transparency test for change.gov
We get to find out soon whether or not the Barack Administration (that feels a little weird writing) will be as transparent as the change.gov site would lead one to believe. After the fiasco with Gov. Rod Blagojevich caught on tape suggesting "Fuck that, this Senate seat (Barack's) is worth a lot of money and all they (Barack's people) are offering is 'thanks', well fuck that."
The soon-to-no-longer-be-Illinois Governor is likely to get his own hosing in the very near future. Blagthebitch has nothing to offer in a plea deal. That's the problem with getting caught red-handed on tape. Prosecutors already have the Governor and his chief of staff, so short of a passel of Chicago crime bosses, the Governor has little to offer a prosecutor. The best Gov. Rod can hope for is that, in exchange for a guilty plea, and saving the government a lot of money in trial fees, he can shave off a few years of his sentence. Prosecutors dream about EXAMPLES like Blagojevich. Funny irony. Blagojevich losing his career so someone else will gets theirs.
And you thought Larry Craig was dumb. Lucky for Craig, Blagthebitch came along so Larry didn't have to spend another night being the punch line on comedy shows. Craig is still trying to explain his "I want to wash your sock" line to the courts but just yesterday, another judge smiled, dismissed his motion to have his guilty plea vacated, and said, enough of this bathroom humor.
But back to Obama. Barack claims to have no knowledge of the Blagojevich mess and why would he? We don't expect he has. However, Obama advisor, David Axelrod, as recently as a couple of weeks ago, claimed that the Governor and Barack had talked. Now folks on the right are calling for correspondence between the transition team and the Governor to be made public.
I say bare the facts Obama. Get everything in the public record. Silence the right wingers and show your administration will be good and decent. And if members of your transition team are dirty, move quickly to publicly fire them. The current administration (the Bushites) would never comply with such a request for documents even though Bush repeatedly said if anyone in my administration has even a hint of impropriety, they would be forced to step down. That never happened.
Now Obama can make good on a promise, one that people believed in, and that was to have a more transparent government. If the Obama camp does not provide these records, it won't mean (regardless of what the right will say) that they have anything to hide, but it will mean that things in Washington don't change that easily.
Did you really believe they did? It's up to the people to make it happen.
The soon-to-no-longer-be-Illinois Governor is likely to get his own hosing in the very near future. Blagthebitch has nothing to offer in a plea deal. That's the problem with getting caught red-handed on tape. Prosecutors already have the Governor and his chief of staff, so short of a passel of Chicago crime bosses, the Governor has little to offer a prosecutor. The best Gov. Rod can hope for is that, in exchange for a guilty plea, and saving the government a lot of money in trial fees, he can shave off a few years of his sentence. Prosecutors dream about EXAMPLES like Blagojevich. Funny irony. Blagojevich losing his career so someone else will gets theirs.
And you thought Larry Craig was dumb. Lucky for Craig, Blagthebitch came along so Larry didn't have to spend another night being the punch line on comedy shows. Craig is still trying to explain his "I want to wash your sock" line to the courts but just yesterday, another judge smiled, dismissed his motion to have his guilty plea vacated, and said, enough of this bathroom humor.
But back to Obama. Barack claims to have no knowledge of the Blagojevich mess and why would he? We don't expect he has. However, Obama advisor, David Axelrod, as recently as a couple of weeks ago, claimed that the Governor and Barack had talked. Now folks on the right are calling for correspondence between the transition team and the Governor to be made public.
I say bare the facts Obama. Get everything in the public record. Silence the right wingers and show your administration will be good and decent. And if members of your transition team are dirty, move quickly to publicly fire them. The current administration (the Bushites) would never comply with such a request for documents even though Bush repeatedly said if anyone in my administration has even a hint of impropriety, they would be forced to step down. That never happened.
Now Obama can make good on a promise, one that people believed in, and that was to have a more transparent government. If the Obama camp does not provide these records, it won't mean (regardless of what the right will say) that they have anything to hide, but it will mean that things in Washington don't change that easily.
Did you really believe they did? It's up to the people to make it happen.
shoveling coal: is it good for the kids?
John Shiffman and John Sullivan report Sunday in The Philadelphia Inquirer piece, "Smoke and Mirrors: The Subversion of the EPA" on the pervasive, devil grip that Bush Administration has used to choke the life out of the agency charged with protecting our environment. EPA Chief Administrator and Cheney lap-dog, Steven Johnson, has actively participated in his agency's decline, overseeing budget declines of more than 25 percent during his term and cutting funds for such "market-driven" programs as sewer repairs.
The most disturbing part of the piece wasn't that Chief Administrator Johnson held prayer meetings in his government office (we don't a have a problem with the prayers, just don't think holding them in government offices is the right place) was a program called CHEERS. CHEERS tested the toxic effects of pesticides on children, i.e. why use mice when there's all these kids with nothing to do?.
We would not have been surprised to learn that those same children were forced to shovel coal into clean-burning plants, their tuppence garnished by the Dept. of Education, and the funds used to buy books and bibles for their schools.
The Bush Administration has 40 days left to destroy our planet and they plan on using every hour of the day in order to accomplish this mission.
inquiring minds on the bush's epa
The most disturbing part of the piece wasn't that Chief Administrator Johnson held prayer meetings in his government office (we don't a have a problem with the prayers, just don't think holding them in government offices is the right place) was a program called CHEERS. CHEERS tested the toxic effects of pesticides on children, i.e. why use mice when there's all these kids with nothing to do?.
One of the new human tests was the Children's Health Environmental Exposure Research Study (CHEERS). Funded with $2 million from the chemical industry, CHEERS proposed to record the effects of household pesticides on low-income children in Florida. EPA gave participating families $970, a video camera to record exposure, and a CHEERS T-shirt, calendar and baby bib. EPA scientists would collect urine samples and the children would wear a watch-size sensor one week each month.It's not clear why we need to tell the US EPA that this is immoral but apparently we do.
We would not have been surprised to learn that those same children were forced to shovel coal into clean-burning plants, their tuppence garnished by the Dept. of Education, and the funds used to buy books and bibles for their schools.
The Bush Administration has 40 days left to destroy our planet and they plan on using every hour of the day in order to accomplish this mission.
inquiring minds on the bush's epa
wee snuff:visual reviews of aural entertainment
wee snuff: benefit for 816 Bike Collection, Californos, Sunday, Dec. 8th, 2008attendance ~100
other reviews in the series:
m.o.i.: jametone (j. ashley miller)
m.o.i.:eldar at jardines
m.o.i.:matisyahu @ grinders sculpture park
m.o.i.: eldar @ cccc
m.o.i.: elvis costello and the attractions
m.o.i.: the police
m.o.i.: the swell season
m.o.i.: anne-sophie mutter
m.o.i.: pat metheny trio
m.o.i.: mars volta and isabel bayrakdarian
jametone (j. ashley miller): visual reviews of aural entertainment
jametone(j. ashley miller): visual reviews of aural entertainment
kemper musuem of contemporary art, saturday, dec. 6th, 2008.
attendance ~100
other reviews in the series:
m.o.i.:eldar at jardines
m.o.i.:matisyahu @ grinders sculpture park
m.o.i.: eldar @ cccc
m.o.i.: elvis costello and the attractions
m.o.i.: the police
m.o.i.: the swell season
m.o.i.: anne-sophie mutter
m.o.i.: pat metheny trio
m.o.i.: mars volta and isabel bayrakdarian
holly holly holly! it's the world's largest lesbian craft festival
Today, during an annual trip to purchase winter Holiday gifts, we discovered that the Creative Candle Factory outlet was no longer open for business. Instead, one can purchase these same candles from various retailers, such as Pryde's Olde Westport, or at the online shop. While I was happy to note that the company is still in business, the downside is that we've likely been priced out of the market for tapered beeswax candles. The great thing about the Creative Candle factory outlet, besides that you could see them dipping candles, was that one could buy beautiful, hand-dipped, tapered beeswax candles - at a fraction of the retail cost. It was a great place for wedding, holiday, and housewarming gifts.
The outlet sold candle seconds, although one would generally have to be a more discriminating shopper than moi to see the flaws. It was great because you could fill your house with enough candles to burn through the longest winter night. One could also buy boxes of votives for luminaries and breath second life into the hundreds of luminary bags left after the Coleman Highlands Christmas eve display. Creative Candles was a fun place to shop and I hate to see it go.
I suppose one could trot over to Pryde's Olde Westport (which is fun, local, BUT expensive) and buy retail, but haven't you heard? Times are tough.
We may be able to find some replacement candles at the World's Largest Lesbian Craft Festival but they certainly won't be the quality of the beeswax ones at Creative Candle. They'll likely be over-scented soy candles. One can sometimes find very interesting and affordable gifts at the World's Largest Lesbian Craft Festival. One can certainly find Venus de Willendorf (scented with bergamont and ylang) soaps for that special someone. If you haven't yet been scented and rubbed by an overweight woman with pendulous breasts, then you need to get down on the Venus.
It's a bit sad the WLLC Festival has moved, since, by serendipity, moi has lived but a stone's throw from where the event has been held and now I'll have to drive the car. Year's ago it was held at a church in my neighborhood and we always found it charming that the church had found a new way of serving the community by hosting a large gathering of pagans so that folks could buy Christmas presents.
World's Largest Lesbian Craft Festival
Brush Creek Community Center
3801 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd
Kansas City, MO 64101
Dec. 5-6, 2008
Directions: 71 Hwy to Cleaver II Blvd
(change from Brush Creek Rd.)
From the North turn left
From the South turn right
Follow signs Brush Creek Community Center
The outlet sold candle seconds, although one would generally have to be a more discriminating shopper than moi to see the flaws. It was great because you could fill your house with enough candles to burn through the longest winter night. One could also buy boxes of votives for luminaries and breath second life into the hundreds of luminary bags left after the Coleman Highlands Christmas eve display. Creative Candles was a fun place to shop and I hate to see it go.
I suppose one could trot over to Pryde's Olde Westport (which is fun, local, BUT expensive) and buy retail, but haven't you heard? Times are tough.
We may be able to find some replacement candles at the World's Largest Lesbian Craft Festival but they certainly won't be the quality of the beeswax ones at Creative Candle. They'll likely be over-scented soy candles. One can sometimes find very interesting and affordable gifts at the World's Largest Lesbian Craft Festival. One can certainly find Venus de Willendorf (scented with bergamont and ylang) soaps for that special someone. If you haven't yet been scented and rubbed by an overweight woman with pendulous breasts, then you need to get down on the Venus.It's a bit sad the WLLC Festival has moved, since, by serendipity, moi has lived but a stone's throw from where the event has been held and now I'll have to drive the car. Year's ago it was held at a church in my neighborhood and we always found it charming that the church had found a new way of serving the community by hosting a large gathering of pagans so that folks could buy Christmas presents.
World's Largest Lesbian Craft Festival
Brush Creek Community Center
3801 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd
Kansas City, MO 64101
Dec. 5-6, 2008
Directions: 71 Hwy to Cleaver II Blvd
(change from Brush Creek Rd.)
From the North turn left
From the South turn right
Follow signs Brush Creek Community Center
when life gives you hedge apples
OK. You're feeling down. A little blue. Listening to Iris Dement sing "My Life" no longer works to bring you out of the doldrums. What to do? Try this my little hedge apple, it's guaranteed to work.
Every day, at lunch, kick a hedge apple around a two-mile loop of gravel. A futile, yet fulfilling trek, the act has a quiet beauty to it. An iridescent mass of green pulp rolling slowly along against the grey limestone chaff. And the stroll has definite moments of decision - should one dribble gently to hold the mass intact (an act of mercy?) or quickly blow the orb apart with aplomb and swift kicks. The hedge apple leaves a sticky trail of goo, evidence that you have been there, but the trace is temporary and disappears with little trace in the afternoon sun. This leaves tomorrow open for another shot at completing the circle or your life.
Every day, at lunch, kick a hedge apple around a two-mile loop of gravel. A futile, yet fulfilling trek, the act has a quiet beauty to it. An iridescent mass of green pulp rolling slowly along against the grey limestone chaff. And the stroll has definite moments of decision - should one dribble gently to hold the mass intact (an act of mercy?) or quickly blow the orb apart with aplomb and swift kicks. The hedge apple leaves a sticky trail of goo, evidence that you have been there, but the trace is temporary and disappears with little trace in the afternoon sun. This leaves tomorrow open for another shot at completing the circle or your life.
dark days
Dudes and dudettes,
Apparently the country is in a recession - and has been for a whole year! Who knew? And you just thought your socks had holes in them. But don't fret, it took the government a whole year to determine that the economy sucks maybe it'll take you that long to discover you're now broke. Here's to onion soup. And a stimulus package.
Apparently the country is in a recession - and has been for a whole year! Who knew? And you just thought your socks had holes in them. But don't fret, it took the government a whole year to determine that the economy sucks maybe it'll take you that long to discover you're now broke. Here's to onion soup. And a stimulus package.
more wintery mix is on the way
Holy smokes! or should I say holy deep-fried turkey. I managed to survive my mid-South Thanksgiving without bringing up politics but I did leave a few presents under the tree wrapped in old Obama posters with "America. Love it or leave it!" word balloons written on them. That should get folks riled up and ready-to-go. The losers can argue about what went wrong with McGruff the Crime Dog since I could really care less; it's been 8 years since we've been able to gloat so why not do a little of it? The good vibes may not last long after the first 100 days.
Besides the deep-fried turkey (which wasn't as good as the oven-baked one and this is definitely something you don't want to do at home [may we suggest the Eagles Club?]) we waded through a plethora of casseroles, bar-b-que sandwiches, and rich desserts. I even made a pumpkin pie--with scratch pie crust--and it wasn't bad for a total on-the-fly, made-from-memory effort. We promise that for the next pie the filling will also be from scratch.
One thing about leaving Kansas City for a few days around Thanksgiving. If it's 60° F and sunny when you leave, it'll be 25° F and snowing when you return. I think the meteorologists call it a wintry mix. But it's good to be back home, even if it means having to scrape ice and snow from my car windows.
Besides the deep-fried turkey (which wasn't as good as the oven-baked one and this is definitely something you don't want to do at home [may we suggest the Eagles Club?]) we waded through a plethora of casseroles, bar-b-que sandwiches, and rich desserts. I even made a pumpkin pie--with scratch pie crust--and it wasn't bad for a total on-the-fly, made-from-memory effort. We promise that for the next pie the filling will also be from scratch. One thing about leaving Kansas City for a few days around Thanksgiving. If it's 60° F and sunny when you leave, it'll be 25° F and snowing when you return. I think the meteorologists call it a wintry mix. But it's good to be back home, even if it means having to scrape ice and snow from my car windows.
keeping the standard
Do you know your turkey farmer? Better than Sarah Palin knows hers? If not, you might to reconsider your bird this Thanksgiving.
Get to know Frank Reese jr., standard, or heritage, turkey farmer at Good Sheperd Turkey Ranch.
http://www.reeseturkeys.com/
palin set to endorse line of turkey processing equipment
Sarah Palin, in an attempt to pay off some campaign debts, replace her aging wardrobe, and earn extra Christmas money, has signed a deal to endorse a line of turkey processing equipment for the homemaker who doesn't yet have everything. Said Palin, "Ya know. Here in this great state, where we're used to doing pretty much everything ourselves, without the help of the government, the outsiders, who like to tell everyone how to do things, well...we just have to do it ourselves, ya know, to get by, to feed our families and to do the peoples business...so we're used to this kind of stuff."
The equipment includes a 4-cone drainer - perfect for the multi-tasking homemaker who wants to collect the blood of victims as well as a machine that sucks the feathers from a turkey and immediately stuffs them into pillows. "Pillows. Now that's a good Christmas present. Everyone likes a good pillow. Everyone in my family is getting new pillows for Christmas" said the former candidate.
alien invansion
True story of liquid paranoia. It begins early on Monday morning.
Breakfast dishes are put away. Lunch is made and packed. Trash to the curb. Ahhh..that second cup of coffee sure is good. The dog is walked. Now time to pay the MAN his due. Out to the car and READY FOR ANOTHER WEEK. Wow, is that frost on the windshield? Winters is truly just around the corner. Whoa! That rear tire looks low. Kick it. Damn! Prod it. Damn it! It's flat. Bummer. Good thing it's early. I still have time to change it and get to work on time.
Rummage around in the trunk (but first have to remove all the paddles, life jackets, and miscellaneous summer fun debris) so I can get to the spare. Looks brand new. Like it's never been used. Find the fancy, very tiny jack, find the fancy, very tiny place to put the jack. Now for the lug nuts. Arghhh. Arghhh. Jeez, those are tight. Good thing I have the 2 lb sledge handy. Wham. Wham. Piece of cake. Loosen lugs nuts.
Jack up car. Remove lug nuts. Pull off tire, ahh. No wonder it's flat. It has a screw in it. Put on brand new temporary spare but notice that it seems a little shy of being full. Lower car. Watch spare got completely flat. Damn. OK. What next? Call in roadside assistance? In front of my house? With 2 flat tires? What good is that going to do? I can just see me asking the tow-truck driver where to go shopping for a new tire. "You know, I heard Firestone was having a big sale, let's try that first."
OK. What next. Take the tire to the repair store, my only plan. It's still early. Who can I harass for a ride at this hour. My neighbor. Cars still in the drive. OK. Fanagle a ride to the tire repair store with the neighbor. Drop off the tire. 30 minutes to fix a flat with no one in the waiting room? OK. Take a deep breath; it's still early. The neighbor has to go to work. So I ride back home with her. Call another friend. He's going to midtown in 30 minutes so, great, he can pick me up at the tire shop and I don't have to play Opie and roll it home.
Walk back to the tire store. The last block I pick my way through the gauntlet of homeless people who are beginning their day's work. Go inside. The tire, after a $22! patch is ready. Now to wait for my ride.
Go sit in the waiting room. No one there. TV's on; morning paper in an empty chair. Sit down, quickly riffle through the sports section. Some dude shuffles out of a side door. At first I thought he was a homeless person. He's moving real slow, like he's medicated-heavily. Perhaps this is his spot where he kills the morning. Paper. Coffee. Heat. TV. Not a bad deal compared to a bridge. But his clothes are new. Everything. Even his shoes are new. Maybe he's not homeless, but he does look ill. He sits in the chair next to me and kinda groans. Damn. I really need to get to work.
After about 5 minutes the shopkeeper comes over, looks down, and says gruffly to the man, "let me clean that up."
I can't see what he's talking about, but the shopkeeper goes and gets a mop, and then says, in an irritated voice, like this man is relative, or daily problem, "move your feet and let me clean that up".
The man moves his feet and then I see the weirdest looking substance on the floor. I have no idea what it is. It yellow-orange. A puddle the size of a dinner plate. Too orange and much too thick to be pee. Too smooth to be vomit. What is it? It forms a puddle underneath the man's chair. It's completely uniform in color, no chunks. It freaks me out. There's another puddle and dribbles next to the large puddle. Oh my god! What is that! The plague? Alien blood? My stomach churns. Jeez. I really need to get to work.
Just then my right drives into the lot. Thank God! I grab my tire on the way out, throw in the bed of the pick up and climb in.
"Dude!" My friend says laughing, "how your morning?"
"I think I just got the plague from an alien. Man. And I thought work was tough."
Three days later I have a fever, chills, and a runny nose. I haven't died yet. But I do feel awfully strange.
Breakfast dishes are put away. Lunch is made and packed. Trash to the curb. Ahhh..that second cup of coffee sure is good. The dog is walked. Now time to pay the MAN his due. Out to the car and READY FOR ANOTHER WEEK. Wow, is that frost on the windshield? Winters is truly just around the corner. Whoa! That rear tire looks low. Kick it. Damn! Prod it. Damn it! It's flat. Bummer. Good thing it's early. I still have time to change it and get to work on time.
Rummage around in the trunk (but first have to remove all the paddles, life jackets, and miscellaneous summer fun debris) so I can get to the spare. Looks brand new. Like it's never been used. Find the fancy, very tiny jack, find the fancy, very tiny place to put the jack. Now for the lug nuts. Arghhh. Arghhh. Jeez, those are tight. Good thing I have the 2 lb sledge handy. Wham. Wham. Piece of cake. Loosen lugs nuts.
Jack up car. Remove lug nuts. Pull off tire, ahh. No wonder it's flat. It has a screw in it. Put on brand new temporary spare but notice that it seems a little shy of being full. Lower car. Watch spare got completely flat. Damn. OK. What next? Call in roadside assistance? In front of my house? With 2 flat tires? What good is that going to do? I can just see me asking the tow-truck driver where to go shopping for a new tire. "You know, I heard Firestone was having a big sale, let's try that first."
OK. What next. Take the tire to the repair store, my only plan. It's still early. Who can I harass for a ride at this hour. My neighbor. Cars still in the drive. OK. Fanagle a ride to the tire repair store with the neighbor. Drop off the tire. 30 minutes to fix a flat with no one in the waiting room? OK. Take a deep breath; it's still early. The neighbor has to go to work. So I ride back home with her. Call another friend. He's going to midtown in 30 minutes so, great, he can pick me up at the tire shop and I don't have to play Opie and roll it home.
Walk back to the tire store. The last block I pick my way through the gauntlet of homeless people who are beginning their day's work. Go inside. The tire, after a $22! patch is ready. Now to wait for my ride.
Go sit in the waiting room. No one there. TV's on; morning paper in an empty chair. Sit down, quickly riffle through the sports section. Some dude shuffles out of a side door. At first I thought he was a homeless person. He's moving real slow, like he's medicated-heavily. Perhaps this is his spot where he kills the morning. Paper. Coffee. Heat. TV. Not a bad deal compared to a bridge. But his clothes are new. Everything. Even his shoes are new. Maybe he's not homeless, but he does look ill. He sits in the chair next to me and kinda groans. Damn. I really need to get to work.
After about 5 minutes the shopkeeper comes over, looks down, and says gruffly to the man, "let me clean that up."
I can't see what he's talking about, but the shopkeeper goes and gets a mop, and then says, in an irritated voice, like this man is relative, or daily problem, "move your feet and let me clean that up".
The man moves his feet and then I see the weirdest looking substance on the floor. I have no idea what it is. It yellow-orange. A puddle the size of a dinner plate. Too orange and much too thick to be pee. Too smooth to be vomit. What is it? It forms a puddle underneath the man's chair. It's completely uniform in color, no chunks. It freaks me out. There's another puddle and dribbles next to the large puddle. Oh my god! What is that! The plague? Alien blood? My stomach churns. Jeez. I really need to get to work.Just then my right drives into the lot. Thank God! I grab my tire on the way out, throw in the bed of the pick up and climb in.
"Dude!" My friend says laughing, "how your morning?"
"I think I just got the plague from an alien. Man. And I thought work was tough."
Three days later I have a fever, chills, and a runny nose. I haven't died yet. But I do feel awfully strange.
answers! answers! we want answers!
First the good news.
The answer, it turns out is 20. OK, 19 if you want to get really technical since a friend bummed one. All it takes is one pack of cigarettes to get hooked on nicotine.
Starting down tobacco road is relatively simple and it's, like the ad suggests, pretty smooth. Just start a routine. Anything. Keep it simple. Simple is best.
After you get everything done you need to do in the morning, have that cig and then head to work. Wow. This has been a pretty stressful morning, I think I'll take a walk and smoke a cig. Cool. Man. I feel better and now I can think straight. Made it through another day and just to relax I'll think I'll smoke one. Slowly. Oh yeah! That's sweet as a peach. Going out late tonight, feeling a little tired, I think I have myself a smoke.
Nothing to it. If you're only smoking 2-3 a day, a pack will last a week, week-and-a-half. But that's how you ease into it. Nice and slow. But now, NOW! it's decision time. Keep it going? Or stop right now. I know I can quit. Just one more.
But no. There. I've given it up. I feel better already. One reason I started smoking was so I could give it up. Now I've done both. Had the habit and kicked it clean. No more frantic moments trying to find a light.
Smoking cigarettes is a little like smoking weed - except cigarettes are legal. But oddly, cigarettes don't feel legal. Not anymore. Perhaps knowing 3 people who have died from smoking-induced lung cancer had something to do with this guilty feeling I always had when lighting up. Smoking was definitely a guilty pleasure, and it had its pleasures. But I don't think I'll miss the habit, unless one counts those pangs of remorse every morning and night.
Now, for what some of you might consider to be the bad news.
Instead of cigarettes, I'm going to take up cigar smoking. I've found this great new brand. Cuban seeds, hand-rolled, and as enticing as a room full of promises...but more on that later.
The answer, it turns out is 20. OK, 19 if you want to get really technical since a friend bummed one. All it takes is one pack of cigarettes to get hooked on nicotine.
Starting down tobacco road is relatively simple and it's, like the ad suggests, pretty smooth. Just start a routine. Anything. Keep it simple. Simple is best.
After you get everything done you need to do in the morning, have that cig and then head to work. Wow. This has been a pretty stressful morning, I think I'll take a walk and smoke a cig. Cool. Man. I feel better and now I can think straight. Made it through another day and just to relax I'll think I'll smoke one. Slowly. Oh yeah! That's sweet as a peach. Going out late tonight, feeling a little tired, I think I have myself a smoke.
Nothing to it. If you're only smoking 2-3 a day, a pack will last a week, week-and-a-half. But that's how you ease into it. Nice and slow. But now, NOW! it's decision time. Keep it going? Or stop right now. I know I can quit. Just one more.
But no. There. I've given it up. I feel better already. One reason I started smoking was so I could give it up. Now I've done both. Had the habit and kicked it clean. No more frantic moments trying to find a light.
Smoking cigarettes is a little like smoking weed - except cigarettes are legal. But oddly, cigarettes don't feel legal. Not anymore. Perhaps knowing 3 people who have died from smoking-induced lung cancer had something to do with this guilty feeling I always had when lighting up. Smoking was definitely a guilty pleasure, and it had its pleasures. But I don't think I'll miss the habit, unless one counts those pangs of remorse every morning and night.
Now, for what some of you might consider to be the bad news.
Instead of cigarettes, I'm going to take up cigar smoking. I've found this great new brand. Cuban seeds, hand-rolled, and as enticing as a room full of promises...but more on that later.
eldar: visual review of aural entertainment
eldar @ jardines, kansas city, mo. 17 November 2008, attendance ~60.
other reviews in the series:
m.o.i.:matisyahu @ grinders sculpture park
m.o.i.: eldar @ cccc
m.o.i.: elvis costello and the attractions
m.o.i.: the police
m.o.i.: the swell season
m.o.i.: anne-sophie mutter
m.o.i.: pat metheny trio
m.o.i.: mars volta and isabel bayrakdarian
other reviews in the series:
m.o.i.:matisyahu @ grinders sculpture park
m.o.i.: eldar @ cccc
m.o.i.: elvis costello and the attractions
m.o.i.: the police
m.o.i.: the swell season
m.o.i.: anne-sophie mutter
m.o.i.: pat metheny trio
m.o.i.: mars volta and isabel bayrakdarian
cure for what ails you
I found two good cures for staying up till 4 am and still being productive the next day.
ONE. Don't drink any alcohol. None. Amazing. There's a huge difference in staying up till 4 drinking and just staying up till 4 listening to Mars Volta and talking with your neighbor. Scenario one, you fell like shit the next day. Scenario two, you're tired but nothing a good hearty protein-rich breakfast followed by a brisk walk in the sun won't repair.
TWO. The breakfast (but not before 11 am).
Make a paste of dijon mustard, minced garlic, rosemary, fresh-cracked pepper, salt, and a splash of half-and-half. Smear the paste completely over a pork tenderloin; then wrap the tenderloin completely in roasted red peppers and then in foil. You'll need to oil the foil with just a wee bit of olive oil. Bake @ 350F for ~20-25 minutes until 140 degrees. Remove, let stand for 10-15 minutes.
Fry up some very fresh, local eggs until the yolks just begin to firm around the edges. Thinly slice the pork tenderloin and place on egg white portion of the eggs. Pop the yolks, add a splash of Tabasco or tomatilla sauce. Serve with tortillas, coffee, and juice on the side.
ONE. Don't drink any alcohol. None. Amazing. There's a huge difference in staying up till 4 drinking and just staying up till 4 listening to Mars Volta and talking with your neighbor. Scenario one, you fell like shit the next day. Scenario two, you're tired but nothing a good hearty protein-rich breakfast followed by a brisk walk in the sun won't repair.
TWO. The breakfast (but not before 11 am).
Make a paste of dijon mustard, minced garlic, rosemary, fresh-cracked pepper, salt, and a splash of half-and-half. Smear the paste completely over a pork tenderloin; then wrap the tenderloin completely in roasted red peppers and then in foil. You'll need to oil the foil with just a wee bit of olive oil. Bake @ 350F for ~20-25 minutes until 140 degrees. Remove, let stand for 10-15 minutes.
Fry up some very fresh, local eggs until the yolks just begin to firm around the edges. Thinly slice the pork tenderloin and place on egg white portion of the eggs. Pop the yolks, add a splash of Tabasco or tomatilla sauce. Serve with tortillas, coffee, and juice on the side.
ACORN squashed soup
Yes we can. More from the November is Squashed Month Series whereby we celebrate autumn, and the decline and fall of the Republican Party.
ACORN Squashed Soup
Ingredients:
1 medium acorn squash.
1 medium sweet onion.
1 clove garlic.
2 sprigs fresh rosemary.
1 medium red pepper, roasted and skinned.
2-3 cups vegetable (can substitute chicken) stock.
1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half.
salt, pepper, hot sauce, and rosemary to taste.
Suggested garnishes. Roasted red pepper silvers, pumpkin seeds, and crumbled chevre.
Cooking time. ~1 hour total. Feeds 6-8 liberals.
Split the squash lengthwise and remove the seeds. Peel the onion, split in half, and place each onion half in the hollow section of the squash. Place squash, skin side up in a shallow baking dish. Pierce the skin repeatedly with a sharp knife, cover the bottom of the dish with a small amount of water (for steaming), add several sprigs of rosemary, and the garlic clove (unpeeled) to the pan. Cover and bake for ~1 hour until the squash is very tender. When the squash is tender you should be able to smell the galic and rosemary. Set aside to cool a bit before proceeding the next step.
Use the hour while the squash is baking to engage in progressive act ivies that will insure that the likes of war criminals like Dick "the Dick" Cheney never hold public office again. ACORN Squashed Soup is a value meal. Therefore, why not use the money that you might have spent eating out and instead, make a contribution to ACORN or moveon.org.
To finish the soup takes about 30 minutes. Scoop the squash into a large (8-qt) sauce pan. Add the cooked onion, and the red pepper, and squeeze the roasted garlic into the pan. Add 3 cups stock, 1 cup cream (or half-and-half), and cook until the flavors meld. About 15 minutes. You can turn up the heat and reduce the liquid for a thicker soup if so inclined.
Once the flavors have melded, remove from the heat and puree in a blender, vitamix, or food processor. Caution! This soup gets really hot and is thick enough to scald you severely if you let it fly out of the processor. Use a towel to cover your hands. Once blended, adjust the flavors; this a good point to add Tabasco or other hot sauce for zip.
Serve with hearty artisan bread or whole wheat crackers. Crumble some chevre (or feta or creme fraiche) on the top and you've got something that'll give you the energy to kick a conservatives ass.
ACORN Squashed Soup
Ingredients:
1 medium acorn squash.
1 medium sweet onion.
1 clove garlic.
2 sprigs fresh rosemary.
1 medium red pepper, roasted and skinned.
2-3 cups vegetable (can substitute chicken) stock.
1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half.
salt, pepper, hot sauce, and rosemary to taste.
Suggested garnishes. Roasted red pepper silvers, pumpkin seeds, and crumbled chevre.
Cooking time. ~1 hour total. Feeds 6-8 liberals.
Split the squash lengthwise and remove the seeds. Peel the onion, split in half, and place each onion half in the hollow section of the squash. Place squash, skin side up in a shallow baking dish. Pierce the skin repeatedly with a sharp knife, cover the bottom of the dish with a small amount of water (for steaming), add several sprigs of rosemary, and the garlic clove (unpeeled) to the pan. Cover and bake for ~1 hour until the squash is very tender. When the squash is tender you should be able to smell the galic and rosemary. Set aside to cool a bit before proceeding the next step.Use the hour while the squash is baking to engage in progressive act ivies that will insure that the likes of war criminals like Dick "the Dick" Cheney never hold public office again. ACORN Squashed Soup is a value meal. Therefore, why not use the money that you might have spent eating out and instead, make a contribution to ACORN or moveon.org.
To finish the soup takes about 30 minutes. Scoop the squash into a large (8-qt) sauce pan. Add the cooked onion, and the red pepper, and squeeze the roasted garlic into the pan. Add 3 cups stock, 1 cup cream (or half-and-half), and cook until the flavors meld. About 15 minutes. You can turn up the heat and reduce the liquid for a thicker soup if so inclined.
Once the flavors have melded, remove from the heat and puree in a blender, vitamix, or food processor. Caution! This soup gets really hot and is thick enough to scald you severely if you let it fly out of the processor. Use a towel to cover your hands. Once blended, adjust the flavors; this a good point to add Tabasco or other hot sauce for zip.
Serve with hearty artisan bread or whole wheat crackers. Crumble some chevre (or feta or creme fraiche) on the top and you've got something that'll give you the energy to kick a conservatives ass.
smoke break! moi makes good on a promise
I guess I'll take a walk tonight I know that I can't sleep
And I won't go too bad at all I'll just lay there and weep
Instead I'll make our favorite spot that's what I think I'll do
I've got those smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee blues
Smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee all night long
Wondering how the love so right could suddenly go wrong
I'd grab the next bus out of town but I've got to be near you
I've got those smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee blues--Jean Sheperd, Cigarette and Coffee Blues
Before the year is out and I have to make a new set of resolutions that I might not be able to keep, I thought it important to try and make good on one of this years. Resolutions. So I've taken up smoking. This may come as a shock those who know me because unlike other substances, I've never smoked cigarettes. Don't fancy them. Never have.
I lived with smokers growing up and hated the smell and the smoke and the brown boogers. Tried to smoke once when I was 14. Couldn't hack the taste. Smoking bans in bars in restaurants? I voted for them all because one of the costs of listening to live music shouldn't be smelling like an astray. But I wanted to make a resolution I could keep this year so why not take up smoking. Plus, I figure I can always quit ( or can I?) Besides, there are more opportunities for smoking in the midwest than snorkeling.
Now to make the resolution more interesting and challenging, I've decided to turn it into an art project. The premise of the project is HOW MANY CIGARETTES CAN I SMOKE and NOT become addicted. Does anyone know the point at which one becomes uncontrollably addicted to a substance that might kill you? Probably not. Erst while, how to explain the many crack addicts and alcoholics dodging about in corners and back alleys?Smoking a half-a-pack of cigarettes over a couple of weeks probably won't do it so I gather I'm still safely away from the edge. Getting nearly addicted to cigarettes won't be pretty; it smells, it's expensive, but worse of all, it can lead to lung cancer. But then again, so can oil painting if done in a small studio. I'm imagine this project to be a cross between a Tom Waits song, a Jim Jarmusch movie, and a T.S. Elliot poem. Murky, dangerous, and full of intrigue. But that's only if it works out.
On the down side it could lead to high blood pressure, holes in the carpet, or stage IV carcinoma; but art is about control. Then there's the cost. A pack of primo (let's do it with panache!) cigs goes for more than $5. About the cost of a tube of paint, but granted a lot less than an ounce of weed, a bottle of fine scotch, or a heroin habit, but still if one were to go in all the way, a cig habit could add up with time. Not to mention the potential ill health effects. But art is full of sacrifices that we are prepared to make. In the end I may not have my health, but at least I have a health plan.
But there are bigger problems with me smoking. Foremost is that I don't know how to smoke so there's that to learn. Perhaps smoking is like painting, one can take a lifetime to learn how to do it well. Additionally, this decision could shorten my life, but then again, what's the saying?, "so could crossing the street". And does crossing the street while smoking double your chances at death? Let's hope not since I'm a serial jaywalker. None of this we know, so let's that call that some of the edges of the work. We've always liked to work around the edges. I do know we have only one life to lead so we might as well enjoy a smoke break now and then.
Upper Image: youngurban via the world wide web.
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You can read the online version of the paper at new york times special edition
What was so great about this art prank, definitely one of the best in the history of art-pranking, was the extent to which the gag was carried. Not only did they spoof the hard copy of the paper, they also spoofed the online edition, and they spoofed the videos that the Times produces.
elsewhere:
the yes men
back-room politics and the new world order
The Washington Post is reporting that Vice-President elect Joe Biden will be meeting with outgoing VP, Dick "the Dick" Cheney this afternoon at the Cheney's residence. I just hope the good senator has the sense to make certain that Cheney wears a condom.
the GOP dies so that sarah palin can live
As one of the rising stars of the soon-to-be defunct version of the Grand Ole Party, Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin is scheduled to deliver a eulogy to the RNC at the National Republican Governors Conference today in Miami. At the conclusion of Palins' remarks, Governor's, spouses, and invited guests can take in a number of activities, including:
2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES (All Conference Attendees)
BOAT CRUISE
Guests will enjoy a leisurely cruise on the waters of the Atlantic.
DAY OF BEAUTY
The Professional Beauty Association will offer an afternoon of pampering to include manicures, pedicures, neck and shoulder massages. Participants will also learn about new products and beauty secrets.
ART DECO TOUR
The Art Deco District is America's only 20th Century historic district listed in the US National Register of Historic Places. A certified guide will lead guests on a ninety-minute walking tour to include the late, Gianni Versace's villa on Ocean Drive and historic hotels. Guests will observe the outside design elements and lobbies along with secluded courtyards. The tour will conclude at the Oriente in the Cordoza Hotel with the restaurant’s signature cocktail.
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Sadly, we had to make none up of these activities. You'll note, if you check out the Republican Governor's Conference website, there are no scheduled sessions on the economy, global climate change, or environmental issues.
2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES (All Conference Attendees)
BOAT CRUISE
Guests will enjoy a leisurely cruise on the waters of the Atlantic.
DAY OF BEAUTY
The Professional Beauty Association will offer an afternoon of pampering to include manicures, pedicures, neck and shoulder massages. Participants will also learn about new products and beauty secrets.
ART DECO TOUR
The Art Deco District is America's only 20th Century historic district listed in the US National Register of Historic Places. A certified guide will lead guests on a ninety-minute walking tour to include the late, Gianni Versace's villa on Ocean Drive and historic hotels. Guests will observe the outside design elements and lobbies along with secluded courtyards. The tour will conclude at the Oriente in the Cordoza Hotel with the restaurant’s signature cocktail.
----
Sadly, we had to make none up of these activities. You'll note, if you check out the Republican Governor's Conference website, there are no scheduled sessions on the economy, global climate change, or environmental issues.
winning the battle, losing the war
Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser continues to baffle the pundits, the council, and the public. Last week, he filed a lawsuit against the city asking a Jackson County judge to overturn a portion a recent city ordinance that banned family members from serving as volunteers for city staff. The ban doesn't prevent the family members from occassionally volunteering for city staff, just from volunteering ad infinitum with the city.
The ad infinitum part was the problem with the mayor's wife, Gloria Squitiro, who was seen by many as holding the symbolic key-to-the-city and anyone who wanted through the door, had to first get past her. That the mayor and his wife couldn't see that the public resented this setup is hard to understand given his pre-election statements proclaiming "once elected, if the public calls out my errors, I will listen and respond". How many ways must one say, this isn't what we (the public) voted for when we elected you, before you begin to understand? The public has been screaming over this issue for a year now and the mayor still doesn't get the fact that he LOST this political battle. It's time to move on with the agenda of the city and the people.
In many ways, the mayor is correct. We really don't need laws that are written to address one person, one family. But more importantly the mayor is dead wrong on the political issue, which in this instance happens to be larger than the law. The council and the people (at whose discretion the mayor serves) have overwhelmingly spoken. There is no inherent aspect of being Mayor of Kansas City that allows one to have their spouse as the office gatekeeper. And this is a huge problem for the mayor and the city because publically he's getting beat up one side and down the other and still, still, he refuses to relent. This is a politcal loss being taken by the mayor as a personal one, and if the mayor wants to lead, he needs to get on with the job of leading. Intractability isn't a leadership quality.
Politically, it hard to imagine a politician who's been more adept at shooting himself in the foot. In this latest pot-shot, the mayor has lost most of his toes on his right foot and seems to be wobbling at the helm and in danger of falling over on his head. By filing this suit, the mayor continues to keep this black-eye issue in the news where it only serve to continue to diminish his ability to work with the council, the citizens, and the media. But more importantly, it prevents the mayor from showing true leadership. That really is the mayor's job, not to run the city (the city manager does that) but to lead the city forward.
Case in point. Light rail. This was an issue the mayor decided to lead on, and it went down to overwhelming defeat. Why? In Part, because people don't think the mayor responds to their needs, so why should they listen to him? It is hard to lead when you continue to alienate. Yes, the ordinance was, in part, politically motivated, but understanding when you've lost the battle and moving forward is where agile politicians shine battle. The mayor continues to be awkward and awkwardness is not helping the city in a tough time.
Remember the slogan? A CITY THAT WORKS. A good slogan, but the problem here, is that this isn't working. Get over it. Move on up. And get back to work.
The ad infinitum part was the problem with the mayor's wife, Gloria Squitiro, who was seen by many as holding the symbolic key-to-the-city and anyone who wanted through the door, had to first get past her. That the mayor and his wife couldn't see that the public resented this setup is hard to understand given his pre-election statements proclaiming "once elected, if the public calls out my errors, I will listen and respond". How many ways must one say, this isn't what we (the public) voted for when we elected you, before you begin to understand? The public has been screaming over this issue for a year now and the mayor still doesn't get the fact that he LOST this political battle. It's time to move on with the agenda of the city and the people.
In many ways, the mayor is correct. We really don't need laws that are written to address one person, one family. But more importantly the mayor is dead wrong on the political issue, which in this instance happens to be larger than the law. The council and the people (at whose discretion the mayor serves) have overwhelmingly spoken. There is no inherent aspect of being Mayor of Kansas City that allows one to have their spouse as the office gatekeeper. And this is a huge problem for the mayor and the city because publically he's getting beat up one side and down the other and still, still, he refuses to relent. This is a politcal loss being taken by the mayor as a personal one, and if the mayor wants to lead, he needs to get on with the job of leading. Intractability isn't a leadership quality. Politically, it hard to imagine a politician who's been more adept at shooting himself in the foot. In this latest pot-shot, the mayor has lost most of his toes on his right foot and seems to be wobbling at the helm and in danger of falling over on his head. By filing this suit, the mayor continues to keep this black-eye issue in the news where it only serve to continue to diminish his ability to work with the council, the citizens, and the media. But more importantly, it prevents the mayor from showing true leadership. That really is the mayor's job, not to run the city (the city manager does that) but to lead the city forward.
Case in point. Light rail. This was an issue the mayor decided to lead on, and it went down to overwhelming defeat. Why? In Part, because people don't think the mayor responds to their needs, so why should they listen to him? It is hard to lead when you continue to alienate. Yes, the ordinance was, in part, politically motivated, but understanding when you've lost the battle and moving forward is where agile politicians shine battle. The mayor continues to be awkward and awkwardness is not helping the city in a tough time.
Remember the slogan? A CITY THAT WORKS. A good slogan, but the problem here, is that this isn't working. Get over it. Move on up. And get back to work.