Rest In Peace - Robert Goulet

Dead at 73 -



What a set of pipes. He may have been a bit of a cliche' in recent years, but the man could sing.

I saw him on stage about 17 years ago. He was in a decent touring version of Camelot. The others weren't awful, in fact they were pretty good, but when he came on stage, his voice, his stage presence just made everyone else seem small and insignificant.

Rest in peace Sir Lancelot.

The Quagmire Of Masculinity

Wow, just Wow.

Please go read this. You'll be glad you did, unless you're a misogynist asshole.

Yeah, that's a strong statement grounded in nothing but opinion.

That's why it's my blog.

The Quagmire Of Masculinity

h/t to Red Queen

Not How I Wanted To Spend My Sunday...

Busy, busy, busy…….

Brave Sir Robin missed work Monday due to a nasty virus, but will still have over 70 hours for the week.

Do the math on that.

It is about 6:30 AM, Sunday Morning and I’m at work, which is probably where I’ll be at 6:30 PM today.

Sorry for the lack of real posts, but that’s what I’ve been doing.

Best weather we’ve had since May. (Seriously, since May!) and I’m doing 12 and 14 hour days. That’s ok, it’s good to be busy right now. Keeps my mind from drifting into dangerous territory.

Brave Sir Robin does get a small break in 11 days. On Nov. 8^th I will board a cruise ship and take a small little cruise down to Cozumel. I sail on a Thursday and return the following Monday.

I really didn’t want to go, but I either have to take the cruise, or let it go. You see, last year about this time, I took a cruise with Rene’. While on that cruise, I won a free 5 day cruise playing bingo. I have one year to take it. The year is up on Nov. 28^th. I am allowed to take a shorter cruise if I choose, so I took the cruise with only one stop instead of two.

I am either really brave or really foolish, time will tell. I will be on the exact same ship I was on with her. The idea of going on a cruise alone is not very appealing in the first place, add to that the memories of a really, really good time with her on the ship and I may be setting myself up for a serious case of missing her blues.

I plan on bringing several books. Any suggestions? I’m planning on getting World Without End for sure. I hope to re-read Pillars of the Earth before then, but I can’t find my copy.

I’ll keep you all updated on my preparations.

Brave Sir Robin has work to do. In more ways than one.

Are you Lurking Out There?

Today is de-lurking day!!!

I know there are a few of you out there, so step up today and say hello in the comments.

If you think I suck, say so.

If you think I'm great, say so.

Or just say hello.

Thanks for stopping by.

Quote Of The Year

File this under things that would have made me shoot milk out of my nose if I, in fact, had been drinking milk.

If George W. Bush were a tree, he'd be a fascist, asshole tree

That's pretty much the money shot, but its all worth reading.

Please go enjoy.

Happy Syncretism Day!!!!!!!

Actually, today is Saint Crispin's Day. Notable to me mostly because it is the one day a year I am pretty much guaranteed to hear this:





Please, no Branagh bashing here. Brave Sir Robin likes him.

Also notable because it is my oldest son's middle name. Before you ask, he was named after a high school friend who died, not the Saint, who incidentally probably didn't exist.

In any event, fictional or real, we have him to thank for Shakespeare writing this glorious passage:

If we are mark'd to die, we are enow
To do our country loss; and if to live,
The fewer men, the greater share of honour.
God's will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.
By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,
Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;
It yearns me not if men my garments wear;
Such outward things dwell not in my desires.
But if it be a sin to covet honour,
I am the most offending soul alive.
No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England.
God's peace! I would not lose so great an honour
As one man more methinks would share from me
For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!
Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host,
That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made,
And crowns for convoy put into his purse;
We would not die in that man's company
That fears his fellowship to die with us.
This day is call'd the feast of Crispian.
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian.'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispian's day.'
Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember, with advantages,
What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words-
Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester-
Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

Ok, maybe just one more...

I did mention that DVDs and CDs are exempt from me being materialist....right?

Look what came out yesterday:



Anyone heard it yet? Konagod? Minstrel Boy?

Work, Work, Work ....... UPDATE***

Brave Sir Robin is busy, busy, busy.

Mostly thanks to missing work Monday due to a nasty little virus that swept through the castle this past weekend.

I don't have time right now for a post, but PLEASE.

Go Vote For Litbrit!!!!

It's easy!! Just email your votes by Friday morning.

***UPDATE the nominees are listed here.

Send Email Here

Cut and paste this into your email:

1. Best National Blog -

2. Best State Blog -

3. Best Local Blog -

4. Best Media Blog -

5. Best Professional Blog -

6. Best Party Website -

7. Best Candidate Website -

8. Best Local Party Website -

9. Best Interest Group Website -

10. Best Writer - Litbrit

11. Netroots Candidate of the Year -

12. Netroots Activist of the Year -

13. Netroots Organization of the Year - Florida Progressive Coalition

Add your votes to the other category's.

Enjoy the blessings of Brave Sir Robin for the rest of your days.

Posts to come.

I PROMISE!!!!!

Laurel Wreaths For Everyone

I love the smell of sweaty running shoes in the morning, ......

It smells like VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The last cross-country meet of the year was held Saturday morning. It was the District meet, with the top finishers (Varsity level only) moving on to the Regional and State meets.

The boys had to be on the bus at 5:00 AM. I had enough time to go home and have coffee, shower and get in the car to make the almost 2 hour drive.

I am thrilled to tell you that the District meet was a rousing success!!!! Not only for Sir Robin's squires, but for the teams as well.


Cross-Country is somewhat of a unique sport in that (at least around here) it is the only sport where Jr. High and High School compete at the same events. All year long these kids from 7th grade to Seniors have been arriving at school at 5:45 AM, 4 days a week to run and then loading on buses at the butt-crack of dawn every Saturday morning since school started to go to a meet together. It is great for the younger kids because they feel so important going with the big kids. In turn, the high schoolers really support the younger ones and it is a true team spirit in this, the most individual of sports. It takes a great deal of dedication to get up and run 4 miles every morning before school and then have an after school practice as well. These kids all share the pain of training together and it shows at the meets.

Well, on to the results!

#2 son ran on the Freshman team and placed 7th. (The top ten in each level receive medals)
#3 son ran on the 8th grade team and placed 4th.
If they were varsity level that would advance them both to the regional meet.

In the team standings, it was almost a clean sweep for our teams. The top 6 finishers on each teams scores are combined for a team score. There are boys and girls teams for 7th, 8th, Freshman, Junior Varsity and Varsity. With the exception of the girls JV who took third, every other team we entered took first place.

There was much rejoicing.

Am I proud?

Yes I am!!

Damn Good Pie........

Brave Sir Robin is not materialistic. Really, I'm not. Sure, there are a few small indulgences I enjoy, I am a sucker for fine food and drink, but it is quality more than quantity I desire.

I do however have one glaring weakness.

DVDs , ......(and to a lesser extent - CDs)

I have an embarrassingly large collection.

There is a hole in my collection exactly the size of this:

The Twin Peaks Definitive Gold Box Collection.

Sigh, This show was the first show in my whole life that I simply had to see. I forced myself to learn the rites of the fourth hell that was programing a mid 80's model VCR so I wouldn't miss an episode of this show.

It has been incompletely available until now. The first season has been out for while, but alas, without the Pilot, which was FREAKING AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

The second season came out a few weeks ago, but this, ......oh this has every episode, and TWO versions of the pilot plus interviews and geeky extras and...... I better stop. I'll need to go freshen up if I don't slow down here.

Ok, it's $65.00 at Amazon. Maybe a paper route..........

Excuse me while I go find some "Damn fine coffee".

Must.. Read... These .... Books....

So many books, so little time part two....



OMFFSM!!!!!

Brave Sir Robin has spent the last few months voraciously reading (in some cases re-reading) the classics. (That however, is another post)

I am ready for something a little more ... shall we say.... fun? Something to read for the story and plot alone? Just because I like to read?

Imagine my excitement this morning when perusing the comments over at Tart's Place to see Minstrel Boy point this out.

So of course, a trip to "The city" is in order, as my little village (pop. 12,000 - more or less), doesn't have a book store. We do however, have 11 Mexican restaurants. (But that's another post)

AND THEN.......

I saw this.

Unbelievable. Pillars Of The Earth is in my top ten of all time. I am Jones-ing to leave work early just to go to the book store!!!!!!

Any new releases have you excited?

Well, DUH!!!

From the files of the....
Totally Fucking Obvious To Anyone With An Inkling Of A Clue....

Feminist have healthier, happier relationships.


So you mean women are more satisfied with men who consider them vibrant intelligent equals? And Men who feel this way are more likely to enjoy good sex and loving relationships?

"But... but...but... the bible says"...........

Nice to see research confirm what should be obvious.

btw - Is it really ironic that Yahoo has a Don Imus ad on this page?

Thursday Morning ITUNES random 10...

Pretty random for a change .......

Together.....The Raconteurs
London Calling.....The Clash
New York State Of Mind.....Billy Joel
That Old Black Magic.....Sammy Davis, Jr.
If I Was The Devil.....Pat Green
Hey.....Red Hot Chili Peppers
Awake.....Letters To Cleo
Doll Parts.....Hole
Fell In Love With A Boy.....Joss Stone
Fall Out.....The Police

Meanwhile, back in Hicksville....

I’m still here, I’m just busy.

I actually have a lot to say to you all, it’s just between work, open house, cross-country and football, I have been swamped.

Add into the mix an anti-histamine induced stupor and it has been hard to find time.

Bear with me my friends; I am coming back with a vengeance.

Meanwhile, enjoy this – I find its lack of subtlety charming. Very unusual for an American ad, much more what one would expect from a European ad. I like it, what do you think?

FRIDAY!!!

AGHHHH!!!!

Day From HELL!!!!!

Office politics is such a fucking childish game.

Gore Wins (again)

Imagine what should have been. How different would the world be today if we as Americans hadn't allowed our election to be stolen.

Congratulations Al, the Nobel Peace Prize is truly the most honorable award that I can imagine.

Now please run. Please.

106 Books

H/T to Minstrel Boy for this meme... Ok, so you take this list of 106 books and bold what you've read, italicize what you've partially read. (I seem to have a lot of those, I keep promising a post about books I just can't seem to make it through....)

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Anna Karenina Crime and Punishment
Catch-22 One Hundred Years of Solitude
Wuthering Heights
The Silmarillion Life of Pi : a novel The Name of the Rose
Don Quixote
Moby Dick
Ulysses - This Year!! I promise!
Madame Bovary
The Odyssey
Pride and Prejudice
Jane Eyre
The Tale of Two Cities
The Brothers Karamazov
Guns, Germs, and Steel: the fates of human societies War and Peace
Vanity Fair
The Time Traveler’s Wife - It's been on my shelf for months!
The Iliad
Emma The Blind Assassin The Kite Runner Mrs. Dalloway Great Expectations American Gods A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius Atlas Shrugged Reading Lolita in Tehran : a memoir in books
Memoirs of a Geisha Middlesex Quicksilver Wicked : the life and times of the wicked witch of the West The Canterbury tales The Historian : a novel A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
Love in the Time of Cholera
Brave New World
The Fountainhead
Foucault’s Pendulum
Middlemarch
Frankenstein
The Count of Monte Cristo
Dracula
A Clockwork Orange
Anansi Boys
The Once and Future King
The Grapes of Wrath
The Poisonwood Bible : a novel
1984
Angels & Demons The Inferno
The Satanic Verses
Sense and Sensibility
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Mansfield Park
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
To the Lighthouse Tess of the D’Urbervilles
Oliver Twist
Gulliver’s Travels
Les Misérables
The Corrections
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Dune
The Prince
The Sound and the Fury
Angela’s Ashes : a memoir
The God of Small Things
A People’s History of the United States : 1492-present
Cryptonomicon Neverwhere A Confederacy of Dunces
A Short History of Nearly Everything
Dubliners
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Beloved
Slaughterhouse-five
The Scarlet Letter
Eats, Shoots & Leaves
The Mists of Avalon
Oryx and Crake : a novel Collapse : how societies choose to fail or succeed Cloud Atlas The Confusion Lolita
Persuasion
Northanger Abbey
The Catcher in the Rye
On the Road
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Freakonomics : a rogue economist explores the hidden side of everything
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance : an inquiry into values
The Aeneid
Watership Down
Gravity’s Rainbow
The Hobbit
In Cold Blood : a true account of a multiple murder and its consequences White Teeth (own but haven't gotten to this one yet) Treasure Island David Copperfield The Three Musketeers

This Is Not a Paid Endorsement……

A couple of weeks ago, I went to the Houston Hot Sauce Festival. There was food, music, and of course, all things hot and spicy.

There were quite a few salsas and hot sauces that stood out, but the vast majority of the show was sweet treatments, pepper jellies and such. Some of these were good. In fact, I even bought a few items that I liked. That being said, I expected many, many more salsas and actual hot sauces. I guess even in our spicy foods Americans sweet tooth will not be denied.

So, with all my bitching about sweets, what product did I leave there raving about?

Joy Peppers!

Oh my FSM are these good!!!

Do you know what bread and butter pickles are? They are sweet, but interesting with spices and onion in them. Well, these are jalapenos pickled as you would a bread and butter pickle. I can see I will need another jar quite soon.

My favorite Hot Sauce of the day was B.J.’s High Tech Pepper Sauce. Unfortunately, the website doesn't seem to be working and it is a local product. Sucks for you, because this is a habenero sauce that is hot, ok very hot, but not melt the back of your throat stupid hot, that is absolutely delicious! It has a mild vinegar bite, but it’s backed up with a very exotic flavor, almost fruitiness. Wicked Good!!

I Love This Site

So, I guess there is hope ....

Which Candidate Is Your Best Match?

This is cool.

You take a quiz on all of the major issues, and it matches you to a candidate.

I was a 91.4% match with:

Dennis Kucinich


Tell me who you matched up with.

The Unfortunate Update

Where do I begin?

I knew better, I knew who she was, I knew how it would end, but I foolishly hoped otherwise.

I had no reason to believe it would end otherwise except her word and my hope. In the end, neither was enough to stem the inevitable.

The kids are good, cross-country season and football season keep us very busy.

We have straight A’s (even in French!), we have cross country medals and only one defeat in football. It is still way too damn hot, even this late in the year and my friends still love me.

I must remember that whether or not I have a girlfriend, fiancé or wife has nothing to do with what kind of person I am, what kind of Father I am, or my worth as a human being.

It’s just hard some days. Loneliness is a bitter, bitter pill.

Thank you all for taking the edge off of that loneliness.

It’s good to be back. I will be updating regularly again.

I’ve missed you all.

bsr

Note To Self:

Just because you desperately want someone to be sane doesn't mean they ever will be.

Remember that, it will save you a lot of anguish.