February 28, 2007
Milestones
Firstly, this site reached it's 10,000th comment tonight. May we all wonder at the tidal wave of comment spam; and those of us in hats, tip them to the new revolution. Well, that and the fact that the 10,000th comment probably belonged to me. Becuase I'm a whore.
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Posted by: shank at
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Bravo! Best rant I've read in quite a while.
Posted by: Ted at February 28, 2007 11:45 AM (blNMI)
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By the way, I've never been invited to one of your barbeques, motherfucker.
Posted by: Ted at February 28, 2007 11:46 AM (blNMI)
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Well then come the fuck on, motherfucker! We're having a little shindig this Saturday evening. Which means you'd probably have to leave by about noon or so to get here on time. But hey, you make the drive and we'll put ya'll up for the night. Oh, and BYOB.
Posted by: shank at February 28, 2007 12:28 PM (+H1yK)
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BYOB = Bring Your Own Bitch
I'm in!
Posted by: De at February 28, 2007 12:33 PM (IdVP4)
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February 27, 2007
Tips
Just watched the
Joe Rogan Live DVD. Funniest stand-up act I've seen in ages. Literally, maybe the funniest since Chris Rock about seven years ago, or even Louis Black.
Also, I've been reading David Sedaris, specifically Naked. I haven't laughed out loud while reading a book since that Old Testament course freshman year.
Seriously, with this kind of stuff being produced; I really don't see the need for myself or anyone else to blog (with a few exceptions). Most people just don't bring the funny hard enough.
Posted by: shank at
08:40 PM
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Yay Shank! I'm a huge fan of Sedaris.
You've got to read his others, Me Talk Pretty One Day and Dress My Family in Corduroy and Denim.
I rarely laugh out loud while reading too but Sedaris gets me everytime.
Posted by: De at February 28, 2007 12:31 PM (IdVP4)
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People are nuts
By now IÂ’m sure everyone has seen the pics of that chick on
American Idol that found their way on to the Internet. IÂ’ve seen quite a few of them, including the ones of her posing in a bikini on the WWII Monument. In addition to that display of exceptionally poor judgment and taste, there were some other pics, allegedly of her, giving a hummer to someone. And, of course, a shot of her sitting on the toilet.
One of her friends came out to say that the more graphic shots are not really her. I think I even accept that as the truth. But hereÂ’s the best part from that article:
"It's the way this town is: Everybody knows everything about their friends," said Mark Dillon, 17. "At least half the people in this town have pictures of their friends on the toilet. I've personally seen at least 20. It's only because she's on TV that they're online."
Well, that sounds like quite a town. Somehow, in my long life, I have never seen shots of any of my friends sitting on the toilet. I was always a pretty popular guy too. Maybe itÂ’s just this one particular town where toilet shots are mandatory. After all, this chap says heÂ’s personally seen twenty of his friends in photos of them sitting on a toilet. And heÂ’s only seventeen. Imagine how many toilet shots he will have seen if he lives a long healthy life in that town. Perhaps IÂ’m missing something. Am I the only one not photographing people on the toilet?
And while I have no idea what type of person this girl is, I do take issue with her posing like a pin-up, in a bikini, on the WWII Monument. ThatÂ’s just bad taste. Personally, I like chicks in bikinis, but posing on the WWII Monument is pretty insulting to what that monument stands for.
It doesnÂ’t seem to bother some people, however:
"She's this attractive, talented girl who's also intelligent and knows where she wants to go," Reid said. "I consider her a role model for my daughter."
On a related note:
Her first performance on which viewers could vote, a rendition of Aerosmith's "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing," was roundly panned by the judges.
Posted by: Pixy Misa at
11:01 AM
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Wait? What? Where have I been? I didn't hear anything like that. Where's the link to these said pictures?
You wanna see someone on the toilet? Go to everydaystrangers site. She, as usual, looks adorable.
Posted by: Tiffani at February 27, 2007 12:52 PM (M7Zp/)
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I've heard tell of such pictures, but am currently at work. So that'll have to wait for later.
As far as toilet shots, I can't
believe you've never heard of this. I've actually got a couple of you on the crapper Paul. I mean, I didn't bother to tell you I took them because...well, seriously, what's a few commode pics between buddies? Practically half the Christmas photos we get each year are of friends and family perched on porcelain thrones. Get with the program!
Posted by: shank at February 27, 2007 01:33 PM (+H1yK)
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A REALLY inconvenient truth
Read it and not be surprised.
The Tennessee Center for Policy Research, an independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan research organization, issued a press release late Monday:
“Last night, Al Gore’s global-warming documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, collected an Oscar for best documentary feature, but the Tennessee Center for Policy Research has found that Gore deserves a gold statue for hypocrisy.
Gore’s mansion, [20-room, eight-bathroom] located in the posh Belle Meade area of Nashville, consumes more electricity every month than the average American household uses in an entire year, according to the Nashville Electric Service (NES).”
This guy consumes more power in a month than most people do all year!
“In his documentary, the former Vice President calls on Americans to conserve energy by reducing electricity consumption at home.
The average household in America consumes 10,656 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, according to the Department of Energy. In 2006, Gore devoured nearly 221,000 kWh—more than 20 times the national average.
Last August alone, Gore burned through 22,619 kWh—guzzling more than twice the electricity in one month than an average American family uses in an entire year. As a result of his energy consumption, Gore’s average monthly electric bill topped $1,359.
Since the release of An Inconvenient Truth, GoreÂ’s energy consumption has increased from an average of 16,200 kWh per month in 2005, to 18,400 kWh per month in 2006.
GoreÂ’s extravagant energy use does not stop at his electric bill. Natural gas bills for GoreÂ’s mansion and guest house averaged $1,080 per month last year.
“As the spokesman of choice for the global warming movement, Al Gore has to be willing to walk to walk, not just talk the talk, when it comes to home energy use,” said Tennessee Center for Policy Research President Drew Johnson.
In total, Gore paid nearly $30,000 in combined electricity and natural gas bills for his Nashville estate in 2006.”
What an asshole.
Posted by: Pixy Misa at
11:00 AM
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My favorite things about this whole mess is that it assumes or infers a hell of a lot of stupidity on the public.
First, we gave a politician an Oscar for a movie he made. I thought when politicians made movies they were called 'propaganda'?
Secondly, Gore tells us to tighten our belts out home while he and every other politico feast on consumables: riding in jets to and fro across the nation, while their homes drain their consituents power grids. Oh, but it's okay, because they fund local green initiatives. Psha, the equivalent of some form of environmental indulgence that allows them to gorge themselves on fossil fuels while still pontificating to us, all without feeling guilty.
Posted by: shank at February 27, 2007 01:27 PM (+H1yK)
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I fucking hate hypocrisy, I like the fact he helped put the movie out but if he isn't going to pony up his own contribution fuck... what a prick.
Turn the lights off Mr. Gore. Turn down the AC Mr. Gore. Don't be an ignorant fuck Mr. Gore.
If everyone lived like he is we'd have been all screwed years ago...
Posted by: Oorgo at February 27, 2007 01:40 PM (ZUQGo)
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February 26, 2007
Moron Words
And then there are words that should be altogether dropped from the vernacular. Words and phrases that are passe, lame, or just sound dumb; and only make the speaker seem clueless.
'jumped the shark' - A phrase that has completed a self-fulfilling cycle so fast that the mind reels. I shouldn't even have written it here without censoring it, it's so dumb. From here on out, let's just consider it profanity. We promise not to use it in polite company, and when we have to use it (for reference only, as we do here); asterisks will be used as such: 'j*mp*d the sh*rk'.
'gobsmacking, -ly' - I don't know who came up with this, but I can't possibly imagine what kind of beatdown they recieved from the first person they spoke it to. Seriously, I keep a rusty crowbar in my trunk should someone utter this word. Consider yourselves warned.
'quiche' - Okay firstly, this word looks nothing like it sounds; which is actually a compliment because it sounds like the noise of a frog bursting, were someone to gradually squeeze it in a vise: 'Keesh!' Secondly, quiche is gross.
'stool' - This seems like an odd word to find here, no? Well, I'm only referring to a particular use here. When people refer to crap, turds, feces, shit, dung, guano, poop, number two, caca, or Carrot Top as 'stool'; it's irksome. With all the other great variants for crap, turds, feces, shit, dung, guano, poop, number two, caca, or Carrot Top; why use the word stool? I'll tell you why, because they want to use a word without any vulgarity attached to it. Look people! It's shit, shit's vulgar!
'panties' - Now, this might just be a me thing here, but this word sounds awkward out loud. Say it: panties. It just, I don't know. When I hear myself say it, it sounds like something a pussy might say. "Oh, my panties!"
Posted by: shank at
12:50 PM
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So, you wear panties but you don't like to SAY panties...interesting.
Posted by: De at February 26, 2007 02:01 PM (IdVP4)
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I was with you up until "panties."
In the first place, perhaps it's a conditioned reflex, but when I hear the word 'panties' spoken by a woman I have instant wood.
Next, what the hell can we replace it with?
Drawers? Not hardly, my friend.
Unmentionables? I think that went out with Queen Victoria.
Undergarments? Sounds like something worn under the uniform of a industrail janitor.
Underpants? Way too masculine.
Lingerie? Way too general. Could be a teddy, could be one of those other things that cover things but not really, could be all kinds of shit: slip, corset, et cetera.
See. Not much left. And let's face it, they do need to be referred to from time to time.
The word I have a problem with is "thong."
While I enjoy the effect as much or more than the next guy, the word itself sounds like a Laotian recipe for battered monkey testicles.
Posted by: Paul at February 26, 2007 05:08 PM (ahClC)
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Ok. I don't even know what the first two even mean. Maybe it's because I'm blond. Who knows.
But how bout when I refer to panties like this.
I slipped by finger under my panties and gently pulled them down.
Posted by: Tiffani at February 26, 2007 06:56 PM (Vf34l)
Posted by: Paul at February 26, 2007 07:29 PM (ahClC)
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I suppose you're right about panties. But I maintains that it sounds dorky when I say it. So, from here on out I guess I'll just leave that word to those who say it best.
Like Tiffani.
Posted by: shank at February 27, 2007 08:49 AM (+H1yK)
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February 23, 2007
More on words
IÂ’ve done very little sailing in my day, but IÂ’m a huge fan of nautical terminology. IÂ’ve decided to start using some nautical terms at every opportunity.
Some of my favorites:
Yaw
Scuppers
Gunwale
Belay
Abeam
Thwartships
And of course, my favorite: Coxswain.
I encourage everyone to throw the word coxswain into as many conversations as possible, especially in the workplace. I believe the correct pronunciation is “Cox’n” but the phonetic pronunciation works well too.
Posted by: Pixy Misa at
11:23 AM
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That is a goldmine isn't it? I've always like forecastle (pronounced foc'sl). And if you ever have way too much spare time, look through a book or article on nautical knots. Not only are some of them almost artistic in design, but the names are interesting too (sheepshank, carrick bend, etc).
Posted by: shank at February 23, 2007 11:43 AM (+H1yK)
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And why have you decided to use this terminology?
Posted by: Flamingo at February 26, 2007 02:55 AM (fF4aT)
Posted by: Paul at February 26, 2007 07:00 AM (ahClC)
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Bored
It's one of those days where I'd rather be at home. That being said (which...really has nothing to do with anything), I give you a list of great words and phrases. What makes them great? I don't know. Nothing, and the fact that I think they're nice sounding.
Bonkers - great word. "It was cool until the guy with the tattoo on his neck called Dave's mom a cornerstore hooker. Dave just went fucking bonkers on him."
Milli-fuckit - "The above statement outrageously overstates America's give-a-shit factor when it comes to those two (it's measured in mille-fuckits). "
Hoisted by his own petard - A petard was an explosive device slung over a gate or wall, back in the day (back in the day is industry lingo for 'the 19th century'). Sometimes, if the guy lighting the petard wasn't paying attention, he'd get caught in the rigging, slung over the gate/wall, and subsequently blown to bits. Now people use it instead of saying overused shit like "shot himself in the foot", "fucked himself", or "fucked himself in his own ass".
Got any other suggestions???
Posted by: shank at
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Anything to do with Milli Vanilli.
I've always like Git. One word, no adverb or pronoun required but even people who have never heard it before get the jist.
Posted by: colin at February 23, 2007 01:03 PM (0VVZJ)
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In the great white north, there's a word - "Ufda" - (prounounced ooof-dah), that they use for everything. Noun, adjetive, verb, whatever. It doens't really mean anything anymore, except what you want it to at the moment.
Werds is weerd.
Posted by: Ted at February 25, 2007 04:27 PM (+OVgL)
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February 22, 2007
Why do you have to be so critical?
It was a fair enough question.
“You are, without a doubt, the most critical person I have ever met,” my wife continued.
“You criticize everything and everyone.”
“It’s not always negative,” I replied. “I simply call them as I see them.”
We were watching American Idol and when one of the cheeseballs started singing I said that he sucked.
“How could you judge him so fast? He just opened his mouth…it couldn’t have been more than one or two seconds!”
“I set the bar very high—for other people.”
It may have been the best line IÂ’d ever used.
Posted by: Pixy Misa at
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Posted by: Ted at February 22, 2007 12:03 PM (blNMI)
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I think your own bar must be set very high firstly, and then you can judge
other people.
Posted by: Jim at March 01, 2007 08:01 PM (inXr4)
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Having to work that hard takes all the fun out of it, Jim.
Posted by: shank at March 01, 2007 08:13 PM (LDIDK)
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February 21, 2007
Chalk Another One Down in the 'L' Column...
My only question is, does
this mean we're going to have to go over there and save their country for them again? Seriously, even French
bees get their asses handed to them on the regular?
Also, notice the global warming plug. It's apparently become a standard feature in journalism; up there with a byline and title. Getting hot? Global warming! Getting cold? Global warming! French honey bees getting eaten by other bees? Global warming!
I mean, if that's the way it's going to be; I suppose I can handle that. I just want to make sure that it's an excuse that I'll be able to use in the future as well. Forgot the anniversary? Global warming! Got drunk and made an ass of yourself? Global warming! Not productive at work? Global warming!
Posted by: shank at
10:10 AM
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It aggravates me to no end. You're right, EVERYTHING is now blamed on global warming. I predict that soon enough others will realize it's sham, it will just take a long, long time.
Posted by: Paul at February 22, 2007 11:38 AM (ahClC)
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February 20, 2007
On Libraries Sucking
I've never liked libraries. Not the actual idea (a place with books), but what they are. I have lots of books at home, hell; we're
this close to having to stack them on the floor because we're running out of bookcases. And that includes the one we built out of scrapwood and spare screws.
But libraries suck. Firstly, they're way too quiet. Without any soft background noise, all I hear is the other people in the room. They're sniffling, coughing, shuffling in their coats, having low conversations with the other homeless people, etc.
Secondly, there's just too goddamn much there. Go to Amazon.com, search the book you want to read, and buy it for three and a half fucking dollars. Why spend your time to go poring through some freakin library looking for a book? If you're going to spend the time to read the damn thing, just pay three bucks and take some real time to indulge yourself in it. If it sucks, Amazon.com. If it's good, stack it on the floor with the rest of your collection.
Thirdly, very few libraries contain any information that can't be found online; in the comfort of your own home. Yeah, maybe The Library of Congress has the Constitution, the Declaration, the Bill of Rights; but seriously, how many times have they been reproduced - word for word? Libraries are useless unless you're looking for a really voyeuristic place to slam ham. Yeah, I just said 'slam ham'.
I know. Some people will claim that libraries contain lots of locally specific information. I call BS, becuase they won't carry it unless they buy the rights to some smalltime exhibit of the month. "'Early Black Folk', showing Feb 1 - Feb 28th"; "'The History of the (your local county here) Shellfishing Industry', showing the first week of all months ending in R". Locally specific public records (births, deaths, census, etc) can be found in all kinds of other places. Obviously online, but also at courthouses and county seats. Hell, when we applied for our marriage license, I was so busy poring over the segregated birth logs that I damn near missed the whole "Put your hand on The Book" thing.
The only reason libraries still exist, is because we've got all this goddamned microfiche and we can't figure out how to turn it into ones and zeroes.
Posted by: shank at
09:20 PM
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Buy me a Gutenberg Bible on Amazon and I'll convert to your way of thinking. Otherwise, not so much.
Posted by: Jennifer at February 20, 2007 10:28 PM (ZQRIL)
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Check your local antique bookstore. We found a leatherbound dictionary with 'unique typeface' for 25 dollars. Yeah, it's ungodly heavy and retardedly obnoxious, but talk about a conversation peice!
Besides, if the only reason you have to go to the library is to read Gutenberg Bibles, you're bascially attempting to shit in an infinitely (and ridiculously) far place from where you eat. You can do the same thing at home and flush it, without having to go ten feet from the kitchen.
Posted by: shank at February 20, 2007 11:02 PM (LDIDK)
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BTW, the Gutenbergs go for their own weight in poo
on Amazon.
Oh wait, you wanted an original? Why? So you could smell his sweat on the paper? Because it's that much mo' betta to read? Because it brings us all closer to the blah, blah, blah,
blah,blah? Give me a break. Reading an original is absolutely no different than reading a copy. There's no sensory depth, because the words don't reside in their medium.
It's not like wanting an original recording or an original painting. There's depth there, in the medium the song/art is layed on. But words are different. Their power is not amplified by reading them on the original pages.
Posted by: shank at February 20, 2007 11:13 PM (LDIDK)
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There is more to books than the words in them. The Gutenberg Bible is not important for the story of Genesis it contains...books are artifacts.
And some of us can't afford to buy every book we need to use for research. And some of us actually research books that aren't available in printings of millions.
Posted by: Jennifer at February 21, 2007 01:58 AM (zUsbF)
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I don't know about this one. I've done a lot of research in my day. Reference boks cost a fortune and they're often hard to come by. Sometimes you just need a name.
And of course, the the microfilm, old newspapers, etc.
Posted by: Paul at February 21, 2007 07:11 AM (ahClC)
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Libraries are a good place to decide whether a particular reference book is worth the expense to buy.
Posted by: Ted at February 21, 2007 02:05 PM (+OVgL)
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Okay, I changed my mind. The Law Library on campus sucks beyond all reason. It's on the wrong side of campus (i.e., not near the buildings I haunt), there's very little damn parking, and they won't cooperate in the inter-library loan program all the other campus libraries share in (so I can't order a book and pick it up at the Main Library...I have to go to the wrong side of campus, not be able to park, and get it there).
Posted by: Jennifer at February 21, 2007 03:19 PM (Hso8L)
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Oh man, shank. You knew I had to come in for this one, right?
As a librarian, I couldn't disagree more.
There are people who read 5 to 7 books a week (or more). Why would they buy that many books and then have to either sell them or give them away in order not to turn their home into a fire hazard?
Some lower income families can't afford to order things from Amazon or shop the local bookstore, the library is a free place to check out books of any subject.
Most public libraries are carrying movies now. That's probably our most checked out item; the DVD.
Lower income families love taking advantage of the free DVD check outs.
Then let's talk about MY section of the library: the computers.
Here, I mostly deal with the lower income people also. These people can't afford computers of their own. Some have computers but can't afford internet access. Some live in rural areas that don't have high speed internet.
Some people work from home and their computers crash or their printer is on the fritz so they head to the library to do their work.
Some people travel and need to check their email or find direction so they borrow our computers or they bring their laptop in and connect to our free wireless internet.
Students use our computers for their projects.
Teachers require book resources as well as internet resources so the books are still relevent.
Public libraries also offer programs for children and adults, free of charge.
There are book clubs, writing clubs, lectures and other educational programs...FREE.
Yes, it's quiet and yes, you can find TONS of the same reference information on the internet but there are good reasons why people like me have jobs.
So...suck on it!
Posted by: De at February 21, 2007 03:38 PM (IdVP4)
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Goddammit, I
hate the blogosphere, with it's condescending self-correction. Fuck all!
Posted by: shank at February 22, 2007 09:13 AM (+H1yK)
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My library, actually my county federated library system, doesn't suck We have an excellent
search engine which gives access to every book, magazine, cd, dvd and stuffed animal in the system, including the three sub-basements under the city block sized central library. I have checked out and taken out books last checked out in 1950; I've checked out a book printed in 1875. I can check out any of these items on impulse, and sometimes do so because it popped up in a Countycat search for something else entirely.
Posted by: triticale at February 22, 2007 11:02 PM (9YuSf)
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The Day The Music Died
As far as I'm concerned*, this is one of the best songs ever written. Not because it's musically groundbreaking, which it isn't; but because it's the definition of what a song is. If I ever adopted a life-changing work ethic and went back to school, I'd get an advanced degree in music history and write my thesis on this song alone. Unfortunately, there aren't enough stimulants in the world to keep me awake through a
single music history class; let alone enter a library and do actual...
research. Libraries give me the vertigo. No, it's worse than that. They give me a small dick complex. I hate libraries. More on that later.
Just check out the Wikipedia thread the music geeks have put together on this song. I love the three or four warnings at the top too. No shit it's unsubstantiated blathering, that's what analysis is!
At any rate, it's an awesome song, in the true tradition of song-writing; for what it's worth.**
more...
Posted by: shank at
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Whereas *I* love libraries. Can't get enough.
Posted by: Jennifer at February 20, 2007 08:45 PM (ZQRIL)
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I find the line about drinking whiskey and rye so annoyingly stupid (like drinking wine and merlot) that I reject the entire song as being written by an ignoramus.
Posted by: triticale at February 22, 2007 11:06 PM (9YuSf)
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It's actually 'drinking whiskye
in Rye'. I'm telling you; if you read the Wikipedia thing, all shall become clear.
Posted by: shank at February 23, 2007 07:52 AM (+H1yK)
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You know what bugs me this week?
People who put two spaces after a period.
ThatÂ’s from the caveman days, people. In the days of typeset printing and typewriters you needed two spaces because the fonts were non-proportional. Nowadays, most fonts are indeed proportional (except maybe Courier). That extra space is useless.
Please stop now.
Posted by: Pixy Misa at
05:02 PM
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Nope, can't do it. It's a reflex now, sort of like hitting the space bar only with my right thumb. I've been using two spaces since I was 8 and writing DAR contest essays. It's an involuntary reflex when you type as fast as I do.
Posted by: Tiffany at February 20, 2007 05:47 PM (+neyk)
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I have no idea how to break this news to MSWord spell checker.
Posted by: De at February 20, 2007 05:59 PM (IdVP4)
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I can't avoid doing it either. It's like holding in a fart; it just feels to weird.
I have noticed however, that the SBD template removes double spaces in the body of our entries; giving me the appearance (to all with an eye for details) of a intelligent person in step with the latest grammar trends.
Too bad you don't need an eye for details to completely debunk that, though.
Posted by: shank at February 20, 2007 07:14 PM (LDIDK)
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You need to take some Prozac or something if that sort of thing is bothering you. Seriously.
Posted by: Jennifer at February 20, 2007 08:44 PM (ZQRIL)
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Remember When Music Was Wholesome?
There's one bus driver on my route from the commuter lot to my stop who insists on playing contemporary Christian tunes. Jesus freaks don't neccesarily bother me or anything; it's just that their music...well, it sucks.
It was this dude softly singing, in this moderately high (and decidedly wimpy) tone; backed up by some generic soft rock-ish band. Not surprising. Being a resident of the Bible Belt, I've been exposed to a decent range (to use the term loosely) of contemporary Christian music; and it's all the same. Musically non-descript and (ironically) devoid of inspiration; this genre is similar to pop in that it's not created out of a love for music or artistic expression. That's what makes it so bland. I've heard a few good bands, but they only sounded good because they were imitating the sound of a more mainstream artist/band.
However, since I was locked inside a moving vehicle this morning, silently enduring the sounds of mediocrity; I decided to listen to the words. I almost burst out laughing. Here's this singer, in near falsetto, repeating the following chorus:
God Cooooome, God Cooooome, God Cooooome...
I smirked on the inside, and continued to listened to the verses.
...I can feel you inside of me...
Wait. Do what?
...Fill me up with your warmth...
Oh come on. I hope I wasn't laughing out loud at this point; because I was either listening to a seriously warped closet case elicit his cry for help, or this band was purposefully trying to mess with people's minds.
The moaning lyrics, about being touched by the spirit/bathed in white/etc with regular returns to the choral plea for God to cooooome; continued nearly the entire ride. Funny, yes. But also disturbing. I mean, I kept picturing people singing along with this kind of stuff, like; what's going through your head when you sing the words "I can feel you inside of me, fill me up with your spirit"? Seriously, if Christina Aguilera was singing that song, the MPAA or Mothers Against Filthy Sluts or somebody would be smashing CD's in the street.
Posted by: shank at
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Music sales declined again in 2006. I blame music execs for the horrible state of affairs in general. There is a huge void in music today...the product in general is just horrible.
In the 50s you had some great jazz, i.e. Coltrane, Miles, et cetera. Ground breaking stuff which continued into the 60s and early 70s. What happned after that? I don't know, but I believe the market for real jazz was diluted in the 80s & 90s to include no talent idiots like Kenny G. The market for mainstream jazz was diluted.
In the 50s you had the birth of rock and roll. Buddy Holly, Little Richard, Elvis, Chuck Berry. Huge explosion. The british invasion took over in the 60s. The Beatles, the Who, the Stones, et al. Great stuff.
Meanwhile, the Brits dug into Delta blues and migrated it into heavy rock, ala Zeppelin, Cream, Clapton. Motown was producing great sounds and great groups. Soul music was fantastic. It eventually evolved into funk, which was also great.
In the 80s, college age kids rebelled against hard rock and college radio became huge. At the same time, the sex pistols emerged, followed by the clash, et cetera. Much of that was good music, though much of it was crap. Musicianship as a whole took a plunge as the guitar gods were no longer worshipped.
Meanwhile funk was overtaken (and pretty much dissapeared) by rap, which ruined the whole world. No need for melody or for that matter musical instruments. Good by sweet soul music.
Modern R & B is a tragedy and has no resemblance to soul. Idiot based pop.
Rock went the way of Seattle and moan rock wasn't bad until it all began sounding the same. Then there was Oasis, who reviewers started calling the new Beatles. Yeah, my ass.
Now it's a big giant stagnant pool of shit.
Posted by: Paul at February 20, 2007 12:24 PM (ahClC)
2
Totally agree.
It seems that the percentage of well-known
and truly talented musicians to simply well-known musicians has significantly decreased in recent decades. I suppose it just could be that hindsight and history have thankfully forgetten the crappy ones; but the fact that a vast segment of the population is completely put out by contemporary mainstream music is quite telling.
Posted by: shank at February 20, 2007 12:44 PM (+H1yK)
3
That bimbo the Edwards campaign was fired for writing shit like that. Is shank history?
Music execs stumble upon a "sound" and then there are fifteen sound-alike groups flooding the radio with songs. Mostly the names are forgettable and interchangable.
Putrid.
Posted by: Ted at February 20, 2007 06:07 PM (+OVgL)
4
Yes, Ted. Unfortunately, I no longer work for the Edwards campaign.
Posted by: shank at February 20, 2007 07:08 PM (LDIDK)
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February 19, 2007
Obvious and Obligatory Blog Post #58018
Britney Spears shaved her head.
Seriously, like we didn't see this one coming. Afterall, she's a middle child; and as such is predisposed to being an avid attention whore. So let's all gawk and stare at the crazy person.
5 to 1 her next album sells in packs of 15 as commemorative coasters. Takers?
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February 16, 2007
Who Cares?
No matter where I go I am assaulted by media reports regarding Anna Nicole Smith.
First off, I barely know who the hell she is. I think sheÂ’s some broad who married a 90 year old man, obviously for the checkbook. ThatÂ’s about the extent of my knowledge. But judging by the media youÂ’d think she split the fucking atom. Everywhere I turn itÂ’s nothing but news about this woman. Does anyone give a shit?
Please stop the madness.
Posted by: Pixy Misa at
07:26 PM
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1
"You're
such a neanderthal; okay? Look, Anna Nicole showed us what it is to be a true, modern, human being; o
kay?"
Seriously, I'm with you. Her death is sad, the manner and place in which it happened are sad; but the truly shitty part is there's a poor little goddamned kid in there somewhere. A fricking infant who will know nothing but what history leaves of her own mother. And at this point, history ain't lookin' too kind. Talk about 'fucked up'.
PS = Mofo, you and yours need to come up here this summer and enjoy this wonderful weather we get. Round 'bout June or so the air gets nice, without a lot of moisture; and the seafood season is wide-ass open. If ya'll don't show up, now; I promise to take a highly
personal offense!
Posted by: shank at February 16, 2007 10:27 PM (LDIDK)
2
I think that could be arranged.
Posted by: Paul at February 18, 2007 04:05 PM (ahClC)
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February 14, 2007
Help Wanted: Makin' Moves
Well, having made quite a run at the career thing in the recent years, I think I'm beginning to feel the sluggish effects of burnout. Well, I'm not sure if it's burnout or not, but I've recently gotten some acute feelings of frustration with the current system.
I've been doing project management all day everyday for a couple of years now, and it's beginning to lose its luster. The easy projects have become kind of boring (even though success is nice), and the larger projects have become tiresome even though they're not challenging. It's kind of like addition. We've all pretty much mastered addition, and if your job was to add; you'd find adding two numbers together all day to be intensely boring, and you'd find adding two hundred numbers together tiresome.
Current events have also further exacerbated my corporate malaise. The other day, someone two rungs above me on the ladder left the organization. My mentor, on the rung above mine, is moving into the position in the interim, with the clearly communicated goal of taking the position on full time. The upshot for me would be that should he get this new job, I'd probably have a decent shot at his old one. He and I have a very similar skillset, progression, and background. It'd be nice, because it would throw other tasks in with the project management. I'd still have some of the larger projects, but some of the piddly stuff would be left behind, and I'd get a helping of people management on my plate. I know, everyone bitches about people management; but it's something I need to get under my belt and it's a welcome change of pace. Besides, contrary to what evidence might be on this site, I'm actually pretty good at it.
However, it seems a monkey wrench has been thrown. My old mentor told me this morning that someone's already been shadowing him, learning his job. To make matters even more irritating, this person has only been here six months (as an intern-type position, no less), making this his very first job. The scuttlebutt is that he's somehow put himself in the good graces of the CEO, but scuttlebutt and a dollar might get you a cup of coffee. Even if it's true, acknowledging it in public will only mark you as a fool. To say the least, it's a hard pill to swallow; that someone with less experience has been plucked from obscurity to cut me out of the loop, possibly taking a position with more responsibility (and of course, pay) than my own. It seems like I'm about to get leap-frogged by a nepotist (nepotee?).
I'm meeting with my VP tomorrow, and I'm trying to collect my thoughts on this. I want to communicate my desire to take over some of the duties, but I think I'm going to play stupid on knowing who the shadow is, or that there's even any going on. Mostly because I pretty much always tend to play close to the vest when it comes to this stuff; but also because I've only been under this VP for a few months, and I'm unsure if I am trying to be kept here. I'll just explain the similarities between myself and my mentor, the need for variety in my workload, and a few of the other aspects that make me a logical fit. I'm assuming the Veep can't smell this coming, so the more clearly I think the conversation through, the more leverage I'll have when the time comes.
Anyone have any experience with this??
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1
Similar sort of thing happening for me now too, but unfortunately I don't have any wisdom to share.
My situation looks more hopeless. I pretty sure the two layers above me know that I can do the job, but their boss wants someone with more experience (even though the predecessor had no more than I do.) I'm thinking about trying an end-around - getting the business to lobby for me too as I know my business users would want me over any unknown factor.
Posted by: Clancy at February 15, 2007 01:05 PM (HPYJV)
2
Good idea. Getting the clients to clamor for you will not only be a vote of confidence, but will make putting anyone else in the position much more difficult.
Posted by: shank at February 15, 2007 01:17 PM (+H1yK)
3
I rarely worry about competiton. I would clearly state my desire and qualifications for the position, what I would bring to the table and the reasons that I am a good fit.
Do a little homework and know what they want to hear. Also, no matter how fantastic the guy leaving that position might be, there are ALWAYS things they could have accomplished but did not, simply because of the amount of hours in a day is limited. Once you're in a position, you end up playing a lot of defense putting out fires, meeting quotas, taking phone calls, et cetera. However, from an outside perspective, it's easy to see and say what you would like to accomplish because you don't have hit the ball back across the net yet. You're serving, until you slide inot the seat and become awash in the actual responsibilities.
Posted by: Paul at February 15, 2007 04:56 PM (ahClC)
4
Well, things went well; but I wasn't promised a job or anything. The leapfrogger is filling in interim, and my mentor's performance in his new billet will determine whether or not he becomes permanent. My Veep did acknowledge and agree that getting some people management is something that I need to do, as well as something that will get done. The Veep also mentioned that patience is key (and said she always had to remind my mentor of that), and that there are some other pots on the stove.
I felt acknowledged, not simply placated. Plus, this Veep has reigned me in before, and waiting really paid off. So I'm cool with waiting, especially since I spoke with the leapfrogger before I left the office. He'd arrived to work at quarter of seven this morning, and said he was going to be there until 11pm. It almost made me hope he gets paid more than I do if he takes the job.
Almost.
Posted by: shank at February 15, 2007 06:13 PM (LDIDK)
5
shank,
I thought about sharing wisdom with you since I had a 'situation' that was similar (sorta) recently. Mine didn't turn out as expected and I learned a lot about what I need to do. I flew across the country to talk with a company about a possible position there. My technical skills are unrivaled and they knew it. I tanked the interview because my interview/people skills aren't as awesome as my technical skills. I've been in my job for ten years now and I haven't had to work on those skills and I honestly had no idea that I was even lacking in that skill set. Hindsight is so much clearer.
Good news in the end -- the door isn't closed, we parted on extremely good terms. They still think I'm great, but just need a polish.
For myself, I have four books from Amazon on the way about interviewing skills that talk about how to interview, not just scripted answers to questions. I think those types of books will help in people management all-the-way-around, not just with job interviews so I can work on those people-skills that way.
How are you planning on working on your people skills?
Posted by: fanboy at February 17, 2007 09:05 AM (ro6Ob)
6
By drinking alone. Heavily.
It's served me well thus far.
Posted by: shank at February 18, 2007 07:14 PM (LDIDK)
7
I drink alone...
Yeah, with nobody else. And when I drink alone, I like to be -- by myself.
You'll get whatcha need, man.
Posted by: fanboy at February 19, 2007 07:52 AM (ro6Ob)
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February 07, 2007
Nobody's Allowed to Steal My Amour
Ladies and gentlemen,
Jim Treacher. New site, same old funny. Now go vote.
Posted by: shank at
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Movies
Glen Reynolds points to a
Zogby poll of movie goers, well technically I suppose it's a poll of people who
don't go to movies. At any rate, the poll says most people think the cost is too high, and the material stinks; without ever mentioning comfort or audiovisual quality. IMO, the entire survey is missing the boat.
I'd be willing to bet, if polled correctly, the vast majority of people would tell you that both image and sound quality are better at home than at a movie theater; and for a fraction of the cost! Not to mention the fact that I don't have to get gouged at the snack counter, or that I can drink a beer or two if I want, or that reclining on my couch is immensely more comfortable than one of those folding theater chairs, or that I can pause and rewind if I feel the need.
And the theaters can't figure out why people aren't buying seven to ten dollar tickets for an obviously lower quality product than the one they can get at home?
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I can't stand people coming in late and talking during the movie. And I hate being near the rest of humanity.
Posted by: Paul at February 07, 2007 07:12 PM (ahClC)
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Signs...
... You're pretty sure the shit has hit the fan when:
You find yourself reading Marcus Aurelius...
It seems like maybe now is the time to sell the house and buy a Ferrari...
Sometimes you come home from work and want to hide in the bushes, waiting to ambush your mailman and slit his throat, the late sonofabitch...
You have to choose between RUDY FUCKING GIULIANI and HILLARY FUCKING CLINTON in a presidential election straw poll...
You can no longer trust a single media outlet. Not that such a circumstance is scary to
you (because
you're intelligent enough to know what's
right) but because everyone else is too goddamn moronic to think about shit on their own...
Everyone just read the above sentance and agreed...
more...
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February 05, 2007
IÂ’m not the only dissenter
I gotta tell you, IÂ’m
just not buying it.
Posted by: Pixy Misa at
06:34 PM
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All I know is that it was 27 degrees when I got up this morning; and it's been like this for several weeks, a fair shade more frigid than it was at any point last winter. I mean, at this point I'm thinking 'Global warming my hairy left nut!' If it's warming, it sure as hell isn't global. Seriously though, I'm all for global warming, it'll help keep my fuel oil consumption (and costs) down; which is a good thing for many reasons. But beyond that, there are innumerable windfall blessings of a little harmless global warming: longer growing seasons in many parts of the world, longer bikini seasons in many parts of the world, never having to fucking freeze my ass off again...
Posted by: shank at February 06, 2007 08:54 AM (+H1yK)
2
Check your sources man... that dude works for the Natural Resources Stewardship Project....
Here's a strategy goal of there's:
"NRSPÂ’s first campaign is focused on dispelling the notion that Canada needs CO2 reduction plans. CO2 is very unlikely to be a substantial driver of climate change and is not a pollutant. Global climate change is primarily a natural phenomenon and so governments should focus on solving environmental problems over which we have influence (air, land and water pollution being obvious examples). NRSP will articulate a vision that also promotes assisting our most vulnerable citizens adapt to climate change while encouraging continued research in this exceptionally complex field."
That's like saying "The creation of life is too complex to be understood... it must have been Intelligent Design! Maybe we should just continue on with business as usual"
Oh yeah... and all those scientists out there proving us wrong? Yeah THEY are the ones that are wrong... oh and CO2 isn't a pollutant. wow... just wow.
Posted by: Oorgo at February 06, 2007 04:31 PM (ZUQGo)
3
ok... my comment sounds alot like a lunatic ranting...
I think I'm too tired to comment... I go sleepy sleepy now
Posted by: Oorgo at February 06, 2007 04:48 PM (ZUQGo)
4
Oorgo, I understand what you're saying, but everyone is funded by somebody with an agenda. Look who's funding the whole Global Warming (TM) agenda here in the states - Al Gore and every thinktank with an axe to grind against the administration and/or the oil companies. Which pretty much means anyone.
Everyone has an agenda, and whoever has the most $$ and the most exposure is going to be the most widely heard. The fact is that global warming and cooling has been coming and going in cycles for thousands of years. Ask your parents if they remember the global cooling hubub of the 70's. If they haven't, I'm sure they've heard of the ice age. Was it humanity's CO2 production that brought us out of that? Seriously, look at the projections of the kinds of CO2 levels that were being belched into the air during the early Industrial Age. London was farting coal dust into the air like you wouldn't believe. All I'm really doing here is trying to muddy the waters, and to show two things:
1. Everyone's got a bankroller with an agenda, hence everyone has; by proxy, and agenda
2. Man is so busy jacking himself off in the mirror that he doesn't bother to notice that the ecosystem is a living, breathing organ whose evolutionary control greatly (immensely, exponentially, pulchritudinously) outweighs that of all of man's interventions. Like your skin, Earth is covered with billions of tiny little organizsms, and it adapts to their picadillos in an effort to survive. So don't be worried that a degree or two of extra warmth is going to destroy the ecosystem. It may destroy us, but then; that may be just what the doctor ordered.
Posted by: shank at February 07, 2007 12:14 AM (LDIDK)
5
And case closed. Excellent comment shank!
Posted by: Clancy at February 07, 2007 08:40 AM (HPYJV)
6
No that is the truth Shank, I've said that all along... the earth will remain, it's just US that won't be here, or anywhere else for that matter. We don't have a target of another inhabitable planet and even if we did we don't have the technology to get there.
I'm such a happy person sometimes it even surprises me
Posted by: Oorgo at February 07, 2007 11:19 AM (ZUQGo)
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