NoOne Knows

Borrowed Tune

2012-02-05T14:32:00.000-05:00

Gilly isn't the best page-turner, but she is learning.

2012-02-05T14:29:00.000-05:00

http://youtu.be/1orslr7Mj9U

meet Charlie

2012-01-31T19:34:00.003-05:00

He is one handsome mutt! Very shy. Seems to like females more than males.
It was tough to capture him, but Connie was able to do it. Our canine family tree continues to grow.

Griffin

2011-11-02T09:01:00.007-05:00

I remember the first day I met Griffin and Dixie. They were shedding so much and were jumping all over me. I had to go to work so Jennifer helped me get all the hair off my clothes. It's never really gone away. You get used to finding dog hairs in your clothes, food, bedding and anything else we share.

He has had a heck of a life. From being tied up in the woods, starving, fly bites, shot at (we discovered that after he had some xrays) and so afraid of people all the way to one of the happiest goofiest dog's I have ever met. I am so glad Jennifer rescued him from Shaggy Dog Rescue.

Griffin brought everyone so many smiles. Those signature eyebrows are legendary! I will even miss his 'wet-beard' (he had a knack for going right to your lap after slopping up copious amounts of water from his bowl).

He shared his life and homes with the late greats Dixie, Cleo and Caesar. Now Gilly is an only dog; something she hasn't known long. I worry how she will change.

Cancer is so painful no matter who is the recipient. I feel we brought him some great last days. I am so happy that our family and friends got to see him at Dotditwell Day. He even tried to take one of the dolls out of the bucket.

We shared our final day all on the couch watching bad morning tv. He spent many good days that way. Here is one of the final photos of Griffin.

Many tears to be shed looking at that goofy head.

more than 3 pairs of pants

2011-09-23T19:26:00.001-05:00

Kramer: You got a beautiful wife?
Paul: Ya.
Kramer: You love her?
Paul: Sure.
Kramer: Does she love you?
Paul: Ya!
Kramer: You got more than three pairs of pants?
Paul: Ya!
(Kramer slaps Paul on the back)
Kramer: There ya go!

Givin' Up Things

2011-05-20T20:29:00.002-05:00

from one of my all-time favorite recordings, Skip Spence's Oar. I didn't play it like Spence did. I gave up on tryin' to learn it.

lyrics:

"I have given up
Singing 'bout people, places and things
'Cause I have peeked into the future
And what the future brings is nothings

And I love someone
Very close to me
And if she's listening in my head
As I am in hers, she would see me"

The Greatest Alice by Cat Waits

2011-04-24T09:45:00.000-05:00

I mixed these two songs together a few years ago. I know the songs are in different keys, but they still somehow fit together in my mind.

I wanted to create a more interesting video, but I just don't have the time.

The songs are Cat Power "Where is my Love" from her 2006 recording "The Greatest" and Tom Waits "I'm Still Here" from his 2002 recording "Alice". Both recordings are highly recommended.

some scenes

2010-11-20T19:28:00.001-05:00

Mother issues in film.

I love my mother. This has nothing to do with her, just some moments in film that resonate.

The M Ward

2010-11-14T15:32:00.003-05:00

Anyone who lists John Fahey as a musical influence gets high marks in my mental book.
I think M. Ward and I would have been good friends.

Ben Keith

2010-10-17T16:14:00.017-05:00

I just discovered that one of my biggest musical influences has died; Ben Keith. It happened over three months ago. With the speed of information nowadays, I'm a little surprised I'm just learning of this now.

Ben was mostly know for playing pedal steel guitar with Neil Young. He has also played with the legendary Patsy Cline, Bob Dylan, Warren Zevon, Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Anne Murray, Ringo Starr and many others.

His playing on Neil Young's 1971 Harvest and 1973's Tonight's The Night inspired me to take up pedal steel guitar for a brief period of time. His playing is not at all 'flashy', but more adding to the overall lonesome atmosphere of the songs. I HIGHLY recommend listening to these to classic albums, paying special attention to the pedal steel guitar in the background. The background. It's a fine place to be. Not out front. But take it away and you no longer have the same feel. "Out On The Weekend", "Heart of Gold", "Old Man", "Alabama", "Words (Between the Lines of Age)", "Albuquerque", "Roll Another Number (for the Road)", "Tired Eyes". These are the tracks that scarred my soul.

I don't know what it is about the sound of slide guitar and steel guitar that moves me so. The glass or steel bar hitting the strings bare. No frets. No certainty of being in tune. It's harder to control. It reaches high and lonesome wails that other instruments can't produce.

I only lasted a couple of years at the steel. The 3rd string is well known to break or snap on a steel guitar. Once, it even sliced my finger open. The anxiety of waiting for the next time it would snap, along with my old dog Caesar's howling while I played, proved too much for me to continue.

I started a Ben Keith Fan Page on my WebTV back in the mid 90's. I received an email from his daughter, Heidi. She told me Ben wasn't much on the internet, but rather sailing his boat in the Bahamas.

1998 found me sitting in with a local Neil Young tribute band Ragged Glory. Anything to try to reproduce that feeling in a live environment. Not just listening, but living the songs. This didn't last long either.

There is one moment that I'm proud of

I would hope secretly that Ben would be proud too. I don't know of too many pedal steel players that tried to fashion their style after Ben Keith. Buddy Emmons, Paul Franklin, Pete Drake, Lloyd Green maybe, but not Ben Keith.

Listening to these old tracks again lights a little spark in me again. I guess not enough to take up the steel again, but at least it got me to blog.

Cause people let me tell you
It sent a chill
up and down my spine
When I picked up the telephone
And heard that he'd died
out on the mainline.

~Neil Young, "Tonight's the Night"

flying high

2010-07-31T08:15:00.006-05:00

I have been having a reoccurring dream of being able to float in the air. It is a wonderful dream, but I have often wondered what it means. It feels so real that at times when I first awake I have to ask myself if I do indeed have that ability. What a disappointment to come back down to reality.

It started a few years ago. I dreamt that I was able to hover a few inches off the ground and glide around. I thought others had this ability but soon found out they did not. I felt a little like a Mutant from the comic X-men.

Part of the theme of this dream is that I am always trying to fly higher. In an early dream, I was trying to get to the top of my house. I am usually able to make it, but it takes so much more effort to get there. I can feel something holding me back. Is the air thicker up there? Am I afraid I will fall?

Last night I took off once again. This time not going up, but rather going from my grandma's roof to over a huge ravine. My adrenaline was pumping through my body keeping me afloat. For some reason, I don't feel that I could rise up from ground level to that height.

I asked my self, in my dream, what does this all mean? I told myself that it was because I had the 'confidence' to float and therefore, I floated.

This all seems afternoon-talk-showie, New Age bull cocky. But somehow, I feel deep down I should take something away from this and apply it to my waking existence.

I started searching online for meaning. (what other source for knowledge is there now-a-days?!) There are so many dream interpretations! As you can imagine, flying is a very common subject. Which explanation should I subscribe to? The one that guides me in 'real life' to a higher level? Pushing a little more confidence into my subconscious?

I don't have an answer, but I felt I should document this somehow. So here it is for my friends and family to read.

My brother once dressed in a superman outfit, stood at the top of the stairs and proceeded to fly to the bottom. It didn't go as well as he thought it would.

I promise I won't be trying that (at least sober). ;-)

canned heat boogie

2010-05-15T18:28:00.002-05:00

I was the only male cashier at Kmart in 1989. I also won 'employee of the month' the first month I was there.
I prefer vintage to new with most things except milk.
I enjoy a good Belgian Ale at dusk.
When I walk out of a store without buying anything, I'm fearful that they will think I stole something.
I love dogs.
My wife has the best sense of humor of anyone I know; that may be part of why she married me.
I was in the AV club in High School and I never left; I still work in AV.
Every guitar I've sold I've regretted at some point.
When I was growing up people told me I worry too much, now I'm on medication for it and they call it Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I'm worried I'll never go off the meds.
I don't like the heat.
I wonder where some of my childhood friends are: Chad Chess, Andy Tingue come to mind.
I bought a car on eBay. I also bought an antique wheel chair.
I bought knock-off blue Adidas Gazelle's at Fisher's Big Wheel more than once.
My first car was a burgundy 1981 Chevy Chevette. I think I paid $900.
My mom taught us to poop was called to 'grunt'. I've never heard that term ever, anywhere.
I have an Associated of Arts degree; undecided major. Took me 7 years.

The News

2010-03-10T08:16:00.001-05:00

Warning: swearing

a day at G-dots with Gilly

2009-12-15T13:38:00.003-05:00

for Jennifer

2009-11-13T17:25:00.001-05:00

Deer Vs Dog Wild Chase - Watch more Funny Videos

photos of Cleo

2009-09-07T11:20:00.018-05:00

Jennifer posted some recent pictures of Cleo. Here are some more from the past.

First day home, going over the rules.

In the earlier years, she used be able to lie flat on her belly.

Cleo meeting another species.

the classic 'cone head' shot

one of her first best friends, Shadow

before the gray hairs set in

she didn't always like to have her photo taken

meeting (tasting) Sarah

self-explanatory

not sure why she got in there, but it was the one and only time

She could make any space comfortable

introducing Caesar

they didn't hit it off like I expected

but they tolerated each other

and then there were three

say what?

fill 'er up

"get the hell off my property!"

Dotdit Well Day 2008

"smile when you remember me"

Cleo

2009-09-06T18:05:00.001-05:00

1993-2009

jennifer

2009-08-09T17:03:00.000-05:00

some ancestry

2009-06-27T13:40:00.003-05:00

Great Grandpa William Patrick Carrig

Great Great Aunt Lily
?
Great Great Aunt Lily
?

Devil's Pie

2009-05-04T16:05:00.004-05:00

I wrote and recorded this song after watching The Devil and Daniel Johnston.
Jennifer filmed most of this and played the flute-0-phone in her PJ's. I have a picture of that somewhere. We had it on our 'to do' list to make a video to go along with the music for over a year now. We could have shot hours more footage, but you have to stop at some point. We bought the bunny mask shortly after seeing Easter Bunny, Kill Kill.

I thought I had an original name, but found out that D'Angelo already had it covered. Quite a different song though.

Enjoy!

update:
here are the lyrics by request:

bring me a piece of the pie
home to me
don't tell me your lies
i wanted cherry

obstacles that interfere
with you and I my darling dear
your crust is flaky
my voice is shaky
i beg you please make me

a cherry filled
window silled
heaven help us
the baker's thrilled

to bring me a piece of her pie
home to me
if you don't i will cry
then you'll see

grape is great
apple is keen
serve it with
a scoop of ice cream

my mouth is moist
it's no surprise
i see the plate with
my own eyes

slice a piece
it's my own feast
saving none
for the deceased

they'll have to get their own pie
but not from me
heaven's kitchen is open wide
servings for free

the devil knows
the best recipes
but it will cost you
an enormous fee

r u willing
to pay the price
it will cost you
your own life

The Late John Garfield Blues

2009-04-30T13:36:00.001-05:00

I recorded this John Prine song a number of years ago and stumbled across it again. I played all the instruments. I can't lip-sync to save my life. That's my grandma's Oscar Schmidt Ukulele. Still has the old broken strings on it. The bridge fell off and I keep it in the sound hole.

I always was drawn to John Prine's line in this song
"...but I heard a brand new joke
Two men were standing upon a bridge
One jumped and screamed you lose"

In other news, a Canada Goose has chosen our barn as his latest hangout. See video here. I hope they don't decide to nest here. I think the baby's are cute, but there are too many adults around.

random groundfacts

2009-01-17T21:10:00.003-05:00

* when i was young, unfamiliar food smells sent a wave of anxiety through me.
* often if GG falls asleep before me, I won't be able to fall asleep for a while. 2nite is a prime example.
* my grandma used to yell at me for not wearing a hat in the winter; now I always wear one and see the foolish college kids w/o and think, wtf?
* i think everyone should have the privilege of owning a new car; it is a very unique experience.
* i feel guilty that there are some people w/o food, shelter and I'm blogging about owning a new car, but there isn't anything i will do about it, which adds more guilt...
* AC/DC is still one of my favorite bands. i started listening in 1981 and haven't stopped.
* i get sentimental when i drink alcohol. i think most of my friends have experienced the grips of a drunk-dan-hug.
* i don't like having unread email messages in my work or personal email. i'm continuously checking.
* someone stole my videocamera and hours of footage after a house fire 16 years ago. i wonder if they watched the videos of me and my friends.
* i was jealous that my sister and brother wore glasses when we were young and i didn't.

memories of xmas eve 2008

2009-01-05T12:16:00.005-05:00

Christmas Cardinal

2008-12-25T21:20:00.004-05:00

I filmed this at my Grandma's house. One of the best locations for bird watching.

Caesar was fancy

2008-12-15T19:04:00.001-05:00

a good life

2008-12-13T13:50:00.004-05:00

13 wonderful years.

virtual me

2008-12-08T17:42:00.002-05:00

GG got me a new coat! I tried it on, online. This is LandsEnd's version of me according to my stats. Of course the question begs why do i not have pants on? Do they think the coat is that warm? I guess i'll have to go find out.

DRE700

2008-11-04T17:01:00.002-05:00

It was only a matter of time...

memories

2008-11-02T18:14:00.002-05:00

Thank you family, friends and freaks who helped make a wonderful night that we will always remember. I wish that night could last forever. There is nothing more pleasing to my soul than good food, family, music & laughter. And goodness knows there was plenty of it! Can't wait to see all the pictures!

who would deny the children their wishes?

2008-10-28T16:11:00.001-05:00

my first new one

2008-10-13T19:24:00.002-05:00

out with the old, in with the new (poor old subie)

the execution

2008-10-08T08:57:00.002-05:00

reminder

2008-10-04T15:06:00.000-05:00

the tin man compels you

2008-09-24T21:15:00.001-05:00

DotDitWell Day 2008

2008-09-16T16:29:00.003-05:00

The annual DotDitWell Day will tentatively take place on Sunday, October 5, 2008. Save the date and a doll for dumping and details will follow.

For every doll, I will donate $1.00 to ASPCA.

pretty in pink

2008-09-01T20:14:00.000-05:00

gettin' down

2008-08-28T18:32:00.007-05:00

one of dogs (and my) favorite times of the day is when Jennifer gets down with the dogs. it can really make a bad day good.
Cleo usually initiates this.

note the dirt on the new work pants

Griffin always needs the most attention.

Nail Byte Blues

2008-08-09T16:39:00.001-05:00

just goofin around with some Ry Cooder-ish noodlin.

Coulrophobia

2008-08-03T18:35:00.004-05:00

I have a warm spot in my heart for creepy clowns. And with a name like cottonpopcorn, how can it be not safe for children?

UPDATE: This website was taken down. I don't even remember what it was about, but my first guess is clowns...

Regan for President!

2008-07-25T15:19:00.003-05:00

New DVD, The Epitome Of Hyperbole, will be released September 9, 2008

The Onion

2008-07-16T16:38:00.000-05:00

I love watching The Onion News. I'm in a funk and this cheered me right up...

blues for Saturday

2008-07-12T14:07:00.003-05:00

"Crash" and I on a Saturday afternoon. He built the tube amp he is playing though. It's similar to a Fender Champ. We should be hitting the 'open mic' circuit soon.
Side Glance Shuffle

random groundfacts

2008-07-05T17:10:00.003-05:00

i want to quit technology and go into woodworking but i don't want to get slivers.
the first 46 seconds of Duke Jethro's organ on "Buzz Me" from B.B. King's live recording "Blues Is King" is possibly one of the best all-time sounds put to record.
if i was made to watch "one got fat" in Elementary School, i would have never ridden a bicycle...ever.
i am my heaviest. does it have something to do with getting married?
i could get lost in the prelinger archives
i sweat more than most
i feel i should sell some music instruments, but can't bring myself to do it.
i laughed so hard last night that i wheezed
i'd rather watch a horror movie than the news anyday
i used a tennis racket to play 'air guitar' for years, always in front of my mirror

done got married

2008-06-19T18:46:00.002-05:00

Vegas Style!! Read her blog for all the details. No use repeating them here.

:)

lazy blogger Dan

Classmates.com

2008-05-20T18:11:00.001-05:00

An actual email that I got from Classmates.com:

"Want to read your 0 unread messages Dan?"

I feel a little like Charlie Brown

King Caesar?

2008-05-15T16:05:00.006-05:00

I don't know how this happened, but shortly after feeding the dogs, Caesar appaeared with a Queen-sized blanket on his back. He proceeded to walk around the house for the next 5 minutes with it still on his back. I had to use the iMac to take the picture since GG wasn't around. He finally disrobed in front of the white rabbit. I don't know what this means, but it definitely means something.

2008-05-04T16:42:00.001-05:00

Chipotle coupons

2008-04-22T18:48:00.001-05:00

I fear food-poisoning but not enough to stop eating.

oil

2008-04-13T16:43:00.002-05:00

Have you ever seen this web site? http://www.howstuffworks.com/
There are some neat articles in it.

We finally watched "There Will Be Blood". There was some interesting footage on how they got oil back in the late 19th, early 20th centuries. I found an article about how they do it now. http://science.howstuffworks.com/oil-drilling.htm
My attention span is so short, I didn't read the whole thing. But I do find it interesting.

Skull-A-Day

2008-04-07T16:46:00.003-05:00

I love all things skeletal. I don't remember when I first took a liking to them, but it has been as long as I can remember. It's neat to think that we all have similar skeleton structures no matter what sex, race, religion, political view etc.

Here is one of my favorite blog sites:
And today I am mentioned on the site! http://skulladay.blogspot.com/2008/04/braincase-xxxiv.html

Kewl.

Twitter

2008-03-25T17:02:00.002-05:00

I think I may try Twitter for a while. Does anyone here use it?

NCFOM DVD

2008-03-11T16:31:00.003-05:00

My DVD arrived today; the same day as the official release. I was tempted to get the BluRay version, but I don't have a BluRay player. Good thing I didn't order the HD-DVD

So, the offer is open: Anyone who wants to arrange a viewing, at any time, of this cinematic masterpiece need only contact me. It is still playing in the theaters so I'm up for that too.

I'm a sucker for anagrams and I think the Coen Brothers use one for their psedonym co-editor Roderick Jaynes. Maybe Sir Deacon Jerky, or Deejay Corn Sirk or maybe Jack Dryer Noise?

taken from IMDB
The credited editor for this film, Roderick Jaynes, is a pseudonym for Joel and Ethan Coen, who have co-edited all of their movies since Blood Simple. (1984) (in addition to co-directing and co-writing them). New York magazine reported that they devised the pseudonym when Guild membership rules would not allow two co-credited editors on the same film. Despite his non-existence, Jaynes was nominated for an Oscar for editing No Country for Old Men (2007) (as well as Fargo (1996)), but he has never won one. Joel Coen told New York magazine that if Jaynes had won the Oscar, the award presenter and not the Coens would have been the one authorized by the Academy to accept the award on "his" behalf. Joel Coen explained that the Academy doesn't "allow proxies to accept awards at the Academy Awards, ever since Marlon Brando and Sacheen Littlefeather."

Dear David,

2008-03-06T19:52:00.002-05:00

haha!

2008-02-19T19:50:00.002-05:00

that's my girl! :)

bald eagle term paper

2008-02-17T18:50:00.002-05:00

I saw my first bald eagle on Saturday. It was flying by Lake Erie. It was exciting. the end.

Sappy Valentines Day

2008-02-14T16:22:00.002-05:00

Dear Jennifer,

I didn't get you a thing,
Not a heart, not a card, not a ring.

If I met the person who gave us this "holiday"
you wanna know what i would do???

I'll let Griffin demonstrate on your shoe...

botox at it's worst

2008-02-13T19:12:00.003-05:00

Golden

2008-02-10T19:51:00.000-05:00

yes, you may have seen me on the news...again. no, i had nothing to do with taking down the Scientology web site.
I was a 1.2 second blur behind a refrigerator buried in a kitchen nook. I was completely ok with that. This was herstory in the making. :) my girlfriend is very brave and i am so proud of her.

here's a song for her that has nothing to do with weight loss surgery...

"We'll go thru this thing together
And on heaven's golden shore we'll lay our heads"

~Jim James

convenience or just lazy?

2008-01-07T17:00:00.000-05:00

Copax mentioned in his blog that he ordered pizza online. That, my friends, is technology at it's finest. Anything that can eliminate another social interaction is fine by me. GG and I will often drive miles out of our way to a Subway that has a touch-screen menu at it's drive-thru even though there is one less than 1/2 mile down the road!

I recently booked a heating contractor to come out to check my furnace all through the Internets! I filled out a web form and they emailed me back for confirmation and details within the hour. I'll pay a few dollars extra for that!

Capital K-razy?!! Is this appealing to anyone else out there or is it just part of my 'shyness' that makes it so appealing?

Telecommuting is very attractive to me. Maybe I should change jobs to take advantage of that.

I would probably use an online grocery store if I was still single. But they don't have Shearer's Buffalo Wing Bleu Cheese Kettle Cooked Potato Chips. I am addicted to these chips. I can't shove them in fast enough. Shortly after my mouth is a blaze and I have a tummy ache. Lesson learned? Eat more chips to build-up a tolerance to the spicy goodness.

I would seem to be a shoe-in for the virtual world, Second Life but I can't commit to a last name to use. I guess I'll just stick with this life for now. At least I can look foward to this year's denim festival.

magic

2007-12-29T12:39:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite videos by Scout Niblett and Bonnie Prince Billy. More on this later...
Watch the video.

community

2007-12-28T12:48:00.000-05:00

I remember when Officer George Brentar was killed in Euclid earlier this year. I don't know why, but it struck me sadly for quite a while. Now, again, tradegy has struck the Brentar's. He and his family have lost their home and dog in a fire. I don't know the Brentar's personally, but they are from the same county as me and I want to help them out.

Read the story and about the wonderful community response here:

http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=80348

If you would like to help:

Zion Lutheran Church in Fairport Harbor is accepting donations, including household items for the family. For more information, you can call Zion Lutheran Church at (440) 354-4512 or (440) 357-6411.

And the Euclid Police Department is also accepting donations for the Brentar family. Donations in care of A.J. Brentar, can be sent to the Euclid Fraternal Order of Police at 545 East 222nd Street, Euclid, OH, 44123.

Griffin Allman?

2007-12-27T15:47:00.001-05:00

Duane Allman: Griffin Allman:?

second viewing

2007-12-02T17:28:00.000-05:00

So we went to see it again. No real surprises; it surely wasn't like the first time. But I did pick up on a few things I missed the first round. I read that you really have to pay attention to this movie; they don't 'spoon feed it to you'. I feel most of the Coen Brothers movies are this way. I paid closer attention to Tommy Lee Jones' character, Sheriff Ed Tom Bell. He can convey such a lifetime of a heart-achin hizzoner in only a glance. I guess you could call him the 'old man' in the movie. He's a bit too vulnerable for his occupation. The pressure was there to follow in the path of his father and father's father. He didn't know anything else. I know he probably felt he let his long gone father down by leaving his post. But the dreams he has are a premonition of a safer, warmer place to come. Until then he'll have to endure many sleepless nights knowing Anton Chigurh is still out there. There will always be an Anton Chigurh out there. But as long as there is always a Sheriff Ed Tom Bell out there too, well, that evens the score a bit. Hell, I ain't going to loose too much sleep over it. Not too much.

Call it

2007-11-23T17:32:00.000-05:00

Move over Michael Myers, Jason and Freddy. Anton Chigurh is here.
We saw the Coen Brothers latest flick, No Country for Old Men.
I want to go back to see it again tonight; it's that good. The kind of movie that leaves a disturbing taste on your tongue for hours to come.

That's all for now.

organ grinder

2007-11-08T19:53:00.000-05:00

I am broadening my organ listening. B4, it was B3; now it's just about any organ.
I think Tom Waits "Dave The Butcher" has deeply affected my mind. I usually put it on repeat for a few dozen times thorough.

John Jacob...

2007-11-03T17:03:00.000-05:00

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings recorded "Dear Someone" on their album "Time (The Revelator)". It is pure magic. I'll never get close to being able to play it as beautifully as they do, so I almost gave up trying.

Then I asked myself, as I often do, how would John Jacob Niles do it? My girlfriend thinks that my rendition sounds more like Tiny Tim. Maybe she's right.

No disrespect intended to any of the above mentioned parties.

I started a whole rambling on how I came to discover John, but as I was researching I found someone who wrote much of what I just wrote. Read it here. His name is not my name too.

Someday I plan on heading down to Kentucky to check out The Niles Center for American Music

Happy Hallowe'en

2007-10-31T19:02:00.000-05:00

I'm all for bringing back the ' in Hallowe'en.

I submit to the public

2007-10-27T15:25:00.000-05:00

Is there a more pitiful sight than a Howler Monkey from Central America longing for a Blak Coke?

informative video

2007-10-25T20:34:00.000-05:00

Jennifer may be interested in this video.

Daniel Greaves

2007-10-22T16:25:00.000-05:00

Check out this video from Daniel Greaves. I think we've all had these days. Or maybe, it's just me and I need stronger meds. :)

here we go again

2007-10-21T16:24:00.000-05:00

(Uncle Frank, 2nd from left, Aunt Ruth, 3rd from left, Aunt Lizzie, 5th from left)

Well, new computer, new software. Unfortunately or fortunately, however I choose to look at it, my genealogy software was not compatible with Mac (big surprise). So, I decided to start from scratch. Yes, I'm well aware that I could have exported the old data and imported it, but my geneology data is on a Windows 98 machine that is no longer connected to a network and I just didn't want to bother. Additionally, I guess I wanted to start it over to be sure that I got it right. Who knows what state of mind I was in when I did it the first time (5 years ago?)

I'm using iFamily for Tiger. There didn't seem to be a lot out there and I didn't want to pay a bundle. It seems pretty good so far. I like that I can drag and drop photos in and add a step-parent, or same-sex marriage, etc. I'm going to combine Bio-dad's stuff too this time along with some of step-pop's.

Mostly, I'm interested in finding more history about the property we're living on. I tried to date the barn back when all the huck-a-buck was going on with the Bicentennial Barn stuff but didn't have much luck.

All things legal points to my Great Great Aunt Lizzie purchasing the land starting in 1912. 19.96 Acres were purchased (I have to find out how much they paid. I didn't take detailed notes the first round) and then a couple years later 7.7 Acres. They ended up selling off some land for around $1000.00 in 1923. Again, bad note-taking, I don't know how much.

Why did my Aunt purchase the land and not my Uncle Frank? I know that they farmed a bit; soy for sure. I don't know what else. I've got pictures of them with cows, pigs and a horse. They never had any children. I'm sure it was a LOT of work. As the Great Depression took hold, they suffered just like most others. Luckily, my Great Aunt was around to help out a bit and purchased the land.

Uncle Frank died in 1945 and Lizzie died in 1954. I believe my Aunt Ruth moved in around 1959 with her husband. They tore down the old farm house and build a new one on top of the original foundation. Most of the farm buildings were tore down during the 1960's. I have a photo of my grandma pushing down the outhouse. She never liked that old outhouse. I wish we still had it (only for show).

The city pushed her to sell off most of the land for further developments in 1966. I'm hanging on to our 2.9 acres as long as I can.

Why does any of this matter to me? It's one of the last living things that I have that connects me to my 'roots'. It is becoming a rare thing to say, my family farmed this land. They worked it to provide for themselves. We have apartments and other buildings we whore around in for a few years at a time and then move on. Barely enough time for a spirit to leave a stain. There is nothing "wrong" with that. But, there is something special about living in a place that has family history. I'm very fortunate.

Much of my family is no longer living and we don't appear to be populating much. History is sometimes all we have to hold on to.

Maybe I feel a little guilt sitting in front of my new iMac blogging away knowing that I'm not really "working" like my relatives worked. There are some relatives left, but they are far away either in body and/or spirit. I should make more of an effort to get closer to them maybe.

Someday, maybe, someone will discover one of my data discs left behind and want to know more about what I did the time I was on board here. What did I contribute. Keeping the history going?

Ok, 3rd beer and I'm getting philosophical . Time to check out for now.

the proper way to enjoy a beer

2007-10-18T16:41:00.000-05:00

in 4 easy pictures...

the beer was Liberty Ale

four freaks at their finest

2007-10-14T19:08:00.001-05:00

We all agreed this was a great picture, but you should see the others. I'll leave it to glittergirl to post them. I wanted to have a decent post for Sunday evening. Glittermom left just before this picture was taken; note the blank space in the upper left corner.

four fine freaks
some would call geeks
i prefer friends
who are very unique

well, i couldn't wait. here are some i put into photobucket's slide remix thingy....

it all reminds me of Chris Cunningham's Commercial for PS1

2007-10-14T11:53:00.000-05:00

A man woke up in a hospital after a serious accident. He shouted, "Doctor, doctor, I can't feel my legs!"

The doctor replied, "I know you can't - I've cut off your arms!"

iMac

2007-10-12T20:50:00.000-05:00

Yes, we bought a new iMac. The best thing about it....PhotoBooth!!

Billy and me

2007-10-07T08:49:00.000-05:00

Even though I have only seen him in a couple films, William Forsythe is still one of my favorite actors. He made me laugh as Evelle Snoats in Raising Arizona "Mighty fine cereal flakes, Mrs. McDonough".

He made me cringe as Sheriff John Quincy Wydell in The Devil's Rejects. "Son, if you ever say another derogatory word about Elvis Aron Presley in my presence again, I will kick the living $hit out of you." Well, that line actually made me laugh too. But he was very convincing as a 'lawman' that crossed a line in seeking justice for his brother's death. His scenes with Mother Firefly (Leslie Easterbrook) were muy violento. Check out GG's blog to see her encounter with Mama Firefly.

It's always a thrill to meet a celebrity. Even at $20 an autograph. It's all good fun. What roles have you all seen him play that were memorable?

Pumpkin

2007-10-03T08:54:00.000-05:00

This looks interesting...http://www.extremepumpkins.com/

tank you berry such!

2007-09-23T18:21:00.000-05:00

It was another successful DotDit Well day! Thank you to all who participated. And thank you to all for your lovely gifts. I have plenty of cool stuff to keep me occupied (at least for a few days). :-)

It was great to screen El Topo silenty while reading Portuguese subtitles and playing The Mills Brothers, Dean Martin and Gene Autry in the background. We do have fun!

Until next year, save the date. Monday, September 22, 2008 (maybe we'll celebrate it on that Sunday).

Oh, I almost forgot to mention what goes in the well on winter solstice!! I'll save it for a December blog.

DotDitWell Day

2007-09-23T11:17:00.002-05:00

Autumn Begins with the September Equinox; today, September 23, 2007. This day also brings the little known tradtion of "the Dumping Of The Dolls In The WELL". For generations, local townsfolk would bring their decapitated doll heads, or other doll parts, to the farm who had the deepest well in the county.

Dumping the doll heads and other misc parts would cast away evil spirits that have been lurking. This tradition and honor has been honored by my family for generations. For everyone knows we have the deepest well in the county. No one knows the actual depth.

Above is the first photo of my great-great Aunt Lizzy and Uncle Frank back in 1927 on DotDitWell day.

We will continue this tradition today. Please feel free to bring your broken doll parts to the well today. Enjoy the festivities!

cranially endowed

2007-09-22T10:29:00.000-05:00

I found a source for hats! http://www.bigheadcaps.com/
My hat size is 7.5

Divide the # of inches around your head
by pi (3.14) to estimate your hat or cap size.

bad photos

2007-09-19T21:51:00.000-05:00

GG's bad self-portrait post reminded me of this video I created:

You can't prepare for frogs!!!

2007-09-05T20:36:00.000-05:00

A segmant from tonight's repeat epidose of the Colbert Report reminded me of me. My Generalized Anxiety Disorder can be summarized by a segmant entitled Formidable Opponent.

Click here to watch it.

Read on to read it....

Well, does publicly discussing these terror plots help us prepare? Or are we just giving the terrorists ideas? Tonight, I debate this hot topic with the only man I’m sure is not in al-Qaeda. Me! Stephen Colbert! This is Formidable Opponent!

Thank you for stopping by.

Always a pleasure to spend time with the man I love. *blows kiss*

*catches it* Now, Stephen, I believe in free speech as much as the next authoritarian, but this is dangerous. Levitt suggests that al-Qaeda should load up twenty cars with snipers and then drive around the country shooting people!

And your point is?

That’s terrifying!

Exactly! That’s how we beat the terrorists - at their own game! If we keep thinking about all the ways we could be killed, they can’t terrorize us; we’ll be pre-terrified. There’s only so much poop that can fit in our national pants!

Wait, so we’re supposed to imagine every possible attack?

Yeah. I got a good one, want to hear it?

No!

Come on, it’s good!

*yells without sticking fingers in ears*

Okay, you string an invisibly thin razor wire across the top of an escalator so that when you get to the top, it slowly slices your head off, then the escalator piles those headless bodies out of view on the upper landing. It’s a conveyor belt of death!

That is a horrible idea!

Yes. And now we’re prepared for it.

Yeah, damn right – I’m taking the stairs!

Ah. And that’s why I would also fill the stairs with rabid bats.

Oh no! Bats love stairs! What do I do now?

Just go about your life as normal.

How?!

Well, ride the escalators on your knees, and don’t walk into stairwells without wearing one of those beekeeper suits. The point is, I’ve now done my part to help America. What have you got?

Nothing, I-I could never think of a way to kill Americans.

Sure you could. You must have nightmares.

Well, yeah, I’ve got one. It involves frogs.

I’m intrigued.

Poison dart frogs, actually. They’re brightly colored, but their skin is deadly poison.

Go on.

Well, you take a male and a female, and you could easily breed an army of thousands. And you release them into a community, and they’re brightly colored, they look like candy, and children would put them into their mouths –

Oh my God! What have you done?!

I was just warning America about an upcoming frog attack.

You can’t prepare for frogs!

Well sure, you just get a bigger animal that hunts frogs!

And kill those animals, too? The frogs are poisonous, remember? What’s the use? You win!

No, I don’t want to win! I love America!

You got a funny way of showing it, mister!

Well then, I take my idea back!

Too late, the frog is out of the barn!

Oh my god, what have I done? Am I a terrorist?

I don’t know if you’re a terrorist, but you are an evil genius.

And you, sir, are a Formidable Opponent. We’ll be right back.

a different take

2007-09-01T08:30:00.001-05:00

We're going to see the new Halloween movie today. I'll give a detailed review afterwards (probably not).

Here's one of the better spoofs...

good friends

2007-08-27T17:14:00.000-05:00

My good friend Lance bought a new rig. (that's his dad in the picture) We've been friends since Kindergarden. My only question to him was if it had a CD player.

********

My other good friend and mentor, Tom, has been providing me with his daily AV Tech humor. Here are some examples:

The mischievous AV technician...

...managed to convince his helper Douglas that if he let go of the knob at eye level on the equipment rack, the entire building would collapse.

****************

William found his new job...

...at Prairie State as an AV Equipment Delivery Specialist III to be quite rewarding, even if they did have a somewhat strict dress code.

****************

Although it was not the department's policy to hire high school students...

...as AV projectionists, the supervisor was so impressed with the young lady's ability to show 16mm film and 3 color video projection at the same time, while playing castanets and singing into a megaphone, while sorting through slides on the table, all in an outdoor setting, that she was hired on the spot.

****************

On the night before the All-School Convocation...

...Frederick and Johnathan decided that they "...weren't going to take it any more", and devised a plan to substitute what they considered to be a "...spectacular comeback for slide projector technology" in place of the Provost's PowerPoint presentation.

Oh, that last one makes me laugh out loud every time!

Thank goodness for good friends.

Baby Please Don't Go

2007-08-16T20:02:00.000-05:00

from a reliable AC/DC web site..."AC/DC have completed editing video footage for a brand new double DVD set to be released SEPTEMBER 2007, which will contain one Bon DVD and one Brian DVD of AC/DC live in concert. The band has also completed a new album which is scheduled for release JANUARY 2008 with a world tour to follow."

I think GG has turned into an AC/DC fan after watching this video from 1975.

ASG

2007-08-12T09:49:00.000-05:00

I think I may check out one of these; it sounds promising (or should I say "relaxing"). Imagine a small retro portable transistor radio that only plays 9 'loops' of ambient, droning music. I give you "The Buddha Machine". (Tom, wouldn't that be something you would want to try?) See, Tom live close to a heavily traveled road and sometimes listens to AM radio to drown out the traffic. This seems like a more peaceful solution.

Check out how a cat reacts to it here.

I wonder how the 3 Musketeers would react?

I'll keep you updated.

my dog is bad @$$

2007-08-10T18:26:00.001-05:00

I discovered a really good beer: LION STOUT. Read Michael Jackson's review. When I'm done, i feed the bottle to Caesar. He's so badass, he eats 'em for dessert! Bring it on!!!

enough is enough!

2007-08-04T09:52:00.000-05:00

Jim Bob and Michelle,

I wish you and your 17 children the best but for Jimmy Crack Korn...tie a not in it!!!

And baby makes --seventeen???
http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=72247
Danielle Fink

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) -- Eight wasn't enough for Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar. Neither was 16.

The Arkansas couple is welcoming their 17th child into the world.Jennifer Danielle was born yesterday. And the Duggars are talking about having more.Their children are home-schooled and live in dorm-style rooms.Their home is equipped with nine bathrooms, a commercial kitchen, four washing machines and four dryers.Jim Bob is a former state representative who now sells real estate.The Discovery Health Network, which has featured the Duggars on several programs, says the family has gone through 90,000 diapers.Michelle has been pregnant for more than a decade -- about a quarter of her life.All the kids have names that start with 'J.'The oldest is
19.

collections

2007-08-03T16:26:00.000-05:00

Local radio station WMMS DJ Maxwell brought up Marilyn Manson and his "odd" collection of creepy paraphernalia.

In a breach-of-contract lawsuit filed Thursday afternoon (August 2) in Los Angeles Superior Court, former Marilyn Manson keyboardist Stephen Gregory Bier Jr. — known to fans by his stage name, Madonna Wayne Gacy — claims the shock rocker has been using the band's money to fund his lavish lifestyle, drug habit and the production of his upcoming film, "Phantasmagoria: The Visions of Lewis Carroll," among other things.

The suit further alleges Manson took assets belonging to the rest of the band (money generated through touring, and album and merchandise sales) to purchase Nazi
paraphernalia, African masks made of human skin and the full skeleton of a 4-year-old Chinese girl, all of which he has on display in his Chatsworth, California, mansion.

The singer denied the allegations to MTV News in an interview late Thursday afternoon. (read more here)

Maxwell asked listeners if they had 'creepy collections'. Well, this was my opportunity to inform the public about my recent purchase! Just a few corrections, I'm not in Madison and I'm not married. The first one is where I used to be and the second one, come to think of it...is where I used to be too.

new chair

Add to My Profile More Videos

i have been avoiding the dentist

2007-08-03T08:46:00.001-05:00

GERMANY GHOST TRAIN
Originally uploaded by Groundcat

it's been over 6 months. i just haven't made time to go again. when i do end up going, i feel guilty for avoiding them. i have a confession: i don't floss every day. how often do you all floss?

Flickr

2007-08-03T08:44:00.001-05:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

less horror

2007-08-01T17:01:00.000-05:00

Mama Sunshine is home!!

more horror

2007-08-01T16:31:00.000-05:00

There's a new trailer for Rob Zombie's Halloween. http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809784517/video/3545602/

Part of me didn't want to watch because I want to be 'surprised', but before I could say Michael it was already rolling.

The anticipation for release is brutal as will be the actual film. Alot of people witch and moan about horror movie re-makes and although I agree there have been some real stinkers I am truly looking forward to this.

Can I can sit right next to j-net on August 31st?

for my demented friends

2007-07-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

you know who you are. Former Wizard of the Skull Ranch turned me on to Wire Therapy on YouTube. I did a little web searching and oh, it gets better. check out Shaye Saint John's website.

Proceed at your own risk.

how much would YOU pay?

2007-07-27T17:29:00.001-05:00

We were browsing Larchmere Boulevard this afternoon and I bought a Edward Gorey greeting card. It was from the "Neglected Murderesses"series; specifically Nurse J. Rosebeetle. No more than two stores later we came across the real deal! The asking price is $399.00 but the owner said he'd knock $100 off.

Ever since watching The Changeling I've been haunted and facinated by antique wheel chairs. GG feels similar feelings and we are contimplating purchasing one. There is one in particular that is on eBay. The seller is within driving distance and the starting bid is $125.00.

We just don't have money to spend on all our earthly desires. ~sigh~

If anyone knows of an antique wheelchair needing a home, please contact us.

AV Geek

2007-07-26T17:57:00.000-05:00

Part of our vacation included a visit to The Auman Museum of Radio & Television. Here's a photo of Larry Auman and I discussing the history of radio and television. Local highlights included Alan Freed's original DJ setup rescuced from WJW radio. Dick Goddard's first weather station equipment. And the "haunted camera case".

I was suprised to see the prices of the equipment back then are similar to the prices today. We've come full circle with picture size. Some of the early small screens were about the size of an iPod.

There's a website, but it's much cooler to actually go visit him and his amazing collection down in Dover, OH.

If you can't make it but want to learn more about the history of radio and TV, be sure to check out this website.

sick-o

2007-07-22T17:25:00.000-05:00

dammit! it never fails. take time off from work and then get sick! i'm not supposed to blame it on GG since her ailments were bacterial. i guess i'll blame stress. it starts out the same; a little tickle in the back of the throat. it migrates to my sinuses and head. it takes about 2-3 weeks to fully run it's course. i will admit that i'm much bigger baby when it comes to getting sick. think Cameron Frye in the opening of Ferris Bueller's Day Off

actually, that was on tv today. we are planning on watching more sequels to Friday the 13th. anything to distract us from our aches and pains...

new portal

2007-07-21T20:06:00.000-05:00

We were walking the dogs early this evening and stumbled across this...
I never knew it was even there! Of course we had to put the dogs away and go back there to explore more. Check out GG's photo blog for photos. Any ideas what it is or was? I'm guessing some sort of chimney for a farm building back in the day.

We'll be spending a few nights in a cabin in the woods later this week. So far our preparations have included watching Friday the 13th part II, III and IV. The first sound of a twig snapping and I'll be paving a new road back to civilization.

whaaa????!!!

2007-07-21T10:02:00.000-05:00

No blogs from glittergirl this week?!!

2007-07-11T18:57:00.000-05:00

There's a fleck on the speck on the tail on the frog on the bump on the branch on the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea.