Watch Television

There are some cool things to watch on the boob tube. One of the newest shows I've taken a fancy to is '30 days' which is produced by the director of the documentary 'Supersize Me'.

The premise is simple. A camera crew follows a person as they do something for 30 days. The premier episode had the director and his girlfriend living and working on minimum wage in Columbus Ohio. It was hard to watch.

The latest episode was the best so far however. They took a good ole pork eating, Christian white boy from West Virginia and shipped him up to Dearborn Michigan to live as a Muslim for a month. He was instructed to follow all the customs including dress, appearance, diet and religious observance. It was fascinating to watch. The guy they got was, in all truth, an Ugly American and as such found impossible to keep from doing and saying thing that were ignorant and or/rude. But I really have to give it to the guy. He stuck it out. He opened his mind and worked to understand a people and a culture that was completely alien to him. His biggest struggle seemed to be with the prayers, which he refused to take part in for most of the month. He tried to discuss his reservations with an Imam but the language barrier made it hard. In the end he found a contractor who was building a new Mosque who helped explain a lot of things and helped him understand what was going on. In the end he did go through the motions of the prayer (while holding a small gold crucifix in his hand).

I wonder what his neighbors will say to him, or how they will treat him now that he's safely back in his insular home town. It would make for a neat follow up.

The next episode will take a Conservative Red State Homophobe and send him to San Francisco. He will have a gay room mate, join a gay sports team and work at a job that caters to gay clientele. Should be interesting. Go check out the show. It's on FX Network

Refreshing

Today's task was simple. We planned to paint the front of the building atop the Moroccan room. The Barn red has GOT to GO. It's on everything and its old. So we went out, ran errands, purchased a few quarts of paint to experiment with and returned to the house. With the heat in the 80's we were dripping from the shopping trip. We brought out all the brushes, scrapers, paint, rollers, tarps, etc to the roof and began our task. The Sun came out and after an hour I had to come inside or risk bursting into flames. I was already in shorts, a super light weight tank top and sandals and I was still cooking. After another hour we completed painting a section and called it quits. We came in, washed the brushes and cooled down. I checked my email. Then Rossana says "Hey, its raining." Sure enough. Despite a blistering sun only minutes ago. Big, fat drops of rain started to fall.

"The tarps and other stuff is still on the roof"

Although this was a statement, I recognize a directive when I hear it and put on my sandals and ran out to pull all the stuff to the porch. I also had to turn over our rowboat the vengeance so it wouldn't fill up with water. By this time I was soaked and out of breath. No reason to run, there was no way I was going to stay even slightly dry. In fact, the rain itself to so warm it actually felt good. It was slowly washing the stinging sweat from my eyes. I went inside but Rossana was already in the shower using as much hot water as the plumbing could provide. I didn't want to just stand around dripping waiting for the shower so I grabbed a bar of soap and stepped outside where I proceeded to strip down and take a shower in the rain.

Let me say, it was a damn refreshing shower. I lathered up and just let the rain rinse me off. Our shower is a stand up stall and I'm 6'2. It felt great to be able to clean up without smacking my elbows into a door poking myself with the shower head when I'm trying to wash my hair. And thanks to the excessive greenery surrounding our property no one called in any Bigfoot sightings to the local police.

Try doin that while livin in the suburbs. Country livin. Gotta love it.

Link-Fu

Years ago my friend Mike Substelny bought the car of his dreams. A Delorean. He had saved for years and brought it to my house to proudly show it off. It was gorgeous. A work of art and a blast to ride in. I immedietly insisted that he tell NO ONE about getting the car. It was simply TOO COOL to become public knowledge. I then crafted a complex theme party involving terrorists siezing Doc Brown and his time machine. I somehow convinced Mike to convert his new baby into the car from the film. He did an awesome job and the end result was quite a site.

So whenever I come across a stray Delorean link on the internets I take a quick look. I found this link while doing some research about the new (and very cool) Batmobile. I forwarded it on to Mike who replied:

Very cool, Steve, but there are at least five or six DeLorean time machine reproductions that can drive on the highway under their own power. Most of then will be in Chicago next year, along with Bob Gale (one of the Back to the Future writers) and several BTTF cast members.

I'll be driving mine there.

As for DeLorean-related cool links, you might want to check out the projects of my friend Rich Wiesensal, as documented by aspiring movie producer Tamir Arden:
Roads? Where we're going we don't need roads.

Keep reporting on all things cool,

I bow to his superior Link-Fu. Go check it out.

A pleasant evening without fisticuffs

The Ohio Scottish games are held practically in our back yard. And since it was our last free weekend we decided to attend. Rossana and I even kitted ourselves out in our Scottish attire. I think I make a very dashing, if swarthy, Scot in my kilt.

The only trouble was the weather, which was so hot that my brain actually started to malfunction. I find it hard to breath or think, my thighs rub together uncomfortably (I know, TMI) I was pouring sweat just standing still. We did some shopping, looked at the import cars and bikes. Said hello to the Highland Cows and a very handsome Clydesdale and then it began to pour rain. We beat a hasty retreat back to the cool shelter of Bag End.

The rain stopped and friends arrived for the cooking of meats. The temperature eventually cooled down enough to make it enjoyable on the deck, where several animated discussions took place. Rossana dished with our larger than life friend Hoss (also known as captain unfiltered) about what was up in Renfair circles. Lindsey, Cat and Duffy talked about Harry Potter porn and Ed, Patrick and I discussed the relative merits of Wal Mart as a global economic power. Really. It was a very animated discussion. Patrick was more or less of the opinion that there was nothing at all wrong with Wal Mart and that it should be free to operate as it pleases. Ed and I argued that although it's fine to make a profit, relentless price lowering hurts suppliers and helps send more and more jobs overseas to companies with less than reputable workers rights records and product lines that are at times inferior. I boldly proclaimed that I would live to see a Wal Mart in flames. Some one or some group will one day look at that big blue box and decide that IT is the source of all their problems. No one contradicted me.

We ate Cheese Cake and ice cream and retired to the Moroccan room for more lighthearted exchanges. I had a great time. It's good to see friends and I love having a place of my own.

After this weekend we'll be in the season. This is really where the work gets done. Time to get down to brass tacks and sell. I'm just praying for the weather to cool off. I can't take 2 months of heat wave. My skull will pop.

Good clean fun

I know its a bit late, but I just found this. As a prop whore I occasionally visit Kropserkel, a very clever set of monkey who make some of the best movie reproductions around. About two years ago he built a kick ass Ring Wraith costume. Absolutely amazing. So what do you do when you've got such a cool costume? You hang around the lobby of a multiplex that's showing LOTR and scare the crap out of people.

Joy.

Turn about is fair play

Over at my friend Cat's Live journal is a sort of questionnaire:

1. What song/movie/icon reminds me of you.
2. I will try to name a single word that best describes you.
3. I'll tell you the most memorable moment I've had with you.
4. I will tell you what animal you remind me of.
5. I'll then tell you something that I've always wondered about you.

She posted her impressions about me so it's only fair that I do the same for her seeing as she's been a longtime friend and confidant.

1. In addition to the soundtrack from Chess, which stands as a strong reminder of my early friendship, Don Henley's 'Boys of Summer' has always struck me as the single song that puts me in mind of her. Not all the lyrics really work but its not really about the lyrics so much as the style of the sing (and video) and the fact that it marks a very specific time.

2. Using a single word to describe a good friend is like trying to select one favorite food. It is an insult to food. If I were to have a gun put to my head I suppose I would be forced to use 'Talented' but its such a weak word to describe the multitude of skills she possesses.

3. Most memorable moment. As I get older I tend to loose details from my past. It is at times alarming to hear some of the things I have said and done. But some moments are still clear, and a particular Halloween outing to Lewis Woods still strikes me as very magical. A group of geeks in garb in the woods wondering what we would do if we were in 'The Lord of the Rings' story.

4. Cat has often reminded me of a cat. Enigmatic, frustrating, wide-eyed and inquisitive. Slightly mischievous.

5. Something I have always wondered... Hmmm There's a couple of questions lurking there. Why Evergreen? A school so damn far away? Why haven't you finished the comic? Really. Why does your heart seem like such an elusive target? Why don't you call more often? Too many questions...

At last... It's over...

I'm, still exhausted but I had a great time hosting our second housewarming party at Bag End. I was overjoyed to see so many friends come out to see the place. Freidns drove from Columbus and Michigan and 2 flew in from Baltimore.

The weather was good and almost all the house projects got done. We set up an archery range and I actually got to fire my longbow, which I haven't done in two years. We pulled out the swords and played frisbee hack which is always a blast. Couples took our rowboat, the Vengence, our for romantic rides and the fountain Grim built worked great.

We topped the night off with a fireworks display that was better than I hoped for. One set of fireworks misfired causing some brief concern (panic) but no one was hurt.

There was a mountain of cake and pie and my minion Lindsey brought us an honest to goodness Frozen Custard machine that dispences creamy joy.

I just can;t tell you what a good time I had. I hope those who got to come out did too. If you missed it, well, you suck quite frankly. You missed a good party. But there's always next year! I'm thinking of also doing a bit of a cookout for the Scottish games next weekend. If anyone is interrested, drop me an email.

I am weak willed.

I'll admit it. I do not have the iron will that I wish I had. I love food, I have a hard time going to the gym. I never met a form of chocolate I didn;t get along with.

So walking into a fireworks store unsupervised was likely not the best idea. It sounded like a good idea. Fireworks to celebrate our first full year in Bag End. A little something extra to liven up the party. It was, as the saying goes, a simple plan. But the sales help at Fireworks World in Sandusky Ohio were helpful. Very helpful. They taught me more about fireworks than I ever dreamt of learning. I learned about mortars, repeaters, showers, spinners. At one point I felt dizzy and had to sit down. I was in a room with enough explosive power to blow up the entire building and leave a good sized crater. Kid, meet candy store.

I eventually selected several items. I stayed away from the mortars. These require you to shove an ball composed of unstable chemicals down a tube, light a fuse and then run away. After three or four rounds these things (according to Bill, the helpful sales guy)'sometimes just explode'. Adding alcohol to this mixture most likely won't improve the safety factor by much. No mortars. But I did pick up a repeater called the phantom 1600 that the guy claimed looked just like anti-aircraft fire. "It's just like you're in Iraq". I debated whether to question him about the state of the Iraqi Insurgent airforces and the effectiveness of Allied anti-aircraft against them but decided against it.

In the end I paid a lot of money. Too much money. I blame my wife. She knew where I was going and could have drugged my food.

Wonderful

Tonight as we arrived home with some new lawnchairs I stepped into the back yard and found myself surrounded by a sea of flickering lights. Thousands of fireflies were out and it was simply magical. Rossana and I just sat down and watched for a good 10 minutes. There's no way to photograph or video tape such a thing. You merely enjoy the moment.

Wow

I'm feeling better thanks to the generous application of antibiotics and other drugs. The stifling hot weather hasn't helped things much. Am I feverish or just cooking in my own juices?

My Father and brother have both departed for home. There was talk of doing this again next year (only with their significant others and me being less dead) and I think that might be cool.

On a completely unrelated note. I found the website for a monkey so clever you could put a tail on him and call him a weasel. He has carved a house out of wood so that it and everything in it looks like its make from books. So cool it hurts...

Update! If you've been to Las Vegas you may have seen this artists work already. In the form of a wooden Ferrari.

So not cool...

It started out five days ago with a cough that wouldn't go away. I figured it was just a reaction to a lot of dust from sanding. The cough got worse. Rossana bugs me to go see the doctor but the last time I visited his he made me feel oogy. I pretend that I am not sick but the cough isn't buying it. Today the doctor confirms that I have strep throat and as an added bonus, walking pneumonia. Joy. I need to rest. I need to take powerful pills and swig syrums from dark phials. I need to rest. But my dad and my brother are visiting me. I don't see enough of them as it is. I hate being a shitty host. I'm so tired. I break out in a sweat at the drop of a hat. Luckily my Dad enjoys reading and Goodman seems to be enjoying the tranquility that Bag End has to offer.

There also the matter of all the shit that has to get done. Today we discovered the cause to our lack of power in the barn. One of the previous contractors ran over the line that leads from my work shop to the barn. It was only buried about three inches underground. This required digging a trench to bury new conduit and line properly. I tried to help but everyone just yelled at me to go take a nap. I feel useless. I hired my minion Lindsey to do yard stuff.

The day ended with a grand feast of beef and fowl topped of by pie. A good time was had by all. Horay! Maybe tomorrow I will less like poo.

More Akira coolness.

Remember that post about some clever Japanese monkeys ricing out a scooter to look like the Keneda bike from Akira? The post is back a few weeks, go check it out. If you have no idea what any of the words aboce meant, just move along, nothing to see here.

Suzuki has created a very cool looking concept bike called the G-Strider. It is both alomost as cool and at the same time FAR cooler than pimping a scooter. Go check it out. I got ta gets me some crazy money to get me one of these.

Lindburgh sure got around

According to CNN the famous aviator fathered seven, count 'em seven kids over in Germany (in addition to the six kids he had with his wife. In the words of Groucho Marx "I like my cigar too, but I take it out of my mouth once in a while"

Memorial Day

I am a bit conflicted these days. My feeling about this war are no secret. This Op-Ed piece pretty much says it all in a nutshell.

We are in a War based on a seriese of bad calls. I don't believe that this or any administration would go to war solely for profits or because they are 'evil'. That is an oversimplification. But I do believe in the falability of man. Thousands are dead because Bush thought Iraq was a threat when it wasn't. Despite intelligence that showed it was no threat, we went to war. No country goes to war just because there might be profit in it later, or because their daddy didn't 'finish the job'. You go to war to destroy an enemy before they destroy you. For some reason, Bush was absolutely convinced that Iraq was a threat and gambled that once we were in, the evidence would bare out his hunches. Many leaders have made such gambles. But in this case there was no need to guess. The intel was there. More time was needed, but for some reason Bush felt he had to act quickly. In his rush to prove that he was a good President and was protecting America he had people skew the intel. He ignored contrary evidence. He stepped up bombing raids to provoke Iraq. He sent Colin Powel (a man I used to respect) to the UN to give the bluff more legitimacy. And it was all wrong.

I thought once Americans knew the truth that the political system would correct itself. It didn't and I have NO explanation for this.

Now we are in Iraq. The Downing Street memo states that America had no long term plans in place for what happen after the war and that has proven trajically true. In the run up to the War when did anyone have time to draw up plans on rebuilding a nation? Planning a war is hard enough. Rebuilding a county is an order of magnitude more difficult and is something the military isn't built for. Thank goodness we have Halliburton (the Vice Presidents old company) to help us out.

But we're there now. And most of the soldiers there are doing the best they can to get by. They are trying to help Iraq, which isn't too keen to shake the hand of the people who now fight on their streets, bomb their homes and torture and humiliate their people. Did we liberate Iraq? Yes. Are they better off now? Good question. Saddam was a power mad dictator, but there are plenty of them out there that we don't seem too concerned about.

If we stay, we're a target. We're a symbol that can unite fundementalists against us and the US backed govenment. If we leave the country will fall apart and we will have shown ourselves and our 'pure' intent to have been a lie. It is a no win situation.

Into this mess steps our all volunteer military. They are the ones who have been shafted the worst. They are learning the bitter fact that no conquering army is welcome in a conquered country for very long. They are trying to fight a conventional war against guerrilla forces, which never works. The British learned that in America, the Russians learned that in Afghanistan and we learned it in Vietnam. They were ill equipped and are being kept in beyond completion of their tour of duty because despite all those people with 'I support our troops' magnets on their cars and all the chickenhawks in DC and religious leaders who support this war our military is struggling to maintin its fighting strength. All they can do is keep taking hits. They can beat any force in a stand up fight, but there aren't many of those fights left. We're down to street fighting where tanks are planes are almost useless. When we do use them, we find out that we've wiped out a wedding party, destroyed a Mosque, killed an innocent family. And that endeers us to no one.

I am very glad most of my friends who served are now out. But a few days ago I learned that a friend of mines son will be heading out for service in the National Guard. I had to force myself not to pick up the phone, call them and scream 'What the fuck are you doing?'.

There are many benefits to serving in the military. Job training, learning self reliance and teamwork. Developing character and a hard work ethic. Money for college, medical care and VA loans to help buy a house. But the job of the military is to first and foremost, fight in wars. They are put into harms way. And Iraq has a lot of harm to give.

I don't want to see this kids face flashed on the 10 o'clock news for five seconds while sappy music plays in the background because he got fragged by an IED. I don't want to hear that his unit accidentally killed a family of five at a checkpoint because the car wouldn't stop. I don't want him to loose a leg to a landmine. I don't want him to suffer Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder for the rest of his life. I don't want him to see his buddy from basic get killed by a car bomb.

There is no draft (yet), no compulsory military service in this country. So despite the failure of the political system, the fact that we volunteer for service might be the thing that stops this war. No Army, no war.

Ok, I've calmed down and am feeling better now...

Go take a look at this over at Something Aweful. Worst superhero costumes ever with somew veruy funny commentary. I actually remember some of the 'superheroes' that they are showing here and indeed, it proves that there was a huge creative void in comics for years.