De Schmog was great...
the bass and drums were loud,
mari pool sounded awesome...
they were funky, and funny,
and fun...
"better luck
better luck next time
john hinckley..."
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Icke on Wogan
Just finished watching "David Icke - Was He Right?" and had to track this one down...
Wogan tries to get him to the reptiles knowing he won't give him any time to really explain,
just enough to sound ridiculous...
which puts his apology at the beginning in a different light...
where's my rocket car? predictions 2007
via the LATIMES:
"Pop Atheism" might include popular atheist TV and movie characters, professional athletes, political figures, etc. Look for the first billion-dollar IPO for the Web service that gets atheists together for "rituals," dating and political and business networking.
talk about wishful thinking...
Do Penn & Teller count as popular tv characters?
anyway, that bit was from the editor of edge.org
which I am browsing right now...
great atheist resource!
"Pop Atheism" might include popular atheist TV and movie characters, professional athletes, political figures, etc. Look for the first billion-dollar IPO for the Web service that gets atheists together for "rituals," dating and political and business networking.
talk about wishful thinking...
Do Penn & Teller count as popular tv characters?
anyway, that bit was from the editor of edge.org
which I am browsing right now...
great atheist resource!
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
ah hah!
here's to being manipulated by the media machine:
Hello world! Welcome to my little corner of the blogosphere!
I am so excited to have my very own page, even if the circumstances are a bit troubling. As you know, Veronica and I have started these blogs because we’re fighting a MAKEOVER planned for us by the Archie Comics Corporate Office. We don’t really know HOW we’re going to fight this change, all I DO KNOW is that we’ll need your help! We’ll keep you posted as we get a bit more organized…Monday, December 25, 2006
I know just what you mean...
Via Howling Curmudgeons:
In the old Dungeons and Dragons someone once wrote an aritcle about paladins. In it the article contemplated various situations in which a paladin would be forced to kill innocents or the like in a game scenario and ended up saying that a good dungeon master would avoid putting the paladins into such situations to begin with.
Saying that Sue Dibny's getting raped was a bad idea seems to be a criticism on that level. The wife of a leaguer getting raped is simply a situation which should never come up, and since the writers get to make this stuff up, they control whether it does, so they should have known it wasn't a good idea regardless of the skill with which it could be handled and never addressed the scenario in the first place. I can get behind that idea, though it seems to implicate a set of assumptions I would worry about artically. After all, there is a good reason not to publish a comic book wherein a baby is put in a microwave, Kyle Baker as writer or not.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Thursday, December 21, 2006
writing
from Jane Espenson:
Tightening lines like that is especially important for comedy, where timing is an integral part of the whole point of the exercise. As a spec writer, you don't have the -- advantage? distraction? -- of a whole room full of people chiming in on the best way to tighten a line, so you have to do it on your own. It's worth making a whole separate pass through your script, just looking for words to cut.
Yes yes yes.
I am horribly about rewriting,
but I do go back through and make
small word changes,
and cut any line,
any word, that I can...
I can not emphasize how important that is...
I've seen shows that
just cutting 40-60 words
outta their script would
make them fly.
FLY!
but those extra words are
just hanging there,
mucking up the rhythm
not adding to the meaning
not bringing the magic
nothing
just extra words.
every word costs ya somethin'
so every word better do somethin'
Tightening lines like that is especially important for comedy, where timing is an integral part of the whole point of the exercise. As a spec writer, you don't have the -- advantage? distraction? -- of a whole room full of people chiming in on the best way to tighten a line, so you have to do it on your own. It's worth making a whole separate pass through your script, just looking for words to cut.
Yes yes yes.
I am horribly about rewriting,
but I do go back through and make
small word changes,
and cut any line,
any word, that I can...
I can not emphasize how important that is...
I've seen shows that
just cutting 40-60 words
outta their script would
make them fly.
FLY!
but those extra words are
just hanging there,
mucking up the rhythm
not adding to the meaning
not bringing the magic
nothing
just extra words.
every word costs ya somethin'
so every word better do somethin'
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Merry Christmas from The Defenestration Unit!
Kid Ornery presents...
Crazy Sounds from Houston, Tx.
Hark the Herald Angels Scream!
Enjoy! -- Kid Ornery
Crazy Sounds from Houston, Tx.
Hark the Herald Angels Scream!
Enjoy! -- Kid Ornery
Sagan blog-a-thon
Sagan blog-a-thon :
from www.veryimportantpotheads.com -
In the essay, Sagan said marijuana inspired some of his intellectual work. "I can remember one occasion, taking a shower with my wife while high, in which I had an idea on the origins and invalidities of racism in terms of gaussian distribution curves,'' wrote the former Cornell University professor. Sagan also wrote that pot enhanced his experience of food, particularly potatoes, music and sex.
from www.veryimportantpotheads.com -
In the essay, Sagan said marijuana inspired some of his intellectual work. "I can remember one occasion, taking a shower with my wife while high, in which I had an idea on the origins and invalidities of racism in terms of gaussian distribution curves,'' wrote the former Cornell University professor. Sagan also wrote that pot enhanced his experience of food, particularly potatoes, music and sex.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Saturday, December 16, 2006
contract
from here:
A Group Contract can address issues such as who owns the group name (and whether and in what capacity a leaving member can use the group name), who owns what property (including not only sound equipment but intangible property such as recording agreements and intellectual property such as the songs and the recordings created by the group), and how profits and losses are divided. Since it almost goes without saying that members of a band inevitably leave and groups inevitably disband, it is important to structure an interband agreement in the early stages of a career. It will function like a prenuptial agreement when matters start to disintegrate and make the break-up process less painful.
Friday, December 15, 2006
I knew there was a reason he was one of my favorites,,,
via bookslut:
We also get Raymond Chandler's philosophy on drinking to excess--"I think a man ought to get drunk at least twice a year just on principle"--and his gimlet recipe. "A real Gimlet is half gin and half Rose's Lime Juice and nothing else. It beats martinis hollow."
We also get Raymond Chandler's philosophy on drinking to excess--"I think a man ought to get drunk at least twice a year just on principle"--and his gimlet recipe. "A real Gimlet is half gin and half Rose's Lime Juice and nothing else. It beats martinis hollow."
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
At long last... Sweatbox!!!
Kid Ornery presents...
Crazy Sounds from Houston, Tx.
The Defenestration Unit - The Sweatbox Sessions - Ornery Master
Enjoy! -- Kid Ornery
This is the only studio album ever recorded by any version of TDU.
It was recorded at Sweatbox under the guidance of Mr. Tim Kerr
and futzed around with by Kid Ornery.
Crazy Sounds from Houston, Tx.
The Defenestration Unit - The Sweatbox Sessions - Ornery Master
Enjoy! -- Kid Ornery
This is the only studio album ever recorded by any version of TDU.
It was recorded at Sweatbox under the guidance of Mr. Tim Kerr
and futzed around with by Kid Ornery.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
wow! people sure can talk!
Via Theatreport - which is a site in Houston for Theatre or Theater or people who like to argue about soul vs. entertainment and the like...
but this bit from"licketysplit" is right on...
"Brushing teeth" is a common daily text we can all understand. We all do it, repeatedly...yet we never do it the same way twice, not ever.
The same can be applied to the process of "playing".
No matter the text. You learn it, you know it and you execute it, but each time should be as fresh as the last and as full of possibility as the next. It is this possibility, this breath of living truth that captivates the audience and keeps them from being bored, no matter the script, no matter the setting.
All you need is circumstance, action, emotion, something to play. Play truthfully, allow for discovery, allow for sensate experience rather than pre-rehearsed fake behavior, and you will succeed in "catching" the spectators.
but then again so is this bit from TDU's own Jmiller:
No really..stop doing crap plays. Sure acting is important...we are lost and swimming in a sea of sh*t when it comes to acting. We get it. That argument doesn't really say jack about the fact that we are doing crap scripts. Take a look at the front of this site. See all the crap? Do you see it? Glaring at you like a big poop stain on your kitchen floor? How can you miss it? Take a look at Texas Rep's season and DON'T DO THAT. That's what we are talking about here.
I'm not saying I'm an expert I've only directed one play,
and acted in handful,
but it seems to me a good script
inspires actors and makes,
if not bad acting harder,
at least good acting easier.
and other than that I'm just gonna keep quiet and go back
to watching the show!
but this bit from"licketysplit" is right on...
"Brushing teeth" is a common daily text we can all understand. We all do it, repeatedly...yet we never do it the same way twice, not ever.
The same can be applied to the process of "playing".
No matter the text. You learn it, you know it and you execute it, but each time should be as fresh as the last and as full of possibility as the next. It is this possibility, this breath of living truth that captivates the audience and keeps them from being bored, no matter the script, no matter the setting.
All you need is circumstance, action, emotion, something to play. Play truthfully, allow for discovery, allow for sensate experience rather than pre-rehearsed fake behavior, and you will succeed in "catching" the spectators.
but then again so is this bit from TDU's own Jmiller:
No really..stop doing crap plays. Sure acting is important...we are lost and swimming in a sea of sh*t when it comes to acting. We get it. That argument doesn't really say jack about the fact that we are doing crap scripts. Take a look at the front of this site. See all the crap? Do you see it? Glaring at you like a big poop stain on your kitchen floor? How can you miss it? Take a look at Texas Rep's season and DON'T DO THAT. That's what we are talking about here.
I'm not saying I'm an expert I've only directed one play,
and acted in handful,
but it seems to me a good script
inspires actors and makes,
if not bad acting harder,
at least good acting easier.
and other than that I'm just gonna keep quiet and go back
to watching the show!
Friday, December 08, 2006
lost my phone - need yr #
just got a new phone...
contact me with your ph# if I had it before
or need it now...
When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race
~H.G. Wells
~H.G. Wells
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Mountain Dew Christmas Tree
As someone who spends a good portion of his day currently sculpting with candy I thought this was pretty cool...
Via Make: Blog:
The amount of Mountain dew consumed to make this soda can Christmas tree is intimidating, check out the build photos and the final shot of a glowing 2 liter... - Link.
Via Make: Blog:
The amount of Mountain dew consumed to make this soda can Christmas tree is intimidating, check out the build photos and the final shot of a glowing 2 liter... - Link.
Monday, December 04, 2006
I know I'd sure like a raise...
Atrios says:
"The real point is that if the minimum wage has small or negligible employment effects, and there is both theoretical and empirical support for this idea, then it's a pretty effective and inexpensive poverty reduction program. Obviously if poverty reduction programs for poor people interest you less than, say, poverty reduction programs for oil executives then you don't much care about that."
"The real point is that if the minimum wage has small or negligible employment effects, and there is both theoretical and empirical support for this idea, then it's a pretty effective and inexpensive poverty reduction program. Obviously if poverty reduction programs for poor people interest you less than, say, poverty reduction programs for oil executives then you don't much care about that."
Friday, December 01, 2006
Garage Sale - I'm selling a lot of CD's (Jazz, Country, Experimental, etc...) - Saturday
furniture, computer items, free items, vintage stuff,
men & women's clothing, books, records, housewares,
bric-a-brac, 25c/10c items, art items, candles, bird cage,
many christmas items and decorations...
Me and some folks from The Adding Machine are getting rid of lots of cool stuff...
I'm selling a lot of rare and obscure cd's at 2 bucks a pop,
and some DVD's and a few other things...
if you want my vinyl you have to make an appt with me to come browse the collection...
anyway, come buy cool stuff on the cheap Saturday...
we're starting freakin' early...
by 8 for sure...
Kid Ornery
When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race
~H.G. Wells
~H.G. Wells
Thursday, November 30, 2006
New Podcast - Mixed Nuts
Kid Ornery presents...
Crazy Sounds from Houston, Tx.
A mix of interesting music from Kid Ornery and his associates.
Free Jazz, Drone, Noise, Improv, and general weirdness from Last Bastions, The Defenestration Unit, Kid Ornery, Avijit, and many more...
Avijit, TDU, Synapse and more... Enjoy! -- Kid Ornery
Click here to get your own player.
Crazy Sounds from Houston, Tx.
A mix of interesting music from Kid Ornery and his associates.
Free Jazz, Drone, Noise, Improv, and general weirdness from Last Bastions, The Defenestration Unit, Kid Ornery, Avijit, and many more...
Avijit, TDU, Synapse and more... Enjoy! -- Kid Ornery
Click here to get your own player.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Preach on Brother Ramon!
over at my favorite music blog:
Look, strings break, you offend people, you miss notes, hell you even frikkin’ bomb but goddamn that’s the chaotic fun of a live show. Make your noise, commune with your fellow noisemakers, raise a bottle of Shiner to those who came out, and fling your poo like the monkey you are. Playing live is like a baby kicking and screaming vainly; "Look what I made in my diaper! What’s on you epitaph, motherfucker?!"
Almost all the music I'm involved in is about playing live or performance in fundamental ways...
Music for the theater is about serving the show - so whether it's performed live or recorded for a show it is all about the show. You can listen to it outside of that, but you'll be missing what it is about, you'll be missing what it is...
and then there's TDU
We have recordings,
but they aren't the same really...
what happens the night of a show only happens
that night...
nothing ever really even gets close again.
When improvising is at the core of what you do
the concept that a record could be better
than a live performance seems just wrong.
Now, The Last Bastions, that's a whole 'nother
pail of worms...
Our live shows bear little relation to our "studio"
cd's...
but even then, when we create a 60 minute piece,
it is with the idea that you will listen to it as a 60 minute piece,
as if you were seeing it live.
Our recordings don't contain singles,
and the sweet spot is not on side 2.
Some of them do contain
ambient music for uncomfortable spaces.
Where was I going with all this?
Who knows?
Y'all come out for a drink wednesday night...
We're having a blast!
Look, strings break, you offend people, you miss notes, hell you even frikkin’ bomb but goddamn that’s the chaotic fun of a live show. Make your noise, commune with your fellow noisemakers, raise a bottle of Shiner to those who came out, and fling your poo like the monkey you are. Playing live is like a baby kicking and screaming vainly; "Look what I made in my diaper! What’s on you epitaph, motherfucker?!"
Almost all the music I'm involved in is about playing live or performance in fundamental ways...
Music for the theater is about serving the show - so whether it's performed live or recorded for a show it is all about the show. You can listen to it outside of that, but you'll be missing what it is about, you'll be missing what it is...
and then there's TDU
We have recordings,
but they aren't the same really...
what happens the night of a show only happens
that night...
nothing ever really even gets close again.
When improvising is at the core of what you do
the concept that a record could be better
than a live performance seems just wrong.
Now, The Last Bastions, that's a whole 'nother
pail of worms...
Our live shows bear little relation to our "studio"
cd's...
but even then, when we create a 60 minute piece,
it is with the idea that you will listen to it as a 60 minute piece,
as if you were seeing it live.
Our recordings don't contain singles,
and the sweet spot is not on side 2.
Some of them do contain
ambient music for uncomfortable spaces.
Where was I going with all this?
Who knows?
Y'all come out for a drink wednesday night...
We're having a blast!
The Mysterious death of Albert Ayler
1:
FJ: Albert Ayler's death is jazz's unsolved mystery, do you know how Ayler ended up in the East River?
GARY PEACOCK: I don't know. All the information I got was second hand. The information that I got was that he was found dead in the East River and died by gunshot. And why that happened and how that happened, what the circumstances were, I have no idea, Fred.
2:
Did Albert Ayler fall into the East River or was he pushed?
3:
Albert Ayler’s body was retrieved from the East River, in Brooklyn, on November 25, 1970, a few months after his 34th birthday.
4:
On the evening of November 5, Albert again told Mary, "My blood has got to be shed to save my mother and my brother." After an argument, he smashed one of his saxophones over their television and stormed out of the house. Mary called the police to report Albert missing. Albert took the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and jumped off as the boat neared Liberty Island (Hames 27).
Edward Ayler: He was truly a genius. Some make it and some don't. He didn't want to push out in front. That's all he wanted-to play. He had all the titles but not a dime ("Albert Ayler, 36").
On December 5, in the afternoon, Albert Ayler's body was buried at the chapel of Highland Park Cemetery in Cleveland, with 55 people, mostly family, in attendance ("Albert Ayler Dies").
Mysterious death came to two musicians closely associated with Ayler in the next year. Henry Grimes moved to California to become an actor and vanished without a trace (Wilmer 1980: 109). On September 21, 1971, Call Cobbs Jr. was killed by a hit and run driver ("Final Bar").
FJ: Albert Ayler's death is jazz's unsolved mystery, do you know how Ayler ended up in the East River?
GARY PEACOCK: I don't know. All the information I got was second hand. The information that I got was that he was found dead in the East River and died by gunshot. And why that happened and how that happened, what the circumstances were, I have no idea, Fred.
2:
Did Albert Ayler fall into the East River or was he pushed?
3:
Albert Ayler’s body was retrieved from the East River, in Brooklyn, on November 25, 1970, a few months after his 34th birthday.
4:
On the evening of November 5, Albert again told Mary, "My blood has got to be shed to save my mother and my brother." After an argument, he smashed one of his saxophones over their television and stormed out of the house. Mary called the police to report Albert missing. Albert took the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and jumped off as the boat neared Liberty Island (Hames 27).
Edward Ayler: He was truly a genius. Some make it and some don't. He didn't want to push out in front. That's all he wanted-to play. He had all the titles but not a dime ("Albert Ayler, 36").
On December 5, in the afternoon, Albert Ayler's body was buried at the chapel of Highland Park Cemetery in Cleveland, with 55 people, mostly family, in attendance ("Albert Ayler Dies").
Mysterious death came to two musicians closely associated with Ayler in the next year. Henry Grimes moved to California to become an actor and vanished without a trace (Wilmer 1980: 109). On September 21, 1971, Call Cobbs Jr. was killed by a hit and run driver ("Final Bar").
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Fist of Kong - Heinous Retribution - A Compilation
Kid Ornery presents...
Crazy Sounds from Houston, Tx.
A mix of interesting music from Kid Ornery and his associates.
Free Jazz, Drone, Noise, Improv, and general weirdness from Last Bastions, The Defenestration Unit, Kid Ornery, Avijit, and many more...
This week - Fist of Kong - in celebration of Charlie launching his own podcast - CharlieNaked.podomatic.com
Enjoy! -- Mike Switzer
Click here to get your own player.
Crazy Sounds from Houston, Tx.
A mix of interesting music from Kid Ornery and his associates.
Free Jazz, Drone, Noise, Improv, and general weirdness from Last Bastions, The Defenestration Unit, Kid Ornery, Avijit, and many more...
This week - Fist of Kong - in celebration of Charlie launching his own podcast - CharlieNaked.podomatic.com
Enjoy! -- Mike Switzer
Click here to get your own player.
Monday, November 20, 2006
TDU at BOHEMEO's on Wednesday...
Here's how I see it...
it's just not Thanksgiving without a hangover.*
So, grab yr favorite bottle,
and yr favorite girl,
or guy, or couple of girls,
or couple of guys,
or llamas, or a grapefruit,
or whatever -
and come on down to Bohemeo's this Wednesday night...
I know you don't have to go to work tomorrow...
So, what's yr excuse?
It's not money,
'cause we play for tips...
and they have cheap beer...
and better beer,
and wine, and setups...
that's right setups.
and not just
a bucket of ice and
some grapefruit juice
but mojito setups,
bloody mary setups,
and other crazy things...
really...
and they have desserts,
and wings...
you know you like wings.
and it's not like we're starting late...
we'll be on by 9:30 I promise...
really...
it'll happen...
so you could still listen to a lot of TDU
(and eat a lot of wings and drink a lot of
whatever)
and still be in bed by twelve...
how nice is that?
if ya wanna hear what we sound like at the place go check out my latest podcast at http://kidornery.podomatic.com
anyway,
come out and give thanks for all the things yr thankful for...
and drink for everything yr not...
or vice versa...
* Kid Ornery's first hangover was on Thanksgiving his freshman year of college.
He had to pull the ugly old beat up toyota corrolla over and throw up.
Twice.
He was sick all day at Grandma's.
He's still not sure if they knew what was up
or just thought he had some kind of stomach virus.
Now he doesn't go to Grandma's,
just Richard's.
But he is playing with The Defenestration Unit
Wednesday Night
at Bohemeo's...
you should be there.
K.O.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
TDU Live at Bohemeo's
Kid Ornery presents...
Crazy Sounds from Houston, Tx.
TDU Live at Bohemeo's - 11/08/06
It's last week's show...
Enjoy! -- Mike Switzer
Crazy Sounds from Houston, Tx.
TDU Live at Bohemeo's - 11/08/06
It's last week's show...
Enjoy! -- Mike Switzer
tonight
Hidetown was effin' great...
more later...
for now...
Charalmabides...
so right on.
To have seen
Christina go from a girl
who couldn't perform
without facing away from
the audience and chain smoking
to the woman I saw perform tonight...
in a word - wow.
Tom's been one of my favorite git players since
The Mike Gunn, and tonight certainly didn't change that...
The performance just had so much meaning and resonance for me...
I'm really tying lots of pieces of my past together
with what I'm trying to do now
right now
and there was a lot about tonight
that helped me
with that
old friends
righteous theater
good music
whiskey
weed
connections
and
creativity
so many of you
are positive
and good
and right
more than
wrong
of course
that might be
the caffeine talking
so much today
I vibrated
and couldn't
stop smiling
anyway,
tonight
has recharged
my inspiration
and
my generosity
so
if yr gonna pull
some dick move
now's the time...
;)
more later...
for now...
Charalmabides...
so right on.
To have seen
Christina go from a girl
who couldn't perform
without facing away from
the audience and chain smoking
to the woman I saw perform tonight...
in a word - wow.
Tom's been one of my favorite git players since
The Mike Gunn, and tonight certainly didn't change that...
The performance just had so much meaning and resonance for me...
I'm really tying lots of pieces of my past together
with what I'm trying to do now
right now
and there was a lot about tonight
that helped me
with that
old friends
righteous theater
good music
whiskey
weed
connections
and
creativity
so many of you
are positive
and good
and right
more than
wrong
of course
that might be
the caffeine talking
so much today
I vibrated
and couldn't
stop smiling
anyway,
tonight
has recharged
my inspiration
and
my generosity
so
if yr gonna pull
some dick move
now's the time...
;)
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Sunday, November 12, 2006
CHARALMBIDES!!! RUDZ! Tuesday night.
I livewd upstairs from tom and christina (and with jason bill) for a while...
and before that I saw charalambides every sunday at Harvey's
(with the dave/paul duo)...
In addition to being two of the coolest people I know they are also
an amazing band live...and a large part of the reason I make the music I do...
hope to see you at Rudz tuesday night...
When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race
~H.G. Wells
~H.G. Wells
Thursday, November 09, 2006
working in a candy story means...
eating really good halloween candy that nobody bought...
right before bed...
Hammond's handmade candy
Art Candy
While our Art Candy may have the same beginning as our Candy Canes and Lollipops, it is put together quite differently. After the candy has cooled enough and color has been added, our candymakers transform small amounts of the candy into the shapes, which they know they need from years of experience. Skillfully, they arrange these shapes together to form one large 'picture'. They must work quickly, not allowing the candy to harden. This large 'picture' will then be wrapped up into a jacket (just like the candy canes) and placed onto the batch roller. Next, it is pulled by hand into a smaller and smaller diameter, until it resembles a long rope. As the candy is beginning to harden, the long 'rope' is sliced into small half-inch long pieces, and the reduced-size 'picture' is visible.
right before bed...
Hammond's handmade candy
Art Candy
While our Art Candy may have the same beginning as our Candy Canes and Lollipops, it is put together quite differently. After the candy has cooled enough and color has been added, our candymakers transform small amounts of the candy into the shapes, which they know they need from years of experience. Skillfully, they arrange these shapes together to form one large 'picture'. They must work quickly, not allowing the candy to harden. This large 'picture' will then be wrapped up into a jacket (just like the candy canes) and placed onto the batch roller. Next, it is pulled by hand into a smaller and smaller diameter, until it resembles a long rope. As the candy is beginning to harden, the long 'rope' is sliced into small half-inch long pieces, and the reduced-size 'picture' is visible.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Listen to this podcast!
Kid Ornery presents...
Crazy Sounds from Houston, Tx.
A mix of interesting music from Kid Ornery and his associates.
Free Jazz, Drone, Noise, Improv, and general weirdness from Last Bastions, The Defenestration Unit, Kid Ornery, Avijit, and many more...
Enjoy! -- Mike Switzer
Click here to get your own player.
Crazy Sounds from Houston, Tx.
A mix of interesting music from Kid Ornery and his associates.
Free Jazz, Drone, Noise, Improv, and general weirdness from Last Bastions, The Defenestration Unit, Kid Ornery, Avijit, and many more...
Enjoy! -- Mike Switzer
Click here to get your own player.
Dave's Long Box: ELECTION DAY 2006 - WHOSE SIDE IS YOUR FAVORITE SUPERHERO ON?
Dave's Long Box: ELECTION DAY 2006 - WHOSE SIDE IS YOUR FAVORITE SUPERHERO ON?:
"It's times like these that make me wonder how superheroes would vote. Is Captain America a Republican or a Democrat? What about Batman? It's tempting to attribute one's own political beliefs to one's childhood heroes, but that would be wrong. We're in a No-Spin Zone here at Dave's Long Box, so I have examined the evidence and decided on a political party affiliation for some of my favorite heroes without regard to my personal beliefs.
So, in an effort to piss off readers of all political persuasions, here then is the breakdown. I can't wait for the Green Lantern fans to start flaming me in the comments section..."
funny stuff...
and I think fairly accurate....
"It's times like these that make me wonder how superheroes would vote. Is Captain America a Republican or a Democrat? What about Batman? It's tempting to attribute one's own political beliefs to one's childhood heroes, but that would be wrong. We're in a No-Spin Zone here at Dave's Long Box, so I have examined the evidence and decided on a political party affiliation for some of my favorite heroes without regard to my personal beliefs.
So, in an effort to piss off readers of all political persuasions, here then is the breakdown. I can't wait for the Green Lantern fans to start flaming me in the comments section..."
funny stuff...
and I think fairly accurate....
Global Orgasm - December 22nd, 2006 - Peace through Global Ecstasy
Global Orgasm - December 22nd, 2006 - Peace through Global Ecstasy
Great idea...
or something,
but the music on the site
does not make me hard.
Great idea...
or something,
but the music on the site
does not make me hard.
hmmm...
So TDU has this weekly gig now
and so we're looking for some
promotional ideas...
Working in a candy store I've been aware
of custom printing on m&m's via tha intraweb.
You get two lines - 8 characters per line -
two messages...
In trying to come up with appropriate phrases
for free m&m's at a TDU show I tried -
"Make Noise" "Not War"
and I got this message...
"sorry we cannot print offensive or potentially inappropriate messages."
with a phone # to contact them...
grrr...
and so we're looking for some
promotional ideas...
Working in a candy store I've been aware
of custom printing on m&m's via tha intraweb.
You get two lines - 8 characters per line -
two messages...
In trying to come up with appropriate phrases
for free m&m's at a TDU show I tried -
"Make Noise" "Not War"
and I got this message...
"sorry we cannot print offensive or potentially inappropriate messages."
with a phone # to contact them...
grrr...
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Celebrate Amerca Day!
I decided to declare today
"Celebrate America Day!"
I celebrated America all right!
got up
got high
(on America)
went and voted
For Democrats when available
For Libertariants when not
and never for Republicans
never
came home
smoked some more
America
and went to see
Borat
disappointed
still a nice ride
on a beautiful day
then to the
other candy store
the one in the village
visited a bit
and bought some candy
then half price books
strindberg
shakespeare
beckett
and
the theatre guild anthology
first edition
1936
14 plays
I can't wait to read
and a great bike ride home
on a beautiful day
CELEBRATE AMERICA!
"Celebrate America Day!"
I celebrated America all right!
got up
got high
(on America)
went and voted
For Democrats when available
For Libertariants when not
and never for Republicans
never
came home
smoked some more
America
and went to see
Borat
disappointed
still a nice ride
on a beautiful day
then to the
other candy store
the one in the village
visited a bit
and bought some candy
then half price books
strindberg
shakespeare
beckett
and
the theatre guild anthology
first edition
1936
14 plays
I can't wait to read
and a great bike ride home
on a beautiful day
CELEBRATE AMERICA!
Go Vote!
Unless you were planning on voting for the bad guys,
then it's o.k. to stay home...
fr the rcrd:
Chris Bell gets my vote for governor.
His ethics complaint started the ball rolling
that eventually rolled over Tom Delay.
As far as I'm concerned he can do
anything but get as bad as Tom Delay
and he will now and forever have my
vote...
Maybe some of you folks don't understand
just how important that was. The man
had a stranglehold on our democracy
and Chris Bell stood up and pointed out
what everyone knew but nobody would
say, "The man is a crook."
The end result was Delay's resignation
and Nick Lampson's almost assured
win today.
So Bell gets my vote for anything
pretty much forever.
then it's o.k. to stay home...
fr the rcrd:
Chris Bell gets my vote for governor.
His ethics complaint started the ball rolling
that eventually rolled over Tom Delay.
As far as I'm concerned he can do
anything but get as bad as Tom Delay
and he will now and forever have my
vote...
Maybe some of you folks don't understand
just how important that was. The man
had a stranglehold on our democracy
and Chris Bell stood up and pointed out
what everyone knew but nobody would
say, "The man is a crook."
The end result was Delay's resignation
and Nick Lampson's almost assured
win today.
So Bell gets my vote for anything
pretty much forever.
Monday, November 06, 2006
miscellaneous heathen / politics/061105dhs-papers.html
miscellaneous heathen / politics/061105dhs-papers.html:
"It doesn't matter if you have a U.S. Passport - a 'travel document' that now, absent a court order to the contrary, gives you a virtually unqualified right to enter or leave the United States, any time you want. When the DHS system comes into effect next January, if the agency says 'no' to a clearance request, or doesn't answer the request at all, you won't be permitted to enter-or leave-the United States."
land of the free my ass...
we are quickly becoming slaves,
and it is our cowardice making us so...
grr.
"It doesn't matter if you have a U.S. Passport - a 'travel document' that now, absent a court order to the contrary, gives you a virtually unqualified right to enter or leave the United States, any time you want. When the DHS system comes into effect next January, if the agency says 'no' to a clearance request, or doesn't answer the request at all, you won't be permitted to enter-or leave-the United States."
land of the free my ass...
we are quickly becoming slaves,
and it is our cowardice making us so...
grr.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Infernal Forum: The Arts and Civic Engagement
Infernal Forum: The Arts and Civic Engagement:
"While foundations and arts organizations increasingly have been taking isolated steps to staunch the bleeding away of younger patrons, Iyengar hopes the NEA's survey results will help galvanize a more unified effort. A 2005 study by the Rand Corp. contended that exposure to the arts in childhood is the most important predictor of whether a person will appreciate them as an adult."
It worked on me...
and my dad was a band director,
so it's not like I was even exposed
to good art...
"While foundations and arts organizations increasingly have been taking isolated steps to staunch the bleeding away of younger patrons, Iyengar hopes the NEA's survey results will help galvanize a more unified effort. A 2005 study by the Rand Corp. contended that exposure to the arts in childhood is the most important predictor of whether a person will appreciate them as an adult."
It worked on me...
and my dad was a band director,
so it's not like I was even exposed
to good art...
nothing I can say
to you people I ain't already said
i try
real hard
to give ya
the things
that you want
and all
I want
is the things
I can't have
is that
too much
to ask?
i try
real hard
to give ya
the things
that you want
and all
I want
is the things
I can't have
is that
too much
to ask?
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Home
Bohemeos
The Wednesday night gig went great...
we'll be there most Wednesdays with Fist of Kong,
and maybe some other folks filling in from time to time...
if you live in the neighborhood and wish there was more cool
stuff to do around here you should support this place...
They plan on having a lot of live music,
and they're really great folks...
even if you can't come by on Wednesdays come by and get a coffee, something sweet and talk to the owners...
maybe stop there for dessert after you eat some Thai food at Kanomwan...
it's right across the parking lot.
The Wednesday night gig went great...
we'll be there most Wednesdays with Fist of Kong,
and maybe some other folks filling in from time to time...
if you live in the neighborhood and wish there was more cool
stuff to do around here you should support this place...
They plan on having a lot of live music,
and they're really great folks...
even if you can't come by on Wednesdays come by and get a coffee, something sweet and talk to the owners...
maybe stop there for dessert after you eat some Thai food at Kanomwan...
it's right across the parking lot.
NonAlignment Pact: Music in Seven Days from Seven Writers
this blog does and will kick ass...
NonAlignment Pact: Music in Seven Days from Seven Writers
go ahead and bookmark it now...
NonAlignment Pact: Music in Seven Days from Seven Writers
go ahead and bookmark it now...
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Cognitive Daily: Halloween special: Does Batman party with SpongeBob?
Cognitive Daily: Halloween special: Does Batman party with SpongeBob?:
"So it appears that children even as young as four distinguish between different fantasy worlds in the same way as adults do. Batman doesn't party with SpongeBob. "
"So it appears that children even as young as four distinguish between different fantasy worlds in the same way as adults do. Batman doesn't party with SpongeBob. "
a story
when i
was in fifth grade
we had
a talent show.
I was
going to do
some magic.
I had picked
two cute girls
to be
my assistants.
In the end
I decided not
to do the magic show
and did impressions instead.
I dedicated
my Barry Manilow impression
to my
would be
assistants.
I am music
and I
write the songs.
was in fifth grade
we had
a talent show.
I was
going to do
some magic.
I had picked
two cute girls
to be
my assistants.
In the end
I decided not
to do the magic show
and did impressions instead.
I dedicated
my Barry Manilow impression
to my
would be
assistants.
I am music
and I
write the songs.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Fwd: [TDU] Czech it out, Bohemian Music
a missive from our percussionist/madman re: wednesday night's show
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Thomas Zermeno
Date: Oct 30, 2006 7:08 PM
Subject: [TDU] Czech it out, Bohemian Music
To:
Oh, what a perty, perty day. Today was one of them days that makes
Houston famous. Now, I'm not talking about those days filled with
smog, or humidity, or rain; I'm talking about those 3 weeks of
perfection that get scattered through out spring and fall. I'm
talkin' blue skies, soft winds, kind bud, and no where to be until
mid-afternoon. Ah yeah. I'm talking about Houston Heaven.
Nice.
So, anyway, all you fans and fanettes, you'll be happy to know about
the awesome show this Wednesday. We're tearing up a new coffee house
on the East Side (wow, they serve coffee in that part of town?),
BOHEMEO'S. This is a nice little place with two stages, a patio,
great coffee, and... get this .. it's BYOB. Wow!
Czech us out Wednesday, at 9:30 pm. The address is 708 Telephone, at
the corner of Telephone and Lockwood. (Check their website for
directions, www.bohemeos.com, but it's over by UH Central.) Did I
mention that the cover was cheap? That's right!
CHEAP COVER - $3 / $5 couples, under 21 $5.
Wow! That's like... supercheap! Those are like 1980's prices, what's
going on? why is TDU pimping themselves out for such an affordable
price? Well, kids, I'm glad that you asked. We hope that we, as super
improv gods, will bring in enough people to this wonderous little
coffee house to start an improv weekly.
Can you imagine? Weekly jazz at affordable prices? And I'm not
talking about that crappy smooth jazz kenny g shit. I'm talking about
the real McCoy: squanking, funking, wah-wah, bang-bang,
DamnitJimI'mI'mAMusician, who the hell let that llama into the room,
improv jazz.
Shit, you can't beat that for $3.
Grab a bottle; Grab a girl; Grab a guy; Grab yourself and come on down
to Bohemeo's. Wednesday, 9:30.
AUTOGRAPHED CDS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
--
-TZ
"When I am working on a problem I never think about beauty. I only
think about how to solve the problem. But when I have finished, if the
solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong."
- Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983)
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Thomas Zermeno
Date: Oct 30, 2006 7:08 PM
Subject: [TDU] Czech it out, Bohemian Music
To:
Oh, what a perty, perty day. Today was one of them days that makes
Houston famous. Now, I'm not talking about those days filled with
smog, or humidity, or rain; I'm talking about those 3 weeks of
perfection that get scattered through out spring and fall. I'm
talkin' blue skies, soft winds, kind bud, and no where to be until
mid-afternoon. Ah yeah. I'm talking about Houston Heaven.
Nice.
So, anyway, all you fans and fanettes, you'll be happy to know about
the awesome show this Wednesday. We're tearing up a new coffee house
on the East Side (wow, they serve coffee in that part of town?),
BOHEMEO'S. This is a nice little place with two stages, a patio,
great coffee, and... get this .. it's BYOB. Wow!
Czech us out Wednesday, at 9:30 pm. The address is 708 Telephone, at
the corner of Telephone and Lockwood. (Check their website for
directions, www.bohemeos.com, but it's over by UH Central.) Did I
mention that the cover was cheap? That's right!
CHEAP COVER - $3 / $5 couples, under 21 $5.
Wow! That's like... supercheap! Those are like 1980's prices, what's
going on? why is TDU pimping themselves out for such an affordable
price? Well, kids, I'm glad that you asked. We hope that we, as super
improv gods, will bring in enough people to this wonderous little
coffee house to start an improv weekly.
Can you imagine? Weekly jazz at affordable prices? And I'm not
talking about that crappy smooth jazz kenny g shit. I'm talking about
the real McCoy: squanking, funking, wah-wah, bang-bang,
DamnitJimI'mI'mAMusician, who the hell let that llama into the room,
improv jazz.
Shit, you can't beat that for $3.
Grab a bottle; Grab a girl; Grab a guy; Grab yourself and come on down
to Bohemeo's. Wednesday, 9:30.
AUTOGRAPHED CDS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
--
-TZ
"When I am working on a problem I never think about beauty. I only
think about how to solve the problem. But when I have finished, if the
solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong."
- Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983)
Sunday, October 29, 2006
oh yeah....
TDU's playing wednesday night...
right around the corner somewhere...
watch this space for details...
feeling relatively
spirit filled
I expect this show
will be good...
right around the corner somewhere...
watch this space for details...
feeling relatively
spirit filled
I expect this show
will be good...
Saturday, October 28, 2006
drunk blogging
so
i had an incredible day today
how 'bout you?
went to a wedding
of a friend
and the way
the good will flowed
watching it
watching people just
being nice to each other
was invigorating
2nd time ever drunk on wine
so we'll see how tomorrow feels
all I can do to keep from going dancing
RIGHT NOW!
but since I spent
the groceries
on whiskey
last night
somehow
dancing isn't
a realistic option
and I think
that says a lot
a
lot
but right now
I'm kinda drunk
and kinda high
and really amazed
that people
maybe aren't
as damned awful
as I expect
on that note
I'm off
maybe tomorrow
I'll still like all of you
we'll see
i had an incredible day today
how 'bout you?
went to a wedding
of a friend
and the way
the good will flowed
watching it
watching people just
being nice to each other
was invigorating
2nd time ever drunk on wine
so we'll see how tomorrow feels
all I can do to keep from going dancing
RIGHT NOW!
but since I spent
the groceries
on whiskey
last night
somehow
dancing isn't
a realistic option
and I think
that says a lot
a
lot
but right now
I'm kinda drunk
and kinda high
and really amazed
that people
maybe aren't
as damned awful
as I expect
on that note
I'm off
maybe tomorrow
I'll still like all of you
we'll see
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Ned Lamont for Senate | Barack Obama Writes Emails
Ned Lamont for Senate | Barack Obama Writes Emails:
"Ned earned the Democratic Senate nomination through his hard work and clear message. And his victory paved the way for an entire crop of Democratic challengers to stand up and fight for the common good. Today the candidacies of Diane Farrell, Joe Courtney and Chris Murphy are integral to the Democrats’ strategy to regain the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.
A majority of Connecticut Democrats supported Ned Lamont in the August primary. I hope they will see this impressive movement through to the end by volunteering their time with Ned in these next two weeks.
http://www.nedlamont.com/downthestretch
Sincerely,
U.S. Senator Barack Obama"
"Ned earned the Democratic Senate nomination through his hard work and clear message. And his victory paved the way for an entire crop of Democratic challengers to stand up and fight for the common good. Today the candidacies of Diane Farrell, Joe Courtney and Chris Murphy are integral to the Democrats’ strategy to regain the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.
A majority of Connecticut Democrats supported Ned Lamont in the August primary. I hope they will see this impressive movement through to the end by volunteering their time with Ned in these next two weeks.
http://www.nedlamont.com/downthestretch
Sincerely,
U.S. Senator Barack Obama"
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
A living wage for Wal-Mart workers | The Progressive
A living wage for Wal-Mart workers | The Progressive:
"Wal-Mart could lift the average salary of its 1.3 million U.S. workers by a hefty$4,000 a year without raising the price of its pickles or Pampers even one penny."
"Wal-Mart could lift the average salary of its 1.3 million U.S. workers by a hefty$4,000 a year without raising the price of its pickles or Pampers even one penny."
Gore Vidal Interview | The Progressive
Via Real Art...
Gore Vidal Interview | The Progressive:
"Q: What do you think of the conspiracy theories about September 11?
Vidal: I’m willing to believe practically any mischief on the part of the Bush people. No, I don’t think they did it, as some conspiracy people think. Why? Because it was too intelligently done. This is beyond the competence of Bush and Cheney and Rumsfeld. They couldn’t pull off a caper like 9/11. They are too clumsy."
I generally try to post link to any and all Gore Vidal interviews I run across...
the man is just so damned smart.
Gore Vidal Interview | The Progressive:
"Q: What do you think of the conspiracy theories about September 11?
Vidal: I’m willing to believe practically any mischief on the part of the Bush people. No, I don’t think they did it, as some conspiracy people think. Why? Because it was too intelligently done. This is beyond the competence of Bush and Cheney and Rumsfeld. They couldn’t pull off a caper like 9/11. They are too clumsy."
I generally try to post link to any and all Gore Vidal interviews I run across...
the man is just so damned smart.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
YouTube - Slowly I Turned
YouTube - Slowly I Turned
pardon me pal.
did you say pal?
it's been a long time since I heard that word.
NIAGRA FALLS!!
slowly I turned, step by step, inch by inch...
this makes me very happy.
pardon me pal.
did you say pal?
it's been a long time since I heard that word.
NIAGRA FALLS!!
slowly I turned, step by step, inch by inch...
this makes me very happy.
Listen to this podcast!
Kid Ornery presents...
Crazy Sounds from Houston, Tx.
A mix of interesting music from Kid Ornery and his associates.
Free Jazz, Drone, Noise, Improv, and general weirdness from Last Bastions, The Defenestration Unit, Kid Ornery, Avijit, and many more...
Enjoy! -- Mike Switzer
Click here to get your own player.
Crazy Sounds from Houston, Tx.
A mix of interesting music from Kid Ornery and his associates.
Free Jazz, Drone, Noise, Improv, and general weirdness from Last Bastions, The Defenestration Unit, Kid Ornery, Avijit, and many more...
Enjoy! -- Mike Switzer
Click here to get your own player.
The Blog | Davis Sweet: Every Review of a Richard Dawkins Book (slightly condensed) | The Huffington Post
The Blog | Davis Sweet: Every Review of a Richard Dawkins Book (slightly condensed) | The Huffington Post:
"The problem with all his logic and evidence and rationality is that he just doesn't understand how good nonsense feels.
Anyway, Bertrand Russell did it first."
"The problem with all his logic and evidence and rationality is that he just doesn't understand how good nonsense feels.
Anyway, Bertrand Russell did it first."
Monday, October 23, 2006
The Blog | Richard Dawkins: Why There Almost Certainly Is No God | The Huffington Post
The Blog | Richard Dawkins: Why There Almost Certainly Is No God | The Huffington Post:
"My scientific colleagues have additional reasons to declare emergency. Ignorant and absolutist attacks on stem cell research are just the tip of an iceberg. What we have here is nothing less than a global assault on rationality, and the Enlightenment values that inspired the founding of this first and greatest of secular republics. Science education - and hence the whole future of science in this country - is under threat. Temporarily beaten back in a Pennsylvania court, the 'breathtaking inanity' (Judge John Jones's immortal phrase) of 'intelligent design' continually flares up in local bush-fires. Dowsing them is a time-consuming but important responsibility, and scientists are finally being jolted out of their complacency. For years they quietly got on with their science, lamentably underestimating the creationists who, being neither competent nor interested in science, attended to the serious political business of subverting local school boards. Scientists, and intellectuals generally, are now waking up to the threat from the American Taliban.
Scientists divide into two schools of thought over the best tactics with which to face the threat. The Neville Chamberlain 'appeasement' school focuses on the battle for evolution. Consequently, its members identify fundamentalism as the enemy, and they bend over backwards to appease 'moderate' or 'sensible' religion (not a difficult task, for bishops and theologians despise fundamentalists as much as scientists do). Scientists of the Winston Churchill school, by contrast, see the fight for evolution as only one battle in a larger war: a looming war between supernaturalism on the one side and rationality on the other. For them, bishops and theologians belong with creationists in the supernatural camp, and are not to be appeased."
Well, I ain't no scientist but I reckon I belong to the radical version of the second camp.
I mean the good ol' scientific method is a pretty rigorous way of testing things...
more rigorous than just reading the truth outta the bible anyway.
Don't ya think?
"My scientific colleagues have additional reasons to declare emergency. Ignorant and absolutist attacks on stem cell research are just the tip of an iceberg. What we have here is nothing less than a global assault on rationality, and the Enlightenment values that inspired the founding of this first and greatest of secular republics. Science education - and hence the whole future of science in this country - is under threat. Temporarily beaten back in a Pennsylvania court, the 'breathtaking inanity' (Judge John Jones's immortal phrase) of 'intelligent design' continually flares up in local bush-fires. Dowsing them is a time-consuming but important responsibility, and scientists are finally being jolted out of their complacency. For years they quietly got on with their science, lamentably underestimating the creationists who, being neither competent nor interested in science, attended to the serious political business of subverting local school boards. Scientists, and intellectuals generally, are now waking up to the threat from the American Taliban.
Scientists divide into two schools of thought over the best tactics with which to face the threat. The Neville Chamberlain 'appeasement' school focuses on the battle for evolution. Consequently, its members identify fundamentalism as the enemy, and they bend over backwards to appease 'moderate' or 'sensible' religion (not a difficult task, for bishops and theologians despise fundamentalists as much as scientists do). Scientists of the Winston Churchill school, by contrast, see the fight for evolution as only one battle in a larger war: a looming war between supernaturalism on the one side and rationality on the other. For them, bishops and theologians belong with creationists in the supernatural camp, and are not to be appeased."
Well, I ain't no scientist but I reckon I belong to the radical version of the second camp.
I mean the good ol' scientific method is a pretty rigorous way of testing things...
more rigorous than just reading the truth outta the bible anyway.
Don't ya think?
Out of position: Against the politics
Out of position: Against the politics:
"According to Layard, Frank and others, we fiercely value positional goods because we fiercely value status—the ultimate positional good. This explains, they posit, why average self-reported happiness has not gone up over time, though wealthier people at any time are more likely to be happier. Higher relative standing makes us happier, but the middle of the income distribution is the middle, no matter how big the number. So there simply is no avoiding the positional downside of every positional upside. But, they argue, we cannot simply shrug off the inevitable cruelty of a world in which our interests are in irreconcilable conflict. Policy must take human nature seriously, and do what it can to help. We should take the dismay and anxiety caused by zero-sum competition over positional goods just as seriously as sludge dumped in a stream, the roar of jets at a nearby airport, or other classic examples of negative spillover effects (or ‘negative externalities’) of economic activity."
"According to Layard, Frank and others, we fiercely value positional goods because we fiercely value status—the ultimate positional good. This explains, they posit, why average self-reported happiness has not gone up over time, though wealthier people at any time are more likely to be happier. Higher relative standing makes us happier, but the middle of the income distribution is the middle, no matter how big the number. So there simply is no avoiding the positional downside of every positional upside. But, they argue, we cannot simply shrug off the inevitable cruelty of a world in which our interests are in irreconcilable conflict. Policy must take human nature seriously, and do what it can to help. We should take the dismay and anxiety caused by zero-sum competition over positional goods just as seriously as sludge dumped in a stream, the roar of jets at a nearby airport, or other classic examples of negative spillover effects (or ‘negative externalities’) of economic activity."
TPMmuckraker October 20, 2006 06:09 PM
Catching up on my reading...
This pisses me off...
TPMmuckraker October 20, 2006 06:09 PM:
"Ah, the magic of the presidency. The Senate has refused to confirm former coal company executive Richard Stickler as the head of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). So, while they were out, Bush gave him a recess appointment to the post.
MSHA exists to protect miners' well-being. Once a miner himself, Stickler spent most of his career above ground, much of it as an executive for companies like coal giant Massey Energy. According to the Charleston Gazette, Stickler's mines had accident rates of twice the national average."
This pisses me off...
TPMmuckraker October 20, 2006 06:09 PM:
"Ah, the magic of the presidency. The Senate has refused to confirm former coal company executive Richard Stickler as the head of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). So, while they were out, Bush gave him a recess appointment to the post.
MSHA exists to protect miners' well-being. Once a miner himself, Stickler spent most of his career above ground, much of it as an executive for companies like coal giant Massey Energy. According to the Charleston Gazette, Stickler's mines had accident rates of twice the national average."
The Lower Depths - a play by Maxim Gorky
The Lower Depths - a play by Maxim Gorky:
"Luka is the one bright spot in the play; technically, he serves as the contrasting figure to the rest, while his prophetic optimism makes the hopeless misery of his fellow-beings blacker. He is intensely Russian in his philosophic questioning of the meaning and ultimate purpose of all life, as well as in his inordinate desire to talk. Like Turgenev's Rudin, he is forever theorizing, and that tendency is perhaps whas has caused his failure in life."
"Luka is the one bright spot in the play; technically, he serves as the contrasting figure to the rest, while his prophetic optimism makes the hopeless misery of his fellow-beings blacker. He is intensely Russian in his philosophic questioning of the meaning and ultimate purpose of all life, as well as in his inordinate desire to talk. Like Turgenev's Rudin, he is forever theorizing, and that tendency is perhaps whas has caused his failure in life."
Fw: Suchu Dance -- Open Rehearsal THIS TUESDAY EVENING
I know where I'll be Tuesday night...
YAHOO!
Featured Event
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Suchu Dance presents an Open Rehearsal of its new production premiering in December 2006, I love mumoo ba* (* not affiliated with mumoo ba)
One in a series of open rehearsals to provide you with some insight into how Suchu Dance's new shows evolve, what that process is like, and what things are going through the minds of choreographer Jennifer Wood and the Suchu Dancers at a point roughly half-way through the rehearsal cycle. As you witness an actual rehearsal in progress and hear insightful explanations by the choreographer and dancers, get a glimpse of the challenges that arise and the methods employed to craft the movement and the mood into a cohesive whole. Please join the artists and Board of Directors of Suchu Dance before and/or after the rehearsal for casual meet-and-greet conversation while enjoying wine and light nibbles. There is no need to RSVP to attend this FREE event. Just show up at Barnevelder and you’re in like Flynn! 7:00 pm -- pre-rehearsal reception with board "At this Open Rehearsal, I'm looking forward to offering our guests -- those who would like -- the opportunity to try learning and executing a couple of simple movement phrases from our new choreography. Nothing conveys better what's different about the material we've been working on than trying it out on your own set of muscles! I swear it'll be fun, so don't be shy." -- Jennifer Wood, Artistic Director |
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MFAH Films
File Under: YEEHAH!
MFAH Films:
Now Playing
Directed by Robert Wiene
Germany, 1920
Black & White
75 Minutes
Show Times:
Fri., Oct. 27 7:00 PM
Sun., Oct. 29 7:00 PM
Live Accompaniment by Two Star Symphony Orchestra
MFAH Films:
Now Playing
| The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari Das Kabinett des Doktor Caligari | |  return |
Directed by Robert WieneGermany, 1920
Black & White
75 Minutes
Show Times:
Fri., Oct. 27 7:00 PM
Sun., Oct. 29 7:00 PM
Live Accompaniment by Two Star Symphony Orchestra
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Life, Meet Art: Pinter’s Last Stand - New York Times
That Pinter is doing Beckett is amazing, and I would love to see it...
but this is the real news to me...
Life, Meet Art: Pinter’s Last Stand - New York Times:
"He had, he said, eschewed parts of the original script that show Krapp gorging on bananas. “This is the first ‘yes, we have no bananas’ ” version, he said, speaking from a set strewn with boxes of tapes where Krapp has hurled them. The wheelchair remained behind Krapp’s desk like a sentinel.
It was “an artistic decision,” Stephen Pidcock, a spokesman for the Royal Court, said."
My understanding was that you just don't get to do things like that.
Very interesting.
but this is the real news to me...
Life, Meet Art: Pinter’s Last Stand - New York Times:
"He had, he said, eschewed parts of the original script that show Krapp gorging on bananas. “This is the first ‘yes, we have no bananas’ ” version, he said, speaking from a set strewn with boxes of tapes where Krapp has hurled them. The wheelchair remained behind Krapp’s desk like a sentinel.
It was “an artistic decision,” Stephen Pidcock, a spokesman for the Royal Court, said."
My understanding was that you just don't get to do things like that.
Very interesting.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
TDU FRIDAY NIGHT - HELIOS - With Novox - The Mathletes - and some other band....
Marianna added another band to the bill...so now there's 4 of us on Friday...
show's gonna start earlier so it shouldn't push us back too much later...
anyway, if yr looking for something to do friday night,
come on by...
Novox should start around 10:30 followed by the mathletes, followed by TDU...
(that's The Defenestration Unit, y'all)
M
show's gonna start earlier so it shouldn't push us back too much later...
anyway, if yr looking for something to do friday night,
come on by...
Novox should start around 10:30 followed by the mathletes, followed by TDU...
(that's The Defenestration Unit, y'all)
M
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Boing Boing: Deep-fried Coca-Cola
Boing Boing: Deep-fried Coca-Cola:
"Gonzales deep-fries Coca-Cola-flavored batter. He then drizzles Coke fountain syrup on it. The fried Coke is topped with whipped cream, cinnamon sugar and a cherry. Gonzales said the fried Coke came about just from thinking aloud."
Imagine the sound
of one man
drooling.
"Gonzales deep-fries Coca-Cola-flavored batter. He then drizzles Coke fountain syrup on it. The fried Coke is topped with whipped cream, cinnamon sugar and a cherry. Gonzales said the fried Coke came about just from thinking aloud."
Imagine the sound
of one man
drooling.
mildred's umbrella theater company
this show is pretty fucking fantastic...
I suggest you don't miss it.
mildred's umbrella theater company:
"A Long History of Neglect
long history of neglect
By Noah Haidle
Oct 12, 13, 14, 16, 20, 21, 27, 28, 30
and Nov 3 and 4 at 8pm.
Houston, Tx- Andy is a young recluse who rarely leaves his closet and has a habit of soiling his pants when he's nervous. He's tortured by two neighborhood bullies, his mother works three jobs, and his sister is a slut. But things change once a visit is paid to Andy by the 19th century poetess, Emily Dickinson. This play was done once last year at Princeton University, and aside from that production, this will be its world premier! About the Playwright
Noah Haidle’s play Mr. Marmalade had its New York premiere at the Roundabout Theatre Company. His most recent play, Princess Marjorie, received its world premiere in 2005 at South Coast Repertory. Haidle’s Rag and Bone recently played at the Long Wharf Theatre. Haidle is currently working on new play commissions from Playwrights Horizons and Princeton University and a screenplay for Scott Rudin Productions. He is a graduate of Princeton University and the Julliard School. He is the recipient of the Helen Merrill Award for Emerging Playwrights, a NEA/TCG grant, and three Lincoln Center Le Compte Du Nuoy Awards.
Directed by Mildred’s Umbrella company member Alan Hall and featuring Eric Doss, Jennifer Decker, Julie Boneau, Greg Dean, David Anderson, Wayne Barnhill and Sara Gaston, “A Long History of Neglect” opens October 12 and runs through November 4, with shows on Fridays and Saturdays and two Mondays, October 16 and October 30.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Press Inquiries: call 832-418-0973 or email mildredsumbrella@hotmail.com.
Reservations: call 713-942-7089 or email mildredsumbrella@hotmail.com
Who: Mildred’s Umbrella Theater Company
What: A Long History of Neglect
When: Oct 12, 13, 14, 16, 20, 21, 27, 28, 30 and Nov 3 and 4 at 8pm.
Where: Midtown Art Center, 3414 LaBranch at Holman
Price: Preview Show on October 12- $25.00, (catered by Prego)
Other shows: $10 on Fridays and Saturdays. Two “pay as you like” performances on Oct 16 and Oct. 30. Cash or check only at the door.
I suggest you don't miss it.
mildred's umbrella theater company:
"A Long History of Neglect
long history of neglect
By Noah Haidle
Oct 12, 13, 14, 16, 20, 21, 27, 28, 30
and Nov 3 and 4 at 8pm.
Houston, Tx- Andy is a young recluse who rarely leaves his closet and has a habit of soiling his pants when he's nervous. He's tortured by two neighborhood bullies, his mother works three jobs, and his sister is a slut. But things change once a visit is paid to Andy by the 19th century poetess, Emily Dickinson. This play was done once last year at Princeton University, and aside from that production, this will be its world premier! About the Playwright
Noah Haidle’s play Mr. Marmalade had its New York premiere at the Roundabout Theatre Company. His most recent play, Princess Marjorie, received its world premiere in 2005 at South Coast Repertory. Haidle’s Rag and Bone recently played at the Long Wharf Theatre. Haidle is currently working on new play commissions from Playwrights Horizons and Princeton University and a screenplay for Scott Rudin Productions. He is a graduate of Princeton University and the Julliard School. He is the recipient of the Helen Merrill Award for Emerging Playwrights, a NEA/TCG grant, and three Lincoln Center Le Compte Du Nuoy Awards.
Directed by Mildred’s Umbrella company member Alan Hall and featuring Eric Doss, Jennifer Decker, Julie Boneau, Greg Dean, David Anderson, Wayne Barnhill and Sara Gaston, “A Long History of Neglect” opens October 12 and runs through November 4, with shows on Fridays and Saturdays and two Mondays, October 16 and October 30.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Press Inquiries: call 832-418-0973 or email mildredsumbrella@hotmail.com.
Reservations: call 713-942-7089 or email mildredsumbrella@hotmail.com
Who: Mildred’s Umbrella Theater Company
What: A Long History of Neglect
When: Oct 12, 13, 14, 16, 20, 21, 27, 28, 30 and Nov 3 and 4 at 8pm.
Where: Midtown Art Center, 3414 LaBranch at Holman
Price: Preview Show on October 12- $25.00, (catered by Prego)
Other shows: $10 on Fridays and Saturdays. Two “pay as you like” performances on Oct 16 and Oct. 30. Cash or check only at the door.
new podcast - The Defenestration Unit - Live at Java Junction - Oct 8 - 2006
Last TDU show...
you know...
the one you didn't see...
you can hear it now.
or subrscribe:
ok...
sure you're thinking,
"I'm busy."
or
or
"I live in another city"
or
"that show was on 290 past the beltway...
are you crazy?"
to which I can only answer
yes,
yes,
I am crazy...
anyway...
Come see TDU - The Mathletes and Novox at Helios on the 20th...
if ya know yr not too busy,
and ya live in Houston,
or whatever...
Kid Ornery
When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race
~H.G. Wells
~H.G. Wells
Listen to this podcast!
Kid Ornery presents...
Crazy Sounds from Houston, Tx.
A mix of interesting music from Kid Ornery and his associates.
Free Jazz, Drone, Noise, Improv, and general weirdness from Last Bastions, The Defenestration Unit, Kid Ornery, Avijit, and many more...
Enjoy! -- Mike Switzer
Click here to get your own player.
Crazy Sounds from Houston, Tx.
A mix of interesting music from Kid Ornery and his associates.
Free Jazz, Drone, Noise, Improv, and general weirdness from Last Bastions, The Defenestration Unit, Kid Ornery, Avijit, and many more...
Enjoy! -- Mike Switzer
Click here to get your own player.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Was Brahms a wiseass? By Jan Swafford - Slate Magazine
Was Brahms a wiseass? By Jan Swafford - Slate Magazine:
"It was not easy to be a fan of Brahms. He hated effusive praise from strangers. At parties mounted by friends, the guest of honor would preside in the middle of the fray, downing ham rolls and mugs of beer, and have at anyone foolish enough to approach him: 'Did the gracious lady have all those beautiful feelings thanks to my poor quartets? And where did they lodge? Beneath the little blue shawl? Or maybe under the bird on her hat?'"
"It was not easy to be a fan of Brahms. He hated effusive praise from strangers. At parties mounted by friends, the guest of honor would preside in the middle of the fray, downing ham rolls and mugs of beer, and have at anyone foolish enough to approach him: 'Did the gracious lady have all those beautiful feelings thanks to my poor quartets? And where did they lodge? Beneath the little blue shawl? Or maybe under the bird on her hat?'"
Sunday, October 08, 2006
tonight
eatin yr
fruit stripe
and listening
to the piano
guy whine
good room
nice lights
no people
TDU
in full effect
long day
oh yeah
long day
fruit stripe
and listening
to the piano
guy whine
good room
nice lights
no people
TDU
in full effect
long day
oh yeah
long day
Sunday, October 01, 2006
THE BEAT � Blog Archive � FIGHT OF THE CENTURY!
THE BEAT � Blog Archive � FIGHT OF THE CENTURY!:
"Ah…the complaint. It is a work of art. If nothing else comes of this, it has already spawned a bunch of phrases that can be used in myriad situations: “Tiny but hostile.” “Secret tropical vacation.” “Fecklessness.” “Somewhat jejune.” Imagine Gandalf and Saruman going at it with thesauruses!"
"Ah…the complaint. It is a work of art. If nothing else comes of this, it has already spawned a bunch of phrases that can be used in myriad situations: “Tiny but hostile.” “Secret tropical vacation.” “Fecklessness.” “Somewhat jejune.” Imagine Gandalf and Saruman going at it with thesauruses!"
Saturday, September 30, 2006
disaster averted
for at least another month...
saw "get your war on" at Diverseworks tonight...
it was great again.
didn't have time to stop at my house to change
so I borrowed a shirt from my step dad
- it was huge - came down almost to my knees...
and I'm still getting over being sick
and I was fairly exhausted
so I probably wasn't the best of company
and I should be in bed right now...
gotta get up in the mornin'
and go sell the candy...
come see me at the candy store
tomorrow if ya get the urge
for a sugar rush...
this is not code
or a metaphor
I work
in a candy store
blogging will remain light for the next week or so
as I am house sitting at the folks and using the computer here
just isn't as fun or convenient as it is at home...
I miss my miserable house
and my bike
and my routines...
the big screen hdtv and the car
are nice,
but no substitute for
the lumpy couch
and things
the way I like them.
oh yeah,
you missed TDU at Brasil friday...
we're playing Java Junction next Sunday...
wish I knew where Java Junction was -
Charlie says they are on myspace
but I'm too lazy to look them up right now.
looks like the cabaret may get pushed back
mostly because I've let life interfere and don't
have a band together yet...
working on sound design
for the next mildred's show
it's a challenge - but it's coming along
the show is gonna be great...
haven't been having readings
at the place for a while...
gonna try probably just a couple
more times this year -
then start again in earnest
in january -
although if I do the next show I'm thinking about
when I'm thinking about it
I'll need to start rehearsing by the end of january,
so we'll see...
and I really need to go out and get cast in something again...
need to keep those chops up...
not to mention I miss it.
uh, what else do you need to know
imaginary audience?
hmmm?
saw "get your war on" at Diverseworks tonight...
it was great again.
didn't have time to stop at my house to change
so I borrowed a shirt from my step dad
- it was huge - came down almost to my knees...
and I'm still getting over being sick
and I was fairly exhausted
so I probably wasn't the best of company
and I should be in bed right now...
gotta get up in the mornin'
and go sell the candy...
come see me at the candy store
tomorrow if ya get the urge
for a sugar rush...
this is not code
or a metaphor
I work
in a candy store
blogging will remain light for the next week or so
as I am house sitting at the folks and using the computer here
just isn't as fun or convenient as it is at home...
I miss my miserable house
and my bike
and my routines...
the big screen hdtv and the car
are nice,
but no substitute for
the lumpy couch
and things
the way I like them.
oh yeah,
you missed TDU at Brasil friday...
we're playing Java Junction next Sunday...
wish I knew where Java Junction was -
Charlie says they are on myspace
but I'm too lazy to look them up right now.
looks like the cabaret may get pushed back
mostly because I've let life interfere and don't
have a band together yet...
working on sound design
for the next mildred's show
it's a challenge - but it's coming along
the show is gonna be great...
haven't been having readings
at the place for a while...
gonna try probably just a couple
more times this year -
then start again in earnest
in january -
although if I do the next show I'm thinking about
when I'm thinking about it
I'll need to start rehearsing by the end of january,
so we'll see...
and I really need to go out and get cast in something again...
need to keep those chops up...
not to mention I miss it.
uh, what else do you need to know
imaginary audience?
hmmm?
Monday, September 25, 2006
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
zorn won an award...
hooray for him I say...
it was one o' them genius grants...
Ornette won the same thing a year or two back...
it was one o' them genius grants...
Ornette won the same thing a year or two back...
Saturday, September 16, 2006
you uncultured maroons!
where was ya?
where was ya? huh?
ya missed it.
entirely...
heard some amazing music tonight -
Bach
Beethoven
Shostakovich
Milhaud
chamber music groups -
winds -
FREE!
incredible basoon, and french horn...
not that everybody wasn't great,
but how often do you hear great basoon,
or french horn?
the brass quintet was my favorite group,
but whattaya expect...
I play trombone.
Hearing musicians of this calibre
puts the Ives piece back in my head...
I caught myself pencilling it in for 2008
during certain fantasy seque moments.
anyway, the show was put on by
The Sonus Chamber Music Society.
They don't update their webpage.
It was in that big church you used
to park at when ya went to see
the movin' pictures down ta the
museum of fine arts...
I wish the lighting had been better,
and the photographer less present...
but otherwise a great night.
I'll post more later when I feel like
lookin' at the program...
I hope you got some culture tonight
before during or after
yr booze...
where was ya? huh?
ya missed it.
entirely...
heard some amazing music tonight -
Bach
Beethoven
Shostakovich
Milhaud
chamber music groups -
winds -
FREE!
incredible basoon, and french horn...
not that everybody wasn't great,
but how often do you hear great basoon,
or french horn?
the brass quintet was my favorite group,
but whattaya expect...
I play trombone.
Hearing musicians of this calibre
puts the Ives piece back in my head...
I caught myself pencilling it in for 2008
during certain fantasy seque moments.
anyway, the show was put on by
The Sonus Chamber Music Society.
They don't update their webpage.
It was in that big church you used
to park at when ya went to see
the movin' pictures down ta the
museum of fine arts...
I wish the lighting had been better,
and the photographer less present...
but otherwise a great night.
I'll post more later when I feel like
lookin' at the program...
I hope you got some culture tonight
before during or after
yr booze...
not much time for blogging...
when you are fighting wage-slavery for your very soul...
or something like that...
work is draining me a bit right now,
it'll get better as I adjust...
half-written a couple of things
in the last few days,
if I finish 'em they'll
show up here...
or something like that...
work is draining me a bit right now,
it'll get better as I adjust...
half-written a couple of things
in the last few days,
if I finish 'em they'll
show up here...
Monday, September 11, 2006
having a job
means starting to buy things you've put off
like new boxers
I got some the other day
at family dollar
not familiar
with family dollar?
the neighborhood
you live and shop
in probably has
a higher avg.
household income
than mine
anyway,
label inside says
family values -
same font as
family dollar -
a house brand
and what is on
the boxers
with the house label
of family dollar?
1 pair - blue with mostly red american muscle cars
1 pair - green with cards - straights - and the words "Texas Hold 'Em"
I find this very entertaining
and troubling all at the same time...
and that
is the story
of my new
underwear.
like new boxers
I got some the other day
at family dollar
not familiar
with family dollar?
the neighborhood
you live and shop
in probably has
a higher avg.
household income
than mine
anyway,
label inside says
family values -
same font as
family dollar -
a house brand
and what is on
the boxers
with the house label
of family dollar?
1 pair - blue with mostly red american muscle cars
1 pair - green with cards - straights - and the words "Texas Hold 'Em"
I find this very entertaining
and troubling all at the same time...
and that
is the story
of my new
underwear.
Modern humans, not Neandertals, may be evolution's 'odd man out'
Modern humans, not Neandertals, may be evolution's 'odd man out':
"The most unusual characteristics throughout human anatomy occur in Modern Humans, argues Trinkaus. 'If we want to better understand human evolution, we should be asking why Modern Humans are so unusual, not why the Neandertals are divergent. Modern Humans, for example, are the only people who lack brow ridges. We are the only ones who have seriously shortened faces. We are the only ones with very reduced internal nasal cavities. We also have a number of detailed features of the limb skeleton that are unique."
obivously
modern humans
are genetic hybrids
of aliens and
native earth creatures
obviously
"The most unusual characteristics throughout human anatomy occur in Modern Humans, argues Trinkaus. 'If we want to better understand human evolution, we should be asking why Modern Humans are so unusual, not why the Neandertals are divergent. Modern Humans, for example, are the only people who lack brow ridges. We are the only ones who have seriously shortened faces. We are the only ones with very reduced internal nasal cavities. We also have a number of detailed features of the limb skeleton that are unique."
obivously
modern humans
are genetic hybrids
of aliens and
native earth creatures
obviously
FIle under: Ron is Right
REAL ART (and politics and culture):
"I know what I'm going to do the next time somebody in my presence negatively criticizes sexuality or nudity: I'm going to call him a big dumb cunt-face."
"I know what I'm going to do the next time somebody in my presence negatively criticizes sexuality or nudity: I'm going to call him a big dumb cunt-face."
Sunday, September 10, 2006
MIKE OEMING DISCUSSES HIS OMEGA FLIGHT PLAN - NEWSARAMA
MIKE OEMING DISCUSSES HIS OMEGA FLIGHT PLAN - NEWSARAMA:
"Mark thought that out of Civil War, there would be those heroes who for one reason or another, did not fit on either side, either because they became fugitives or they hated what’s happened to their superhero culture, or they were being deported, all kinds of reasons. But 'running to Canada Vietnam style' was never in the picture. There will be characters like that, but they wouldn't be in Flight, you don’t put cowards on your team."
Yeah, cause everyone who dodged the draft, is a pacifist, or against war must be a coward.
"Mark thought that out of Civil War, there would be those heroes who for one reason or another, did not fit on either side, either because they became fugitives or they hated what’s happened to their superhero culture, or they were being deported, all kinds of reasons. But 'running to Canada Vietnam style' was never in the picture. There will be characters like that, but they wouldn't be in Flight, you don’t put cowards on your team."
Yeah, cause everyone who dodged the draft, is a pacifist, or against war must be a coward.
it's been a while
since I've had dealings
with the devil
but I'm pretty sure
he poured
the second glass
of champagne
and is currently
making the room
spin
and
the naseua
naseaute...
grrr...
with the devil
but I'm pretty sure
he poured
the second glass
of champagne
and is currently
making the room
spin
and
the naseua
naseaute...
grrr...
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Boing Boing: A Directory of Wonderful Things
Boing Boing: A Directory of Wonderful Things:
"The last captive thylacine died in the Hobart Zoo on September 7, 1936. Today in Australia, the day is now known as “Threatened Species Day.” Ten years ago it was known as “National Thylacine Day.”"
the amount of species wiped out in the 20th century makes me angry when I think about it,
which is rarely...
"The last captive thylacine died in the Hobart Zoo on September 7, 1936. Today in Australia, the day is now known as “Threatened Species Day.” Ten years ago it was known as “National Thylacine Day.”"
the amount of species wiped out in the 20th century makes me angry when I think about it,
which is rarely...
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
LBJ Night Before JFK Assassination: "Those SOB's Will Never Embarrass Me Again"
LBJ Night Before JFK Assassination: "Those SOB's Will Never Embarrass Me Again":
"Brown said that in the immediate aftermath of the convention Hunt and Johnson mapped out a strategy to kill Kennedy.
'It was a total political crime and H.L. Hunt really controlled what actually happened to John Kennedy - he and Lyndon Johnson,' said Brown."
"Brown said that in the immediate aftermath of the convention Hunt and Johnson mapped out a strategy to kill Kennedy.
'It was a total political crime and H.L. Hunt really controlled what actually happened to John Kennedy - he and Lyndon Johnson,' said Brown."
Nikola Tesla's 'Black Magic' Touring Car: Tesla's Free Energy Pierce-Arrow | 150th Anniversary of Tesla's Birth | What powered the electric 1931 Pierc
Nikola Tesla's 'Black Magic' Touring Car: Tesla's Free Energy Pierce-Arrow | 150th Anniversary of Tesla's Birth | What powered the electric 1931 Pierce-Arrow?: "As the story goes, Tesla inserted the two metal rods and announced confidently, 'We now have power' and then proceeded to drive the car for a week, 'often at speeds of up to 90 mph.' One account says the motor developed 1,800 rpm and got fairly hot when operating, requiring a cooling fan. The 'converter' box is said to have generated enough electrical energy to also power the lights in a home."
Tesla.
death rays and free energy.
right on.
Tesla.
death rays and free energy.
right on.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
so...
left my phone at the axiom
good thing
otherwise
I'd be
making calls
I have no business
making...
as it is blogging
to avoid
e-mails
I shouldn't send
coming home
instead of going to notsuoh
to avoid saying things
I shouldn't say...
this was not
the night
I had planned.
it never is.
I take this as evidence
that plans are bad
not that mine are faulty...
best laid
aft gang agley
all that.
g'night.
good thing
otherwise
I'd be
making calls
I have no business
making...
as it is blogging
to avoid
e-mails
I shouldn't send
coming home
instead of going to notsuoh
to avoid saying things
I shouldn't say...
this was not
the night
I had planned.
it never is.
I take this as evidence
that plans are bad
not that mine are faulty...
best laid
aft gang agley
all that.
g'night.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Spacetaker.org | Culture when you want it.
Spacetaker.org | Culture when you want it.:
"Yes, we love Speeding Motorcycle too but it can't go on forever! So come on down to Axiom this Saturday, Sept. 2nd and say goodbye to happiest sad show in Houston theater history. The play is sold out but afterwards (round 9:30pm) we'll reopen the doors to the public and you can see the Speeding Motorcycle band rock out with some good old Daniel Johnston tunes. Stick around to catch the inspiration of it all playing with his new band, Danny and the Nightmares!
It's fun! It's free! And there's beer! Yay!"
C'mon by for the celebration!
"Yes, we love Speeding Motorcycle too but it can't go on forever! So come on down to Axiom this Saturday, Sept. 2nd and say goodbye to happiest sad show in Houston theater history. The play is sold out but afterwards (round 9:30pm) we'll reopen the doors to the public and you can see the Speeding Motorcycle band rock out with some good old Daniel Johnston tunes. Stick around to catch the inspiration of it all playing with his new band, Danny and the Nightmares!
It's fun! It's free! And there's beer! Yay!"
C'mon by for the celebration!
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
hey liittle girl...
would you like to buy some candy?
listening to the oldies station
on satellite radio
makes me a little freaked
out
about how many songs from
the 50's are about dead teenagers
or inappropriate relationships
with young girls...
what is the world coming to?
listening to the oldies station
on satellite radio
makes me a little freaked
out
about how many songs from
the 50's are about dead teenagers
or inappropriate relationships
with young girls...
what is the world coming to?
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Daily Kos: The difference between Progressives and Liberals
Daily Kos: The difference between Progressives and Liberals:
"While liberalism emerged in the Northeast and among the more enlightened industrialists (who believed they were building a better world), a second political movement emerged in the Midwest. There were a number of individuals involved in the birth of the Progressive movement, but I will attempt to explain through the activities of John Dewey and Jane Addams because I know them best and it is easiest for me. Dewey was also a Pragmatist but his perspective was a little different from the one that developed in New England (even though he was originally from Vermont). Dewey developed an approach that has been called Instrumental Pragmatism. He concentrated on the actual problem solving and the way humans lives could be improved by improving their problem solving. The idea that Dewey believed human lives could be improved as a whole, and not just problem to problem, is critical. Dewey also believed that there was no line to be drawn between the philosophical, the political, and education. "
Recently had someone tell me we needed to reclaim the word liberal...
didn't like it when I called myself a progressive.
"While liberalism emerged in the Northeast and among the more enlightened industrialists (who believed they were building a better world), a second political movement emerged in the Midwest. There were a number of individuals involved in the birth of the Progressive movement, but I will attempt to explain through the activities of John Dewey and Jane Addams because I know them best and it is easiest for me. Dewey was also a Pragmatist but his perspective was a little different from the one that developed in New England (even though he was originally from Vermont). Dewey developed an approach that has been called Instrumental Pragmatism. He concentrated on the actual problem solving and the way humans lives could be improved by improving their problem solving. The idea that Dewey believed human lives could be improved as a whole, and not just problem to problem, is critical. Dewey also believed that there was no line to be drawn between the philosophical, the political, and education. "
Recently had someone tell me we needed to reclaim the word liberal...
didn't like it when I called myself a progressive.
Copyfight: the politics of IP
Copyfight: the politics of IP: "According to a December 2005 entry in the blog Alas, there are translators and publishers who would love to re-do the translation and, presumably, correct these and other errors. However, the current publisher (Knopf) has the exclusive English-language rights locked up until the book goes into the public domain - in 2056. They are also supposedly refusing both to do an updated transation themselves, and to allow anyone else to publish one."
Once again intellectual property rights protects the actual "property" itself.
This is pretty disgusting.
Once again intellectual property rights protects the actual "property" itself.
This is pretty disgusting.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Blood on the tracks - The Boston Globe
Blood on the tracks - The Boston Globe:
"Greene and his colleagues described the finding as a partial victory for David Hume, the British philosopher who wrote that reason was a ``slave to the emotions.' But more precisely, they described moral decision-making as a process in which reason and emotion duke it out within the mind. The finding, they added, was also a blow to older theories of human development, which held that as we become adults, we stop making moral decisions with our emotions, as children do."
All you people who do mean things because they are rational. Well, yr just mean.
"Greene and his colleagues described the finding as a partial victory for David Hume, the British philosopher who wrote that reason was a ``slave to the emotions.' But more precisely, they described moral decision-making as a process in which reason and emotion duke it out within the mind. The finding, they added, was also a blow to older theories of human development, which held that as we become adults, we stop making moral decisions with our emotions, as children do."
All you people who do mean things because they are rational. Well, yr just mean.
aynart.com --- kid ornery presents the adding machine
Ayn's got her page up from "the adding machine"!!!
aynart.com --- kid ornery presents the adding machine
go check out all the great pics!!
aynart.com --- kid ornery presents the adding machine
go check out all the great pics!!
Sunday, August 27, 2006
dialogue - influences obvious
A: Suspicion?
B: No.
Confirmation.
A: Type?
B: Visual.
Saw them.
A: Saw them what.
B: Together.
Saw them together.
A: You?
B: No.
Ben.
A: Motive?
B: Motive?
A: Ben's? Motive for seeing? telling? describing?
B: Truth?
A: Truth. Truth's no motive.
B: Motive?
A: Motive?
B: Yours. Yours in questioning - implying his.
A: Questioning yes.
Implying no.
Must alway question.
B: Thus, questioning yours -
Motive?
Study questions:
1. There are at least 4 (possibly 5) people in this story.
Who is the most fucked?
The least?
2. Is there always a motive for speech? always a motive for action?
when are these motive suspect? and when are they not?
3. Do you trust the advice of others in regards to decisions most dear?
if so, do you examine their motives? their reasons for you to live your life
a certain way?
4. Do you think Ben really saw what he says he saw?
if not why not?
what possible motives could he have for relaying what he did or did not see to B?
5. What motive could A have for impugning Ben's integrity? for making B wonder if Ben had an ulterior motive?
6. There are no wrong answers, which makes it unlikely that there are any right answers...
which pretty much mean we're fucked...
this isn't really a question is it?
well, comes to terms with this idea, in language - that sounds like you couuld get an essay out of it...
so there.
:P
Kid Ornery
B: No.
Confirmation.
A: Type?
B: Visual.
Saw them.
A: Saw them what.
B: Together.
Saw them together.
A: You?
B: No.
Ben.
A: Motive?
B: Motive?
A: Ben's? Motive for seeing? telling? describing?
B: Truth?
A: Truth. Truth's no motive.
B: Motive?
A: Motive?
B: Yours. Yours in questioning - implying his.
A: Questioning yes.
Implying no.
Must alway question.
B: Thus, questioning yours -
Motive?
Study questions:
1. There are at least 4 (possibly 5) people in this story.
Who is the most fucked?
The least?
2. Is there always a motive for speech? always a motive for action?
when are these motive suspect? and when are they not?
3. Do you trust the advice of others in regards to decisions most dear?
if so, do you examine their motives? their reasons for you to live your life
a certain way?
4. Do you think Ben really saw what he says he saw?
if not why not?
what possible motives could he have for relaying what he did or did not see to B?
5. What motive could A have for impugning Ben's integrity? for making B wonder if Ben had an ulterior motive?
6. There are no wrong answers, which makes it unlikely that there are any right answers...
which pretty much mean we're fucked...
this isn't really a question is it?
well, comes to terms with this idea, in language - that sounds like you couuld get an essay out of it...
so there.
:P
Kid Ornery
what are you gonna do when the ax falls?
today
work
then
speeding motorcycle
made my worst screw up yet
(yes, worse than falling off the stage)
walked out with my horn,
when I should have been empty handed...
("startling facts" for those what know the show...)
got through it
then the last misfires gig (till the next one)
and then rudz
and then notsuoh
lots of whiskey
and tomorrow (or is that today?)
Stanford Meisner studies
no TDU (bass player burgled again)
and hopefully early to bed...
best thing to come from tonight
is maybe a new addition
to the playtime sessions...
we'll see.
M
work
then
speeding motorcycle
made my worst screw up yet
(yes, worse than falling off the stage)
walked out with my horn,
when I should have been empty handed...
("startling facts" for those what know the show...)
got through it
then the last misfires gig (till the next one)
and then rudz
and then notsuoh
lots of whiskey
and tomorrow (or is that today?)
Stanford Meisner studies
no TDU (bass player burgled again)
and hopefully early to bed...
best thing to come from tonight
is maybe a new addition
to the playtime sessions...
we'll see.
M
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
light blogging
working in candy store
searching for bike tubes
and fighting off the lizard men
seem to be taking
all my time
sorry
had a long post
about alienation
tribes
music
branding
isolation
entertainment
and aging...
but it got lost
somewhere
between
the blow-pops
and the tootsie rolls.
searching for bike tubes
and fighting off the lizard men
seem to be taking
all my time
sorry
had a long post
about alienation
tribes
music
branding
isolation
entertainment
and aging...
but it got lost
somewhere
between
the blow-pops
and the tootsie rolls.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
tonight
#'s
I am neither the oldest
nor the squarest
person in the room.
At first lots of folks
I recognize
but nobody I know...
one girl -
blonde bob,
long legs,
short skirt,
dancing early
nobody else
on the floor
I wouldn't say
all eyes on her,
but a certain number
for sure.
anyway,
once the floor begins to fill
she goes and sits down -
in one of the only permanent spots
of light in the whole club.
Once the club really
got crowded -
she disappeared completely.
Later - a brunette
"did you just direct a play?
have a fundraiser at your house?
I was there.
I'm a friend of Julie's.
Loved the show."
chat for a bit -
pleasant enough.
Then run into
Jim TDU
and his friend -
big surprise
in the meantime
danced to
or at least heard -
New Order
T. Rex
Devo
Joy Division
Le Tigre
James Brown
David Bowie
Siouxsie and the Banshees
LCD Soundsystem
E.L.O.
The Smiths
The Cure
Depeche Mode
Prince
and more...
dancing
is a celebration -
helps a lot
more than whiskey
although
whiskey helps too
bike ride there
and back
both great.
gonna have to sleep
eventually
i guess
I am neither the oldest
nor the squarest
person in the room.
At first lots of folks
I recognize
but nobody I know...
one girl -
blonde bob,
long legs,
short skirt,
dancing early
nobody else
on the floor
I wouldn't say
all eyes on her,
but a certain number
for sure.
anyway,
once the floor begins to fill
she goes and sits down -
in one of the only permanent spots
of light in the whole club.
Once the club really
got crowded -
she disappeared completely.
Later - a brunette
"did you just direct a play?
have a fundraiser at your house?
I was there.
I'm a friend of Julie's.
Loved the show."
chat for a bit -
pleasant enough.
Then run into
Jim TDU
and his friend -
big surprise
in the meantime
danced to
or at least heard -
New Order
T. Rex
Devo
Joy Division
Le Tigre
James Brown
David Bowie
Siouxsie and the Banshees
LCD Soundsystem
E.L.O.
The Smiths
The Cure
Depeche Mode
Prince
and more...
dancing
is a celebration -
helps a lot
more than whiskey
although
whiskey helps too
bike ride there
and back
both great.
gonna have to sleep
eventually
i guess
Friday, August 18, 2006
Full Contact Concert
Full Contact Concert:
"Two performers are equipped with microphones. One microphone, connected to a stethoscope underneath the scapula of the performer’s back, records the repercussion of the beats hitting his chest. The other microphone, glued to the performer’s chin, records his breath."
Finally, an instrument I don't want...
"Two performers are equipped with microphones. One microphone, connected to a stethoscope underneath the scapula of the performer’s back, records the repercussion of the beats hitting his chest. The other microphone, glued to the performer’s chin, records his breath."
Finally, an instrument I don't want...
The Washington Monthly
The Washington Monthly:
"Sometimes, you see, even the most outlandish conspiracy theories turn out to be true."
I'm on a couple of conspiracy theory mailing lists...
and often the media lags it about 4-6 months.
Many of the stories I read on the list contain
the germs of real news - facts being uncovered -
even if they aren't being put together in
completely conventional ways...
listen to the man in the tin-foil hat!
"Sometimes, you see, even the most outlandish conspiracy theories turn out to be true."
I'm on a couple of conspiracy theory mailing lists...
and often the media lags it about 4-6 months.
Many of the stories I read on the list contain
the germs of real news - facts being uncovered -
even if they aren't being put together in
completely conventional ways...
listen to the man in the tin-foil hat!
meanwhile...the skies turn red
birds just falling out of trees
two in our yard
one down the street
tom calls the city
they say
"we need to test their brains
but they need to be fresh
so get one as soon as they fall
out of the tree and put it
in a ziplock in the freezer
and call us back."
and we'll just hope
whatever made them
fall out of the tree
isn't something you can
catch from picking them
up and putting them
in a ziplock bag in your freezer.
pretty sure I don't want
mysterious dead bird
next to my frozen pizzas...
maybe in a styrofoam cooler,
on the porch.
two in our yard
one down the street
tom calls the city
they say
"we need to test their brains
but they need to be fresh
so get one as soon as they fall
out of the tree and put it
in a ziplock in the freezer
and call us back."
and we'll just hope
whatever made them
fall out of the tree
isn't something you can
catch from picking them
up and putting them
in a ziplock bag in your freezer.
pretty sure I don't want
mysterious dead bird
next to my frozen pizzas...
maybe in a styrofoam cooler,
on the porch.
Daily Kos: The Right Not to Pray In School
Daily Kos: The Right Not to Pray In School:
"But how far does the right not to pray go, and what does it require? Is the onus upon the students choosing not to participate? If the voluntary, student-led prayer is allowed, then the non-participating students have two options: stay and just don't listen, or leave the room until the prayer is finished. I know from experience that neither option is all that comfortable for the non-participating students, in part because both options make them stand out for their non-participation. And the second option almost seems like the classroom, and the even the school itself, belongs less to them than it does to the religious majority.
Should they have to leave the room or sit there and 'not listen'? The only other option would be not to allow the prayer at all, and that would likely incense the religious majority, which could mean more negative consequences for those in the religious minority, if they are identified as such and associated with the prohibition in the minds of the religious minority. You only have to look at the what happened to the Dobrich to see that.
In a way, the stories of both families are kind of a reflection of the situation faced by religious minorities (including the non-religious) right about now. Just like with the school situation, if America is a 'Christian nation,' what's the status of non-christians and non-believers? To what degree is this our country too? Or does it primarily belong to the religious majority? And does that mean that in order to keep some semblance of peace, the rest of us must 'not look' and 'not listen'? And as religion becomes more and more a part of public life, and increasingly informs policy, what does that mean for the citizenship of the non-religious and religious minorities?"
It means as a humanist parent you teach kids to why you are a humanist and what that means. You make sure they understand they have freedom of belief and action.
You explain that when people pray around you it doesn't bother you, but you don't pretend to participate. You quietly go about your business and let them pray. You can listen. Listening to a prayer and saying a prayer are two different things. When someone leads a prayer if you are praying with them it is as if you are saying those words too. Just listening to someone say a prayer is not praying. If it is appropriate to have kids singing songs about Jesus, it is certainly appropriate to teach them agnosticism, atheism, or humanism.
We had just a few Jehovah's Witnesses in our school system growing up. They never had a problem not saying the pledge, or not participating in holiday parties, at least no problem that they showed. They knew and understood what they believed,
and what they believed didn't seem any crazier to me than any other story that starts with a virgin birth and ends with a resurrection.
Anyway, what I'd have to say is that non-Christian kids just have to toughen up - there is no excuse for what happened in this case. Nobody should be thrown out of a public school activity because they won't pray. But kids who don't wanna pray or pray a different way should just do their thing knowing that living your beliefs is important.
"But how far does the right not to pray go, and what does it require? Is the onus upon the students choosing not to participate? If the voluntary, student-led prayer is allowed, then the non-participating students have two options: stay and just don't listen, or leave the room until the prayer is finished. I know from experience that neither option is all that comfortable for the non-participating students, in part because both options make them stand out for their non-participation. And the second option almost seems like the classroom, and the even the school itself, belongs less to them than it does to the religious majority.
Should they have to leave the room or sit there and 'not listen'? The only other option would be not to allow the prayer at all, and that would likely incense the religious majority, which could mean more negative consequences for those in the religious minority, if they are identified as such and associated with the prohibition in the minds of the religious minority. You only have to look at the what happened to the Dobrich to see that.
In a way, the stories of both families are kind of a reflection of the situation faced by religious minorities (including the non-religious) right about now. Just like with the school situation, if America is a 'Christian nation,' what's the status of non-christians and non-believers? To what degree is this our country too? Or does it primarily belong to the religious majority? And does that mean that in order to keep some semblance of peace, the rest of us must 'not look' and 'not listen'? And as religion becomes more and more a part of public life, and increasingly informs policy, what does that mean for the citizenship of the non-religious and religious minorities?"
It means as a humanist parent you teach kids to why you are a humanist and what that means. You make sure they understand they have freedom of belief and action.
You explain that when people pray around you it doesn't bother you, but you don't pretend to participate. You quietly go about your business and let them pray. You can listen. Listening to a prayer and saying a prayer are two different things. When someone leads a prayer if you are praying with them it is as if you are saying those words too. Just listening to someone say a prayer is not praying. If it is appropriate to have kids singing songs about Jesus, it is certainly appropriate to teach them agnosticism, atheism, or humanism.
We had just a few Jehovah's Witnesses in our school system growing up. They never had a problem not saying the pledge, or not participating in holiday parties, at least no problem that they showed. They knew and understood what they believed,
and what they believed didn't seem any crazier to me than any other story that starts with a virgin birth and ends with a resurrection.
Anyway, what I'd have to say is that non-Christian kids just have to toughen up - there is no excuse for what happened in this case. Nobody should be thrown out of a public school activity because they won't pray. But kids who don't wanna pray or pray a different way should just do their thing knowing that living your beliefs is important.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
The Austin Chronicle Music: The B-Side
The Austin Chronicle Music: The B-Side:
"'We've gotten a tremendously great response from audiences – ones who are very familiar with Daniel's stuff and ones who didn't know who he was when they walked in the door,' Nodler says. 'And Daniel just loves it. After he saw it the first time … one of the company members walked up to him and said, 'What did you think, Daniel?' And he said, 'That was great! I loved it! We should make a video tape of it and sell it, so we can remember it forever.'' There's hope for an Austin production of the original opera sometime next year, but for now the play shows Thursday through Saturday, 8pm, through Sept. 2. 'This is a departure for me,' Nodler adds. 'It's the most uplifting thing that I've ever worked on. Everyone is having this reaction to the show. It's like vitamins for the soul.' For tickets, call 713/522-8443."
have you made yr reservation yet?
"'We've gotten a tremendously great response from audiences – ones who are very familiar with Daniel's stuff and ones who didn't know who he was when they walked in the door,' Nodler says. 'And Daniel just loves it. After he saw it the first time … one of the company members walked up to him and said, 'What did you think, Daniel?' And he said, 'That was great! I loved it! We should make a video tape of it and sell it, so we can remember it forever.'' There's hope for an Austin production of the original opera sometime next year, but for now the play shows Thursday through Saturday, 8pm, through Sept. 2. 'This is a departure for me,' Nodler adds. 'It's the most uplifting thing that I've ever worked on. Everyone is having this reaction to the show. It's like vitamins for the soul.' For tickets, call 713/522-8443."
have you made yr reservation yet?
Monday, August 14, 2006
Grotowski Statement of Principles
Grotowski Statement of Principles:
"IV
An actor can only be guided and inspired by someone who is whole-hearted in his creative activity. The producer, while guiding and inspiring the actor, must at the same time allow himself to be guided and inspired by him- it is a question of freedom, partnership, and this does not imply a lack of discipline but a respect for the autonomy of others. Respect for the actor's autonomy does not mean lawlessness, lack of demands, never ending discussions and the replacement of action by continuous streams of words. On the contrary, respect for autonomy means enormous demands, the expectation of a maximum creative effort and the most personal revelation. Understood thus, solicitude for the actor's freedom can only be born from the plenitude of the guide and not from his lack of plenitude. Such a lack implies imposition, dictatorship, superficial dressage."
yeah, what he said.
"IV
An actor can only be guided and inspired by someone who is whole-hearted in his creative activity. The producer, while guiding and inspiring the actor, must at the same time allow himself to be guided and inspired by him- it is a question of freedom, partnership, and this does not imply a lack of discipline but a respect for the autonomy of others. Respect for the actor's autonomy does not mean lawlessness, lack of demands, never ending discussions and the replacement of action by continuous streams of words. On the contrary, respect for autonomy means enormous demands, the expectation of a maximum creative effort and the most personal revelation. Understood thus, solicitude for the actor's freedom can only be born from the plenitude of the guide and not from his lack of plenitude. Such a lack implies imposition, dictatorship, superficial dressage."
yeah, what he said.
What is Left? What is Right?
What is Left? What is Right?:
"Skeptical conservatives—one of the Right’s less celebrated subcultures—are conservatives because of their skepticism, not in spite of it. They ground their ideas in rational thinking and (nonreligious) moral argument. And the conservative movement is crippling itself by leaning too heavily on religion to the exclusion of these temperamentally compatible allies."
I know there is a lot of talk of getting the Godfolk on the left more active and organized, but I'd be a lot more comfortable if the humanists on the right would stand up and get involved too...
then maybe we could look across the aisle and have a rational discussion with folks we disagree with...
"Skeptical conservatives—one of the Right’s less celebrated subcultures—are conservatives because of their skepticism, not in spite of it. They ground their ideas in rational thinking and (nonreligious) moral argument. And the conservative movement is crippling itself by leaning too heavily on religion to the exclusion of these temperamentally compatible allies."
I know there is a lot of talk of getting the Godfolk on the left more active and organized, but I'd be a lot more comfortable if the humanists on the right would stand up and get involved too...
then maybe we could look across the aisle and have a rational discussion with folks we disagree with...
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