28 March 2011

Warning...

...righteous anger is building....

Soon there will be a post about Newt Gingrich, perhaps the least moral and most hypocritical man in politics. Well, that may be an overstatement but only because politics is filled with the worst people. Was it Plato who said, "Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber." Ain't that the truth (no matter who said it).


Anyway, there's too much anger and not enough night for my rage today so soon...and don't say i didn't warn ya.

~b

23 March 2011

Short List

Things I Can Tell About My Co-worker From a Day Using Her Machine:
~She uses the E key a lot.


...very short list.


~tweet tweet goes the busy bird

22 March 2011

Political Tête à Tête With Donald Trump

Guess what doesn't impress me? Your smug story about how you leased Gadhafi land in 2009 so he could attend the United Nations General Assembly meeting. You know why I am not impressed?

1. You said, "He paid me more for one night than the land was worth for two years,...." Wow...you're like a motel owner who jacks up the price of a room in the middle of a natural disaster. Impressive.

2. You then continue, "...and then I didn't let him use the land." It sounds like you really "screwed" Gadhafi. Oh, but wait...according to this 2009 story you didn't know the land you were renting to "Middle Eastern partners...may or may not have a relationship to Mr. Gaddafi." Hmm, so did you really screw him or did you get caught with your pants down and renege your short term lease when you realized a Libyan dictator would be staying there?

3. Speaking of that...how did you not know that Gadhafi was going to be staying there? Do you know many people from the middle east who travel to the U.S. and stay in a fucking Bedouin tent? Because I can only think of the one...

4. And that's the key right? You didn't discover that *gasp* Gadhafi was going to stay in that tent?! You pulled the deal when "State and federal politicians who learned that Gaddafi had rented property in the area were outraged..." One would think that you wouldn't need pressure from politicians to ask a Libyan dictator to pack up his tent if you were really surprised by his presence.

So there you go...you made a deal with a dictator, pulled out when you got caught, and then made a bunch of money off the whole thing.

Color me unimpressed.

~b

21 March 2011

Reading Time

Here's something i like about science fiction books---with each novel you have to learn a whole new language. Each author has a new type of alcohol. A phrase for a common drug of the time. A new vehicle, a new race of people, a new technology that drives their world.

As a reader, it takes a certain amount of effort to jump into these stories. We are rewarded with a tale that is entirely of the author's making. It's easy to lose yourself in these stories-i think more so than others. Since every frame of reference in this foreign world is supplied by the author, the reader (in this case-me) doesn't over think the events, or the dialog. It's just as it should be and we have no reason to question it.

It's a nice change of pace...anything that lets my brain just sit back and enjoy is a good thing in my book.

~happy reading
B

P.S. Yes, Neuromancer is very good so far...thanks for asking.

18 March 2011

Music

I think there is something magical about the Hammond Organ. You hear it often in the music of the 1960s and 70s and more and more these days. I wish I could explain how it fills a song with warmth. Everytime i hear a song with an organ line I can't help but smile.

Think the organ is only for church ladies (Well, isn't that special)? Do you need proof of the power of the organ?

I give you, The Doors. Sure it's a Vox Continental but really...it's still organ-a-rific.

How about Booker T & The MG's classic, Green Onions?

Not good enough, eh? You know the Beatles meant for Let it Be to sound like this. Listen to the organ at 1:50. Tell me that it doesnt sound better than the spector orchestra and i will kick you in your teeth.

There are so many more.

But my favorite is Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum. "Who," you ask? You know, those guys...

"But Bird" you say, "Can you name a song that isnt 30 years old?"

I can name five in fact...
Sowing the Seeds of Love-Tears For Fears
I Had A Dream, Joe-Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Fake Plastic Trees-Radiohead (Organ comes in at 57sec)
I'm Slowly Turning Into You-The White Stripes

I could go on and on...but really, by now you should already be out the door on the way to the record shop eh?


~b

12 March 2011

Nirvana

Mmmmm today i had as close to a religious experience as I have ever had. It didnt come in the form of a burning bush or a booming voice from the sky but rather in a paper cup and a biodegradable spoon.

Yogurtland.

Wowza, that's some tasty ass frozen yogurt. I enjoyed the Taro (who would ever imagine that slimy poi is made of the same thing) and Guava Pineapple Tart with fresh fruit on top. It was affordable and after looking at the nutrition at home, surprisingly NOT horrible for you. We're talking 21-34 calories an ounce and fat free. It made me think of the Seinfeld episode with the fat-free yogurt. Here's a very apropos clip...for many reasons.


~tweet tweet goes the...oh...ouch!....brain freeze