Not A Rookie, But Way Cool . . . .

Are you familiar with the blog Style Rookie?

It is allegedly written by a 12 year old named Tavi.

She is tragically hip, precociously clever, and pretty damn funny actually.

My guess is, she is not 12 and the site is someone's creative outlet.

I hope she is a 12 year old writing a blog like that. If so, she'll probably grow up to be as good as Bee.

You should go and check it out.

It's OK, I'll wait, tell me what you think.

Blogroll Call Out!!

Hey guys,

The new site will roll out in a day or two - you should have noticed a few tweaks here and there. There will be more of the older posts back up as well.

When I started taking the site down the other day, I lost a few people off my blog roll. If you can see who's missing, let me know.

OR . . . .

If think you should be on it, and you aren't, let me know, please!

I realize Homesick Texan and Steamy Kitchen are missing, I'm working on a separate food link gadget, so they will be covered.

Sending Out an S.O.S.

I've always considered song lyrics to be a particularly difficult type of poetry. If I could be a poet, I think I'd want to be a troubadour in the vein of Lyle Lovett or Townes Van Zandt. Yes, poets, both of them, to be sure. With song writing, not only does the poem have to speak to the audience, it has to fit within the frame work of the melody, not to mention the bridge. It is a skill I stand in awe of. That is not to say that only the singer/songwriter model of a lyricist is a poet, on the contrary, poetry can be found in every genre of music no matter whether it is to one's taste or not.

Hmm, funny how these blog posts work - that paragraph really didn't have anything to do with what I sat down to write about, but as I always tend to say - "that's another post", and then never get back to it, I think I'll expand a bit on that idea.

Yes, I suck at this stream of consciousness thing - So sue me.

Take Eminem for example. though you may revile his music, or him personally, and though his lyrics may be misogynistic and homophobic, the man is truly a wordsmith. Do I aspire to write his kind of poetry? Certainly not, but he is a poet.

It was through a song lyric that I first heard of Aphrodite. I looked her up in the library (no Internet back in those days), so I could better understand a particular song that was a favorite in my hard rocking adolescent days. I still look back amazed at how naive I was at 13. I can assure you, my children are far more worldly than I ever was.

So where am I going with this? I sat down to write about how this blog and blogging are a life line to me, and I suspect to many others, connecting isolated souls to like minded people. What made me think of this, was a song that came on while I was doing housework. More on that in a moment.

It may appear that I'm changing the subject again, but bear with me, someday I hope to have an amazing skill at tying seemingly disconnected ideas together into a beautiful post, but sadly, I am not there yet.

Do you remember a radio show called In The Studio With Redbeard? It apparently still comes on but I haven't heard it in years. The song I heard a while ago reminded me vividly of an episode of that show I heard many, many years ago. If you're unfamiliar with the show, Redbeard, the host takes the audience behind the scenes of a famous album and talks about when and how it was made, and interviews the artists, producers, etc... Great show, btw.

This particular episode was on The Police's 3rd studio album, Zenyatta Mondatta. During the interview portion, Steward Copeland called Sting the king of the three minute pop ditty, and noted that Sting considered it a high calling indeed. I think I'd agree with that sentiment on both counts. Yes, Sting can be pompous, and even pretentious, but come on - who else is going to work Nabokov into a pop song? A funny aside - during the same interview, Copeland said of Sting:

Sting is probably the person whom fame has changed the least, he was swaggering and cocky when he didn't have a dime to his name.

I love that.

So, back to the original post. As I'm cleaning house with the Satellite radio going, I'm thinking that I've really been neglecting my blog, and at the same time, not spending much time on other sites either. Most of my comments of late have been quick little one liners. I miss the ongoing conversations that comment strings can become. I was thinking to myself that it has been ages since I've sat down and just started writing whatever's on my mind. I miss it. I miss all of you, both here, and at your own little corner of the web.

As I'm think that, the live acoustic version of Message In A Bottle came on. As the final verse came on, I stopped folding the towel, and I just marveled at Sting's words. It gave me a little chill as he sang:

Walked out this morning, don't believe what I saw
Hundred billion bottles washed up on the shore
Seems I'm not alone at being alone
Hundred billion castaways, looking for a home
Ill send an s.o.s. to the world
Ill send an s.o.s. to the world . . . . . . .

I thought to myself, that is exactly what blogging is, little messages, floating out on the vast ocean of the Internet, hoping to be plucked out of the water and to find a home. Who says pop music can't be poetry? Not me.

Here is a video of the same version of the song, it is most likely the exact same performance. It is from the Secret Policeman's Other Ball, and yes, I have the LP. Oh, and can one help but notice how young and beautiful he was back then?


Yeah, that's poetry.

I Knew It.

See Bob, I told you so.
Your results:
You are An Expendable Character(Redshirt)


Click here to take the "Which Star Trek character am I?" quiz...

Things That Make Me Happy

This post made me guffaw out loud at my desk. (It's short - go read it, I'll wait.)

Well? Did you guffaw? Or gasp?

btw - Is there a more perfect word to describe a sound than gaffaw? Very underused word in my opinion.

Dangerous Knitting

How many of you ever click on someone else's blogroll? I do it often. Most of the sites I visit were originally discovered by clicking them in someone else's blogroll. If you like someone's site, chances are you'll like the sites they link to.

I want to draw your attention to a particular site on my blogroll:
In The Loop.
It is a knitting site.

Knitting?

Did he say knitting?

Yes, knitting.

No, I don't knit, but I'd love to learn, it just seems like it would be downright therapeutic.

So, what is Brave Sir Robin doing with a knitting link when he doesn't knit?

Well I'll tell you.

The proprietress of that site is a friend. I have known her and her family for the great majority of my life. When I discovered she was blogging I put up the link.

However, it isn't just a courtesy to link to her. Posts like this one are the reason that link is there.

Go read it, tell me what you think.

Redneck Calamari

Good Morning all!

It's Saturday morning and my birthday party has been in full swing since yesterday evening. Unfortunately, I wasn't there. I was at work, where I am again this morning. I hope to make it out there this evening. We'll see.

Meanwhile, I'll share this funny little photo from fellow foodie Bee. She sent me this with permission to share, so I am glad to do so.

I present:

Redneck Calamari

C. O.T.L. Update

HELP!!!

Tonight is supposed to be the deadline for submitting posts for the Carnival Of The Liberals #64.

I may have to extend it.

I have received a few submissions. Let me be polite and say They Suck They are lacking in the proper clarity and message I feel is needed to convey the desired effect.

Submissions may be made here.

The Tubes Are Full Of Cool People

The blogosphere has given me more than a voice. It has given me friends.

It goes without saying that all of you are dear to me. I consider myself friends with at least most of the bloggers in my blog role.

There are of course, sites where I only visit every once in a while. There are a few sites were I lurk, not feeling like I have anything to add to the discussion.

And then there is Mimi Smartypants.

I guess you could consider her a "Mommy Blogger", as her site is mostly about her daughter, Nora.

I wish I could meet Nora. She reminds me a lot of Clinton at that age. Nora loves her some Darth Vader:

When it is not stupid jokes, it is (still) stupid Star Wars questions. How does Darth Vader take a bath? I don't know, wet wipes? Sponge on a stick? He pushes the button that says "Wash" on his control panel thingy? The good part of her obsession is that she frequently talks like and even quotes Mr. Vader in her James Earl Jones voice, which is the cutest thing ever. She would kill me if I said that to her, though. She would use the Force to choke me with her mind. Every time I watch Nora walk somewhere I just know she is hearing the Imperial March in her head.

Mimi herself sounds like the kind of person I'd like to have a drink with, or certainly live next door to:

Today either I am abnormally hostile or people are abnormally weird, because strangers keep TALKING to me and LOOKING at me funny and just generally EXISTING IN MY SPACE, and I am super-sick of it. When I went to order my grilled cheese the grill guy (a new or perhaps substitute grill guy, not the awesomely taciturn grill guy who just gestures at you with his spatula in lieu of verbally taking an order) was all like "Grilled cheese! For the grilled cheese girl! Coming right up!" and I was all like "Shut your mouth before I shove you in the fryer" but of course I did not say that. Then I was waiting for an elevator and a different guy was giving me awkward half-smiles and doing some kind of eyebrow thing and I wanted to suggest that he keep his eyebrows to himself, unless he had brought enough for the whole class---which he kind of had, they were pretty bushy. Maybe the eyebrows were new and he was showing them off. In retrospect that was probably a tic or something. Okay, he gets a pass. People I work near, but do not normally speak to, keep punishing me with "Hi" and "How's it going" today. Arrggh! Politeness! Civility! I can't take it anymore!

If you don't visit Mimi Smartypants, you should. Alas, don't go there seeking a community, she doesn't have comments on her site.

I'm so glad Al Gore invented the Inter-Tubes, because all of you make my life richer, and fuller. It's wonderful that I don't need to live close to someone to be friends with them.

Once Again, He Does It Well

When I grow up. I want to write posts like this.

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!

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

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.

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!!

So I guess I should read this, Huh?

h/t to Gourmet Goddess for this little quiz.

I've never read this book, but I guess I will.

You're The Guns of August!

by Barbara Tuchman

Though you're interested in war, what you really want to know is what
causes war. You're out to expose imperialism, militarism, and nationalism for what they
really are. Nevertheless, you're always living in the past and have a hard time dealing
with what's going on today. You're also far more focused on Europe than anywhere else in
the world. A fitting motto for you might be "Guns do kill, but so can
diplomats."


Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

Fat Grlz Rule !!!

Our own, Kate Harding, Of Shapely Prose, in the New York Times !!

Rock on Kate!!

Go read it everyone!!!

For The Red Queen . . .

Red Queen my dear, I know things are tough right know, but maybe this will make you smile and remind you of happy childhood days.

Hang in there.

Purrrrrrrrrrfect Way To Relax

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

Have your speakers turned on.

Enjoy

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.