Through These Eyes

Here are the few decent shots I took with my antiquated camera last night.

Speaking of Content

...I'll be in Salem tonight, camera in hand. There will most likely be some pictures tomorow.

So I got that going for me.

Some More of the Same

I know, I know - it's been mostly links, memes, quizzes and the like around here as of late. Maybe there will be some actual original content this weekend. Maybe not - we are verra busy these days. For now, here's another placeholder: The LONG Scientific Personality Test


ISFJ-The Protector
You scored 27% I to E, 73% N to S, 28% F to T, and 15% J to P!

The protector type is called such because you feel your life is best used to protect those you love from the pitfalls of life, to see to their safety and security. You belong to the larger group called guardians. You find great satisfaction in assisting the downtrodden. You are not talkative with strangers, but you can chat tirelessly with those you trust. You have a good solid work ethic. You are thorough and very likely frugal. You do not like to be in a place of authority, and will delegate poorly if forced into a lead position. You share your type with 10% of the population.
As a romantic partner, you are generous and gentle. Occasionally you may be taken for granted because of this fact. You are tireless in providing acts of service for your loved ones. You run the risk of always being exhausted because you won't say no to your partner. You are sensitive to criticism and will withdraw rather than fight back. You wish to be appreciated for your loyalty and whole hearted nuturing. Your values must be respected and you thrive on consideration and kindness.
Your group summary: Guardians (SJ)
Your Type Summary: ISFJ



(lva)

Rock Me Dr. Zaius

Today's big funny, at the expense of the Chicago White Sox.

And also not to be missed - part two of The Sheriff and the Ladies.

Ladies Night

Today's column from the Sheriff is absolutely hilarious. It combines his obsession with baseball with a series of horrifying yet funny anecdotes about some of his less successful interactions with the opposite sex.

Of course I read it and thought 'What a brilliant idea - why didn't I think of that?'

Dreams in the Witch House

The week before Halloween seems an appropriate time to share some links concerning H.P. Lovecraft, heir to Poe, master of the horror story, and one of New England's own.

Lovecraft spent most of his life in Providence, Rhode Island. Here's a link to a map and guide for a walking tour of Lovecraft's College Hill.

New England was the setting for many of Lovecraft's tales. I found this account of one man's journey through Lovecraftian New England. And here we have a recent article on Lovecraft and Cambridge fron The Record, an independent paper at Harvard Law School.

If It's Not Scottish....

William Wallace
You scored 74 Wisdom, 62 Tactics, 68 Guts, and 53 Ruthlessness!

Like William Wallace, chances are you have no problem charging a larger, better trained, better equipped, better armed and armored English army with a band of naked drunken Scotsmen. I'm not contesting that you have balls. It's your brain function I'm worried about.



Which Historic General Are You?

Science Fiction Movie Meme

Stolen from the Notorious Steve Brady: bold the movies you've seen.

The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension!
Akira
Alien
Aliens
Alphaville
Back to the Future
Blade Runner
Brazil
Bride of Frankenstein
Brother From Another Planet
A Clockwork Orange
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Contact
The Damned
Destination Moon
The Day The Earth Stood Still
Delicatessen
Escape From New York
ET: The Extraterrestrial
Flash Gordon: Space Soldiers (serial)
The Fly (1985 version)
Forbidden Planet
Ghost in the Shell
Gojira/Godzilla
The Incredibles
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956 version)
Jurassic Park
Mad Max 2/The Road Warrior
The Matrix
Metropolis
On the Beach
Planet of the Apes (1968 version)
Robocop
Sleeper
Solaris (1972 version)
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
The Stepford Wives
Superman
Terminator 2: Judgement Day
The Thing From Another World
Things to Come
Tron
12 Monkeys
28 Days Later
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
2001: A Space Odyssey
La Voyage Dans la Lune
War of the Worlds (1953 version)

This strikes me as an oddly incomplete list. Except in the case of Star Wars and the Aliens films only one movie per franchise (such as the Planet of the Apes or Star Trek) was listed. Zombie flicks are represented by 28 Days Later instead of either version of the Dawn of the Dead. Judgement Day over the original Terminator? The Road Warrior over Mad Max?

If I wanted to make the above list a true geek's delight I'd add the following films.
Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone - Molly Ringwald and Michael Ironside in space. Hard to beat.
The Dark Crystal- Jim Henson's sci-fi puppets. And I'd swear that this had David Bowie in it.
The Black Hole - Disney flick with an R2D2 rip-off.
The Thing (1982) - John Carpenter's take on Campbell's classic shortstory Who Goes There?
Time Bandits
The Andromeda Strain - the only decent film made from a Michael Crighton book.
Muppets From Space - Possibly the funniest scifi movie ever made.
They Live - A highly quotable classic from John Carpenter. For extra fun, watch it back-to-back with the "Cripple Fight" episode of South Park.
The Fifth Element - Much better than you think, with a throwaway performance from Gary Oldman.
Outland - Sean Connery as the sherriff of a space station.
Westworld - Yul Brenner as a robot cowboy gone beserk. Highlu (though unintentionally)comic. Thank you Channel 56 - you gave me so much.
Hell Comes to Frogtown - I've never seen this. I just like the title.

Movie Review Haiku

Kingdom of Heaven,
Much swordfights and silliness,
Ridley what happened?

Represent

This link is for my homey T. Junior.

Pieces of Eight

My blog is worth $2,822.70.
How much is your blog worth?

Much like its proprietor, this blog doesn't fetch much on the open market.

My iPod Smells The Rain

I am forced to choose between two conclusions.

Either my iPod has somehow sensed that this is the sixth (seventh? eighth? I've lost track) consecutive day of gray and rainy weather and is shuffling up what it deems to be the appropriate gloomy day music.

Or the iPod is simply trying to do a Gaslight on me.

My evidence? Consider the last three tracks that have 'randomly' come up on shuffle.

First the iPod tossed "Those Three Days" by Lucinda Williams at me...

You say there's always gonna be this thing
Between us days are filled with dreams
Scorpions crawl across my screen
Make their home beneath my skin
Underneath my dress stick their tongues
Bite through the flesh down to the bone
And I have been so fuckin' alone
Since those three days

Did you only want me for those three days?
Did you only need me for those three days?
Did you love me forever
just for those three days?

...followed by "Burning House of Love" by X...

Well, I can still remember a couple of years ago,
when the smoke and flame from our name,
was a burnin' house of love, burnin' house of love.

The rusty nail over our front door,
is where I hung our tears in the rain.
I threw that horseshoe into the weeds,
See what love can bring.

Now you're in your bed and I'm in mine,
on either side of town;
I think I might take a little ride,
and burn your love house down,
like a burnin' house of love, a burnin' house of love.

.. and then went for the knockdown with "Classifieds" by Bob Mould.

I have to say that this all seems strange to me
It's not that different from my life
Condense it down into five lines
Now I know the reason why these ads all look alike
How can anyone describe who they are in a page or less?
(Desperately looking for someone, I guess)
But when the morning comes, both of you will be scratching your heads
In the aftermath, head to the bathroom to straighten up and then
You realize you forgot your toothbrush again
And what you saw in those five lines:
Did it materialize?
Now you know the reason why that one's in there every time
Look through the classifieds
Who's in the classifieds?
I'm through with the classifieds

In the end I feel I'd best take precautions against both instances. First I will counter the gloomy songs with the pwerful mojo of Wesley Willis.

This is the song that I'm going to be singing to you, which is called
"Jesus is the Answer."
Number One: I'm gonna do this sucka again.
Number Two: I'm gonna do this sucka again all the way up your ass.
And Number Three: I'm gonna fuck your ass up like in a car crash.
And Number Four: I'm gonna you up like a goddam accident.
And Number Five.... Jesus is the Answer!

Then I will perform an impromptu exorcism on the iPod.

Cool Clothes

I love the kind of retro graphics art and design that you can find on old posters, pulp magazines and paperbacks. So I happen to think that this company has an excellent idea: allow customers to choose from a large selection of vintage images, and then select the apparel om which they want the image to appear.

I'll be hard-pressed to avoid purchasing a t-shirt with the above trashy paperback cover on it. How can I resist the front cover blurb for The Beatniks?

the erotic and the exotic - a lost world where naked sex flaunts its message to the sensuous beat of drum

Erotic... naked sex... flaunts.. right then, sign me up.

Ten Random Songs

Since brainlock still prevents me from posting any original content, I lifted this one from Chris: put your iPod on shuffle mode. List the first ten songs.

1. Shoplifters of the World - The Smiths
2. Complex Person - The Pretenders
3. Keep Me In Your Heart - Warren Zevon
4. Jesus Doesn't Want Me A Sunbeam - Nirvana
5. I Feel So Good - Richard Thompson
6. Situation (US 12" Mix) - Yaz
7. Anything Goes - Frank Sinatra
8. Mean Eyed Cat - Johnny Cash
9. My Love Is - Diana Krall
10. Days - Kirsty MacColl

Point of Information

When I changed hosts for this site, my email changed as well. If anyone has sent me anything in the last month or so, you'll need to re-send. The new email address is in my profile.

Reaching

The little well of creativity I possess seems have run dry dry dry as of late. But the blog must go on:

Your Birthdate: July 21

Being born on the 21st day of the month (3 energy) is likely to add a good bit of vitality to your life. The energy of 3 allows you bounce back rapidly from setbacks, physical or mental. There is a restlessness in your nature, but you seem to be able to portray an easygoing, "couldn't care less" attitude. You have a natural ability to express yourself in public, and you always make a very good impression. Good with words, you excel in writing, speaking, and possibly singing. You are energetic and always a good conversationalist. You have a keen imagination, but you tend to scatter your energies and become involved with too may superficial matters. Your mind is practical and rational despite this tendency to jump about. You are affectionate and loving, but very sensitive. You are subject to rapid ups and downs.

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

(lva)

Day 3: In the City of Chicago

N.B. Yes, of course I've been watching the ALDS. I'll be posting some thoughts on the Red Sox after the series is over. But for now, allow me to take up my narrative of the great baseball trip of summer 2004, Operation: Roaddogs. Anyone interested in following this epic journey from the beginning can follow the links below.

What Has Gone Before
Day 1: Trust Jesus... Baseball Jesus
Day 1: Black Hole Sun
Day 1: Alice's Restaurant
Day 2: All Skate
Day 2: Hungry Like The Wolf
Day 3: The Quest For Cheese

Now, back to our story. Oddly enough, when I left off writing, the Bunny and I were speeding from Milly-wah-kay to Chicago - and a trip to U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox....

The Bunny and I were reluctant to leave Milly-wah-kay in the rear view mirror. The City of Cheese had been very very good to us, and there the Baseball Jesus had revealed his full and terrible power. In short, apart from the inexplicable lack of a Laverne & Shirley museum, Milly-wah-kay was grand. But there was a schedule to keep, so we pointed Adelaide south towards Chicago.

Our immediate destination was the Logan Square neighborhood, where my friend Bob and his lovely wife Natalie lived and where we would stay for the next two nights. This, I should add, was an act of exceptional kindness on Bob and Nat's part. Here they were, smack dab in the middle of the work week, allowing the two of us to descend on their hearth and home for two days and nights. Further proof that I've been entirely fortunate in the friends I have. ( In any event, the Bunny and I were quiet as church mice while within the precincts of Chez Bob. I think.)

After fighting through traffic we reached Chez Bob just as our hosts were returning from work. Adelaide was stashed away in Bob's garage, and then the four of us hopped into Nat's car and headed for Cellular Field, or as I kept referring to it in my anachronistic fashion, New Comiskey.

Now - the papers, airwaves and internet this past week have been full of stories of the long-lasting woes of the Chicago White Sox. The franchise hasn't captured a World Serious in 88 years. The White Sox haven't won any postseason series since 1917. They are- or were considering the current status of the 2005 ALDS they just won the ALDS- a hardluck ballclub, and that hard luck extends to the park itself.

Once upon a time the White Sox played ball in a hidden gem known as Comiskey Park. Built in 1910, by the 1970s Comiskey was the oldest functioning ballpark in Major League Baseball, with a rich and unique history. A history that meant little to owner Jerry Reinsdorf, who by threatening to move the team to Tampa Bay* bullied the city into contributing funds for a new ballpark. In 1990 Comiskey Park was demolished and paved over and in April of 1991 New Comiskey** opened across the street. I can vaguely remember a medium-sized fuss made over New Comiskey being the first new ballpark constructed in some time, and over how modern it was.

Unfortunately for all concerned, the following April Camden Yards opened and its retro design revealed New Comiskey for what it was: your basic cookie-cutter stadium, an ugly bowl with all the aesthetic appeal of something Albert Speer might have had in mind for Berlin circa 1951. While my sample size may not be conclusive, I have to say that during my time in Chicago I didn't meet a single White Sox fan with any great affection for the Cell. The team? Yes. The park? Mmmm... not so much.

That's not to say taking in a game on the South Side is an unpleasant experience. Sure, it's ugly but it's still a place where baseball is played, and how can you go far wrong with that?. Baseball is good and the Baseball Jesus, he works in mysterious ways. So here are some things the Bunny and I liked about watching a ballgame at Cellular Field...

Loud Ass Music
When the White Sox took the field the park DJ played Thunderstruck by AC/DC. Now maybe it was where we were sitting, but the volume of the sound system was so deafening I practically levitated out of my seat. Since there are few (if any) things in life that cannot be improved by a high decibel dose of AC/DC, the Bunny and I could only nod in approval at this turn of events.

Carnivorous Concessions
Bob told us that since Cellular Field was no great shakes as a ballpark, the organization had put a lot of effort into providing fans with good eats. He was right, the concessions were excellent, and in keeping with Chicago's Stockyard heritage there was all sorts of tasty dead animals to be had - bratwurst, polish sausage and a whole lot more.

The View
There seemed to be an abundance of scantily clad women at Cellular Field. 'Nuff said.

The Bird That Flew By And Shit On My Arm
Perhaps I should clarify. I didn't find this to be all that enjoyable, but Bob, Nat and the Bunny found it quite hilarious. The Bunny found it so funny that he made a special notation in his Moleskin ("Cellular Field: bird shits on Dan.") and factored this into his ballpark rating system. Since this system is highly complex, replete with calculations and algorithms, I argued that the Cell's rating would be skewed by including such a random happening. But the Bunny, since he is a well-known chicken fucker, would not be dissuaded.

After the game Bob and Nat did the sensible thing - they deposited the Bunny and I at a bar and then headed home for bed. Frankly, we loved the Small Bar (as you'll see in the next installment of this tale) and spent several hours there drinking beer and chatting with our new best friend, Rio the Viking Bar Tender. Here is a picture of the Bunny and I with Rio. (Note our mutant-like appearance. This is what happens when you take a road trip in a convertible, in the middle of summer, and neglect to pack any sunscreen. Forewarned is forearmed kids.)

We wrapped up a long day with a stop at I-Hop and then somehow managed to find our way back to Chez Bob.

Little did we know that the coming day would be a maelstrom of weirdness.

*Can you imagine the 'Tampa Bay White Sox?' Ugh.
**U.S. Cellular did not purchase the naming rights until 2003; from 1991 through 2002 the park was known as New Comiskey.

The Weeping Song

Sometimes it sucks to be right. Clement tanked and didn't make it anywhere near the sixth inning. I think maybe beth put it best - they really did lose the shit out of that game.

The look on my face during the final innings must've been something to see. Momma Bear thought so anyway; she actually stopped, looked at me across the bar, and assured me that "it's only one game, so."

Exit Stage Left

I will be watching the remainder of this game at an undisclosed location where everyone knows my name.

And where they don't mind my hooting, hollering, screaming, windmilling, pacing... etc etc etc.

Yes, it's playoff time. Bring me my mededcine.

Interlude

I'm really starting to enjoy the Clubhouse Insider, which is basically the Boston Herald's baseball blog, largely on the stregth of Howard Bryant's posts. I think Bryant is one of New England's sharpest sportswriters,and while his newspaper column is hidden behind the Herald's online subscription wall, he posts fairly often to the Insider. From today we have:

The Fix Was In

There is nothing more humiliating than to interview for a job you have no chance of getting, yet this is baseball’s way of suggesting progress and openness in hiring. What a joke.

The Second Season

I ask Ortiz if he thinks Guillen’s frolicking would play if he were the manager of the Red Sox. His mouth transforms from wide smile to serious flatline. “No, I don’t think he could do that in Boston.”

Very Scared In This World

Sometimes I feel like I can’t even sing (say, say, the light)
I’m very scared for this world
I’m very scared for me (say, say, the light)
Eviscerate your memory
Here’s a scene - R.E.M.

Here's a scene indeed: Matt Clement spits the bit right away. In the first inning he faced eight batters (hitting two of them) gave up three hits - including a homerun - and threw 29 pitches. Clement didn't strike a single batter.

Meanwhile Jose Contreras - the pitcher formerly known as Boston's bitch - has made through two innings - on thirty pitches. With three strikeouts.

If Tito has to go the bullpen before the sixth, this could very ugly.

Gang of Four

Heather was kind enough to scan and upload the above picture, the original of which generally resides on the Bunny's desk.

It happens to be one of my favorite pictures - and the only one I have of the four of us (Snuggles, the Bunny, myself and Heather), taken on St. Paddy's Day 2004.