Nonesuch #99

Less than a week before Christmas and I just do not feel it. Not sure if it is because I am getting older or too much commercialism or for the first time in 4 years I will be alone. I mean, I will spend it with my parents but I got used to spending time with my ex-fiance's family. It was different than what I had done growing up. Not to say that what we do at my parents is not fun, it was just different. Christmas growing up now that I look back was really a lowkey affair. My Father being a minister would from time to time have service on Christmas but most times there was a service on Christmas Eve either at 7pm but occasionally it was held at 11pm. On those years, we would get home after midnight so technically Christmas was there and I would get to open 1 present, not of my choice, before I went to bed. But is was a wrapped gift all the same. It would be a cassette tape of a band I liked or even a cassingle! I would wake up first and go see what was under the tree. We had two trees, a Christmas tree with colored lights, colored glass ball ornament etc in my room and a Chrismon tree with white lights and ornaments symbolizing the life of Jesus, like crosses, stars, crowns, doves and so forth (see attached picture).

When I think of Christmas, I will always think of a Chrismon tree. Most churches my Dad served, had one as well. My Mom and Dad made the majority of our Chrismons before I was born. So, there were some presents under the tree in my room but the big gifts were under the Chrismon tree that was put up in the living room or den, depending on the house we lived in at the time. I was told that I could not even bother my parents about opening presents until the sun was good and up. It didnt take too long to open all the presents. Most were for me being an only child. I would always look for more to open and in some cases would open my Mom and Dad's presents for them. Afterwards or sometimes before opening presents, Dad would build a fire in the fireplace. Mom would start on breakfast. My Grandfather, her Father, insisted on having oysters for Christmas and that tradition continues. She would make fried oysters and oyster chowder that m'y parents would eat. I didnt like either growing up so she made pancakes and sausage or bacon for me. The rest of the day I would play with the stuff I got that year. One year, I wanted a Lone Ranger and Silver, his horse action figure set. One of the 12 inch tall ones, the same size as the Bionic Man. One of my friends had the Lone Ranger, Tonto, and I think some others like U.S. Grant and maybe Buffalo Bill. I really wanted the Lone Ranger and Silver.
Instead, I received Johnny West, his horse and his buggy. What a haul! But no, it was not what asked for, in fact it was MORE than I asked for and still I was dissapointed. I think I also got the big Lego set that year as well. I just remember how dissappointed I was and it bothers me to this day. So, after a bit, I played with Johnny West and that horse and that buggy until they all fell apart(over several years). I remember Johnny's arms coming off and I would put them back on. Johnny was an all brown(different shades) with brown accessories action figure. (see picture)

You know, not really sure where I was originally going with this post, sort of turned all nostalgic. I guess trying to recapture some of the "spirit" I see on TV, hear on the radio, hear others talk about, maybe once the tree is up...

Nonesuch# 98 Best Singles

In my last post I listed my favorite albums that I had listened to the list year. Now, are for the single songs that I have listened to over and over. I tried to not have overlap with artists from the Best Albums but sometimes a song will just stay with you.


3Style - Way U Move
Hip-Hop from Scotland. What more can I say?
With lyrics like:
"I'm Batman, I'm Living the nightlife" and the infectios chorus "all alone, you and me, we get so tipsy"(think I got that right)members G, KS, and Ally have under their belt a solid first outing.
3style


Athlete - Wires
From London, this 4 piece group releases their first single "Wires" from their second album, Tourist. In a style similar to some Stone Roses tracks(not from Second Coming), Coldplay, and Radiohead, singer Joel Pott wears his emotions on his sleave and doesn't give a damn. Nice intro to their music.
ATHLETE


Ben Folds - Bitches Ain' Shit
Who else could take a gangsta classic from Dr. Dre and turn it into a sympathetic spotlight on a man done wrong by the very objects that he want to impress with his lyrical madness, women.
"She found herself short, now she's taking me to court. That's some real conversation for your ass."
Ben Folds


Slim - Cortez and Pizarro
Slim, sometimes a one man acoustic/electric guitar act and sometimes a band, leeps out at you with the first track off his Interstate Medicine. With spanish guitar pickings surrounded by rocking bass and drum/percussion line, tells the story of the Conquistidors or as he says in the first lines, "Way way way way long time ago, before I was before I was born that's all I know....". Nice quitar work in the middle has kept me comg back for more this one.
Slim
Thanks to Accident Hash for introducing me to the music of Slim


Bright Eyes - When The President Talks to God
Take a listen, read the lyrics. Rinse, repeat.
Bright Eyes

Nonesuch #97 -- Best Albums 2005

Since it is the end of the year and everyone and their mother has a best of the year list, I decided that I too should jump on the bandwagon and let you folks know what I have enjoyed over this past year.

First of all, I claim 2005 Year of the iPod since I bought an iPod in 2005. I have had it since March. It has brought back music in my life so much. Not since my college years have a listened to such a variety of music. Now, just to get back into going to concerts. Music is a different experience when live. And that leads to my first band/music:

The Grateful Dead Download Series 1-8
Found exclusively on the Grateful Dead wesbite and at iTunes, the Grateful Dead have released so far 8 in a series that should continue. These are mostly previously unreleased shows from the prolific career of the Dead. These shows spanning from the early 70s into the 90s do not duplicate the ones found in the Dick's Picks and the From the Vault series. So, to pick these up is essential for any Deadheads to complete there "tape collections". Also, add Rare Cuts and Oddities, a collection of tunes from 1966 both studio and live that shows how things were at the beginning. Key songs: "I'm A King Bee" and "Caution".

Gorillaz - Demon Days
I didn't get into the Gorillaz the first time around. I wasn't sure what to make of a band that had cartoon images of the band members. I think I had heard their first single "Clint Eastwood" from their debut album but it didn't register with me. Now, Demon Days comes along and I listened to the album sampler from iTunes. The samples were nice and a few of the tunes I could not get out of my head. The next step was to get the full album. Very dark for the most of the album, things pick up with "Feel Good Inc (Album Crossfade) with its very catchy beat and its "feel good" lyric that pops out and grabs ya and does not let go. Other standouts are "Kids with Guns", "Dirty Harry" and "All Alone".

William Shatner - Has Been
What is a 74 year old doing singing rock and roll with such gusto and feeling? Who cares when the end result is "Has Been". Here we have a collection of tunes produced by Ben Folds where Mr. Shatner sings his heart out, lays everything he has on the line and has the listener wanting more. I for one am eager for his next release which cannot come to soon. Tracks to check out are "Together", "Has Been", "Real", oh forget it, check all of the tracks out and take a look inside the man who just will not go quiet.


Ben Folds - Songs for Silverman
I have been a Ben Folds fan since back in the days of Ben Folds Five. Having lived in Greensboro, NC for 10 years and having several Kevin Bacon-like connections to members in the band, everytime I hear one of their or his songs I am instantly back there in the mid to late 90s. Songs for Silverman gives us Ben Folds at his songwriting best and probably most personal to date. "Gracie" is the song dedicated to his daughter and "Jesusland" strikes a cord in anyone that has lived in a small town, where things are never as they seem. The standout track is the tribute to Elliott Smith, "Late".



Polphonic Spree - Together We Are Heavy
Another amazing find that goes back several years but just this year have I discovered the magic of this band and this album. I had listened to their music on their website but had not bought their cds. It is one of those things you wish you had done long before but you know that it came along at the right time. No sophmore slump whatsoever, Together We Are Heavy takes what Tim DeLaughter and company started on The Beginning Stages Of... and takes it to the next level. This album is an affirmation of life in all its forms, a continuation of DeLaughter's healing process from the drug overdose of his friend and Tripping Daisy bandmate Wes Berggren. Its choir-like harmonies and melodies form meditations for the listener. Standouts include: "Section 11: (A Long Day Continues/We Sound Amazed)", "Section 17 (Suitcase Calling)" and "Section 14 (Two Thousand Places)"


Sonic Youth - Sonic Nurse
With a return to an earlier Sonic Youth sound, Sonic Nurse seemingly picks up where Goo and 100% left off 15 years ago. With chords only Sonic Youth can get away with since they are the ones that started them in the first place, Sonic Nurse starts off with the Kim Gordon lyriced "Pattern Recognition" that harkens me back to 1990, to when alternative music was THE alternative to radio, not what is played on it. I am sure college radio stations rejoiced when they got their hands on this one. Listen now: "Pattern Recognition", "Paper Cup Exit" and "Dripping Dream"



Mike Doughty - Skittish/Rockity Roll
I was a big fan of Soul Coughing back in the day and for sometime now I wondered what had become of them. Then, while reading WWdN:In Exile, in the listening section I saw Mike Doughty and thought to myself, why does that name sound so familiar? After a quick google search, I had my answer to where Soul Coughing had gone. This double album of solo material produced by Doughty himself was where he saw Soul Coughing going but the other members did not so the split came. Skittish released in 2000 and Rockity Roll released in 2003 blend an acoustic sound with the poetic lyrics that Doughty is famous for from his Soul Coughing years. Tracks to check out now: "The Only Answer", "Real Love/Its Only Life", "Shunned+Falsified" and "Move On (Bloom Like The Sunlight in My Song)" (live). Thanks to Wil Wheaton dot net for the link to Mike Doughty.
This is my album/albums of 2005.

My next entry - Best Singles of 2005

Nonesuch #96 - Imagine

John Lennon
October 9, 1940 - December 8, 1980

Nonesuch #95

Berenstain Bears co-author dies

I remember reading all of the Berenstain Bears books I could get my hands on when I was growing up. I know my parents gave me many of these and the library had many many more. I am glad that his work will continue to entertain, educate and keep children (and adults) reading for many years to come.

Nonesuch #94 - Hawesome

Hawesome

Nonesuch #93

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving Day.
I went to my parent's house at Lake Junaluska for the day. I was not feeling too social, so I stayed just one night. Even though it is my parent's house, there are still memories of my ex there, things she gave my parent's for birthdays and Christmas. I had to go back to my house where I have tried to remove all the things that she had brought in to the house.
I still find things from time to time so I guess everything is not removed. Started a bag/box for Goodwill with things I missed when I was packing her stuff. I hope that someone can use the things that she has forgot about.
I know I said that I didn't want this turn into a "pity-me" blog but it is all that I have on my mind and I think it is better to get things out and deal with instead of letting it all build up and fester and grow and grow and then I explode emotionally and have a breakdown which I do not want to go through again. I guess you can say I had one when the breakup first occurred. I think I was in shock at the loss of it all. Not so much what she did, people do not surprise me anymore with what they do, just disappoint me and anger me. I need to get past this anger, this bitterness and move on through some process(es). Whether it is through counseling or Guinness.
Until I do I am stuck in this ugly mindset that effects (or is it affects) everything I do. I don't like it, it is like a heavy residue covering me and I get it on others and that is not fair to them.

Nonesuch #92

I have not really felt like posting much since my last posting. Still trying to get over the breakup and don't really feel like making this one of those "pity-me" blogs. What I have done in the past 2 and a half weeks is: had a weekend of D&D in Raleigh, got a bad cold that turned into a sinus infection that had me out of work most of last week, worked the weekend of my birthday while being sick with the cold that turned into the sinus infection and slept, slept, slept. So much for the mid 30s being the highlight of my life. Heh, at 35, now I am officially middle aged. I don't think I feel any older mentally, but physically I can feel it, especially on a day like today, damp and cool. At least it finally feels like mid to late November. It had been in the 80s just last week. Didn't do much for my cold. I think the cooler air has helped. Or maybe it is the meds that the Dr. gave me. Just got to figure out why my relationships always end up the same way(s)...I am beginning to think it is me or the women I choose to be in a relationship with. I thought I had broke the cycle this last time but no. Some folks will say that I just have not found that one yet, I thought I had, I really did. I just don't know anymore. Maybe I am one of those that there just isn't anyone for. Well, I have always been a late bloomer, maybe that is it.

Nonesuch #91

I had to do one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I took all of my ex-fiances stuff and took it to her parent's house. I guess that last sentence says a lot and provokes new questions. It didnt work out. I wanted a relationship built on trust and communication and she wanted to fuck a sailor. And the thing that gets me is why she could not figure out why I didn't want to stay in the relationship. Once that wall of trust is broken I do not know how long it will take to rebuild the trust level if ever. Without that trust, I didn't see any foundation for the relationship to continue. I broke it off cold, no more contact, deleting of emails, not taking phone calls...so difficult to not talk to her. But I cannot. I do a lot of cussing her(or is it cursing her). I get mad, get sad, go through every emotion in 5 minutes or less and find myself right back where I began not understanding anything anymore than I did the 5 minutes before. What is there to really understand? It didn't work out.

Nonesuch #90

Country Feedback
REM

This flower is scorched
This film is on
On a maddening loop
These clothes
These clothes don’t fit us right
I’m to blame
It’s all the same
It’s all the same

You come to me with a bone in your hand
You come to me with your hair curled tight
You come to me with positions
You come to me with excuses
Ducked out in a row
You wear me out
You wear me out

We’ve been through fake-a-breakdown
Self hurt
Plastics, collections
Self help, self pain,
Est, psychics, fuck all
I was central
I had control
I lost my head
I need this
I need this
A paper weight, junk garage
Winter rain, a honey pot
Crazy, all the lovers have been tagged
A hotline, a wanted add
It’s crazy what you could’ve had
It’s crazy what you could’ve had
It’s crazy what you could’ve had
I need
I need this
It’s crazy what you could’ve had
It’s crazy what you could’ve had
I need
I need this
It’s crazy what you could’ve had
It’s crazy what you could’ve had
I need
I, I need this
It’s crazy what you could’ve had
I need this
It’s crazy what you could’ve had
It’s crazy what you could’ve had
I need this
I, I need this
It’s crazy what you could’ve had
It’s crazy what you could’ve had

Nonesuch #89

Clean Sheets
The Descendents


Clean sheets mean a lot to a guy who sleeps on the floor
I whited your love, and a shelf in your dresser drawer
you tucked me in, stopped my tossing and turning
But I turned back the covers and saw those sheets are dirty

Even thought you'll never come clean
you know it's true
Those sheets are dirty
And so are you

The warmth of a bed to a guy who sleeps on the floor
Was enough to perpetuate all the lies I heard before
I want to hold you, I'll hold my pillow instead
Cause my pillow will never lie or be with a stranger in my bed

Where's the love I was looking for
It's out the door
I'm afraid to see you anymore
so it's back on the floor
Cause those sheets are dirty

Woke up this morning alone on the floor
Thinking about those clean sheets and the way it was before
When I looked in the mirror, I saw your face and thought of the past
But now I know how dirty you are, I took my fist and smashed the glass

Those sheets are dirty
Those sheets are dirty
Those sheets are dirty

Nonesuch # 88

Friday here at last.
My well has been fixed. It was fixed Wednesday afternoon. There was a part in the switch that had come apart due to age and they needed to replace the whole thing. They also add a foot of pipe to the pump since we are in a drought. So, I got my well fixed just in time for the rain. Yes, it has rained for the past day and a half and it will be raining for the next 2 days at least. We really needed the rain.

Nonesuch #87

Two things for today:


1)
Over the past week, I have been getting advertisements as comments on my posts. They have been deleted and will continue to be deleted in the future. I don't care about working from home, what the latest stock buys and sells are or where I can get drugs, creams or lotions that will increase any part of my body.


2)
As I mentioned yesterday, I have been having water problems at home. It seems that with the drought causing the water table to drop, the pump motor on my well was working overtime and it has burned out. They are coming today to fix it plus drop the pump another foot or so. Hopefully that is all that is wrong with it. I am amazed at how clean one can get from a gallon of water. Now for the irony of the day: It is raining which means that they may not be able to fix the motor since it is electrical and it is probably not a good idea to work on while it is wet. So, with the much needed rain falling that is increasing my water table, the rain may postpone the actual fixing of the well. Such is life.

Nonesuch# 86

For the 2nd time in 4 days, I have no water at my house. Bottom line is that we are in a drought. I am on a well and pump system that is some yards away from the house. The problem with my well is that the water table is low and probably dropping. We have not had significant rain going on 2 for almost 2 months. The water is there but just not high enough to reach the pump. We may get rain this week but who really knows. I think a 50% chance is the highest chance we have. Not really anything that can be done about this. Nothing to fix or pipes to replace. It may end up that the owner may have to redig the well or get a pump that goes deeper. I may end up at a hotel if it lasts mush longer. I was caught in the shower this morning. Just ran out of pressure. If anyone out there is getting any rain, send some of it up towards Charlotte, NC.

Nonesuch #85 - Old man look at my life, I'm a lot like you were.

"I'm not a preacher, and I'm certainly not a good example, but I have my own feelings about God. I'm kind of a nature guy. My cathedral is forests, or the prairies, or the beach."

Neil Young

Nonesuch #84

Much on my mind these days.

Craziness of the Day: Anna Nicole Smith's lawsuit will be heard...in the Supreme Court. With all we have going on and this mess has to continue. Long story short, she is trying to get money from the estate of her 90 year old husband which she says he promised her.
Anna

Still playing World of Warcraft. It is pretty much my only escape from the real world, whatever that is.

The rooster next door has left with the family. Found out they have not paid rent in several months and have left once again. This is the second time they have left.


Homecoming was very nice. It was my father's first 50th anniversary. When he came to college the college was a junior college and during his stay it became a four year college. So, he had his junior college renunion and in two years he will have another. There were about 200 alumni back from just the junior college years, from 1936-1955.

For those keeping track of the mess surrounding Katrina, Rita and FEMA: 3 cruise ships were rented by FEMA to help relocate evacuees at the cost of $1200 a person. A person can buy a cruise ticket for around $600 at most of the ports on the Gulf Coast. And, these ships have barely even been used.
FEMA

Brownie tries to put blame on Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin. And, he is still on the Federal payroll as a consultant. I guess with him still being on the payroll we will not get the straight up answers that the people of the devestated Gulf Coast deserve.
Brownie

Nonesuch #83

The Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2004


(taken from ALA's list of challenged books)

"The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier

"Fallen Angels" by Walter Dean Myers

"Arming America: The Origins of a National Gun Culture" by Michael A. Bellesiles

Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey

"The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky

"What My Mother Doesn't Know" by Sonya Sones

"In the Night Kitchen" by Maurice Sendak

"King & King"

"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou

"Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck



Off the list this year, but on the list for several years past, are the Alice series of books by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, "Go Ask Alice" by Anonymous, "It's Perfectly Normal" by Robie Harris and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain.

Nonesuch #82

John Coltrane 1926-1967

(photo from JAZZ-A Film by Ken Burns)


johncoltrane.com

Nonesuch #81

I had a fight with the mustard today. It was a close one, but the mustard got in the biggest blows. One hit to my beard, another to my shirt and the last one to my pants. I was able to wipe off the mustard from my beard and my shirt but the area on my pants is quite large and despite my best efforts of napkins, water and scrubbing it is still there. And let me say, it is strategically placed and large enough to get many stares and probably a few comments. Luckily I work in the basement so not a lot of folks will see. I may go home and change...but dont really see the point.

Nonesuch #80 - Talk LIke a Pirate Day!

http://www.talklikeapirate.com/


Pirate Speak

Nonesuch #79

" Nonesuch #79
"Katrina is a symbol of all this administration does and doesn't do. Michael Brown -- or Brownie as the President so famously thanked him for doing a heck of a job - Brownie is to Katrina what Paul Bremer is to peace in Iraq; what George Tenet is to slam dunk intelligence; what Paul Wolfowitz is to parades paved with flowers in Baghdad; what Dick Cheney is to visionary energy policy; what Donald Rumsfeld is to basic war planning; what Tom Delay is to ethics; and what George Bush is to “Mission Accomplished” and "Wanted Dead or Alive." The bottom line is simple: The "we'll do whatever it takes" administration doesn't have what it takes to get the job done."

From Senator John Kerry's Speech at Brown University September 19, 2005"

From Senator John Kerry's Speech at Brown University September 19, 2005

Nonesuch #78

Well Hurricane Ophelia came an' sailed'. Thar be nay as much damage as Katrina gave th' Gulf Coast but thar be many areas effected by th' storm down on th' coast o' NC. Now, two new storms be havin' built up in th' Atlantic. Wow, when they spake 't would be a busy voyage, I dont think they really knew how busy. We be runnin' ou' o' names fer these storms.



Panthers beat th' Patriots last high tide'! I be havin' nereseen Tom Brady as rattled as he be last high tide'. He completed 5 good passes at th' beginnin' o' th' game, includin' a touchdown but th' Panthers defense really laid 't t' th' lad's an' he nerequite got aft t' his comfort zone. Stephen Davis, aft from injuries from last voyage, led th' assault wi' 3 TDs, th' first 3 TDS scored by one player in th' Patriots since Curtis Martin did 't in 2000. I hope other teams can be seein' what th' Panthers did on defense so they too can shut th' Patriots down.



A good matey o' mine, his beauty/fiance port th' lad's last Friday. Jus' called th' lad's up from 'ere she works or worked an' spake she be leavin' an' hung up. Jus' ou' o' th' blue. He has had nay word from th' lass' since, doesnt e'en know 'ere she may be havin' gone, if she be e'en in th' area. Jus' crazy stuff...

Nonesuch #77

Things on my mind:

Hurricane Ophelia: The local news is broadcasting from the top of the Cabana Hotel in Carolina Beach where we used to go for Prom Weekend/Spring Break/Graduation Weekend back in high school. Brings back memories...

It looks like Ophelia is not as strong as Katrina but there is always the possiblity of flooding in those low lying areas. The folks down there I am sure have not forgotten about Floyd which flooded a large portion of east NC. It could easily happen again.

Also: Can we(NC) request not to accept aid from FEMA?


Neighbors Rooster: He followed me around again yesterday. I think he may be lonely since he is the only one.

Nonesuch #76

There is a rooster in my neighborhood. I saw him first about a week ago when I came home from work one evening. He was hanging out near my porch, guess he was looking for food. He ran away from me, I must have made too much noise for him. A few days later, I saw him again. I was doing some yard work, picking up limbs around the yard. He started following me around. He never got too close but followed me around the yard. He was back yesterday and I found out why. I am pretty sure he belongs to my neighbor. I saw a pile of corn and seed near a tree in their yard. But again, he followed me around while I was picking up limbs and sticks. I wonder what he will do when I crank up the lawnmower.
Pictures coming soon....

nonesuch #75

So much going on in the past few weeks hadnt really had time to process things let alone get them down on the page. Some of the things going on:


Start of the semester: Always a busy time, feel like it is busier this year for some reason. May be because I dont feel like I had much of a vacation this year. The brain never got its rest. And I really need one, a vacation that is. Working on homecoming in less than 2 weeks. It is my Father's first 50th reunion. he will have another in 2 years. More on that later.

Katrina: I dont know if I can put into words my feelings. I have never been to New Orleans, always wanted to go, at least once. It's one of those places that tugs at you.
The lack of response by FEMA just blows my mind. For four years we have been told the country is prepared, we are safe, everything is in control and then we have this happen. Just ridiculous. But if you look at the patterns, you will see that these are the same problems we have seen in Iraq: lack of planning, no real structure from the top down, excuses after excuses AND no one gets fired for their expansive and deadly mistakes. Well, that may change with Michael Brown. You know, you can say whatever you want about this man's credentials, his previous work experience (Arabian horse judge controller and he gets fired from that?) but it really reflects on the Bush Administration for selecting him and making him head of FEMA. Is he the only one like this in the administration? According to TIME ( I think) 5 of the top 8 at FEMA have no previous disaster relief experience. Shit rolls up hill.

Gas prices: I saw gas prices rise $1.15 in one day to a high of $3.54 two days after Katrina hit. Why would they raise prices on gas they had already bought at well below $2? Greed, I dont know any other word for it. And now they are saying the prices will drop as quickly as they rose. I dont think so. Prices will never get back down to where there were. Things like that just dont happen. And with higher oil/gas prices, the increases get passed on to everyone of us in the form of milk prices, airline tickets, heating costs whether you use oil, coal or electricity, clothes, compact discs, plastics and on and on.

FEMA Chair resigns

John Roberts: http://www.supremecourtwatch.org/

Not only he is not a good choice for Chief Justice, he is not a good choice for a seat on the Supreme Court in the first place. Enough said.

9/11/2001 -
Only 4 years ago, it seems so much further than that. Are we safer? Will another attack perhaps larger and more devatating than before occur? No and damn I hope not.


Message from Michael Moore


Cindy Sheehan - http://www.bringthemhomenowtour.org/


"And if you want to find me I'll be out in the sandbox, wondering where the hell all the love has gone."

Nonesuch #74

Finally a slow day in this busy 2 weeks as the semester starts. Just have a computer to put together later this afternoon. Looking forward to doing something different for awhile. Students are back on campus. I have been giving
directions all day to folks. We will be giving tours to freshmen today and Monday. Crazy, busy time.
Going to buy a bike this weekend. Need to get in shape. I was really big into bike
riding back in middle school. Got away from it in high school
, was skateboarding then. There are a lot of backroads and
places I can ride around here, so I think will be good for me.
Almost 45th level on WoW. Actually have had some good sessions this week. Got
a bunch of quests done which gave me good experience, coin and
treasure. Picking up dragonscale patterns for quality armor for myself
in the future.
Football is back! And I am excited. I have only watched the NFL regularly for 11 years, since the Carolina Panthers were established. Watched the replay of the Panthers game against the Redskins on Sunday. Game was Saturday night. Panthers won
28-10 and everyone looked good. It could be a very good year as long
as injuries dont come back like they did last year. Watched the
Saints/Patriots game last night. Saints won. I think the National League South with Carolina Panthers, NO Saints, Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Bucs will be a solid league this year. Who knows, 2 maybe 3 teams will go to playoffs.

Nonesuch #73 - Support Cindy Sheehan

MoveOn is taking out an ad in President Bush's local newspaper in support of Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a soldier killed in Iraq who is camped outside Bush's ranch in Texas asking for a meeting with the president. They'll publish the number of signers and the best comments in a full two-page spread in the newspaper nearest to Crawford (The Waco Tribune Herald) while Cindy holds her vigil. Please sign and spread the word before the 3:00 PM Friday print deadline.

Meet With Cindy


Actor Viggo Mortensen kissing Cindy Sheehan's hand outside President Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas, yesterday.
(image and text from Hip Clicks)

"Our sons made the ultimate sacrifice and we want answers.
All we're asking is that President Bush sacrifice an hour out of his five-week vacation to talk to us, before the next mother loses her son in Iraq."

- Cindy Sheehan, August 12, 2005

Nonesuch '72

Goin’ home, goin’ home, by the riverside I will rest my bones,
Listen to the river sing sweet songs, to rock my soul.

DaysBetween
JerryGarcia.com
Grateful Dead
JerryDay
Rolling Stone Interview 1993
Closet Deadhead #44,45,46

Nonesuch #72

Mom Of Solider Killed In Iraq Protests Near Bush's Ranch

nonesuch #71

1801

Nonesuch #70

Bolton to be Recess Appointment

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush will use a recess appointment to install John Bolton temporarily as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, a senior administration official said Monday.

This in light of new findings that he could not even remember being interviewed as part of any investigation within the past five years.

Another example of bad judgement calls that the Bush Administration has done. Bolton, described by some of his co-workers to be "a quintessential kiss-up, kick-down sort of guy" does not have the diplomacy knowledge to do the job that is needed at the U.N. Even if he is just a place holder till the end of this Congressional period, his management style can only hamper our already unsteady relationship with the U.N. and the rest of the world.

Nonesuch #69

Sort of been on vacation for July, not really been thinking too much about the blog. Been playing a bunch of WoW, but in recent days I have been becoming really disillusioned by the game. It is not the game, it is the people that play it and effect my enjoyment of the game. When other folks disrupt what I am doing over and over it gets old quick. I get nothing done I would like which makes leveling go slower.
I set up a CD to help in my savings. I feel like may be getting ahead in the whole game. It feels good to have money set aside that I hopefully will not touch for a good long time.
Been really getting into podcasting. Found some good shows one of which I wrote about in an earlier post, Accident Hash. Others I have been listening to are:

tartanpodcast - podcast from Scotland highlighting all sorts of music

Closet Deadhead - selected songs from the Grateful Dead including interviews with band members and fans.

Coverville- Focuses on cover songs with other songs mixed in.

I cant get enough of this media type. Great music without the crap of commercial radio produced by people that truly love the music they play. It really reminds me of how I felt in the early 90s in college where new great music was coming out all the time or so it seemed. Greensboro at that time had a great music scene going on and being so close to Carrboro and the Cat's Cradle and Ziggy's in Winston Salem allowed opportunities to see great bands. But for some reason people stopped going to clubs to see bands. Maybe its the economy, maybe it is how the music industry in conjunction with mainstream radio has made it so difficult for any type of music other than what has made their playlists to be heard by numbers of folks. Now, with podcasts, I am finding great new music to listen to. It has even crossed my mind to do a podcast myself focusing on bands from NC. Stay tuned and see where this may go.

Nonesuch #68

"London is like a pre-historic monster into whose armoured hide showers of arrows may be shot in vain" -- Sir Winston Churchill

Nonesuch #67

Thanks to iTunes, I have stumbled across a podcast called Accident Hash. Hosted by C.C. Chapman, it brings the best in podsafe music that will never play on mass radio channels. I have listened to the last 3 or 4 casts and have downloaded all the shows from the beginning. The shows are solid. Chapman plays 4 or 5 songs and talks up the true independent mucic scene. Check out his website at
Accident Hash

Some of the bands/artists I have enjoyed from this show are:

Brother Love
Waltham
Atomic Tangerine
Marwood

Nonesuch #66

Spent the last four days playing WoW. I think my brain needs a break. I was getting somewhat punchy last night, made some mistakes in the group I was in etc. I started a Tauren shaman and I really like him. Went with Thundercrash as his name and then around 19th level thought of a better name: Thundersmoke. If it had been an earlier level, I would have started over. Now, he is almost 22nd. Shamans are a mix of a few of the main classes: warrior, cleric and maybe rogue and paladin. They are good fighters and have healing spells used through totems. I so far have the earth, fire and water totems. Each totem has special abilities and spells that go with each on top of the spells you can buy at the shaman trainer. It took me around 5 hours just to get the water totem. That was my 3:30 or so till 9 last night. It was most annoying, not even sure if it will be worth it. We shall see. At 20th, I got Ghost Wolf, which is a travel form that I can fight in as well. Speed is increased by 40% and now I can run all over the place. A friend of mine has helped me with equipment. When two of our old guildmates quit the game, he enherited their coin and it was a nice chunk of change. I am just having a good time with this character. We got somewhat tired of Alliance-side once we hit 50th. I think we want to prolong WoW as long as we can till D&D online comes out in November. Only 4 months away.

Nonesuch #65

Champ Reigns Again

Takeru Kobayashi won his fifth consecutive hot-dog eating title Monday by downing 49 frankfurters in 12 minutes, leaving 17 competitors in his wake. (from CNN.com)

Nonesuch #64

Today is my parent's 38th wedding anniversary.(I think that is right)
Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Nonesuch #63 - Live 8 Lineup

Live 8

Nonesuch #62

Bloggers Fight Government Regulation

Nonesuch #61 - Keep on Rockin in Canada

Neil Young will mark his return on stage by performing at Canada's Live 8 concert Saturday, three months after he was treated for a brain aneurysm.

Live 8

Nonesuch #60 - Irony of the Day

According to at least 5 of the Hostages that were taken by students in Iran in 1979, the newly elected leader of Iran was one of their captors. This number has grown since I first read this story this morning. As Springer was just saying, how in the world did our goverment miss this one? And I believe these former Hostages, in that type of situation, you do not forget faces or voices.

The 5

Nonesuch #59

Update from yesterday's post.

1. I did make 50th last night in World of Warcraft. It was most anti-climatic. But, it is done. Only 10 more levels to go till endgame.


2. Some bands to add to the Greatest American Rock and Roll band list:


Bob Dylan
The Replacements
Wilco
Prince
Jane's Addiction
The Doors

Just realized that 3 out of the 6 I just listed are from Minnesota.

Nonesuch #58 - Things I am thinking about today

1. Just who is the best American Rock and Roll Band?
The Greatest
Many bands come to my mind:


R.E.M.
Grateful Dead
Pavement
Sonic Youth
Yo La Tengo
Frank Zappa

And I could go on....Not even sure if such a question can be answered. What about Elvis? Where does he belong? He crossed all sections of music areas: rock and roll, gospel, country.

2.Why oh why would "W" quote Osama Bin Ladin in his televised speech last night?

Hear the words of Osama Bin Laden: "This Third World War is raging" in Iraq. "The whole world is watching this war." He says it will end in "victory and glory, or misery and humiliation."

And why am I doing the same? I have no idea on either account.


3. Will I make 50th level this evening on World of Warcraft? Details at 11.

4. "Value of Property"

Nonesuch#57 - Muppets on Parade

Miss Piggy goes for new image with new hair color.

Miss Piggy

Statler and Waldorf - From the Balcony
In a bold move, movies.com has hired The Muppets' Statler and Waldorf to review trailers for their website. Click below for their review of 'War of the Worlds' and their Balconism on 'Bewitched'

"From the Balcony"

Nonesuch #56 - PBS cuts plan rescinded

PBS cuts plan rescinded
The House on Thursday overwhelmingly rejected $100 million in proposed cuts for public television and radio stations. The cut would have been nearly a quarter of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's budget.
PBS - USA Today

Pat Mitchell PBS CEO

This not a total victory. $80 million will not be provided for upgrades to digital signal and other upgrades. Also, the Ready to Learn program, a preschool partnership with the Department of Education, remains unfunded. As the move to digital signal is goverment mandated this will put the public stations even further behind in the crossover which could be used against the CPB in the future to deny futher funding.

In related news, the CPB named Patricia Harrison, a former co-chairman of the Republican National Committee, as its new president and CEO.

The appointment comes as political controversy churns around CPB chairman Kenneth Tomlinson, who has said he considers PBS programs too liberal. A CPB inspector-general is investigating Tomlinson for hiring a researcher to monitor Now, which was hosted by Bill Moyers, for political bias. Democrats called for President Bush to fire Tomlinson; a White House spokesman said the president stands by him. - From USATODAY.com

Nonesuch #55

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Advocates of rewriting the USA Patriot Act are claiming momentum after the House, despite a White House veto threat, voted to restrict investigators from using the anti-terrorism law to peek at library records and bookstore sales slips.

For more info see: patriot act


This is a victory for our freedom to read what we want and not have the fear of a potential "Big Brother" coming behind us to check on our reading lists. Even when "W" vetoes this, which he says he will, just knowing that there are Democrats and Republicans who wants to see these parts of the Patriot act "sunset" shows a little bit of light coming out of the darkness.

Nonesuch #54 Can you tell me how to get...

Information taken from moveon.org:

A House panel has voted to eliminate all public funding for NPR and PBS, starting with "Sesame Street," "Reading Rainbow," and other commercial-free children's shows. If approved, this would be the most severe cut in the history of public broadcasting, threatening to pull the plug on Big Bird, Cookie Monster, and Oscar the Grouch.

The cuts would slash 25% of the federal funding this year—$100 million—and end funding altogether within two years. The loss could kill beloved children's shows like "Clifford the Big Red Dog," "Arthur," and "Postcards from Buster." Rural stations and those serving low-income communities might not survive. Other stations would have to increase corporate sponsorships.

Tomorrow, the House Appropriations Committee will decide whether to approve these severe cuts to NPR and PBS.

For more information on this and to sign a petition telling Congress to save NPR and PBS:
http://www.moveon.org/publicbroadcasting/?t=1





From an email from UNC-TV, North Carolina's public television station:

Recently, a key subcommittee in the U.S. House of Representatives voted to reduce federal funding for public broadcasting by 45 percent. If the full Congress approves this action it will reduce UNC-TV's general operating budget by a minimum of $750,000 next year, and will also eliminate $60,000 that funds UNC-TV's Ready to Learn program activities. This will result in a significant reduction in UNC-TV's programs and services for the people of North Carolina, including key services for teachers and children.

Some in Congress say there is no longer a need to support public broadcasting. Others believe it is one of the worthiest places to invest federal funds. We hope you will express your opinion to your Representative and Senators on this issue, one way or the other.

For more information on how to contact them just click this link for more information:


APTS Action

Nonesuch #53

There was a story on ABC's This Week With George Stephanopolis, Rep Walter Jones, Congressman of the 3rd district in NC announced that he would move forth legislation to create a withdrawel plan from Iraq including a set date for all the troops to be withdraw.
Jones is the man who coined the phrase 'Freedom Fries' and asked for all mentions of french fries be changed in and around Capitol Hill.
It goes to show that given the facts, figures, the evidence of no plan concerning the War in Iraq and the continued deaths of our troops, even the staunchest supporters of both the War and "W" can change their minds.

Nonesuch #52

Great news. My fiance's car was found not long after she reported it missing. It was about two blocks from her apartment at a pool hall. The ignition column was destroyed but everything that was in her care was still there and no other problems were found with the car. She will have to get the column fixed but other than that, everything is in order and she has her car back and she is ok and that is the most important part. Her co-workers took her to lunch and her boss took her to dinner. At least, as she said, she celebrated her birthday somewhat. We are goin to meet next weekend at her parent's for our celebration. The police say that it was probably a drug dea, the folks needed a car so they took hers. The police also said that theives do not usually take the same care twice so she more than likely will not have this happen again.

Nonesuch #51

My fiance's car was stolen sometime last night. She went out to go to work this morning and it was gone. She called the police and made a report and they are looking for her car. The thing is, her car is a 1986 or 88 Toyota with no paint job and could barely make it anywhere very far at all. She joked that she hopes it is on the side of the Interstate broken down or out of gas. There were so many better cars at her apartments that could have been taken, why hers? Mind you this took place almost a month to the day I had my wallet stolen. Let's hope it shows up in the ditch just as my wallet was found. She looking into get a rental car through her insurance.
And today is her birthday...

Nonesuch #50

Poll: U.S. Not Safer Because Of Iraq War

A Washington Post-ABC news poll said more than half of Americans think the fight has not made the United States any safer.

Fifty-two percent said the war has not contributed to the long-term security of the United States, while 47 percent disagree.

At a time when Washington is shifting attention to Social Security and other home front issues, the survey finds that Iraq still ranks second only to the economy in the minds of Americans, many of whom are losing patience.

Nearly three-quarters of Americans said there are too many casualties, and nearly six in 10 say the war is not worth fighting. The pollsters report that matches or exceeds the highest levels of pessimism recorded so far.

More than four in 10 said the war reminds them of Vietnam.


Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Nonesuch #49 Smoke'm if you got'em

"The Supreme Court has outlawed the use of marijuana for medical
reasons, saying the federal ban on the substance trumps state laws."

Will this start a new round of State's Rights arguments? I do not see California and the other 10 states that have passed medical marijuana use laws being too happy with this "decision".

What is more important is folks that only marijuana can alleviate their pain due to MS or cancer or AIDS or chronic pain syndrom(s), what are they going to do? Will our prisons start to overflow with these patients as they will once again be breaking the law just so they can have a few minutes of painless existance?

Nonesuch #48 - Oh I wish I was an Oscar Meyer weiner

One man's attempt to eat 60 hot dogs in 5 days is a success!
Personally, I think this would not be a big deal. 12 hot dogs a day for 5 days, that is 4 hot dogs at breakfast, lunch and dinner. I think I could do it and I may just try it sometime in the future. Its not that I want to surpass what this guy has done, just that I think I can do it. I wonder if afterwards I would be tired of hot dogs?
Below is a link to his blog giving an account of the harrowing 5 days.
He ended up eating 64 hot dogs.

Hot Dog Blog

Nonesuch #47

I just lost an entire new posting. I hate when I do things like that. At first I think I will try to re-type what I was working on but it just doesn't feel right, hard to explain. I guess I will attempt it anyway.

Another D&D weekend. We had a good time as we always do but it is not the same as it used to be. We used to play almost all of the weekend from Friday evening to sometime Sunday afternoon but now that is no longer how it is. We start Saturday morning as folk's schedules do not allow us to begin Friday. We play all day stopping only for a big meal. Sometimes we order in, sometimes we go out. When the session is over, some go home at 2am or so. Some leave the next morning, it has turned into more of a 24hr gaming session that we have over 3 days. It goes by so fast and soon we are all back to our regular day in-day out lives. At least I have World of Warcraft to keep me from going too crazy. We do live in a time of escapism. Come to think of it, hasn't there always been something people have used to alter the way they think about things, see things, to get away from the mundane everyday existance.

Nonesuch #45 Things that make you go....

People who voted in the November 2004 Presidential Election - 121,068,715

People who voted for the next American Idol - 500,000,000

Nonesuch #44

'Star Wars' fans hurt using homemade lightsabers

LONDON (AP) — Two Star Wars fans were critically injured when they tried to replicate the lightsabers used in the movie by filling glass fluorescent light tubes with fuel, police and a news report said Tuesday.

The pair, Mark Webb, 20, and an unidentified 17-year-old girl, were planning to make a video recording of a duel like those in the just-released blockbuster film Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith, Britain's Press Association news agency said.

They were injured when one of the makeshift sabers exploded Sunday evening in the woods in Hemel Hempstead, north of London.

Hertfordshire Police said a third person present when the explosion happened had been questioned. The department said the two who were injured were in critical condition at a burns unit in Chelmsford, Essex.

"At this stage we are unable to confirm the exact circumstances, but glass tubes and traces of accelerant (flammable substance) were found at the scene," police said.

Nonesuch #43

Its that time of year again where no matter what you are doing, where you are, it doesnt matter, you get the Summer Break Blues. After 20+ years of going to school in the Fall and getting out in late May or early June depending on whether you are in high school or college and when things begin in the Fall we have become conditioned to having a summer break. Lazy days or from what I remember, boring days of heat if outside or crap on the TV whether or not you have cable. There was always camp which I did attend many times over the years. When I was younger, I went to several camps with cabins, rope courses, sailing and swimming, the whole "camping experience". When I was older I went to MYF(methodist youth fellowship) camps where we stayed in dorms. I always had a good time at those and I still have fond memories of Senior High Workshop(at Louisburg College) and ACS(at Methodist College. But, back to my point. My body or my psyche is straying from all things worked related. I have thoughts being outside, gardening or running through the woods beating people with foam covered plumbing supplies and bird-seed packets. I do miss NERO. May check out an event or two this summer. It has been awhile. Got to get it in before the back-to-school sales begin.

Nonesuch #42 - Look out Mama...

Neil Young at Work on New Album

James Gregory reports:
As previously reported, rock fans had an unexpected scare in April when the iconic Neil Young was admitted to a New York hospital after suffering a brain aneurysm. A mere five weeks after successful treatment for the affliction, the legend is already back in the studio recording tracks for his next LP of new material-- his first since 2003's divisive concept album Greendale.

Citing an online post from Young's half-sister, Astrid, the NME has reported that the grunge godfather has recently been holding sessions in an undisclosed Nashville studio with veteran musicians Spooner Oldham, Ben Keith, and Carl Himmel. As Astrid says of her brother's return to recording duties: "He's feeling good, has everything under control and is back in the saddle."

Another collaborator on the latest Young effort, horn player Wayne Jackson, has also offered his insight on the sessions. Citing Ben Keith as co-producer of the upcoming disc, a recent post on Jackson's website read: "The songs sound fantastic! Neil's gifts really shine through, and Wayne had a ball coming up with the arrangements! The studio was vibrating with talent."

As the album is obviously still in the early stages of production, specific details, including song titles and a release date, have yet to be finalized, but we'll keep you posted on any further developments.

* Neil Young: http://www.neilyoung.com/






http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/news/05-05/11.shtml#young

Nonesuch #41

It has happened again. More money for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Haliburton gets a raise, soldiers get nothing and Veterans from all wars are really getting shafted.

Please take a look at this post by Paul Rieckhoff Raises for Halliburton, Cuts for the VA for an insider's view.

Nonesuch #40 - A Milestone...and more

My fortieth post on Nonesuch. When I first started out with this it was only to be able to respond to postings on my friend Chad's blog Still Point and now here I am at the 40th post.

But on to the other things.

My wallet was found yesterday. The guy that mows the lawn for Food Lion in Rockwell, a town about 7 minutes up the highway from me, found it in the ditch out front of the store. He called me about 4:50pm yesterday and said he had it and that he would leave it with the Food Lion people who were keeping it in their safe. I immediately left work and headed to get my wallet. I had no idea what would be left in it but I did know that my business cards were still in there. That was how he was able to locate me. I got the shopping center and looked around for someone mowing the lawn. He was no-where to be seen. I go in, tell them I am here for my wallet. They bring it to me and everything is there but the American Express card and the $1 that was in it when it was stolen. Just amazing luck is all I can say. It was wet and I cannot use that wallet any more but all my cards, driver's license, work id, was all in there and most importantly: my Social Security card. That was what I was most worried about and there is a chance that they wrote it down and may try to use it but I will be contacted as soon as they try. There have been a lot of great folks that have helped me out immensely and I have no way to thank them all. But I give a big thanks to the Rowan County Sheriff's Department, Wal-Mart, American Express, Food Lion, Visa, the Gold Hill Market and the Food Lion mower who found my wallet. If I left anyone out, I will add them as I remember them.

Nonesuch #39

I am really liking the Huffington Post. Somehow Arianna Huffington has got together a great blend of journalists and entertainment personalities ranging from Larry David to Walter Cronkite. Below is her latest post entitled 'What Would Jesus Do... With Tom DeLay?'


"What Would Jesus Do....with Tom Delay"

Nonesuch #38

From John Cusack's post at The Huffington Post located at

John Cusack

'Here is just one of the good doctor’s (Hunter S. Thompson) final ruminations on our American experience. He sent it to me on a t-shirt a few months ago:'

'Politics is the art of controlling your environment.' That is one of the key things I learned in these years, and I learned it the hard way. Anybody who thinks that 'it doesn't matter who's President' has never been Drafted and sent off to fight and die in a vicious, stupid War on the other side of the World -- or been beaten and gassed by Police for trespassing on public property -- or been hounded by the IRS for purely political reasons -- or locked up in the Cook County Jail with a broken nose and no phone access and twelve perverts wanting to stomp your ass in the shower. That is when it matters who is President or Governor or Police Chief. That is when you will wish you had voted.'

Nonesuch #37 - Live and Learn

My wallet was stolen and I know who did it. They(it was two of them)
used my American Express at a couple of gas stations and tried to use it at Walmart but Walmart caught them, denied the purchase and alerted American Express who cancelled my card immediately. I didn't know that till the next morning(Friday) when I called American Express and they told me. They put the stop on it immediately so I didnt lose anymore money than that. Plus, American Express' insurance will cover the purchases I did not make. I had to cancel that card and they will be sending me another. I also called the sheriff, who came out to make a report. I called my bank who cancelled my Visa check card and put a flag on my account in case it
was tried to be used again. I called Equifax who has now put a fraud alert on my record for the next 90 days and if I want, can put one on for the next 7 years which I will probably do. They also contacted the 2 other major credit score companies and they have put alerts on my records there.

My wallet had not only my credit cards but my drivers license(sp), SS# card and $1 amoung other items. I called my medical insurance company and Blockbuster to let them know that my information for them had been stolen. Blockbuster cancelled my account which I had not used since 1999. A co-worker came and took me to Albemarle to get a replacement license. Just some crazy shit. You try to help someone and this is what happens.

I do hope they get caught but I am sure I will never see my wallet and
all my stuff again.

Long story short, I helped a girl out a few weeks back. She came with a friend to the house Thursday night and wanted to borrow more. I didnt have it. Her friend needed to use bathroom, he distracted me and she took the wallet. That is my guess but I am pretty sure that is what happened. Walmart and American Express ROCK!! But now, my SS# is out there somewhere, probably on the side of the road. That is what scares me. SS administration knows about it and has made a flag as well.

So much to cover with this. I hope I covered it all. I asked a friend who is a policeman for the police side of things and a bankerfriend for the banking/money side if there is anything else I can do. Both said that I had covered all my bases. Rumor has it that they have been arrested and that Walmart will be pressing charges as well. I have been checking the local papers each day to see if they have. Now, all I have to do is wait and hope they get caught.

Nonesuch #36

Ben Folds Interview with the Onion

"When The President Talks To God" lyrics by Bright Eyes
Free download from iTunes
(link from HipClicks)

Nonesuch #35 - Variations on a Nonesuch

The Flight
3rd time flying was not so bad. I got to the airport about 2 1/2 hours before my flight even arrived at the airport so I had plenty of time to get from the parking lot to the shuttle to the airport get through security, take off my shoes along with my other carry on luggage, get through the terminal, down to the gate sit down, get out the iPod and the book, 'Lamb : The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal' and even read the first quarter of it. The trip went quickly and soon I was in Chicago waiting for the hotel shuttle to take me to the Marriot.


Mirrors
The room had too many mirrors. Everywhere I turn I see mirrors. I don't like mirrors. They remind me of how much weight I have put on since my younger days and that is not a good thing. I know, you think guys dont worry too much with weight and all that. All I know now is that I am slower in doing all things and yes I am out of shape and I dont need these mirrors to remind me. I like the rooms at the Marriot. The view was better last year. I was able to see downtown and all the lights at night. This year I had a great view of the expressway and other highrises in the area. I faced the east and even in the city, the sunrises were amazing.

Food
These guys know how to feed you. From the time the conference started till the afternoon it ended, there was food food food. They provided breakfast lunch and dinner and even though it was deli sandwiches for lunch, danishes and juice for breakfast, the evening meals were great. Thursday, Chicago deep dish pizza buffet, all you could eat plus unlimited drink refills, beer/liquor not included. Friday, the hosts laid out the buffet again but this time it was: chicken or steak tacos, 3 different kinds of ravioli, 3 kinds of stirfry and (wait for it) open bar with beer and wine and I swear I saw some one get a mixed drink. But I stayed with the beer. Sure it was Miller, Miller Lite, Bud and Bud light but it was open bar. I started with Miller Lite, see above, but sometime during the evening, switched to Miller Genuine Draft. I do not drink much anymore but this night was different. I stayed up with the Swedes, Finns and British, we shut the party down. I was back at my room around midnight, still early for the Europeans and British.

Fourth time is a charm
I have figured out why O'Hare airport is so slow, it is the people getting on the plane that takes so long. After 4 or 5 times saying to myself, "Self, ok this no one else is going to board.", Another family of 5 with small children would board. The children were not bad at all on the flight. I imagine they have all flown more than 4 times like I have.

The list of songs I listened to on the flight and trip is very long but here is a short list:

Up the Beach - Jane's Addiction
Alex Chilton - The Replacements
Strange Currencies - R.E.M
Dozin' At The Knick - Grateful Dead
Reba - Phish
Live At Red Rocks 8.15.95 - Dave Matthews Band
#41 - Dave Matthews Band
(see more on the side)

Nonesuch #34 - One more Friday night

My day is now complete having watch "Maid in Manhatten" another rags to riches, finding true love movie starring J-Lo who according to my last count was on her 3rd or is it 4th marriage?

Not much accomplished today...lawnmower still not fixed, never been that good with engines btu as a kid I could take apart a hair dryer and put it back together, not saying it worked afterwards but I could do it. Then about the time I had planned to do what yard work I could do without a lawnmower, it started to rain.

Played some WoW but got little done. This new "Honor" system just does not do it for me. I cant get quests or anything done without being jumped by Horde. Horde are other players that are playing the other faction in the game. So, it is different from fighting AI monsters, these are real life folks somewhere out there somewhere in the world playing just as I am. Now, I dont mind much PVP(player vs player) but if it everywhere I go that I can gain experience to level I tend to get frustrated. (Jonathan , it is just a game) - The voice of reason.

I remember Friday nights as exciting back in the day. Were they really? Maybe it was the looking forward to the end of the week, having some beer, listening to good music, conversation, if I was not alone. I guess I am remembering my college days. There have been things that have made my mind drift back a little too much lately. Working at a university and seeing the kids come adds to that. Now, my Friday night excitement comes from actually making it through Conan O'Brien's monologue without drifting off.


Hits of Sunshine (For Allen Ginsburg) - Sonic Youth
Are You a Hypnotist? - The Flaming Lips
Rotten Apple - Alice in Chains

Nonesuch #33

I am all out of whack. I said I would work this evening for a co-worker who had plans. It is not my usual day to come in in the afternoon. That is tomorrow, so I am all out of whack. Plus, last night, I took some Simply Sleep by the makers of Tylenol. It really worked. I slept the whole night through, woke up at 6:45, an and a half later that I normally would have woke up, and went back to sleep. Slept on and off till around 9. Got up, booted the computer and got on World of Warcraft.
I have grown sort of bored with the World of Warcraft. Maybe it is just a phase. Maybe it is just where I am in the game. I did get some things accomplished today, Finished one quest, made some coin and upgraded some of my items. Went back to sleep till 12:30 and woke up with that slept too much feeling. It was then I realized I had no caffiene in the house.

Stopped by for some hot dogs at the local Market on my way to work. They are good but I miss Yum Yum's in Greensboro. Best hot dogs and homemade ice cream around. I think they make their hot dogs there in the building but I know they make their ice cream there. Getting hungry. I always talk about going here, getting like a dozen or so and freezing them so I can have a Yum Yum's hot dog anytime but I never have. Hmmm, just realized this is my second posting this week where I have talked about hot dogs.

Nonesuch #32

Today in History

1775 Revolutionary War begins - shot heard around the world begins the American Revolution.

1993 Waco Siege Ends - Waco cult siege ends with inferno
At least 70 people are feared to have died in a fire at the besieged headquarters of the Branch Davidian sect near Waco, Texas.
The fate of the cult's leader, David Koresh, is still unknown. - BBC on this Day

1995 Oklahoma City Bombing

2005 - Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany today was elected the 265th pope and took the name Benedict XVI.

Nonesuch#31 - Hindsight is 20/20

I helped a stranger. She said a guy I went to school with told her to come and see if I could help. She never did say what school that was but where I live now is nowhere near where I went to high school and over an hour from where I went to college. She said she was in dire need and wasn't sure what she was going to do, so I helped. It wasn't much and she promised to repay me. Now, I have heard all the stories. My Father being a minister, we lived right off of I-95 and had many many folks come off the highway and ask for gas, food, hotel room and just plain old cash. A few times I was home alone when one of these people would show up. Some would not take no for an answer. Dad got really good with these folks. He would offer to go with them to a gas station and pay for a full tank of gas or take them to McDonald's for a burger. I think the church even had a fund set up for these occasions seeing they were often. He had one guy say sure and Dad told him which gas station to meet him and the guy drove off and back onto I95 without stopping for gas. Sometimes, these people would try other churches in the area, but there was a communication line between all the churches. I think they even took turns as being the church the police department would call in case of emergencies. Yes, there were real emergencies from time to time, but I got really suspicious of folks coming asking.

This whole thing reminds me of in ancient Greece and I want to say even in modern Greece, the guest/host relationship; where a traveller comes to your house, you invite them in, treat them as one of your family cause you just never know when one of the gods or godesses might stop by.

So, why did I help if I am so suspicious. That, I don't know. Sometimes my faith in others can blind me to people that are only out to take advantage of a someone like me. Perhaps she did need it more than I, perhaps not. In the of it all, does it really matter...

Nonesuch #30

I feel like doing nothing today and when that happens my brain starts to wander and I get that nothing is working right in my life feeling. Damn, this is starting out like another feel sorry for me post and I dont want that. I just want to put thoughts down. Gee, this is really going downhill fast. Oh well...
I miss NERO. I guess you can say I was phased out of all things related to the chapter. Stopped getting any kind of communication from the owner or anyone else for that matter. I was really involved but when ownership changed, it came to a stop over a period of time. It really makes me mad and sad and bothers me from time to time, today being one of those times. I am not sure what I can do anyway that can make myself feel better about the situation. I have thought about going to other chapters but I dont see the point. I think it comes down to the people. Now, there are some really great people that do NERO, dont get me wrong. Then there are other that if I never saw again ,it would not bother me. I had many great times at NERO and that is why I miss it but I really don't think there is ever going back.

Nonesuch #29

I am going to Chicago next Wednesday for a conference for work. It will be only my 3rd time on a plane. I am still not sure what I think of flying. I do know it is not my favorite thing to do. I was hoping it would be sort of like riding a roller coaster but it wasn't. It was like floating for an overextended amount of time which is not the best feeling in the world. My fiance flew to California 2 weeks ago for a conference. She had not flown since before 9/11. She was quite nervous and worried. She had loved flying and I think she wanted to have that feeling back. Instead she had back experiences at LAX and vows to never flew to that airport again. I get a pit in my stomach every time I think of flying...but I try not to think about it too much.
I like Chicago. I went last year for the same conference. I didn't get out of the hotel much since the conference was almost nonstop from 8am-8pm. I did get and I had one of the best hot dogs I have ever had at a little hot dog place down near Wrigley Field, I think. They have a dude in a tux open the door for you on Saturday nights. Demon Dogs is its name. I am going a day early this year and I plan to head into the city and go to Demon Dogs for a hot dog or 2.

Nonesuch #28

Some thoughts on CS Lewis and Tolkien

The Hobbit and the Lion, the witch and the wardrobe both have their beginings with the Inklings that both CS LEwis and Tolkein were members of. Bascially, they sat around and drink ale and talked about literature etc. They wanted to write something different, something that had not been seen before and The Hobbit and the Narnia books came out of those conversations. I think that Tolkien had been working on Middle Earth since college or at least WW1 and just set his story in that world. Narnia is more children's I think, even more than the Hobbit where even in the Hobbit a few main characters die. Also, Aslan is such a christlike figure and we dont see anything like that in the Hobbit. You could argue that Gandalf could be after his battle with the Balrog, he "dies" and comes back, but that may be a stretch. The Lion the Witch and The wardrobe is coming out this year as a live action movie bigcscreen style. What I have seen looks great.

Nonesuch #27

Happy Birthday David Letterman

Nonesuch #26

I just noticed my last few postings were regurgitations from news sites I regularly read. Great. I must have a really hard time coming up with original ideas/thoughts to put down. The internet certainly makes it easier to do with a little cut and paste and there you go, some info for whoever to look at when they "come upon" this blog. It somewhat disturbs me but in other ways, it is just easier to do. Maybe that is the problem I am having, taking the easy way with things, which is something I used to never do, and now I do it more and more. But is it really the easy way out or am I just not "re-inventing the wheel"?
As some of you may have noticed, my picture is no longer up on my profiles portion of this blog. I had my picture in a website I was in charge of but now I have no control over it, so it has been removed. A situation out of my control is the cause of this and I really do not feel comfortable talking about it at this time but I post on it sometime in the future. Water under the bridge.

Nonesuch #25

Hunter Thompson's Remains To Be Shot Out Of Cannon

DENVER -- Hunter Thompson lived fast and loud. And the late gonzo journalist will make at least one more loud noise before he's done.

Thompson's widow announced that his ashes will be shot out of a cannon mounted on a 53-foot sculpture on the grounds of his home in Colorado.

Anita Thompson said this was his wish. As she put it: "It's expensive, but worth every penny," adding, "He loved explosions."

Thompson shot himself in the head in February. The author of classics that included "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and "The Great Shark Hunt" was 67.

The sculpture will reproduce Thompson's "gonzo fist" emblem. The cannon blast is to take place sometime in August.

Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Nonesuch #24

Neil Young treated for aneurysm.

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Rocker Neil Young was treated for a "dangerous brain aneurysm" this week but is expected to make a full recovery, his agent said Friday.

Nonesuch #23

Not an April Fool:

Pat Buchanan doused with salad dressing...

Nonesuch #22

I have become one of the iPod nation...
And I have found music once again. What did I do before this fantastic piece of equipment came into my life?
I settled for what was on the radio or the latest talk show on NPR or what I could find on the internet. Granted, there are some good stations to be found on the internet; KFOG, KCRW, WFMU and my latest find Radio David Byrne. But I could not take those great songs with me and save them and play them when I wanted.
I have gone into my cd collection and have started uploading songs, albums. Some I have not listened to in a decade. Covered with dust, I looked to read the liner notes, the set lists, the playlists. Not even recoginizing songs titles but knowing all the lyrics once I hear the songs.

Nonesuch #21

I had been meaning to listen to Springer on the Radio for some time now. Then I found out he would be joining Air America Radio my interest was peaked. Of course I had my doubts knowing what little I did about the man from his world famous TV show. I have done some background info on him. I learned about his politics in the 70s and 80s as Mayor of Cincinnati. He has always been a Democrat and just last summer he attended the Democratic Convention as a delegate from Ohio.
I listened for the first time yesterday. I like what I have heard so far. He knows the issues and he can really express himself. We don't see this side of him on his TV show. It will be an interesting listen when he will be on right before Al Frankin.

Nonesuch #20

Continuing with the Korn related posts:
Korn's lead singer has a son named Pirate.

Nonesuch #19

Read this "Culture of Life" post.
He has put into words what I have not been able to.

Nonesuch # 18

What a difference a week makes. Last week at this time we were having a very cold rain with potential snow/ice mix. This week, we have a warmer rain with possibilities of thunderstorms. It is that time of year...
Found out that this week is National Bubble Week, so Happy Bubble Week.
Short week, but it doesnt feel like it. Felt awful all day yesterday, just now getting back to feeling normal, whatever that is.

Nonesuch #17

It is a semi-nasty winter weather day today. Cold rain but not cold enough to be snow or even sleet. If it is going to be like this, bring on the snow. We have had no snow days this year. We have had at least 1 since I started working here. Oh well...
I think March 16th should be some holiday or "Day". It is surrounded by the Ides of March and St Patrick's Day. Not sure what day it could become.
September 19th is Pirate's Day, June 21st is Orange Shirt Day
( http://www.nbc4.tv/entertainment/1523773/detail.html )and January 23rd is National Pie Day. Hmmm...

Nonesuch #16

Beware the Ides of March...

Nonesuch #15

Scott, one of my closest friends, his Mother died last week. It was expected but that doesn't make it any easier to deal with, well at least for me. Over the past 7 days, I have had many memories come flooding back from over the past 18 years I have known her. I spent a lot of my senior year in high school at his house...we were supposed to be studying world history(the truth comes out) but we spent much much time watching movies, playing early video games on his early computer, was it a Tandy or IBM or did he have both? We always had plenty of food, junk food mostly: Fudge Rounds from Little Debbie, Brightleaf hotdogs, chips, cookies, high octane tea...good stuff. But, D&D was the game of choice in that house. There was a basement there where we would play. Several tables full of gaming books, boxes, miniatures etc etc. We played on a pool table, it worked perfectly for gaming. A dozen or so people could fit around it and we all would have enough space to play the game. There were a few times we had that many but mostly it was 5 or 6 folks, 4 being the core of the group. 2 of us still play regularly. I can remember playing all weekend, almost nonstop. Also on weeknights when we could. There was an open area where we played Death Hockey, I think that is what it was called. I cannot remember the rules to save my life but I do remember the blue dragon that was painted on the wall. There was an Axis and Allies game but I dont remember if we ever played that. We even made our first boffer weapons in that basement, some of us used table legs wrapped in pillows and blankets. Ryan used pvc pipe and pipe foam. Who would know that that was what is used in NERO/LARP. I cannot remember how long ago that was...may have been when we were in collge. I remember when they sold the pool table...it was an empty feeling...sure we had another table to use but it was not the same, just not the same.
The more I think I am changing, I am pretty much the same as I was when we played D&D in the basement, watched bad movies and played Pirates on that old computer...

Nonesuch #13a

Update on this story

Ex-Korn guitarist baptized in Jordan River
http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-03-06-korn-guitarist-baptism_x.htm

Nonesuch # 14

I played D&D this past weekend. It had been a long time since the group had got together and played. It was just what I needed, a break away from the things in "regular life". I was thinking on the ride home, I have played D&D since 1979 or maybe 1980, which means I have played D&D 25 or so years of my life. I dont know of anything I have done consistently over my lifetime longer than D&D, well, maybe my education. I think about how my life would be different if I had not played D&D. I would not have most of my close friends I have today, I would not have ever found out about LARP and become involved with that. I may not have done the majors in college that I did (religious and Classical Greece studies. I don't think I would even be a librarian if not for D&D. I read more, did more math, hung out with cool people that fostered great relationships with folks for close to 18 years. It dont get any better than that.

Nonesuch #13

Odd story of the day, well odd to me....

Korn guitarist finds God, leaves band
http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Music/02/23/music.korn.reut/index.html

Nonesuch # 12

Hunter S Thompson took his life yesterday. I wouldn't say he was someone I looked up to but I did enjoy reading his writings. He always told it like it was, at least according to what he thought. And that is all we can ask of folks sometimes.

Nonesuch # 11

And if you want to find me I'll be out in the sandbox, wondering where the hell all the love has gone.
- Barenaked Ladies

Nonesuch #10

Blah
It is Friday. I have gone 13 days straight at work. Mind you, not everyday was a full 8 hour day but still, the getting up and going into work gets to you after awhile.

Nonesuch #9

Susan B. Anthony was born on February 15, 1820, in Adams,
Massachusetts. She was brought up in a Quaker family with long
activist traditions. Early in her life, she developed a sense of
justice and moral zeal. She lived in Rochester, New York, during the
most politically active period of her life. It was here where she was
arrested for voting in 1872, before women had the right to vote.
Anthony is best known as an advocate for women's suffrage, but she
began her career as an outspoken proponent of temperance (abstinence
from alcohol).
...taken from the ALMANAC.COM COMPANION to the Farmer's Almanac 2005


On Feburary 15, 399 B.C. the Greek philosopher Socrates was sentence to death.
Athens was the intellectual and artistic center of Classical
Greece, and its reputation was strongest in philosophy. Although
Socrates did not leave any writings, his teachings were described
by Plato, his pupil. Socrates believed that all real knowledge
was within each person and personal critical examination could
bring it forth. However, when Socrates questioned public authority
and demonstrated the ignorance of many public officials he was
arrested and convicted of corrupting the youth of Athens. He was
offered clemency in return for publicly recanting earlier
teachings. However, he refused and was thus sentenced to death.
...taken from HistoryDaily.com - An Entertaining Look Back By Trevor Smith and Charles Smith

Nonesuch #8

Hell is other people...Jean-Paul Sartre

And the older I get, the more I agree with this. No matter the situation there are always one or more usually more that just tend to get on my nerves over and over. And it is usually the same things each time. I do wonder if it is me but I dont think so. I try to keep an open mind about these things, I dont want to think bad things about people but in my short lifetime, I have had to deal with too much BS for it to be just me, not that many coincindences can happen. Then they are no longer coincidences.

Nonesuch #7

All work and no play makes Jonny a dull boy.

Nonesuch #6

I am at work today. We rotate between the four of us so each of us works about one weekend a month. Not so bad. I filled in for one of my co-workers last Sunday after his father-in-law died but it was not the whole day. I did miss most of the SuperBowl but these things happen. Already ready for the next season of the NFL to start. Guess I will have to keep playing Madden 2005 on the PS2 to get my fix. NBC is also showing the complete Arena Football League season this year. It is a faster game with only a 50 yard indoor playing field.

Nonesuch #5

Today in 1847 Thomas Edison was born. Not only did he come up with the light bulb but he had approximently 199 patents registered in his lifetime.

It is Friday but not really for me....I work this weekend, Sunday and Saturday. Once a month is not so bad. Sundays are the worst, 2pm-10pm...sometimes it feels like it will last forever.

Nonesuch #4

Duke 71 UNC 70

Nonesuch #3

Today is the Chinese and/or Lunar New Year. It is the Year of the Rooster. I was born during the Year of the Dog....makes you wonder...if its just the dog in me.
I think about how it is said that what you are doing on New Year's Eve is what you will be doing the rest of the year. When the Millenium came a few years ago, I spent it alone watching bad TV. Am I doomed to watching bad TV for the next 100 years? So far, the networks have made it true.........
except "House" on FOX. Great show.

Nonesuch #2

Irony of the day...while playing
World of Warcraft last night, and for those that do not know, WoW is a massively multiplayer online computer game, I had this come on the screen while in a fight:

Your Defense is now 85
You have died. Click here to Resurrect.


(sighs)

Nonesuch #1

I guess everyone will have one eventually, or maybe everyone already does, they just don't know it yet.