Feel like this

This morning started like most days that I go to work.

I woke up, took a shower, shave my face and head as it had been four days and the presence of hair was getting annoying. I brushed my teeth, moisturized my face (I have dry flaky skin, back off) and began to get dressed. I put on an undershirt and then applied deodorant, don't ask me why I do thing in such a backward order, I just do. I went downstairs and fixed my large morning cup of water, when I felt a rumbling in my gut. The kind of rumbling that screams, "DROP YOUR PANTS AND RUN TO THE TOILET"

So I did. And I did. The violence of it was quite unnecessary.

After finishing that portion of the morning, I went back to the kitchen and felt another rumbling. The kind of rumbling that screams, "RUN BACK TO THE BATHROOM AND GET ON YOUR KNEES BITCH".

I looked like a very confused dog going in circles as I tried to weigh the pros and cons of going back into the bathroom from which I just emerged or if my body would afford me the time to visit a fresher facility.

I won't say where I ended up, but I made to a toilet and proceeded to worship it's shiny qualities for a few minutes.

While composing myself from that unpleasantness, a massive headache came on followed by hot and cold flashes. In the course of about 12 minutes, I had gone from feeling great and looking forward to the day to on the couch curled in the fetal position. Momma never said menopause would be like this.

I've been awake long enough to compose two posts and do some research on some upcoming travel. I'm going back to sleep.

Oh!!! Dave, you're not funny. No one will come visit you if you keep doing thing like this.

Being that Monday's entry ended in intelligent comments and conversation that ended up referencing religion; I will post one of my favorite moments from television written by Aaron Sorkin.

BARTLET: I like your show. I like how you call homosexuality an "abomination!"

JACOBS: I don't say homosexuality is an abomination, Mr. President. The Bible does.

BARTLET: Yes it does. Leviticus!

JACOBS: 18:22.

BARTLET: Chapter and verse. I wanted to ask you a couple of questions while I had you here. I wanted to sell my youngest daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. She's a Georgetown Sophomore, speaks fluent Italian, always cleared the table when it was her turn. What would a good price for her be? (Bartlet only waits a second for a response, then plunges on.)

BARTLET: While thinking about that, can I ask another? My chief of staff, Leo McGary, insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly says he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself' Or is it o.k. to call the police? (Bartlet barely pauses to take a breath.)

BARTLET: Here's one that's really important, because we've got a lot of sports fans in this town. Touching the skin of a dead pig makes one unclean. Leviticus 11:7. If they promise to wear gloves, can the Washington Redskins still play football? Can Notre Dame? Can West Point? Does the whole town really have to be together to stone my brother John for planting different crops side by side? Can I burn my mother in a small family gathering for wearing garments made from two different threads? Think about those questions, would you?

And the final message

This is the conclusion post. No more ranting about Sunday beer sales after this post. Maybe.

Senator Shafer responded with the following.

Russ,

There is no question that Sunday closing laws have a religious origin,
but so do the laws against murder ("Thou shalt not kill") and thievery
("Thou shalt not steal").

In any event, I understand your point and will keep your views in mind
as we consider this issue.

David

David J. Shafer
State Senator, District 48

I am obviously getting the brush off. He was trying to finish this up and to his credit, he does have more pressing issues at hand like; reforming the state budget process. I didn't know that our state budget process was in such dire need of fixing. Education what?

I forgot to save my response back to him but it was something brief like "That's all I can ask for." I did not bring up the fact that he did not answer a single question in my email. If he was going to answer, he would have in his previous email.

He sites religion as the basis for the laws against murder and stealing. Based on Senator Shafer's sentence, am I to assume that before Moses came down from Mt Sinai with two stone tablets, people were killing each other at random and then taking their stuff? Of course not.

Non-Biblical religions condone against killing and stealing and they managed to get that idea without the help of the ten commandments. The laws in this country against murder and stealing are not based on religion but on moral laws. Each human is born with an inherent ability to determine basic right and wrong. We don't need religion to tell us that raping, killing, and stealing is wrong. We already know that.

I'm not feeling 100% accurate that using Moral Laws is the right tool to argue the Senator's way of thinking. I wanted to make sure that this was the correct response. So I did what any smart person trying to debunk a religious argument would do. I emailed Penn Jillette and Michael Goudeau to see if I was using the right logic for this argument. Their response;

I think you should add, "and if you don't agree I sure don't want to
be sitting next to you on a bus."

Also, blue laws are in place with the excuse of religion but are
actually an opportunity for merchants to sell the same amount of items in 6 days that they would normally sell in 7. That means they do not have the expenses of being open one more day per week but still make the same money. Established businesses have no interest in stopping blue laws. You need "new guys" to come to town and open on Sunday and challenge the law. It is not constitutional to limit the hours a store can be open.

What a great addition to the argument. Anyone want to open a liquor store or bar with me? That should strike down the blue laws faster than Senator Shafer can not answer a direct question.

And I'm spent.

Answer to this

Last week I chimed in on the Sunday alcohol debacle in a post entitled "I am not smart enough to write this". In the process of writing and getting fired up about our elected officials not jumping in to give its citizens their rights back; I fired off a direct email to state Senator Shafer.

I didn't think for one second that he would respond. Imagine my elated joy when from the floor of the Cask Ale Tasting Saturday night, I received an email from the Senator . So as promised, it is posted below unedited or altered for all to enjoy. It is followed by my response. Jesus H Zenu, I wish I was a better writer.

Russ,

First, I have not "sent" the Sunday sales issue to a study committee.
I introduced a resolution that would create a study committee on all
our alcohol laws, not just Sunday sales. That resolution, as well as
Senate Bill 26 that would legalize certain types of alcohol on Sunday,
will be heard by the Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee
during this session. It will be up the committee and to the Senate
(and to the House and the Governor) as to what will ultimately be
done. James Salzer overstates my role.

And, no, I was not implying that I should not be mentioned in
connection with the Sunday sales issue. I was suggesting that Sunday
sales is not the only issue facing the General Assembly. I have
introduced legislation, for example, that would reform the state's
budget process that has never been mentioned in the AJC.
But James Salzer seems almost exclusively interested in alcohol --
something I rib him about every day.

As for Senate Bill 26, the Sunday sales bill, I do not like it because
it unfairly discriminates against certain types of retail competitors.
As a strong believer in free markets, I am not interested in
advancing legislation that creates or worsens an unlevel playing field
among retail competitors. I am looking into the statistics now, but I
would venture to say that beer contributes to as many DUIs as liquor,
and that gas station convenience stores probably sell more alcohol to
the underaged than liquor stores. In any event, absent some rational
basis, they should all be treated the same.

In fairness, I have said that it does not make sense spending too much
time during the session perfecting flaws in bills that will likely be
vetoed anyway. I would say that about virtually any subject, not just
Sunday sales.

Commenting on my blog is reserved for "friends and constituents" who
register and confine their comments to topic and avoid "abusive
language." I am happy for you to contribute comments to my blog, as
long as you stick to the subject and avoid insults ("shit covered
douche bag"). I am not offended by bad language, and recognize your
right to say whatever you want on your own blog, but please keep in
mind my wife, mother and sister visit my site and will all see what
you write.

I appreciate your taking the time to contact me. Please feel free to
continue to share your thoughts with me.

David

David J. Shafer
State Senator, District 48

Senator Shafer,

I can not begin to thank you for taking the time to address these concerns and clarify some gray areas.

Thank you correcting my assumption that you had already sent the Sunday sales issue to a study committee. I am excited to hear that this important legislation isn't currently stuck in a dead end study until an election year rolls around.

But while you are still debating whether or not to send it to the dark hole from which it will never return, can you explain why it would need to go to a study committee in the first place? What will that accomplish? Isn't the fact that the current law is in direct conflict of the First Amendment enough of a reason for you to be for letting the citizens of Georgia vote on this issue? The blue laws are based on a preference for religious thinking. Someone else's religion should not decide when I am allowed to buy beer, wine, or pork products.

I'm sorry you feel that James Salzar overstates your role in this issue. Perhaps if you stood on the side of the Constitution and the rights of the citizens you were elected to represent, you would be immune from the negative speculation that many of us jumped to based on his articles.

I agree with you when it comes to a free market. Yes, spirits and beer and wine should all be treated the same. But this issue has to start somewhere. Allow the citizens to vote on beer and wine this year and next year, we'll tackle spirits. Or best case, allow it all at once this year. But delaying and waiting for statistics on DUIs, doesn't get Georgia out of the "blue law" ages. If you want to reduce the number of DUIs, introduce legislation that calls for stiffer penalties. Don't limit my rights based on crimes that might or could happen.

Governor Perdue has almost done a complete 180 distancing himself from his earlier comments about "getting the last vote". But taking a guess as to how someone will vote and basing your legislative agenda accordingly is not the Democratic way. Senators and Representatives should do their job and leave the Governor to do his.

Concerning my comments about you being a "shit-covered bag of douche"; you have my sincerest apologies to you and your family. I went for the cheap laugh and missed. With that in mind, anyone who stands between me and my rights is about the lowest form of human in existence. No man or woman is better than any other and for anyone to be so cocky that they assume to know what is better for my life than I do needs a very large, shit covered bag of douche dumped over their head.

Do your job and allow the citizens of Georgia to do theirs.

Thank you again for your correspondence, I look forward to your response.

Best regards,

Russ Sauve

Reach out and touch this

Author's note: I'm a raging idiot. If you saw yesterday's post and wondering where it went, it'll be back up later. I left out the part of the Sunday alcohol sales story of how I contacted Senator Shafer. Nothing like trying to tell a story in the wrong order. I'm the Tarantino of blogging, just with less blood.

Originally written, Friday January 26, 2007: 11:53 PM

Ok, I'm getting more and more cranky about this Sunday alcohol thing. So I commented on Senator Shafer's blog. But it didn't show up. I'm guessing it has to be approved to be published. Fair enough. But I'm impatient. So then I wrote to his senate email address. Within seconds I received this out of office email response, that's service.

Thank you for your email message. I appreciate your taking the time to write to me.

During the Legislative Session, I receive hundreds of email messages daily. I will eventually read each message, but for an individual response, I encourage you to write to me at my personal address:

david@votedavid.com

If you are a constituent, please include your mailing address and telephone number (or, at a mininum, your zip code). I do my best to respond to constiutents first.

If your message concerns a matter requiring an immediate response, please contact my secretary (name with held for privacy) at the address and telephone number shown below.

As an informational service, we may add your email address to our newsletter mailing list. If you do not wish to receive the newsletter, there will be an "unsubscribe" tab at the bottom of each newsletter.

Finally, I encourage you to visit my legislative blog, www.DavidShafer.org, for daily updates concerning the session.

It is my honor to serve you in the General Assembly. Thank you again for taking the time to write to me.

David

David J. Shafer
State Senator, District 48
421 State Capitol
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
404-656-0048

Shouldn't our elected officials be responding to the email they receive at their work email addresses? Especially while they are in session? What if you told your boss that you were going to ignore your work email but if they needed to reach you they could do so at your personal email address. I sent the same email again, this time to his "personal address". But perhaps it's just a matter convenience.

The last time I wrote my politicians was a few months ago when legislation harming online gaming was snuck onto a port protection bill at the last minute. I reached out and touched everyone of my representatives on that one. The only elected official of mine that bothered to write back was Representative Tom Price. So I'll be very surprised if I receive anything in return. Of course I did just call Senator Shafer a "shit covered bag of douche" a few days ago. I don't know if I would respond to me after that either, but here's hoping.

Here's a copy of the brief comment and email I sent Senator Shafer.

RE: In reply to your blog post entitled; "First Bill Passes"

Senator Shafer,

I hope you didn't intend to imply in your post that you shouldn't be mentioned with the Sunday alcohol issue.

After all you are the one trying to kill the issue by not allowing it to go to a vote this session. You have sent an issue that a majority of Georgians would like to vote on (AJC - Salzer - 1/23) to a study committee.

Why would you so blatantly defy the wishes of your constituents?

More importantly, you are an elected official of the United States Government. You should be helping keep church and state separate.

Do your patriotic duty and allow this legislation to go to the floor for a vote. It is not your job to legislate the morality of the Georgians you were elected to represent.

Respectfully,

Russ Sauve

Like I said, I was getting cranky.

Buy this

I hate spending money on myself. But when I have to, and we all *have to* from time to time, I decide in advance how much I will spend and stick to it. There is no renegotiation while standing in the checkout line and whatever the preset limit is, that's it. Examples: It took me three days to figure out what backup hard drive to buy and then another two days to figure out where to buy it from. I refuse to pay more than $50 bucks for a pair of shoes and I will not pay more than $40 bucks for a pair of pants ever. Period. My momma didn't raise no fool. So when I make a single item large purchase (anything over $100), I must be absolutely sure that it is the best product for the job intended at the best price possible. I get a full on case of the anals when it comes to shopping.

With that said, I made an online impulse buy. It was late last night, I had consumed one adult beverage, and I was surfing the internet when I stumbled upon a really good deal on something I have secretly wanted for a long time. I have never spoken aloud about this secret obsession for fear of the stares and high volume of laughter that I would have to contend with.

If it sucks, no one will ever hear another word about it. If it rocks, I will be the laziest sob alive but I will be basking in the glory of purchasing the greatest device ever.

I am not smart enough to write this

Everyday, Governor Sonny Perdue inches closer to the top of my "Fuckers I want out of office" list. This list includes and has included such notables as George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Cythnia McKinney, David Shafer, and most of the other Democrats and Republicans currently in office.

There is currently a push to repeal a portion of the Blue Laws to make the sale of beer and wine on Sunday legal. This would be a great step towards moving Georgia out of "The entire country is pointing and laughing at you" category. A recent ajc.com poll proved that roughly two-thirds of Georgians want to vote on this issue. What politician in their right mind would dare stand in the way of giving the majority of the people what they want? Answer: Governor Sonny Perdue and the Republican party.

After the poll was released Gov. Perdue went on an Atlanta radio station and loosely threatened this specific legislation with a veto if the bill passed. Since this statement, he has backed off a little bit, because he got one of his Republican buddies to do the dirty work for him. For this legislation to make it to the floor for a vote it has to get out of a committee run by David Shafer. And to delay this, Shafer has created a study committee to study this issue this summer. What a shit covered bag of douche.

According to wikipedia:

A blue law, in the United States and Canada is a type of law designed to enforce moral standards, particularly the observance of Sunday as a day of worship or rest. Most have been repealed or are simply unenforced, although prohibitions on the sale of alcoholic beverages and occasionally almost all commerce, on Sundays are still enforced in some areas. Blue laws often prohibit an activity only during certain hours and there are usually exceptions to the prohibition of commerce, like grocery and drug stores. Places that still have and enforce blue laws often have strong religious fundamentalism, but some have been retained as a matter of tradition or out of convenience.

Separation of what? Church and what? State? Don't get me started. The AJC has a place for readers to write in their opinions. The list of letters has gotten lengthy, but there is one that I find makes the religious argument portion of this debate pretty simple. But to get the punchline of the article, you need to know what Perdue's reasoning for being against Sunday sales is; "Think of it this way. It (Sunday sales) really helps you plan ahead for the rest of your life. Time management." Weak.

From ajc.com

Pork sales: Is a similar restriction due?

After a hard workweek back at his old job as a veterinarian, Sonny was looking forward to his favorite Saturday morning breakfast of fried eggs, grits, biscuit with gravy, and smoked pork sausage. That was until Mary informed him that they were out of sausage. "No problem, I'll just run down to the grocery store," replied Sonny. However, when Sonny got to the meat section, he was greeted with a sign "By State Law: No Pork Sales on Fridays or Saturdays." Sonny had forgotten about the law advocated by a coalition of Jews, Muslims and Seventh-day Adventists. Sonny called his local state representative, complaining "Why should the religious views of some infringe on the vast majority of Georgia residents?" The reply was:

"Think of it this way. It really helps you plan ahead for the rest of your life. Time management."

STEVE ZINSENHEIM, Marietta

This ranting is not about buying booze, although I am a big fan. It's about our rights and the government telling us what we can and can't do. Governor Perdue has nothing to lose. He is serving the last term Georgia law allows him to serve. But the Republican party has a lot to lose. Remember this come November, 2008.

Drive in this

I don't know about the rest of you Atlantans but my two hour commute to work this morning was fucking awesome!!!

Woo-Hoo!!!
(ajc.com, registration required)

I want a President that can speak with...........pizazz.

Praise this

Hail Zenu!

I am not a corporate guy. I am unable to "play the game" as they say, but I am amazed by people who can. With that said, tonight, Studio 60 made repeated references to the 48 Laws of Power.
Read them, they are interesting and frightening.

In other corporate news, there is a rumor that Bill "I am the devil" Gates is going to sell autographed limited issues of Vista. If I wanted a disillusioned man to sign a turd, I'd go ask HDS to autograph his most recent wife.

And......I'm spent......

Damn fuzzy feelings

I worked all weekend and that is not necessarily a bad thing. In former jobs working on Saturdays and Sundays, almost every weekend, was the standard and not the exception. Now, because it is so rare, I really enjoy working the occasional weekend.

While I could care less about the particular show currently in house; I love the buzz and energy a highly demanded show can produce. It exists from the time someone stands in line, waiting to get in and builds right up until curtain. The closest thing I can compare it to is perhaps the energy that exists 30 before the first home game kickoff of football season. Yes, the two are very different, but eerily the same.

When the doors opened this afternoon and tonight, there was a series of blood curling screams from preteen girls that reminded me of the New Kids on the Block era. While it pierced my ears and caused an involuntary gag reflex, it also brought the biggest smile to my face. I love that just the thought of entertainment can do that to people. Even entertainment that I can't begin to stomach.

Watch this

Despite their titles, these are not links to gay porn.

O'Reilly on Colbert

Colbert on O'Reilly

Eh?

Yesterday, after receiving a mid-afternoon email from Tony, I met up with him and Rob at the new 5 Seasons restaurant in Alpharetta for a beer tasting. I arrived about 5:30 and parked in the business complex next door due to the massive amount of people that had shown up. The line of people out the door quickly dissipated and I was soon standing with the masses trying to get my bearings.

I would love to have the writing skills and vocabulary to accurately describe the beautiful decor of 5 Seasons North. But I don't. So settle for; lots of gorgeous dark warm wood with polished bronze. A cabin setting that allows for a homey but open and spacious feeling. The tables in the restaurant area are interspersed by generous buffers; allowing easy access for both the patrons and servers. The u-shaped bar area had plenty of space around it for milling. Which was great planning because the crowd around the bar was three and in some places four deep.

I passed the bar and found a separate beer serving area in a side room complete with some chips and salsa and an Italian meat and cheese board. I grab a quick snack and asked the beer maiden for a glass of their Belgian. After being handed the glass I tried to hand her money. The beer maiden looked at me funny when I asked how to pay for the beer. The short acrid response I received was;

"What? No, but you can tip.(insert a wag of the finger towards the jar here).

As my five dollar bill floater slowly to the jar, the light bulb went off in my head. This was a free event. Ring the bell, this game is on.

As I finished my snack and beer I stood by the end of the bar trying to figure out what other beers were available to try. But the owners know their business and were not going to just give away beer all night long. After all, what good is handcrafted-brewed-on-the-premises beer if you're not going to pair it with some really tasty food? Hand passed hors deavres came flying out of the kitchen about every 5 minutes. I had lucked into the perfect place to stand because I was the first person they passed as they made their way to the masses.

Here's a short list of the mini samples I tasted over the course of the evening
-Sweet and Spicy HUGE buffalo wings
-Mini BLT
-Mini turkey sandwich
-Some seriously good pizza - two slices, to make sure the pizza that came out at 7:30 was as good as the pizza that came out at 6:00.
-Shrimp cocktail with a strawberry horseradish sauce
-A slice of pork tenderlion (which isn't on the menu, but oh snap Betty, it should be)

Something I didn't know, until reading it and Tony clarifying it. All of the meats served at 5 Seasons are grown in state. According to their website everything is prepared in house.

5 Seasons delivers the type of authenticity demanded by our discerning guests. Every piece of fresh fish and meat is cut by hand daily, in-house. We bake each of our breads (even the hamburger buns) and make everything else – all of our demi-glace, salad dressings, pommes frites, ice creams and sorbets. We carefully source over a dozen local organic farms, and others around the world, and seek out only those ingredients during their unique "fifth season."

After filling my belly with free samples and enjoying my first two beers, Tony and Rob made it in. At this point I had secured a seat at the bar and was enjoying watching the owner sling beers next to beermaster, Crawford Moran. Over about the next two hours or so, we enjoyed a few glasses of the cask ale, Belgian, porter, golden ale and I think their IPA. The cask ale and porter were easily my two favorites.

End result, these people know what the hell they are doing. The food; fantastic. The beer equally good. After last night, I'm currently fighting the urge to go to the other 5 Seasons located Sandy Springs for dinner tomorrow night. I'm not sure why.

Praise this

Allmightiness one day at a time.

Random this

A couple things that I don't think anyone will care about but me.

The Late Show website has gotten a serious makeover.

I heard the Alan Knieter jazz combo play today. They were really good.

Oh yeah, I came in second last night. I would rather come in last than second. But I started heads up at about a 10 to 1 disadvangtage and battled back to be a 2 to 1 dog. Then on one hand I had a boat and he hit quads. And that was that.

Poll this

Do we really need a preseason poll 8 scant days after the BCS Championship game?

Kick this

My first official class at the dojo was a success. The owner is very nice and everyone in the class went out of their way to welcome me. It wasn't at all what I expected. There was very little use of foreign words and we called owner/instructor by his first name. It was a very relaxed atmosphere and geared solidly toward learning. This is not a place where you get yelled at or chastised. Everyone was encouraged, not belittled. The entire experience was very positive.

When class began, we stretched and exercised for about 10 minutes and then jumped right into a few lessons. After each lesson we would pair up and attempt the lesson out on each other. The beginning of each of these lessons require one or both parties to get into a position that could be best described as the beginning of a gay porn scene. If you are a visual person; it looked something like this.



Or this


Or this

(Notice my gaze of approval)

We learned and practiced three lessons. At the end of which, I was almost totally spent. 40 minutes in and I was exhausted. Despite receiving one compliment from the instructor and two from my partner, I'm remembered thinking that these people were trying to kill me.

Then came the last 20 minutes of class. Each class ends with one on one grappling. Yup, this is the point in the class where they actually tried to kill me, repeatedly. Three different people got a shot at me. And that went about as well as a deer in a dishwasher. Exhausted plus cluelessness with a pinch of clumsiness had to equal some highly amusing scenes to watch.

For example, I accidentally kicked one guy in the face. I'd love to report that I jumped up and said, "Fuck you Bill Gates!"; but I didn't. I immediately released him and starting apologizing. After shaking the hit off, he laughed it away, which is a very good thing considering he is about 8-10 years younger than me with the muscle tone like he's being doing this for years. When he was ready, we went back at it. At one point, I caused this same person to bleed. So after one class I got to kick someone in the face and leave him bloody. Part of me thinks I should hang this up right now.

So that was day one of however many it takes to get and keep me in shape. Is it working? Within 30 minutes of leaving I became sore in places I didn't know existed. I didn't know the sides of my butt could be sore. Tomorrow morning will suck.

Celebrate this

Happy MLK day to you too. I woke up and reflected about Dr. King while watching a memorial service from my bed. Not really. I slept in, surfed the net, read a lot of news, and sold a few items on half.com. Currently I'm attempting to get motivated to take down two chandeliers so they can be spray painted a brushed silver and flat black respectively so they don't look as hideous as they currently do.

Tonight, I will hopefully begin a new chapter in my life. I am going to attempt to start a journey to a healthier life by going to a local dojo and getting my butt waxed for an hour. Reason's for going: I am horrifically out of shape, I don't want to die anytime soon and I'd like to lose 10 pounds. Bikini season is right around the corner and my new thong lifts *and* separates.

If I like the dojo I'm going to join and start going twice a week. I enjoy this type of physical activity; hitting, kicking, and being thrown repeatedly to the ground. Who doesn't? But with anything that is new, I'm a little nervous. I know nothing and I'm sure I will fall down a few times without actually being touched.

Wanting to broaden my knowledge about new musicals (a much needed item for my current occupation), I felt it necessary to subject myself to watching Disney's High School Musical. I'm not exactly sure how this poorly written, horrifically acted, cheese ball flick ever took off with the preteen crowd, but I'm hoping that my lack of understanding means I have mentally matured past the age of 11. Surprised? I was.

What should I leave up all weekend?

Kirk Cameron's new board game; Intelligent Design vs. Evolution.

Call me a skeptic and I haven't read the rule book yet, but I'm going to guess that the game is rigged against science and reason in favor of a made up scientific-sounding phrase based on an inaccurate and contradictory fictitious book. Again, just a guess.

Weekend plans as they stand thus far.

Tonight a possible venture to see Radio Cult at Peachtree Tavern.

Tomorrow night a definite journey to Smith's Olde Bar to see Modern Skirts.

Saturday, nothing as of yet. Any suggestions?

Sunday, church gig. (Praise Pays!!!) A family gathering, and the triumphant return of the Jack Bauer Power Hour.

Monday, enjoy my day off and more of the Jack Bauer Power Hour.

Wrap this

50 Cent is launching his own line of condoms. I'm not touching this with your bling covered penis and Nancy Pelosi pushing.

Dial this

Yes, I did have the world's bigget hard on for the new Apple phone. Until I saw the price tag.

Peach bowl gathering Photos

Not many, but a few, just cause.









I don't think I'm capable of taking a serious picture.


See?


Scissors always beats paper, bitches.


I think that means we won. Which means...

we got to douche Josh.

The inventor of the Ramen noodle passed away.

Cast this

Nope, no fishing. I spent the last few days researching the equipment and software needed to produce a podcast. Don't worry, it's not for or about me; I'm just helping out and doing some leg work for an acquaintance.

I've met only one podcaster that I know of, so my pool of resources was quickly limited to him. I'd only met him three or four times when drinking beer near Tony. So last week I emailed Rusty (stay with me, I'm not writing in the third person) of Radicalgeorgiamoderate.org and The Georgia Podcast Network. He and his co-founder of the GPN, Amber, quickly agreed to help me get started.

Sunday night was their monthly meeting of the GPN. I was invited to show up an hour early to pick Rusty and Amber's collective brains. I can't begin to thank Rusty and Amber enough for the great exchange of questions, answers, and information. After about an hour, other members of the GPN arrived. I enjoyed the opportunity to overhear the various conversations from bloggers that I have come appreciate for their writings; and their tight bodies. But mainly their writings.

Watch this

Rosario Dawson just jumped into my top five.

Clerks 2. No, it won't change your life, but you'll laugh your ass off and wonder why you haven't been attracted to Rosario Dawson before now.

***Updated***

I didn't care for the last ten minutes, but I guess it had to go there.

***Updated***

I just took a phone call during which I heard the phrase, "Blue ball that pussy".

Read this

If you haven't heard of Norman Borlaug or Richard Dawkins, I fear that you are unaware of two of the great minds of our time. Norman saved the lives of billions and Richard is trying to save the minds of billions.

If you are not afraid to broaden your mind, or if you are open to new ideas, or if you have ever questioned your religion; you should take the time to read Dawkins' book, The God Delusion. Or if you're Javier and can't read, you can watch the following videos of him giving selected readings from his book.

Part One
Part Two

Invent this

Check out this list of patents held by celebrities.

Birth this

In the spirit of Pat Robertson, I predict that in 2007, an earthquake will be experienced in California. I'm not sure where, or when, or the magnitude, but an earthquake will occur in California in 2007.

Cynthia Tucker is normally an idiot. But I agree with her most recent editorial. (registration required) You go girl.


As I was saying a little bit ago, my brother and his wife are expecting. Today, it was discovered that the impending child will be of the female persuasion. The child's entry into this world is still about 5 months away and I'm starting to have severe acid reflux and nightmares.

Don't get me wrong, I'm can't wait to be an uncle and I can't wait to hold this child. I'm giddy with excitement. But I worry. I don't worry about how the little girl will be raised. It will be surrounded by love and cared for no matter what.

I worry about the world around the child. I worry about her falling down. I worry about my niece's heart being broken for the first time. I worry about her meeting the wrong guy. I worry about her finding happiness in herself. I worry about the intangibles. The things no one can control. Then I think that I'm just the uncle; my worries can't possibly compare to those of my brother or his wife.

I can't wait to love and spoil that child. And then teach her how to bluff and belch.

No

6 outs and he caught.

You should have taken the bet.

If you went to sleep last night before the end of the OU/BSU game you missed a hell of a finish.

And that Georgia football win wasn't too shabby either.

Every year after New Year's Eve I think, "I'm glad that's over with." Yes, the gig was fun and it paid very well, there just always seems to be more drama than necessary on this holiday. Whether it's an issue with the sound guy, the stage being unsafe, the drunk people that try and take over the stage during set breaks, or just drunk people in general. HEY FUCK STICKS, can't we as a group of people just agree that we're going to have fun and check the drama at the door?
Guess not.

If any of you are ever so drunk that you think that it's a good idea to jump on stage while the band is taking a break so you can impress the girl that's barely paying any attention to you by lip syncing the theme song from television's, The Greatest American Hero; you are now dead to me. And there is my first run on sentence of '07.

This might be the last NYE gig I do for a while. We'll have to wait and see. Unfortunately NYE money talks really well. But I think I would rather spend next year on my couch in lounge wear relaxing with a stiff drink in my hand and fire going in the hearth.

I'm blowing most of this out of proportion. Overall the gig was very fun. I'm just under the weather and cranky. On top of being under the weather and cranky, I have to sit in an overly smoky bar and play in a 16 person tourney tonight, that I'm not geared up or excited for. Top three place, $100, $200, and 1 grand for first. Zero dollar buy in. But I don't care how shitty I feel, I won't and you wouldn't, turn down a free 1 in 16 chance for a grand. Actually I'm giving myself 5 to 1 odds that I cash and 7 to 1 that I win. Any takers?

Pics from NYE are a comin' sometime this week.