Wednesday, June 30, 2004

Baby Meter

Stolen from Michelle, who has curiously posted a baby meter on her site. (She worked very hard to get her first baby--Alex I think, and if she's having another one so soon, I bet she's freaked!)

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Rockin' with Maps and Drums

Your final score is 7 out of 10 questions.

"7-8: You were a head banger, but your friends knew more bands that you did."

'80s Hair Band Lyric Quiz

--
There's this company that produces street maps for the area. I've been buying an ad in there map for three or four years. Last year, they even offered me the front page of the map. I guess at that time I told them a) I liked their product (otherwise I wouldn't have bought an ad in it), and b) to call me again next year.

Well, they called today. Since we spoke last year, our local Chamber of Commerce has switched to a competing map business. (They used to use the maps of this here map service.) The Chamber gives out the maps at their office, and includes a copy with the relocation packets they send out to prospective new businesses and citizens. I told them that I wasn't going to participate this year.

"Why is that?" they asked.

I explained that our Chamber was using a different map, and that I be sticking with the company who produces the maps for the Chamber.

"Well, last year you asked me to call again this year."

"Yes I did, but that was a year ago. If the Chamber hadn't switched map companies, I'd still buy in with you. But they're not. So I'm going to stick with the maps my local Chamber is distributing."

Funny how attitude changes so fast. "Thank you" she said flatly, and hung up. To trying to offer me a deal, no sincere thank you for your years of business. Just "Ok, onto the next fish." It was a little disheartening.

--
I was writing my article today for a local business journal here in the area. I was talking about how to get into online retailing, and different shopping cart based solutions. MOFcart has some samples on how their shopping cart system works. One of the samples: Ordering a Drum Set. I liked the "What kind of skins for your set" section. I'll go with the snakeskin, thank you!

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Tuesday, June 29, 2004

And I take a deep breath, and cry from the top of my lungs, "What's Goin' On?"

What's up? Well...

I finished Blind Al's website last night, so that's a project off my plate. I had only one drum lesson tonight, and that got done at 6pm. So after supper, I washed dishes, and sorta hung out.

Thanks to Gina for the chocolate. She gave me this dark chocolate Almond Joy in a moment of melancholy. It certainly helped!

So Susan and I driving new vehicles. They're both automatics, and we've driven nothing but standards since we started driving. We both still ocassionally go for the clutch. While taking her old car to be sold, I couldn't figure out why it wouldn't start. Seems that I didn't have my foot on the clutch. I just can't figure out what I'm doing!

Susan's aunt and cousins from PA came up last week and have been visiting. I found out they don't read here. They'd better start! Jenny and Dave have a beautiful girl, Emma. She's at that stage where she refers to herself in the third person. It's so cute! "Emma will do this," and "Emma will do that!"

Susan's Watching: Judge Judy
Listening to: Nil Lara

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Monday, June 28, 2004

More Busy

Stuff I want to tell you: drums, relatives, web sites, and what-not. Just no time tonight. Supper still needs to be made.

Bible reading: Numbers
Eating: Nothing right, but expecting chicken nuggets and 'tater tots

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Friday, June 25, 2004

Friday 5

1. When you were a child, was there a food that you disliked that you now like? What is it and why?

Onions. I have no idea why I didn't like them as a kid. Mom would frequently make two meatloaves: one with onions for her and Dad, and one without for the kids. Now, onions are my favorite. Yellow, white, green, leeks, scallions, cipollini, I love them all! Dad taught me to take a vidallia, slice it thin, grind the black pepper right to 'er, and drizzle on some vinegar. Sit down on a Sunday afternoon and watch boxing. Yum!

2. We all have foods that we can't stomach. What are some of your least favorite?

For some reason, I can't do smoked mussels. I love mussels. And smoke is ok; I like smoked salmon and smoked scallops and smoked gouda (though not all together). But smoked mussels just don't do it for me. Boiled carrots will do bad things to me too. It's their texture, as well as their flavor. Carrots in soup or salad? Ok. Candied carrots, or carrots that have been sauteed? Fine. Boiled? No thanks. (Off topic: I remember Mom helping me study for a spelling test in grade school. She helped me with silly mnemonic devices for two words. I will never misspell those two words. One was carrots. The other was spaghetti.)

3. Was there a favorite restaurant years ago whose closing you lament to this day? Tell us why.
It hasn't been closed long, but I already miss Ingrahams on Richard's Hill. Susan and I loved the place. Very homey, and yet you could wear a suit and tie and not be overdressed. But jeans and a sport shirt were fine too. Matt, the owner, would always say hi to us, and he remembered us. Once on our anniversary, they brought us mussels as an appetizer, and bought our dessert for us. I went to school with their chef, Chad. You could always find something good on the menu, and the price wasn't outrageous. We thought of it as "our" restaurant. Now, we don't have one. :-(

4. Do you remember the first time you took a date to a "fancy" restaurant? Tell us about that date.

No. But I remember the first time Susan and I ate someplace snazzy. We went with her parents (we were still in high school at the time, I think) to Dimillos in Portland. I remember I was really putting on airs, trying to be cool and suave and sophisticated. Susan did something that was really quite innocent--used the wrong fork or something. (You can see how important is was; I can't remember what it was!) I pretended to be aghast. "No, no my dear, not that fork!"

5. Is there a specific ethnic food that you find yourself craving above all others? What is your favorite meal of this type?

Italian. Northern Italian, mostly. The butter, the rice, the meats, the pasta. And I like the cream sauces. Put a cream sauce on anything, and it makes it better. Susan, though, isn't a huge Italian fan, and even then doesn't care for the cream sauce. So when I make it to Portland, I try to convince her to go to the Macaroni Grill. The Olive Garden isn't as good, but it does in a pinch.


Feeling: Excited
Drinking: Very old Jamaican Blue Mountain

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Thursday, June 24, 2004

My Lunch and Experiences Immediately Following

Yum! Paddy and I had lunch again today. This time, it was at the newly relocated Sunfire Grill on Main Street. I'd eaten there once before--back when they had their restaurant in a little trailer. I remember it as being pretty good. It was back when Jimmy T was laid up with his leg, and I brought him some quesadillas, and I had some enchiladas. Now in their new digs, there are a dozen or so tables, so you don't have to eat in your car (I hate eating in the car!). Paddy had a couple of tacos, and I had (surprise) the enchiladas. Today, it was one chicken and one cheese and onion. Let me tell you, Mr. Man, the cheese and onions are it. Next time back, I'm skipping the chicken, and going dual cheese and onion. I had a side of rice too, which was very good. Very fluffy, somewhat dry (which I like) rice, with not too much sauce.

While there, Paddy tried to convince them to start serving his beloved fish tacos. It was hard to keep from laughing. He was all rhapsodic and Zen about them. He was all waxing poetic about the ingredient list, and how the combination was all gestalt, and that deviation from it would result in a flavor that would not bring out the epitome of freshness, and, and, and,... and I looked at him and thought, "Man, this guy has a serious fish taco thing. We may need an intervention."

After lunch, we stopped by the local camera store to buy cigars. I know, weird. But that's the only "smoke shop" in town. I had called them last week about perhaps getting some Onyx Reserves for when the boys are born. They said they'd order some, so we stopped in to see if they were here. Well, seems they wait until they have a big order, so they haven't even been ordered yet. Instead, I (really Paddy) bought a $1.50 store label something. We'll see how she goes.

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Wednesday, June 23, 2004

Let's follow up, shall we?

Thanks to Paddy for taking me to a yummy Chinese buffet lunch today. He recalls that I did something nice for him a month or so ago, and he's paying me back. I don't remember that... But I ate the lunch just the same.

So what does a guy who's having twins need more than anything? You guessed it! Another snare drum! Ok, here's the scoop. I've told you before about the Slingerland Rolling Bomber snare drums, and how I love them for their wood parts. Well, there are a couple of custom drum builders who are making wood lugged drums again. Stonehenge Percussion makes them, as does Scott Carothers of Joyous Lake drums. Well Scott announced the other day on a drum message board a little deal he was making. The first 10 people to email him would get a special deal on a snare drum. Instead of between $750-$2,000 (depending on wood an options) per snare, you could get one for $400! Now, I don't really have $400 kicking around, but I asked him about a little interest free financing. And he was game! So I get put at the end of the production run, but that's ok. I lock in the low price, and get 3 months to pay for it. I can stash that money away from drum lessons, or maybe even a single web design gig. (Blind Albert does owe me for his site...) I know I want a thick, solid shell. (The drum on the right is Cocobolo, and the one on the left is Pau Fero.) Cocobolo would be sweet, but Scott says the price has gone way up, and Cocobolo orders will be limited to wood he has on hand. He thinks he has enough for me, but he's got two cocobolo orders ahead of me. I've told him I can be flexible. The Pao Fero looks good too, as does the purple heart. As the time draws nearer, he let me know what's in stock, and will keep me in mind if a chunk of Macassar Ebony falls from the sky and hits him on the head.

My dad is a great guy. I tell him all the time. You couldn't want better parents than what I've got. For a while when I was in high school (during my melancholy period for sure), I felt cheated. I thought my dad should have taken me fishing more. And hunting. And more games of catch. And he shouldn't have taken away my promised mini-bike. But now that I'm older, I realize he gave me much more. Integrity. Honesty. The ability to communicate effectively. A way of dealing with people. Dad could talk to the governor, or talk to a grave digger. Both would like him. He wouldn't kiss up to the governor, and he wouldn't talk down to the digger. And both of them would respect him for that. He can just fit in with so many kinds of people, and can do so without becoming what they want him to be. He's just himself, and he likes people, so they like him, and it all just fits. So much of who I feel I am today, and where I want to be, is based on his example. Who needs memories of baseball games? I've got something far better. Happy fathers day, Dad.

Gigs this weekend? Yup, I had one Saturday morning, and it rained. Oh well, we got paid the same! Then Saturday night, Mom and Dad watched Julia, and we all went to the Summer Solstice Celebration. It rained through most of that, too.

Suffering from: a little heartburn
Listenting to: Joss Stone

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Monday, June 21, 2004

I'm still here

Just wanted to let you all know I'm ok. I've got some stuff to talk about, but no time this evening. But I want to cover drums, my dad, my weekend, and why the rain falls from up above. Maybe tomorrow...

Supper? Not yet.
Just finished: two drums lessons

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Friday, June 18, 2004

The MI5

The MI5 this week is courtesy of Dave Clarke, whose blog isn't working right now.

1. What is your favorite alltime movie?
Star Wars, A New Hope. To me, it will always be known as "the first one." The sheer inventiveness of making those effects is crazy. So, it may look a little "dated" to some. But I don't think most CGI effects look real. Modern, maybe, but not real. The effects in Star Wars have an honesty about them.

David picked some runners up, so I will too. I love Citizen Kane. The first time I saw it, I watched it again. It's the only time I've watched the same movie twice in one day. I like Francis Ford Coppala's version of Dracula, too.

2. What is your preferred method of watching a movie?
I like movies at home better than the theater in general. The theater has great aesthetics, and I love that. What I'd really love is an old movie palace, where they did it up right. I can't wait for the Strand to reopen, hopefully with balcony intact. But most of the old movie houses aren't up to date, sound and video wise. That's why I like home better--the sound adds so much to the experience. So if you took the aesthetic of an old theater, and updated with the modern Dolby Digital Surround like I get at home, that'd be the best. Well, having my own home theater with lots of mahogany and blue velvet would be best--my dream theater, The Indigo.

3. How many movies do you watch a week?
Not many. Maybe one. I just don't have two hours to sit and watch. And my tastes are not Susan's and Julia's taste, so there's a bit of finagling that needs to be done. That being said, I took Julia to the theater to see Shrek 2 last night, and since I don't have a gig tonight or tomorrow night, a movie will probably be in store for this weekend.

4. What are your favorite movie genres?
Dramas. Seems odd that of the three movies I mentioned as favorites, only one is a drama. Star Wars is my favorite, but I'm not a sci-fi buff. Horrors are not my thing either, but one did make my top three (though it's not really that scary). But if you were to look at my DVD/LD collection, you'd see The Browning Version, The Madness of King George, Dead Poets Society, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, West Side Story, that kinda thing.

5. What movie type do you dislike?
Whoops. See #4. I should've looked down.

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Thursday, June 17, 2004

Quickie on Break

So Susan and I are sitting on the couch, watching a little TV last night. Susan's been complaining that her hip/pelvis have been sore recently. Last night she "Man, this really hurts. Add to that the contractions..."

"Contractions?"

"Sure. I've been having contractions for days."

The color drained from my face. I was stunned.

"They're only Braxton Hicks. Didn't you know?"

Um, no Honey, I didn't. I was right nervous for a second there.

--

Jim mentioned today that he thought I undercooked the bratwurst. Someone a couple of months ago mentioned that they thought I undercooked breakfast sausage. Pork doesn't doesn't need to be overcooked anymore. In 2000, there were 15 cases of trichinosis, of those, 9 were contracted from bear. The worm that causes it actually dies at 137 degrees. So if you cook it to 150, you're good. And 150 is medium: still al little pink in the middle. Since pigs aren't fed table scraps anymore, trichinosis is quite rare. Those cases that are reported are usually from game animals--not USDA graded piggies.

Last ate: A medium Brat and a swig of bourbon
Listening to: Jethro Tull

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Wednesday, June 16, 2004

No Resons 4 Love today

So insted I took some silly test thingy. See the "get more here" section.

Set this day by the hand of Billy Rhythm [Link] [Get More Here]

Monday, June 14, 2004

A post for the fans

Two people today (Dave and Joe) mentioned I hadn't posted all weekend. (Nice to know I have so many fans!) Sorry. I left work Friday night and went to a gig. Got up on Saturday morning and packed up my DJ gear. Went to a wedding, and started playing at 12:45. Once the gig was done around 6:30, I started the drive to my Saturday night gig. Got home at 3am Sunday morning. I was so pooped out, I didn't go to church Sunday morning. Honestly, though, it was nice sleeping in late next to Susan. We stayed in bed 'til 10am. After that, I mowed the lawn and did some maintenance on my DJ gear. (See, at my DJ gig, I kept getting shocked. Touch the amp--SHOCK! Touch the mixing board--SHOCK! The people said they'd had problems with the power. I tired 3 different outlets, and SHOCK! I was worried that it might have been my rig. I set the whole thing up Sunday afternoon, piece by piece, and touched every piece. No probs.)

For supper? Spaghetti and meatballs
Watching: Law and Order with Susan

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Friday, June 11, 2004

The MI5

This week's MI5

In honor of my new car, I present to you an automotive MI5 this week. (Incidently, Paddy mentioned that if he were doing the MI5, it would've been the same theme. Let's see how close I get to the questions he was going to use.)

1. What are you currently driving? What do you like and dislike about it?
I now have two vehicles. My "new" 1995 Taurus wagon, and "White Lightnin'," my 1992 Ford pick-up. I like being able to haul both passengers and drums in the wagon. The truck holds a lot, but can only hold two people and a kid comfortably. The cap on the pick-up leaks a little, so that's not good for hauling drums. And, they get cold in the winter with no chance to warm up. In the wagon, I'll be able to throw a little heat on them, at least.

2. Does your current vehicle have any strange quirks?
The wagon's doors only unlock with the key if the key has a certain side up. Flip the key 180 degrees, and it won't unlock the doors. The truck has two gas tanks. The first one, the gas level sending unit is broken, so it always reads empty on the gauge. The rear tank has a leak, and only holds about a gallon. So no matter how much gas you have, the gauge always reads empty!

3. Tell us a funny/unusual story about you and a car.
One time in White Lightnin', I got a flat tire in Augusta (about 50 miles away from my home). Bummer. Changing flats on a truck is a real pain. The jack and tire iron are stored under the hood. So I pulled on the hood latch, and it broke. I pulled it right out of the dash. Now, not only do I have a flat and a broken hood latch, but I can't open the hood to get the tools to change the flat. I had to be towed less than a mile to get a new tire put on at Sam's Club. Ironic part? I was just leaving Sam's when I got the flat!

4. If you could pick any car as your daily driver, what would you pick?
In reality, I don't care much about cars. I used to be able to tell models and years by looking. Not anymore. They all seem the same to me. Maybe I'm just getting old. But I do like the lines of the Audi TT coupe, and this here Mercedes.

5. If money were no object, and you could have any car you wanted, what would it be. Why?
The only vehicle that I ever really dream about with any regularity would be a late '20s Ahrens Fox. Big surprise, huh? Why the late '20s? I like the early models with the cab with no doors or winsheild. But in the early '20s, the wheels (not the tires) were made of wood. Expensive to replace/repair they are (a little Yoda speak for some reason this morning). Although this '49 Fox would do in a pinch. No doors, big gumdrop light, water cannon, twice pipes, button top, mmmm, clean!

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

For my beloved wife

Happy anniversary! 10 years baby! That's a big one! Of course, we've been a couple for 15 years, or as Susan mentioned the other day, almost 1/2 our lives.

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Thursday, June 10, 2004

And I stole this one from Maria

If I were a month, I would be: October
If I were a time of day, I would be: 5am
If I were a planet, I would be: Saturn
If I were a sea animal, I would be: a humpback whale
If I were a direction, I would be: sow - sow west
If I were a piece of furniture, I would be: a mahogany corner chair
If I were a sin, I would be: lust
If I were a historical figure, I would be: a combination of Ben Franklin and the Marques de Sade (Well, maybe just Ben.)
If I were a stone, I would be: granite. Or maybe onyx.
If I were a tree, I would be: a Maple tree
If I were a bird, I would be: Oriole
If I were a tool, I would be: a bastard file
If I were a flower/plant, I would be: a cactus
If I were a kind of weather, I would be: fog
If I were a mythical creature, I would be: a Jaberwock, or a Wookie
If I were a musical instrument, I would be: a Slingerland Rolling Bomber snare drum
If I were an animal, I would be: a hermit crab
If I were a color, I would be: purple
If I were an emotion, I would be: melancholy
If I were a vegetable, I would be: potato
If I were a sound, I would be: thunder
If I were a car, I would be: a 1957 Chevy hard top two-door in sea foam green with the 283 and three on the tree. Or, a '59 Cadillac hearse.
If I were a song, I would be: “Wichita Skyline” by Shawn Colvin
If I were a movie, I would be directed by: Milos Forman
If I were a book, I would be written by: Hemmingway
If I were a food, I would be: Pasta
If I were a place, I would be: Spruce Head
If I were a material, I would be: cotton
If I were a taste, I would be: chocolate
If I were a scent, I would be: onion
If I were a religion, I would be: Baptist/Presbyterian
If I were a word, I would be: hexasyllabically
If I were an object, I would be: broken
If I were a body part, I would be: the appendix
If I were a facial expression, I would be: a rolled tongue
If I were a subject in school, I would be: Poetry
If I were a comic book character, I would be: Spider Man
If I were a shape, I would be: round
If I were a number, I would be: 7 or 4. Or 25 or 6 to 4.

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

I stole this from someone who chooses to remain anonymous

Aphrodite/Eros


?? Which Of The Greek Gods Are You ??
brought to you by Quizilla

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Wednesday, June 9, 2004

Reasons for Love #52 -- the last time

Every Wednesday those who are involved in a relationship with somebody share a few (simple but significant) reasons for their love. I did this project for 52 weeks. These are my reasons, unedited, in order.

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

A fire engine? For sale? Near by? Look out!

This just in! South Hope is receiving a new fire engine at the end of June. They'll be putting their old one out for bid. It's a 1961 American Lafrance! Yahoo! The postmaster of Spruce Head is on the department. He's going to let Dad know when it goes out to bid. This is perfect timing! My dad is undergoing cancer treatment, my wife is at home pregnant with twins, and I'm thinking that if I don't do this now, it'll never happen again. Too bad I just bought a car!

Dad, I wasn't kidding about that loan! :-)

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

New Vehicles

Lot's of vehicle news going on in the Batty household. First, for the amazing... It's about 4 in the afternoon yesterday, and a bunch of us from the office are hanging around the coffee pot. Paddy says "Did you see that antique fire truck over in Warren?" ( Warren is 15 miles away, maybe.) "It was some '50s open cab thing with a gum drop light. JP chimes in "Yeah, I saw that." Immediately, visions of sugar plums start dancing in my head. Open cab pumpers are IT! And here in Maine, where things get cold, open cab fire trucks are few and far between. Then one of them said "I think the sign said $2500." I was ready to leave early to go check it out!

It was a 1954/55 Ford Big Job. It wasn't open cab. (Thank God!) They wanted $4500, not $2500. Three sections of hard suction hose, and a length of 3" pre-connect were all that were included. No extinguishers, no axes, no pike, no ladders. The mechanical siren was there, and as Julia will attest, it worked. And it did have that big globe light. But at $4500, I wasn't tempted. Still, thanks to all the guys keeping their eyes open for me.

Vehicle story #2. With twins on the way, I knew my pick-up "White Lightnin'" wasn't long for the fold. There's just no way it could ever carry five passengers. So I'd been looking for a station wagon. I really wanted to find one with the fold-down jump-seat in the back. So I had been looking at Volvo wagons (I like their box lines and safety ratings) and Buick Roadmasters. I don't know where I first thought of a Ford Taurus wagon, but they seemed to fit the bill too.

The problem is, with the advent of minivans, nobody buys wagons anymore. As such, there aren't any good used wagons available. My folks have already given us one minvan. I didn't want to be a two minivan family. But wagon luck was running low. Someone in town here had a '89 Buick Century wagon. I called, and the guy said he was selling it for his grandmother. He didn't have any info: no milage, no engine size, no nothing. He said he'd call me back. He didn't.

Then, a few weeks ago, I was driving Julia to school when I found a '95 Taurus. Right quick, I stopped in. It's got 83k miles. It's got every option except the global positioning map package. Leather. Power seats. Air. Tilt, cruise, moonroof, yadda. And, it's got the jump-seat. Auto tranny. (Strange thing--I've been driving a standard so long, I still sometimes go for the clutch. And I sometimes forget to put in in reverse when I want to back up.) Asking price is a shade under $3000. I've given almost seven days of test driving. The first weekend I had it, there was a problem with the brakes. After the guy fixed those, he let me try 'er again. There's now something wrong with the speedo cable and the cruise, but he's going to fix those too. I'm buying it today.

Now in 1996, they changed the body style. Mine's the last year of the old body. I kinda like the look of the new body better. But I hadn't been able to find one, so it seemed moot. Until last night on the way to look at the fire truck. I passed a blue '96 Taurus wagon. After looking at the truck, I went back and looked at the other wagon. I do like the styling better. But, it's less roomy. The car is more narrow, and seems shorter too. There's less room in the rear seat, and the cargo area seems smaller too. I need more room, not less. In the one I'm buying, I can put Big Pink in the back, and still have seating for five. Nice. And the other Taurus I looked at? 160K miles, and a little more expensive. No sunroof, no remote trunk latch, no leather--just not as nice. I'll take the slightly older model with fewer miles, more options, and cheaper price. Thanks.


Feeling: Hot!
Hearing in my head: Joni Mitchell's version of

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Monday, June 7, 2004

For Ronald Reagan

I was on my way to a gig on Saturday when I heard the news of President Reagan's death. In a strange twist of irony, I heard about it while listening to National Public Radio. Much of Mr. Reagan's thoughts, policies, and ideas have formed what are my political views today. In fact, I had a picture of him and Nancy in high school locker. I regard him as the best president of my lifetime (I was born in '71), and as one of the best we've ever had. I greatly admired his ability to communicate. To me, it seemed he could be everyman. He could be with anyone--car dealer, grave digger, Indian chief, billionaire--and still be himself; still be sympathetic. Rumors have circulated about our current president calling people a$$holes while their backs were turned. That wouldn't have happened with Mr. Reagan. I remember when news was breaking about Clinton getting some action under his desk. Someone (I think Don Imus) remarked that Mr. Reagan wouldn't go into the Oval Office in his shirtsleeves, and how far the respect of the President had fallen. I heard again today that Mr. Reagan didn't allow anyone into the Oval Office without a shirt at tie on. He respected his office (the job--not the room) as President too much to allow that. Heck, I remember when it was not ok for the President to have smoked marajuana. Will we ever have a President who can claim that again?

And yet, at 6pm as I listened to NPR on Saturday, they left the news and went to A Prairie Home Companion. At the top of the show, Garrison Keeler announced that the former President had died. It seemed as if most people in the audience didn't know. There were gaps and "awwww-s" almost universally. I say almost... Some jerk had the audacity to cheer. Now I'm no fan of Bill Clinton, but should he die, there would be no cheers from me. I shouldn't think there'd be cheers from anyone, just out of respect for the fact he was the President. That would be the respect that Reagan would've given.

Here's to you, Ronald Reagan. Forever may you remain in jacket and tie. I hope someday the office of the President will recover the dignity and integrity that you gave to it.

Mood: About the same
Last Heard: Frank Zappa

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Saturday, June 5, 2004

Yellow North Drum Kit

Holy Yellow Batman!

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Friday, June 4, 2004

Argh! It's so slow!

I'm working the last hour on the tech floor. Fridays aren't usually too busy. Today, one of the nicest days outside in like two weeks, was no exception. It was really slow all day. Susan just called to say my 'rents asked to take Julia tonight. So we have a night alone. My reaction? Ho-hum. I've just got no energy. Not even for that! Can you believe it! :-) So since it's slow, I give you...

You're a Speak & Spell!! You nerd, you. Just
because you were disguised as a toy doesn't
mean you weren't educational, you sneaky
bastard.


What childhood toy from the 80s are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

This week's MI5

1. What is your favorite part of your house (the house where you live)?
I like my basement. It isn't huge, and it's kinda cluttered. But it's solid, and fairly finished. I have my drums down there, and my work bench.

2. What is your least favorite part of your house?
The kitchen and the bathroom are both too small. They're both functional, but there's not a ton of room in either. Of the two though, the kitchen is acceptable--I just would like a big kitchen. The bathroom really is too small, and the bi-fold door needs to come down.

3. Name one thing you would like to change about your house?
The rugs in the dining/living room are a little scuzy. New rugs in living room and a hardwood floor in the dining would be nice. Also some new wallpaper would be cool.

4. If you were going to move to a new house where would you like to
move to and what would you like your new house to have?
I'd wanna be in Spruce Head Maine, a scant 15 minutes from where I live now. What would I like it to have? See #5.

5. If you were going to build your dream house what would it be like?
(style, size, location, rooms, etc.)
A re-creation of a Victorian, set in Spruce Head. I'd like to have a turret, and a ball and claw foot tub. Lots of funky woodwork would be required inside, and there should be plenty of mahogany. Especially in the library. Nothing too gaudy or Gothic, but something like this.


Just finished: a Burger King chicken sandwich

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Thursday, June 3, 2004

The Fathers Day List

Bolz CD rack that holds 600 CDs and is about 1/2 price. Whoops! Too slow on that one!

Some kind of shoulder bag. Nothing fancy. Just someting I can use to put my Palm Pilot in, some pens, a pad, a couple of yo-yos, and whatever else I might normally carry in a coat pocket. Since it's finally warm enough, I shant be wearing the coat much.

Some cigars for the humidor. This 12 pack features all dark maduro wrapper (which I like), and 12 will last me a whole year, at least!

A copper bowl, perfect for beating egg whites and cream. Or, if you really love me, a whole set of copper cookware.

Speaking of cookware, how about an electric griddle? Or a nice cast iron skillet?

What do you get when you take a Ludwig Black Beauty, and replace all the chrome hardware with brass? Why, a righteous Fathers Day present, that's what!

New American Standard study Bible. The NAS version is supposed to be the closest word-for-word style translation of the original manuscripts. I'm on a bit of a quest to find the most accurate Bible. This study Bible also has some great notes to original Hebrew and Greek words. Handy, because in a lot of my studying to find the best translation, I've been researching the original languages.

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Hobbes "Tripple Trouble" Philbrook

Not only do some pet owners let their cats eat people food, but they let them do it right on the table! And then, thinking it's soooo cute, they take pictures of it!

Feeling: a little sick to my stomach!

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Wednesday, June 2, 2004

For Dad

I figured you could maybe use some good news right about now.

Hot cocoa better than green tea and red wine.

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

What's up with LJ?

Why does anyone use Live Journal? Here's the scenario. The WOP says he's not going to post anymore. I leave some lame comment to the effect of "too bad, that's the only communication some of us have with you." I hit the post button, and LJ says "type the number you see below to proove your not a spambot. Only problem is, there's no number. So there's a link that says "Click here to hear an audio clue." So I click that. And my browser crashes. Try again. Same thing. Fine, I figure. Genova doesn't want to hear about it anyway. So then I go over to Melanie's journal, and try and leave a comment. All seems to have gone ok, except there's no comment posted. Then, I took a look at Jim's site, and he's ruminating about how LJ eats all his longer posts. It's madness.

Greymatter gives me almost no trouble. The only times I have problems it was a) my fault, or b) the fault of someone moving me to a different server.

Mood: slightly overwhelmed

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]