Happy Leap Day!!

For Tart, For Kona, and for everyone who has ever been subjected to a comment thread about Anal glands and girl scout cookies:

SMELLY CAT

From The "Oh Great NOW You Tell Me" Files . . . .

It seems that drowning your sorrows in alcohol doesn't, in fact, help you forget them, but actually locks memories in place longer than if you didn't drink!

Researchers at the University of Tokyo concluded that ethanol -- an intoxicating agent in alcohol -- does not cause memory to decrease, as widely believed, but instead locks it in place.

Boy, you'd think I would have figured this out on my own!!! So the good news is, it's not MY fault I can't get over Rene', it's Don Henley's fault for giving me this bad advice:

You're Not Drinking Enough
lyrics by Don Henley

I can see that you haven't recovered from
the girl who let you down
And you'd sell what is left of your soul for
another go-round
You keep telling yourself she means nothing
and maybe you should call her bluff
But you don't really believe it
You must not be drinking enough
Well, the perfume she wore you can buy
down at the Five & Dime
But on some other woman
It don't smell the same in your mind
You keep telling yourself you can take it-
Telling yourself that you're tough
But you still wanna hold her
You must not be drinkin' enough
You're not drinking enough
to wash away old memories
And there ain't enough whiskey in Texas to
keep you from beggin' ,"Please, please, please."
She passed on your passion
and stepped on your pride
Turns out you ain't quite so tough
'Cause you still wanna hold her
You must not be drinkin' enough
Ay-yi-yi-yi
Ask yourself why
You still wanna hold her
You must no be drinkin' enough
Ay-yi-yi-yi, etc.......

Remember This In November

Think a vote for Nader is the right thing to do?

You know, . . . "principles and all that." . . . . . "The Democrats have moved too far to the right", . . . . . "they expect me to blindly vote" . . . . etc . . . .

If for no other reason, consider the Court.

That is where the long term effects of this administration will continue to reverberate for years, and years, and years.

We can survive an assault on the treasury, a horrible war, even the incompetence that has been purposely inserted into every department of the Government, but we cannot survive as the framers of our constitution envisioned with another one or two Republican appointees to the Supreme court.

Case in point:

In the Exxon Valdez case, currently before the Court, (a mere 19 years after Exxon was ordered to pay), Our Chief Justice, seems to think his job is to protect corporate profits at all cost.

Thank FSM that Alito is sitting this one out because he owns Exxon stock, or this one would be a slam dunk for Cooperate America.

How does that taste Alaska? hmm? You voted for shrub twice! Caveat Emptor!!!

I haven't even mentioned all of the lower courts that have been flooded with ideologs and fundies. If you truly support liberal values, the courts must be saved.

Let's play an imagination game, shall we? . . . . . . .

Imagine . . . . . . a Nader/Kucinich administration. Sure, it won't happen in 2008, but Nader running will alert the powers that be that the left is tired of being taken for granted, and in 2012 the left wing of the country binds together and does it! . . . . . Sounds great, doesn't it? . . . . . . . Now imagine that they have a willing majority in both houses. . . . . Finally, we can get the country back on course.

It won't mean shit if it has a Supreme Court with a 6-3, or even 7-2 advantage for the radical right, and that is what will happen if McCain wins in 2008. The court will be fucked up for years, and years. What 20 to 30 years? Roberts turned 53 exactly a month ago. He could be there another 30 or 35 if he chooses.

Wake up!! Even one more will wreck us! Goodbye any hope of protection for the working class, goodbye any hope of same sex marriage, goodbye Roe v Wade the minute there is a clear majority.

Ok - I do appreciate the idea and the desire of a third voice, of the left being represented, but not at that cost. I have kids who have to live in this country and on this planet after I'm gone. Anyway, I'm sorry if I come off too harsh, but that's why I have a blog.

No, This Isn't A Link To The Onion *UPDATE

Ok, we all know that the average Republican politician is scum, putting profit in front of morality every single time.

But, damn! The following headline is 100% accurate, and goes to a real article, not a satirical site.

GOP Senate hopeful got rich diverting corpsemeat from burn victims to enlarge penises

Go ahead, you know you want to, I'll wait here.

* UPDATE -
Here is an ad, made by his Republican primary opponent in the 2002 Governor race. And it's all true!!!!!

h/t to Anne for the video clip.

What's Going On?

I'm busy, busy, busy. . .

So give me something good guys! Drop some awesome links into the comment thread.

btw - I got my address book imported, now I need to find the missing emails. I guess on the bright side, if I can't find them, I can always go to work for the White House.

Give me some link-love guys.

Peace out.

Email me!!!!!

I got a new computer today at work, and, at least for now, I have lost my contacts and bookmarks!!!

I backed it all up on a portable hard drive, but I can't get them to load!!

If you are on my contact please email me!!!!

Anyone know how to do that?

My Buddhist Name

This is cool! I kinda like the results as well!


My Buddhist name is Great Teacher Shore Disparaging.

What's yours?

I'd love to be considered a great teacher, although I would never disparage the shore.
:)


h/t to litbrit

For those of you in Alabama

Since technical difficulties the GOP, blacked this segment out in Alabama, here it is:

Yes, He's Still Alive . . . . *** updated

Happy (One day belated) birthday to Abe Vigoda.

Consider this an open thread for all things Oscar.

I'm really busy, and truthfully - I'm struggling a bit, and I'm sure you guys are tired of hearing me whine about it, so I've promised myself this will stop being the "Damn I miss Rene'" blog.

Bear with me.

Topics for discussion in comments, (People, talk, . . . . talk already!):


Oscars -
Did they get it right?
Biggest surprise?
Worst outfit?
Best Speech?
Worst part of show? etc.....

Politics -
(No Dem primary talk allowed - I'm done with it)
60 minutes blackout? ( I've got a lot to say about this)
McCain bashing is always welcome.
Prairie View A&M student march to the polls.
Ralph Nader

The Weekend -
I worked and went to the Theatre, (big mistake - that's mostly the reason for my funk)
What did you do?
Perfect weather here, how about where you are?

Food -
Cook or eat anything good?
See a great website and or recipe?
Have you browsed Jaden's site yet?

Anything -
It's Monday, I worked all weekend, and I'm pretty down, help me out here folks, and as ALWAYS :

Blog-Whoring is not only acceptable, it is encouraged!!

Random links to peruse at will:

This is what a police state looks like

Baking substitutions

How to suck less at photoshop

Great, great, fabulous, excellent green company that I've been wanting to post about again.

Bastard Fairies.

1974 was a good year *** UPDATE - That is, look at what all was released that year! -

Blazing Saddles
The Great Gatsby
Chinatown
Murder On The Orient Express
The Godfather: Part II
Young Frankenstein
The Man With The Golden Gun

Look through the rest of that list, there are at least 8 other films that are worthy of remembrance for one reason or another. Yeah, it was a good year.

Interesting to note how some films hold up, Blazing Saddles is no less funny, or topical, or relevant today than it was 34 years ago, same for Gatsby and Godfather II. The trial of Billy Jack, not so much, but it was pretty damn good back in the day.

Feel free to drop links in comments!!!

Ralph Nader, the Republican's Best Friend. **UPDATE

As I'm sure you've heard by now, Ralph Nader is running for president. I wish I could say I was surprised, by as you can see, I'm not.

It looks like the bickering and backstabbing among the progressives has finally paid off for McCain.

Will his impact be less than in 2000, or even 2004? Of course. Will it still be enough to make a difference? Probably.

Florida, Ohio are toss ups even without him in the race.

Other than those two states, name me one State the Democrats can possibly pick up from last time, that the margin of a few thousand votes won't make a difference. This chart shows vote totals from 2000, show me a state we have a chance of picking up that his votes wouldn't make a difference.

Add to that, the vote stealing and voter purging that we know will take place, and it sure looks like we're getting a McCain administration for Christmas.

This sicken me, it truly fucking sickens me.

Welcome to permanent tax cuts for the rich. Welcome to war in Iran. Welcome to a Supreme Court that will turn back every protection the poor and the working class have. Welcome to back room abortions.

Fuck Nader and fuck ANYONE who doesn't vote a straight Democratic ticket. Fuck your so-called principles. Your principles won't get science back into your children's classrooms, your principles won't provide health care for your family when your employer decides it's too expensive, your principles won't put $5.00 a gallon gas in your car, your principles won't keep the Government out of your email, telephones or bedroom.

Fuck this shit.

You know I don't believe in hell, but that's where Ralph Nader belongs.

Go away Ralph Nader, you have destroyed any legacy of good you may have ever had.

***Updated!!! Anne, has this video posted, which sums it up quite nicely,(without all the cussing and stuff.)

Guess The Blogger

I've just invented a new game!!!!!

When I go to other sites, I always read the comment thread. You want the pulse of the Blogesphere? Read the comments section on political sites.

Anyway, my new game.

I have lifted the entire comment of one commenter out of a thread. i want you to guess the person who wrote it.

Degree of difficulty:

If you read this site regularly, then you almost certainly know this person. This person is a blogger, and visits many of the sites I, (and probably you) visit.

This person is fairly well known in our little corner of the tubes.

I admire this person's writing.

The Comment, (Which it goes without saying, I agree with):

the most disgusting part of this is that the republicans have never been able to comprehend the concept of honest graft that has been a hallmark of all the great democratic city machines. the boston of curley, the new york of boss tweed, the chicago of daley, the san francisco of moscone all had a basic thing in concept. the cities worked. if you called your alderman and said "i've got potholes in my street." it probably didn't matter a whit if it was the alderman's brother in law who was out that afternoon filling it in. that it got filled, that the sewers flowed and the trash was picked up, that the fires were put out quickly all are what matters to the citizens. these bastards like renzi, cunningham, and the others don't even bother with pretending to give a shit about anything at all but the money.

Who said that? Bonus if you know the blog and post it came from!

Since All My Friends Are Doing It . . . .

Peer pressure's a bitch.

How to make a Brave Sir Robin

Ingredients: 3 parts anger 3 parts humour 3 parts empathy

Method: Layer ingredientes in a shot glass. Add fitness to taste! Do not overindulge!

From Go-Quiz.com

Pretty damn accurate these days.

Which leads to this question:

If You could make a cocktail with your name, what would be in it? I'm guess Konagod's would have tequila.

Would it be sweet?

Salty?
Spicy?
Soothing?
Creamy?

So many choices!! Mine would have gin, and not be sweet at all.

Watch The Debate?

I have to confess, I rarely watch these things. I usually know exactly who I'm going to vote for, and the format of these things is just so much tripe, that I don't find them worth my time.

An observation or two. . . .

These two aren't really very far apart on the issues. Which helps the front runner. Hard to make a knock-out if the opponent won't argue.

Hillary looks and sounds like a President. She's a pro, no doubt.


(Here's the unpopular part, that is just exploding all over th inter-tubes.) -
I'd be proud to have either one represent our country.

Anyone else watch it?

Ha!!!! Oh Shit!!! ****UPDATE

****UPDATE -The photo is public on FLICKR, so I will post it here, but go check out Darkblack's site to show your appreciation of his skills.

If you're under 40, you may not get the reference, but this is the best photoshop ever!!!!!

(I don't know the blogger, so I don't want to steal his picture)

Go see it!!!

Bonus - name both of the people in the original

Double bonus name the boat.

Homepage of Darkblack, the creator of this photo.


h/t to Boxer Rebellion

Focus On The Prize

November.

Focus on November.

You want to see sexism? You want to see racism?

You'll see it for real if we let McCain win.

That is all.

Happy Birthday

Ansel Adams

2.20.02 - 4.22.84

A good photograph is knowing where to stand.

Ansel Adams

**********
**********
**********

There is another birthday of note today. . . . .

I can't make up my mind if he should be remembered as a tortured artist, unable to control the demon muses that produced his genius, or as a rich punk who cheated himself, his family and his fans because of his selfishness.

I won't solve that debate today.

02.20.67 - 04.5.94

Lithium

I'm so happy
Cause today I found my friends
They're in my head

I'm so ugly
But that's ok, 'cause so are you
We've broke our mirrors
Sunday morning
Is everyday for all I care
And I'm not scared
Light my candles
In a daze 'cause I've found god

Yeah he he yeah

I'm so lonely and
That's ok, I shaved my head
And I'm not sad
And just maybe
I'm to blame for all I've heard
And I'm not sure

I'm so excited
I can't wait to meet you there
And I dont' care
I'm so horny but
That's ok, my will is good

Yeah he he yeah

I like it
I'm not gonna crack
I miss you
I'm not coming back
I love you
I'm not gonna crack
I killed you
I'm not coming back
I like it
I'm not gonna crack
I miss you
I'm not coming back
I love you
I'm not gonna crack
I killed you
I'm not coming back

Decisions, Decisions . . . . . .

After this post, I promised myself I was done with Democratic Primary posts. It just makes me sick to my stomach to see progressive bloggers go at each other and trash the candidate they don't support.

What matters is winning in November.

I wish we would all remember that every criticism leveled at either Clinton or Obama will be repeated ad nauseam throughout the fall. The next time anyone criticizes either candidate, ask them how a McCain court will look.

All of that being said, I find myself shifting back to Hillary. I still have major fears about how polarizing she is, but I just find myself rooting for her.

So, although I still haven't decided, I thought you all might be interested to know that I plan on attending this event today.

I'll try to post pictures, assuming I can bring the camera, I don't know what the security will be like.

Bloody Hilarious!!!

I wish I could take credit for this!!!!

Via Ouyangdan by way of Red Queen, this was too funny to let it languish away in the comments.

Probably safe for work.



You will LOL!!

Excellent!!

This is a great result, because this is one of my all time favorites!!!! I mean, how can you not love a film where Laura Dern tells Nicholas Cage:

I swear Sailor, you've got me hotter than Georgia asphalt!

So take the Which David Lynch Movie Are You quiz:

Which David Lynch movie are you?

you are: wild at heart
Take this quiz!

ht:Blue Gal

Think Elections Don't Matter?

Thinking of voting third party?

Thinking that it doesn't really matter which party is in power?

Think again. It's all about the courts, the judicial system, the wheels of government.

It's about the constitution and the rule of law.

This video doesn't support embedding, but you NEED to see it. Watch it all, it will chill you. Remember, this happened 5 1/2 years ago, yet it has been unreported by the MSM. Well, the truth has been unreported. Notice the ease with which they repeat the lie over and over.

I can't believe we're all not rioting in the streets over this.

We deserve what we get if we let this happen again.

Wake up America, you ARE living in a Fascist State.

h/t-Grumpy Old Man

This Is A Nice guy!

I love Samuel Adams beer.

After reading this story, I love it even more.

Background - for those that don't follow craft brewing, there is a severe worldwide hops shortage at the moment. To the point were some brewers are changing recipes or just not brewing a particular beer.

Read on.

The Dildos Are Coming!!!

Ok, I just re-read that headline.. Pretty improbable, huh?


I'm sure by now, you heard or read that my home state of Texas, has finally decriminalized dildos!!!! (I hear next session, they may formally recognize the existence of electricity.)

You must, I repeat, you simply MUST!!!!! Go over to Litbrit's site and view the video she has posted of the late, great, Molly Ivins explaining the Texas Penal Code and matters of sex. It will be the most entertaining 11 minutes you will spend all week. Watch it through to the end when Molly delivers the "money shot"*

You will thank me. Trust me, it is good stuff. I live in a backwards ass state.

And just for the record, I now consider Chisum's district to be Baja Oklahoma, not Texas.

Go watch it!

*Sorry, I couldn't resist.

btw - I was going to post this picture at the top pf this post, but it is copyrighted, so follow the link.

It Has Sprung!!!

A strong front blew in Saturday night, and along with hard rain and wind, there was even some scattered hail. Sunday morning however, was bright, clear, and just stunning!

The temperature was quite cool early on, but was up to the seventies by noon. It was a perfect spring day. I am hoping spring has arrived. This winter was just a nasty humid mess. I'm sure those of you still buried in snow will have little sympathy, but imagine how unpleasant it would be to have 70-71 degree weather with 100% humidity day and night for weeks on end.

It becomes very difficult to make your house comfortable. It is way too warm for the heater. Opening the windows is completely out of the question. The entire interior of the house would be full of mold and mildew in a few days.

There are two choices.

Leave the unit off, and live in a stale, damp uncomfortable house, with an oppressive humid, thickness in the air.

Or, run the AC at about 68 or 69 degrees to dehumidify the house and be uncomfortably cool, while watching the windows condense.

The cool, DRY weather of Spring is welcome.

I had hoped to get some of the garden planted, but it proved to be too wet. I did what I could in the yard, including picking the above Meyer lemon. Can you tell how big it is? I've seen smaller grapefruit.

My tree is as confused as the weather is. for the first time I can ever remember, it has over ripe, dropped fruit, just ripe fruit, small unripe fruit, and yes blooms all at the same time.


As you can see in the picture, the leaves have black spots from aphids. I have been trying to stay organic on that tree, but between the wet, mild summer, and damp warm winter, the bugs are laughing in my face.

Any thoughts?

Carnival Of Liberals!!!!!!!!

Are any of you regular readers of Carnival Of The Liberals?

Here's the deal in a nutshell:

Once every two weeks, a different liberal blog hosts the event. (Next event is Feb. 27 at The Largest Minority.)

Prior to the hosting, the host site will receive entries for that event.

The host reads all the submissions and picks the ten he or she wants to post.

The host then prepares a post with links to the ten selected submissions along with whatever tie-in verbiage she or he chooses.


That's pretty much it. The host does get to suggest a theme or suggested topic for the event.

If you have post you are particularly proud of, submit it here.

If you would like to host an event, go here.

And . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
Drumroll please . . . . . . .

Sir Robin Rides Away will be the host on May 7th, 2008!!

I'm excited! I need suggestions for the theme/topic. Any thoughts?

I hope to FSM that the Dem's have a nominee by then, so Hillary v. Obama is out.

Covetousness, I Know Thee

I'm really, truly not usually given to envy. Certainly not in the usual fashion. I rarely covet another's fortune, fame, or looks.

I almost never fall victim to the "what's she doing with him" type either. Love is funny, what connection two soul's find will probably always be a mystery.

The upside of this is, I'm usually fairly immune to lusting for things I can't afford.

Note I said usually.

Occasionally, I read something like this.

A '47 Cheval Blanc, a '45 Latour, in the same evening????

I know it's stupid. It's one thing to lust after, say a car that's just a bit out of one's price range. Even drooling over an '89 Bordeaux, which is 5 times what I'd consider spending on a bottle of wine. But these wines are so astronomical, it's like wanting a Bugatti when you drive a Toyota. It's just plain stupid.

But to hear these wines described, and to know that even if I had the money, and was willing to spend it in such a frivolous manner, I probably would never be able to score a bottle, is a little depressing.

To know that I will never experience this:

The moment I lifted the glass to my nose and took in that sweet, spicy, arresting perfume, my notion of excellence in wine, and my understanding of what wine was capable of, was instantly transformed—I could almost hear the scales recalibrating in my head. The '47 was the warmest, richest, most decadent wine I'd ever encountered. Even more striking than its opulence was its freshness. The flavors were redolent of stewed fruits and dead flowers, yet the wine tasted alive; it bristled with energy and purpose. . . . . . . . . . I realized that it was silly even to try to place the '47 in the context of other wines; it defied comparison, a point underscored when I tasted another legend, the 1945 Château Latour, later that night (yeah, it was a nice evening). The Latour was stunning—probably the second-best wine I've ever had—but it at least fell within my frame of reference: It was a classically proportioned Bordeaux that just happened to be achingly good. The '47 Cheval, by contrast, was an otherworldly wine—a claret from another planet. And it was amazing.

Frankly, it diminishes me just a bit. I'm ashamed to admit I'm that shallow, but it pains me to know I will never have that experience. I'm jealous. That's possibly the worst thing one can be.

I am seeing an old friend this weekend, someone who loves wine, I will open a beautiful bottle and it will be lovely, but I will be thinking of another when I drink it. I've never done that before. To me, it is akin to making love to a desirable woman and all the while wishing she was someone else. Trust me, I have never done that, and I never will.

Where Did The Time Go?

It’s funny how kids personalities change and develop over the years.

This post by Mimi Smartypants reminded me of a time in #3 son’s childhood that I had totally forgotten about.

From the time he could watch TV or videos, or understand being read to, he ALWAYS identified with the bad guy. Always.

We had at least three Darth Vadar Birthday parties, and I know he was Darth Vadar at Halloween at least four times. (Do you have any idea how hard it is to get black icing stains out of a table cloth?)

He always wanted to wear black. If we played a game, he wanted the black token, if there was a choice that involved color, black was it.

If a new film came out, he would come home raving about the villain.

I can’t really say when that phased out. I wish I had access to our pictures from back then. (lost in the divorce) I would say at about 8 or 9 it just kind of faded away.

Today he doesn’t show any predisposition towards bad guys. His favorite color is burnt orange, (Hook ‘Em Horns), and he thinks Goth kids are gross.

Go figure?

It’s funny how I didn’t remember all of that until I read that post. Sometimes daily life just gets in the way of things, and all of the sudden they've grown up.

There is a very clear memory I have of him during that phase. I was in the living room running lines with Dorinda for The Glass Menagerie, which would mean he was a few weeks shy of his fourth birthday. It is a formal living room, so it is a bit separated from the rest of the house. Every few minutes he would walk back and forth in front of the door, in full Darth Vader regalia. Light saber, cape, and of course, the Darth Vader voice changing mask.

Good times.

He will be 14 this April, he has never made less than "A" in his life, and will be shooting baskets when I get home from work.

Somedays, the glass is half full.

She's A Witch?

No, this isn't a set up for a Monty Python joke.

Our closest allies in the Middle East, you know the country that Shrub grovels to, the country that was home to 15 of the 19 terrorist of 9/11, the country we The Military Industrial Complex just sold $20,000,000,000 worth of sophisticated weapons to? Yeah, that country.

They are preparing to execute a woman as a witch.

A witch. In 2008.

When I saw the headline, I thought is was going to be a joke, or a link to The Onion. Monty Python punchlines were already competing with each other in my mind.

Then I read it.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Some guy can't get a fucking plumpy, so it's obviously this woman's fault.

They are going to execute a woman in 2008 because she is a witch.

Ok, I'm going to say this as clear as I can in my ranting, pissed off frame of mind.

There is no such thing as Witches!!!!

Religion is the root of almost every heinous act of the past 2500 years. Religion or greed.

There is no Satan. He was created to keep poor ignorant peasants who outnumbered the elite from rising up.

There is no heaven. No streets of gold, no mansions in the sky, and there probably aren't 72 virgins in my Son's freshman class, much less waiting for your sick Misogynistic ass when you die. - (While I'm on a roll, what's the big fucking deal with virgins anyway? Give me a mature woman who knows what she wants and how she wants it.)

There is no God, Allah, Moses, Muhammad, Buddha, or Jesus up in the sky wanting you to kill for him (or her, for that matter.) If they did exist, which they don't, they damn well don't want you to kill anyone, they want you to be humble and turn the other cheek and all of that stuff. Trust me on that one.

Women are just as important as men. Probably more so. If some calamity hit the earth and decimated the population down to about say 30 people, which breakdown would be safer bet for the continuation of the species?

27 men and 3 women
or
27 women and 3 men

It's a big circle of life you dipshits, we need each other.

Ok get it?

As for you George W. Fuckface, How about your spreading freedom agenda? Cause I'd like to spread some fucking freedom all up in that court's shit about now. Why is this ok in Saudi Arabia George? Why aren't you all up in their shit, threatening them with bombs and shit? What's that? Oh, because there is no way to make fucking money for your cronies in protecting one poor old woman. Fuck You and your policies. Fuck your war, fuck your greed, fuck the war profiteers, and mostly FUCK THESE GODDAMN SAUDI murderers!!!!!!

I wish she was a witch, because then she could come back as a vengeful spirit and make your dicks all fall off.

He Did It Better

I've been bashing VD all week long here, but once again, I bow in the direction of Southern California.

Batocchio has a beautiful post that, once again, I wish I'd written.

Yeah, sure, buying a goddam Hallmark card is a sign of love, just like wearing a flag lapel pin means you're a goddam patriot, and wearing a cross makes you a Christian, and being a think tank "scholar" means you're a fucking genius like Mike O'Hanlon or Doug Feith or Dinesh D'Souza, and being George W. Bush means you're actually running the country versus Dick "Richelieu" Cheney and you're touched by the great God almighty and as infallible as bejeezus himself and just all-around, goddam fucking brilliant.

Yeah, pretty much. Go read it all, it gets better.

Happy, Well, . . . You Know

I hope each and everyone of you feel loved today, because you are. I promise you, even if the people who love you are really shitty at showing that love, they do.

Britney Out, Posh In

I'm a Theatre Purist.

Call me a snob, but I hate it when a director (or worse yet, a school board, principal, etc..) edits a play for content.

When the writer himself does it???

I'm a little mixed, even then.

This time, I think they got it right.

Eric Idle has changed the lyrics in the Lady of the Lake's song to remove Britney Spears and replace her with Posh Spice.

Says Eric Idle:

Because we don't laugh at sad people. Mike Nichols (the show's director) requested it and he's right. We changed the lyrics in London, on tour, on Broadway and in Las Vegas. We think that it's now too sad. Britney Spears is being tortured to death and we don't want to be on that side.

I say good for them. Yes, I admit to having watched her descent with a bit of Schadenfreude, but quite some time back I have come around to the fact that we are dealing with a mental illness. It is not entertainment to follow a sick young woman around with a camera, hoping she flashes her crotch.

It can't have been easy for such a successful show to make that change. The new lyric doesn't work nearly as well, but it was the right thing to do.

Old Lyric:

I am sick of my career

Always stuck in second gear

Up to here with frustration and with fears

I've no Grammy no rewards

I've no Tony Awards

I'm constantly replaced by Britney Spears

Britney Spears!

New Lyric:

My love life is a mess

I've got constant PMS

My career is about as hot as ice

They hate me there backstage

They say I'm too old for my age

They're trying to replace me with Posh Spice

With Posh Spice!!

Good job guys.

Don't Bother . . .

I have a confession.

Brave Sir Robin likes to occasionally get his gamble on.

I love Vegas. I like to hit the casino on cruise ships. I've been known to gamble in Louisiana from time to time. I even like the dog races.

I like blackjack ok. I like to play poker, ("Poker? I didn't even kiss her!") with friends. I love to spend time in the sports book. I'm not much on slot machines, but I have played them.

I really love Pai gow poker. If you make it to a casino that offers it, I highly recommend it. Roulette is a lot of fun, though I rarely win at it.

Ahh, but the dice. Yes, Brave Sir Robin loves to play craps. It is such a social game. Get a hot guy on the dice and everybody makes money. You make friends very fast at the craps table.


So, with that in mind, let me tell you about our side trip to the Choctaw Nation Casino in Oklahoma this past Saturday.

We were all excited!!!! Myself, D & L were old hands at hitting the casino, but for G, their son, it was to be his first time. His girlfriend, Dn, also came along for her first casino experience.

We arrive to a packed parking lot. The place is huge!! Casino, hotel, conference areas, Rodeo arena, Concert Hall. That's a great sign, I thought. I've seen my share of rinky-dink roadside Casinos in Louisiana. This looks pretty good! It was about 2:00 or so in the afternoon.

How to describe it? A list of what I didn't see is probably the best way to let you understand the experience.

What I didn't see in the casino.

Native Americans.
The only Native American I saw in the entire place was selling trinkets on a table outside the official gift shop.

Clear Air.
Maybe the smoke eaters were broken, maybe they were simply over-taxed, maybe they were non existent. Who knows? All I can say is that my leather suitcase still smell like smoke just from having my dirty clothes in it for the day. Sweet Jeebus this place looked like an L.A. afternoon in the late seventies.

Young Middle Aged People.
I'm thinking the over/under age of the average patron was about 67.

Bras.
(See previous item-this makes for an unpleasant combination) Enough said.


Empty Chairs.
This place was wall to wall humanity. As crowded a place as one can imagine. In the middle of the afternoon!

Craps, Roulette, Pai Gow, Sports Book.
This place had blackjack and slots. That's it. A Casino bigger than 2 or 3 football fields, and all they have is blackjack and slots. Oh, and there is a 50 cent per hand surcharge just to play blackjack!!!

Alcohol.
Ok, I'm not saying I can't have a good time without alcohol. Ok, I am saying that. It's a freaking CASINO!!!!!!! I can't even have a beer? Are you shitting me? You are going to deny me craps and clean air AND a drink, then charge me 50 cents a hand to lose money?

On the bright side, some of the dealers had all their teeth.

btw - I'm really not exaggerating, its was worse than I'm letting on. I've cleaned out much of what I really wanted to say about the patrons.

I Still Hate Valentine's Day . . .

Another reason to hate Valentines Day?

All of the insipid, non-news, "news stories" that will inevitably be in every newspaper, newscast, website, or TV show.

We get it!!! February 14th!!! Day for lovers!!!!! You are too lazy to do a real story!!!


Such as:

The New York Times FRONT PAGE, above the fold has not one, but two:

In Celebration of Valentine's Day, a look at the sex life of the Tyrannosaurus Rex. (You can't make this shit up)

I Love You, But You Love Meat.


From the Houston Chronicle:

Don't Wait Guys, V-Day Is Almost Here.


Yahoo's home page has too many to list.

We get it.

It's tomorrow.

Make sure you buy some overpriced candy or flowers or Vermont Teddy Bears, or Lingerie, or jewelry.

Jewelry - You should see my mail box. Jewelry stores I've never even heard of have, apparently heard of me.

I want this week to be over. It is a painful reminder of what I don't have. Yes, that is a terrible attitude, and an unhealthy way to look at things, but there it is.

I miss Rene' and tomorrow is a stark reminder of what could have been.

I Hate Fucking Valentine's Day

Everywhere you go, everywhere you look.

Valentine's day bullshit.

Even in Fucking World Of Warcraft, there is Valentine mania.

Wake up people!!!! It is a brazen attempt to part you with your money!!!!

If you love someone and you have to wait until Feb. 14th to show it, there isn't a box of chocolate in the world that is going to fix that relationship.

That is all.

Bye, Bye Life, Roy Scheider

Roy Scheider, Nov. 10 1932 - Feb. 10 2008. It's a shame he'll be remembered for Jaws, but not for this one.

Chilling, but appropriate. One of my all time favorite films.

Postcards From Jeebus Land.

Well, the trip was wonderful. It was great to get away with friends and have adult conversation. It was also nice to drive leisurely, without time-lines, and with the ability to stop when and where we wanted without kids complaining.

Note - all pictures have clickable goodness to embiggen. I do suggest it, because most of them require reading.

A few things of note. North Texas is definitely Jeebus Country. Yep, they loves them some Jeebus, (and Huckabee).

They also don't much care for alternative culture, or clothing.

You can even stay in a Jeebus Hotel!!

If your car gets dirty, you can always go to a Jeebus-Endorsed car wash. (Can you imagine the ads for this place? Washed in the blood of the Lamb anyone?)

Just in case the Fundies forget to talk to the big guy, there are reminders along the highway.

Even the truckers get in on the act.

This one was in the Casino parking lot!

As one might well imagine, we were ready for some good old liberal, alcohol drinking, rock music listening, counter-cultural type people after two days of all that! So, on the way home we took about a two hour detour so we could go home via Austin.

For those of you that don't know, Austin is a blue city stuck right smack in the middle of the red state of Texas.

D&L are silent partners in a wonderful pizza place on South Congress in Austin. We knew we were back where we belonged when we saw this car parked out front of the restaurant.
(The Gandhi quote is my favorite)

Once inside, we felt right at home.

We weren't so sure however, that all that time in Jeebusville didn't affect us. David was convinced he saw the Virgin Mary's nipple in his beer foam. What do you think?

Well, She wasn't hiding in the cannoli or the chocolate sorbet, that's for sure.

We got home about 10:30 last night and declared the trip a rousing success. I will probably post more photos throughout the week.

I Survived The Trip!!

Details and pictures coming to a blog near you soon. . . . .

To whet your appetite . . . .

Good Morning From The Road . . .

Well, it took 8 and a half hours to get here.

But that was ok, we had excellent conversation and (two of us), plenty of beer.

This morning we are crossing the border into Oklahoma for a bit of gambling at the Native American Casino.

I'll have pictures later, I can't upload from this machine.

Did I miss anything?

Roadtrip!!!!!!

Brave Sir Robin is going on a much needed Roadie this weekend.

My good friends D&L are hitting the road with me, and we are going to Sherman, Texas.

Why on earth would we do that?

Well, besides being the location of D's Alma-Matter, their oldest son is in a production this weekend.

So, 7 hours of driving, and we will see The Foreigner.

I most likely won't have internet access this weekend, but if I do, I'll stay in touch. Otherwise, I'll be back with pictures and updates on Sunday.

Be good.

Did You Ask For It?

I found such an amazing post, that I just wanted to share it with you. This is (again) via Blue Girl. I don't knows if Blue Girl know Patty Digh or not, but I followed her link to this post, and it really spoke to me.

How often do we not get want we want out of life because we just don't ask for it? I know it's true for me.

I really think you'll enjoy this post at 37days. Let me know if you do, (or don't).

Jesus Goes Swimming

(Click me goodness)

A Quote From My Dream . . . .

When you turn 70, the teacher will bring you an empty gourd, then you can have all the sugar you want.


???????

Spring Is Coming . . . .

Early February, the very heart of winter for most of us. For me, Spring is only a week or two away, but where many of you live, I suspect the winter hasn't yet had its say.

It is coming, as surely as the sun will rise tomorrow Spring is coming.

It is coming where you live, it is coming where I live, and mostly, it is coming in Washington.

Look forward to it, and welcome it.

Spring

Nothing is so beautiful as spring—
When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush;
Thrush’s eggs look little low heavens, and thrush
Through the echoing timber does so rinse and wring
The ear, it strikes like lightnings to hear him sing;
The glassy peartree leaves and blooms, they brush
The descending blue; that blue is all in a rush
With richness; the racing lambs too have fair their fling.

What is all this juice and all this joy?
A strain of the earth’s sweet being in the beginning
In Eden garden.—Have, get, before it cloy,
Before it cloud, Christ, lord, and sour with sinning,
Innocent mind and Mayday in girl and boy,
Most, O maid’s child, thy choice and worthy the winning

Gerard Manley Hopkins

I thought this was appropriate for our anticipation of Spring. Hopkins takes a bit of energy to read, to absorb.

It will take a bit of energy to get through our winter, but Spring is coming, it is surely coming.

Can't We All Just Get Along?????

Wherein I write a letter.

(To see where this post is going, and understand my dilemma start here, via Blue Girl:)

My Problem, Exactly!

Dear Hilary and Obama, or, to avoid any whiff of cantankerousness or favoritism, if you prefer, Dear Obama and Hilary,

Please, please, please, for the sake of our Party, for the sake of our common cause, for the sake of Progressive Blogger's everywhere, for the sake of my children's future, for the sake of civilians in Muslim countries, for the sake of our stressed out planet, consider the following plea.

Have a meeting.

Make it a secret meeting.

Sit down together as two Democrats, hopeful for the future of our Republic.

Decide who's turn it is.

Please, one of you agree to be the other's running mate. Hold a joint press conference and announce something like this:

Fellow Americans,

We have decided the time has come to put the good of the Nation above our own pride, our own needs, and our own desires. We have decided at this time to join our campaigns together in a common cause to selflessly protect what is left of our Nation, our freedom, our treasury, our Constitution, and yes our Future, from the further destruction of the Republican party.

With (either one) at the top of the ticket, and (the other one) as running mate, we will brainstorm our platforms and combine them into what you, the citizens of this great nation deem to be the best options to pull this Nation back into prosperity and respectability.

This Nation has far too long forgotten it's honor and it's heritage. It is time for the United States Of America to stop being the bully on the block and start being the Shining example of freedom, opportunity and hope to the rest of the world.

There is nothing so vital, as removing the criminals and thieves that have stolen our Government away from the people.

Please, let's all fight together for change.

The vitriol is ratcheting up, the Party is dividing before our eyes. We cannot continue to shoot each other in the back. A divided convention would be a disaster.

Please do the right thing. Either one of you would be an amazing improvement over the criminals in the current White House.

Think of the thousands of girls, wondering if they will have control of their own bodies when they become women. Think of the poor, wondering if they will be able to feed their children. Think of the father who must decide between paying the rent, or taking his uninsured child to the doctor.

One of you, either one, do the right thing.

Very happily and sincerely yours,

Brave Sir Robin.

Myth Busting, Eh?

I cannot recommend this enough:

Myth busting the Canadian health care system.

The pros and cons of the Canadian single payer health care system from an American living in Canada.

Go read it, share it with others, especially the "Socialized Medicine is the end of civilization" types.

Vagabond Scholar: Day of Shame

Botocchio hits one out of the park:

Vagabond Scholar: Day of Shame

It's long, and there many out links, but it is pretty damn comprehensive.

Go check it out.

This Is A Bombshell !!!

I don't do a lot of sports talk on this site, because I get the feeling that isn't what my readers are interested in.

But this is big.

First of all, I have been a huge Roger Clemens fan pretty much since he was in college. It was a happy day in the castle when Roger finally became an Astro.

That being said, I think he's guilty, and as such should be banned from the hall of fame forever.

All of that aside, he spent 5 hours yesterday testifying behind closed doors in a deposition to Congressional attorneys. He apparently denied ever taking steroids or HGH.

Now reports are out that there is physical evidence he lied.

Cheating in baseball is one thing, lying to Congress is another.

If he lied, and it can be proven, he should be in jail.

I hope he goes to jail.

I Feel Faint . . .

Hold on to something steady kids, this may cause you to swoon.

GASP!!

Ted Haggard's "restoration" isn't working!!

His 100% heterosexual-ness is apparently not so 100%.

Imagine my surprise.

Super Duper Colossal Gi-normic Tuesday Is Over!!

It's a tie!!!!

Well, sort of.

A few observations.

Huckabee will be McCain's V.P. He sabotaged Romney in West Virginia, and he and McCain have practically been dry humping each other in the media. Huckabee on the ticket would be too tempting a plum for the RRW's* to make good on their promise to stay home.

The Republicans had mostly Winner take all States yesterday. McCain won all the delegates (58) in Missouri with only 33% of the vote. Hardly a ringing endorsement. He won Oklahoma with 37%.


The Democrats are just as split as the Republicans. Hillary clearly has the support of the old school base. Obama has the black vote and the younger whites. To break away he is going to have to pull in some older whites and the brown vote. He hasn't shown an ability to do so yet. Reader SM over at Talking Points Memo sums up Obama's problems in a letter. I don't agree with everything he says, and I certainly don't agree with his tone, but he does get to the heart of the matter. Go read it and tell me what you think.

If had voted yesterday, I would have voted for Obama. Not because I think he would be a better President than Hillary, but because I think he has a better chance of winning.

Winning is the only thing that matters. Some bloggers that I read and admire have taken the "Hillary can't win in November" crowd to task, urging us to consider the quality of the candidate and not worry about November.

Sorry, do you want a McCain/Huckabee administration selecting 2 or 3 Supreme Court justices?

Do you want war in Iran?

Winning matters. It matters a lot. 4 or 8 more years of Republican rule could well be the death of our Republic. That is not hyperbole, it's simply the truth. These people can't govern.

One more thing - I live in the Central time zone. Super Tuesday turned into Super Wednesday morning as I waited for results.

This phenomenon has led Jill Sobule to write this little ditty. Yes, it is 4 minutes of your life that you will never get back, but if you read this site, I'm sure you will enjoy it. (Embedding isn't supported, so follow the link, it's really funny.)

Ode To Super Tuesday


Have a Great Super Wednesday Morning!!

* Religious Right Wingers, ie "Fundies, ie "Batshit Crazy Mythology Fiends"

The Chickens Come Home To Roost . . . .

It's finally happening!!!!!
The Religious Right-Wingers* have started what I'm calling the McCain Exodus.

As I predicted, the RRW's will never vote for McCain, and in fact might just sit this one out.

Today the grand Pooh-Bah of Colorado Springs announced that he would not support McCain, and in fact will stay home and not vote if McCain is the nominee!!!!!


Oh joy!! Oh happy day!!!

I am often surprised that the un-holy union of RRW's and supply-siders lasted as long as it did. They never had anything in common with one another. The Supply-siders hatred of teh gays was always pretend anyway.

HA HA Freaking HA Republicans!!!! The chickens ALWAYS come home to roost.

Best news I've had in a long, long time.

* I refuse to call them Christians because nothing the vast majority of these people say or exhibit in their lies lives reflect the teachings or lifestyle of Jesus.

Have You Hugged Your Blogroll Today?

Today is Blogroll Amnesty Day!!

It is hoped that by adding blogs that get less traffic than yours to your site, you will help generate traffic to other worthy sites, which readers might not be aware of.

Ok - problem is, I would have a hard time finding sites that get less traffic than mine!!

Every site on my blogroll is a site I visit. Often daily. I would encourage you, my readers to visit them all. Some are personal, some are political, some are food related, there is even a knitting blog over there! (disclaimer - I don't actually knit, though I would like to learn some day, but the site is very well written by a personal friend of mine)

I would like to point out a few additions to my blogroll over the last few months. Please check them out!!

Shimoda's Dream - I found this site a few months ago. She had made a comment on Minstrel Boy's site that I really enjoyed and I followed it back to her site. I always find something there that makes me feel good.

Steamy Kitchen - Wow!! Attention all foodie's! This is a great site!! Jaden cooks mostly Modern Asian food, and takes amazing photos of her dishes. Her recipes are terrific, but her writing is the reason I keep going back. She is seriously funny!!

Random Babble - A single Mom in Hawaii, writes about her life, feminism, food and Paganism. (and it was our shared love of Buffy that bonded us)

Most of the bloggers listed on my site are regular readers and commenter here, I have met them all over the internet, and consider myself very blessed to know them. If you see a site listed over there you've never been to, go check it out!!!!Please, check them all out!!

And don't forget to leave a comment!!!!!!

Happy Blogroll Amnesty Day!!

And The Winner Is . . . .

I refuse to talk about the game, suffice to say, I'll be listening to Billie Holiday all week.

:(



Hey, but how about those ads?

Did you like them? Did you have a favorite?

Among the group I watched with, the baby buying stock seemed to be the favorite, with the crowd split 50-50 between the first one where the baby spits up, or the second with the clown. (My favorite)

The Planter's Cashew ad was well received as well.

thoughts?



Among the most cringe worthy had to be the Ad with the stereotypical Chinese accent on the Panda Bear. Are you kidding me? This is 2008 for Fuck's sake.

What, Micky Rooney's character from Breakfast At Tiffany's wasn't available?

Sheesh!

The History Of War . . . . . As Told By Food.

Ah, you're going to like this, I hope. Two of my favorite topics, History and Food!!

This video is the history of modern war, (WWII to the present), with animated food representing the nations involved.

The Vietnam war sequence is wonderful, and the ending is fantastic.

Can you name all the countries (regions) and the dishes that are representing them?

This is very, very clever.

Enjoy!!