Super Sunday

Have fun and all that watching the game. I'm not terribly excited about it and will tune in purely for the spectacle angle--hope the game turns into something and there's a worthy commercial or two. Oh, Pittsburgh's probably going to win according to this enthusiastic fan. She appears to have her game face on.

Can't drive, now this...

...Engrish is love you long time: http://adult.engrish.com/.

Weekend's almost here...

...and Danielle Lloyd is tired of all that dreadful work--she wishes to stretch out for a while. She suggests you do the same.

Just another reason that the NHL has become the preferred professional sport around my castle:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/hockey/stars/stories/013009dnspostarsbriefs.3b11128.html

Say all you want about history, finesse, beauty, motion, strategy, blah, blah, blah. I'll take true devotion to the spirit of the game/competition/team over any of them. You think Barch was worrying about his contract as he skated off the ice? Or some pretty-boy image? Or a fucking youtube rap song about homies and happy boys? Or maybe you think he went to the locker room and called it a season, started looking for the best orthodontic surgeon around?

Hell no. This was the Red Wings. The hated Detroit Fucking Red Wings. He smiled and got back in the game. He screamed something like "Eight teeth? That the best you got? Come on, asshole, I got a dozen more, right here!" and dropped his gloves.

So go ahead a get all puffed up cause that mean ol' pitcher whizzed a fast ball right past your ear. Act like a spoiled brat because of that "hard" foul. Cry like a baby cause the quarterback doesn't get the ball to you enough. Stage a press conference to vent about your unhappiness with a 3 billion dollar contract and moan that team xyz doesn't give "you" the chance to win it all.

Or go out and play the game.

Sleep Like a Baby

You want some economic stimulation? I got some for you, right here:

http://seekingalpha.com/article/115525-the-scariest-chart-ever?source=article_sb_popular

I'm just glad I work in a one story building...

Godless Bastards

Phil Zuckerman says it isn't so bad to skip Sunday school: http://chronicle.com/temp/reprint.php?id=gqchf08syrq7qfcxqfzjh9d949ndm2k2. I agree with a lot of what he says, though drawing on Sweden and Denmark to prove his point is a little shaky. Their stable society isn't so much a religion/secular thing as it is cultural. They checked in their Viking shit a long time ago and have been pantywaists ever since, eschewing pillaging for churning out hot chicks who dig peace and stuff. I've always thought of the great line in "Trading Places" by Coleman (Denholm Elliott) as fairly instructional: "Religion is a good thing, I say, taken in moderation." Certainly, the rise of Islamofacism has made a lot of people rethink religion as a whole while most definitely curing them of any inclination that the entire Islam thing isn't just downright nuts. I'd go with Scientology before signing up to be a muslim any day. As a starter, they have hotter women and have that space travel thing going for them. I think they can have pork ribs, too but will probably need Cruise or Travolta to give a ruling on that. Also, I'm really not interested in hanging out with 78 virgins in paradise or even Waco for that matter. Probably better just to float around and annoy other ascendants. Maybe ask Jesus about the real skinny on that Shroud of Turin deal. Could also maybe see once and for all if God can hit a fucking one iron.

Hot behind the collar

Saw this on Drudge: http://www.kusi.com/weather/colemanscorner/38574742.html. The Weather Channel guy, John Coleman, thinks global warning is caca poo-poo and writes a short summation of how the movement has evolved. There's surely a guy out there with a counter to Coleman, most certainly labeling him a knuckle dragger and screaming, "Can't you see, CAN'T YOU SEE that it's getting hotter in Martha's Vineyard??? Dolt!" I'm guessing that a lot, maybe most people who have given it a little thought think that there is some influence by man on climate but it pales in stature to the effects of sun activity and natural calamities like perhaps Vesuvias deciding to blow up Italy one day. Does anyone ever have the thought that we're going to wake up twenty years from now and wonder what the hell we were thinking with this compulsion with recycling and organic foods, etc.? I kinda think we're driving ourselves a little crazy and would benefit from taking a chill pill and a nice whizz into Barton Springs every now and then. That's one of things I like about wade fishing or wading out in the gulf--you can take a leak in your pants. Wonderful stuff! I recommend its liberating benefits.

Denise Milani (above right) encourages citizens to combat global warming by dressing appropriately. She's a patriotic gal.

The Lucky Few

I saw this review the other day: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123267111434808365.html. Bernard Cornwell has a book out centered around the Battle of Agincourt. Cornwell is a prolific author of historical novels, most notably his Sharpe series depicting a British officer and his exploits during the Napoleonic wars. Ripping yarns. Agincourt, is of course, famous for the victory of young Hank the Five's rag tag English force over the vaunted French knights, due largely to his deadly use of the legendary long bowmen (England's chief export in those days along with plague and buggery). The frogs were hampered by the muddy conditions which hampered their horses, bogged down by the weight of their armored riders and also the inability to get a decent claret prior to kickoff. The rest is history.

Keegan, of course, turned in a good reading of Agincourt as one of the subjects of his classic "Face of Battle."

One other thing: note the opening line of the book review as it quite nicely mimics something said by a certain Mississippi author about Southern boys. Something about a July day with the flags unfurled and the regiments in line...

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Say what you will about Baylor fans (don't worry, even us die-hards talk bad about them/us), they at least know how to acknowledge any standing or former President of the United States: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/womensbasketball/big12/2009-01-28-oklahoma-baylor_N.htm?csp=34

I'm quite sure that the hordes of Che-t-shirt-wearing-students at other, more prestigious, institutes of "higher" learning would have made things less pleasant for all involved.

Must be Good

Haven't had that one (I will, though, when I have an opportunity), though I have a picture of one of their pubs on my office wall. Now, the tasty beverage to the right quenched my thirst many times when I last visited Barbados, mainly because that is just about all you can get there.

For the record, the picture also speaks volumes about me and things other than my excellent taste in beverages...

Ever had one nimdok? I had a pint or two last time I was there. Good stuff.

http://www.bankssbeer.co.uk/default.asp

Tyranny

That's what's going on at my house now as Mrs. Taras commandeers every television in the house in order to blanket the premises with Australian Open tennis coverage. This happens with each of these awful exercises which also includes the US and Frog Opens and of course, Wimbledon. The Aussie exhibition is the first, and it's summer down under. Not only summer but apparently the hottest summer on record and the tennisistas are dropping left and right--many have "retired" during their matches--that's tennis speak for quitting like a dog. Last night, our household was privileged to view the quarterfinal match up between Ruskie, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Serena Williams, the American of significant accomplishment on the court and the unquestionable ability to crush your skull between her considerable Nubian breasts and otherwise whip your sorry white ass without causing much fuss to whatever outfit she's wearing. This contest was held at center court on a nice, sunny day with the temp at 107 degrees and court side reading at 140. Yes, 140. Though the Aussies had built this palace at considerable expense to include a retractable roof and aire acondicionado, they inexplicably decided to opt for sun and death until someone with a at least a working knowledge of common sense apparently convinced the nitwit in charge (probably directly related to the guy who refused to hand out ammo to the 24th Foot at Isandlwana because he hadn't received a proper order) to close the goddamn roof and turn on the A/C. Soon, both players revived a little, notably Williams who came alive and thrashed the very Russian looking Kuznetsova. Though obviously a good hand on the court, Svetlana has that severe countenance of a Soviet bent on killing Nazis and cheerfully engaging in competitive looting. No doubt she's thoroughly checked out on the Kalishnikov and gets hot when thinking about Lenin. Anyway, Williams is now set to play another Russian in the semis, Elena Dementieva--in fact Serena is the lone non-Ruskie left. I don't like Russians, especially their tennis players. I'm quite sure they cheat a lot, probably poisoning opposing players prior to matches or even knifing them if they can get away with it. If I were Williams, I would dispense with the tennis business and just walk up to the net and jack Dementieva's jaw right away and not let up until she screamed, "Ivan."

Another List

This has been around for a while but it's always nice to review: http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/full-list-of-stuff-white-people-like/. While not exhaustive, the list certainly covers most of what comprises today's garden variety urban honky. I'm quite familiar with the species and for the most part can even accomplish primary voice communication with them. It's a military fact that a surgical strike on the nation's organic groceries on any Saturday morning would effectively render the species extinct. You hear that, Central Market? Kale won't stop white phosphorous.

The young lady at right eschews all that snobby foodie stuff. Word is that she's a Hill Country Fair private label gal and insists on hormone injected ribeyes.

Drink What?

Unbeknownst to some, although I'm not quite sure who, I will use just about any excuse to enjoy a cold, frosty adult beverage. I'm also quite flexible - I'll try (and most likely enjoy) just about any beer that doesn't have "light", "lite", "dry", "ice", "select", or "ultra" in its name. That being said, I doubt I'd try a beer just to be "earth friendly", "green", or "environmentally concerned". Quite the opposite, actually. Still, I found the following interesting

http://climate.weather.com/articles/organicbeer092501.html?page=1

So somebody please give me another reason to try one of these. A few look pretty tasty.

"Irrational Intelligence"

Kacie Glenn (not pictured at right) reviews a recent work by Keith Stanovich regarding a host of questions related to intelligence, including dubious decision making by intelligent people: http://chronicle.com/temp/reprint.php?id=6pfm8ytzbg1p8n5p2vl4rrcmwvckp31x. What neither Glenn nor Stanovich are willing to say out loud, apparently is the well known fact that certain people, though bright, don't have much in the way of horse sense or what the old man referred to as "not having sense enough to pour piss out of a boot." I see it all the time. Close to my office are several apartment complexes that seem to house a significant number of students from the Far East, namely China. These are undoubtedly smart kids and they probably screw up the curve in every chemistry or math class they take. However, they have no idea how to cross a street, make much in the way of an independent decision, or god forbid, successfully steer an automobile. It's really incredible to watch and I've been doing it in this same spot for about 18 years, so it's gone somewhere beyond anecdotal.

This is why the Red Army will never defeat us.

La Problema

I'm referring to what's going on in Mexico right now as the drug cartels are growing dangerously close to completely screwing the country, along with a buttload of trips I intend to make there before I kick the bucket. This little update via the WSJ should perk your ears up: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123292962031814007.html. Scary shit.

Like a lot of gringos, I've driven or rode over a fair piece of the country without a whole lot in the way of difficulties. Part of that may be luck, part due to the primary goodness of the Mexican people, and a little from keeping an eye open for trouble. Many of those trips have been with my cunado, Rick, hunting and fishing and testing little hole in the wall joints and taco stands far and wide for tasty delicacies one step ahead of food poisoning. Great adventure and we've seen some awesome sights--solid flights of whitewings blackening the sky and spectacular vistas one after the other between the border to San Miguel de Allende. Rick's sort of been my barometer on Mexico--he lives on the border and has conducted his life seamlessly on both sides. But, over the holidays while having a few beers on a ski trip in Crested Butte, he uttered something that got my attention when the group of us were discussing our next trip to Nuevo Progresso, the pharmacy source for many in Texas. "I'm not driving over anymore and I'm not walking across, either." It turns out a few of his friends returning from a dove hunt on the other side ended up in a gunfight on the streets of Progresso--Zetas(not the sorority kind) with semi-automatics against a couple of ex-South African commandos relocated to the Rio Grande Valley who weren't shy about throwing down with their 12 gauges. Fortunately, they made it back across.

The conventional thinking for a long, long time is that involving civilians, namely Americans in their black art has been something the narcos would avoid--sort of bad for business. That's still largely true, but the drug presence is now so pronounced and fundamental, the spillage over to violence directed toward gringos is happening. The boldness and brutality of their actions are beyond frightening and no one disputes that the narcos own la fronterra with the police and government officials there exisiting only at their pleasure. Worse, there's no end in sight and no obvious solution. Could very well be that the good old U.S. of A will be ass deep not only in Pakistan but all along our own border in a very short period of time.

When is this going to really affect me? I don't know but the missus and I have been planning to return to Zihuatanejo for our 25th anniversary. Too bad if we can't.

All in all...

...it was a Monday. Lucy Pinder suggests a cocktail and a good book this evening. It will all be better tomorrow.

Mondays can be difficult...

...that's why Miss Atkins wishes you a constructive afternoon.

The Scots Bard

Poe is 200 and the Scots do him one better with Robert Burns turning 250. A writer over there has a wee bee in his bonnet regarding not Burns, but his fellow countrymen: http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/hardeep-singh-kohli-burns-speaks-for-a-scotland-that-forges-its-own-future-1515173.html. I liked Burns okay, I guess, though he was tough getting through sometimes when you were focused more on coeds than the destiny of field mice. His poems did inspire many, however, including some misguided individual who named a motel on LaSalle Avenue in Waco the "Tam O'Shanter." I doubt many expatriated Scots stayed there as it was mostly geared toward the local gentry in need of an evening or afternoon of rest and relaxation along with the wayward Baylor student segment searching for a similar type of knowledge. Ask Shellback about the glorious Tam sometime, though his experience was a little different.

Someone was bound to do it

A certain Steven Watts has penned a combined history and evolution of the Playboy centerfold along with a bio of the now hideous Hugh Hefner: http://www.nplusonemag.com/playboy-hugh-hefner-story. Watts explores the centerfold and how she has changed through the years, including the introduction and history of bush as we know it (touched on briefly in the Bettie Page obit seen here on December 12th). It's been a while since I've seen a Playboy. My old barber, Virgil (not the Greek philosopher), used to keep them in stock and would comment on the pictures from behind your shoulders while otherwise engaged in random clipping. Virgil decided to up and retire and I guess he took his Playboys with him. Selfsh bastard.

Jenna out and about

Nice headline: http://www.gunaxin.com/jenna-bushs-federally-protected-wetlands-now-open-for-public-drilling/9793. Also, it has a link to a young lady that is allegedly Jenna preparing for a day at the beach. We report, you decide. Lastly, the pic at right demonstrates that it's just a matter of time before each of us dies a slow death via Photoshop.

One other thing...

...Gemma urges everyone to drive safely this weekend and exercise good grooming habits. She also appreciates the positive feedback she's received from some of the nice gentlemen at the site who have expressed strong interest in her health and general welfare.

Belatedly...

...it was January 19th. So: Lift high your glasses here tonight, and, in the liquid spotless as his fame, let us pledge for all time...

It's Friday...

...and the lovely Gemma Atkinson wishes you a most restful weekend. She suggests a few tinkly drinks before turning in.

Africa, Now

It's been fairly common to see reports from right leaning sources of Bush's unprecedented commitment to Africa--more than any other president before him. Yet, you never heard a peep of this from Bush's pals at NBC or the New York Times. Now, conveniently after Obama is safely in office, the "mainstream" media (here, Dana Hughes of ABC) appears to be grudgingly giving W a little credit for throwing a lot of coin toward the dark continent http://abcnews.go.com/International/President44/story?id=6711854&page=1. Sort of like McCain: when he ran for the nomination against Bush, he was a media darling. Once he became the 2008 contender, McCain was then born again as a hideous neanderthal bent on casting gloom far and wide and otherwise not being nice. Now that he was properly thrashed by the forces of goodness, he's once again a wonderful curmudgeon, mavericking his way about the place and spanking John Cornyn when he needs it. One thing about the big media--they're predictable if nothing else.

Never More

Poe is 200 and you don't know him: http://www.thesmartset.com/article/article01060902.aspx. I listened to an interview the other day of a guy who wrote a bio on Poe. He asserted that Poe wasn't an alcoholic in the classical sense but rather a severe binge drinker. Maybe that explains that when he was found stone cold dead in the streets, he was wearing someone else's clothes. Maybe. Sort of reminds one of the infamous night many years ago when the alcohol devils attacked Shellback, convincing him that someone had somehow nefariously moved his dresser mirror in front of his bedroom door and, that he also urgently needed to vomit. Taking their instruction, he then actually moved the lovely piece of University Rentals furniture-- In. Front. Of. The. Door.

Cleanup was difficult.

Here she is...

...Miss USA (former) Kelli McCarty tackling a challenging new career: http://www.examiner.com/x-964-LA-Celebrity-Gossip-Examiner~y2009m1d20-Former-Miss-USA-Kelli-McCarty-makes-her-first-adult-film. Quite a gal. Hope one of you folks reports back with a film review.

Wardrobe Wonders

Ice skating's only redeeming value: http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?Skater_reveals_boob_in_wardrobe_malfunction&in_article_id=491569&in_page_id=34. I do find women's beach volleyball to be deeply inspirational. Softball, not so much though that Jennie Finch can really bring the heat.

Oscars

I think Dave McCoy needs to post here: http://movies.msn.com/oscars/nominations-reaction/?GT1=28019&mpc=1. His bullshit is a cut above what you typically see from the Angelinos.

I was a little surprised that Eastwood didn't get any love for "Gran Torino." Maybe he took one dump too many on the desks of some of the no talent ass clown Oscar voters--who knows? I haven't seen "The Wrestler" or "Milk" to know whether O'Rourke or Penn is the guy, but I'm thinking from what I've read that one of them is going to get the award. Penn's perfromance may indeed be better--he's an immensly talented actor but he's a dickhead among dickheads, so I'm defintely for Mickey for no other reason than to see Hugo Chavez cry like a little girl. I'm guessing that "Slumdog" will get best picture. If nothing else, the movie serves as a great reminder of why I never, ever, ever want to visit India. Give me Nuevo Laredo any day of the week. You might get shot by Zetas but you can get the quail and cabrito platter and frog leg appetizer for under fifteen bucks. Adelante!

Now that you say that...

Here's another Julienne for consideration. This one's a dancer of some repute and quite a looker on that otherwise awful "Dancing with Stars" exercise.

Too bad that Kubrick went out on such an overall suck vehicle as "Eyes Wide Shut." I guess Kidman went along with it because she was already going along with pretending that she was married to a heterosexual and that L.Ron Hubbard was not a complete loon-job. Cruise undoubtedly thought that by working with Kubrick he'd get his bones in the acting fraternity and get invited to some of those zany Actor's Studio circle jerks. Little did he know that the Clockwork Orange stuff had finally fried Stanley's mind after all those years and that audiences would instinctively be able to detect Tom's inability to play a straight man in a convincing manner. That's Entertainment!

Speaking of...

...attractive women, I happened to catch the last hour of so of "Eyes Wide Shut" last night. I was reminded that a little known actress named Julienne Davis (she appears numerous times, in various states of total undress) has what I consider the best female body ever. Let me repeat that:
THE BEST BODY EVER

More Thoughts on Yesterday

An extraordinary day by any definition. The American exercise in changing presidents is a marvelous thing to behold, if nothing else to remind the frogs and other lesser nations of why they'll always be staring up at Uncle Sam's multicolored ass when it comes to the world's pecking order. I love "Hail to the Chief" and the outward display of respect by the victors toward the vanquished, even if Obama was inwardly giggling and Cheney kept reaching for his concealed S&W every now and then.

Saw a report and some photos depicting the frostiness between President Jimmy and the Clintons and they apparently did not speak to one another at the inauguration. Reportedly some real bad blood and nobody holds grudges and engages in petty nastiness like Carter. Sure, he hammers nails for Habitat and quotes Corinthians a lot, but he's one serious asshole in real life and his sucking up to dictators and Arab terrorists is appalling.

Both W and his dad got booed by the crowd yesterday. Nice. Lots of class there, fine citizens. Good thing that W and the old man aren't as vindictive as Carter or they would have done a fly by in order to fling shit from Marine One onto your sorry heads.

I can't count how many times I've heard "I never thought this day would come" or "I thought I would never see this in my lifetime" or "I'm so proud of my country" these past few days. Really? I never thought that Americans wouldn't elect a black person--I always thought that people were generally pretty fair. You weren't proud of your country before? Maybe folks that thought that white Americans wouldn't elect a pigment enhanced individual need to reexamine some of their own thinking, be it either racist or self loathing, whichever the case. Most people I know certainly are aware of skin color and cultural differences but are fair minded and tend to support who they feel is most qualified. Maybe I've been in the private sector too long.

Also, can we now dispense with the slash Bush stickers, the "Regime Change Begins at Home" stickers, and the otherwise smug, asshat proclamations that folks have felt compelled to slather all over their vehicles these last several years? Okay--your guy won and the evil one has been expelled from Camelot. While you're at it, you can also in the spirit of good sportsmanship take off the Obama-love stickers, too. Then, for those of you holding onto the McCain/Palin stickers; you need to get a life--nothing says, "loser" like advertising your undying loyalty to a defeated politician.

Finally, yesterday was a stark reminder of why it's never a good idea to stick a mike in front of an actor/musician for their political thoughts. What you get back from them will decrease the IQ of a fence post.

But then again...

My first reaction to the post below was, of course, to try to enlarge the accompanying photograph. Like most men, I think that getting to watch/join two beautiful women enjoying a little happy-time together is the centerpiece of 50% of our fantasies. My second reaction, though, was to remind myself that the reason most of those fantasies never become reality has to do with that word "beautiful" and the fact that it is almost never used to describe the female participants in gay-pride parades.

In retrospect, however, I have thought back to many of my weekly GNO's (Guys' Night Out). My buddies and I usually frequent establishments that offer the widest variety of adult beverages and the best scenery. In the course of becoming regulars at such places we come to know the waitresses that serve us quite well. Most are very attractive, and a large percentage have some degree of higher education.

Long story short, we ask these waitresses questions we might not ordinarily ask ladies in ordinary social settings. Surprisingly, most are happy to oblige our curiosity. Even more surprisingly, every one of them - to a woman - has admitted to at least one instance of girl-on-girl action.

Now, back to that photograph...

Bet You Didn't Know This

There's apparently a huge following of lesbian themed books about secret service agents: http://www.slate.com/id/2209142/. I'm sort of backed up on my reading right now or I would rush out and buy these. Maybe some of you enterprising folks can review a few and report back.

Blast from the Past

No, not some sex kitten of yore but the greatest thing ever written about the awful game of golf:http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1077538/1/index.htm. Those Fort Worth boys knew how to write about golf, sports, women, etc. They could also play a decent game.

Probably like most hackers, I have a like-hate relationship with golf. I have never lived for it nor has it brought me great joy or any thoughts of the game as being a metaphor for life or any of that other Saturday Evening Post crap. Mostly, it's been something to do and not much more than that. It's a highly unfair and unjust game--you can hit a career shot and have it land on a sprinkler head and bounce into a watery grave or unplayble lie or, a completely hideous ungainly mishit will end up stiffing the pin and, of course, both will occur to your disadvantage with your shit-eating grin opponent smelling like roses while you curse the foul smelling Scottish bastards who invented this exercise in goddamn futility. That said, the game has definite merits--one can drink, smoke, chew, dip, curse, urinate in the great outdoors, ogle beer cart girls, eat bad food, break tremendous wind, share nasty jokes, laugh at a friend's horrible shot (or your own), and every now and then do something competent on the course. No, not a perfect game but a worthy alternative to the hell on earth that is the San Marcos Outlet Mall.

Politics, Beer & Really Hot Women

"Kathryn, Jonah, that Tom Brokaw comparison between Obama's inauguration and the Czech revolution is, of course, deeply insulting to millions of people around the world who know what it's like to live under a tyrannous regime and aren't so parochial and narcissistic as to confuse it with sitting around over a decaf latte and lo-fat granola bar complaining that Bush is shredding the Constitution because some radio station in Texas hasn't put the Dixie Chicks' "Rock Against Libby" CD into high rotation." - Mark Steyn

After the laughter subsided, I realized that the above quote used possibly the fewest words possible to adequately describe the outright absurdity of most of America's left, and to underscore how trifling and deluded they truly are.

A few years back I spent some time in Prague. Truth be told, I wasn't there to study its rich history. I was there to drink really good beer on the cheap and find out if eastern European women were as hot as I had heard.

They are, btw. Damn.

I spent the better part of one day in a local pub (actually spent the better part of most days in local pubs, but that's beside the point), and was there long enough for the bartender to join me. He was about 30 years of age, and just old enough to remember Prague under communist "influence". Even after six or so pints of "Velvet" (amazing beer) and a cuban cigar, his descriptions of that time and the changes since the Velvet Revolution made quite an impact on me.

Tom Brokaw's comments were deeply insulting, indeed.

More Hitch

He penned this nice little ditty of contrarian rumblings yesterday: http://www.slate.com/id/2209133/. There's been some other pieces touching on similar themes but Hitchens does it a little more economically. Interesting.

What he said...

Today is indeed a(n) historic day. However, many who are much brighter and more articulate than I will pen thoughts on such that are much more worthy of your reading (see below).

Ergo I will stick to the basics: chicks, sports and booze. Besides, when it comes to those basic staples of a happy life, it don't really matter who presides over this great land...

A New Day

Here's wishing the best to the new president and sincere hope that his term(s) benefit our country. Here's hoping, too, that when the inevitable slide into the ditch occurs (happens with every prez) that his throng of wide eyed worshippers do not become disillusioned and lose faith in their country. He's got great challenges ahead with the economy and in world affairs. I do hope that his bigger move into Afghanistan is as well thought out as can be, because that is a viper's nest of limitless despair (see Britain, Great and Union,Soviet). Americans of all stripes need to know that in fairly short order, we'll be ass deep in the Tribal Areas of Pakistan and then it's Katy bar the fricking door afterward. Shooting Pashtan goat molesters will be the least of our problems.

Buenos suerte, Obama. I like the fact that you have good bullshit, a great sense of humor, and can knock down threes while sneaking Kools on the side. Try to hang on to that.

It's not Tuesday...

...but Meghan wishes you a most happy Monday evening.

Still Monday...

...and Denise Milani says, "Howdy, boys."

Sons of Katie Elder

One of the most satisfying scenes in a movie is in The Sons of Katie Elder. John Wayne stops into see his blacksmith friend, played by John Doucette. George Kennedy, playing the evil hired gun named Curly, is holding the blacksmith's head down in a barrel of water to get him to spill some information.

The Duke happens to stumble upon them and spies an axe handle, grabs it and yells, "Hey!" to Curly. Curly turns around just in time to get the axe handle right in the face with the Duke swinging it backhanded.

There doesn't seem to be a full clip of the scene anywhere so this brief shot from Youtube will have to do. Once it loads, click about 1/2 way on the bar at the bottom to advance it to 1:45 and you'll see the short version of the scene.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcgzXae3sPk

Gran Torino

Saw it. Liked it. The movie excels during the humorous parts which are fairly frequent. Some great lines from Eastwood's character, a cranky Korean War vet named Walt Kowalski, retired in a decaying Detroit neighborhood (is there another kind?) from a career in an auto assembly plant. The "serious" Gran Torino, along with some technical aspects of the film require a little suspension of disbelief but the movie is a rare thing these days from Hollywood--something worth paying money to see. It's a little bittersweet seeing Eastwood age--he's not Josey Wales or even the guy in "Unforgiven" anymore. But, he's still a bonafide, 100% Grade A movie star which they ain't currently making right now.

It's Monday...

...and this is Lucy Pender. Enjoy your day.

One World...

Read the following in the paper this weekend:

"From a reader in Austin:
I cannot believe what I saw today. I was driving [my son] back from a doctor's appointment at when I pulled up behind a red truck at a stop-light. The truck's bumper stickers said "Obliterate Israel" with a nifty little mushroom cloud and the other had the universal strike-through sign with the word "Israel." I was in shock! Here, in the heart of ultra-liberal Austin, is someone driving proudly around in his shining red pick-up advocating wiping out an entire nation!"

As shown in the post below, the hypocrisy of the far left is an ever-growing embarrassment to many, yet non-existent to most in the media.

Sound Reasoning from Cambridge

The guy who wrote this piece http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2009/01/18/the_violence_network/?page=full is a Harvard PhD candidate. Really. What a dipshit. What a university. Nobody associated with the place has enough sense to pour piss out of a boot. Because Al-Jazeera reports "differently" that gives them credence, according to this bright young man. Hah-vud has the largest endowment of any university and has cranked out this same kind of muddle headed *thinker* for at least the greatest part of my lifetime. What a crock.

Speaking of Drinks...

This website catalogs all of the drinking that Bond did in the Ian Fleming books. Some are short stories. Total drinks consumed and type of drink is at the bottom of each page.

This is a good one from "Thunderball", particularly the part about halfway down where Felix Leiter lectures the bartender on his watered-down Martinis. It was a great book, arguably the best.

http://www.atomicmartinis.com/007/thunderb.htm

This is about Ian Fleming:

http://www.atomicmartinis.com/007/fleming.htm

Men's Drinks

AskMen.com has a piece out on the lost art of manly drinking: http://www.askmen.com/fine_living/wine_dine_archive_200/233_wine_dine.html. Frankly, I'm a little embarrassed that there is an apparent need to clarify what a man needs to drink, a further sign of the impending collapse of Western Civilization. What's common in most of these recipes is simplicity--not a lot of ingredients in each. Myself, I lose interest with anything involving syrup or sweetness; outside of beer and wine it's usually just a gin and tonic or whiskey (please note the American spelling) on the rocks. That said, I'd probably be interested in a Harvey Wallbanger.

I had a martini the other night. Well, actually three. They'll get your attention and certainly provide a calming outlook on life or will at least get you through dinner with your wife's friend (the one who yammers incessantly) and her husband who throws like a girl and has no interest in tanks, the Remington 700 rifle, or the 4-3 defense. I could probably do with slamming down five or six a day. The guy who writes about drinks over at the WSJ sent out an alarm last week that the frog makers of vermouth are changing the formula to some enhanced sweet and fruity flavor (no doubt to match their national character) which will ruin the dry martini as Americans know it:http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123154573030469717.html. Not sure what to do about it short of air strikes on Versailles which we should have done long ago. Reminds me of a retired Air Force bird colonel I know who told me his greatest regret as a combat pilot was never leading a coordinated air assault on Paris. He also remarked blissfully once over a cigar and tumbler of scotch that "Ordinance is a beautiful thing. You won't believe what it can do to a water buffalo or a whale." God bless the USA and pound that Budweiser, boys.

He's the Man

No, not Tiger Woods. It's this guy: David Fricking Feherty:http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/blog/devil_ball_golf/post/The-Devil-Ball-twosome-a-Q-amp-A-with-David-Feh;_ylt=AuhUboRKQwWdrJ6YhlMo1oYogsUF?urn=golf,134629. He's in my top four to have dinner with, but the other guys (even Bob Lee) would be just like me--unable to get anything down due to laughing their ass off. On second thought, I'd probably bump Jesus for the Feherty dinner. No disrespect, just that it would be a helluva note to see Him spew gravy all over his shroud. Feherty will do that to you.

Brit Birds

Saw this on SnS, discovered by a bright young man over there: http://www.gunaxin.com/britains-twenty-five-hottest-women-sexy-english-chicks/8589. Not sure I need to say more--just thank me. Dollars are nice.