Making flippy floppy

So Bush flipped literally overnight on the terror issue. I guess he didn't like the response to the honest answer, so today out comes the spin.


R

Tuesday

I have to look at so many W stickers every day it's awful. I try to be fair and balanced, but I just don't see where all this blind loyalty comes from. It would be one thing if I were hearing better attacks on Kerry, but the best they can come up with is old stuff about how hurt he may or may not have been in Vietnam etc. C'mon at least he was there, and had the balls to speak out when he got back. What they call flip flopping I call having a brain and when there is new information being willing to take that into account.

My question is not where was John Kerry during Vietnam, but where are the weapons on mass destruction? You were so sure they were a threat that you were willing to tell our allies to suck it, so where are they? My friend Damon is in harms way based on a false claim.

I need to lighten up a bit. New Bjork and Libertines today.


R

yeah!

It's the little things in life that make me happy;
CD 1 1 Libertines The Libertines $11.19 Shipped Monday, August 30, 2004

Monday again

Spent my writing time today responding to a friend survey, I started to blow it off, but one of our friends who is in Bagdad responded, so what's my excuse.

Watched 'Rififi' this weekend, read a little, otherwise pretty boring. Liverpool are in need of some practice time, which they now will get as the next match is 9/11. YNWA

Chiefs need a receiver, but would Rashaun Woods really have been the answer?

1. What time do you get up? 5:30

2. If you could eat lunch with one person, who would it be?
Kip Winger

3. Gold or silver?
Silver

4. What was the last film you saw at the Cinema?
'Hero' which was beautiful

5. What is your favorite TV show?
The Office

6. What did you have for breakfast?
Yogurt, banana, cereal bar, MRP shake

7. Who would you hate to be stuck in a room with?
Dubya

8.. What/who inspires you?
Priest Holmes, Cheap Trick, Duncan, Steven Gerrard

9. What is your middle name?
Allen

10. Beach, City or Country?
City-I don't like to get too far away from hot water

11. Favorite ice cream?
Vanilla

12. Butter, plain or salted popcorn?
Plain

13. Favorite color?
Blue

14. What kind of car do you drive?
Dodge RAM 1500 truck yeee haw

15. Favorite sandwich?
Tasty turkey and mustard

16. What characteristic do you despise?
Playing for the Denver Broncos, being rude

17. Favorite flower?
Gold Medal is ok

18. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
The great white north

19. What color is your bathroom?
Light green, and it appears the previous owners painted over wallpaper sadly

20. Favorite brand of clothing?
Fred Perry, Ben Sherman, Reebok, Penguin

21. Where would you retire to?
A kinder gentler America

22. Favorite day of the week?
Saturday

23. What did you do for your last birthday?
Not sure I remember, at my age you start to downplay birthdays

24. Where were you born?
KC Missouri

25. Favorite sport to watch
English Soccer, Football

26. Who do you least expect to send this back to you?

Cheryl

27. Person you expect to send it back first?
?????

28. What fabric detergent do you use?
Tide

29. Coke or Pepsi?
Not really a caffeine guy these days, but Coke is superior product

30. Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Neither, tired mostly

31. What is your shoe size?
Are you trying to say I have a small weenie?

Friday

I cut all my hair off, and I look a terrible, the sad part is Allison didn't notice.

Sent a thank you email to the woman I interviewed with on Wednesday, and I get the feeling I'll never hear from them again.

A huge section of one of my trees fell off last night, it looks like it was struck by lightning, but I don't think we had any last night.

Not much else to report finished watching Grand Illusion last night and fell asleep well before 9.

Music provided by;
Clinic
!!!
and the Grace reissue (Forget her is beautiful, and it's a pleasure to hear it for the first time)


R

hot hot heat

Took a mighty hot shower today I can happily report.

The interview went pretty well yesterday save for one major blunder. I was asked what I'm looking for and I said 'opportunity for advancement' this is a mistake, and I should know better. The interviewer replied that there was little opportunity to advance beyond the position I'm after save for changing departments. Erm, oops. I mean I want to stay in the exact same place for many years.

The thing is this job IS advancement in the most impotant way ...$$$$$ So I still want it, and the interview went well otherwise, but it's hard to imagine that the above comment didn't hurt my chances a little. I wish I said something like 'to serve mankind' who cares what the truth is anyway.

Music provided by Kings of convenience, and Finn brothers.

Netflix brings the Grand Illusion.

R

Unpleasantville

This cold shower thing is not making me happy. I'm not much of a morning person, or a cold water person, or for that matter a 'go to work' type person. So this week is no picnic.

No Netflix or reading last night, as it was time to go to the football alter. Chiefs D looked better last night, but it's hard to tell much in preseason. Liverpool host Gak today in the Champions league qualification round.

New Clinic cd today, as well as the long awaited Grace reissue. Otherwise pretty boring.

Tomorrow I will wait for the gas company, then go to yet another interview. I hope one of these works out soon, as I'm running out of excuses to miss work. Need to get my DL address changed and a few things like that. Real life is awfully boring at times.

Music provided by Talking Heads 'The name of this band is Talking Heads'

Yawn,
R

Chilly Willy

We now have lived in our house for 3+ weeks, and short of that little garage incident there have been few problems so far anyway.

This morning I got up and turned on the shower and waited for it to warm up, and waited and waited some more. At some point it became clear that it wasn't going to heat up at all. As I'm taking a cold shower I'm asking myself how in the hell the hot water heater could have gone out so soon. Murphy's law that it would happen on a Monday morning too. I began to recap some of the details of the move, the clean inspection report that said the water heater was in 'excellent' shape and fairly new, the seller's disclosure sheet which stated that the gas bill was usually under $20 dollars a month, Allison's statement that she had 'Taken care of all the utilites' That's when it hit me. Allison had not 'taken care of All the utilites' there is one she didn't consider, the effing GAS!!!!

Now the soonest the gas co. can come out is Wednesday. Get ready for a couple more days of shrinkage. I'm sure a cold shower will feel good after a hot afternoon locked in the garage however.


R

Friday

Busy at work today, only time to write a bit. I had to submit some response to Brian Hay's list today, and since it's the only thing I have time to write I'll repost it here.

I like that Brian has paved the way for me to include more new stuff on my list. I think the favorites right now is an interesting approach, and may be more revealing than any sort of ‘best’ or ‘all-time’ list might be. I still haven’t figured out how I will define my list, but Brian has set a precedent that will enable me to include a few more new things without hesitation. Mr. Hay may have scored the most direct hits so far, I found myself in way too much agreement as I listened to the disc and read through the other selections.

Springsteen-Don’t know all of these, but I like the Rising, and Atlantic City. I suspect the chorus of the Rising has a bit in common with ‘Love is Alive’ by Gary Wright, but that’s my problem. I always find myself playing a matching game with songs. It drives me crazy and annoys others. Pull up a chair and I’ll argue that Journey’s Steve Perry is imitating Sam Cooke more often than not. Yes I know it’s a miracle I could ever get laid at all.

Bright Eyes-I don’t get him, at least not yet. I can hear there’s something there, and it’s something that might indeed be very special, but so far anyway it’s not reaching me.


Ramones, Clash, Elvis Costello-Meat of the order here, no worries.

Fleetwood Mac-I’ll show my support and my ass on this one. I’m pretty sure Lindsey Buckingham is genius with apologies to Peter Green.

Good to see Sinatra getting some play, I thought we’d see more of him by now.

Joe Strummer, John Lennon, and Neil Young-Perhaps my favorite Neil young song at least post 1985, greatness from Lennon, and though I prefer the original I can’t knock Joe.

I’ve called the Pixies and REM favorite at various points so we’re in good shape. I find that I’m all too agreeable at this point.

Tom Petty, U2, VU and Van the man- All surprising selections from not too surprising artists. Not the songs I would choose, but I like it. Free fallin has just been played too much for my liking.

It’s a shame the Beta Band broke up already it seems they were just getting started, and Badly Drawn along with Damien Rice and a few others seem to be saving the idea of songwriting for Gen Y (or are we on Z now?)

A rush of blood to the head is a really solid album and overplay be it on radio or in the tabloids doesn’t take away from my enjoyment at all.

You are so right about Ryan Adams, his attitude is annoying as is his tendency to release everything he records. Ryan just because you record it doesn’t mean it needs to see an official release, you are not that genius. This was his first tune that really grabbed me.


Old 97’s- It is with much sadness that I look upon the very first track on their very first major label release as the band’s high water mark, but I fear it was. It all looked so promising them.

Wilco- I honestly see Spiders (kidsmoke) as the moment ‘Ghost’ goes off the rails and it takes a few songs to get back. I keep thinking I’ll come around on this track since I like all the radiohead albums even the tuneless ‘experimental’ bit and the each is more ‘difficult’ than the last run they are still on, but so far nothing.

‘Wall of death’ may have stolen some of my thunder, and Freedy will be on my list but I can’t decide what song(s)

Beth Orton, Bjork and Lucinda Williams have both been accused of not being great singers, and I have to say I disagree, but what do I know I don’t like great singers.

Saw Husker Du on the Candy Apple grey tour, and the Replacements on the Tim tour back in the day, and that was money well spent. Not sure I own any Huskers on cd, this is an oversight that needs to be sorted.

Nice surprise to see Ted Hawkins and Shuggie Otis on the list, I need to learn more about these two. My knowledge of Shuggie is limited to 1. He was asked to join the Stones at some point, and 2. He wrote that Brothers Johnson hit.

Nice list, and the cd got lots of play in my car (always a good sign)

R

Meet market

Meetings all day today. All we do is meet around here.


No time to talk.

R

Is this it

Last night I watched Errol Morris' Fast, Cheap and out of control from Netflix. Good stuff as I would expect from Errol. Read some more of MacCam's book (which is terrific) more spiff on that as the release date gets closer.

Comcast finally buried the cable in my front yeard, and much to my shock they didn't do too much damage to my yard.

You know you are old when all the 'new' releases you buy are reissues. This week brings;

Talking Heads
Zombies
Velvet Underground
and Goodfellas.

Yes it's true I'm old and boring.

Music provided by the Libertines again, and one more spin of the Hay sampler before I'm supposed to write about it.


R

Monday

Not really here yet, and it's already after lunch.

Weekend was boring after a promising start. Friday night I went to Ryan's to watch the Chiefs game, and then went to the gym late (didn't get out of there until about 12) I have OCD when it comes to the gym, most people would just go on Saturday, but I have to stay on schedule. Got up early on Sat to watch Liverpool get a point in London against Spurs. Not quite the start I was hoping for but a good result when all the factors are considered.

Had a phone interview on Saturday, and I don't hold much hope for anything coming from it.

Watched Kill Bill 2 on Sat, and I can't help asking the question were all the coolest moments in vol 1 or what? Big letdown compared to the first one.

US lost to Portugal in basketball, and I wish I could bring myself to care about it.

Music today is provided by the Hay sampler, and the Motown sampler that came free with Mojo. Otherwise listening to Cowboy fans say the sky is falling is fun too.

AC in our section is out today, hotter than hell in here. Good excuse to be out of the office me thinks.

R

Friday the 13th

Owen is off to Real Madrid. Liverpool are connected with all sorts of deals, and we'll see who will be coming in the next 48 hours perhaps. Still tough to lose YMO under any circumstance, but with golden boot winner Baros, and the exciting Cisse ready to go things still are looking up.

Going to my brother's to watch Chiefs football tonight, and Liverpool are on TV in the morning at 7:30 so I'm pretty happy today.

Music provided by the new Libertines single, and the new Finn Brothers.


R

No news

Went to lunch with a domestic supplier and I had to break the news we will be buying in China. This is not fun to report to someone. The food was good anyway.

Got a rejection form letter from one of the jobs I don't remember going after.

Music is provided by Killers, Franz Ferdinand, and Brian Hay's comp.

Netflix sent me Polanski's 'Knife in the water' and it was actually quite good. I have a thing for Jolanta Umecka, she is so very hot in this film.

I wish Liverpool's team were a bit more stable with two days to go until the season. There are so many rumours of comings and goings right now. It looks like Owen is all but gone, it's a shame really.

Otherwise a very boring Thursday.

R

The Office

Michael sent me the Christmas episodes of the Office on Saturday. I was shocked & delighted to find the package in my mailbox on Monday. The postal service has never been that good before.

Last night I popped in the dvd and watched them both.

*******Spoiler Alert******

These two did not dissapoint at all. The physical acting in the scence where David is meeting the white scarf girl at the pub is genius. Another brilliant scene is during the awkward time while Lee is getting the coats, you can feel the tension and sadness in the air. I feel like this scence captures a real life type situation and feeling in a way that is truly special. I felt like I'd been through what Tim was going through, and it was painful to watch. I suppose because the series is so well done you find yourself really buying into the characters, so much so that I thought I was going to cry when Dawn left.

Brilliant stuff!

Today is a good day, Kill Bill Vol 2 drops (still haven't seen it) and Livepool Take on GAK in a Champions league qualifier.

Shame I have to be seen though, I look dreadful. The toll of spending a sweaty afternoon in the garage in need of a shave and washing, seems to have taken it's toll on my complexion. Perhaps it makes me look younger. It's good they don't tell you at age 15 that you will get spots for the rest of your life, as it might be a bit much to handle.

R

Stranded, (I'm)

After watching the Community shield match on Sunday morning I decided to work on the boxes in the garage for a few minutes. My goal is to get my truck in the garage before the next storm. The garage is a huge task, and given the heat it's best taken in small doses. I figured work on it hard for 20-30 minutes before I jump in the shower no big deal. Because it's so hot, I'm wearing only boxer briefs and New Balance tennis shoes. No one will see me, and it's only for a few minutes, or so I thought..

About 12 Allison asks if I mind if she and Duncan go to see Catwoman at 12:35, I'm not too interested in Catwoman, and they would need to leave pretty quick anyway so I take a pass. At 12:15 she opens the garage door to tell me she and Duncan are now leaving for the show. "we're gonna go ahead and go, I'm not taking my phone since I always forget to turn it off anyway" The door shuts, and I hear them go from the front door to the car and off. I work hard on the garage for another 20 minutes or so, and decide I've had enough. It's getting hot in here, and I'm ready for a drink of water and a shower. I go to the door, turn the knob and find the door has been locked. Locked! WTF?

Let's review;

In my underwear, and shoes.
In the hot garage.
Locked out of house, and car.
no phone, no money, no keys, and for the moment no clothes.
Allison and Duncan won't be back for at least 2 hours

Yeah it sucks. So over the course of the next 2 1/2 hours I;

Sweat

Find a cd player, plug it in, and play Paul Weller's Wild Wood cd
Play my fake Rickenbacker bass I bought at an Austin pawn shop for $60 (money well spent I say cause it's a lovely red sunburst model that plays quite nicely, and with the right effects pedals can sound quite like Peter Hook)

Read old books I've read before A chapter or two from Ernesto Che Guevera's motorcycle diaries (not that great the first time) and De Capo best music writing of 2002.

I throw the football around the garge, trying to find some kind of challenge that won't put holes in the walls or otherwise damage my new garage. I ended up mostly working on my footwork, and feeling that I still have some quality starts left in me.

In time I find some jeans and a wrinkled shirt, Eureka! time to get out on the town brother. Cept I still lack keys, phone, money etc.

I walk to the grocery store and use the restroom, and take a long drink from the fountain. I get back and discover this little trip has only used up 12 minutes. ( I found the sprinkler controller has a clock on it so I could tell time)

I sit in a lawn chair in the sun reading more old books wishing I had anything from my current to-read pile at hand, and wondering why I kept some of the books I have.

Finally about 3 Allison returns, I don't go off at all. Having three hours to think about it made me cool off. I'm sure she didn't mean to, and she felt awful about it.

Anyhoo, it's no plane crash or survivior episode, but it's no way to spend a Sunday either. I look at the bright side the garage is now done, and it didn't happen during football season.

R

PS
The kicker is my truck won't fit in the garage anyway, I'd have to fold my side mirrors in everyday. Haw Haw

My Maria

Who's the smart ass?

MONTREAL (AP) - An 18-year-old Russian male who jumped onto the court to invite Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova and Vera Zvonareva to dinner was stopped by security guards at the Rogers Cup tournament Thursday night.

Maria and me are steady see, so spread out.

R

Monster

Has anyone ever gotten a job through Monster? No one here has, and God knows we've been trying. You get the feeling the response to a listing on there is often overwhelming and you get caught up in a numbers game.

One of my friends wore a tie yesterday, he hasn't worn a tie in two years...hmmmmm? We should start our own company, we have every department covered.

So ready for the weekend, still lots to unpack, and trips to Home Depot. It's strange to be in a house I actually give a shit about again.


R

Counting the cost

Don't feel so bad Dubya, the Iraq war is costing you the election sure, but look at what it's costing the rest of us. $417.5 billion dollars, not to mention the loss of life, and limbs. Too bad there is no money back offer, cause we were sold a bill of goods.

Where's Osama?
Where are the weapons?

Time to smoke you out of your hole.

R

Trying to get through this week

My mind is elsewhere, I'd rather be unpacking my boxes. Instead I'm looking at moving our switchboard to India! This is yet another genius idea from our new management. I understand that this type of call center works in some industries, but for us not so much. Our sales reps are mostly rednecks who hate (possibly fear and don't understand) voicemail, and always hit 0 to page. Sending them to India will not solve this problem, and will likely piss them off more.

We are too cheap to buy caller ID, or to pay a person 18-20K to answer the phone, so now I must look at outsourcing in 'low cost economies.' It's pretty bad when we are slitting the throats of people who make 20K a year. Think how much we could save if we had our Purchasing department in India, of course then there would be no 'we' anymore.

I found out it will be four weeks before I will hear anything on the possible new job, so I guess I better get used to all of this for now anyway.

Quincy says he knew from watching 'Hard Knocks' that when Bruce asked for his playbook he was cut. Hey Q you don't need 'Hard Knocks' to know that when the team wants your playbook at 5:30 AM on the fifth day of camp, it's not because there's a new edition coming out.

Kris Wilson is the perhaps the most genius pick in Chiefs history.

Music provided by the Open, and Fiery Furnaces.

R

First Day

Duncan starts first grade today, and I'm sure I'm more nervous than he is about it. House stuff continues to be a headache, yesterday brought the cable guy again, and the alarm guy. Still need the cable guy one more time, and tons of unpacking to do.

Supposed to be 100 degrees again today, perfect for the pool but hell otherwise.

I'm still behind in all things.


Music for today is provided by the oh so new wave Futureheads.

R

Can't keep up

I'm so behind at work and at home that I don't have time to read blogs much less write one.

The cable guy left at 9:30 last night and I still don't have cable. hoping to have that sorted by 7:00 when LFC kicks off tonight. I intend to watch the match no matter how far behind I am.

I bought a new TV and my brother had to explain that there have been two generations of connections since my last tv purchase. I'm turning into an old man who doesn't understand technology.

There are some interesting B sides on the latest batch of Elvis Costello reissues, trouble is they are some of his worst albums.

Back to work for now, I owe some of you email, phone calls, blogs, comments etc. Coming soon...honest.

R

Signed, sealed delivered

My new house is buried in boxes, and my email at work is backed up for miles so my comments will be brief for now.

Love the house, it's all good, lot's to do. Now where did I put my socks.....


R