I've Been Tagged!

I'll get back soon on this one.

Biggest problem?

I don't think I have 8 readers (who blog)!

:)

If This Doesn't Scare The Shit Out Of You...

Wow.

This post over at Pensito Review outlines a scenario that hadn't really occurred to me.

What if Cheney's atrial fibrillation is just a ruse to allow him to flee to Paraguay resign. That would allow a newly incumbent V.P. to slide into a nomination, bypassing a less than acceptable lineup of current candidates.

Normal people often overlook how hierarchical Republicans are by nature. They prefer to anoint their candidates in an orderly way: In the absence of a sitting vice president, as George H.W. Bush was to Reagan in 1992, a senior statesman is anointed, as Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole was in 1996 — or, better yet, they can satisfy their aristocratic yearnings by anointing the son of a former president, as they did the current Bush in 2000.

This year, in the absence of a clear choice, Republicans find themselves facing a roster of unacceptable candidates: a philandering liberal, a Mormon, an aging warrior who’s considered insufficiently doctrinaire, a lazy television actor, a former preacher with a weak record as governor of Arkansas and a Libertarian kook.

The strain of this disorderliness must be tormenting the GOP power base. And all of it could be wiped away in a simple fiat — the replacement of Dick Cheney with a new vice president whom they could anoint right away to become Bush’s successor.

So who might fit the bill — who could be counted on to beat the Democrats next November and keep the Bush family secrets for at least four more years?

Only one name comes to mind. He is experienced and available, and tanned and rested — and his name is Jeb.

I'm not sure about Pensito's choice of replacement, (God I hope not!) but it sure might shed some light on Lott's sudden retirement, less than a year into his new term.

Go read it all.

h/t to Pookyshoehorn

Purrrrrrrrrrfect Way To Relax

Via Robin, an instant way to relax and melt the stress away.

Have your speakers turned on.

Enjoy

What I Can Do

As most of you are aware, we are in day four of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence campaign.

Today Melissa over at Shakesville had an excellent (as always) post about what men can do.

I urge you to go and read it in its entirety. Much of the post struck home with me. For example:

See, the thing about men who are violent toward women is that they don't respect women, or what they have to say, or even their basic rights—and when you consider that the responsibility for preventing violence against women has traditionally been left to women, you start to see the problem. We need other men to communicate to them loudly and clearly and constantly that violence against women is totally unacceptable. We need male allies, just like the LGBTQ community needs straight allies, just like people of color need white allies.

Yes, I consider myself a feminist, and of course I abhor the thought of violence against women. That being said, I haven't really done much else. I have made the occasional post about it, but honestly I am a bit uncomfortable writing on the topic and I often punt, if you will, to Melissa. If I see something that offends my sensibilities, I usually email her and she will write a post about it. I will probably keep doing that because she is a better writer than I am and she does have about a few thousand hits more a day than I do.

So, back to the question: What can I do?

Well, this list (via A Call To Men) is a good place to start:

10 Things Men Can Do To End Men's Violence Against Women

1. Acknowledge and understand how sexism, male dominance and male privilege lay the foundation for all forms of violence against women.

2. Examine and challenge our individual sexism and the role that we play in supporting men who are abusive.

3. Recognize and stop colluding with other men by getting out of our socially defined roles, and take a stance to end violence against women.

4. Remember that our silence is affirming. When we choose not to speak out against men's violence, we are supporting it.

5. Educate and re-educate our sons and other young men about our responsibility in ending men's violence against women.

6."Break out of the man box"—Challenge traditional images of manhood that stop us from actively taking a stand to end violence against women.

7. Accept and own our responsibility that violence against women will not end until men become part of the solution to end it. We must take an active role in creating a cultural and social shift that no longer tolerates violence against women.

8. Stop supporting the notion that men's violence against women can end by providing treatment for individual men. Mental illness, lack of anger management skills, chemical dependency, stress, etc… are only excuses for men's behavior. Violence against women is rooted in the historic oppression of women and the outgrowth of the socialization of men.

9. Take responsibility for creating appropriate and effective ways to develop systems to educate and hold men accountable.

10. Create systems of accountability to women in your community. Violence against women will end only when we take direction from those who understand it most—women.



Thanks Liss, for the suggestion and the work you do.

Pearl Jam - H.R. Pufnstuf Theme

How is it possible that I have never seen this before?

Awesome.

I loved this show as a kid.

You might want to have a little "something to share" before viewing.

I'm just sayin' .....

Goodbye Riley Ann

I have nothing snarky to say. I'm sitting here at my computer at 6:15 in the morning with tears streaming down my face.

I just read the police account of Riley Ann Sawyers death. This is a local story that has garnered some national attention.

On October 29th, a plastic storage container was found washed up on Galveston Island with the body of a two year old little girl. Her skull had been fractured, and she had other injuries as well. Local police were calling her "Baby Grace"

I won't go into the account of her death, it's all here.

The killers were her mother and step father. A full confession has been given.

How?

Why?

I look at this picture and I can see my own daughter at that age in that face. Who could do this? Who?

I wasn't going to rant, but let me say this:

All you fuckers out there who claim to be "Pro-Family", yet don't want gays to marry or adopt ask yourselves this -

Would little Riley-Ann have been better off in a loving home with two fathers who cherished her? Or two loving mothers?

Damn, this is not a good way to start the day.

For you Riley Ann:

The Problem With Libertarians ....

Yesterday, Litbrit posted a stunningly beautiful piece outlining what we get with libertarian policies. (Are you listening Ron Paul devotees?)

She did it in perfect Elizabethan sonnets.

I stand in awe.

Go read it, be amazed.

The Rational Actor's Libertarian Fête

Well, It's a Start ....

I saw her again today. While I did have a bit of a twinge, it didn't jack me up as much as it did last time.

I had spent the better part of the day telling myself (out loud a few times) that she didn't deserve me, and perhaps my righteous indignation shielded me a bit.

It's hard knowing that she wants me, I want her, yet I did the right thing.

Trust me.
I did.
I may share all of that with you someday.

loneliness sucks.

Random Flickr Blogging IMG_1335

Random Flickr blogging explained

You may click on the photos to link to the original photo posting.

Initiation rites for the incoming class at the Police Academy were tougher than Bob feared.

Must learn to center shots....must learn to center shots...must learn to center shots....

Mrs. Potter thinks to herself....

What do I have to lose? No one's ever gonna know.. and I'm not gonna see Paul for another couple of weeks. Sure, Fred's not the most attractive guy in the world.. but if he makes a living at this, he must be doing something right. . . . . . . .. Okay, Mr. Garvin. I'll try it.

Too obscure?



(More to come)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!

From my castle to yours a very happy Thanksgiving.

I wish you joy and peace today.

Now I gotta run, I have a pie in the oven.

You Ate What? Part Deux

I have lived in Texas for 42 of my 45 years. I will admit that I have eaten my fair share of battered, deep fried delectables. My mom deep fried just about every vegetable known to man. Okra? Check. Squash? Check. Potatoes, eggplant, onions, peppers, you name it, she fried it. There was a deep fryer on the kitchen counter that was used if not daily, multiple times a week.

And let us not forget that Texas staple, the sine qua non of Texas cuisine, the chicken fried steak. Ahh yes, a tenderized piece of beef, pounded thin, battered, deep fried and smothered with a creamy gravy.

That all came to a screaming halt in 1978, when my father at the age of 42 had a heart attack. Needless to say, Brave sir Robin does not eat that way these days, and I haven't since that time. Perhaps once every two or three years I will have a chicken fried steak in a restaurant. I have even been known to enjoy a bit of fried okra now and again, in moderation.

What does that have to do with anything?

Glad you asked.

Nothing, and I mean NOTHING in my culinary life has prepared me for the video below. You can almost hear their arteries exploding. Oh, and notice that THEY SMOKE as well. How are these people still alive?

Err, WTF????

Ok, I thought I’d seen it all. I have become jaded and cynical when it comes to this administration and it’s “support the troops” rhetoric. I really didn’t think I could be shocked anymore, and certainly not surprised by anything that the Pentagon, and by extension this administration could pull.

I was wrong.

The military is demanding soldiers injured in service repay signing bonuses because they cannot complete their commitments.

What.

The.

Fuck?

Let me get this straight. If a soldier loses an eye, or an arm, or a leg and gets sent home they have to pay back any bonus they received for volunteering?

I don’t believe in hell, but I hope it exist so these fuckers can burn in it.

Random Flickr Blogging IMG_4196

Well, it's been a while since I've participated in this little Monday ritual, so:

Random flickr blogging explained.

"Dude, I think I found your gum! ..... Oh, never mind."

Ed Grimley had a totally decent prom date, I must say!
(If too obscure, click link)





The winner of Wired's Saddest Cubicle contest was amazed at what they were able to do to his work space.




I haz ur insulashunz, but I eated it

Improvised Muffins Of Overwhelming Deliciousness

Today is #2 son’s 15^th birthday.

This of course, calls for something more than cold cereal or scrambled eggs (which he is not overly fond of anyway) for breakfast.

Problem is, today is my first day off since the cruise. Before that, it had been 18 days since I had a day off. Bottom line, I haven’t done any serious grocery shopping in almost a month.

Hmmmm.

A look through the pantry yielded oatmeal and flour. The Fridge held orange juice, milk, eggs, and some store bought cooked apples.

I found a recipe for oatmeal muffins online and I changed a few things, tweaked it a bit, and tada! Muffins!

Really good muffins, not overly sweet, very tender, but with an interesting bit of chewiness from the oats.

Orange Glazed Oat Muffins

Muffins

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour + 3 tablespoons

1 cup old fashion oats

2/3 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

1/16 teaspoon ginger

1/16 teaspoon allspice

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

2/3 cups orange juice

½ cup 2% milk

1 jumbo egg

¼ cup melted butter

½ cup chopped, cooked apples in sauce.

Glaze

¼ cup orange juice

1 teaspoon sugar

1 tablespoon melted butter

More sugar for sprinkling

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Prepare muffin pan by spraying the bottom only with cooking spray

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.

In a separate bowl, beat the egg well.

Add other liquid ingredients including apples, mix well.

Pour on top of dry ingredients all at once, stir until just combined.

Bake 16 min at 400 degrees.

Remove from oven and brush tops with glaze mixture until all glaze is absorbed.

Sprinkle tops with sugar.

Cool in pan for 5 minutes, remove muffins and place on plate.

Enjoy warm.

A-A-A-A-A-A-A-Allison.......

I've always loved Elvis Costello. He was so fresh and amazing when he was young, and over the years he has shown how truly amazing and gifted a musician he is.

So in honor of his incredible wife's 43rd birthday, (which was actually yesterday) here is his first ever TV appearance.

I can't actually verify that, but that's what the submitter claims. Anyway, it's simple and beautiful, just him and the electric guitar.

Enjoy.

Dammit Dammit Dammit

I saw her a few minutes ago and now I'm a wreck.

I had to run out to the client's site for a while and on the way back I pass right by her daughter's school gym.

There she was, getting out of her car.

How is it possible to be in love with someone who has treated you so badly? She really did, to the point that I simply couldn't go on, yet here I am.

Help? Anyone out there ever have trouble leaving an abusive relationship?

Don't Give Them What They Want

Let me make one thing clear; I will vote for the Democratic nominee. As I’ve said before, the stakes are too high to try and make a bold statement of principal and support a third party candidate.

The Republicans are as splintered as they have been since I have been old enough to vote, the religious right is discouraged. A Romney or Giuliani nomination would more than likely cause some right wingers to just stay home on election day…….

UNLESS….

What is the one thing, the one and only hope the Republicans have of stirring up and motivating the whack-job, wing-nut, haters base to get out and rally around the nominee?

It’s not terrorism.

It’s not even Iran.

Abortion won’t do it. Been there – done that.

It’s Hillary.

That’s right, the Republicans one and only chance to steal win this election is if Hillary is the Nominee.

Every nutcase, fundie out there will flock to the polls to keep her out of the oval office. It’s the Republicans wet dream. Make no mistake, Dobson and his ilk may posture and preen and make noise, but if Hillary gets the nomination, they will hold their nose and vote for Giuliani, or Romney.

Hell, if Hillary gets the nomination, Giuliani could accept the Republican nomination in full drag, with Tony Soprano as his running mate, divorce papers hanging out of his back pocket and tongue his newest mistress right there on the stage and they would still flock to the polls.

PLEASE – don’t nominate Hillary.

I Guess My Nomination Got Lost In The Mail.....

Matt Damon named "sexiest man Alive"

Guacamole tastes better on the beach….

Brave Sir Robin had a snack on the beach. (Under the shade of a Tiki Hut of course.)

More About The Cruise ......

Ok, I promised a post at lunch. I wish I had time to sit down and write.

The cruise was fine.

The ship was impeccably clean, the staff was attentive, friendly, and efficient, the food was excellent and interesting, the weather was perfect, and the alcohol was plentiful.

So what’s the problem?

My worst fear was that I’d get on the ship and be overwhelmed by a flood of memories and be miserable. I’m happy to report it wasn’t that bad. I did have moments of deeply missing her, mostly during meals and in the late evening. I avoided the places she and I frequented most, and that seemed to help.

I took the attitude that I was there to relax, rest, read, and rejuvenate. I didn’t attend a single show, I didn’t once rush to get somewhere by a certain time, and when I was tired, I slept. That in and of itself is such a vacation from my regular life that it was rejuvenating.

Oddly enough, it was debarking and the long drive home alone that really made me the saddest

Over the next few days, I will try to fill you in on the details.

I survived.....

I'm back!

The cruise was, .... well it's a long story but it was OK. I am really busy at work right now, but I'll try to post a bit at lunch with maybe a picture or two.

I did OK, but I really missed her. I know it's foolish, I know she isn't ever going to change, but she was wonderful to travel with.

Check back after lunch...

By This Time Tomorrow....

I will have my drink on!!

Brave Sir Robin usually eschews fruity, sweet drinks. However, when in Rome.......

All Work And No Play.......

Make Brave Sir Robin a very dull cranky boy.

At the rate I'm going, I will be too tired to do anything but sleep on the ship. 12 hour days without a day off since the 22nd. I only worked 10 hours on Halloween and only 6 on Sunday, but I had to drive 4 hours Sunday to pick the kids up from their Mother's.

I really have planned to post, but work and sleep keep getting in the way.

I managed a run to the book store yesterday to pick up World Without End. I plan on re-reading The Pillars Of The Earth first. I started it yesterday, so between the two of those, I should be set for the cruise, they are both nice and long.

.... Hmm, that didn't sound very sexual did it? I can just hear Sean Connery on Celebrity Jeopardy saying, "Joost like yoor Moother likes it Trebek."

Enjoy:

7 More Days....

Until I sail to Cozumel