tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53667053876226668822024-03-13T11:25:15.906-05:00Beantown Bwana Part DeuxBwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670026823970290748noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366705387622666882.post-70361451372278721062009-04-21T14:38:00.005-05:002009-04-21T15:07:59.844-05:00Sir Willem De KayYay! Somebody notices me! Now I truly is somebody!<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxXzNCeD7c2eoVy3WEVKfCamd3tBNS2lNHszuEvUDevN8WsAthwWMAlfxPuRqrq9iRbOdZ2BY5GwSKZgvNFqA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Bwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670026823970290748noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366705387622666882.post-8997239537689053212009-04-15T11:19:00.004-05:002009-04-16T10:29:13.976-05:00Reunion with my blogOK, I tried to write</span> a very heavy and profound blog entry yesterday, striking all the somber tones one does when re-entering the bloggosphere after a long furlough. And today, I was going to edit the draft version, perhaps to put a slightly brighter tone to the morose opening phrases.<br /><br />Then I read it.<br /><br />And then I said, "NAH!"<br /><br />IT was shite. Pure drivel. So if you were kind enough to read even this far, which would make you very kind indeed, I won't bore you with that maudy tripe.<br /><br />More to the point ... am I back?<br /><br />Maybe.<br /><br />The tough part about sitting down to write when you are out of work is that you feel guilty doing it because you <em>are</em> out of work. Aren't you supposed to be doing something more productive, like going to on-line university and learning to play the mandolin in subway stations for a touch of the ol' filthy lucre?<br /><br />It is <em>'reinvention of the employable self'</em> time in all media outlets --- perhaps because even the media monsters may be out of a job soon as well --- and we are all being advised to give up on the old engineering grind or the market trading yoke, and become organic farmers or hair stylists. I think that if you filled out one of those on-line questionnaires evaluating what you should do now that the sky has fallen and taken your office building with it, the web response would advise you to take a 180° turn, and in the immortal words of The Firesign Theater Company; "... cut off the soles of your shoes, move into a tree and learn how to play the flute."<br /><br />Sage advise, that. I would particularly enjoy it, because throughout my adult working life (even when I was president of a small company), whenever I would hobnob with CIOs, Venture Capital Angels or other wheeler-dealers and be asked to commiserate with them over their labor related peccadilloes, I would take great glee in annoying them by saying stuff like, "Hey, don't ask me. I'm a commie."<br /><br />Not that I was a commie, mind you. I just had reasonable relationships with union guys throughout my industry because I knew <em>I needed them for anything to actually work. </em>Not that only union workers could crew on as stagehands, lighting grips and riggers, camera operators, etc.; but that from city to city, I could only depend on union locals to provide qualified and trained personnel to get a lot done in a very short time.<br /><br />And so, wouldn't it occur to a lot of people now that perhaps unions could be of some assistance in bringing the work force back on line? Since they have training systems for workers already in place, which corporations provide only at the most minimal levels AND with a gun to the CEO's head?<br /><br />Ooooo! Scaary! Unions in offices! Boogah!<br /><br />OK, the commie rant is now over. My more conservative pals can put away the long knives for the next cocktail party.<br /><br />BUT, it does feel good to RANT! So maybe I'll do this once a day again, just like I used to. To feel like I am actually doing SOMETHING. While waiting to do something.Bwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670026823970290748noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366705387622666882.post-29906900520695303312008-10-23T12:50:00.005-05:002008-10-23T13:41:14.924-05:00Golf and RepublicansIn the post below, I indicated my chagrin at the current GOP by saying, "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">L'il</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Mz</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Bootz</span>: Yeah, verily, they (the GOP) doth piss me off to boot (yuck-yuck). But if weren't for them, we wouldn't have golf!"<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Slyboots</span> comments: "I thought that was the Scots. Are they considered Republicans? In the US sense?"<br /><br />It was obvious that I had slighted the Scots, and since I would not EVER want a Scott pissed at me (I read <strong>Trainspotting</strong> and few other of Irvine <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Welch's</span> books), I thought it advisable I rephrase my definitions of Golf, and its relationship to the Grand <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Ol</span>' Party gang.<br /><br />The Scots only created Golf to make better use of all that land between the crags and the sheep herds (other than worrying the sheep). White folks in general perfected the process by creating exclusive dominions on which to play the sport, finishing off the process in the States by putting black jockeys with lanterns on all the greens for evening play. These were real black jockeys, who had to stand there in 12 hour shifts.<br /><br />Post slavery, this tradition was emulated by Republicans who, though they could no longer use real black jockeys, decided to create metal ones just for their driveways and front lawns. (Many Democrats were also involved in this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">chicanery</span>, but at least they smart enough to paint their metal jockeys pink)<br /><br />Not to be out done by former Southern aristocrats, current Republican activists further enhanced the illusion of exclusivity by inviting all the licensed contractors they knew to play in fund raiser tournaments for GOP candidates, who signed on for this self-deception whole-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">heartedly</span>.<br /><br />That’s probably one reason why Joe the Plumber is broke.Bwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670026823970290748noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366705387622666882.post-79049925655421527772008-10-20T07:55:00.008-05:002008-10-20T10:03:57.335-05:00Say It Ain't So, Pup! Say It Ain't So!Don't you just love all the <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">mea</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">culpas</span></em> that conservative pundits --- as <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">opposed</span> to what Chris <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Buckley</span> calls the "Right Wing Sanhedrin" --- are issuing now that McCain has so thoroughly drifted from his initial stance as a conservative libertarian?<br /><br />I just caught that blog piece by Chris Buckley (son of the late, great <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">William</span> F.) where he indicated his support for Obama rather than McCain. Ironical, ain't it? In his <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2008-10-10/the-conservative-case-for-obama">blog piece </a>he of course acknowledges his past support for McCain, even against the rabid dogs of the Right. But he is not alone. David Brooks of the NY Times is in the same boat.<br /><br />Oh, and the reason he posted this was that he wanted to endorse <strong><em>Obama,</em></strong> mostly because he couldn't take it anymore. If you don't want to dirty your screen with right wing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">wanky</span> web ads, I will quote you the significant part of his comment for me:<br /><br /><em>"A year ago, when everyone, including the man I’m about to endorse, was caterwauling to get out of Iraq on the next available flight, John McCain, practically alone, said no, no—bad move. Surge. It seemed a suicidal position to take, an act of political bravery of the kind you don’t see a whole lot of anymore.</em><br /><br /><em>But that was—sigh—then. John McCain has changed. He said, famously, apropos the Republican debacle post-1994, “We came to Washington to change it, and Washington changed us.” This campaign has changed John McCain. It has made him inauthentic. A once-first class temperament has become irascible and snarly; his positions change, and lack coherence; he makes unrealistic promises, such as balancing the federal budget “by the end of my first term.” Who, really, believes that? Then there was the self-dramatizing and feckless suspension of his campaign over the financial crisis. His ninth-inning attack ads are mean-spirited and pointless. And finally, not to belabor it, there was the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Palin</span> nomination. What on earth can he have been thinking?"</em><br /><em></em><br />What indeed? And sadly this is the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">position</span> McCain's tactics have put most conservative <em>thinkers</em> (note <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">ejaculators</span></em>) are going through now. They finally got the candidate they really wanted, but after his going through the looking glass, he came out someone they could not recognize. And this is the essential truth: the heart of Republicanism has been ripped out of the GOP by reactionaries and the intellectual <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">grandkinders</span> of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Reaganism</span>. Reagan managed to convey conservatism without rancour, or spleen in most cases. And though John McCain was never a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">lambykins</span> on any issue, he was always respectful and attentive to his opposites across the aisle, and would often be the first to work with them to right some wrong that was obvious. Not that he was my cup of tea, but at least he resembled the kind of Republicans I grew up with, and could respect.<br /><br />Frankly, I think this shit would even make Nixon spin like a top. And he used to work for McCarthy.<br /><br />Right now, the GOP is about as far from the 'party of Lincoln' as it has ever been. Are Nelson and Happy Rockefeller <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">freakin'</span> out in GOP Heaven? What do guys like Kissinger really feel? As a little kid, I helped out with local GOP campaigns back in Jersey, mostly because I knew Republicans who were good and decent people, who listened to us when we started to rant about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Viet</span> Nam.<br /><br />These were the guys Eisenhower was talking to when he said <em>"... we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the </em><a title="Military-industrial complex" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwight_D._Eisenhower#Post-presidency"><em>military-industrial complex</em></a><em>... Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together."</em><br /><br />An alert and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">knowledgeable</span> citizenry ... that's something the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">current</span> thought-schtuping <span style="color:#ffff00;"><span style="color:#000000;">goose-steppers</span> </span>at the GOP are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">desperately</span> trying to eliminate. And why <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">they</span> are losing their intellectual support so rapidly.<br /><br />Perhaps losing the White House in 2008 will be the best thing that can happen for Republicans in a long time. The rational can get control of the party back, or at least help return the GOP to the dignity it once had. I'd like to think that some day, there might be a Republican candidate that even I could support for the office, simply because there should <em>always</em> be an alternative to extremisim. And I would like to think that the party of my father exists for some reason other than what it is demonstrating itself to be right now. Considering who we are <em>really</em> going to be up against politically, economically and strategically in the near future, it might be important to keep this in mind:<br /><br />Like Spock said, quoting that old, old Vulcan proverb: "Only Nixon could go to China."<br /><br /><em><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">EDITOR'S NOTE: Sadly, Chris Buckley's tenure (though brief) has ended at the National Review with his offer of resignation to the Editor. Apparently, even the libertarian son of the FOUNDER of the National Review is not allowed to stray from the Grand Ol' Party Line. Oh well, he writes great books, so he's better off. Stinks of fascism, don't it?</span></strong></em>Bwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670026823970290748noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366705387622666882.post-91134766580447408892008-10-17T10:00:00.008-05:002008-10-17T10:16:01.912-05:00Kiddie Terror<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0q0QaM63sM47KWAIPW1TeDhhdqp1KkQnBM9YwzfAwmAPTLONDviXk072EYha7HWAXQz10PVe2p1BMlaefJxrdWee1xRo305eeMfIp4SGvUXuHKZ1OYieRLvvTI8Ur1keDDqhsKZeP2-I/s1600-h/video-shows-children-recruited-by-al-qaeda_5965.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258141004268351090" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0q0QaM63sM47KWAIPW1TeDhhdqp1KkQnBM9YwzfAwmAPTLONDviXk072EYha7HWAXQz10PVe2p1BMlaefJxrdWee1xRo305eeMfIp4SGvUXuHKZ1OYieRLvvTI8Ur1keDDqhsKZeP2-I/s200/video-shows-children-recruited-by-al-qaeda_5965.jpg" border="0" /></a> Today I perused the London Times web site, and was greeted by one of the sickest stories I have read on the Al Qaeda Gang to date. See this link: <div><br /><div></div><div><em></em></div><div><em><a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article4959002.ece"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Link between child porn and Muslim terrorists discovered in police raids</span></a></em></div><br /><div>How sick is that? I guess Osama Bin checkin' out the little peeps around the tent? Do they get 52 virgin infants when they get to Heaven? Or is that Hell?</div><br /><div></div><div>Maybe I'm getting this all wrong, but isn't the <em>West</em> the Minion of Satan? Or are they hurting so bad they changed teams?</div><br /><div><br /><br />I also hear that <a href="http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&rlz=1I7GPEA_enUS292&resnum=0&q=Al+Qaeda&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=news_group&resnum=1&ct=title"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Bin Laden</span> </a>is coaching Little League.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0HuMj9DFLgOmBNB_XydbhVtgZHgd2y-5jAf5RvJ57EGGo_izAdjaMwLg02VwIiQzt8IakSYBueNaElXQSxWYeqHd0p2zmuhCc6RDJvGBSDsruvw1TiSyDKlnMrcwtVQy4Ov0grMibQQ/s1600-h/osamaniece-thumb.jpg"></a></div></div>Bwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670026823970290748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366705387622666882.post-47649944157433548232008-10-16T08:30:00.015-05:002008-10-16T10:24:55.841-05:00Undecided? ... Schmuck.At what point in US history did we all decide that <a href="http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2008/10/16/the_power_of_the_undecided_voter/"><span style="color:#3333ff;">the 'undecided' voter</span> </a>is more important than any other consideration in the analysis of either candidates viability or legitimacy?<br /><br />What is an undecided voter at this point in the election? There may be two types, though they don't follow party lines.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6KBZhKSfkAMvrE9XTk6_xBPQJjFQlFLxhqII-CR1P8mmOQzdz2RetS7XbnJgxbH82mwVoKAslT3cqbdpEd8FWGR-w-_BtdFuR5T9IDOajr8txDFfvDOrHe-iL2JFahiwvIO7ynrLCW8/s1600-h/picknose.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257758108073934578" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="164" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6KBZhKSfkAMvrE9XTk6_xBPQJjFQlFLxhqII-CR1P8mmOQzdz2RetS7XbnJgxbH82mwVoKAslT3cqbdpEd8FWGR-w-_BtdFuR5T9IDOajr8txDFfvDOrHe-iL2JFahiwvIO7ynrLCW8/s200/picknose.jpg" width="105" border="0" /></a>First, obviously, there is the twit. He/She/It can't make up their minds because they have no minds to make up. They are only marginally aware of economic issues or national security concerns, and most certainly have no formed opinions of any sort, other than a predilection for either daytime TV (preferably from a cable network of obscure fame, ex.: "347- The Animal Prostitutes Channel"); or ESPN Radio.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDvtgHDXV4hepzmKYbMuTL_ywBOx9RDwJ3Ff9QLJajab3_cWwA4TTe1Z8xcu-7knyjKsPq3aQkky_0V_vEhnQtGemC_AV9wKRpwN121SALroOKFBp0X0O7mqnDuJ_xgR4KnYc2adJ6CA/s1600-h/Snooty.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257761417777056530" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDvtgHDXV4hepzmKYbMuTL_ywBOx9RDwJ3Ff9QLJajab3_cWwA4TTe1Z8xcu-7knyjKsPq3aQkky_0V_vEhnQtGemC_AV9wKRpwN121SALroOKFBp0X0O7mqnDuJ_xgR4KnYc2adJ6CA/s200/Snooty.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Second, the "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Contrarian</span>"; and there ain't a worse social disease out there. This person considers their opinions to be equated with gold bullion or sacred texts. They are critically concerned with these issues:<br /><br />A) Themselves<br /><br />B) Their Investments.<br /><br />C) Their determination NEVER to approve of any government, spiritual or intellectual authority.<br /><br />D) Their goal of never committing their personal time to anything outside their immediate interests.<br /><br />E) Their eternal quest to NEVER pay any price, tax or compliment to a higher (they read that as 'lower') agency.<br /><br /><br /><div><div><p>Visible indicators of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Contrarian</span>? Pursed lips, like they just sucked on a lemon, when asked to make a decision ... on anything. Slacks or skirts often torn from their eternal perch on fence tops. Smirks whenever other breathing entities express passion, compassion, concern, anger or happiness in regards to ... again, anything. Exaggerated sighing and sense of self-worth.</p><p>As I had said above, this disease is not limited to those of any particular ethnicity, religion or level of income. Commonly referred to in medical and psychology texts in the Latin as <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Contrarianus</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Maximus</span></em>, the malady was originally confined to France (with the exception of Provence and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Languedoc</span> region), but soon migrated across the world to all nations.</p><br /><p>And though there have been many concerted efforts to find a cure through medical research, fundraising and the "Walk Against Conceit" campaigns by the yogurt companies; still there is no progress. We are stuck with them, and the Monster-that-be-the-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">MEE</span>-DEE-YA informs us that if the 'undecideds' aren't placated, primped, patted and pleased then <em>All the Demons of Hell</em> shall be loosed upon our over-opinionated selves.</p><p></p><p><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Feck</span> that. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Feck</span> THEM. If you haven't got an actual opinion yet on the issue of who's to be the next <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">POTUS</span>, then you are either a Twit or a Twat (as our Jolly English cousins like to say, not the nasty <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">thang</span> you be thinking). And if your are a twit, well ... you get a pass. Can't be helped.</p><p>But if your are a twat, beware! Your days are numbered. America and the rest of the world not only want change, they want ACTION. When the masters of the Universe gather at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Haavard</span> B School not to congratulate each other, but to figure out how THEY can contribute to Society's Infrastructure through "Social Investment", then the hour of doom for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Contrarians</span> is at hand. </p><p>In November, there <em>will </em>be a decision made, it will most likely be for <em>Obama, </em>and I am very sorry to tell you <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Contrarians</span> that the rest of the nation --- nay, the world! --- expects you to get off the pot. </p><p>Or just go shit yourselves.</p></div></div>Bwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670026823970290748noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366705387622666882.post-11560010614138218582008-10-07T15:07:00.006-05:002008-10-15T11:51:23.255-05:00Books NO Movies<em>EDITOR'S COMMENT: Please note that the last paragraph of this post is nonsensical, as it has no bearing on reality. Bwana Jr commented was, " What Fecking Children of God movie?" I stand corrected: the movie I meant to say was "Children of Men". Duh.</em><br /><em></em><br />I saw this <a href="http://1to3.typepad.com/first_to_third/2008/10/darkly-dreaming.html?cid=133794191#comment-133794191">great post from Willem De Mexico's blog</a>, and had to agree with his premise that, " ... I understand that, as a reader, I'd love to see a book I enjoyed thrown out to the non-reading world - but, rarely, does it work."<br /><br />Guillaume, I must agree with you. MY fav example of the inability to transcribe cool shite to film would be <a href="http://www.nealstephenson.com/">Neil Stephenson</a>, especially his Baroque Cycle, once described to me as 'Harry Potter for Global Market freaks'. Well, I'm quoting a economics wanker there, so take it with a grain of salt.<br /><br />Then there is the category of novels that should become films, and somehow do not. For instance, Madame de la Beantown and myself only read a few writers in a shared manner. I learned this lesson after she gave me a copy of <em>The Notebook</em>. I was forever cautious thereafter.<br /><br />As this is definitely something that should NOT have become a movie, or any other piles of Sparks shite, I narrowed the list of 'shared reads' to protect myself. We settled on some really great stuff, and as for the middlin'/entertainin'/fav-rave-for-the-shitter, we settled first on Robert B. Parker (like eating a whole box of Oreos), and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Doria_Russell">Mary Doria Russell </a>, whose book <a title="The Sparrow (novel)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sparrow_(novel)">The Sparrow</a> and its sequel <a title="Children of God (novel)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children_of_God_(novel)">Children of God</a>, proved quite fascinating to us both.<br /><br />I bring her up because of a short correspondence I had with her and Barbara Hall, her (then) co-screenwriter. Hall was the producer of a CBS TV Series, "Joan of Arcadia". I don't really recall how I got into this thing, but I did. I just remember sending an email out of curiosity, and then getting slammed.<br /><br />One line of discussion covered who exactly should play the lead character, a Puerto Riccan Jesuit ---<br /><br /><br /><div align="center">--- no, that is not an ethnic joke. I don't want to belabor this thang, so if you are <em>really</em> interested in all this sparrow story line, check <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sparrow_(novel)">this link</a>) ---</div><br />---At one point, they moaned about the lack of any LA interest, even though the book sold a bizillion copies, etc. While discussing the casting idea, I mentioned that if you wanted a deep-yet-o-so-sensitive- guy, who could play Latin with gravitas and humor, and would put up with being raped by aliens, I suggested there was only one dude for the job; Johnny Depp. This caused a period of silence to ensue, ending with a message of joyous tumult ... Antonio Banderas was so interested he dropped some dough in their laps for development.<br /><br />There was an extended disconnect with them after this (health problems for Mary, production problems for Barbara), that I lost contact. Mme. de la Beantown asked me some time later what was up, and I checked. Turns out BRAD PITT bought the rights to both books to combine them into a single film, and last I heard it was scheduled to release (?) in 2010.<br /><br />What was all that shite for? I guess too many good novels become too many bad movies. Here's a thought... does anyone out there think the Children of God the movie was a good or bad version of the book?Bwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670026823970290748noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366705387622666882.post-91968917333871639882008-09-30T08:42:00.005-05:002008-09-30T08:53:11.758-05:00Smoot-Hawleys of the Congress Unite!Hey Gang, WICKED long time since I've been on this here thang. Since the world is going to hell in a hand truck, I thought I might throw in my two cents before the big asteroid hits.<br /><br />The best words I've seen to date on this here sitchee-a-shun is from a couple of unlikely (for me ) sources:<br /><br />First, David Brooks of the NYTimes <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/30/opinion/30brooks.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin">--- see his column today</a>.<br /><br />Also, for a wee bit of comfort, try <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122272238714287459.html">this from the Wall Street Journal's "Intelligent Investor" page</a>. It might make lunch go down a little smoother.<br /><br />It is almost fun to watch the GOPs fall down and go boom. I really can't believe that voting down the bailout was any kind of cogent plan on their part. Brooks said it best in his column (and he was trying to be kind):<br /><br /><em>"House Republicans led the way and will get most of the blame. It has been interesting to watch them on their single-minded mission to destroy the Republican Party. Not long ago, they led an anti-immigration crusade that drove away Hispanic support. Then, too, they listened to the loudest and angriest voices in their party, oblivious to the complicated anxieties that lurk in most American minds.</em><br /><br /><em>Now they have once again confused talk radio with reality. If this economy slides, they will go down in history as the Smoot-Hawleys of the 21st century. With this vote, they’ve taken responsibility for this economy, and they will be held accountable. The short-term blows will fall on John McCain, the long-term stress on the existence of the G.O.P. as we know it. </em><br /><br /><em>I’ve spoken with several House Republicans over the past few days and most admirably believe in free-market principles. What’s sad is that they still think it’s 1984. They still think the biggest threat comes from socialism and Walter Mondale liberalism. They seem not to have noticed how global capital flows have transformed our political economy. "</em><br /><em></em><br />Read the rest if youget the chance.Bwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670026823970290748noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366705387622666882.post-72170458858843614472008-08-01T08:37:00.005-05:002008-08-01T08:47:27.262-05:00These Guys Do RockJosh is a musician who has worked with me on event stuff here in Boston. This week, Josh was feeling poorly, really coming down with something, but soldiered on for the gig. He was concerned that his voice might be affected, and that he would not be able to perform for the crowd this weekend.<br /><br />How big a gig, I asked? "Oh, probably 20,000 people or so."<br /><br />Dude, what?<br /><br />"Oh, we open for Cold Play this weekend at the Boston Garden." Oh.. ho-hum.<br /><br />Dude, what the FAAK are you doing at this mingy gig if you're due there?<br /><br />"Well, I was already signed for this and I couldn't not show."<br /><br />OK, well hopefully he won't have to slum among us plebians in future!<br /><br />SEE HIS VIDEO<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/X8AUMNtV5NE&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/X8AUMNtV5NE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Bwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670026823970290748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366705387622666882.post-43011910081332903892008-05-20T08:32:00.003-05:002008-05-24T13:12:42.016-05:00Oh Cameraman, though art way too close!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS82VAqYEYWnYsRUaon1vgd9N_fMEkiMyoDaMsShbl3GG2jb27jSJK_jxQ-Qx4xE4WaNt0S-F-AFPXMV3yDTit_kTmVdnJP2YsFAC9uhjTHUmQPeXouAdJZM9IvbGEvqynDJu88ERL0xs/s1600-h/200px-Callnorth.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204006157343088802" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS82VAqYEYWnYsRUaon1vgd9N_fMEkiMyoDaMsShbl3GG2jb27jSJK_jxQ-Qx4xE4WaNt0S-F-AFPXMV3yDTit_kTmVdnJP2YsFAC9uhjTHUmQPeXouAdJZM9IvbGEvqynDJu88ERL0xs/s320/200px-Callnorth.jpg" border="0" /></a>I spent last week as a cameraman for webby broadcast of the <a href="http://www.aia.org/convention/2008/">AIA</a> Conference up here in the ol' Beanpot, which is all about architecture and sheeeet. In my new life as Mr Videographer, I am once again get within a hair's of the semi-famous. But usually those sem-favs that have something significant to say, as opposed to covering celebs who have not much.<br />This picture has nothing to do with it, I just stuck it in for yucks. Oh, wait, I have it 'cause my late father-in-law's first serious girl friend was in the picture ... Helen Walker! Wanna here something weirder still? Helen Walker was pals with my second cousin, who's husband owned the Brown Derby. She was a Ziegfeld's Follies girl before they got married. Oh, and her husband was a wife beating dick. Glad he died.<br /><div></div><br /><div>Meanwhile, back in the Beanpot ...</div><div> </div><div>One thing about this particular speech circuit is you get to see not only who may be coming up in the world of political and financial power, but those who have been on the world stage for a long time, and are getting ready to leave it. The comments of this latter group is often glossed over in the press, and set to the middle section of the major news coverage (i.e., the details of which only the most wonky of policy freaks pay much attention to). </div><div> </div><div>But what I now see is that the 'hind sight' commentary can be one of the most valuable messages to any group of people who want to create and maintain significant social change!</div><br /><div>Of those guys moving on this score, the first and last speakers of the AIA conference win hands down. The first was the guy who REALLY created Habitat for Humanity --- I know Jimmy Crack Carter gets top billing, but he picked up the ball from the O.G. --- <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millard_Fuller">Millard Fuller</a>. Interesting guy, a Son of the South who decided that making bundles of bucks just wasn't enough, and ended up on a milk farm to learn humility. His speech is Session One (two parts), a LONG sermon but kinda worth it. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The closer was really kinda fantastic; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Young">Andrew Young</a>, former Mayor of Atlanta, US Ambassador to the UN and personal aide to MLK, Jr. His message was really simple: Poor is the new Black. The division between the haves and the have-nots threatens the fabric of our society. Better get on it.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Oh, and if you watch you get to see some of my camera work. The down low shots were my favs.</div><br /><div></div><br />OTHER THAN THAT<><br /><div></div><br /><div>Monster Boy, Bwana Jr be home from Chilladelphia, and he has even worked on a few of my crews! I get to whip him when they reel in the 500' camera cables and say stuff like, "C'moan boah! Poot yo' back in to it!" </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>(Stolen from the old United Negro College Fund ads, remember?)</div>Bwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670026823970290748noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366705387622666882.post-49038301933296812922008-04-18T08:51:00.004-05:002008-04-18T09:42:47.250-05:00Obamamaniacs, Come Out!<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Blooger</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Boogered</span> my first version of this, so I will be more careful this time. Did Fox buy them?<br /><br />It would appear that the rest of the world doth get the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">quandary</span> we Americans are all facing, namely that the "BIG NEWS NETWORKS" are getting in the way of the political process. It is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">embarassing</span> to <a href="http://www.timesonline.typepad.com/uselections/">read comment like this from the Times of London</a>. And it may be high time for the "BIG <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">NETWERRKS</span>" to get the hell out of the way.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Particularly</span> sad is this little snip from the debates last night, where the Anchors <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">being</span> heckled by the audience for their shallow performance.<br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/y7WaoarLZHc&hl=" width="425" height="355" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed><br /><br />Here are a few points to consider:<br /><br /><ol><li>There is only a hair's breadth between most major policy viewpoints in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Obama</span> and Clinton's campaigns, which is bad for yellow journalism. The dependency on over played minor mistakes in both campaigns has brought the public discourse to a pitiful palaver.</li><li>National News organizations based on the American concept of ABC, NBC (not <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">MSNBC</span>) and CBS are clinically dead. Since they limit themselves to lowest-common-denominator thinking on what is important to the US voter (which shows you what they think of us hayseeds), they can't be trusted to deliver anything meaningful to the process. I think they should stick to celebrity interviews.</li><li>ABC news in particular seems to be huckstering for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Clintonistas</span>. Which ain't no big surprise, considering who <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Stephanopoulos</span> used to work for. But Gibson seems to be doing a clumsy two step to help McCain, the candidate from The Committee to Re-Invade <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Viet</span> Nam (<em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Sweeeeet</span></em>, 30 Rock!)</li><li>Of course, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">MSNBC</span> is still <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">livin</span>' in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Obama</span>-Land, but we'll cut them a break today.</li><li>And since Hilary isn't making any visible progress in acquiring <em>actual voters</em>, she is taking a page from the book of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Days_that_Shook_the_World">Great American Revolutionist, John Reed</a> by essentially telling the American Voter what they ought to think and when to think it. She will acquire all the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">superdelegates</span> she can through back door maneuvers and co-opt the Democratic nomination process. It is dismaying that she wants to turn the Democratic Party into the Politburo...Can anyone say <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Trotskyite</span>?</li><li>All politics is local, so if Hillary gets away with it, she'll be <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Pillary</span> Clinton in the press forever more. She should really think about this.</li></ol>Bwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670026823970290748noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366705387622666882.post-9350379311082541562008-04-12T12:46:00.006-05:002008-04-12T13:28:11.701-05:00Bizarro Addendum(See the Lives of the Fathers of the Desert, and the authors quoted by A. Maury, Magie, 317.)<br /><br /><em>'In the fourth century the Messalians, believing themselves to be full of demons, were constantly blowing their noses, and spitting unceasingly, in their incredible efforts to expectorate these.'</em><br /><em></em><br />Ibid AD NAUSEUM:<br /><em></em><br /><em>'If in God's infinite goodness there is room for the lowliest, if He ever seems to have a preference for such out of pity, why should not my ass be allowed in church? He has his defects, no doubt,—which makes him only the more like me. He is a sturdy fellow to work, but ... he is intractable and obstinate, in one word, he is my very counterpart.'</em>Bwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670026823970290748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366705387622666882.post-75806762044895160912008-04-12T11:06:00.005-05:002008-04-12T11:14:25.052-05:00Bizarro Esoteric Quote o' the Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkudul7kYaCRUdNlgDlSYSXXUxQ_QWyl1RfIr0GRWfdicQhAltvbJwtDRH2MUNXcwaxB0ADW3SPmV9qkxbC26fcNE3bPNPnfhCjB_VkbF3oySlUCI6JYScJO7w82TK_YBJTel4iSwoyls/s1600-h/snowquee.jpeg"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188392458956195762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkudul7kYaCRUdNlgDlSYSXXUxQ_QWyl1RfIr0GRWfdicQhAltvbJwtDRH2MUNXcwaxB0ADW3SPmV9qkxbC26fcNE3bPNPnfhCjB_VkbF3oySlUCI6JYScJO7w82TK_YBJTel4iSwoyls/s320/snowquee.jpeg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">'All primitive peoples start alike; this we see again and again in the accounts given by travellers. Man hunts and fights. Woman contrives and dreams; she is the mother of fancy, of the gods. She possesses glimpses of the second sight, and has wings to soar into the infinitude of longing and imagination. The better to count the seasons, she scans the sky. But earth has her heart as well. Her eyes stoop to the amorous flowers; a flower herself in her young beauty, she learns to know them as playfellows and intimates. A woman, she asks them to heal the men she loves.<br /></span><div><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Pathetic in their simplicity these first beginnings of Religion and Science! Later on, each province will be separated, we shall see mankind specialise—as medicine-man, astrologer or prophet, necromancer, priest, physician. But in these earliest days woman is all in all, and plays every part.'</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div align="right"><em><span style="font-size:78%;">The Sorceress </span></em></div><br /><div align="right"><em><span style="font-size:78%;">By Jules Michelet<br />as translated by Alfred Richard Allinson from the French</span></em></div><br /><div align="right"><em><span style="font-size:78%;">(original title "La Sorcière," Paris: E. Dentu [1862]).</span></em></div>Bwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670026823970290748noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366705387622666882.post-10747981082743478072008-04-10T12:18:00.004-05:002008-04-10T12:50:05.416-05:00Out of Stir'Stir' - an old American <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">euphemism</span> for jail or prison. I title this 'Out of Stir' mostly because I can't think of much else to describe my 'quiet time' on my old site o' shite. I haven't posted since ... fish had feet!<br /><br />I has been experiencing some changes in my life, not all fantastic let me assure you; but all the important stuff is still there... family, relationships and a regularly functioning brain wave.<br /><br />I am no longer at that big <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ol</span>' <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">stinkie</span> Institute. That went by the boards for me in a blur. I will not post about it, mostly because I fear their minions will come and execute me in me sleep. Which might be most profitable for the Missus, but would leave a hell of a mess at home. And I tend to enjoy breathing, thank you.<br /><br />And though I do not slave for the Masters of Technology no more, I oddly have been called to do much work for the slave masters of Modern Medicine, followed shortly by the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Fashionista</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Fascisti</span>. SO ... lots of gory footage of surgery, and then even scarier ... Fashion Shows! (Who knew that athletic shoes could generate whole lines of clothing? and why??)<br /><br />I was hoping that my first post after the thawing of the glaciers --- oops, that was to be a time-line joke, but it is sadly more true than any of us would like! --- would contain some hugely important comment on the malaise of our new century, or the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">relevance</span> of the new politics, or even a short piece on how a high/low ratio transfer box and locking center and rear differentials add to the credentials of the Toyota - Land Cruiser Amazon <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">VX</span> 4.7 ... yeah, I lifted that last one. I bet <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">SlyBoots</span> will know from where!<br /><br />But since this is my Opening Day, and there are now F-18s flying over my head here as I punch the keys, I will post with a whimper rather than a wow.<br /><br />It's OK, I have learned to downsize my expectations!Bwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670026823970290748noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366705387622666882.post-88098817093290841872007-12-25T12:00:00.000-05:002007-12-25T12:05:48.458-05:00It's been eons, I know ...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cj_cgRh2R_W1gJvRE5e437c18cQFSN0JGsUy48SFLoppl_y1UUZj7hWC__-zhyphenhyphenXyT4a_RvKdC1jtr5Y4g1V6MaKWVltcenjMsU-XzU5crAkicg0c0XXuwRMPx5kHZm5SDWNSs0wTFmM/s1600-h/Xmas2007deux+011.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147957678632643186" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cj_cgRh2R_W1gJvRE5e437c18cQFSN0JGsUy48SFLoppl_y1UUZj7hWC__-zhyphenhyphenXyT4a_RvKdC1jtr5Y4g1V6MaKWVltcenjMsU-XzU5crAkicg0c0XXuwRMPx5kHZm5SDWNSs0wTFmM/s400/Xmas2007deux+011.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Mery Christmas to all youse guys out there, who haven't seen or heard from me in many a moon.</div>Bwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670026823970290748noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366705387622666882.post-10085395204196183532007-09-29T10:18:00.001-05:002007-09-29T10:22:06.070-05:00Sonja standing with Bwana Jr<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJXLMiMIkbxvv2DYv0fOCPKXiDbHQIk7h761l3qKu5Qc28meP5imZNgEnTOH-FBVqBTyVJr-cjpX0p_pAxL3Y8qFpVj8yjh1jBBypOGwZuAvTumZOTH-a-LECAHkite_JQ2eqajg0iGc/s1600-h/1396817499_3f73dabb11_b.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115646660134668258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJXLMiMIkbxvv2DYv0fOCPKXiDbHQIk7h761l3qKu5Qc28meP5imZNgEnTOH-FBVqBTyVJr-cjpX0p_pAxL3Y8qFpVj8yjh1jBBypOGwZuAvTumZOTH-a-LECAHkite_JQ2eqajg0iGc/s400/1396817499_3f73dabb11_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9jS99Jn_RxPGeTdsxGVjRajKWuGk6DUiEwKlU1kxXZgn-AhzJWDY7YMfNL-5F2l0868P6HoT4niaeP_5kZIgoK9SEVTRKdZo4OIRc2M25BxZgh9pPjTgsvKe6cyVSV3feEXqwe4tyg8/s1600-h/1396817499_3f73dabb11_b.jpg"></a>Bwana Jr experiences the shock and awe of having a contemporary relative give birth to a baby.</div>Bwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670026823970290748noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366705387622666882.post-84008101898633188122007-08-30T13:49:00.000-05:002007-08-30T14:14:46.881-05:00Huzzah! An Editorial COMPLETELY Out of Left Field<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOWHn0JgQeUHeQsOMNWsouFl-XygFC1lkmB7Emsjm6p8bDLuEYEfHdYP8i07QmsQMo7icDUJPXEPTeiwFm2Y-aTcDJZD7uwRxvaT3sRknw1L2mUWTPJENH9K2N0HNqIb1vP1_huodaWk/s1600-h/CAPE%2520WIND%2520FARM.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5104570460778243746" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOWHn0JgQeUHeQsOMNWsouFl-XygFC1lkmB7Emsjm6p8bDLuEYEfHdYP8i07QmsQMo7icDUJPXEPTeiwFm2Y-aTcDJZD7uwRxvaT3sRknw1L2mUWTPJENH9K2N0HNqIb1vP1_huodaWk/s400/CAPE%2520WIND%2520FARM.jpg" border="0" /></a><em>Who's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">bendin</span>' down to give me a Rainbow...?</em><br /><br />Who'd a-thunk it? The Wall Street Journal today actually published an editorial that was in support of wind power? '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Od's</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Botkins</span>!<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/globe/city_region/breaking_news/2007/08/editorial_says.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Bahston</span> Globule </a>took perverse <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">dee</span>-lite in covering the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">WSJ</span> OP-ED piece today:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />"In what has become the consummate example of beau <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">monde</span> environmental phoniness, residents around Cape Cod and the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket are facing off with Greenpeace activists again over a proposed wind farm in the middle of their handsome vistas. The environmental group considers wind power a key source of renewable energy, while some of the locals consider it an offense against the scenery. The Cape Wind project for its part would plunk 130 wind turbines on Horseshoe ..."<br /><br /><br /><br />Well, that's all you kin git, 'cause the Darth <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Vadir</span> of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Newsworld</span> caught us all linking the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">editorial</span> itself, and it went bye-bye, unless you want to cough up the doe-ray-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">mee</span>.<br /><br /><br />But ... ain't it just amazing? The Journal just put a harpoon into the throbbing hearts of all the richest assholes in the Nantucket Sound region (or thereabouts) who absolutely insist that it is only ecological worries that cause them to prevent millions of citizens getting relatively cheap, very much needed electricity from wind power.<br /><br />Because its unsafe. And untested.<br /><br />Ever been to Denmark, Richie-Rich?<br /><br />I bitched before that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">CommonWealth</span> of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Masterchusetts</span> has to lay out a few million to 'test' wind power because of these assholes who don't want to spoil the view. And I have posted on how poor folks down below the Cape were willing to have a few put up practically in their back yards just to get things going.<br /><br />Now the WALL STREET JOURNAL is outing these bags. You can't look much <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">skankier</span>, can ya?Bwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670026823970290748noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366705387622666882.post-82388480974987287632007-08-21T07:36:00.000-05:002007-08-21T08:53:23.256-05:00Young Lust in Beantown<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9m83iBa8EYX1BSiwb34nNK0qq17vnOUfddPp4YflxnCxQtAHR1WmkKVk3Pt0DGjAqQqsoFF3hhEXpATyS0mI7cQqXa46EbFuLBa-lGfOXql5c5YMTA8T4AS2SLowgZIQDmIXL28zT9A/s1600-h/Naughty+Authors.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101146401180722834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9m83iBa8EYX1BSiwb34nNK0qq17vnOUfddPp4YflxnCxQtAHR1WmkKVk3Pt0DGjAqQqsoFF3hhEXpATyS0mI7cQqXa46EbFuLBa-lGfOXql5c5YMTA8T4AS2SLowgZIQDmIXL28zT9A/s400/Naughty+Authors.jpg" border="0" /></a>Bet that title gets me on Google. <div><br /></div><div>I've been searching for something to ... <em>stimulate</em> me into blogging again, and just when I was sure I would never post again, along comes a great, big, juicy ....SCANDAL. And right here in Ye <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Olde</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Beanpotte</span>!</div><div><br /></div><div>Since sex sells papers and Internet ads these-a-days, some may have noted a minor league teen sex scandal that occurred in the hallowed halls of <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2007/08/21/notes_on_a_scandal/">Milton Academy during the past year</a>. Well, probably you have no clue about this at all. And with films like "Notes on A Scandal" coming out of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Blighty</span> recently, and various Cable TV movies on Oxygen hardly worth note, we are seeing a tremblingly titillating new type of crusading journalism approaching the horizon: Teen Angst from Sex Abuse in Posh Places.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now in this particular case, the sex was strictly among underage students and it happened at a very well respected private academy that serves the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">hoity</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">toity</span> of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Bahston</span> and its environs. I won't go into the lurid details, but suffice to say that there was some multi-party hankie-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">pankie</span> happening in locker rooms, dorms and various vehicular transports.</div><div><br /></div><div>These 'cautionary tales' often trot themselves out to provide 'worldly knowledge' to kids on the errors of sexual activity at an early age, though nominally they are targeted for progressive, concerned parents. But frankly, they're just soft-core kiddie porn for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">freakizoids</span> out there that the FBI SHOULD be watching, but finds itself way to busy making sure American Septuagenarians are getting strip searched in US Airports because a 'Bob Smith' once emailed Saddam Insane.</div><div><br /></div><div>But THIS one <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">gots</span> a double-edged blade! Some high society <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">juene</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">filles</span></em> decided to 'tell all' to Abigail Jones and Marissa <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Miley</span>, authors of "<a href="http://www.restlessvirginsthebook.com/book.html">Restless Virgins</a>," a new book. But said finking fillies got much more than they bargained for; a tell all about them, replete with multiple positions and partners, and thinly <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">guised</span> aliases. So now <em>everyone</em> in their sororities know they were school pump bags. <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Quelle</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">horreur</span>! ---</em>Duh!</div><div><br /></div><div>One statement by the authors, I suppose offered in support of the graphic nature of their writing, does interest me:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRi-wXDem6yxniCixoszXvOAp6FbizRssvV53JlmhkWC9TRohCRK_hld9PI2rHCZyORQI2pxRsL4roqiS0xZpcksoP7YL4DVu7-gfEqwGQRnKfNOERKMoQF4svelkXakCeDbqIBVkwng/s1600-h/authors.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101145692511118978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRi-wXDem6yxniCixoszXvOAp6FbizRssvV53JlmhkWC9TRohCRK_hld9PI2rHCZyORQI2pxRsL4roqiS0xZpcksoP7YL4DVu7-gfEqwGQRnKfNOERKMoQF4svelkXakCeDbqIBVkwng/s400/authors.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em>"The authors agree that casual sex among teenagers is a national phenomenon that<br />can be blamed in part on the hyper-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">sexualized</span> culture. </em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em>"You've had <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Abercrombie</span> [& Fitch] selling thongs to 10-year-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">olds</span>, and TV sex scenes doubled from 1998 to 2002," says <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Miley</span>, who majored in English and economics at the University of Pennsylvania and now lives in New York. That, coupled with websites such as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Facebook</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">MySpace</span>, have created a universe where little is considered out-of-bounds.<br /><br />Jones calls it "generational exhibitionism."<br /><br />"These kids are putting their lives on display," she says. "People didn't<br />used to have sex in front of others. This is the first generation of kids coming<br />of age in the Internet, and there's a breaking down of privacy."</em><br /><br />I suppose that this statement is truly significant from a viewpoint of generational shift; this next generation (of which <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Bwana</span> Jr be a member) is viewing intimacy completely differently than the parents, especially in regards to public expression of sexuality. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">I mean, the Boomers who post their sex lives with movie files and digital photos are considered freaks by most of their contemporaries. And moreover, viewed as pathetically obsessed with the cult of perpetual youth, i.e., if I am 50-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">ish</span> and still humping the planet, I am VITAL AND ALIVE AND WANTED.</div><div></div><div>Yippee. </div><div><br />And though they may in fact be less Victorian and prudish then their contemporaries, they don't appear to be that happy. Rather they appear a bit desperate. They want attention, more than anything else. And they don't want anyone to say they are OLD --- this being death word amongst Boomers.</div><div><br /><br />Perhaps the contrast of an entire generation really thinking that sex is simply no big deal, just another fun physical activity like break dancing to be share with your peeps; perhaps THIS is the news flash. Because we know that the pervs will buy the book to whack off, and the self-styled "Cool Parents" will read it for tips on how to better serve their <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23"><em>kinders</em></span> (you know, the ones who always serve booze to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">under aged</span> kids at parties in their homes because, "they'll just do it elsewhere, this way we can watch them) {aka SUPER pervs}. I sure as hell won't read it. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><br />My daughter would just DIE from <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">embarrassment</span>.<br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div>Bwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670026823970290748noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366705387622666882.post-82313645057692418832007-08-17T06:33:00.000-05:002007-08-17T06:35:39.550-05:00Sometimes a Great Surrealist<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YN5kHzIbigkdts7b42nFQiNxICVpUgrijNj_W7KLZbIkmEXTTvDncNplKhLAaL_JTW14sobVUU3ShpzYb7OtNgB2KYjLA7Pj-WyfJuUC_2DeuQces7IkCL8UHPaR5XSSZZ-Iccct0Vw/s1600-h/salvidor+dolly.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099631686474507890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YN5kHzIbigkdts7b42nFQiNxICVpUgrijNj_W7KLZbIkmEXTTvDncNplKhLAaL_JTW14sobVUU3ShpzYb7OtNgB2KYjLA7Pj-WyfJuUC_2DeuQces7IkCL8UHPaR5XSSZZ-Iccct0Vw/s400/salvidor+dolly.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Bwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670026823970290748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366705387622666882.post-75487588659735679532007-08-15T11:25:00.000-05:002007-08-15T11:59:26.100-05:00I don't gots alot to say and whatnot ...I suppose that when you fall out of the habit of doing something every day, it becomes increasingly difficult to return to your former <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">repertoire</span>. I looked up the word "habit" in Websters On-Line Dictionary, and here's are some definitions of usage that might apply:<br /><br /><em>5 : the prevailing disposition or character of a person's thoughts and feelings : mental makeup</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>6 : a settled tendency or usual manner of behavior <her></em><br /><em></em><br /><em>7 a : a behavior pattern acquired by frequent repetition or physiologic exposure that shows itself in regularity or increased facility of performance </em><br /><em>b : an acquired mode of behavior that has become nearly or completely involuntary <got></em><br /><em>c : </em><a href="http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/addiction"><em>ADDICTION</em></a><em> </em><br /><em></em><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Following that were some nifty synonyms:</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/habit"><em>HABIT</em></a><em>, </em><a href="http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/practice"><em>PRACTICE</em></a><em>, </em><a href="http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/usage"><em>USAGE</em></a><em>, </em><a href="http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/custom"><em>CUSTOM</em></a><em>, </em><a href="http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/wont"><em>WONT</em></a> .<br /><br />So, when I say that I have fallen out of the <span style="color:#3333ff;"><a href="http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/habit">HABIT</a></span> of blogging, it implies I do this unconsciously ... which is wrong, since I am usually conscious when on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bloggosphere</span>.<br /><br />OR, if I where to say I fell out of the <a href="http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/practice">PRACTICE</a> of blogging, it infers I do it often and by choice. There ARE some things I do often by choice. But blogging apparently is not one of them.<br /><br />To steal directly from M_W, <a href="http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/usage">USAGE</a> ... <em>"suggests a customary action so generally followed that it has become a social norm <western-style>. " </em>Whilst blogging has become a norm in some <em>neighborhoods</em> in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Bahston</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Beanpot</span>, and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Bahston</span> Globule apparently has declared <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Bahston</span> to be one of the top blogging cities in the USA, that statement was slightly qualified by their original source <a href="http://bostonist.com/2007/08/13/bloggiest_we_pr.php">The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Bostonist</span></a>, in that sports blogging is the main rage in Ye <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Olde</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Bahston</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Towne</span>.<br /><br />I do not think it is my <a href="http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/custom">CUSTOM</a> to blog, in that it (M_W)<em>" ... applies to a practice or usage so steadily associated with an individual or group as to have almost the force of unwritten law <the>. "</em> Ain't no-body gonna tell me I have to blog. No <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">forking</span> way.<br /><br />Which leaves us with ... (M-W) "<em><a href="http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/wont">WONT</a> ... usually applies to an habitual manner, method, or practice of an individual or group <as>. "</em><br /><br />It is my wont to get up before 5:30AM. But I would like to sleep later.<br /><br />SO, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">since</span> none <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">of</span> the above apply, it would seem that my original premise for not blogging lately is the correct one:<br /><br />I am a lazy shit.<br /><br />Except for stealing from other sources. Then I am very <a href="http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/ENTERPRISING">ENTERPRISING</a>.Bwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670026823970290748noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366705387622666882.post-38273619340090761042007-08-03T13:36:00.000-05:002007-08-03T13:53:37.977-05:00So ... wtf?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4Az_v6IREdNj8jfPdJNk69XJLHs0Kit4PuLe01No2R0J4KRZ5OKwGP7ewR3lQSZyBFEa2OEQeNqG5slyb70RfndpuYL0idkWGy8GL0X4GAfe9_n3rd4KfGs90Nt2Jb8-y1TLOSvAOok/s1600-h/100_1934.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094549099978500514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4Az_v6IREdNj8jfPdJNk69XJLHs0Kit4PuLe01No2R0J4KRZ5OKwGP7ewR3lQSZyBFEa2OEQeNqG5slyb70RfndpuYL0idkWGy8GL0X4GAfe9_n3rd4KfGs90Nt2Jb8-y1TLOSvAOok/s320/100_1934.JPG" border="0" /></a>So, wtf, you ask?<br /><br /><div><div></div><br /><br /><div>I am realizing I've become extremely lazy. I haven't spent any time reading other blogs, let alone posting on my own. I admit I have been kept very busy by my wife, who has seen fit to redecorate the entire manse since our return from Spain.</div><br /><br /><div>Now, we ain't rich folk, and we do the work ourselves. I have a family history in the paint and decorating business --- we owned a paint, wallpaper and art supply business that closed after 100 years of service to the Greater New York area --- and I still have 'hand', in that I can paint, refinish wood, hang wallpaper, and to some extent do 'faux finishes'. I even know how to do gold leaf application, but NOBODY has the money for that anymore. The fake stuff looks just as good</div><br /><br /><div>But I DIGRESS...</div><br /><br /><div>Since I have been home, after working on the house when I get home from work, I then expend all my other energy on complaining about doing the above, which leaves very little time for blogging (especially if you have Video on Demand). Add to that the valuable and precious time I need to spend with my teenager daughter (she STILL <em>lurves</em> me), I'm just plain too pooped to pop.</div><br /><br /><div>So I have decided to start my campaign in earnest next week. I will come up with an outline of the Spain trip, with diagrams, detailed notes and groovy web links.</div><br /><br /><div>I think.</div></div>Bwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670026823970290748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366705387622666882.post-75272473509573499992007-07-26T08:12:00.000-05:002007-07-26T08:38:16.053-05:00Cat of DeathYes, yes, I know. I should have posted some of my FAAAAHbulous Spain stories by now, but I'm busy AND I'm lazy; and one of my mad scientists has to go to DC today and get the National Science Medal from Dumbo Dubya, so he's freakin'.<br /><br />But I could NOT let this story go without bringing it to your attention, dear reader. Oscar, The Certified Cat-O-Death, and practically a hospice consultant for Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFj7bKRAkcOSxMRgd93kNa4lBMl_cuNRo8g2j5caEfYwfN114fYbHuAirtHkdE3_MKeoh93pttjJU5DAl5-pR40Hd593n67RMQDh_YMwm0NwhaNYaD3OBqOBuN49Qo8blNVYnrWzy7pZY/s1600-h/OscarThe+DeathKitty.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091497134872668546" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFj7bKRAkcOSxMRgd93kNa4lBMl_cuNRo8g2j5caEfYwfN114fYbHuAirtHkdE3_MKeoh93pttjJU5DAl5-pR40Hd593n67RMQDh_YMwm0NwhaNYaD3OBqOBuN49Qo8blNVYnrWzy7pZY/s320/OscarThe+DeathKitty.gif" border="0" /></a></p><br />This cute little feline has sat death watch at the side of many advanced dementia cases in <em>extremis</em>. In fact, this cat has accurately predicted and witnessed the deaths of over 25 patients in this unit. It simply knows when the patient is going to kick, mostly by sniffing at them while perched up on their beds. If they ain't ready to go, he leaves. If they are, he curls up and snuggles them. Until they do die, and then he just leaves.<br /><br />Read the article in <a href="http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/357/4/328?ijkey=PVKerq1VfkJKc&keytype=ref&siteid=nejm">The New England Journal of Medicine</a>: it is way freaky.Bwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670026823970290748noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366705387622666882.post-40011006172011895272007-07-18T12:49:00.001-05:002007-07-18T12:52:44.093-05:00¡Danza del torero!It's got a back beat!<br /><br />The bull was not invited ...<br /><object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/b13pHEBku38"> </param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/b13pHEBku38" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"> </embed> </object>Bwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670026823970290748noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366705387622666882.post-112666980662778592007-07-18T12:41:00.000-05:002007-07-18T12:43:16.817-05:00I'm the Barber of ... Pedraza?Here's an interesting place. A castle. No. A real one.<br /><br />Castille Padraza<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0jc0zEangSM"> </param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0jc0zEangSM" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"> </embed> </object>Bwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670026823970290748noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366705387622666882.post-61933320961437870012007-07-18T06:32:00.001-05:002007-07-18T06:35:01.752-05:00¡Ruego, Si, Hola!I be back in USA. Wahoo.<br /><br />See the Flickr site for nifty pics from Spain.Bwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670026823970290748noreply@blogger.com5