tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99039072012-01-02T15:32:33.538-05:00I'm happy hope you're happy tooArmchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.comBlogger1781100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-65223241560899741072011-04-26T14:23:00.003-04:002011-04-26T14:24:23.781-04:00

Now that Vox has bit the dust, I can be found here:http://randeedawn.typepad.com/blog/See you over at TypePad!

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-20753217947154215152006-12-01T21:59:00.001-05:002006-12-01T21:59:52.907-05:00

So for those of you who might peep in here but wonder why posting has ceased, I've decided to give Vox a shot. So head on over here and keep on reading ....

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1159406524703168082006-09-27T21:13:00.000-04:002006-09-27T21:24:13.846-04:00

Said in a Beavis voice.Went to a party a few weeks ago and, after watching some amazing fire skills by the professionals, I stepped forward and held on to some wire contraptions with lamp-oil soaked ends, lit up and danced around with drums a drumming in the background, until they went out. Yes, I know the photos are dark.These people know what they're doing, and still someone's trousers briefly

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1158546320058621832006-09-17T22:00:00.000-04:002006-09-17T22:25:22.543-04:00

I'm no fan of Pope Benedict XVI, for religious, social or personal reasons. But the man made a speech. He made a specific reference to an old text, noting multiple times that he was quoting it, not stating it as personal opinion. And yet, that's not good enough.Here's what he said:Quoting a 14th-century Christian emperor who said the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had brought the world “evil and inhuman

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1158421814147390022006-09-16T11:39:00.000-04:002006-09-16T11:52:40.133-04:00

Sent from a friend. Not that I'm looking, but it's good to know what the options are out there:Of course, if you find an individual who "loves guns" and is a "weapons enthusiast," you'd better hope they work well under pressure. As for the quick on your feet part, well, you'll only really need that skill if it turns out the other gun-lovin' editors don't perform well under pressure. That's all I

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1158086286654516072006-09-12T14:28:00.000-04:002006-09-12T14:39:57.346-04:00

Sometimes, you just don't know what to say.I'm frankly flabbergasted: If this pans out, I think we can safely put one miracle in this particular doctor's permanent record.From the long "deck" The Guardian has supplied for the article:We have always been told there is no recovery from persistent vegetative state - doctors can only make a sufferer's last days as painless as possible. But is that

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1157947017572349832006-09-10T23:34:00.000-04:002006-09-10T23:59:40.836-04:00

Five years ago post.Five years ago, plus two days post.There is a sense that something profound must rise from the ashes of tragedy, that if you can't say something with depth and clarity that somehow reaches into the heart of what went on you might as well say nothing.I can't do that. I have nothing profound, moving or deep to say about the loss of nearly 3,000 lives (and counting, more in a

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1157684622730888772006-09-07T23:00:00.000-04:002006-09-07T23:05:45.026-04:00

I love the Internets.Meet "Get Human," the web page that's doing its darndest to prevent you from having to sit through computerized "press 1" phone systems unto eternity. Go here for a list of phone shortcuts for over 450 companies, and go here for tips in general on how to get through.When I had my recent contretemps with Earthlink Voice, I managed to get their Level 3 direct line, which means

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1157425195502435362006-09-04T22:54:00.000-04:002006-09-04T23:01:19.640-04:00

Ah, so ... yes. Posting is scant at the moment.(But so are readers, so that's OK.)I've been traveling, and when that happens, sometimes you run into unexpected detours. Which are sometimes the best way to get where you weren't expecting to go.I shall return, soonly.

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1156014295058743842006-08-19T15:03:00.000-04:002006-08-19T15:04:55.070-04:00

At long last, the Cornwall pages are done. Head on over here to delight in the highs and lows and horses and cookies of the trip.Enjoy (and please let me know if there are any broken links)!

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1155346241716201492006-08-11T21:25:00.000-04:002006-08-11T21:31:27.183-04:00

I'd kind of wondered about this:Airport Retailers Are Left With Uncertain FutureBy JEREMY W. PETERS and MICHAEL BARBAROAirport retailers, who scrambled to adapt to post-Sept. 11 rules that forbid anyone without a ticket from crossing security checkpoints, are now facing the possibility that they will again become unintended victims of enhanced airport security.With the decision by the

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1155344498863471502006-08-11T20:51:00.000-04:002006-08-11T21:02:26.536-04:00

From another gem of an article in the aftermath of Mel-tdown:(Focus on the Family ministry founder James Dobson) said in a statement that "we certainly do not condone that racially insensitive outburst," but added "Mel has apologized profusely for the incident and there the matter should rest."For the perhaps 0.8 people who will eventually read this, I would like to make a statement for the

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1155310645323563402006-08-11T11:14:00.000-04:002006-08-11T20:51:20.123-04:00

From this article on the new flying regulations, Day One:From London to Los Angeles, travelers on Thursday had found themselves unpacking carry-on bags on the floor in the terminals. Some tried to squeeze makeup, sunscreen and other toiletries into their checked baggage, where liquids were permissible. Others filled up the bins at security checkpoints, abandoning everything from nail polish to a

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1154658175401037032006-08-03T22:21:00.000-04:002006-08-03T22:22:55.410-04:00

Nice profile!Syd already has a shirt that reads "I'm the big sister."

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1154453592426067462006-08-01T13:28:00.000-04:002006-08-01T13:33:12.440-04:00

His mug shot may have made him not seem so crazy, but give that man some alcohol and watch the words fly. And truth is, when you're drunk, you don't usually say things you would never think or believe. You're actually more free with your emotions. So, there it is. My point remains the same: Wait for actual evidence before trying someone. The police notes were, for at least two days, only

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1154395380485378692006-07-31T21:20:00.000-04:002006-08-01T12:11:07.040-04:00

Ah, kid, you have no idea what you're in for.The good news is my brother and his wife are pregnant again! Due in February. I'm tres excited to be an auntie again.But having been the older sister -- it's one of those things you just don't get over. Syd's gonna need some extra attention come February, I bet. The good thing is she'll be older than I was and may not be moved to pour the entire bottle

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1154372971782838422006-07-31T14:58:00.000-04:002006-07-31T15:09:31.946-04:00

Dear Cold Stone Creamery,I do dearly love your confections. I don't get to your stores as often as I'd like; by that standard I'd have to move a cot in and start paying rent. And soon, I'd be too big to get out the doorway. But I digress.While I do appreciate that on my recent visit I ordered an "I Like It" size and was given an "I Love It" size instead owing to the absence "Like It" cups (

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1154312305705313542006-07-30T21:58:00.000-04:002006-07-30T22:20:22.090-04:00

So, at long last, some of the Cornwall pictures and descriptions are up. I'm sure my vast reading public can breathe a sigh of relief knowing this, but for anyone who's wanted to know how it all went, it's there, rash and all. At least, the first three days of it. Still have a few more to append on, but it could be a couple of days. Head over here to enjoy (or to find an easy way to take a nap at

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1154145812248644592006-07-28T23:56:00.000-04:002006-07-29T00:05:09.133-04:00

So, a few weeks ago I saw the film "Over the Hedge." First sighting of an opossum cartoonishly rendered on screen in quite some time. Perhaps ever.And then the other day on Cute Overload, I came across this little bundle o' joy (who apparently crawled up through the pipes into someone's (blissfully unused) toilet.And tonight, we get the three-fer: While taking Ciara out for her nightly wee, what

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1153451237708693702006-07-20T22:43:00.000-04:002006-07-20T23:07:18.070-04:00

So, if you like beaches and lobster and quaint New England cottages (and aren't too much of a Red Sox hater), go visit Ogunquit, ME, a town I still can't quite pronounce and often misspell, but which I think is just wonderful. The base of town ends with Perkins Cove, but there's a small walkway called the Marginal Way that rings around the cliff and curves towards the beach, which has two

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1150472268306445662006-06-16T11:30:00.000-04:002006-07-29T00:07:43.880-04:00

So, a week from tomorrow I'm off to Coney Island with dear friends and loved ones for the annual Mermaid Parade. In addition to amazing costumes and huge crowds and twirling rides (I am not doing the Cyclone again, however) there will be much junk consumed.Thankfully (or maybe not so), one of my mailing lists, called Hungry Girl has put out a list of just how much some of that stuff costs in

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1150143210168260162006-06-12T16:09:00.000-04:002006-06-12T16:13:30.193-04:00

So, it's in Russian. Which means I can't read it.And it requires a plug in (I suspect Active-X) that my Mac at work and Firefox won't let me grab. But I sense when I get home this evening I will have tapped a rich vein of 80s videos ... perhaps even better than YouTube's.... here.via Grouse.

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1150071249265333822006-06-11T19:50:00.000-04:002006-06-11T20:15:38.850-04:00

Queens gets knocked a lot. It's not as hip as Brooklyn, it sure ain't Manhattan, and it doesn't even have the suburban veneer of Staten Island or the danger zone allure (such as that might be) of the Bronx. It's the borough with a booger half out of its nose.Unfairly, by the way. At least where I've lived, I've always liked Queens, and I'm particularly fond of where I live now, in Jackson Heights

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1149742289031707202006-06-08T00:47:00.000-04:002006-06-08T00:51:29.033-04:00

On the one hand, if I were still 18, I'd be so sarcastic and condescending right now. To myself.But since I'm twice that, I get to be all excited when something new -- even something as stale as several weeks old -- gets me revved up.So I will announce it here: I'm in love with Gnarls Barkley. Or should I say I'm crazy about him/them/it? Yes, I am late to the party. But I'm here, and with extra

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1149631918050798932006-06-06T17:53:00.000-04:002006-06-08T00:46:24.320-04:00

So, if you can't think of anything better to do with your weekend, I highly recommend a double feature: The remake of "The Omen" and "The Da Vinci Code."The latter film was already given far too much discussion here a few days back. "The Omen," on the other hand, is another story.I was lucky enough to see it at a screening held in an old Gothic Lower East Side synagogue, now part of some kind of

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1149537395401155722006-06-05T15:36:00.000-04:002006-06-08T00:46:51.973-04:00

So, I'm running late for work. Which means that BBC America finishes its run on WNYC and we switch over to the local broadcast of The Brian Lehrer Show. They're talking Monday Morning Politics, as per usual, and have New Republic editor Peter Beinart in the studio. Beinart has written a book with the sure-to-annoy title of "The Good Fight: Why Liberals -- and Only Liberals -- Can Win the War on

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1148607715723078512006-05-25T21:21:00.000-04:002006-05-25T21:41:55.743-04:00

Dick Wolf, king of my favorite series of ever-proliferating shows, "Law & Order," likes to say that his favorite episode -- which they've never been able to accomplish yet -- would involve all six main characters (including the Lieutenant and the District Attorney) having six separate, valid, points of view on the case at hand.I feel like I've got about three of them, at least, in my own head

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1148318226712637742006-05-22T13:14:00.000-04:002006-05-22T13:17:06.733-04:00

It's the AP versus Reuters in a weather-related headline death match!Who will emerge victorious? Or, at least, correct?Tune in later this summer, assuming the whole Eastern seaboard isn't blown away (Reuters), when with luck we'll be sunning and surfing happily (AP).

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1147924785492020512006-05-17T23:46:00.000-04:002006-05-18T00:02:21.590-04:00

So, I'm waiting for "The Da Vinci Code" to start already. Some guy next to me has spilled soda on himself, so I offered a Kleenex and we've been talking on and off for a few minutes. One of the young women next to him notes that "The Da Vinci Code" was some really great writing."Are you joking?" I ask."No, it really was good.""Look, just because something sells a million copies doesn't make it

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1147814671057384972006-05-16T17:19:00.000-04:002006-05-16T17:24:31.063-04:00

Part the first:I have resolved to end this messing once I find 10 things good about Texas. I currently have three:1) The Dixie Chicks2) Austin3) Future governor Kinky FriedmanHowever, since that is barely halfway there, the messing shall continue. Onward.Part the second:Oh, my God, it's the plague. Seriously. Doctors puzzled over bizarre infection surfacing in South TexasWeb Posted: 05/12/2006 10

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1147812677420194092006-05-16T16:18:00.000-04:002006-05-17T23:47:59.246-04:00

In no particular order.No. 1For some reason, text in my Firefox browser is completely messing with my life. The cursor just doesn't land in front of the individual letter, and if I ever make a mistake and have to double back, I can never find the right spot. Oh, Lord, how can I make it stop. Life is hard on me, I know.No. 2T-shirts I want, or want to make for friends:"I love my country. I want it

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1147467646495518782006-05-12T16:58:00.000-04:002006-05-13T12:40:53.933-04:00

This is sad.Extreme religiosity is, apparently, not considered a mental illness by families; if I'd decided to fast for 40 days in honor of the little green men in my backyard, I'd be in the funny farm posthaste.I was particularly touched that she trained as a carpenter. Might as well go all the way here.But I would like to nitpick with the article writer. To wit: Religious experts said yesterday

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1147309512996354212006-05-10T20:40:00.000-04:002006-05-10T21:05:13.016-04:00

And so, I went to Texas.Mind you, this was back in April, and I've been slacking a bit. Needless to say, the place didn't disappoint. There was at least one full display indicating that the absence of Texas-messing was, in fact, a cottage industry. I also saw one yo-yo -- a tourist, mind you -- wearing such a shirt.But that said: This was Austin. And because of Austin, Texas can be temporarily

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1147140731267923702006-05-08T21:59:00.000-04:002006-05-25T11:46:31.143-04:00

Mysteriously, another great Australian musician is suddenly gone. We lose them from down under far too quickly.How's a girl gonna sing all her songs when the world's gone quiet?RIP, Grant McLennan.UPDATE: The Village Voice's Robert Christgau has a nice rememberance. And also makes McLennan's departure even more tragic, if that seems possible.

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1146581970686986202006-05-02T10:48:00.000-04:002006-05-02T11:00:22.556-04:00

Stephen Colbert deserves our love.Tell him thanks here, and see the videos at the same time, from the Correspondent's Dinner, where he kicked ass.He believes it is yogurt, but he's skeptical on the butter situation.(via Lynda)

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1146445310813108902006-04-30T20:59:00.000-04:002006-04-30T21:01:50.826-04:00

Sydney Central has been updated!Note: Links will take you to a Shockwave program, which contains music.

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1146369590646732412006-04-29T23:40:00.000-04:002006-04-29T23:59:50.660-04:00

It doesn't get much better than a perfect spring Saturday at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. Shooting good pictures here is like shooting them in the butterfly conservatory at the National History museum -- that is, too easy. Everything just looks amazing. It was clear, crisp, with the sun warm enough to make you want to take off your jacket -- followed by a cool breeze that made you want to put it

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1145847355900925002006-04-23T22:49:00.002-04:002006-04-23T22:57:04.543-04:00

My mom's husband Larry is a great guy. Originally from Oklahoma, worked in Leavenworth Prison, did a lot of gov't contracting work, a shit-kickin' good old boy who also happens to enjoy watching musicals with mom. (We knew that was a good sign.)He also voted for Bush. Twice.Today, Mom let me know he has renounced the Shrub."You only have to hit me four or five times in the head before I get it,"

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1145579047686998902006-04-20T20:23:00.000-04:002006-04-20T20:24:35.926-04:00

Ciara will just have to learn to live with him.adopt your own virtual pet!

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1145075558896562432006-04-15T00:32:00.000-04:002006-04-15T00:32:38.896-04:00

Happy Passover to all! (And an Easter, if that's your thing, too.)Gave my niece Sydney a bag of 10 plagues this year. She's 2. I'm that kind of aunt. They were:1. Blood (a small tube of faux red blood that turns invisible).Result: Never opened, kept far away from her. "That never works," Craig warned.2. Frogs (a plastic frog attached to a tube and squeeze end; it jumped when you squeezed).Result:

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1144770535112428642006-04-11T11:26:00.000-04:002006-04-11T11:48:55.130-04:00

So I'm standing in line at the bank this morning to cash -- er, deposit responsibly -- my tax refund check. I've got my wheelie cart bag because I'm off to Austin on Wednesday night and I'm a little too organized for my own good, but I'm taking it into work a day early. And I'm wearing my backpack, carrying my deposit slip.A middle-aged guy with silver hair interrupts me. "You must really love

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1144461398900896522006-04-07T21:54:00.000-04:002006-04-07T21:56:38.920-04:00

This pretty much says it all.From William Rivers Pitt: George W. Bush and his people lied with their bare faces hanging out about the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. They lied about connections between al Qaeda and the Iraqi government, lied about Iraqi connections to September 11, and further lied about the threat to America posed by Iraq. They made a decision to invade

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1144340417405605772006-04-06T12:16:00.000-04:002006-04-06T14:48:44.056-04:00

This is hardly a place for breaking news, but since we have CNN on in the office I just have to throw up my snarky joy somewhere:According to documents presented in court, Cheney's former aide Libby has revealed that Shrub authorized the outing of Valerie Plame, a CIA agent at the time, as an agent, which endangered her life (and her husband), and is clearly a criminal act. The impeachment ball

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1144111881376254362006-04-03T20:49:00.000-04:002006-04-03T20:51:21.390-04:00

And so, Ciara and I hit the streets on Sunday afternoon, under the warm April sun. JH is quite sweet when the weather turns.More photos over at Flickr; hope I did this right.

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1143834282609635572006-03-31T14:38:00.000-05:002006-03-31T14:44:42.640-05:00

So, because it's 70 degrees out and I'd rather do anything than sit at work and complete the second most boring task possible for an editor/writer (the most boring is transcription; the second most boring is highlighting that transcription for quotes in a later article ... zzzzz....), and because I can't actually go out just yet, I've decided to blow a few minutes with a meme. The iPod Shuffle

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1143665009897121012006-03-29T15:41:00.000-05:002006-03-29T15:43:29.916-05:00

The recent Bill Napoli "Minimum Security" cartoon by Stephanie McMillan that's been making the rounds will now be auctioned off at Ebay. Proceeds will go to Planned Parenthood and the Oglala Sioux Tribe. The auction is here. It also includes the address for the Oglala Sioux Tribe, which I reproduce here, for when the Ebay auction ends:Oglala Sioux TribeAttn: President Fire ThunderP. O. Box

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1143596542067650052006-03-28T20:22:00.000-05:002006-03-28T20:43:20.746-05:00

So. Glenn Tilbrook. If you have to ask who, probably best to skip this entry.VH1 Classic was having a little get-together Monday night for some ad people and other individuals of dubious importance, and I'd been included. The purpose: Come have some cocktails and watch a short set by former Squeeze guy Glenn Tilbrook. As the 80s whore that I am, I just had to do it. Even though I figured it would

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1143420372040300572006-03-26T19:16:00.000-05:002006-03-26T19:46:12.060-05:00

Some of us are gamblers. Some of us like sports. And some will bet on whether a dime will land heads up or not. Me, I like board games. Always have. Not every one, mind you, and not all the time. But one of the consequences of The Big Austin Move is that the board games that once languished in mom's icy basement on the top of a big white set of shelves, gathering mouse droppings and dust (and

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1143171722837266192006-03-23T22:34:00.000-05:002006-03-23T22:43:56.783-05:00

They just make it so bloody easy.Texas arresting people in bars for being drunkWed Mar 22, 6:05 PM ETTexas has begun sending undercover agents into bars to arrest drinkers for being drunk, a spokeswoman for the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission said on Wednesday.The first sting operation was conducted recently in a Dallas suburb where agents infiltrated 36 bars and arrested 30 people for public

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1143054079574949972006-03-22T13:49:00.000-05:002006-03-22T14:01:19.600-05:00

Now, I'm not so sure where I stand on Native American sovereignty. On the one hand, they most certainly got f-ed over 20 ways to Sunday in the whole land-grab of the early U.S., and are rarely getting better today, casinos aside. On the other hand, I recognize that long-term, the notion of nations-within-nations is probably going to cause major headaches, legally. But for now it seems to be a

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1142970339174620632006-03-21T14:37:00.000-05:002006-03-27T22:53:45.263-05:00

It doesn't take long. While Texas has been battling more wildfires and an onslaught of wild kids visiting for South By Southwest (officially the One Redeeming Thing About Texas), it looks as though San Antonio is keeping up the great traditions of this messed up place alive:Judson ISD considers removing controversial book from curriculumWeb Posted: 03/20/2006 11:28 PM CSTAmanda TaylorKNES 5

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1142657657708453522006-03-17T23:46:00.000-05:002006-03-17T23:59:19.090-05:00

I'm happy to be well-ensconsed in blue-state heaven, New York.But there are times when I'm just as proud of the home state of Maryland, too. Like when you get men like Jamie Raskin, who is running for State Senate.From the Web site: "Senator, when you took your oath of office, you placed your hand on the Bible and swore to uphold the Constitution. You didn't place your hand on the Constitution

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1142651434358016212006-03-17T22:00:00.000-05:002006-03-20T11:28:06.156-05:00

Now, while I've got nothing particularly good to say about Tom Cruise (whose movies, other than "Risky Business," "A Few Good Men" and "Magnolia" basically blow), I tend not to believe the rumors that he threatened to not promote Paramount's upcoming "Mission: Impossible 3" if sister company Comedy Central re-aired South Park's Episode 912 "Trapped in the Closet." (Both CC and Paramount are owned

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1142624137187223992006-03-17T14:31:00.000-05:002006-03-17T14:35:37.206-05:00

Annie Proulx wasn't happy with the outcome of the Oscars.We should have known conservative heffalump academy voters would have rather different ideas of what was stirring contemporary culture. Roughly 6,000 film industry voters, most in the Los Angeles area, many living cloistered lives behind wrought-iron gates or in deluxe rest-homes, out of touch not only with the shifting larger culture and

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1142541254870271392006-03-16T15:23:00.000-05:002006-03-16T15:34:14.900-05:00

"What do you think the Devil is going to look like if he's around? Nobody is going to be taken in if he has a long, red, pointy tail. No. I'm semi-serious here. He will look attractive and he will be nice and helpful and he will get a job where he influences a great God-fearing nation and he will never do an evil thing... he will just bit by little bit lower standards where they are important.

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1141847844514084872006-03-08T14:44:00.000-05:002006-03-08T14:57:24.546-05:00

Admittedly, South Dakota is the most f-ed up state at the moment, passing and signing legislation that they know is anti-constitutional, and passing and signing it precisely for that reason, not because there's been a groundswell of anti-choicers banging on the walls recently or anything. But because they want their states rights that means they think they have the right to tell everyone else to

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1141422576043805182006-03-03T16:44:00.000-05:002006-03-03T16:52:14.030-05:00

Michael Chabon on Clock of the Long Now:When I told my son about the Clock of the Long Now, he listened very carefully, and we looked at the pictures on the Long Now Foundation’s website. “Will there really be people then, Dad?” he said. “Yes,” I told him without hesitation, “there will.” I don’t know if that’s true.... But in having children—in engendering them, in loving them, in teaching them

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1141356806308315742006-03-02T22:26:00.000-05:002006-03-02T22:34:04.326-05:00

Oh, Lord, when will Congress put us out of our misery and start the fargin' impeachment proceedings already?As if we needed another excuse, the AP now has video proof that Bush just used FEMA as a shield. (Not that Michael Brown was exactly Mr. Competent, but at least he issued a warning.) Which Bush later lied about in saying that no one could have expected the levees to break. What Bush really

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1141185682669575692006-02-28T22:58:00.000-05:002006-02-28T23:02:03.010-05:00

They were Option 30.Lead singer: Trent Reznor.And they liked to cover Billy Idol, it seems.I remember my friends Jerry and Alexis had that same plaid shirt from the mid-80s. Does this mean Reznor liked shopping at The Gap?Click on the photo to be transported.

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1140475305489124472006-02-20T17:32:00.000-05:002006-02-20T17:46:57.580-05:00

Nope, butterflies at the Natural History Museum are not free at all. First off,they're contained in a plexiglas conservatory, and second, cost $16 to get in. Not that this stopped us on Sunday.This is my second visit to the flying insects; they seemed less varied in color and type this year; still, it's a pleasant trip. Until you start sweating your face off, because the room is about 80 degrees

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1140320461528241172006-02-18T22:37:00.000-05:002006-02-18T22:41:01.556-05:00

Woot! One Texas Mess to go before we hit double digits!The nice thing is, sometimes these things just write themselves:Houston eyes cameras at apartment complexesHOUSTON -- Houston's police chief on Wednesday proposed placing surveillance cameras in apartment complexes, downtown streets, shopping malls and even private homes to fight crime during a shortage of police officers."I know a lot of

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1140214166534981042006-02-17T17:01:00.000-05:002006-02-18T00:27:39.370-05:00

Okay, so, not to be flip. I do understand that this is art, and those notorious cartoons were, well, not, even if they were valid examples of freedom of speech. But. How is it that this is valid, but they are not -- if your argument is that no one is allowed to reproduce the image of Mohammed?Remember, that seems to be the main argument. Not so much that they were offensive cartoons -- but that

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1140110957279317002006-02-16T12:25:00.000-05:002006-02-16T12:29:17.293-05:00

Thanks to Steve at the Sneeze, the world can now know the story of how I ticked off Charles Schultz.(And it gives me a chance to point everyone to Steve's Sneeze site, which is marvelous.) Be sure to check out "Steve, Don't Eat It!"

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1139950254879589542006-02-14T15:48:00.000-05:002006-02-14T15:51:34.270-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day!A la Pamie:If forever means forever --it covers lifetimes.If forever covers lifetimes --It covers all the years of my life.If forever covers all the years of my life --Then it covers 18 to life.If forever means forever --Then I don't understand why you broke up with me just because I'm doing a little time.You best get your priorities in order because one day I won't be in

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1139770991051372562006-02-12T14:01:00.000-05:002006-02-12T19:30:02.013-05:00

I think it was Lucy Van Pelt who noted that snow wasn't really ripe until February. That means we just got some of the ripest stuff on record (they're calling this the second biggest snowstorm on record for New York City, the last being in 1947). At least, if "they"=WCBS-TV. I went out. I love snow, and I love when it's snowing. Things were a bit sting-y when it blew in your face, but I grabbed

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1139711434710123462006-02-11T21:27:00.000-05:002006-02-11T21:31:24.400-05:00

Cornwall, here I come!I was becoming disillusioned that I would never get to see the UK in decent weather because airfares for June and July were just not dipping below $800 (and might I mention that includes upwards of $200 in just insane fees and taxes). And then I got the email from heaven. Or rather, Airfarewatchdog.com. And I snagged a trip for about half that -- including those stupid fees

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1139530176354983972006-02-09T19:07:00.000-05:002006-02-09T19:09:36.373-05:00

Daniel Dennett, on Salon.com, by way of Bookslut:The political consequences of undermining faith are monumental, spurring riots and killings around the world. Are you -- is science -- willing to take responsibility for these deadly outcomes?We cannot let any group, however devout, blackmail us into silence by their expressions of hurt feelings whenever they feel that we are getting close to the

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1139339131068088762006-02-07T13:41:00.000-05:002006-02-07T17:06:20.570-05:00

Things to remember when plotting a cartoon revenge:Know the religious makeup of the country you're pissed off at.Denmark, for example, is "Evangelical Lutheran." Though they were quite kind to refugee Jews during WWII, and there are likely some Jews still living there, it is not a Jewish country.Know the history of the event you're planning on "satirizing."The Holocaust, for example, did target

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1139264026707302102006-02-06T17:08:00.000-05:002006-02-06T20:45:33.876-05:00

You can never write about Werner Herzog too much.First of all, Joaquin Phoenix may owe his life to him.Oscar-nominee Joaquin Phoenix was rescued from his car wreck last week by German cult director Werner Herzog.The 31-year-old Walk the Line star overturned his car on a canyon road above Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood after his brakes failed and he collided with another vehicle.Phoenix was saved

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1139258215051416932006-02-06T15:36:00.000-05:002006-02-06T15:36:55.066-05:00

But some guts were busted.The Onion hits the nail on the head.

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1138660351298043372006-01-30T17:19:00.000-05:002006-02-11T21:36:15.826-05:00

I had promised to dial these back in the new year. Fresh start, why be so mean, you know.And then another excuse to continue not just comes along, but begs a flogging. So I persist.Anyhow, this one was almost a near miss. Not that it was so slight it seemed not worth mentioning, but more that it seemed like a good thing. And then, like so much about Texas, the good thing went bad. So very bad, so

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1137962108245159222006-01-22T15:24:00.000-05:002006-01-22T15:35:54.036-05:00

Not that I condone corporal punishment for children. (As a rule. There are exceptions. Oh, boy are there exceptions.) But when I saw this story, I had to say something.**snark!**Okay, okay. It is amusing to see one of the great news services of the world giving so much time and energy to the cause of smacking. And the BBC have done a marvelous job of giving this the full 360-degree treatment. Not

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1137639033873607642006-01-18T21:47:00.000-05:002006-01-18T22:28:32.406-05:00

See post before the last one, re: Oprah's book choice.Shows what I know.Oy.

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1137458830651493892006-01-16T19:43:00.000-05:002006-01-16T19:47:10.673-05:00

I went to Bimini in 2003 to swim with wild dolphins. While there, we spent one evening at the Compleat Angler bar, listening to a local band and admiring the Hemingway memorabilia stationed in a separate room, and even danced a bit. Now, sadly, that seems to all be gone. I was never much of a Hemingway fan, but -- RIP Mr. Brown. You had a fine establishment.From the AP:Fire razes Hemingway's

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1137453564168067152006-01-16T17:47:00.000-05:002006-01-16T18:19:24.193-05:00

Various, Sundry and their sister Judy will now present: Nothing in particular.Interesting choice: Oprah picks "Night," by Elie Wiesel. Wonder if J.T. LeRoy was up on her reading list next and her advisors said, "O, babe, look. Pick something nobody's going to ask questions about, okay? Pick the one memoir nobody's going to question. Go for Elie. Nobel Prize, you know? Besides, everybody's

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1137169924562215952006-01-13T11:22:00.000-05:002006-01-16T17:47:38.366-05:00

Now, I loved "Grizzly Man," and its a goddamned shame it isn't in consideration for an Oscar. (I'm not clear on why, but it's true.) Anyway, scant few documentaries manage to get their own parodies -- the last one I can think of is Julie Brown's full-length "Medusa: Dare to Be Truthful" from 1992, parodying Madonna's "Truth or Dare," of course.Now, thanks to Travis and Jonathan, we have "Grizzly

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1135995985608827732005-12-30T21:17:00.000-05:002005-12-30T21:27:45.350-05:00

Yes, sirree bob, this is a bumper crop of a state. Not a few weeks ago they were struggling with the earth-shattering freezing temperature of 24, and now, the place is on fire. I'm completely sympathetic with the so-far four people who've died. That's a bad way to go, and to lose your home and only be able to rescue photos -- terrifying and horrific. And now I have to worry about my family,

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1135804600207805312005-12-28T16:10:00.000-05:002005-12-28T16:16:40.240-05:00

When I was in high school, I took an amazing course: History of Religion. For a public high school in a non-Bible belt state, this was pretty revolutionary. But as was pointed out to us by our teacher -- the love-her or hate-her Mrs. Penn -- it wasn't about religion. It was about studying the history of how religion developed.It was one of the most interesting classes I took. You were required to

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1135524139322843242005-12-25T10:08:00.000-05:002005-12-25T22:01:33.646-05:00

Ciara wishes everyone, including Lois, Larry, Craig, Kris, Sydney, Julia, Lynda, Rebecca, Valerie, Alexis, Jerry, Joey, Michael, Darron, Alan and all of their attendant family members a very happy spirit of the day. She herself is demonstrating the true spirit of the season with her newfound "friend," Allie the Alligator, who soon will be going to Croc Heaven. That true spirit being....Rending,

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1135313626307820582005-12-22T23:40:00.000-05:002005-12-22T23:58:22.306-05:00

One of the better holiday gifts I've gotten so far is here.Duran Duran wish you a merry holiday -- and let you mix their lyrics.Deeply cheesy, and that's what it's all about. On first seeing the photo, I thought Robert Palmer had gotten revenge on his former Power Station bandmates by making them -- and their fellow Durans -- dress all alike, a la his music videos, but then I had a different

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1135139405081448132005-12-20T23:20:00.000-05:002005-12-20T23:30:18.940-05:00

So, yeah. These were the options today, at least if you live where I do:1) Get a ride with someone from work. You have to fit 4 people in the car, and the guy says he has to be in the office by 8:30 in the morning and you know it's going to be nightmarish with traffic, and plus if he gets in at 8:30 he probably has to leave by around 4:30 in the afternoon .... etc.2) Walk about 15 blocks to the

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1134530421899185052005-12-13T22:19:00.000-05:002005-12-13T22:21:09.406-05:00

Ciara sends her love.Though not to the chew toy.And she wants to know when dinner starts.

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1134428101341920812005-12-12T17:45:00.000-05:002005-12-12T17:55:01.356-05:00

I forgot one more excellent reason to mess with Texas.Tom DeLay.Apparently the House majority leader, currently facing some legal troubles of his own, has engineered some others that the Supremes are now taking into consideration. From this New York Times article:Supreme Court to Review Texas Redistricting DisputeBy DAVID STOUTWASHINGTON, Dec. 12 - The United States Supreme Court agreed today to

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1134412978901825272005-12-12T13:40:00.000-05:002005-12-12T13:43:37.440-05:00

Thanks to everyone who came! A marvy, and messy-chocolatey time was had by all. Oh, and there was vodka. My, was there vodka.

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1134153854766432462005-12-09T13:37:00.000-05:002005-12-09T13:44:58.656-05:00

My brother is in Austin, Texas. According to Mom, he says the house is so big "you could get tired walking from the living room to the front door." My SIL arrived Tuesday with Syd in tow. Mom and Larry get there Sunday.From a newsgroup today:"It got below freezing around noon. We've had about a 1/4 of freezing rain/sleet/snow. Big emergency. More than 100 auto accidents. School in the city

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1134065186395372782005-12-08T12:55:00.000-05:002005-12-08T13:15:25.733-05:00

More of these wonderful things here.No, that's not the most preoccupying thought in my head at the moment (that would be Saturday's anxiety-inducing party, with attendant fountain activity), but it'll do for now.Something I was thinking of recently:While living in London in the early 1990s, I came across several things which appeared quaint, many which seemed advanced, and some of which were

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1133840683763240752005-12-05T22:42:00.000-05:002005-12-05T22:44:43.780-05:00

Okay, so they say all good relationships have some push-pull, some arguing, some long phone conversations. I've had all of those with Earthlink and their Voice Over Internet Phone in the past month.Today, we connected Ethernets and made up. I now have a working, incoming phone again. I can dial by clicking a button on a Web page. I can forward my calls. I can block numbers I don't want to hear

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1133703850078590302005-12-04T08:39:00.000-05:002005-12-04T08:44:10.096-05:00

This may be the second snowfall of the season (while I was in Maryland I think some may have fallen), but it's the first for me. For some reason I got up early today and was a little startled to see snow (I didn't know it was coming), but pleased. The dog isn't happy, but we went out for our morning (::achem::) constitutional and it was so early everything was still in that half-formed peaceful

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1133554596603869312005-12-02T15:14:00.000-05:002005-12-02T15:18:58.440-05:00

Or, more accurately, McSweeney's does."Socially Awkward Situations In Which It Would Be Acceptable to Mess With Texas"My favorite:Texas demonstrates little respect for "personal space."Hee.Thanks, Paul!

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1133151091275333162005-11-27T23:10:00.000-05:002005-11-27T23:12:35.523-05:00

I don't usually post the results of these things, but I am happy to know that a) I get to continue being a citizen and b) I aced the "test" on the web. Phew. This'll keep the NSA agents away a little longer.You Passed the US Citizenship TestCongratulations - you got 10 out of 10 correct!Could You Pass the US Citizenship Test?

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1133111784850186702005-11-27T12:08:00.000-05:002005-11-27T12:20:37.953-05:00

From a school cafeteria in Gaithersburg High School to a Denny's in Montgomery Village, it is nice to know you can still hang out with some of your best girlfriends over pancakes.May, 1987November, 2005Call it Reality and the Suburbs, rather than Sex and the City.Elsewhere:This is what happens when you don't bring your digital camera to Halloween -- you don't get everyone else's pictures until

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1132844401323523382005-11-24T09:53:00.000-05:002005-11-26T10:42:53.026-05:00

So, the good news is it was just a 12 hour bug, and that it happened the day before Thanksgiving, rather than the day of. I was so sick for those 12 hours, though, that even seeing food on the TV was making me want to retch. So I got on the sofa around noon (having had to leave a hair appointment early; at least she got to finish the trimming, or I would have had a half-cut head of hair) and

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1132202399732308132005-11-16T23:33:00.000-05:002005-11-16T23:46:52.466-05:00

An update: The last house I pictured here of the house I thought mom had bought was, in fact, a model. This is the latest update. They're having theirs built from the ground up. Which explans the apocalyptic landscaping. At least it looks like they're going to have sidewalks. I'm just anti-design which dictates that the garage has to be half the length of the house itself. Can we not just dig an

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1132161633516312232005-11-16T12:17:00.001-05:002005-11-16T12:24:19.826-05:00

Mom hit the jackpot this year. Best. Birthday present. Ever. (And bonus points for its only semi-practical nature, since you can't just fire up the choco-fountain every day for the hell of it. Well, you could, but if I did I'd just sit on the couch until I was 480 pounds and had to be moved off of it with bits of fiber sticking to me. Eww.)(No, that's not the exact one she sent, but it's close.

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1132020950054774602005-11-14T21:13:00.000-05:002005-11-14T21:16:33.960-05:00

Sydney Renee is two! And J.C. Penney portrait photos have captured three of her most endearing moods:Trippy HappyMildly Terrified (and/or) EmbarrassedPlaying With ChapstickHappy Birthday Beautiful Niece!

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1131854737790091452005-11-12T22:45:00.000-05:002005-11-12T23:05:37.810-05:00

Went to see the new Harry Potter film today, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire."I enjoy these films; they're usually visually beautiful, they're all full of English people, and I dig that a whole generation of kids are learning great phrases like "taking the mick(ey)" and "brilliant" and "piss off." The anglophile in me rejoices.I've read the first four books, and tend to read the next in line

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1131773867239751062005-11-12T00:30:00.000-05:002005-11-12T00:38:26.160-05:00

For some reason, I'm iffy about camping (though getting better) while I love watching other people in survival situations. And nobody entertains me better than Les Stroud, who I discovered accidentally a few months ago on The Science Channel, with a show called "Survivorman." Who knew The Science Channel even existed? (And no, it's not the same as Sci-Fi Network.) The setup is this: The guy

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1131650390776823352005-11-10T14:14:00.000-05:002005-11-10T14:29:20.613-05:00

Clearly, this is going to be easier than I thought.3) Neal Pollack is leaving Austin.Though we only ever shared an email or two (he was whinging on his blog about not getting enough freelance, I contacted to see if we could work something out, he then got a gig -- which apparently is now taking him to LA), having someone with his attitude and smarts and cool factor was always a big plus. I could

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1131591724436537032005-11-09T22:01:00.000-05:002005-11-09T22:02:04.446-05:00

Anybody trying to call me at home, I'm not going to have home phone service until November 28.Don't even ask: The evilness will be explained once I'm calmer.Anyway, call my work number or send me an email in the interim if you need me.That is all!

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903907.post-1131575146885296652005-11-09T17:14:00.000-05:002005-11-10T14:23:01.030-05:00

So, since the family units are moving there before the end of the year, and when confronted with the alarm that is most people's response to "We're moving to Texas" they seem, well, baffled, I'm going to start compiling a list of reasons why the place sucks. I will, therefore, be messing with Texas.In no particular order:1) Voters Reject White Settlement Name Change1a) The fact that the story's

Armchair Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00163766751984085330noreply@blogger.com0