The One Where I Finally Remember To Do Heather's Tag . . .

OK - Catching up on all my "Tags"

This one is from Gourmet Goddess

The rules:
1. Put your music player on Shuffle
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER WHAT(this is in capital letters, so it is very serious.

1. IF SOMEONE SAYS “IS THIS OKAY” YOU SAY? Tuesday Morning - Michelle Branch

2. WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY? Overtime - Lucinda Williams

3. WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL? Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson (HA!)

4. HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY? Why Don't We Get Drunk And Screw? - Jimmy buffet (Boy, I hit that one huh?)

5. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE? Apache Rose Peacock - Red Hot Chili Peppers

6. WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO? Reelin' In The Years - Steely Dan

7. WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU? Under Your Spell - (Tara from the Buffy Once More With Feeling Soundtrack)

8. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS? Hey, Hey, What Can I Do? Led Zeppelin (uhm, YES!!!)

9. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN? Driven To Tears (live) - The Police. (indeed)

10. WHAT IS 2+2? Gasoline Alley - Rod Stewart

11. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND? Ramble On - Led Zeppelin

12. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE? The Grand Finale - Styx

13. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY? One Of My Turns - Pink Floyd

14. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? Little Rosa - Letters To Cleo

15. WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE? White Moon - The White Stripes

16. WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU? The Nearness Of You - Norah jones

17. WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING? Refrigerator Car - The Spin Doctors

18. WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL? When I Come Around - Green Day

19. WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST? It's Alright For You - the Police

20. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET? You're Not Drinking Enough - Don Henely

21. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS? Jungleland - Bruce Sringsteen

22. WHAT SHOULD YOU POST THIS AS? It Ain't Me Babe - Bob Dylan

Some of those came out pretty funny!!

I, Splotchy: This Story Is Virus

Ok Phydeaux my friend, I finally am doing this. . . . . . .

I, Splotchy: This Story Is A Virus :

Here's what I would like to do. I want to create a story that branches out in a variety of different, unexpected ways. I don't know how realistic it is, but that's what I'm aiming for. Hopefully, at least one thread of the story can make a decent number of hops before it dies out.

MathMan has tagged me to add to the story, which reads....


I woke up hungry. I pulled my bedroom curtain to the side and looked out on a hazy morning. I dragged myself into the kitchen, in search of something to eat. I reached for a jar of applesauce sitting next to the sink, and found it very cold to the touch. I opened the jar and realized it was frozen. (Splotchy)

"That's strange," I said out loud to no one in particular. My fingers slowly reached towards the jar again. My body experienced a wave of apprehension as weighted blanket covering me as I did so. The jar was completely frozen.

I picked it up and stared at it, my fingers stung with little knives of chill. "What the..." again I spoke aloud. Then I realized what had happened with a shock. Suddenly the jar flew from my hand. It shattered creating a collage-like mixture of frozen applesauce and glass shards on my kitchen floor, the lid lazily rolling to a stop across the room. (FranIam)

I stood for a moment considering what all this meant. Oh, I knew what it meant, I didn’t need to waste time thinking about it. He was back. And he was mad.

I ran down the hallway and flung open the door at the end. I was immediately hit with a blast of cold. I took a step back as I tried to catch my breath. I bent over, hands on my knees panting. He always had this remarkable effect on me. After so much time, it no longer scared me, but it was a shock nonetheless……

“You know,” I panted, “There’s no need to break things to get my attention.” (DCup)

I woke up in the same position as in my dream, on my knees. I was sweating even though room was freezing. (mathman6293)

I was used to the house being quite cold in the mornings, as the night log usually burns out around one AM when I am dreaming cozily under my covers, not normally waking to put a new one on until morning. I was surprised because on the rare occasions that it actually had reached sub-freezing temperatures in the house, I had awakened in the night to restart the fire. I would have been worried about the pipes before P-Day, but there hadn’t been running water in two years and that was one of the few advantages to being dependent on rainwater, no pipes. (Freida Bee)

The nightmares began during the following spring. The apple trees came to life in my dreams. At first the trees spoke and I thought they were amusing. That changed when the messages arrived. Lately, their anger was directed at me. (mathman6293)

The sound of the front porch floorboards creaking snapped me out of my reverie. I stood up, grabbed my shotgun and made sure a round was chambered, then quietly made my way into the front room and over to the window. As I peeked out past the closed curtains, my heart began to beat rapidly.

It can't be, the incredulous thought came, I saw him die last year!
(Phydeaux)

There was no doubt it was him. I knew the minute he tried to meow and managed only a croak. I could feel him purring before he even reached my leg. As he started to rub against me I bent to pick him up but that’s as far as I got.

I smelled her perfume. I didn't see her and the scent was very faint, but a man doesn't forget the smell of a woman like her. As my arms pulled Sylvester to my chest my eyes were closed. The smell of her was strong on him, and my mind carried me back to the last time I'd buried myself in that heady fragrance.

"Sorry I took your cat", she said.
(Brave Sir Robin)

Well, I have never tagged Red Queen (but if she lived closer I sure would try) So Red Queen my dear, you get the next paragraph.

Pardon Me While I Puke

From the You Gotta Be Shitting Me files -

Alberto Weasel Gonzales named Lawyer Of The Year.

Since it is the end of the year and we'll be seeing more " ______ of the year" lists and awards let me add the following.

If Weasel is Lawyer of the year then . . . . . .

Gay Rights Activist of the year - Larry "Wide Stance" Craig

Peacemaker of the year - George "Shrub' Bush

PETA - Animal Rights Angel of the year - Michael Vick

Natural Athlete of the year - Barry Bonds

Marksman of the year - A tie! Bobby Knight and Dick Cheney


You get the point?

Yeeesh!!

Any to add to this list?

Wheel Of Time Author Chosen

The family of Robert Jordan has selected an author to write the final Wheel Of Time Novel.

Brandon Sanderson, author of the Mistborn novels has been chosen.

Well, it is great to see this series will be finally completed. I was very sad to hear that Jordan had died this summer.

Have any of you read Sanderson's books? I haven't, so I can't say if this is a good choice or not. It will be interesting to see if he tries to mimic Jordan's style or use his own to tell Jordan's story.

I know some of you are Wheel of Time readers.

Discuss please.

Random Flickr Blogging IMG_0852 . . . (2 days late)

Sorry these are so late. Thanks for bearing with me.

As always, Random Flickr Blogging Explained.
You may click on each picture to go to the original.

Two proud graduates of Dover High School, where Creationism and Abstinence are always in the curriculum.

WiiiiiiiilllllBUR !!!!!!!!

The Lee family, though new to the USA, was eager to partake in all of it's customs. Here, they are preparing to carve their first Jack o lantern.

Ravi couldn't concentrate on the service. The only thing he could think of was, "Only Four more days until Sitar Hero III comes out"

Follow. But! Follow only if ye be men of valour, for the entrance to this cave is guarded by a creature so foul, so cruel that no man yet has fought with it and lived! Bones of full fifty men lie strewn about its lair. So, brave knights, if you do doubt your courage or your strength, come no further, for death awaits you all with nasty, big, pointy teeth.

Then did he raise on high the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch, saying, "Bless this, O Lord, that with it thou mayst blow thine enemies to tiny bits, in thy mercy." And the people did rejoice and did feast upon the lambs and toads and tree-sloths and fruit-bats and orangutans and breakfast cereals ... Now did the Lord say, "First thou pullest the Holy Pin. Then thou must count to three. Three shall be the number of the counting and the number of the counting shall be three. Four shalt thou not count, neither shalt thou count two, excepting that thou then proceedeth to three. Five is right out. Once the number three, being the number of the counting, be reached, then lobbest thou the Holy Hand Grenade in the direction of thine foe.

No, The Writer's Strike Has Not Affected This Blog....

A few things . . .

I am really busy at work.

A conversation with my well meaning but insensitive mother has put you-know-who in the front of my consciousness.

The dreams are back in full force.

I've been listening to music that I shouldn't.

So yes, I'm having a bit of a dark time.

It WILL pass. Please bear with me. I have been repeating my mantra all day.

I owe you:

Monday's Random Flickr Blogging

A Movie Review

At least 2 Memes

My eternal gratitude for not chastising me.

Brave Sir Robin is not feeling at all brave, but he plans on doing better. He is so not a Holiday person.

Suck It Bill Donahue!

Ha Ha Ha Ha HA!

I'm taking the kids to see The Golden Compass!!!!

We are leaving right now!!!!!

It's Supposed To Be WINTER!!!!!

It's 12:08 AM December 8th, and it's 84 degrees outside with 100% humidity and my air conditioner is running.

I hate South Texas.

Tonight was the local ((War on) Christmas parade and nobody was wearing a jacket, or a scarf, or anything remotely resembling winter clothes.

I wish I lived in New England.

Let's All Chip In!!

I've found the perfect War on Christmas present for Shrub. It's slightly used, but seeing as he's never heard of it, he shouldn't know the difference.

It's expected to sell for between 20 to 30 million, but that's a pittance compared to it's value.

Anyone care to pitch in?

An original (1297) Magna Carta to be auctioned off.

(Editing Mine)

The document, which Sotheby's vice chairman David Redden calls "the most important document in the world," is expected to fetch a record $20-30 million.

While earlier versions of the royal edict were written and then ignored, Redden said, "the 1297 Magna Carta became the operative version, the one that was entered into English common law and became the law of the land," ultimately effecting democracies around the world.

Today, its impact is felt by perhaps a third of the world's people, he said. This includes all some of North America, India, Pakistan, much of Africa, Australia and other areas that made up the British Commonwealth.

"When it's something as enormously important as this, you try to get a handle on it," he said. "It is absolutely correct to say the Magna Carta is the birth certificate of freedom. It states the bedrock principle that no person is above the law — that is the essence of it."

Like I said, a perfect gift.

Yeah, They Wrote This Song For Me

One of those days.

Really.

Can't get her off of my mind, so I'm trying to work up some anger/indignation.

Luckily, as I was looking up some appropriate music for duel celebration of Repeal Day and Zappadan, I came across this little gem. I'd never seen this cover.


Let's just say, the lyrics speak to me.
And Damn!! Frank Zappa can play the shit out of the guitar.

But then, you knew that didn't you.

Whippin' Post

I been run down, I been lied to,
I dont know why I let that mean woman make me a fool.
She took all my money, wrecked my new car.
Now shes with one of my goodtime buddies,
Theyre drinkin in some crosstown bar.

Sometimes I feel, sometimes I feel,
Like I been tied to the whipping post,
Tied to the whipping post,
Tied to the whipping post,
Good lord, I feel like Im dyin.

My friends tell me, that Ive been such a fool,
And I have to stand by and take it baby, all for lovin you.
Drown myself in sorrow, and I look at what youve down.
But nothin seems to change, the bad times stay the same,
And I cant run.

Sometimes I feel, sometimes I feel,
Like I been tied to the whipping post
Tied to the whipping post,
Tied to the whipping post,
Good lord, I feel like Im dyin.

Sometimes I feel, sometimes I feel,
Like I been tied to the whipping post
Tied to the whipping post,
Tied to the whipping post,
Good lord, I feel like Im dyin.

Tag, I'm it.

I have been tagged. Actually, I was tagged about a week ago.

Finally, I will respond.

First, I must post the rules:

1. We have to post these rules before we give you the facts.

2. Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves.

3. People who are tagged write their own blog post about their eight things and include these rules.

4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they're tagged and that they should read your blog.

5. Thou must post eight. Eight shall be the number of the posting and the number of the posting shall be eight. Nine shalt thou not post, neither shalt thou post seven, excepting that thou then proceedeth to eight. Five is right out. Once the number eight, being the number of the posting, be reached, then lobbest thou the Tag in the direction of thine fellow bloggers.

1. I do not eat liver. Not beef liver, nor chicken liver, or any other creature that it might be pulled from. I do not eat foods that have liver in them.
   

2. I love shoes, I have many, many pairs, but 98% of the time I wear one of three favorite pairs. I have a pair I love that is about 5 years old that I have worn exactly once, because they don’t match anything I own.
   

3. The first blog I ever read on a regular basis was way back in 1997. It wasn’t even called a blog, because I’m pretty sure the word hadn’t been invented yet. It was rebekah.org, and is no longer around. I miss it.
   

4. If you’ve ever seen the concert/documentary film Scorpions World Wide Live, there is a scene in a record store, where they are signing autographs. I was there.
   

5. I drink my coffee black. No cream, no sugar. I also like it rather strong.
   

6. When I was a senior in high school, I made the finals in an international casting call for the musical GODSPELL. While at the auditions, I met James Marsters. He was cast as Jesus, I didn’t get a part. (17 years later, I played the Lamar part)
   

7. I stuffed envelopes and knocked on doors for Gary Hart in 1984.
   

8. My biggest fear is loneliness. I worry about dying alone, or just being home alone and having a heart attack, and there being no one to call 911.
   

I tag - (I know, some of you may have done this) Anne, Gourmet Goddess - (it doesn't say you can't do it again), Jennifer, Camera Obscura, Tink, Tart, Robin, and Boxer Rebel.

The Apple Doesn't Fall Too Far From The Tree . .

When I was in high school, my favorite thing in the whole world was going to speech tournaments. In some parts of the country they may be called forensic meets. Basically, it is a competition for speech and drama geeks. Prose and Poetry Interp, multiple acting events, debate, and of course, ample opportunity to flirt with like minded young ladies from other schools.

Heaven!!


#2 Son (a freshman), went to his very first tournament Friday. Look what he came back with.



That, dear reader, is the BEST ACTOR award for the entire tournament!!!

As a freshman!!

At his first meet ever!!!!

Wow.

Just Freaking Wow.

Way to go Dylan.

Gee, what are the odds . . . . . .

92%DRUNKARD

ht: Robin

Raging Rudolph

Remember that old Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer animation that was on TV every year when you were a kid?

Now imagine if Martin Scorsese directed it. You get the idea. Just think of it as my little contribution to the War On Christmas.



Merry Freakin' Christmas!!

I remember this on Mad TV many, many years ago. I was very glad to find it on You Tube.

Isn't the internet wonderful?

Random Flickr Blogging IMG_5744

Random Flickr Blogging explained.
You may click on each picture to go to the original.

R I funny? . . . R I amuse U? . . . R I here to fucking amuse U?

The gig was up. It was only a matter of time until the "Jerry Garcia is alive and well, living in Russia" rumors started.

"No, it looks better on you." "No, don't be silly, it looks so much better on you."

Somehow, Aha's early work wasn't as well received as the later stuff.

Although the Running of the Bulls gets all the press, the San Fermin festival's "Running of the Cougars" is just as popular.

"yeah, potted meat food product MY ASS"

Excuse me, miss? There seems to be a mistake. I believe I ordered the LARGE cappuccino!

Oh! Well, I guess the Cubs can win the World Series this year.

Pictures at Eleven .....

So I promised pictures of the cheesecake, which btw was yummy. It probably could have stayed in the oven a little longer. It was really fine, I'm just being picky. Everybody seemed to love it.

Sorry about the quality of the pictures, (alcohol may have been a factor.....)
You may click for full size





More pictures from the weekend ..........

There was food

Sam is desperately hoping someone drops some turkey

There was fishing

There were flowers

Let us not forget naps in the hammock

It doesn't suck to be Clinton

Brave Sir Robin is very thankful for his friends, his family, and for those of you who care enough to stop by here and read my musings.

Thanks for stopping by. I am working on a long post to tell the whole Rene' story once and for all. It may be serialized, after all better bloggers than me have done it.

Today's Task.....

My good friends D & L were in Canada skiing over Thanksgiving, and missed out on a traditional meal, so today we are all going to their house for a belated Thanksgiving feast. My task is to make a pumpkin cheesecake, (recipe below) and whatever else I choose. Since I still have an abundance of rich turkey stock in the fridge, I will probably make a pan of stuffing.

However, my main task today, and every day it seems, is to purge my mind of Rene'.

My Mantra:

I am in love with who I thought she was. It is even fair to say I am in love with who I hoped she was, who I wanted her to be. I am in love with who she could be. I am in love with who she pretends to be, and perhaps even who she wants to be.

That person does not exist.

That person is a facade, created by a careful set of lies and manipulations.

Boy, thinking it is one thing.

Saying it out loud to myself is another thing.

Seeing it written down here for the world to see is something else entirely.

I know in my heart that what I've written is true, but that doesn't make the memory of that love any less real or less bittersweet. I am deeply in love with a person that never existed. The question of whether she could be that person if she choose to be is the one thing that keeps me going back for more each time.

I'm not sure she can.

Pumpkin cheesecake

Crust

• 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1 cup ginger snap crumbs
• 3/4 cup finely chopped toasted pecans
• 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/2cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 stick unsalted butter, melted

Press crust into bottom and a little up the sides of a 9 or 10 inch springform pan. Put in freezer at least 20 minutes. While preparing filling, pre-bake crust 10 minutes‚ at 400° and let cool.

For the filling:

• 1 1/2 cups solid pack pumpkin (fresh makes a huge difference, but it can be made with canned)
  
• 3 large eggs
• 1 1/2 t. cinnamon
• 1/2 t. freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/2 t. ground ginger
• 1/4 t. allspice
  
• 1/2 t. salt
• 1/2 c. packed brown sugar
• three 8-ounce packages softened cream cheese
• 1/2 c. granulated sugar
• 2 T. heavy cream
• 1 T. cornstarch
• 1 1/2 t. vanilla
• 3 T. bourbon

In a bowl whisk together the pumpkin, the cinnamon, the nutmeg, the ginger, the salt, and the brown sugar. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until just mixed, then fold into the pumpkin mixture. In a large bowl with an electric mixer cream together the cream cheese and the granulated sugar, beat in the cream, the cornstarch, the vanilla, the bourbon, adding the pumpkin mixture last, and beat the filling until it is smooth. Note: do not over mix after the egg/pumpkin mixture is added. excess air whipped into the eggs will cause cracking later.

Pour the filling into the crust, bake the cheesecake in the middle of a preheated 350°F. oven for 50 to 55 minutes, or until the center is not quite set, and let it cool in the pan on a rack for 5 minutes.

For the topping:

• 2 c. sour cream
• 3 T. granulated sugar
• 3 T. bourbon liqueur or bourbon, or to taste
• 3/4 c. chopped candied pecans
  

In a bowl, whisk together the sour cream, sugar, and bourbon. Spread the sour cream mixture over the top of the cheesecake and bake the cheesecake for an additional 5 minutes. Let the cheesecake cool in the pan on a rack and chill it, covered, overnight.

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