Find the non-word in this article.
See, I don't just call other people Nazis.
Edit: Mea culpa. Apparently adaption is a word. Doesn't mean I have to like it, though.
Why Just Respond When You Can Post?
I was working on a reply to CrackerSnacker's comment in my music post, but it got so long that I figured it deserved its own post.
Probably you haven't heard of a lot of these bands because quite a few of them are Christian groups (and not well known in the Christian industry either).
For example, Earthsuit is a crazy sounding raggae/rap/rock group that's just a lot of fun. They broke up after their first album, Kaleidoscope Superior. The members formed two new groups, Macrosick and Mute Math. (Listening to Earthsuit or looking at their album art or even reading their new band names is a like an acid trip. Or what I assume an acid trip would be like.)
Burlap to Cashmere is an ethnic Latin/Greek/acoustic folk group. (Yes, I like bands that are hard to categorize) Much like Earthsuit, they put out an incredible debut album (Anybody Out There) that was just too different to get a lot of play on mainstream Christian radio. After a bit of industry drama, their label fell through and the band died out. Steven Delopoulos was their lead singer who now has an amazing solo album called Me Died Blue. If you have any experience with Cat Stevens or other '70's singer-songwriter types, you'll like him.
Relient K is just a fun pop-punk band. Lately pop-punk has become a whipping boy for music critics because it has gained a teeny-bopper following. Relient K is much better than that. Fun music and witty lyrics that really have something deep to say. Their breakout album was the hilarious Anatomy of the Tongue and Cheek. Their latest, which is also great, is called mmhmm.
Rich Mullins may well be the greatest songwriter in Christian music. A good sample of his sound would be the album Songs. He died about 7 or 8 years ago, but had an some unfinished demos for an album called The Jesus Album. They are rough sounding tape recordings that have been remastered to CD, but they're great.
The Benedictine Monks I mentioned are just that, monks doing chants in Latin. Their album is called Chant Noel. It's great music to put on in the background.
Other than that, the only song people probably haven't heard of is Concrete Girl by Switchfoot. It comes from The Legend of Chin their first album (no, The Beatiful Letdown wasn't their first album). A lot of people consider it their best work. I'm not sure I can go that far. All of their albums are so solid that it's hard to pick a favorite.
Probably you haven't heard of a lot of these bands because quite a few of them are Christian groups (and not well known in the Christian industry either).
For example, Earthsuit is a crazy sounding raggae/rap/rock group that's just a lot of fun. They broke up after their first album, Kaleidoscope Superior. The members formed two new groups, Macrosick and Mute Math. (Listening to Earthsuit or looking at their album art or even reading their new band names is a like an acid trip. Or what I assume an acid trip would be like.)
Burlap to Cashmere is an ethnic Latin/Greek/acoustic folk group. (Yes, I like bands that are hard to categorize) Much like Earthsuit, they put out an incredible debut album (Anybody Out There) that was just too different to get a lot of play on mainstream Christian radio. After a bit of industry drama, their label fell through and the band died out. Steven Delopoulos was their lead singer who now has an amazing solo album called Me Died Blue. If you have any experience with Cat Stevens or other '70's singer-songwriter types, you'll like him.
Relient K is just a fun pop-punk band. Lately pop-punk has become a whipping boy for music critics because it has gained a teeny-bopper following. Relient K is much better than that. Fun music and witty lyrics that really have something deep to say. Their breakout album was the hilarious Anatomy of the Tongue and Cheek. Their latest, which is also great, is called mmhmm.
Rich Mullins may well be the greatest songwriter in Christian music. A good sample of his sound would be the album Songs. He died about 7 or 8 years ago, but had an some unfinished demos for an album called The Jesus Album. They are rough sounding tape recordings that have been remastered to CD, but they're great.
The Benedictine Monks I mentioned are just that, monks doing chants in Latin. Their album is called Chant Noel. It's great music to put on in the background.
Other than that, the only song people probably haven't heard of is Concrete Girl by Switchfoot. It comes from The Legend of Chin their first album (no, The Beatiful Letdown wasn't their first album). A lot of people consider it their best work. I'm not sure I can go that far. All of their albums are so solid that it's hard to pick a favorite.
Pray for the Pope
I received this in an email today.
His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, is specifically requesting that we pray for him in the knowledge that his time among us is limited. Please pray an "Our Father" for him; then copy and forward this to as many people around the world as possible. Pope John Paul made this request about 3 weeks ago on praying the Angelus before the pilgrims in St. Peter's Square. At Lourdes a few weeks ago he mentioned being at the end of his pilgrimage.
Online Music Quiz
I found this at thejist.com. Feel free to copy and paste it with your own information.
My Random Top 10 Singles
(this is really random for me. My favorite songs change minute by minute.)
In no particular order:
1) Boulevard of Broken Dreams - Green Day
2) 100 Years- Five for Fighting
3) Fields of Gold - Sting and the Police
4) Daisies and Roses - Burlap to Cashmere
5) All I Want is You - U2
6) Whch to Bury, Us or the Hatchet? - Relient K
7) The Song that Jane Likes - Dave Matthews Band
8) Hard to Get - Rich Mullins
9) Chant Noel - Benedictine Monks
10) Rocky Boat - Steven Delopoulos
What is the total amount of music files on your computer? 1418
The last CD I bought was : How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb - U2
The last song listened to before this message? Said the Sun to the Shine - Earthsuit
Write down five songs you often listen to, or that mean alot to you:
1) Electrical Storm - U2
2) Pig - Dave Matthews Band
3) The One I'm Waiting For - Relient K
4) Brick - Ben Folds
5)Concrete Girl - Switchfoot
There ya go. I did this for you!
My Random Top 10 Singles
(this is really random for me. My favorite songs change minute by minute.)
In no particular order:
1) Boulevard of Broken Dreams - Green Day
2) 100 Years- Five for Fighting
3) Fields of Gold - Sting and the Police
4) Daisies and Roses - Burlap to Cashmere
5) All I Want is You - U2
6) Whch to Bury, Us or the Hatchet? - Relient K
7) The Song that Jane Likes - Dave Matthews Band
8) Hard to Get - Rich Mullins
9) Chant Noel - Benedictine Monks
10) Rocky Boat - Steven Delopoulos
What is the total amount of music files on your computer? 1418
The last CD I bought was : How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb - U2
The last song listened to before this message? Said the Sun to the Shine - Earthsuit
Write down five songs you often listen to, or that mean alot to you:
1) Electrical Storm - U2
2) Pig - Dave Matthews Band
3) The One I'm Waiting For - Relient K
4) Brick - Ben Folds
5)Concrete Girl - Switchfoot
There ya go. I did this for you!
Hey World, Lighten Up!
Dearest World
My love for you is like the grass of the fields, stretching onward in every direction, blowing in the wind just like your beautiful golden locks. I want nothing but the best for you, my love. So I feel I have no choice but to be frank in my words with you.
I have received several emails in the last few days informing me of the horrors of a website that has, like iLazarus, risen from the CyberGrave of EtherDeath. Yes my friends, I mean BonsaiKitten.com.
While I realize many of you out there love cats (and that might also be the same mental defect that makes you want to send me forwarded emails), there is no reason to worry. BonsaiKitten.com is a joke. I think anyone who actually reads the site would be tipped off by many things, including this piece of "news", which I quote here (portions that should indicate that this is a joke are bolded):
"
If that doesn't make it clear enough, look at their link logo. Does this look like the product of real commercial site?
I understand that humans have a natural desire to change the world, to do something good for others. But Bonsai Kittens need your help just about as much as the endangered purple peanut-eating platypus. Meaning not at all, because they don't exist. If you are looking for a way to help, there are many worthy causes.
Right to Life
Red Cross Tsunami Relief
Repairers of the Breach (Milwaukee)
The "Pay for Aaron's College Education" Fund
Until we meet again,
Aaron
My love for you is like the grass of the fields, stretching onward in every direction, blowing in the wind just like your beautiful golden locks. I want nothing but the best for you, my love. So I feel I have no choice but to be frank in my words with you.
I have received several emails in the last few days informing me of the horrors of a website that has, like iLazarus, risen from the CyberGrave of EtherDeath. Yes my friends, I mean BonsaiKitten.com.
While I realize many of you out there love cats (and that might also be the same mental defect that makes you want to send me forwarded emails), there is no reason to worry. BonsaiKitten.com is a joke. I think anyone who actually reads the site would be tipped off by many things, including this piece of "news", which I quote here (portions that should indicate that this is a joke are bolded):
"
News Flash! Bonsai Kittens save your brain!
Recent research, reported in The Scotsman and other news corporations, shows that the keeping of unmodified cats puts people at risk of a host of debilitating mental disorders:
US scientists have found evidence that cats really do drive people mad.
Researchers from Baltimore's Johns Hopkins University say their findings show keeping a furry pet can lead to schizophrenia, manic depression and even permanent brain damage.
Dr Robert Yolken and his colleague, Dr Fuller Torrey, who have conducted years of tests, believe a parasite found in cat faeces called toxoplasma gondii infects the human brain.
Worryingly, pregnant women who contract the parasite, can transmit it to the foetus, with devastating effects on brain development.
No doubt this explains the crank e-mail we sometimes receive!
The integral waste management systems of Bonsai Kittens, of course, prevent their owners from ever having to come into direct contact with the cats' feces, thus protecting them from harm. Your mental health is one of the most precious gifts you have -- don't you owe it to yourself and your family to make the switch to a Bonsai Kitten today? As a public service in response to this newly-discovered health risk, for a limited time we will be offering free disposal of your dangerous old cat with each purchase of a Bonsai Kitten -- please contact us for drop-off details.
"
If that doesn't make it clear enough, look at their link logo. Does this look like the product of real commercial site?
I understand that humans have a natural desire to change the world, to do something good for others. But Bonsai Kittens need your help just about as much as the endangered purple peanut-eating platypus. Meaning not at all, because they don't exist. If you are looking for a way to help, there are many worthy causes.
Right to Life
Red Cross Tsunami Relief
Repairers of the Breach (Milwaukee)
The "Pay for Aaron's College Education" Fund
Until we meet again,
Aaron
100 Years- Five for Fighting
To quote Peter Griffin, this song is freakin' sweet.
Listen to it in the music section of Five for Fighting.com.
The lyrics are amazing. (Thanks, lyrics007.com.) He describes a man thinking about being a teenager as he literally journeys through his life. He describes important stages of life as he reaches them.
What really makes the song is the way the melody and the lyrics work together. The bridge is a great example:
Half time goes by (A)
Suddenly you're wise (A)
Another blink of an eye (A)
67 is gone (B)
The sun is getting high (A)
We're moving on... (B)
The first three lines build as they repeat practically the same tune and rhyme scheme (A). Then the rhyme changes (B) as well as the melody of the line. The fourth line goes back to the A rhyme and tune, building to climax. It lets off all that steam with the slow, almost sad "We're moving on…" (Thanks to Paul for pointing out the bridge to me.)
So in conclusion, (as I try my hardest to make this sound like it was written by a 4th grader) this is a great song. Give it a good hard listen.
Would I lie to you?
iSpecialists
I'm on hold with Apple's Apple Care tech support team right now. This funky music is making me want to dance. If I had an iPod, I would cha cha like a fool right now. Of course, if I had an iPod I wouldn't be talking to these tech support guys.
I wish they would just admit that it's broken and needs to be repaired or (preferably) replaced. I don'think resetting it for the 5th time will get us anywhere we haven't already been.
I wish they would just admit that it's broken and needs to be repaired or (preferably) replaced. I don'think resetting it for the 5th time will get us anywhere we haven't already been.
Ladies and Gentlemen…Cory!
| My good friend Cory started a blog of his own. It's at IntelWarrior.blogspot.com.
Everybody give Cory a nice round of applause and click over to his page. Kermit won't be happy if you don't. And I won't be happy unless I post enought text to make this table line up without too much white space. This is enough. | 
|
|
| Introducing…!
|
What Did I Do Before My iPod?
All over the world, life is hard. In Indonesia people are recovering from losing everything in the tsunami. In India children are starving in the streets. People are killed by wars and oppressive regimes. And yet, here is my whiny little post.
I miss my iPod. How did I go 19 years of my life without one? What accompanied me on long walks to and from classes and between buildings at night? And yet, only a month after I bought it, my iPod is, for all intents and purposes, dead. It still has battery power and plugs properly into my computer. The hard drive is still spinning as usual but it can't receive commands from me, its master. The scroll wheel and clicker buttons are kaput. I have to send it in to Apple Care, where they will probably keep it for a month, tinker with it until it works then charge me return shipping to get it back. In the mean time I will walk these empty streets on the boulevard of broken technologies. It is a lonely road but it's the only one I've ever known.
I miss my iPod. How did I go 19 years of my life without one? What accompanied me on long walks to and from classes and between buildings at night? And yet, only a month after I bought it, my iPod is, for all intents and purposes, dead. It still has battery power and plugs properly into my computer. The hard drive is still spinning as usual but it can't receive commands from me, its master. The scroll wheel and clicker buttons are kaput. I have to send it in to Apple Care, where they will probably keep it for a month, tinker with it until it works then charge me return shipping to get it back. In the mean time I will walk these empty streets on the boulevard of broken technologies. It is a lonely road but it's the only one I've ever known.
I've Got Plenty of Time!
Over a billion seconds!
Sadly, I will be outlived by Britney Spears
Thanks to DeathClock.com
PS, I googled Britney Spears, hoping to put picture on this post. Unfortunately, all the pictures Google turned up on the first page were fairly inappropriate for my target audience (non-perverts), so I gave up. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Sadly, I will be outlived by Britney Spears
Thanks to DeathClock.com
PS, I googled Britney Spears, hoping to put picture on this post. Unfortunately, all the pictures Google turned up on the first page were fairly inappropriate for my target audience (non-perverts), so I gave up. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Spring 2005!
Dave Matthews Band is putting out a new studio album in Spring 2005, according to the appropriately named dmbnewstudioalbum.com. There's not much there now, but more will come. Supposedly, someone hacked the site and found the next update. I haven't seen it yet, but there is a link in the discussion on AntsMarching.org's forums.
All Rise! Higher, Please!
I just accidentally bought two pairs of medium-rise mens' pants. I didn't even realize there was such thing as medium-rise pants. At least until I put them on. Then I realized pretty quickly that they were a little tight around the, um, "inseam region."
What is the idea behind low-rise mens's pants (there were some of those at the store too)? Please help. I'm not being rhetorical. I'm really stumped.
What is the idea behind low-rise mens's pants (there were some of those at the store too)? Please help. I'm not being rhetorical. I'm really stumped.
Since We're Taking Quizzes…
Are you a music nerd? I know you tell yourself that when you look in the mirror in the morning. But do you have the guts to find out if it's really true? If so, click here.
I scored a 24.6%. Apparently that's good enough to make me a "Total Music Nerd."
I scored a 24.6%. Apparently that's good enough to make me a "Total Music Nerd."
Thanks a Lot, Sharkey
He said it was the worst personality quiz ever and he was right.
Let's see… one right (you know which one, smart aleck!) The rest are all either "no" or "I hope not."
Sorry about the grandkids, mom!
Let's see… one right (you know which one, smart aleck!) The rest are all either "no" or "I hope not."
Sorry about the grandkids, mom!
I Got a New Toothbrush
Yes, after being sick for the last 24 hours, I decided my toothbrush probably wasn't fit to be put in my mouth again. It's always sad to take Old Yeller back to the trash can in the bathroom, but I swallowed my emotion (and a big gulp of Scope to calm my nerves) and put it down.
My new toothbrush is very complicated. I'm used to the thin white bristles. I'm also used to the thin colored bristles. What I can't get used to are the thick rubber fingers that are attached to the head of the toothbrush. I was confused until I read the label of my toothbrush package. It said the rubber fingers were for "massaging" my gums. Maybe I'm missing something, but I have no idea why my gums need to be massaged at all. Do they do any work? They don't hold my teeth in. That's the job of the periondontal ligament. (Most scientist refer to it as "the teeth holder thingy." Most people from Arkansas refer to it as "the tooth holder thingy.") In fact, my gums are a lot like Vanna White. Sure, they touch the white squares, but what do they actually do? Nothing! They're just there for show.
If we're going to be working massagers into random hygiene products, I can think of better ones. Take deodorant for example. Wouldn't it be great to go to work every morning knowing not only that you smell fresh, but also that that special "getting tickled by midgets" feeling would last all day too?
Or Dr. Scholl's(©) shoe pads. You'll never want to take your shoes off again! And it would be better for everyone else if you didn't.
My new toothbrush is very complicated. I'm used to the thin white bristles. I'm also used to the thin colored bristles. What I can't get used to are the thick rubber fingers that are attached to the head of the toothbrush. I was confused until I read the label of my toothbrush package. It said the rubber fingers were for "massaging" my gums. Maybe I'm missing something, but I have no idea why my gums need to be massaged at all. Do they do any work? They don't hold my teeth in. That's the job of the periondontal ligament. (Most scientist refer to it as "the teeth holder thingy." Most people from Arkansas refer to it as "the tooth holder thingy.") In fact, my gums are a lot like Vanna White. Sure, they touch the white squares, but what do they actually do? Nothing! They're just there for show.
If we're going to be working massagers into random hygiene products, I can think of better ones. Take deodorant for example. Wouldn't it be great to go to work every morning knowing not only that you smell fresh, but also that that special "getting tickled by midgets" feeling would last all day too?
Or Dr. Scholl's(©) shoe pads. You'll never want to take your shoes off again! And it would be better for everyone else if you didn't.
Red Pill, Red Hat
I just saw a guy who looked like Morpheus walking down the street. He was big and tough looking and he even had similar sunglasses. But he was wearing a Santa hat!
+ 
= Weird.
+ = Weird.
Lap pillows. They don't go on your lap--they are a lap.
Latest News on Eagles/Warriors
Thanks to Tommy for writing this excellent opinion piece.
Marquette Board of Trustees reached decision: They are indeed girly-men.
After 6 months of controversey on the debate between Marquette's nickname of the Golden Eagles verses the former nickname of Warriors, the board of trustees finaly came to a decision. They infact decidecd yesterday that they were not going to decide.
One board member was quoted as saying, "I am really too scared to decide. Either way someone will be upset and will probably hurt me. Thats just not the Jesuit ideal."
Spokesmen from groups on all sides of the issues spoke out after the decison of no decision. Students For Warriors supporter Brian Collar was seen toting his big flag chasing down a board member calling him a no good overpaid girly man.
Representatives of the Demonstration for Dignity who were oppossed to the Warriors could not be reached as they were planning their next event. Apparently they are off to defend squirrels in the Marquette area stating that the term "garbage eating rodents" simply is not supporting the squirrels dignity.
Students for Hilltoppers are still yet to be seen.
Man Massacres Nightclub. Journalist Does His Own Job on the English Language
According to nbc41.com.
"It was unclear as to whom shot the alleged gunman."
NO! It was unclear who shot the alleged gunman. "Who" is used when the unknown person is the subject of the sentence. "Whom" is used when the unknown person is the object of the sentence. You could also properly say "It was unclear whom the gunman shot."
An easy test is to insert "he" into the sentence and see if it makes sense. You wouldn't say "It was unclear if him shot the gunman." You could say "It was unclear if he shot the gunman."
Looks like my work here is done.
"It was unclear as to whom shot the alleged gunman."
NO! It was unclear who shot the alleged gunman. "Who" is used when the unknown person is the subject of the sentence. "Whom" is used when the unknown person is the object of the sentence. You could also properly say "It was unclear whom the gunman shot."
An easy test is to insert "he" into the sentence and see if it makes sense. You wouldn't say "It was unclear if him shot the gunman." You could say "It was unclear if he shot the gunman."
Looks like my work here is done.
I Had a Really Funny Image of a Dancing Bear…
…but I can't find it now. I know it's somewhere online so I'll put it right here for you once I've relocated it.
This ESPN Poll is Ridiculous
^Like, yeah, man.
Nice picture, too.
ESPN.com has a poll asking how people feel about the report that Barry Bonds took steroids. They ask some good questions, but their answers are ridiculous. Their options are so extreme that there isn't any room between "I want to lick Barry's shoes clean" and "Burn, Barry, burn."
One questions asks:
"8) How will Barry Bonds be remembered years from now?
•Greatest HR hitter of all-time
•Greatest HR hitter of his era
•Steroid user"
There isn't anywhere for me to put my opinion that he is among the best of all time, but not the greatest. Not even necessarily the best of his era. And there will probably be a bit of a stain on his memory from steroid speculation, but I don't see it keeping him out of the Hall of Fame or anything like that. To use a political metaphor, I think he will be remembered more like Bill Clinton than Richard Nixon.
Here are some reactions to ESPN.com's story.
I'm not sure how long those links will stay up, so if you can't connect to this story in a couple of days, leave a comment and I'll send you your money back.
Nice picture, too.
ESPN.com has a poll asking how people feel about the report that Barry Bonds took steroids. They ask some good questions, but their answers are ridiculous. Their options are so extreme that there isn't any room between "I want to lick Barry's shoes clean" and "Burn, Barry, burn."
One questions asks:
"8) How will Barry Bonds be remembered years from now?
•Greatest HR hitter of all-time
•Greatest HR hitter of his era
•Steroid user"
There isn't anywhere for me to put my opinion that he is among the best of all time, but not the greatest. Not even necessarily the best of his era. And there will probably be a bit of a stain on his memory from steroid speculation, but I don't see it keeping him out of the Hall of Fame or anything like that. To use a political metaphor, I think he will be remembered more like Bill Clinton than Richard Nixon.
Here are some reactions to ESPN.com's story.
I'm not sure how long those links will stay up, so if you can't connect to this story in a couple of days, leave a comment and I'll send you your money back.
Honest, Professor, I Wanted to Do My Homework.
I wasn't in a great mood after my run-in with a bum-with-attitude today. But then, it snowed.
Oh, did it snow.
Oh, how the snow goes.
It snowed on a fox,
And on Kevin Knox,
And even on homeless guys in a box.
No, thank you, Dr. Seuss.
After the Bellarmine meeting, the snow was about half an inch deep. It was fluffy and wet, just like professional snowballers like it. No had even walked on it yet. It was perfectly smooth, pristine and beautiful. Naturally, we jumped right in with a giant snowball fight.
Tom, Becky, Rebecca, Jose and I pelted each other with snowballs for almost half an hour. I had snow in my hair, coat, shirt, shoes and pants. I like to think that I got off lighter than the rest of them.
It was Jose's first actual snowfall (he's from Chile), so he was impressed by the whole thing. We made a snowman. Jose couldn't believe people actually rolled balls of snow on the ground to make snowmen. "I've only seen this on Snoopy!" he said. The snowman had four segments and looked kind of like this. You can guess whe we named her.
After I had to go the library, but the pandemonium continued outside. For two hours students pelted each other with snow. Dan had a water balloon launcher that could shoot snowballs a mile. He was "going artillery-style on their a**es," to quote a source at the scene. I think it could literally knock someone out at short range. Not that we're going to try that tomorrow about 7 o'clock in front of Cobeen.
When I passed the Union, where Mrs. Butterworth had been, she was nowhere to be found. There wasn't even a trace of wreckage. I suspect she was entirely salvaged for snowballs. Hopefully there will be more tomrrow. Not that I'll have time to play in in it, since I didn't do anything tonight.
Now I have to go to bed and get 5 1/2 hours of sleep for class tomorrow.
Oh, did it snow.
Oh, how the snow goes.
It snowed on a fox,
And on Kevin Knox,
And even on homeless guys in a box.
No, thank you, Dr. Seuss.
After the Bellarmine meeting, the snow was about half an inch deep. It was fluffy and wet, just like professional snowballers like it. No had even walked on it yet. It was perfectly smooth, pristine and beautiful. Naturally, we jumped right in with a giant snowball fight.
Tom, Becky, Rebecca, Jose and I pelted each other with snowballs for almost half an hour. I had snow in my hair, coat, shirt, shoes and pants. I like to think that I got off lighter than the rest of them.
It was Jose's first actual snowfall (he's from Chile), so he was impressed by the whole thing. We made a snowman. Jose couldn't believe people actually rolled balls of snow on the ground to make snowmen. "I've only seen this on Snoopy!" he said. The snowman had four segments and looked kind of like this. You can guess whe we named her.
After I had to go the library, but the pandemonium continued outside. For two hours students pelted each other with snow. Dan had a water balloon launcher that could shoot snowballs a mile. He was "going artillery-style on their a**es," to quote a source at the scene. I think it could literally knock someone out at short range. Not that we're going to try that tomorrow about 7 o'clock in front of Cobeen.
When I passed the Union, where Mrs. Butterworth had been, she was nowhere to be found. There wasn't even a trace of wreckage. I suspect she was entirely salvaged for snowballs. Hopefully there will be more tomrrow. Not that I'll have time to play in in it, since I didn't do anything tonight.
Now I have to go to bed and get 5 1/2 hours of sleep for class tomorrow.
We'd Excommunicate Him If We Could
Conversation between a Muslim kid on my floor and the (Catholic priest) chaplain:
Z: "Have you read Orwell?"
Father: "No, I haven't."
Z: "Jeez, Father! What are you good for?"
Z: "Have you read Orwell?"
Father: "No, I haven't."
Z: "Jeez, Father! What are you good for?"
No Habla Español is Ok
The Marquette Chileans have a website. If you speak Spanish you might understand what it says, too.
OpMario.4t.com
OpMario.4t.com
"What You Got, What You Got in Your Hand?" a Father Said to Son
Yes, Mr. Matthews, that is a nice vat of pickles.
Thanks to AntsMarching.org for the link to this photo.
Thanks to AntsMarching.org for the link to this photo.
Jerk Alert!
Read the whole description.
Edit: eBay took it down. It was a guy selling a picture of his computer. Last I checked bidding was around $625.
Edit: eBay took it down. It was a guy selling a picture of his computer. Last I checked bidding was around $625.
Testing, Testing…
I just got FireFox on my computer. If you're still using Internet Explorer, change now!
And to make up for the fact that this is totally wasted post, I'll tell you some late political jokes.
Joke #1
John Kerry walks into a bar. The bartender says, "Hey, why the long face?"
Joke #2 (Thanks to Mr. Packer)
George W. Bush walks into a bar. The bartender says, "Hey, I haven't seen you since 1982!"
And to make up for the fact that this is totally wasted post, I'll tell you some late political jokes.
Joke #1
John Kerry walks into a bar. The bartender says, "Hey, why the long face?"
Joke #2 (Thanks to Mr. Packer)
George W. Bush walks into a bar. The bartender says, "Hey, I haven't seen you since 1982!"
Here, Have Some Cheese With That
With the finalization of the presidential election, the liberal elite is out in full force. There is a small but vocal section of the population that thinks they know what the average American needs better than the average American does. A perfect example is last night (Wednesday November 3)'s episode of The Daily Show.
The tone all night was bitter toward people who voted for Bush. Don't get me wrong, it was fairly funny. But the standard line of thought went something like this: "59 million people voted against the person I voted for. Those people are stupid." At one point, John Stewart concluded that voters must "smoke crack." Then one of his correspondants stated that Bush didn't have "mandate" last term. What the heck is mandate? Is it some kind of permission to act as president? The Constitution says you get to be president when you get a majority of the electoral votes. I doesn't mention "mandate" anywhere. I interpret that to mean that you get all the powers of the presidency whether you win by 2 or 200 electoral votes, but then again, I'm not a Supreme Court justice. Maybe "mandate" is hiding somewhere next to "right to privacy."
I Didn't Even Know They Had They Internet In Small Town New Hampshire
Maybe it should be revoked if they can't think of anything better than this to post.
Hope You're Not Sick of Relient K or All the Songs They Play
Relient K released their new CD mmhmm today. I don't have it yet, but I'm waiting for it to come in the mail. A source who commented on the condition of anonymity* reported that his face was "melted" from being rocked off. We'll see. The Flametroll is ready to rock.
*Sharkey
I Was Thinking Over Thinking
I am in the middle of doing my Java programming homework right now and it's hard as a presidential candidate's hairspray job. Yeah, I'm whining but I know I'm not getting any sympathy here, because I'm stuck in the middle in terms of computer skill. People who don't know computers probably would think I'm some kind of god because I can print strings of insults out on the screen. On the other hand, people who actually code Java are laughing at me because I'm struggling with do-while loops. Right now they are thinking of insults that they can print about me. They will probably not use do-while loops. What a bunch of pansies.
But the point of that explanation is to say that I have no idea why my brain feels so tired. What part of the brain is it that wears out? It doesn't have muscle fibers that break down with wear. I don't picture my noodle being like those huge guys that intimidate me while I work out with my 25 pound weights at the gym (not that I'm dwelling on those muscle bound mouth breathers who. . . ooh, please don't hurt me. Ow, please?) I'm hoping the grey matter can't just start to dissolve. (I do have to blow my nose though. I better weigh my head.) So to find out the science behind this phenomenon, I consulted Dr. Imadeanameup.
According to the good doctor, scientists have studied the effects of concentrated effort on the brain, but haven't yet come to any conclusions. Usually this is because they spend most of the time playing the "xerox my butt" prank with the CAT scanners. Scientists are apparently a silly lot. I mean, it's obvious they made this up. I'm a little concerned about those bones. Has anyone seen Elijah Wood lately?
I guess that just goes to show that science doesn't have all the answers and I'm going to have to do the research myself. As soon as these CAT scans print out.
But the point of that explanation is to say that I have no idea why my brain feels so tired. What part of the brain is it that wears out? It doesn't have muscle fibers that break down with wear. I don't picture my noodle being like those huge guys that intimidate me while I work out with my 25 pound weights at the gym (not that I'm dwelling on those muscle bound mouth breathers who. . . ooh, please don't hurt me. Ow, please?) I'm hoping the grey matter can't just start to dissolve. (I do have to blow my nose though. I better weigh my head.) So to find out the science behind this phenomenon, I consulted Dr. Imadeanameup.
According to the good doctor, scientists have studied the effects of concentrated effort on the brain, but haven't yet come to any conclusions. Usually this is because they spend most of the time playing the "xerox my butt" prank with the CAT scanners. Scientists are apparently a silly lot. I mean, it's obvious they made this up. I'm a little concerned about those bones. Has anyone seen Elijah Wood lately?
I guess that just goes to show that science doesn't have all the answers and I'm going to have to do the research myself. As soon as these CAT scans print out.
More Poll Numbers
Zzzzzz…
PollingReport.com, as usual.
It's a lot more mixed than its been in the last couple of weeks. And I'm too lazy to copy the numbers over. Click the link, already.
PollingReport.com, as usual.
It's a lot more mixed than its been in the last couple of weeks. And I'm too lazy to copy the numbers over. Click the link, already.
I Am Not Making This Up
Dave Barry taking a year-long sabbatical!
Now what am I going to read on Sunday mornings? Other than Dilbert, I mean.
Now what am I going to read on Sunday mornings? Other than Dilbert, I mean.
When you see this, post a bit of poetry in your blog (and also post this heading, otherwise people will think your blog has become a poetry blog)
Master Matt has commanded so obey I must.
I left college and came home with a box.
All I wanted was to change my socks.
But my mom's loathing
Of washing my clothing
Had led her to change all the locks.
I left college and came home with a box.
All I wanted was to change my socks.
But my mom's loathing
Of washing my clothing
Had led her to change all the locks.
No Headline is Suitable
The Cardinals are in the World Series for the first time since 1987. And I am out of my mind with joy.
We Kept on Fighting 'Til the End
Actually, we just kept on showing up. Yes, it's official: Team M.E.A.N. (Marquette Engineers and Nurses) is the new champion of the Fall 2004 Co-Ed Softball B League. "Why do I care?" you might be asking yourself right now. The answer is you don't. You most likely don't even know me and you're only coming here to be amused. So if that's what you want, then I will simply answer your questions.
YOU: So, yeah. Why do I care?
Flametroll: Because it was epic softball play that can be seen as a symbol of life itself. M.E.A.N. was a team that was thrown together from a group of freshmen who barely knew each other. From mere acquaintances it became a cohesive team that outlasted the more seasoned opposition. In fact, all of the opposing teams were covered in much more garlic than any M.E.A.N. player ever was.
Although its record was a mere 2-3, M.E.A.N. came back against all odds. It was a team that (due to bracket oddities) had to win three games to become champions rather than the 1 or 2 wins the other teams needed. Most of all it was a team that got its collective backside out of bed every Sunday morning to make eleven o'clock or noon game time. This turned out to be the decisive factor.
Y: Why?
FT:Because the teams M.E.A.N. was supposed to play in the semi-finals and finals both forfeited because their players failed to show up.
Y: What a bunch of losers!
FT: That's what we think too. Although we would never say so.
Y: You that this applies to life itself. What was that supposed to mean?
FT: I never said that.
Y: Yes, you did.
FT: Did not.
Y: Did too.
FT: Oh yeah, I did. But I didn't mean it.
Y: Are you looking for a way out of debt?
FT: Leave me alone.
Y: But I swear I can get you some V1a:graa! or Ci@lis reeel cheep!
YOU: So, yeah. Why do I care?
Flametroll: Because it was epic softball play that can be seen as a symbol of life itself. M.E.A.N. was a team that was thrown together from a group of freshmen who barely knew each other. From mere acquaintances it became a cohesive team that outlasted the more seasoned opposition. In fact, all of the opposing teams were covered in much more garlic than any M.E.A.N. player ever was.
Although its record was a mere 2-3, M.E.A.N. came back against all odds. It was a team that (due to bracket oddities) had to win three games to become champions rather than the 1 or 2 wins the other teams needed. Most of all it was a team that got its collective backside out of bed every Sunday morning to make eleven o'clock or noon game time. This turned out to be the decisive factor.
Y: Why?
FT:Because the teams M.E.A.N. was supposed to play in the semi-finals and finals both forfeited because their players failed to show up.
Y: What a bunch of losers!
FT: That's what we think too. Although we would never say so.
Y: You that this applies to life itself. What was that supposed to mean?
FT: I never said that.
Y: Yes, you did.
FT: Did not.
Y: Did too.
FT: Oh yeah, I did. But I didn't mean it.
Y: Are you looking for a way out of debt?
FT: Leave me alone.
Y: But I swear I can get you some V1a:graa! or Ci@lis reeel cheep!
Poll Result Source
In an earlier post, I promised to keep my loyal reader(s) updated on presidential poll results. They seem to jump all over the place remarkably considering everybody says only 5-10% percent of the electorate is undecided. Well, let your heart not be troubled! I have found a website that updates major poll sources as they report their numbers. That sentence didn't really make much sense, but I think you know what I mean. It's PollingReport.com.
As of this post (October 16 at 3:35 pm CST):
Newsweek-> Bush 50 - Kerry 44%
Zogby-> Bush 48 - Kerry 44%
Newsweek-> Bush 50 - Kerry 44%
Tipp-> Bush 48 - Kerry 45%
ABC-> Bush 48 - Kerry 48%
Washington Post-> Bush 48 - Kerry 48%
GQRR-> Bush 48 - Kerry 48%
CBS-> Bush 48 - Kerry 45%
ICR-> Bush 48 - Kerry 43%
Gallup-> Kerry 49 - Bush 48%
As of this post (October 16 at 3:35 pm CST):
Newsweek-> Bush 50 - Kerry 44%
Zogby-> Bush 48 - Kerry 44%
Newsweek-> Bush 50 - Kerry 44%
Tipp-> Bush 48 - Kerry 45%
ABC-> Bush 48 - Kerry 48%
Washington Post-> Bush 48 - Kerry 48%
GQRR-> Bush 48 - Kerry 48%
CBS-> Bush 48 - Kerry 45%
ICR-> Bush 48 - Kerry 43%
Gallup-> Kerry 49 - Bush 48%
Eat It, Roger Clemens!
As I was typing another post, Larry Walker nailed a homerun off of future Hall of Famer Roger Clemens. Just thought y'all might like to know.
Bloom on, sweet opiates of liberty! Bloom on!
I have found a new blog to amuse myself with. Just when I thought the whole blogosphere was a pile of pinko commies dumping on George Bush (with a few right wing nutjobs mixed in), I found fafblog. I can't say I understand, but why should that stop me? It doesn't keep me from appreciating the theory of relativity or Coldplay's lyrics or people from the south.
Sure, it's fairly liberal, but read the post called "Faf the Vote." Where does that stuff come from?
Sure, it's fairly liberal, but read the post called "Faf the Vote." Where does that stuff come from?
Check Local Listings
I'm not sure if it made ESPN or not, but I was a basketball star here at Marquette. We (those of us who "are Marquette") were celebrating Midnight Madness last night. It was the first time that NCAA rules allowed the basketball team to practice together officially, so they started right at midnight to avoid losing precious practice time. Marquette put on a party around the big day by introducing the players, having a 3-on-3 tournament and bringing in a cover band that played too much Maroon 5. They also brought some students down from the stands to take part in a shooting contest on the floor.
There were six people playing Hot Shot, three on a team. Each person had 30 seconds to go out and make as many shots as possible from one of several marked spots on the floor. Somehow, I got chosen. Less surprisingly, my team won. I say this not because I'm an arrogant jerk (I admit I'm not very good at basketball), but because--as far as I could tell--our team had the only two sober guys on it. As a prize, I won a Pizza Shuttle gift certificate and another gift certificate for BookMarq. I also got a cheering section for a short period of time. That was nice, too.
There were six people playing Hot Shot, three on a team. Each person had 30 seconds to go out and make as many shots as possible from one of several marked spots on the floor. Somehow, I got chosen. Less surprisingly, my team won. I say this not because I'm an arrogant jerk (I admit I'm not very good at basketball), but because--as far as I could tell--our team had the only two sober guys on it. As a prize, I won a Pizza Shuttle gift certificate and another gift certificate for BookMarq. I also got a cheering section for a short period of time. That was nice, too.
Margin of Error
In an attempt to make some sense of poll numbers that show Kerry up 5, then Bush up 10, then dead heat, then…blahblahblah, I am going to record evry poll result I come across right here.
Reuters-Zogby->Kerry 45%-Bush45% (+- 2.9)
CNN/USA Today/Gallup-> Kerry 49%- Bush 48% (+- 3.5)
Reuters-Zogby->Kerry 45%-Bush45% (+- 2.9)
CNN/USA Today/Gallup-> Kerry 49%- Bush 48% (+- 3.5)
Duh of the Day
Instructions in a Marquette University safety brochure (emphasis mine):
"Tell the caller that the call is being traced, press several numbers on the phone and hang up. Please note that technique is intended to scare the caller and does not actually begin a tracing procedure."
"Tell the caller that the call is being traced, press several numbers on the phone and hang up. Please note that technique is intended to scare the caller and does not actually begin a tracing procedure."
Next Item-the Locks
I got home from only five weeks away at college and discovered that there have already been a few changes around here. Some of them are fairly minor-a new soap dispenser in the bathroom, a new phone in the kitchen. A few of them, though, have been more drastic and disconcerting. My car, for example, not longer has my presets on the radio. I used to have FM1 settings and my sister had FM2. Now, her stations have flooded over into both FM sets. Also, my San Damiano cross hanging from the rearview morror has been replaced by a lei. The St. Louis Cardinals air freshener is now a strawberry. I'm scared to leave and come back again. I may not have a room next time.
What Would This Site Be Without Weird Links?
Like this.
I love this prayer. It sounds like something from Braveheart.
A Warrior's Prayer
Great Creator God, who rules the world in glory and honor, I regret my dishonor and am ashamed of the honors I have not won. My sins are great and noisome, unbefitting a warrior, and they have brought me no glory and no honor, but only the taste of ashes. I am leaderless and lost without a foe. Your brave death was bought with great pain, and it was glorious,
for in that death upon the cross, you defeated death, sin and Satan. Lord God, I accept your atoning death as the sacrifice which covers my sin and shame. Enter into this warrior's heart and become emperor of my life. I trust in you my commander and willingly follow you into battle. Direct me now in my deeds so that I may be worthy of the honor you have bought for me!
Qapla'!
I love this prayer. It sounds like something from Braveheart.
Great Creator God, who rules the world in glory and honor, I regret my dishonor and am ashamed of the honors I have not won. My sins are great and noisome, unbefitting a warrior, and they have brought me no glory and no honor, but only the taste of ashes. I am leaderless and lost without a foe. Your brave death was bought with great pain, and it was glorious,
for in that death upon the cross, you defeated death, sin and Satan. Lord God, I accept your atoning death as the sacrifice which covers my sin and shame. Enter into this warrior's heart and become emperor of my life. I trust in you my commander and willingly follow you into battle. Direct me now in my deeds so that I may be worthy of the honor you have bought for me!
Qapla'!
I Swear I'm Not Making This Up…
Sorry, Dave Barry.
I was walking through an office building at Marquette today and I heard this complaint (without a trace of irony), which I repeat for you verbatim:
"Some people are so repetitive, they repeat themselves and keep saying the same thing over and over in different ways."
I was walking through an office building at Marquette today and I heard this complaint (without a trace of irony), which I repeat for you verbatim:
"Some people are so repetitive, they repeat themselves and keep saying the same thing over and over in different ways."
Computer Update
Seeing that my F7 key got away with messing around when it was supposed to be working, my hard drive followed suit. The computer froze up yesterday and restarted with a blinking question mark (meaning no hard drive found). I panicked but it restarted several hours later and appeared to be working fine. Then this morning, it froze again. Now the computer won't even spin the hard drive or show anything at all on the screen. Needless to say, further posts will be spotty until I get this fixed or get a new computer.
I Lost a Key on My Computer.
I was never a big fan of F7 anyway, but the gaping hole in my keyboard matches the the special place I had in my heart for my formerly intact computer. Does anyone know how to reconnect the F keys on a G3 iBook?
Ha Ha, He Said "Poop!"
It's amazing what you look for when you google late at night.
*EDIT* I didn't even read the page before I posted the link. I am not responsible for objectionable material that may appear on this site.
*EDIT* I didn't even read the page before I posted the link. I am not responsible for objectionable material that may appear on this site.
Best. . .Headline. . .Ever.
"Long-necked sea monster resurfaces after 230 million years. Claims to be another love child of Strom Thrumond"
Thank you, Fark.com.
Thank you, Fark.com.
New U2 Song!
Official Flametroll Concert Review: Robert Randoph and the Family Band
I promised you, my faithful reader(s), that I would tell you all about the Robert Randolph concert I went to over Labor Day weekend. Then I promptly saved the story as a draft and forgot all about it. Here it is, for those of you who are still interested.
In what appears to be an attempt to cajole people into coming to Milwaukee, the city offered an encore to its normal June-July Summerfest. It was titled, appropriately enough, Summerfest Encore. As a special incentive to spend even more time in Milwaukee, anyone who had a ticket from any one of a number of Brewers games could get in free. Taking advantage of having a ticket and living a bus ride away, I went.
For no money paid at all (college student's dream!), I saw Robert Randolph and the Family Band.
As the sun went down over the lakefront (Lake Michigan, that is), the grounds of the festival were covered in the fog. It was also covered in the collective smoke of a few hundred people who thought I was enjoying their second hand cigarette/cigar/joint. Thank you Febreze.
Instead of individual seats or open space, the stage was surrounded by long benches like you would see on the sidelines of a youth soccer league game. Anyone familiar with RR's music knows that no one will be sitting. It's going to be wall to wall, shoulder to shoulder with people dancing. So everyone danced on top of the shaky narrow benches. The kids behind me looked like juniors or seniors in high school. They were slightly stoned (I heard them talking about it) so after their first beers, they didn't have very good balance atop the benches. The same guy fell on me five times in the first four songs. Fortunately he mellowed out and maintained balance for the most part after that.
Oh, yeah. The music. It was great. RR is a jam band so they didn't really play a lot of songs in the traditional sense. Most of the songs didn't have lyrics and the ones that did only had mantra-like refrains ("Good time, good time. We gonna have a good time.") The rest of their songs were just extremely catchy danceable (that's saying a lot for me) with tons of improv. Three of the four members of the band are cousins. Robert wore a do-rag and played lapsteel guitar most of the concert. He got so hot playing onstage that his head was steaming through the do-rag. His cousin Danyel plays the bass. He must be six foot five and he just pounds away with his hands while the rest of his body doesn't even look like he's trying at all. The other cousin Marcus is the drummer. Then there's Jason Crosby. He plays everything else (piano, violin and organ). In one song, the guys all started switching around. By the time is was over, they had all played every instrument.
Anyway, great concert, very late review. Thanks for reading.
In what appears to be an attempt to cajole people into coming to Milwaukee, the city offered an encore to its normal June-July Summerfest. It was titled, appropriately enough, Summerfest Encore. As a special incentive to spend even more time in Milwaukee, anyone who had a ticket from any one of a number of Brewers games could get in free. Taking advantage of having a ticket and living a bus ride away, I went.
For no money paid at all (college student's dream!), I saw Robert Randolph and the Family Band.
As the sun went down over the lakefront (Lake Michigan, that is), the grounds of the festival were covered in the fog. It was also covered in the collective smoke of a few hundred people who thought I was enjoying their second hand cigarette/cigar/joint. Thank you Febreze.
Instead of individual seats or open space, the stage was surrounded by long benches like you would see on the sidelines of a youth soccer league game. Anyone familiar with RR's music knows that no one will be sitting. It's going to be wall to wall, shoulder to shoulder with people dancing. So everyone danced on top of the shaky narrow benches. The kids behind me looked like juniors or seniors in high school. They were slightly stoned (I heard them talking about it) so after their first beers, they didn't have very good balance atop the benches. The same guy fell on me five times in the first four songs. Fortunately he mellowed out and maintained balance for the most part after that.
Oh, yeah. The music. It was great. RR is a jam band so they didn't really play a lot of songs in the traditional sense. Most of the songs didn't have lyrics and the ones that did only had mantra-like refrains ("Good time, good time. We gonna have a good time.") The rest of their songs were just extremely catchy danceable (that's saying a lot for me) with tons of improv. Three of the four members of the band are cousins. Robert wore a do-rag and played lapsteel guitar most of the concert. He got so hot playing onstage that his head was steaming through the do-rag. His cousin Danyel plays the bass. He must be six foot five and he just pounds away with his hands while the rest of his body doesn't even look like he's trying at all. The other cousin Marcus is the drummer. Then there's Jason Crosby. He plays everything else (piano, violin and organ). In one song, the guys all started switching around. By the time is was over, they had all played every instrument.
Anyway, great concert, very late review. Thanks for reading.
Street Preachers
I've got nothing against people preaching. I'm a Christian and I'm happy to see other Christians helping people out. But sometimes people use their "call" as an excuse to be jerks. I post this because I found a person online having a similar encounter to the one I had.
I was walking down Wisconsin Avenue on my way to my scheduled adoration in the Straz Tower chapel. There was a man standing on the sidewalk telling people about Jesus. He told me I needed Jesus. I told him (bad phrasing, in hindsight), thanks but I've already got Him. It's true. I was on my way to see Him right then. The guy responded "I don't believe you!" That set me over the top. I stopped and had a conversation with the guy. He grilled me on what I believe, apparently assuming that if I didn't believe everything he did, in the exact same way he did, I couldn't go to Heaven. Anyway, we talked for a couple minutes and went our seperate ways. The guy was mostly nice enough and doing a good thing, so I won't say he was jerk, but reading the story above made think about my experience. And obviously everything I think about is of great interest to the citizens of the Internet in general and must be posted here.
I was walking down Wisconsin Avenue on my way to my scheduled adoration in the Straz Tower chapel. There was a man standing on the sidewalk telling people about Jesus. He told me I needed Jesus. I told him (bad phrasing, in hindsight), thanks but I've already got Him. It's true. I was on my way to see Him right then. The guy responded "I don't believe you!" That set me over the top. I stopped and had a conversation with the guy. He grilled me on what I believe, apparently assuming that if I didn't believe everything he did, in the exact same way he did, I couldn't go to Heaven. Anyway, we talked for a couple minutes and went our seperate ways. The guy was mostly nice enough and doing a good thing, so I won't say he was jerk, but reading the story above made think about my experience. And obviously everything I think about is of great interest to the citizens of the Internet in general and must be posted here.
Security Alert!
Terrorists are now attempting to attack the US using unassuming former musicians!
Source.
In other news, what the heck is airline security coming to?
Source.
In other news, what the heck is airline security coming to?
Some Random Updates
#1: The Flametroll's candidate of choice, Tim Carpenter, did not win in his primary election. Vote for somebody else for all I care.
#2: The story was broken here, a Flametroll exclusive. We were informed that Jason might be opening for Switchfoot. Well, after some further research, it has been confirmed. He will be (one of?) the opening act(s?) for Switchfoot at the Rave in Milwaukee on October 20.
#2: The story was broken here, a Flametroll exclusive. We were informed that Jason might be opening for Switchfoot. Well, after some further research, it has been confirmed. He will be (one of?) the opening act(s?) for Switchfoot at the Rave in Milwaukee on October 20.
Thought of the Day
I pass a Starbuck's between my dorm and classes every day. Every time I go by, it occurs to me that "barista" sounds more like a South American rebel group than a guy who serves coffee.
"Sir, the baristas attacked our fortified position then retreated into the mountains."
"Sir, the baristas attacked our fortified position then retreated into the mountains."
Vote Tim Carpenter!
After much deliberation, the Flametroll Editorial staff has decided to back State Senator Tim Carpenter in the Wisconsin 4th congressional district primary. To tell you the truth, we have no idea where Senator Carpenter stands on any issues. We don't even know what party he belongs to. What we do know is that he knows what it takes to get elected in the great state of Wisconsin.
As a member of the editorial board was walking down Wisconsin Avenue this morning, a man handed him a Carpenter for Congress business card-sized flier. The front was typical of campaign material. It was blue on top and red on bottom with a white star shooting a white trail across the middle. It said "Carpenter for Congress" and included what is probably the blandest slogan ever--"He Speaks for Us." But the front isn't what captivated our staff and captured out support.
On the back, rather than a listing of campaign promises or quotes of support from influential people, was a Packer schedule. After Week 1 (September 13 vs. Carolina), was the date "September 14 Vote Carpenter!" Talk about knowing your audience. If any member of our editorial board was registered to vote in Wisconsin, we would suurely vote for Carpenter based solely in this criteria.
As a member of the editorial board was walking down Wisconsin Avenue this morning, a man handed him a Carpenter for Congress business card-sized flier. The front was typical of campaign material. It was blue on top and red on bottom with a white star shooting a white trail across the middle. It said "Carpenter for Congress" and included what is probably the blandest slogan ever--"He Speaks for Us." But the front isn't what captivated our staff and captured out support.
On the back, rather than a listing of campaign promises or quotes of support from influential people, was a Packer schedule. After Week 1 (September 13 vs. Carolina), was the date "September 14 Vote Carpenter!" Talk about knowing your audience. If any member of our editorial board was registered to vote in Wisconsin, we would suurely vote for Carpenter based solely in this criteria.
Long Time No See
I haven't really been busy this weekend, but I haven't gotten around to posting either. I'll just catch you up on my weekend highlight--going 13-3 in ping-pong over the course of two days.
Shirt Alert
Another good shirt slogan was sighted on Wisconsin Ave.
"Knowledge is power.
Power corrupts.
Study hard.
Be evil."
"Knowledge is power.
Power corrupts.
Study hard.
Be evil."
Word on the Street
I saw a funny t-shirt as I was walking back from classs today. It had a picture of a penguin on a surfboard along with the words "Frieze & Miazoff."
Haha! Frieze & Miazoff! Hahaha! Get it? Freezin' my… Oh. You do get it. Never mind.
Haha! Frieze & Miazoff! Hahaha! Get it? Freezin' my… Oh. You do get it. Never mind.
On the Music Front
Rumor has it my friend Jason of Epiphany fame may be opening for Switchfoot when they play at The Rave in Milwaukee in October. I'm not sure if he will have the rest of the band with him or if it will be a solo set. More information as it comes.
Just Another Benefit of Big School Education
I no longer have to remember to check The Onion's Website every week to keep from missing things. In Milwaukee, stores just have copies sitting around to pick up for free. I guess that's the kind of service you get when you pay $25,000 a year for something. I bet there are plenty of country clubs in that price range that don't offer these kind of amenities.
Last Post From Illinois
Today was kind of a bittersweet day. I'm leaving for college tomorrow, so basically my life here is packed up in boxes and sitting in my dorm room in Milwaukee. I'm in no hurry to leave but at the same time, I want something to happen. And it sure ain't happening here. I said goodbye to everybody last night, but I caught up with a couple of my closest friends for breakfast this morning. We got to Maid-Rite at about 10. We ordered, ate and talked for a while. Unfortunately they all had 11 o'clock classes at Rock Valley so they had to leave around 10:30. We said our goodbyes and went to our cars and that's when it hit me. These people I normally hang out with three or four times a week, I won't be seeing for weeks at a time.
"And everybody knows, it hurts to grow up. But everybody does; so weird to be back here"--Ben Folds Still Fighting It
I apologize for being so sappy. Hopefully next time you hear from me, I'll be raving about my new school.
"And everybody knows, it hurts to grow up. But everybody does; so weird to be back here"--Ben Folds Still Fighting It
I apologize for being so sappy. Hopefully next time you hear from me, I'll be raving about my new school.
This Blog is #1!
As of right now anyway. Google the word "Flametroll" and see what happens.
EDIT: Yahoo and Alta Vista also have this blog at the top.
A popular listing (not related to my site) on excite.com's search engine says "dein post hoert sich etwas wie flametroll an,hoffe da irre ich mich." As far as I can tell from freetranslation.com'stranslation means "Your postal service something hears would hope itself like flametroll at there crazy I me." Probably that makes more sense in German.
EDIT: Yahoo and Alta Vista also have this blog at the top.
A popular listing (not related to my site) on excite.com's search engine says "dein post hoert sich etwas wie flametroll an,hoffe da irre ich mich." As far as I can tell from freetranslation.com'stranslation means "Your postal service something hears would hope itself like flametroll at there crazy I me." Probably that makes more sense in German.
Goodbye!
Hey, take off that party hat! I won't be gone forever, I'm just not going to be posting for a couple of days. I go longer than that under normal circumstances a lot of times. What's happening is that I'm working on moving up to Milwaukee where I am going to attend Marquette University. If you know my name my new email address is firstname.lastname@marquette.edu. If you don't know my name then don't send email, you spam-schmuck.
This Land
I know this has already been linked and watched ad nauseum all over the internet, but I love this movie. For those who haven't seen it, it's a movie of John Kerry and George W. Bush singing This Land (you know, "This land is your land, this land is my land…").
Warning, dial up users: This may take a while.
Warning, dial up users: This may take a while.
New School Smell
I ventured back to my old high school this morning because I needed to pick up a transcript. When I walked in the doors I was I was struck by the aroma of New School. It seems to be a combination of floor polish, fresh paint and must. I can't really describe it, but I know it whenever I smell it. I bet anybody whose mom is a teacher knows immediately what I'm talking about.
I Stand Corrected
In an earlier post I commented that I had never heard of a Dave Matthews cover band. Well, it appears that, according to a www.cbel.com page there are at least nine. I don't know if any of them are actually, umm. . . ahem. . . good, but they do exist.
Lame Excuse of the Week…
God ate my posting time.
Yeah, I was on a Kyrios retreat this weekend. Keep your eyes peeled for pictures of me dressed as a girl.
Yeah, I was on a Kyrios retreat this weekend. Keep your eyes peeled for pictures of me dressed as a girl.
Surely Christians don't use words like…!
Oh, yes they do!
The site is strangely laid out, the content is boring and most of it has been moved to a different address. But the NAME is what keeps me coming back.
The site is strangely laid out, the content is boring and most of it has been moved to a different address. But the NAME is what keeps me coming back.
Breaking Story: My Car Broke Down
(In related news, people are dumb).
In the continuing saga of my car not ever quite working right, we now have a new chapter. Last week, the battery light came on on my '88 Honda Accord's dashboard. Since it still ran just fine, I decided to take the cheap man's way out (do nothing about it until something goes wrong). Three days later, my sister took the car to Walgreen's© to drop off pictures. When she got out of the store, the car wouldn't start. I drove down to the store with my mom and we jumped the car. We decided to drive directly to AutoZone© about half a mile down the road. The car ran great for all of three blocks before dropping dead at a red light.
So there I was, the light red, the car dead, intersection ahead. I was about three car lengths back from the intersection, and for obvious reasons, my emergency flashers were on and I was going nowhere. The light turned green. The guy behind me honked. I assumed he would get the idea, but instead he honked again. I waved him past and he glared at me through the window, apparently wondering who this punk was who thought he could just up and break down in the middle of street. So there I sat, all broken hearted, waiting for my mom and sister to turn the other car around and pick me up. Meanwhile, the light turned red. A guy pulled up behind me, apparently not noticing the flashers and the fact that I was three car lengths from the intersection with no other cars in sight. The light turned green. The man gestured frantically for me to GO, ALREADY! Apparently, his religion (Moronism) didn't allowed to him to drive in the right lane of a four lane road and he was permanently stuck behind me. I put my head out the window and informed him that his head was apparently stuck way too far up there for me to be of any help.
Haha! Just kidding. I simply waved him past and he got over his legalistic "left lane only" interperetation of his faith long enough to get around me.
Oh yeah, I had to get the alternator replaced. I lost all my radio presets.
*Edit: Man, I was comma-happy.
So there I was, the light red, the car dead, intersection ahead. I was about three car lengths back from the intersection, and for obvious reasons, my emergency flashers were on and I was going nowhere. The light turned green. The guy behind me honked. I assumed he would get the idea, but instead he honked again. I waved him past and he glared at me through the window, apparently wondering who this punk was who thought he could just up and break down in the middle of street. So there I sat, all broken hearted, waiting for my mom and sister to turn the other car around and pick me up. Meanwhile, the light turned red. A guy pulled up behind me, apparently not noticing the flashers and the fact that I was three car lengths from the intersection with no other cars in sight. The light turned green. The man gestured frantically for me to GO, ALREADY! Apparently, his religion (Moronism) didn't allowed to him to drive in the right lane of a four lane road and he was permanently stuck behind me. I put my head out the window and informed him that his head was apparently stuck way too far up there for me to be of any help.
Haha! Just kidding. I simply waved him past and he got over his legalistic "left lane only" interperetation of his faith long enough to get around me.
Oh yeah, I had to get the alternator replaced. I lost all my radio presets.
*Edit: Man, I was comma-happy.
Same Flame Time, Same Flame Station
As for why I haven't posted in almost 2 weeks…
Tune in tomorrow to find out.
Tune in tomorrow to find out.
Though I Swear It Doesn't Listen
Right, Dave show. I knew I was about to write something.
This was my first Dave Matthews concert, so I had no idea what to expect. My friends who had gone to shows before were sure I'd be blown away.
We (me, the four guys I was riding with and two guys in another car) got to the Tweeter Center at 3:00 for the 7:00 show. The security guards told us the parking lot wouldn't open until 4:00. With an hour to kill, we all headed to the attraction next door--Odyssey Fun World. I'm not making that name up. It was a warehouse-like building full of arcade games, bowling lanes and a laser tag field. We all decided to play mini-putt.
< tangent > Have you ever noticed that mini-putt is never called the same thing in any two places? It goes by mini-putt, mini(ature) golf, putt-putt and more. The first guy in our group to go to the window to pay referred to it as mini-putt. The cashier looked confused until he explained that he meant miniature golf.< /tangent >
Being a group of guys with money in our pockets, we decided to bet a dollar on the game. Before we could tally up the scores we realized that the security guards were letting people into the parking lot at 3:30. After a scramble to the cars and a quick cut into traffic maneuver we got pretty decent parking spots.
Then the wait. I was told that getting into the concert was half the fun and believe me, it was. We stood in line outside the gates of the Tweeter Center for an hour and a half. They quickly frisked us on the way in and we sprinted toward the lawn (where our seats were). As we got to the steps leading to the lawn area, security formed a line and held us back. We were in front of the line and when they pulled away, I held Andy's sandals while he and I sprinted with a blanket to the front center of the lawn. Best seats possible on the grass. It was an adrenaline fueled run that people are still talking about.
OAR came on to open. The coolest part about that was that Dave came out personally to introduce them. They were OK, but they played "Crazy Game of Poker" for 25 straight minutes. Considering that their set was only an hour, that was a little long. They could easily have played 2-3 more songs.
Then Dave came on. I think the theater was situated somewhere near a leaf dump, because we were covered in a haze of smoke almost immediately. It kind of smelled like burning leaves. (Yeah, I know what it was. I'm not that naive.) It would take forever to go song by song, so here's the setlist according to AntsMarching.org.
Highlights:
I got home at 2:30 in the morning. Good thing I didn't have to work the next day.
This was my first Dave Matthews concert, so I had no idea what to expect. My friends who had gone to shows before were sure I'd be blown away.
We (me, the four guys I was riding with and two guys in another car) got to the Tweeter Center at 3:00 for the 7:00 show. The security guards told us the parking lot wouldn't open until 4:00. With an hour to kill, we all headed to the attraction next door--Odyssey Fun World. I'm not making that name up. It was a warehouse-like building full of arcade games, bowling lanes and a laser tag field. We all decided to play mini-putt.
< tangent > Have you ever noticed that mini-putt is never called the same thing in any two places? It goes by mini-putt, mini(ature) golf, putt-putt and more. The first guy in our group to go to the window to pay referred to it as mini-putt. The cashier looked confused until he explained that he meant miniature golf.< /tangent >
Being a group of guys with money in our pockets, we decided to bet a dollar on the game. Before we could tally up the scores we realized that the security guards were letting people into the parking lot at 3:30. After a scramble to the cars and a quick cut into traffic maneuver we got pretty decent parking spots.
Then the wait. I was told that getting into the concert was half the fun and believe me, it was. We stood in line outside the gates of the Tweeter Center for an hour and a half. They quickly frisked us on the way in and we sprinted toward the lawn (where our seats were). As we got to the steps leading to the lawn area, security formed a line and held us back. We were in front of the line and when they pulled away, I held Andy's sandals while he and I sprinted with a blanket to the front center of the lawn. Best seats possible on the grass. It was an adrenaline fueled run that people are still talking about.
OAR came on to open. The coolest part about that was that Dave came out personally to introduce them. They were OK, but they played "Crazy Game of Poker" for 25 straight minutes. Considering that their set was only an hour, that was a little long. They could easily have played 2-3 more songs.
Then Dave came on. I think the theater was situated somewhere near a leaf dump, because we were covered in a haze of smoke almost immediately. It kind of smelled like burning leaves. (Yeah, I know what it was. I'm not that naive.) It would take forever to go song by song, so here's the setlist according to AntsMarching.org.
Highlights:
- Five new songs. We were only the second live audience to hear them. It cut into the spirit of everyone dancing and singing along, but it was still cool in a historic kind of way.
- They opened "Grace is Gone" with Stefan playing a lap steel guitar. (Sub-highlight: They actually played "Grace is Gone." It was on my wishlist for the show.)
- Lots of popular songs. I think the veteran concert-goers were disappointed not to hear any really rare older songs, but I enjoyed it.
- The 4 last 6 songs were among my top-ten favorite Dave songs. "Grace is Gone," "Jimi Thing," "Grey Street," "Stay" and "Crush."
I got home at 2:30 in the morning. Good thing I didn't have to work the next day.
Long, Long Time Ago, I Can Still Remember…
…When I actually made my last post. Sorry it's been a while. I've been really busy lately. Let me explain in the following posts.
