Saturday, July 09, 2005
Terrorism sucks
America on the other hand is fucked. We are a huge country. We have thousands of miles of tracks, mass transit in most cities and massive coastlines. Protecting these assets is a massive undertaking. It will take billions. Now where could we get money like that? Of course! The federal budget! Oh wait, we're dumping 400 billion into a lie in Iraq. Our National Guard is there, our reserves are there. They are spending MY TAX DOLLARS to provide a fertile training ground for Al Qaida. Iraq is far better than Afghanistan. I man, what's in Afghanistan? Nothing. But Iraq had lots of big cities. Lots of places to hide, sympathetic citizens, lots of unemployed army folks. And you can get there on a number of airlines. Thanks George! You fucktard.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Kinda freakin out here
You have probably never seen an army missile used in a church service or a pastor dressed in fatigues, but that is exactly what you'll find Sundays at New Born Fellowship Christian Center in Rochester, where church leaders have decided to conduct a new program called Spiritual Warfare.
Our military is already a little too 'Onward Christian Soldiers' for my tastes as it is. The Airforce Academy had some trouble with spouting off Bible teachings and every time BushCo thanks GOD(tm) for the strength to carry on this insane war I winge almost as much as I do when we ask for his almighty help in glorious victory against Wassamatta U in the big game this Friday.
I know that these people are just trying to shake things up a bit. It's theme Sunday and that always helps boost attendance. But they seem to be missing the point. The job of the military is to (in theory)defend our country. And to do that, they kill people. They don't do it through prayer or through calm negotiations. Warfare is not not a noble venture. It is a bloody, chaotic and ugly thing. In war, unspeakable attrocities are commited by both sides. The innocent suffer.
To the good people of this church; I recommend that you think of some other theme. Something with less horrific connotations. Maybe 'Battle Royal' or 'Holy Crusade'. Hmmm No, those don;t quite work do they. How about just wearing funny hats. God has a sense of humor. I'm sure he'd dig funny hats.
Sunday, July 03, 2005
2005 season - day one
The frist official day is in the can and I am pretty pleased. The heat
wave that has plauged us for several weeks seems to have eased up. It
was a perfect day. So much can ride on the weather. Too cold and people
don't want to unbundle to try on clothes. Too hot and people don't want
to add layers. Rain is a tricky thing. Rain in the morning is a sales
killer but if a nice day turns to crap we still tend to keep the die
hards.
Every year is a bit of a crap shoot. You can't know what's really
happened with a show until you set up and can go talk/gossip with your
fellow rennies. Lots of changes this year. The human powered rides are
missing, several merchants are absent and the street character cast
comprised mostly of volunteers is almost half of last years numbers.
Attendance was a bit light but our sales were good. I don't think the
fair is in trouble but you're always keeping your eyes and ears open for
signs of trouble. We want to build a booth here and you hear stories
about folks building nice booths only to have the show fold the next
year.
Last years first Sunday was aweful. We're hoping to change that
situation this year. Wish us luck.
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Watch Television
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
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Refreshing
"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.
Monday, June 27, 2005
Link-Fu
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.
Sunday, June 26, 2005
A pleasant evening without fisticuffs
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.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Good clean fun
Joy.
Turn about is fair play
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...
Monday, June 20, 2005
At last... It's over...
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.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
I am weak willed.
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.
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Wonderful
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Wow
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.
Monday, June 06, 2005
So not cool...
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.