New favorite authors are required by immutable and unnamable natural laws to write in mediums that I can appreciate with all my favorite senses. I’ve been working my way through the codex of John Scalzi as time allows. Well, as time and the health of my eyes allow. I’d read more if there were enough eye drops around. I generally go to sleep with a book folded over my chest. Let me say that there’s been little that this man has written that I don’t like to push through my eye holes as fast as I can. Then when we’ve done it once I like to go back for a second slower, tender review even though I already know what’s going to happen to John Perry and his super interesting family.
Scalzi’s blog is both insightful and amusing. I read this regularly and as a result have even been known to wax quixotic about Ohio – a place I’m not in the least interested in spending much time in simply for its lack of soar-able mountains. Perhaps most importantly the man is able to maintain a constant supply of wit that tickles my funny bone.
So, as Halloween approaches I’m also reviewing movies, plays, music and other media that fits the festive nature of the holiday. Zombies being a particular favorite of mine, zombie movies are being played in the Netflix stream regularly. Today I broke out an old saw horse and began listening to an Audience Participation recording of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. If you haven’t been there don’t worry I won’t break your cherry. But then it occurred to me how well suited Scalzi is for a feat of intellectual and humorous information engineering as TRHPS was for its time.
He has the subtle sense of timing that could make a story, rendered in this medium, not only possible, but successful
Scalzi has a sublime ability to bring things down to the common man’s level making conceptualization a joy
He’s already got a cult following on the internet. I’d show up just to watch him paste more bacon to a cat, but I’d drive cross country through snow storms to dress up and join in an APM written by him
I suspect that there’s at least one musician in his global following who would be able and willing to put his words to music
Add producer, a little investment money, and BAM! We’ve got cabaret à la Scalzi.
And if that wasn’t enough let me bait this stick with a carrot the size of Lake Superior. No one, not a single contemporary author anywhere roaming earth bound reaches of reality, is doing this right now. It’s better than bacon taped to a cat, better than a tall engineer dancing like a monkey, better even than a redaction of the ill-considered end to what should have been a much longer line of John Perry novels.
Some photos from this evening’s high country visit. I was able to get above snow line today in white out conditions. Really neat to see it happen. The ground was cold enough to accumulate the snow as soon as it started falling. Winter is well on its way.
So you don’t think I’m brave huh? You go find a drill, chuck a 9/32″ gold-alloy bit and proceed to drill eight, yes count ‘em out loud so everyone can hear you, holes in the hood of your vehicle.
Ponies not farting rainbows now, huh?
(Note: Ponies rarely actually ever fart rainbows, but you should watch just in case)
Anyway, I think it looks great (yea!), the Hi-Lift is out of the back of the rig (yea!), and I didn’t lose an inch of clearance (yea!)
I thought that the timeliness of the lyrics of one of my favorite bands of all time was limited to the Reagan years. Boy was I wrong. Or maybe we’re just reliving those years and the only thing that’s actually changed since then is my perspective on the whole affair.
STS-51-L had just disintegrated on its way through the upper atmosphere. Car bombs went off outside of police stations on several occasions. The Goldwater-Nichols Act was signed into existence increasing military spending nearly half the nation’s GNP. And, if I recall correctly, there was an “economic downturn” eroding the standard of living from the bottom up while fat cat execs walked away from the economic destruction pocketing record severance packages.
It also happens to be the same year that the band fIREHOSE release Rangin’ Full On which remains, as many things, a constant. Funny how things never really change.
Our kitchen isn’t a large one, it’s well laid out and both of us can work in it at the same time. That’s of course if one of us isn’t in the midst of filling or emptying the dishwasher. The door of the dishwasher, when open, leaves exactly enough space for one set of feet. No more, no less.
Late Sunday afternoon, I’m making a tasty sandwich and Tess has conspired to empty the dishwasher while she cooks some noodles. There are actually twelve pairs of legs frequenting this now excptionally limited space of the kitchen (her’s, mine, and two sets for two dogs paying attention to ham sandwiches under construction).
I robbled, I admit it, I sounded just like the Hamburglar there for a moment. But I assure everyone involved it was in no particular direction. Just a generally robble with no target in particular.
This morning I got an early start and on my way down the road for this week’s unscheduled office visits I decided to stop and grab a cup of Joe from everyone’s favorite coffee dispensing establishment. I pulled into SBUX drive through and projected my feeble morning voice as much as was possible at 5:30 AM toward the microphone in the little monolith standing before the order board.
“Hello welcome to Starbucks, blah blah blah blah blah,” her sentence went on after the greeting, but I don’t want to know where I’m at I want coffee. Now, please.
“Grande drip with two raw sugars and skim milk please.” I order the same thing; every time, all the time. Drip does the job. It doesn’t cost a mound of cash. I shouldn’t delay or inconvenience my order or the waiting line of people behind me. It’s simple, fast, and easy to understand.
“Uh, I heard ‘Grande coffee with two raw sugars’ and what was that?” The mini dark green monolith retorted.
“Skim milk!” I shout with my head outside the window nearly French kissing the microphone.
“I’m sorry we don’t have ’skim milk’” the perturbed monolith responds. “Do you want two-percent, half-and-half, or fat-free?”
Admittedly, I am no great intellect. I posses only average faculties and talents which have been widely distributed throughout the human gene pool. I have noted however, that the three varieties of milk offered me in this exchange are descriptive of the milk fat content found in the very same pasteurized dairy products. By way of an induction concerning skim milk we can also conclude the following.
Skimming is the process whereby milk fats are removed from dairy products.
Half-and-half is a mixture of 50% milk fat and 50% milk proteins in solution.
Two-percent is a mixture of milk protein in solution containing only 2% by some measure of milk fat.
And fat-free is a dairy solution that has no fat. Thus the fat must have been skimmed away thereby making it fat-free.
Now I realize that this whole encounter is probably caused by my upbringing and the point of sale ordering menu provided by SBUX to its employees. I grew up calling it skim milk, that’s what it said on the side of the carton. Their menu is probably labeled “Fat-Free” or something like that.
Why does the monolith have to make me say “yes, I want fat-free”? Why does the box have to get snarky with me when all I want is a cup of Joe with some milk in it that won’t ultimately make my belly fold over my belt?
Perhaps I’ll drop coffee all together and drink tea, but now I’m wondering how that kind of order might get screw up.
“Grande green tea please”
“Do you want the tea in a bag in your cup or should I just dump it in your hand as you drive by? Say ‘monkeys’ for me.”
Finally, I found it! I ordered a set of these so I can get my lift mounted on the bumper and out of the cargo area of my 4Runner. Looking forward to their arrival as there’s been snow flurries in the pass already. Thinking about painting the lift nice and black to match the trim.
So “Joe Six Pack” and I are neatly lumped in our corner and it’s good to know that all players at the table know what the two of us want. Supposedly we’re after “change.” Up until last night’s debate I would have said I liked continued employment, value from my investments, and the possibility of retirement (someday, before me and Joe expire). But seemingly I want “change”.
Does she honestly not understand that the synonym for political change is revolution?
This is a response to a Facebook thread that was getting way out of hand.
Is he the illegitimate child of Osama bin laden & saddam HUSSEIN? He sure loves to publicly disrespect the American Flag & American People.
I was’nt even born in this country, adopted at age 5 . I served 10 years in the U.S. Armed Forces. I honor this nation as an American citizen,and hold no flag higher than that of our country. Yet I’m puzzed why we would support a man for President of the United States who refuses to pledge his allegiance to it.
Tom Jarvis at 5:47pm September 30
The world may never know the answer to that question. It is ultimately up to those of us who love and respect this nation, and those of us who have given of themselves to defend it, to keep on doing so, and make damn good and sure that we have exhausted all possible means to stop him in his tracks. Good will out.
Shaun Bruce at 8:04am October 1
Woah, republicans on facebook. It’s like spotting a white buffalo.
Jeff Nesbitt at 8:18am October 1
A White Bulffalo..then I am..or white elaphant…how is your sister??
Matt Thyer at 11:24am October 1
Wow, how inappropriate can you get? This video isnt a rational argument for or against the man or the party ticket. Its simply a blunt edged, nationalist bit of propaganda.
Likewise I served with distinction both in the military and civil service and I’d remind the viewer that nationalism of this flavor has resulted in the rise of despotism more… Read More than once in human history. Must we all wear steal toed jack boots and give oath to be considered American enough?
Jeff Nesbitt at 12:31pm October 1
I really dont know what your point is..the video clearly states my point, and the man clearly makes his own statement..as far as it being inappropriate, I dont buy that!! I didnt film it nor did I as an elected leader choose to disrespect our county….The video does not lie…
Matt Thyer at 1:16pm October 1
The video removes elements of the interview with KCRG. The text attached to the video implies that this man is far more than “not a patriot” when it clearly asks “Is he the illegitimate child of Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein?” This is a leading question, its easy to see what we’re supposed to believe. The whole thing is a libel even if you … Read Moredon’t agree with the man. Its a defamation that uses nationalism as some sort of justification. Seriously, if you disagree with the man have a rational and even handed debate about the topics. This is poison in the well and a band wagon full of flags … and I don’t like the candidate either.
Tom Jarvis at 9:04pm October 1
I am truely amazed at the depths to which we find ourselves sinking (and I mean as a whole) in order to defend or promote any given perspective. Are we not all americans? And what is wrong with showing pride in that? There is much to be proud of. I think that at some distant point in our future we will all look back and realize this: we should … Read Morehave been standing together, rather than equivocating to spare those few who might disagree with the abrasive nature of the truth. There is no doubt in my mind that we are in for a very difficult period in this nation. As well, I believe that this nation being what it it, a nation of free thinking intelligent AMERICANS, we have the tenacity, if not the inherent ability, to overcome. But I can not in good concience hand over the reigns to ANYONE who shares and frequently reiterates the talking points of Comunists, facists, and marxists, the world over ( if you need examples, I have them ).
Tom Jarvis at 9:16pm October 1
(continued) Spouting messages of entitlement based victimhood, blatant disdain of a borderline treasonous nature toward America, the country that has enabled him to wage this extraordinary, and ultimately unscrutinized rise to fame? That is shameful.
I am not foolish enough to believe that any man, or woman, that reaches the office of the president… Read More, the most powerful apointment, in the most powerful nation in the known Galaxy, gets there by being a “nice guy”. That being said, I don’t want a “nice guy” in that office, especially given the goings on in the middle east, namely Israel, Iran, Soviet Gorgia, and well…. all of the middle east. We are at war with an enemy the likes of which the average koolaid drinking Balogna eating cartoon head american cannot even begin to comprehend. Either we will stop allowing the political machine to divide us and stand together as what we are, Americans, or we are doomed. No matter who wins this election.
I’m Tom Jarvis, and I aprove this message.
Michelle Rademacher Owens at 11:59pm October 1
(Actuary tables) Statistics say there’s a 1 in 5 chance McCain will kick the bucket, and we’ll all be embarrassed for voting them in.
Jeff Nesbitt at 8:18am October 2
Very well put Tom..remove all of the eliments of the video, undoctored and you see our possible future president refusing to do the plege..amazing…
By Tom’s reasoning refusing to pledge allegiance is tantamount to treason. Treason and acts of collaboration as such are capital offences against the state. Let that sink in a moment.
There are a number of peoples in the United States that won’t swear oath to anyone or anything before their god. These include but are not limited to German Anabaptists, Friends, Mennonites, Quakers, some sub-sects of the Mormon faith, some Muslims, and even some Catholics. There are, in addition to these religious groups many Americans who love their country, but for any number of reasons will refuse to pledge allegiance to any flag or government.
Treason is pretty simple to define; Toms already done an amazing job of laying that one out for us all. When do we start locking these people up? We’ll need to authorize the purchase of some ammunition and guns to mow down all those traitorous Mennonites with their funny beards.
When I served I sure appreciated it when other citizens came out to thank me for my service. They stood by me and my decision to defend the nation. And honestly, there were plenty of times when I wasn’t really sure what it actually was that I might have been standing up for. Government initiatives being distilled down into marching orders have a way of objectifying goals at the cost of the principles that mandated the action in the first place. If your service was much more cut and dry, be glad for it.
I was listening to the radio this morning on my way back from a walk in the country that I love. I’m not really sure what program was on, but there was talk about how evil Obama might be and why wouldn’t McCain point this out to people. The commentator had a good response; McCain (seemingly the guy you all back) remains an officer and a gentleman. His honor prevents him from saying or even insinuating such. He realizes that he’s just another citizen with the same liberties and responsibilities as any of us, including Obama. This includes no obligation to agree with or imitate anyone’s mythos, dogma, ethics, principles or actions, but as such should allow each and every other citizen the same option to exercise their freedoms as they see fit.
It’s not a crime to not salute the flag and there are *many* good reasons for an individual to take this kind of action. It’s also not a crime to practice a faith even if it happens to be a different one than yours. Obama hasn’t broken any moral philosophical rule and has done no one any wrong. If Obama, or McCain, or anyone else for that matter decides the best way they might be able to support this country and stand up for what they believe in is to wear animal pelts while flapping and skipping down the way singing the Halls of Montezuma at the top of their lungs I’m certainly not going to get in their way. I probably wouldn’t be compelled to vote them into the office of the President, but I don’t think it’s necessary to point out how foolish, annoying or idealistic their behavior might be either.
Let’s move back to the central issue that raised my ire in the first place. When I watched the video on Facebook it was after I had seen the interview on KCRG previously.
Let’s face facts people getting to know a candidate who happens to be running for President is about as likely as the colonization of the Sun. In the 18 to 24 months it generally takes these individuals to stick their feet in this door prior to the election cycle there is zero possibility that they have the time necessary to meet and remember anyone who isn’t directly aiding them towards this possible end. If you don’t already know them you can pretty much right off the possibility of gaining any insight into their character after they’ve gone an announced their intent to run.
The video, as edited, leaves out any of the discussion about why Obama might choose not to wear a flag lapel pin, instead it cuts out that part and leaves the view to speculate. The speculation is of course answered for us immediately. He must be unpatriotic, perhaps the son of a known terrorist and possible the most un-American citizen you may have ever had the displeasure of knowing about.
I’m no fan of Obama, but I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and maybe try and understand what his plan is for America before I write him off the ballot. Likewise McCain get’s an equal opportunity to make his case.
Actually, it’s the fans that corrupt this process in my opinion and they’re making it impossible for folks who have a genuine concern about the direction our country might be headed in to see far enough through the crap to make a rational decision in any direction.
These individuals collectively and on their own pursue winning the ticket for their party. They’re not above libel or slander, they may not have the scruples necessary to keep them from committing fraud and gerrymandering. And worst of all, there’s no possibility of having a rational debate about the issues, any issue, because the topicality of anything brought into the arena tends toward moralization and dogmatic exclusion.
Why? I can tell you that I dislike tomatoes and that I like peach pie. It becomes much more difficult for me to explain the criteria I use to come to these conclusions. That’s what’s missing here, the ability to explain or discuss decision criteria. In place of this discussion we’re rushed to consensus by the zealots and fans. He’s a democrat and thus he must believe X, she’s a Republican and can only feel that Y is correct. Let’s all hop on a bandwagon.
Remove all the additional elements in this video and you see Obama with his hands in his pockets while others take the pledge of allegiance and no understanding of why.
Perhaps a better question is do you REALLY know who WashingtonMedia is?
