What was I thinking?!?!?!?!

not going this year

Eric — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 22:21:44 GMT

so i'm not going to IF08 because i got a promotion that has my head swimming, and i just moved back to Lawrence. the former has left me no energy, the latter has left me no money... some of you may know of a third reason, but lets not jinx that one ok? carcaz said that this is the only time that i can't go if i live around here. to that i say: you're not the boss of me; you're not the king of me... he's probably right, though... sorry that i'll miss all you lovely and loveable people

health care funding

Eric — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 02:04:18 GMT

Ask the President to Approve the Bill and Support MS Research Take Action! President Bush is planning to veto a bill that includes critical healthcare funding for MS research at the National Institutes of Health and for a new comprehensive MS center. Go to this site - http://capwiz.com/nmss/issues/alert/?alertid=10538411 - to send President Bush a quick email. Or, if you prefer, you can call the White House switchboard at (202) 456-1414 to deliver your message. * Ask the president not to veto the Labor-HHS-Education bill (H.R. 3043) and to approve funding for multiple sclerosis research. * Tell the president that this bill brings too much hope to people living with MS and to caregivers to justify a veto. About the Legislation Your MS activism has helped bring more recognition for MS in the FY 2008 Labor-HHS-Education spending bill (known has Labor-HHS). Congress has incorporated nearly $4 million in funding in the bill for the development of a multiple sclerosis and neurodegenerative disease research center at West Virginia University in Morgantown, W.Va. This first comprehensive center for MS research and care in West Virginia holds great promise for people living with MS not only in the state but nationwide. In addition to this specific funding for MS, the Labor-HHS bill includes a 3.1% increase for the NIH, a 6% increase for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and $2 million for state respite care grants authorized by the Lifespan Respite Care Act (which MS activists helped pass last year). Ask President Bush not to veto this bill and to support important funding increases for NIH and MS research. Thank you for being an MS activist. Join the movement at www.nationalMSsociety.org/advocacy To keep future MS activism messages out of your junk folder, add the following address to your contacts or safe sender list: MSActionNetwork@nmss.org

part of sunday rocked and part sucked...

Eric — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 00:09:30 GMT

i went to a concert at liberty hall in lawrence on sunday - immaculate machine, emma pollock, and the new pornographers. that fucking rocked. supposed to go with a most intriguing woman who couldn't go due to her ms acting up. that sucked. we sent text messages back and forth the entire night. that rocked. i bought a cd from each act and have been playing the one by the new pornographers - challengers - all week, it rocks amazingly... on the way home from the concert i got my first speeding ticket, ever. that sucked. overall it was a good night.

how many times...

Eric — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 15:32:14 GMT

what does it take for you to give up? how many times does reality have to kick you in the crotch before you never try again? i realize that you create a great deal of your reality and that if you don't like the way things occur, you need to make a change in your life. but what if, regardless of the changes you make, everything that you do only proves that certain things that you want will never occur? so, what does it take? how many times? how much reality can you take before you give up and become cynical?

Back To School... (got this from a friend)

Eric — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 00:52:17 GMT

A first-grade teacher, Ms. Brooks, was having trouble with one of her students. The teacher asked, 'Harry, what's your problem?' Harry answered, 'I'm too smart for the 1st grade. My sister is in the 3rd grade and I'm smarter than she is! I think I should be in the 3rd grade too!' Ms. Brooks had enough. She took Harry to the principal's office. While Harry waited in the outer office, the teacher explained to the principal what the situation was. The principal told Ms. Brooks he would give the boy a test. If he failed to answer any of his questions he was to go back to the 1st grade and behave. She agreed. Harry was brought in and the conditions were explained to him and he agreed to take the test. Principal: 'What is 3 x 3?' Harry: '9.' Principal: 'What is 6 x 6?' Harry: '36.' And so it went with every question the principal thought a 3rd grader should know. The principal looks at Ms. Brooks and tells her, 'I think Harry can go to the 3rd grade' Ms. Brooks says to the principal, 'Let me ask him some questions.' The principal and Harry both agreed. Ms. Brooks asks, 'What does a cow have four of that I have only two of?' Harry, after a moment: 'Legs.' Ms. Brooks: 'What is in your pants that you have but I do not have?' The principal wondered why would she ask such a question! Harry replied: 'Pockets.' Ms. Brooks: 'What does a dog do that a man steps into?' Harry: 'Pants.' The principal sat forward with his mouth hanging open. Ms. Brooks: 'What does a man do standing up, a woman does sitting down and a dog does on three legs?' Harry: 'Shake hands.' The principal was trembling. Ms. Brooks: 'What word starts with an 'F' and ends in 'K' that means a lot of heat and excitement?' Harry: 'Fire truck.' The principal breathed a sigh of relief and told the teacher, 'Put Harry in the fifth-grade, I got the last five questions wrong.

Relatively funny...

Eric — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 22:49:47 GMT

Take a look at this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dI_brR5sHO8&feature=dir

Eureka!

Eric — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 00:33:47 GMT

-Frightened Boy- Hey, that is my ball! Do you want to play the game, too? Then play it my way! So, I have had one of those elephant-in-the-room epiphanies; all you need do is be willing look at it. I have determined what it is that causes me the most difficulties. When faced with certain types of stress my reaction is almost unrecognizable as me. My reaction has been untenable, and illogical for the situation, yet I couldn't see the potential for problems. Hell, it also causes unnecessary concern about new situations, and I begin to doubt the validity of my own emotions. Neither logic nor gut reaction have been strong enough to prevent the reaction. When I am under no stress, or if it is only physical stress I simply act, taking whatever action is needed to get from point a to point b. As a rule, I am very supportive and helpful, often willing to go the extra mile. However, when under real, or perceived emotional stress I act like a little boy ready to take his ball and go home if the game doesn't go his way. The most difficult part of this revelation is that I've been hiding from my emotions for such a long time that I rarely allowed any emotional stress in my life. In essence, I couldn't see that there was a problem because it rarely manifested. You might wonder how it is that I went through two failed marriages and couldn't see this aspect of myself. It was rare in my two marriages that this type of stress occurred because I was always certain that both wives were going to leave when someone better came along. The main aspect of this reaction, as skewed and deformed as it eventually manifests, is that I am begging for acceptance. That part of me is looking for a voice that says: "Hey, I don't care about your ball, I just want to play with you." Instead of allowing this, I force the other person to react, and it usually ends badly. I've heard the accepting voice many times in the very recent past, but was reticent to take it in fully. There is a diminishing part of my psyche that isn't comfortable with being accepted. I've always felt that there was little about me that was worth knowing, or that what I had to offer was of little use to others. I have been uncomfortable inviting others in because I thought that they would ALWAYS have something better to do. Again, I know this is a skewed thought process, but until recently I had no idea from where it grew. I know what the source is and need to simply shut off that emotional spigot. There is baggage that I am carrying related to this. I have to look at that baggage and decide which parts are still worth toting about. Some baggage is worth holding on to; it reminds you from where you came, and acts as a reminder of the potential for difficulties if you aren't paying enough attention. Eventually, though, you no longer need to trip over your bags to prevent problems, and allow the bags to fade into memory. Now, I have the knowledge that this aspect of my personality exists. More, I know what it is that brings out the little boy in me, and will now strive to be aware when that little boy needs a hug and some reassurance. I have to believe in my self-worth, and that who I am is exactly who people want to be around. I have to believe that my strengths and my differences make me exactly who I want to be, and as such am worth knowing. -Trying to Bloom- Do you want to play? I've got a ball we could use, or we could ride swings.

The kind of friends I have...

Eric — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 19:10:09 GMT

... exposed me to this on Saturday night: http://youtube.com/watch?v=NGxIq53rFpw http://youtube.com/watch?v=KmsOIjzQ1V8 http://youtube.com/watch?v=5OPmJVAH3-c http://youtube.com/watch?v=wVkk6fH2u0Y http://youtube.com/watch?v=uhJx1gpl0kM http://youtube.com/watch?v=Kwxesqwte0g http://youtube.com/watch?v=NGxIq53rFpw Just to show the level of depravity, one of the group can do Tuvan throat singing. I'm unsure what to say exactly... well, except thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you! To find more, just go to YouTube and search Asylum Street Spankers. You will not regret it! Thank you Renae, Chuck and Alonzo for sharing the fun! And thank you Renae and Chuck for the subversive attitude that now lives on my car!

Global warming, hard, immutable logic..

Eric — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 16:22:08 GMT

This video is, perhaps, the most straight forward argument about the action we need to take, rather than which "side" is correct in their hypotheses. It is not presented in a reactionary way. It simply lays out our options in a grid to show action and effect. www.youtube.com/watch?v=zORv8wwiadQ

Books and GOOD books...

Eric — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 19:39:35 GMT

Kim's blog about reading prompted me to think about not only what I read, but why. Of late, and this is different than in the past, I find myself consistently reading more than one book at a time, and be able to keep track of the thought processes. I find that I am drawn to books that present philosophies, either directly, or as the pivot point of a work of fiction. I am a thoughtful person who easily gets lost in the crevices of my own mind and the connections between one idea and another. This tends to lead to rambling blogs and confusing e-mails at times - the intention becomes muddled by the "world" within my mind. I have difficulty clarifying a thought outside of one-on-one conversation. Reading books, though, helps me calm my mind as I make controlled connections, rather than the type that occurs when my thought process is allowed unfettered access to every bit of information that I have absorbed. A quote by Mark Twain comes to mind: "The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them." This isn't to say that I always make "good" choices, I recently purchased a book of werewolf stories from which I read as the mood strikes. The book, though not a classic, has its attraction for me - I am a classic horror movie fan. It is also a mythology, another type of literature to which I am drawn. Currently I am reading a book I borrowed from Kim, "The Labyrinth of Solitude - Life and Thought in Mexico", by Octavio Paz. This is a philosophy of the Mexican people. It makes connections between everyday life in Mexico and the more well-known aspects of Mexico: Day of the Dead, fiestas, the stereotypical image of the laborer - a man who toils, but does not create anything. What I'm taking from this book are multiple connections between past and present, and viewing the different attitudes that are indigenous to a group of people. I also found a connection to "Beyond Good and Evil", or, perhaps, a disconnect from that book. In Labyrinth, Paz shows the connections between the actions taken by people and how they are viewed within the immediate and extended communities. In "Beyond Good and Evil" there is an attempt to disconnect the motive(s) that led to an action and the result. To my mind, there is an attempt to transcend the consequences of an action by falsely stating that the concept of "good and evil" is irrelevant. Perhaps in a cosmic sense good and evil are false, but in a real world context they have their effect. I feel that consequence is the control: is anyone hurt due to your action? I simultaneously read and recently finished "Eleven Minutes" by Paulo Coelho. This book relates the story of a young Brazilian woman who is taken to Switzerland to become a dancer at a nightclub, but due to a twist of fate becomes a prostitute. This book is, to my mind, a treatise on love exhibited by a couple, and the unique manifestation it has in every life. How and from whom we receive love is as telling as how we express it. It accentuated my thought that love is only freely given if there are no expectations placed upon it or upon the person to whom this gift is bestowed. Pointedly, love does not, can not control you or the loved one. Love is not a sense of possession, rather, it is a sense of freedom that manifests itself as arms that enfold and support, but do not grasp and control - you are welcomed to by these arms, comforted by these arms, but never controlled... Time to find another book...

Felt Show...

Eric — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 17:49:10 GMT

This was one of the most hilarious shows of any type I've ever seen! Zombies singing "It's the time of the season, when blood runs high..." A weatherman who sees conspiracy everywhere: clouds blotting out the sun; clouds carrying nunchaku; wait, it's the trees... A quiz show with a dumb blond and a caveman, against Kimberley... A boyscout who pees in meat loaf because he doesn't like how it will taste. The reason, unbeknownst to him, is the main ingredient; I ain't spoiling it for you. Biggest non sequitur of my life: a meatloaf singing a Meatloaf song to a toilet! Point of this, kiddies, is that if given a choice, choose the Felt Show. If not given a choice, choose the Felt Show; you'll be happy!

This came home with me today...

Eric — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 21:58:27 GMT

2003 Toyota Matrix XRs: 6-speed manual, sunroof, 6-disc cd changer, significantly more usable space than had the Beetle. This thing is almost a compact truck. Oddest is that the front passenger seat folds forward and flat and has a semi-hard surface to act as a table.

finally...

Eric — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 16:18:45 GMT

Someone from the insurance agency called today. The payoff from insurance company after $250 deductible:$9567.22. Payoff amount for now deceased Beetle: $6386.57. Amount for me: $3180.65 So, I should be driving next week!

memories of the Muppet Show (really Harry Nilsson, but the Muppets were more fun...)

Eric — Thu, 31 May 2007 21:55:48 GMT

Coconut- Brudder bought a coconut, he bought it for a dime, His sister had anudder one she paid it for de lime. She put de lime in de coconut, she drank 'em bot' up She put de lime in de coconut, she drank 'em bot' up. She put de lime in de coconut, she drank 'em bot' up She put de lime in de coconut, she call de doctor, woke 'im up, Said, "Doctor, ain't there nothin' I can take?" I said "Doctor, to relieve this belly ache," I said "Doctor, ain't there nothin' I can take?" I said "Doctor, to relieve this belly ache." Now lemme get this straight, You put de lime in de coconut, you drank 'em bot' up, You put de lime in de coconut, you drank 'em bot' up, You put de lime in de coconut, you drank 'em bot'up, You put de lime in de coconut, you call your doctor, woke 'im up, Said, " Doctor, ain't there nothin' I can take?" I said, "Doctor, to relieve this belly ache." I said "Doctor, ain't there nothin' I can take?' I said, "Doctor, to relieve this belly ache," You put de lime in de coconut, you drink 'em bot' togedder Put de lime in de coconut and you'll feel better, Put de lime in de coconut, drink 'em bot' up, Put de lime in de coconut and call me in the morning." Woo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo. Oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo. Brudder bought a coconut, he bought it for a dime, His sister had anudder one she paid it for a lime. She put de lime in de coconut, she drank 'em bot' up She put de lime in de coconut and called de doctor, woke 'im up. And said, "Doctor, ain't there nothin' I can take?' I said, "Doctor, to relieve this belly ache." I said "Doctor, ain't there nothin' I can take?" I said, "Doctor, now lemme get this straight, You put the lime in the coconut, you drink 'em bot'up, Put the lime in the coconut, you drink 'em bot' up, Put the lime in the coconut, you drink 'em bot' up, Put the lime in the coconut. You're such a silly woman. Put a lime in the coconut and drink 'em bot' together Put the lime in the coconut, then you'll feel better. Put the lime in the coconut, drink 'em both down, Put the lime in your coconut, and call me in the morning, Woo--ain't there nothin' you can take? I say, Woo--to relieve your belly ache, You say, Well woo--ain't there nothin' I can take? I say, Woo--woo, to relieve your belly ache, You say, Yow--ain't there nothin' I can take, I say, Wow--to relieve this belly ache, I said "Doctor, ain't there nothing I can take," I said, "Doctor, ain't there nothing I can take," I said, "Doctor, ain't there nothing I can take," I said, "Doctor you're such a silly woman. Put the lime in the coconut and drink 'em both together, Put the lime in the coconut, and you'll feel better, Put the lime in the coconut and drink 'em bot' up, Put the lime in the coconut and call me in the morning. Yes, you call me in the morning, You call me in the morning, I'll tell you what to do if you call me in the morning. I'll tell you what to do if you call me in the morning. I'll tell you what to do if you call me in the morning. I'll tell you what to do and if you call me in the morning I'll tell you what to do.

Unexplored beauty.

Eric — Thu, 31 May 2007 00:17:06 GMT

Recently a friend suggested to me a set of books and the author... As serendipity does, I walked into the local Borders and there on the first table was a boxed-set of a trilogy; the first in this author's writings. The author: Nick Bantock. The trilogy: Griffin & Sabine, Sabine's Notebook, and The Golden Mean. I bought it there and then. As yet I have only read the first book. It is a most amazingly beautiful chronicle of an unexpected love between two people who share a bond across the miles spanning a continent or two and an ocean. What makes this book (and I suspect the other two..) is the composition of the art and the way this story has unfolded. Each page is hand drawn and lettered. It is comprised of images, front and back, of postcards, as well as illustrated envelopes containing letters that can be taken from the envelopes and read. The beauty of the illustrations is matched by the writing. Point of fact, the combination of the two brought me to tears. The author has created a fully connected work of art that is not separated by printed text. The text IS an essential part of the artwork. You will appreciate the scripts in which the words are laid out as much as the images! If you can find any of Nick Bantock's work, these three books in particular, absorb their beauty! You'll be happy that you did! If you've already encountered these or any of Bantock;s other works, then you already have met this beauty and will likely understand my ebullience!

ill-thought; ill-advised...

Eric — Wed, 30 May 2007 22:56:27 GMT

This past weekend I did somethings very much out of character: I added pressure to an already difficult situation. One where all signs up to that moment pointed in a direction that would, to even the most casual observer, appear to be flowering reasonably well. There were no signs that would give one pause to think differently. I, in my moment of self-doubt, began to worry about something non-existent. This was allowed to grow, snowball like, to the point that, if I had allowed reason and logic step forth, seeming calamity would have been averted. I, though, didn't listen to either of those; I listened to the voice of chaos. The voice of fear- fear of success, fear of allowing good things to occur in my life. A voice that did not have my best interest in mind. The things occurred next are inexplicable on far too many levels to understand. If a friend were contemplating the actions I undertook I would have been the two-by-four of rationality upside the head! To me, though, it was much like watching a movie of myself. One in which I had a match to a fuse and absolutely no reason to light it - but did. These were actions that would make many shake their heads at their utter stupidity and uselessness. The actions are irrelevant; the effect caused is of greatest concern to me! I allowed fear and doubt to override every bit of logic to which I normally have access. I want to make atonement for these actions. I hope that what occurred is not irrevocable, but am unable to determine this yet... Here, then, is the lesser of two requests: Take this bit of advice - If you ever begin to think in a manner that will cause you to act gravely different than is your natural way, regardless of the situation, speak to the person who will be most affected. Determine if what you fear is, in fact, real - it likely will not be. Alternatively, get a advice from a friend to help balance that which is running amok in the dark crevices of your mind. Allow that friend to be your much needed two-by-four to the head if need be. Most obviously, allow yourself the time needed to let rational thought rise again. If, though, you find yourself unable to stop that unwieldy mass from crashing down, ask forgiveness and determine what it is that created that reaction. Take that knowledge and use it as a measure for future moments of doubt. The greater request, the one that is most prevalent in my mind, is simply that I ask forgiveness for my rash actions, impelled by fear and confusion. I would be overjoyed if I were given an opportunity to prove that these actions were aberrations with no chance of recurring. The chance to show that my true self is one that does not attempt to control or pressure. I am truly sorry for my actions!

these will kill you, probably literally...

Eric — Thu, 17 May 2007 22:03:51 GMT

The first from 1926: http://www.boingboing.net/2007/05/16/feminine_hygiene_ad_.html This of a more recent, but indeterminate vintage: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrbill/37387730/

well, that is interesting... (yawn)

Eric — Thu, 17 May 2007 07:42:27 GMT

Maybe this is what is meant by mid-life crisis... So, this evening while reading blogs I realized that some of my friends have well over 100 blog entries. I took a gander at some of the topics and came to the conclusion that, more often than not, I have precious little to say except as remark to conversations and blogs initiated by others. I realized, further, that I have experienced little of interest that was initiated by me. Any ideas that I have had remain as vague sketches - yes, there are many unfinished ideas floating aroung my noodle! I have been riding the coat tails of others for the majority of my life; not once have I taken step to create something that was not predicated by someone or something else (fr'instance: the "painting" that I did for InterFuse would not have existed had the theme not been Afterlife, and the the Release Gallery hadn't been actualized.) Ok, so my point is that all the exciting memories, I use exciting in the broadest sense, had more to do directly with someone else than they did with me. Perhaps it was what they were doing (example: Vesuvius). Perhaps it was something done to them (example: My dad treated like shit any of my brothers and sisters that looked like him. This resulted in my survivor's guilt.) The second example leads to the first. Growing up I did all I could to protect myself by not doing anything that would get me noticed. In my family negative attention, clearly, was the norm. So, with that mindset I never challenged myself because the last thing I wanted was to stand out. School was little challenge for me; with little effort I had above (often far above) average grades. I was good in artistic areas, but never finished anything. You can, I'm sure, extrapolate from here... Today something occurred that truly brought my mediocrity and lack of determination to a head. When I arrived at work tonight I was told that a pipe bomb was found under the car of a manager of one department at the call center where Johnny Carcaz and I work. It was discovered as the manager was pulling away from a parking spot. There is further blather that a threat was called as well. All but the actuality of the bomb is conjecture. Here is the intended point: all of interest in my life that has occurred has had little or nothing to do with me! Isn't that a swift kick in the ass? Mine appears to be a life where the details of my car fire pale in comparison to a man who pokes himself in the eye with a flying double-ended dildo! (Yeah, I know, it's funny and unexpected, and I laughed my ass off...) One where receiving attention from a parent was not necessarily a good thing. One where safety became my most pressing concern as there was precious little of it in the household of my youth. To this day, my safety and that of those around me, and not being noticed are my biggest concerns: Captain Safety for Vesuvius! In the least succint way possible, I am saying that in response to my past I could not reconcile my life to simultaneously include excitement and safety. I manifested myself as a humorous, reasonably intelligent, caring and, above all other aspects, unimpressive man. I need help! I need advice! I need a new swift kick in the ass! Any volunteers?

Ok, I'll go slowly to slowly allow the pressure to Release...

Eric — Thu, 10 May 2007 02:06:25 GMT

Though it was Kim's project not mine, I send out love and gratitude to all who helped build the structure, add, attach and create art, and those who came to simply view the art at the Release Gallery! I send the same energies to those who came after with suggestions and promises to help out wherever possible for next year! This lovely loving family of Burners is greatly cherished by me! I will most certainly see some throughout the year and others at IF '08. The only thing that will change is the time and the growth of love shared by all of us!

Ahhh, Interfuse...

Eric — Tue, 08 May 2007 18:34:43 GMT

I loved Interfuse! I want to say more, but right now it will be tainted by Afterfuse. More on both later. I love my family!

I normally eschew manuals...

Eric — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 18:53:25 GMT

So, here is the lead-in to my car diagnosis: a flange melted which meant a new one had to be installed before any true determination could be made - resulting cost: $160, p&l included. When this had been done, it was determined that there was a gelatinous goo in my cooling system. Here comes the relevance to eschewing manuals: late last year, there was a depletion in my cooling fluid. I read the manual like a responsible driver should. I noted the required coolant type. I found said coolant type, and, fortuitously, it was available in pseudo-earth-friendly variety. Purchased said substance and topped it off. The cat I take my car to said "Do not mix varieties of coolant. They react and create a gelatinous density." This requires a radiator flush and fill, cost: $80. I don't know the full extent of the repair (likely a hose or two, and radiator fan belt), or the cost, but he alluded to it not being a terribly major job. I suspect that it is upwards of $300 if no other damage was caused by the car overheating. This, then, is my advice: Read the manual, but to be safe, call the guy that works on your car! This will prevent occurrences such as your car overheating at 5 in the morning and your passenger, assuming that the vapor rising in front of your car to be fog, saying "Wow, that is cool!"

Man...

Eric — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 17:53:28 GMT

I love my Burner family! With no reservation! Despite the suckage with my car, this has turned out to be one of my very best birthday weekends! Hanging out with several folks, new and well-loved made last night amazingly fun! The birthday messages from others really made me realize how great you all you cats are! Me-fucking-ow! Eric

A real nice happy birthday to me...

Eric — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 17:03:25 GMT

A couple warning lights displayed their ugly little heads yesterday: check engine, and temperature warning. Since my regular mechanic is not open at 5:30 on Friday, I took the car to Advance Auto and had them do a diagnostic scan; the check engine light was letting me know that the fuel to air ratio was off, not a pressing issue unless performance is drastically affected... I took steps to determine the issue with the temperature warning light. I checked the "only" thing that seemed obvious to me: the fluid level. It seemed fine, so I assumed that, since my car signals me whenever it is time for a tuneup, that it was, perhaps, telling me that I needed to get the old flush and fill. Oh, boy, was I wrong. It never occurred to me to check the radiator fan and hoses while the car was running. I was forced to do so at about 5 in the morning when the damned thing overheated. The radiator fan was not functioning, and there is a mildly inaccessible spot in my engine from where steam was rising - rapidly. So, besides the fact that the fan isn't functioning, at least one hose has taken a dump on me. This then leaves me in Lawrence, with the prospect that on Monday or Tuesday I get news that I'm going to have to spend a big chunk of money...

4/20 isn't the only special day this weekend...

Eric — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 21:34:03 GMT

So, today is 4/20. You all know what that means; Hitler's birthday... Wait, no, that's not what I wanted to say. Oh, yeah, Boozer's birthday! Happy 30th, my brother! Well kids, Sunday is my 42nd birthday. These past years I have found myself by myself on my birthday. This year, I really don't feel like spending it that way. Sure, I can find things that I like to do, but I don't want that. I want to do something with any of you, my chosen family. This does not necessarily mean doing something on Sunday, but simply hanging out with folks during this weekend. I want suggestions of things to do from any concerned citizens. All reasonable, and many unreasonable ideas will be considered. So, who is up for some birthday bashing?

this I copied from AlyGirl's blog. to all my friends in Missouri

Eric — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 21:26:45 GMT

Support Womens' Birth Rights and Midwifery - Please Sign the petition Wed, April 18, 2007 - 7:10 AM Right now there is a bill pending in the Missouri House and Senate that will allow for professional midwives to legally practice in the state. ( Senate Bill 303 and House Bill 503) Whether you chose to give birth at home or in the hospital does not matter. It only matters that you support for the options to be available. Please sign the petition on the link below and let your legislators to vote yes for midwifery in Missouri. It is urgent that you do this immediately as time is running out! Click Here for the Petition: www.petitiononline.com/MOMW/p...on.html Here is a link to find out who your MO legislators are. Put their names down on the petition if you can. www.senate.mo.gov/llookup/l...ookup.aspx You will need your full zip code to find them. Here is the link to find out your full zip. zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp ------------------------------------------------------------ FORWARD THIS TO ANYONE YOU KNOW WHO LIVES IN MISSOURI. POST ON YOUR BLOG IF YOU CAN AS WELL!