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Feeling Good (obviously)

But once in awhile the roommates get something right-

...and with that, I swear I'm done slapping random crap up here. For tonight.

(yes, my creativity is at an all-time low.)

do you wanna eat do you wanna sleep do you wanna drown?

I used to live alone before I knew ya

The roommates are driving me bananas. I love this house, and I'm certainly glad to at least be living with dudes*, but I never wanted roommates. Of course it was a move of immediate necessity, so none of us had much of a choice (30 day notice to vacate old apartments where we were neighbors, due to sale of property).

I don't know... I just miss my space. And I miss being able to go to the kitchen in the middle of the night in whatever state of undress was the style at the time.

This house is for sale, and I wish so badly that I could buy it. Oh well.

*Ladies, if we're friends, you're in a rare club. I am so much more comfortable around guys - which probably makes me a tramp.

good times for a change

the abbreviated version:

Furthermore...

Hip to be Square

A couple of things, neither one related to the other:

Attack of the Amys

Below is an accurate representation of what my coworkers (most of whom are named Amy) do at work while I stay busy drawing pictures of firearm-wielding breakfast food:

Just sayin...

All in all, I can't complain.

What I'm wearing right now

From the post title, it has the potential to be something really dirty - sorry to disappoint, you pervs! And the girl in the picture below is not me (to those of you who haven't seen me), because I never was so lucky.

I bought it here.

I will still cast my ballot for him ... with a heavy heart.

WHY, BARACK, WHY?!!!!!!

Gun Street Girl

I'm still too shaky, so rather than typing out a narrative of what just happened, here's the instant message version:

JQP: so i had to call 911 about 20 minutes ago

JQP: i was sitting outside smoking and there was all of this yelling at the apartments next door... then i heard three loud pops, and this time i DID NOT think it sounded like fireworks.

friend: Why?

JQP: two more when i was on the phone with the dispatcher

friend: Holy shit

JQP: stuck my head out the door after that and it was totally silent - like everyone had scattered

JQP: then i see a car head down the hill and a few seconds later i hear 5 or 6 more pops that sounded like they were going down the hill with the car

JQP: the fire trucks left, but the cops are still there

JQP: my guess is that no one was shot, but that someone may have shot a gun to scare the people they were arguing with.

JQP: i wish i had a police scanner.

friend: Oh my God, that's terrifying. Are you alright?

JQP: yeah, just really on edge.

JQP: i've never called the cops in my life.

What I do at work

>

Combat Baby

Got bored and made some not very well thought out mixes. Oh well - it kept me entertained for 15 minutes.

1. House of Jealous Lovers / The Rapture

2. How Near How Far / ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead

3. Police Bastard / Doom

4. Le Garage / Futureheads

5. New Sensation / INXS

6. Y Control / Yeah Yeah Yeahs

7. Ace Of Spades / Motorhead

8. PlayGirl / Ladytron

9. Slow Hands / Interpol

10. Born In the U.S.A. / Bruce Springsteen

11. Bliss / Muse

12. U-Mass / Pixies

13. Monkey Man / The Specials

14. So Many Animal Calls / Q and Not U

15. Sloop John B / Beach Boys

16. Don't You (Forget About Me) / Simple Minds

1. Women's Realm / Belle & Sebastian

2. Twistin' The Nite Away / Sam Cooke

3. Worked Up So Sexual / The Faint

4. Saw Her Standing There / Apollo Up!

5. Negative Creep / Nirvana

6. Change Clothes / Jay-Z (Danger Mouse remix)

7. The Sweat Descends / Les Savy Fav

8. Hotel Yorba / The White Stripes

9. Rebel Yell / Billy Idol

10. Wicked Light Sleeper / Joggers

11. Stuart / The Dead Milkmen

12. Hot Lite / King Straggler

13. The District Sleeps Alone Tonight / The Postal Service

14. The King Of Carrot Flowers, Pt. 1 / Neutral Milk Hotel

15. When You Were Mine / Prince

16. Yellow / Coldplay

1. What Ever Happened / The Strokes

2. Stop / Black Rebel Motorcycle Club 

3. She Bop / Cyndi Lauper 

4. Modern Love / David Bowie

5. Bandages / Hot Hot Heat

6. Taper Jean Girl / Kings Of Leon

7. Hung Up / Madonna

8. Combat Baby / Metric

9. Walk You Home / The Features

10. I Am Trying To Break Your Heart / Wilco

11. Wheelz Of Steel / Outkast

12. A Better Son/Daughter / Rilo Kiley

The non-Duckie version

Here's a little early feel good for your Friday:

Just because...

I bring you one of my favorite scenes from one of my favorite movies:

will you worship moons in winter's night?

Just got done making a mix:

(click image to enlarge)

An entire CD's worth of really great songs didn't make the cut, so another will be forthcoming.

Like Seinfeld, About Nothing

I should update more often. I partially blame Twitter. Also the hours I have to spend on Google Reader catching up in the evenings (don't have the luxury of a job that allows extracurricular internet usage outside of lunch break, so the queue in the reader gets awfully backed up). Furthermore, some days my job sucks my will to live.

Excuses, excuses.

THAT SOUNDS CRAZY!

I heard that motherfucker had like 30 goddamn dicks.

Last night I was reminded by ThePodBaron of another favorite:



I've got a picture of George Washington up at my office, and underneath it I've written "He'll save children, but not the British children."

Average Homeboy

Oh lordy ThePodBaron just showed me a guy who HAS to be Speak's American cousin:



UPDATE: Also, see Average Homeboy 18 years Later!

Stop your business

I've determined that it's YouTube night. I bring you Speak, the Hungarian rapper:

Wieners

Feel Good Friday: Say What?!

There really are no words...

Plan for Change

Boo Fucking Hoo

Cindy McCain: Tough interviewers 'picked our bones clean'

I got an email from my aunt...

... and it made me feel a little better:

If you could...

I don't know why I'm being such an ornery bitch tonight, but I just have this overwhelming urge to say to someone (no, not anyone in particular) "You know what? FUCK YOU." However, the only other living being in my house is the dog, and she'd probably just lick my face.

So tonight I would like to know, if you could call someone out on their bullshit (famous or not), who would it be? "Fuck you" or something a bit more eloquent. I'll go first, and you guys hit the comments...

I'm going with the obvious, so I can free everyone else up to be more creative: Sarah Palin.

What do you thrash?

Gotta get in on this FGF business simply because I'm on a tear with Thrashin':

I'VE HAD IT

DISCLAIMER: The language is over the top, but it stays in...  This post was written at top speed and with great anger, and it should come across in the spirit that it was written.

I read the transcript of Palin's Bush doctrine comments earlier, but watching the clip over at Tiny Cat Pants just set me off.  I ended up in my kitchen yelling because I want these people to answer Aunt B's question and say, "I'm appalled - Palin really doesn't know what the fuck she's talking about!"

But the majority won't.

The majority won't even read any blogs.  Or even read past the headline of a story.  We are a lazy ass fucking country* and most people will only take what's spoonfed to them in sound bytes, as I've said before.

I'm beyond the whole "have we not learned anything in the last eight years" rhetoric and am now in full anger mode.  I don't want to seem an elitist - God knows I've taken issue with Braisted for being dismissive and flippant about Bredesen's suggestion that Obama spend some time letting blue collar folks get to know what he's about - but what is it going to take to get people to pay attention?  No, Jim-Bob Q. Public doesn't have to spend hours poring over Google Reader, as I'm apt to do, but would it kill him to spend five fucking minutes researching the truth?

We're at the point now where McCain and Palin have been softly and quietly called out on a few of their lies, but they KEEP FUCKING REPEATING THEM.  Why?  Well, some fucking truck driver from Franklin, Kentucky, isn't going to go and read an article detailing the truth about that damned bridge...  No, he's going to hear whatever sound byte the media has to offer today about how Palin "told them 'no, thanks.'"  Or he'll hear what I listened to all morning while I, ironically, was putting my makeup on - LIPSTICK ON A GODDAMNED PIG.

What's it going to take before this country WAKES THE FUCK UP?

And, yes, I'm scared.  No, I'm not scared of Palin.  I'll meet her in a hockey rink any day, any time.  I'm scared because most of the people I see are asleep.  They never question anything.

*I realize that this opens me up to Coulter-style attacks - "liberals hate America," "blame America first," et al., but I love this country.  That's why it breaks my heart to see us fuck it up OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

They’re coming to get you, Barbara

Be afraid. Be very afraid - I am.  Why?  Because I’m afraid that the real Jane and John Q. Publics out there aren’t paying attention.  True, most of them – us, really – have our minds on paying the bills and putting enough gas in the tank to get back and forth to work.

But if you are really going to be engaged in this presidential race, you have to pay REALLY close attention – you have to root around yourself to hear what the candidates are saying, and you have to do a whole lot of fact-checking.

Because you can’t count on MSM.  If nobody’s been knocked up, they’re not into it.

What are they writing or broadcasting about the distortions – ok, call them what they are: LIES – coming out of the McCain/Palin joint? She never supported the Bridge to Nowhere? Riiiiiight, and abstinence-only makes total sense to teen-agers.

Obama is going to raise all our taxes? Sure, and the wealthiest 1% know how bad $3.50-a-gallon gas hurts.

Or you can do the unpopular thing and take a look at the FACTS: Barack Obama will CUT taxes for 150 million working Americans with his Making Work Pay Tax Cut.  It’s a $500 tax credit per person or $1,000 per family.  And it will eliminate income taxes for 10 million of us.

So, who’s getting that message out?

I’m also genuinely worried about what kind of October Surprise they’re planning for us in Bushville.  I fully expect to be sitting at a Predators game when they flash something on the Megatron about Sarah Palin taking down bin Laden with a moose rifle.  The crowd will go wild, Tootoo will whip the shit out of the first guy he can get his hands on, and McCain’s a shoo-in.

And if none of that scares you, take a look at Zombie McCain.  A role he was born to play! (Though they could have left out the POW shot - that probably should be off limits.)

Maybe I watch too many zombie movies.  Maybe I was too young to remember what November 1992 felt like.  Maybe I can’t get 2000 and 2004 out of my head.

 

h/t Newscoma for Zombie McCain

Holy Fucking Fuck WHAT THE FUCK?!!!

I had a very, very bizarre and creepy experience today.  Click the photo below to see what I saw.

Sigh

Those young whippersnappers just won't let the Waffle House thing go. If it was funny to begin with (it wasn't), it's awfully tired now.

See:

• How long am I going to have to harp on the concept of broad appeal?
  
• It's silly
  

It's silly

Once again (see bottom of his post, under "Also"), the point is missed.

You wanna go?

Sharon Cobb said it well - Will Any Vagina Do ? I especially liked:

I knew McCain was going to pick a woman, but I thought he'd at least pick a qualified woman like Kay Bailey Hutchison. But like most men, he went with the younger and prettier woman. (Kind of like when he dumped his wife for Cindy McCain) Ah, family values.

On a mostly unrelated note, I don't appreciate Palin invoking the greatest sport on earth to describe herself. I'd like to see Hillary drop the gloves with her.

A question for Palin

Dear Governor Palin,

What does it feel like to be a gimmick?

- Jane Q. Public

What a curious life we have found here tonight

I can't remember crying over how I looked any time other than when my mom would cut my hair when I was a kid.

But I found myself, face down in my pillow sobbing a little while ago. Maybe it was hormonal. Maybe it was the emotionally charged night we've all had. Maybe I'm crazy. Most likely it's a little of all three and then some.

There are people out there working much harder than I am (*ahem* petit fours) to get healthy and have a much bigger hill to climb than I do, but that doesn't make it any easier for me to look in the mirror when I don't like what I see.

It's tough, too, because I've been on the winning side of this battle before. I think not being happy with your appearance is even more difficult when you can remember a time when you were pleased with it. You know what you're missing.

I could sit here and try to be high and mighty, saying that this doesn't have anything to do with how other people see me, but I'd be lying. 90% of the time it is simply because I'm not happy with myself, but it hurts when you have to stand up and face the fact that where people once found you desirable, you now don't get a second look. It just sucks.

So, let's recap - we all witnessed a really important part of history tonight, Barack Obama gave an AMAZING speech and Olivia feels fat and sad.

I can always turn it into a Me event, can't I? Pity parties are lame.

"America, we are better than these last eight years."

-

How long am I going to have to harp on the concept of broad appeal?

I keep saying it and saying it, but people keep missing the point.

No, I don't have a problem with Obama making the acceptance speech at Invesco - that seems like the best way to do it. I think it's really awesome that that's being done in a location that will allow for so many people to share in the experience.

However, some folks don't seem to see the importance of him visiting some smaller forums as well to engage groups who aren't Yellow Dog Democrats like us. It seems like these individuals can't see past the sound byte factor that comes from Bredesen simplifying his point by using Wal-Mart as an example.

Come on guys, this is why some people think we're elitist pricks.

EDITED TO ADD: THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Somebody gets it!!!!

TAKE A BYTE

I thought Bill - or Billiam, as I prefer to call him - did just fine, but I wasn't enamored. Maybe it's just because my 16-year bout with Bill-itis went into a bit of remission in the primary season when he got so snippy.

In contrast, Senator Clinton's speech was phenomenal - she had the sound bytes. And let's face it, folks, sound bytes are what it boils down to in the morning. Not everyone's as engaged as I am or you are (I assume you are if you're reading this, anyway). 

(I want to be self-deprecating and say that if I'm sitting here watching this convention every night for hours, I'm a nerd. It's true and it's not. There's something to be said for trying to be informed.)

However, the simple fact is that, for any number of reasons, there are plenty of people out there who take their news and form their opinions from the sound bytes on the morning news.

Make it short, make it raw, and give it broad appeal.

I want you to get up right now and go to the window...

Ok, it's time to go out and be tough and mean.  Democrats never get anywhere with mild manners.  I don't think we're going to see Obama and McCain in a cage match (though Biden might be game for it), but there needs to be some verbal ass whooping starting Friday if not sooner.

That's my political strategy.  I'm Jane Q. Public and I approve this message.

Tell me now baby is he good to you

I got quite a bit of video at Springsteen. I make no claims for good quality of video or sound (as it's quite awful), but I'm excited nonetheless. This particular video is from when he made an attempt at a cover of "Walk the Line" per fan request, followed up with "I'm On Fire" (my favorite Springsteen song). Without further ado...

And we'll become...

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantsuits?

Ok, I lied.  I've been watching the convention the whole time and putting rollers in my hair (you would not believe the picture that you're NOT GOING TO GET of me right now).

I'll watch They Live when HRC's done.

I'm all outta bubblegum

I just don't think I can do the convention tonight - I took in hours of it last night.  I've got to save up some energy for Wednesday and Thursday night, after all.  I'll tune back in for Hillary, but that's it.

Besides, my copy of They Live arrived today!!!

a one world state as human freight

Just because...

Are you fucking kidding me?

Call me naive, but I forgot for a minute how cruel people can be.

Maybe Elizabeth Edwards wants her kids to have a good relationship with the parent they have left when she's gone? Who knows? And who are we to question her motives? IT ISN'T OUR BUSINESS ANYMORE. IT'S OVER.

The district sleeps alone tonight

I wish he could be a hockey fan instead, but basketball will do. It's better than golf!

Ewwwwwwwwwwwww

Ohmygodohmygodohmygod I WANT TO VOMIT:

Annals Of Unfortunate Campaign Swag

Why do people have to make their stupid scene a part of everything?  And when will people stop with the dumbass wedge haircuts?!

FUCK FOX NEWS

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! Best thing I've seen all week!

Are you gonna put hair plugs on Iraq?

Your Commander-In-Chief of the World

The Boss in Gnash's House

I've uploaded the first chunk of photos from Springsteen. None are phenomenal because my camera just didn't have what it took, but they're worth a peek. I'll try and get the rest up post-iced coffee tomorrow, but I'm having immense difficulty keeping my eyes open at the moment.

I'll dream of the Obama-Biden White House!

xo

I don't mind his hair plugs - I think he's neat

I am always right. Always. Now give me some money.

I submit without comment

Everybody look at the moon!

Ok, I'm guessing it was something in the air in Florida that has caused my skin to die the death.  This is the worst it's ever been -- my face resembles the surface of the moon.  Any clever home remedies, interesting skincare product recommendations, or tips from your old Aunt (or "Aint" as my family pronounces it) Hazel would be greatly appreciated.  Umthx!

Don't know how to feel about this

Disappointed in some of the bloggers

It's really irritating when I read things from local bloggers who refuse to see the fact that Democratic politicians do have to appeal to the Wal-Mart crowd. I've addressed the pragmatism issue before. Why do liberals get this elitist label? Because of the attitude that it's not necessary to speak to "the little people" on their own terms, and yes, make some concessions. Politics is no different from any other relationship - there's got to be a give-and-take. I don't think our politicians need to compromise to party's core values, but they have to have broad appeal if we want them to get elected. Period.

I've decided to place a bet...

...no particular evidence, just a gut feeling: I'm putting my money on Biden.  Just a guess.

'Critic put on terror watch list'

Let me tell you what you can and cannot do with your body

Baptist Women's Treatment Center to phase out procedure

I CAN'T FUCKING STAND PEOPLE WHO WANT TO TRAMPLE ALL OVER WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND HEALTH!

Ok, sorry. Just needed it out of my system. I know it's a private business and that's their right, but that doesn't make it suck any less.

Maximo, Crocodylus porosus

I went to the Alligator Farm here in St. Augustine today.  It was pretty much one of the coolest things I've ever seen.  I took more pictures than I'm willing to admit, and I've only uploaded a fraction of them to Flickr.

At the time of this post I've only uploaded pictures of Maximo, the crocodile from Australia who is 15'3" in length and weighs 1,250 pounds. He's also 36 years old, which makes him ten years my senior.

Stay tuned for the rest...

October Surprise

Jeremiah Wright is the Worst

Oh great - October Surprise. Wonder who put that clown up to writing the book?

NEWSFLASH: The US adds two new states; States will be known as "Hawaii" and "Alaska"

Cokie Roberts Does Not Want Barack Obama To Vacation In Exotic Locale Where Foreign Teevee Shows Such As ‘Magnum P.I.’ And ‘Hawaii Five-O’ Were Filmed

So, I think that Roberts' suggestion is 99% ridiculous. But I agree 1% because people are pretty stupid where geography is concerned. Every day at work I ask people "do you have any plans to travel outside of the US in the next two years?" At least three times a week I get a yes answer explaining "we're going to Hawaii." Occasionally I get an Alaska variation. Come on, people.

Naughtiest Nose in Nashville

I haven't been out of town long enough to miss home, but I miss this nose:

Important VP info

From my inbox:

Dear Olivia --

Barack Obama is about to make one of the most important decisions of this campaign -- choosing a running mate.

You have helped build this movement from the bottom up, and Barack wants you to be the first to know his choice.

Sign up today to be the first to know:

http://my.barackobama.com/vp

You will receive an email the moment Barack makes his decision, or you can text VP to 62262 to receive a text message on your mobile phone.

Once you've signed up, please forward this email to your friends, family, and coworkers to let them know about this special opportunity.

No other campaign has done this before. You can be part of this important moment.

Be the first to know who Barack selects as his running mate. 

Thanks,

David

David Plouffe

Campaign Manager

Obama for America

Inflatable faith

Blow-up church looks to lure beachgoers

So, I'm sitting here on the second story balcony looking at the Atlantic (I'm getting as much mileage as I can out of this whole "I'm at the beach on my first vacation in eight years" thing), and I can't imagine having this view obstructed by I giant blow-up church... How tacky! Though I do wonder if it's like a jumpy castle and the nuns do some jumping after the service -- that might make it worth the tacky factor.

My view is slightly blocked by a palm tree a few feet from the balcony. I don't mind it so much.

Big man, pig man, ha ha charade you are

I'm keeping my mouth shut about the election tonight because I'm apt to say things that are a bit vitriolic.

So instead, I give you more pictures of more stones over more dead people. I'm hooked on excessive contrast, overexposure and garish color right now. Bear with me and I'll get tired of it. Anyway, these pictures are from Calvary Cemetery, the Catholic boneyard right next to Mount Olivet. They're rainbowtastic. Or something like that.  FULL SET OF PHOTOS HERE.

Genius

I don't think the result was based on anything, but hey...

She lives in the doorway of an old hotel

More pictures from Sunday's trip with Meathead out to Mount Olivet - and this set only has 16 photos for you to wade through. Enjoy!

xo-

We go inside and we gravely read the stones

Went out to Mount Olivet over the weekend - this time to actually go in to the old funeral home.

We went into the lower level through the wide open door, and there was a very weird heaviness down there...  Most likely something atmospheric and totally explainable by science, but it's fun to think it was something supernatural.

There was a dead something or other -- a fox was my guess -- on the carpet down there. Yes, there are pictures. We had to leave to buy flashlights, only to find that the creepy dark rooms were really just large closets... though we never went in them.

For whatever reason, there seems to be no access to the upper floor from the basement, so we had to climb through a broken window to get in (the front door had been blocked off with weird casket rolley things - pictures available).  In one room the floor was mushy and scary to walk on and it was a mess, but all-in-all not too exciting.

The excursion was a bit of the letdown because I never found any identifiable embalming area - macabre, I know, but what in the hell else are you looking for when you tresspass into a defunct funeral home?  However, there was one door that was sealed apparently with a single nail... it could have been easily kicked in, but I wasn't there to vandalize, so I'm thinking that maybe there needs to be another trip out that way after my vacation with a hammer to pry the nail out.  Although the room was on the upper floor and probably not the spot for the dirty work, I can't help but wonder why it's the one inner door that is closed off.  Who wants to go?

PHOTO SET HERE - They're all captioned, too!

Just give me one more minute and then I'll settle down...

Braisted totally missed the point of Padgett's release.  It was about pragmatic thinking: getting things done vs. political bitchslapping. It was about how Padgett suggested the same thing as the Gang of 10, only he did it two weeks ago. It was about how this is how Mike Padgett thinks. AND it was about Mike Padgett's experience in working in a bipartisan way.

WTF does this have to do with Tuke and Corker hiking together?

But as a Padgett supporter, I'd like to thank Braisted for pointing out the kind of insider guy Bob Tuke is and the kind of folks he hangs out with.

Braisted is right -- to a point -- about Memphis.   And Padgett has a fierce ground game going on down there. But Braisted seems to ignore all the non-metro counties that Padgett has worked (he went to ALL of them) and Tuke hasn't.  Those hometown Democrats know how to turn out the vote, and they remember who had time for them and who didn't.

That's where Hillary Clinton won Tennessee in January (to my dismay).  She didn't carry any of the metro counties but one -- Knox.  Whoever was working Knox County for her must've known what they were doing.

The guy's name was... um, Mike Padgett.

It could go either way on Thursday.  I just hope whoever wins can take Lamar! down.

But I predict they'll be playing the blues Thursday night in Memphis, and in Knoxville, it'll sound like the Vols just beat Florida.

Ok, I have it out of my system now.

Ugh.

Private Arguments Over Bipartisanship : What do you expect from someone who has been a cheerleader for the guy all along? I'm just sayin....

EDITED TO ADD: Some might say ("some" being ME) Braisted's use of "might privately argue" is a lot like Fox New's tactic of using phrases like "some say" as a means of a reporter espousing their own opinions in a story (as is covered in 'Outfoxed'). It sounds more to me like it's Braisted publicly expressing his opinion.

Mike Padgett meets with sick Oak Ridge workers, I tag along

I tagged along yesterday to a meeting between Mike Padgett and six former Oak Ridge National Laboratory workers who are now sick or dying as a result of exposure to unsafe materials at ORNL.

The fact that these folks were exposed to hazardous elements in their working environment is bad enough, but the treatment and attitude they've gotten from the machine in charge of administering the money they're entitled to through the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program is appalling.

Basically, the government puts up so much red tape and bureaucratic bullshit that people die before they can get the compensation to which they're entitled - just so they don't have to pay.  They stall these workers because they're waiting for them to die.

I really don't understand the cruelty in this world.  I'm not wired that way.

On the positive side, Padgett promised the group that, when elected, he will establish a post in his Knoxville office where an individual will work on their behalf to turn the system around and make EEOICP work for them.

Here's an article that details the struggle these workers face.  It also profiles Janine Anderson, one of the sick workers Padgett met with yesterday, whose lungs are damaged from beryllium poisoning and who will ultimately not survive due to an expanding liver that will grow to crowd out her other vital organs.

By Monday, you'll find a press release here on Padgett's meeting with the group.

See also: Cold War Patriots

hot chicken & french pastries

Had a conversation on iChat earlier...

• me: oh my god
  
• me: i need wings and petit fours!
  
• me: CLASSY!
  
• me: that was so classy it warranted all caps
  

That was one of those perfect moments in my life.

What the hell is in that rrrroom?

I like Ludacris - as a musician and an actor - but come on...  This is no way to help out.

Obama Camp Says Ludacris should be 'ashamed'

The song, called "Politics: Obama Is Here," was released earlier in the day and refers to the New York senator as an "irrelevant b***h." Ludacris, whose real name is Chris Bridges, also takes aim at John McCain in the song, saying the Arizona senator "don't belong in ANY chair unless he's paralyzed."

Edited to add: I may sound like a hypocrite because I don't exactly do much to elevate the discourse (*cough*NoCUNTryForOldMan*cough*), but I'm also not a celebrity ... or someone that anyone listens to/reads for that matter - so suck it.

Dramatic Cat

I kept waiting for the music, and sure enough...



xoxo

What are you doing in my waters?

A few things...

• I am fairly certain that I'm socially retarded.
  
• You know the joy you get watching a child open Christmas presents (I don't since I haven't got any, but I'm sure it's joyful)?  Well, you can also achieve that feeling by being able to expose someone to Old Gregg (who, turn, exposes them to his mangina) for the first time.
  
• I am going to St. Augustine for my first vacation in eight years in just under two weeks.  This is a good thing since stress is causing every other sentence out of my mouth to be "I want to punch [] in the face."
  
• I want to punch work in the face.
  

xoxo

I drive a Cadillac, wear my perm and I'm a G, and I'm a motherfuckin P-I-M-P

I went to post a comment on somebody's blog earlier, and the word verification looked something like this:

pimpp

No joke.  I thought I'd saved the image, but apparently not.  Too bad I didn't take a screen shot of it.

I can never look at Josh Brolin the same way again...

Maybe I'm the last one, but I hadn't seen the W. trailer yet.  The Tatie sent it my way today.  I'm not sure if I'll go see it simply because living through the reality of the last 8 years has been bad enough.  Anyway, here you go:

In them old cotton fields back home

Hopefully no one misses the point that I'm just highlighting some white stupidity... I went to the flea market this afternoon and took a few pictures of some of those typical old racist caricatures that you find on items in these kind of places (or in your great grandma's kitchen). The person who had this booth also had a case of Nazi memorabilia which I skipped over. I guess that's one for another day.

Anyway, the whole set (just 11 photos) is here.

I always feel like somebody's watching me

I went out to Mount Olivet to take pictures yesterday. I probably only spent about 15 minutes doing it, though, because it was just too fucking hot. I plan to get more in the fall when it's cooler, as well as a possible trip to Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville.

It's a beautiful cemetery, and not particularly creepy except for one thing - the old funeral home. The door was wide open (as well as numerous busted windows, but I couldn't bring myself to go in with it just being Mal and myself. In spite of the humidity and the elements, I doubt it's structurally unsound. I had more concern of running across scary squatters. However, if I could add a couple more people to my excursion, I would like to go in and find the embalming room. Morbid, I know. It gets worse. I have this ridiculous notion that I want to get one of those little head rests - the ones they use during embalming - just to have. I found one on eBay not too long ago and begged mom to bid on it for me (I know it's ridiculous, but I don't know the first thing about eBay). She ignored my request. Anyway, I kind of want to go in on the off chance that I might find one in a cabinet. So if anyone's up for a little adventure, let me know and we'll do it next weekend.

There were a couple of close-up shots I got of curtained windows in the place. Take a look at them and tell me you don't feel like you're being watched!

The full set is here.

Oh, and one more thing...

A history of violence

Teens charged in fatal beating of Mexican immigrant

This just chilled me.  I fail to understand that level of hatred and brutality, and how people like this even still exist.

...Also, I'm almost afraid of what position Lou Dobbs will take.

That's the way we get by

This piece about the difficulty in getting by on the minimum wage struck a chord with me. I'm young (or I was until my dad described me as "pushing 30," anyway*) and it wasn't so long ago that I moved out on my own, so I've felt a little of this.

First, let me begin by saying that when I moved into my first apartment, I was making something like $8.50-$9 an hour, and I've never had to work for minimum wage. I always puzzled over how people could make it on that, simply because I saw the hardship with the higher wages that I was earning.

I'm fortunate enough to have family close and parents I could go to when I needed help. Aside from that, I don't even pay for my car insurance. Mom handles that. When I need money to pick up a prescription, I can call dad. I've got a used car (albeit a piece of shit, but it gets me around) and I didn't even pay the three grand or whatever it cost. For all of my bitching about the rich kids with daddy's credit card, I'm still lucky and I'm spoiled.

But what if I hadn't had that help? If, for whatever reason, I didn't have family - or maybe they were dirt poor... I have great difficulty seeing how I would have gotten by. My two bedroom apartment was a steal at $450 a month. If I didn't have the extra help in my life, I would've needed a roommate. Ok, that's fair. People have roommates. But is $1000 a month really enough to make it, even if you're splitting expenses?

I had a monthly health insurance (really shitty health insurance, I might add) premium of around $350 a month, and my dad was paying for half of that. With no parental help, you can bet that would've been one of the first things to go. And the car insurance that mom so generously paid for? By law I'm supposed to have it, but you can bet that without the assistance of family, I would do without as several of my friends do.

On top of things like insurance, the odd problem - for instance, if my car broke down - could plunge me into some sort of financial hole. I don't do credit cards, but I'd probably break down and get one and end up in tremendous debt. Anyway, I'm getting way too far from my point.

All I'm saying is that I was making considerably more than minimum wage, and without the help of family I don't know how I would have made it. I'm making quite a bit more now and I still question whether or not a home and children will ever be feasible. And what of the people who don't have parents to pick up the tab on some of their bills or bail them out when the car needs fixing? And what about a single mother - what would I have done if I had a child who, along with all of the other expenses that entails, needed to go to daycare while I worked to make ... not enough to get by?

The article from CNN mostly focused on young people moving out on their own, and I know some might argue that those people could stay at home a little longer and save up. Ok, I'll give them that (of course, they've obviously never tried living with my mother). But what about the older people? ... Like the guy who rings me up at Burger King who looks like he's about 50?

I don't know ... I feel like I'm all over the place here. I'm just saying that I haven't got a clue how people make it on the minimum wage. I don't know why we don't pay Americans enough to live.

*I kid! Settle down, 30+ people!

War, Disinfected

So I was reading this piece about "America's Army," the video game from the US Army which is really just a recruitment tool cloaked as mindless entertainment.

Aside from the obvious issues of targeting children and sanitizing/dumbing down the combat experience in hopes of enticing them to join (not to mention the money spent to put this game together), another idea about "America's Army" struck me...  I was just thinking - and this is really nothing more than an afterthought - that it seems highly insulting to the memories of brave soldiers who fought and died and those who continue to fight to water down and trivialize their experiences.  And as a means of deceiving children, no less.  Just a thought.

I should probably note that I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with joining the military.  It's noble and brave.  I just don't like the idea of suckering young people into enlisting with grandiose and unrealistic expectations.  And I hate the idea of sending our men and women off to fight in an unjust war predicated on lies.

Well, as usual, I've said nothing new or insightful here, but I did post that link and folks should check it out.

Ridin' Dirty in the Hoveround

I spend too much time (usually at work) talking about old Wilford and the 'beetis, so I want to focus on some other products which target the hip octogenarian crowd this afternoon:

The Rules Do Not Apply

Rep. Linda Sanchez: Why Karl Rove Should Go To Jail

"Mr. Rove needs to understand that he is not above the law and should obey a subpoena just like any other American is required to do."

Yes, one would think so, but I'm pretty sure that Republicans must be immune to laws - everyone from the double-parking Belle Meade bimbos in their ginormous SUVS to Rove to the president.  I'm just sayin' .....

Escapism

I went to see The Dark Knight with my dad this afternoon.  I thought it was fantastic - though, at two and a half hours, they might've trimmed something.  Anyway, very entertaining.

Cillian Murphy made a short cameo, so that just further upped the sexyness factor.

As you can see, I also took a couple of pictures with my phone just to see how they'd turn out.  I was surprised at the clarity.

However, there's something far, far more important than men in tights and ensemble casts that I saw today, and I cannot be more excited.  Nor can I possibly see how I can wait until next year for it.  I'm not the most tuned in, but....

HOW THE FUCK DID THIS SLIP BY WITHOUT ME HEARING ABOUT IT?!

P.S. Is it just me or did Heath Ledger sound A LOT like Al Franken?

And where ... is the Batman?

Ooh! Speaking of movies, dad got us tickets to see The Dark Knight Saturday afternoon! I'm so excited that I could ... I don't know. Anyway, I'm excited.

Not very girly, but I think I was the only second grader with a crush on Michael Keaton. My ex-stepmom insists that I would stand on the trunk that we used for a coffee table and recite the lines along with the movie. And it's true. I even had action figures (at the time), so I'm pretty sure I've passed some sort of geek test.

pow, sock, wap, etc.

Cry Little Sister (or Corey Q. Public)

Bockie McGee and I were talking about the trailer for Lost Boys 2: Lost Tribe (it looks like the expected piece of shit) and it made me think of "Cry Little Sister," probably because someone has covered it and it's in that trailer. I've always really liked that song, and I don't know why because I guess it's not very good. There was no point to this, so watch a video ...

... oh wait ...

Let's Go Change the World

I like the new commercial (for the convention)!

Tempest Storm

Stripper, 80, still taking her clothes off

"It takes four numbers, she says adamantly, four numbers to get it all off. To do it classy."

I've got a couple of funny old burlesque shorts that she's in from back in the day!

Girls

The Tatie dropped by this afternoon with our friend Wrena (the Obock Obama kid)* and she and I took some pictures.  We're cute, and if you disagree, you can suck it.

*I cannot stress enough that she is NOT MINE (though she is precious and I'd be proud if she was).  I don't have kids.  I'm still a little ways off from that one.

Cute

So my friend Wrena just called me to let me know that "Obock Obama" was on tv. That was sweet of her. Now if I could just figure out who this "Obock Obama" character is...

Trail of Dead?

The last of the cemetery pictures are up at Flickr. Enjoy.

Where the toiling ghosts strain

Another set of photos from the City Cemetery up at Flickr. There will be at least one more set after that.

There's nothing wrong with her that a hundred dollars won't fix

This is what I would look like if I lived in a shiny tunnel. Or maybe this is what I would look like as god. Not sure.

Memento Mori

The first set of cemetery photos are up at Flickr. I've got a bunch more, so I'll get them together as time permits.

Avenues and Cities of the Dead

I'm going to try and upload the pictures I took at the City Cemetery this morning in the next bit (ok, so I don't really have anything else to do).  Until then, enjoy some music-type things compiled by yours truly: janeqpublic.muxtape.com

My grandfather was a BAD ASS.

That’s Racing: An era ended with Bullet Bob

"In one famous episode Reuther was wrecked by another driver. He managed to get his crumpled car re-fired, cut across the track infield, and waited in ambush until the offending rival came down the back stretch. Bullet Bob blasted out and T-boned him."

He should've been in the NHL.

Please!

Let's all just take a moment to remember Snood.  I happen to be playing it at the moment (actually, I'm typing at the moment, but a quick shift of the track pad could change all of that).

Now I'll never get a Viagra pen

New drug marketing code draws line at gift pens

Don't know if this will make much difference, but maybe it will help a little. Pens and mugs don't bother me much. It's the expensive meals (I was glad to see that touched upon in the article).

The Bright Spot in the Shitty Work Day

I had an early lunch break today so that I could man the phones during everyone else's lunch, and on my final trip to smoke on my lunch break, a little puppy trotted up to me.

She was way too thin, way too thirsty and way too cute. She just plopped down beside me and was willing to stay there as long as I kept petting her. I got her some water and told my boss that someone was going to have to take her to the Humane Association (which is very close by) on their upcoming lunch break.

Luckily, one of my coworkers saw her and must've fallen in love because she decided to name the pup Sweet Pea and take her home to surprise her kids.

So, yeah, happy ending. I heart dogs.

To brighten the stressful work day...

Domestic Spying

Bush's Secret Army of Snoops and Snitches

"The states where this is going on include: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C."

I'm aghast.  I don't even want to believe this.

Licensed to violate the Constitution

South Carolina plans license plate for Christians

I'm not even surprised.

I think for a lot of people, having a plate like this isn't a matter of just loving their faith. I think it's a matter of being self-righteous. Maybe I'm being an asshole here, but I've known way too many smug fundamentalists.

But forget that - what about the Constitution?

Dumber than a bag of hammers

Former U.S. Senator Jesse Helms dies at 86

Hopefully my grandfather will kick his ass, too.

Se

talkin to some rich folks that you know

Pretty much the same article with a few lines added: Motorplex's first champ dies - and the subtitle says "Reuther was known as aggressive driver" - heehee.

This would be a good place to note that Bozo the clown also died yesterday (I will not provide a picture because it is just too scary). My family has already agreed that it's unfortunate that he died and then most likely got his ass immediately kicked by my grandfather. But that's the way it goes.

Also, Music City Motorplex has a nice little banner (below) for Gang on their website...

upset the established order; she's no zero - she's a fuckin hero!

Can I just take a moment to explain why I'm hating my aunts at this moment? No? You can suck it. (Oh my god what the fuck is wrong with my mood?! I'm so outrageously angry.)

AUNT 1: The shit you said about me TO MY MOTHER when I was going through the most difficult period in my life ever was unkind, undue and inappropriate. Look in your own glass house before you start hurling stones at mine. What you said hurt and I'm not fucking over it.

AUNT 2: You're actually okay. I just wish that since you're the okay one, you might've thought about how I would feel getting relegated to what's essentially "the kids' table" at my grandfather's funeral. More on that in a moment.

AUNT 3: You are supposed to be the sweet one. I am mostly pissed at you for the same reason as AUNT 2, but I'm also becoming increasingly irritated with all of the showing off. I don't believe you're doing this to be hurtful, and I'm certainly glad that things are going so well for you - I would never begrudge someone what they've earned... But a little tact would be nice. Some of us are struggling to make ends meet, to pay for gas, and feel we're not ever really going to get ahead. We don't really want to be reminded of the growing divide between the haves and the have nots. There's a lot of class in being discreet is all I'm saying.

[Struck through because it's not all that relevant. It's how I feel, but that's for another day.]

I'll take it out of vague terms now. I was informed today that the front row of my grandfather's funeral had limited space which would be occupied by my mother and her three sisters (and that's as it should be), my grandfather's girlfriend (given the circumstances, this is fair) and my cousin (my grandfather's nephew) in lieu of my uncle who was the one who started this whole fucking death rollercoaster about two and a half years ago.

I am highly upset about this, primarily because I really need to sit with my mom. No, it's not about me, but we are the ones left behind, so shouldn't we be considerate of each other's feelings and try to make this as easy on each of us as possible?

And my feelings are that I want to be by my mom.  Maybe they all think I'm a selfish bitch for not coming to sit with him while he died, but I had a VERY valid reason.

When my grandmother died two years ago, I was with her almost around the clock during her last six days, sometimes sleeping on the floor at the hospice. I'm not bringing this up to be a martyr, but to make my point.  I ended up being commended by several people for whatever it was that I was doing there - and while it was all going on, I didn't think of it that way, I was just doing the right thing. But I was there and I was good with my grandma and it was the hardest thing I've ever been through. It took so much out of me, and still does when I'm unfortunate enough to mentally go back to some of those moments. It is because of that experience that I could not be at my grandfather's side in his last few days. I didn't have it in me. While he was still awake, I didn't want to lose it in front of him (and I would have - I barely kept it together on Father's Day) and make him feel guilty in the little time he had left. And I also couldn't take it because I just couldn't. So I wasn't absent because I was too busy with my own life, I was absent because I WAS (and am) HURTING SO MUCH. And that is why I need to be able to cling to my mom a little.

It's not like this is some awesome concert and I want to be in the front row because that's where the best seats are.  Funerals are not a tea party, and there are a thousand places I'd rather be.  I'm just heartbroken and I need my mom. I resent not only the fact that it's been decided that I can't have that, but also that no one even asked me how I felt about it.

Besides, I know my cousin was close to my grandfather, but I'm the grandchild and I need to pull rank here because this is so important to me. The excuse is being given that there are three grandchildren and because there's not room for all of us, I cannot sit up there. Well, I'm sorry, but FUCK THAT.  I am the adult grandchild (no, I never feel like an adult, but I'm going to go ahead and use my age to my advantage here).   I am the FIRST grandchild, and I had ten years connection to him before the next grandchild came along. I'm not trying to devalue the importance of those kids to their grandfather or their position in the family, but I don't think it's at all unfair to them to give me a seat up there.

This whole argument probably only makes sense in my head, but this means a lot to me and has me really upset. I needed to get this out (since I just couldn't summon the moxie to actually make my argument to the family) because I feel like I am going to fucking explode. That or start a fist fight at the funeral and knock over the coffin à la Suburbia. Actually, the latter sounds like a good idea, and something tells me that if it weren't his funeral, my grandpa would be there throwing punches, too.