MEME: Ten Happiness & Five Wonders

I got tagged. So here you go. A meme unplanned for. Dangling participle or some such. I don't care – read the answers.

List ten things that make you happy (in no particular order), and then tag five people to do the same.

1. The joyful greeting that Willow gives me every time I let her out of her kennel.

2. “Little P” and “Pumpkin” taking time out of their alpha cat duties to greet me every time I come outside.

3. That little smile my wife gets after an orgasm.

4. A photo turning out right. (Much easier with digital, but still, I get that little rush when it's a “keeper.”)

5. Entering a curve, power on, picking the perfect line so the apex slides by *just so* then applying even more power as I exit with the tires chirping their protest.

6. Watching my brother when he paddles in earnest. He's so damn graceful.

7. Sitting in the shade of a tall old tree on a hot summer's day, remembering vignettes of the kids and their mom, back in the day.

8. That first drink of the day. The thunks and then the clink of the ice as I extract it from the freezer bin and drop it into their iced vessel, the oily slide of the whiskey around the ice cubes, burning off the frost as it slowly rises towards the rim of the double old fashioned glass. There is such promise in the crack of an ice cube adjusting to new temperatures as it lies in the nectar of the gods. The bouquet as I bring it to my nose. It was a good year, made better by a splash of soda – the proper counterpoint to the scotch, anathema of bourbon. Then that first sip. Liquid fire spreading down my throat, the involuntary shiver as the super-cooled alcohol hits my gullet and “They're Off!”

   Seventeen years without a drink. But I remember it like it was only yesterday.

9. The crack of an ash baseball bat as I knock one out of the park in my dreams of greatness. Even if I”m only shagging flyballs for the dog to chase.

10. The calm that envelopes me as I confront another of my fears in a dangerous situation. There's nothing purer, more elemental than that. Try it. You might like it, too.

    OK, the instructions by Cynthia of A Crazy Quilt Life are to tag five (5) more people to play. So I am picking some of my favorite bloggers: Carly, Andrea, Vince, Shelly, Gerrit. Go forth and be fruitflies. Or something like that...

TV: An Amazing Rant

Are you a big fan of REality TV, such as The Amazing Race? If so, try this wonderful rant by writer Tod Goldberg on for size. No, it is't directed at you ... unless your name is Weaver.

SAM Attack Ignored By Media

Tryptophan-induced lethargy? Strong-arm threats from the administration? True laziness? Fear of reprisal?

Who knows? What is known is the mainstream media (MSM) have been ignoring reports of a Surface-to-Air missle (SAM) attack on a American Airlines jet liner upon takeoff from LAX .

Rather than repeat what has been already written, I direct you to Witnit's excellent coverage.

It just pisses me off no end that the Pettybees think they can sit on a story like this. Bastards!

UPDATE: Here's a follow-up to the previous info. Very interesting. And you never heard a thing on the evening news about it, now did you?

MEME: Tuesday Two - Episode 9

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

For those who have never played, the rules are simple: {Patrick} offers two different questions, both related to the same topic, but you only choose one of them to actually answer.

Last week, Jamilyn of "Quiz Me: Jamilyn's Quiz Central" was first to answer the question about "Charity." Congratulations, Jamilyn.

Now, onto this week's choice of questions. And remember: don't answer both questions! You'll find out why next week!


THIS WEEK'S TOPIC: THE FUTURE

QUESTION A:
You are given the chance to open one of three envelopes. The first, labeled "WHEN," will reveal the exact date and time of your death; the second, labeled "HOW," will reveal the method of your demise, and the third, marked "VALUE," would reveal how much or how little you will be remembered after you're gone. If you had to select and read the contents of one of the envelopes, which would you choose and why?

or

QUESTION B:
You receive an email that is sent to you from yourself 10 years in the future. After reading the first paragraph, you recognize your distinctive style and there are enough authenticating details to eliminate any doubt but that the letter is -- somehow -- from your future self. The second paragraph indicates that there are three critical dates coming in the next ten years that you need to be aware of, so that you can make "better decisions" than the ones this future self made. If the scenarios described did NOT contain the actual decision this alternate you already made, but only focused on what conflict you'd be faced with so that you could have advance notice to think about how you might react, would you be willing to read about those three events?


For each pair, choose A or B, (indicate which question you're answering!) then either answer the question in a comment here or answer it in your journal and include the link in a comment. (To be considered "first to play," a link must be to the specific entry in which you answered the question.)

Remember: choose one or the other in each pair...not both!

I'll be answering the first question, thank you. One of Robert Heinlein's earliest stories concerned a seer who could do what you have asked. He could “see” the date, time and manner of your death. It was a good little story and I enjoyed it thoroughly as it served as fodder for an inner discussion (AKA “head noise”).

So yes, I would choose an envelope, specifically “WHEN.” I see no point in concerning myself with how the future views me. That's their problem, not mine. I don't particularly care to know the mechanism of my death, although the larcenist in me would stick it to a life insurance company in a heartbeat for a big payout. But the date and time could be a useful estate planning tool. While I'm attached to living, I also know that life comes to an end with amazing regularity. As an organism in the general scheme of things I have been highly unsuccessful as I consciously chose to not replicate myself or to provide for the continuation of my genes – the sole purpose of life at its most elemental. But, I am married and the sentimental portion of my mind would like to assure myself I have made adequate provisions for the continued care and support of my wife after I shuffle off this mortal coil. If I knew when, I could assure myself that all was ready for her future without me.

Keep the faith and mind the creek don't rise. Look on the bright side – Wednesday is hump day. You know what THAT means, don't you? Somewhere, a bunch of employees are humping in the back room...

And so it goes.

Anna's Word Association

Blame it on Annalisa, as she is really far more complex and disturbing than she lets on in her blog, Simple and Satisfying.

1. God = myth
2. Inspire = exhale
3. Rattle = death
4. Belief = magical thinking
5. Carriage = house
6. Pound = avoirdupois
7. Slippery = when wet
8. Virtue = hard to come by
9. Count = Chocula
10. Dreams = nightmares

HUMOR: Top 10 Signs Your Dog's A Doppelganger!

The Top 10 Signs Your Real Dog
Has Been Replaced By a Robot Dog

1. No longer has any problem typing. In fact, he's posted naked pictures of your cat on the Web.

2. "Fetch!" "I'm afraid I can't do that, Dave."

3. After he's mangled in a terrible explosion, his one-armed torso still pursues the mailman.

4. When you fake throwing a ball for him to fetch, you hear, "Projectile Analysis Module reports error Division By Zero -- Aborting!"

5. He not only chases cars, he catches them, drags them back, and buries them in the front yard.

6. Pages you when little Timmy falls down the old well.

7. Frequently eats documents left lying around the house, presses tail into phone jack, and leaves you with expensive long-distance phone bills to China.

8. Three words: "Yo quiero Pennzoil."

9. Tell-tale oil stains when he drags his butt across the carpet.

10. Run-in with the invisible fence makes for the greatest Fourth of July spectacle the town's ever seen.

[ Do not forward, publish, broadcast, or use in any manner without
without crediting "The Top 5 List at http://www.topfive.com" ]

Blogspot Freeze?

I haven't been able to see my blog in Firefox for most of the night. Well, since 6 PM EST or so until just now. I HAVE been able to post entries. I just couldn't see the results until now.

Odd, that.

Meme: Unconcious Muttering -- Week 148

Unconscious Mutterings:: Free association

is described as a "psychonanalytic procedure in which a person is encouraged to give free rein to his or her thoughts and feelings, verbalizing whatever comes into the mind without monitoring its content." Over time, this technique is supposed to help bring forth repressed thoughts and feelings that the person can then work through to gain a better sense of self.

That's an admirable goal, but for the purposes of this excercise, we're just hoping to have a little fun with the technique. Each week I'll post ten words to which you can respond to with the first thing that comes to mind.

"Rules are, there are no rules." There are no right or wrong answers. Don't limit yourself to one word responses; just say everything that pops into your head. AND you don't have to have your words up on Sunday. Take all week if you want! Read the FAQ for more information.

Sunday, December 04, 2005

Week 148

Words were posted 1 day, 18 hours, 46 minutes ago

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Amazing:: Kreskin ( an old magician, in case you were born after 1980)

2. Delights:: afternoon

3. Inspired:: rendering

4. Disgusted:: repulsed

5. You:: and me and baby makes three

6. Vagina:: yoni

7. Palm:: hearts of

8. Sweetheart:: SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed)

9. Guilt:: I have some...

10. More to come:: After the break

Want to play along? It's easy. Just swing by La Luna Niña's place and grab this week's words and supply your responses on your own blog or in the comments over at that crazy chica's virtual abode. What could be simpler? And you know, I can guarantee you won't be burning no more tortillas if you do as I say and only stoke the fire a little at a time, mi gordita corazon ...

Is Everybody On Drugs?

Here via Dr. ibear, aka as the proprietor of Doc Around The Clock, is a link to a very funny cartoon entitled "License To Pill." This animated mayhem is set to Billy Joel's song We Didn't Start the Fire. Only the lyrics have been changed to protect the guilty.

Dial-up users are going to be frustrated as all get out with an hour or two download. Trust me when I say it is worth it. Have I ever steered you wrong? (Uncle Jesse, I told you that on purpose to get you to stop hitting on my wife. Any fool with half a brain, not physically connected to his balls, knows there are no cows giving out chocolate milk, be they Dutch Friesans or not...)

MEME: Monday Madnes -- On The Move!

This week's questions are all about moving... Have fun, and thank you so much for playing! =)

1. When is the last time you moved? 1977

2. How many times in your life have you moved? 19, I think. Might have been more. Most happened between 1968 and 1977.

3. In your opinion, what is the worst thing about moving? The physical labor involved. It is so reminiscent of doing repetitive chores, like laundry or dishes and just as unrewarding.

4. What is the most exciting thing about moving? Change. Change is exciting, exhilarating, fearsome, wondrous and tedious, all in one.

5. If you've lived in the same place all your life, do you plan to move in the future? N/A

6. Do you WANT to move somewhere else; if so, where? Yep. Someplace warmer, where winter isn't the dominant climatological feature of life. But, before my step-daughter goes kerplatz from anticipation, not Louisiana anytime soon. For one thing, too hot. But on a more practical level, any thoughts of imminent moves to the land of mud bugs and beer have been squashed by the destruction wrought by Katrina. It'll be years before the area recovers to a point where I wouldn't be consumed by guilt for taking away a housing opportunity by someone less fortunate.

   Maybe North Carolina. It's just this foolish need to be close to salt water, I guess. Florida is OK for me, but SWMBO says no. The rest of the Gulf is FUBARed for the time being. So I don't know. Texas is a no-no to both of us. Any farther to the north and you are back into major winter unpleasantness in my book. So what do you suggest, hmm?

   ~~~~~

   You know the drill by now, unless the concept of memes is completely foreign to you. You visit the Monday Madness web site where you pick up a set of these questions to use on your blog. No blog? No problemo. Just leave your answers to the questions in the comments over there at Otto's. And if you do answer these in your own blog, leave a link to your answers in Otto's comments, too. You'll be so glad you did. And, you know, that embarrassing little coprophagia problem you've been having? Like sprinkling with Accent meat tenderizer, your appetite for eating shite will disappear!

   And so it goes, comrades in arns. Have a good week, all you toilers in the salt mines. May you be lifted up by the spirits in your still and still have spirit enough to get it up...

Sunday Seven - Episode 14

Now that November sweeps is over, the world focuses on the holiday season, and television stations and networks are scrambling to fill their schedules with holiday programming throughout the month. That should get you started in your pondering about this week's question.

But first, it's time to recognize Betty of "Of Mini-paws and menopause," as the first person to answer last week's question about gift ideas! Congratulations, Betty!

On to the challenge!

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:
What holiday movies or television specials are a regular part of your family's holiday rituals? Are there certain movies or shows that you really like to watch year after year? List up to seven productions that really help get you in the spirit of the season.

Either answer the question in a comment or answer it in your journal and include the link in a comment. (To be considered "first to play," a link must be to the specific entry in which you answered the question.)

1. The Christmas Carol – I watch every version I can get my hands on, but the Basil Rathbone B&W is still my favorite, with Scott's version my favorite modern version.

2. Miracle On 34^th Street – the original, B&W version

3. The Nightmare Before Christmas – because I'm warped that way.

4. Bad Santa – same reason as above – I'm just warped

5. The Santa Clause – I'm a sentimental old fool

6. The Ref – best depiction of a middle class nightmare of an xmas eve redeemed I've ever seen. And I lived through dozens of them...

7. It's A Wonderful Life – It would take a quart of bourbon or more, but I'd manage to sit through this drivel with the tears (alcohol-induced) pouring down my face along with George...

   Here's hoping SOMEONE comes out with better holiday fare!

Saturday Six - Episode 86

Here's the latest edition of the Six!

For those who'd like to join in on the fun, playing is simple: you can either answer the questions in this journal or you can answer them in your own blog and leave a link. It is strongly recommended that you answer the journals in your blog and post the link...since several of the people who are playing have relocated away from AOL, it's important that everyone knows where your new (or temporary) blogging homes are, so if you don't mind, leave a first name and your journal's link, just so we can find you easier!

You don't have to have relocated away from AOL to play: AOL journal writers are as welcome as ever.

But before the questions, the tradition of the "Saturday Six" is to recognize the first one to play the week before. It was EmmapeelDallas, of "talking to myself," who was the first person to play last week. Congratulations!

Here are this week's "Saturday Six" questions. Either answer the questions in a comment here, or put the answers in an entry on your journal...but either way, leave a link to your journal so that everyone else can visit! To be counted as "first to play," you must be the first player to either answer the questions in a comment or to provide a complete link to the specific entry in your journal in which you answer the questions. A link to your journal in general cannot count. Enjoy!

1. Is it a "Christmas Tree" or a "Holiday Tree?"
It's an “xmas tree” buster. Wanna make something of it?
2. When you purchase a DVD, what of the following are you most interested in watching first: the movie itself, the director's commentary, the deleted scenes, the bloopers or the behind-the-scenes documentary, and why?
I like to watch the movie first. Everything else is extra. I only rarely listen to the commentaries, but I love the gag reel and deleted scenes and wish they'd include more of them. I was really pissed yesterday to discover that “The Polar Express” has no extras of any sort.
3. What would you most like to accomplish before the year is over?
Nothing comes to mind.
4. Take this quiz: After you enter your birthday, you'll be given a lot of facts about your age and astrology: How old are you in dog years?
Your age is the equivalent of a dog that is 7.89784735812133 years old.
5. From the same quiz, what does it say your "Life Path Number" is, and do you agree with its description?
11; no.
6. Do you have a piece of jewelry with your birthstone in it? If so, how often do you wear it?
No, therefore, never.
If you have a Reader's Choice question you'd like to see asked (and answered), click the e-mail link on the About Me bar at Patrick's Weekender and send it to me.

December's Game: CKS2

Here's a game to pass away all that spare time this month. Really appropriate for NRA members, feline haters and politically-incorrect curmudgeons (is there any other kind?). I loved it. Even if I did find out about it from one of those big-time bloggers...

Meme: Weekend Assignment #88

Weekend Assignment #88: The Good New Days

Taking a page off my long ramble about technology yesterday, a Weekend Assignment to make you glad you're alive right this moment:

Weekend Assignment #88: Talk about something people have today that you wished you had when you were a kid. Note this doesn't have to be a piece of technology -- it can be anything that's around now that wasn't around when you were a kid. Clearly, this assignment favors the older folks in the audience, but even the younger AOL Journalers can look around and find something that they wish they had back when they could try to convince their parents to buy it for them.

Extra Credit: Rocket car to the moon or robot butler: Which do you want more?

Dear John,

There's no question that things have changed over time. And as several have pointed out, coveting some piece of high-tech would also imply consequential acceleration of other technologies to make the first bit feasible. A curmudgeon's conundrum.

I sort of wish they had all these neato manufacturers of high quality model railroading equipment that exist today. When I was a kid, you had either Tyco or Lionel to deal with for HO-gauge rolling stock, engines were underpowered, unable to haul more than three or four cars without problems and the stuff was cheesey.

My, how the times have changed. SWMBO and I are contemplating a new layout that will model the transition period of the fifties and sixties. She likes it because she'll be able to run steam engines. I like it because it IS my era. I came of age then. My memories of the seventies aren't all that pleasant, what with Vietnam, Nixon, Watergate, inflation, etc., but the sixties ... that was a different story entirely.

We expect to eventually spend hundreds, perhaps thousands on just a small layout for the spare bedroom. We are doing it for the kids inside of us. Our grandchildren live too far away and the neighbors have all convinced their kids to avoid the crazy old fart down the road that lives in the haunted house (it's very old and has lights on all night long! Brrrrrr, scary, dudes). We hope to have a combination carnival and circus as well as urban and rural scenes. That would have required building every scene from scratch in the sixties, or going with a larger gauge. Now they have laser cut kits and have perfected weathering techniques which give buildings and rolling stock that "lived in" look that makes the difference between "that's nice" and "wow, would you look at how real that scene looks."

So, there's my very selfish thoughts on what I wish I'd been able to get as a kid, because then I might have stuck with the hobby, instead of letting it slide for 40 years.

By the way, my choice would be the robot butler. And the robot maids. The robotic secretary would be nice, too. How soon can they be delivered?

Make sure you get some great gifts for your gals -- don't count on Sandy Paws to do all the gifting for you. Parsimony does NOT start at home.

And so it goes...

wil

Humor: Bird Flu Symptoms

A little levity is in order, even if I DO have all the symptoms:

Center for Disease Control has released a list of symptoms of bird flu. If you experience any of the following, please seek medical treatment immediately:

1. High fever

2. Congestion

3. Nausea

4. Fatigue

5. Aching in the joints

6. An irresistible urge to crap on someone's windshield.

via GruntDoc

Kvetching Dinkwad

I'm coming down with a URI or cold or maybe my toothache has extended into the spongiform lining of the sinus. Regardless, it's a semi-serious thing when I get sick and something that has to be watched. Blood glucose readings are off the chart, but then again my diet has been pooched. I'm now on insulin injections every day (and don't I just love shooting myself up every morning as I go to bed --- NOT). So bear with me if I appear grouchier than normal (as if you can tell -- haha!) it's bound to go away in a bit or I will... one of the two.

And so it goes...

MEME: Monday Madness – Shooting Blanks

Upon waking from a tryptophan-induced slumber, Otto was heard to mutter while on her way to the loo: “More fill-in-the-blanks this week! Thank you for playing Monday Madness! (Invite your friends to play along...) Also, check out the featured sites! (over to the right) I thought we'd include a few more... It could be YOU next week! “

1. I've always been afraid of _being severely burned_.
2. People should not talk on cell phones while _driving_.
3. The one thing I look forward to every day is _sleep_.
4. My first meal of the day usually consists of _cereal_.
5. It seems like _doing laundry_ is a never-ending job.
6. The last time I painted a room in my house/apartment was _a long time ago_.
7. The next time I paint, I'd like to paint my _living room_ _a creamy yellow_ .

Well, there you have that for this week. Not terribly exciting and not at all difficult. In fact, the most difficult thing about it is remembering to leave a link to your answers over to Otto's place. Do it. That Plantar Wart on your left heel will clear right up if you do...

MEME

Monday Music Mambo - Week 75

Hello mamboers! I've got another round of musical questions to make you think, dance, and write. I watched the U.K. Music Hall Of Fame ceremony on VH1 last night, so this week's Mambo has a European flavor to it.

1. Who are some of your favorite British bands and artists?

2. Who are some of your favorite Irish, Scottish and Welsh bands and artists?

3. What are some of your favorite songs by the above bands and artists?

4. Are you a mod, a psychadelic, a glam rocker or a punk?

The rules are, there are no rules!!! All you need to do is copy and paste the above questions into your blog and add your responses. After you've finished, return here and leave us a comment so we'll know you've Mamboed. Be sure your Mambo is linked back to http://bdinsanity.blogdrive.com so others can dance too.

Remember, there are no right or wrong answers. If one of the questions doesn't inspire you then simply "pass" it. Just use your imagination and dance like crazy!

My answers:

1. Jethro Tull, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Dire Straits, Eric Clapton, John Mayall, Elton John, and Pentangle, to name a few from Britain I admire.

2. Sinead O'Connor (she pisses me off, but the wench can sing), Wolfstone, The Chieftains, U2, Enya, Van Morrison, Lenahan.

3. Aqualung, Heavy Horses, Requiem for an Eagle, Sgt. Pepper's LonelyHearts Club Band, Sympathy For The Devil, Sultans of Swing, Money for Nothing, Layla, White Room, Room To Move, Tiny Dancer, Rocket Man, This Train Don't Stop There Anymore, White Dove, So Early In The Spring, No More, Tall Ships, Heart and Soul, Sea Image, O'Sullivan's March, I Will Follow, Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me , Orinoco Flow, The Celts, Brown-Eyed Girl, Lanigan's Ball.

4. I'm a psychadelic, I guess. Actually, I prefer to think of my tastes as eclectic, devolved, pedestrian (all of them, at one time or another).

MEME: Sunday Seven -- Episode 13

Sunday Seven - Episode 13

By Patrick

"Black Friday" is the day after Thanksgiving that indicates to many retailers whether they'll be in the black or in the red after the end of the holiday shopping season. My days of getting up in time for a 5:00am sale are long behind me: I tried that once...and only once. Never again. But from this introduction, you should have at least been able to surmise that this week's question has something to do with holiday shopping. Before the official question, it's time to recognize Donna of " My Country Life ," as the first person to answer last week's question about where you'd be doing most of your shopping this year! Congratulations to Donna! On to the next challenge! THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Here's your chance to suggest great gift ideas. Take a quick inventory around your home and select up to seven things that you'd hate to be without or that have made your life easier. They can be technological gadgets or unique spins on old mainstays, but they should be things that might just make good gift suggestions for people trying to come up with just the right idea. (You'd probably want to avoid ultra-common things like "computers" and "televisions," which most people would already have, although if there is a specific kind or something unique about the version you have, then it might make a good response.) Either answer the question in a comment (at Patricks Weekender) or answer it in your journal and include the link in a comment. (To be considered "first to play," a link must be to the specific entry in which you answered the question.)

1. My automatic.

2. The computers – although they are also horrendous time sucks, too.

3. Shortwave radio – although this is going the way of the dodo bird, the s.w. Can keep me connected to the world when all else is failing – a lesson learned during the two weeks of being iced in.

4. The Coleman stove – beats eating cold canned food when you lose power.

5. The Alladin Lamp – pricey but gives off great light to read and work by, unlike the inexpensive “storm lamps” with only a wick.

6. The car – I'd really hate to walk or ride horses all winter long in Maine

7. The freezer – because frozen food tastes better than canned, all things being equal. And it's a lot less work intensive than canning, too.

There you have it for another week. Be good to yourselves.

MEME: Unconcious Mutterings -- Week 187

Free association is described as a "psychonanalytic procedure in which a person is encouraged to give free rein to his or her thoughts and feelings, verbalizing whatever comes into the mind without monitoring its content." Over time, this technique is supposed to help bring forth repressed thoughts and feelings that the person can then work through to gain a better sense of self.

That's an admirable goal, but for the purposes of this excercise, we're just hoping to have a little fun with the technique. Each week I'll post ten words to which you can respond to with the first thing that comes to mind.

"Rules are, there are no rules." There are no right or wrong answers. Don't limit yourself to one word responses; just say everything that pops into your head. AND you don't have to have your words up on Sunday. Take all week if you want! Read the FAQ for more information.

Sunday, November 27, 2005

Week 147

9 hours ago

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Stuffed:: turkey

2. Armstrong:: Neil

3. Bruise:: ecchymosis

4. Content:: Table

5. Musical:: chairs

6. Assistance:: walker

7. Scrambling:: bouldering

8. Batlle:: Huh?

9. Extended:: contract

10. Discount:: City

Get your own words, post a link to your answers and stick your bubble gum under the table at Patricia's site, that Luna Niña – the crazy chica.