Thursday, February 28, 2008

Birth. School. Work. Death.

When I'm on the road, for work, I don't drink.

Believe it or don't - but it's true. I resist the pre-dinner drink or the wine with meal. It is just safer that way - for all involved.

Tonite, I felt differently. WAY differently. I downed four, count 'em, large-ass beers from a micro-brew in downtown DC.

Though I didn't make an ass of myself or anything, I did become what folks would consider unusually quiet - listening to the following (in no particular order)

  • golf
  • football - pro
  • football - college
  • basketball - pro
  • basketball - college
  • Barack Obama
  • tennis
  • hermaphordies
  • pseudo-hermaphrodites
  • Jamie Lee Curtis
  • Tiger Woods
  • darts
  • Hillary Clinton
Seriously, is it any wonder when the automaton waitress kept coming by I'd just say, "I'll have another one......."?


Song by: the Godfathers

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

RECORD OF THE MONTH

I figured I'd do a monthly 'what I'm listening to' kind of thing. This could be viewed as a lame placeholder kind of post. And probably it is. But it's my blog! So there!

These may or may not be newly released disks. They might not even be a good disk - just what is been in heavy rotation in my car (as usually the iPod is playing anywhere else).


Cover albums are a risky business at best. And for the life of me I cannot think of one that has entirely worked. Tribute albums are a different thing - at least with multiple artists paying tribute to a singular artist or cause.

But a singular artist covering music that has already been recorded is always an iffy proposition - especially if the material is well known and had been popular in the day.

I'm a huge fan of Allison Moorer's disk, The Duel. But not so much of Mockingbird.

The entire disk is marginal. Nothing shines - even for a moment. It is very frustrating, especially because Moorer has such a great voice. The song choices and arrangements are flawed. Deeply.

I don't think the fact that all the songs are by female writers has anything to do with it. Buddy Miller's production doesn't really add a thing to the songs - and possibly detracts from it.

A 4/4 version of "Ring of Fire"? The blandest cover of Patti Smith's "Dancing Barefoot"? And an emotionless take of Gillian Welch's "Relavator? It was really too much to take.

I don't know why I do this to myself. I'm a sucker for a cover album, or the possibility of one and they never come out well. Not at all. Ever.

I do think it is why I like some tribute albums - though they are hit and miss too. Take the one to Elton John. Sinead O'Connor's take on "Sacrifice" or George Michael's "Tonite" - both make the album of other crap songs by BonJovi or (ugh) Wilson Phillips! Or try the Spirit of '73 - with a great version of , yes, "Dancing Barefoot" and "Have You Never Been Mellow" (seriously!)

Well, here is hoping Moorer can come back with a new disk of original material that suits her. That suits me. But this ain't it.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Re-Election Day

I'm traveling most of this week, and the primary is following one, so I thought to be safe, I would complete my absentee ballot this last weekend and get it off in the mail.

As I went down the decision tree, I had to make choose what I thought was the most viable candidate. Experience or change - if one can even quantify 'change'. Polarizing or uniting. Man or woman. Black or white.

There was also a nagging (?) quote that kept coming back to me from Liz Lemon (30 Rock) from a first season episode (those who truly know me will not be the least bit surprised I retained this):

Tracy took advantage of my white guilt, which is to be used only for good like over-tipping and supporting Barack Obama.

I made a conscious decision not to vote on black or white guilt.

Had either Obama or Clinton been far enough ahead that it wouldn't have mattered, I would have voted for Kucinich. Yes, he dropped out of the race weeks ago, but not long enough to be taken off the ballot here. I don't know if that would have sent a message or not, but I would have felt better.

No matter who I voted for, I felt I was compromising myself. ...and not that I don't most elections, but this one seemed to be more so. It is probably timing. If I think hard, I had zero desire to vote for Kerry. I didn't vote for Kerry - I voted against Bush. The difference isn't even all that subtle - in my mind.

It really did come down to change over experience. And since any of the democrats are going to be a huge change over the current administration - I went for experience.


I just haven't heard anything of substance from Obama other than 'change'. Tell me how. Tell me how. Tell me how. PLEASE tell me how!!!

With less two years of congressional experience, how will he navigate change in a current democratic congress that can't pass a frickin' thing now?? G-d fuckin forbid tides change and there isn't a ruling House or Senate from his own party.

For the time being, Hillary is my man. It is just a gut check.



Song by: Arcadia

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Cook of the House

I hate when good recipes go bad.

Ok - maybe it wasn't a good recipe, but it sounded good. Unfortunately Ina Garten can make anything sound good.....and doable.

I shouldn't blame the Contessa - I'm sure it is something I did. Or didn't do.

For gosh's sakes it was only macaroni and cheese. Sure it had like 4lbs of cheese (three different kinds!).....and bacon and I followed the directions to a T. What could possibly go wrong?


Don't get me wrong - it wasn't horrible or inedible. Maybe my expectations were too high. Maybe my skills weren't high enough. Normally they aren't when I cook and things still work out. At least I enjoy the process, if not the final product.

....and it's still harder than I thought to be a food photographer. I don't know how those guys who do the Ponderosa menu do it!



Song by: Linda McCartney and Wings
(seriously - one of the worst songs ever put to tape!)

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Is (s)He Really Going Out With Him?

I was telling my email group about the 'first date' I had two nights ago.

No - I'm not dating behind my bf's back, but the dinner and drinks I had with a co-worker felt more like a first date than it did of catching a meal and tossing back a few.

Come Monday I'll be at my job for a year. It seems like a week. It seems like a decade.

Anyway, Scott has been there for less time than I have and though we had bonded, we never really did anything outside of work. But I really haven't with anyone from there. .....did I mention he was straight?

So we went on a man date.

Chow and booze. Albeit good chow and booze. I'm happy to settle for bar food...or just a bar. But I ended up with a spinach salad (great!) and ravioli stuffed with dungeness crab (it sounded better than it was).

Naturally, I tried to annoy the waiter when he asked if we wanted to start with a drink. Scott, being a gentleman, motions for me to go first: "I'll have a Squash Strawberry Alleycat", I replied. Neither of them knew what to do with that!

I pretty much stuck with beer and wine, but Scott likes his bourbon.

We tried not to talk about work, but you know how well that usually goes - though it was kept to a minimum. But that Makers Mark just let Scott babble on and on and on. ...but in a good way. Some stuff I wouldn't reveal here, some I could.

One of the more interesting is his telling me of his 18 year old son, who is gay, and came out to him about three years ago. At 15! ...can you imagine? Not to sound too much like my parents, but it really is a different world. I mean - I knew at 15, but I wasn't telling my father! Or even contemplating it. No, I was figuring how the hell to get out of Dodge and live my life.

And here I am umpteen decades later.........back in Dodge.

I can see Denton and I doing stuff with Scott and his wife. He has got a great sense of humor and I'm assuming she must at least tolerate him as Denton does me. We'll see.


....and for the record.....I don't need a flashy red convertible.......if you know what I mean!!!


Song by: Joe Jackson

Friday, February 22, 2008

SHOPPING w/BLOBBY

Yet another installment in the drudgery that is everyday shopping. The camera-phone makes it a bit more fun - though I get looks whenever I take pics of products. Like I care what people think!

Is it just me - or does "Mrs. Stewart" look an awful lot like a Robin Williams?



Robin Williams as a woman - but not as Mrs. Doubtfire.

I don't even know what 'liquid bluing' is. And how does 'bluing' make white clothes whiter? In theory, it should make them bluer.....or 'more blue', as any normal person might say.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Big Bang Baby

I don't know exactly how to describe our property - but what would be the traditional front of the house now overlooks a three lane, one-way street......and there is no access to the 'front door'.

You now approach the house from the back and come in the side. All the houses on our street have been retrofitted to have the back of the house to now be the front. Ours is even weirder, as we sit at an angle. Back in the day (like 50-80 years ago), everyone overlooked a bluff. We still do, but the roads and access ways are different.

And the property line goes down and around the hill - and along the three lane road, and it's on a curve. Speed limit is 20 mph, but no one goes that slow. You can times it by two.

Because of that - there seem to be many many accidents. It has gotten to the point that I can hear even the slightest the fender bender that culminates in backed-up traffic.

Like yesterday morning. Denton and I both heard it, but when traffic never stopped or slowed down, I actually questioned my intuitive skills. But then I left the house for the office and got around the corner and saw this:

The car was headed the wrong way up the hill, but into our property. I didn't take this picture. Denton did. (and yes, I know the speed limit sign says 35 mph, but that is after you get around the curve for the straight away.)

I called him from my car saying the automobile was there, no one had stopped to help and there was someone in the car (mind you 15 minutes had gone by from sound to sight), so he called the police. He also went out and called down to the woman, who by this time was out of the car.

Several of our neighbors thought maybe she was headed the wrong way on a one-way street, but that seems unlikely. Not at that time of the morning. Too much traffic to make that mistake.....and get that far.

No, I'm guessing someone was changing lanes, clipped her and she spun around - not that it was icy or anything.

Maybe it is my skewed recollection, but she seemed to be deeper into our trees when I saw her then when Denton took the picture. Of course, maybe she tried to back out too. Dunno. I'm half-guessing the car is still there and will see it when I go to work tomorrow morning.

Is it any wonder we continually find car parts, garbage, liquor bottles and full sets of men's clothing on that hillside?


Song by: Stone Temple Pilots

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Black Coffee

So as I went to NoVA to get my new clinic ready for opening, I made a swing around the entire place. I checked out the physical therapy area, the lab, the offices and exam rooms.

Naturally I also peaked my head into the break room too.......and lookee what I saw (and took a picture of).



Hand to g-d, this was not a staged photo. While my staff was setting up the clinic, the coffee maker arrived, but cups did not. So they improvised. I'm not a coffee drinker, and this would not really help the cause of making me one.

Yes, the normal cups did indeed arrive, but they never got rid of the last of the other cups.

All of this made me immediately flash on the "fun" Jon and I had when we used to work at OSU Hospitals, back in the day. You know - he'd fill a urine tech tube up with apple juice, label it with a patient identifier and then pneumatic tube it to the unit I was working on.

Then while the staff on my unit were hanging around, they'd watch me grab the 'sample', open it up and drink it.

Good times. Good times.


Song by: k.d. lang

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect

Like a year later, we are getting closer to starting the frickin' master bathroom. After several renderings, sketches and drawings (which are really all the same thing - aren't they?), this is what we are settling on.


...and I don't mean 'settle'. Agreed upon. That's better. And there was no blood shed, so that's good - right?

It looks a lot more elaborate than it really is. Both windows are already there, though the right one has been covered up for years - for unknown reasons. But yes, there will need to be new sinks, the tub that exists will have to be taken out and we'll just put in the shower.

It's only a drawing, so the shower isn't really four sides of glass. Though that would clearly appeal to my exhibitionistic streak. The two back walls are solid - sad to say.

Ok, we still have to pick tile, colours and fixtures - so there is still time for WWIII - but I think any disagreements will come when the project takes X amount of months and I melt down two months before that.

Maybe we can see this thing completed before we hit 2009.


Song by: the Decemberists

Monday, February 18, 2008

Bigmouth Strikes Again

I don't think I mentioned that around the xmas holidays we had taken Tovah to the vet. ....and by 'we', of course, I mean Denton.

After we lost Kylie about 18 months ago, I couldn't bear the possibility of hearing bad news, as Tovah is now the age Kylie was when she got ill - so I didn't go.

Since they are not outdoor cats, we have been really bad about going to the vet regularly. With Sophie - that has all changed. She's gone more times than Tovah and Kylie combined.

There was good news and bad. Overall, Tov's health was good - except some dental stuff. The poor girl had six infected teeth that needed to come out. Ouchy.

Cats are very stoic - so we didn't know that she was in probably in pain. A few weeks later, Denton took her back in for the tooth extraction and she came through that just fine....though she is never too happy with us when she goes in the carrier or in a car. Oh - and they also took photos of her mouth during surgery. I couldn't even look at them - though for about a nano-second I thought of scanning and posting them. You can thank me later for not doing that.

Apparently cats use their teeth to kill things more than they do to eat kibble. So she bounced back quickly - though she got a few days of pain killer and a week and a half of antibiotic (you guessed it - Denton gave her that too!). She has been happy and a little feisty (not 1-2-3-4 Fiest-y), so I think she's ok now.

She had one follow-up appointment where she got the all-clear. But the vet gave us a cat dental device, so we can brush her teeth.......the ones that remain. You can see it below - it's like a plastic ring you wear and get the right side of the thingy in her mouth. GOOD LUCK with that!


....but also if you look close at the picture, she gets Poultry Flavoured toothpaste.

I suppose that is supposed to make it all better!


Song by: the Smiths

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Cuyahoga

I had a dream.

Yes, another dream. But this one could possibly have national or international repercussions. I swear it.

Last night I dreamed that I was on a large bridge that spanned over the Cuyahoga River. And while the river does indeed have a number of bridges that can get you over the water from point A to point B - the bridge in my dream doesn't really exist......at least in Cleveland. It was just a dream bridge.

On the bridge with me was an old co-worker from a few jobs ago (yeah Betsy - it's you......if you ever read this blog. oh wait! if you even know it exists!!) along with Barack Obama.

Barack slaps me hard on the back, sending me over the bridge and into what should be frigid waters. Within seconds, both Betsy and Barack follow - missing me by inches. There was not much else to the dream, except that the river was actually warmer than I imagined, which I attributed to not being as deep as Lake Erie, so quicker to heat up in the rays of the sun - even though this all happened in the dead of night. Both Bets and Barack have gashes in their backs - not that they seem to notice them.

What could this all mean? Is he an attempted murder? Has he affected water temperature through climate change ? Did he jump in to save me? WHAT??????

......in other related political / democratic news: Hillary and Barack are finally hitting Ohio. Now that they are moving on to Texas and here, we are getting the barrage of ads - print and television. At least Huckabee knows that he's not going to win, so we haven't seen that crap.

But in my mind, Barack's print ads smell of desperation - and they are ineffective. Case in point, there is an ad that is to supposed to bash Clinton on NAFTA. However, his name doesn't appear on the first page of the four page ad....only hers...and it is highlighted at that. Open it up and there is her picture on page 3, but that is where your eye is drawn. On page 2, there is a picture of Obama, but with his back almost turned away as he talks to a group.

Unless you read for content, which most probably do not, you'd assume it is an ad for Hillary. For all the Hillary haters or the on-the-fencers, just seeing her picture and name, you might toss it away assuming it is from her camp. Barack should fire those ad exec's asses.

That being said - I'm still not settled on a candidate. .....and tick tick tick.

The primary is two weeks away. While I was on the road last week, I got my absentee ballot. I signed up for two reasons: I didn't know if I'd be in town, as I'm traveling a lot lately. And I don't trust any of our voting systems - though it seems like we are canning the electronic voting systems.

I'm 90% sure I know who I am going to check the box for - but since I'm not 100% sure, I won't say just yet.

No matter who it is - I don't want them tossing me over a bridge.......literally or figuratively.


Song by: R.E.M.

Saturday, February 16, 2008

I Love Trash

I was in NoVA opening a new clinic this week (it went just fine - thanks for axing). But in between events I was taking a call in the lobby of the building from which I was working. On getting off my conference call, my boss goes 'hey I wan to talk to you' and starts walking away from me. I dutifully follow.

We approach the public men's room and he turns and goes "I want to show you something."

Ok - this is just kind of weird. Sure, it makes for good porn, but just an uncomfortable work situation at best.

All he really wanted to show me was this:

He found it funny - and actually I did too. Now, I had warshed my hands in there a number of times during the week and discarded the paper towels into said receptacle but never noticed the Sharpied notification.

As mortified as I might have been to follow him into a restroom, I returned the favor by whipping out my.................camera.

But without missing a beat he goes, 'now I have two stories!'


Song by: Oscar the Grouch

Thursday, February 14, 2008

My Funny Valentine

Yes, it is that time of year. The Hallmark of all Hallmark holidays. The one that preys off your guilt of not saying 'j'adore' enough. Pfffffffft. Fuck that.

I mentioned not needing a day to say those three words. If you do - it is kind of a sad state of affairs. But that being said, it seems to be the most popular of my posts in terms of people searching and finding my blog. Mind you - they are searching for a Ralph Wiggam valentine card ("I Choo Choo Choose You - and there's a picture of a train on it!") and get this queers blog, but T.S.

...well, it's the most popular in the last few weeks. Seems everyone is in that seasonal mood....or mode. And no one says Valentine's Day better than Ralph.

This year I'm spending it away from my sweetie. I'm not too broken up about it - and I don't think he is either. It's not due to lack of love. It has more to do with not need THE day to do or say it. Sure it is nice to kind of celebrate it, but I can do that on the 15th, when I get home.

In the meantime, there are emails, text messages and phone calls to convey the love. And any discussion quickly turns to what the cats are up to. I guess that's what 2 decades of love gets ya.

But as the song says, he does make me smile with my heart.

There are a thousand people who cover the song....but honestly, I do love the way Rickie Lee Jones does it the best. Harder to find, as it was on a short-lived EP called Girl at her Volcano. I highly recommend it if you can locate it.


Song by: Rickie Lee Jones

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Hangin' on the Telephone

I won't say this is a lame posting, but there is zero thought behind it. I didn't find the site, I'm just posting it. Anyway, I find I don't put a lot into my postings when I hit the road.

Today is supposed to be a travel day - but with freezing rain and lots of snow, we'll see if my plane goes anywhere. Actually, lets see if there is a plane....or a crew. Chances are, there might be one, but doubtful they'll be both.....especially since I'm on the first flight out to DC.

So, anyway, Denton found me this site. don't ask why or how. I didn't. I wouldn't say it was NSFW, but I guess you might want to proceed with caution.

I suppose it could be construed at homophobic (notice the guys looking and leaving), but I didn't see it that way. And in my mind, it is no worse than that Snickers ad from last year's Ãœber Bowl. And the guys are much much much hotter.

.....I'm must sayin'.........



Song by: Blondie

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Bones

Yesterday, during our inclement weather, I hurt my leg a bit.

With the cold, also came snow. But being the good partner I am, before I left for work, I trotted out to the drive to get the paper and throw it inside. Unfortunately, there was ice under that snow.

No - je did not fall, but I think it would have been better had I let that happen. Instead I (over)compensated by re-balancing myself and putting stress on my right leg. My already bad leg, as it were.

I knew I stressed it a bit before I even got in the car, but after a 2.5 hour car ride (me driving), getting out of the car was more than a bit difficult.

But I should start a ways back. I posted two stories in 2006 about my go-round with being found to have chondrasarcoma, but yesterday I realized I never posted surgery or post-surgery follow-up stories.

Surgery wasn't too too bad - but I was out, so what to do I know? The plan was to take bone from my hip to replace what they took from my leg, but when they got in, they had to take more femur than anticipated. While on the table, they called for take-out from Lifeline of Ohio Organ Procurement for some bone. Cadaver bone. (insert eerie music here!) After that was inserted, I got a metal plate and nine pins and/or screws.

The hospital stay wasn't as bad as my appendix, but once again, I had to go to my parents for recovery. Even though I did a little physical therapy (how to use stairs and the crutches), there was no way I could navigate the 20 some stairs up to my apartment. Crud.

When I took off the dressing it was kind of disgusting. It was one of the few questions I didn't ask. Bruised - but not black and blue......more like green and grey. And swollen. With 27 staples going down my outer thigh. Maybe at some point I'll post one of those pretty pictures. It was pretty disgusting, actually.

The six weeks I was told I would need crutches turned into almost 12. And then another 10 or so with a cane. On the plus side, I got a handicapped sticker that let me park just about anywhere I wanted. Well, that was weeks later when I was allowed to actually drive. Having a clutch made it damned near impossible for at least a month.

Therapy was mostly exercise bikes and swimming. But things got better. All my follow-up appointments told me so. Two weeks after the surgery, they took out my staples. But by then, the skin had grown around them. So with each extraction, which was just by a frickin staple remover, I said 'ouch'....'ouch'.....'ouch'. The resident was not amused and told me, 'oh, it doesn't hurt' - to which I replied, 'oh, yeah? let me do it to you 27 times!'. He got my point.

And at one of the follow-ups, I got my favourite x-ray (not the above image). It has my pins, plate and the head of my penis that sticks out from the side of the lead bag they placed over my groin. If I had a lightbox in the house, it would be on permanent exhibition.

The scar is killer. 10-12" straight down my leg. It took years before I could actually sleep on my right side. And to this day I can usually predict with some accuracy when a low front is 12-36 hours away.

All those stories about feeling it in your bones are true. It used to be there'd be pain, but that is no longer an absolute. But there is usually some limping before the storm (or the front). I don't alway notice the limp, but other people will.

Today there is a limp. Mostly due to the slip on the driveway. I couldn't bear any weight on it for hours and now it is just incredibly sore. I doubt I did any damage, but I'll keep an eye on it. But the ache could be compounded by bad weather that is now predicted for tomorrow.

A few months ago, I read an article in New York about a journalist who accidentally found himself to be in the same disease, situation and process I was in 15 years or so ago. It was so odd reliving it through someone else's life and work.

I do want to throw out there, that I know a number of people have done searches for 'chondrasarcoma' and come across this blog and in particular these entries. I see it through the queries on how people find my blog. It is weird for me, because people have this disease - or know someone who does. I never did - before or since. But we're out there - and we survive.



Song by: the Killers

Monday, February 11, 2008

Frozen

Man - this week is just gonna suck, I know it. ...and not in the good way.

Yesterday the temperature started dropping as the winds kicked up. It was all of 9F when I went to bed and 3F when I got up.

But the winds have died down. They had gotten up to 50-60 mph yesterday, dropping the windchill well into the negative teens. Since this thing is tracking east, I am sure I will encounter similar weather in DC as I head there for work. Joy oh joy.

I am sure I've mentioned it before, but I am becoming less and less a fan of the cold.

I am sure it is age and whatever that goes along with it that does not allow one to ward off the frigid weather more easily. I lost that years ago.

What happened to the Blobby who used to go ice skating on the lake where he grew up?

Now it is not only the cold that would push me off of that idea - now that I'm older and maybe a little wiser - what the fuck was I ever thinking of skating down there where it was 10 minutes to anyone's house had one of us fallen in. Ahhhhhh stupidity youth.

And what ever happened to the Blobby who loved to ski?

I still want to go, but those days of full snow and temps near 30s and going in just a flannel shirt, jeans and a down vest are few and far between. And the times of night skiing - never gonna happen!

I will say, in the last few years, I have been finding gear to keep me warmer....but not warm. A series of layerd items, wind stoppers and water repellent shells help. But it's my feet and hands cannot seem to retain the heat. (You've all seen my dorky hat - so you know my dome and ears are good!)

And it just blows that all stores are kept at 72 degrees. Of course, every pair of gloves feels good and like they can do the job. I'd be embarrassed for people to see how many gloves and mittens litter my coat closet. It's where I barely bother even with them as they ain't doin' much of nothin'.

Denton and I had a conversation this weekend about moving. Not a serious one. A position in my company might be available that would allow relocation to the southwest. Nevada to be specific. See - I could live in the desert, I think. He can't. Or won't.

Folks I know who have moved to California or the southwest will sometimes lament about no longer having a change in season. I don't think I'd be that guy....but you never know. On days like this - I would be just fine!


Song by: Madonna

Sunday, February 10, 2008

This Woman's Work

Well, I was going to title this post A Girl In Trouble (is a temporary thing), but it struck me that I may have used it before - and my hunch was correct. After doing a little looking around, it was utilized when blogging about Knocked Up in June of last year.

Anyhoo....we went to see Juno yesterday afternoon. I know I know - as Rebecca (my lord - have you people pre-ordered her novel yet?) pointed out in email on Friday, that we just went to a movie!

C'est vrai - we did. But my one-a-month movie promise to the bf still stands - and we did not see one in January......so I think I'm still good. And as he pointed out, if I surpass the 12, I get extra bf-points - though I'm not 100% sure they are redeemable for anything.

Well....back to the movie. Would it be presumptuous to say it was the best of the year? Especially since it is only the second one of the year? Yes, Jon and Morty - I know you both think I never like anything, so I'm here to prove you wrong!

It was great! Not only does Ellen Page deserve her Oscar nomination - we both felt she should probably win too. The storyline and script were good and the entire cast was strong - even if you might not like their character(s) from time to time. The soundtrack is fun too, but I'll wait for my niece to get it and just have her burn me a copy.

The problem was with the previews. I don't know what the hell I'm going to see for March and beyond. Certainly nothing they advertised. The one about Anne Boleyn has potential (I mean it does have a 3/4 nekkid Eric Bana!!!!), but for the life of me, I cannot figure out why Scarlett Johansson is in so many movies....or any for that matter. It surely ain't due to talent. She is like the Daryl Hannah of the 21st century.

As for the image I used for this post? You'll have to see the movie. Yeah, I could have easily put in a movie promo pic, but I'll make you work for this one a little bit.



Song by: Kate Bush

Friday, February 08, 2008

Loser

I know RJ will be bummed (well, kind of), but Mitt is out.

Mind you - I'm not boo-hoo'ing over this turn of events. My friends and I concur that the man is a little creepy and scary (Mitt - not RJ). I cannot imagine any scenario where when Rush Limbaugh endorses you that it is going to turn out to be a good thing. It probably just started that countdown clock ticking.

Even in political-speak, Romney's "concession" speech was over the top in crap schmaltz:

"In this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign be a part of aiding a surrender to terror. This is not an easy decision. I hate to lose.

If this were only about me, I'd go on. But it's never been only about me. I entered this race because I love America, and because I love America, in this time of war I feel I have to now stand aside for our party and for our country."

Gag!

He goes on to say, if he continued it would "forestall the launch of a national campaign and be making it easier for Senator Clinton or Obama to win."

I'm not quite understanding that statement.

Unless Huckabee won every remaining primary, there is no potential way for him to gain the nomination, which would have only leave Mitt and McCain. Does that mean if he continued in the race and somehow won the nomination that he knew he would lose against either potential democratic choice?

Marketplace had some interesting pieces on the Romney drop-out last night. They cite that Mitt spent about $10 of his own money on every vote that he got. That doesn't even take into consideration the donations he got from his supporters. But they go on to say that the $60 million was a wise investment for a 2012 run.

eeeeeeeeek. We have to go through this again............with him?

The second point was how the GOP loves to reward their 2nd place finishers with the nomination the next time around - even in my short-term memory here is how I remember it:

1976 Ford v Reagan (Reagan victorious in 1980)
1980 Reagan v Bush I (Bush in 1988)
2000 Bush II v McCain (McCain in 2008?)

...and though I do love Marketplace - aren't they wrong on this one? Mitt didn't lose the nomination like Reagan and Bush #1 did. He quit. Huckabee is the one who is going to come in 2nd at this point.

So that is what we have to look forward to in 2012. Fuck me!



Song by: Beck

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Site of the Month

Denton is the one who provided this site - which isn't too surprising. The man is into urban geography and real estate. ...and apparently snooping.

Zillow blends Google Maps and MLS services together to give you the overall nosiness your neighbors will love and hate you for (depending if you're talking about others or them). So you want to find out what houses are worth in just about any neighborhood - or what is for sale or recently sold? ....this would be your website.

But as you read the above paragraph...I don't know what 'recently' means. 1 month? 12? And what is 'worth'? Looking up our last house, it's not what we sold it for. Looking up our current house, it's not what we paid for it.

Anyway - Zillow is just kind of a fun time-killer.

Enjoy. Discuss.

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

A Tisket A Tasket

Last month I brought you cement corn. This month I bring you: an interesting basket!



"Well it IS an interesting basket!

Or so would say Mrs. Flowers. I think I'm running out of kitschy things to take pictures of in central Ohio. I might have to expand and do that tour of America that would take me to places that have big plastic dinosaur parks, half-buried Cadillacs or the world's biggest ball of twine. I don't see that happening anytime soon. Or ever.

The picture makes this look like a miniature in something that might be done by a landscape architecture student. But it is not. It's real. A seven story building right on state route 16 - right outside of Newark, OH.

Any guesses what they make and/or sell? Anyone? Anyone?

I will say - it is quite interesting upon your approach to the town, as you can see it from a few miles away....or at least the handles. Inside, it's not nearly as unique. The atrium is seven stories of emptiness. And it is just what you think: Country kitsch to the power of 10.

Not my style, but let's face it - this is a place not for the likes of me. ....well, not true....yes, for the likes OF me (know what I mean, know what I mean??), just not me.


Song by: Ella Fitzgerald

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Jukebox Hero

Can I just say this: I SUCK at Guitar Hero III.

My nephew got it for his 15th birthday and I played it with him over the weekend. But I am bad. Beyond bad, actually.

If you haven't seen it, and until Saturday, I hadn't - it is not a real guitar (duh!), but one with five coloured keys on it. You watch the notes you're supposed to hit on the Wii.

But I guess if you haven't played or at least memorized the keys and their order, it doesn't really help you, because if you take your eyes away from the screen to look at the guitar - you miss what notes your supposed to pay on the screen (double duh).

So, I butchered my way through "Hit Me With Your Best Shot", Barracuda" and "When You Were Young". I refused to play Poison's "Talk Dirty to Me".....I just couldn't bring myself to. And the rest of the song choices, in my HMO, were abysmal....which is why those were the only three we played.

In 4th grade I attempted to learn to play guitar. But being left-handed, it presented problems - as much for me as the instructor. He couldn't quite grasp that to him, the strings were backwards and upside down. .....and I cannot even seem to hold a guitar right-handed. Technically, I only do four things as a lefty - eat, write and play guitar (note there are only three listed here - you'll have to guess the fourth thing on your own!).

But these are just buttons, not strings. Technically, I could hold it anyway I damn well pleased. It didn't matter. It didn't help. Trust me, I tried.

That being said - we had fun. More fun for him, because he kicked my ass in the points division. He's beating me at everything though. I haven't seen him for a month and he is now taller than I am. I'm guessing he is 6'3" or taller....and still growing.

I still want to learn to play guitar though. There has to be an internet program that could teach a lefty to play - right?


Song by: Foreigner

Monday, February 04, 2008

The Crying Game

Yesterday afternoon we officially kicked off the 2008 movie-going season by taking in a screening of The Savages.

Only 11 more to go to keep my promise the bf. Yes, I annually pledge to make the trek out to the cinema around once per month to take in a film with him.

It sounds bad, doesn't it? .....and it probably is, but between our schedules and the movies that are actually out there that I would want to see, let alone pay to see, sometimes makes it hard to find an even dozen.

Anyway, once again, we were possibly the youngest people in the theatre. No small feat anymore. And I have to say, I couldn't help but wonder what the folks in the place thought when the movie dealt with and end of life scenario, an elderly parent and their children who have to make tough decisions.

I know I thought of not only my parents and what I might one day have to do - hell, I thought about where I might end up at some point. But to be honest, I've had those thoughts for years - about myself, not my parents.

All of the reviews will have the words, 'touching', 'vital', 'funny'! Umm....not so much that last word. It has a light-hearted moment, maybe two, but nothing I would put in a review as 'funny'.

I'm not a huge Philip Seymour Hoffman fan - but I thought he did a great job. He probably deserved the nomination for this movie than the one he got - and he did a better job than Laura Linney (who did get the nod for this role). Don't get me wrong - I think Linney does a fine job, but I swear I've seen it before - part Mary Ann Singleton and part her role in You Can Count on Me.

As for the title of this post - when in line to buy tickets, I told Denton to say 'two for The Crying Game, please'. His response was "I'm not Tom G. - that's his shtick." And it is.

You see, for years, whenever I (or anyone) went to the movies with Mr. G, he would say that very line. Most people would be confounded. But once at the Drexel, the girl goes, "you can't say that to me anymore!!!!!!!" She then proceeds to tell us that night was her last. But at least she got the joke and saw him coming.

Mr. G told me a month or so ago he might have to retire the bit. He is finally getting people who work at theatres who have never even heard of the movie. The gag has potentially lost its impact. As if.


Song by: Dave Berry (or Boy George)

Sunday, February 03, 2008

Puppy Love

Yes, I know I posted something similar a year ago - but who frickin' cares? It's the Puppy Bowl IV.

It is worth at least another mention. You'll probably see another one a year from now. Suck it up!

I know I've mentioned before, I could care less about pro-football, and the Super Bowl is no exception (save the chance to see a shot of Mike Vrabel).

TPB, as I'll refer to it, runs the same time as the highly expensive commercials football event, but it a lot cuter and a lot more fun. Though I'm not obligated to watch it, TPB runs on one of my client's channels.

When/If you got to the website, you can check out the starting
line-up - though I'm looking forward to seeing Justin, Colt and Mrs. Roper (i love that name!).

You really should keep it on for the 'under the water bowl cam' and when a ref comes out to call a foul (i.e. pick up some doggie doo-doo).
I don't see a link to it, but there is also a Kitty Kat Half Time Show. You should stick around for that too.


Song by: Donny Osmond

Saturday, February 02, 2008

Shadows of the Night

Once again, it is a "holiday" I'm stumped by.

Six more weeks of winter. Does that mean six more weeks past the Vernal Equinox? Or six more weeks from now, which actually does then take it to the date of the Vernal Equinox?

And if there is no shadow, does that mean winter ends NOW or just right on time? Tres confusing.

The reality is, winter will continue until March 20th no matter what - and winter-like weather well beyond that, even if in spurts. The days will come and resemble the one that just past before, though not exactly...sans Andie McDowell.

There are worse things (than Andie McDowell?) than living the same day over trying to correct the mistakes that you've made, I suppose. Or at least to change an outcome. One would have to deal on a daily basis with their Ms. McDowell, as it were, and having to hear "I Got You Babe" - a huge huge deterrent.

I can look beyond the gloom of winter. Spring is right around the corner. ....in another six weeks.


Song by: Rachel Sweet (or Pat Benatar)

Friday, February 01, 2008

Doll Parts

I've made no real secret of my borderline OCD (completely self-diagnosed, I might add). I've referenced it here many a time, in many a post.

I am not the guy who washes his hands over and over and over and over and over and....oh sorry. Now where was I?

Oh yeah - I do other things that would constitute my behaviour as being abbey-normal. These are nothing I am thinking I will reveal here, but you never know. Perhaps one day.

Denton knows of them, but to be honest, it was about a decade and a half before I fessed up about them - even to him. And then a few months ago I told one of the physicians who works for me. Oddly enough - not one of the neurologists or neuro-psych docs I used to work with, who deal with OCD on a daily basis.

No, this is one of my docs at my new job (new! ha! I've been there almost a year - can you believe it?). She is kind of a pain in the ass, but I like her a lot and she seemed to draw this out of me somehow and now she won't let it drop - though she makes sure to only tease me about it without letting on to anyone else about 'my little problem'.

For the holidays she told me she was going to get me an 'action figure' she found. It turns out she didn't, because she thought she wasn't sure how I'd react. For the record - I would have loved it. And I told her so.

But as I was purchasing other holiday gifts at Big Fun, I came across the doll action figure. Though I wasn't willing to pay $18 for it, I did take pics of it for free (click to enlarge - especially the second one).


I don't need a surgical mask or a moist towelette for my OCD. Mine manifests itself in ways other than hygiene. My knees might be as robotic as his - or at least my right femur. .....and my crotch isn't that smooth - THANK YOU!

And what is with that hideous monochromatic outfit?



Song by: Hole