Thunder Founder, Season Ends

Well it was a good ride while it lasted! The Oklahoma City Thunder ended their NBA playoff run last night with a crushing defeat to the dreaded Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals. I know we over achieved again this year and everyone keeps talking about our bright future but I'm still a little bummed nonetheless.

Thus begins a long cold winter, in summer, for sports, at least for me. I'm sure I'll continue to watch the NBA Finals, go Heat, but I'll be in sports hibernation until college football kicks off in the fall. What is there to root for in the summer? The WNBA? No. Baseball? Baseball is a decent sport to watch live maybe but on television I think gnats fucking is more interesting.

So, congratulations Thunder on a season well played, we'll advance to the Finals next year, hopefully! I can't wait until tip-off in October. Now it's time for my summer sports nap...

Things I Miss

Being able to play Phantasy Star Online. I literally spent hundreds of hours on this game on the Nintendo GameCube back in the day and I miss every minute of it!

My blue jacket I loaned to Matt and he subsequently loaned, and lost, to someone else. I loved that jacket! I did originally steal the jacket from Timmy but that's beside the point.

Soylent Red, what we called the ketchup and salsa sauce used on the Elvis burgers at the now defunct Sidecar bar. The Sidecar has since been replaced and remodeled as the Drunken Fry, an emo hangout of much douchebaggery...

Randy "Macho Man" Savage. Snapping into a Slim Jim will never be the same.

Leslie's Painted Desert Cafe. Awesome restaurant and watering hole on North Shartel that has been closed for a while now. So the food wasn't really that great but I loved going in there for the two for one beer draft beer specials. Iron Starr Urban Barbeque now resides in Leslie's location. Not bad. Not great.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, not only the best of all five Star Trek series, but one of the best television shows to air in the '90's.

Pontiac cars! I've owned three in my life, though the last one was a '92 Firebird. How can civilization get along without the mighty Trans AM muscle car?

Cheap jukeboxes. Remember the good 'ole days when you could get four songs for a dollar at your local watering hole? Today it can cost an arm and a leg if the mood strikes you for some music at a bar. Usually the selection is pretty shitty so you have to pay extra to download a song online and if that isn't bad enough you usually have to select the "play next" option for additional credits so you won't have to wait through other shitty music to get to yours!

Giant Chewy Sweet Tarts! I know, they can be found on occasion but damn if they aren't hard to find. There's only a couple of stores in the Oklahoma City area that carry the delicious candy. What's up with that?

My cell phone which sleeps with the fishes, presumably. I misplaced it last week at the bar and naturally no one turned it in. I blame my niece, she forced me to consume seven Chimay Bleues at The Melting Pot last week. Just another reason to hate that fondue monstrosity!

The Picture of Dorian Gray

"The Picture of Dorian Gray" (245 pages) is an interesting look at 19th Century literature from Oscar Wilde who rejected Victorian norms and seems to have been influenced by the Aesthetic Movement. "Art for art's sake" or in the case of Wilde, "beauty for beauty's sake." From Goodreads:

"Oscar Wilde's story of a fashionable young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty is one of his most popular works. Written in Wilde's characteristically dazzling manner, full of stinging epigrams and shrewd observations, the tale of Dorian Gray's moral disintegration caused something of a scandal when it first appeared in 1890. Wilde was attacked for his decadence and corrupting influence, and a few years later the book and the aesthetic/moral dilemma it presented became issues in the trials occasioned by Wilde's homosexual liaisons, trials that resulted in his imprisonment. Of the book's value as autobiography, Wilde noted in a letter, 'Basil Hallward is what I think I am: Lord Henry what the world thinks me: Dorian what I would like to be—in other ages, perhaps.'"

Modern would be amateur critics, at least some that I've read online, find the only novel by Wilde to be slow moving and over flowery in it's language. But wasn't that the point given the subject of the novel, "casting his conscience aside, Dorian Gray seeks pleasure and eternal youth, while his aging portrait reveals to him the horror of his self-indulgent crimes." Not often have I found characters as loathsome as Gray, Lord Henry, and Hallward in literature but I couldn't help but feel sorry for each of them at the culmination of the story.

Highly recommended. Reading this novel can appear a little taxing at first but ends very satisfactorily. An annotated edition of the work would probably be helpful as well with some of the language of the late 19th Century.

"To get back my youth I would do anything in the world, except take exercise, get up early, or be respectable."

Wild Day in Oklahoma

Nearly six years ago the first blog post I ever made was a list stating "you know you're from Oklahoma if". Among the list was this:

"A tornado warning siren is your signal to go out in the yard and look for a funnel."

While this this almost always true, yesterday was an exception to the rule, for me anyways. There were so many storms in the metro area yesterday that I felt compelled to travel to my parents house who have an underground shelter. Several tornados were reported to touch down in areas around Oklahoma City killing several people and injuring many more. Luckily the storms didn't hit any heavily populated areas. Still it was a little scary and reminiscent of the May 3rd tornados of 1999.

I once had a friend who lives in another part of the country ask my how we can deal with this kind of weather during the spring with the potential of such a destructive force sometimes out of the blue. Most Oklahomans have dealt with the threat of tornados their whole lives and we're accustom to watching the weather particularly during the spring, not to mention we have a state of the art early warning system and a weather news force that just loves to break in to TV and radio programming, sometimes it seems when it isn't necessary.

It wasn't so long ago that early warning systems weren't very reliable or science didn't understand how tornados worked. My father tells me that when he was a child people believed that his town of Woodward, Oklahoma couldn't be hit easily by this kind of weather because a river was so close to town and everyone knew a tornado couldn't cross water! He and his family was fortunate to survive the Woodward tornado of 1947 while they attended the theatre downtown. 107 people lost their lives that night in this one town alone with a destruction of 100 city blocks.

If you think about it, though, all areas of the country have their dangers. In the far north and northeast the winters can be bitterly cold. In the far south and southeast one has to contend with hurricanes from time to time. In the west an earthquake can be quite a scary experience I would imagine. Most areas also have times when they are subject to extreme flooding, ice or snow storms, and drought.

What I'd like to hear back from any readers out there is what is your most harrowing encounter with Mother Nature or a natural disaster? Luckily for me the worst I've ever experienced is the threat of an impending tornado but I was always fortunate enough to miss the storm or be in close proximity to a basement or shelter.

The "You Can't Be Missed" Meme, Part 3

Hey, I'm on time today! From Sunday Stealing.

Cheers to all of us thieves!

31. What is your absolute favorite dessert?
I'm not really a dessert person but I do like ice cream.

32. What can someone do to make you smile, no matter what?
Nothing! I AM NOT AMUSED!!

33. What do the hip people think of you?
Umm excuse me, I am one of the hip people.

34. What was the last gift you bought someone?
I bought my friend a shirt that I kept and wore for six months.

35. What was your favorite class in high school?
History, Government, or Biology.

36. How many spouses would be about right?
72 as long as they are all virgins.

37. What would you say was the most embarrassing moment of your life?
There's too many to pick just one!

38. Have you ever donate money to charity?
I have.

39. Has porn ever had a positive place in a current or recent relationship?
Sure, porn is a wonderful thing, the Internet is for porn!

40. Would you ever dump the one you're with for someone who makes an obvious play and is MUCH hotter?
Of course, it's like a new car, you have to trade it in every now and then.

41. Have you ever disowned one of your relatives?
No, I reserve that honor for my friends.

42. Would you think it's OK to cheat on someone if they've already cheated on you?
Why not.

43. Did you ever consider becoming a teacher?
Not really, if I did it would have to be teaching adults, I loathe children.

44. Would you ever give a hitch-hiker a ride somewhere?
Maybe, if he was cute.

45. Would you ever try fasting for a whole week?
No, the only people who do that are protesting conditions in prison or they're religious nuts.

The "You Can't Be Missed" Meme, Part 2

Always a day late, huh? Real life has been in the way. From Sunday Stealing again.

Cheers to all of us thieves!

16. What was the last thing you did that was totally selfish, yet you feel no guilt?
I have no clue, I'm pretty selfish all the time so it's kind of a daily thing!

17. Tell us about a film fave of yours that we probably have not seen.
Rope by Alfred Hitchcock. About the Leopold and Loeb murder in Chicago in the 1920's. It's interesting that Hitchcock filmed the movie in one continuous scene, or as least until film ran out, so it's kind of like watching a screen version of a play.

18. When was the last time you kissed someone that you shouldn't have on the lips?
Can't remember, I was probably drunk at the time.

19. When was the last time you cooked something for someone not in your family?
It's been a while. I usually just cook for myself which isn't often.

20. When was the last time you danced like a crazy person?
In Tulsa a few weeks ago. They don't know me there thank Shiva...

21. When was the last time you just wanted to be invisible?
I don't know. I can be invisible when necessary, I am a rock.

22. When was the last time you got a gift you absolutely hated?
I can't say that I have. If if I'm not fond of a gift I still appreciate the thought.

23. When was the last time you got into a physical fight? (If NEVER, let us know about a time that you got close to a fight.)
A couple of years back, in Colorado. Best jail I've been in so far.

24. When was the last time you had to sleep with a light on?
Does daylight count?

25. When was the last time you were under some serious stress?
That too has been a while, probably working in a restaurant. You have to tell yourself it's only food and nothing earth shattering.

26. When was the last time you watched your favorite movie?
I watch many of my favorites all the time. I would be hard pressed to name only one.

27. What song did you most recently downloaded?
A Guide to Grammar. I think the last song I downloaded was by Edie Brickell.

28. What would you say is your favorite hobby?
Traveling.

29. What is your favorite thing to do when you hang out with friends?
Just get together and shoot the shit. The larger the group the better.

30. What would you rather do: shower or bathe with that celebrity that you are crushing on?
Shower. I find bathes unclean.

Water for Elephants

I've been wanting to read "Water for Elephants" (421 pages) by Sara Gruen for quite some time. Lucky for me my friend Kim brought a copy of the book with her on a trip we took last weekend to Louisian. I shamelessly stole her book for the long drive home yesterday through Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, well you get the point... From Goodreads:

"Though he may not speak of them, the memories still dwell inside Jacob Jankowski's ninety-something-year-old mind. Memories of himself as a young man, tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Memories of a world filled with freaks and clowns, with wonder and pain and anger and passion; a world with its own narrow, irrational rules, its own way of life, and its own way of death. The world of the circus: to Jacob it was both salvation and a living hell.

Jacob was there because his luck had run out - orphaned and penniless, he had no direction until he landed on this locomotive 'ship of fools'. It was the early part of the Great Depression, and everyone in this third-rate circus was lucky to have any job at all. Marlena, the star of the equestrian act, was there because she fell in love with the wrong man, a handsome circus boss with a wide mean streak. And Rosie the elephant was there because she was the great gray hope, the new act that was going to be the salvation of the circus; the only problem was, Rosie didn't have an act - in fact, she couldn't even follow instructions. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and ultimately, it was their only hope for survival."

"Water for Elephants" is a lovely book on many levels. The circus, the Depression era of the story, and the wide variety of characters certainly made it an interesting read if for no other reason. I think it would have been wild to experience a circus or carnival in the 1920's and 1930's. This isn't usually the kind of novel I would go for in general but the love story and bond between the very different three major characters captivated me well enough to read the book in a day.

There's not really much more I can add from the book's description above. Highly recommended. The only minor complaint I would have is that some of the characters could have been fleshed out a little more, especially August and Marlena, but I'm probably just being a little too greedy. I guess now I should go see the movie.

The "You Can't Be Missed" Meme, Part 1

Once again from Sunday Stealing and once again a day late. I got home late last night from a trip to Lake Pontchartrain and I didn't have the energy to do this from my phone.

Cheers to all of us thieves!

1. Which state do you consider to be the most boring state?
Kansas with Oklahoma a strong second.

2. If any chef from the Food Network (or any well known chef) could cater your wedding, who would it be?
Tom Colicchio?

3. What's the last thing you ate that was red?
Had some Skittles yesterday afternoon.

4. Have you ever questioned the sexuality orientation of a close friend?
All the time, usually just messing with people.

5. Everyone loses a friend after some big fight. Tell us about one.
A few over the years but nothing too significant to report on.

6. Have you ever washed an iPod or mp3 player in the washing machine?
Not yet! I'm pretty good about emptying my pockets first thing when I arrive home.

7. Have you ever screamed / yelled angrily at a boss?
Yes but it's been many years since I crossed over at work.

8. Have you ever cried yourself to sleep?
Every night!

9. Have you ever regretted being in a relationship with someone?
I haven't regretted being with someone but maybe with the way the relationship ended.

10. Have you ever acted like you understood something when you didn't have a clue?
I'm sure I have, hasn't everyone?

11. Have you ever thought someone must have been insane? If yes, tell us something about the person.
I've known a lot of people like this, usually it involves drinking.

12. Have you ever pretended to be younger than what you are?
No, people usually assume that I'm younger than I really am.

13. Back in the day, did you ever cry because you were turned down for a date?
No.

14. Have you ever (or your significant other) had a pregnancy scare?
I thought I was pregnant once but it turned out I was just constipated.

15. Have you ever pretended to like someone when you didn't?
On occasion to pacify other friends.

Yay May

I can't believe it's already May, this year certainly seems to be flying by! Usually April showers bring May flowers but I think we've had more rain three days in to May than we did all of April. A good thing too, my yard was starting to look like a scene from a Mad Max movie. Here's what's on tap for May:

May 8th: Your mom's day. I remember when I was very young asking my Grandmother why there wasn't a kid's day. She responded by saying that everyday was kid's day!

May 11th: Kim's birthday. My bestie will be turing the ripe old age of 28. I hate that bitch...

May 28th - May 30th: 35th Annual Paseo Arts Festival! One of the best spring events in Oklahoma City! In fact the only piece of original art I've ever bought at an arts festival was at this one. Well, actually my mommy bought it for me but why haggle over semantics. The framed photograph has its place of honor on my fireplace mantle and has survived five moves throughout the Oklahoma City metro area, a feat that most of my possessions can't claim over the years.

May 30th: Memorial Day. A holiday for all you 9 to 5ers. I remember several Memorial Days accompanying my Grandmother to lay flowers on the graves of the long dead. Does anyone do this anymore? Is this a tradition lost to my generation?

I guess May must remind me of my Grandmother on my fathers side!

In site related news, for some reason last month saw the highest hit count ever in the almost six year history of this blog! I actually find this kind of sad since "Dave's World" has been limping along since the first of the year, unless all these readers are interested in memes and book impressions. In any event thanks to all the readers out there and the interest in my little corner of the web.

Finally I'm going to try to clean up the main page a little and add more blogs and links that I read daily and remove the ones that are dead or inactive.

Have a great May everyone! What is everyone else doing this glorious spring month?

Devon Tower Progress

I love architecture, just ask anyone who has hung out with me in downtown Chicago. More times than not my head is facing upwards toward the colossal towers of all shapes and sizes from many different eras. Even in smaller cities, say Tulsa, I always want to take a walking tour downtown to admire the buildings. Growing up in a small town in western Oklahoma I never had the opportunity to watch a skyscraper climb up into the clouds, I think that's why I'm so mesmerized by the construction of the Devon World Headquarters Tower. It's been my only opportunity to see a construction of this magnitude first hand on a daily basis.

I took the photos below a week ago on a birthday trip with my parents to the Festival of the Arts in downtown Oklahoma City.





The Devon Tower is scheduled to be completed sometime in 2012 or 2013. At 50 stories and 850 feet, once complete the structure will be the tallest in Oklahoma, if it isn't already (currently the BOK Tower in Tulsa is the tallest). At a cost of 750 million dollars it has to be the single most costly building venture in Oklahoma in some time. Rumor has it that a restaurant will be situated at the top floor upon completion. I can't wait to see a view of Oklahoma City and the surrounding area from that vantage! I predict a lot of flat land.

Oh My God! Nintendo Shoes!

Chuck Taylor Super Mario Converse hi-tops! I must have a pair or two...







It looks like the shoe drops in July in Japan only! Why does Japan get all the cool Nintendo shit?

White or black?

Fox Doing What it Does Best!

I ran across this image at I Should Be Laughing. Check out this blog, it's a great daily read on a variety of subjects. I only wish I could write half as well as the material found there.

Osama Bin Laden is Dead!

Unless you've been living under a rock or in a cave, with the rest of the Taliban, this news shouldn't come as a surprise after the Presidential address and all the celebrating last night. Bin Laden's death evoked a lot of funny responses around the web, here are some the funniest ones I saw last night:

"White House contacts former President Bush to ask to borrow 'Mission Accomplished' banner."

"President Obama apologized for taking so long to get his birth certificate released, he was too busy killing Osama Bin Laden."

"Donald Trump takes credit for the killing of Bin Laden."

"Sarah Palin shoots Bin Laden from a view from her house."

"Donald Trump demands long form death certificate of Bin Laden."

In all seriousness, May 1st, 2011 will go down as a date that I'll always remember what I was doing and what happened, joining four other dates branded in my memory:

June 17th, 1994: The O.J. Simpson Bronco chase. I caught this at home on television in Enid, Oklahoma hanging out with my boyfriend and his cousin at the time. I also remember hearing Simpson's acquittal on the radio driving home for lunch but I don't remember the exact date.

April 19th, 1995: The Murrah Federal Building bombing in downtown Oklahoma City. I heard the news break over the radio while I was working in Enid, Oklahoma. Our idiot Governor blamed the explosion on a gas leak initially!

August 31st, 1997: The death of Princess Diana. This news broke through an Oklahoma State football game I was listening to on the radio on a drive home from Lake Tenkiller.

September 11th, 2001: The World Trade Center attacks, and others, on America. I was getting ready for my late morning shift at work when I watched the drama unfold on NBC's morning broadcast.

I'm certainly glad that Bin Laden has been brought to "justice" but I'm not sure how I feel about all the celebrating last night in New York and Washington D.C. I'm not sure the raucous events of last night are a dignified way for Americans to behave toward any one death regardless of the circumstances. This will be one of the things on my mind in the days ahead. The events of 9/11 were not only tragic in the loss of life and destruction but also in the fundamental change to our country literally over night. A change not for the better in the long run unfortunately.

Thoughts or comments?

The "18 Questionable Questions" Meme

Happy May Day everyone! Today's meme from Sunday Stealing is a little lame but I feel compelled to participate anyway since I didn't last week.

Cheers to all of us thieves!

1. If your lover betrayed you, what will your reaction be?
I would cut that bitch!

2. If you can have a dream to come true, what would it be?
Winning the powerball of course.

3. What is the one thing most hated by you?
I'm not sure I could pick just one thing! Conservative hypocrites and religious fanatics comes to mind. I'm also not a fan of people in general.

4. What would you do with a billion dollars?
I've answered this before: a mink track suit, my own personal Zamboni, and lots of unnecessary surgery. (Borrowed from Dirty Rotten Scoundrels the Musical)

5. Could you fall in love with your best friend?
No, my best friend is a stinky girl.

6. Which is more blessed, loving someone or being loved by someone?
Probably loving someone but I think they both can be a curse, not a blessing.

7. How long do you intend to wait for someone you really love?
525,600 minutes.

8. If the person you secretly like is already attached, what would you do?
I would secretly subvert their relationship, right?

9. If you'd like to act (movies, stage) with someone, who would it be?
Carol Channing.

10. What do you expect of your loved one?
Nothing, my expectations are really, really low when it comes to people.

11. How would you see yourself in ten years time?
48.

12. What’s your fear?
Answered this kind of question before: dying in a plan crash on the way to my vacation destination.

13. Would you rather be single and rich or married, but poor?
Single and rich, then I could buy all the "love" I need.

14. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
Check my phone.

15. Do you ever hold back in a relationship?
What's a relationship? It's been too long to remember.

16. If you fell in love with two people simultaneously, how would you pick?
This would never happen, I've only been in love with two people in my entire life.

17. Would you forgive and forget no matter how horrible a thing that special someone has done?
I would forgive. An elephant never forgets... to kill!!

18. What are your three most important expectations in love?
Space, compatibility, and humor.

The Swan Thieves

Elizabeth Kostova's second novel "The Swan Thieves" (561 pages) is a wonderful sophomore effort after her acclaimed first work, "The Historian." From the cover of the book:

"This richly told, beautifully imagined novel takes us on a journey into the lives of the woman left behind by the renowned painter Robert Oliver.

After attacking a canvas in the National Gallery of Art, Oliver maintains a stubborn silence, prompting his psychiatrist, Andrew Marlow, to embark on an unconventional pursuit of the answers his patient won't provide. As Marlow is pulled deeper within Oliver's troubled mind, he uncovers a tale of love, betrayal, and artistic obsession, and finds surprising possibilities in a package of nineteenth-century lover letters. Does the key to unlocking Robert Oliver's mystery lie in a tragedy at the heart of French Impressionism?

Across centuries and continents, from young love to last love, Elizabeth Kostova deftly explores the painter's universe - passion, creativity, secrets, madness - and conjures a world that lingers long after the final page has turned."

An absolutely beautiful read and at two bucks, one of the best values in a book that I've ever ran across (RIP Borders, you will be missed). Kostova weaves four stories of love and sometimes loss that all come together magically toward the heartfelt conclusion of the story. The final pieces of the puzzle coming together as the novel unfolds truly left a little lump in my throat.

Beyond the compelling story is Kostova's ability to bring her love of art to a level that I, knowing very little of art and less of Impressionism, could understand and appreciate just through her gift of description. After reading the rich novel I'm compelled to view works by Manet, Monet, Pissarro, or Sisley. Unfortunately living in Oklahoma does not give me this option on a day to day basis.

The best work of fiction I've read so far this year. Highly recommended.

Shared Birthday

Just found out that Channing Tatum shares this glorious day of birth with me. With this post he will be the first two time recipient of the "eye candy" tag!

38!

As in that's how old I am today. I'm really quite surprised I've lived this long. Fortunately only the good die young...

In 1973...

Richard M. Nixon was President of the U.S.

Gas was $.39 a gallon!

A first class postage stamp cost $.08. And you had to lick them, ewww!

The average new house price was $35,500.

Milk was $.68 for a half gallon.

The number one movie of the year was "The Sting."

The top rated television show was "All in the Family."

The number one song of the year was "Tie a Yellow Ribbon." Really?

Now the Oklahoma House is Hard at Work

From koco.com:

"OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma House has named 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' as the official gospel song of the state.

The House voted 89-0 Monday to approve the bill by Rep. Jabar Shumate of Tulsa designating the song. It now goes to Gov. Mary Fallin to be signed into law.
'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' was written in Indian Territory in 1862 by a Choctaw Freedman named Wallis Willis. The Red River reminded Willis of the Jordan River and the song was loosely based on the passage in the Bible that speaks of the Prophet Elijah being taken to heaven in a chariot.

The song was adopted by England Rugby Union fans during the last match of the 1988 season and recorded by the band UB40 for the team's performance at the World Cup."

I see the Oklahoma legislature is still hard at work this term. Anything going on with job creation or growth? Discuss.

Bring Out Your Dead!

Just wanted to wish everyone a happy zombie Jesus day!

Saturday Night Minutes

Someone (I think Kim) decided to start the minutes on Saturday night after midnight. It was too late as we had already been laughing our asses off from searching through some definitions at Urban Dictionary, but that's another post...

Here's what I found crumpled up in my shirt pocket Sunday morning:

12:20AM - Meg - "Rape the puppy every night now."
12:24AM - "He likes it when I sit on his face for 3 hours."
12:25AM - "The muffin man lives on Drury Lane."
12:31AM - "Excuse me! I'm sorry... my shoe is calling. Shoe phone."
12:37AM - "Who can get too deep?"
12:42AM - DB - "If I want that I can fuck a four year old."
12:51AM - DB - "Dude you smell like tuna!"
12:51AM - Meg - "Dude, I can't help it! She was nice."
12:54AM - DB - "The Moose Shuffle."
12:56AM - Kim (with quarters) - "Make it rain bitches!"
01:07AM - Cris (in response to Ryan's tongue) - "Wait! I can't let go of your hand yet!"
01:11AM - DB (raising a glass) - "To our last night on the south side!"
01:11AM - Meg - "Bite!!"
01:16AM - Kim - "I don't feel like I had nine."
01:16AM - Cris - "But you look like you had nine."
01:17AM - "Why is DB doing kegels????"
01:19AM - Kim - "I don't think I should, I haven't shaved it in a while."
01:22AM - "OMG, Meagan just spit up!"
01:22AM - "Dave told me not to dress like a skeeze."
01:29AM - Meg to David - "Boob smacked!"