good and good for you... 11.30.05
and because it remains terribly important that we pay attention to what's going on, please add Gordon Coale's effort to your list of sitios favoritos. Ourowndarnself about three-quarters of the way thru George Packer's The Assassins' Gate, and cannot recommend this book too highly to those of ye wanting to fill in some of the blanks. Whilst we differ with Mr Packer's POV on a number of issues (for one thing, his decision to support the war...), yourstruly's tippin' our ol'red fez in his direction for his book (excerpt from New Yorker here). Talk about the perfect holiday gift...
pleasant brekkie... 11.28.05
yesterday in the company of mon freres David & Ken, Dave's son Michael along with old pal of K & D from way back in their day, Andrew, who brought along his younger brother Laurence. Laurence tends bar in a TGIF in Anchorage, Ak.; Andrew, ret'd A.F. w/a medical disability thanks to some of that stuff injected into U.S. troops during the first gulf adventure, currently living further east of EPTx, still in Tx tho', cannot remember if he be closer to San Antone or Austin. Momz was alongside and it was a pleasant way to kill an hour or two, what with it blowing like stink outside, much N.M. topsoil being blown thru the air locally. Caught sight of interesting series in the S.F. Chronicle, On the Border, spot on actually, Tejano/Border culture is something yourstruly has had occasion to familiarize ourself with, you're definitely traveling in something resembling another country when in these environs, despite being on the northern side of the border.
Did ye have a pleasant t-day holiday, Binky-poo? Yah? Oh, we glad ye did. Ours was pretty okey-dokey, no complaints, uhhhhh, well, actually, maybe there ought not to have been a television set around, as a few invitees could barely tear themselves away from the sight of the Kowboys/Bronkos game long enough to stuff their faces, let alone converse with some of the other folks sitting around the table. C'mon fellas, just one fuckin' day outta the year ye can pass on the game bullshite and get involved with your family. Okayokayokay, sorry, sorta sensitized to that kind of thing personally, having spent the majority of the last twenty years 'round folks with a wee bit more balance in their lives, hard to see such a pronounced skew towards NFL Football in terms of attentiveness & conversation fodder. In re the t-day dinner, food was fine, lots of it, two turkeys, a ham, the usual complement of mashed taters, G.B. casserole, yams, cranberry sauce (jaypea contributed fresh cranberry sauce, mind ye). Brother Ken successfully deep-fried a turkey, managed to avoid burning down his house and it turned out pretty good, altho' yourstruly not really convinced it worth all the trouble and possibility of disaster.
alright, off we go into the wild and windy (not as bad as yesterday but still kind of blustery & chilly) outdoors, take care of some errands and seek out a little diversion. Some linky bits of goodness for ye before we say 'See Ya': Metameat; Lies.com; The Real Cost of Prisons; from FinalCall.com, What Are We Thankful For
quickly now, vite vite... 11.27.05
re Ryland Cooder site mentioned recently hereabouts, t'was mentioned on d'monkey back in jan '03, relevant post is right heah; we wuz wanting to make sure we shared this R. Cooder site with thee, maybe we gets together one day and sing some tunes with one another, eh? In the spirit of giving, howzabout a coupla'bits of linky goodness: Kinja will make it easier to keep up with some of your sitios favoritos, and like ourowndamnself, mebbe you got a hankerin' for more news than ye can handle on occasion? RedTram will complicate things nicely, no? Now we gotzta run, kinda late for a breakfast date and ye can't keep some folks waitin'...
big shenanigans amongst the clan... 11.24.05
Pivarnick on this day of excess; as for ourowndarnself, seems it best if we just go with the flow and not spend too much time comtemplating matters we can't do very much about. Got a nice note in the mail from pal euphorbita, she wishing all her comrades, co-conspirators, loved ones a happy T-day, so in some sense am motivated by that to visit here and do something similiar. Be thankful, ye pretty little things ye, for all those things that we oft (too damned oft and ye know that's true, don't ye Binky) take for granted. If you sharing your day with someone you love, take advantage of the occasion and put a little extra ooomph into that salutory embrace, kiss 'em on both cheeks, bestow a great BIG smootch-a-roonie dead on their kisser if they deserve one, taking care - of course - that proprietry and good manners aren't forgotten. And then, when ye all sit down to indulge in whatever's laid out on the table in front of ye, give a thought to folks less fortunate than ourowndarnselves, the world's just full of them and there likely be a whole bunch of them in your own backyard, so to speak. Maybe, in the week/s to come, you can dig a tiny bit deeper in your pocket and give some of your hard-earned cashola up to worthy cause, local charity, and help make sure some folks who wouldn't ordinarily get a decent meal can do so when they need to, perhaps it's a warm winter coat they require, or a place to lay their head for a night or two. If you got nuttin' to give but time, Hey, datz alright! There is nothing that will put you in touch with your fellow man faster than being a volunteer out there wherever there be people in need of folks to lend a helping hand. Might even give you reason and opportunity to sleep better at night, knowing you added to the overall quotient of good in the world, 'cause goodness knows, seems that opposite number never lightens up. happy t-day to one and all!
some misc linky bits: wild turkeys in Berkeley; the secret history of rum, courtesy The Nation; get your guitar out and threaten to serenade your friends and family after dinner with this j. buffet number;
and if Jimmy Buffet ain't your cuppatea (not really l'Marquis', trutt be told...) check out what Spike and Larry have to offer; yourstruly useta have link to lots of Ryland Cooder tunes, but seems that is dead and gone now, so we pass this one along to ye, jessferdahalibut. Goshdarnitall, better get our bigbrownbutt in gear, put those yams in the oven and finish off the cranberry sauce, gonna leave with one last suggestion for your post-tday dinner serenade, an old Jackson Browne tune, Doctor My Eyes...
alrighty now, jessferdahalibut... 11.22.05
the second of the autumnal/winter holidays approacheth, perhaps like ourowndamnedself ye've subjected thyself to a disciplined calorie watch, foregoing your usual sugary, buttery comidas favoritas 'cause ye know in just a matter of 72 hours or so ye'll be facing that T-day repast. By the way, welcome to El Chango Tonto, & just so ye know, el chango's a triple-A rated roadhouse on the info-autobahn (Anachronistic, Anarchistic, Atheistic) and we welcome visitors of any stripe, altho fellow travelers and co-conspirators are allowed futon rights and first dibs on fave spots on the floor, l'Marquis has put aside some room for neo-cons & B**h republicans outside by the pool.
some stuff we watch on Ye Olde Idiote Boxe: J. Stewart & The Daily Show; K. Olbermann & MSNBC's Countdown; on HBO: Rome, while it lasted, worth seeing, perhaps inspire ye to reread your history of the Roman Empire, jonesing bigtime for Deadwood, leastways they are re-running some of last season's episodes, looking forward to indulging in the last season of The Sopranos, wherein yourstruly imagines we'll likely see Tony depart this vale of tears, probably killed off by his nephew. Oh, and the college basketball season has begun, Hoooo Haaaaah! Ourowndamnedself's always appreciated the work of the original Mr. Crankypants (Damn-O-Lay, that's the job we want), Tim Goodman; hope he'll perceive our own occasional donning of similiar garb as imitative flattery. Oh, there's a few other things we catch with some degree of regularity, those PTI guys for instance, sometimes able to tune in for the gang at Around the Horn as well. Get our occasional fix of C-Span everynow and again, and certainly miss having three public television stations to choose from rather than the one & a half (Las Cruces PBS outlet outshines EPTx's EASILY) we're relegated to here. Football? What's that ye asking Binky? Do we watch Football? Nein, non, nyet, ye pretty lil' thing ye, no way, Jose...
ahhhh, home video and now recalling some titles we've been meaning to pass along to ye, hey, lucky for us (and Ye too!) that these come just in time for all that time off you've got for the holidaze. These three films all involve the lives of young people, one's a documentary, and in some way the easiest of the three to digest, Mad Hot Ballroom; these next two might be a bit unsettling for some of ye, yet don't let that dissuade ye from viewing them: Nobody Knows from Japan, and Turtles Can Fly, some small debate 'bout whether it's an Iraqi film, or an Iranian/Iraqi co-prod., WHATEVER, just get hold of the damned thing and watch it. Notable performances by ALL the kids involved in both of these films, and as far as that unsettling aspect mentioned earlier, truthfully, ye might feel your heart breaking, 'course that would depend on how much ye have distanced yourself from your own childhood, Binky. Mebbe more from us later, katz und kitteez...
immediate withdrawal? Not Bloody Likely! 11.19.05
yessss, Binky, there are times in the life of l'Marquis when the idea of an immediate withdrawal was not (!!!) something he desired to do as he is rather inclined to be somewhat of a sensualist and inclined to a more leisurely sort of withdrawal, ahhhh, but we digress; we tippin' the ol' red fez to someone we never really expected to be, Congressperson J. Murtha, for having the balls to speak up courageously in the face of the scornful wrath of the many stupid idiots who will cloak themselves within the redwhite&blue, dousing themselves with the cologne of "patriotism" whilst calling for his head on a pike. There was just no fucking way that congress was actually going to move on this no matter how attractive the idea of an immediate withdrawal is likely to be to many of them. Like he's done so many times before (we're talking about the chief moron, our idiotic head of state GWB) he will do nothing but leave behind an incalculably HUGE mess for someone else to attend to. Fellow travelers and un-indicted co-conspirators like ourowndamnself who relish the woes & tribulations that have recently befallen the cad-ministration can only hope that the coverage and attention paid to these shenanigans will only increase in size, scope and detail. Part of our usual friday nite routine includes catching the McLaughlin Group on public television and, giving credit where credit is due, that happens to be where we came across link to Nieman Watch and story there on Gen. William Odom. There are voices of reason and experience out there, isn't it one of the greatest indicators of the waywardness of President Moron that he refuses to listen to them?
definite nip in the air over the last couple of nights... 11.17.05
heralding the annual ceremony of shutting down the A.C. alongside prepping the heater for the winter chill to come. Out early this Am taking the poochsters to park for morning walkies, allowing both human and beastie some small amount of exercise. Listening to NPR on the way to the park, caught the news re National Book Award winners, this reminded us of recent visit to Reecie's place, her inquiry (inspired by NewMexiKen -- who, btw, happens to make mention of the Nat'l Book Award winners in recent post, small world, isn't it, Binky?) of which book read in college figured large in one's personal history. Well, ourowndarnself pondered & thunk upon this mightily, first thinking, oh, mebbe it was The Monkey Wrench Gang, then thought, nah, likely we thinking that 'cause we in the midst of reading compilation of Abbey's work Slumgullion Stew. Some distraction or another came along and we completely forgot about this until after we'd returned from trip to grocery with Wednesday edition of the NYT in hand, and whilst perusing same, visiting the obit page we chanced upon the mention of Vine DeLoria's death and then it hit us square in the face (hurt too, goddammit...) Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, and YESSSSSS BINKY, We KNOW it was the late Dee Brown who wrote B.M.H.A.W.K., but during that particular time (l'Marquis collegiate history is like, uhhhhh, well, experiencing many flirtations/infatuations, each lasting over several months, while attending at least half a dozen different institutions, not including hoosegows & penitentiarys...) yourstruly was deeply immersed in this stuff, having also read Custer Died for Your Sins during this period. Here's a tiny bit of Deloria's book, as a farewell salute:
"America has always been a militantly imperialistic world power eagerly grasping for economic control over weaker nations. The Indian wars of the past should rightly be regarded as the first foreign wars of American history. As the U.S. marched across the continent, it was creating an empire by wars of foreign conquest just as England and France were doing in India and Africa. Certainly the war with Mexico was imperialistic, no more or less than the wars against the Sioux, Apache, Utes and Yakimas. In every case the goal was identical: land.
When the frontier was declared officially closed in 1890, it was only a short time before American imperialistic impulses drove this country into the Spanish-American War and the acquisition of America's Pacific Empire began. Also in Central and South America. There has not been a time since the founding of the republic when the motives of this country were innocent. Is it any wonder that other nations are extremely skeptical about its real motives in the world today?
No society which has real and lasting values need rely on force for their propagation. The wheel of Karma grinds slowly but it does grind finely. And it makes a complete circle."
(excerpt cadged from stormy.org/power)
buon giorno and pasta fagioli to you too... 11.15.05
and how are all ye lil' darlinks doink today? Ourowndarnself's not doing too badly, thank ye. Again, our C-Span habit had us perusing various and sundry items, one of which is certainly worth mentioning, 'course ye got to have yourself plugged into that idiot-box habit to some degree, have cable connection (or satellite), yet again, C-Span does provide oppt'y for ye to watch over the internet, and isn't that grand, except for having to deal w/realplayer. ANYWAY- Ray McGovern was being interviewed on Washington Journal (the R. McGovern interview can be seen in its own vidfile, likely found under recent programs...). Mr. McGovern is one of the writers who have contributed to NeoConned and NeoConned Again, two books available via Light in the Darkness site, and we swear we heard him mention more info available at neoconned.com but hey, maybe not just yet, eh Binky? Anyway, if ye can, make some time to check out the interview w/McGovern, l'Marquis was impressed by the way he handled a couple of the calls that came in during the post interview Q & A, one raging idiot in particular. You know, with those damnable holidays right around the corner (ourowndamnedself's astounded by the amount of xmas-y displays/advertising going on right now, give us a fuckin' break will ya!!) those two volumes might make lovely gift for somebuddy on your gift-giving list. and by the way, 6 years and still going strong! Kongrats & Kudos to K.M. & his Ghost in the Machine
food for thought... 11.11.05
or, perhaps, thought for food, and the food in particular? Bacon, ye pretty little things ye. Yesssireee, yourstruly fond of an occasional BLT, a couple of rashers alongside his scrambled eggies for breakfast, and admittedly, felt a tiny bit envious of pals Lee S., Phil & Janey when they launched upon their affairs with the Atkins diet, recalling descriptions of meals that included MUCH bacon. Odd thing recently to bring home November issue of The Atlantic magazine and find article Better Bacon, then discover Bringing Home the Bacon Making in the Wednesday NYT food section this week and gosh, isn't that some kind of wee miracle? Yourstruly thinking of investing whatever effort required for that corned beef recipe in the NYT article. Hmmmmmm, maybe the source credited for all the recipes in that piece will have recipe for some home made pastrami...
alright, the weekend is upon us. Enjoyed pleasant, albeit brief, visit with brother Daniel this afternoon within the comfy confines of Chez Esther, whereupon we discoverd that Dan and the lovely Janet have been wed something like nine years and not the six or seven that we had guessed at when mentioning their anniversary in a post last month, "Sorry D., my bad", as they say. Well, at least we got the sex of Genett's baby right, eh Binky?
okay, 'fore we up and leave ye, una cosa mas. l'Marquis is pretty damned certain he'd seen notice of this Vonnegut item in plenty of places when it originally popped up back in May, regardless, it's certainly worth revisiting, so we thank M. at wood s lot for posting the link as birthday tribute to Mr. V., inspiring us to likewise. Kurt Vonnegut's Cold Turkey
came across note to ourowndamnedself... 11.08.05
this morning whilst going thru bunch of misc papers, note intended as reminder of something yourstruly caught on C-Span over the weekend (?), press conference held by Mssrs Jones, Cleland, Kucinich, and Abercrombie on H.J. Resolution 55, which the citizens of El Paso, Texas know (seemingly, yet quite evidently) zip, nada, nuttin' about, and imagining that holds true across most of the country ('cepting maybe Berkeley, Ca.). Visit this ActforChange Link for simple and painless way to lend some support for H.J. Res. 55, and better yet, look up the addresses of your congressfolk and write them a letter, get your friends and family to do the same. Sure, maybe too little, too late, but again, better later than never, eh Binky?
later that same day... 11.07.05
noted online NY Times item re esteemed R. Sapolsky's latest book, Monkeyluv, we lookin' forward to gettin' our grubby mitts on this collection of Sapolsky essays, having enjoyed all we've read by him heretofore, making some notable mention of A Primate's Memoir on this d'monkey post of 9.22.02 (and soon as yourstruly has access to bro K's fat pipe we'll upload all the misc graphics that aren't showing up in oldmonkeystuff...) and it's nice the good folks at Edge still keeping this link alive, tho' we not sure the actual interview (requiring real player) is still available. Ahhh, but let not dismay cloud thy visage, ye pretty little thing ye, courtesy LookSmart, here be Sapolsky interview circa Winter '01, and if ye seeking more, why don't ye visit this LookSmart link
admittedly, l'Marquis has tried, mightily so, over the years... 11.05.05
to wean hisowndamnedself from impulses toward violence, yet occasionally he'll backslide a wee bit, not yet to the degree that he actually takes Louisville Slugger in hand, but that he savours and relishes contemplating kneecapping certain deserving individuals, some of his acquaintence, many others who are not; imagining hunting them down & ambushing, taking enormous delight and satisfaction in the sound of breaking bone as bat barrel collides with flesh, right Binky-poo? we know ye'd like to take out Rove yourowndarnself, no?
from linky bit off to the right, one we refer to as le mot juste, credited today to Albert Camus: The evil that is in the world almost always comes of ignorance, and good intentions may do as much harm as malevolence if they lack understanding. & ain't dat da trutt, ruth?
okay now, jessferdahalibut, a mess o'chunky linky goodness for ye:
for those who enjoy messing 'round in the kitchen on occasion, we present Chocolate & Zucchini;
mind ye, just because we might provide ye notice of an item l'Marquis might have had his curiosity tickled by, it don't necessarily mean all the minions agree with content found there, okay? alright then, now we introduce J. Kunstler's Clusterfuck Nation;
next up, a site yourstruly has been meaning to add to illustrious (oh Yah!) list of fellow travelers you can find at our AAWWWSHIT page, but seem to constantly reinvent new reasons to continue procrastinating every time we think of doing so (Alright, dammit, get on with it will ya!?), DavidCorn.com AKA bushlies.com;
the other day we wuz surfin' about, kinda aimlessly yet also seeking out some new tabs to mess around with, as l'Marquis had scored hisself an old Ovation Legend acoustic on that trip he'd made to the Whoopee Bowl (and again, them procrastinatory impulses have kept yourstruly from sharing more 'bout the Whoopee Bowl with thee...) and man, the neck and action on that thing is so very, very nice, it's become the guitar of choice when sitting around and picking on the git-fiddle --- ANYWAY, this might be more than ye ever wanted to know about fave old Beatles tune, notes on Day Tripper;
got something in the old dumbmonkey mailbag from a C. Bromley/nationbooks.org which included link to Common Dreams item, Here Comes the Judge - Beyond Roe Vs. Wade, and within the note itself was link to fogfacts.com, so here we publicly say "Thanks" to Mr. Bromley, not sure how we got on the mailing list but glad for it regardless...
gonna wrap this up now and get in gear for some weekend fun, mebbe a trip to Las Cruces be in order whilst it still be morning. Happy to share these bits of chunky, linky goodness: T. Rex's Guide to Life; LCwatch.com; we mentioned our occasional search for tablature to mess around with, Gunther Anderson's providing a bunch of stuff, including some tabs; Goshdarnitall, gotta get our bigbrownbutt in gear, una cosa mas, pues, eh? G.W. Bush, International Terrorist
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y'all know it ain't the meat, it's the motion, and you've october to thank for that...
