Tuesday, February 26
Sunday, February 24
Desktop backgrounds gallore
For those of you like me that like old photographs, have I got the site for you. Go check out shorpy.com for page after page of high resolution antique photography!
Friday, February 15
At long last! It's the weekend!
Having worked through last weekend and pretty much the weekend before as well, I have Friday off and it is pretty much the first day I have had off in three weeks. Yeah!
Kristi and I officially DO NOT celebrate the bogus holiday or Valentine's day. I told her when I met her that being single for the majority of them in my life left me pretty jaded to the whole notion and I didn't really want any part of it. If she received flowers or we went to dinner around that day, it's only because I love her and has nothing to do with the date.
So I did get her flowers.... on the 13th. Not cut flowers, but bulbs. they look very pretty and I think they managed to cheer her up a bit. While this move has gone smoothly, it's also taken a bit of a toll on us and it's taking a while to recover. I'm hoping that we get to do some of that this weekend with these days off.
We also went to dinner last night. Getting dinner on Valentine's day is supposed to be traditionally a challenge, but we walked right into one of our favorite restaurants and sat down with no problem. It might help that our restaurant of choice is an Indian restaurant, but we were impressed none the less. Great food too.
So much is happening in the news. The writers strike finally ended. Bush still wants to tap our phone lines. Obama is properly kicking Clinton's ass in the primaries. Kenya can't seem to settle down after a bum election. No really, we had some dumb-ass elections in the last decade or so, but we don't go around creating violence over it. Different circumstances I guess.
Is it just me, or does the violence in Iraq seem to be slowing down a bit. The most recent stories I have heard about the country were about how white people have to drive in armored cars to get through town, but the article made Baghdad look more like the lesser parts of LA than a war zone.
I of course am glad that Hollywood got their shit together with the writers. It lasted a lot longer than I expected. Overall, I sided with the writers all along, but with the mortgage crisis going on and this recession, the writers were a bit selfish in my opinion. People are much worse off than they are right now, and like it or not, their job is actually a service to the nation. People need the diversion of entertainment to get through tough times. It seemed like a poor time to withhold it from them. Thank God it's over now. The bad late night jokes may now continue.
In case you are wondering, I'm for Obama all the way baby. Not because he's black. I just think he is the freshest and best choice out there. Clinton would be okay too, but I was none too happy with her tone throughout the campaign against Barrack. On the other side, McCain seems to have things all wrapped up. I think Huckabee is primarily trying to make a name for himself with the bible beaters at this point. He ought to just sit down and shut up. I guess you could say, at least he's making McCain work for it, but that's really something of a joke. McCain has generally moved on. As for him, I actually like McCain okay as a politician. If the GOP won, I would support the guy. I just agree less with his platform. I don't think he wants to get out of Iraq enough.
Yes, I do want to get out of Iraq. Not that I have ever been there. But it's high time we left the mess to them right? Or did we make the mess to start with, and now should finish it? The problem with trying to do it the way we are, it's kinda like setting the curtains on fire, apologizing and then attempting to put it out with a bottle of kerosene. It does seem like things have calmed down a bit though. Maybe we are starting to extinguish the flames instead of fan them. I hate to say it, but maybe the troop surge did work. I hope so.
See any good movies lately? Despite the move, we have. We managed to see all of the best picture nominees. My vote is for "No Country For Old Men." "There Will Be Blood" and "Juno" are close runners up there. I thought "Micheal Clayton" was WAY over hyped, and "Atonement" started out lovely, but left me scratching my head in the end.
That's all the news at the moment. Leave me a note if you want to get in touch. I'm assuming the Bentonville folks have all forgotten I exist at this point.
Kristi and I officially DO NOT celebrate the bogus holiday or Valentine's day. I told her when I met her that being single for the majority of them in my life left me pretty jaded to the whole notion and I didn't really want any part of it. If she received flowers or we went to dinner around that day, it's only because I love her and has nothing to do with the date.
So I did get her flowers.... on the 13th. Not cut flowers, but bulbs. they look very pretty and I think they managed to cheer her up a bit. While this move has gone smoothly, it's also taken a bit of a toll on us and it's taking a while to recover. I'm hoping that we get to do some of that this weekend with these days off.
We also went to dinner last night. Getting dinner on Valentine's day is supposed to be traditionally a challenge, but we walked right into one of our favorite restaurants and sat down with no problem. It might help that our restaurant of choice is an Indian restaurant, but we were impressed none the less. Great food too.
So much is happening in the news. The writers strike finally ended. Bush still wants to tap our phone lines. Obama is properly kicking Clinton's ass in the primaries. Kenya can't seem to settle down after a bum election. No really, we had some dumb-ass elections in the last decade or so, but we don't go around creating violence over it. Different circumstances I guess.
Is it just me, or does the violence in Iraq seem to be slowing down a bit. The most recent stories I have heard about the country were about how white people have to drive in armored cars to get through town, but the article made Baghdad look more like the lesser parts of LA than a war zone.
I of course am glad that Hollywood got their shit together with the writers. It lasted a lot longer than I expected. Overall, I sided with the writers all along, but with the mortgage crisis going on and this recession, the writers were a bit selfish in my opinion. People are much worse off than they are right now, and like it or not, their job is actually a service to the nation. People need the diversion of entertainment to get through tough times. It seemed like a poor time to withhold it from them. Thank God it's over now. The bad late night jokes may now continue.
In case you are wondering, I'm for Obama all the way baby. Not because he's black. I just think he is the freshest and best choice out there. Clinton would be okay too, but I was none too happy with her tone throughout the campaign against Barrack. On the other side, McCain seems to have things all wrapped up. I think Huckabee is primarily trying to make a name for himself with the bible beaters at this point. He ought to just sit down and shut up. I guess you could say, at least he's making McCain work for it, but that's really something of a joke. McCain has generally moved on. As for him, I actually like McCain okay as a politician. If the GOP won, I would support the guy. I just agree less with his platform. I don't think he wants to get out of Iraq enough.
Yes, I do want to get out of Iraq. Not that I have ever been there. But it's high time we left the mess to them right? Or did we make the mess to start with, and now should finish it? The problem with trying to do it the way we are, it's kinda like setting the curtains on fire, apologizing and then attempting to put it out with a bottle of kerosene. It does seem like things have calmed down a bit though. Maybe we are starting to extinguish the flames instead of fan them. I hate to say it, but maybe the troop surge did work. I hope so.
See any good movies lately? Despite the move, we have. We managed to see all of the best picture nominees. My vote is for "No Country For Old Men." "There Will Be Blood" and "Juno" are close runners up there. I thought "Micheal Clayton" was WAY over hyped, and "Atonement" started out lovely, but left me scratching my head in the end.
That's all the news at the moment. Leave me a note if you want to get in touch. I'm assuming the Bentonville folks have all forgotten I exist at this point.
Tuesday, February 12
The Great State Quest - Kentucky
Loo-EE-vol.
I spent last week in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. For a guy that has been all over the midwest, I guess it was about darn time I scratch the colonel's homeland off of me list. I usually say that I can't count a state unless I leave the airport. If the same rule applied to hotels, this trip almost wouldn't have counted either. I literally spent most of the whole week on the same city block. We worked in the hotel, we played in the hotel, we ate in the hotel, we slept in the hotel.
Conventions are not new to me. I went to quite a few when I was working for Wal-Mart. I started out enjoying them, but slowly I got to the point that I hated them. The general sessions kind of came across as brainwashing in which the executives preached the gospel of corporate leadership bullshit, with Sam's book as the retail bible. Based on the response of the droves of Wal-Martians, (a term of endearment,) the masses already believe the gospel according to Walton. Witnessing the spectacle tends to make you a bit nauseous. Frankly, I thought more of the company, when we were more focused on just making money, not worshiping the practice of making it.
This convention was different and similar in very interesting ways. Here is a quick list:
1. Size. Wal-Mart's convention had a population of around 15-20,000 attendees. My current convention attendee list was just underr 2000.
2. Celebrities. Of course, Wal-Mart brought in all kinds of celebrities. Sometimes for the most ridiculous reasons. Every football hall of famer alive, Brittney Spears (pre-controversy), Bryan Adams, The Eagles, Norman Schwartzkoff, The Olsen Twins, Tyra Banks, the "Get Ready to Rumbllllllllllle" Guy, and even Shrek. This new company really couldn't afford celebrities. I kinda prefer it that way.
3. Believeability. When Wal-Mart execs bullshited their passion, I saw right through it. I don't think my current company is guilty of bullshit. They genuinely care about the business, in a good way.
4. Amish. My new company caters to a lot of very religious people. At least 40-50% of the attendees were Amish or Menonites. I was really pretty excited to meet all of them. They were a lot more laid back and hip than I expected. Certainly worth hanging out with.
5. Type A personalities. Where my new company has Amish, Wal-Mart had pricks. Nuff said.
I had a good time, but am glad it's over. I was worn out when I got home.
As for Kentucky, I didn't see much of it, but I did see a lot of Kentuckians. My general opinion based on what I saw was that most of them are jerks. Or maybe they were just grouchy.
I spent last week in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. For a guy that has been all over the midwest, I guess it was about darn time I scratch the colonel's homeland off of me list. I usually say that I can't count a state unless I leave the airport. If the same rule applied to hotels, this trip almost wouldn't have counted either. I literally spent most of the whole week on the same city block. We worked in the hotel, we played in the hotel, we ate in the hotel, we slept in the hotel.
Conventions are not new to me. I went to quite a few when I was working for Wal-Mart. I started out enjoying them, but slowly I got to the point that I hated them. The general sessions kind of came across as brainwashing in which the executives preached the gospel of corporate leadership bullshit, with Sam's book as the retail bible. Based on the response of the droves of Wal-Martians, (a term of endearment,) the masses already believe the gospel according to Walton. Witnessing the spectacle tends to make you a bit nauseous. Frankly, I thought more of the company, when we were more focused on just making money, not worshiping the practice of making it.
This convention was different and similar in very interesting ways. Here is a quick list:
1. Size. Wal-Mart's convention had a population of around 15-20,000 attendees. My current convention attendee list was just underr 2000.
2. Celebrities. Of course, Wal-Mart brought in all kinds of celebrities. Sometimes for the most ridiculous reasons. Every football hall of famer alive, Brittney Spears (pre-controversy), Bryan Adams, The Eagles, Norman Schwartzkoff, The Olsen Twins, Tyra Banks, the "Get Ready to Rumbllllllllllle" Guy, and even Shrek. This new company really couldn't afford celebrities. I kinda prefer it that way.
3. Believeability. When Wal-Mart execs bullshited their passion, I saw right through it. I don't think my current company is guilty of bullshit. They genuinely care about the business, in a good way.
4. Amish. My new company caters to a lot of very religious people. At least 40-50% of the attendees were Amish or Menonites. I was really pretty excited to meet all of them. They were a lot more laid back and hip than I expected. Certainly worth hanging out with.
5. Type A personalities. Where my new company has Amish, Wal-Mart had pricks. Nuff said.
I had a good time, but am glad it's over. I was worn out when I got home.
As for Kentucky, I didn't see much of it, but I did see a lot of Kentuckians. My general opinion based on what I saw was that most of them are jerks. Or maybe they were just grouchy.
Sunday, February 3
The Great State Quest - Kansas
Ever since I can remember, I have kept track of how many states I have been to, and have aspired to see all fifty. I think it has been part of my lifelong desire to see more of the world. When I was young, I didn't see much at all and was a bit deprived of travel experriences. I grew up in a small town in Oklahoma, and rarely got out of it. As a result, I have always aspired to live in a larger city. I am currently realizing that dream now, living in Kansas City. I nearly get watery eyed just looking at the skyline on my drive home, I'm so excited about being here.
So, I thought, I would blog about the states I have seen. What my impressions were of them, and any memories that may have been associated with them. In honor of my new home, I will start with the great state of Kansas.
Of course, I just moved here, so there are a million things I can say about the state since I got here. But growing up in a town only 30 miles from the Oklahoma northern border, my memories of Kansas run much older than this current move.
Actually, considering I lived so close to the state, I spent very little time in it when I was young. Aside from the occasional adventure to see Grandparents in St. Louis and San Antonio, my family just didn't leave our Oklahoma citadel much. It was kinda depressing.
I only remember three types of trips we would take to Kansas: trips to Wichita to see movies and go shopping, trips to Arkansas City to get dinner at a cute little restaurant near a stalled locomotive, which I have fond memories of climbing all over, and trips through Kansas to go somewhere more exciting, like Colorado.
Driving through Kansas, there really isn't much to see, but there is plenty to smell. Environmentalists often point to livestock as a major offending source of greenhouse gasses. I believe it. There are plenty of stinky spots in Kansas. I think that's why as a kid I always dubbed it the "Smelly State". I know now that there are plenty of more offensive odors from other places and things. Odors that make the cow flop smell like roses. But as a kid, the turd ruled, and I was quick to jump to conclusions.
Nowadays, I prefer to recall the trips to Wichita instead. My small town didn't have much by way of movie theaters growing up, and my folks apparently were determined to make my sister and I movie buffs no matter what. This tactic worked of course. Those who know me or my sister know our love of film runs deep, and I think that love was planted in these excursions to "the big city" to see some of the best. While I'm sure we saw a number of great movies in Wichita, the one that stands out in my mind is "Dances with Wolves", which I recall seeing in quite a panaramic theater. I think we made the trip specifically to see it on the extra large screen, and it left quite the impression on me. "Dances With Wolves" immediately became one of my favorite movies. That was the first time I remember caring about the Oscars, and it was one of the first "epic" length movies I ever saw. Three hour films are nothing to anyone these days, but at the time, two hours was generally the longest any film maker expected someone to stay put and watch despite the sore buttocks, not without an intermission.
So I guess you could say my love for movies really bloomed on these trips.
As a side note, I think "Dances WIth Wolves" was also one of the first movies I remember noticing a character was gay. There is a general at the begining of the movie who kills himself off camera. There was something obviously feminine about his portrayal which I think may have been the first time my gaydar went off. Remember that my life in small town Oklahoma was very sheltered.
More recently, Kansas has meant the "other half" of Kansas City. Over the last 10 years or so, excursions to KC became like my families excusions to "the big city". Most trips included some shopping and they always included a movie. I've seen more movies in this city than I can list. Many of them of course have been on the Missouri side, at the art house Tivoli theater down in Westport.
But trips to KC also meant seeing a bit of Kansas while I was there. My impression of the Kansas side life and citizens of KC has always been a little bit prideful, and well-to-do. There are a number of beautiful neighborhoods here and the life on this side seems a little bit richer and slower paced. That impression grows on me the longer I live here.
I haven't gotten my Kansas license just yet, but will soon. When I do, I'm going to look at that "KANSAS STATE DRIVER'S LICENCE" with some sense of pride. I've wanted to live here a long time. Now I do.
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