perspicacity

meme a licious

roblef — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 01:12:11 GMT

(Stolen from Ambird) put a * by the ones you have done *1. Started your own blog? *2. Slept under the stars *3. Played in a band 4. Visited Hawaii *5. Watched a meteor shower *6. Given more than you can afford to charity *7. Been to Disneyland *8. Climbed a mountain *9. Held a praying mantis *10. Sang a solo 11. Bungee jumped 12. Visited Paris 13. Watched a lightning storm at sea *14. Taught yourself an art from scratch 15. Adopted a child *16. Had food poisoning 17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty *18. Grown your own vegetables 19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France 20. Slept on an overnight train *21. Had a pillow fight 22. Hitch hiked *23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill *24. Built a snow fort 25. Held a lamb *26. Gone skinny dipping *27. Run a Marathon 28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice *29. Seen a total eclipse *30. Watched a sunrise or sunset 31. Hit a home run *32. Been on a cruise 33. Seen Niagara Falls in person 34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors *35. Seen an Amish community 36. Taught yourself a new language *37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (in general) 38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person *39. Gone rock climbing 40. Seen Michelangelo’s David *41. Sung karaoke 42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt *43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant 44. Visited Africa *45. Walked on a beach by moonlight 46. Been transported in an ambulance 47. Had your portrait painted *48. Gone deep sea fishing 49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person 50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris *51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling *52. Kissed in the rain *53. Played in the mud *54. Gone to a drive-in theater 55. Been in a movie 56. Visited the Great Wall of China *57. Started a business *58. Taken a martial arts class 59. Visited Russia 60. Served at a soup kitchen 61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies *62. Gone whale watching 63. Got flowers for no reason *64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma 65. Gone sky diving 66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp *67. Bounced a check 68. Flown in a helicopter *69. Saved a favorite childhood toy *70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial *71. Eaten Caviar 72. Pieced a quilt 73. Stood in Times Square 74. Toured the Everglades 75. Been fired from a job 76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London *77. Broken a bone *78. Been on a speeding motorcycle *79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person 80. Published a book 81. Visited the Vatican *82. Bought a brand new car 83. Walked in Jerusalem 84. Had your picture in the newspaper 85. Read the entire Bible *86. Visited the White House *87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - if salmon counts *88. Had chickenpox 89. Saved someone’s life 90. Sat on a jury *91. Met someone famous *92. Joined a book club 93. Lost a loved one *94. Had a baby (not physically) 95. Seen the Alamo in person 96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake *97. Been involved in a law suit *98. Owned a cell phone *99. Been stung by a bee *100. Read an entire book in one day

wisdom

roblef — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 07:11:53 GMT

"when you forgive, you love. and when you love, god's light shines on you" --Into The Wild (Hal Holbrook, in the movie) I don't believe in god, or gods, or a personification of "something bigger than us." but I do believe that we all can learn from the wisdom of forgiveness.

seems fairly clear

roblef — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:03:51 GMT

The tax plans, as visualized: "According to a new analysis by the Tax Policy Center, a joint project of the Urban Institute and the Brookings Institution, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain are both proposing tax plans that would result in cuts for most American families. Obama's plan gives the biggest cuts to those who make the least, while McCain would give the largest cuts to the very wealthy. For the approximately 147,000 families that make up the top 0.1 percent of the income scale, the difference between the two plans is stark. While McCain offers a $269,364 tax cut, Obama would raise their taxes, on average, by $701,885 - a difference of nearly $1 million." http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/06/09/ST2008060900950.html

Vote Early, Vote Often

roblef — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 01:00:31 GMT

Well, early, at least. IF you're suddenly finding yourself out of town on election day: http://www.elections.alaska.gov/avo08_general.php Absentee Voting Locations General Election: Tuesday, November 4, 2008 To locate the days & times of an absentee voting location in your community click here. Ballots for all 40 districts are available at the following locations beginning on October 20 through Election Day. Anchorage Region II Elections Office Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm 2525 Gambell Street, Suite 100 Saturday, November 1, 10:00am - 4:00pm Sunday, November 2, 12:00pm - 4:00pm Election Day, 7:00am - 8:00pm Anchorage City Hall Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm 632 W. 6th Avenue, Suite 105 Election Day, 7:00am - 8:00pm

Old

roblef — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:52:50 GMT

http://bernthis.typepad.com/bernthiscom/2008/10/the-older-i-get-the-more-patient-i-am-around-the-elderly-because-ive-now-reached-point-where-i-have-a-good-idea-where-they-ar.html?cid=136206623 "Up until I turned 40, I can honestly say that whenever I saw somebody who I considered old, you know, like...40...I would just look at them, completely unable to relate and, to be honest, totally unaccepting of the idea that one day that would be me. " I repeat, "one day that would be me." It's good for me to remember that, barring any catastrophe or illness, I will BE that older person driving the car in front of me. We are all connected.

Undecided Voters

roblef — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:20:01 GMT

http://www.newyorker.com/humor/2008/10/27/081027sh_shouts_sedaris?currentPage=all "To put them in perspective, I think of being on an airplane. The flight attendant comes down the aisle with her food cart and, eventually, parks it beside my seat. “Can I interest you in the chicken?” she asks. “Or would you prefer the platter of shit with bits of broken glass in it?” To be undecided in this election is to pause for a moment and then ask how the chicken is cooked. I mean, really, what’s to be confused about?" I love David Sedaris

my turn

roblef — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 23:33:29 GMT

Bill Maher posits, on a recent Daily Show, that Athiesm is a "mirror of faith, that it is a "belief" of being certain". I paraphrase it to mean that you just can't be certain, so why be as dogmatic about your own belief system as those who you decry as being dogmatic and wrong? Just sayin.

Robot Junky, Blues Central, 8 pm, Aug 18

roblef — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 23:10:36 GMT

There. Them's the details. Should be a fun show. Short, sweet, and rock n roll.

funny little slideshow about I/M inthe ANC

roblef — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:55:37 GMT

http://www.ownthesidewalk.com/2008/07/im-for-dummies.html

the new burka-state

roblef — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 03:15:55 GMT

http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/aremen.htm "Man was created with a powerful desire toward the woman, and the fall has placed adulterous thoughts in his heart (Matthew 15:19). Before the fall, man's heart was pure, but that is no longer the case. Saved men wrestle with their old natures, and when they are walking in the Spirit, they resist their natural sinful desires toward women. But even for a saved man, it is a tremendous struggle to resist lusting after an attractive, immodestly clad woman. Most unsaved men, on the other hand, make no attempt not to lust. In fact, they boast in their lusting. I therefore contend that the way women dress IS the business of men other than their husbands and fathers." It scares me that this is a serious essay.

biblical law

roblef — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 01:14:49 GMT

http://www.jesusisaliberal.org/2005/10/why-cant-i-own-canadian.html "Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die? " "The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense. Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians? "

the truth about the internet

roblef — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 21:49:07 GMT

http://www.myextralife.com/archive.php?date=2008-04-28

new artist i'm digging

roblef — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:41:16 GMT

Ted Leo and the Pharmicists. eMusic: http://www.emusic.com/album/Ted-Leo-Pharmacists-Living-With-The-Living-MP3-Download/11019628.html lastFM: http://www.last.fm/music/Ted+Leo+and+The+Pharmacists Form the emusic page: Ted Leo is still in a class by himself when it comes to relocating and reinvigorating the fiery spirit that produced the great sounds of the '70s and early '80s. Too tuneful and structured for punk but too brashly energetic (not to mention politically charged) for pop, Leo taps back into the innocent spirit that once drove bands, both great and small, into an amorphous and stylistically diverse movement, bound together by the common belief that they should play their hearts out, regardless of possible personal benefit. The same conviction, that putting everything on the line for the abandon and joy of electric music-making is a worthwhile goal in and of itself, was just as valid to the hardcore pioneers as it was to London new wavers, Midwest post-punks, primal garage rockers and unbridled power-poppers. None of it was about taming the id or turning down the amps to become more chart-friendly or contemporary, they were simply doing what felt right, as hard and fast as they could. It yielded some really great music. And it still does.

Cat Yodeling, FTW

roblef — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 07:22:53 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHXBL6bzAR4 I kept thinking of Krista's Jeff. I dunno why.

oh, yeah.

roblef — Thu, 22 May 2008 00:30:42 GMT

Q: What’s the most curious record in your collection? A: Probably Q: What are some unusual things that have been left behind in a cloakroom? A: small lego pieces, used condoms, and metal jacks. Oh, and some sanity. Q: You’ve always enjoyed the connection between fashion and history…talk to us about that. A: seriously, the way they designed those bathing suits in the puritanical 1950's, do you see a parallel to now? Q: List some artists who have shaped your creative life. A: Visual artists: David Lynch, Luc Besson, Walt Disney Musical artists: Pete Townsend, John Hiatt, Radiohead, Wilco Artists of the word: Card, Asimov, Heinlein, Bear, Baxter, Martin, Butler, etc. Q: List some songs that were beacons for you. A: Mother, by Pink Floyd; I'm One, by The Who/Pete Townsend, Icy Blue Heart, by John Hiatt Q: What’s heaven for you? A: connectedness Q: What’s hard for you? A: math. Also, feeling liked. It's an old struggle. Q: What’s wrong with the world? A: too many judgments, too many "one up" positions Q: Favorite scenes in movies? A: the reveal of LeeLu in 5th Element, the backing into outer space in Contact, the mommy mommy scene in blue velvet, edward scissorhands Q: Can you describe a few other scenes from movies that have always stayed with you? A: The damn toilet bowl scene in Trainspotting, and the two scenes with the baby in the same flick Q: Can you tell me an odd thing that happened in an odd place? Any thoughts? A: traveling to Vegas with a gram of coke and a crappy car. getting stuck in a small ass town when car broke down. walking through the pawnshop, lit up, and buying a knife that I have to this very day. Q: Most interesting recording you own? A: myself, aged 7 or 8, making funny noises and cartoon voices to make my younger brother laugh. Q: You are fascinated with irony, what is irony? A: most things are ironic, right? except that song about irony. That's pretty ironic, yeah? That a song about irony isn't very ironic? Q: Do you have words to live by? A: Enjoy Every Sandwich Q: What have you learned from parenthood? A: kids are the joy and the bane and the future. I CAN actually be patient and kind. It is very easy to take the easy way out and punish, rather than explain and teach. Q What remarkable things have you found in unexpected places? A: i've found comfort and safety in a long term relationship. Totally unexpected. Q: What is up with your ears? A: They are always hearing, hearing, hearing! Q: Most thrilling musical experience? A: The Who, 25th Anniversary Tour at the Coliseum, in LA. Smashing Pumpkins Adore Tour. Playing and singing my own song with the full power of the band behind me, just before I left it all for AK. Q: What would you have liked to see but were born too late for? A: The moon landing Q: What is a gentleman? A: someone who is gentle, but not a pushover. Q: What is one thing you have memorized? A: the lyrics to Closer to Fine Q: What color is the room with the carpet on all walls at Graceland? A: Green Shag Q: What do you wonder about? A: Everything. It's all wonder-ful. Like, why *is* there air? And, of course, the Fermi Paradox. That shit weirds me out. Q: What are some sounds you like? A: the sound of a gentle rain, the sound of human sexual acts, joyful singing, music in all its varieties, the word "dad" spoken by my children Q: What’s scary to you? A: falling from a height, the third book of the exorcist, losing a child Q: What do you wish for when the lights go out? A: usually that i wake up the next day.

blue hair

roblef — Wed, 21 May 2008 21:55:25 GMT

or purple. I want to mess with my hair this summer. where would you buy the dye(s)? Any thoughts?

my sweetie knows me

roblef — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:27:03 GMT

seriously, she does.

almost as good as the prom dress

roblef — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 16:36:08 GMT

http://havenworks.com/

Robot Junky at Player's House Of Rock

roblef — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:24:15 GMT

Friday, 4/18/08: Come see the new band, the new lineup, and an hour of great original music at Player's House Of Rock. We're going on first, so plan to be there by 9:30 or 10 pm. Hope to see you there!

best website evar.

roblef — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:14:20 GMT

http://yvettesbridalformal.com/index.htm seriously. go see. turn up your speakers, too.

Are you a carrier?

roblef — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:44:02 GMT

http://www.cardcarryingliberal.org/

another geek-o-meter post

roblef — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:19:52 GMT

farts are funny

roblef — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:48:19 GMT

http://bodyodd.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/03/19/786305.aspx • On average, a fart is composed of about 59 percent nitrogen, 21 percent hydrogen, 9 percent carbon dioxide, 7 percent methane and 4 percent oxygen. Less than 1 percent of their makeup is what makes farts stink. • The temperature of a fart at time of creation is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. • Farts have been clocked at a speed of 10 feet per second. • A person produces about half a liter of farts a day. • Women fart as much as men. • The gas that makes your farts stink is hydrogen sulfide. The more sulfur rich your diet, the more your farts will stink. Some foods that cause really smelly farts include: beans, cabbage, cheese, soda and eggs. • Most people pass gas about 14 times a day.

wow. kludgy, but cool.

roblef — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 17:18:14 GMT

I think I need this shirt. Or, better yet, I need to get it for one of my children, so they can be my wifi detector. It actually works. That's the amazing part.

why i still don't use safari

roblef — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 01:48:36 GMT

unless they've come up with an add-on that blocks ads. Firefox and my ad-plus ad blocker keeps me fairly ad free. I forget sometimes that it's doing anything, until i use safari or some other non-firefox browser. eesh.