Yes, we can.

I won't be the only asshole to post this, but I'll give it a couple thoughts.

I do not support Senator Obama for President, not directly. I am an undecided Democratic voter. I will work for our nominee, whoever that is, because I believe that our worst is better than the best the GOP can offer. This video is part of the reason I believe that.

Let's visit the 90's for a sec.

Just some thoughts, via song. Not exactly something new from me, I guess.

Feeling sort of wistful and melancholy, and most of these tunes carry strong memories or emotions for me. I may have posted some of them before.

And I'd give up forever to touch you
Cause I know that you feel me somehow
You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be
And I don't want to go home right now

Iris, Goo Goo Dolls

Sucked Out, Superdrag

The World I Know, Collective Soul

In The Meantime, Spacehog

Counting Blue Cars, Dishwalla

Brick, Ben Folds Five

I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles), The Proclaimers

Crash Into Me, Dave Matthews Band

Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth with Money in My Hand, Primitive Radio Gods

There, now that's a decent set list.

Cheers

I wonder how old he is?

(Note: the following is a cross-post of a diary I wrote at the kollective this morning. It is not my habit to cross-post items, but I felt like this merited an exception.)

Looks like he's about 16 or 17. I'd guess he's probably closer to 20, but that's a stretch. The two girls who have been waiting to greet him look even younger.

I wonder how old he is?

The girls have been here a while. They both seem excited. I'm not trying to eavesdrop, but I pick up on the fact that Cody is coming home, and that it's been a long time, and that one of them is his girlfriend (I think). Idle chatter, until I hear someone say Iraq.

I'm standing in PDX, waiting for a good friend to arrive home from Boston. I'm a little early, so I take one of the available seats in the waiting area. The chattering pair of girls are two seats away. A couple of punk-rock chicks, carrying a sign welcoming "Tom-Tom" are the only other folks talking. Everyone else looks tired, subdued.

One of the girls mentions Iraq. She makes few breathless phone calls, then settles back in to wait. Won't be long. They lament the security that will keep them from running up and hugging their friend as soon as he disembarks.

Cody is off the plane before my friend, C____, so I get a good look. Still in his BDU's, First Cavalry Division, by the patch. He looks tired and happy. As soon as he enters the non-restricted area, the girls are on him. A long hug with one, while the other takes some pictures.

I wonder how old he is?

Everyone else seems to be studiously directing their attention elsewhere. A few sidelong glances, maybe. A couple of his fellow passengers size him up as they walk through.

Here comes C____. She looks tired and happy, too. We exchange a quick hug, and head downstairs, to baggage claim. Some idle chit-chat about the holidays. We wind up waiting a few feet from Cody and his welcoming crew. C____ says she has to find the loo, so I babysit the carry-ons for a few.

I wonder how old he is?

"15 months." More eavesdropping, but that's really all I catch. 15 months? Gods, he's had at least one birthday, "over there". He's fingering a pack of Marlboro Reds. Looks at the door, then the baggage carousel. Plays with the pack some more. I'm looking around, and there's still no one that even looks interested.

"Excuse me."
"Yeah?"
"Did you just get back?"
"Yeah."
Offer him my hand. Manage to choke out a "thank you", and a "welcome home". Seems like I should have more to say, but I can't think of what. One of the girls asks him if this happens often. He shrugs.

C____ is back. We're watching the carousel go 'round. More idle chit-chat, this time about about architecture in Boston, and on Martha's Vineyard. Here comes her bag.

"Thanks, again." Another handshake. He sort of smiles, just a bit. The girls start asking him what color his luggage is, teasing him that it's probably pink. C____ is ready to get home, so we leave.

I wonder how old he is?

Update [2008-1-3 7:51:31 by Marcus Tullius]: jimstaro has an excellent diary up, concerning those serving in the military, and the shortages they face.

Just a note of mourning...

I just felt like adding my voice to the clamor regarding Benazir Bhutto. I am much saddened, and dismayed, by her passing. I fear what this will mean for her country, the region, the rest of the world. Such a damned shame.

So, now what? What happens after the January elections? Will there still be elections? Will they even matter?

I feel as if our chances for sanity and peace are flying from us, one by one, and ever faster.

Nothing much else to say, I guess. Hope is such a flickering candle, sometimes.

Candle In The Wind, Elton John

I believe...

Thanks to a dear friend for reminding me to give it a listen.

I believe in the sand beneath my toes
The beach gives a feeling, an earthy feeling
I believe in the faith that grows
And the four right chords can make me cry
When I'm with you I feel like I could die
And that would be all right, all right.

It's four in the morning, and I'm sitting here, grinning like an idiot, just like I used to in that old Sentra. :)

Cheers, and many blessings.

Well,

it's not pneumonia. Severe bronchitis, but not pneumonia. w00t! So, yeah, rest relaxation, and pharmaceuticals appear to be the order of the day.

Good thing Urgent Care was cheap. Gotta figure out what to do about this whole health insurance thing. Can't afford it, can't afford not to have it.

Anyway, more updates may, or may not follow. Never can tell.

Many blessings

Nice.

I think I have pneumonia. Damn. Gotta love the lack of health insurance.

On a cheerier note, I believe it's Sam's birthday. If that means anything to you, consider giving him a shout out.

Think happy thoughts for my lungs. Nothing else seems to have helped, so, hey, it's worth a shot.

...for the rest of us

'tis the season, and all that crap. The Grievance Clearinghouse is open again. Stop by and bitch, if you are so inclined.

Cheers.

Ladybugs & Crickets

I can't tell you how happy I am. So many blessings to you two. And many thanks for allowing me to be part of such a special day.

The ceremony was beautiful. Weather was supposed to be spotty, but it was absolutely perfect. I think your vows are the most loving words I've ever heard spoken. And, though I'm a bit biased, I thought the wedding party looked pretty damn good. Can't wait to see the pictures and video.

The reception was a piece of work, too. I can't remember the last time so many of us were together. Did you notice how happy everyone was? Meeting some new people was great. I can't wait to go see your dad's shop, and I'm really hoping that your brother and I continue to cross paths, T. You have a great family.

I'll post some pics as soon as I can, but for now, just a couple of dedications.

Here Comes My Girl, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

Here Comes Your Man, The Pixies

I love you both so much.

p.s. I'm back.

Back In Black, AC/DC

Break

I am on hiatus, here and at Sam's. I can be found at the kollective, or you may feel free to contact me via email. I will probably still be around at Sam's during the shows.

That is all.

(Update, 6-2-07, 21:15)

Just a note to observe the passing of a good man. Steve Gilliard will be sorely missed.

---

Also, hiatus applies to this site only. I am on strike, as far as Sam's place goes.

h/t air-ono for the inspiration to do so.

No rest for the wicked

God fucking dammit. I cannot catch a break.

Lydia broke down tonight. Well, not quite broke, but close enough. She'll have to be towed to Shorty's, and have a new block installed.

Woo fucking hoo.

So, yeah, got a feeling I'm about to be extremely strapped for cash.

Dammit. I need some rest, and a way to lower my anxiety level quite a bit.

Soon.

Whadaya gonna do?

Eh, having a lot of fun lately, but nothing comes without conflict, I guess.  Maybe I just need to get out a bit more.  Good times and good people can be hard to come by.  Wish it wasn't so.  The friends and neighbors wrinkle isn't helping, either.

Oh, well.

Don't worry, there's a good chance most of the above won't mean much the next time I bother reading it.  Just bitching.  Circumstances (unfortunately) don't exist in a vacuum, and that's that.

Hope anyone reading had a good night, too.  Mine was a blast, as is par for course over the last week and a half or so.

Later

Charlie Foxtrot

A month like this is bound to have a day like the one I just had.


: |


Mulligan, please?


On a cheery note, I am commencing my belated birthday drunk. One bottle each of the following: Cantillon's Classic Gueuze; Avery/Russian River Breweries' Collaboration, Not Litigation Ale; Stone Brewery's Stone Imperial Russian Stout; Brewery De Ranke's Guldenberg; Echt Kriekenbier.


Good night.

A note to everyone

If you have transcript info, or know where I can find audio archives of the Lionel Show, please leave it in the comments, or send me an email. I have work to do.

This'll be a new twist on Stark's Calling All Wingnuts gig.

So...

I called Sam's show today, and let fly with a rant. Fun stuff. May have even started a meme. I hope so. This Lionel crap is a fucking insult.

Anyway, life is starting to approach some sort of normalcy. 'bout time. House is in order, work's just about caught up. Oughta be able to catch a few real days off in the next few weeks. Sweet.

May is looking up. Some good shows to see, a possible rafting trip. Have to apply for my passport pretty quick, I think Cathy and I are gonna try to make it to Japan in July or August. No details yet, but I'll bet we'd have a blast. Not sure if I'll do Europe this year or next, but I'd like to make it in November or December, even if it's only a short trip.


So what else...?

I cut my hair off about two weeks ago. Hadn't so much as trimmed it in two and a half years, and now I've got about 3/4 of an inch of fuzz. Different. Was time to quit mourning, though. Get busy living or get busy dying, all that rot. I feel more upbeat, I guess, but I miss being able to wear pigtails.

I think that's all I've got for now.

Many blessings.

Pissed the fuck off

I'm reposting a rant I left at SEDER's joint. And some pissed off music.

SUCH UNMITIGATED HORSESHIT!

This is the network's show that: appeals to the youngest demographic; interfaces with, and features members of left blogistan; has some of the best guests; has some of the best interaction with it's listeners and bloggers; has some of the best commentary on current events; has the most current news and discussion topics (based, in large part, on it's interaction with the blogging community).

And the Green's have decided to cancel it.

I'll be listening on Sundays, but I want to take a moment to offer some thoughts for now.

Fuck you, Scott Elberg. Cutting the budget wasn't enough, eh fucker? You're hemorrhaging cash, why not start losing listeners. You stupid twat.

Fuck you, Mark Green. You had a golden opportunity to help secure AAR's place in radio, and opted instead for "less substance". I've had enough infotainment, and if that's the direction you're taking AAR, allow me to add, "rot in hell", to my, "fuck you".

Fuck you to every single one of the ignorant assholes that helped poison the well at AAR. Winstead, Chuck D, Maron, Garofalo, Malloy, Seder. What the fuck is the matter with you? I'd trade ten Frankens for any one of those people.

Fuck you, Evan Cohen, Danny Goldberg, and Ed Schultz, for everything that you are, and every thing that you stand for.

FUCK

/rant

From Mme. Chew:

Break Stuff,. Limp Bizkit


And from me:

Killing In The Name Of, Rage Against The Machine

Guerrilla Radio, Rage Against The Machine

Bulls On Parade, Rage Against The Machine

Superbeast, Rob Zombie

More Human Than Human, White Zombie

Remix of More Human Than Human, White Zombie

Wow

I'm 27.

Yay.

This week sucks. My landlord is making life a pain in the ass, and I have a ridiculous amount of work to get done by Thursday.

(sigh)
One of these days I'll catch a break.

Since my birthday plans have been shot to shit, I'll have to postpone.

I am gonna be one drunk motherfucker this weekend.

: /

Inactivity

I am a kossack.

My distinctiveness and individuality have been added to the kollective.

Resistance is futile.

---

Occasional posts will still occur.

That is all.

A lesson unexpected

Tonight, I went downtown with some of the boys. We saw Mike's band, and then left to catch a bite at Dante's Pizza. On the way back into to Chinatown, a homeless man in a wheelchair asked for help. He was trying to put one of his shoes on, and just couldn't seem to do it. Said he was paralyzed. It was rainy, and cold, and there was no way I could say no. I grabbed his shoe, and helped him put it on, then went on my way.

About a block later, someone pointed out that we had somehow acquired a scent not unlike urine.

See where this is going?

Apparently, the gentleman was not just soaking wet from the rain, and he wasn't lying about being paralyzed. Yech.

I was mad at first. Couldn't believe it. Figured it was just my fucking luck for being nice. Decided I'd pass if the opportunity to assist in similar circumstances occurred again. And then I thought about it some more. No matter how ghastly it was for me, that moment was merely one in an endless succession for him. I'm mad because I got piss on me, but I wonder how it
must be for him. He had to have been soaked in it, cold, maybe hungry. Add to that the fact that he was upset at his own inability to even put on his shoes.

I take so much for granted.

Big Lips

A story:

My step brother once dared me to suck a cup onto my face for ten minutes. The result lasted three days. I spent my entire weekend at the coast worried it was permanent.

Enjoy.











This is not a photoshopped picture.