Stan Marsh Said it Best.....

Dude! Mel Gibson is Daffy
Dude,
Mel Gibson is trying to kill us!!!
Bus driver: Sure... Whatever kid
*Smash*
Gibson: Give me back my $18!!!

Gibson's Anti-Semitic Tirade -- Alleged Cover Up
This one goes into more detail then some of the AP articles... Although I'm sure you've all heard this latest Hollywood gossip at this point.

Gibson enters rehab after DUI arrest

Well it turns out I'm vindicated after years of disliking Mel Gibson. Of course until the revelations of the past couple of years I just thought he was smug, the whole bigot thing didn't really cross my mind.

As it turns out that all of us peeps who had studied a wee bit of theology in college, and learned of the methods in which Gibson had gone beyond even the most anti-Semitic scripture, (Gospel according to John and letters of Paul) Those of us aware that Gibson made a thinly veiled propaganda film that is a quasi-subliminal "The Jews hate Jesus" fest were proven right. Gibson denied his antisemetic tendencies but they've been revealed waving in the wind like a giant red flag.

Antisemitism exists in the bible because of miss-interpretations, because of prejudices seemingly traced to an early Jewish separtist & gospel transcriber named Paul, then Constantine had much material re-written in to make it easier for the Romans to adopt Christianity in light of their hatred of the Jews. Additionally contrary to the belief of many fundamentalists the New Testament does not channel God, and instead were interpretations by several men, influenced by centuries of social and cultural upheaval. If God himself were directing the quills, the spirit in the sky would be really wishy washy, as there are subtle differences between the rehashing of the same story (a.k.a. the gospels)

There were many pieces at the time about where Gibson had taken liberties to enhance the demonizing of the Jewish people but as I am too lazy to provide links at this point, you'll just have to look it up yourself, or disagree with me, as you may.

As I like this topic... and I think it is very very important in this mad mad world (think this holy land craziness... and the Islamic fundamentalists that want to kill off all of the non Muslims & secularists, that and the flawed idea of religious states generally speaking)

Religion isn't bad thing, but when we take literally the words of these moral stories meant to guide us (many of which are terribly out dated), when we believe that there is only one true interpretation of God, I think we are traversing on a slippery and deadly slope. This is the weakness of man. The use of our spiritual insecurities by power hungry zealots stagnates the world in its pursuit of a environment where we may all live in peace... I feel as the big cheese would intend (what ever he, she, or it is). People are too weak to have confidence in what they believe without feeling threatened by everyone else who thinks something contrary. Although truth be told I believe that certain civil rights that contradict traditional edicts of faith should take precedence over scripture or philosophy of any kind---religions ultimately have the same goal, and these painful little nuances are often contradictions to core values of doing "the right thing".

The Origins of Christian Anti-Semitism
An informative paper regarding this topic.

Next: First Council of Nicaea A Roman meeting of early Christian officials that voted on many of the fundamentals of what is now Christian faith. Note the part where it is voted to separate the observation of the crucifixion from the Jewish holiday Passover. The Emperor Constantine : "It was, in the first place, declared improper to follow the custom of the Jews in the celebration of this holy festival, because, their hands having been stained with crime, the minds of these wretched men are necessarily blinded. .... Let us, then, have nothing in common with the Jews, who are our adversaries. .... avoiding all contact with that evil way. ....who, after having compassed the death of the Lord, being out of their minds, are guided not by sound reason, but by an unrestrained passion, wherever their innate madness carries them. .... a people so utterly depraved. ....Therefore, this irregularity must be corrected, in order that we may no more have any thing in common with those parricides and the murderers of our Lord. .... no single point in common with the perjury of the Jews."

If it wasn't just the added demonic transfigurations of Jewish children into demons in "The Passion", the fact that Papa Gibson publishes an anti-semetic newsletter, and Mel fronted an ultra-conservative church with dark ages values (they make some of the Vatican hard line vatican folks look like social liberals) should have been enough to tip off most folks.

I bet some of the hardliners, even in light of this, and even though Gibson aknowledged and, well, sort of apologized for the anti-semetic B.S. he spewed,..... I bet there will be those who will continue to try to say.... "The Passion isn't antisemetic, its the real story of Jesus"... and "They're just trying to make Mel Gibson look bad because he's such a kind and gentle Christian". Awwwwww... And Hitler was just looking out for the everyman too, right? He was also a fan of the letters of Paul, the belief that Jews, not the Romans crucified Jesus, a Jew, and finally that whole "God has a chosen people" thing. Some back woods toothless fundamentalists in our country would say: "And they sure as hell ain't Jew's, Buddhists and homo's...now I's gots to gets back to whittlin mah stick so I can beat some immigrants". I just don't get people... how in today's world? Why? I guess they must feel a bit small.

I guess they just read all of the crappy parts of the bible and ignore Ite good stuff... it must be less important or something. Doesn't have the same sort of fire and brimstone sort of excitement. Its like a love story vs. say.... hmmmmmm Lethal Weapon? Or would Mad Max be more fitting?

Actually I'm not sure what's worse, those who would niavely try to deny Gibson's obvious bigotry, or those soooo smitten with Braveheart that they couldn't possibly frown upon his sorry ass.

Well that's enough ranting about Gibson... hopefully those folks in the Mideast will stop bombing each other, I'm not holding my breath. I'm sure the implications of force will keep those Hezbollah terrorists from acting out just like it has over the past fifty years, oh wait.......

Usually the celebrity crap is pretty insignificant, and as irrelevant in the grander scheme this is, I can't help but think what an amazing parallel it is to all that troubles the world. I suppose If I worked on it I could easily construct a nice essay on how Lindsay Lohan's "little selfish bitch" personality is screwing over the world. (mommy exhibits why Lindsay's a spoiled brat) (pretty on the outside, bitter on poisonousde like a poisnous berry) I'm sure she has no idea what Hezbollah even is and probably couldn't point Lebanon out on a map, but alas it is unfair for me to speak for her.

I think quite simply with every Mother or child that is killed, a new terrorist is born. It would take one hell of a pvengeancet to want vengence, and unfortunately we are short on Ghandi clones now days.

This html has been a pain tonight, the spell check and compose mode has been self destructing after I add things to it and my words end up getting all jumbled up. A bit frustrating... hopefully it reads somewhat legibly. Each time I read it I find that half a sentence has been eliminated! grrrrr...

My weekend, and Great Sox Memories!

< My beautiful balcony garden :(
My green thumb is not well this year!

Check out Below for Red Sox World Series Parade Pics!! I thought I'd post them in anticipation. I got them developed today, not the greatest but still entertaining.

BUSY WEEKEND: It all began with a company getaway Friday. Initially I had to be at Millennium for a tele-conference, and then we rushed to get on our ten AM shuttle to George's Island. Perhaps I'll have photos of that later in the week, someone usually snaps a few and I was in some.

We had a Lobster clam bake there, then had a little booze cruise in Boston Harbor. On the island is an extensive Fort called "Fort Warren" which has had varied use back to the war of 1812. Many Confederate soldiers and sympathizers were imprisoned there (over 700), serving almost as a Union sanctioned gitmo.

After the day with the company I met up with Jess Wheeler where we were going to see a favorite band of his "The Secret Machines". http://www.thesecretmachines.com/ They are a tight band that has long occasionally psychedelic tunes that occasionally resemble the Flaming Lips or an updated version of David Gilmore's Pink Floyd. It is good stuff. Also playing were Mew, and the main act Bloc Party. The crowd was intensely into Bloc Part which was entertaining but as the peppy emo/punk/pop tends not to be our bag, we only stuck around for a handful of their tunes. Before going to the show, Wheeler and I hit the Barking Crab, wharf restaurant where we had some fries and sweet & spicy shrimp as a small filler, along with several beers. (At which point, including the booze cruise, I'd progressed to about 7 total and had a good buzz for the show) After the show we hit J.J. Foley's which is a down to earth Irish bar just outside of Downtown Crossing in Boston. Christine, a coworker had suggested it, and as it turns out, Scotty, Mike and I have been there a couple of times. It is a nice place that has a classic neighborhood pub decor without being a dive, and the music isn't too loud to the point where you can't hear people talk.

So of course on Saturday I was pretty hung over after clocking in over ten beers. After driving Wheeler to Oak Grove to expedite his journey to South Station, (at 8:00 am, Jess had to work), I got home and crashed.

I got up later that afternoon for a work related tele-conference, and then later that night, Kate came over. I made some ham Italian sandwiches. Kate munched on some tortilla chips and salsa as she watched me chop up the necessary veggies. After eating, we went for a drive to "Soc's" and got some Ice cream.

Sunday was a pleasant day. Kate and I went to the new "Not Your Average Joe's" location at the new Station Landing shopping/residential complex by Wellington Station on the Orange Line. I had a lovely Pizza, and Kate had this massive chicken salad. We went onward to check out an open air market in the South End that Kate had read about in the Improper Bostonian. It was a pretty nifty setup of booths selling mostly crafts, but there were a couple vegetable and baked goods stands interspersed amongst them. I'm sure in time, it will be the type of thing which will get bigger, but It really only took us five minutes to walk through. There weren't enough people there so we could be inconspicuous enough not to get talked up by every stand operator. It was a beautiful day to walk around the city, and the South End is a part of Boston that I haven't spent too much time in.
Next we strolled over to a D line train and headed to Brookline so Kate could drop off considerable leftovers from Not Your Average Joe's. She should eat well this week :D. Following this we walked to Harvard Square from Coolidge corner.
It was a great evening, one of those you wish didn't have to end... but alas its time to go back to work.

RED SOX VICTORY 2004!! It may have been a dreary day, but there was excitement in the air and spirits could not be dampened. The curse had been broken!

Too the left: Pedro Martino can be seen raising his victory fist in the air!

Below right: Taken after the parade on the outside of Fenway. Kate took this one too capture the exciting times in Boston.

To the left: This is another of the pitchers Duck tour boat. That is Wakefield pointing up, Lowe is in front. I think Schilling is far left, but it is so dark you can't really tell.

Below right: A Dominican Flag is seen waving amongst the Red Sox paraphernalia.

For some reason the format is being tricky here and isn't letting me write in the left column, hopefully these annotations will make some semblance of sense.
To the left: Here you see a duck boat with the relief pitchers.
Right Below: Wally the Green monster & Friends, but aren't we all friends of Wally?

To the left: This is a view of the crowd anticipating the Fenway heroes in the drizzle on Boylston St.
To the right, below: This looks at the crowd heading west down Boylston St.

Tempus fugit

Well... well... well...

Well.....

Man summer has flown by.

I hate working.

Its not that I hate my job, I don't, its just that when you are running around out of your house at least 11-12 hours a day, busy meeting deadlines and attempting to achieve desired results... time slips away from you.

When I was a kid it seemed like summers lasted for ever. When summer began I was a different person than when it ended.

Now I'm too preoccupied with schedules, work, commuting, goals, etc... But alas when I have been less busy I complain too. So if I have to choose, I guess I'm glad to be busy.

I may have to go away two weekends in August on company business. I'm not really thrilled about that. It is just poor luck that the events I need to participate in happen to be scheduled on weekends.

I guess I've had an excellent summer so far. Really its probably been one of the best of I've had since I was a child. Probably the best summer of my adult life, because I've been able to enjoy my days as I've pleased when the time allowed. I just wish there were more days to enjoy!

Melons, a memoir, and the judge's decision

There are so many amazing little tid-bits out there. For example, who knew that watermelon is rich in lycopene? Lycopene is an antioxidant found also in tomatoes which is believed to help stave off heart disease and certain cancers. mmmmm.... Warm melons.

Ice-cold watermelon is less nutritious, study says

And yes this sounds tawdry, but the article is worth a read, and perhaps the book it promotes would be entertaining as well.

Office drone by day, stripper by night

Diablo Cody sounds like an interesting woman... An intriguing stage name. She made choices that many would find poor, and came out on the other side a champion. I can't help but wonder exactly what would drive someone to such a bizarre path forward.

If you have the time, I've embedded the youtube mpeg of her Dave Letterman Interview. Dave gave her the honor of being his first (and possibly only) book club selection. Check it out!



The Big Dig: Justice is going to be served? Well probably not, but at least Amorello (head of the Mass Transit) will probably soon be gone.

Judge rejects AmorelloÂ’s petition to stop hearing

Clips, clips, clips

Before the mindless entertainment, check out this article from CNN.

It is about a discovery of a book of psalms in an Irish bog, it is an erie coincidence as to what page or what passage it is opened to:

"The book was found open to a page describing, in Latin script, Psalm 83, in which God hears complaints of other nations' attempts to wipe out the name of Israel."

Medieval book of psalms unearthed

Some simple viral vids for today due to my lack of ambition...

Tee hee hee



This next one....I've taken interest in Julian Lennon recently as previously mentioned, so I accidentally came across this "voice over" which is hysterical. Give it a whirl



Bush at his finest.... What an entertainer!



And we'll round it off with a classic Mr. Bean.



Have a pleasant Wednesday!

A NY Weekend

The weekend began Friday. My hectic work-week threw a curve ball at me, and I was 45 minutes late at arriving at Oak Grove. Luckily Kate was patient with me. Some Middle aged dude was trying to pick her up when I arrived.

We headed back to my apartment where I quickly grabbed my things. Next we headed out and stopped at "Liberty Bell Roast Beef" in Stoneham, where I had a chicken finger platter. It was too much food but I ate it anyway. Kate had a meatball sub and a side of French Fries.

From here we headed out into the night. For a little nostalgia and summer music I played some Tom Petty & some Rubber Soul from the Beatles. Additionally on the play list was some Mark Kozelek, Julian Lennon- Valotte and Photograph Smile which are actually quite good. I was a bit too lazy (aside from Petty, which I purposefully grabbed) to switch around my cds, so we just got what was in the changer. Some Gnarls Barkley, Secret Machines, and Beta Band, & Supergrass I believe made their way in but were just accented the prior list.

The ride was not too bad, a hair over three hours to Schenectady, where Kate's Mom & Aunt live. It is a suburb of Albany. Kate's Mom has a nice cape on a dead end road. It is an attractive old house that had much of its 40s/50s charm intact. There is a fairly sizable yard with a white picked fence and many flowers and shrubs which Kate's mom has tended to with discipline.

The next day we got up around 9:00, had a quick light breakfast at the house, while Kate's mom helped with the directions for our scenic drive.

As luck would have it for most of the day it poured buckets. It was actually really sort of funny. I think we both had a great time in spite of it. I couldn't help but laugh from time to time about the rain. I actually forgot my umbrella. When we made it to our first stop on the tour "Glens Falls" where Kate lived for a couple of years and went to Community college, before moving on to New York State University at Fredonia, I employed a plastic covering to get from the car to buildings. It was fun, and people were laughing at me... ah to spread joy.

Glens Falls is a typical old paper mill town. The mill at a glance is ugly, but has a sort of industrial beauty and charm as well. The town built around it is picturesque, and appears to be going through a revitalization. The area appears to be booming on the edge of town where new box stores, additions to malls, and chain restaurants seem to be popping up everywhere.

Next on the tour was Lake Luzerne which is a picture perfect sleepy valley of lakes and streams in the southern Adirondacks. This is the town where Kate spent most of her childhood. Homes look like something out of a Norman Rockwell painting, and amongst camp grounds and a few tourist accommodations are gems like a unique ice cream/ candy parlor called Papa's, a gorgeous little waterfall, a high bridge over churning water, and the foundations of long forgotten mills. When we were there the clouds and mists hung down upon the foothills providing a lush mystique to this quiet mountain town.

Next up, and last for Saturday was Saratoga. Saratoga was a key revolutionary war community, as well as a resort community built around natural springs and spas. To this very day, this small city seems to provide a lot in the way of recreation. Broadway St. is filled with shops, boutiques, and sidewalk cafes. There are multiple city parks, and one of them even had a pretty carousel. It seems like it would be a nice place to live or visit if one lived nearby.

Sunday: After breakfast, Sunday was all about Albany. Luckily the rain cleared up. Aside from one shower in the AM we stayed pretty dry.

The first part of our time in Albany was spent walking around the Rockefeller plaza and concourse which had a "Distopia" feel to it. It was stark and modern looking, and one couldn't help but feel they were being watched for some emergency. The "egg" seen right is an example of this particular "sterile" modern architecture. This was by far the most exciting exhibit on the plaza, the other buildings more angular and imposing.

We went on a tour of the capitol building which was very interesting. It is one of the few state capitol buildings that does not have a dome. At one time it was the largest government building on the east coast. Construction took 32 years to complete (and technically was never finished). Supposedly one of the designers was involved in the designing of parliament in Ottawa Canada. A definite link can be seen between the designs, specifically the gothic influences.

After the tour let out we headed up to a popular street in Albany known for restaurants and bars. We went to a burrito bar called bombers. We ate upstairs which had a very trendy decor, complete with booths that reminded one of carnival ride seats (metallic pain). The servings were huge, and the food was cheap & delicious.

Next we headed to Washington Park which is a huge park in the Center of Albany that is big enough to have its own system of roads through it.

Albany had a lot of assets going for it, but the industry seems a little lack luster, and the area seems depressed. More relics from the 70s and the 80s exist there which is very atypical in other areas.

Sunday evening it was time to go home, but even the drive back was beautiful.... and so now its back to work.

Nice Weekend-details coming soon

As I have to get up early, I will just say that I had a wonderful weekend exploring Kate's stomping grounds in upstate New York, and meeting her family.

I'll write more about it tomorrow... as I have to get up at 5:00 to be into work early tomorrow. I have a super busy day ahead of me.

Anyway, I apologize for this lack luster post... I'll make up for it

Well... Let me tell you

It was one heck... yes I'm afraid I'm going to have to use that word, "heck",(gasp!) I know it will surprise some of you, but it was one HECK of a day, evening, night, what have you.

I got up around 5:30 and went and picked up the Focus from its oil change and check up. Had the injectors cleaned, which means I let the Ford conglomerate rip me off... but actually although it is probably a placebo effect the car seemed really tight driving back to the apartment... but I suppose it usually is a good ride. I just missed it.

Work was too busy, and I ended up being there until 9:00.

From work I realized I need quarters, so I went to Shaw's and purchased a couple of extra microwave dinners, which gave me an excuse to get cash back. Shaws was completely insane. (actually this whole evening was pretty much ludicrous... but I'll get to that) There were three registered opened besides the self check out aisles. I only had a couple of items, but I went in the shortest line because I wanted to get three dollars in quarters. As I'm waiting I'm watching with awe the various madness that unfolds around me.

Typically people treat those self check out lanes as express lanes. It just makes more sense, you can't bag your food that fast, there's no conveyor belt, and if you have fifty items, a cashier is going to be quicker.

Well... low and behold, there were a couple of neurotic bags (I'm talking about the women cashing out not any satchels) who were scanning all of their food. They were the type that nit picked everything, the type that think's their own obtuse short sightedness is actually due to the incompetence of others. The permanent confusion these fumbling fools perpetuate in is always a result of the world around them, not their inconsiderate, selfish, blinded, directionless momentum.

Woman # 1 was a middle aged Indian woman wearing thick glasses. She had a cart filled to the top, and picked out each item, one at a time, rolled it around in her hands, (yes both hands), looked for the price. Next she would scan it. Then should would once again look at the price, which may involve more searching because she'd lose track of where it was. Then she would compare the price to what it rang up as. Next instead of merely reaching over to drop her item in a bag, she would physically "walk" to the bag, then gently, with both hands put the item into the bag.

Woman #2 she was an aging bohemian and her basket, also overflowing was filled with such gems as organic rice pilaf, and grape nuts cereal. Much like Woman #1 she felt compelled to handle her objects one at a time. Woman #2 emanated that confidence, that she was doing this sooo much better than any one else. Despite that it was taking years, and she was even making notes in a personal memo book as she proceeded. Woman #2 repeatedly set off the security by putting unbagged items outside of bags, which causes some sensor on those auto registers to wack out. She felt the need to organize, meticulously what food went into what bag.

I must have stood there twenty minutes in line watching these two... who did not finish their orders in all of that time. (this isn't an exageration)

Next, lets move onto the cashier. This cashier was something else. He had to have been high, it is the only explanation that I can possibly think of. He felt the texture of the money, and would hold onto items for ten seconds, while staring into space. When I finally made it to my turn he just outright refused to give me quarters. (he didn't have any was his claim). Then he changed his mind and asked me how much I wanted. When it was very apparent that this frustrated pipe dreamer couldn't count I decided to take my money and go to the service desk.

Next to bitch and whine about:

The T

Yeah, overdone I know. I waited fifteen minutes for the red line. Nothing weird there. Then I make it to Park St. My plan was to take a green line train to Haymarket. The train conductor shut the doors in my face literally as I got on. So I got stuck in Park St. I waited about 15 minutes at which point I just decided to walk through the tunnel to try and reach an orange line train. After another twenty minutes it finally arrived.

The worst part is yet to come. Shuttle buses... those were expected, no big deal; But... if there was no buses available, which there weren't, it makes for a HECK of an ugly situation.

two hours and fifteen mutes later I get home.

I couldn't do my laundry... AND I NEED LAUNDRY BADLY... so up at five. Oh well

Better go now!

Tough Tips

Well Quickly,

Had a pretty decent day aside from breaking my work badge, and a lousy meal at City Side Grill in Brighton. It apparently was what I ordered because Kate's chicken tacos were good. I got steak tips and they were tough and smothered with an unappealing BBQ sauce. The green beans were tough and had not butter or seasoning. The mashed potatoes and salad suited me fine.

We ate there because they have a great balcony (See picture>>I think it may be a few years out of date, I seem to recall the building being a darker color, but that is definitely it) overlooking Cleveland Circle and it was beautiful outside. It was worth it for the spot on the balcony, although there was a significant wait for a seat there.

If I return there again, I'm going to get appetizers and drinks in lieu of actual entrees. Or I'll stick to sandwiches and fries.

Well... I need to pick up my car from Ford tomorrow... the Focus is getting a oil change, and I left it there overnight, so I must be at the bus station for 6:00. Goodnight!

Have a splendid Thursday.

Tuesday Afternoon....

I'm just beginning to see, now I'm on my way
It doesn't matter to me, chasing the clouds away.

Something, calls to me,
The trees are drawing me near, I've got to find out why?
Those gentle voices I hear, explain it all with a sigh.

My day was a fairly decent one. Work went off without a hitch. I think I may have discovered a clue which may point us in the direction of solving a problem at work.
That pleased me greatly even though it was inconclusive.

There were people working late today in the cell culture group. Usually I'm the only one still around past six. I've been getting in earlier this week which is a trend I plan to keep going. Monday I actually did leave at 5:30, however I was exhausted upon getting back into the apartment. I fell asleep during the Red Sox game. I definitely needed the rest I got however.

I'm looking at myself reflections of my mind,
It's just the kind of day to leave myself behind.
So gently swaying through the fairyland of love,
If you'll just come with me you'll see the beauty of
Tuesday afternoon, Tuesday afternoon.

To make it a decent day through and through, I decided I was going to do groceries and get myself a treat. Yesterday I noticed "chicken" or small lobsters were on sale at Shaws Supermarket for 6.99/lb. I resolved upon arriving in Melrose, that I was going to head over to the local Shaws and get myself all of the key components for a little spur of the moment summertime feast. Corn on the cob, some bread, and the lobster of course. (I also stocked up on my healthy choice and smart choice frozen dinners for work... I'm vowing not to buy cafeteria food this week) I had them steam the lobster right in the grocery store so I wouldn't have to deal with it at home. It's ideal, because they just charge you meal tax on top of the regular price. For an extra 70 cents or so I had my l.4 lb lobster scalded red and bagged up. I thought it would be amusing to ask the woman at the fish counter to "put my lobster to sleep" before boiling it to give it a more humane death, however I held back. If you rub a lobster's head/back it sort of numbs them or gives them some sort of concussion. My dad used to do it to amuse me, and/or keep them from struggling so much when he dropped them in the pot. I doubt that would please the B-52s or Mary Tyler more however. Bottom dwellers have feelings too... but they sure are tasty in some melted butter mmmm mmm.

Tuesday, afternoon,
I'm just beginning to see, now I'm on my way.
It doesn't matter to me, chasing the clouds away.
Something, calls to me,
The trees are drawing me near, I've got to find out why?
Those gentle voices I hear, explain it all with a sigh.

-The Moody Blues

Jon Lester, Awesome: Great game tonight for the sox, one I didn't fall asleep to. I messily consumed my crustacean while watching Lester and Papelbon combine their talents to pitch a one hitter. Its a beautiful thing. What better way to end such a great day?

Spectacular Leave from Customary Habits

A Friday Evening and a Saturday and Sunday for the books. This weekend represented for me everything that a summer weekend should be.

Friday Night I arrived at Oak Grove at met up with Kate. On a kind of whim I suggested taking the short drive to Wakefield and driving around their town center. We proceeded to do this and ate at a lovely little Italian restaurant "Dettorre's Italian Deli and Bella Cucina", which was a little off the beaten path. After we ate at this amazing ice cream and candy parlor right on Main St. called "Cravings etc." which was very cool. You should have SEEN the chocolate covered waffle cones!! AMAZING.

Saturday we headed to Hampton Beach and had a very beautiful day permeated with an Ocean breeze and the delectable smells of fried foods, pizza, and cotton candy. We had dinner at a Bar and grill place called Dylan's. They had an expansive menu. The prices were a little inflated due to location, but the servings matched what you paid. We sat on the upper deck over looking Ocean drive and the beach. It was beautiful out with a nice breeze. We both got individual pizzas, which in actuality turned out to be 14 inch pizzas or so. It was a end of our Hampton experience, one of leisure in the sun whether it be walking lying on the beach & people watching, or taking a quick albeit refreshing dip in the frigid Atlantic. We came back to Brookline, and walked to Herrel's on Commonwealth Ave for.... drum roll, yes an ice cream! Herrel's lived up to my expectations. It was one of the ice cream standards in Greater Boston that neither Kate or I have had the luxury of experiencing. On Commonwealth Ave we saw a huge rat in front of some brownstones. A lady walking by had a poodle and I think the rat may have been bigger. It is perhaps my first "up close" wild rat sighting ever, and I found it to be quite cool.

Sunday there was not a cloud to be seen in the sky. Kate and I were on a mission. We headed out to find a little swimming hole out in Newton called Crystal Lake. It was very picturesque, a very American little pond to cool off in which was a stark juxtaposition in its location which had no intention of being middle class. Surrounded by beautiful Victorians with stone walls and the occasional picked fence, it is a locale perhaps trapped in a time past. It weren't for the Mercedes and BMWs, I may have thought I was in Pleasantville. We found Beacon St. and walked back towards Brookline in the extraordinary summer weather. In Brighton we sat for an hour or so on a park bench by the reservoir. It was beautifully picturesque, and we are lucky to have such places in our urban world. There were many geese playing about on the water, not to mention the occasional duck and swan. The swans are so beautiful and graceful when they eat, however we did see one that managed to get some pond weeds wrapped around its neck. The ducks are funny, I like how they shake their little bills when they eat and drink. I think the geese just like to poop a lot, because it is everywhere, although I do find geese amusing as well. They were just upstaged by the swans and ducks on this particular occasion.

Tonight I enjoyed watching the Constant Gardener. It was a riveting suspense film about government and corporate corruption involving a pharmaceutical company and trials of TB drug in Africa. Rachel Weisz plays woman of powerful spirit, who drives half of the movie, and Ralph Fienes her husband, a British diplomat who is a little in the dark about her passionate quest to thwart the plans of the corrupt pharma company. Rachel Weisz showed her acting prowess, which I have not seen in former ventures of hers.

So About Israel and Hezbollah... awful isn't it?
Here is a timeline from CNN which I fine forms a bit more of the back story. It is interesting that the current tactics are being used, because if history repeats... especially with these folks, violence begets more violence.

Timeline: Decades of conflict in Lebanon, Israel

ARRRGGGGGH!!! thud thud thud

That's the sound of me banging my head on the wall after I scream.

Progressively worse.... That is an adequate description of my work week. I usually look forward to Friday, but I dread tomorrow because of a new problem I inadvertently created for myself as I was leaving tonight... around 9:00. Funny thing is if I cared less... I probably wouldn't have done it. Rushing.... ironic how that happens.

The world this week is very much a reflection of the chaos brewing at my job. Israel threatening to start WWIII over a couple of kidnapped soldiers. Our ties are so close it is exceptionally difficult to be critical of the Nation the west helped build. Worries of dismantling a newly formed democracy over some bad apples taking refuge there abound, as do the ramifications of the seemingly Gregorian response incurred. You would think that Hezbollah had some imaginary weapons of Mass destruction.

I do respect the rights of nations to defend them selves, Its just that in this circumstance, it seems more "offensive" (As did Iraq, based on faulty info, logic, & a mad dream of Bush & Co... I hope history vindicates him, not because I like Bush, but rather I don't want to know what happens if they "fail").

Then there's the good old Big Dig. They've decided to take down all of the 3 ton ceiling panels (Couldn't they have just found some lightweight aluminum crap or something?) and now the new count on faulty bolts is up to 240. Brilliant.

Many more flaws detected; Romney to take over probe

Soul Fire BBQ

Howdy

My hectic work week continues.

I almost left Kate waiting at Kenmore square for an indefinite amount of time as I got tied up at work too long today, and it was pouring out. I was running out of time and I ultimately ended up grabbing a cab to Kenmore where we were to meet to go out for supper. What I probably would have walked in nicer weather ended up costing me $11 with a tip. It was worth it however so I could meet up on time. Kate found a new BBQ place off of Commonwealth Ave on Harvard St. that she read about in Dig. It is called Soul Fire and they even have a BBQ sauce bar... Weird little concept. With a trendy interior the hipster restaurant looks poised to try and acquire a liquor license, I think they may need one as the patronage definitely suffered. It was good eating however, so perhaps in time by word of mouth it will catch on.

I had a pulled pork platter with cole slaw and baked beans. The platter comes with corn bread and a piece of white bread which a generous helping of meat is piled upon.

I do think they are located a little too close to the Sunset Grill... That's some tough competition. (largest beer selection on the east coast and a huge menu!).

I can hear the rain pouring down... It is pretty intense out there! I thought initially that I had forgotten my umbrella today, however luckily I later realized that I put it in an atypical pocket in my knapsack.

Here's an update in the Big Dig fiasco:

Reilly: Anchor bolts failed 1999 field study

Wow... A coverup? Failed quality control? On the central artery... I never imagined I'd hear such a thing....AGAIN! And by the way no adequate solution has been discovered for the giant tunnel leaks and pour concrete other than the patch and pump methods currently employed.

Now for you music fans out there...

Elliot Smith Live covering Lennon... rather true to the original (fortunately or unfortunately) You can even here people singing along if you listen closely.



Next for those who may not know Smith, here is something you may recognize if you are a "Good Will Hunting" fan. Damon and Affleck perhaps gave the often down and out Smith his flash of lime light, sadly one of the most irritating songs I've ever heard beat out Smith in an Oscar race... as seen here.

late or early post....(because microsoft sucks)

DAMN it!!

Lost my entire post because I crashed out explorer.

Anyway... In brief because I don't have time... Politicians suck the big dig sucks, lucky more people didn't die. Things suck here's a couple of links on the mess.

Massive Big Dig debris crushes woman to death

Amorello rejects resignation calls in tunnel tragedy

Amorello sucks too. BTW did I mention that this all sucks? One of the governor's candidates in MA was on the turnpike authority...Guess she can kiss her campaign goodbye.

Ahhhh hell...

I am loading this vid purely because it has the mahnana na song in it... You'll recognize it. Ralph sings the lead. Ralph rocks. Oh yeah.. the kid's movie about the five second rule is funny too. Its funny because its true... (at least for some folks).

A buzz on the noggin

I got butchered at Supercuts. It was the classic I don't give a damn hair stylist and she stopped just shy of doing the opposite of what I asked. I guess I'll be gelling down the cowlick for a couple of weeks. Doh!

Work was another red letter day.... and tomorrow should follow suit.

Thursday I'll be headed back to the dentist to see how I fared with my rigorous brushing and gargling campaign. Joy.

I'm looking forward to Wednesday.. Kate has a new barbecue place scoped out. I'll be sure to give a review.

I really don't have much to say today.

BATS!! eeeek eeeek!

Flying Rodents: I'm glad I've taken measures to "Bat Proof" my apartment as there was a bat in my rear stairwell. I opened my door tonight to go get my laundry and I saw it circling the top light on my landing. I immediately slammed the door shut as to avoid risking its entry. Then in an extra bought of paranoia I added to my defenses. In addition to the towels that I've been placing under my door, I put tape around the creases where I thought perhaps I was under estimating the abilities of the bat to flatten itself.

People have been working on my roof again and they must have left the door in the ceiling slightly cracked.

To get my laundry I went out the front stairwell and decided to walk around the building. Before I entered I spotted the bat lingering on the screen in the second floor window of the stairwell. I paced back and fourth for about ten minutes imagining the bat in my hair or clinging onto my shirt before I got brave and took action.

I figured the bat, knowing it was trapped, basically unable to go out the way it came in, it would be actively pursuing a exit. At first it was more of an effort based on fear than on bat removal strategy. I thought that the bat would head further downstairs towards the change in air currents and temperature. I didn't want to risk physical contact with the bat, or find myself in the laundry room afraid to head back up stairs to the ground level exit. So I decided I would open and close the door a couple of times and see if the bat made a descent towards me. I opened it then closed it. Then I backed up off the steps to observe the bat in the second floor window screen.

Indeed the bat began moving side to side, agitated and anxious. Then as if after weighing its options it left the screen to check out the circumstances on the first floor. It flew around a bit. I was hesitant (perhaps foolishly so) to open the door as it was madly circling. Once it got tired and settled on the stairs going down to the lower level, I quickly opened the door and stood behind it. The bat flew out of the building straight into the night. I quickly gathered my laundry with the irrational fear that there might be more bats (eeeek!). Luckily this went smoothly. Additionally I went back outside and around the building, partly because I was afraid of the illogical idea that there was more than one bat, and also because my defenses on my kitchen door are still in place and I did not want to disturb them.

Anyway, I had a lazy weekend, but a good one anyway. Saturday Kate and I went walking around Boston and Cambridge. We had a sophisticated meal at Chili's. My goal on choosing something to eat was to find something very Americana and simple as opposed to Asian or Mexican cuisine. Chili's fit the bill and I had a chicken finger platter with corn on the cob. Kate had grilled chicken, rice, and corn on the cob. We rounded it out with chips and salsa. Ok so there was a hint of the Mexican grub, but it was good. Besides chips and salsa are totally Americana, and increasingly so.

I watched Chinatown with Jack Nicholson which was nothing short of excellent. I am definitely going to give it another viewing before I put it back in the mail to netflix.

I went on a little shopping spree Sunday. I bought a new shirt, some household items that I needed (an assortment of light bulbs, I was living in partial darkness), and cds! Early Sunday Morning (a.k.a. Saturday Night) I was surfing on Amazon. I purchased Wolfmother, a new band that really rocks out and sounds like a cross between Zepplin and Sabbath, Bloc Party's "Silent Alarm"-(I'm accompanying Jess Wheeler to this concert at the end of the month. Wheeler is a big Secret Machines Fan and introduced me to them recently... they are opening for Bloc Party, so I figured I should educate myself on the "main act"), Mark Kozelek's "Rock & Roll Singer" (Tim Hayes gave me this one by the Red House Painters/Sun Kil Moon frontman but it has always had some bad skips in it so I finally got around to purchasing it. There are a few covers on this one, 3 ACDC covers and a John Denver Cover, both turned into Kozelek's beautiful somber prog-rock that generally makes a nice summer afternoon or bedtime soundtrack), last purchase from Amazon's realm was M. Ward's "Transistor Radio".

In my searches I was bent on finding this great R&B act I've seen a couple of times on late shows. Having not written anything down, I had little to go on other than it is probably considered hip hop, although it generally borrows more from classic Motown and early 70s soul groups. I figured it must be in the billboard charts, and eventually after ignoring the titles that included references to guns and hos, or the emancipation of Mimi, I was able to click on the right mp3 sample. Gnarls Barkley "St. Elsewhere" is the CD. I listened to the 30 second samples on Amazon and it blew me away. I resolved that Sunday I would run out and purchase it immediately. Its been a while since I've been this "psyched" about "pop" music. This album which is a collaboration with Danger Mouse, the DJ that famously created the illegal "grey album" shut down by the record companies (It was the White Album mixed with Jay-Z's black album... I believe, and someone released it without permission and from all accounts I've heard it was amazing, although it will probably never see the light of day). Gnarls Barkley's single "Crazy" is meaningful and infectious. It is an instant classic, which his on par with the best of Motown and Stevie Wonder, and the rest of the album, while diverse, accompanies and compliments this hit perfectly. St. Elsewhere packs the soulful punch that R&B contemporaries over the past twenty years have been for most part, been unable to capture. This single is the type of song which will appeal to the masses, it brings hope that a lot of good things could spin out of this.

In addition to St. Elsewhere I picked up Julian Lennon's (son of one of the world's most famous tragic figures & dead-beat dads, John Lennon) "Valotte", which was only $11. It really is a lot better than people gave it credit for. There are some 80s synth on a couple of the songs, that take from their quality, but they are extremely well written, and Julian's singing range is a match of his father's if not even an improvement when it comes to his falsetto. It was an excellent addition to my collection.

I eagerly anticipate the "Amazon" arrivals but my current two acquisitions will keep me satisfied for some time. Work has taken a stressful turn recently, and the music will help me cope and give me something to look forward to each day.

Well... I hope everyone has a good start to their week!

Cheers!

Spared a firery death

Well... I did not crash and die in my one day business trip. I was sure I was going to. On the flight home, I went to sleep, kind of thinking I wouldn't wake up.

Well, I exaggerate of course, but I was feeling anxious. I probably am still, but for the time being I'm having a momentary comfortable period of being comfortably numb.

It has been a long short week. I guess I'm glad that tomorrow is Friday, and yet I'm a little bewildered at new obstacles I've been faced with at work, and kind of wish I had more time to sort them out. It is always about too much to do in too little time.

At the airport before departing for Boston I had two Lancaster Pilsner pints which actually made me a little loopy. I finished reading Bob Dole's memoir "A soldier's story" in the bar. It was excellent. I'm usually not a fan of biographies or memoirs because often they are dry or are propaganda for some political or social concern. This book was neither, just a real inspirational story of someone perservering through numerous obstacles. Next I began reading Kurt Vonnegut's "Cat's Cradle" which isn't failing to please. Here is a quirky passage regarding Vonnegut's made up religion "Bokononism"

In his "Fifty-third" Calypso," Bokonon invites us to sing along with him:

Oh, a sleeping drunkard
Up in Central Park
And a lion-hunter
In the jungle dark,
And a Chinese dentist,
And a British queen---
All fit together
In the same machine.
Nice, nice, very nice;
Nice, nice, very nice;
Nice, nice, very nice---
So many different people
In the same device

This "song" is regarding "people" who get tangled in your life for no logical reason, and that they are a member of what Bokonon considers your "karass".

Yes yes... weird I know,
but that's why I like Vonnegut.

He was sort of a precursor to "Hitch hiker's guide to the galaxy".

For those who couldn't be there or didn't catch it on the boob tube, here is a snippet of the Boston Esplanade Fireworks Display, sans music. I believe the closing tune was Neil Diamond's "We Come into America"... perhaps a blue state's ideals of immigration coming into their musical programming?



And lastly, I'm sorry Germany. Next time consider trying to get Italy to score a goal or two for you... It can work out nicely.

Freaky Fourth....

First the weird voodoo web site, Kate cracked this one for me. Actually its quite simple. 10-19, follow the directions and you'll get the # 9, directions being (ex:19) add the two digits 1+9=10 then subtract this sum from original (you get 9 for all #s 10-19, 18 for all #s 20-29, 27 for all #s 30-39 and so on.... All of these multiples of nine have the same symbol, as a result the game will always pick your symbol if you follow the directions. Very clever, yet rather disappointing that it was easily cracked. I'm disappointed in myself that I didn't take the initiative to do it proper on my own.

Speaking of voodoo....

Kate and I had a beautiful night watching the fireworks in Boston. We watched them from the Mass. Ave bridge. Did not get to see Steven Tyler or the Pops up close, but I'm not a big fan of Aerosmith, so hearing it over the loud speakers was plenty good for me. The location, aside from its proximity to the Hatch shell could not have been better. Another night of fantastic memories.

Back to the "voodoo". So walking home from Oak Grove tonight I had an interesting experience. Not too far after the subway station I pass through a small "industrial" area in a mostly residential neighborhood. There was a woman walking about 100 yards ahead of me with a little pull cart which I think had perhaps supplies from a "4th of July" picnic, either that or it was luggage. She was dressed sort of old fashioned like a school teacher, long blue skirt, white blouse, and had her hair in a tight bun. Suddenly she turned sort of diagonally away from the road and faced the wall of a warehouse, long before I approached her. At first I thought she was going to wait for someone (although it was a weird spot, sort of dark and far enough off the "main" sidewalk where she might not easily be spotted). Then I thought she might pull out a cell phone or something, but she was frozen, looking at this wall (seemingly) and holding her cart. At my pace, it took me at least two to three minutes to pass her, and despite it just being a five foot six inch woman with a cart I cautiously approached. She was acting so weird I thought there could be something seriously wrong. (randomly stopping with luggage inroad home when some guy is walking behind you, only to stare at the wall doesn't seem... routine, or ummmm...logical to me). So as I approached I tried to keep my pace but also looked closely at her as I walked buy. Too compound the freakiness as I passed she spun her head over her shoulder with only slight if any torso movement to look at me. More abrupt than a casual glance, it was one of those quick turns of the head, the type that a person is likely to pull or strain something when a movement such of this occurs. It seemed "supernatural" or almost Hollywood, and it freaked me out to the point where I don't think I would have been too surprised if she didn't have eyes in her sockets or if they glowed red, or say, she started spouting some incantation at me. When I got a look at her face I smiled and kind of chuckled (nervously) because I think my soul leaped momentarily if I did not physically. Her face showed no emotion but merely stared me down, almost looking through me. It was sullen, serious and stoic, and looked at me through round wire spectacles.

I believe once I passed she began walking again, but I didn't turn around. Too weird. It is likely that she was just understandably scared to be walking out late by herself, but most people, turn around to see who or what approaches them, walk speedily towards their destination rather than wait for someone else to catch up or pass, and never stop in a poorly lit industrialized warehouse lot.

Facing the wall was enough to freak me out, she really didn't have to add the touch of turning around like some sort of possessed specter. eeebie jeebies.....

Parts of me still felt like I should have said "are you alright, do you need to call someone for a ride," etc... etc... But then the little voice within tells me I made the right move by continuing on my merry way.

The weekend was good... I celebrated my dad's birthday with my parents, and then met up with Tim, Brandy, John, and Michelle at Rosie's on Monday Night. It was a tight schedule, and I would have liked to met up with other friends, Jason Chaloux in Lewiston, and Jess in Portland, but it just didn't come to fruition. Some time soon I will make up for it.

Well, not too much more to report from here... or rather its too late right now, so I'm headed to bed!

Have a good week all!

-George