Naturally after bragging about Oklahoma State's football team (see the post directly before this one) they traveled to Iowa State and laid an egg, losing in overtime 31-37. After about five minutes of pulling my hair out I got over it. In the grand scheme of things life is far too short to get really worked up over a college football game. After the dust settled Saturday it turns out the Pokes aren't in too bad of shape! They still have a solid chance to win the Big 12, to play in the a BCS bowl, and if a couple of more teams lose, play for a National Championship. Thank you Oklahoma and Oregon for the losses yesterday!
I caught the second half of the OSU game at a bar on Friday night. After the loss, a few Sooner fans began chanting "Boomer Sooner" in the bar. This chapped my ass worse than the game itself. I had the pleasure of explaining to my Sooner friends last night after their loss to Baylor that karma is a bitch...
Finally, one last word about college sports. My friend Amy sent me the following article on my phone Saturday morning:
The details of what happened in between are a blur of tears and anger, sorrow and disbelief.
It had been 355 days since the Cowboys last fell on the gridiron but it had been more than 10 years since this close-knit community has had to deal with a far greater loss.
The tragic deaths of Oklahoma State women’s basketball coaches Kurt Budke and Miranda Serna, as well as two other OSU alums, shook the OSU fan base to its core. Then a 37-31 loss to Iowa State at Jack Trice Stadium poured salt in a much deeper wound.
OSU has suffered more than any school should and Friday just didn’t seem fair.
I typically travel to road games but, for whatever reason, I skipped the trip to Iowa.
Instead I found myself in Gallagher-Iba at a press conference that can only be described as surreal. It felt like a bad case of déjà vu as it was announced, yet again, that OSU had lost members of its basketball family in a plane crash.
No matter how trivial it might seem it the wake of tragedy, I found solace in the notion that the football team could provide some sort of quick relief, a minor painkiller for an ache felt throughout Cowboy nation.
Then the unimaginable unfolded in the Iowa plains.
OSU’s offense faltered. The defense stumbled. The special teams failed. And for the first time in nearly a year, a loss was marked on the schedule on the most painful of days for it to occur.
As I sat at my computer struggling to find the words to describe the indescribable events, I decided I needed to see something first hand before it would be possible.
I got in my truck and headed down the road to Stillwater Regional Airport. I needed to see the team land. I needed to see something positive, something important.
What awaited me at the airport was a touching scene that reminded me just how special the people of Oklahoma State truly are.
At 2:45 Saturday morning, the cold wind aimlessly ripped through the gathering of nearly 150 orange-clad faithful who were already frozen from the events of the previous day.
But then in the distance, a noise grew louder. It was the sound of the jet carrying the Cowboys safely back home. It is something we all too often take for granted but will be challenged to overlook again.
As the team exited the plane and approached a gate ill-fitting of the gathering on hand, the singing began.
“Proud and immortal
Bright Shines Your Name
Oklahoma State
We Herald Your Fame
Ever You'll Find Us
Loyal and True
To Our Alma Mater
O-S-U.”
Coach Mike Gundy smiled as he appeared to fight back tears. Todd Monken doled out a few hugs. Several players gave high fives and, amid the overwhelming despair, signs of happiness could be found.
The sound that overtook the howling winds and the insufferable hum of desolation was the sound of cheering, providing a soundtrack to recovery from the loss of a team and the loss of lives before it.
The words of the alma mater took on an entirely new meaning. Loyal and true, indeed.
Sure, the national title hopes were lost amid the throngs of cardinal and gold who stormed the field to celebrate the biggest win in Iowa State football history. But the cold dose of reality from the morning helped to put things in perspective.
Monken described the loss as, “… a hard one to take for a long time.”
Brandon Weeden expressed his regret that they couldn’t deliver a win to assist in the healing process from the crash in the Arkansas hills and called it, “one of the hardest days in Oklahoma State history.”
Monken then added, “It’s one thing to lose early in the year, but it's another to get to this point and see the light at the end of the tunnel. We're 10-1, and I don't know if I've ever been 10-1 and felt so empty."
But that empty feeling preceded the warm arrival that awaited them in the early morning hours. That emptiness found some relief.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe it’s not a title this season, but it was a light nonetheless.
That light was provided by the Cowboy fans at the airport and by those who were there in spirit.
The football team might not have won Friday night but you, dear Cowboy fans, are already winners.
This university, this athletic department and this community will overcome tragedy once again and the reason is you. There was undeniable proof that Oklahoma State will again rise above.
I know I will remember Nov. 18, 2011.
I will remember the pain of losing cherished members of the Cowboy family. I will remember watching OSU’s football championship dreams fade away. But most of all, I will remember how lucky I am to be a Cowboy and to be associated with people like you.
One sign at the airport terminal struck me in particular.
“KB and MS would be proud.”
There is no doubt.
It's always good to keep things in perspective. The artice above can be found here.
Ride 'em Cowboys...
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
10-0!
I've been a little hesitant to write anything about Oklahoma State's football team this year as not to jinx them. With only two games left in the season I think I'm ready to do some bragging. With their win over Texas Tech Saturday, OSU moved to 10-0 on the season, the best start in school history, the previous best being 9-0 in 1945. They've also achieved their highest AP, Coaches, and BCS rankings at number 2. How did we get there? See below, the two games in bold is where I needed resuscitation:
Sep 3 Louisiana-Lafayette W 61-34
Sep 8 Arizona W 37-14
Sep 17 at Tulsa W 59-33
Sep 24 at (8) Texas A&M W 30-29
Oct 8 Kansas W 70-28
Oct 15 at (22) Texas W 38-26
Oct 22 at Missouri W 45-24
Oct 29 Baylor W 59-24
Nov 5 (17) Kansas State W 52-45
Nov 12 at Texas Tech W 66-6
Nov 18 at Iowa State 7:00 PM
Dec 3 (5) Oklahoma 7:00 PM
Obviously we should smoke Iowa State on Friday night which really leaves one competitive game left on the schedule, the dreaded Sooners in the annual Bedlam game. What's on the line in the last game of the season? Nothing much, just a chance to play for the National Championship in New Orleans! Also at stake is OSU's first Big 12 crown, a Heisman Trophy for Brandon Weeden, and another Biletnikoff Award for Justin Blackmon. No pressure.
What do the locals think of all this Oklahoma State success?
If it is the end of the world I could go out a happy man with a 12-0 regular season record... Go Pokes!!
Sep 3 Louisiana-Lafayette W 61-34
Sep 8 Arizona W 37-14
Sep 17 at Tulsa W 59-33
Sep 24 at (8) Texas A&M W 30-29
Oct 8 Kansas W 70-28
Oct 15 at (22) Texas W 38-26
Oct 22 at Missouri W 45-24
Oct 29 Baylor W 59-24
Nov 5 (17) Kansas State W 52-45
Nov 12 at Texas Tech W 66-6
Nov 18 at Iowa State 7:00 PM
Dec 3 (5) Oklahoma 7:00 PM
Obviously we should smoke Iowa State on Friday night which really leaves one competitive game left on the schedule, the dreaded Sooners in the annual Bedlam game. What's on the line in the last game of the season? Nothing much, just a chance to play for the National Championship in New Orleans! Also at stake is OSU's first Big 12 crown, a Heisman Trophy for Brandon Weeden, and another Biletnikoff Award for Justin Blackmon. No pressure.
What do the locals think of all this Oklahoma State success?
If it is the end of the world I could go out a happy man with a 12-0 regular season record... Go Pokes!!
Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen
Really Bravo?
In another unusual twist to the Top Chef cooking competition, Bravo gives us Last Chance Kitchen. The last person eliminated on the show has the chance to cook one final time to stay in the competition. The goal for the losers is to cook every week against the most recent person eliminated for a chance to get back in the contest at the end and compete for the 125,000 dollars!
This being the first week of Last Chance Kitchen we are treated to Andrew and Janine (the last two chefs out in the qualifying rounds) cooking in a best pizza throw down.
Andrew prevails over Janine and wins a chef coat that he will defend against next weeks eliminated contestant.
The online only Last Chance Kitchen footage can be found here.
When I heard about this final, final cut that Top Chef was offering I rolled my eyes but upon watching the video I think I'm kind of down with the concept. At the very least it will potentially give a good chef who was prematurely eliminated the chance to get back in the finale.
Thoughts or comments?
In another unusual twist to the Top Chef cooking competition, Bravo gives us Last Chance Kitchen. The last person eliminated on the show has the chance to cook one final time to stay in the competition. The goal for the losers is to cook every week against the most recent person eliminated for a chance to get back in the contest at the end and compete for the 125,000 dollars!
This being the first week of Last Chance Kitchen we are treated to Andrew and Janine (the last two chefs out in the qualifying rounds) cooking in a best pizza throw down.
Andrew prevails over Janine and wins a chef coat that he will defend against next weeks eliminated contestant.
The online only Last Chance Kitchen footage can be found here.
When I heard about this final, final cut that Top Chef was offering I rolled my eyes but upon watching the video I think I'm kind of down with the concept. At the very least it will potentially give a good chef who was prematurely eliminated the chance to get back in the finale.
Thoughts or comments?
Sexual Orientation Protected in OKC!
"A measure proposed by Ward 2 Oklahoma City Councilman Ed Shadid that extends employment discrimination protection in city offices to gay people passed Tuesday by a 7-2 vote."
Wow. This is great news for Oklahoma City, or at least for those employed by the city. I don't know if I'm more surprised that the vote was actually held or that the margin was so wide.
I think city leaders are finally starting to realize that in order to compete with bigger cities it's legislation like this that actually helps attract economic development. The state of Oklahoma may still be living in the Dark Ages; however, Oklahoma City itself seems to be making moves in the right direction.
So proud of my city and its council right now!
Link.
Wow. This is great news for Oklahoma City, or at least for those employed by the city. I don't know if I'm more surprised that the vote was actually held or that the margin was so wide.
I think city leaders are finally starting to realize that in order to compete with bigger cities it's legislation like this that actually helps attract economic development. The state of Oklahoma may still be living in the Dark Ages; however, Oklahoma City itself seems to be making moves in the right direction.
So proud of my city and its council right now!
Link.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Top Chef: Sweet Sixteen
I was finally able to catch the second episode of Top Chef: Texas after missing the first run last Wednesday. Luckily Bravo always shows re-runs of all their shows twenty times a week!
This week we conclude the third round of the qualifying challenge as well as the bubble round. In the qualifying round the contestants choose from ten different ingredients on a table with each item having a mystery time for competition which were 20, 40, and 60 minutes. Top Chef always has to put in that little twist.
The bubble round was a little more simple. The chef contestants were asked to just make any dish they wanted with the ingredients in the kitchen. Six chefs were left in the bubble round while only two spots were left on the show. Edward and Grayson were the two last chefs to make it into the competition.
Other observations:
Chaz (mama's boy) sure got a lot of talking time this week. I figured this was a pretty good sign that he would make the cut and be part of the final sixteen but unfortunately he wasn't able to even get his food plated in time. His crush for Padma turned into being crushed by the judges.
I love the line up when everyone is spouting their resumes at their introductions. I was really hoping that one of the contestants would confess to being the day shift team leader at Arby's.
It's cool that Paul made the final cut. He's the food truck guy. I think it will be interesting to have a contestant from a non-traditional food background on the show. Hopefully he'll last.
Speaking of lasting. People who usually never advance very far into this competition, older chefs and private chefs. Case in point this week, Laurent (51) and Jonathan (private chef). I guess Robin did manage to hang around for a while on Top Chef: Las Vegas much to my dismay...
Has anyone ever had ox tail? Just curious. I've eaten a few crazy things in my time but never tail of any land animal.
No Gail this week. Boo. I was going to try really hard to pay attention to her boobs.
Grayson wanted to be a professional drinker at age 15 but went into the restaurant business instead. In my experience the two aren't necessarily mutually exclusive.
I like how Molly defended herself for being a cruise chef and being just as good as the other chefs in the competition. She was promptly sent home on the bubble round for over cooking her shrimp.
Next on Top Chef: apparently a lot of cooking, a lot of crying, and a lot of mother fucking cussing.
Next chef out: since I still don't have a good feel about everyone I'm going to say either Ed or Grayson simply because they had to cook twice to make it into the competition.
Next week predictions: a more traditional Top Chef episode?
For me next week is when the show really begins. I look forward to getting to know, and hate, the chefs in this competition!
This week we conclude the third round of the qualifying challenge as well as the bubble round. In the qualifying round the contestants choose from ten different ingredients on a table with each item having a mystery time for competition which were 20, 40, and 60 minutes. Top Chef always has to put in that little twist.
The bubble round was a little more simple. The chef contestants were asked to just make any dish they wanted with the ingredients in the kitchen. Six chefs were left in the bubble round while only two spots were left on the show. Edward and Grayson were the two last chefs to make it into the competition.
Other observations:
Chaz (mama's boy) sure got a lot of talking time this week. I figured this was a pretty good sign that he would make the cut and be part of the final sixteen but unfortunately he wasn't able to even get his food plated in time. His crush for Padma turned into being crushed by the judges.
I love the line up when everyone is spouting their resumes at their introductions. I was really hoping that one of the contestants would confess to being the day shift team leader at Arby's.
It's cool that Paul made the final cut. He's the food truck guy. I think it will be interesting to have a contestant from a non-traditional food background on the show. Hopefully he'll last.
Speaking of lasting. People who usually never advance very far into this competition, older chefs and private chefs. Case in point this week, Laurent (51) and Jonathan (private chef). I guess Robin did manage to hang around for a while on Top Chef: Las Vegas much to my dismay...
Has anyone ever had ox tail? Just curious. I've eaten a few crazy things in my time but never tail of any land animal.
No Gail this week. Boo. I was going to try really hard to pay attention to her boobs.
Grayson wanted to be a professional drinker at age 15 but went into the restaurant business instead. In my experience the two aren't necessarily mutually exclusive.
I like how Molly defended herself for being a cruise chef and being just as good as the other chefs in the competition. She was promptly sent home on the bubble round for over cooking her shrimp.
Next on Top Chef: apparently a lot of cooking, a lot of crying, and a lot of mother fucking cussing.
Next chef out: since I still don't have a good feel about everyone I'm going to say either Ed or Grayson simply because they had to cook twice to make it into the competition.
Next week predictions: a more traditional Top Chef episode?
For me next week is when the show really begins. I look forward to getting to know, and hate, the chefs in this competition!
Sunday, November 13, 2011
A Feast for Crows
Once again I return to George R. R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series with the fourth book "A Feast for Crows (1060 pages). From Goodreads:"After centuries of bitter strife and fatal treachery, the seven powers dividing the land have decimated one another into an uneasy truce. But it's not long before the survivors, outlaws, renegades, and carrion eaters of the Seven Kingdoms gather. Now, as the human crows assemble over a banquet of ashes, daring new plots and dangerous new alliances are formed while surprising faces—some familiar, others only just appearing—emerge from an ominous twilight of past struggles and chaos to take up the challenges of the terrible times ahead. Nobles and commoners, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and sages, are coming together to stake their fortunes...and their lives. For at a feast for crows, many are the guests—but only a few are the survivors."
"A Feast for Crows" is actually half of one book that Martin had originally intended to publish but it became so large it was released into two separate novels, the other being the recently released "A Dance with Dragons." What he did was take half of the characters and placed their entire story into one volume while the other half is represented in the next book. I was a little put off initially by this concept but I got over it fairly easily. As with the other books in the series each chapter is written from the perspective of a single character with the action possibly being in different parts of the realm.
I love this series in spite of the mammoth length of each installment. The only other minor nit I might make with "A Feast of Crows" is the slowly evolving story, at least in comparison with the other entries. Highly recommended. Read this series and start with "A Game of Thrones."
The Madness Meme, Part 2
I thought I would do some Sunday Stealing today while I'm oozing here on the sofa watching my beloved Dallas Cowboys...
Cheers to all of us thieves!
23. Do you ever walk around the house naked?
Sometimes but not very far, maybe to and from the bathroom.
24. If you were an animal what would you be? Why?
Ozzy Osbourne because he's rich.
25. Hair color you like on someone you’re dating?
I'm not particular just as long as it isn't a soulless Ginger.
26. If suffering an injury, would you rather be left blind or deaf?
I think either would be truly tragic but I think I would have to go with being left deaf though I would miss music dearly.
27. Do you have any special talents?
I'm an expert at drunk texting.
28. What do you do as soon as you walk in the house?
Hang up my keys on the wall near my door.
29. Do you like horror or comedy?
I like both, who doesn't?
30. Are you missing anyone?
A couple of people that I don't get to see very often.
31. Where do you want to live when you are old?
Someplace that isn't solidly a "red state" in Presidential elections.
32. Who is the person you can count on the most?
The Rents (parents).
33. If you could date any celebrity past or present, who would it be?
That's a tough one. Maybe Paul Rudd ala the Romeo and Juliet years.
34. What did you dream last night?
Nothing, I was so exhausted that I had a dreamless night.
35. What is your favorite sport to watch?
College football.
36. Are you named after anyone?
My dad and I guess his father before him.
37. What is your favorite alcoholic drink?
I like all kinds of beers from lagers to stouts and everything in between. If it's a mixed drink I like Captain Morgan and Coke.
38. Non alcoholic drink?
I drink water mostly. I hardly drink caffeine anymore but when I do I go with a Dr. Pepper.
39. Have you ever been in love?
A couple of times, it was a waste of time.
40. Do you sing in the shower?
Sometimes. I blast music through the house when I'm showering more times than not.
41. Have you ever been arrested?
I have and I wouldn't recommend it.
42. What is your favorite Holiday?
Arbor Day.
43. Would you ever get plastic surgery?
Maybe a nip and tuck here or there but nothing major.
44. Have you ever caught a fish?
I have. I like to fish but I hardly ever get to do it.
Cheers to all of us thieves!
23. Do you ever walk around the house naked?
Sometimes but not very far, maybe to and from the bathroom.
24. If you were an animal what would you be? Why?
Ozzy Osbourne because he's rich.
25. Hair color you like on someone you’re dating?
I'm not particular just as long as it isn't a soulless Ginger.
26. If suffering an injury, would you rather be left blind or deaf?
I think either would be truly tragic but I think I would have to go with being left deaf though I would miss music dearly.
27. Do you have any special talents?
I'm an expert at drunk texting.
28. What do you do as soon as you walk in the house?
Hang up my keys on the wall near my door.
29. Do you like horror or comedy?
I like both, who doesn't?
30. Are you missing anyone?
A couple of people that I don't get to see very often.
31. Where do you want to live when you are old?
Someplace that isn't solidly a "red state" in Presidential elections.
32. Who is the person you can count on the most?
The Rents (parents).
33. If you could date any celebrity past or present, who would it be?
That's a tough one. Maybe Paul Rudd ala the Romeo and Juliet years.
34. What did you dream last night?
Nothing, I was so exhausted that I had a dreamless night.
35. What is your favorite sport to watch?
College football.
36. Are you named after anyone?
My dad and I guess his father before him.
37. What is your favorite alcoholic drink?
I like all kinds of beers from lagers to stouts and everything in between. If it's a mixed drink I like Captain Morgan and Coke.
38. Non alcoholic drink?
I drink water mostly. I hardly drink caffeine anymore but when I do I go with a Dr. Pepper.
39. Have you ever been in love?
A couple of times, it was a waste of time.
40. Do you sing in the shower?
Sometimes. I blast music through the house when I'm showering more times than not.
41. Have you ever been arrested?
I have and I wouldn't recommend it.
42. What is your favorite Holiday?
Arbor Day.
43. Would you ever get plastic surgery?
Maybe a nip and tuck here or there but nothing major.
44. Have you ever caught a fish?
I have. I like to fish but I hardly ever get to do it.
Friday, November 04, 2011
"In God We Trust"
"In a 396-9 vote, the House of Representatives reaffirmed 'In God We Trust' as the nation's motto on Wednesday. The resolution's Republican sponsor said it would clear up any confusion President Obama created by once referring mistakenly to 'E Pluribus Unum' — a Latin phrase meaning 'out of many, one' — as our motto. ('In God We Trust' replaced 'E Pluribus Unum' in 1956.) Obama mocked Congress for frittering away its day on such a symbolic gesture instead of focusing on creating jobs."
Link.
Does anyone else like "E Pluribus Unum" better? Why was it changed, along with The Pledge of Allegiance, back in the last century? This would be a great springboard into attacking religion again on my part but I think I'm going to take a pass today, anyone who reads this blog already knows my views: if you're a Christian get some help! There are some great psychotropic medications on the market these days...
In other news, the House of Representatives will be holding votes all week to reaffirm the following:
The bald eagle as the nation's symbol. Too bad we didn't go with the turkey, it seems more apropos these days, no?
The Star Spangled Banner as the nation's anthem. However, the House may try to tweak Francis Scott Key's famous poem by adding God somewhere in the patriotic song.
The American Flag. The House will declare that yes indeed the flag has 13 stripes representing the original 13 colonies and 50 stars representing all fifty states. The colors will also be reaffirmed as such: white signifying purity and hope, red standing for courage and sacrifice, and blue representing freedom, truth and justice. Why one of these colors doesn't represent the Christian God was an egregious oversight by our forefathers!
Taking a back seat to the legislation mentioned above will be jobs and the economy. God bless America...
Link.
Does anyone else like "E Pluribus Unum" better? Why was it changed, along with The Pledge of Allegiance, back in the last century? This would be a great springboard into attacking religion again on my part but I think I'm going to take a pass today, anyone who reads this blog already knows my views: if you're a Christian get some help! There are some great psychotropic medications on the market these days...
In other news, the House of Representatives will be holding votes all week to reaffirm the following:
The bald eagle as the nation's symbol. Too bad we didn't go with the turkey, it seems more apropos these days, no?
The Star Spangled Banner as the nation's anthem. However, the House may try to tweak Francis Scott Key's famous poem by adding God somewhere in the patriotic song.
The American Flag. The House will declare that yes indeed the flag has 13 stripes representing the original 13 colonies and 50 stars representing all fifty states. The colors will also be reaffirmed as such: white signifying purity and hope, red standing for courage and sacrifice, and blue representing freedom, truth and justice. Why one of these colors doesn't represent the Christian God was an egregious oversight by our forefathers!
Taking a back seat to the legislation mentioned above will be jobs and the economy. God bless America...
Thursday, November 03, 2011
A Lion Among Men (Revisited)
It's been almost two years to the day that I first read "A Lion Among Men" (309 pages) by Gregory Maguire. In fact tomorrow would be the exact date. My first impressions of the book can be found here. It's amazing that I can remember exactly what I was doing the day I received this book (helping a friend move) but I had forgotten many of the details of the novel. From Goodreads:"While civil war looms in Oz, a tetchy oracle named Yackle prepares for death. Before her final hour, a figure known as Brrr the Cowardly Lion arrives searching for information about Elphaba Thropp, the Wicked Witch of the West. Abandoned as a cub, his path from infancy is no Yellow Brick Road. In the wake of laws that oppress talking Animals, he avoids a jail sentence by agreeing to serve as a lackey to the warmongering Emperor of Oz.
A Lion Among Men chronicles a battle of wits hastened by the Emerald City's approaching armies. Can those tarnished by infamy escape their sobriquets to claim their own histories, to live honorably within their own skins before they're skinned alive?
Gregory Maguire's new novel is written with the sympathy and power that have made his books contemporary classics."
As with my other readings of any of the "Wicked Years" novels, I find the second time through to be much more enjoyable. Freed of any expectations I can take in the book for what it is. Though fans commonly like this book the least, I now consider it to be just as strong as "Wicked" or "Son of a Witch," an opinion that is new. True, the book moves along at a much slower. What the pace of the story lacks, it makes up for it with answers to questions readers have wondered about since the first novel. And as I've said before it opens up a whole new can of worms to wonder about.
Having re-read the "Wicked Years" saga, I'm very eager to get down to reading "Out of Oz," which was released last Tuesday, the final installment in the series. From what I've read online the last novel should tie up all the loose ends and storylines proposed in the last three volumes.
"The Wizard was revealed as a mere mortal, and a bit of a charlatan at that. As clever with his hands - all those tiktok inventions, those terrifying images he projected - as he was with his diktats and fiats and fatwahs. Oh my."
Top Chef: Texas!
Dear Top Chef, I really tried to like your Masters edition, All Stars edition, and Just Desserts edition but I just couldn't. Now that we're back to the original format I couldn't be more stoked. Welcome to season nine of Top Chef Texas!
Blogging about Top Chef is always difficult in the first couple of weeks. It takes some time to get to know all of the new contestants. Bravo made things even harder this years starting off with 400 chef contestants. Well not really. Actually they're starting out with 29. After two episodes all of these contestants will be narrowed down to a more traditional number of 16. The first two rounds focused on the first two groups of chefs where they would be rewarded with a chef coat and make the cut to be in the competition, sent home from the competition, or placed on the bubble where they would have to cook yet again for another chance to make the competition. After two rounds we're left with 11 locks for the show and a hand full of cooks left on the bubble. Next week the third group of chefs will compete as well as those left on the bubble. Whew.
Some random musings on the first episode:
Two new celebrity judges join Tom, Padma, and Gail this season, Emeril Lagasse (I can never look at the man again without thinking of Elzar from Futurama) and Hugh Acheson, who is in dire need of an eyebrow specialist. What happend to everyone's favorite sell-out, Anthony Bourdain? Lame.
As soon as chef contestant Tyler Stone opened his mouth in an interview snippet I knew he would be leaving sooner rather than later. They guy was way too cocky not to be sent home early. In fact Tom sent him home before he even had a chance to cook! Note to future contestants: if you can't butcher a pig you probably shouldn't (1) volunteer to do so and (2) be on a cooking competition show.
A couple of chef contestants failed to finish plating their food, costing one a spot in the final 16 and sending another to the bubble round. Have these people not watched an episode of the series before?
According to the opening it appears as though all the cooking competitions will be split between Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin. No love for Houston? And what about my favorite Texas city of all time, Amarillo? A city that's 300 miles long and 1 mile wide...
Is anyone else disappointed that there isn't a contestant named Suck Lord?
I can't remember what Gail was wearing or what her boobies were doing! Hopefully that's not a bad omen of things to come this season!
It looks like Chicago is going to be well represented this season. I eagerly await to see if there's actually anywhere good to eat in Chicago and where those places are located.
Next on Top Chef: more of the same. Two more rounds of potential contestants duking it out for a spot in the final 16.
Next chef(s) out: a ton of them. There are only five spots left in the competition.
Next week predictions: I think it's a little too early for this, let's wait until we have all of our finalists in place.
So far so good with season nine I think. I like the new opening rounds format where the contestants have to cook to get into the competition. The season should be a lot of fun, as you know everything is bigger in Texas (I wonder how often we're going to hear that gem of a line this year?).
Blogging about Top Chef is always difficult in the first couple of weeks. It takes some time to get to know all of the new contestants. Bravo made things even harder this years starting off with 400 chef contestants. Well not really. Actually they're starting out with 29. After two episodes all of these contestants will be narrowed down to a more traditional number of 16. The first two rounds focused on the first two groups of chefs where they would be rewarded with a chef coat and make the cut to be in the competition, sent home from the competition, or placed on the bubble where they would have to cook yet again for another chance to make the competition. After two rounds we're left with 11 locks for the show and a hand full of cooks left on the bubble. Next week the third group of chefs will compete as well as those left on the bubble. Whew.
Some random musings on the first episode:
Two new celebrity judges join Tom, Padma, and Gail this season, Emeril Lagasse (I can never look at the man again without thinking of Elzar from Futurama) and Hugh Acheson, who is in dire need of an eyebrow specialist. What happend to everyone's favorite sell-out, Anthony Bourdain? Lame.
As soon as chef contestant Tyler Stone opened his mouth in an interview snippet I knew he would be leaving sooner rather than later. They guy was way too cocky not to be sent home early. In fact Tom sent him home before he even had a chance to cook! Note to future contestants: if you can't butcher a pig you probably shouldn't (1) volunteer to do so and (2) be on a cooking competition show.
A couple of chef contestants failed to finish plating their food, costing one a spot in the final 16 and sending another to the bubble round. Have these people not watched an episode of the series before?
According to the opening it appears as though all the cooking competitions will be split between Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin. No love for Houston? And what about my favorite Texas city of all time, Amarillo? A city that's 300 miles long and 1 mile wide...
Is anyone else disappointed that there isn't a contestant named Suck Lord?
I can't remember what Gail was wearing or what her boobies were doing! Hopefully that's not a bad omen of things to come this season!
It looks like Chicago is going to be well represented this season. I eagerly await to see if there's actually anywhere good to eat in Chicago and where those places are located.
Next on Top Chef: more of the same. Two more rounds of potential contestants duking it out for a spot in the final 16.
Next chef(s) out: a ton of them. There are only five spots left in the competition.
Next week predictions: I think it's a little too early for this, let's wait until we have all of our finalists in place.
So far so good with season nine I think. I like the new opening rounds format where the contestants have to cook to get into the competition. The season should be a lot of fun, as you know everything is bigger in Texas (I wonder how often we're going to hear that gem of a line this year?).
Monday, October 31, 2011
Son of a Witch (A Third Time)
My push to read the Wicked Years books before "Out of Oz" is released tomorrow continues with my third reading of "Son of a Witch" (329 pages) by Gregory Maguire. My first and second impressions of the novel can be found here and here. As with my third reading of "Wicked" I thought I would just relate some quotes I jotted down as I read through the novel:"The Witch had locked him in the kitchen with Nanny and that jittery Lion. Showing surprising resourcefulness for one so dotty, Nanny had driven the handle of a one-egg iron skillet into the rotten wood of the doorjamb. Getting the idea, Liir and the Lion gouged at the hinges until the door fell heavily inward." In fact this is not how events went down in "Wicked." It was Nanny who had lock Liir and the Lion in the kitchen as the Witch dealt with Dorothy. A false recollection by Liir or a mistake by the author?
"His voice sounded soothing, even hypnotic, but the prisoner crouching against a back wall scooched her bare feet underneath her skirts. Shell's boots drew near until he was standing flush against her. She moaned or whimpered, and her feet curled the farther under her skirts. Mercy was hard to accept, Lirr guessed. Shell's feet rocked from toe to heel, with a comforting rhythm, and his heels began to lift from the floor." Shell, the future Emporor Apostle, bounder of opiates and rape.
"A capacity for interiority in the growing adult is threatened by the temptation to squander that capacity ruthlessly, to revel in hollowness. The syndrome especially plagues anyone who lives behind a mask."
"In Quadling thinking, one plus one doesn't equal a single unit of two. One plus one equals both."
"His other talent, though, was a distillation of memory into something rich and urgent. He guessed, in the hours or years remaining to him, he would remember the effect of Trism clearly, without corruption, as a secret pulse held in a pocket somewhere behind the heart."
"Still smeared with her birth blood, and the watery beginning of her little feces. He took her to the doorway and held her up in the warm rain. She cleaned up green."
Up next, "A Lion Among Men."
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Chicago Signs
Resistance is futile!
What happened to the first sixteen?
We call them speed bumps here in Mayberry. A new meaning for a quicky?
Sign over one of the bathrooms at Roscoe's. I couldn't decide if this was my entrance...Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Hang With Me
I haven't posted in a while as I was away on another trip to Chicago. I arrived back in Oklahoma City on Monday apparently bringing back with me the the plague. I've been in bed or on the sofa since. Bummer.
Song of the trip:
Picture of the trip:
I'll post some more once I'm feeling better...
Song of the trip:
Picture of the trip:
I'll post some more once I'm feeling better...
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
National Coming Out Day
I'm out! As if there was any confusion to those who read this blog. I hope that anyone struggling to be open about their orientation has the courage to come out to their friends and/or family today; however, if it isn't something they can do right now, I'm down with that too. The only person one has to be true to is himself.I've lived openly for so long I don't actually remember when it was I came out. I told my parents I was gay and they said "okay" and that was pretty much it. I've never had issues with any of my close friends or family in regards to my orientation. If anyone has had a problem with it they've kept it to themselves which is a wise decision on their part...
Happy Coming Out Day!
Friday, October 07, 2011
Wicked (A Third Time)
I've set out for the third year in a row to read the Wicked Years by Gregory Maguire, starting of course with "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" (406 pages). I guess I'm ramping up for the fourth and final installment, "Out of Oz," due to hit stores November 1st. My first and second impressions of the novel can be found here and here. Rather than going over ground already covered in previous posts, I thought it would be fun just to list some quotes from the book that came to my attention.Melena on Frex: "For a man who condemned worldly pleasures he ate with elegance. She loved to watch the arabesque of fingers and two forks. She suspected that beneath his righteous asceticism he possessed a hidden longing for the easy life."
"Perhaps, thought Nanny, little green Elphaba chose her own sex, and her own color, and to hell with her parents."
"'Perhaps our time here is limited,' said Frex, sighing with contentment and clasping his arms behind his head - the typical male response to happiness, thought Melena: to predict its demise."
"Galinda didn't see the verdant world through the glass of the carriage; she saw her own reflection instead. She had the nearsightedness of youth. She reasoned that because she was beautiful she was significant, though what she signified, and to whom, was not clear to her yet."
"Galinda always felt as if she couldn't see the whole picture. It was disconcerting, and to her credit at least Galinda felt inside herself the ripping apart of some valuable fabric - was it integrity? - when she sat in Madame Morrible's parlor and drank the perfect tea."
"I've told you before, I don't comprehend religion, although conviction is a concept I'm beginning to get. In any case, someone with a real religious conviction is, I propose, a religious convict, and deserves locking up."
Elphaba: "'I should say you'll look back on this summer and cringe. She may be lovely, Boq - no, she is lovely, I agree - but you're worth a dozen of her.' At his shocked expression she threw up her hands. 'Not to me! I don't mean me! Please, that stricken look! Spare me!'"
Elphaba: "I love you so much, Fiyero, you just don't understand: Being born with a talent or an inclination for goodness is the aberration."
Fiyero: "He did not approve of anarchy (well, he knew he was in lazy doubt about everything; doubt was much more energy efficient than conviction)."
"'What's your beef?' said the Cow, in a dark humor."
Nessie to Elphaba: "Well, you can have the shoes, my dear - over my dead body."
"The alien girl - she called herself Dorothy - was by virtue of survival elevated to living sainthood. The dog was merely annoying."
"And of the Witch? In the life of a Witch, there is no after, in the ever after of a Witch, there is no happily; in the story of a Witch, there is no afterword. Of that part that is beyond the life story, beyond the story of the life, there is - alas, or perhaps thank mercy - no telling. She was dead, dead and gone, and all that was left of her was the carapace of her reputation for malice."
"And there the wicked old Witch stayed for a good long time."
"And did she ever come out?"
"Not yet."
Again, one of my favorite reads, at least in the past three years. I enjoy it more and take more from the story with each reading.
Red River Shootout
Fall is in the air and that means it time for the annual Red River Shootout between the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas! Being an Oklahoma State fan I really don't have a dog in this hunt but I do get so amused by the trash talking going on all week, especially on Facespace, between Sooner and Longhorn fans. I usually root for the Sooners since Texas is a vile, evil place and the home of George W. Bush. Here is an example of some of the things I've seen on Facespace this week, having predominately Oklahoma and Texas friends:
And my favorite courtesy of my friend Jason:
"And I shall de-horn the wicked." Psalm 75:10. BOOMER! SOONER!
Of course we all know who the best is...
Go Pokes!!
Football rivalries, one of the many small things that make life worth living!
Bible Thumping!
"Chickasha, Okla. -- Chickasha police arrest Justin Farley, who is accused of beating up his wife for not buying a Bible.
According to a police report, Farley punched his wife three times in the head and then choked her for not buying a Bible at a local Walmart store.
Police said Farley's wife claimed her husband likes to buy Bibles and then tear them apart.
Farley faces a domestic abuse charge, police said." (You think?)
Link.
I have no words... Only in Oklahoma!
According to a police report, Farley punched his wife three times in the head and then choked her for not buying a Bible at a local Walmart store.
Police said Farley's wife claimed her husband likes to buy Bibles and then tear them apart.
Farley faces a domestic abuse charge, police said." (You think?)
Link.
I have no words... Only in Oklahoma!
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
A Storm of Swords
I've continued reading George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series, just finishing the third installment, "A Storm of Swords" (1177 pages). From the back cover:"Here is the third volume in George R. R. Martin’s magnificent cycle of novels that includes A Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings. As a whole, this series comprises a genuine masterpiece of modern fantasy, bringing together the best the genre has to offer. Magic, mystery, intrigue, romance, and adventure fill these pages and transport us to a world unlike any we have ever experienced. Already hailed as a classic, George R. R. Martin’s stunning series is destined to stand as one of the great achievements of imaginative fiction.
A Storm of Swords
Of the five contenders for power, one is dead, another in disfavor, and still the wars rage as violently as ever, as alliances are made and broken. Joffrey, of House Lannister, sits on the Iron Throne, the uneasy ruler of the land of the Seven Kingdoms. His most bitter rival, Lord Stannis, stands defeated and disgraced, the victim of the jealous sorceress who holds him in her evil thrall. But young Robb, of House Stark, still rules the North from the fortress of Riverrun. Robb plots against his despised Lannister enemies, even as they hold his sister hostage at King’s Landing, the seat of the Iron Throne. Meanwhile, making her way across a blood-drenched continent is the exiled queen, Daenerys, mistress of the only three dragons still left in the world....
But as opposing forces maneuver for the final titanic showdown, an army of barbaric wildlings arrives from the outermost line of civilization. In their vanguard is a horde of mythical Others--a supernatural army of the living dead whose animated corpses are unstoppable. As the future of the land hangs in the balance, no one will rest until the Seven Kingdoms have exploded in a veritable storm of swords...."
So far "A Storm of Swords" is the best in the series as well as the lengthiest. Martin has created a universe that I literally can't put down with so many twists and turns that it's very hard to predict which direction the story or individual characters will take. This is a good thing. Very well written and deeply engrossing. Highly recommended. I can't wait to read "A Feast for Crows!"
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
One For the Money Trailer
I have to admit, it looks pretty good. Hopefully it will be as funny as the first couple of Stephanie Plum books. Thoughts?
Are the Planets Aligning?
What I've learned lately...
Republicans (as least those who want to be President) believe in three things:
1) If you don't have health insurance, for whatever reason, you should just die instead of being a burden on the tax payer. Or you could do what Ron Paul laughingly suggested, ask for help from your neighbors or the churches!
2) State sponsored executions in this country are an applause line.
3) Being a homosexual member of the armed services is worthy of being booed. I understand that most of the people on stage at the GOP debate probably don't believe this but then again not one of them had the balls to stand up to the terrible behavior displayed by the conservative crowd.
4) Oklahomans were buying this shit at the Fair:
Patti Stanger needs to know when to shut her mouth.
“'The Millionaire Matchmaker'” told a gay male caller he could maintain an open relationship because 'there is no curbing gay men,' she said."
To be honest, in my opinion, I don't think her remarks were too far off the mark but it's probably not something you would want to say on a television show promoting your own show. Again, in my experiences, I haven't known many gay men who have been able to carry on a long term relationship without some form of cheating entering into the equation, my own personal experiences included. Having said that, the influences of gay social life in Oklahoma City probably contribute more heavily to this phenomenon than gay men being unable to commit. I mean probably the biggest form of social interaction for gay men here is in a dank gay bar replete with alcoholics and drug users. Not a good place to hang out with the hubby.
I still, and will always, hate the Washington Redskins. They can't even beat a banged up Cowboys team that has an offensive line with an average age of 12 along with third sting wide outs! I love how Tony Romo went from the goat to the hero in a matter of a couple of weeks. Yes, it's cool to be a Romosexual again. How 'bout them Cowboys?!
Finally I learned that I just can't ride scary carnival rides anymore. I left my sphincter on the ride pictured below:
Republicans (as least those who want to be President) believe in three things:
1) If you don't have health insurance, for whatever reason, you should just die instead of being a burden on the tax payer. Or you could do what Ron Paul laughingly suggested, ask for help from your neighbors or the churches!
2) State sponsored executions in this country are an applause line.
3) Being a homosexual member of the armed services is worthy of being booed. I understand that most of the people on stage at the GOP debate probably don't believe this but then again not one of them had the balls to stand up to the terrible behavior displayed by the conservative crowd.
4) Oklahomans were buying this shit at the Fair:
Patti Stanger needs to know when to shut her mouth.
“'The Millionaire Matchmaker'” told a gay male caller he could maintain an open relationship because 'there is no curbing gay men,' she said."
To be honest, in my opinion, I don't think her remarks were too far off the mark but it's probably not something you would want to say on a television show promoting your own show. Again, in my experiences, I haven't known many gay men who have been able to carry on a long term relationship without some form of cheating entering into the equation, my own personal experiences included. Having said that, the influences of gay social life in Oklahoma City probably contribute more heavily to this phenomenon than gay men being unable to commit. I mean probably the biggest form of social interaction for gay men here is in a dank gay bar replete with alcoholics and drug users. Not a good place to hang out with the hubby.
I still, and will always, hate the Washington Redskins. They can't even beat a banged up Cowboys team that has an offensive line with an average age of 12 along with third sting wide outs! I love how Tony Romo went from the goat to the hero in a matter of a couple of weeks. Yes, it's cool to be a Romosexual again. How 'bout them Cowboys?!
Finally I learned that I just can't ride scary carnival rides anymore. I left my sphincter on the ride pictured below:
Sunday, September 25, 2011
That Meme That's Going Around...
I like these kinds of memes. From Sunday Stealing.
Cheers to all of us thieves!
A. Age: 38.
B. Bed size: Queen.
C. Chore that you hate: Cleaning the bathroom.
D. Dogs: Not anymore. I do like Beagles and Basset hounds.
E. Essential start to your day: Nothing, if we're talking about legal drugs like caffeine.
F. Favorite color: Blue.
G. Gold or Silver: Platinum!
H. Height: 175.26 cm.
I. Instruments you play: Played French Horn and trumpet but it was many, many years ago.
J. Job title: Intake supervisor at the County Morgue.
K. Kids: No thank you.
L. Live: Shiny Toy Guns?
M. Mother's name: Mildred.
N. Nicknames: Dave, Pooh, Pooh Bear, or the Debil.
O. Overnight hospital stays: None.
P. Pet peeve: Religious zealots and social conservatives.
Q. Quote from a movie: "You wear a mask for so long, you forget who you were beneath it."
R. Right or left handed: Right handed.
S. Siblings: Two, a brother and a sister.
T. Time you wake up: Anywhere between 5AM and 3PM.
U. Underwear: Boxer briefs.
V. Vegetable you hate: Not a fan of tomatoes.
W. What makes you run late: My alarm not going off.
X. X-Rays you've had: Chest and foot.
Y. Yummy food that you make: Just made some stew, viva la fall.
Z. Zoo animal Lions, tigers, and bears.
Cheers to all of us thieves!
A. Age: 38.
B. Bed size: Queen.
C. Chore that you hate: Cleaning the bathroom.
D. Dogs: Not anymore. I do like Beagles and Basset hounds.
E. Essential start to your day: Nothing, if we're talking about legal drugs like caffeine.
F. Favorite color: Blue.
G. Gold or Silver: Platinum!
H. Height: 175.26 cm.
I. Instruments you play: Played French Horn and trumpet but it was many, many years ago.
J. Job title: Intake supervisor at the County Morgue.
K. Kids: No thank you.
L. Live: Shiny Toy Guns?
M. Mother's name: Mildred.
N. Nicknames: Dave, Pooh, Pooh Bear, or the Debil.
O. Overnight hospital stays: None.
P. Pet peeve: Religious zealots and social conservatives.
Q. Quote from a movie: "You wear a mask for so long, you forget who you were beneath it."
R. Right or left handed: Right handed.
S. Siblings: Two, a brother and a sister.
T. Time you wake up: Anywhere between 5AM and 3PM.
U. Underwear: Boxer briefs.
V. Vegetable you hate: Not a fan of tomatoes.
W. What makes you run late: My alarm not going off.
X. X-Rays you've had: Chest and foot.
Y. Yummy food that you make: Just made some stew, viva la fall.
Z. Zoo animal Lions, tigers, and bears.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Dear Diary, I Named an Elephant Today...
From W.T.F Weekly Meme.
1) Next week is my 30th birthday, but I'm boycotting it because I am not ready to leave my 20's behind. What has been the toughest birthday for you so far?
My toughest birthday was 31. The realization had finally sunk in that I was in my 30's! 40 is just around the corner. Yay!
2) In general, what is your favorite ride at an amusement park?
I really don't like amusement park rides. I have visions of flying off the rails on a roller coaster ala Final Destination 3. I'm going to ride some today at the Fair since my niece left me a bunch of tickets she had left over from her trip there.
3) Recently the Oklahoma City Zoo held a contest to name its newest elephant baby. With today (Sept. 22) being Elephant Appreciation Day, what would you name an elephant if you could name one?
Stampy! From a great Simpsons episode when they had a pet elephant. Can anyone even remember when that show was good?
4) On Sept. 22, 1920, the Band-Aid was invented. What is something you wish you could cover up with a Band-Aid?
Sally Kern's mouth?
5) Other than gasoline, what do you frequently purchase at a gas station?
Smokes, Dr. Pepper, and of course Giant Chewy Sweet Tarts.
6) If you had to eat only three different foods for the rest of your life, what would they be?
This is a tough one! Cereal, soup, and some kind of fish course.
7) Today (Sept. 22) is Dear Diary Day. Finish this sentence: "Dear Diary, I wish I knew ..."
I wish I knew back then what I know now...
8) Would you rather have children and make a decent salary or have no kids and make a great salary?
Not a fan of children so I'd have to go with a great salary. Besides can you even afford to raise kids on a "decent salary?"
1) Next week is my 30th birthday, but I'm boycotting it because I am not ready to leave my 20's behind. What has been the toughest birthday for you so far?
My toughest birthday was 31. The realization had finally sunk in that I was in my 30's! 40 is just around the corner. Yay!
2) In general, what is your favorite ride at an amusement park?
I really don't like amusement park rides. I have visions of flying off the rails on a roller coaster ala Final Destination 3. I'm going to ride some today at the Fair since my niece left me a bunch of tickets she had left over from her trip there.
3) Recently the Oklahoma City Zoo held a contest to name its newest elephant baby. With today (Sept. 22) being Elephant Appreciation Day, what would you name an elephant if you could name one?
Stampy! From a great Simpsons episode when they had a pet elephant. Can anyone even remember when that show was good?
4) On Sept. 22, 1920, the Band-Aid was invented. What is something you wish you could cover up with a Band-Aid?
Sally Kern's mouth?
5) Other than gasoline, what do you frequently purchase at a gas station?
Smokes, Dr. Pepper, and of course Giant Chewy Sweet Tarts.
6) If you had to eat only three different foods for the rest of your life, what would they be?
This is a tough one! Cereal, soup, and some kind of fish course.
7) Today (Sept. 22) is Dear Diary Day. Finish this sentence: "Dear Diary, I wish I knew ..."
I wish I knew back then what I know now...
8) Would you rather have children and make a decent salary or have no kids and make a great salary?
Not a fan of children so I'd have to go with a great salary. Besides can you even afford to raise kids on a "decent salary?"
Troy Davis
I'm sure everyone has already seen the drama that unfolded last night as Troy Davis' last appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court was denied and he was finally put to death by the state of Georgia.
"Davis was convicted in 1991 of killing MacPhail, who was working as a security guard at the time. MacPhail rushed to the aid of a homeless man who prosecutors said Davis was bashing with a handgun after asking him for a beer. Prosecutors said Davis had a smirk on his face as he shot the officer to death in a Burger King parking lot in Savannah."
Link.
This is third time Davis' execution had been halted since 2007. Apparently the game clock finally ran out on him in spite of seven witnesses from the original trial changing or recanting all or part of their testimony. That's what's so crazy about this whole story. I'm really surprised that the Supreme Court didn't at least grant a new trial. Having said that, I really don't know the complete facts of the crime and trial other than what I've read and seen on television. Maybe the correct man was punished. What if the correct man wasn't?
There's something very wrong, in my opinion, with a country that allows the state to execute people. Talk about the ultimate government intrusion, to take away all that someone is and will ever be. Putting aside that the death penalty has never been a deterrent to crime, I believe that the possibility of killing one innocent man is justification enough to trash the whole system. Alas, America demands an "eye for an eye."
That's my opinion, what's yours?
"Davis was convicted in 1991 of killing MacPhail, who was working as a security guard at the time. MacPhail rushed to the aid of a homeless man who prosecutors said Davis was bashing with a handgun after asking him for a beer. Prosecutors said Davis had a smirk on his face as he shot the officer to death in a Burger King parking lot in Savannah."
Link.
This is third time Davis' execution had been halted since 2007. Apparently the game clock finally ran out on him in spite of seven witnesses from the original trial changing or recanting all or part of their testimony. That's what's so crazy about this whole story. I'm really surprised that the Supreme Court didn't at least grant a new trial. Having said that, I really don't know the complete facts of the crime and trial other than what I've read and seen on television. Maybe the correct man was punished. What if the correct man wasn't?
There's something very wrong, in my opinion, with a country that allows the state to execute people. Talk about the ultimate government intrusion, to take away all that someone is and will ever be. Putting aside that the death penalty has never been a deterrent to crime, I believe that the possibility of killing one innocent man is justification enough to trash the whole system. Alas, America demands an "eye for an eye."
That's my opinion, what's yours?
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Devon Tower Tops Out
I read in The Oklahoman (aka the Daily Disappointment aka the Fishwrap) the other day that the Devon Tower downtown had reached it's maximum height and the company was going to celebrate with something or other at the sight today. To honor the occasion and the changing Oklahoma City skyline I went down to Bricktown this afternoon to get a picture of the building.
Since it towers over all other buildings in the area, it kind of reminds me of this:
Since it towers over all other buildings in the area, it kind of reminds me of this:
Monday, September 19, 2011
Monday Mayhem
I keep meaning to participate in this meme and I always seem to forget. Not today! Click on the picture below to check out the site.
What's the best way to get rich?
Hard work and dedication! Oh screw that, playing the lottery.
Have you ever eaten anything that you once saw alive?
The only thing that comes to mind would be lobster and oysters.
What creeps you out the most about clowns?
The fact that someone would choose being a clown as a profession.
Tell us your best or favorite garage sale or flea market find.
Nothing. I don't go to garage sales or flea markets. Strike that, I used to go to a flea market here in Oklahoma City when I was 19 that had a bar in the back. I just went to drink because they didn't try to ID me.
Who should get slapped on the wrist today?
I'm not sure about a slap but I sure would like to punch Sally Kern in the face.
What do you need to accomplish this week?
I need to get my dining room prepped so I can paint the walls and woodwork.
What's your best tip for online shopping?
If you can't get free shipping forget about it.
This was pretty random. Can you tell us something really random to end this week's meme with?
My boy Mario is always watching out for me when I'm at my desk.
What's the best way to get rich?
Hard work and dedication! Oh screw that, playing the lottery.
Have you ever eaten anything that you once saw alive?
The only thing that comes to mind would be lobster and oysters.
What creeps you out the most about clowns?
The fact that someone would choose being a clown as a profession.
Tell us your best or favorite garage sale or flea market find.
Nothing. I don't go to garage sales or flea markets. Strike that, I used to go to a flea market here in Oklahoma City when I was 19 that had a bar in the back. I just went to drink because they didn't try to ID me.
Who should get slapped on the wrist today?
I'm not sure about a slap but I sure would like to punch Sally Kern in the face.
What do you need to accomplish this week?
I need to get my dining room prepped so I can paint the walls and woodwork.
What's your best tip for online shopping?
If you can't get free shipping forget about it.
This was pretty random. Can you tell us something really random to end this week's meme with?
My boy Mario is always watching out for me when I'm at my desk.
Sunday Funday Monday VIII
This picture is from a couple of weeks ago with my friend Cole on the best day of the week, Sunday Funday. I promise my hair usually doesn't look like I'm wearing a toupee!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Self-Made Man
Another book I found at the bookstore of mom is "Self-Made Man: One Woman's Year Disguised as a Man" (287 pages) by Norah Vincent. Where does she get all these books? From Goodreads:"Following in the tradition of John Howard Griffin (Black Like Me) and Barbara Ehrenreich (Nickel and Dimed), Norah Vincent absorbed a cultural experience and reported back on what she observed incognito. For more than a year and a half she ventured into the world as Ned, with an ever-present five o'clock shadow, a crew cut, wire-rim glasses, and her own size 111/2 shoes-a perfect disguise that enabled her to observe the world of men as an insider. The result is a sympathetic, shrewd, and thrilling tour de force of immersion journalism that's destined to challenge preconceptions and attract enormous attention.
With her buddies on the bowling league she enjoyed the rough and rewarding embrace of male camaraderie undetectable to an outsider. A stint in a high-octane sales job taught her the gut- wrenching pressures endured by men who would do anything to succeed. She frequented sex clubs, dated women hungry for love but bitter about men, and infiltrated all- male communities as hermetically sealed as a men's therapy group, and even a monastery. Narrated in her utterly captivating prose style and with exquisite insight, humor, empathy, nuance, and at great personal cost, Norah uses her intimate firsthand experience to explore the many remarkable mysteries of gender identity as well as who men are apart from and in relation to women. Far from becoming bitter or outraged, Vincent ended her journey astounded-and exhausted-by the rigid codes and rituals of masculinity. Having gone where no woman (who wasn't an aspiring or actual transsexual) has gone for any significant length of time, let alone eighteen months, Norah Vincent's surprising account is an enthralling reading experience and a revelatory piece of anecdotally based gender analysis that is sure to spark fierce and fascinating conversation."
A very interesting read from an author I knew nothing about just a few days ago. While I find some of Vincent's generalizations about men to be off target at times, she more than makes up with it with a very adept writing style laced with humor, humiliation, and tons of wit. Then again what do I know? Obviously the gay male is a whole other animal from the predominately blue collar dudes she was infiltrating. Recommended.
The Lower 40 Meme, Part Two
Once again from Sunday Stealing.
21) Have you ever flown a kite?
Now that I think about it I don't think I ever have. Weird.
22) Do you wish on your fallen lashes?
No, I'm not a fourteen year old girl.
23) Do you consider yourself successful?
Success can be defined in a multitude of ways. Not really but I'm working on it.
24) How many people are on your contact list of your cell?
Off the top of my head I think around 50. Just did a purge of unneeded numbers.
25) Have you ever asked for a pony?
Refer to question number 22.
26) Plans for tomorrow?
I'm going to Homo Depot to try and find a texture solution to cover up the 80 year old wallpaper in my house so I can then paint it, sell it, and get the hell out of Dodge. (I'm writing these answers on Friday night for a Sunday morning post).
27) Can you juggle?
I cannot, but thanks for asking.
28) Missing someone now?
Maybe Kim but I'm always missing that hag.
29) When was the last time you told someone "I love you"?
Probably in the last few days to my mom or your mom.
30) And truly meant it?
Yep. Filler question?
31) How often do you drink?
Far too often, but I'm trying to change that.
32) How are you feeling today?
Good! Got around early, went to the Fair, and ate sustenance on a stick!
33) What do you say too much?
Felicia. It's what I call most everyone.
34) Have you ever been suspended or expelled from school?
Nope. I was a good little boy.
35) What are you looking forward to?
Fall along with cooler weather.
36) Have you ever crawled through a window?
A couple of times but nothing devious.
37) Have you ever eaten dog food?
No, I'm not on Medicare yet. Edit: meant to say Social Security!
38) Can you handle the truth?
No. Can anyone, really?
39) Do you like green eggs and ham?
One the one or two occasions I've had it it tasted the same as regular eggs and ham. Ditto with green beer too.
40) Any cool scars?
Not really other than emotional.
21) Have you ever flown a kite?
Now that I think about it I don't think I ever have. Weird.
22) Do you wish on your fallen lashes?
No, I'm not a fourteen year old girl.
23) Do you consider yourself successful?
Success can be defined in a multitude of ways. Not really but I'm working on it.
24) How many people are on your contact list of your cell?
Off the top of my head I think around 50. Just did a purge of unneeded numbers.
25) Have you ever asked for a pony?
Refer to question number 22.
26) Plans for tomorrow?
I'm going to Homo Depot to try and find a texture solution to cover up the 80 year old wallpaper in my house so I can then paint it, sell it, and get the hell out of Dodge. (I'm writing these answers on Friday night for a Sunday morning post).
27) Can you juggle?
I cannot, but thanks for asking.
28) Missing someone now?
Maybe Kim but I'm always missing that hag.
29) When was the last time you told someone "I love you"?
Probably in the last few days to my mom or your mom.
30) And truly meant it?
Yep. Filler question?
31) How often do you drink?
Far too often, but I'm trying to change that.
32) How are you feeling today?
Good! Got around early, went to the Fair, and ate sustenance on a stick!
33) What do you say too much?
Felicia. It's what I call most everyone.
34) Have you ever been suspended or expelled from school?
Nope. I was a good little boy.
35) What are you looking forward to?
Fall along with cooler weather.
36) Have you ever crawled through a window?
A couple of times but nothing devious.
37) Have you ever eaten dog food?
No, I'm not on Medicare yet. Edit: meant to say Social Security!
38) Can you handle the truth?
No. Can anyone, really?
39) Do you like green eggs and ham?
One the one or two occasions I've had it it tasted the same as regular eggs and ham. Ditto with green beer too.
40) Any cool scars?
Not really other than emotional.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
New Blogs I'm Reading
So they're not all new, to me, but I'm adding them to my blog list just the same.
Apple & Mystery Snail Farming - I have not clue how I stumbled on this blog but it's an interesting look at snail farming! It just goes to show you that you can find just about anything on the Internet.
The Electronic Replicant - Another great blog/page on a variety of topics that I found through comments he's made here.
Good as Gay - I think I found this blog through a comments section on another blog. Great writing from a young perspective on a variety of LGBTQIA topics.
The Oxymoron Conundrum - I've known Mr. Happy for a long time now and I've been reading his blog almost since its inception. An interesting mix of topics, some I admit that aren't my cup of tea, but they're always well written and well thought out.
Apple & Mystery Snail Farming - I have not clue how I stumbled on this blog but it's an interesting look at snail farming! It just goes to show you that you can find just about anything on the Internet.
The Electronic Replicant - Another great blog/page on a variety of topics that I found through comments he's made here.
Good as Gay - I think I found this blog through a comments section on another blog. Great writing from a young perspective on a variety of LGBTQIA topics.
The Oxymoron Conundrum - I've known Mr. Happy for a long time now and I've been reading his blog almost since its inception. An interesting mix of topics, some I admit that aren't my cup of tea, but they're always well written and well thought out.
Boomer Sooner
Usually once or twice a season one of my Sooner friends will invite me along to an OU game in Norman. Inevitably at some point I'll complain about the band playing nothing but "Boomer Sooner," the fight song. They just roll their eyes and disparage me by saying I'm just an Aggie fan (by the way Oklahoma State hasn't been officially called Oklahoma A & M since 1957). Finally after some digging I found a blogger for The Phoenix New Times who gets exactly what I'm talking about. In an article listing the top 10 worst college fight songs, the author ranks the Oklahoma Sooners as second worst and goes on to say:
"On January 2, 2008, I had the misfortune of attending the Fiesta Bowl. Even though I was in a suite with free food and beer, what should have been an awesome evening was marred by this one horrible song. OU lost the game by 20 points, but as many times as we heard this song, you'd have thought they were winning by 50. Every score, every first down, every defensive stop, hell, every single break in the action seemed to inspire OU's band to fire this one up again. And again. And again. Not only do they play the shit out of it, but it's not even their song. They ripped it off from Yale. Finally, the lyrics are just fucking inane. 'Boomer sooner, boomer sooner, boomer sooner, boomer sooner.' Dear God, please make it stop."
To make this posting even better and timely the blogger goes on to anoint Florida State with the worst fight song in America:
"Aside from being vaguely racist, this is, quite simply, the most annoying college football marching band song of all time. It has no lyrics, consisting only of a stereotypical Native American war chant. FSU fans perform the 'tomahawk chop' motion with their arms while chanting, a tradition that was later co-opted by Atlanta Braves fans, much to the dismay of the sports-watching world. Other Indian-themed sports teams have mimicked it as well, but nobody does it as obnoxiously, or with such maddening frequency, as the FSU marching band. They might be the world's largest marching band, but they also have the world's shittiest fight song."
So tonight as everyone is watching the number one ranked Sooners take on the number five ranked Seminoles listen hard through those television sets to arguably a battle of the two worst college fight songs in the land.
"I'm a Sooner born and a Sooner bred. And when I die I'll be a Sooner dead.
Rah, Oklahoma! Rah, Oklahoma! Rah, Oklahoma! O-K-U!"
Lord.
Link.
"On January 2, 2008, I had the misfortune of attending the Fiesta Bowl. Even though I was in a suite with free food and beer, what should have been an awesome evening was marred by this one horrible song. OU lost the game by 20 points, but as many times as we heard this song, you'd have thought they were winning by 50. Every score, every first down, every defensive stop, hell, every single break in the action seemed to inspire OU's band to fire this one up again. And again. And again. Not only do they play the shit out of it, but it's not even their song. They ripped it off from Yale. Finally, the lyrics are just fucking inane. 'Boomer sooner, boomer sooner, boomer sooner, boomer sooner.' Dear God, please make it stop."
To make this posting even better and timely the blogger goes on to anoint Florida State with the worst fight song in America:
"Aside from being vaguely racist, this is, quite simply, the most annoying college football marching band song of all time. It has no lyrics, consisting only of a stereotypical Native American war chant. FSU fans perform the 'tomahawk chop' motion with their arms while chanting, a tradition that was later co-opted by Atlanta Braves fans, much to the dismay of the sports-watching world. Other Indian-themed sports teams have mimicked it as well, but nobody does it as obnoxiously, or with such maddening frequency, as the FSU marching band. They might be the world's largest marching band, but they also have the world's shittiest fight song."
So tonight as everyone is watching the number one ranked Sooners take on the number five ranked Seminoles listen hard through those television sets to arguably a battle of the two worst college fight songs in the land.
"I'm a Sooner born and a Sooner bred. And when I die I'll be a Sooner dead.
Rah, Oklahoma! Rah, Oklahoma! Rah, Oklahoma! O-K-U!"
Lord.
Link.
How to Use the F Word
I have an affinity for tee shirts, especially when I travel. I don't feel complete unless I come back with something to wear back in Gooberville. A good example would be the Blackhawks shirt I bought in Chicago last October. Am I a hockey fan? Nope but damn if I didn't love the mascot on the tee shirt.
Of course the more offensive the shirt the better. In my last adventure to New York I got a cheesy shirt in Chinatown, in fact one of only two items I brought back with me from the trip (the other was a Super Mario 1UP Mushroom beanie from Mecca, aka The Nintendo World Store at Rockefeller Plaza, which is quite the schnizzle). The shirt was labeled "How to Use the F Word" and listed the following:
1. Dismay - Oh! Fuck it.
2. Aggression - Fuck you.
3. Passive - Fuck me.
4. Command - Go fuck yourself.
5. Incompetence - He's a fuck-up.
6. Laziness - He's a fuck-off.
7. Ignorance - He's a fucking jerk.
8. Trouble - I guess I'm fucked now.
9. Confusion - What the fuck?
10. Despair - Fucked again.
11. Philosophical - Who gives a fuck?
12. Denial - You ain't fucking me.
13. Rebellion - Fuck the world.
14. Annoyance - Don't fuck with me.
15. Encouragement - Keep on fucking.
16. Etiquette - Pass the fucking salt.
17. Fraud - I got fucked by my insurance agent.
18. Difficulty - I can't understand this fucking business.
19. Identification - Who the fuck are you?
20. Ugliness - You're a dumb looking fuck.
21. Agreement - You're fucking right.
22. Benevolence - Don't do me any fucking favors.
I wore the shirt this morning at the butt crack of dawn to meet my dad for coffee at Starbucks. Unfortunately it was covered by my hoodie due to the cooler weather Zeus has bestowed upon us lately. Thus I was unable to offend anyone.
Of course the coolest tee shirt of all time can be found here.
Of course the more offensive the shirt the better. In my last adventure to New York I got a cheesy shirt in Chinatown, in fact one of only two items I brought back with me from the trip (the other was a Super Mario 1UP Mushroom beanie from Mecca, aka The Nintendo World Store at Rockefeller Plaza, which is quite the schnizzle). The shirt was labeled "How to Use the F Word" and listed the following:
1. Dismay - Oh! Fuck it.
2. Aggression - Fuck you.
3. Passive - Fuck me.
4. Command - Go fuck yourself.
5. Incompetence - He's a fuck-up.
6. Laziness - He's a fuck-off.
7. Ignorance - He's a fucking jerk.
8. Trouble - I guess I'm fucked now.
9. Confusion - What the fuck?
10. Despair - Fucked again.
11. Philosophical - Who gives a fuck?
12. Denial - You ain't fucking me.
13. Rebellion - Fuck the world.
14. Annoyance - Don't fuck with me.
15. Encouragement - Keep on fucking.
16. Etiquette - Pass the fucking salt.
17. Fraud - I got fucked by my insurance agent.
18. Difficulty - I can't understand this fucking business.
19. Identification - Who the fuck are you?
20. Ugliness - You're a dumb looking fuck.
21. Agreement - You're fucking right.
22. Benevolence - Don't do me any fucking favors.
I wore the shirt this morning at the butt crack of dawn to meet my dad for coffee at Starbucks. Unfortunately it was covered by my hoodie due to the cooler weather Zeus has bestowed upon us lately. Thus I was unable to offend anyone.
Of course the coolest tee shirt of all time can be found here.
The Great State Fair of Oklahoma 2011
Just some random thoughts on one of the biggest events to grace Oklahoma City on a yearly basis, the great State Fair of Oklahoma:
I noticed yet again that there was a Confederate flag flying over the Fair. Why?
I went for a more traditional food choice this year to fill my belly, a hot dog on a stick, or more commonly known as a corn dog (I couldn't find the giant ones that Rick Perry and Michelle "bat shit" Bachmann have been seen eating lately). Good stuff though I'm not sure why mom had to have a bite after she had already visited three other food vendors! I don't like to share. I finished off with a fried Snickers later. It was decent but a little too heavily breaded in my opinion and it wasn't even on a stick.
Of course it was raining. I posted on Facespace that I hadn't seen this much rain since the Festival of the Arts, the other big outdoor event in Oklahoma City which seems to usher in biblical deluges. While having a rainy afternoon kept the attendance down and made parking easier, it also meant that I was freezing my ass off running from building to building.
I was on mullet alert red when I entered the Fair but I have to say I don't recall even seeing one. Lame. I did notice that a lot of the "cowboys" roaming around the grounds had their pants tucked inside their boots. As the old joke goes this is normally a sign of a sheep fucker but I think this actually had more to do with the rivers of rain water running down the streets. Can someone more versed in the cowboy arts give me a clarification on this?
I always look forward to seeing the Oklahoma Democratic Party kiosk every year for the morbid pleasure to see what my pathetic excuse for a political party is up to. I found through talking to one of the volunteers that they were no longer allowed to hand out bumper stickers of a political nature as people had apparently used them as a form of graffiti on cars parked at the Fair in years past. Weird. On a more positive note, they did have a bean poll which I found pretty cool. They had a list of political issues in tubes where you could add up to ten beans to any of the issues you care about most. I split my beans evenly to environment, protecting Social Security, and other topics of a liberal nature. I omitted adding a bean to increasing military spending and deficit reduction.
Finally, apparently, what could jokingly be called the Space Needle, is now closed. I was looking forward to an unobstructed view of downtown. Alas it's become extinct much like the monorail only to be left unused as a reminder of what used to be really cool about the Fair experience.
So readers, what's your favorite things about your state fairs? Is it something you take part in yearly?
I noticed yet again that there was a Confederate flag flying over the Fair. Why?
I went for a more traditional food choice this year to fill my belly, a hot dog on a stick, or more commonly known as a corn dog (I couldn't find the giant ones that Rick Perry and Michelle "bat shit" Bachmann have been seen eating lately). Good stuff though I'm not sure why mom had to have a bite after she had already visited three other food vendors! I don't like to share. I finished off with a fried Snickers later. It was decent but a little too heavily breaded in my opinion and it wasn't even on a stick.
Of course it was raining. I posted on Facespace that I hadn't seen this much rain since the Festival of the Arts, the other big outdoor event in Oklahoma City which seems to usher in biblical deluges. While having a rainy afternoon kept the attendance down and made parking easier, it also meant that I was freezing my ass off running from building to building.
I was on mullet alert red when I entered the Fair but I have to say I don't recall even seeing one. Lame. I did notice that a lot of the "cowboys" roaming around the grounds had their pants tucked inside their boots. As the old joke goes this is normally a sign of a sheep fucker but I think this actually had more to do with the rivers of rain water running down the streets. Can someone more versed in the cowboy arts give me a clarification on this?
I always look forward to seeing the Oklahoma Democratic Party kiosk every year for the morbid pleasure to see what my pathetic excuse for a political party is up to. I found through talking to one of the volunteers that they were no longer allowed to hand out bumper stickers of a political nature as people had apparently used them as a form of graffiti on cars parked at the Fair in years past. Weird. On a more positive note, they did have a bean poll which I found pretty cool. They had a list of political issues in tubes where you could add up to ten beans to any of the issues you care about most. I split my beans evenly to environment, protecting Social Security, and other topics of a liberal nature. I omitted adding a bean to increasing military spending and deficit reduction.
Finally, apparently, what could jokingly be called the Space Needle, is now closed. I was looking forward to an unobstructed view of downtown. Alas it's become extinct much like the monorail only to be left unused as a reminder of what used to be really cool about the Fair experience.
So readers, what's your favorite things about your state fairs? Is it something you take part in yearly?
Friday, September 16, 2011
New Animal Crossing 3DS Trailer!
Yes I'm a lunatic when it comes to this series of games. Think the SIMS meet Nintendo. I'm patiently waiting to obtain a Nintendo 3DS for this game alone. Looks like there's some interesting additions to the gameplay. Enjoy. Or don't.
You Know You're From Oklahoma If...
I'm sitting here hoping the rain will subside so I can make a trip to the State Fair and eat something, anything, fried on a stick! You know the State Fair is going on in Oklahoma City because it's fucking raining.
Speaking of "you know" phases, here's another list I found online this morning on how you know you're from Oklahoma. It's a little longer than the other list I posted on this blog as my first post ever.
Though many of the items on this list are indicative of life in Oklahoma, a lot of them could be swapped with another state in the south or Bible Belt.
You know you're from Oklahoma if...
You say ya'll... many times a day.
Bedlam is a BIG deal.
You can tell when it's tornado weather.
When you drive through a neighborhood anyone out walking will smile and wave at you. You've worn flip flops in the winter.
You have stopped to let a family of deer cross the road.
You thought the twister ride at Universal Studios wasn't windy enough.
You know who your neighbors are, how many children they have, and when one of them gets married or graduates.
There are at least 2 to 3 Sonics, McDonald's, and Little Caesar's in your town. You've been off roading - many times.
You or someone you know was born, raised and still lives in the same town.
You know that Miami, Oklahoma and Miami, Florida are pronounced two different ways. You plan events around football games.
You are a Cowboy or Sooner fan.
You learned how to do country and western dances at school.
A tornado warning siren is your signal to go out in the yard and look for a funnel. You can properly pronounce Eufaula, Gotebo, Okemah and Chickasha.
You can remember the name of the last state legislator to introduce a bill involving castration, and he didn't mean farm animals.
You know exactly what calf fries are, and eat them anyway.
You think that people who complain about the wind in other states are sissies.
It doesn't bother you to use an airport named for a man who died in an airplane crash.
You have owned at least one belt buckle bigger than your fist.
A bad traffic jam involves two cars staring each other down at a four-way stop, each determined to be the most polite and let the other go first.
It doesn't seem odd to see the term "chicken fried chicken" on a menu.
You save all your life for your dream vacation, and use it to go to the OU/Texas game.
It doesn't seem peculiar if your sweetie says "I'm going in to town for something" even though you live in town.
You don't turn on the news until 20 minutes past the hour, because that's the only thing you care about anyway.
Your quarterback is hurt and it is the top story on the six o'clock news.
You keep track of the grain and hog futures on the radio.
You don't buy all your vegetables at the grocery store.
You go to the State Fair for your only vacation.
You get up at 5:30 A.M. and go to the coffee shop, where the waitress never asks what you would like. She already knows.
You are on a first name basis with the county sheriff.
You think that using the elevator involves a corn truck.
You can drive 80 mph on a two-lane dirt road with one hand, but driving 45 mph on a four-lane expressway in a city scares you to death.
You use manure on your grass instead of Weed and Feed.
Your nearest neighbor is in the next zip code.
You know the difference between feed corn and sweet corn... while it's still on the stalk.
You wear cowboy boots to church.
You know that everything goes better with Ranch.
You learned how to shoot a gun before you learned how to multiply.
"You wanna Coke?" "Yeah." "What kind?" "Dr. Pepper."
You know what "Orange Power" and "Crimson & Cream" means.
You actually get these jokes and are fixin' to send them on to other friends from Oklahoma.
Anyone out there from another state want to share a similar list?
Speaking of "you know" phases, here's another list I found online this morning on how you know you're from Oklahoma. It's a little longer than the other list I posted on this blog as my first post ever.
Though many of the items on this list are indicative of life in Oklahoma, a lot of them could be swapped with another state in the south or Bible Belt.
You know you're from Oklahoma if...
You say ya'll... many times a day.
Bedlam is a BIG deal.
You can tell when it's tornado weather.
When you drive through a neighborhood anyone out walking will smile and wave at you. You've worn flip flops in the winter.
You have stopped to let a family of deer cross the road.
You thought the twister ride at Universal Studios wasn't windy enough.
You know who your neighbors are, how many children they have, and when one of them gets married or graduates.
There are at least 2 to 3 Sonics, McDonald's, and Little Caesar's in your town. You've been off roading - many times.
You or someone you know was born, raised and still lives in the same town.
You know that Miami, Oklahoma and Miami, Florida are pronounced two different ways. You plan events around football games.
You are a Cowboy or Sooner fan.
You learned how to do country and western dances at school.
A tornado warning siren is your signal to go out in the yard and look for a funnel. You can properly pronounce Eufaula, Gotebo, Okemah and Chickasha.
You can remember the name of the last state legislator to introduce a bill involving castration, and he didn't mean farm animals.
You know exactly what calf fries are, and eat them anyway.
You think that people who complain about the wind in other states are sissies.
It doesn't bother you to use an airport named for a man who died in an airplane crash.
You have owned at least one belt buckle bigger than your fist.
A bad traffic jam involves two cars staring each other down at a four-way stop, each determined to be the most polite and let the other go first.
It doesn't seem odd to see the term "chicken fried chicken" on a menu.
You save all your life for your dream vacation, and use it to go to the OU/Texas game.
It doesn't seem peculiar if your sweetie says "I'm going in to town for something" even though you live in town.
You don't turn on the news until 20 minutes past the hour, because that's the only thing you care about anyway.
Your quarterback is hurt and it is the top story on the six o'clock news.
You keep track of the grain and hog futures on the radio.
You don't buy all your vegetables at the grocery store.
You go to the State Fair for your only vacation.
You get up at 5:30 A.M. and go to the coffee shop, where the waitress never asks what you would like. She already knows.
You are on a first name basis with the county sheriff.
You think that using the elevator involves a corn truck.
You can drive 80 mph on a two-lane dirt road with one hand, but driving 45 mph on a four-lane expressway in a city scares you to death.
You use manure on your grass instead of Weed and Feed.
Your nearest neighbor is in the next zip code.
You know the difference between feed corn and sweet corn... while it's still on the stalk.
You wear cowboy boots to church.
You know that everything goes better with Ranch.
You learned how to shoot a gun before you learned how to multiply.
"You wanna Coke?" "Yeah." "What kind?" "Dr. Pepper."
You know what "Orange Power" and "Crimson & Cream" means.
You actually get these jokes and are fixin' to send them on to other friends from Oklahoma.
Anyone out there from another state want to share a similar list?
Monday, September 12, 2011
Bonjour, Girl!
Orginally saw this the other day at David Dust. Check it out, I laughed so hard I shed a solitary tear...
Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum
I made a quick trip to the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum this morning on a whim. Maybe it was because of all the coverage yesterday of the tenth anniversary of 9/11. It's a nice place to visit for somber reflection. I just thought I would share.
The Reflecting Pool that used to be fifth street.
The Field of Empty Chairs. The nine rows of chairs represent the nine stories of the building with each chair in position relative to what floor someone lost their life. The five westernmost chairs honor those who died outside the Murrah Building.
The Survivor Tree. An elm that survived the blast across the street from the Murrah Building.
The Reflecting Pool that used to be fifth street.
The Field of Empty Chairs. The nine rows of chairs represent the nine stories of the building with each chair in position relative to what floor someone lost their life. The five westernmost chairs honor those who died outside the Murrah Building.
The Survivor Tree. An elm that survived the blast across the street from the Murrah Building.
Friday, September 09, 2011
Sally Kern Needs to Shut the Fuck Up!!
Lunatic Oklahoma State Representative Sally Kern is at it again:
"You know if you just look at it in practical terms, which has destroyed and ended the life of more people? Terrorism attack here in America or HIV/AIDS? In the last twenty years, fifteen to twenty years, we’ve had maybe three terrorist attacks on our soil with a little over 5,000 people regrettably losing their lives. In the same time frame, there have been hundreds of thousands who have died because of having AIDS. So which one’s the biggest threat? And you know, every day our young people, adults too, but especially our young people, are bombarded at school, in movies, in music, on TV, in the mall, in magazines, they’re bombarded with ‘homosexuality is normal and natural.’ It’s something they have to deal with every day. Fortunately we don’t have to deal with a terrorist attack every day, and that’s what I mean."
Link.
Absolutely disgusting. Her hate speech not only besmirches those who live with or have died from HIV/AIDS but also those who have fallen due to terrorist attacks here and abroad. This on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. She should be ashamed. Yet the good folks of western Oklahoma City and Bethany continue to re-elect this nutbag. Thank Jeebus we have term limits in Oklahoma.
A friend on Facespace commented on this story saying that Kern was a pathetic embarrassment to Oklahoma. She was wrong. She's a pathetic embarrassment to humanity.
"You know if you just look at it in practical terms, which has destroyed and ended the life of more people? Terrorism attack here in America or HIV/AIDS? In the last twenty years, fifteen to twenty years, we’ve had maybe three terrorist attacks on our soil with a little over 5,000 people regrettably losing their lives. In the same time frame, there have been hundreds of thousands who have died because of having AIDS. So which one’s the biggest threat? And you know, every day our young people, adults too, but especially our young people, are bombarded at school, in movies, in music, on TV, in the mall, in magazines, they’re bombarded with ‘homosexuality is normal and natural.’ It’s something they have to deal with every day. Fortunately we don’t have to deal with a terrorist attack every day, and that’s what I mean."
Link.
Absolutely disgusting. Her hate speech not only besmirches those who live with or have died from HIV/AIDS but also those who have fallen due to terrorist attacks here and abroad. This on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. She should be ashamed. Yet the good folks of western Oklahoma City and Bethany continue to re-elect this nutbag. Thank Jeebus we have term limits in Oklahoma.
A friend on Facespace commented on this story saying that Kern was a pathetic embarrassment to Oklahoma. She was wrong. She's a pathetic embarrassment to humanity.
Thursday, September 08, 2011
Thursday Night Football
I'm not really a fan of Thursday night college football but I have no choice to watch Oklahoma State take on the Arizona Mildcats. It's actually a pretty nice game and a rematch of last year's bowl game between the two teams. We won the last meeting by the way...
I predict the Pokes win tonight by at least 14.
Any football fans out there?
Pictures from last weeks game in Stillwater. If you look really hard you can see me, I'm the one in orange...
I predict the Pokes win tonight by at least 14.
Any football fans out there?
Pictures from last weeks game in Stillwater. If you look really hard you can see me, I'm the one in orange...
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
Running Blind
My next novel from the bookstore of mom is "Running Blind" (486 pages) by Lee Child, an author I've never read before. From Goodreads:"People say that knowledge is power. The more knowledge, the more power. Suppose you knew the winning numbers in the lottery? What would you do? You would run to the store. You would mark the numbers on the play card. And you would win. Same for the stock market. Same for basketball or the horses or anything. Same for killing people.
Women are dying. Women who have nothing in common except the fact that they once worked for the military. And they knew Jack Reacher. How and why these women are in danger completely baffles the elite FBI team working the case. There is no trace evidence. There are no links between victims. Their bodies have no fatal wounds. And the killer entered their homes and exited again like a summer breeze. Are these perfect crimes? There is only one certainty: there is a new kind of killer out there, one so calm, cautious, and careful that even the brilliant Reacher is left running blind."
An interesting mystery/thriller in spite of it being the fourth in a series of books featuring hero Jack Reacher (my mother always gives me books that are in the middle of some series). This fact didn't deter from me liking the novel though it would have been nice to start at the beginning and know a little more about Reacher's background story. Well written by Child, especially when it comes to dialogue. Mysteries or thrillers are so common place in the market it's hard to find a writer or story that really stands out. Having said that I was very impressed by the conclusion of this novel and how the killer is found. It had me guessing right up to the end. Recommended for fans of the genre and Lee Child.
Fried Bubblegum
Leave it to the Texas State Fair to come up with the most bizarre food you can fry, again. Justin Martinez, a 30 year-old Arlington, Texas baker, took home the State Fair of Texas's Seventh Annual Big Tex Choice prize for "Most Creative" for fried bubblegum.
Link.
Interestingly, there's no actual gum in the recipe. Martinez created the familiar taste with bubblegum flavored marshmallows that were deep fried, covered in icing and then dusted with powdered sugar.
Disgusting. And I thought last year's fried beer entry was bad enough!
So once again as fair season rears its ugly head, I ask all you foodies out there: what's the weirdest fried food you've ever had on a stick (or not on a stick)?
I'm still waiting for fried weasel...
Link.
Interestingly, there's no actual gum in the recipe. Martinez created the familiar taste with bubblegum flavored marshmallows that were deep fried, covered in icing and then dusted with powdered sugar.
Disgusting. And I thought last year's fried beer entry was bad enough!
So once again as fair season rears its ugly head, I ask all you foodies out there: what's the weirdest fried food you've ever had on a stick (or not on a stick)?
I'm still waiting for fried weasel...
Sunday, September 04, 2011
The 20 Questions of Doom Meme
As always, courtesy of Sunday Stealing.
Cheers to all of us thieves!
1. Do you believe in Heaven?
I do not. As I've said many times on this blog I don't suffer from that particular mental illness.
2. Have you ever come close to dying?
Not that I'm aware of, though I did have an interesting experience with a freight elevator once.
3. What jewelery do you wear 24/7?
None. I wear a watch but not 24/7.
4. Would you ever consider having plastic surgery?
Maybe. Botox or something along those lines.
5. What do you wear to bed?
It varies. Usually I fall asleep in my clothes on the sofa. If I actually drag myself to bed I go with a tee and underwear.
6. Have you ever done anything illegal?
Sure. Hasn't everyone?
7. Who was the last person that you touched?
Dann.
8. Where did you eat last?
Mexico Joes yesterday in Stillwater.
9. Besides your own blog, are there any that you routinely read but never comment on?
Yes, often. I lurk around many blogs.
10. Ever been involved with the police?
I've never dated a policeman. Was that the question?
11. Do you talk in your sleep?
I've been told that I do on occasion.
12. Now a celebrity fantasy. Who would you take on a ménage à trois for a dirty weekend?
This is an oddly placed question.
13. Do you feel that you’ve had a truly successful life?
Not really but I'm working on it.
14. Where do you wish you were?
Chicago or New York City.
15. Have you ever ridden in an ambulance?
Never.
16. Is there any type of dancing that you love to do?
I like to two-step and waltz but I don't know if I would characterize it as love.
17. Last gift you received?
I can't remember. Books from my mother maybe.
18. Last sport you played?
Beer pong.
19. Last place you went on holiday?
New York City last month.
20. Current Song?
"Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster the People.
Cheers to all of us thieves!
1. Do you believe in Heaven?
I do not. As I've said many times on this blog I don't suffer from that particular mental illness.
2. Have you ever come close to dying?
Not that I'm aware of, though I did have an interesting experience with a freight elevator once.
3. What jewelery do you wear 24/7?
None. I wear a watch but not 24/7.
4. Would you ever consider having plastic surgery?
Maybe. Botox or something along those lines.
5. What do you wear to bed?
It varies. Usually I fall asleep in my clothes on the sofa. If I actually drag myself to bed I go with a tee and underwear.
6. Have you ever done anything illegal?
Sure. Hasn't everyone?
7. Who was the last person that you touched?
Dann.
8. Where did you eat last?
Mexico Joes yesterday in Stillwater.
9. Besides your own blog, are there any that you routinely read but never comment on?
Yes, often. I lurk around many blogs.
10. Ever been involved with the police?
I've never dated a policeman. Was that the question?
11. Do you talk in your sleep?
I've been told that I do on occasion.
12. Now a celebrity fantasy. Who would you take on a ménage à trois for a dirty weekend?
This is an oddly placed question.
13. Do you feel that you’ve had a truly successful life?
Not really but I'm working on it.
14. Where do you wish you were?
Chicago or New York City.
15. Have you ever ridden in an ambulance?
Never.
16. Is there any type of dancing that you love to do?
I like to two-step and waltz but I don't know if I would characterize it as love.
17. Last gift you received?
I can't remember. Books from my mother maybe.
18. Last sport you played?
Beer pong.
19. Last place you went on holiday?
New York City last month.
20. Current Song?
"Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster the People.
Friday, September 02, 2011
City on Fire!
Happy September everyone! Cooler weather, football, and conflagrations.
The drought is certainly taking its toll on Oklahoma as fires rage around the city. The other night I could see big plumes of smoke to the north and the east from my front porch! Luckily living in the ghetto pretty much shelters me from out of control fires.
My friend Timmy made a good point on Facespace the other day about the fires. Why aren't conservatives blaming god's wrath on this latest round of natural disasters in Oklahoma? You know, like they did the earthquakes and hurricane back east. Maybe because Oklahoma bleeds red more than most states and is kooky Christian country. There are more churches in Oklahoma than in all of California. Wrap your head around that.
Besides burning up, here's what's on tap for me this month:
9/3 - Football!!! I'm so starved for sports I just about can't stand it. Sure there's the WNBA and Tennis. I may be gay but I'm still a man! I'm looking forward to good things from Oklahoma State and the Dallas Cowboys this season. (And death to the Sooners!)
9/4 - Arctic Cold Front! Supposedly the hottest summer on record in Oklahoma will come to an end early Sunday morning with a cold front moving through the state. The forecast for the week following the cold front has our highs only in the '80's! Break out the fur coats.
9/5 - Labor Day. Just an excuse to have two Sunday Fundays in a row.
9/9 - Visit Oklahoma City Weekend (TM). My friend Jason from Chicago is visiting me here in the city for the second year in a row. What could possess him to want to come here again is beyond me but I'm excited to see my friend. He'll also have a boyfriend in tow that I believe has never been to Oklahoma. Commence with culture shock.
9/15 - The Great State Fair of Oklahoma opens. Ten days of bad food, scary rides, and people watching like you wouldn't believe! Look for me in line at the fried turd on a stick vendor.
9/25 - OKC AIDS Walk and 5K Run. A great charity and event but why did they move it to September from October? I hope it's not too hot.
So what's everyone else doing of interest this month?
The drought is certainly taking its toll on Oklahoma as fires rage around the city. The other night I could see big plumes of smoke to the north and the east from my front porch! Luckily living in the ghetto pretty much shelters me from out of control fires.
My friend Timmy made a good point on Facespace the other day about the fires. Why aren't conservatives blaming god's wrath on this latest round of natural disasters in Oklahoma? You know, like they did the earthquakes and hurricane back east. Maybe because Oklahoma bleeds red more than most states and is kooky Christian country. There are more churches in Oklahoma than in all of California. Wrap your head around that.
Besides burning up, here's what's on tap for me this month:
9/3 - Football!!! I'm so starved for sports I just about can't stand it. Sure there's the WNBA and Tennis. I may be gay but I'm still a man! I'm looking forward to good things from Oklahoma State and the Dallas Cowboys this season. (And death to the Sooners!)
9/4 - Arctic Cold Front! Supposedly the hottest summer on record in Oklahoma will come to an end early Sunday morning with a cold front moving through the state. The forecast for the week following the cold front has our highs only in the '80's! Break out the fur coats.
9/5 - Labor Day. Just an excuse to have two Sunday Fundays in a row.
9/9 - Visit Oklahoma City Weekend (TM). My friend Jason from Chicago is visiting me here in the city for the second year in a row. What could possess him to want to come here again is beyond me but I'm excited to see my friend. He'll also have a boyfriend in tow that I believe has never been to Oklahoma. Commence with culture shock.
9/15 - The Great State Fair of Oklahoma opens. Ten days of bad food, scary rides, and people watching like you wouldn't believe! Look for me in line at the fried turd on a stick vendor.
9/25 - OKC AIDS Walk and 5K Run. A great charity and event but why did they move it to September from October? I hope it's not too hot.
So what's everyone else doing of interest this month?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)