Saturday, January 24, 2009
Now that IS riding a bike
Thanks to MD for sending me this amazing (and I do mean AMAZING) bit of bike jumping. Here. Keep watching the video...
Garrison Keillor
If you have not heard "Lake Wobegon Days" then the book will do. All of his writings are wonderful and his weekly radio broadcast is old-time radio at its best. The Prairie Home Companion has been broadcast (with a minor hiatus for a couple of years) since 1974.
He also has a regular column over at Salon.com. This week he gave feedback from the inauguration. His comments regarding how the crowd reacted to "Executive One" departing with the Bush's left out the fact that a huge percentage of the crowd were singing "Nah, Nah, Nah-nah. Hey, Heya. Goodbye" (you know the tune). This was seriously under-reported and even the camera coverage of the moment deliberately moved the cameras off the crowd. Additionally, large numbers of the crowd were giving him a double 'bird'.
He also has a regular column over at Salon.com. This week he gave feedback from the inauguration. His comments regarding how the crowd reacted to "Executive One" departing with the Bush's left out the fact that a huge percentage of the crowd were singing "Nah, Nah, Nah-nah. Hey, Heya. Goodbye" (you know the tune). This was seriously under-reported and even the camera coverage of the moment deliberately moved the cameras off the crowd. Additionally, large numbers of the crowd were giving him a double 'bird'.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Quinoa
The judges are out on the correct pronunciation of this culinary delight. Perhaps they should ask "Cool Breeze Over the Mountain" Reeves
If you have not eaten this, or are unsure what to do with it, then here are a couple of locations with recipes... gluten free...
One.
Two. (lots of different recipes)
If you have not eaten this, or are unsure what to do with it, then here are a couple of locations with recipes... gluten free...
One.
Two. (lots of different recipes)
Odd #1
Is this perhaps for the anally attentive? Here.
It conjures up ideas for what song to play and how choosing the wrong one could be bad in so many ways (ref. "10" and Bolero). Any suggestions for an inappropriate one?
This has been one suggestion... here. (as an aside, I love the helmets in this one. They do not make vids like this anymore...). Another (appropriate) is here although a little low on the BPM.
It conjures up ideas for what song to play and how choosing the wrong one could be bad in so many ways (ref. "10" and Bolero). Any suggestions for an inappropriate one?
This has been one suggestion... here. (as an aside, I love the helmets in this one. They do not make vids like this anymore...). Another (appropriate) is here although a little low on the BPM.
Being English and Corriearklet
As an Englishman myself I have never understood the level of reservedness, paranoia, and fear of social contact that people mess with in their own heads. I think it is best exemplified by "Mark Corrigan" in Peep Show.
This article covers it well and there is even a reference to Douglas Adams' "The Meaning of Liff" which is a rather splendid book to keep adjacent to the toilet...
This article covers it well and there is even a reference to Douglas Adams' "The Meaning of Liff" which is a rather splendid book to keep adjacent to the toilet...
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
The Book of Numbers and Neon
God Bothering is quantified here.
Approval as he departed... here.
Power OFF to the People... here.
Cannot see this in Sainsbury's or Lidl somehow... here. But it is on Gourmet.com and elsewhere.
Approval as he departed... here.
Power OFF to the People... here.
Cannot see this in Sainsbury's or Lidl somehow... here. But it is on Gourmet.com and elsewhere.
Cavalier Poets
In our 'Reading Room' there is a volume entitled "Uncle John's Big Bathroom Reader". Packed with facts, articles, and trivia, it is sometimes reluctantly that myself and others leave the room (not that this is a room where more than one person is 'active' at the same time). It (and the 10+ other volumes of the series) is an essential cistern companion.
e.g. Did you know that for many years the Egyptian steam trains were fueled by discarded mummies? Apparently there were so many mummies (a very popular preservation method after shuffling off this mortal coil) being dug up that the conservative estimate is there were something like half a million of these things just laying around doing mummified things. No coal to really speak of in Egypt, what is Casey Jones to do?
My favourite extract from today's reading is from the well known Cavalier Poet, Sir John Suckling. Here it is in its full glory:
Love is the fart
Of every heart:
It pains a man when 'tis kept close,
And others doth offend, when 'tis let loose.
Somehow I do not think he made it to be Poet Laureate...
e.g. Did you know that for many years the Egyptian steam trains were fueled by discarded mummies? Apparently there were so many mummies (a very popular preservation method after shuffling off this mortal coil) being dug up that the conservative estimate is there were something like half a million of these things just laying around doing mummified things. No coal to really speak of in Egypt, what is Casey Jones to do?
My favourite extract from today's reading is from the well known Cavalier Poet, Sir John Suckling. Here it is in its full glory:
Love is the fart
Of every heart:
It pains a man when 'tis kept close,
And others doth offend, when 'tis let loose.
Somehow I do not think he made it to be Poet Laureate...
January 20th 2009 - Not at the Inauguration
Here instead. I can see this appearing in funfairs and carnivals everywhere...
Thomething Dweadfully Thtupid
I have not lived in the UK for nearly 12 years now and see no valid reason for doing so. In this time I have been 'back' about four times. Once for a project, once to renew my passport, and once for a wedding. In-between I have been in transit via Heathrow about four times.
Perhaps someone else has noticed this because at first I thought it was just me. Watching several BBC / UK TV channels a while back I noticed that people seemed to have developed lisps. The more I listen to any shows on TV, DVD, the Interwebtubenets, or radio this seems to be reinforced.
Check out this as one example here. Ignore the subject matter, it is the voice you should be paying attention to.
Perhaps someone else has noticed this because at first I thought it was just me. Watching several BBC / UK TV channels a while back I noticed that people seemed to have developed lisps. The more I listen to any shows on TV, DVD, the Interwebtubenets, or radio this seems to be reinforced.
Check out this as one example here. Ignore the subject matter, it is the voice you should be paying attention to.
Keep taking the Meds
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The End of Dark Days
Today marks my return to my blog after a significant time lapse. During this period there have been times when I wondered if I was a lone voice crying out in the wilderness. Today marks the end of eight years tenure in the White House of a man who has brought shame and disgrace to the American people. With little regard for common decency and the common man, George Bush and his cohorts have ridden rough-shod over the rules and rights that have been in place for generations and much further back into history.
A sovereign country with a freely elected government that represents the true will of the people has the right to put in place fair laws for the governance of them. It has a right to stand alongside other free societies and to hold their head high proudly as a representative of the will of its people on the global stage. Sadly, for the greater part of his eight years in office, George Bush chose an agenda that has done nothing but bring disgrace to a free nation. He had no right to be there, no right to place his hand on his heart while "God Bless, America" played, and has done so much damage to the reputation of America as a just and free society.
The list of his malfeasance's is long and troublesome. As you read this you should reflect on a few of these. With disregard for international laws, to which the government he purported to represent had placed their signature, proposals, and agreement, he ruled in a climate of terror. I will not enter into any conspiracy theories or discourse regarding the origins of this but it is sufficient to say that the events of 9/11 were the starting ground for control by instilling fear in the populace. This with disregard to; the Constitution of the United States, the intent of the founding fathers, the signatories of the Declaration of Independence, and countless American and international laws.
While declaring a 'War on Terror' his actions have been terror and fear bringing. False imprisonment, torture, countless deaths, and a shattered economy. Remember that there are still people detained as you read this. Fear still casts its shadow across the lives of many people.
With the inauguration of Barack Obama in a few hours there is the promise of Hope, the promise of a return to common decency, the promise of rebuilding from the ruins of the nation. I hope that the new government is able to restore America to its former standing in the world. It is a tough, long, and arduous task that awaits them.
There has been the admittance of torture by the former administration and there are clearly many things broken that need mending. People should be freed, intrusive laws revoked, the rights of people restored, and the rule of law restored. I am sure that there will be many who will say "forget the past", "let us move forward", and other conciliatory comments. For the new occupants of the White House it is important for them to show that they stand by and respect the laws of the government and the people they represent. There are many people who need to be impeached, prosecuted, tried, and jailed according to the law. The first of these should be George Bush. For Obama and his administration to have credibility they need to ensure faith in the rule of law is restored by enforcing them.
Regardless of their politics. Regardless of their promises. Regardless of what transpires. I wish them well. It will be a tough job.
On this, his last day, it is interesting to note one of George Bush's remarks:
'I hope you leave here and walk out and say "What did he say?"'
Shame on you George. You have disgraced America. Hopefully Barack Obama will restore its reputation in the world. I wish him well.
Government of the people, by the people, for the people.
A sovereign country with a freely elected government that represents the true will of the people has the right to put in place fair laws for the governance of them. It has a right to stand alongside other free societies and to hold their head high proudly as a representative of the will of its people on the global stage. Sadly, for the greater part of his eight years in office, George Bush chose an agenda that has done nothing but bring disgrace to a free nation. He had no right to be there, no right to place his hand on his heart while "God Bless, America" played, and has done so much damage to the reputation of America as a just and free society.
The list of his malfeasance's is long and troublesome. As you read this you should reflect on a few of these. With disregard for international laws, to which the government he purported to represent had placed their signature, proposals, and agreement, he ruled in a climate of terror. I will not enter into any conspiracy theories or discourse regarding the origins of this but it is sufficient to say that the events of 9/11 were the starting ground for control by instilling fear in the populace. This with disregard to; the Constitution of the United States, the intent of the founding fathers, the signatories of the Declaration of Independence, and countless American and international laws.
While declaring a 'War on Terror' his actions have been terror and fear bringing. False imprisonment, torture, countless deaths, and a shattered economy. Remember that there are still people detained as you read this. Fear still casts its shadow across the lives of many people.
With the inauguration of Barack Obama in a few hours there is the promise of Hope, the promise of a return to common decency, the promise of rebuilding from the ruins of the nation. I hope that the new government is able to restore America to its former standing in the world. It is a tough, long, and arduous task that awaits them.
There has been the admittance of torture by the former administration and there are clearly many things broken that need mending. People should be freed, intrusive laws revoked, the rights of people restored, and the rule of law restored. I am sure that there will be many who will say "forget the past", "let us move forward", and other conciliatory comments. For the new occupants of the White House it is important for them to show that they stand by and respect the laws of the government and the people they represent. There are many people who need to be impeached, prosecuted, tried, and jailed according to the law. The first of these should be George Bush. For Obama and his administration to have credibility they need to ensure faith in the rule of law is restored by enforcing them.
Regardless of their politics. Regardless of their promises. Regardless of what transpires. I wish them well. It will be a tough job.
On this, his last day, it is interesting to note one of George Bush's remarks:
'I hope you leave here and walk out and say "What did he say?"'
Shame on you George. You have disgraced America. Hopefully Barack Obama will restore its reputation in the world. I wish him well.
Government of the people, by the people, for the people.
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