Music videos don't seem to hold up well over time.
No matter how cutting edge your favorite might seem today, in 35 years it's probably gonna look even sillier than this.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Happy 4th
I've been noticing how many political bloggers amuse themselves by trying to convince us that the United States is the most evil, corrupt and iniquitous nation in history. In short, most everything that's been wrong in the world for the past 200 or so years can be traced straight back to our doorstep.
The more these hate-bloggers link to each other, the more audacious their suspicions become. Some of the claims for our collective guilt are so outrageous they don't seem intended to be taken seriously. After all, insulting America is a fun, and fairly safe sport.
For my own curiosity, I'd like to see one of the Hate America First bloggers name one country anywhere in the world, at any time in world history, that could be reasonably argued as having been, in sum, a more desireable place to live for all its people.
In the meantime, I'm grateful for the freedoms we enjoy and too-often take for granted.
Instead of hunting ghosts from our past, I'd like to see the same amount of zealotry that's been devoted to criticizing the US focused instead on ending mass rape in the Republic of Congo, genocide and slavery in Sudan, and religious persecution in Eritrea, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
Or would the America Haters think that's too dangerous, and not as much fun?
The more these hate-bloggers link to each other, the more audacious their suspicions become. Some of the claims for our collective guilt are so outrageous they don't seem intended to be taken seriously. After all, insulting America is a fun, and fairly safe sport.
For my own curiosity, I'd like to see one of the Hate America First bloggers name one country anywhere in the world, at any time in world history, that could be reasonably argued as having been, in sum, a more desireable place to live for all its people.
In the meantime, I'm grateful for the freedoms we enjoy and too-often take for granted.
Instead of hunting ghosts from our past, I'd like to see the same amount of zealotry that's been devoted to criticizing the US focused instead on ending mass rape in the Republic of Congo, genocide and slavery in Sudan, and religious persecution in Eritrea, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
Or would the America Haters think that's too dangerous, and not as much fun?
Monday, July 03, 2006
Your Pastor's A Wussy
Over the past year I've been watching TV preachers.
The scary guys with structural hair and wives in purple wigs who spend 50 tearful minutes trading prayer rugs for prayer seeds got boring, so I tried the new "big time" pastors ... including those who wrote some of the best-selling books you might already have on your shelf.
What surprised me was how many TV preachers act like wussys. I'm serious.
You can sense they're worried about whether or not the congregation likes them, or if sagging ratings signal personal failure and rejection, or whether their new book will be a best-seller. You feel bad for them- for their pleading, for their fake "hipness," and for their willingness to avoid ruffling feathers on their way to becoming famous.
Your skin crawls at every goofy joke the same way you cringed at every thee, thine and art ... so that by the end of the message you're kinda hoping their mansions are waiting in some remote zip code of Heaven (and maybe also that they'll be "relocating" sooner than you do).
I started wondering what would happen if we could tune-in PayPerView on Saturday nights for Bitter Rivals and watch preachers fight Judas Iscariot live in The Octagon. Talk about Ultimate Fighting.
I'm guessing about 90% of our preachers would either get knocked plumb silly in the first round or quickly submit without fighting back ...not because they're clumsy, or badly out of shape, or just too old (like me) ... but because Losing & Explaining was what they expected. Because it's what they do best.
Do we even notice anymore when TV preachers act like game show hosts and blab for an hour about getting rich, being healed and feeling good ... without once mentioning why Christ died for our sins?
If today's churches ever tried explaining why 90% of their memberships are either shrinking or stagnant, I imagine we'd see lots of finger-pointing at explanations outside the pulpit ... without once hearing about a lack of leadership and vision.
The truth is too many churches have wussys in the pulpit.
A church cannot fulfill its commission and see its membership increase according to God's Will with an indecisive, weak-willed wussy loose in the pulpit.
Maybe we think strength and authority are bad words, because as members we're convinced our opinions are essential for helping the pastor stay on track. But a church cannot be effective if the pastor tries to lead by consensus, or if the pastor's waiting for a feasibility committee to reveal a common goal and a vision, or if the pastor flits through watered-down sermons to avoid ruffling the deacons' feathers.
A church committed to expanding God's Kingdom through the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely must have a strong, spiritually obsessed and dangerous man up front facing the enemy ... because if he is led by the Holy Spirit, satan will know his name and try everything he can to distract and destroy him. The members of a church devoted to obeying Christ must also accept that tithing, volunteering and following the pastor are not optional, and remember that God does not share glory with ministry partners or steering committees.
If you're content with your pastor's vision, or if you're satisfied and thrilled that your church is "already doing all it can" to further God's kingdom, have you stopped to think maybe the enemy's thrilled about all your church is doing, too?
The scary guys with structural hair and wives in purple wigs who spend 50 tearful minutes trading prayer rugs for prayer seeds got boring, so I tried the new "big time" pastors ... including those who wrote some of the best-selling books you might already have on your shelf.
What surprised me was how many TV preachers act like wussys. I'm serious.
You can sense they're worried about whether or not the congregation likes them, or if sagging ratings signal personal failure and rejection, or whether their new book will be a best-seller. You feel bad for them- for their pleading, for their fake "hipness," and for their willingness to avoid ruffling feathers on their way to becoming famous.
Your skin crawls at every goofy joke the same way you cringed at every thee, thine and art ... so that by the end of the message you're kinda hoping their mansions are waiting in some remote zip code of Heaven (and maybe also that they'll be "relocating" sooner than you do).
I started wondering what would happen if we could tune-in PayPerView on Saturday nights for Bitter Rivals and watch preachers fight Judas Iscariot live in The Octagon. Talk about Ultimate Fighting.
I'm guessing about 90% of our preachers would either get knocked plumb silly in the first round or quickly submit without fighting back ...not because they're clumsy, or badly out of shape, or just too old (like me) ... but because Losing & Explaining was what they expected. Because it's what they do best.
Do we even notice anymore when TV preachers act like game show hosts and blab for an hour about getting rich, being healed and feeling good ... without once mentioning why Christ died for our sins?
If today's churches ever tried explaining why 90% of their memberships are either shrinking or stagnant, I imagine we'd see lots of finger-pointing at explanations outside the pulpit ... without once hearing about a lack of leadership and vision.
The truth is too many churches have wussys in the pulpit.
A church cannot fulfill its commission and see its membership increase according to God's Will with an indecisive, weak-willed wussy loose in the pulpit.
Maybe we think strength and authority are bad words, because as members we're convinced our opinions are essential for helping the pastor stay on track. But a church cannot be effective if the pastor tries to lead by consensus, or if the pastor's waiting for a feasibility committee to reveal a common goal and a vision, or if the pastor flits through watered-down sermons to avoid ruffling the deacons' feathers.
A church committed to expanding God's Kingdom through the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely must have a strong, spiritually obsessed and dangerous man up front facing the enemy ... because if he is led by the Holy Spirit, satan will know his name and try everything he can to distract and destroy him. The members of a church devoted to obeying Christ must also accept that tithing, volunteering and following the pastor are not optional, and remember that God does not share glory with ministry partners or steering committees.
If you're content with your pastor's vision, or if you're satisfied and thrilled that your church is "already doing all it can" to further God's kingdom, have you stopped to think maybe the enemy's thrilled about all your church is doing, too?
Most Embarrassing Moments
I'm guessing most guys don't wanna admit it, but there've been times in-between doing "Guy Stuff" ... swapping out cylinder heads on the truck, trying to find out how much trash will fit in a single plastic kitchen bag, blowing up stuff with M-80s (have you tried the new M-1000s?) or watching bowl game re-runs on ESPN, when we've done stuff we're ashamed to admit, even to ourselves.
That includes getting real gushy and romantic, and then trying to write poems ... we've all done it.
Maybe writing poems isn't as bad as it sounds; so long as it's not done very often. Here's one of my worst offenses from those days ... I hope we can still be friends.
still
After the storm we walked down the hill
and crossed the field asleep with poppies
you pressed their heads against your cheek
and said you were enchanted in the moon's silver fire
beside the river we caught stars in our hands
and tossed each one with a wish into the current
and the glow lingered for a moment
flickering among the pebbles you said
stay you said your secrets belonged to me
and alone beneath the starless night
I believed every word.
18 October 1998
That includes getting real gushy and romantic, and then trying to write poems ... we've all done it.
Maybe writing poems isn't as bad as it sounds; so long as it's not done very often. Here's one of my worst offenses from those days ... I hope we can still be friends.
still
After the storm we walked down the hill
and crossed the field asleep with poppies
you pressed their heads against your cheek
and said you were enchanted in the moon's silver fire
beside the river we caught stars in our hands
and tossed each one with a wish into the current
and the glow lingered for a moment
flickering among the pebbles you said
stay you said your secrets belonged to me
and alone beneath the starless night
I believed every word.
18 October 1998
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Breakfast On Me
UPDATE
Cancelled, Sorry
[UFC airs next Saturday night 7-08-2006]
That's right, tomorrow [Monday] morning I'm doing the cooking and the cleanup.
All you gotta do is show up in the driveway between 5-5:30 AM and honk your horn ... I'll run right out with a steaming styrofoam platter of homemade cream cheese cinnamon rolls and a pressurized can of spray-on coffee. That means each one of us gets four (4) rolls ... and I promise my coffee's so bad it kills squirrels; there's no deal in town like it.
But remember; First Come First Served
I'll stand beside your car the whole time (more on that later), and only ask one of two things in return:
(1) Tell me whether you think so-and-so is the biggest cheater in Formula 1 history (even if he does drive for Ferrari) .... and if not, why not?
Or-
(2) Let me hold a VHS copy of Saturday night's Ultimate Fighting (I'm cheap that way). Still, I'm dying to find out whether the grudge got settled
Cream Cheese Cinnamon Rolls & Coffee is the one true and only Breakfast of Champions.
Cancelled, Sorry
[UFC airs next Saturday night 7-08-2006]
That's right, tomorrow [Monday] morning I'm doing the cooking and the cleanup.
All you gotta do is show up in the driveway between 5-5:30 AM and honk your horn ... I'll run right out with a steaming styrofoam platter of homemade cream cheese cinnamon rolls and a pressurized can of spray-on coffee. That means each one of us gets four (4) rolls ... and I promise my coffee's so bad it kills squirrels; there's no deal in town like it.
But remember; First Come First Served
I'll stand beside your car the whole time (more on that later), and only ask one of two things in return:
(1) Tell me whether you think so-and-so is the biggest cheater in Formula 1 history (even if he does drive for Ferrari) .... and if not, why not?
Or-
(2) Let me hold a VHS copy of Saturday night's Ultimate Fighting (I'm cheap that way). Still, I'm dying to find out whether the grudge got settled
Cream Cheese Cinnamon Rolls & Coffee is the one true and only Breakfast of Champions.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
No Excitement On Earth Like What's Happening Tomorrow!!
I'm awfully excited about tomorrow. Probably even have trouble sleeping, it's gonna be that great. Really.
US GRAND PRIX SUNDAY !! LIVE COVERAGE ON SPEED TV 12:30 PM!!!
Say whatever you want about college football, NBA basketball, golf or NASCAR. No other competition comes close to Formula 1 Grand Prix racing.
Imagine cars weighing less than 1200 pounds with 800 horsepower engines doing 0-200mph in 10 seconds running flat out on road courses two miles long. Wow.
But never mind all that, it's not what's happening tomorrow that's got me excited. This is.
US GRAND PRIX SUNDAY !! LIVE COVERAGE ON SPEED TV 12:30 PM!!!
Say whatever you want about college football, NBA basketball, golf or NASCAR. No other competition comes close to Formula 1 Grand Prix racing.
Imagine cars weighing less than 1200 pounds with 800 horsepower engines doing 0-200mph in 10 seconds running flat out on road courses two miles long. Wow.
But never mind all that, it's not what's happening tomorrow that's got me excited. This is.
Friday, June 30, 2006
Misc Photography Platitudes
I shot this image late in the late afternoon on my first trip to Great Sand Dunes, using a deep red filter and a Pentax 67.
Maybe the absolutely most difficult thing is revealing a woman's face using just one tungsten light. 8x10 Tri-X negative developed in Pyro, 16x20" print on Agfa vc paper, developed in Amidol.
A photographer much wiser than me once explained, "If titles are necessary to explain your images, then you have failed as a photographer." I stopped shooting color a few minutes later.
8x10 Tri-X negative developed in Pyro, 11x14" print on Agfa vc developed in Amidol.
Opposites
I asked Ian to pull over on our way back from the Hebrides when I saw this shot might happen. I had about 90 seconds to climb out, pick a lens, assemble & focus the camera (tilting the rear standard) and meter the exposure. I exposed one sheet before the rainbow vanished, and kept my fingers crossed for a month till the developed film arrived in the mail. Camera: early 1950s 8x10 Deardorff field (with front swings). Lens: Nikkon 450mm, Agfa 8x10 transparency, graduated ND filter.
Shooting at Great Sand Dunes involves a week of scouting out likely locations, getting up every morning at 4:30am, hiking 3 or 4 miles from the campground with 50 pounds of gear through freezing darkness, setting up and waiting to see what happens in the 40 seconds of shootable light. It's not unusual to go all week without exposing a single frame. Deardorff 8x10, Nikkor 450mm, Unfiltered Fuji 8x10 Velvia transparency.
More about Deardorff cameras.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
3 More from the Road
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Cat Cam Dream Come True
Ernest Hemingway, the most influential writer of the 20th century, once owned more than 57 cats. Could anything possibly be more literary than watching a webcam monitoring Hemingway's 6-toed cats live from Key West?
Nada.
Say "Isn't it pretty to think so," walk back to your hotel in the rain, then click here truly as in the old days.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
What's Meanest?
I'm puzzled and at a loss to decide what's the meanest, the absolutely most evil & cruel, of these three beasties:
1) Alaskan King Crabs. A single pincer can snap off a finger like stale cornbread ("The Deadliest Catch") and King Crabs have two. A mature King Crab can weigh up to half a ton and move across the sea floor at almost 80 miles an hour. Or maybe I'm thinking of zebras.
2) Lobsters. Totally ornery & obstinate, probably from being hassled by yankee-talking dudes with long hair and Boston accents. Every lobster I've seen acts like it's got a grudge and would toss you into a vat of boiling water if it could. If I had claws I'd feel the same way, for sure.
3) Household Cats. Ah, the stories I could tell. But no one would believe me. I've heard an adult male cat can consume an adult human being in 15 minutes, give itself a bath, and meow to go outside while purring the whole time. That's just plain scary, and wrong in the worst possible way.
1) Alaskan King Crabs. A single pincer can snap off a finger like stale cornbread ("The Deadliest Catch") and King Crabs have two. A mature King Crab can weigh up to half a ton and move across the sea floor at almost 80 miles an hour. Or maybe I'm thinking of zebras.
2) Lobsters. Totally ornery & obstinate, probably from being hassled by yankee-talking dudes with long hair and Boston accents. Every lobster I've seen acts like it's got a grudge and would toss you into a vat of boiling water if it could. If I had claws I'd feel the same way, for sure.
3) Household Cats. Ah, the stories I could tell. But no one would believe me. I've heard an adult male cat can consume an adult human being in 15 minutes, give itself a bath, and meow to go outside while purring the whole time. That's just plain scary, and wrong in the worst possible way.
Buttery Flavored Jiffy Blisters
Unbelievable. A few minutes ago I tried making popcorn during a commercial break in "The Deadliest Catch." Almost 3 minutes later I could tell I was facing a crisis because the bag looked sadly deflated, sorta like the month-old bleu cheese omelet I've been saving in the fridge for emergencies.
More than aggravated about missing my story, I jerked open the microwave & yanked out the bag .............. which proceeded to pour its contents of boiling butter straight onto my outstretched hand. Sure, I screamed.
It was loud and I danced The Chicken Dance and slammed a few doors. I'm not ashamed. Maybe you're thinking I said bad words but I didn't.
Remember I'm the guy who still hasn't learned any better than to hold his hand against a clothes iron to see if it's hot. I wonder sometimes whether I'm co-ordinationally challenged.
Now I think I'm gonna sit still for a while, and not touch anything ... at least not without adult supervision.
More than aggravated about missing my story, I jerked open the microwave & yanked out the bag .............. which proceeded to pour its contents of boiling butter straight onto my outstretched hand. Sure, I screamed.
It was loud and I danced The Chicken Dance and slammed a few doors. I'm not ashamed. Maybe you're thinking I said bad words but I didn't.
Remember I'm the guy who still hasn't learned any better than to hold his hand against a clothes iron to see if it's hot. I wonder sometimes whether I'm co-ordinationally challenged.
Now I think I'm gonna sit still for a while, and not touch anything ... at least not without adult supervision.
Memo to Self
Either start wearing shoes, or completely quit stepping on splinters and hidden glass chips.
3 times in 3 days should be sufficient to prompt corrective action, dummy.
3 times in 3 days should be sufficient to prompt corrective action, dummy.
Don't Stop the Music
Started having anxiety yesterday that maybe Monday's post was much too vague. On the other hand, a thorough explanation would bore both of us senseless but I'm tacking on a little PS at the end, just in case.
All I'm gonna say about Today's Playlist is that it's one of the best ever ... and it ain't even mine. If your robots don't stand up and start dancing for this, you need new robots.
The Portuguese Woman's AM Mix Vol. 3
Put On A Happy Face - Blossom Dearie
It's Time For Action! - Yoko Ono
Baby I'm A Star - Prince
Move Any Mountain ' 91 - The Shamen
Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) - Baz Luhrmann
What was the point of linking to a racing video? That was just weird and we're starting to think you are, too. Are you trying on purpose to be funny, b/c you're NOT. And btw, stop writing such long blogs.
Yesterday's video clip was Ayrton Senna driving a 2.08-mile qualifying lap in the 1991 Formula 1 Grand Prix of Monaco (imagine you're driving through downtown Anderson at 170 mph with 20 other cars chasing you for 90 minutes). It doesn't seem humanly possible anyone could survive such a challenge.
But between 1987 and 1993 Senna won Monaco a record 6 times ... a miracle, which positively proves I'm not qualified to know limits about anything.
Yesterday's video showed me that some people are capable of doing super-human things. The video reminded me that limits exist only as long as we accept them, and that each time we "touch the limit" and go beyond anything we've done before a little voice is already challenging How far can I go next time?
If we're driving for God's team are we limiting ourselves on every lap, content to nurse His car through the race "just being careful" to make sure nothing breaks? Maybe we're terrified of going too fast and spininng out, or of suddenly crashing into a brick wall and getting hurt, or of simply not being good enough to take on the impossible.
That's my point: comparing ourselves to others and thinking I can't! sets limits on what's possible, when we ought to come roaring onto the track with four screaming tires and the throttle wide open, determined to go all-out on every lap and witness first hand the miracles God's capable of achieving.
All I'm gonna say about Today's Playlist is that it's one of the best ever ... and it ain't even mine. If your robots don't stand up and start dancing for this, you need new robots.
The Portuguese Woman's AM Mix Vol. 3
Put On A Happy Face - Blossom Dearie
It's Time For Action! - Yoko Ono
Baby I'm A Star - Prince
Move Any Mountain ' 91 - The Shamen
Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) - Baz Luhrmann
What was the point of linking to a racing video? That was just weird and we're starting to think you are, too. Are you trying on purpose to be funny, b/c you're NOT. And btw, stop writing such long blogs.
Yesterday's video clip was Ayrton Senna driving a 2.08-mile qualifying lap in the 1991 Formula 1 Grand Prix of Monaco (imagine you're driving through downtown Anderson at 170 mph with 20 other cars chasing you for 90 minutes). It doesn't seem humanly possible anyone could survive such a challenge.
But between 1987 and 1993 Senna won Monaco a record 6 times ... a miracle, which positively proves I'm not qualified to know limits about anything.
Yesterday's video showed me that some people are capable of doing super-human things. The video reminded me that limits exist only as long as we accept them, and that each time we "touch the limit" and go beyond anything we've done before a little voice is already challenging How far can I go next time?
If we're driving for God's team are we limiting ourselves on every lap, content to nurse His car through the race "just being careful" to make sure nothing breaks? Maybe we're terrified of going too fast and spininng out, or of suddenly crashing into a brick wall and getting hurt, or of simply not being good enough to take on the impossible.
That's my point: comparing ourselves to others and thinking I can't! sets limits on what's possible, when we ought to come roaring onto the track with four screaming tires and the throttle wide open, determined to go all-out on every lap and witness first hand the miracles God's capable of achieving.
Monday, June 26, 2006
But I Can't! ...
Been feeling out of control recently? Life been coming at you a little too fast?
But I Can't! seems like a safe answer when we're faced with unexpected challenges, especially if we're faced with doing something that seems downright scary to "normal people."
Stop whatever you're doing. Turn up the speakers and do this. Don't say you can't.
I want you to promise that once we've started you won't touch anything for the next 90 seconds. I mean it. Sit back and click here.
Then tell me who's controlling your limit, and how high God wants you to fly.
But I Can't! seems like a safe answer when we're faced with unexpected challenges, especially if we're faced with doing something that seems downright scary to "normal people."
Stop whatever you're doing. Turn up the speakers and do this. Don't say you can't.
I want you to promise that once we've started you won't touch anything for the next 90 seconds. I mean it. Sit back and click here.
Then tell me who's controlling your limit, and how high God wants you to fly.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Home of the Blue Book
This is the digital kitchen where The Blue Book is baked fresh daily.Thought I was in the photo somewhere; now I'm just not sure.
Today's the Canadian Grand Prix!
Formula One World champion Fernando Alonso seized the pole position for today's Canadian Grand Prix as Renault swept the front row for the second time this season.
The 24-year-old Spaniard will start from the pole for his fifth consecutive race as he chases a fourth straight victory. Speed TV's coverage starts live at 12:30 PM, so you've got plenty of time to drop by here before the race starts.
Coming tomorrow ...
"How Do You Get A Splinter Out Without Tweezers?" (I wouldn't tell ya the answer if it wasn't true.)
"I Got Your Complaint Department Right Here" Department
I was surprised at how many folks wrote in demanding Today's Playlist. Well, it's been too hot the past few days to burn down the walls. We'll fix that right now.
Donna the Buffalo
Life Is Strange
Tides of Time
Conscious Evolution
Funky Side
Man of Constant Sorrow
Seminole Wind
Once again we're reminded the good things in life are worth waiting for. Welcome to "The Herd."
Friday, June 23, 2006
More Mac Than Ever
Mac OS X on Intel
Intel Core Duo: the next generation in processor design from the world’s leading chip maker. Making your Mac feel even more like a computing heavyweight.At 15 lbs, the new Mac Portable tips the scales at only a bit more than half the weight of a Yamaha EF1000iS 900-watt generator.
Touche Right Here
Have you seen Mac's new "Touche" commercial yet? During my excitement last night I may've failed to quote the the ad exactly, but you can click here and then scan across for "Touche" to see for yourself.Notice that a slightly revised version of the commercial now has fine-print reading "Purchase of Windows and Parallels software Required" instead of "Purchase of Windows XP required."
I'm guessing installing Windows XP after doing an OS X uninstall definitely helps clear the air.
And So's Your Motherboard
MacBook Pro Owners Promised Less Whining
Topic: Hardware
A certain MacBook Pro owner heavily afflicted by the processor whine let me know that Apple is reportedly swapping out defective motherboards on the 1.83 Ghz edition of the machines.
According to reports, the new MacBook motherboards look something like this:
Thursday, 22 June 2006
Apple Exchanging Motherboards on MacBook Pro 1.83 GhzTopic: Hardware
A certain MacBook Pro owner heavily afflicted by the processor whine let me know that Apple is reportedly swapping out defective motherboards on the 1.83 Ghz edition of the machines.
According to reports, the new MacBook motherboards look something like this:
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