Clear Lake Reflections

Continuing With the "Victoria" Theme

2008-08-06T10:08:20Z

Yeah, I see Victoria Osteen as a lady wrestler on a plane, inflicting bodily harm to a flight attendant.

Can anyone think of a six-letter word, beginning with an "L" and ending in "yer?"

And if you think U.S. society is falling over the brink, this political comeback by Paris Hilton should restore your faith in our way of life.

Beam me up Scotty.

"General Hospital" Rocks

2008-08-05T02:35:12Z

Rick Springfield.

Here is the way it played out on TV you should be recording every day like Gospel.

No One Cares if my Computers Get Wet

2008-08-04T16:22:09Z

Bring it on.

This storm is obviously personally intended for me.

I'm sorry if anyone else becomes inconvenienced.

I intend to stand on the roof, braced against the wind, like Lt. Dan in "Forrest Gump," railing against God.

"IS THAT ALL YOU'VE GOT?"

Or maybe just cower with my dog in an interior closet with half supply of dingo bones and cheetos.

This is ruining a very important seminar I was supposed to attend tomorrow.

And what about dog pee and poop? How am I supposed to sweet talk myself out of that?

Electrifying. No power. No SoapNetZone. And oh my God, NO "GENERAL HOSPITAL!"

Here's a funny thing about preparing for a storm. They say, load up your fridge at coldest temperature and don't open the door.

What a brilliant idea.

Of course I have marshaled plenty of microwave meals to survive the aftermath. Anyone sense a lapse of logic in this formula?

Son of a Beach

2008-08-04T10:24:46Z

I don't have time for such a lovely interlude.

I have a very important class tomorrow that starts promptly at eight o'clock!

What part of that did you not understand, Mr. Poseidon?

We Can Only Laugh and Love, Right?

2008-08-03T23:49:13Z

Sick at heart about Christina Applegate's cancer.

I don't want that kid to die.

I contribute what I can to various cancer charities. Who knows if that makes any difference.

Then I think, "Mark, you are smart. Solve this yourself."

But it is so hard. This article

only skims the surface. The real problem with cancer cells, in my very un-educated opinion, is how they mercilessly reproduce, after a normal cell's life is over. It goes down to fundamental atom relationships.

I wish I were smart enough to figure out how to stop certain cells from "forgetting' they should die. But I am not.

Let's support those who can. Meanwhile, take a breath.

Christina Applegate has Cancer

2008-08-03T12:21:10Z

According to this story,

they say she will make a full recovery.

What a sweet kid. She's only thirty-six years old.

And while I have not followed her career closely, I've respected her from a distance. She has been one of those "under-the-radar" beauties for me, as hard to believe as that might sound.

But I've been aware of her for a long time, sideways glimpsing, year after year, in this or that story, how she has survived growing up in the Bundy household, matured through a relentless Hollywood child-killing machine, into a lovely young woman.

Then comes a shocking day.

Regular MRI... doctor walks in.... "sorry to tell you this Miss, but you have breast cancer."

One month after her 26 year-old boyfriend died from a heroin overdose.

Dear Christina,

I don't know you honey. Just a quiet admirer. I like you for your looks, your humor, Bundy laughs, and survival through the Hollywood jungle to become a huge success in what you have chosen to do.

You have been a "fight against cancer" advocate long before discovering the terrifying truth it festers in your body as well.

I wish I were smart enough to cure it. But I'm not.

Have faith that this is not life-threatening. First prognosis sounds hopeful, but what a shock.

We all dance around the prairie, don't we? Hoping to avoid the meteor strike.

Please don't let her die.

Are We Voting for President or a Pop Sensation?

2008-08-03T11:49:32Z

This is beyond ridiculous now.

Politics on a fun blog can get one in trouble, but my God people, all I ask is for the press and yourself to take five minutes and think about the realities of this world, how a free market economy works, what limits government should have over every aspect of your supposedly free life, and whether or not you deserve to keep more than half of your income.

That's all I ask.

I guess it does not matter if the majority of our nation have willingly turned into star-struck sheep.

We now return you to the three monkeys:

Maxie is Taking Over "General Hospital"

2008-08-02T13:00:11Z

I don't know how she does it with that sickening, Valley-girl, voice.

Ratings through the roof.

Link behind the pic shows you how many characters volley for air time.

Maxie's monologues - stuff of future legend.

And not as extemporaneous as it sounds, although Soap Operas resort to ad-lib frequently.

Both Kirsten Storms (Maxie) and Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) have amazing memories. They hardly ever stare at a cue card.

Plus, Maxie is ten times sexier than Lulu can ever hope to be, and don't think Johnnie doesn't know it.

This new girl, piano student, Lourdes, is complicating matters, because she's on to the hit & run couple.

Go Maxie.

Ignore Spinelli's hurt feelings. Everyone on this show is the "great friend" to the love of their life.

When he finds someone else (Leyla), a primal scream will not prove pretty from polished lips.

"Hey, wait!"

That's what everyone says when it's too late.

Birds Quiet Down in Novosibirsk

2008-08-02T09:51:14Z

Solar Eclipse Awes Spectators.

As one young lady, hoping to make it out of Siberia one day on her brains and bra through http://meet-russian-women.com, said:

"I didn't even realise there was an eclipse," said the receptionist at a local hotel. "It just goes to show what happens if you live up here - you don't find out about anything until it's too late."

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

2008-08-02T00:09:51Z

Bailey.

A close friend of mine is thinking about witnessing "part two," genuine chick flick while hubby plops two day cub scout excursion duty.

My friend has no idea.

If you did not see the first movie, how can you pretend to care?

Maybe they can try to restore the other four plot lines in a sequel.

For those who do not know, Bailey saved Tibby, the incredibly intuitive Amber Tamblyn, from a life course of cynicism.

An angel Bailey, God life skitter.

If you can find meaning in her death, you have more power of self-persuasion than I am capable of.

Here's a riff tribute to this amazing kid.

Railing Over the Railing Over Picket Fence Pieces

2008-08-01T10:43:44Z

This irritating article

is representative of the kind of one-sided journalism clear-thinking people struggle with every day.

"In a region linked with Mexico through family and economic ties, they say, the fence sends a message that Mexicans, including those who enter legally, aren't welcome."

"McAllen Mayor Richard Cortez shares Weisberg-Stewart's concern that the fence alienates legal visitors and hurts the economy."

"U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency doesn't need the fence because it has other means of control, such as clearing riverbanks of brush so agents can spot people crossing."

The pathetic attempt to counter-balance such ridiculous statements focus on legalities and purported economic impact of stemming the illegal tide. How ironic, considering the overall devastating economic impact of overrunning american social and medical institutions that you and I are taxed for.

What they need is a border wall, not pieces of fence. The situation is completely out of control.

Painting Beneath a Painting

2008-07-31T11:05:16Z

I find this technology amazing, where they can peer beneath the layers of an existing painting and see previous layers.

How do they know which layers begin and end a given painting, in this case, Van Gogh?

I saw a similar explanation in the movie "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," with John Cusak and Kevin Spacey. The latter was a rich art collector, showing Cusak a collection. And they brought out a black light to examine the canvas.

Like the fundamentals of music, I'm afraid the nuances of art will forever escape me.

I just know what I like to hear in a song and what I enjoy experiencing in a fine painting.

As for modern sculpture appreciation since 1960 or so - forget it.

Some Guys Hang Around Too Long

2008-07-29T12:51:37Z

Journey of a Thousand Steps

2008-07-29T10:19:27Z

begins with a Tuesday lurch.

Monday's orange juice search,

might as well have been left at church;

Except I didn't go, as we all well know.

Joel on TV was a compromise you see.

Thus ends my tale,

Gimme back Apple Mail.

The end

The Greatest "Star Trek" Episode

2008-07-28T20:27:27Z

Pardon me for waxing nostalgic.

It is either this piece or the Tribbles.

My dog would prefer Tribbles. Easier to shake in tiny grr, grr fashion.

But when it comes to letting the love of your life die in a street car accident, to save all of human history - that sort of takes the cake.