Well, I bought 400 dollars worth of Booze on Tuesday.  Rob's book got me jazzed to make some fancy drinks, and I needed something to decorate the Magnavox console I bought for my hallway.   Wednesday was spent in a daze, and my experimenting the night before went too far.

Meanwhile, the John the Kid, and his Brother Jay Hammond, lit up the UPA chamionships leading Atlanta's Chain Lightning to third in the UPA nationals a few weeks ago:

On the final point of the game, Ring throws a turnover and Jason Simpson hits John Hammond with an upwind flick for the game as chants of "Atlanta, raise up!" fill the air. The No.10 seed has proven their worth and they'll face Revolver in the quarters on Saturday morning.

Not bad considering these skeptical comments earlier in the season:

Team Biography:As the old saying goes, “You can’t spell , “with every tourney the tool belt gets heavier and heavier.”

Chain Lightning without Hanging Chitlin.” With that in mind, it’s no wonder that our guts protruded a little this year when brothers John and Jay Hammond took over the team’s leadership. Suddenly, even the “off-site” warm-up became optional.

Opponents questioned our depth when they discovered our third oldest player’s name was “Kid” and that our youngest recruit wouldn’t be buying us beer for five more years. Jay sprang into action. He quit his job, appointed himself treasurer and began collecting a weekly “hundo” from our compliant rookie class. “We all went broke that first year,” he insisted.

Having played this year in more tournaments than practices, Chain comes to Sarasota a little more battle tested than in previous years. But, experience against the top teams does not come without a burden. According to offensive ace, Josh Markette

Until I am told to desist, I will continue to point out that I taught John how to play Ultimate.

Thanksgiving was at my Sister’s for the first time, so it was a weekend with the Nieces. I offered my self as a human jungle gym, and all went well.   

Friday morning I woke up in Huntington Beach and decided to go visit Lancaster, my hometown.  I had a late lunch there with my God Mother Carmen, and then Dinner with x-adopted-mom, Karen. ( I am a man of many mothers).    Lancaster, despite what its inhabitants tell you, hasn’t changed. Oh, the crowd has changed, but the landscape remains the same.  Perhaps there is a bit less hope floating around.  That only sounds melodramatic because you haven’t been there.

So I drove back to the coast late, after having Mexican at El Toreo, a spin-off of my early childhood haunt on Sierra Highway.

Saturday Morning was spent under a pile of Nieces, and then Sis and I went to Roots for some shopping.

Sunday I caught up with Cousin Gina, who is now pregnant.  She was Pregnant during Brigette’s wedding.    In fact, as soon as Kristina told me, my first thought was, “Damn, she must have been sneaking Brian her drinks at the wedding”.    I’ve finally gotten over  the deception, and am genuinely happy for her.

Then I caught a red-eye back to Atlanta, and here I am, in  a bath towel listening to Bright Eyes.  I had nothing to write, so you get this recap.

Oh wait, here is something more inline with the rest of these pages:  I went sheet shopping at Fashion Island with Mom. Kristina recommended a place there.  The lowest price Sheet Set was $900 dollars.   The sticker shock was so great the whole store noticed. I didn’t ever try to dissemble- I would have fooled no-one- so instead backed slowly out of the store.  But here’s the thing: I am going to buy those sheets.   I know me, and I know those sheets are going to wear on me until I buy them. And then once done, I will regret not doing it sooner. 

Mark my words.

I haven’t been so busy that I don’t have time to write. Nor have I been so bored that I have nothing to write about. There is a bit of space right in the middle that also results in no Slowdown.

A week ago today I saw My Morning Jacket at the Tabernacle. This was a great concert, but all the stories involve my company, who had three embarrassing moment. The stories aren’t so bad I can’t write about them, but I would rather keep them close to my vest, to use later to my advantage.

I saw Battle Of The Bands (Bodog) last night.  I think whoever Atlanta sends to Los Angeles is going to get smacked down. The only band who I could see myself listening to is No Jaboinga, but they grated, at times like a bad Dismemberment Plan song.   At their best they reminded me of Jump Little Children.

Hey, I was very excited to find that The Vacant Lot episodes are now available on You Tube.   They are a lot darker than I remember them to be, and I am not just talking about the color in these faded bootleg recordings. No, each sketch usually ends with someone dead or in rage.    I though, upon discovering them, that I would be able to provide a ton of links on these pages, since me and Alex speak of them with reverence not even reserved for Kids in the Hall. Alas, I’m not sure any of y’all are going to find it funny.  Heck, I’m not sure how funny I find it.   Try this one out, then, if you dare, follow the links down the right side for more.

I am in Atlanta for the next two weeks, except the Thanksgiving season.

This page, on Grammar and Vocabulary settles a few scores. Check out the section on the word 'Forte'.

As I was reading it,  received this Instant Message:

Fitting.

Hey, on the Book Discussion Tip.    Without a doubt my favorite Author is Guy Gavriel Kay.  I know, it's remarkably Adolescent to have a clear-cut Favorite Author, especially one who writes 'Fantasy'. But that's just the way it is.  If I had to suggest 15 books the first 14 would be Kay books, and  the Ice and Fire series by George Martin.  If I was recommending one to a girl, on the other hand, I might suggest For Love of Stones. I didn't love it, but every few minutes I would look up from the book and go, 'Wow, Chicks are going to love this".

Off the Top of my head, these are books have at one point in time been "All time Favorites". (Note: That doesn't mean they are favorites now, though most are)

In chronological Order

Artie was a Smartie (McNulty)

Little Black Sambo  (Her rendition at Christmas years ago was as special a moment as there ever was.  If I could track the down the video and put it on YouTube, she would be an overnight sensation.) 

Charlottes Web (White)

The Phantom Toll Booth   (Juster)

If Tommorrow Comes (Sydney Sheldon) 

Watchers (Koontz)

Twilight Eyes (Koontz)

Pillars of the Earth (Follet)

Tigana (Kay)

I think that's the whole list. Yeah, I went from the Phantom Tollbooth to Sydney Sheldon, what of it?

The problem with lists like that, and what makes them neat. Is that there are dozens of books I like better than books on that list, but they  exist in the penumbra of other Great books, and thus, were never favorites.   A musical list like that is even more embarassing.

Which reminds me, What is the tallest building in the world that was never the tallest building in the world?

My cell phone is dead, JIC you are trying to get in touch with me. I feel pretty good about the elections, myself, provided the GOP doesn't also lose the Senate.  Heck, probably even then.

I become a permanent US resident and this is my welcome gift, a Canadian style socialist, anti-war government. Well now at least next time some bum asks me for money I can honestly say I have nothing to give since Nancy took it all away from me. Give Dave the evil eye next time you see him on my behalf.

--Some Anonymous Dolorous Dude

 

 

High Noon

The Best Years of Our Lives  

The Grapes of Wrath  

Out of Africa

Walk the Line  

The Apartment

Pirates of the Caribbean: Black Pearl

Where the Red Fern Grows

Grease  

 

National Lampoon's Vacation

Footloose: Special Collector's Edition

Mona Lisa Smile

Remember the Titans  

Broken Trail: Disc 1

Broken Trail: Disc 2

Million Dollar Baby  

                                               Something's Gotta Give  

 

--Grandma's Queue

 

I don't have any Grandma stories at the moment. She's been losing her socks at Bingo, that's all I know.   I told her to stick to Nickle Night, but she just doesn't get the same thrill on Wednesdays as she does on Quarter Friday's.

 

 

 

 

 

Barbarism has, and can have, no place in a civilized world. It is our duty toward the people living in barbarism to seethat they are freed from their chains, and we can free them onlyby destroying barbarism itself. The missionary, the merchant, and the soldier may each have to play a part in this destruction, and in the consequent uplifting of the people. Exactly as it is the duty of a civilized power scrupulously to respect the rights of all weaker civilized powers and gladly to help those who are struggling toward civilization, so it is its duty to put down savagery and barbarism. As in such a work human instruments must be used, and as human instruments are imperfect, this means that at times there will be injustice; that at times merchant or soldier, or even missionary, may do wrong. Let us instantly condemn and rectify such wrong when it occurs, and if possible punish the wrongdoer. But shame, thrice shame to us, if we are so foolish as to make such occasional wrongdoing an excuse for failing to perform a great and righteous task.

That's T. Roosevelt, via Norlinger.

Also, this weekend Todd asked about Ybor City, jokingly wondering why, as a  Hold Steady fan, I hadn't been recently.   Also, it was Pamela who asked me about Crossfit, I volunteered nothing.  Unfortunately, upon further reflection, I did make a Hold Stedy Reference during dinner the previous night: When the Sommolier (<Sp?> The Wine Guy) asked about the wine, I told him "It came out hot and soft and then it Tightened up its tentacles".

This got me thinking about other song lyrics that can be used to make ridiculous wine statements. "Runs fingers down the notches of your spine" sprung to mind, when Alex suggested that Nuetral Milk Hotel would be a goldmine.

Also at dinner that night, none of the Bern's  bartenders knew what a Sazerac was.  I didn't think it was THAT obscure. I honestly don't throw curve balls in hopes that they will miss.  Honestly. 

Todd pulled me aside and Trent’s Birthday party and asked that I reinstate the book club. He then complained about my recommendation of The Mysteries, but as you can see, I never recommended it.   Apparently it’s a big turd.

I’m open to the idea, but viewer participation around here is at an all time low.   Perhaps I should post more about my grandmother. She’s a favorite.

Until then, things continue apace.  The weather in Tampa is spot on.  I have my second Hockey game this week.  I get the two weeks surrounding thanksgiving to work from home, but I am going to be in Los Angeles that weekend. 

Two ski trips planned so far, and New Years at the cabin(s).