was incredible. What's wrong with American cinema is that we don't have more movies starring John Cho and Kal Penn.
Saturday, January 15, 2005
lists!
2154-2155
"Storm Front, Part I"
"Storm front, Part II"
"Home"
"Borderland"
"Cold Station 12"
"The Augments"
"The Forge"
"Awakening"
"Kir'Shara"
"Daedalus"
U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701
U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D
Starbase Deep Space 9
U.S.S. Defiant NX-74205
U.S.S. Voyager NCC-74656
U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E
Enterprise NX-01
Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense
Dr. Tom Manning - Director
Dr. Kate Corrigan - field operations
Hellboy - demon/Beast of the Apocalypse/bearer, Right Hand of Doom
Abraham Sapien - fishman/former human
Elizabeth Sherman - firestarter
Roger - homunculus
Johann Kraus - ectoplasmic projection
Benjamin Daimio - "Captain Zombie"
2154-2155
"Storm Front, Part I"
"Storm front, Part II"
"Home"
"Borderland"
"Cold Station 12"
"The Augments"
"The Forge"
"Awakening"
"Kir'Shara"
"Daedalus"
U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701
U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D
Starbase Deep Space 9
U.S.S. Defiant NX-74205
U.S.S. Voyager NCC-74656
U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E
Enterprise NX-01
Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense
Dr. Tom Manning - Director
Dr. Kate Corrigan - field operations
Hellboy - demon/Beast of the Apocalypse/bearer, Right Hand of Doom
Abraham Sapien - fishman/former human
Elizabeth Sherman - firestarter
Roger - homunculus
Johann Kraus - ectoplasmic projection
Benjamin Daimio - "Captain Zombie"
Back in the summer of 2000, my erstwhile friend and housemate Uncle Jerry acquired a steady girlfriend (now fiance) and promptly started having sex on a routine basis. He also acquired the distateful habit of marching into my room, which was off the kitchen, and proclaiming in a manner quite reminiscent of a town cryer, "I have just had sex!" Sometimes, if my door was open, he would stand in the kitchem, making himself a sandwich, and make the same boast. His favorite technique was to come in, approach for a handshake, and lean in to whisper, "I just had sex." In a word: classy.
It's not jealousy that he was having sex and I wasn't, I consider that conduct to have been reprehensible. Sexual morality is one thing, you are free to fuck whomever you want to fuck, but I cannot and will abide such unseemly braggadocio. In a related matter, I have discontinued reading a friend's. The individual in question is free to fuck whomever he/she wants to fuck, but there are things to which I will not be a party, and this is one.
Yes M!ch!gan!
On Thursday, the daytime high was in the mid-fifties, a genuine abomination. The temperature then plunged fifty degrees Fahrenheit in less than twenty-four hours. Our daytime high today is supposed to be in the mid-teens. I just changed Sam's litterbox and I can tell you it's colder than a witch's tit out there. Ah, as it should be.
It's not jealousy that he was having sex and I wasn't, I consider that conduct to have been reprehensible. Sexual morality is one thing, you are free to fuck whomever you want to fuck, but I cannot and will abide such unseemly braggadocio. In a related matter, I have discontinued reading a friend's. The individual in question is free to fuck whomever he/she wants to fuck, but there are things to which I will not be a party, and this is one.
Yes M!ch!gan!
On Thursday, the daytime high was in the mid-fifties, a genuine abomination. The temperature then plunged fifty degrees Fahrenheit in less than twenty-four hours. Our daytime high today is supposed to be in the mid-teens. I just changed Sam's litterbox and I can tell you it's colder than a witch's tit out there. Ah, as it should be.
Friday, January 14, 2005
First, Star Trek: Enterprise and then the premiere of Battlestar Galactica. New episodes of Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Altantis begin next week, with SG-1 at 8 p.m. opposite Enterprise. Fucking Sci Fi Channel. Sorry, chumps, the eighth season of SG-1 sucks, and Trek is still the king. Let's hope Galactica lives up to the high expectations set by the miniseries.
For more information, see my column "Bi-Mon-Sci-Fi-Con" in The Newsletter Vol. VII, No. 6.
For more information, see my column "Bi-Mon-Sci-Fi-Con" in The Newsletter Vol. VII, No. 6.
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Why in Bog's name am I still awake?
Jumpin' Jehosephat, Lost is a great show. It's like crack, or rather, being a straight arrow/lame kid from the suburbs, it's like I would imagine crack being. In addition to everything else, it had Daniel Dae Kim, and Bog knows American television as a whole is Daniel Dae Kim deficient.
Hello, Kitty/Pug Uglies
I had about seven different dreams last night. In one of them, Sam was a pug, Tyson's size but colored like Patrick. Before anyone reads into this any lessening of my hatred for all dogs who aren't Tyson or Patrick, note that puggy Sam bit me and in so doing drew blood. The real Sam hasn't drawn my blood with a bite since the 1980s. And besides, Tyson and Patrick aren't really dogs, anyway, they are dog-monsters.
I watched Empire of Dreams tonight. I love George Lucas. I could never get away with naming a son George Lucas Wilson, could I? Of course not; George Wilson is the Mr. Wilson from Dennis the Menace.
"Sailing, sailing, sailing the ocean blue..."
I'm enjoying Stephen Glass's The Fabulist so much I think I shall write my first "Book Report" about it. I like it, and there are some things I think need to be said about it.
I've resolved a minor but irritating problem in In Search of the Perfect Lesbian. Parker Peppard's girlfriend. Should Parker have a girlfriend? (Probably, since neither Pete nor Scipio do and it seems at least one of the boys should.) Who is this girl? A Canadian named Rachel? A Swiss miss named Sussi? No, my friends, to conquer the heart of Parker Ferdinand Peppard, only one sort of girl will do. Brandy McQuarters, a belle of Texas, tall and blonde and sweet, and smart enough to know she can't compete with Parker's affection for Mary Cannibal.
Prussia or Russia? Preview or review? Prevenge or revenge? Psalm or... salm?
Jumpin' Jehosephat, Lost is a great show. It's like crack, or rather, being a straight arrow/lame kid from the suburbs, it's like I would imagine crack being. In addition to everything else, it had Daniel Dae Kim, and Bog knows American television as a whole is Daniel Dae Kim deficient.
Hello, Kitty/Pug Uglies
I had about seven different dreams last night. In one of them, Sam was a pug, Tyson's size but colored like Patrick. Before anyone reads into this any lessening of my hatred for all dogs who aren't Tyson or Patrick, note that puggy Sam bit me and in so doing drew blood. The real Sam hasn't drawn my blood with a bite since the 1980s. And besides, Tyson and Patrick aren't really dogs, anyway, they are dog-monsters.
I watched Empire of Dreams tonight. I love George Lucas. I could never get away with naming a son George Lucas Wilson, could I? Of course not; George Wilson is the Mr. Wilson from Dennis the Menace.
"Sailing, sailing, sailing the ocean blue..."
I'm enjoying Stephen Glass's The Fabulist so much I think I shall write my first "Book Report" about it. I like it, and there are some things I think need to be said about it.
I've resolved a minor but irritating problem in In Search of the Perfect Lesbian. Parker Peppard's girlfriend. Should Parker have a girlfriend? (Probably, since neither Pete nor Scipio do and it seems at least one of the boys should.) Who is this girl? A Canadian named Rachel? A Swiss miss named Sussi? No, my friends, to conquer the heart of Parker Ferdinand Peppard, only one sort of girl will do. Brandy McQuarters, a belle of Texas, tall and blonde and sweet, and smart enough to know she can't compete with Parker's affection for Mary Cannibal.
Prussia or Russia? Preview or review? Prevenge or revenge? Psalm or... salm?
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Finally, a NASA mission that strikes the perfect balance between science and destruction.
"Good news, everyone!" NPR's Daniel Schorr thinks Dan Rather bears no responsibility at all for the forged memos debacle. I'd agree if Rather had declared, "Hey, don't blame me, I'm just a new reader." But no, The Dan still claims to be a journalist.
Speaking of the two Dans, I recently learned that President Nixon did not have an actual enemies list. I find this very disappointing. To wit:
Mike Wilson's Enemies List
Mike Wilson (the dark bastard)
Rick Wilson
Honestly, one of my problems is that I have so few enemies left. With the exception of Meine Vater, with whom I'll be locked in combat until one of us is dead, I have defeated or left behind all of my old enemies: Sean Dale, Mrs. Kozad, Uncle Jerry, Captain Obvious and the Idiot Brigade. All have been neutralized and pose no further threat. Some would say it's good to have no enemies, but I find talking to those people in no way worthwhile. A man needs enemies, victories to win, defeats to overcome, a struggle to make life more lively. Anyone want to be my enemy? I promise to crush you. Any takers?
"Good news, everyone!" NPR's Daniel Schorr thinks Dan Rather bears no responsibility at all for the forged memos debacle. I'd agree if Rather had declared, "Hey, don't blame me, I'm just a new reader." But no, The Dan still claims to be a journalist.
Speaking of the two Dans, I recently learned that President Nixon did not have an actual enemies list. I find this very disappointing. To wit:
Mike Wilson's Enemies List
Mike Wilson (the dark bastard)
Rick Wilson
Honestly, one of my problems is that I have so few enemies left. With the exception of Meine Vater, with whom I'll be locked in combat until one of us is dead, I have defeated or left behind all of my old enemies: Sean Dale, Mrs. Kozad, Uncle Jerry, Captain Obvious and the Idiot Brigade. All have been neutralized and pose no further threat. Some would say it's good to have no enemies, but I find talking to those people in no way worthwhile. A man needs enemies, victories to win, defeats to overcome, a struggle to make life more lively. Anyone want to be my enemy? I promise to crush you. Any takers?
The Queue
Alan Dershowitz, The Case for Israel
Michael Ledeen, Freedom Betrayed
Mona Charen, Useful Idiots
Tobias Wolff, The Barracks Thief
Stephen Glass, The Fabulist *in progress*
Keith Bradsher, High and Mighty
Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Douglas Adams, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe
Douglas Adams, Life, the Universe, and Everything
Douglas Adams, So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish
Douglas Adams, "Young Zaphod Plays It Safe"
Douglas Adams, Mostly Harmless
Robert Louis Stevenson, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Bram Stoker, Dracula
Leslie Charteris, "Dammit, Mike, check some of his books out of the library!"
Boy howdy, do I love books.
Michael Ledeen, Freedom Betrayed
Mona Charen, Useful Idiots
Tobias Wolff, The Barracks Thief
Stephen Glass, The Fabulist *in progress*
Keith Bradsher, High and Mighty
Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Douglas Adams, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe
Douglas Adams, Life, the Universe, and Everything
Douglas Adams, So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish
Douglas Adams, "Young Zaphod Plays It Safe"
Douglas Adams, Mostly Harmless
Robert Louis Stevenson, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Bram Stoker, Dracula
Leslie Charteris, "Dammit, Mike, check some of his books out of the library!"
Boy howdy, do I love books.
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
M2K4... M2K5!
NASA rules! My excitment was prompted by both the Spirit and Opportunity Mars rovers still operating after a full year on the surface of the Red Planet. A year! Sweet mercy, these things were designed to operate for 90 days. 90 days, and they are still running on all cylinders after 360 days. Wow! Huzzah for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration! "Science!"
I love that Iraqis living in Jordan will be able to vote in January 30's elections, as will Iraqis living in Syria. Of course, Jordanians living in Jordan and Syrians living in Syria won't have the chance to vote in their own countries or for their own leaders any time in the foreseeable future. Still, I rejoice that democracy does appear to be on the march. Today Afghanistan, tomorrow Iraq, the day after that... the world? Fingers crossed.
I love that heads rolled at CBS over the forged memos. I disagree with those who say Dan Rather should have been fired. The man has been the face of CBS News for over two decades. His prestige has made millions upon millions of dollars for CBS over those years, and he has already anounced his retirement in March. Yes, his conduct in this whole affair was disgraceful, but his reputation has already been tarnished. Let the man retire on his own schedule and with a shred of dignity.
At the same time, "Ding dong, the witch is dead!" Seriously, read Bernard Goldberg's books Bias and Arrogance. The forged memos story and scandal were practically scripted in his books. He's both the Martin Luther and Nostradamus of American journalism.
NASA rules! My excitment was prompted by both the Spirit and Opportunity Mars rovers still operating after a full year on the surface of the Red Planet. A year! Sweet mercy, these things were designed to operate for 90 days. 90 days, and they are still running on all cylinders after 360 days. Wow! Huzzah for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration! "Science!"
I love that Iraqis living in Jordan will be able to vote in January 30's elections, as will Iraqis living in Syria. Of course, Jordanians living in Jordan and Syrians living in Syria won't have the chance to vote in their own countries or for their own leaders any time in the foreseeable future. Still, I rejoice that democracy does appear to be on the march. Today Afghanistan, tomorrow Iraq, the day after that... the world? Fingers crossed.
I love that heads rolled at CBS over the forged memos. I disagree with those who say Dan Rather should have been fired. The man has been the face of CBS News for over two decades. His prestige has made millions upon millions of dollars for CBS over those years, and he has already anounced his retirement in March. Yes, his conduct in this whole affair was disgraceful, but his reputation has already been tarnished. Let the man retire on his own schedule and with a shred of dignity.
At the same time, "Ding dong, the witch is dead!" Seriously, read Bernard Goldberg's books Bias and Arrogance. The forged memos story and scandal were practically scripted in his books. He's both the Martin Luther and Nostradamus of American journalism.
Monday, January 10, 2005
Vote For Kodos
Shortly after Election Day, I was listening to The Diane Rehm Show and heard a caller accuse, in a polite and friendly manner, Mrs. Rehm of having a liberal bias. Mrs. Rehm replied that of course she had a liberal bias, as long as one defined "liberal" to mean open to all points of view and willing to consider any reasonable proposal. One of the sections of a personal profile on Friendster.com is "Who I Want to Meet." As I have explored by second- and third-degree connections, I have encountered "Not Republicans" listed quite frequently in the aforementioned catagory. I suppose at this point I qualify as confused. From the rest of the information gleaned from the profiles of these people, it is safe to assume that a number of them would best be described as liberals. Yet, they find it reasonable to renounce en masse associations with any and all Republicans with whom they are not previously acquainted. Perhaps the failure is one of imagination, and therefore mine, but I cannot make this round peg fit into the square hole of Mrs. Rehm's definition of liberalism. I can only then assume that though liberals sincerely wish it to be true, they are in fact not the open-minded, tolerant people they imagine themselves to be. You could say that statement is a harsh oversimplification, but before you do, please consider this: I am neither a liberal nor a conservative, though my political allegiance is to the Right. I would estimate that a small majority of my friends are Democratic voters; furthermore, I would never entertain the suggestion of typing "Not Democrats" under "Who I Want to Meet."
If you are less open-minded and fair than I, much maligned as inflexible and incapable of admitting error or suffering disagreement, then perhaps you should take a moment to pause and reflect on how truly tolerant or intolerant you may be. Are you more intolerant that The Last Angry Man?
This is a serious matter that deserves your attention and consideration. The IDF officers involved find themselves on the opposite end of the political spectrum from the "refuseniks" who refuse to serve in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, but practicing the same disturbing behavior. Simply put, if military personnel refuse to execute the orders given to them by their civilian superiors, democracy as we know it cannot survive. Even if the directives of the civilian authoritites are ludicrous (take for example President Johnson and Defense Secretary McNamara personally picking the individual target and payload for every sortie over North Vietnam), soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines must either execute their orders or resign in protest. When an officer refuses an order, the civilian government is no longer in control of its military. There is more than a little truth in Tennyson's words, here quoted without irony:
"Their's not to reason why,
Their's but to do and die."
Shortly after Election Day, I was listening to The Diane Rehm Show and heard a caller accuse, in a polite and friendly manner, Mrs. Rehm of having a liberal bias. Mrs. Rehm replied that of course she had a liberal bias, as long as one defined "liberal" to mean open to all points of view and willing to consider any reasonable proposal. One of the sections of a personal profile on Friendster.com is "Who I Want to Meet." As I have explored by second- and third-degree connections, I have encountered "Not Republicans" listed quite frequently in the aforementioned catagory. I suppose at this point I qualify as confused. From the rest of the information gleaned from the profiles of these people, it is safe to assume that a number of them would best be described as liberals. Yet, they find it reasonable to renounce en masse associations with any and all Republicans with whom they are not previously acquainted. Perhaps the failure is one of imagination, and therefore mine, but I cannot make this round peg fit into the square hole of Mrs. Rehm's definition of liberalism. I can only then assume that though liberals sincerely wish it to be true, they are in fact not the open-minded, tolerant people they imagine themselves to be. You could say that statement is a harsh oversimplification, but before you do, please consider this: I am neither a liberal nor a conservative, though my political allegiance is to the Right. I would estimate that a small majority of my friends are Democratic voters; furthermore, I would never entertain the suggestion of typing "Not Democrats" under "Who I Want to Meet."
If you are less open-minded and fair than I, much maligned as inflexible and incapable of admitting error or suffering disagreement, then perhaps you should take a moment to pause and reflect on how truly tolerant or intolerant you may be. Are you more intolerant that The Last Angry Man?
This is a serious matter that deserves your attention and consideration. The IDF officers involved find themselves on the opposite end of the political spectrum from the "refuseniks" who refuse to serve in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, but practicing the same disturbing behavior. Simply put, if military personnel refuse to execute the orders given to them by their civilian superiors, democracy as we know it cannot survive. Even if the directives of the civilian authoritites are ludicrous (take for example President Johnson and Defense Secretary McNamara personally picking the individual target and payload for every sortie over North Vietnam), soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines must either execute their orders or resign in protest. When an officer refuses an order, the civilian government is no longer in control of its military. There is more than a little truth in Tennyson's words, here quoted without irony:
"Their's not to reason why,
Their's but to do and die."
Hello, Kitty
I'm kind of worried. On the one hand, Sam is eating voraciously. Surely this is an improvement over the week prior to Christmas, during which he hardly ate a thing. But, I'm now changing his litter box every other day. The food seems to be running right through him. Hmmmm. I shall have to consult the veterinarian, see what there is to be seen. Hang in there, Sammy.
I'm thinking of changing comic book shops. Laugh if you must, but this could be a big deal. I've had my pulls at the Underworld since I started reading comics in the summer of 2000. I "grew up" there.
Revenge of the Sith... so close now... so close....
I'm kind of worried. On the one hand, Sam is eating voraciously. Surely this is an improvement over the week prior to Christmas, during which he hardly ate a thing. But, I'm now changing his litter box every other day. The food seems to be running right through him. Hmmmm. I shall have to consult the veterinarian, see what there is to be seen. Hang in there, Sammy.
I'm thinking of changing comic book shops. Laugh if you must, but this could be a big deal. I've had my pulls at the Underworld since I started reading comics in the summer of 2000. I "grew up" there.
Revenge of the Sith... so close now... so close....
Sunday, January 9, 2005
Empire of Pictus
Imperial Watch
--Legions
--Squadrons
--Self-Defense Forces (formerly of the Rynlander Presidium)
--Pethlo Guard
--Hsi Horrors
--Knights Jurai
--Royal Guard
Otrosi League
Army of the League
Royal Akari Confederation
Royal Pilots Corps
Rynoran Republic
The Regiments
Home Defense Forces
Aeloosian Federation
Planetary Corps
Sur'ka Directorate
privateers
Sovereignty of the Spada
Royal Space Navy
Union of Democracy and Freedom
Star Service
defunct states
Tehl Larian Autocracy
Autocrat's Guard
Autocratic Domination Forces
--Enkari Janissaries
--Otrosi Janissaries
--Batay Janissaries
Royallian People's State*
People's Armed Front of the Revolution
*later the Rynlander Presidium, then admitted into the Empire of Pictus
Imperial Watch
--Legions
--Squadrons
--Self-Defense Forces (formerly of the Rynlander Presidium)
--Pethlo Guard
--Hsi Horrors
--Knights Jurai
--Royal Guard
Otrosi League
Army of the League
Royal Akari Confederation
Royal Pilots Corps
Rynoran Republic
The Regiments
Home Defense Forces
Aeloosian Federation
Planetary Corps
Sur'ka Directorate
privateers
Sovereignty of the Spada
Royal Space Navy
Union of Democracy and Freedom
Star Service
defunct states
Tehl Larian Autocracy
Autocrat's Guard
Autocratic Domination Forces
--Enkari Janissaries
--Otrosi Janissaries
--Batay Janissaries
Royallian People's State*
People's Armed Front of the Revolution
*later the Rynlander Presidium, then admitted into the Empire of Pictus
I am a wretched creature. There is something horrible inside of me, a dark and terrible thing. When I lose my temper and make unimaginably cruel utterances (and what's worse, when I mean them), that's my true face. Everything good inside me comes from the Almighty. Every kind and charitable impulse comes from Him killing a small part of the monster inside me. As such, my very favorite words in Mass come during the preparation of gifts, when the bread and wine are transubstantiated into the Body and Blood of Christ:
"Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed."
And I shall be healed.
Vote For Kodos - The Sons of Ishmael
Who do you think is going to be elected president of the Palestinian Authority, the terrorist or the other terrorist? Hyperlink. The most likely new Palestinian leader is Mahmoud Abbas, a.k.a. Abu Mazen. Yes, he's better than Yasser Arafet, but we must bear in mind that just last week Abbas denounced the State of Israel as the "Zionist enemy." Mr. Abbas has also, at various points in his career, denied that the Holocaust ever happened. Just so you know with whom the Israelis will be negotiating.
Last night, I had dinner and saw two movies with the Sardine. At dinner, we briefly talked about breast augmentation and why even large breasted girls like Sardine think about getting it. Perhaps I am so unlucky in love because I have never understood why every girl in the fucking world is so terribly insecure. Not only do I not understand it, I have no tolerance for it, either. Bog below, get some self-esteem!
(The preceeding rant was not directed toward any one particular individual, but the daughters of Eve as a whole.)
"Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed."
And I shall be healed.
Vote For Kodos - The Sons of Ishmael
Who do you think is going to be elected president of the Palestinian Authority, the terrorist or the other terrorist? Hyperlink. The most likely new Palestinian leader is Mahmoud Abbas, a.k.a. Abu Mazen. Yes, he's better than Yasser Arafet, but we must bear in mind that just last week Abbas denounced the State of Israel as the "Zionist enemy." Mr. Abbas has also, at various points in his career, denied that the Holocaust ever happened. Just so you know with whom the Israelis will be negotiating.
Last night, I had dinner and saw two movies with the Sardine. At dinner, we briefly talked about breast augmentation and why even large breasted girls like Sardine think about getting it. Perhaps I am so unlucky in love because I have never understood why every girl in the fucking world is so terribly insecure. Not only do I not understand it, I have no tolerance for it, either. Bog below, get some self-esteem!
(The preceeding rant was not directed toward any one particular individual, but the daughters of Eve as a whole.)
Saturday, January 8, 2005
Tuesday, January 4, 2005
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
While there is almost a full half of football left to play, I feel confident in saying that for the second year in a row, Oklahoma has demonstrated beyond a shadow of a doubt that they do not belong in the national championship game. Last year's Sugar Bowl should have been played between LSU and USC. This year's Orange Bowl clearly should have been played between USC and Auburn. Now Auburn is left high and dry, 13-0 and almost certain to be denied even a little share of the national championship, while Oklahoma has once again squandered an opportunity they didn't deserve. Bwa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! I love this. I never thought I'd be so happy to see Southern Cal win.
Make no mistake, as a Michigan alumnus I hate USC (we have lost six or seven thousand Rose Bowls to them). But, like the animosity I feel for Ohio State, that hatred is accompanied by respect. By way of contrast, every time I see Bob Stoops I devoutly wish he was bleeding from his eyes.
The BCS and Oklahoma are perfect companions: both are buried up to their eyes in bullshit. Go Trojans!
While there is almost a full half of football left to play, I feel confident in saying that for the second year in a row, Oklahoma has demonstrated beyond a shadow of a doubt that they do not belong in the national championship game. Last year's Sugar Bowl should have been played between LSU and USC. This year's Orange Bowl clearly should have been played between USC and Auburn. Now Auburn is left high and dry, 13-0 and almost certain to be denied even a little share of the national championship, while Oklahoma has once again squandered an opportunity they didn't deserve. Bwa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! I love this. I never thought I'd be so happy to see Southern Cal win.
Make no mistake, as a Michigan alumnus I hate USC (we have lost six or seven thousand Rose Bowls to them). But, like the animosity I feel for Ohio State, that hatred is accompanied by respect. By way of contrast, every time I see Bob Stoops I devoutly wish he was bleeding from his eyes.
The BCS and Oklahoma are perfect companions: both are buried up to their eyes in bullshit. Go Trojans!
My DVD Collection
Yet more proof that I'm better than you. American movies first, then television series, and finally anime.
About a Boy
The Beast
Bend It Like Beckham
Black Hawk Down
A Bug's Life
Casablanca
Crimson Tide
Dr. Strangelove, Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
Donnie Darko
The Fifth Element
Fight Club
Finding Nemo
The Flight of the Phoenix
Garden State
Hellboy (3 discs, The Director's Cut)
The Adventures of Indiana Jones
--Raiders of the Lost Ark
--Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
--Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
--Indiana Jones Bonus Material
Jaws
Josie and the Pussycats
Miracle
Monsters, Inc.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Panic Room
Personal Velocity
The Royal Tenenbaums
Rushmore
SLC Punk
Spider-Man
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (The Director's Edition)
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (The Director's Edition)
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Star Trek Generations
Star Trek: Nemesis
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
Star Wars Trilogy
--Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
--Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
--Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi
--Star Wars Bonus Material
Strange Brew
This is Spinal Tap
Toy Story
Toy Story 2
UHF
Unbreakable
Van Wilder
Waiting For Guffman
We Were Soldiers
*****
Freaks and Geeks The Complete Series
Futurama Volume 1
Futurama Volume 2
Futurama Volume 3
Futurama Volume 4
Invader Zim: Doom Doom Doom vol. 1
Invader Zim: Progressive Stupidity vol. 2
Invader Zim: Horrible Holiday Cheer vol. 3
The Office The Complete First Series
The Office The Complete Second Series
The Office Special
Samurai Jack Season 1
Space Ghost: Coast to Coast Volume One
Sports Night The Complete Series Plus Pilot Episode
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 1
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 2
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 3
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 4
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 5
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 6
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 7
*****
The Big O Volume One
The Big O Volume Two
The Big O Volume Three
The Big O Volume Four
Cowboy Bebop 1st Session
Cowboy Bebop 2nd Session
Cowboy Bebop 3rd Session
Cowboy Bebop 4th Session
Cowboy Bebop 5th Session
Cowboy Bebop 6th Session
Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' on Heaven's Door (a.k.a. The Movie)
FLCL vol. 1
FLCL vol. 2
FLCL vol. 3
Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team vol. 1
Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team vol. 2
Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team vol. 3
Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team vol. 4
Love Hina vol. 1
Love Hina Christmas Movie
Love Hina Spring Movie
Love Hina Again
All strong. All brave. All heroes.
Yet more proof that I'm better than you. American movies first, then television series, and finally anime.
About a Boy
The Beast
Bend It Like Beckham
Black Hawk Down
A Bug's Life
Casablanca
Crimson Tide
Dr. Strangelove, Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
Donnie Darko
The Fifth Element
Fight Club
Finding Nemo
The Flight of the Phoenix
Garden State
Hellboy (3 discs, The Director's Cut)
The Adventures of Indiana Jones
--Raiders of the Lost Ark
--Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
--Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
--Indiana Jones Bonus Material
Jaws
Josie and the Pussycats
Miracle
Monsters, Inc.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Panic Room
Personal Velocity
The Royal Tenenbaums
Rushmore
SLC Punk
Spider-Man
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (The Director's Edition)
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (The Director's Edition)
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Star Trek Generations
Star Trek: Nemesis
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
Star Wars Trilogy
--Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
--Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
--Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi
--Star Wars Bonus Material
Strange Brew
This is Spinal Tap
Toy Story
Toy Story 2
UHF
Unbreakable
Van Wilder
Waiting For Guffman
We Were Soldiers
*****
Freaks and Geeks The Complete Series
Futurama Volume 1
Futurama Volume 2
Futurama Volume 3
Futurama Volume 4
Invader Zim: Doom Doom Doom vol. 1
Invader Zim: Progressive Stupidity vol. 2
Invader Zim: Horrible Holiday Cheer vol. 3
The Office The Complete First Series
The Office The Complete Second Series
The Office Special
Samurai Jack Season 1
Space Ghost: Coast to Coast Volume One
Sports Night The Complete Series Plus Pilot Episode
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 1
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 2
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 3
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 4
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 5
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 6
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 7
*****
The Big O Volume One
The Big O Volume Two
The Big O Volume Three
The Big O Volume Four
Cowboy Bebop 1st Session
Cowboy Bebop 2nd Session
Cowboy Bebop 3rd Session
Cowboy Bebop 4th Session
Cowboy Bebop 5th Session
Cowboy Bebop 6th Session
Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' on Heaven's Door (a.k.a. The Movie)
FLCL vol. 1
FLCL vol. 2
FLCL vol. 3
Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team vol. 1
Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team vol. 2
Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team vol. 3
Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team vol. 4
Love Hina vol. 1
Love Hina Christmas Movie
Love Hina Spring Movie
Love Hina Again
All strong. All brave. All heroes.
Vote For Kodos - Moral Superiority
The United States has been accused by a United Nations official of being stingy with aid in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami. This despire the financial and military power fo the United States being brought to bear, and the significantly smaller contributions made my other nations and supranational organizations. Things to consider:
Sandra Bullock Population: 1 person; Pledged aid: $1,000,000
= $1,000,000 per person
The United States of America Population: 295,000,000 people; Pledged aid: $350,000,000
= $1.19 per person
The European Union Population: 457,000,000; Pledged aid: $30,000,000
= $0.07 per person
Hurray for European moral superiority, eh?
The United States has been accused by a United Nations official of being stingy with aid in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami. This despire the financial and military power fo the United States being brought to bear, and the significantly smaller contributions made my other nations and supranational organizations. Things to consider:
Sandra Bullock Population: 1 person; Pledged aid: $1,000,000
= $1,000,000 per person
The United States of America Population: 295,000,000 people; Pledged aid: $350,000,000
= $1.19 per person
The European Union Population: 457,000,000; Pledged aid: $30,000,000
= $0.07 per person
Hurray for European moral superiority, eh?
Monday, January 3, 2005
The Mountain is gone and the Christmas decorations have been put away. I've never understood how people can get depressed around the holidays, but I certainly empathize with anyone who, like me, gets depressed after the New Year. *sigh* Don't cry for me, Argentina.
Next topic!
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
It was nice to see us carry on the time-honored Michigan tradition of losing the Rose Bowl. Bo must be so proud. Dammit dammit dammit. Unless we make some major changes on defense and figure out how to stop mobiule quarterbacks, we are going to get embarrassed by the mobile quarterbacks of both Michigan State and Ohio State. I never thought I'd hear myself say this, but we're really going to miss Braylon Edwards on offense next year. I like both Avant and Breaston, but one of them is going to have to step up and fill Edwards's shoes in catching the fade. As for the defense... we're really going to be leaning on the offense next season.
Go Honoluly Blue!
Finishing the year at 6-10, the Lions improved on last season's 5-11 record, but also underachieved preseason expectations by two games. Charles Rogers missed most of last year hurt, we had not yet drafted Roy Williams, and we had no running game; we were lucky to go 5-11. This year, still without Rogers, but with Williams ar receiver and Kevin Jones in the back field, I really feel this team had the talent to be better than 6-10, especially given that in a just world they would have lost their last divisional game against Chicago and thus finished 5-11. Steve Mariucci CANNOT continue to run the offense and manage the team as a whole; he needs to hire an independent offensive coordinator or assistant head coach or something. And I'm pissed off that Dre Bly was named to the Pro Bowl, since he had a miserable year and didn't look half as good as he did last year.
There may of course be inaccuracies, especially omissions. I like lists!
Hellboy: Seed of Destruction no. 1
Hellboy: Seed of Destruction no. 2
Hellboy: Seed of Destruction no. 3
Hellboy: Seed of Destruction no. 4
Hellboy: The Wolves of Saint August
Hellboy: Wake the Devil no. 1
Hellboy: Wake the Devil no. 2
Hellboy: Wake the Devil no. 3
Hellboy: Wake the Devil no. 4
Hellboy: Wake the Devil no. 5
Hellboy: The Corpse and the Iron Shoes
Hellboy: Almost Colossus no. 1
Hellboy: Almost Colossus no. 2
Abe Sapien: Drums of the Dead, featuring the back-up "Heads"
Hellboy: Box Full of Evil no. 1, featuring the back-up "The Killer in My Skull"
Hellboy: Box Full of Evil no. 2, featuring the back-up "Abe Sapien Versus Science"
Hellboy: Conqueror Worm no. 1
Hellboy: Conqueror Worm no. 2
Hellboy: Conqueror Worm no. 3
Hellboy: Conqueror Worm no. 4
Hellboy: Conqueror Worm no. 5
B.P.R.D.: Hollow Earth no. 1
B.P.R.D.: Hollow Earth no. 2
B.P.R.D.: Hollow Earth no. 3
Hellboy: Weird Tales no. 1
Hellboy: Weird Tales no. 2
Hellboy: Weird Tales no. 3
Hellboy: Weird Tales no. 4
Hellboy: Weird Tales no. 5
Hellboy: Weird Tales no. 6
Hellboy: Weird Tales no. 7
Hellboy: Weird Tales no. 8
B.P.R.D.: The Soul of Venice
B.P.R.D.: Dark Waters
B.P.R.D.: Night Train
B.P.R.D.: There's Something Under My Bed
B.P.R.D.: Plague of Frogs no. 1
B.P.R.D.: Plague of Frogs no. 2
B.P.R.D.: Plague of Frogs no. 3
B.P.R.D.: Plague of Frogs no. 4
B.P.R.D.: Plague of Frogs no. 5
B.P.R.D.: The Dead no. 1
B.P.R.D.: The Dead no. 2 (more to come)
Next topic!
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
It was nice to see us carry on the time-honored Michigan tradition of losing the Rose Bowl. Bo must be so proud. Dammit dammit dammit. Unless we make some major changes on defense and figure out how to stop mobiule quarterbacks, we are going to get embarrassed by the mobile quarterbacks of both Michigan State and Ohio State. I never thought I'd hear myself say this, but we're really going to miss Braylon Edwards on offense next year. I like both Avant and Breaston, but one of them is going to have to step up and fill Edwards's shoes in catching the fade. As for the defense... we're really going to be leaning on the offense next season.
Go Honoluly Blue!
Finishing the year at 6-10, the Lions improved on last season's 5-11 record, but also underachieved preseason expectations by two games. Charles Rogers missed most of last year hurt, we had not yet drafted Roy Williams, and we had no running game; we were lucky to go 5-11. This year, still without Rogers, but with Williams ar receiver and Kevin Jones in the back field, I really feel this team had the talent to be better than 6-10, especially given that in a just world they would have lost their last divisional game against Chicago and thus finished 5-11. Steve Mariucci CANNOT continue to run the offense and manage the team as a whole; he needs to hire an independent offensive coordinator or assistant head coach or something. And I'm pissed off that Dre Bly was named to the Pro Bowl, since he had a miserable year and didn't look half as good as he did last year.
There may of course be inaccuracies, especially omissions. I like lists!
Hellboy: Seed of Destruction no. 1
Hellboy: Seed of Destruction no. 2
Hellboy: Seed of Destruction no. 3
Hellboy: Seed of Destruction no. 4
Hellboy: The Wolves of Saint August
Hellboy: Wake the Devil no. 1
Hellboy: Wake the Devil no. 2
Hellboy: Wake the Devil no. 3
Hellboy: Wake the Devil no. 4
Hellboy: Wake the Devil no. 5
Hellboy: The Corpse and the Iron Shoes
Hellboy: Almost Colossus no. 1
Hellboy: Almost Colossus no. 2
Abe Sapien: Drums of the Dead, featuring the back-up "Heads"
Hellboy: Box Full of Evil no. 1, featuring the back-up "The Killer in My Skull"
Hellboy: Box Full of Evil no. 2, featuring the back-up "Abe Sapien Versus Science"
Hellboy: Conqueror Worm no. 1
Hellboy: Conqueror Worm no. 2
Hellboy: Conqueror Worm no. 3
Hellboy: Conqueror Worm no. 4
Hellboy: Conqueror Worm no. 5
B.P.R.D.: Hollow Earth no. 1
B.P.R.D.: Hollow Earth no. 2
B.P.R.D.: Hollow Earth no. 3
Hellboy: Weird Tales no. 1
Hellboy: Weird Tales no. 2
Hellboy: Weird Tales no. 3
Hellboy: Weird Tales no. 4
Hellboy: Weird Tales no. 5
Hellboy: Weird Tales no. 6
Hellboy: Weird Tales no. 7
Hellboy: Weird Tales no. 8
B.P.R.D.: The Soul of Venice
B.P.R.D.: Dark Waters
B.P.R.D.: Night Train
B.P.R.D.: There's Something Under My Bed
B.P.R.D.: Plague of Frogs no. 1
B.P.R.D.: Plague of Frogs no. 2
B.P.R.D.: Plague of Frogs no. 3
B.P.R.D.: Plague of Frogs no. 4
B.P.R.D.: Plague of Frogs no. 5
B.P.R.D.: The Dead no. 1
B.P.R.D.: The Dead no. 2 (more to come)
Friday, December 31, 2004
The tsunami is just about the worst thing to ever happen, but in all honesty I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed A.D. 2004. It was a far from perfect year, but aren't they all? I've now experienced a quarter century of life, with very little to show for it except some fancy papers, the best friends in the world, and some incredibly memories. I can now add to their number last night's astoundingly fun show. Holy balls, there is no more fun a time to be had than a Real Can of Yams show. I am pissed at my "friends" who didn't show up, but I also pity them.
H-A-N
Have a knight.
Goodnight, we're through!
H-A-N
Have a knight.
Goodnight, we're through!
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
The only important news story in the world right now is the tsunami. May the Lord Almighty have mercy on those poor people in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania.
Between the trip to Ohio (brief though it was), Steeze staying with us, and only three days (yesterday, today, and the show is tomorrow!) to prepare for the rock show, things have been pretty hectic around here. So if you've sent me an email and I haven't responded, please don't be pissed, I really do want to get back to you/see you. Honest.
At least last night I got to see Skeeter, Reed, and "associated fiance" Cristina. Good time had by all.
Between the trip to Ohio (brief though it was), Steeze staying with us, and only three days (yesterday, today, and the show is tomorrow!) to prepare for the rock show, things have been pretty hectic around here. So if you've sent me an email and I haven't responded, please don't be pissed, I really do want to get back to you/see you. Honest.
At least last night I got to see Skeeter, Reed, and "associated fiance" Cristina. Good time had by all.
Monday, December 27, 2004
My Generation
I have no cousins on the Wilson side of my family. On the Little side, my mom, her sister, and their two brothers have an average of 2.5 children each. Half of us don't have the last name Little, but here is my generation of the Little family, recently gathered in Springboro, Ohio:
Lisa
Michael
David
Anna
Christopher
Matthew
Daniel
Jamie
Meghan
Joshua
Go Honolulu Blue!
Ha! No Lions/hairshirt-wearing for me! We can still finish 7-9, if we don't get cocky. Let's go, boys, I believe in you.
H-A-N
Have a night in a box.
I have no cousins on the Wilson side of my family. On the Little side, my mom, her sister, and their two brothers have an average of 2.5 children each. Half of us don't have the last name Little, but here is my generation of the Little family, recently gathered in Springboro, Ohio:
Lisa
Michael
David
Anna
Christopher
Matthew
Daniel
Jamie
Meghan
Joshua
Go Honolulu Blue!
Ha! No Lions/hairshirt-wearing for me! We can still finish 7-9, if we don't get cocky. Let's go, boys, I believe in you.
H-A-N
Have a night in a box.
Friday, December 24, 2004
"Man alive, there are men alive in here." This is a wild story. I mean, I had never even heard of the Martian Manhunter until I became a fanboy (started reading comic books)in 2000.
H-A-N
Wednesday's...
Have a preppy night.
Thursday's...
Have a nightlight.
Today's...
Have a night that, if one wanted to be precise, could only be described as verbose.
H-A-N
Wednesday's...
Have a preppy night.
Thursday's...
Have a nightlight.
Today's...
Have a night that, if one wanted to be precise, could only be described as verbose.
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Bog below, there is so much snow on the ground outside. Not crazy, no-one-can-get-anywhere snow, but still lots and lots of the white. Woot! My only concern is whether The L.A.W. will be able to fly in to Metro tomorrow and whether Meine Vater will be able to pick her up there.
Hello, Kitty
Sam's just not eating, and that can't be good. He's always been reluctant to eat his medicinal food, but now he's barely touching it. More worrying, he's also barely eating any of his conventional Fancy Feast. Oh, Sammy, what's wrong?
Hello, Kitty
Sam's just not eating, and that can't be good. He's always been reluctant to eat his medicinal food, but now he's barely touching it. More worrying, he's also barely eating any of his conventional Fancy Feast. Oh, Sammy, what's wrong?
Monday, December 20, 2004
Go Honolulu Blue!
Man, I said some really unkind things about Muhlbach in the aftermath of yesterday's game. Dang. Oh well, there's always next year.... Of course I wore the shirt today. Hairshirt, anyone?
The Mountain is home. Blog posts will be sporatic.
The Newsletter Annual should go out in tomorrow's mail.
Vote For Kodos - Meet the Press
I was able to listen to all of President Bush's press conference this morning. Boy howdy, am I so grateful I was twice able to vote for that man.
H-A-N
Have a musical night.
Man, I said some really unkind things about Muhlbach in the aftermath of yesterday's game. Dang. Oh well, there's always next year.... Of course I wore the shirt today. Hairshirt, anyone?
The Mountain is home. Blog posts will be sporatic.
The Newsletter Annual should go out in tomorrow's mail.
Vote For Kodos - Meet the Press
I was able to listen to all of President Bush's press conference this morning. Boy howdy, am I so grateful I was twice able to vote for that man.
H-A-N
Have a musical night.
Sunday, December 19, 2004
Go Honolulu Blue!
At this point in time, Roy Williams is not half as good as he was at the beginning of the season and he was fallen far short of his hype. The Lions defense forced a two-yard loss on first down, got a sack on second down, and then on a third and twenty-four gave up an eighty-two yard touchdown pass. I'm not saying Steve Mariucci, Dick Jauron, and the entire coaching staff need to be fired, but it is time to start talking about firing them. It is time to start looking at what other coaches are available around the league, because Mariucci's staff has proven absolutely unable to stop the high number of dropped passes that are killing our offense. I want to have faith in Mooch, but his staff are not getting the job done, the players are getting worse as the season goes on, and if he is not willing to fire some of his assistants and hired qualified, competent people in their place, he will have to go. The Lions' offensive assistant coaches need to lose their jobs, the Lions need an offensive coordinator since Mariucci has proven he cannot run the team and the offense himself, and if these things don't happen, Steve Mariucci needs to lose his job.
The Lions will never win a Super Bowl in my lifetime preciselyb ecause Matt Millen still has his job. Millen hired Marty Mornhinweg, and wanted to keep him aroud for a third season after he went 5-27 over two years. Millen drafted Charles Rogers, who so far is the most fragile person to ever be a professional football player. Millen fired Johnny Morton and paid a king's ransom to get Bill Schroeder. Mariucci could turn out the be the greatest coach in NFL history, and Joey Harrington could turn into the best quarterback ever, but the Lions will never have a winnning record as long as Matt Millen is around.
At this point in time, Roy Williams is not half as good as he was at the beginning of the season and he was fallen far short of his hype. The Lions defense forced a two-yard loss on first down, got a sack on second down, and then on a third and twenty-four gave up an eighty-two yard touchdown pass. I'm not saying Steve Mariucci, Dick Jauron, and the entire coaching staff need to be fired, but it is time to start talking about firing them. It is time to start looking at what other coaches are available around the league, because Mariucci's staff has proven absolutely unable to stop the high number of dropped passes that are killing our offense. I want to have faith in Mooch, but his staff are not getting the job done, the players are getting worse as the season goes on, and if he is not willing to fire some of his assistants and hired qualified, competent people in their place, he will have to go. The Lions' offensive assistant coaches need to lose their jobs, the Lions need an offensive coordinator since Mariucci has proven he cannot run the team and the offense himself, and if these things don't happen, Steve Mariucci needs to lose his job.
The Lions will never win a Super Bowl in my lifetime preciselyb ecause Matt Millen still has his job. Millen hired Marty Mornhinweg, and wanted to keep him aroud for a third season after he went 5-27 over two years. Millen drafted Charles Rogers, who so far is the most fragile person to ever be a professional football player. Millen fired Johnny Morton and paid a king's ransom to get Bill Schroeder. Mariucci could turn out the be the greatest coach in NFL history, and Joey Harrington could turn into the best quarterback ever, but the Lions will never have a winnning record as long as Matt Millen is around.
Friday, December 17, 2004
Parker Posey Appreciation Day
Meine Vater and I saw Blade: Trinity last weekend. What's wrong with America is that Parker Posey isn't our biggest movie star. I don't care whether or not you like vampire movies, go see it for the glorious Ms. Posey.
Vote For Kodos - National Security
When Representatives Hunter (R, California) and Sensenbrenner (R, Wisconsin) held up the intelligence reform bill, President Bush's "failure to pass vital intelligence reform" lead the news. When the bill was passed a scant two weeks later, and when President Bush signs it, as he did today, it is the second or third item. Yep, no bias to be seen.
I just saw The Flight of the Phoenix, the 1965 film starring James Stewart. Holy cow. Absolutely amazing. I shall have to write a "Hollywoodland" about it, as soon as I get a good night's sleep.
Speaking of which, I'm not sure just how it happened, but this week has been a horror. Wednesday, Thursday (except when I watched The Flight of the Phoenix), and today, I feel as if I haven't spent a single moment at home. I'm so tired. But of course, I won't really be able to sleep tonight.
Sorry for whining.
One legitimate grievance: both my parents are sleeping downstairs. For fuck's sake, you assholes, you have a king-sized bed. Do you really have to monopolize the entire first floor?
American Empirical
Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, and The Royal Tenenbaums. Boy howdy, I can't wait for The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.
H-A-N
Have a wise night.
Meine Vater and I saw Blade: Trinity last weekend. What's wrong with America is that Parker Posey isn't our biggest movie star. I don't care whether or not you like vampire movies, go see it for the glorious Ms. Posey.
Vote For Kodos - National Security
When Representatives Hunter (R, California) and Sensenbrenner (R, Wisconsin) held up the intelligence reform bill, President Bush's "failure to pass vital intelligence reform" lead the news. When the bill was passed a scant two weeks later, and when President Bush signs it, as he did today, it is the second or third item. Yep, no bias to be seen.
I just saw The Flight of the Phoenix, the 1965 film starring James Stewart. Holy cow. Absolutely amazing. I shall have to write a "Hollywoodland" about it, as soon as I get a good night's sleep.
Speaking of which, I'm not sure just how it happened, but this week has been a horror. Wednesday, Thursday (except when I watched The Flight of the Phoenix), and today, I feel as if I haven't spent a single moment at home. I'm so tired. But of course, I won't really be able to sleep tonight.
Sorry for whining.
One legitimate grievance: both my parents are sleeping downstairs. For fuck's sake, you assholes, you have a king-sized bed. Do you really have to monopolize the entire first floor?
American Empirical
Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, and The Royal Tenenbaums. Boy howdy, I can't wait for The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.
H-A-N
Have a wise night.
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Pug Uglies
I started taking care of Tyson and Patrick today, and they are much more aggresive than the last time I watched them. They snip at each other more, and gleefully gnaw on my fingers. Of course, they are almost completely harmless. I hope Sam doesn't get jealous; I know he smelled dog-monster on me yesterday, after I visited the pugs to get my instructions from The Guy's mom. I hope he doesn't hold it against me.
Banner work at The Palace yesterday, Pistons vs. Cavaliers tonight, banner work tomorrow to undo Wednesday's banner work. And the way Dorna works, it'll be a month before I see the money. Woot! Thank Bog this is just for extra scratch, not my real job.
H-A-N
Have a firebreathing night.
I started taking care of Tyson and Patrick today, and they are much more aggresive than the last time I watched them. They snip at each other more, and gleefully gnaw on my fingers. Of course, they are almost completely harmless. I hope Sam doesn't get jealous; I know he smelled dog-monster on me yesterday, after I visited the pugs to get my instructions from The Guy's mom. I hope he doesn't hold it against me.
Banner work at The Palace yesterday, Pistons vs. Cavaliers tonight, banner work tomorrow to undo Wednesday's banner work. And the way Dorna works, it'll be a month before I see the money. Woot! Thank Bog this is just for extra scratch, not my real job.
H-A-N
Have a firebreathing night.
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Vote For Kodos
I know most of you probably don't want to hear it, but now that it's over, I honestly miss the election. Rummy's comments and Bernie Kerik's denomination are all fine and good, but mostly those stories have been kept alive because the press are (a) bored becuase it's December and (b) still pouting about the election and thus the piling on. But I miss the wrangling, the arguing, the messy way American campaigns are waged. I am a political junkie and I miss my fix.
Go Honolulu Blue!
I don't mind losing to a superior team, I really don't. But to blow a thirteen point lead, and allow sixteen unanswer points... that's heartbreaking. Then again, that's my Lions. The gibberish about benching Harrington in favor of McMahon is foolishness of the highest order. Did you see Schlesinger's dropped pass? Streets's dropped pass? Dropped passes that hit receivers right in the hands? Right in the numbers? Joey Harrington is no Brett Favre, but he could really use some help from his fucking receiving corps.
It is now all but impossible for the Lions to finish the season 8-8, but 7-9 is still within realistic grasp. We have found ways to underachieve this year, not just to be overwhelmed my superior opposition, but to lose games we should have won. But something can still be salvaged. If this team has any heart, it must win two out of its last three games. Home against the Minnesota Vikings, home against the Chicago Bears, and away at the Tennessee Titans. Come on Lions.
Imperial Assault Carrier
Imperial Dreadnaught
Imperial Ship-of-the-Line
Imperial Corvette
Otrosi Man-of-War
Rynoran Heavy Cruiser
Caliphate Leviathan
H-A-N
H A _ _
A
_ W _ N G _ N G
N _ G H _.
I know most of you probably don't want to hear it, but now that it's over, I honestly miss the election. Rummy's comments and Bernie Kerik's denomination are all fine and good, but mostly those stories have been kept alive because the press are (a) bored becuase it's December and (b) still pouting about the election and thus the piling on. But I miss the wrangling, the arguing, the messy way American campaigns are waged. I am a political junkie and I miss my fix.
Go Honolulu Blue!
I don't mind losing to a superior team, I really don't. But to blow a thirteen point lead, and allow sixteen unanswer points... that's heartbreaking. Then again, that's my Lions. The gibberish about benching Harrington in favor of McMahon is foolishness of the highest order. Did you see Schlesinger's dropped pass? Streets's dropped pass? Dropped passes that hit receivers right in the hands? Right in the numbers? Joey Harrington is no Brett Favre, but he could really use some help from his fucking receiving corps.
It is now all but impossible for the Lions to finish the season 8-8, but 7-9 is still within realistic grasp. We have found ways to underachieve this year, not just to be overwhelmed my superior opposition, but to lose games we should have won. But something can still be salvaged. If this team has any heart, it must win two out of its last three games. Home against the Minnesota Vikings, home against the Chicago Bears, and away at the Tennessee Titans. Come on Lions.
Imperial Assault Carrier
Imperial Dreadnaught
Imperial Ship-of-the-Line
Imperial Corvette
Otrosi Man-of-War
Rynoran Heavy Cruiser
Caliphate Leviathan
H-A-N
H A _ _
A
_ W _ N G _ N G
N _ G H _.
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
"Just two more days 'til Christmas
And still haven't see a package,
One that stands about 5'5"
With little air holes in the sides.
I'd run downstairs and open it up
Before anyone was even up.
I would throw the wrapping to the side,
And you'd be standing there all smiles."
--Mu330, "Three Days 'Til Christmas" from Winter Wonderland
Blue Tree Whacking Films tactlessly presents
Smith and Winkler: The Final Hoe-Down
Blue Tree Whacking Films recklessly presents
The Fantabulous Misadventures of Skip Carmichael
Blue Tree Whacking Films merrily presents
Smith and Winkler Save Christmas
And still haven't see a package,
One that stands about 5'5"
With little air holes in the sides.
I'd run downstairs and open it up
Before anyone was even up.
I would throw the wrapping to the side,
And you'd be standing there all smiles."
--Mu330, "Three Days 'Til Christmas" from Winter Wonderland
Blue Tree Whacking Films tactlessly presents
Smith and Winkler: The Final Hoe-Down
Blue Tree Whacking Films recklessly presents
The Fantabulous Misadventures of Skip Carmichael
Blue Tree Whacking Films merrily presents
Smith and Winkler Save Christmas
Monday, December 13, 2004
"swim team"
words by M. Wilson
(chorus)
swim team! swim team! U-S-A!
swim team! swim team! hey hey hey!
Hop in the pool, it's so much fun!
We've got flourescents, who needs the Sun?
Morning practice at five-fifteen,
All day long you smell like chlorine!
Freshman year your job's to do lane lines,
The Girls' Swim team is really fine,
Swimmer girls so hot you'll lose your mind,
But I digress, one thing at a time.
Breaststroke! Backstroke! Butterfly!
Freestyle sprints, it's time to fly!
(chorus)
Swim-Kick-Pull is in full effect,
Stroke drills make sure our stroke's correct.
Pearce on the deck in a Phish T-shirt,
Today's work out looks like it will hurt.
Breaststroke! Backstroke! Butterfly!
Freestyle sprints, too tired to fly!
(instrumental bridge)
The time clock chimes, you don't want to go,
Endless laps, round and round you go,
When it's done, you'll do it again,
Man, I hope Coach has a master plan.
Breaststroke! Backstroke! Butterfly!
Freestyle sprints, it's time to die!
(chorus)
But I've never been able to get Steeze to write music for my lyrics; so, this one will probably never be an RCY song.
Christmas Should Be Lasting All Year Long*
Thanks to the marvel of modern e-commerce, in just a few moments I was able to complete half my Christmas/birthday shopping (both my mom's and my sister's birthdays are in December). My thanks to a series of geeks who spent way too much time writing code and slaving to perfect many different software applications. Hurray for HAL science. "Science!"
*Borrowed from Murky Transport Disaster, "Christmas Should Be Lasting All Year Long" from The Murky Transport Disaster Disaster Transport Transport Disaster
words by M. Wilson
(chorus)
swim team! swim team! U-S-A!
swim team! swim team! hey hey hey!
Hop in the pool, it's so much fun!
We've got flourescents, who needs the Sun?
Morning practice at five-fifteen,
All day long you smell like chlorine!
Freshman year your job's to do lane lines,
The Girls' Swim team is really fine,
Swimmer girls so hot you'll lose your mind,
But I digress, one thing at a time.
Breaststroke! Backstroke! Butterfly!
Freestyle sprints, it's time to fly!
(chorus)
Swim-Kick-Pull is in full effect,
Stroke drills make sure our stroke's correct.
Pearce on the deck in a Phish T-shirt,
Today's work out looks like it will hurt.
Breaststroke! Backstroke! Butterfly!
Freestyle sprints, too tired to fly!
(instrumental bridge)
The time clock chimes, you don't want to go,
Endless laps, round and round you go,
When it's done, you'll do it again,
Man, I hope Coach has a master plan.
Breaststroke! Backstroke! Butterfly!
Freestyle sprints, it's time to die!
(chorus)
But I've never been able to get Steeze to write music for my lyrics; so, this one will probably never be an RCY song.
Christmas Should Be Lasting All Year Long*
Thanks to the marvel of modern e-commerce, in just a few moments I was able to complete half my Christmas/birthday shopping (both my mom's and my sister's birthdays are in December). My thanks to a series of geeks who spent way too much time writing code and slaving to perfect many different software applications. Hurray for HAL science. "Science!"
*Borrowed from Murky Transport Disaster, "Christmas Should Be Lasting All Year Long" from The Murky Transport Disaster Disaster Transport Transport Disaster
Vote For Kodos - The Rain in Spain
The Spaniards are the absolute worst people in Europe, even worse than the Swiss, whose economy is based on gold stolen by the Nazis from their Jewish victims. Even worse than the Dutch, who burn mosques as a pasttime. Even worse than the French, who fought like hell to keep Algeria enslaved. I feel sympathy for the victims of 3/11, especially since their deaths were in vain once their country gave the jihadists exactly what they wanted. Hyperlink.
Never Girl and Never Boy have bought a house in Sacramento, which I have dubbed the Neverhaus. Buying a house together is a much bigger step than sharing an apartment. Thus, because they are now basically common-law married, their nicknames will henceforth be Mr. and Mrs. Never. I really like the term Neverhaus.
Hello, Kitty
I was at Sam's veterinarian's office today to pick up some medicinal food meant to help his ailing kidneys. I said "Hello" to Skeeter's mom in the lobby, but she didn't recognize me. Beginning Thursday, I will once again be taking care of Patrick and Tyson; so, look for the return of "Pug Uglies" posts. They are such horrible monsters!
H-A-N
Have a stargazing night.
The Spaniards are the absolute worst people in Europe, even worse than the Swiss, whose economy is based on gold stolen by the Nazis from their Jewish victims. Even worse than the Dutch, who burn mosques as a pasttime. Even worse than the French, who fought like hell to keep Algeria enslaved. I feel sympathy for the victims of 3/11, especially since their deaths were in vain once their country gave the jihadists exactly what they wanted. Hyperlink.
Never Girl and Never Boy have bought a house in Sacramento, which I have dubbed the Neverhaus. Buying a house together is a much bigger step than sharing an apartment. Thus, because they are now basically common-law married, their nicknames will henceforth be Mr. and Mrs. Never. I really like the term Neverhaus.
Hello, Kitty
I was at Sam's veterinarian's office today to pick up some medicinal food meant to help his ailing kidneys. I said "Hello" to Skeeter's mom in the lobby, but she didn't recognize me. Beginning Thursday, I will once again be taking care of Patrick and Tyson; so, look for the return of "Pug Uglies" posts. They are such horrible monsters!
H-A-N
Have a stargazing night.
Hello, Kitty
Sam must be feeling better because he's becoming more pushy and vocal (the biggest change) about his food. If his dish is empty for three seconds, he's in your face demanding attention and, more imortantly, food. He's a ravenous little bugger. Hurray! Appetite can only be a good thing.
"You're very small, ZIM. You're a tiny thing."
Series
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Die Hard
Die Hard 2: Die Harder
Die Hard With a Vengeance
Blade
Blade II
Blade: Trinity
Alien
Aliens
Alien 3
Alien Resurrection
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
Austin Powers in Goldmember
Batman
Batman Returns
Batman Forever
Batman & Robin
Batman Begins
Sam must be feeling better because he's becoming more pushy and vocal (the biggest change) about his food. If his dish is empty for three seconds, he's in your face demanding attention and, more imortantly, food. He's a ravenous little bugger. Hurray! Appetite can only be a good thing.
"You're very small, ZIM. You're a tiny thing."
Series
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Die Hard
Die Hard 2: Die Harder
Die Hard With a Vengeance
Blade
Blade II
Blade: Trinity
Alien
Aliens
Alien 3
Alien Resurrection
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
Austin Powers in Goldmember
Batman
Batman Returns
Batman Forever
Batman & Robin
Batman Begins
Sunday, December 12, 2004
Murky Transport Disaster
Summer 2000 - world premiere of Smith and Winkler: The Final Hoe-Down
Real Can of Yams
Summer 2001 - world premiere of The Fantabulous Misadventures of Skip Carmichael
Christmas 2001 - w/Tommy's Frogs
Summer 2002
Christmas 2002 - w/Tommy's Frogs
Christmas 2004 - w/Tommy's Frogs
*** REAL CAN OF YAMS *** Live on Stage! *** Thursday, December 30 *** The Flint Local 432 in Exile, downtown Flinttown ***
It snowed again last night! The light powder of Saturday has been augmented with a heavy, wet overnight snow. Woot! Please please please please please let us have a white Christmas.
Summer 2000 - world premiere of Smith and Winkler: The Final Hoe-Down
Real Can of Yams
Summer 2001 - world premiere of The Fantabulous Misadventures of Skip Carmichael
Christmas 2001 - w/Tommy's Frogs
Summer 2002
Christmas 2002 - w/Tommy's Frogs
Christmas 2004 - w/Tommy's Frogs
*** REAL CAN OF YAMS *** Live on Stage! *** Thursday, December 30 *** The Flint Local 432 in Exile, downtown Flinttown ***
It snowed again last night! The light powder of Saturday has been augmented with a heavy, wet overnight snow. Woot! Please please please please please let us have a white Christmas.
Saturday, December 11, 2004
Exactly fourteen days 'til Christmas and the yard is covered by our fourth snow of the winter! This is awesome. No list from The L.A.W. yet, though; I hope she likes clearance priced Van Helsing toys. ^_^
Lies, More Lies, and Damned Lies
I tried to listen to The Diane Rehm Show on Wednesday because the topic was Tuesday's terrorist attack on the U.S. consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. But I had to turn it off after about five minutes, because both Mrs. Rehm and her guests kept calling the terrorists "insurrgents," not terrorists. I can understand the preference for the term insurrgents in the context of Iraq. Zarqawi and Ansar al-Islam are terrorists, but to describe the entire Iraqi resistance as terrorism would be to cheapen the meaning of the word. But to call a brazen attack on one of our consulates an act of "insurrgency" is simply absurd and intellectually dishonest. I guess then that Carlos the Jackal was not a terrorist, but an insurrgent. ETA and the IRA aren't terrorist groups, they are insurrgent coalitions. Osama bin Laden doesn't practice terrorism, he just fosters insurrgencies.
Malaise Forever
Of course this would also be a good time to remind everyone that President Jimmy has said that Zarqawi, famous for beheading Western contractors, is the moral equivalent of Samuel Adams, Thomas Jefferson, or Patrick Henry. Then again, Jimmy also thought the Ayatollah Khomeini was a man we could do business with; so, it's clear he has difficulty distinguishing his arse from a hole in the ground.
I have to agree with Homer Simpson, "We elected the wrong Carter."
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
One nice thing about the end of the college football season, I can once again listen to This American Life on Saturday afternoons.
H-A-N
Have an itchy night.
Lies, More Lies, and Damned Lies
I tried to listen to The Diane Rehm Show on Wednesday because the topic was Tuesday's terrorist attack on the U.S. consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. But I had to turn it off after about five minutes, because both Mrs. Rehm and her guests kept calling the terrorists "insurrgents," not terrorists. I can understand the preference for the term insurrgents in the context of Iraq. Zarqawi and Ansar al-Islam are terrorists, but to describe the entire Iraqi resistance as terrorism would be to cheapen the meaning of the word. But to call a brazen attack on one of our consulates an act of "insurrgency" is simply absurd and intellectually dishonest. I guess then that Carlos the Jackal was not a terrorist, but an insurrgent. ETA and the IRA aren't terrorist groups, they are insurrgent coalitions. Osama bin Laden doesn't practice terrorism, he just fosters insurrgencies.
Malaise Forever
Of course this would also be a good time to remind everyone that President Jimmy has said that Zarqawi, famous for beheading Western contractors, is the moral equivalent of Samuel Adams, Thomas Jefferson, or Patrick Henry. Then again, Jimmy also thought the Ayatollah Khomeini was a man we could do business with; so, it's clear he has difficulty distinguishing his arse from a hole in the ground.
I have to agree with Homer Simpson, "We elected the wrong Carter."
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
One nice thing about the end of the college football season, I can once again listen to This American Life on Saturday afternoons.
H-A-N
Have an itchy night.
Friday, December 10, 2004
I was at Meijer this afternoon and saw a display for canine dental health products. In bold letters were the words "Helps fight plaque." For just a moment, I imagined it read "Helps fight plague." Hee hee. Plague.
"Oh, that? That's the plague plaque, in rememberance of the Prague Plague."
Star Trek, 1966-69
Star Trek: The Next Generation, 1987-94
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, 1993-99
Star Trek: Voyager, 1995-2001
Star Trek: Enterprise, 2001-(2008)
Law & Order
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Law & Order: Trial by Jury
You know, despite his annoying and infantile teasing about the red background of my comments, I really owe Daddy Dylweed for getting me addicted to Netflix. And yes, the proper word is addicted. If I wasn't addicted, I'd have cancelled it at the end of the free month. Here's your chance, readers, to have your opinions not summarily dismissed: I would appreciate recommendations. What movies should I rent? Feel free to leave multiple suggestions.
H-A-N
Have a branded night.
"Oh, that? That's the plague plaque, in rememberance of the Prague Plague."
Star Trek, 1966-69
Star Trek: The Next Generation, 1987-94
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, 1993-99
Star Trek: Voyager, 1995-2001
Star Trek: Enterprise, 2001-(2008)
Law & Order
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Law & Order: Trial by Jury
You know, despite his annoying and infantile teasing about the red background of my comments, I really owe Daddy Dylweed for getting me addicted to Netflix. And yes, the proper word is addicted. If I wasn't addicted, I'd have cancelled it at the end of the free month. Here's your chance, readers, to have your opinions not summarily dismissed: I would appreciate recommendations. What movies should I rent? Feel free to leave multiple suggestions.
H-A-N
Have a branded night.
Ego Trek
George Takei can go to hell. Hyperlink. Enterprise isn't Roddenberry's vision because it is set earlier in time than the original Star Trek and yet he wants to make Excelsior movies? Hey, asshole, a Star Trek: Excelsior series would be set earlier in time than The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and the TNG movies. Fucking hypocrite.
George Takei can go to hell. Hyperlink. Enterprise isn't Roddenberry's vision because it is set earlier in time than the original Star Trek and yet he wants to make Excelsior movies? Hey, asshole, a Star Trek: Excelsior series would be set earlier in time than The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and the TNG movies. Fucking hypocrite.
Thursday, December 9, 2004
Happy Birthday
Happy birthday to The L.A.W.! Of course, it would be nice if she actually produced a list of what she'd like for her birthday and Christmas... but at least she sez she's working on it. Happy birthday, sis. Love ya.
One of my favorite jokes from Futurama is Dr. Zoidberg's pronunciation of robot as "robit." Today, I saw an old video clip of Isaac Asimov, creator of the 3 Laws of Robotics, pronouncing robot as "robit." Hurray! Yet another sci fi joke buried deep within Futurama!
I also love that the alien Zoidberg's first name is John. And his uncle is Harold Zoid. "From the desk of Dr. John Zoidberg." Hee hee.
Let us hope that Sharon and Peres can work something out; a Likud-Labour unity government would put Israel in the strongest possible position when the time comes to open nogotiations with the new Palestinian "government" (to be elected in January). Hyperlink.
H-A-N
Have a campout night.
Happy birthday to The L.A.W.! Of course, it would be nice if she actually produced a list of what she'd like for her birthday and Christmas... but at least she sez she's working on it. Happy birthday, sis. Love ya.
One of my favorite jokes from Futurama is Dr. Zoidberg's pronunciation of robot as "robit." Today, I saw an old video clip of Isaac Asimov, creator of the 3 Laws of Robotics, pronouncing robot as "robit." Hurray! Yet another sci fi joke buried deep within Futurama!
I also love that the alien Zoidberg's first name is John. And his uncle is Harold Zoid. "From the desk of Dr. John Zoidberg." Hee hee.
Let us hope that Sharon and Peres can work something out; a Likud-Labour unity government would put Israel in the strongest possible position when the time comes to open nogotiations with the new Palestinian "government" (to be elected in January). Hyperlink.
H-A-N
Have a campout night.
Wednesday, December 8, 2004
Flags of Many Nations
I display in my room the flags of five nations, four of them sovereign, four of them not my own.
United States of America - I will not ever pretend to be objective: the United States is the greatest country not just in the world, but in all of human history. I actually have three American flags in my room. Woot!
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - Rule Brittania. The British invented modern democracy and our basic conceptions of human rights. Plus, for an entire calender year, Britain stood alone against the wrath and fury of the Nazi war machine and did not flinch. Winston Churchill was the man he was because he was half-Yank and half-Brit.
State of Israel - Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. And having survived three wars of annihilation ('48, '67, '73), they are tough bastards. If I couldn't live in America, I'd probably move to Israel. Yes, almost the entire tiny country is a barren desert, but it's a dry heat. Plus, tour all your favorite Biblical and Crusader era archeological sites.
Republic of China (Taiwan) - The best thing I can say about Chiang Kai-shek is that he wasn't Mao Zedong. Nevertheless, the Taiwanese never met a Communist they didn't want to kill and today they are a shining example of everything China could be as soon as the Chinese Communist Party is removed from power.
Republic of Ireland - I am one quarter Irish; blood is the only reason I fly this flag. I hate Ireland. The Irish didn't stand up to the Nazis, they didn't stand up to the Soviets, and for eighty years much of the population has supported the terrorism of the Irish Republican Army. The IRA isn't al Qaeda, but they are still murderers of innocents. Were it within my power, I'd reduce Ireland to ashes.
I need a South Korean flag and a Japanese flag. Asia, woot!
H-A-N
Have a night of the living dead.
I display in my room the flags of five nations, four of them sovereign, four of them not my own.
United States of America - I will not ever pretend to be objective: the United States is the greatest country not just in the world, but in all of human history. I actually have three American flags in my room. Woot!
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - Rule Brittania. The British invented modern democracy and our basic conceptions of human rights. Plus, for an entire calender year, Britain stood alone against the wrath and fury of the Nazi war machine and did not flinch. Winston Churchill was the man he was because he was half-Yank and half-Brit.
State of Israel - Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. And having survived three wars of annihilation ('48, '67, '73), they are tough bastards. If I couldn't live in America, I'd probably move to Israel. Yes, almost the entire tiny country is a barren desert, but it's a dry heat. Plus, tour all your favorite Biblical and Crusader era archeological sites.
Republic of China (Taiwan) - The best thing I can say about Chiang Kai-shek is that he wasn't Mao Zedong. Nevertheless, the Taiwanese never met a Communist they didn't want to kill and today they are a shining example of everything China could be as soon as the Chinese Communist Party is removed from power.
Republic of Ireland - I am one quarter Irish; blood is the only reason I fly this flag. I hate Ireland. The Irish didn't stand up to the Nazis, they didn't stand up to the Soviets, and for eighty years much of the population has supported the terrorism of the Irish Republican Army. The IRA isn't al Qaeda, but they are still murderers of innocents. Were it within my power, I'd reduce Ireland to ashes.
I need a South Korean flag and a Japanese flag. Asia, woot!
H-A-N
Have a night of the living dead.
Tuesday, December 7, 2004
Pearl Harbor Day
Sixty-three years ago, to paraphrase President Roosevelt, air and sea forces of the Empire of Japan launched an unprovoked attack on the United States of America, forever changing America's role in the world. Before the Second World War was over, Japan, Germany, and most of Europe would lie in ashes; the atomic genie would be loosed on an unsuspecting world; and America's stubborn streak of isolationism would finally take a backseat to our interventionalist revolutionary zeal. History teaches only hard lessons: without the villainy of the day of infamy, the United States would not have been in a position to resist the winner of the Nazism-Communism death struggle, and the Cold War, whomever the opponent, would not have ended well for democracy and freedom.
But for today, let us just remember those 2,900 souls who were killed on a beautiful Sunday morning in Hawai'i. You will never be forgotten.
Vote For Kodos - Apocalyp$e Now
Did you know that the US federal budget deficit is now so large that within 3-5 years it will exert a destablizing gravitational force on the Sun and trigger a premature supernova? Wow! We've had budget deficits before, we'll have budget deficits again, and the sky is not in fact falling.
"No, those piggies are for science. Science!"
Last night, I had IM conversations with Skeeter, Friendster Girl, Kiel (pronounced "Kyle" for all you Newsletter readers), and Captain Malice. I remember conventional human interaction... but only vaguely. It's like a dream you remember having, you just don't know what it was about.
Note to self: you might actually want to buy some Christmas presents before it's, you know, Christmas.
Books I've Read...
{A Selection of Contemporary Authors}
...by Tobias Wolff
In the Garden of the North American Martyrs
Back in the World
This Boy's Life
In Pharoah's Army
The Night in Question
Old School
I have not yet read the novella The Barracks Thief
...by Chuck Palahniuk
Fight Club
Survivor
Invisible Monsters
Choke
Lullaby
Diary
...by Nick Hornby
Fever Pitch
High Fidelity
About a Boy
How to be Good
...by Lucinda Rosenfeld
What She Saw...
Why She Went Home
...by Steve Martin
Pure Drivel
Shopgirl
And yes, I'll put my own eyes out before I read The Da Vinci Code.
Sixty-three years ago, to paraphrase President Roosevelt, air and sea forces of the Empire of Japan launched an unprovoked attack on the United States of America, forever changing America's role in the world. Before the Second World War was over, Japan, Germany, and most of Europe would lie in ashes; the atomic genie would be loosed on an unsuspecting world; and America's stubborn streak of isolationism would finally take a backseat to our interventionalist revolutionary zeal. History teaches only hard lessons: without the villainy of the day of infamy, the United States would not have been in a position to resist the winner of the Nazism-Communism death struggle, and the Cold War, whomever the opponent, would not have ended well for democracy and freedom.
But for today, let us just remember those 2,900 souls who were killed on a beautiful Sunday morning in Hawai'i. You will never be forgotten.
Vote For Kodos - Apocalyp$e Now
Did you know that the US federal budget deficit is now so large that within 3-5 years it will exert a destablizing gravitational force on the Sun and trigger a premature supernova? Wow! We've had budget deficits before, we'll have budget deficits again, and the sky is not in fact falling.
"No, those piggies are for science. Science!"
Last night, I had IM conversations with Skeeter, Friendster Girl, Kiel (pronounced "Kyle" for all you Newsletter readers), and Captain Malice. I remember conventional human interaction... but only vaguely. It's like a dream you remember having, you just don't know what it was about.
Note to self: you might actually want to buy some Christmas presents before it's, you know, Christmas.
Books I've Read...
{A Selection of Contemporary Authors}
...by Tobias Wolff
In the Garden of the North American Martyrs
Back in the World
This Boy's Life
In Pharoah's Army
The Night in Question
Old School
I have not yet read the novella The Barracks Thief
...by Chuck Palahniuk
Fight Club
Survivor
Invisible Monsters
Choke
Lullaby
Diary
...by Nick Hornby
Fever Pitch
High Fidelity
About a Boy
How to be Good
...by Lucinda Rosenfeld
What She Saw...
Why She Went Home
...by Steve Martin
Pure Drivel
Shopgirl
And yes, I'll put my own eyes out before I read The Da Vinci Code.
Monday, December 6, 2004
I have things to say, but by this point I'm so frustrated with Blogger that I don't even fucking care.
This is a post from Sunday afternoon, but due to technical difficulties at Blogger (insert five hundred twelve repetitions of "Fuck Blogger!" here), this is the first time I've been able to actually access the blasted site. Motherfuckers.
Go Honolulu Blue!
I told you the Lions would be able to best John Navarre. Every single time Drew Henson takes a snap, I earnestly hope he suffers a career-ending injury; I bear no similar ill-will toward John Navarre, I just think he's a no-talent hack. Mooch will have to make some pretty serious revivions to the entire defense and the offensive line during the off season. Two interceptions or no, if there is any possible way the team can renegotiate Dre Bly's contract they should, because right now he is not playing like he's worth $25 million over five years (we're in the second year of that contract). I think the final verdict on Joey Harrington is that he's never going to be a great quarterback, but we could easily do worse. The front office should continue to look for a gem of a quarterback in the draft, but not waste any high picks on one, as Joey will be a fine foundation on which to build the team for several years. This year will still go on the books (my book) as disappointing, as it is all but impossible for the Lions to finish 8-8. But, we can still finish a "respectable" 7-9 if the team pulls together and each player does his job.
Poor Dennis Green. I hope he likes challenges, because he's got to build his team in Arizona without a single decent QB.
H-A-N
And now for something completely different.
This is a post from Sunday afternoon, but due to technical difficulties at Blogger (insert five hundred twelve repetitions of "Fuck Blogger!" here), this is the first time I've been able to actually access the blasted site. Motherfuckers.
Go Honolulu Blue!
I told you the Lions would be able to best John Navarre. Every single time Drew Henson takes a snap, I earnestly hope he suffers a career-ending injury; I bear no similar ill-will toward John Navarre, I just think he's a no-talent hack. Mooch will have to make some pretty serious revivions to the entire defense and the offensive line during the off season. Two interceptions or no, if there is any possible way the team can renegotiate Dre Bly's contract they should, because right now he is not playing like he's worth $25 million over five years (we're in the second year of that contract). I think the final verdict on Joey Harrington is that he's never going to be a great quarterback, but we could easily do worse. The front office should continue to look for a gem of a quarterback in the draft, but not waste any high picks on one, as Joey will be a fine foundation on which to build the team for several years. This year will still go on the books (my book) as disappointing, as it is all but impossible for the Lions to finish 8-8. But, we can still finish a "respectable" 7-9 if the team pulls together and each player does his job.
Poor Dennis Green. I hope he likes challenges, because he's got to build his team in Arizona without a single decent QB.
H-A-N
And now for something completely different.
Sunday, December 5, 2004
The League of Nations
Senator Norm Coleman (R, Minnesota) has called for the resignation of United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, primarily over the massive corruption in the former Oil-for-Food regime. Hyperlink. Secretary of State Colin Powell has said that calls for Annan's removal are premature. I'm sorry, Mr. Secretary, but in this matter you are morally in the wrong. Mr. Annan was the UN official in charge of peacekeeping when UN peacekeepers stood by and watched the Rwandan genocide of 1994, as Secretary-General he did everything he could to keep Saddam Hussein in power, and he has stood by mostly silently as the Arab janjaweed have slaughtered 70,000 black Africans in the Darfur region of Sudan.
By and by, PEOPLE ARE STILLING DYING IN DARFUR and Sudan still sits on the UN Human Rights Commission. There are African Union "monitors" in Darfur, mostly Nigerian and Rwandan troops. Where the monitors are operating, the janjaweed have been curtailed, but there aren't enough AU troops to secure the whole region. A new UN resolution is needed before more African Union troops can be sent in. Once again, the United Nations is turing a blind eye to genocide. I'm sure that's the high ideal President Roosevelt when in mind when he spearheaded the UN's formation.
When Yasser Arafat died in November, the UN flag outside the Secretariat in New York flew at halfstaff, a universal sign of respect and mourning. When President Reagan died in July, the flag flew bright and high at fullstaff. The inescapable conlucion is that the UN held Arafat in far higher esteem than Reagan. During the current intifada, the Palestinian mayor of Bethlehem proposed a truce and an end to Palestinian terrorism. Arafat replied, "Whoever thinks of stopping the intifada before it acheives its goal, I will give him 10 bullets in the chest." The United Nations mourned this man more than the man who said, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" Nice.
I am asking honestly, can any of you defend the UN's actions here? Please, is my critique out of line?
In the troubled country of Bosnia and Herzegovina, authority over peacekeeping operations (now in their ninth year and counting) has passed from NATO to the European Union. That's fitting and appropriate, as European troops always comprised the majority of the NATO forces in Bosnia. The EU will do a fine job of administering the peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, I just thought this might be a fine opportunity to point out the following:
(a) When President Clinton lead NATO into Bosnia in 1995 to stop the ethnic cleansing, he did so without UN approval.
(b) When Yugoslavia first began to disintegrate and the Croatians and Serbians went to war, the Europeans asked the United States to stand back and allow them to defuse the crisis. In the famous words of the foreign minister of Luxembourg, "The hour of Europe has arrived."
Hello, Kitty
I love my cat. But sometimes, I don't know what to do with him. With elderly, semile humans, you can put diapers on them. Sam's gotten so that though he still goes in his box, about half the time he forgets to bury his poop. Oh, Sammy. So I go in there with a little shovel and just throw a little litter on top.
Senator Norm Coleman (R, Minnesota) has called for the resignation of United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, primarily over the massive corruption in the former Oil-for-Food regime. Hyperlink. Secretary of State Colin Powell has said that calls for Annan's removal are premature. I'm sorry, Mr. Secretary, but in this matter you are morally in the wrong. Mr. Annan was the UN official in charge of peacekeeping when UN peacekeepers stood by and watched the Rwandan genocide of 1994, as Secretary-General he did everything he could to keep Saddam Hussein in power, and he has stood by mostly silently as the Arab janjaweed have slaughtered 70,000 black Africans in the Darfur region of Sudan.
By and by, PEOPLE ARE STILLING DYING IN DARFUR and Sudan still sits on the UN Human Rights Commission. There are African Union "monitors" in Darfur, mostly Nigerian and Rwandan troops. Where the monitors are operating, the janjaweed have been curtailed, but there aren't enough AU troops to secure the whole region. A new UN resolution is needed before more African Union troops can be sent in. Once again, the United Nations is turing a blind eye to genocide. I'm sure that's the high ideal President Roosevelt when in mind when he spearheaded the UN's formation.
When Yasser Arafat died in November, the UN flag outside the Secretariat in New York flew at halfstaff, a universal sign of respect and mourning. When President Reagan died in July, the flag flew bright and high at fullstaff. The inescapable conlucion is that the UN held Arafat in far higher esteem than Reagan. During the current intifada, the Palestinian mayor of Bethlehem proposed a truce and an end to Palestinian terrorism. Arafat replied, "Whoever thinks of stopping the intifada before it acheives its goal, I will give him 10 bullets in the chest." The United Nations mourned this man more than the man who said, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" Nice.
I am asking honestly, can any of you defend the UN's actions here? Please, is my critique out of line?
In the troubled country of Bosnia and Herzegovina, authority over peacekeeping operations (now in their ninth year and counting) has passed from NATO to the European Union. That's fitting and appropriate, as European troops always comprised the majority of the NATO forces in Bosnia. The EU will do a fine job of administering the peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, I just thought this might be a fine opportunity to point out the following:
(a) When President Clinton lead NATO into Bosnia in 1995 to stop the ethnic cleansing, he did so without UN approval.
(b) When Yugoslavia first began to disintegrate and the Croatians and Serbians went to war, the Europeans asked the United States to stand back and allow them to defuse the crisis. In the famous words of the foreign minister of Luxembourg, "The hour of Europe has arrived."
Hello, Kitty
I love my cat. But sometimes, I don't know what to do with him. With elderly, semile humans, you can put diapers on them. Sam's gotten so that though he still goes in his box, about half the time he forgets to bury his poop. Oh, Sammy. So I go in there with a little shovel and just throw a little litter on top.
Saturday, December 4, 2004
The Pic
the Empire of Pictus
the Commonwealth of Phythria
the Shogunate of Enkariworld
the Aepyrian Kingdom
the Hsi Church
the Republic of Jurai
the Realm of the Erixish
the Rynlander Presidium
-----
the Tehl Larian Protectorate
the Communion of Light Protectorate
Allies
the Otrosi League
the Sovereignty of Suraka
the Aeloosian Federation
Neutrals
the Rynoran Republic
the Sur'ka Directorate
Enemies
the Xiro Hegemony
the Union of the Chosen (Hagara)
the Empire of Pictus
the Commonwealth of Phythria
the Shogunate of Enkariworld
the Aepyrian Kingdom
the Hsi Church
the Republic of Jurai
the Realm of the Erixish
the Rynlander Presidium
-----
the Tehl Larian Protectorate
the Communion of Light Protectorate
Allies
the Otrosi League
the Sovereignty of Suraka
the Aeloosian Federation
Neutrals
the Rynoran Republic
the Sur'ka Directorate
Enemies
the Xiro Hegemony
the Union of the Chosen (Hagara)
An experiment:
A Newsletter Hope
The Newsletter Strikes Back
Return of the Newsletter
The Phantom Newsletter
Attack of the Newsletter
Revenge of the Newsletter
Tonight's episode of Star Trek: Enterprise, "Kir'Shara," was wow fucking amazing. Who knew Vulcans could be so damned engrossing?
"The Forge"
"Awakening"
"Kir'Shara"
A Newsletter Hope
The Newsletter Strikes Back
Return of the Newsletter
The Phantom Newsletter
Attack of the Newsletter
Revenge of the Newsletter
Tonight's episode of Star Trek: Enterprise, "Kir'Shara," was wow fucking amazing. Who knew Vulcans could be so damned engrossing?
"The Forge"
"Awakening"
"Kir'Shara"
Friday, December 3, 2004
All you other other motherfuckers, you only wish you could be me. Why? I have just listened to "The Cowboy, the Indian, and the Cyborg" by Real Can of Yams, performed two years ago at the annual New Year's Eve eve show and feared lost. And it very well might have been lost if not for the always reliant Mr. Doerr and his obsessive recording of every GB show ever. And speak of the devil...
*** REAL CAN OF YAMS *** LIVE ON STAGE! *** DECEMBER 30, 2004 *** THE LOCAL IN EXILE, DOWNTOWN FLINTTOWN ***
Opening for the Grand Blanc superband Tommy's Frogs!
Go Honolulu Blue!
I'm not trying to tempt fate, but I am supremely confident the Lions will win on Sunday. Why, you ask? Because the Arizona Cardinals' starting quarterback will be none other than Michigan alumnus John Navarre! Even as a seventh round pick, it was foolish foolish foolish of the Cardinals to draft Navarre. He will never be an NFL-caliber quarterback; for Bog's sake, he was barely sufficient as a college quarterback. I like Dennis Green and I respect his coaching ability, but John Navarre is quite simply no good.
Vote For Kodos - Cabinetry
With Secretary Tommy Thompson's expected resignation now a reality, let me say that soon-to-be-former Senator John Breaux (D, Louisiana) would make a fine Secretary of Health and Human Services. He's an old school conservative Democrat, almost as endangered a species as me and my fellow liberal Republicans, and a long-time advocate of Social Security reform.
Don't have kittens, my lefty friends, but thank Bog Rummy - Secretary Donald Rumsfeld - is staying. Even before 9/11 he was the major force for force transformation, vital to building the military we need to fight "the savage wars of peace" of the 21st century. No undue offense to the Joint Chiefs, but they're still stuck in the Cold War. Hurray for Rummy!
H-A-N
Have a pointillistic night.
*** REAL CAN OF YAMS *** LIVE ON STAGE! *** DECEMBER 30, 2004 *** THE LOCAL IN EXILE, DOWNTOWN FLINTTOWN ***
Opening for the Grand Blanc superband Tommy's Frogs!
Go Honolulu Blue!
I'm not trying to tempt fate, but I am supremely confident the Lions will win on Sunday. Why, you ask? Because the Arizona Cardinals' starting quarterback will be none other than Michigan alumnus John Navarre! Even as a seventh round pick, it was foolish foolish foolish of the Cardinals to draft Navarre. He will never be an NFL-caliber quarterback; for Bog's sake, he was barely sufficient as a college quarterback. I like Dennis Green and I respect his coaching ability, but John Navarre is quite simply no good.
Vote For Kodos - Cabinetry
With Secretary Tommy Thompson's expected resignation now a reality, let me say that soon-to-be-former Senator John Breaux (D, Louisiana) would make a fine Secretary of Health and Human Services. He's an old school conservative Democrat, almost as endangered a species as me and my fellow liberal Republicans, and a long-time advocate of Social Security reform.
Don't have kittens, my lefty friends, but thank Bog Rummy - Secretary Donald Rumsfeld - is staying. Even before 9/11 he was the major force for force transformation, vital to building the military we need to fight "the savage wars of peace" of the 21st century. No undue offense to the Joint Chiefs, but they're still stuck in the Cold War. Hurray for Rummy!
H-A-N
Have a pointillistic night.
Your Own Worst Enemy
Smith and Winkler*
Smith and Winkler v. The Gripping Hand
The Space Pirates Project*
Jason Seaholm v. Silvio "Ghost" de Castille
The Cloak's World
The Cloak v. Chaos Girl
Wilson Superhero Universe
The Psychotic Mouseketeer v. George McGovern
A World On Fire
"Jack" Kamiyama v. Jiang Xu
The Empire of Pictus
Pur Pethlo Mentar... doesn't really have an archnemesis
Star Trek: Odyssey**
Captain Elisabeth McKenna v. "Captain" Hunter Cole
*Blue Tree Whacking group project
**a revision of Star Trek: Voyager
Vote For Kodos - A Fickle Town
My favorite thing about politics (and I'm sure this is universal of politics everywhere, though my knowledge of America is greater than of any other land) is how quickly we all were always against what previously we were for. During the Clinton Administration, the Republican majority in Congress bemoaned uncontrolled government spending and enforced relative austerity, yet under President Bush pork barrel politics have returned with a vengeance. Following 9/11 and especially the release of the 9/11 Commission's Final Report, congressional Democrats called for sweeping reform of the intelligence community, including calling for heads to roll at the CIA, but now that Director Goss is cleaning house in Langley, they are crying foul. As often happens, I am reminded of Futurama, "It's time someone had the courage to say, I'm against those things everybody hates."
Smith and Winkler*
Smith and Winkler v. The Gripping Hand
The Space Pirates Project*
Jason Seaholm v. Silvio "Ghost" de Castille
The Cloak's World
The Cloak v. Chaos Girl
Wilson Superhero Universe
The Psychotic Mouseketeer v. George McGovern
A World On Fire
"Jack" Kamiyama v. Jiang Xu
The Empire of Pictus
Pur Pethlo Mentar... doesn't really have an archnemesis
Star Trek: Odyssey**
Captain Elisabeth McKenna v. "Captain" Hunter Cole
*Blue Tree Whacking group project
**a revision of Star Trek: Voyager
Vote For Kodos - A Fickle Town
My favorite thing about politics (and I'm sure this is universal of politics everywhere, though my knowledge of America is greater than of any other land) is how quickly we all were always against what previously we were for. During the Clinton Administration, the Republican majority in Congress bemoaned uncontrolled government spending and enforced relative austerity, yet under President Bush pork barrel politics have returned with a vengeance. Following 9/11 and especially the release of the 9/11 Commission's Final Report, congressional Democrats called for sweeping reform of the intelligence community, including calling for heads to roll at the CIA, but now that Director Goss is cleaning house in Langley, they are crying foul. As often happens, I am reminded of Futurama, "It's time someone had the courage to say, I'm against those things everybody hates."
Thursday, December 2, 2004
Recently, someone whom I had assumed was my friend accused me of being a racist. Partially as a result of this ugly encounter, but also as part of a long-term dissatisfaction, I am giving serious consideration to removing the commenting feature. This isn't an ultimatium or anything, I'm just giving you guys a heads up in case the comments disappear.
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
The Face of America
Also, if Alberto Gonzales is confirmed as Attorney General, he will be the closest a Latino of either sex has even been to being President. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao is the first Asian-American woman in the Cabinet.
Assuming that Chief Justice William Rehnquist dies or resigns from the Supreme Court in the next four years (which seems to be the common wisdom), I think it would be a mistake to appoint Justice Sandra Day O'Conner to take his place. Whatever the value to the president's legacy of appointing the first female Chief Justice, O'Conner is not much younger than Rehnquist. There is a good chance that were a Democrat to win the Oval Office in '08, that individual might have a chance to appoint O'Conner's replacement. Better to appoint either a brand new Chief Justice, someone relatively young, or promote Justice Clarence Thomas to the chief justiceship (I know, I know, but imagine how good he looks to the base) and a Latino/a to the open seat.
As far as the Justices are concerned, I'm a big Souter fan myself.
Lastly, with Mel Martinez's (R, Florida) and Ken Salazar's (D, Colorado) election to the Senate and Gonzales's nomination to head the Justice Department, the government is starting to look just a little bit more like the population.
H-A-N
Have a lawless night.
Also, if Alberto Gonzales is confirmed as Attorney General, he will be the closest a Latino of either sex has even been to being President. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao is the first Asian-American woman in the Cabinet.
Assuming that Chief Justice William Rehnquist dies or resigns from the Supreme Court in the next four years (which seems to be the common wisdom), I think it would be a mistake to appoint Justice Sandra Day O'Conner to take his place. Whatever the value to the president's legacy of appointing the first female Chief Justice, O'Conner is not much younger than Rehnquist. There is a good chance that were a Democrat to win the Oval Office in '08, that individual might have a chance to appoint O'Conner's replacement. Better to appoint either a brand new Chief Justice, someone relatively young, or promote Justice Clarence Thomas to the chief justiceship (I know, I know, but imagine how good he looks to the base) and a Latino/a to the open seat.
As far as the Justices are concerned, I'm a big Souter fan myself.
Lastly, with Mel Martinez's (R, Florida) and Ken Salazar's (D, Colorado) election to the Senate and Gonzales's nomination to head the Justice Department, the government is starting to look just a little bit more like the population.
H-A-N
Have a lawless night.
I'm about two-thirds of the way through Alan Dershowitz's The Case For Israel. Dershowitz may never have met a murderer he didn't like, but it's a damned well researched and supported book. Ait tight, one might say.
The Face of America
We all know that Democrats are the most enlightened people on Earth, and that if you live in a Red State you must be a slobbering piece of racist filth. The Republicans Party, after all, actually supports the resegregation of America's schools, but only because it might be quite difficult to reintroduce full slavery. Or so you would believe if you listened to Julian Bond, chairman of the board of the "non-partisan" NAACP.
The order of succession to the presidency of the United States is as follows:
1. President of the United States
2. Vice President of the United States
3. Speaker of the House of Representatives
4. President Pro Tempore of the Senate
5. Secretary of State
6. Secretary of the Treasury
7. Secretary of Defense
8. Attorney General
9. Secretary of Homeland Security
10. Secretary of the Interior
Regardless of what this may say about our history, every President, Vice President, Speaker, and President Pro Tem has been a white male. Madeleine Albright was the first female Secretary of State; however, she is a naturalized, not native born, American citizen. Therefore, Attorney General Janet Reno is the closest a woman has been to being President of the United States. (Reagan-Bush '84 killed Mondale-Ferrero.) Secretary of State Colin Powell, in addition to his lifetime of service to this great nation, was the first black Secretary of State, and the closest a black male has ever been to being President. If Dr. Condoleezza Rice is confirmed by the Senate, she will be the first black female Secretary of State and, by virtue of being born an American, the closest a woman has ever been to being President.
Now, are those token appointments, or is it possible, just possible, that the Republican Party is not the racist monolith those on the left assume it to be?
I know, I know, I'm generalizing. Sorry.
The Face of America
We all know that Democrats are the most enlightened people on Earth, and that if you live in a Red State you must be a slobbering piece of racist filth. The Republicans Party, after all, actually supports the resegregation of America's schools, but only because it might be quite difficult to reintroduce full slavery. Or so you would believe if you listened to Julian Bond, chairman of the board of the "non-partisan" NAACP.
The order of succession to the presidency of the United States is as follows:
1. President of the United States
2. Vice President of the United States
3. Speaker of the House of Representatives
4. President Pro Tempore of the Senate
5. Secretary of State
6. Secretary of the Treasury
7. Secretary of Defense
8. Attorney General
9. Secretary of Homeland Security
10. Secretary of the Interior
Regardless of what this may say about our history, every President, Vice President, Speaker, and President Pro Tem has been a white male. Madeleine Albright was the first female Secretary of State; however, she is a naturalized, not native born, American citizen. Therefore, Attorney General Janet Reno is the closest a woman has been to being President of the United States. (Reagan-Bush '84 killed Mondale-Ferrero.) Secretary of State Colin Powell, in addition to his lifetime of service to this great nation, was the first black Secretary of State, and the closest a black male has ever been to being President. If Dr. Condoleezza Rice is confirmed by the Senate, she will be the first black female Secretary of State and, by virtue of being born an American, the closest a woman has ever been to being President.
Now, are those token appointments, or is it possible, just possible, that the Republican Party is not the racist monolith those on the left assume it to be?
I know, I know, I'm generalizing. Sorry.
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
News Roundup
For the last few days, Peter Jennings has been practically beside himself with glee when stating that November has been the month with second highest number of American soldiers and marines killed since the Iraq War began. (Mr. Jennings, in case you do not watch ABC's World News Tonight, is very much against the war. I'm sure he's not actually glad our boys are dying, he just sees a high number of deaths as the best way to get us to cut-and-run from Iraq.) While he has mentioned that the high number of deaths is mostly attributable to Operation PHANTOM FURY in Fallujah and Operation PLYMOUTH ROCK in other Sunni triangle cities, he has not seen fit to mention that since the fall of Fallujah (note to self: don't piss off the Marines) the number of daily attacks on multinational forces in Iraq has fallen by between 40 and 50%. Rather and Brokaw are done; two down, one to go.
The election fraud and resulting demonstrations in Ukraine are very important. Very important. But every time I see or hear a news story it, I can't help but be reminded that this may be the first news story I've heard form Ukraine since the country gained it's independence in 1991. Hmmm, almost as if good jounralism is dead, and all today's "jounralists" know how to do is play bunchball around a story once it's too big to ignore.
My friend Olga left the Soviet Union in 1990, when she was eleven. She's an ethnic Russian, but grew up in or around Kiev. I should ask her what, if anything, she thinks about the current goings-on.
Ooo, the latest news on the growing gulf between what my father believes and the real world: Edward R. Murrow was a Communist, or at the least a Red sympathizer. He was not the venerable newsman we all believe him to be, but a damned, dirty pinko. And that's why he took down Senator Joe McCarthy, a GREAT AMERICAN who DID NOTHING WRONG. The really funny thing about the evolution of Meine Vater's beliefs over the last few years is that back in the day he always denounced revisionist historians. Now he embraces revised history, as long as the revisions fit his philosophy. Come to think of it, that's not so much funny as it is sad.
Hyperlink. The position of the United States is very clear: grant us an exemption covering the landmines already in place along the Korean DMZ and we will gladly agree to the provisions of the Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty. It is not the US who is being unreasonable here, it is the do-gooders who won't compromise.
H-A-N
Have a night in charge.
For the last few days, Peter Jennings has been practically beside himself with glee when stating that November has been the month with second highest number of American soldiers and marines killed since the Iraq War began. (Mr. Jennings, in case you do not watch ABC's World News Tonight, is very much against the war. I'm sure he's not actually glad our boys are dying, he just sees a high number of deaths as the best way to get us to cut-and-run from Iraq.) While he has mentioned that the high number of deaths is mostly attributable to Operation PHANTOM FURY in Fallujah and Operation PLYMOUTH ROCK in other Sunni triangle cities, he has not seen fit to mention that since the fall of Fallujah (note to self: don't piss off the Marines) the number of daily attacks on multinational forces in Iraq has fallen by between 40 and 50%. Rather and Brokaw are done; two down, one to go.
The election fraud and resulting demonstrations in Ukraine are very important. Very important. But every time I see or hear a news story it, I can't help but be reminded that this may be the first news story I've heard form Ukraine since the country gained it's independence in 1991. Hmmm, almost as if good jounralism is dead, and all today's "jounralists" know how to do is play bunchball around a story once it's too big to ignore.
My friend Olga left the Soviet Union in 1990, when she was eleven. She's an ethnic Russian, but grew up in or around Kiev. I should ask her what, if anything, she thinks about the current goings-on.
Ooo, the latest news on the growing gulf between what my father believes and the real world: Edward R. Murrow was a Communist, or at the least a Red sympathizer. He was not the venerable newsman we all believe him to be, but a damned, dirty pinko. And that's why he took down Senator Joe McCarthy, a GREAT AMERICAN who DID NOTHING WRONG. The really funny thing about the evolution of Meine Vater's beliefs over the last few years is that back in the day he always denounced revisionist historians. Now he embraces revised history, as long as the revisions fit his philosophy. Come to think of it, that's not so much funny as it is sad.
Hyperlink. The position of the United States is very clear: grant us an exemption covering the landmines already in place along the Korean DMZ and we will gladly agree to the provisions of the Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty. It is not the US who is being unreasonable here, it is the do-gooders who won't compromise.
H-A-N
Have a night in charge.
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This is the fourth time I've tried to blog today, and the first time the fucking interface has fucking worked. The bastards at Pyra Labs, a division of Google, can rot.
This is the fourth time I've tried to blog today, and the first time the fucking interface has fucking worked. The bastards at Pyra Labs, a division of Google, can rot.
Sunday, November 28, 2004
Saturday afternoon, The Watergirl, in town for the holiday weekend, called to say we were going out to the bar that night. This general plan had been agreed upon a full week before Thanksgiving. If you know me at all, you are not surprised that I backed out and missed the chance to see my friend, who won't be in Michigan over Christmas, to watch Love Actually with the family. The bar just can't compete with the Mountain's last night in town.
Go Honolulu Blue!
I love my Lions, but I did not wear my T-shirt on Friday. I wore it Tuesday, halfway between Sunday's loss and Thursday's loss. I've done my bit for the silver and Honolulu blue, and I'll be damned if I wear the scarlet letter twice in one week. We're 4-7, having dropped five straight. 6-10 is still entirely possible, if the boys man up and pull together as a team.
H-A-N
Have an ambushed night (by an evil clown).
Go Honolulu Blue!
I love my Lions, but I did not wear my T-shirt on Friday. I wore it Tuesday, halfway between Sunday's loss and Thursday's loss. I've done my bit for the silver and Honolulu blue, and I'll be damned if I wear the scarlet letter twice in one week. We're 4-7, having dropped five straight. 6-10 is still entirely possible, if the boys man up and pull together as a team.
H-A-N
Have an ambushed night (by an evil clown).
Thursday, November 25, 2004
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Vote For Kodos - The Future
Hyperlink. I hope to God the Iranians really are giving up their drive for nuclear weapons. But, if theirs is a peaceful, above-the-board program, why was it kept secret for eighteen years? Iran is a signatory to multiple treaties that require them to openly declare all attempts to develop peaceful nuclear power technology. Peaceful nuclear power is perfectly legal according to international law, why keep such a program secret? I genuinely hope they are giving up their attempt to get the bomb, because if the Islamic Republic of Iran goes nuclear, our options range from very, very bad to utterly catastrophic.
H-A-N
Have a ball tonight.
Hyperlink. I hope to God the Iranians really are giving up their drive for nuclear weapons. But, if theirs is a peaceful, above-the-board program, why was it kept secret for eighteen years? Iran is a signatory to multiple treaties that require them to openly declare all attempts to develop peaceful nuclear power technology. Peaceful nuclear power is perfectly legal according to international law, why keep such a program secret? I genuinely hope they are giving up their attempt to get the bomb, because if the Islamic Republic of Iran goes nuclear, our options range from very, very bad to utterly catastrophic.
H-A-N
Have a ball tonight.
I've been having (or at least fuzzily remembering) an unusually high number of dreams lately. Generally, speaking, I can go months without recalling a single dream I've had. Yet, I recall three in the past week. This morning, I was some sort of secret agent, but I had only just come to terms with that state of affairs when I woke up. Yesterday, I fought an extended battle to save a group of children from some kind of giant land squid. I'm not sure how it moved around on land, but it had to be a land squid as the house the children and I occupied was definitely far inland. There were some women there I presumed to be the children's mothers, but I was a stranger to both the moms and the kids. The squid kept incurring its tentacles into opposite sides of the house and I'm not sure how I was able to nearly simultaneously repell attacks from different directions. Go me! And last week, I don't remember the first part of the dream, but in the seocnd part I was going down on Naomi Watts. In the dream, this struck me as odd since I'm mildly pissed off at everyone involved in the horrible, horrible I Heart Huckabees.
I wish I'd stop remembering dreams, since remembering them always corresponds to be generally tired.
I wish I'd stop remembering dreams, since remembering them always corresponds to be generally tired.
Hello, Kitty
I'm getting really fucking sick of the cat. Mom bought American cheese this weekend and I made the mistake of feeding him most of a slice. Now all he wants is American cheese. He's ignoring his food and whining constantly. He'll sit on my lap, but then randomly get up and climb up on my chest, bringing his face very close to mine. I have no cheese, Sam, I can't help you.... And just now he bit my arm. That fucking cat.
H-A-N
Have a made up night.
I'm getting really fucking sick of the cat. Mom bought American cheese this weekend and I made the mistake of feeding him most of a slice. Now all he wants is American cheese. He's ignoring his food and whining constantly. He'll sit on my lap, but then randomly get up and climb up on my chest, bringing his face very close to mine. I have no cheese, Sam, I can't help you.... And just now he bit my arm. That fucking cat.
H-A-N
Have a made up night.
Monday, November 22, 2004
I was working at The Palace yesterday (during a 117-116 double overtime victory over the expansion Charlotte Bobcats) when I saw Kid Rock sitting courtside. I loathe the man's music and public persona. Nevertheless, as the game went on I felt a swelling of sympathy for him. Whenever play stopped, autograph seekers and photograph hounds would amble up to him as if they knew him and ask for his signature or a picture of their kid with him. He submitted to all requests; when Palace personnel inquired if he wanted them to put a stop to the appraoches, he waved them off. I don't know if that signaled nobility on his part, or simply resignation. Nevertheless, the entire exercise struck me as being incredibly sad. For Bog's sake, can't the man watch a basketball game in peace?! It is one thing to seek an autograph or a picture after one of his horrible concerts, or at a promotional appearance; such is the price of fame. But the man was just trying to take in a game. Do people think he belongs to them, that by buying his recoreds (or simply recognizing his face, as in my case) they are someone entitled to a small slice of his life? Leave him alone!
In many ways, it must be a terrible things to be famous.
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Today, I wore one of my many Michigan T-shirts; tomorrow, my sole Detroit Lions short. Thank Bog for Joe Pa and the mighty Penn State Nittany Lions, or it would have been an entirely unhappy weekend. That's not completely accurate. Though I am disappointed our pathetic display on Saturday is being rewarded with a trip to Pasadena (I'm Catholic, I like the idea of penance), it's never a bad thing when Wisconsin loses. Boy howdy, Kirk Ferentz has done just a fantastic job at Iowa. Between Iowa, Ohio State, us, and Michigan State (they should be a good team), and who knows what Wisconsin and Purdue will do, the Big Ten will be a very interesting conference next season.
Go Honolulu Blue!
To finish 8-8, my preseason bench mark for a successful season, the Lions must go 4-2 in their six remaining games. I know they have it in them, I just don't know if they know that. Come on, boys, you know you're better than this.
Enterprise - Season 4
"Storm Front, Part I"
"Storm Front, Part II"
"Home"
"Borderland"
"Cold Station 12"
"The Augments"
"The Forge"
In January, the Sci Fi Channel is moving new episodes of Stargate SG-1 to the 8pm timeslot, head to head with Star Trek: Enterprise. No contest. I'll be watching the crappy, crappy eighth season episodes of SG-1 later, on videotape. Thirty-eight years and counting of Star Trek; hail to the king, baby.
In many ways, it must be a terrible things to be famous.
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Today, I wore one of my many Michigan T-shirts; tomorrow, my sole Detroit Lions short. Thank Bog for Joe Pa and the mighty Penn State Nittany Lions, or it would have been an entirely unhappy weekend. That's not completely accurate. Though I am disappointed our pathetic display on Saturday is being rewarded with a trip to Pasadena (I'm Catholic, I like the idea of penance), it's never a bad thing when Wisconsin loses. Boy howdy, Kirk Ferentz has done just a fantastic job at Iowa. Between Iowa, Ohio State, us, and Michigan State (they should be a good team), and who knows what Wisconsin and Purdue will do, the Big Ten will be a very interesting conference next season.
Go Honolulu Blue!
To finish 8-8, my preseason bench mark for a successful season, the Lions must go 4-2 in their six remaining games. I know they have it in them, I just don't know if they know that. Come on, boys, you know you're better than this.
Enterprise - Season 4
"Storm Front, Part I"
"Storm Front, Part II"
"Home"
"Borderland"
"Cold Station 12"
"The Augments"
"The Forge"
In January, the Sci Fi Channel is moving new episodes of Stargate SG-1 to the 8pm timeslot, head to head with Star Trek: Enterprise. No contest. I'll be watching the crappy, crappy eighth season episodes of SG-1 later, on videotape. Thirty-eight years and counting of Star Trek; hail to the king, baby.
Saturday, November 20, 2004
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year - The Game The Debacle
Hey, I've got a great idea, let's throw on fourth down! You fucking idiots.
Lloyd Carr is a great football coach. I have never suggested that he should be fired, nor am I doing so now. I have oftened criticized his decisions, including once going so far after a disappointing loss to Purdue as to send an email reminding him that NCAA football games are sixty minuts long, not thirty. But, I have never suggested that he should be replaced. (I dare anyone to confront me with evidence of making such a statement.) Lloyd Carr has an incredible career winning percentage and he has done what even the legendary Bo never managed: he won a national championship. That said, Lloyd Carr did a very poor job coaching his team today. His defense was not prepared for the Ohio State offense, his offense was not prepared for the Ohio State defense, and his staff did a poor job of adjusting during the game. Ohio State outplayed us in every facet of the game, and a lot of the blame must fall on the coaching staff in general and Head Coach Lloyd Carr in particular. He is the man; so, the buck must stop there.
The Roman senator Marcus Porcius Cato (the Elder, a.k.a. "the Censor," hyperlink) was known to end all of his speeches, regardless of their subject, by saying, "I also think Carthage should be destroyed." I feel that Michigan's offensive coordinator, Terry Malone (hyperlink), is incompetent and must be fired. I am tempted to end all of my Newsletter columns with the declaration, "I also think Terry Malone should be fired."
I have criticized Braylon Edwards as overrated from the moment he first stepped onto the field wearing No. 80. This year, he has redeemed himself, earning the absolute right to wear the coveted No. 1. It is sad to note that on a crucial fourth down today, he played like the "Stonehands" of old. Edwards has proven himself capable of far better play, and even my dark, spiteful heart goes out to him after that inexcusable drop.
Chad Henne and Mike Hart are going to do great things as Michigan Wolverines, but today, they cracked under the pressure and played horrendously. They weren't up to the challenge. What remains to be seen now is how they pick themselves up and respond in the bowl game. They are amazingly talented players. The one positive thing that might be taken away from today's disastrous loss is the psychological toughness that will help the froshies overcome later adversity.
I hate the University of Wisconsin Badgers. I hate them not more, but differently than I hate the Ohio State Buckeyes, for whom I have at least a grudging respect. I don't respect anything about the Badgers; I hate every single thing about them and their program. Despite this enmity and my admiration for Kirk Ferentz, I hope Wisconsin defeats Iowa today and earns the right to go to the Rose Bowl. Michigan simply does not deserve the honor of representing the Big Ten, not after today's humilition. We had our chance and we failed. We don't deserve to go to Pasadena.
And yes, I will be wearing a Michigan T-shirt on Monday. Win, lose, or draw (now an impossibility in NCAA football), they are my team, now and forever. Go Blue!
H-A-N
Have a surreal night.
Hey, I've got a great idea, let's throw on fourth down! You fucking idiots.
Lloyd Carr is a great football coach. I have never suggested that he should be fired, nor am I doing so now. I have oftened criticized his decisions, including once going so far after a disappointing loss to Purdue as to send an email reminding him that NCAA football games are sixty minuts long, not thirty. But, I have never suggested that he should be replaced. (I dare anyone to confront me with evidence of making such a statement.) Lloyd Carr has an incredible career winning percentage and he has done what even the legendary Bo never managed: he won a national championship. That said, Lloyd Carr did a very poor job coaching his team today. His defense was not prepared for the Ohio State offense, his offense was not prepared for the Ohio State defense, and his staff did a poor job of adjusting during the game. Ohio State outplayed us in every facet of the game, and a lot of the blame must fall on the coaching staff in general and Head Coach Lloyd Carr in particular. He is the man; so, the buck must stop there.
The Roman senator Marcus Porcius Cato (the Elder, a.k.a. "the Censor," hyperlink) was known to end all of his speeches, regardless of their subject, by saying, "I also think Carthage should be destroyed." I feel that Michigan's offensive coordinator, Terry Malone (hyperlink), is incompetent and must be fired. I am tempted to end all of my Newsletter columns with the declaration, "I also think Terry Malone should be fired."
I have criticized Braylon Edwards as overrated from the moment he first stepped onto the field wearing No. 80. This year, he has redeemed himself, earning the absolute right to wear the coveted No. 1. It is sad to note that on a crucial fourth down today, he played like the "Stonehands" of old. Edwards has proven himself capable of far better play, and even my dark, spiteful heart goes out to him after that inexcusable drop.
Chad Henne and Mike Hart are going to do great things as Michigan Wolverines, but today, they cracked under the pressure and played horrendously. They weren't up to the challenge. What remains to be seen now is how they pick themselves up and respond in the bowl game. They are amazingly talented players. The one positive thing that might be taken away from today's disastrous loss is the psychological toughness that will help the froshies overcome later adversity.
I hate the University of Wisconsin Badgers. I hate them not more, but differently than I hate the Ohio State Buckeyes, for whom I have at least a grudging respect. I don't respect anything about the Badgers; I hate every single thing about them and their program. Despite this enmity and my admiration for Kirk Ferentz, I hope Wisconsin defeats Iowa today and earns the right to go to the Rose Bowl. Michigan simply does not deserve the honor of representing the Big Ten, not after today's humilition. We had our chance and we failed. We don't deserve to go to Pasadena.
And yes, I will be wearing a Michigan T-shirt on Monday. Win, lose, or draw (now an impossibility in NCAA football), they are my team, now and forever. Go Blue!
H-A-N
Have a surreal night.
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