Thursday, August 26, 2004
Adhering to the new policy, I am posting what I can when I can.
SO withthat in mind, I know many of you have tried to post comments inthe past but were unable to. WEll, I asked Blogger support about it,a nd they said that if anyone wants to post a comment they can without using a user name and password. All you have to do is post anonymously. Noone says that you can't sign your post at the end before you publish it.
Hopefully some of you will give it a try.
SO withthat in mind, I know many of you have tried to post comments inthe past but were unable to. WEll, I asked Blogger support about it,a nd they said that if anyone wants to post a comment they can without using a user name and password. All you have to do is post anonymously. Noone says that you can't sign your post at the end before you publish it.
Hopefully some of you will give it a try.
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
new policy...post what I can when I can. regardless of it's uglyness.
Song of the Day:
-Linkin Park "Breaking the Habit"
Oh, like you really care that her name is Ines Rivero
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Today In History:
In 1825, Uruguay (NO, it is not pronounced "U-R-Gay") declared independence from Brazil.
In 1875, Capt. Matthew Webb became the first person to swim across the English Channel, getting from Dover, England, to Calais, France, in 22 hours. As Fark.com might say, France surrenders.
In 1916, the National Park Service was established within the Department of the Interior.
In 1944, Romania declared war on Germany. Way to jump in at the END of the war there, Romania.
In 1950, President Truman ordered the Army to seize control of the nation's railroads to avert a strike.
In 1981, the U.S. spacecraft Voyager II came within 63,000 miles of Saturn's cloud cover, sending back pictures of and data about the ringed planet.
In 1984, author Truman Capote was found dead in a Los Angeles mansion; he was 59. Holly Golightl was a prostitute. There. I've said what everyone knows, and noone will admit to.
Today's Birthdays:
Game show host Monty Hall is 83.
Actor Sean Connery is 74.
Are you a person who prefers young or old Sean Connery?
vs. 
Actor Tom Skerritt is 71.
Tom is probably best remembered for his role in Steel Magnolias, where he is the husband to Dolly Pardon, who is busy solving Julia Roberts' emotional and physical problems with equal amounts sass, sympathy and orange juice. Tom's character is a Naval Officer that enjoys yelling at Tom Cruiise until it's learned that an alien has imbedded itself within "Goose", Tom cruises friend and co-pilot. It kills Goose by bursting out of his chest, Tom Cruise feels bad, and the alien kills Sally Field, Julia Roberts (but not her toddler son), and a really cranky lady. They are able to kill the alien, but they fear the alien may have impregnated Dolly Pardon with a chestburster (or 2) of her own.
Turns out they're just breasts. But don't feel bad about killing her..you had no way of knowing for sure.
Rock singer-actor Gene Simmons is 55.
He's better with the makeup than without.
Rock singer Rob Halford is 53.
What?! You thought he was 54?! YOu got another thing coming!
Lessee....Exciter. The Ripper. Hell Bent for Leather. Delivering the Goods. Pain and Pleasure. Turbo Lover. Ram It Down. Hard as Iron.
Oh, yeah. He's straight. (Rolls eyes.)
Movie director Tim Burton is 46.
There has yet to be a director that can get a Batman movie right SINCE Tim Burton. That says it all right there.
"You ever hear of the healing power of laughter?"
"Bruce!...Wayne. N'est pas?"
"Most of the time."
"You wouldn't hit a guy with glasses, would ya?"
"Bob? Gun."
shoots Bob.
"This town needs an enema!"
"Hello Benny. It's your Uncle Bingo. Time to pay the check!"
"It can be truly said that I have a bat in my belfry. Shall we dance?"
I could quote the movie all day long. How much time you have?
Crap, I could quote you the danged soundtrack, expertly written by Prince.
OR
Country singer Billy Ray Cyrus is 43.
I'm not posting a picture or quoting any Billy Ray song.
I'm just NOT.
NO.
Do you read this?
NO.
Actor Blair Underwood is 40.
Wrong BLair. And if you know which Blair (NOT BLAIR WITCH) THIS is, than shame on you for every watching this show. However, if you did watch this show, you were either a Blair or Jo person.
No one was ever a Natalie person.
And NO ONE liked "Tootie".
You hear me?
NO ONE.
(I was a Jo person, despite the rather, uh..., masculine tendancies. )
The idea of a woman able to throw a football as well as I is an incredibly sexy thought for me.
Anyway, here is BLair Underwood.
Shakespeare Quote of the Day:
"Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest"
Hamlet, Act v, Sc.2
Wrong kind of angel, though I doubt anyone is complaining...
Word of the Day:
nonpareil \non-puh-REL\, adjective:
Having no equal; peerless.
noun:
1. Something of unequaled excellence; a peerless thing or person.
2. A flat disk of chocolate covered with beads of colored sugar.
Topics on the Way:
Recent Anniversary
Bears trade for someone with an unpronouncable name
Twins must-watch players (a mis-nomer in previous years)
will talk soon.
Song of the Day:
I dont want to be the one
Who battles always choose
Cuz inside I realize
That I'm the one confused
I don't know what's worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
I don't know why I instigate
And say what I don't mean
I don't know how I got this way
I'll never be alright
So, I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit tonight
-Linkin Park "Breaking the Habit"
Oh, like you really care that her name is Ines Rivero
Today In History:
In 1825, Uruguay (NO, it is not pronounced "U-R-Gay") declared independence from Brazil.
In 1875, Capt. Matthew Webb became the first person to swim across the English Channel, getting from Dover, England, to Calais, France, in 22 hours. As Fark.com might say, France surrenders.
In 1916, the National Park Service was established within the Department of the Interior.
In 1944, Romania declared war on Germany. Way to jump in at the END of the war there, Romania.
In 1950, President Truman ordered the Army to seize control of the nation's railroads to avert a strike.
In 1981, the U.S. spacecraft Voyager II came within 63,000 miles of Saturn's cloud cover, sending back pictures of and data about the ringed planet.
In 1984, author Truman Capote was found dead in a Los Angeles mansion; he was 59. Holly Golightl was a prostitute. There. I've said what everyone knows, and noone will admit to.
Today's Birthdays:
Game show host Monty Hall is 83.
Actor Sean Connery is 74.
Are you a person who prefers young or old Sean Connery?
vs.
Actor Tom Skerritt is 71.
Tom is probably best remembered for his role in Steel Magnolias, where he is the husband to Dolly Pardon, who is busy solving Julia Roberts' emotional and physical problems with equal amounts sass, sympathy and orange juice. Tom's character is a Naval Officer that enjoys yelling at Tom Cruiise until it's learned that an alien has imbedded itself within "Goose", Tom cruises friend and co-pilot. It kills Goose by bursting out of his chest, Tom Cruise feels bad, and the alien kills Sally Field, Julia Roberts (but not her toddler son), and a really cranky lady. They are able to kill the alien, but they fear the alien may have impregnated Dolly Pardon with a chestburster (or 2) of her own.
Turns out they're just breasts. But don't feel bad about killing her..you had no way of knowing for sure.
Rock singer-actor Gene Simmons is 55.
He's better with the makeup than without.
Rock singer Rob Halford is 53.
What?! You thought he was 54?! YOu got another thing coming!
Lessee....Exciter. The Ripper. Hell Bent for Leather. Delivering the Goods. Pain and Pleasure. Turbo Lover. Ram It Down. Hard as Iron.
Oh, yeah. He's straight. (Rolls eyes.)
Movie director Tim Burton is 46.
There has yet to be a director that can get a Batman movie right SINCE Tim Burton. That says it all right there.
"You ever hear of the healing power of laughter?"
"Bruce!...Wayne. N'est pas?"
"Most of the time."
"You wouldn't hit a guy with glasses, would ya?"
"Bob? Gun."
shoots Bob.
"This town needs an enema!"
"Hello Benny. It's your Uncle Bingo. Time to pay the check!"
"It can be truly said that I have a bat in my belfry. Shall we dance?"
I could quote the movie all day long. How much time you have?
Crap, I could quote you the danged soundtrack, expertly written by Prince.
The arms of Orion, that's where I wanna be.
Since you've been gone I've been searching
for a lover in the sea of tranquility.
OR
OOh yeah, ooh yeah,
I wanna bust that body.
ooh yeah, ooh yeah
I wanna bust that body right.
Country singer Billy Ray Cyrus is 43.
I'm not posting a picture or quoting any Billy Ray song.
I'm just NOT.
NO.
Do you read this?
NO.
Actor Blair Underwood is 40.
Wrong BLair. And if you know which Blair (NOT BLAIR WITCH) THIS is, than shame on you for every watching this show. However, if you did watch this show, you were either a Blair or Jo person.
No one was ever a Natalie person.
And NO ONE liked "Tootie".
You hear me?
NO ONE.
(I was a Jo person, despite the rather, uh..., masculine tendancies. )
The idea of a woman able to throw a football as well as I is an incredibly sexy thought for me.
Anyway, here is BLair Underwood.
Shakespeare Quote of the Day:
"Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest"
Hamlet, Act v, Sc.2
Wrong kind of angel, though I doubt anyone is complaining...
Word of the Day:
nonpareil \non-puh-REL\, adjective:
Having no equal; peerless.
noun:
1. Something of unequaled excellence; a peerless thing or person.
2. A flat disk of chocolate covered with beads of colored sugar.
Topics on the Way:
Recent Anniversary
Bears trade for someone with an unpronouncable name
Twins must-watch players (a mis-nomer in previous years)
will talk soon.
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
Just so I can say I posted something without getting screwed by a timed out session!!
Monday, August 23, 2004
I ahd written so much, and was going to post. BUt something made me lose everything I've written. Now I'm disgusted with myself and can't bring myself to re-create it. I'll try again tmorrow.
Ugh. I can't believe it. It was going to be such a work of art...
AAARRRRGH.
Ugh. I can't believe it. It was going to be such a work of art...
AAARRRRGH.
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
I've lost something recently, and I have a vague idea what it is. I've lost the passion that Iused to have for things,and I've settled into some sort of muck that prevents me from feeling enthused about things. It may havesomething to do with the scractchy throat and clogged nostrils that I'm suffering through (I know...eeeeew.), or maybe it's some sort of depression.
I'm not sure. All I know is, football and writing and alot of the things I used to feel really strongly about...I don't feel strongly about any more.
Which is partly why I haven't been diligent about writing lately, so I apologize.
I guess I am looking for some inspiration, or some sort of spark to ignite my spirit, but nothing seems to be working. It's kinda like when someone asks you what you're hungry for, and you're not the least bit hungry. Nothing sounds good. Well, I'm not hungry, and nothing sounds good.
I know that many of you would say "What about football", "What about the mysteries of space", "What about denials of a homo-erotic subculture within the commercial industry, and it's affect on the economy as we know it?"
And to that I would say, "meh", "meh", and "It's silly to deny that there isn't more of an acceptance in the mainstream media towards gays and lesbians,with many shows and even some commercials either fully embracing or at least acknowledging the gay and lesbian community as a whole. With shows such as "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy", "Will and Grace", "Queer as Folk" finding such popular followings, it provides businesses the comfort to feel free to cater their goods and services to this particular demographic, which they may not have done as recently as a decade ago. However, this has little to do with my own predicament at the time, so why you even brought it up in the first place, I have no idea."
I still like football and astronomy and lesbians, but it doesn't hold my interst as it once did. Well, the lesbians do, but thatis unlikely to ever change. I feel ready for something new, but I know not what.
I'm not panickkin about it. It's not a mid-life crisis of sorts. OR if it is, I've recognized it for what it is. It's simply a transition point in my life where I'm getting ready for whatever change might come my way. There is the move to Oregon for example, and the family.
This growing up thing is hard, though.
A brief respite
I got home from work on Monday to learn that the neighborhood nanny was given a one-time job to clean the interior of a boat owned by a Hotel Owner here in MN. (He is friends with her Dad.) Neighborhood Nany invited The Wife along to help.
The Wife invited me along to watch the kids while they cleaned the boat. But after working 8-9 hours, did I REALLLY want to drive 30-45min to watch the kids run around while the wife cleaned up some millionaire's boat? Meh. Not really. But it forces me out of the house, and who knows what might happen?
So we drive down to Lake Minnetonka, and arrive at a small cabin right on one of the Lake Minnetonka bays.
Now, for those of you who don't know, Lake Minnetonka is THE PRIME REAL ESTATE in Minnesota. The Millionaire's playground. So it's kinda a big deal to be able to see this stuff. Our Millionaire boss was out of town, so he left the boat for the girls to clean,and I stayed on shore and watched the girls run around. The interior of the boat isn't all that big; it's about the size of a small RV in there, with a small bunk area to sleep, a spot to sit and play cards, a microwave, a tiny bathroom,and that's about it. Not enough work for 2 girls, but they did it anyway. Neighborhood Nanny's Dad was there to supervise, but really spent the time walking aroudn the property taking in the scenery.
Me? I taught the kids how to throw rocks into the lake. Away from the boats of course, but it was fun to show them how different sized rocks make different sized splashes. And once you get kids started throwing rocks into a lake, it's danged near impossible to get them to stop.
Soon enough, mom was finished, and N.N.D.(Neighborhood Nanny's Dad) decided he wanted to take the boat out. OK. Strap the kids into some life jackets, and away we go!
We tooled around the bay for a bit, and the baot is a glorified speeedboat really. I tried to find a picture on the net that accurately represents what we were on, but do you have any idea how many types of boats there are?
There is a small area on the front of the boat for 2 people to lay out and tan, and enjoy the sights as you float along. Everyone had a turn layoing on the front of the boat, and looking up at the darkening sky as the sun set, and enjoying a leisurely moment on the lake.
At one point, it was Anna and Bailey and I, and Anna turns to me and says "I love this life."
I do too, sweetheart.
I do too.
(Course, don't expect Dad to provide you with a $100,000 boat.)
I'm not sure. All I know is, football and writing and alot of the things I used to feel really strongly about...I don't feel strongly about any more.
Which is partly why I haven't been diligent about writing lately, so I apologize.
I guess I am looking for some inspiration, or some sort of spark to ignite my spirit, but nothing seems to be working. It's kinda like when someone asks you what you're hungry for, and you're not the least bit hungry. Nothing sounds good. Well, I'm not hungry, and nothing sounds good.
I know that many of you would say "What about football", "What about the mysteries of space", "What about denials of a homo-erotic subculture within the commercial industry, and it's affect on the economy as we know it?"
And to that I would say, "meh", "meh", and "It's silly to deny that there isn't more of an acceptance in the mainstream media towards gays and lesbians,with many shows and even some commercials either fully embracing or at least acknowledging the gay and lesbian community as a whole. With shows such as "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy", "Will and Grace", "Queer as Folk" finding such popular followings, it provides businesses the comfort to feel free to cater their goods and services to this particular demographic, which they may not have done as recently as a decade ago. However, this has little to do with my own predicament at the time, so why you even brought it up in the first place, I have no idea."
I still like football and astronomy and lesbians, but it doesn't hold my interst as it once did. Well, the lesbians do, but thatis unlikely to ever change. I feel ready for something new, but I know not what.
I'm not panickkin about it. It's not a mid-life crisis of sorts. OR if it is, I've recognized it for what it is. It's simply a transition point in my life where I'm getting ready for whatever change might come my way. There is the move to Oregon for example, and the family.
This growing up thing is hard, though.
A brief respite
I got home from work on Monday to learn that the neighborhood nanny was given a one-time job to clean the interior of a boat owned by a Hotel Owner here in MN. (He is friends with her Dad.) Neighborhood Nany invited The Wife along to help.
The Wife invited me along to watch the kids while they cleaned the boat. But after working 8-9 hours, did I REALLLY want to drive 30-45min to watch the kids run around while the wife cleaned up some millionaire's boat? Meh. Not really. But it forces me out of the house, and who knows what might happen?
So we drive down to Lake Minnetonka, and arrive at a small cabin right on one of the Lake Minnetonka bays.
Now, for those of you who don't know, Lake Minnetonka is THE PRIME REAL ESTATE in Minnesota. The Millionaire's playground. So it's kinda a big deal to be able to see this stuff. Our Millionaire boss was out of town, so he left the boat for the girls to clean,and I stayed on shore and watched the girls run around. The interior of the boat isn't all that big; it's about the size of a small RV in there, with a small bunk area to sleep, a spot to sit and play cards, a microwave, a tiny bathroom,and that's about it. Not enough work for 2 girls, but they did it anyway. Neighborhood Nanny's Dad was there to supervise, but really spent the time walking aroudn the property taking in the scenery.
Me? I taught the kids how to throw rocks into the lake. Away from the boats of course, but it was fun to show them how different sized rocks make different sized splashes. And once you get kids started throwing rocks into a lake, it's danged near impossible to get them to stop.
Soon enough, mom was finished, and N.N.D.(Neighborhood Nanny's Dad) decided he wanted to take the boat out. OK. Strap the kids into some life jackets, and away we go!
We tooled around the bay for a bit, and the baot is a glorified speeedboat really. I tried to find a picture on the net that accurately represents what we were on, but do you have any idea how many types of boats there are?
There is a small area on the front of the boat for 2 people to lay out and tan, and enjoy the sights as you float along. Everyone had a turn layoing on the front of the boat, and looking up at the darkening sky as the sun set, and enjoying a leisurely moment on the lake.
At one point, it was Anna and Bailey and I, and Anna turns to me and says "I love this life."
I do too, sweetheart.
I do too.
(Course, don't expect Dad to provide you with a $100,000 boat.)
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Song of the Day:
I ain't happy,
I'm feeling glad
I got sunshine in a bag
I'm useless but
Not for long
The future is coming on
It's coming on,
It's coming on
(Rah, yeah)
It's coming on,
It's coming on
Finally someone let me
Out of my cage
Now time for me is nothin'
'Cause I'm counting no age
Now I couldn't be there now
You shouldn't be scared
I'm good at repairs and
I'm under each snare
Intangible (ah y'all)
I bet you didn't think so
I command you to,
Panoramic view (you)
Look I'll make it
All manageable
Pick and choose,
Sit and lose
All you different crews
Chicks and dudes,
Who you think is
Really kicking tunes
Funny stuff. I try writing without a song of the day, and I can't do it. I've trained myself to write in tis forum so much that I can't work without the net. Sad, really. BUt now that I've posted the Song of the day, it flows from me like hot grease from a Denny's hamburger.
Yes, yes, I know. That's great Matt, but what is taking so long? Where's the freaking pictures?
"Why are you hiding under there?"
This Day in History:
In 1848, the Oregon Territory was established. In 2005, your Daily Update writer moved to Oregon. (Hopefully.)
In 1917, China declared war on Germany and Austria during World War I.
In 1944, the federal government allowed the manufacture of certain domestic appliances, such as electric ranges and vacuum cleaners, to resume on a limited basis. Frustrated and lonely housewives would apparently have to wait for the electric washing machines, however.
I've often wondered about that period of time, however. You've got the military draft taking just about every able bodied man from 18-to-whenever to ship across the sea and fight the Germans or Japanese, or whatever the location might be. So what is left behind for the girls of that demographic? The dating pool shrinks considerably, and if the military wont take them...did the men left behind that were NOT taken by the military get percieved as the scraps?
Based off of what I was taught by the schools growing up, you'd think that the women left behind had little to no prospects for romance and family and all that comes with that. The young men who were most virile and athletic..the ones that women would be most attracted to...the alpha males were shipped off, leaving what may have been percieved as the lesser males...the ones deemed not as fit and healthy as the others. Or men well out of their age group; older men who didn't qulify for the draft.
Women in their 20's who felt an inner need to propogate their species or to have a family seemed to have few options. Either get a sugar daddy in his 40's and 50's or go with one of the precious few men who were not drafted, even though he's not the Grade A meat they might have had at any other time in history.
Course the 3rd option is to forget men altogeather,and get togeather with other women. Which is all fine and dandy, as long as I get to watch.
Am I blowing it all out of porportion? Probably. I'm sure there were plenty of young guys around to date who weren't in the military, men who wouldn't kiss them good-bye, leaving them with the fear that in 2 weeks or in 2 years, tehy might have given their heart to someone who wasn't coming back.
Does any of this make sense at all, or am I babbling at this point? I just wonder if anyone else has had that same perception as I do, or if I am way off base.
In 1945, President Truman announced that Japan had surrendered unconditionally, ending World War II.
In 1951, newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst died in Beverly Hills, Calif.
In 1962, robbers held up a U.S. mail truck in Plymouth, Mass., making off with more than $1.5 million.
In 1969, British troops arrived in Northern Ireland to intervene in sectarian violence between Protestants and Roman Catholics. Because you know...the British are ALYWAYS welcome in Ireland. No history there...(rolls eyes)
Yahoo's Launchcast is a weird program....Frank Sinatra's "I wanna be around" -a song about wanting to be there when your lover's heart is broken by another, just like she broke yours- is followed by Nat King Cole's "Unforgettable". That's a pretty big leap across the spectrum of feelings. And for those that ahve feelings closer to the former, you probably know it's not compeltely far-fetched to go from one side to the other in such a quick moment. Love, hate....hate, love...all mixed in one big candy dish. And that's not Charleston Chew or Baby Ruth in there.
It seems impossible to love AND hate one at the same time, and yet there you are. And what emotion wins out changes from moment to moment. If you've seen lava lamps or other visual oddities you get the idea. Or maybe Oil and vinegar in a bottle. Only, they both have the same weight, so one isn't firmly sitting on top of the other. Two emotions, fluid and in motion, trying to claim dominancy over ones destiny and mood.
Two warriors locked in battle for what seems like eternity. Kinda like that Star Trek episode.
Only in this battle, the only hope for a future is to hope that love wins out. What is there to gain if the hatred wins?
Today's Birthdays:
Whoa, do we have some great birthdays for August 14th.
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Russell Baker is 79.
Comedian-actor Steve Martin is 59.
Steve Martin used to sell Mousekateer ears and Davey Crockett coonskin hats at DisneyLand before he became a "wild and crazy guy". Kind of easy to picture, isn't it?
Actor Antonio Fargas is 58. "Huggy Bear" for those that know. Apparently I'm not one of them, because when I saw the name, I thought of ALBERTO VARGAS, a famous pin up artist.
"Far Side" cartoonist Gary Larson is 54.
Actress Marcia Gay Harden is 45. I have no idea if she actually is.
Aptly named former basketball player Earvin "Magic" Johnson is 45.
I'd provide a link where you can get your own "Magic Johnson", but if you've found this website you either already have one, or know how to find the websites yourself.
Actress Catherine Bell is 36.
Actress Halle Berry is 36.
And if the other girls weren't enough....actress Mila Kunis is 21.
Word of the day:
gamine \gam-EEN; GAM-een\, noun:
1. A girl who wanders about the streets; an urchin.
2. A playfully mischievous girl or young woman.
Shakespeare quote of the day:
Tybalt: What! drawn, and talk of peace? I hate
the word,
As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee.
Have at thee, coward!
Romeo and Juliet Act I Sc. I
Madden 2005 is out,and lo, it is good. I could spend more time writing right now, but I'd rather go get my fix for that, seeing as how I am on hiatus until I can get my other fix. (T.M.I., provided in bulk.)
I feel sorry for my Madden 2004...only a day or so ago, it was perfectly fine. NOw? Discarded and set tto the side, unlikely to see the light of day ever again. Meanwhile, the siren calls. Have a good weekend,and we'll get deep again on Tuesday.
I ain't happy,
I'm feeling glad
I got sunshine in a bag
I'm useless but
Not for long
The future is coming on
It's coming on,
It's coming on
(Rah, yeah)
It's coming on,
It's coming on
Finally someone let me
Out of my cage
Now time for me is nothin'
'Cause I'm counting no age
Now I couldn't be there now
You shouldn't be scared
I'm good at repairs and
I'm under each snare
Intangible (ah y'all)
I bet you didn't think so
I command you to,
Panoramic view (you)
Look I'll make it
All manageable
Pick and choose,
Sit and lose
All you different crews
Chicks and dudes,
Who you think is
Really kicking tunes
Funny stuff. I try writing without a song of the day, and I can't do it. I've trained myself to write in tis forum so much that I can't work without the net. Sad, really. BUt now that I've posted the Song of the day, it flows from me like hot grease from a Denny's hamburger.
Yes, yes, I know. That's great Matt, but what is taking so long? Where's the freaking pictures?
"Why are you hiding under there?"
This Day in History:
In 1848, the Oregon Territory was established. In 2005, your Daily Update writer moved to Oregon. (Hopefully.)
In 1917, China declared war on Germany and Austria during World War I.
In 1944, the federal government allowed the manufacture of certain domestic appliances, such as electric ranges and vacuum cleaners, to resume on a limited basis. Frustrated and lonely housewives would apparently have to wait for the electric washing machines, however.
I've often wondered about that period of time, however. You've got the military draft taking just about every able bodied man from 18-to-whenever to ship across the sea and fight the Germans or Japanese, or whatever the location might be. So what is left behind for the girls of that demographic? The dating pool shrinks considerably, and if the military wont take them...did the men left behind that were NOT taken by the military get percieved as the scraps?
Based off of what I was taught by the schools growing up, you'd think that the women left behind had little to no prospects for romance and family and all that comes with that. The young men who were most virile and athletic..the ones that women would be most attracted to...the alpha males were shipped off, leaving what may have been percieved as the lesser males...the ones deemed not as fit and healthy as the others. Or men well out of their age group; older men who didn't qulify for the draft.
Women in their 20's who felt an inner need to propogate their species or to have a family seemed to have few options. Either get a sugar daddy in his 40's and 50's or go with one of the precious few men who were not drafted, even though he's not the Grade A meat they might have had at any other time in history.
Course the 3rd option is to forget men altogeather,and get togeather with other women. Which is all fine and dandy, as long as I get to watch.
Am I blowing it all out of porportion? Probably. I'm sure there were plenty of young guys around to date who weren't in the military, men who wouldn't kiss them good-bye, leaving them with the fear that in 2 weeks or in 2 years, tehy might have given their heart to someone who wasn't coming back.
Does any of this make sense at all, or am I babbling at this point? I just wonder if anyone else has had that same perception as I do, or if I am way off base.
In 1945, President Truman announced that Japan had surrendered unconditionally, ending World War II.
In 1951, newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst died in Beverly Hills, Calif.
In 1962, robbers held up a U.S. mail truck in Plymouth, Mass., making off with more than $1.5 million.
In 1969, British troops arrived in Northern Ireland to intervene in sectarian violence between Protestants and Roman Catholics. Because you know...the British are ALYWAYS welcome in Ireland. No history there...(rolls eyes)
Yahoo's Launchcast is a weird program....Frank Sinatra's "I wanna be around" -a song about wanting to be there when your lover's heart is broken by another, just like she broke yours- is followed by Nat King Cole's "Unforgettable". That's a pretty big leap across the spectrum of feelings. And for those that ahve feelings closer to the former, you probably know it's not compeltely far-fetched to go from one side to the other in such a quick moment. Love, hate....hate, love...all mixed in one big candy dish. And that's not Charleston Chew or Baby Ruth in there.
It seems impossible to love AND hate one at the same time, and yet there you are. And what emotion wins out changes from moment to moment. If you've seen lava lamps or other visual oddities you get the idea. Or maybe Oil and vinegar in a bottle. Only, they both have the same weight, so one isn't firmly sitting on top of the other. Two emotions, fluid and in motion, trying to claim dominancy over ones destiny and mood.
Two warriors locked in battle for what seems like eternity. Kinda like that Star Trek episode.
Only in this battle, the only hope for a future is to hope that love wins out. What is there to gain if the hatred wins?
Today's Birthdays:
Whoa, do we have some great birthdays for August 14th.
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Russell Baker is 79.
Comedian-actor Steve Martin is 59.
Steve Martin used to sell Mousekateer ears and Davey Crockett coonskin hats at DisneyLand before he became a "wild and crazy guy". Kind of easy to picture, isn't it?
Actor Antonio Fargas is 58. "Huggy Bear" for those that know. Apparently I'm not one of them, because when I saw the name, I thought of ALBERTO VARGAS, a famous pin up artist.
"Far Side" cartoonist Gary Larson is 54.
Actress Marcia Gay Harden is 45. I have no idea if she actually is.
Aptly named former basketball player Earvin "Magic" Johnson is 45.
I'd provide a link where you can get your own "Magic Johnson", but if you've found this website you either already have one, or know how to find the websites yourself.
Actress Catherine Bell is 36.
Actress Halle Berry is 36.
And if the other girls weren't enough....actress Mila Kunis is 21.
Word of the day:
gamine \gam-EEN; GAM-een\, noun:
1. A girl who wanders about the streets; an urchin.
2. A playfully mischievous girl or young woman.
Shakespeare quote of the day:
Tybalt: What! drawn, and talk of peace? I hate
the word,
As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee.
Have at thee, coward!
Romeo and Juliet Act I Sc. I
Madden 2005 is out,and lo, it is good. I could spend more time writing right now, but I'd rather go get my fix for that, seeing as how I am on hiatus until I can get my other fix. (T.M.I., provided in bulk.)
I feel sorry for my Madden 2004...only a day or so ago, it was perfectly fine. NOw? Discarded and set tto the side, unlikely to see the light of day ever again. Meanwhile, the siren calls. Have a good weekend,and we'll get deep again on Tuesday.
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Song of the Day:
Now there's tears on the pillow
darling where we slept
and you took my heart when you left
without your sweet kiss
my soul is lost, my friend
Now tell me how do I begin again?
My city's in ruins
My city's in ruins
Picture of Katherine Heigl for the best reason, which is of course, no reason:
That Day in History (August 10):
In 1846, Congress chartered the Smithsonian Institution named after English scientist James Smithson, whose bequest of half a million dollars had made it possible.
In 1874, Herbert Clark Hoover, the 31st president of the United States, was born in West Branch, Iowa.
In 1921, Franklin D. Roosevelt was stricken with polio at his summer home on the Canadian island of Campobello.
In 1944, during World War II, American forces overcame remaining Japanese resistance on Guam.
In 1969, Leno and Rosemary LaBianca were murdered in their Los Angeles home by members of Charles Manson's cult, one day after actress Sharon Tate and four other people were slain.
In 1977, postal employee David Berkowitz was arrested in Yonkers, N.Y., accused of being "Son of Sam," the gunman responsible for six slayings and seven woundings.
In 1988, President Reagan signed a measure providing $20,000 payments to Japanese-Americans who were interned during World War II.
In 1993, Ruth Bader Ginsburg was sworn in as the second female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
This Day in History:
In 1860, the nation's first successful silver mill began operation near Virginia City, Nev. This has nothing to do with Marvel character Silver Surfer.
In 1934, the first federal prisoners arrived at the island prison Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay.
In 1942, during World War II, Vichy government official Pierre Laval publicly declared that "the hour of liberation for France is the hour when Germany wins the war."
Exhibit 1A as to WHY people hate the French.
But not French dressing, because, mmm-mmm is that stuff tangy!
In 1956, abstract painter Jackson Pollock died in an automobile accident in East Hampton, N.Y.
Now, they're pretty and all....ut it is really anything more than what my 2 year old could do? And yet people refer to him as a genius... I don't get it.
In 1962, the Soviet Union launched cosmonaut Andrian Nikolayev on a 94-hour flight. 10 minutes later, they launched the rocket he was supposed to be in! Ha!
Ok, that wasn't funny to anyone but me.
In 1965, rioting and looting that claimed 34 lives broke out in the predominantly black Watts section of Los Angeles.
In 1978, chiefs of state and foreign dignitaries arrived in Vatican City for the funeral of Pope Paul VI.
In 1984, President Reagan joked during a voice test for a paid political radio address that he had "signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes."
Only kidding there, Gorby...
In 1992, the Mall of America, the biggest shopping mall in the U.S., opened in Bloomington, Minn.
Recent Birthdays:
Charlize Theron-29 (as of August 8th)
Antonio Banderas-44 (as of August 10th)
I'm straight, but that's a good looking man, right there.
Did I mention I'm straight?
Hulk Hogan-51 (today). give or take 40 years or so....
Word of the Day:
conflate \kuhn-FLAYT\, transitive verb:
1. To bring together; to fuse together; to join or meld.
2. To combine (as two readings of a text) into one whole.
Shakespeare quote of the Day:
Tybalt: Romeo, the hate I bear thee can afford
No better term than this,—thou art a villain.
Romeo and Juliet Act III, Scene I
Edgar Martinez
Let the record show that I hate Edgar Martinez. The man absolutely kills the Twins every damned year, and the one year (this one) taht I think he's finally fallen apart, and he announces his retirement. Well, great! No more Edgar to deal with, right?
Wrong.
Guy hits a home run to sink the Twins last night.
I hate Edgar Martinez.
It all started years ago, when I lived in teh Seattle Area. I didn't really ahve much against him, but then he started hitting everything the Twins threw at him. And then Tino Martinez came along, and 2x a game, I'd have to hear the Seattle PA guy introduce Tino or Edgar Maaar-TEEEEE-Nehzzzz! And BOTH of them would team up to trounce the twins every danged time Minnesota would play the Mariners. And of course, Tino moved on to greener pastures, but Edgar is still kicking our butt. This has to stop sooner or later.
Sex before Sports competition?
ESPN has an intersting article in regards to the Olympics coming up,and different athlete's views on how sex affects their performance in their different events. Some swear by some pre-tournament nookie, while others believe that the extra tension of abstinence adds to their competitive spirit. Makes 'em meaner.
For me, the only performance I have to worry about these days IS sex. It'd be a bit absurd to abstain from the one event I am competing in... Though the freestyle floor show is always entertaining to watch. In fact, it's completely backwards. The best reason I have to excercise is for my performance in sex, whereas for them, sex may or may not get in the way of excercize.
Either way, I should have put more effort into that danged Presidential Fitness Program back in grade school.
See, I already knew this. It just took an article for the rest of you to catch up:
An article published on CNN (And who doesn't repect the journalistic integrity of CNN?) states that your name contributes to just how sexy you are percieved by others.
Ok. So far so good! I think we can all agree that "Matt" is the sexiest name in all of creation...
But then thy have to bother to follow it all up with this...
So, in other words, I'm sexy because I'm gay.
Did I happen to mention that I'm straight?
Alexandrda Adi for no reason at all, and if you needed a reason it's to prop up my heterosexuality:
Publish! Publish now!
Now there's tears on the pillow
darling where we slept
and you took my heart when you left
without your sweet kiss
my soul is lost, my friend
Now tell me how do I begin again?
My city's in ruins
My city's in ruins
Picture of Katherine Heigl for the best reason, which is of course, no reason:
That Day in History (August 10):
In 1846, Congress chartered the Smithsonian Institution named after English scientist James Smithson, whose bequest of half a million dollars had made it possible.
In 1874, Herbert Clark Hoover, the 31st president of the United States, was born in West Branch, Iowa.
In 1921, Franklin D. Roosevelt was stricken with polio at his summer home on the Canadian island of Campobello.
In 1944, during World War II, American forces overcame remaining Japanese resistance on Guam.
In 1969, Leno and Rosemary LaBianca were murdered in their Los Angeles home by members of Charles Manson's cult, one day after actress Sharon Tate and four other people were slain.
In 1977, postal employee David Berkowitz was arrested in Yonkers, N.Y., accused of being "Son of Sam," the gunman responsible for six slayings and seven woundings.
In 1988, President Reagan signed a measure providing $20,000 payments to Japanese-Americans who were interned during World War II.
In 1993, Ruth Bader Ginsburg was sworn in as the second female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
This Day in History:
In 1860, the nation's first successful silver mill began operation near Virginia City, Nev. This has nothing to do with Marvel character Silver Surfer.
In 1934, the first federal prisoners arrived at the island prison Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay.
In 1942, during World War II, Vichy government official Pierre Laval publicly declared that "the hour of liberation for France is the hour when Germany wins the war."
Exhibit 1A as to WHY people hate the French.
But not French dressing, because, mmm-mmm is that stuff tangy!
In 1956, abstract painter Jackson Pollock died in an automobile accident in East Hampton, N.Y.
Now, they're pretty and all....ut it is really anything more than what my 2 year old could do? And yet people refer to him as a genius... I don't get it.
In 1962, the Soviet Union launched cosmonaut Andrian Nikolayev on a 94-hour flight. 10 minutes later, they launched the rocket he was supposed to be in! Ha!
Ok, that wasn't funny to anyone but me.
In 1965, rioting and looting that claimed 34 lives broke out in the predominantly black Watts section of Los Angeles.
In 1978, chiefs of state and foreign dignitaries arrived in Vatican City for the funeral of Pope Paul VI.
In 1984, President Reagan joked during a voice test for a paid political radio address that he had "signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes."
Only kidding there, Gorby...
In 1992, the Mall of America, the biggest shopping mall in the U.S., opened in Bloomington, Minn.
Recent Birthdays:
Charlize Theron-29 (as of August 8th)
Antonio Banderas-44 (as of August 10th)
I'm straight, but that's a good looking man, right there.
Did I mention I'm straight?
Hulk Hogan-51 (today). give or take 40 years or so....
Word of the Day:
conflate \kuhn-FLAYT\, transitive verb:
1. To bring together; to fuse together; to join or meld.
2. To combine (as two readings of a text) into one whole.
Shakespeare quote of the Day:
Tybalt: Romeo, the hate I bear thee can afford
No better term than this,—thou art a villain.
Romeo and Juliet Act III, Scene I
Edgar Martinez
Let the record show that I hate Edgar Martinez. The man absolutely kills the Twins every damned year, and the one year (this one) taht I think he's finally fallen apart, and he announces his retirement. Well, great! No more Edgar to deal with, right?
Wrong.
Guy hits a home run to sink the Twins last night.
I hate Edgar Martinez.
It all started years ago, when I lived in teh Seattle Area. I didn't really ahve much against him, but then he started hitting everything the Twins threw at him. And then Tino Martinez came along, and 2x a game, I'd have to hear the Seattle PA guy introduce Tino or Edgar Maaar-TEEEEE-Nehzzzz! And BOTH of them would team up to trounce the twins every danged time Minnesota would play the Mariners. And of course, Tino moved on to greener pastures, but Edgar is still kicking our butt. This has to stop sooner or later.
Sex before Sports competition?
ESPN has an intersting article in regards to the Olympics coming up,and different athlete's views on how sex affects their performance in their different events. Some swear by some pre-tournament nookie, while others believe that the extra tension of abstinence adds to their competitive spirit. Makes 'em meaner.
For me, the only performance I have to worry about these days IS sex. It'd be a bit absurd to abstain from the one event I am competing in... Though the freestyle floor show is always entertaining to watch. In fact, it's completely backwards. The best reason I have to excercise is for my performance in sex, whereas for them, sex may or may not get in the way of excercize.
Either way, I should have put more effort into that danged Presidential Fitness Program back in grade school.
See, I already knew this. It just took an article for the rest of you to catch up:
An article published on CNN (And who doesn't repect the journalistic integrity of CNN?) states that your name contributes to just how sexy you are percieved by others.
Men with "front vowels" in their names -- sounds formed at the front of the mouth like the "a" in Matt -- were considered sexier than men with "back vowel" sounds like the "au" in Paul, she concluded.
The opposite held for women, who were sexier with back vowels than front ones.
Ok. So far so good! I think we can all agree that "Matt" is the sexiest name in all of creation...
But then thy have to bother to follow it all up with this...
Perfors said front vowels are often perceived as "smaller" than back vowels, so the difference could be a sign that women are seeking men that are sensitive or gentle, traits usually perceived as feminine.
So, in other words, I'm sexy because I'm gay.
Did I happen to mention that I'm straight?
Alexandrda Adi for no reason at all, and if you needed a reason it's to prop up my heterosexuality:
Publish! Publish now!
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
Song of the Day:
There she goes
There she goes again
Racing through my brain
And I just can't contain
This feeling that remains
There she goes
There she goes again
Pulsing through my veins
And I just can't contain
This feeling that remains
Picture of Rosa Blasi for no reason:
This Day in History:
In 1914, Germany declared war on France. It must have been for hte lingerie. Be sure to check out the "Lecons" section. Some very talented photographers, there.
A sampling, for you...
In 1923, Calvin Coolidge was sworn in as the 30th president of the United States, following the death of Warren G. Harding.
In 1936, the State Department urged Americans in Spain to leave because of that country's civil war.
In 1943, Gen. George S. Patton slapped a private at an army hospital in Sicily, accusing him of cowardice. (Patton was later ordered by Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower to apologize for this and a second, similar episode.)
In 1949, the National Basketball Association was formed. Tall Men everywhere rejoice. Wilt Chamberlain is 13, and thanks to the NBA, becomes the most prolific scorer of his time. IfyouknowwhatImean....
In 1958, the nuclear-powered submarine Nautilus became the first vessel to cross the North Pole under there. "Under where?" Ha ha ha....that joke never gets old! Underwater.
In 1980, closing ceremonies were held in Moscow for the 1980 Summer Olympic Games, which had been boycotted by dozens of countries, including the United States.
In 1981, U.S. air traffic controllers went on strike, despite a warning from President Reagan they would be fired, which they were.
In 1987, the Iran-Contra congressional hearings ended, with none of the 29 witnesses tying President Reagan directly to the diversion of arms-sales profits to Nicaraguan rebels.
In 1993, the Senate voted 96-3 to confirm Supreme Court nominee Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Today's birthdays:
Singer Tony Bennett is 78.
Actor Martin Sheen is 64.
Lifestyle guru Martha Stewart is 63.
Movie director John Landis is 54.
Rock singer James Hetfield (Metallica) is 41.
Hip-hop artist Spinderella (Salt-N-Pepa) is 33.
Word of the Day:
apotheosis, noun
plural apotheoses \-seez\:
1. Elevation to divine rank or stature; deification.
2. An exalted or glorified example; a model of excellence or perfection of a kind.
Shakespeare quote of the day:
"To thine own self be true; and it must follow, as the night the day, thou can'st not then be false to any man"
Hamlet, Act i, Sc.3
Twins trade Doug
It was bound to happen at some point. Just a matter of time. Apparently Doug was so vocal about wanting out that the Twins felt they had no choice but to trade him to prevent the clubhouse from becoming the Maginot Line.
I'll miss Doug and his defense. It was like re-living the days that Kent Hrbek was out there, having a 1st baseman who took pride in defense. But with as oft-injured as he was, and with how much better Justin Morneau is hitting htan him....it was best to get what you could for him.
The disturbing part was that we didn't get any immediate help for the playoff push. Not a backup catcher, or a starting pitcher, or a middle infielder better than Rivas/Guzman. Like, say, Nomar. BUt I don't really blame the GM for not getting a major league pitcher...Kris Benson was the best (reasonable) pithcer available. Randy Johnson was NOT about to head to Minnesota, and Kris Benson wasn't worth a top prospect like Justin Morneau or Jason Kubel, etc. for only 2-3 months of work out of him. He wouldn't have re-signed here after this season ended, so it simply wasn't realistic to give up that much talent for that short of time.
BUt even still...it'd be nice to add another arm to the rotation for a solid push to the playoffs. The good news is that it's starting to look like it's not going to be necessary. Chicago is slowly dropping out of the race, down 4 or 5 games. It's possible that they could get back, because there is alot of baseball yet to be played. But for the moment, it looks like hte Twins are starting to put some room between them and the other members of the division. And the best part? Chicago made a bunch of trades to load up for their own playoff run, and it seems to have hurt them more than it helped. Trades for Everett and Garcia haven't sparked the team as it was supposed to, and while COntrares hasn't pitched for them yet...well, if he was pitching all that great in new York, why owuld htey have been in the market for a starting pitcher like Loiza?
Caroline Ardohain Break!
Dream Analysis:
Interesting dream I had, last night. (No, not that.) I dreamt I was in some sort of downtown rooftop setting, onmy way to some sort of meeting, when a co-worker stopped me, and re-directed me to a bar, in order to hang out and lift my spirits. THat co-worker? Incredible E. ANd there wasn't anything sexual about it..it was just 2 friends hanging out having a drink and talking. Later on in the dream, the wife showed up to pick me up, the kids running around under foot,a nd we had to corral them abck into the vehicle, because we were running late for some odd thing.
SOme dreams require deep introspection to understand what they mean. Others are just scinema for the mind. This one seemed to have no real message, other than a wish to kick back and talk of old times,and enjoy some good company. I guess I just miss my friend.
And for me, it's a heck of a revelation in and of itself, because while E and I have been friends, and have had many conversations, we didn't socialize much. I deeply regret that now.
E, I wanted to take the oppurtunity to tell you that your friendship means alot to me...even more than I thought it did.
Sunday, August 1st was another old friends birthday. I wrote about him before. Ryan Swanson would have been 27. He and I never got a chance to socialize, and never got a chance to build on our at-work relationship. And while it's not soley because of Ryan that I regret it, it IS a GOOD reason. As someone who liked Ryan as much as I did, I'm sure that you'll understand, and won't be offended.
I miss Ryan. And I miss E. I don't miss E because I miss Ryan, and yet at the same tiem I miss E because I miss Ryan. I miss you for your own seperate reasons, and for some fo the same reasons. At this point I'm rambling, so I think it's best I move on.
My birthday
August 4th marks my own 28th birthday. What I will do for my birthday, I don't know. Maybe go check out that Bavarian resteraunt Winzer Stube. Maybe spend some cash at Victoria's Secret on Booty Shorts. (Some for me, some for the wife. )
(Ok, maybe none for the wife. )
(Oh, come ON! I'm kidding!)
The girls will probably bake me a cake, which I in all seriousness, can't wait to try. Anna, with her inclination to cooking, will probably orchestrate everything as she seesit, by cracking the eggs. Restory will mix it, supervise the addtion of the critical components, and ask if she can frost it. Mom will say no, ansdrestory will throw a mini-pout fest. Bailey? I dunno. Drool into the batter, possibly. It'll be the sweetest cake I'll ever have.
And then maybe just enough time that night to spend some time with the wife.
Oh, wait. I'm married. Never mind.
Ok, that was wrong on alot of different levels. I apologize.
Correction
Turns out The Ranch on Showtime is actually a 1 time deal....it's not a re-occuring show. A failed pilot they felt they had to release anyway. All I can hope is that enough people will tune in and give the show a 2nd life. CHances of that happening? About the same as being married and ge... never mind.
Random thoughts
If I see one more damned Reality Series built around poker that doesn't involve the ladies pictured in this publication playing the Strip version, then, well...I'll whine and complain and eagerly await the day that they stop putting the shows on TV. Not MUCH of a threat really, but it's all I have.
Maybe if I'm really really lucky (no, not that!) (well, maybe that....) the wife and I will be able to attend a movie on Wednesday (my birthday). If so, we'll go check out the Village. I'll get abck to you either way.
Is it just me, or does anyone else obsess over the items that surround their birthdate, like different historical events, or famous people that share the same birth day (Roger Clemens, Jeff Gordon, the Queen of England before she died)? I can't be the only one. I have yet to see my horoscope in the paper for " IF your birthday is today.." kinda thing.
What I want for my birthday:
(other than that)
1. Mel Gibson's Hamlet. After seeing Kenneth Branaghs version of Hamlet, its obvious that Mels version is better. Ken has his guys reciting the lines with no change in tone at all, firing off the lines as fast as they can get tehm out. Sorry. give me emotion in my Shakespeare, not speed reading.
2. A chicago style pizza.
3. A web site that I can upload and host pictures at, so I can get some pics of the girls up here for you all. (My girls, not the hoochie kind.)
4. Beer for my horses. Whiskey for my friends.
5. Forgiveness for referring to a country western song.
6. Any trace of Celine Dion's singing to immediately disintegrate, with no hope for making more.
7. For crying out loud, The Bears to sweep the Packers in the regular season. Just run them down, and turn them into paste. (Same wish every year,a nd yet it never happens...)
8. My family and friends to know how much I've loved being allowed to be part of their lives. Thank all of you for all you have done for me over the years, especially for the things I'll never know about.
We'll see you later this week.
There she goes
There she goes again
Racing through my brain
And I just can't contain
This feeling that remains
There she goes
There she goes again
Pulsing through my veins
And I just can't contain
This feeling that remains
Picture of Rosa Blasi for no reason:
This Day in History:
In 1914, Germany declared war on France. It must have been for hte lingerie. Be sure to check out the "Lecons" section. Some very talented photographers, there.
A sampling, for you...
In 1923, Calvin Coolidge was sworn in as the 30th president of the United States, following the death of Warren G. Harding.
In 1936, the State Department urged Americans in Spain to leave because of that country's civil war.
In 1943, Gen. George S. Patton slapped a private at an army hospital in Sicily, accusing him of cowardice. (Patton was later ordered by Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower to apologize for this and a second, similar episode.)
In 1949, the National Basketball Association was formed. Tall Men everywhere rejoice. Wilt Chamberlain is 13, and thanks to the NBA, becomes the most prolific scorer of his time. IfyouknowwhatImean....
In 1958, the nuclear-powered submarine Nautilus became the first vessel to cross the North Pole under there. "Under where?" Ha ha ha....that joke never gets old! Underwater.
In 1980, closing ceremonies were held in Moscow for the 1980 Summer Olympic Games, which had been boycotted by dozens of countries, including the United States.
In 1981, U.S. air traffic controllers went on strike, despite a warning from President Reagan they would be fired, which they were.
In 1987, the Iran-Contra congressional hearings ended, with none of the 29 witnesses tying President Reagan directly to the diversion of arms-sales profits to Nicaraguan rebels.
In 1993, the Senate voted 96-3 to confirm Supreme Court nominee Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Today's birthdays:
Singer Tony Bennett is 78.
Actor Martin Sheen is 64.
Lifestyle guru Martha Stewart is 63.
Movie director John Landis is 54.
Rock singer James Hetfield (Metallica) is 41.
Hip-hop artist Spinderella (Salt-N-Pepa) is 33.
Word of the Day:
apotheosis, noun
plural apotheoses \-seez\:
1. Elevation to divine rank or stature; deification.
2. An exalted or glorified example; a model of excellence or perfection of a kind.
Shakespeare quote of the day:
"To thine own self be true; and it must follow, as the night the day, thou can'st not then be false to any man"
Hamlet, Act i, Sc.3
Twins trade Doug
It was bound to happen at some point. Just a matter of time. Apparently Doug was so vocal about wanting out that the Twins felt they had no choice but to trade him to prevent the clubhouse from becoming the Maginot Line.
I'll miss Doug and his defense. It was like re-living the days that Kent Hrbek was out there, having a 1st baseman who took pride in defense. But with as oft-injured as he was, and with how much better Justin Morneau is hitting htan him....it was best to get what you could for him.
The disturbing part was that we didn't get any immediate help for the playoff push. Not a backup catcher, or a starting pitcher, or a middle infielder better than Rivas/Guzman. Like, say, Nomar. BUt I don't really blame the GM for not getting a major league pitcher...Kris Benson was the best (reasonable) pithcer available. Randy Johnson was NOT about to head to Minnesota, and Kris Benson wasn't worth a top prospect like Justin Morneau or Jason Kubel, etc. for only 2-3 months of work out of him. He wouldn't have re-signed here after this season ended, so it simply wasn't realistic to give up that much talent for that short of time.
BUt even still...it'd be nice to add another arm to the rotation for a solid push to the playoffs. The good news is that it's starting to look like it's not going to be necessary. Chicago is slowly dropping out of the race, down 4 or 5 games. It's possible that they could get back, because there is alot of baseball yet to be played. But for the moment, it looks like hte Twins are starting to put some room between them and the other members of the division. And the best part? Chicago made a bunch of trades to load up for their own playoff run, and it seems to have hurt them more than it helped. Trades for Everett and Garcia haven't sparked the team as it was supposed to, and while COntrares hasn't pitched for them yet...well, if he was pitching all that great in new York, why owuld htey have been in the market for a starting pitcher like Loiza?
Caroline Ardohain Break!
Dream Analysis:
Interesting dream I had, last night. (No, not that.) I dreamt I was in some sort of downtown rooftop setting, onmy way to some sort of meeting, when a co-worker stopped me, and re-directed me to a bar, in order to hang out and lift my spirits. THat co-worker? Incredible E. ANd there wasn't anything sexual about it..it was just 2 friends hanging out having a drink and talking. Later on in the dream, the wife showed up to pick me up, the kids running around under foot,a nd we had to corral them abck into the vehicle, because we were running late for some odd thing.
SOme dreams require deep introspection to understand what they mean. Others are just scinema for the mind. This one seemed to have no real message, other than a wish to kick back and talk of old times,and enjoy some good company. I guess I just miss my friend.
And for me, it's a heck of a revelation in and of itself, because while E and I have been friends, and have had many conversations, we didn't socialize much. I deeply regret that now.
E, I wanted to take the oppurtunity to tell you that your friendship means alot to me...even more than I thought it did.
Sunday, August 1st was another old friends birthday. I wrote about him before. Ryan Swanson would have been 27. He and I never got a chance to socialize, and never got a chance to build on our at-work relationship. And while it's not soley because of Ryan that I regret it, it IS a GOOD reason. As someone who liked Ryan as much as I did, I'm sure that you'll understand, and won't be offended.
I miss Ryan. And I miss E. I don't miss E because I miss Ryan, and yet at the same tiem I miss E because I miss Ryan. I miss you for your own seperate reasons, and for some fo the same reasons. At this point I'm rambling, so I think it's best I move on.
My birthday
August 4th marks my own 28th birthday. What I will do for my birthday, I don't know. Maybe go check out that Bavarian resteraunt Winzer Stube. Maybe spend some cash at Victoria's Secret on Booty Shorts. (Some for me, some for the wife. )
(Ok, maybe none for the wife. )
(Oh, come ON! I'm kidding!)
The girls will probably bake me a cake, which I in all seriousness, can't wait to try. Anna, with her inclination to cooking, will probably orchestrate everything as she seesit, by cracking the eggs. Restory will mix it, supervise the addtion of the critical components, and ask if she can frost it. Mom will say no, ansdrestory will throw a mini-pout fest. Bailey? I dunno. Drool into the batter, possibly. It'll be the sweetest cake I'll ever have.
And then maybe just enough time that night to spend some time with the wife.
Oh, wait. I'm married. Never mind.
Ok, that was wrong on alot of different levels. I apologize.
Correction
Turns out The Ranch on Showtime is actually a 1 time deal....it's not a re-occuring show. A failed pilot they felt they had to release anyway. All I can hope is that enough people will tune in and give the show a 2nd life. CHances of that happening? About the same as being married and ge... never mind.
Random thoughts
If I see one more damned Reality Series built around poker that doesn't involve the ladies pictured in this publication playing the Strip version, then, well...I'll whine and complain and eagerly await the day that they stop putting the shows on TV. Not MUCH of a threat really, but it's all I have.
Maybe if I'm really really lucky (no, not that!) (well, maybe that....) the wife and I will be able to attend a movie on Wednesday (my birthday). If so, we'll go check out the Village. I'll get abck to you either way.
Is it just me, or does anyone else obsess over the items that surround their birthdate, like different historical events, or famous people that share the same birth day (Roger Clemens, Jeff Gordon, the Queen of England before she died)? I can't be the only one. I have yet to see my horoscope in the paper for " IF your birthday is today.." kinda thing.
What I want for my birthday:
(other than that)
1. Mel Gibson's Hamlet. After seeing Kenneth Branaghs version of Hamlet, its obvious that Mels version is better. Ken has his guys reciting the lines with no change in tone at all, firing off the lines as fast as they can get tehm out. Sorry. give me emotion in my Shakespeare, not speed reading.
2. A chicago style pizza.
3. A web site that I can upload and host pictures at, so I can get some pics of the girls up here for you all. (My girls, not the hoochie kind.)
4. Beer for my horses. Whiskey for my friends.
5. Forgiveness for referring to a country western song.
6. Any trace of Celine Dion's singing to immediately disintegrate, with no hope for making more.
7. For crying out loud, The Bears to sweep the Packers in the regular season. Just run them down, and turn them into paste. (Same wish every year,a nd yet it never happens...)
8. My family and friends to know how much I've loved being allowed to be part of their lives. Thank all of you for all you have done for me over the years, especially for the things I'll never know about.
We'll see you later this week.
