Album Art Meme

It's been a while since I did anything creative... So, over at Elisson's place he put out a basic meme challenge...

The rules were simple:
1) Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random. The title of the article is the name of your band.
2) go to http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3. The last few words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your album.
3) Go to http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days, where the third picture - no matter what it is - will be your album cover.
Use PhotoShop (or any similar image-tinkering app) to put it all together.

Here's mine... It looks like a random CD that I would never buy at Waterloo Records...

Bou Hoo Hoo

OK, if you've been paying attention to the world around you, you know we have a new president elect... One whom I would have bet would never get elected... In fact I did bet he would never be elected with Bou of Boudicca's voice, here.

I lost... As did most everyone else in this country. The thing is, I have to pay off a little faster than everyone else and I already know I lost.

Fair warning... This isn't gonna be pretty...

I would say not safe for work, but this isn't safe for anywhere. Ever.

I think I may need to up my gym time a little... And a tanning booth wouldn't hurt.

Patriot Act

I'm going to show a little linky love here, dear readers. I just recently became aquainted with Patriot Writer. She seems to be as sharp as she is attractive, and that's saying something. Stop by and give her a look see. It's worth the price of admission. She has a regular link in the right hand column now too.

Hmmm... I wonder if she has any ink...

Birthday Wishes

Have a very Straight White birthday.

Wagers Of Sin

It's on like Donkey Kong, Baby!
Bou of Boudicca's Vioce has this unfounded fear that the Obamanation is going to win the presidency. I say no way. Never. Gonna. Happen.

She made the poor choice as to go so far and say to her sister that if McCain won she'd post a picture of herself in a bathing suit and let it get out.

Well, Hell... I jumped all over that. Comments were posted and emails sent. Challenges thrown and offers to let the other back out given.

So, Dear Readers, rules were outlined, and a wager placed.

McCain wins the election, we will all get to click over and see the bou-dacious babe in a bathing suit and high heels ala 1940's pin-up.

On the other hand... And an ugly hand it be...

Obama wins. It'll be a sad day for America, made sadder by the fact that there will be a picture over here of yours truly wearing nothing but a pink speedo in my best Mr. Universe pose.

Good God, people, if the thought of my fuzzy carcass in pink grape smugglers isn't enough to make you get out a vote for McCain, we may be truly lost.

It Wasn't All Acid

It's almost two years since Rob "Acidman" Smith passed away. He was one of my early blogging influences. If things were good for him, he wrote. If things were bad for him... He wrote. His whole blog got started because things were bad for him. Although seperated by years and miles we shared some similar experiences. Going to his site to read always made me a little homesick. Sometimes his site was a balm on my personal wounds. The person (Persons) keeping his site up and reposting his archives are doing a wonderful job. If you've never read his work, go now and do so. You just might find what you need. Sometimes, even if you've gone through something before yourself, It's comforting to know that someone else went through it too.

...I miss being in love.
I miss having someone to talk with at night and to snuggle with in the sheets. I miss having someone who trusts me to be strong when I let her know about my fears ahead of time, because I can speak of those fears to her (only her), and I miss having someone who is proud of me when I overcome those fears and succeed. I miss cooking supper for my family. I miss looking up from the book I'm reading or the article I'm writing just to see HER across the room and feel my heart swell just from the sight of her. -Acidman

Caught Short: A 100 Word Product Endorsement

I just received my very own copy of Steve “Elisson” Krodman’s book “Shorts in a Wad” One Hundred 100-Word Stories. I pulled it out of my mailbox last night around 8, and I am already a third of the way in. I love Elisson’s writing anyway, and having written a 100-word story or two, I respect the art of doing so.
I have met the man, albeit briefly, and would have thought him to be somewhat normal… His tales are anything but normal. They are extraordinary, visual, enticing and surprising. This is a must have for any cultured “reading room”.

Click the pic to obtain your very own copy.

Inside Joke

I couldn't find a .357 Sig

Oh My!

A good friend of mine has decided to dip his big toe into the cold deep waters of blogdom. Go by and have a quick look see. He only has a post or three up so far and his comments seem to be turned off, but I enjoy conversing with him so I have high hopes. I tried to link him on the right, but blogger.com is a bastard today. I'm sure he'll become a regular read for me. Now, go see M at Lawyers, Tigers and Bears.

You Think, Therefore I Am

Eep. I have to say I'm deeply shocked and greatly honored. Walrilla has chosen me as one of the five "Thinking Bloggers" he reads.
I have to apologize to him for my lateness in responding. The rules (down at the bottom) state that I have to pick five of my own. It's tough. I want to pick bloggers that make me think, as most that I read do, as well as those who had not already been chosen by someone else. Whew... What to do, what to do...
Eliminated off the bat are Elisson, Eric, Jimbo, and Donny as they have aready recieved this honor.
Also out are SondraK, Kim DuToit and Rodger as they are big time and don't need me.

So, my choices are:

1. Kees Kennis: The wildlife photographs are beautiful. As a kid I was was a big fan of Peter Hathaway Capstick's books about big game in Africa. Kees also gives some insight into living on the dark continent from time to time.

2: Boudicca's Voice: Through choices I made (or had made for me) I never had a family of my own... Children to pass on wisdom to, or to gleen wisdom from... Some of her related conversations with her boys fill me with wonder.

3. Confabulation: It's not always fun and games over there, although there is plenty of that. Sometimes there is that thought filled invective, that makes me wish I had said that.

4. All I'm Saying Is...: Doc is a friend of mine and has been. He doesn't post often, but when he does... I wish he would post more, I miss his council as a friend, and his wisdom as an educator.

5. Bellerophonechimera: I'm not sure if I'm breaking the rules here or not, as this blog is no longer updated and hasn't been for a year and a half, but I don't care. I often go back through his archives, and am amazed at the writing and the language.

So, That's it. Those are the ones after the agonizing process.

The Rules:
1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think.
2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme.
3. Optional: Proudly display the ‘Thinking Blogger Award’ with a link to the post that you wrote.

Playing Dead

Our bloggy pal Eric has a small zombie phobia. Several of us like to tweak his nose about that from time to time. Sometimes he brings it on himself... Like today. He posted about this, so I just had to...

Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to have a zombie around to run errands and such. I know who I'd pick...

How can you go wrong with a Straight White Zombie?

For Eric

I give you... The Zombie Chipmunk!

Y'all Think I Don't Know...

...But I know. Ya know?

(don't stress if you don't know, it's an inside joke... don't cha know?)

Just What The Doctor Ordered

El Doctor, over at All I'm Saying Is... has gone forth and multiplied... Again. Join me in welcoming Silas Christopher to this little green ball. If he inherits ANY of his parents traits, he will grow up to be an intellegent, upstanding human being. A rare breed indeed.
Doc and I have been close friends for many years, and on occasion I crash on his couch when I go back to NC. His wife is a lovely woman (also an educator), they have a beautiful little girl, and they are a friendly clan. A couple of years back I stopped in on them, and as per the past I knocked once and walked in. His daughter was sitting in her highchair eating, and had never seen me before. She looked up from her meal at this stranger standing at the door, smiled and gave me a big old southern "howdy" type wave. A wonderful, friendly, happy, smart family. I make no secret of the fact that I don't care much for people in general, but I am very happy to see folks like these procreate.

Just as an added side note, Doc has started a UNC Good, Bad and Ugly report at his place so if you like Carolina, anyone they play, or college football in general you may wanna stop by.

We All Need Someone To Link On

My good pal Austin (from Austin) has created his own little blog site. Not tons there yet, and it will probably be a slow building process for him (as it is based on plane trips), But there are some beautiful pics there. Stop by, check him out and say "Howdy".

...But Acidman's Gone...

...But Acidman's gone...
Acidman and his blog "Gut Rumbles" helped shape this blog. He was crass, and grouchy, and he was one of the best. I have said this before, but I knew I had made it as a blogger when he quoted me on his site. I was proud to have shaken his hand at the blog meet in May. His was one of the first links I ever put over on the right. I knew he was ill, and in pain. I had hoped he would find comfort, and maybe some peace. I hope he has. His passing will leave a void in the blogsphere and in the hearts of all who knew him, and enjoyed his writing.

This is Dave, Rob's brother. I just wanted to let somebody know that the arrangements have finally been made. If somebody has the ability to get the word out, please go for it.There will be a memorial service for Rob at 4 pm on Thursday, June 29th, at Fox & Weeks on Hodgson Memorial Drive in Savannah, followed by an after-service celebration (can't be a wake if it's after the Memorial) at our parents' house. Pickers will bring instruments, everybody else bring voices and any Rob stories you can tell for everybody else to hear while they lift a glass to him. I'm going to miss my big brother, but I'll do my best to send him off in style! There'll be directions to the place at the service, or you can email me: dsmith@brannenlaw.com. Thanks, everybody!

Blown Away (Part I)

The Austin "Blown-Star" Blog Meet has come and gone. I have been meaning to put some "afters" on here for some time. I won't bore you with excuses, but will just move on to the reports. The cast of characters (and boy are they) I am about to pass on to you is not in any real particular order, mainly chronological, but not adhering to that standard.

I missed Friday's meet to attend a concert, so, I was already a day behind when I arrived on Saturday. I got to the hotel and with great eagerness went up to the sixth floor balcony to find... Nobody was there. Hmmmm... I went to the bar (logic dictates) and... It was empty. I guess I hit the supper break. So, being a self entertaining kind of guy I ordered a glass of bourbon and decided to wait and watch.

I recognized this shining face rushing by the bar, stopped her and immediately got a big hug and a welcome. She was on her way to see the bats, and El Capitan was sitting in his Caddy out front waiting for them. I walked outside did a quick meet and greet and decided that since I'd seen the bats before (I live here) I was going back to the bar. I was told that Marcus was eating in the diningroom having a burger, but I opted to wave at him from a distance told him to keep eating and I'd meet him officially later. Hotel bars are notoriously depressing so I downed my drink and went upstairs again.

I suppose I should have recognized this Helluva nice guy when I hit the top, but I can be kind of dense sometimes, I introduced myself and he gave me a good cigar. We chatted for a while, and little by little they wandered up. Here's where it gets a little fuzzy.

I squared off with this redneck right off the bat. I was still trying to act polite, and there was no call for me to be. What else did I expect from a good 'ol boy who got his start in the same state I did. We were only about three sentences in before he offered me the quick way down off the building. (sorry Livey, it wasn't you... Although he did reiterate the offer when I was rubbing your neck) I was headed back to the parking lot for a bottle when I bumped into The Man (I knew I had made it as a blogger when he quoted me on his blog) coming off the elevator. He was a lot quieter than I expected. (and shorter, no offence) He explained the quiet part in his blog and that was good enough for me. I did notice that he had a self satisfied smile on his face every time I saw him, a very confident individual indeed. This debonair chap actually asked me if I had cooties when I offered him a pop out of my flask, that was a first since third grade, but he did take a hit, and we got on famously after that. One or another of these guys was playing guitar when some jackass (actually he's a really great guy) told the group I was with to "Hey, shut up a second, OK". After they were done I joined that side of it and threatened them with my favorite long, convoluted biker story. Not knowing I'd really carry it out he baited me, and off we went. I've gotten laughs with "the chipmunk story" before, but with the interjections and comments this time I got to play the straight man for once. I plowed through with the singlemindedness of Forrest Gump while I was heckled and ridiculed and the crowd around us began to revolve. People were actually limping away holding their sides and tears streaming down their faces while new people showed up to see what was so funny. Finally Eric couldn't hold up his end anymore and collapsed and I wound it up. (I think Eric was mildly disappointed that I wasn't quite that dense and we were playing each other, but it was still epic)

I think this is as good a place as any to pause to catch my breath. To Be Continued...

Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'

That clinches it. I'll be doing the new blogroll tomorrow or the next day. The Blown-Star (hat tip to somebody) blodgefest is over. What a great bunch of folks. Several of them are going to be blogrolled here from now on. I deeply and sincerely regret that I did not get to spend more time among them. Over the next few days or so, I will catalogue a few of the folks I met and provide some linkage to them. I only got two pictures, and I am in both, but I may post them regardless. I feel very proud... Only one of them threatened to throw me over the 6th floor railing.

Human Trail Mix

It's finally here. The Austin Blown-Eyed blog meet. A bunch of fruits and nuts all in the same bag. I, unfortunately, will miss the opening ceremonies tonight at the Salt-Lick, due to the fact a pal of mine got me a ticket to see Joe Satriani and Eric Johnson at the Paramount Theater tonight. Two guitar gods and not a bad seat in the house. Thanks Austin. (the person not the place) I will later wander over to the blodger-lodgings to see if I can't meet a few of the freaks like me. I will miss the shoot-a-thon tomorrow because of work, but plan to spend more time with this ecclectic bunch Saturday night.

OK, I got bourbon, beer, 12ga, .380 sidearm, rubber boots, a catcher's mask and half a pool cue with electrical tape wrapped around one end for grip. I think I'm ready. Wooo-hoo!

On A Roll

Time for some reader input. Over on the right I have a blogroll, links to stuff I read & like. It needs a little spiffing up. Some links are defunct (Nation of Riflemen), some need re-directing (Curmudgeonly & Skeptical). I don't want a big huge blogroll because then no-one hits them all. So... I know which ones are going away, and which ones will be changed. What I need to know is: What links would you like to see put up there? Your blog - Their blog? Drop me some suggestions, I'll check 'em out. If they pass muster, they're added. It's that simple. I'll give it a week or so and then change them all at once. If someone has already suggested one you like, ditto it, it will make it more likely to be chosen even if I don't become a huge fan.

*I'm leaving Bellerophonechimera on there even though it's stagnant. He may come back, he may not, but he has some pretty deep stuff on there that bears reading more than once.

Thatisall.