Sic Transit Gloria Mundi
You'll notice a change to the blogroll. The brilliant African American blogger Kim Du Toit has abandoned the field. His link has been moved to the "In Memoriam" section which, I suppose, really should be renamed now to something on the order of "Gone But Not Forgotten." I really should add the late and wonderful Cathy Siepp but perhaps I have missed the proper timing of her passing.
Ah. Regrets. We haz dem. I will miss the graceful prose and appreciation of guns, cars and women with which Kim routinely favored his readers. But I deeply and unutterably support his decision to retire from blogging as he is the best judge of his own life. I will, though, hope we will be favored by his return to blogging one day when feels the time is auspicious. But for now, ave atque vale good man, ave atque vale.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Things I Do Not Understand
I went to the Post Office today. The lady behind the counter was very nice. I understand that.
I had a couple of packages to mail, both of which contained the same things. One I packed in a used Amazon box, the other in a box I cobbled together myself out of a larger box I'd saved. The first (Amazon) box went for about $10 and the second, which weighed, if anything, a tad less than the first, was clocked for way more coin. So the nice lady (see above) says, "You can put it in a flat rate box and save some money." Um, yeah, OK. I can put my box in another box and save money. How exactly does my shipping more cardboard and a greater volume of package result in a savings for me?
It did, mind you. But I don't have any conception of why that is.
I went to the Post Office today. The lady behind the counter was very nice. I understand that.
I had a couple of packages to mail, both of which contained the same things. One I packed in a used Amazon box, the other in a box I cobbled together myself out of a larger box I'd saved. The first (Amazon) box went for about $10 and the second, which weighed, if anything, a tad less than the first, was clocked for way more coin. So the nice lady (see above) says, "You can put it in a flat rate box and save some money." Um, yeah, OK. I can put my box in another box and save money. How exactly does my shipping more cardboard and a greater volume of package result in a savings for me?
It did, mind you. But I don't have any conception of why that is.
My New Irish Name
Lack O'Posting. Sorry for diminished output but I've been spending a lot of kitchen time lately and there's road work (driving) to do. Still need one more splat of orange blossom honey for my final round of cranberry sauce. All the cran-maple chutney I'm going to make has been made. All four batches of rum ice cream have been whapped up (yet there are only three in the freezer - what's going on here?) Then the stuffing/dressing cooking starts and pies are to be picked up, paid for and dropped off. It's going to be a busy two days.
I wish you, who happen by here or who stop by with full intention, a very happy, fulfilling (and filling full) Thanksgiving. Remember to take joy where joy is to be taken.
UPDATE: Turns out that Safeway does not carry orange blossom honey (more than that: I had to explain what orange blossom honey is since the manager thought it might be a brand name). It turns out they carry honey from Virginia which limits it to clover and "wildflower." Now, I've had some startling local honey when my family ran three hives in my yute (locust, the tree not the insect, makes some insanely dark, dusky honey which is not to everyone's taste). But I wanted, nay, needed the citrus flavor. And I decided in the end to just finish off the sweet with sugar. Sigh. The tradeoffs we make. The lesson is that next year I go into November with a serious amount of the right stuff. I use a lot of cranberry for the holiday. This year: three 3 lb. bags and one 12 oz. bag. A three pound bag makes a quadruple batch since recipes are expressed in the usual grocery store 12 oz. unit.
Lack O'Posting. Sorry for diminished output but I've been spending a lot of kitchen time lately and there's road work (driving) to do. Still need one more splat of orange blossom honey for my final round of cranberry sauce. All the cran-maple chutney I'm going to make has been made. All four batches of rum ice cream have been whapped up (yet there are only three in the freezer - what's going on here?) Then the stuffing/dressing cooking starts and pies are to be picked up, paid for and dropped off. It's going to be a busy two days.
I wish you, who happen by here or who stop by with full intention, a very happy, fulfilling (and filling full) Thanksgiving. Remember to take joy where joy is to be taken.
UPDATE: Turns out that Safeway does not carry orange blossom honey (more than that: I had to explain what orange blossom honey is since the manager thought it might be a brand name). It turns out they carry honey from Virginia which limits it to clover and "wildflower." Now, I've had some startling local honey when my family ran three hives in my yute (locust, the tree not the insect, makes some insanely dark, dusky honey which is not to everyone's taste). But I wanted, nay, needed the citrus flavor. And I decided in the end to just finish off the sweet with sugar. Sigh. The tradeoffs we make. The lesson is that next year I go into November with a serious amount of the right stuff. I use a lot of cranberry for the holiday. This year: three 3 lb. bags and one 12 oz. bag. A three pound bag makes a quadruple batch since recipes are expressed in the usual grocery store 12 oz. unit.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
BlogDogTalkRadio
BlogTalkRadio
If this isn't one which would make a Mom proud, and at the same time provide some much needed entertainment and commentary for the rest of us, then I don't know what could top it.
She always said you were the one among her children who thought the quickest on their feet. If you had your own show it would give you the opportunity to prove it. The best part is you wouldn't have to drag your bad hips down to a radio station.
Give it a look.
Cheers!
BlogTalkRadio
If this isn't one which would make a Mom proud, and at the same time provide some much needed entertainment and commentary for the rest of us, then I don't know what could top it.
She always said you were the one among her children who thought the quickest on their feet. If you had your own show it would give you the opportunity to prove it. The best part is you wouldn't have to drag your bad hips down to a radio station.
Give it a look.
Cheers!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
This Year's Christmas Music
I'd scoped out a CD earlier in the year that, of course, was not available when I went to actually buy it. So I was forced to find something else to add to the (checking iTunes....) 118 songs in the "Christmas" playlist. I feel rather lucky to have found "A Scottish Christmas" with Bonnie Rideout, Maggie Sansone and Al Petteway. If you follow that (Amazon) link, which I put in because Amazon offer a full preview of the songs, and you decide you like the disc too, don't buy it there. Buy it at Daedalus instead. That's $6 versus $14. That's way too great a differential to ignore. Especially since we Scots are notoriously tight fisted. Och. Ah'll mayke tha pound noht scream afore ah'm done wi' it!
Ah'm shoor mah fellow Scot McCubbin wuld agree wi' mah!
I'd scoped out a CD earlier in the year that, of course, was not available when I went to actually buy it. So I was forced to find something else to add to the (checking iTunes....) 118 songs in the "Christmas" playlist. I feel rather lucky to have found "A Scottish Christmas" with Bonnie Rideout, Maggie Sansone and Al Petteway. If you follow that (Amazon) link, which I put in because Amazon offer a full preview of the songs, and you decide you like the disc too, don't buy it there. Buy it at Daedalus instead. That's $6 versus $14. That's way too great a differential to ignore. Especially since we Scots are notoriously tight fisted. Och. Ah'll mayke tha pound noht scream afore ah'm done wi' it!
Ah'm shoor mah fellow Scot McCubbin wuld agree wi' mah!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Oy!
The Thanksgiving food situation continues apace. I have a round of New England Cran-Maple Chutney in jars and a round of "Ric's Own" Cranberry Sauce also jarred. I've got to send out sets to a couple of people and have handed a couple to friends so far.
In other fun stuff - I have the custard base for rum ice cream cooling in the fridge. If it turns out well, I'll make a batch to bring to friends for the day itself ... along with the cranberry duo, apple pie from the best place in the world for those and my dressing which I have yet to work up. I should have that together by Sunday. If it works, I'll post the recipe.
Tonight I'll be making myself some brussels sprouts. Maybe that should capitalized. But so should the American automakers and I don't see that happening either! Ar! Ar! Ar! I tell jokes.
UPDATE: I processed the rum ice cream this morning. Oh my. Oh. My. I'm going to make another batch so I can share with more people (and use up the ingredients on hand). I highly recommend the recipe at the link above. It's a custard based recipe and rich as hell. I used Myer's rum.
The Thanksgiving food situation continues apace. I have a round of New England Cran-Maple Chutney in jars and a round of "Ric's Own" Cranberry Sauce also jarred. I've got to send out sets to a couple of people and have handed a couple to friends so far.
In other fun stuff - I have the custard base for rum ice cream cooling in the fridge. If it turns out well, I'll make a batch to bring to friends for the day itself ... along with the cranberry duo, apple pie from the best place in the world for those and my dressing which I have yet to work up. I should have that together by Sunday. If it works, I'll post the recipe.
Tonight I'll be making myself some brussels sprouts. Maybe that should capitalized. But so should the American automakers and I don't see that happening either! Ar! Ar! Ar! I tell jokes.
UPDATE: I processed the rum ice cream this morning. Oh my. Oh. My. I'm going to make another batch so I can share with more people (and use up the ingredients on hand). I highly recommend the recipe at the link above. It's a custard based recipe and rich as hell. I used Myer's rum.
In Space No One Can Hear You Curse
OK. If you're going to "give the orbiting platform a ...makeover," send a woman. (If Ty Pennington's not available. And he's pretty close to being a woman at this point anyway.) But if you're going to do repair work, like a lube job on grinding parts (dang but the wording for this post gets increasingly troubling) send a man! Dammit. A man would not let a tool bag go drifting off into the void. He'd have it tied to his junk if that were the only way to keep it handy.
If a space grease gun exploded while a space guy was working on a space job, he'd say "Cool!" and screw around with the grease-covered space tools until his space wife called him in from his space garage for his space dinner.
Astronauts working on the International Space Station have lost a tool bag.(full story here)
Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper watched helplessly as the kit drifted away from her as she serviced the solar array system on the orbiting platform.
The briefcase-sized tool bag is one of the largest items ever lost on a spacewalk.
The event occurred during the first spacewalk of the latest shuttle flight to the ISS, which is intended to give the orbiting platform a major makeover.
OK. If you're going to "give the orbiting platform a ...makeover," send a woman. (If Ty Pennington's not available. And he's pretty close to being a woman at this point anyway.) But if you're going to do repair work, like a lube job on grinding parts (dang but the wording for this post gets increasingly troubling) send a man! Dammit. A man would not let a tool bag go drifting off into the void. He'd have it tied to his junk if that were the only way to keep it handy.
If a space grease gun exploded while a space guy was working on a space job, he'd say "Cool!" and screw around with the grease-covered space tools until his space wife called him in from his space garage for his space dinner.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
A Spade, A Spade
The "bailout" legislation, I see, is being called the "Troubled Assets Relief Program" or TARP. I suggest that the proper name is "Congressional Re-covering Asses Program." There's truth in naming for ya.
The "bailout" legislation, I see, is being called the "Troubled Assets Relief Program" or TARP. I suggest that the proper name is "Congressional Re-covering Asses Program." There's truth in naming for ya.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Witness if you will Kevin Joseph Aloysius Connors, a/k/a Chuck Connors, a/k/a Lucas McCain, a/k/a The Rifleman. Age: mid- thirties. Occupation: American actor. Formerly a fixture of the Enigmatic Misanthrope’s preoccupation with another time, a time of childhood, a time of growing up, a time of street games, stickball and hide-'n-go-seek. Formerly a rather minor component to a nostalgic look back at hot endless summers, comic books, memories and daydreaming. But throughout his life, a man beloved by the children, and therefore a most important man. Couldn't happen, you say? Probably not in most places - but it did happen… in the Twilight Zone.
Recent Netflixery
The "Get Smart" movie - wretched. When will Steve Carell make a movie worth watching? With the exception of the "40 Year Old Virgin," it has yet to happen. Anne Hathaway is totally wasted in this execrable sub-mediocrity. And I say wasted because she is a total babe (those giant eyes! Was her mother Margaret Keane?) and a talented actress. She's better with the material she's given in this flick than is Carell. Oh and Dwayne "Not The Rock Anymore" Johnson shows he can rise above the material even if it ultimately drags him back down into the morass of craptacularity.
Do not bother with this movie.
The "Get Smart" movie - wretched. When will Steve Carell make a movie worth watching? With the exception of the "40 Year Old Virgin," it has yet to happen. Anne Hathaway is totally wasted in this execrable sub-mediocrity. And I say wasted because she is a total babe (those giant eyes! Was her mother Margaret Keane?) and a talented actress. She's better with the material she's given in this flick than is Carell. Oh and Dwayne "Not The Rock Anymore" Johnson shows he can rise above the material even if it ultimately drags him back down into the morass of craptacularity.
Do not bother with this movie.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Anyone Do Craigslist?
I have an idea for distributed small monetary gains, relying on disaggregation and putting only a few dollars in any one persons pocket. But it has the benefit of using "government largess" at a time government should be spanked hard for offering this in the first place.
No doubt you are aware that the broadcast television world is changing from analog to digital broadcasting in February. And that the febrile gummint is doing out $40 "coupons" to households to acquire digital converter boxes. I have my coupon (which I'll probably use at Circuit City out of pity - heh, Circuit Pity) so I can't participate in this setup. Those people who run all of their TVs off cable or satellite can, though.
Even if you don't need a coupon, order one (I'm pretty sure the limitation is "one per household"). Then, when you find someone who runs more than one TV from a broadcast signal, sell your coupon to him or her for $20. You're $20 ahead, the person needing more than one converter has saved $20 and this rotten government welfare program will cost astronomically more than projected. The long-term benefit of this is that when jackass Congresscritters propose legislation like this in the future, there will be a concrete example to point to for a demonstration of how wrong the program will turn out to be.
I'm not saying it will stop a program but an instructive example is always good to have.
And why Craigslist? I figure it's a perfect forum for connecting buyers & sellers of the coupons. Short of having flea markets for them all over the country.
I have an idea for distributed small monetary gains, relying on disaggregation and putting only a few dollars in any one persons pocket. But it has the benefit of using "government largess" at a time government should be spanked hard for offering this in the first place.
No doubt you are aware that the broadcast television world is changing from analog to digital broadcasting in February. And that the febrile gummint is doing out $40 "coupons" to households to acquire digital converter boxes. I have my coupon (which I'll probably use at Circuit City out of pity - heh, Circuit Pity) so I can't participate in this setup. Those people who run all of their TVs off cable or satellite can, though.
Even if you don't need a coupon, order one (I'm pretty sure the limitation is "one per household"). Then, when you find someone who runs more than one TV from a broadcast signal, sell your coupon to him or her for $20. You're $20 ahead, the person needing more than one converter has saved $20 and this rotten government welfare program will cost astronomically more than projected. The long-term benefit of this is that when jackass Congresscritters propose legislation like this in the future, there will be a concrete example to point to for a demonstration of how wrong the program will turn out to be.
I'm not saying it will stop a program but an instructive example is always good to have.
And why Craigslist? I figure it's a perfect forum for connecting buyers & sellers of the coupons. Short of having flea markets for them all over the country.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Quote Of The Day
I don't do QOTDs normally. But I want to extract something from the increasingly valuable Billy Beck. I readily admit that it is lacking context so if you don't read the whole thing, shame on you.
I don't do QOTDs normally. But I want to extract something from the increasingly valuable Billy Beck. I readily admit that it is lacking context so if you don't read the whole thing, shame on you.
"One could perhaps be forgiven for thinking the 20th century's great moral argument had been settled."
Of course, the change does not survive examination against actual history -- nothing about these arguments was ever "settled" -- but that has nothing to do with general ignorance of the fact that the "economic argument" is an argument over consequences of a moral system. It is not fundamental in any way.
Monday, November 10, 2008
I just can't help myself...more questionable comic book covers..and panels..
A.) B.)
A.) B.)
A.) Robin?... hmmm..some A-M action..
B.) Another of the old Archie series..Superwhore?
C.)
D.)
C.) I dont want to think about this..
D.)
C.) I dont want to think about this.. D.) More Robin issues..
and this Spiderman..I would never have thought he was into this...
YYYEEEEEOOWWCH!!!
Sunday, November 09, 2008
A Sip Of Sweet Wine Amid The Bile
I've been hesitant to post for a while as I seem to have moved from "a bile chaser" to making it the main beverage. So I decided to lay off the whizzing on Indiana Jones and Maya Angelou for another day or so. Instead I figured I'd pick a weekend music embed that is sweetness and light. So I found Carrie Underwood singing the closing theme from the delightful Disney movie "Enchanted." If you haven't seen it and are willing to let Disney do all the regular Disney nonsense for a while (spontaneous song anyone?), please do see it. It prominently features the simultaneously gorgeous and endearing Amy Adams. Patrick Dempsey performs admirably as the male lead. Didn't think I'd ever type that line let me tell you what!
Bu I digress. The viddy has an unfortunate introduction from the brilliantly talented Ms. Underwood so please ignore that. Instead listen to the spectacular pure tone and sustained power of the first singing of the word "after" (20 seconds in). I'm no fan of the whole "American Idol" gig but I was in full agreement when this little lady won. What a set of pipes! She can hit and hold a note unlike the singers of melismatic sludge usually celebrated on that show. I'll claim that this is a shout out to the upcoming CMA awards show as well.
The actualy video is a bit on the cutesy side but pleasant enough. The "true love's kiss" line refers to one of the central themes of the movie wherein the princess was searching for "the most powerful thing in the world" being said kiss. Sounds cloying but Amy Adams carries it off nicely. That being said, I hope you like it:
PS My opinion is that the only other modern American female singer who could knock this one out of the park is another "country" (I'd say crossover) artist: Sara Evans.
I've been hesitant to post for a while as I seem to have moved from "a bile chaser" to making it the main beverage. So I decided to lay off the whizzing on Indiana Jones and Maya Angelou for another day or so. Instead I figured I'd pick a weekend music embed that is sweetness and light. So I found Carrie Underwood singing the closing theme from the delightful Disney movie "Enchanted." If you haven't seen it and are willing to let Disney do all the regular Disney nonsense for a while (spontaneous song anyone?), please do see it. It prominently features the simultaneously gorgeous and endearing Amy Adams. Patrick Dempsey performs admirably as the male lead. Didn't think I'd ever type that line let me tell you what!
Bu I digress. The viddy has an unfortunate introduction from the brilliantly talented Ms. Underwood so please ignore that. Instead listen to the spectacular pure tone and sustained power of the first singing of the word "after" (20 seconds in). I'm no fan of the whole "American Idol" gig but I was in full agreement when this little lady won. What a set of pipes! She can hit and hold a note unlike the singers of melismatic sludge usually celebrated on that show. I'll claim that this is a shout out to the upcoming CMA awards show as well.
The actualy video is a bit on the cutesy side but pleasant enough. The "true love's kiss" line refers to one of the central themes of the movie wherein the princess was searching for "the most powerful thing in the world" being said kiss. Sounds cloying but Amy Adams carries it off nicely. That being said, I hope you like it:
PS My opinion is that the only other modern American female singer who could knock this one out of the park is another "country" (I'd say crossover) artist: Sara Evans.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
A Whole New World Part The Second
I heard on the radio last evening that Maya Angelou is going to write a new poem for her maximum leader. Lord save us. Maya Angelou is very possibly the worst famous poet this country has ever produced. Pretentious, banal and small minded. I'll dig up the "poem" she wrote for Clinton and demonstrate later this afternoon.
After I go shopping and make cranberry sauce.
UPDATE: Make my into ripping tomorrow. Never got away from the house today and it's too late to adjust my expectations. Got to write another letter to the editor first.
I heard on the radio last evening that Maya Angelou is going to write a new poem for her maximum leader. Lord save us. Maya Angelou is very possibly the worst famous poet this country has ever produced. Pretentious, banal and small minded. I'll dig up the "poem" she wrote for Clinton and demonstrate later this afternoon.
After I go shopping and make cranberry sauce.
UPDATE: Make my into ripping tomorrow. Never got away from the house today and it's too late to adjust my expectations. Got to write another letter to the editor first.
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