Thursday, September 30, 2004
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Irish for the...uh...iri-seashell
Here ya go...Didn't know ifyou got the "Moore and Broaders" album from my ipod stash. If you look on you ipod and see that, then you have some of the best Irish music of our time. I can actually say that those boys are friends of mine. Pat Broaders is the stuff, and in my opinion, Jimmy Moore is the Irish Sting. Here is the closest to Ireland that you can get. You should talk to Mrs. M. about going to Chicago with she and the new band chic for the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. Moore and Broaders play in the Kitty Oshea Pub in the basement of the Hilton Towers every year. Yes, Kitty Oshea's is the REAL thing. They are all Irish and you get an AWESOME shepherds pie there. Here is one of my favorite reviews:
The genuine Irish pub atmosphere here is doubly enhanced by the authentic Irish fare. We do not pretend to be an expert on Irish food, but we do know what tastes good in the long run. Start with a pile of Guinness-battered onion rings, or maybe the "Galway Irish chips," a rubble of potato fries that comes with a zippy Irish curry sauce. Decent shepherd’s pie might be a good way to go straight to the stick-to-the-ribs entrées: lamb stew and top-drawer fish and chips. Bailey’s cheesecake is a good way to wrap it all up.
As if this was a surprise. They want the timing lights removed from John Kerry's lectern because he is easily distracted... Hmmm... Hence the flip flopping. I bet when the lights go off tonight, he changes his stance on whatever topic he is currently discussin...
"I believe the American people have been lied too concerning the Iraqi war {30 second warning light} I believe that the war in Iraq was the correct move and I support it... {15 second warning light} I don't support the war in Iraq! {10 Secon Light} I DO support the war in Iraq {5 second warniing light} I don't ... (at this point his brain over heats and he passes out)."
The guy is a waste of space... I hope they go to a no-holds Texas Chain match...
The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five pound note.
The Owl looked up to the stars above,
And sang to a small guitar,
'O lovely Pussy! O Pussy my love,
What a beautiful Pussy you are,
You are,
You are!
What a beautiful Pussy you are!'
Pussy said to the Owl, 'You elegant fowl!
How charmingly sweet you sing!
O let us be married! too long we have tarried:
But what shall we do for a ring?'
They sailed away, for a year and a day,
To the land where the Bong-tree grows
And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood
With a ring at the end of his nose,
His nose,
His nose,
With a ring at the end of his nose.
'Dear pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling
Your ring?' Said the Piggy, 'I will.'
So they took it away, and were married next day
By the Turkey who lives on the hill.
They dined on mince, and slices of quince,
Which they ate with a runcible spoon;
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,
They danced by the light of the moon,
The moon,
The moon,
They danced by the light of the moon.
-Edward Lear
If anyone wants to see a nice animated version of this (or The Hobbit or Strega Nona), I suggest you make your way out to the Hempstead County Public Library. Maybe they still have it. Who knows, I might have worn it out.
The US Tax code is now over 49, 600 pages. We are all taxed twice on our money. We pay taxes on money we save and earn and then on the interest, capital gains, or dividends that we might earn on our money. And of course we pay taxes on all the goods we buy. We need tax savings not tax-shelters.
In the 60's, the US had 90 percent of all large companies in the world. It is down now to less then 50 percent. This is due to aloud of reasons , but when a corporation finds it more profitable to make money in another country , they are going move there. Can you blame them? I always take the best deal myself.
Many congressman and senators want to get rid of the IRS.
Tom Delay Jim Demint Denny Hastert John Lindner and others
There are two theories of a better tax system.
National Sales tax and a flat tax.
National Sales tax (Value added Tax or VAT) This levies taxes on goods and services but not on savings. A bill has been proposed to make a 23 percent tax on all purchases. Now this sounds hefty, but you have to look at it like this. Your salary isn't taxed anymore and corporate taxes would almost disappear, making goods cheaper. Some say that if the VAT was introduced that the price of goods would rise forcing people to stop buying goods and companies would fall to their knees. It is funny that the opponents of the VAT admit to taxes being bad for people and the economy when it suits them.
Think of it like this. We get our check with all of the taxes already taken out. Once a year we "do our taxes" and we "get" money back. We really never get the full understanding of how much they are taking from us. When taxes raise we don't really feel it. During the "tax season" we do all the work and they withhold the money to a later date when we do all the paper work to figure up how much they owe us. We don't even make interest on the money they keep to invest. Think about it like this. If we kept all of our money and on April 15th we figured up how much we owed them, we would never let the government get too big again. We don't really fell the affects. We actually sometimes think how great it is to "get" money back from the government. I would be much more willing to put the money that they suggest me to withhold from my salary and put it into a special savings account where I can make money off of it before I have to give it to the Government. For one, we would know exactly how much we are giving them and we would listen more carefully to the money and programs that they want to start or sustain. You would especially take notice if you got abetter paying job. When tax day came around and you realized how "progressive" the system is concerning a worker making more money and going into a new "bracket". The more money you make the more punitive the tax code is. Our code is sending out a subtle message: We are going to punish you if you make more money. And this is where the flat tax comes in. We all pay the same no matter what we make. If you make 10 thousand or 10 million you pay the same ratio or percentage. That is fair. It is funny to think that all the countries that institute the flat tax are former communist countries and former dictator controlled countries. Russia has a 13 percent flat tax and they have pulled themselves out of the hole since the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end to the Soviet Union. I can remember when they were in hard times. Their economy has been growing on an average of 6 percent. Ours was 4.3 last quarter. The newly free Iraq has an 8 percent flat tax. We are ranked 107th out of 160 countries in economic freedom. More taxes can't make a better economy and that is why certain political leaders say that they are taking from the rich (who are really evil and steal money from everyone else and should be shot in the head and drug down the street) and giving it to the poor (the victims of the rich)*. Again this argument is based on emotion. They hide the tax code behind withholdings and ever increasing social programs. They talk about how they want to help the poor and education and welfare and healthcare. They use these pet issues to jack up the taxes. And anyone who want to give a tax cut to help out famiiles and the economy hate the poor, don't care about the elderly, want people to be sick and want to hurt the middle class.
We need to simplify the tax code for one reason: so we can see how big the government is. We have no idea how much money it is taking in. Too much. The Great Society proposed by Johnson has not made things better. We have spent almost 6 trillion dollars on the poor, HUD, welfare and all other social programs and today all I hear from the party that instituted these things is doom and gloom and how bad this country is and how we need to put more money into the social programs (Univeral Health Care anyone?). And if anyone stands in the way then the ad hominid remarks start to fly. They did it to Reagan and now they are doing to it W.
This country was not founded on great expansive social programs, it was founded on hard work and American vigor.
people that is. Liberals can try to fill your head full of crap about respecting other cultures and whatnot, but there are certain things that just violate basic human rights, and their culture should respect that. Take for instance 35 children die in explosions in Iraq while they were waiting for U.S. Troops to pass out candy to commemorate the opening of a new sewage treatment plant. Our soldiers have worked their butts off trying to make that place livable and not a damn sandpile, and certain backwards anal orifices simply can't accept that. They'd rather blow their own children up than let them experience a simple act of kindness by U.S. troops. There's no reasoning with these people, they're mad. There's also only one thing they understand: force. At least we have a President who understands that.
So as you register to vote this November, remember which man has stood firm in his actions and statements, and which has consistently flip-flopped. Vote Bush, for the sake of the innocent people in Iraq. If we leave the job half done, then we've let them down.
And that's just a small one, let's talk about aircraft speeds, appropriately called "v-speeds"
VA VS0 VS1 VREF VR VFE VLE VLO VX VY VNO VNE VMC VYSSE... and many more
Even NOTAMS are mostly accronyms and abbreviations:
KSWO RWY 35 REIL OTS UFN
Trust me, I could go on for quite a while, but I think I'll just let this sit for a bit... you people should honestly know better than to challenge Captain Dorkus.
For added measure, I'll throw in just a few more:
MOCA DH MDA ORCA MEA PT ILS VOR ADF GPS RNAV TCAS RADAR PD MOA RA TWR CLRDEL Etc...
And with that, I'm going to bed. Oh, and if anyone can figure out how to control the space-time continuum (I'm looking at you Phynerk) and can figure out how to teleport me to Conway, just let me know...
Ann Coulter was so good! I don't understand how anyone can listen to her speak and still be a Liberal. And she disproves that stupid theory that conservatives never have any fun; she is SO hilarious, but looking at her hurts me. She is so stinking skinny. I just want to give the girl a nice big cheese-burger. Of course people are stupid, and when it came time for questions, one guy stood up and kept making stupid comments about his beloved liberalism and such, and she told him off! It was great. She made the comment that the Liberals were the ones making rude comments instead of asking valid questions. She's so cool. And guess who had the nerve not to show up...DeRIck, uh I mean eRIc. The farzzz and I saw him afterwards riding around with some guys he claimed he'd just met. Shame on you eRIc. You missed some great laughs.
Looks like I'm going to the great state of Alabama this weekend. It's gonna be so much fun I might wet myself. Can't you just feel the sarcasm? I'm not too fond of bus rides, as I'm sure none of you are, and arriving back at UCA at 3a.m. Sunday simply can't be good. We have to play "America the Beautiful" with the UNA's band after our shows. I almost wish it would rain, but then going to Florence, Alabama, would really be a waste, unless of course there were a torrential storm early Saturday morning that made it utterly impossible to march. Like that would happen.
I was looking at the list of public performances at UCA for this year and the mandolin player from Nickle Creek is coming in January. He's so awesome. I'll have to get some certain someone to go with me.
I must now make a naptime playlist for the ol' iPod.
seashell
(It takes forever to get that right when you keep typing font colour instead of color.)
Although The Grand Poo Poo Bah took the wind out of my sail with his last post, I need to say the following any way 'cause it's what I had planned any way...So...
You know there's nothing wrong with acronyms. For instance, when I say, "USA", we all know immediately it means Universal System Authorization so in this instance it's a good thing. BUT !! After only the first half of the fist day of this class I'm in , here is only a SAMPLE of said acronyms we've been accosted with already:
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
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I posted then I saw the light...or the RANT!
We too get mad at the thought of a poorly run network... So...
The new domain controller was brought online when we finally connected the ISA through VPN to the the domain through RRAS. Unfortunately, this took longer than expected as the router had a small problem with it's onboard LAT. DIS naturally took their time in fixing the LAT and had to consult with other departments within APSCN before they could PING both in and out. We created our VPN, got the connection through RRAS and waited for DFS to do it's stuff. So, DC through ISA via RRAS over the VPN to replicate the DFS. Everyone up to speed? So today, we notice, no DFS through VPN to the DC...DNS? Nope, NTDS! So, no replication to the DC over the VPN (Through ISA) because the LDP has a problem with mismatched info through the SCHEMA. How do we fix the LDP problem between the DCs, the DOMAIN, the DNS? DCDIAG? NETDIAG? ADIS EDIT? Nope...NETDOM! NETDOM fixes the passwordd (yes the extra "d" is supposed to be there) and all is good?!?! Hmmm...replication takes place...all is better? YES! So DC gets DFS and NTDS over VPN through ISA. DNS is good. RRAS is good. I think all will be well... At least we don't have to deal with NOVELL... Ain't it swell? Oh well...can't beat the smell... Dude, your gettin' a Dell!
Hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and a possible volcano eruption. All these things, and truly the worst natural...or yet unnatural disaster will be John Kerry. I do however, like the new orange look he has, it gives him a youthful, rich beyond your dreams appeal.
The Harvard kids think he is the stuff:
Kristina M. Moore ’08, who has been in college only two weeks was equally impressed with her chance to meet the Democratic presidential nominee.
“To get a handshake and a word with John Kerry was just absolutely amazing,” she said. “Absolutely unbelievable...a little surreal.” - thecrimson
I too would be excited to meet the REAL Herman Munster. And Kristina would know! Most college kids who have been at school for only 2 weeks usually are smarter than EVERYONE else. But a Harvard girl...2 weeks...she's ready to step right onto the supreme court and fix all of our problems...but I digress. After all, that could be the hand that touched Jane Fonda, or stuck that knife in the back of the REAL heros who fought and died in Vietnam. What college student wouldn't look up to a wind surfing, mountain biking, botox injecting, tan in bottle superhuman?
You know, I really am excited about the debate on Thursday. I only wish instead of asking the media to pose questions, they would have a national lottery and get REAL people. Looks like the word REAL is my REAL word for the day...
From one end of the spectrum to yet the other, I am now on the other end of the tech/user relationship. Yes folks, I'm a user... and I hate it. Let's back up just a bit so you may understand exactly what it is of which I speak. For years now, the Flight Center has had a crappy windows 2000 Local Area Network that ran our crappy old version of Total FBO. It didn't work entirely well, but I had given myself full administrative rights to every computer on the small network and I had it running almost efficiently... at least as efficient as one could get with the stoneage boat anchors that these computers really were. Now, we have a crappy-slow 10 megabit fiber connection to campus, and brand new dell computers that are slower than dirt because they must interface through the aforementioned crappy 10mb fiber connection to a windows 2003 active directory domain with some stupid novell client running over it. In other words, you log in and it takes approximately five freakin' minutes to get to a desktop. (No, it's not installing managed software, they don't even use RIS here) It's just loading EVERYTHING they could install on these stupid things at startup. Yep, I'm locked out, I'm just an ordinary user who is now suffering the intolerable stupidity of a poorly managed network. I'm used to working on crappy computers and making them run more efficiently, it's my specialty. (msconfig anyone?) I've even been known to delve into a registry or two in my younger years seeking the utmost in efficiency, but when I see brand new 2.4 ghz dells running this slow, I feel like throwing them all into a big pile in the middle of the room and going back to pencil and paper.
I also had quite an interesting conversation with one of the tech guys at the airport while waiting on one of my students. The conversation turned to macs and he claimed to hate them just as he managed to crash this particular computer for the third time in half an hour, and I responded with, "Why? Because they work when they're supposed to?"
I want to reintall windows 2k on every computer at the flight center and run these computers on the hope domain via VPN... OSU can go to the nether regions... I think I'm just gonna stick to flying from now on, computers make my blood pressure too high.
Monday, September 27, 2004
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Scottish Moors and the Emerald Isle
I just purchased some Irish/Scottish music, and I must say it was the best investment I've made in quite a while. The farzzz and I decided that it's a good thing she prefers Scotland while I prefer Ireland because we were recently told that in every relationship you must disagree, otherwise one person is not necessary. I suppose all of you should take that as you will, but when it comes right down to it, I see myself being unnecessary in a few relationships. There are some people with whom I simply never disagree. They may be very few, but they do exist. Does this mean I just need to stay away from those people? That doesn't seem logical; they are my favourite people in the whole world. But if I'm not doing them any good shouldn't I do them the favour? I don't even try to agree with them. It just happens. I guess I should wish happy, healthy, argumentative relationships on everyone I care about.
I was reminded again today of how much I hate females. I'm not quite sure how you guys put up with me. Hopefully I'm not too much like "them." I can't stand being around large groups of girls, and I could never have a bunch of girlfriends. A best friend is enough. Throw in a few nice acquaintances and seashell is done. The day we get a woman president will be a sad one. Well, there I go again. I'm sure I agree with most of you on that bit. I'll have to stop agreeing before I'm gotten rid of. That's it.
Sunday, September 26, 2004
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Gotta Love Taxes
SOCIAL SECURITY:
Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat, introduced the Social Security (FICA) Program. He promised:
1.) That participation in the Program would be completely voluntary,
2.) That the participants would only have to pay 1% of the first $1,400 of their annual incomes into the Program,
3.) That the money the participants elected to put into the Program would be deductible from their income for tax purposes each year,
4.) That the money the participants put into the independent "Trust Fund" rather than into the General operating fund, and therefore, would only be used to fund the Social Security Retirement Program, and no other Government program, and,
5.) That the annuity payments to the retirees would never be taxed as income.
Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are now receiving a Social Security check every month -- and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% of the money we paid to the Federal government to "put away," you may be interested in the following:
Q: Which Political Party took Social Security from the independent "Trust" fund and put it into the General fund so that Congress could spend it?
A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the Democratically-controlled House and Senate.
Q: Which Political Party eliminated the income tax deduction for Social Security (FICA) withholding?
A: The Democratic Party.
Q: Which Political Party started taxing Social Security annuities?
A: The Democratic Party, with Al Gore casting the "tie-breaking" deciding vote as President of the Senate, while he was Vice President of the U.S.
Q: Which Political Party decided to start giving annuity payments to immigrants?
A: That's right! Jimmy Carter and the Democratic Party. Immigrants moved into this country, and at age 65, began to receive SSI Social Security payments! The Democratic Party gave these payments to them, even though they never paid a dime into it!
Then, after doing all this lying and thieving and violation of the original contract (FICA), the Democrats turn around and tell you that the Republicans want to take your Social Security away!
And the worst part about it is, uninformed citizens believe it!
We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.--Winston Churchill
Work-huh...What is it good for?...Absolutely nothing...Say it again!
I know that picture did not look like the tax payers were getting their just deserts...BUT, that iPod was actually housing the necessary data to hack the Linux server. The backpack not only had 1, but 2 joysticks, which everyone knows you need to hack a linux server with. The drink cups (which contained a liquid nourishment secret to our society) were weighted and monitored by laser alignment devices from outside of the picture frame.
It may look as if we were "goofing off," but much work was being done on that day! Unfortunately, a small rodent was found electrocuted to death within the FLux Capacitor at the State level, and the router has yet to come "online."
On viewing the picture of "what 'certain' individuals did on Saturday", I'm left with great concerns as to what actually was going on funded by our fair city's taxes. For instance there's the matter of the unknown nature of the beverages seen on the work table. The immediate question that comes to my mind is, how were these containers tethered to avoid accidentally falling into the new pcs.. that our fair city's taxes procured. Also, what were these 'indivduals consuming on school property? Next comes the matter of the iPod device clearly seen near one of the computers. How, if at all, can this 'toy' be contributed to any value-added tasks these 'individuals' could possibly be working on that would pertain to school-related functions. Then there is that backpack. Was it cleared through the proper security measures to avoid any concealed....weapon(s)? What I find appaling is the absence of anything that would look like it had anything to do with....work . I'll try to keep an open mind here and believe that these 'individuals' were actually working with our dear, darling children in mind.
Saturday, September 25, 2004
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I'm just bloggin' like a gang-buster...
I get a lot of flack about my kids going to private school... I've taught public school for 11 years. I know what goes on there. Why in the world would I send the two most important people in my life to this place. Heck, I wouldn't even send some of the best kids ( and members of this site) that I have taught in school, to this school...
I found this nice piece of information in an article online:
In Philadelphia, 44 percent of the teachers put their children in private schools; in Cincinnati, 41 percent; Chicago, 39 percent; Rochester, N.Y., 38 percent. The same trends showed up in the San Francisco-Oakland area, where 34 percent of public school teachers chose private schools for their children; 33 percent in New York City and New Jersey suburbs; and 29 percent in Milwaukee and New Orleans.
Little David was in his 4th grade class when the teacher asked the children what their fathers did for a living. All the typical answers came up: fireman, policeman, salesman, doctor, lawyer, etc.
David was being uncharacteristically quiet, so the teacher asked him about his father.
"My father's an exotic dancer in a gay cabaret and takes off all his clothes in front of other men and they put money in his underwear. Sometimes, if the offer is really good, he will go home with some guy and make love with him for money."
The teacher, obviously shaken by this statement, hurriedly set the other children to work on some exercises and took little David aside to ask him "Is that really true about your father?"
"No," said David, "He works for the Democratic National Committee to elect John Kerry, but I was too embarrassed to say that in front of the other kids."
Friday, September 24, 2004
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Cactuses, cacti, cactum ?
No matter how you spell it, there's a whole honkin' lot of those prickly things out here in Phoenix. So far I've got one of the three one-week schools behind me. I'm so smart now, I don't know why I bother with you....mortals.
.We're off to Sedona, AZ tomorrow ( Sat.) to hike a mountain trail. ( There aren't too many like that in Hope, so I think I should take the opportunity.)
By the way, JeffC, I couldn't fit the autopilot in my pocket, but I did get you a dandy Honeywell ball point pen.( You're welcome)
Now that's what I call service. Stillwater to Conway in less than two hours, and thanks to the crusty old courtesy car (but not the sweet land yacht they used to have) I'm blogging on eRIc's computer. I tell you what, it really is about who you know rather than what. Free plane ride (round trip service included in the free costs) and a free apartment for the weekend. It's almost like I'm on vacation... oh wait, I am. Props to eRIc for letting me mooch. Props to Pro and Levi for the ride, and props to N6625D for not breaking...
Thursday, September 23, 2004
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Toenails...WT...heck!?!
Toenails! You are worried about the color of your toenails. Now, I can see that this might be important to you and the Aggie Pilot, but what are you talking about. You made the decision. Change them back... Why pink? That is definitely not one of your colors!!
OK...now to business. I was happy to hear the speech that the Iraqi Interim Prime Minister gave today! Notice dear liberals...THEY ARE HAPPY WE SAVED THEM!!! The Americans..not Bush, not Kerry, the Americans!! BUT...who got us there? George W. Bush! The man said what he was going to do, and he did it. I am glad that our commander and chief isn't a FLIP FLOP Artist.
Something has gone terribly wrong. If I don't fix it, the fate of someone (probably myself) may very well be at stake! I've always been one to like change, variety, spontaneity, and most things unordinary, but there is one thing in my life that must, under all circumstances, remain constant. My toenails have been red for at least the last five years of my life. A few days ago they became pink, and all things good came to a sudden halt. Granted my fellow convoginators do not understand my dilemma, but imagine for a moment, Manteca and Jeff C., if you will the horror that would follow if you parted your hair on the other side. What chaos would occur as a result of such a rash action! We must not be so brazen as to attempt to change the unchangeable. Only death and destruction will result from such lunacies, such as John Kerry winning the presidential election. In other words, if you want the country to stay somewhat intact, change the things that should be and can be changed and don't bother with the things that shouldn't and can't.
In a shady nook one moonlit night
A leprechaun I spied.
With scarlet cap and coat of green
A cruiskeen by his side.
'Twas tick tock tick his hammer went
Upon a tiny shoe.
Oh, I laugh to think he was caught at last,
But the fairy was laughing, too.
I'm hoping to finagle some IHOP out of me Mam this weekend. Do they have Irish pancakes? If not, I suppose tea will have to suffice. Now I'm just waiting for that Aggie flight to come in...
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
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Hear, here ...session #4
I've been sharing with you in my past post how the Boomer generation was largely shaped by the lyrics of their music. Well, I can dump the whole load on you with the group that raised the bar all the way up with the "genius" behind their songs. The group was Procol Harum. Somehow they were able to express so much thought towards a particular subject in a way no other group I know could. For example when it came to the subject of world peace, there was Playmate of the Mouth that said: Skeptic at the feast in ashes Henchman at the pour on's ball Wrote her fate in neon caption Slender sender made me crawl
Then there was their advice for free speech with Broken Barricades: It was all once bright jewels Glittering sand The oceans of rubbish strangled the land. Waste fills the temples Their daughters are born Their presses are empty the editors torn.
It was Keith Reid, their writer that fully expressed the prime mover behind their music when he said, "Life is like a beanstalk....isn't it?"
So, you see, we are what we hear. Let your music guide you. Hopefully it will take you places the Boomers never went.
Final boarding call for Aggie Flight Number One...
Nonstop service from Stillwater to Conway, but don't expect an inflight meal unless you bring it yourself. I was preparing myself for the decidedly boring 4.5 hour drive to central Arkansas this weekend, and a couple of friends offered to fly me over and pick me back up Sunday night... now that's just why I got into aviation in the first place... to avoid driving.
So a five hour drive (I'd be driving the speed limit too in light of recent events that may have occurred to my fellow convoginator(s) ) just became a two hour flight. I hope Conway still has that crusty old courtesy car, if not someone is going to have to come pick me up.
In other news, the university is holding my first flight instruction paycheck until the end of the month because, "the paperwork didn't get filed in time." Well, isn't that just like a college. I can't wait until these people start calling me for money after I graduate, and I get to tell them where to go!
For a long time I've felt that the Convoginators were lacking something, but I just couldn't put my finger on it, however, I think I have found the solution. What we need is a "company car." Now this can't be just any old car; it must be Convoginator worthy. What kind of vehicle would suit the needs of such an elite group? I pondered over this for some time, and it's so clear. We need one of those silly little Daihatsu trucks.
Myself or eRIc would have to drive because some in our group are too tall as well as other things and would not be able to fit in such a compacted place. Everyone else would have to cram into the back with the refridgerator full of ingredients for convogination. I realize we have grown in numbers somewhat, but you all know you want to be that close to each other. Ok, forget eRIc. I'm not gonna be back there with all that body heat. I'll drive. Of course the only times we'll all be together will be our Chocolate Milk Awareness Tour and other such events. I suppose we'll have to take turns with it. I'm sure a couple of us could find it very useful in Conway this weekend, so let's round up the $8.03 and get to purchasing.
seashell
P.S. We're also gonna need an apple sticker and a W '04 sticker
Seashell's post about the political line sparked my interest. I too often begin to waiver and look at both sides of the fence. Just remember, the grass is always greener on the other side. John Kerry and the democratic party seem to play the election game with a "all is fair in love and war" attitude. John Kerry was awfully supportive of the president, ousting Saddam and sending troops into Iraq before he was running for president. I think you must look at what each side has to offer, and what is most important to you. Me, I do not want socialism. The democrates give everything away. The republicans give you nothing but the chance to achieve and better yourself. Check out Fox news video archives and listen to Alfonso Jackson (Federal HUD ADministrator) on O'Reilly the other night...
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
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It Wasn't A Pint
I entered the practice room this afternoon innocently enough, but I came out with a figurative scar and possibly a sense of longing. As soon as I put down my sax and my many books and folders full of music, I noticed in the corner a small ziplock-like bag containing about five different coloured pills that didn't look like any doctor-prescribed medicine I'd ever seen. There were about two white ones, a yellow one, a brown one, and a lite brown one, and as soon as my eyes cast their gaze upon them, my mind deverted to the thought of all the great musicians like Charlie Parker who did drugs and the like. I don't think I'm quite that deperate...yet, however, I happen to think Bird did not find his demise in the form of drug related problems. He was just too good for any one man to be.
I decided today that I am probably exactly in the middle of the whole political line, however, I am facing the right with very big eyeballs.
Monday, September 20, 2004
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iPod to the rescue...
I was sitting in my marketing class today, taught once again by someone who's country of origin is the subject of a pool with a current value of fifty dollars, and I realized that I'm burned out. I'm not talking a minor burnout, in which I just skip class for a couple of days, work a little harder, make a few extra bucks and go out and buy a lot of hamburger meat. No, I'm seriously burned out of college. I just sat there, watching this guy drone on and on about marketing concepts that I'm sure I'll have to know for a test at some point, but I just can't care. I didn't even study for the test we took last week and I made a 35 out of 50 on it. I smell high school all over again, only this time I won't be getting straight A's. After the first fifteen minutes I eased my sheek, white apple ear buds in, and cranked up a hodgepodge of 80's hits. Then I opened my recently photocopied FlightSafety KingAir E-90 training manual and proceeded to learn as much as I could about various systems of this 10,100 pound airplane. (Yes, I know I'm a dork... leave me be.) Anywho, this is a once a week class, and after the first hour he gave us a break... and I broke... for the exit. I've been to the class three times, one was a test, and the other two I left at the first break. This is getting ridiculous. I need a degree... and to get out of here.
Really, I just need some good, ol' fashioned convogination... how late is Braum's open?
Jeff C.
I must first ask all to forgive the delay this post will create. By my calculations it will take approximately 0.07125 pecoseconds longer than usual since it's coming to ya' from Phoenix, Az. I'm on a trip for work to attend a three-week school here.
I'll not say too much as I am still shaking off the long flight. ( How could 'anyone' actually want to stay in one of those "things" as a living ???)
Hat's off to Mr. Poo Bah for his last post concerning our common friend and one of deepest admiration.
Once again the day is saved by the chocolate-vanilla swirl.
Earlier today some guys were yelling at me as I walked through the fine arts center, and I couldn't hear them because Sting was so loud, but they just thought I was ignoring them. It was great.
Apparently we've got ourselves a new fan. My brother just ratted me out about the whole ticket thing, but surprisingly there was no voice-raising on my mother's part, in fact, she might have even chuckled a bit. She must REALLY miss me, cuz that was just odd. I really should be dead right now. Contrary to popular belief, words and tone of voice can kill.
Too bad I'm not in town to see Manteca's former colleague. Someone's wife was supposed to let me know when stuff was going down, but everything's been taken care of. The farzzzz and I left a very annoying message at her place of employment, and just to clarify, it was not I who remembered the number to the band hall. Somebody tell the man I said hey and take care.
Contrary to popular belief, AOL CD's do not make excellent coasters and are as presumed by many, absolutely worthless. They fail to absorb even the slightest amount of moisture, and instead let the liquid pool up at the base of the glass and then the adhesive properties of liquid take over and you're drinking with a coaster on the bottom of your glass which falls off and causes much grief. Furthermore, the condensed liquid runs off the CD and causes rings on the broken Kenwood speakers that you are using for end tables... Oh well...
Props to the returning colleague, I wish him and the family well. Wish I was in town to say hi. Those of you that see him make sure he knows I wish him the best.
Im in total agreement, on the issue of respect for manteca's colleague. I cant actually think of a person that I, in this time of war, respect more. And props to Mr.Poo Baa, on his well articulated post.
On a lighter note, im in the political science lab waiting for my next class to get out. Im out early from my previous class because i humiliated the test i just took. I beat it up w/a stick. And you'll be happy to know that it was a test on the US Government. Im a liberatarian/conservative, i found that out from a idealogy survey. Anywhoo... UCA must have alot of money, caz there are computer labs everywhere at this school, the one im in now, has about 30, 2.6 P4's and this is just one of 3 in this building. UCA may be cheap, but its a pretty dang good school in my opinion. My Mass Comm teacher is a really cool dude, and he would fit in perfectly w/the summer techs at HPS. Dorky humor. His emphasis in college at Purdue was 3d gaming, so all of the things he teaches us, is kinda geared by the gaming industry which is cool.
I went to krispy kreme in Little Rock friday and they gave us free donuts when we walked in, so we pulled a family guy, and went outside and changed clothes and got more free donuts, then we went outside, and came back in naked, and they just sort of hung the donuts on us.....
Have you ever felt small? You know, suddenly microscopic in the whole jist of things. My good friend, college roommate and colleague is home for a two week leave from Iraq. My respect and admiration for him is un-measurable. He does his job and supports our country in a war that means more to this planet than any election, stock market plunge or celebrity marriage. The interesting part is that he does this for you and me. Sure, it is also for he and his family, but in the long run, he is laying his life on the line for America. So what does this have to do with feeling small? Sometimes the thoughts and ideas that overwhelm me die with the same whim in which they were created. I hate that. To not act on intelligent thought seems like a waste. But as usual, the ideas are eaten alive by the selfish need for sleep, money and television. I think that it would be interesting to live in a society that thrived on intellect. Ours does not. We thrive on entertainment. I agree that entertainment is very important, but at the expense of development and progression?
Yes, I am having a moment. Just one of those moments that we all have. One which helps "wash the bugs off of the windshield." I think it is a safe assumption that my fellow convoginators and myself know where we are going. I just hope that we, and especially the "young guns" (who are much smarter that those of us that are...older) make the journey exciting and productive. One that will make a mark on history, one that inspires and promotes growth intellectually and spiritually.
So, I have said what I needed to say... NO! I am not having a midlife crisis. Just observing... Maybe I am having a midlife crisis?!?!
Sunday, September 19, 2004
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I'm Taking Donations
Well, I made it to Stillwater, safe and sound, but not without a very handsome speeding ticket. I guess that's what you get for doing 85mph in a 70mph zone. I now owe $100 to the town of Roland, Oklahoma, as specified by an old, gruff cop who was probably just trying to get his share of the traffic violations in for the month. I bet if he'd been younger and nicer I coulda weaseled my way out of that one, but I guess it was about time for me to pay my debt to society for all my criminal-like actions...
For those of you who haven't experienced the joy of Aqua Teen Hungerforce, I suggest you give it a whirl. I wish I had my own little Meatwad running around.
Saturday, September 18, 2004
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Hear, here....third time a charm
The Boomers richly fed from many different musical genres and artists This exposed them to a miriad of wisdom, but there were times when it was time to get downright serious. So at a time in a not-so-far-away point in history our country was faced with enormous challenges from within and without. It was during this time the "Ohio Express" sent out these lyrics like the urgent peal from an alarm bell:
Yummy, Yummy, Yummy I've got love in my tummy And I feel like loving you.
Thursday, September 16, 2004
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What makes me angry...
I tell you...liberals and democrats (as if they are not one and the same) really tick me off! These people want everything without anything. They want freedom without the fight. They want the ability to say whatever they want, do whatever they want and comment with "I can do what ever the &*($ I want." No wonder they like John Kerry! He can take a big dump on the Vietnam war, the veterans who DID THEIR JOB and America and still get to run for president. Some people would say, " That's the beauty of this country." Whatever, that just shows that there is ignorance running rampant in this country!
This is the part that hurts... This 3 year old is crying because she and her father stopped at the John Edwards appearance and some Kerry/Edwards supporters ripped up her Bush/Cheney sign. Look at the face on that piece of CRAP to the left. That guy is your classic BULLY (he even has some of the sign still in his hands). And yes, that is a kerry/edwards shirt he has on.
I can't go see Michael Moore. Instead of throwing vegetables, I would most likely throw whoever was next to me.
Ahh....satisfaction. There's nothing like a sugar-cone full of chocolate-vanilla swirl soft-serve that is amazingly not completely frozen, melted, or lacking one of its parts. It's almost as good as convoginating, in fact, i believe they are related. Anyway...
So the tickets to see Michael Moore and Anne Coulter are apparently very sought after, and since there are only 1200 available seats, we're having some sort of an "internet lottery," which means I could obtain tickets to both, one, the other, or niether. If by some defect of the cosmos I get a ticket to see Michael Moore and not Anne Coulter, I will be a very dissatisfied customer of this university, as is very often the case. In the Log Cabin Democrat it states that there are to be no bags, backpacks, or packages of any kind in the hall where they are to appear. It's too bad, seeing as how I was planning on throwing vegetables at Michael Moore that I've stolen from the cafeteria. I guess they found me out.
Today my thoughts were turned back to Contest the First when in Malachy's book he mentioned "shaking hands with the unemployed." My, the Irish do have wit and plenty of it. I laughed so hard when I read it that everyone in the laundry room (Marissa) looked at me like I should be locked away. Farsheshe said I was brazen...
Today as I was strolling toward the ATM to see just how much money I don't have in my checking account (I haven't deposited my nice check yet), I saw a red flash in the distance on something that appeared to be a bike. I decided it must be eRIc. Who else would stop and check out the mechanical bull?
May your mother have an accident
Abroad in the loo.
Tomorrow I get to say goodbye to the Natural State for a bit and attempt to find my way once again through Oklahoma, the land of odd road signs, turnpikes, tolls, Native Americans, and my favourite pilot.
i was looking at the UCA website today, and I noticed that Michael Moore is coming to our school to speak about the upcoming election. To speak for the intelligent half of America, UCA has invited Ann Coulter. So, for all you michael moore fans, *cough cough * mantec, matthew, claybrook *cough choke* you should come to UCA.
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
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Money to Cure the Damp
Yay for the seashell shirt! Our $8.03 could very well turn into a nice $8.53 in a hurry. Surely there's one fan out there who can be cold when it's 80 out. Speaking of such, my city is about to be blown away by ol' Ivan. I've never actually been to the Big Easy but was planning to visit for my next (first) big trip with friends (friend) or something of that nature. I could see myself listening to jazz and eating Cajun food before I make my way to the French Quarter where I prepare myself for some crazy mess at the voodoo queen's grave before the famous smell of the place gets to me and forces me into a comma that would actually be quite nice for a couple of days (weeks). But now the inhabitants of New Orleans and other Louisianaish places are taking up refuge in Hope. All of Hope's hotels, motels, and cat houses are full of Cajuns, Creoles, and the like. How ironic! How am I ever going to find my way to Ireland when I can't even make it to the next state?
I think there might be no piano again tomorrow, which means I get more time to practice sol fege, which will be the cause of my early death very soon, so if I don't post for a while, someone might want to call and check on me, lest my body be fermenting on the floor of a practice room in Snow Fine Arts Center. I'd rather get caught in a tornado or an exciting plane crash than find my demise in a heart attack due to an excessive amount of singing syllables that have no apparent reason for even existing.
I would like to make it known that I am also glad that I'm the only female convoginator. Every day of school I am reminded of how much I really don't like girls. It saddens me to think of the day we get a woman president, however, I'd take a woman Republican over a tofu-eating male Democrat any day. Too bad I missed most of Republicans in Hollywood. I'm sure it was quite interesting. If we were in a Plato-ish society, we'd have intelligent people in the highest offices, but we'll just have to make do with the guy who'll screw up the least. We'll never be as cool as the Irish...however wet they might be.
Who threw the overalls in Mrs. Murphy's chowder?
Nobody spoke so he said it all the louder
It's a dirty Irish trick and I can lick the Mick
Who threw the overalls in Murphy's chowder.
I broke down and purchased season two of Aqua Teen Hunger Force today... I couldn't find season one to supplement it, however... I'll have to rectify that soon. Off to work... stupid paperwork takes too much time.
Two more days might as well be two whole weeks.
Jeff C.
.....as I was saying, one area which governed the Boomers attitude toward their strong support for international matters and our nation's leaders is aptly revealed in these lines from Country Joe and the Fish's call for solidarity towards the Vietnam 'conflict':
One, Two, Three, What are we fightin for? Don't ask me I don't give a (expletive here) The Next stop is Vietnam. And it's five, six , seven , Open up the Pearly Gates Well, I ain't got time to wonder why Whoopie, we're all gonna die
And let's not forget Black Sabbath's Warpigs with:
Generals gathered in their masses Just like witches at black masses Evil minds that plot destruction Sorcerers of death's destruction
More later after I make a lint inventory of my sock drawer
It is a bad day when I feel a little outa place posting to a blog I helped start. It has been a long time coming. I would like to say that I am a wimp when it comes to an upset stomach. I don't know why I am such a pansey when it comes to a little bit of nausea. I really hate being sick. And it is even worse when I have to work and be sick at the same time. Phynerk always used to say when I was little that "There are two things that you never want to happen: Getting in trouble with the law and getting sick." True-DAT! I was having hot flashes and cold flashes all day. The only thing that I could think about while talking to someone today was that if I was going to up-chuck that it would be really embarrassing if it landed in their mouth while they were talking. That is the weird thing about being nauseated while trying to perform all the normal duties a Super-Tech is supposed to accomplish. When one is sick their brains aren't really working very efficiently. The brain is running at an elevated level of heat which can cause some very disturbing thoughts. I could just see it in my head: The vomit spewing everywhere and then everyone pointing at me with disgusted faces. The poor targeted victim with puffed and chunky cheeks laying on the ground spread angel: And it was all my fault. I couldn't hold just one more second to turn away from the talking mouth.
Hey, I am just posting. I gotta baby step back into the convoginators after a long sabbatical.
The leaves are beginning to change, so it's time for some new apparel! Check out the new line of Convogi-Clothing named for our only (thank the Lord) female member! It be here!!
$8.03 is indeed a nice bit of chash,however, I know how we can make even more ones of dollars. It has come to my attention that there is no Convogi-shirt named after me, a catastrophe in the eyes of a very small handful. We all have our fans; I know there are many little Mantecas and eRIcs running around out there (Lord, help them), and the few seashells that exist are saddened that they have no shirt with which to share the good word about convoginating. To convoginate, I shall instigate!
Once it again it amazes me at the lengths to which liberals will go to protect THEIR rights. The couple who wore the anti-Bush t-shirts to the Bush Speech on Memorial day in Virginia are back in the news. This time they are bringing forth a lawsuit "— to peacefully voice their dissent to their government." Jeff Rank, the husband sets us straight. "What is at stake here transcends politics," Jeff Rank said at a news conference at the Capitol. "What is at stake is the right of all Americans — Democrats, Republicans and independents, all Americans — to peacefully voice their dissent to their government."
You know, I have to applaud them for standing up for their rights. I do believe sometimes it takes a lawsuit to get the point across. At least they aren't using this for monetary gains...oh wait... "The couple wants a judge to declare unconstitutional any policy that led to their arrest. They also are seeking unspecified monetary damages." Yes they are...
Once again, the liberals show their true colors. Mr. Rank, an out-of-work oceanographer, wants to save OUR(?) constitutional rights. I guess it wouldn't hurt to also clog the legal system with a little money maker. If I had a dime for everytime I heard a seventh grader, or a pageant contestant say they were gonna be an oceanographer, I could pay this guy off to keep his granola crunchin' ass out of court.
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
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Gentlemen! (and ladies)
In the words of Dr. Weird, "Gentlemen! Behold! I cleaned this out of my dryer's lint trap!" Or something like that, and he'd motion to something behind the large garage door-type thingy and something funny and violent would happen to either him or his assistant... Ok, I'll stop talking now.
I'm not really that crazy, lint is germane to my intended topic, as I noticed that I had failed to clean it for some time, and it was taking forever to dry clothing. What exactly is lint, and why do we need to trap it? Is is useful? Is it recyclable? Can it be used as an alternative energy source for my house and/or automobile? These are questions I'm sure we've all asked ourselves on one occasion or another, and I'm finally here to admit that I don't know the answer. I rarely drive steamboats, and I don't know the source, nor use of lint, be it of the pocket variety or the more exotic belly-button strain.
Therefore, in the spirit of science, learning, and all that other useless stuff, I say we take our hard-earned $8.03 profit from the Convogi-store and start the "Living With Lint Foundation" to study ways that lint can be more effectively incorporated into daily life and be proactively involved with all manner of lint-related research. After all, we owe it to ourselves, we owe it to our children, and we certainly owe it to our favorite shirt which is now faded and frayed at the collar from all too many washing and drying sessions. Afterall, it is because of the sacrifices of our shirt that we have lint in the first place.
I should really stop posting at such hours with so little sleep. I wish I could sleep 'til Friday.
They say “you are what you eat’, well I believe that’s true as far as the body is concerned, but what I say is ,” you are what you hear”. Over the next few days, weeks, months, HECK, who knows how long I’ll milk this thing, I’m going to share with you some information that I believe will be life-transforming. The Baby Boomer generation was shaped by the lyrics in their music – guided by what they heard. It was these lyrics that helped this generation do the exemplary job that they did in all the major arenas of life. Some of these would be:
1) Their strong commitment to stable and long-lasting marriages 2) A discipline of abstinence from all forms of vice(s) 3) Wisdom in all the areas of rearing children. 4) Respect, love and support for their leaders 5) Well grounded in Biblical principles 19)….many, etc’s inserted here to make it seem like I had more but don’t.
Well, you get the picture, these folk did a “great” job at getting our world where it is today and did so powered by the examples they found in the music of their time. So each post for a while I will be sharing with you nuggets of knowledge in hopes you will glean the wisdom that each might bring to light and make applicable life-change where necessary. I speak from experience ‘cause I know one of these guys !
First on my list will be a few lines that set the rich Spiritual tone for the Boomers. These lines helped guide them down the path of life. This message is found in Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway To Heaven”. Let the deep truths that follow sink down into your mind and soul for the Spiritual cleansing they can bring:
If there’s a bustle in your hedgerow Don’t be alarmed now. It’s just the sprinkling for The Maidqueen
(…sniff ….Need I say more ? If that won’t redirect your entire being, If that won’t get you on the proper path than I don’t know what will…..snifff…..more later.)
"A man cannot enquire either about that which he knows or about that which he does not know; for if he knows, he has no need to enquire, and if not, he cannot; for he does not know the very subject about which he is to enquire." -Plato
No piano today!!! Last night I bought Angela's Ashes and 'Tis by Frank McCourt and A Monk Swimming by Frank's brother Malachy McCourt. Now I have enough Irish literature to last me for a bit.
Looks like I'm going to Oklahoma this weekend. Hopefully I won't get lost this time.
Monday, September 13, 2004
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Trying out w.Blogger ( bear with me )
I'm trying out this w.Blogger program to see if I will figure it out WITHOUT taking the time to actually READ anything. It's like a 'guy-thing', you know.Here's where i changed font colors...Huh?And then back
This is not as intuitive as I thought....Hmmm, if only Mr Gore were here to help.
"...and then I created the first ethernet card so that I could create the internet. Anyone seen my hot dog? If we don't watch out the world will freeze...these hurricanes are just the beginning! The Repoublicans are causing these hurricanes. Thats how they plan to win Florida in November! Anyone seen my hot dog? I like to play hungry hippos! I invented the internet! Uh Huh, I Did! Will you be my friend?"
Sunday, September 12, 2004
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Very intersting!
This is from Beloit College. The incoming freshman in our nation's colleges this year were born when I was a Junior in High School...
BELOIT COLLEGE MINDSET LIST® FOR THE CLASS OF 2008
1. Most students entering college this fall were born in 1986. 2. Desi Arnaz, Orson Welles, Roy Orbison, Ted Bundy, Ayatollah Khomeini, and Cary Grant have always been dead. 3. “Heeeere’s Johnny!” is a scary greeting from Jack Nicholson, not a warm welcome from Ed McMahon. 4. The Energizer bunny has always been going, and going, and going. 5. Large fine-print ads for prescription drugs have always appeared in magazines. 6. Photographs have always been processed in an hour or less. 7. They never got a chance to drink 7-Up Gold, Crystal Pepsi, or Apple Slice. 8. Baby Jessica could be a classmate. 9. Parents may have been reading The Bourne Supremacy or It as they rocked them in their cradles. 10. Alan Greenspan has always been setting the nation’s financial direction. 11. The U.S. has always been a Prozac nation. 12. They have always enjoyed the comfort of pleather. 13. Harry has always known Sally. 14. They never saw Roseanne Roseannadanna live on Saturday Night Live. 15. There has always been a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 16. They never ate a McSub at McD’s. 17. There has always been a Comedy Channel. 18. Bill and Ted have always been on an excellent adventure. 19. They were never tempted by smokeless cigarettes. 20. Robert Downey, Jr. has always been in trouble. 21. Martha Stewart has always been cooking up something with someone. 22. They have always been comfortable with gay characters on television. 23. Mike Tyson has always been a contender. 24. The government has always been proposing we go to Mars, and it has always been deemed too expensive. 25. There have never been any Playboy Clubs. 26. There have always been night games at Wrigley Field. 27. Rogaine has always been available for the follicularly challenged. 28. They never saw USA Today or the Christian Science Monitor as a TV news program. 29. Computers have always suffered from viruses. 30. We have always been mapping the human genome. 31. Politicians have always used rock music for theme songs. 32. Network television has always struggled to keep up with cable. 33. O’Hare has always been the most delay-plagued airport in the U.S. 34. Ivan Boesky has never sold stock. 35. Toll-free 800 phone numbers have always spelled out catchy phrases. 36. Bethlehem has never been a place of peace at Christmas. 37. Episcopal women bishops have always threatened the foundation of the Anglican Church. 38. Svelte Oprah has always dominated afternoon television; who was Phil Donahue anyway? 39. They never flew on People Express. 40. AZT has always been used to treat AIDS. 41. The international community has always been installing or removing the leader of Haiti. 42. Oliver North has always been a talk show host and news commentator. 43. They have suffered through airport security systems since they were in strollers. 44. They have done most of their search for the right college online. 45. Aspirin has always been used to reduce the risk of a heart attack. 46. They were spared the TV ads for Zamfir and his panpipes. 47. Castro has always been an aging politician in a suit. 48. There have always been non-stop flights around the world without refueling. 49. Cher hasn’t aged a day. 50. M.A.S.H. was a game: Mansion, Apartment, Shelter, House.
I'm finally "home" where I can get some work done. This retreat was the biggest waste of time ever, except the surprizingly good lecture by Scott Russell Sanders. I didn't like his book because he went on and on about the same things, but now I see that he did it because he realizes that Americans are stupid and have to have things repeated to them over and over and they still don't get it. He talked about ways we could "take care of earth and one another," and I think I agreed with every thing he said.
I realized this weekend that there are some people in college who simply should not be. To be in Honors here, one must have an ACT score of 28, and when I look around at everyone, some people just don't seem to fit. Even in the general consensus of students here, there are people not suited for education higher than high school, because they're going to end up on welfare anyway, and you don't need a college education for that.
I got about halfway through Irish Girls About Town this weekend while various stupid things were going on, and it was great, a must-read for anyone with an inner Irishman...or woman. It's about time for tea...
Just one more week...
seashell
P.S. There was absolutely no convogination this weekend. I hope that's not the case next weekend...
Saturday, September 11, 2004
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Where the OJ is cheap...
It often saddens me to think that I am merely prolonging the pain that is the Wal-Mart supercenter. It's not my fault, I'm just a poor college student who needs to stretch his hard-earned dollar as far as it will go. Therefore, in the spirit of my inner Joo-ness, I go where the OJ is cheap, the quantities larger, and the service horrible.
Wal-Mart (To the tune of "Downtown.")
When you're alone, and your cupboards are bone...dry, and your poor as a home...less,... Wal-Mart.
And When you're depressed, cause your house is a mess, and you need something for pets, you can go... Wal-Mart.
Just listen to the droneing of the idiots in the aisles,
Be forced to linger in the checkout lines for hours upon hours, how can you gain?
Just because things are cheaper here, but you get all the hassles, get all the headaches
Wal-Mart, I get so irate in
Wal-Mart. The place that I hate is
Wal-Mart, damn if it wasn't so cheap...
Alright, so maybe Petula Clark would be upset with me... it's not my fault I'm bored and tired at the same time. Maybe I shouldn't have had that last glass of Pink and that entire sleeve of Chips A'hoy cookies. Oh well, Aqua Teen Hunger Force calls... and I need to answer.
WOW!! We have a potential commission of...hold on to your hats! $8.03!! Who would have ever thunk it possible? We are actually making money off of the Convoginators Store!
I knew putting our own pilot in the sky in a prop driven cow was a good idea!!! (hmmm...can we build it captain?)
I've got about an hour before I have to leave for the Honors retreat, and I'm counting every minute. I really don't think it's in my destiny to go because I just remembered that I forgot to pack underwear. Oh boy, that would not have been good. If that's not a sign, I don't know what is.
Everyone should see my houseplants. They are so pretty, but I don't think my bamboo is doing any good, because my luck is just staying the same, kind of mediocre. Good luck would be winning a trip to Ireland or New Orleans. Anyway, Meatwad is also looking pretty...manly. He still looks a bit sickly, but not quite as bad as he was. Maybe he's just old.
I noticed today that I have a song in my iTunes Library from Woman On Top, but my computer "is not authorized to play" it. I've seen that movie about five times, and the last four were just for the music, although it's not a bad movie at all, in fact, if you're looking for a decent chick-flic, I recommend it. I should buy the movie or the soundtrack. I'm not sure which...
There's one thing I've always considered myself to be good at and that's good business sense. In fact, over the years I have given out valuable tips to help folk to efficiently utilize their finances. Like the time years ago I was asked about some new little company called "Apple". Heck, anyone knows that would be a waste of money. Who in the world would want a mechanical fruit ?? Then came this "mom 'n pop" group called IBM. Computers ! Ha, just a fad, I said. Oh, yes, there was also another company I steered folk away from - McDonalds. Who'd waste money on a piece of meat between two pieces of bread, for heaven's sake. BUT I've found something much different and you are already a part of it. We are going to be RICH, RICH, RICH , I say !
The grand POO PAH has assured me of this. Our ship's going to come in soon with our "Convoginator's Store". Soon the proceeds from this enterprise will fill your pockets and mine !! It's pobably on the way as I write this. It's just taking a little time, probably, to process such large amounts of cash efficiently(I suppose ).
( By the way, seashell, Money is Irish-GREEN !!! )
Phynerk
Thursday, September 09, 2004
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I Can't Fix It, I Can't Fix It
Something is horribly wrong with the tagboard. We can't live without it, as Jeff C. knows full well. Someone better fix it or we're gonna have to give him cheese and crackers...I bet it was the Democraps.
We have breaking news here. President Bush wasn't AWOL! He was actually flying secret ops into Cambodia. Yes, it's true! The President, unlike other tall, freaky, lying, Herman Munster looking freaks, doesn't need to have great war stories to win an election. Also, the op information hasn't been declassified, so the President can't tell us what happened. Unlike John Kerry, W stays loyal to his country!
Now seriously...that is believable isn't it? It is just as believable as the poop (not to be confused with the poop that phynerk diverted from the great city of Texarkana) that John Kerry's campaign is spouting around the country... Nuff Said!
Next issue...the Democratic Party is now calling me at home. They are disguised as a research company. First they call and ask me several questions concerning democratic issues and John Kerry's campaign for president. You know me...I gave them some very colorful answers. So colorful, that I cannot repeat them on this website. I then ask them to take my number off the list, and never call me again. They call back 30 minutes later and ask for the female head of the household. To which I tell them I am both... That gets a nice silence. I then state "It is 9:30 p.m., I work for a living and do not take calls this late at night! Once again, remove my name and number from you list and NEVER call here again!" Then, as Matt (and the summer tech crew)can attest, I threw the phone across the room!
It is the best of times, it is the worst of times. It is moments of sheer monotony and boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror. In other words: I am my own hero. I saved the life of both myself and a particular student no less than four times today. "How?" might you ask, and I know that you are. Well, even experienced students sometimes do things that we just can't comprehend. It's just something you have to accept in the world of aviation education. One poorly executed stall and suddenly the world is above and in front of the airplane instead of behind and below like it should be. Ignoring the urge to turn to my left and shout, "WHAT THE F&#K ARE YOU DOING???!!!" I instead stare straight ahead, because only the right side of my face is sweating, just like I trained it to do, and manage to calmly ask, "So... do you know what you did wrong... and do you know how to fix it?" The student's brain then kicks into high gear, also the gear that I like to refer to as "survival gear," diagnoses the situation with a quickness and initiates a proper recovery... Nice job, please don't kill me.
Long hours, little pay, little time for school... hell, little actual attendance of school. I guess eRIc and I have that in common. Anywhom, after a long day of having students drop me onto the ground from heights almost approaching dangerous, I had to get out and do some real flying on my own. I flew into Pawnee. A great airport that sits just north of a lake, just south of a forest, just east of a hill, and just west of a golf course. Oh, and it's really short and grass. It's a real "aerodrome" if you will... oh, and I will.
I need a chocolate banana shake and sax player,
Jeff C.
No band tomorrow!!!!!! But it really doesn't matter because I have to go to that stupid retreat, which means I'm essentially going to school for two weeks straight. I suppose I could practice during band time, maybe piano. Uggghhhh.....
Tuesday I went to a lecture about Malawi's culture and music. It was interesting enough I suppose, but there were all of about ten people in the audience, including me and farsheshe who I forced to come. Actually I just asked nicely, and she couldn't resist such a humble request.
For Ear Training we're using this stupid software for mastery in the areas of intervals, scales, chords, harmonic dictation, etc., and I really hate it, although I find it fun that it doesn't work with Mac OS X, so I have to use OS 9. I feel so old school. It's great. So many people at school are getting viruses and crap on their computers, and today in ear training one girl piped up and said, "I'm not cuz I have a Mac," and I said "Mac's are great," and Dr. Dickinson agreed, and of course everyone opened their stupid mouths and said they don't like Macs. I guess it just takes a special person to own a Mac, however, Marissa's mommy loves her, so I guess she's special too. Now if only I could get my hands on an iMac G5...
I think my money has finally been found, so seashell's iPod and iBook will soon be completely paid for, and I will no longer be entirely poor, just pretty damn close. I'll probably just use the money to pay for my insurance for the rest of the year, and I still won't have any money, because they had to abide by the anti-stacking rules. The rest of that money is just floating off into space somewhere or is being used to reconstruct I-30, and that's just stupid. If it weren't for the construction, I could make it here in an hour and a half. Oh well, now I have enough money for gas. Maybe I can go buy a copy of Angela's Ashes now. I could go ahead and get Tis while I'm at it. No, I can't. I'm still a poor college student. Yes No Yes No....ARRRGGGHHHH!!!! I need Irish literature badly! Has anyone read The Poisonwood Bible? That is an awesome book and another one I need to own, although it is not about the Irish.
Sorry about all the long, boring posts, but I know some poor soul out there is becoming inspired and is convoginating in vast amounts. We really are changing the world one liberal at a time. It might take forever, but one day we'll have all the stupid people living in Rhode Island, and we'll have trips to Ireland right at our finger tips. You people need to post so we can pull more folks to our side. May the Force be with you.
seashell
P.S. Is it just me or do the Johnsons really enjoy discussing poop? Good luck on the biology test, eRIc. Remember to sit close to farsheshe...
P.P.S. I really need a chocolate-banana shake and a pilot...
No, you won't read about it in the papers. You won't hear it on the news or even mentioned on the street, BUT I KNOW what I did today. I saved Texarkana from the the most horrific, potentially catastrophic "situation" ever known. I worked all day in the most 'pleasant' environment imaginable....the raw sewage treatment plant ! I alone saved Texarkana from being flooded with.....POOP! My retrofit of their obsolete programmable logic controller went without a hitch and the POOP level did not even get close to the city limits ( I can't say much for the outskirts of town, but so what, 'they' aren't really taxpayers anyway).
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
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Modern Living Starts At $1299
...And boy do I wanna live modern. Is it sad that I had a dream about the iMac G5 last night? You'd think that now that I'm so busy I'd have something that resembles a life, but it's just the opposite. Those iMacs are just so cool. And why settle for the 17-inch when you can get the 20-inch....ahh.....But you won't see me with technological bliss, no siree. I can't even pay for my iBook completely cuz my school is retarded and lost my money...or something. I'm really not quite sure where my money is, but one thing's for sure, if I were in possesion of a lot of green, I would be the proud owner of an iMac G5...I guess I can only dream...
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
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I want to be a food editor...
As you enter the eatery you are overwhelmed by the number of patrons and the light, easy atmosphere. I am not one to like crowds, but I felt at ease as I realized the many diners were busy eating and enjoying the lunch talk rather than rating the customers. The first time I visited, I felt rushed and ordered a wonderful spinach salad with delicious grilled chicken, farm fresh cherry tomatoes and homemade vinaigrette that rivals all. The hurried selection proved to be a good one. On my second visit, I was more comfortable with the excitement of the restaurant and took my time to order the perfect lunch. I decided on a beautiful combination. The browned steak with an excellent side salad. The steak was perfection, not too dry and cooked to perfection. The large rolls, gourmet lettuce and cheese that were combined with an excellent tomato based steak sauce were a partnership made in heave. I decided to forgo the potatoes that normally accompanied the entree. I did notice however they were prepared in a basic French style with a light seasoning. To finish the wonderful lunch, a frozen delicacy with just a hint of chocolate. The desert was so light that it could be eaten with a spoon or straw.
Monday, September 06, 2004
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Take the Long Way Home...
Supertramp... now that's a group I haven't heard in quite a while. Anyway, I just got back from Dallas, visiting my brother. Before the rumos start flying, no, I did not get lost. I knew exactly where I was, I just didn't know exactly where I was going. Even if you don't know where you're going, there's no use being late, so I followed the flow of traffic and my Corolla actually saw 95 miles per hour at one point. Thankfully, traffic slowed down soon, because I'm not sure how long it would have taken one cop to write seventy some odd tickets. I got a chance to see Rob's new flat, which is quite nice, and also his new place of employment, which is also quite nice... and even a little crusty. Eitherway, there are no less than eight Quizno's within a five mile radius of his apartment.
The rest of my weekend was pretty mundane. I worked all day Saturday. I did some guys Bienniel Flight Review, and yet another checkout in our club airplane.. That's quickly getting old. There are only so many things you can do to make that entertaining. After the fourth one in two days, I believe I have exhausted all methods of entertainment, including giving someone a simulated engine failure and at the same time playing the role of "freaked out passenger." Some of my best acting, I must say. It's especially sadistic when you shut the fuel off instead of pulling the throttle like most instructors. Most students fail to check the fuel shutoff valve located on the floor, and honestly believe they've had an engine failure. It certainly doesn't help matters when I just look at them and smile.
Well, I'm hungry, and tired from driving (I have yet to beat my old record of 4 hours to dallas, however), so I'm going to eat something... and then do... something... place.
Happy Labour Day!!!!!!!!...uh, I mean Labor Day. I keep forgeting that I'm not really British. I guess it's a good day to be an American seeing as how we get a day off. If I were British though I'd probably get cooler holidays, like the equivalent to our Labor Day would last three days because they realize the importance of such a holiday. Actually I really don't know anything about European holidays. I guess I should read up on that.
Canada has a Boxing Day. That's pretty cool. Come to think of it, it would be cool to be Canadian because you could confuse Americans by speaking French, plus that's where Diana Krall is from and she's the best. A lot of other cool musicians and other types are from Canada, but I can't recall any at the moment. Hockey is awesome too. I've never seen a live game, and that will have to be taken care of soon.
I guess the next big holiday is Thanksgiving, and boy am I gonna give some thanks. Massive amounts of real food will be very welcome, especially when I don't have to cook it. I can almost taste the blueberry cheesecake now...
After a lengthy talk with my brother in law who is a safety engineer and very involved in all the regulations governing personnel saftey, I began to be more aware of dangers all around me. In fact one be came completly obvious to me during the halftime 'Superband' show friday night. Hundreds of innocent people in the stands are being exposed to high levels of positively-charged neuronic particles coming from the decadant use of electronic devices on the field. Studies have clearly shown that when laboratory animals are exposed from these particles, tapping paws and higher blood pressures often result as well as some of the common side effects of "Viagra". Things would not be as bad, but these particals are even more powerful when originating from 80's-era spandex-laden rock groups (such as was featured friday night). Therefore, I felt it my civic duty to contact our local O.S.H.A. (Occupational Saftey Health Association ) official. He immediately cited article 13.5b, 9.3f, and 13.7g not to mention 2.4 ( which he said was truly a major offender ).
Therefore I feel I need to inform this group as some may need advance notice of a few "minor" things to watch for during the next home game. I thought I might list a few that Dr. Doodad told me of :
1) O.S.H.A. hazardous material team(s) in full gear to collect suspicious neuronic particles
2) O.S.H.A. accoustic engineers to monitor what may be excessive sound levels from the electronic instruments mentioned above.
3) Members of the Hope ministrerial alliance to monitor the presence of any 'foot tapping' during the next performance.
4) Hope S.W.A.T. team to safely take away any out-of-control band teachers, who, by the way, are completly responsible for these protective measures.
Sunday, September 05, 2004
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If It's Syncopated Rhythm...
Homework break!!!!!!!!! Alright, I know I'm a dork and I'm the only one who has posted today, but I can live with that. There is almost nothing better than houseplants. I just had to get that off my chest. I even have a good song about them on my iPod. Well, it's really not about houseplants per say, but it is called "The Houseplant Song" and it's by Audio Adrenaline and you should all listen to it cuz it's great. I bought (actually my mom did) some houseplants today for my window. If I want I can put them to the test, but I got three, so one's gonna feel left out. I should have good luck now because I got a bamboo plant. If for some reason I fail to recieve good luck, I will personally take my plant back to Wal-Mart(s) and demand a refund and counseling. Back to work!
seashell
P.S. There's a large, out-of-focus monster running around.
Green Is Better Than Purple (although they're pretty together)
I'm back in Hope using slow internet, and it really stinks, although I can sign into MSN Messenger. I thought that was odd. I haven't been able to sign in since Tuesday, and then I use dial-up and it works. I don't know.
Last night I experienced playing at a college football game for the first time. I would have rather been anywhere else, especially Oklahoma. The football team dished out an arse-whoopin' with a score of forty-something to seven, and I couldn't care less. I don't even know where the other team was from. All I know is that their colours where purple and white as well, so it looked like the field was covered with a bunch of pansies, not to mention the stands. I made sure the only purple thing I wore was the band unifrom, which made me really appreciate our high school uniforms. Man, we used to look sharp. Even the old uniforms were cool. I do like purple, however, it is not a good school colour.
Our half-time show went pretty well for the first game. We marched our Queen Opener, which consists of "Fat-Bottomed Girls" and "Bohemian Rhapsody," and we played our second tune, "Lucretia MacEvil," and the fight song. After Phynerk's last post I want to see the Hope Band. Somebody let me know when Homecoming is and I'll see if I can find my way out of the practice room.
Last night on the way home there was a wreck on I-30 and I was stuck just outside of Arkadelphia for two hours with some fine specimens of white trash. I could smell smoke from inside my truck as I watched them try to entertain their seven kids, which undoubtedly involved quite a few curse words. They were probably on their way to pick up this month's welfare check. When I finally got away from there, I drove 90 the whole way home because I was about to fall asleep. That usually happens at one in the morning. I would've gone faster, but every time I drive over 90, my truck starts to kind of...um...stop, I guess. It is somewhat old now.
Has anybody been watching the Olympics? I haven't watched T.V in three weeks, and I was wondering how everything was going. I don't even know if it's still going on. Um....Go Ireland!!! That reminds me, I still haven't read my copy of Irish Girls About Town. I also need to pick up a copy of Angela's Ashes, which I recomend to everyone who's looking for a great read. But try to forget I recomended it, because I don't want to contribute to the "loss of creature." You must find the unbeaten path...
