We now actually own the truck, and it's legal for us to drive it. Momma's grandfather has had a little blue Toyota truck for years. He got a deal on it and wanted a truck. I don't know how much he used it, but I used a few times the past few years. Mostly it sat in the driveway unused.
A few months ago he drove it over and handed over the title. He was done storing it, and didn't much want to have it around anymore. His story was that Momma should use it for work.
We haven't been driving it for a couple of reasons, one that we had to get a special form filled out because he didn't charge us anything for it. There was also the tax and title which I hadn't considered, and I guess the wheel tax is in there. And then we kept forgetting to make a point of driving to Kodak to get it done, and they so seldom come into town, and blah blah blah.
Momma won't necessarily being driving it to work too soon because it's a stick shift. I could at any time in the past couple of months helped her learn, but that's a bunch of time we don't want to spend doing that. We could drive to some random church parking lot some random day so she could figure it out, but then we'd have to do something with the boys. Honestly, if we are going to bother getting babysitting, it's going to be for something a little better than a manual transmission
With Big Brother no longer forced by law to sit in a booster seat, the boys and I can now fit in the truck. And for some reason, maybe being old fashioned, I hate to have Momma drive this truck. It's a great truck, only twenty four years old and just over two hundred thousand miles. The rust isn't too bad. There is no power steering. It does run well, but compared to the Honda, it's kind of spartan in a sense.
I should admit that I've already had some battery issues. I drove to the mall to get the tag, stopped back by the house to change the tag, and then set off to the insurance folks, stopping for gas on the way. It was leaving the gas station that the truck suggested that her battery wasn't as happy as it could have been. And then, as I set out to leave the insurance agent, it was dead. Momma rushed away from the homeschool thing she was doing to save me, making her nearly late for work in the process. Our tight fitting schedule got a little something thrown at it.
I drove down the interstate a couple of miles and actually beat Momma home taking the apparently shorter route that we never take. Perhaps that was enough to charge the battery because I didn't have trouble starting the truck again today and made exactly two trips after the ill fated one to give nice insurance lady a check, one to Auto Zone to learn that there wasn't enough power in the battery for their machine to test it. Seems like a good waste of free to me, but I'm sure it was worth the hassle anyway. I could have told the guy the battery was low, but I was hoping his machine could tell me if the battery was at fault or if it was just low. The second trip was for fast food. I was expecting to have to run a final errand tonight, and we really could stand to make a grocery store trip.
We'll end with the off topic bit. The little bit of interstate I drove is our local city bypass. I hate driving on it. It's quicker to a bunch of things that we might sometimes do, but I hate it. I don't know why. I don't mind driving the main interstate, even if I have to go out west, but the bypass? I hate it. I'm absolutely amazed that I beat Momma home. I was right behind her till I veered off to the on ramp. Apparently it's shorter, but I'm not going to start using it, because I hate it.
Friday, August 17, 2007
haha, we got some rain
Last time I went out to smoke it was raining. I actually stepped out the back door just as the first light drops were coming down.
Earlier in the night I'd thought for a moment that I heard thunder. It sounded like it, but thunder was too good to be true and sounded too far anyway.
And then I stepped outside, and stood stupidly for a few moments and the stood stupidly happy for a few moments. I probably looked up at the raindrops coming down.
Then I tucked the local alternative newsweekly under my shoulder, ducked my head and jogged to the garage. My head didn't get less wet for being ducked a little, but I still do it when I run between the house and the garage for a smoke in the rain. The rain was already starting to fall harder, and by the time I finished smoking, it was absolutely pounding down. There was more thunder in the distance, and the smell was summer rain, lightning and dirt. I didn't see lightning, but thunder and lightning go together like living and being alive. Actually, there is a fine line between living and being alive, but that's not the point.
Bonues rain points for coming in the middle of the night so it doesn't just steam the whole place up. Nothing like seeing the steam rising from the ground, almost wishing it hadn't rained in the first place if it was just going to be a bitch about it. It almost makes me want another cigarette sooner than I would just to go back outside.
Earlier in the night I'd thought for a moment that I heard thunder. It sounded like it, but thunder was too good to be true and sounded too far anyway.
And then I stepped outside, and stood stupidly for a few moments and the stood stupidly happy for a few moments. I probably looked up at the raindrops coming down.
Then I tucked the local alternative newsweekly under my shoulder, ducked my head and jogged to the garage. My head didn't get less wet for being ducked a little, but I still do it when I run between the house and the garage for a smoke in the rain. The rain was already starting to fall harder, and by the time I finished smoking, it was absolutely pounding down. There was more thunder in the distance, and the smell was summer rain, lightning and dirt. I didn't see lightning, but thunder and lightning go together like living and being alive. Actually, there is a fine line between living and being alive, but that's not the point.
Bonues rain points for coming in the middle of the night so it doesn't just steam the whole place up. Nothing like seeing the steam rising from the ground, almost wishing it hadn't rained in the first place if it was just going to be a bitch about it. It almost makes me want another cigarette sooner than I would just to go back outside.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
my ol' theme
Too much time has passed in which I've failed to mention roller derby. We've been to Nashville and now Louisvill Kentucky in the past couple of months. We've also begun bouts at our new home, opening with our first intra league bout of the 2007 season. The league has faced some defeat, but the skaters continue to grow and develop. They play an amazing game, and they know the rules and usually keep their elbows down.
As mentioned, we have now played a team from Louisville Kentucky. We made the drive in possibly record time Sunday morning with the two teams facing off Sunday night. Monday was another early awake and out the door day for the drive home and getting Momma to work by four. It's amazing what people do for derby.
The original plan for Louisville involved us bringing two teams worth of skaters to face their intra league teams in two abbreviated bouts. Upon arrival, we learned that some of their skaters would be unable to play, so they rearranged the plans and played one regulation bout. That was great news for us as many of our girls were unable to make the trip meaning those that did would most likely have had to play in both games. Because so many of our skaters were unable to come, we certainly didn't put our usual Hard Knox travel team on the rink. In the end, due to our skaters' hard work in practice, we're getting to the point where all our skaters that aren't fresh meat are at a level that they are quite as able as most of the girls to be considered for the travel team.
Momma skated the first jam to open the bout and pulled off three grand slams in the two minutes of skating. A grand slam in roller derby is when your jammer laps the opposing jammer. It doesn't happen that often, but it's kind of hard to keep up with Momma much less stop her.
I lifted this picture from Louisville photographer Mr. Quick, and HERE is the link to his Flickr set of the bout. He's got some good pictures, and if you love derby, go peruse. I hope he doesn't mind that I've lifted one of his pics for the blog, but it is mostly my wife, so I don't actually feel bad about it.
I won't pretend that Louisville was an easy match for our team, because they played well. They don't have the experience yet that our league does, but based on their performance, they will get that experience and make our next win that much harder.
As mentioned, we have now played a team from Louisville Kentucky. We made the drive in possibly record time Sunday morning with the two teams facing off Sunday night. Monday was another early awake and out the door day for the drive home and getting Momma to work by four. It's amazing what people do for derby.
The original plan for Louisville involved us bringing two teams worth of skaters to face their intra league teams in two abbreviated bouts. Upon arrival, we learned that some of their skaters would be unable to play, so they rearranged the plans and played one regulation bout. That was great news for us as many of our girls were unable to make the trip meaning those that did would most likely have had to play in both games. Because so many of our skaters were unable to come, we certainly didn't put our usual Hard Knox travel team on the rink. In the end, due to our skaters' hard work in practice, we're getting to the point where all our skaters that aren't fresh meat are at a level that they are quite as able as most of the girls to be considered for the travel team.
Momma skated the first jam to open the bout and pulled off three grand slams in the two minutes of skating. A grand slam in roller derby is when your jammer laps the opposing jammer. It doesn't happen that often, but it's kind of hard to keep up with Momma much less stop her.
I lifted this picture from Louisville photographer Mr. Quick, and HERE is the link to his Flickr set of the bout. He's got some good pictures, and if you love derby, go peruse. I hope he doesn't mind that I've lifted one of his pics for the blog, but it is mostly my wife, so I don't actually feel bad about it.
I won't pretend that Louisville was an easy match for our team, because they played well. They don't have the experience yet that our league does, but based on their performance, they will get that experience and make our next win that much harder.
nothing about anything
I haven't been very good about writing here lately, as may have been obvious considering the week long absences and the random and sporadic posts. I'm still reading around the internet and leaving comments that I feel are funny but probably aren't, I just haven't been drawn to write.
This isn't a new phenomenon, and I'm sure that plenty of other bloggers go through the same sort of thing. But for me, it becomes bothersome. I'm somewhat cooped up in the house all too often, and I think that this adds to my lack of desire to post. The weather is brutal, hot and humid as ever if not moreso this year. We had a little rain way back when, which was really nice to see, but once again we are back to drought. The ozone level is just lovely these days, trapped here in our little valley. The haze in the sky, the hot breezes, the instant sweat upon exiting the house all combine to make me just want to go back to bed.
But maybe I'm coming out of my stupor. I'm slowly getting back into a slight writerly mode. I've got soccer beginning again soon, and the roller derby news is still happening even without me writing about it. I actually do have a derby story for you, but first I have to find some guy's pictures and steal the one of Momma that's actually a good picture.
The house is an absolute wreck, and with friends coming to town in less than two weeks, we have a major job ahead of us. Thankfully, the drought has kept me from having to mow the yard too much, though our little bit of rain, while not making the grass grow, did make some crazy and extremely woody stemmed plants try to take over the yard. I finally got that done, but the drought is so bad that I've only mowed twice and it's okay. That's entirely fucked up, and it's not a good thing in the least. I'd rather have the rain and the extra work.
And that's all you get for now. I've once more turned my lack of regular updates/writing into post fodder about itself, something I'm sure to do plenty more over time. Now wait patiently while I work up some posts that are entirely uninteresting. I'm so on it now.
This isn't a new phenomenon, and I'm sure that plenty of other bloggers go through the same sort of thing. But for me, it becomes bothersome. I'm somewhat cooped up in the house all too often, and I think that this adds to my lack of desire to post. The weather is brutal, hot and humid as ever if not moreso this year. We had a little rain way back when, which was really nice to see, but once again we are back to drought. The ozone level is just lovely these days, trapped here in our little valley. The haze in the sky, the hot breezes, the instant sweat upon exiting the house all combine to make me just want to go back to bed.
But maybe I'm coming out of my stupor. I'm slowly getting back into a slight writerly mode. I've got soccer beginning again soon, and the roller derby news is still happening even without me writing about it. I actually do have a derby story for you, but first I have to find some guy's pictures and steal the one of Momma that's actually a good picture.
The house is an absolute wreck, and with friends coming to town in less than two weeks, we have a major job ahead of us. Thankfully, the drought has kept me from having to mow the yard too much, though our little bit of rain, while not making the grass grow, did make some crazy and extremely woody stemmed plants try to take over the yard. I finally got that done, but the drought is so bad that I've only mowed twice and it's okay. That's entirely fucked up, and it's not a good thing in the least. I'd rather have the rain and the extra work.
And that's all you get for now. I've once more turned my lack of regular updates/writing into post fodder about itself, something I'm sure to do plenty more over time. Now wait patiently while I work up some posts that are entirely uninteresting. I'm so on it now.
never thought
I have the kid I thought and even swore I'd never have. I looked at those other kids, the kids that weren't mine, the kids that were picky eaters. I'm related to a few of these kids. I have some nieces that are beautiful and amazing girls, but they are the kids that go to the awesome Thai restaurant and order plain noodles. My kids were never going to be like that.
And Big Brother is not like that. He eats almost anything we put in front of him. He will even try things he's not liked before, and he actually likes certain items in certain preparations but not in others. He loves a salad and he loves McDonalds and tends to order from the regular menu at restaurant because it always sounds better than the kid's menu.
The Boy however is that kid. He's still an odd eater more than he is a picky eater, but he's just as much a picky eater as he is an odd eater.
He mostly subsists on peanut butter contained either on wheat bread with jelly or on a graham cracker. Big Brother eats the crust, but The Boy doesn't. He wouldn't even eat the crust if you offered him candy afterward, and believe me, we've tried. The crust is good for you, and to not eat it seems wasteful, but he doesn't care and can't even be bribed.
He likes macaroni and cheese, but the time I made it with a lovely bread crumb crust on top he wouldn't eat it till the crust was completely removed. That wasn't really that bad a deal as I ate the crust for him.
He eats sushi, loves sushi, will devour any sashimi that passes slowly enough for him to get his hands on it. His favorite food however might actually be fried chicken tenders, though if offered sashimi and chicken tenders, he would eat both, most likely trying each in any available dipping sauce. The thought of perfectly cut fatty tuna dipped in honey mustard might destroy some weaker minds and palates, but The Boy would not only try it, but he would love it.
And it's trying, wanting him to be healthy, knowing the variety that he needs, and not wanting to fight with him over food. He's proven that he's willing to make himself sick over food and getting what he wants. He's getting to a point where he can be helped to make connections between diet and waking up vomiting. Yet still he persists.
The oddest things often remind us of how great our kids are. Supper tonight was spaghetti, and I'll admit right off that I rushed and didn't make it nearly as good as the last batch, and the last batch was the closest yet I've come to getting it right. It's still good, but I didn't bother serving him any because he wouldn't have eaten it. Big Brother and I got nice big bowls of spaghetti, while The boy got a plate of plain noodles, a couple of small slices of polska kielbasa and a slice of cheese. It's the noodles that got to me.
He eats his noodles by picking them up, one end in each hand. He stretches the noodle out and bites out the middle then quickly stuffs the ends into his mouth. I've seen him do this often enough, but every once in a while I actually notice the process, and it makes me laugh all over again.
And Big Brother is not like that. He eats almost anything we put in front of him. He will even try things he's not liked before, and he actually likes certain items in certain preparations but not in others. He loves a salad and he loves McDonalds and tends to order from the regular menu at restaurant because it always sounds better than the kid's menu.
The Boy however is that kid. He's still an odd eater more than he is a picky eater, but he's just as much a picky eater as he is an odd eater.
He mostly subsists on peanut butter contained either on wheat bread with jelly or on a graham cracker. Big Brother eats the crust, but The Boy doesn't. He wouldn't even eat the crust if you offered him candy afterward, and believe me, we've tried. The crust is good for you, and to not eat it seems wasteful, but he doesn't care and can't even be bribed.
He likes macaroni and cheese, but the time I made it with a lovely bread crumb crust on top he wouldn't eat it till the crust was completely removed. That wasn't really that bad a deal as I ate the crust for him.
He eats sushi, loves sushi, will devour any sashimi that passes slowly enough for him to get his hands on it. His favorite food however might actually be fried chicken tenders, though if offered sashimi and chicken tenders, he would eat both, most likely trying each in any available dipping sauce. The thought of perfectly cut fatty tuna dipped in honey mustard might destroy some weaker minds and palates, but The Boy would not only try it, but he would love it.
And it's trying, wanting him to be healthy, knowing the variety that he needs, and not wanting to fight with him over food. He's proven that he's willing to make himself sick over food and getting what he wants. He's getting to a point where he can be helped to make connections between diet and waking up vomiting. Yet still he persists.
The oddest things often remind us of how great our kids are. Supper tonight was spaghetti, and I'll admit right off that I rushed and didn't make it nearly as good as the last batch, and the last batch was the closest yet I've come to getting it right. It's still good, but I didn't bother serving him any because he wouldn't have eaten it. Big Brother and I got nice big bowls of spaghetti, while The boy got a plate of plain noodles, a couple of small slices of polska kielbasa and a slice of cheese. It's the noodles that got to me.
He eats his noodles by picking them up, one end in each hand. He stretches the noodle out and bites out the middle then quickly stuffs the ends into his mouth. I've seen him do this often enough, but every once in a while I actually notice the process, and it makes me laugh all over again.
check her sounds
A number of years ago, in our nation's capital, for a brief and glorious moment, there was an amazing ska band named the Checkered Cabs. I was still feeling my way into music post being raised quite Baptist, and while ska was making small blippy things happen on my musical radar, I wasn't quite into it at all.
At some point I did of course realize that I'm a great lover of the ska music. It certainly helps when you discover a band like the Checkered Cabs, and I did via their album Remember, though somewhat after it was originally released. It's an album I still play, and today it came out as the boys and I ran an errand. The songs all took me back, and I began to wonder why I hadn't ever searched for them online. I've known they were broken up, but in the age we live in, if it's not somewhere online, it's nowhere, or something.
Tonight became the night to look into the band, to find out what I could learn, what they were doing these days. It took a bit of fooling around between Google and YouTube which led me to Myspace and hopefully my newest friend. I'm such a geek for this sort of thing.
While the Checkered Cabs were a great band all round, the singer Caz Gardiner was truly the standout of the band. I have to say that, while I also like the new band, The Pressure Sounds, Caz's vocals are always going to steal the show.
Upon finding her on YouTube, I realized instantly that my mental picture of what I expected was the exact opposite of what I got. I'm not sure that there's any reason as to why, but I'd always imagined her as almost a Keely Smith, but she's not at all. That's fine, because I'm sure I only love her more seeing her finally on the ever faithful YouTube. What would life be without it?
Anyway, The Pressure Sounds doing Life Can Be Easier. And oh my god for real how she fucking dances!
At some point I did of course realize that I'm a great lover of the ska music. It certainly helps when you discover a band like the Checkered Cabs, and I did via their album Remember, though somewhat after it was originally released. It's an album I still play, and today it came out as the boys and I ran an errand. The songs all took me back, and I began to wonder why I hadn't ever searched for them online. I've known they were broken up, but in the age we live in, if it's not somewhere online, it's nowhere, or something.
Tonight became the night to look into the band, to find out what I could learn, what they were doing these days. It took a bit of fooling around between Google and YouTube which led me to Myspace and hopefully my newest friend. I'm such a geek for this sort of thing.
While the Checkered Cabs were a great band all round, the singer Caz Gardiner was truly the standout of the band. I have to say that, while I also like the new band, The Pressure Sounds, Caz's vocals are always going to steal the show.
Upon finding her on YouTube, I realized instantly that my mental picture of what I expected was the exact opposite of what I got. I'm not sure that there's any reason as to why, but I'd always imagined her as almost a Keely Smith, but she's not at all. That's fine, because I'm sure I only love her more seeing her finally on the ever faithful YouTube. What would life be without it?
Anyway, The Pressure Sounds doing Life Can Be Easier. And oh my god for real how she fucking dances!
Monday, August 13, 2007
not quite buzzing
I've now consumed more caffeine in one day (today) than I have in quite some time. It's all about the road. The road this time is US150 followed by I75, and we were driving home from some hot roller derby action.
Two nights in a row of less sleep than I needed and my tendency to doze on long enough drives is not the wisest combination, nor is the pile of beverages I've consumed. I've had 20 ounces of Vanilla Coke, a can of Cinnabon espresso something, Bawls extra caffeine and guarana blend drink and I have just finished a 15 ounce can of Java Monster coffee plus energy drink. Neither of the coffee drinks was as good as the wee can of Starbucks doubleshot, and the caffeine/guarana drink wasn't nearly as ick as Red Bull.
The Monster drink seems to have worked the best to keep my eyes open. It also helped to keep running into people from Indiana because those people can't drive to save themselves, but anger wakes a man like little else can. Even passing the sign telling them to get their asses back in the right lane, they just don't get that they need to let me pass on the left, not force me to pass on the right.
Anyway, I'm not writing about idiots on the interstate, and I'm not nearly as jittery as I should be considering the number and amount of stimulants (all legal) coursing through me. My tummy is a wee bit about to go ooky probably, and the Tums bottle might just join me at the computer desk while I catch up on everything. But we made it home. I didn't doze and plunge us to fiery doom.
Two nights in a row of less sleep than I needed and my tendency to doze on long enough drives is not the wisest combination, nor is the pile of beverages I've consumed. I've had 20 ounces of Vanilla Coke, a can of Cinnabon espresso something, Bawls extra caffeine and guarana blend drink and I have just finished a 15 ounce can of Java Monster coffee plus energy drink. Neither of the coffee drinks was as good as the wee can of Starbucks doubleshot, and the caffeine/guarana drink wasn't nearly as ick as Red Bull.
The Monster drink seems to have worked the best to keep my eyes open. It also helped to keep running into people from Indiana because those people can't drive to save themselves, but anger wakes a man like little else can. Even passing the sign telling them to get their asses back in the right lane, they just don't get that they need to let me pass on the left, not force me to pass on the right.
Anyway, I'm not writing about idiots on the interstate, and I'm not nearly as jittery as I should be considering the number and amount of stimulants (all legal) coursing through me. My tummy is a wee bit about to go ooky probably, and the Tums bottle might just join me at the computer desk while I catch up on everything. But we made it home. I didn't doze and plunge us to fiery doom.
Friday, August 03, 2007
is this guy serious?
Warning sort of because you may find some of this stuff spoilerish, and this is for Wen who I don't think has made it to the fourth book. I don't give anything away, but you will learn of some plot devices, so proceed at your own risk.
This isn't going to be like a real post, but I certainly invite comments to the following. In my far too numerous reading of Harry Potter, the different ways J.K. Rowling has approached issues of race/class have always sort of stood out. This isn't an opinion post so much as it is things I've noticed. In rereading the series, for the first time in its entirety, I'm only up to book four, though I'm nearing the final task of the Triwizard Tournament.
The two observations are both from this book, The Goblet of Fire. This is the book in which Hermione starts S.P.E.W. the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare. She insists on helping the house elves of Hogwarts to better themselves by demanding pay and time off as well as regular clothing. For all Hermione's insistence on helping them, they more vociferously deny that they want the perks she feels they have a right to. They claim they are quite happy, yet one can't deny that they are a species based on servility. It brings to mind suggestions during the years of slavery, made by some slave owners, that they were doing a service to the black people they owned, that they were happy and fed and doing what they were good for.
In book four we also meet the blast ended skrewts. They are seemingly pointless creatures with both a sting and a sucker as well as rocket propulsion. At one point Hermione is quite willing to squash roughly a hundred of them and kill them having tired of Hagrid's lessons that involved suffering the skrewts' stings and burns while trying to feed and care for them.
At another point, Cornelius Fudge and Professor Dumbledore are discussing the appearance and subsequent disappearance of a particular character, an incident which happened near the Beauxbatons carriage. Hagrid and Madame Maxime, due to an issue of parentage/genetics, are discussed in terms of their propensity toward violent behaviour. Fudge insists that, because of this, Madame Maxime is a likely suspect in the incident with Dumbledore insisting that it isn't very likely. Fudge suggests that, due to Dumbledore's relationship with Hagrid, he may be prejudiced to the condition that Hagrid and Madam Maxime share. Dumbledore suggests that it is Fudge who is prejudiced.
These aren't the only instances in which I've run across the theme, though they are the ones in mind currently. Combined with the theme of racial purity inherent in the pure blood of certain wizarding families versus the muggle borns/mudbloods they despise, the subject of race and even class are prominent themes. It's a subject that I noticed throughout the books, but rereading them is really shining some lights onto things I missed before. It isn't a subject that's preached or hammered, and I've certainly found it interesting. It's certainly more interesting than being scared that children who read HP will turn into witches and wizards and stop loving Jesus.
This isn't going to be like a real post, but I certainly invite comments to the following. In my far too numerous reading of Harry Potter, the different ways J.K. Rowling has approached issues of race/class have always sort of stood out. This isn't an opinion post so much as it is things I've noticed. In rereading the series, for the first time in its entirety, I'm only up to book four, though I'm nearing the final task of the Triwizard Tournament.
The two observations are both from this book, The Goblet of Fire. This is the book in which Hermione starts S.P.E.W. the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare. She insists on helping the house elves of Hogwarts to better themselves by demanding pay and time off as well as regular clothing. For all Hermione's insistence on helping them, they more vociferously deny that they want the perks she feels they have a right to. They claim they are quite happy, yet one can't deny that they are a species based on servility. It brings to mind suggestions during the years of slavery, made by some slave owners, that they were doing a service to the black people they owned, that they were happy and fed and doing what they were good for.
In book four we also meet the blast ended skrewts. They are seemingly pointless creatures with both a sting and a sucker as well as rocket propulsion. At one point Hermione is quite willing to squash roughly a hundred of them and kill them having tired of Hagrid's lessons that involved suffering the skrewts' stings and burns while trying to feed and care for them.
At another point, Cornelius Fudge and Professor Dumbledore are discussing the appearance and subsequent disappearance of a particular character, an incident which happened near the Beauxbatons carriage. Hagrid and Madame Maxime, due to an issue of parentage/genetics, are discussed in terms of their propensity toward violent behaviour. Fudge insists that, because of this, Madame Maxime is a likely suspect in the incident with Dumbledore insisting that it isn't very likely. Fudge suggests that, due to Dumbledore's relationship with Hagrid, he may be prejudiced to the condition that Hagrid and Madam Maxime share. Dumbledore suggests that it is Fudge who is prejudiced.
These aren't the only instances in which I've run across the theme, though they are the ones in mind currently. Combined with the theme of racial purity inherent in the pure blood of certain wizarding families versus the muggle borns/mudbloods they despise, the subject of race and even class are prominent themes. It's a subject that I noticed throughout the books, but rereading them is really shining some lights onto things I missed before. It isn't a subject that's preached or hammered, and I've certainly found it interesting. It's certainly more interesting than being scared that children who read HP will turn into witches and wizards and stop loving Jesus.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
what now?
I've been bad at thinking of things to bitch about lately, and I'm afraid that's probably possibly unhealthy for me. Perhaps I store all the hate inside and don't let it out sometimes, and unwitting blog readers are perfectly capable of withstanding the barrage of ill will. It's only natural that I utilize this god given forum for vent spleening.
I hate commercials . . . period. I hate them all, even if they happen to make me laugh. I especially hate them when they try to play with one's emotions to sell their product.
I especially hate the one where the kid shakes up the two liter of soda and sprays it all over the kitchen, at which point his mother sprays him back with the sprayer from the kitchen sink. No way in hell would I be willing to increase that sort of mess.
Here's the deal in my house when you spray shit everywhere. I find you enough towels to do the job, perhaps get the initial bulk if it's that bad, and then I go outside to smoke a cigarette and ignore the fact that some kid thinks he's too small to have to clean.
I hate the gnome from the Travelocity commercials especially, almost up to white hot passion level hatred. It's not fucking funny. It's worse than the cavemen, who are almost amusing roughly one out of every ten separate commercial. But the gnome is just stupid, and the zany one liners are limp like old celery.
Kid's Bop can once and for all go straight to hell. I'm not kidding at all with this one. I'd take every commercial I've just mentioned to never hear those asshole kids singing some asshole's top forty song about sex barely hidden under a thin and sadly not even witty layer of innuendo. I've definitely trained the boys to hate that shit. If I get nothing else from homeschooling, the fact that my kids will be able to face music with ears untainted by popular opinion makes it all worthwhile.
Damn that felt good, just to unburden myself. The dark cloud of those filthy ads was starting to wear on me. Thanks for allowing me the breath of fresh air I get from unloading into the nether regions of the blogosphere that I inhabit. I couldn't do it without you.
I hate commercials . . . period. I hate them all, even if they happen to make me laugh. I especially hate them when they try to play with one's emotions to sell their product.
I especially hate the one where the kid shakes up the two liter of soda and sprays it all over the kitchen, at which point his mother sprays him back with the sprayer from the kitchen sink. No way in hell would I be willing to increase that sort of mess.
Here's the deal in my house when you spray shit everywhere. I find you enough towels to do the job, perhaps get the initial bulk if it's that bad, and then I go outside to smoke a cigarette and ignore the fact that some kid thinks he's too small to have to clean.
I hate the gnome from the Travelocity commercials especially, almost up to white hot passion level hatred. It's not fucking funny. It's worse than the cavemen, who are almost amusing roughly one out of every ten separate commercial. But the gnome is just stupid, and the zany one liners are limp like old celery.
Kid's Bop can once and for all go straight to hell. I'm not kidding at all with this one. I'd take every commercial I've just mentioned to never hear those asshole kids singing some asshole's top forty song about sex barely hidden under a thin and sadly not even witty layer of innuendo. I've definitely trained the boys to hate that shit. If I get nothing else from homeschooling, the fact that my kids will be able to face music with ears untainted by popular opinion makes it all worthwhile.
Damn that felt good, just to unburden myself. The dark cloud of those filthy ads was starting to wear on me. Thanks for allowing me the breath of fresh air I get from unloading into the nether regions of the blogosphere that I inhabit. I couldn't do it without you.
one more time
I'm sure you're all tired of hearing about Harry Potter by now, and I must say, I'm sure I'll be ready to quit by the time all this is over.
I hadn't planned to read half the series in reverse order. I did plan to read book six in preparation for book seven. But then I had time, and nothing else sounded good so it was on to five and then four. I finished four as Big Brother finished seven, and I of course devoured that one. Momma is now well into it, and we certainly hope she's done soon.
Big Brother is rereading the series and is up to almost finished with book five. Earlier tonight I finished number three. Yes, I've begun at one and progressed forward through the series, and I'm thinking, though it's only been a matter of weeks since I last read it that I might go ahead read book four then and continue on to the end.
I'm actually leaning toward finishing the series. I'm noticing things as I reread the books that I never realized before. I'm realizing how much more involved each individual book is with the whole story. It really is more than just horcruxes. Given the gap between books while waiting for new ones, certain details would get lost or forgotten, but now I'm really seeing more little things that may not have really stood out before.
I know many of (both of) my readers have the full set now. I'd encourage you all to take whatever time you need and reread the series. You've read them once, so you'll likely breeze through the second time faster than Snape from a bottle of shampoo.
Also, why wasn't there a way to get from Diagon Alley to Kings Cross platform nine and three quarters? The platform was magical, and I imagine it would be easier and less worrisome getting people through some sort of floo network than having them show up on the muggle side and try to sneak through a barrier. I guess the wizarding world may not know everything.
I hadn't planned to read half the series in reverse order. I did plan to read book six in preparation for book seven. But then I had time, and nothing else sounded good so it was on to five and then four. I finished four as Big Brother finished seven, and I of course devoured that one. Momma is now well into it, and we certainly hope she's done soon.
Big Brother is rereading the series and is up to almost finished with book five. Earlier tonight I finished number three. Yes, I've begun at one and progressed forward through the series, and I'm thinking, though it's only been a matter of weeks since I last read it that I might go ahead read book four then and continue on to the end.
I'm actually leaning toward finishing the series. I'm noticing things as I reread the books that I never realized before. I'm realizing how much more involved each individual book is with the whole story. It really is more than just horcruxes. Given the gap between books while waiting for new ones, certain details would get lost or forgotten, but now I'm really seeing more little things that may not have really stood out before.
I know many of (both of) my readers have the full set now. I'd encourage you all to take whatever time you need and reread the series. You've read them once, so you'll likely breeze through the second time faster than Snape from a bottle of shampoo.
Also, why wasn't there a way to get from Diagon Alley to Kings Cross platform nine and three quarters? The platform was magical, and I imagine it would be easier and less worrisome getting people through some sort of floo network than having them show up on the muggle side and try to sneak through a barrier. I guess the wizarding world may not know everything.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
in which my lonliness is revealed
I don't quite know what to think about this. It's Christine's fault that I even went to the damn Blogthings in the first place, and though I did take the finger quiz, it ended up giving me one of the lesser digits, so I opted not to post about that. I decided instead to find out what kind of friend I am, and you see below how I faired. Commentary to follow, so go ahead and read about what an asshole I am and what I think about that.
I really don't know what to think about this. I'm not overly fond of people, finding most people to be weird, and they make me uncomfortable because they're probably standing there looking at me and thinking I'm weird.
Based on the questions and my answers, I really think I would make a decent friend. And even the criticism above seems, when I read it, to indicate that, as a friend, I'm above offering good feelings for the sake of likability, a trait I would think necessary to true friendship. There's also a lot of hatefulness reserved for those the quiz deems bad friends.
So, friends need each other most when they are bored or lonely, or so the quiz would have us believe. I'll give you a little lonely, but if I'm your friend because I keep you from being bored, then I don't really give a shit. I'm not entertainment. And honestly, if you're going to be lonely, can you at least do it over thereish a little?
Of course if you are hanging out with me and are bored, you must not be paying attention. I'm the life of the fucking party. I'm the dude in the front of the conga line, shaking my hips and doing that frontal parts thrust. People love me because I so fucking bring it.
Maybe this should be the new meme. Everyone that reads this has to go to Blogthings and take quizzes until they find one that's very unflattering. I trust you to all be honest, because I'm sure anyone reading here would only get the best scores from an internet thingy that tells you how much like something you are based on some questions assumed to be loaded with meaning and weightiness, and I'm quite certain my readers will have to take a number of quizzes before they find any negatives about themselves. Then comment with a link to your post about it or something suitable. We'll create world peace by collecting and celebrating our individual failings.
| You Are Not a Good Friend |
 There is nothing that makes you a good friend. You're way too self centered and down right mean to be a true friend to anyone. Though you may occasionally enjoy the company of others, you don't truly value it. You treat your friends like dirt, and you're lucky that they stick around at all. Try to give back a little in your friendships, and stop always thinking of your own needs. If you don't, you may find yourself a very lonely person in the future. Your friends need you most when: They are bored or lonely You really can't be friends with: Anyone, at least, not until you change Your friendship quote: "One must be fond of people and trust them if one is not to make a mess of life." |
I really don't know what to think about this. I'm not overly fond of people, finding most people to be weird, and they make me uncomfortable because they're probably standing there looking at me and thinking I'm weird.
Based on the questions and my answers, I really think I would make a decent friend. And even the criticism above seems, when I read it, to indicate that, as a friend, I'm above offering good feelings for the sake of likability, a trait I would think necessary to true friendship. There's also a lot of hatefulness reserved for those the quiz deems bad friends.
So, friends need each other most when they are bored or lonely, or so the quiz would have us believe. I'll give you a little lonely, but if I'm your friend because I keep you from being bored, then I don't really give a shit. I'm not entertainment. And honestly, if you're going to be lonely, can you at least do it over thereish a little?
Of course if you are hanging out with me and are bored, you must not be paying attention. I'm the life of the fucking party. I'm the dude in the front of the conga line, shaking my hips and doing that frontal parts thrust. People love me because I so fucking bring it.
Maybe this should be the new meme. Everyone that reads this has to go to Blogthings and take quizzes until they find one that's very unflattering. I trust you to all be honest, because I'm sure anyone reading here would only get the best scores from an internet thingy that tells you how much like something you are based on some questions assumed to be loaded with meaning and weightiness, and I'm quite certain my readers will have to take a number of quizzes before they find any negatives about themselves. Then comment with a link to your post about it or something suitable. We'll create world peace by collecting and celebrating our individual failings.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
questionable meme
Thanks to Doc for this lovely meme, and I'm going to attempt to more fully participate in this one. See the end of the post for the rules.
1. Is it REALLY a sport, or is it just the girl on girl action you like?
Getting the girl on girl part out of the way first, I've never really been more or less turned on by homosexual activity from either gender than the same activity with non gay people. I am amused that so many guys can imagine lesbian sex as somehow more hot than gay male sex or as if lesbians are just hanging out, making out on the street corners and in restaurant booths, just waiting for straight guys to come and add to the action. But that's just me.
Now, the roller derby question, which maybe should get it's own post. I never expected to give a square shit about derby in the beginning. Honestly, I kind of hoped, when Momma went to that first practice, to check it out, that she would not be back, and whatever this derby thing was would not add to the time we didn't see her. I couldn't have ever guessed that the thing I thought so poorly of would be such a great thing for us. Momma, the boys, and even I have met and become friends with a bunch of great people. It's almost like we found a church that fits.
And yes, it is a sport. There is some amount of spectacle inherent, I think, in any sport that is begun basically by and for women. Spectacle is a part of derby, but the sport is real. I can't impress upon people enough that you really should google roller derby and your city/town/state. Find a league and attend a bout, scream "HELP YOUR JAMMER", buy a tshirt.
2. Did you imagine the reversal of traditional roles prior to having children, or did it just evolve that way?
The role reversal came about because Momma was presented with an opportunity. She had a better job than I did, and she was offered a promotion and a raise. We both worked in restaurants, as we had for many years, and since becoming parents, we had set up our schedules so that one of us worked days while the other worked nights. Momma needed broader availability and would work more hours, and it just made sense that I quit working to give her this chance.
We've always believed that the old fashioned idea of one bread winning parent and one bread baking parent was a sound model, but we also never bothered with traditional gender roles. Being older and more experienced as a cook, I sort of assumed I would be in the front in terms of promotions, but it turned out different. Presented with the chance, we took it.
3. Did everyone tell you that you were "too young" to get married and have kids? (God, you're still too young!)
We didn't really get married and have kids so much as get married when we realized we were going to have a kid to appease the Baptists on one side and the Methodists on the other, knowing they could and would do the math, though it was the Baptists on my side that we were able to tell of the pregnancy before the wedding plans.
The civic part of marriage is such that it makes sense for a couple to marry in order to have children or to marry should they find themselves in a family way. It also speaks of our knowledge of sex that we weren't protecting ourselves better at a time when we were not planning on having children, and this presents a good chance to remind everyone, pulling out is not birth control. So in answer to the actual question, no, because they never really got the chance.
4. Is anyone surprised that you two are still doing well and raising great kids?
People kind of seem surprised, maybe, but I'd say it's more to do with just who we are. We don't really look like a typical family, but I think that people that get past superficial ideas about who we ought to be tend to understand that we're normal people mostly.
5. Who's your favorite author?
This might be the hardest question to answer. I really love Mark Helprin, writing that is both beautiful and captivating. I also love writers that show us a peek into a different time, like Thomas Hardy or Mark Twain. I enjoy reading Julia Child's cookbooks, often not for the recipes. Another food writer I enjoy is Elizabeth David, a few recipes but lots of writing about food. I'd be wrong not to somehow fit Douglas Adams in here. Of all the science fiction I've ever read, his has opened up my thinking even beyond terms of sci fi. That doesn't really narrow down to a favorite, and that also doesn't even come close to all the writers I enjoy. I guess I just can't come up with one favorite.
The Rules of the Meme:
1. Leave me a comment saying anything random, like [the food you hate most in all the world]. Something random. Whatever you like.
2. I respond by asking you five personal questions so I can get to know you better.
3. You will update your [blog] with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and offer to ask someone else in the post.
5. When others comment asking to be asked, you will ask them five questions.
Now get to it, and make sure I can find your blog, because I'm not knocking myself out if you can't give me a link.
1. Is it REALLY a sport, or is it just the girl on girl action you like?
Getting the girl on girl part out of the way first, I've never really been more or less turned on by homosexual activity from either gender than the same activity with non gay people. I am amused that so many guys can imagine lesbian sex as somehow more hot than gay male sex or as if lesbians are just hanging out, making out on the street corners and in restaurant booths, just waiting for straight guys to come and add to the action. But that's just me.
Now, the roller derby question, which maybe should get it's own post. I never expected to give a square shit about derby in the beginning. Honestly, I kind of hoped, when Momma went to that first practice, to check it out, that she would not be back, and whatever this derby thing was would not add to the time we didn't see her. I couldn't have ever guessed that the thing I thought so poorly of would be such a great thing for us. Momma, the boys, and even I have met and become friends with a bunch of great people. It's almost like we found a church that fits.
And yes, it is a sport. There is some amount of spectacle inherent, I think, in any sport that is begun basically by and for women. Spectacle is a part of derby, but the sport is real. I can't impress upon people enough that you really should google roller derby and your city/town/state. Find a league and attend a bout, scream "HELP YOUR JAMMER", buy a tshirt.
2. Did you imagine the reversal of traditional roles prior to having children, or did it just evolve that way?
The role reversal came about because Momma was presented with an opportunity. She had a better job than I did, and she was offered a promotion and a raise. We both worked in restaurants, as we had for many years, and since becoming parents, we had set up our schedules so that one of us worked days while the other worked nights. Momma needed broader availability and would work more hours, and it just made sense that I quit working to give her this chance.
We've always believed that the old fashioned idea of one bread winning parent and one bread baking parent was a sound model, but we also never bothered with traditional gender roles. Being older and more experienced as a cook, I sort of assumed I would be in the front in terms of promotions, but it turned out different. Presented with the chance, we took it.
3. Did everyone tell you that you were "too young" to get married and have kids? (God, you're still too young!)
We didn't really get married and have kids so much as get married when we realized we were going to have a kid to appease the Baptists on one side and the Methodists on the other, knowing they could and would do the math, though it was the Baptists on my side that we were able to tell of the pregnancy before the wedding plans.
The civic part of marriage is such that it makes sense for a couple to marry in order to have children or to marry should they find themselves in a family way. It also speaks of our knowledge of sex that we weren't protecting ourselves better at a time when we were not planning on having children, and this presents a good chance to remind everyone, pulling out is not birth control. So in answer to the actual question, no, because they never really got the chance.
4. Is anyone surprised that you two are still doing well and raising great kids?
People kind of seem surprised, maybe, but I'd say it's more to do with just who we are. We don't really look like a typical family, but I think that people that get past superficial ideas about who we ought to be tend to understand that we're normal people mostly.
5. Who's your favorite author?
This might be the hardest question to answer. I really love Mark Helprin, writing that is both beautiful and captivating. I also love writers that show us a peek into a different time, like Thomas Hardy or Mark Twain. I enjoy reading Julia Child's cookbooks, often not for the recipes. Another food writer I enjoy is Elizabeth David, a few recipes but lots of writing about food. I'd be wrong not to somehow fit Douglas Adams in here. Of all the science fiction I've ever read, his has opened up my thinking even beyond terms of sci fi. That doesn't really narrow down to a favorite, and that also doesn't even come close to all the writers I enjoy. I guess I just can't come up with one favorite.
The Rules of the Meme:
1. Leave me a comment saying anything random, like [the food you hate most in all the world]. Something random. Whatever you like.
2. I respond by asking you five personal questions so I can get to know you better.
3. You will update your [blog] with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and offer to ask someone else in the post.
5. When others comment asking to be asked, you will ask them five questions.
Now get to it, and make sure I can find your blog, because I'm not knocking myself out if you can't give me a link.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
restaurataunts
This is a meme I've seen around here and there, and it's not nearly as difficult or soul bearing as that dirty Eight Things meme that floats around getting people in trouble. This is the Five Restaurants meme wherein you list and discuss your five favorite restaurants.
Apparently there are rules, link to the person who tagged you, tag other people, list the rules, blah, blah, blah. I'm not doing most of those things, but I will point out that, though she didn't individually tag people, Frankie did the umbrella tag of all her readers. I may or may not tag individuals at the end of this.
I should also admit that we haven't done much eating out lately, at least not the kind that happens in restaurants. There were a couple of places in Nashville, think corporate giants like IHOP, and I just never really want to go to places like that. It wasn't as bad as the White Castle on the way to Idiotapolis where Momma asked, "If I'm eating this, why am I not drunk?"
1. Senor Taco takes top honors for my favorite Mexican restaurant. It's not only owned and run by real live Mexicans, but the mass of diners are also Mexican. From my very first trip to Senor Taco, that Mexican people were eating there was a good sign. The food is good and the X's on the salsa bar are not to be ignored. Yeah they have a salsa bar with six to eight salsas among other things to roundout the food your way.
2. Tomato Head is always good. They were one of the very first (if not the very first) local restaurants to voluntarily institute a no smoking policy, a policy which extends to their patio, and they've never hurt for business. Tomato Head has pizza, salads and sandwiches, and they make absolutely everything from scratch. They bake the bread for their sandwiches even. They offer really good vegetarian offerings which impresses me, and I'm a proud omnivore. The food is sort of on the light side but filling. They have a fair selection of beers and wine.
3. Cha-Chas would get us in trouble if we ever hit the Powerball. Momma and I could easily spend an entire evening after evening after evening over drinks and tapas. I had some of the very best calamari ever at Cha-Chas, and Momma still raves about the mushroom risotto. The price can mount quickly if one forgets to pay attention to such details, but it's hard not to have a great time there. Their beer selection could be better, but they do have a full bar, and a good mojito chases tapas down beautifully.
4. Sunspot has great vegetarian offerings as well as great omniverous fare. The food is generally good and mostly original. I love their burger which is actually nothing special except that it's always cooked pretty much right, something few places can really manage which is sad really. Though I don't usually eat fish, the tilapia is fucking sweet, seared and served over grits with cream sauce, lovely little crawfish frolicking about.
5. I've pondered number five for a while. There's Patrick Sullivans for bloody marys and brunch. There's Urban Bar for hot wings and the patio. There's La Costa who has the best mojitos but a randomness in terms of food quality as well as a bit of confusion as to direction. There's Stir Fry, though we haven't even gotten take out from there in so long I nearly forgot them. Or then how about Downtown Grill and Brewery? The brewer always makes good beer, but the food is like whoever created the menu threw a hand full of corporate restaurant menus into the air and shot them with a shot gun and then created a standard recipe for whichever items had the most shot go through them. I should also point out at some point that I also love Cracker Barrel for breakfast, whatever time it is.
So number five is vague shout outs with no clear winner. Now I really want to go out to eat at pretty much any of these places, though a few are more appropriate for all night babysitter nights, which don't happen all too often. I'm debating tagging people, but I'm not too sure who I'd burden with this meme. So why wait for a tag? Just do it. Tell us where you like to eat.
Apparently there are rules, link to the person who tagged you, tag other people, list the rules, blah, blah, blah. I'm not doing most of those things, but I will point out that, though she didn't individually tag people, Frankie did the umbrella tag of all her readers. I may or may not tag individuals at the end of this.
I should also admit that we haven't done much eating out lately, at least not the kind that happens in restaurants. There were a couple of places in Nashville, think corporate giants like IHOP, and I just never really want to go to places like that. It wasn't as bad as the White Castle on the way to Idiotapolis where Momma asked, "If I'm eating this, why am I not drunk?"
1. Senor Taco takes top honors for my favorite Mexican restaurant. It's not only owned and run by real live Mexicans, but the mass of diners are also Mexican. From my very first trip to Senor Taco, that Mexican people were eating there was a good sign. The food is good and the X's on the salsa bar are not to be ignored. Yeah they have a salsa bar with six to eight salsas among other things to roundout the food your way.
2. Tomato Head is always good. They were one of the very first (if not the very first) local restaurants to voluntarily institute a no smoking policy, a policy which extends to their patio, and they've never hurt for business. Tomato Head has pizza, salads and sandwiches, and they make absolutely everything from scratch. They bake the bread for their sandwiches even. They offer really good vegetarian offerings which impresses me, and I'm a proud omnivore. The food is sort of on the light side but filling. They have a fair selection of beers and wine.
3. Cha-Chas would get us in trouble if we ever hit the Powerball. Momma and I could easily spend an entire evening after evening after evening over drinks and tapas. I had some of the very best calamari ever at Cha-Chas, and Momma still raves about the mushroom risotto. The price can mount quickly if one forgets to pay attention to such details, but it's hard not to have a great time there. Their beer selection could be better, but they do have a full bar, and a good mojito chases tapas down beautifully.
4. Sunspot has great vegetarian offerings as well as great omniverous fare. The food is generally good and mostly original. I love their burger which is actually nothing special except that it's always cooked pretty much right, something few places can really manage which is sad really. Though I don't usually eat fish, the tilapia is fucking sweet, seared and served over grits with cream sauce, lovely little crawfish frolicking about.
5. I've pondered number five for a while. There's Patrick Sullivans for bloody marys and brunch. There's Urban Bar for hot wings and the patio. There's La Costa who has the best mojitos but a randomness in terms of food quality as well as a bit of confusion as to direction. There's Stir Fry, though we haven't even gotten take out from there in so long I nearly forgot them. Or then how about Downtown Grill and Brewery? The brewer always makes good beer, but the food is like whoever created the menu threw a hand full of corporate restaurant menus into the air and shot them with a shot gun and then created a standard recipe for whichever items had the most shot go through them. I should also point out at some point that I also love Cracker Barrel for breakfast, whatever time it is.
So number five is vague shout outs with no clear winner. Now I really want to go out to eat at pretty much any of these places, though a few are more appropriate for all night babysitter nights, which don't happen all too often. I'm debating tagging people, but I'm not too sure who I'd burden with this meme. So why wait for a tag? Just do it. Tell us where you like to eat.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
our HP news
Everyone has their new-Harry-Potter-book story. We have our own Harry Potter thing happening. Big Brother, it seems at least annually, rereads the series, having done so fairly recently. The Boy's bed time reading for the past while has been Harry Potter, the first chapter book he's really wanted to come back to from one night to the next. We've gone through The Sorcerer's Stone and are into The Chamber of Secrets up to the preliminary plans for the polyjuice potion. And Big Brother has been showing up to listen in while we read to The Boy.
Momma and Big Brother did the late night standing in line for a voucher and then getting to get the actual book, and I can't find the book right now. I was curious to find out how far into the book he's read, Big Brother getting first crack at this one, but I can't find the book anywhere in the house. I just wanted to look where his bookmark is, but no such luck.
I'm currently around halfway through The Goblet of Fire, though I happened to start the series at the end, having reread The Halfblood Prince a couple of weeks ago. I wanted to catch back up on the series, so I read what was then the last book so far, and something possessed me, a certain spirit of Harry that has me wandering backward through the series.
On top of all that, we took the boys to see the new movie today. Momma and I both agree that the movies should have been done as a miniseries, a series of miniseries. It's become increasingly impossible to fit the entire story into just under three hours as the series has progressed, and the movies have, in my opinion, failed to live up the standards of the books. I keep enjoying the movies mostly, but I also keep wanting to read the books instead once I've seen the movie.
I'm absolutely enmeshed in Harry Potter these days, but I'm not complaining. I've loved all the books, and I'm really looking forward to the end of the story. The chore is going to keep Big Brother from blabbing accidentally, though I think he understands the theory behind not being the spoiler. I am getting tired of the jumping around though, personally rereading the series in reverse, alongside reading the series to The Boy from the beginning, coupled with waiting for my turn to read the series end, and I don't know if I can take it.
Momma and Big Brother did the late night standing in line for a voucher and then getting to get the actual book, and I can't find the book right now. I was curious to find out how far into the book he's read, Big Brother getting first crack at this one, but I can't find the book anywhere in the house. I just wanted to look where his bookmark is, but no such luck.
I'm currently around halfway through The Goblet of Fire, though I happened to start the series at the end, having reread The Halfblood Prince a couple of weeks ago. I wanted to catch back up on the series, so I read what was then the last book so far, and something possessed me, a certain spirit of Harry that has me wandering backward through the series.
On top of all that, we took the boys to see the new movie today. Momma and I both agree that the movies should have been done as a miniseries, a series of miniseries. It's become increasingly impossible to fit the entire story into just under three hours as the series has progressed, and the movies have, in my opinion, failed to live up the standards of the books. I keep enjoying the movies mostly, but I also keep wanting to read the books instead once I've seen the movie.
I'm absolutely enmeshed in Harry Potter these days, but I'm not complaining. I've loved all the books, and I'm really looking forward to the end of the story. The chore is going to keep Big Brother from blabbing accidentally, though I think he understands the theory behind not being the spoiler. I am getting tired of the jumping around though, personally rereading the series in reverse, alongside reading the series to The Boy from the beginning, coupled with waiting for my turn to read the series end, and I don't know if I can take it.
Friday, July 20, 2007
rainbow
I've always loved a rainbow. I don't know that there's anyone so cynical and jaded that they can't appreciate something so simple as the splitting of light in the air. Go take a look at Frankie's rainbow picture. It's beautiful.
that famous guy
I haven't posted about soccer in a while, but I've been regularly catching the one game I know I'll see each week, whatever MLS game ESPN2 bothers to air Thursdays. Tonight it was the MLS all stars versus Scotland's Celtic FC. MLS won the game on a couple of goalie embarassing shots that were fun to watch.
One complaint I have for ESPN, in addition to my usual complaint about their inability to do soccer justice, is that I do believe they showed more shots of David Beckham smiling than they showed actual soccer footage. It's nice he's here and all, but they couldn't have kissed his ass any more if they'd hired an ass kissing adviser. They not only had a huge welcome the America special that I didn't watch when his plane landed, but they also had a big half time interview with him tonight, once again, which I didn't watch.
Okay, I might have watched the interview tonight, but Momma was trying to get The Boy in bed, and it was really the best time for me to run to the store for our nightly beer and cigarettes. I may have watched it otherwise, but might have barely counts.
What I did watch was the Bravo show that his wife did about coming to America to get ready for her ol' man and kids to move over. She has to buy a house and do some other stuff, and I'm afraid to admit that I kind of enjoyed it. I don't know what happened for that hour and a half, but I giggled with her as much as at her. Regardless, she has to get ready for the family, and I doubt I'll see the next episode.
I can't say I really give a shit about the Beckhams. I still think MLS could have gotten a shit ton of Clint Dempsey's for the same money, but what the hell do I know? I wish them well, and I hope America's habit of buying the next-big-thing helps soccer in the US in general. But I also have to admit that they do seem like sweethearts, and I hope we don't hurt them too much.
One complaint I have for ESPN, in addition to my usual complaint about their inability to do soccer justice, is that I do believe they showed more shots of David Beckham smiling than they showed actual soccer footage. It's nice he's here and all, but they couldn't have kissed his ass any more if they'd hired an ass kissing adviser. They not only had a huge welcome the America special that I didn't watch when his plane landed, but they also had a big half time interview with him tonight, once again, which I didn't watch.
Okay, I might have watched the interview tonight, but Momma was trying to get The Boy in bed, and it was really the best time for me to run to the store for our nightly beer and cigarettes. I may have watched it otherwise, but might have barely counts.
What I did watch was the Bravo show that his wife did about coming to America to get ready for her ol' man and kids to move over. She has to buy a house and do some other stuff, and I'm afraid to admit that I kind of enjoyed it. I don't know what happened for that hour and a half, but I giggled with her as much as at her. Regardless, she has to get ready for the family, and I doubt I'll see the next episode.
I can't say I really give a shit about the Beckhams. I still think MLS could have gotten a shit ton of Clint Dempsey's for the same money, but what the hell do I know? I wish them well, and I hope America's habit of buying the next-big-thing helps soccer in the US in general. But I also have to admit that they do seem like sweethearts, and I hope we don't hurt them too much.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
eight more things
Rosie tagged me to spill my guts for you and admit to eight random things that you don't yet know. I can't really be sure what you do or don't know about me, and I'm not rereading things I may have admitted to since I began writing this blog. If nothing else though, this meme can prove that I'm not a one track roller derby minded freak, regardless of how it might sound in recent posts.
1. I can find something in almost any genre of music, outside of any orchestral music that involves singing which irritates the shit out of me, that I like, from hip hop to country. In fact, the country video I posted late last night was one I stumbled on while looking for a new Ska Weekend post. How I jumped from ska to country the world may never know. Oh, and I also don't like really heavy metal with the singer growling and making his throat all itchy and raw. That too sucks.
2. In school I was usually the kid that was bored and drawing stupid pictures or drawing mustaches on the people pictured in books. I still like to draw mustaches on pictures of people.
3. Because of our drought, I haven't really HAD to mow the grass in weeks, but the yard still looks like shit and not just because of the brown. Some weird plant that almost but not quite looks like rosemary has popped up in a few places and has grow to at least waist high. And the grass in the ditch is actually growing too tall, so I really do need to mow.
4. In real life, I probably swear more than just about anyone you know. It doesn't come through so much when I write, though sometimes it almost does.
5. I hate the eight things meme because after a couple of random facts, I run out of things to say and start entertaining thoughts of being more personal than I like. For all the talking I do, I really don't care much for sharing. I don't like feelings.
6. I hate waking up in the morning a bit more than I hate waking up in the afternoon, though waking in the afternoon always makes me feel a little guilty, though I usually wake in the late morning as opposed to afternoon, or is it early afternoon?
7. I'm beginning to grow tired of smoking, but I dread the very idea of trying to quit. I've almost attempted a few times over the years, never lasting more than a few short hours.
8. I hate tagging people for memes. It's sort of a self esteem thing in a sense, like, "Who am I to think people will read this in the first place, much less want to lower themselves to do the kind of memes I do." But that's sort of an issue outside of the online world as well. It's like I don't trust myself not to seem like I suck to most people.
And there you have round two of Eight Things About Me. Hope you enjoyed it, and if you didn't enjoy it, I at least hope you can stand not to make fun of me for anything that I may have written. I'm sure it seems that by number eight I was really stretching and grasping for some reasonable way to just finish and hit the publish button, and I was, but I'd prefer you not think I was, so maybe I wasn't.
1. I can find something in almost any genre of music, outside of any orchestral music that involves singing which irritates the shit out of me, that I like, from hip hop to country. In fact, the country video I posted late last night was one I stumbled on while looking for a new Ska Weekend post. How I jumped from ska to country the world may never know. Oh, and I also don't like really heavy metal with the singer growling and making his throat all itchy and raw. That too sucks.
2. In school I was usually the kid that was bored and drawing stupid pictures or drawing mustaches on the people pictured in books. I still like to draw mustaches on pictures of people.
3. Because of our drought, I haven't really HAD to mow the grass in weeks, but the yard still looks like shit and not just because of the brown. Some weird plant that almost but not quite looks like rosemary has popped up in a few places and has grow to at least waist high. And the grass in the ditch is actually growing too tall, so I really do need to mow.
4. In real life, I probably swear more than just about anyone you know. It doesn't come through so much when I write, though sometimes it almost does.
5. I hate the eight things meme because after a couple of random facts, I run out of things to say and start entertaining thoughts of being more personal than I like. For all the talking I do, I really don't care much for sharing. I don't like feelings.
6. I hate waking up in the morning a bit more than I hate waking up in the afternoon, though waking in the afternoon always makes me feel a little guilty, though I usually wake in the late morning as opposed to afternoon, or is it early afternoon?
7. I'm beginning to grow tired of smoking, but I dread the very idea of trying to quit. I've almost attempted a few times over the years, never lasting more than a few short hours.
8. I hate tagging people for memes. It's sort of a self esteem thing in a sense, like, "Who am I to think people will read this in the first place, much less want to lower themselves to do the kind of memes I do." But that's sort of an issue outside of the online world as well. It's like I don't trust myself not to seem like I suck to most people.
And there you have round two of Eight Things About Me. Hope you enjoyed it, and if you didn't enjoy it, I at least hope you can stand not to make fun of me for anything that I may have written. I'm sure it seems that by number eight I was really stretching and grasping for some reasonable way to just finish and hit the publish button, and I was, but I'd prefer you not think I was, so maybe I wasn't.
bloody mary morning
If you've ever seen anything cooler than this, you let me know, and I'll personally come to your town and kick your ass for trying to sell me that shit!
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
long weekend
What a freaking time, and I have to say it was good that the boys were with us. I can only imagine the trouble we'd have gotten into without them. We successfully avoided all after parties, though we did eat a late supper at one of the places on the list of the pub crawl that ended the first night of the Honky Tonk Stomp, though there was in fact no party at this establishment when we went.
We missed everything but the two bouts Momma skated in of the first Tennessee roller derby conference, so I don't know what all happened that we just aren't aware of. Arriving late Friday night, we got the boys to sleep and wandered to a different room for a couple of beers with some other skaters. Saturday morning we visited with some Nashville friends before running late to get to the bout. I had to drop Momma off and go feed the boys fast food, which in no way helped the butt problems I suffered with over the weekend. It wasn't a major ordeal, just some minor discomfort that I could easily have done without.
Saturday night, HKRG played Memphis Roller Girls. They certainly had more fans than us, and they also had at least one fairly decent jammer, but I'm still astounded by the moves she came up with. Momma's moves are smooth and fluid, reading the pack and hitting the gas when needed. I'd say that most of our jammers skate similarly, though they do each have their own style. The jammer I'm talking about for MRD was insane. She skated like she practiced on some sort of '80's video game in which random obstacles would present themselves, a pit full of vipers perhaps or a sucking mud hole. If there'd have been a rope she'd have swung over the pack at least once. Our blockers took her down a few times though, which is always fun to see.
Halfway through the second period, The Boy insisted on being held. I didn't realize that he was asleep till he was well past waking up, so I spent about half the bout holding a sleeping four year old while screaming at the refs and yelling the word "ELBOWS, DAMMIT REF!" I really need to work on my screaming at the refs. It's not a good side of me. And my arm is still sore from holding him for so long.
One of our newest jammers got her first jammer take down against Memphis, and I actually jumped for joy. I do that sometimes, but this time I was holding a kid much too big to be held, and our heads bonked together a little bit. The jammer's husband was giddy as well, probably moreso. I can see that he's getting sucked into this roller derby too, and I can't wait to see the confidence this skater should take away from this moment.
We had a lovely pivot battle with Memphis, two long lost twins of the rink. It was definitely fun to watch those two go at it, pushing the very edge of the twenty feet rule. If you don't know, the jammer may not be engaged outside of twenty feet from the pack. This gives the jammer a chance to lap the pack, as, otherwise, a team could just send their pivot all around the rink, and the jammer would never score. As much as I love to see our pivot showing her mastery of the stall block, it really burns when it's their pivot doing nicely as well.
Sunday, Momma let me sleep in while she attempted to take the boys to breakfast. Everywhere was crowded, given the time and that it was a Sunday, so she hit the grocery store and came back to the hotel. To wake me up the rest of the way. She and the boys ate while I had some more butt problems and finally felt like eating when it was time to go.
HKRG played Nashville Sunday. We beat them not so long ago at our home, but such was not to be the case this time. I felt we played better as a team, but I think some people were taking the loss to Memphis to harshly, and I think that may have held the team back some. It's also odd that at the same time, the skaters who were on for the game wear totally on and worked really well together. It was still an awesome bout, but again, I have to say my yellling problem, in retrospect, is kind of embarassing. I'd do a lot better cheering as opposed to getting so pissed off at the refs. I do have a post in the back of my brain about this exact sort of thing I do. I'm not sure which direction I'll find myself going, but it's a problem most readers here don't see. But I'll have to remember to talk to you bout it.
Sunday, after the bout we ended up driving south to the farm home of the parent of one of our skaters and hanging out with her and her hsuband and kids. Big Brother got to ride the four wheeler once before the skater's mother decided she couldn't sleep, and we wondered why she was going to bed so early? It was between nine and ten I think, but we didn't set the clock in the car when we entered the central time zone, so all the way down to the farm, nearly an hour drive, I was convinced that it was an hour later than it really was, even though I was also constantly being reminded that it wasn't that late. I should have set the clock now that I think about it because that damn think kept me fucked up all weekend.
We ate hot dogs and chips and drove back to the hotel, earlier than the clock said. We got the boys to bed, opened a beer, and heard a noise on the balcony. It was one of our refs, stuck as one of the only people at the hotel that any of us knew. I think he was happy to have someone to chat with, so we shared our beer with him until it was gone and went to bed, earlier than we had any other night.
Monday was IHOP and a visit with our friends in Nashville again. Their kids and our kids played and got mosquito bites and got dirty. Big Brother left with black toes, and both boys had gray streaked faces. We hung out until we had to leave to come back home, and there it was. Not a bad drive, and we were back to needing to wash dishes, and the trash needs to go out. But most of the toys are picked up. And that's always a good sign. Having a full day at home, we can begin to look forward to the next time we travel. Maybe we should get a baby sitter this time. It's not much farther than Nashville, and it's only one day.
We missed everything but the two bouts Momma skated in of the first Tennessee roller derby conference, so I don't know what all happened that we just aren't aware of. Arriving late Friday night, we got the boys to sleep and wandered to a different room for a couple of beers with some other skaters. Saturday morning we visited with some Nashville friends before running late to get to the bout. I had to drop Momma off and go feed the boys fast food, which in no way helped the butt problems I suffered with over the weekend. It wasn't a major ordeal, just some minor discomfort that I could easily have done without.
Saturday night, HKRG played Memphis Roller Girls. They certainly had more fans than us, and they also had at least one fairly decent jammer, but I'm still astounded by the moves she came up with. Momma's moves are smooth and fluid, reading the pack and hitting the gas when needed. I'd say that most of our jammers skate similarly, though they do each have their own style. The jammer I'm talking about for MRD was insane. She skated like she practiced on some sort of '80's video game in which random obstacles would present themselves, a pit full of vipers perhaps or a sucking mud hole. If there'd have been a rope she'd have swung over the pack at least once. Our blockers took her down a few times though, which is always fun to see.
Halfway through the second period, The Boy insisted on being held. I didn't realize that he was asleep till he was well past waking up, so I spent about half the bout holding a sleeping four year old while screaming at the refs and yelling the word "ELBOWS, DAMMIT REF!" I really need to work on my screaming at the refs. It's not a good side of me. And my arm is still sore from holding him for so long.
One of our newest jammers got her first jammer take down against Memphis, and I actually jumped for joy. I do that sometimes, but this time I was holding a kid much too big to be held, and our heads bonked together a little bit. The jammer's husband was giddy as well, probably moreso. I can see that he's getting sucked into this roller derby too, and I can't wait to see the confidence this skater should take away from this moment.
We had a lovely pivot battle with Memphis, two long lost twins of the rink. It was definitely fun to watch those two go at it, pushing the very edge of the twenty feet rule. If you don't know, the jammer may not be engaged outside of twenty feet from the pack. This gives the jammer a chance to lap the pack, as, otherwise, a team could just send their pivot all around the rink, and the jammer would never score. As much as I love to see our pivot showing her mastery of the stall block, it really burns when it's their pivot doing nicely as well.
Sunday, Momma let me sleep in while she attempted to take the boys to breakfast. Everywhere was crowded, given the time and that it was a Sunday, so she hit the grocery store and came back to the hotel. To wake me up the rest of the way. She and the boys ate while I had some more butt problems and finally felt like eating when it was time to go.
HKRG played Nashville Sunday. We beat them not so long ago at our home, but such was not to be the case this time. I felt we played better as a team, but I think some people were taking the loss to Memphis to harshly, and I think that may have held the team back some. It's also odd that at the same time, the skaters who were on for the game wear totally on and worked really well together. It was still an awesome bout, but again, I have to say my yellling problem, in retrospect, is kind of embarassing. I'd do a lot better cheering as opposed to getting so pissed off at the refs. I do have a post in the back of my brain about this exact sort of thing I do. I'm not sure which direction I'll find myself going, but it's a problem most readers here don't see. But I'll have to remember to talk to you bout it.
Sunday, after the bout we ended up driving south to the farm home of the parent of one of our skaters and hanging out with her and her hsuband and kids. Big Brother got to ride the four wheeler once before the skater's mother decided she couldn't sleep, and we wondered why she was going to bed so early? It was between nine and ten I think, but we didn't set the clock in the car when we entered the central time zone, so all the way down to the farm, nearly an hour drive, I was convinced that it was an hour later than it really was, even though I was also constantly being reminded that it wasn't that late. I should have set the clock now that I think about it because that damn think kept me fucked up all weekend.
We ate hot dogs and chips and drove back to the hotel, earlier than the clock said. We got the boys to bed, opened a beer, and heard a noise on the balcony. It was one of our refs, stuck as one of the only people at the hotel that any of us knew. I think he was happy to have someone to chat with, so we shared our beer with him until it was gone and went to bed, earlier than we had any other night.
Monday was IHOP and a visit with our friends in Nashville again. Their kids and our kids played and got mosquito bites and got dirty. Big Brother left with black toes, and both boys had gray streaked faces. We hung out until we had to leave to come back home, and there it was. Not a bad drive, and we were back to needing to wash dishes, and the trash needs to go out. But most of the toys are picked up. And that's always a good sign. Having a full day at home, we can begin to look forward to the next time we travel. Maybe we should get a baby sitter this time. It's not much farther than Nashville, and it's only one day.
back home
We, meaning mostly me and Momma, have had a few more road trips the past year than we have generally taken, and a couple of times, the boys joined us. They have all been roller derby related, and for that, I have to thank derby for yet another bonus.
I think derby has been great for the family as a whole. We've all made new friends, and Momma specifically has gotten to realize the kind of bad ass that she can be. With the announcing gig, I've gotten to put my loud mouth to some good finally.
And then there are the couple of trips we've taken, places we may not have visited otherwise, like Birmingham Alabama as well as Idiotapolis Indiana. Most recently we drove to Nashville for two days of derby and a good bit less over-the-top partying than we've become accustomed to. In trade, we got some more low key hanging out with a couple of cool people around a few cans of beer.
But no matter how lovely a trip may be, home always welcomes, even if it is a sink full of dirty dishes and recyclables overflowing from multiple surfaces.
And that's why you haven't had to read any insanity from me lately. We spent a few days in Nashville and caught up with some old friends in addition to the derby. I'll admit now that our team lost both matches that we played, and I'll probably leave it at that. Our league does have room for improvement, though our bout against Nashville actually saw most of our girls playing more as a team than they have lately. And still, no matter what the outcome, I am proud of Hard Knox.
And though this is barely a post, it's my welcome-me-back. I've got plenty to talk about, and I may even slip one of my patented crazy ass rants in somewhere. I've been tagged for a meme by one of my favorite bloggers, and though I may have done this particular one before, it's a fun one that you can likely look forward to soon.
And I can smell yet another late supper cooking in the kitchen. The kids are being slightly buttish to each other and need yet more straightening out.
I think derby has been great for the family as a whole. We've all made new friends, and Momma specifically has gotten to realize the kind of bad ass that she can be. With the announcing gig, I've gotten to put my loud mouth to some good finally.
And then there are the couple of trips we've taken, places we may not have visited otherwise, like Birmingham Alabama as well as Idiotapolis Indiana. Most recently we drove to Nashville for two days of derby and a good bit less over-the-top partying than we've become accustomed to. In trade, we got some more low key hanging out with a couple of cool people around a few cans of beer.
But no matter how lovely a trip may be, home always welcomes, even if it is a sink full of dirty dishes and recyclables overflowing from multiple surfaces.
And that's why you haven't had to read any insanity from me lately. We spent a few days in Nashville and caught up with some old friends in addition to the derby. I'll admit now that our team lost both matches that we played, and I'll probably leave it at that. Our league does have room for improvement, though our bout against Nashville actually saw most of our girls playing more as a team than they have lately. And still, no matter what the outcome, I am proud of Hard Knox.
And though this is barely a post, it's my welcome-me-back. I've got plenty to talk about, and I may even slip one of my patented crazy ass rants in somewhere. I've been tagged for a meme by one of my favorite bloggers, and though I may have done this particular one before, it's a fun one that you can likely look forward to soon.
And I can smell yet another late supper cooking in the kitchen. The kids are being slightly buttish to each other and need yet more straightening out.
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