holaolah

A Long Overdue Shout Out

I miss working on the farm with my new/old buddies Elam "Eazy-E" Zook and his trusty sidekick Blue. You can thank them for my "when animals attack" profile photo. He's a unique soul that Elam: an Amish Unitarian Grandpa whose gears are always turning to find ways to work smarter (as opposed to harder). And he's a blogger to boot. Blue, well, he's a black dog with one blue eye. He's a hell of a field mouse hunter as well.

We only worked together for a season, but I think I made some friends for life. Awww!

Today's Claim to Fame

Once upon a time, I shook the hand of Philly's almost next Mayor, Michael Nutter. This event took place back in late March and you might even say that after this meeting, things kicked up a notch for Mike. Perhaps it was my golden touch?

Don't mean to sound punker than thou, but he had my endorsement, like, a year ago after initiating the smoking ban. Seems like a decent guy, nice handshake.

good night, and good luck

We just finished watching the film with the same name as the above mentioned headline.
We agreed that the issues presented had very interesting parallels to the world we're dwelling in today. We reaffirmed our position that George Clooney would make for a great real life President of the United States. We also stated that he will never get the job if he continues to make films like "Good Night, and Good Luck" and "Syriana".

Bush Patrol (it's hot out there, should've used Arid Extra Dry)

I just get so much joy from this picture. I can't believe it's not from The Onion. It's actually from Newsweek. Do our Border Patrol vehicles really look that Evel Knievel?

Martin & Malcolm / Cash & Dylan

Dick Cheney's Got a Gun

This is just simply awesome. Here's a copy of Bob Rivers' "Cheney's Got a Gun" for you to download!  Special thanks to my buddy Kim for turning me on to this amazing parody of Aerosmith's "Janie's Got A Gun"

Posted by: ryanolah on Buzznet

Google: Totally Un-American

Whether you look at it from the right or from the left, Google is un-American. Interesting, no?*

*the left/right link examples are interchangeable, you get the idea. Photo disclaimers and explanation are available on my buzznet.

Recent Tears

If you're a man like me you can count your most recent experiences with tears on one hand. You can judge that based on whatever you wanna judge me on. I'm thinking now back to September when I borrowed Wattstaxx from the Newark library. The film contained a clip of the good doctor MLK giving his (I'm pretty certain of this) "I've been to the Mountaintop Speech."

I sat down to watch the classic soul and funk and afrotastic goodness, the volume was up high, joined by a big bowl of popcorn and a cold beer.  Between clips of Richard Pryor and brothers trying to work it out explaining the struggle, the man, women, there was Martin, saying...

"Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."

And then I just started crying. For hopes and battles lost, for being so close and then getting cut down. For kids left without a dad, for a movement punched in the gut and shattered. For getting a sermon and being touched by God when I least expected it. I owe a lot to the good doctor. I credit hearing about him in grade school for helping me sort out fact from fiction and learning how to love people. Thanks again.

Here's  a link to his "I have a Dream" speech if you're interested in listening: Download i_have_a_dream.mp3 (right click, save as...).

Coming Soon...

to a Mega Church near you: Justice Sunday III. Are you ready to rock?

No Pat, NOOOOO!

If God is the kind of God that Pat says he is, then every time Pat says something like THIS it only makes his inevitable death that much more of a sensational headline grabbing event. It's past my rant hour. You should have been here at dinner when I told Janell about Pat's latest crime against God. I love her when she's angry.