Sunday, April 30, 2006
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Just as one blow is struck for equality, another blow hits us right back in the face.
Same old story.
Same old story.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
I love this Dairy Queen commercial. It features an Asian couple in the most non-stereotypical way I've seen on TV in quite awhile. Yeah, yeah, you can talk about cultural assimilation and all that stuff. Me, I'm just happy no one busted out any Crouching Tiger moves.
One day earlier this week. I got a new gig to go to tomorrow.
 | You scored as James Bond, Agent 007. James Bond is MI6's best agent, a suave, sophisticated super spy with charm, cunning, and a license's to kill. He doesn't care about rules or regulations and somewhat amoral. He does care about saving humanity though, as well as the beautiful women who fill his world. Bond has expensive tastes, a wide knowledge of many subjects, and his usually armed with a clever gadget and an appropriate one-liner.
Which Action Hero Would You Be? v. 2.0 created with QuizFarm.com |
Every time I argue against the banning or restriction of martial arts training and weaponry, I get my foot shoved in my mouth by idiots like this.
This is from an old friend from Fight Club. He's on a mailing list which he describes as...
And, what the hell is "were/are proficient" supposed to mean?
This is from an old friend from Fight Club. He's on a mailing list which he describes as...
...unfortunately half filled with Irish Catholic religious zealots who view western fighting arts as the physical component to their faith (similarly to shotguns in the Bible belt I suppose). anyway, after a lengthy discussion about christianity and a few of us asserting that a WMA group is not the place...one wrote:I know, you're thinking, "Sure, rip on the Irish Catholics. What about anting-antings?" Hey, that's one thing. But most people just don't believe, as some Filipino FMA practicioners, that the Santo Niño de Cebu is holding an escrima stick. Or that the "angle one" strike, known in some systems as the strike of San Miguel was actually taught directly by St. Michael.
"Unless Christ was a stick fighter, can we end this thread?"
Which is pretty funny, until a response came:
"Actually the only account I recall indicated he was proficient with the use of a cat-o-nine-tails. . . . However many of his followers were/are proficient in many arts."
And, what the hell is "were/are proficient" supposed to mean?
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
I've said it before, and I'll say it again when and wherever I can: The ScrapBook extention for Firefox es muy bueno.
You've probably all seen the original ad. For pete's sake, the King is creepy anough without the nightmarish thought that you could wake up and find him in bed next to you. I enjoy their breakfast sandwiches, but I wouldn't want to have him touching my knee to get one.
But have you seen the BK doing a pole dance?
Yes, I'm geeky over it but not as some who actually debate whether this "new" Doctor Who is "Series 2" (which it is--if that's what the production credits say, isn't that freaking good enough?) or "Season 28" (i.e. a continuation of the old series).
But, I'm still geeky, especially after the latest episode, called "Tooth and Claw." Why? Dropped references to the old series? SFX by the same folks involved with the third Harry Potter movie? Better...
SPOILER (highlight to read):
But, I'm still geeky, especially after the latest episode, called "Tooth and Claw." Why? Dropped references to the old series? SFX by the same folks involved with the third Harry Potter movie? Better...
SPOILER (highlight to read):
STEAMPUNK, baby! Actual Steampunk, too, more than just the Jules Verne-esque type TARDIS console from the 1996 Fox movie.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Not too long ago, I took about 10 minutes to Photoshop together some covers of CDs that I was listening to. The day after, I discovered a site that pretty much does that for you.
So, here's my writing music for the weekend.
Create your own Music List @ HotFreeLayouts!
So, here's my writing music for the weekend.
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Thursday, April 20, 2006
I'm not sure if I took a test of the same name or the same test. Oh, well. Wish there was a picture to go with it.
| The Subtle Hipster Sweet jesus. you're 86% hipster. |
| You're pretty hip, but not in a ridiculously over-the-top kind of way. In fact, you probably look like a regular person generally and almost blend in with the masses, but you wear a few subtle signifiers of your hipness. In fact, hipsters probably don't realize how hip you are until you get into conversations about music, movies, and politics. You're at a healthy level of hipness. Rock on. Don't try too hard. |
| My test tracked 1 variable How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 54% on hippoints |
Link: The Are you a Hipster Test written by honeysuckle17 on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test |
Had the three-hour interview at the Big Red Barn which consisted of three separate meetings. The first was with the human resources manager of the department I'd be working for. I figured it'd just be to fill out various and sundry forms, which I did. And then, she started explaining benefits packages to me. When she asked if I had any questions, I wanted to say, "Why are you telling me about benefits packages and giving me info that would only be of interest to me after I got hired?"
Next was the meeting with my would-be immediate supervisor. I think that part went well, IMO. I took some advice about "interviewing them." I've never been a stiff in interviews, but this was the first time I tried that. I think it worked (though I guess the proof will be in the pudding).
After that was a lunch meeting with the #1 and #2 men in charge. Apparently, there was a mix-up where the #2 man had dug into my sandwich. No biggie for me, but the paranoid me wonders if it was a test :). I know, you're asking, "Damn, are you really that paranoid?" All I can say in my defense (without divulging too many details) is that if I'm, as B calls me, a "psychology ninja," then I was meeting with the 9th and 10th degree grandmasters. Put another way, I was a rusty Jedi standing before Mace Windu and Yoda. Anyway, they were light on the questions, but I knew they were observing and quite possibly, they knew that I knew. They were able to cite parts of my resume, even though I couldn't see it anywhere at hand (theirs, that is). I believe what they said: the purpose of a lunch meeting with them is to see if I "fit," and the second I realized that they weren't going to grill me, it let me relax but still keep "the game face" on.
All in all, I have to say that regardless of the outcome, I think this was one of the best interviews I've ever had. I could be completely wrong, but I think that even if they assume half of everything I said was utter bullsiht, they'd still have to like the remaining half enough to hire me. Basically, they want someone who won't freak out at the clientele and who knows how to function in what's basically a busy mental health practice. And, that's me.
Next was the meeting with my would-be immediate supervisor. I think that part went well, IMO. I took some advice about "interviewing them." I've never been a stiff in interviews, but this was the first time I tried that. I think it worked (though I guess the proof will be in the pudding).
After that was a lunch meeting with the #1 and #2 men in charge. Apparently, there was a mix-up where the #2 man had dug into my sandwich. No biggie for me, but the paranoid me wonders if it was a test :). I know, you're asking, "Damn, are you really that paranoid?" All I can say in my defense (without divulging too many details) is that if I'm, as B calls me, a "psychology ninja," then I was meeting with the 9th and 10th degree grandmasters. Put another way, I was a rusty Jedi standing before Mace Windu and Yoda. Anyway, they were light on the questions, but I knew they were observing and quite possibly, they knew that I knew. They were able to cite parts of my resume, even though I couldn't see it anywhere at hand (theirs, that is). I believe what they said: the purpose of a lunch meeting with them is to see if I "fit," and the second I realized that they weren't going to grill me, it let me relax but still keep "the game face" on.
All in all, I have to say that regardless of the outcome, I think this was one of the best interviews I've ever had. I could be completely wrong, but I think that even if they assume half of everything I said was utter bullsiht, they'd still have to like the remaining half enough to hire me. Basically, they want someone who won't freak out at the clientele and who knows how to function in what's basically a busy mental health practice. And, that's me.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
That's "solution" in the chemical sense, i.e. a mixture of solutes. (Hey, damn, that's pretty good--that's what I'm going to call these types of posts from now on!)
ITEM 1
Guru Mushtaq said some kind words for this blogger. By the way, he's 85% quirky. Given his silat skills, I dunno how I'm gonna sleep at night knowing that--hehe.
ITEM 2
I've known for awhile that I've got way too many RSS feeds. I gloss over most of the ones I've collected with only five or so exceptions like Mushtaq's. Imagine my pleasant surprise as I revisited Stickman's Blog. Stickman is a legendary name in Filipino Martial Arts circles as one of those fortunate individuals to train directly with Angel Cabales, and his knowledge is priceless. You could pay a lot of money for the insights Stickman gives away for free on his blog to be linked and tagged with del.icio.us.
ITEM 3
I'm reading two compilations right now.
Tapping the Dream Tree by Charles de Lint contains stories from his series dealing with stories from his mythical city of Newford. I have to confess that I'm not enjoying them very much. The writing's exceptional and the stories are okay. They just don't hold my interest. I find very little, if any, tension in the tales I've read.
There's very little that's fantastic (i.e. pertaining to fantasy) or mythical about Carver's stories. And yet, I can't put them down.
I was initially drawn to Where I'm Calling From mainly to explore the short-short form, because whatever you might say about Carver's writing, very few can combine briskness and intensity like he does. I will say that there have been a couple of stories that I didn't get at first. But I prefer that to "Who cares?"
ITEM 4
Just food for thought: Should it be any surprise when you get rejection letters from anyone who has to go through a slushpile during a holiday weekend?
ITEM 5
T-Minus 33 hours to the interview at the Big Red Barn.
ITEM 1
Guru Mushtaq said some kind words for this blogger. By the way, he's 85% quirky. Given his silat skills, I dunno how I'm gonna sleep at night knowing that--hehe.
ITEM 2
I've known for awhile that I've got way too many RSS feeds. I gloss over most of the ones I've collected with only five or so exceptions like Mushtaq's. Imagine my pleasant surprise as I revisited Stickman's Blog. Stickman is a legendary name in Filipino Martial Arts circles as one of those fortunate individuals to train directly with Angel Cabales, and his knowledge is priceless. You could pay a lot of money for the insights Stickman gives away for free on his blog to be linked and tagged with del.icio.us.
ITEM 3
I'm reading two compilations right now.
Tapping the Dream Tree by Charles de Lint contains stories from his series dealing with stories from his mythical city of Newford. I have to confess that I'm not enjoying them very much. The writing's exceptional and the stories are okay. They just don't hold my interest. I find very little, if any, tension in the tales I've read. Of course, people have said the exact same thing about Raymond Carver's stories. I suppose it's probably an unfair comparison, commenting on de Lint while reading Carver, but there it is.
There's very little that's fantastic (i.e. pertaining to fantasy) or mythical about Carver's stories. And yet, I can't put them down.I was initially drawn to Where I'm Calling From mainly to explore the short-short form, because whatever you might say about Carver's writing, very few can combine briskness and intensity like he does. I will say that there have been a couple of stories that I didn't get at first. But I prefer that to "Who cares?"
ITEM 4
Just food for thought: Should it be any surprise when you get rejection letters from anyone who has to go through a slushpile during a holiday weekend?
ITEM 5
T-Minus 33 hours to the interview at the Big Red Barn.
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Thursday, April 13, 2006
I've come across a few things lately that were designed to make your life easier. For me, at least, they seem to be living up to that promise. It makes me wonder, to paraphrase Tom Baker a la his Symphony voice-over outtakes...
My first and favorite Web 2.0 app. Yes, it's meant to be a "social bookmarking" site where you can share your links with whoever. Fine, fine, I'm not (all that) greedy about my links. This saves me the trouble of not only saving bookmarks, but having to organize them. This does it all for me.
SCRAPBOOK
This is by far my favorite Firefox extention! Ever wish you could save a webpage on your hard drive and cut out a bunch of unneeded crap or plaster sticky notes on a particular section of a page? Now you can. No more jotting down a link or saving the freaking webpage on my hard drive, and then forgetting what the heck I wanted to do with it! It's invaluable if you do even the slightest amount of research using teh Intarwub. Now, I can clear out my bookmarks!
DIY PLANNER
Based on David Allen's Getting Things Done, I've come to love these forms. No, I haven't given up completely on the old Franklin Covey planner. I deliberately paid about $100 for the thing about seven years ago because I knew that was the only way I'd keep using the thing. I can't let go of some of their calendar layouts, though--I'd rather keep buying them than printing them out anyway. But I don't know how I've gotten by without some of these DIY Planner forms. Actually, it's not just the forms. They're nothing I couldn't custom-make myself using a myriad of the tools at my disposal. But, I've always hated reinventing the wheel. Anyway, it's the concept behind the DIY forms that I like--for example: To-Do lists with enough space to make note of the context of that task.
BACKPACK
I've heard people rave about Backpack, which is a nice little Web 2.0 application that's basically a nice task list. So, I decided to give it a whirl. I wouldn't depend on it, for the simple fact that it's all online (although there is a downloadable version for your HD for Mac). But, it's nice for seeing everything about a project all in one page; no flipping through sheafs of notes and lists. I've chosen to rely on something offline, but people could do a lot worse than to use this as your project organizer. If nothing else, I can now take those annoying little text files of lists and random info (I thought I was the only one who did that. I was wrong) and put them all in one place. Really, do yourself a favor and check it out.
How did the world ever exist before fcuking _____________ came into it?DEL.ICIO.US
My first and favorite Web 2.0 app. Yes, it's meant to be a "social bookmarking" site where you can share your links with whoever. Fine, fine, I'm not (all that) greedy about my links. This saves me the trouble of not only saving bookmarks, but having to organize them. This does it all for me.
SCRAPBOOK
This is by far my favorite Firefox extention! Ever wish you could save a webpage on your hard drive and cut out a bunch of unneeded crap or plaster sticky notes on a particular section of a page? Now you can. No more jotting down a link or saving the freaking webpage on my hard drive, and then forgetting what the heck I wanted to do with it! It's invaluable if you do even the slightest amount of research using teh Intarwub. Now, I can clear out my bookmarks!
DIY PLANNER
Based on David Allen's Getting Things Done, I've come to love these forms. No, I haven't given up completely on the old Franklin Covey planner. I deliberately paid about $100 for the thing about seven years ago because I knew that was the only way I'd keep using the thing. I can't let go of some of their calendar layouts, though--I'd rather keep buying them than printing them out anyway. But I don't know how I've gotten by without some of these DIY Planner forms. Actually, it's not just the forms. They're nothing I couldn't custom-make myself using a myriad of the tools at my disposal. But, I've always hated reinventing the wheel. Anyway, it's the concept behind the DIY forms that I like--for example: To-Do lists with enough space to make note of the context of that task.
BACKPACK
I've heard people rave about Backpack, which is a nice little Web 2.0 application that's basically a nice task list. So, I decided to give it a whirl. I wouldn't depend on it, for the simple fact that it's all online (although there is a downloadable version for your HD for Mac). But, it's nice for seeing everything about a project all in one page; no flipping through sheafs of notes and lists. I've chosen to rely on something offline, but people could do a lot worse than to use this as your project organizer. If nothing else, I can now take those annoying little text files of lists and random info (I thought I was the only one who did that. I was wrong) and put them all in one place. Really, do yourself a favor and check it out.
So, B's got some bad news on his blog. But, it's not gonna keep him down. One door shuts, and he automatically starts feeling around for another one. I gotta hand it to him for that, and for working in sales. I couldn't do it.
This has been up before, but this one goes out to him and all you salesfolks out there: Alec Baldwin's speech in Glengarry Glen Ross.
You may have to turn up the volume on the Quicktime module to hear it. Oh, and it's written by David Mamet, so that should clue you in on how SFW it is.
This has been up before, but this one goes out to him and all you salesfolks out there: Alec Baldwin's speech in Glengarry Glen Ross.
You may have to turn up the volume on the Quicktime module to hear it. Oh, and it's written by David Mamet, so that should clue you in on how SFW it is.
Ever have one of those moments where you see something take two seconds to go all wrong, but time seems to slow down just enough for you to take in the full scope of it? Like when you're looking at your keys in the ignition as your hand is shutting the car door? Or, when you're watching that stray shopping cart head straight for your fender? Or, when you reach out to grab a teleporting mobster?
Sunday, April 09, 2006
I'm sure it's easy to look at this picture and say, "Now, that doesn't look so bad. And, besides, you're here blogging, so how busy could you be?"
It's also as easy to punch the throat of anyone who might say that to me at this moment. Last night was the first full night's sleep I've had all week. It was pharmaceutically-induced, and just not enough. But, I'm not griping, really. Again, just things that can't be helped.
Coffee and blogging is helping me loosen up the fingers and the brain right now, so that I can turn 90° to the left and face this pile o' stuff. It's taking the time to decompress that I haven't allowed myself to get into the proper frame of mind.
To use the "time is money" metaphor, I've basically dipped into my savings to pay for the new transmission, forcing me to use Visa to buy my groceries, and even then I can't afford anything (needed or not) that I can't get at Aldi's.
I can relate to this puppet, who constantly asks others, "Do you have any idea how fcuking busy I am?"This has been a week of setbacks. The first half of the week was my fault--too much putzing and traveling and thinking, "Oh, if I can just get all of the big errands out of the way, I'll have the whole rest of the week." Wrong. It's no one's fault, it was just wrong. Okay, I understand that "life gets in the way" and "other things are important, too" and it's all true, 100%. But now that I'm a week behind on some self-imposed deadlines, which means I'm butting up against some real deadlines, it's time to entrench.
Sometimes, you can't help it if "Hans Brix" comes knocking on your door. But, I don't have to let a Chechnyan stand here, telling me when he's gonna take a fcuking "derivry," either.
This week's metaphors on productivity and prioritization brought to you by Team America: World Police.
This is why it's important to support your public library!
Don Byron and Nicholas Payton are old rotation staples for me. I have Tuskegee Experiments on cassette somewhere, and have been looking around for the CD for quite awhile; it's a deep album complete with poetry by Saddiq on the track "Tuskegee Experiment" (which, I never noticed before now, is not a "title track").
The others--Lonnie Plaxico, Jacky Terrasson, and Greg Osby--have all been linked with singer Cassandra Wilson. And, we all know how I feel about her. I'd been especially anxious to listen to Plaxico's stuff. I also noticed for the first time that he played on Tuskegee Experiments.
So, why is this post labeled "Back Home?" Because it's another example of the cyclical nature of things. It started with Chicago XXX last month. Just like most of the others, I got sucked into the horn licks, which made me pull out the old albums (especially, Chicago V and VII), and before you know it, I've got the old jazz CDs out. But, I wanted new stuff, so as I idly perused the jazz CD section at the library, I came across the monsters up above. So, despite the hellish nature of the past week, I've managed to extend my stay in musical heaven.
Ah, memories. If only I'd taken the other fork in the road. Anyway, if you want true modern jazz by, to use the jazz parlance, some bad ass motherfcukers, check out these albums.
Don Byron and Nicholas Payton are old rotation staples for me. I have Tuskegee Experiments on cassette somewhere, and have been looking around for the CD for quite awhile; it's a deep album complete with poetry by Saddiq on the track "Tuskegee Experiment" (which, I never noticed before now, is not a "title track").
The others--Lonnie Plaxico, Jacky Terrasson, and Greg Osby--have all been linked with singer Cassandra Wilson. And, we all know how I feel about her. I'd been especially anxious to listen to Plaxico's stuff. I also noticed for the first time that he played on Tuskegee Experiments.
So, why is this post labeled "Back Home?" Because it's another example of the cyclical nature of things. It started with Chicago XXX last month. Just like most of the others, I got sucked into the horn licks, which made me pull out the old albums (especially, Chicago V and VII), and before you know it, I've got the old jazz CDs out. But, I wanted new stuff, so as I idly perused the jazz CD section at the library, I came across the monsters up above. So, despite the hellish nature of the past week, I've managed to extend my stay in musical heaven.
Ah, memories. If only I'd taken the other fork in the road. Anyway, if you want true modern jazz by, to use the jazz parlance, some bad ass motherfcukers, check out these albums.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Late again. Maybe I'll just do this on Fridays for awhile.
| Bacardi 151 Congratulations! You're 134 proof, with specific scores in beer (100) , wine (150), and liquor (69). |
All right. No more messing around. Your knowledge of alcohol is so high that you have drinking and getting plastered down to a science. Sure, you could get wasted drinking beer, but who needs all those trips to the bathroom? You head straight for the bar and pick up that which is most efficient. |
 |
| My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: |
Link: The Alcohol Knowledge Test written by hoppersplit on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test |
Friday, March 31, 2006
...thank God, it pours!
Two positions have opened or are about to open for which the Big Red Barn has taken an interest in yours truly to fill. I got an interview for one in a couple of weeks.
Wish me luck.
I got siht to do, so no "webcomic without art" this week. Here're the previous installments.
Two positions have opened or are about to open for which the Big Red Barn has taken an interest in yours truly to fill. I got an interview for one in a couple of weeks.
Wish me luck.
I got siht to do, so no "webcomic without art" this week. Here're the previous installments.
It's a day late and, to be honest, probably more than a dollar short. Accurate? Hmmm...
Fcuking Tom Cruise...
 | ||||||||||||||||
You scored as Vampire. So you're a vampire, that's wonderful news.
Where in the vampire world do you fit.(Pics) created with QuizFarm.com |
Fcuking Tom Cruise...
Monday, March 27, 2006
I have to simultaneously geek out and blush from embarassment.
I open my email and find that one of my currrent favorite comic book writers, Brian Wood, left a comment on my other blog! I'm like, "Oh, my God!!!"
The comment he left, though, was about a gaff I made when I was talking about one of his books. I didn't feel this stupid when I invited Fr. Guido Sarducci's to a party at our house in college (he was a U.D. alum) as I was getting his autograph. Nor have I felt this embarassed and semi-afraid since that time in Athens when DocGyi spotted me idly doing knife work and cimande on cardboard boxes.
The last time I thought to myself, "Stupid blog!" was the time B emailed me and said, "Hey, a silat guru just challenged you on your blog!" (It was a joke on B's part. Otherwise, I'd be dead today.)
Anyway, sorry, Brian!
The rest of you, check out his site. I recommend Channel Zero, Demo, and DMZ.
I open my email and find that one of my currrent favorite comic book writers, Brian Wood, left a comment on my other blog! I'm like, "Oh, my God!!!"
The comment he left, though, was about a gaff I made when I was talking about one of his books. I didn't feel this stupid when I invited Fr. Guido Sarducci's to a party at our house in college (he was a U.D. alum) as I was getting his autograph. Nor have I felt this embarassed and semi-afraid since that time in Athens when DocGyi spotted me idly doing knife work and cimande on cardboard boxes.
The last time I thought to myself, "Stupid blog!" was the time B emailed me and said, "Hey, a silat guru just challenged you on your blog!" (It was a joke on B's part. Otherwise, I'd be dead today.)
Anyway, sorry, Brian!
The rest of you, check out his site. I recommend Channel Zero, Demo, and DMZ.
I'm sure Eddie "The Twister" Bravo (one of those few who've managed to get a Gracie to tap out) is proud to see his student, Fear Factor's Joe Rogan, following in his footsteps.
(To be fair, the dude apparently called Rogan out on MySpace, so I really don't have any sympathy for him.)
(To be fair, the dude apparently called Rogan out on MySpace, so I really don't have any sympathy for him.)
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Us at Taugahannock Falls in upstate NY.
It was a nice day on Thursday, cut off from the rest of the world almost like our honeymoon. We did some exploring on the west side of Cayuga Lake. We visited two out of a kabillion wineries around the lake and a great dive of an Italian place.
Just her 'n' me, simple and free, as the song goes.
Another four-panel, 2x2 webcomic without art.
© Warm Fuzzy Freudian Slippers, MMVI
(Previous Installments)
1
DON'S furiously typing on his laptop in the middle of a crowded coffee shop. He's got headphones on amidst babies crying, people talking, barista's serving coffee, etc.
2
Medium shot of DON and THE WIFE. WIFE looks like death warmed-over, carrying a bag. DON'S got a bag, wheeling her suitcase behind him, and is holding her up as if helping her through the desert.
3
Inside of a funeral home. A random crowd in the background. In the foreground, a casket, flowers, and a wreath. Off to one side is THE WIFE hugging her MOTHER. Behind them, DON checks his watch.
4
WIFE is curled up in a ball under the covers of the bed. DON'S sitting on top of the bed with the laptop, typing.
DON'S furiously typing on his laptop in the middle of a crowded coffee shop. He's got headphones on amidst babies crying, people talking, barista's serving coffee, etc.
CAPTION: 9:00 P.M.
CAPTION: TRYING TO MEET A DEADLINE.
2
Medium shot of DON and THE WIFE. WIFE looks like death warmed-over, carrying a bag. DON'S got a bag, wheeling her suitcase behind him, and is holding her up as if helping her through the desert.
CAPTION: MIDNIGHT
CAPTION: PICKED UP THE WIFE.
3
Inside of a funeral home. A random crowd in the background. In the foreground, a casket, flowers, and a wreath. Off to one side is THE WIFE hugging her MOTHER. Behind them, DON checks his watch.
CAPTION: 11:00 A.M. THE NEXT MORNING.
CAPTION: AFTER A TWO-HOUR DRIVE.
4
WIFE is curled up in a ball under the covers of the bed. DON'S sitting on top of the bed with the laptop, typing.
CAPTION: THAT AFTERNOON.
DON (thought): MAN, THAT WAS A LONG ASS DAY. FINALLY, I CAN GET SOME WORK DONE--
WIFE: I HEARD THAT.
© Warm Fuzzy Freudian Slippers, MMVI
(Previous Installments)
Thursday, March 16, 2006
I just found out that instead of going to (a suburb of a suburb of) Rochester this weekend to visit with some friends and see their kids perform in a high school play (where one of them steals the show), the Wife and I need to attend a funeral. A sad, but appropos segue to this week's test:
| The Movie Of Your Life Is A Black Comedy |
 In your life, things are so twisted that you just have to laugh. You may end up insane, but you'll have fun on the way to the asylum. Your best movie matches: Being John Malkovich, The Royal Tenenbaums, American Psycho |
They're not quite out yet, but trust me. I've been music drunk listening to these albums for the past couple of days, and have only sobered up just enough to write this before I put myself under again.
There're a few full streams available (try here or here). Now, I'll have to admit it up front. I don't know what sax player Walt Parazaider was smoking when he said they were trying to "stay away from that 'Hard Habit to Break' formula." It might've been crack, because except for a couple of tunes, that's basically the formula of the first half of the album. That's not really a slam, though. The production is well done (though, maybe a bit overdone in some places). I have to say that usually with any album (even a Chicago one), I can usually find at least one track to absolutely detest. Not in this case. I did wish it would've sounded a bit more like Robert Lamm's Subtlety & Passion, but instead it sounds like a 21st century, musically-intelligent, AOR album. And, unlike the 80s, (a) there's only one song sans horns, and even that was remixed with horns and stuck at the end and (b) they actually get to stretch as musicians. No, it doesn't sound like Chicago VII, but they're a different band with equally good musicians as well versed in their styles than any of their replacements, and that's what you hear.
There isn't a more experimental musician than Cassandra Wilson. None. And, I don't mean "experimental" as in "do some stupid stuff while intoxicated and then try to tell me I'm not hip enough to understand it." She's an explorer, singing in all the spaces between jazz, blues, bluegrass, rock, pop, gospel and coming back to record some of the most beautiful pieces of music (the only really applicable label) you'll ever hear. Period. End of story. I'll duel anyone who thinks otherwise.
With Thunderbird, producer T-Bone Burnett pushes her even further, throwing in some ambient and trip-hop grooves in the mix. I was skeptical at first, like when Quentin Tarantino heard that Zhang Yimou was going a kung-fu movie (Hero). I asked, "Why should she bother?" Now, I know. The album does have some tracks with the "typical" (for lack of a better word) Cassandra Wilson sound, stuff as good as anything in Belly of the Sun. Not too much in the Traveling Miles direction, but I'm not complaining.
Okay, I'm getting anxious and cranky. Need another dose, now.
There're a few full streams available (try here or here). Now, I'll have to admit it up front. I don't know what sax player Walt Parazaider was smoking when he said they were trying to "stay away from that 'Hard Habit to Break' formula." It might've been crack, because except for a couple of tunes, that's basically the formula of the first half of the album. That's not really a slam, though. The production is well done (though, maybe a bit overdone in some places). I have to say that usually with any album (even a Chicago one), I can usually find at least one track to absolutely detest. Not in this case. I did wish it would've sounded a bit more like Robert Lamm's Subtlety & Passion, but instead it sounds like a 21st century, musically-intelligent, AOR album. And, unlike the 80s, (a) there's only one song sans horns, and even that was remixed with horns and stuck at the end and (b) they actually get to stretch as musicians. No, it doesn't sound like Chicago VII, but they're a different band with equally good musicians as well versed in their styles than any of their replacements, and that's what you hear.And now, the one woman I'd seriously consider leaving my wife for (I know you're thinking, "What an ass!" but The Wife says exactly the same thing about me and Jet Li.):
There isn't a more experimental musician than Cassandra Wilson. None. And, I don't mean "experimental" as in "do some stupid stuff while intoxicated and then try to tell me I'm not hip enough to understand it." She's an explorer, singing in all the spaces between jazz, blues, bluegrass, rock, pop, gospel and coming back to record some of the most beautiful pieces of music (the only really applicable label) you'll ever hear. Period. End of story. I'll duel anyone who thinks otherwise. With Thunderbird, producer T-Bone Burnett pushes her even further, throwing in some ambient and trip-hop grooves in the mix. I was skeptical at first, like when Quentin Tarantino heard that Zhang Yimou was going a kung-fu movie (Hero). I asked, "Why should she bother?" Now, I know. The album does have some tracks with the "typical" (for lack of a better word) Cassandra Wilson sound, stuff as good as anything in Belly of the Sun. Not too much in the Traveling Miles direction, but I'm not complaining.
I can honestly say it's been too long since I've been so completely absorbed in anyone's music.
Okay, I'm getting anxious and cranky. Need another dose, now.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
More McSweeney's goodness:
by Amir Farhang and Omid Farhang
And with the growing popularity of this damn ultimate fighting, the rules of engagement have been redefined. Now any Joe wearing khakis could possess the skill set of a Brazilian jujitsu master. One second you're telling Chadwick that he can't take his drink outside; next thing you know, Royce Gracie's protégé's got his legs wrapped around your neck like an anaconda, choking you out. For $10 an hour, you can keep that shit.From "A Seminar for Nightclub Bouncers, as Conducted By a Big, Menacing Former Doorman Who Abhors Violence"
by Amir Farhang and Omid Farhang
Saturday, March 11, 2006
1
I've given up (for now) on Collected Stories by Gabriel Garcia-Marquez. His style is just too far over my head. I'm reluctant to even go near Isabel Allende's The House of the Spirits.
2
I love prophets, so I recommend Channel Zero by Brian Wood. This is a fictional ad from the fictional world in the story where Church and State run the media.
EDIT: This was first released in 1997 by Image (Then subsequently in September of 2000 by AiT/PlanetLar).
3
Yes, it took me a week to recover from the par-tay, partly because of what I'll call "The Blue-State Blues," in this case, the amount of static and hassle to get your car registered and inspected in the state of New York. Okay, I admit, it wasn't really "static and hassle" except in comparison with what you have to go through in Ohio, which is (outside of three counties) nothing. So long as the lights work and you don't have your car looking like something out of Mad Max, you're not going to have any problems.
Ah, the Libertarian diatribes that will spill out of someone who's under the weather to begin with, and had a bout of insomnia the night before. It's horrible, I tell you.
4
Here's something interesting that I didn't notice until recently. The next time you watch an episode of Law & Order, any of them, pay close attention to the opening credits after the title sequence runs. Count how many people are credited as a "producer" of one sort or another.
5
Everything is a weapon.
Everything.
6
There is no...number 6.
I've given up (for now) on Collected Stories by Gabriel Garcia-Marquez. His style is just too far over my head. I'm reluctant to even go near Isabel Allende's The House of the Spirits.
2
I love prophets, so I recommend Channel Zero by Brian Wood. This is a fictional ad from the fictional world in the story where Church and State run the media.
EDIT: This was first released in 1997 by Image (Then subsequently in September of 2000 by AiT/PlanetLar).
3
Yes, it took me a week to recover from the par-tay, partly because of what I'll call "The Blue-State Blues," in this case, the amount of static and hassle to get your car registered and inspected in the state of New York. Okay, I admit, it wasn't really "static and hassle" except in comparison with what you have to go through in Ohio, which is (outside of three counties) nothing. So long as the lights work and you don't have your car looking like something out of Mad Max, you're not going to have any problems.
Ah, the Libertarian diatribes that will spill out of someone who's under the weather to begin with, and had a bout of insomnia the night before. It's horrible, I tell you.
4
Here's something interesting that I didn't notice until recently. The next time you watch an episode of Law & Order, any of them, pay close attention to the opening credits after the title sequence runs. Count how many people are credited as a "producer" of one sort or another.
5
Everything is a weapon.
Everything.
6
There is no...number 6.
Another four-panel, 2x2 webcomic without art.
© Warm Fuzzy Freudian Slippers, MMVI
(Previous installments)
1
DON is sitting at the dining room table with a huge grin on his face, wrapping a birthday present for the WIFE. His cell is on the table and it's ringing.
CAPTION: BIRTHDAY PRESENT: BOUGHT AND WRAPPED WITH A WHOLE DAY TO SPARE!
DON: HA-HA!
SFX (phone): BRRRNG!
2
Close-up of DON on the phone. It's the WIFE. Any of the joy he felt in the last panel looks as if it's bled away.
WIFE: I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW! IT'S GOING TO BE THE BEST BIRTHDAY PARTY EVER!
WIFE: YOU DID EVERYTHING FOR TOMORROW, RIGHT?
WIFE (linked): RESERVED THE GUEST ROOM? GET THE STUFF FROM THE STORE? DON'T FORGET WE HAVE TO DECORATE...
CAPTION: CRAP!
3
We're in a lounge-like party room: couches, soft chairs, a table with a cake, food, balloons, and a banner over it that says, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" DON'S haggard-looking, but smiling, standing next to the happy-as-a-clam WIFE as they receive a line of about 15 various and sundry people (and a few kids) with presents and bottles of alcohol.
(NO DIALOGUE)
4
CUT TO DON and the WIFE, sitting on the couch in the party room. The food's eaten, the presents are opened. The place is a wreck. The WIFE is surrounded by all kinds of cards and presents; she's in heaven. DON'S in heaven, too, with two bottles of leftover wine, two cases of leftover beer at his feet, and a brew in his hand.
CAPTION: HOURS OF FUN AND LAUGHTER, LATER...
WIFE: THAT WAS AWESOME! LOOK AT ALL THE PRESENTS!
DON: MMMM...TELL ME ABOUT IT!
DON is sitting at the dining room table with a huge grin on his face, wrapping a birthday present for the WIFE. His cell is on the table and it's ringing.
CAPTION: BIRTHDAY PRESENT: BOUGHT AND WRAPPED WITH A WHOLE DAY TO SPARE!
DON: HA-HA!
SFX (phone): BRRRNG!
2
Close-up of DON on the phone. It's the WIFE. Any of the joy he felt in the last panel looks as if it's bled away.
WIFE: I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW! IT'S GOING TO BE THE BEST BIRTHDAY PARTY EVER!
WIFE: YOU DID EVERYTHING FOR TOMORROW, RIGHT?
WIFE (linked): RESERVED THE GUEST ROOM? GET THE STUFF FROM THE STORE? DON'T FORGET WE HAVE TO DECORATE...
CAPTION: CRAP!
3
We're in a lounge-like party room: couches, soft chairs, a table with a cake, food, balloons, and a banner over it that says, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" DON'S haggard-looking, but smiling, standing next to the happy-as-a-clam WIFE as they receive a line of about 15 various and sundry people (and a few kids) with presents and bottles of alcohol.
(NO DIALOGUE)
4
CUT TO DON and the WIFE, sitting on the couch in the party room. The food's eaten, the presents are opened. The place is a wreck. The WIFE is surrounded by all kinds of cards and presents; she's in heaven. DON'S in heaven, too, with two bottles of leftover wine, two cases of leftover beer at his feet, and a brew in his hand.
CAPTION: HOURS OF FUN AND LAUGHTER, LATER...
WIFE: THAT WAS AWESOME! LOOK AT ALL THE PRESENTS!
DON: MMMM...TELL ME ABOUT IT!
© Warm Fuzzy Freudian Slippers, MMVI
(Previous installments)
Thursday, March 09, 2006
 | You scored as Dr Gaius Baltar. You have betrayed humanity, for a blonde. However you'd rather people learnt to just get past that. After all, you never meant wipe out the human race. Luckily you are cleverer than everyone else, so no one will ever know. Even though they look at you with suspicion behind their eyes.
What New Battlestar Galactica character are you? created with QuizFarm.com |
No, wait...that was Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy.
He sang, "Don't you keep me waiting for that day"--and that day's coming, just like I keep telling you all it will!
Sunspot activity to peak in 20122012--mark you calendars, just like the Mayans did!
posted by Jonathan M. Gitlin
The year 2012 might not be such a good one if you happen to own a satellite or a lot of shares in the electricity generating business. That's because 2012 is being forecast as the peak of the next sunspot cycle, and physicists are saying it's going to be an active one.
From Ars Technica
Thursday, March 02, 2006
To carry on the Withnail & I theme, I need to say that I am, "indeed, drifting into the arena of the unwell." I know my body's fighting off whatever The Wife had last week. Does that mean I dress properly when going out for drinks last night? Of course not. It's been quite chilly up here, lately. We have not, however, taken to covering ourselves in Icy Hot and standing by the radiator.
I can feel the grooves at the back of my throat created by post-nasal drip. And, I've barely been able to keep my eyes open since coming back from the DMV. The lines weren't long, but the freaks were out in force, let me tell you! It was like being in social work again. I was lucky, though; I got to witness, from a distance, a mildly mentally retarded man go off on the help. He was in line as The Wife was getting waited on, though, which made me nice and hypervigilant first thing in the morning.
This weekend is The Wife's birthday, with loads of activities planned...loads...anyway, we've having dinner at her mom's on Friday, and then Saturday afternoon we're taking over the party room of the apartment complex with twenty of our close friends. This'll be fun!
...which means I plan on sleeping all thru Sunday.
I can feel the grooves at the back of my throat created by post-nasal drip. And, I've barely been able to keep my eyes open since coming back from the DMV. The lines weren't long, but the freaks were out in force, let me tell you! It was like being in social work again. I was lucky, though; I got to witness, from a distance, a mildly mentally retarded man go off on the help. He was in line as The Wife was getting waited on, though, which made me nice and hypervigilant first thing in the morning.
This weekend is The Wife's birthday, with loads of activities planned...loads...anyway, we've having dinner at her mom's on Friday, and then Saturday afternoon we're taking over the party room of the apartment complex with twenty of our close friends. This'll be fun!
...which means I plan on sleeping all thru Sunday.
"I'll moirder the pair o' ye's!!"
Take the quiz:
Which Random Irish Gaelic Phrase Are You?
Ta me air meisce
Ta me air meisce - 'I am drunk.'You enjoy a drink - or five - now and then. You can usually be found in a pub - it doesn't matter which one, because they all look the same after a few drinks - or hugging the porcelain.
Quizzes by myYearbook.com -- the World's Biggest Yearbook!
Which Random Irish Gaelic Phrase Are You?
Ta me air meisce
Ta me air meisce - 'I am drunk.'You enjoy a drink - or five - now and then. You can usually be found in a pub - it doesn't matter which one, because they all look the same after a few drinks - or hugging the porcelain.
Quizzes by myYearbook.com -- the World's Biggest Yearbook!
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Another four-panel, 2x2 "webcomic without art."
© Warm Fuzzy Freudian Slippers, Ltd. MMVI
(Previous installments)
1
DON is sitting at the dining room table typing at his laptop, much like the SNOOPY characters sitting at the table when writing a letter. He's musing. Above him is a mock-up of an iTunes PLAYLIST, which so far, reads...
Same as 1, except DON'S busily typing, adding to the PLAYLIST.
DON'S got his earphones on, and with a big grin on his face, typing. WIFE is next to him with a bowl of something and is leaning over to see what's on the screen.
DON: AHHH...EIGHT HOURS OF RELAXING MUSIC.
DON (linked): NOW I CAN GET SOME WORK DONE.
WIFE: OF COURSE YOU CAN...
4
WIFE'S got a big grin on her face while DON'S blank-faced, staring over the top of his glasses, because of his WIFE'S crushing burn.
WIFE: YOU CAN LISTEN TO THIS MUSIC, WIDE AWAKE--
WIFE (linked): AND GET A FULL NIGHT'S SLEEP AT THE SAME TIME.
DON is sitting at the dining room table typing at his laptop, much like the SNOOPY characters sitting at the table when writing a letter. He's musing. Above him is a mock-up of an iTunes PLAYLIST, which so far, reads...
MILES DAVIS - HUMAN NATURE2
BOBBY CALDWELL - WHAT YOU WON'T DO FOR LOVE
SADE - SMOOTH OPERATOR
BOZ SCAGGS - LOWDOWN
JOE JACKSON - STEPPIN' OUT
Same as 1, except DON'S busily typing, adding to the PLAYLIST.
BOZ SCAGGS - LOWDOWN3
JOE JACKSON - STEPPIN' OUT
ANITA BAKER - SWEET LOVE
LISA STANSFIELD - BEEN AROUND THE WORLD
GEORGE BENSON - TURN YOUR LOVE AROUND
CHRISTOPHER CROSS - ARTHUR'S THEME
DON'S got his earphones on, and with a big grin on his face, typing. WIFE is next to him with a bowl of something and is leaning over to see what's on the screen.
DON: AHHH...EIGHT HOURS OF RELAXING MUSIC.
DON (linked): NOW I CAN GET SOME WORK DONE.
WIFE: OF COURSE YOU CAN...
4
WIFE'S got a big grin on her face while DON'S blank-faced, staring over the top of his glasses, because of his WIFE'S crushing burn.
WIFE: YOU CAN LISTEN TO THIS MUSIC, WIDE AWAKE--
WIFE (linked): AND GET A FULL NIGHT'S SLEEP AT THE SAME TIME.
© Warm Fuzzy Freudian Slippers, Ltd. MMVI
(Previous installments)
Thursday, February 23, 2006
I already have my other half, and I didn't have to cut off nothin', thank you very much!
Your romance is more of a love that needs to bloom within, just like Hedwig of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. The film features an East German transsexual who is seeking her "other half" after constant betrayal. You must love yourself before you can need another. You're starting to realize this, along with the fact that you don't need a significant other to be a complete person. Your other half" has been inside you all along.
What Romance Movie Best Represents Your Love Life?
brought to you by Quizilla
Your romance is more of a love that needs to bloom within, just like Hedwig of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. The film features an East German transsexual who is seeking her "other half" after constant betrayal. You must love yourself before you can need another. You're starting to realize this, along with the fact that you don't need a significant other to be a complete person. Your other half" has been inside you all along.
What Romance Movie Best Represents Your Love Life?
brought to you by Quizilla
Thursday, February 16, 2006
...as least as far as the recent past is concerned.
The next webcomic installment will probably be titled, "We've gone on holiday by mistake!" :)
- Regular running (aerobic exercise is good)
- Critique deadlines
- Submission deadlines
- Job-searching
- Yet another weekend excursion coming up.
The next webcomic installment will probably be titled, "We've gone on holiday by mistake!" :)
Another four-panel, 2x2 "webcomic without art."
© Warm Fuzzy Freudian Slippers, MMVI
(Part 1) (Part 2)
1
CLOSE UP on the television. Two Asian figure-skaters are in a graceful pose at the end of their routine. The Olympic Logo is in the lower right hand corner.
WIFE (OP): *SNIFF* OH, MY GOD...
2
CUT TO Don (sitting at the right end of the couch) and WIFE (on the EZ chair). WIFE'S crying tears of joy while DON'S holding his eyelids open with his fingers a la A CLOCKWORK ORANGE.
WIFE: THAT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL!
DON: ...
3
CUT TO the TV; same as 1, except there are two speed-skaters, one of whom has just wiped out.
WIFE: OH, MY GOD...
4
CUT TO DON & WIFE; same as 2, except DON'S cheering like his favorite team just scored a touchdown. WIFE is staring bullets into him.
DON: "...AND THE AGONY OF DEFEAT!"
DON: DAMN, THAT'S GOTTA SUCK!
CLOSE UP on the television. Two Asian figure-skaters are in a graceful pose at the end of their routine. The Olympic Logo is in the lower right hand corner.
WIFE (OP): *SNIFF* OH, MY GOD...
2
CUT TO Don (sitting at the right end of the couch) and WIFE (on the EZ chair). WIFE'S crying tears of joy while DON'S holding his eyelids open with his fingers a la A CLOCKWORK ORANGE.
WIFE: THAT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL!
DON: ...
3
CUT TO the TV; same as 1, except there are two speed-skaters, one of whom has just wiped out.
WIFE: OH, MY GOD...
4
CUT TO DON & WIFE; same as 2, except DON'S cheering like his favorite team just scored a touchdown. WIFE is staring bullets into him.
DON: "...AND THE AGONY OF DEFEAT!"
DON: DAMN, THAT'S GOTTA SUCK!
© Warm Fuzzy Freudian Slippers, MMVI
(Part 1) (Part 2)
Monday, February 13, 2006
Thursday, February 09, 2006
| You Are an Emo Rocker! |
 Expressive and deep, lyrics are really your thing. That doesn't mean you don't rock out... You just rock out with meaning. For you, rock is more about connecting than grandstanding. |
Riiight, probably not completely accurate...not with stuff like this in the collection.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Another four-panel, 2x2 "webcomic without art."
© Warm Fuzzy Freudian Slippers, Ltd. MMVI
Read the first installment.
1
Medium shot of DON on the couch with his laptop on his lap, sitting back with his hands clasped behind his head. WIFE is sitting in the easy chair next to the couch, trying in vain to read her book in peace. Notes and LYRICS stream from the laptop.
LYRICS: "And, if you leave me now..."
WIFE (whisper): CHRIST...
2
Same as 1, except DON's laughing his ass off while listening to the RICKY GERVAIS SHOW PODCAST. WIFE is openly glaring at DON, now.
PODCAST: RIGHT, THA'S "MONKEY NEWS."
PODCAST: KARL...YOU AND YOUR ROUND HEAD...YOU'RE AN IDIOT!
DON: BWAAAHHH-HAHAHA!
WIFE: TURN THAT SH*T DOWN!
3
Same as 1, except WIFE is trying to use her book to cover her ears, while DON's busy typing as the music streams and LYRICS blare.
LYRICS: "He came from somewhere back in her long ago..."
DON: C'MON, IT HELPS ME CONCENTRATE.
4
Same as 3, except that DON's way too absorbed typing as the music plays to notice that WIFE is standing by the couch getting ready to strangle him with a length of headphone cord.
LYRICS: "When you think of Laura, laugh don't cry..."
DON: "I KNOW SHE'D WANT IT THAT WAY."
WIFE: ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, YOU'RE GOING TO WEAR THESE HEADPHONES.
Medium shot of DON on the couch with his laptop on his lap, sitting back with his hands clasped behind his head. WIFE is sitting in the easy chair next to the couch, trying in vain to read her book in peace. Notes and LYRICS stream from the laptop.
LYRICS: "And, if you leave me now..."
WIFE (whisper): CHRIST...
2
Same as 1, except DON's laughing his ass off while listening to the RICKY GERVAIS SHOW PODCAST. WIFE is openly glaring at DON, now.
PODCAST: RIGHT, THA'S "MONKEY NEWS."
PODCAST: KARL...YOU AND YOUR ROUND HEAD...YOU'RE AN IDIOT!
DON: BWAAAHHH-HAHAHA!
WIFE: TURN THAT SH*T DOWN!
3
Same as 1, except WIFE is trying to use her book to cover her ears, while DON's busy typing as the music streams and LYRICS blare.
LYRICS: "He came from somewhere back in her long ago..."
DON: C'MON, IT HELPS ME CONCENTRATE.
4
Same as 3, except that DON's way too absorbed typing as the music plays to notice that WIFE is standing by the couch getting ready to strangle him with a length of headphone cord.
LYRICS: "When you think of Laura, laugh don't cry..."
DON: "I KNOW SHE'D WANT IT THAT WAY."
WIFE: ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, YOU'RE GOING TO WEAR THESE HEADPHONES.
© Warm Fuzzy Freudian Slippers, Ltd. MMVI
Read the first installment.
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