"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.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
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:
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